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“I thought we could stroll along the river. It’s pretty down there at this time of year with the new spring growth.”
Marshall fell into step beside him, shoulders brushing and knuckles nudging against each other. Both of them were walking unaided, no canes required, but Aaron kept their pace slow and measured. No point in setting both of them back after they had come so far.
Marshall was frowning, deep in thought, and Aaron was happy to let his mate work through the information he’d received at the meeting. He let his own mind wander to the background noise of the river gushing past in the distance, the spring thaw raising its level. The smell of newly cut grass wafted on the gentle breeze.
“What does the role of Alpha-Mate do?” Marshall asked, pulling Aaron from his own thoughts.
“The Alpha-Mate supports the Alpha, helps run the Pack, that kind of thing.”
“Yeah, but how?” Marshall stopped, and Aaron turned to face him, hearing frustration in his mate’s voice.
“You’ll help me make decisions regarding the Pack, co-host functions and ceremonies, and oversee special projects.” Aaron studied Marshall, who didn’t relax at the information. If anything, he grew more tense. “Talk to me, Marshall. The only way this relationship is going to work is if we communicate with each other.”
Marshall took a few strides away, hands on hips, before turning back to where Aaron stood. “From what I’ve seen in the brief time I’ve been here, you have a great team around you. The Pack house runs better than a high-end hotel, and frankly, can you see me hosting an afternoon tea discussing what colors we’re using for the Christmas decorations?”
Aaron bit back the totally inappropriate smile that threatened. Marshall must have seen some amusement in his face though, as he gave a growl worthy of any predator shifter. The scowl he threw at Aaron made him look dangerous, and unsurprisingly, Aaron found it a huge turn-on.
“It’s not funny, Aaron,” Marshall bit out, throwing his hands in the air. “I have a business to run. I have a life in Stone City. It seems like a foregone conclusion that I’m going to give all of that up to sit in the corner of your office waiting for you to ask my opinion on something or deciding the week’s menus with your mother and the chef.” He turned away, his body vibrating with tension.
Aaron carefully stepped up behind him and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. A tremble wracked through Marshall’s body. Aaron moved closer, so his chest was to Marshall’s back as he slid his arms around his trim waist.
Aaron didn’t say anything for a moment. Slowly, the tension eased from Marshall’s body, and he dropped his head with a deep sigh.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“No, I’m sorry. We should have spoken about this before now. Goddess knows we’ve had enough time in the last three days.” He turned Marshall to face him, cupping his face before kissing him softly. “I don’t expect you to give up your life just because you’re mated to me. I’m not that old-fashioned. We’re a team, and we can figure out how to make things work, okay?”
Marshall gripped his waist, tugging him closer. “Yeah. Sorry I overreacted.”
“No, you didn’t. Our key priority is to get well and seal the bond. Let’s finish our walk, and then I’ll get Mom to sit with you and tell you what she did as Alpha-Mate. You’ll get a better understanding of how the Pack works, and then we can plan out the next steps.”
“And then I think we should work on seeing how well the bond is settling,” Marshall told him with a waggle of his eyebrows.
“Hmm, what a great idea, Alpha-Mate-to-be.” With a final, brief kiss, they continued on their way toward the river.
Chapter 15
Aaroncheckedhisreflectionin the mirror for the umpteenth time. He resisted the urge to run his hand through his hair, which he’d had trimmed earlier in the day. He ran a hand down his copper-colored shirt. His mother would kill him if he creased it. She’d dropped it off earlier, telling him it brought out the color in his eyes.
His stomach rolled, and he gripped the edge of the counter.Why was he so nervous? He’d met with high-ranking officials and, Goddess, even a member of vampire royalty once. Meeting Marshall’s parents should be a walk in the park.His wolf whined, and he took a few deep breaths to calm them both.
“Aaron? Where are you?” Josh’s voice rang through the empty suite.
“Here,” he called back. With a last glance in the mirror, he made his way into the sitting room where his brother waited.
Josh whistled. “Wow. Pulling out the big guns, huh?”
“Mom bought it for me,” he said, running a hand down his front again. “It’s not too much? Should I be in a plain white shirt? Maybe a tie?”
“Oh my Goddess, you’re nervous,” Josh chortled. “I never thought I’d see the day that Alpha West would be nervous.”
“Josh,” Aaron growled, glaring at his brother, who only laughed harder.
“Sorry, Aaron. I know this is important to you. It’s not every day you meet your mate’s parents.” He rested a hand on Aaron’s shoulder. “Listen, if they raised a guy as nice as Marshall, they can’t be all bad, right?”
“I know, but finding out your family has shifter blood in it and that your son is not only the mate of a Pack Alpha, but a once in a generation soul bonded mate….”
Aaron was interrupted from saying anything further as his mate entered the room. Aaron’s breath left him in a gasp, and he was vaguely aware of Josh chuckling and telling him he’d see them at dinner.
