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There was a worst part?
“N-No, sir,” Khan managed to whisper because it seemed like Payson’s attitude demanded it.
His voice rising, Payson declared, “The worst part is that I could be curled up with Land in a nice warm bed, but instead, I’m out here freezin’ my balls, chasing your dumbass all over the mountainside.” With a huff, he crossed his arms over his chest and asked, “Where were you going and why?”
Khan opened his mouth, then closed it just as quickly. His mind remained stubbornly blank. He had no answer to that.
“Really? Nothin’?” Payson rolled his eyes. “Typical.” Pointing at him, he stated, “Here’s what we’re gonna do. We’ll shift back, and you’re gonna follow us home like a good doggie.”
While Khan wanted to feel offended, he couldn’t dredge up enough dignity to do so. “Yes, sir,” he mumbled.
“Then, when we get back,” Payson continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “You’re gonna march your ass inside. If your mate’s inside, you’ll apologize. If not, you’ll at least explain to Alpha Kontra what the hell your problem is that you decided to go racing out into gods-middle of nowhere like a douche.”
Khan had never seen Payson angry before, and he hung his head with a wince, shame filling him. “O-Okay, sir.” He feared the hyena shifter would step forward and backhand him at any minute.
For several long seconds, nothing happened, and he stayed where he was, tense and waiting.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Payson muttered with a whine in his voice. To Khan’s surprise, the other shifter dropped to his knees in front of him and drew him into a fierce hug. In a much softer voice, Payson asked, “What the fuck in our time together ever gave you the impression that I used my fists on my pack-mates?” As Payson spoke, he kept Khan tight against him with one hand while threading the fingers of his second through Khan’s hair. “We all got issues, man, but you may wanna think about talkin’ to the pack shrink about yours.”
Khan stiffened at the idea of going to someone like that, and Payson obviously felt it. He eased back a little, using his hold in Khan’s hair to force him to look him in the eyes. The anger in their depths had been banked to be replaced by serious concern—which was sort of disconcerting, considering who was holding him.
“Khan, or whoever the fuck you are,” Payson stated with way too much seriousness in his voice. “There’s nothing wrong with talking to someone about your problems. If you can’t go to Alpha Kontra about it, then find someone.” With a shrug, he added, “I was experimented on, and I needed to talk to someone about it. Now I don’t know what happened with the witches or if your issues were prior to that, but you need to talk to someone who can help you figure out a way to let at least some of them go.” Payson held his gaze steady for several heartbeats before he added, “Ya hear me?”
“Y-Yeah,” Khan managed to get out. “I-I’ll th-think about it.” That was the best he could manage.
Payson’s eyes narrowed, and his nostrils flared. A tick appeared in the corner of his jaw. For an instant, Khan thought Payson would push.
Except, fortunately, he didn’t.
Dipping his chin in a short, sharp nod, Payson huffed a breath. “Okay then.” He released him and began turning away. As he moved, Payson smacked Khan’s ass cheek with a resounding crack. “I’m tired of freezin’ my dick off, so let’s get out of here.”
Then Payson shifted, and Khan followed suit.
As it turned out, Khan had been running a fairly circuitous route. They weren’t that far from the farmhouse as straight shots went. The home’s welcoming lights appeared between the trees after only a twenty-minute run.
Someone must have been watching for them because the back door opened when they were halfway across the back clearing. Alpha Kontra stood silhouetted in the doorway for a few seconds before he took a few steps backward. He stayed quiet as they passed, closing the door behind them and blocking out the chilly evening air.
While the other three immediately began to shift, Khan hesitated.
Once Payson was in human form, he blew a raspberry at Khan. “Cats outta the bag, man.” He narrowed his eyes just a smidge before saying, “Do as I ordered.”
Khan’s wolf immediately backed down, and he shifted.
As Khan finished, Kontra murmured, “You were gone longer than I thought you’d be, guys.”
Payson scoffed as he rolled his eyes, his happy-go-lucky persona back. “Khan’s wolf is a speedy fucker.” Land entering the room had the hyena shifter turning toward his mate. “Hi, baby.” Opening his arms, he welcomed the human between them. “Missed you.”
Then they were making out.
Vail rolled his eyes before grabbing several sets of sweats out of a cabinet by the door. “He could have at least covered before starting that shit,” he commented as he handed a pair to both Khan and Ishmael before pulling on a set himself. “We better leave, or we’ll end up with an eyeful we don’t want.”
“Hot drinks are set up in the kitchen,” Kontra told them, lifting a hand to herd them in that direction. “Let’s go.”
They all quickly started moving. Evidently, the only one who wanted to see Payson’s erection was Land.
As it should be. I wonder what our mate’s erection looks like. Bet it tastes good.
Khan mentally groaned at the ideas his wolf was putting in his head. Just thinking about an aroused Nathan caused his own blood to heat. Unable to help himself, the words were out before he could censure himself. “Is Nathan still here?”
