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He was pretty confident that he would be offered the room, but there was always a chance that something could muck it up. With that unhelpful thought racing through his mind, tension began to build in his gut. If he turned him down for someone else, it would make further contact awkward at best.
He should have found another way to ingratiate himself into Tanner's life and not taken the seemingly easy way of applying to be his roommate. "Fuck, I should have thought this through," Zeke mumbled tightly.
“Talking to yourself?” Cross came in and took a seat next to him.
"Tanner Fenn, the delivery guy from last night, is my mate." He figured there was no need to keep secrets, especially not from his Alpha. Cross was shocked but recovered quickly.
"That was unexpected." He said and then added. "Congratulations, Zeke. I'm happy for you." Cross glanced at the monitor where Zeke had pulled up a still of Tanner from last night. "He's a good-looking guy, and take my word for it; you're going to be very happy."
"I don't doubt it." Zeke could not hide his joy and excitement at finally having met the love of his life. "I knew it would be profound, but nothing prepares you for that first moment when you realize Fate has chosen you. You see them, and the emotions that well up are overwhelming and so different from anything you've felt before."
“He is your perfect match, and all others pale in comparison. I know the feeling.” Cross agreed. “How do you plan to get close, or have you already remedied that problem?" Zeke explained how his day had gone so far and that he was waiting not too patiently for the call.
"Don't worry, he will call. He's feeling the pull and is finding you very interesting, if not drop-dead gorgeous." Cross smiled when Zeke started to laugh. "The waiting is the hardest part, my friend." Cross patted his shoulder as he stood up, and just then, Zeke's phone rang. "Good luck." He said and left the room.
“Hello.” He quickly answered.
“Is this Zeke?”
“Yes.”
"The room is yours if you're still interested." Tanner's voice was soft and sweet.
"Very interested. When is it convenient for me to move in?" Zeke wanted to get this on the road as quickly as possible.
"Anytime, that's up to you, but my rent is due in less than two weeks, so it will work best for me if you move in soon." Zeke appreciated his honesty and resisted the urge to chuckle.
“How about tomorrow?” Zeke wanted to head over there right now but thought it might appear odd since it was already late afternoon.
"That would be great, what time?" Tanner sounded sincerely pleased, and it touched Zeke in that place only Tanner had access to.
“What time will you be up?” He knew Tanner worked nights and didn’t want to disturb him.
"I'm off today and tomorrow, so anytime is fine."
"I'll see you at eleven," Zeke stated, assuming it would give Tanner time to sleep in and not have to rush on his account.
"I'll see you then." And with that, Tanner closed the call. Zeke wanted so much more, but there was nothing else he could say or ask without making Tanner uncomfortable. Tomorrow, he would start his pursuit. It was obvious that Tanner found him attractive, and he would build on that. His tiger began to pace in the back of his mind, anxious and eager to claim and mark their mate. It was going to take some discipline and a lot of deep breathing to stay calm and wait for tomorrow morning.
"Hey, how's it going with Tanner? I hear he's your mate; congratulations." Noa came in and sat down next to him. He had two beers with him and handed one to Zeke.
"Things are going okay. I'm moving into his spare room tomorrow morning." He took a long drink of his beer before continuing. "It's hell sitting here when all I want is to be with him in that tiny apartment."
"Moving in with your mate is the best scenario any of us have had, so I'm not feeling too sorry for you. He will not be able to resist you as the pull continues to dominate him. It won't be long, and you will be introducing him to the pack." Noa was right, and Zeke knew his situation was a step ahead. Having Tanner in the same living quarters would jump-start the bond. But still, he wasn't with him right this minute, so he was going to complain.
“Have you heard anything from Griff’s clan?” Zeke changed the subject.
"They found the two men from the parking lot and have dealt with them. From what I understand, they're working their way up the chain of command to whoever gave the order. They're not going to be satisfied until they have achieved an eye for an eye." Zeke nodded, completely understanding the drive to avenge the death of a clan member and loved one. It was how the paranormal survived and protected their own. If it had been a fair fight, the death would have been accepted, but these were back shooters, just cowards with a gun.
“My mate should be safe now.”
“Should be.” Noa agreed.
Tanner wasn't surprised when his landlord showed up with a piece of plywood and nailed it over the window. "That will keep the elements out until it's fixed." He said, and that was that he packed his tools and left, giving Tanner no timetable for when it might get fixed.
He stood in the living room and looked around. Between the lack of furnishings and the big sheet of plywood on the window, the place looked sad and empty. Zeke said he had some pieces he'd bring with him, so that might help. He ordered some pizza, went to his room, and closed the door. It had been his sanctuary while living with Salem.
Salem was a partier and played the field until getting so attached to Blake. He often brought dates home, so when he got home and on his days off, Tanner stayed in his room. After Salem hooked up with Blake, he was not home often and spent his nights at Blake's place. He hadn't really cared what Salem was doing, but he wasn't sure how he'd feel if Zeke started bringing guys home.
