Where Foxes Hunt with Wolves - K.A. Merikan Page 0,151
meal,” he said, and they both glanced toward Yev, who attempted to help Radek’s mom befriend Coal. He was so tall, and his smile never failed to light up Radek’s heart. Even in moments when he felt hopeless.
He couldn’t have dreamt a better partner, and he already knew he’d never regret his decision to bond with Yev.
Just as he’d been warned, his interest in other men had waned, and porn no longer held the kind of appeal it used to. He could still tell that Emil was handsome, or which men he found attractive, but their presence no longer made his blood flow faster. Yev had been the best, most compatible partner ever even before the ritual, but their bond had felt different since that memorable night. Their love would never falter. It would always remain mutual. And this gave him immeasurable comfort.
Radek stood a little taller, embarrassed when he unexpectedly choked up. “I love him so much. I know I ranted about him when we broke up for, like, half a second, but it’s great. We’ve smoothed out those wrinkles, and we really are going in the same direction, you know?”
Emil nodded and touched one of the long picnic tables stacked with bread, vegetables, and sauces to eat with the pork. “I’m happy you found someone who’ll stand by you. I know it’s been hard.”
Radek exhaled, almost embarrassed how soft the relationship has made him. “He’s… he’s so thoughtful and caring. And helps me with the sanctuary so much. It’s such a responsibility, but my heart feels lighter since I decided to change things up. You know what I mean? Like I can feel I’m doing the right thing.”
He glanced at the tables again, worried he’d missed something, but no matter how carefully he searched for things that might offend Yev’s pack, he couldn’t find any. He hoped werewolves liked mustard on their meat.
He smiled when Adam approached from the fox enclosure and hugged Emil from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder, and grinned.
“It’s getting late.”
And it was. The sun was about to disappear beyond the mountains, and once their guests arrived the party would start for real.
Radek had been preparing for a long time to host Yev’s pack but still felt so intimidated by the prospect of having to convince them all their relationship wasn’t just some fleeting fancy that he wished it wouldn’t be happening tonight. But maybe Yev was right, and it was better to jump off the deep end already?
Adam let go of Emil and squeezed Radek’s hand. “Gotta go. Hope everyone has fun.”
“Are you going to your aunt’s again?” Radek asked to prolong the conversation that moment longer.
Emil and Adam stalled for a second, as if they hadn’t expected the question, but in the end it was Emil who spoke. “I’m going with him tonight. So be a good boy while the village head is out.”
Radek rubbed his hands together with a grin. “The wolves and foxes play when the shepherd’s away.” So it was an inside joke only he understood. But he still enjoyed it.
He and Yev walked their friends to the gate and said their goodbyes before returning closer to the fire, where mosquitoes were less active.
“Look,” Yev whispered into his ear, and discreetly pointed out Mom, who was feeding Coal by hand, her face pensive as if she expected a bite, but when Coal let out a little bark of joy, she smiled.
Radek’s eyes watered, and he looked away, feeling like the biggest sap.
“He’s growing so fast,” Yev mocked, earning himself a nudge from Radek’s elbow.
“Have all the foxes been fed?” Radek asked, trying to occupy himself with everything but the upcoming party, but the sight of the hog steadily turned by Iga, who had grander plans for the sanctuary than Radek himself, reminded him there was no escape from reality.
He’d already met the parents, but it was time to convince everyone else that he was perfectly suitable as Yev’s partner.
“All taken care of. Stop worrying. Mom got all the women on board. It’ll be fine,” Yev said and draped his arm around Radek’s shoulder while they breathed the scent of burning wood and hog.
“What about the men” Radek asked. That deadly fight with Burian still haunted him some nights, and Yev’s father would surely never forget it was Radek who’d stuck a silver knife in his son’s flesh. But on the other hand, if he hadn’t done it, his other child would have been dead instead.