that short couple of hours, it felt like I had a glimpse of what real family life could be. Of having a…
Having a mate for myself. And another role model for Elise; someone who cared for her and was there just for her, to give her things that no aunt and uncle could, no matter how doting. And things that I, as her alpha father, couldn’t give.
Ah, shit. I was getting carried away. Kole said it himself—he couldn’t be mated. How ironic, and so incredibly fitting I would have that kind of luck. Still, though, the things we’d done earlier that day were fresh in my head. And it seemed like he wanted more.
I knew that I probably ought to not indulge again. Kole was probably getting just as carried away as I was, seeing as he’d never been with an alpha before, but could I really stop? I was so into him. And hounds of hell, the things we’d already done…I was addicted.
“We’re gonna go back to our place,” Ivan announced, rising from the couch. “Kole, great to meet you.”
“Come back again,” Jillian said, hugging him.
“I’ll walk you guys back,” I said. “Take some of these leftovers for lunch tomorrow.”
I carried a couple of containers of food with me and went with them into the hallway connecting our two apartments, and when I shut the door behind me I said, “Now, I know what you’re thinking…”
“We’re really happy for you,” said Jillian. “Markos, he’s great! Elise adores him.”
I held up my hand to stop her. “Hold on. You’re right, you’re absolutely right. He’s a wonderful omega, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t into him.”
“That’s a big step in the right direction, Markos,” Ivan said.
“But you heard him. He’s not looking for a relationship, and I respect that.”
“But you two are…” Jillian imitated a creaking noise and thrust her hips forward, and she and Ivan burst out in a fit of stupid cackles.
“None of your business,” I said, trying to keep a straight face. I grabbed their shoulders and pushed them towards their door. “Go home already. Ivan, your mate is a pervert.”
She laughed and made the creaking noise again before Ivan waved and closed their door. I shook my head and went downstairs to get the mail. As I was coming back up, I found Kole standing at the top of the stairs.
“Hey,” I said. “You have to go?”
He nodded, smiling. “I didn’t realize the time. I need to water my plants.”
“I can give you a ride home,” I offered.
“That’s alright. I’ll take the wolf run.”
I walked with him out to the sidewalk. “Thanks for accepting my invitation. Elise really enjoyed you being over. And I did, too. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had such a nice evening.”
“Dinner was wonderful,” he said.
“Hey, you’re welcome to come over again anytime.”
“And when will we finally get a chance to do your reading?” Shyly, he reached out and took hold of my hand, and I felt my heart melt. I looked deep into his eyes, and it felt like for a moment I could see that glittering starlight from the spectral realm. I was getting sucked in…
“You tell me,” I said. “And I’ll come running.”
“Tomorrow night? We can do it at mine. No distractions this time.”
“I’ve got no problem with getting distracted.”
I leaned in, or maybe he did, and our lips met for just a few seconds, just enough time to indulge ourselves and for me to completely forget everything I’d just said to Ivan and Jillian. Oh boy, I was in trouble. I was on a roller coaster ride, hurtling down the drop with no brakes to slow me down. I really liked him.
He stepped out on the street, waved, and shifted into his wolf form. I watched him pad off down the street as passing headlights flashed across his fur, making him glow like a treasure. When he was finally out of sight, I let go of my breath and started to wonder if maybe there was a way we could be together.
I showed up at his door exactly on time with an ice chest full of cheeses, cured meats, homemade pickled vegetables, fruit, and a bottle of wine—all picks of the best stuff I’d ordered for the café. Even though I’d come for the reading, I wanted to surprise him with something I thought he’d enjoy.
He was dressed up in his usual all black, with a silk button-up that gave me little teases of