their heights. “My fault. But I love you. With all my heart.” His heart broke when he saw Phoenix’s eyes misting. Phoenix blinked rapidly and took deep shuddering breaths. After maybe one tense minute of silence, the tears began to roll down his cheeks.
Juri cursed quietly and pressed his lips to Phoenix’s.
Phoenix sobbed into their kiss. He wrapped his arms around Juri and squeezed him tightly, as though he was afraid Juri would disappear. Or as though they hadn’t seen each other in years.
Maybe between their duties it had been a while since they’d actually seen each other. Time to make some things right. Juri moaned and deepened the kiss, licking hungrily at Phoenix’s mouth. “Apples and cinnamon. Still addicted to you, my crumble.”
Phoenix laughed through his sobs and caught his lips again. His cheeks were wet, so Juri used his thumbs to brush away the moisture. “I think you said something about a shower?”
Juri walked backward, taking the still-clinging Phoenix with him into the bathroom. He pushed his hands under Phoenix’s dark blue tank top and pushed it up his chest. “Naked. But no sex before we talk this through.”
“Aye aye, sir.” Phoenix sounded breathless, and his sherry eyes belied his easy agreement to Juri’s deal.
Together they managed to shuck off their clothes in seconds. Juri turned on the shower and pulled Phoenix under the lukewarm spray. He shuddered in delight when the water hit his over-heated skin, and he felt the same relief rush through Phoenix’s body.
Juri rubbed up and down Phoenix’s back and met his gaze. He pecked a tiny kiss to his bearded chin. “Zeke Lassiter was an ass to you, am I right?”
Phoenix’s glowing eyes dimmed a little. “Yeah. You know my... preferences. Zeke promised not to tell anyone. Our clan wasn’t the most progressive, so two guys hooking up was frowned upon. Even more so if both were alpha types. My father had been urging me to challenge our alpha for a while. The guy was pretty old, and the clan was afraid he’d lose against an outsider eventually. When I told Zeke I’d do it... he spread our private matters.” Phoenix placed his head on Juri’s shoulder, hiding his face.
Juri slid his hand up Phoenix’s back and tangled his fingers in his hair. “Why the fuck did he do that?”
“He was jealous. Wanted to become alpha himself. He knew our outdated clan wouldn’t be happy about a gay alpha, but they’d never accept one who preferred to take it up the ass.” Phoenix snorted. “As though that says anything about my abilities as a leader. It was a disaster. My father and a couple enforcers attacked me and chased me out of town.”
“Damn,” Juri whispered. He kissed the side of Phoenix’s head. “Baby, I’m so sorry. You said your home life wasn’t easy, that your father trained you fucking hard. But I never expected...”
Phoenix snuggled against him. “There’s more. Zeke was banished as well because of our unhealthy relationship. He was furious, and he stalked me for the first couple of years. Wherever I went he’d follow and try to join whatever clan I was interested in, until I eventually gave up and stayed away from clans. I hadn’t heard from him for four years when I came here. I thought I’d gotten rid of him.”
Tugging Phoenix closer, Juri fought his bear’s urge to find Lassiter and teach him a lesson. Their mate had been hurt so many times in the past, and Juri had added his own stabs into Phoenix’s already bruised heart. “And now he’s living in Silver Creek. Fuck. I should’ve known something was up when you became nervous about the visit. I was so focused on micromanaging everything that I didn’t notice... How the hell did you put up with me for so long?”
Phoenix sighed. He nibbled teasing kisses along Juri’s neck and shoulder. “I love you, you dense asshole. What I said earlier... I regretted my words the moment they left my mouth. You’re my whole world, and although I was pissed at you, I’d have waited until you felt the time was right to bond. Years, if necessary. And I know you’re not after my position. You’ve been nothing but supportive.”
“Probably too supportive, according to the clan.” Juri shook his head in wonder. “I don’t deserve you. Since you’re not sick of me, though, I’ll hold on tight.” He found Phoenix’s lips for a slow, toe-curling kiss. “I want to give you the bite. All the time,