divine destiny were real, too.
Realizing his head was beginning to spin with his thoughts, Elroy blinked and cleared his vision.
Pain meds kicked in.
Sighing, Elroy shook his head. At least they were doing their job. The stabbing pain in his leg had simmered to a dull ache. That he could tolerate.
“Dermot?” Elroy had intended to holler, but his voice came out a soft rasp. He swallowed, planning to try again.
Dermot appeared. “Hey, baby. You feeling a little better?”
Elroy nodded, offering his wolf a wan smile.
My wolf. He does look a little wolfish with his shaggy hair, beard, and intense eyes.
He giggled.
Oh, shit.
Shaking his head, Dermot crouched before him. “Sorry, Elroy. You’re definitely right. You are a lightweight.” Skimming his blunt fingertips along Elroy’s jaw, he winked. “And I am your wolf.”
“Oh, god. Where’s a hole when you need one,” Elroy grumbled, mortified that he’d said that out loud.
“No holes, baby.” Dermot pecked a kiss to his forehead and straightened. “Let’s get you washed up a little, then some food in you, and you’ll feel ten times better.”
Elroy hoped Dermot was right.
Lying on the sofa instead of the bed, Elroy sighed contentedly. He had a belly full of bacon, eggs, and hash browns, his casted leg was propped up on the far arm of the sofa, and his head was on Dermot’s thigh. Even better than listening to the fire crackling was the feel of his lover teasing his fingertips along his neck and shoulders.
“Ready to see if Camilla is available?” Dermot asked.
“Mmmm,” Elroy hummed, tipping his head to meet Dermot’s gaze. “Almost dozed off.”
Dermot grinned. “You can doze off after your call.”
Elroy nodded. “Good idea. I know my friends must be worried out of their minds.”
“Remember, no mentioning shifters, Rueben, or paranormals,” Dermot stated as he reached toward the side table. “I’m Ranger Dermot Reever, and we’re trapped in this cabin for another day as my co-workers clear the landslide that wiped out the road.” Setting down a device that looked like a radio with a walkie-talkie attached to it, Dermot winked. “And you and I are falling madly in love while I’m taking care of you.”
Nodding again, Elroy snorted. “She’s going to question that, saying I just have Florence Nightingale effect and should take some time away from you to see if it’s real.”
A low growl rumbled from Dermot’s chest, and he scowled at him. “That’s not what’s happening here.” His hand on Elroy’s throat wrapped around it and urged his chin up a little. “We are fated mates, and we will build a life together. You’re it for me, Elroy Greer.”
Warmth bubbled in Elroy’s chest as he stared at Dermot’s intense expression. “I know.” He squeezed his lover’s wrist with his left hand, trying to soothe him. “You’re my shifter, and I’m your human. Mated and bonded for life.”
Dermot let out a long breath between pursed lips, his expression softening. “Yeah.” His hand loosened, and he teased his fingertips along Elroy’s pulse point. “Sorry. Did I mention shifters are possessive of their mates?” His lips curved into a sheepish smile. “The idea of someone trying to get between us, for any reason—” Dermot shrugged.
“It’s fine. I, uh…found it hot,” Elroy admitted, glancing pointedly at his dick, which tented his sweat shorts.
Groaning, Dermot muttered, “Gods, baby. I can’t do anything about that right now, and—”
The crackling of the radio phone that Dermot had placed on the sofa near Elroy’s hip interrupted him. A deep garbled voice came through the speaker. Dermot reached over and fiddled with the knobs, and the reception cleared.
“This is Ranger Holsteen,” the man said. “Ranger Reever, can you read me? Over.”
Elroy knew from Dermot’s explanations over breakfast about the pack and their inner circle that this was Dixon Holsteen, the beta.
Dermot picked up the microphone and pushed a button. “This is Ranger Reever. I read you, Dixon. I have Elroy here beside me. Over.”
“How is Elroy holding up, Dermot?” Dixon asked. “And I have Camilla and Bart here with me. They’ve been worried about him. Over.”
“I’ll let Elroy speak for himself. Hang on.”
Then Dermot handed the microphone to Elroy.
“Hi, Camilla. Bart. I’m sorry to have worried you,” Elroy began. “I got turned around in a rainstorm and fell down an embankment.” He figured it would be better to downplay it, since cliff sounded so deadly…even though it could have been. “Dermot, uh, Ranger Reever found me and took me to safety.” At Dermot’s soft reminder, Elroy added, “Over.”
Camilla’s voice came over the line. “You total asshole.