While Macauley was healing, they’d had some in-depth conversations about their lives and the eras in which they’d grown up. His beloved had been quite animated recounting of his days as a pup and the shenanigans he and Aleksei would get into when Wrath would take the surface. Adres really enjoyed hearing of Macauley’s normal upbringing, with parents, siblings, and a pack that was his extended family. Adres’s life was filled with a lot more adventures to tell, but unfortunately most of his memories were still locked away.
At least my light has returned.
Wrath had done a lot. He’d freed his soul, but he couldn’t do it all, and Macauley was anxious to be back inside him to see for himself. Adres didn’t think that was a good idea since Macauley was just healed well enough to leave his home. He thought it would be best to take their time. He was glad Macauley respected that and didn’t try to force it or sneak inside his mind while he was unshielded. He didn’t think he could ever get used to keeping his shields down, but it was easy when it was just the two of them. And he’d enjoyed the private time they’d had together.
Now it was time to stop basking in their new connection and rejoin the rest of the world.
The loud thud of Macauley’s boots as he walked down the stairs cut through the silence and amped up his hunger. Adres was standing in front of the large window in the kitchen, looking out over the bustling compound. Word of their pairing had circulated fast, and Adres was nervous about how Macauley’s pack would receive him after what he’d done. Just because his mate and his siblings had understood and forgiven him… didn’t mean that everyone else would. Macauley’s headstrong betas, Bundy and Anna, still continued to eye him suspiciously around their alpha.
He released a long sigh as Macauley pressed his chest against his back and wrapped his arms around him. His warmth soaked through Adres’s jacket and into his skin as he peppered soft kisses along the side of his neck.
“Are you about to start baying at the moon?” Macauley chuckled.
Adres was also getting used to Macauley’s wry sense of humor. Ever since Adres had explained that he didn’t prefer to laugh or smile, his cherished had made it his personal mission to get him to do just that.
Adres sucked his teeth. “Clever.”
“Are you ready to leave, grumpy? I wanted to walk the grounds for a bit before we go to see Justice and Wick.”
“As ready as I am going to be.”
Macauley flicked his tongue behind Adres’s ear, making him shudder. He tilted his head to allow for more, despite his weak protest that they needed to continue to be cautious. “Macauley, stop it. La naiba, Macauley. We’re supposed to be careful but you continue to test my willpower.”
“I can’t help it; I like it when you curse at me.” Macauley’s deep timbre was back. When he’d been able to use his vocal cords again, the first thing he’d said to Adres was “It wasn’t your fault,” and he also fussed that Adres better never jump out of his window and into the sun again. “I understand a lot more of your language now. Keep talking.”
Adres groaned as Macauley pushed his bulge against his ass, his knees going weak as warm hands caressed his chest.
“You look nice tonight.”
“Thank you. And you—” Adres glanced over his shoulder at Macauley’s tattered sweater and his typical denims with the threadbare kneecaps. “—look like you always do. Comfortable.”
Macauley laughed so loud it tickled Adres’s eardrum. He turned him around and draped his arms over Adres’s shoulder as he stared down on him. It made him want to smooth his hair back or dust away imaginary lint on his shawl when Macauley gazed at him for so long. When he looked at Adres as if he was responsible for the moon that lit the sky.
“I wish you wouldn’t do that.”
“Do what?” Macauley snuck his hands under Adres’s cover and unbuttoned a couple of clasps on his jacket.
Adres’s eyelids fell slowly as Macauley grazed his calloused thumb over his left nipple. He bit his bottom lip to keep the wanton moan from escaping his throat. How the hell was Macauley finding all of these erotic hot buttons Adres knew nothing about? Macauley watched his reaction, his breath fanning over his lips. And it made him think about kissing. Macauley removed his hands and placed them on Adres’s hips and walked them backwards until his ass hit the countertop. He dragged his hands up his chest and gripped his neck as Adres’s head fell back and to the side.
Macauley growled low inside as he dipped his head and sucked hungrily on Adres’s throat. He no longer cared about how he sounded, not when Macauley seemed to enjoy the more vocal he got. “Your submission makes me want to be inside of you again. I can feel your light, and I’m not even trying to. All that goodness in there just waiting for me.”