“I do. Especially with how you have behaved recently.”
“You mean how we behaved, right?” Macauley clarified.
Damn, Adres was in deep waters… and he’d never learned how to swim. Macauley’s youthful grin could get Adres to do anything he desired of him. How would he ever look into those playful blue eyes and say no? “I beg your pardon.” Adres frowned.
“I think it was you that started rubbing and touching me last night while we were watching the movie.”
“I was bored to death. I tried to explain to you that I do not watch television, but you insisted. That movie was overexaggerated and full of mistruths.”
“It was Terminator 2.” Macauley shook his head as if Adres was the crazy one. “It’s sci-fi action. It’s supposed to be over-the-top, ya know. For entertainment purposes.”
“Then they failed, because I was hardly entertained,” Adres said drily. And ridiculously horny.
“You weren’t bored. You were hot in the ass.”
Adres almost tripped over his own feet. What kind of backwoods, off-the-grid expression was that? Hot in the… what? “I was no such thing.”
Macauley laughed at him. “Sure. Let’s just say you were an innocent lamb all weak and this big bad wolf kept trying to take advantage of you. Whatever helps you sleep during the day, Adres.”
He’d never thought of himself as a delicate lamb, but the thought of Macauley chasing and dominating him didn’t sound all that bad. Adres wondered if the lightness in his chest and the fluttering in his stomach was him feeling happy. Maybe that was too strong a word. Perhaps content.
“Where do you usually go on the full moon?” Adres asked.
Macauley shifted, no longer looking in his direction. “Um. I do a lot of things. Mostly, I—”
Adres gave his cherished a sideways glance, knowing he was unable to lie as he started to backpedal his thoughts.
“I go to… like… places. Not places. Nothing in particular, every single time. I just enjoy the night.”
“Very well, then.” Adres also knew that Macauley wasn’t the kind of man who would dishonor his mate and be with someone else, especially not after the connection they’d made. But Adres was beginning to see all of the problems that not being mated presented. What if that sphinx finds Macauley tomorrow night, when he is at his most…? “When is your brother expected to return? Has he sent word?”
Macauley roared with hilarity, causing some animals to scurry away. So loudly that Adres was getting annoyed. “Is the air thinner up here in these mountains? You laugh when there is nothing humorous to laugh about.”
“I just like the way you talk, Adres, that’s all. Don’t mind me. But to answer your question, yes. Taleb called on his cell phone this morning.” Macauley mumbled under his breath, “He didn’t send ‘word’, this isn’t the eighteenth century.”
“You want to know what I do to men who mock me?” Adres paused.
Macauley slowed and turned to him with an amused smirk. “Oh, do tell.”
Ordinarily he’d have slit the man’s throat, but clearly that was not an option. Adres was about to call forth his energy, but he couldn’t even do that. He could not bring harm to his beloved, ever. Adres let his hand fall to his side.
“You couldn’t… right.” Macauley came forward and pulled him to his chest. “It’s okay, handsome. I can’t hurt you, either. You don’t have to worry about where I’ll be tomorrow night.” Macauley kissed him on his forehead, and Adres didn’t think he’d ever felt anything so romantic. “I’ll be alone… and thinking of you.”
“Are you really that uncontrollable on a full moon?” Adres asked, not wanting Macauley to release him.
Macauley’s sneer could’ve rivaled Hades. “I wouldn’t use that word. Because even in my animal form, I’m in control at all times. I’m not like Aleksei where my wolf can act independently.”
Unless someone is trying to kill you.
“But I don’t try to control it. I just let whatever happens, happen naturally.”
“Of course.” Adres nodded.
“Hey.” Macauley tugged him closer, and Adres wrapped his arms around his waist and pressed his face to his hot throat. Gods, why does he always have to smell so good? “You have nothing to worry about. Just because we’re not mated yet doesn’t mean I’m gonna try to get in one last rut on a heated beta. That’s not how this works. I couldn’t do anything with Michelle even if I tried. I know that and so does she.” Macauley took his hand. “Come on, we better get to the war room. I’m sure they’re waiting for us now. Are you going to tell Wick about your plan to help with the starving covens?”
“You think I should?” Adres asked. It was one of the first times he’d sought out another’s advice. But he trusted Macauley and all of his righteousness.
“I do. It’s a good idea. No, actually, it’s a great idea,” Macauley encouraged, making Adres feel better about his proposal. “You know you have my full support, and my betas said they’ll be ready to back you up.”