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“Hey, guys,” I greeted them. “Thanks for coming. I want to introduce you to someone. This is my partner, Jules.” I gripped his hand tighter. “Jules, meet the guys and their partners.”

Vee, who had turned around when he heard me speak, stilled like a hound whose nose had just picked up on a deer trail.

“Hi, Jules. It’s great to meet you, I’m Arne.”

Nate tried to approach us to shake Jules’ hand, too, but Vee flung out an arm to stop him.

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

“Stay behind me,” Vee rasped, his dark eyes fixed unblinkingly on my man. “Why have you come here?” he asked Jules.

“What the…? Baby?” Nate tried to get around Vee’s arm again, but the massive Elvertritsch didn’t budge.

“We should go, Nikolai. It was a mistake.”

“Yes, it was,” Vitus said in a dangerous voice.

I’d never seen Vitus like this. It was scary.

“Get a grip on yourself, Vee!” I snapped.

“Don’t you dare be an asshole to my husband,” Nate snarled, getting up into my face. “The others might be okay with your antics, but my line is crossed when you attack my mate.” His lips pulled back into an inhuman grimace.

“Frat boy,” Vee muttered softly, slipping his arms around Nate and pulling him back. “Calm down, please. It’s all good. There’s no need to fight for my honour. Even as hot as it is when you get all protective of me.” He kissed Nate’s temple, and I watched the temper drain out of my teammate.

“Shit. Sorry, Nik. I have no idea what happened.”

“The mate bond is strong between you,” Jules said in his low, melodic voice. “You are right in protecting the other half of your soul.” He gave Nate a radiant smile as if he hadn’t just threatened me. It made Vee grumble under his breath.

No need to worry, big guy. This one is mine.

“But I have to ask you not to insult Nikolai. I feel about him the way you do about your mate.”

He never raised his voice, and his face stayed pleasant… but shit. The memory of Jules’ reaction to my black eye sent a shiver down my spine.

“I invited Jules tonight so he could meet you at last,” I told Vee to steer the conversation away from our men measuring their dicks. “We met a few months ago and fell in love,” I explained and took Jules’ hand. “I want him to hang out with us without any issues.”

The giant chicken man contemplated me for a long moment.

“He’s been faced with nothing but prejudice, and it makes me sick. From the moment I met Jules he has been so lovely and kind to me.”

He squeezed my fingers.

“Jules deserves respect and company.”

“You’re right, Nikolai.” Vee nodded. He kept his left arm around his husband and extended his right hand to Jules.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Vitus, but everyone calls me Vee. And this is my hot-headed husband, Nate.”

My sweet precious baby shook hands with both of them. “It’s nice to meet you,” he said politely, never letting go of my hand. His anchor, and mine. “I’m Jules.”

“Can anyone explain what we’re missing?” Arne cocked an eyebrow and contemplated the scene before him.

I noticed that Max kept his mate close, too, and how his outline blurred with the shadows.

“Jules is the Höimann,” I explained.

“That rings a bell. Baby, isn’t that this old guy you told me about? The one who joins the Wild Hunt in winter?” Nate snorted and gave Jules a once-over. “No offence, man, but you don’t look like I imagined.”