Page 11 of Becoming One
CHAPTER 5
Nelson couldn’t believe how nervous he was. He had been standing in front of the mirror for goodness knows how long, since coming out of the shower. “You shaved, showered, and from the stiffness of your cock, you are definitely ready, so why the hell are you standing in here and not out there having the time of your life with the man you love?”
Nelson awoke when his dream walk was over. He had been kind of afraid to open his eyes, in fear his fox coming back to him was only a dream. However, while he lay there, he could feel the fluttering and tickle of his fox within him. Nelson would never forget opening his eyes to see Orion sitting there looking back at him with a wide smile.
Looking around the room, he realized they were alone. Orion saying, “They left as soon as we returned. Ezra says to tell you he’s sorry he didn’t make it, but he’s glad you have your animal back and looks forward to meeting him, and Jewel meanwhile is begging Ezra for a pet.”
Nelson laughed. “Knowing him, he’ll try and get a bear cub out of Ezra.”
Orion laughed too. “You might well be right.”
Lying there with his head in Orion’s lap, Nelson felt himself becoming nervous. His animal was back, and they could now make their mating official. However, Nelson suddenly needed a minute alone.
Sitting up, Nelson had mumbled, “I need to clean up. I’ll be back.”
Orion hadn’t tried to stop him, and Nelson was thankful, but now here he stood clean and ready, but afraid to open the bathroom door.
Sitting on the toilet seat, Nelson rested his elbows on his knees, nervously running his fingers through his hair, trying to talk himself into getting up and going out there. “Nelson, you have wanted this man since the moment you met him. Now is your chance and you’re being an idiot.”
A soft knock came, and Nelson jerked, letting out a very unmanly sound. The door slowly opened, and Orion peaked in saying, “Is everything okay? I—Nelson, what’s wrong?”
Hearing his mate’s concern, Nelson felt emotions building and start to run over, blubbering he said, “I don’t know. I want you, Orion. I want you more than I can say and yet I was terrified to open the door. What’s wrong with me?”
Orion rushed to Nelson and bent down, taking Nelson in his arms. “There’s nothing wrong with you, sweetheart. Being nervous is natural. Hell, I’m nervous.”
Nelson pulled back, looking into his mate’s piercing blue eyes. “You are?”
Orion smiled. “Of course I am. We are about to take a major step in our lives, Nelson. What if I’m not what you really want? What if I can’t please you? What if I can’t be a good enough mate for you? Will my scars begin to look hideous to you when you see them all for the first time?”
Nelson quickly gasped, lightly touching Orion’s scarred cheek. “Never, ever question what I think about your scars, Orion. Those scars are a badge of honor, courage, and like me, show that you are a survivor. I have never looked at your scars, and been disgusted in any way, and you are more than good enough for me, Orion. You have been the best mate any man could ask for. You have stayed by my side when I was at my lowest in life and never once pushed me into something I didn’t want. You have put me before everyone time and time again. Gods, if anyone should worry about being worthy, it’s me.”
Orion leaned in, softly kissing Nelson, then quietly replied, “You are everything I could ever ask for in a mate. You’re my bright star that guides me home just by a glance or touch. I love you, Nelson. Now and always, I love you.”
Nelson sniffled and wiped his eyes, rasping, “I love you, too, sexy man.”
Orion wiped another tear from Nelson’s cheek, whispering, “Are you ready to make our mating official?”
Nodding, Nelson replied softly, “More than ready. Orion, make love to me.”
Orion picked Nelson up and carried him into the bedroom. Nelson gasped when he saw what looked like hundreds of candles flickering around the room and rose petals scattered on the floor and bed. “Oh! How beautiful.”
Orion laid Nelson in the middle of the king size bed, picked up a remote and pressed a button. The soft sound of Boys to Men singing ‘I’ll Make Love to You’ filled the room, making Nelson smile. “My favorite group.”
Nodding, Orion unbuttoned his pants, replying, “It seems very fitting.”
“Yes, it does. Now come here, Sexy. I want my mate,” Nelson quietly said, not wanting to ruin the special mating Orion had created.
Orion’s fingers went to the hem of his shirt and he hesitated as fear and anxiety filled his eyes. He looked down, his hands frozen where they were, and sadness filled him. Had Orion changed his mind? Did he not want him? As he stared at his big, strong mate and saw his hands shaking, suddenly understanding filled him.
Orion’s scars. His mate had a hard-enough time with the disfigurement of half of his face and Nelson knew that the rest of the right side of his body down to his thigh suffered the same burns, so Orion must be terrified to allow someone to see his naked form. Especially him, his mate.
As much as Nelson proved how much Orion’s scars didn’t bother him and he only saw them as a badge of courage, it still affected his mate. He would have to prove his sincerity for as long as it took to make Orion see that he wasn’t disgusted by his disfigurement. Nelson knew what he had to do.
Sitting up, he slowly got to his knees and crawled across the bed, closer to Orion who stood frozen beside it. Once Nelson reached the edge, he raised up on his knees and slowly put his hands over Orion’s and his mate stiffened as he sucked in a small gasp of breath.
“Everything will be okay, my love, I promise you. Please trust me,” Nelson said softly.
Reluctantly Orion released his shirt and dropped his hands to his sides. Nelson didn’t immediately grab the material and rip the shirt off like a bandage. No, he knew that would only make matters worse. He needed Orion to know without a doubt, that he could be trusted with Orion’s biggest insecurity.