Page 21 of Lord of the Lone Wolf (Bonded Hearts #3)
He shifted his weight, aware of a warm tightness low in his belly that he told himself was the excitement from watching such an impressive display of combat skill. It was the same feeling he experienced when Kitsuki demonstrated his power.
Jaega glanced down at him with a knowing smile that made Auslin blush deeper. “The boy fights with passion.”
“He’s amazing,” Auslin agreed, sounding choked up. He cleared his throat, hoping the general wouldn’t notice the flush spreading across his cheeks or how his gaze kept returning to Maseo’s form.
Maseo was breathing hard, his dark hair falling into his eyes, his expression fierce with triumph. Beneath him, Bitris blinked up, stunned, and then that damnable smirk curved his lips again.
“What a surprise,” he murmured, his voice a husky drawl as he ran his hands up Maseo’s thighs, intent on groping his ass. “I didn’t think you’d be the one on top.”
Auslin’s stomach twisted at the sexual implication. The sight of Bitris’s hands on Maseo sent a confusing spike of jealousy through him. He didn’t want Bitris or anyone else touching Maseo. The intensity of his reaction startled him.
Maseo swatted Bitris’s hands away before they reached their goal, rolling his eyes as he stood up. “Maybe next time, you should stop playing around and actually fight for real.”
Bitris sat up with a stretch. “I’ll do it if that’s the best way to get you under me.”
Jaega called out to the men to take a break before summoning Maseo to join them.
Auslin tried to compose himself, willing his heartbeat to slow.
What was wrong with him? The strange fluttering in his chest and the lingering warmth under his skin from watching Maseo dominate his opponent confused him.
It must have been the exhilaration of the fights, the thrill of seeing Maseo triumph over opponents who underestimated him.
He derived satisfaction from seeing someone he had healed now thrive.
It couldn’t be anything more.
Maseo’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw Auslin. Once he was closer, he teased, “If you were hoping to see me get my ass kicked, you must be sorely disappointed.”
Up close, Maseo was even more striking. A faint sheen of sweat accentuated the strong line of his jaw. His presence felt larger now, stirring confusing feelings within Auslin.
“I didn’t know you were such an amazing fighter,” Auslin blurted, unable to hold back his praise. “It’s impressive how you took down opponents so much bigger than you.”
“When you grow up as a half-shifter in Kunushi, you get your ass kicked a lot. Thanks to that, I have plenty of practice fighting against much bigger and stronger shifters who all had a personal vendetta against me,” Maseo explained with a shrug, drawing Auslin’s attention to the play of muscle across his shoulders.
“It was time well spent,” Jaega assured him. “There are few who could take down Bitris, let alone make it look so easy.”
Maseo grinned at the compliment, his expression transforming his face and bringing light to his green eyes. The confidence radiating from him was so different from the shattered man Auslin had saved. “That’s the beauty of people always underestimating me and refusing to take me seriously.”
“You are wise to use people’s assumptions against them,” Jaega said with an approving nod.
“Are you really okay?” Auslin asked, struggling to keep his voice steady. Being close to Maseo after witnessing his display of power made it hard to think. “Has anyone given you problems? That Bitris guy seems like an issue.” The words came out more possessive than he intended.
Maseo waved away his concerns. “If anything, Bitris is a little too friendly. But he means well. I’ll take that over someone torturing me out of hatred any day.”
Auslin frowned. “I don’t like the sound of that.” The idea of Bitris pursuing Maseo stirred something protective within him. “He shouldn’t be touching you like that.”
“It’s fine,” Maseo reassured him with a charming smile. “The important thing is we’re all learning to trust each other through training. There are only a few guys who are still suspicious.”
Auslin protested, but Maseo stopped him.
“Almost everyone in Kunushi hated me because of my mixed heritage. Having a few guys refuse to accept me feels more like home. It would be weirder if everybody welcomed me with open arms. I understand their suspicions, and I don’t blame them.
I’d certainly be distrustful of me in their situation. ”
“You have more than proven yourself worthy to stand in our ranks,” Jaega praised Maseo.
“You’re far too kind,” Maseo said with a respectful bow that highlighted the graceful strength of his form. “I’ll continue doing my best for the glory of Valzerna.”
Despite having seen Maseo’s fighting skills firsthand, Auslin couldn’t shake his worries. “Please be careful.”
“You don’t need to worry so much about me,” Maseo told him with a reassuring smile. “Being part of the army has given me a new purpose in life. I’m grateful for the chance to do something meaningful.”
“I wish it were safer.” Guilt churned in his gut at having involved Maseo in warfare. It warred with the heat that pooled there from watching Maseo be so dominant while in complete control.
“There are no guarantees in life. At least this way, I get to confront the people who tormented me growing up while everyone here benefits from that.”
“I guess,” Auslin conceded with a sigh. “I’ll come back later to check on you again, if that’s okay?” The words tumbled out before he could stop them, betraying his eagerness to see Maseo again.
“While I appreciate your concern, it would be in my best interest if you didn’t show me any favoritism,” Maseo said.
Auslin frowned. “But how else will I know you’re fine?”
“I will keep you updated,” Jaega promised. “But Maseo is right. To keep the men from talking, he should be treated as a regular member of our army.”
It pained Auslin to hear he should stay away when all he wanted was to ensure Maseo’s safety. But he nodded, understanding that the issue was bigger than him. “I understand.”
“Good lad.” Jaega then called out in his booming voice, “Back at it, warriors!”
“I’ll see you around, Auslin,” Maseo said before returning to the center of the ring to defend his position as the winner against the next opponent.
“Thank you for letting me observe today,” Auslin said to Jaega, hoping he hadn’t caused too many problems for either man by coming.
“I am sure it heartens our warriors to see their king’s mate take an active interest in their efforts and well-being,” Jaega replied, a hint of amusement in his eyes that made Auslin wonder if the general had noticed his flustered state.
Auslin’s heart felt heavy. “I wish I could do more.”
“You have done more than enough. We are all grateful to you,” Jaega assured him, clasping Auslin’s shoulder with a reassuring squeeze.
Auslin resisted the temptation to stay and watch Maseo fight a fierce fox shifter next.
He returned to the castle with a head full of confusing thoughts and the uncomfortable memory of his strange urge to submit to Maseo’s strength the same way he did to Kitsuki’s.
None of it made sense, but Auslin did his best to ignore the issue. No good could come from that.