Page 22 of Lord of the Lone Wolf (Bonded Hearts #3)

Maseo

B itris, Drayden, and Sudryl were already back in their room by the time Maseo returned from his shower after the sparring battles.

He collapsed onto his bed with a groan, sinking into its comfort.

He felt better for having put Kitsuki’s ring back on after the sparring matches.

It felt wrong to be without its warmth and protection.

“Poor pup. Kicking all our asses must have been so tiring,” Bitris teased.

“I was doing fine until Carinus almost broke every bone in my body with that last throw,” Maseo groused, his body aching from the encounter. “I’m going to be feeling that for days.”

“Don’t feel too bad. Getting your ass kicked by him is a rite of passage,” Sudryl said in solidarity. “He’s wiped the floor with everyone except General Jaega.”

Despite his body’s protests, Maseo turned onto his side to better face the others.

“It’s strange there’s a high-ranking griffin shifter in an army of a dragon shifter king.

It feels as if that shouldn’t be allowed.

The Kunushi army consists mostly of wolf shifters because Nasume doesn’t trust many shifter types to serve him loyally.

” Maseo had stopped calling Nasume his father in front of other army members so they wouldn’t think he still had ties of affection for the man who had shown him nothing but abuse.

“Although there are a few bear shifters enlisted, since they have a strong alliance.”

“General Jaega’s opinion has always been that all kinds of shifters live in Valzerna, not only dragons. Therefore, the army should reflect that since everyone wants to protect the kingdom they share. He’s a firm believer that everybody has unique strengths to help defend our land.”

Everything Maseo learned about the general made him respect the dragon shifter even more. “And that’s why he’ll soundly defeat the Kunushi army. The wolves are too arrogant and poorly trained because it’s been peaceful for so long.”

“Won’t it bother you to turn your weapon on your own kind?” Sudryl asked.

“Not after all the abuse I’ve endured at their hands.

There’s only one I would spare. I hope that hiding in the library will keep him safe from the fighting.

” Iston was one of the only people who had shown Maseo any kindness at Norello Castle.

The elderly librarian was the closest thing to a caring father Maseo had ever had.

“Our general has very strict rules that only military members are allowed to be slain in battle,” Sudryl explained.

“He won’t tolerate servants and civilians being harmed.

His philosophy is that it’s not their choice to serve such a terrible king when their families are honor-bound to the pack. Your librarian should be safe.”

Relief flooded through Maseo. “I hope so. He’s one of the only people I care about.”

“If you’re worried, tell General Jaega,” Drayden suggested. “Since they’ve claimed you as part of the Ariake clan, he should have no problem honoring your desire to keep your librarian safe.”

Maseo shook his head. “I’ve already imposed enough on their clan as it is. Asking for anything more feels too greedy.”

“Speaking of which,” Bitris said with a gleam in his eyes. “What a surprise to see our king’s consort visit you at the barracks today.”

Maseo’s cheeks flushed at the reminder. “He’s too kind.”

“What I want to know is why I could smell jealousy and arousal from him while I was trying to kick your ass.” Bitris hummed with interest. “It seems there’s more to your story than you’ve led us to believe.”

Maseo forced his battered body to sit up and face Bitris. “It’s not like that. Auslin has every reason to hate me, but his heart is kind enough to forgive the awful things I’ve done to him in the past. He shouldn’t care about me.”

“Perhaps he does because he’s interested in you as more than a curiosity,” Bitris suggested.

The idea was laughable. “There’s no way,” Maseo denied. “Why would he look my way when he has the most incredible mate?”

“Who also seems to have a vested interest in you.” Bitris tilted his head as he studied Maseo. “How curious.”

Maseo brushed his thumb against the ring Kitsuki had gifted him. “I promise it’s not like that.”

“Are you sure? Because our king’s consort was all blushes and shy glances as he looked at you in awe after you defeated me,” Bitris pressed.

“Why would they ever want a complication like me when they have each other?” Maseo tried not to take it to heart, although it hurt to say it out loud. “There’s no place for me between them.”

“That’s enough conspiracy theories for one night,” Drayden declared. “Let him rest, Bitris. It’s been a long day for us all.”

Bitris pouted. “But I haven’t offered to give him a massage yet. And you know I give the best massages.”

“We also know what ‘massage’ is code for with you,” Sudryl said with a snort. “Did Auslin’s appearance today teach you nothing about why Maseo is off-limits?”

Bitris sighed with a scowl. “You never let me have any fun.”

“Yes, how dare we save you from yourself,” Drayden joked. “We’re the worst .”

“Come on, what’s the harm in enjoying a little cuddle with our pup?” Bitris asked.

Sudryl rolled his eyes at his friend’s antics. “What part of ‘he’s untouchable’ do you not understand?”

“But that makes me want him even more,” Bitris whined. “I mean, look at him. How am I supposed to keep my hands to myself with his gorgeous face and body? His lips are begging to be kissed.”

After a lifetime of being called worthless, Maseo found it impossible to understand Bitris’s attraction to him.

“Why would you waste your time with me when you could have anyone you wanted?” As handsome and charming as Bitris was, Maseo was confident the dragon shifter could pick up anybody for a night of fun.

Bitris’s teasing expression darkened with concern. “Shit, you mean that, don’t you?” He gave a sympathetic tut. “I don’t care how gorgeous he is; your father is the world’s biggest piece of shit for making you think you’re worthless.”

Maseo shrugged. “He’s not wrong. All I do is take up space and cause problems.”

Bitris got off his bed and walked over to stand in front of Maseo. He took the half-wolf shifter’s face in his hands to force their gazes to meet. “You are many things, but a problem isn’t one of them.”

“But—”

Bitris shushed Maseo’s protest. “I won’t let you put yourself down. You are more than an inconvenience or unwanted complication. We’re all glad you’re here, okay?”

“He’s right,” Drayden agreed. “It sounds as if you went through hell in Kunushi, so it’s better that you’re here with us.”

“We can take care of you the way you deserve,” Sudryl added. “Albeit with far less sexual harassment than Bitris intends. You’re handsome, but we also value our lives and ranks, sorry.”

Bitris’s thumb stroked Maseo’s cheek with heartbreaking tenderness.

“If I’m not allowed to convince you with my body, at least listen to my words.

Auslin coming to check on you today proves you have people who care about you and want you here.

He saved your life for a reason. And I’m glad he did because you deserve this second chance at living a life where you can be happy. ”

The idea of happiness was such a foreign concept to Maseo that he almost couldn’t wrap his mind around it. “Why do you care about that?”

“Because it breaks my heart that you’ve been so starved of love that you genuinely believe you don’t deserve it at all.

But look around you,” Bitris said, gesturing at everyone present.

“You have us, Rylan, General Jaega, Auslin, and King Kitsuki, who all want to see you find the happiness you’ve never been allowed to have before.

I’m sure there are others who care about you, like your librarian friend you mentioned. ”

Other than Maseo’s mother, Iston was the only person who had ever shown him familial love.

He thought about Elzbieta, the kind server in Alsari, who showed him what an affectionate platonic friend could be.

Then there were Auslin and Kitsuki, who had blessed him with the immense kindness of saving his life, despite having every reason to leave him dead in that forest. While it had only been a few weeks, Bitris, Drayden, Sudryl, and Rylan had all offered Maseo genuine friendship, never holding his father against him.

Maseo’s eyes stung with unexpected tears. He blinked them back, embarrassed by the sudden emotion. “I don’t know what to do with all of this. I’ve spent my whole life trying to survive each day without making my father angry.”

Bitris wiped away a tear that escaped down Maseo’s cheek.

“That’s the beauty of it, pup. You don’t have to do anything except be yourself.

The rest of us will be here, caring about you whether you like it or not.

” His serious expression melted into his familiar flirtatious smile.

“Though if you ever change your mind about that massage, I’d be more than happy to oblige. ”

“Seriously, Bitris?” Drayden groaned, throwing a pillow that hit the dragon shifter in the back of the head.

Bitris laughed. “What? I had to lighten the mood! Our poor pup was about to cry.”

“So your solution was to proposition him again?” Sudryl asked.

“It worked, didn’t it?” Bitris winked at Maseo. “You’re not crying anymore.”

The tension in Maseo’s chest eased. “You’re impossible.”

“I prefer to think of myself as delightfully persistent.”

“But in all seriousness, get some rest,” Sudryl urged. “Tomorrow is another day of training.”

“I expect a rematch where I actually stand a chance at getting you flat on your back,” Bitris joked. He reached under his bed and pulled out a cloth-wrapped bundle with a flourish. “But before we sleep, I think our newest brother-in-arms deserves a proper welcome.”

“Is that what I think it is?” Drayden asked.

Sudryl groaned. “Bitris, we have training at dawn.”

“All the more reason to celebrate now.” Bitris did a theatrical reveal of a flask of amber-red liquid and four metal cups. “The finest Valzernan fire whiskey, straight from my cousin’s private distillery.”

Maseo sat up, wincing at his sore muscles. “Fire whiskey?”

Bitris poured generous servings into each of their cups. “You survived another week with us. And more importantly, you survived Carinus throwing you around like a rag doll and still walked afterward. That deserves commemoration.”

“It’s tradition,” Drayden admitted, accepting a cup with a resigned smile. “Though usually we wait until the end of the week, not the middle.”

Sudryl took one, shaking his head. “Last time we let Bitris break out the whiskey on a training night, General Jaega had us running laps until sunset the next day.”

“Worth it,” Bitris declared, handing Maseo the last cup. He raised his own in a toast. “To Maseo, who may be wolf by blood but is dragon by choice. And to him finally realizing he’s worth more than his father ever let him believe.”

The genuine sentiment behind Bitris’s words caught Maseo off guard. He stared at the three men, overwhelmed by their acceptance. For the first time, he felt as if he belonged.

“I don’t know what to say,” Maseo admitted.

“You don’t say anything,” Sudryl instructed. “You drink.”

The four of them clinked cups and downed the whiskey. It burned like liquid fire down Maseo’s throat, igniting his insides. He gasped, eyes watering. “Holy shit.”

Bitris laughed, already refilling their cups. “They don’t call it fire whiskey for nothing. Dragons make the strongest spirits in all the kingdoms.”

“Another,” Sudryl announced, raising his refilled cup. “To kicking Nasume’s ass when the time comes.”

They drank again, and the burn turned into a pleasant warmth spreading through Maseo’s limbs, easing the aches from training.

“One more,” Drayden suggested. “To new beginnings and finding family where you least expect it.”

As they made their third toast, Maseo felt a strange lightness he had never experienced before. He had never imagined having friends could feel so good.

“Now, since we’re all pleasantly buzzed, tell us what’s really going on with you and our royal couple,” Bitris requested. “I swear on my dragon’s honor, what’s said in this room stays here.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” Maseo protested, though the whiskey made his cheeks flush hotter.

“Your heartbeat just spiked,” Drayden observed with a sly smile. “Dragon hearing, remember?”

Maseo groaned, covering his face with his hands. “I hate all of you.”

“No, you don’t,” Bitris replied cheerfully. “You love us. Almost as much as you’re attracted to our king and his consort.”

“I’m never drinking with any of you again,” Maseo muttered through his fingers, but he couldn’t quite hide his smile.