Page 16 of Safe in His Arms

“If you want I can help you with it,” Roman said… “I would love to claim you, but there’s no rush?”

“Claim me?” Devon repeated.

“Yes, like, uhh…” the alpha rubbed the back of his neck and stared at the ceiling like he was thinking of how to explain it. “Like, you know, a claiming bite?”

Devon frowned. No one had one of those in his pack… “What’s that?”

“Wow, uhh… I never thought I would have to explain this. Do you mind if we go to the kitchen and get some coffee? Maybe that will help my brain work better.”

Devon thought about it for a second, he figured if the alpha was going to take him against his will, then he wouldn’t have given him his clothes and well… he would have already done it.

And maybe you also want to know what all this claiming stuff is about and what it means for you.

Chapter Nine

Roman

Roman meant what he said. He never thought he would have to explain to his mate about the claiming bite, what fated mates were, and all that entailed. Not that he minded, but maybe doing it without coffee, and his mate’s distracting scent, was more than he could handle.

He walked into his kitchen and held his breath until he heard his mate follow behind him.

Ro went over to his coffee pot, and put in a pod for an expresso. He needed the extra caffeine this morning.

He heard rather saw his mate pull out a bar stool at the half moon kitchen island. Roman took a second to center himself and give his wolf a talking to.Behave! Ignore our mate's amazing scent and be a gentleman.

His wolf whined in response.

You don’t want to scare him off, do you?

That had his wolf settling.

Right now, before even claiming their mate, the first thing that he needed to do was make sure that the omega felt safe in their home.

He didn’t know it yet, but that was what this place was…theirs.

However, before he got to the claiming and making a home together part, he needed to make sure his mate didn’t bolt first.

“What do you actually know about fated mates?” Roman turned and faced his mate, “I know we mentioned it last night, but I thought you knew a little bit about it.”

His mate’s nose crinkled, and he looked so cute, but now was not the time to say that, “We don’t have those in my pack. There were whispers, but…” Devon shrugged… “I don’t know.”

Roman filed that away for later. He and his brothers would have to have a conversation about this pack, but right now wasn’t the time. Ro knew the time would come, because his wolf would need vengeance on whoever had hurt their mate.

“Okay, well, I’ll try and explain it the best I can, but it’s been a while since I got this lesson from my papa, so bear with me.”

His mate nodded slowly…

Before he started, he asked his mate if he would like a coffee, but Devon shook his head. The man still looked like he would bolt at any second.

“Every shifter has a mate or mates chosen for them by the goddess, and they are the other half, or third of their soul, depending on how many mates the goddess decides to bless you with. When you meet that person, and not all shifters do, it’s like finding your missing piece, the other half of your psyche.”

Roman made sure he was paying attention to the way his mate was taking the information.

“And you’re that person for me?” His mate didn’t sound skeptical, but he also didn’t believe him. Yet he wasn’t denying it could be possible, so that was a win.

“Okay, think about it like this. How do I smell to you?” His mate frowned and pursed his lips, like he didn’t want to say what he was thinking, so Roman helped him out. “Because, to me you smell like all my favorite things combined. I can also smell your unique scent. It’s citrusy and earthy, but also you’re like home to me.” Roman wasn’t even sure he was making sense, so he kept speaking, hoping it helped. “I want to take care of you, protect you, make sure nothing ever harms you. That’s what I feel, but I will never force you to stay, I swear on the Goddess.”

“Wow,” his mate breathed. “I don’t know what to say.”