From the way the bedroom was lit up, it was clearly close to lunchtime when Senan woke up.
He stretched, realizing with a grin he’d been sleeping on his back – his preferred way to sleep.
My wings stayed tucked away. Rolling over, he got a good look at the reason for the ache in his butt and the refreshing feeling that came from getting a decent sleep.
In the daylight, it was easier for Senan to see the differences between Finlay and his brother.
Finlay was definitely bigger built and better defined.
But it was the non-physical differences that touched Senan’s soul.
As he lay there, thinking about the numerous times Finlay had loved on his body overnight, Senan realized Finlay didn’t have to try to be an Alpha – he just was.
An Alpha in the true sense of the word. Senan grinned quietly when he thought of their fumbled claiming. Anyone else would’ve fucked Senan up against the corner of the couch, not caring about his comfort. But Finlay moved them the moment he perceived Senan might be feeling squished.
It’s the caring that makes the difference, he thought, his smile widening as Finlay started to stir, his hand immediately reaching out, clearly looking for him.
Alphas were meant to care for their mates and their packs, but again it didn’t seem like Finlay had to strive to be caring. It was a part of his nature.
“Did you sleep well?” Finlay’s voice was thick with sleep.
“Very, thank you.” Senan chuckled. “I was waiting to see if I’m going feel that uncomfortable morning-after sensation. I’m sure you know what I mean.”
“Regretfully, I do.” Finlay nodded as he rolled flat on his back and stretched out his arms. “I’m waiting…waiting…waiting…nope. I’m not feeling it. You?”
“No, I’m not feeling it either. This mating bond is quite incredible.”
“I think it is.” Finlay rolled onto his side again, his hand resting on Senan’s belly. “I’m sorry but I’m compelled to ask, are we going to be okay?” His hand strayed up, stroking over the scar on Senan’s chest. “Can we get past this?”
Senan snorted as he grabbed hold of Finlay’s hand and bit the tip of his mate’s finger.
“If anyone has anything to get over it’s you .
If I held a grudge against you, felt you were in any way responsible for the shit your brother rained down on my life, or believed I couldn’t see past the similarities in looks you share with your brother, then you wouldn’t be in this bed.
You definitely wouldn’t have left your cock imprint in my ass, and you wouldn’t be wearing my mark on your neck.
Perhaps I should be asking you, can you get past this? ”
“Why did you bite my finger?” Finlay’s lips quickly pressed together, and his chest was jerking with his efforts not to laugh.
“I wanted to be sure I had your attention. Experience has taught me that wolf shifters don’t listen.” Senan poked his tongue at his mate. “Did it work? Did you hear me?”
“Yes, I heard you my beautiful mate, and to answer your question, yes, I can and will get past the shit that is my brother.” Finlay leaned over, his lips brushing Senan’s chest. “You do realize he’s going to pester us for a while, or pester me at least. He thinks it would be a good idea to talk to you. ”
Senan laughed as he shook his head, thrilled with the casual affection.
“I don’t owe him another second of my time.
What you do with him is up to you. I appreciate you two are family.
But he’s not welcome at this house, ever.
I don’t want to see him, ever. And now we’ve got that out of the way, can you cook, or do we need to go out for brunch?
Only my stomach feels my throat’s been cut, and I desperately need to use the bathroom. ”
“I can cook, but let me take you out for a meal. My wolf wants to show you off and that gives me a chance to pick up some clean clothes while we’re out.
” Finlay grinned, which made him look so much younger.
“Of course, it would help if I could find the clothes I arrived in last night. Remember? The ones you magicked off my body in your desire to see more of my skin.”
“Like my sweatpants aren’t laying on the floor somewhere near the couch.
” But Senan chuckled, too. Finlay probably didn’t realize it, but he was really easy to be around.
“My magic can multi-task. Your clothes have been cleaned and are folded neatly, along with your boots, on the chair over by the window.” He pointed over Finlay’s shoulder.
“For a wolf shifter, you’re not very observant. ”
“My eyes just want to feast on you and only you.”
“How the hell did you manage to say that with a straight face.” But Senan felt that deserved a kiss – just a quick one. His bladder was reminding him there were some things he had no intention of sharing with anyone, not even his fated mate.
/~/~/~/~/
“I really missed doing this.” Senan was wearing his glamor, sipping happily on his large cup of coffee. The remains of their meal were still on the table, and Finlay was feeling pretty good about life.
“Eating out?” It wasn’t something Finlay did very often in his down time, but if Senan enjoyed it they could make it a regular date.
“Being out socially, yes. I think I told you, one of my favorite things to do is to be out people-watching in a social setting like this. It’s always so interesting.”
“In what way?” Finlay watched people, too, but they were usually paranormals he would have to apprehend for some reason or another. Somehow he didn’t think that was what Senan meant.
“People on Earth are so different from those found on the fae realm. It’s real here, real life.
When I used to socialize in the fae world, it was like watching an elaborate theatre production.
A complete act in a carefully crafted play.
” Senan shook his head, clearly remembering the things he saw.
“Even a casual brunch like this was unheard of.”
“Tell me about it…if you don’t mind.” Finlay chuckled softly. “Obviously, the fae realm isn’t somewhere I’m likely to visit.”
“Me neither.” Senan nodded as Finlay winced – Oops - “But I’ve made my peace with that.
” He inhaled sharply and then blew it out softly.
“Look at this lovely restaurant – warm, inviting, intimate, and comfortable. You can tell from the color schemes of golds and warm brown tones, with the teal and cream accents, that the owners want you to feel soothed in this space. There’s nothing jarring.
Nothing in this room is vying for our attention, allowing us to enjoy our food and conversation without being dominated by the space itself. Does that make sense?”
Finlay glanced around the restaurant. It was a place he was familiar with which is why he felt it was a good place to take his mate.
“I never noticed the decor before, until you mentioned it. I just know I’ve always liked this place,” he admitted quietly.
“But yes, you’re right. Don’t they have places like this on the fae realm? ”
“Ah, the infamous first date on the fae realm is nothing like this.” Senan had a lovely laugh. “Picture a room…hmm for an intimate meeting like ours, the room would probably be four to six times the size of this restaurant.”
“Sounds like a mini ballroom.” Finlay wrinkled up his nose. He was not a fan of formal events.
“Exactly, and for this small, intimate ‘getting to know your date’ date, the meal will be shared with around twenty to fifty close friends. You have to understand that every date, especially in the early days of a relationship, is an opportunity to showcase wealth, connections, and how admired you are by your intimate circle.”
“On a date?” Finlay couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but Senan was nodding. “How do fae actually get to know each other personally if there are so many people around?”
“They don’t.” Senan clearly found Finlay’s shock amusing.
“But if you spend your life walking around as though you have a broomstick up your ass, then you really don’t want someone you want to be intimate with to know about that.
So they hide their flaws among a room full of people who behave in the same way they do. ”
Resting his elbows on the table, Finlay said, “But surely, if this dating proves successful, and I use that term loosely, but surely there’s going to come a time when those two people are in bed together, with no one else around. You know, getting to know each other intimately.”
“Ah, yes.” Senan paused for a moment, putting down his coffee mug.
“I’m not going to discuss those aspects that I’ve had personal experience with.
I am well aware that’s not the sort of thing I should mention to my protective wolf shifter mate,” – I resemble that remark – “but I can say that the bedroom side of things ends up being a similar production, just on a smaller scale. Mostly it’s a case of a lot of things said and done for effect, rather than genuine feeling. ”
Finlay shifted in his seat, intimate memories of his own flitting through his head. If anything, he was someone who invested too much feeling into casual encounters, usually giving others the wrong idea. “Fair enough. Moving on.”
Senan laughed again and Finlay was sure some of what he was thinking must’ve leaked through their bond. Leaning over the table, Senan said quietly, “Did you see that older couple over by the window?”
Finlay nodded quickly. He’d scoped out everyone in the restaurant the moment they’d arrived.
“You probably ignored them, considering they weren’t a threat at all, and that’s understandable.
A lot of older people are ignored or considered invisible in society.
But if you really watch, can you see how much they love each other?
” Senan sighed. “He touches her hand, they’re talking softly to each other, and they’ve shared food off each other’s plates.
She laughs at his jokes, he’s showing he cares with every glance.
They’re in their own happy bubble. In the world the way it is right now, wouldn’t you agree how sweet that is? ”
Finlay looked down at their empty plates. “Was I meant to share my food with you as a sign of affection?” I might have to order double meals.
But Senan was shaking his head. “I’m not getting between a wolf shifter and his food,” he said with a chuckle. “However, I do know that if we were stuck in the woods somewhere, and I had no means of getting us food, your wolf would go off and hunt for me, making sure I was fed first. Am I right?”
“My wolf’s quite keen to get us lost in the woods just so he could do something like that.
” Reaching across the table, Finlay took Senan’s hand, stroking over his slender fingers.
He could see behind the glamour. Senan was a strong man and a wonderfully unique individual – someone else that others might underestimate.
“I’m hoping you’ll like to meet my furry side real soon. ”
“We should do that this afternoon.” Senan’s eyes sparkled as he pointed at Finlay with his free hand. “I have never had an after-date experience like that. I’d love to.”
Finlay and his wolf heard the word love, and Finlay sighed. This man is going to wrap me around his little finger, and I’m going to love every minute of it.