Part 12 (1/2)

He pulled out his phone to check his messages. Nothing. Cutter hadn't responded to his 'good morning' message. Maybe he was mad about the awkwardness afterward. He'd gotten really uncomfortable to the point he was pretty sure he chased Cutter away.

They made out like crazy until they relieved each other with the sweetest oral s.e.x Uli ever imagined. Afterward, he got really intense and clingy, which forced Cutter to all but run away. Dammit. He needed to talk to Cutter about the whole ”mated forever” thing.

Geez, one b.l.o.w.j.o.b exchanged and the poor guy would be stuck with him for life. An eternal life...unless, of course, Cutter refused. Then what? What if he didn't accept the mating bond?

”Hey, Uli.” His cousin's voice made him jump. ”You okay?”

He glanced up at Kai and his mate on horseback. ”Yeah. Hey, Kai. Jaz.”

”Hi.” Jasper suggested, ”Why don't I take your horse back to the stable? You have a couple hours before your cla.s.s.” d.a.m.n, the guy was like a mindreader. Jaz could always tell when Uli needed to speak to his cousin alone.

”You sure?” Kai tilted his head to the side as he leaned in to kiss Jasper. Ah, that completeness was all Uli longed for; why couldn't he have it?

”Of course. I can even drive you in. I have some errands to do in town.”

”Cool.” Kai leaned in for another kiss before sliding off the saddle and handing the reins back up to Jasper. ”Love you. See you in a bit.”

”Love you too.” Jasper nodded to Uli and said, ”Catch you later.”

Kai meandered over and sat. He watched Jasper go all the way back to the stables.

”I see you're still goo-goo eyes for him,” Uli said.

Shrugging, Kai smirked at something Uli refused to guess at. ”Yeah.” When he turned his attention back to Uli, the grin left his face. ”So what's up with you?”

Uli thought about denying he was a mess, but his cousin wasn't stupid and he needed to talk. ”Cut's my mate.”

”So you've said.” Kai never said much about the revelation except the first time. He expressed his shock over Alex not being his mate. Apparently, everyone believed there was something between the two of them. Kai adored Alex and had mentioned more than once that he'd wished Ulrich and Alex had been mates.

If wishes came true Uli would have been mated to his apartment-mate as soon as they met. Alex took Uli's breath away on every level possible, and he was the best friend anyone could ask for. A slash of guilt cut across Uli like a physical wound. He needed to put his crush for Alex on permanent ice.

”Are you sure?” Kai frowned in disappointment that was echoed in his tone.

”Well, as of last night...I'm positive.” Uli's words died in his mouth. He didn't want to go into specifics with his cousin.

”Oh.” Kai nodded his head but stared at the pond. Several ducks made attempts at enticing Kai to throw nonexistent food to them. ”Does Alex know?”

”Is that really your first concern? Alex?” Being mad at Kai was safe and easy. Arguing with his cousin was like slipping on a bit of the past when things seemed simpler and he felt like he knew which end was up.

”Isn't it yours?” his cousin countered.

”Yes. No. I mean... I have a mate. Cutter is my mate.” Maybe if he said it enough he could erase what happened with Alex last night. No wonder Alex didn't want to speak to him this morning. He'd verified Cutter was his mate and he'd rubbed off on Alex like a dog in heat. Who did that?

”Why are you upset?” Kai's even voice made him p.i.s.sed.

He inhaled and when he blew out the air he sounded like he was deflating. The only anger left was directed at himself.

”You're going to tell me sooner or later.” Kai jerked his head around. ”Did Cutter or that thundercloud kid hurt you? I swear to G.o.d I'll...”

”No. No, nothing like that.”

Kai seemed annoyed he didn't have a reason to take Storm or Cutter apart. ”Then what?”

”How did you feel when you figured out Jaz was your mate?”

”Um...” Kai blushed. He coughed. He stared out at the pond. ”Overwhelmed. Thrilled. Connected. At peace. And a whole lot of other things we don't need to discuss.” After a pause his cousin slowly turned toward him. The examination felt a little too close for comfort. ”Why? How do you feel?”

”I feel...” A million emotions and thoughts ran through him, but one floated to the top. ”Incomplete.” He ignored Kai's bugged-eyed openmouthed expression. ”Shouldn't I be whole?”

”You haven't done the blood exchange yet, right?”

”Right.” But he knew it wasn't normal to be in love with Alex and totally drawn to Storm at the same time while he was falling in love with Cutter. Nothing made sense.

”Does Cutter know about the whole zombie mate thing?”

”Nope.” He'd bet anything the exchange wasn't the issue.

”Maybe you're just worried about that.” Oh, now Kai was grasping at straws.

”Yeah, I guess.” All Uli wanted right now was to go to Alex. No! He had to get away from here. He stood up, effectively ending the discussion. ”You have cla.s.s.”

Checking his phone for the time, Kai replied, ”You're right. Are you okay?”

”Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine.” His lie rolled out so easily.

”Okay. Oh, make sure you see Cutter soon. Usually until the exchange you need the medicine more often.”

Uli cracked up. He might the worse mate ever in the history of mates. His world crumbled all around him. But Kai still referring to male essence as medicine was beyond ridiculous.

”No laughing.” Kai chuckled. ”Just see Cutter soon.”

”Okay.” Uli accepted a warm hug, and for a moment wished they were back in Germany in the vineyard. His thoughts tripped to his father and he decided being here was better for both of them.

He almost sat back down but opted instead to trudge across the manicured lawn to a wooded area. The shade lowered the temperature enough to be comfortable. When lethargy struck he found a big tree and sat. He was exhausted, barely able to hold up his head. He'd rest for a bit.

Uli didn't know when the day had gotten dark. The shadows were no longer cast by the sun but by the moon. He should get up but he didn't have the energy. Maybe if he rested a little longer. He'd put his head against the tree and close his eyes...just for a minute or so.

”Uli! Uli!” Something shook him, and his pocket buzzed.

He groaned. ”Stop.” He tried to push away whatever the thing was disturbing him but failed. He inhaled to gather strength and he went hard from the delicious scent. ”Mm mm,” he whimpered. Hoping for mercy, he scrambled toward the familiar warmth.

”Uli, it's me.” Alex's voice sounded deeper than usual, but his arms felt as good as ever wrapped around Uli.

”It is you.” He opened his eyes to see his stunning best friend. Uli felt drunk. ”So pretty. You look like the King of the Fae. When we first met I didn't think anyone real could look like you.” Uli couldn't stop himself from pus.h.i.+ng his face into the longish reddish hair and inhaling.

”Red? Wrong color, but I like it.” He yawned, so exhausted. ”You mad at me?” But Alex's smell ignited an internal drive.

”No, Uli.” Alex's voice was deeper than usual but so s.e.xy.

He squirmed around in the strong arms cradling him until he was face first in Alex's lap. Heaven. He forced his heavy arms to move his hands. His fingers shook with effort as they eased down Alex's zipper. Those metal teeth were what separated him from what he craved. Needed. It wasn't a want but a necessity.