12. Gruffydd

Chapter 12

Gruffydd

My fur gleams, every strand in perfect place thanks to my state-of-the-art fur-fluffing machine. I want to look my best tonight since I'm about to embark on my second date with my beautiful mate.

How many dates does human courtship entail? Three? Five? Fifty-seven? I should've Googled it. This whole courting business is uncharted territory for me.

As my eyes scan the Hub, I notice Olwydd over by the punchbowl. Is he...is he actually flexing? Subtle. Real subtle.

I keep my eyes glued to the door waiting for my Kiki to arrive.

Taredd saunters over, his chest puffed out like he's trying to appear more impressive. We’re all posturing, it would seem.

"Well, well, well," Taredd grins as he approaches. "If it isn't the hairy romancer himself. How's the courtship going?"

I roll my eyes. "Ha ha. Very funny."

Colwynn ambles up beside me, elbowing me playfully. "No, seriously. Give us the scoop. How many romantic walks through Eden have you taken? Have you written her any poetry yet?"

"Poetry?" I scoff but play along good naturedly. "Please. I'm more of an interpretive dance kind of guy."

They burst into laughter, and I can't help but join in. I don’t mind joking around, even if I am the butt of their teasing. I know it stems from envy. Their soulstones haven’t sung like mine has.

"Hey," I say, looking around. "Where's Dafydd tonight?"

Taredd wiggles his eyebrows suggestively. "Where do you think? He's already holed up with one of the humans. That Squatch moves fast."

"Seriously?" I'm impressed. Here I am, agonizing over how many dates constitute a proper courtship, and Dafydd's already sealed the deal.

"So, come on," Olwydd prods. "Tell us about your human. What's she like?"

I can't help the goofy grin that spreads across my face. "She's amazing. Smart, funny, beautiful. And she's got this sass, you know? Keeps me on my toes."

"Aww, our little Gruffydd's all grown up and in love," Taredd coos, pretending to wipe away a tear.

I swat him. "Shut up. I'm courting her.” When they both stare at me questioningly, I go on to explain, “It's apparently a human custom before agreeing to mate."

Olwydd perks up at this. "Courting, huh? I'll do anything it takes. I’ve got my eye on one of them..."

"Which one," Taredd growls, his demeanor flipping on a dime from teasing to I’ll-rip-your-head-off.

“She has long hair and emerald eyes and…” As Olwydd launches into a detailed description of his potential love interest, my mind drifts back to Kiki. I wonder if she’s as excited about tonight as I am.

"Earth to Gruffydd," Taredd's voice cuts through my thoughts.

I blink, realizing I've completely zoned out. "Sorry, what?"

"I was asking if anyone else's soulstone has sung yet," he repeats patiently.

I shake my head. "Not that I know of. Just mine."

"Lucky bastard," Olwydd mutters.

"Yeah, yeah," I grin. "But remember, the mating bond isn't truly solidified until..." I waggle my eyebrows suggestively.

They both nod knowingly. It's common knowledge among our kind that the final step in bonding with our fated mate involves the transfer of genetic material from our soulstone during intercourse. It's a beautiful, sacred process that...oh, who am I kidding? It's also incredibly nerve-wracking when you've never actually fucked a female before.

Suddenly, a hush falls over the crowd. I turn to see what's caught everyone's attention, and my breath catches in my throat. There she is. Surrounded by the other human women and looking absolutely radiant.

"Uh oh," Taredd chuckles. "We've lost him again.

But I barely hear him. My feet are already moving of their own accord, carrying me toward my mate like she's got her own gravitational pull.

As I approach, I glower at the few other males eyeing her appreciatively. A threatening growl rumbles in my chest before I can stop it.

They get the message and back away from her immediately.

"Hey there, handsome," Kiki greets me with a dazzling smile that melts my heart into goo. "Fancy meeting you here."

I grin back, probably looking like a lovesick puppy. "You look absolutely gorgeous."

She glances down at her outfit and chuckles. "What, this old thing? Just a little something I threw on."

"It’s not the clothing," I tell her earnestly.

A slight blush colors her cheeks, and I feel a surge of pride at being able to elicit that reaction.

"So," she says, looking around at the festivities. "This is a hoedown, huh? I have to say, it's not quite what I was expecting."

I follow her gaze, taking in the dancing, the long banquet tables overflowing with food, and the lively band. "Oh? And what were you expecting?"

She shrugs, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I don't know. None of us had any idea what a hoedown was."

I can't help but laugh until I notice a few more males glancing our way. Without thinking, I step closer to Kiki, placing a protective hand on her lower back. Mine , the primal part of my brain insists again.

Kiki raises an eyebrow at me. "Everything okay there, big guy? You look like you're about to challenge someone to a duel."

I force myself to relax, feeling slightly embarrassed by my primitive behavior. But it can’t be helped. I am a male with his mate who has yet to claim her. "I just...There are a lot of unmated males here."

She looks torn between amusement and exasperation. "Gruffydd, I appreciate the sentiment, but I can handle myself." She adds a wink.

I nod, conceding. "It's just...this is all new to me. I'm not used to feeling so..."

"Possessive?" she supplies helpfully.

I wince. "Protective."