9. Kai

I gripped Dante’s hand, the warmth of his skin and familiar scent reassuring me that he didn’t blame me for any of this while we picked at the food Gideon had made. None of us ate more than a few bites, but needing something to do with my hands, I guzzled glass after glass of water.

Even though my mate had told me many times and I’d read excerpts from magazines and books that omegas could have more than one mate, I couldn’t get it through my head that this was a thing. And I’d pointed out how this phenomenon never showed up in the TV shows the citizens of Tarrin watched.

That stumped him, but he shrugged, saying, “That’s just TV.”

Hardly. But this wasn’t the time to argue about how I’d arrived here and what was real.

“Dante and I are fated mates.” I pulled down my shirt, showing my mating mark. Cradling my belly, I continued, “And he is my baby’s alpha father.”

Gideon pushed oven-baked fries around his plate, and he stabbed one, startling me. Dante didn’t react. Maybe his wolf warned him a split second before Gideon murdered the poor defenseless potato, though it had been baked, so perhaps it didn’t feel a thing.

“I’m not from here.” How was I going to explain this? Dante was the only person who knew the truth—whatever that was—regarding the TV serial being my so-called real life.

“I gathered.” Gideon gave up on torturing the fry and smashed a piece of broccoli instead.

Dear gods, it was as though he’d stabbed me in the chest with the fork. My heart couldn’t take this dinnertime massacre, and I moved his plate out of reach.

That was enough of an explanation regarding my history. “Dante is my rock and…” I’d been about to say my first, but I decided against blurting out I’d been a virgin to an almost complete stranger.

My mate and I shared a glance. He gave me a reassuring grin, and I took a deep breath and gathered my courage.

“And as we discussed, I’m human, so mating with more than one alpha is unheard of—” I cut myself off because I’d been about to say that mating with two was surreal. I wasn’t mating this guy, no matter how impressive his cock was under his jeans. Not that I could see it now, but I caught a glimpse outside the coffee shop.

Gideon shot a look at Dante. Hey, I was supposed to be part of this conversation. Were their beasts communicating somehow and leaving me out? If so, I was going to stomp my feet and drum my fists on the table, doing my best toddler impression.

“No sneaky shiftery glances, please. I’m the focus here, so you have to include me in any discussions.” I thumped my hand on the table and instantly regretted it. Owww!

“We’re not communicating,” Gideon huffed.

“Yes and no.” Dante’s head swayed left and right.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I was ready to bang my plate on the table if they didn’t spill what was going on.

Dante met my gaze. “Why don’t you both spend some time together?”

My mind went to our bed. “Ummm, no. The only person I’m getting naked with is my mate.”

“Not naked.” Dante pecked my cheek, and my heart slowed.

“Not yet,” Gideon whispered, but my hearing had improved since living with a shifter, and I caught what he said.

I squeezed Dante’s hand, tears threatening to fall because it was as though I was being pushed into something.

“Not likely,” I snapped and folded my arms.

“Apologies.” Gideon studied his hands.

I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did as I peeked at his cock. My dick had swelled and slick streamed from my hole, but Dante was my one and only.

“Go out to dinner or have a TV watch-along. Or, since you both enjoy coffee, go to the café for a hot drink and cake.”

But the coffee shop was ours, Dante’s and mine. Meeting Gideon there would besmirch my memories of the day I met my mate.

“A date? You want us to go on a date?”

“No. This is your decision, Kai. It was just a suggestion.” Dante kept his tone even, unlike me with my zigzagging voice.

“I’m willing, but as Dante said, you have to sign off on this.” Gideon fiddled with his water glass.

“What would we do?” I was lost as to the purpose of the proposed meet-up.

“Get to know one another.” Gideon folded his arms and leaned back in his chair. Not far enough for me to see his crotch. Shame!

“If I say yes, there can be no murdering of food or drink.” I sounded more confident than I was, but inwardly, there were butterflies torpedoing my belly.

“Is that a thing where you come from?” Gideon’s question was directed at me, but his eyes went to Dante.

Dante lifted both hands in an “I have no clue” gesture.

I stood up, wanting this evening to be done and to be home in my own bed with my mate. “Maybe we can meet in a park.” But there might be fans who’d recognize me, and I’d end up running home with a trail of people scampering behind me, begging for autographs and selfies. “I’ll let you know.”

I gave Dante a pointed look, and he pushed his chair out. “We should help with the dishes.” Oh gods, how had he misunderstood me? But I couldn’t blame him as I hadn’t used any words.

“No!” I lowered my voice from a shriek to a more normal tone. “I mean, I’m sure Gideon has a dishwasher.” We didn’t, but his place was bigger than ours.

“I do, and it’s fine.” His downcast expression brought on a surge of guilt, and I almost wrapped my arms around him.

“I’ll message you tomorrow about where we should meet.” I tucked my arm in Dante’s.

“Promise?”

“Yes.”

We left, and I was both pleased to breathe air that didn’t contain Gideon’s scent and mourning that it no longer surrounded me.