Chapter Sixteen

Glass

My dream about what I could do with my mate once I removed the butt plug swiftly faded when I realized my mate's fleeting thought about meeting anyone and everyone with my button down as stained as it was, came true. I'm telling you, Apollo's thoughts jinxed me. I swear there wasn't a stalk in Valentine in their own home.

Why were they all on Main Street so early in the morning?

I glowered at them as they smirked and chuckled between themselves. Did someone send out a Valentine broadcast? Come laugh at Glass, he's got chocolate down his clothes.

"Couldn't find a clean shirt this morning, Glass?" Tartie called out from outside Barb Roo, clothing for the tall and slender stalk.

What was he doing there?

Tartie's clothing focused on flannel. I knew Barb didn't stock an inch of flannel. Don't ask me how I knew. I just did.

At least there was a reason why Tartie was out so early. He'd be on his way to outlying ranches to shear sheep. The other folks just seemed to be here to watch me do a walk of shame.

"Never seen anyone with chocolate down them?" I shot back, doing my best to act like there was absolutely nothing to see.

Tartie smirked while his gaze traveled over me. "Never seen chocolate that color." On that bombshell, he waved and walked on, leaving me staring after him.

More than a little hesitant, recalling all the things I'd done with Apollo, I looked down and blushed brighter than Crimson on a hot day. Oh, that stain wasn't chocolate, and nor was that. My gaze flicked from one patch to the next. And what was that yellow one?

Great Rhu, it was a map of my past twenty-four hours with Apollo. I would never live this down.

I felt a wave of hurt wash over me and I realized Apollo had caught my thought. Dammit, broadcasting again. I was going to have to ask Crimson how to control my thoughts better. I hadn't been this loud since I was a young stalk. But first, I had an upset mate to soothe.

Baby, I am not ashamed of us. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm never going to wash this shirt again.

Are you sure?

About us or the shirt?

About us.

Apollo's voice was so small, I wanted to rush back and hold him.

No question, I said emphatically, and felt the hurt ease. But every stalk in town is laughing at my shirt.

Apollo chuckled. I did warn you.

You did, and I didn't pay attention, I agreed, giving a rueful chuckle. I won't make that mistake again. But I'm still going to frame the shirt. It's worth every stain.

You can stick it on our bedroom wall… after we've cleaned the bedroom.

I grinned. Good idea. Then I realized what he'd said. Our bedroom. Shared. Our lives had become intimately connected. My big alpha heart melted.

And next time, maybe we should insert the butt plug away from the house, Apollo suggested. I had to do my own walk of shame.

If I were a lesser stalk, I'd throw myself into the pan. Who caught us?

Gordon. He enjoyed the live porno, as he described it.

I didn't know Gordon that well yet, but from what I understood, he was a goat with um… a high libido.

Permanent blue balls, Apollo agreed.

I thought that was Burke?

No, he has the big balls that Ricky is obsessed with.

Great Rhu! Was it any wonder I found the pride confusing?

You'll get used to us.

I planned to spend my whole life getting to know my mate, inch by enticing inch of him. I thought of Apollo and me sharing a home together. Just him and me. Would we have baby stalks and lion cubs like the other couples in the pride?

I want babies with you, Apollo admitted, and I got a strong sense of how much he meant it.

I hoped so. Having siblings, despite how they could get on my nerves, I always wanted a large family.

I slowed as I reached the door of my shop, grinning at how lucky I was. You're perfect, my lion.

You're biased . I could feel how happy he was, despite what he said.

And proud of it, baby.

When are you coming back?

How sweet. My mate was almost whining.

I've only just left, I pointed out. I promise I'll be back soon.

How soon? I've got a butt plug that needs my alpha's attention.

Do you need my help, little lion? Just the thought of ‘helping' my mate with his problem made my mouth run dry. Did I want to run back to the pride house and spend all day in bed with Apollo? Heck yeah, but unfortunately, work had to factor in if I wanted to pay for a house for both of us.

I need to come, sir, he begged.

I sucked in a breath, distracted because I loved the way ‘sir' tripped off his tongue. I heard footsteps run up behind me, but I paid little attention, lost in thoughts of how I could get back home to my adorable mate as quickly as possible.

"It's him, I'm sure of it," a man insisted.

"He doesn't look like the other one."

"How can you tell?"

I didn't know either of the voices, and as that registered, I felt the tiny hairs over my body lift in a tense wave.

"Take him now before someone sees!" barked a third, growly voice.

What the fuck!

The sense of danger followed swiftly. Before I had the chance to turn, rough hands grabbed my biceps, someone threw a hood over my head, and everything went black. At the sharp sting to my neck, my body wilted.

Apollo—