Chapter Four

Teddy was driving Perseus up the wall, even though he obviously didn’t know it. Perseus didn’t think he was doing it on purpose. Teddy couldn’t know that Perseus was obsessed with him, because Perseus had made sure not to show his interest. He’d kept Teddy at arm’s length, answering his questions with grunts or short answers. It was for the best.

Or at least, Perseus had thought it was until he’d realized that Teddy was focused on Orion.

It was understandable. Orion was a better person than Perseus could ever be, and people always preferred him. That was fine with Perseus. He’d become wary of people to allow Orion to be himself. Perseus was the suspicious one. Orion was the one who trusted people and had fun. It had always been like that, and it probably always would be.

Perseus rolled his head on the back of the couch and glared in the direction of the kitchen. He could hear Orion and Teddy in there, talking as Orion got breakfast ready. Perseus wanted to join them, and Orion would welcome him if he did, but what about Teddy? Would he glare at him and demand to know what he was doing? That was what he generally did when he saw Perseus, even when Perseus was doing something as innocent as grabbing milk from the fridge.

Perseus smiled. He enjoyed bothering Teddy, so actually, joining him and Orion didn’t sound like a bad idea.

He pushed himself off the couch and headed to the kitchen. He didn’t walk in right away, though. He wanted to know what was happening first. He wouldn’t say he was spying on Orion and Teddy, but he took a moment to listen to them. It was his job as Orion’s brother to protect him, and he wanted to know if Teddy was bothering Orion.

“How do you remember how much you have to put in there?” Teddy asked.

“It’s something you remember when you do it as often as I do.”

The conversation made Perseus wrinkle his nose. They had to be talking about cooking or baking, which was Orion’s passion, but Perseus’s twisted mind went straight to the gutter. There was no way Teddy and Orion would be doing that in the kitchen, but maybe that was why Teddy was spending so much time with Orion.

Did Teddy like Orion? Was he attracted to him?

Perseus stepped into the kitchen, and his stomach growled instantly. He hadn’t had breakfast yet because Orion had told him he’d take care of it, and he was starving.

Both Teddy and Orion looked up when they heard Perseus. Orion smiled easily, but Teddy frowned instead, as if he was unhappy to see Perseus.

What did Teddy think when he saw Perseus? Did he want to yell at him? He looked like he did, even though Perseus didn’t understand why. He hadn’t done anything bad lately. Maybe Teddy was still angry at Perseus for kidnapping Leon. There was nothing Perseus could do if that was the case, but he wished things were different.

He looked at his brother, who was humming as he flipped the pancake in his pan. Whatever Teddy felt about what Perseus had done, Perseus didn’t care because his brother was here. He’d kidnap Leon a thousand times if it meant Orion was safe and healthy.

“It’s almost ready,” Orion declared. “Why don’t you set the table?”

Teddy moved to open the cupboard, but Perseus beat him to it. He grabbed three plates and slammed the cupboard shut with so much force it was a wonder it didn’t bounce back. Teddy arched a brow, and Perseus glared at him.

He quickly set down the plates while keeping an eye on Teddy. When Teddy went to open the drawer to grab forks and knives, Perseus pushed him out of the way and did so himself.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Teddy asked in a whisper.

Perseus looked at Orion, but he was focused on the food. He had to have noticed that Teddy and Perseus were always sniping at each other, but he hadn’t said anything about it.

Perseus ignored Teddy and went back to the table to set down the silverware. He wasn’t fast enough to beat Teddy to the cupboard that held glasses and mugs, and he glared when Teddy put them on the table. He did manage to snatch the napkins before Teddy could, though. It made him feel smug, which was ridiculous.

“You’re such a dick,” Teddy murmured.

“Takes one to know one,” Perseus whispered back.

“It’s ready,” Orion announced.

Teddy and Perseus glared at each other. Perseus knew it was his fault, but at least now Teddy wasn’t ignoring him.

He felt like a kid in elementary school. He knew he shouldn’t be needling Teddy. It was the equivalent of pulling his pigtails, and that just wasn’t right. The problem was that Perseus didn’t know why he was doing it or how to make it stop. He wanted Teddy’s attention on him, but he’d feel ridiculous if he asked for it. Besides, he was pretty sure Teddy would tell him to fuck off if he did. It wouldn’t be a surprise, but Perseus didn’t want to hear that from Teddy.

He slid into one of the seats—the one Teddy had been about to sit on—and stared at his brother so he wouldn’t have to look at Teddy instead. Orion was smiling, either having not noticed that Teddy and Perseus were bickering again or ignoring it. After spending several days sharing a house, he’d probably decided it was for the best. Perseus couldn’t say he blamed him. It had to be annoying.

“What will you do today?” Orion asked, looking at Teddy.

Perseus wondered why his brother hadn’t asked him, but it was probably because he didn’t have anything planned. He’d stay at home, thinking about what he was supposed to do with the rest of his life. He’d always been a hunter, and he didn’t know how to do anything else. He wasn’t sure he could be anything else. There was no way Rikar and Moore would trust him enough to take him along on one of the raids, even though fighting was the only thing he was trained to do. That meant he needed to come up with a plan B, but what? He wasn’t good at anything, unlike Orion. He’d never had a dream beyond ensuring his brother was safe and happy.

“I’m seeing friends later,” Teddy said with a smile before stuffing a bit of pancake into his mouth.

Of course Orion had made pancakes for breakfast. He loved sweets. He was good at making them, too, and Perseus almost moaned at the first bite of banana and chocolate chip pancake. He bit his lower lip and kept his eyes on his plate.

“So am I,” Orion said.

Perseus wanted to ask him who he’d already made friends with, but he didn’t. He’d known this was how things would go. Orion was the sweetest man Perseus had ever known, and people flocked to him. Everyone loved him, and most of the time, they didn’t even care that he was a hunter. The only person who’d ever hated Orion was his and Perseus’s father, and the man was an asshole, so he didn’t count. Even the other hunters had a soft spot for Orion, but not their father.

Perseus didn’t regret leaving him behind.

Teddy leaned forward and touched Orion’s arm. “That’s great. I’m glad you’re already settling in.”

Orion’s smile was blinding. “I love living in this village. I knew it was the right thing to do.”

“It really was.”

Perseus gritted his teeth and tried to focus on his pancakes, but they tasted like sawdust now. He forced himself to finish them so Orion wouldn’t worry, but as soon as Orion left the kitchen, he turned on Teddy. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

Teddy frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“If you’re not serious about my brother, you need to leave him alone. He has a soft heart, and he deserves to be loved. You wouldn’t be my first choice for him, but if he wants you, I won’t try to stop this. You have to be sure, though.”

Perseus didn’t want Orion and Teddy to be together, but if that was what Orion wanted, he would let it happen. Orion deserved the world, and while Perseus couldn’t give him that, he could give him Teddy if he wanted him.

Teddy’s frown deepened. “What are you talking about?”

“Your relationship with my brother. It’s clear you like him, but if you’re not going to be serious about your relationship with him, I need you to step back. Orion deserves to be cherished. He doesn’t deserve to be a one-night stand or a fling.”

Teddy stared. Perseus wanted to tell him that he’d changed his mind and that Teddy needed to stay away from Orion, but he didn’t. Instead, he waited for Teddy’s answer.

* * * *

Teddy had no idea what Perseus was talking about. He’d been friendly with Orion, but it was impossible not to be. Orion was a sweet man, and Teddy loved talking to him. He was easier to talk to than Perseus.

An angry manticore would be easier to talk to than Perseus.

Teddy’s mate was prickly on the best of days. For some reason, he seemed to have decided that he and Teddy were in a competition. Just like earlier when they’d been setting the table, he always tried to win whatever race was happening in his mind. It was annoying, but Teddy doubted Perseus would tell him why he was doing it if he asked. He’d tried coming up with a reason, but he didn’t understand his mate, and he was starting to wonder if he ever would. Perseus was quiet and prickly, and Teddy had no idea how to break through to him.

He hadn’t told Perseus they were mates, and he wasn’t sure he should. How would Perseus react if he did?

If Teddy had told Perseus, he wouldn’t have thought that Teddy wanted to date Orion. Teddy liked Orion, but he would never see him in that light. His entire focus when it came to relationships was on Perseus, something Perseus didn’t seem to have realized. Instead, he thought Teddy was interested in Orion.

“I don’t want to date your brother,” Teddy said carefully.

Instead of reassuring Perseus, it made him scowl. “Then leave him alone. He doesn’t deserve to be played with.”

“I’m not playing with him. I’m being friendly, something you don’t seem to know how to do.”

Perseus scowled. “I know how to be friendly.”

“Really? Because I don’t think I’ve seen you talk to anyone except your brother and me since you arrived at the village.”

“I talked to Moore and Rikar and to that guard, Davey. Oh, and Callum and Leon.”

Teddy made a surprised face. “Oh my God, you’re right. You have so many best friends.”

Perseus looked like he wanted to hit Teddy. He’d never turned violent so far, but even though Teddy didn’t want to think about it, he couldn’t put it past his mate. Perseus was a fighter. He’d been trained to kill and hurt. If he wanted to attack Teddy, he could.

Teddy would fight back.

He couldn’t allow things to get that far. He didn’t want to fight his mate, and it would be the worst thing that could happen. If Moore and Rikar found out that Teddy and Perseus were fighting, they might decide they had to step in. They wanted to give Teddy and Perseus space and time to grow their bond, but they wouldn’t allow it to put the village and the people who lived here in danger. They might think that Perseus was violent and needed to be kicked out, and that wasn’t something Teddy wanted to happen.

“Never mind my friendships. Stop leading Orion on. He doesn’t deserve it,” Perseus snapped.

Teddy glared back at him. “I can’t believe you think I’d be able to do something like that. Why would I want to hurt your brother?”

“I don’t know, maybe because we’re hunters?”

“That doesn’t matter to me. I like Orion—as a friend. I don’t want to hurt him, and it’s not what I’m trying to do.”

“What are you trying to do, then? Because to me, it looks like you’re trying to get into his pants.” Perseus hesitated. “I’m pretty sure he’d allow you to. He likes you.”

Teddy shuddered. He didn’t want to get into Orion’s pants. He didn’t want Orion to be anything other than a friend and maybe a brother-in-law. There was no way for Perseus to understand that, though.

Teddy pushed away from the table. “I don’t know what to tell you. I promise I’m not interested in your brother like that, but it’s clear you don’t believe me.”

It would be easier if Teddy told Perseus about their bond, but could he? What would Perseus’s reaction be? Would he be okay with it? Would he hate Teddy even more?

Teddy didn’t understand what he’d done to make Perseus treat him like this. Surely it couldn’t be the punch, right? Perseus had to understand that Teddy had only punched him because he’d been about to attack Callum.

Maybe Perseus didn’t care. He was obviously the king of holding grudges, and he was holding a big one against Teddy. Teddy doubted there was anything he could do or say to get Perseus over it, especially now that Perseus was convinced that Teddy wanted his brother.

Teddy snorted and grabbed his plate. He turned toward the sink to rinse it and put it in the dishwasher, but Perseus grabbed his wrist, stopping him. For a moment, Teddy’s heart surged, convinced that this was it. Perseus had finally realized they shared a bond and was ready to accept it.

Teddy quickly squashed that hope. Even if, by some miracle, Perseus understood he was Teddy’s mate, he hated Teddy.

“I’m not kidding,” Perseus said.

He got to his feet, never letting go of Teddy. Teddy couldn’t look away from his mate’s hand on his skin. He wanted to feel it all over his body, but he was pretty sure that if he wasn’t careful, he’d feel it as a punch on his nose.

Why was all of this so fucking complicated? Why couldn’t Teddy just tell Perseus they were mates?

He could. The only reason he hadn’t was that he didn’t know how Perseus would react, but telling him they were mates might make the situation easier. It might also make Perseus hate Teddy more, though, and that wasn’t something Teddy was willing to risk.

It was one thing to have Perseus bicker with him and glare every time he saw him, but it was an entirely different thing to have him hate him. Teddy didn’t want that, and if it meant he had to keep the fact that Perseus was his mate to himself, he would.

“I understand why you like Orion,” Perseus said, visibly trying to keep his anger under control. “Everyone likes Orion. He’s the best person I’ve ever known, and I’m glad he’s finally free to be himself. He deserves happiness, to become a baker like he’s always wanted to, and to find love. That’s what I want for him, and if you want a relationship with him, I won’t try to stop you. I won’t allow you to hurt him, though. He’s been through enough, and I won’t allow anyone to hurt him.”

Teddy shook Perseus’s hand off and put his plate back on the table. He didn’t know how to explain to Perseus that he wasn’t interested in his brother without telling him the truth. He doubted Perseus would believe him. He’d already told him that he wasn’t interested in Orion, yet here Perseus was, still telling Teddy to stay away.

“Your brother is an adult,” Teddy pointed out. “He can decide who he wants to be with.”

“And you think he wants to be with you?” Perseus asked, crossing his arms over his chest and scowling harder.

“I don’t. He’s a friend, and that’s it. There’s nothing between us, no matter how hard it is for you to believe. He doesn’t need you to protect him, Perseus. He’s a grown man, and he’s not in danger anymore. Let him do what he wants. Let him make mistakes.”

“A mistake could kill him.”

“Not here. Not in the village. He’s not a hunter anymore, and neither are you. You need to remember that. Let go of the protectiveness you feel. I understand why you were that way when the two of you were hunters, but it’s over. Let him be his own person, and you need to find something to do. You can’t just stay in this house forever, scowling out the windows.”

“What I do and don’t do is none of your business. I’ll always protect my brother, and nothing you or anyone else can say will change that. Who do you think you are to tell me to let go of him?”

Teddy sucked in a breath. He understood that Perseus would always feel strongly about this, and he hadn’t meant that Perseus should ignore Orion. If the two of them wanted a normal life, Perseus needed to let go of his need for control. Eventually, Orion would find someone to love. He might even decide to move away from the village, and what would Perseus do then?

“Just leave him alone,” Perseus snapped. “You’re not the right man for him.”

Teddy had enough. He didn’t know how to get through to Perseus. He could only think of one way he hadn’t tried yet. “You’re right. I’m not the right man for him because I’m the right man for you.”

* * * *

Perseus stared. “What?” he croaked.

He had to have heard that wrong. There was no way Teddy had just told him that he was the right man for him.

It didn’t make sense. Teddy had been avoiding Perseus like the plague and focusing on Orion. That was why Perseus had convinced himself that Teddy wanted Orion. Now, Teddy was saying it wasn’t true.

Teddy’s shoulders slumped. “I should have told you sooner, but I didn’t know how to. You’re my mate, Perseus. I’m not interested in Orion, and I never will be. I’m only interested in you.”

“What?” Perseus asked again as the new information made his brain crash. He was getting the blue screen of death, like a computer, and he didn’t know what to say or think.

He was Teddy’s mate?

That wasn’t possible. Perseus was a hunter. He couldn’t be Teddy’s mate. Besides, they hated each other.

Right?

“You’ve made a mistake. I can’t be your mate,” he said. He needed to clear this up. He couldn’t allow himself to hope.

Teddy arched a blond brow. “We don’t make mistakes when it comes to our mates. I’ve known since the first time I saw you. Well, right after I punched you. I didn’t have time to stop, and I’m really sorry about that.”

Perseus scowled. “As you should be. You fucking punched me.”

Teddy threw his hands in the air. “Because you were about to attack Callum.”

“I wasn’t attacking anyone. I just wanted to make sure you wouldn’t interrupt my brother’s healing.”

Teddy shook his head. “Never mind what happened then. I’m sorry about punching you, and I hope that eventually you’ll believe me when I say I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

If Perseus was Teddy’s mate, that would be true. Supernatural beings didn’t hurt their mates.

Perseus’s father hated the concept of mates. He thought it was a way for shifters and other supernatural beings to pull humans to their side, brainwash them, and take over the world. Perseus had always thought his father was ridiculous. He liked the concept of people being fated to be together, but he’d never expected to be someone’s mate. He’d rescued a few couples who’d been bonded. The love and care he’d seen between them had made him yearn for the same, but he’d never expected to get it.

But now, Teddy was saying he could.

Perseus swallowed. “I don’t understand any of this. It can’t be possible.”

Teddy’s expression changed. He looked angry now, and Perseus wondered what he’d said to make it so. Did Teddy expect him to accept this easily? Perseus was human and a hunter. He shouldn’t have a mate. His brain couldn’t make sense of it, especially of the part that he was Teddy’s mate, of all people. He and Teddy disliked each other. Teddy had been focused on Orion, so much so that Perseus had thought there was something between them.

How could Perseus be Teddy’s mate?

“I get it,” Teddy said.

“You do?” Perseus asked, relief already coursing through his body.

“You don’t want to be linked to a supernatural being that way. You might not have the same beliefs as your father, but it doesn’t mean you want to be stuck with me for the rest of your life.”

Teddy didn’t get it. Perseus needed to explain and make him see he didn’t think that, but he wasn’t sure Teddy would listen.

“I should have known,” Teddy said as he stepped away from the table.

They both froze when they heard Orion’s footsteps coming down the stairs. Perseus stared at Teddy, wondering if he’d take the opportunity to run. Hell, he could shimmer out of the room if he wanted to be away from Perseus so badly. Perseus hoped he wouldn’t. He wanted to make Teddy understand that he didn’t care about the supernatural being thing.

He just didn’t think that he deserved to have a mate.

Mates were precious to supernatural people. Perseus might not know Teddy well, but he was ready to bet that Teddy felt that way. He deserved someone from his world, someone who hadn’t hurt countless people because his father had forced him to. Even though Perseus had tried to fix things, he’d ruined lives. He didn’t deserve the kind of love a bond would bring him. He didn’t deserve that happiness, and he didn’t understand how Teddy didn’t see that.

“I’ll see you later,” Orion called out. “I have my phone with me, but I’ll be busy, so I can’t promise I’ll answer if you call.”

Perseus needed to answer before his brother decided to come and check in on him. “That’s fine,” he called back. “Have fun.”

The door opened, then closed. For a moment, the house was silent. The only thing Perseus could hear was his own breathing, and while he needed to say something, he didn’t know where to start.

“I can’t believe this,” Teddy said as he shook his head. “I should have known better. Everyone told me to give you a chance, and I hoped I could. After I realized why you’d taken Leon, I thought I understood you. But you’re a hunter at heart, aren’t you? This was never going to work. I shouldn’t have allowed myself to believe it. I should have stayed away, and I should have told Moore to fuck off when he and Rikar decided I should live with you. They were playing matchmakers, but they should have known better. You might not want to kill and hurt people, but it doesn’t mean you believe we should be together.”

Teddy was rambling, and if the situation had been different, he would’ve been adorable. Even though he understood what mates meant to supernatural beings, Perseus had a hard time wrapping his mind around how important this was to Teddy. He’d never feel that way because he was human, but now that he knew that he was Teddy’s mate, he understood better why he’d been so obsessed with the man.

Of course Perseus couldn’t stop thinking about Teddy. Of course he wanted to be with him every second of every day. Of course he was jealous of the time Teddy spent with Orion.

Perseus might be human, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t feel the bond in his own way. He had felt it, even though he hadn’t known what it was.

He moved closer to Teddy, half expecting him to punch him. Teddy didn’t even notice that Perseus was moving, though. He was so focused on what he was saying about how he felt, he didn’t even see Perseus.

“And now, I’ll be able to tell everyone that I was right to be worried,” Teddy spat out as Perseus stopped in front of him.

Perseus would only have this one chance. He didn’t know how to tell Teddy that he was wrong and that Perseus didn’t care that Teddy was a Nix. He might not be a supernatural being, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want a mate. It didn’t mean he didn’t yearn for the kind of love he’d seen between mates.

Perseus had always thought he would end up alone. He’d been a hunter, but even more than that, he was an asshole. He was grumpy, and most people didn’t know what to make of him. Usually, they gave him a wide berth, and that had always been fine with him. He barely tolerated people.

But he wanted more. He wanted to be happy. He wanted someone to come home to at night, someone he could talk to, who would love and cherish him in a way he’d never known.

And that was what Teddy could be for him. It was what Teddy was offering.

Teddy stopped talking to suck in a breath, and Perseus grabbed his t-shirt. He pulled Teddy closer, ignored the way Teddy’s eyes widened, and slammed their lips together.

He expected to be punched again. Considering how he and Teddy had met, he wouldn’t have been surprised. He wouldn’t have blamed Teddy. After all, he was kissing him without even asking if it was all right with him.

It had to be all right. Teddy had told Perseus they were mates for a reason, and he was angry because he believed Perseus didn’t want him. Perseus had to make him understand he did, and while he didn’t have the words, he had this.

He kissed Teddy harder.

* * * *

Perseus was kissing Teddy. Teddy had been ranting about Perseus not wanting him. It had hurt. He couldn’t believe he’d thought that Perseus would be happy about them being mates. Even though Perseus didn’t want to hurt people, it didn’t mean he wasn’t like his father. It didn’t mean he’d want to be Teddy’s mate.

But Perseus was kissing Teddy. That had to mean he was okay with this, right?

Teddy was too afraid to ask. He was too afraid to do anything that wasn’t kissing Perseus back. He didn’t know if this was the only opportunity he’d have, and he didn’t want to waste it. If he never had the chance to kiss Perseus again, Teddy wanted to make the most out of this time.

So he kissed his mate with all he had. He wanted Perseus to understand how important the bond they shared was to him. He wanted Perseus to know that whatever happened next, he’d always be in Teddy’s heart. Even if they were never together, that wouldn’t change. Perseus would always be Teddy’s mate.

Perseus tore his lips from Teddy’s. He was panting, and his eyes were wide, as if he didn’t understand what was happening. Maybe he didn’t. Teddy wasn’t sure, either, but he didn’t care.

He grabbed Perseus’s hips and pulled him closer. Perseus squeaked when their bodies collided, and Teddy swallowed the sound on his lips when he kissed him again.

Thankfully, Perseus didn’t push him away. He looked confused, but it didn’t seem like he had anything against kissing Teddy. Teddy might be about to push his luck, but he hoped Perseus wouldn’t be against other things, too.

Teddy would make the most out of this.

Perseus and Teddy were alone in the house. It would be best if they went to one of their rooms, but Teddy was terrified that shimmering them upstairs would break the spell. He didn’t want Perseus to have time to think. If Perseus pushed him away, Teddy would stop, but until Perseus said no and told Teddy he didn’t want this, Teddy wouldn’t.

He didn’t even slow down as he guided Perseus toward the table. Their plates were still there, along with their mugs, and they rattled when Perseus landed next to them. Teddy went with him, hauling him up higher until only his legs dangled from the table. Thankfully, Perseus seemed to get what Teddy was doing, and he put his feet onto the edge of the table and jerked his hips upward.

Teddy whimpered. This was what he wanted. Well, he wished he and Perseus were naked in bed doing this, but if this was all he could have, he’d be happy. They didn’t need to take their clothes off. They didn’t need to stop kissing to talk. They only needed to continue doing this.

Teddy didn’t want to think about the consequences or about what would happen next. He just wanted to enjoy the feeling of having Perseus under him and to believe it was only the first time of many that they’d be together.

He kissed Perseus harder than he normally would, as if doing so would imprint his mate’s taste and the way he smelled on his skin. Teddy would never forget this moment, even if he and Perseus never shared something like this again.

This was how they were meant to be. Fate had chosen them to be mates, and every time Teddy touched Perseus, it felt like electricity ran over his skin. His entire being yearned for Perseus, and it didn’t matter who or what he was. Nothing mattered but the fact that they were meant to be together.

Perseus whimpered and pushed closer to Teddy. When he wrapped his legs around Teddy’s waist, Teddy knew that this was it. He’d been trying to keep a certain distance between them, but he wouldn’t be able to do so anymore. He might even have to move out if Perseus freaked out once this was over.

How could he continue living in the same house as Perseus, knowing how perfectly they fit together but having to stay away from his mate? How could he not think about this moment every time Perseus was in front of him?

Perseus had wrapped his body around Teddy’s, clinging to him with arms and legs. He’d wrapped himself around Teddy’s heart, and no matter what he did or said, that would never change. Teddy would have to learn to deal with the deep ache of knowing he couldn’t have his mate, but at least he’d have the memories. He hoped they would be enough.

He suspected they could never be.

He placed his knees on the table, making it wobble. For a moment, he paused, not wanting them to crash to the floor. Perseus didn’t even seem to have noticed. He tried to pull Teddy closer, kissed him, and buried his fingers in his hair. He brushed against Teddy’s ear as he did so, and Teddy’s entire body flushed.

His ears were especially sensitive, and having Perseus, of all people, touch him there made him want to sob.

Perseus grabbed Teddy’s hair and pulled him closer to kiss him again. At the same time, he thrust his hips up. Teddy moaned, and while he wished they could be naked, this would work, too. He disliked the feeling of so many clothes separating them, but he was scared that if he took the time to strip his mate, Perseus would come back to his senses and realize what they were doing. It would be better to ask him if he was sure, but he was an adult and could make his own decisions. If he didn’t want Teddy, he’d tell him.

Perseus had never been afraid to tell Teddy to fuck off. If he wasn’t now, it was because he wanted this as much as Teddy did. He might be human, but he could still feel the bond between them. It wouldn’t be as important to him as it was to Teddy, but it still mattered.

Teddy pressed his groin against Perseus’s. He could feel Perseus was hard, and he couldn’t help but wonder how he tasted. He hated that he might never find out.

He didn’t want to think about any of that right now. He only wanted to focus on Perseus and on making him happy. Clearly, what would make Perseus happy now was to come, so Teddy set out to do just that.

He pushed his arms under Perseus’s back and clung to him as hard as Perseus clung to him. They moved together, moaning and groaning. It was frantic, but at the same time, they were both careful not to do something that the other wouldn’t want. It was as if they cared about each other already.

Teddy did care about Perseus. He wasn’t sure what Perseus felt for him, and he wouldn’t ask, but right now, he could tell himself that the two of them were together and that this was the first of many times they’d do this.

That was what he did, and it worked until Perseus stiffened under him. Perseus buried his face against Teddy’s neck, making Teddy shudder. They were so close together that Teddy could feel Perseus’s cock jerk in his jeans. The thought that he’d made his mate come pushed him over the edge. He came, too, surrendering to the few seconds of bliss.

They didn’t last long enough. Perseus relaxed under Teddy, and for a few moments, everything was right in the world. Then, Perseus moved. Teddy knew it was only a question of seconds before Perseus told him it was a mistake, and he didn’t want to hear it.

He scrambled off the table. One of the mugs crashed to the floor, but Teddy didn’t pause to clean it up. He stared at Perseus, who was sitting up on the table, looking absolutely debauched. There were red marks around his mouth, and his cheeks were flushed. His eyes were wide, and the state of his hair gave away what he and Teddy had just done.

Perseus stared. Teddy freaked out and shimmered away.