Lone Wolf Pack 04.1 - Bonded to His Werewolf Lover Read Online Free PDF Page B

said he wanted to return to his position, but then changed his mind out of the blue."
    "It was all very messy." Nate tentatively approached and sat down next to Val, although he didn't touch his mate. "Are you okay?"
    "I'm just.... It's a lot to take in." Val stared at his hands, barely acknowledging Nate's presence at his side. "I hate to ask this of you but... Would you give me some time? I need to think."
    Nate's heart fell. He'd always known that there was a possibility his wolf might be a deal breaker, but that didn't make it any less painful. "Of course," he said as he got up. "You can have all the time you need."
    It hurt to look away from his mate, but Val still wasn't facing him, so maybe it was for the best. Nate found his clothes and pulled them on in quick, jerky motions. "Call me if you... Well... whenever you want."
    Val nodded silently and made no move to get up. Nate decided he'd inconvenienced his mate enough and saw himself out. Every step he took away from Val hurt, but he had to get used to it. He had a feeling he would not have much choice.
    He returned to his apartment in a daze, his heart swirling with a confusing mass of emotions he couldn't control. He wanted to shift to let some of it out, but Val had said—or, rather, suggested—that he might call, and Nate didn't want to go running and accidentally miss it.
    As such, he took refuge on his couch, poured himself a drink he didn't touch and thought.
    Dean Simmons had been separated from his human mate for over fifty years. Now that he knew Val, Nate had no idea how the Alpha had managed to survive something like that with his sanity intact. If Val rejected him, Nate couldn't push... But he would be forever shattered.
    The mate bond between them was already half-formed. Val was it for Nate, of that there could be no doubt. But until Val accepted Nate's wolf, they could never truly be more—and that didn't seem very likely right about now.
    Werewolves were naturally proud of their wild natures. Nate had always loved his beast—it was the one thing that had stayed with him throughout the whole of his existence. To think that the wolf would also separate him from the man he loved... It was far more painful than he could have ever imagined.
    He didn't know how long he sat there when that very same wolf unexpectedly perked up inside him. He could feel his mate's presence even before the knock sounded outside.
    In seconds, he reached his door and opened it so abruptly the damn thing almost flew of the hinges. He'd been right about one thing. Val stood there, in front of him, big, beautiful eyes fixed on Nate's face. He was wet from head to toe, his clothes clinging to him in a way that would have been sexy if it hadn't concerned Nate.
    He grabbed Val's arm and pulled him inside. Now that he was paying attention, he realized he could hear the sound of thunder and pouring rain. "Fuck. You're all wet, baby," he said uselessly. "We need to get you dry, or you might catch a cold."
    He was about to leave for the bathroom to find his mate a towel, but Val stopped him. This time, he was the one to grab Nate. "Wait. I have to ask you something."
    "Whatever you like." Despite himself, Nate found hope bubbling inside him, a stubborn spark that refused to be extinguished and glowed brighter with every second Val touched him.
    "What does a mate mean?"
    Nate's mind went blank. He'd expected anything but that. He tried to remember when he might have mentioned Val was his mate—he'd deliberately avoided that since he didn't want to burden Val even more—but he couldn't come up with anything.
    "Pardon?"
    "You said Gavin and Jessie left with their mates," Val clarified. "What does that mean, exactly?"
    Judging by the way Val was looking at Nate, he'd already figured out a lot of it. "That isn't what you're asking, not really." Nate smiled, a little sadly. "Yes, you guessed right. A werewolf's mate is his or her other half, a perfect match in every way. And yes, you're