CHAPTER 12

Holding out his hand was a bold move, but Krey needed Pip, especially when grief clutched him tightly. Krey wasn't thinking correctly. Even if he were, Pip would still be the main attraction among his thoughts.

Krey's breath hitched when Pip stretched out a hand to touch him too. Krey had observed Pip over the past few days. His mate was shy, timid, and clumsy. He stuttered on his words, tripped on air, and lived in his head more than the real world. He doubted that Pip would be confident enough for a handshake, yet here he was, centimeters away from touching him.

He feels it too. He might not know what the feeling is yet, but he knows there's something there, Krey thought, zoning in on their fingers, so close, the tips tingled.

Pip moved closer and closer and-

Krey's spine fizzed when their fingers smoothed over one another. His heart stopped. His lungs refused to inhale. The air no longer moved around them. The world darkened, and their fingers were in focus like a spotlight above shined only on them.

Pip's fingers brushed over Krey's hand and to his palm. Krey curled his fingers around his mate's soft skin. Pip's hand looked tiny compared to Krey's, and fragile, and unscathed. Krey's skin was tough and hot and covered in small scars.

Pip's eyes lingered over his bruised knuckles as his grip on Krey tightened.

The handshake lasted only a few seconds, but to Krey, it lasted forever.

Even after Pip let go, Krey's palm tingled. He looked at his hand, expecting Pip's small fingers to have made an imprint on his skin. His hand cooled immediately, and Krey fought with himself not to lean across the table and take Pip's hand back.

While they sat in the library, Krey fought a mental battle to stay seated. The anger that streamed from his body only moments ago, was now calm. What he did to Jordan was like a distant dream. Going to the library was the right decision. As soon as his eyes met Pip's, Krey's world filled with color again. Blue eyes were the only things he wanted to see.

He perched on the armchair opposite his mate who sat crossed-legged on the couch, propping notebooks on his lap. Pip twirled a pen around his fingers and softly chewed on his bottom lip. Krey's heart burst every time he saw his deep dimples.

Krey sat with his back against the cushions, an elbow on each armrest and his fingers connected.

He stared at Pip so intensely, Francis kept texting him to tell him to stop otherwise he'd freak the human out.

Krey eventually blocked her number.

Francis got the gist and stopped worrying, leaving her Alpha to his fate of scaring the human away before anything happened between them. Though Pip was so into his studies, he didn't notice Krey's desire-filled eyes. Pip glanced at him occasionally, and every time he did, Krey was already looking,

"So, Pip," Francis said, bored of pretending to look at rocks and volcanoes on Pip's laptop. "Have you always lived in this town?"

Krey crossed his arms, thankful for Francis being with them. Krey was excellent at creating awkward situations. He didn't know how to hold a conversation unless he was yelling at someone.

"Yes," Pip said with a little smile. "I was born in the hospital five miles from here."

"What year?"

"Two thousand and two."

"And that makes you... eighteen." Francis seemed surprised by that.

"I look younger, I know."

Krey wasn't sure if Pip spoke quietly because they were in a library, or of Pip was naturally quiet. Krey liked the sound of his voice; the softness to it soothed him.

"Have you both..." Pip's voice trailed away, and he glanced to Krey and pursed his lips. "N-Never mind."

Krey glared when Francis frowned at him. She dropped her scowl immediately.

"Were you going to ask about the institute?" Francis whispered.

Pip nodded, his cheeks turning pink. "Sorry," he whispered back.

"It's okay. We just can't talk about it here."

"I understand," Pip said, but Krey doubted he did. Pip was just polite.

As they sat in comfortable silence again, Krey wondered about the problems he would face because of a human mate. Would he tell Pip about him being a werewolf? Would Pip accept that part of him? Krey wanted to take Pip back to the institute, secure him in a room and tell him about them being mates. Krey would keep him there until Pip learned to live with it.

Something about making Pip understand didn't feel right. Krey didn't want his mate to love him because of some stupid wolf bond. Krey wanted Pip to like him for who he was, which right now, was a horrible thought.

Krey knew he was a terrible person. He used his grief and anger to get him what he wanted. At least now he could decide how his relationship grew with Pip.

Krey was familiar with how life could crumble in a single day. Dealing with sudden change was often hard and sometimes painful. Krey didn't want Pip to deal with that too. Krey had to protect his mate at all cost, including his mental state.

The hours went on and on. Krey barely said a word, and Francis tried to ask Pip questions, though he wasn't so big on talking either. Maybe we are more similar after all, Krey thought. Their appearances were very different. Krey was very tall and very lean and stocky, while Pip was short and small.

Everything Krey wore was black, while Pip wore a colorful hoody, shoes with bold colors and a bag with a colorful Aztec design all over it.

To the eye, they were different. But they were both quiet and could both concentrate on one thing for a long time, which surprised Krey. Pip seemed like a scatterbrain when he didn't have something important going on.

Krey was eager to know what else they could bond over. Pip was chosen to be with Krey for a reason.

They would be suitable for each other, and Krey was excited to get to know him and to learn why their souls matched so perfectly.

"It's getting quite late. Do you usually stay for this long?" Francis asked

Krey could barely believe that it was almost nine in the evening. Time had flown for him.

Pip nodded. "I just like to study," he said with a smile.

Only Krey could see his smile wavering because he stared so hard. He narrowed his eyes. "Do you not like studying at home?" he asked before he could stop himself. Krey sounded harsher than intended.

Pip's eyes snapped to him like he forgot he sat there. Krey barely moved or spoke the entire time they sat in the library. Pip would have a tough time getting to know him.

"Not really." Pip fiddled with the ends of his hoody sleeves. "I should p-probably go now. I need to get up early tomorrow," he mumbled and crammed work into his bag.

"Oh, sure." Francis looked to Krey, willing for him to say something. Krey's tongue tied in knots. "We'll walk you home," she said quickly.

Pip paused, astounded. "You really don't have to."

"There's two of us who are walking home together anyway. The least we can do is make sure you get home safely too." Francis' smile brightened her green eyes. She smoothed her dreadlocks over one shoulder and stood up. "Don't object. We'll only follow you to put our minds at rest."

Pip chuckled, and Krey felt light and warm at the sound. Though Pip didn't realize that Francis wasn't joking, Krey would guard his house all night if he could

They left the library together, and Krey walked behind them. His eyes were on the back of Pip's head the whole time. As they went down the steps, Krey's eyes ran up and down Pip.

He quickly looked elsewhere to distract himself from heated thoughts.

Krey knew where Pip lived but let the human guide them. When they were almost there, Krey fell into Pip's stride, walking next to him. He purposefully walked too close, and Pip's shoulder brushed against his arm.

Krey's mind ruptured fireworks every time a part of them touched. He thought and felt nothing else. Their fingers touched once, so Krey was weak at the knees when they stopped at Pip's home. His eyes were dilated and hungry for affection.

Pip's scent masked the forest next to them. The sweet smell overwhelmed Krey's nose and made his wolf claw for freedom.

"Thank you for walking me home," Pip said quietly and smiled cutely. He rolled from his tiptoes and back onto his heel.

Krey couldn't take it anymore. He stepped forward and wrapped arms around Pip, crashing Pip's face into his chest. Krey squeezed him tight, not caring that Pip had frozen against him and didn't hug back.

Krey buried his nose into Pip's brown hair, lapping up his scent. His heart thumped hard and he didn't care if Pip could feel it against his face. When they were so close, Krey worried about nothing other than the short human, his smile, and his happiness

Francis cleared her throat when Krey hugged long enough for it to be weird. She dared to tug on Krey's arm, and he looked at her with such a glare, Francis slivered back.

Let go, Francis mouthed as Pip's head was still squished into his chest.

Krey reluctantly unclamped his arms, wishing to see the desire in Pip's eyes too, but he only saw confusion among the blue.

"Um," Pip said, stepping away until he tripped on the kerb and his back pressed against his gate. "I-

I.. I didn't t-think you were a hugger." He chuckled nervously.

"I'm not," Krey said bluntly.

An awkward silence fell between them.

"He's kidding!" Francis forced a laugh. "Krey's full of surprises," she said, linking an arm around his and watching Pip awkwardly wave before running down his front garden path and through his front door without looking back.

When the door shut behind the human, Krey shoved Francis away. "Don't touch me," he grumbled.

"I thought you liked hugs now." Francis lifted a hand. Krey smacked it away.

He leapt towards her with a growl and Francis jumped back onto the cobbles. "You dare speak of what just happened, I'll-"

"I just saw you hug your mate. There's nothing odd about that."

Krey frowned. "Keep your mouth shut, Omega." He stormed in front, disappearing into the darkness of the woods. He felt Francis staring at him and spun to call her out on it. She was smiling. Krey didn't know why. Nobody ever smiled after he snapped.

Wolves always bowed their heads and ran with fear. He darkened his eyes. "Not scared?" he asked lowly.

"I'm actually terrified, Alpha," she admitted. "But hugging your mate. that's huge progress."

"He didn't hug back."

"Because you scare him too. It won't always be like that, though. You are frightening and speaking to you this way feels all kinds of wrong." Francis sighed. She was speaking out of term but felt her Alpha needed to hear her words. "You've always been tough on people, but I've never seen you being this tough on yourself. You've been through a lot this year. Alpha, you really deserve Pip right now."

Francis walked on, leaving Krey's bewildered eyes to follow her.