Stevens-Journey [Brac Pack 20] by Lynn Hagen Read Free Book Online Page A

quick work of getting the drinks before crossing back over to join Steven. “Coke’s okay?”
    “Yep.” Steven held his hand out, Roman handing him his drink and a straw. Steven had set everything up, including opening the ketchup packets and giving Roman a large pile of ketchup to dip his fries in.
    “Thanks.” He nodded at his food as he took a seat on the wooden bench. He took a sip of his soda, watching his mate closely.
    “Thanks for buying.” Steven held his burger up before taking a seat on the gazebo floor. He crossed his legs, setting the container of food next to him on the floor. Roman slid down as well, popping his straw into the top of his drink.

    Steven’s Journey
    43
    “So do you want to tell me why you care so much?” Steven asked before taking a bite of his burger.
    Roman wasn’t ready for the question. He chewed his food, trying to think of a way out of this conversation until he could figure out a gentle way of telling Steven that they were mates. Roman stared up at the trees, watching the breeze dance through the leaves as he contemplated his next move.
    “We’re mates.” Roman moved his cup around in a circle, listening to the ice and drink slosh around as his eyes went from the trees to his boots.
    “I’m not sure I follow.” Steven set his burger down.
    Roman wasn’t sure how he should proceed. His mate’s expression made him want to laugh, but this was serious, and he needed to keep the chuckles at bay right now. “In the shifter world, as in the wild, we have one mate that is chosen for us by fate. You are my mate.” Steven’s green eyes looked Roman up and down. “How do I know you’re not trying to get into my pants with that line?” Roman felt his claws protruding from the anger he felt at that question. Didn’t his mate know how serious shifters took mating?
    Okay, maybe not, but it still made him feel upset. Steven stared at Roman's clawed hands for a moment. The skin under his eye began to twitch, and then his eyes rolled back as he fell to the floor.
    Roman stared at his mate in disbelief. Did he really just faint? He pulled himself to his knees, hovering over Steven. “Steven?” he tapped his cheek a few times in hopes that his green-eyed beauty would awaken.
    Roman began to worry when Steven lay there unmoving. Maybe showing his claws was a bit much, but his temper had overtaken him quickly at Steven’s mistrust.
    “Steven.” Roman picked his mate up from the floor and held him in his lap. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Steven’s eyelids flutter.

    44
    Lynn Hagen
    “Come on, tiger. Come back to me.” Roman ran the knuckle of his index finger down the side of Steven’s face. “Show me those green beauties.”
    “What happened?” Steven looked up at him in confusion. It was an adorable look for his mate. Roman cupped Steven’s face, smiling down at him.
    “You fainted.”
    “Why?”
    “Too much ketchup on your fries?”
    Steven’s brows pulled together as he licked his lips. Roman groaned at the act. Now was not the time to have sexual fantasies of where he would love Steven to lick.
    “No.” He shook his head. “Your, your hand grew. No.” Steven rubbed his eyes. “It was your nails.” Roman moved his arms aside as Steven laid his hands on Roman’s chest and pushed himself up. “We’re mates?” Roman knew he should have waited to explain all of this at home.
    This was going to be a long afternoon.

    Steven’s Journey
    45

Chapter Four
    Steven sat at the dinner table, stabbing his macaroni and cheese as he stole glances at Roman. How could they be mates? He wasn’t sure he was ready for a big commitment like that. Roman had explained to him after he’d come around that it was a bond that couldn’t be broken and it was for life.
    Although he had seen were-creatures shift, he had never been told anything about mates. And those claws? That was some creepy stuff.
    Roman openly watched Steven, giving him a tight smile every time