I've Been Waiting For You

Chapter 48

Mitchell hoped he hadn't made his hosts think his behavior was crude.

But he was pleased to be leaving their residence. When he first entered that house, he knew that the other guests were only there because of Markus.

Their desire for Markus was suffocating.

During dinner, those looks aimed at his boyfriend had made him so infuriated that he could actually feel the need to stake his claim.

"Why are you so quiet?"

"I was just thinking about that dinner. The tension could cut like a knife."

Markus made a sound in his throat but just kept driving.

"Mitchell, you told me a while ago that you believed in the Supernatural. What did you mean by that?"

Mitchell wasn't expecting to be asked such a question so he was silent for a while as his mind tried to come up with a reason.

"I've seen unexplainable things in my life and I just have credence that there are things out there that don't need any explanation."

"What about otherworldly beings?"

Mitchell's mind flashed back to what Malachi told him about Markus.

"Markus, is there a reason you're asking me about this?"

Markus pulled off to the side of the road, and turned off the ignition. He gazed at him silently for a moment as though he was formulating his thoughts.

"If you met someone that seemed to be different, would you embraced him or reject him?"

"I don't understand."

"Differing."

Mitchell frowned at him in confusion. "What is differing?"

"What would you do, if the person you're with is different from other people? Would you still want to be with him?"

"And are you, Markus?"

Markus opened the driver's side and got out without closing the door, Mitchell following close behind him.

"I've noticed for a while now that there's something different about you. That first day at school when I saw you, a feeling I've never felt before came over me."

"Same here."

"That night at the party, I overheard Kev talking to you about your body heat. At first I didn't know what he meant but in the pool, your body felt hot. Every time we're about to do anything sexual, your body overheats."

"You're talking rather calm about this."

"What would be the point in panicking?"

Mitchell stood next to him, waiting for him to talk.

"I was was there with Kev, when I saw you enter the supermarket with your mom. You didn't notice but I was watching you for a while. When you were alone, I stood there, hoping that you would turn around."

Markus closed his eyes, facing the night sky. He seemed to be a part of the night.

"You're not a vampire, are you?"

Markus laughed but his eyes still remained closed. He inhaled deeply before opening his eyes.

"No, I'm not a vampire. I'm not a werewolf either."

"I've seen you eat food. Do you need anything other than food?"

"They have been one or two times I wanted to taste your blood, but I think it was more of an impulse."

"What does that mean?"

Mitchell knew he was curious but was he ready for all those details?

"I'll tell you about it later. I've told you enough." Markus embraced him, hugging him hard.

"I'm not going to walk away from you, Markus. You're stuck with me."

"I don't mind."

Mitchell rest his head on his chest, listening to Markus's heart beating. He inhaled his scent, feeling euphoric at the sensation that made his body tremble.

"Markus, what's that scent you're giving off?"

"It's my pheromones."

"Huh? You can smell pheromones?"

"You can smell mine because you belong to me."

"Can other people smell your scent like I do?"

"Some people can. Others can't."

"Now everything makes sense. You've been giving off this enticing scent that attracts people."

"I guess."

Mitchell squeezed him tighter. "I'm going to have to tie you up. I can't have all these people lusting after you."

"Again, you're acting really calm about all this."

Mitchell shrugged his shoulders. "I think my mom had a feeling you were different and she told me not to abandon you."

"She could probably smell my scent."

"Yeah, don't remind me about my mom acting like a love-struck teenager around you."

"Your mom is just being herself. She enjoys making you smile."

Markus shifted his weight and looked around their surroundings. He had parked on the outskirts of Pine Crest.

"Come on, let me drop you home."

When the headlights came on Mitchell saw Kev's vehicle parked a feet away from them. He hadn't even noticed that they weren't alone.

"Were they there the whole time?"

"Yes. They were giving us privacy to talk."

"Are they like you too?"

"No, they're not."

"So, they're humans?"

"Not exactly. I'll let them explain it to you."

On the drive home, Mitchell kept glancing at Markus out the corner of his eyes. He bit his lower lip, thinking about what Markus had just revealed to him. It made no sense that he wasn't trying to get far away from as possible.

Why did he except his words so easily?

Did he actually believe him or was he just curious to find out if it was all true?

No one talked during the drive, each in their own thoughts. When Markus finally pulled to a stop in front of his house, Mitchell didn't immediately got out. He lingered.

"I know it wasn't east for you to tell me. But I do appreciate you letting me know."

He watched the other vehicle idling, waiting.

"Kev wants to talk to you." Markus told him, breaking the silence.

"Kev acted that way because he was being protective of you."

"They both are."

Mitchell opened the door and got out the car. He closed the door before walking to where Kev was waiting.

"Don't worry Mitchell, we accepted you a long time ago. If we didn't, Markus would have been very vocal about it."

"Has he ever been in a relationship?"

"He told me he had a talk with you on that topic. Why are you asking me?"

"We did talk about it, briefly, but it never came up again."

"Markus doesn't like to repeat himself. He only talks when it's important. Like you are to him."

Kev looked at where Markus was parked, no doubt watching them.

"He's important to all of us. You're important to him. That means you're apart of our family."