His Wolf

Chapter 22: New Rituals

Arthit thought the mating ritual was a complicated affair. A huge plan that required their families and friends and everyone they knew to witness. Or something dangerous that would require him to train for weeks on end before he could pitch himself against it.

Kongpob just laughed at his suggestions.

"We can have a big wedding if you want," Kongpob told him while he arranged his things in his dorm room now that he was back to school full-time. "I wouldn't mind having our friends around for a party but that's all it would be."

"The pack doesn't require a party?"

"They require you to be at the next hunt by my side. What we do to make that happen is entirely up to us."

"What about your parents? My parents?" Arthit asked.

"They already know about it. They've known about it for a while."

How long is a while?

"Since I met you." That's why they were checking up on us.

"What are you saying?" Arthit needed clarification.

Kongpob stopped what he was doing and turned to give him all his attention. Leaning against the desk he looked rather pleased that Arthit was sitting on the bed looking very comfortable.

"I knew you were my mate when I met you."

It was not the first time Arthit had heard the confession. He wanted the rest of the story. The parts he'd missed when he'd buried his head in the sand. When the photograph had been taken.

"I knew I would have to convince you. You just held out for longer than I expected. I was ready to make our relationship official as soon as you accepted me as your boyfriend."

"That was in your first year."

"Your parents refused. They said it wasn't right to pressure you into making a decision before you finished college. My parents agreed."

"You actually listened to your parents?" Arthit teased. Your father said you were stubborn and persuasive. Was he wrong?

"They insisted I finish my own degree before I consider doing anything permanent in case there were...consequences. It made enough sense to wait."

What changed?

Your job. "You don't work in the family firm or on our pack lands. You interact with other wolves all the time and even though your senses are more attuned to them, it's still not enough. You're surrounded by alpha humans—all of whom find you immensely appealing even if you don't know it. 

"You need the protection of the pack and I don't know if I can do that without creating a problem for the other wolves around you. I need you to be mine or be with me. I don't care which one you choose."

"Are you saying if I choose to work for Siam Polymer Group, you won't have to go through the mating ritual?"

Kongpob hesitated.
That was answer enough.

Arthit wasn't satisfied. He was about to protest when Kongpob beat him to it.

You will wear my mark.

"Is that what it is? A mark?"

The sound of Kongpob growl was so welcome Arthit had a moment of complete overwhelm at how deeply it touched him. His hitched breath caught Kongpob's attention and he received a knowing gaze that ignited a fire inside him he'd thought extinguished forever.

Kongpob reached for him and Arthit went willingly. The joy of Kongpob actually touching him giving him permission to reach back. Climbing onto Kongpob's lap and kissing him like he'd been dying of thirst and this was his first drink of water.