Enforcing Boundaries

Bonus Chapter 2 - Mel & Jason

Meleri

I used to think Magnus was being dramatic when he complained about the house being too big, but I knew what he meant now. Since he'd been spending more time with Lachlan and especially since he had gone to Albuquerque the past few days, the big, empty spaces around me didn't feel like home anymore. They just made me feel small and alone.

I hated feeling small.

And as for feeling alone... it was new to me. I grew up in a stupidly happy family. Seriously, it would make a Hallmark script writer nauseous. I had about as ideal a childhood as you could have, and I took it completely for granted. Then my parents died when I was a young teen, and for most people, that would have been the end of their happy childhood. Not me, though. Sure, it was hard... it's still hard. But I still wasn't alone. Felix kept me strong and Magnus kept me human.

Or, as human as a werewolf gets.

Though I was close with both of my brothers, Magnus and I had a special bond. I know I wasn't enough to keep him happy – my brother, the dreamer, he had always yearned for a fairy tale ending with his mate – but he had been my happiness and my anchor. I didn't resent him growing up and making a life for himself separate from me, but that didn't make it hurt less.

And now in this empty house, I felt alone for the first time and I didn't know how to process it. So I didn't.

Once again, I stayed late in the office until everyone else had left. Then, instead of going home, I headed for the pack house. It was a couple of hours after dinnertime, but there was always someone around. I went in through the back door that opens onto the kitchen, since any leftovers from tonight's meal would be packed neatly away in the fridge.

The pack house felt quieter than usual, but that wasn't so unexpected this time of night, and I could hear voices coming from the rec room. While I heated a plate of leftovers, I tried tuning into their conversation, but even with werewolf hearing, I couldn't pick up anything other than the indistinct murmur of voices. No matter. Just another minute or so with the microwave and my food would be ready, then I could join them – whoever they were.

Only, I didn't end up joining them. The door opened again and Roy walked in, followed by a man so big that he could almost have played Fezzik in The Princess Bride. His biceps were as thick around as my waist, I thought, and the phone in his hand looked like a kid's toy.

His outlandish size wasn't the most important thing about this man, though. The most important thing was that he was my mate.

I didn't bother wasting breath on talking, not when that would mean focusing less on drawing in air and more on using it. Instead, I stood in total silence while I studied my mate. I had already gotten a good start on his arms, which were wrapped in toned, defined muscle that I was definitely going to be tracing my tongue over later. Next, I swept my gaze downwards, taking in the neatly-tailored pants he was wearing. Of course they were tailored, I thought – his size was probably impossible to find off the rack. His shoes were practically big enough for children to use as boats, and when my eyes traced higher, I noted with satisfaction that the outline of his cock proved that he was this massive everywhere.

By the time my searching eyes made it back to his face, he was blushing a dark red color, and I learned that not only was my mate someone you could climb like a jungle gym; he was sweet, too. That blush stirred up the first hints of affection for this man who was meant for me.

Had I hit jackpot? Was he the big, strong, teddy bear type?

His eyes met mine and he did this adorable little smile that confirmed it. Those eyes were twinkling and hopeful, and I made myself a promise right then that I was going to take care of him. People with eyes like that had the softest hearts, and his was mine to protect now.