Chapter Four
Orion wasn't sure who or what Nix was but there was one thing that became certain as the minutes ticked by. He was Orion's mate. His scent was enticing and it was hard to stop himself tasting it surreptitiously as they walked.
Nix was too wrapped up watching where he was going, keeping his body moving, to notice Orion scenting him, to notice Orion's eyes on him.
His green eyes stood out on his pale face, his dark hair curled close to his head. He was short too, about Dylan's height, and sleight in frame. He looked like a stiff wind would take him down. Which might explain why he'd come crashing to earth.
"So what were you trying to do?"
"Alpha?"
He didn't correct Nix referring to him by what he was rather than who. He wanted answers and a little intimidation might be the way to get them.
"When you hit the ground. I'm guessing you were supposed to land on your feet?"
There was a tension in Nix's frame that didn't ease as he made clear what he was asking.
"I mistimed it, I guess. You're right, I was showing off."
Orion had surmised as much, but the admission seemed oddly stilted, like Nix was telling him what he thought Orion wanted to hear.
"And your people sent you?"
"Yes. They've known for some time that I had the honor of being your mate and the time had come for us to meet."
Nix's foot hit a stone and he tripped, jerking forward. Orion grabbed him, setting him back on his feet.
"Are you always this clumsy?"
"Yes, Alpha."
"Great," Orion muttered, hand hovering next to Nix's arm until he was sure the man could keep his balance.
"So, what are you?"
Nix's scent was a mixture of things, Orion still hadn't pulled the fragrances apart to tell what was what.
"I'm a shifter, like you." Nix's tone told Orion he wasn't taking the question seriously.
"Yeah? Well, you smell like a mongrel."
Nix tensed at his words, a flash of anger crossing his face.
"What. Are. You?" Orion said again, enunciating each word to leave the man in no doubt that he wanted an actual answer.
"My people are Metatherians. We change shape, like shifters, using magic, like Wiccans."
"Why do you smell like shifter then?"
"My grandfather was a werewolf. It's unusual for us to inter-mate with shifters or Wiccans but not unheard of."
"So you can change into any animal?"
Nix shook his head, his expression weary.
"No. Metatherians carry certain lines through generations. Our people mainly carry birds. And my family also carries wolves, through my grandfather."
"That explains why you stink of magic."
"Hey!" Nix protested. "You're one to talk. It's hard to breathe with that shaggy bear scent wafting off you."
They faced off, Nix squaring up to him, which Orion found amusing. His head only just came up past Orion's shoulder.
He must have a death wish, challenging, and insulting, an Alpha bear. Even the fact that he was supposed to be this Alpha's mate wasn't going to save him from the bear's wrath. Waiting with bated breath for Orion to lash out, he saw the Alpha's glare morph into a grin.
"You're plucky for a… whatever you are."
Nix sighed with relief even as he bristled at the Alpha's words.
"Meta-therian. I know it's a big word for a bear."
And the Alpha was suddenly in his face, eyes barely an inch from him, their lips millimeters apart. For a moment, he was convinced they were going to kiss, the heat of the Alpha's body close, the warm puff of his breath caressing his skin. March's words came back to him and he pulled back a few inches, dropping his gaze demurely.
The Alpha reached for him, one fingertip trailing across his cheek. "All talk and no follow-through?" he asked with a laugh.
Swallowing hard, Nix looked up again, meeting the bear's dark eyes. He hadn't thought this through. It had never occurred to him that his feelings of hatred, of anger, wouldn't be enough to override the instinctive lust that came with meeting his mate.
Those instincts were running roughshod over him and he stepped forward, balancing on his tiptoes to press a kiss to the bear's lips. The Alpha's hand came up to press against the back of his head, fingers combing through his hair as he kissed him back.
They pulled apart, both gasping for breath. Nix was ready to push back against him, pick up where they'd left off, when the Alpha spoke.
"We need to get moving. I have things to do."
It was such a dismissive statement, that it had Nix's hackles raised once more but the look the bear gave him silenced his protests.
"Yes, Alpha," he said, falling into step beside him as they continued on their journey.
Ahead of them, Nix could see a line of trees. The clouds had broken, the sun was beating down on them, and his mouth was dry, his throat parched. He longed for shade and a drink of cool, clear water. As if reading his mind, the Alpha swung a bag off his shoulder and pulled out a flask.
"Drink," he said. "It's fresh, I filled it this morning."
Flashing the bear a grateful smile, he swallowed a few mouthfuls before replacing the cap.
"Have more," the Alpha said. "There's a river just inside the forest that we have to cross. We can drink our fill and I'll replenish it there."
"Thank you, Alpha."
There was a hard look in the Alpha's eyes. Nix didn't like it or what it might mean. But the Alpha's next words were telling and not in the way he'd expected. "You can call me Orion."
As they stepped into the forest, the temperature dropped, the air cooling around them. Nix liked it. There were trees near the village but nothing that could be called a wood, let alone a forest. In his dreams, he'd traveled the land many times as a bird: trees, lakes, and fields rushing by below him while the wind buffeted him. The reality was, he was weak. There were only a handful of times in his life when he'd actually got the opportunity to fly. Once as a present for his tenth birthday. Again, after he'd worked very hard on a job for March and the Shaman had rewarded him. Other than that, he had been grounded his whole life.
Already tired from his flight that day, he struggled to keep pace with the Alpha's long strides. He was falling behind as they reached the river.
Orion looked at him over his shoulder. "What's wrong with you?"
"I'm sorry, Al — Orion. It was a long journey to find you."
Orion's gaze didn't waver, though his expression softened just a little. "We'll rest at the river."
"Thank you, Orion."
The Alpha didn't acknowledge his thanks and Nix got the sense that he was less than happy.
When they reached the river, Nix sat down on the bank, reaching over to cup the cool water into his mouth. Orion crouched nearby, refilling his flask and taking a long drink from it. He filled it a second time and packed it away into his backpack.
Once he'd drank his fill, Nix stretched out on his side along the dry earth of the bank, and watched how the sun reflected off the water. His eyes began to droop closed, his body ready to settle down to sleep. A shadow appeared over him and he squinted up to see Orion staring down at him with amusement.
"Nap time?"
"I'm tired," he said.
"Well, I don't have all day to stand here and watch you sleep. Get up."
His hand reached down and, taking hold of Nix's uninjured arm, pulled him to his feet.
"We'll cross the river here, where it's shallow."
Rubbing his eyes with his hands, Nix willed away the urge to sleep as he rolled up his pant legs and followed Orion into the water.