Chapter 6

-Myles-

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and a quick glance confirms that it’s a text from Caro. We haven’t spoken much since our lunch the other day - it seemed like he had a lot to process and I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable with my presence, so I sort of…backed off, for a bit. But I’m thrilled to see that he texted me. 

“Myles? Are you alright?” Xabien asks, and I clear my throat, sitting more upright in my seat. 

“Yes, sorry. What were you saying?” Goddammit, Myles. Just focus for the meeting, and then talk to Caro later. I haven’t even told Xabien that I finally met my mate - we’ve always wanted to meet ours, but I feel a little guilty - I ended up meeting mine before Xabien met his, and Xabien’s even older than I am. He’s been waiting to meet his mate for so long. At the end of the meeting, I zip out of my seat instantly and find a quiet hallway where I can text Caro back. Unable to resist it when I see the text he sent, I click the call button. Caro is considering mating with me, but he isn’t ready to join a pack just yet.

“Hey, Myles. Did you see my text?” My sweet mate asks softly. Leaning back against the wall, I picture him sitting somewhere comfy, his hair pulled back into that little ponytail he often wears. 

“Hey, Caro! I did, yeah. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, and that includes joining my pack. We’d love to have you, and you wouldn’t have to go back to being a pack healer - you wouldn’t have to do anything, if you didn’t want. But if you don’t want to join the pack just yet, or even ever, then that’s fine too! The most important thing is that you’re comfortable.”

Caro is silent for a moment, but if I strain my ears, I can hear muffled speaking in the background. Maybe Caro isn’t alone? 

“Um, thank you. That’s good to know. I don’t want to go back to being a healer, but I am quite interested in being a therapist, so maybe if I ever did…join your pack, then…we’ll just see.”

My heart swells and I turn my back to the rest of the hall when Xabien’s office door opens. “Whatever you want, Caro. Literally, whatever you want. I really want you to be happy, and if I can be- if I can be the one to make you happy, then that’s- that’s all I could ever ask for.”

“You already make me happy, Myles. I do really like you, and I love spending time together,” Caro says so quietly that I almost miss it. I pump my free hand in the air, trying to not jump on the spot, whilst my heart is singing Caro likes me! He likes me! My incredible mate likes me! Grinning widely, I nod along as Caro explains that he isn’t completely comfortable around other wolves and therefore doesn’t want to join the pack just yet, but that he isn’t completely closed to the idea of eventually joining, depending on how he feels. By the end of the conversation, I’m grinning even harder. The moment I laid eyes on Caro, I knew that I was going to fall so hard for him. So the knowledge that he likes me back and wants to mate with me?

I’m just…overjoyed. 

Saying goodbye to Caro, I head back towards Xabien’s office. Knocking on his door before entering, I chew on my lips in both excitement and trepidation. It’s time I told him about Caro. Xabien looks up, smiling at me warmly.

“Myles! What can I do for you?” He asks brightly, clasping his hands together after placing his pen back down next to whatever paperwork he was partway through. Sitting down in the armchair opposite his desk, I feel a smile creep onto my lips. 

“So, I sort of have some big news which I haven’t told you yet. But, I’ve really wanted to tell you. I hope you won’t mind that I’ve been…keeping it from you, up until this point?” Xabien is one of my closest friends, so I don’t really have to worry about his reaction. But that doesn’t automatically mean that I’m not worried. Xabien leans back in his seat slightly, folding his hands together and smiling encouragingly. 

“Well now I’m just curious. Going to keep me in the dark for any longer?” He teases, raising an eyebrow. Shifting in my seat slightly, I feel a little blush filter across my cheeks. 

“So, I actually met my mate a few weeks ago. We’ve been taking it slow, talking and just getting to know each other. But, he wants to complete the mate bond with me. The only thing holding him back is apparently that he’s worried he’d have to join the pack, and he doesn’t want to do that.”

Xabien’s smile grows and grows as he listens to me, his eyes soft and warm. “I’m so happy for you, Myles. What’s his name? Is he from a local pack- Ceyden’s, maybe? Not that it matters- and of course, he doesn’t have to join our pack if that’s not something he wants.”

Relaxing slightly, I let out a relieved breath. I knew that Xabien wouldn’t force Caro to join the pack, but it’s always good to have confirmation of that.

“His name is Caro, and no, his pack isn’t that local. He lives in the human town because he isn’t that comfortable around other wolves - hence why he doesn’t want to join the pack. Just yet, anyway. I can’t say for certain that he’ll always feel that way, but I don’t mind - I’m just so happy that he wants to mate with me,” I admit, feeling my face heat up again. Xabien smirks at me, his eyebrows raised again. 

“Wow, someone can’t wait to get some.”

I shake my head quickly, my face practically aflame. “Not at all! He’s ace, and was very adamant that nothing happens between us. Which I’m totally okay with- he seemed rather surprised by that, which is odd, because- I mean he’s just more important to me than anything else, right? So of course I wouldn’t really care if we didn’t do anything because just being able to talk to him and be in his presence is enough, I feel so honoured every time he talks to me- I mean he’s just so adorable and handsome and talented and I really-“ I clamp my mouth shut. I was rambling. Gushing, hard, about my feelings for Caro.

“I’m so sorry, that was so embarrassing,” I whisper, closing my eyes in shame. But when I open them again, Xabien is just smiling softly at me. 

“Why are you apologising? I’m so happy to hear how much you like him. Seriously, Myles. I’m thrilled for you.”

Chewing on my lips in an effort to hold in my smile, I stare down at my hands clasped in my lap. And then, “I hope you find yours soon, too,” I say softly, glancing up at Xabien. His smile turns a little sad as he gazes off into the distance.

“Me too, but I’m hardly…holding out hope for her, at this point. I’ve never even dreamed of her, and sometimes…sometimes I wonder if she really is out there at all.”

Leaning forwards, I wait for Xabien to look at me again. “Trust me, Xabien. One day, you’ll meet your mate, and whoever they are…they’ll be well worth the wait."