Free Mating Games by Stormy Glenn, Joyee Flynn Page B

he set Dobry on his feet.
    “Let me check it out first, make sure there’s no creepy crawlies inside.”
    Dobry was in full support of that idea. He’d felt enough things crawling over his skin while held in the shed to last him a lifetime. If Sebastian was willing to check the place out first, Dobry would take it.
    “Are you going to be okay, little one?” Alastar asked as he stepped up to stand beside him. He stood close but not so close that they touched. Alastar seemed willing to give Dobry plenty of space.
    “I’m good,” Dobry said. “I’ll be better when this is all done, but I’ll survive until then. I’ve survived worse.”
    “You have, Dobry, and I am very proud of you,” Alastar said, much to Dobry’s astonishment. “A lesser man would not have made it through what you have. You’re very brave.”
    “And you’re out of your mind,” Dobry replied.
    “Why?” Alastar asked. “Because I believe you’re brave? A lot of people would have lost it after going through what you did. Not you, though. Not only did you persevere, you escaped with your mind intact. You’ve also found your mates and have the opportunity to live a long, happy, and healthy life.”
    Dobry wasn’t sure he saw things the same way that Alastar did, but he couldn’t deny the man’s assumptions. He had survived what was done to him. He wasn’t sure he still retained his sanity, but he could string two sentences together.
    He glanced over to see Alastar looking between him, where Sebastian went, and behind them. Alastar’s brow furrowed and his face filled with worry. Dobry made a decision he hoped wouldn’t come back to bite him in the ass.
    He held his hand out to Alastar. “You can hold my hand if you’re scared.” At Alastar’s shocked look, Dobry shrugged. “Sebastian seems to think that holding hands or cuddling when you’re scared makes everything better.”
    Alastar reached out and took the hand that Dobry held out to him.
    “I couldn’t agree more. We find solace in the arms of our mates.
    That’s the way it should be.”
    “Why?” Dobry still didn’t understand this whole mating thing.
    How could someone just accept another person into their lives because fate said so? What if they didn’t like each other? What if they didn’t get along?
    “Let me try and explain it from Sebastian’s point of view.
    Sebastian is a Delta. He emits a pheromone that draws other werewolves to him like bees to honey. Because of that and the duties he has to perform as a Delta, he’s basically ostracized from werewolf society. He doesn’t have friends, family, or anyone he can go to for comfort and care.” Alastar’s gaze went to the trees and bushes that Sebastian had walked into. He grimaced. “He doesn’t have anyone to care for him, to love him. So, fate chose two mates for him, us, to give him solace. Without us, he’s all alone.”
    Dobry frowned. “What about his family? I know his parents are dead, but doesn’t he have aunts and uncles, cousins?”
    “He might, but the moment he came of age and took over his duties as a Delta, he was pushed away from his family. He’s not even allowed to attend regular werewolf functions because of the pheromones he emits. He could cause a riot when other werewolves try to get to him.”
    “That’s horrible,” Dobry whispered.
    “It is, but fate balances that out by giving him two mates. It’s our job to give Sebastian a home, someplace to come back to when his duty to the council is done. Fate wouldn’t choose mates for Sebastian who couldn’t give that to him.” Alastar smiled and held up their clasped hands. “It chooses mates who each bring something to the relationship. We each have something that is unique to us and makes us perfect for each other.”
    “What could I possibly have that is unique?” Dobry scoffed. “I can barely stand to have anyone touch me let alone do anything more.
    All I’ve brought to this relationship is more problems. I think