Page 36 of Sobek’s Joy

Chapter Thirteen

It was a whimper from the couch that had them pulling apart. Timothy stirred, his small crocodile form twitching.

“We should put them to bed properly,” Rudy said, although when he pulled back, he seemed to do so reluctantly. “If I let them spend a night on the couch, they’ll think they can do it every night.”

“I’ll carry them up.” Sobek pressed a kiss to Rudy’s forehead, marveling that he could do that now. “You lead the way.”

Rose was easiest to pick up first, her panther features fading as sleep deepened. Sobek followed Rudy to her room. It was painted a soft lavender with drawings taped haphazardly across the walls. A stuffed elephant sat on the pillow. Sobek lay her down gently, and Rudy tucked the blankets around her, kissing her forehead.

They went to Jack’s room next. There were dinosaurs covering every surface - posters, bedding, and toys scattered across the floor. There was also a full bookcase showing well-worn books. The boy’s wolf ears had retracted, leaving just a sleepy five-year-old who mumbled something about pancakes when Sobek set him on the mattress.

Timothy’s room held the fewest decorations, just a blue blanket and a wooden boat on the dresser. There was also nothing on the walls yet, as if Tim wasn’t sure the space was truly his.

“I tried to get him things,” Rudy said softly as Sobek laid the small crocodile on the bed. “I’d ask him all the time what sort of toys and decorations he’d like, and he just never answered me. I’m guessing he was scared and wasn’t sure he’d be allowed to stay if I knew his secret.”

“He knows now,” Sobek said, although he was certain Rudy was right. “He loves and trusts you, and it was only fear holding him back. It’ll be a short while, and then I’m sure his room will look like the others.”

“I hope so, because he deserves it, just like they all do.” Rudy immediately began arranging pillows around the hatchling, making sure he wouldn’t fall off the bed. “Will he be okay?”

“He’ll shift back by morning, likely before dawn.” Sobek adjusted the blanket over Timothy’s scaled form. “He’ll be starving when he wakes. Shifting burns tremendous energy, especially the first time.”

“How much food are we talking?”

“Enough that you’ll think he can’t possibly eat another bite, and then he’ll eat more.” Sobek smiled slightly. “I can get breakfast supplies in the morning. Bacon, eggs, toast, fruit - whatever you have won’t be enough.”

Rudy’s hand found Sobek’s. “You don’t have to...”

“I want to.” Sobek squeezed gently. “Besides, I need to teach Timothy how to control his shifts. Jack and Rose, too, because they’re already showing early signs of shifting, which is far too soon for youngsters their age.”

“Is that because of what they’ve been through?”

“Most likely.” Sobek led Rudy out of the room, leaving the door cracked. “Their abilities manifested as a survival mechanism. Now they need to learn control, so they don’t shift accidentally in public.”

Downstairs, Rudy headed straight for the couch and curled into the corner. Sobek hesitated - his crocodile wanted to pin Rudy beneath him on the cushions, claim him properly, and make him scream with pleasure - but Rudy simply patted the space beside him.

“Come here. I have about a thousand questions, and you’re not getting out of answering them now.”

Sobek sat, and Rudy immediately tucked himself against Sobek’s side, head on his shoulder, and yes, okay, that felt really good as well.

“Ask away.”

“What does being mates actually mean?” Rudy’s fingers played with the fabric of Sobek’s shirt, that he’d blinked into existence when carrying the kids upstairs. “You said fated mates, that the Fates whoever they are, decided we’d be a good fit together. But what does that mean for us, day-to-day?”

“It means you’re mine and I’m yours. Permanently.” Sobek wrapped his arm around Rudy’s shoulders. “The bond between mates is sacred and completely unbreakable. When two people are fated, they’re meant to complement each other - strengths balancing weaknesses, personalities fitting together like pieces of a puzzle.”

“That really does sound like romantic fiction.”

“You’re the one who reads paranormal romance novels,” Sobek said, amused. “You’ve mentioned it more than once.”

Rudy’s ears turned pink. “You remembered that?”

“I remember everything about you.” Sobek pressed his lips to Rudy’s curls. “And yes, it probably does sound like fiction, but for the paranormal world, mates are very real. I felt it the moment I saw you. It’s difficult to put into words, but I got this pull, a sense of certainty. The Fates are also quite good at realizing some gods are a bit obtuse - wait until you meet Horus - so they indicate a mate with a light. You appeared bathed in light that only I could see, and as soon as my crocodile caught your scent, we knew immediately.”

“The kids, too?”

“You’re my mate.” Sobek’s voice roughened. “When I’m fully bonded to you, they’ll be protected by that bond as well. They’ll be immortal, healthy, and above all, safe. Nothing will be able to hurt them.”

Rudy tilted his head back. “You said fully bonded. What does that mean?”