Page 28 of Ridge

“You were scared,” Ridge confirmed. “I could see that. I never would‘ve assumed that you would hurt someone just because of the way you look, though. I would never assume that of anyone.”

Kael sighed. Ridge was trying to comfort him, and in a way, it was working. It was mostly because, even though Kael sometimes yearned to go back to what he knew, he was aware that it would be the worst decision he could make. He had nothing left in Starhaven. The only thing he could do was look forward and learn to live among humans.

“I’m glad that’s how you feel,” he told Ridge. “And you’re right, I wouldn’t hurt anyone. You’re also right that the man reacted the way he did just because of how I look, and there’s nothing I can do about that. I can’t change who I am, and even if I could, I wouldn’t, because this is who I am. I guess people are going to have to learn to live with that.”

And he would have to learn to live with people watching him, and a lot of them not accepting him.

Did he need them to, anyway? He had his best friend. Nymon and Tex would always be there for Kael. Kael also had Ridge, or at least he was pretty sure he did. He didn’t know where things stood between them, but he was Ridge’s mate. Ridge wouldn’t give up easily, which was good because Kael didn’t want him to give up at all. He had his apartment, and he was sure that in time, he would build himself a new community. It wouldn’t be like the one he’d left behind in Starhaven, but had that one really ever been his? He’d been part of it because he was a demon and had been born there, but had he ever truly belonged?

And could he find a place to belong now that he’d left?

Chapter Six

Ridge was both relieved and hesitant by the time he drove his car back into town. He and Kael had been dancing around the issues between them since they’d left the demon town, and they hadn’t come to any kind of understanding. They hadn’t even properly talked about whatever was happening between them.

He hoped they would. After what had happened at the diner a few days ago, though, Kael had seemed determined to focus on the job he’d been assigned. They’d visited a second town, and like with Poppy, Kael had been charming and had hopefully shown demons that opening up their towns wouldn’t cause them to be flooded with humans and shifters. Ridge didn’t care much about that right now, though. He only cared about Kael, who was sitting in the passenger seat, silent the way he had been for most of the trip.

Ridge had questions. He wanted answers, but he also wasn’t sure he should ask yet. It was obvious that Kael was uncomfortable, and Ridge hated that. His mate should be comfortable with him. That was kind of the point of them being mates.

But the trip was behind them now. They would have to meet with Gregory over the next few days, but tonight, they were free. They didn’t have anywhere to be. Ridge was supposed to drive Kael home to his apartment and leave him there, but he wasn’t sure he could do that. He wasn’t sure he should, either. They’d been avoiding the elephant between them for way too long, and maybe it was time to face it and finally decide where things stood. Ridge was afraid of what Kael’s words and reactions would be, but hiding his head in the sand wouldn’t help. At least if they talked, they’d both know for sure where things stood, and they could make their decisions based on that.

Ridge kept his focus on the road, even though there was nothing he wanted more than to turn and look at his mate. “What do you think about coming over to my apartment instead of going home?” he asked, hoping he wasn’t making a mistake. “I really think we need to talk, and I think you feel the same way.”

Kael snorted softly, but he didn’t sound offended or sarcastic when he answered. “What makes you think I want that?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I would like to know where we stand. The only way to know for sure is to talk.”

“You’re right. Is your apartment the best place to do so?”

“Maybe not. I just don’t want you to feel awkward in your own home.” And a public place would be too awkward. He could find somewhere else if that was what Kael wanted, though.

“Your apartment is perfectly fine. Let’s go.”

Ridge glanced at his mate. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. You’re right, we need to talk. I’ve been hiding from this for too long. I shouldn’t have, but I’m glad you allowed me to do so.”

“Did it help you?”

“I don’t know.”

That was the only answer Ridge would get for now, and he was fine with that. He didn’t know if giving Kael space and time had helped. He hoped so, but he’d seen what happened when he pushed too much. When he’d asked Kael if he wanted to bond, Kael had retreated into himself, and things had been awkward ever since. Ridge didn’t like that. He didn’t need to bond with Kael. He never needed to, if Kael wasn’t okay with that. He just wanted them to be together, and while he knew that it would always feel like something was missing if they didn’t bond, he was willing to accept that. As long as he had Kael in his life, he thought everything would be okay.

But that was why they needed to talk. They had to be clear about what they wanted and what was possible between them. Maybe Kael just needed more time. Maybe he’d decided that he never wanted to bond. Maybe he never wanted to see Ridge again after today. There was only one way for Ridge to find out, and that was to talk to his mate. Since Kael seemed willing to do so today, Ridge wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass.

He drove them to his apartment building. The place wasn’t much, but then, he didn’t usually spend a lot of time here. Maybe that was going to change. He would have to talk to Gregory, but he was sure that if he asked for help, the man would be more than happy to give him what he needed. He wasn’t ready to leave his job, but he wanted to be able to spend more time at home. He and Kael had just found each other. They needed time together. That wasn’t going to happen if Ridge kept being sent on missions, but maybe he could reduce the number of assignments he accepted. He was being paid well for what he did. Until now, he’d accepted as many missions as he could because he hadn’t had anything else to focus on, but fate had decided that giving him his mate was a good idea, and who was he to argue?

“The place isn’t much,” he said as he pulled into his designated spot. “But I don’t spend a lot of time here.”

“You’re always working,” Kael said, looking up at the building. It wasn’t big, just four floors, but it was well maintained and had a certain charm to it. It was clear that the other people who lived here put a lot more effort into their homes than Ridge ever had, though. He could see his balcony from here, completely empty, while the neighbors had plants, chairs, and tables on theirs.

It made him wonder what his home would look like if he and Kael ever moved in together. Was that something Kael might want?

Ridge had learned his lesson. He wasn’t going to ask. He was curious, but he would let Kael set the pace.

When they stepped out of the car, Kael looked like he was about to make a run for it. His eyes were wide, glancing around, and he clearly wasn’t fully ready for this. He didn’t look like he was about to say anything about it, though, which made Ridge frown. If his mate wouldn’t tell him he was uncomfortable, it was Ridge’s job to do something about it. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” he said, hoping it sounded natural. “How about we get something to eat first?”

Kael looked relieved, which made Ridge feel better. He might not have any idea what he was doing when it came to a relationship with his mate, but he was doing his best, and he thought it was working. Hopefully, Kael felt the same way.