Two Straws

Third Person POV:

Teddy was waiting at the diner, nervously bouncing his leg. He wasn't ready for this. He loved being with Trevor. He never thought that he would meet his fated mate. He was convinced he would have a chosen mate. A large number of gay wolves had to do just that.

If Trevor rejected him, the pain that Teddy would feel would be almost unbearable. He will have to tell Trevor how to reject him. Would you want to explain to a person exactly how they should murder you?

"Hey! It's you again! Jackie. Remember? You came in here with the big guy. Double-Double rare, right?"

"Yep, that's me. Right now, though, I would like two glasses of water and one coffee with cream."

"Sure thing." She went to walk away but stopped. "I don't mean to pry, but are you okay?"

"Ask me in about twenty minutes," Teddy said.

"I'm sorry. I'll go grab you those drinks."

The bell above the door rang. Teddy's heart fell into his ball sack, crushing his nuts.

Jackie returned with the drinks. She followed Teddy's gaze. "Oh, I think I understand." She put her hand on his shoulder. "It will be okay. I am usually good at knowing these types of things. I got like a sixth sense."

"Don't bet your tips on it."

"Hey, baby!"

"Hi." Teddy grabbed Trevor's wrist and pulled him so their chests collided. Teddy put his hand on the back of Trevor's head and pulled him towards him until their lips came crashing together.

At first, Trevor was taken off guard, but then he started to return the kiss. Their tongues danced a beautiful, passionate tango. They kissed until they had to come up for air. Finally pulling apart, Teddy held Trevor's face.

"Baby, what's wrong? You absolutely despise PDA."

The truth is that Teddy was sure this was going to be the last time he would share a kiss with Trevor.

"You just look so delicious today. I couldn't control myself."

Trevor let out a little laugh. "I wish I looked delicious more often."

They sat down across from each other.

"I was surprised to get your invitation. You never go out during the day or in the middle of the week."

"Well, my love, today is the anniversary of the day that we first met."

"Awe. Look at you being all romantic and shit," Trevor said with an overacted sigh.

"I got you something." Teddy handed him a small box.

Trevor looked at him and slowly opened the box. "Wow, Teddy, this is really beautiful." He pulled the necklace out of the box. There was a pride flag pendant, each stripe a row of different-colored gems, a heart with the initials T&T engraved on it, and a crescent moon.

"Thank you, baby. I feel bad I didn't get you anything."

"It's okay, and you're welcome, my love. I just want you to know that you are so special to me. I would be happy if I could spend the rest of my life with you. When I see you, I see my future. My forever."

"Teddy, you don't have an engagement ring in your pocket, do you?"

"I would love to put my mark on you."

"Oh, really. You want to make your mark?" Trevor let out a giggle. "You mean like having your name tattooed on my ass or something?"

"Or something."

"Would you get one, too? If you mark me, I want to mark you."

"I would be honored to wear your mark."

Trevor took a drink of his water. He tipped his head to the side, studying Teddy's face. "You do realize that you are perpetuating the stereotype of the gay and lesbian community. Like that joke, what do lesbians do on their second date? Rent a moving van."

"I guess you're right. I know we haven't been together for that long, but I can guarantee that I am all in. I will never grow tired of you or leave you. I want to be your ride or die, Teddy."

Fuck, if that doesn't scare him off, nothing will. Jesus Christ, Teddy. I know Tanner. It just all came out. I couldn't help it. You verbally vomited. Thanks. Well, this should be interesting. Let's see what the boy has to say.

"Teddy, this is getting kind of heavy."

Oh shit. Here we go. Do you think we will run or just calmly walk out really slowly? Tanner, you are not helping my self-confidence with the situation. Sorry, I am just as invested in this as you are.

Trevor's face grew grim.

Oh fuck. Not good.

"Teddy, baby, are- are you dying or something? Why are you pledging your undying love?"

Teddy took a deep breath and then released a relieved sigh. "No, my love, I am not dying. At least not anytime soon, I hope."

"Oh, thank sweet baby Jesus. Can you please tell me what is going on?"

"Umm. Well, do you read books?"

"Of course, I read books. I have since I was about four."

"What kind of books do you like to read?"

"Are you going to invite me to a book club or something? That's not really my kind of thing."

This may be a little harder than I expected. Maybe you should stop beating around the metaphorical bush. I'm trying to soften the blow.

"No. No book club. I just want to know what kind of books you read. Your favorite genres."

"Okay. I like science fiction, of course, you know, chem major. Romance, especially the spicy stuff." He winked at Teddy. "I always wonder if those kinds of sappy relationships actually exist."

"I think they do; you just need to find the right person. You said that you like science fiction. Do you like fantasy at all?"

"You mean like Twilight-type books?"

"Yeah, like Twilight-type books. Books that have fantasy creatures and such.

"Yeah, I do. Wrenly has a vast collection of them. We're talking Kindle, Audible, Inkitt, and paperback. She's addicted to them. I think she likes escaping from the real world."

Well, that should make this easier. I hope.

Trevor raised a brow. "Why are you asking me all this? I mean, seriously, are you trying to get me to join a book club?"

Teddy smiled. "No, no book club. I have to tell you something, and I don't know if you'll take it bad or good or not at all."

"Let me guess, you're not gay?" Trevor said with feigned shock.

Teddy laughed. "Oh no, I am very much gay, and I'm a werewolf, and you're my faded mate," Teddy said the last part extremely quickly, and it all ran together.

Trevor opened his mouth a couple of times, trying to think of what to say. It was a superb impression of a goldfish.

"Please say something, my love."

"Are we playing two truths and a lie?"

"If we were, what would your guesses be?"

"Hmm. Well, you are definitely gay. You are way too good in bed not to be. From what you said before, you want to be with me forever, so I'm going to say faded mate is true. I guess another term would be soul mate. I mean, it's very romantic. So how did I do?"

"You definitely got them right, but we aren't playing two--"

Before he could finish his sentence, Janet came up.

"I just wanted to check on you boys. Is there anything I can get you?"

"Ohh, yeah," Trevor said excitedly. "I would like a big plate of fries with Nacho cheese to dip them in. Do you want something, babe?"

"Maybe you should hold off."

"But I'm hungry." Trevor pouted.

"OK. Just make sure you bring a go box. Thanks, Janet."

Trevor looked extremely confused.

"Trust me on this one, Trevor."

"Um, sure thing. Teddy, what is going on? Why am I going to want to leave with my French fries? Are you going to kill me off or something?"

"More like I might scare you off."

"Please, what can you possibly say that I would--"

"Trevor, we are not playing two truths and a lie. We're playing all truths. I'm a werewolf. I am the Beta of The Moon Shadow Pack. Decker is my Alpha. Wrenly does not know. You are my fated mate, Trevor. The Moon Goddess made you for me, specifically for me. And this part you can't repeat to anybody. Wrenly is part werewolf, too. She just doesn't realize it because she has human blood in her. She needs to be marked before her wolf can finally come out completely.

Trevor sat there, blinking repeatedly. He couldn't form words at first. He couldn't even remember any words.

"Please say something, my love."

"I... I... You're fucking with me, aren't you? Am I being punked?" Trevor looked around the diner.

"No, you are not being punked, and I am not fucking with you. Trevor, I am a werewolf. I am the future Beta. Decker is the future Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack. Wrenly is Decker's fated mate. He needs to tell her soon, so that's why I am confessing to you. She started hearing her wolf and did have an experience with the mind link. It's because she has spent so much time being around Decker. She's going to need you when he drops the bomb on her. I'm fairly sure she's beginning to think she's going mad.

"Well, we all go a little mad sometimes."

Teddy rolled his eyes at the remark.

"But honestly, the mind link? That's a real thing? What's your wolf's name? Does it hurt when someone gets marked? Does a human mark their mate back? Where do you live? Do you live in the pack house? Is there really such a thing as a pack house? Who's the Wolf in Wrenly's family? When do I get to meet your parents? Do they let gay couples adopt? Will I be treated differently because I am human? What about my parents? Don't they need to know? Do I have to disown my family? Why do I have to help Wrenly? Does she not know werewolves exsist? She's going to lose her shit when she finds out---"

"Trevor."

"Does it hurt when you shift?"

"Trevor! Trevor, my love." He put his hands on top of Trevor's to stop him from flailing them around.

"I will answer all of your questions, but you need to tell me- Are you OK with this? More importantly, do you believe me?"

"Yeah, you're right. Can you prove it? Like without turning into a wolf or something? Do you have like some ID that only werewolves carry around?"

"Teddy couldn't help but laugh. "No, I have a regular ID issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles."

"Here are those fries with Nacho cheese for dipping. Do you still need that box?" Janet asked.

"Nope, I plan on eating all of them right here with my mate." Trevor smiled.

"Are you still, Okay Hun?" she asked Teddy.

"I think I'll have that double-double rare now."

"Sure thing. Be right back."

"Oh, and a strawberry smoothie, whipped cream, and two straws," Trevor ordered.

"Coming right up." As she walked away, she started singing. "Don't worry about a thing. Every little thing is going to be all right."

Teddy knew that he was singing it to him. She was right. She really did have a sixth sense for that kind of thing.

"Okay, she's gone now. Can you prove it? I know the size of your dick is mind-bending, but I can't just accept that as proof, even though all the books I've read say that's a trait. I mean, you are like the biggest I've ever seen." He separated his hands to show the length of Teddy's member. "Hold on. Decker is the Alpha, is his bigger."

"I do not know the size of my Alpha's dick. You would have to ask Wrenly."

"Oh, trust me, she doesn't know. So, let's get this thing moving."

"OK. Would you like to meet Tanner?"

"Tanner? Is he your wolf? How can I meet him without you... you know?

"Teddy closed his eyes, and Tanner came forward. When he opened them, they were a beautiful amber color.

Trevor gasped. "Oh my God, just like in the books."

See, I told you he wouldn't go running and screaming. Did you now? I don't seem to recall you ever saying that. He might be human, but he feels the mate bond. This went well. Now, maybe he can help Dawson's lady. Let's sure hope so.

"Can I touch you, Tanner?"

Tanner shook his head. Trevor gently ran his fingers down Tanner's cheek. Tanner closed his eyes and purred."

Travis looked deep into his eyes. "You are beautiful. I can't wait to see you in your true form."

Tanner nuzzled his face against Trevor's hand.

Tanner closed his eyes, and when they opened, they were Teddy's original color.

"Holy fucking shit! My boyfriend, I mean my fated mate, is a fucking werewolf," Trevor whispered excitedly.

"You're taking this surprisingly well."

"Are you going to kill me?" Trevor asked.

"What! Of course not."

"Do you love me?"

"You know I do, my love."

"Okay, so I have nothing to fear. You're still Teddy. The same guy I met at the bar. The same guy I made love to dozens of times. The same guy who kissed me when I walked in here. Now, the first time you shift, I may wig out slightly, but I will do my best not to."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Do I get to rub your tummy when you shift into Tanner?"

Fuck yes. Tell him I said fuck yes.

"Tanner is giving you his blessing. Tummy rubs are permitted."

Teddy got up and went over to the other side and sat next to Trevor. "I love you, Trevor. More than you will ever know." Teddy leaned in and gave Trevor a slow soft kiss.

"I love you too, baby."

Janet brought the food over. "Aww. Look at the happy couple."

The boys blushed. "Thanks, Janet." They said together.

The two of them drank the strawberry smoothie with whipped cream and two straws, looking into each other's eyes.

"I'm glad you told me. I'm glad you trust me."

"I'm glad you accepted me."

"I do have one question."

"What would that be, my love?"

"Next time we fuck can I call you Beta?"

"You're such a smart ass."

"You know you love my ass."

Teddy ran the pad of his thumb down Teddy's jawline. "Among other things."