Chapter 3 THREE

"What the hell happened?" " Andrei sighed, leaning weakly against the alley's brick wall. He groaned as he held his hand to his head. "Wait, that was messed up."

"You're fine now," the older man said as he turned to face him. When the man's dazzling blue eyes met his own, Andrei's heart thudded. He was absolutely gorgeous. He had always believed that older human men looked better as they aged. When it came to wolf shifters, this went even further.

"What the hell happened?" " Andrei sighed, leaning weakly against the alley's brick wall. He groaned as he held his hand to his head. "Wait, that was messed up."

"You're fine now," the older man said as he turned to face him. When the man's dazzling blue eyes met his own, Andrei's heart thudded. He was absolutely gorgeous. He had always believed that older human men looked better as they aged. When it came to wolf shifters, this went even further.

He wore a tight white V-neck t-shirt with a tuft of silver hair poking out, pasted against his firm chest. His legs were dressed in form-fitting jeans that revealed a generous hint of the prize hidden beneath them. Connor remained silent as Andrei studied him before turning to leave.

"Wait," Andrei said softly as he chased after the man. After being assaulted, his legs felt like jelly, but he couldn't bear the thought of the man suddenly disappearing from his life. "Hello, my name is Andrei."

"Nice to meet you, Andrei," Connor said with a smile. His pearly white teeth were flawless. Everything about shifters was appealing, and this man seemed to have discovered the fountain of youth. Despite his grey hair, he appeared as spry and agile as the fittest men Andrei knew. "What are you doing here?" This does not appear to be the type of place where a guy like you should be hanging out. Some of these people are nothing but trouble."

Andrei was taken aback by Connor's stereotyping of the shifters at the bar.

"Oh, you're not fond of shifters?" " he mumbled. "I was thinking..."

"No, I'm a sucker for shifters." "I am a shifter," Connor said, sending a jolt of electricity through Andrei's eyes. As Connor continued to speak, Andrei's heart pounded. "I just think this club attracts a bad crowd." You know how the crowds here can get a little crazy? "

"I guess so," Andrei said, shivering as the assault's memories gripped him.

"So, what brings you here?" " Connor was adamant. He didn't appear eager to dismiss the question. Andrei admitted that it did seem strange for someone like himself to be hanging out in a place where shifters might misinterpret him. He couldn't pull it off, and Connor seemed to see right through him. His question seemed to say, "You're not man enough to be here," and despite the fact that it felt like a challenge and embarrassed Andrei, he felt compelled to respond.

"I came here because I wanted to meet a wolf shifter," Andrei confessed. "I'd never been with one before, and I was thinking..."

Connor raised an eyebrow, a wise, whimsical expression on his face.

"I'm not sure. "Right now, my life is completely turned upside down," Andrei sighed. Connor smiled.

"You can't be that bad if you aren't dead yet."

"No...I'm still here," Andrei confirmed. Still, he felt miserable, and he was certain that the older man was mocking him. He probably had a husband waiting for him somewhere out there.

Andrei was distracted from his thoughts when his phone buzzed. He checked it and yelled in alarm. It was a message from the terrifying shifter he had contacted and had finally gotten out of his head on his ShiftMyShaft app. It was easier to forget what had just happened with Connor nearby. It was right there in front of him again.

"What exactly is it?" " Connor inquired, prickling and approaching Andrei to peer over his shoulder at the screen.

I'll be looking for you after sunset, baby twink.

With a sigh, Connor said, "That jackass." "Please allow me to go get my jacket."

"For what?"

" Andrei was perplexed.

"I'm going to have to take you home with me tonight just to keep you safe from that idiot."

Andrei's heart skipped a beat, and Connor vanished into the club for a brief moment. Soon after, he returned, a leather jacket draped over his firm body and a smile on his lips.

"Follow me," he instructed.

Andrei obeyed because he didn't know what else to do. It wasn't every day that he found himself in such a ridiculous situation, but he'd managed to secure the protection of a man like Connor. He wondered what he could expect in return. Perhaps he could cook or clean for him...

"Wear this," Connor said, coming to a halt in front of a stunning motorcycle. It was the nicest in the parking lot, despite the fact that most people had ridden their bikes to the club that night. Even in the moonlight, it was dazzling, and he looked down at the black helmet that Connor had just shoved into his hands. He strapped it to his head.

"Are you certain this is required?" " Andrei stammered as Connor climbed aboard the bike. "All I have to do is go home." He has no idea where I live."

"Silly boy," Connor shook his head. "That man can smell your fear." He'll be all over you, no matter where you are in the city. But he knows better than to intrude on my territory. I'm well-liked here. Now, close your lovely lips and brace yourself. She moves quickly."

Before revving the engine, Connor affectionately patted the bike. When the bike bolted forward, Andrei gasped in surprise.

"Hang on, Andrei," Connor yelled into the night with a satisfied whoop. Andrei clutched the older man's chest as they sped down the highway, the bright beam of the bike's headlight guiding them to the safety of Connor's house.