“I think we’ve pretty much covered everything, don’t you?” Tim smiled.
It looked natural enough, but Seb wasn’t convinced. He was aware of Nathan and Jared watching them with open curiosity and had no doubt he’d be in for a grilling as soon as Tim left. Another reason for him not to go. “I suppose,” he said grudgingly.
Tim led the way back to the sofa and sat down on the edge of the seat. Seb took one of the chairs this time; Jared took the other one, leaving Nathan to sit next to Tim.
Tim began. “I suspect you’re not going to like it, but please let me get it all out before you jump in.”
After an okay from Jared and a reluctant nod from Nathan, Tim started at the beginning and told them everything he’d just told Seb.
Seb alternated between watching Nathan and then Jared for their reactions. Judging from Nathan’s obvious lack of surprise, Seb assumed he’d already known at least some of it. Jared hadn’t said a word, hadn’t once tried to interrupt, and it made Seb uneasy.
As soon as he finished speaking, Tim looked up and sighed. “So that’s where we are now.”
Jared stared at him, then at Seb. “And you’re okay with all this?” Seb nodded. Jared covered his face with his hands and then blew out a harsh breath through his fingers. “Look,” he said, letting his hands drop, “I really am sorry for what I said to you last week, Tim. It was out of line, and being worried about Seb was no excuse.”
Tim smiled. “Thank you.”
Seb knew Jared well enough to know that there was more to come.
“Are you both sure about this?” Jared looked to Nathan for support. “Do you think this is the right thing to do?”
Nathan shrugged one shoulder. “Under the circumstances, I really don’t think I’m in any position to pass comment.”
“That was different, though.” Jared scooted his chair closer to the sofa and reached for Nathan’s hand.
“Was it?” Nathan linked their fingers, and for a moment, Seb felt he and Tim were intruding. “It was for the good of the pack when we were asked to do it, and it’s for the good of the pack now.” He glanced at Tim. “I saw Gareth this morning. He explained most of this already, and I know Alec and I don’t often agree—” Tim snorted, and Nathan shot him a small smile. “—but in this instance, I think he’s right.” He met Seb’s gaze. “If you’re still set on going home, then having Tim around as much as possible is the best of a bad situation.”
Jared’s head shot up. “You don’t actually think he’s in danger, do you?” He didn’t give Nathan a chance to answer. “Because if there’s even a remote chance of that, then why the fuck are we letting him go home at all?”
“Jared—”
“I’m getting pretty sick of you talking about me like I’m not here.” Seb really wanted to jump to his feet and pace angrily about the living room.Stupid fucking foot.He made do with jabbing the end of his crutch in Jared’s direction. “What the hell is wrong with you lately?” He glanced down at where Jared still clung to Nathan’s hand, shocked to see Jared’s nails digging in hard enough to draw blood. “Jesus, Jared.”
Jared immediately looked down to where Seb was staring and snatched his hand back. “Shit, I’m sorry. I don’t—” He shoved himself farther back into the chair and clasped his hands together in his lap.
Already in doctor mode, Tim kneeled in front of him and slowly reached out to tip Jared’s chin up. “It’s okay, Jared. We talked about this, remember?”
“Fuck.” Jared cast a quick glance out the window. “The moon? But it’s still ages away.”
Tim shook his head. “We can lose control over things other than the pull of the moon. Seb is in danger, and you want to keep him safe. There’s no strict rule for this, and you’re a special case. It’s all still relatively new, and I’d expect things to vary greatly for the first year while your body gets used to the changes. That includes your emotional responses as well as the physical ones.”
Seb frowned. “But he’s not a shifter.”
“No, but the way he was bitten, and then—” Tim coughed, his cheeks tinged pink as apparently he struggled to find the right word.
Nathan grinned. “Fucked.”
“Yes, thanks, Nathan.” Tim rolled his eyes. “The way it all happened left Jared with a few subtle shifter traits that are markedly more noticeable around the full moon and at times of high stress. And possessiveness, or the urge to protect, seems to be one of them.” He met Seb’s gaze and held it. “I know it seems like everyone’s trying to run your life and that we don’t think you’re capable of looking after yourself, but believe me when I say this is all about us and not about you. We just want you to be safe, Sebastian.”
A shiver ran through Seb, and he didn’t miss the way Tim’s lips twitched before he finished speaking. “As the full moon nears, the urge to protect you will only get worse.”
Seb huffed, trying not to let Tim’s words affect him, but the idea was far more appealing that it should be. Picturing Tim all possessive and being his big bad shifter bodyguard was… hot. And God, he so didn’t need to be thinking that with Nathan there as well. Tim might ignore any embarrassing scents filling the room, but Nathan would call him out in a heartbeat.
Seb flexed his bandaged wrist, hoping the slight twinge would get his mind off that track. “So, we’re sorted, then? I’ll go back to my flat, and Tim can keep an eye on me. Easy.” He looked around the room expectantly, but no one spoke. “Excellent. I’ll go and pack.”
Jared stood at the same time Seb did. “You want to go now?”
His tone, edged with hurt, made Seb pause midstep. “Um….” He glanced at Tim, then Nathan, wanting someone to help him out.
