“He is. And this one is Gael? He’s so tiny.”
“He had a terrible start, but Theo is his hero.”
“He’s got good color.” Rory touched his cheek.
“He does. A few meals and a wee bath, and he’s doing much better.”
“How terrifying for him—Theo, I mean. Thank goodness you listened to him.”
“I feel awful that I didn’t before.”
“But you don’t know how long he was actually in the dragon stronghold, bro.” Rory touched his arm. “You did your best.”
“I want to believe that. He was starving, Ro.” Literally starving for fear of leaving, and it broke his heart.
Rory made a face, his eyes watering a little like he might cry. “Fen was that way too. He was so skinny and hurt and…” Rory took a deep breath. “What the hell is happening?”
“I don’t know.” Liam growled softly. “Someone is hunting white wolves.”
“I wonder why. I mean, Fen is magical.” Rory winked. “But what is it about them?”
“They’re easy to hunt? I mean, literally. Easy to hunt. No camouflage for them.”
“Oh.” Rory shook his head, scowling, and the baby started to moan a little. “Oh, sorry, sweet pea. Did I squeeze? That’s awful.”
“It is. But it’s the lowest common denominator, right? Assholes are assholes.”
“Yeah.”
Liam tilted his head, hearing the hum of Theo’s thoughts picking up. “He’s awake.”
“You’re totally mated. Totally.” Rory’s eyes were wide, staring at him. “If you start getting itchy, pay attention.”
“I—Why?” Liam had to hear this one.
“Because it means the mate bond isn’t finished, and it’s fraying.”
“Oh.” He had no idea what that indicated in real terms, but it sounded awful.
“Just remember to stay close to him for a bit, hmm?”
Oh, only until the end of their lives.
Chapter
Six
Theo felt so much better when he woke, but Liam wasn’t with him, so he went looking. Someone had left soft sweats for him to wear, and a pair of slippers, which was lovely.
Then he went searching.
Liam was like a beacon, and he simply walked, knowing his mate was at the end of that pull.
He found Liam with a man he’d never seen before, Liam holding Gael, the other man with a baby as well.
“Theo, I was just about to come looking for you. I knew you were awake. Come meet my brother, Rory.”
“Oh, hello.” He went to touch Liam’s shoulder. It was absolutely necessary to have that connection.
