Liam could feel Theo’s fear.
We can live with the pack, honey. I promise. I won’t make you go down there.
That got him a hopeful glance.Really?
Of course. I can always go down on day visits to get supplies and see them.
They’ll let another alpha in?
What?He wasn’t… was he? An alpha in that way? Surely not. Fen wasn’t.
I’m not like them, love. I mean, I’m not even sure I’m like you.
Can we stay here? I’ll work for our food, our space…
Here with Loyal and Niall?He blinked at Theo. I can ask.He had to admit, it was a good place. A fine one.
Would you? I—I want to stay here, not somewhere else new.
He supposed that made sense. He could spend the summer figuring things out, and Niall seemed to calm everyone down.
That’s what we’ll do then.
Loyal cleared his throat. “What do you want me to tell Jay and Kee about the dragon house?”
“That I’ll fix it up, keep an eye on it.” Had he just said that?
Out loud? On purpose?
Theo’s eyes widened. “Just us?”
“No. No, I’ll ask one of my brothers to come up. I have at least one who will be glad to.” He smiled at Loyal. “If, of course, you would let us stay here for a bit.”
“Of course. You’re welcome here. Everyone needs some rest, don’t they?” Niall sounded absolutely sure about this.
“Yes.” He glanced at Theo, who looked so happy. “I think so. We need to recharge some batteries.”
“And this way the baby can relax.” Theo smiled at Niall. “Thank you. I’ll work hard to help, I swear.”
“You’ll be fine. We all manage to find our place.” That was Niall, who got up to pull something out of the oven just before the timer went off.
Loyal seemed utterly confused. “What is going on?”
“They’re staying here while Liam and his brother renovate, mate.”
“Renovate the dragon house?”
“Yes.” Niall set the baking pan down, then patted Loyal’s cheek. “Try to keep up.”
“But… why?”
“For Liam’s new pack, of course.”
Liam blinked at Niall, and so did Loyal.
Niall just picked his pan up again, then moved to dump bread out of it onto a towel, humming.
Does he do that all the time?Theo asked.
