I could do that.
Theo bumped their shoulders together, trusting him not to fall.No,Gael needs us, and Ryan is going to need to know where we are. It wouldn’t be fair to leave them to wonder.
No. No, that’s true. He’s my brother; I can’t leave them defenseless.
Theo’s snort was loud.Ryan carries a shotgun on his four-by-four. I don’t think he’s defenseless.
I still need to get back up there now, baby. I don’t like the idea of leaving him alone like you were, up there for so long. Especially not with our Gael.
Well, then, let’s go.
Theo urged him to head back, and they didn’t run so much as trot, still eating up the ground. He had to admit he was tiring, his body flagging and demanding rest.
Liam felt bone-weary by the time they got back to the house, gravity pulling hard and trying to suck him down into the ground.
Rest, mate.Theo licked his nose, the touch one of warmth and gentleness.I’ve got to go rescue your brother from Gael.
A pile of blankets waited for him, and the sight was so welcome. He curled up in the softness, his bone’s aching.Are you sure you don’t need…
I’m fine. I’ll bring you some water in a minute. Maybe some turkey.
He liked turkey.
He liked turkey a lot.
His mate was so good to him.
Liam panted, his body relaxing, a profound stillness taking him.Love you.
I love you too. I’m so proud of you.
Sleeping now.
And he drifted off before he could hear if Theo even replied.
Chapter
Ten
Theo sat on the porch of the compound, rocking in one of the rocking chairs. Gael was lying on a blanket, rolling around, occupying himself, finding his foot and giggling, over and over. Liam was playing with Ryan’s dogs, running, jumping, and leaping like a puppy, and it was adorable and goofy.
Possibly a little aggravating because there was a lot to do.
But mostly adorable.
Ryan came through carrying a toolbox and caught sight of his brother. “I’m going to kill him.”
“Neat! Are you going to do it before or after supper? I need to know how much to make.” Theo really liked Liam’s brother. The kid was sharp, funny, and a hard worker, and incredibly good with the dogs. Even better, he was exceptional with Gael.
“Oh before. Let’s save resources.” Ryan winked. “You think he’ll ever be human again?”
“I want to believe so. It’s going to be really, really hard to do projects and move furniture if he stays fuzzy. It’s just really challenging, and you forget how few worries you have as a wolf, especially him. He’s the alpha.”
Ryan’s lips twisted. “So, what if I become the alpha? Would that aggravate him? Make him become human and get all chest-bumpy? Because I really need some help with some of these chores. And I don’t want the pregnant one on the ladder.”
Theo tilted his head, pondering his options. “Hmm… I could get on the ladder though. That might set him off.”
In fact, it might just get his alpha focusing, help him be a little bit more present.
