“Okay, buddy, I got the baby strapped on. We need to get hiking.”
“Let’s go. I want them safe and fed.”
They began to move, and Liam was so careful, so gentle with him, that he never got dizzy. He just felt as though his alpha cared for nothing but his comfort. He also felt as if Liam never tired.
The alpha’s scent was delicious, rich, and heady. He snuggled in, breathing Liam in and filling his lungs.
“The baby needs some liquid, Liam. We need to stop at the stream.”
“How far to the four-wheeler?” They stopped and the world spun. “There’s water in my backpack. That’s got to be better than the stream.”
“Yeah, I guess it is. Do you have anything like applesauce in here? Energy bars?” the big alpha asked.
“I didn’t think this was going to be a situation where I would need applesauce.”
“Yeah, well, I have emergency supplies in the four-wheeler once we get there, including applesauce.”
“Do you find yourself needing applesauce a lot while out on the four-wheeler?”
“Don’t be an asshole.” There was a soft chuckle. “We needed it today, didn’t we? It’s just quick and easy. Sweet. You don’t have to fuss about it too terribly much trying to get it into somebody’s mouth.”
“I guess that makes sense. All right, I have some water. Can you open your mouth? I won’t put it in too much, just a little.”
“But is there enough?” He wouldn’t steal from Gael’s share.
“There are two big bottles. You’ll feel better. I promise.”
Now that Liam had said it, Theo could feel the thirst climbing up the back of his throat. And he let his lips part. The water was tepid, but it felt so good splashing in his empty stomach.
“Yes, not too much or you’ll get sick.” Liam pulled the water bottle away, and Theo flailed for it.
There had been water at the earth house, but he hadn’t been strong enough the last day or so to go get any. It was all he could do to stand and stare and blink.
“It’s all right, it’s all right. Don’t panic.”
“Watch out,” Keegan said. “The roots are soft here. Don’t trip.”
“How’s the baby doing?”
“We need to get the poor thing to Niall. He’s the healer. He can tell us.”
“Let’s get moving then.”
Theo wasn’t sure what happened for a while. This was hard. He was tired. Trying to keep up with the world was something his body simply couldn’t do anymore. He had survived, though, until Liam came to rescue them, and that was what mattered. Gael would be safe.
Don’t you give up on me yet. You’re going to be okay. Keegan says we’re almost at the ATV, and then we can just ride down to the healer. He says the baby will be fine once we do that.
He heard Liam’s words in his mind and tried to nod.I’ll try. I will.
But he was so tired, and Theo let himself fall off the edge of the earth, because he knew he and Gael were in good hands.
Chapter
Three
Liam wasn’t really sure what was going on. Not in an absolute practical sense, at any rate. He knew something terrible had happened to this baby’s parent. And he knew that Theo guy was in real trouble.
He also knew that it was bullshit that someone would leave a baby and this guy who obviously needed help up here in the high reaches.
