Xias’s gaze flickered up to Zhuang. “Can we trust him?”
Zhuang smiled. “I’ve known Tao over twenty years, babe. He’s one of the few people I do trust.”
Xias’s relief was apparent when his shoulders relaxed. Zhuang smiled and drew him in for a hug. He pressed Xias’s head down to his chest before sliding his fingers through the man’s soft light-brown hair.
“I would never put you in a dangerous situation, Xias. I know we’ve only known each other a few hours, but you’re my mate, something I have wanted my entire life. You and those cubs mean the world to me.”
“Can it be that easy?” Xias whispered.
“It can be if we want it to be.” Zhuang knew he did.
He was utterly fascinated by Xias, and that wasn’t just because they were mates. The man simply intrigued him. He was so beautiful he made Zhuang’s teeth ache. He was obviously a gentle and kind person. His caring for his cubs proved that. And even as scared as he was, he was still willing to fight for them and protect them.
He was perfect.
“I know we’re just getting into this and the circumstances aren’t exactly stellar, but I couldn’t have picked a better mate if I’d tried. I think we’ll do great things together one day.”
“If we survive,” Xias said.
“Oh, I intend on us surviving.” The thought of a life with Xias and the cubs was just too perfect to give up on. “In fact, I intend on us surviving and living a wonderful life together.”
When Xias lifted his head, a small smile moved across his lips, but it wavered.
“Do you doubt me?” Zhuang asked.
“I don’t doubt your desire, Zhuang, but I don’t think you truly understand just how evil Osamu is. The man eats cruelty for breakfast.” Tears flooded Xias’s eyes. “I don’t want you hurt.”
Zhuang gave a little laugh even as something deep inside of him warmed at Xias’s words. “I don’t want me hurt either, but I’m not going to let that man have you or the cubs. You’re mine now. I won’t give you up, any of you.”
Xias pressed his face into Zhuang’s chest. “I’d die if anything happened to you,” he whispered silently.
“Nothing is going to happen to me, mate.”
“You don’t know that.”
Zhuang sighed.
“No, I don’t,” he admitted reluctantly, “but I can promise to try my best to not get into trouble.” Considering the situation they were currently in, he was kind of surprised Xias didn’t punch him for that statement. “I will do anything to keep you and the cubs safe. I won’t go looking for a fight, but if it finds us, I’ll do what I must to defend my family.”
“I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Xias had already said that, so Zhuang took it as a good thing that he was repeating it. He hugged Xias closer for a moment, pressing his face into the man’s sweet-smelling hair. “So, let’s get to my father and do what we need to do to keep our family safe.”
Xias nodded as he pushed away. “I’ll get the cubs ready to go.”
“You need to get dressed,” Zhuang said. “I’ll get the cubs ready to go.”
“Right.” Xias’s eyes rounded comically. “Clothes.”
Zhuang chuckled as he grabbed his backpack and pulled out a change of clothes for Xias. The long-sleeved shirt and jogging pants would more than likely hang on Xias’s slim frame, but they’d keep him warm.
“I have socks for you, too,” he said as he handed them over, “but no shoes. I’ll have to carry you out to the snow CAT.”
Xias smiled as he took the clothes and began dressing. Zhuang stared for a moment, loath to see all that beautiful skin covered up. He knew it was what had to happen in case they encountered any humans as they raced for council headquarters, but it was really sad to see all that beauty hidden behind clothing.
He forced himself to turn away and walk over to the cot. After dropping to his knees, he reached under the cot and pulled out the box they had found for the cubs. He smiled when he looked down at them. Amazingly enough, they had slept right through all the noise and commotion. That was a good thing. They were just cubs. They needed their rest.
Since they were going to be in the CAT, Zhuang left the cubs in the box. He grabbed the blanket Xias had dropped and draped it over the top to ward off the chill from outside, then set the box on top of the cot.
