Leyden pressed a kiss to Connor’s forehead. Soft. Reverent.
“You can touch me whenever you want,” Leyden murmured against Connor’s skin. “Anytime. Anywhere. However feels right to you.”
Connor burrowed closer, breathing in Leyden’s scent. “Even if it takes months before I want more?”
“Even if it takes years.”
“Even if I never want penetrative sex?”
Leyden’s arms tightened fractionally. “Even then. You’re enough, Connor. Exactly as you are.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
The phone call came at dawn.
“Rogues spotted on the western border,” Matthew reported, his voice grim through the speaker. “Three separate sightings in the last two hours. Pack members reported missing livestock and supplies.”
Leyden sat up in bed, careful not to disturb Connor still sleeping against his side. “How many?”
“At least six. Maybe more.” Matthew paused. “Marcus caught a scent. Says it’s familiar. Thinks one of them might be Clancy.”
Leyden’s jaw tightened. Clancy had been one of the eight enforcers who’d challenged him alongside Rolf. Banished, but apparently not gone.
“Get Janet and the new enforcers ready. I’ll be there in twenty.”
“Already done.” Matthew hesitated. “Leyden, this feels coordinated. They’re testing our defenses.”
“Then we’ll show them exactly what happens when they test me.”
Connor stirred as Leyden ended the call, green eyes blinking open. “What’s wrong?”
“Rogues on the western border. Former enforcers causing trouble.” Leyden slipped out of bed, already pulling on clothes. “I need to handle it before they get bolder.”
Connor sat up, sheets pooling around his waist. “I’m coming with you.”
“Connor…”
“Don’t.” Connor’s voice went flat. Dangerous. “I’m alpha mate. The security of this pack is my responsibility. You’re not leaving me behind.”
Leyden’s first instinct was to argue. He wanted to lock Connor in the house. But Connor was right. And more importantly, Leyden couldn’t treat him like something fragile when Connor had already proven he was strong enough to stand beside him.
“Fine,” Leyden said. “But you stay close. These aren’t random rogues. They’re wolves with a grudge.”
Connor was already dressing, movements efficient. “If they’re the ones I’m thinking about then good. I’ve got a few grudges of my own.”
/~/~/~/~/
Janet and five new enforcers waited at the pack house door, armed and tense. Marcus shifted from foot to foot, agitation rolling off him in waves.
“There were three more sightings,” Marcus reported. “They stole medical supplies from the Porters’ barn. Killed two of Walter’s chickens just to be cruel.”
Leyden’s wolf snarled beneath his skin. Harassment. Psychological warfare designed to make the pack feel unsafe.
“Any injuries to pack members?”
“Not yet,” Janet said. “But George said one of them got close to his daughter when she was walking home from school yesterday. Didn’t touch her, just...watched.”
Leyden’s hands fisted. Threatening children crossed every line.
