“Hey, bro,” Kellan said, wandering into the garage, taking a bite of a shiny red apple. The fact that he refused to admit green was the superior apple color… “You ready for the game? We’ve got to be there in three hours.”
The weight on my chest lightened again. “Yeah, I could use some bash therapy on top of my regular therapy.” It was really a day of therapy for me between Dr. Karen, cars, and hockey. Just had to finish with Emme, and it might actually be a perfect day.
“Yeah, fuck… the last few weeks have been a lot,” Kellan said, letting out a ragged breath.
I hated when his shining personality dulled—he might be an annoying motherfucker who bounced like an overgrown puppy, but he wasourannoying motherfucker.
No one was allowed to hurt him.
Kellan wasn’t built to exist in the shadows like the rest of us. Even Emme, for all her warmth, held more darkness than Golden.
When I placed my tools back on the shelf, I wiped the grime off my hands with a clean rag. “We should head to the rink early. No one will be there yet, and I think we could both use a free skate.”
Kellan’s entire face lit up andfuckI almost hugged him. He’d love it, of course, but I wasn’t a hugger. Still…
When I stepped closer, he blinked in clear surprise, freezing as if he didn’t want to spook me. Ignoring that, I followed my instincts and wrapped my arms around his shoulders until a grunt escaped him. The apple hit the floor with a thud, and he was unmoving in my hold for a beat, until his arms banded around me so strongly that my ribs ached.
“Bro,” he choked out in a shaky voice. “It freaks me out when you do this shit.”
He didn’t let me go, though, and I was determined not to release him first.
“Just go with it, Kel,” I said. “I’m here for you. You can share your pain, and I promise I will never let you walk through it alone.”
“Thanks, Fin,” he murmured in a deep, guttural tone. “It’s weird when you go all therapist, but fuck… I think I needed that.”
My chest ached as my bear bellowed. “Yeah, apparently so did I.”
In the end, Kellan wasn’t the only one holding on like his life depended on it.
Kellan released me right as Emme’s scent exploded through the garage. We both turned to find her standing near the Charger, her beautiful face streaked with tears.
“Shortcake,” Kellan called, crossing the garage in two seconds to reach her. “Did you just see Fin inCare Bearmode? Did you take a video?”
Despite her trembling lips, she smiled and her whole face lit up. Happiness flowed from her wolf through the bond too. “Only a mental one, which I can share with you anytime you need the reminder.”
Kellan met my eyes with a soft gaze. “I’ll never forget how lucky I am to have this pack. Fucking blessed.”
Goddessdamn. They really were turning me into the softestCare Bear. I needed to get out on the ice and smash motherfuckers into the boards.But first…“Would you like another skating lesson, Ice? We were thinking of heading down early to blow off some steam before the game. We should be able to get in now before they Zamboni it.”
She clapped her hands, the tears no longer falling, though the evidence remained. “Yes, I’m done with magical training for the day. I could use a bit of exercise since Slade isn’t free to torture me.”
“Hell yes,” Kellan whooped. “I’ve been waiting for my chance to get you on the ice, pretty mate.”
Emme patted his chest. “Okay, I just need to change and grab my skates.”
She was gone in a flash, and I finished cleaning myself and my work area, before grabbing my gear as well. I wouldn’t be back before the game tonight. By the time the three of us were in my truck, heading for the rink, my bear was a contented puddle in my chest.
I loved all my pack, but these two were my peace.
The rink was quiet. It always reminded me of a sleeping bear ongame day. Just snoozing away, until it would roar to life a few hours later.
We got changed in the locker room, and when Kellan and I knelt at Emme’s feet, each of us taking a skate to lace her up, her breath caught. She stared between the two of us. “Well,” she choked out, “this is quite the sight.” Her cheeks pinkened as her scent filled the room.
Kellan groaned as he traced his hands up her calves. “You’re so fucking sexy, Shortcake. Honestly, I’m going to jump you on the ice.”
I slapped his shoulder. “Not that I disagree, but we’ll have time for that later. We need to skate now if we want to get out before the Zamboni.”
We’d be in big trouble if we fucked it upafterthat.
