Killian tensed. “But what if Bleu tracks me there? I don’t want to put your pack in danger!”
Crush’s gaze was endlessly patient when he replied, “I’m a wolf, sweetheart. Wolves are stronger in packs.”
It still made Killian nervous, though. “Their first impression of me will be that I bring danger with me wherever I go.”
“Their first impression will be providing you with a safe space.” Crush kissed Killian’s temple. “Let us help you, bunny rabbit.”
Killian continued to worry. “It’s hard.”
Crush snorted, his mouth pulling into a smirk.
Killian scowled. “I don’t mean ‘hard’ in that way!”
“Tell you what. Let me be in charge of the hard stuff, and you can take it easy,” Crush said. “Sounds good?”
Killian gnawed on his lip. “Itsoundsgood.”
“But?”
“But I’m scared,” Killian said in a small voice. “What if they don’t want me there?”
Crush narrowed his eyes. He set down his phone, scooping Killian and Naddie back into his arms. “This isn’t going to be like your parents all over again. My pack will want to protect you. You won’t be left behind.”
Killian didn’t have the sheer faith Crush had. But he was also running out of energy to argue, when he was supposed to be saving it so he could protect his babies. “Convince me.”
“I will,” Crush said. “When Naddie’s done nursing, I’ll check the rest of you for stray trackers. Then we’ll head out.”
“Okay,” Killian said tiredly. He held Naddie and let her nurse until she was done. Over his shoulder, Crush made funny sounds and faces, so Naddie kept looking at him. She smiled a few times too, kicking her feet.
Crush was going to be a really good dad, Killian realized.
Have more of his babies,his instincts said.
“Do you want more babies?” Killian blurted. “Oh gods, now isn’t the time to ask. We shouldn’t even be talking about that yet! This is like putting on the condom after you’ve jizzed. No. Wait. Why do I say this crap? Why do you let me say this crap?”
Crush laughed, his chest vibrating against Killian’s back. “First of all, I love it when you run your mouth. Second of all, yes. I want more babies.”
The alpha gave Naddie a weighted look. Something jogged in Killian’s memory—Crush never said if he had plans to steal Naddie.
“Does more babies include Naddie?” Killian asked suspiciously.
Crush grinned. “The right question would be: Do I want to be your alpha? Because the answer is yes, and I would be a crap alpha if I didn’t want both you and Naddie.”
“Oh,” Killian whispered, his heart thumping.
Crush stroked Killian’s arms and nuzzled his hair. Naddie stopped nursing to babble at them. Killian smiled down at her.
“Sorry to interrupt your bonding time, but we have something a little more urgent to deal with,” Crush said. “I need to check the rest of you.”
“Yeah.” Killian’s shoulders sagged. He rocked Naddie in his arms and climbed out of the tub—Crush held him steady again. “Thanks.”
“I just wanted to see you leave, sweetheart.” Crush lifted his gaze when Killian looked back at him.
“Oh gods,” Killian spluttered. “Were you... looking at my butt?”
Crush gave him a wolfish grin. “What if I was?”
“You’re such a... a flirt!” Killian hurried out of the bathroom. Crush laughed.
