The hug felt good, though. Just like the one Crush’s parents had given him.
“You could leave,” Killian said quietly. “If it’s too much for you.”
Ottis glared at everyone else. “I would if they let me.”
Titan growled. “The last time you left...”
The other alpha brothers growled, too.
What was it like, having so many people protective over you?
Ottis narrowed his eyes. “I know it’s dangerous out there, okay? I’ll be careful!”
“I’ve been kidnapped twice,” Killian said quietly.
Ottis froze. “Twice?But you’re a rabbit. Didn’t you hear them coming?”
“The first time, I was too young to know better. The second time, we were overpowered.”
Crush turned to Killian, his forehead crinkled. “That’s something I don’t understand. You could’ve gotten out of there, the second time. You didn’t need us to save you.”
“There were too many babies on the line,” Killian admitted. “Too many unknowns. I managed to set off the explosion that allowed Pinks to escape, and he convinced you guys to help. It was better for him to be the one running; I stayed behind to make sure everyone else was safe. But I thought about escaping, every day after that. I was biding my time just in case.”
Crush smiled, slow and appreciative. Killian’s face grew hot.
“That sounds scary,” Ottis said slowly, but he didn’t look afraid. He turned to Crush. “Why are you here, anyway? You just got together with Killian. You should be boning the hell out of each other.”
Killian flushed and cringed. “It’s my fault. There are people coming after me, dangerous people. I can leave if it’s too much—”
“No,” Crush growled, along with the rest of the pack.
“But they’re dangerous,” Killian cried. “I don’t want them to hurt you!”
Why didn’t Crush’s family understand the risk? There were homes and children here, people who could get caught in the crossfire. Killian should elaborate on the ways things could go wrong, but it would send him into a panic attack.
“That’s why I’m here,” Uriel said, stepping up to them. He slipped a small envelope into Killian’s hand. “Spells and tracker in there. I’ve deactivated the tracker temporarily. I was here earlier to strengthen the territory wards.”
The other wards failed earlier,Killian thought but kept his mouth shut.
Uriel must’ve seen through him; he set his hand on Killian’s shoulder. “These are stronger, more elaborate wards, with a lot more blood magic and my own. The pack will be safe.”
Killian wanted to believe him, but too many things had gone wrong today for him to.
Crush wrapped his arm around Killian’s shoulders. “It’s going to be fine.”
“I’ll believe you when it’s over,” Killian muttered.
“I like him,” Ottis said to Crush. “You better keep him, or else.”
Crush huffed. “What do you think I’ve been trying to do?”
“Seducing me with carrots,” Killian began to say, except a yawn interrupted him.
“Crap, it’s late.” Crush turned Killian to face his family. “Thanks for the welcome, all of you. It’s been the longest fucking day. I need to get Kil and Naddie to bed.”
“Me, me! Tuck me into bed too!” Hansel crowed.
Several wolf whistles rang out.
