“It was territory claimed by two alphas you had no hope of taking on,” Marcus said, speaking slowly like he was talking to a child. He put his hand on Steve’s shoulder. “If it had been me, I would have ripped off your head and mounted it on a stake at the border as a warning to every other wolf in the preserve. I certainly wouldn’t have thrown you in the river and called it a day.”
It had never occurred to Steve that Ryker and August might hurt him for trespassing.
“You didn’t even consider that, did you?” Marcus asked, looking more curious than upset. He huffed and slapped Steve on his back. “You have the instincts of a chihuahua.”
William laughed, and Steve reared back in offense. He did not have the instincts of a chihuahua. He was a werewolf.
“He’s kind of right,” William said, the little traitor. “You don’t seem to always know when you’re out of your league.”
“I did after I fought them!”
William squinted, his expression dubious. “You couldn’t tell from the start that Ryker outclassed you? He’s terrifying.”
“He is not,” Steve argued. He turned to Marcus for support and then realized how silly that was.
“I haven’t met him,” Marcus said, a grin of anticipation forming on his lips. “But I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s got.”
The gleam of violence in Marcus’s eyes startled Steve. He was used to their father looking like that, but not Marcus.
He’d changed during the months that Steve had been away.
“Don’t hurt him too bad, okay?” Steve blurted out, worried for his future mate.
Marcus’s expression softened and he pulled Steve in for another hug.
“I won’t,” he promised. He rubbed Steve’s back, squeezing him. “Not unless he messes with my little brother.”
Steve grumbled, but he couldn’t help the smile that tugged on his lips.
“I met your omega,” Marcus said, pulling away. “He’s pretty cute. Congratulations.”
Steve blushed. Dylan didn’t really feel like his omega. He hadn’t even fucked him, and all their interactions so far had been colored by Ryker and August’s prior claim.
The fact that Dylan had been completely unspoken for the first time Steve met him rankled something fierce. If Steve had just been a little more persistent, he could have had Dylan for himself.
Then again, Steve wasn’t sure that would have been the best outcome. He liked Ryker and August a lot – even when August was being an utter douchebag – and when he examined his feelings, he was excited about joining the two alphas’ relationship and sharing Dylan between the three of them.
“Thanks,” Steve said.
“I should warn you though,” Marcus said, lowering his voice. “Dad scared him pretty bad.”
“What?” Steve’s chest clenched with worry.
“Dylan made some quip about you joining Sterling’s pack, and Dad exploded on him. He didn’t hurt him, but he scared the living daylights out of him.” Marcus grimaced. “Then he saw me and Dad fight.”
Steve blinked. His dad was terrifying when he fought.
“Did you shift?” Steve asked, hoping that Marcus was being overly generous with the word fight.
Marcus nodded.
“Is he okay?” Steve asked, wishing he could talk to Dylan. The fact that he was with Ryker and August was a relief.
“I think so,” Marcus said. “He seems pretty resilient.”
William suddenly cleared his throat, drawing Steve and Marcus’s attention. He was holding his phone, his expression pinched.
“What?” Marcus asked.
