“Yeah.”
“I know he wouldn’t have wanted to leave you. Oh, how he would go on about you. Every little thing made him so proud. When the mage ability skipped your father, we both thought our line would end with him.”
Simon gave the swing another push to keep it moving. “He told me about that once. When he explained that he was giving me the cabin and leaving me money. It really pissed my dad off.”
“He did it to protect you, you know that, right?”
“I guess I never thought about it.”
Cormac turned slightly so he was facing Simon. “Simon, I know you don’t know me well, but I will protect you as well. You’re my family, the last of my line. I will do anything I can to keep you safe.”
Simon turned his head to keep Cormac from seeing his expression. “All I’ve ever wanted was a real family. Since Granddad passed, I’ve been so alone.”
“You’ve never been alone, Simon.” Cormac put his foot down and stopped the swing. He grabbed Simon’s chin gently and turned him so they faced each other. “Even when you didn’t know I was there, I watched over you.”
Simon smiled and reached up to hold on to Cormac’s hand where it rested on his face. “Thank you.”
“We’re going to get through all this together. I don’t know what’s going on with you and the alpha, but I want you to know you’re welcome to come stay with me for a while. Now that I’m able, I want to know you better. I see a lot of myself in you.”
Simon chuckled. “Is that a good thing?”
Cormac chucked him under the chin and laughed. “Of course. Don’t you know I’m amazing?”
“Oh sure. I had to get it from somewhere, didn’t I?”
Cormac shook his head and smiled. They both turned on the swing and faced the yard again. Cormac pushed it back into motion, and they gently rocked back and forth for a few moments.
“I see what you like about this place. It is very comforting.”
“It is.”
“And I’m sure having that big hunk of a wolf around doesn’t hurt anything, does it?”
Simon blushed and shook his head. “No, that doesn’t hurt at all. Well, maybe in a good way.” Simon laughed and covered his mouth at his audacity.
Cormac joined him. “You know that you get the attraction to wolves from me, don’t you? It must run in the family.”
Simon was surprised Cormac brought up his familiar, but he did so with a smile, so Simon just nodded and continued swinging.
“My Silas was a gray wolf, just like your pack here. He was a handsome devil, too. Swept me right off my feet. It wasn’t done in those days, you know?”
Simon nodded his agreement. He couldn’t imagine what it must have been like for them so long ago, with all the troubles their kind still faced.
“Still, I knew he was meant for me the moment I saw him. We mages are so solitary that it surprised me. So many years, and I still miss him.”
Simon reached over and grabbed Cormac’s hand and gave it a squeeze. Cormac let out a long breath and shook his head. “Enough of the trip down memory lane.”
“I don’t mind,” Simon said. “It’s nice to know the history. He’s part of my family too.”
“Thank you, Simon. Now, let’s go find that wolf of yours and get some dinner. I do believe your stomach would appreciate it.”
Simon rubbed his stomach as it let out a loud grumble. “I think you’re right. Hey, can you eat? Because I’ve heard Gray’s burgers are amazing.”
They stood up and made their way around the house. “Yes, I can eat. I function as a human does for the most part. I just occasionally need blood for my magic to remain stable.”
Several pack members were gathered on the deck. They watched Cormac as he and Simon approached. None of them seemed open to his presence. Garon, on the other hand, had no fear. He ran right up to Simon and tugged on his arm. “Simon, come on. Dad’s almost donewith the burgers, and I want you to sit with me. You can sit with us too, uh… I forgot your name.”
“Cormac.”
