“Nobody’s mad at Aaron, Quinn,” Trevor said.
Rhett gave a deep growl, and beneath Aaron’s hand, Quinn’s shoulder trembled.
“That’s enough,” Aaron said.
“What was your mate doing out here?” Rhett’s rumble didn’t let up.
His mate. Could every last one of them smell it on him? Aaron shook his head. Not the thing to address right now. “She asked about the full moon.”
“She trespassed,” Arlo said, his tone almost sorry. “You’ve got to speak with her, explain what she’s done.”
“I know. I didn’t warn her not to because—well, because I never guessed she’d come here. I’m sorry.”
Corbin stepped forward, head down, his usual confidence nowhere in sight or scent. “I charged her. For real, Aaron. I’m sorry.”
“I know you are.” He drew a bracing breath. He didn’t want to forgive the young wolf, but he needed to. “You smelled blood and fear together. I remember how hard it is at your age, Corbin. So…we’re okay.”
Corbin nodded and left without lifting his head.
Trevor and Nathan, Cassius and Jeremy each accepted his apology on his mate’s behalf, clapped him on the arm or the back before they left. Rhett, Ezra, and the older wolves wouldn’t easily forgive Ember’s infraction. Another day they might have it out for hours; for now all the wolves needed food, a shower, and sleep.
Aaron began the trek to his truck, and Quinn fell in alongside. The relief of striding without a limp, his leg strong and painless again, washed away in a tide of feeling at what Ember had done. Too many feelings to identify. For a while they walked in silence.
“Aaron?”
“Yeah.”
“Aunt Em’s your mate?”
“Yeah, pup.”
“So…like…you’re in love with her. But like a wolf falls in love, so…you’ll never want to be with anyone else.”
“Fair summary.”
“Huh. Okay. I guess that’s cool.” Then, the topic apparently finished, Quinn said, “You lied, by the way.”
The words skewered Aaron. He stopped walking, and Quinn faced him. “About what?”
“You said the fence isjust a zap.”
His lips twitched though he tried not to smile. “Well, it is, if you’re smart and stay off it after the first one.”
“It’s one of those gradual increase things, isn’t it. Like an alarm clock that’s louder every time it goes off.”
“Yep.”
“But the first zap isn’tjusta zap either.” Quinn rubbed his neck. “Ow. Seriously.”
“And now you know,” Aaron said. He couldn’t keep the pride from his voice.
“Yeah. And I survived. And…and you’re right, I did get zapped twice because…”
“Because you saw Corbin’s charge wasn’t a bluff, and you wanted to protect your aunt.”
Quinn’s chest rose and fell hard. A crinkle formed between his eyes, and he turned away. Now wasn’t the time to give the pup space. Something deep within Aaron knew, remembered his younger self and how desperately that scared pup wanted people close and couldn’t ask for it. He looped his arm around Quinn’s shoulders, tugged him in, and hugged him.
“You did it, son. You’re going to be okay. Hear me? You’re going to be okay, Quinn.”
