“We’ll help you, Alpha.” Emeric bounced over and gave Braun a hug. “You should’ve seen Uncle Dorian jump, though.”
“I wasn’t expecting anyone to be sitting at the table.” I shouldn’t have had to defend myself about that. “Someone didn’t warn me.”
Emeric had the good graces to look sorry for that as he shrugged. “I forgot you’re human.”
Ah, the hearing thing.
“That’s alright.” Maybe I could put some kind of bells on the door like stores used? “You’ll get used to the human senses issue eventually.”
And I’d get used to the non-human ones eventually.
Hopefully before one of the pack members gave me a heart attack.
“Just remind yourself that she’s useful and has good intentions.” Braun’s sigh had me trying not to smile. “That’s what I do.”
“I’m going to remember she’s got chocolate and poor impulse control.” Emeric laughed as my eyebrows went up. “That’s what Sammy’s mother said when she came to get him from chocolate time yesterday. He’s almost my age and his mom is bossy too.”
“I’m not sure if I should point out that’s rude or not.” Braun’s snicker said he wasn’t going to be any help. “But thank you for not repeating that while Braun’s mother was in hearing distance.”
I wasn’t sure she’d ever let us live it down otherwise.
“I’m smart.” Emeric bounced over to the fridge to grab the juice he’d picked out earlier. “Girls are hard work, so I’ve decided I’m going to be gay too.”
Oh.
Did he know that wasn’t how it worked?
Whose job was it going to be to point that out?
Chapter 16
Braun
“Practical things first while we don’t have a young audience.” Dorian was charging down the path like we were grocery shopping and only had five minutes in the store. “What did you find out about Emeric’s aunt?”
Okay, I could see how that would be stressful for him and be on the top of his mind.
“I agree. Practical matters before I distract you with date things, but…” I dragged out the word, stopping on the trail so he had to stop with me.
It took him about three seconds to realize what he’d been doing and look back at me with a frown. “I don’t know why I’m being such a pain in the ass.”
“Nope.” No one was going to talk about my mate that way. “Come here.”
Clearly, giving him space and being a gentleman was a bad idea.
His sigh and adorable levels of drama said he needed a different plan. “Yes?”
“Still not here.” I ignored the way he rolled his eyes because he kept walking toward me until he stopped right in front of me. “That’s better.”
Wrapping my arms around him, I pulled him against me and knew I’d made the right call when he melted into me. “Much better. This was what I needed.”
Kissing his head, I soaked up the quiet with him until I could feel his body relaxing and felt him take a deep breath. “I don’t always think about how much I love the peace and quiet out here.”
Dorian took another breath and rubbed his cheek against my shoulder. “Because it’s work?”
He didn’t seem to mind the shift in topic, so I nodded against him and gave him another kiss. “Yes. I’m always thinking about the trails that need to be cleared or the maintenance issues we need to handle. If that’s not on the top of my mind then I’m keeping track of the visitors or working on paperwork and payroll stuff.”
When was the last time I’d just taken a walk?
