“Yeah.” Reese moved to the coffee pot and poured himself a mug, the liquid dark and strong. “He needs rest.”
“He needs a lot more than rest.” Ryan set the muffin tray on the counter and turned around, his expression serious. “The dogs are stable, but they’re going to need ongoing care. Delilah’s infection is responding to antibiotics, but it’s going to take time. Hercules needs surgery on those ribs as soon as Dr. Sullivan thinks he can handle it.”
Reese nodded, leaning against the counter. The coffee mug was hot in his hands, ceramic warm through his palms. “Whatever they need. Cost isn’t an issue.”
“It’s not about cost.” Ryan grabbed his own coffee mug, wrapping both hands around it. “It’s about time and commitment. These dogs have been through hell. They’re going to need months of rehabilitation, maybe longer. Someone has to be consistently there for them.”
“Sonny will be.” Reese took a drink of his coffee, the bitter liquid centering him. “He’s not going to abandon them now.”
“Which brings us to the actual problem.” Grayson’s fingers drummed against the table. “The hyenas. They’re going to come looking for their property. They don’t care that Sonny’s your mate. They don’t care that the dogs are under your protection now. All they see is lost revenue.”
Cold settled in Reese’s gut. He snarled at the hyenas getting close to Sonny. The urge to go back upstairs and stand guard over his sleeping mate was almost overwhelming.
“We handled them before.” Colton’s voice was calm, measured. The panther shifter had always been good in tense situations, able to think clearly when others panicked. “When they tried to retaliate after the raid, they learned quickly that going after protected targets has consequences.”
All three had died learning that lesson.
Malik finally spoke, his growl evident under the words. “Hyenas will take bigger risks when profit is involved.”
Reese’s hands tightened around his coffee mug. The ceramic creaked under the pressure but didn’t break. His mate was upstairs, vulnerable and exhausted. The dogs were in the guest room, still recovering from the abuse.
“We need a security plan.” Grayson’s attention had shifted fully to Reese, his lion's authority evident. “Patrols around the property. Reese, you stay glued to Sonny whenever he leaves the house. The clinic needs additional monitoring since that’s where the dogs will be for follow-up appointments.”
“Wherever he goes, I go,” Reese snarled.
Ryan made a sound, knew the stakes from experience. He had a lion mate who was just as possessive, who watched his movements with the same predatory focus Reese now applied to Sonny.
“That works for now.” Grayson’s fingers stilled on the table. “But we should have a backup plan.”
Reese wanted to argue they didn’t need another plan, that keeping Sonny close was the only acceptable option. But logic said Grayson was right. It was always smart to have a contingency plan.
“I can take shifts at the clinic.” Malik spoke up from his position near the window. “Doc knows me. It won’t seem unusual if I’m hanging around.”
“I’ll cover the property.” Colton volunteered. “Make sure no one gets close without us knowing.”
The conversation continued, details hammered out. Reese absorbed the information while his mind kept circling back to his mate upstairs. Sonny was alone right now, unprotected. The rational part of Reese’s brain knew the house was secure, that no threat could reach his mate. But his bear thought being separated for even a second was unacceptable.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs. Light, uneven, accompanied by the clicking of dog nails against hardwood. Reese’s attention snapped toward the doorway, his body already moving before his brain caught up.
Sonny appeared first, blond hair sticking up in multiple directions. His hazel eyes were still heavy with sleep, squinting against the bright kitchen light.
Delilah and Hercules followed behind him, both dogs moving slowly. The female’s limp was pronounced, her injured leg barely touching the ground. The male’s breathing was labored. Both animals stayed close to Sonny.
The room went quiet. All eyes turned to Reese’s mate, taking in the barely contained way Sonny held himself with nervous energy. Grayson’s gaze moved to Reese, one eyebrow rising slightly.
“Sorry.” Sonny’s voice was rough with sleep. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. The dogs needed to go outside, and I wasn’t sure if there was a backyard they could use. I didn’t want them having accidents in the guest room because that would be rude and probably hard to clean and—” He stopped himself, taking a visible breath. “I’m rambling. I do that a lot.”
Reese moved to his mate’s side, his body positioning itself between Sonny and the others without conscious thought. Protective instincts demanded he keep potential threats away from his mate, even though everyone in the room were friends. His bear didn’t give a shit.
“There’s a backyard.” Ryan spoke up, his voice gentle. “I’ll show you. The dogs can take their time.”
Sonny’s shoulders visibly relaxed at the offer.
“I’ll go with you.” Reese rubbed Sonny’s back. His mate leaned into it slightly like he was seeking contact.
Ryan led them through the kitchen toward the back door. Sonny walked carefully, his movements accommodating the dogs' slower pace. Delilah pressed against his leg with each step, her trust evident. Hercules stayed close on the other side, tracking everything with cautious awareness.
The backyard was large, the morning sun making the dew on the grass sparkle. Ryan opened the door, and Sonny guided both dogs outside, his hands gentle as he encouraged them to explore.
