“Get the fuck away from me, Zev. You have no idea what I’m going through.”
Zev threw his hands in the air and stormed out, muttering, “He’s all yours, Phelan.”
I leaned against the doorway and observed the guy who’d been my best friend for years and tried to summon some empathy for him.
My wolf advised me to back away and go back to my mate and daughter because Atticus didn’t care about anyone other than himself.
“Fuck off, Phelan. It’s your fault I’m in this situation.”
I sighed and uprighted the chair before sitting and crossing my arms. “Even if I hadn’t encouraged you to donate blood, the reality would be the same.”
“But I wouldn't have had it shoved in my face. I’m ruined and humiliated.”
That suggested he’d been sharing what had happened.
“Rawling, Jack and I haven’t told anyone, not even my folks.” We would eventually but were giving Atticus the grace to do it in his own time. Though as we were keeping Atticus’s secret, we were also keeping Rawling’s. If my friend thought my mate being latent was bad enough, I couldn’t imagine how he’d react when he confirmed his theory of Rawling being human.
Jack and I had discussed this while Rawling was resting. I didn’t want any pressure put on my mate. He had to focus on getting well and Eira. Nothing else. So the truth about thehuman part of him would stay buried for now. Maybe that was wrong, but it was right for us.
Atticus turned, and his long hair swirled around him. “But I know.” He tapped his head. “I can’t unsee or unfeel it.”
I didn’t think unfeel was a word, but I zipped my lips.
“Fuck this, I’m getting out of here.” He made sure to slam into me as he passed. He was still limping, though the injury on his face had almost healed. He looked kinda swashbuckling with a facial scar.
“Get out of my way, you fool.”
I poked my head into the corridor. Bardoul had flattened himself against the wall. He glanced at me and started to walk away, but paused and asked after Rawling and the baby.
“They’re doing well. I’ll let you know when Rawling’s ready for visitors.”
Bardoul gave a brief nod and scurried off.
“Have you seen Atticus?”Mrs. Ardilla asked as she checked Rawling’s blood pressure. “He disappeared two days ago and no one can find him. His folks have been contacted, and they’re on their way here.”
“What?” Rawling shrieked.
“Don’t worry.” She patted my mate’s arm. “They won’t be angry that he donated his blood to you.”
“Not seen him,” I managed to get out.
Mrs. Ardilla shrugged and left after examining Eira.
“What are we going to do?” Rawling’s cheeks were as pale as when he’d been bleeding out. He held a pillow to his face.
I gulped because I didn’t have an adequate answer. “They’re concerned about their missing son, and they won’t comeanywhere near us.” If they demanded to see me, I’d meet with them, but I had nothing to tell them about Atticus’s whereabouts.
Two hours later,Jack phoned to say Atticus’s parents were here and wanted to talk to me. They had no idea we’d fallen out and he didn’t have anyone else that was close.
“This will be quick. I know nothing and hope someone can track his scent,” I assured Rawling.
He gripped my hand and told me to hurry back.
The dads were in Atticus’s room, the one I used to share with him. His omega father, Corvin,was in tears, saying something had happened to his baby boy. He caught sight of me and opened his arms. We hugged, and he held on tight and didn’t let go. It was becoming awkward, but if Eira disappeared, I’d be acting more than a little unhinged.
He sniffed my hair and whimpered, “I knew this would bite us on the ass one day.”
Atticus’s alpha father, Peregrine, put an arm around his mate. “What is?—?”
