I gulped, trying to pull more oxygen into my lungs. My wolf was bristling now, pacing but not trying to shift.
He wouldn’t do that with Reid in my arms.
But that didn’t change the fact that I was spiralling and had no idea how to stop it.
In the end, it wasn’t me who snapped me out of it.
It was Reid.
Cool lips touched my throat, right over my pulse point. It was an area I never letanyonetouch. It was too risky. Too close to my main arteries.
Reid kissing me there didn’t scare me. No, it calmed me. My wolf settled immediately and my mind cleared.
Everything was going to be okay. I’d got here in time, and now Reid was willing to let me protect him. Properly. The way I’d been dying to since he’d walked back into my life.
He doesn’t need protection, he needs to be loved.
Ma’s words echoed through my mind. She was wrong that Reid didn’t need to be protected, but not about the other part.
Question was…was that something Reid would want from me?
I realised then that Finn was talking to me, and I yanked myself back to the present, shoving everything else away to deal with later. Right now, I needed to focus on Reid and what he needed.
“Sorry.” I smiled at Finn sheepishly. “Can you repeat that?”
Reid snickered against my neck. Glad he thought my inattention was amusing.
While Finn had been talking, my hand had somehow found his way under his shirt. I caressed the smooth skin of his lower back as I waited for Finn to answer.
Finn cocked his head, taking the two of us in thoughtfully. “I asked what your plans are now, Evan. Obviously Reid comes first for you, but I didn’t want to exclude you from the…questioning if you want to be involved.”
I was grateful to him for not using the correct term for what was about to happen. I was certain Reid knew we were going to be torturing the answers out of his former clan members, but after tonight, it was probably best not to draw attention to it. “I do, but only once Reid is safe and comfortable. Can you make Logan wait?”
Finn shot me a crooked grin. “I mean, I can try, but you know Logan.”
I did. Hopefully he’d be able to satisfy himself with just a few fingers and toes before I got there.
I wanted the fun stuff.
Finn’s tone was cautious as he addressed Reid. “I knowyou’ve been against going to the main clan lands, but I think we’d all feel better if you stayed there until we know what the full situation is.”
“I agree.” My stomach flipped in surprise at Reid’s ready response. I knew he’d asked me to take him away, but I’d thought it was just something he’d said in the heat of the moment. “I just…I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable staying in the main house. Is there, like, a sofa I can crash on in a different house? I promise I won’t be a bother.”
Finn’s gaze met mine and he nodded.
“Ye’ll stay at my place, sweetheart,” I said quietly. “If that’s okay with you?”
Reid lifted his face to stare at me quizzically. “Don’t you live in the clan house?”
“Aye, I have a room there, but to be honest, I spend more time at my home. You can stay there.”
“Um…” Reid’s eyes darted over to Finn. “Can you give us some privacy, please?”
“Of course. Take as long as you need.” Finn bowed his head, already walking backwards towards the forest. “And, Reid? I’m really glad yer okay.”
He vanished in a flash of fur, taking off at speed.
Reid was staring at the spot where he’d disappeared, his eyes shining. “It’s so crazy, you know?”
