Nevaeh was supposed to train the hellhound, but she got fired after Anxo saw how she was only teaching the pup to tear into anyone who came near August.
Now Anxo is training the beast, and honestly, everyone prefers it. Progress has been slow, but at least now, Shadow doesn’t snap at anyone who so much as scolds August.
When Anxo turns to face me, I do a double-take. August is swaddled and strapped to his chest like a baby, fast asleep on his shoulder, lips parted as he snores softly while Anxo pats his back and sways gently.
“What’s happening?”
Anxo shakes his head with a smile. “He saw me teaching Harvey how to swaddle a newborn.”
That explains it.
August was more than a little shy when he first came here, but now he’s full of endless energy and a desperation for affection that rivals Nevaeh. Like both of them are making up for the years they went without love and warmth.
“So why am I here?”
“I, uh… wanted to ask you something.” Anxo hesitates, his fingers tapping against the pocket on his left thigh.
Everything clicks into place. Oh boy…
Nevaeh has exceptionally good hearing. Even after she learned to tune out distant chatter, she never stopped eavesdropping. That’s how she knows things no one tells her. The girl is nosey.
Now it makes sense why Anxo wanted to do this here.
“Dean… Nevaeh and I… we’re… I mean, I’m going to—”
He looks like he’s about to pass out, so I decide to throw him a lifeline.
“You know, when they were kids, Harvey’s mom was sure Nevaeh and Harvey were mates.”
Anxo blinks at me, clearly lost, but nods anyway, running a hand through August’s hair.
“They were joined at the hip. If you saw one, the other was always nearby.”
Angel smiles, reminding me once again why he’s perfect for my little girl. Instead of dwelling on the idea that Nevaehcould’ve been mated to someone else, he’s amused by the image of two kids running wild and getting into trouble.
“Let me guess, you didn’t agree.”
I laugh, “Everyone thought I was acting like a typical overprotective father, denying the inevitable. But those two? They were chaos together. They fed off each other’s darkness and bonded over trying to control it.”
From the moment Harvey met my little troublemaker, I knew they’d be inseparable. He was four years older than her and a lot grumpier, but it didn’t matter. They needed each other. It wasn’t long before I started thinking of him as my son.
Long before he lost his family, Harvey had already found one with us.
We expected Harvey to be hot-headed. He was the future Horseman ofWar.But Nevaeh was angry for a different reason. Her Divine was too complex. Any time she stopped fighting it, it nearly consumed her.
“They weren’t right for each other. Harvey and Nevaeh needed someone to ground them. Someone who could reach them when they were too far gone.”
Anxo blinks, his eyes filling with unshed tears.
“That’s why Grace is perfect for Harvey… just like you are perfect for Nevaeh. You don’t need my permission, Anxo. You kept her afloat when she thought she’d drown. You’re the reason she’s here…happy. Fates couldn’t have chosen better for her.”
Anxo clears his throat, breathing shakily. “Thanks, Dean.”
I slap his shoulder before pulling him into a hug, careful not to wake August.
I’ve known him for years. I’ve watched him grow, fight, and survive. The love and respect I have for him isn’t just because of Nevaeh, but it certainly has grown after watching him build a life with her, become the mate she deserves.
Shadow marches ahead of us as we exit the library, the pup’s head snapping at every sound. He’s still too alert, too on edge, but he’ll settle with time.
