“As long as Bramley doesn’t come after Theo again,” Alek pointed out.
“I’m sorry that we haven’t been able to find him yet,” Mah said.
Alek waved that away. “We don’t blame you. He became the unseelie king by killing and lying. He has more than a few tricks up his sleeve.”
“We have allies that should be able to find him,” Mah replied. “It bothers me that he just seemed to vanish into thin air.”
“He’ll turn up,” Alek said. “It’s just when that I’m worried about.”
Mah nodded as the front door opened and closed. Glancing at the clock, Alek realized that Mah had done a good job of distracting him as his other mates returned to the apartment.
“We’re back!” Wylder said, sticking his head into the kitchen.
“How’d it go?” Alek asked as he motioned his human closer.
“The house will be ready in just a matter of days. I had no idea what magical powers our little brownie had.” Wylder strolled in, covered in sweat and grime. He threw his armaround Alek and it was all that Alek could do not to turn up his nose.
He’d learned that the more he squirmed, the more that Wylder enjoyed it. “You need a shower,” Alek commented.
Wylder laughed. “I know. I swear Mitch sent at least half his house.”
Alek tried to move from under Wylder’s arm but the human held him close.
“Why don’t you go help your mate clean up?” Mah suggested with a twinkle in his eye.
“I’m having tea,” Alek responded with confusion. “And keeping you company.”
“I’d love to have some tea,” Dario commented as he entered the kitchen.
“Let me reheat the water.” Mah jumped up from his stool.
“You heard your Mah,” Wylder said pulling on Alek’s arm. “Come help me clean up.”
“You’ve been showering by yourself for a very long time,” Alek told him as he was literally dragged into the hall. “Why do you need help?”
Wylder turned to walk backward and waggled his eyebrows. “I need someone to reach my back.”
“Did you hurt your back?” Alek could hire someone to unpack for them if his mates were going to end up hurt. Money really was no issue.
“Alek.” Wylder stopped walking.
“Yes?” When had he become so used to his mates using a nickname for him. Alek had never allowed his name to be shorten by anyone else.
“I want to be wet and naked with you,” Wylder told him.
Alek stared at his human mate for a moment as the words connected for him. He rushed forward and tossed Wylder over his shoulder to stride right for the master bathroom, which was big enough to give Wylder just what he requested.
Wylder laughed loudly before smacking Alek’s ass. “That’s the spirit.”
“If you wanted to spend time with me, all you had to do was say so,” Alek reminded his mate.
“I always want to spend time with you,” Wylder replied.
That was good to know. Alek felt the same. And it was time that they took the little moments that they had together to connect and bond. It was something that his fathers had always taken the time for. They put their mate bond in front of everything else.
Pushing open the door to the master suite, Alek could tell that Aurelia had already been inside. The covers were folded back and waiting for Alek and his mates. Alek would love to take Wylder to bed but his human really did need to shower first.
He carried Wylder into the master suite and set him on the counter and kissed him.
