Reaper’s gaze flicked back up to his, something unreadable flickering in their depths.
Cian decided it was best not to push yet and pressed a kiss to the mark on Reaper’s arm, then another to his mouth, slow, deep, hot, and possessive. When he pulled back, Reaper’s breath hitched, just barely, but Cian caught it.
He smirked, pecked him with another kiss, got to his feet, and held out his hand. Reaper stared at it for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a curse, he took it.
They didn’t speak as they stepped out of the water, as they reached for their clothes, or as they dressed in silence, because the air between them was filled with something unspoken.
Cian didn’t need words, although he could feel his Grá Croí’s frustration, his reluctance, the way his mind raced, searching for excuses, and for reasons to fight this. He also sensed something hiding beneath it all, behind the walls and the barbed wire that protected his heart. Something that felt almost like acceptance.
It is enough.
Yes, Failinis, it is enough for now.
11
Failinis watchedthe world from behind his human’s eyes. The world smelled different. It looked brighter. A part of him he hadn’t known was missing had come home, and he reveled in the drunk feeling it brought with it. He stretched his paws and sniffed deeply, his senses flooding with the rich, wild scent of his Grá Croí
Do not wake him.
I will not wake our mate. I want to be closer.
He’s got his head on my stomach, Failinis. We can’t get much closer.
Reaper…
Shh.
No, something is happening. Look.
His gaze was locked on Reaper, and he could feel his human brother’s gaze on him, too. There was something about how his chest rose and fell in slow, even breaths that was fascinating.
There… did you see it?
There was movement, he’d seen it. When it came again, it was barely perceptible, the tiniest of ripples in theair, or a shift in the shadows. His hackles rose, his muscles coiled.
Protect our mate.
The old gods and the Fates had given the human warrior to them. He would protect him at all costs. Failinis drew back his lips and snarled to his human brother.
Let me out.
Cian shook his head,
Shh, brother. It’s not a threat. It’s a gift.
The air kept shimmering, and the wind picked up, swirling leaves and twigs around them in a vortex. Failinis could barely see as something stepped out of Reaper’s sleeping form.
A massive white wolf shook himself, droplets of mist scattering from his coat, and when he lifted his head, his gaze locked onto Cian’s as if he could see Failinis deep inside him.
Mine.
The unspoken word resounded in his cage, and Failinis surged to his feet, a challenging growl rumbling in his chest. The white wolf’s lips peeled back in answer.
“Reaper?”
The white wolf stopped mid growl, lowered himself to the ground, and put his muzzle on his paws. “When I do not sleep, I am he.”
“You are a Wolf Walker.” Cian eased Reaper’s sleeping human form off him and rose to a crouch.“Wolf Walkers have not been seen since we crossed the veil.”
