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“And Winter?”
Aiden’s sighed and his hand tightened on Bel’s shoulder. “Especially Winter.”
“Did you know about his gift?”
“Yes. Probably more than you and your brothers. Don’t worry about Winter. I think he’s got a better handle on it than even he gives himself credit for. But reach out to him every once in a while. I think he’s fascinated with your wolves, and the distraction would do him some good.”
Bel nodded. He’d noticed the fast friendship that seemed to be forming between Winter and River. Of course, River had an irrepressible playfulness about him that seemed to call to a younger, more carefree Winter. If it meant Winter was happy, he would schedule freaking playdates for them both.
Aiden released Bel and turned to rest his hip on the low wall. His smile was now gone, and there was a return of the old seriousness that dug deep lines in Aiden’s face. “Bel, about that first night you brought Wyatt and River—”
“No,” Bel said, already shaking his head. “You don’t have to say anything. I understand.”
“No, you don’t.” He grabbed Bel’s shoulder and squeezed, stopping anything Bel was going to say. “You were right. You were right to call me out. You were right to point out that we needed to help them. You saw that they were being hurt and treated horribly. They needed you. Needed us.”
“You have the entire clan to consider. It’s not just what I want. You have to keep in mind the safety of everyone. You have to do what is best for everyone.”
Aiden was the one shaking his head. “A clan isn’t just about keeping everyone safe. The Variks stand for honor and loyalty. We stand for what we believe is right. You reminded us all of that. If it was just a matter of safety, then we’d never bring in new members to our clan. We’d never stand up for what is right. We’d just hunker down in our home and ignore the rest of the world.”
A lump formed in Bel’s throat, making it so that he could only nod at Aiden’s words. He hadn’t thought of it that way when he was standing in front of his family, begging them to help protect Wyatt and River at the risk of their own lives. He’d only been thinking about how his wolves had been hurt, how they deserved a chance at happiness like everyone else.
Aiden cupped the side of Bel’s face and smiled, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Your mother would be so proud of you. I am so proud of you. You make me feel so very honored to be counted as a part of this family. To have you trust me with your lives and your family name.”
Bel closed the last step between them and wrapped his arms tight around Aiden, dropping his head to Aiden’s shoulder. “Love you, Father,” he whispered a bit brokenly. “You have always been a Varik.”
“I love you too, son.”
They stood like that for several seconds, and Bel smiled as old aches and grief seemed to ease a little. He missed his mother, but he knew there would always be a part of him that missed the Julianna of his youth. But she would be happy now to know that her sons were so well loved and protected by this amazing man. If she could have known how her life would ultimately end and what would happen to her children, she could not have picked a better guide and protector for them.
Bel huffed a soft laugh as he released Aiden and stepped back. “I think the only thing we’re missing is a few sarcastic comments from Rafe right now.”
Aiden smirked. “Maybe, but your twin and I have had a few serious conversations as well. You know he was completely lost when it came to Philippe. And now he’s trying to wrap his brain around his twin having two…boyfriends…”
Bel groaned and laughed at the same time. “Jealous. He didn’t think I had it in me to find a mate, let alone two.”
“I hate to admit it, but I don’t think any of us thought you would find a mate, let alone two.”
Okay, Bel couldn’t keep this up any longer. It was ridiculous. If he’d gone looking for a mate, he would have been utterly lost. “Wyatt and River are a gift. A beautiful, wonderful gift and I cannot begin to describe how lucky I am to have been given such a gift.”
“They are a gift. That’s why I would like them to consider becoming official members of the Varik clan.”
Bel’s mouth opened and closed a couple of times before he could even formulate words. “Seriously? You would welcome them?”
“Even if they weren’t your mates, we would be honored to have them in our clan. They’ve proved to everyone that they will protect you and each other. I believe they would protect all the members of our clan. They are good, honorable men.”
