You are so strong, Leo. As pure a guiding light as I have ever created, save one. Continue to lead them with your strength, your honor, and your love.
Continue to guide them,They had whispered.
He can’t help but think about how he has faltered since he’s been here.
Especially when it came to doubts about his mother, and how he had let those doubts turn into doubts about himself. He knows his identity has long stood firm on the strong foundations he’d always assumed his family had provided. Unconditional and predictable dynamics. That’s where he draws his strength…his honor.
But it had been she who had apologized to him that morning. Not for hiding the dangers of her secret life, but that she had let her fears stop her from sharing what she could when he had grown into a man. One she continues to be proud of every day.
Her pride in him isn’t new, but her apologies always come as a surprise. This was a welcome one that had moved him to tears, and rewarded him with a rare hug. It was a show of physical affection that went a long way to fortifying Leo’s self-esteem.
“Change is hard, even if it’s good, right? A life worth living is a life worth working for, know what I mean?”
That’s something Leo had always believed to be true, and maybe it’s even more so, now. He lets some of his worry slip away.
“We are stronger together, after all this.”
“Even though we’re different, it’s for the better, yeah?” Nix finds his hand and squeezes, offering wordless understanding where Leo hadn’t known he’d needed it.
“Except for maybe Rowan-wolf’s manners. He almost peed on Lauren. I have only ever had to worry about Gideon causing trouble, but now Ro…ack,maybe I should get a squirt bottle. I have heard that works to train cats…” he muses.
Leo gets a clear mental picture of Nix chasing Rowan-wolf around the house with a spray bottle, shoutingbad dog.
“I’ll talk to him before you bring out the big guns,” Leo chuckles, “but I’m tempted to let Mom show him a thing or two instead.”
Nix’s eyes go wide before he barks out a laugh and kisses Leo’s cheek. He turns so he can rest his back against his chest, pulling Leo’s hands around over his belly as they settle into silence. Watching the sun’s rays turn the night into day, Leo’s mind finally quiets, settling into simple thoughts about breakfast.
Rowan
There’s a subtle ache in the region of his belly, and it’s getting impossible to ignore. Most people would think it’s because late-night post-fuck snacks were six hours and forty-two minutes ago, and they have earned the right to be hungry after working up an appetite.
Euphemism intended.
Because last night had been epic. Just the way he likes it, especially since Rowan hasn’t been able to enjoy his mates like he usually would, with all the talk of murder, magic, and mayhem. But yesterday’s all-day orgasm marathon hadn’t stopped after Gideon and Jay had argued over grilling privileges, because Luca and Nix had worked the whole pack into a frenzy when they’d used the diving board to—well, that’s not the point.
What is the point is that Nix and Rowan’s babies are hungry.
It’s got the Wolf pacing with the occasional whine, finally catapulting Rowan into consciousness. He pries himself off Finn, because they are quite literally stuck together with the elixir of life.
Come. He meanscome.
His, Finn’s, Luca’s, and most importantly, his pack alpha’s.
Shhh.Don’t tell anyone, but the Wolf really wants Jay to mark them. Is it a new kink? Maybe. Will he be talking about it? Fuck, no. Because Rowan has ways of getting what he wants without using his gosh-darn words. One of the perks he’s learned from embracing the Wolf entirely. This might be the best thing that has happened to Rowan since finding Nix—and maybe after finding out about the girls. Because no one hates big talk and fake social niceties more than Rowan Foster.
Slipping away, he runs a hot shower, washing the evidence of a night well spent down the drain, promising himself he’ll replace Jay’s scent later this morning if he has anything to say about it. He finds a stack of discarded clothing on the floor of the bathroom: Jay’s tank top and Gideon’s boxers, which solves half his morning plans already.
What? Don’t judge. He’s a man on a mission, and that mission needs pants.
Unfortunately.
His mates are still snoring when he leaves the room and makes his way down to the kitchen, following the Wolf to where he can feel Nix. Leo and Nix are sitting outside watching the sunrise, and while it’s pretty, it’s not going to feed his mates or grow his babies—and the Wolf has a two-track mind where Nix is concerned.Fuck and Feed.Or rather, it does today.
Two nights ago, Rowan-wolf had discovered a third motivation, one he’d only felt once before—when he’d scented Dill Pickle in their den, and the Wolf had known before any of them that he’d been sent by someone to hurt his omega mate.
He’d finally understood what he imagined Gideon, Jay, or even Grayson had been feeling since they discovered Carnell had been the evil mastermind behind Nix’s torture and trauma. Hehad felt overwhelming rage. Stupid, idiotic, irresponsible rage that someone would dare to threaten his mates.
Look, people might think Rowan goes through life with a disregard for his own safety, for caution, and for general common sense. And they’d probably be right. But since he’d let the Wolf out, it had been easier. Easier for him to see reason and to think before he leaps.
