Chapter Four
“You still haven’t heardanything from the coven?”Seth asked as he filled his plate with pasta.
His brother had cooked lunch and invited him and Thomas over, but Thomas already had plans, so Seth was the only one here.That didn’t seem to be a problem for Theo and Chance.They’d welcomed Seth like they always did, including the teasing, and Theo didn’t even know about Ryan yet.
Or maybe he did.Seth wouldn’t be surprised if Thomas had talked to Theo.Their little family didn’t do secrets well, so it would make sense.Theo hadn’t said anything yet, but he kept glancing at Seth with laughter in his eyes.Seth was sure that he knew something.He wasn’t about to ask, though.If Theo wanted to know something,he’dhave to ask.
Seth hoped Theo wouldn’t.He didn’t think he was ready to talk about what had happened with Ryan.Hell, technically, nothing much had happened.They’d made out against a tree for a while, had talked, and that was that.It had been nice, but nothing to tell Theo yet, especially considering how smug he would be.He’d pushed Seth to talk to Ryan and give him a chance, and he’d been right.
He often was.
Instead of giving Theo the satisfaction, Seth had asked about the coven as soon as they’d sat at the kitchen table.He was worried about the pack, but also about Ryan.He and his family were supposed to be safe here, and for now, they were, but it would be too easy for the coven to hurt them, even at a distance.They might have lost mages, but there was no way they would take it without fighting back.
Chance sighed as he took a bite of pasta.“No, I haven’t heard anything yet.”
“That worries you.”Seth didn’t have to ask to know it.He’d gotten to know Chance quite well since Chance had started dating Theo.He could read most of the man’s expressions by now.
“They took a hit when they lost so many mages, and that’s a good thing, but I don’t believe they’ll lay down and just wait for whatever comes next.”
“It wouldn’t be like the coven we’ve been dealing with,” Seth agreed.“Is there any way to find out what they’re up to?”
“I suppose I could ask some of the mages to reach out to the people who stayed.That would be dangerous, though, and I don’t want to put anyone in jeopardy.”
That was what made Chance a good alpha.He was worried about people, even when they weren’thispeople.He didn’t want the mages who’d stayed behind to get hurt, even though they’d decided to continue obeying their leaders’ orders.
Not that the coven had done anything recently.They’d lost many mages, so they probably didn’t have the manpower to do much beyond licking their wounds.
There was no way to know for sure, unfortunately, and Seth understood why Chance was worried.It felt like they were waiting for something to happen and for the coven to finally react.
“Maybe they lost so many people that there’s nothing they can do to us anymore,” he offered.
“I wish I could be as optimistic as you.”
Seth snorted.“I’m not optimistic.I’m hopeful.When we agreed to become pack members, I didn’t expect to end up in the middle of a war with a bunch of bloodthirsty mages.”
“Seth!”Theo exclaimed as he kicked Seth under the table.
Seth shrugged.“What?It’s true.I’m not saying that any of this is Chance’s fault because it’s not, but we were supposed to be safe.”
“Wearesafe.Chance is doing everything he can.”
“Again, I know that.I just don’t want anything to happen to you or anyone else in our family.”
“I don’t want anything to happen toanyof my pack members,” Chance said.“I’d tell you not to worry, but I already know you will, no matter what I say.”
“Damn right.Too many things have been happening lately for me not to worry.”
“Does it have to do with a specific mage?”Theo asked, the teasing obvious in his voice.
Seth flipped him off.Theo laughed, kicking Seth under the table again.
“This isn’t why I’m here,” Seth grumbled.
“No, you’re here to have lunch with your brother and your brother-in-law.I knew you were hiding something as soon as you started talking about the coven.”
“As if you don’t already know what I’m hiding.”
“Thomas has a big mouth.”
