James snorted.“It was stupid.What were you thinking, talking to them that way?”
Ryan’s back tensed.“I was thinking that I lived under their spells my entire life.I was thinking that I could finally tell them what I thought of them.”
“You could have gotten us killed.”
“I didn’t.”
“You know how easy it would have been for them to attack us?”
“You think I don’t?Do I have to remind you that I lived with them almost myentire life?”
“Children,” Chance said, sounding both fond and exasperated.“There’s no need to fight.The meeting’s over, and even though I have no doubt that we’ll see the coven again in the future, I believe that for now, we’re safe.I don’t think they have the manpower or that they’re stupid enough to attack us.You can stop fighting over what happened today.”
James looked like he wanted to argue, but he eventually shrugged and opened the car door.He slid into the driver’s seat, but Seth hesitated.He’d arrived with Chance and James.He should go home with them, right?
Chance turned to him and Ryan.“Thank you for your support, Seth.”
“I can’t believe you were only going to come with James.”
Chance arched a brow.“Was I?”
“If I hadn’t insisted on coming along, yeah.”
Chance shook his head.“I’m touched by how much you care, but I’ve been the alpha for years, and my father for even longer.He taught me well, including how to protect myself.”He raised his hand and waved at something behind Seth and Ryan.Seth turned, swearing when he saw three of the mages who lived with the pack standing in front of the coffee shop.
Chance leaned closer.“There was no need for you to worry, but thank you for coming with us.”
Seth groaned.“I’m an idiot.”
“You’re not.You’re someone who cares, and that’s what the pack needs.Even if you only did this for your brother, I’m still grateful.”He looked at Ryan.“Now, why don’t you and Ryan drive back together?I’m sure the two of you want to spend time alone.”
“You’re going to tell my brother about this, aren’t you?”
“I will.I’ll also tell him that you’re with Ryan, though, so you should have a few hours of peace.If you’re lucky, he might even leave you alone until tomorrow.”
But there was no doubt in Seth’s mind that hewouldhave to give his brother an explanation.Theo was going to besopissed.
Seth would try not to think about it until he absolutely had to.
* * * *
RYAN DIDN’T WANT TOgo home.He knew that his family would be able to see that something had happened in his behavior, and he wasn’t up to explaining that he’d confronted the three leaders and had told them to fuck off.He didn’t want to scare them, but more than that, he was tired and didn’t want to talk about any of what had happened.
“Want me to drive?”Seth asked.
Ryan blinked at him.“Would you?I didn’t think this would affect me as much as it did.”
“I’m not surprised it did.Come on.Give me the keys.”
Ryan was happy to obey.He slid into the passenger seat and leaned against the window, his thoughts going back to what he’d told the leaders.He would never have had the courage to tell them any of that before.What had changed?Was it just that he knew him and his family were safe and felt free to be honest?Having Seth there had helped, too.Ryan had known that whatever happened, Seth would step in and protect him.Chance and James would have, too, but Seth’s presence had given Ryan the boost he’d needed to pour out everything he felt about the coven and the way it was led.
“You’re shaking,” Seth murmured, his voice low and steady as he reached over to grip Ryan’s hand.The warmth of his palm was grounding after what had happened.
“I’m fine,” Ryan reassured Seth, even though he wasn’t sure he was.He would be eventually.
“You’re not fine,” Seth said, his tone soft and gentle.“But that’s okay.You don’t have to be.Not with me.”
Ryan sucked in a breath.The way their hands fit together—howrightit felt—made his chest tighten.He wasn’t used to someone seeing through his walls and caring enough to notice the cracks.The only people who could were his family, but this was different.
