Page 47 of A Swan’s Love Song

longer living. After retrieving his grandmother’s antique cameo locket that her mother had given her,

he also took an inlaid wood music box his parents had gotten for him when he was a baby.

For our little hatchling.

He started as Avi laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Sorry, honey. This has been such an

upsetting day for you. Did you want me to find a box we can use to load up your possessions?”

Sean gazed up at his brave and strong Alpha eagle. “I only wanted a few of the sentimental

things, that’s all. Anything else I need is with you back in Vale Valley.”

Avi told him he understood by stealing his breath with a kiss.

Chapter Eight

Avi stroked Sean’s back as he slept curled on his side, his hands tucked under his cheeks. It was

almost midnight, but Avi couldn’t sleep. After the nightmare at the flea market, he wasn’t sure he’d

ever sleep again. His poor, dear omega.

Brave and feisty omega.

He smiled in spite of how terrified he’d been for his mate. The horrific memory of Sean being

dragged away struggling and kicking—his eyes wide with panic—would forever be seared in his

mind. He’d never wanted to rip someone’s head off so badly in his life.

Almost did.

Fortunately, the shifter network trackers had shown up and jumped into the fray at the right

moment. Of course, Vic’s help had been more than welcome as well.

Avi shuddered as he recalled hearing a cry then whipping his head around and discovering Sean

was in danger. Kellan and Vic had just come around the corner from another aisle and, without a

word to the other, they quickly shed their clothes in order to shift.

After they’d wrapped everything up at the market, Sean had been overcome with exhaustion, so

he’d carried him to Vic’s truck. The farm stand trip had been postponed to a later date, all of them

feeling the need to get back to the safety of Vale Valley. But when they’d returned to the bungalow, Avi

had made Sean get in bed then brought him some cut up pieces of fruit and a tuna sandwich. They’d

eaten together propped against the pillows while watching a couple of old musicals on TV.

Anything to take them away from the ugly events of the afternoon.

He hadn’t told Sean yet, but he’d snuck out of the bedroom and called his uncle to ask if Sean

should be checked out because of the fight. He’d told Avi he’d stop by the next day, but that he