Page 61 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Henry nodded and gave Ben one last squeeze before he climbed off the couch and hurried away.

“Sorry,” Ben mumbled.

“Nothing to be sorry for,” Vaughn replied. “I’m sorry you were hungry. It’s my job to make sure you aren’t, so I’m the one who messed up here, not you.”

Ben raised his head at that and turned to face Vaughn. His face was red and blotchy and his cheeks were damp with tears. His lip wobbled again as he looked at Vaughn, searching his face. Sam grabbed Ben’s hand and Vaughn put his on top.

“You mean it, don’t you?”

“I do.”

Ben’s breath caught again, and he leaned into Vaughn. “Please don’t leave me, Alpha. Please.” He clutched their hands tightly, too tightly, but Sam understood. He’d had years of responsibility and disappointment from the people who were supposed to care for him.

“We won’t, Ben. You’re not going anywhere, okay?”

Ben nodded and closed his eyes, letting out one final shudder. Henry came back and handed Sam the box of tissue. The look in his eyes was intense. Fierce. Angry. Protective. Sam knew the feelings well.

After pulling a couple tissues from the box, Sam handed them to Ben and he wiped his face off and blew his nose. Vaughn met Sam’s gaze once more over his head, this time with a tender smile. Vaughn gave his lap a pat and Henry sat down on him, adding his hands to their stack.

The sweet moment ended when a loud gurgle sounded. Sam turned to Henry who laughed. “It wasn’t me this time!”

Ben blushed.

“Sounds to me like someone needs a snack. And then I know two someones who need to go to bed.”

Henry let out a jaw-cracking yawn and nodded. “I think my stomach is better now.”

“Do you need a snack?”

He shook his head and yawned again. “Okay, let’s go get you back to bed and Alpha will help Ben get a snack. Deal?”

Henry started to nod then turned to Ben instead. “Do you want me to wait on you?”

Ben shook his head and glanced shyly over to Vaughn. “I’ll be okay now.”

Yeah, Sam swore to himself. Yeah, he would.