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Theodore was mostly giving Royce a hard time about what’d happened to needle him. If he harbored any lingering doubts the alpha hurt the dog on purpose, they’d dissipated on the spot.
“It doesn’t matter how fast you were going; it’s a whole car against soft tissue and bone. But, all things considered, her injuries could have been worse, and she’s making a swift recovery. I saw her today and took her for a little stroll.”
“You went for a walk, outside, alone?”
“I wasn’t alone, Mutt was with me. Besides, I stayed in the greenery between the cabin and the clinic. She can’t walk very far. That’s how overly happy Hershal found me.”
Royce pinched the bridge of his nose. “From now on, I’m going on all pet walks with you, got it?”
Theodore was about to argue when he noticed purple splotches across Royce’s wrists and forearms.
“What happened to your arms?”
“Amelia and Scott, I’m guessing.” Royce looked down, then frowned as if he’d also just noticed them.
“I need some explanation.”
Royce pursed his lips. “One of my jobs is training young alphas to be enforcers. You’ve probably noticed, but young alphas aren’t exactly pleasant company.”
“If you’re referring to their tendency to try and hump anything and everything, yes, I’m aware.”
“Well, they were … talking, and your name came up.”
“I’m failing to understand what this has to do with your extensive arm bruising.”
“I kinda … tried to kill one of them.”
“Beg pardon?”
“His neck, my hands, squeezing,” Royce growled. “If you’d heard the context, you wouldn’t be complaining.”
“My own personal, deranged knight in shining armor. Yay me.”
“You’re welcome.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“I’m aware.”
Royce smirked, and for a moment, Theodore was caught off guard by how charming he looked. Maybe charming wasn’t the right word, but Royce’s entire face transformed when he was being playful or cheeky. Which was more frequently now Theodore was up and about on his own.
The small wrinkles around Royce’s eyes and mouth deepened, and his sun-tanned skin flushed pink. Coupled with his wavy blonde locks falling to his shoulders, it was a powerful effect.
He found he actually, sort of, maybe a little, liked looking at Royce. He was also fun to snip at. Either that or Theodore’s extended absence from other people’s company had skewed his expectations and social skills. Honestly, Theodore wouldn’t be shocked if it was the last one.
“Come on,” Royce stood and took the pastry box from Theodore, who protested. “You’re about to eat your weight in cookies and spoil your dinner.”
“Hmpf, the level of my complaints will depend on what you plan on cooking for dinner.”
“Oh, I’m cooking?” Royce laughed.
“You took my cookies.”
“I got more flour, we could do pancakes.”
The reaction was instantaneous. Hot and furious, his skin went feverish, his mouth dry, his hands fisted the blankets, and he whimpered as fresh slick spurted from him. Royce went rigid, his breath labored, and his eyes flashed gold.
“Right, maybe not … do you like zucchini chili? With cannellini beans?” His voice was hoarse and full of gravel, which was absolutely not helping Theodore with his present predicament. Forget the food and his rumbling stomach, the tall, blonde alpha would suffice as a snack.
