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The bedroom door opens.

Rylan steps inside with Damian directly in front of him, both hands resting on my six year old nephew's shoulders.

I stare at him.

Coward, my Lycan mutters.

“Hey, beautiful.”

I narrow my eyes. “Are you hiding behind Damian?”

“No.”

Damian looks over his shoulder at him. “Yes, you are.”

Arlene snorts beside me.

Rylan looks down. “Buddy.”

“You said Auntie Selena was mad and asked if I wanted to come with you.”

Arlene's shoulders start shaking.

I bite the inside of my cheek. “Did he?”

Damian nods. “Daddy told him not to use me as a shield.”

Rylan closes his eyes.

I like this pup, my Lycan says.

"So do I."

I smile at Damian. “Sweetheart, would you like to go back downstairs with your daddy?”

“Okay.”

Rylan's hands remain on his shoulders for one second longer.

I raise an eyebrow.

He sighs and let’s go.

Damian runs toward the door, then stops and looks back. “Good luck, Uncle Rylan.”

Arlene loses it.

Damian disappears into the hallway, and the moment the door closes, I turn back to my mate.

“Rylan.”

He exhales. “Selena, I can explain.”

“Can you?”

Darlene's face lights up. “Uncle Rylan! I learned your word!”

Rylan closes his eyes.