“I can start working on finding that little kit’s demise. At first light, you need to take care of that rogue. I’d rather be with you, but I understand what needs to be done. Only with a rogue that thinks the way this one does, we’re going to need to formulate a new plan, and Alec needs to be fully healthy.”
“Totally understand. And Jace is already working on looking up where the demise was. The problem with fox shifters is they don’t live in large groups. Only small families with a few members.”
“And within our realm.”
“Correct. Just like you wolves, they don’t have their own realm.”
“I always found that a little unfair.”
“I haven’t always been a fan of it either. However, you’re at least closer to yours, while I have to open an actual magical portal to go back and visit the dragons. Or the Conclave. Not something I like to do these days.”
“I don’t think I’d be interested in doing much of that either. What happens if she can’t find her demise?”
“Then we find another demise that can take her.” Dante frowned, shaking his head. “The problem is that most fox shifters don’t take in orphans.”
“That’s bullshit. True, but complete bullshit.” Wolves had their own problems, his Pack more than most, but they didn’t neglect young.
“It is. But it’s not something I can fix. It’s survival of the fittest, and if a demise is decimated and anyone’s left behind, they’re forced to start their own.”
“She’s what, two?”
“About that. Maybe three. Just small for her age. Either way, though, if we can’t find her family, and no other fox shifters want her, we’re going to have to find a place for her.”
Liam stiffened. “There’s not really an orphanage for fox shifters,” he growled out.
“No, there isn’t. There’s not one for any of our kind.” Dante paused. “Something I’ve neglected to think about until right now.”
Liam’s brows rose. “Are you going to open a Dante’s Circle Orphanage?”
“I just might. If I tell Nadie and Jace about it, they’ll be all over it. As for your kit, she’s not going to be left alone. I can promise you that.” He paused. “She’s very attached to you and Alec, though.”
There was a question in that statement, even if it didn’t sound like it. Liam shook his head in answer.
“Let’s not go there.”
“Maybe you should. Maybe you need to fight for something other than what you’ve been fighting with Alec.”
“And on that advice from a dragon, I’m going to head to the guest house and check on Alec.”
“You do that. We did soundproof the area, and you’re far enough away if you need anything. If you need privacy.” Dante winked.
Liam shook his head, flipping the dragon off as he walked away. Dante laughed behind him.
“Well, a matchmaking dragon wasn’t something I was expecting tonight,” he mumbled to himself as he made this way to the guest house.
He passed the nursery on his way and looked in on the three children sleeping in a little puppy pile. Not that any of them were puppies. They sure did look comfortable. They had pulled all the pillows and blankets from their respective beds and had made a massive pile in the middle of the room. The little kit was safely ensconced in the warm arms of the dragon and the bear, each in their human form, clearly protective of one another.
The kit was safe here, and for that, Liam was grateful.
He kept going until he reached the back door of the house and headed towards the guest house. He could sense Alec there, could feel his frustration, his anger, and his healing. Alec would be safe soon. Well. And that’s really all that mattered. Because in the morning, they would have to find Charlie and kill him. Something neither of them really wanted to do, yet something they would have to do, no matter what.
Alec was lying in bed in the small guest house that was more of a studio. It had antique furnishings and all the comfort you could want for an overnight stay when you were on the hunt.
His best friend and the person that he thought about far too much sat up, shirtless, with blankets pooled around his waist. Alec didn’t look any worse for wear. Liam figured even with the bandage on his arm, and the now mostly healed cuts on his face, they could probably go out right now to track the rogue. Darkness didn’t matter, not with their wolf eyesight. However, he didn’t want to start the hunt. Not yet. He needed to make sure Alec was in the right headspace. That they both were. And that meant taking their time for now and figuring out what they needed to do with the rogue. And with each other.
Others might have a different plan. But they were the ones on this hunt. This was Alec and Liam. Two names that had gone together for as long as he could remember, and yet they kept fucking things up. So, he was just going to have to fix that.
“You’re looking better,” he said as he cleared his throat and closed the door behind him.
“I feel better. I’m pissed off I got hurt at all. I wasn’t thinking clearly.” Alec looked down, and Liam wanted to reach out and touch him. He couldn’t, though, so he fisted his hands by his sides.
“You’re going to think clearly next time. You won’t be surprised.”
“I hope to hell he doesn’t have another child in his grasp that we’ll be trying to keep safe at the same time.”
“That is true. I’m sorry I wasn’t much help before. I needed to get little Kit.”
“Do we know her name yet? Calling her Kit when she’s a baby fox seems a little ridiculous and too on the nose.”
Liam just shrugged. “She hasn’t said it yet, not that I know of anyway. Maybe Nadie knows. We’ll figure it out. And we’ll find her family.” There was a long silence. “Or another demise that might take her in.”
“We both know that won’t happen. Demises don’t take in other shifters. Unless it’s by mating or marriage.”
“Well, maybe she’ll be the exception to the rule.”
“Maybe.”
Neither of them believed that. You could tell just by looking at them.
“Since we’re here, though, maybe we should talk?” Liam wasn’t even sure he’d said the words until they were out.
Alec’s brows rose, and Liam stuffed his hands into his jeans’ pockets. “Or not. Sorry. I might have overstepped.”
“No, no, not overstepping. I’m just surprised. Not that I should be. Because we do need to talk. Hunter sent us out together for a reason. And not just to find my twisted brother and kill him.”
Liam winced. “Let’s not talk about Charlie right now.”
“What should we talk about?”
“I don’t know.”
There was more silence, and Liam knew if he didn’t say something, he wouldn’t. Because they were so worried about hurting each other’s feelings, they constantly fucked up what was going on between them. And that’s why they were on the verge of being kicked out of the Pack. That’s why they were on this mission to catch the rogue to begin with.
As he looked at Alec, the thought of almost losing him filled Liam’s mind, and he knew we had to say something. Because it hurt. Everything hurt.