“How?” The single word came out broken and rough.
River squeezed in between them, hugging both Wyatt and Bel. “I don’t know, but we will figure it out together. Without you selling your soul and forfeiting your life. Remember, there are no martyrs in family.”
“No martyrs in family,” Bel repeated. He didn’t agree with their reasoning, but he let go of the idea of trying to recreate his formula. For his family. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt the Variks or his wolves.
“Have faith in the Variks,” Ethan said, and Bel’s heart healed a little to hear the pride in the man’s voice. “We’ve got this.”
Footsteps echoed on the floor outside the office and came to a sharp stop very close by. “Should I even ask what the hell is going on in here?” Marcus grumbled.
Ethan laughed. “Just a little family bonding.”
“Uh-huh.”
Bel was smiling when he stepped out of Wyatt and River’s embrace. He was still terrified for the safety of his family, but he had to believe they’d find another way. When he turned to Ethan, it was to see the young man snatch up the paper he’d been making notes on and rip it into tiny shreds.
With a chuckle, he grabbed Ethan and pulled him into a quick hug. “Thank you for saving me.”
“Anything for family,” Ethan murmured.
Marcus sighed loudly. “Someone will need to explain this to me later, but for now, Winter is here, and he’s brought food, if anyone is interested.”
Bel followed Ethan, Marcus, and River out of the office and down the hall to the library. Wyatt slid his arm around Bel’s shoulders, pulling him in close as they trailed behind the rest of them. He was grateful they’d stopped him. The temptation was still there in the back of his mind, but it was the wrong choice. There were other options, smarter options.
Before they even reached the library, hints of barbecue drifted through the air, and Wyatt’s stomach growled. His poor wolves.
They were the last to arrive: Philippe and Rafe were cozied up on one of the love seats. Winter had cleared the coffee table and was unloading a few large bags with containers of pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and endless sides. Aiden was standing close by with a glass of blood in one hand, watching Winter work.
Winter looked up as the latecomers entered the room and smirked. “I wasn’t sure who would be eating or how much to get.”
Ethan still ate food regularly, and it appeared that Marcus was getting into the habit, partially as a way to spend time with his mate. Bel didn’t eat much, but he didn’t mind picking at food if it meant he got to be close to Wyatt and River. Clearly, Rafe wasn’t much into food, considering the look of disgust curling one lip. Philippe just appeared bemused and curious.
“Oh, my God! Winter, you are fast becoming my second favorite vampire!” River declared. He closed the distance between himself and Winter, wrapping the man in a tight hug. Winter’s head popped up, and he sent Bel a slightly panicked and confused look over the wolf’s shoulder.
Bel laughed, leaning against Wyatt. “Wolves are very affectionate. You’ll get used to it.”
“Yes, we heard this afternoon exactly how affectionate you all were,” Rafe drawled.
“Really?” Philippe said, arching a golden brow at his lover. “I’m surprised you could hear them over your own beg—”
Rafe slapped a hand over Philippe’s mouth, but the laughter in his eyes was still crystal clear. “I didn’t say that I heard a great deal.”
“I gave you my blood, and Winter is your second favorite?” Aiden teased.
River grinned at Bel’s father. “Yeah, and that was awesome, but…we’re talking about barbecued ribs and collard greens. Sorry. No competition.”
Aiden laughed, shaking his head, but he still grabbed a plate with River and started adding small amounts of food. He hadn’t seen Aiden eat food since Bel had been a child and Aiden was going through the motions of trying to appear human. When he caught Bel watching him, he shrugged. “If I’m going to come in third because of food, I should at least find out what I’m losing to.”
Plates were filled, and Bel found himself seated on the floor between River and Wyatt, who were determined to feed him little bites off their plates.
Aiden stood for a moment, plate in hand, as he looked over the gathering. His eyes finally settled on River and Bel, a hint of a smile on his lips. “You both look considerably better than when you arrived earlier today.”
“We are,” Bel said, smiling broadly up at him. “Much better. Thank you for saving our lives.”
Aiden bowed his head. “It was my honor.” He turned and dropped into a seat that was not his usual throne-looking chair. “How about you fill us in on what caused such injuries?”
Bel launched into a detailed description of their struggles with Albert’s pack, the discovery of the murdered man, and the information Wyatt’s sister had brought to them about how Albert came to be alpha of the pack in the first place. For some, it was a repeat of old information, but Bel didn’t know who was aware of what any longer.
“Your sister and brother-in-law are fine and safe,” Winter chimed in. “It’s why I couldn’t come here earlier. I had just gotten them both settled in my safe house at sunrise. I wanted to stay with them for a few days to make sure they were safe, and the house wasn’t being watched.”
“Thank you, for everything,” Wyatt murmured. Bel leaned against him, offering what comfort he could. There was no telling what would happen between Wyatt and his sister after everything was over, assuming they all survived. He didn’t know if it was too late for Wyatt and Casey, but he knew Wyatt would feel better knowing his sister was alive and happy somewhere, even if they never spoke again.
When everything Bel knew had been presented, the room fell silent. It was a lot to take in. The Variks already had enough problems worrying about the Ministry. Now was not the time to take on a werewolf pack, but they hadn’t gone looking for this trouble. Albert had come after them.
And Bel was going to protect his wolves.
“That’s not everything,” Marcus announced suddenly. Bel looked up and was surprised to find his brother staring pointedly at Aiden. “I feel like you know a lot more about werewolves and the truce than you’re letting on.”
“Yes, it was quite curious you knew to expect River’s violent reaction to the vampire blood,” Rafe said.
“And have you seen a werewolf transformed into a vampire?” Bel pushed.
“What? What the fuck happened this afternoon?” Winter demanded.
Frowning, Rafe recapped the arrival of Bel and his wolves earlier in the day as well as what happened when River was given Aiden’s blood. Of course, he said all of it with his usual tact.
Bel looked over at River, and his heart sank at the man’s sudden pale cheeks and wide eyes.
“I didn’t realize. Don’t remember any of it,” River mumbled.
Bel immediately held him tight. “You didn’t hurt anyone. You have nothing to feel bad about.”
“I just woke up feeling amazing.”
“Oh, and then Bel got drunk on werewolf blood!” Rafe exclaimed.
“What? Drunk?” Winter threw up his hands. “I can’t believe I missed it. Did you at least record it on video?”