Page 37 of Beautiful Butterfly

It was unfortunate he couldn’t kill Solomon a dozen more times. Wyatt thought he would get satisfaction at taking the man’s life, but he was still left with a lot of anger because of a couple of things. One, those hellhounds. When Wyatt had gone down, he’d known Alister would be taken. With his wounds, he hadn’t been able to fight. For a moment, Wyatt feared he would bleed out.

Two, and the worst, seeing his naked mate on that bed, Solomon hovering over him, his Taser raised. The image was burned into his memory. He thought he’d been too late, thought Solomon had… Wyatt rolled his shoulders and deeply exhaled as he watched three kids run past him, their parents trailing behind as the father pushed a stroller.

“Afternoon, Deputy Birch,” Nathan Gromwell said.

“Afternoon, Nate, Donna.” Wyatt nodded at the two of them then crouched and smiled at their youngest. “Lydia is growing like a weed.” He tickled her chin filled with slobber then made a face at the adorable little human. “How old is she now?”

“Sixteen months,” Donna announced proudly. “Seems like only yesterday she was born.” She looked up. “Boys, get back here right now!”

The three stopped running and groaned as they made their way back to their parents.

Wyatt stood. “I don’t know how you guys do it,” he said. “I can’t imagine taking care of one, let alone four.”

“Never a dull moment,” Nate replied. “It was nice talking to you.”

“Enjoy your day,” Wyatt said just as Alister walked out the front door of the therapy office. His mate’s eyes were puffy, and his nose was red, but he smiled at the couple and waved his fingers at Lydia, who squealed in delight at him.

“I have a way with the little ladies,” Alister said when Donna smiled. “They’re just such cutie pies at that age.”

Nate and Donna started walking again as Alister joined Wyatt. “Do I need to worry about Lydia stealing you away from me?”

“God no,” Alister said. “They’re cute to look at, but I draw the line at changing diapers and throw-up.”

Wyatt drew his mate between his legs and placed his hands on Alister’s hips. “You in the mood for Deep Dish, or would you rather go home?”

“Crying is exhausting and builds up an appetite,” Alister said “It’s also therapeutic. I’m famished now.”

What Alister and Dr. Kaslov talked about was between them. Wyatt just wanted his mate to know he was there for him. He nuzzled Alister’s neck, breathing in his intoxicating scent. “You okay?”

“I’ll get there.” Alister ran his hands down Wyatt’s arms. “I’m not only working through what happened to me but the damage my mom and dad caused.”

They stood there for a moment, Alister’s head on his chest, Wyatt nuzzling his mate. It was a sunny day, perfect temperature, cars passing behind them, people out enjoying the day. Yet, Wyatt leaned there, uncaring about all of that as his mate rested against him.

A small part of Wyatt thought he’d never find Alister, that he’d lost his mate forever. It was honestly a miracle that his little panda was in his arms as a soft breeze rustled the leaves above them, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Wyatt tightened his hold on Alister, feeling the weight of the past few weeks start to lift.

“I’m glad you found me,” Alister said.

Wyatt’s heart swelled with emotion. “I’ll always find you, butterfly. You’re my mate, my other half. I’ll never let you go.”

Alister looked up at him, his pale blue eyes shining. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He kissed Alister’s forehead, eternally grateful for his feisty, stubborn, beautiful mate, who continuously found his inner strength and emerged victorious every single time.

* * * *

“You made it!” Sam hugged Alister like they hadn’t seen each other in ages.

It sure as hell felt like it. Alister had just finished his fifth session with Dr. Kaslov and was feeling like his old self again.

Atlas and Kellen had shown up, as had Milo and Colt. So had Morgan’s coworkers and their mates. The sheriff and the two new deputies were absent, but Alister guessed someone had to keep an eye on their quaint town. A town that had finally grown on him.

Alister had been in Deep Dish the other day with Wyatt and seen the two men who’d been discussing cows under his window when he and Paris had an apartment together.

This time Alister engaged in the conversation for shits and giggles. The two strangers—Bert and Harry—seemed happy to talk to Alister about everything cow-related.

“Bitches be looking fabulous in that outfit!” Paris snatched Alister from Sam’s grip and nearly knocked him over with a fierce hug. “Your glow is back,” he whispered to Alister. “I’ve missed hanging out with my bestie like we used to. Mates and life, right?”

“Don’t you dare get emotional on me,” Alister said near Paris’s ear. “I’m the unstable one, remember?”

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