Page 49 of The Bull's Head

“Thank you, First. If you’d like to go through those boxes,” he said, pointing to the ones in the corner.

“Will do. Figure out where you want Damon, Cece, and the boys. They’ll be here in about fifteen minutes.”

“They’re coming to help?”

“Of course. I’m sorry we haven’t had time the last few days. Damon was helping me put out some fires with the Council, and Cece was playing den mother while Alp was working on some things.” Mal ducked his head and scratched his neck. “It’s not a legitimate reason. We should have all been here, helping you. I’m sorry we?—”

Teddy held up a hand. “Please, First. Don’t. Byk and I aren’t the only people you all worry about, and it would be selfish of me to think that everything else should come second to us. Alp spent the whole day here helping, and Cece massaged my shoulders, you all brought me food. Everyone helped in ways they could. I am grateful to have any assistance, but not one of you left me alone.”

Mal shook his head. “That’s not an excuse. I’m the First, and you’re part of my pack. I should have been able to find someone to help out and?—”

“Mal, stop. Really. There’s no reason to feel guilty, I swear.” He took a breath. “Do you want me to feel bad because I haven’t been doing the job you hired me for?”

“What? No, of course not. Callum should be your priority right now.”

“And the pack should be yours. All parts, not just us. If you all have time, I would love a few extra hands, but I won’t be upset if you’re all busy.”

Mal looked distinctly uncomfortable. “Look, let me feel guilty. It’s a good motivator to get this done. After we’ve found a way to help you both, then I’ll stop. Fair?”

“Fair.” Teddy held out a hand, but Mal grabbed it and pulled him close.

“You are pack, Teddy. Never forget that.”

He stepped back, then went over to where Teddy had indicated the boxes. He grabbed the first one, then sat in the spindly chair and got started.

“Mal?”

He peered up. “Yeah?”

“Can we… find Alp something else to do?”

“I’m sure I could. Why?”

“Earlier I found some documents that would probably upset him, and… well, I like your mate a great deal. He’s all sunshine and sweetness.”

Mal snorted. “Alp? You’re talking about my rabbit, right?” He laughed so hard, he had tears streaming down his cheeks. “Alp sweet. Oh, Maker. Please let me tell him you said that.”

“Are you saying he’s not?”

When Mal finally sobered, he gripped Teddy’s shoulders and stared into his eyes. “Alp is the kindest, gentlest, most loving person I’ve ever met. He’s also got a steel rod for a spine. I’m not saying he doesn’t get hurt, because we all know that’s not true. Every time he looks at one of the people here, I can see it in his expression. He wants to take away all their pain and have their lives be happy and carefree, but he also knows that’s not possible, so he does what he can to make things better for everyone.”

“But at what cost?”

Mal seemed startled. “What do you mean?”

“He puts up a good front, but Alp is hurting every bit as much as these people. You can see it when he flinches at loud noises, or melts into the background around people he doesn’t know. Alp is afraid, but he faces that fear as much as he can. Having you as a mate gives him a strength he might not have otherwise.”

“Y-You think Alp is afraid?”

“Wouldn’t you be? Everyone here has fears, and it would be impossible for Alp not to have them too. I know when we get Byk back, he’s going to need me to hold him together sometimes, and that’s fine. I’ll do that every day for the rest of my life, just so I can see him smile.”

Mal sighed. “I’m glad to hear you say that. The pack needs more mated pairs.”

Even the First saw Teddy and Byk as mates. Teddy wanted that more than he ever imagined he could want something. What was it about Byk that called to Teddy and his bear? Why could both of them see laying with Byk, cuddling under a tree, sleeping together, with Teddy’s head across Byk’s back? Why hadn’t he ever wanted to be with another person until he met his bull?

“Is it too soon for me to love him?” Teddy asked, giving voice to the question that had been nagging at him for days now.

A soft hum. “I knew I wanted to be with Alp, even when he was still in rabbit form. I think it’s our animals that know. They aren’t worried about it being too soon or maybe we’re not right for each other. They feel the connection on a level we can’t understand, and it takes our human brains time to catch up, because we’re hung up on the aspects of love that aren’t nearly as important.”

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