Page 75 of The Bull's Head

“And we’ll find out what that is together.” He smiled at Sonia. “Thank you for calling me.”

“Anytime.” She got up and took a step for the door, then stopped. “Callum? I hope you get this all worked out.”

“Thank you for caring,” he said softly.

She snorted. “Caring? Boy, I want you in here to do your damn job. I don’t wanna be the only one baking.” Then she came back and hugged him, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. “It’ll be okay. Your mate will take care of you.”

“How’d you know?”

“Not hard to tell. The way you two look at each other lets me know everything I need to.” She turned to Teddy. “Don’t let him walk away again.”

“I won’t,” he vowed, then got up and pulled her into a hug.

After Sonia left, Teddy returned to his seat. He dipped a finger into the chocolate, then slipped it into his mouth. “Good stuff,” he declared. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

Byk sighed. “You haven’t been getting any sleep. You’ve been with me so much, you’re not getting the work done you’re here for. All I’m doing is causing you problems.”

Faster than Byk could process, Teddy was up and had Byk lifted off his feet. “You listen to me. You’re my mate. The only one I’m ever going to have. The only one I will want. The Maker brought us together, and I love the fuck out of you. This path we’re on? It’s not one I envisioned, but it’s one you’re traveling, so I’m going to be right there with you. Do you understand that?”

“But why?” Byk whimpered, shame coursing through him. His whole life he’d been someone’s problem, and Teddy was the last in the long line of people who Callum had failed.

Teddy sighed and put Byk back down. “Okay, I’m sorry. I forget you didn’t have the best family life growing up. In our house there was a lot of problems, but we knew our parents still loved us. Well, mostly. Mom did, of that we were certain. Dad was a lot more… ambivalent. We were his workforce, so he cared that we’d be able to work in the fields or get the canning done. What I’m saying is, you never knew what real love was. I did. And if you’re patient with me, I’ll be happy to teach you everything I know.”

Sometimes Byk forgot that good people existed. His teacher, who gave him the love of baking, Mal and Alp, who were working hard to give homes to those Hyde had hurt so badly, and his Teddy, who could have walked away, but instead chose to stay and fight for them to have a life together.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be. You’ve been in a horrible situation for years, and I know trust takes time to build. We have that, I swear. I’m not going anywhere unless you’re by my side. Got it?”

Byk nodded. “Can we go back to bed?”

“How about a quick romp outside to exhaust us? You need a good shift to help.” Teddy gave a sheepish smile as he picked up the bowl again. “But would it be okay if we finish the chocolate first? Seems a shame to let it go to waste.”

Teddy sat quietly in the corner, trusting Byk to do what he thought best. In truth, he’d rather drag him out of here and back to their room, but over the last three days, the nightmares were coming faster and faster. Earlier this morning, Byk lashed out at Teddy, and in those eyes he loved, Teddy could see nothing but hatred burning in them. This had to end if, for no other reason than to preserve Byk’s sanity, which was fraying.

He was grateful that Gwyneth had come with Damon, Cece, Ivan, and the boys. He needed his family to prop him up right now, especially so he could support Byk.

“It’s imperative you understand the risks, Callum.”

He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. “Byk. My name is Byk.”

Gwyneth smiled and dipped her chin slightly. “Of course. My apologies.”

Teddy knew that after the earlier episode, he was reminding himself who he was and who he belonged with. Outside the door, Teddy could smell Cece and Damon, as well as Wiley and Micah. They’d come to lend support. The one scent that comforted him most—beyond Byk’s—was Ivan. There was sadness there, and Teddy wanted nothing more than to go to him and fix it. Ivan assured him he would be fine, but Teddy didn’t believe it.

“I understand.”

And Teddy knew he did. They’d talked a lot over the last few days, and Byk had brought up the fact that he could potentially die on the table. As much as it pained Teddy to hear it, he knew Byk was preparing him for the eventuality.

“And you’re sure you want to go through with this?” Dr. Lydia asked, her nervousness obvious. “It’s not something we’d do for a human. At least I’ve never heard of it. Then again, this isn’t exactly a normal situation. I hope the Devil is slow-roasting Hyde on a spit.”

Yes, Dr. Lydia might be the one Teddy held up as an example of a good human, but she was also a mother. She’d mentioned seeing her daughter’s face whenever she looked into the eyes of the shifters that Hyde had maimed, and though it wasn’t who she wanted to be, she discovered the kernel of hatred that dwelled in her heart, and she didn’t like it at all.

“I need to do it,” Byk replied, his tone flat.

Gwyneth looked at Dr. Lydia, who nodded. “When do you want to start?”

Teddy gripped Byk’s hand, willing his strength to bolster it for both of them.

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