Page 20 of Untamed Instincts

Ryker’s stance shifted. He was clearly uncomfortable with the gravity of the situation. “After I texted you last night, Killian and I went on the hunt for Toro to try and find out what the vampire was up to. We came across him behind the vet clinic and overheard him talking with some lackeys. He mentioned Noah by name.”

Quinton swore under his breath. He had been so focused on spending time with his mate, on trying to navigate their new bond, that he’d completely forgotten about Toro. If the vampire was gunning for Noah, that put the human in immediate danger.

“I won’t let that bastard touch him.” Quinton also needed to talk with Noah, to find out why the vampire was after him in the first place.

Ryker and Killian exchanged a glance then nodded in unison. “We’ll help,” Ryker offered, a hard glint in his eyes. “Whatever you need, Dad.”

“Thanks,” Quinton said, a menacing growl in his voice. “Because we’re not just going to sit back and wait for Toro to make his move. We’re going on the offensive.”

“It’s morning, so there’s nothing we can do until full dark,” Killian reminded him, then added, “Toro left his meeting using his inhuman speed, so we weren’t able to track where he’s holed up.”

Which presented a problem. Now that Quinton knew why Toro was in town, there was no way the human was staying at his apartment. There was too much at stake, which was why Noah was coming to Quinton’s house. The vampire was unhinged, and the last time they’d crossed paths, things had ended violently.

“I’ll meet you boys at home. I have to talk to Noah.” Quinton turned and headed back upstairs. Just thinking about the vampire made him want to rip the bastard apart.

When he quietly crept back into the apartment, he saw Noah was still asleep on the couch. Careful not to wake his mate, Quinton headed into the kitchen, needing a minute to think, to clear his head. The apartment felt too small, too stifling, with all the unanswered questions hanging in the air.

As Quinton poured himself a cup of cold coffee from the pot his mate had brewed earlier, he wished he’d told his sons to stop at Bluebird Café. And maybe the bakery for a dozen or so sweets.

In desperate need of fresh coffee and some pastries, Quinton pulled out his phone and texted Ryker, putting in his order and giving his son the unit number.

After Ryker replied with a thumbs-up, Quinton strolled into the living room. His gaze was immediately drawn to Noah, who was sitting up now, his tousled hair falling in charming disarray around his face and his half-lidded eyes still showing traces of drowsiness.

Even in his disheveled state, he was breathtakingly handsome.

“How did you sleep?” Quinton sat next to him on the couch then set aside his cup of cold coffee. He pulled Noah into the crook of his arm, and his mate snuggled up against him as if it was the most natural thing to do.

Noah rubbed his eyes and let out a big yawn before answering. “I slept on top of a warm mountain,” he replied with a sleepy grin.

Quinton chuckled at the cute response, feeling a surge of warmth in his chest at the sight of Noah so relaxed in his arms. “I’ve been called worse.”

“Are you kidding me? You’re the size of one.” Noah gazed up at him with wide eyes. “Just how tall are you?”

“Six-six,” Quinton responded with a small smile.

Noah’s lips parted. “Wow. You’re a big boy.”

It wasn’t the first time Quinton had heard that comment, but it still made him self-conscious at times. He was fully aware of his towering stature, but constantly being reminded of it could be tiresome.

However, hearing it from Noah didn’t bother Quinton at all. In fact, he quite liked it. “Can I ask you something?” He brushed some stray hairs off of his mate’s forehead.

Pulling back slightly, Noah furrowed his brows as mistrust returned to his striking green eyes. “I guess.”

Quinton searched for the right way to bring up Toro without triggering Noah’s defenses. “Do you remember the question I asked at breakfast?”

God, could he be any more vague? Quinton wasn’t one for beating around the bush, so why was he doing it now? His usual directness seemed to have abandoned him in this crucial moment.

“You’re asking a lot of questions this morning,” Noah said evasively, but the look in his eyes told Quinton that he knew exactly what question he was referring to.

“The one about what was on your mind.”

As Noah’s body tensed, he quickly looked away.

Quinton was done tiptoeing around the issue. His mate’s safety was at stake, and he needed answers, so he got straight to the point. “I know about Toro,” he stated bluntly. “What I don’t know is why he’s after you.”

Noah’s reaction was immediate. He jerked away from Quinton before he shot up from the couch. It was unclear where he was planning to go, since the living room was the size of a shoebox. His body radiated tension and panic, giving off the impression he was looking for an escape route.

“How do you…” Noah’s voice trembled with fear. “How do you know about him? Who are you?”

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