Page 28 of Untamed Instincts

Noah was going to shelf the whole “stepdad” thing for now. Like he’d told them, one freak-out at a time.

“Rabbit?” Killian glanced at him. “You can go first, since you’ll probably want a salad or something.”

“Are you always an asshole?”

Killian ducked out of the way when Ryker tried to cuff him again, nearly tripping over the bear’s legs. “Stop hitting me, goddamn it.”

“Stop insulting our dad’s mate,” Ryker snarled.

At least he hadn’t called Noah his stepdad again. “I’m broke, so go ahead and—”

“If I’m ordering, I’m paying.” Killian looked expectantly at him.

“In that case, I’ll take a juicy cheeseburger, well done, on a pretzel bun, with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles. A large fry, with a side cup of steak sauce, a large iced tea, and a chocolate molten lava cake, ice cream on the side.”

Killian’s mouth dropped open slightly. “Color me impressed. You’re gonna fit in nicely. Maybe you can get Wesley to eat like that.”

Noah had no clue who Wesley was.

As if reading his mind, Ryker said, “He’s our younger brother’s mate.”

Noah vaguely remembered Quinton telling him he had three sons. With everything going on, he’d honestly forgotten.

While Killian and Ryker placed their incredibly large order, Noah glanced at the bear.

Might as well get used to it since I’m mated to the guy.

With a deep breath and hammering heart, Noah climbed over Quinton’s hind legs, settling himself against the bear’s warm body. The fur was soft under his cheek, and the rhythmic rise and fall of Quinton’s breathing started to calm the storm inside Noah’s head. For the first time since the attack, he began to feel safe again.

This was all Noah had wanted when he’d tried to approach Quinton in the hallway earlier. His mom once told him that simply touching her mate eased her anxieties better than any medication ever could.

She’d suffered from not only anxiety but depression since his dad had died three years prior to meeting Jack.

Noah thought it was just an excuse for the way the two were always hugging and caressing each other. But she had been telling the truth. All of Noah’s chaotic emotions melted away as he burrowed himself against his mate.

“Food will be ready in about thirty, rabbit,” Killian said.

Without moving a muscle, Noah replied, “I’d suggest you stop calling me that if you don’t want your dad asking why you’ve nicknamed me rabbit.”

“Good point, birdie.” Killian chuckled.

Noah groaned. “Can’t you give me a badass nickname so I’m not so intimidated around moving mountains?”

“There’s no need to be intimidated,” Ryker said with a gentle smile. “You’re a mate, which means you’re precious to us.”

Noah softly laughed. “Sorry. You made me think of Gollum when you said that. You know, Lord of the Rings?”

“I like your sense of humor.” Ryker chuckled.

Noah sucked in a sharp breath when he felt an electrical current run along his body. One second he was pressed into soft fur, and the next, he was crushed against a very hard, naked body with strong arms holding him close.

“We’ll wait downstairs for the food,” Ryker said, but Noah wasn’t paying him any attention.

He was too busy gazing into steel-gray eyes.

Chapter Seven

“Are you okay?” Quinton rubbed his hand down Noah’s back, searching the man’s eyes. He’d been terrified of leaving his mate unprotected, even though Killian and Ryker had been with Noah.

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