Page 23 of Wild Reckoning

Killian should have been relieved, but he’d been right thinking the cub had seen it happen. “No one is ever going to hurt you guys again,” he vowed.

He dared anyone to try. Killian would put the bastard down. Permanently.

“How can you make such a promise?” Stewart pulled back and looked up at him.

“Because you’re my mate.” That was not what he’d meant to say. Honestly, Killian wasn’t sure what he’d started to tell him, but he couldn’t take back the words now that they were out there. And he didn’t want to. Sooner or later he would have to tell Stewart, and now seemed like as good a time as any.

“Mate?” Stewart’s brows knitted. “What does that mean?”

The doorbell erupted, putting a pin in their conversation. He handed Ethan to Stewart then walked to the living room, cursing under his breath at the shitty timing of whoever it was. At least now Killian knew why his mate was so skittish and couldn’t blame Stewart for being cautious around him. It would just take time for his mate to fully trust him, and Killian was fine with that.

But man, seeing them cry had ripped his fucking heart out, almost making him shed his own tears. Killian never wanted to see them so upset again.

Swinging the door open, he found not only Ryker standing there but his entire goddamn family. What the hell?

“Dad is dying to play with the cub,” Ryker said with a huge grin. “Couldn’t stop him from coming over here, even if I tried, which I didn’t.”

“I want to meet him,” Noah chimed in. “I can’t believe I’m an uncle!”

“Shh!” Killian glanced over his shoulder and saw Stewart heading his way, Ethan cuddled in his arms. He turned back to his family. “He’s still in the dark about everything.”

“You haven’t told him yet?” Hyett stared incredulously at him. “What the fuck are you waiting for?”

“Well, smartass, I was just cracking open the subject when you guys showed up. Perfect goddamn timing,” he growled.

“Are you gonna invite us in?” Noah asked just as Quinton brushed past Killian and walked inside the house.

“Sweet! I guess we’re invited in.” Noah walked by him, followed by Wesley, Hyett, and Ryker.

With a roll of his eyes, Killian closed the door. “Sure, come on in, everybody.”

He introduced the family members Stewart hadn’t met yet, and reintroduced the ones since his mate and Ethan might have forgotten their names.

Quinton’s gray eyes shined brightly as he gazed at the cub, looking as if he couldn’t wait to hold him and play with the toddler. Killian’s dad had had a wistful look in his eyes when his best friend, Kalen Frost, had become a grandfather. At the time, Killian had felt bad for Quinton since none of his sons could provide him with any.

Now he had one, and Killian had a feeling his father was going to spoil the hell out of Ethan.

But if Stewart became too overwhelmed at the house invasion, Killian was kicking everyone out.

The complete opposite happened to his shock and surprise. His family made Stewart feel at ease as Quinton and Wesley lay on the rug playing with Ethan and his toys. Killian’s heart clenched when the toddler erupted in giggles and Quinton’s eyes shined with unshed tears. Even Wesley, who was normally a little reserved, made explosion noises as he caused two toy cars to crash.

“That’s how I can promise your safety,” Killian whispered to his mate, nodding toward everyone.

Stewart still seemed confused. Killian took his hand and led him back to the kitchen, where it was much quieter and more private.

“There’s a reason Ethan called me a bear, though I have no idea how the kiddo knew.” Killian grinned.

“I’m listening,” Stewart said warily.

Killian just prayed his mate didn’t freak out, which was inevitable, but he could still hope.

“I’m a bear shifter, and you’re my mate. Fate thought we would be good for each other, and from the look in your eyes, I’m making your anxiety shoot through the fucking roof.”

“Smooth,” Killian heard from the living room, but his dad had said it low enough that Stewart hadn’t heard him.

It made Killian wish the kitchen had a door so he could close it…or slam it shut.

“Let me get this straight.” Stewart held up a hand. “You’re saying you can change into a bear and fate had something to do with bringing us together?”

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