Page 33 of Wild Reckoning

“Tell me what happened.” Ryker helped Stewart to his feet then immediately let his hand go as if Stewart had burned him.

“First, tell me if Ethan is safe.”

Stewart gestured at the bear’s head, where his nephew was curled up, a little drool escaping onto the thick fur.

Ryker’s eyes softened as he stared at Ethan. The tension seemed to drain from him almost instantly. “He’s in the safest place he could be,” Ryker murmured.

“So, the bear isn’t going to hurt him?” Stewart wanted it spelled out for him. This was his nephew they were talking about, a little boy who had been through too much already, and Stewart would be damned if he allowed his tater tot to be hurt again.

Even if he had to wrestle a bear to keep the toddler safe.

“Shifters are cognizant in their animal form,” Ryker explained, his gaze still lingering on Ethan, the affection clear in his eyes. “He will know who you are and be able to understand you. Now tell me what took place here.”

“What brought you here?” Stewart countered, unsure why he was even asking the question.

“I left my tools and came back to get them.” Ryker looked at him, his jaw clenching as if holding back his irritation.

Stewart didn’t care. He’d wanted to ensure his nephew was safe first and foremost.

Shoving aside Ryker’s annoyance, Stewart took a deep breath and told the guy about this morning, about what happened at the small playground, about Alonso cornering them in the bedroom, and what had led to Killian shifting. His words came out shaky, his throat tightening as he relived each moment.

His hand trembled as he rested it over his forehead, the pounding headache intensifying. And Stewart thought he was getting away from the madness when he’d left Clive. “I don’t even know why the guy was here. He was in Ethan’s room when I brought my nephew upstairs,” Stewart said a little hysterically. “What if Ethan had come in here by himself?”

The shock of seeing Killian in his bear form was wearing off, but now the reality of what could have happened, what had happened, was at the forefront of Stewart’s mind.

The weight of it all made his knees feel weak, and he had to lean against the wall to steady himself.

“I’ll stay here to make sure nothing else jumps off.” Ryker pulled out his phone. “My dad will want to be here too.”

Stewart didn’t care if the entire gang came back. He wanted an army of bear shifters surrounding him and Ethan.

* * * *

Ryker stood quietly for a moment, watching Stewart struggle with the weight of everything that had happened. The guy looked like he was seconds away from collapsing. Ryker was unsure how to comfort his brother-in-law in a situation like this, but damn if his heart didn’t twist seeing Stewart ready to fall apart.

“Stay put,” Ryker finally said, his voice gruffer than intended. He dialed Quinton. “Got a situation at baby bear’s house,” he said as soon as his father picked up.

“Is anyone hurt?” Quinton asked, clear worry in his voice.

“Killian.”

“On my way,” his dad snarled then hung up.

Fifteen minutes later, Ryker saw his father and brother pull up through the upstairs window. The front door opened, and then Ryker heard the heavy footsteps of Quinton and Hyett walking through the house. Ryker heard them coming up the stairs, each thud of their boots a promise of protection.

Quinton entered first, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on the massive bear. “How bad?” his dad asked before his eyes flicked to Stewart and Ethan. His gaze softened.

“Shot.” Ryker explained to his dad what Stewart had told him, even though the human was in the same room. Killian’s mate had already told the story once, and Ryker didn’t want him to have to repeat it again.

“How are you doing?” Quinton asked Stewart, who still appeared visibly shaken. “Stupid question, I know.”

Stewart’s smile quivered. “Holding it together…on the outside.”

“Best anyone can do under the circumstances,” Quinton replied, his voice low and soothing.

This was what Stewart needed. To feel the full protection of the Everhart men, to know they would show up at a moment’s notice to protect family and those they cared deeply about.

From the corner of his eye, Ryker saw a little head poke up. He grinned at how the cub’s blond hair stuck up in different directions, as if he’d just had the best sleep of his life.

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