Page 22 of Rumble of the Crumble

“Red and Gordon have taken Tim and the babies back to their place. Red insisted Tim needed family stalk time.”

I translated that as, Red was freaked out and needed his brother. My suspicions were confirmed when Tartie continued. “Glass and Apollo will go there later. Everyone else is at Goliath’s for now. Goliath is making sure every stalk can bed down in soil if they need to.”

“He’s a good stalk.”

“He is, although I don’t really know him. Our paths don’t cross.”

I nodded, but my thoughts were already straying to Butch. I hoped he was safe and stayed away from the fire.

I’m alright, he soothed across the link.Don’t worry about me.

If I’m your mate, it’s my job to worry about you, I thought tartly, as I climbed into the pride van.

If?Butch sounded exasperated.

I know you’re my mate. It’s too much to process at the moment.

I know and I’m sorry. I promised I wouldn’t push you.

Before I could respond, he saidI’ve got to go. Stay safe.And then the link was empty.

“Hey, Leo.”

“Huh?” I looked up to see Randy staring at me. “What’s wrong?”

“That’s what I asked you. I guess you were talking to your stalk-a-luscious.”

“Stalk-a-luscious? What are you? Twelve?”

From the driver’s seat, Tartie leered at his mate. “Definitely not twelve.”

I sighed, closed my eyes, and ignored them as they eyeballed each other. Thankfully there was no one else on the road as I felt the van swerve.

“Try not to kill us before we get there, huh?”

They ignored me.

Apollo hauled me into a hug as soon as I got out of the van. Then it was Drew’s turn, followed by Burke with the babies squished between us. I received a hug from everyone there. I’m not sure if they were reassuring themselves or me, but it was needed. We were all filthy and tired and stressed, but at least we were together.

Then Glass hugged me, saying, “This one’s from Tim, Red, and Gordon.”

I hugged him back. “Thanks. I needed that.”

When he stepped back, Drew presented me with a large cup. I peered at the contents.

“Hot chocolate?”

“You need to sleep. Doc’s orders. No coffee.”

“Is Doc Picker here?”

“He’s asleep. Drink up, then you can sleep. We’re taking it in turns to guard the place.”

I wasn’t going to argue. My throat was raw from the smoke, and I needed a drink.

The hot chocolate soothed my throat. “I can guard while you sleep,” I offered after taking several sips of the yumminess.

Apollo shook his head, his curls dancing around his face. “No. Shift and curl up with Randy and Burke.”

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