Page 20 of Cupcake

Instead of listening, his familiar took off at a run.

No! His stubborn, irritating, ridiculous familiar. Dean chased after Noah until he couldn’t get any closer without the pack being able to sense him. Noah didn’t stop. Dean had to back away far enough that he could send his magic out to keep an eye on Noah. Who had reached Dean’s mate.

“A cat!” Logan exclaimed. He pulled Noah into his lap as the other boys came running. “It’s not Gage although he looks just like him!”

Dean was going to kill his familiar. And who was Gage?

“Daddy! Daddy! Logan found a cat,” Bryce called. “Can we keep him?”

“I’m pretty sure the cat found him,” Axel replied as he approached.

The alpha was spot on. Dean didn’t know what Noah’s motives were, but he was starting to think that his familiar was taking a stand. Noah hadn’t made it a secret that he’d disapproved of how Dean was handling his mate.

“He’s so pretty,” Logan said. “And soft.”

Noah purred from Logan’s lap.

One dead familiar coming right up.

Logan continued to stroke Noah’s back. “Do you…do you think…”

“Logan?” Axel was now rubbing Logan’s back as the boy grew upset.

“Is this Noah? Dean’s assistant? Is Dean back?” Logan asked quietly. “It smells like him.”

Dean’s magic amplified what Dean needed to hear. Dean could clearly pick up on Logan’s distress. Logan had figured out that Noah belonged to him. His mate was too smart.

“It’s possible,” Axel said slowly. “I haven’t heard anything.”

“Could…” Logan swallowed hard. “Could you call him? Let him know that we have Noah. Make sure he’s not hurt? What if…what if he didn’t make it back? What if Noah is all alone?”

“I’ll call. Why don’t you and the boys take Noah inside? Get him something to eat and drink?”

Logan gasped. “He might be hungry.” The boy scrambled to his feet. “Come on, guys! We need to take care of Dean’s—of Noah!”

The boys all rushed off as Axel rose to stare out into the forest.

Busted.

Trevor, Gavin, and Levi all joined Axel at the tree line.

“You might as well come out,” Axel said quietly. He knew he didn’t have to raise his voice for Dean to hear.

Damn it! Dean strolled forward, knowing that it was time to face the music.

He was greeted by scowls and frowns.

“Welcome home,” Axel greeted. He wasn’t actually offering a warm welcome.

Dean nodded.

“It seems like your cat has more sense than you do,” Gavin accused. “Or balls. To show up here.”

“I’ve been back for three days. I’ve been watching over him.”

Trevor snorted. “I’m sure he would appreciate that if he knew. Not. And now he thinks something happened to you and Noah is all alone.”

Dean rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s not like I planned this. Noah…he does have a mind of his own. Damn familiar.”

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