Page 29 of War Games

“Why are you not talking about what I did?”

“Because I know why you did it, and I thought it would be good to tell you a story about how Carey learned something from Dirk, who has his own strengths, education, and survival skills,” Heath explained, finally reaching out to put an arm around Landon.

“I know he does,” Landon said, his body beginning to shake. The words came out like they had from the young boy overa century ago, fighting back the tears brought on by being overwhelmed by fear. “I know.”

“Do you trust me?” Heath asked.

Landon nodded.

“Do you trust Jacky?”

Another nod.

“Do you trust Dirk?”

Landon’s nod became vigorous.

“Then we’re going to go to training in the morning, and you’re going to work hard to pay for the day you missed. Jacky and Dirk are going to go do what they promised their family they would do. By the end of the week, you’ll see it will all be okay.”

“He’s…”

“Important to you. I know,” Heath said, pulling his son in tighter.

“He’s the first and only,” Landon continued, leaning even closer, his head on Heath’s chest. “He’s the one person I’ve ever loved. I can’t lose him. I can’t let those witches get him. I can’t?—”

“And we’ll help you protect him, but you can’t do that by caging him. You can protect him better by working with him as his partner, and you know that, Landon,” Heath said, rubbing his son’s back. “You know that. Now, take a deep breath.”

Landon tried, and Heath continued to comfort him. The fear was wildly irrational in its power for someone like Heath. He’d faced this time and time again. He’d made the mistake of not being the best partner with Landon’s mother. He was adamant about not making the same mistake with Jacky, but then the fear didn’t paralyze him like it did Landon.

Landon had no experience with it, though. None at all. Heath felt idiotic for not really thinking about it sooner. Landon, who was ostracized and attacked for what he looked like, who he was attracted to, and what type of werewolf he had become, never had a real loving partner before. With Dirk’s transition to awerewolf, then what happened in Germany, Heath should have known that Landon would only grow more fearful of losing Dirk to something violent and tragic.

“I’ve got you,” Heath whispered to his son, holding him as he cried until he passed out from exhaustion, just like he had when Landon was so much younger.

11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Ididn’t ask Dirk about what happened. I could probably make a good guess based on his scent and expression, but I didn’t ask.

“Good morning,” was all I said as he rolled off the couch in the clothing he’d worn when he arrived in the middle of the night.

“Good morning,” he said softly. I pushed the plate of eggs and bacon in front of him. I had gotten up and made it while he slept, knowing the smell would get him moving eventually. With only five hours of sleep, I wasn’t feeling great, but I would survive the day if I got enough caffeine. Dirk looked terrible, which meant I would be driving.

I guess I’ll need to start that second pot of coffee now.

I did that as Dirk ate, saying nothing. Carey said good morning to both of us, inhaled her food, and left for her first class of the day. When Heath finally arrived, nearly an hour later, he went straight to the young man and rubbed his head.

“He’s better today. He’ll be walloped today in training as a dummy for the others. He’s also very sorry, but you can talk to him about that when you’re ready to. He’s going to leave youalone until you get back, so if you don’t want to see him, you don’t have to?—”

“Of course, I want to see him,” Dirk growled, interrupting Heath without a single regard for Heath’s position over him.

I was honestly proud, even though I shouldn’t have been. Heath looked at me for only a second, certainly catching the pride in my scent as I sipped coffee from my place by the counter.

“He’s getting ready for training in the security building. The pack is showing up soon, so if you want it to be private, go now.”

Dirk was already leaving the house by the time Heath was finished. He chuckled and looked at me once again.

“He and I haven’t talked,” I said over my mug. “He fell on the couch, and I left him there. Made breakfast and let him decide if he wanted to talk.”

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