Page 36 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Seth kissed him. “I’m fine, baby. But this is wearing me out.” He smiled. “Not bad for my first time, though.”

“You’re asleep too?” Brick asked.

Seth nodded. “But it takes so much energy, even when I’m sleeping.”

“Is your dad with you?”

Another nod. “He’s okay too.” Seth frowned. “I have to leave you.”

“Tell your dad we’re at Dellan’s home,” Brick said urgently. “And don’t lose hope. Wewillfind you, okay?”

Seth gave them a tired smile. “I believe you. I’ll try again in a day or two. Brick….” He stood on his toes and kissed Brick on the lips. “Take care of our mate.”

“I will. Can’t wait to meet you.”

Aric leaned in for one last kiss while he had the chance. “Be safe. Love you.”

“Love you too.” Seth’s image grew faint, grew transparent, and then he was gone.

Aric woke up to find Brick sobbing beside him in the bed.

“Don’t cry. He’d hate us to cry.” Aric’s own tears threatened to spill over his cheeks.

“He was in my arms,” Brick said, his voice cracking.

Aric nodded, snuggling against him. “And he will be again. We have to believe that.” A thought came to him, and he smiled. “And in the morning, we can tell Dellan his dad is okay.”

A little drop of joy in an increasingly scary situation.

“Close your eyes,” Aric whispered. “Let’s go to sleep and dream of Seth holding us.”

That sounded like the sweetest dream ever.

SETH OPENEDhis eyes. The room lay in darkness. He brought his fingers to his cheeks and found them damp.

I did it. I fuckingdidit.

And if he could do it once, he could do it again.

He debated waking Jake to tell him what had transpired but decided against it.

Dad needs his sleep too.

Then he realized that was the first time he’d referred to Jake in his thoughts as his dad.

Well, heis, isn’t he?

Seth couldn’t wait to see his dad’s face in the morning when he learned Brick and Aric were with Dellan. The connection felt… right.

Whatever else it felt escaped him as Seth struggled to keep his eyes open.

One thing was certain. He would be careful not to let anyone know what he’d accomplished, with the exception of Dad and Jamie.

I don’t want to give these bastards any more ammunition.

Who knew where they would use it?

Chapter Eight

---