Page 26 of Chaos Claimed

Suero just shrugged, because to him, it felt the other way around.

“It still hurts though,” she murmured.

He looked around, feeling uncomfortable about discussing his feelings. It wasn’t as if his father had such openness. Pedro had been emotionally distant, never once telling Suero he loved him or was proud of him.

They’d merely coexisted under the same roof. His father never took him on trips or organized family nights like Suero’s friends enjoyed with their families.

Not once had Pedro taken the time to get to know his only child. So, when Suero had the chance to join the Salvador pack, he seized it.

The pack was a close-knit family, a brotherhood that looked out for each other, offering the support and stability, the sense of belonging Pedro had never provided.

Despite Diablo’s teasing, Suero knew the wolf would lay down his life for him, just as Suero would for each one of them.

He was startled when Macey hugged him, his arms shooting out from his sides. He sat motionless, his eyes flitting around.

“I’m sorry you’re hurting,” she murmured. “If you ever need someone to talk to, someone who understands heartache, my door is always open.”

He swallowed and gradually wrapped his arms around her slender shoulders. “Thank you.”

With a laugh, she pulled away, taking her motherly warmth with her. “How about we watch some terrible movies and indulge in even worse junk food?” Macey suggested, rising and making her way to the kitchen, with Suero trailing behind her.

“You grab the gallon of juice, and I’ll get the cookies,” she instructed. “Empty calories be damned.”

He grinned when Macey retrieved a quart of ice cream from the freezer and grabbed two spoons from the drawer.

Clearly, she meant business.

With the juice and an extra bag of chips in hand, he followed her as she carried the cookies and ice cream.

Turned out, looking after Percy’s mom wasn’t so bad after all.

* * * *

When no one answered the door, Diablo gently pushed it open. He was there to take over from Suero, to relieve him of a burden he never wanted in the first place.

A grin formed as he took in the scene. Suero and Macey were asleep on the couch. The wolf sat upright, head tilted back, eyes shut. Macey was curled up, a throw blanket covering her small frame, her head resting on Suero’s lap.

The coffee table was cluttered with snacks, and a movie played softly on the television.

Pulling out his phone, Diablo captured a few photos, but not for sharing or teasing. It was too intimate, a rare glimpse of tenderness within their pack.

He planned to send the images to Suero.

Although the wolf would be pissed they were taken, he wouldn’t delete them. They would serve as a reminder of what had transpired that night—that Suero now possibly had a maternal figure to rely on. Hopefully he hadn’t mopped her entire house. Diablo wouldn’t put it past him.

Suero opened his eyes, his irises glowing amber as they locked gazes. He’d been ready to end whoever had entered before realizing it was a pack member. Diablo gave him a peace sign before quietly exiting the house. He sat on the steps, resting back on his elbows. Inside him, his beasts stirred restlessly, growling and straining against their confines.

Even if it took him until his dying breath, he was determined to find a way to free them.

Chapter Eight

Percy had needed that release. Now he was boneless and relaxed, ready to crawl onto the bed and sleep for the next quadrillion hours. Tonight hadn’t exactly gone as planned.

His emotions felt like he’d tossed them into a blender and hit the turbo button. Now he was exhausted, physically and emotionally drained. He’d been fine getting ready, and even riding on Santiago’s motorcycle.

It was the moment Percy headed toward the bar that he’d had an overwhelming urge to leave. Like he wasn’t supposed to be there. The longer he’d talked with the bartender, the more it had felt as if the walls of the club were shrinking.

“Ready?”

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