Page 22 of No Honor Amongst Shifters
“For the record, I think he’s good for you,” Donahue said.
Roslin didn’t have to ask.“How would you know?”
“You’ve been drifting a bit the past two years.I know you love us, and we love you, but we all have someone now, and I can see how much that hurts you.”
“I’m happy for you and Olsen and Victor,” Roslin quickly said.
“I don’t doubt that you are.I just know that you have a lot of love to give, and maybe you found the right person to give it to.”
Donahue was unusually serious.It gave Roslin pause.“You don’t care that he betrayed the clan?”
“I don’t think he did it for malicious reasons.He was an idiot, but he’s young.He’ll use this opportunity to grow.”
“He wants to leave once this is over.”
Donahue grimaced.“I can’t say that I like the idea of you ending up who knows where, but you and Alcott will make the best decision for the two of you.”
Before Roslin could tell him that they weren’t making joint decisions, the bar door opened again.Alcott was the first one who came out, quickly followed by Terrence.Roslin had to resist the urge to run to them.
They didn’t want to attract any more attention than they’d already gotten, so Roslin forced himself to stay where he was.Thankfully, Alcott and Terrence came toward them, ignoring the dragons hanging around.
Terrence walked straight into Donahue’s arms while Roslin watched Alcott.Alcott shuffled his feet and reached for Roslin, then dropped his hand as if he wasn’t quite sure he was allowed to touch him.Roslin wanted to tell him that of course he was, but before he could, the dragons had gathered around them.
“How did it go?”Tim asked.
Alcott nodded.“Well.They’ve agreed to stand down and disobey Irwin’s orders when he gives them.A few refused, but I don’t think they’ll talk.They’re scared.”
Roslin grimaced.“You can’t know for sure that they won’t run to Irwin.”
“I can’t know anything for sure.Maybe the ones who agreed to help will change their mind.We won’t know until the fight starts.”
That was another fear Roslin needed to deal with.They were at the mercy of these cockatrice shifters.“What did you offer?”
“What Elijah told us to offer,” Terrence interjected.“They know we have to kill Irwin because he’s a danger to our clan, but we reassured them that Elijah had no intention of invading their territory.He doesn’t want the cockatrice clan.Hell, I’m pretty sure he’d be happy never seeing a cockatrice shifter again after this mess is over.”
“I told them to start thinking about who could take Irwin’s place once he’s gone,” Alcott said softly.“They mentioned Curt’s mother.”
Roslin didn’t know much about the woman, but he was aware of the fact that she and Elijah had talked about taking down Irwin.He personally didn’t understand how anyone could trust her, but as long as she didn’t hurt the people he loved, he and everyone else were ready to hand her the cockatrice clan on a silver platter.Roslin didn’t care what happened to the cockatrices.Maybe he should because they were human beings, but they were a danger to the dragons and their clan, so Roslin couldn’t afford to worry about them.They hadn’t stood up to Irwin until their lives were in danger.They needed to deal with the consequences of that.
It sounded like they would.Roslin didn’t know if Curt’s mother would be a good leader, and he didn’t care.If she became problematic, Elijah would deal with her, too.
He was relieved when Leo ordered them back into the cars.He didn’t like standing in the middle of the street.It left him and Alcott too vulnerable.
“How did they take seeing you?”he asked gently as they settled in the back seat.
“I think a lot of them still pity me.I made sure they could see the bruises.”
So that was why Alcott was wearing a t-shirt that was smaller than anything Roslin had seen him wear until now.It exposed his arms and part of his chest, and Roslin didn’t like the blue and purple marks he could see on Alcott’s skin.The contrast with his white t-shirt was stark and a reminder of what he’d been put through.
Roslin wanted to reach over and pull Alcott into his arms, but it would be stupid to do with Tim and Leo at the front of the car.That was why he waited until they were back at the house and on their way to Alcott’s room.They’d talk to Elijah tomorrow, but Terrence had texted their leader to let him know things had gone well.Now, everyone could go to bed, and while Roslin desperately wished he could get into Alcott’s bed, he knew Alcott didn’t trust him that much yet.
That was why he stopped in front of Alcott’s door.He unlocked it and pushed it open, but he didn’t step in the way he wanted to.
“I’m glad you’re safe,” he told Alcott.
Alcott nodded.“And I’m glad things seem to be going our way.I know you don’t trust the cockatrices, and I’m not sure I do, either, but I really think this will help.”
Alcott was so eager to help that it hurt to see.Roslin leaned forward, gently cupping Alcott’s cheek.Alcott sucked in a breath, but he didn’t say anything or move when Roslin pressed their lips together.
