Page 34 of Unbelievable Faith
Leo leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and swiped a hand over his face, “He’s a gigantic pain in the ass. Overbearing. Overprotective. Just overwhelming. How the hell do you put up withhim?”
“He meanswell.”
“He treats me like I’m a stupid child instead of anequal.”
“He means well.” Michael repeated when Leo looked sullen, “He wants to take care of you and you know he’s right. We can’t let you go back there. Not yet, there were followers of Maddox that got away. They could be waiting for you and I won’t allow you to risk your life when it would be smarter to send out scoutsfirst.”
“Allow?” Leo’s eyes flashed gold with anger but Michael onlyshrugged.
“You’re my family now. Luna is mine. That makes you my brother. I don’t risk the lives of my family and if it takes Darius to keep you here, I’ll let him do each and every thing hethreatened.”
“You really think you can hold mehostage?”
“I won’t have to. One word to my mate and she’ll make sure you seereason.”
Leo’s jaw twitched and he groaned, “Using my sister against me,Hudson?”
“We’re family now, like I said. Our packs have always been peaceful. We’ve had a good run being aligned but it’s more than that now. The Crescents and the Moirae are linked by blood. You have my back. I have yours. We’re stronger together and we’ll protect eachother.”
“Of course. I came to you for support before I knew you and Luna were fated. You helped me get my pack back and saved my sisters. I oweyou.”
“You don’t. You don’t owe me anything except to keep yourself safe. My mate would be very upset if something were to happen to you.” Michael gave the other man a pointed look, “And I have a feeling my best friend would betoo.”
If Leo could have blushed, Michael was certain his cheeks would have flamed red. Ding. Ding. Ding. Michael couldn’t help but snort a small laugh. His suspicions had been correct and he knew it before now. Still, seeing the big man across from him fidget was well worthprodding.
“You know I don’t care, right?” Michael softened his voice when Leo remainedquiet.
The other man snorted this time, “Well, that would make one of usthen.”
“Fate decides things without our input. He knows that as well as any of us.” Michaelfrowned.
“Yeah, well…” Leo scrubbed a hand over the top of his head and blew out a rough breath, “Speaking of fate, I have to ask about my sister. You, uh… You know what she is right? That’s she’s not… likeus?”
Michael acknowledged Leo’s need to change the subject and let him get away with it. If Leo thought he had Darius under control, he was wrong but he’d learn that himself. He was right about one thing at least, Leo was an Alpha and he could handle himself. Mating was a complicated issue as it was and he should focus on his ownanyway.
“I’m aware.” Henodded.
“And it’s not a problem foryou?”
“We’ll figure out whatever problems it creates with the packs but, for me, no. There’s no problem. She’s mine and she’s perfect. I couldn’t have asked for a bettermate.”
A small, sad smile flickered across Leo’s face, “I’m glad to hear that. I worried… all my life I’ve worried about her because she’s different. Our parents… they’d be thrilled to know she’s mated to a powerful Alpha that will put herfirst.”
“I’m only sorry I didn’t meet her sooner. Maybe none of this would have happened and they’d still be alive if Ihad.”
“Everything happens for a reason right?” Leo scrubbed a hand over his face and sighed, “We’re here now. All that’s left to do is move forward with the life fate’s givenus.”
Michael nodded, thinking about how much he and Leo had in common. They’d both lost their parents, brutally. They’d both inherited their packs after a lot of upheaval. They both put the people they loved first. Pack and family were everything to them, and now they were joined because of the links that would be forged through the matebonds.
This was the life they’d been given and they would make it a goodone.
He’d promised Luna he would be worthy of her and it started right here and right now. He couldn’t bring back her parents. He couldn’t undo the horrors that Maddox had delivered to her. He couldn’t bring the bastard back from the dead so she could kill him herself. But he could keep her familysafe.
“We’ll send scouts out to the boundary line today. If nothing looks amiss, I’ll send Darius with you and you can go home tomorrow to begin righting the damage that’s been done to your pack. In the meantime, spend the day here with your sisters and just be happy you’re allsafe. “
Leo frowned but nodded, “I can work withthat.”
“Good, because when you go back, they’re not going with you. The girls stay here with me and Luna for now. Once you’ve settled things with your pack we’ll discuss with them where they’d like to live until they come of age, either with you or here with Luna.Agreed?”
