Page 18 of Midnight Rules
“Twenty-Eight.” Iven had done his homework. He’d known the basics about Marric and even some things that went beyond that. “Can you call Zinnie and Maggie? Ask them to come over.”
“What should I tell them about him?” Riley’s eyebrows drew together. “He looks a lot younger.”
Indeed, Marric did appear a few years younger than his age. When he was sleeping, he almost seemed innocent too. Instead of commenting on the way Riley clearly wanted him to, Iven ignored the age argument Riley wanted to have. Or rather, the ribbing Riley wanted to give Iven for having a younger mate when Iven had given Cass and Riley a hard time when they had first bonded. “Tell them I need their healing abilities.”
“I didn’t know Zinnie and Maggie had those types of abilities.” Riley pulled out his phone.
“They aren’t healers in the traditional sense, but they know more than most about herbal magic.” Iven didn’t take his gaze off Marric.
When Marric shivered even more, Iven began taking off Marric’s shoes and the gloves he wore to keep his fingerprints off everything. He started on his clothing next, but left his underwear on.
He lifted Marric again, taking the blankets with him, and went over to the armchair in the corner of the room and sat with him in his lap. He hoped the closeness would help the shivers. Body heat went a long way when someone had a fever.
Riley had left the room to make phone calls but came back, sitting on the edge of the bed, taking them in as though he’d never seen Iven before. “Who is he?”
“His name is Marric Ransome.”
“Ransome.” Riley’s eyebrows drew together. “Why do I know that name?”
“Because Kinnison Ransome is Marric’s father. He’s the alpha of Timeston’s pack.” Iven rubbed a hand up and down Marric’s arm. He met Riley’s gaze. “Can you ask Cass to come here too?”
Riley nodded. He pulled out his phone, focusing on it before setting it down. Riley nodded to Marric. “Is he in trouble?”
“You can call it that.” Marric was in way over his head, but Iven might just be able to get him out of the shitshow he created for himself. No one knew he’d been at the crime scene and Iven wanted to keep it that way. But he wouldn’t keep secrets from either one of his family. “I think his illness is tied to the break-ins.”
Riley sucked in a breath. His eyes went wide. “He’s that guy?”
The front door opened and then closed. He expected Zinnie or Maggie, but Griffin walked through the door.
Riley blushed. “I texted him too.”
Iven nodded, letting him know he didn’t mind.
Griffin’s eyes widened when he saw Iven holding Marric. “What is happening? Riley said you need our support, and you have it, obviously, but I need way more context.”
Iven would have filled him in, but Riley was already on it. “You know those series of break-ins people are gossiping about?”
Griffin nodded. “It’s the talk of the town. Cindy Collins said it was ghosts haunting the town. Something about dead lumber barons.”
Riley gestured to Marric. “Not ghosts. He’s dad’s mate, and he’s really sick.”
Griffin drew his eyebrows together and came closer. He moved the lock of hair off Marric’s face. “Did you call mom?”
“She should be here anytime now. Maggie too.”
Griffin nodded. “Looks young. Did Riley give you a hard time about that yet? Because you deserve it.”
Iven smiled. “Not yet.”
“I got sidetracked.” Riley shrugged.
Griffin sat on the bed next to Riley.
The door opened and closed again. The next person who entered was Cass, with Maggie on his heels.
Cass kissed the top of Riley’s head. “Are you skipping class, baby?”
“Looks like it. Just for today, though.” Riley smiled at Cass. The love between them had grown in the months since they’d mated.
