Page 41 of Midnight Rules
Iven figured she’d take over the house. He’d also figured Kinnison would object, but Kinnison just led Maggie up the stairs. They filed past them.
Kinnison narrowed his eyes as he passed.
Marric made the same face. It was then that he saw the resemblance. The shape of their eyes was similar. Everything else about Marric was more delicate, even down to the shape of his nose. It was thin and had a slight upturn to it at the end.
Kinnison cursed.
Maggie pushed his shoulders. “Leave them alone.”
“You don’t know—"
“Oh, I know a thing or two about alpha types. Always wanting control when you need to learn how to let go.”
Kinnison growled, but it had no heat to it. Maggie was a cute little old lady whose feistiness was fabulous. No one could stay mad at her for very long, although people have certainly stayed annoyed with her for far longer than Kinnison could.
Marric opened his mouth to say something, but Kinnison cut him off. “Shut it, kid.”
Marric finally laughed, which made Kinnison chuckle. “You’re as stubborn as your mother and sister were.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“I meant it as one.” Kinnison rubbed his chest and averted his gaze. His sadness was almost palpable.
When they were at the top of the stairs, Marric patted Kinnison’s shoulder. “I miss them too, Dad.”
Kinnison pulled Marric into a hug. “You won’t listen to reason, will you?”
“You’re not reasonable. So no, I’m not listening to it. Not anymore. And certainly not now when my life is at stake. I just want to be happy. Is that so wrong?”
Iven wanted to forget for a moment that they still haven’t solved the problem. They were a lot closer to apprehending the perpetrator, but not all the way there yet. Hell, Iven had narrowed it down to the Timeston pack and coven. But was it the entire pack and coven, or just a couple of people? One? Seven? More? He didn’t know.
“It’s not wrong at all.” Kinnison cupped Marric’s cheek and met his gaze. Whatever he saw in the depths of Marric’s eyes made him concede. He sighed and his shoulders sagged. “I don’t know how to let the pack go.”
“They’ve letusgo, Dad,” Marric said.
Kinnison released him. “All of them?”
“Iven and I will find out. We’ll continue investigating in the morning.” Including Iven in the statement drove home just how bonded they already were.
Kinnison nodded. He rubbed the back of his neck as if stress had gathered there. Maybe that’s where the grief lived for Kinnison.
Chapter Nineteen
Iven set his overnight bag next to the door and then shut it behind him.
The bedroom smelled like Marric. It was the first thing he noticed. The second thing was Marric’s nervous gestures.
Marric wrung his hands together and averted his gaze to the floor. “I’d understand if you didn’t want to bond with me tonight. Because I’m still technically cursed, although Regan won’t maintain it anymore. He’s scared I’ll send him back to the coven.” Marric shook his head. “I keep telling him I won’t, but I think it’ll take time.”
“He’s been through a lot.”
“I think he needs stability.” Marric stepped into Iven’s space. “Bonding will go a long way in creating stability for me too. Which is my point in bringing up bonding. Gods, I’m nervous.”
“Are you ready for that?” Iven didn’t know if Marric was making excuses because he didn’t want to or if he was insecure where Iven was concerned.
Iven hadn’t had any expectations of bonding upon entering Marric’s bedroom. It hadn’t crossed his mind. He hadn’t eventhought about making love. But Marric certainly brought it to the forefront of his mind.
“Very ready. More than ready, actually.” The uncertainty disappeared when Marric answered.
