Page 4 of The Wolves At My Sides

“Not really,” I shrugged. “You work in mental health. You know that everyone processes trauma differently.”

“True, but this guy will be spending a lot of time with you,” he said. “If he were an Alpha, I’d ---”

I raised both my eyebrows to let him know to tread carefully with his next words.

“Maybe I am a cave-fox, mate, but I wouldn’t be comfortable with it at all. We don’t know this guy. He’s an omega. Statistically, he’s less likely to be violent to someone he doesn’t know, but yeah, if he were an Alpha, I wouldn’t be okay with you and the baby being alone with him – at all.”

“Thank you for being honest,” I said as I processed his words.

“I’d ask you to keep your meetings with him here at the library,” Marcus continued. “You know, somewhere public.”

“Would you never trust him? I mean, if he was an Alpha. Would you not trust him after we got to know him?” I asked.

“I’m not sure. I just want to keep you safe.”

“Did you guys vet people back at The Sanctuary?” I asked him.

“Yes,” he answered without skipping a beat. “We did. Someone always knew the people coming in. Someone who could verify their stories and their temperaments. Sure, we still had some issues with trauma, but no one died from it.”

“Alpha, he’s a scared omega. He had to leave London because of the war. He had to build his own adult life without parents and then it was destroyed. I think that’s why he’s coming here. He hasn’t settled back down since the war and he’s looking for safety.”

“Probably,” Marcus nodded. “You know I’m only vetting them without you because we agreed that we’d like one of us to always be with Faran until he turns one, right?”

“I know. That’s why I’m letting you get away with it. Shepard thinks you should meet him first too. It still makes you a cave-Alpha, but I’m willing to let it slide.”

“Thanks for that,” he chuckled, finishing his sandwich.

“I think I’m still getting used to so many people caring about my safety,” I admitted. “My parents wanted to keep me away from everyone because of my condition. So, sometimes that colors what I think is going on.”

“No, mate. I’m not hiding you out of shame. I’m hiding you out of my fox being a first-time territorial sire who would not hesitate to eat a fucking wolf who looked at our baby cross-eyed. There’s a difference. My emotions are mine to process and work through. Those included. Fen is a stranger. So, it makes sense to vet him.”

“That it does,” I nodded. “It’s sexy when you want to eat hypothetical threats to our firstborn.”

“Save that feeling for tonight,” he grinned. “I’ll tell you how I’ll eviscerate anyone who bothers you or Faran.”

“Promises, promises,” I laughed, but his words hit me square between the legs. “Do you really have to go back to work?”

“Afraid so. One more client and then I meet the man of the hour.”

“Be careful,” I stood up when he did.

We shared a quick kiss as he passed Baby Faran back to me.

“I always am. I love you, mate,” he caressed my cheek. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too,” I said and swallowed down a whine from my wolf who didn’t want Marcus to leave either.

Chapter Three

Marcus

Holden was one of my favorite patients. He currently worked at the library with Shepard, but before that he was a Moonscale Guard and a lot of his mindfulness training from that time of his life made him an ideal patient. He knew what his hangups were and he was eager to speak about them during our sessions.

We both left the appointment in a good mood, having talked about his passed-on mate’s favorite poetry for the last quarter hour of our time together. I had about twenty minutes before Fen and Bobby were due to arrive. I cleared away my files and booted down my computer. Ireallydidn’tthink Fen was on his way to Heartville to steal client information, but it was my responsibility to protect their secrets and I took that oath seriously.

My phone vibrated in my pocket – twice before I managed to get it out.

IRWIN: I love you. I miss you. Faran’s napping. Please try to be nice to Fen. You’re always nice but try extra hard with him. I know your fox is on edge. I can feel it.

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