Chapter Seven
“I promise that I’m okay and that I can walk just fine,” Seth said as he glared at his brother.
Theo was standing in front of the door, his arms crossed over his chest. When Seth had mentioned that he was planning on seeing Ryan today, Theo had told him to ask Ryan to come over instead of going to him. In turn, Seth had told him to fuck off and that he could walk to meet Ryan.
Theo hadn’t appreciated that. He’d been protective before, but after what had happened the other day, his protectiveness had kicked into high gear. He’d insisted that Seth stay with him and Chance for a few days, the time to heal, and Seth hadn’t been able to say no.
He wished he had. He loved Theo, but his brother had been hovering since that day. Seth was pretty sure that Theo checked that he was still breathing while he was sleeping. He was still freaking out, even though the pack healer had told him that Seth was okay.
“You should get more rest,” Theo said.
“Or maybe I should listen to the healer and leave this house. You heard her. It’ll do me good.”
“It would also do you good to rest.”
“Theo, I’m fine, and if I sit on that couch for any longer, my ass is going to turn square.”
“I’m sure Ryan wouldn’t mind.”
“Maybe not, but he will mind if I’m late. You know what happened the last time I was.”
Theo frowned. Seth had been lucky that he was on his way to meet Ryan and that Ryan had known something was wrong when he’d been late.
Those mages had been there to kill shifters.
If it hadn’t been Seth, it would’ve been someone else, and he was glad it had been him.
He didn’t want to think about his brother or Thomas having to deal with two mages.
Seth had won. Well, Ryan had. He’d sent one of the mages running and had killed the other.
By the time James and Chance had reached that mage, he’d been dead, so they hadn’t been able to interrogate him.
That wasn’t going to stop Chance. He’d been on the phone almost twenty-four seven since it had happened, which was probably one of the reasons Theo was obsessing so much over Seth. He didn’t have Chance to distract him.
Seth sighed. “I promise I’m fine. I’m not dizzy anymore, and it’s not like I’ll be alone. Ryan will keep an eye on me, and I know he promised you to call if anything happened.”
At least Theo looked guilty. Seth wasn’t surprised that he’d gone behind his back and had asked Ryan to do that. He wasn’t angry or anything. He understood why his brother was worried about him.
Theo sighed. “Fine. But be careful, okay?”
“I’m not going far.” In fact, Seth was going home.
He wasn’t moving back yet—he didn’t think Theo would survive that right now—but he and Ryan wanted some time alone, and Thomas was at work.
They could sit on the couch and watch a movie, maybe make out a little.
Seth didn’t really care what they did as long as they did it together.
He still hadn’t had the opportunity to ask Ryan to move in with him, but maybe today could be the day. He was pretty sure Ryan would say yes, but he was still a bit afraid.
“Call me if you need anything,” Theo said as he stepped aside.
Seth moved forward, but he stopped to hug his brother before leaving. “I love you.”
Theo sniffled. “Love you, too. Now go. Ryan won’t be happy if you’re late.”
“I’ll tell him it was because of you.”
“I don’t want him to hate my guts.”
Seth laughed and finally left the house. Ryan could never hate Theo, but he’d be anxious if Seth was late, and Seth didn’t want him to be. They both needed to be a little careful with each other until they were over the attack.
Seth wasn’t surprised to see Ryan sitting on the porch steps when he reached the house. Ryan looked up and smiled, getting to his feet to brush the dirt off his ass. Seth took a moment to look at him. He really was lucky, wasn’t he?
“I’m surprised Theo allowed you out of the house,” Ryan said.
“It was touch and go for a bit.”
“How long do you think it’ll take him to knock on your door?”
“I told him we were planning on watching a movie, so I’m guessing at least two and a half hours. Maybe he’ll text first.”
Ryan smiled. “We should go in.”
They settled on the couch, even though Seth wished they could go upstairs.
He didn’t want to push Ryan, and even though he’d told Theo that he was okay, his body still ached.
It wasn’t only his head. He’d hit his back, too, and while he’d been in his bear form and that had protected him, it didn’t mean he hadn’t felt it.
He was happy to sink into the couch and snuggle into Ryan’s arms as soon as Ryan was done pulling up a random superhero movie and starting it.
Ryan kissed Seth’s forehead. Seth was pretty sure that neither of them was paying attention to the movie, but that was okay. They weren’t really here to watch a movie, anyway.
“What’s Chance up to?” Ryan asked as he gently carded his fingers through Seth’s hair. He was careful because of the wound that was there. Seth enjoyed it anyway.
“He’s been locked in his office since the attack.”
“I’m not surprised. Did he contact the coven?”
“They’re not answering. He can’t let it go, though.”
Because he’d been clear. He’d told the three leaders that if they tried anything, he’d have to stand up and defend his pack.
Well, they had tried something, and while no one had been seriously hurt, Chance couldn’t let it go.
The problem was that he couldn’t attack the coven head-on.
They were too dangerous. He had to strike a delicate balance, and Seth didn’t think he’d found it yet.
Ryan snorted. “Even if they did answer, they’d tell Chance that they had nothing to do with it. They won’t take responsibility.”
“They’re going to wish they hadn’t sent anyone once he’s done with them. He’ll make sure they can’t do anything like that again. From what I know, our mages have been working almost twenty-four seven to update and cast more protective spells.”
Ryan nodded. “They have been. I’ve talked to one of them and volunteered to help.”
“What did they say?”
“I start tomorrow. My parents are unhappy because they’re scared something’s going to happen to me, but I need to do it.”
Ryan had mentioned his parents. This was the in Seth needed.
He straightened slowly so he could look Ryan in the eyes. “About your parents.”
Ryan frowned. “What about them?”
“Well, I know you love them, but maybe you should consider putting some space between the three of you.”
“What are you talking about?”
Seth was making a mess. He just needed to come out and say the words, and he’d deal with whatever the outcome was. “Well, there are plenty of empty bedrooms in this house, and Thomas agreed that it would be nice to have you around more.”
Ryan blinked. “Has he?”
“He said he was fine if you wanted to move in with us.”
“Are you asking me to move in with you?”
Ryan seemed to be trying very hard not to smile, but he was failing. Seth wasn’t sure if he wanted to kiss him or hit him. A little bit of both, maybe, even though he knew that Ryan was teasing.
“Yes,” he said as he pressed his palm over Ryan’s heart. “I’m asking you to move in.”
“And Thomas is fine with it?”
“He’s the one who brought it up to begin with. You don’t have to worry about Thomas. You’re moving in with me. You can have your own room if you want to, but I’d love it if you wanted to share.”
Ryan stared at Seth for a moment. Seth told himself not to freak out. He and Ryan were solid. Seth had no reason to worry that Ryan wouldn’t want to move in with him.
“I’d love that,” Ryan said with a smile.
“Yeah?”
“At least if I live with you, I can keep an eye on you.”
Seth slapped Ryan’s chest. “I don’t need anyone to keep an eye on me.”
“I beg to differ. The last time I wasn’t with you, you were blasted against a tree.”
“Well then, it’s a good thing that from now on, you’ll always be with me.”
Ryan smiled softly. Seth knew Ryan would never hesitate to use his magic to protect him, no matter what the pack thought of it. “Yeah. Always.”