All Kidding Aside - Macy Blake Page 0,2

hall.

“Doesn’t look like you were waiting for me.”

Nick huffed. “No. But Victor was.”

“I’m not here to meet Victor,” Riggs said. “I’m supposed to talk to you.”

Nick huffed again, and the sleeping bear cub in his arms let out a snuffling growl. Nick began to sway back and forth as he rolled his fingers through the cub’s thick, black fur. The cub settled, and Nick turned his attention to the little boy in Victor’s arms.

“You okay, Gus-Gus?”

A little nod against Victor’s chest.

“You want Victor to be your friend today?”

Another nod.

“Cool. You hungry?”

This time a shake.

“Excellent. Puteri!”

The brownie popped into existence between them.

“Yes, Alpha?”

“Can you take Jett to his bed for me? I think he’s feeling a little better. Bring him back if he doesn’t settle.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Puteri accepted the cub—who was honestly as big as she was—and the two of them vanished moments later.

“I will never get used to that,” Riggs rumbled.

Victor wouldn’t either. Brownie magic was… well, magical and unlike anything that existed in their realm. They were lucky to have her. She’d been charged with providing service to Nick’s brother, Sawyer, and his mates after a particularly nasty incident in the fae realm. No one ever discussed the details, but apparently a grave offense had been done to the Chosen One himself. Instead of holding a grudge, Sawyer had brought Puteri back to their realm and asked her to do this service for him. Victor had the impression Sawyer’s actions had saved her life.

Nick didn’t seem bothered by the brownie’s show of power. He shrugged and began walking down the hall. Within moments, a young boy was at his side, his attention on a tablet clutched in his hands. He was older than Gus, the little guy in Victor’s arms. Victor guessed he was six or seven to Gus’s one or two. Nick didn’t say anything to the newcomer. He simply put his hand on the kid’s shoulder and continued walking. Victor and Riggs followed him.

“Nick?” Riggs said softly.

“Yeah, man? What’s up?”

“What was… wrong? With the bear cub?”

“Oh, yeah. Forgot Jett’s one of your kind. Growing pains, man. He was up all night. Poor little guy.”

Riggs grimaced. “I remember that. My mother used to put a special ointment on my joints. I can ask her for some.”

“That’d be great,” Nick said with a smile. “We appreciate any and all help.”

Nick led them into the kitchen, where a really gruff-looking man stood at the stove. A woman bustled around him, ignoring the grumbling complaints he barked out every other breath. If Victor didn’t know them both, he’d be worried, but Walt was a familiar fixture around the compound. He and his wife, Shelly, were part of the hellhound pack, even though Shelly was human, and they showed up frequently to help cook for the horde of mouths they had to feed daily.

“Walt, what’s cooking, my friend?” Nick asked.

The little boy at Nick’s side lowered his tablet and stared adoringly at the cranky cook. No one other than Shelly stared adoringly at Walt. He’d made grown men cry with his stare. Victor had literally seen a dragon turn away from Walt with teary eyes after one of Walt’s infamous tongue-lashings.

“Was gonna make chicken tacos.”

“Yum,” Nick said. “I wouldn’t mind a taco.”

Walt huffed.

Shelly grinned over at them, then stared longingly at the little boy beside Nick. “Hey, Ryan. How are you today?”

Ryan shrugged.

“You forget your words?” Walt growled.

“No,” Ryan said softly.

“Good. ’Cause I need help. You gonna help?”

Ryan’s face lit up. “Yes.”

“Get over here, then. What are you waiting for?”

Ryan shoved the tablet into Nick’s stomach and ran around the counter. Victor about passed out when the hellhound crouched down and pulled the boy into a gentle hug.

“Rough day?” Walt whispered.

Ryan nodded.

“Yeah. Me too. Better now that you’re here. Wanna learn how to shred chicken?”

Ryan nodded again.

“Good. Let’s get to work. We’ve got people to feed.”

Walt lifted Ryan and carried him over to the sink, where they began washing their hands. Nick nodded approvingly, put the tablet on the counter, and led the way out of the back door. He stretched and let out a yawn.

“What just happened?” Victor asked once the door closed behind them.

Nick grinned and began walking toward the construction area at the other side of the property. “Walt and Shelly figuring out that Ryan’s supposed to be theirs.”

Victor blinked, and Riggs coughed. “What’d you say?”

Nick scowled over at the big man. “What?”

“Walt? As in hellhound Walt? Terrifying, ‘I will cut out your tongue if you don’t shut up’ Walt?