Page 49 of Tempest

“Cash…” Liam said softly.

“Please, just think about it. That’s all I ask.”

Liam stared at him, studying his tense body and face. Then, he nodded once. “I will. I’ll think about it, but I can’t make any promises. I can’t even promise that if we do try and change pack law, there won’t be… repercussions we can’t anticipate.”

Cash heard what he was saying. Forcing a radical change on the pack could have a backlash that put all of them in danger, maybe especially Ore. He could become a target as the “instigator” of change.

Jaw tightening, Cash glanced at the door blocking him from seeing or hearing his mate. He would never allow anything to happen to him, but he appreciated the warning.

“I understand. Thank you.”

Cash wasn’t sure if he’d convinced him or not, but he knew Liam would consider what he had said. He hadn’t said he would just to placate him. That wasn’t his style.

The question now became: if Liam decided not to change the pack law that would allow Ore to stay, would Cash stay? Or would he go?

Even contemplating staying behind while Ore went back to wherever he’d come from, felt like a knife to his gut. His panther scratched at the surface, furious at the idea. There was no way he could do it. He hadn’t even fully claimed his little bird yet, and he was already fully consumed by him.

Just like his parents had been with each other.

But unlike them, Ore was the best person Cash had ever met. He brought out only the good in him. His protective instincts, his playfulness, his desire for a family.

The fear he’d had his whole life of turning into his parents seemed silly now. And like he should have known better. He’d seen other fated mates in his lifetime who hadn’t destroyed each other and those around them.

So why had he been afraid for so long?

Not actually a difficult question to answer after all his years of therapy as a kid. His parents’ abandonment had scarred him in a way he would never fully recover from. No matter how much logic and insight he gained as he grew older, a small, childlike part of him remained that felt like everyone he loved would leave him.

When Nan died, the idea had been reinforced. And as he’d watched Pops get older and more frail each year, the fear of being left all alone in the world had gripped him tight. Putting him in a stranglehold that only allowed him to focus on protecting those around him.

Then Ore had crashed into his life like the fiercest of windstorms, a tempest of feathers and shy smiles and pure temptation.

Suddenly, he could breathe again.

His fear didn’t completely evaporate, but he could see past it now instead of drowning.

No matter what happened with his pack, he knew without a doubt that he and Ore would build a future together. He’d never have to be alone again.

Footsteps drew him out of his deep thoughts, his heart starting to race in his chest as Ore’s floral scent hit him, excitement weaving through the notes. He didn’t smell like pain or fear, which was good, and there was also no anger or disappointment.

Whatever happened next, at least his little bird was happy.

Ore skipped into the room, bubbling over with glee, and threw himself into Cash’s lap. “I remember!”

Cash grunted at the landing, then wrapped his arms around Ore’s body to hold him secure. “What do you remember, little bit?”

Liam set his phone next to him, all of his attention on Ore, but he didn’t seem to notice their audience. He pressed inclose and dragged his face up Cash’s neck before shivering and releasing a soft sigh.

“My parents,” he whispered, voice thick with emotions and the salt of his tears tickling Cash’s nose. “I remember my parents. Can we call them?”

Chapter 14

Ore

“Ican’t believe we’re doing this.”

“You don’t have to whisper,” Cash said, laughing. He pulled his shirt off over his head and tossed it toward Ore. “We’re miles from town.”

“Okay, yes,” Ore said, dodging to the side so it landed on a large boulder behind him. “But are you saying it’s completely outside the realm of possibility that somebody else has decided they want to go for a midnight swim but didn’t want to do it too near town?”

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