Page 24 of Hansen

“You two are wonderful together,” Isabel said as she retook her place next to Evan.“I can’t believe my baby is mated.”

“Not yet,” Evan told her.“Davey was able to escape years ago, but I was stuck in the lab.I was moved several times.When a hunter took me out of my cage, I thought that was what was happening again.I expected to end up in another lab, but instead, the hunter dragged me to this small town, thisvillage, really, and forced me to bait his son out of his bakery.”

“That baker would be me,” Orion said, raising his hand.“My father wasn’t happy that me and my brother left him and moved into the village.He tried to use Evan to get to me, and he succeeded, but not for long.”

“Orion kicked his ass.That’s how I ended up in the village.They took me in, and I’ve been staying with Davey and Orion since then.”

“How did you meet your mate?”Evan’s mother asked.

“I’m one of the mutants Davey mentioned earlier,” Hansen explained.“I live in the village, too, and work with the others to rescue survivors and close the labs.”

Isabel’s expression was serious.“You were a prisoner, too?”

“I was, a while ago.I never want anyone to have to go through what I went through, which is why this is important to me.”

“You poor boys have been through hell, haven’t you?”

Hansen wasn’t sure that was what he’d call it, but it wasn’t far off.

* * * *

NO MATTER THE HORRORSof the past few years, Evan thought he could forget them if he had all of this.

His mate.His family.Davey.

He’d thought he’d lost all the people he cared about.He’d thought he would die in a lab, sad and alone, without ever seeing any of the people he loved again.He hated Orion’s father, but he would always be grateful to the man for taking him out of his cage and giving him all of them back.If it wasn’t for him, Evan wouldn’t be here.Without knowing it, Orion’s father had saved his life, and while Evan hated owing him anything, he was also happy because he knew that Orion’s father would hate knowing he was the reason Evan was so happy now.

Evan’s mother couldn’t seem to stop touching him.She was holding his hand as she talked to Hansen, and Evan allowed himself to take everything in.

It seemed like Orion and Hansen fit well enough in this family.That was good because Evan wasn’t about to let go of either.He wanted Hansen and his family.He wanted to be able to forget all about the labs and focus on his future.

“I hate that you boys had to go through all of that,” Cynthia said.“But you’re home now.”

Evan wiggled on the couch.“Well, we have a new home.”

Everyone fell silent.Evan hoped his parents would be happy for him, even though it meant that he wouldn’t come back.He was willing to visit and even spend a week or two here, but he was building a life in the village, and he didn’t want to stop.Besides, Hansen’s home was there.He couldn’t just up and leave.He was a part of the team that rescued people from the labs, and Evan didn’t want him to stop if he didn’t want to.It was important to Hansen, and Hansen was important to Evan.

“Of course you do,” his mother said as she gave him a watery smile.“And what your mate is doing is important.We wouldn’t want to take either of you away from that.”

“And it’s not like you can’t visit,” Cynthia added.“And maybe we can visit you.”

Evan didn’t know if that would be possible.They’d have to ask Rikar since he was the leader of the tribe and the kind of mayor of the village.

“Of course,” Davey reassured their mothers.“You can visit anytime you want, and we’ll give you our phone numbers and everything you need to contact us.We’ll visit as often as we can.”He hesitated.“I’m on the team, too.”

“Does that mean you’re a mutant?”his father asked.

Evan hadn’t yet mentioned that he probably was one, too.His heart ached at the thought of his parents looking at him differently.He didn’t know if he was one for sure, anyway.

That was what he was trying to convince himself of.He knew hewasa mutant, though.There was no way he wasn’t.Even though he was happy, his future would be an uphill battle.He was working with a therapist, but no one went through what he’d gone through and came out on the other side without scars, both physical and mental.

But Evan wouldn’t have to do any of this alone.He had his family back, and Hansen wasn’t going anywhere.

Davey sucked in a breath.“I am.”He raised his hand palm up, and drops of water gathered there, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, causing gasps and little screams of surprise.

Evan had seen his best friend do that before, but he was still impressed.

Davey nodded.“This is what I do.Don’t ask me how it works because I don’t think anyone knows, but I can manipulate water.It helps when we fight hunters because it includes the water in a human body.”

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