“Right near where I used to live. Small world.”
“It is.” I sighed. “Part of me wishes I’d visited Dannydown there. Maybe I would’ve met ye sooner.”
He shrugged. “I doubt it. Matt didn’t like to go into Southampton—something about a troublesome ex. Although, knowing what I do now, I suspect it was the other way around.
“Even if we had met, it wouldn’t have mattered,” Chester continued quietly. “I was too wrapped up in Matt and his needs to realise anything else existed.”
My wolf howled inside, but I didn’t let anything other than mild empathy show outwardly. “I’m glad yer away from him now.”
Chester met my gaze and smiled. “Me too.” He nodded towards the pillows. “Would you object to us getting more comfortable? I’m not ready to stop talking, but my body is ready to be horizontal.”
“Of course.”
When we were both lying on our sides, facing eachother, Chester asked his next question. “Who leads the clan now that Danny has left?”
“Ah. That’d be me.”
Chester’s lips curled into a grin. “You?”
I narrowed my eyes playfully. “What are ye saying, Chester? Am I not scary enough to lead a clan? Not organised enough? Not powerful enough?”
“It’s not that.” Chester was desperately trying not to laugh. “But you have spent many days and nights lying on my floor pretending to be a dog. Forgive me, but that doesn’t exactly screamleader.”
My heart swelled at his teasing, but before I could banter back, he was shrinking away from me. His hand shot over his mouth as all the colour drained from his face.
What the fuck?
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I shouldn’t have made fun of you. Fuck. I’m so sorry. Please don’t hate me.”
“What?” I reached out to touch his cheek, but he flinched away from my touch. “M’eudail, I could never hate ye. It was funny.”
Chester bit his lip. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.” Acting on instinct, I sat up a bit and slid a hand under his shoulder. “Come here.”
With a bit of wriggling, I had Chester under my arm and against my side. His cheek rested on my pec, his hand splayed on my stomach. Pressed against me, he finally relaxed once more.
“It was hilarious,” I said, kissing the top of his head. “But if ye could avoid mentioning it to Logan, I’d be forever grateful.”
“Would he give you shit for it?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe.” Chester’s fingers were toying with my happy trail and making it hard for meto concentrate. “Pretending to be a dog would be seen as demeaning.”
Chester lifted his head to look at me. “Then why did you do it?”
“You know why.” I stroked his face. “To get closer to ye.”
He was quiet for so long I wondered if he’d fallen asleep, but when I glanced down, it was to find solemn eyes watching me.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Chester said, a small smile playing on his lips. “Just thinking how lucky I am.”
Nope. That was definitely me. I hugged him closer as he cracked a yawn. “Why don’t ye get some sleep? It’s been a big day and an even bigger night.”
“You’re right,” he said drowsily. “Will you stay?”
My heart swelled in my chest. “Aye, m’eudail. For as long as you’ll let me.”