Page 36 of The Night Wolf
“What does Caleb like? I figure I owe him a lot for helping me out.”
She laughed. “Caleb likes food. To be honest, I’m not sure he really tastes it. He holds the plate up and inhales it, pattern and all. But he loves eggs and cheese, so you can’t really go wrong with that.”
Sean turned and bit his lip as he regarded Gareth. “What do you like in your eggs, Alpha?”
“Whatever you’re making is fine. As long as there’s bacon and sausage, I’m happy.”
Sean’s eyes brightened. “What if we chop up some of the meat and put that in the eggs, along with some cheese? Will that work?”
Gareth’s stomach growled, and Dani snickered. “I think that’s your answer. Gareth likes that idea.”
The beatific smile made Gareth’s tummy flutter. An Alpha, the biggest and baddest wolf, and his stomach was turned to mush by some pretty white teeth, soft, pillowy lips, and violet eyes.
You like Sean, don’t you?
Lyram’s words came back to Gareth. It should be impossible to have feelings for Sean beyond the ones he did for any other pack member, but Gareth had to admit, he totally did.
“OH MYGod, those were amazing.”
Breakfast was over, with evidence of the frenzy everywhere. Empty bowls of eggs, with one overturned on the table, the plates that had held bacon and sausage practically licked clean, and four people sat back as they patted their stomachs.
“I’m going to have to go on a run so I can work that meal off.” Caleb smiled at Sean. “Thank you for breakfast, Sean. Anytime you want to cook, just know that I’ll be happy for you to feed me.”
Sean’s cheeks heated. “Oh, your mom did most of it. I only—”
“Don’t do that.” Gareth leaned in closer and put a hand atop Sean’s. “I sat here and watched as the two of you worked together to create this meal. You might have been doing what Dani said, but you were the one who pulled it all together. Caleb is thanking you, and the gracious thing to do is accept it with a smile.”
Sean wanted to say words. He wanted to tell Caleb he was happy to have cooked, but…. He couldn’t take his eyes off Gareth’s hand, which engulfed his own. The hand was remarkable. Where Sean’s were slender, almost delicate, Gareth’s were thick, blunt, and had a strength to them. He wanted to stroke Gareth’s hand, or to have Gareth stroke his. Sean wished to feel the power they held as they—
“Sean?”
He snapped his head up, seeing Dani looking at him expectantly.
“Are you okay?”
He glanced down and found he was still holding Gareth’s hand. His stomach churned as he drew his away. “I’m sorry, Alpha.”
Gareth sighed. “Clear the room, please.”
Caleb and Dani were on their feet in an instant. Sean made to stand, but Gareth pinned him with a stare. “Not you, Sean. We need to talk.”
As soon as Dani and Caleb were gone, Gareth stood and poured himself another cup of coffee, then turned and filled Sean’s again.
“Can you tell me what has you so freaked out?”
“I—I didn’t mean to hold your hand. I just….” He clamped his mouth shut. Nothing he could say would make this okay.
Gareth put the pot back on the warmer, then sat down and took Sean’s hand in his. “You just… needed the comfort? The human touch? How long were you without, Sean? A wolf needs their pack. They give them strength enough to go on. When Dani’s husband died, there wasn’t a pack member who wasn’t there for her. They cooked, they sat with her, they comforted her when she needed it. Who touched you last, Sean?”
“You, Alpha.”
“And before me?”
Sean had to think. Had anyone ever really touched him? His parents weren’t nurturing, and the only other person in Sean’s life had been…
“My brother.”
Gareth squeezed slightly. “And that was how many years ago? Do you know how strong you must be not to have gone mad from not being touched or held? I could never do what you did. I need the contact with the people in Lydon every day. We’re always very free with our affections. I believe that once you feel you’re truly safe here, you’ll accept it more readily.”
