Page 29 of The Rabbit's Foot
“Of course I was.” He cocked his head. “About what?”
“I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place here. I can’t take you and Lydia into a dangerous situation.”
Alp opened his mouth, but Mal rushed on.
“And I can’t leave you out of it. You, in particular, have every right to be there. You need closure, and the only way to get it is by being certain it’s done.”
A terse nod. “Thank you. I have to be honest with you, though. It’s not revenge I’m thinking about.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. I remember the razors, the knives, the injections that burned like fire, but what I remember most is the screams. Humans think animals don’t have feelings, but those screams will haunt me forever. I need to try to get them to stop. To put them to rest. That’s why I need to go. I still want to see Hyde before he dies, but it’s for all of us, not just me.”
Mal stood there, staring at Alp. He’d always thought of rabbits as flighty, but Alp and his parents showed Mal that nothing could be further from the truth.
He grabbed Alp and drew him in. “You know, you’ve taught me a lot in the short time we’ve known each other. I look forward to a lifetime of learning with you.”
Alp’s eyes widened. “Really? You’re not just saying that?”
“No, I most certainly am not.” He leaned in and kissed Alp, delighted when his bunny opened for him. Mal swept his tongue inside, tasting every corner of Alp’s mouth. If Mal thought Alp would be submissive, however, he was wrong. He gripped Mal’s hair in his hand and dragged him into an even deeper kiss, his own tongue now wrestling with Mal’s.
“Look, Nura. They’re in love,” Deacon purred. “It reminds me of us when we were that age.”
Mal tried to pull back, but Alp wasn’t having that. He tightened his grip on Mal’s neck and hauled himself up, locking his legs around Mal’s waist. He continued to plunder Mal’s mouth, and after a few moments, Mal sighed, wrapped his arms around Alp’s back, cupping his ass, and carried him toward the bathroom.
Nura snickered. “Remember when we went to the club to see that Stones cover band and you dragged me into the bathroom? I think that’s the night Jessup was conceived.”
The words must have been like ice for Alp, because he sighed into Mal’s mouth, then slid back down to the floor. “Really, Mom?”
She blinked. “What?”
“I do not want to think about my parents having sex,” he said firmly.
She waved a dismissive hand. “Psh. We have it at least once or twice a night,” she shot back. Then she took hold of Deacon’s hand and gazed fondly into his eyes. “And lemme tell you, sex is like a fine wine—it gets better with age.”
“Make them leave,” Alp whimpered. “My poor ears are probably bleeding now.”
Mal couldn’t help but laugh. He knew that Alp was teasing and that it was going to kill him to see his parents head home.
“How about if I give you some time alone?” Mal asked, nuzzling Alp’s ear. “I won’t go far, so don’t even think about running away from me.”
Alp shuddered. “I would never,” he said, with so much sincerity in his voice. “I could never leave my pack.”
“I know, little one. I couldn’t stand to see you go either.” A quick kiss, and then he turned to Alp’s parents. “It was truly an honor to meet you both,” he said, extending a hand. They both looked at him as though he was nuts, then pulled him into a hug.
“Please take care of Alpin,” Nura whispered in Mal’s ear.
“I will give my life for him,” Mal vowed.
“No,” Deacon insisted. “We need you both. You are our family, and to rabbits that’s the most important thing. Don’t do anything stupid and get yourself killed.”
And those words, the promise of family, the need to be with Alp, finally told Mal what he needed to do.
“No, sir. I’ve got plans.” He leaned in and kissed Nura’s cheek. “Thank you for Alp. It’s only been a few weeks, but never has anything in my life been more important to me.”
She kissed him back. “We’re trusting the two of you to take care of each other,” she insisted. “Is it okay if we come back with the family?”
“Absolutely,” Mal replied. “I can’t wait to meet them all.”
