Page 37 of The Rabbit's Foot
“Are we going to get through this? I mean—”
“I know what you mean,” Mal broke in with a sigh. “And I won’t lie to you. I honestly don’t know.”
“I want to say we should run, hide away, but I keep thinking of all those people still in the lab, and I can’t be selfish like that. I lost my hand. What have the rest of them lost?” He lay his head on Mal’s chest, listening to the slowing heartbeat.
“You are the farthest thing from selfish, you know. You are kind and considerate, even when you’re angry. That day you were in the cage and Lydia was there? You were jealous, but even then, you wouldn’t have hurt her for the world.”
Alp wanted to deny it. To laugh it off. “Yeah, I was. She kept touching you, and I hated it. It was worse when you smiled at her. That was my fucking smile, and you were giving it to her!” He sighed. “I’m sorry.”
Mal slid a hand over Alp’s back and let it come to rest on his ass. “Do you know in the entirety of my life, no one has ever been jealous of someone touching me? I was convenient for a lay, but beyond that, no one wanted to keep me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t have stayed, but it would have been nice to have someone at least ask.”
It wasn’t something Alp understood. His family expected he’d stay nearby. Only a few people moved away from the warren, and those who did usually came back not too long after. Rabbits didn’t do well without others around them, but Alp was determined he’d be the exception.
“If it helps, I am always going to want to keep your stubborn ass.” He tilted his head up and kissed Mal’s chin. “We have to get through this, because I need you to make my life miserable forever.”
The rumbling chuckle vibrated through Alp as Mal drew him closer and wrapped him in those big, strong arms. He kissed the top of Alp’s head. “Don’t worry, I plan on making you miserable for years to come.” He sucked in a breath. “I called for help.”
“Oh?”
“My old pack. I know I can’t win without help, and I’m well aware I can’t keep you and Lydia out of harm’s way unless I have someone there to watch our backs. If it wasn’t for you, I would have gone in there, metaphorical guns blazing, and died in the crossfire. I can’t do that now. I have a mate to think about.”
The fact that Mal was admitting these things was astounding enough, but to know he was doing it for Alp?
“Thank you.”
“Don’t need to thank me,” he drawled. “You just need to make sure you keep your ass where I tell you to park it. You can protect Lydia, but beyond that, you don’t move from where I say you should be.”
“I will,” Alp vowed, not meaning a word of it. If Mal was in trouble, then Alp would be there beside him, doing his best to keep him safe.
“I know you’re lying,” Mal said. “You won’t look me in the eye, and your ears twitch.”
Damned ears. “My place is by your side,” Alp insisted.
“Your place is where I tell you,” Mal said firmly. “I am your First, and your mate, and you will obey me.”
Alp lifted an eyebrow and stared at Mal. “I’m sorry, did you just say I will obey you?”
Mal sighed. “In this, yes. Don’t test me, rabbit. If I have to, I’ll put you back in your cage and lock the fucking door. You and Lydia will sit in a place I say is safe, and if you move from there, I’ll… I’ll….” He blew out a frustrated breath. “Would you at least try to look like you’re listening to me?”
“Nope.”
“Why are you so stubborn? The mate of a First is supposed to be demure.”
That really had Alp cracking up. “Demure?” He thrust out a hand. “I’m sorry, have we met? Hi, I’m Alp, mated to an idiot wolf who thinks I’ll take orders. I swear, it’s like you never met my mother.”
Mal’s chin dropped to his chest. “Why couldn’t you take more after your father?”
“Dad is the demure one, because he’s besotted with my mom. He goes out of his way to make her happy.” He put a hand on Mal’s chest. “I’ll do that for you too, but I won’t stop being who I am for anyone.”
A quirked lip had Alp worrying, until Mal said, “I wouldn’t have you any other way. I do need you to stay with Lydia, though. I’ve got no idea how many people Damon will find to come here. He knows what’s going to happen, and not having any real information, we might not get anyone.”
“Then you’ll need me to fight at your side.”
“You’re a bunny—you don’t fight,” Mal reminded him.
“I’m a guy with a lot to live for. If I have to kick ass to keep it, then so be it.” Alp held up his residual limb. “Besides, I’m invested in seeing those bastards suffer for what they’ve done to us.”
“Okay, how about this? You, Lydia, and at least one wolf, if Damon sends them, will stay back in reserve. If things start to go wrong, you’ll be there to jump in.” He squeezed Alp’s ass. “I’m not trying to keep you out of the fight, but we do need backup, and one pissed-off bunny seems perfect to me.”
