Page 66 of The Return
He turned to me. “Can you make it happen?”
“Here? In the hospital?” I asked, flabbergasted.
Kinsey’s gaze returned to Matt. “I’ve waited years for this, and after tonight, I won’t wait one more day.”
The look on his face: determination, pain, hope. Great, now I was tearing up. “Yeah, we can make it happen.” I gave Jonas a nod. “Make it happen.”
He chuckled, leaned in, and kissed me on the cheek. “Right away, dear.” Then he left the room, snickering as he closed the door.
Matt turned to me. “Corey? Would you be here for it?”
“Dude, wild horses and all.” I put a hand on his back and rubbed gently. “I would be honored.”
And just like that, it was as if the world exhaled a breath it had been holding.
JONAS
I had always knownCorey was going to be the perfect Alpha Mate. It was obvious from the way he treated people. Once in school, Terry Pritchard’s mother had gone into labor and was rushed to the hospital. Terry’s dad had been at work. We were eight. The neighbor kept an eye on Terry until the bus came, but when lunchtime rolled around, Terry realized in all the hubbub, he didn’t get a lunch. Corey told him he had two and gave him his brown paper bag.
Corey had lied. He had nothing for himself. I tried to give him mine, but he refused, saying he’d done it because it was the right thing to do. I went home and got into a shouting match with my father, because no kid should ever have to go hungry, and if the pack was so rich, why was this happening? He tried to tell me it was the parent’s responsibility, and I told him not everyone was as lucky as I was and he should pay more attention.
A month later, he announced that breakfast and lunch would be served to all kids, free of charge. Dad credited me, and more than a few people had come to me and said thanks, because with the large families some of them had, it was tough at times.
I told him later it was Corey that got the ball rolling. I was so damned proud of my mate, and I knew that when we grew up and I was Alpha, Corey would take damn good care of our people. And for years, he had without even realizing it was part of who he was. So why was someone trying to kill him?
“Alpha?”
“Dennis, hi. I’m sorry to bother you. Are you busy?”
“For you, no.” He chuckled. “What’s up?”
“I need you to perform a wedding. Like, now.”
“You and Corey?”
“No, not yet. Soon, though, I hope. This will be Kinsey and Matt. Did you hear what happened?”
“I know Kinsey got hurt. Is he okay?”
“Yeah, and he’s in the hospital, but he wants to get married right away. Can you do that?”
“Of course. I’ll be there within the hour.”
“Great. Thank you.”
“Is it okay if I bring some people with me? To stand as witnesses. Usually we do joinings as a pack, and I don’t want anyone to feel slighted.”
Was it? If Corey was in danger, did I want a lot of people around?
“It can’t be too many. I don’t think the hospital would approve.”
It wasn’t a lie, but not the whole truth either. I was comfortable with it, regardless. Corey had been threatened twice, and if it came from the pack, I would—no. I trusted my pack. They had Corey’s back when I was away. They could have easily done something while he was alone and unprotected. Why now? It didn’t make any sense at all. Then there was that familiar scent. Like pack, but not. A relative, maybe?
“Jonas?”
I turned to find Corey, and every protective instinct surged within me. I reached for him, grabbed his forearm, and dragged him to my body.
“Well… not saying this is unwelcome, but should we be doing this in the hospital?” Still, he sank into my embrace, even as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
