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But it had worked. Riley had managed to keep three kids alive until help arrived, and Zack had managed to keep his brother alive to be able to do so.

They’d talked about it later with Asher and the only conclusion they could draw was that it was because they were twins, as when they’d tried with Asher, it hadn’t worked. Riley always asked that no one touch the person he was trying to heal, so he didn’t inadvertently heal a minor issue in the second person when he might need everything he had for the injured one, and as far as they knew it had been the first time Zack had touched Riley while he was healing. They’d practiced a little and knew roughly what they could get away with, but they had to be careful, especially if Zack had to fly the helicopter after.

He heard the door open, and expecting Riley, stiffened a little when he smelled the wolf. He’d hoped Victor had returned to the pack, but he guessed if Victor thought Lachlan was his mate, then he wouldn’t leave.

Zack tried not to feel a sense of satisfaction comparing their situations. The pack was already having trouble with the human/wolf hybrids. A fully human mate would cause even more, and he couldn’t see Victor leaving the pack.

“Any change?”

Zack looked up reluctantly. “No. Riley’s gone to refuel, but he’ll be back.”

Victor didn’t reply, but he slid his hand across the bed almost surreptitiously, so he was just touching Lachlan’s arm. Zack had a hold of his hand, but Lachlan hadn’t moved. “Has Raschid left?”

Victor nodded, but then scraped a hand over his face, drawing Zack’s eye. The man was attractive, Zack allowed. Kind of Antonio Banderas good-looking. Maybe he should slip up and call him Zorro? Might be fun trying to annoy him.

Then Zack realized what he’d said, and shame heated his skin. Fuck, how old was he? They definitely had a problem, though.

“I think we’ve got a problem.”

Zack gazed at Victor, surprised, as it seemed he’d just plucked that thought out of his head. But Victor was right. “More than one,” Zack allowed.

“Apart from my wolf and your bear recognizing our human mate, but not each other, you mean?”

That was the biggest, definitely. “And how does that even happen?” Zack asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Do you think it is a bit too much of a coincidence?”

Victor looked up. “You mean both of us?”

“Well, no, that’s unusual, but only because we aren’t feeling it with each other. I meant where he was dumped. Why here?”

“You mean as opposed to, say, outside a precinct or an ER?”

Zack looked back at his mate. “I hate to say this, but the other thing that seems too much of a coincidence is the drugs at the school and the fact that Lachlan only just started working there. Drugs are a nasty business.”

“What makes you such an expert?” Victor asked dismissively.

More guilt festered in Zack’s gut.

“Shit,” Victor swore, and Zack looked up in surprise. “I’m sorry. That was—I didn’t think.”

Zack shrugged as if it didn’t hurt and kept his gaze on Lachlan. He didn’t realize Victor knew, but it would be reasonable to ask where Zack’s mate was when Victor knew Mattie was his. “It wasn’t the same. Jessica was an addict. Lachlan definitely isn’t, or Riley would have known. He might have seen something with one of the kids and this was a warning to look the other way.”

“Or he might be involved,” Victor said.

“Wait—” Zack’s head shot up. “Are you implying my mate has something to do with the supply, actually dealing?” His bear growled long and low in his head.

Victor didn’t back down, just kept his gaze on Zack. “Bad things can happen to good people. Pretty sure your girlfriend didn’t set out to be an addict.”

Zack inhaled a lung full of his mate to calm his bear. He didn’t want to admit Victor had a point. “We’ll see when he wakes up,” Zack said grudgingly.

“Assuming he stays long enough to explain.”

Zack scowled. Was Zorro trying to bait him?

“Do you have any experience with human mates?” Victor asked quietly, his fingers gently stroking Lachlan’s arm.