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One thing was certain—Victor needed some TLC, and Doc was the perfect person to provide it. Then it became obvious that two had become four, as Irena had no one to care for her except for her big brother. Jake had no qualms about that, except it might make life interesting in the future.

Soundproofing, Doc said with a grin.Bedrooms spaced well apart from each other.

Victor glanced from Doc to Jake, then back to Doc.This is where I tell you that I have never….He bit his lip.

For a moment Jake was confused. Then it hit him.Oh. You’ve never been with a man?

Oh. I see.Doc studied him.And does this worry you?

Victor laughed.I think it should worry you. I am not small.

Jake swallowed.I hope he’s talking about the size of his body.

Doc grinned.I have two words for you. Butt plugs.

Chapter Thirty

“TRY ITagain,” Brick growled.

Seth jumped up on the beam again, but Aric was fussing. They’d been at it for several hours. At first, when Brick told them they were going to train together, Aric was the most excited. After his sojourn as a spy, he asked about being involved in more missions. Brick and Seth were both against it, but Aric, thanks to a fantastic blowjob and fuck session, had gotten them to see the error of their ways.

Aric fights dirty. I was too exhausted to say no.

The world was changing with each passing day. Where shifters had once been nothing more than a myth to humankind, the time was fast approaching when they’d be revealed, thanks to the emergence of more and more mates.

Brick wasn’t sure how he felt about that. He’d inhabited a scary world for so long, and his instincts told him the danger was still out there. The fight wasn’t over, he knew that much, and he needed Seth and Aric to be ready to defend their home and their lives by whatever means necessary. Seth was taking it in stride, doing his best.

True to his little kitty nature, Aric was hissy and annoyed.

Brick folded his arms. “You asked for this, Aric. Remember? ‘I want you to train us’?”

In a few moments, the kitten became the man, still every bit as sleek and beautiful.

“I know, but why is it so hard?” he grumbled.

“Because you’re not used to using these skills. You’re in the mindset that things will work out, but after what happened with the two of you and more than a few of our friends, I think you need to put that thought out of your pretty little head. We’re sitting on a powder keg here, and it’s primed to blow.”

“Wouldn’t if you stayed with us,” he said with a pout.

And then Brick understood.

“I’m still happy to quit, you know that, right?”

Aric’s shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry. That was a cheap shot. No, I want you to get out there and save the world. Seth and I want to be part of it too. It’s just….” He sighed. “This all comes so easily for the two of you. You’re a powerhouse. Seth is limber and strong. But me? I’m a freakingkitty. In any chain, I’m the weakest link.”

Brick grabbed his arm and dragged him into a fierce hug. Naked would be better, but this wasn’t the time for that. His mate needed him to be calm and level-headed.

Horny Brick could come out to play later.

“I think you know that’s not true.”

Aric tried to push away, but Brick held him tight. “It is!” he cried. “I’ve always been this way. In high school, I could never do sports, no matter how hard I tried.” He snorted. “That was hella fun. Kids would tease me about it all the time.” His eyes gleamed. “But you know what? I was smart.Iwas the one they came to when they needed tutoring. Watching a six-six, two-hundred-fifty-pound football player practicallybeggingme to help him so he wouldn’t get kicked off the team was heady stuff. And once I did, he was so happy he became my protector. He wouldn’t let anyone near me.”

“What happened?”

Aric shrugged. “He went off to college on a football scholarship. I never heard from him again. Still, his name carried weight, and people left me alone. How messed up was it that I felt lonely all the time? It got so bad, I would have happily gone back to the teasing. At least then people weretalkingto me.”

“I’m sorry that happened,” Brick murmured in his ear.