Page 42

Story: Rory

He heard Jameson and Keegan coming in, so he thought it must be safe now.

It was time to go home to his mate.

Chapter

Twelve

Rory was a little tired of Fen treating him like glass.

He knew he shouldn’t have tried to run up the mountain when someone had been shooting at Loyal’s compound, but his brain hadn’t been engaged. Just his heart. That was his mate and his brothers up there, and he’d wanted to help.

But Fen seemed to think that was a reason to not let Rory out of his sight. He’d been keeping Rory busy when he was not at work, and when he was, he got John or Lucien to keep Rory busy with the kids and other omegas.

He was starting to chafe under the constraints. Maybe he would go down and visit Dean and see how he was healing up.

“Hello, love.”

He jumped about a mile. Oh, his thoughts had conjured Fen right up.

“Hello.” He smiled when Fen walked into their kitchen, raising his face for a kiss. “You’re home early.”

“I decided to just do a half day.” Fen could keep whatever hours he wanted. It wasn’t like he had a 9-5 job. So that was nice. He guessed.

Fen’s smile slipped a little. “Are you mad at me, love?”

He thought about just brushing it off, but then he decided that wasn’t fair. And wasn’t he always bitching if stuff wasn’t fair. So he blew out a breath.

“I’m frustrated, Fen.”

Fen frowned. “What about?”

“Ever since you went up to Loyal’s, you’ve been very protective. That’s lovely. I know you worry. But I’m not an idiot. I can look after myself.”

Fen was still frowning. “Your brother got shot. So did I.”

“I know. And that’s awful. But just taking food to some of the poor or elderly families isn’t going to put me in harm’s way. And every time I try to go farther than the alpha’s house, someone stops me.” He sighed softly. “I feel like you think I’m not very strong, and I used to go up and deal with the dragons all alone, you know?”

He was useful and smart and…basically happy. He resented having to live like he was in a glass bubble.

“I’m sorry, love.” Fen sighed, taking his hand and leading him to the kitchen table, where they sat, Fen still holding his hand over the table. “It’s—” Fen stopped, taking a deep breath.

“You can tell me, Fen. Talk to me.”

“I just worry so damn much.” Fen shrugged. “My whole extended family was killed off, and as soon as I got here, I got shot. It’s not you I don’t believe in. It’s me. I think I must be cursed.”

He pursed his lips. “What did Niall tell you?”

“Not to question the goddess. But it’s hard not to, Rory.”

“I think the good things are supposed to be hard.” And even if that was just a platitude, if it worked on Fen and his…worry, then Rory would take it. “You can’t keep taking responsibility for every shitty thing that happens. You’re not that powerful. You had a spate of crappy luck, but you’ve had some good luck too. You found your mate, we’re having a baby, you have a home, youhave a job you like, you’ve really good friends. You have a new pack. You have good things in your life. Maybe if you focused on enjoying them rather than losing them, you’d feel better. Or you could just continue to be a grump about the whole thing and be terrified that something bad was going to happen again. It’s up to you.”

Fen arched his brow. “I see.”

“Do you? Good? It’s good for you to see. We’re never going to have our first baby again ever. This is it. This is our only first pregnancy ever. It would be better if you enjoyed it with me.”

Fen rolled his eyes, but he did grin, so Rory would take that as a win. “I made the baby its first toy.”

“You did. What is it?”