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“Fen.” He smiled. “You’re up.”

“Mostly.” Fen’s voice sounded rough, hushed. “You okay?”

“I am. I wanted to introduce you to one of the alphas. Jameson. Jameson, this is Fen.”He’s gorgeous.

You’re biased.

Rory grinned. Maybe a little.

“Pleased to finally meet you, Fen. I’m glad you’re healing.”

Fen inclined his head. “Thank you, Alpha.”

“Jameson, please. We’re only formal when it’s necessary. Can you tell me what happened to you?”

“My pack was small,” Fen said. “Just my family. Once they were…gone, I was a lone wolf, so I’ve been traveling, looking for a place where another pack wouldn’t drive me out.” When Jameson nodded, Fen went on. “I thought I would be safe up at the tree line, but that was where I got shot.”

Jameson growled. “I swear to the moon, those wolves are assholes, the lot of them.”

“I think they’re not doing well, Jameson,” Fen said. “They’re ragged, and they look hungry.”

“Hungry? They were well provided for when they left.”

“The children I saw looked gaunt. In fact, that was how I got shot. I was going to offer to hunt for them. I assumed they were a small family alone.”

“Okay. I’ll go look for them, find out what’s happening. No one starves on pack land.”

“Don’t get shot,” Fen said wryly, making Rory snort.

“That won’t happen. I’ll bring reinforcements.”

“Good.” Fen nodded again, but he was starting to sag.

“I’ll leave you to Rory’s TLC, my friend. But welcome to the pack.”

“I’ll take care, I swear.” Rory went to grab a glass of water for Fen. Poor, worried wolf.

Poor, worried, sexy man.

Are you all right? Fen asked him.

“Yes. Yes, of course.” Turned on, which was probably not appropriate. Fen was thin, pale, but so beautiful.

“Good. Thank you for all your help, Rory. I know you didn’t have to.”

“I didn’t, but I sort of did.”I wanted to be with you. Can you still hear me?

I can.Fen reached for his hand, and he moved close, twining their fingers together.

I can hear you too. I—He really liked Fen, unreasonably so.

Fen smiled, his eyes very blue. “I like you too, Rory.”

“Do you…do you need anything? Is there anything I can do for you? At all?”

“Come sit with me? They’re bringing some soup.”

“I would love you. To. I would love to.”