Page 31 of Brock

“Well, Suzette needs some time to adjust. When I think she’s ready, I’ll let you know, but for now, I think it’s best if we don’t travel to other people’s homes or have female guests. I have no idea what sort of risk we’re dealing with. I wouldn’t want to endanger your mate, too.”

“I hear you.” He sighed. “What do you think we’re dealing with?”

“I don’t know, but I find it interesting that every time I have a discussion with someone, the question is alwayswhatand notwho.”

“True. I think most of us have accepted the fact thatwhoever this is, he’s not one of us,” Arion suggested.

Brock slumped back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the monitor in his lap every few seconds. He was glad that he’s made the decision to add a camera to the corner of his bedroom. His mate was out cold. She’d been exhausted. He wasn’t surprised. He drew in a breath and focused on his conversation. “Could he be human?”

“We’ve considered the option, but it seems unlikely. There hasn’t been a human in this part of the world in decades.”

“True, and Suzette says the man was average. If he were human, he would have to be way above average to have carried her up the mountain over his shoulder.”

“Exactly. Then there’s the fact that though several people spotted him in town, no one recognized him or his scent, and your brother was caught unaware yesterday morning.”

“So? Speculations? Wolf shifter from a neighboring pack?” Brock proposed.

“One who can block his scent?” Arion asked.

Brock sighed. “Fuck.”

“Yes, basically.” After a few moments of silence, Arion continued, “My father says you consummated your union so she could shift.”

“Yes. It seemed prudent. She understood the reasons.”

Arion chuckled. “You say that as if joining with her was a hardship.”

Brock laughed, too. “Not even close.”

“By the way…” Arion began. This had to be good. “You were awfully quick to insist on being the one to guard her during the night for the past two weeks. Makes me wonder if you didn’tperhaps lie to me about your knowledge of her and interest in her welfare for the past twenty years.”

Brock laughed harder, trying to keep his voice down so as not to wake his mate. It was true. He had pretended to have no interest in the identity of his mate for all the years that Arion spent watching Jezebel from afar.

“You dirty dog, you.”

“Hey, all I did was let you believe I didn’t care. It was kind of fun.”

“And you knew all along she was Jezebel’s friend.”

“Of course. You’ve known me all of our lives. Did you really believe I didn’t care who I was going to spend my life with? I just didn’t want to make a big deal out of it or talk about it all the time because it stressed me out knowing I had no choice but to wait for her.”

“Well, you fooled me.”

“It wasn’t hard, Arion. You were so infatuated with your Little girl that you didn’t really pay close attention to where my affections were directed.”

“True. And my goodness I’m a lucky man. I’m so glad you have claimed your sweet girl now, too. It was weird not being able to talk to you about it. Until you’ve been there, there are no words to describe the feeling.”

Brock smiled. He let his gaze wander to his Little girl so he could watch her chest rise and fall. She was curled on her side, hugging her doll against her chest, suckling her pacifier. He’d carefully draped the cover over her when he’d eased out of bed, but her bottom was sticking out, her full diaper exposed to his view.

Fuck, he loved her.

“You’ve grown awfully quiet,” Arion said.

Brock snorted. “I know you and many other Alphas met for most of the day yesterday, but I think it would be best if severalmembers came here today. I need to be fully informed, and I don’t think it’s wise to take Suzette out of the house.”

“I’ll make some calls. We’ll be there soon.” Arion ended the call at that, and Brock lowered his phone to his lap.

Brock rose from his chair and headed for the kitchen to fix his Little girl a bottle. He would need to get some solid food in her today eventually, but for now, she needed fluids and calories. The fastest easiest way to get that in her was bottle feeding. Plus, he enjoyed feeding her.