Page 105 of Bully for Sale

“Pete.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Going to Father’s house.”

Pete blew out a rough breath, panic lighting in his eyes. “Ezer, things at the house are tense. Let me take you home.” He got out of the car, and it was strange to see him without the big baby belly. He was slim and seemed taller than Ezer recalled. But he still had a baby face. “That’s it, let me help you.”

As Ezer got into the vehicle, he insisted, “I won’t go home. Take me to see Father.”

Pete gazed at him, bewildered. After he climbed in next to Ezer, he studied him a moment more. “I can see that you’re as stubborn as ever. Your alpha hasn’t managed to tame you.”

“Not yet.”

“Not for lack of trying, I’m assuming.”

Ezer shrugged, cradling his stomach, relieved the babies were still behaving.

After a few more moments, Pete nodded and told the driver to head on to the house.

“Where’s Prince?”

Pete flushed. “I left him with my parents for the night. Things are very unsettled, Ezer. I felt it was safer to take Prince away for a few days.”

“Father would never hurt his precious alpha.” Ezer didn’t mean to sound nasty, but there it was all the same.

“He’s out of control,” Pete whispered, shivering.

“But you’re going back?”

“He’s my alpha. My father says I belong at his side.”

“No doubt, my father will say the same to me. But I’m done listening to him.”

“Is he very cruel to you then?” Pete asked quietly, taking hold of Ezer’s hand and squeezing his fingers. “Does he beat you? Abuse you in other ways?”

“Who?”

“Your alpha. The boy your father gave you to.”

“Oh, Ned.” Ezer thought of Ned’s chocolate-brown eyes, his earnest attempts to make him happy. “No. He’d never hurt me.”

“Then what are you doing trying to come home? Have you lost your mind?” He scanned Ezer’s face. “Are you unwell?”

“I’m dressed in a blanket,” Ezer pointed out. “And I’m out of my nest. Clearly I’m not well.”

Pete fretted. “Are you sick, or have you gone crazy?” He asked the question so sweetly that it didn’t sound like an insult, but a genuine concern.

“Angry,” Ezer said. “I’m just angry.”

They rode in silence the rest of the way up the hill. When they arrived, Pete helped him into the house, keeping his voice down as if afraid to attract attention. “Let me find your brothers. Yissan will talk sense into you. He’ll take you home.”

“Is Father still in the nest?”

“The library, sir,” a servant said, gaping at Ezer in astonishment.

“Thank you,” Ezer said, pulling free of Pete’s ‘helping’ hands. “I’m going to talk to him.”

“Please don’t,” Pete said. “He’s not in a good place right now, Ezer. He’s sent your brother Shan off with an alpha. There was violence involved.”