Page 8 of Enforcer’s Little Warrior (Little Paws Haven #3)

Bash

His boy had marked him. No waiting on an invitation, no waiting for Daddy to take charge, his boy had done what he needed to do to protect himself, and as a result those boys. Bash couldn’t have been prouder of him over it. Little Bumper just kept proving how hard he’d fight for the life he wanted, and Bash would be damned if he closed his eyes and let sleep claim him before his boy wore his mark, too. He needed to be certain Romy and the boys had the full protection of a claim.

His heart, his soul with Romy’s claiming bite, knew it was more than that. Tonight, when he’d been faltering and on his knees listening to Arlo threatening to claim Romy, icy talons of dread had clawed at his gut worse than even the poison. For the first time since becoming an enforcer for the crash, failing at his job wasn’t the thing that haunted him. Leaving Romy and those boys alone with no security and no assurances that their needs would be met, had terrified him. Coupled with his mates' sobs, Bash forced himself to dig down deeper than he ever had before, if only to survive long enough to secure that for them.

Still, he’d need to be careful. With Romy tucked against him the way he was, nose pressed to Bash’s neck, continuously inhaling the scent of him, it was going to be difficult to maneuver him into biting range without potentially triggering a burst of separation anxiety.

He’d felt the strength of it the moment someone had touched Romy while attempting to help Bash to his feet. Little Bumper had sucked in a breath like he was about to shatter the moon with his cries, and Bash was eternally grateful that whoever had touched him had hurried away and allowed Bash to settle him down. Pride surged through Bash at how even in his Little space and under extreme distress, Romy had the presence of mind to problem solve and the strength to help Bash stand and get into the house, despite the difference in their sizes.

The entire way there, he’d been aware of Sasha following at a respectful distance to be certain they got there safely, and knew she was the one responsible for the food left outside their door. He was as aware of her presence in the living room, standing guard, as he was of Miranda’s just a few doors down, a silent, watchful presence in the boys’ room, making certain they remained safe and cared for through the night.

His crash mates had his back and evidently already developed a soft spot for Romy. His actions tonight would only lead to them holding him in higher regard. Strength of character, every crash member valued.

But Bash would address the flash of fear he’d felt from Romy after his mate had grown a little snappy at the thought of others' hands on them. To a Rhino, every one of them would have understood where Romy’s fear had come from, especially after the things that Arlo had said. It was an old custom, and outdated practice that went back to a time when challenges could only end in death and victorious rhinos had made a sport out of ensuring that the last site a fallen rhino saw was the claiming of all they’d held dear.

Sliding his hand behind Romy’s knees, he gently drew his boy up his chest, the top of his head bumping lightly against Bash’s chin as he tugged him until they were face to face and he could kiss Little Bumper’s nose and caress his cheek. Even at rest, there was a hint of stubbornness to his features and whether or not Romy realized it yet, he was going to be a force to be reckoned with.

Encouraging his confidence to grow would be key.

Bash rubbed noses with him and decided that was going to be one of his favorite ways of showing his boy the affection Romy deserved. Brushing Romy’s hair back in order to expose the side of his neck, Bash pulled his mate further up his body and nuzzled the spot where he was about to leave his mark.

Romy’s soft sigh and the pliant way he was allowing Bash to maneuver him spoke of the trust Romy already had in him.

“Daddy,” Romy murmured.

“Right here, Little Bumper,” Bash said, nuzzling him more.

He took his time breathing in his mate’s scent, mouthing at his skin and lightly nibbling, all warming him up for the main event.

Romy smelled like the perfect blend of their scents merged. With a low groan and a burning desire to claim his mate in other ways too, he growled “mine” against Romy’s skin, then bit hard.

He felt the skin part easier than their hides, but still their skin was tougher than a normal human’s. Bash’s hand moved down to cup Romy’s ass as he added just a bit more pressure, to be certain every imprint took.

Romy’s low, shuddering gasp left Bash achingly hard even as he eased his teeth out of his mate’s skin.

“All mine now, Little Bumper,” Bash murmured before rubbing noses with him again. “All mine.”

Romy

He thought he should show signs of embarrassment at his own behavior, but he just couldn’t find it in himself. The stressfulness of the night before wouldn’t allow him to dishonor his claim, no matter how it had happened. Bash hadn’t seemed to mind he’d taken control—because despite him being in Little space, it was he who’d claimed his mate first. No words, just a decision to prevent Arlo from doing what he threatened. Something he acknowledged in the light of day with Bash’s mark right there for all to see.

He'd found a top that showed off Bash’s claim on him, just to make sure the other crash member who was currently sitting at their kitchen table drinking the strong black coffee Romy had made understood. If there was the very smallest part of him who wanted to spit in Arlo's drink for how he hit Bash and said those dreadful things, then he accepted it.

Bash’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he glanced in Romy’s direction when he pulled out a seat right next to him, dragging it closer so it touched him. Then and only then did Romy sit and look at Arlo.

Bash placed a hand on Romy’s knee and squeezed gently, looking back at the rhino sipping his coffee. “Did you find anything in the owl's eyes?”

Arlo nodded, swallowed, and placed his mug down, the smile of seconds ago disappearing. “The recording device was a little damaged after…” he glanced at Romy before continuing, “anyway Levy, he spent most of the night working on recovering the footage.”

“And?” Bash questioned, his hand pressing a little firmer against Romy’s thigh when he fidgeted.

It’s all right, Little Bumper.

D-Daddy, I can hear you.

His fingers caressed at his sweats as if trying to soothe him while he paused as Arlo spoke.

“Harley killed the things mate.” Coffee sloshed in the mug as Arlo picked it back up and stared into the dark contents. “Mates…” he glanced up, fury there in the depth of his eyes, “how fucked up is this nonsense? Create monsters, then somehow manage to mate them, like Fate had been a party to it… to that.” A dangerous look crossed his tight features.

Romy released a shuddery breath and before he could ask for what he wanted, Bash lifted him right off his seat and placed him on his lap. He didn’t hesitate to snuggle right in. Being vulnerable in front of others, he hated it, but with Bash, it was easier now to reveal his feelings.

Bash brushed their noses together, then gave him a sweet kiss before he tucked his chin on top of Romy’s head. “That’s some fucked up juju they have in their arsenal.”

The rumbled words got a growl from Arlo. “It is. How many others have they messed with? The fucking council members are all claiming innocence. Pointing fingers at others to cast the blame away from them. The video footage doesn’t show exactly who was in charge of this shit show.”

“Someone was,” Bash snarled, but as it wasn’t at Romy, he didn’t get upset.

“It’s gonna get messier before it’s over. We still have two council members out there somewhere. Someone has to know where they’re hiding,” he hissed in frustration.

The sounds of hooves on the ground followed a loud shout of, “come back here you two, the wallow is empty,” got all of Romy’s attention.

Miranda had remained with the boys, but it seemed they were getting bored with being kept inside. One of the other crash had brought a tanker earlier that morning to drain the wallow of the contaminated water, while others had come with a digger, dug out around the wallow and then replaced the soil, ridding the ground of the owl-thingy bits.

He wiggled and Bash gave him a quick kiss, patting his bottom as he went after the boys who, by the sound of it, had gotten outside. “Better go see what the boys are up to.”

“Noooo,” Miranda cried right as there was a sound of splashing, then a squealing.

Romy gave chase and exited the front door right behind Miranda, where he came to an abrupt stop, his lips quivering with laughter at the sight she made. Muddy water dripped down her white frock, landing on her sandaled feet. A drippy, muddy mess from head to toe, she glowered unsuccessfully at the two tykes right in the middle of the wallow, rolling about, splashing.

It appears the crash member had refilled it… oops.

The hideousness of the night before, gone, and it now looked like nothing had happened. It was hard to push away the images of the blood and guts, but two playful rhinos helped. The urge to giggle when Miranda pushed back her mud slicked hair, hitting Romy in the face with a bunch of wet strands, was too much to control.

A wet trail slid down his face as she eyed him. “I’m sorry,” she said, yet now her lips were quivering too. Never one to let go—not since what had happened to him—Romy didn’t think twice as he jumped fully clothed into the wallow and splashed about getting another squeal from Miranda.

The small rhinos made a dash for him. They as yet hadn’t shifted back into their human sides since last night, but Romy suspected they would once they’d burned off some of the anxiety by playing.

It had worked for him last night.

“Romy,” Miranda warned as he spun and sent more muddy water in her direction.

His giggles grew louder as he ran to the other side of the wallow, the little rhinos giving chase. The little legs were no match for Romy, even as he slipped and slid about.

He was unsure how long it was before Bash appeared with Arlo, by then everyone, including Miranda, had shifted and was playing in the wallow. The heat of the day made the muddy water the perfect place to be.

Romy’s head came up, and he trumpeted his glee. Minutes, hours, days, weeks, months he’d suffered, never thinking beyond getting through any given painful moment. As he held Bash’s stare, something that hadn’t truly become cemented with their claiming, merged into a reality. Romy’s heart and mind connected with the belief that they had a future, and it was all because of the large rhino giving him a dopey grin that warmed him to his hooves.

He had a mate.

A strong rhino, who would fight to protect him to the death.

I will, Little Bumper, always.