attention.
Nick glanced his way, clearly realizing Riggs was preparing to shift.
“I’m fine,” Nick yelled. “Fucking pissed as all hell is all. Team meeting in the rec hall. Now.”
Victor nodded and grabbed his laptop and stuffed it into his leather messenger bag. “What do I need?”
“Just… you. Fuck. I don’t know. Fucking shit goddamn.”
Nick stomped out the door with Victor following him. They’d only taken a few steps when Nick turned around and scowled at Riggs. “What the fuck are you waiting for? A golden goddamned ticket? I said team meeting. Are you part of the fucking team or not, Riggs?”
“Oh. I… yeah.”
Nick paused, his eyes flickering with the gold of his lion. “Are you sure about that?”
It took Riggs a second to process, to really get at his core what Nick asked. “Yes. I’m part of the team.”
“Good. Get your ass in gear, then. For fucks sake, Riggs. Like I don’t have enough damned stress in my life without having to coddle a goddamn giant of a bear.”
Riggs hurried to catch up, trying to figure out why the world seemed to shift on its axis a bit when Nick pounded him on the back and kept moving. Victor gave him a look that he couldn’t quite interpret as they made their way over to the compound. One of the coven guys—Riggs didn’t have all their names straight in his head yet—waited for them and opened the wards once they’d moved into the circle of rocks, allowing entrance.
Tension pulsed from the alpha. Something had definitely set him off, and everyone else seemed to feel the burn of his anger as well. Jedrek met them outside the door with his arms crossed over his chest.
“You need to calm down,” Jedrek said, his eyes locked onto his mate.
“You calm down,” Nick snarled.
Jedrek smirked. “Nice try, honey. Seriously, the kids know something is wrong. Do some of your yoga breaths or whatever.”
Nick breathed in deeply, then blew it out in an exaggerated manner. He repeated the exercise a few times before throwing his hands in the air.
“I’m pissed. Breathing ain’t gonna change that. Fucking hell, Jed.”
Jedrek tugged Nick against him and kissed him. Thoroughly. Riggs turned away, and if he just so happened to turn toward Victor, well, it was a happy accident. Victor glanced at him as well, and the earlier heat between them sparked to life again.
“Break it up, boys. Nick, you can maul him later. I’ve got dinner on the stove, and I don’t plan on burning it.” An older woman accompanied by one of the hellhounds came around the corner and stopped in front of them. “Vaughn and Stuart are with patients, and Sam is off spending time with Henry today. They sent me.”
“Nana Jerrick!” Jedrek beamed and pulled her into a hug. “It’s been too long.”
“Oh, shush. Yes, I brought you brownies. Happened to make a fresh batch this morning. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you planned this.”
Nick scowled. “No. But I won’t say no to a brownie. Tell Jed to share. Jed won’t share unless you tell him.”
She laughed and turned to face Victor and Riggs. “Victor, good to see you.”
“And you, Mrs. Jerrick.”
“Pfft. Enough with that nonsense. You call me Nana. I’ve told you a dozen times.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And who is this hunk of a strapping man?” She grinned up at Riggs and held out her hand. Riggs took it and for some strange reason felt the urge to bend down and kiss her knuckles. So he did, even though it was a bit awkward. She laughed and put her hand over her heart. “Oh my. We have a charmer on our hands.”
“Orsen Riggs, ma’am.”
“I’ll swoon over you later, young man. For now, let’s put Nick out of his misery. Poor thing is worked up over something, and it’s never a good look for him. I’m sure he’s using enough four-letter words to make a sailor blush.”
“Nana,” Nick protested. “I’m just—”
“Oh, shush. You’re all cranky and cursing up a storm. Don’t even try to deny it. Let’s go put out this fire so you can breathe again.”
They followed her into the rec hall and down to the room with a few couches along the walls. Riggs had been in the building a few times. Each room had some different purpose, even if he’d not been able to completely identify what those purposes were. There were usually kids roaming the halls.
“Bird! Bird!”
A familiar voice came from behind one of the doors. Victor looked through the clear