week,” Kenny said.
“What are we talking about?” Cole asked, making his way into the kitchen. He joined them at the table, a big smile plastered on his face.
Morgan couldn’t recall a time Cole wasn’t all smiles.
“About our workaholic beta and our bleeding-heart tiger,” Clyde said.
Cole burst out with laughter. “Remember the time a kid came into the office and asked for us to find his red train?”
Kenny groaned, but Dezi made his way to the table laughing.
“Oh yeah, he came in with the biggest puppy dog eyes. Once Rhy saw him, he took the case instantly,” Dezi said.
“That train was very important to him,” Rhy said.
The guys burst out with laughter. Kenny shook his head.
“What was really surprising was that Kenny let you take that job,” Clyde said.
Morgan glanced over his shoulder at his mate. Kenny smiled at him.
“He offered to pay—a paid job is one we take,” Kenny pointed out.
“What the hell is all the noise?” Logan asked as he made his way to the coffeepot.
“The guys are talking about work,” Kash answered.
Logan rolled his eyes.
“Hey, Logan, do you remember the red-train kid?” Clyde asked.
Logan winced. “Ugh, I had sand in my shoes for weeks. Rhy dragged me around to every playground in the town.”
“Apparently Kenny made the kid pay for that,” Clyde said.
Logan huffed out a breath, then took a big sip of coffee. Morgan had no idea how he drank the over-energizing drink at all times of the day.
“I saw him give the quarter to the mom when she came to pick up the kid.”
All eyes went to Kenny in shock.
“Kenny, did you take on a charity case?” Clyde asked in mock horror.
Morgan stifled his laugh as he leaned against his mate.
“We need to get ready for our meeting soon,” Kenny said, changing the subject.
Morgan sat up. It was the first time he was hearing of a meeting, and apparently he wasn’t the only one.
“What meeting?” Cole asked.
Kash carried two quiches over to the table. Dezi was up and grabbing the plates and forks in seconds.
“We are meeting with Blaze Pack and Huning Prowl,” Kenny answered.
Morgan’s back stiffened. The Blaze Pack had been one of the packs he’d asked for asylum, and they had turned him down. Before Morgan could compose himself, all eyes were on him. None of the shifters in the room had missed the hint of fear in his scent. Kenny’s arms wrapped around him like a safety bar.
“Morgan, what’s wrong?” Kenny asked.
Morgan glanced down at his hands. He didn’t want to cause a problem. Just because the pack hadn’t wanted to take him in—a runt, a useless wolf—didn’t mean anything. No one would want someone so weak and would put a target on the backs of their pack members.
Kenny stood, lifting Morgan up with him. Kenny made his way down the hall and past the living room where Dillan and Ava were both shouting. Morgan buried his face against Kenny’s chest. He was causing more problems. He’d told himself that if he made it back to Kenny, he wouldn’t be so weak.
A humorless laugh slipped from him; it was no better than crying. He would always cause problems; he was too weak to contribute. Kenny sat down, and for a while they just sat there. The silence was almost too much for Morgan. He’d rather Kenny yelled at him or said something. But he knew Kenny wouldn’t; it wasn’t like his mate. Kenny was calm and collected at all times. He made decisions and stuck with them; he was strong enough to back up his convictions. He was the opposite of Morgan, who constantly floundered around in life, too weak to hold anything.
“It’s nothing,” Morgan said, muffled against Kenny’s chest.
Kenny went stiff. A second ticked by, and Morgan couldn’t help it. He pulled back to look up at his mate. Kenny’s jaw was set, his grey eyes set in stone. He was upset, and a breath caught in Morgan’s chest as if someone was squeezing him too hard.
Kenny’s face slightly softened. He cupped Morgan’s face with gentle hands. Ones Morgan didn’t deserve.
“Trust is a two-way street,” Kenny said. He stared intently into Morgan’s eyes. “It can’t be mutual if you’re lying to me.”
Morgan bit down on his bottom lip and fought the urge to look away. “I didn—” Morgan took in a deep breath. “What if you don’t like what I have to say?”
Kenny tilted his head to the side. “You heard the guys out there. Half the time I don’t like what