Dorian didn’t do anything wrong, but Dustin tried to kill Symon. I don’t know how to feel about anything anymore.”
“Then take your time,” Karson said. “Dorian is your bondmate, but you don’t owe him an immediate conversation. If you need to take a few days to figure out how you feel then do it. We will fight for you, Hyatt. Any battle, any enemy. Okay?”
“Thank you.” Hyatt hugged Rebel again while he tried to send his thanks to Karson with his eyes and smile. “This is all so freaking complicated.”
“It is. The good news is that you are not in any rush to accept or deny Dorian right away. You can take your time, Hyatt. I can’t remember a more complicated situation in our generation. I mean, except maybe Gaven and Frey but that was an old thing between their parents. This is…unique.”
“I’ve spent so many years dreaming of meeting my bondmate, but I never imagined he’d be…well, who he is.”
“A name doesn’t make someone cruel or evil,” Rebel said. “Neither does their past, or the past of the people who raised them. Do you remember how scared I was to be Karson’s mate? All I’d known until him was oppression and cruelty with a side dish of my brothers’ love. Trusting Karson’s faith was not easy for me. But I took that leap of faith because my instincts told me to. What do your instincts tell you?”
“I don’t know.” Hyatt leaned harder into Rebel, and he didn’t protest when Karson hugged him from his free side. “I guess I should at least have a conversation with Dorian. A sober one. He seems kind, but damn it, his omegin nearly killed Symon.”
“You can’t blame a man for the sins of his parents,” Karson said. “Look at the sires of so many of your friends. Your own sire, too. Maybe Neville and Dustin Fowler were horrible people but we can’t assign those traits to Dorian and Samuel. They are individuals.”
“I agree,” Rebel said. “I do not like that Dorian scared you last night, and I don’t like the idea of you two being alone together even for five minutes, but I do concede that it’s your choice, Hyatt. If he truly is your bondmate, then you should speak with him in a neutral space. Decide what you want.”
“I’ve dreamed of meeting my bondmate for years,” Hyatt replied, his chest tight and hot. “Just not like this. Not with all this baggage. Not with all this pain.”
“The goddess doesn’t make mistakes when it comes to our bondmates,” Karson said. “Trust her plan, okay?”
“I’ll try.” Hyatt had already overcome so many things in his life and fought so many obstacles. Naturally, his bondmate couldn’t simply be a kind alpha on the street he could get to know without a dark shadow hanging over them. “Let’s eat, the food’s probably cold.”
“Good plan, I’m starving.” Rebel plucked a piece of bacon off the plate and popped the whole strip into his mouth. “Karson brought me a sandwich from one of those new vending machines but that feels like a lifetime ago.”
“I bet.” He hadn’t eaten in forever, either, but Hyatt only had a slice of toast and coffee for now. His stomach was still squiggly and upset. “So you’re free and clear, right? No more charges for the punching?”
“I’m free and clear, according to Karter. Mr. Fowler and Senior Porter both declined charges so there’s nothing left to worry about. Well.” He glanced at Karson’s belly. “There’s some stuff to worry about but in a good way.”
“In the very best way.” Karson leaned in and rested his head on Rebel’s shoulder. The pair was intensely adorable together. “I hope our baby has Rebel’s red hair and freckles. I love his freckles.” Rebel whispered something in Karson’s ear that made Karson blush.
“As long as he’s healthy, he can look like whoever,” Hyatt said. “Although a little red-haired Rebel copycat sounds really cute. Let’s do that.”
Karson snorted. “It’s not like we have options here. No matter what, this baby will be loved and is very much wanted.” He touched his still flat belly. “I’m a little nervous but Rebel is an amazing mate, and we have the very best extended family. He’ll want for nothing.”
“Especially with Uncle Hyatt on the job.”
“Exactly. He will not want for uncles. Not between you, Symon, Jaxson and Jenson. Plus all my friends by extension. I’m so excited for this baby. Earlier than we’d planned but whatever. I’m going to be an