decisions.”
“I bet. Edgar never took us to the doctor, either. It really sucked the most for Symon, because of his asthma and mold allergies, but all Edgar gave him was over-the-counter stuff and an inhaler.”
“But Symon is doing well now? With his lungs?”
“Oh yeah, so much better now that he doesn’t clean a mansion for a living. For all the pain he went through last year, Symon is thriving. He works at a bakery now, if you didn’t know.”
Dorian smiled. “I’m genuinely happy to hear it. I hope that, should you and I pursue our relationship, Symon and I can get to know each other. I’ve already lost two of my siblings, and I would love to gain one back.” His tone was a mix of hopeful and grief-stricken, and Hyatt nearly reached out to hug him.
“If we do this, you’ll have a lot more people than just Symon and Rebel to get to know. Rebel’s mate Karson? He came with an entire extended family, and we’re a pretty big bunch.”
“A protective big bunch,” Karter interjected.
“Plus, there’s my nephew and grand-nephew. Oh, my gosh.” Hyatt pulled out his phone and found his favorite shot of Peyton holding Caleb. He’d snapped it a couple of weeks ago. Peyton had been sitting in a chair with a sunbeam on his face, holding Caleb while he slept, and the angle had been too perfect not to take the photo.
Dorian took the phone and studied the image. “It’s still hard to believe you have a nephew who’s only a few months younger than you.”
“Believe me, it was a mind-fuck for us both.” He detailed the day he found out who his sire was and Karson taking him and Rebel to meet Peyton and Layne for the first time. “I’m lucky that I was able to find blood family. So far, we still have no idea who Rebel’s sire is, but we definitely don’t lack for found family.” Hyatt flashed Karter a grateful smile.
“Does Rebel want to know who his sire is?” Dorian asked.
“He doesn’t really talk about it. I mean, my sire’s DNA was on file, and we only found out about Symon because of Constable Bauer. Although, I guess it would have come out without him, since Dustin tried to have him killed.” His stomach clenched with unease. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring that up.”
“It’s part of our shared history, Hyatt, and we won’t do each other any good by avoiding or denying it. I am deeply ashamed of my omegin’s actions and the pain he caused you and your family. I can never apologize enough.”
“Yes, you can.” Hyatt took a chance and rested his palm over Dorian’s wrist. The contact sent a bolt of familiarity through his entire body. My alpha. “You are not responsible for what your parents did, and you don’t have to keep apologizing for them.”
“That’s very generous, thank you.”
“It’s not generous, it’s practical. You did not rape Symon’s omegin. You did not pay someone to try and kill Symon. You turned a huge fortune into a charitable foundation, when you could have taken all that credit and moved to another province where no one knew you. Started over. But you didn’t. You impress me, Dorian Fowler.”
Dorian turned his hand so they were palm to palm and gently squeezed. “That is a high compliment. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” And since the moment felt a tad too intimate for an audience, Hyatt reached for humor. “So tell me something really important.”
“All right.”
Hyatt quirked an eyebrow. “What do you like on your pizza?”
Dorian laughed out loud.
Ten
Dorian couldn’t remember a more perfect day in his life. After their nature walk, he drove his bondmate and chaperone to an inexpensive movie theater that showed older, cheaper films and was generally less crowded than the fancier theaters. Hyatt dug into a bucket of buttered popcorn while they watched a mid-afternoon matinee of a romantic comedy Dorian had seen and loved a few years ago.
After the movie, and despite everything he’d already eaten that day, Hyatt was eager for dinner. Dorian used his last romantic move by taking them back to his own apartment, where he’d had a pot roast with vegetables in a slow cooker all day long. His place smelled like beef and spices and Hyatt looked like he wanted to melt through the floor. Dorian served both of his guests glasses of red wine, because it accompanied the meal best.
Hyatt seemed charmed by the fact that Dorian had cooked at all,