dreaming about Dustin?”
Dorian’s jaw tightened, and he carefully negotiated a left turn before answering. “Because I got a call last night from the Department of Corrections. He tried to kill himself yesterday.”
“What?” Hyatt reached out and squeezed Dorian’s thigh without thinking. “Goddess, I’m so sorry. He tried? So he’s alive?”
“Yes. A guard found him in time, and he’s been transferred to a psychiatric facility for observation.”
“Oh, Dorian.”
He let out a harsh breath. “I didn’t want to bring this up first thing in the morning, but here we are.” Instead of continuing, Dorian pulled into the nearest public parking lot and idled in a space. He shifted to face Hyatt, his eyes glimmering with tears. “He’s not well, and the advocate who reached out thinks I should visit when the hold is over. I just don’t know what I would say to the man.”
“All you can do is speak from the heart.” He drew both of Dorian’s hands to his chest and squeezed them tight. “Dustin did a despicable thing when he went after Symon, but he still birthed and raised you. I wouldn’t fault you for reaching out, especially when he is clearly in so much pain.”
“But what if Symon faults me? I want to have a relationship with him, but he obviously doesn’t trust me or want the same. Reaching out to my omegin feels like a betrayal to Symon.”
Hyatt wasn’t great with the advice thing but he drew on everything he’d learned since his escape from Edgar’s hold. “I understand you wanting a relationship with Symon, but you’ve known him for about a year. You’ve known Dustin your entire life. And I’m not saying you need to choose between your brother and your omegin, but maybe one of them needs you right now more than the other does.”
Dorian’s face pinched. “Symon won’t ever need me, will he?”
“I can’t answer that. I cannot begin to understand my brother’s mind. What I do know is that right now, he has two brothers he knows and loves. He has friends in Jaxson, Jenson, Morgyn and so many others. He has scars he’s still ashamed of and internal pain he’s still processing. I want you to know him because Symon is an amazing person. But that’s not my decision. I mean, the skin grafts are done, but he still goes to physical therapy for his hand. I just…”
Hyatt flailed for the right thing to say, because Dorian looked ten seconds away from bursting into tears, and Hyatt couldn’t handle it if his alpha began to cry. “Symon may not need another brother in his life, but I pray to the goddess that one day he decides he wants you and Samuel. For his own reasons and in his own time.”
Dorian stared at him for several long moments, eyes becoming less glassy as he contemplated Hyatt’s words. “That’s fair. I suppose I’m sensitive to loss because I have two brothers who died very, very young. I have only the vaguest memory of one. I’ve already lost two brothers and both of my parents. I don’t want to lose anyone else.”
“I can’t begin to imagine what you’re feeling.” Hyatt unbuckled his seatbelt and scooted closer to Dorian, so he could hug his bondmate. “For a long time, Symon and Rebel were the only family I knew or trusted. And then I met the Jenkses. And Peyton and the rest of the Toveys. I understand so much more now what it means to suffer true loss, because I almost lost Peyton and Layne. And I almost lost Symon.”
Dorian flinched, and before he could pull away, Hyatt held tighter. “And I’m not blaming you for any of that last year,” Hyatt continued. “Only saying that we’re both in very complicated places right now. We need to be patient and allow our loved ones to make their own choices. As much as I would love for Symon to choose to be your brother, that has to be his decision. Not mine and not yours.”
“You are wise beyond your years, Hyatt Lee.” Dorian brushed his lips across Hyatt’s forehead. “I’ll never pressure Symon, I promise. Just like I’ll never pressure you about anything.”
“Thank you. And again, I’m so sorry for what’s going on with Dustin. You don’t deserve this sort of pain.”
“I appreciate you saying that.” After another quick kiss, Dorian got them back on the road. Hyatt studied him without being too obvious during the rest of the drive. Dorian still seemed troubled; Hyatt needed to make