lost one child years ago, he couldn't allow them to be so far out of his reach without being kept abreast of their movements.
The email stated they were well, had located their family, and would be returning home soon. They hoped everyone was doing well and they looked forward to seeing their streak members soon. Arthur went on to talk about how their homeland was beautiful and they were grateful to Declan for allowing them the freedom to return to Russia to see it. He also attached photos of the three of them with family members and then singles of Arthur and Nicole or just Austin at some tourist location. Declan smiled, happy to see they were enjoying their trip. He sent off a quick reply, telling them to be safe and that no thanks were needed.
Standing, Declan went to the french doors overlooking the back of the house. His skin twitched and he could sense his tiger needing to be free for a little while. He cracked open the doors before stripping his clothing and setting them aside. With a seamless shift, he took on his animal form and padded softly outside into the sunlight. The warmth caressed his fur and he yawned and stretched, kneading the grass beneath his large paws. Sometimes setting his tiger loose after being in his human form for several days was a bit like being contorted into a small confined space for a long period of time. Bones cracked, muscles stretched and burned. It felt fantastic.
Declan tossed his head back and let out a loud roar which a few others nearby returned in eagerness. He flopped down in the grass and rolled around for a moment or two then launched to his feet and took off running into the forest. The trees rustled overhead in the wind, whispering of the coming autumn days. His claws dug into the earth, eating up the ground as he darted around trees and over fallen logs and branches. He chased after a jackrabbit until it disappeared into a burrow, missing it by a hairsbreadth.
After letting off some of the restlessness in his blood, Declan returned to the main house and once back inside his office, shifted and dressed again. Eagerness to see his mate sent him out of the study and up the stairs. He found Sean alone, asleep, and approached the bed, smiling gently. He reached down and brushed a strand of hair back from Sean’s cheek only to frown when Sean whimpered and flinched. “Hey, baby, it’s just me,” Declan murmured, hoping to sooth Sean.
Sean’s eyes flew open. Fear and panic almost swallowed the irises whole.
“Easy,” Declan rumbled in a soft tone, sliding the tips of his fingers along Sean’s neck in a light caress.
“Declan?” Sean said, his voice shaking.
Declan lowered himself to his knees beside the bed, instinctively understanding that towering over Sean wasn’t a good idea. “Yes, Sean, it’s me.”
“I-I’m sorry,” Sean mumbled.
“For what?” Declan asked, confused, still touching Sean. His tiger loved the feel of Sean’s smooth skin. He wanted to bury himself inside the smaller shifter and never surface.
Sean shook his head as tears dampened his lashes.
Declan sucked in a deep breath at how much the sight of Sean crying caused his chest to tighten. He brought the hand stroking Sean’s skin up to cup Sean’s cheek. His heart clenched when Sean leaned into his palm unconsciously. It was clear his animal knew their connection. “Are you afraid of me?” Declan asked, pained at the thought.
“No,” Sean whispered.
“Then why are you sorry?”
“For being so much trouble.”
Surprise held Declan mute for a moment and then Declan gave a low growl causing Sean to jerk and blink at him in confusion. “You aren’t trouble, Sean. You’re-“ Declan cut himself off. He couldn’t reveal to Sean just yet about them being mates. “You’re the reason my nephew and all of the others are still alive. You’re amazing and strong and so much more than words can begin to describe. But never believe you are trouble. I don’t want to hear you say that about yourself again. Understand?”
Sean swallowed hard and nodded at Declan, but it wasn’t fear Declan scented from his mate. Arousal wafted from Sean once more sending heat straight to Declan’s cock. He bit back a groan as the zipper on his jeans bit into the straining flesh between his thighs. His cock jerked when Sean licked his lips nervously and Declan couldn’t stop himself. He rose from the floor and covered