our existence.
“There’s a daycare that the parents are able to leave their children at while they go about their daily tasks or jobs. The nearest town is about thirty miles south of here. Usually we take whatever we grow, craft, or wish to sell there. Many of the business owners have contracts with the streak.”
“Do the humans come here?” Sean asked, peering around curiously.
“No. We do not allow them on our land. My great grandfather bought two thousand acres of land for the streak before this area had developed as much as it has. There are other houses and cabins littering the area, but we’re relatively safe to wander the forest in our animal forms as much as we need.” Declan waved at Micah Rivers, a bobcat shifter, who called out a greeting from his front porch.
“How many shifters are there in your streak?”
“There are a little over two hundred. Now more with you, Sam, and the others.”
Sean stopped and looked at him. “You consider us part of your streak?”
Declan turned Sean toward him. He raised a hand to cup Sean’s cheek. “Of course, Sean. You’re my mate. The moment I scented you was the moment you became a part of me and a part of this streak. The girls are your pack. They refuse to leave you which means they belong here, too. For as long as they wish it.”
The blue of Sean’s eyes became so bright it almost hurt and then Declan found his arms full of Sean, his slender arms around Declan’s waist. “Thank you,” Sean whispered.
Tenderness swamped Declan and he carded his fingers through Sean’s jagged locks. “You do not have to thank me, Sean. I would do anything for you.”
Sean nuzzled his cheek into Declan’s chest in an almost feline way. Declan had a sneaking suspicion Sean was some sort of cat shifter. The smaller male seemed way too tactile to be any other type. “Come on, we need to get you seen to and I think those stitches need to be removed too so we can finally get you into a shower and then see about having your hair trimmed.” Declan touched the threaded flesh on Sean’s collar bone and forehead. “Cam didn’t have a chance to take these out earlier.”
A small sigh came free, but Sean stepped away. “Okay.”
They continued to the clinic, Declan still describing and explaining the ways of his streak to Sean as they went. There were two female wolf shifters with their children in the waiting area when they arrived. “Alpha Declan,” they greeted in unison.
“Is everything okay, Lisa? Heather?” Declan asked.
“Everything’s fine. Christian has a minor stomach bug. Think he picked it up at the daycare,” Lisa explained.
Heather smiled. “Same with my youngest Richard. He’s been under the weather. Was hoping Dr. West could prescribe something to settle his stomach.”
“Dr. West?” Sean murmured.
The two women zeroed in on Sean then who immediately stepped behind Declan a fraction at the sudden attention. “Lisa Lunera and Heather Memphis, this is Sean, my mate,” Declan announced proudly, drawing Sean to his side.
The two women gasped and stood, congratulating Declan. “That’s so wonderful, Alpha!” Lisa exclaimed, holding her hand out to Sean.
Sean tentatively took it, appearing uncertain, and Declan nudged Sean forward with a gentle palm. “Lisa is the owner of the daycare I mentioned before and Heather helps oversee the accounts and inventory of the streak. She’s Victor’s cousin’s wife.”
Lisa smiled, warm and inviting, and clasped his hand in between two of hers. “Look at you. Such beautiful skin! Like porcelain. I’m so jealous.”
A becoming blush stained Sean’s cheeks pink and Declan hid a grin. “We’re here to see Dr. Green. Sean is still healing from his ordeal.”
“Oh, I heard the rumors!” Heather exclaimed, clucking her tongue. “Such an awful thing! You were one of those children, Sean?”
The flush faded away along with Sean’s smile and Declan could sense Sean’s unease. He placed his hand on Sean’s shoulder. “I think Dr. Green is ready for us,” he said, glancing at the nurse who sat at the front desk.
“Oh, of course! Welcome to the streak, Sean!” Heather said.
“Thank you,” Sean whispered.
“I hope your little ones feel better,” Declan said as he led Sean toward the back of the clinic.
Cameron appeared in one of the doorways. “In here, Alpha.”
Declan coaxed Sean into the room and helped Sean onto the table Cameron indicated. First, Cameron made short work of removing the stitches. Though the wounds had healed significantly, slashes of pink still marred the