Declan - Heart of a Tiger (Royal Taiga Streak #1) - J.R. Loveless Page 0,40
change them when he took over ten years ago after his father’s death, but now, after seeing this, he would have the borders patrolled at least once or twice a week to ensure this couldn’t happen again.
“It’s not your fault, Declan,” Cameron murmured. “You couldn’t have known. No one could have. Most streak members never even go out that far.”
“It doesn’t make it okay!” Declan protested, clenching his hands into fists, uncaring as the claws cut into his palms. Blood spilled over his fingers. “My life mate suffered so much and even now continues to do so because I wasn’t the alpha I should have been.”
Cameron came around to Declan’s side. “Stop, Dec. You can’t continue to take the blame on your shoulders like this. It’s not healthy and it won’t help Sean. He’s going to need you to be there for him. He’s never shifted from what you told me so he has never accessed his animal half. Right now, he’s safe from any harm. His mental link to his other side hasn’t been established so there’s no chance of spirit rot.”
Declan’s breath caught in his throat and his chest almost caved in. He hadn’t even thought of something so vile. It was something he’d never wish on anyone. Spirit rot left the shifter an empty shell, hollow and lifeless. Declan had only ever seen it twice in his life and he could never forget the way the two who’d gone through it had wasted away to nothing before their souls had been set free. “We need to get him those tests immediately, Cam,” Declan whispered.
Cameron set his hand on Declan’s shoulder. “We will, Dec. I’ll set it up as soon as possible. Until then, try not to worry. I just wanted you to be aware of Sean’s situation. I also think Sean should talk to Amanda.”
Amanda Binson was their resident human therapist and one of the very few humans to know of their existence having had a sister who mated a lion shifter in the streak. She worked in the nearby city, but had learned to apply quite a bit of her skill to the members of the streak. “I’ll do the same for the three girls, too. The youngest, Victoria, won’t even speak. I think all of them could use someone to talk to.” Declan gave a distracted grunt. His skin itched and he needed to be with his mate. “I’m going to take Sean home.”
He stood, but Cameron stopped him. “Dec?” Turning his head, he looked at Cameron still seated in the chair beside him. “Don’t forget Sean is stronger than you think.”
“Yeah,” Declan murmured and then left the office.
Sean had his knees drawn to his chest, his arms looped loosely around them, when Declan entered the waiting room. A smile tilted the corners of Sean’s lips and Declan held out his arms, his heart swelling when Sean instantly flew into them. He embraced Sean close, rubbing his chin over the top of Sean’s scalp in an attempt to ensure his scent was all over him. “I’m sorry I took so long,” Declan said.
“It’s okay. Can we go home? I’m a little tired.”
Sean’s easy use of the word home sent warmth through Declan. “Whatever you want, gorgeous.” Declan reluctantly released Sean, but kept an arm around Sean’s waist. “Cameron is going to schedule some further tests for you in the city. Something he feels is necessary before we can remove the collar. Okay?”
A slender shoulder lifted in a careless shrug. It hurt Declan’s spirit how easily Sean accepted the lack of connection to his animal half. He supposed with Sean never having shifted there couldn’t be any sense of loss, but he couldn’t understand how Sean just didn’t seem to care. He kept quiet until they were back at the house and Sean had removed the borrowed sneakers and was about to get into bed. “Sean?”
Sean looked at him, pausing with his hand on the comforter. “What’s wrong?” he asked when he saw whatever it was on Declan’s face.
“Do you not want the collar removed?”
Lips parting, Sean dropped the blanket. He sat down on the edge of the bed, setting his hands in his lap. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Declan took a seat next to Sean. “You just don’t seem affected by the idea of finally being able to shift. Don’t you want to?”
Sean wouldn’t look at him. Instead he stared at his lap. “I don’t know,” Sean whispered.