Declan - Heart of a Tiger (Royal Taiga Streak #1) - J.R. Loveless Page 0,85

have pictures of them?” Sean asked leaning his head against Declan’s shoulder.

“I do, back in my office. Do you want to see them?”

“Yes!” Sean replied enthusiastically, pulling away to stare at Declan with a pleading expression. “I really do. Will you show them to me?”

“It’s almost dinner time. Let’s head back and I’ll show you them before we eat, okay?”

Sean nodded eagerly and the two of them shifted. Declan led the return to the main house. A few members of the streak waved at the two of them on their way past, several staring in surprise and Sean thought even awe. Sam and Tara waited on the steps when they arrived and he saw both of their eyes widen. Then Sam and Tara were down the steps, throwing their arms around Sean’s neck and hugging him tightly. “You did it, Sean! Oh, you’re so amazingly gorgeous!”

“Wait until Vicky sees you!” Tara exclaimed. “She’s going to adore you even more!”

22

Declan

Declan allowed the girls a few moments to fawn over Sean before chuffing and nudging his mate into the house. He didn’t want anyone seeing Sean naked and, since he’d pretty much shredded the clothing he wore during his first shift, he needed to get the two of them to their bedroom. Sam opened the door for them and Declan padded into the house and up the stairs. Sean followed behind him.

Once they were in the bedroom, Declan shifted and closed the door. “Come on, sexy. Change back and we’ll go see those pictures.”

It took a moment or two for Sean to fully shift, but he could already see Sean doing so much better already. The blue of his eyes fairly glowed with his animal spirit. Declan wanted to forget about dinner, forget about the pictures of Sean’s possible family, and throw his mate down on the nearby mattress, but he kept a tight rein on his urges. Especially since he knew Sean was beyond eager to see the pictures.

He also thought about the therapy session he’d requested for Sean that evening, but he could already see exhaustion on Sean’s features after everything he’d gone through for the day. It wouldn’t hurt to wait until after his meetings with the clans. Especially if it came down to Sean having to recount the details of his life in the basement of Carl McNeely’s home. He sent off a quick text to Amanda to postpone the session until tomorrow night.

Sean didn’t take long to throw on a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt similar to the ones Declan pulled on. “Do you think they’ll know me?” Sean asked, his face flushed with his excitement. “Do you think they’ll remember me?”

“No one could ever forget you,” Declan said, holding his hand out to Sean, who immediately took it. Every day was another step toward Sean fully emerging from his shell, learning to live, and experiencing so many of the things he’d missed out on. Sean trailed after him on their way to Declan’s office, almost bouncing on his feet. Affection warmed Declan’s heart. If he hadn’t already fallen in love with Sean, he would have right then and there.

He booted up his computer, urging Sean to sit in the desk chair. He opened his last correspondence they’d sent a picture in and opened the attachment. Sean leaned in so close to the screen he almost fell out of his seat. Unable to stifle a laugh, Declan gripped Sean by his shoulder. “Easy, Sean. You can’t climb through the screen.”

Sean stared at the image, eyes wide, and he reached out to touch Nicole’s features. “She’s beautiful.”

Declan could see the resemblance right then and he knew without a doubt they were Sean’s family. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t noticed it sooner really. Knowing his mate would have been in the streak regardless of the situation blew Declan’s mind. He’d been right there, right under Declan’s nose, and he hadn’t even known it.

“I knew they’d lost a child, many years ago, but I never made the connection because I didn’t know what type of shifter you were. I sensed cat, but since you’d never shifted, we couldn’t know for sure.”

“So, I really could be their son?” Sean murmured, never taking his eyes off the picture.

“Yes, baby, I think you are.”

Sean finally ripped his gaze away from the monitor. “I have a family. I have a brother! Declan!”

“You have a family no matter what, Sean,” Declan said.

The excitement in Sean’s eyes dimmed. “Do you… Do you think they’ll