Wolf's Pack (Wolves Next Door #3) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,79

another." He reached for the front door and paused. "I swear, Elena. He's one of our pups now. We'll protect him."

Those words were exactly what I needed to believe that this had really been sorted out that easily. Nodding was all it took for Seth to open the door, and I walked in. The living room was empty, but I could hear the kids talking upstairs - and there were a lot of them. At least three were talking at the same time. I was pretty sure they had no idea we'd made it home yet, but I also didn't want to interrupt.

So, tossing my jacket on the couch, I waved for Seth to do what he needed and made my way up the stairs. Not surprisingly, Seth followed. As I got closer to the top, the voices began to separate, finally letting me make out what the kids were saying.

"He said no son of his would be a queer," Theo was mumbled, his voice tense as if he was about to cry.

"It's ok," another boy soothed, and I could only guess that was Nikolai.

"Mom will let you crash with me," Roman assured him. "We'll figure out the rest tomorrow, man. I told you, I've got your back."

"We all do," Gabby said.

I rounded the corner just in time to see Nikolai caressing Theo's face. "And my dad will help too. This is a good place, Theo. I've only been here a few days, and I can already tell that."

"But what happens when they find out I'm gay too?" he asked.

I just tapped at the door frame, letting them know I was there. Theo jumped, but the rest simply looked up from where the entire group sat in the middle of the floor in Gabby's room. My daughter smiled in relief, but Theo looked like all of the blood had just drained from his body.

"You already told me you were gay," I said. "I didn't care then, and I don't care now. You're part of the pack, Theo, and we take care of each other." Then I looked over at Olivia. "Your mom's making up a room. Sounds like you got a new brother for as long as he wants to stay."

Gabby huffed. "Why not us?"

"I offered," I assured her, "but I was outvoted. Kim said she'll make room if there's no other option..." And I looked at Roman.

He chuckled. "But she knows you're into me, Theo. Means no sharing the same room."

Then Seth moved to my side, wrapping his arm around my waist. "And that thing about 'no turning until he lives here' means on his own, after he's eighteen. If any of you even think about biting him..." He looked at Nikolai. "Regardless of species." Then at Gabby. "The Alpha will deal with you himself."

"And when he's done, I will," I promised the kids. "Theo, you and Samantha are packmates. Being human doesn't change that. Being young doesn't change that. Being gay or straight or anything else doesn't change that. You helped us, now let us help you. Heather's made sure you have a home. Your friends will make sure that you're ok. Seth and I are going to go downstairs to fix some dinner to make sure that you're also fed. Have a taste for anything?"

"She makes the best tacos," Gabby told him.

The boy just smiled. "Anything's fine. Thank you..." He paused to swallow, then mumbled, "Alpha."

"You're welcome, Theo. And the rest of you? Text your parents that you're all ok, but you can stay as long as Theo needs."

"Roman," Seth said, "you're supposed to give Sam a ride home."

"I kinda told my parents I was spending the night," Sam admitted.

"Then tomorrow," I told her. "Kinda sounds like Gabby needs her betas." I leaned my head a bit and looked at Theo. "If you need to talk, I'm always available, ok?"

"Thank you, Elena - I mean, Alpha."

"Either one works," I assured him. "You're fine, Theo. I'm so sorry this happened to you, and I promise that your pack just wants to help."

He bit his lips together and nodded. "You are. That's why I came here, because Gabby always said wolves take care of each other. I just..." His voice cracked.

"Shh," Nikolai breathed, pulling the guy against him. "It's ok. We got you, Theo."

I caught Gabby's eye, nodded to make sure she knew she was doing the right thing, and turned to go back downstairs. She had this. My little girl wasn't even out of high school, and she