This was the same argument—minus the part about being shot—that he’d had with them when he’d told his folks he was moving out. Kyle wasn’t in the mood for the argument, so he closed his eyes and sighed.

  “I’m tired. I need my rest.”

  His mother patted his hand. “We booked a room at the bed and breakfast. We’ll be close by to take care of you until you’re released and can come home.”

  Kyle clenched his jaw, stopping himself from arguing. What was the point? It wasn’t as though they would listen to him. Then again, he might not have a choice. Kyle didn’t want to go back to his apartment, and it seemed Mack was done with him.

  Tears stung his eyes, and a hard lump formed in his throat. He was glad he had his eyes closed because he didn’t want his mom and dad to see him cry.

  He listened for the door to open and close before he curled on his side and slid his arms around his midsection. He didn’t want to lose Mack or Joshua, but he had no idea how to fix this.

  Chapter Eight

  Mack watched Kyle’s parents exit the clinic without a single word spoken to him. In fact, Mrs. Harrison looked to be actively avoiding making eye contact as Mr. Harrison hurried along, nearly dragging his wife out the doors. But before they disappeared Mrs. Harrison gave Mack a sharp disapproving glare.

  He ground his teeth and gave a little growl at the secret they’d sworn him to. It hadn’t been fair of them to lay that kind of burden on his shoulders, even if he was grateful to them for keeping Joshua safe at the police station.

  When Mack had been operating on Kyle, his mate had needed blood. Mack had gone to Kyle’s parents, and it was then that they’d confessed that they weren’t his biological parents. It had been Johnny who’d donated and helped save Kyle’s life.

  He pivoted and looked down the hallway, telling himself that he needed to go check on Kyle.

  Mack had been so terrified of losing his mate that he still couldn’t go into the room. He’d nearly lost the one man fate had deemed his, and every time Mack thought of that, his chest compressed and he felt as though he couldn’t get enough oxygen into his lungs.

  And Joshua. Mack wiped a hand over his face and let out a snarl. The stranger had tried to take Joshua from Kyle, had reached for him in his playpen. Mack no longer had doubts that the shooter was Craig Pierson.

  If he got his hands on that son of a bitch, Mack would tear him to shreds.

  Nicholas laid a hand on Mack’s upper arm, startling him. “You might want to put those canines away,” Nicholas said. “Go check on Kyle. I don’t mind watching this cute little bundle of joy.”

  Joshua had his head resting on the doctor’s shoulder, fast asleep and unaware of the craziness all around him. Mack slid his hand down his son’s back, thankful Kyle had risked his life to keep Joshua safe. He was also pissed Kyle had to do that in the first place. Who the fuck was so twisted that they would shoot a father just to get their hands on his son?

  The Pierson family had crossed the line, and Mack was gonna either kill all of them or get proof of what they’d done so the courts would never grant them a damn thing—especially when they would be behind bars.

  “Thanks.” Mack strode down the hallway and stopped at Kyle’s door. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that his mate hadn’t been killed. That Kyle was fine and would recover. That Kyle had risked his life, had fought an armed man, just to keep Joshua safe.

  How the hell could Mack ever repay him for that? He shoved his fears down and entered the room. Kyle was on his side, curled into a ball, and his eyes were closed. But Mack could tell that he was awake.

  He sat in the chair Johnny had vacated and rested his hand on his mate’s head. “How’re you feeling?”

  It felt good to touch him, to reassure himself that Kyle hadn’t died, that their connection was there and still as strong as ever.

  Kyle wiped at an escaped tear and sniffled. “Okay.”

  “No pain or discomfort?”

  “No.” Kyle had yet to open his eyes. Was he upset that he’d been pulled into Mack’s insanity? He wouldn’t blame his mate if he wanted to distance himself. Kyle hadn’t asked for any of this. Hell, Mack hadn’t either. He just wanted to raise his son in peace and, god willing, with his mate at his side.

  “I haven’t had a chance to thank you,” Mack said as he brushed his fingers through Kyle’s soft hair. “You were very brave protecting Joshua, and I’m indebted to you.”

  Kyle slowly cracked his eyes open. There were those blue beauties Mack loved to look at. “You’re not angry at me?”

  Mack was taken aback. “Why on earth would I be angry with you?”

  “Because I opened the door without looking to see who it was.” Kyle wiped at another stray tear. “My mom and dad were running late, and I thought it was them.” Now the tears started flowing. “I’m so sorry!”

  Mack let the side rail down and curled his arms around his mate. It felt good to have Kyle in his arms again, to smell his scent, and to hear his heart beating. “Even if you hadn’t answered the door, the guy would’ve busted in. This isn’t your fault, hon. Don’t you dare try and blame yourself.”

  He pressed his cheek to the side of Kyle’s head and shushed him as he thanked fate that Kyle hadn’t been taken from him.

  “Can I see him?” Kyle pulled away and wiped at his eyes. “I need to see Joshua, and my mom told me Dr. Sheehan had him.”

  Mack gave Kyle a soft kiss. “I’ll go get him, but you have to be careful. You’re hours out of surgery and should be resting.”

  “I just need to see him.”

  Kyle struggled to sit up. Mack helped him, making sure his mate was comfortable before he went to retrieve his son. He found Nicholas and Joshua in the doctor’s office. Nicholas was seated on his couch, Mack’s son tucked in his arms.

  With a nod of appreciation, Mack scooped Joshua up and took him to Kyle’s room. His son stirred, and then his eyes popped open. As soon as he saw Kyle, he smiled.

  Kyle held his hands out, and Mack handed Joshua over. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” He hugged the infant to him. “I was so scared for both of us.”

  Joshua slapped a hand against Kyle’s face and giggled. The sight of the two most important men in Mack’s life made a burning lump form in his throat. He brushed his hand over Joshua’s hair and then Kyle’s, sending up a prayer of gratitude that they both were fine.

  * * * *

  Orlando met up with Kota and Loco—two timber wolves who helped keep the town safe. They were a part of Maverick’s pack, and Orlando was thankful for the help.

  “Maverick has other sentries scouring the town, looking for the shooter,” Kota said. “The bastard fucked up when he tried to abduct a baby.”

  Orlando was still livid that Deputy Boyd had been sitting in his patrol car outside the apartment building instead of inside where he could’ve better protected Kyle and Joshua. After Orlando had left the clinic, he’d gone back to the station and read Boyd the riot act.

  Orlando also felt guilty. First, he hadn’t run the plates, and then he’d handed off the stake-out to someone else because he’d wanted to track down the shooter. A lot of good that idea had done him, but now more than ever, he was determined to catch the guy.

  “If he is this hell-bent on taking the pup, then he has to still be in town,” Loco said. “Our best bet is to stick close to the clinic while Dr. Fargo and his family are all in there.”

  They were already standing in the clinic parking lot. Orlando just wished it wasn’t asshole-cold outside. Too bad he couldn’t shift. His fur would keep him a hell of a lot warmer than his coat.

  “I’ll take first watch outside while you go inside,” Kota said, as if reading Orlando’s mind. Besides, he’d rather be closer to the pup, because if the perp tried to sneak in, Orlando was gonna unload his clip in the bastard’s head.

  * * * *

  This was not how Kyle wanted to spend his days before Christmas. Stuck in a hospital bed was on his least-favorite-things list, though he had a hot doctor, namely Mack, who came into his room often, so being here wasn’t so bad.

  But it was his parents’ behavior that struck him as odd. They’d come to visit him, just as they said they would, but they were acting…strange. His mother barely looked at him, and his father kept stumbling over his words and clearing his throat, his gaze shooting toward the door more than once.

  The only explanation he could come up with was that they were uncomfortable with the idea of Mack and Joshua being in Kyle’s life. The thought ticked him off because Mack and Joshua were the sweetest people. But Kyle was not in the mood to argue, so he didn’t ask why they were acting so distant. He left the subject alone and was glad when they finally left, taking the awkwardness with them.

  When they exited the room, Kyle let out a long-suffering breath. What on earth had gotten into them? Of course, he wanted to know but was glad he hadn’t asked because he wasn’t left with a migraine.

  Ten minutes later Johnny strode in, a deck of cards in his hand and a perky smile on his face. Soon after that, his parents’ peculiar behavior faded from Kyle’s mind as he laughed and allowed his friend to kick his butt in several card games.

  * * * *

  “We’re gonna bust you out of here today,” Mack said when he entered the room. His mate was out of bed and staring out the window. He turned when Mack entered, and a sweet smile spread across his face.

  “Thank god,” Kyle said. “I’ve been going stir-crazy in here.” The back of his gown was open, showing off his nicely shaped ass. He had on underwear, but the sight of him barely dressed had Mack’s wolf whimpering.

  Mack closed the distance and ran his knuckles over Kyle’s smooth jaw. “Let’s not see you back here again, okay? You’re lucky the bullet missed all your vital organs.”

  “I’m lucky I lived.” Kyle went to the closet and grabbed his bag. “I can get dressed, right?”

  “Actually, I grabbed some of your clothes from your apartment. I cut your shirt when you were wheeled in here.” Even if he hadn’t, Mack didn’t want Kyle wearing the bloody thing. He would throw the shirt away the first chance he had. “I’ll go get your bag from my office.”

  Mack strode from the room, feeling in better spirits, when he heard something click behind him. He pivoted and looked to see who was there, but the hallway was empty.

  Even though he didn’t see anyone, warning bells sounded in his head. Mack’s canines descended, and his claws emerged as he headed back to Kyle’s room. When he swung the door open, he felt relief to find his mate standing by the bed, digging through his bag.

  Kyle looked at Mack’s hands, and then his gaze swung to his face. “What’s wrong? Why do you look like you’re about to shift into your wolf?”

  Mack’s nose wrinkled as he sniffed the room, but all he smelled was his mate. He didn’t want to take Kyle with him to check the clinic, but he didn’t want to leave him in his room, either.

  “Mack?” Kyle tilted his head to the side. “Should I be worried?”

  He was amazed at how adapted Kyle had become in his world. His mate didn’t look terrified or freaked out. He simply looked confused.

  A snarl erupted from Mack when he heard the click again. If he wasn’t mistaken, it was the sound of a hammer being cocked back on a gun.

  He might be imagining the noise, but Mack couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was in the clinic besides the people that belonged there. Dr. Sheehan had left for the day, having another patient he needed to check on, and Joshua was at the Den, being babysat by the timber wolves.

  After Kyle’s parents had revealed their secret, they didn’t seem to want anything to do with Mack or his son, as though Mack would spill the beans and reveal to Kyle that he was adopted.

  Mack didn’t give a crap about that. They should’ve told Kyle when he was younger. In his opinion, keeping secrets like that from your kid did more damage than good.

  But it wasn’t his place to tell Kyle. He’d learned with the Piersons to keep his nose out of that kind of drama.

  Mack grabbed Kyle’s hand and pulled him toward the door. “Keep quiet.”

  Kyle pressed his lips together and nodded.

  Mr. Schroder—the car crash victim—was resting one room over, his wife still at his side. Mack moved toward their room to check on the elderly couple and was glad to see the husband was asleep and the wife was seated in a chair as she read some book.

  She smiled warmly at him, and Mack nodded before he closed the door again. He didn’t want any trouble invading the couple’s room. They’d been through enough already. Mack wasn’t even sure there was trouble, other than his wolf sensing something out of place.

  He stood in the hallway and closed his eyes, listening for the noise to repeat itself. Kyle’s hand was still in his, but it had grown clammy. His mate was afraid, but he remained quiet.

  Maybe Mack was being paranoid. After all, the timber wolves were outside. Wouldn’t they have noticed if a stranger had strolled in here? Wouldn’t they have made sure Mack was aware if a stranger was there?

  The sound hadn’t repeated. If someone had been there, they were now gone. That revelation didn’t set Mack at ease. The hairs along his arms still stood on end, but as he made his way to his office, he began to relax.

  “Can I talk now?” Kyle whispered.

  Mack squeezed his hand. “Sorry for scaring you. I thought someone was in the clinic.”

  “There is someone in the clinic,” Kyle whispered. “The old couple and us.”

  That made Mack chuckle. “Sexy and smart.” He winked at his mate. “You’re quite the catch.”

  Kyle blushed. “When I get dressed, who’s taking me to your house?”

  “Dr. James McNeal from Desire sometimes fills in for us. He’ll be here soon, and then I’ll be taking you home. But we’ll have to stop on our way to pick up Joshua.”

  He opened his office door and stepped aside, allowing Kyle to enter first.

  “I miss him,” Kyle said. “I can’t believe how attached I’ve become.”

  And that did Mack’s heart good. He shuddered at the thought of finding his mate and then finding out his mate detested children. That would have been the worst-case scenario.

  But Kyle had a big heart, and Mack could tell his mate wasn’t faking when it came to how he felt about his son.

  Kyle went to the leather couch in Mack’s office and dug through his bag as Mack sat behind his desk and began his paperwork. As his fingers clicked over the keyboard, Mack heard that click sound again.

  When he looked up, a stranger stood in the corner of his office, a gun in his hand.

  Chapter Nine

  Kyle was digging through his bag when he felt the hairs on his neck stand on end. He spun and then gasped when he saw a tall stranger standing in the corner of the office. He had a gun in his hand and was glaring between Kyle and Mack, but Kyle couldn’t see his face because the guy wore a ski mask. “Where’s the kid?”

  Mack slowly stood, a growl ripping from his throat. Kyle froze in fear, recalling the voice. It was the same guy who’d attacked him at his apartment. His side began to ache as Mack moved from around his desk.

  “Not another step.” The stranger waved his gun. “Just hand over the kid and no one has to get hurt.”

  “Did you just seriously say that?” Mack moved closer to Kyle, blocking his view.

  Kyle was fine with that since he was seconds away from passing out. He might’ve been brave at his apartment, but that was because he had to fight to keep Joshua safe. His legs trembled, and his knees threatened to give out as Mack stood fully in front of him.

  “This isn’t personal,” the man said. “It’s just business.”

  “And I have a counter offer,” Mack said. “You have five seconds to get away before I rip your throat out.”

  The man smirked and nodded at his gun. “I think I have the upper hand here.”

  “And you’re not Craig.” Mack said it as if the fact pissed him off. “I see the Piersons wanted to keep their hands clean.”

  Kyle peeked around Mack and gasped when he saw the stranger raise his gun and aimed it at Mack’s chest. “Where’s the kid!”

  Where the hell were the wolves who were supposed to be guarding the clinic? Now would be a good time for them to show up. Kyle gripped the back of Mack’s shirt as he shivered, praying the guy didn’t shoot them.

  “You’ll never get your hands on him,” Mack snarled.

  One second his mate stood in front of him, and the next, he shifted into his wolf and leaped toward the gunman. Kyle screamed when the gun went off. The wolf went down but got right back up and went for the guy again. Another shot rang out, making Kyle cover his ears as he dropped to the floor to try and protect himself.

  The wolf lay on his side, panting heavily, but fighting to get back up. “Stay down,” Kyle begged Mack. “Don’t get up again.”

  The stranger pointed his gun at Kyle. There was no remorse or even sympathy in his eyes. They were as cold as the winter snow as he stared at Kyle.

  Howls erupted outside. The stranger backed away. “This isn’t over.”

  He clambered through the office window and was gone by the time Kota came into Mack’s office.

  “He went out the window!” Kyle shouted as he scurried toward his wolf. When he pressed his hands into Mack’s fur, his hand became coated in blood. “Help! I need help!”

  Just then a stranger walked into the room. Kyle threw himself over Mack to protect him from the…god, the guy was sexy as hell. Kyle felt like shit for thinking that, but the man was drool-worthy.

  “I’m Dr. McNeal.” The man hunched down next to Mack. “Is Dr. Fargo your mate?”

  Kyle numbly nodded as tears streaked down his face. He moved from on top of the wolf and asked, “Can you help him?”

  “All he needs is rest.” Dr. McNeal examined Mack’s wounds. “His body will work the bullets out. Just give him time.”