THREE

Quinn leaned back on the bed, his chest sweat-slick and his breath coming in pants. Gina leaned into him, her own body shaking. He couldn’t help the smug smile from forming at how sated she looked. He knew how to take care of his mate.

Gina punched him in the side. For someone so sated, she could still hit pretty damn hard.

“I know you’re doing that grin of yours that tells everyone that can see it that you’re a man and you made your woman come four times. Stop it.”

Quinn reached around and cupped her breast. When she let out a little gasp, his grin widened. “It was five times, actually.”

“Whatever. That third time was kind of small so I guess I just counted it as part of two.”

Quinn let out a growl before turning over. The laughter in her eyes told him she’d been joking, but now he had to prove he could get to six.

She put her hands on his chest and shook her head. “Oh, alpha mate of mine, I’m good. I promise.” She winced. “And kind of sore, so maybe we should take a break.”

Immediately, Quinn lowered himself to the side and petted her. “I’m sorry, little witch.”

Gina sighed and Quinn tucked her close. “I’m worried, Quinn.”

He kept stroking her. “About having a baby? We’ve only just started trying again.”

She shook her head then stopped. “Well, I’m a little worried about that. But more about Jesse. He’s been acting weird. Haven’t you noticed? He’s hiding something, and it’s worrying me.”

Quinn leaned back but kept his hands on his mate. “I don’t know what he could be hiding. Jesse’s always told us what he’s thinking, what he’s doing. Even as he grew up and turned into the man he’s become, he’s always let us in.” Quinn didn’t like that he couldn’t tell what was wrong with his son. For too long it had been him and Jesse against the world. When Gina had come into their lives, it had been for the better, even if he’d fought the mating at first.

“Do you think it’s because we’re trying for a baby?” Gina asked, her voice uncharacteristically small.

Quinn immediately covered Gina’s body with his own, taking her chin in his hand while leaning on his other arm. “Never think that. He always wanted this for us, even when he was a little kid and helping you learn to knit.”

Gina blinked away a tear, and he kissed the edge of her temple. “I sucked at knitting.”

“Jesse was better.”

His mate snorted. “I guess you’re right. I just worry about him.”

He kissed her nose then lay back down next to her. “I worry, too.” His wolf paced and he let out a breath. “I think it’s time I confront him.”

Gina sat up. “We will talk to him. Not just you. And don’t use words like confront. We’ll ask, we’ll talk, we’ll support. Confront might make him feel like we’re ganging up on him.”

Quinn let out a growl and sat up next to her. “I’m a wolf. I confront.”

“Wolves also prowl and work as a Pack.”

“Our son will be okay,” Quinn said after a moment.

“He’ll be okay,” Gina repeated.

They sat together in the living room, going over the latest news reports from Washington as they waited for Jesse to come home. While Jesse could have moved out a couple of years ago, he’d stayed with them after the Unveiling. Quinn liked having his son in the house, even if it took a little extra effort to make sure that whenever he and Gina wanted…to let out their wolves, they were alone. They had to be careful.

Though considering Jesse was a grown man now, Quinn just had to be thankful they’d soundproofed the bedrooms when they had.

When the front door opened and Jesse walked in, Quinn and Gina looked toward their son. While Gina tried to act casual about it, Quinn wasn’t as good at that.

Jesse froze before raising his chin. He met Quinn’s eyes before lowering his head. While Jesse was a dominant wolf, he still wasn’t as dominant at Quinn. That might change eventually, but for now, Jesse couldn’t keep eye contact.

“What’s up?” Jesse cleared this throat and stuck his hands in his pockets.

“Jesse, you need to tell us what’s wrong,” Gina blurted. She stood and gave Quinn a look he couldn’t interpret. “I’m sorry. I tried to come up with ways to be all nonchalant and work my way up to it, but we’re wolves and I’m not good at that. So, son, honey, tell us what’s wrong. What’s put that look in your eyes?”

Jesse opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Upset that something was wrong with his boy, Quinn stood and moved toward Jesse. “Tell us, Jesse. You’re hurting. My wolf can feel it.”

Jesse sighed and leaned into Quinn’s shoulder. Quinn wrapped his arms around his child, and then his mate, as Gina worked her way to their sides.

“Helena is back.”

It was a whisper, but Quinn heard it. Every muscle in his body tensed and he let a low growl escape him. Helena had broken the bond with Quinn so she could leave and be on her own. It had almost killed him; had shattered him, really.

And yet, he would have survived easily if it hadn’t been for Jesse. The pain of what Helena did to their son was what almost destroyed him.

Her betrayal had almost killed Jesse.

Gina had saved him.

Gina had saved Quinn.

And now, Helena was back.

“Why is she back?” Gina asked. “She’s banished.”

Jesse shook against them, and Quinn held him tighter. “I don’t know. I saw her outside the wards when I was doing a perimeter check and she called my name. I ran, Mom and Dad. I ran, and I didn’t look back. I ran, though I told my partner about her. No one could find Helena. It makes me a coward, right? A freaking coward.”

Quinn put his hand on the back of Jesse’s head before pulling back. “You are not a coward.”

“Your father’s right. You ran because of your instincts and nothing more. I don’t know why that woman is back, but we will find out.”

“I don’t know what to do,” Jesse finally whispered. “I’m sorry I kept it from you.”

Gina kissed Jesse’s cheek and met Quinn’s eyes. “We will figure it out, Jesse. No matter what, you are not alone. You are our family. We will take care of that woman as a family. As a Pack.”

Quinn couldn’t have said it better himself.

There was something hurting his family, his Pack, and they would find it and make it stop.

No matter what.