My heart was beating so fast and so loud, I feared it might explode. Blood rushed through my skull until it was the only thing I could hear, deafening me to anything else Huxley might’ve said. Everything was reeling, spinning wildly of my control, no matter how hard I clung to those fragile threads.

I shouldn’t be here. I didn’t belong here, not in a place like this. It was too nice, too damn nice for someone who’d spent his last few years in a run-down trailer filled with gropy werewolves. Suddenly, I felt dirty. Stained with a grime that would never wash off, a filth that was more than just skin deep, and I couldn’t breathe.

At the joyful screech of a child, I stopped dead in my tracks—and gaped. A rusty-haired little boy collided with my legs, hugging me around the knees as tightly as his chubby arms could muster, and my heart cracked in two. My pulse stumbled. My breath hitched.

He looked just like Charlie. Charlie had a son. God, I didn’t even know, didn’t have a fucking clue… What sort of brother did that make me?

“Daddy’s home!”

“Dresden—” Huxley’s face was pinched, suddenly washed out and pale, and the knot in my throat grew thicker. His name was Dresden? Leave it to my brother to name his kid after his favorite book series. Nerd. But my composure was crumbling away, sloughing off the deadened parts of me and before I could stop myself, I was on my knees.

Dresden had Charlie’s smile, so impish and joyful. My vision blurred. I blinked the tears away and took his small hands in both of mine. “I-I’m not your daddy, honey,” I managed to choke out, stroking the pads of my thumbs over his soft skin. “I’m your daddy’s brother—your uncle.”

His lips puckered. “Uncle?”

I nodded. “Uncle Chance.” My voice broke on the word and I sagged there on the floor, covering my mouth with both hands to try and keep the pain from escaping. I’d lost so much… I’d missed out on the birth of my nephew. Tears burned my eyes and I let them fall. “I-I’m sorry,” I whispered, but nothing could’ve prepared me for what the little boy did next.

He wrapped both arms around my neck and squeezed, patting my back in that awkward way that only children could. “Shh. Shh, don’t cry, Uncle Chance. It’s gonna be okay.”

It broke my goddamn heart and the shattered pieces trickled down like glass.

I didn’t belong here. I didn’t belong in their lives. I gingerly hugged him back and then scrambled to my feet. “I’m sorry,” I uttered hoarsely, glancing between Huxley and his brother before backing away. “I—I need to go.”

“Chance. Wait.” Huxley grabbed my wrist, preventing my escape. I swung around to face him. His Adam’s apple bobbed, emotions churning in his dark chocolate eyes. “Please, don’t run. I want to help you. Let us help you get back on your feet, okay? Please. Charlie would be rolling in his grave if he saw you right now.”

He rubbed his eyes with his forefinger and his thumb, as if trying to keep from losing it in front of his kid. My chest squeezed. A wave of pain roiled through me, fresh and hot. I hated it, because he was right. Charlie loved me. He’d risked his life to try and save mine. He’d tried his hardest to break Bones’s grip on me and the price was paid with his life.

I didn’t deserve it, just as I didn’t deserve Huxley’s kindness, but I was so damn tired of running. I couldn’t stay, not unless I wanted to bring Bones’s wrath upon their doorstep. I couldn’t do that to Huxley after everything he’d been through, but a couple nights couldn’t hurt, right?

“Okay,” I whispered, my throat feeling raw.

Huxley smiled sadly and took my hand to guide me down the hall. He pushed open the door to a small guest room done up in soft creams and scalloped lace. “Come here, little fox.” I was drawn into his arms, in an embrace so sweet it hurt and for a moment, I panicked. Huxley didn’t let go, even though I struggled. It was like he knew exactly what I needed.

With a choked sob, I collapsed against his chest and began to cry for everything that I’d lost. When I finally composed myself, his shirt was soaked with tears. I sniffled and pulled back. “S-Sorry…”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m not. Let it out, Chance. Let it all out. I’m here for you.” He squeezed me tightly, then let me go. His fingers curled beneath my chin, drawing my gaze up. My heart hammered in my chest at the kindness in this Alpha’s eyes. “Okay?”

I breathed in deeply. “I’m okay.” Okay as I was gonna get for right now, anyway. On second thought… “Um. Could I use your shower?”

His smile stretched wide and he ruffled my grimy hair with one big hand. “Of course, Chance. I’ve still got some clothes that should fit you. C’mon, I’ll give you the grand tour on the way.”