Page 9 of Wicked Wolf

Something inside Quinn clutched at the thought of his little boy older but he pushed it away. “Of course. You can be anything you want to be.”

Jesse grinned then looked over at Walker quickly. “Cool. Because Uncle Walker said if you could do it, anyone can.”

Quinn growled, gripped his son around the stomach. “I think it’s time for you to learn what happens when you listen to Uncle Walker. It’s the tickle monster!”

Jesse giggled and tried to get away, but Quinn didn’t relent, tickling his son until they were both laughing and out of breath on the floor.

“No mercy!”

“Please, Daddy!”

“Tell me I’m the master of the universe!”

“You’re the master of the universe!”

“Tell me Uncle Walker stinks!”

“Uncle Walker stinks!”

Quinn grinned over his shoulder at Walker, then patted his son’s stomach. “You were saved. But remember, I am always watching.”

Jesse yawned and Quinn shook his head to clear his thoughts. Already the new council and one of its members were distracting him from what was really important in his life. Yes, the Pack and the danger from within and what seemed to be coming was number two on his priorities. His son was number one.

Gideon knew about the broken mate bond and had given Quinn leeway when it came to Pack responsibilities.

Quinn was one of Gideon’s lieutenants, in essence, a bodyguard. He would willingly lay down his life to save his Alpha’s. Though that would leave Jesse alone without him, he knew the Brentwoods would take him in as one of their own.

The parallel to Gina’s own history was not lost on him.

That didn’t mean he’d listen to those thoughts.

Instead, he pushed them aside and picked up his son. Jesse mumbled something intelligible in his ear then fell asleep on his shoulder. Quinn sighed, gave Walker a look, and then went to go tuck his son in.

It wasn’t even dark yet and Jesse was asleep. Quinn knew Jess was deteriorating, but it was as though Jesse—and Quinn for that matter—were trapped in quicksand. No matter what he did, nothing helped. Whenever he tried to find a way to help his son, he and Walker ended up in pain, and his son was no better.

There had to be a way to keep Jesse from fading away, but Quinn didn’t know what it was.

Maybe, just maybe, if they found favor with the moon goddess again, she’d save his son.

He didn’t hold out much hope for that, though. He’d given up on fate long ago, but if it meant that his son would live a healthy life, he’d do everything in his power to make that happen.

He tucked Jesse in then went back into the kitchen where Walker sat with two beers. Though they were wolves and their metabolism burned through alcohol quickly, it was the symbol that mattered. Plus, he just liked the taste.

Walker sipped his beer and studied him. Quinn just sighed and let it happen. The other wolf always seemed to do that. He was a thoughtful Healer who used his quiet nature to put his patients at ease, unlike the Redwood Healer, Hannah, the witch who used her smiles and soft words to help her den. Quinn had only met the woman a few times over the years, but he’d had no qualms about her or her two mates. They were a true triad, and their bond helped Hannah’s Healing.

Walker had only himself, and sometimes Quinn thought the other wolf figured it wasn’t enough.

The fact that no one could heal Jesse made it seem only more evident.

Maybe when Walker took a mate, things would be better.

Just another reason they had to figure out what was wrong with their Pack.

“Gideon is on his way,” Walker finally said.

Quinn took a sip of his beer, letting the amber ale settle on his tongue before he swallowed. Right then, if he could find a way to get drunk without drinking a couple of bottles of tequila, he’d eagerly take it.

As it was, he was forced to deal with his warring thoughts and the fact that his Alpha had put such trust in him. He didn’t know that he was worthy.