“Please, take these outside to anyone who is still gathered and willing to help.”
The man nodded and hurried away, a sandwich shoved in his mouth. Wyatt turned his attention to the man who remained. It was the same one they’d spoken to when they first entered the town.
“Jake, there are some things that need to be fixed tonight, if possible,” Wyatt said evenly.
“What do you need, Alpha?”
Wyatt’s lips twitched a little at the moniker, and Bel’s heart soared with pride. This was his man. At least, for now.
“I want Albert’s body burned. I’ve heard what he’s done to the pack. Between that and the attack on my family, he doesn’t deserve burial.”
Maggie snorted. “I don’t think there’s anyone in the pack who’s gonna argue with that.”
Wyatt smiled at the older woman for a second. “I also want the whipping post removed tonight. I don’t care what has to be done. Ax. Chainsaw. Or just rip it out of the ground. I want it gone tonight.”
“We’ll handle it, Alpha.”
“Thank you. Tell people to tear down the curfew notices. No more curfew. Once you get people on those tasks, I’d appreciate it if you would come back so we can talk some more. I’ll be in the office…” Wyatt trailed off and looked around the house. “When I find where the office is.”
Maggie pushed to her feet. “I’ll show you where the old alpha had it before the bastard took over.”
“Thank you for your help. And thank you for watching over Bel,” Wyatt murmured as he let Maggie rest a hand on his arm while she led them through the house.
“Sexy man like that needs watching. Otherwise, someone is liable to come snatch him up,” Maggie said as they cut back through the house to a pair of double doors near the entrance. The office was in the same disarray as the rest of the house.
The old woman gave Wyatt a pat on the cheek, a smile to River, and a final wink to Bel; then she left with Jake.
The three of them stood in the center of the office for several seconds, not speaking. Bel wanted to grab them both up and hold them tight against him, but there was something heavy in the charged air that kept Bel standing with his hands at his sides near the entrance to the room.
“Are you both okay?” Bel asked.
“We’re fine, Bel. You—”
“Right as rain,” Bel quickly answered. Taking a deep breath, Bel forced himself to meet Wyatt’s gaze as he said, “You’ve decided to stay.” He knew it without Wyatt saying a word. He could feel the pain and frustration mixing with a deeper sense of relief. They needed to stay. Had to stay. It was for the best.
“Bel—” River said but the vampire was already shaking his head. The lump in his throat was threatening to choke him, but he had to get the words out.
“No, I understand. This is where you belong. You’re with your own kind.”
“It’s not that,” Wyatt countered. “I spoke with Jake for only a few minutes, but the pack is a mess after Albert. Families have been broken. Some are starving and barely hanging on after the winter. Albert’s flunkies are still out there. I need to stay long enough to clean up the mess that Albert made, to make sure that my sister and her new family are taken care of.”
“I understand, Wyatt. You don’t have to…” Bel paused and cleared his throat. “You have to take care of your family first. Trust me, if anyone understands that, it’s a Varik.” Bel tried to give Wyatt and River a reassuring smile, but he couldn’t get his lips to move like that.
“You’re our family, too,” River stated, and Bel had to blink away tears.
“Yes, but the pack has been through enough. They may accept that their alpha is a gay man who has a man for a mate. I don’t think it’s wise to push them into dealing with a vampire as well.”
Painfully, Wyatt didn’t argue with him.
“While you’re mending your pack, I would appreciate it if the pack would respect the boundaries of my property. I just want to rebuild my house and live there in peace. I won’t bother the wolves or wander into pack land.”
“And I promise, the pack will not bother you.”
This time, Bel managed a small smile. “Well, I wouldn’t be opposed to a neighbor stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar. Maggie seems to be a nice person to share some tea with on occasion.” Bel had to stop talking because his voice broke on the end.
“This isn’t permanent, Bel. We will come back to you.” Wyatt’s voice was hard and unyielding, as if he were chiseling each word into stone. He could feel Wyatt’s resolve, but Bel was sure the man wasn’t thinking clearly. The pack needed Wyatt, and after a while of living with their own kind, they’d come to realize they could be happier among other werewolves.