“Do you really not have absent fathers, among your people?” At John’s blank look, Griff clarified, “When a man doesn’t want to take responsibility for his child, so refuses to have anything to do with them.”
John spat out a brief, low phrase in his own language, a rippling arpeggio of shock and disgust. “No,” he said, switching back to English. “We do not have that.”
“Huh. Wish I could breathe underwater. Your people sound increasingly appealing the more I learn about them. In any case, that’s what’s happened to Hayley. The bastard got her pregnant and then abandoned her. He was a shifter, too. So’s the boy, as it turns out.”
John shook his head, slowly. “I begin to see what you mean by complications. So your mate is now wary of men, having been cruelly betrayed by this, this…” He made a noise somewhat like an angry tuba, apparently not finding an insult strong enough in English. “Well. Do not be disheartened, oath-brother. I shall compose a great ballad of your noble deeds! When she hears it, her heart will swim straight into your hands.”
Good God, he’s actually serious. “Ah, that’s a…very generous offer. But unnecessary. I’m not going to mate with her. Not now. Not ever.”
John stared at him as if he’d announced his intention to give up breathing. “You cannot possibly mean that, oath-brother. You will rip your soul into pieces if you try to deny your mate.”
“Better me than her.” He gestured at his leg. “Think about it, John. What have I got to offer?”
John’s blue eyes darkened as he took Griff’s meaning. “I think that you can offer her the same that any man can offer his mate,” he said forcefully, each word ringing out like the clarion call of a hunting horn. “All of you, unstintingly, for as long as your heart still beats.”
“You great soft numpty,” Griff said affectionately. “No wonder you can charm the very rain down out of the sky. But I’m not a cloud, and you can’t sway me with pretty words. I’m not going to mate her.” He held up a hand as John opened his mouth, forestalling him. “And that’s final.”
We shall see, whispered his eagle…and Griff shivered at the cold threat in its voice.
CHAPTER FOUR
Hayley
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Hereditary medical condition
Reiner,
I’ve just discovered that Danny has a rare condition which I think he must have got from you. I don’t want to say too much in an email, but let’s just say it’s a big shift in our lives. If you know what I’m talking about, then please get in touch.
I promise, I don’t want money or anything. I just want information.
Hayley paused with her fingers on the keyboard of her laptop, uncertain how to sign off. “Regards” seemed rather impersonal, considering that Reiner was the father of her child. On the other hand, “Best wishes” would be a flat-out lie. She couldn’t wish him well, not when Danny always stared wistfully at other kids playing with their dads in the park.
With a sigh, she just typed “Hayley,” and hit Send. The message whooshed cheerfully off into the ether, leaving her staring at her empty inbox. She’d thought it best to create a throwaway account, just in case he had her regular email address blocked.
He’ll probably just delete it as soon as he realizes who it’s from, anyway.
When Danny had been a newborn, she’d bombarded every phone number and email address she had for Reiner with cute baby photos. She couldn’t understand how anyone—let alone his own father—could look at those big brown eyes and adorable chubby cheeks and remain stone-hearted. But Reiner had never responded, not even to demand that she stop bothering him.
She still sent Reiner a photo and update every month, but it was more out of habit than any real hope that he would finally get in contact. Hayley had a sinking feeling that this time wouldn’t be any different.
At least Danny has Griff to help him.
Hayley bit her lip, glancing across the living room to where Danny was sprawled belly-down on the carpet, hypnotized by the TV. It was the first time all day he stopped chattering about “Mr. Griff,” asking if it was four o’clock yet and whether they could go to the playground and if they could be lions together for Halloween. He was clearly completely star-struck by the firefighter.
Not that Hayley could blame him…
I can’t let him get too attached. Griff seems nice, but he won’t be around forever. I have to make sure Danny understands that. Better a little disappointment now than heartbreak later.
She knew that from experience.
“Mommy?” Danny said thoughtfully, his bare feet kicking in the air. On the TV screen, Mike the Knight and his dragon friends were puzzling over how to clear a giant tree trunk that had fallen across a path. “How big do you think Mr. Griff’s lion is?”
“I don’t know, honey.” She had a sudden mortifying image of Danny innocently asking Griff how big he was, and she hastily added, “It probably wouldn’t be polite to ask.”