"Can I get some help?" Declan yelled out. Up and down the road doors opened, and men began to pour out. Seconds later, another set of hands helped to hold Kari still. Declan nodded his thanks to Goddard.
"Kari my love, calm down," he said in a gentle voice.
"Get away from him! Get away from my brother!" she yelled before breaking down into sobs.
Avery, in Warrick's arms, looked terrified and torn. Kari crying had him stepping away from his newly discovered mate and racing over to his sister.
"Goddard, can you get her and Avery back down to Level One?" Declan asked.
Goddard nodded and steered Kari back toward the transport tunnel. Avery scooped up their things and followed his sister closely.
Declan turned to Warrick who stood there looking stunned. He watched Avery disappear down the tunnel, a look of wonder on his face. "He is mine," he whispered. "I could smell his blood from the bandages on his arm, he is mine."
"That remains to be seen." Declan crossed his arms over his chest. He looked at the gathered warriors. "Thank you for coming so quickly; I've got it from here." The men nodded and headed back to their homes.
"Declan, you are standing between me and my mate," Warrick said in a low voice.
Declan held up a hand. "And your caveman stunt just drove my mate over the edge."
"But he is mine, Declan," Warrick protested.
Declan shook his head. "Kari needs her brother. She's been through so much; she can't lose him."
Warrick looked confused. "Why would she lose him? I am not taking him away."
"She will no longer be the most important person in his life."
"But she has you," Warrick pointed out.
"We've only just met this morning," Declan reminded him.
Warrick began to pace back and forth. "If I had just been with you on patrol on Level Six this morning, I would have had your back. You would never have gotten hurt, and I could have met my mate."
"And Kari would've killed you then. She is super protective of Avery. I have no idea how to make this right," Declan ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
"How do you think I feel?" Warrick entreated. Declan just looked up at him. Warrick exhaled. "Declan, I am not gay."
"Oh. Oh! Wait, you don't want him?" Declan demanded, feeling angry. There was nothing wrong with his new little brother. "He is absolutely adorable; how could you not want him?"
"Of course, I want him. I kissed him, did I not?
"Oh yeah. Well, you have plenty of time to figure all this out. He's not of age yet."
Warrick groaned and buried his face in his hands. "You are kidding me, right?"
"Nope, he's only ninety-nine."
Warrick blushed. "I would not press my claim on him right away."
Declan cleared his throat. "Do you know how to claim a man?" he asked delicately.
Warrick scowled at him. "Of course I do. I have fed from me
n before. I have been with men before; I just prefer women."
Declan rubbed the back of his neck. "Are you sure he is your mate?"
Warrick gave him a flat look. "Are you sure Kari is your mate?" he asked in response. They stared at each other in silence.