My Champion(38)

"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 men 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.

"Shit," Declan exclaimed.

"I agree."

"Okay, I'll go talk to them, but you have got to give them time. They just found out today that they have to move to the city, and Avery is special. You need to take time to get to know who he is."

Warrick got a goofy look on his face. "Yes, he is special. He is so beautiful." Declan chuckled. Warrick looked at him. "Could you tell him I would like to see him tomorrow? I could bring him lunch," he offered.

Declan eyed him. "Don't push my mate."

"And how would you feel if I tried to keep you from Kari?"

"Good point. All right, I'll talk to Kari and tell her that you're willing to wait to claim Avery, and you're willing to take it slow. You will take it slow, right?" Declan mustered up the best 'fatherly' look he could.

"I swear to you, Declan, on my honor, I would never do anything to harm Avery," Warrick vowed.

Declan nodded. "You are a man of honor, and I'll hold you to it your promise."

"You are very protective of him," Warrick observed.

Declan rolled his eyes. "He's my little brother now."

"Thank you for your help. I appreciate it. I know you have a lot on your plate," Warrick said, looking worried.

Declan waved a hand at him. "You are one of my closest friends, and it looks like we're about to become family; it's the very least I can do."

At the mention of family, Warrick groaned. "My family is going to shit purple dinosaurs."

Declan racked his brain but couldn't find a reason why they would be upset. "Why would they care?"

Warrick's shoulders slumped "My uncle just lost his mate to a wolf shifter, he is in jail, and I am about to come out as not only gay but mated to a shifter as well."

"Dammit!" Declan exclaimed. "We really didn't need this right now."

"What is the alternative?" Warrick asked. "Should we have left my poor sweet aunt with a man that treats her like a slave? Should I give up Avery and live the rest of my existence alone?"

"Of course not; if we had, you wouldn't have a new baby cousin on the way," Declan said smiling.

Warrick's entire face brightened. "Can you believe it? I cannot wait to help. It has been so long since any babies were born here we are all going to have to take classes on how to care for infants. And to have Avery at my side for these moments, it is almost too much happiness for one person. Now I understand the dreams I have been having."