“Discreetly. It’s not top priority.” He firmed his tone. “What is top priority is finding out which of my Shifters have turned on me. Are you one of them?”
Kendrick didn’t change expression while he waited for the answer, and he remained standing easily, not tensing.
But he knew that in the next moment or two, he would either be embracing Seamus again or killing him. Didn’t matter that Seamus now had made a mate-claim, had a new life—Kendrick’s tiger wouldn’t care. The Sword of the Guardian waited in case Kendrick had to send his best friend to the Summerland.
Seamus’s gaze didn’t waver. “No,” he said quietly. “I’m loyal to you.”
Shifters had difficulty lying, because scent, body language, and an indefinable sense of wrongness would alert those who were lied to. Things humans might miss screamed false to a Shifter. So, most Shifters didn’t bother with lies.
Seamus was usually polite enough not to pin Kendrick with his gaze, making sure he in no way challenged his alpha’s dominance. At this moment, though, Seamus was meeting Kendrick’s eyes not so much to challenge, but to bare himself. He wanted Kendrick to see everything.
Kendrick exhaled in more relief than he had in a long time. Only tasting Addison today had given him more joy.
He dragged Seamus into another embrace, squeezing the man hard. Seamus hugged him back as robustly, and Kendrick’s eyes moistened.
Kendrick eased off the hug and held Seamus at arm’s length. Seamus’s lion eyes were full of warmth, happiness to see Kendrick, and a spark that had been missing before.
“It is good to see you, my friend,” Kendrick said, heartfelt. “Let’s go home.”
* * *
Addie burned with worry the whole time Kendrick was gone. She helped Charlie plan and start dinner, but she chafed at Kendrick’s absence.
What if this Seamus did turn on him? Kendrick seemed confident he could fight the man, but the other Shifters had carried guns. What if Seamus came packing heat? Or brought others to ambush him?
Addie could only watch for Kendrick’s return and try to stay calm—not easy. Robbie was just as worried, though he kept saying that of course Seamus wouldn’t hurt Dad. Seamus was loyal. He spoke as though if he said the words often enough, he’d believe them.
When Addie saw Kendrick and another man come walking over the rise, she nearly wilted in relief. The second Shifter was as tall as Kendrick though not as broad of shoulder. They strode comfortably side by side, the still-bright sun glistening on Kendrick’s black-and-white hair and his sword’s hilt above his back.
Addie abandoned chopping carrots and raced out the door.
She was supposed to wait until Kendrick let her know for certain that all was well, but screw it. Addie couldn’t be the meek little woman waiting at home for word of her man. She’d never been able to do that, which was why her idiot fiancé had dumped her. He’d even said, You should do what I say, Addie, until I tell you otherwise. You’re not respectful.
Unfortunately most guys she’d met after that had been cast in the same mold. True, Kendrick also told her what to do, but his attitude said that he’d rely on Addie’s good sense rather than unquestioning obedience.
Good sense deserted Addie now as she raced up the low hill to meet them.
Seamus—if this was Seamus—was more loose-limbed than Kendrick, and a Collar hugged his neck, a Celtic knot resting on his throat. He had black hair and eyes a shade of gold Addie had never seen on a human being before.
“Well?” Addie asked as she stopped before them. “I see you didn’t kill each other. I assume he’s all right?”