He heard the toilet flush and the sink run, itching to be the one to help Sean with everything. When he'd seen the condition of Sean's body after they'd arrived back at the pack compound, he'd almost dropped to his knees, his stomach heaving, ready to lose what little content it held. Once removed, the tattered clothing Sean wore revealed countless scars from old beatings and cuts along with fresh bruises, including one the shape of a boot print along the delicate line of Sean's ribcage. The pack doctor had told Declan he was surprised Sean had even survived all these years with how severe most of the beatings appeared to have been. Declan's ears rang with those words, at how close he'd come to never having found his mate, and he swore he'd never allow another being on this earth to cause Sean pain of any kind.
When the door opened, Declan gave Sean a chiding look, but didn't say anything, just picked him up again and brought him to the bed. Sam and Tara edged into the room, obviously eager to see their friend. Sean held out his arms and their gazes flicked to Declan who gave a barely perceptible nod before they rushed over to him, climbing onto the bed. Declan bit back his jealousy when Sean accepted their ginger hugs and kisses with obvious eagerness, Sean smiling widely at seeing them.
"We were so worried, Sean," the one called Sam cried, nuzzling at his neck. Declan clenched his hands into fists, forcing himself to fight the urge to rip her away from his mate.
Sean stroked her hair. "I didn't matter, Sam. All that mattered was getting you guys away from there and safe."
Declan didn't realize the growl he let out at Sean's words until the three of them turned to look at him in surprise. He cleared his throat. "I'll let you three talk. Rose will bring Vicky up in a few moments."
Abruptly departing, Declan stopped outside the room, leaning his head back against the wall and tried to get hold of himself. Hearing Sean dismiss his own life so easily angered Declan. "We like it here, Sean," he heard Tara say.
"Are they treating everyone okay?" Sean asked.
"Yes. It's nice here," Sam replied.
"Is Vicky doing all right?"
"She's as well as can be expected. Rose doesn't understand why she won't talk," Tara murmured.
Sean sighed and Declan heard him move amongst the sheets. "I need to explain to them about Carl. Maybe if they knew how far he's traveled, they could identify your homes. Find your families."
"We don't want to leave you, Sean!" Tara exclaimed.
"You should be with your people," Sean insisted.
"You are our people. We aren't leaving you," Sam snarled.
Declan smiled, hearing the feisty tone in her voice. She seemed to be the fighter of the two girls. How any of the cubs had survived to be anything except a broken shell amazed him, humbled him even. It spoke of their inner strength and made him more determined than ever to help them. For the last two days while Sean had remained unconscious, Declan had attempted to uncover what he could about their situation. The girls hadn't really revealed too many of the details, but they had all been held captive at the hands of Sean's father in the basement, beaten and made into slaves, sexual and otherwise from what Declan could tell. He would have loved to bring the fucker back from the dead just to kill the son of a bitch all over again for what he'd done to innocent children.
Declan learned everything he could from Sam and Tara about his mate. Thankfully, Sean was indeed over eighteen despite how small he appeared beside Declan. He'd wondered if he would have to control his libido longer, but it seemed as soon as he could convince Sean to accept their mating bond, he could claim Sean as his.
"Alpha Declan says we can stay here as long as we need," Tara said quietly.
Tensing, Declan waited for Sean's response.
"He seems like a good man," Sean replied gently. "I will have to thank him for saving you."
"I know how you can thank him," Sam piped up.
"Sam!" Tara admonished.
Declan smiled, lips tilting at the corners as he pictured the pretty blonde, blue-eyed wolf with a scandalized expression. She seemed rather more reserved out of the two girls as well. Sam, a dark-haired, brown-eyed lynx shifter had been more demanding during their initial conversation the day before. She'd wanted to know what Declan intended on doing with them, insisted on seeing Sean, and never let the others out of her sight. Declan could still scent her fear, but she'd buried it behind the need to protect what she saw as her pack. Sean's pack. It made him proud to see so many willing to stand up for his mate when the others had gathered close to Sam, had her back, and wanted the same thing.
"What are you talking about, Sam?" Sean asked, the obvious confusion in his voice.
"Oh, please, Sean. As if you didn't notice the way he was looking at you."
"I don't understand. What do you mean about the way he was looking at me?"
Sam sighed. Declan could almost picture her rolling her eyes at Sean. "I forgot. You weren't raised by shifters. Sean, do you remember what I told you about mates?"
Declan tensed and decided it was time to stop the topic of conversation, not wanting Sam to tell Sean about them being mates. Somehow she'd figured out what Sean was to him. He didn't want to risk scaring Sean off before he had the chance to claim him. Thankfully, Rose chose that very moment to appear at the top of the stairs with Vicky. He shoved away from the wall and made sure their approach couldn't be missed. "Well hello, Miss Vicky," he said loudly, but not loud enough to scare the little girl.
Vicky gave him a solemn look and Declan's heart ached for the adorably sweet lynx shifter. She'd been taken at a young age, he could tell. Holding out his hand, he waited for her to accept it. She took it into her own, but slow, as though still not sure she could trust him. He smiled at her, kind and gentle. "It's okay, sweetheart. No one here will ever hurt you. I promise. You want to see, Sean?"
She nodded. Declan led her into the bedroom. Sean turned his head to be able to see Vicky with his good eye. "Vicky," he smiled, but Declan could see the struggle Sean had at not crying.
Vicky didn't run to the bed as the others had. She approached carefully, still holding onto Declan's hand. Declan looked down at her. "Would you like me to lift you up?"
She shook her head.
"Are you sure, sweetie?"
Sean glanced at Declan. "Please, sir, I mean, Declan. If you wouldn't mind helping her, that is."
Declan couldn't even begin to imagine the horrors these poor children had suffered through as he knelt beside Vicky and carefully slid his hands under Vicky's arms, lifting her onto the edge of the bed. Sean gave him a grateful look as Vicky instantly curled into Sean's side, Tara having moved to allow Vicky room. Running the fingers of his good hand through the golden locks of Vicky's hair, Sean pressed a kiss to Vicky's head. "How's my little Vicky? Did you shift yet today?"
Vicky shook her head.
"You know you get testy if you don't shift," Sean teased, fondness buried in his voice.
Vicky pouted and slid her thin arms around Sean's waist causing Sean to grimace in pain, but Sean never made a sound. Declan felt a hand on his wrist and glanced over to see his sister beside him, her eyes watering at the sight before them. They still didn't know the extent of everything the four in front of them had suffered or what truly happened in the dingy basement where they'd been found. Declan couldn't believe this had been on the edge of his pack lands and he hadn't been aware, especially considering his mate's proximity. It set his teeth on edge, and he couldn't stop the fury at himself and at the monster who'd caused such pain.