Now back at Ryann’s apartment, Dirk had the day to slowly work out how he was going to tell her about being his mate, and get up the nerve to do it. She’d accepted him last night when he’d said he wanted to keep her forever, and he didn’t want that to change once he revealed what he truly was. The one thing he knew was he had to do it before Tyler came home the next day.
Now with the mating bond firmly in place and growing stronger each time they made love, neither he nor Ryann would be able to stand to be apart. That meant he’d have to move his new family into the Protector’s mansion as soon as he could manage it. And as for his protection duties, they’d have to be worked out as well. Having a son meant Dirk no longer could do any of the evening shifts. Ryann would have to come with him so they didn’t suffer the separation anxiety that all mated couples had to avoid. And wherever Ryann would go, so would Tyler.
It was late in the afternoon and Dirk and Ryann were sitting in the living room, watching TV. They’d already made love a couple of times since returning, once in the shower and the other time on her bed. Not really paying too much attention to the show on the screen, they talked about anything and everything.
During one such conversation, Ryann’s telephone rang. She picked it up and looked down at the Caller ID. She scowled. “It’s Mack. I’d better take it.” Ryann pressed the talk button. “Hello, Mack. What’s up? Is everything okay with Tyler?”
With his hearing, Dirk could easily hear Mack’s response.
“Tyler’s fine,” Mack said. “Since your new boyfriend mentioned he was taking you out for dinner tonight, I thought I’d call and find out what time and where you’ll be going.”
“Why?” Ryann asked. “If you need to get a hold of me, I’ll have my cell phone.”
“Can you just tell me? That way, if your cell dies or something, I’ll still know where you are.”
Ryann sighed. “Fine, if it’ll get you off my back. Hold on, I’ll ask.” She covered the mouthpiece with her hand and looked at Dirk. “Mack wants to know where you’re taking me out to dinner tonight and what time we’ll be there.”
“I was thinking around six. I’m going to take you to this small out of the way place called King Crab, that is, if you like seafood.”
“I love it.” Ryann pulled her hand away and relayed that info to Mack. After finding out how Tyler was doing, and getting the assurance that her ex would drop off their son around lunchtime the next day, she hung up.
The rest of the day sped by and Dirk still hadn’t told Ryann about him being a werewolf. Since it was already close to six, and they were getting ready to go to the restaurant, he figured he’d wait until after they returned to the apartment to come clean.
Arriving at the restaurant, Dirk pulled into the parking lot at the back of the building and chose a spot farthest away from any other cars.
“I hope you don’t mind the walk,” he said to Ryann. “I don’t like parking near anyone. I’d rather a hike than have someone ding my car with their door.”
She chuckled. “I don’t mind. If I had one like yours, I’d be doing the same thing.”
Another car drove into the lot and parked four spots over as Dirk and Ryann got out of the BMW. He didn’t think anything of it and waited for Ryann to meet up with him on his side. Once she did, he took her hand and got them walking toward the restaurant.
They’d only taken a few steps when Ryann stiffened and came to a complete standstill. Dirk stopped and looked at her. “What’s wrong?”
She nodded in the direction where the other car was parked. “It’s Mack, and he’s not alone.”
Dirk swung his gaze over to where Ryann indicated and saw she was right. It was her ex, along with two large men. All three of them walked toward Dirk and Ryann, looking none too friendly.
“Mack, what the hell are you doing here?” Ryann asked as they drew near. “And where’s Tyler?”
Not sparing her a glance, Mack said, “Tyler’s fine. I came to warn your prick of a boyfriend off.”
“What? You have no right. We’re divorced. I can see whomever I want.”
“Not this guy, you won’t,” Mack said in a hard voice. “I’ve had to listen to Tyler go on and on about this asshole for the last two days. I don’t want any man trying to take my place in my son’s life.”
“Well, you should’ve thought of that before you left me.”
“Shut up, Ryann,” Mack snapped.
Not liking how her ex spoke to her, Dirk growled low in his throat, not holding anything back. He felt all eyes on him. “I suggest you watch how you speak to Ryann. She’s mine now. Not yours. Keep it up and I’ll make sure you regret it.”
Mack laughed with no humor in it. “Really? I doubt it. You see, I brought my two friends along to make you rethink going anywhere near Ryann and Tyler.”
With that, the two large men dove for Dirk. He had just enough time to push Ryann out of the way before they were on him. Not giving a shit if they saw what he truly was, Dirk growled and ducked as one man took a swing at his head. He snarled his upper lip and snapped his teeth and turned his gaze on them, knowing full well his eyes had to be mutedly glowing with the anger that surged through him. They were taken aback a bit, but not for long. Though they were strong for mortals, they were no match against a werewolf. Dirk clipped one on the jaw and the man went down like a ton of bricks.
Just as the other one moved in to take another swing at him, Dirk heard Ryann yell, “Tyler’s in the car! You brought him along while you did something like this?”
Dirk took a quick look over at the vehicle the men had come out of and saw Tyler’s little face pressed against the side window in the backseat. He then focused his attention back on his attacker, and with a one-two combination to the gut, along with a hook to the jaw, the second man was out for the count.
That left only Mack. Dirk turned to find him going after Ryann as she headed for the car. Her ex grabbed her by the arm and roughly pulled her to a stop. Ryann let out a cry of pain as Mack gave her a good shake.
Something snapped inside Dirk at the sight of another man touching his mate in such a way. He growled loud enough to capture Mack and Ryann’s attention. Then drawing on the spark of magic inside him, Dirk shifted to his wolf form. He thrilled at the way Mack’s eyes widened, how the man’s scent became laden with fear. Dirk knew what Mack saw. As a wolf, Dirk was much bigger than the ones found in the wild.
He padded over to Mack and growled at him, his hackles rising as he came to stand between the other man and Ryann. Babbling nonsense, Mack backed off. Dirk turned to look at Ryann. She was as white as a ghost, her wide-eyed gaze riveted on him. He’d have to deal with her fear after this was all over. Right now, he needed to get Tyler out of the other car.
Knowing he was more of a threat in his wolf form, Dirk remained in it as he loped over to the vehicle. He looked up at Tyler and let his tongue hang out, giving the boy a wolf-like grin. He hoped Tyler would come out without Dirk having to shift to convince him to. He counted on the fact that kids seemed to accept out of the ordinary things better than the adults usually did.
He didn’t have long to wait before Tyler opened the back door and slid out. Showing no fear whatsoever, he threw his arms around Dirk’s furry neck and hugged him. “You’re a wolf, Dirk,” he shouted. “That’s cool.”
As Dirk turned to head over to Ryann, he felt a small hand grip the fur at his neck as Tyler pulled himself up on his back. The boy kicked his small heels into Dirk’s sides as if he were a horse. Laughing inside, Dirk walked back to his mate.