FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 84: Liam and the Alpha

Liam woke up the next morning and stretched with a groan. The bed Faelen slept upon was not the most pleasing of surfaces, nor was the thick mist which filled the echoing cubicle the most pleasant of atmospheres. Granted, Liam preferred the cool moisture to one of those overly air conditioned rooms he had resided in at a hotel when on a school trip. The bed was similar to those uncomfortable lumps, as well, which made this only a somewhat better abode... excluding one factor. He rolled onto his side and put his head on Faelen's chest. "Good afternoon, my love." This moved it from 'somewhat better' to a wonderful room.

"Afternoon?" Faelen lifted his head to look down at Liam. His voice was thick with sleep, but quickly became clear. The mist rejuvenated him quickly. "Ah. I suppose so. Gods, I missed this room." Faelen lowered his head back onto his plastic pillow and breathed in deeply; the faint light spilling in from the curtained window caught the vapour and momentarily filled the cubicle with tiny rainbows and diamond-like droplets. It also made the manifested Faelen's eyes shine blue.

Liam ran his paw through Faelen's dense fur. "I believe it is just after midday. The bird song changes at that time, and the play of the light also matches. Even the faint changes in the smell of the air coming through your humidifiers would say a few minutes after twelve." Liam sighed. His heart still ached at how... right it felt to wake up in Ireland, again. Yet, this was not his home.

Faelen's paw ran along Liam's back. The wolf looked down at the smaller pup curled into his side. "We just cuddling for a bit? Getting up?" His sheath twitched and showed some pink. "Exercising?"

Liam smiled and ran his thumb over Faelen's large testicles. They felt full, again, despite how much of their former contents now rested inside Liam. "My chi is at tolerable levels, though unbalanced. Should we...exercise, I would wish to take you this morning, even though I still end up acquiring your seed. However, I just wish to lay with you for a few minutes, in silence, and meditate on last night."

Faelen took Liam's paw in his own and lifted it away from his groin, bringing it up to his muzzle, instead. Faelen gently kissed the small tan paw before holding it to his chest.

Liam cast his mind back to the point where Faelen took Aoife into the kitchen. He heard snippets of the conversation, but he knew the content, and knew that Ciaran could hear it more clearly than he. Liam still did not know how he felt about Geoff fathering Aoife's pups. Geoff was a good friend, yet a friend was not the same thing as... what would that make him? Not a son-in-law, for Geoff was not marrying Aoife, nor was Aoife his daughter any longer. Regardless, the father of his grandchildren. It was disconcerting. Yet Aoife's obvious desire, her aching despair turned to hope, was something he could not ignore. Nor could he dispute the logic of the suggestion.

They had lingered for a mere half hour after that point, before Liam felt the effects of the day catching back up. At which point they returned to the McDougals' home, passing by the teleporter just after Alpha McDougal left. The corridor was in shambles with large piles of rubble strewn along the hall and holes in several walls where he had pulled the stone away. Liam was rather impressed that he could do such a thing, yet retain enough control to not threaten the structural integrity of the house above. He had sent Faelen to check on Nathanial and Geoff while he pursued the Alpha.

"Luke! Lad, hold up a moment!"

The large wolf stopped in his tracks, whirling to glare at him. "I'm the bloody Alpha, whelp, address me with respect!"

Liam waved his paw in front of his face, dismissively, "Yes, yes. Alpha, sir, and all that. Now, what's got your britches in a bunch? You left quite the mess there. Walk with me and talk." Liam reached up and clapped Luke on his broad back. He left his paw there as they began walking.

Luke gave him a dark look but walked beside him as they headed toward the Alpha's home. They were silent for a few minutes as Luke cooled down. It took some delicate work with Liam's chi to manipulate the much stronger individual's emotions, but eventually Luke was ready to talk.

"You already know about Geoff and Nathanial." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes." Liam was as firm in his response.

"They told me. It took some work to make them come out with it, but they told me." Luke's chi began to roil again, making Liam expend some more of his own to soothe it. Fortunately, Luke was powerful enough that the ambient energy coming off him was helping to restore Liam's chi, if only slightly.

"They were going to tell you when Conor was here, to try to make sure you didn't say something you, and they, would regret. Your temper makes it difficult for people to talk to you, lad. It was a lesson Ruarc had to learn, too. He became a much better alpha and father for it."

Luke stopped and punched the wall, putting large cracks in it. He growled and ran his paw over it, repairing the damage. "Why does everyone equate being a father with being an alpha!? They're two bloody different things!"

"Are they, Luke?" Liam took his paw away and leaned against the un-punched wall, crossing his arms.

The wolf was easily over a third of a metre taller and twice his weight, but Luke's ears flipped back nervously as he looked away. "What do you want from me, Ancient One?" It appeared Luke thought Old Souls outranked Elementals, even alpha Elementals.

"I want the best alpha the Cork Clan has ever had. I want my friends to have a grandfather they can be proud of as a grandfather. I want..." He hesitated, but there was no time like the present. "My daughter's pups to have a great-grandfather who will dote on them lovingly, not a stern figure they will grow to fear like their father did."

"What?" The cogs turned in Luke's head. "You can't be talking about Muireann, so... Aoife? With Geoff? He just gave me the distinct impression he wasn't prepared to take a wife to cover his relationship with the Mage. Let's have a drink while you explain this one."

They did have that drink, rather Luke had several, but he seemed very pleased with the benefits of the proposal. They then turned to the reason Luke exploded.

"So Geoff does not wish to be Alpha." Liam sat in front of the Alpha's desk, fingers interlocked over his knee.

His conversational partner gave him an unusual look. He shook his head and smiled when Liam looked at him quizzically. "Sorry, pup. It's much easier to talk to Lowell. I can even ignore that suit you're wearing. How old is that and where the hells did you dig it up?"

Liam smiled. "It was my son's. Ciaran. He kept much of his possessions in a storeroom in his suite. This was one of my favourites, and his last one with short trousers. He was most difficult to dress well enough to ensure he was not completely overshadowed by his siblings, not that anyone could outshine Muiry. The clothes I was wearing were bloodied and torn in my dual with Ciaran, so he allowed me to wear these."

"Who won?"

"He did. I ran out of chi and nearly passed out. I would have had him otherwise. Back to Geoff. Why are you upset? Which do you desire more: the status provided by a Dark Elemental alpha, the best alpha possible for the Clan, or Geoff's happiness?"

"All of them, damn it! Geoff is a Dark Elemental, he's born to lead! It's what he's meant to do! How could he be happy if he isn't fulfilling his purpose?" Luke poured another finger's worth of scotch.

Liam reached over and took the nearly empty decanter. "You are now too drunk to appreciate this, Alpha. Find a cheaper bottle should you wish to drink yourself under the table." He sealed it and put it aside. "So let me be clear, you are claiming to know the plans of the Fates? Something not even Zeus or Lord Hades knows?"

Alpha McDougal took a sip of his scotch and leaned back, pressing the tumbler to his head. He reluctantly answered, "No."

"Then it appears that there may be only one answer to the above. From what Geoff has told you, he does not believe that he can be happy and be an alpha. He also believes that Conor or Gwendolyn would do better in that role. Thus, which is more important?"

"The Clan would do better with a Dark Elemental leading it, even if Conor runs things behind the scenes; the prestige of having a Dark Elemental would make our position much stronger. It'd also make it easier to update our laws and culture. Few Spirits would be willing to challenge him on any law he puts forward." His face fell as he stared into space. "But... I can't stand the thought of him being miserable for the rest of his life. Hera help me, I love him." Luke shook himself. "It doesn't matter, his duty is clear, and so is mine. The Clan comes first."

"Yes, Alpha McDougal, it does, but there are ways to achieve your goals without bludgeoning everyone into submission. If you push Geoff toward becoming alpha you will just make him resist and be unhappy. Seek to involve him in things that do not directly pertain to your duties, yet provide good learning opportunities. Do this in the guise of spending more time with him. If you can involve Nathanial, it will assuage his suspicions and please him such that he will suspect nothing. It will make him even more amenable to your suggestions and influence. Nathanial has expressed great interest in helping the Clan develop methods of integrating into the rest of the world, rather than being confined in this manner. Nathanial is a font of ideas to improve conditions amongst the various clans, but be warned, he is not always the most... subtle or diplomatic of people when he feels strongly about a subject."

Alpha McDougal appeared to consider the idea seriously, but he still asked, "You're... telling me to manipulate Geoff? To play on his emotions to get my way? I thought he was your friend."

Liam smiled. "He is. As is Nathanial. I am also very interested in the well being of the Cork Clan and those that live in it. I am interested in discomfiting the Arcane Society, in increasing the capability of the Spirits to resist the hostility of the Knights Templar and Hunters of the Damned, and in furthering the causes of the Monks. All of which are best served by this proposal. I agree, Alpha McDougal, duty does come first, before family, before friends." And by implementing this proposal, it was not just Geoff who was being manipulated, it was also the Alpha. Giving Nathanial access, regular and repeated access, to the Alpha would haul the Clan into the modern era whether it wanted to modernise or not. Tanai's charge was most accurate, he almost always had some plan in motion, and it usually involved manipulating people into thinking he was helping them.

Once he finished talking to Alpha McDougal, where he did get permission to speak to Muireann, he returned to Faelen's home. His friends were still down at the teleporter, with Faelen and Geoff sitting just outside the room talking quietly. Geoff had bounced up to his hindpaws once he saw Liam and it took a bit to calm him. Geoff did relax and seemed surprised and grateful when Liam told him that he convinced Alpha McDougal to let the matter go. He made sure that Geoff knew the Alpha did want Geoff to take over, but that the Alpha was also very concerned about Geoff's happiness. He also let them know that the Alpha wished to spend more time with Nathanial, to learn more about his potential grandson-in-law. There were other things he wished to discuss, but his legs were close to giving out so he was forced to retire for the night.

Back in the present, Faelen stirred beneath him; Liam lifted his head and smiled at his lover. "Shall we begin the day, my love?"

He was a little surprised to be pulled up on Faelen's chest and a very deep kiss to possess his mouth. Faelen's tongue explored his muzzle, a place it must be nearly at home in as its normal residence. The wolf ran a paw along Liam's back, while the other held Liam's head to his, not that Liam needed to be forced to accept the kiss. Faelen's paw slowly made its way down, seeking out every spot that was even slightly more sensitive and stimulating them with claw and pad. Liam growled into Faelen's mouth in pleasure, and smiled when Faelen rolled his hips back to put Liam's pulsing length by his opening. Liam growled loudly when Faelen grabbed the base of his tail, pressing Liam's most sensitive spots. It appeared Faelen wanted it fast and passionate.

Liam disengaged his mouth from Faelen's and rocked his hips forward, sliding halfway into his lover in one smooth motion. His mouth did not remain inactive but moved down to grab onto the thick fur at the base of Faelen's neck, by the wolf's shoulder. Faelen tipped his head back and moaned appreciatively as Liam gently gnawed on him. Liam pulled almost all the way out and paused for a second before Faelen squeezed his tail again. Liam shuddered and growled again as he drove all but his knot in. He did not cease his motion at all but began a measured, if forceful, tempo. The sound of their bodies meeting created a heavy smacking sound, one that would have driven Nicholas into a frenzy. Liam's fur was soaked from all the fog and did not muffle the sound of the impact in the least. Liam hooked his paws under Faelen's shoulders and began pulling him down on each thrust, increasing the force of their meeting such that Liam's knot began to slide partway in each time. Faelen squeezed Liam's tail again, and Liam howled into Faelen's fur as he thrust forcefully one last time. His knot popped in and finished swelling, locking them together as Liam shuddered while he expelled his seed into his mate. Liam could feel Faelen on the verge of release and forced himself to unlock his jaw and curl down to take the much larger penis into his mouth.

That was all it took. Faelen grabbed Liam's ears and howled into the fog as he made several short thrusts, filling Liam's muzzle with semen. Liam happily drank it all, still awed by the sheer quantity that Faelen produced. He licked his muzzle once Faelen finished; it was not just a wonderful quantity, but was a most delicious flavour and was pleasantly powerful.

Liam moved to curl around Faelen's back, holding the wolf tight while waiting for his knot to deflate. "You were most eager this morning. It was not as if we did not have sex several times before sleeping."

Faelen chuckled and rubbed Liam's paw. "Yeah, I know. I was just watching you while you were meditating, the way you looked so peaceful reminded me how much I love you. I was also thinking about how you said you wanted to take me this morning. I woke up horny and the thought of you tying with me kept me worked up. Did I say I love you today?"

"Not as such. You have mentioned that you do, but you used it in a sentence each time. You did not say it in the manner I wished to hear it." Liam put his mouth by Faelen's ear to whisper, "I love you. I love you deeply, passionately, and with every fibre of my being. I love you beyond this life, beyond the next, beyond them all, until my soul loses its strength and finally dissipates. Even then, the fragments of my essence will still long for you. You have turned my miserable prison of existence into a thing to celebrate with each new morning, with each time my eyes open and I find myself still in the body named Liam, with each time I feel you draw near. Faelen Conor O'Conall, I love you." Liam could feel his feelings of love flow into Faelen, blend with the strong emotions there and return, rejoining their souls as surely as their bodies were.

Faelen whispered, "I... I love you, Liam. I can't say exactly what you said, but I love you, too."

Liam sighed happily. "You have said all that I wished to hear, my love."

They eventually separated and wrapped towels around themselves before making their way to the bathroom. Geoff and Nathanial stepped out of Geoff's room just as they were about to enter the facilities. Faelen stopped and motioned to the bathroom. "Do you want to go first, sir?"

"Not 'sir'. We, um, already used them, but we need to shower."

Liam could smell Nathanial's semen and saw some wet patches of fur on both of them. They must have just separated, too. Liam smiled. "Good afternoon, my friends. I need to empty my bladder, but if you wish to shower, please do so. We can wait for you to finish before beginning our own shower."

They all walked in and removed their towels. Liam admired Nathanial's rounded gluteus muscles as they flexed and shifted while he climbed into the shower with Geoff, before moving to the toilet and relieving himself.

The shower started up, and the two began quickly scrubbing each other. Geoff spoke over the sound spray, "Liam, you wanted to say something more, last night?"

"Aoife is willing to bear your children."

The soap fell with a thud and bounced around the tub for a few seconds before Nathanial picked it up. Geoff was frozen stiff, his paw still frozen in midair where it had been before the soap had slipped from his grasp.

Nathanial hugged his stunned boyfriend. "Geoff! That's great! You can be a dad! Da, whatever. This is incredible; I'll be a step-dad! I loved caring for Micah when he was younger, not that I like caring for him less, now, but he was sooo cute! You'll love it, and I'll be there the whole time. I suppose we won't be there all the time, since we have to go to school. Aoife will have to do a lot of it for the first bit, until we finish school and get jobs. I, um, guess I'd need to get a job here. In Cork or Carrigaline. I wonder if we can take a road trip before going back. I'd like to see them. Anyway, this is wonderful!"

"A-A da?" Liam could barely hear Geoff over the water. He did not sound well. "Me? I-I... a da?"

Liam felt it necessary to intervene. "You are a Spirit, Geoff, as is my daughter." He could not resist adding that emphasis, and was rewarded with Geoff's eyes bugging before they began to roll back into his head.

Nathanial caught Geoff before he could fall, but Geoff did not become fully faint. Nathanial lowered Geoff to the ground and gently stroked his head. Nathanial's voice was full of reproach. "Liam, was that really necessary?"

"My apologies. I... find myself discomfited by the idea, as well. It was still unnecessary and inappropriate. As I was saying, Geoff, this process could take decades, even if we begin now." Nathanial looked crushed. "It took Ciaran sixty years of trying before he sired a child. My other descendants have similar tales; Den counts himself fortunate that it only took sixteen years to have a second child. Remind yourself of that, but this is something that should begin sooner, rather than later. It will make it easier for the Clan to accept Nathanial should you already have a child. The entire process of raising the child or children could be done by Aoife and my family, pardon, the O'Conalls, should you so desire. You are required to provide nothing more than your sperm, though you are free to be as involved as you wish. The actual negotiations will be done by your father."

Nathanial tilted his head before nodding his understanding; Geoff was still somewhat addled. "Negotiations? What for?"

Nathanial began working the shampoo into Geoff as he answered, "Custody. Child support. Family names. Everything. This is a legal thing, even if you both understand it from the outset it still needs to be written out. Even if Aoife serves your family, this is... a bit beyond what I imagine the, uh, terms of your families' agreements are. I imagine a large chunk of money will be transferred over and she'll have access to funds to make sure Conor's grandson is very well taken care of."

Faelen nodded. "Yeah. This is going a bit beyond the norm, but Aunt Aoife would still be happy to do this for nothing. To be a mother and to be able to help you, si..., um, Geoff. But, yes, protocol should be followed."

"Yeah." Geoff sounded a little more alert and climbed to his hindpaws. "I know the deal; I was just having a bit of trouble thinking clearly." They finished showering with no further incidents.

They trooped downstairs to find Aoife bringing the dishes into the kitchen as Alpha McDougal, Den, Avery, and Gwendolyn left the table after lunch. Liam smiled at his daughter warmly. "Good afternoon, my sweet Aoife."

Gwendolyn's head tilted to the side, more so as Aoife answered, "Hi, Da-arling." Aoife's eyes flicked to the McDougals and blushed, but she kept on as if nothing occurred, "Sir, Faelen, and... Nathanial, I presume?"

"Yes, ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you. Let me help you." The remaining dishes all floated up off the table and made their way into the kitchen. "Morning, everyone." Nathanial followed the dishes and Aoife into the kitchen where a merry conversation picked up.

Alpha McDougal watched the whole thing looking a little surprised. "The Mage seems pretty chipper when he wakes up. Handy trick, too."

Avery laughed. "Yes, it is. Whomever he marries is going to be very lucky; he'd be a great asset to any family."

Geoff looked down, but Alpha McDougal merely answered, "Yes, I imagine the lady Mages must be clamouring for his attention." There was a trace of dry humour to his voice.

It appeared no one had told her that the Alpha knew Nathanial and Geoff were dating. Peculiar.

Everyone exchanged greetings at this point, so Liam asked, "I confess to be somewhat surprised to see Aoife here. Den, I am not so surprised, as you must be guarding Alpha McDougal."

Den nodded. "I am, but Aunt Aoife is filling in for Granny Lorena, since Uncle Tanai is having lunch with her. It was just as easy to come over here and cook for Avery and Gwen, too."

Avery sat back down. "Gwen, why don't you go work on your homework?"

Gwendolyn nodded and wandered out of the room.

The other two adults sat down, as did Geoff, Nathanial, and Liam. Faelen went into the kitchen to make breakfast. Alpha McDougal sat at the head of the table with Den to his right and Avery to his left. Geoff sat next to Den and Liam sat beside Avery.

Liam poured a cup of tea for himself and one for Geoff. "Has there been any word from Conor-san, yet?"

Avery shook her head. "No, but I expect something any time now."

Geoff fiddled with his cup. "Nothing on the news? The... place they were meeting..." He was obviously greatly agitated. "The Knights didn't attack?"

Avery's grip tightened on her own teacup. "No. I've been checking the news feeds and there's been nothing. I've had my phone set to alarm whenever a story breaks in Nova Scotia for... a while."

Geoff visibly relaxed, but there remained much tension in his posture. It appeared Nathanial was not the only one who required some stress release.

Aoife came out of the kitchen with a bemused expression. "It appears my presence is not required in the kitchen. Can I fetch anyone anything?"

Geoff looked at her, then blushed as he looked away. He slouched a little lower in his seat and fiddled with his teacup some more.

Alpha McDougal looked at Geoff, amused. He lifted his head and sniffed the air. "What's Faelen cooking?"

Liam sipped his tea and grimaced. Black tea. It was a breakfast one, most likely an Irish Breakfast based on the amount of Assam tea, and was from a tea bag. Most unfortunate. "Ask Faelen if he could make a pot of tea for me, please, or see if you could find some of Lorie's biscuits. Thank you." Aoife slipped back into the kitchen; the way she moved made Liam smile. He had watched her lithe form dashing around the countryside for many years and the way she moved around the doorframe was the same way she would duck around a tree when running through a forest. There were just so many tiny details that kept jumping out at him.

"Smith, are you still there, pup?" Alpha McDougal was talking to him.

"My apologies, Alpha McDougal. I was lost in thought." He noticed the large wolf looked amused.

Avery did as well. She asked, "I was just wondering why you'd wanted a fresh pot, when this one is still half full. What were you thinking of, if I can ask?"

"I find this tea too bitter; I am very sensitive to bitter tastes. I was hoping Faelen could find a green tea or some other variety. I apologise if that causes offence, but I enjoy my cup of tea in the morning. My thoughts were of my daughter; she has changed greatly and not at all over the years." Liam schooled his features to remove the tender smile that moved onto his face at the thought of Aoife, his baby girl.

Avery nodded with a fond smile as she looked over at Geoff, who was still slouched in his chair playing with his tea. "They do grow up very quickly. No, Sensei, I don't mind. If I'd have known, I would've made a different type for you." She shook her head slightly, still looking at Geoff. "Geoff, stop brooding. Your father is perfectly fine. I would've heard if anything happened."

Geoff sat up a bit and stole a quick glance at his grandfather. "Sorry, Mom. There's just a lot on my mind."

She leaned across the table to pat his paw. "I know. Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be fine." She sat back. "Nathanial had a chance to look at the teleporter, then? What did he think? He's such a smart and talented pup, I'm sure he can figure out whatever the Mage did with it. We're very lucky he's so close to our family."

The faintest trace of a smile crossed Alpha McDougal's face before a scowl replaced it. "Have you forgotten the trouble that Mage got into last night? He provoked two fights with Rolph, two that I know of. Then there was that thing with the will-o'-wisp lights. The nurse said Eammon will be out of commission for a few weeks while his leg heals. Haven't heard how those other two are, but as long as it doesn't cost us more money, I don't care. But one of the Spirits he drew off had to take a bus to get back." He actually sounded close to laughter underneath his annoyance. "I don't know why Conor trusts the boy." Alpha McDougal glanced at Geoff out of the corner of his eye as he said that, and saw the white wolf stiffen up in indignation. He spoke again before Geoff could respond. "But, yes, go ahead, Geoff. Tell us what your dear friend found."

Avery's eyes narrowed for a moment at the Alpha's wording, but she remained silent.

Liam wondered if Avery had told Alpha McDougal about Nathanial and Geoff. He was quite certain someone had and did so without Conor's knowledge or permission. It would explain her words and why she did not like him inferring he knew of Geoff's relationship.

Geoff shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I don't know. He mentioned some stuff, but it was all in arcane lingo. We, uh, weren't much in a talking mood last night."

Avery's eyes rolled as an uncomfortable expression crossed her face. Den shook his head slightly, amused, before he caught himself. Alpha McDougal actually looked a little proud of his grandson, perhaps even approving or impressed, but that was mostly hidden under his perpetual scowl. "He better know how to..." He sniffed the air as the continuing scent of Nathanial's cooking came out of the kitchen. "Uh, explain it..." He sniffed again as he looked toward the kitchen. "What is he cooking? I've never smelt Faelen cook anything like this. Or Dirk."

Geoff looked extremely smug and proud. "It's Nathanial's cooking. He's a great cook. So is Faelen, but they cook very different things. I bet they're both working on breakfast together; they seem to enjoy collaborating on meals."

"Then they can cook me a meal when I go visit this week."

A chorus of the word 'what?' resounded. Liam was certain that everyone at the table, excluding the Alpha and himself, said it in the same shocked tone. Something crashed in the kitchen.

Alpha McDougal lost all traces of a scowl while he valiantly attempted not to laugh. He managed to keep the annoyed and long suffering quality in his voice, however. "What do you mean 'what'? If the Mage is as good as you say, then the teleporter will be perfectly safe. I want to finally see the house my grandson is living in, the school he goes to, and meet this Mage family he spends so much time with. I understand you have another football match on Wednesday, Geoff. I'll be there, barring any emergency here. I'll bring you with me, Faeden; your da can watch things here for a day or two."

Den glanced at Geoff then his boss. He nodded. "Yes, sir. We'll have to work out some details, but we'll plan for Tuesday after Geoff gets out of school to Thursday after tea."

Aoife came out of the kitchen with a plate of biscuits. "Sorry, D...ah, Liam. Faelen said there isn't any tea you'd like. I had to run up to his room to get the last of the tin Mama gave you. That doesn't look like a nice place to sleep unless you're a water subtype." She looked around. "I guess that something surprising happened? Faelen looked like he saw a ghost when he dropped the pot. Nathanial looked like he was going to have a heart attack, too. Doubled up over the counter clutching his chest and everything."

Liam and Geoff jumped up from the table. Liam shouted over his shoulder as he ran to the kitchen, "Aoife! Get my bag, the smaller one, from Faelen's room!" It was probably unnecessary, as Faelen would have called out should Nathanial be in serious trouble. Snow would have had made an appearance... Snow poked his head out of the kitchen and quickly ducked back in. Now Liam was quite concerned.

The kitchen door banged against the wall as Geoff barged in, with Liam on his heels. Nathanial was leaning against the counter, looking very pale as he struggled to take slow deep breaths. His eyes were wide as he looked up at Geoff, but he smiled weakly. "I'm okay, guys. Just a bit of a flutter. Is he...? I-I have to cook for the Alpha? He's coming over?"

Geoff grabbed Nathanial and pulled him into a hug. "Gods, pup." Geoff had tears in his eyes and appeared to be attempting to crush the smaller dog in his arms.

Liam was quite certain he would have difficulty removing Nathanial from his boyfriend's arms, so he just checked on Nathanial as best he could. Minor damage, but he was as highly stressed as Liam had ever seen. "Nathanial is in no serious danger. He has additional damage to his heart, nothing severe, but he needs rest. Nathanial, you need to take some of my tisane and after breakfast I will massage you before we exercise. Take it easy when you do so." The adults were waiting by the door. "No stresses. Do not worry about anything. You are on vacation until later this evening."

Nathanial nodded, then gave a sudden start as Geoff pushed him back just enough to be kissed passionately. Nathanial struggled for just a split second before melting into it.

Den looked at his boss in panic, but the large wolf was watching his grandson proudly with a large smile on his face. After a few seconds Alpha McDougal quietly took Avery and Den back into the dining room, then intercepted Aoife as she came back downstairs.