Victor pulls his face away from me for a moment, still holding him close against him, looking down at me intently. A low growl builds in his chest.
And I want him, too, desperately. Want to tear his dirty shirt from his body and throw it to the forest floor – want –
“Where,” I hear myself ask, my mother’s instincts kicking in despite myself. “Where are the boys?” I wonder aloud, looking around.
I see Victor blink, suddenly, looking around and remembering them as well. He opens his mouth to call for them but I put a hand on his chest. “No,” I murmur. “Let them. This is…this is a good place. They’ll be safe. Can’t you feel it?”
He considers for a moment before responding. “Yes,” he whispers, and then laughs a little. “We’re starting to sound like the boys, frankly, but…yes. I can feel
