Doc's eyebrows rose, and he glanced at Allan.
He blushed. "I, uh, broke my arm once when I was still human. My dominant arm. So…I had motivation to train my other hand."
Doc chuckled. "Still, I'm not sure that's really fair. I know Ed would prefer I kept my hands to myself, but you should tell me what you want."
"Really?"
"I mean, we might want to run it by Sofia." He shrugged. "But I honestly don't think she's going to mind."
"What about you?"
"What do you mean?"
"I never really got the impression you were into guys."
"Allan, until just recently, there was a significant lack of any romantic interests in my life. I'd never really thought about it. While I'm pretty sure I prefer women, I'm apparently not having any issues kissing guys, either."
"Yeah, you seem to be surrounded by interested parties these days."
Doc shook his head ruefully.
"Let's figure out what to do about Sofia before we worry too much about you and me, okay?"
"Sounds good."
Doc put his arm around him and pulled him into a side-hug.
"What are we going to do about Sofia?" Allan leaned against his pack brother. "She needs to be trained, but we'll lose her."
"Sam says we've already lost her. She just hasn't realized it yet."
"That's why you were so upset earlier?"
Doc nodded. "Think Nikolai will share her?"
"I don't know. He seemed adamant he wouldn't train her." Allan replied.
"I'm actually wondering if he didn't think we would be willing to share her with him."
"Are we?" Allan wasn't sure he was comfortable with the idea, but then, he had just watched Nikolai make out with his best friend and it had only bothered him a little, but would it be different if it was Sofia?
"We'll need to talk to Ed, but if it means we can protect her and keep her, it might be the best option."
Allan nodded. "We'll have to talk about it." He smiled slyly. "So, who's a better kisser, Ash or Nikolai?"
Doc sputtered.
"No really, I kind of want to know," Allan surprised himself by saying.
"Uh, probably Nikolai."
Allan laughed. "You both looked like you were enjoying yourselves."
Doc shivered and folded his arms across his chest. "Yeah."
"If you're worried about Sofia, I don't think she'll be mad."
"No, she'll probably understand."
"Nikolai was worried you're mad at him," Allan added.
"Not mad."
"Good. Why don't you go take a shower and change? You can't avoid everyone forever, anyway."
"I just needed a minute alone to calm down."
"Good, well, I think Ed and I are going to go run. If we don't see you before we leave, we'll see you when we get back."
Doc surprised Allan by pulling him into another hug. This one was a proper hug, and he squeezed tightly.
"Whatever did I do to deserve the two of you in my life?"
"Pissed someone off, I'd imagine," Allan replied with an amused smile.
Doc looked at him. "You know that's not what I meant."
"I do. We're grateful for you, too. We're pack."
Doc nodded. "Go run. I'll see you tonight. Be careful."
He tightened his grip for a moment before releasing Doc and leaving the room.
Ed had already changed and was waiting for him by the door. He went into the smaller bedroom he currently shared with Ed and shifted into wolf form. The forest called to him, and he intended to answer.
Chapter 11
Doc
Nikolai sat in the armchair, staring at the tablet they had given him. He looked up when Doc scuffed his foot so he wouldn't startle the mage as he returned to the living room.
He was surprised when the mage blushed, but Nikolai didn't say anything when he stretched out on the couch. Doc wasn't even sure how to define his feelings at the moment, but the mage still pulled on him in a way that was more than the delicious taste of his blood.
"I'm sorry," the mage finally admitted, touching his neck. "I pushed you harder than maybe I should have."
"I'm not mad, though I was pretty rough with you." He didn't quite apologize for it. The mage's neck was bruised, but it didn't look as bad as Doc had feared it might.
"I will heal quickly." He shrugged. "So, now you see why I should not teach Sofia. I would never do anything she didn't want, of course." Nikolai hunched his shoulders. It was obvious what he meant.
"We will have to talk about it more," Doc replied. "There are a lot of things we need to consider, but the most important thing is her safety." He hesitated. "We share her with each other. Maybe we need to expand our pack a little more."
Nikolai's eyebrows rose in surprise. "I had not considered that possibility."
"We would have to talk to Ed and Allan." Doc said. "Then Sofia, if we're all in agreement."
"I will think on it."
He nodded. "Of course." Doc's cheeks flushed as he pushed further. "And you'll have to ask Sofia if she's willing to share me."
Nikolai's jaw dropped for a moment, but he knew he hadn't misjudged the other man, especially when he smiled. "I may have to do that."
They fell into a relatively easy silence after that. Nikolai surfed the internet, and Doc finally pulled out his school tablet and tried to focus on grading papers. He had actually drifted off to sleep when the front door banged open. He was on his feet before he was fully awake.
Allan barked urgently, a sound he had never heard either of the werewolves make. The darker blond wolf collapsed to the ground and shifted back to human form.
Doc had seen them shift many times, but the process always fascinated him. It looked painful, but neither of them had complained as bones reformed, fur receded, and muscles pulled their shape back to a human one. It was different when he did it while borrowing their powers, so he didn't know how it felt for the wolves.
He looked around for Ed but didn't see the other wolf. Something must have happened. Especially if Allan was forcing
