Raph knelt beside Wyatt, slipping his arm around Wyatt’s back. Wyatt leaned into his alpha, suddenly tired. So much had happened today. Max was probably dead. “Is he...”
Raph glanced at the limp body on the ground. “I think so. Want me to go over and make sure?”
Wyatt shook his head. “I’ll believe you.”
He closed his eyes, letting Raph hold him. Max was dead. He would no longer haunt Wyatt, or show up in Meadowfall. He wouldn’t threaten Hazel again.
Part of Wyatt unfurled, a forgotten part of himself. And for the first time, Wyatt could breathe again.
The police cars pulled up around the gas station, one stopping right next to them. Chief Fleming strode out, his brow furrowed. “How is Hazel?”
“Roughed up, but fine,” Wyatt said. He followed Dad’s gaze to Max, who lay motionless on the asphalt. “Will Raph get into trouble for that?”
“I’ll need more detail, Wyatt.” Dad stopped beside them, setting his hand on Hazel’s shoulder. “Hanging in there, kid?”
“I’m fine!” She frowned, crossing her arms. “I can do a dance if it’ll show you.”
Wyatt couldn’t help smiling.
“Penny briefed me on the situation,” Dad said, his tone turning more solemn. “Sam Brentwood has given me details on Max McArthur, Wyatt. We’ll have grounds to lock him up for some years.”
“If he’s alive,” Hazel said. “I won’t miss him.”
Dad looked at Max again, then at Raph, raising an eyebrow.
“He deserved it,” Raph muttered, glaring.
They watched as uniformed officers swarmed out of the police cars, and an ambulance pulled up. In a lower tone, Dad said, “You may or may not get into trouble for this, Raph. Depends on your circumstances.”
Raph shoved his bloody hands in his pockets. “Which means?”
“Child protection can be grounds for defense,” Dad said slowly, looking between Wyatt, Hazel, and Raph. “But that’s only valid if you’re the child’s parent, or legal guardian. Or if the child can testify that you have a parent-child relationship with them.”
“What does that mean?” Hazel asked.
Wyatt held his breath. Then he released it slowly, holding Hazel’s hand. “It means Raph won’t get into trouble over Max if he’s your dad.” To his father, he said, “We’ve been talking about getting married. Raph was asking if Hazel wanted him as her dad.”
Chief Fleming looked kindly at Hazel. “So is Raph your dad?”
For the second time today, Raph looked uncertain. Wyatt held his hand. Hazel glanced between all of them. Then her gaze settled on Raph, and she bit her lip in thought. “Yeah,” she finally said. “But I’m still angry with you.”
Raph let out a sigh, a smile breaking across his face. Then he reached for her, palms up. “Can I have a hug?”
“Are you going to make me pancakes?” Hazel scrutinized him.
“Yes.”
“A hundred of them?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, I guess.” She stepped into his arms, and Wyatt watched as Raph’s shoulders relaxed. Raph pulled her tight against his chest.
“Glad to have you back, princess,” Raph said, kissing her forehead.
Dad watched them, his expression unreadable. It was a lot for him to digest, too, his sons bonding, his granddaughter being kidnapped. At length, he said, “I’ve told your mom about Hazel. I expect she’ll want to see you at some point tonight. After Hazel’s seen the EMTs and we’ve recorded your statements.”
Raph glanced at Wyatt. Wyatt nodded, lacing their fingers together. “I’m up for it.”
“We’ll visit when we get back,” Raph said. “Think we’ll be released early enough?”
“I’ll make sure of it.” Dad cracked a smile, leaning down to hug Hazel, Raph, and Wyatt. “Perks of being in charge.”
Wyatt laughed, finally relaxing into his family. Things would be fine, sooner than later.
32
Wyatt
Much later, when the sun was setting and they were driving back to Meadowfall, Wyatt asked Hazel, “What did Max say to you? At the parking lot.”
She frowned. “How did you see that?”
“The security footage, remember?”
Wyatt reached toward the backseat, wriggling his fingers. Hazel set her hand in his. Her fingers were small against his own, a little bruised, but the EMTs had otherwise cleared her to go home. After two hours of making statements, Wyatt had sagged against Raph. He couldn’t wait to snuggle into bed, sleep the rest of the day away.
“The cameras caught Max taking you away, but not the words he said.”
Hazel chewed on her lip. “He said he’s my dad. I didn’t believe him. But he knows I didn’t have another dad before Uncle Raph.”
Wyatt grimaced. There was that. And he understood why she’d faltered, instead of skating away from Max.
What would it feel like, to know one of your dads had beat your other dad? Would it scar her?
“She’s watched that bastard die,” Raph murmured, his eyes flicking between the road and the rearview mirror. “I think she’s old enough to know.”
Wyatt gulped. It was a difficult conversation, however old Hazel was. “I was hoping we didn’t have to talk about that,” he said slowly. “But after today, I think you deserve a proper answer.”
Raph held Wyatt’s other hand, giving him a squeeze.
“Max was your father, but only in the sense that he provided the seed to grow you into a baby.” Wyatt stroked the back of her hand. “But the violence he showed you today... he’s done it to me, too. For much longer. I left him when I was pregnant with you, hon. He kicked me out.
“And honestly, that must have been the best decision of my life, raising you with Uncle Sam and Aunt Penny. I don’t consider Max your dad, because he wasn’t there for any part of your life at all.”
“Ew.” Hazel scrunched her face up. “He hit you? He’s really my dad?”
“You don’t have to think of him as your dad. You probably shouldn’t.”
“So you lied to me?” Hazel pouted, frowning at Wyatt. “You always said you didn’t know who my other
