Because of Them

Chapter 26

Christian sighed in relief as he walked through his front door. He was exhausted.

"Where's Win?" Wilder asked, spying Lex alone on the couch.

"Asleep. She crashed as soon as we got back," Lex said.

"You'll have to do," Christian teased holding his arm out for a hug. Lex squeezed him tight. "I am so happy to be home."

"Listening to all of those accounts must be a heavy weight to carry," Lex said, glancing at Wild, remembering how upset he had been when he went undercover in the facility. "Must bring up some uncomfortable memories."

"It's over," Wilder confirmed.

"Come on, Wild. You act like we don't know you better than anyone." Lex reached for him, wrapping his arms around his back.

Wilder's barrier broke and he stuffed his face into Lex's next.

"It's so fucking awful," he mumbled.

"I know," Lex soothed. "You aren't dealing with it alone. You can't hold it in."

"He's right," Christian said. "We are here for you, even if you just need someone to talk to. You don't have to be tough with us."

"And you," Christian turned to Lex. "I thought we covered the whole rank thing. I don't want to ever hear you talking less about yourself."

Lex huffed at the scolding, "It's true. You two are definitely stronger than me. You're a warrior and you're Alpha."

"And you're somewhere in-between," Wilder said. "I bet you could take my wolf down."

Lex grinned at the idea of the challenge.

"Later," Christian said. "I'm starving."

"Yeah, sorry. I thought about making dinner, but thought better of it," Lex chuckled.

"Good," Wilder teased. Lex gave him a shove.

"Did Winnie eat?" Christian asked as he dug around for something to make.

"I offered everything to her on the drive home and she finally said yes to ice cream," Lex sighed.

"Which means you didn't eat either," Wilder said, sitting beside him.

Lex glanced at him, soaking in the comfort of finally having them close after such a long day. "My stomach has been in knots."

"Mine too. I really wanted to rip his fucking head off, especially when he smiled at Winnie. The audacity," Wilder growled.

"There's more than enough for a life sentencing. He won't see the light of day ever again," Christian said, moving around fluently. They loved watching him cook. He fully relaxed, happy to be able to provide for the people he loved so dearly.

"When will we know for sure?" Lex asked curiously.

"I should get a call in the afternoon," Christian answered, sliding the tray of chicken in the oven. "I want out of this stuffy suit."

Wilder and Christian went up to change. Both relieved to be in comfortable, breathable clothing.

Wilder got in bed with Winnie.

"Maybe see if she'll wake up and want to eat," Christian suggested, already leaving the bedroom.

Wilder lifted Winnie up so she was laying on his chest. She stirred, snuggling close. He ran his hand from her hair down the curve of her spine. She hummed.

"Wild," she mumbled with a sleepy smile, finally opening her eyes a bit. "Missed you so much today."

"Missed you more, princess. I'm so proud of you, you know that?" She had truly impressed him today. He saw her nerves because he knew her better than anyone, but he doubted a single person in that room saw anything but a beautiful, confident girl.

Her smile brightened as she fully woke with a yawn, stretching out her legs, and whether she meant to or not, rubbing her soft body against his.

He let out a pleased growl, flipping them over so she was beneath him. She giggled, reaching up to tangle her fingers in his hair.

"I wish I could've tore that dress off of you today," he said against her lips. "You are so beautiful."

He kissed her hard, trying to rid of all the emotions that had been pent up from today. He cupped her cheeks.

She squirmed at the warmth that bloomed from the intensity. Wilder was so handsome.

She lifted her hips, desperate for some friction. She made a soft noise of pleasure when he lowered his own hips so what she wanted was in reach.

His hands slid under her shirt, up and down her ribs, teasing.

Her stomach growled, and he released her with a little smile.

"Christian is making us dinner, and then we can finish this," he said.

She nodded, "Promise?"

"I promise," he confirmed, sitting her up. She held up her arms to be lifted, so he picked her up and placed her on his hip, carrying her downstairs.

"There's my pretty girl," Christian cooed. She was transferred from Wilder to Christian. She wrapped her legs around his waist, tucking into his neck.

He squeezed her tight, "Did you have a good nap, baby? Are you hungry?"

She nodded. "Love you."

"Love you back," he said, kissing her cheek. He placed her on her feet and she started gathering dishes for their meal.

"What did Isabel say to you today?" Lex asked curiously.

"She apologized," Winnie hummed a bit. "Asked if we could start over."

"What did you say back?" That was Wilder.

She shrugged, taking her seat at the table as they brought the food over.

"I don't know," she admitted. "I told her to leave me alone, and I feel bad about it now that I've had time to think. I understand her being so angry now that I know a bit more about her, but she didn't have to take it out on me."

Christian cut up her chicken for her. She smiled as thanks.

"Would you all even let her come back here?"

"I wouldn't like it," Christian said. "But we would do whatever you felt was right."

She nodded with a yawn.

"Is someone too tired to fulfill their promise?" Wilder teased.

"Definitely not," she said, squirming happily.