Second Chance Mates

-52- 🌹 Bring Him Home

"You can take, you can give. Let him be, let him live
If I die, let me die. Let him live. Bring him home."
~Les Miserables, 'Bring Him Home'

~~~

*Ryland's POV*

After dropping off a very pouty Kai with Landon's family, we pick up Lia and head over to Landon's house to talk to Lucca.

He's our closest connection to the rogue groups. If we can get him on board, then we have a much higher chance of tracking down the rogues that have Leon.

Unfortunately for us, Lucca is... reluctant.

"Abso-fucking-lutely not," Lucca immediately shoots down our request.

"What?" Landon demands, his face growing red with anger. "Lucca, this is Leon! I'm asking you as my best friend to help me find Easton's little brother."

"Don't do that," Lucca scowls. "Don't try to guilt trip me. I bounced between rogue groups before I met you, and they're not bad people. I don't know who hurt Easton, but I'm not going to help that kid hurt a group of innocent rogues."

"How the fuck do you know they're innocent?" Landon questions. "Maybe Leon really did find the right group!"

"Yeah, right. You know what I think? I think he tracked down a group of rogues and decided to go after them, regardless of whether or not they were the ones to blame. Think about it! He's out for vengeance. Blood. I doubt he would mind if he had to wipe out every single rogue in order to get revenge. In case you forgot, I'm still a rogue. I'm not going to tag along, and watch him slaughter innocent wolves while waiting for my turn."

"We won't let him hurt you. I know Leon. He may be an idiot on a suicide mission, but he's not thoughtless. If we tell him not to hurt you, he won't."

"What about the other rogues? Can you really protect them from him?"

"That's even more of a reason for you to come with us!" I say quickly, making the bickering ex-roommates stop and look at me. "You know the rogues in this area better than any of us. Come with us, and you can vouch for the ones you believe are innocent. We'll handle Leon and make sure he doesn't hurt them. Okay?"

Lucca hesitantly glances between me and Landon before sighing. "Fine. I'll come with you. Only so Leon doesn't kill any of my friends."

"Thank you," I beam. Landon remains silent, and I raise an expectant brow at him.

"Thanks, Lucca," Landon nods. "I know this will be tough, but I appreciate your help. I just... I need to make sure I'm doing everything I can to get Leon home safely. I would never forgive myself if..."

He trails off, biting his lower lip as sadness fills his eyes. Lucca's expression softens, and he places his hand on Landon's shoulder.

"He'll be alright," Lucca says softly. "We'll find him and bring him home."

Landon smiles weakly. I take his hand and squeeze it to silently remind him that I'm right here. He's not alone, because I'm not leaving his side. We're a team now, and I'll face all of his troubles with him.

"Can we go now?" Lia asks impatiently from the doorway.

"Why?" I grin. "Eager to go see Ronnie?"

Her face turns bright red and she sputters. "N-No! I want to find our Alpha. That's it."

Clicking my tongue, Landon and I exchange a skeptical glance that makes Lia huff in annoyance. She stomps out the door towards Landon's Jeep, and the three of us scurry after her. Landon drives us back to our pack, where Lyn and Mateo have been waiting at Ronnie's house.