“Yep.”
“Why didn’t I know this?” Dex frowned and looked at Cael. “Did you know about this?”
Cael simply nodded and took another nibble. His brother frowned at him and nabbed his cookie.
“Hey! That’s my cookie, you thief.”
“For not telling me.” He stuffed the whole thing into his mouth.
“Mature,” Cael muttered, grabbing himself another cookie. “And I didn’t tell you because it’s not my place to say anything. Seb told me the night of your party. He was a little drunk. I don’t think he meant to. You should have seen his face. That whole mess just crushed him.”
“Why haven’t I seen it?” Dex asked through a mouthful of cookie.
“Boy, don’t talk with your mouth full. What’s wrong with you?”
Cael grinned widely. “How long do you have?”
Dex’s eyebrows nearly reached his hairline. He jutted a finger at him in mock warning, making Cael laugh. Their dad ignored them both, answering Dex’s initial question.
“You haven’t seen it because it’s on his back. He never showers in the employee locker rooms. His office has a private bathroom and shower. He’s self-conscious about it.”
“That’s horrible. Poor guy.” Dex let out a sigh.
Maybe this wasn’t going to be one of their epic three-hour grudge matches after all. Cael could only put it down to Sloane’s calming influence. Dex would have irritated the hell out of their dad by now and ended up in a headlock.
“It gets worse,” Tony said, deflating. “That kind of bond isn’t broken easily, Dex. Instinct might have a Therian challenging an Alpha, but if the marked Therian has lost their mate, it changes things. Many Therians don’t want a partner who’s been marked by someone else and abandoned. By ending things with Seb, Hudson’s pretty much condemned himself. Seb can find another mate to claim. Hudson…. He’s tainted.” Tony shook his head sadly.
“That’s ridiculous,” Dex replied angrily. “Hudson is an awesome guy. Why would Therians reject being in a relationship with him because of a few scars?”
“Those scars run deep for Therians, Dex. It’s a very delicate and complicated matter. Do you understand my concerns?”
Dex nodded, but he looked no less determined than he had when they’d started the conversation. “I do, Dad, but we’re not going to let anyone dictate how we should live our lives or how we should conduct our relationship. If some asshole Therian can’t keep a grip on his feral half around me, that’s his problem, not mine. Being Therian is no excuse for that behavior. If things don’t work for me and Sloane, well, that’s something I’ll have to deal with, and I’ll do it the same way I’ve done with everything in my life. I’ll face it head-on.”
“You’re absolutely right. I guess I’m just not as prepared for this as I thought I was.”
This was the first time Cael had seen their dad looking so worried. Other than the time Dex had landed in the hospital after he got jumped by Isaac’s goons, over a year ago.
Tony put his hand to Dex’s cheek. “If things don’t work out, that mark will make it tough for another Therian to get close to you too.”
Dex nodded, replying quietly, “I know.” He smiled at Tony. “Thanks, Dad. For looking out for me. Whatever comes our way, Sloane and I will get through it together, but it means a lot knowing I have you guys to turn to as well.”
Tony brought them both in for a hug, and Cael squeezed them in return.
“When did you boys get so grown up?”
“I think it was after the pubes grew in,” Dex said.
Cael closed his eyes with a groan. “You just had to do it.”
“Yep.” Dex beamed brightly and ruffled Cael’s hair.
“I may have spoken too soon about the grown-up thing.” Their dad pulled away and headed for the stairs. “I’m going back to putting the laundry away.”
“Does everyone have their headphones like we discussed?” Dex called out after him.
“Yes. Thank you for the horrifying reminder of why we’ll need them,” Tony grumbled as he stomped up the stairs.
“Come on. It’s just sex.”