“Do I really have to do this? No offense, but I have better things to do,” Alpin said.

Meyer wasn’t impressed. He stared at his brother, not one bit surprised by Alpin’s answer to their father’s question.

Tyrian had infinite patience, which he needed when it came to Alpin. It had also served him well with his partner, and it was good to see him happy with Madison. Now if only the dragons would stop trying to kill the pack, everything would be peachy.

Tyrian shook his head. “You don’t have to guard Luca if you don’t feel like you can, but the entire family needs to work on this. The pack needs us.”

Tyrian was patient, but he was also smart, and he knew Alpin. Insinuating that Alpin couldn’t do something was the best way to push him to do it. People tended to underestimate him, which was understandable. He looked like an angel, with his blue eyes and blond hair.

But he was a devil inside.

Sure enough, Alpin crossed his arms over his chest. “I never said I couldn’t do it, just that I didn’t want to do it.”

“That’s fair, too. We can find you something else to do.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll keep an eye on the dragon when you need me to. I’m not spending the nights here, though. I have a boyfriend.”

Meyer grinned at Parker, who was standing next to him by the living room wall. Parker bumped their shoulders together, then turned his attention back to Alpin. “Everyone knows you have a boyfriend. I don’t understand why Merrick puts up with you, though. Are you paying him?”

Alpin stuck his tongue out. “I’m pretty sure he doesn’t understand why he does either, but it doesn’t matter. He’s stuck with me.”

Meyer laughed. Alpin might be bratty, but deep inside—very deep inside—he was a sweetheart. He’d help anyone who needed it and was ready to sacrifice a lot if it meant the pack won this war. It was his home now, and he’d defend it.

Meyer still wasn’t sure what he’d do after this was over. He supposed it depended on how things would end. He didn’t have anyone keeping him here like Alpin, Tyrian, and Mallory. They’d all found someone to love here, but Meyer hadn’t. He was happy for them, but sometimes, it felt lonely, even with his many siblings. Brothers and sisters couldn’t give him what a partner could.

“If the three of you are done, someone needs to keep an eye on Luca,” Tyrian said, glaring at Alpin and Parker.

“I’m busy right now,” Alpin quickly said, moving toward the door. “I promised I’d meet Merrick, and he wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t go. You know how grumpy he is when he’s unhappy.”

“He’s always grumpy,” Parker muttered.

“And that’s why I need to spend as much time as I can with him,” Alpin said with a grin. “Tyrian, text me when you need me to stay with Luca, and I’ll be there. Maybe try to choose times when Merrick is busy, all right?”

Alpin didn’t wait for an answer. He hurried out of the door, leaving the three men in the room to stare at his back.

“I’m surprised he agreed,” Parker said lightly.

“I’m not,” their father said. “I didn’t expect any of you to refuse. The pack is our home now. Every one of us will do whatever we can to defend it, including Alpin.”

Maybe especially him. He had Merrick, and as long as the dragons were a danger to the pack, they were a danger to Merrick. That would be enough for Alpin to want to do what he could to ensure his boyfriend was safe, including guarding the dragon no one trusted.

Meyer certainly didn’t, but he also didn’t think Luca would try anything nefarious. Meyer didn’t know the dragon, but something told him Luca really wanted to help.

How was what Luca had done any different than what Merrick and Arlen had done? The two of them had left the dragon clan and were fighting them. Luca might only have left the dragons recently, but that didn’t mean he was a spy or that he’d go back to them. The clan was doing enough damage that most people didn’t want anything to do with them. Many of the clan members were probably stuck there, but Luca had escaped, and he’d come here knowing he might not be welcome. That had taken a lot of courage, and Meyer admired that.

But now they were stuck babysitting the dragon until people trusted him, and there was no way to tell how long that would take. Unlike Alpin, Meyer didn’t have anything better to do, and he certainly didn’t have a boyfriend, but that didn’t mean he wanted to babysit any longer than the others. The dragon was sexy as hell, but that wasn’t enough for Meyer to want to spend time with him.

Parker pushed away from the wall. “Well, I’m going upstairs to keep an eye on Luca, then,” he told Tyrian. “Just text me to warn me when I’ll be replaced.”

“I’m still trying to set up a schedule, but I will. I’m heading out to meet Kieran and Sloan right now, but I don’t think I’ll be gone long, so I can take over later if you need me to.”

“You know where to find me.”

Parker left the living room. Meyer quickly followed him, his thoughts on Luca and what he’d done.