I glanced at Antonio where he reclined on the bed. My pack and his coven were out in force with orders not to approach the human omega, but to let us know when he was found. 

One of my lower warriors, Jefferson, had run across his scent while hunting hours earlier and alerted the rest of us. I wanted to be out there, but knew I couldn’t leave Antonio behind. I also hadn’t considered the little human’s ability to go in such confusing circles. Our men and women had been out for nearly five hours, each one coming across a new scent that sent them in yet another direction. Their frustration was clear whenever another howl went up, but the howl that had just gone up was hopeful and excited.

“Do you think it’s really him, Conner?” Antonio asked softly. “I want so badly for him to be the one, but one of my men says it looks like a human female.”

I reached for his hand. “We’ve both been watching him; we both know he seems to prefer to dress as a woman, but it has to be him. We have to trust fate.” I drew him into my arms and kissed his forehead. “Let’s go bring him home safe.”

Antonio closed his eyes and nodded, a sweet smile forming on his lips. “Let’s bring him home to us.”

***

The sight that greeted us nearly drove me into a frenzy, but Antonio’s hand on my head stopped me. He climbed down from my back and I shifted to address the men surrounding the boy. 

“Have you all frightened him enough? I scented his fear before we were even to the clearing!”

Ryan turned with a grimace. “I’m sorry Alpha. We weren’t trying to scare him, but he smells of blood and Karter suggested that us wolves form a circle in case one of the young in his coven happened on us before you.” He tilted his head to the side, showing his deference and apology.

Antonio stepped forward, leaning heavily against my side. “That was very wise of you. We both appreciate it. Now, would you mind taking the circle to the edge of the clearing so that we might speak with him?”

Ryan, my Beta, nodded. “Of course, Coven Master.” Had I not been so upset, I would have found his formality to be entertaining.

Soon, it was just me, Antonio, and the human left in the clearing. I knew our men weren’t far, but they were purposefully not listening in.

Antonio approached the boy first. My heart clenched as he stumbled with each step, but kept myself from moving to help him. 

“Hello little one, my name is Antonio and this is my partner, Conner. Would you do us the honor of telling us your name?” He knelt carefully next to him and attempted to coax his head up. “You are safe with us, little one.” he said in a hoarse whisper.

I took a step closer as the boy whimpered and shook his head without looking up. I knelt on the ground next to them and reached out to place my hand gently on his head. He seemed to freeze for a moment, then gently leaned into the caress. I took in his appearance more closely; his skirt was torn, but there were no visible scratches on his legs to indicate that he had torn it in the forest. He also held his coat closed tight around his body, leading me to believe that he was hiding something. Inhaling deeply, I forced a growl down at the unknown scent that lingered deep in his skin.

“Are you certain you won’t tell us your name, sweetheart? We would love to know it; we would love to know you.” I said softly.

Ever so slowly, the boy lifted his head until his eyes peeked out. I caught my breath at the stunningly deep blue color and I could feel Antonio beside me let out a small gasp. The boy’s eyes were framed with thick, long, and dark eyelashes that gave him an almost angelic look when combined with his long white blonde hair.

“Oh little one,” Antonio breathed, “your eyes are stunning.” He reached out a shaky hand and lightly ran a finger under the boy’s eye. “Beautiful.”

The boy lifted his head a little higher, his eyes alight. “Really? You think they’re beautiful? No one has ever said that.” He said softly. His voice was almost too soft, but our hearing made it audible.

“Yes, little one, your eyes are beautiful. You are beautiful.” Antonio assured softly. He tilted the boy’s head up even more, so that we could take in his full face as I continued stroking his hair. 

“Sweetheart, you are gorgeous.” I said just as softly. I took in his features. His eyes were almost inhumanly large for his face, while the rest of his features were only elvish looking; his nose was small and slightly upturned, his ears ever so slightly pointed, and his mouth… oh his mouth. I had to hold myself back from taking his lips in a kiss so desperate it would make his head spin. They were perfectly plump and biteable and I was desperate to taste them. 

I swallowed hard and forced myself to look at Antonio, only to see what I was feeling mirrored in his own eyes. I bit back a groan and turned back to see the boy’s eyes even wider than they had been before as he glanced between us. His arms had loosened from the way he had had them tightly folded on his knees so they now rested on his shins and his fingers were playing with his shoelaces. 

“Are- um- are you two um- together together?” He suddenly tried to push himself away from us. “I-I’m sorry! It’s none of my business. Don’t be mad at me!” His hands were above his head as if he were expecting a blow.

Antonio’s face held none of the previous emotion as he moved to encompass the boy in his arms. “No, little one, no. It can be your business if you would like it to. We are not offended in any way by your question, and yes, we are together. And little one? We want you to be part of us too.” He said softly, stroking the boy’s hair, gently rocking him.

I inhaled sharply at his words and waited for the boy’s response. His blue eyes met mine and I tried to give him a reassuring smile. They welled with tears. “You want me?” He asked in a very small whisper.

“Oh sweetheart.” I moved next to them and lifted his chin again. “We’ve wanted you for so long. Longer than you know.” I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.

His breathing hitched. “You really want me?” His eyes glanced between us pleadingly. “You aren’t fooling, right? You know I’m not- not a girl.” He trailed off.

“Sweet omega. Do you know just how special and perfect you are for us?” Antonio said softly. He lifted the boy onto his lap. “You were made for us. To be our third. We want and need you, little one.” 

“Will you come home with us?” I asked, looking him straight into his eyes.