12. Dylan

The drive back to Moon Burrow was a quiet one. The landscape passed by in a blur, and I occasionally sneaked glances at Whizz.

His expression was thoughtful, and I wondered if he was lost in his own thoughts about Jake.

I found myself rubbing the necklace around my neck sometimes. An unconscious gesture, but one that offered me comfort.

Eventually, he noticed my sidelong glances and flashed me a reassuring smile.

It eased some of the tension that had settled between us, and I decided not to press the topic of Jake further.

It was clear that Whizz had a lot on his mind, and I didn”t want to add to his burden.

Hours later, we arrived at the MC compound. It seemed Whizz had called ahead because his friend Piston was there, waiting for us.

Piston and Nitro stepped forward, ready to lend a hand.

Without wasting any time, they helped Whizz unload my furniture and boxes from the truck, carrying them up to my room.

As the last of my things were unloaded and placed in my new space, I thanked Piston and Nitro for their help.

Their assistance made the transition much smoother.

Feeling a little tired from all the unpacking, I decided to sit down for a moment in my room.

It was still surreal to think that I was back in Moon Burrow and that I had Whizz”s support through it all.

As I settled into a chair, I heard footsteps approaching outside my door.

The voices were familiar—Whizz”s and another biker”s, Venom.

”How was the trip?” Venom asked Whizz.

Whizz”s response was calm and collected.

”It was fine, although one of Dylan”s old kidnappers was there.”

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of the terrifying werewolf.

”The werewolf was tracking Dylan?” Venom inquired.

Whizz”s voice carried a hint of seriousness.

”More like lying in wait for him. I guess Gregory Hick”s group finally found the empty house and cells. My guess is, he sent some of his men out to the places where they abducted the victims. I already sent out warnings to the omegas we”d rescued and their families,” Whizz explained. “Piston and Nitro had also volunteered to check on all of them.”

My heart raced as I listened in.

Whizz had acted so normal and chill during our trip that I hadn”t realized he had also made such arrangements to protect those he had helped rescue.

It was clear that he was always one step ahead, and the realization filled me with awe.

A small, quiet voice inside me spoke up. It was my rabbit half, and it whispered, ”He”s a good one, Dylan.”

I couldn”t help but agree with that assessment.

Whizz was unlike anyone I had ever met, and perhaps, I thought, he was too good for the likes of someone like me.

Did I deserve such a wonderful mate?

It was a question that continually gnawed at me, but for the first time in my life, I wanted someone so badly that my heart ached.

The connection I felt with Whizz was undeniable, and it was something I couldn”t ignore.

Part of my decision to leave Greenfield wasn”t just about safety; it was also about seeking a fresh start in a new place.

If I moved to Moon Burrow, I”d have the chance to get to know Whizz better, to explore the possibilities of us.

It was a risk, but one that felt worth taking for the chance at something truly special.

As I sat alone in my room, I realized that no one was talking outside anymore.

Had Venom and Whizz finished their conversation? I debated whether to leave my room and knock on Whizz”s door.

Was it too forward of me to do that?

Maybe Whizz wanted some time alone; after all, we had been inseparable during our entire trip.

Chewing on my lower lip, I contemplated my next move. I decided to take a shower, hoping it would help clear my mind.

But even after the shower, I was still indecisive about what to do.

Then it struck me—maybe I could bring Whizz dinner. It would be a good excuse to stop by his room and check on him.

Proud of myself for finally coming to a decision, I headed to the kitchen.

Once there, I felt a little shy about asking the cook on duty for some food.

After all, I was just a guest at the MC compound, not a resident. But I mustered up the courage and approached the cook.

To my relief, it was someone I knew.

“Hungry?” Nitro asked.

“I um, actually wanted to bring Whizz some dinner. He’d done so much for me you see,” I said.

“Sure, grab whatever you like,” Nitro said. “We’re having bolognese and hotdogs today. That’s all I can make, you see.”

“Thank you, Nitro,” I said, grabbing two plates.

With the food in hand, I made my way up to the fourth floor.

I was trying to figure out how to knock on Whizz”s door while holding two plates of food.

Before I could decide, I noticed that the door was ajar. Whizz had forgotten to close it properly.

I silently thanked my good luck and gently pushed the door open.

Inside, I froze when I heard Whizz emit a soft growl, a sound filled with frustration and grief.

He was talking to someone, and it dawned on me that he must be on the call with his friend from forensics.

My heart sank as I realized the timing of my arrival wasn”t ideal. I stood there, torn between backing out and doing what I had come for.

Whizz had been there for me all this time, and it was time for me to reciprocate in some way.

If he wanted me out, I would leave without hesitation.

Taking a deep breath, I announced, ”Whizz? I”m coming in.”

I pushed the door open and stepped into Whizz”s room, hoping to offer some comfort or assistance, even if it was just a small gesture.

I gently closed the door behind me and turned my attention to Whizz.

He sat there, staring at his cellphone in hand, as if he hadn”t heard me speak or even noticed my entrance.

I couldn”t begin to imagine the state of mind he was in at that moment.

Quietly, I set the plates of food on Whizz”s desk, trying not to make any sudden movements that might startle him.

Back in the diner, Whizz had mentioned that he was anticipating the bad news that the bones belonged to his brother, Jake.

But hearing that confirmation must have been a different and far more difficult matter.

I knelt down in front of Whizz”s computer chair, waiting for him to notice me.

His gaze remained fixed on the phone screen, tears glistening in his eyes. I felt a lump in my throat, overwhelmed by the depth of his emotions.

Finally, Whizz hastily wiped the tears from his eyes and blinked at me, as if only just realizing I was there.

”Dylan, what are you doing over there?” he asked, surprised.

In response to Whizz”s question, I didn”t offer an explanation. Instead, I rose to my feet, moved closer, and climbed onto Whizz”s lap.

Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a warm, comforting hug.

Whizz responded immediately, pulling me close and hugging me tighter, as if he didn”t want to let me go.

We stayed like that for a while, finding solace in each other”s embrace. In that moment, words were unnecessary.

”I”m so sorry, Whizz,” I finally found my voice.

”Me too. I thought I was ready for the news, but I wasn”t. Dylan, I failed him. I failed to save my brother,” Whizz whispered.

Seeing Whizz like this wrecked me. I always thought of Whizz as invincible.

When he saved me the first time and the second time in Greenfield, he was like my white knight. A hero in my eyes.

Right now though, he was vulnerable and raw.

I reached inside my shirt and pulled out the necklace that had once belonged to Jake.

“I have a confession to make,” I said.

“A confession?” Whizz asked.

“On bad nights, I held onto this necklace and found some solace in it. Maybe Jake’s spirit had been with me in that cell, watching over me,” I said.

Whizz smiled, and I could tell he liked that thought. But he still carried the weight of his guilt.

“Whizz, think of Mitch and Travis, and all the people you saved while looking for your brother,” I told him. “You made a difference in their lives. In my life.”

”Do you think Jake would”ve been proud of me?” he asked in a voice that cracked with emotion.

”I”m sure he”s looking down on you right now, smiling,” I said. ”He”s probably telling everyone in the afterlife what a great and awesome big brother he has.”

Moved by my words, Whizz hugged me again, his embrace tight and warm. Then, he leaned in and kissed me gently.

”Thank you, Dylan,” he whispered. ”For those kind words.”