His lips curved at the corners, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, which were focused on his fidgeting fingers. I searched deeper and noted the slight tinge of distress in his scent. It was barely there, but enough that I knew something was bothering him, making him hesitate.

“What’s wrong, little one?”

“I don’t know.” He slumped forward, his head connecting with my shoulder as his worry heightened. “I’m happy that we’ve found something, but I’m nervous. What if he doesn’t want to know me? What if he’s no longer alive? What if we’re being sent on a wild goose chase, and he’s nothing like the vision I’ve built up in my head?” A sharp exhale fanned my collarbone. “I’m overthinking, I know that, but I’m feeling too many feelings right now to be rational.”

“You’re allowed to be overwhelmed,” I reassured him, burying my fingers in his silken mane, earning a satisfied hum. “Your whole life, you’ve had to endure the mystery of who your father might be. Yes, you swept it to the back of your mind for a lot of years, but it’s still an answer you’ve always sought, however subconsciously. It’s natural curiosity, wanting to know where you come from, who you are, and finally being close to having those explanations is terrifying and exciting all in one.”

Luca nodded against me. “Yeah, it is.”

“If your father does not wish to know you, then he is a fool,” I said firmly, struggling to imagine anyone rejecting the sweet little creature. The thought almost had me baring my fangs and snarling, but I clenched my jaw instead. My duty was to calm him, not to give his wayward emotions any more reason to spike. “And if he has passed on, then we can deal with that outcome, but for now all you can do is follow the trail and take each day as it comes. I will be beside you every step of the way, and no matter what happens, I’ll be there to comfort and protect you whenever you need me.”

Luca raised his head, his eyes sparkling. “Why are you so perfect?”

“I have to be,” I said, kissing the tip of his adorable button nose, letting his sweet chuckle seep into my bones. “To have even a single hope of holding a candle to you.”

A rosy hue spread over my mate’s skin, and his answering smile was sheepish, but I could feel his heart skip against my chest and his pleasure surge.

“Then… I guess we’re going to Rosewood Creek?” he said.

I nodded. “We’ll leave in a few days. I have one or two matters to tie up here, but we should head over to Edenglas first, to give my brother the news of his mother.”