Nathan, Griffin and Draven had been living in relative harmony for almost 3 weeks when Nathan sat the other two down.
"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately," he said, eyes trained on the table in front of him.
"About what?" Griffin asked softly.
Nathan took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady. "Going after Draken Mortenson."
Griffin and Draven exchanged looks. "And what did you decide?" Draven asked after an extended silence, his voice a whisper.
Nathan squeezed his eyes shut, a single tear falling as he forced the words out, "I want him to pay for what he's done. Him and everyone who willingly helped him."
Griffin carefully gathered his small mate against his chest in a secure hug. "Then that's what we'll do."
"Can you teach me to fight?" Nathan asked, his voice muffled from being pressed into Griffin's chest.
Griffin and Draven shared another look. "Of course," Draven finally said.
"Now?"
Draven looked out the window, gauging the setting sun. "Not today. It's getting late and will be dark soon. But we can start first thing in the morning."
Nathan nodded. "Okay."
With that, Griffin stood, keeping Nathan cradled against his chest. "I think it's time to get dinner started. Will you be joining us?" He asked Draven.
"No thank you. I planned on going hunting tonight," Draven said simply.
Nodding, Griffin moved into the kitchen, taking Nathan with him and leaving Draven to see himself out. Setting Nathan down on a stool, Griffin moved around the kitchen, pulling out ingredients. "How does glaze-roasted kulan sound?"
Nathan finally looked up at Griffin. "Really good."
Griffin smiled at him. As he cooked, Griffin kept an eye on the subdued wolf.
[This was a really tough decision for him,] Kael said.
"I know. And I'm proud of him."
[For choosing violence?]
"For choosing closure. He could've ignored the whole ordeal and moved on with his life but he never would've gotten over it. Not entirely," Griffin told Kael, focusing on the glaze he was making.
***
Across the room, Nathan and Axel were having a similar conversation.
[I'm proud of you.]
"Then why do I feel like crap," Nathan mentally sighed.
[Because this was a tough choice for you and you're not 100% sure on your decision,] Axel soothed. [I believe it's the right one but if you ever change your mind, I'll support you no matter what. So will Griffin and Kael.]
"What about Dray?"
Axel hummed, thinking about the young vampire that'd been with them. [I think… he'd accept it. But I also think that he'll follow through no matter what.]
Nathan nodded slightly, looking up at where Griffin was pouring glaze over the prepped kulan.
Griffin glanced up, catching his eye. "Almost done," he said cheerily.
"Griff?" Nathan said tentatively.
"Hmm?" Griffin hummed as he put the kulan in the brick oven.
"Do you think I made the right decision?" Nathan asked.
Griffin's movements paused at the unexpected question. He hadn't thought Nathan would be second-guessing his decision so soon. Wiping his hands on a towel, Griffin made his way to the werewolf. Carefully cupping Nathan's cheeks, Griffin rubbed their noses together. "I think you made the one you needed to. This will give you the closure you need."
They stayed like that for a moment before Nathan lightly pushed Griffin into the seat next to him. Climbing into his lap, Nathan straddled Griffin waist while wrapping his arms around him and burying his face into Griffin's chest.