Ryan had expected many things when he returned from the forest.
He had expected the officials to inspect the bear, the other hunters to crowd around, and the Crown Prince to complain about being beaten after proudly bringing back a mountain lion.
He had not expected Eric to run straight into his arms.
For a moment, Ryan simply stood there, completely stunned. Eric's arms were wrapped tightly around him, his face pressed against Ryan's chest without the slightest concern for the blood covering his hunting clothes. The embrace had been so sudden and enthusiastic that Ryan's mind went completely blank.
Then Eric laughed against him.
"You did it! I knew you could do it."
Something warm spread through Ryan's chest.
Only a short while ago, he had been riding through the forest trying to understand what it meant to love someone. Now that very person had crossed half the field without caring who was watching and thrown himself into Ryan's arms.
