Dylan, unable to think of a reply, nodded slowly.
"I'll go into town and get some antibiotics. That'll see you right."
It was dark before he returned, and Dylan swallowed down another pill, grimacing at the bitter aftertaste.
"Rest, now," Shay said, laying a damp cloth across his forehead. Dylan sighed at the cool touch of the cloth, falling into a disturbed sleep.
Chapter Six
Two days of antibiotics and his ankle looked no better. It was bright red and hot to the touch but only where the snare had touched him. Shay's face grew more concerned as the hours passed, as did Dylan's guilt.
"I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner."
"Let's not worry about that now," Shay replied. "Save your strength to fight this off."
He was in and out, checking on him every few hours, helping take down his fever with medicine and cool cloths.
Sometime late in the evening, Dylan heard voices out in the yard. Pulling himself upright, he hobbled over to the window and peered out. It was those men again. They'd been coming around every few weeks since the Fall. Shay always told him to keep out of sight when they came and he never invited them inside.
Dylan couldn't make out what they were saying, but he could tell from his grandfather's posture that he wasn't happy. They exchanged words and then the men left, and Shay turned back toward the house. He looked up as he did, spying Dylan through the window.
Dylan made his way back to bed, forcing himself to lie down and wait for sleep to come for him.
Cal stopped at Rowan Pack on his way back to see Dylan. They had more bad news for him.
"It's Bella, she was caught in another snare. Thankfully we found her before anyone else did and managed to free her, but the snare has done something odd to her, burnt her skin, and it's not healing. We think it's some kind of magic targeted at shifters."
Cal followed Andy to where the third snare had been set.
"We couldn't find any scent trails, but maybe you'll have more luck," the wolf suggested.
Cal didn't think bears were better trackers than wolves, but he knew he'd have to try.
"I'll see what I can scent. Head back to your Pack. Advise all your people and the nearby Packs to keep well clear of the areas around where we've found the snares. They're close enough that this is starting to look like a territory dispute."
"The Wiccans."
"Wiccans talk, they don't fight."
"That's not true of Ether Coven." Hard to forget, given most of the inner circle of the Coven had been obliterated by their own attempt to harness power.
"Laurel aren't Ether."
"No one thought Ether had it in them either until your brother found Fionn scarred like that."
Word about Fionn had traveled wide in the months since Thane had found him. Cal guessed it was news, the head of the territories finding his mate.
"Well, let's not jump to conclusions until we actually have some evidence. All we have now is a snare possibly laced with magic."
Andy left and Cal shifted, starting at the point their wolf had been snared and circling outward. There were a few scents other than shifter, but they were diluted and indistinct.
As he circled wider, he hit a familiar though faint scent. Dylan. He was near his mate's home. He circled twice more, picking up less and less of what he was looking for and more and more of Dylan. That scent was inescapable, it filled his thoughts until his focus on his task was almost nil. He stopped, realizing he was in danger of finding himself ensnared. With careful steps he returned to his belongings, changing back to his human skin. He was still distracted, enough that he knew the only way to ease it was to find the source of his obsession. He needed to see Dylan.
It was early afternoon when he found himself standing at the edge of the forest bordering Dylan's home. His grandfather was working in the yard, but there was no sign of Dylan and no scent trails that told him his mate had been out here recently. And given what Dylan had told him, the house was the only other place he could be. He'd have to go in.
He suspected Shay wouldn't be too amenable to him walking up to the gate and asking to come and visit. After watching for a while, Shay went inside. He could hear him talking and a familiar voice answering him. Dylan was definitely inside. A few minutes passed before Shay emerged, disappearing around to the front of the house. A moment later, an engine fired up, and a vehicle moved off into the distance.
Cal slipped from his hiding place, crossing toward the yard and vaulting the fence with ease. The back door was unlocked. He opened the door slowly, listening in case there were others inside. But he heard nothing.
The house wasn't large, and he'd checked the ground floor in less than a minute. A noise from above had him climbing the stairs, eagerly at first then more hesitantly. The last time they'd met, Dylan had all but run from him. He might not be all that welcoming.
He found his room easily enough, the door shut. But when he turned the knob, the door didn't open. There was a key next to it, he turned it and tried again. He had the door halfway open before the implication hit him. The door was locked from the outside.
Dylan was sitting by the window, his back to Cal as he looked outside.
"Did you forget something?" he asked, his voice sounding dull, toneless.
"I could never forget you," Cal replied.
Dylan started, turning to face him. "What… no." He stood, moving toward Cal who reached for him. But Dylan pushed him away, back toward the door. "You can't be here. If my grandfather sees you, if he finds out, I'll never leave this room."
"Dylan, stop." Cal caught his hands. "Why were you locked in?"
"Shay found out. About the snare. About you."
"You're your own person, you're an adult."
"His house, his rules."
Cal sighed, squeezing Dylan's hands. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause trouble for you. Shay has gone out in the car. I'll hear him long before he gets back. Plenty of time for me to be gone before he sees me."
His words seemed to reassure Dylan who let Cal lead him toward the bed.
"Why are you still limping?"
There was no way he should still be feeling the effects of that injury. Humans were slow to heal, but not that slow.
Dylan sat down, drawing his knees up. He chewed on his lip for a moment, then pulled up his pants leg. The mark from the snare stood out stark and red on his skin.
"It still burns. I thought it was infected, and Shay got me antibiotics. But it's not getting any better."
It was identical to the marks on the wolf shifter. But that made no sense. It was magic targeted at shifters. It shouldn't be able to do that kind of damage to a human. Unless contact with Cal while the snare had been around his ankle had activated it somehow. Just another thing that was Cal's fault.
"Is it getting worse?"
Dylan's eyes were watching the floor. He didn't answer.
Cal reached out, catching Dylan's chin between finger and thumb, and directing his gaze upward. "Dylan?"
"It burns all the time now, worse at night, and in the middle of the day. And it's moving up my leg. Before it was just my ankle, and now it's my knee too."
There was fear in Dylan's eyes.
"We need to get you some help. Come with me. I know some people who can heal this."
Dylan pulled away from his grasp. "No, Shay is going to get some stronger antibiotics. I'll be fine."
"It's not an infection, Dylan. No antibiotic in the world is going to fix this."
"If it's not an infection, then what is it?"
"We're not entirely sure." He struggled to explain it in terms he thoughts Dylan would understand. "There was something like a poison on the snares."
Cal was sure Dylan's next question would be about the poison. So he was caught off guard when instead he asked, "Who is we?"
"Me and people like me. We're different than most." He left it at that.
"I know what that's like," Dylan murmured, studying h
is ankle again. "So there were others?"
"Others?"
"Other snares. You said, 'something like a poison on the snares.'"
"Yes, there were others. Three that we know of, so far."
"And other people have been hurt?"
"Yes, they have. That's why I was in the woods. I've been trying to discover who is setting them."
"If you tell me what poison it is, I can tell Shay, and he can get me the remedy."
"It's not so simple as all that. It's not something everyday or even something other hunters use. It's very specialized. It would be best if you came with me."
Dylan used his arms to lever himself backward so he was sitting on the bed with his legs outstretched.
"I can't leave here. Shay would never understand. He wouldn't let me come back."
And Cal could see Dylan was more afraid of that than the poison that was slowly eating away at him.
Chapter Seven
The day after Cal left, Fionn found himself in a somber mood that he couldn't seem to shake. Not even the warm sunshine or eager birdsong lifted his spirits.
He was sitting on the grass outside the house, idly plucking strands and twisting them between his fingers. He heard Thane behind him as his mate approached and took a seat next to him.
"It doesn't seem fair does it?" he found himself saying.
"What doesn't?" Thane asked.
"Cal and his mate. Destiny is stupid if it thinks it's fair to assign you a destined mate, then screw you over by not giving you something as important as a child."
"We both know there's very little fair about destiny. Just look at what you went through to get to where you are."
"But we know there's a higher purpose to that."
Leona had shown him his past through the eyes of fate, every step mapped out to get him where he was today.
"I don't find it much consolation when I think of all you suffered, all you're still suffering."
"I'm not suffering now."
"I mean the nightmares, the memories, the things that stay with you long after the physical wounds are healed."
"Everyone has a past, it helps shape who they are."
He wasn't sure why he was arguing with Thane, especially since he happened to agree with him.
"And I like your shape very much," Thane joked, letting his hand slide around Fionn's waist.
"Do you think Cal and his mate will be happy if they never had a child?" Fionn got back to the matter at hand.
"I'm sure they'll be happy. Just as I'm sure I'd be happy even if we never had a child."
But Thane's words didn't ring true to Fionn.
"But you knew from the moment you met me. One of the first things you said was that you would give me a child, and you did. How did you know?"
"I just did."
"So how come Cal didn't?"
"I don't know, Fionn. I wish I did. These things aren't black and white, there are no hard and fast rules. And, for some reason, our generation seems to be on a less straightforward path. Most likely for a good reason."
Thane climbed to his feet, holding out a hand to Fionn.
"Come on, let's go for a walk and see if we can't do some of that relaxing Leona was talking about. We could visit the river and go swimming."
Fionn slipped his hand into Thane's, letting his mate's strong arms take his weight as he clambered to his feet. His balance became more of a struggle with each day that passed and each inch his belly grew.
"Another week and I won't be able to get myself out of bed," he complained good-naturedly as Thane's hands steadied him.
"Never fear, I'll be on hand for all bedroom exits."
"A bear at my beck and call. Just what I've always wanted."
Thane grinned in response as they headed off toward the river.
Cal had come back. More than that, he'd come to find Dylan, unlocked his door and then wouldn't let Dylan push him away. They sat side by side on Dylan's bed. Cal wanted Dylan to leave with him, but Dylan knew if he left he'd never be able to come back. Shay wouldn't take him back. He knew the man's moods, his temperament. He didn't forgive or forget easily. And he guarded Dylan fiercely. Maybe too fiercely.
Cal was sitting right at the edge of the bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his head resting on his hands as he stared intently at the floor.
"I will go and talk to my friend Simon. He knows about these things. Maybe he can give me something that I can bring back. But it's a risk, Dylan. A risk that things will get worse, and we won't be able to fix it."
"But if I go, I'll never be able to fix things with Shay. He's my family. He is all I have. And I'm all he has."
A few tears escaped his eyes, and he let them fall.
Cal twisted his head to look at him. "I know how important family is."
Then he turned around, moving to sit cross-legged on the bed. He reached out, using his thumb to wipe away the tears on Dylan's cheeks. Dylan leaned into his hand, rubbing his cheek against Cal's palm. He didn't understand why he felt this way about him. Every time Cal laid a hand on him, Dylan wanted to melt into his touch.
"I like it when you touch me," he admitted, surprised when Cal huffed a laugh.
"I'd never have guessed," he replied, grinning.
Dylan chewed on his lip, working up the courage to ask something that sounded so strange to his ears.
"Could… could we kiss again? Like last time."
Cal turned his head to the side, his dark eyes watching him—seeming torn between amusement and confusion. "As long as you don't run away this time."
"I won't," he promised.
Cal leaned in toward him, one hand cupping Dylan's cheek until he was so close Dylan could feel the warmth of his breath against his skin. He closed his eyes as Cal's lips touched his, giving in to the kiss he'd longed for. Cal's lips were soft but sure, his hand light where it rested against him. Dylan pressed closer, their noses bumping as he shifted position.
Cal pulled back a few inches. "How about we make this more comfortable?" he asked. Dylan nodded wordlessly, his lips tingling pleasantly. Cal's hands were on his shoulders, maneuvering him, and lying him back against his pillow. Then Cal lay down next to him, on his side.
It was like when they were practicing archery, only better, Cal's body a warm, firm pressure against him. Cal propped his upper body up on one arm, his face above Dylan's as his eyes seemed to take in every inch of Dylan's skin.
He trailed his thumb slowly across Dylan's lips before sweeping upward along his cheekbone.
"I've never seen anyone who looked so beautiful, so striking. A room of a hundred people and all eyes would be drawn to you."
Dylan looked away at Cal's proclamation, his cheeks heating. It couldn't be true. He wasn't anything special. Shay had never said. Besides, beautiful people lived extraordinary lives, like in all the books he read. His life was nothing, the same day every day.
"I'm just me," he stammered. "I'm not— I'm not—" He couldn't even say the word out loud.
"Hush," Cal said softly. "It's no exaggeration. Haven't you ever seen yourself in a mirror?" Then, after a moment's thought, he made a face. "I guess you don't have a lot to compare yourself to. You haven't met too many people."
"I've met you. You're the most handsome man I've ever seen."
Cal slid closer, his mouth an inch above Dylan's as he whispered his reply. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You must see the world through very gracious eyes."
Dylan didn't have time to think what he might mean by that because Cal was kissing him again. This time, he deepened the kiss, nudging his tongue against Dylan's lips. Dylan parted them, surprised at the sensation when Cal's tongue touched his own. He tasted sweet, and all Dylan could think was how he wanted more. He turned onto his side, pressing the front of his body to Cal's. Cal's free hand rested on Dylan's stomach, rubbing back and forth across his t-shirt.
Every touch of Cal's lips to his felt heavenly, and he moaned softly. Then Cal slipped his han
d under Dylan's t-shirt, resting his palm against the cool skin of Dylan's stomach and Dylan's breath hitched. Cal's hand grasped his t-shirt and pushed it upward, exposing a patch of Dylan's stomach and back to the cool air. His hand played across the skin, drawing shapes— loose, lazy circles.
His lips moved from Dylan's mouth and began a slow journey south along the sensitive skin of his neck, drawing out more hitched breaths with each new sensation. The whole of Dylan's body felt alive with sensation, dulling the sharp burn in his leg. Heat began to pool low in his stomach.
Cal pulled away slowly, and they lay side by side—breathing heavily.
"When I kiss you, it's like everything fades away, and all that matters is your lips and mine."
He wasn't explaining it very well, but Cal smiled back at him, trailing a thumb along his jaw.
"I know exactly what you mean."
His next words were said with reluctance. "I need to go. The sooner I leave, the sooner I'll return."
Dylan had the sudden, irrational urge to go with him, but thoughts of Shay kept him silent.
"Why?" he asked.
"Why what?" Cal threw back at him.
"Why are you doing this for me?"
"Because you're special. You're important." Dylan couldn't see how and was about to say so, but Cal got there first. "We'll talk when I come back. There are things you need to know, important things."
"About you? Your people?"
Cal nodded slowly. "And about me and you."
He kissed Dylan again, soft and slow. Dylan felt a spark of warmth inside him at Cal's words.
Chapter Eight
Cal was heady with excitement as he traveled toward Laurel Coven. What was between him and Dylan felt so tangible now. He knew Dylan felt it too. Of all the times for there to be a conflict brewing in his territory, it had to be now.
As he crossed the meadow leading to the Coven's main house, he caught sight of Faye in the distance. He waved, and she waved back, though with uncertainty. A human eye wouldn't know who he was at this distance. He changed direction and walked toward her, knowing the moment she recognized him as her posture relaxed a fraction.
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