by Kelex
They all started climbing up—and by the time they were all up, there was no room for Benny and his family. Lane watched as Tyler placed a chain back over the stairs. Rage flew into Benny’s face before he stormed down and pushed his way to the front of the stage. Declan turned to look at everyone—noting Benny, it appeared—and then he turned to the whole crowd.
“I know there are a lot of folks who really worked hard to get this monument to our father placed here in the quad—in a place of honor. Gregor was a complicated man with a complicated past—and I know that the past wasn’t always easy for all here today,” Declan said. “Just like the present isn’t easy for some. We’ve changed. We’ve come far in the past decade. We’ve come into our own and created a new, diverse Bear Mountain, home to all shifters seeking safety and serenity.” Declan paused, looking out at all assembled. “It’s been a long, hard road here, but we made it. And we’re stronger for all the hardship and toil. I think this statue represents the beginning of that journey. A reminder where we were and how far we’ve come. And how much farther we can go—together.”
Lane slid his hand into Turi’s empty one, feeling like they were on a similar path. It wouldn’t be easy, but the destination was so worthwhile.
“Good speech, bro,” Kai whispered under his breath, just behind Declan.
Declan looked over his shoulder with a grin before turning back. “Okay, enough with speeches. Let’s get to this unveiling and continue with the party!”
A cheer rose up from the crowd. Royce grabbed the cord on the tarp covering the statue and gave it a yank.
A deafening silence filled the crowd.
Lane looked at the statue and gasped.
Spray-painted across Gregor’s chest was the word PIG in yellow dripping letters. And more yellow paint covered his face.
Shouts started from the crowd just before bedlam ensued. Lane rushed Turi off the stage, Kai at their tail. Kai forced himself through and led them all toward the hotel. As soon as they were on the sidewalk in front, Kai urged Turi inside. “Get in your room and lock up.”
Turi nodded and disappeared inside.
Kai turned to Lane before they both turned to look at the chaos before them. People were shouting. At least one fist fight had started, and it looked like two more were ready to happen.
“Home Sweet Home,” Kai said before they both pushed into the crowd to try to stop the carnage.
* * * *
Turi heard the knocking on his door seconds after it closed. Had his mates forgotten something? He rushed to the door, whipping it open without checking who was at the door.
And saw their Uncle Benny.
“Hiya, handsome.”
Turi wished he’d looked. He wished he’d only cracked the door open and left the chain in. That’s what he got for assuming.
“You gonna invite me in?”
“No,” Turi said before trying to slam the door closed.
Benny was too fast. He jammed a foot in and pushed with all his might. Even with his added Zed strength, Turi was no match for an alpha’s strength.
As soon as Benny was inside, he shut the door and locked it. Turi backed away until he met the wall.
Benny looked about the room. “Shitty little room. But then, I got the penthouse suite and it’s terrible, so I don’t know what I expected.”
“You don’t have to stay,” Turi informed him.
“Oh, I won’t be long,” Benny said, smiling. “I just wanted you to know you’re going to keep your mates away from a successful life where they might one day run my empire.”
Turi lifted his chin and tried to look stronger than he was. “Oh?”
Benny took a step closer, and Turi felt panic.
“Yeah. And how long will it take them to find out about you?”
“Find out about me?”
Benny grinned. “The babies you’ve had.”
Turi’s eyes widened.
“How do I know?” Benny shrugged and touched his nose. “Real keen sense of smell. Sometimes it’s the worst, but it helps me sniff out all kinds of information others miss.” He sniffed for effect. “That first meeting with you in the lobby—I could smell it on you. How many were there? Because there was definitely more than one.”
“It’s none of your business,” Turi said, shaking.
“No? But it is theirs. How long after they find out about their slutty mate before they come running back to the city?”
Turi closed his eyes, his chest aching.
“I could possibly not tell them,” Benny said. “But it would come at a price.”
“What?” Turi asked.
“Tell them you refuse them. Tell them to leave you alone and leave Bear Mountain.”
“I can’t make them leave their own hometown,” Turi said. “I have no right.”
“You need to be here for treatment, they say. So your need trumps theirs. You stay, they go. They come back home to me.”
“Why are you doing this?” Turi asked. “Kai is your nephew. I’m his mate.”
“I’m doing this because they deserve better. Not a washed up, used up piece of trash like you.”
Turi felt like throwing up… the same things that had circled in his own mind were now coming out of that bastard’s mouth.
“I’m leaving in the morning to head home. I’ll need your answer by then,” Benny said before turning toward the door. He paused at the knob and looked Turi’s way. “You ever need a job as an escort in the city, I know a few people who could set you up good. A pretty face like that—and that body—mmmph. You’d rake in the dough. I’d spend some cash for a night in your bed, for sure.”
Turi watched as the disgusting man left the room, the door coming to a click as he left. He ran over and locked all the locks and slid on the chain before he fell to his knees and then back onto his ass. Tears burned his eyes as he sat there.
How could he ever think he had a chance to be with Kai and Lane?
His past would never allow it.
After he sat there for too long, feeling pity for himself, he needed to vent some of the anger and rage that was brewing within.
A run. Up on the mountain.
He needed to shift… and try to make heads or tails of what he did next.
Chapter Sixteen
After Declan had calmed the attendees, ended the fights, and told the crowd to disperse, Kai and Lane had helped herd people off the quad. He watched as the last of the shifters wandered off before turning to Declan. His brother stared up at the statue, disgust on his face.
“Who do you think did this?” Lane asked Declan.
Declan shook his head. “The gods only know. There are several groups out there with the motive, but I’m just not sure either of them would’ve gone the low route and done something like this.”
Graham, the sheriff, walked up and eyed the statue. “I just got the call from my deputies. Sorry I wasn’t here.”
Declan patted Graham on the shoulder. “You didn’t need to be here. I know you’re needed at home.”
“We think the fever broke,” Graham said. “Just before sunrise. He’s sleeping soundly now, thank the heavens.”
“Cub fever?” Kai asked, frowning. Shifters were impervious to most human diseases. But the young were susceptible to cub fever—that often came on the heels of physical damage, particularly broken bones.
Graham nodded. “My youngest was out on the trails, fell, and broke his leg. It was bad and didn’t set exactly right the first time. The fever set in before the doctors could reset it.”
“Glad to hear he’s improving,” Declan said. “And we definitely don’t need you here for a case of vandalism.”
“Hank called and said he thought a riot was about to happen.” Graham took a peek at Gregor’s statue. “Had we enough men to patrol more often, this might not have happened. Maybe you’re right about the police department.”
“I know you think it’ll take power away from the sheriff’s department, but I swear it won�
��t. Police for the city and village. Your sheriff’s deputies can focus on the more rural parts of the county, and we can cover more ground,” Declan said.
Graham nodded before scanning the quad. “In the meantime, I’ll get Hank to check all the businesses around the quad—see if any of them have security cameras that might’ve picked anything up.”
“Security cameras in Bear Mountain?” Kai asked. “You guys been having an issue with crime?”
“Most of it’s just the young. Teenagers. They don’t have enough to do, so they like pulling pranks and committing a little vandalism,” Graham said. “Likely who did this. Some young punk who thought it was funny.”
“Maybe,” Declan said. “But there are enough people who don’t care for what Gregor stands for that it might not be.” His brother turned to Kai. “Problems of a growing city. You get city problems you didn’t have before.”
“Sounds like you need to find something for your young people to do,” Lane said.
“Perhaps,” Declan said.
“I’m going to head off, get my men going on the investigation and check in before I head back home to check on my family, if you’re agreeable, my alpha?”
Declan nodded. “Of course, Graham. Thanks for coming out to check.”
Once the sheriff had left them, Declan eyed Kai. “You handled yourself well in the crowd. I saw you get between those brawlers.”
“I’ve had to put down trouble in Benny’s clubs a time or two. I worked as a bouncer for a few years while I was in college. You learn some tricks along the way,” Kai said.
Declan nodded. “Well, I need to get our maintenance crews out here to clean up. You guys enjoy the rest of your day.”
“Same to you,” Kai said before he and Lane turned to leave.
“Oh, and Kai?”
Kai looked over his shoulder.
“I’d really like to meet your omega,” Declan said. “I’m sure the whole family would.”
Kai smiled. “Soon. When he’s ready.”
Declan grinned before turning to leave.
“Kai,” Lane said, grabbing his arm.
Kai turned and saw Turi racing from the hotel at breakneck speed. Immediately, he sensed something was wrong.
“Now do we follow or do we let him run whatever he’s dealing with out?” Kai asked, turning to Lane.
“No. We definitely follow this time. I can almost taste his sorrow from here.”
Kai nodded.
Kai took off at a run, Lane at his heels. Turi had a head start on them, but in human form they weren’t at the same disadvantage as they’d been when he was shifted. They gained ground—enough to follow his movements. He was headed back to the mountain, and if he shifted before they could catch up, he might get away from them.
At the base of the mountain, he shifted. Clothes tore from his body as his limbs warped and fur sprouted—and he was gone. Kai didn’t bother removing his clothes. He let the shift take over, knowing he had to catch up.
His body grew, twisting and changing. The second his padded feet hit the ground, he was off like a rocket, trying to catch up to their mate. Hearing Lane’s roar at his side, he dug in, knowing they were in tune.
Kai let out a roar, bellowing to Turi.
Turi paused at the top of a stone outcropping and looked down at them before he took off again. Kai climbed the side of the mountain, his larger paws barely fitting on the small edges. Thankfully, his claws helped him dig in and climb.
Watching Turi’s upward climb, he ducked up a nearly sheer face. One wrong move and he’d slide down the side of the mountain. If he made it, he’d be able to cut Turi off.
Seconds later, he stood before his mate, demanding Turi stop.
The beast kept coming.
Kai stood his ground.
Turi stopped, mere inches from slamming into him. He let out a thundering roar, filled with pain before shifting back into human form.
“Get out of my way, Kai!”
Kai shifted back and didn’t move an inch. He gasped for breath, the speedy race taking it out of him. Lane came racing up behind Turi and slowed to a stop, shifting to human. Kai turned his gaze back to Turi. “What’s wrong?”
“I said, get out of my way.”
Kai met Turi’s stare, and he saw something had changed. The softening he’d felt… it was gone. The wall was back up.
“What was it? Being brought up on that dais? The crowd? What set you off?” Kai asked.
“None of it,” Turi snapped.
Kai took a step forward, and Turi took two back.
“Something… is wrong. Talk to us,” Kai said.
Turi just seemed to close in on himself more.
“We can’t help you if you don’t talk,” Lane said from behind him.
“I don’t want your help!” Turi cried. “I don’t want you. Neither of you!” Turi’s face fell, tears shining in his eyes. “I don’t… I don’t want you. I refuse the claim.” He sobbed. “I refuse the claim.”
Kai froze, ice shooting through him. He looked to Lane, who wore the shocked look Kai was sure covered his own face.
“You can’t mean that,” Lane murmured.
Turi didn’t look up. “I do. I mean it. I don’t want you two. Leave me be.”
Kai took another step closer, and Turi skittered back again, as if he were afraid.
What the hell had happened in a matter of an hour? Earlier, Turi had been appreciating their nearness and their protection. Now he feared them again?
Kai took another step closer… and Turi scrambled.
He knew he shouldn’t do it, but he lunged and dragged Turi closer. “No! No, I can’t accept that. What the hell happened?”
Turi went liquid in his arms, collapsing against his chest. He shook all over, and Kai held him close. He ran one hand down Turi’s back. “What happened?”
Turi didn’t say a word. He just shook his head against Kai’s shoulder.
Lane drew in closer. Kai reached out and dragged him over, too. Together they held their wounded omega between them as he leeched some of their strength.
Kai lifted Turi’s tear-stained face to his with a finger. “Talk to us.”
“You deserve more than me. And you won’t listen.”
“What we deserve is a chance to prove how much we care,” Lane said. “Stop pushing us away because you’re afraid.”
Turi turned to gaze up at Lane—who then lowered his head and captured Turi’s lips. Kai sighed, watching the two kiss. The sight was one he wasn’t sure he’d ever see. Excitement threaded through him as Lane and Turi grew more heated.
Lane broke the kiss and eyed Kai.
Hungry for his own kiss, Kai leaned in and captured Turi’s lips for himself. Turi moaned against his mouth, leaning in closer.
Kai stared into Turi’s molten eyes, brilliant with desire. He pulled away from the kiss, even though it was the last thing he wanted. “You’re really ready to deny this? Deny what you feel for us?”
Turi shook his head. “No.”
Kai laid a hand on the side of Turi’s cheek, cupping it. “We belong together. You know it soul deep, yet you fight it. Fight us. Just let us love you.”
Turi’s eyes closed, and he leaned even more against Kai. He trembled with cold… and the gods knew what else circled within. He wouldn’t open to them, so Kai wasn’t sure what was eating at Turi.
Kai wrapped his arms around their omega and eyed Lane. “There’s a cabin close. Just over that rise. I doubt anyone’s in it. We can start a fire. Get warmed.”
Lane nodded.
They urged Turi on, leading him to the cabin. Just over the rise, Kai could see the cabin. It looked to still be in fair shape. Once they climbed the narrow porch and gazed in through the windows, Kai was fairly sure it was empty. He lengthened one claw and used it to pick the door’s lock—a skill Benny had taught him years ago.
They slipped inside moments later, and Kai handed Turi off to Lane so he could build the fire. After it was b
urning, he and Lane dragged some of the bedding and pillows to the floor before the fire. There, they drew Turi down and wrapped their bodies around him for warmth.
He clutched them close, his hands almost clawing with their desperation.
Finally, he calmed, his hands relaxing like the rest of his body. His trembles slowed and eventually stopped as the warmth filled the cabin.
Turi snuggled closer to Kai, a light in his eyes. “I’m not worthy of either of you.”
“We’ll be the judge of that,” Lane murmured almost sleepily.
The mixture of the heat and the aftereffects of the run had Kai feeling a bit drowsy himself. Knowing Turi was safe and in their arms helped, too.
He let the fatigue take over and almost drifted off…
But he felt Turi’s lips on his.
Eyes fluttering open, he looked up into Turi’s stare. The omega leaned down to press another sweet, almost chaste kiss to Kai’s lips.
Kai met the man’s gaze…
And then Turi lowered his head for another. This time, it was less chaste. Less sweet. More wanton and hungry. Turi’s tongue slid out and lined the seam, demanding entry. Kai opened to him and let Turi have his way.
When he lifted his head, he smiled before turning to Lane and awakening him with the same sweet kisses. Once Lane was awake and aware, the next kiss was headier… and just as exciting as if Turi’s lips had been on his own.
Turi came back to him, offering up another heated exchange. On they shared him, a few kisses at a time, until Kai got bored with sharing and began trailing kisses down Turi’s neck… shoulder… and chest…
Their omega tensed some when Kai reached the end of his journey. Carefully, Kai grasped the base of Turi’s hard cock and licked the head ever so gently.
Turi sighed against Lane’s mouth, his back arching, so Kai pressed on. He explored their omega’s cock, licking every inch up and down. Starving for more, he drew a few inches in and was rewarded by another gasp and moan from Turi.
Kai moaned himself, as he got a first taste of salty-sweet seed easing from the tip. Hungry for more, he went to work, quickening his pace. Their slow, steady exploration hastened, the need mounting. He worked the length to the back of his throat, urging Turi to give in to him.