by Fel Fern
His bones popped, organs moved. Shifting was always a painful process, but this time, he welcomed the change. Both his wolf and human half were one. Killing Allan’s not our priority, he reminded his wolf. The beast argued, but Daniel reminded his wolf if that happened, Chad would be sad.
Allan and he rolled into the ground. They’d fought a lot like this when they were younger, trying to hone their skills as warriors for their pack. It felt like they were back in those woods, training their bodies to be weapons, except this was no practice match. Allan looked ready to end his life. They crashed into the nearest armchair. More furniture flew. Wood splintered, glass broke.
Daniel completed his shift, threw Allan off him. Allan snarled at him, showing teeth, then came at him again. They crashed into one of the room’s many big windows. Glass cut into his fur, his skin, but Daniel ignored the pain. He could feel the sun on his face. The bushes outside broke their fall.
Allan was relentless, didn’t stop coming after him. Daniel became aware of fellow pack mates nearby, stopping by to watch. He knew a single howl from him, and they’d come running to his help. Daniel could use the pack bonds to call every single Goldcrest werewolf to him, except flaunting his power might only enrage Allan. Somehow, he had to get his best friend to calm down and avoid starting a war over Chad.
Chapter 9
“I’ve got to put a stop to this,” Chad told Max.
Max refused to let his arm go, and Grant continued blocking his way. Feeling useless, Chad looked out the broken window Daniel and his father had crashed into earlier. Then he returned his gaze to the wreckage the two Alpha werewolves had caused.
“If you told me earlier, I could have distracted your dad or something,” Max told him.
“I tried to tell you,” Chad interrupted. “We were in Daniel’s room when you called and—”
Max raised a finger. “No sordid details. He’s still my dad, you know?”
“You don’t sound surprised or that angry,” Chad observed.
Max rolled his eyes. “I’m your best friend. Didn’t you think I’d notice you pining after him all the time? I thought it was just a crush, but I now know it’s so much more.”
Max looked to his own mate at those words, but this time, Chad felt no tinge of jealousy. He used that opportunity to slip out of Max’s watchful eye. Chad ran to the broken window and carefully climbed out.
“Chad, come back here!”
Ignoring Max’s yell, he jumped outside. Chad instantly spotted Daniel’s and his father’s enormous and muscled wolves still clawing and biting at each other. Both remained locked in a violent dance that might end in one or two deaths if Chad didn’t put a stop to it.
However, getting between two pissed-off Alphas dead-set on killing each other would be problematic. Chad could get caught in the crossfire, but if he didn’t make his point now, his dad would never understand how serious his relationship with Daniel was.
He watched Daniel tackle his father to the ground. Chad’s heart nearly stopped when his mate shifted back to human form, made himself become vulnerable instead of taking advantage of the upper hand. Daniel got off Allan.
Chad’s pulse raced. What if his father took that chance to leap at Daniel and slash at Daniel’s throat with his claws or tear it away with his teeth? No, Chad realized. His father would never do that knowing Daniel’s life force was now connected to his own. Any injury or harm Daniel suffered would rebound back to him and vice versa.
Even now, Chad began to feel the phantom wounds his father managed to inflict on Daniel. It felt like his skin was on fire. Earlier on, Daniel must have been shielding himself from Chad really hard, so Chad wouldn’t feel Daniel’s injuries immediately.
Suddenly, he felt tired. All he wanted to do was retreat to the bedroom. Nurse Daniel’s wounds and curl up against his Alpha. Cuddle all day long.
“Allan. Do I have your attention now? Chad is my mate. I’ll protect him, love him with all my heart. There is no other better man for him but me,” Daniel said, a growl still accompanying his voice. Those words made Chad’s heart flutter. Daniel said them without shame, even with plenty of his pack mates watching.
Allan didn’t attack him. Hope flared in Chad’s chest. His father was listening. He took that chance to walk to his mate. Daniel seemed to sense him coming, because he pulled Chad possessively close to him.
“What he said, Dad. I’ve always loved Daniel from afar for what felt like forever. Years,” he told his father. “Stop fighting each other.”
Those last words were reserved for both his stubborn-ass father and his mate.
“I’ve already made my choice. Daniel didn’t force himself on me or anything like that. I also put my mate mark on him,” he told his dad simply.
Allan turned back to human again and looked up at him. “This is your final decision?”
“Yes,” he answered simply. “He’s always been the one for me. My mate. Both of our wolves knew it, but he always kept his distance, because he didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
Daniel offered Allan a hand up. Allan seemed to study his friend a little closer, but the fury in Allan’s eyes had disappeared. Allan slapped Daniel’s hand away and got back to his own two feet.
“I cannot undo a mating bond, not without killing my son,” Allan said. His father’s words felt like silver bullets to his chest. Allan fixed him a hard look. “Do what you want. I don’t even know you anymore.”
“I’m your son,” he whispered, but his father started walking away from him.
Chad stepped closer to Daniel, relieved Daniel pulled him into an embrace. Chasing after his father would be useless. Once his dad made up his mind, that was that. Why couldn’t his father be more open-minded and supportive, and accept the facts laid out before him?
“He’ll come around, you’ll see,” Daniel told him, pressing a kiss to his mouth.
Chad closed his eyes, let himself lean against Daniel’s big frame for a few seconds. “I’ll talk to him.”
“Give him more time,” Daniel said. “Allan’s not the type of man who can accept change easily.”
“He could’ve been happy for us.”
“Seeing my mate mark on your neck must’ve been too much of a shock to him. He reacted on one instinct, to hurt the man who took his son from him.”
“You didn’t take me. I came onto you.”
Daniel chuckled at that. “We’ll fix this, promise.”
“So what next?” Chad asked.
“I need to find a new pair of jeans, and maybe, it’s time I introduce you to the rest of my pack.”
Daniel officially announcing Chad as his mate made him nervous, but he knew it had to happen sooner or later.
“Oh, Dad didn’t say it outright, but I think I’m not welcomed back home,” he said glumly.
“Doesn’t matter. For now, you’re moving in with me.”
“Really?” he asked, unable to keep the excitement out of his voice.
“I’ll help you move your things,” a new voice added. Max.
“Son,” Daniel said, nodding to Max.
“Dad,” Max said, sounding wary. “I’ll need time to get used to the idea of the two of you, but it’s fine with me.”
“Thanks, Max,” Chad said, meaning it.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Max said quickly, waving his hands. “This is too weird for me, but the heart knows what it wants. I get that. Erm, Dad? Can you put on some clothes?”
“I’ll be back,” Daniel said, kissing him on the cheek, before returning to the house. Chad looked at his mate with longing.
“Isn’t he amazing?” Chad asked with a smile. “He was so cool and manly when he fought off my dad. I know it’s wrong to think that. My heart was racing the entire time, but that, my friend, is the epitome of a manly man.”
“Chad, ew. We’ll need to establish boundaries when we’re talking about my dad. Okay?” Max asked him.
Chad blinked. “Oh right. Sorry. I get carried away.”
Max grabbed his arm and started steering him back to the pack house. “Now you have to tell me everything. Not the lurid details but how you two got together.”
“I vomited all over his shoes.”
Max raised his eyebrows. “Seriously? You must possess amazing skills of seduction.”
He laughed and Max ended up doing the same. It felt good, being able to laugh like this with his best friend again.
“Chad, let’s talk more and hang out more often again,” Max suggested.
“I was kind of annoyed at first when you started spending more time with Grant, but I get it now,” he said. “The moment you find your fated mate, it’s easy to forget the rest of the world exists.”
“You really have a thing for my dad, huh?”
Chad nodded. “It’s always been more than a crush.”
Max became oddly quiet. A look of contemplation crossed Max’s face.
“Well, I’m glad. Part of me was scared he’d end up lonely and eventually decide to give up on life, you know?”
“I’ll never allow that to happen.” The fierceness in his voice surprised both of them.
Max grinned. “Then I’ll hold you to that promise. I’d suggest we go on a double date, but that might turn out too weird.”
“I don’t know. I think Daniel’s going to be a perfect gentleman.”
“We’ll see,” Max said. “Let’s search for breakfast. Grant’s already reserved us a table in the mass eating hall, and I’m hungry.”
Chad halted in his footsteps.
“Chad?”
“Daniel said he’s going to introduce me to the pack. Do you think anyone’s going to object?”
“Well, if anyone does, I’ll set Grant on them.”
The image made him smile. “Don’t. I want the other werewolves to like me, not hate me.”
“Stop worrying already. You’ll do fine.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Chapter 10
“Last night, many of you must’ve sensed the change in the pack bonds,” Daniel began.
The eating hall turned silent. Seated next to him on the table overlooking the rest of the hall, Chad fidgeted. His mate looked nervous as hell. Perhaps his fight with Allan had shaken Chad more than he thought. Daniel had the pack healer attend to his injuries before coming here to meet his mate.
Allan didn’t hold back, but his regenerative healing started to kick in.
The pack murmured among themselves as he continued, “The rumors are true. I’ve chosen a new mate. Chad Watson. Welcome him to the pack.”
Chad raised his hand, waved, then stopped. Daniel slid his arm over Chad’s shoulders, brought him close. “Don’t be nervous,” he whispered to Chad’s ear.
Ben walked up to the table, then held out a hand to Chad. “Most of us know you as Max’s friend, but today, we welcome as the Alpha’s mate.”
Chad shook Ben’s hand and answered in a cool and collected voice, “It’s my honor. I’ll do my best.”
There. Daniel sensed a wave of relief through their mate bonds. Chad must’ve shaken off his initial nervousness. After Ben, his four pack enforcers came up to greet Chad. The rest of the pack followed. The ceremony done, they settled back in their seats to eat.
“That wasn’t so bad, right?” he asked Chad.
“No,” Chad agreed. “Not everyone seems happy by the news, but then again, I’m the reason you got hurt.”
“Hurt?” Daniel scoffed. “Just scrapes, and by tomorrow, they’ll fade to mere scars. Besides, I won’t be Alpha for long, so they won’t have anything to worry about.”
“Oh right. You told Ben this morning you’d talk to him soon. You’re truly serious about stepping down? No hesitations at all?” Chad asked him. “If you’re worried about me stepping up, you shouldn’t be. I’ll do my best, be whatever you and the pack need me to be.”
“I appreciate those words,” he told his mate. He patted Chad’s arms. “But I made this decision long before last night. Besides, this pack runs like a well-oiled machine. Ben’s going to be a good Alpha.”
“So you’ll have plenty of time for me, for us?” Chad asked with a grin. “I mean, I also got my trust fund. We could do whatever we want.”
Daniel blinked. Chad was right. He hadn’t exactly figured out the next step after announcing he was stepping down as Alpha. He reached for Chad’s hand, gave it a squeeze. “We’ll figure it out. For now, I still need to lend Ben a hand, give him advice even after he takes over.”
“I understand. I can wait.”
“What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“Max will help me retrieve some of my stuff from my house,” he said. “You’ll be busy all day?”
Daniel nodded. He didn’t look forward to breaking the news of his retirement to Ben and his enforcers. They also had other pack matters to take care of. No matter. He’d look forward to seeing his mate at the end of the day.
“I’ll see you tonight,” Daniel said.
“Kiss?”
Daniel grinned and gave his mate a long, lingering kiss before they parted ways.
* * * *
“Chad, relax. It’s going to be fine,” Max said.
Both of them were seated in the back seat of their car while Grant was at the wheel. Chad peered out the windows as they left the property.
“It’s just been a hell of a rollercoaster ride, you know?” he said. “First, Daniel and Allan nearly killed each other and I didn’t really have much of an appetite during breakfast.”
“I’d be nervous in your position, too,” Max told him. “Most of the werewolves in the Goldcrest Pack are pretty protective of Dad.”
“Max, that’s not helping,” chimed in Grant from the front.
Chad wasn’t sure of Max’s mate at first. Grant didn’t speak much, appeared so calm and indifferent to him initially, but he thought Grant was starting to warm up to him.
“I know,” Chad mumbled. “I overheard some of the unmated werewolves gossiping on our way out of the pack house. They wondered what Daniel saw in me.”
“Don’t let their words get to you. Some of those shifters don’t have anything better to do,” Max said. “They probably wished it was them Dad chose. As if Dad had low standards.”
“Well, not like Daniel will be Alpha for long,” he murmured under his breath.
Max grabbed his hand, eyes wide. “What do you mean?”
Crap. Chad and his big mouth. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to tell Max. Max and Grant would keep Daniel’s secrets. He told his best friend about Daniel’s plans to step down.
“Dad no longer being the Alpha? Would take some getting used to,” Max muttered. “I mean, Ben’s capable enough, all right, but the other werewolves aren’t going to accept that change easily.”
“Daniel’s done enough for the pack,” he said. “He’s tired.”
“You’re right,” Max eventually said. “So what’s going to happen next?”
“He said he’ll still take on an advisory role until Ben can stand on his own two feet, but after that? Maybe we’ll get a place somewhere quieter. A small town maybe?”
“You’ve been thinking about this,” Max said.
Chad blushed. “I know we’re only newly mated, but I think Daniel would like to escape the city for a little bit. We’ll settle down in a peaceful little town, and of course, Grant and you can visit.”
Max leaned back in his seat. “Wow. That’s a lot to take.”
“We’re here,” Grant said. “Werewolf guards giving us the stink eye.”
Chad swallowed, realizing they were outside the gates of the Windshide pack house. His home for the past twenty-one years. Grant was right. It looked like the two werewolves posted outside the gates didn’t seem interested in letting them through.
“I’ll speak with them,” he said.
“I’ll come with you.” Max suggested.
“No way,” Grant said in a curt voice. “Max, you’re not part of their pack.�
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“But I’m human and it’s not like I belong to the Goldcrest Pack either.”
“No, Grant’s right. Stay here,” Chad told his best friend. “I have my phone. I’ll give you a call if they let us through.”
He got out of the car and approached the two werewolf guards. Lenny and Leo. Twin warriors for the pack. The brothers used to make his life hell growing up. They were bullies he tried to avoid as much as he could.
Chad hadn’t exactly gotten along with most of the members in his father’s pack. On the official records, he was part of the Windshide Pack, but he never truly felt like he belonged. The only reason the other werewolves tolerated him was because their Alpha was his father.
“Look, the runt came home,” Lenny said with a snort. “Is it true? That Daniel Shepard actually mated you?”
“Hard to believe an Alpha like that would want his sorry ass,” Leo said. Leo gave him a hard look. “The Alpha returned in a foul mood, all covered in scratches thanks to you. I’m guessing we’re all about to be dragged into a war.”
“That’s not going to happen,” he blurted. “No war. The Goldcrest Pack and our pack’s always been allies.”
“Oh yeah? Then why was the Alpha asking the other senior warriors to get themselves ready?”
“You’re lying,” he blurted. “Our pack—”
Leo gave him a shove backwards and cut his words off. “Please. You’ve never given a single damn about the pack. You probably spent more time with the Goldcrest wolves than us. What? We not good enough for you?”
Leo’s words had shaken him to the core. He needed to talk with his father. ASAP. Right. Chad had come here for a reason. To retrieve his belongings, but maybe he could put his time to better use.
“I’m still part of this pack and I’m still the Alpha’s son. Right?” he demanded.
Lenny narrowed his eyes at him.
“That’s right,” Leo finally said.