Maverik's Ashes

by Sandra R Neeley

  She tried to mumble something at him around the gag, but it couldn't be understood.

  Riley came outside with a sleeping Cristie in his arms, and it did not escape his notice that the big Panther immediately placed himself next to Maia. He regarded the Panther for just a moment longer before the scent of urine hit his nostrils. It was laced with fear and strong. He turned back to see where it came from and realized that it was coming from his mother.

  “Mother, really?”

  Delilah snickered evilly, “Something must have scared her. She appears to have wet herself.”

  “Yeah, I wonder what could have done that!” Kaid said sarcastically. “You can clean the damn couch!” he told Delilah.

  “I think not!” Delilah objected. Then she nonchalantly waved her hand in the air, “I shall buy another. We need one without her scent on it anyway. I will have no trace of this female or her scent in my home when sister Valerie returns. She will feel welcome here, with no memory of the betrayal this female tried to impart.”

  Matty immediately turned his attention to Maverik, “Did she say yes, Dad?! That is so great! I was sending up prayers that she would accept you.”

  Maverik smiled sadly, “We’re working on it. We’ll get there.”

  Matty understood and nodded encouragingly, “I’m sure you will. She’s a very lucky woman, she’ll see that.”

  By this time, Malina had worked her gag free by rubbing her chin repeatedly on her shoulder, feeling a bit more brave now that her son was here.

  “Matty, Matty look how they’ve mistreated me. Defend me! I am your mother; you should punish them for the way they’ve treated me. I have never been so insulted in all my life!” she shrieked.

  Matty regarded her coldly before he slowly stalked up to her, leaning over so that they were almost nose to nose. “Maverik is my father, not Renegade.”

  She didn't address his statement, only started jabbering about how insulted she was about her treatment at the hands of these people. Matty watched for only a moment longer; then, he bellowed so loudly that the other Alphas rumbled in approval, “You drove him from our lives!”

  Malina stopped jabbering and just looked at him, realizing that she could no longer manipulate him as she could when he was a child.

  Matty continued, “Your selfish, delusional whims broke our family and drove the most honorable male I’ve ever known, my own father, from our lives. You no longer have rights. You no longer deserve respect.”

  Malina flicked her eyes in Maia’s direction in one last attempt to get some support, but Maia only whispered, “I will never forgive you.”

  And Matty echoed it, “Neither will I.”

  Malina’s mouth dropped open, and the look on her face appeared as though she was about to protest, but Matty stopped her. “You gave me life. You fed me when you had to. You clothed me. That counts for something. I will not allow you to be killed. I will not allow you to be tortured. But neither will I allow you to hurt anyone else with your selfish bullshit. You will go back home. You will keep your mouth shut about everybody and everything you have seen here, or I will tell Renegade that you came after Maverik to beg him to challenge for Alpha, to come back and be your Mate and take over the pack again. And we all know how he loves traitors.”

  “You wouldn’t dare!” Malina hissed.

  “Oh, yes, I would. Try me Mother. You are on a very short leash. You push me just once, and I will…” But Matty didn't get to finish.

  “He will call me. And my Dragon flies very swiftly. I will arrive and happily take care of everything,” Delilah finished.

  Malina just looked between Matty and Delilah, then to Maia and Riley and back to Matty, “And what do I get?!” she sobbed.

  “You get to live. You get to have your own place, you get to be the mother of the new Alpha and all the respect that goes with it. Unless you even imagine trying to ruin anything here for Maia and Dad. Then you get Delilah.”

  Malina regarded him for a moment before quickly realizing that she’d do well to keep her mouth shut and keep with the program. Then she smiled sweetly at Matty, “I always knew you were the smart one, Matty. The best one. I never had a doubt that you would be Alpha one day, sweetie.”

  Matty rolled his eyes, “I’m sure, Mother. Get in the truck.”

  Kaid walked her over to Matty’s truck, giving the inside a cursory glance to make sure there was nothing on the seat that she could reach to free herself. He wasn't afraid of her, but really didn’t want Delilah to kill the demented woman in front of her kids. She was a crazy, selfish bitch, but she was their mother. He made sure she’d be okay there and put her inside, saying, “Stay,” before shutting the door.

  In the meantime, Matty had turned to the big golden-haired Panther standing possessively beside his sister, “Who are you?”

  “Riley. Who are you?” Riley knew full well who he was; he looked just like his Maia, and they’d called him Matty and referred to him as Maverik’s son enough. But he was Alpha also, and he was not going to let the young man think he could intimidate him in any way. And the thought ran through his head once again as his Panther reminded him, Too many Alphas here.

  Matty narrowed his eyes at the male. “Why are you standing so close to my sister? Maia, why are you standing there, get over here!”

  Before she could say or do anything, Riley took one step, placing himself halfway in front of Maia. He knew she was in no danger and just really thought to piss off her brother. He grinned at Matty. Making his intent clear.

  Matty raised an eyebrow at him, and addressed Maverik, “Do you see this?”

  “Yup. Been seeing it.”

  Matty looked at Riley again. “Really, you’re going to antagonize me with a sleeping child in your arms?”

  “Not antagonizing you. Simply letting you know that she don’t listen to you. She’s mine. She listens to me.”

  Matty barked out a laugh, “Yours? Oh, hell no! She’s not yours or anyone else’s. She’s only sixteen. Not you or anyone else will be claiming her this young! And for your information, she don’t listen to anybody, ever.”

  “I know how damn old she is! That’s why we’re friends, going slow. ‘Til she’s old enough, then I’m claiming her. And not you or anyone else is gonna stop me.”

  All this was delivered in overly dramatic quiet voices, so as not to wake the sleeping child in Riley’s arms.

  Matty took a step forward, addressing Maia, “Get in the truck. Slade is dead, you’re not in danger anymore. I’m taking you back home.”

  “Matty, she’s fine, son. She is home,” Maverik told Matty.

  Riley took a step back, which made Maia step back as well. Then he half-turned and handed a sleeping Cristie to Maverik.

  Then he turned back to Matty and stepped to him. “Let me make this clear, Matty. Maia is my Mate. I’ve waited my whole fucking life for her. Yes, she is young. But another couple of years waiting is no big deal for me. When she’s ready, I will claim her. For life. I’ve promised your father I will not touch her or claim her until she is ready. He knows the truth of that promise. We will be a family, all of us. Your father, too. And you are welcome to be a part of that. Or you can try to stop me and make her choose. But I wouldn't suggest that, because she will choose me. I am her Mate.”

  Matty regarded him thoughtfully for a minute. He looked at Maverik; he was cradling the little girl, who was still sleeping, and he was clearly loving it as he rocked her gently back and forth in his arms. He was obviously not the least little bit concerned that Riley had made his intentions concerning Maia very clear. He looked at his sister, who was standing behind Riley, though glaring at his back.

  “Maia? He telling the truth? He your Mate?” Matty asked her.

  “More or less,” she answered.

  “More or less?” Riley asked, unbelieving of her statement, “More or less? What the hell does that mean?”

  Maia huffed, stepping around Riley and shoving him aside, “Move, Kitty-Kat,” she
mumbled at him. “You aren’t swearing at me again, are you?” she said with an edge in her voice.

  “Maia, you know better than that, sugar. But really? More or less? What does that mean?” Riley told her. Obviously he stepped aside because his little Mate had told him to. And now he was begging her to clarify her statement of more or less, while she stood there regarding him with her arms crossed and her lips in a tight line.

  Matty watched this whole exchange with a growing smile that he shared with Maverik, and they both got a kick out of Riley’s immediate acquiescence to his young Mate’s demand that he move aside. Yeah, his little sister had this big, bad feline on his own short leash. She may be young, but no way in hell was she going to allow any male to tell her what she was and wasn't going to do.

  “What it means is that, yes, you are my Mate,” and she turned to face Matty, “and Matty, you have nothing to worry about. He is a good male. Just a little full of himself. But he’s good. And he’s been patient.”

  Riley asked from behind, “So what is the less, Maia?”

  Maia rolled her eyes and smiled in a strained manner, “He’s usually patient. And the more or less is that yes, we are Mates. Yes, we will wait until I’m ready. But when I’m ready, I’m claiming him. It’s my choice. In my own time. In my own way. My claim,” she stated, nodding her head for emphasis.

  Behind her Riley grinned, then stepped forward, placing his hands on her shoulders and kissing the top of her head, his Panther purring, “Anything you want, sugar.” His Panther was thrilled that she wanted to claim them first.

  Matty chuckled and pulled Maia into his arms, smiling at Maverik as he hugged her. Maverik smiled back at him, “See? She’s got it under control.”

  “I never had any doubt,” Matty told him.

  “Yes, you did!” she poked him in the ribs, making him jump away from her.

  “Do not underestimate me, pain in my ass!” she told Matty.

  “Alright! Fine!” he answered, laughing as she continued to tickle him.

  Bumping in the truck reminded them that this was not a pleasure visit as Malina banged against the dash with her knees to let them know that she was still there.

  Matty sombered immediately, “I better get her home before she can do any more damage.”

  “I’m sorry you have to deal with that, son,” Maverik told him.

  Matty shook his head, shrugged his shoulders, “I’ve got it, Dad. I’ve taken care of her for most of her life; it’s nothing new.”

  Maverik reached out and patted him on the shoulder. “You’re a good male, Matty. I’m proud of you.”

  Matty immediately lit up with Maverik’s praise, “Thank you, Dad. That means a lot.”

  “We’ll be there when you call, all of us,” Kaid told him.

  Matty looked around at the group of shifters gathered ‘round. There were Bears, Lions, Dragons, Wolves and Panthers. And each and everyone had respect for and loyalty to the others because they were family. Family, he was learning, is made through respect, love, strength, loyalty and faith. Blood, though usually involved, has very little to do with it.

  Matty asked, “All of you?”

  “Absolutely, even the Bear and Fire Dragon that you didn’t meet tonight. All of us. We stand together,” Kaid answered.

  Matty’s eyes widened in surprise, and he nodded his understanding. Kaid held his hand out to shake Matty’s, and Matty gripped his hand only to have it turned sideways and feel himself brought in close with their arms bent and pressed between them as Kaid wrapped his other arm across Matty’s shoulder, kind of a half-hug. “You’re family now, son. Do not hesitate. You call out when you need.”

  “Yes, Sir. I will.”

  Then he embraced Maverik, his dad, his real dad, one more time, ruffled Maia’s hair and called her butthead once more for good measure. Then, he was gone, driving down their gravel drive, with a dust trail following him as he drove out of sight.

  Chapter 19

  Later that morning found Delilah, Kaid, Goldy, Sadie, Bane and Janie having a late breakfast together. Bane and Janie had spent a romantic night alone, and Kaid was bringing them up to speed on all they missed. “It’s almost not worth missing a night with everybody,” Janie said.

  To which Bane immediately answered, “Really? Private time with me isn't worth missing out on all this,” Bane swished his hands in the air indicating everything.

  Everyone laughed at him as he was obviously teasing Janie, a grin on his face as he feigned outrage. Janie grinned at him, too, as she cooed to Daisy, who was busily gnawing her way through her mom’s scrambled eggs. She squealed and cooed at everyone as she happily took and devoured whatever anyone handed her. It was amazing the speed with which this child was growing. She was easily the size of a 9-month-old baby and was beginning to try to crawl. She sat up on her own and had scooting down to an art form. And, Lord forbid, you have something she wanted. She and her Bear had no problem making sure everyone knew she wanted it and that you wouldn't give it to her.

  Avaleigh, Daniel and Remi came through the door and were greeted by Daisy’s delighted squeal at the sight of Remi. He immediately started dangling his legs to try to slide down Avaleigh’s hip where she held him. She put him down, and he walked over to Daisy, who promptly smashed a tiny handful of scrambled eggs on his face. He laughed at her, wiping his chin, and accepted the small bit of toast she handed him. Then he climbed into the chair that had become his. He smiled at her across the table as Avaleigh placed his own plate in front of him, and he dug into his breakfast. He didn’t really think about it anymore, but for a long time he’d been hungry. When he’d lived with his aunt, he’d never known when she’d feed him. He’d climbed up on a counter many times to see what, if anything, he could find to eat. But now? Now his new Mommy and Papa always fed him. And they snuggled him and kissed him, and they played with him. And sometimes at playtime Papa even took him flying; he loved that best. He loved being here. He loved his new house and his new family.

  “What are you thinking about so hard, little man?” Daniel rumbled at him.

  Immediately his face lit up, smiling as he answered Papa, “Flying!”

  Daniel laughed, “It makes me feel the same way.”

  Avaleigh sat down beside them, her treasured huge double-sized mug of coffee cradled in both hands as she sipped, “What makes you feel the same way?”

  “Flying, love. Remi was smiling, lost in his thoughts; he said he was thinking of flying,” Daniel told her. “Perhaps we can go for a fly again tonight,” he told a very excited Remi.

  “When are we leaving for town?” a sleepy Bam asked as he came through the back door and took his seat at the table.

  “It’s just now breakfast, Bam,” Avaleigh said.

  “Yeah, but I got a lot to do,” he winked at Remi, who just watched the big Bear to see what he meant. “I was thinking that maybe it’s time we built Remi his own room,” Bam said, smiling at the boy.

  Remi froze. He knew that Mommy and Papa’s house was small, and there wasn’t an extra room, and he didn't care. He certainly wasn't going to live anywhere else. He didn't care if he had to sleep on the floor; he wasn't going anywhere else.

  Bam felt the panic in the boy’s Dragon and realized that he didn’t understand. “Did you know that I built Mommy’s house? And since I built it, I know exactly the right place to add a new room to it, and we pick a wall, and put a door in it, build a room on the other side and it will be just like it’s always been there. It will be all yours, and you can fill it with all your favorite things, and we will even paint your name right above the door, so everyone will know it’s all yours forever!”

  “That’s a great idea, Bam!” Avaleigh exclaimed. “I’ve been wanting to talk to ya’ll about putting another bedroom on our cabin, but everybody’s been so busy. Thank you, Bam, for bringing it up.”

  She looked at Remi, who was now grinning ear-to-ear, “Are you excited, man?”

  He nodded, vigorously, “Yeah!�
�

  “Then it’s done!” Daniel said, “We’ll get all we need in town today.”

  Bam reached over and held his palm up, waiting for a high five from Remi. Remi looked at his palm for a second, then leaned over and used both of his little hands to slap Bam’s one huge palm.

  A bit later and the front door opened and closed, followed by boots walking up the hallway. Then Maverik entered the room. He’d showered, shaved, trimmed his unruly beard to a very neatly cropped line that framed his jawline perfectly. He’d shaved the sides of his head to ensure that his long mohawk was neatly framed as well. He’d brushed the mohawk itself into a shining blonde length and clipped it at the crown of his head and left the rest to fall loosely down the back. He was, in truth, a beautiful man in spite of all the tattoos and the mohawk hairstyle. He’d put on a tight navy blue teeshirt that was stretched over his chest and pulled tight on his biceps perfectly. His bright blue eyes were sparkling, perfectly offset by the navy of the shirt. He’d tucked it into a favorite well worn pair of ass-hugging Levi’s, and the muscles of his thighs could be clearly seen working beneath the jeans as he walked into the room. He’d chosen his favorite pair of black leather biker boots. He was a sight.

  “Whoa!” Avaleigh said, pretending to fan herself.

  He grinned at her, “Do you think Valerie will like it?”

  “The girl may not be able to speak once she gets a look at you. Believe me, that’s a good thing!” Avaleigh told him. “Damn, Mav. Why have I never noticed how sexy you are?” Avaleigh teased him.

  Daniel rumbled in the chair next to Remi.

  “Because that big bastard would eat me maybe?” Maverik answered her, laughing.

  Maverik took his seat and started spooning scrambled eggs onto his plate.

  There was a knock on the front door, and then it opened with a voice calling out, “Anybody home?”

  Maverik smirked and said to nobody in particular, “Doesn't he ever go away?”

  Then Riley walked into the kitchen with Cristie on his hip. Remi looked up at her, “Hi, Cristie,” and turned his attention back to his food. It was amazing really how much the little Dragon could put away at each meal. Riley put Cristie down, but rather than go over to Remi, she went over to Maverik, who stopped buttering his toast and looked down at the child. “Hi, pretty girl,” he told her.