by April Kelley
Tommy rolled his eyes, but did as Hacen demanded, standing at the edge of the bed. Hacen moved away from Jules and stood. He walked across the room to Mother Estelle, who stirred something on the stove.
Tommy rung his hands together and wouldn't meet Jules' gaze. They stayed in limbo for so long Ladon snorted out a laugh and shook his head at the same time he took the seat that Tommy had vacated. "Man, he has both of you wrapped already, and he's only been here a couple of days."
Tommy raised his middle finger in Ladon's direction, and Hacen just shrugged as if he didn't care.
Ladon smirked. “Is that anyway to treat the future Alpha of your clan?”
That got Jules attention. “What! When did that happen?”
“Ramsey’s stepping down in a few months. He’s making me Alpha.”
“Oh.” Jules smiled. “You’ll be good at it.”
Ladon winked at him. “Thanks, little brother.”
Jules tried to sit up but couldn't get the leverage to move. He held out his hand to Tommy, asking for help. Tommy came over to him, putting his arms around Jules’ waist and lifting him. Once he was sitting up, Tommy still didn't let go but instead held on as if his life depended on it. "I didn't mean what I said. At least not the way it came out. It wasn't a threat to you. I promise, baby. I just...what Nicolono did to you. It haunts me, and I'd fucking die if that happened again. You disappearing from the cabin scared me. I thought he took you. I just want you always to be safe. But maybe I didn't say it the right way."
Jules hugged him. "You'll let me go back after I’m healed." He met Hacen's gaze over Tommy's shoulder.
"I hope you'll reconsider and be with us. But yeah, okay."
Ladon cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. Tommy pulled away from him just enough to turn on the bed. "Um...Ramsey sent me to talk to you. I’m here as your Alpha. You need to bond with your mates, Jules. I think it'll be helpful to you in the long run."
What! "You don't want me to come home?"
"Saint Lakes is your home. This cabin is still in our territory."
"But..." Jules couldn't believe they were kicking him out. "Ramsey said I can't come home?"
"No. We'd never say that. Hacen and Thomas can come live with us if that's what you all decide. What we're telling you is to stay with them. That doesn't have to exclude us. In fact, we hope it doesn't."
"But..." Jules looked at Hacen and then at Tommy. Oh gods, they wouldn’t let him ever see his family.
Ladon walked across the room and sat on the opposite side of the bed from where Tommy sat. "You have to admit that you went from this scared, weepy human to a little firecracker in the span of just a few months. We think it would be good for your mental health to stay with your mates. Dr. Tucker agrees. Mostly."
Wait. What did mostly mean?
Instead of asking, he nodded and looked at Mother Estelle, who eyed Ladon as if she wanted to turn him over his knee. She didn't say anything, though, but he had a feeling Ladon and Ramsey would get an ear full as soon as she got them alone.
With her in his corner, he didn't feel so alone.
"Dr. Tucker said you'd have some triggers but that he'd work through them with you."
"Triggers. Right. No big deal." He’d been having panic attacks since he woke up in a strange place. Okay, so maybe he got over them quicker than he expected. Hacen and Tommy helped. And just the thought of that made him sound even crazier because they were the ones who usually triggered him.
"I'm not trying to make light of them, Jules. I know how bad you get sometimes." Ladon pointed to his chest. "I'm the one who stays up with you when you can’t sleep and holds you when you cry. You know I’m not giving the order lightly."
He wanted to lie and say his panic attacks were worse than ever. The early days when he first arrived at the Somersets had been far worse than anything he experienced since.
Jules narrowed his eyes. "You and Ramsey don't know what you just did. You just kicked me out of the family." His gaze moved to Hacen. "Isn't that right, Hacen?"
Hacen's scowl deepened, but he didn't answer. He just held Jules' gaze.
“We're right back where we started because your promise means nothing now. Unless you're going to become part of the family too."
"You know I won't. But I won't keep you from them either."
"And you think that'll be enough. Separating yourself." Jules pointed a finger at Hacen. "You need to see Dr. Tucker more than I do."
"No." Hacen’s eyebrows went up as if his pointed look changed Jules’ opinion.
Jules pointed at Tommy next. "You could stand some anger management sessions."
Tommy gave him an incredulous laugh. “You think I’m the one in this relationship who needs anger management.”
Tommy and Hacen both glared at him. So maybe pointing out their flaws wasn't a great idea given the fact they stood together, a united front against his suggestion.
Whatever. He’d hold his ground.
Ladon’s phone rang, breaking them out of the impending argument. Jules could tell it was Ladon’s because the sound was of a high-pitched, nasally voice that said his brother called. Ladon dug around in his pocket and pressed a button.
Jules stomach knotted as a feeling of doom washed over him. The knotting pulled tighter when Ladon’s posture changed as if he sensed a predator in the forest.
Ladon stood suddenly and motioned for either Tommy or Hacen, Jules couldn’t tell which one. Tommy was the one who closed the distance between them. Ladon moved the phone from his mouth. “A group of warlocks just entered our territory. Ramsey wants to know if you’d come assess the situation.”
Jules’ entire argument fled his mind as his stomach plummeted to the bed mattress.
Tommy looked at Hacen, who nodded once, before saying, “Let’s go.”
Tommy headed for the front door without another word.
“Tommy.” When Jules called his name, he turned. Jules waved him over, and thankfully he came, sitting on the side of the bed. Jules leaned forward and kissed him. “Please be careful. I…I think something bad is gonna happen.”
Tommy cupped his cheek and went in for a second kiss. “I’ll be home soon.”
Jules shook his head. “I don’t think you understand. Promise you’ll be extra careful.”
Tommy gave him a concerned look. “I promise.”
“You should give Hacen a proper goodbye.” When Tommy left Saint Lakes, he wouldn’t be back for a while. Jules wasn’t sure how he knew that, but the truth of it rang through his body like a death march.
Tommy gave him one last kiss and stood, crossing the room to Hacen. Hacen’s arms came around his waist, and they kissed. It wasn’t the peck Jules had shared with Tommy but involved tongue and a passion that was unmistakable.
Jules cock would have hardened if not for his mother and brother still in the room and the feeling of doom in the pit of his stomach.
Part Three
Stockholm Syndrome
Chapter Thirteen
Not all warlocks lived in groups. Most preferred solitude. Thomas liked having others he could count on and those he could call his own. He loved living amongst other paranormals and missed being around his kind. Not that he'd ever tell anyone that, especially Hacen. Despite Hacen's gruff exterior, that bit of news would hurt his feelings. Hacen and Jules were similar in that aspect.
He wished he were with them the second he saw who the warlocks were.
It had been years since Thomas had seen Ekalis last. Thomas took in his cool smile, and the smug look he had always wore like armor. If Ekalis were startled by Thomas’ presence, he didn’t let it show. He kept his dark hair cut shorter than he’d kept it the last time Thomas had seen him, but that arrogance remained firmly in place.
Ekalis had two of his inner circle with him. Jory had always been reasonable, but time could have changed that. Jory was a tall, thin man with long blond hair and sadness in his eyes that held a story Thomas had always wanted to know
but never had the guts to ask. Jory nodded in greeting. The other man, Patrick, had always been impulsive at best and had been cruel at times. Given the wicked look in the warlock’s cool blue eyes, he saw nothing had changed.
Ekalis would keep Patrick in check. At least in front of Ramsey and Ladon.
Thomas stood behind and to the left of Ramsey as they entered the Somerset kitchen. He kept his hands behind his back.
By the gods, he wanted to go back to the cabin in a bad way. Any place but standing in front of his ex-coven members. He'd take Jules' smart-mouthed comments and Hacen’s scowl all day long for a solid month if it meant he could leave in the next ten minutes.
"Thomas." Ekalis nodded his head as if they had only seen each other last week.
Ladon gave him a side stare, shooting silent questions at him.
Thomas did his best to ignore Ladon. "Ekalis."
Ramsey turned to him. "You know each other?"
Ekalis was the one to answer. He smiled in that familiar smug way. "Intimately."
Ramsey turned back, not keeping his back to the strangers for long.
Thomas wouldn’t take Ekalis’ bait as he had in the past. He kept his face as blank as he possibly could. "A long time ago."
Ekalis grinned. "Indeed." His eyes were so dark they looked almost black, and at one point in Thomas' life, those eyes would have driven him crazy with lust.
Thomas unclenched his hands when the door between the living room and kitchen swung open. He heard Penny giggle before he saw her enter with Shawn. She had her arms wrapped around his neck, and he locked his arms around her knees.
"Please Shawny. Will you ask Gabriel for me? He'll listen to you."
Shawn snorted out a laugh and shook his head. "Not this time, honey."
"Aw, come on. Mark Johnson is the cutest boy in my grade."
Thomas would think about his little sister dating boys and let it creep him out later when the other warlocks no longer posed a threat.
"Tommy!" Penny wiggled around on Shawn's back until he set her down and then she was on him, hugging.
He held her tight and turned, so she wasn’t as visible to the others. He’d still be able to keep an eye on the threat, though. He deliberately kept his tone light and playful, not wanting to scare Penny if he didn’t have too. "What's this I hear about a date?"
"Ugh. Not you too." Penny let him go and pulled back. "Don't worry. Gabriel isn't going to let me go." She turned and batted her eyelashes at Shawn. "Unless someone will help me talk to him."
When she waved at the three warlocks, Thomas nearly put a shield around them. Ekalis didn’t acknowledge her greeting, though, or even show he knew she was in the room.
"I can't believe you’re talking about boys already." Thomas shook his head, wanting to keep her distracted. She was oblivious to the danger, and that’s the way he intended to keep it.
"Not just boys, Tommy. Mark. He's so cute." She put a hand on her chest and got a dopey look on her face. "Anyway, when you go back home, can I come? I miss Jules."
Thomas smiled at that last sentence. "Don't you have school?"
"School's canceled until Monday on account of the battle."
"If it's okay with Gabe and Shawn." Thomas looked over at Shawn, pleading silently with his eyes to take her out of the room.
Thankfully, Shawn understood.
Ramsey took the warlocks into the office as if he sensed Thomas’ sudden tension. He held the door open for them but addressed Thomas. "Join us after you finish."
Thomas nodded and refocused on Shawn. Thomas kept a hold on Penny’s waist as he closed the distance between them. He leaned into to Shawn, whispering. “Take her to the cabin immediately. It’s shielded from other warlocks. She’ll be safe there.”
Shawn nodded and then averted his gaze, staring off into nothing. He must be talking to Gabriel through their bonding link.
Penny stiffened next to him. “Is that whats-his-face from our old coven?”
Thomas opened his mouth to speak, but Gabriel came through the kitchen door. Penny went right over to him without a word. “You’re sure the cabin’s safe?”
Thomas nodded. “As safe as I can make it. He won’t be able to step a foot on the front porch. I wouldn’t leave either of my mates so vulnerable.”
“Let’s go pack a bag. You can spend the night.” Gabriel guided her out of the room. He held the door open for her but stopped, turning to Thomas. “She won’t leave my sight until she’s safely in the cabin.”
“Thank you.” Thomas breathed a sigh of relief.
He would have headed to the office to join the conversation, but Shawn grabbed his arm, gaining his attention.
“How’s Jules doing?”
"Frosty. Very frosty."
Shawn chuckled. "Good for him. I thought for sure he'd make it easy on you guys. Glad to know he's not. You and Hacen don't deserve easy."
Thomas might have taken offense if the words weren’t true. "I know we don't."
Shawn nodded his head to the closed office door. "Better get in there. Ramsey and Ladon obviously need you if they asked you to come."
"Right." Thomas moved to the office door and knocked twice before entering.
Ramsey sat in a chair behind the desk, while Ekalis sat opposite him. The other two warlocks stood behind him. Ramsey gave him a relieved look as if while waiting for Thomas the silence had grown awkward.
Thomas walked over to Ramsey and stood next to his chair, supporting him the only way he knew how. Given that he didn't know what the warlocks wanted from them, Ramsey may need him for protection.
Ekalis looked at Thomas with curiosity. "I see you're doing well."
Thomas folded his arms over his chest. "Well enough."
Ekalis sighed. "You've found your mate."
Thomas just nodded, not wanting to tell Ekalis about his personal life. Their past had been full of sex and arguments, and not much else. They had never really had what one would call friendship, and Thomas wouldn't start with their little reunion.
"Congratulations are in order." Ekalis smiled, and for the first time, he looked as if he meant it.
"How can the Saint Lakes clan help your coven?"
"I've recently learned my coven leader, Ballard, is working with Nicolono Stavros."
Thomas wasn't surprised. He moved closer to Ramsey, whispering, "Ballard is an ass but no real threat."
Ramsey nodded without taking his eyes off Ekalis. "I don't expect every coven and clan to be on our side."
"That's understandable. And I wouldn't be here if he had the coven's best interest at heart. But Ballard has other motivations that don't include anything but money."
"Okay. So your leader is siding with Stavros because he's getting paid. I can see why he would want a coven of warlocks on his side. It's an advantage. Your kind are powerful." Ramsey leaned back in his chair. "That still doesn't explain why you're here."
"Draigh Morelli is why I'm here."
Thomas didn't bother to whisper. "Draigh is a very influential warlock. He's not very powerful, but he knows all the right people to have good backing. He used to be a good guy."
Ekalis nodded. "Exactly. Ballard will get the entire coven killed."
Ramsey raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth to say something, but the door opened, and Fane walked into the room, closing the door behind him. Ramsey's stoic looked changed immediately, and his body seemed to relax. He unfolded his arms when Fane closed the distance between them, sitting on Ramsey’s lap.
Ramsey's arms came around Fane and held him close. He addressed Ekalis. "How can we help you?"
"I think all of us here know Stavros won't stop without a fight. I know he's down in numbers, but he has someone backing him—"
"Delano." Ramsey cut Ekalis off. "He's a former vampire council member and, I suspect, the one with the numbers. Our battle barely caused a dent in them. You're right to be scared. If you have a strong leader, you'll have my backing."
Ekalis' shoulde
rs slumped. "There is no one."
Fane chose that moment to speak up. "There's you. You're here which means you care about those your leader is putting in harm's way. That's all you'll need."
"I'm not strong enough to defeat Ballard in a challenge. We don't have a coven member who is. Not anymore." Ekalis looked at Thomas when he spoke that last sentence.
Fane and Ramsey both looked at him at the same time.
Thomas sighed and shook his head. "I won't join the coven."
“All I need is to get Ballard out of power. The second he is Draigh will back off. I’m hoping he’ll help me find a suitable leader as I don’t want the position. And the request for assistance will go a long way to restoring good relations.”
“Fine. I’ll fight, but I’m doing it for the betterment of everyone, not for your coven.” By the gods, Thomas would have to leave Saint Lakes. "Hacen and Jules will be pissed.”
It was still Ramsey who commented. "Hacen's scary when he's pissed."
"Not as scary as Jules and he's the one I'm worried about the most."
"You'll have to pack a bag." Ramsey stood, getting Fane to his feet. "We'll go to the cabin with you. Fane can talk to Jules."
"I'm not scared of Ballard, who is a powerful warlock in his own right. I know I'll defeat him. But I need backup to talk to one little human." Thomas chuckled and shook his head. He met Ramsey’s gaze. "Ladon’s right. Jules does have me wrapped around his finger."
Ekalis cleared his throat. "Your mate is a human?"
"One of them. Yes."
"More than one mate? How is that possible?"
"Long story." One he wasn't willing to share with an ex-lover. He didn’t trust Ekalis. The less information Thomas gave him, the better. He’d already said too much.
Thomas’ saving grace was that Penny took Jules' attention, which just meant Hacen had a clear shot at arguing with him uninterrupted. But he’d take Hacen over Jules any day.
"Give me one good reason why it has to be you. Either send someone else or let all those bastards die." Hacen's grip on Thomas' wrist tightened to the point of almost painful. Thomas reached over with his free hand and gently pried Hacen's fingers away.