“Yeah.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“To stop being stupid and that I wanted to mate right away.”
Jarrett gaped. “Right away? So... do I have to check your neck?”
“Nope. He said no. He wants to wait at least until after I graduate.”
“Thank fuck.”
“Shouldn’t you be on my side?” Eli complained.
Jarrett held his hands up. “I’ll be on your side all you want, but not when you throw yourself face first in a mess.”
“How is mating a mess?”
“You’re not even out of high school yet! You turned eighteen only a handful of months ago, El. What does it change, waiting for another five months?”
“I know, I know.”
Jarrett kicked at some more snow. “What happens now?”
Eli sighed. “Now I talk to Zane, tell him I can’t go out with him, and go do my homework.”
Jarrett smirked. “You still haven’t done it?”
“Yeah, well, I had an eventful morning.”
Jarrett grimaced. “Want me to send Zane out here?”
“Please.”
Jarrett started walking away but paused. “Are you... do you still have a crush on Zane?”
Eli sighed. “Honestly? Yeah. I can’t help liking him, and that hasn’t changed over the past few hours.”
“Maybe you could do what Blake said.”
“What? Date Zane? Even if I wanted to, and I don’t, do you really think Zane would go for it, knowing I’ve met my mate?”
“You’re right. Sorry.”
Jarrett left and Eli leaned against the wall again. The crush on Zane had been just that—a crush. He liked the guy, but they’d never done anything more than talk, and it wasn’t like Eli was in love. He knew he could be, if he got with Zane and continued seeing him, but that wasn’t in the cards anymore.
He sighed. It was no use thinking about that anymore. He couldn’t be with Zane, no matter what Blake had said. There was no way Eli could be with another man knowing that his mate was around and hurting because of it.
It was hard to make a decision, and Eli was glad Blake hadn’t dumped the whole I’m your mate thing on him when he was a kid.
“Hey.”
Eli looked up to see Zane coming toward him. He pressed his lips together and didn’t protest when Zane hesitated, then kissed him on the cheek, but he was both feeling giggly and guilty as fuck.
“Jarrett said you wanted to talk to me.”
“Yeah, I... I need to tell you something. I can’t date you anymore.”
Zane frowned. “But we decided just this morning. What changed?”
Eli couldn’t look at Zane in the eyes, even though he knew it wasn’t his fault. “I met my mate.”
Zane was silent for a moment. He shuffled and Eli looked at him. He hadn’t expected Zane to be destroyed by the news, but he hadn’t expected him to be smiling either.
“That’s great,” Zane said, beaming at Eli.
“Yeah?”
Zane nodded. “I’m sorry we can’t date because I like you, but it’s your mate, and I just want you to be happy.”
“That’s... wow. Thanks.”
Zane shrugged. “‘S okay.”
Eli shuffled and looked at his feet, then at the snow Jarrett had kicked earlier. “So... bye.”
He walked away, but Zane’s voice stopped him before he could get far. “Can I ask who it is? It can’t be a pack member, and I just saw you this morning. I’m curious.”
Eli bit on his lower lip and turned around. Blake hadn’t said he wanted to keep it a secret, and with Jarrett knowing, the rest of the pack would know soon enough, too. He’d never been able to keep a secret.
“It’s Blake Morris.” At Zane’s confused gaze, Eli continued, “He was my father’s best friend until he realized I was his mate six years ago. He just came back. He’s an enforcer now.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Yeah.”
Eli stuck his hands in his jacket pockets and waited to see if Zane had other questions. When he didn’t speak again. Eli cleared his throat. “I’m going to go. You know—homework, and... stuff.”
“You probably want to spend time with your mate.”
“Oh, no. He’s talking with Kameron right now, so no. I really have homework to do.”
“Do you need help?”
“Nope. I’m fine, but thanks. So... bye.”
Zane gave Eli a little wave. “See you around.”
Eli hurried away. Why had that conversation been even more awkward than when Zane had asked him out?
* * * *
The house was better than Blake had thought, but still not habitable.
Blake had hoped Erskine might at least have given it to someone to live in, but no. It clearly hadn’t been lived in for the past six years, and while that meant Blake could move back in without problems, it also meant there was no way he could do it right away.
Blake had closed the house as well as he could before leaving, but something—or someone—had broken one of the living room windows, and he didn’t even want to think about what he’d find inside. At least the snow covered the grass, or it’d probably have been high to his waist. There was the remnant of some ivy on the right wall, but he didn’t mind that.
He’d also have to check the walls and the fireplaces, and he’d probably ask Thomas to check the water pipes. But it would take days, if not weeks, and he didn’t know where he’d sleep tonight.
Blake sighed. He could always sleep in the enforcers building, but first, he had to go see Kameron again. He knew Kameron was a better alpha than Erskine had been, but he’d only talked to him briefly, and they hadn’t been alone.
So he trudged back through the snow to his car and drove back to the alpha’s house. Of course it was Zach who opened the door again. Blake waited for a comment, something, but Zach just smiled. “He’s in the office.”
Zach turned around and left Blake in the entrance. Blake was a bit surprised to be trusted that way, but he shrugged and went to knock on the office door.
“Come in.”
Kameron was behind his desk, typing away on his computer. He looked at Blake when Blake entered and smiled. “Good. Now I have a reason to take a break. Come on, sit down.”
Blake wasn’t used to seeing an alpha so open with a pack member. Even when he’d been away and hadn’t been part of a pack, he’d met a fair share of alphas who demanded to know who he was and if he wanted to become their pack member. None of them had been so relaxed, so ready to listen to Blake.
“I’m guessing you need to tell me something? Maybe something that has to do with the reason you went to see Thomas. Did you find him, by the way?”
“Yeah, and I was very surprised when I got to his house and his wife told me they’d divorced, then when his son presented Craig as his dad’s mate.”
Kameron guffawed. “I wish I could’ve been there.”
Blake smiled. “I was surprised, I’ll admit it.”
“Is that why you’re here?”
“No. Remember those other things I talked about?” Kameron nodded. “They had to do with Thomas’ son, Elias. Six years ago, I didn’t leave just because I’m gay, but also because I’d just found out Elias was my mate.”
Blake waited for the alpha to react. He had to admit it was kind of funny to see Kameron’s eyes going wide and his mouth open on a gape, even though it lasted only seconds. “That would make Eli twelve when you realized?”
“Yes. I didn’t feel comfortable telling Thomas, and there was Erskine... it was a mess, and I felt the better thing to do for me and for him was to leave for a while. To be honest, I thought I’d wait until he was twenty-two at least to come back, but I enrolled in the enforcers, and Dominic sent me here.”
“And you couldn’t give him a good enough reason to let you stay in Whitedell.”
“That, and
I didn’t really want to stay. Being away from your mate, not matter how young he is...”
“It’s not easy. I know, believe me.”
Blake looked at Kameron, wondering what had happened between him and Zach. Erskine had been gone for a year, so they couldn’t have been together for much longer than that. Maybe Kameron had realized Zach was his mate just like Blake had with Elias, and he hadn’t been able to be with Zach because of the circumstances.
“So, what can I do for you?”
“I wanted to know if you were going to try to stop me and Elias being together.”
Kameron frowned. “I’m not Erskine. You can be with whomever you want, as long as that person is over eighteen and it’s consensual. I don’t care about anything else. Besides, Zach’s only twenty. That’s not much older than Elias is, and I’m—what? Twice your age?”
Blake suppressed a smile. “More than that, actually.”
“Let’s not talk about age, please.”
“There was something else.”
“Go ahead.”
“I went by my old house, and I’d like to live in it again, if it’s okay with you.”
“Sounds good. Tell me if you need help to whip it back into shape and I’ll find someone to help you. You can have a room either here or in the enforcers’ building in the meantime.”
“That’s... thank you. I also wanted to ask if I could become part of the pack again. I’ve been a lone wolf for the past six years, and it hasn’t been easy. Being an enforcer helped, but it’s not the same.”
“Done. Anything else? I think Zach’s almost done with dinner.”
“That’s it? I ask and you say yes?”
Kameron cocked his head. “What more should there be?”
“No, that’s fine with me.” Blake had expected something more, maybe a test to check if he’d be a good addition to the pack, but Kameron clearly didn’t think like most alphas, and it probably was a good thing. “So I can stay here?”
“Yes. You’re a pack member, so you can have any of the rooms on the ground floor. Just let us know which one you chose and keep it clean. You can use the laundry room and the kitchen whenever you want. Oh, and I’ll take you off the enforcers’ rotation for missions that would take you too far away, at least until you and Eli are settled.”
“Thank you for that.”
“I’d do it for any pack member.”
There was a brief knock at the door and Zach peeked in. “Dinner’s ready. Blake, you’re staying, right?”
“I, well—”
“Do you have anywhere else to be?”
“No.”
“Then you’re staying.”
“He’s also going to be living downstairs for a while, until his house is cleaned up,” Kameron added as he made to turn his computer off.
Zach stopped him. “You still have to finish that report.”
“I can do it tomorrow.”
“No you can’t, because tomorrow is the one day we both have free this week, and I miss you.”
Kameron huffed and got up. “Fine, but it’s just because you’re asking.”
Zach patted his chest as Kameron passed by him. “I know.”
Blake followed the two men to the kitchen, bemused by their interactions. Kameron was the alpha of their pack, but he yielded to Zach’s demands without complaining. Blake didn’t think it extended to more serious demands, but it was funny to see, and he wondered if he’d be like that with Elias. Probably.
“Please? It’s been a while since I last saw them,” Zach asked, batting his lashes.
Kameron groaned. “But both of them together?”
“Why not?”
“Why not? Zach, we’re talking about Nysys and Keenan here. God knows what they can do when they’re together.”
“But I miss them.”
Zach pouted, and Blake could almost see the moment when Kameron caved in. “Fine, okay. We’ll go tomorrow. But I want Ani to come get us and bring us back.”
“Why not Nysys?”
“Because the last time he did, he decided he needed some fresh coconuts and shimmered us to the Caribbean instead of back to Whitedell!”
Blake had spent so much time thinking about how things would be once he got back, about what he and Elias would do after they got together, and he could see a bit of himself in Kameron, and some of Elias in Zach.
Blake had run where Kameron had fought, though, but he didn’t feel guilty about doing that. He’d done the only possible thing. Elias’ age at the time and the old alpha hadn’t given him any other option. He just hoped Elias saw it the same way.
They were eating when someone knocked on the front door. Zach rolled his eyes and went to open, but he wasn’t playing around anymore when he came back, two men trailing behind him. “We have a problem.”
* * * *
Eli took his time going back home to his father’s house. He kicked at the snow as he walked and thought about his life.
He snorted softly. Who’d have thought he’d find his mate before even finishing high school? And most of all, who’d have thought he’d actually know his mate almost his entire life? When he thought about it, he still couldn’t believe it was Blake.
It was still weird to think about it. He remembered playing with Blake in the woods, both in their human and in their wolf form. He knew Blake was a good man, affectionate and just, and that he’d done what he’d thought was right by leaving. And while Eli thought Blake had been right in doing it, he also thought Blake should’ve said something. He’d seen how hurt his dad had been when he’d thought his best friend was dead, and it had been hard.
Something rustled on Eli’s right and he stopped. His eyes widened when he realized he was alone in the dark woods, something both Kameron and his dad had forbidden him to do. He hadn’t thought about it after the conversation with Zane, and now...
There was another rustle and Eli tensed. He took his hands out of his pockets, ready to shift if he needed to. Not that it would do him much good if what had happened to Gentry was any indication, but he wasn’t about to go down without fighting.
Eli thought about Blake, wishing he could have had more time with him, and another rustle made him completely turn to the right. He swallowed and gathered whatever courage he could find to face the monster that haunted the forest.
What came out from between the trees wasn’t what Eli had expected.
The man was taller than Eli, but not by much. His black hair was bound on his nape and his green eyes were focused on Eli, looking at him. Eli couldn’t read the guy, but he was sure of one thing. “You’re not a pack member.”
“No.”
“Are you going to hurt me?”
“No.”
Silence fell between them as Eli waited for the man to say more. When he didn’t, Eli asked, “So, what do you want from me?”
“I have to take you home.”
“Uh?”
“I got the order from my new master.”
Eli was more confused than ever. “Master?”
“Master Kameron.”
That didn’t explain anything, but at least Eli knew Kameron had something to do with it. If the guy wasn’t lying anyway. “I’m sure Kameron enjoys being called master,” he joked.
The man cocked his head. “He told me not to.”
“Then why do you?”
“Because he’s my master. He’s the one who gives me orders.”
“Right.”
Eli was torn. He didn’t want to disobey one of Kameron’s orders, but how did he know this guy really was here because of the alpha? How was Eli supposed to know he wouldn’t hurt him?
“We need to go,” the guy said.
“Why?”
“Because the creature took someone, and Master wants everyone to go inside.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“A man called someone and told Master you weren’t home. Mas
ter’s mate made more phone calls and no one could find you, but someone said you left the playroom alone. Can we go now?”
“Uh, can you wait one more sec?”
Eli took his cell phone out and speed dialed his dad.
“Eli! Gosh, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Dad. What happened?”
“Where are you? Are you at Kam’s house?”
“Not yet—”
“Then go there. Now.”
“But—”
“No buts, Eli! Move your ass and go to Kameron’s house. Now!”
“There’s this guy—”
“That’s Corbin. Kam sent him to look for you. You can trust him.”
“If you say so.”
“Eli, just come here. Please.”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes, tops.”
“Hurry up.”
Eli hung up and looked at Corbin. “I guess we can go.”
Corbin nodded and walked away. Eli hurried to follow him. Corbin was walking fast and Eli had a hard time keeping up. He stumbled on a branch and started to fall, but a hand shot in front of him and righted him. Eli gave Corbin a grateful smile and Corbin looked confused.
“So, uh. I’m Eli.”
“I know.”
“This is where you say I’m Corbin, nice to meet you. At least usually.”
“You already know my name. Why should I tell you again?”
“Because it’s the polite thing to do. Didn’t your mother tell you?”
“I wouldn’t know. I was told she died when I was a child.”
Eli cringed. “Sorry.”
Corbin shrugged. “I never knew her.”
“Okay. Still. Sorry.”
They walked in silence for a few minutes, but Eli felt compelled to fill it. “So, I know your name, but I don’t know anything else about you.”
“Why should you?”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
Corbin looked sideways at Eli and Eli grinned at him. “What do you want to know?”
“Why are you here?”
“I was sent.”
“By who?”
“Dominic Nash.”
“Why?”
“Because I made people in his house uncomfortable.”
Eli sighed. “Do you think you could tell me more? I don’t mind asking questions, but you’re allowed to expand, you know.” Corbin didn’t answer, so Eli continued, “Why did you make people uncomfortable?”
Elias Page 5