Savage Heart (Savage Island Book 1)

by Maggie Walsh

  Gill looked up as he slid from the truck. Once his feet were firmly placed on the ground, Gill said, “Hello, mother, father.”

  “That’s all you have to say to us? That FBI agent called us a little while ago and told us you had been found and that you were never kidnapped. So after all this time with us worrying over you, all you have to say is hello?” his mother chastised.

  “I thought it was a good start,” he said softly as he shrugged.

  His mother huffed as she raised her chin, squared her shoulders, and clasped her hands in front of her. He knew what that meant, she was about to unload on him about the proper way to greet someone and to not―

  “And stand up straight, Gillford. Real men don’t shrug or curl their shoulders under like that.”

  And there it was. He thought and shook his head. She may have said she was worried about him, but he knew she didn’t mean it in the way most people would take it. What she meant was they were worried about how their friends and business associates would look at them.

  He decided he would ignore her words and just try to get through this as fast as possible. “Agent Knight called you? So you must know that I wasn’t kidnapped.”

  “Yes, he did, which means that you put us through all of that for nothing,” his mother sneered.

  His father took a step closer. “We’ll discuss this in the privacy of our home and not in front of strangers. In the meantime, how much do I owe your driver?” His father asked as he pulled his wallet from his pocket.

  “He’s not my driver, father,” Gill said, then turned to look at Russell who had stood quietly by his side the whole time. But now that Gill was looking at his mate, he could see that Russell was not happy. His jaw was clenched so tight, Gill was amazed it wasn’t cracking under the pressure, and his eyes were dark and cold as he just stared at Gill’s parents. “This is Russell Savage and he’s my mate.”

  At first Gill had been afraid to let his parents know who Russell was, but in that moment, he knew he could never deny the man who meant more to him than any other person on the planet. Gill reached out and grasped Russell’s hand.

  “Your mate? What is this, a joke?” His mother asked angrily as she too took a step closer.

  “No, mother it’s not. I know you are aware of the other species living in Maddox, and have heard some of them speak of mates, and Russell is mine.”

  “No, he is not. He and all those abominations are lying to us. They want the human race to believe they mean us no harm and want to live peacefully among us, but once they fool us into thinking we are safe, then they will use these powers they have to take over and the human race will be no more. We will either be killed or enslaved. And as for you tricking my son into believing he is your mate, that is deplorable,” his father directed this last sentence to Russell.

  His father continued as he began to descend the steps, “You all should be ashamed of yourselves. We will fight and take back our world from you heathens. Our numbers are growing and our group expanding, and soon there will be no more paranormal creatures.”

  Gill’s eyes bugged out of his head from his father’s words. What was he talking about?

  “Mr. Westmore, I assure you I have not brainwashed your son. Gill is my mate, fated to me by the gods, and he is the most important person in my life. And as for―”

  “No! You disgusting freak. How dare you corrupt our son. Making him believe your kind is good and that he belongs to you. Our son is not gay, nor will he ever be. You’re not welcome here, so I suggest you get back into your tin can and leave before we inform the FBI agent what is really going on in Maddox and Crystal,” his mother threatened.

  Gill had to hand it to Russell, even though he could tell his mate wanted to exchange angry words, his mate stood calm and collected and his voice came out steady as he spoke. “Mr. and Mrs. Westmore―”

  “Alistair and Miranda,” Gill supplied, giving Russell a wobbly smile. He was so grateful that his man was keeping his cool, but was horrified by his parents’ venom and what they were saying about the paranormals. Maddox was becoming a ghost town – and a really run down shitty one at that – before the paranormals came in and started rebuilding and turning it into a beautiful, thriving place, bringing tourism back to the area. His parents should be happy about that. More people meant more business for his father, and the paranormals seemed to be a pretty wealthy lot. Or maybe that was one of their issues? Most of Russell’s kind who he had met so far were a lot wealthier than his parents. A lot nicer and more accepting too.

  “I’ve heard enough. Gillford, get into the house and away from that creature, and if you come anywhere near my son again, Mr. Savage, you will feel the full weight of The Defiance, and we will show no mercy,” Alistair sneered.

  “Father, what are you talking about? What defiance?”

  Russell clasped his hand tighter. “I think we should go now, mate.”

  “He’s not going anywhere with you,” Gill’s father yelled, then whistled, the sound ear-splitting.

  Gill instantly filled with fear. He knew what was coming and was afraid for his mate. “Russell, we need to get in the truck now!” Gill said as he pulled on Russell’s arm.

  Many barking dogs could be heard coming closer and Gill began to shake. He looked to the side of the house where the sound was coming from and his eyes widened when he spotted not the eight dogs he had thought were here, but more, a lot more. There had to be at least two dozen rottweilers, all snapping and snarling, running toward them ready to pounce.

  Russell picked him up and tossed him into the cab of the truck then slammed the door. Gill righted himself in time to see his parents’ faces light up with what looked like satisfaction as the dog’s ran right for Russell. Gill began to scream and tried to open the door to help his mate, but the damn thing wouldn’t budge. He quickly scrambled over the center console and threw the driver’s door open, then jumped out.

  As he ran around the front of the truck, he suddenly realized everything was quiet. He looked to his parents and saw them both standing there with shocked expressions on their faces, as they looked at something low to the ground on the passenger side of the truck. He walked around and froze when he saw what they had been looking at. Russell was crouched down with his right hand held out in front of him, his face stern, but his eyes soft. All the dogs lay on the ground before Russell with their heads on their paws as they panted happily at his mate. If Gill didn’t know any better, he would think the dogs were smiling.

  “Russell?” Gill asked, as his gaze roamed over all the dogs.

  “It’s okay, mate. They’re a bunch of good boys, aren’t you? Yes, you are. Someone has just trained you wrong, but we’ll rectify that,” Russell said to the dogs, then raised his other hand and swirled it in the air. Suddenly a portal appeared.

  Once it was open, without turning, Russell called into the churning mist, “Grey!”

  Suddenly his new friend Grey appeared, walking through the portal. “Yes, Savage?”

  “Hi, Grey,” Gill said, shocked.

  Grey turned his gaze toward him and smiled. “Master Gill. It’s good to see you again.”

  “Grey, I would like for you to lead this magnificent pack of warriors through and have Heath help you set up a new comfortable home for them, and also have Lani cook them a feast. These beautiful creatures deserve it,” Russell instructed.

  Grey nodded, “As you wish. So I gather we now have a pack of guard dogs to call our own?” Grey asked in amusement.

  “Yes, and I believe they will be an asset in patrolling and keeping my lovely mate safe.” Russell then gave a command to the dogs as he stood, “Come!”

  Instantly all the dogs stood and followed Grey through the portal. Once they were all through, Russell raised his hand again and the portal blinked out of existence.

  “You stole my dogs!” His father screeched.

  “No, I gave them the choice of what they wanted to do with their lives, and they chose to follow the one
they saw as a kind alpha. Mate, is there really anything you can’t live without that is here?”

  Gill shook his head. “Actually, no. The only thing I really missed was my laptop.”

  “Then we will get it for you,” Russell said with conviction.

  “Step one foot in my home and I will have you arrested,” his father threatened.

  “No need,” Russell replied with a smirk. He moved to Gill’s side and touched his arm, then closed his eyes. Russell snapped his fingers and suddenly, Gill’s laptop popped into his hands.

  “Wow, why didn’t we just do that to begin with?” Gill said with a chuckle.

  Russell gave him a loving smile. “Because I believe you needed to face your parents and tell them that you’ve left of your own choosing and had not been kidnapped. I also believe you needed to see them one last time to remind you of why you ran from this life. And I needed to be certain that you were ready to begin our journey together.”

  Gill smiled at his mate with tears in his eyes. “I’m more than ready, Russell. There is nothing for me here. Nothing that I want or need, but I do want and need you. I love you, my mate.”

  “Then let’s take Nick’s truck back to him and go home.”

  “That’s the best thing I’ve heard in days.”

  Russell opened the passenger door for him again and Gill climbed in, but before the door closed his father called out, “If you choose this gay lifestyle then you are dead to me! Don’t ever come back! If you go with this creature, then my son is dead. Do you hear me? You are dead to us, Gillford!”

  “Goodbye, father, mother. It’s time I live my life, not the one you want me to live. I’m a grown man and will do what I want from now on, beside my mate,” Gill said easily and reached up to grab his seatbelt. Russell closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side and got in. Once he started the engine and put the truck in gear, they were on their way, and Gill never looked back as he turned and smiled adoringly at the man he loved.

  “What should we do about what my father said?” Gill asked.

  Russell turned and looked at him quickly before turning his gaze back to the road in front of them. “What, about this group, The Defiance he called it?”

  “Yes. I wouldn’t take my father’s threats lightly. He knows many powerful people in this country.”

  “Oh, I am not taking his warning lightly at all, sweetheart. In fact, I am taking it very seriously. I will be speaking with the council before we return home and informing them of everything your parents said.”

  “Do you think this group my dad spoke of is part of the one I heard others talk about in Crystal? This hate group?” Gill asked.

  “I’m not sure, sweetheart, but it’s definitely something the council needs to be made aware of and check out.”

  “I agree. I don’t want anything happening to anyone. They may not like any of your kind, but I have made some amazing friends in your world and have found the man I love. You all have been more of a family to me then my parents ever were,” Gill said, his voice filled with sadness.

  How pathetic was it that his own parents couldn’t love him, but so many from Maddox, the fire station, Crystal, and his mate’s island had shown him more love and acceptance in the short time he had known them, than his parents had his whole life?

  Russell squeezed his hand, drawing his attention and Gill met his mate’s gaze. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn’t realized they had stopped at the end of the driveway. “You are loved, mate, by so many. You have this very large and loving family now, who will do anything to keep you safe and show you what a family really is.”

  Gill smiled brightly. “I know, and I am so grateful to fate for bringing you all into my life, but especially you. I love you so much, Russell.”

  “I love you too, Gill. Forever. Now, how about we go grab a bite at Twixie’s, then head over to the council to talk with Illan and the others?”

  “That’s sounds great, but will they be there this late?”

  “I’ll call Illan and request an emergency council meeting while we eat.”

  “Okay then, let’s go,” Gill replied happily and relaxed back into his seat as Russell turned from his parents’ house and headed back into the center of Maddox.

  CHAPTER 17

  Savage found himself and his mate back at The Cage.

  He watched from the balcony as Gill, Tobias, Clove, Benji, Dougaff and Remoir walked onto the stage. It was Karaoke night and if Savage heard correctly, they were going to sing… or try to sing, “Super Trooper” by ABBA. Savage couldn’t help but smile as he watched them put on the white boas and grab umbrellas.

  When Savage had given his report to the council, they had come up with a plan, but Savage couldn’t in good conscience agree until he spoke with Gill, Grey, and the rest of his family.

  Gill swirled in a circle with his hands in the air tossing his head back and laughing when he almost took out Benji’s eye with the umbrella he was twirling. Gods, he loved that man. So fucking beautiful, sweet, and kind-hearted. Savage couldn’t thank fate enough for granting him such blessings.

  Tobias stepped in front of the others and started singing the solo, then looked up singing, “And when you take me in your arms and hold me tight…”

  “Amazing isn’t it?” Destrain asked with a large smile, blowing a kiss to his mates. “Tobias has to have watched that movie Mama Mia a hundred times. You’d think Clove and I would get sick of it, but he just looks so damn adorable singing, and when he dances…” Destrain wiggled his brows, “Well let’s just say I’d watch that movie all damn day and night.”

  Turning, to his long-time friend, Savage replied, “I was just thanking fate for granting me such a gift.”

  “Sometimes I go into our quarters and see my mates snuggling together in our bed and I can’t breathe… hell, I can’t move. Just seeing the loves of my life lying in that bed and knowing that they are all mine… it makes every piece of bullshit I’ve had to face during the day well worth it,” Destrain admitted.

  Whether it was the mate pull or just the natural connection he and Gill had, Savage didn’t know, but Gill looked up and gave Savage a beautiful smile then waved. Unable to help himself, Savage waved back, then turned to Destrain. “I know what the council is asking of me is necessary, Destrain. I know you need an answer and fast. The thing is, I always looked at my island as my oasis. Never have I allowed anyone on it who I didn’t want there. No one even knows where it is. Not even Wade and he is like a son to me.” Sighing loudly, Savage continued, “Now, you all want me to open my home up to strangers and I don’t know if I can do that. What if I allow someone to enter my home and they hurt Gill? And what about the others I have there who have called the island their home for a millennia? I want my mate and the others to feel safe in their home. I don’t know if offering my place as a training facility for your armies is going to allow for that to happen.”

  “I understand your concerns, Savage. We are asking a lot. The thing is, after everything you told us, it seems we are being watched and have no idea who we can trust in either Crystal or Maddox. Fuck, I never even met Gill’s father and to know he’s working with this Defiance group, planning a war…” Destrain snapped his eyes towards Savage. “That son of a bitch lives just a few miles from my home and is talking about bringing a war to our front door. We have to be proactive. We must be ready to protect our people. That means we need them trained.”

  “And just because they are planning an attack against us doesn’t mean that they might not be working with other paranormals. Witches, warlocks, wizards… they all look very human and these bastards might look past their magic if it means taking us out easier. Then you need to consider this… we just found out there are daywalkers out there. Before that we had never heard of butterfly dragons or Santorini foxes… who the hell knows what else we don’t know about in the paranormal world? What if this mythical paranormal comes after us, attacks and kills someone? We have to be prepared
,” Wade said as he stepped up to the banister looking out onto the stage.

  Sut was now on stage singing, “You Keep Me Hanging On” by the Supremes. He kept pointing to someone and if Savage wasn’t mistaken he was pointing at Casimir. Interesting. From how the guy was performing, he was beyond pissed and from the looks of things, seriously hurt. From the look on Casimir’s face, the dragon knew it and was ashamed about something. Savage hoped his mate never looked at him like Sut was looking at Casimir. It would destroy him.

  “Savage, are you listening to us?” Destrain asked in a huff.

  Turning to his friend, he replied, “Sorry, Destrain, but no. Like I already said, I will not agree to anything without talking to Gill and the others.”

  “Well while you’re talking to them, remember, if these people attack, they are not just going after us, they will come for everyone, including you and your family,” Wade stated.

  “We must protect not just our mates, family and friends, but we also have a responsibility to the innocent people of Crystal and Maddox. That means our men must be brought together and trained,” Destrain stated.

  Savage sighed. “I’m not disagreeing with either of you, but like I’ve already said, I need to speak with my family and mate. If they agree, I know the perfect people to train your men. I will gather them myself and we can discuss the timeline we can begin.”

  “Fair enough,” Destrain said with a short nod, then started to turn, saying, “Well gentlemen, I have mates I wish to spend some time with. It was great seeing you again, Savage. I hope to hear from you soon.”

  Savage pushed away from the banister, saying, “Destrain’s idea is a good one. I have an urge to hold my mate. I’ll contact you soon, Wade. Keep your brothers safe.”