by Mason Sabre
“Stephen?”
Stephen shook his head to clear it, holding up a hand to keep Phoenix back. Three times this had happened this week. Three damn times, and he had no idea what it was. The shit in his head was getting worse, that was for sure, but why? He didn’t have a clue. Didn’t even know what had set it all off to begin with. But he needed it to stop. He closed his eyes and breathed into his hands for a moment.
“What were you really looking at?” he eventually rasped.
Phoenix motioned to the screen. “I told you …”
Stephen blinked hard. It was like trying to lift the morning fog off the hills by will alone. He had to fight his way through it and the only way to do it was to ground himself in reality. “Don’t give me that plant shit. I can come over there and clock the history. What were you looking at?”
Phoenix remained silent and stared up at Stephen with that expression only teenagers could perfect—the one that said they knew the answer but weren’t about to say it.
“I can stand here all day long.”
Phoenix shuffled in his seat then said meekly, “I was looking up my dad.” The depth of sadness in his voice made Stephen sorry that he had asked.
“Your dad?”
Phoenix swivelled his seat back so that he was facing the monitor again, his head down. “It’s been two years. I thought maybe he’d been looking for me or something.”
“And?”
“Nothing.”
If he could have taken the boy’s pain away, he would have. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have the man who raised you just suddenly toss you out on the street. Fucking Humans, that’s what it was. Their brainwashing shit made it so they viewed Others like something born of evil, when really it was their hatred that came from the darkness. He pulled a chair up from another work station and sat down. “Maybe he just hasn’t stuck an advert out.”
Phoenix maximised the browser and then closed it properly and logged off the machine. Stephen kept his distance, not wanting to set off another episode. If this carried on, he was going to have to start wearing gloves before touching anyone, and that would really screw him up.
“He might be looking for you. You don’t know that he isn’t.”
“He might not.”
“No. He might not,” he agreed. “Humans are funny about Others. It isn’t his fault. He’s probably been taught how bad we are.”
“But doesn’t he miss me?”
Stephen wanted so badly to say yes and get rid of the sadness that the boy’s eyes held. He stared at him hopelessly, waiting for the right answer. Did his dad miss him? Probably not. Humans were assholes. They’d kill their own just because they crossed to Other. Because in their world, the Human that had once been his kin was now nothing more than an abomination. Chances were that Phoenix’s father hadn't looked for him at all. If anything, he had probably barricaded the fucking doors to keep him from coming back. “Have you talked to Cade about this?”
Phoenix glanced away, embarrassed. “He won’t understand.”
“He might.”
“He will think that I want to leave.”
“Do you?”
The look in Phoenix’s eyes was enough to tell him he didn’t. “No, but …”
Stephen moved closer but avoided touching him at all. He moved close enough that Phoenix might at least feel some connection there. “But?”
“I just want to see my dad. That’s all.”
Stephen could understand that. At least he thought he could. What would it be like to leave your family behind at that age? Shit. Stephen was twenty-six and he hadn't even managed to leave the family home yet, and maybe he never would. As the beta, he needed to be close to his alpha. It was his duty.
“There are two women staring at you,” Phoenix whispered suddenly, making Stephen blink at the abrupt change of topic. He hesitated, feeling they had left the matter hanging. Maybe it was best he didn’t push Phoenix right now, however.
He winked at him and smiled. “Yep.”
Phoenix chewed on his bottom lip. He did it all the time, Stephen realised. “How do you do it?”
Stephen’s brow puckered. “What?”
“Get the girls all staring at you like that?”
Stephen grinned then. Now this was something he could help with. “Pretend like you don’t care.”
Phoenix frowned, and Stephen laughed and leaned back in his seat. He surveyed the library—it was busy enough and crappy enough—another decrepit place for Others, but it was enough that Others used it often. He found what he wanted. “See that girl there? The one with the blue sweater?” He nodded towards the girl in question.
Phoenix followed Stephen’s gaze. “The one with her mother?”
“Yep, that one.”
“She is with her mother.” The words were uttered as if they were sanctified. Stephen chuckled. He was so young—but he would learn.
“Yes, she is. Makes it all the more fun. When I was your age, they were the best kind. Cade and I …” Stephen stopped short, realising who he was talking to. This was Cade’s ward and he was about to spill about their fun and frolics? That was a no no. “Watch her until she notices. She is the prey and you’re the hunter. You’re wolf. Remember that. And she is just a little lamb.”
“And then?”
“Look away. Look busy and uninterested. But make sure that she sees your eyes first. Show her the intent in them.” Stephen grabbed the arm rest of Phoenix’s chair and spun him around. “Like this.”
It took the girl less than twenty seconds to notice that Phoenix was watching her.
“Now look away. Turn yourself back to me, but watch her until the last moment.”
Phoenix shuffled his chair back. “Now what?”
“Now I make myself busy and you wait.” Every time Phoenix tried to lift his eyes to look at the girl, Stephen shook his head. “You need patience. She’s seen you. Don’t you worry about that.” Stephen slid to the computer next to him and switched it on. He had no intention of using it. He didn’t even have a log in for it, but that wasn’t the point. The point was to seem busy and to give Phoenix the space. It didn’t take too long for the girl to reach the books closest to them. Judging by her pretty little dress, dainty shoes and delicate fingers, Stephen doubted she was really interested in the sport section. Phoenix couldn’t resist as he quickly glanced her way and then back again. He smiled to himself as he did.
The door to the library swung open and the bell above the door chimed as Gemma walked in. Her face was blotchy. She had been crying. “Shit,” Stephen said to Phoenix. “Time to go.”
Chapter Four
Perhaps the biggest paradox that existed for Cade in that very moment was the one between himself and his mind. His heart ached with such agony that he was sure he would die from it. Yet, even as it hurt so badly, he was sure that he wasn’t real at all—it was like existing in some thick fog that he couldn’t see through. All the sounds that existed within the world were nothing more than hushed voices off in the distance somewhere. He tried to move, tried to do something with himself. It had been hours of this, but every part of his being was numb. But his heart—its heavy thumping in his chest reminded him that he was very much alive and very much in pain. It beat with such ferocity that it was the only thing that let him know he was still alive.
A baby. Their baby. The very thought of it was something beyond belief. Never in his wildest dreams had he even though it were possible. What a cruel hand fate had dealt them this time. Even his wolf had taken it upon himself to lay low, brooding in the confines of his mind as everything sank in. The wolf should have been raging, should have been fighting to protect his mate, to keep every other male at bay, because now he had claimed her fully as his own. But the wolf was quiet.
As Cade stood there staring into nothingness, the muffled sounds of voices began to come to life. Phoenix’s voice slowly penetrated the dense fog that was surrounding him.
“Cade …” He said hi
s name in such a way that Cade realised he’d probably been saying it a while. But even then, he couldn’t bring his mouth to move and form words in response. “Cade, your father is on the phone.”
He felt Phoenix’s gentle touch on his arm and turned to him. “Tell him I’ll call him back.”
“He says it is urgent. He’s not going to go away.”
No, of course he wouldn’t. That was Trevor—what Trevor wanted, Trevor got. The thought just ignited some fury deep within Cade. It was people like his father who always caused the shit, yet they were the ones who came up smelling like fucking roses. Pretty much everything worked out for Trevor—well, almost everything. Phoenix was the one thing that hadn’t. Oh, defeat must have tasted bitter in his foul mouth, but Cade wasn’t stupid enough to let his guard down fully on that one. Maybe the battle was over, but the war between Trevor and his hatred of the half-breed was just simmering under the surface.
Cade greeted his father in the usual manner. Their relationship had never been a strong one. Trevor saw Cade like his mother—weak—but Cade saw his father as greedy and power hungry. He would never forgive his father for setting Phoenix up and leaving him to die. If it wasn’t for the oaths that kept him in place, Cade would have no qualms about telling his father that he would drop the MacDonald name.
“Council meeting tonight. We need all of the family in attendance,” his father barked at him down the phone.
“You made it quite clear some time ago that I am not your family. I think you have the wrong number.” The two years since Cade had been taken to the cage as punishment for breaking Society law by taking in Phoenix now seemed like a lifetime ago. Trevor had been furious that he had taken a half-breed in, and had informed him then that he and Cade were family in name only. What right did he have now to make these demands? He could piss off for all Cade cared. It had been months since they had actually exchanged a word—any kind of word. Even then, he had only seen and spoken to him because it was a pack run, and Cade had to show his face to make sure that his father didn’t look like an idiot who couldn’t even control his own family. Wouldn’t want to show Trevor’s little band of followers that one of his sons had got away. Fuck no. The man had an image to keep.
“Tonight you are, and you will come to this meeting.”
“Or?”
“There is no or, Cade. Tonight, at seven. I will see you there. And do yourself a favour and leave the little half-breed at home … this is family business. It does not concern him.” With that, Trevor hung up the phone. Cade stared at the receiver, wishing that there was a way he could ram his fist into it, reach inside and wrap his fingers tightly around his father’s throat. It was long overdue. He slammed the receiver down instead. He didn’t need this shit and he certainly didn’t need his father’s stupid games.
Phoenix was standing near him, waiting and listening, of course. Cade said nothing about his father’s remark, but he was sure that Phoenix had heard it. He might have started out as a Human, but his hearing was now like an Other. “I’m going to go out for a run,” he said. “I’ll catch dinner. I have to go out this evening.”
Phoenix nodded but said nothing. Cade wanted to tell him that this meeting was nothing to worry about—that it wasn’t about him—but he couldn’t. The truth was that he didn’t know what it was about, but knowing his father, it would be something that was going to make his mood sink even more than it already had.
You can come run with me if you like,” he said, trying to offer maybe a little reassurance to the boy that nothing had changed between them, no matter what his father wanted.
It was dark when Cade shifted back from wolf to man. It had calmed him at least, and he had hunted rabbit. Nothing special in that—rabbit was so common in this area. Phoenix had come, too, and they had each ripped into their kill as they had sat together in the grass after the hunt, still in their wolf forms, with the crisp air around them. Then they had sat and cleaned themselves, Cade leaning over to Phoenix to clean him like a protective wolf would do to its young. He wondered if this is what it would be like with his actual chid. Would his child be wolf or tiger? Would he get to run with it this way, and then share these moments of parental intimacy? And although Phoenix was not his son, they were bonded, and acting this way didn’t feel wrong to him.
He left Phoenix to the television and his studies, and then he drove to Malcolm’s house. When he pulled into the drive, he sat in his car, hesitating, every part of him wanting to leave—not just this house, but everything. Gemma would be in there. As much as he was burning inside to see her, he needed his mind clear, because if he saw her, he would beg. He would plead with her not to kill their child.
He’d asked her for some time to think about things. He hoped that time would help her see things differently, to change her mind about having an abortion. He couldn’t believe that she would even consider killing their child. He gripped the steering wheel and fought the rage that surged inside, fought not to burst into the house and find Gemma. His wolf urged him to go get his mate, force her to leave with him, to keep her and their baby safe. Frustration ate away at him, at his inability to force Gemma to do anything. He wished he could just let the animal inside take charge. Things would be so clear-cut then. Logic and Society would not play any role, and all that would matter was that his mate and child were protected.
He would call her tomorrow maybe, but he needed time and so did she. It was so hard for him, though. It went against everything that he was. It went against his wolf, who needed to protect his mate. If she was there, his resolve would break down and it wouldn’t matter what his dad wanted just now—he’d be focused on Gemma. He would take her and leave. He’d take Phoenix, too. But then Stephen … Everything was so fucking complicated. He slammed his hand against the steering wheel of the car and got out before he drove himself crazy with it all. He banged the car door closed too and made his way down the drive.
There were many cars leading up to the house. It seemed that Cade was the late one. When he went into the house, they were all gathered in the usual room, the silent room, but the door was open, so whatever it was didn’t need to be kept quiet. Every member of the Society was there, as well as the Council. This was big—fucking big. He entered without knocking, his eyes instantly scanning the room for Gemma. But she wasn’t there—neither was Gemma’s kid sister, Evie. Stephen was there, however. He caught Cade’s eye and gave him a curt nod the moment Cade entered the room. Cade didn’t go to him, though. His eyes fell on his mother, Katherine, instead. She went to stand up to greet her son, but Trevor grasped her hand and stopped her—just another show of his power and dominance. He was forcing her to lose her son, too, whether she wanted it or not. Trevor had spoken so it was tough shit what his wife may want.
He couldn’t stop Cade, though. He strode over to them, his eyes defiant on his father as he approached, Trevor’s expression hardening with each forbidden step. Cade stopped when he reached his mother and stooped to embrace her, leaving her no choice but to do the same. He would take the blame for it—he didn’t care. Maybe she wasn’t allowed to hold her son, but sure as hell Trevor couldn’t stop Cade from doing it.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered softly against her ear before placing a delicate kiss on her cheek. She raised her hand and gently stroked the back of his head, her eyes shining with unshed tears that made his heart clench painfully in his chest. He wished she could send Trevor to hell and leave the fucking asshole—but Cade knew his mother would never leave her husband.
“You too,” she whispered back. “Have you been looking after yourself?”
Cade nodded and smiled before kissing the top of his mother’s head and letting her go. She was the one who didn’t look like she was eating properly. Her eyes were dark, her hair duller than normal. Had she always seemed so small? Cade didn’t remember, but she looked different and not in a good way. It was his mother he probably missed the most—her and maybe Danny.
Danny was young—Phoeni
x’s age. He was too naïve to make his own decisions just now so anything he thought, Cade could forgive him for, but the boy needed to open his eyes. He needed to see what Aaron and Trevor were really like. Oh, Trevor must have been so pleased with Aaron, to see that he had managed to breed himself a carbon copy. What a shame for Aaron, though—already his life was marked for one of misery and greed as he blindly followed in their father’s footsteps because he had been taught that it was the right thing to do.
“I think everyone is here,” Malcolm said, as Cade found himself an empty chair and sat down. This wasn’t such a private meeting it would seem. There were four people at the table that he didn’t recognise, and the tables had been extended so that everyone had a place to sit. Cade surveyed them all wondering what surprise it was that Trevor had up his sleeve. There had to be something.
Malcolm nodded to Aaron. “We’re ready.”
A woman sat beside Aaron—attractive, rich—the kind you could tell had been born into money, lacked brains as all spoilt little rich girls did. Daddy would have provided her with whatever her heart had desired. She smiled up at Aaron as he stood and Cade felt his stomach twist. Oh god … no.
“Malcolm …” Aaron began by addressing the head of the Society and Council before his own father. A piece of respect that Cade was sure pissed Trevor off every single time. “Mother, father.” He cleared his throat and smoothed down the non-existent creases from the front of his jacket. “I asked Malcom to call this meeting tonight because I come here seeking the Society and the Council’s permission. I wish to put forward an official potential.” Cade’s blood froze. The woman next to Aaron took her cue and stood. “This is Isobel Dean. I request that the Council and Society approve a permanent mating between us and a joining of our families and packs.” He reached down to the file that was in front of him and pulled out some papers, which he handed to Malcolm and Trevor. “We have done all of the appropriate tests. Isobel is able to bear my young and she is deemed fit and healthy. We will be a good match.”