by Jo Penn
Something in Ran spiked, and next thing he knew, he was agitatedly rushing towards the pair. To do what, he didn’t know. Just that he didn’t like them fighting. Both were good, he felt that, and close, closer than any brothers he’d ever known. Maybe he could help, make them stop?
A big arm wrapped around him from behind, halting Ran. He whined, unable to help himself and confused, not sure what to do.
“Shhh, my mate, you do not need to worry.” Vicus drew Ran closer to his body, the heat warming his suddenly chilled bones. “Drax does not harm his brother—”
“He leapt on him.” Ran frowned.
“Yes, to calm him. Drax’s wolf calms his brother, gives him support and guidance, as he has done for you. Luka is…special. His wolf requires extra attention. See, he has stilled and calmed.”
Ran nodded, tired now, and turned into Vicus, taking the man’s support.
“Right, this is what we’re gonna do,” Drax announced. “Both of you need to shift and stay in wolf form for at least half an hour. Shift, Luka.”
Luka didn’t need to be told twice, shifting immediately with a fluidity that Ran was awed by. Drax pointed at him.
“Your turn, pup.”
Ran vigorously shook his head, but couldn’t move with Vicus’s arm locked around him. He panted, whined, and wiggled.
“Calm, my mate. You need this. Your wolf needs this.”
“I-I c-can’t.” Ran shook.
“You can. I will assist and shift with you.”
“Y-you will? Why?”
Vicus leant down as he tilted Ran’s head up. “I take care of my mates.”
Ran guessed that was the best explanation he was going to get from the tight lipped Avenger. He was so use to Deakin just spurting off and babbling everything he was thinking and feeling, that it’d take a while for him to get use to Vicus’s lack of babbling and forthrightness.
“Umm…o-okay.” Ran looked to Drax for approval and got a tight smile and nod. That gave him a little confidence. “Ah, well, Deak said you can shift into a lion or a hawk—”
“Falcon.”
“Huh?” Ran tilted his head, studying Vicus.
“I shift into a falcon, Ran.”
“Oh…can you, I mean, now?”
“Yes, if that is what you want.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Then you need to shifter also.”
Ugh, that was the difficult part. It had been so long, he wasn’t even sure he could anymore. Not that he’d been any good at it to begin with. He’d never shifted quickly and had difficulty coming back from wolf, like his animal didn’t want to let go, and he didn’t have much control over it…but at the same time, he missed being a wolf too.
Luka the wolf yipped at him and danced around. He looked like he was grinning.
“Luka wants to run with his surrogate little brother. Will you give him that, Ran?” Drax asked gently.
Ran nodded jerkily. “I…h-have trouble shifting.”
It was hard to admit. Shifters were really a bit arrogant about their ability to shift into their other side, and so being a runt and having shifting difficulties did little for his self-esteem. Fortunately, Ran was fairly well balanced aside from that.
“That’s fine,” Drax said calmly. “We’ll go through this step by step.”
Over the next half an hour, Ran went through a process that he’d never experienced when growing up and shifting the first few times. Drax was firm but calm, reassuring, and never let Ran back away or give up, while Vicus remained with him, using his touch to calm while not interfering. And even the Alpha was there giving guidance and encouragement while corralling Luka when needed.
Funny, but in the end it was easy, like a ripple or shiver moving through him. His wolf just came to the surface, but instead of taking over, they became one, joined, like when the wolf was below the surface. It felt right, felt good.
Drax smiled as Ran jumped around, tripping over his own feet, and began sniffing everything. When he got to Vicus, the Avenger crouched down and lowered his head, removing the hood. Ran sniffed cautiously at first and was disappointed not to smell anything. Then one of the most intoxicating, spicy scents he’d ever smelt filled his nose and made him stumble and fall flat on his face in front of the tall, stunning creature. Sniffing deeply and coughing out dirt, he gave a happy, wolfy grin, then pounced on the man.
Vicus had not been expecting that and landed on his very fine ass. Ran gave his mate a big kiss with lots of tongue, then yipped at him.
“Think he wants you to shift and play.” Drax smirked.
Ran sure did! He hadn’t ever felt this free in his wolf form before and scrambled away, howling when Luka caught up and tackled him, then snapped at his leg to get Ran moving again. A few moments later a massive truck wolf chased them both, steering them different ways, pulling them back into line when he felt they got a bit too rambunctious.
A large bird flying overhead had Ran tumbling head over ass watching it. The bird, much bigger than a natural-born falcon was amazing the way it soared and darted, and, Gods, it was fast!
For the next forty minutes they romped and learnt to move together. Ran actually enjoyed spending time with, first the brothers, then a few other pack members who joined them. No one growled and chased him off, no one snapped viciously at the runt, and if anyone came too close Drax or Tripp, in his bear form, snarled a warning at them and they backed off immediately.
And Luka was a riot! He stirred everyone up and tormented, teased, and was a fast little bugger, darting in and out, and at the same time, was a bit protective of Ran. It was nice.
They were back at the pack house when he noticed the change. Wolf soldiers quietly disappeared around buildings while guards began shepherding others inside. Drax had shifted as soon as they returned from the run through the field and was now watchful, moving closer and giving hand signals while calling his brother back from where Luka was running around, sniffing under a cubby house close to the pack house grounds. Ran looked around for Vicus, suddenly feeling vulnerable and lost. And worried. Where was his mate? Where was his Avenger? Mates stayed together, looked after each other…Ran had to find Vicus! And Deakin! Protect them.
Agh, he wasn’t so good at protecting, but he would though!
He smelt his mate before he saw him and spun around to run, approaching the Avenger who was in human form and dressed in his usual attire when Ran saw a creature creeping behind a house. The flash of sunlight on something metal startled him, the noise that followed made him jump and yelp, then rush towards his mate at the same time that Drax roared and charged the guy with the gun.
He knew he wouldn’t make it, there was no way, but maybe he could make it to his mate’s arms and feel them one last time.
* * * *
Vicus saw the bullet. It would hit his mate in the heart, taking him down instantly as they were not yet fully bonded, his mate not yet immortal. With a quick assessment, taking note of every detail, Vicus made an immediate decision.
Holding up his hands, he slammed them together. “Halt.”
Instantly, the world stilled around him. The bullet stopped mid-flight, hanging in the air. Creatures were frozen in time, not moving. Vicus moved faster than he’d ever moved before, snatching up his little mate and placing him somewhere safe, then dealing with the situation quickly and effectively.
He knew the moment three of the creatures began to break out of his magical hold. Enforcer Drax was first, growling, Urian and Tripp next, both shaking off the effects of Vicus’s wizard powers. Drax immediately looked for Luka and Ran, ever the protector, but Vicus had removed both from harm. Slapping his hands together, he watched without emotion as the bullet slammed into the assailant, scoring him directly between the eyes and killing him instantly.
“I hope you read his mind first,” Uri groused.
“Of course. A simple Renegade assassin, and not a very good one.”
“I really hate it when you and Mason do that,” Trip
p grouched, stomping away. “I’ll get the clean-up crew.”
“Where are they?” Drax demanded.
“Coming.” Vicus tilted his head to the side, listening, and bemused as he heard running feet.
A moment later Ran dashed out of the pack house where Vicus had placed him and Luka in the safe room. Luka ambled out as Ran threw himself into Vicus’s arms and attached himself like a spider monkey.
“Dude, that was trippy.” Luka grinned cheekily.
“You are anxious. Why?” Vicus studied his wolf mate curiously.
“Because one minute I’m being shot at then everything went blank and I snapped out of whatever it was and found myself in some strange room without you. I didn’t know if you were dead or what the hell was going on.” Ran sniffed Vicus’s neck, his cheek, then patted his chest and stomach before unwrapping his legs and sliding down Vicus body. “Oh, ah, sorry ‘bout that, don’t know what came over me.”
Vicus couldn’t help the little growl that escaped him at the feel of his mate’s body sliding against his. Reaching out, he pulled Ran back to him, molding his smaller body against Vicus’s, needing to feel and sooth.
He would have expected that behavior from his spritely Deakin, not his laid back little wolf, but he certainly appreciated that his mate was now scenting and beginning to feel their bond, and if this is how Ran could be with his wolf spirit improving, then Vicus felt he would be most fortunate.
Having not received such concern before except from his family, receiving it now from his mate had his body demanding he bond fully, but at the same time a deep feeling of warmth spread through him.
“You need to be back here tomorrow, same time.” Drax jerked Luka around and shoved his brother towards the pack house. “Go back inside.”
“Sure, the Housewives of Hollywood is about to start anyways. See ya tomorrow, little bro.”
“Okay.” Ran seemed to realize he was naked, having shifted but not dressed yet and flushed. “Err…I’m just going to…”
Vicus scanned the pack grounds, listening, double checking. Urian was busy getting updates from the soldiers out in the woods protecting the lands, and Drax was studying where the assassin had been standing.
“He got very close,” Drax snapped quietly. “Too close. He should never have made it onto pack lands in the first place. I’ll be doubling the guards and dealing with a number of them.”
“That is wise. They should be watching every entrance point.” Vicus looked upward, frowning. “I would place wolves in trees, have sky visual. I will take my mate home now and return tomorrow morning.” Vicus lowered his hood, meeting Drax’s eyes. “This will not happen again, Drax.”
Rising, Drax dusted off his hands, features tight. “No, it won’t. I won’t have my family and pack in harm’s way. Ran will be safe returning tomorrow.”
Pulling up the hood of his coat, he gave a nod then turned to collect his mate, who was somehow only now just hopping around trying to put on a shoe, and had yet to finish doing up his jeans and put a top on. Perplexed by this and that his mate didn’t seem rushed or flustered, Vicus watched a moment and saw immediately what the problem was.
Ran was easily distracted. A noise made he look around. Then a bird. Anything and he’d stop what he was doing and listen and look. Vicus could now see why Deakin had pretty much stood over Ran this morning, dressing their mate. He clearly saw they would be here another hour at least if he didn’t take this situation in hand.
Which he did, quickly and calmly putting Ran’s clothes on him, making sure his thick jacket was done up and the Velcro straps on his shoes were just right. It took a minute and a half. Ran blinked a few times but didn’t protest, obviously used to this from their other mate, and quietly trailed along behind Vicus until something caught his interest. At that moment, Vic snatched his mate’s hand and moved him forward beside him, ignoring how Uri, Tripp, and Drax all grinned knowingly.
“Wow, I didn’t know they had a pool here.” Ran stopped beside the Humvee, staring longingly at the indoor gymnasium and pool.
“You like to swim, my mate?” Vicus opened the door and easily maneuvered Ran inside.
It was ridiculously easy to move his wolf about, now that he was aware Vicus was his mate. Drax was right, damn him. The wolf Enforcer would tease Vicus over that for a while. He seemed to take absurd pleasure in getting one over Vicus…admittedly, Vicus did like the challenges Drax posed him. It wasn’t many who could match him in stealth, wits, and skill.
“Yeah. Ah, so…”
Ran played with the ends of his scarf. Deakin had made an insistent point this morning to Vicus that their mate had to wear the scarf. Ran just nodded, obviously tuning Deak out while Vicus decided then and there it was simpler to do the same and agree to his part sprite’s somewhat peculiar wants.
The Humvee left the pack lands. Vicus thought of waiting Ran out, seeing if the man would say whatever was on his mind without prompting, but found he had to touch the gorgeous little creature and sooth the slight uncertainty he could scent coming off him.
And just like that, his mate leant into him a little. Vicus liked this very much. River and a few of his siblings may stir and tease him regarding his somewhat cold personality, and others either ran screaming or got a creeped out expression on their faces when Vicus approached, but with Deakin and Ran, Vicus had the mate bond and they were his, as he was theirs. They didn’t look at him the same way others did, and maybe one day would grow to care or even love him.
He was falling hard for them. Vicus had never thought that possible. Of course he loved his family, but it was tied with protecting, caring for, and guiding. With his mate’s, he was enjoying all their idiosyncrasies, their personalities, and that he could be himself fully. They were also hot as sin and the need to touch, bond, and be close was overwhelming.
“What concerns you, my kjærlighet?”
“What does that mean?”
“Love. You and Deakin are my loves. I scent and feel your uncertainty, my wolf. What concerns you?” Vicus carefully moved his delicate mate closer and trailed his fingers over Ran’s mix of light auburn and blonde hair, around the shell of a cute little ear, then leant down and nibbled said ear. “You are mine, Ran, all of you. You feel this now, have scented me as your mate. I will always protect and cherish you, kjærlighet, always listen, consider, and respect you. I will meet your needs and wants,” he vowed.
Ran shivered. Not with fear or apprehension, but with emotion. Vicus soothed, not wishing to upset his little wolf.
“O-h…ah…hmm.” Ran sniffed Vicus and seemed to settle a little. “A-and Deak?”
“The same, kjærlighet. Tell me.”
“I just—what happens now? Will Alpha McCormack keep trying to kill me?”
Vicus kept his snarl to himself, one brought on at the thought of anyone harming his mates. No one would harm them. Vicus would slaughter whoever attempted such a horrendous act.
“He will until he is stopped.” Vicus frowned as Ran trembled violently. Hmm, perhaps River was right. Vicus needed to sugar coat for his mates. “You are safe and protected, Ran. I will deal with the ex-Alpha. I have also sent some of the pack soldiers to collect your friend, Justin Crane. He will soon arrive at the Starters pack and be protected and counselled.”
“Counselled? Ugh, like Drax tried to do with me? I’m cool, you know, I don’t need analyzing.” Ran relaxed back in the seat. “Deakin, on the other hand, should go a few times a week, especially with his family coming over today.”
Vicus tended to agree. Not that there was anything wrong with Deakin, he was perfect, just that his hyperventilating whenever family was mentioned or another sprite was around, and the pedantic, OCD tendencies should be eased.
“What’ll I do now?” Ran asked quietly, studying his navel.
Vicus, at first, was unsure what the man meant, but quickly understood. His mate felt a little displaced. Having a psychotic killer after you as well as acquiring a new mate and moving home
s was unsettling. On top of that, he was dealing with his wolf spirit. Stroking his little mate’s hair gently, tenderly—an emotion Vicus had never considered he’d experience, but felt deeply for both his mates—he used his body as reassurance by pressing close, stroking, and petting, while keeping his emotions tranquil and pleased.
And it was pleasing to have Ran now feel him as mate, to be bonding and close.
Soon Ran was so relaxed he fell asleep. Vicus adjusted the wolf so he was comfortable, and realized he, too, felt relaxed, tranquil. He was very used to soothing his family or frightened victims. He was not used to actually feeling relaxed and tranquil himself. It was a peculiar feeling, but good, a contentment he had never known settling over him.
Vicus knew he would kill without a qualm to keep these feelings…not that he didn’t already kill without a thought, this, though, was different. These were his mates and emotions were involved. Something very new to Vicus, who never let emotions rule him.
Arriving at the Aston Estate, he carried Ran inside to their apartment where he quickly stripped and tucked him into bed. Drax had warned Vicus that Ran would often be tired during this process and it was imperative that when he was, he slept without disruption. As Layke had also said the wolf required a lot of rest, Vicus was going to ensure Ran slept without interruption.
For now, he had to collect his other mate from work. Deakin’s family would soon arrive for lunch, thankfully Lacy had arranged the chef and staff to organise. Tapping a security panel in his bedroom, Vicus locked his mate inside. The room was completely fire proofed, sound proofed, and the security was top of the range. Ran would be safe and rest.
Leaving the apartment, he took a good whiff, then followed the scent he was after to the specially designed room on the ground floor at the side of the house. Here, he found his brother Eber. He dealt with all security matters at the Estate and kept track of all staff and family movements during the day. Presently, Eber was studying a small device under a magnifying glass.
“I heard there was another assassination attempt,” Eber said without looking up.