Shawn grinned at him. “It helps to keep people away.”
“Why would you want to keep them away?”
“They all start fussing when someone is without his mate, and it gets out of hand. I’d rather get out of hand and have Will deal with the fallout later.”
Robin looked at Shawn as he sniffed at an arm of the sweater. “I don’t understand.”
Shawn rose to his feet. For the first time Robin noticed the sweater Shawn wore was at least three sizes too big on him. The dark blue sweater reached almost to Shawn’s knees and the arms were rolled up several times.
“It makes for great make-up sex later, and submitting to him is easier.” Shawn shrugged, though the wistful little smile never left his face. “Come on, I’ll show you around.”
“What about my brother and Jay….” Robin trailed off.
Neither Tim nor Jay were to be seen anywhere. Only two men were left standing at the entrance to the cave. He was alone. How could Tim just leave him?
Shawn laid a hand on Robin’s shoulder, gave it a quick squeeze, then pulled his hand away. “This is only the welcome hall. The others have gone farther on, probably to find something to eat. Come, it’s safe here.”
When Shawn nudged him in the direction of one of the diverging tunnels, Robin followed.
Nineteen
SHAWN SHOWED him around for a while, and Robin was impressed by the size of the cavern system. Eventually, Shawn guided him to a place that seemed to function as a community hall. Large rocks had been cut and polished and now served as tables with smaller rocks scattered around the tables as stools. The coldness from the stone seat seeped through Robin’s jeans, and he squirmed while they ate a meal of bread, cheese, and ham.
Between mouthfuls, Robin asked, “No fireplace?”
“No, the risk of smoke inhalation is too big. There’s a natural vent in the cave system, so you don’t have to fear you’ll be without oxygen, but that’s about it,” Shawn replied. “It’s not exactly a hotel. It’s supposed to be a safe place—a place to hide. Some of the older generation stay here permanently. They like the seclusion and simplicity.”
Jay’s expression shuttered after Shawn’s explanation. Tim’s light brown energy lines fed Jay’s pink ones.
“Your friend is going to feel better in time,” Shawn whispered when Jay was occupied with something Tim said.
The smile faded from Robin’s face. When Jay felt better…. Would he ever feel better? Would he ever get over what he’d witnessed? Would it change Jay forever?
“Hey, no moping allowed, otherwise you’ll have at least four people hovering next to you and smothering you with well-meant advice,” Shawn said in a low voice, pointing at Lance, who frowned at them.
Robin lifted one hand, forced a small smile on his face, and dug into his piece of cheese.
He, Tim, and Jay spent the rest of the day explaining to the others what had happened. During their talks, Jay remained silent and stiff in Tim’s arms. He resisted all kind gestures and retreated more and more into himself. By the end of the day, Jay seemed to be almost catatonic.
After dinner, which again consisted of bread, cheese, and ham but also of some fruits, Lance showed Tim and Jay a cavern for their personal use.
Shawn bid his good-byes while Lance showed Robin to Peter’s personal cavern. At first Robin was delighted to be surrounded by Peter’s things, few as there were, and especially by his scent clinging to his clothes. Since there was no mattress or anything of the like, Robin shifted into his wolf form and reclined on the floor, grumping about the cold, unyielding stone beneath him.
Try as he might, he couldn’t get comfortable. He stood up and paced the length of the cavern until he knew how many steps he had to take to cross from one side to the other. He lost all sense of time as he inspected Peter’s cavern once more. He found a folded blanket, dragged it from an alcove, and lay down on top of it. At least it helped ward off some of the chill.
Then the cries started. For a moment, he froze, but then he understood he was hearing the guttural sounds of matings and the cries of ecstasy from deep within the cave.
Robin curled up into a small ball, flattened his ears to his head, and lifted his tail above them, but it was to no avail. He couldn’t drown out the cries. He jumped to his feet and stepped out of Peter’s cavern, freezing when the curtain that functioned as a door brushed over his fur.
Outside, he bumped into Shawn. His green eyes were flashing in the dim candlelight that illuminated the small corridors.
“You’d think they’d be considerate of those who are without their mates, but no. They are going at it as if there will be no tomorrow,” Shawn said.
Disgusting, Robin replied telepathically.
“Absolutely.”
Would you not mate out of consideration for someone else?
Shawn laughed. “Hell no! Would you?”
The thought probably wouldn’t occur to me, no.
“Which means we’re just some envious assholes.”
A loud cry echoed in the cave system, followed by a deep groan. Robin cringed, and a shiver surged through his body.
Shawn bent forward to tap his shoulder and said in a conspiratorial voice, “Landon and Marianne; thank God they don’t do it more than twice in a row.”
Twice? Sheesh, how do you manage not to go insane?
“You try to slip outside without the guards knowing you’re gone,” Shawn replied with a wicked grin. “How about it?”
Robin shifted from one foot to the other. I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. There were other wolves hunting us, and I….
“You only survived because Peter healed you, I know that. We will only go to the top of the cave system; no one ever goes there because it’s hidden. To outsiders our cave and the wood on top of it look like a big lake,” Shawn explained.
We’re under water?
“No, it’s a disguise.”
But doesn’t it attract a lot of tourists?
Shawn grinned again, which gave him sort of an impish appearance. “A few feigned bear attacks took care of any ambitions in that regard.”
Aren’t you worried the authorities will try to exterminate you?
Startled, Shawn looked at him. “I never thought about that, but since they haven’t for a few hundred years, I’d say someone from the clan is taking care of that problem. Oh, and I’m not a bear, I’m a wolf, just like you. The big bearded men are all hybrids between bears and wolves, though each are more bear than wolf. They only mate pure werewolves so their offspring carry on a strong set of wolf genes.”
Robin’s blood ran cold. His voice sounded equally cold in his head, when he asked, They wouldn’t consider another hybrid as a mate? They sound as prejudiced as some other people I know.
“No, you got it wrong! Did no one explain anything to you?”
No, Robin snarled. I didn’t even know about energy lines before we mated.
Shawn chuckled, grabbed the nape of Robin’s neck, and towed him toward a hidden niche.
“That drove me nuts for weeks,” Shawn confessed. “Pure werewolves aren’t supposed to see energy lines, do you know that?”
Yes, Peter explained that it’s rare.
“It is,” Shawn agreed, absentmindedly stroking Robin’s back. “It means you’re a special snowflake.”
Special snowflake?
“You and I are the only pure-blooded werewolves in the last 150 years that can see the energy lines. It means the bond to our mates can’t be destroyed, not even by death. If one of us dies, the other will only live a matter of hours. Neither of us can live without the other and….” Shawn’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down but no more explanations came forward. Robin prompted, And?
“And it drives me insane that Will goes to fight without taking me along. I can’t really sleep, and eating is torture.”
I still don’t get why seeing the energy lines is so important.
Shawn grimaced, then slid down to the ground, pu
lling Robin between his legs. “You’re better than any blanket.”
Thanks.
Shawn sighed, and his eyes turned sad for a moment. After clearing his throat, he said, “We’re not getting the whole benefit. If either of us were female, our children would be the next alphas. They’d also develop new magic abilities, or at the very least, they’d be powerful beyond imagination.”
Shuddering, Robin replied, Maybe it’s good we’re males. I don’t think I’d be up to raising someone who’s going to be powerful beyond my imagination.
“Maybe you’re right.”
They stayed locked together with Shawn stroking Robin’s fur until Shawn said, “Come with me for a run.”
I-I’m not sure Peter would approve of me going out at night, Robin stammered, knowing very well Peter would disapprove. Still, staying here would mean having to listen to the mating sounds or thinking about stuff he wasn’t sure he was ready for.
“I can assure you he won’t. Neither will Will when he finds out.” Shawn grinned.
You like getting into trouble, huh?
“Let’s say it serves a purpose.”
Which would be?
“Will won’t leave me to my own devices for weeks afterward.”
I’d be doing you a favor, then?
Shawn smiled and then pulled the large sweater over his head. While Robin waited for Shawn to finish undressing, Shawn asked, “Does it drive you mad, too, that Peter is able to listen to you but not to answer telepathically?”
Yes! Robin replied with fervor.
“Let’s go and put some distance between us and those sex addicts.” Shawn shifted, and for a moment, they eyed each other. Shawn had a shiny black coat, just like Tim.
You won’t be exactly easy to hide, Shawn said.
But I’m pretty, oh so pretty, Robin singsonged.
Let’s go, pretty boy!
SHAWN LED them along the various intricate aisles, keeping them out of the guards’ sight. The light grew dim the farther away they walked because not every tunnel was lighted. Robin stayed close to Shawn, not wanting to experience getting lost.
Quit worrying.
Shawn’s sudden rumble inside his head caused Robin to start. What?
I said: quit worrying. I know where I’m going.
How did you know I was worrying? Robin asked.
Your en—
Robin cut him off with a loud sigh. My energy lines. Yeah, right. I’m not used to being an open book to everyone.
Not to everyone, only to those who know how to read the patterns.
Which seems to be everybody around here, Robin said.
You’ll get used to it.
Robin snorted. Now you sound like Peter.
Hey, no insulting me! I have a reputation to keep.
Just… don’t play any pranks on me, okay? Robin said. He eyed the solid rock around him with apprehension.
Shawn stopped and turned to rub his face against Robin’s. His fur felt soft, more like the hairs of a pup than a grown wolf.
I wouldn’t. Believe me, I know how you feel, Shawn said.
Robin wagged his tail, then followed Shawn into a small corridor they had to crouch to get through. Robin tried to ignore the fact that thousands of tons of stone surrounded him and could pulverize him if anything set the balance off.
Shawn looked back, his eyes gleaming eerily in the darkness. Our mates can’t follow us here. They’re too big.
How convenient for us. Who showed you around here?
No one. I was bored and explored the caves.
Robin imagined himself wandering around here all alone but aborted that image quickly. He’d never be that brave. Or stupid, depending on how you viewed the subject. He asked, Weren’t you afraid you wouldn’t find your way back?
Are you sure you’re a wolf?
Robin glared at Shawn. What’s that supposed to mean?
I don’t know about you, but my nose always brings me back.
Oh, Robin said, I-I didn’t think about that.
Shawn stopped so abruptly Robin bumped straight into him. Shawn turned around in the claustrophobic corridor, and then he rubbed their heads together before he swiped his tongue over Robin’s head a couple of times.
You’re really missing Peter, aren’t you?
Yes! The answer burst out of Robin with vengeance. His voice sounded close to tears when he added, I do! I feel so… empty somehow.
Well, in that case, let’s get out of here so we can take our minds off our miserable situation.
You’re missing your mate, I mean Will, too, right? Robin asked.
In an acrobatic manner Shawn turned around again. Yes, I do. I never thought I’d feel that way about anyone. Especially not about someone whose dominance seeps out his ears.
Robin barked at the image Shawn had created. Can’t you talk to him about it?
Talk to Will about him being less dominant? Shawn laughed. No, that’s just how he is and… I wouldn’t want him different. And that’s all I’m going to say about this.
Too bad, I thought we could have a nice heart-to-heart and—
Enough! I can’t take it! Shawn crawled faster even though his chuckle reverberated in Robin’s mind.
The corridor opened into a small cavern with water running down one wall in a steady trickle. From there Shawn led Robin to an even smaller corridor. Robin stared at the tiny hole in the stone and stopped.
Are you sure we fit through there? he asked.
I do, so you will too. You’re even smaller than me.
Robin sidled, eying the stone formation with growing apprehension. Isn’t there a different way? What if the corridor crumbles?
It won’t.
How can you be so sure? Robin asked.
I’m not, but believing anything else would just paralyze me. Come on, pretty boy.
I don’t like this, Robin said.
Shawn ignored him and squeezed himself into the opening. Robin lowered himself to the ground and tentatively put one paw into the corridor. Loose rubble skittered to the sides as he pressed himself inside.
The darkness around him was absolute. Robin’s movements became jerky as the walls closed in around him, pressing all the air out of his lungs. Wheezing, he said, Shawn! I can’t do this!
It’s not far.
I can’t see anything!
I know, but it’s really not far. Just keep on crawling.
I can’t! Robin panted while he forced himself not to faint. The walls seemed to come closer, squeezing and suffocating him. Some of the small loose stones on the ground were sharp and dug into his fur, some even going so far as to scratch his skin underneath.
He was just short of losing his fight when he caught a sliver of light in front of him. Crawling faster, he could see Shawn’s shape in front of him. Shawn leaped out of the corridor, and Robin dashed after him. They came out close to a thicket, wriggled through it, and then there was a clearance surrounded by large pines. Most importantly, there were no stone walls around Robin anymore.
Robin shook himself, clearing his coat of stones, gravel, and leaves.
See, it wasn’t that bad.
No, it was horrible, Robin replied, I’m not going back that way.
Shawn stared at him for a long moment. Are you serious?
Yes, absolutely.
But the guards will inform Lance, and he won’t be happy. Shawn said in astonishment.
You’re worried about Lance?
He’ll tell Will.
Robin sat down and stared at Shawn. I thought that was the whole idea? You sneak out; Will finds out, and then he won’t leave your side for weeks. Or did I get this wrong?
I wanted to tell Will about it without anyone else finding out. That way he’ll snarl at the guards first, but if Lance finds out and tells him directly, I will really be in trouble, Shawn replied, sounding way less confident and self-assured than he had earlier.
Why? That is not logical!
Because he will know the guards ha
ve already been scolded, so I’ll be on the receiving end of all his anger.
We could split? Robin offered. You go back the way we came, and I’ll go back the other way?
Or you could just overcome your fear and go back with me? Shawn lowered his upper body to the ground, yipping and begging.
That’s unfair! Robin protested.
Shawn bounced to his feet, the tension vanishing all of a sudden. Forget about it. If you really don’t want to go back, we’ll go in by the main entrance. It’ll be fun to see the guards’ faces.
Robin stared at his new friend. I don’t really get you.
I don’t get myself sometimes. That’s what I have Will for.
You’re one weird guy. Robin shook his head and got to his feet, taking in his surroundings with quick glances around him.
I alienate people; it’s a hobby of mine. Strangely enough, my compulsion to alienate you disappeared rather quickly.
Uh, thank you? I think.
Shawn danced around Robin, encouraging him to play until Robin couldn’t withstand the temptation anymore. He lunged at Shawn, and they tussled on the ground.
Robin was aware of the rich fragrances in the air, the woodsy scent of healthy trees and bushes mingled with the other odors of squirrels and other small mammals. Sometimes he could even see bats swooping above them.
Shawn rolled around, shook Robin off his back, and ran. Robin gave chase with a delighted bark. He caught up swiftly, throwing Shawn to the leaf-covered ground with a well-practiced move. For a while they played, forgetting all about their loneliness, and in Robin’s case he also pushed aside all memories about Walter’s death and the wolves hunting them.
Twenty
ROBIN AND Shawn played until they were exhausted and sought refuge under a large pine.
A yawn overcame Robin, and he stretched his limbs before he rolled over onto his left side.
Damn, you are pretty, Shawn burst out.
Secret Energy (Shifters Book 2) Page 14