Secret Energy (Shifters Book 2)

by Kat, Chris T.

  Peter’s worried gaze made him even more uncomfortable. It also drove the point home that both men had seen his reaction so he couldn’t outright lie to them.

  “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

  Forcing himself to answer, Robin said, “This was Walter’s favorite spot.”

  Peter pulled him back against him and crossed his arms above Robin’s chest, fencing him in. Robin drew in a deep breath while he allowed Peter’s strength to seep into him, anchor him, and ease some of his inner tension.

  “Do you want me to sit somewhere else?” Ralf asked softly.

  Robin clutched at Peter’s forearms, needing to feel Peter’s warm skin and bunching muscles. When it became obvious he had no answer to his father’s question, he shrugged.

  “I don’t believe your son is upset because you are sitting where Walter Cox used to sit.” Peter loosened the embrace and gently turned Robin around before he slid one hand under Robin’s chin and tilted his face up. “Isn’t that right?”

  Robin said, “I’ll go and help Jay with the horses now.”

  Peter’s face creased into a frown. “You will not evade my question in this impolite manner.”

  Behind him Ralf coughed. Pursing his lips, Robin said, “Dad, you should really do something about that cough of yours.”

  “Should I now, huh?” Ralf said, chuckling. “Did I mention that I like your mate?”

  “I’m pleased to hear that,” Peter replied.

  Robin rolled his eyes while trying to squirm away from Peter. When he remained unsuccessful, he reverted to whining. “Peter! I wanna help Jay!”

  “You don’t want to tell what is weighing on your mind. Please do me the favor of not playing games.”

  Ralf’s chortling and coughing started to grate on Robin’s nerves. Looking back over his shoulder, he asked, “Are you sure you’re okay, Dad?”

  “There is no reason for you to become nasty to your father,” Peter cut in, the crease between his eyebrows deepening.

  “I’m not—”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “I hate when you do that.” Robin pouted, just a little. As an afterthought he added, “I’m not a kid.”

  “You are not behaving very maturely right now.”

  “I’m… you…,” Robin sputtered.

  “Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. I was just waiting for you guys to come outside anyway. I’ll check on my men now.” With that, Ralf walked away, ruffling Robin’s hair in passing.

  Faking a blithe expression, Robin smiled at Peter and patted his shoulder. “See? Even my father thinks it’s not a big deal. May I go help Jay now?”

  “What were you afraid of?”

  With a defeated groan, Robin curled himself together so he could rest his forehead against Peter’s chest. “Why can’t you just leave it?”

  “I need to protect you. How am I supposed to be successful if you’re not honest with me?”

  Sagging farther against Peter’s chest, Robin said, “You can’t protect me from everything, you know that, right?”

  “I will protect you from any hurt,” Peter replied. Even though his voice wasn’t much above a whisper, it felt like thunder, rumbling from Peter’s chest to Robin’s.

  “You can’t do that. Oh, what the hell! I’ll tell you, okay? When I saw my Dad sitting there, I wondered if it was a foreshadowing.”

  “Foreshadowing? Of what?”

  Robin lifted his head and straightened up so his eyes were almost on par with Peter’s. “That my father will be the next victim, just like Walter. I’m… scared.”

  Peter’s eyes widened in understanding. For a moment neither of them moved, and then Peter pulled him back into a rough embrace, hugging Robin until breathing became difficult.

  “Your father is strong. He’s been alpha of your pack for a very long time. I doubt these wolves would be insane enough to attack him.”

  “But they are insane! They’ll attack anyone who gets in their way. They killed Walter even though he couldn’t have been their target! Why should they stop at my father?”

  “If the attackers are really pack members, they’ll submit to your father’s alpha status,” Peter replied.

  Robin snorted and shook his head. “No, they won’t. They almost killed my mother once, even though she’s the alpha’s wife, and when they killed Walter? Tim was here. He’s one of the alpha’s children who are supposed to be untouchable. They don’t abide our rules, Peter.”

  “I will make sure my men look out for your father too.”

  Upon hearing Peter’s words, Robin breathed more freely. Peter would do anything he could to keep his promise to Robin. “He won’t like that. He’s an alpha wolf, after all.”

  “We will make sure he’s not aware of it,” Peter replied.

  “And how exactly will you do that?”

  Peter whistled, causing Robin to clasp his hands over his ears. “How about a warning next time, or do you want my eardrums to rupture?”

  Peter didn’t bother with a reply, merely stroked a finger over Robin’s left cheekbone. Shawn materialized next to them with Will on his heels.

  “You called?” Shawn prompted.

  “We have to make sure Ralf doesn’t stroll around on his own. Would you please keep him company?”

  “Shawn?” Robin asked, jerking his head back to squint at Peter. “No offense meant, but why Shawn?”

  “Not good enough to take care of your father, huh?” Shawn winked at him, showing he wasn’t affronted. “I have a troublemaker reputation, which appeals to most alphas. They like to think they can keep me in line.”

  “Sorry, but I still don’t get it.”

  “I’ll make up a story on how unfair Will is treating me and involve your father in a lengthy discussion. He’ll try to explain and so on, and I can keep an eye on him for a few hours.” Shawn grinned at him.

  Robin wasn’t convinced. “That works?”

  “Like a charm every time,” Will said. He applied a solid swat to Shawn’s rear to get him going. “Be careful.”

  “Yes, darling.” Shawn laughed as he dodged another swat, waving before he made his way over to Ralf.

  Will put his hands on his hips and turned his gaze heavenward. Robin glanced from him to Peter, waiting for one of them to break the silence. He caught an amused smile on Peter’s face.

  “Be strong,” Peter advised.

  “And patient,” Will added. When he directed his gaze downward again, he said, “Be careful and alert. I have a feeling something will happen today.”

  Robin stepped closer to Peter while his stomach did a sudden nose dive. Peter squeezed his hand, but his expression was grim.

  Will gave a curt nod, then stalked away. Robin started, “What if—”

  Peter silenced him with a firm kiss. “I will protect you with my life if necessary.”

  A tremor ran through Robin’s body, leaving him cold.

  Thirty

  AFTER HE’D extricated himself from Peter, Robin walked up to Tim and Jay to help them lead the horses into the pastures. All the while, Jay ranted about the dirty stables and about the fact none of the other men wanted to help with the cleaning because they all claimed they needed to be alert and ready to fight.

  Although no one wanted outsiders to come back to the Coxes’ house, Jay got his wish for help. He went inside to call the stable hands and tell them to come back tomorrow. Despite his success, Jay seemed keyed up, as if he was going to blow up later. Robin dreaded another one of Jay’s outbursts and did his best to keep quiet and just do his work.

  Peter stood guard while Jay, Robin, and Tim cleaned the stables in silence. It was disconcerting that Jay was not chattering away, and Robin repeatedly stole glances toward Tim and Jay. Tim stayed close to Jay at all times, sometimes wrapping an arm around Jay’s waist, hugging and kissing him before they went back to work.

  Robin was pushing the full wheelbarrow to the muck heap at the far end of the stable when Tim called to him. He
y, kid, how are you holding up?

  Me? Fine except for the fact I’m scared and don’t know how to act around Jay.

  He dumped the muck on the growing pile and turned back, aware of Peter standing where he could keep an eye on Robin as well as Tim and Jay.

  Why are you scared? Is there something I need to know? Tim’s voice rang sharply in his head.

  Grimacing, Robin replied, Tone it down a bit, will ya? I’m just scared. Everyone seems to assume something will happen very soon. I don’t want anyone to get hurt again.

  Or worse, Tim said quietly. Yeah, I understand. The not knowing is the worst part right now.

  At least we’re not alone and unprepared.

  But you’re still scared, Tim said.

  And you’re not?

  Of course I’m scared. This is my mate’s life at stake.

  Robin had just started on cleaning another box when Jay appeared next to him, his eyes blazing. Robin stopped and even considered taking a step back. “Um, hey?”

  “Why are you talking to Tim about me behind my back? What’s the secret this time?” Jay asked.

  “Talking behind your back? What are you getting at?”

  “Don’t think I can’t tell when you’re talking telepathically!” Jay snapped.

  “You can tell when we’re talking telepathically?” Tim chimed in from the back of the barn. He strode toward them, frowning.

  “Of course I can. It’s not that difficult,” Jay said. “You get this faraway look in your eyes, and your movements are slow and jerky. What don’t you want me to know?”

  Jay’s aggressiveness worried Robin. Not so much because it wasn’t normal behavior for Jay, but because his impulsiveness might backfire in a fight.

  Aiming for a calm tone, Robin said, “We weren’t talking behind your back.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  Jay’s constant nagging and hostility were becoming too much. Robin clomped over to the bale of hay he’d positioned at Ally’s stable door earlier, grinding his teeth together so hard his jaw ached.

  “See! You can’t even look at me!”

  “Jay….” Tim said.

  Robin had enough. He threw the bale on the ground, whirled around, and advanced on Jay. “Because I want to smack you, you arrogant little shithead!”

  Jay flinched and stumbled a step back, his mouth opening but no words were coming forth. Seconds later, anger flashed over his features and he balled his fists together. “You! Well, what did I think, eh? Since you’re the boy toy of a murderer!”

  That did it. Robin ignored Tim’s command to stop. He barreled into Jay, knocking him over. Jay twisted underneath him, trying to push his knee into Robin’s crotch. Robin blocked him and struck out with his right arm to punch the living daylights out of Jay. His fist connected with cool air, and he let out a strangled cry. It took him a moment to realize Peter had lifted him off Jay.

  Robin kicked his feet as blood pounded in his ears, and all he could think of was that he needed to finish what he’d started. He snarled and whimpered, and his canines pierced his lower lip.

  “Robin, please,” Peter whispered in his ear. “I can hold you as long as I need to, but you’ll feel horrible. Please stop struggling.”

  Peter’s heavily muscled arm locked tightly around his waist, leaving him no leeway. He cast a glance at Jay, who didn’t fare any better. Tim carried him away a few steps, clasping one hand over Jay’s flying fists so he wouldn’t get hit.

  Robin willed himself to calm down until his canines receded to normal. He made another attempt at freeing himself but nothing, absolutely nothing happened. Peter held him without any sign of tiring out or wanting to let go any time soon.

  “Peter, put me down, please.”

  “Will you behave yourself?”

  “Behave?” Robin’s voice rose to a screech. “Behave? Are you nuts? He told me I am your boy toy and that you are a murderer!”

  “Boy toy? That is… an interesting term to use.”

  “That’s all you have to say? What about the murderer part?” Robin’s voice grew even shriller.

  Peter lowered Robin so his feet touched the ground before turning him around in his arms. “Jayden is upset. He will change his view of me and my people in time.”

  “He can’t just go around and accuse everyone of being a murderer!”

  “He is upset, my angel,” Peter replied, a gentle smile on his face.

  “That is no excuse!”

  “There is no excuse for you losing your temper and attacking your grieving friend either,” Peter said.

  Robin froze while at the same time a sudden flash of heat surged through him. Shame crept up his spine.

  “I… I just….” He trailed off.

  “I know, but I don’t need protection. You’re confusing the roles in our relationship.”

  “Uh, what?” Robin stammered.

  “I’m the protector and you’re—”

  “If you value your balls, you stop right there.”

  Peter’s eyebrows drew together as he tilted his head to the side. “Why are you threatening my balls?”

  Robin sighed. “I’m not sure what word you intended to use for me, but I’m fairly certain I wouldn’t have liked it, so I’m saving you the trouble.”

  “I’m all for saving anyone trouble,” Peter said, winking at him. “You won’t attack Jayden again, will you?”

  Robin grimaced. “As long as he doesn’t talk shit about you again, yeah.”

  “Robin!”

  “What?”

  “Your friend is grieving,” Peter said.

  “You’re repeating yourself.”

  Tim laid a hand on Robin’s shoulder, forestalling Peter’s answer. Stiffening, Robin looked at Tim. “You’re not going to clock me, right?”

  “No, I’m over that phase of ‘no one touch my mate or I’ll punch the living daylights out of you,’” Tim replied.

  “Oh, well, that’s a relief.”

  Peter loosened the embrace around Robin but interlaced their hands. He directed a cold gaze at Tim when he told him, “I will not allow you to harm Robin.”

  Tim stared at Peter in silence. Shaking his head as if he wanted to get rid of an annoying fly, he replied, “Didn’t we have this conversation already? I’d never hurt my little brother.”

  “He wouldn’t,” Jay said softly.

  He was tucked against Tim’s side, seeming small and vulnerable. Dried tear streaks covered Jay’s face.

  “I, um, I’m sorry for the things I said,” Jay whispered.

  His gaze skimmed over Robin’s face before he lowered his eyes to the ground. He fumbled with the hem of his thick, oversized sweatshirt—one of Tim’s if Robin wasn’t mistaken—when he added, “I’m just so angry. All I can think of is how unfair it is that my dad… that he….”

  Robin stepped forward but Peter clasped him tighter. “I won’t hurt him.”

  Peter hesitated a moment before he took his hands off Robin, who immediately pulled Jay into a fierce hug. Jay hung on to him with equal force, breathing fast. An unmistakable wetness dampened Robin’s shirt.

  “Hey,” Robin said softly.

  Jay shook his head as he tried to say something, which only resulted in sputtered hiccups. Robin rested his head against Jay’s, his friend’s pain so obvious and palpable it brought tears to Robin’s eyes as well.

  They stayed like that for a while, both trembling and silent. Low growls from two sides finally caught Robin’s attention. He lifted his head to glare at Tim. “Thought you were over it?” To Peter he said, “And what about you?”

  “It’s out of my control to stop my beast from reacting to the sight of my mate in another man’s arms,” Peter replied.

  “What he said,” Tim echoed.

  “Hormonally driven nutcases,” Robin whispered into Jay’s ear.

  Jay choked on a laugh before he pushed out of Robin’s embrace. Wiping tears from his face, Jay gazed from one man to the other. “I am sorry. It’s jus
t… everything is so jumbled, and I’m saying stuff I don’t mean. I miss my father. I still can’t believe he’s not here anymore.”

  Tim swooped Jay into his arms and wordlessly carried him off to an empty stable box. There, they vanished behind the door, and only Jay’s muffled cries were audible.

  “I hate this.” Robin swept an arm in the direction Jay and Tim had gone. “How is this ever going to be as it was before?”

  “It never will.”

  Robin swiveled his head around, gaping at Peter, who reached out to caress Robin’s cheek. “How can it be? Jayden’s father is gone. But there will be a time the loss will be less painful for him and he’ll be able to look at all the positive memories he has accumulated over the years.”

  “I wish nothing had happened. Why can’t we turn back the clock and make it undone? So many strange things have happened lately, why can’t something stranger than that happen?” Robin asked.

  “As much as it hurts, sometimes we have to accept what is being thrown into our path and make the best out of it,” Peter replied.

  “As you did while you waited hundreds of years for your mate to appear?”

  Peter wrapped an arm around Robin’s shoulders, squeezed, and then pecked him on a cheek. “I don’t qualify as a good role model in that regard.”

  PETER CALLED one of his men over to watch the stable entrance so he could help Robin spread the straw into the boxes while Tim took care of Jay.

  When the stable work was done, Tim emerged from the box with Jay, who looked much calmer even though it was obvious he had cried for a long time. They had an early lunch and walked over to the house in silence.

  Peter offered to go into the kitchen and prepare the food since neither Robin nor Jay wanted to set a foot inside the room. While they waited for Peter in the living room, Robin observed his friend. Jay’s movements were twitchy, and his fingers never seemed to stop in their restless drumming on his thigh. He also seemed to be glued to Tim’s side.

  Despite the hard physical work, Robin’s appetite flagged at the sight of Jay in Tim’s arms. As he rubbed his sweaty palms over his pants, he wanted to dispel some of the awkward silence, the pent-up tension, and gloomy mood, but nothing came to mind. At least nothing he deemed appropriate, because cracking a joke surely was a bad idea.