by Cree Storm
Shadow could feel Deja trembling and his cat wasn’t happy about it. He began to purr softly as he rubbed his cheek against Deja’s. A few minutes later, Shadow felt his mate relax against him and cuddled in closer. He pulled back and looked into Deja’s beautiful eyes. “Are you okay now, my Songbird?”
Deja gave him one of those heart stopping smiles he loved so much. “Yes. Thank you for coming for me.”
“I will always come for you, mate. Always. But thanks to my brother he got to you first and was able to get you away from that dick.”
“I did what anyone would do for a friend,” Blake said, drawing Shadow’s attention.
“Thank you, brother. I don’t know how I will ever repay you.”
Blake gave him a crooked smile as he replied, “You don’t owe me anything. We’re family. You, me, and Deja. Its what family does. They have each other’s backs.”
Shadow nodded as he smiled. “Yes, we do. And now you have a great big family with me, Deja, and our family back in Crystal and here in Maddox.”
“Brother?” Bull asked in confusion.
Shadow looked at his long-time friend and brother of the heart. “I’ll explain later.”
“We’ll clean up the trash, why don’t you guys get out of here,” Pelt offered as he moved closer to Jackson’s body.
“Thanks, Pelt,” Shadow said with a nod and carried Deja from the room. Once in the hall he gave Deja a tender kiss. “I love you, Deja,” Shadow whispered.
Deja gasped, and Shadow could see tears forming in his eyes. “You do?”
Shadow lifted a hand and cupped Deja’s cheek then brought their faces close together. “Of course, I do, Songbird. What is there not to love about you, my mate? You are pure perfection. Beauty, grace, compassion, talent, but most importantly, you are the balm to my soul, the owner of my heart, and the man of my dreams. I will love you forever.”
Tears streamed down Deja’s cheek as he smiled. “I love you too, Shadow.”
He captured Deja’s lips in a gentle kiss trying to show his mate how he felt and how deeply his love went. Now that he had Deja, Shadow was never letting anyone or anything, including his past come between them again. He would see that therapist like Deja suggested so he could move forward and live again, but to also to insure he never let his mate down or hurt him again. Deja truly was his savior and even death wouldn’t separate them.
EPILOGUE
“Lon, are you ready to go?” Vano called out, getting his brothers attention.
Lon and Deja turned in his direction, then both walked over. “Do you have to go so soon?” Deja asked with a small pout.
Vano wanted to laugh from the look. Seeing Deja pout always made him happy. Not because he was being a jerk about it or wanted to see his brother in pain in some way, but because when Deja pouted, he got even cuter that he already was and reminded Vano of the small boy Deja once was. Gods he missed those days when he and Deja were young and Lon and Casius were there to help them and protect them. When life was so much easier and more carefree. Now…
Vano shook his head to clear the memories before they took him. He didn’t want to think about that part of his past. He met Deja’s gaze and smiled. “Yeah, sorry, but with Lon getting that job here, I know he wants to get back ASAP, and I’m feeling a little tired.”
“I’ll go tell Shadow I’m bringing you home and I’ll be back as soon as I can. Give me five?” Lon asked.
“Of course. Don’t want to get in trouble with your new boss on the first day. And hey, congratulations on the job, man, I know you’ll do great,” Vano replied with a bright smile. He wasn’t blowing smoke up his brothers’ ass either, he was sure being a body guard, especially for Deja, would be the perfect thing for Lon. He and Casius had always been their protectors. Of course, Vano would miss having Lon around all the time, but they needed the money. Even though they were living with Suneth, they still insisted on paying him for it. They weren’t moochers.
“Thanks. I’ll be right back,” Lon said, then took off toward Shadow who was still sitting across the room with Destrain and Jagger interviewing other candidates.
Deja moved in beside him and took the seat next to him. “So, mind telling me what’s up with you and Bull?”
Vano sighed. He so did not want to have this conversation with anyone yet, but with his and Bull’s public display, he guessed he had no other choice. Vano also knew that talking to Deja was okay. His brother wouldn’t say a word to anyone about what they said, unless Vano said he could.
“He says he’s my mate,” he declared. Vano figured why beat around the bush, it would come out eventually anyway.
Deja’s eyes widened as he turned his body to fully face him. Then a bright smile appeared on Deja’s face and Vano cringed. He knew what was coming. Deja jumped forward and wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tight as he squealed, “Congratulations!”
Usually he didn’t like anyone touching him, but his brothers were different. Casius, Lon, and Deja were pretty much the only people he allowed to do it. It was hard on him when the doctors and nurses touched him, or when the physical therapist he was working with would lay a hand on him. Vano always stiffened up. He could feel those old memories fighting to come back, but always fought them off and went about what he was doing and allowed the medical professionals to do what they needed to, but inside he was screaming.
Deja pulled back and met his gaze, the smile suddenly falling from his lips and his face now was a mask of concern. “So what’s wrong? Why were you arguing? Did he hurt you or say something? Because if he did, I will go over there and kick his ass,” Deja promised with conviction, making Vano smile again.
“No, ninja warrior, relax. Bull didn’t say or do anything to hurt me. It’s just…” He swallowed hard. Vano just couldn’t talk about it.
“It’s…” Deja said and wiggled his fingers, giving him a knowing look. “It’s that again, isn’t it?”
Vano sighed again, the ran a hand down his face before he replied, “It’s always that. You know what happened, D, and why I can’t. I just can’t.”
“I know you feel that way, Van, and I know why. I also understand. Then there is also the fact that my mate did the same thing to me. Look, Vano, only you can decide what you want and what you are ready for and I won’t pressure you into making that decision. Whether you want your mate or not, or even claim your mate or not, is all for only you to decide, but I am always here for you, you know that. I know what you dealt with and what you continue to deal with, but really, have you ever dealt with it or just pushed it down where it couldn’t get you, like my Shadow did?”
“I’ve dealt with it in my own way, D. That’s going to have to be enough for now. I’m not saying never to Bull, just not now, and I don’t know how long it’s going to take me to do that. Every time I even think about moving on, visions of his face keep haunting me. Until I can get past…that, I can’t bring someone else in to it.”
Deja nodded. “Okay, I hear where you’re coming from. Just promise you won’t take too long, because trust me when I say I know the feeling of having a mate out there and they don’t have the same feelings back. You need to find a way to deal with that. All I’m saying is don’t take too long and risk losing him. You should tell him. Explain to Bull what you’re struggling with. He’s your mate, Van. He’ll understand and who knows, maybe he can help you through this.”
Just then Lon headed back over and Vano breathed a relieved breath. He wouldn’t have to continue the conversation and train of thought. He needed to get back into his room at home and just relax so he could think about what Deja said, but also what Bull said.
Just because Bull was his mate, didn’t mean the man wasn’t a danger to Vano’s heart and wellbeing. Vano knew he couldn’t trust his own judgement about people and that was going to make things with his mate even harder.
He looked up at Lon and smiled as he nodded. He was so ready to go home and hide away in his room.
THE END
PLEASE NOTE:
It is recommended that our stories be read in order, to avoid any confusion....
Burning Desire, Eternal Flames 1
Rising from the Ashes, Eternal Flames 2
Courting the Phoenix, Eternal Flames 3
How to Claim Your Dragon, Eternal Flames 4
A Higher Calling, Eternal Flames 5
Fear of Discovery, Eternal Flames 6
Adding Fuel to the Flames, Eternal Flames Maddox 1
A Bite to Remember, Eternal Flames Maddox 2
Phoenix Rising, Eternal Flames 7
Bound To The Enemy, Eternal Flames Maddox 3
Power Of Love, Eternal Flames 8
Tiny Treasure, Eternal Flames Maddox 4
Partners In Crime, Eternal Flames 9
Sowing The Seeds Of Love, Eternal Flames Maddox 5
Under Siege, Eternal Flames 10
Edge Of Tomorrow, Eternal Flames Maddox 6
Divine Intervention, Eternal Flames Maddox 7
Learning To Live, Eternal Flames 11
Second Chances, Eternal Flames Maddox 8
Love Hurts, Eternal Flames 12
The Chosen One, Eternal Flames 13
Kaliss
New Beginnings, Becoming One
Cree Storm Other books
Twelve Labors
Hercules, Perseus, Apollo, Iphicles, Poseidon, Hephaestus, Theseus, Deimos, Hermes
MYSTIC
Ryker’s Aquamate, The Stolen Mate, The Tin Man’s Heart, The Rules For Mating, Data Input
MYSTIC CANADA
Trust In His Mate
Capulet
Damien’s Past Mates, The Magical Mating, Two For The Beta, A Trilling Moment, Butterfly Effection, His Fluttering Heart
The Mating Games
Quarterback Sack, Unnecessary Roughness, False Start, Extra Point
The Mating Games On Ice
Power Play
Kalil’s Coven
Erik’s Un Amor, His Kitten Has Claws
Haven Ranch
Midnight Madness, Blue Rey, Falling Sky, The Art Of A Mate
Haven Ranch Sovereignty Island
Opposites Attract
D.O.A.
Dragon Hearts, Dragong Souls, Dragon Spirit
Defense Troopers
Mechanical Heart, Starship Lovers
Cackle Lands
Sheltering His Mate, Confidence In A Mate
Maggie Walsh other books
Angel Pack & Beyond The Angel Pack
Betrayal
Secrets
Truth
Trust
Dante’s Mate’s (Beyond The Angel Pack)
Underneath
Viktor’s Familiar (Beyond The Angel Pack 2)
United
When World’s Collide (Beyond The Angel Pack 3)
Envy
Kindred
Wounded
Home
Lucifer Rising (Beyond The Angel Pack 4)
Power
Mating Mayhem
Masquerade
Fate
The Final Countdown (Beyond The Angel Pack 5)
Fin
SANCTUARY SERIES
Maxi’s Glass Heart, Parker's Predicament
THE CROSSROADS DEMON SERIES
Shane, Sydney, Riley
STAND ALONE
The Beast Within
DRAGON REALM SERIES
Return Of The Dragon King, Rescue Of The Dragon King
CLEARNIGHT HAVEN
The Coterie, Hanging On By A Thread
OMEGA ISLAND
Collision Course
Cirque De Carnival
Cameron’s Thorn
ABOUT CREE STORM
I was born in Fort Knox, Kentucky. I’m a military brat that travelled a bit overseas and throughout many parts of the United States. I finally settled in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where I eventually got married and then divorced. I was blessed with two fantastic sons. As they grew up and became young men chasing their dreams, I felt that maybe now was the time for me to do the same. That’s when I started writing. Never in a million years did I expect to meet the most wonderful man in the world, move to Quebec, Canada, and get married. However, that is exactly what happened. JP has introduced me to things like; canoeing, snowmobiling, four wheeling, and has taken me to some of the most beautiful locations. Ones that I had only ever seen on a computer or read about in books. I may miss my mountains and my boys, but have discovered that when you work towards your dreams, the future can be one filled with happiness and love. My boys are only a plane ride away, and Skype is a glorious thing. So I say, on to my next adventure…don’t be shocked to find it in one of my books.
About Maggie Walsh
Maggie is an international bestselling author of ManLove. Her bestselling, award winning Angel Pack series has gained a large following of readers who clamor for the next installment. And her new Clearnight Haven Series has been awarded an Amazon Bestselling Gold star.
Maggie has been married for twenty years and has four children. She is a Long Island girl who now lives in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Maggie has always loved anything that has to do with the arts. Music is one of her biggest passions. She was a photographer and artist in her earlier days and spends hours sketching anything that catches her eye. Maggie loves to write about big, strong, tough men who have a softer side. Most of the time you can find Maggie running around with her kids, sketching, or sitting with her laptop creating new characters, as music always plays in the background.
A Cree Storm and Maggie Walsh book
www.creestorm.weebly.com
www.maggiewalshauthor.weebly.com