by BA Tortuga
Hopefully, no one would try to steal Mai from him.
Chapter Ten
Maicoh woke up feeling pleasantly sore, and a grin curved his mouth. Oh, man, what a couple of days they’d had, fucking like mad things.
His belly rumbled, and he reached for Ashkii to see if his pup wanted to go get a coffee and a muffin. Nothing but sheets.
He sat up, growling softly. Where was his Ashkii?
There was a note on the bedside table, Ashkii’s scrawl unmistakable.
Nathan came. On the river. Be home tonight. Love you. A.
He chuckled. Well, he guessed he knew where he stood. Mai stretched, listening to his joints pop, before he rolled out of bed to hit the bathroom. Afterward, he grabbed a cup of coffee from the pot Ash had left on then went to the porch.
The river was right there, perking away, and he settled out in the sun, soaking it up. Yum. If he wasn’t careful, his wolf would take over and bask and—
“Ow!” He sat up, glaring at the raven who’d just landed on his head before hopping up to the porch rail.
“Gronk.” It sort of sounded like an apology, except maybe not.
Maicoh glared harder. “No more of my hair, buddy.”
The huge black beak clicked then the air shivered and he had a naked man on his porch with eyes and hair even blacker than his. “I didn’t come for your hair, wolf.”
At least, it wasn’t “pup”.
“Then why are you here, man?” He hoped this wasn’t some weird come on.
“Ash is on the river working, and you’re here. There’s a strange wolf—neither of the coyotes or that weird-assed Aussie singing dog, either—in our territory. I thought you might want to know.”
“No one you know?” His heart kicked into a heavy beat, dread settling in his chest.
“There’s not enough game for many more apex predators, Maicoh. I don’t know him.”
“Okay. Where?” Maicoh rolled to his hands and knees, ready to shift so he could drive this new wolf back to the other side of the river divide.
“Heading this way. I’ll lead.” The air shimmered again then, boom! Birdie.
Good deal. Mai’s transformation was a bit more dramatic, but he was furry in no time and following the crazy bird into the woods. Kell was loud—loud and fast—letting everyone know there was an outsider. Mai tried for more stealthy, hoping Kell would distract anyone from noticing him. He kept his nose to the ground, searching for a scent.
There. He lifted his head, his nose quivering. Did he know this one?
The smell was familiar, but not of his direct line. Pack.
What was pack doing here? There was no way one of them should have found him so easily, no matter what Mother Sophia had said.
Right.
He needed to send this one home. Make a bit of an example of him. Protect his Ashkii.
Mai put his nose back to work, turning and heading toward the river. Kell led him toward a scree, the tiny rocks already tumbling as the wolf fought for purchase higher up the valley. Mai gathered himself, knowing he’d have to move fast to keep the element of surprise.
About the time he came up on the wolf, he heard a happy, welcoming bark sound.
Maicoh skidded to a stop, his hackles falling right back down. No, this one wasn’t here to fight. Halian was young, energetic, just a youngster. He would simply be there to give Mai a message.
Halian bowed to him, wagged so hard his butt wiggled.
Tongue lolling with laughter, Mai went to touch noses with the young one, so eager and intense. Why would anyone send one so inexperienced out into the unknown?
Maybe the pack thought Halian was expendable. Poor kid. Mal led the way back down the scree to the river, not willing to go back to his cabin just yet. They could drink then talk as humans.
Halian followed, his joy ringing in the air. Someone was happy to see Mai. Mai was happy to see someone from his pack, too, as long as no one wanted to hurt his Ash. He’d destroy anyone who hurt his mate.
He lapped at the water, and Halian waited for him like the good omega he was. His pack created polite pups, that was for sure.
Once Halian had drunk his fill, he sat, letting his human form come to the fore.
Halian shifted, too, moving to sit close to Mai. “Maicoh. I found you. What a good home!”
“Thank you.” He smiled, holding out a hand, knowing touch was important. “Did you run away?”
Halian took his fingers. “No. No, Abigail, she sent me to ask you to come home. She wants puppies for Xera. I…I’ve missed you. It’s not the same.”
“I almost didn’t know your scent.” Poor kid. He tugged Halian in for a hug. “You know I’m not going to have pups with anyone, right? I’m not that way.”
“I know, but Abigail bites, and I wanted to come.”
“Yeah? Get away from the pack a bit, huh?” He saw shades of his Ashkii in this one. The pack would turn on him eventually. “My mate is here, Halian. I would rather the pack not know that.”
“Oh? Oh! Oh.” The three little sounds told three separate stories. The first curiosity, the second surprise, and the third heartache. “I’m so happy for you, Maicoh. How wonderful!”
“Thank you.” Poor baby. Mai opened his mouth to… What? Apologize? Praise. He didn’t get there. Kell swooped in, flapping like a raven lunatic.
“Gronk gronk gronk!” He wasn’t sure what Kell was saying, but the big ebony bird wasn’t happy.
“He’s fine.” Mai thought it must be that he was looking friendly with what Kell thought was an intruder. “He’s a friend. Maybe, this was what Mother Sophia meant by wolves coming.”
Kell stopped, head tilting, eyes clicking as he blinked.
“Yeah. He’s from my pack, but he knows I’m not leaving Ash.”
“Gronk.” The raven took off, feathers flying.
“Is he angry?” Halian asked.
“I don’t know. All he’s done so far is trade hair for a chunk of turquoise.”
“Ah. Are there…lots of us here?”
“Not wolves. But others like us, yes.” Mai chuckled then pushed to his feet. “Come on. I’ll feed you.”
“That would be great! It’s a long walk.”
“Oh, I bet it is.” Hell, he’d driven.
The whole “spirit quest” thing was really getting out of hand. He wondered what the pack had been thinking again. Halian could have easily gotten lost. That would have been a shame. Halian was the most joyful pup Mai knew. He smiled at the way the kid trotted along next to him. Naked as a jay. Wolfy might be better.
“You want to get fuzzy, kiddo?”
“Yeah. I mean, I didn’t bring a bag.”
“I’ll get you some clothes, honey, and once Ashkii gets home, we’ll make a plan.” Mai thought that was best, including his lover. Ashkii was so worried about…everything.
Not that Mai could blame him. Exile would do that.
“I’d like that. I can’t wait to meet him. I mean, I’m sure I did, but I was so little…”
“You were.” Poor kid was so young. Mai grinned, thinking how Halian would fit right in with the band of misfits Ash had assembled around him. “Okay, last one there is a rotten egg.” Mai shifted quickly, his wolf wanting to run now that the danger was gone.
Halian shifted like mercury, quicksilver bright, and they ran, zooming along the riverbank. The kid was fast, long legs eating up the ground. The only reason Mai stayed in the lead was pure will and the fact he knew where they were going. That always helped.
They stopped in front of the cabin, the kid’s nose working furiously, gathering the scents. Yeah, there was a lot there to smell, Mai guessed, but he wouldn’t bother being self-conscious.
Halian bowed for him again, so polite, so young.
Mai led the way into the open cabin, hoping Ash might be there.
Not yet.
Must be a full-day trip.
He’d feed Hal
ian, because the kid looked a little skinny in the ribs. Feed the kid, let him nap, get him a hot shower.
Then, maybe, they could figure out what the heck to do next.
Chapter Eleven
Lord love a duck, what a day.
Ten nasty kids, a trophy wife, a tired housewife, and two competing brothers determined to get each other killed. Yippee. It would have been fine, except that one of the guys had screwed around and caught Ashkii at the ankle with an oar. Now, it was turning black.
At least, the tired-looking one had tipped him, he guessed.
Nathan’s house was the closest and his ankle was the size of a grapefruit, so Ash limped there, staying to the trees.
When he got close, he heard Kell’s deep, rough voice, and he smiled. His friend sounded like a corvid no matter what form he was in.
“…pack. Cute little man of naked. Came for Maicoh.”
Nathan snorted. “Yeah? Another wolf? It’s like a lupine party here in the Glen.”
Ash stopped. Another wolf? What did that mean? Mother had said the pack would come.
“Maicoh said he knew the guy. Told me to buzz off,” Kell said.
Oh. Pack.
Ash shifted, knowing he could move faster on three legs and an injured paw than on one and a sprained ankle. He headed to the river, to Mai’s cabin. He had to know what was going on, and he needed to hear it from Mai.
He hopped from tree to tree, back leg drawn up as he hurried along, mind on his mate. He stopped in the clearing around the cabin, his nose working hard.
Stranger.
He growled low, the sound rumbling in his chest.
Stranger.
Mai came to the door of the cabin, peering out. “Ash? Baby, is that you?”
He growled again, encouraging Mai to come to him.
Mai stepped out, eyes scanning the clearing and lighting up when they found him. “Hey. Come meet Halian.”
His lip curled, but he came closer. If Maicoh decided to leave, that was fine, but no one would take his place here. This was Ash’s territory. His river. He was willing to fight now as he never had been before.
“Baby?” Maicoh came to kneel before him, hands sliding into his fur. “What? What is it?”
The stranger came out, wearing Maicoh’s clothes, and Ashkii headed over, forcing himself not to limp, not to show injury. He braced himself, met the stranger’s eyes, head-on.
Mine. My territory.
Mai nodded. “Of course, it is.” Then Mai frowned, sniffing him. “You’re hurt.”
He snapped at Mai, his teeth clicking. Not now. No weakness now.
Eyes flashing gold, Mai rumbled, the human chest making it less intimidating. He rolled his eyes then focused back on the young one, who stood behind Mai, trembling and unsure. Tilting his head, Mai stepped aside, letting him have a clear view of the stranger. Yes. This was important, letting the youngster know this was his place, his Mai.
The little one stripped, shifted in a rush, and Ashkii tensed, readying himself to fight. The pup, though, bowed deep, offering respect, honor and not even a hint of aggression.
Oh.
Oh, dear.
He nodded, and the pup turned over, offering belly and throat, submitting easily. Ashkii nuzzled the soft fur and nibbled gently. He would never bite hard and inflict the pain so many had given to him.
Now, he wanted to sit. His foot throbbed.
“Come on, baby. I was about to feed Halian. Let’s all eat and get you doctored up.” Mai was carefully controlled, but Ash sensed worry as well as a thread of iron in Mai’s voice.
Ash whined softly, leaned hard against Mai’s leg. Hurts.
“Shh.” Mai bent right down to pick him up then carried him inside. “Halian, heat some water, pup.”
Halian trotted inside, leaving the clothes he’d taken off outside. Mai would yell at him for that, and Ash would smile.
He nuzzled into his Mai’s chest. Picking up clothes and yelling wasn’t his job. No, his job was to love his mate and protect their territory.
Mai took him to the bed, stretched him out and Ash’s human body took over again. Hands moved over Ash, and Mai checked for any other scratches or bruises before moving on to his ankle.
“Don’t touch it?” It hurt.
“I have to.” Mai kissed his nose. “I’ll be quick, though.”
“Promise?” He lifted his chin, taking a kiss.
“Mmm-hmm.” Mai hummed into the kiss.
Please forget about the ankle. Please.
His pleas didn’t work. Mai pulled back, cupping his cheek with one hand for a moment. When Halian came back with hot water and bandages, Mai moved down to look at Ash’s foot. “Oh, babe. What happened?”
“Asshole with an oar. The wife tipped me.”
“Dude, this happened in a raft?”
Mai sent an amused yet stern glance to the young one. “You should go have a shower, kiddo.”
“Yes, Maicoh. It’s nice to meet you, Ashkii. Honest.”
Ash offered the pup a smile.
Once Halian was gone, Mai gave Ash the same firm look. “No trying to hide.”
Ash growled softly. “It hurts.”
“It will feel better once I get it wrapped. I don’t think it’s badly broken, if it’s broken at all.”
“It’s not broken.” He willed it not to be broken.
“I’ll brace it either way. I won’t splint it, in case you need to shift.” Mai probed gently, oh so gently.
A soft keening sound escaped Ash, and he forced it back. Maicoh cared for him, loved him. This was about making him better; he knew that.
“Going to have to stay off it a couple weeks, mate.”
“So long?”
Mai stroked his calf. “I want you to heal well. No lameness.”
“No lameness. Are you going back to the pack?” He couldn’t wonder another second.
“No.” Mai washed his foot then dried it with a bit of soft toweling. “I am not. I told Halian I’m here with you, my mate, and you are my pack now.”
“Good. I am yours.” He would have let Maicoh go, if he’d wished, but Ash wouldn’t push the issue. This was their place.
“Of course, you are.” Maicoh leaned over him to nuzzle his temple. “Why didn’t you call me to come get you?”
“I was close to Nathan’s. Then I heard Kell talking about the wee wolf.” There hadn’t been any choice then. The wolf had taken him.
“Well, I hope there is no next time, but you can call to me, and I will find you.” Mai growled softly, nuzzling Ash’s throat. Soft bites traced his jaw, Mai nipping at him, both a punishment and praise.
“I wanted to make sure…” That Maicoh still wanted him.
“Never doubt that I am with you. Just you.”
“Mates.” The word rang between them. “I needed to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine. Now, I’m gonna finish with your foot.”
“Damn it.” He’d hoped Mai’d forgotten.
“I need to make you well, love.” It was over in seconds, Mai pushing his ankle into place and bracing it.
The little wolf was there with warm towels and help, his soft, concerned sounds on the air. So sweet. Oh, Ash could tell the wee one was in love with Mai, but that would pass.
It would have to. Maicoh was Ash’s.
He smiled, the pain abating now that his ankle was in a better place.
“Ah, there’s my Ashkii.” Maicoh cupped his cheek.
“Better.” He panted, but the sharpness was fading.
“Yes. Have you eaten today?”
He nodded, shook his head, nodded.
“Baby, you need to eat. You rest, and I’ll make something.”
“Okay, Maicoh.” He leaned back. “I have tip money for groceries.”
“Good deal.” Mai kissed his mouth before propping him up on pillows.
Ash hummed and leaned back. Home. He was
home. Here.
Home.
How interesting.
Ash laughed out loud for joy. He had a place, a mate of his own.
He couldn’t wait to tell Nathan.
Chapter Twelve
Mai called Nathan as soon as Ash was asleep.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Nathan, it’s Maicoh. I think Ash left his clothes near your place. His tip is in them.”
“Kell found them. They smell like hurting. Is he okay?” Nathan’s voice was deep, rough, worried.
“His ankle is a mess. Rafting accident.”
“Damn. I… Rumor is you have a new wolf…” Not particularly delicate, the bear, just asking what he wanted to know.
“He’s just a baby, Nathan. So confused. Like Ashkii used to be.”
“Oh…” Nathan rumbled softly. “Do you have room for him or should I come get him?”
Now, how much would that help, if Nathan took Halian on? That would give the kid time to get over his crush while Ash recovered and they came up with a plan. Mai would have to talk to the pup, see if he wanted to stick around. Nathan would let Halian stay until he made a decision.
Right now, Maicoh needed to cook for his mate, to process the day. His Ashkii had stood up, been willing to fight for him. Ash had moved up in the pack. Well, their pack had a place of pride for him, but still, he’d told Halian what was what.
His pack.
The thought made Mai beam.
“Mai? You still there?”
“Yeah. Would you come? He’s a good kid, but I need to be able to look after Ash.”
“I’ll be right there with chili and cornbread.”
“You’re amazing.” He chuckled when Nathan hung up. Curious bear.
He was surprised there wasn’t a raven already perching on the porch.
That would probably come soon. If the kitty showed up, though, it might scare the heck out of Halian. The pup wasn’t up to Liam.
Nathan would take care of all that. For now, Mai would get together drinks and condiments for chili. Onions, cheese, sour cream. Beer. It was the least he could do.
Hailan came up to him in the kitchen, hair wet from his shower. “Maicoh?”
“Hey. I hope it’s okay if some friends come over to meet you. They want to check on Ashkii, see who you are.”