by Donna Flynn
Mather straightened his clothing, stared at the three of them for a few moments, then walked out of the door mumbling under his breath.
“Cade, I have warned you about your temper,” Gregory said still watching the door, wondering why Mather was suddenly so interested in Mercy.
Was it possible he had found out about her and wanted her to live with him? Not that it would matter. When she had come to stay with Lucan and Cade, they made sure to cover their bases. Linda had never listed the father on the birth certificate, so Lucan easily adopted her and had legal guardianship over her until she turned eighteen. Even if Mather fought the adoption she would be eighteen by the time it went to court, so he would never have control over anyway, which was why his visit made no sense.
“I thought he had forgotten about us, but he always knew how to show up out of the blue and piss us off,” Cade said angrily. Once when he was young, he had craved relationship with his father, but his lack of concern for Lucan and him as they grew had destroyed any chance of that ever happening.
“I don’t think this was just to aggravate you and Luc,” Gregory said thoughtfully. “No, he’s hiding something and using Mercy as cover to come here and approach you two.” He moved his hand from Cade’s shoulder and turned to Lucan. “I will send someone to find out what is going on with your fathers pack, maybe then we will understand his visit.”
“He has never given up on us coming back. Maybe he still wants us there,” Lucan said, but even he did not really believe that was it. They had made it clear many years before that they would never forgive him for the lack of caring he had shown them as children. The only good thing he had done was to bring Linda into their lives. She had taken them under her wing and cared for them during her short time amongst their pack. They had never forgotten her kindness and now they were paying her back by protecting her child from the man she had walked out on all those years ago.
“Time will tell what he wants, but for now I am glad we had the good sense to bring in protection for my son and Mercy. Two new teachers will be joining the school tomorrow and an assistant coach has been hired for the cheerleading squad since a generous donation was made to pay for her salary.” Gregory explained smiling as he recalled the principle’s reaction to his donation. The man near had a heart attack when he offered to improve the school and help fund staff they could not otherwise afford. It was the reason they always chose small towns to locate to, they always lacked funding and did not look a gift horse in the mouth.
“Thank You Gregory, that was extremely generous of you,” Lucan said.
“Nonsense, you are the financial genius who turned our pack into a stable and well to do group. It is only right to use some of those funds to help you out.”
Lucan knew Gregory had not used pack funds to pay for the donation. He was the one who handled the books and he would have noticed such a large discrepancy. The money had to have come from his personal bank account. It had been a gesture of goodwill on his part and not because it concerned his son, but because that was the kind of leader, he was, that was why they had joined his pack.
“Dad what’s going on?” Alec walked into the room his nose lifting immediately at the scent of another pack. When his father told him, she was in danger he couldn’t get there fast enough, even though it killed him to sit outside her room listening to her and Kirk talking on the phone almost the entire time. Now though, he wanted an explanation.
“Mather stopped by for a little visit.” Alec’s expression darkened and his hands clenched, but his father went on. “He wants to see Mercy, but I warned him to stay away.”
Alec did not question his father, but he did question whether Mather would listen to his commands. He had only met the man once, but he had heard stories about him from Lucan and Cade. If he had come, there was a reason other than grandfatherly concern. The million-dollar question was what did he want? “Did he say why he came now when she is turning seventeen in a week and not when she was younger?” He worried that maybe he had found out the truth about her parentage and had come to take her back to his pack. A Were like her would be an advantage to any pack she belonged to.
“I’m not sure about anything where Mather is concerned,” Gregory said taking a seat at the table motioning for them to follow suit. “I wonder if he thinks to form an alliance with our pack by bonding her with one of his own now that she is old enough to choose.”
“No!” Alec slammed his fist on the table with a snarl unable to control the rage within him.
“Son it is just an idea. I do not really know what he wants, but we have to consider all the options.” He placed a calming hand on his and frowned as he read his sons thoughts of killing Mather to protect his mate. “We do not kill without cause Alec, you need to reign in your emotions.”
Alec looked ashamedly at his sire and lowered his head. “Sorry, but the thought of Mercy involved with his pack is unthinkable.”
“For all his faults as a father Mather has a solid pack and treats them better than he treated his own sons, but I do not think that is why he is really here,” Cade told them.
“Why then?” Alec asked.
“I don’t know, but the sooner we find out the better.” Lucan rose from the table and looked to his brother. “Keep an eye on Mercy I am going to do a little recon work.” He headed out of the door and the air changed becoming charged with energy as he shifted and took off after his father.
“Go with him son, it will do you good to work off some of the tension in you, but do not confront him or any of his pack.” Gregory said to Alec who was tightly strung and in need of a run to calm down.
Alec needed no more direction. He took off into the night transforming seamlessly then venturing into the woods in pursuit of Lucan his mentor, his friend, and the brother of the woman that would one-day stand by his side as he ruled his pack.
“When are you going to tell Lucan that you’re leaving?” Gregory asked Cade after the others had left.
“I’m not leaving for good, it’s just a quick trip while father is gone. Lucan will understand, he only wants what’s best for me.” Cade felt like a betrayer for even thinking about leaving his family when they were in crisis, but he had word his Bond Mate was thinking of bonding with another, something he could not allow to happen.
“I never doubt your brother’s feelings for you, but he will now be solely responsible for Mercy’s care.”
“Come on Gregory, I have never been more than an indulgent older brother to Mercy, he is her father, he will be the one she will turn to when she needs help.”
“Do you really believe that?” Gregory asked. He knew Mercy depended upon both of her brothers, but Cade never saw the contribution he made to her life. It pained him to think how wrong he was, but with his mate in jeopardy of bonding with another, he was not thinking clearly.
“I know she loves me too, but let’s face it I am more fun and games, he is the serious one.”
“You have so much still to learn. Mercy needs balance and between the two of you.” He shook his head and laughed as he walked to the door. “Lucan may be her guardian on paper, but it has always been a partnership between the two of you. Good luck and keep me updated.” He called out leaving him alone to ponder his words.
Cade’s cell phone rang and he checked the number before answering eagerly. “Yeah what’s going on?” He listened as his spy told him of his mate’s plans with a calmness that was eerie for the usually temperamental wolf then hung up the phone and went to his room to pack. Gregory had been right, he was making excuses to make his departure easier, but how could anyone fault him when his future depended upon the outcome of the journey he was about to take.
With his bag packed, he walked to Mercy’s room. Reassured by her even breathing that she was asleep, he placed his bag in the hall and crept to her side. Her long Tahitian hair hung off one side of the pillow. Her pale face was illuminated by the bright moonlight and she had a small-satisfied smile that played at the corner
of her mouth indicating her dreams were pleasant.
He made habit of checking in on her every night since she came to live with them and was shocked she still looked so innocent despite everything that was going on around her. The scared, heartbroken six year old they had taken in was now almost an adult. She had two Alpha’s fighting for her affections, and was becoming more independent with each year that passed. Soon she would make her choice and they would have to let her go.
Mercy shifted in her sleep bringing him from his thoughts and he leaned down to place a kiss on her cheek. “I will be back, take care of yourself until I return,” he whispered tucking the blanket around her, then walked out of the room, grabbed his bag, and went to the kitchen to await his brother’s return.
*****
Lucan and Alec ran through the night following Mather’s scent until they reached the only hotel in town. It was easy to trace the man who had sired him, but Lucan stopped short of following it to his rooms since he could smell the presence of other pack members along with his. He came to a halt behind a trash collection container and Alec paced by his side keeping downwind so the others would not catch their scent, but close enough they could still hear the conversation.
“Father it is not wise for you to go somewhere without us near to protect you,” an angry male voice said.
It was dark, but Lucan easily tagged the man speaking as his older brother Trevor. He was the heir apparent of their pack and one of the main reasons Lucan and Cade had left. He had a mean streak a mile wide and anyone who caught him in a bad mood paid dearly for displeasing him.
He peeked around the corner and saw Trevor’s jaw twitch as he stared at their father barely concealing his rage. The long jagged scar that graced one of his cheeks slithered like a serpent and Lucan could not help, but feel satisfaction. He’d been responsible for placing the mark upon his brother so long ago when he had come across him punishing one of the pack, forcing the young one to shift so he could hunt him.
Lucan had seen red and attacked instantly. Both wolves had been strong and had torn into each other without hesitation, years of hate making it a battle neither was willing to lose. Trevor though had underestimated his younger brother and he found himself on the ground whimpering, bleeding profusely, unable to move, shocked, that Lucan had defeated him.
Their father had appeared startled to find his heir apparent on the ground in front of the son he had never bothered to get to know. He could still recall the pride in his father’s voice as he addressed them, the only time he ever felt his father’s favor. “I may have been mistaken to assume Trevor is the only Alpha in our pack.” He had patted Lucan’s arm smiling proudly. “Well son, you did the damage to him now carry him back to the compound so he can be healed.”
He left leaving Lucan no choice, but to change forms and lift his snarling brother in his arms. It had been the longest walk of his life and he was unprepared when the entire pack stopped what they were doing to watch him carrying Trevor towards their healer’s house. From that day on, Trevor never missed a chance to aggravate Lucan, even going so far as to threaten Cade who Lucan loved more than any other.
The final insult came though when Lucan asked out a young girl in the local town. She had said yes with a smile that had lightened his heart and he had anticipated the date with the eagerness all teenage boys possessed. On the night of the date, he drove to town to pick her up excited about getting a chance to spend time alone with her. He made it to town where police cars blocked part of the road and waited patiently in his car until they pulled a ravaged body from the woods.
One look at the long blonde strands of hair on the young girl they found and he knew who she was. He ran to where they had laid her on the grass, falling to his knees to stare at her mangled body picking up a familiar scent that told him exactly who her killer was.
He wanted to scream the name, to let them know that his brother had done the horrible deed, but to do so would put all of his pack at risk of exposure. He could not allow that to happen, even if it meant protecting the brother he hated.
After the police moved him away from the crime scene, he headed for his car barely making it away from the humans before he pulled over abandoned the vehicle letting his wolf free. He howled and tore through the woods hell bent on revenge and when he found the object of his fury, he did not hesitate to pounce.
Trevor had not expected his attack, he was at a severe disadvantage, but nothing stopped Lucan from taking revenge. He was about to strike the killing blow his teeth poised to rip into Trevor’s jugular when Cade, the only voice that could reason with him dared to step in.
“Brother this is not our way, if you kill him you become the very thing he is.” So sure, Cade was that Lucan would not hurt him he stayed in human form as he came to his side not hesitating to reach out to him.
The moment his hand touched Lucan’s fur, calm began and the rage receded revealing to his human side what he had been about to do. He backed away and took off into the woods leaving Cade to handle Trevor.
That night they had decided to leave before Lucan did kill Trevor and without anyone aware of their plans, they left in the early morning hours never looking back.
“I do not need anyone to tell me where to go or who to see Trevor, you forget I am still Alpha of this pack.” His father’s deep voice penetrated his memories and he shook his head to focus on the heated conversation before him.
“I only worry for your safety.” Trevor sounded sincere, but Lucan knew it was all an act, it always had been where their father was concerned. The only thing Trevor cared about was becoming Alpha no matter what he had to do to get there.
His father’s laughter filled the night air in response. “Son, the only thing you care about is that I name you my heir before I die so you do not have to fight for the position.”
“I am not afraid of a fight. I have proven that time and again,” Trevor, argued his chest puffed up with self-indulgence.
“Not even if Lucan or Cade were to return and challenge you?” Mather answered slyly.
Lucan barely held back his growl of disapproval upon hearing his father using Cade and him to goad his brother. He felt Alec move next to him and turned to see understanding and sympathy in his amber canine eyes, which helped him keep his place.
“Is that what this is about? You are still trying to convince the prodigal sons to return?” Trevor sneered, his face taunt and ugly.
“And if I am?” Mather asked looking none too concerned by his son’s reaction.
“Then you are wasting your breath. Lucan does not want anything to do with you or our pack and Cade is no match for me in a fight.”
“Funny how things can change,” Mather told him opening his door and walking inside the motel room leaving his son to mull over his words.
“Looks like you have some competition,” a dark male whose slimy appearance matched his unwashed scent said to Trevor as he walked out from the dark corner he had been listening.
“I have no intention of letting the old man replace me. Isn’t that why you are here Blade,” Trevor said with a grin. “Why don’t we get a drink and discuss it.”
Both men walked away, neither saying another word that Lucan deemed important. Alec whined softly next to him letting him know he was ready to check on Mercy and he followed his lead back to the house thinking over everything they had just heard.
Mather was clearly trying to incite a fight over the future Alpha position of his pack, why he did not comprehend yet. Could it be his father finally saw in truth what Trevor was or did he just want to see them kill each other before he died? Either way he wasn’t planning on giving him the satisfaction of returning to his pack. Never again would he follow the man who had caused him so much pain.
They broke through the thick wood line that bordered the house swiftly changing forms before walking into the house. Both men stopping upon entering, seeing Cade sitting at the table with a cup of coffee in his hand and his bag packed at his feet
.
Cade placed his cup on the table and turned to his brother noting his eyes locked on his duffle bag.
“Going somewhere?” Lucan asked walking to the table and dropping down into a seat.
“Yeah kind of,” Cade answered rigidly.
“If you don’t mind I will check on Mercy then head out for the night.” Lucan nodded and Alec walked up the stairs leaving the brothers alone to talk.
“I suppose I don’t need to ask where you are going.” He had known his brother was concerned about his future bond mate. He felt his worry and fear as if it were his own.
“I have to go before she’s tied to another,” Cade told him walking to the sink and rinsing his cup then turning around to face his brother who watched him without comment. “I know this is a bad time but this cannot wait.”
“I agree with you completely,” Lucan, answered evenly. “Trevor is here with father, that should give you time to get the situation handled before they go home.”
“Trevor is here?” Cade could not hide the hate he felt for his older brother or the shock that he was so close.
“Apparently, he did not like father looking in on us and wanted to be sure he wasn’t handing over the pack to me.” He clenched his hand tightly, but went on. “After all this time he still pits us against each other. As if I would willingly take over the pack he ignored us for.”
“Luc, we cannot blame the pack for father’s neglect, they are good people and even though I resent fathers lack of concern with his children he has led them well.” He placed a calming hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I will stay, I do not like the idea of you and Trevor in the same town it could get ugly.”
“No, you need to go and keep your mate from making a mistake. I will handle everything here.” He knew Cade was about to protest and stopped him. “I would regret it if you lost the chance to be with your destined mate. Go, I have Alec and Gregory here with me it is you I am worried about.”
“No need for that, I am invincible.” Cade puffed out his chest and grinned reminding Lucan of the many times when they were young how often he had done the same thing. His brother might not be invincible, but he was damn close. Realization dawned on him as he watched his brother seeing clearly the strength within him. Never before had he thought of his kid brother as Alpha, but now it was clear he had the gene. He wondered how long Cade had been hiding it from him, but before he could say another word, Cade hugged him in a manly sort of way that was awkward yet endearing, then grabbed his bag and headed for the door.