by SJ Himes
He stopped in the middle of the clearing, wondering if his heart could take going inside. The last memory he had of this place was one of love and peace. His grandfather was dead, his family scattered across the entire country. He had siblings left, born of a previous litter, but he didn’t even know their names or where to find them. It felt like going into the Council house would be reclaiming the name and life of Luca— and he didn’t want to do that. Not really. He may have been alone the last several years, but if he was to reclaim Luca, he was afraid that might mean giving up Ghost.
The concept of wishing was something entirely human. It was something he retained while stuck in his wolf form. He yearned for home, even if he didn’t really understand where home was or what it really meant. All these years he didn’t think about who or what would be missing were he to ever make it home. He’d known Gray Shadow died— a painful memory impossible to forget. But he did not know that his mother was dead and that his littermates were gone as well. A part of him felt like he let them down by not remembering them. He had a vague recollection of his mother’s face, and now that he had access to a mirror and knew what he looked like as a man, he could see that he was his mother’s son. He didn’t know if there was anything of his father in him at all— he had trouble seeing his father’s face and when he thought hard enough about it, it was Glen who filled that role for him now. Despite Glen raising him as a wolf and not as a boy trapped inside an animal, Glen was the closest thing he had to father.
His own father, Josiah, was lost to friend and family. He disappeared after his mate and youngest children were cremated. If it had just been a normal mating bond between him and Marla, Josiah wouldn’t have succumbed to his extreme grief and run off into the wild. But because it was a soulbond, like Ghost shared with Kane, it was an unthinkable and incredible matter of chance that Josiah even survived the loss.
A twig snapped behind him and he tilted his head to listen. A familiar scent was carried on the wind and Ghost turned to see Gabe come out of the trees in his wolf form.
“You hid from Heromindes, didn’t you? I had a feeling you wouldn’t leave. He left so fast I don’t think he’s noticed you aren’t with him. Are you okay?” Ghost asked Gabe quietly.
Gabe padded over to him, loping with easy strides. Ghost was short compared to most of the wolfkin males he’d met since he had come home, and in his wolf form Gabe’s shoulders came to Ghost’s waist. Gabe sat next to him curling his long bushy tail around his toes and Ghost ran his hand down the back of his head and neck. Gabe was another wolf seeking solace in the forest, as Gerald had the other night and Caius continued to do. He didn’t blame any of them, if he didn’t have Kane to offer comfort and support, he too would be in the woods hiding from the world.
“I think Andromeda would welcome you here, if you wanted to stay. But I don’t think a new home is why you stayed. Once Caius returns from his grieving, Kane plans to find your missing family and put a stop to Remus. I refuse to be left behind, though I don’t think Kane is aware of that yet. I won’t let them leave you behind either.”
Gabe looked up at him, gratitude in his eyes as he leaned his heavy weight on Ghost’s hip. Ghost looked back at the Council house, thinking about how the world kept changing, and how more change was yet to come. Yet, this time, when change came, he was no longer alone and he wouldn’t leave anyone behind to suffer in loneliness and despair.
“We will fix this, I swear. We still have the human doctor. And our Great Mother has a plan for me and for Kane, I think the soulbond plays a part of that plan.” Ghost gave a soft sigh, Gabe echoing with one of his own.
They stood there long enough for the sun to move in the sky causing the shadows to get longer under the trees. Eventually Ghost could sense his mate’s unease at his absence, and he gently nudged Gabe with his knee. “No one will make you leave now. Let’s go back and see what plans are in motion. I’m hungry too.”
Gabe huffed quietly but followed behind him as Ghost left the clearing and the Council house behind, taking the path back to the cabin. Evening was approaching and the sky was a myriad of colors splashing across the horizon, lighting up the mountainside in brilliant hues of red and orange. It was beautiful and Ghost felt new hope for the first time in a long while.
Kane stood with his hands on his hips on the front porch watching and waiting. He saw Gabe walking along at Ghost’s side and shook his head ruefully, though he gave Gabe a nod and smile in greeting. They reached the porch and Kane looked down at Gabe. “Did you happen to see Caius while you were hiding in the woods?”
Gabe shook his head no, ears flapping. Kane sighed in exasperation, looking out over their heads towards the woods as if his impatience would be enough to spur Caius out of the trees. Ghost had a feeling his grandfather was just as stubborn as Ghost was and would come out when he was ready and no earlier. Ghost was quite certain that Caius had never taken time to grieve before and it would do him good to embrace it while he had the chance.
Kane opened the door and held it for them, gesturing for Gabe to go in first. Kane leaned down and gave Ghost a soft kiss before they both went inside. Gabe went upstairs without stopping and was soon out of sight. Royrick, Michael, and Andromeda were sitting in the living room deep in conversation. Burke, predictably, was in the kitchen scrounging for food. Ghost had no desire to spend any time with Michael after the confrontation earlier in the week and headed for the kitchen instead. Burke saw him coming and tossed a dinner roll at him which he caught easily. Ghost chewed on it while he went to stand next to Burke in front of the refrigerator, both perusing the contents.
“There’s plenty of vegetables and leftovers but I think we’ve eaten Andromeda out of all of her fresh meat.” Burke sighed and closed the door. “We could go hunting. I haven’t hunted in weeks.”
“I’m not sure that such a good idea. Caius is out there in the woods and may not take our intrusion well.” Kane frowned, thinking. “We could go eat supper down at the mess hall.”
“Excuse me, alpha,” a shy voice intruded and they looked to see Andromeda’s great-granddaughter Helen peeking around the corner. “We have plenty of frozen meat downstairs in the root cellar. I would get some but I’m not allowed downstairs.”
“Why wouldn’t you be allowed…?” Burke started to ask but a significant glance from Kane made him snap his mouth shut.
“What am I missing?” Ghost asked.
“The human doctor is downstairs,” Helen whispered, eyes wide. “He doesn’t say much and doesn’t do anything except sit there, but Grandmother doesn’t want us downstairs. He’s just a human so I don’t know what he could do but I’m not going to disobey Grandmother. I’m sure that you can go downstairs, being grownups and all.”
“Well, I’m not too sure about the grown-up part, but I think one of us might count,” Burke said with a laugh. Kane rolled his eyes and smacked Burke on the shoulder. Ghost sensed an exasperated glance between the two alphas and Helen giggled. “Who’s down there guarding the human doctor anyway?”
Royrick appeared in the doorway, hands in his pockets, rocking back on his heels. “My honor guard has taken over that detail. Red Fern wolves aren’t used to standing guard for anyone and many of them had families to get back to, so Andromeda kindly let me take over that duty. I’ll have one of my alphas bring some meat from the freezers.”
Ghost was about to offer his thanks to the clan leader but then Michael appeared behind him. Ghost crossed his arms and glared. He had yet to forgive Michael for anything, no matter how well-intentioned he might have been in his actions. Michael didn’t say anything, just crossed his arms in return and bit his lower lip, looking anywhere but at Ghost.
“Really? I take back the grownup comment. No one is a grownup.” Burke was exasperated and not bothering to hide it. “The two of you are shamans and act like you’re pups who refuse to play nice.”
Ghost couldn’t help it, a
nd a snort of laughter escaped. Michael gave him a hesitant smile and tipped his head to the side in the direction of the hallway. Michael walked down the hallway and Ghost reluctantly followed, staying out of arm’s reach. They left the others behind but he was certain they could listen in if they wanted to. It was a given Kane was listening. Even though Michael was a shaman, his mate would still worry.
“I haven’t had a chance to really apologize for what happened earlier in the week. I listened to other people’s assumptions about you. They told us that you were uncontrollable and feral, and that your gifts weren’t under your control. I should have known better. Even without any training, you are still Gray Shadow’s grandson. And you were my friend. I know you were just a little cub at the time, not even five years old, but you were my friend. I hope we can be friends now. I am sorry.”
Ghost was surprised at Michael’s apology. He stood there blinking, thoughts jumbled and so he said the first thing that came to mind. “If you zap me again, I’ll bite your hand off.”
Michael laughed awkwardly and gave him a tentative smile. “I promise not to do that again.”
“Then yes, we can try to be friends again.” They stood there stiffly for a moment but then Ghost, exasperated with himself, stepped forward and hugged Michael. The older shaman gave a deep exhale and hugged him in return. They stood there in the dark hallway for a few minutes, and Ghost was happy for the solitude. He did look back over his shoulder, and down at the end of the hall was the silhouette of his tall mate in the shadows.
“Kane and I were once on friendly terms, but I think that’s another relationship I need to repair. This Tribunal business was messy and handled poorly. None of us talk anymore— shamans rarely counsel alphas aside from clan leaders and their heirs and take themselves more seriously than they should. Since Gray Shadow died, we’ve stopped acting like wolfkin and have adopted too many bad human habits.”
“That was one of many disappointments I’ve encountered since I came back. Too many bad human habits, and not enough good wolf habits. We were made to be the best of both, but our people tend to only show the worst. She is not happy with us.”
“I’m not surprised,” Michael said quietly. “I know she is unhappy with me. Gray Shadow would be unhappy with me. I have not done my duty as well as I should, and I can say the same for many of us.”
“Will you stay, or do you have to leave?” Ghost asked, pensive. “When Royrick leaves will you go with him?”
“Before this happened I would say that I would follow my clan leader, but now I’m going to leave it up to you and our Goddess. I’ll stay if either of you want me to.”
It was almost as if She knew that Michael needed Her reassurance. A soft whisper rose in the dark hallway, winding quietly around them where they stood, still hugging each other. Ghost smiled, happy that She made Her Presence known. Michael tensed briefly, and Ghost could hear his heart race when he heard the whisperer. She left as gently as She came, and Michael gradually relaxed. He gave a nervous laugh, “I guess I’m staying then.”
“Wise choice.”
“Stop looming over here in the shadows,” Burke teased from the kitchen doorway, his best friend leaning over just enough to peer down the hallway to see the shadows of the two shamans down near the end. “Are they still hugging?”
“Ghost likes hugging. I like that he likes hugging. I just wish he would contain his hugs to me,” Kane grumbled. “Why does he have to hug every male wolfkin he knows?”
“You are the only soulbonded pair for a thousand miles in any direction. You and he are the only mated pair that doesn’t need to worry about jealousy. For Goddess’s sake, pull it together.”
Burke was smiling at him, enjoying his discomfort. Kane lifted a lip at him, giving him a glimpse of fang, but that only made Burke smile wider. Kane heaved a great exhale, but finally looked away from his young mate and put his back to the wall, crossing his arms. Burke chuckled, his brown eyes shifting to gold in the shadows. Burke’s eyes were pretty, whether their normal deep brown or the wilder gold, and changed with his mood far more often than most wolves’ eyes commonly did.
“And how are you, Burke? I know this has been stressful. Thank you for looking after Ghost, even though he didn’t make it easy.”
“I’m fine. Just glad this mess is over with…until this summer’s gathering, at least. And there is literally no one and nothing that can make Ghost do something he doesn’t want to do. At least on this plane of existence. I’m sure She has had a few things to tell him. All I had to do was remind him to eat occasionally. When I could find him.”
“My mate is stubborn, isn’t he? I wouldn’t have him any other way. His stubbornness has kept him alive, kept him sane. I don’t think I could have stayed sane if I spent fifteen years locked away as a wolf, and treated like an animal. They may have loved him and treated him kindly, but there is a great difference in how a child and a wild animal are raised. I would have done something drastic— and I don’t mean destroying furniture, either.” Kane took a moment, and spared a glance down the hall at his mate before returning his regard to Burke. “And our goddess speaks to Ghost— I think She speaks to Ghost more than She has spoken to anyone in a very long time. It makes me wonder if the last twenty years of misery and pain could have been avoided or ended sooner if only we remembered that She was there, willing and able to help us. Ghost never had doubt; he accepted Her presence immediately and without any qualms. I wish I had half his certainty.”
“You may not need any certainty of your own. You have Ghost now. A soulbond. That’s not just a matter of fate or chance—She made the bond between you Herself. It’s there for a reason. Ghost came home for a reason. He came home now— and brought our Goddess back with him. I don’t know for sure what this means, but there is one thing I do know— this mess with Remus and our missing wolves is going to be over soon. Never mind our Goddess won’t let it continue on— Ghost won’t let it continue.”
“I think you’re right Burke. Not just about Ghost but all of it.” Burke gave him a wide grin and a wink, and Kane rolled his eyes at his best friend.
“I’m not going let you forget that you said I was right.”
Kane groaned and wrapped an arm over Burke’s shoulder. They shared a brief hug before they went back to watching the shamans.
It was late, and he was in the middle of undressing when his phone rang. It lit up the dark room, the number unknown. Curious, yet dreading who it might be, Simon reached out and answered.
“Hello?”
“Since Roman is dead, they’re going to come for you next,” the low, menacing tones of the Birch Grove clan leader sent shivers down his spine. Julian sounded nothing like the smooth, cold businessman who threatened him days prior.
“What do you want?” Simon asked. “You wouldn’t call, not like this, to tell me something I guessed on my own.” He did his best to keep his voice level, calm. Roman was dead. The monster who held him down and fucked him until he screamed with pleasure and pain was dead. He didn’t know how to feel.
“Come outside,” Julian ordered, and the call dropped.
He stood in the dark, phone in one hand, shirt in another, thinking. His guards hadn’t set up an alarm. Julian might be out there, or maybe not.
He slid his shirt back on, not bothering with the buttons, and he pocketed his phone. He left his room, noting the lack of guards in the alcove outside his suite. He had long moved out of the house he once shared with his dearly deceased brother Sebastien, preferring the luxury condo in downtown Augusta. It gave him a view of the statehouse, the business district, and the mountains in the distance.
No guards in the top floor lobby. The door to his condo slid shut, his heartbeat loud in his ears. His pulse thrummed. The bite mark on his neck, a parting gift from Roman McLennan the night the monster fucked him, throbbed with the spike in his blood pressure. He winced, and put a hand
to the healing bite. The skin around it was hot, the mess Roman’s half-transformed jaws made of his flesh sore and aching. His shirt was open and he pushed the collar back, trying to keep it from the partially healed wound. Up until now, it hadn’t been a bother, aside from the first couple of days after Roman bit him. Now it throbbed and hurt, the skin felt tight and the heat increased as his blood pressure spiked again.
“I was right,” a deep, husky chuckle came from behind him, and Simon spun. The man he knew as Julian Richards, Manhattan businessman and millionaire, grinned at him with fangs dropped and green eyes aglow. Simon sucked in a shocked breath, and tried to back away, but Julian snapped out a hand and grabbed his shoulder. “Roman fucked you good and hard. Bit and claimed his bitch. It’s been a few weeks, and I can still smell his scent all over you. Too bad he’s dead—can’t enjoy his bitch now.”
“Fuck you!” Simon tried to twist free, but Julian’s grip was impossible to break—it felt like he was fighting a stone statue. He pulled back his free arm and punched Julian in the jaw. He screamed, pain lancing up his wrist, and he shook out hand.
“Now, now, little human,” Julian whispered, and any veneer of sanity the werewolf once carried dropping away piece by piece. He pulled Simon in close, and he trembled in the grip of the clan leader. “Is that any way to treat your new partner?”