Howl for Me

by Dana Marie Bell

  “He stole Jordan’s!”

  “Logan sacrificed himself for her!” Jeff found himself in Fred’s face, defending Jordan’s beloved and his mate’s father. “He took repeated blows from, what’s it called again? Mjolnir? So that Travis and Kir and Uncle Val could get Jamie down off the damn cross and out of there.”

  “He knew he’d live.” Still, Fred sounded almost guilty, as if he knew he’d done something unforgiveable. “Besides, I thought I was protecting Jordan. I had no idea your grandfather had Jamie. Do you think I would have left your sister there to hurt?”

  “Jordan’s pregnant.” Fred went from red to white again so rapidly Jeff almost felt sorry for him. “Logan’s the father. So’s Kir. It’s twins. They’re deeply in love, all three of them. It’s almost disgusting how sweet they are together. Gives you a toothache.” Jeff growled at his dad, the sound feral. “By the way, are you going to kill my niece or nephew for being Loki’s child?”

  “Aren’t you shacking up with one of Loki’s children? That makes you a little biased.” Jeff felt sick. He tried to take a step back, but Fred grabbed him once again. “You’re leaving. Now.”

  The growl behind him raised the hairs on the back of his head. “I think Fenrisùlfr wants me to stay.”

  There was the rumbling sound of thunder, and Jeff found himself on his ass behind Fenris, his guardian wolf standing over him, claws and fangs and fur beginning to sprout.

  “I wouldn’t!” Fred sounded horrified. “I wouldn’t hurt my child.”

  Jeff stood. “You already did. You left Jamie alone. You ignored Jordan. You might be willing to kill Jordan’s child solely because of who the father is. And you were ready to hurt me just because you don’t approve of my boyfriend. Are you still so far under Grimm’s thumb that you can’t see what you’re doing to us?”

  Fred was shaking his head, his expression horrified. “I would never hurt you,” he whispered, his voice so tortured Jeff almost relented. Fred reached out, but Fenris got between them again. Fred’s arm dropped. “Jeff. Please. I love you. You have to know that.”

  Jeff took a deep breath. “Will you go speak to Jordan and Jamie, without laying hands on them?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  His large, strong father looked…depressed. Defeated.

  “What about Magnus and Morgan?”

  Fred stared at him. “You’re my children. All of you.” His face turned to Fenris and he swallowed. Some of the aggression he’d shown to Fen was still there, but the tone had changed. “Do you love my son?”

  Jeff’s whole body froze. Fenris had said “mine” more than once, but those words had never passed his lips.

  “Very much. I will protect my mate even from you.”

  Fenris’s deep, growly voice washed over Jeff and he damn near passed out in relief. He still wasn’t sure how he felt about Fen, but damn. Knowing Fen loved him, even if it was just the beginning of their relationship, made him feel ten times better about…everything.

  Fred nodded. He stared for a moment at Jeff. Whatever he saw there put a small smile on his face, and he wondered what Fred saw. He still didn’t look happy but he held out his hand to Fenris. “Welcome to the family.”

  Fen took Fred’s hand carefully. “I don’t trust you. But you’re Jeff’s family. For him, I’ll try not to kill you on sight.”

  Jeff rolled his eyes. “He’s so damn diplomatic. We should get him a job at the U.N. Or training Girl Scouts.”

  His father just shook his head. “You look good, son.” He reached out and ran his hand through Jeff’s hair, the gesture so familiar it brought tears to his eyes. His father had always greeted him by ruffling his hair. Jeff hadn’t realized how much he missed that touch until he felt it again. “Has your hair grown?”

  Jeff put his hand to the nape of his neck, startled to feel the curls gliding over the backs of his fingers. “What the hell?” He went to the first mirror he could think of, the one in the bathroom, and stared at his head in disbelief.

  His curls brushed his shoulders. He knew exactly who to blame for that too.

  “Fen! Get your ass in here now!”

  The low growl of his own voice startled him. So did the glossy, reddish fur sprouting on his arms.

  “Oh, fuck me…"

  Grimm smiled. The wards were down. One of the stupid fuckers had dropped the wards, and now here he was, strolling into Loki’s home base as neat as you please.

  “I’m in.” He hefted the box of flowers higher in his arms and pressed the button for the elevator. “Hold your position. I’ll be out momentarily with the furball.”

  Soon it would all be over and no one would be able to stop him. Not Tyr, not Baldur and sure as hell not Fenrisùlfr. He whistled a merry tune as the elevator rose, nodding politely to everyone who entered. It wouldn’t do to have them see something he didn’t want them to. Using his inner sight, he nearly laughed with glee.

  Every single ward was blown. The place glowed with shattered magical threads. Grimm would have no problem getting Fenris out of the building.

  Nothing could stop him from destroying the wolf.

  Soon the elevator stopped on the floor where he knew Loki and Baldur lived. The epicenter of the explosion was not far down the corridor. He had no idea what had caused it, and couldn’t care less.

  A low growl sounded off to his left. A huge wolf pelted out the front door of one of the condos as if the hounds of Hel were after him. It had gleaming red fur and wicked sharp teeth. It skidded to a halt and snarled at the sight of him.

  Grimm smiled and dropped the flowers, exposing the dart gun. “Gotcha.”

  Fen helped a dazed Thor—no, Fred—back to his feet. Jeff had knocked the god on his ass when he’d raced from their home. Why he’d left the condo Fen wasn’t sure, but it couldn’t be good.

  “What the hell?” Fred shook his head. “What just happened here?”

  Fen snarled. “His transformation is complete. He’s mine now.” His mate was truly glorious, his wolf form fine and sleek. But he was out of the safety of their home, alone even if he was only a few feet away. Fen started to move past Thor, but the god was quicker. He shoved Fen back several feet on his way to his son.

  “He’s a giant wolf running around a million-dollar-condo complex in the heart of the city, you moron!” Fred took off through the front door after his errant son. “Jeff!”

  Fen followed. Something about Fred’s tone was off. Thor sounded terrified.

  An explosion rocked the building, knocking Fen back several steps. He dropped to the floor, stunned. When his senses cleared Fen changed to his other self, his clothing going wherever it went when Fen changed, the fur and teeth and paws as natural to him as his two-footed frame had been. He streaked into the corridor to find Fred Grimm on his knees, clutching his chest. The smell of blood was thick in the air. Fred’s hand scrambled for Fen’s fur, grabbing a painful hold. The God of Thunder pulled Fen’s face around to his. “My father’s got Jeff.” He panted, his face a mask of pain. “The serpent…wasn’t your brother.” Fred Grimm lay down slowly, his face pale, blood streaking his lips. “I’m sorry.”

  The serpent? Fen blinked, stunned. His brother, Jörmungandr, the World Serpent, was supposed to be the one to kill Thor. The prophecy said so. But here Thor lay, his life’s blood on the carpet.

  Fen set up an urgent howl and prayed one of his mate’s siblings heard his plea. Doors thudded open as Fred Grimm’s family rushed into the hallway.

  “What the hell happened? Where’s Jeff?” Travis ran into the hallway and stopped dead at the sight of Fenris sitting next to Fred. “Oh shit.”

  “What the fuck?” Jordan, her scent one of horror, fell to her knees.

  “Oh my God! Dad? Dad! ” Jamie fell at her father’s feet, her hand over her mouth, eyes glittering with tears.

  “Holy shit.” Val, the Avenger, stared at his brother, stunned expression quickly turning to anger. “Who did this?”

  Fen barked. They had to do
something. His mate would be devastated if Thor died.

  “Hold on, Fred. We’ll get you help.” Travis knelt down by Thor, whipping off his shirt and pressing it against the gaping wound in Thor’s chest.

  Something strange was going on, something that shouldn’t be. He whined and licked at the dying god. How could this be happening?

  “S-sorry.” Fred coughed and sprayed blood all over Fen. Fen shuddered.

  “He got Jeff,” Thor wheezed. His hand flailed out and another one took it. One that glowed brightly. Travis clung to his old friend with his only hand. “Grimm has my son.”

  Travis nodded grimly. “We’ll get him back. Rest. We’ll save him, I swear.”

  Fred coughed again. Fred couldn’t survive his wounds. His breath whistled, and Fen knew his lungs had been punctured.

  “Fen.”

  Fenris turned to find Jamie, tears streaming down her face, holding open the elevator doors.

  “Change back. We have to go get my brother and kill that son of a bitch.”

  “Ja-Jamie!” Fred’s eyes were wild as he tried to push himself up, protect his daughter as he hadn’t been able to before.

  She sobbed, but she didn’t move. “I love you, Dad.”

  Fred shuddered. “Love you. Baby girl.”

  His breathing was labored. He didn’t have long.

  “An ambulance is on its way. Hold on, Dad.” Jordan was pressing something against Fred’s chest, sobbing as the blood poured through the cloth.

  Fred smiled and placed his hand over her stomach. Fen heard her sharp intake of breath. “Love. You. So sorry.” He sighed, the sound rattling and loud. “Jör…not…serpent…”

  His bloodstained hand fell away from Jordan’s stomach.

  “No. No. Don’t you do this to me, you stubborn son of a bitch.” Jordan smacked Fred’s cheeks. “C’mon, Dad. I still have to tell you how much I hate your ass.” Tears streaked down her cheeks. “Dad?”

  Fen turned away from her grief and tore into the elevator. He would mourn with his mate later, after he’d rescued him.

  “Daddy?”

  The elevator doors closed with a soft snick.

  Jeff took a deep breath and instantly smelled something cold and nasty. He wrinkled his nose and wondered when the hell he’d fallen head first into a fish barrel.

  “Ah. You’re awake, Fenris.”

  Jeff froze. Fuck. He knew that voice, even if he wished he didn’t. He opened his mouth to respond but all that came out was a low growl.

  Uh-oh.

  “Are you sure that’s Fenrisùlfr? He looks a little…red to me.”

  Jeff snorted and sneezed. Hell. He was in serious trouble if Grimm’s girl Friday was here too.

  “How should I know? He was covered in his own filth for so long I can’t remember what color his fur used to be. But how many giant wolves are roaming around the greater Philadelphia area?”

  Rina Southerland, his Uncle Val’s mother and Grimm’s mistress, sighed. “I’m just saying.”

  “Hmm.” Footsteps sounded. Jeff opened his eyes and found himself snout to toe with Grimm’s boot. “Do you see this?”

  Jeff eyed the thin, barely there rope in Grimm’s hands. He recognized it. He growled and struggled to sit up.

  “Ah-ah. No you don’t.” Grimm snapped his fingers and Gleipnir wrapped itself around Jeff’s limbs, immobilizing him instantly. “I see you do remember it.”

  Jeff rolled his eyes and yanked. Hell. It should be a piece of cake to get out of this once Grimm left the room.

  “This time, I think hurting you won’t be enough.” Grimm smiled down at him. “No. I think this time we need to kill you.”

  Jeff growled and tried to relax. Fen would come. Fen would save him.

  Grimm’s rump was about to become roast for the beast.

  “Rina?”

  Rina stepped forward. In her hand she held a silver knife.

  “Would you like a fur coat?”

  Rina’s eyes gleamed with twisted pleasure.

  Jeff shuddered. Guess I’m going to find out if that myth is true after all. Because if the silver didn’t kill him right away, he’d be dead by the time they were done skinning him.

  He knew which death he preferred. He closed his eyes and thought of the man he’d left behind. Find me, Fen.

  I need you.

  “C’mon. We don’t have much time.” Jamie shoved his ass in her car and took off like a bat out of hell. “He’ll kill Jeff thinking he’s you.” She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. “I want him dead, Fen!” She was shrieking, her voice, powered unconsciously by her magic, rattling the windows of the car.

  “So do I.” Fen held on for dear life as Jamie raced through the nighttime streets of downtown. “Do you know where he took Jeff?”

  She nodded and touched her earring. “Jeff hasn’t taken this off yet. I’m able to use it to track him.” She sniffed. “Where the fuck are Kir and Logan?”

  “They went to get Magnus and Morgan. They believe Skye is actually Skuld, the Norn who reads the future.”

  “The one who gave Odin the prophecy of Ragnarrok?” She turned sharply down a narrow street, her brows lowered in concentration.

  “Yes.” Fen sniffed. There was the faintest whiff of his mate on the evening breeze. “There.” He pointed toward a narrow, red brick building with a black door.

  Jamie nodded and parked the car at the first spot she came to, which was over a block away. “Act natural.”

  Fen switched to his wolf form.

  “Not that natural.”

  Fen growled but shifted back. He sniffed, his head whipping around as the sweet scent of his mate filled his nostrils. “That way.”

  Jamie led him to the building, but unless they wanted to go in through the front door there was no way they’d be getting in. “There’s got to be an alleyway somewhere around here.” She tapped her teeth with her nail and looked up and down the street. “There!” She took off and Fen followed, wondering where his mate’s sister was leading him.

  Wherever it was, it was away from the slowly growing scent of blood.

  “I killed Thor tonight because of you.”

  Jeff whimpered. The knife sliding through his skin was sharp agony, distracting him from the stupid shit Grimm was spouting. Rina had a wicked touch with that fucking blade, drawing the pain out in ways he hadn’t thought possible.

  “He was stupid, but he was loyal. Unlike your father, who’s been a thorn in my side since the beginning.”

  Wait. Did he say Thor was dead? But that meant… That would mean…

  The knife slid between the pads of his paw and Jeff nearly screamed. It was the last of his paws to be sliced. Each time was a fresh hell.

  “Loki has a lot to answer for.” Grimm knelt down and stared into Jeff’s eyes. “I wonder how he’ll feel finding his son’s furless body at his doorstep. You think he’ll cry?”

  Jeff snapped at Grimm. His teeth snagged on Grimm’s chin, drawing blood.

  Grimm pulled back. His expression was hard to read, but Jeff recognized the scent of fear. He’d smelled it on husbands who’d cheated on their wives and been found out. It filled the air around men and women who’d stolen or lied or cheated and been confronted by Jeff. Now his grandfather reeked of it.

  “Rina?” Grimm wiped the blood from his chin. All emotion drained from his face. “Give me the knife.”

  Fen bolted down the alleyway. He could hear the agonized howls of a wolf and knew his mate was suffering. He’d long since shed his human skin, running far ahead of his mate’s sister. She could take care of herself. He had to get to Jeff before it was too late.

  No matter what else happened in that house, Grimm was a walking dead man.

  Fen burst through the back door and followed the scent of his mate’s blood. There in the living room was Grimm and a frost Jotun, huddled over a blood-coated wolf.

  Fen snapped. He threw himself at Odin, snapping and snarling and tearing into skin, reveli
ng in the blood that flowed down his chin and throat. He ripped into Odin with a ferocity the man before him couldn’t respond to fast enough.

  Pain slashed into his side. Fen turned and bit, earning a startled cry from the frost Jotun.

  When he turned back Odin was gone. In the blink of an eye the man he hated most in the world was no longer beneath his paws. He howled his rage. He could still smell him, hear his pained, fearful breaths, but he couldn’t see him.

  Fen turned to the blonde female dashing through the front door. She was no longer a threat. Once Odin was destroyed the female could be hunted at his leisure.

  “Jeff!” Jamie raced forward. “Oh my God. What did they do to you?”

  Fen couldn’t turn back now. He had to stop Odin, had to kill him. Had to hand him his Ragnarrok before he could hurt Fen’s mate, his pack, any more than he already had. It was up to Fen to stop him.

  Prophecy demanded it. Just as prophecy demanded his death afterward. Fen would face that when the time came, knowing he’d protected those he loved with his life.

  Ah. There. He could scent the foul stench of Grimm and knew where the other man had hidden himself. Fen snarled and broke through the door.

  He fell back with a whimper. Inside that room…inside that room was carnage. An entire family, from the gram to the smallest child, had been torn apart in a frenzy of blood and gore. Innocent, blank eyes stared up at him covered in the film and stench of death.

  Behind him he heard Jamie’s heaving breaths as she emptied her stomach beside her bound brother.

  Fen backed away from the room. Grimm wasn’t here. He was long gone. This was part of the vision Skye had told them about.

  This was a trap.

  Fen quickly changed to his human form.

  “We need to get out of here now.”

  Jamie puked some more.

  He squatted by Jeff. Gods above, the damage that had been done to his mate was worse than he thought. Great flaps of skin had been flayed from his sides and his legs. Blood poured from the wounds. Jeff panted, the whites of his eyes showing. Fen had to get Jeff out of there before his mate suffered any further. He had to find out why Jeff’s wounds weren’t healing. He eyed Gleipnir. “Elskede. How do I free you?”