by Jo Penn
Once inside a healing room with the fragrant, relaxing candles going and laying on a padded bench, Finn sent his wolf mate in search of a healer and to find out the gossip on Ran.
“Huh, that’s weird.”
“What? The candle smells?” Finn closed his eyes and relaxed back. When he didn’t get a response from his bear shifter mate, he reluctantly opened his eyes. “Ow, fuck.”
Tristian was gone.
Chapter Nine
The Armstrong witch and wizard coven was a big place, much larger and well set up than what Tristian had seen on Google. The place was like an English palace that had been modernized in places. It was busy, witches and wizards rushing past him, a few creatures in security attire alert, and one following him closely.
He found a cafeteria, a dozen rooms that were used for seeing patients, there were offices, living rooms, sitting rooms, and a big library. He would have loved to sit there for a few days and read everything, but he needed to keep going.
Outside, he glanced over at the security guard. “You need to search for me in the basement.”
The security guard hurried away. Tris was surprised how susceptible the guard was to his entrancement gift, and possibly a little concerned. A security guard should be a bit tougher to coerce. Creatures were relying on him to keep their homes safe. He’d have to mention it to Urian later. Right now, Tris needed to follow that energy wave.
While most creatures, usually shifters, had an enhanced sense of smell, Tris lucked out in that department. Instead, Tris had the ability to feel another’s energy. It was a part of his gift, possibly because it enabled him to read others easier, which aided in knowing what slant to put on his entrancement gift. It wasn’t like getting a scent, but it was similar. When scenting someone you knew them via their distinctive smell. With energy, everyone had their own particular vibe and he could see the energy around creatures.
Tris liked Uri and Finn’s energy the best. Urian had this ultra calm with steel driven right through the middle. His energy was solid and resilient, but there was this layer of knowledge and caring that got Tristian right in the heart. Whereas Finn fluctuated, but not in a bad way, most creatures and humans fluctuated. With Finn, everything felt like technicolor. Sometimes overwhelming with the amount of passion and zest, sometimes so cool you wanted to bask in it. The man was unique and kept you coming back for more, which Tristian knew all about.
Now that he was back with Finn, he knew he’d never leave his mate again. He couldn’t. He wouldn’t. His trust issues had driven them apart, his fear someone would come along and harm someone else he cared about kept him walking away. Not now though. There was a pack, his big strong, delicious Alpha wolf, and acceptance.
And man, he was so horny it was hard to keep from jumping both of his mates! He’d wanted some time to get to know both of them, learn what they were like, how it would work between them and get to know the pack. He’d had some time today, and the mate draw was pulling them closer, making him needy and about to lose his frigging mind if he didn’t claim and get claimed soon.
Growling, Tristian spun around, long claws sliding out. He yelped at finding a hooded figure behind him.
Holy shit! An Avenger. Yeah, Tris wasn’t about to take on the most powerful creature in existence, he did have some sense.
“It is not safe to wander off by yourself, sacred bear. Return to your mates and guards.”
Tris thought about it and then shook his head. “Nah, got things to do—”
“Do you argue with me, Tristian la Faye?” The Avenger seemed more mildly curious than annoyed.
Tris retracted his claws. “You need to go.”
The Avenger lowered the hood of his brown leather coat, golden eyes studying Tristian. “You will require more training to have any amount of influence over a creature who has my level of power, Tristian. I will find the most suitable trainer for you, which may well be me. And of course, your mate Finnbarr with his seer abilities will assist. For now, you will tell me what you are searching for.”
“No way, man. I’m not getting trained,” Tristian exclaimed loudly, agitated now. “I don’t need training! I don’t want training, and I’m not going to use my gift to harm others! Geez, what is with creatures always trying to use me to get—look, back off, creature. I’m not your leader, and I’m not showing you to your destiny.”
Tristian growled at another creature, this one a shifter of some kind, coming closer and sniffing, excitement lighting his eyes.
“But why?” a witch asked with a whine on the other side of him. “I just know you can!”
“It appears, unless you wish to have a posse once more, you will require my assistance in training.” The Avenger looked at the two creatures on either side of Tristian. “Go. Now.”
They gasped and scurried away quickly. Tristian sighed.
“Fine, you’ve got some mad skills, I’ll give you that, but—”
“I told you to stay with Finn.” Urian strode over, his long legs making short work of the distance between them. “Everything okay, Vicus?”
“No, you never said stay with Finn,” Tristian argued. “I’m just going to check something out. I’ll be back in a flash.”
Urian glared at Tris. “Do you think it’s sensible to wander off from those who can protect you? To use your gift to send one of your guards away? To make me and Finn worry—”
“Oh, geez, stop with the guilt trip already!” Tristian rolled his eyes. “Look, you were busy trying to find out about that Ran dude and Finn wasn’t feeling well. It’s supposed to be safe here—”
“Where were you going?” Urian crossed his thick arms over his barrel chest and stared Tris down.
“Fine, fine, I was following an energy feel. Which, now, because of you and the freaky powerful Avenger there, I’ve lost.” Tris growled, stomping a foot. “Felt like Jude.”
“Shit.” Urian looked around. “Finn’s vision is coming true. Their lives are converging here in Milson Valley. And they all die.”
“Oh…I didn’t think of that.” Tris nervously looked around. “Maybe you should go hunt the creature before Bastion finds Jude.” He felt Urian’s energy now, too distracted when his mate first began scolding him. His big wolf was worried. Tris melted. A little cautiously, a little unsure, he stepped over to Urian and wrapped his arms around the shifter’s waist. “It’ll be okay, mate. If you want, so I can help keep you and Finn safe, I’ll use my gift.”
Strong arms pulled Tristian tight against a warm, hard body. “Your gift is your own, baby. I’ll never make you use it, no matter what.”
“But would it not be wise to train so you may protect your mates more powerfully? I must return to my mates. If this other triplet is here, we shall find him soon enough.”
The Avenger had a point. And now that he knew Urian more, felt what was between them, saw more into the Alpha and understood who his mate was, Tristian felt he could build the power in his gift without someone using it against him, and worse, against others. Urian would never do that, the truth was in everything the man did.
Peace settled on Tris. “We should claim and bond.”
Urian jerked. “What? Now? Hell yeah! Oh, shit, Finn needs time to rest—”
“Yeah, when he’s recovered. If you wanted to kiss me now, it’s probably the right time.”
The wolf moved so fast Tristian’s head spun. He was lifted off his feet, his body plastered tight against his mate’s big hard one that he was coming to crave. Warm, thin lips covered his.
The wolf kissed like a wet dream. Tris was sure he was going to cream his pants, especially when a large hand moved to cup his ass and he was encouraged to wrap his legs around Urian’s waist. As a seeking tongue invaded his mouth and Tris tasted man and spice from the burger he’d had for lunch, he hitched himself higher and sunk into the kiss, giving everything and opening himself to more, letting his inquisitive nature explore and be led.
By the time they broke apart both were breathing he
avy and bodies aching. Urian continued to pet Tristian as they disentangled and made their way inside, Urian pressing the importance of Tristian not entrancing the bodyguards and not wandering off by himself. And as they walked, Urian stared anyone down who followed them.
“This is going to happen a lot, isn’t it?” Urian smirked as he pushed a door open and showed Tristian into a large sitting room where a group of creatures sat chatting.
“What? Oh, the followers? Yeah. Maybe that wizard there can give me a spell to stop every Tom, Dick, and Henrietta from following me every-fucking-where.”
“Might be a good idea.” Urian sat and pulled Tris down beside him. “Mate, the wizard is Lord Mason Armstrong, Second of the Armstrong coven. Mason, Tristian la Faye, my mate.”
Lord Mason Armstrong was an attractive wizard with brown hair streaked with blond and icy blue eyes. He had a good energy, a powerful one, and a generous smile. Tris found out the wizard was mated to Urian’s best friend, who was a very unique wolf, Enforcer Drax Charmers. Drax ran security here at the coven as well as training soldiers, patrolling and performing his usual Enforcer duties. He was also guardian to the wolf Urian had come to see, Ran Markson.
And as Tris discovered, Ran was mated to Avenger Vicus Aston and Deakin Myers, a bouncy, hyper-human with a bit of sprite biology. Finn joined them ten minutes later looking better. He spoke to Deakin for a while, then Mason.
“So what’s wrong with the wolf shifter?” Tristian asked.
“Some time ago Ran had stopped shifting into his wolf. As a result, his wolf spirit wilted and began to struggle. When we deny our animal, we deny ourselves and cause detrimental harm. With care and time, Ran has been recovering. He has developed his gift, worked on shifting and can do so smoothly. Physically and mentally he is tracking very well.” Urian slid his fingers through Tris’s hair and massaged the back of his head. Tris couldn’t help the little rumbled chuff of pleasure. “There is a delicate balance, my little bear. To be completely recovered, Ran’s wolf spirit must be in balance. Lots of rest, plenty of time as his wolf and using his gift. Unfortunately, too much use of his gift and not enough rest has caused Ran to wilt a little.” Uri winked, smiling. “I know for a fact this won’t happen again. Vicus is good at taking care of what’s his.”
“Yeah, so why’s the wolf sick then?” Tris asked, glaring at Finn who was having a conversation across the room.
“Because mates are always susceptible to one another. We want to take care of, please, make each other happy and have what they need. Knowing this Ran wraps his mates around his little fingers. They’ll know better from now on.” Uri tapped Tris’s nose. “Why are you glaring at Finn?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Tell me.”
“Fine, whatever, it just would have been nice to come over and say he was feeling better, right?”
“Yep. I’m sure you’re not afraid to tell him.”
They stayed another forty minutes. Snacks and drinks were provided, and while Tris observed, he learned that his mates, the creatures here, and others such as the Croggen’s and Sanchez’s, considered themselves as close as family. It would take Tris time to let his defenses down enough to experience that, but he didn’t feel odd, pressured or out of place here. And he was safe. No one was expecting anything.
It was weird to think his days of wandering and hiding, with a horde of followers, was over. Did he want it to be over?
Oh fuck yeah! A hundred odd years of running and hiding and trying to protect others was enough for him. He’d forgotten what it was like to stay in one place, to have a family and be part of a sleuth, or pack in this case.
“Hey, baby bear, what are you thinking about?” Finn sat on the other side of Tristian.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Tristian turned and scowled at his gorgeous, golden mate. “What, you couldn’t take a moment to come over to your mates and let us know you’re better? Too much effort? Chatting to others more important? Geez—”
“I’m pretty sure he gets the message, baby.” Uri chuckled, rubbing Tris’s leg.
“Yeah, well, if he’d been here, I would have told him about feeling Jude’s energy on some creature—”
“What?” Finn jumped up.
“What do you mean? You said you felt Jude’s energy, not that this energy was on another creature.”
Tris frowned, then shrugged. “Same diff.”
“No, not the same at all. Is this an example of thinking differently?” Urian looked to Finn.
Finn was pacing. “Yes. Next time pick your questions better. Who was the creature?”
“I dunno. The Avenger and Uri stopped me from following. That’s an unusual painting.”
“Focus.” Finn crouched in front of Tristian. “Is my brother here, Tristian?”
Hell, Tris found he didn’t like his mate to be so worried. “No. Like I said, a creature brushed up against Jude.”
“Which means your brother is close by, angel. Give me a minute to talk to Mason, Drax, and Vicus, check on my little bro, then we’ll get you home, and I’ll organize soldiers to find your brother.”
Ten minutes later, they were in the SUV on their way back to pack lands. Urian had a small box containing vitamins and specialized tea, Finn was on the phone to his father, and Tris was Googling Trent Sanchez.
Knowing his mate’s brothers were most likely both in Milson Valley was a concern. After Finn’s vision of nothing but blood and death, Tris knew the only way to stop that from coming true was to change the vision. He couldn’t do anything about either triplet being here, but he could try to stop what Finn saw coming true. Trent Sanchez had the strategizing gift and was a commander for the Alliance. Impossible to get near, well-guarded and mated to one of the Croggen bears. Tris thought it would be a good idea to ask an expert in warfare to figure out the best way to keep Finn and his brothers from all dying.
“Why are you looking up, Trent?” Finn squished up against Tristian, giving him no personal space whatsoever.
It made it tough to concentrate, especially with how hard his cock became. It was like he’d been aroused since waking up this morning and since lunch, Tris was feeling heated and needy. He knew what it meant and pushed the need to mate away, but was finding it almost impossible within the close confines of the car. Distractedly, he wiggled to get comfortable.
“Wanted to find out about him. See if he’s the best.”
“He is, at strategizing.” Urian turned from the front passenger seat. “Why?”
“Why?” Tristian rolled his eyes. “Really? Don’t you two get it? Prevention. Prevent before it happens.”
“Your mind just leaps around, baby bear.” Finn gave him a smacking kiss on the cheek. “Good idea though. What do you think, Uri?”
While they discussed that and Urian put a call through to the Croggen mated to Trent, Tris tiredly leaned back in the seat. It had been a long time since he could let his guard down and he was drained. After six months of pining for his mate, knowing he had a second mate and not being part of their triad and all the pain of his past, Tristian was just plain tired. But strangely enough, happy now.
Which was a freaking strange feeling after all these years. And mixed with how horny Tris was, the ache to claim, mate and bond grew stronger and harder to push aside. He felt a bit like a puppet on a string being jerked from one side to the other.
“You’re burning up, Tris.” Finn stroked a cool hand over Tristian’s brow. “Let’s get you home and take care of that problem.”
Sounded damn good to Tristian. He wasn’t running and hiding anymore. He belonged, and he’d do whatever it took to keep his mates, and this home he never thought he’d be fortunate enough to have, safe.
“I’ll train, every day if I have to,” he murmured, closing his eyes. “I won’t let you and Urian be harmed because of me, härt.”
Chapter Ten
Warmth, so much warmth. For so long Tris hadn’t felt anything but cold. After Finn rejected him, it was lik
e a chill penetrated his body and seeped into his very marrow, and no matter what Tris did to alleviate it, the cold never left him.
Until now. Tris was going to make a stand. No more hiding and being on the run. Nope. He’d found where he belonged and would stand with his mates against whoever tried to separate them. It was a shame neither were in the massive bed with him beneath all these layers of blankets. Tris was feverish with need, his body warm and achy, cock so hard he wasn’t sure it’d ever go down again.
He felt bad for all the wasted months when he could have been here with his mates, but he wondered if they would have ended up here if Finn had known more about shifters claiming. Honestly, Tris didn’t think so. They probably would be on Hell Island to stay protected and safe. Tristian had been worried about Finn being targeted for being a seer and being near Tristian. And there was no way on this sweet green Earth would Tristian have come to Milson Valley. Though he’d Googled the city a few times and wanted to see it, he wasn’t about to place himself in the heart of paranormal land, not when so many could turn ugly if they got their hands on him.
So much time spent protecting Finn by staying away from him, and yes, Tristian had carried the hurt and anger of rejection, but he saw it now for what it was. The first sign of emotional discord and he’d taken the opportunity to run. And the pressure of Finn getting hurt because of Tris had been too much to bear.
Maybe at that time, he hadn’t been entirely ready to face all the demons from his past, to face the creatures who hunted him, and he didn’t think he could stand any more pain. But being away from Finn had been even more painful and was a good smack upside of the head to make him see reason. Still, it had been hard for Tris to let his guard down, and harder for him to be with his mates knowing the danger he brought to their door.
The pack was big though, strong. The valley was full of good paranormals ready to defend their homes. And Tristian now had something to fight for. Mates. Love. His home.