Chapter 1
Kieran looked at the forest and the mountains outside his second story bedroom window and as the sun rose, it turned the sky pink, his favorite color. It had been almost two weeks since he was rescued from Arald’s house of horrors—at least, that’s what he called it. Now he was in California, a member of the Blackwood Pack, along with his friends, Theodore and Norman, two ghost bear shifters, comfortably ensconced in a freaking mansion he never even dreamed could exist. It was a far cry from the mud and stone cottage in Ireland his parents lived in.Those assholes!
Every time he thought of what they did to him, his blood boiled. Selling him just because he wouldn’t mate with the Alpha’s daughter…fucking assholes! Not that it mattered anymore because he was now free and could chart his own course. Kieran wanted to talk more with Theodore and Norman about their future. He had plans for them—go to school, live freely as gay shifters and enjoy a life that had almost been stolen from them when they were handed over to Arald.Another fucking asshole!Right now, they were enjoying being together after years in separate cells.
Kieran could wait until they came up for air—there wasn’t any rush to make decisions right now. That was something Cody had counseled him about—going slowly. Cody, a wolf he looked up to and respected. When he told Cody about Theodore and Norman’s situation in Tajikistan, Cody never hesitated; adopting everyone and bringing them home to the Blackwood Pack. Not that they needed to be adopted since they were over eighteen, yet it warmed Kieran’s heart to know he and his friends were wanted by someone after their parents threw them out like yesterday’s garbage. Thatsimple fact—knowing they were wanted—was already affecting his friends for the better.
Hearing rapid knocks on his door, he inhaled and scented his friends. “Come in,” he said, as he turned from the view outside to that of two sexy young men entering his bedroom. Sighing, he could only dream; those two had eyes only for each other. Critically appraising their outfits, he was relieved to see Theodore was becoming more daring in his color choices. While they were still in Tajikistan, he’d taken his friends shopping for clothes since they only had a couple of cheap outfits given to them after they’d been freed.
Not that Kieran was complaining about the cheap clothes; he knew with a little time, he’d have clothes that looked fabulous on all of them. But Theodore couldn’t wait, embarrassed to be seen in them. Kieran could understand his friend’s impatience. Locked away, reduced to begging for food, living in filth, and being unable to shift would give any wolf—or bear, in this case—a complex but for Theodore? It was traumatic! It took him the longest of the three to come to terms about what his parents had done to him. During his first year as Arald’s prisoner, he cried incessantly. If it weren’t for the mind link Theodore had with Norman, Kieran was sure he would have died from a broken heart.Another bunch of asshole parents!
“Hey, ready for breakfast?” Norman asked.
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss one of Dakota’s meals for anything,” announced Kieran. “I wonder what special dish Lizzie’s going to make this time?”
“I don’t care. After all those years with no food, I’ll eat anything she makes, and love it,” said Theodore.
“I like what you’re wearing, Theo, it has that ‘je ne sais quoi’ air about it. Well done! I think you’re almost ready to go clubbing with me,” Kieran said.
Theodore blushed. “I did listen to you. Cody sent me to see Logan to get some advice. You should see his studio, Ki, you’d love it. He helped me see what colors I would feel comfortable with and guess what? I’m a Fall! I never knew it but after he explained it to me, it made so much sense. Those were the colors I had always gravitated toward before…” Theodore stopped, his memories of what had been done to him surfacing again.
Kieran saw what was happening and stepped in to divert Theodore. “Did Norman go with you? Cause he’s looking pretty gorgeous too!”
“Are you drooling over my man, Ki?”
“Well honey, as I’ve always said, drooling is free. And speaking of drooling, have you looked at Lo…uh, Dakota? Hot dayummm! Every time I see him, I want to run my fingers through his curly locks while he’s down on his knees!” Kieran exclaimed, fanning himself, grateful he’d caught himself in time and didn’t name the brother he really wanted.
“Eww, don’t put that fucking picture in my head. Fuck! Stop it, Ki! He’s Cody’s brother,” said Theodore.
“What? Just because he’s Cody’s brother, I can’t fantasize about him? I need something to replace…umm…never mind.”
“Aww, come on Ki,” said Norman, giving Theodore the stink-eye, “of course you should fantasize about him. I think he is drool-worthy, too.” Then, changing the subject, he asked, “What did you say about going clubbing?”
“What’s clubbing?” asked Theodore.
“Oh, my gods! What’s clubbing? It’s the best thing ever. I was looking online and…” before Kieran could finish, another knock was heard.
“Yo, Kieran. Are Theodore and Norman with you?” called Carson through the door.
Striding over to the door, Kieran yanked it open, smiling at Carson. “Yeah they are. We were just about to head down to breakfast. Anything I can do for you?”
Carson looked at Theodore and Norman before shifting his gaze back to Kieran. “Nope, Cody sent me to rouse you from bed, but seeing you all are up and dressed, my job is done. See you downstairs.”
“Thanks, we’ll be down in a second,” Kieran said, turning to his friends after closing the door. “Let’s go and I’ll tell you later about this great club I’m just dying to go to. Oh, and Theodore? To answer your question, clubbing is what gay men do to have fun.”
“But I’m having fun with Norman.”
“Oh, trust me, honey, you and he will have so muchmorefun. Wait and see. Now out! I’m not missing breakfast.”
Joining the rest of the Blackwood Pack in the great room, Kieran spotted Jake and Jessica and made a beeline for them. Stopping in front of Cody and Dylon, he melted at the sight of the twins dressed in matching onesies with a wolf and a moon on the front. “Oh, my gods, did you buy these outfits for them?” he asked Cody.
“Hardly. Lizzie found these online and had them sent overnight,” Cody replied.
Kieran saw Lizzie coming in from the kitchen and said to her, “Miss L, what fantastic taste you have. I’m so glad they have you supervising their clothing choicesotherwise, who knows what they would learn from their daddies?” Then, turning back to Dylon and Cody, he said, “No offense big guys, but you really should let Miss L do some shopping for you, too. I mean, I know you are mated…I mean Fated Mated…so there isn’t going to be anyone else for you but still, you should look good for each other. Hey Miss L, do you think Dylon could use a facial mask? Maybe something to soften his skin so Cody will want to kiss him more? You know, that’s the first thing to go when you have kids. No time to take care of yourself. But I bet with a little help from Miss L and me, we could have you looking like you did before you had kids. Do you take bubble baths? You know, they’re great for softening all parts of your body, well maybe not all parts, if you catch my drift. That’s another side benefit for new parents who aren’t getting all they want in the sex department. Maybe Miss L and I…”
“Stop!” yelled Dylon, startling Jessica who let out a wail while most everyone else was doubled over with laughter. “Now, look what you did!”
“Dylon! Don’t blame Kieran,” Lizzie scolded. “You yelled, causing your daughter to cry.” Taking Jessica from her son’s arms, she cooed, “Shush there, sweetie, grandma has you.”
