“I know that, but when has that ever stopped him before?”
“Was anyone hurt?” asked Reif. When silence prevailed, he growled, “Tell me Father! Who did he hurt this time?”
“Don’t throw a hissy fit, it was only a superficial wound and I shifted so it’s healed now.”
His head falling back on the pillow, Reif ran his hand over his face, trying to control the two emotions warring inside him.That son-of-a-bitch! He’s going to pay for hurting my father.Finally gaining control of his anger, Reif allowed his other emotion—worry—to rule. “Are you sure Father? Did you have the healer look at it?”
“I’m telling you, I’m fine. He’s gone now and I doubt we’ll see him for a while but I have a feeling he’s headed your way. Reif, please be careful. You know we can find a different way.”
“Yeah? How? You know as well as I do, this is our only chance to be free of him…forever.”
Chapter 6
Tilting his chair back, Morgan hoisted his feet onto the top of his desk, staring off into space as he thought about Brian’s visit.An intruder! Uh-huh.There was more tothatstory; over the years there’d been others but never had Brian asked him about new customers.So what is it with this one?Turning over their conversation in his mind, something nagged at him but kept slipping away. Picking up his phone, Morgan sent a text to his bartenders, asking about any new shifters dropping in.
He knew he’d get quick answers—there rarely was a shifter who showed up that wasn’t known to him or his bartenders since they were somewhat of a rarity these days. Most of his business came from tourists who learned about the Wolf Pack Pub through word-of-mouth on social media. That’s how his place ended up in trendy travel guides and while he was grateful for the increased business, he missed the days when the pub was filled with different kinds of shifters from all over the world.
Hearing his phone ding, Morgan received a reply to his message. He expected a simple ‘no’ but, after reading it, he raised his eyebrows in surprise. Sending a quick response, he waited.
~/~/~/~/~
Boarding his boat, Brian sat down heavily on a bench in the stern, wanting to forget everything. He realized his mate knew exactly who he was—a Fated Mate—arejectedFated Mate. He couldn’t bring himself to tell the Shaman; didn’t want the sympathy he’d see in his face. But, he couldn’t figure out why his mate kept spying on him when it was clear he had no intention of claiming him. Gazing out over his beloved loch, his home for centuries where he’d eked out a modicum of happinessafter a long, lonely life, it had now become the place where his heart had been broken. Sighing, he turned away from the water, sadness causing his shoulders to sag.
Lying down on the bench, out of view, Brian stretched out, trying to figure out why he was pursuing his mate so hard when it was apparent he didn’t want to be found.Becausehe’s in danger, ye auld bugger. Whether my mate likes it or not, I will help him if it’s the last fuckin’ thing I do.Closing his eyes, he felt the motion of the boat comforting him as it had done for so many years. His sea serpent was coiled up and now, basking in the heat of a rare sunny day, Brian relaxed for the first time since scenting their mate. Soothed by the slapping of the water against the boat hull, he was lulled into a deep sleep, nights of searching finally catching up to him.
~/~/~/~/~
Reif slammed his phone down, furious at himself for failing to find it.How fucking hard can it be? I have all the clues!Knowing sleep would elude him now, he slid out of bed, heading to the shower before going back to the loch. After his father’s call, the pressure on him increased a hundredfold to succeed in his mission.
Stripping out of his wrinkled clothes, he strode into the bathroom, flipping on the shower. When the water was as hot as he could make it, he stepped in, relishing the heat cascading over his body. Pouring some shower gel into his hand, Reif rubbed his body slowly, anger surging through him again about what happened at home. Then making a quick decision, he rinsed off and grabbed a towel.
Time was of the essence if he was going to have any chance of preventing another attack on his people. Slipping into a pair of cargo pants and a faded t-shirt,Reif grabbed his hat, smashing it on his head before locking up. Squinting up at the sun in the clear sky, he had no choice but to walk down to the loch. Eating up the ground in broad steps, he soon found himself at the marina where his mate’s boat was docked.
Relieved to see it was still in port, he ducked behind a warehouse to avoid being seen and, peeking around the corner of the building, he examined the sea serpent’s boat which appeared to be deserted. Idly wondering where his mate was, he stripped down, hiding his clothes. Then, actuating his ability, he left the shadows and walked to the edge of the dock, unseen by anyone. Shifting as he slipped into the water, Reif felt the pull from his mate; it was getting stronger each time he entered the loch. Fighting it off, he tried heading in the opposite direction—to the middle of the loch—but the compelling need for his mate found him swimming straight to Brian’s boat. Rubbing his body against it, he circled it until he reached the stern, where a ladder hung.
Unable to resist seeing where his mate lived, Reif shifted, then, checking if the coast was clear, climbed onto the boat, but froze in his tracks as he saw his mate. Freaking out, he turned, seeking to disappear into the depths again, until he heard a faint snore. Whipping his head around at the sound, Reif looked closely at his mate, realizing he was asleep.
Grinning at the freedom to inspect his mate up close, Reif walked over until he was standing at Brian’s feet, giving him a perfect view of his gorgeous body.Just fucking perfect, he is!Cocking his head, Reif’s eyes continued to travel, memorizing the handsome face, muscled chest and arms tanned by years of sun, then onward until he reached the big bulge covered by the worn jeans. Shaking his head in disbelief at what the Fates had given him,Reif’s cock began to rise and his fingers itched to touch his mate.
Giving up all pretense of restraint, Reif kneeled next to his mate’s head, breathing deeply of his unique scent. Then, finally lowering his mouth, Reif softly licked the full lips he’d dreamed about since first seeing them, groaning at the taste. The need to feel and press them against his was too great; leaning forward again, he slowly inched down until their lips touched. Instantly, his cock grew hard, his beast roared and Reif felt something snap into place, though he couldn’t say exactly what it was.
Shocked, he fell backward onto the deck, staring at the sea serpent, afraid of what his mate would say to him. When Brian didn’t respond, Reif rose to his knees, relieved he hadn’t awakened him. Quickly turning and seeing no one around, Reif rose and, with only one goal in mind, dived into the water, shifting instantly. Swimming away, he headed to the bottom of the loch, wanting to escape the pull of his mate, but the further he swam from him, the greater a pain in his heart grew.
Cursing himself for giving in and kissing his mate, Reif swam the loch, seeking release from the need filling his body. Finally realizing there was only one way to assuage his craving—by fucking his mate—he quickly rejected that option as not viable because he absolutely had to stay focused on his search. Shifting, he climbed up the bank at the opposite end of the loch from his mate and sitting down, dropped his head, tears veiling his eyes as they slowly ran down his face.I can’t…I just can’t.Rolling onto his side, Reif curled into a ball, hugging himself as the crack in his heart began to widen.
Lying there, he sobbed at the unfairness of it all—the threats, the fear, the violence, the never-ending searchand, most of all, his failure to free his people. Rubbing the wet streaks from his face, Reif turned onto his back, staring at the deep, blue sky above for answers. But there were none. The only way out of this mess was to complete his mission—a mission that wouldn’t have been thrust upon him if the fucking gods had upheld their part of the bargain.Well, they didn’t. Fuckers!
Now, the sea serpent was just another complication he’d have to handle and it pissed him off. Angry and discouraged, he got up and walked to the water’s edge. Making a quick decision, he dived in, shifting before he was fully submerged.
~/~/~/~/~
David, leaning against Zane’s side as they sat together on the sofa in their suite, looked in astonishment at his mother who was now standing before them. Finally finding his voice, David asked, “Mama? How? When?”
“Do you like it?” Sofia asked, slowly turning around, modeling her new outfit.
“It’s gorgeous! You’re gorgeous, Mama!” exclaimed David. “But where did you get the new clothes?”
“After you two left this morning, Lizzie stopped by, introduced herself and welcomed me to the Blackwood Pack. Then said she had a surprise and took me to the spa for a facial and a manicure and then to the hairdresser and finally, when that was finished, brought me back here where I found a closet full of clothes. I picked this one to wear first. Do you really think it looks good on me?” Sofia asked, swirling again.
