Mating Kian

by Fel Fern

Chapter Three

  “Can you let me go now?” Kian asked.

  “Why, pet? Is it discomforting when I touch you?”

  Kian sniffed. Ryan let out an impatient roar. Noel got off Kian and returned back to wolf. Kian finished the shift a couple of seconds later. Once more, they were all four wolves. Ryan had let Nathan go, but Noel noted he kept a close watch on Nathan. Noel did as well. His brother disliked people who didn’t follow orders. Waiting for a couple of seconds, Noel was satisfied when Nathan didn’t run.

  They ran in a line, with Ryan taking the lead and the two outsiders between them. Noel was at the back of the train. Most packs wouldn’t let strangers into their territory without knowing them first, but their pack had always roamed. It didn’t matter if they took temporary residence in Blue River. Once their position was compromised, they would move again.

  Nonetheless, he approved of Ryan zigzagging, making twists and turns around the woods until they reached the house near the outskirts of town. Noel and the others had chosen the location for a reason. The property was located near the woods, making it a good distance from the town—perfect for a werewolf pack.

  Mal and Russ were on patrol when they arrived. Melody was probably inside, sleeping. Noel greeted his two pack mates with a growl. They returned the greeting, eying their two captives. Noel and Ryan led the brothers inside. Ryan for some reason remained in wolf form. Noel shifted back to human.

  Melody emerged from the kitchen, wearing an apron. Two lion cubs followed her legs, rubbing themselves against her, probably begging for treats. Ryan instantly padded to her and took a protective stance. They’d found the shifter cubs right after they moved into Blue River. The cubs’ mother had been a survivor of the labs but died, leaving the two kids. Most of the time, the cubs, Ariel and Aaron, preferred to remain in lion form than spend time in human form.

  Nathan and Kian shifted back to human, both looking wary. Noel grabbed a pair of jeans from the drawer in the living room and tossed two extra pairs of sweats to the brothers. They quickly put them on. Mal and Russ padded into the house.

  Noel noticed the gazes of their guests darted between Melody and Ryan, who blocked the doorway to the kitchen and Russ and Mal, who blocked the front door.

  “This is Kian and Nathan. They’ll be staying with us for a while,” Noel announced, crossing his arms.

  Ariel somehow found her way past Melody’s shoe and started circling Noel’s feet. He picked her up. The precocious cub had distrusted all of them at first but soon warmed up to his wolves, and Noel especially for some reason. He rubbed the scruff of fur on her neck. She let out a purr, tail curling around his forearm.

  “Guests?” Melody asked.

  “Or prisoners?” Nathan mumbled.

  “You both can make this easy or hard,” Noel continued. “We have questions, and you have answers to some of them.”

  Ryan let out an impatient growl. Mal and Russ looked tense. Noel could sense their apprehension through the pack bonds.

  “Why don’t you sit down,” Melody told Nathan, “so I can take a look at those wounds?”

  Nathan grunted. “Why would you help me?”

  “I’m a healer.” When Ryan snarled at Melody, she glared at him. “He’s injured. It’s my job to heal people.”

  “Ryan, let her pass. Our guests won’t be causing trouble, would they?” Noel directed this question to Nathan and Kian.

  “We didn’t come here to cause trouble.” Kian paused, glancing at his brother before returning Noel’s gaze. “We were supposed to collect information. See what happened to Blue River after we left.”

  “You mentioned this place being your home. You and your brother are survivors of the Blue River Pack,” Noel stated as the puzzle pieces clicked into place.

  Sorrow was imprinted on both brothers’ faces. Kian clenched his fists. “There’s more of us, but those bastards killed off our Alpha and all the strong members of our pack.”

  “The humans?” Noel asked.

  “Alpine Industries,” Kian explained, then sighed. “I don’t mind telling the story, but it’s a long one. Don’t worry, Alpha. We don’t intend to run. We were supposed to seek you out anyway.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Noel asked, frowning. He had trouble concentrating with a rowdy lion cub in his arms. “Why did your brother and you decide to slip into town instead of revealing yourselves?”

  “We were uncertain of your pack’s intentions. I’ll tell you everything.” Kian promised. “Please hear us out.”

  The little wolf suddenly looked a lot older than he appeared. Some form of tragedy had been stamped on these two. Noel suddenly felt a wave of pity for them. Was he getting soft? He couldn’t risk having any emotional attachment, not until he confirmed these two weren’t a threat to his pack.

  “Let’s not all stand around,” Melody said. She’d somehow gotten her first aid kit from the kitchen. Noel knew she kept them in a couple of places around the house in case of an emergency. Aaron was with her, cookie between his jaws. Ariel squirmed in Noel’s arms. “If you boys don’t intend to torture these two, we might as well eat. There’re fresh lasagna and roast in the oven and cookies for dessert.”

  “Russ, Mal, continue patrolling. Once Ryan finishes eating, we’ll switch out patrols,” Noel ordered.

  The two wolves padded back out. The rest of them settled in the kitchen. The long kitchen table was where the pack ate and discussed important issues together. Ryan had turned back to human and found a pair of jeans before joining them. After Melody patched Nathan up, they got to eating. Ariel settled herself between Noel and Kian, tail swishing back and forth.

  Kian seemed delighted by the cub. Most of the time, the cubs didn’t take well to outsiders who weren’t Noel’s pack, but Ariel happily allowed Kian to pet her.

  “Is she one of yours?” Kian asked.

  Noel shook his head. “We found the cubs’ mother in the labs. She’d been placed in a cage along with these two. She didn’t make it, but Ariel and Aaron did.”

  “Fucking humans,” Nathan muttered under his breath, his hatred for them clear.

  The two outsiders hadn’t told their side of the story yet, but Noel was patient. Once they decimated Melody’s roast and lasagna, Kian started to talk.

  “Alpine Industries runs these experimental labs. They have plenty of resources and mercenaries to do the dirty work of kidnapping shifters and experimenting on them. Our old Alpha took some of his best and decided to investigate the labs. They never came back.”

  Kian spoke in a monotone, as if he were casually talking about the weather. All Noel wanted to do was wrap the submissive in his arms, but not yet. “Our former Alpha’s mate, Logan, called a vote. He reached out to another pack. We decided to leave Blue River and head for Darkfall Mountain.”

  Noel narrowed his eyes. The rumors on the net and other towns with shifters had been talking about that bloodthirsty pack lately. They were the largest pack in the country, but Noel had a hard time believing any Alpha was capable of controlling that many shifters.

  “They were reluctant to take us in at first, but the Gamma then accepted us. So far, they’re the only pack able to hold their own against Alpine Industries. They’ve successfully destroyed one of the facilities near their territory, but they’ve also suffered losses.” Kian looked to Noel. “We came here on behalf of Darkfall. We’re supposed to watch for your pack, see what you’re up to, whether—” Kian bit his lip, looking embarrassed.

  Noel understood. “You wanted to know if we’re connected to Alpine Industries.”

  “Or if you would consider an alliance.”

  Noel decided to take the gamble and tell why they were here. “A week ago, Allie, our sister, was taken. The scent led us here, to the cubs and the lab in the woods. But we don’t have a lot of clues. None of the shifter groups are talking.”

  “I’d need to contact Sergio, Alpha of the Darkfall Mountain Pack. He might have more answers for you, but Nathan and I will help
you guys any way we can.”

  “We still can’t trust you both, not completely,” Ryan interrupted. “What if this is all a trap?”

  Melody shook her head. “Ryan, you’ve let anger cloud your judgment. Can’t you see what these two have been through? Emotion can’t be faked, you know this.”

  “We don’t still don’t know what these humans are capable of. Noel, how can you take their word for it? And I don’t like the mention of the Darkfall Pack. All the rumors surrounding them—”

  “They took us in,” Nathan interrupted, shaking with anger. “No one else wanted to help us. We were lost, hunted by trained humans. You don’t know what that was like, having our roles reversed, and these humans…they have a secret weapon now. This formula that temporarily gives them our abilities can create a war between our races.”

  “It sounds like science fiction,” returned his brother.

  Noel knew how Ryan got when pushed. His stubborn brother would never admit he was wrong. Tension was blooming between Ryan and Nathan again. Did he need to break up another fight?

  “Science fiction?” Nathan let out a laugh. “Fine. Ask the Darkfall Pack if you don’t believe me. God. You were there at the facility. You smelled the blood, felt the pain of the victims. Back at Darkfall, we lived with the Darkfall soldiers and victims who survived. They still carry the scars. Ask them.”

  Ryan shook his head. Noel knew neither of them wanted to know what happened to Allie, what these monstrous humans could be doing to her.

  Noel noticed Kian looking at Ariel, who swished her tail back and forth. The submissive wolf stroked her head. With grief filling his voice, Kian continued, “We couldn’t save our pack members. We were the weak ones, the ones who were told to stay behind because we’d most likely hinder the mission. None of them came back. You understand?”

  There was a plea in Kian’s voice. Noel understood. Setting Ariel on the table so he could reach Kian, Noel pulled the submissive wolf into his arms. He wondered how long Kian had held on to that guilt. Kian buried his face into Noel’s chest, wrapping his slender arms around him. If the others looked surprised by the gesture, they didn’t mention it. This little wolf felt right in Noel’s arms. He stroked Kian’s back. Wetness brushed against his chest, and Noel realized they were tears. He held his little wolf as long as Kian needed. Kian broke into silent sobs.

  Noel couldn’t imagine what Kian and Nathan had been through. They had been hunted down and survived capture or death. Noel didn't blame them for seeking out a pack with a bad reputation because shifters have an instinct to join up with strong shifters. These two must be used to distrust and suspicion. They didn’t need to go through that again.

  “Let it all out, pet. I’m here. Be proud of surviving. That takes strength. It’s all over,” Noel said.

  Kian raised his head to look at him. Those tear-filled, hazel eyes struck him. Like this, Kian looked so young and vulnerable. “It’s only the beginning, Alpha.”

  Noel stroked his hair. “It’s been a long night. Get me in contact with Sergio. We’ll talk. You two will stay here.”

  “Are we prisoners?” Nathan asked pointedly.

  Ryan bared his teeth at the question.

  “No, but for your own safety, I recommend you stay put.”

  “I’m going for a run in the woods,” Nathan declared. Ryan narrowed his eyes and said, “I’m coming with you.”

  “Fine,” Nathan muttered, rising from his seat. “But don’t tackle me again without warning. I don’t intend on leaving, remember that.” Nathan looked to Noel. There was more respect in Nathan’s voice this time. “Alpha, please watch over my brother.”

  “I will,” Noel promised. He wondered why Nathan would entrust his brother to the care of a strange Alpha. Then again, Noel had a feeling Nathan knew about the mysterious bond that connected Kian and him. Mates. There was that word again, hanging thickly in the air. Noel needed to do something about that soon. Otherwise, the Alpha beast in him would go crazy.

  Chapter Four

  Von Cash knew his luck would finally change today. Tailing the Blood Ruby Pack for days didn’t yield any fruit. He’d been sent by Alpine Industries for a simple grab-and-go mission. Retrieve specimen TX201 and its offspring. When the wolves had beaten him to the lion shifter cubs, Von quietly seethed.

  Damn it. Those cubs were the ticket to his promotion to lieutenant. Being a lieutenant in Alpine Industries’ private army meant he’d be given more doses of Latitude or L, the experimental drug the higher ups were close to perfecting.

  The drug didn’t just give him the ultimate high. The dose he was taking now gave him cloaking abilities similar to a rare chameleon shifter. Von was able to blend with his surroundings, and he was told the wolves wouldn’t be able to identify his scent. Hell, he’d spent days monitoring the pack house from his hidden perch and none of the mutts had noticed he was there.

  Hidden up a tree overlooking the pack cabin, Von fumbled for the leather case tucked under his belt. His hands started to tremble. This was no good. He would run out of L soon. Once he delivered this current report, he would definitely get his next fix. Pulling out the syringe, Von plunged it right into the artery on his thigh. He let out an inaudible sigh.

  God knew he was sick of doing this. Waiting had never been his strong suit. The cubs frequently went outdoors, but always with some kind of bodyguard. Both cub and bodyguard never strayed far from the vicinity of the cabin.

  While Von was certain he could take out one lone werewolf and retrieve the cubs, the other wolves would soon feel the death of their pack mate. That was how packs worked, according to the reports Alpine gathered from torturing the information from captive shifters.

  Von knew why the scientists wanted these cubs. They were developing different strains of the formula from different shifters. These cubs somehow held the key to completing the lion shifter formula.

  Picking up his night-vision goggles, he looked through the windows of the house. There seemed to be a tense discussion in the kitchen. Two of the beasts went back to patrolling the area. They passed by his tree several times. Each time they did, Von’s heartbeat kicked up a notch, but they never so much as looked up at him.

  It was good to live in this day and age, Von mused. Finally, these arrogant monsters were no longer on the top of the food chain.

  Interestingly, one of the outsider wolves seemed to be getting chummy with the Alpha of the Blood Ruby Pack. Good. Von needed Noel distracted because the Alpha seemed to think of himself as the cubs’ new daddy.

  Von snorted. What kind of Alpha lost both his sister and his adopted cubs? A weak one, he mused, recalling with delight how the bitch she-wolf went out without a fight. Von had been with the retrieval team. Pumped up on the latest leopard formula, the team lieutenant had crept up on the she-wolf so fast, she didn’t see him coming. One stab of the paralyzing agent to the neck and she was out like a light.

  The rest of his team went back to the base with the captured female, but the higher-ups wanted Von to use their latest drug and do a little mission for them. Maybe they saw some potential in him.

  Von had the same paralyzing agent to use on the cubs. These doses were measured carefully so as not to kill the subjects. The lab needed those annoyances alive. Von felt no ounce of sympathy for these animals.

  “It’s time you find out what being prey is like,” Von muttered under his breath.

  Claws scratched at the base of his tree, making him freeze. One of the monsters had somehow found its way here. The big wolf sniffed and circled the tree repeatedly, as if he sensed something was wrong with it and was trying to figure out what. Von kept still, told himself not to panic. The wolf trotted away. Through his goggles, he kept a careful watch on the animal, but it didn’t raise any alarm bells.

  He let out a sigh. After this, he ought to thank these two outsiders for making his work earlier. Von had already sent the photographs he’d taken of the two new wolves back to base. Their presence sparked his curios
ity. They didn’t exactly look like newcomers to the town, judging by the way they interacted with the innkeeper and diner staff. Oh yes. Von had been tracking these two along with the Alpha, and the Alpha didn’t so much as notice him.

  The chameleon formula made Von practically invisible. He’d read the reports. Von knew shifters frequently dropped their guard when a potential lover came along. That outsider would provide the distraction Von had been praying for.

  He rubbed his hands in anticipation, already imagining himself as a team lieutenant barking out orders to his underlings. Von didn’t forget the extra doses of L, too. He made himself comfy, knowing he would soon be out of his damn tree. Once the Alpha turned his back, Von would swoop in and bag the cubs. He’d be laughing all the way back to the base, eager to tell his fellow soldiers how he’d outwitted an entire pack. In the end, shifters were only animals after all.

  “Thank you, outsiders,” he muttered. Breath frosting, Von continued watching through the night goggles.

  * * * *

  Kian leaned his head against the shower tiles, recalling that embarrassing moment in the kitchen. He’d been on the verge of breaking down. Memories of the past clouded his mind, sucking him back, but Noel pulled him into a hug. Then, time seemed to stop. In Noel’s embrace, the past no longer seemed capable of touching Kian. All he could focus on was those strong arms, Noel’s powerful chest, and the strong heart beating underneath.

  All the frustration welling inside him had burst. Kian couldn’t believe he’d broken into tears. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d cried. Maybe when he was a lot younger and scraped his knee. God. An adult crying, a werewolf crying was shameful. Still, Noel’s words soothed him and gave him strength. Noel called him a survivor, and there was pride in his tone. Why Noel’s approval mattered, he didn’t know.

  He did know Noel and his pack weren’t their enemies. They could be allies. However, he understood finding Noel’s sister came first. Thinking about a young woman in the hands of those bastards made him shudder.