Caden

by Tl Reeve

  Rapier walked her back out to the car. She thought about going to see Keeley, but she hated to bother her. Having the twins was a completely different monster. Where she could leave Aiden to eat his cookies and watch his educational cartoons while she fed Nicolas and wove a tighter bond with him, Keeley was breast feeding her babies every couple of hours. She was constantly tired and... shit.

  Here she’d been bemoaning her own issues and Keeley had to be running on fumes. Danielle made a mental note to run by the store before heading over to see Keeley, while pushing the button on her fob to unlock the car.

  While Rapier placed Aiden in his big-boy seat, she situated Nic into his car seat so not to disturb him. She caressed the blond fuzz on his head and he gave a little grunt before whining. She placed his pacifier in his mouth and the little tyke went right back to sleep. He truly was a good baby. So gentle. She placed a gentle kiss to his forehead then stepped over to where Rapier stood.

  “Thanks for the tour. I appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome, Cookie.” He wrapped her in a hug, something the Raferty and Dryer men did all the time lately. She didn’t question it. “Don’t give up, okay?” Rapier tipped her chin up. “It will work out, I promise.”

  “I’ll bring you a mouse toy next time I stop by.” She grinned when he scoffed at her. “Too highbrow for you?”

  “Flip it around.”

  “Huh?” She cocked her head to the side.

  “Never mind.” He held the driver side door open for her while she got in, then closed it. “Be careful. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

  “I do.” Danielle started her car. “Thanks.” She made a U-turn in the middle of the road and drove back towards town. It’d been too long since she’d seen her sister and if she knew Keeley, she hadn’t had a shower or a proper meal all day.

  * * * *

  When Kalkin kicked Caden out of their family home after Danielle had been shot, Caden had gone willingly. Seeing his twin happily mated to the woman who had the other half of his brother’s soul, day in and day out, would have eaten what remained of his black, tarnished soul.

  So, he had left. Without a word of protest or fighting.

  Now, the only family member who did speak to him was Mackenzie, and Caden didn’t return it in kind. Every time he saw Mac, he couldn’t help but see the look of disappointment in his long-lost brother’s light blue eyes. Nor had he expected anything less. Perhaps he should have expected more. An apology would be nice. Things between he and Mac were strained. Had been since the night Caden’s life changed. The bastard had to have discovered...realized, something—anything had happened. Instead, his eldest brother tumbled down a path Caden would never trespass again. The day he found out about Royce...fuck. Caden’s stomach cramped. His heart sank. He held onto so much animosity. So much lingering hate. He cloaked himself in it for most of his formidable years. Then the boy arrived and he...he’d been tempted to smother him.

  Mackenzie disappeared a few days later, leaving him and his brothers to care for the pup Caden couldn’t even look at. He avoided Royce. Tuned out his cries of hunger. Been a right bastard, until one day, Royce almost drowned. Something snapped into place between them. From the moment he pulled his nephew from the swollen creek, made treacherous by the monsoons, he never allowed his anguish and rage to be directed at the youngest Raferty.

  It also didn’t change anything between him and Mackenzie. When his eldest brother returned, a bit beat up and longer in the tooth, Caden ignorantly believed the moment had come for the apology he’d been waiting on since he was eighteen. Instead, he watched Mackenzie parade around like nothing happened and had to swallow Mackenzie’s irritated glances along with his pity. Rage and guilt began to slowly eat away at him, and Caden began to avoid Mackenzie just so he didn’t have to experience the rancid self-loathing which accompanied each meeting.

  His self-imposed isolation also meant the second most powerful member of the pack, the beta, was on the outside looking in. Caden had no knowledge of what went on unless it came across his desk, and even those updates were sparse. Why should a beta who turned his back on everyone, including the other half of himself, be given any type of information about those who’d trusted him?

  “Fuck.”

  Wolves, for the most part, didn’t handle loneliness well. The minute Kalkin threw the small polaroid of Nicolas onto the small table of his hotel room, his wolf retreated farther into his subconscious. Though the man doubted the paternity of the child, now, what, five months old, the wolf recognized the familial bond a father should have with their offspring. It pissed his wolf off. To deny a pup, for the second time, to treat the boy as his parents treated him and his brothers, had been beyond reprehensible.

  Yet, instead of trying to reach out to Danielle, and beg for her forgiveness, like his brother insisted he do, he let it all fester. He allowed himself to wallow in self-pity. Allowed his past to dictate his future. Worse, he allowed his mate—the one he denied—shoulder the responsibility of raising not one, but two pups, he should have been caring for at her side.

  Caden shook his head, hoping to stop the negative thoughts racing through his mind. After Kalkin had left his hotel room five months ago, he reached the lowest point of his pitiful existence. He gazed up at the world still carrying on without him, from the bottom of his whiskey bottle which had been his constant companion. The world had taken on a distorted haze, one he’d created by watching it through wary, blood-shot eyes. The drunken stupor he’d clung to like a second skin, grew too tight. Too oppressive. The picture of Nic forced Caden to choose once more—life or death. Once he’d sobered up, he started the long trek back to his family. He began making plans. Tons of them, in case the first of them didn’t get his toe in the door with Danielle.

  If he thought anyone in town would make it easy for him, they didn’t. In fact, they forced him to scrape and claw for every inch of progress he made. He acknowledged he’d been a massive ass to everyone, particularly his mate. Danielle. She had every right to take several layers of his hide off to his bones if she wanted to. He’d give her the whip to do it too.

  Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Danielle’s car pulling into the construction site where the orphanage was being built by the newest members of their pack, the Dryer family. Personally, he hated the brothers. Kalkin obviously hadn’t felt the same, not like his big brother had asked his opinion—nor did he have one on the subject of who came and went from Window Rock. If Kalkin, however, asked Caden, he would have told his twin in no uncertain terms what he thought the rag-tag group of brothers. They were nothing but trouble. Particularly Rapier Dryer, their Pride Leader. He didn’t care how much they cared for Mackenzie, or what they’d done to save his life. The Pride leader rubbed Caden wrong. Rapier chafed Caden’s fur.

  The big, burly lion was, in his mind, a prick of extraordinary measures. The oh so smug lion was constantly sniffy around his mate, and it really started to piss Caden the hell off. He realized everything he felt had been his fault; however, it didn’t give another male the right to touch his mate like Rapier did, with affection and compassion. It didn’t give Rapier liberty to tell jokes to make her laugh either. Neither do you, asshole. Remember, you’re the one who didn’t mark her. She’s not yours. Yeah, well, he had a plan to fix the situation of her not wearing his mark, dammit, especially if he ever smelled the asshole lion on her. It drove Caden to the brink. There were other humans and shifters in town. Rapier could have his choice of them. Danielle belonged to Caden.

  When push came to shove, and it would soon, it wasn’t going to be pretty. Rapier might be bigger than his twin, but he and Kalkin had unpredictable tempers. Rage became their best friend when someone threatened their family, and Rapier was most certainly a threat to their family. A low growl built in Caden’s chest as he clenched his fists at his sides just anticipating the coming brawl.

  He drew his focus back to the car sitting across the street from the orphanag
e, trying to calm the rabid beast within him. Might not be prudent of him to lose his shit in the middle of the street in broad daylight. Danielle hadn’t gotten out of the car, nevertheless the asshole lion already lumbered toward her with a big welcoming smile.

  A red haze of rage colored Caden’s vision. The bastard hadn’t even bothered putting on a shirt to cover himself.

  Mine. The wolf within him growled. Caden wholeheartedly agreed with the beast. The silver and grey animal had been quiet for the last month. He’d feared the worst but feeling him well up within Caden gave him hope. Being lonely like he’d been sucked ass. He hated being on the outside looking in.

  Being relegated to desk duty didn’t help either. He honestly didn’t understand how Loraine dealt with the same bullshit day in and day out. It was mind numbing. With every repeat report placed in front of him, his right eye twitched more. It had gotten so bad, he wondered if it would become a permanent ailment he’d have to deal with for the rest of his life. He sure as fuck hoped not.

  Hiding behind a neighboring fence, like a coward, Caden was able to hear bits of the conversations between Danielle and Rapier. His lip curled. He hated this shit. He should step out and... What? Claim her? He gave a divisive laugh. No, not only would he look like an asshole, he’d hurt Danielle. He’d already done enough damage to her, he wouldn’t add more to it because he’d been a stubborn jealous asshole. The wolf inside of him howled in denial. A moment later he heard Kalkin in his mind saying, “Hey, fuckface, what the hell are you doing spying on people?”

  So apparently, he wasn’t as alone as he thought.

  Never, asshole. I don’t get off on watching people. That’s Jace’s kink.

  His brother laughed. Bullshit. How many times you watch Danielle change while spanking it?

  Sometimes he really hated the twin connection he and Kalkin had. Fuck off.

  Kalkin laughed harder. Get your ass back to work. You have reports to sort.

  His eye twitched. Son of a bitch.

  Danielle came out of the building after being inside for a short time followed by Rapier—again. Together, they put the boys in the car, then stood there for a moment longer before Rapier hugged her, and she got in. He didn’t know how long he stood there after she drove off, nor did he care. When he was sure she wouldn’t be coming back, he made his way across the street.

  “Rapier,” he called out.

  The lion’s head snapped up. He narrowed his eyes and the familiar smirk flirted across Rapier’s lips—the one he wanted to knock off his smug face.

  “You drunk or sober?” Rapier growled.

  “Why the hell do you care?” It seemed everyone was aware alcohol had been his best friend for the last year. Yeah, well, when reality came crashing down around him and he realized how big he’d fucked up, he kicked the booze to the side. The drunken haze surrounding his world—buffering him from feeling anything—had taken days to wash away and, when it did, the blinding light of reality stabbed him in the retinas, causing a massive headache. He never wanted to experience the stomach-turning misery again. He deserved every ounce of physical pain he endured, though. Danielle had experienced so much more than his self-induced torture.

  “I’ve got rules, that’s why. One of biggest ones is to never fuck up a drunk asshole,” Rapier sneered.

  “I want you to stay away from Danielle and my sons.” The fiery lick of challenge raced through Caden’s veins, awakening his body. Adrenaline caused his heart to pound within his chest as the wolf and man solidified their bond once more.

  He was in the fight of his life, and he wasn’t about to back down or lose. Not this time. Not when the tattered remains of his soul hinged on Danielle completing him. He was going to make it known, far and wide, he was claiming her.

  Rapier gave what sounded like an amused snort. “From what I hear, you haven’t laid any claim or any blood ties to either of those boys, and considering Cookie just left here, I didn’t smell your scent anywhere on her.”

  Asshole.

  “Her name isn’t Cookie, fucker. It’s Danielle,” Caden growled.

  “She’s surgery sweet like a cookie, hence the nickname.” Rapier dropped his gaze back to the papers he’d been reading before Caden walked up.

  Caden’s hackles rose at Rapier’s announcement and dismissal. He’d kill the bastard if he had touched what was rightfully his. “You’re not her mate. I am,” Caden declared.

  Rapier chuckled. “She doesn’t bare your mark, dickhead. She’s free to do as she chooses. And if she wants to partake in some fine feline cock, namely mine... Well, who am I to stop her.”

  Motherfucker. “If you touch her—”

  “You can’t do jack shit about it. She’ll bare my mark, ride my cock, and carry my cub.”

  Caden saw red and jumped at the sizeable man, tumbling with him to the ground. He didn’t care they were rolling ass over tea kettle through the muck and mud. Caden didn’t hesitate to punch the laughing lion in the ribs then in the face, causing Rapier’s nose to bleed.

  “That’s your free punch, motherfucker.” Rapier growled, flipping Caden onto his back. The lion’s fist connected with Caden’s cheek, snapping his head to the side.

  Ignoring his aching jaw, Caden pushed the burly man off of him before standing. He balled his fists up, poised to beat the shit out of the man attempting to hone on what was his. He gathered up the wad of blood and saliva in his mouth and spit it out. No way in fuck he’d back down.

  Growing up with an older brother and Kalkin, though three minutes older, taught Caden a few things. He knew he could hold his own against the bigger man. Granted he’d never won a fight with his twin, but there was always a first time and those hard-learned lessons reminded him the bigger they are, the harder they fell. By the time he was done with Rapier, he’d make sure the guy never got up, and stayed the fuck away from Danielle.

  “Caden? Wh-what the hell?” Mackenzie yelled. He raced toward them. His arm raised trying to gain their attention.

  When the lion cut his gaze toward Mackenzie, Caden took the opportunity to strike again. Blood seeped from the split in Rapier’s lip. He lifted his hand to inspect the area and grimaced. Caden attacked again. The scent of blood filled him with a new sense of vigor. The irrational part—the wolf took the reins. Now, he’d get his revenge.

  “Shit.” Mac growled, clawing at Caden’s shoulder in attempt to pull him back.

  Rapier gave him a hearty shove, causing Caden to stumble back, right into Mac’s arms. His older brother put him into a full nelson and he fought it. He snarled and snapped at the man who stole every bit of what he’d wanted, while also disgusting him for even wanting it.

  “The alcohol you filled your body with the last year must have rotted your damn brain if you thought you could take me, pup,” Rapier taunted.

  “Enough,” Mackenzie barked. “Go play your mind games with one of your siblings. You’re done here.”

  “For you, Mac, I will. Next time though. I won’t hold back.” Rapier gave Caden one last pointed glare then started for the house. “Fucking wolves.”

  “You calm?” Mackenzie asked.

  “Yeah,” Caden grunted.

  “If you’re lying to me boy, I’ll beat your ass. You got me?”

  “I got you, Mac. Get the hell off me,” he snarled. Being this close to his brother stirred all kinds of shit he didn’t want to deal with.

  “Dumbass.” Mackenzie released him with a shove.

  Caden reached up, cupping his jaw, testing to make sure it hadn’t been broken. “Son of a bitch.” It hurt like hell.

  “If he broke it, you deserved. What possessed you?”

  “He’s a prick,” Caden growled. He took a step away from his brother, putting needed space between them.

  “Yeah, he is. No denying it. Thought you’d be used to it, since he’s no different than Kal. Which means you should have known better than to poke the bear with a stick,” Mackenzie stated with a roll of his eyes.

 
; “He said—”

  Mackenzie held up his hand. “Don’t even want to hear it, boy. You want to be mad at someone, be mad at yourself. Your choices. Your actions got you here, Caden, and only you can get yourself out. Throwing punches at Rapier isn’t getting you back in your mate’s good graces.”

  His wolf, who’d been agitated at Rapier’s words, became enraged by Mackenzie’s. “She is my mate.” Never mind all the other shit.

  “About fucking time, boy. I’m tired of seeing you waste away. Drinking away your sorrows instead of doing shit about it. So, the question is, what are you going to do to get your mate back?”

  “Not sure.” Caden grit his teeth. When did his elder brother get a say in what or how he did anything? Sure, he had an idea banging around in his head the last couple of days. Caden wasn’t sure how Danielle would react to it since it was his idea.

  “Well figure it out and soon, before you lose the best thing that ever happened to you in your life. You want to be like me and Jace? Barely knowing your own flesh and blood? You’re better than that. Don’t make the mistakes we did. Man the fuck up, and get her and your sons back,” Mac barked then turned on his heel and stormed away.

  Caden clenched his hands into tight fists. “Sure.”

  Brushing the dirt off his uniform, he left the construction site and headed for the station. Eight plus hours at a desk were ahead of him. A concussion at the hands of Rapier would have been better than the mind-numbing work. However, it’d give him time to come up with a way to explain to his mate how the orphanage she and Keeley were funding should be open to both shifters and child psychics. Because, right now, after this little stunt, she’ll want to talk to you? He frowned. Yeah, maybe it’d been stupid, but seeing that sure, smug smile getting knocked off Rapier’s face had been worth it.

  Feel better now? Kalkin’s words brushed against his mind.

  Of course.

  You’re going to be the death of me. The words were a soft sigh.

  Not yet anyway. You’re still stuck with me.