by M. K. Harper
“I’ll be fine.” I don’t wait for a response from either of them. I descend the staircase cautiously, not relying on the fact that my father is supposed to be sedated. One can hope for the best, but as the saying goes, I’m preparing for the worst. When I turn the corner and he comes into view, I exhale audibly. Seems all that worry was for nothing because he is, in fact, all drugged up and conked out. I take a seat on the chair that faces the steel cage and just watch him. I’m not sure how long I sit there, catching faint twitches all over his body, debating what the hell Mom and I are gonna do, but my ass has grown numb. Sometime later, a throat clears behind me and I nearly jump out of my skin.
“Bloody hell,” my hand goes to my chest, as if I can keep my heart from crashing through it. Dax stands at the bottom of the stairs, arms crossed and glaring. His eyes tell me I got some ‘splainin to do. I have a feeling he found my stowaway. Oops?
Chapter 17
Daxton
I wake up, yet again, to my mate MIA. This time, I don’t panic right of the bat. So, pat on the fucking back for me. It helps that I can still smell coffee lingering in the air. I highly doubt if something were truly wrong she’d have stopped and taken the time to fix some joe. The house is quiet, so either Caulder is still passed out or he’s already snuck over to Ma and Pop’s. I pour myself what’s left of the now cold bean water, then start scrambling some eggs. My senses are keener right now as the full moon grows closer, which is why keep picking up hints of something else. I can’t tell what it is exactly, just that there’s another living thing close by when there definitely shouldn’t be. I set my breakfast aside and turn the stove off. The silence allows me to hear a faint noise coming from the laundry room. I pull the door open slowly, not positive what I’m about to find. It’s for sure not the tiny fur-ball staring back at me.
At first, I think it’s somehow managed to get into our home on its own, but then I notice the stack of throw blankets the little deviant is curled up on. Maybe there’s some deep-rooted cats and dogs are mortal enemies bullshit that plays a part, but my wolf is not happy about this newcomer. And that’s unfortunate because it seems our mate has already claimed it. I kneel down, wanting to check it over and make sure it isn’t injured. I might not like sharing my girl, but I’m not an asshole. I stick my hand out slowly, and after a few sniffs I feel confident enough to grab him. That’s when this tentative relationship goes down the shitter. The little asshole bites me, making me fall on my ass.
“Ow, you fucker,” I snarl at him and slam the door. If he is injured, oh goddamned well. I stomp back to the bedroom, checking Caulder’s on the way and finding his bed empty, as expected, and throw on some clothes. It’s time I find Linny so that we can have ourselves a little chit-chat. A come to Jesus. Whatever she wants to call it, but we’ve got a few things to discuss. There are only two places I can think of that she’d be at this early. I head for the gym first, doing everything in my power not to think about the bite on my finger and all the bacteria and germs that disease riddled little shit could’ve passed on.
The gym is empty when I get there, which kinda ruins me storming in for dramatic effect. I can sense her down below, causing my pulse to spike. Why the hell would she go down there alone?! I practically sprint down the stairs, but Linny doesn’t notice me at all. I stand back for a few minutes, watching her watch her father. I want nothing more than to go to her, wrap my arms around her and make it better. But I know my girl, and that wouldn’t help in the long run. She needs to actually feel all of those emotions swirling inside her, and then accept that this is her reality and move forward. So, I carry on with the reason I came here in the first place. Clearing my throat, I gain her attention. And possibly cause her a few heart palpitations.
“Bloody hell,” she pants, hand pressed to her chest. I almost smile, but I’m supposed to be annoyed with her. She tentatively walks closer, that plump bottom lip tucked between her teeth. I want to free it from the abuse she’s putting it through, but my brain kinda short circuits every time she does that.
“Anything you wanna tell me, Linny?” I refocus my thoughts, raising an eyebrow at her. If ever there was a woman who could flip a switch and look demure and innocent, I’ve just witnessed it. Those beautiful blue eyes widen, lashes fluttering. I half expect her to belt out “why, I declare, are you referring to little ole me?” in her best southern drawl.
“Um...no?” she answers, but it’s more of a question than a statement.
“Really?” I wait her out, but she holds steady, crossing her arms to mimic my stance. Fuck me. Linny is always hot, but my girl defiant and staring me down like she’d sooner eat glass than give in, makes me want to carry her back up the stairs fireman style and fuck her on the mats until neither of us can see straight. She smirks, as if she has a direct line to my thoughts. I shake off the lust, trying to regain my footing, but I think we both know that she’s already won.
“I don’t like waking up to an empty bed, Linny. I know it’s not realistic, nor healthy, to expect us to be together every waking second. But mornings are a sore spot for me. When I woke up after your party, alone and panicked for reasons not yet known, it fucked with me. I don’t wanna make you feel smothered, but can you do me a favor and at least wake me from now on and let me know that you’re leaving?” Now it’s my turn to bite my lip. I know my girl is bullheaded, so this could really go either way. She’s independent, and I love that about her, but she’s also empathetic so I hope she’s able to see this for what it is. Me trying to work through my own demons and not me wanting to control her every move. Linny’s eyes soften, her posture losing some of its bravado.
“I’m so sorry, Dax. I didn’t even think...” I’m already shaking my head. The last thing I want is for her to have more guilt on her conscious.
“You don’t need to be sorry. I just want to make sure we communicate with one another when we need something from each other. I don’t want us to bite our tongues and let shit fester. That’s a recipe for disaster and I have no plans to fight with my newly bonded mate over petty bullshit that could’ve been avoided by having a simple conversation. I won’t always feel this way. With time it’ll get better, but it just unsettles me and my wolf to wake up and not know where you are. We immediately jump to worst case scenario and it puts us on edge for the rest of the day.” She nods and walks into my arms, her forehead resting against my chest.
“I promise to always let you know where I am from now on,” Linny mumbles against me. My fingers thread through her long hair, enjoying the contented little sigh that escapes her.
“And that other thing?” I say a few seconds after enjoying the feel of her. She stiffens, which makes me smile.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Linny steps back, flipping her hair over her shoulder haughtily. Fucking Chevy. I know she pulled that move from his arsenal.
“I’m talking about your little game of hide the pussy from Dax.” I grin devilishly as her cheeks redden. She just had a brain derailment like I did a few minutes ago, and god I love that look on her. I yank her back to me, my voice strained as I speak. “And I don’t just mean the one currently hiding out in our laundry room.” I nip my mark, earning me the slightest whimper in return. Like she was trying her best to not give in, but her body’s natural response betrayed her. Linny scurries away, putting some space between us while taking a quick glance over her shoulder at her father. Yeah, probably not the best idea to get my girl all hot and bothered with her dying father only a few feet away.
“I was going to tell you,” she states pointedly, running her hands over herself to smooth out nothing at all. “Hear me out before you kick Lucifurr to the curb.” I snort, shaking my head. Of course, she’s already named him, and aptly too.
“He bit me,” I deadpan, holding up my injured digit. Linny rolls her eyes, not the slightest bit concerned.
“I think you’ll live,” she answers just as dryly.
“Maybe, maybe not. Cats carry bacteria
on their teeth that can kill you if not properly treated. You’d feel horrible if I woke up dead tomorrow.” She gives me that ‘really?’ look, making me feel like a pansy ass bitch.
“Because that makes sense,” she nods condescendingly. “Good thing we’ve got peroxide, huh?” She doesn’t wait for me to respond. “Other than the unrealistic threat he poses to your life,” Linny pauses for dramatic effect, “why can’t we keep him? He’s so tiny Dax, you won’t even notice him.” She ends with a whine, her hands clasped together in front of her in a pleading gesture. I already know I’m gonna cave. I couldn’t resist that face to save my fucking life, but it doesn’t stop me from trying.
“Highly doubt that, babe. For one, us wolves just don’t mix well with the feline variety. I mean, even Caulder tried to eat the last one that wandered onto pack land. Some things just are. Like, you can’t take a shit without pissing too. It’s a fact of life, Linny.” She barks out a laugh, looking amused and disgusted all at once. Might as well get used to it, guys are fucking gross.
“Well, you won’t notice this one, okay? I’ll take care of him; you won’t have to do a thing. Please, Dax?” She pokes her lip out, looking adorable.
“You don’t need my permission, baby,” I walk closer, my hand moving to rest against her cheek. “I just wanted you to know that I discovered your little secret and give you a bit of grief about it.” I smirk, enjoying that annoyed but happy expression that takes over her beautiful face.
“Just know that whatever happens as a result of our new house guest, it’s on you. It’ll likely be a disaster,” I laugh, already imagining the cat and Caulder at each other’s throats. Linny rolls her eyes but links our fingers together.
“Come on, lets head to your parents’. I think I’ve been down here long enough for one day,” she casts one last look at the man lying motionless on the floor, a million different emotions flashing through her eyes. I don’t linger, opting to steer her back up the stairs immediately. I know how easily she can get lost in her head, and I don’t want that to happen.
Linny side-eyes the pond as we make the walk to Ma and Pop’s, and I bite back a jab about my fearless mate being afraid of a bird. We’re almost free and a clear, when one of them darts out, making Linny squeal and launch herself at me. I catch her and spin her to my other side, willing to defend her from the oh, so scary threat.
“What the fuck is wrong with these ducks?!” she yells indignantly. “It’s like they’re on steroids or some shit. Or have a vendetta against me, fuck if I know. Maybe I was a duck hunter in a past life. Roid rage is a thing, assholes!” she screams back at them as we approach the house. Chevy rounds the corner, coming from the opposite side as us, looking at me for an explanation as to why Linny is giving some pond dwellers the third degree. I hold my hands up, and that alone seems to be answer enough for Chevy. Linny can’t really be explained. His steps are a little funny, making me cock my head to the side.
“Good morning, spawn of Satan,” he glares at my mate, making her smother a laugh that’s trying to escape.
“Ah, Chev. You’re such a plunger,” she pats his cheek on the way up the front steps. “Always bringing up old shit.” She heads inside, me following close behind and thoroughly confused.
“It was last night!” Chevy bellows, his voice carrying into the house even though he’s still standing in the same spot, a stupefied look on his face. Not sure what that’s all about, but I make a mental note to get all the dirty details from Linny later. No doubt, she’s fucked with him in some way, but he’s kinda had it coming for a while now.
Chapter 18
Linden
The mood inside the house is somber, making my steps falter a bit as I take in everyone gathered around the kitchen. Mom is here, which I didn’t expect since she just went home yesterday and it’s barely lunchtime. Her hand is clasped with Beatrix’s, as if she’s lending her support. My heart starts to race. I don’t think I can handle another bomb being dropped into our lives. Carder nods to Dax, a loaded gesture I can’t quite decipher.
“What’s going on?” I ask cautiously, my hand squeezing Dax’s tighter subconsciously. Beatrix waves us closer, a finger going to her mouth in the universal gesture for us to be quiet as Chevy comes in behind us. We inch forward, waiting for someone to speak.
“We got Minnie back this mornin’,” Carder says, his voice barely more than a whisper. I instinctively look back towards Caulder’s room, understanding the hushed conversation now. “He’s playin’ with his toys. Doesn’t know a thing, but she deserves a proper wolf burial, and that means we have to tell him.” Carder presses his lips together, like the idea of that talk alone makes him want to crawl under the house. Can’t say I blame him. I swallow hard, my throat feeling tight and the room infinitely smaller than it was just a few seconds ago. He’s right, I know he is, but the thought of my sweet little dude having to bear this news makes me nauseous.
“I think we can approach this without giving all the details,” Beatrix adds. “He’s only six, we don’t have to delve into the fine print, but he should be there. Have the chance to say goodbye properly.” Her eyes water, making my own follow suit.
“I agree,” I choke out. “He should at least know how much she loved him. It’s honestly been eating at me to keep this from him, and that’s mostly my own fear at play, but he’s too little to be weighed down with all of it. Minnie wouldn’t want him to know everything until later.” I nod, trying to convince myself more than anyone that that’s the best solution. Caulder is brilliant, and way beyond his years, but he’s still just a little boy at the end of the day. When he gets the full sorry, he needs to be emotionally mature enough to deal with it.
“I’ll go get him,” Carder starts towards the back of the house. I feel like I’m on a sinking ship. This is happening, whether I’m ready for it or not. Chevy leans in and kisses my cheek, Mom following right after.
“Love you, Inds. It’ll all work out,” she squeezes my free hand and her and Chev walk out, leaving just the four of us and Caulder. Carder herds him to the living room, my poor LT looking like he’s walking the plank and we’re the sharks circling below.
“Uncle D did it!” he suddenly blurts out, pointing at Dax beside me.
“What the crap did I do?!” my mate asks incredulously.
“I dunno,” Caulder shrugs. “Whatever it is that I’m in trouble for?” We all laugh, some of the tension easing.
“Come here, butterbean.” Carder steps around LT, taking a seat on the couch and extending a hand for him. He eyes it warily but takes it anyway and plops between his Nona and Bear. Dax leads us to the coffee table and we sit in front of them. I wring my hands together nervously while Dax’s knee bounces up and down furiously. I’d rather have a colonoscopy than this conversation. When no one speaks, I take a deep breath and jump in headfirst, praying like hell this doesn’t go as bad as it’s playing out in my head.
“I met your mom, Caulder,” I say softly, my voice noticeably shaky. His little brows furrow in confusion, which is expected. I don’t think Minnie has been a major topic of discussion for him.
“How?” he asks, his head tilted to the side.
“When Pack Ames took me, she was there.” I stop for a second, letting my words sink in. Caulder is smart, and the wheels are turning. He sits straighter, like the full importance of what we’re talking about has finally registered. “She helped me. When I was scared and alone, she talked to me. Telling me all about you and how much she loved you. And when I needed to get out of there, she helped me again.” I nearly burst into tears at the proud gleam in his eyes. I know I’m about to destroy that brief moment of happiness, and it nearly kills me.
“She loved you so much, little dude, but she was hurt really bad helping me escape.” I cling to his tiny hand, needing him to put the pieces together so that I don’t have to actually say those words. That she’s dead. That no matter how much I wish I could change it, I can’t.
“So, she’s gone gon
e? Not just temporary gone like she has been?” Caulder’s voice is small and heartbroken. Every single one of us have tears in our eyes. Mine break free the same moment one trickles down LT’s cheek.
“Yeah, baby. She’s gone,” Beatrix answers. Thank god because I don’t think I could speak right now if I wanted to. She puts an arm around him and hugs him to her side. My heart is thumping so hard, I swear I can hear it. At any second, I expect to see him look at me with blame or something akin to it. I’m holding Dax’s hand so tight I can’t believe his bones aren’t cracking. Caulder stares at the floor for a while, leaving us all on the edge of our seats as we wait for some sort of reaction from him. Finally, our eyes meet. There’s so much I want to say, but I can’t seem to make anything of substance come out. This kid, though. He slowly climbs into my lap and I think my heart explodes. I can feel his tears soaking through my shirt, but I just hold him tighter. This is Caulder, of course he wouldn’t scream at me and point fingers. He might not always feel this way, but I’m going to take what I can and appreciate the fact that’s it’s still my lap he chose to take comfort in.
“Later tonight, we’ll have the ceremony. Just our close family, okay?” Carder catches LT’s eye and waits for him to agree. He kisses my little dude’s head and him and Beatrix leave the room. After a while, Caulder silently cries himself to sleep. There’s no body wracking sobs, just silent rivulets that stream down his chubby face. Dax lifts him from my arms and walks towards his old room. The short trip feels a mile long, making me antsy until Dax peels back the comforter and lets me crawl in, placing Caulder back in the crook of my arm. He snuggles in, his nose burrowing against my neck as his breaths even back out. Poor guy exhausted himself. Dax slides in behind him and we lay like that, quietly admiring the tiny hellion that has stolen parts of us, until the both of us fall asleep too.
~~~
We don’t leave the bed for the rest of the day. Dax turns on movie after movie, the three of us taking comfort in just being together. No one talks, even the funny scenes struggle to draw a laugh from us. I hate every second of this, but I know it’s necessary. Caulder needs to mourn his mom, and I don’t think this is even the tip of the iceberg. I’m sure, one day, it’ll hit him out of nowhere. It may be next month, next year or even five years from now. But it’ll happen. Caulder’s hand finds mine, wedging itself between mine and Dax’s already linked fingers. We share a smile over his head.
