Elias

by Catherine Lievens

  Life certainly likes to throw curve balls, but they can lead to unexpected pleasures.

  Elias has a nice life now that Kameron is alpha. He’s in his senior year, his father is happily mated with a man, and Elias can finally be himself without fearing someone might hurt him. What could go wrong?

  Blake fled Gillham six years earlier, when he realized his best friend’s son, Elias, was his mate. Elias was only twelve at the time, and their alpha was homophobic. But now Blake is an enforcer, and the council sends him back to Gillham, where he knows he’ll have to face both his best friend, Thomas, and Elias.

  Elias realizes Blake is his mate as soon as they meet again. He’s happy about it, even though his father certainly isn’t. Blake and Elias decide to wait until Elias graduates to mate, but between creatures that lurk in the dark and new questionable friends, will they make it to June in one piece?

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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Elias

  Copyright © 2016 Catherine Lievens

  ISBN: 978-1-4874-0623-3

  Cover art by Latrisha Waters

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

  Published by eXtasy Books Inc or

  Devine Destinies, an imprint of eXtasy Books Inc

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  www.eXtasybooks.com or www.devinedestinies.com

  Elias

  Gillham Pack Book Eight

  By

  Catherine Lievens

  Chapter One

  Eli sighed and Jarrett stuck his elbow in his ribs. “Stop it.”

  “Stop what?”

  “You should just go there and ask him out.”

  Eli shook his head. “No way.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because he’s—he’s Zane. What would he do with someone like me? Besides, you known as well as I do that he’s straight.”

  “Yeah, well, your dad was straight too.”

  Eli scoffed. “Please. He never was. He just had to fake it. Zane doesn’t, because he really is.”

  Zane chose that moment to look away from the guy he was talking to. He glanced Eli’s way and Eli blushed and dropped his gaze when Zane noticed him staring and smiled. “I should go.”

  Jarrett snorted. “Why? Because he saw you looking? Come on, Eli. Don’t be a girl. You two are friends. Talk to him.”

  Eli frowned. “You’re an ass.” He got up from the bench they’d been sitting on and walked away. He heard Jarrett follow him and went faster, angry with his best friend.

  “Eli, come on. I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t care. Leave me alone, Jay.”

  “Eli!”

  Eli swirled around and pointed at his best friend. “No. I don’t want to talk to you right now. You’re an ass, and until you stop telling me stuff like don’t be a girl and man up, I don’t want to talk to you.”

  “But, Eli. Come on.” Jarrett made his puppy eyes at Eli and Eli almost caved in. Almost.

  “No. You’ve been saying that stuff ever since I told you I was gay, and I hate it. It’s not because I like guys that I act like a girl or that I’m more girly than before, and I don’t want to be your friend if that’s what you think of me, so leave me alone.”

  “You know that’s not what I think of you,” Jarrett insisted.

  “Do I? You’re always saying stuff like that, and I’ve had enough of it.”

  “Everything okay, guys?”

  Eli and Jarrett both turned to look at the owner of the new voice, and Eli gulped. Did Zane really have to come over to talk to him just when he was fighting with Jarrett?

  “Yeah, we’re fine,” Jarrett answered for both of them. “Just a small discussion.”

  Zane’s glance slid from Jarrett to Eli, and Eli looked down. “About what?”

  “Not your business,” Jarrett snapped. “Why don’t you go back to your friends and leave us alone?”

  Zane held his hands up. “Sorry. I didn’t want to interrupt your lovers spat.”

  Jarrett spluttered. “We’re not lovers. We’re just friends.”

  Zane’s gaze was on Eli again. “Really? Everyone thinks you two are together.”

  “I’m straight,” Jarrett declared, crossing his arms on his chest.

  “Good to know,” Zane answered him. “What about you, Elias? Are you straight?”

  Eli straightened his back and faced Zane. He might have a crush the size of Wyoming on the guy, but it didn’t mean he was going to let him walk all over him. “No, I’m not. You have a problem with that?”

  Zane smirked. “Nope, no problem at all.” He came closer and Eli sent Jarrett a frantic glance, silently asking what the fuck he should do. Jarrett shrugged and Eli scowled at him and mouthed bastard at his best friend. Jarrett just grinned back.

  “In fact,” Zane went on, completely ignoring the exchange between Eli and Jarrett, “I was wondering if you wanted to go out sometime.”

  Eli gaped. “I... you know I meant I was gay, right? I mean, I like being friends with you, but people might think we’re something more than that if they see us together too much.”

  Zane smiled. “Who said I wanted to be friends?”

  “I, yeah, sure. Okay. Whatever you say.”

  Zane’s smile softened even more. “Great. How about tomorrow night? I’ll call you in the morning to plan.”

  Eli knew his eyes had to be huge. “Okay. I’ll wait for your call. I need to go now, though...” to freak out in private, because Eli didn’t want Zane to run even before they managed to kiss at least once.

  “Yeah, sure. See you.”

  Zane made to step away but changed his mind and stepped toward Eli instead. He kissed Eli’s cheek and waved at Jarrett, then hurried to his friends, who were hooting and catcalling.

  Eli blushed and hurried toward the trees, knowing Jarrett would follow him. Eli didn’t stop. He was still angry with Jarrett, but he needed to talk to him right now, so he didn’t send him away. “Did that really happen?”

  Jarrett pinched Eli’s ass and Eli yelped. “Hey!”

  “Felt real?”

  Eli rubbed his ass-cheek. “Yeah.”

  “Then Zane asking you out was too.”

  Eli stopped in the middle of the path and Jarrett stumbled against his back. “What the fuck, Eli?”

  “What the fuck did I do?”

  “Umm, you said yes? That’s what you wanted, right?”

  “Yeah, but... Zane? Really? I mean, we’re kind of friends, but we’re not that close. What if it’s a joke?”

  Jarrett squeezed Eli’s shoulder and gently pushed him forward. “Stop panicking, Eli. He asked you out because he wants to go out with you, not because it’s funny. And start walking. I don’t want to stay out here longer than necessary.”

  Eli shivered and looked around as he started walking again. “Still nothing about the creature?”

  “Not that I know of, bu
t Craig should know more. Maybe we can ask him.”

  “Yeah, let’s go over to my dad’s house.”

  The fact that his father was with a man still puzzled Eli sometimes, but he was happy for his dad. Craig was bringing the best out of him, and Eli’s father wasn’t as snappish and aggressive as he’d been before.

  They walked in silence until Jarrett asked, “So, am I forgiven?”

  Elis sighed. “I shouldn’t forgive you so easily, but you’re my best friend.”

  “Look, I promise I won’t say those things anymore. I never really thought about them, but I’m sorry I offended you. It’s just that my brother says a lot worse to me and I don’t really care, but yeah. I won’t tease you again.”

  “Thanks.” Eli let go of a branch he’d had to move to pass and heard it smack Jarrett’s face as it snapped back. Jarrett yelped and Eli smiled at the small satisfaction. “Sorry.”

  Jarrett stepped next to Eli. He rubbed his now red nose. “You totally did that on purpose.”

  “Yeah, I did.”

  Jarrett huffed. “Fine. Now you’ve had your revenge. Feel better?”

  “A lot, yeah.”

  Jarrett smacked Eli’s arm and Eli ran ahead. Jarrett ran after him and grabbed him just as they stumbled into the clearing where Eli’s dad lived. Eli fell down and Jarrett followed him, doing his best to tickle Eli while Eli tried to protect his flanks.

  “Boys, come inside,” Craig’s voice came from the house.

  Jarrett stopped tickling Eli and Eli looked at the house. Craig was standing on the porch, his arms crossed on his chest and a smile on his face. Jarrett got up and offered Eli his hand. Eli took it and let his friend haul him up, then jumped on Jarrett’s back to get a piggyback ride to the house.

  Craig shook his head and let them in, then closed the door behind them. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “Eli has a daaaate,” Jarrett sing-songed.

  Eli groaned. “Jay! Did you really have to say it? Now my dad’s going to shit kittens when he finds out.”

  “What am I going to find out?” Eli’s dad asked from the living room, and Eli groaned again.

  “Apparently your son has a date,” Craig provided.

  His dad frowned and looked at Eli. “Really? With who?”

  “Zane,” Jarrett answered.

  Craig beamed. “That’s the guy you’ve had a crush on for months, right?”

  “Yeah,” Eli answered. At least Craig was happy for him. His dad, well, he looked more shocked than anything, like he couldn’t believe his eighteen-year-old son could have a date. “Zane? Eddie’s boy? Isn’t he too old for you?”

  “He’s only twenty-three, dad.”

  “That’s what I said. You’re only eighteen. You should go out with boys your own age.”

  “It’s not like he’s forty, Dad. I don’t see what the problem is.”

  Craig patted Eli’s dad’s arm. “Besides, Eli’s eighteen. He’s old enough to go out with whoever he wants.”

  His dad narrowed his eyes. “I don’t think so.”

  Eli groaned again and slumped against the wall. They were in for a lengthy discussion.

  * * * *

  Blake’s hands were so tight around the steering wheel that they hurt. He was going back to Gillham after leaving six years before, and it was the last thing he wanted to do. Well, that wasn’t right, not exactly. Blake wanted to go back to Gillham, and he’d planned to do just that, but he’d wanted to wait, at least another six years or so.

  He hadn’t had a choice though, and he still damned himself for thinking being an enforcer for the new supernatural council would be a good thing. Of course, it was a good thing for the people he’d already been able to help, and for those he’d help in the future. It wasn’t for him, though, because it was sending him back to Gillham.

  As a wolf shifter, he had to report to Kameron Rhett, the Gillham Pack alpha. He’d hoped he could stay in Whitedell, but had had no luck. Alpha Nash hadn’t looked happy to send him away, but the enforcer wing of the mansion was full, and without a good reason, Blake couldn’t stay. He hadn’t been about to tell Dominic why he couldn’t go back to Gillham, and the only other possibility would have been to leave the enforcers, something he didn’t want to do. Although it was looking like a better option now that he was in Gillham.

  Blake recognized things he passed as he drove. The old tree that was still there, standing, even though it looked like it should’ve crumbled long ago. The gas station that still looked like it was locked in the fifties. Everything was the same, and Blake scoffed at himself.

  He’d been gone only six years, not sixty. What had he expected? His stomach lurched—one thing had certainly changed, and that thing, that person, was the most important thing in his life, even though he’d ran away from it.

  He pressed his lips together and took the turn that would lead him to the center of the pack—the alpha’s house. He couldn’t help but wonder what kind of man Kameron was. He remembered him, of course, but Kameron was a man of power now, and that changed people. It probably wasn’t hard to be a better alpha than Erskine had been, but it didn’t mean Kameron was actually good at it.

  Blake had seen Kameron a few times over the past months, but he’d kept his distance and hadn’t talked to him. He hadn’t wanted to be in the spotlight and have to answer questions, and look what good that had brought him. He was still coming back to Gillham and would still have to answer them.

  The alpha’s house appeared behind the trees and Blake parked in front of it. There were three other cars there, and he recognized Angelo’s. The man was an Italian wolf shifter Blake had worked with a few times, enough to come to like him. At least he wouldn’t be alone if Thomas decided he’d rather have Blake stay out of his life. Not that it’d really be possible if Blake and Elias actually came close to each other.

  Blake turned the car off and pressed his forehead against the steering wheel. He still had time to run. He’d have to find another job, though, and that wasn’t easy. He also liked the sense of belonging he’d been feeling again after he’d joined the enforcers. Wolves weren’t made to be on their own, and he had been for years. He’d never joined another pack because he’d known he’d come back one day. He just hadn’t thought it’d be so soon.

  There was a knock on his window and he jumped. A blond man was standing outside his car, peering inside with a curious expression on his face. It wasn’t Elias, but it could’ve been. The guy looked to be as young as Elias, maybe a year or two older. He wore only jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt and was shivering in the January cold, but he wasn’t making any moves to go back from wherever he’d come from.

  Blake opened his door and stepped outside, immediately regretting leaving his toasty warm car. “Yes?”

  “You’re one of the enforcers?”

  Blake nodded. The kid moved and Blake noticed the mating bite on his neck. He frowned. How could anyone claim a kid that young? He should’ve been exploring the world, finding himself, not being chained to a woman.

  “Come in, then. Kam’s waiting for you.”

  Blake arched a brow but didn’t say anything. He turned his car off and closed the door, then followed the kid inside the house. He obviously hadn’t recognized Blake, but then he’d probably been too young when Blake had left to do so. He did seem to know the house quite well, though, because he went straight to the alpha’s office.

  Blake looked around as he walked, trying to see signs of Erskine, but it was all gone. The house was warm and cozy now, looking more like a place where a family belonged than an alpha’s house. Not that Blake minded—he actually liked it a lot.

  The kid opened the office door without knocking and Blake’s eyes widened. Erskine would’ve had the kid’s head for breakfast if he’d done it with him.

  “Kam, there’s another enforcer. I really wish Dominic had sent them all together, because it’s complicating things to have them trickling in.
”

  Blake pressed his lips together and stepped inside the office. Angelo was there, as well as Sue. Kameron was behind the desk and the kid walked right to him and perched on the arm of the alpha’s chair.

  Kameron looked at Blake and their eyes met. Blake saw recognition spark in Kameron’s eyes and the alpha got up. “Blake? Blake Morris?”

  “Yeah. Hi.”

  Kameron strode to Blake and pulled him into a bear hug. Blake’s eyes widened and it took him a few seconds to hug Kameron back. They might have known each other, but they’d never really been friends, so he wasn’t sure what had earned him such a warm welcome.

  He felt awkward when they separated and Kameron held him at arm’s length. “Shit, it’s been what? Five years?”

  “Six, actually.”

  “Everyone thought Erskine had killed you.”

  Ah, that explained why Kameron had been so happy to see him. Blake rubbed the back of his neck. “Nope. I left.”

  Kameron frowned and let go. “Well, I can understand that. You’re not the only one, although most of the others told their friends and family before leaving.” He went back behind his desk and the kid slid on his lap.

  Blake’s eyes bulged out of his face. “Wait, you’re the one he’s mated with?”

  Kameron narrowed his eyes. “Yes. Do you have a problem with it?”

  Blake raised his hands. “God, no. Why do you think I left?” Well, that was one of the reasons anyway.

  “You’re gay?”

  “Yeah.”

  The alpha relaxed. “This is Zach, and yes, he’s my mate.”

  Angelo and Sue got up. “It’s obvious you need some time to talk. We’ll be in the enforcers’ building if it’s okay with you,” Angelo told Kameron.

  Kameron nodded. “Sure. Zach will ask someone to go with you.”

  “Nah, it’s fine. We’ll find the way. You said it was the second turn to the left from here, yes?”

  “That’s right.”