by Fel Fern
A growl slipped his lips without warning. It pissed him off, seeing what had been done to Theo. He only needed one look to know some of the scars on Theo’s body looked old. His wolf couldn’t quite sense Theo’s inner animal, a magpie. Dormant shifters were born with an animal inside them but simply couldn’t let that inner beast out.
He didn’t know what Theo was. Maybe all the hurt Theo had been through had made his magpie bury itself so deep inside Theo that even he didn’t know if it was there. Too many questions and assumptions. Joe needed answers, but one thing was clear. No one would approach, much less touch, Theo, not without going through him.
Joe would take full responsibility for Theo, because some part of him sensed that Theo was important. Protective instincts rose up inside of him. His loyalty to the pack always came first, but one whiff of this stranger changed all that. Just who exactly was Theo to him that he’d want to go up against his entire pack, the entire Devil Hills community, just to keep this human?
* * * *
Joe ignored the hawk shifter gliding through the trees to his left. He sensed other packmates, mostly members of his team who’d approached him tentatively. A warning growl stopped them in their tracks, and it helped his wolf gave off aggressive energy.
The only werewolves powerful to stop him were in an important meeting. Deacon had been accompanied by Santino, Sabine, and Lance to meet with their resident hawk Alpha Mal and vampire king Ezekiel. Joe still had a few precious moments with his prize before word reached Lance or their Alpha.
His prize?
Fuck. What the hell was he thinking? Despite his reputation as a charmer, Joe took his duties as pack enforcer seriously. Why was he comprising all that he’d worked so hard for, for a stranger he found on the road?
Theo’s no stranger, his wolf told him.
What is he then? Joe wondered, except part of him suspected he knew the answer.
Joe wasn’t ready to confront the truth yet. If Theo ended up being a trap and Joe practically brought a threat inside his home, then he wasn’t sure he’d be able to forgive himself. He sighted his cabin in the distance. Most single werewolves chose to live in the pack house, surrounded by other packmates, but this single-story log cabin had belonged to his parents. Before his parents could think about expanding the space, they’d been killed in the last war.
Joe and his brothers lived here until Quentin and Marshall decided to move out. During those first few days, Joe remembered thinking how the house felt so quiet without his loud brothers who always found something to fight over. He’d die for them, would protect his family to his last breath, but younger brothers could be pains in the asses on occasion, too.
Halfway to his porch, Joe felt a slim hand on his left pectoral. He froze, looked down at Theo, who stared up at him with unfocused eyes.
“Wolf,” Theo whispered.
He closed his fingers over those fragile fingers. At this angle, he could see Theo’s ribs sorely sticking out. Theo barely weighed a thing, too. Starved and tortured, Joe thought, anger rising again, and for what?
Joe didn’t know the entirety of Theo’s story, but he knew enough. Voss and the Discipline Squad had ruined far too many families to count. Theo wasn’t the first victim or the last.
“That’s right,” he told Theo, who looked barely able to hold onto his consciousness.
“Are you an enemy or a friend?” Theo murmured. “So big and warm.”
Theo sounded delirious. He kicked opened the door, strode to the living room, and set Theo on the couch. Joe grabbed a pair of fresh jeans from his bedroom and returned to the living room to examine Theo.
Theo had lost consciousness. Shit. If Joe were dealing with a typical shifter, their regenerative abilities would kick in by now. He needed a healer. The pack had two, Elaine, a senior pack member, and Zack, a bobcat shifter and Santino’s mate. Healers were incredibly rare, valuable to any pack, and everyone knew how the Devil could get overprotective over his mate. Last he heard, Elaine was visiting one of the Esper families living near town.
He knelt in front of Theo, placed a hand over Theo’s forehead. Joe swore. Theo ran a fever and began to shiver so violently that Joe ran to his room, grabbed the comforter, and placed it over Theo’s body. His wolf rose to the edge, pacing, anxious.
Losing Theo was not an option. Joe picked up the phone and dialed the pack clinic’s number, where he knew Zack would be assigned. Zack picked up instantly.
“Zack, it’s Joe. I have an emergency. Can you come to my cabin right away?” Joe must have sounded urgent enough, because he heard Zack grabbing things in the background.
“Can you give me more details?”
Frustration welled inside him. A snarl slipped out. Patience, he told his wolf. Zack needed more information.
“Joe, any serious wounds?” Zack asked patiently on the other end.
Joe lifted the sheet. Just old bruises, scars and minor scratches Theo probably sustained when he'd been thrown out of the car, but he had no idea if Theo had any internal injuries.
“I don’t know, nothing as far as I can see on the outside, just old wounds,” he replied harshly. “Zack, it looks like he’s been tortured for a long time.”
“I’ll be right there.”
“Thanks. And Zack? Come alone.”
A pause on the other end, but unlike Elaine, Zack didn’t ask further details.
“Give me fifteen minutes.”
The bobcat shifter could be relied on for discretion. Santino would probably rip his head off for this, for bringing his mate into possible harm, but he’d deal with the Devil later. His number one priority was to save Theo.
Joe ended the call and began to pace the room. Theo murmured something under his breath. At first, Joe thought Theo regained consciousness again, but Theo only talked in his sleep. Theo turned to his side, curled into a protective ball, a vulnerable position. That didn’t help his mood.
Nightmares seemed to plague Theo, because he turned, moaned. “No, please. Stop.”
Hearing those words gutted Joe. He sat on the edge of the sofa, placing his hand over Theo’s, who’d curl his fingers into a fist. Joe rubbed Theo’s knuckles back and forth, didn’t mind it when Theo clutched at his hand, held onto him so tightly, his nails scored his skin.
“It’s going to be okay,” he said in a soothing voice.
An outright lie, but Theo didn’t know that. Joe knew he’d have to explain himself after this, that he’d have to fight to keep Theo, but he didn’t care. Focus on the now, he told himself. He’d think of how to explain Theo to Deacon, Lance, and the others after Zack saw Theo.
Chapter Four
Theo slipped in and out of consciousness. Something critical had happened, he knew he had to be awake, observant, but his limbs felt heavy. He opened his eyes to slits but even that felt like a monumental effort. Theo expected to see the same depressing gray walls and floor of his cell, instead, warm shades of brown greeted him. Plenty of wood, log walls, and matching dark furniture.
What grabbed his attention was the man standing by the front door, blocking his view of outside. Streaks of blue and green. Where in God’s name was he? The colors, his new surroundings, were a shock Theo had a hard time processing. Focusing his attention to man subsided his panic.
He stared in appreciation at those powerful back muscles, the faded blue jeans that curved over a very tight and nice ass and muscled legs. Joe, he remembered, heart racing a little faster as he remembered the dominant werewolf above him.
Joe was talking to someone else, he realized.
“Zack, before you come in, you have to know this. Deacon, the Beta, and the other enforcers don’t know I’ve taken Theo here,” Joe was saying.
“Who is Theo?” Zack asked. “Let me see the patient. Don’t make me wait around outside if he’s hurt.”
Bossy, he thought, closing his eyes. Safe. He didn’t know why he thought that, but he recalled Joe’s strong muscled arms wrapped protectively around his skinny a
nd naked body. He must look like a mess, but Joe didn’t seem to care about that.
Joe should have killed him outright, ended his misery, because Theo might remain confused about a number of things but he grew certain of one thing. The last thing he wanted was to hurt Joe, and what was worse? He knew he had the capacity to do plenty of harm to the only man who’d treated him with kindness and tenderness.
Theo had been out of it most of the time, but some details didn’t escape him, like the incredibly soft comforter laid over his body and Joe’s big and callused hand stroking his. What would it be like, to be loved and cared for by such a fierce yet protective man?
Things like you don’t deserve love.
Theo recoiled at Voss’s voice in his head, flinched when someone touched his arm.
“Shh, steady there. My name is Zack, I’m a healer. I’m just going to assess you for internal injuries, okay?” said the slender, blond haired and green-eyed man who looked like he was the same age as Theo.
“Joe?” he whispered, hating how needy he sounded.
“I’m right here,” Joe rumbled, moving behind the couch, and seeing the solid form of Joe gave him relief.
He tensed when Zack touched him again, but realizing it didn’t feel intrusive, he relaxed. Joe wouldn’t let anyone hurt him, he remembered. Warm energy flowed from Zack to him. He didn’t understand it, but he could tell it wasn’t evil. Was it his imagination or did some of the tiny cuts he’d sustained when the Squad tossed him out of the van start to heal?
“No internal injuries,” Zack said. “But he’s severely malnourished. He’ll need plenty of rest, healthy meals, and some exercise.”
A pause.
“I’m no expert when it comes to the mind, but you should have Daryl or Sabine have a look at him.”
Daryl. His mind latched onto that name. Deacon Becker’s mate. Esper. Empath. The Demon Alpha’s weak point.
“No.” The forcefulness in Joe’s voice made him squirm.
“Joe, who is he?” Zack finally asked. “What happened to him?”
“I found him on the road like this.”
Theo decided to speak up.
“I’m a trap,” he rasped, using the word Joe did only moments ago. “Joe should’ve killed me.”
“What the hell are you saying now?” Joe bristled.
“Joe, can you get him some water?” Zack asked.
“Shit, yeah. Okay.”
A moment later, Joe pressed a glass of water to his lips, which he drank greedily.
“Slowly or you’ll choke,” Joe chided.
He glared at the big werewolf, who only chuckled.
“What do you mean by trap?” Zack asked, looking wary now.
Joe snarled. “Don’t act all high and mighty now, healer. Remember you lied to Santino and the Alpha to get here.”
Santino, nicknamed the Devil, one of the Devil Hills wolf pack’s most powerful enforcers. Avoid at all costs, along with his sister, the Ghost. Get Daryl Rush.
Theo’s head started to hurt. He hated hearing Voss’s voice in his head all the time. He gritted his teeth, suppressed a moan from coming out.
“I’m not making any judgements, Joe. I’m not your enemy, and I want to help Theo, too. I can’t turn away an injured man, but on my way here, I saw a couple of hawk shifters. Deacon and the others will know soon.”
“Did you tell your mate?” Joe demanded.
“Of course not. Give me some credit. You asked me to keep this a secret.”
Joe let out a breath. “I know. I’m sorry. I appreciate you coming here.”
Theo was imagining things, because some kind of grey feather duster started moving on the floor and jumped on the couch to sniff at him. Not a feather duster, he realized, as tiny blue eyes met his. The small dog sniffed at him, then wagged its tail. No, he thought, not a dog, but a wolf pup.
“Sylvia, I thought I told you to stay with Martha and the others?” Zack sounded exasperated.
The wolf pup licked at his cheek, and he couldn’t help it, a smile curved on his lips. When Zack picked her up, she let out a bark.
“He’s hurt, we should let him rest,” Zack chided to the bundle of fur in his arms. “Sorry, Joe. She was in the clinic with me but she must’ve slipped into my truck when I wasn’t looking.”
“This isn’t good, you and her being here is going to put Theo in further danger. I don’t want any beef with those silver-eyed siblings,” Joe said.
His heart hammered. The Devil and the Ghost. The last two people he wanted to cross paths with.
Joe must have sensed his apprehension, because the dominant werewolf walked around the couch. He made a little space for Joe, relaxing in his presence.
“We’ll go,” Zack offered. “But Joe, there’s no telling how much time you and Theo have before the others come knocking for explanations.”
“Thanks, Zack,” Joe said.
Once the healer and wolf pup left, he shut his eyes.
“Joe, how much trouble have I put you in?” he asked, sighing when Joe reached out and stroked his hair. That was nice, he decided. Used to nothing but pain, he craved more of Joe’s touches. It should have alarmed him how quickly he’d grown attached to a complete stranger, except deep down, he knew Joe was special.
“Don’t think about that. I want you to eat something first, then sleep. I’ll handle my packmates.”
Joe sounded so confident, he nodded, not doubting the werewolf. Joe parted from him, and he fell into a short nap, only to be waken what must have been sometime later.
“Hey, do you think you can eat this for me?” Joe asked, his blue-flecked gold eyes looking concerned.
Theo squinted at the sandwiches on the plate. His stomach growled at the smell of real food, not the slop he’d been usually fed. He sat up, head spinning. Theo must have risen too fast.
Joe easily slid a hand on the curve of his back. The wave of dizziness passed. He hated feeling weak. Where did that line of thought come from? Only earlier that afternoon, he’d been certain of dying, of being free from his miserable life. A strange feeling settled inside his skin, made him want to live again after meeting Joe.
He grabbed the sandwich with both hands, bit into it. Rich flavors of ham and cheese exploded on his tongue. He groaned, devouring the first sandwich easily, then the second. Joe didn’t say anything, merely offered him another glass of water, which he took.
“You still hungry? I can make you more. All I have is bread and cold cuts. I can head over to the kitchens in the pack house, but leaving you isn’t an option.”
“Your packmates,” Theo guessed. “They’ll see me as a threat?”
Joe nodded. “Like I said, let me deal with it. Your job is to rest, get better.”
“I’d like a shower, if that’s okay,” he said quickly, unable to recall when was the last time he had a bath. God, to a shifter who had a hypersensitive sense of smell, he must stink. Why was he suddenly so self-conscious around Joe?
“Sure, it’s this way.” Joe helped him to his feet.
“I can walk on my own,” Theo insisted, but Joe gripped his hand, his gaze steely, firm.
For some reason, that made him all aware of the big, muscled werewolf next to his shoulder again.
“Don’t reject my help. Stubbornness won’t get you far.”
He lifted his chin. “You think I’m so weak, don’t you? Can’t do anything by myself?”
Joe scoffed. “Baby, you looked like you’ve been tortured for a long time. Anyone in that position wouldn’t be able to stand on their own yet. Right now, you might think you’ve fallen far, but I know you’ll rise. You have steel in your spine.”
A shudder passed through him at those words. Rise again. Would he be truly able to do that? Joe had no idea what Voss had done to him. He had no clue, but he knew with certainty that Voss messed with his head, probably brainwashed him into doing something he’d hate. When he tried to remember, his head only hurt even worse, so he stopped.
“Fine.
Thank you for your help,” he said weakly.
Baby. Joe called him that, and no one had ever given him a term of endearment. It was nice, except he shouldn’t get used to it. It could have been a slip-up, and he still had a job to do.
I want to see Daryl Rush.
Theo, thankfully, managed to shut his mouth as Joe led him to the bathroom. He began to protest when Joe opened the shower door for him. Joe snarled under his breath when Theo pushed his hand away. Nausea rose as he gripped the tiled wall.
“I’m not going to do anything you. I’ll just help speed things along,” Joe muttered, easily catching him.
Theo’s back hit a wall of muscle. He slumped against Joe, shutting his eyes, not protesting when Joe wrapped one arm over his chest, while the other reached for the shower tap. Water hit his head.
“You’re getting wet because of me,” Theo whispered.
“I don’t care. Will you behave this time around?”
“Will I get a prize if I do?” he warily asked.
“Yeah, you get to sleep on my nice fluffy bed. How’s that sound? I value my sleep, so I make sure all my sheets and pillows are extra soft.”
“Sounds tempting. You know what’s even better?” His heart raced as he spoke. Theo hadn’t felt brave in a long time. He’d learned that rebellion would only be met with punishment during his time as the Discipline Squad’s captive. So he’d grown frightened, terrified of fighting back. Here, though, he was in a safe place, but Joe and his packmate, who’d only treated him with kindness, weren’t safe from him.
“What’s that?”
“You next to me.”
Joe spun him gently by the shoulder, tipped his chin, forcing him to look at him. This time, Theo rose on tiptoe and took initiative, kissing the big werewolf, who gripped him harder. Joe easily took control, thrusting heat down his throat. His dick thickened. Joe tasted of strength, of life. Theo didn’t want to die, not anymore.
Chapter Five
“You know, there’s plenty of space for both of us,” Theo said in his bed. The shower had cleaned off any dirt and dried blood, and Joe could catch glimpses of skin despite the sheet covering Theo.
