She lowered the tray onto the bedside table and gave them both a soft smile and turned to leave. “You two can go home when you’re ready. We’re coming to stay with you for a bit. I hear we have your mate to meet.” She gave Jared an unamused look over her shoulder.
‘It can be fixed.’ He linked his son. “Let’s eat, and you can stay here for a while. They would love it. I know it.” Trying to change his mother’s mind wasn’t an easy task, but if it was what Daniel needed, Jared was sure as hell going to give it a try. "Didn't I tell you about Serra?" He grinned sheepishly and pushed to his feet to fix a plate before holding it out to his son.
Daniel lifted his head and shifted to his human form. Ghosting on some clothes, he took the dish and ate slowly.
Brenda watched them. “I would love for you to stay here with us when we come back, Daniel. Ireland is a wonderful place.” She touched his shoulder and arched a brow at her son. "No Jared, you didn't."
Daniel looked up at her and nodded as a weird sense of calm settled over him. “I. I’d like that I think.”
Smiling at the cub, and arching a brow at her son, she left them to eat. They were both exhausted, and the conversation was sparse. Before long, they were both fast asleep.
Salvation stayed in his seat watching as each of the tribunal members left one by one. Turning his violet eyes to the dancing flames in the center of the table, he noticed that Ozzy Fitzpatrick hadn’t moved. His brow arched as he leaned back in his chair. He reached out to read what had the lion looking so pensive and hit a brick wall. He hated that the bastard had learned how to block Salvation from his thoughts and hated that he’d taught the skill to every damned member of Alpha Pride, even more.
Whatever it was, it weighed heavily on the male. Maybe it was the reality of shifters being taken and forced into the equivalent of dog fights or the fact that every time AP squashed one ring leader, another popped up to take its place. Maybe it was the reports of the increase of demons crawling to the surface to spread the fuckery that they loved so much. Old ancient players like Ty and the Sevens were being joined by an influx of Kanons and others. All were ignoring the truce that had been forged long ago. Salvation didn’t need to meditate to see that all hell was about to break loose. He could feel it in his bones.
He felt eyes boring into him before he pulled his gaze from the flames. One corner of his mouth curled up as the garou wolves began their nightly chorus at the night sky, quickly followed by the yips of the coyotes. “Give it up, Old Man. You can’t get inside my melon any more than I can get into yours.”
“And yet, neither of us ever stop trying,” Ozzy smirked. He’d felt Sal trying to get in. It used to bother him, but he was used to it now. He looked around, noticing that everyone else had left. “Looks like we’re alone. If you want to know something, it’s polite to come out and ask.”
Sal chuckled. “Okay. Let’s play it your way. What’s on your mind?”
“You.” Ozzy leaned his elbows on the table. He didn’t think that the Ghardian had anything to do with what had been done to the Panther, but one never knew. He’d tried every avenue open to him to gather intel but no one knew anything, or they weren’t talking. Not even when he let Caleb and Balden ‘persuade’ them. Nasty business and not for the squeamish, but Ozzy wasn’t above using any tactic necessary. Simple fact, if they didn’t talk when the Seven or the Djinn worked them over, then they didn’t know anything.
“What about me?” Sal reached for his drink, holding it as he watched the Lion.
“I’m trying to figure out how a collar, with your mark, ended up on a garou Panther when she was attacked.”
“What?” The air was sucked out of Sal’s lungs as he did a mental inventory of the locked chests of weapons in his home. His eyes closed and he cursed in an ancient dialect when he found that a few things were missing, but how?
“You heard what I said. The question that I can’t seem to get an answer to is, did you sanction the attack and if so, why?”
“You do know that if anyone else asked me this, they would be vulture chow?” Sal growled and took a drink of the mead that the All Father’s brothers had brought for the meeting.
Ozzy’s eyes blinked slowly, and his head bowed in the affirmative. “Aye.”
Sal chuckled and shook his head. The lion’s pulse didn’t even hiccup at the threat. “No. I did not.” He took another drink and lowered the horn cup to the table. “Is she alright? The Panther?”
Ozzy shook his head no. “She survived, and she hired us to find the sons of bitches.”
“Have you?” There were very few people who had access to his home, and one of them was a plotting thief. Sal dreaded the answer that Ozzy may lay on him.
“No, but we’re getting close.” Ozzy steeple his fingers under his chin watching the Ghardian for subtle signs of deception.
“Good. Find them.” Sal growled and finished his drink, extinguishing the flame on the table with a wave of his hand before he shifted into his animal form.
“By any means necessary?” Ozzy asked. Damn, he never got used to the giant white buffalo that Sal became, or how strongly his animal side wanted to hunt it.
Sal snorted through his muzzle. ‘Whatever it takes,’ he linked the lion before walking off.
“That’s all I needed to hear.” Ozzy’s lips curled up in a predatory grin.
Jared watched Zev for a moment as he directed everyone to leave his childhood bedroom, but them. Staring at the demon, he shook his head. He wasn’t sure this was a good idea, but fuck it, who was he to tell them both no?
Edge took the time to mull over what this meant for him. Once they were alone, he leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together under his chin. “Do you have any questions for me?”
“Yes, a ton. Why bond to me?”
Zev growled at Jared. “Are you deaf?”
Edge rolled his eyes. He could tell that this Panther was going to be a pain in his fucking ass. Waving his hand towards the door, he sent Zev away. “Because I am no longer needed in Ireland. There is nothing for me here anymore. And you need someone to protect you from yourself. Even a badass shifter like you needs some help. Wouldn't you like some with your young? Don't try to argue with me. If Zev thinks it’s a good idea, then it has to mean something. He doesn't do this kind of thing for shits and giggles. And him helping anyone just to help them, never happens." Edge said making a point with the word never.
Jared arched his brow and crossed his arms. “Seems that you need me more than I need you. But you’re right. It would be a help for my children.”
Edge arched a brow and leaned back against the chair. “No, I really don’t. I have a list of shit I'd rather do than this, but because I feel I owe your parents, I'll help you out."
“Okay. Well, let’s do it.” Jared wasn’t sure how this worked and was still skeptical. “What do we do first?”
Edge stood and shifted, the startling contrast of colors, greens, blue, silver and black swirled across his skin. With a wave of his hand, he opened Jared’s shirt. Smirking at the look Jared gave him, he backed up and ran at the startled Panther, blurring into smoke as his body collided with the Panthers. He formed a huge dragon tattoo on Jared’s chest. “Now it’s done.”
Jared rocked back a bit and looked down. “Holy shit!” He felt... Different. “That was easy. Does that mean you and I can now sense each other?”
Edge shifted around on his chest, causing Jared to shiver slightly at the new and strange sensation. ‘Aye. I can tell when your heart rate kicks up, your blood pressure and all of the things in between. You need to drink more juice, Panther.’ He chuckled. ‘But yes, I can sense you now. And you me.’
Jared shivered and laughed. “That tickles like a bitch. More juice?” He was confused. “Why? Do I have scurvy?”
‘You’re pretty damn close there, Cat. Now shut up. I’m gonna go to sleep. You will get used to me being here. The only way to do that is for me to be here.’
‘I can be. Depends on what’s going on at the time.’
“When I sleep?”
‘Yes. Now, shut up.’ Edge mumbled about loud ass cats who needed answers right when it was time to go to sleep.
Jared growled at him.
Edge chuckled.
Serra looked down at the cubs, fast asleep in their crib once more before carefully backing out of the room, flipping off the light and closing the door softly. It was good to be home, but it was too damned quiet. Wrapping her arms around herself she walked down the hall, stopping to rap a knuckle against Daniel’s door. He didn’t answer. She swept the hair back from her face and prayed that when she opened the door that she’d be met with a string of profanity or maybe even a smelly shoe tossed her way. Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and poked her head inside.
It was empty of everything that made it Daniel’s. The posters were gone from the walls. The guitars and their stands were missing. The dirty laundry that usually littered everything wasn’t there. The furniture and made up bed were all that remained. Serra blinked her eyes, trying to ward off the stinging. This was her fault. She should have tried harder to explain why she’d disappeared. Hell, she should have found a way to tough it out and not gone in the first place. She knew that the Cub counted on her being there, and she’d only thought of herself. Shaking her head, Serra dropped onto the bed and rubbed her face with her hands. If what Brian had told her happened at The Pit was her fault, she wasn't going to be able to stomach it.
Mamma was right. She fucked up everything that she touched. How long would it be before Jared figured that out? She snorted. He was likely to notice that his kid was MIA pretty damned quick. Maybe he already knew. He wasn’t answering her texts, and she didn’t dare mindlink him. What if he was in the middle of a life or death situation and she distracted him? She couldn’t do that. How much it was killing her, didn’t matter. Funny that when she had everything she felt lonelier than she ever had before.
CHAPTER 13
Jared arrived home in NOLA with Daniel, Edge and his parents. The house was silent. Daniel headed to bed while Jared showed his parents to their room. Scrubbing his face with his hand, he wondered how Serra was going to react to this. Jared ghosted out, to get the bag that he’d left behind.
Serra’s ear twitched at the sounds that woke her. Lifting her head from the pillow, she sniffed at the air. There were scents that she didn’t recognize. The Cubs! She had to get to the cubs. Growling low in her throat, she jumped from the bed, her paws hitting the carpet in a jog. She pitied the SOB that came into their house and threatened Theo and Justice. Scratch that. No, she didn’t, if they were that stupid, then they deserved to die.
Brenda walked from her room to the kitchen to get Frank a bottle of water. With the fridge door open she straightened up when she heard footsteps.
Checking on the Cubs, both were asleep and huddled together, Serra’s head turned toward the sound of the refrigerator opening. Closing the door behind her with a flick of her tail, she crept down the hall. Her shoulders bunched as she lowered her panther body so low that her stomach almost touched the floor. The muscles of her hind legs coiled tight prepared to attack, and her tail twitched at the tip, showing her irritation. Inching closer to the kitchen, she stalked the female bathed in the light from the fridge.
Brenda turned to see a large female panther stalking her. Before she could speak, Edge appeared and put himself between Brenda and the cat. He hissed, his wings fanned out, and he blew a large flame at the female.
Eyes locked on the intruder, Serra’s lips pulled back to expose fangs in a hiss when the woman turned, not looking all that surprised. Growling, Serra sprang. One huge mother fucking Kanon demon appeared out of nowhere. It was too late to stop her momentum. She twisted her body and slammed into the kitchen island, leaving her dazed, but avoiding the ball of fire the demon blew her way. What the fuck was going on?
Brenda watched the panther go down as Jared appeared in the kitchen. He saw Serra on the floor and Edge ready to attack. “Edge no! That's my mate.”
Brenda’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry son. I should have known.”
Edge let his wings drop and made a face. “I didn’t think about you having a mate.” He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “Sorry for trying to kill you.”
Serra shifted and ghosted on clothes, glancing up when Jared appeared. A huge smile spread across her face as she pushed herself to her feet and jumped into his arms wrapping her legs around his waist. “You’re home!” Holding onto him tight, she turned her head toward the voices. Son? “That’s your Mom?” Serra grimaced at the first impression she’d just made and looked at the Kanon wearily. “Um. It’s okay, I guess.”
Jared held her and nuzzled her gently. “Yes, I’m home, and I’ve brought guests. This is my mother, Brenda and this is Edge. He’s my... He’s our...” He wasn’t sure what to say. “He’s my new demon guard for a bit. My father is here too.”
Raising a brow, Serra just looked at him for a few seconds letting it all sink in, because damn, that was a lot of information to make sense out of. “Oh.” Slowly she lowered her feet to the floor, loving the way it felt when she slid down his hard body. Smiling shyly, she stepped forward and offered her hand to Brenda. “Sorry about that. I’m Serra.”
Brenda shook her hand and looked at the small blonde female. She wasn’t sure how to greet her. After all, her son had been mated twice before. She didn’t think she could stand to see another female hurt him. Though she knew, she had hurt him as well.
It took more nerve to do the same to the demon, but Serra managed before turning back to Jared. “What about Daniel? Is he okay? Brian told me what happened at The Pit.”
“Daniel is fine. He’s in his room.” He looked over at his mother, knowing that look on her face too well and knowing that changing the subject was the way to go. “Dad asleep?”
Jared’s voice broke Brenda’s thought pattern. “Oh, well he asked for some water. You know his habits and all.”
Sighing at the skeptical way Jared’s mother looked at her, Serra cursed the females that had come before her. Not that she could blame his Mom, after all, Pops had the same issue. Still, it didn’t make it easy, and when she imagined them all in the same room, she just wanted to hide. Returning to Jared’s side, she slid her arm around his waist and leaned into him. “Good. I was worried about him. Does he need anything?” Glancing up at her mate, she couldn’t help the smile that came back. Gods, she’d missed him. “I’m so glad you’re home!”
Jared shook his head no. “He seemed tired. Come on Mom, let’s get you to bed. We all need to sleep.” Edge stared at Jared. “You can sleep in the cub’s room.”
Serra's arm tightened around him a little at the idea of the big, fire-breathing demon sleeping in the cub’s room. Serra bit her lip to stop herself from giving her opinion on why that was a bad idea. His Cubs, his decision and he knew the Kanon better than she did. That did not mean she was all happy, happy, joy, joy with it, though. “If you want to get your folks settled, I can show Edge to the nursery and make sure he has everything he needs?” Rolling up on her toes, she kissed Jared’s cheek and motioned for Edge to follow her, even though having him behind her made her twitchy.
Jared got his parents settled and then went to find Serra.
Pulling extra pillows from the closet, Serra dropped them on the bed and smiled nervously at Edge. “Don’t be surprised if they get out and decide to chew on you a little, okay? If you need anything, we’re just down the hall.” Biting her lip, she forced herself to shut up when the Kanon nodded and sat on the bed that was far too small for him. They would have to do something about that tomorrow.
Backing out of the room, she watched for a few minutes, trying to convince herself that the Cubs would be safe. Rubbing her eyes, she sighed and leaned against the wall, smiling as Jared walked toward her, yawning. “
You look beat, Babe.”
“If you only knew. Haven’t slept since I left.” A yawn came out, and he sighed. “Sorry.”
Taking his hand, she pulled him toward their room. “Nothing to be sorry for. Come to bed Panther. I just want you beside me.”
Once in the room, Jared shifted and jumped on the bed.
Laying down, Serra shifted and shoved her nose against his neck, breathing in his scent and feeling her body finally relax. A purr rolled over her tongue. Thank the gods he was home again.
He purred back, nuzzled her and closed his eyes.
Stepping outside, Serra wiggled her toes in the grass and sipped her coffee. She wanted to believe that almost attacking Jared’s mother last night was a dream, but was pretty sure it wasn’t. Especially, when she cracked the nursery door and found the cubs asleep, and curled up against the massive Kanon. She shook her head, wrapping her mind around that, was going to take some time. Not knowing what had happened, or if it was over was killing her.
Jared woke in bed alone. Stretching, he jumped off the bed and followed Serra’s scent outside.
Covering a yawn with her hand, Serra turned when she felt him behind her. Smiling, she sipped from the mug. Damn it was good to have him home again. “Morning, Baby.”
He rubbed against her leg and chuffed softly when she trailed her fingers through his fur. Laying down in the grass, he looked around. Nothing had changed. He purred.
Serra sat on the ground with her knees drawn to her chest and stroked his chest with her toes. She glanced back over her shoulder toward the house, wondering where everyone was. “So what happened?”
‘Not much to say. I disobeyed Zev to save my son and parents. Mom mauled Zander and the others. So they’re still alive and didn’t get what they wanted.’ Jared linked her and rested his head against her leg.
She stroked his head, her fingers sinking into the fur behind his ears and scratching with her nails. “I didn’t think it was over. Not if you brought Edge home.” She wasn’t stupid. Serra knew these fuckers always came back eventually. “How long do you think we have until they try again?”
The Mating (Black on Black, #1) Page 22
