by Deja Black
Slowly, the glow from Aiden’s eyes grew, his skin rippling. A flicker. This time Dan was not in a hospital room. Dan wasn’t crazy, and the flash he saw in Aiden’s eyes was completely him, nothing else. It wasn’t some weird lighting or even a dream. It was something more. And what had Jeremiah meant? What the hell was going on? Someone had answers to his questions, and while he wouldn’t disrespect his father ever, he had a right to know what others apparently already did.
“Forgive me, Alpha,” Aiden said, his voice more a blending of sounds than the baritone that usually graced Dan’s ears.
Dan recognized it, recognized the power that hummed along his skin. It couldn’t be? Aiden couldn’t be? A head capped with the sexiest black hair swiveled back to him, eyes swimming in color. Dan watched as Aiden’s nostrils widened, his skin stretching as he tried to breathe him in from across the room. His broad shoulders rose and fell gently with his inhalations.
“It is becoming difficult, though, the more time spent with him. Although, I’m realizing you knew this would happen.” Aiden’s skin expanded as the light within intensified.
What was becoming difficult? What was wrong with Aiden, whose lips bore the signs of passionate kisses between them?
Dan reached out to Aiden. He didn’t know how he knew it, but he knew in his bones that Aiden needed something from him. A touch. From him. Aiden was older, stronger, but he seemed lost, in the middle of a spin he couldn’t control, and Dan knew if something wasn’t done, his family would be caught in the whirlpool.
“Come to me, Aiden,” Dan called, trying to get past the void that surrounded him.
“No.”
Aiden’s struggle was more visible now. Another flicker, then another. The glowing was present, but with each second, it was becoming more and more irregular. The frigid temperature in the room was a reflection of his strength.
Dan could see Conner in his peripheral, preparing to act, felt when his body rose beside him. He knew that Kristoff, too, stepped forward, armed and prepared to defend his Alpha. Conner’s men would not be too far behind. Alec moved stealthily to one side, while Frederick took the other. It wouldn’t be much longer before others entered the room. Whatever was happening had to end now. The tension was rising, choking all present. His father would only allow so much before blood would be shed, and Dan wasn’t ready to lose the possibilities of what was happening between him and Aiden.
“Come to me, Aiden. What? Are you afraid to sit with me,” Dan teased, trying to alleviate the tension. The room was quiet, pulsed as Dan baited Aiden. The room itself held its breath as whatever fought beneath Aiden’s skin battled his will, the internal war made visible by the constant shifting of his muscles. “Is it Conner?” The glow brightened even more, and then the arctic air quickly became a furnace. There was his answer. “Yes, it’s you, J. D. Please, Conner. Let me handle this.”
Dan stood, but Conner was a blur as he shot in front of him, a fort defending his brother against the perceived enemy.
“Father, please. Trust me. I feel this is right. Call Conner off. Dammit, Conner. Step back.” He didn’t bother to look at them, too focused on what he could see of Aiden wavering before him. He was no larger in his stature, but Dan knew the force he was calling to himself was only increasing, gaining in magnitude so that when Aiden finally unleashed it, he would have to pick up the pieces of his father’s home.
At Jeremiah’s word, Conner moved to let him by, distancing himself.
Dan knew it was done begrudgingly, but he trusted himself to know he was handling this the right way. He was hot now, nearly sweltering in a room where only a few seconds ago he could see his own breath, watch his air sit in little clouds before his eyes. He opened his arms, inviting Aiden in.
“Come to me.” His words were soft and firm. He reached within and used the strength he found there to demand Aiden’s surrender, not allowing for any other choice or alternative. “Come, Aiden.”
Just that quickly, Aiden was in his arms. The flickering ended. The lightning-bug effect that had lit up Aiden’s skin like a Christmas tree was gone, and Dan held a very quiet, very subdued man in his arms—still solid, still massive, but entirely his, if only for this moment.
The breath around the room was released, audible in its relief.
“Well done, Danny. He is appeased. Take him away from Conner, so we can talk.”
Oh, we’re so going to talk about this, Dan thought.
Aiden was quiet, seeking warmth from him this time. He needed Dan. Somehow, this tall, absolutely beautiful man needed him, so Dan became even stronger for him, became his sanctuary.
Dan stretched out his legs on one of the other couches in the room and brought a quiet Aiden down with him, wrapping their limbs together. There was a whimper, and then the relieved sigh from him was all Dan needed to hear to know he had gotten it right. Not unlike the interlocking of arms and legs that often resulted when the wolves settled and he with them, Dan was able to comfort the man—or being—he held in his arms. There were definitely some unknowns here, some truths that needed revealing.
Aiden’s scent was spicy, like cinnamon but darker, richer, almost as tantalizing as Mrs. Dunham’s cinnamon rolls. It appealed to him. He was droolworthy, and Dan was getting hungrier the longer he breathed Aiden’s scent in.
He sent his father a questioning glance. The look he received said it would have to wait for the moment. Right then, Dan’s arms were full of a very large other—an other who had possibly been taking trips through his dreams and had protected him in his nightmares. He didn’t know how he knew. He just did. More of that was occurring a lot lately. Whatever this was between them was growing, and layers were being removed, revealing what Aiden seemed to want to remain hidden. So they would talk about Keith, talk about possible solutions, and he would talk to the dreamer who slept quietly in his arms.
“Father, whatever is lying there with my brother needs to be removed from the compound. I should be allowed to handle it,” Conner argued.
One look from Jeremiah. That was all, and Conner held his tongue.
Dan glanced toward Conner to see he wasn’t happy. His copper hair had fallen over his shoulder, mussed from the fingers he thrust through it. His bracelets danced against his wrist, capturing the light in the room. Dan smiled at him, and helpless against his little brother’s grin, Conner deflated.
“Fine. I don’t know what’s going on, and I don’t like it, but I can see that he will not be a part of this discussion now, is that right?”
“It is, my son. I allow none in my home without giving thought to safety. None having the ability or the desire to harm one of my pack would be sheltered under my roof. So allow talk of Aiden to pass for now. When he is ready, and I believe the time comes soon, he will share in our discussion.” Jeremiah nodded toward Dan and a sleeping Aiden. “Now, let’s begin.”
The texts from Darren were described in detail. Jeremiah nodded when the relayed message from Keith was given, his brows furrowing while he thought. He reclined in his seat and glanced up for a moment at Kristoff, who stood just to the right. Dan couldn’t be sure, but he felt that sometimes the two communicated on a different level, much the same way Conner communicated with his men. An almost imperceptible nod of agreement by Jeremiah, who then looked toward Dan.
“Father?” Dan questioned. Something was coming, and by the look on Jeremiah’s face, Dan might not like it.
CHAPTER 12
IT TOOK a while, what with it being the weekend and all, but Darren finally responded to his text.
Darren?
Hey, Mr. T. What’s up? Sorry I took so long to respond. Had to work, and I can’t get caught with my phone again. Spring break’s next week, and I want to get some extra hours.
That’s fine. I understand. Prom fees, senior dues. Look, I’m going to meet the club at the theater on Monday. What time have you been meeting since I’ve been gone?
Really? Cool. We won’t meet until after the break, with everyo
ne having different plans.
Ahh. Out of town? What about you?
Not me. Have to make some extra money. With so many leaving, boss says I can seriously increase my hours. You know Grams. Says I have to earn my keep.
Dan laughed. Whatever Darren needed, Maya would provide. She believed in hard work, and all her efforts were paying off.
Take advantage of it all you can. Knew you had a working brain in all that spongy mass.
Lol. Funny. K. Time’s still 4:30. After that, Keith takes us for coffee, tea.
Okay, 2 weeks. I’ll be there.
Great. Keith said you would want to be there to help too. Said it wouldn’t be long before you’d be back.
Yes, he’s right.
Okay, so the very idea of this was making Dan sick to his stomach. He could call Shelly to see what she thought about all of it, but he didn’t. Besides, he was positive Conner would inform her word for word—well, word for word except for the recent happenings with the glowing Dr. Kavanagh and his weather skills like Storm from X-men.
Speaking of, he turned to look at a resting Aiden. It had taken two or three wolves to finally get him to Dan’s room, but he was there, and he was fine. It had also taken a lot of convincing on Dan’s part, but his father had given in and allowed Dan to have Aiden stay with him in his bed. At Conner’s request, Alec and Frederick, who had carried Aiden, were posted at Dan’s door, alert and ready should anything happen. Each was warned of the possibility of death should harm come to his Danny Boy in any way, no matter what Dan said, especially since Conner was the Enforcer and next in line. As such, his word was law next to the Alpha. Danny would have to “deal with it.” The descriptive and bloody techniques that Conner would use to torture Aiden and the wolves that failed him did not bear repeating.
“I know you’re in there, Aiden. Wake up. You have some ’splaining to do, Sleeping Beauty.” Nothing, not a movement, not a blink. Zilch. The only way Dan knew Aiden wasn’t dead was that he had a pulse, and when he had taken a moment to grab a mirror and stick it under his nose, the mirror did fog up. Heart was beating too, so why wasn’t he waking up? He could punch him. Would he feel that? He could do it. It wasn’t as if he wasn’t strongly tempted.
Even more, he could use someone to talk to, at least, about the plan, about having a surprise meeting with Keith. His father and the men present had agreed this was the best way to bring him out into the open: give in to his veiled threat. Dan’s presence, a trade for the safety of his students. He would do it, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t terrified.
Nothing from Aiden. What is the man dreaming about, he wondered. He lay there like the dead, halcyon and quiet. What was he seeing in his sleep?
After placing his phone on the nightstand beside his bed, Dan wrapped his arms around his “sleeping beauty” and surrendered himself to the land of dreams, unanswered questions on his mind.
“DANIEL,” A voice called, whispery soft, a silken caress gentle on his ears, and it was in need.
Dan, asleep and not, felt more than heard the call that climbed deep within him, trying to make itself home. He welcomed it, embraced it, and rose to find his caller. He knew who waited for him this time. It wasn’t the monster, the beast that often hunted him in his dreams. Usually when he had a visit from his being, his savior, he was in need of rescuing. This time, it was the other way around. This time he was the rescuer. He felt the hunger, the desperation, the loss.
“Why do you hide from me? Let me see you,” Dan said as he searched for him. Clouds. He was surrounded by clouds. They thickened as he sought through the haze that dampened his vision. “Why are you afraid? Come to me.”
“I don’t fear you,” the roar answered him. The clouds evaporated, chased off by the sound. Flames rose high, hot and licking his skin. The heat was unbearable, the plumes of blue scorching as they shot forth, reaching to suck Dan in. “I fear for you! I am the watcher! One look, one touch from another, and I have lost that which has always been mine.” A pulse. Steady beating. Drumming. Louder and louder. “I will not have you!”
Dan should have been afraid—he should have been terrified—but he wasn’t. His mate was out there, the true one. He knew in the depths of his soul and even farther than that, all the way down to his toes, this was his man. His cock certainly didn’t have any second guesses, but rather than opening to him, allowing him in, Aiden fought him.
Dan stepped forward. The flames were hot, tried to singe his flesh, but he pressed on.
“You are not mine. I will not be tied to this world.” The words shook now, uncertain.
Dan smiled. Not so tough now. The fireworks show didn’t sway him. Dan stepped forward past the flames. They did less than singe his skin now. He was close, could see the bright light on the other side, could almost touch him. He just needed to see with more than his eyes. He needed to use his heart, but was he ready? Was he ready to take that step, more than physical, greater than words? Was he ready to be vulnerable again? Be weak?
Dan stopped.
WHEN DAN woke, he found the side of the bed where Aiden slept empty. Dan touched the sheets, breathed in the cinnamon scent from the pillow, traced over the warmth left behind. He decided he liked the way Aiden Kavanagh smelled. Cinnamon. Hot and spicy. Was fuckable a word? Was it a scent? It could be. Dr. Aiden Kavanagh smelled fuckable, and Dan liked it. Or at least he did until he heard said fuckable man speak.
“Before that lovely cock of yours gets all rock hard from sniffing the sheets, Daniel, it might be helpful if you tell me what I missed.” That same hot chocolate voice with a hint of vanilla and a touch of Irish whiskey smoothed its way down Dan’s body and wrapped itself around said lovely cock, doing very little to lessen the hardness.
Dan could use that mouth right now, but Aiden didn’t need to know that. Ignore. Ignore. “Nothing to do with you or the sheets. It’s morning. I’m just waking up. It’s called stretching.”
Aiden approached, bearing two delicious cups of coffee in his hands. The scent of freshly ground beans and the steam pouring out made Dan’s mouth water. He could have cried, he wanted a taste so bad. Desperate, his hunger for Aiden was pushed to the back of his brain. The sweet nectar of caffeine was what he wanted now.
Aiden smirked as he handed over a cup of the divine brew. The grunt that accompanied that smirk? Well, Dan chose to ignore that for now. He had hoped they would talk about Aiden’s touch-and-go moment, but he didn’t want to be the one to bring it up. No, this was a chance to go back to life as normal. Dan couldn’t say he was ready for a relationship, the type where all secrets were revealed. Other than the fact that his father was Alpha of an ancient pack of wolves, he had no secrets to share with anyone. As for Aiden, Dan was beginning to think he was a little closer to Aiden’s closet than he wanted to be for right now. So, let him divert. When Dan decided what he wanted, who he wanted, he would take it all. For now, there were more important things to discuss.
The heat from the first sip nearly scalded his tongue, but it was worth it. At the first swallow, he could already feel the much-needed toke feeding his ravenous veins. Content, he opened his eyes, meeting Aiden’s hungry smoldering look. Feeling a little feisty, he stuck his tongue out, seeking the drops of coffee that wet his lips. Oh, yes. Aiden was following his tongue. Dan liked this, this power he felt. He was flirting, teasing a beast—a voracious one who followed that pink muscle as it moved, every bit of the early smirk eviscerated. Dan was doing that, could have Aiden all over him in moments if he just made the move. He knew it, and Aiden knew it too. He could see it in his mercurial eyes as they darkened, hinting at the strength within.
Dan shifted back. Aiden followed, eyes starved and tracking his actions, like he was an electromagnet and Dan the steel. One cup was set aside. Then another. One body slid up, then over, then lips crashed together, teeth grinding as both tried to take, to satisfy the craving that possessed them.
“You shouldn’t,” Dan said. “I shouldn’t. You say this now when you
are the one taunting me, taking that lovely tongue of yours and licking those sweet lips? Give me more. Taste me. My flesh aches for you.”
More kisses, more touches. Dan was the one who was really aching, the one starving for them. Aiden would be able to have all of him soon. It wasn’t like he was wearing much anyway, and Aiden on top of him, under him, all over him, began to destroy whatever he had on. A soft T-shirt and a pair of sleeping shorts were nothing to fingers that tore away fabric as if the tips were claws. In fact, Dan felt them. He felt wicked-sharp claws against his skin. They traveled down the curve of his back, across his pelvis, near his plump cock. They clamped down on him, holding him in place as a growl unlike any he had ever heard rumbled from within Aiden’s chest.
Instead of fearing what Aiden was becoming, Dan welcomed it. “Goddess, what are you?” Dan shouted. “Ugh. Give me more.” Dan’s body was enflamed. “I need.”
“Take from me, coimeádaí. Drink from me,” Aiden whispered, his lips wet against Dan’s neck.
Dan’s heart beat hard within his chest, the drumming louder and louder, rhythmic. This was his dream, and it was not. He was starving. His tongue was dry, his spirit empty, and the only thing that would satisfy either flowed in Aiden’s veins. He opened his legs and placed his hands on Aiden’s silky hair as he pushed him down, down, down to his waiting member. It was his own rumble that he heard when Aiden finally found his treasure, and it was not enough. Kisses and teeth, nips and licks around his thighs, Aiden plunging his nose within the bush around his dick. Dan heard him breathe in, felt the heat from his breaths as he teased and tortured, and Dan’s cry was loud and shredded when Aiden took him in all the way to the back of his throat, swallowed him, and wouldn’t let him go.
“Oh, Gods. This is so…. You are so…. Umph. Uhhh.”
Aiden’s pleasured sounds as he fed from Dan increased his urgency to spill, to fill that beautiful mouth with his seed.
