Overcoming Stereotypes (Miracle Book 4)

by Shea Balik

  Why would he? After locking him in the closet, she hardly spoke to him. She never hugged him any longer, or dried his tears. It was his sister who had cared for him. Carolina had been more of a mom than his own mother.

  “Nothing will ever make it okay,” he whispered sadly.

  Anguish creased Trygg’s features as he tried to take a step forward, but Kellach refused to let him any closer and moved backwards. “Please, Kellach. I just want a chance.”

  “Don’t you get it?” he said as anger surged through Kellach when he felt tears stinging his eyes. “There is no such thing. My sister didn’t get a chance when she was handed over to that pack of wolves.” He barked out a harsh laugh as he flung his arms up from his sides. “Hell, you’re proof we don’t have a chance.”

  He knew he was shouting and drawing a crowd of onlookers, but he couldn’t help it. “We’re gay, Trygg. A sin in the eyes of the Council and most shifters. Eventually they are going to send someone else and the odds are that person will kill at least one of us.” Just the thought of losing Trygg to a bullet shredded Kellach’s heart. “So there is no future. No happily ever after. No chance.”

  Kellach’s whole body was practically vibrating with too many emotions rolling through him at once. Torn between wanting to run from Trygg and wrapping his arms around his mate and never letting go, Kellach did the only thing he could. He turned on his heel and walked away.

  “Kellach.” Tyrgg’s voice was desperate as he called after him, but Kellach refused to waiver in his resolve.

  Turning, he yelled, “Just go. I don’t want you here. Do you hear me? I. Don’t. Want. You.” Kellach was sure he was about to be struck down by the Gods for his lie, but he just couldn’t stop himself from saying the hateful words.

  Please stop me.

  Kellach shook the thought from his head and stormed away from his mate. He may wish things could be different, but life rarely worked that way. His own parents had taught him that harsh reality.

  ***

  “What do you mean he left?” It had been what Kellach had wanted since the moment he’d laid eyes on Trygg. So why was there an ache in his heart?

  Edrick looked up from the screen of his computer to stare at Kellach. “I thought this was what you wanted. To leave you alone.”

  “It was,” he blurted out realizing his mistake. “I mean, it is,” he corrected. “I just didn’t think he’d leave without at least saying good-bye.”

  One of Edrick’s eyebrows rose up high on his forehead. “Do you want me to call him back to tell you good-bye?”

  “Yes.” As soon as he blurted out the word, Kellach retracted it. “I mean, no.” Damn, was he ever going to get this right? “I was just surprised, that’s all,” he tried to explain.

  When he saw the amusement in Edrick’s eyes, Kellach knew there was no use trying to give reasons for his erratic behavior. “Never mind.” Since Trygg’s leaving hadn’t been why he’d come to talk to Edrick, Kellach switched subjects. “Chadwick said he can put a crew on starting the bar tomorrow but he needs you to approve the plans.”

  Kellach handed the rolled up plans to Edrick and prayed Edrick, the Alpha, wouldn’t give him grief on what he and Chadwick had come up with.

  Sure enough when Edrick unrolled the plans both of his eyebrows went up until they practically disappeared into his hairline. “Kind of big, isn’t it?”

  It was true, but Kellach had high hopes for his business. The more he thought about what he could do with it, the more excited he’d become and admittedly, he had gone a little overboard with his plans. “Not really. I mean this will be the only place we can all go to relax after working hard to build Miracle into a town where we can all live safely.” That was stretching it a bit, but it was still true.

  He pointed to an area of the bar that would house a mini viewing room. “As you can see, I plan to have a T.V. room. That way we don’t all have to try and get satellite since convincing a cable company to come to our small town will be nearly impossible. Also we can have movie nights and sports nights, yet still also have other rooms,” he pointed to two other areas where there would be a pool table and lounge type atmosphere, “where people can relax without bothering anyone watching their shows.”

  Edrick eyed the plans critically and Kellach feared he would reject them. If he had to, Kellach would fight tooth and nail for this. He’d never had a dream for his future, but the more he imagined what his bar would look like the more he dreamt about all the possibilities and became excited. So excited that he’d started to dream Trygg was a part of that life.

  But that was before his mate had just left him. It wasn’t something Kellach had thought would happen and he wasn’t quite sure what to think about it.

  “Okay,” Edrick said. “Tell Chadwick to get started.”

  Kellach stared for several moments at his friend. “Really?” It was almost too good to be true.

  Edrick smiled. “Really.”

  Kellach gave a shout of happiness and even gave a fist pump. Before Edrick could change his mind, Kellach grabbed the plans and rolled them back up. “Thanks Edrick,” he said even as he raced from the office to find Chadwick.

  Finally, Kellach was going to know what it felt like to do something he wanted. He just wished his heart didn’t still ache at the thought of never seeing Trygg again.

  CHAPTER 10

  Exhausted, Trygg shut off the engine to his Ducati Globetrotter and sat in his seat staring up at the window he knew was Kellach’s. It had been a long two weeks, and things were about to get a whole lot more complicated.

  “And here I thought we got rid of you for good,” Chadwick joked as he appeared from the shadows of the house. “Or did you decide to come back to have your ass kicked by Kellach once more?”

  Of all the people to have on watch, it had to be Chadwick. “I only left to find out what happened to Kellach’s sister and make those responsible pay for their crime.”

  Gray eyes hardened to steel as Chadwick stepped closer. “Did you make them pay?”

  “Is Kellach in his room?” Trygg asked instead of answering the complicated question.

  “Unless you really are looking to have your ass kicked, I don’t think you should go looking for Kellach,” Chadwick cautioned with a hint of amusement in his voice as if he were hoping Trygg would go anyway.

  Little did Chadwick know, that was exactly what Trygg planned on doing. He’d been gone for two long weeks and his heart ached to see his mate, even if it meant pissing Kellach off. “I’ll take my chances,” he told Chadwick. “You’re going to need to get everyone up. We have company coming.”

  “Wait, what?” Chadwick called after him, but Trygg didn’t bother answering as he entered the house and climbed the stairs.

  Much had happened while he was away, but right then, Trygg didn’t care about any of it but the chance of seeing his pretty kitty. His hand landed on the knob and anticipation seized him, tightening his body. The moment the door opened a crack, his eyes landed on the most gorgeous sight he’d ever known.

  Kellach.

  Moonlight streamed through a window landing on his mate as if it were a spotlight from heaven. Long lush lashes fanned out along his cheeks. Soft full lips curved slightly upward. He knew it was nothing more than a fantasy, but Trygg imagined it was because somehow, even in sleep, Kellach knew he was there.

  Even his own mind rebelled at believing that bit of fiction. Kellach would be more likely to punch Trygg for daring to come back than smile. Trygg smiled at the thought. His mate was feisty and Trygg wouldn’t have it any other way. Sure it might be easier if Kellach would have fallen into Trygg’s arms the moment they met, but he liked that Kellach wasn’t like that. It would make their mating all that more special when Kellach finally did give in to the lust Trygg saw burning in those lavender eyes whenever they were together.

  “Trygg?” Kellach’s sleep voice floated in the air like the sweetest of songs.

  Trygg knew he was being overly sapp
y, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself, nor did he want to. Reality was about to come crashing down around their ears and he was desperate to believe, if only for a few more moments that his mate was happy to have him there.

  Impelled by that thought, Trygg moved to the bed and leaned down to capture the sweetest tasting lips in a kiss that he prayed would melt Kellach’s normally icy demeanor. He moaned when he felt Kellach’s lips respond, kissing him back.

  Heart soaring, Trygg put one knee on the mattress to get even closer. The next second he was flat on his back with sparks of fire spitting from Kellach’s lavender eyes as he pinned Trygg to the mattress. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  “Kissing my mate.” Trygg had thought that was fairly obvious. “I’ve missed you,” he admitted truthfully.

  For a moment those lavender eyes softened but just as quickly they hardened into stone. “You shouldn’t have come back,” Kellach said as he rolled off the mattress and quickly dressed.

  Trygg tried to ignore the pain those words caused. It was like a knife to the heart, but he knew one day Kellach would love him. At least, he prayed that would be true. For if not, Trygg wasn’t sure what the point of living would be. He’d gotten a taste of life without his mate these past two weeks and Trygg hated it.

  He may have only just met Kellach but in just a few short days he’d come to depend on seeing his pretty kitty. Of the spitfire way Kellach stood up to Trygg. Of his mate’s quirky way of saying what he was thinking without meaning to. Hell, Trygg even missed being knocked on his ass when he tried to push Kellach’s buttons.

  “There was no way I could have stayed away from you, pretty kitty,” Trygg admitted. “After all, no one else comes close to challenging me like you do.”

  For a second, Trygg was sure there was regret in those big beautiful eyes, but it was gone before he could be sure. Maybe it was nothing but his need for Kellach to finally admit to wanting Trygg as his mate that made him see things that weren’t there.

  “You need to leave, Trygg.” This time he was sure he heard regret in Kellach’s voice. Not that mattered. Kellach could ask him to leave all day long, but he wasn’t going anywhere.

  Climbing off the mattress, Trygg stalked toward his mate. Kellach moved back for every step forward he took until his back was to the wall and had nowhere to go. Trygg boxed his mate in, but this time was prepared for Kellach to try and put him on his ass.

  When Kellach went to sweep his foot out, to knock Trygg’s out from under him, Trygg countered and moved one leg in between Kellach’s until his thigh was pressed up against his mate’s groin. A grin formed on his lips when he felt just how hard Kellach was.

  “You can try and deny you want me, pretty kitty,” he murmured against Kellach’s soft lips. “But your body betrays you.” Just to prove it, he pressed his thigh closer, making sure to rub against Kellach’s bulge.

  His mate gave the sweetest of moans even as those lavender eyes glared at him. “Get off of me,” Kellach bit out.

  Trygg would never force his mate to do anything he didn’t want to but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to prove to Kellach that he knew the man was lying about wanting him. “I don’t think that’s what you really want, my pretty kitty.” Once more he rubbed his thigh against Kellach’s groin. He felt it throb against his leg and smiled down at his mate. “In fact, I think you want me as badly as I want you, but your stubborn pride is getting in the way.”

  He felt Kellach relax against him and Trygg felt victory coursing through his veins. That was all Kellach had needed to make his move. Before he could even blink, Trygg was flat on his back staring up in wonder at those lavender eyes burning with triumph. “You might want to rethink your strategy before you end up getting your ass kicked.”

  If anyone else had done that to Trygg, he would have been pissed, but with Kellach, he felt nothing but pride. “Is it wrong that I’m more turned on than ever?”

  Kellach blinked at him. Clearly his mate hadn’t expected him to admit that.

  Happy that he’d managed to unbalance Kellach, Trygg got back to his feet. “Now that you’re dressed, we have to go meet with the others before our guests arrive,” he said with the hope of keeping his mate a bit off balanced.

  “What guests?” Kellach said even as Trygg took hold of his hand and tugged him out of the bedroom door and down the stairs.

  He had nearly turned to the back of the house where Edrick’s office was but when he heard a commotion coming from the kitchen, Trygg went that way instead. He had to admit to hoping someone was making food as he was starving.

  Sure enough, as they entered the kitchen, platters of food were being put on the table while the group was firing questions at a frustrated Chadwick, who had no answers for them. “I told you, all Trygg said was to get you all up because we have company coming.” Then he glared at Jari, who held a plate away from the table. “Now hand over the bacon.”

  Trygg laughed at the groups’ antics. “You can give him the bacon, Jari. He really doesn’t know anything more.”

  All heads swiveled to him, pinning him with their stares. Then, as if choreographed, their gazes went to where his hand held Kellach’s. His mate must have seen for he tugged his hand out of Trygg’s.

  He tried not to let it bother him, but Trygg had to admit to hating that his mate had once more proved he didn’t want Trygg around. He just hoped things would change once their guests arrived. Maybe then Kellach would realize wolves weren’t the enemy.

  “Who is coming?” Kellach demanded. “You better not have led the Council here.”

  That his mate would think that had Trygg wanting to howl in frustration. “You honestly think I would bring the Council here?”

  “How should I know?” Kellach said. But his mate’s actions once more belied his words for his head had instantly moved back and forth as if denying that he believed Trygg would do anything of the sort.

  It wasn’t much, but Trygg would take any indication that his mate didn’t think Trygg capable of something so treacherous.

  “If it isn’t the Council, then who is coming here?” Edrick asked, or more like commanded.

  Even though Trygg had yet to give his fealty to the Alpha, he still was compelled to do as the much stronger shifter asked. Praying his mate wouldn’t knock him on his ass once more, Trygg said, “The Snow River Pack.”

  CHAPTER 11

  Everything was suddenly very far away. The voices sounded hollow, as if they were coming through a long tunnel. Nothing made any sense as Kellach stood there staring at the one man who was supposed to protect him at all costs.

  He knew nothing ever went as it was supposed to, yet he still was having a hard time digesting Trygg had actually invited the very people who had killed Kellach’s sister to his home. It just didn’t seem real, or possible. Yet by the shouting going on around him, Kellach knew it was not only an actuality but that tiny bit of hope that had somehow found its way into his soul for his future with his mate was extinguished.

  Suddenly his legs just wouldn’t hold him any longer and Kellach felt himself falling. Arms were suddenly there around him startling Kellach out of his stupor.

  His gaze fell on the man holding him up only to find the one man he never wanted to touch him again, Trygg. “Get. Your. Hands. Off. Me.” He spit out each word as if they were acid in his mouth.

  It took ten full heartbeats before Trygg did as ordered. Kellach knew, he’d counted each one. Slowly his gaze went from those arms that had released him up to those golden brown eyes that appeared wounded, as if Kellach had stabbed him instead. Ignoring the urge to comfort his mate, Kellach focused on the rage that burned through him instead.

  His hands curled into fists.

  “At least I’ll get to see Kellach knock Trygg on his ass again,” Chadwick joked.

  But Kellached ignored his friend. “How could you?”

  He still wasn’t sure this was happening. Well, he was sure, but it just didn’t seem possib
le. His mate bringing the enemy to Kellach’s home was like a sick joke.

  “It’s not what you…”

  But Kellach didn’t let Trygg finish. He had no desire to listen to the excuses that would come out of his mate’s mouth. “I don’t want to hear it,” he told Trygg. “I told you dogs couldn’t be trusted. I just didn’t expect you to go out and prove me right.”

  “But I…” Trygg started, but Kellach wasn’t about to sit there and wait.

  Cutting his mate off yet again, this time Kellach turned to his friends. “We need to get Kirill and the others up. We have to prepare to fight a pack of wolves.”

  Chairs scraped back as his friends rushed to get ready. Chadwick grabbed several strips of bacon on his way out of the kitchen. “You better not kick his ass until I’m around to watch,” he told Kellach. Then Chadwick pointed a strip of bacon at Trygg. “I hope he wipes the floor with you for this.”

  Then Chadwick was gone as were the others. All except for Jari, who was cleaning up the kitchen, Nole, who was helping Jari and Edrick, who sat there with his legs spread and his arms crossed over his chest. There was no anger coming from the man. No anxiety over a pack of wolves coming.

  “What are you doing sitting there?” Kellach yelled at his Alpha. “Did you hear Trygg? The pack of wolves that killed my sister is on their way here, thanks to my mate giving them directions.”

  The bitterness in Kellach’s voice sat heavily in the room. But Edrick didn’t move, just stared at the two of them. When he did speak, Kellach was sure his friend had lost his mind.

  “I did,” Edrick said calmly. “And I’m curious as to why he invited them”

  Kellach didn’t understand Edrick. “What difference does it make?” He threw his arms up and then pointed them to the kitchen window and the front of the house. “They are coming and we need to be prepared.”