Wes

by Catherine Lievens

  “We’re going to correct that, then.”

  Nysys grabbed Wes’ arm and tried to pull him out of the bed, but Wes resisted. “You two go ahead. We’ll be right there.”

  That was when Keenan squealed again and threw himself at Taylor. Taylor caught him before Keenan could push them both to the floor and Keenan hugged him tightly.

  “What? What?” Nysys asked frantically.

  “They’re mated!” Keenan yelled at him, and Nysys’ eyes went round. Taylor braced himself, because he knew what was coming, and sure enough, Nysys launched himself at him too. At least they were both small and light.

  Taylor awkwardly patted both their backs and they hugged him, but he grabbed the back of their sweaters when they tried to go hug Wes. “Nope. You’ll have to wait until he’s dressed.”

  “Oooh. Did we actually interrupt your mating?” Nysys asked, again looking unrepentant.

  “No. We were done.”

  “You did interrupt the encore, though,” Wes told them.

  “You’ll have the rest of your life to fuck like rabbits. Now come and play with us.”

  Nysys grabbed Keenan’s arm and shimmered them away, and Taylor slumped on the bed. “They should come with a warning.”

  “Maybe on their foreheads.”

  “Caution—Do not agitate.”

  Taylor and Wes looked at each other and laughed. “Seriously, isn’t there a way to keep them out?” Wes asked.

  “I guess we could slap one of those black collars on Nysys, but he’d be spitting mad, not to mention his mate.”

  “Nysys is scarier than Morin.”

  “I know.” Taylor sighed. “Come on, get up, or they’ll come back.”

  They went to the living room after they’d both showered and dressed. Nysys and Keenan had thought about everything—the TV was already on, the joysticks were on the table, along with popcorn and three different kinds of chips, beer, and two different sodas. The two were bouncing on the couch, every bit the excited puppies.

  Nysys offered them both a joystick and Taylor felt better knowing he’d play against Wes rather than against them, because they were expert gamers, at least compared to him.

  The nice feeling disappeared as soon as Wes got a grip on how to use the joystick. He kicked Taylor’s ass, and Nysys and Keenan found it hilarious.

  “Are you sure you never played?” Taylor asked after Wes killed his character for what felt like the hundredth time.

  Wes blinked innocent eyes at him. “I swear. Mom thought I was too young, then I was in foster homes, then, well, you know. I didn’t have access to video games.”

  Taylor felt like a dick for bringing Wes’ past up, even if he hadn’t done it on purpose. He pulled Wes closer and kissed his nose, then his lips, and Wes relaxed. “Sorry,” Taylor whispered.

  “‘S okay. I don’t expect you to be careful about what you say around me. I don’t like to be reminded of my before life, but it’s not going to go away.”

  Wes moved away and Taylor noticed Keenan and Nysys looking at them, questions in their eyes. Taylor grimaced. He knew those two—they’d ask and wonder until they found out what Wes and Taylor had been talking about. He narrowed his eyes at them in turn, first Nysys, then Keenan. “Wes will tell you if he wants to. Don’t go looking for answers, because I’ll kick your asses, and I’m not joking. Not this time.”

  Nysys looked like he wanted to push, but Keenan’s expression went serious and he nodded. “Okay.”

  Nysys frowned at him. “Okay? Why are you giving in so easily?”

  Keenan slapped the back of his head. “Because not everyone wants to tell us everything, idiot.”

  Nysys looked like he couldn’t believe someone would dare to think that, but he didn’t push or protest. Instead, he seemed to take great pleasure kicking Taylor’s ass in the game, until Taylor had had enough. He threw the joystick on the coffee table and got up, stretching. He smirked when he noticed Wes staring at him.

  “I’m going to head outside and shift, guys. Have fun.”

  Nysys didn’t even look at him from where he was massacring Wes’ character. Keenan waved, and Wes put his controller down and got up. “Can I come with you?”

  Wes hadn’t seen Taylor’s lion since Taylor had told him about shifters. Taylor hadn’t wanted to scare him off, and he still thought he might. “You should stay here, where it’s warm.”

  Wes frowned and cocked his head. “You don’t want me to come?”

  Taylor looked at the evil twins and took Wes’ hand. They exited the living room, and Taylor leaned against the hallway wall. “I’d like you to come. I’m just scared you’ll freak out or something.”

  “I didn’t when you first showed me. Why should I now?”

  Taylor chuckled. “I’m being stupid, huh?”

  “Yup. Are we going?”

  “Yeah.” They made their way to the backyard porch. Taylor wasn’t surprised to see a bear and a lion playing in the snow, while a tiger and a white wolf pup cuddled next to one of the heaters. The tiger and the wolf looked up when Taylor and Wes stepped outside, and the pup got up and bounced toward them.

  Wes laughed and crouched. He offered his hand and the pup licked the traces of popcorn from Wes’ fingers. “Who’s this?”

  “That’s Adam. He’s Jeremy and Denver’s son. Denver’s the tiger.”

  “How is that possible?”

  Taylor tugged his sweater off and shivered. “Adam’s really Jeremy’s son, and Jeremy’s human. But he’s mated with Denver.”

  “Oh. I get it.”

  Wes went back to cuddling Adam, and Taylor finished undressing and shifted. He padded closer to Wes once in his lion form and he chuffed to get his mate’s attention.

  Wes looked up and his eyes widened, but he didn’t look scared. He stopped playing with Adam and stroked his palm on Taylor’s nose. “You’re beautiful.”

  Taylor grinned, hoping it wouldn’t look like he was planning to eat Wes. Adam whined to get Wes’ attention again and Denver chuffed from his place under the heater. Adam licked Wes’ face and trotted to his father, and Taylor was pleased to have all of Wes’ attention again.

  He bumped his head against Wes’ arm and Wes fell on his ass. He looked at Taylor with wide eyes and laughed. “You’re just like a big kitty who wants all the attention, huh?”

  Taylor growled, but Wes didn’t look scared. He sank his fingers in Taylor’s mane instead and scratched the skin there. Taylor couldn’t help it. He closed his eyes and chuffed, making Wes laugh again. He opened one eye, remembering Wes was still on his ass on the cold porch floor.

  Taylor pushed his head against Wes and padded to a second heater. It took Wes a few moments to manage to turn it on, but once it was, Taylor stretched on his side and Wes cuddled against him. It was bliss.

  Wes stroked Taylor’s fur as they both watched Oliver and Sebastian still rolling around in the snow. Taylor was at peace, and he knew Wes was almost there as well. He could feel it through their bond, and it was the most wonderful feeling he’d ever felt.

  Chapter Six

  Wes was trying to make the computer Keenan had given him work, but it was no use. He had no idea what he was doing, and he didn’t think he’d be able to understand the damn thing without help. Taylor was at work, though, as was Keenan, and Nysys wasn’t in the house. Wes had been surprised to find out he didn’t even live there, because he sure seemed to be present most of the time.

  “You should go ask Isaiah about it,” someone said behind Wes.

  He turned around and bit his lip when he saw it was Joshua. He hadn’t really talked to the man, even if it was thanks to him that Wes was safe and happy with Taylor. But Joshua didn’t know about Wes’ old job, and Wes knew he should tell him. He wasn’t sure how Joshua would take it, though, especially since Wes had been trying to pick him up the night they’d met. He wasn’t sure Joshua would’ve been as nice if he’d known what was happening.
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br />   “Isaiah?”

  “Our computer guy.”

  “Oh, sure.” Wes had been living there for a month, but he still didn’t know everyone, or at least he didn’t think so. And even if he did, he certainly couldn’t remember them all. There were too many people in there, and that was without even counting the families who lived behind the house. He’d even written down a small list. He’d have to check if he had that Isaiah guy down.

  Joshua sat beside Wes on the couch. They were in the library, because it was quiet, but not too much.

  “What’re you doing?” Joshua asked, pushing his shoulder against Wes.

  “Trying to find out how to finish high school.”

  “And?”

  “And I’m not even sure how to work the computer.”

  Joshua laughed. “I thought everyone knew how to do that, especially someone as young as you.”

  “Yeah, well, I didn’t have the most common childhood and teenage years.”

  “I sense there’s a story there.”

  “Yes, and it’s depressing as fuck.”

  “Yeah, I wouldn’t think hustling would make for a happy life.”

  Wes sputtered and turned to look at Joshua. “What—how do you know?”

  “I’ve known ever since you tried to pick me up.”

  “Really?” Wes couldn’t believe it. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  Joshua shrugged. “What could I have said? I was going to try to talk to you, but Keenan intervened, and you never called.”

  “But... you don’t mind?”

  “Why would I?”

  “I don’t know. People always looked down at me for it.”

  Joshua patted Wes’ knee briefly. “No one will blame you for it here, Wes. Everyone in the house has been through bad shit. We all know what a hard life is like, and we all did whatever we needed to do to survive.”

  “I don’t think anyone did what I had to do.”

  “Maybe not, but some people had to kill, or wound. Some had to spy on the people they loved. We all have shit in our past. Look at Adrian. He worked for the company, yet no one holds it against him, not anymore. Is hustling for food really worse than that?”

  Wes had heard bits and pieces about the infamous Glass Research Company, so he knew what Joshua was talking about. He hadn’t known Adrian had worked for them, although it made sense, since the man was a science genius or something like that.

  “It’s... different.”

  “But not worse.”

  For some reason Joshua seemed to really want Wes to admit that, so Wes nodded. The computer beeped and distracted them, and Wes had never been more grateful. He pressed a few keys, but he was scared to make the thing explode. “Dang.”

  Joshua got up and grabbed the laptop. He closed it and gestured at the door. “Let’s go.”

  Wes scrambled after him. Joshua headed for the stairs and Wes followed him down, then into the hallway where the infirmary was located. Joshua went the other way, though, and he didn’t knock before entering the room.

  It was smallish, and full of electronic stuff that scared Wes half to death. He stuck his hands in his jeans pocket, just in case. He was pretty sure he’d manage to break something if he didn’t.

  “Hey, Isa. You have time?” Joshua asked the man sitting behind the first desk. There were two other desks in the room, one empty, or rather, full of documents and folders, while another man sat behind the third one. Wes nodded at him, but he ignored Wes. Wes shrugged and looked at the man talking with Joshua instead.

  “Sure, what do you need?”

  “Wes here doesn’t know how to use his computer.”

  The guy smirked at Wes. “You’re not the only one in this house.” He offered Wes his hand. “I’m Isaiah. Have a seat.”

  Wes shook his hand. “Wes.” He started to sit in front of Isaiah, but Isaiah shook his head and pointed his thumb at a free chair on his side of the desk.

  “Here.” Isaiah began to gather the documents on his desk, and Wes looked at Joshua. Joshua shrugged and sat in front of Isaiah, and Wes walked around the desk to take the offered seat. Isaiah eyed him sideways as his fingers moved on his keyboard. “Wes. I know you’re Taylor’s mate, but that’s about all.”

  “There’s not much else to know.”

  “I don’t believe you. What do you need the laptop for, for example?”

  “I wanted to find out how I could finish high school.”

  Isaiah frowned a bit. “How old are you?”

  “Nineteen.”

  “Human?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m not gonna ask how you can’t use a computer, but I’m curious. Anyway. Let’s start, huh?”

  Wes spent the next hour or so listening to Isaiah and trying to understand what was happening on the laptop screen. He didn’t understand half of what Isaiah said, but he got enough that he’d be able to use the Internet. Or at least he hoped so.

  “What about college?” Isaiah asked.

  Wes shrugged. “I’ll think about it later.”

  “We could look now.”

  Someone knocked before Wes could answer. He smiled gratefully at Taylor when he opened the door. He wasn’t ready to think about college just yet, but he didn’t want to be ungrateful to Isaiah. “Already back from work?”

  Taylor pressed his hands on the desk and leaned forward to kiss Wes. A strangled noise came from the other side of the room and they all turned to look at Bradley, who was doing his best to fake interest in his computer screen. Wes arched a brow at Isaiah, silently asking what was up with Bradley. Isaiah shrugged in answer.

  “Boss let me go early today,” Taylor said, taking the conversation back to where it had been. “Do you want to do something?”

  “Like what?”

  “Going in town for a bit?”

  Wes had been holed up in the house ever since he’d arrived there, but it had been completely by choice. Now that he had his new normal life, he was scared to death he might encounter someone who’d known him before. Even if Taylor knew every secret Wes had, he’d rather not tempt fate. Still, going out after being cooped up sounded really good.

  Taylor had apparently noticed Wes’ hesitation. “Maybe we could ask Oliver and Seb to come with us.”

  Taylor was laying it thick. How could Wes say no to the town and his in-laws? “Yeah, okay. It’ll be good to get some fresh air.”

  The smile Taylor beamed at him was enough for Wes to feel better. What were the odds he’d meet someone he knew? Especially if they stayed out of the club area. Wes would be fine, and he would have fun with Taylor.

  He glanced at the computer screen. He’d better have fun before the studying began, because from what he’d read in the past hour, he was going to have to spend long hours on the books.

  * * * *

  Taylor made a quick call and told Sebastian to wait for them by the front door in about a half hour. When he hung up he looked at Isaiah. “Want to come with us?”

  “Sorry, I can’t. Too much work.”

  Taylor saw Wes grimace. “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have bothered you if you’d told me you had to work,” Wes told Isaiah.

  Isaiah laughed. “Hey, it was fun.”

  “Fun? It was torture. And I don’t think I’ll remember much of what you just tried to teach me.”

  “You can come back any time you want and I’ll help you, unless I’m swamped by work.”

  Taylor looked at Joshua. “You and Adrian coming?”

  Joshua stretched in the chair. “Don’t know. Want me to ask him?”

  “Why not? The more the merrier, right?”

  Joshua rolled his eyes. “Sure. I’ll give you a call if Adrian has other stuff to do, so if you don’t hear from me, we’ll meet you downstairs.”

  He clasped Taylor’s shoulder as he passed by him to leave the room. Taylor was surprised Joshua had said yes. He didn’t usually hang out with a lot of pride
members, except for Adrian and John, Isaiah’s mate. Joshua wasn’t exactly a loner. It was more that he apparently didn’t have the patience to deal with people.

  Taylor shrugged to himself and looked at Bradley. He’d already done a half miracle today, with Joshua, and in his defense, he didn’t really think before opening his mouth. “Hey, Brad, you want to come?”

  Bradley looked up, his eyes wide, a surprised expression on his face, although Taylor didn’t think Bradley was half as surprised as he was. Bradley looked behind himself before looking at Taylor again. “You’re asking me?”

  “Umm, yeah. You’re the only Brad here.”

  Taylor didn’t really expect Bradley to say yes. It wasn’t the first time he asked Bradley if he wanted to do something, but Bradley had always turned him down. Taylor wondered what was up with him. Why was Bradley often bruised or limping? It wasn’t that noticeable, but Taylor had made a point of checking ever since the day he’d seen the bruises for the first time. He’d also tried to talk to Bradley, but the man had been clear—he didn’t want anyone butting in his business.

  Taylor knew he was low on Bradley’s scale of people he might talk to, so he was more than surprised when Bradley nodded. “You’re coming?” he blurted out.

  Bradley frowned. “You just asked me. Why did you do it if you didn’t want me to come?”

  “No, no. That’s not what I’m saying. I was just surprised. We, uh, we’ll meet you downstairs in thirty minutes, okay?”

  Bradley nodded. He fiddled a few moments with his computer, then turned the screen off and left the office. Taylor looked at Isaiah. He knew Isaiah’s stunned face reflected his own. “What just happened?”

  “He said yes.”

  “I know.”

  Wes frowned and looked from Isaiah to Taylor. “I don’t get it. You asked and he said yes. What’s the problem?”

  “No problem. It’s just that Bradley’s been a loner ever since he arrived here. He never talks to anyone unless he really has to, and even then he usually looks like he’d rather die than do it. For him to willingly come out with us, well, that’s like a Christmas miracle.”

  “It’s February,” Wes pointed out.