Daniel never considered what Brom might be going through. He always figured the man was glad to be rid of him. He’d seemed eager enough when he told Daniel to leave. Knowing that Brom suffered all these years put a new slant on everything.
“So, what happens now?”
“That’s entirely up to you.” Brom’s voice sounded apprehensive, resigned. His features firmed, his jaw clenched, as if he were bracing himself for something.
Daniel’s mind whirled at Brom’s response, a crazy mixture of longing and fear. Nervously, he moistened his dry lips. He’d spent so long being angry with Brom, feeling betrayed despite the love he felt for the man. He wasn’t sure how to deal with this new picture of how things happened.
“I don’t know what to say, Brom.”
“Say you’ll give me a chance.”
“What about Jaryn?”
“That’s between you and Jaryn,” Brom replied. He stepped back and pushed his hand through his straw-blond hair. “I can’t make decisions for Jaryn. Whatever happens between you two is between you. But don’t claim him unless you mean it.”
“Claim him?” Daniel asked, stunned. He’d never even thought about claiming Jaryn. Hell, he hadn’t even known about the man until a little while ago. He was too centered on Brom.
“He knows about you,” Brom said. “I showed him pictures, told him stories of our time together.”
“Why would you do that?”
Brom shrugged. “I wanted Jaryn to know you.”
“Why?”
“Because I hoped that one day we’d be together again. I just needed to keep us all alive long enough for Jaryn to become an adult, and then I planned for us to leave the pack and come find you.”
Daniel frowned. “You said Jaryn was nineteen years old. He was an adult over a year ago. Why didn’t you come find me then?”
“Marla was pregnant again,” Brom said simply. “I couldn’t leave.”
Only then did Daniel remember the other huge obstacle between them. Not only was Brom married, he had two cubs. Daniel had no idea if Brom cared for his wife, but he knew without a doubt he loved his cubs.
“Fuck! This is such a mess.” He felt frozen in limbo where all decisions and actions were impossible. They were damned if they did anything and damned if they didn’t. There just didn’t seem to be any way out of this situation.
“Do you hate me because I had cubs?”
Daniel’s gaze swung up to meet Brom’s in shock. “God, no, you always wanted cubs, and it wasn’t like I could provide them for you. You had every right to have them.”
“I never loved Marla, you know. She was just the woman my father chose for me to marry. Except for the times we were trying to have a child, I’ve never been intimate with her.” Brom chuckled as he kicked at some pebbles at his feet. “Hell, she’s been sleeping with my father since right after Iain was born.”
“Iain?”
“My youngest boy.” Brom grinned. “He just turned six months old and already he’s rolling over and trying to crawl.”
Brom sounded like every proud father should. Daniel was mildly surprised the man didn’t whip out pictures and start telling stories.
“And the other child?”
“That’s Cailan. He just turned three.” Brom looked at Daniel and chuckled. “He actually reminds me a lot of you when you were a young boy. He’s always asking questions and getting himself in trouble.”
“Hey, I didn’t get into that much trouble.”
“Yes, you did.”
Daniel smirked. “Okay, maybe I did, but I was just curious.”
“So is Cailan.”
Daniel nodded. The smile slipped from his face, and he became somber as he realized the implications of their conversation. Not only did Brom have two cubs, but they were the grandcubs of an alpha.
“Oh, Brom, we are so fucked.”
“Told you.”
“Angus won’t give them up without a fight.”
Brom nodded as if he had already come to that conclusion. “And I won’t leave them behind, Daniel. They’re my cubs. I can’t.”
“No, no,” Daniel said, waving his hand at Brom as he started pacing. “I would never expect you to. We just have to figure out how we’re going to get you all away safely.”
“We?”
Daniel stopped pacing to stare at Brom. Everything he had always wanted seemed to be waiting for him just to reach out and grab it. Daniel was hesitant to take it, no matter how much he wanted it, in case it wasn’t real.
He could see the hope flaring to life in Brom’s eyes, surrounded by apprehension. He knew the man felt uncertain of where their relationship stood. Daniel did, too, but he knew he wanted whatever Brom could give him.
Despite the anger and resentment he felt over the last few years, he loved Brom too much to give him up if he had the chance to keep him. Daniel walked over and cupped the side of Brom’s face, smiling when Brom leaned into the small touch.
“Yeah, baby, we,” Daniel whispered softly. Daniel fought hard against the tears threatening to fall from his eyes. “You and me and Jaryn, if he’ll have me.”
A cry of relief broke from Brom’s lips as he lowered them to Daniel’s. “He’ll have you, Daniel,” Brom whispered in between passionate kisses. “He wants you as much as I do.”
Daniel prayed Brom was right. He couldn’t imagine how things would work if Jaryn didn’t want him. It was obvious that Brom cared about the man. Daniel wondered that he felt no jealousy over that. He thought he would. He just didn’t.
Instead, elation filled Daniel as Brom’s hands skimmed his body, pulled at his clothing. He could share this with Brom and Jaryn. Daniel didn’t have to choose between them or give either of them up.
“Daniel,” Brom whispered against Daniel’s lips. “I want you to claim me.”
Daniel shuddered. He’d waited so very long to hear those words, most of his life. To actually listen to them being spoken, it was almost more than Daniel could take. He felt his pulse pound and his legs tremble.
When Brom tilted his head to one side, Daniel could no longer control himself. He struck hard and fast, sinking his teeth into the soft flesh below Brom’s ear. The sweetest nectar flooded his mouth.
Daniel heard Brom cry out. He felt the man’s hand curled around the back of his head, holding him closer. When Brom’s arm wrapped around his waist and pulled him close, Daniel could feel the hard shaft in Brom’s pants press against his.
He reached down and palmed the impressive swell with his hand, squeezing with his fingers. Brom jerked against him, thrusting his hips forward and driving the hard cock into Daniel’s hand.
Daniel quickly unbuttoned Brom’s pants and pulled the zipper down before shoving his hand inside the opening and grabbing the naked flesh with his hand. Thick, rigid silk warmed his hand. He stroked rapidly as he continued to suck the life essence from his mate’s throat.
A harsh cry rang through the air as hot liquid splashed over Daniel’s hand. Daniel pulled his teeth free of his mate and licked the wound closed. Leaning back, he looked into Brom’s dazed eyes.
“Hey.” Daniel chuckled. “Are you okay?”
Brom blinked several times, his face flushing as he dipped his head. Daniel grabbed his chin and lifted his head. He reached up with his other hand and wiped away a lone tear from Brom’s eye.
“I’ve waited so many years for you to claim me,” Brom whispered. “I didn’t think it would ever happen.”
“I didn’t either,” Daniel replied. His hand continued to caress the hard contours of Brom’s face, his deep blue eyes, his aquiline nose, his full, lush lips. “I thought you were lost to me forever.”
“I was never lost to you, Daniel,” Brom said quickly. “I was always yours. I just—”
“Shhh.” Daniel placed his finger over Brom’s lips, stopping him from speaking. He could see the regret in the man’s eyes, feel it in the emotions tumbling through him.
“I’m sorry, Daniel.” Te
ars were suddenly flowing down Brom’s cheeks. Misery ravaged his face. “I’m so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. I just didn’t know what else to do. I never meant for you to—”
“Brom, stop!” Daniel said harshly. “You did what you thought you had to do. I don’t agree with it. I don’t like it. But I understand it. I’d like to think I would have chosen another way, but I don’t know if that’s true. I would have done anything to keep you safe, just like you did.”
“You would have figured out another way,” Brom insisted.
Daniel shook his head. “We don’t know that, Brom. I might have very well chosen the same path you did. And besides, it’s irrelevant now. It’s in the past. We need to deal with our present issues, like getting your sexy little ass out of trouble.”
“Any suggestions on how we do that?”
Daniel stepped back and chuckled. “Well, you could start by zipping up your pants.”
Chapter 7
Jaryn watched Brom and Daniel from the tree he stood behind. His heart ached, filled with joy that the two men had finally found each other again, and heartache because he felt like an outsider looking in.
He knew Brom wanted him and cared about him. The man had gone out of his way over the years to show Jaryn that he was cared for. They had shared stolen moments together, hiding their relationship from everyone.
As a young man, Jaryn hadn’t understood the need. They were mates and should have been allowed to be together, but he had deferred to Brom’s command to keep their relationship secret, no matter how hard it had been.
As he grew older, Jaryn realized the need for secrecy as he watched the way others in their pack were treated. Mated or not, gay men were ostracized and expelled from the pack under penalty of death. Jaryn understood the threat they were under.
And everything they had been through had been worth it to have Brom in his life. Brom promised that eventually they would be together with Daniel. Jaryn trusted Brom at his word. Seeing Brom and Daniel together meant he was right in his belief of Brom.
Still, watching the two of them together, watching them love on each other, made Jaryn’s heart hurt just a little. He didn’t begrudge them their time together. Convincing Daniel of the benefits of being with them was ultimately important. Without Daniel, they had nothing.
But standing there while Daniel claimed Brom made Jaryn feel like he wasn’t needed. Brom and Daniel had a connection, a history. They’d had an intimate relationship together before Daniel left, memories of their time together.
What did Jaryn have? A wish? A hope that Daniel would want him as much as he wanted Brom? And Jaryn had no doubt that Daniel wanted Brom. He could see the want and desire on the man’s face even from where he stood.
He was young and inexperienced. What did he have to offer either Brom or Daniel? Being a tri-omega meant more trouble rather than less, so that wasn’t an inducement. Knowing what was required to keep him alive if Brom and Daniel claimed him wasn’t either. Once he was claimed, neither man would have the choice to keep him. He’d die without them.
Maybe his best bet was just leaving and letting the two men have each other. They definitely had a better chance of getting away if Jaryn wasn’t in the picture. Maybe he could even buy them some much needed time to escape.
Jaryn cast one more glance at Daniel and Brom, longing filling his heart before he turned away and started back towards town. He’d do whatever he could to give the men a head start. It was the least he could do for his mates.
Jaryn didn’t make it more than a few feet before the hair on the back of his neck stood up. He stopped, standing perfectly still and sniffed at the air around him. The scent of forest and fresh air was thick. But he caught just a trace of something else.
He slowly turned in a circle and lifted his nose into the air, sniffing in each direction. The scent seemed to be coming to the south of where Jaryn stood. He peered through the darkness but saw nothing.
Jaryn glanced over his shoulder. He could just make out the forms of Daniel and Brom through the trees. Whatever was out there was getting closer, and it was headed directly toward his mates.
Jaryn took off running, moving quietly as Brom had taught him to do. He dodged trees and low hanging branches, jumped over brush and fallen logs. He ran as if his very life depended on it because it did. If anything happened to Brom or Daniel, he’d die.
It wasn’t because he was a tri-omega. Daniel and Brom hadn’t claimed him yet. He’d die because he couldn’t live in this world if Brom and Daniel weren’t in it somewhere, even if it wasn’t with him. He had to know that they were alive and well, if not happy.
Coming to a sudden dip in the landscape, Jaryn froze at the top and sniffed the air again. The scent was stronger this time, smelling of werewolf and sweat. Jaryn didn’t know if it was the chill in the air or the danger he faced, but a cold shiver ran up his spine.
He took low, shallow breaths, trying to calm his racing heart. It seemed to thunder in his chest, sounding as loud as the surf crashing ashore on a beach. He felt sure that whoever was out there could hear him.
Cocking his head to one side, he held his breath and listened. Jaryn could just make out the sounds of someone, or several someones, walking through the woods. The footsteps seemed too chaotic for them to be in werewolf form. They sounded human.
Jaryn thought that might be a good thing. Werewolf senses were less in human form. Of course, if he could smell them, they might be able to smell him. Jaryn could only hope that he could reach them before they reached Brom and Daniel.
Jaryn jumped across the small ravine, landing carefully on the mossy ground on the other side. He let his claws extend and his canines drop down. He pushed down his growl as he readied himself for the battle ahead. No sense in broadcasting his intent.
Creeping silently through the trees, Jaryn watched the woods carefully until he spotted movement off to his left. He paused until the movement took form, and he recognized Angus and four other pack members making their way through the forest.
He’d had a premonition that something was wrong with the cubs. Jaryn now wondered if it wasn’t that they were in imminent danger and more that they were danger of losing their father.
Jaryn couldn’t always interpret his premonitions. He didn’t always know what they meant. He hoped that would come when Brom and Daniel claimed him. A tri-omega’s abilities increased once they were claimed.
Watching the five men make their way through the woods, Jaryn realized that might never happen now. The possibilities of him coming out of this alive were slim to none, but at least he could do something for Brom and Daniel.
Jaryn crouched down next to a large tree and waited. He could practically hear the seconds ticking away in his head as he watched the five men move closer. Angus was the first to pass with the other four closely following behind him.
As the last man passed him, Jaryn sprang up and grabbed him around the neck, covering the man’s mouth with his hand. He wasn’t a huge man, but he wasn’t a shrimp, either. He had held his own more than once.
Jaryn ignored the sharp claws digging into his arm and pulled at the man’s head as hard as he could. He heard a loud snap then the man suddenly dropped to the ground. Stunned, Jaryn stared down at him for a moment, the realization that he had just killed a man roaring through him.
The snap of a branch off in the distance reminded Jaryn that he wasn’t done. There were still four more men going after his mates. He pushed his guilt and regret to the back of his mind and took off after the others.
It didn’t take Jaryn but a few moments to catch up to them. They walked slow, moving as quietly as they could. He slowed his pace, creeping up behind the last one in the line. Waiting for what he hoped was the right moment, Jaryn leapt on the man, pulling him back behind a strand of trees.
This man was a whole lot stronger than the last one. He struggled harder. Jaryn felt pain blast across his stomach as he fought the man, clawing at his throat. Jaryn
felt a cold wetness splash across his face. It tasted bitter, coppery. It was blood.
If anything, it spurred Jaryn on. He renewed his attack, slashing at the man he battled with, using every ounce of energy he had left. Just as he felt the man go down, hands grabbed at him. Jaryn struggled, but the hands holding him were stronger.
Jaryn was forced to his knees, his head yanked back by his hair. He looked up to see his alpha, Angus McGregor, towering over him. The man did not look happy. Well, he never looked particularly happy, but currently, he looked pissed as well.
“Jaryn,” Angus said, “what’s the meaning of all of this?”
Jaryn glared up at the man, refusing to answer. One of the men holding him smacked him across the face. Pain vibrated up Jaryn’s cheek, but he wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of letting them see the pain they inflicted on him. He did turn to frown at the man.
“Oh yeah, that’s going to get me to answer,” Jaryn snapped.
“I’m your alpha,” Angus shouted. “I expect an answer from you.”
“You’re a pig!” Jaryn yelled back. “You’re fucking your son’s wife.”
From the slight gasps he heard from those around him and the tightening of Angus’s lips, Jaryn would bet that knowledge was not widely known. While things like this happened from time to time, it didn’t happen often.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’ve seen you two together. I wouldn’t be surprised if others have, too.”
“Marla is my son’s mate,” Angus reasoned. “I would never—”
“She is not his mate!” Jaryn exclaimed. “Daniel is Brom’s mate, but you didn’t want that, did you? You forced him to send Daniel away and marry Marla. If you didn’t, you threatened to kill them both, to order a hunt.”
Another harsh smack landed across Jaryn’s face, this time inflicted by Angus. Jaryn could taste blood on the corner of his mouth. He stared up at the alpha, sticking his tongue out to lick the blood away.
“Don’t like hearing the truth, alpha?” Jaryn sneered. “Don’t like your pack members hearing how you broke one of the most sacred bonds known to shifters?”
Unspoken Desires Page 7
