With Caution

by J. L. Langley

  There was more coughing.

  A wave of nausea hit Rhys. Hang in there, kid. “Sterling! Where are you? Are you in a field? Can you see your house from where you are?” He hated sounding so rough, but he had to get Sterling to answer him.

  “In the field. I can’t see the house, I’m lying down.” His voice was so slight Rhys wouldn’t have been able to hear it without his sensitive hearing.

  “Can you hear any cars?”

  “No.”

  Damn, damn, damn. He gripped the steering wheel harder to keep his hands from shaking. He couldn’t remember ever being this unnerved. Rhys honked his horn. He was directly behind Sterling’s house, overlooking a field he himself crossed in wolf form to check on the kid. “Can you hear a horn?”

  There was no answer.

  “Sterling?” Rhys stopped the car and pulled over to the side. God, please let him be right. Please let this be the field Sterling was crossing. He got out, taking his phone with him. “Sterling?” Why wasn’t he answering? Lifting his face, Rhys scented the air. Blood. His fangs dropped. He sniffed again and took off toward the appealing aroma. His heart pounded so fast and hard he could hear it. Scanning the ground, he didn’t see the kid anywhere but the scent was getting stronger. Sterling was here in this field…somewhere.

  Closing his eyes, Rhys stopped and listened. To his left there was the sound of labored breathing. He turned and ran.

  Sterling lay on his back in the tall grass.

  The picture of Remi flashed through Rhys’ mind, making him shiver. The similarities were staggering. Dropping the phone, Rhys fell to his knees, already reaching for Sterling.

  Sterling was still. Even the rise and fall of his chest was faint and shallow. Rhys couldn’t see color, but he knew Sterling’s was off. His lips were the wrong tint and dark splotches of liquid dotted and ran down his face. He’d been coughing up blood. He was bleeding internally.

  Tears gathered in Rhys’ eyes, making him blink them away. Ingesting blood helped heal human mates, but there was no way Sterling could swallow anything. Scrambling for his back pocket, he retrieved his pocketknife and opened it. God, please let this work. It worked for Remi. Maybe because Sterling was his mate, it would work for them to.

  He’d never been so afraid in his life. He slashed his wrist with the knife, then cut open Sterling’s shirt and cut a gash on his slim chest above his heart. As quickly as Rhys’ pulse raced, his arm was already dripping at a rapid rate. He held it over Sterling’s cut, getting in as much as he could. When his incision closed he cut it again and repeated the process.

  It seemed to take forever.

  Glancing down, Rhys noticed the phone on the ground next to Sterling, still clutched in his hand. His hands were almost elegant, with long slender fingers. No wonder he was so good at catching a football. Closing his eyes, Rhys let go and allowed himself to cry.

  He’d learned quite a lot about the kid by watching him. The name Sterling fit him, he was so vibrant and full of life. He truly never stopped talking. It was like he had way too much energy and excitement to contain. It bubbled over by means of singing or carrying on a conversation with himself. Hell, not just himself, he talked to inanimate objects, strays, insects, everything.

  Rhys had found himself enchanted.

  Feeling the cut on his hand heal, he turned his attention back to his mate.

  The cut on Sterling’s chest closed. Please, let that mean it worked. Rhys dropped to sit on the ground and pulled Sterling into his arms.

  Sterling coughed and blood flew out of his mouth onto Rhys’ face and shirt. He turned his mate’s head, trying to help him get the blood up.

  While Sterling heaved the last of the blood from his lungs, Rhys took a deep breath and let relief wash through him. Sterling smelled like pack now. Like a wolf.

  Finally, Sterling stopped coughing and fell into a peaceful sleep. Cuddling him closer, Rhys held him, listening to the sound of his breathing. It was calm and even…normal.

  Sterling snuggled against him, burrowing his nose in Rhys’ chest. There was even a soft snore.

  Smiling, Rhys turned his face into his shoulder and brushed the tears off his face. In the background, wind rustled the grass, the crickets chirped, there were even some cars on nearby roads, but Rhys didn’t want to move. Not yet. He just wanted to sit here and hold Sterling. It might be the last chance he got for several more years. But at least he’d have several more years. Sterling was here, safe.

  “Sterling? Rhys?” Remi’s frantic voice rang out, breaking the silence. Jake’s followed. “Rhys? Sterling?”

  “Over here.” Rhys didn’t yell, he knew they’d hear him. Grabbing his and Sterling’s phones, he laid them on Sterling’s chest and for the first time noticed a hardback notebook. Hmmm…that was odd. It must have come with Sterling, so Rhys picked it up and put it on Sterling as well. Getting his feet under him, he stood.

  Remi ran to him, looking like death warmed over. “Oh God. No!” He reached for Sterling.

  “Whoa.” Jake scrambled to get Remi and pulled him back. He looked up at Rhys. “Hey, buddy. Everything okay?”

  Huh? Rhys realized suddenly that he was growling. Taking another step back, he nodded.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Remi struggled against Jake’s hold and reached for Sterling again.

  This time Rhys was very aware of his growl and he made sure they saw his teeth. He wasn’t ready to hand Sterling over yet.

  Chapter Twenty

  If Remi smoked he’d have gone through a pack already. As it was he was ready to collapse. Remi glanced at Sterling, lying on Jake’s couch, and his anxiety kicked up a notch. “You’re sure he’ll be okay?”

  Lifting his head from his hands, Jake sat up straight. “He’ll be fine. You slept for a bit too.” Jake narrowed his eyes, studying Remi intently. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  “Yes.” Remi looked down at his torn jeans and dirty shirt. He was achy from wiping out, but okay. Likely, he’d feel more pain after he was certain Sterling was fine, but at the moment he had too much on his mind. He forced himself to sit on the love seat next to Jake.

  Sterling rolled over, his arm flopping off the couch and hanging over the edge. Remi, Jake and Rhys stared at him expectantly, but other than that he didn’t budge.

  After Rhys had stopped growling at them, they’d put Sterling in a pair of Remi’s shorts and a T-shirt he’d left at Jake’s. Between Remi and Rhys, they had managed to clean him up.

  Sterling seemed peaceful, like he was asleep, and the bruises on his face were nearly gone. Whether it was Remi touching them or Rhys changing him into a wolf, Remi couldn’t say, but he was glad. As nervous as he was over the fact that Rhys had claimed Sterling as his, Remi was damned glad Rhys had gotten there when he did. If not, Sterling would have died.

  “Do you know what happened?” Remi made a move to put Sterling’s arm back on the couch, but Rhys beat him to it.

  Lifting Sterling’s feet out of his lap, Rhys got up from the end of the couch and put Sterling’s arm across his chest. “No, he wasn’t in a condition to tell me what happened. Did the two of you go by the house?”

  Jake nodded. “There was no one there, just the smell of blood. Sterling’s and their mom’s from what I could tell.”

  Which was another thing that had Remi concerned. His mom’s blood had been all over the place, but she’d been nowhere in sight. Her car was missing. Had she gone looking for Sterling after he’d left the house? Why hadn’t she called Remi?

  Scooting closer, Jake put his arm around Remi and hauled him close.

  Remi gave in and rested his head on Jake’s shoulder, needing the closeness of his mate. He felt his anxiety slowly ebb away and fatigue start to take over. But he couldn’t go to sleep…not yet. He had to wait and watch after Sterling. Whatever happened, Sterling wasn’t going back. Remi had already decided. He was going to take off with the kid as soon as he woke. Jake had assured him if it came to that, he’d go too, as
did Rhys. So no matter what, Remi would have his brother and his mate.

  Man, his eyes hurt. Maybe he could just close them for a second.

  He must have drifted off to sleep, because the next thing he knew, his head was in Jake’s lap. Jake’s hand rubbed over his shoulder and the soothing tones of his deep voice tried to lull Remi back to sleep, but something kept pulling at him, telling him to wake up.

  “I left while he was arguing with her. I’m not sure what happened after that. I just knew I had to get help,” Sterling said.

  Sterling? Sterling was awake. Blinking his eyes open, Remi sat up.

  Jake gripped his shoulder. “Slow down, pup, he’s fine.”

  Sterling came and squatted in front of him, touching his face. “Are you okay? Jake said you wrecked.”

  Ignoring the brief growl coming from Rhys’ direction, Remi grabbed his brother and hugged him. “I’m okay. Just worried about you. You almost died.”

  “Yeah, I know, I could tell.” Sterling drew back with a strange expression on his face and looked down at himself. He lifted his shirt, showing off a tanned, flawless stomach. “How am I not dead? I don’t even hurt.” Dropping his shirt, he cocked his head. “He beat me with the baton he carries when he’s at work.”

  Oh God. Remi felt like someone had dumped ice water down his back.

  “How am I okay? I was badly hurt. I was coughing up blood.” Sterling frowned and turned so he could see Rhys. “I called you and you were coming to find me…”

  Glancing at Jake, Rhys raised a brow.

  Sterling spun around, his forehead furrowed at Jake.

  “Rhys turned you into a werewolf.” Jake rolled his eyes. “Chay is right. There just isn’t an easy way to tell someone that.”

  Remi couldn’t help himself, he burst into laughter. It really wasn’t funny. His life was totally shit right now. His brother had been beaten to the brink of death then changed into a werewolf, his father was still out there somewhere, his mom was missing, his only transportation was now gone, yet here he was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes.

  Sterling, however, wasn’t at all impressed. He glared. “Y’all are freaking me out.”

  Patting Remi’s back, Jake grinned. “You gonna make it?”

  Remi nodded, wiping the tears from his eyes. His mind had snapped, that was his only excuse.

  “Well, who’s going to show him?” Jake asked.

  Rhys growled and got up from the couch. Walking over to Sterling, he put his hands on Sterling’s shoulders and peered over his head at Remi and Jake.

  Remi resisted the urge to tell Rhys to get his hands off Sterling, since Rhys hadn’t done anything wrong. He’d been absolutely wonderful at looking out for Sterling. In fact, Remi couldn’t have asked for a better guard, but somehow the sudden protectiveness made Remi’s hackles rise. He was supposed to take care of Sterling. Sterling was his responsibility, not Rhys’. “I’ll show him.”

  Standing, Remi stripped his shirt off and started to work on his jeans.

  Sterling looked at Rhys. “What’s he doing?”

  “Shh… It’s okay, kiddo, watch.” Rhys’ voice was so gentle, it made Remi pause. He hadn’t heard that particular tone come from Rhys.

  Apparently, neither had Jake. He was staring at Rhys like he’d never seen him before.

  Remi shook himself out of his daze and finished undressing. He’d worry about the change in Rhys later, with all the other things on his list to worry about. First, he had to put his baby brother at ease. Rolling his shoulders back and stretching his neck out a few times, Remi began shifting.

  His eyes changed first. Instead of blinking through it like he normally did, Remi just closed them and let the change overtake him. His teeth lengthened, poking out from under his lip. Then the goose bump sensation that came with growing fur hit him in a wave, rushing up and down his arms and legs.

  He heard Sterling scream, like he was in a well. It sounded hollow and distant. Remi resisted the urge to stop and comfort him, knowing Jake and Rhys would take care of him. This was something Sterling had to see.

  Remi’s joints popped as his legs and arms reformed. It happened so quickly he was standing one moment and on all fours the next. The pulling sensation of his snout almost tickled as it lengthened. Last, the prickle along his spine that signaled his tail forming occurred and he was completely transformed.

  The sound of rapid breathing breached Remi’s senses, along with the occasionally whispered, “Oh my God.” Slowly, Remi opened his eyes.

  Sterling leaned back against Rhys, his face pale and his eyes unblinking. He stood there staring for several seconds, then a slow smile crept over his lips. “That is so freaking cool.”

  Getting up from the love seat, Jake knelt beside Remi and stroked his fur. When Sterling came forward, Jake moved back, allowing Sterling to touch Remi.

  Rhys stood perfectly still, but Remi wasn’t fooled. He was beginning to realize that Rhys was ready for anything. As if Remi would harm his brother. But then, since they’d found him a few hours ago, Rhys wasn’t being exactly logical where Sterling was concerned.

  Oh man. That’s when it hit Remi. Sterling was Rhys’ mate. Rhys acted like Jake did in regards to Remi. He was overprotective.

  Petting Remi’s fur, Sterling dropped to his butt and looked Remi in the eye. He touched Remi’s nose. “Remi?” Scrunching up his nose, Sterling grabbed Remi’s face in both hands and looked at him. “It is you, isn’t it?” Sterling started laughing and launched himself at Remi, wrapping his arms around Remi’s neck and nearly knocking him to the ground.

  Letting out the breath he’d been holding, Remi lapped at his brother’s cheek. He should’ve known Sterling wouldn’t freak. Hell, he should have known Sterling would think it was cool.

  “I’ve always wanted a dog.” Laughing harder, Sterling ruffled the fur on the top of Remi’s head.

  Jake and Rhys both groaned. One of them mumbled, “Wolf not dog,” but Remi would have laughed if he’d been able. Sterling was taking this very well. Much better than Remi had. Remi had fainted when he’d found out. That still chafed at his ego.

  Suddenly, the laughter ceased and Sterling’s arms disappeared from around his neck. “You asshole.” Sterling shoved him hard, nearly knocking him down, then his brother jumped to his feet.

  Stumbling sideways, Remi tried to figure out what the hell had happened.

  Jake was there instantly, putting himself between Remi and Sterling. “ Sterling?”

  “No.” Walking to Jake’s side, Sterling glared at Remi and pointed his finger. “You didn’t tell me. How could you keep something like this from me?” His face grew red with anger. “You lied to me, Remi! This is where you’ve been. Hunting, my ass.” Scoffing, he turned away.

  Remi changed back so fast he got dizzy and would have fallen if Jake hadn’t caught him. Whoa. Clutching his mate’s arms for a minute, he tried to get his bearings.

  “Slow down, pup. He’s had a shock.” Jake tipped his chin and kissed him.

  Easy for you to say. Remi let himself lean into the kiss for just a second before letting Jake go. “Sterling, we couldn’t tell you. Would you have believed us?” He felt a little on the ridiculous side, having this conversation naked. Where were his fucking clothes?

  Rhys was talking to Sterling, trying to get him to understand.

  “What is the world coming to? What is with all the damn lies? First Mom lies then—” Sterling stopped. “Oh God.” He looked around, suddenly frantic. “Where is it?”

  Remi froze. “Where’s what?”

  Sterling started lifting couch cushions. Running to Rhys, he grabbed his arms and tugged. “Where is it? Where’s the book?”

  “What book?” Jake asked, handing Remi his jock and jeans.

  “The diary.” Sterling jerked on Rhys’ arms again. “Where is the diary?”

  Rhys untangled his forearms from Sterling’s grasp. “Shh… Calm down. I got it, it’s in my car. Let me go get it.” He
headed for the front door and Jake followed, standing at the door watching as Rhys went out.

  As soon as he jerked on his jock and jeans, Remi went to his brother. “Sterling?”

  He blinked at Remi. “I found it in my nightstand today with a piece of paper between the pages. She must have put it there.”

  Rhys came back in with a leather-bound book, and Jake locked the door behind him.

  Racing over to Rhys, Sterling snatched the book and began thumbing through it. “She claims that Dirk killed someone.” He stopped and frowned at Remi. “Did you have a friend named Billy?”

  * * *

  “I don’t like him going with Rhys.”

  Jake sat on the edge of his bed, feeling tired to the bone. What a day. “I know you don’t, but it’s better than him being here. If Dirk comes here with the police to get him back, he’s shit out of luck.”

  Remi dragged his hands through his hair. “I know, but—” Wincing when he hit a tangle, he put his hands down. “He’s Rhys’ mate. You realize that, don’t you?”

  Jake had decided the same thing, although Rhys hadn’t said so.

  “Sterling is too young for a relationship, he’s just a—”

  Whoa. Remi didn’t honestly think… “Remi… Rhys is a lot of things, but he’s not some sicko pedophile. With Rhys, Sterling is completely safe…from everyone.”

  Remi sighed but he nodded. “I just worry about him. How long do you think it will take Rhys to get that diary to the FBI?”

  “He and Sterling are going tonight. He said he’d call when he had it in the hands of the authorities.” Jake heaved himself up and snagged his mate’s hand. “Come on, we need a shower. You’re covered in dirt.” And Jake didn’t want to think about why Remi was filthy. That wreck was going to haunt him for weeks to come. He pulled Remi toward the master bathroom and started undressing him.

  Remi just stood there, still thinking things through, Jake supposed.

  “You want to drive my bike or the Tahoe until we get you another vehicle?”

  “Huh?” Looking down at Jake, Remi stepped out of his jock and pants. “Jake, I can’t afford another vehicle right now. You said you thought Gadget might be able to fix it.”