Sei

by Catherine Lievens

  Donovan sniffed the air, delighted at how strong Sei’s scent was in this form. His bear rumbled in pleasure, and Donovan imitated him.

  Sei crouched in front of Donovan, one hand raised toward Donovan’s head. “Can I?” he asked.

  Donovan huffed and nodded. He closed his eyes when Sei scratched the top of his head, reveling in the touch, in a sensation he’d never thought he’d find. Being scratched by his mate was heaven.

  But Donovan’s bear wanted to run, and it didn’t let them bask for too long. Donovan eyed the trees. He didn’t want to leave Sei alone, though, not when they needed to spend time together.

  Donovan gently caught the sleeve of Sei’s jacket with his teeth. Sei’s eyes widened, but he didn’t look afraid, so Donovan tried to steer him toward his own back. Sei cocked his head, eyeing first Donovan’s face, then his back.

  “You want me to climb onto your back, or did I understand that wrong?”

  Donovan nodded.

  “Right. I’m not sure you’re saying yes to the climb on your back thing or to the I understood it wrong one, but you can always bite me if you don’t want me to do this, okay?”

  Donovan rolled his eyes as Sei moved toward his side and grabbed two handfuls of his fur. As if he’d ever bite his mate. Well, he might, but only if they were naked in the bedroom.

  Donovan had to lower himself for Sei to be able to jump on. Sei tightened his knees around Donovan almost to the point of pain, but Donovan liked knowing his mate wouldn’t easily slide off his back.

  He moved slowly in the beginning, giving Sei the time to get used to the sensation of riding a bear, but when Sei didn’t protest, Donovan let go. He ran into the woods, the wind in his face, his mate on his back, happiness in his heart.

  Chapter Six

  Sei was a bit wary about coming back to town. He didn’t want to stumble onto more reporters, and he knew they were all still there, interviewing the people who lived in Gillham, wanting to know what they thought of their shifter neighbors. Sei was surprised none of them had tried to sneak into pack territory yet, but he was glad. At least he didn’t have to watch over his shoulder when he was home, not yet anyway. He didn’t have much hope it would last forever, but Kameron had increased patrols and had contacted someone to fence pack territory off. It would take a while because it was a huge patch of forest, and some of the zones weren’t easily accessible.

  The town was different, though, and Sei had made sure he wasn’t alone this time. He could have asked Donovan to come and buy the stuff he needed, but he hated the thought of depending on his mate that way. It made him feel like Jake was right, like he was inadequate.

  “You know, I don’t think this was a good idea,” Rabbit said. “I mean, I get that you didn’t want to come alone, but I don’t think I was the right choice. The only thing I could do if we’re attacked is run the other way as fast as I can. You know that, right?”

  “We’re not going to be attacked.” Or at least Sei didn’t think so. The reporters might have mobbed him that day, but they hadn’t attacked, not unless one considered sticking a recorder under his nose an assault.

  “Didn’t sound like it when you asked me to come.”

  “I just wanted to be sure someone was with me, just in case.”

  “In case of what, huh?”

  “You know I had a little problem with the reporters last time.”

  “Did you try telling them to fuck off?”

  Sometimes Sei wanted to be more like Rabbit. He didn’t know much about Rabbit, or about his family, but Sei’s mother had always scolded him when he used what she called bad words, and it was so engrained in him that he didn’t use them even now that he was an adult and lived on his own. It made him feel restricted sometimes, but Rabbit didn’t have that problem. He said what he wanted, when he wanted, and Sei had no doubts he’d have told the reporters to fuck off without problems.

  And what had Sei done? He’d cowered behind Connor. Damn—Connor. Sei had kind of forgot about him. He hoped the guy was okay, even though it was his fault that Sei had been in that situation to begin with.

  Sei and Rabbit walked into the grocery store without problems. Sei was tense as he grabbed what he needed—again, since he’d lost his stuff last time—and all the way to the check-out. He grabbed the bag handle with more force than he needed to and swallowed as he followed Rabbit outside.

  Rabbit walked next to him, whistling a tune Sei didn’t recognize. He bobbed his head at the rhythm, the fabric ears on top of his hat moving along. He was so careless, and it made Sei smile.

  He almost screamed when a man popped in front of him, blocking the sidewalk.

  “What the fuck?” Rabbit snapped.

  Sei breathed easier only when he realized the man was Connor, and he couldn’t help but look around to make sure Connor was alone and that the crowd of reporters wasn’t anywhere near them. Sei wouldn’t have problems shimmering away this time. Actually, he and Rabbit had planned to do that anyway. They just needed to get into one of the deserted alleys. The world might know about shifters now, but there hadn’t been much talk about other paranormal creatures, and everyone wanted to keep it that way for as long as they could.

  “You’re fine,” Connor said.

  “I am. Now can I go?”

  Connor crossed his arms over his chest and stared. “You left me there.”

  Sei huffed. “So? It’s not like I know you, and you were the one who brought me trouble anyway.”

  Connor blinked. “Me? How did I do that?”

  “You asked questions. One of your friends heard you and told someone else, then someone else, and they mobbed me.”

  Connor shook his head. “Those aren’t my friends. I just wanted answers.”

  “And you couldn’t find a better place to ask your questions? You know it’s because they heard you that they came close. They wouldn’t have known I wasn’t human if you hadn’t started talking to me.”

  “You’re not human? Right, of course you’re not. I saw the ears too. But I didn’t know that when I tried talking to you, I swear.” Connor let his arms fall to his sides. “I didn’t mean to scare you or to hurt you. I was just doing my job, and I’m sorry that happened to you.”

  “Aww,” Rabbit said. “You guys are cute. I feel the need to call Donovan, though. I’m sure he wouldn’t find you cute.”

  Sei rolled his eyes and looked at Rabbit. “You can call him if you want, but we’re not doing anything wrong.”

  “Of course you’re not. You wouldn’t betray Donovan like that.” Rabbit eyed Connor. “He might hit on you, though. It’s not something you can stop.”

  “I’m not hitting on him,” Connor protested. “And I have no idea who Donovan is.”

  “Sei’s mate.”

  Connor looked confused for a second. “Mate? Oh, you mean like soul mates? Some of the people here told me about it, but I wasn’t sure they knew what they were talking about.” He reached into his messenger bag and took out a pad and a pen. “Can you tell me more about mates? And what about you?” he asked Rabbit. “Are you a shifter? Sei, why are your ears pointed? What kind of shifter are you?”

  Rabbit looked at Sei. “What is he doing?”

  “Asking questions.”

  “Why?”

  “Because he’s a reporter for some newspaper I don’t remember the name of.”

  “Oh. Should we answer?”

  “Probably not. Kameron didn’t authorize anyone to talk to reporters. I don’t want to risk it.”

  Rabbit pouted. “But I could have been famous. Can you imagine it? My name in a newspaper. I can.”

  “It’s not like he works for the New York Times or anything. It’s more like Daily Bacon or something.”

  Rabbit wriggled his nose. “Daily Bacon? Why would anyone call a newspaper bacon?”

  “I’m right here, you know?” Connor groused. “And it’s Daily Beacon, not bacon.”

  “Tha
t sounds better.”

  “Are you going to answer my questions?” Connor asked.

  Sei shook his head. “We can’t.”

  “Why not? Because Kameron Rhett told you not to? Does that mean you’re shifters like him? What kind of shifters? Are you all wolves like the guy in the video?”

  Rabbit took a step closer to Connor. He leaned forward, skimming his nose along Connor’s cheek, and Sei could hear him sniff even from where he was. “Oh, I’m not a wolf,” Rabbit purred. “But I can be your kitty cat.”

  Sei rolled his eyes. He felt like he’d just landed on the set of a bad porn movie.

  Connor blushed and stepped back. It was kind of funny to see him intimidated, since Rabbit was so much smaller than he was. Not that Connor was exceptionally tall or buff, but Rabbit was only five foot six, while Connor had to be at least six feet. Rabbit was slight, almost tiny, but Connor looked nicely built under his jacket.

  “I don’t,” Connor cleared his throat. “I don’t want a cat. Is that what you are, though?”

  “Yep,” Rabbit answered. “I’m a cat shifter. You know what they say about black cats?”

  “Uh, that they bring bad luck?”

  Rabbit narrowed his eyes. “I never brought bad luck to anyone.”

  Sei needed to intervene before Rabbit blurted out all the pack secrets or ended up in a catfight with Connor. Sei wasn’t sure which way it was going to go right then, and he didn’t want to wait to find out.

  He grabbed Rabbit’s arm and pulled him close again. “We need to go.”

  Rabbit looked disappointed, but he nodded and started to turn. Sei should have known Connor wasn’t going to let go that easily, though. “Wait,” he said. “I just want answers. I won’t bother you again once I have them.”

  He looked a bit like a lost puppy, and Sei felt himself softened. “I can’t answer any questions, not without Kameron’s approval.”

  “Can you ask him?” Connor dug into his bag again, his hand coming out with a business card. “Here. Please give him this and tell him to call whenever he wants.” Connor hesitated. “I need this job. I need something if I don’t want to lose it.”

  It shouldn’t have bothered Sei, but it did. Connor seemed nice, and he had helped Sei that time. Maybe Sei could help him too.

  * * * *

  Donovan nodded at Kameron’s words and wrote down a note on his pad. “How many bat shifters do we have again?” he asked.

  This was his job now. He’d quit his old one to be with Sei and to move to Gillham, and he didn’t regret it. Being able to wake up with Sei every morning, to see him whenever he wanted to, to bring him lunch just because he wanted to, all of that was worth quitting a job he’d done for more than a decade. He’d have quit soon anyway, since he obviously wasn’t aging. It wouldn’t have been necessary now that humans and his boss knew about shifters, but he’d gotten used to the idea of retiring. Besides, he liked working with Kameron.

  He was in charge of pack security. Nick and Andy used to share that job, but giving it to Donovan had freed them, and they could focus on other things—Nick on the relationship between the pack and the closest shifter groups, and Andy worked on Craig and the new recruits. That, along with their day jobs and their place in Kameron’s inner circle, was more than enough to fill their days. Donovan wasn’t sure how they’d managed to have a private life and time to relax before he’d been assigned his new job.

  “Christian and Alex are the only ones for now, although both Iggy and their father volunteered. I’m inclined to say yes.”

  “Iggy’s your bodyguard.”

  “I don’t need him when I’m in pack territory.”

  “Nuallan showed that you do.”

  Kameron waved Donavan’s words away. “We’re dealing with humans right now. They can’t shimmer. Besides, I won’t have Iggy stick by my side twenty-four seven. I can defend myself.”

  “All right. Is there any way to find more bat shifters? If you want to have at least two of them patrol the area every night, I’m going to need more than Iggy and his family.”

  Kameron tapped his fingers on his desk. “How many?”

  “Well, if you want to give them time to rest, and keeping in mind that I don’t think we should give them shifts longer than eight hours, I’d say I need eight. We already have Alex and Christian, so another six would be great, more if you can find them. Shifters might not get sick often, but someone might need a free day for whatever reason, or go on vacation.”

  Kameron nodded. “I’ll ask Iggy if he knows of someone who wants or needs a pack.”

  The fact that Kameron was so ready to welcome people in the pack, shifters who weren’t wolves, had surprised Donovan since the beginning. There weren’t many packs, prides, or whatever out there ready to do that. Kameron and the council were trying to open the minds in the shifter community, but it wasn’t an easy task. At least the number of safe places shifters who’d been kicked out or abused could go to was growing.

  The door opened and Zach leaned in. “Kam, we have a problem.” Before he got to explain what was happening, two men pushed by him.

  Kameron growled at his mate’s rough treatment, and the two men froze. Then one of them shook himself and went to stand in front of Kameron’s desk, his arms crossed over his chest.

  Kameron looked pissed, and relaxed only when Zach walked around the desk and put a hand onto his shoulder.

  “Mac, Bryan,” Kameron began. “Care to explain why you barged into my office while I was in the middle of a meeting, and why you manhandled my mate?”

  Donovan wasn’t sure which one was Mac and which one was Bryan, but the youngest one looked away from Kameron. He looked unsure, and it wasn’t hard to realize he was a follower. The other guy, though, wasn’t one. He was the leader, and he obviously had some kind of problem with Kameron.

  Donovan cleared his throat. “Do you want me to leave?” he asked Kameron.

  Kameron shook his head. “This has to do with the pack.” He looked at the older guy again. “So, Mac. Care to explain why you’re here?”

  “You need to step down from the alpha position.”

  Kameron’s only reaction was to arch a brow at Mac. Donovan was impressed. “Oh? And why should I?”

  “Because you’re not a good alpha. You’re not making good decisions for the pack.”

  “The last time I checked, me and my inner circle are the only ones who can make decisions for the pack, and the pack has to obey. You know you can either leave or challenge me if you don’t want to.”

  Mac’s glare deepened. “You know I wouldn’t win if I challenged you, and I’ve lived here my entire life. I’m not leaving.”

  Kameron leaned forward. “Then you don’t have anything to say about my decisions. But all right, let’s say you do. I can’t deny this way of choosing who the alpha will be is archaic, after all. What bad decisions did I make?”

  “You’re not doing anything about the attacks! Everyone knows who is behind them. Are you going to wait until someone dies to take them out?”

  Kameron sighed. “I’m doing everything I can to find them, Mac.”

  “But even if you do find them, you won’t punish them.”

  “No. They’re humans. I can’t antagonize the government that way. You know as well as I do what would happen if I did.”

  “But you need to do something! We can’t wait until they kill us all. Andy’s parents almost died, and what are you doing? Nothing!”

  Kameron got up. Donovan didn’t think he’d be unfair with Mac, that he’d punish him for talking that way, and he couldn’t deny Mac’s questions made sense. Unfortunately, so did Kameron’s answers.

  Donovan knew better than anyone what would happen if the pack—or any shifter—attacked or killed humans. The town might have accepted the shifters who lived there, or at least most of them had, but now that reporters were camped out in Gillham, God only knew what would happen. A lot of people ha
d problems with diversity, and shifters were different. Donovan didn’t fool himself into thinking they were going to be universally accepted.

  And the government couldn’t exactly go against humans in favor of shifters. They probably wouldn’t even think of doing so. Kameron had to protect the pack, and he was doing what he could.

  “What do you want me to do, Mac? I won’t put the entire pack in danger because you want revenge. I agree that something needs to be done, and I’m doing all I can.”

  “It’s not enough.”

  “I know. I know it’s not, and I wish I could stop them indefinitely. Do you really want me to find those people and what—kill them? Then what will happen? The government would move in and arrest me for what I did, probably my inner circle, my mate, and whoever else they can pin it on too. What will happen to the pack then? Who will take my place? You? You think you have what it takes to be the alpha? What will you do to protect the people left behind?”

  “Then I’ll do something about it.”

  “You won’t. I’m your alpha, and you have to obey. You can’t go around killing people because they attacked us. Revenge is not the right way.”

  Mac straightened his back, and Donovan knew something bad was coming. He wasn’t surprised. He’d thought it would happen earlier, actually. Something was bound to break, had been since the attacks had started. Kameron’s hands were tied, but not all pack members were all right with what he was doing.

  “Then I’m leaving the pack.”

  Kameron sighed. “Mac, please.”

  “I can’t let this go, and I’m not the only one who thinks that. I won’t wait for my mate or my kids to be hurt or to die. I need to do something, and if you won’t take care of those assholes, I will.”

  “Is there anything I can do or say to make you change your mind?”

  “You can take care of it yourself.”

  Kameron shook his head. “You know I can’t.”

  “Then no.”

  Kameron looked at Bryan. “What about you? Are you leaving the pack, too?”

  “I...”

  “He’s not,” Mac intervened.