by Fel Fern
Spencer stared at him. “Must be your imagination.”
“Could be,” he relented.
“Off to a run?”
“Nope. I was thinking of dropping by the cemetery, say hi to Isiah.”
Spencer considered him. “The roadside diner near the cemetery that makes those spicy buffalo wings and mozzarella balls still there?”
“You mean Flint’s? Yeah. Want to come?”
“Might as well.” Grinning, he nodded to his pickup. “After you.”
Chapter Nine
“Hey, Cole,” Wren answered, putting the phone against his ear, and continued applying whipped cream on his latest creation. “Sorry, I might be running late. Last-minute order, and it’s kind of a huge one. I even roped Henry into helping.”
“Sure thing, baby.”
Wren smiled at that. Once Cole ended the call, he continued his work. He heard the doorbell ringing in the background.
“I’ll get it,” Henry announced.
The oven bell rang, and he was pulling the last one out when the familiar scent of his Alpha werewolf hit his nose. He placed the cake down the counter and blinked several times to make sure Cole was there. The werewolf Alpha grinned at him.
“What are you doing here?” he blurted.
“I thought you two could use some help.”
“What about work?” he asked.
“I asked one of my brothers to cover a meeting for me.”
“I can’t possibly—” he began.
“Come on, Wren. Let your boyfriend help, since he went all the way here,” Henry said, but his best friend had a secret knowing smile on his lips.
“Boyfriend?” Cole mused. “I like that. I’m a boy, who happens to be a friend you fuck?”
“Oh hell,” he muttered. “Can you not make jokes and help instead?”
Cole’s grin widened, and Wren couldn’t help but notice the Alpha werewolf looked damn good, in a pair of dark jeans without any holes in them and a white button-down shirt. Oh yummy. Later tonight, Wren couldn’t wait to pet and admire Cole’s chest. If, he thought sourly, they could finish the twelve cakes in time.
Taking Cole’s advice about hiring extra staff, he’d begged Henry, who was currently unemployed, to help him with taking orders from the site. He didn’t realize he’d taken a rush order for twelve cakes for a party. He’d wanted to cancel, but the customer had paid in full via credit card. Besides, with Cole here, they might just make it.
They worked in silence, and Cole surprisingly took well to listening orders. But the time all the cakes were done, only the delivery was left. He sank into the kitchen chair, exhausted. In front of him, Henry slumped his head on the table, in a similar state. Wren felt large hands on his shoulders, but he relaxed, knowing who they belonged to.
He moaned when Cole started massaging them, easing the tension away.
“Leave the rest to me,” Cole murmured, kissing the side of his neck.
“Really?”
“Yup. I’ll be back for you.”
“I’m sorry I ruined tonight. I’m not sure I have the strength to dress up, and I know you made that booking to that exclusive French place that just opened.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. I’ll think of a second plan.”
“You’re too good for me.”
Cole tipped his chin, so he looked at the Alpha werewolf, who had taken time from work to help him out in a crisis. His heart swelled. Cole thumbed away some chocolate from his chin, lifted it to his mouth, and licked. He blushed, awake. Cole leaned in close, kissing him. Since Henry was there, the kiss was chaste by their standards.
He moaned when Cole released him, wanting more.
“Rest a little, I’ll be back soon,” Cole said.
“Can you really manage?” he had to ask. The location was at a vineyard on the outskirts of town, and a twenty-minute drive one-way.
“Like I said, I’ll take care of it.” The doorbell rang again. “That’s probably Spencer.”
“You asked your brother for help?” he asked, sounding sleepy to his own ears.
“Yeah, he has nothing to do anything. Hold on a sec.”
Cole exited the kitchen and returned with a tall, muscular redhead with dark brown eyes.
Wren rose to his feet, still feeling exhausted.
“Wren, this is Spencer. Spencer, this is Wren.”
He held out his hand and squeaked when the big guy pulled him into a bone-crushing hug. Spencer must have sensed his discomfort and released him. “It’s nice to finally be able to meet Cole’s little bird.”
He blushed at that. Wren knew Cole was close with his brothers, but what else had the werewolf Alpha shared? Well, he didn’t mind.
“Oh, my. You’re impressive,” said a voice. Henry.
Henry squinted up at Spencer. Since when had Henry stirred awake?
“This is Henry, my best friend,” Wren introduced.
Spencer nodded, gaze lingering on Henry, not saying anything. Wren was certain he wasn’t the only one who felt the growing tension in the room. Cole cleared his throat.
“Come on, we have cakes to deliver.” Cole steered his brother away. Once they left, but not before Wren demanded a kiss, he let his head fall back to the table.
“Hey, Wren. Would you know if Spencer is single? Because I sure don’t mind a little sip of Mr. Redhead Gorgeous there.”
He groaned. “Henry, seriously? All I want to do is fall asleep right now. Besides, have you ever dated a shifter? And Spencer isn’t a normal shifter either, but like Cole, he’s an Alpha. Predatory dominant males aren’t easy to handle sometimes.”
“Don’t underestimate us humans,” Henry said with a huff. “And no. I haven’t dated a shifter.”
“Don’t take it too hard. I’m just concerned about you. But if you really want, I’ll ask Cole.”
“You’re right. After Brad, I’m not sure I’m ready to start dating.”
He looked at his best friend. Henry’s ex, Brad, was an abusive bastard who seemed intent on sucking Henry dry, including Henry’s bank account and spirit. Until Henry had gotten the courage to walk out of that relationship and move into a new town. That had been five years ago, and they’d been close as brothers ever since.
Wren shut his eyes. He was protective of Henry, no doubt about it, but his relationship with Cole was so new and he didn’t know Spencer all that well. He’d see how things would turn out first.
* * * *
Someone gently shook his arm, waking Wren up. He groaned and rubbed at his eyes, to see Cole beaming down at him. It took him seconds to remember he’d fallen momentarily asleep.
“Delivery successful,” Cole told him. “I came up with a plan B, but if you’re too tired, let’s get you to bed at least.”
“No way I’m going to sleep again,” he blurted. “I just need coffee.”
“This?” Cole asked, holding out a medium-sized coffee latte, his favorite.
“You think of everything,” he murmured, rising to his feet to accept his gift. “What’s the plan?”
“It’s a surprise. Come on.”
Wren glanced down at his flour and chocolate-covered shirt and ratty jeans. “Wait, let me change into something else.”
“You’ll do. Besides, no one else will see us.”
“Oh?” If Cole was in the mood for sex, his dick twitched in his pants. Wren didn’t mind. The caffeine gave him the extra boost he needed. They exited Henry’s apartment and the building. He looked for Spencer, only seeing Cole’s pickup.
“Your brother?” he asked.
“Dropped him off in the woods. He wanted a run.”
They got into Cole’s truck, and he asked, “Is Spencer single?”
Cole started the engine. “Why? You interested in him more than this boring ol’ wolf?”
He rolled his eyes. “No, Henry wanted me to ask.”
“Spencer,” Cole ventured, “doesn’t date.”
“Like you before you met me?” he asked.
“Spencer’s case is a little unique. He was raised by a father who disliked living near humans, so he was raised in a cabin near the woods.” Cole’s expression darkened. “He doesn’t tell me much, but it’s not hard to guess the bastard didn’t win the best dad award. Anyway, Spencer found his mate when he was only six years old while out exploring. I mean, of course he didn’t understand what the mating bond meant yet, but his mate was shot down by a careless hunter.”
Sorrow coated Cole’s words, but he could understand Spencer’s pain. Spencer might have been a kid then, but losing a potential mate that young could leave lasting damage.
“Hence, he doesn’t date,” he finished.
Cole nodded. “We could introduce them, but I’m just worried he might not be good for Henry. I like Henry, I love my brother, but I don’t want Spencer to break Henry’s heart.”
“T-that’s thoughtful of you.” The mood had turned sober. He wondered if he shouldn’t have broached the subject. “Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see.”
He sniffed the car, scenting grease, meat, and fries. “Do I smell food?”
“Now, now, little bird. Don’t get your little talons on the take-out in the backseat yet. We’re going to have a little picnic.”
“A picnic at night?”
Cole didn’t say anything else. He looked out the windows. They drove past a residential neighborhood, the sights familiar. It took him awhile to realize the path seemed familiar. Cole stopped the car in front of their old middle school. He sucked in a breath.
“You remembered?”
“Of course.” Cole snorted. The Alpha werewolf got out and he followed. Cole grabbed the take-out and took his hand.
“Wait, what are you planning?”
Cole didn’t respond. Fine. He’d wait to see how this turned up, although admittedly, it warmed his heart, knowing Cole remembered him from childhood. Cole walked past the school building and headed for the old playground behind. Nostalgia hit him.
He’d been a small kid, different, and had a sharp mouth to boot, so Wren had been a perfect target for bullies. Wren could never forget the day a twelve-year-old Cole had stood up for him, faced Gary and his cohorts, and been about to get into a fight for him.
Cole led them to the swings. He took the one on the right, Cole the left. Cole handed him the take-out bag.
“Sorry, this is all I could up with on short notice.”
He made a grab for the delicious burger, unwrapped it, and started devouring it in quick bites.
“Baby, slow down a little or you’ll choke.”
“I’m hungry,” he stated between bites, then paused, swallowing the last chunk of meat. “This is an awesome date, by the way.”
Cole had taken him here for a reason. With his burger gone, he started on the fries, thinking. Once their food was gone, he swayed on the swing a little.
“Cole, why did you bring me out here?”
“Look up.”
He craned his neck, taken aback by the clear night sky, the stars spread across the murky darkness like a net. The only sound in the playground was the squeaking chain the swing made and his erratic heartbeat.
“I want to tell you something, the last piece of myself I’ve held back from everyone.”
Wren sobered, listening.
“I never considered a relationship, because I didn’t believe in the mating bond. My shifter father left before I was born, left even though he’d given his mating mark to my mother and promised her forever.” Cole paused. “Things started spiraling from there. She started doing drugs, and when money ran out, she started whoring herself out. All that time, she never failed to remind me how much she hated me, who was an extension of him.”
Wren stopped, got off the swing to stand behind Cole, and gave his mate a hug.
“Oh, Cole,” he whispered, holding the Alpha werewolf in a tighter embrace.
“I saw how a broken bond set my mother on a path of self-destruction, and I swore I’d never curse someone by giving them my mark. What if I end up being like my father, if I become a coward and run?”
“You’ll never be like him,” he whispered fiercely. “Baby, you met me right here, protected me when we were kids. Now, we’re both adults and I’m starting to believe fate brought us together again for a reason.”
Cole reached out, placed his hand over his fingers.
“I had a talk with my brother Malik this morning, too, visited Isiah’s grave this afternoon. Isiah’s relationship with his wife, Mary Jo, was the exact opposite of my birth parents. I decided I wanted to be the kind of man he was, worthy of a mate.”
He kissed Cole’s rough, unshaven cheek. “You’ve already won my heart, and I know you’ll take good care of it.”
They stood like that for a long time. Wren could hear the steady, confident beat of Cole’s heart and knew Cole had managed to find the inner peace he needed.
“Thank you,” Cole said, breaking the silence.
“For what?” he asked, baffled.
“For giving this broken wolf a chance.”
Chapter Ten
“The baby is fine and healthy,” Dr. Mitchell said.
Wren craned his neck, but Cole, still holding his hand, peered at the ultrasound screen, wonder in his eyes. Realizing he blocked the view, his werewolf Alpha took a step back.
“Damn, she’s amazing,” Cole murmured.
Pride filled him at those words. She really was. When Cole and he had started dating, he’d never imagined things would come down to this, that Cole would go so far as to involve himself deeply in Wren’s life. Wren had to admit, Cole made things a lot easier, because he couldn’t imagine going to weekly check-ups alone, and it turned out he really did need help with his growing business.
“I’ll see you both next week then,” Dr. Mitchell said. “Would you like a copy of the ultrasound?
“Hell yeah.” Cole’s enthusiastic response was infectious.
They walked out of the clinic and to the parking lot, in a good mood. At first, Wren had debated and worried how Cole would react if he asked Cole to accompany him for a check-up. After all, it was Trey’s child in there, but Cole reassured him he’d be there at every step of the way, would love the growing baby inside Wren like it was his own.
He realized night had fallen and with that, his worry intensified. They were about to drive up to Nash’s place for dinner. Wren was finally going to meet the rest of Cole’s family. He didn’t know what it was like, having such a close family because his own had always been distant.
Wren had been raised by parents who’d been absent most of his life, and they were glad to be rid of him once he married and mated Trey.
“Nervous?” Cole asked once they got inside Wren’s car.
Wren noticed Cole placed the copy of the ultrasound carefully on the dashboard. His baby had been the sole reason he continued living despite his mate’s death, but he realized that perhaps, there was another reason, too.
To meet Cole, his second chance at love and life. Wren never thought he could ever be this happy again. Cole was one of the most important people in his life, and Cole’s family was a vital part of Cole’s life, too, so it was important he made a good impression.
Wren peered at the backseat and grabbed the box, relieved to see the cake he was bringing for dinner remained intact.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Cole said.
“Don’t need to sound so amused,” he grumbled. “Seriously, what if they don’t’ like me?”
“Spencer likes you, so that’s one down,” Cole replied, starting the engine.
“He does?” The silent werebear was hard to read. The three of them had lunch together a couple of times, but Cole seemed to get Spencer just fine.
“Yup. Spencer doesn’t like socializing much, but he says you’re good for me.”
“Did he?” Wren made a mental note to make Spencer a honey-glazed chocolate cake just for that thoughtful comment, since bears liked h
oney and all.
“You’ll do fine, baby. Just relax.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Your brothers are all dominant predatory shifters and that sort can be pushy, I should know.”
Cole laughed. “Aw. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Cole drove to the edge of town, to a neighborhood where houses stood far apart and close to the woods. He understood the appeal, because shifters liked the outdoors, and the miles of forests surrounding Snow Valley provided plenty of space to let the inner animal out.
Wren couldn’t shift, because he was pregnant, but once the baby was born, Cole said they could head out sometimes and shift together. He’d liked that. Since Trey preferred to remain in human form as opposed to his eagle form, Wren usually shifted and flew alone.
In his mind’s eye, he saw him and his little girl, flying in avian form while Cole ran below, a powerful, graceful wolf. He smiled to himself, and just like that, his worry subsided.
“You calmed down,” Cole observed out loud.
Wren told his mate what he was thinking about. Most men would be frightened he could think that far, but not his man.
“Hmm,” Cole mused. “Can I do a little alteration to that vision?”
“What’s that?”
“How about,” he drawled, “we add a little cute wolf pup to the mix?”
Exasperated, he stared at Cole. He didn’t mind another kid though. “What if the kid inherits my genes, and not yours?”
“Doesn’t matter to me. I can tell our little girl might want a sibling or two.”
Our. He didn’t miss that word.
“Oh, so she talks to you now?” he asked, skeptical.
“Absolutely.”
“What if the next one ends up being a boy?”
“I’m not choosy.”
Surprised Cole had killed the engine, he looked around. Cole parked the truck by the curb, and he looked out the windows. The two-story house was modest in size, old, but well-maintained and had porch and rocker up front.
“This was our childhood house,” Cole explained. “Isiah’s house. We were about to sell it after he died, but Nash decided to keep it.”
