by Maggie Walsh
He sat behind Micah’s desk and leaned back in the chair, resting his hands on his stomach. His mind kept wandering to his boy. He had to stop this. There was too much to do and he needed to focus. Micah had called last night and told him what had happened out in Napa. They rescued Bass’s second mate, Noah, along with other slaves. One of them happened to be Gabriel and Castiel’s brother, Balthazar. But he was going by the name Raphael. He didn’t know why and Micah and Gabriel were too afraid to push him too much. From what they said, Raffy, as he now liked to be called, was in bad shape.
He needed to tell Cass what was going on and he didn’t look forward to that conversation. He sighed. He would wait a little longer until Micah gave him more information. How the hell the omega ended up in Napa being held captive by a Master, no one new, but Micah and Gabriel would find out. There was no way he could tell Cass anything right now. He would want to get on a plane and fly right out there to see if he could help. But they were already shorthanded. With Micah, Taylor, and Gabriel out in Napa, and Sebastian leaving the pack to go be with his mate out there, along with losing Thomas, he couldn’t afford losing any more enforcers right now.
A knock on the door brought Raith’s attention back. “Come in.” With the door fully closed, Micah’s office was soundproof, even to their strong wolf ears, but Micah had installed an intercom system, so when someone knocked, you could press a button on the phone and whoever was outside could hear. The door opened and Lexi and Crew stepped in.
“Hey, man. We just wanted to make sure it was okay that we take off for the club. We finished our patrol and Xander and Cass headed out,” Lexi said as he stepped into the room.
“The club again? That’s every night this week, boys. Haven’t you had enough one-night stands yet?” Raith asked.
“Hell no. You’re mated now you lucky bastard. But the rest of us still haven’t found our mates. Besides, Frank hired a new dancer over there and this one is fucking awesome. The twink is a firecracker. And the way he moves, makes you cream in your pants just from watching him,” Lexi answered.
“Personally, I don’t want to find my mate. I like my life. Watching you guys all dick-whipped is enough to make me not want my mate. Yes, baby, okay baby, anything you want baby. No thanks. While you all go to bed with the same guy day after day, night after night for the rest of your lives, I’m out there having fun. Fucking who I want, when I want, however I want,” Crew said with a smile.
“Say again? What do you mean who you want, when you want? You’re lucky you can get the ugly ones. I haven’t seen you get one guy you wanted in a long time. You usually get my sloppy seconds,” Lexi said teasingly. Crew’s smile faded away and was replaced with a pout. Raith just chuckled at the two. They were incorrigible. The two of them would screw anything with a dick. They didn’t care, as long as they got a few holes they could fill.
“You’re mean. Take that back,” Crew said with a pout. They were all silent for a minute, just staring at each other, and then finally they all burst out laughing.
“Get out of here, ya asshats. Go have some fun,” Raith said and waved them away. As the pair headed for the door laughing and slapping each other, Raith stopped them. “Oh and, Crew?” Crew turned around to look at his Beta and commander. “I hope you find your mate soon and I hope he doesn’t mind all your one-night stands.”
“See now, that is just mean. Why would you wish me that? I don’t want no mate, man,” Crew whined.
Lexi threw his arm around Crew’s shoulders and headed for the door. “Awe, stop whining and pouting and I’ll buy you an ice cream cone,” Lexi said in a placating voice.
Crew’s eyes lit up. “Really?” Lexi slapped him in the back of the head as he pushed him out the door. “No you fruit-loop. Let’s go and I’ll explain the proper way to talk.”
They left the office, closing the door behind them. Raith laughed and shook his head. “Great, the blind leading the blind.” He reached for the phone and it started to ring. “Damn, that’s spooky.” He lifted the receiver to his ear. “Hello? Hey, Micah, how’s California?” Raith listened for a few minutes as Micah explained that the sick fuck of a Master that was holding Noah and Raffy was actually Nigel Brighton, Hillary’s father. And that Raffy didn’t just disappear from the Montana Angel Pack five years ago. He was given away to Brighton by his father. Gabe, Cass and Raffy’s dad was in on this conspiracy to overthrow the paranormal Council and start a paranormal war. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Micah asked him not to say a word to Cass. He and Gabriel wanted to sit him down and tell him everything when they got home. And they would be bringing Raffy with them. Raith sighed in relief when he hung up with Micah. He was so not looking forward to telling Cass anything about this fucked-up situation. He was going to call Dante, but Micah also informed him that he would call him and fill him in on everything. So Raith stood up and went in search of his mate.
* * * *
The enforcers were all sitting around the kitchen laughing and talking while they enjoyed their meal when suddenly out of nowhere a bright light flashed in the corner of the kitchen. They all narrowed their eyes, or shielded them with their hands at the brightness. Something started to move within the light and Raith stood up, grabbing Aaron and pushing him behind him. A form appeared, and then another behind the first. The wolves all started to growl. Everyone except for Raith shifted into their large wolf. Even Aaron shifted into his ocelot.
They all stood there with their lips curled back in snarls, their large sharp teeth showing, hair raised up their backs and crouched, ready to strike. The form started to solidify. It shimmered and took on the form of a man. The second also formed into a man, standing closely behind the first. They stepped out of the bright light.
Raith squared his shoulder and showed no fear. He was acting leader and no matter what stepped out of the light, he needed to protect his pack. He held his head up high waiting to see what came through the light. One of the biggest men he had ever seen stepped through the light. He wasn’t as big as Micah, but he was damn close. He was at least six foot eight, probably about two hundred and fifty pounds. He had long blond hair to his waist that was pulled back and gathered into a ponytail at the nape. He had icy arctic-blue eyes, a strong jaw, full lips, and a sleek nose. His face was angelic, stunningly beautiful. He wore tight brown leather pants tucked into knee-high black leather boots, and a loose button-down white shirt. As he stepped completely through the light he clasped his hands in front of him and looked at each of the wolves, a slight smile on his lips. He had an air of great power.
The second man stepped through. This one wasn’t as big or angelic as the first. He was about six foot four, two hundred and thirty pounds. He had short chestnut hair, olive skin, and dark chocolate-brown eyes. He was dressed in tight jeans and no shirt. His muscles bulged against the three-inch-wide leather strap that crossed his chest from right shoulder to left hip. It held a sword across his back. He also had an air of power about him. Not as powerful as the first though. He stepped next to the first man and stopped. There was no smile with this one, his jaw was clenched and his eyes cold, hard. He held his head high and placed his hands on his hips. His eyes locked with Raith’s.
The bright light faded to nothing and the large man stepped forward. The wolves all started to growl and advance closer. He stopped and held his hands up, palms out, showing he meant no aggression. His head tilted slightly and he stared at the wolves in confusion. His eyes narrowed as he studied the wolves. His eyes landed on the small orange and gold cat. The ocelot stepped back, but never looked away from the large man. He turned his head to look at his companion. The dark-haired man met his eyes and shrugged his shoulders.
“Who are you? And why are you here?” Raith growled out in his scariest Alpha voice. The two newcomers quickly turned their heads to look at Raith.
“We come in search of two of our friends who have come to this realm and have vanished. We mean you and your wolves no harm. Nor your mate,” the a
ngelic man said and flicked his eyes at the small ocelot, then met Raith’s eyes again.
“We have no one here that you seek. Leave now and no one will get hurt,” Raith said with power and confidence in his voice.
“We come seeking your help, young wolf,” the angelic one said. “I am King Ryland. King of the fae. And my companion is Lord Dare Davis,” he continued and gestured toward the darker man. “King of the dragons.”
Raith wanted to shit his pants. He fought the urge to widen his eyes in shock and drop his jaw. He kept his face completely still and his eyes focused on the fae king. “I don’t know how we can help you. We don’t know who you seek,” Raith said in a calm, confident voice. He knew he couldn’t show these two any fear.
“I seek your leader. Your Alpha. He can help us. I have seen it,” the king said as he looked around the room.
“I am leader here,” Raith said, raising his head slightly.
“No. You are most definitely a very strong, powerful wolf, but you are not leader here. I have seen him in my visions. The one I seek is Alpha Micah Angel. King of the wolves.”
Raith’s eyebrows did go up at this remark. “The wolves have no king.”
The fae king smiled brightly, showing bright white teeth. His eyes were full of mischief. “Not yet.”
Chapter 5
Raith sat at Micah’s desk. The fae king and the dragon lord stood by the window looking out over the yard. They spoke in whispers and every once in a while looked back over their shoulders to peer at Raith. He was on the phone talking to Micah. He never took his eyes off the pair. The rest of the pack stood around the room, their eyes also never leaving the pair. Their bodies strung taut as they stayed ready to defend their Beta and their home. Aaron stood behind Raith, listening to his side of the conversation.
“Yes, Micah…Okay…If that’s what you wish…Okay. Have a safe flight.” Raith hung up and took a deep breath. “Alpha Angel will be returning today, but it will take him a few hours to get here. He has granted you both permission to remain here. My men will show you to your rooms,” Raith said as he stood up, placing himself fully between his mate and these powerful strangers.
“We can just stay here and wait, or walk around your beautiful lands. We don’t need to rest,” Ryland said.
“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible,” Raith said.
The fae king gave him a knowing look. “I understand, young Raith. Your Alpha wishes for us to remain in one room, under guard, until he returns.”
Raith nodded his head. “Then you understand.” He turned his attention to his pack. “Show our guest to their rooms and don’t leave their sides.” He looked back to the fae king.
King Ryland smiled at the young wolf. He was so fierce, so protective. Ryland was starting to feel better about his decision to come to this realm and seek Alpha Angel’s help. His wolves were strong and powerful. More than even they knew. He gave Raith a slight bow with his head. “As your Alpha wishes. As I have explained, we mean you no harm. We only seek your help. We will do as you ask.” The king turned to the wolves. They all exited the office, leaving Raith and Aaron alone.
“Holy shit,” Aaron whispered once the door closed.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself, sweetheart,” Raith said as he wrapped an arm around Aaron’s waist and drew him closer. He sat down, pulling Aaron onto his lap.
“Do you think they’re telling the truth?” Aaron asked in concern as he snuggled against Raith.
“I think they are. I didn’t smell any deception. But I think there’s a lot more to this story.”
* * * *
“Rory, where are you?” a loud, deep voice yelled through the house.
“I’m in the kitchen, Master.” Rory answered as he cringed, but remained on his hands and knees, scrubbing the floor.
A man of about five foot ten and two hundred pounds stepped into the kitchen. He had a shaved head. He was slim, but his muscles were well defined. He wore baggy jeans and a white T-shirt. He stepped up next to the smaller man on the floor. “I’m leaving for work. I left your list of chores and errands along with money on the table by the door. Call me when you leave and then again when you return home.”
Without stopping his scrubbing, Rory answered, “Yes, Master.”
“I have marked the mileage on the car and I know how much to expect to be there when I get home. Don’t take any side trips. Stick to the list or I’ll take the privilege of going out away. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Master,” Rory said, still not meeting his master’s eyes. He just kept scrubbing the floor.
“And don’t dawdle. I know exactly how much time it should take you,” he said in a commanding voice.
“Yes, Master,” Rory repeated.
The larger man placed his booted foot in front of Rory, stopping him. “Now, kiss my boot and say goodbye,” the Master commanded.
Rory stopped his scrubbing and leaned forward to the offered foot. “Goodbye, Master,” he whispered as he kissed the boot. The man lowered his boot and turned, heading out of the room. No other words were spoken.
Rory started to scrub the floor again. As soon as he heard the front door close he stopped and sat back on his heels. He wiped his sweaty brow with the back of his soap-covered hand. “Damn it. I don’t want to run errands. He never gives me enough money or time to do his running. Shit,” Rory spoke to the empty room as the tears started to build in his eyes. “That means he wants an excuse to punish me. To humiliate and degrade me. He wants to go to the club and have all those people watch as he does it.” Rory stood and picked up the bucket and scrub-brush. He emptied the soapy water into the sink and then cleaned the bucket and brush. He dried them and placed the brush in the bucket and put them away under the sink. When he was done cleaning the sink he turned to the small kitchen to inspect his work. It was perfect. Every surface was clean and bright. He pulled a pair of socks out of his pocket and put them on his feet. He walked into the living room and over to the small table by the front door. He picked up the forty dollars and the list. He read over his chores for the day.
1. Empty all cupboards in the kitchen, clean the cupboards and the items inside, and replace them properly.
2. Pull off the old grout from around the tub and the sink in the bathroom, clean the surfaces properly and then re-grout.
3. Wash all my clothes. ALL my clothes. Iron them ALL and fold the ones that need to be folded and hang what needs to be hung. The last time you washed them you left wrinkles. I want it all done over, properly this time. I will be able to tell if you actually re-washed them or not. So wash them.
4. Strip the bed, wash the sheets. Iron the sheets and remake the bed. Remember, tight. I better be able to bounce a quarter on it.
5. I want pot roast for dinner.
He sighed and looked at the list of errands.
1. Go to the pharmacy, buy lube and odor-eaters for my sneakers.
2. Go to the butcher and get a pound of those stuffed pork chops I like.
3. Pick up my dry cleaning.
4. Stop at the post office and see if I have any packages.
Rory closed his eyes. He knew he was in trouble. Forty dollars wasn’t enough. Which meant he would have to steal the lube. But then Tom wouldn’t see it on the receipt. Damn it. And the post office was on the other side of town. There would be traffic and all those stop lights. He would be late, he just knew it. He thought of not going to the post office and just telling Tom, his master that there was nothing there. But he was afraid. This could be a test. What if Tom left something there to make sure Rory did as he asked, like the last time he did? Shit, he would have to go. He would run the errands now, hopefully the traffic wasn’t too bad. Wait, he couldn’t. He had to wait for Tom to get to work before he called him. That meant he had a half hour. He put the money and lists back on the table and headed for the bedroom. He grabbed all of Tom’s clothes from the closet and laid them on the bed. They were perfect, not a wrinkle in them, but he w
as afraid to not do as he was told. He started to strip the garments off the hangers.
* * * *
Micah, Jesse, Gabriel, and Taylor walked through the front door. Raffy slowly entered, looking around at his new home.
“How about Taylor and I show you to your room so you can rest, while the guys go check on what’s been going on while we were gone?” Jesse asked in a comforting voice as he took Raffy’s hand.
He looked at Jesse and smiled. He was tired and ready to fall off his feet. “That would be great. Thank you.”
Micah kissed Jesse’s head. “Leave the bags. We’ll get them later. Thank you, baby,” he whispered.
Jesse gave him a smile and turned toward the stairs. Taylor wrapped an arm around Raffy’s waist and the three started walking up the steps. “Wait until you meet all the guys. Talk about a house full of testosterone. It’s so thick in here, you can taste it, and let me tell you, it tastes awesome. So many yummy bulging muscles and other bulging things…”
“Sweet baby.” Gabriel growled in warning, cutting Taylor off. Taylor looked over his shoulder at his mate and winked, giving him a sexy smile. “Oh hush and just keep looking at my ass as I walk away. You can daydream about how tight it is when you bend me over and push that giant sausage in.” He turned his head back and continued walking as Gabriel growled. Micah chuckled, Jesse shook his head, and Raffy looked at him in awe, with a small smile. “It’s like a smorgasbord of man meat around here. Trust me, brother-in-law, once you get all rested and feel better, you’ll see what I mean. Oh, you don’t have a problem with public sex do you? Because Gabe and I are known to put on a hot show or two.”
