A Baby Daddy for a Werewolf Silencer
Page 12
"Erdi is handling it." Baqir got up, making it clear that he had no intention of providing further explanations. "Now, Mr. Simmons, I advise you and yours to be more careful in the future. There's no telling when the Gathering's goodwill might expire."
"Wait," Andreas stopped him before he could go. "The gunner... Why did he have silver bullets?"
Baqir's expression went dark. "That is an issue we are actively investigating. It seems there are those in the human world who suspect more than we would like."
"In a way, you owe us for exposing the leak," Finn offered.
Baqir snorted, and without another word, left the cabin. In his wake, Finn was left with a lot of questions—such as how the man planned to deal with the humans who were not easy to dispose off and what exactly these new suspicions meant for them all. But that didn't matter right now. What mattered was that his pack had managed to evade this threat, with minimum damage.
Andreas's silence made him doubt that conclusion. "How's Jessie?" Finn asked.
"Resting. Will looked him over after I bandaged his arm. It seems Jessie's going to be fine, but... I'm worried."
Finn squeezed his friend's shoulder. He could have told Andreas he needed to be strong for his mate, but that was something Andreas already knew. He could have said he understood how Andreas felt, but that wouldn't be much help. So instead, he just held on, and provided silent comfort.
And as he did so, he finally realized what had bothered him about his conversation with the Malik. Baqir had called Erdi brother.
****
Martin Cook was hiding in a barn in the middle of nowhere. Erdi had no clue how his brother had managed to track the human down, but he was more than thankful for the help. Without it, he and Jensen might have taken far too long to find the bastard.
As it was, he and Jensen reached the location in question within one hour of his call to Baqir. Now, the two of them stood behind the barn, watching the agitated human through the gap between the boards. Alicia and the boys were curled together on a dirty old mattress.
They seemed unharmed, and Alicia was holding both children close in a protective embrace. "Martin, you need to let us go. You have to realize the police will find you, and it won't end well."
"I'm doing this for your own good." Martin waved his gun around, making Alicia wince. "Weren't you always complaining that I didn't care? Well, I'm trying to keep you safe, fix my mistakes."
Alicia bit her lip and watched the man pace. "And we appreciate that," she whispered, having obviously decided antagonizing Martin wasn't very wise. "But the children have school. I have work. We can't just—"
"We'll go elsewhere once things settle down a bit," Martin cut her off. "That useless boy of yours is providing a distraction. I just have to... We need to cross the border and then we'll be fine."
Erdi had heard enough. The man was obviously a loose cannon and had no real plans of escape beyond taking his captives as far away from his pursuers as possible. If he wanted to be perfectly honest, Erdi didn't much care about his reasoning or ideas. He just had to get Gavin's family out of Martin's clutches, and then they could leave this entire debacle behind them.
"Stay here," he whispered to Jensen. "It should be safe, but take cover, just in case he manages to shoot."
Jensen nodded silently. Erdi knew better than to think his mate would have agreed to this suggestion so readily if not for their suspicion with regard to Jensen's possible condition. He hated Martin for forcing Erdi to drag his mate into a dangerous situation. But it couldn't be helped now. Once he was sure Jensen was safely hidden behind a derelict vehicle that must have once been a tractor, Erdi went into mission mode.
He couldn't quite shut down his emotions, not like before. A part of him remained focused on Jensen, but also on the innocents involved and the faith his Alpha had put into him. Even so, he didn't let these feelings derail him from his purpose. In fact, he used them, focusing on his target.
Martin didn't have a real pattern in his pacing. He was erratic, and that made him dangerous, if not for Erdi, for Alicia, Kyle and Jack. Erdi debated possible strategies, and eventually decided a surprise attack would work best.
The wood of the barn was fragile enough to break under Erdi's strength, and Erdi didn't need more than a few seconds to reach Martin.
Choosing his timing carefully, Erdi moved back a reasonable distance away from the barn. He kept a low profile so that Martin wouldn't accidentally see him. Jensen monitored his actions from his hiding place and gave him the all clear, signaling the moment when Martin had his back turned.
Erdi had an instant during which he wondered how his mate could possibly read him so well, and then he was rushing forward. His momentum had him crashing through the wood, splintering it with no difficulty whatsoever. The human turned toward him with a shocked gasp, but he didn't even have the time to aim the gun before Erdi was on him.
In a few expert motions, Erdi relieved the man of his weapon. He was probably a little more zealous in it than strictly necessary, because he ended up breaking Martin's wrist in the process. The human released a scream, but whatever pain he was in hadn't fully taken the fight out of him. He tried to free himself, to reach for the gun again, his terror obviously making him ignore the fact that he was outmatched.
The man's fear didn't pacify Erdi in any way, and he knew better than to loosen his hold. He forced Martin on his stomach, effortlessly pinning him to the ground.
"It's okay," he told Alicia. "Everything is going to be all right now."
The woman had been watching the brief fight in obvious disbelief, but Erdi's words snapped her out of her trance. She shot to her feet—and wow, Martin hadn't even tied her down—and ushered her children out of the barn.
Erdi heard Jensen meet the humans outside and soothe them with soft words and reassurances. The children were, of course, crying, and that made something dark twist inside Erdi.
"Listen closely. I know you're running away from someone, but that is not who sent me."
Martin stopped fighting at the words, or perhaps he simply realized he didn't have a chance. "Are you kidding me? Who are you then?"
Erdi gripped Martin's broken wrist and squeezed. "Someone very dangerous, and pissed off. Here's what's going to happen. You're going to be arrested, and you'll be in jail for a long time. Don't ever try to contact Alicia, Jack or Kyle again. If you do, the people you're running from... They'll be the least of your problems."
In truth, Erdi was realistic enough to realize that Martin Cook would probably meet an unfortunate accident while in prison. Still, the warning couldn't hurt. It took a great deal of effort for Erdi not to enforce it with a liberal application of claws, but he couldn't afford to reveal any non-human part of him.
Instead, he retrieved one of his smaller knives and nudged it against Martin's cheek. "Do you understand me?"
"Y-Yes," Martin stammered. "I understand."
Erdi was tempted to leave Martin with a scar that matched his own, but he didn't. It wasn't necessarily out of scruples or the lack of desire to hurt an already defeated man. The truth was that he could too easily imagine his own child in Jack or Kyle's place, and that didn't help his composure.
Even so, Erdi was no longer a silencer. He might carry his past with him forever, but he would not let him rule him. He would be a good father for his children, and a mate Jensen could be proud of. And he'd start today, by keeping his most violent impulses in check.
Instead of hurting Martin further, he forced the man to his feet and tied him down with some rope he found in the barn. Once he had Martin immobilized, he finally focused on his mate. "Are they all right?" He wanted to ask if Jensen was all right, but that was Erdi's paranoia speaking. He would have been able to tell if there was something wrong with his mate.
Jensen smiled at him. "We're all fine, Erdi."
His eyes added another answer, perhaps because of the question Erdi hadn't asked. Everything is fine, they said. We can go home soon.
Epilogue
A few days later
"I can't believe it. Werewolves."
Alicia shook her head in dismayed awe as she stepped up to Jensen. "I know," he said. "It's not exactly what we expected when we decided to come visit your son."
But the truth of it couldn't be denied, and not only because of the less than pleasant experience Alicia had been through. In fact, the evidence was right there in front of them, somewhat more humorous than the arid explanations both Alicia and Jensen had first received.
Jensen leaned against the tree trunk and grinned, wondering if he'd ever get tired of the sight of small Jackie riding on the back of the Alpha of the Lone Wolf Pack. He and Kyle had agreed on taking turns, and both children were cheering as Saul ran around, stoically withstanding all the fur and ear pulling.
It was nice to see the children relaxing, and Jensen appreciated the effort the pack was putting into having Alicia and her boys accommodated. In a way, it was easier for the children to accept the existence of the supernatural, but their lives had still changed dramatically and they'd just gone through a traumatic experience. They needed the distraction.
Alicia had been quite wary at first, and she hadn't immediately accepted the whole riding thing. Gavin had spoken to her at length, though, and she'd understood Saul and the other werewolves were just people—albeit belonging to a very different species.
"They're good men," she said, "and I'm really glad Gavin found Saul." Her voice grew pained as she added, "All our legends claim werewolves are monsters, but I've seen other monsters, and they were human. I didn't protect my children as I should have."
"I don't think any of them hold it against you," Jensen replied. She smiled weakly, but Jensen knew his encouragement didn't really reach her. Whatever had broken her relationship with Gavin—something which, from what he'd learned so far, was related to Martin Cook—would not be so easily forgotten.
It was at times like this that Jensen felt really grateful the man was behind bars where he belonged. A date had been set for his trial, but there was far too much evidence stacked against him for him to escape justice. The people who'd attacked the pack in Saul's absence were more of a mystery, but Erdi had assured Jensen and the others that silencer guilds never left such matters unfinished.
Even as he thought this, a burst of emotion echoed through his connection with Erdi, almost flooring him. Jensen barely managed to suppress a gasp. He clutched his chest, drawing Alicia's attention to him. "Are you okay?"
"Fine. I just... I need to find Erdi."
"If you're sure." Alicia shot him a dubious glance. "I'm going to see Gavin. I think Shannon must be taking his nap by now."
They headed back into the house together and went their separate ways from there. The place was pretty crowded on a regular basis, but Jensen managed to track Erdi down in the attic. He didn't think Erdi was in any sort of danger or distress, but he still felt his mate needed him by his side, and he had every intention of always being there for Erdi.
****
"Are you sure about this?" Erdi asked as he stared at the papers. "It's... too much."
Dean arched a brow at him. "We've all discussed it. I know it's unusual, but our pack is a family already. This just makes it official, the human way."
Or so Dean said, but Erdi still couldn't believe that Dean had offered to adopt him. Erdi had many names and identifications, but they were all false, mere masks he used in his missions. This was entirely different.
"I don't know what to say."
"A yes would be nice," Dean offered, "but we don't want to force you. I know being in a pack is already a big change. You can take your time to adapt, and decide whatever you feel is right for you."
Still a little numb with confused, awed shock, Erdi nodded. Dean squeezed Erdi's shoulder and shot him a gentle, understanding smile. "I'll give you some time and space. I believe there's someone who's anxious to see you anyway."
Dean was right, of course. Erdi must have been more distracted than he himself had realized if he'd missed his mate's approach. No, it wasn't even that he'd missed it. He'd taken refuge in it, instinctively reaching out to his mate while struggling to process how he felt about Dean's offer.
When Dean stepped out of the attic, Jensen was there, ready and waiting. His eyes widened and he fidgeted a little. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."
"You didn't," Dean replied. "I think he needs you, anyway."
Erdi should have been startled at how well Dean read him—his mate was the only one who managed that performance on a regular basis—but at this point, he couldn't argue with the former Alpha. In fact, he was grateful, as Dean proceeded to give them the privacy they needed to discuss this latest development.
"What happened?" Jensen asked once Dean was gone.
Jensen was already entering the attic, crossing the room before Erdi could even move. He cupped Erdi's cheek with striking gentleness, and the emotion that stirred in Erdi's chest at the touch made it easier for him to handle the more restless shocked one.
"He offered to adopt me," he replied, "so I could finally have a... complete identity."
"And what did you say?" Jensen asked slowly, as if afraid of his reaction.
"I haven't replied yet." Erdi chuckled, although the sound held no humor. "I suppose there's no question that I want to say yes. I'm just not sure I should."
Jensen arched a brow. "Why shouldn't you?"
There were many answers on Erdi's lips, all of them stemming from the one truth that he couldn't quite let go of—his past as a silencer, the guilt he still carried from those days of blood and deception. But when he looked at Jensen, he couldn't cling to them anymore. "I suppose... I don't have any reason, not anymore."
Jensen's smile shone brightly, although his eyes had that knowing glint that told Erdi his mate knew exactly how he truly felt. He couldn't shake off his feelings of self-loathing so quickly, but he could do his best, and Jensen helped him, anchoring him.
Erdi didn't know who reached for whom first. Maybe it was Jensen who stepped closer and brought their mouths together, or maybe it was Erdi who pulled his mate into his embrace. Either way, the end result was the same. Suddenly, they were kissing, their bodies molded against one another.
Since he'd met Jensen, Erdi had always felt his mate was a gift. Like all good things that happened to Erdi, Jensen's affection for him couldn't possibly last, couldn't endure the weight of Erdi's past. Truth be told, he hadn't pushed because he'd been reluctant to taint Jensen with that burden.
But Jensen proved him wrong time and time again. He made Erdi feel worthy of starting over. Every time he displayed any sort of doubt, Jensen was there to reassure him and bring him back from the dark corners of his mind.
This time, the despair that once drove him to cling to Jensen so possessively was set aside by that reassurance. From the very beginning, Erdi had tried to show Jensen how he felt, to be gentle despite his instincts to claim and devour. Even then, it had been different.
Hungry, frantic kisses were replaced by almost lazy lip-locks. Erdi savored the taste of his mate's surrender, the sweetness of his lips and his unique warmth. He took his time exploring every inch of Jensen's wet cavern, wordlessly telling his mate everything he couldn't find the right words for.
As it was always between them, things grew more heated, more daring. Erdi let his hands roam over Jensen's lithe form, but he managed to restrain himself and not tear Jensen's clothing right off. It was a good thing too, because as much as he wanted to make love to Jensen, this wasn't the right place for it.
The cabin had never been built to accommodate so many people, and as such, Alicia and the children were temporari
ly staying in town while Saul proceeded with the expansion of their living quarters. Erdi and Jensen had taken to living there too, half because Alicia needed someone to watch out for her and half to make things smoother within the pack.
They all spent most of their time at the cabin, but their belongings were in their small rented room, back in Willow Cove. Unfortunately, this meant he couldn't just tumble his mate into any available bed. They had to wait.
It would take forever to get back to Willow Cove, though, and Erdi wasn't looking forward to explaining why they needed the car. So Erdi chose a more practical approach. "Come on," he said as he broke the kiss between them. "We're going for a walk."
Jensen's grin suggested that he knew exactly what Erdi meant by walk. Other people would probably guess too—particularly werewolves who would be able to sense the sexual tension between him and Jensen. So, Erdi put his stealth training to good use and sneaked out of the attic, into the hallway. His mate trailed behind him, quiet, but still holding Erdi's hand.
There were plenty of people inside the house, but most of them were distracted with other things—usually their respective children or mates. No one sensed Erdi and Jensen as they slowly made their way down the stairs. At the ground floor, the kitchen was empty. The children's laughter still echoed in the distance, confirming the fact that Saul remained in the clutches of Gavin's brothers.
Erdi left the cabin through the back door. He sensed Finn nearby, but the other wolf didn't appear. They'd continued to patrol the area from time to time, but Finn obviously realized what Erdi had in mind and let the matter go.
Soon, he and Jensen left the cabin behind, and as the sound of voices and laughter faded away, Erdi could focus on his mate yet again. "Okay. We're finally alone."
"Good."
That was the only warning Erdi got before his mate pounced on him. He pinned Erdi to a nearby tree trunk, and Erdi allowed it—no, reveled it in. He could have easily turned the tables on Jensen, but he didn't. Instead, he coaxed his mate into gentling their kiss, taming Jensen's need with his own.