by Jools Louise
“Home sweet home,” Garnet said gleefully, piloting the aircraft skillfully as they dipped down, preparing to make the final approach. “Oh goody, Howard’s not there,” he added, laughing at Amos’s relieved expression.
“Thank God. I don’t think I could have tolerated him for more than another second.”
“There’s our welcoming committee,” Garnet declared, pointing to the sight of Craig and Finch standing outside the big house, waving.
Blaze exchanged a look with Garnet. Amos intercepted it and wondered what they weren’t telling him. “Spill it,” he ordered. “Or I’ll tickle you silly.”
They grinned. “That’s a new one,” Blaze drawled, winking at their passengers, who looked amused, Carter and Elvis among them. Elvis smiled at the banter and then dozed off again, looking exhausted.
“I mean it. Tell me what’s going on or you’ll be taking a swim.”
“Testy, testy,” Garnet teased.
“Fine, no need to get mean about it,” Blaze said, and related what he’d told Garnet earlier, about Howard, and the girls, and the stag.
Amos listened, feeling sick as he heard the depths to which his own brother had sunk, playing petty power games and abusing someone in his own house. Howard needed taking down a few pegs.
“When did you say this facility was started?” he asked one of the young men, Noah, who’d been at that horrible place from the beginning.
“Two years,” Noah replied starkly.
“Who brought you here?”
“I don’t know,” the twenty-one-year-old replied, shrugging. “The men wore balaclavas and never spoke to us. One was really tall, though, had a similar build to you.”
“Are you thinking that Howard’s behind this?”
“I don’t know,” Amos said, meeting Garnet’s worried gaze. “But it’s something he might do. He wants power at all costs and was irritated as hell when I claimed this land for our pack.”
“That long ago he’d only just graduated from Sandhurst,” Blaze said as the helicopter set down, and the rotors began to wind down.
“Two years ago, he applied for Special Forces selection,” Amos said. “He failed the test. He didn’t pass the psyche eval. Not a team player. They had concerns about his ability to lead effectively. Apparently, during a training exercise, he put his whole troop at risk when he disobeyed the brief. In a real-life scenario, they’d all be dead.”
“Is that Connor?” Carter suddenly asked, peering out as his brother, with Shona and Sandy by his side, stepped onto the porch, looking lovingly at the sisters.
“Oh, wow,” Blaze said, grinning widely. “They’re mated.”
“No way!” Carter exclaimed.
“Oh shit!” Elvis said, waking suddenly. “Did you say Connor was mated to Shona and Sandy? What happened to Howard being their mate?”
“He lied,” Amos said dryly. “And you’re right, Blaze. They’re true mates. Connor looks besotted, calm, and well-fucked.”
“Oh God, I just threw up in my mouth,” Carter moaned, looking terrified as he stared at his brother.
“Hey! We won’t let anything bad happen, little one,” Amos said firmly. “He’s going to need to explain what he was doing here in the first place. Then we’ll decide what happens. If what Charlie’s done is true, then Connor needs protection. Charlie may try to hide what he’s done, pin the blame on Connor.”
“Is Charlie capable of murder?” Blaze asked Carter. The man nodded. “Is Connor capable of doing that to his parents?”
Carter hesitated. “Connor would have stood by and let them kill Charlie. He was terrified of them. He often sided with them to avoid punishment, but he was abused as much as I was when we were children. I doubt he’d try to kill them himself. All of us got beaten, but Charlie was sneakier and avoided a lot of stuff. Connor got tough and was Mother’s weapon a lot of the time, but he was nowhere near as brutal as she was. He played mean tricks, rather than handing out the beatings like she did. He’s a survivor rather than an instigator.”
Amos stepped from the aircraft, helping the others out, and headed toward the greeters. He spied the carcass of a stag and felt sick at his brother’s deliberate maliciousness. Howard was a vicious adversary. He seemed to be getting worse. Ambitions of power never truly realized, failure at elite-level military selection, failure to achieve the medals that Amos had been awarded. While Howard had spent time in the UK, avoiding being sent out to the hot spots, Amos had excelled at his military life. Medals for valor and bravery must stick in Howard’s craw, who had yet to earn a thing but his rank.
“Connor,” he said, advancing on the man, who looked terrified suddenly.
“Sir, I’m sorry,” Connor said, tilting his head submissively. “I didn’t know where else to go. Howard claimed to be my mate, but he wasn’t. Then I met my true mates, Shona and Sandy here, and, well, we forgot the time,” he added sheepishly, earning twin giggles from the women snuggled against him.
“It’s true,” Shona said grimly. “Howard abused Connor horribly. I should have punched him harder.”
Amos arched a brow at that and bit back a smile. That would have hurt Howard more than he ever could. Being hit by a mere woman, in Howard’s opinion, was a harsh blow to his manhood. “Were there witnesses?”
“To Connor’s abuse?” she asked, confused.
“To you punching Howard.”
She smirked, brushing her knuckles against her chest, as though polishing a medal. “Oh yeah. His entire troop were standing around.”
“Good. Then he’s probably already at the center of company gossip and will be mentioned in dispatches,” Amos said with satisfaction. “I also hear that he was AWOL when he came here, and had no permission, so he’s in hot water all round.”
“Carter, I’m sorry,” Connor said to his brother, who was hiding behind Blaze, holding Elvis’s hand.
“A sorry isn’t going to be quite enough,” Carter answered quietly. “You were horrid for years. That takes more than an apology and a smile.”
He stalked past his brother, spine stiff as a board.
Connor nodded slowly. “I know I can’t turn back the clock. But there are far worse than me out there.”
“They aren’t my own brother,” Carter said bitterly, before disappearing inside.
“You know, I’ve been thinking. Since our pack appears to be increasing in size, it might be an idea to start building a few cottages, farther down the valley,” Amos said, as though speaking to himself.
“More space and less chance of bumping into people that hate me?” Connor said, grimacing.
Shona kissed him on the nose. “Quit being bitchy, and feeling sorry for yourself,” she said softly. “You hurt your brother when you should have protected him. He’s bound to be hurting.” She looked at Amos. “Are you suggesting we join your pack?”
“If you want to,” Amos replied. “You all need sanctuary, and we seem to be the place to go for wayward shifters.”
Craig grinned at his lover. “And ex-military medics,” he said, laughing. “You’ve got your hands full, but that’s what you’re good at. Getting people working together.”
“I was hoping for a short honeymoon before I had to start working for a living,” Amos retorted, grabbing Craig and giving him a noogie, then kissing him soundly.
“These guys will need some adjustment period,” Craig whispered against his lover’s lips. “Besides, there’s evil afoot, isn’t there? Someone was behind that facility, and I don’t think Charles Costa and his twin were the brains.”
“You figured it out, too.” Amos sighed, feeling his head hurting from tension. His own brother was a monster, it seemed.
“Costa liked to talk,” Craig said sadly, stroking Amos’s hair. “He bragged about being in the money and getting rid of freaks and weirdos. He didn’t mention Howard directly, but the clues were there. This seemed to be personal attacks on families that you’ve helped over the years. Shona and Sandy came to you for help after their
parents kicked them out, before Howard came along. While you were away, Howard moved in on them.”
“And Sharpe was our friend,” Elvis said. “You helped him, didn’t you, a few years ago? You stopped some of the elders beating him up.”
“All the others have a connection to you. People you’ve assisted and given hope. You listened and stepped in on their behalf. Then suddenly they disappear.” Craig hugged Amos tightly. “Howard is someone who wants what you have. He likes to be noticed, to be in control. You threaten that self-image he has of himself. People notice you and see him for what he is when you’re around. He’s a jealous, vindictive asshole. Watch your back.”
“Let’s get these guys settled, and then we can talk house-building, big guy,” Garnet said as he exited the aircraft, after doing safety checks. “I need to put this thing under cover again, but we have hours to discuss what our pack is turning into. Might be a good idea to set out some house rules.”
Amos nodded, eyeing the small group who stood nearby. “That’s a good idea.” He smiled. “Let’s go talk over coffee and cake,” he said, leading the way inside.
* * * *
That night, tired and yet content to be together again, the core of the Hartland pack made love. Caresses trembled across sweat-slicked skin. Tongues collided, and fingers glided. They undulated and surged like the tide, ever moving, never still, five lovers surrendering to the storm of a loving reunion.
Craig arched his back, skewered by Garnet and Finch, sucking Amos’s cock and watching Blaze suck his. The quintet moved again, switching positions, and Craig took his turn inside Amos’s dark chute, taking his alpha lovingly, languidly, before claiming him as he had claimed Craig. In turn, as the hours of the night dwindled to dawn, Craig claimed each of his lovers in turn, never sated until the last vestiges of darkness swept away, and he tumbled among the soft covers, surrounded by heat and love, content at last as he dropped into slumber.
* * * *
Carter awoke slowly, sitting up in bed as he heard someone in his room. He tensed as Connor walked toward him.
“I’ve been the biggest fool,” Connor said softly, with none of his usual aggression or mockery. “You could have asked Amos to turn me away, but you didn’t. You’re the reason Alpha Hartland is going to build me and my mates a cottage of our own.” He snorted in amazement. “I can’t believe that a man who I attacked only a few days ago would do that.”
“Amos is a true leader and alpha. Not the imposters that our packs are ruled by.”
“That’s true,” Connor said, grimacing. “He asked me about our father and his relationship with Mother. Amos thinks that there was leverage used so that Maureen could be accepted as his mate. They weren’t true mates, you know that. Which makes me wonder about a few things. Like the fact that I don’t remember Maureen before you were born. She just seemed to be there one day. But I can’t recall anything much before that. Only a sense that one day life was pretty good, and then it went to shit in a hurry.”
Carter nodded. “I suspected as much, about the marriage, anyway, but only after meeting Craig and his mates. When you see bonded mates, there’s an aura around them. Like with you, Shona, and Sandy. Our parents never had that. They could barely look at one another civilly.”
Connor looked startled. “Really? You see an aura when you look at me and my beautiful mates? I feel them, inside me. There’s an overwhelming urge to be with them, like an ache, but in a good way.”
“Yes, there’s the same aura. You’re falling in love,” Carter said, smiling. “Those two will have you wrapped around their little fingers in days.”
“Days? Try seconds,” Connor retorted, grinning back. Carter blinked, realizing it was the first genuine smile that Connor had shown.
“My wolf is content,” Connor continued, shrugging as though mystified. “I finally figured out why I was so aggressive. My wolf and I were fighting because he hates it when I go against my nature. Amos was right. Bullying is something that was drilled into me, not something I necessarily wanted to do. I was just too stupid to see it.”
“You never wanted to be alpha, did you?” Carter said. “You were always better as a beta. Charlie and Catherine were the ambitious ones.”
“God help the pack if those two decide to fight over it,” Connor commented.
“War and bloodshed,” Carter agreed.
Connor ducked his head and turned as if to leave. “I am sorry,” he said, holding his hand up to stop Carter speaking. “I know it will take a long time until you believe me, but would you give me a chance, at least? I’m tired of all the fighting. I just want to be with my mates, making babies and starting a new career.”
Carter blinked at the last bit. “Career?”
Connor grinned again, then laughed. “I’m going to learn construction, it seems,” he retorted, rolling his eyes. “Zane Finch is going to take me under his wing, alpha’s orders, and get me building the cottages.” He snorted. “That fucker’s going to be trying to get on my last nerve, but I won’t bite.”
“You will,” Carter shot back, chuckling. “He excels as a wind-up merchant. Just smile at him, and turn your back, or find a pet name for him. He’ll hate that and respect you for not being baited.”
Connor nodded and smiled, then left the room.
“I believe him,” Elvis said drowsily, sitting up in the single bed near the window. They’d decided to remain together, especially after all the newcomers had descended. “He sounds…different.”
“Human,” Carter agreed, and they shared a grin.
“I may just have to treat the sisters to a slap-up meal,” Elvis said, snuggling back under the covers.
“With what? We’re broke.”
“I didn’t say I’d be buying it,” Elvis retorted, giggling infectiously. “I’ll make pancakes for breakfast.”
“You can cook?”
“Never tried,” Elvis admitted. “But it’s the thought that counts.”
They laughed companionably, and then began suggesting possible outcomes to Elvis’s attempts to thank Shona and her sister.
“Maybe someone could teach you how to cook,” Carter said after a while discussing scenarios, like the pancakes burning and being used for target shooting or providing the foundations for the new dwellings.
“Finch isn’t too bad, is he?”
“All of those guys can cook from what Craig told me,” Carter said, yawning. “Now let’s get some more sleep. All that mountain climbing and rescuing damsels has me exhausted.”
“Ditto,” Elvis replied, already half asleep. “Love ya.”
“Love ya back,” Carter giggled, and they settled back to sleep again.
* * * *
Connor, listening on the other side of the door, smiled to himself. He felt as though he might just have found his place at last. This house, and more importantly the people in it, were forgiving, and didn’t kick a man when he was down. At least not when he was trying hard to change and atone for past sins. He sniffed the air and followed his nose back to his mates, sinking into their embrace, already in love as they kissed him tenderly, their softness a boon to his battered soul.
He thought about Charlie, and knew his brother would not be satisfied with what he’d done so far. Connor knew what Charlie had done, and his brother would need to tie up loose ends. But that was for another time. For now, it was enough to enjoy the silken warmth of his honeys, and as he filled Sandy’s snug pussy, kissing Shona with a tenderness he’d never realized he possessed, he knew he would kill for his mates and destroy any who tried to take away his new life.
The Ruin pack had a new leader, and Connor was now a sworn member of the Hartland pack. He took that seriously and knew when push came to shove, he’d defend his new friends no matter what. He had a newfound pride and resolve, now. Amos was ten times the man Charlie was. Connor had the feeling the next challenge to the alpha’s authority was on the horizon.
“Leave the thinking for tomorrow, darling,” Sandy murmure
d, kissing him hungrily as Shona deep-throated his cock. He shuddered, struggling to hold onto his sanity as he emptied his load into her ravenous mouth. Then he forgot about danger and lost himself in his mates’ loving touch.
Epilogue
Craig screamed as he opened his eyes. Bodies lay everywhere. Bloody. Dismembered. Shredded to pieces. It was carnage on a mammoth scale. Everywhere he looked he saw death and destruction. The smell of a homemade bomb was fresh in his nostrils. An IED, deadly and indiscriminate, its lethal load of nails and shards of metal strewn every which way. He looked down, saw the blood on his lower torso, and was relieved it wasn’t his. He felt no pain. To his right lay two dead members of the Hawkrigg pack of the north-west. Based in Cumbria, their numbers were spread across Cumbria, Lancashire, down to Manchester and the Wirral, taking in Liverpool and the coastal towns as far as Wales. And half their pack lay dead, victims of a terrible foe.
He heard someone moan and realized there were survivors, but couldn’t move. His limbs were sluggish, and his vision fading. Maybe the wounds were his after all. He couldn’t move.
He yelled urgently. Please. Help.
“Wake up, baby, wake up.”
Craig struggled from his vision, his breathing ragged as he returned to consciousness.
His mates surrounded him, concerned, yet in their eyes was the horror that he had seen. They had shared the same dream. “You saw, too, didn’t you? The Hawkriggs. Smelled the IED.”
“We did, love,” Amos said gruffly, holding him close, trembling slightly. “Another premonition.
“Yes. A terrible, unthinkable one,” Finch said over Amos’s shoulder, leaning in to kiss Craig’s damp forehead.
“What can we do?” Craig asked tremulously.
“We have to warn the Hawkriggs,” Garnet said, breathing hard, as though he’d just run a marathon. “We can’t leave them defenseless.”
