by Shea Malik
Edrick was one of the kindest, loving men he’d ever known. For that Nole would be eternally grateful to the fates for pairing them. “I’m sure,” he whispered. “Jari may deserve to die, but Lucca doesn’t deserve to lose his mate. They aren’t going to have an easy road, and I’m not saying we let Jari free.” He glanced over to Lucca, who had tensed. “Yet,” he added.
Edrick leaned down and placed a gentle kiss to his lips. “You are the most considerate, sweet, generous man I know, my little mouse.”
With words like that, Nole found he didn’t even mind being called little mouse, mostly. He wasn’t about to admit it, but it was starting to grow on him. “I feel the same way about you.”
Another tender kiss was shared before they straightened and faced Lucca, who appeared to be on pins and needles as the wood railing he’d been gripping creaked under the strain of him holding it so tightly. “We won’t kill him, but we also can’t let him free until we’re sure he isn’t going to bring Nole’s colony to our doorstep.”
Lucca’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Thank you. I know that wasn’t easy considering what Jari did to Nole, but I think he’s sorry for his actions. At least, I hope so.” The worry in Lucca’s voice gave Nole a measure of comfort. Just because Jari was Lucca’s mate, didn’t mean the cat shifter would be fooled by him.
“What about his punishment?” Lucca asked.
The shifter world was often a harsh one. Then again, considering the damage they could do if they chose to, it was often necessary to remind them that they were going to be held accountable for their actions. Sometimes, Nole wished the humans would do the same for some of their citizens. In the shifter world, punishments matched the crime in severity.
What Jari had done would normally have resulted in his death, but as he was Lucca’s mate, they would have to come up with something else. “For now, he remains chained up and only given basic food and water.” Edrick shook his head. “I’ll decide on a more fitting punishment after I’ve had a chance to speak with him, but...” Edrick sighed heavily as he stared up at his friend with regret. “I’ll be honest. I’m too angry right now to be rational if I saw him. You’re going to have to give me a few days to deal with almost losing Nole before I’m able to be in the same room with Jair without killing him.”
There was so much pain in Lucca’s eyes, Nole was tempted to give the man a hug. Only the knowledge that it wouldn’t be welcome stopped Nole from doing just that. Lucca gave a tight nod then turned his gaze to Nole. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered.
Before Nole could respond, Lucca turned on his heel and went back inside.
“Poor bastard,” Chadwick muttered. “Mates are nothing but trouble and need to be avoided at all costs.”
Just a week ago, Nole would have agreed with Chadwick completely. Now, as he stood within his mate’s arms, Nole realized what an idiot he’d been.
CHAPTER 14
Hot coffee in hand, feet up on the newly constructed porch railing, Nole stared out into the dark of the predawn morning. The quiet solitude should have helped the agitation that had him tossing and turning all night. Too bad it wasn’t working.
Taking a sip of the bitter brew of strong, black coffee, he tried to come to grips with the reality that he would have to face Jari eventually. It had been a week since Edrick had recovered from his injuries, but no matter how hard Nole had tried, he just couldn’t forget the fear of almost losing him.
For the sake of Edrick and his friends, specifically Lucca, Nole needed to find a way to forgive his former friend, but he just couldn’t figure out how. That was why he was sitting there in the dark as he waited for the sun to rise.
Under normal circumstances, the stillness of predawn always settled whatever ailed Nole. But this time...this time he wasn’t sure he was ever going to achieve any kind of peace. Not when Jari had proven he couldn’t be trusted.
So how was Nole supposed to forgive the man, to move on with him living under their roof, when he’d forever feel the need to watch his back? At the same time, Nole couldn’t put off facing Jari any longer.
Lucca had been left teetering on the edge for far too long, and it was starting to affect all of them. It wasn’t fair to leave Lucca in limbo forever.
Edrick had already met with Jari a few days ago. Which only pissed Nole off more. Instead of deciding on Jari’s punishment, Edrick added to Nole’s pressure by refusing to come up with his repercussions until Nole talked with Jari and they came up with one together. When Nole begged Edrick not to involve him, his mate refused, because Nole had been the one hurt the most by Jari’s actions, so technically his reparation was up to Nole.
He let a snort out into the quietness of the morning.
Nole wasn’t an idiot. His mate was just trying to force him to face Jari. The fact was if Nole couldn’t live with Jari around, which he highly doubted he could, someone had to leave. Either Edrick and Nole, or Lucca and Jari.
Neither option was good, for it would mean tearing apart five men who had been there for each other their whole lives. Men who had left their pack for each other. Men who had dared to strike it out on their own for each other. So how was Nole supposed to live with tearing that friendship apart?
“A penny for your thoughts,” Edrick said as he stepped out onto the porch with a cup of coffee in his hand.
The solemnness of his mate’s expression told Nole he already knew what Nole was thinking about. So, he decided to surprise his mate. “World peace. The increasing national debt. Oh, and if I tied a string to the roof and let it hang down over the side of the house, how long would Chadwick be entertained as he jumped up to get it?”
Edrick chuckled, and for that instant, all was right in Nole’s world. It was bizarre, yet true. Never would Nole have imagined that something as simple as someone laughing would melt his insides. “I think world peace is a myth that will never exist so long as there is more than one person living on this earth.”
The coffee cup in Edrick’s hand was placed on the small table next to the chair Nole sat in. “As for the national debt.” Edrick leaned over Nole and picked him up before sitting in the chair with Nole in his lap. “That would require getting rid of the government and its greedy politicians, which, sadly, isn’t going to happen.”
Gently, Edrick nudged Nole to lean back against his chest. Wrapped in Edrick’s embrace, Nole felt that hard fought for peace settle inside of him. He didn’t know how his mate always knew what to do to give Nole exactly what he needed. It would be more annoying if Nole didn’t love Edrick so damn much.
Everything inside of him froze as that thought raced through his mind. He loved Edrick. How didn’t he see it before? Not sure he was ready to say it aloud until he had some time to think about it, Nole decided to keep it to himself for a little longer.
“And Chadwick wouldn’t get any more work done if you hung a string from the roof. Not that I would mind too much. For too many years Chadwick has been aloof.” A kiss was placed against Nole’s head. “Before meeting you, he never joked, not since we were little kids. Hell, I don’t remember the last time I saw him smile.” Another kiss was given. “Thank you for pulling him out of his shell.”
It really hadn’t been anything Nole had done, at least not on purpose. But he was glad he could help. “You’re welcome.”
Those big arms that surrounded him squeezed him a little tighter. Nole smiled as he settled further into Edrick’s embrace. “And the reason you are out here so early in the morning?”
Nole groaned. Why couldn’t his mate leave well enough alone? He knew he had to face Jari, but Nole didn’t want to have to talk about it too. “I don’t want to talk about it.” A part of him wished he could run away and never have to face Jari. He wasn’t even sure he could without tearing out the man’s heart for what he’d done.
Edrick stroked Nole’s back soothingly. “As much as I would like to shield you from this, I can’t,” Edrick murmured. “But you see what this is doing to everyone, even you
. It’s time to face Jari.”
He knew that. He did. That was why he was out there at such a ridiculous time of day to begin with. Nole had needed to find the courage to do the one thing he’d been avoiding like the plague. “I know. I just...”
How did he finish that?
There were too many reasons why he didn’t want to deal with Jari. He also knew there was one reason that scared him more than the others. “What if I can’t forgive him? I don’t think I could live with the guilt if that destroyed your friendship with Lucca.”
Suddenly large hands gripped his hips and Nole was lifted and turned so he straddled Edrick’s legs and he was facing his mate. Then one of Edrick’s hands moved up to cup his face and pull him close, so their lips just barely touched. “None of this is your fault, my little mouse. Jari made his bed. Whatever consequences come from that is all on him.”
“Edrick’s right,” Lucca said from the doorway. “As much as I pray you will find a way to forgive Jari, whatever happens, is on him.” The sadness in Lucca’s gray eyes tore at Nole’s heart. He hated that this man, who hadn’t deserved to be with a mate who had nearly gotten Edrick and Nole killed, was mated to Jari. Yet, not once had Lucca complained. Nor had he blamed Edrick or Nole for dragging their feet when it came to his mate’s punishment.
“I’m so sorry, Lucca. I just don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive Jari. The fact that he turned his back on me when the alpha had me beaten and left for dead was bad enough, but I would have found a way to get past that.” Nole glanced at Edrick, who had somehow become the center of his world in such a short time. “But those wolves nearly killed Edrick, and I just don’t know if I can forgive him for leading them to me.”
Once more Edrick pulled Nole’s head down until their lips just touched and gave him the sweetest, most tender kiss Nole could ever remember receiving. It was so full of love, Nole could almost touch it. Suddenly, telling Edrick his feelings didn’t seem so scary. Although he refused to say them with an audience.
When the kiss ended, Nole tucked his head into the crook of Edrick’s neck and cuddled close. He needed his mate’s strength if he was going to get through this.
For several minutes the three of them remained in silence. The air was thick with things not said as they all struggled to find the right words to say to make things better. But there just wasn’t anything that could change what had happened or what was about to happen. Nole would have to face the man who had betrayed him and find a way to forgive him, or their lives would forever be changed.
A sigh from Lucca broke the silence. “As much as it pains me to admit, what Jari did was deplorable. He doesn’t deserve your forgiveness. At the same time, he had his reasons, and I just hope you can find it in your heart to listen to him with an open mind.”
When Nole sat up, Lucca was no longer there, having gone back into the house. He just wished he hadn’t felt so relieved not to have to answer the request. Nole would like to say he would listen to Jari with an open mind, but he was still too hurt, too angry, too disappointed.
The sky had lightened considerably as the sun was getting ready to make an appearance. Turning, so his back was to Edrick’s chest once more, they sat there and watched as the sun rose above the trees.
Nole blinked as he saw a figure approach carrying what looked like a large camera and a large pole, with what appeared to be a light attached to one end. “Hudson?” Nole called out as the figure got closer. “Is that you?”
“Yeah,” Hudson answered as he neared the porch.
“Did you catch a ghost?” Edrick asked, the humor in his mate’s voice hard to miss.
Hudson scowled at Edrick as he wearily climbed the steps. “You know, I’m going to make you choke on that laughter when a ghost confronts you.”
“Wait.” All week Nole had heard Edrick and the others joke around about Hudson searching for ghosts, but he hadn’t thought they were serious. “You mean you’ve actually been searching for spirits?”
“Yes.” The way Hudson held himself still as if preparing himself for further ridicule when he answered, told Nole him just how much Hudson hated being constantly picked on for his beliefs.
Unwilling to add to it, Nole nodded his head and said, “Cool. Next time you go out, let me know. I might join you.”
At first, Hudson stared at him in disbelief, but the longer Nole held his gaze, the more that doubt turned to hope. “Really?”
Nole didn’t hesitate. “Definitely. I’ve always thought there was something…” He glanced in the direction of the town for several moments before continuing. “I don’t know how to describe it. But there have been times when I would swear there was someone in that town. Yet, when I checked it out, there was no evidence anyone had been there in years.”
He turned back to Hudson. “I’ve always thought I just imagined things. After hearing about the history of this town, I’m not so sure there wasn’t someone, or thing, there after all.”
Suddenly, that hope in Hudson’s eyes turned to excitement. “I’ll be going out again tonight if you really want to go.”
There was no way Nole was going to turn the man down. He may not know Hudson all that well, but he was one of Edrick’s best friends, not to mention one of the pack Nole was joining. He might not be able to help Lucca when it came to Jari, but Hudson was someone he could do something about. Giving Hudson a smile, Nole said, “I’d love to.”
With a bounce in his step that hadn’t been there moments before, Hudson headed inside to put his gear away. It wasn’t much, but at least Nole didn’t feel like a heel for causing problems between Edrick and another of his friends.
As the darkness was chased away by the hope of a new day, Nole curled deeper into his mate’s arms.
“Thank you.” The whispered words against his ear warmed Nole from the inside. “I hadn’t realized how much we were hurting Hudson with our constant teasing.”
“You’re welcome.” Having helped one of Edrick’s friends, Nole knew it was time to deal with Jari, if for no other reason than to give Lucca some closure. “Will you go with me?” Nole didn’t know where the question had come from. He hadn’t meant to ask it. But now that he had, he prayed Edrick would agree.
Thankfully his mate didn’t need to explain the switched topic. “Of course, I wouldn’t dream of making you face Jari without me,” Edrick whispered into his hair.
Profound relief filled Nole at the assurance. Maybe, with his mate safe by his side, Nole would find a way to do the impossible and forgive Jari.
CHAPTER 15
The wood creaked under their feet as Nole and Edrick made their way down into the basement. The dank room was musty with a chill in the air that seeped right into Nole’s bones by the time they’d reached the cement floor.
As his eyes adjusted to the dim room, Nole saw a cot in the far corner. There, sitting on a thin, stained mattress was Jari, head bent, his body shaking slightly, cuffs attached to each wrist, linked to a chain that was bolted into the wall.
Concerned when Jari didn’t even look up, Nole rushed to his former friend’s side. Before sitting down on the edge of the cot, Nole stopped himself. The sense of betrayal chose that moment to rear its ugly head, reminding him this man couldn’t be trusted.
“Jari,” he said instead of pulling the man who had been his friend most of his life in his arms and comforting him as he heard the sobs that Jari was trying to hide.
At the sound of his name, Jari popped his head up. His eyes widened in surprise. “Nole? You came.” The disbelief in Jari’s voice along with the hoarse sound, most likely due to the man’s crying, tugged at Nole’s heart.
But it didn’t erase the fact that Jari had tried to get Nole killed. Nor that he’d nearly succeeded with Edrick. “I’m here, but only because Lucca needs this situation to be resolved. Otherwise, I would be more than happy to leave you rotting down here.”
Despair filled Jari’s gaze. “I’m sorry. I don’t expect you to believe me or forgive me
.” Jari closed his eyes for a moment before those light brown eyes once more fixed on Nole. “I don’t deserve it. But I just want you to know I never wanted to hurt you.”
Nole snorted in derision. He couldn’t help it. “You lead a group of wolf mercenaries right to me. You even distracted me so they could get close enough to kill me. What did you think would happen? We’d have a tea party?”
Jari winced at his harsh tone, but Nole couldn’t muster the concern to care. Edrick had almost died because of this man, and now he was claiming he hadn’t meant for it to happen. He had to take several steps back for fear of lashing out at Jari with the claws that had sprung out on his hands.
Edrick placing his hand on his shoulder helped Nole to relax a bit. Glancing back at his mate, who stood there smiling encouragingly at Nole, the anger that nearly had him beating Jari as badly as Nole had been at the hands of his alpha and his minions lessened enough for Nole to gain control of himself once more.
The door to the basement opened, and heavy footsteps descended. Lucca. The man stared at his mate as if assessing him. Probably checking for any signs that Nole had hit him. Wise considering the temptation had nearly had him doing just that a moment ago.
“May I stay?” Lucca asked. The question may have been directed at Edrick and Nole, but his gaze never left his mate.
The fervent hope that flared in Jari’s eyes pissed Nole off and had him biting his tongue when he wanted to crush it by telling Lucca no. He just didn’t think he could get through this without trying to kill Jari.
“Nole?” Edrick asked when Nole hadn’t answered Lucca. He really hated that his mate was so willing to let Nole make decisions. Well, at least when it came to Jari. Any other time he would have threatened to cut the man’s balls off for daring to presume what Nole wanted.
Not trusting himself to speak, Nole gave a curt nod. That was all Lucca needed. He strode over to his mate and stood there, not close enough to touch, but enough that he could see Jari visibly relax.
