Shad

by Catherine Lievens

  “Thanks.”

  “For what? I’m doing my job.”

  “Not really, at least not with the bodies. I could easily set up a website and do that myself.”

  “And lose precious time you could use to take amazing pictures? I don’t think so.”

  “Let me know if you sell anything else, okay?”

  Gabriel could hear the smile in Kate’s voice when she answered. “Just like always, hon.”

  * * * *

  Shad lost himself in the translation he was doing, or at least he tried to. His problem was that he wasn’t translating a book, but a technical text, and it was dry as fuck. Not what Shad preferred, but it paid the bills—not that he actually paid bills, of course, but he did what he could and gave money to the pride.

  A message pinged on his desktop and he was relieved to have an excuse to take a break. He frowned at the unknown nickname the message came from and opened it.

  Shad’s heart beat faster and his hands trembled as he read the words in his screen.

  I know why you’re sick and I can help.

  Shad didn’t even have to think about what to do.

  What do you want?

  What you gave Glass. Information.

  About what?

  The pride. The council.

  Shad bit his lower lip. Was he really going to do this? Could he really betray his friends, his brother?

  He sucked on his lower lip while he hovered his fingers above the keyboard. Even if he decided to not do it, to let whatever the fuck Glass had done to him take his life, Dominic had to know there was someone trying to get info on him, and Shad would be able to tell him more if he played the game.

  What kind of info do you need?

  I want to meet you.

  Where and when?

  Tonight. One AM, the woods just outside the mansion’s gate. There’s a small clearing not far from the gate, on the left.

  The guy—or girl—messaging Shad didn’t seem to care about being so close to the pride’s house. That meant either he knew exactly what he was doing or he was stupid.

  Okay.

  The guy went offline as soon as Shad agreed, leaving Shad more confused than ever. God, he wished he could talk to Darin. They’d always shared everything, except this. Shad hadn’t told his brother when Glass had approached him in the lab. He hadn’t told his brother that Glass had threatened to kill Darin if Shad didn’t do what he wanted, which was to give him information on the pride.

  Glass had known someone was taking shifters out of the labs, saving them, but he hadn’t known who was doing it. He hadn’t seemed to really care either. He’d used that to get what he wanted, and what he wanted was a spy planted inside the pride, gathering info Glass couldn’t get otherwise.

  He’d told Shad the scientists had injected him with a disease the Glass Research Company had created, a disease that actually worked on shifters. The only way Shad would survive was to take the medicine Glass offered him, but of course it came with a heavy price.

  Shad had wanted to live, and he still did. Still, he’d gladly die if it meant his brother was safe, and Darin’s life was the main reason he’d accepted Glass’ deal.

  He’d thought everything was over when Glass was taken and tried, that he’d die as soon as he finished the small reserve of pills he still had. And now... now he had a choice to make, and he desperately needed to tell someone. But who?

  Who wouldn’t judge him here? Who wouldn’t run to Dominic and tell him about the traitor?

  Shad saved his work and turned his computer off. He wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything at the moment, even if his translation was due in a few weeks. He had to solve this problem first, and that was more urgent than anything else.

  He made his way through the house until he stood on the porch just outside the kitchen. He quickly undressed and put his clothes in the bench dedicated to that purpose, shivering in the early November cold.

  Shad quickly shifted and climbed the porch roof. He was about to sit there, out of sight from anyone who’d happen to pass, when a glint behind a window caught his attention. He tilted his head to the side as he tried to understand what it was. He knew who lived behind that particular window, of course. How could he not?

  Everyone in the house knew Gabriel lived in the attic, although not many knew he didn’t actually stay there all the time. Shad had seen him around the house more than once, usually when he was in his sugar glider form. It made him hard to find, and the fact that Gabriel had never noticed him wasn’t a surprise.

  Shad hesitated, but in the end he meandered to the window. Even if Gabriel did see him, he’d probably think Shad was a squirrel or something like that.

  Shad paused under the window, but he couldn’t hear anything, so he climbed on the windowsill and peeked in. The glint that had made him curious came from the sun reflecting on the lens of a camera set on the sill.

  Gabriel’s scent was heavy around the object, a sign he handled it very often, and Shad scrunched his nose at the sudden want he felt to be with his mate.

  Shad was helpless against his sugar glider’s instinct to find their mate. He didn’t try very hard to resist, if he was honest with himself.

  He jumped and glided to the floor, landing softly on the carpet. There was no sign of Gabriel, even if Shad knew he had to be around. Maybe he could hide under the couch and just bask in his mate’s presence for a while before finding a way out and going back to his room. He needed to think, and under Gabriel’s couch wasn’t a place anyone would check for him.

  “What do we have here?” a gravelly voice Shad would’ve recognized anywhere asked from above him.

  Shad froze. He should’ve continued and ran under the couch, though, because the next thing he knew, big hands were closing around his middle and lifting him until he was face to face with Gabriel.

  The tiger’s ears were always a mild shock when Shad saw Gabriel, but not in a bad way. They looked soft and made Shad want to pet them, but what really got to him were the slit cat eyes Gabriel sported. Shad didn’t know what color Gabriel’s eyes were before, but he loved these new ones. They were amber with a black, slightly long pupil. Gorgeous.

  “Umm, I’m guessing you’re Shad. Darin wouldn’t have a reason to come up here, although he could have merely been curious and taken the open window as an opportunity to get in.”

  Gabriel hummed and gently stroked a finger down Shad’s head. “Nope, you’re Shad. So, what are you doing here? I thought we were still avoiding each other like the plague and ignoring the mate pull?”

  Shad squeaked. He didn’t know what to do. Was Gabriel angry? He didn’t sound so, but Shad didn’t know his mate well enough to be sure.

  Gabriel chuckled and sat on the couch. He put Shad next to him and turned to face him, then gestured. “Come on, shift back. We can’t really talk when you’re like this.”

  Shad tilted his head to the side. He’d be naked if he shifted. Not that he minded being naked with his mate, but that might lead to more, and he couldn’t risk it. Not with this new guy asking for information and making Shad even more of a traitor than he was before.

  Gabriel tsked and reached behind himself. “I forgot, sorry. I’ve never actually shifted, but I do know you’ll be naked when you do. Here.”

  He dumped a blanket next to Shad and Shad really had no valid reason not to shift. Besides, he wanted to. This might be his only chance at being close to Gabriel. It certainly was the only time they’d been this close ever since Gabriel had arrived in Whitedell.

  Shad shifted with a sigh and reached for the blanket as soon as he was in his human form. He wrapped it around his body, covering every inch he could with the soft fabric.

  “So, what’s wrong?”

  Shad narrowed his eyes at his mate. “Why do you think something’s wrong?”

  “Why would you be here if something wasn’t?”

  “Curiosity?”

 
“Maybe, but I don’t think so.”

  “Why don’t you tell me why you’re suddenly behaving like you actually care?” Shad asked a bit too harshly.

  Gabriel didn’t seem to take offense at Shad’s tone. “Who said it’s a sudden thing?”

  Shad snorted. “Please. You’ve been avoiding me ever since you arrived here.”

  “Pot, meet kettle.”

  “That’s—I don’t—” Shad spluttered.

  “You can’t say you didn’t do the exact same thing. I didn’t see you trying to talk to me or knocking on my door.”

  “You didn’t want me to! Besides, I have my reasons.”

  “That I can believe, and I also had my reasons. Just don’t act like it’s all my fault.”

  Shad huffed and leaned back against the couch. “Yeah, well.” He suddenly wanted to be far away from his mate, to be able to think. He straightened and started to stand up, but a hand around his wrist stopped him.

  He snapped his head toward Gabriel and opened his mouth to send Gabriel to hell or something similar, but Gabriel was already talking.

  “So, want to tell me what’s wrong with you? Is it Glass again? You obviously didn’t find another way to get your pills, though, so maybe not,” Gabriel mused.

  Shad’s mouth dropped open. “What the... how do you know about that?”

  * * * *

  Gabriel knew he should’ve kept his mouth shut. He knew he should’ve ignored Shad when he’d come in through the window, or better yet, kicked him out the way he’d came, but something had stopped him.

  It might have been his tiger wanting its mate, or just the human need to have someone close. Gabriel didn’t know, but when Shad didn’t recoil or try to run upon seeing him, something inside Gabriel settled. It made him feel calmer and more content, at least until he saw Shad naked.

  Gabriel’s mate was too thin and pale. Gabriel knew how sick Shad had been when he’d first arrived in the pride. Keenan had told him as soon as he’d found out Shad and Gabriel were mates. He’d also told Gabriel that Shad had gotten better before getting sick again, and that no one seemed to know what was happening. Shad hadn’t told anyone, but he wasn’t as stealthy as he obviously thought he was.

  Gabriel knew a lot of things, and he’d had plenty of time to think. He’d realized Shad had gotten worse soon after Glass had been captured and had added the clues together. He didn’t know exactly what was going on, but he knew Glass and Shad’s health were related. He just wasn’t sure why Shad was hiding it.

  “You know I of all people know just how being fucked up by Glass can feel. I mean, look at me.” Gabriel said, waving at his own body.

  He watched as Shad’s gaze moved from his face down to his chest, then his waist. Shad blushed and hurriedly looked up again. “I can’t say you’re not... different, but you’re gorgeous.”

  “Different? That’s what you call it?”

  Shad hesitated before answering. “Yeah. It’s not a bad different, really.”

  “But you can’t deny I got fucked up by Glass.”

  “Ah, no. I can’t.”

  “So talk to me.”

  “I’m a traitor,” Shad blurted out before slapping his hand on his mouth and looking at Gabriel with a panicked expression. He tried to get up again, but Gabriel wasn’t about to let him. He’d cracked the shell. Now he wanted to know more, everything if he could.

  “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing. I shouldn’t have told you.”

  Shad pulled his arm from Gabriel’s hold, but Gabriel grabbed his waist instead and pulled Shad down when he tried to pass by him. Shad tumbled down, half on the couch and half on Gabriel. He was tangled in the blanket Gabriel had given him and couldn’t push himself up, so Gabriel had an easy time turning Shad around and settling him on his lap.

  It wasn’t the most comfortable of positions, especially since they’d both avoided the we’re mates conversation until now, but Gabriel didn’t care much. “You’re not going anywhere until you tell me what you meant by that.”

  Shad’s eyes were huge and Gabriel could almost feel the panic rising higher and higher in his mate. Maybe he hadn’t taken the best approach with this.

  He smoothed a hand over Shad’s bare back and made little shushing noises. “Ssshhh, you’re fine. Nothing’s going to happen to you, Shad.”

  “But I can’t—I can’t tell you.” Shad pushed against Gabriel, trying to get away.

  Gabriel tightened his hold and rubbed circles into his mate’s skin. “You already did. You told me you’re a traitor, and while you didn’t give me details, it wouldn’t be hard to guess. You’ve been sick again ever since Glass was caught and the company taken over by his son, right? That means he or someone he knows was giving you something to keep you healthy. In exchange for what? The only thing you could give him is information. But on what? The pride? The council?”

  Shad sobbed but stopped trying to get away. He slumped against Gabriel’s chest and took a deep breath. “Yes. Glass came to me while I was in the lab, told me he’d kill my brother and let me die if I didn’t spy for him. It was the only way to get Darin to safety.”

  “But then Glass was caught, and you couldn’t have your meds anymore.”

  “I didn’t even really have the time to tell him important stuff, and I’m glad of that. I never thought it’d be easy to spy on people, but everyone was and still is so nice. I feel guilty for telling Glass anything, but it was the only way for me to stay alive.” Shad laughed darkly. “And look at the good it’s done me. I’m dying anyway.”

  “Have you ever thought about telling Dominic and Jared?”

  “So I could die alone and hated by everyone I love? I don’t think so.”

  “Did you ever think that maybe Jared could help you, especially now that he has the company’s files and help from a pharmaceutical company?”

  “But I’d have to tell him everything, why I got better, and why I got worse again. They’d kick me out.”

  Gabriel shook his head. “You should know better. You’ve been here even longer than I have. Dominic wouldn’t kick you out. He’d understand you did what you had to do to save your brother and your life. It’s not like Glass even had the chance to use whatever info you gave him anyway.”

  “Maybe not, but I still gave it to him. I betrayed the people who helped me when I most needed it.”

  “I don’t think you dying will make anyone happy, though. You have to tell someone. Dominic will forgive you, you’ll see. Who knows, you might even know something that could help the council.”

  Shad tilted his head up without moving away from Gabriel’s chest. “There’s more.”

  Gabriel groaned. “Of course there is. What is it?”

  Shad suddenly straightened. “You think Dominic will forgive me if I help him and the pride?”

  It was as if Gabriel’s previous words had finally reached Shad, and Gabriel was confused by the sudden direction the conversation was taking. “What do you mean by helping him?”

  Shad scrambled out of Gabriel’s lap and this time Gabriel didn’t have the time to catch him. The blanket he’d given Shad earlier fell on the floor and Gabriel averted his eyes, but it didn’t matter. Shad was already shifting and running to the still open window.

  Gabriel swore and berated himself for keeping it open, but Shad was already out. Gabriel hurried to the window, but there was nothing. No Shad, no sugar glider.

  Now Gabriel had to decide whether to tell Dominic what Shad had just confessed. He wouldn’t even think of doing something like that if Shad’s life wasn’t in danger, but he wasn’t about to let Shad die just because the man was stubborn as fuck.

  Gabriel knew he should go to the alpha right now, but he wanted to give Shad a little more time, although he wasn’t sure it was a good idea. Shad had said there was more to the story and he’d looked like he thought he could do something to help the pride. Hopefully it wouldn’t be anything
dangerous, but Gabriel would keep an eye open and check on Shad more often than he already did.

  Gabriel shook his head and closed the window. He didn’t know where he stood with Shad, not yet, and not knowing made him uneasy. He liked the man Fate had decided should be his perfect other half, and he was happy Shad didn’t seem bothered by Gabriel’s furry problem. But not having a problem with it was very far from accepting it and deciding to spend the rest of his life with it.

  Of course, the fact that they were mates meant Shad would probably be inclined to mate with Gabriel, if nothing else because his sugar glider wanted it. But was that enough for Gabriel, and for Shad?

  The encounter with his mate had left Gabriel with even more questions than he’d had before, and he wasn’t sure what his next step would be. Wait, he knew what it would be—he’d wait.

  He’d wait for Shad’s reaction to their conversation, and if he needed to, he’d step in. It would probably mean Shad would hate him and feel betrayed, but it didn’t matter, not when Shad’s life was on the line.

  Chapter Two

  Shad shivered in the cold night and walked to the gate as fast as he could. To be honest, it wasn’t only the cold that was making him shiver. He was also scared.

  Shad was scared of the man he was about to meet, but most of all, of what would happen if someone found them. The man who wanted information probably wouldn’t hurt him, but that didn’t mean Shad was comfortable meeting him. He had to do it, though, to help the pride. Dominic had to know someone was looking for a mole and what that person wanted.

  He left the gate open and turned left. He had to trudge through the snow to get to the clearing the guy had told him about, but it wasn’t far.

  A branch snapped somewhere in the woods and Shad froze, feeling his eyes go wide as he looked around. He couldn’t see much since there were no lights and the moon was tiny, but he did have a flashlight with him, just in case. He was still feeling stupid, but there wasn’t much he could do for that.