“You ready to meet everyone?”
He reached across the seat to take hold of Hayden’s hand.
Hayden chewed on his bottom lip. “Are you sure they’re okay with me staying here?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. Kelan wouldn’t have agreed to it if he didn’t want you here. You’ll like him. He’s a good alpha and a good man. You’ll like everyone here, matter o’ fact. They’re good folks, all of them.”
They got out of the car just as Kelan and Pete were coming down the porch steps to greet them. Kelan’s lips were set in a tight line, but Pete merely looked amused.
“Hayden?” Kelan reached out and shook Hayden’s hand. “Howdy. I’m Kelan. I’m the alpha here in Wolf Creek and this is Pete, one of my betas.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Hayden said quietly. “Thank you for letting me stay here.”
While he shook hands with Kelan and Pete, Hayden turned his face away, clearly trying to hide his scar. It troubled Gregory that his mate felt the need to hide, but he’d quickly learn that no one on the Crazy Horse would judge him.
Kelan smiled warmly. “Anything to help out a friend.”
“Hayden knows about our bond now,” Gregory informed them.
Kelan grinned. “Well then, I guess congratulations are in order.”
“My regards to you both,” Pete said cheerfully.
Hayden smiled back shyly.
“Thank you.”
Gregory was pleased that neither Kelan nor Pete had mentioned Hayden’s scar, even though they had to have noticed it.
“Come on, I’ll show you where you can sleep,” Kelan said.
Gregory nodded and placed a hand on Hayden’s shoulder as they started to follow Kelan across the yard.
“Kelan!”
When Gregory turned, Kelan’s mate Jake was running down the steps of the porch and heading their way.
“What is it?” Kelan asked.
“I’ve got to go to the airport to pick up Tony. I just wanted to say goodbye. I’ll see you later, okay? Hi, Gregory!”
Gregory thought he heard Kelan growl but when he looked at the alpha he was smiling, his eyes giving nothing away.
Pete snorted.
“Hi, Jake,” Gregory said. “I’d like to introduce you to my mate, Hayden. Hayden, this is Kelan’s mate, Jake.”
Hayden reached out and shook Jake’s hand but he took a step closer to Gregory’s side as he did.
“You’re human,” he blurted out.
Jake chuckled. “Yep, last time I checked. Don’t hold it against me, will you?”
Hayden’s face turned bright pink.
“Sorry,” he mumbled.
“Who’s Tony?” Gregory asked.
“Tony’s my friend from New York. He’s coming to visit for a while,” Jake replied.
“Tony’s his ex,” Kelan said morosely.
Pete rolled his eyes. “Kelan’s jealous.”
“Am not.”
The frown on Kelan’s face contradicted his words.
Jake grinned and wrapped his arms around Kelan’s waist. “I don’t know why—he has no reason to be.” He placed a kiss on Kelan’s lips then pulled out of the embrace. “I’ve got to get going or I’ll be late. It was good to meet you, Hayden.”
“You too.”
Gregory waited until Jake had got into Kelan’s truck and pulled out of the yard before he questioned Kelan.
“His ex?”
Kelan grunted.
“Apparently Tony’s in love with Jake,” Pete supplied.
“And you don’t mind him coming to stay here?”
Kelan shrugged. “I trust Jake. But if that weasel so much as lays a finger on him, I swear to God I’ll…”
Gregory and Pete both chuckled, but when Gregory looked at his mate, Hayden’s eyes were blinking rapidly and he was staring at Kelan with something bordering on fear. He leaned in close and whispered in his ear.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. Kelan’s just sounding off. He wouldn’t hurt Tony.”
When Kelan snorted, Gregory thought it best to let the subject drop.
“I’ve got to get going,” Pete said. “I’ve got to open up Jessie’s.”
“Pete manages the bar in town,” Kelan told Hayden.
“Has there been any more trouble there since I left?” Gregory asked.
Pete shook his head. “Nope, nothing to speak of. The place has been quiet since Neil and his friends were arrested.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Sure is. I’ll catch you all later.”
Gregory and Hayden followed Kelan to the bunkhouse and the door opened as they climbed the porch steps.
Cary stepped out.
“Hi, Gregory!” he greeted enthusiastically.
Gregory nodded. “Cary. I’d like to introduce you to my mate, Hayden.”
“Hello,” Cary said, smiling shyly. “Kelan told me you’re going to be staying here with us. It’ll be nice to have another cat around. Not that’s there’s anything wrong with the wolves,” he added quickly, glancing at Kelan.
Kelan merely chuckled.
“Where’s Aaron?” Gregory asked.
“He’s gone into town with his father. They shouldn’t be too long. Come on in.”
They followed Cary into the bunkhouse and through to the kitchen.
“Feel free to use anything you find in here,” Cary said. “Come on, I’ll show you your bedroom. Where are your bags?”
“Oh, they’re in the car,” Gregory replied. “You go on ahead, I’ll go back to get them.”
Hayden looked over at Gregory with wide eyes.
“Don’t worry,” Gregory said, placing a kiss on his mate’s cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
Hayden chewed nervously on his bottom lip. He looked hesitantly at Cary and Kelan and then nodded.
“Okay.”
“Through here, Hayden,” Cary said.
Gregory walked back through the house and out into the yard. He doubled back to his car and retrieved Hayden’s bags from the trunk. He was about to make his way back to the bunkhouse when his cell phone started to vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered the call.
“Gregory.”
“Gregory, it’s Dean. Where are you?”
Gregory looked across to the bunkhouse and pursed his lips before answering. “I’m in Wolf Creek,” he said, cautiously. “What do you want?”
Dean chuckled. “Someone’s been a bad agent. How is that little cat you kidnapped holding up?”
Gregory’s stomach lurched. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Come now,” Dean said. “Let’s cut through the bullshit. I know you have him. The store near Hayden’s condo has cameras.”
Gregory swore under his breath.
He hated hearing his mate’s name on Dean’s lips. How could he have been so stupid? He’d seen the camera when he’d carried Hayden back to his condo, but he’d been so intent on getting Hayden home to rest, he hadn’t spared it a second thought.
What the hell was he going to do now?
“I don’t have to tell you how much trouble you’d be in if your superiors found out you’re hiding the cat,” Dean continued. “What’s so special about him that you’d be willing to throw away your career in the council to hide him? Because that’s exactly what you’re doing, Gregory.”
Gregory’s stomach was in knots. “There’s nothing special about him,” he lied. “I just felt sorry for the kid. He’s had a tough life and I wanted to help him out. I was afraid the council wouldn’t have his best interests at heart.
“You know as well as I do how some stray shifters are treated.”
Gregory knew his story was paper-thin, but it was the best he could come up with.
“That’s very noble,” Dean replied. “Stupid, but noble.”
Gregory was losing his patience. “What do you want from me, Dean?”
“A favor,” Dean answered. “If you help me out, I’ll make sure
your superiors don’t see the tape of you with the jaguar.”
So, Dean was finally starting to show his true colors.
“Blackmail?” Gregory questioned. “I didn’t think that was your style.”
Dean made a tutting sound with his tongue.
“That’s a nasty word. I prefer to think of it as, if you rub my back, I’ll rub yours.”
Gregory rolled his eyes.
Of course, that’s how Dean would see it.
“What sort of favor?” he said through clenched teeth.
He looked across the yard to the bunkhouse.
Hayden was standing on the porch, waiting for him to return with the bags. As he watched his mate lean against the wall and cover his face with his hands, he knew at that moment he’d do anything to protect him.
Whatever it took.
“I have a little problem,” Dean said. “And I need you to make it go away.”
Gregory didn’t like the sound of that. He sighed.
“What sort of problem?”
“His name is Jared Ambrose,” Dean answered. “I believe you’re acquainted with him.”
Chapter Thirteen
Hayden leaned back against the wall and sucked in a deep lungful of air.
He’d forgotten how nice it was to be out in the country. No smog or the stench of exhaust fumes. No noise. It was refreshing. But he was so used to shutting himself off and avoiding strangers that he was having a hard time being around Kelan and Cary. He’d told them he needed to go out and get some air, but what he’d really needed was a moment alone.
Cary seemed nice, but he was even quieter than Hayden—which was saying something—and he didn’t think they had a lot in common. Hayden felt intimidated by Kelan and, although the alpha had been very welcoming, Hayden couldn’t help but find the whole situation overwhelming.
It hadn’t been that way with Gregory.
Right from the beginning, Hayden had felt comfortable being around him. He wondered if that had been because of their bond. He hadn’t known Gregory was his mate but had he felt it subconsciously?
Walking to the edge of the porch, Hayden rested his hands on the top post of the baluster and took a look at his surroundings.
Kelan had a nice spread.
Not that Hayden had the first clue about what working ranches were supposed to look like, but the place had a good feeling to it. The bunkhouse was larger than anywhere Hayden had lived in before and far more appealing.
The yard and fields were huge.
The perfect place to shift, run and hunt.
The thought surprised Hayden. Was he ready for that? Would it be safe for him to shift there on the land and let his cat run free? He wasn’t sure that was what he wanted, but he did feel better than he had in a long time—more relaxed, even with the council threat looming over him.
Gregory was making his way over from the car with his two bags. He smiled as his mate approached. For the first time in years, Hayden felt like he had the chance to make a proper life for himself, a real home.
Could it be that simple? Unfortunately, the council would always be looking for him and it would be difficult to keep running from them forever.
“How do you like your room?” Gregory asked as he climbed the porch steps.
“I like it a lot. It’s nicer than anything I’m used to.”
“I’m glad,” Gregory replied succinctly.
The wide smile that had been present on his face since they’d arrived on the ranch had disappeared. His mate looked preoccupied all of a sudden. Hayden wondered if it had anything to do with the call he’d seen Gregory take.
“Is everything okay?”
Hayden took one of the bags then threw it over his shoulder.
Gregory wouldn’t meet his gaze.
He shrugged. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
Hayden frowned. “I don’t know, you just seem distracted.”
“Everything’s fine,” Gregory replied as he entered through the bunkhouse door. “Let’s put your bags in your room.”
Hayden followed and tried not to let Gregory’s abruptness upset him. When they’d set the bags in his room, they rejoined Cary and Kelan in the living room.
“What is it you had to tell me, Kelan?” Gregory took a seat on the empty sofa. “It sounded important.”
Kelan nodded. “Yeah, and it’s not good news, I’m afraid.”
Hayden sat next to his mate and quietly watched the exchange.
“Jared has discovered something about Dean.”
Gregory’s entire body seemed to stiffen at the mention of the name.
“Who’s Jared?” Hayden asked.
“Jared Ambrose is deputy sheriff here in Wolf Creek,” Kelan explained. “His mate Nate is one of my betas and works for me here on the ranch.”
Gregory grunted. “Has Jared been investigating Dean?”
Kelan nodded. “Yeah. I told him to be careful, but he wouldn’t listen. He’s determined to find out what Dean is hiding.”
“He needs to watch his back,” Gregory said. “He shouldn’t have got involved in this. It’s too dangerous.”
“That’s hardly fair,” said Kelan. “You asked him and Nate for help. Did you honestly expect Jared to sit back and do nothing while you were gone?”
Gregory sighed. “I guess not. What did he find out?”
Kelan studied Gregory for a moment. He looked as if he was considering how to deliver bad news.
“It’s about Ashton, Gregory.”
Hayden’s head swiveled towards his mate to gauge his reaction. He reached out and put a comforting hand on Gregory’s knee but Gregory didn’t acknowledge it. He leaned forward in his seat.
“What about him?”
“Jared said you told him that a wolf named Blake Deveraux had been giving you information about Stan Michaels.”
Gregory nodded. “Yeah, but after Ashton was killed I found out he and Dean are pretty tight, so I assumed all the information we got from Deveraux came from Dean.”
Kelan pursed his lips. “That’s partly true, but it’s not the full story.”
“So what is?”
“Jared went to talk to Deveraux.”
“What the hell did he go and do a stupid thing like that for?”
“Don’t worry—he didn’t mention your name. He was careful about what he disclosed. He just said he was investigating some of the deaths of council members’ mates.
“Jared said that Blake guarded himself carefully at first, but eventually he got him to admit a few things. It looks as if Dean is blackmailing Deveraux. Blake didn’t admit that outright, but Jared said it was obvious from some of the things he said.
“He kept saying all he cared about was protecting his mate.”
Gregory’s shoulders tensed and he met Hayden’s gaze.
Hayden thought he saw his mate frown before he turned back to Kelan, but the expression disappeared quickly.
“What does this have to do with Ashton?” Gregory asked.
Kelan sighed. “Blake indicated Ashton had been working for Dean in some capacity or other.”
“No. No way,” Gregory said resolutely. “Ashton wasn’t dirty. We were friends and we worked together closely. I’d have known if he was doing something like that.”
“Are you sure?” Kelan asked. “Maybe he wasn’t doing it willingly. If Dean is blackmailing Deveraux, who’s to say he didn’t do the same thing to Ashton? If he threatened Tania then it’s likely Ashton would have done what he wanted.
“I don’t have to tell you what a shifter will do to protect their mate, do I?”
All of the fight seemed to go out of Gregory’s body.
He reached across and pulled Hayden to his side, kissing the top of his head.
Hayden sank into the embrace gladly.
He felt safe in his mate’s arms.
“No, you don’t have to tell me that,” Gregory replied quietly.
Chapter Fourteen
Gregory parked his car outside
the sheriff’s office then took a moment to gather his thoughts, which flitted through his mind with such rapidity they were making him dizzy. Dean might not have asked him outright to kill Jared, but he had no doubt that was what the wolf wanted from him. There was no way he could kill anyone, let alone someone he considered a friend.
And for no good reason?
That would make him no better than Dean.
Gregory wondered if Dean had threatened Ashton in a similar way.
Had his partner done Dean’s bidding? Had he killed someone for the wolf? Gregory didn’t want to believe Ashton was capable of something like that, but he could understand the burning desire to protect his mate.
The fact was, Ashton had killed someone.
He’d killed Stan.
He might not have done it under a direct order from Dean, but he’d done it just the same. It appeared Ashton had been the victim of manipulation all along and Gregory hadn’t had a damn clue.
Hayden’s safety might be of the utmost importance to Gregory, but he wouldn’t kill Jared to ensure that safety.
There had to be another way.
He just didn’t know what it was.
He covered his face with his hands as a sense of helplessness overwhelmed him. What would Dean do when he found out Gregory had dared to disobey him?
Gregory considered talking to Riley—his superior in the council—about Dean’s threat, but he had no idea if Riley could be trusted any more than Dean. But, of course, if he confided in Riley that would involve telling the council about Hayden and by doing that Gregory could himself be putting his mate at an even greater risk than he was already in.
The important thing was to tell Jared about Dean’s threat. He had to know his life was in danger. When Dean realized Gregory had no intention of doing what he’d asked, he’d find someone else to do his dirty work for him. Jared needed to prepare for that. He couldn’t fight an enemy he didn’t know existed. Gregory was just stepping out of his car when Jared came rushing out of the door of the office like his tail end was on fire.
“What’s going on?” Gregory asked.
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