“No, I don’t.”
“Good. I also had to tell Kameron and others, once we realized you and Jago were gone.”
“It’s okay. They’d have found out soon enough anyway.”
“Yeah. I, uh, might also have said something else, something I should’ve told you before.”
A wave of love rolled through the bond, and Reed knew what Demi had told their friends. “You’ll tell me when I’m back, okay?”
“Yeah, okay.” There were other voices again, then Demi was back, frustration obvious in his voice. “Kameron says they can’t pinpoint your position. It’s like something’s blocking it from a certain point onward.”
“Reed!” Jago hissed.
Reed looked his friend’s way and saw that one of the doors had opened. Two people came in, and thanks to the fact that whoever had taken Reed had left the lights in the garage on, he recognized them as soon as he saw them.
“Larsen and Gordon.”
“What?”
“They’re here. I have to go, Demi.”
“Don’t turn your phone off!”
Reed hung up and quickly turned the phone’s volume down so that it wouldn’t ring even if someone called. He looked at Jago and nodded. Jago shifted back and scrambled in Reed’s pocket again, and Reed pressed a shaking hand on him through the fabric, then lay back down.
“What do you have to show me?” Reed recognized Larsen’s voice.
“It’s a surprise.”
“I know that.” They stopped next to the car, right outside the trunk. “But why did you buy me a surprise?”
“I didn’t buy you anything. You said you wanted that guy to disappear, so I did it for you.”
There was silence for a few seconds, then Larsen’s indignant voice. “You did what?”
“That guy, the one with the gardener.”
“I know who you’re talking about, you idiot! What have you done?”
“You said he should disappear.”
“Did you—did you kill him?”
“No! He’s in the car.”
“In this car?”
“Yes. He’s unconscious.”
“You’re—you’re an idiot. Why would you do something like that?”
“Because—”
“Yes, I know. Because I said he needed to disappear.”
“I thought you’d be happy.”
“Why should I be? Don’t you think Demi will suspect me of taking his lover? And what if they’re already mated? Can he find him using their bond?” There was a panicky undertone to Larsen’s voice.
“I just wanted you to be happy,” Gordon grumbled. “I thought you’d be able to get back with your gardener if I took his boyfriend.”
“Just... shut up, okay? And open the car.”
Reed screwed his eyes shut and his breath hitched. The weight on his lungs was back again and his palms were damp. He heard the trunk open and more light flooded the trunk. He pressed harder against Jago.
“Shit. What did you do to him?”
Reed kept his breathing even as much as he could.
“I just hit him on the head.”
“Are you... ? Yes, all right. Give me your phone.”
“Why?”
“Because Demi won’t answer if I call him with mine.”
Reed could’ve kissed Larsen in that moment. He wanted to open his eyes, to be able to make sure he was still okay, even if he knew he was. He didn’t, because he didn’t know how the two men would react, but it was hard. The fact that he could feel Jago on him helped keep him anchored in the moment. The last thing he needed at the moment was a flashback.
“Demi, it’s Larsen. Shut up and listen to me. Your mate is here.”
Reed could hear Demi screaming at Larsen even from where he was.
“Just stop screaming and listen! I didn’t take him, it was Gordon. I had nothing to do with this, okay? I just found out and I’m calling you.”
This time Reed didn’t hear Demi’s answer.
“Gordon’s house.” Larsen was silent again, then he groaned. “Do I really have to? Okay, okay, I’ll wake him up and make sure he’s fine. Yes, we’ll wait.”
Reed breathed a bit easier. His mate was coming to get him, and he could feel Demi through their bond, a reassuring presence in his mind.
“Gordon, go grab some water.”
“But—”
“Now!”
Reed heard Gordon shuffle away, then someone—Larsen—come closer to him.
“How do I do this? Umm, Reed, was it? Reed, wake up.”
Reed wanted to roll his eyes. Larsen hadn’t even come close enough to check if Reed was fine, but he wasn’t about to let this opportunity pass. He opened his eyes and sat up, and Larsen squeaked and jumped away.
“What the fuck? You were awake the entire time? I thought you were dead or something!”
Reed shook his head and hissed at the pain. “Not dead, but your goon hit me on the back of the head.”
“Demi’s coming.”
“I know.” And he couldn’t wait.
* * * *
Demi drove too fast, but no one stopped him, thank god. He didn’t know how he’d have reacted if they had, but he was sure it wouldn’t have been pretty.
Kameron, Noah, and Duncan were in the car with him, and all of them were tense. Noah’s hands were balled up in tight fists on his thighs, and Demi loved him for it. Noah was as worried as he was, even if Reed wasn’t anything to him.
“I still can’t believe Larsen took him,” Noah spat.
“He didn’t.”
“Oh, please. Don’t tell me you really believed him?”
“I don’t know, Noah. Larsen might be a brat, but I don’t think he’d get to the point of kidnapping Reed. He doesn’t want me that much.”
“I’m going to talk to Selena and have his ass thrown in jail.”
Now it was Demi’s turn to be incredulous. “You really think anyone will put Larsen or whoever did it in jail?”
“I’ll push for it.”
Demi shook his head. “You know it won’t work.”
“What do you mean, Demi?” Kameron asked from the back seat.
“Apart from the fact that I’m not convinced Larsen did it, Reed’s a shifter. The conclave won’t care.”
“Are you sure?”
“Pretty much.” Demi slowed the car, then stopped. They were just at the edge of Starhaven and about to pass the barrier that kept everyone out. Duncan had already been there, of course, but Kameron hadn’t, and he hadn’t been invited. Demi knew the conclave wouldn’t be happy if they found out he was there, but Kameron had insisted on coming. One of his pack members had been kidnapped, and Demi understood it. He just hoped they weren’t about to start a council-conclave war.
“Ready?” He glanced at Kameron through the rear-view mirror. The alpha was serious and looked determined. He nodded, and Demi drove ahead.
The barrier was only visual, so Demi didn’t feel anything as they passed it, just like always. And just like always, the sight that greeted him when they got on the other side awed him.
Instead of the desolated landscape the barrier created, a sprawling town extended in front of them. It wasn’t hard to identify the richest and poorest parts of town, since they were on a small hill. The big estates were on their left, and Demi went that way.
It took them a little over fifteen minutes to get to the Esslemont’s estate. The gate was open, and Demi raised his brows in surprise, but then Larsen was waiting for them. He obviously wanted to convince them he really had nothing to do with Reed’s kidnapping.
Demi knew exactly where to go and parked in front of the garage. Those doors too were open and Demi’s glance went straight to Reed.
He was sitting on the open trunk of a SUV Demi knew belonged to Gordon and seemed to be fine. A little pale, but mostly fine.
Demi didn’t even close his door when he got out of
the car. He ran to his mate, loving the way Reed’s face lit up when he saw him. Reed made to get up, but Demi reached him before he could and hugged him tight. “Don’t ever scare me like this again.”
Reed’s answer came out muffled since his face was smashed against Demi’s neck. “It’s not like I wanted to be kidnapped.”
The words made Demi look around. His gaze stopped on a nervous looking Larsen standing near the car. Gordon was beside him, obviously avoiding looking their way.
Demi stepped away from Reed but didn’t release him. He kept his mate close and watched as Noah unleashed his fury on the two men.
“What the fuck were you thinking? Are you really that desperate to think that Demi would take you back if Reed disappeared?” Noah yelled.
Demi winced and felt sorry for Larsen. Not that his ex would have any problems answering Noah in the same tone.
“I didn’t have anything to do with this!” Larsen yelled back.
Noah scoffed. “As if anyone here believes that.”
“I think he’s telling the truth,” Reed said, and Noah looked at Reed as if he’d betrayed him. Reed shrugged. “I heard them talking. Gordon did it.”
Noah’s head snapped in Gordon’s direction and Gordon seemed to shrink into himself. “Why did you take him?”
“I wanted to make Larsen happy.”
“And you thought kidnapping Reed would do that?”
Gordon shrugged. “He’s always talking about how Demi shouldn’t have chosen a shifter, how he’d have been better with Larsen. I thought Larsen still wanted him, and I knew that unless the shifter disappeared, Demi wouldn’t take Larsen back.”
“I don’t want him back, you idiot,” Larsen told him.
“But... why not? We even went there.”
“Because they’re mates. Demi won’t ever have anyone else, me included. Seriously, I still can’t believe you did this.”
“Why did you do it?” Kameron asked calmly.
“Because I wanted Larsen to be happy,” Gordon insisted.
“And why is that?”
Gordon looked at his feet and blushed, and realization hit Demi. “Oh my god, you’re in love with Larsen.”
Gordon looked at him like he’d betrayed his trust, when really Demi couldn’t have cared less.
“He’s what?” Larsen shrieked, making everyone wince.
Gordon blushed even more and kept his eyes down. Noah rolled his eyes. “He’s in love with you, idiot,” he answered Larsen.
Demi watched Larsen gaped and realized he didn’t care about any of this. The only thing he wanted was to take Reed home, and he hugged his mate tighter. A squeak answered him and Reed swore. “Shit, Jago.”
All heads turned their way as Reed moved away and stuck a hand in his pocket. It came back out with an Elephant shrew in it, and Reed looked around. “Do you have a blanket?”
“Even better, we have clothes,” Duncan answered. He went to the car and opened the trunk. He took a backpack from it and came closer again, handing it to Reed.
“Umm, I’m going to put you back in the car and close the trunk, okay? You can shift and dress.”
“What the fuck?” Larsen asked. “There was another one? A rat?”
Jago squeaked and jumped from Reed’s hand. He scampered toward Larsen and Larsen shrieked again. He tried to keep as much distance as he could between them, but Jago was small and fast, and he got close enough to bite Larsen’s leg.
Larsen howled in pain and Gordon hurried to his side. Everyone else looked amused and ready to go home, so Demi strode to Jago and took him. He deposited him in the still open trunk next to the backpack, then closed it. He stayed close, turning his back to the car and crossing his arms on his chest as he watched Kameron and Noah talking, their heads close together. He knew they both wanted Gordon to pay, and while he wanted that too, he knew he wouldn’t get it.
There was a knock behind him and he turned to see Jago waving at him. He opened the trunk and reached for the man, giving him a brief hug. “Thanks for staying with Reed.”
Jago blushed a bit and waved Demi’s words away. “I didn’t have a choice.”
“But you’d have done it anyway.”
“Of course I would have. He’s my friend. Now can we go home, please?”
They got closer to Kameron and Noah. Larsen was eying them warily, still clutching his leg where Jago had bit him, and Jago stuck his tongue out at him. Larsen inched backward, making Jago smiled broadly. “Hey, I really scared him.”
“You’re terrifying,” Demi humored him.
“—but they have to pay,” Kameron was saying.
Noah sighed. “I want it too, but Demi’s right. The conclave won’t do anything. It won’t even listen to you because you’re a shifter. Our best bet is to talk to my father and Selena. They can talk to the conclave.”
“So there’s nothing we can do right now?”
“No.”
Kameron nodded and looked around. “Let’s go home.” He turned toward Gordon and Larsen and his face went hard. “If I ever see you two in Gillham again, I won’t be so clement. You’ve been lucky this time, but don’t tempt Fate.”
Larsen raised his hands. “There’s no way I’m coming anywhere near you lot.”
“Good.” Kameron’s gaze lingered on Gordon, but he didn’t add anything.
They all squeezed into Duncan’s car, Noah and Duncan in front, Kameron, Jago, Demi and Reed in the back. Reed was on Demi’s lap and cuddled close. Demi idly stroked a hand along his mate’s arm and closed his eyes as soon as they passed the barrier again. They were going home.
* * * *
Reed woke up only when the car stopped in front of Demi’s house. He hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but the day—night, whatever—had been hard on him, and his body had shut down as soon as he’d felt safe again. The fact that it’d been in Demi’s arms said a lot about how much he trusted his mate.
Reed straightened and stretched as much as he could in the limited space. He noticed Jago smiling at him and smiled back, but he was still sleepy, and the only thing he wanted was his bed—or Demi’s. He probably should’ve asked to be taken to Kameron’s house, and he still could go, but he could feel the anguish still pouring through the mate bond. Demi was still worried and scared, and Reed knew only him staying for the night would help his mate.
He took a few moments to assess how he was. Would he be able to stay? He’d only spent the night at Noah’s house once. But then he’d told Demi he was moving in—kind of, anyway. And he knew Demi would drive him to Kameron’s house whenever he wanted, even if it was the middle of the night.
“Guys?” Duncan asked, making Reed realize he was the one holding everyone up.
He reached behind his back and opened the door, then scrambled outside. Kameron came out too and walked around the car to reach them.
“I’ll let you know what happens with Gordon.”
“Yeah, okay.”
The alpha hesitated before clamping a hand on Reed’s shoulder. “I’m glad to have you back, Reed. You’re part of our family, and it would have hurt us to lose you.”
Reed nodded. He needed to run and hide. There were too many feelings swamping him and he needed to work through them. The tiredness he felt wasn’t helping either.
“Kam? I need to shower and go to sleep,” Jago said from the car. Kameron nodded, patted Reed’s shoulder, and went back to the car. Reed saw Jago wink at him before closing the car door, and he realized Jago had done it on purpose. It looked like most people he thought didn’t know him did know what he needed.
They watched the car leave, and when it was out of sight Demi took Reed’s hand and pulled him toward the house. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Dread immediately filled Reed. “What happened?”
“My father’s here.”
That wasn’t what reed had expected. “Your father?”
“Yeah. He showed
up with Noah. He decided to come and live here, in Gillham. He was going to stay in Kameron’s house, but then you were gone, and he insisted on waiting for us here. He’ll want to know you’re safe. I can ask him to go back to Kam’s if you want to. I know you’ve never slept here, and that having him in the house might make it even more difficult for you.”
“I... let me meet him, okay? If I don’t think I can do it, I’ll go back to Kam’s.”
“If you do, I’ll come with you.” Demi chuckled and shook his head. “I’m afraid I’m going to stick with you for a few days. You’ll probably get sick of me by the end of this, but I was so scared...”
Reed stopped and Demi followed his lead. They stood on the porch facing each other, and Reed wanted to say so many things, but he couldn’t. Panic rose if only he thought about telling Demi he loved him, but there was something else he could say.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of you.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I want you to stick by me for a while. I think I’ll need it, after all this.”
The smile Demi gave Reed was enough to make him happy of his decision. “Let’s go meet your father.”
“Well, I already met your mom, so it’s only fair,” Demi pointed out as he opened the front door.
“Oh, I think I’m lucky. I can’t imagine your father being worse than mom.”
Demi chuckled. “He’s the opposite, I think. He’s very quiet, but he cares.”
Reed was nervous as he followed Demi through the house. They peeked in the living room but no one was there, and if the scent of baked goods in the air was any indication, they’d find Demi’s dad in the kitchen.
“Hey, Dad. We’re back.”
Reed heard a chair scrape on the floor just as he entered. Demi strode to his dad and they hugged, and Reed had a few seconds to watch and examine the man.
He looked a lot like Demi, or rather, Demi looked a lot like him. It wasn’t only the hair and the swirls, even though they were the same on both men, from what Reed could see.
The shape of their jaw, their nose, it was the same. Demi was taller and the shape of his eyes was different, but I was obvious they were closely related. Reed could easily imagine Demi would look like his father when he grew older.
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