Dracones Boxset Books 1-5

by Sheri-Lynn Marean

  Seeing that his father wasn’t going to attack, Thaniel moved back and let one of the Tomlee’s men help him to his feet. The acrid stench of fear was strong in the air as the Were-leopards, on the verge of shifting, waited for their leader’s permission.

  Thaniel turned and helped his brother to his feet. “Are you all right?” he asked George who appeared shaken.

  George nodded. “Yeah,” he said, staring at Thaniel’s furry arms, although his hands were no longer clawed. “Not many can do a half-shift. How did you do that?”

  Thaniel shrugged and peeked over at Kyrian gratefully before looking back at his brother. “Do you want to stay here too?” he asked.

  George sighed, then he shared a look with his mother who hovered nervously near them. “No. But thank you for the offer.”

  “You can both stay,” Thaniel offered, but George shook his head. “No, she won’t leave the clan.”

  Thaniel nodded and then turned to his father. “If I find out you’ve been hitting him, or if anyone hurts him in any way, I’ll take him away from you.”

  Proud of her friend, Tierney smiled, but then she caught Thaniel’s nervousness and shifted so that she stood a little closer. Thaniel shot her a grateful look before turning back to his father.

  The Tomlee bristled at his words and moved so he was standing mere inches from Thaniel, a little too close for comfort as far as Tierney was concerned, so she watched, ready to step in and help if needed.

  “You—” the Tomlee began when Tierney caught fleeting movement out of the corner of her eye.

  “Stop!” Tierney’s shout cut Thaniel’s father off from whatever he was going to say, and they all turned to see what Tierney was looking at.

  It was the old man, creeping over to grab Elianna.

  “Evra!” the Tomlee’s voice rang out, making the old man hesitate, but then he jutted his chin out and reached for Elianna’s arm.

  A moment later, they all heard a loud snap and sizzle. The scent of burnt flesh filled the air as Evra yelped. The old man clutched his arm to his chest as Genna chuckled gleefully as fire danced along her palms. “You be wantin’ more?” she taunted the old man.

  With a snarl, he backed away from Elianna.

  “Aw, purrty please. I dare you—you ugly ol’ caty,” Genna taunted again, stepping ever closer.

  Tierney shook her head. Genna might be half-crazy, but she was sure effective. She knew devil girl heard her thoughts by the huge grin that split her face. Tierney snorted and turned back to the Tomlee.

  “As you can see,” she said, and swept her hand out to indicate all their friends, “we are more than prepared to defend our home, family, and friends—to the death, I might add. So, I suggest you do as Jax said and get the fuck out of here, now.”

  Tierney drew on her own power and the wind howled. Then the clouds swirled furiously, drawing everyone’s gazes to the sky for a moment, before the Weres of the leopard clan glanced around nervously. The Tomlee, however narrowed his eyes on her for a moment before turning his furious eyes on Thaniel.

  Tierney could feel Thaniel’s desire, need to be wanted, loved, but she also felt his defeat at knowing he’d never get it from this man in front of him, and her heart broke for him.

  The Tomlee glared at Thaniel a moment longer and Tierney could feel his fury, but then with cold, dead eyes, he turned away. As soon as he did, the rest of the Were-leopards also turned and headed back to the van. All except for George.

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  False Memories

  THANIEL’S BREATH SWOOSHED out of his lungs and his legs felt weak as he watched his father walk away for the second time in his life. He couldn’t believe he’d stood up to the man. At the same time, part of him wished his father had fought for him. Then again, that obviously wasn’t the man his father was. The daddy from his memories did not exist anywhere except in Thaniel’s mind.

  Scared to move and show how weak he really was, Thaniel held absolutely still for a moment longer, fighting to get his emotions under control. He had to steel himself against the ache growing stronger inside of him.

  Then, with a final shove, he temporarily buried it in order to get through the next few minutes. It felt like ice had seeped into his veins and he detested the idea of his brother leaving with their asshole father, but he’d already invited George to stay. Sadly, he understood why his brother couldn’t, but it still didn’t make it any easier. In such a short time, he’d grown to like the young man.

  George gave him a sad smile. “Thank you,” he said very quietly.

  Thaniel nodded and continued to hold still as George leaned in closer to him. “If you mate with her, she will own you,” he whispered, indicating Elianna.

  Thaniel, momentarily distracted from his father and all that had happened, frowned at George. “What do you mean?” he asked, even though just the very thought of being with Elianna turned his stomach.

  “When a Were-leopard female takes a male as mate, she can bond with him, no matter if he wants to or not. Unfortunately, most of our females then use the control they gain over their mate to control him,” George explained.

  Still frowning, Thaniel thought of George’s mother. As if he knew what Thaniel was thinking, George shook his head. “My mother is different. Though she tells him she loves him, she refuses to bond with him.”

  “Why?” Thaniel asked, perplexed.

  George shrugged. “Don’t really know why.”

  “So is the Tomlee bound to the Queenlee?” Thaniel asked curiously and watched George glance nervously back at the van.

  “He is. But between you and me, I think she is bound to him, which doesn’t make any sense, it is always the female who binds the male feline, so I’m not sure, but just my thoughts on it.”

  Thaniel frowned at George’s words. He had wondered what his father’s relationship was with the Queenlee, and the couple times he’d seen the woman, she had appeared under the Tomlee’s control. As impossible as George thought it to be, he couldn’t help but wonder if his brother was onto something.

  George’s next words brought Thaniel back to the situation. “Even if my mother had bonded with him, she would never have attempted to control him like the other females do. My mom abhors that practice.”

  Just then, the Tomlee, about to climb into the van, shouted at George without even looking at Thaniel. It felt like another stab through the heart and he mourned the father he remembered.

  George glared at their father for a moment before looking back at Thaniel. “I’m sorry, Thaniel. But, I am glad I got to know you, brother.” Then George looked at Tierney. “Take care of him, please?”

  Tierney closed the distance between her and Thaniel once again and nodded. “We will, we love him.”

  George sighed sadly and with a little nod, he turned and hurried to the van, glancing back at Thaniel right before he piled into the back seat.

  ***

  TIERNEY WATCHED as Thaniel shifted back completely into his human form, surprised to see clothing covering him once again. He did it. She wanted to smile, but couldn’t. Her heart was too heavy. Able to sense the whirlwind of emotions churning inside of Thaniel, like a bomb threatening to go off, she took his cold hand in hers, terrified for him. “Thaniel?”

  He didn’t respond, didn’t even act as if he knew she was there as they watched the van’s tail lights disappear down the driveway.

  Big, fat, fluffy snowflakes began to fall, making Tierney glance up at the sky. Huh! Maybe we’ll have a white Christmas after all. Then she looked around. The guys had all shifted back into their human forms and just about everyone else had either disappeared inside, or into the forest to keep an eye on the van, make sure it didn’t turn around and come back.

  “Hey, you all right?” Jax asked Thaniel who continued to stare blankly down the driveway. Again he didn’t answer.

  “You got this?” Sami asked.

  Tierney nodded and watched her best friend put his arm around Hellfire and walk ba
ck inside. Brimstone trailed behind them with Xeata, Goldy, and Isoul.

  “Kitty?” Jax called softly, and as if jarred out of his musing, Thaniel blinked and looked at him. Then, without a word, Thaniel turned and made his way to the house. Tierney and Jax exchanged a look as they followed him inside.

  As they all made their way into the kitchen, where everyone was helping themselves to the supper that Chloe had put together, Tierney could feel Thaniel’s emotions bubbling up, ready to overflow.

  Her heart went out to him as he began to tremble, and seeing the crowd, he drew in a deep, ragged breath. He had just turned away when a loud squeal halted him.

  “You’re back!” Lilly shouted at Thaniel from where she sat at the table.

  Thaniel gazed at her blankly before hurrying out of the room.

  “Where’s he going?” Lilly asked no one in particular, eyes sad as she pouted at the empty doorway.

  Tierney exchanged another worried glance with Jax.

  “Kitty’s not okay,” he said, and she shook her head.

  She turned to Lilly. “Thaniel is just tired,” she explained, then looked up at Jax and Sami.

  Sami nodded. “Go.”

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Broken

  TIERNEY NODDED and with Jax right behind her, she hurried into the great room in time to see Thaniel heading for the hallway. A moment later, he stopped as Elianna approached him.

  “Thaniel,” she said.

  Without a word, Thaniel turned and rushed up the stairs.

  “Shit!” Jax muttered.

  Tierney pursed her lips. Her heart was aching for their friend and they hurried up the stairs and into their room after him.

  Then, not sure how to help, they watched Thaniel cross the room. He turned in a circle and stopped to stare blankly out the French doors. “I don’t know who that man is, but he’s not my dad.”

  “Shit,” Tierney hissed as Thaniel’s shields began to crumble and he fell to his knees.

  “Thaniel,” Tierney rushed up and pulled him into her arms, “I’m here. I’ve got you, love,” she said, and this time, Thaniel didn’t pull away.

  Thaniel trembled as she held him, but she could feel the amount of control he was exerting to keep it together and rubbed his back.

  “I’m here, we’re here for you,” she said, and Thaniel, who she instinctively knew hadn’t cried since he was a small child, choked back a sob and then completely broke.

  As he collapsed in her arms, Tierney tightened her grip on him. “I’ve got you,” she repeated while tears leaked from her own eyes. She stared at Jax as Thaniel clung to her. Silent sobs Thaniel tried to hold back, poured from him.

  “It’s all right, let it go,” she said soothingly.

  His own eyes shiny, Jax dropped to his knees and wrapped himself around Thaniel. “We’re here, Kitty. We’ve got you,” he whispered and laid his head against Thaniel’s back.

  Filled with rage at the unfairness of his life, along with helplessness to heal her sweet Thaniel, Tierney pushed her own feelings away and drew on her love to hold him close. Thaniel’s deep-seated anger, and a hurt that would never go away told her that it was an impossible task.

  Their kindhearted Were-leopard, who’d never hurt a soul in his life, was completely shattered. Tierney felt her own heart cracking into itty-bitty pieces for this sweet man who had wormed his way into her heart.

  He was so utterly broken, she feared that they’d never be able to piece him back together, and that thought nearly destroyed her. All she could do, was send him her love. Let him feel it. She could feel Jax’s love for Thaniel as well. They both held him until long after the tears had dried up.

  When he finally pulled back just enough to look up at them, the pain in his eyes pierced Tierney deep inside her very soul.

  “I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” she whispered.

  ***

  THANIEL LAY IN THE CIRCLE of their arms and couldn’t believe he’d ever left such wonderful people. They were the only ones to ever really give a shit about him. No matter how they felt about him, he couldn’t hold his love inside any longer. “I love you both so much,” he whispered, then, suddenly embarrassed, he ducked his head in against Tierney even further.

  “Oh, sweet angels, we love you too, Thaniel,” she whispered and he shuddered when he heard Jax’s muffled “Yeah.”

  Thaniel felt the encompassing warmth of their love as Tierney ran a hand down his hair. Jax rubbed his back, and he wished he could just melt into them both. Become one with them and never let go. But he knew that was just wishful thinking.

  ***

  TIERNEY SHIVERED WITH DREAD, knowing it was going to shred her when Thaniel finally began to speak.

  “I always wondered what I did to make him leave.” He paused and Tierney remembered the memories she’d seen of Thaniel as a small child, so lost and lonely—she began to cry.

  “It was my fourth birthday. Dad was late getting home and mom was so angry. I was hungry and I just wanted a piece of my birthday cake,” he said, and sniffed. He’d also wanted to know what was in the box wrapped in shiny blue paper up on the table. “But mom said we had to wait, that Daddy was taking us for supper.”

  Tierney sucked back her sobs and closed her eyes as he continued.

  “She told me to go look out the window. I did, but it was dark and snowing and I couldn’t see his car.” Thaniel swallowed and Tierney continued to stroke his hair and back, needing the touch as much as he did. Jax was now running his hands down both of their backs while he kept his face pressed against Thaniel’s back, and Tierney could feel how deeply this was affecting him, too.

  “I remember going to get a book to look at, it was one my dad used to read to me. I’ll Love You Forever.”

  Thaniel’s sadness was haunting as it radiated from him. “I was looking through the pages when he finally pulled up outside. I was so excited.” Thaniel looked up at them, tears glittering in his crystal-blue eyes. “But instead of going for dinner, Daddy packed a suitcase. My mom was crying and begging him not to go. Daddy yelled at her, called her a whore, said she cheated on him.” Thaniel took a deep breath and Tierney held her own breath, knowing what was coming.

  “He said I wasn’t his.” Thaniel shook his head slightly and Tierney could feel his rage flare back to life, bright and consuming. “It’s such an obvious lie. Why would he do that?” Thaniel’s jaw clenched. “All these years, I thought I had done something wrong. Something broke in my mother and she hated me ever since that day.” It was said almost mechanically, but Tierney knew he was just struggling to hold everything in.

  Thaniel paused and Tierney remembered seeing a Christmas tree with presents around it in the memories she’d unwittingly witnessed. She also knew he was remembering the living hell of his next four years with his mother.

  “I have these memories of him, good, wonderful memories. But that night, the things he said, and the man he is now, I don’t understand.” He swallowed deeply and peered beseechingly up at her. “How could I have gotten it so wrong?”

  Tierney, heart breaking, shook her head. Then Thaniel burrowed in against her again and she closed her eyes, unable to imagine a parent not wanting their child, not loving and cherishing the blood of their blood.

  Gods, even if she were never blessed with such a child, even if it was the blood of another, she’d smother it with love and make sure it never doubted her feelings, her devotion. She knew she’d die for such a child, or any of her family, whether blood or adopted.

  Thaniel wasn’t done. “When I was older, I got it, of course. I wasn’t his kid, so why should he love me?” he said and Tierney sucked in a breath while Jax tensed up. “No, Thaniel,” they both said in unison, but he shook his head.

  “That was just how I felt.” He shrugged.

  Tears continued to stream down Tierney’s face as she ran her fingers through Thaniel’s silky hair, unable to stop even if she wanted. Just the feel of his hair through her fingers was soothing
and she sensed that it was for him as well.

  “I believed my mom when she said it was my fault, and I wished, so many times, I wished that I could tell my dad that I was sorry. I wanted to ask him why. What it was I did.” Thaniel wiped at his eyes. “All my life, I hated myself for driving him away,” he hesitated a moment. “But now, now I hate him.”

  From the things Jax had gone through as a child, Tierney knew Thaniel’s words were affecting him deeply as well and extracting one arm from Thaniel, she reached out and wrapped an arm around Jax.

  “What happened?” Jax asked with an edge of deadly steel and Tierney knew it wouldn’t take much for him to go after the Were-leopards, make them pay for the damage they’d done to someone he loved.

  Thaniel sniffed and Tierney could feel him swallow hard as his anger simmered, along with the exhaustion and soul-deep hurt. This was what she’d felt when he first arrived back home. Thaniel pulled away a bit and stared brokenly at Jax.

  “It wasn’t my fault at all. He left to be with his other family. He chose George and his mother, over me and my mom. He destroyed us.”

  ***

  THANIEL DIDN'T TELL them how badly his dad choosing another little boy over him hurt, though he suspected they knew. What really pissed him off to no end, was how the man he once loved, let a four-year-old boy believe that it was all his fault.

  “I’m so, so sorry,” Tierney whispered, and her fingers stroking his hair helped ease the devastation in his soul.

  “The really messed up part is I found out that he’s been watching me all these years, and he never once—” Thaniel took another deep breath and slowly let it out. “He never once stopped my mom from—” Suddenly he couldn’t seem to speak. The words just locked up inside of him and wouldn’t come out. He wanted to tell them about his mom and how she beat him all the time, but couldn’t do it.