Cool Nights, Hot Dreams: Wolves of Aurora 1

by Athena Blaez

  It was sad comfort that he was with her now in these last days of her life. The doctor recommended hospice for her but she refused. He wasn’t about to go against his mother’s wishes.

  Now he wished he had. He needed someone here to comfort him and remind him that her breathing was normal for someone in her condition.

  Only, that wasn’t the case and he knew it.

  Ryder told him to stay put and keep the door locked. Sean wanted to do that, knowing that Ryder was trying to keep him safe. He couldn’t keep that promise in good conscience. Something was wrong with his mother.

  He glanced at his watch. Ryder had been gone for over two hours. With grim determination, he couldn’t keep waiting. Sean picked up the phone and made the call to 911 for an ambulance to take his mother to the hospital.

  The operator assured him someone was on the way. The sheriff’s department needed to be there before the emergency responders could enter the house. Seemed like a stupid way to do it but Sean wasn’t given the choice. He sat at the bedroom window, holding his mother’s hand, willing the flashing lights to turn down his street.

  Who knew how long he waited before the relief broke in his chest at the first sign of the red and white lights as they bounced off the houses. He waited until they were in his drive before going down the stairs to let them in.

  At the corner of the house, Sean spotted a wolf peeking around the corner of the house. He disappeared when their eyes met. It wasn’t Ryder. Ryder was much bigger and lighter colored than the black one that watched them.

  But it wasn’t one of Ryder’s pack either. There was a malevolent look in the wolf’s eyes. Cold fear gripped Sean’s chest. Who was it, then? Was this the bad element Ryder spoke about?

  “Mr. Hastings,” the EMT said. “Are you alright?”

  Sean glanced at the EMT, then the sheriff. He hoped to draw their attention back to the wolf but when he looked again, it was gone. There was a rustling in the bushes that did catch the deputy’s attention and he held a hand out for them to stay put as he went to investigate.

  “We’re taking her to Mercy if you wanted to follow us.”

  “I um…sure. Sure. I’ll be along,” Sean said. He wished Ryder were back but he couldn’t wait.

  He dialed Jeremy’s number.

  A dark clad figure darted from within the house and made a mad rush out the front door. The man collided with Sean and it sent them both to the ground.

  “Hey. HEY! Stop!” Two deputies were in hot pursuit. They were on the intruder and pinned him down just as Sean rolled out of the way.

  The man had a small box clutched in his arms. A confused tussle finally managed to subdue the thief. Once he was in cuffs, he was dragged to his feet. One deputy ripped his stocking mask off.

  “Ernie,” Sean said with disgust. “Why am I not surprised.”

  Giving a statement to the police over his father breaking into the house and stealing his mother’s strong box was not what Sean wanted to be doing at that moment. Jeremy hovered close by, lending his quiet moral support. He gave Jeremy his phone during a lull in the activity. “Call Ryder and see if you can get him to answer the phone.”

  Jeremy took it with a nod and stood to the side as he hit call on the phone.

  “Are these your clothes or his?” The deputy asked as he held up Ryder’s discarded clothing.

  “Uh, no. They’re a friend’s. He’s such a slob. I was supposed to wash them.”

  The deputy handed them to Sean. “Only your mother’s closet seemed to be disturbed. Is there something valuable in there?” The deputy tapped a pen on the strong box.

  “My mother’s will, power of attorney, final instructions, insurance information.” Sean scratched at his forehead. “Look, can this wait? My mother is on her way to the hospital and I don’t think she’s going to last much longer.”

  “Sure.” The deputy flipped his notebook closed. “We’ll contact you if we have any more questions. Here’s the case number if you have any questions. Make sure to lock the house.” He handed Sean a small card and left to finish up.

  “I can’t reach him, Sean,” Jeremy said. “I’ve left three voice mails for him to call.”

  Sean nodded numbly. “Okay. Can I get a lift to the hospital?”

  Jeremy jingled his keys and they headed for his car.

  He glanced back at the house and hoped that Ryder’s other wolf brother was okay. That big black wolf didn’t look the type to leave survivors.

  The thought chilled him. How many people would die because of him?

  Sean fell asleep in the chair next to his mother’s bed. He told Jeremy to go home but the stubborn man refused and fell asleep propped up in the corner. His phone rested on his stomach so when it buzzed, he jerked awake. Blurry eyes made out that it was Ryder’s phone. “Ryder, where are you?”

  “I ran into a problem,” he said. Sean frowned. Ryder sounded like he was drunk.

  Anger flared through him. Here he was, worried at his mother’s side and Ryder ran off and later got drunk instead of coming by to see him. He covered his eyes with his hand and took several deep breaths. That was so unlike Ryder, he surprised himself for even thinking Ryder was anything like his father. “What happened?”

  “I’m not sure.” Ryder groaned. “Someone tried to scramble my brains.”

  “What?”

  “I almost caught up with him when someone blindsided me and hit me in the head. I don’t know how long I’ve been out. I’m at your house now and Arthur said the police were here earlier? What time is it?”

  Sean glanced up at the clock on the wall. “Quarter to three. I left your clothes by the front door. Can you come out here?”

  “As soon as I’m not arrested for indecent exposure.”

  “Is…the other wolf, Arthur I guess that’s his name? Is he okay? I saw some big scary black wolf and I know it wasn’t the one you put on watching the house.”

  “Arthur was searching the neighborhood for anyone else suspicious after I took off. He told me Charlie put in an appearance. He must have doubled back after having lured me out. Did your dad get arrested?”

  “Yeah. He must have picked the lock or found an open window, then snuck into mom’s room after the EMTs brought her out.”

  “What was he looking for?”

  Sean picked up the box. He didn’t feel safe leaving it behind, even though he felt pretty stupid carrying it around. “My mom’s will, I’m sure. He used to be the executor when I was a minor. She changed it ten years ago. Surely he didn’t think….God…” His head was still fuzzy from the long night and all the activity and worry. “I don’t know what Ernie was thinking.”

  “Worry about him later.” In the background, the noises were muted. Sean heard a window or a door shut. “I found the window he used to get in. I see my clothes. How’s your mom?”

  “Not good. Her oncologist can’t get here until morning. The admitting physician said she probably won’t wake up or last the night. God, Ryder, she was just sitting at the table laughing with us. Now she’s…here.” Sean’s voice choked. He tried breathing through the desire to start sobbing but it was a losing battle.

  “I’m on my way, Sean. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. What’s the room number?”

  Sean scrubbed at his face and looked at the room phone. “Three forty-one. I’ll meet you in the hall.”

  “Sit tight. Need me to bring anything since I have already broke into your house?”

  With a watery laugh, Sean shook his head. But of course, Ryder couldn’t see it. “No. I’m fine. Just…I need you here.”

  “I will be there. I’m on the way.”

  Jeremy stirred awake and made a face. “Let me state for the record, falling asleep leaning against the wall is not recommended. Was that Ryder?”

  “Yeah.” Sean wiped at his eyes.

  “And did he have a good reason for not being here?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Are you going to make me guess? Play charades? Picti
onary?”

  “Someone attacked him, he said. Knocked him out.”

  “Holy shit, Sean. You run with a rough crowd.”

  That made Sean laugh. “It was your idea to go out with him to begin with.”

  “Well that just shows you, never listen to me.” Jeremy scooted along the floor until he was next to Sean’s chair. “I’ll watch her if you want to stretch your legs.”

  He looked back at his mother. A part of him needed to move. The other part didn’t want to leave in case she died while he was gone. The need to move, coupled with wanting to talk to Ryder before bringing the other man into his mother’s room won out. “I won’t be gone long. Want a coke?”

  “Sure. Got cash?”

  Sean realized then that he didn’t have any money on him. “No…if you don’t mind…”

  Jeremy pulled some bills out of his wallet and shoved them into Sean’s hands. “For as many times as you financed breakfast.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be right back. I think there’s a machine just down the hall.”

  The nurse at the station pointed Sean in the right direction. He had two cokes in hand when the elevator dinged on that floor. Ahead of him, Ryder rushed from the car and started down the hall in the opposite direction, glancing at the room numbers.

  When Ryder realized he’d gone in the wrong direction, he turned and saw Sean standing there. He looked like hell before breakfast. His hair stuck up at weird angles and there was dried blood on the side of his face.

  Sean didn’t even have the wherewithal to call out to him. Tears started coming before Ryder was in reach. Ryder rushed to him and pulled him into a tight hug. “My God, Sean, I am so sorry I wasn’t here. I’m so sorry.”

  Both hands holding a bottle of soda, Sean couldn’t do anything but let Ryder hug him. All of his walls crumbled away and Sean sobbed against Ryder’s chest. “I don’t want to lose her. Not now. Not now. She just met you. She hasn’t had time to find out you’re a pain in the ass.”

  “I know,” Ryder whispered. His breath against Sean’s ear soothed him. Soft puffs of heat calmed him. The grief wrung him out and he felt completely exhausted when the tears stopped.

  Finally, Ryder let him go, holding to his arms so he could look into Sean’s eyes. “I ugly cry,” Sean said, ducking his head.

  “I think you’re beautiful, Sean Hastings. And it’s okay to cry. You have good reason. Do you want to sit out here?”

  Sean sniffled, then wiped his nose with his shirt sleeve. “No. Let’s go back to mom’s room.”

  Jeremy was sitting in Sean’s chair. He got up when Sean and Ryder entered the room. “I didn’t get you a coke,” he said to Ryder. “Sorry.”

  “Stop it. I can drink yours if I’m thirsty. Jeremy, thanks for bringing Sean.”

  “No problem.” Jeremy inspected Ryder with an intense look on his face. Sean recognized that expression. He was using his gift on Ryder. Whatever he found, he appeared satisfied and stood to the side so Sean could sit down again.

  They talked quietly for another hour before Jeremy drifted off again; this time he wisely curled up in the other chair in the room. Ryder sat in Sean’s chair with Sean on his lap. Having Ryder’s warm strength to his back allowed Sean to relax and drift off to sleep.

  He walked through the halls of the hospital. The normal background noises were muted, as if listening through a blanket. Every room Sean passed was empty, save one. From behind a closed door, he heard soft singing. A silly song his mother used to sing to him when he was little.

  Sean hummed along with it as he pushed the door open. His mother sat up in bed. She brushed her hair. At first, she didn’t notice him. Not until he was at the foot of her bed. “Sean, there you are. I have been waiting for you.”

  Jeremy and Ryder were gone. There was nowhere to sit except on the bedside next to her. He slid onto the mattress. She took his hands in hers. “I don’t have much time. I have to leave now but I wanted to see you before I go.”

  Emotion swelled in his chest, making it hard to breathe. His head swam, a dizzy, disorienting sensation. “I don’t want you to leave, Mom. Can’t you stay a while longer?”

  “I’ve stayed as long as I can, honey. I’m glad I got to meet him, you know. You never brought home any of the boys you met.”

  Sean laughed thickly. “Probably because I never met one that was worthy of meeting you.”

  “But he’s special, isn’t he?”

  “Yeah. I guess he is.”

  “He loves you, you know.” She stroked her hand down the side of his face. Her touch was warm and soft. He caught her hand and kissed her palm. “And you love him.”

  “I do.” The admission was easy and yet it still surprised him.

  “Then it’s time you lived your life for yourself and not me.”

  Sean hung his head. “I’m not ready.”

  Her laugh sounded like a clear ringing bell. “I am. Let me go. Be with this man and build a life. I will watch over you.”

  “I love you, Mom. And I will miss you so much.”

  “I love you, too, baby. Now wake up. It’s time to say goodbye.”

  Sean jerked awake. Ryder’s head rested on his shoulder. Jeremy talked in his sleep from his chair. He looked over at his mother’s body and realized she was gone. Sound filtered back in and the heart monitor with its steady tone stabbed in his ear. He lunged forward and mashed on the Call Nurse button.

  Ryder was up, pulling at Sean as everything slowed down. The hospital staff rushed in as if moving through molasses. They worked to revive her. It was like some bad TV drama. When they finally called her death, all of time snapped back to normal speed.

  The ER doctor’s shoulders slumped before he turned to face Sean.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Hastings.”

  If he said anything else, Sean didn’t hear. He threw himself against Ryder, burying his face as the sobs wracked his very soul from his body.

  Chapter 16

  Ryder was, once again, thankful for his staff and their ability to keep the doors to his business open without his presence. Sean was unusually calm for having lost his mother but that didn’t mean he was okay. Being close to Sean for a few days to help with final arrangements would not be a hardship on him. Bennie stayed in close contact but all appeared to be quiet for the moment.

  It felt too much like the breath before the scream.

  Sheriff Bradley’s cruiser was parked in the drive when Ryder made the corner for Sean’s street. His heart went into overdrive. He parked haphazardly on the street and raced up to the door, almost colliding with Bradley.

  “Ryder, come see me when you have a chance,” he said with a short nod as he stepped over the threshold.

  “Thanks for everything, Sheriff.” Sean stood at the door, chewing on his lip. He met Ryder’s gaze over the sheriff’s shoulder and gave him a small smile. That was a good sign.

  Ryder watched the sheriff drive off before stepping into the house and closing the door behind him. He gathered Sean in his arms. “Something tells me that’s good news.”

  “They found where Ernie had been staying. He hadn’t sold everything he stole from the shop. The sheriff said they have to keep it in evidence a while longer but as soon as he could release it back to me, he would.” Sean leaned in to Ryder and kissed his chin.

  “That is good news.”

  “There’s more. I’m sure he’ll tell you when you go to see him. Apparently, they found the shotgun that killed Bryan and your pack member. He had several cartridges of silver shot.”

  Ryder rocked on his heels. “I’ll get with the sheriff and call Bryan’s father later. Are you okay?”

  “I’m relieved that they have reason to keep him indefinitely, now.”

  “Me too. How are you doing? Did you decide to take the day off?”

  “Half a day. I need the cash to pay for Mom’s funeral expenses. I don’t know if she had made arrangements.” Sean pulled away, taking Ryder’s hand as they went into the living room. He mot
ioned to the strongbox sitting on the coffee table. “It’s locked and I have turned her room upside down trying to find the key.”

  Ryder dug into his pocket and pulled out the chain that held the key. Ryder set it in Sean’s palm. “This one?”

  Sean pulled back in surprise. “Yes. That one. How do you have it?”

  “I don’t know.” Ryder grimaced as he struggled with how to explain it. “I mean, I do know because she gave it to me. During dinner when you were in the kitchen getting everything ready.”

  Sean collapsed on the couch, staring at the key in his hand. “I wonder if she knew.”

  “Maybe? Did she show any signs of being…psychic?”

  “Other than the normal mom superpowers, I…” Sean blinked rapidly, his face a mask of concentration. “I don’t know. I guess I always assumed she was because everything she knew…it was just so natural I didn’t think anything about it.”

  “She said it holds all her important information.” Ryder sat back as Sean continued to stare at the box.

  With a breath, Sean pulled the box over and opened it. “Her will, looks like it was updated a month ago. When did she do that?” He set it to the side. “Power of attorney, deed to the house, which is paid for, that much I know…what’s this?”

  He opened an envelope and slid back to join Ryder, touching shoulder to shoulder.

  Ryder craned his neck to read. “A life insurance policy?”

  “For a substantial amount,” Sean said, his eyebrows climbing in surprise.

  “That’s a lot of money, Sean.” Ryder skimmed down the paper. “And you’re the sole beneficiary. Maybe that’s what your father was looking for when he broke in.”

  “Could be. Why the hell would he think that she would leave him a dime after what he did?”

  “If those documents disappeared, he’d have a better time in court claiming her estate. I bet the will doesn’t mention him either.”

  Sean dropped his hands in his lap. “Ryder, I just had a horrible thought that Ernie made my mother sick. What if he gave her cancer?”