The Bringer of Wrath

by A. E. Via

  “Hell,” Bell grumbled loudly. He stopped suddenly, and Alek turned to see him leaning on a tree. Full of attitude, he yanked his backpack around and tore a bottle of water from inside. “You said that an hour ago, Aleksei.”

  Alek’s chest rumbled. Was that anger he heard in Bell’s voice? He hoped so. Bell smelled wonderful when he was riled. Fiery. Alek dropped his own pack and walked to where Bell was fuming against the base of a sturdy spruce. His mate-lust came on fast. Oh yeah, that tree is plenty sturdy enough. Alek narrowed his eyes, his cock plumping as he got closer. Bell’s bold scent was blending into his habitat, and it had Alek wanting to claim.

  Bell had his head tilted back while he gulped large swallows of water, a few of the drops escaping and running down his long, slender throat. Alek growled loudly, making Bell drop the bottle, staring back at him in shock. His breath quickened as he gazed into Alek’s eyes, “My gods, Aleksei. You mean to tell me we can’t go one day?”

  “I tried to warn you,” Alek said, when he was inches away. “You’ll want to take a break, but you won’t be able to.”

  Bell slumped, moaning in sweet anguish, his hand going down to palm his dick, which was just as hard as Alek’s. He pressed himself to Bell’s heaving chest. Damn, his sexy mate wanted it more than he did, and fuck if that didn’t drive him crazy. Bell tried to hold out but he craved him. “Don’t you think it’s a bit cold out here to be doing this?”

  “You know I can keep you warm,” Alek whispered, then sucked Bell’s earlobe between his teeth.

  “Yes. Okay,” Bell gritted. His nimble fingers grappled at the D-rings of Alek’s belt, struggling to free his cock. “Need.”

  Alek bit the side of Bell’s jaw and said gruffly, “Then turn around and wrap your arms around the tree.”

  Bell should’ve known there was no fighting it. Alek stayed pressed close as Bell maneuvered until he was facing the other direction, then wrapped his slender arms around the wide trunk, just as he’d been told. Fuck, how in the hell did I get so lucky? When Alek worked Bell’s belt open and exposed his soft, pale ass to the elements, Bell shivered for him. Alek released the warmth he and Wrath could make together, and when he saw his mate tenderly lay his cheek against the rough bark, ready to be taken, Alek’s vision blurred he became so aroused. The alpha in him hoped Bell’s cries of pleasures could be heard for miles.

  He’d had that goddamn fishing pole in his hand forever now, or so it seemed, and he hadn’t felt a single tug. At least that was how Alek described the sensation he was supposedly waiting for, which would indicate he had a bite… a fish. Bell turned his head to gaze at the gorgeous mountain scenery, not wanting Alek to see him roll his eyes for the millionth time. And people had the nerve to call this a ‘sport’. He watched Alek reel his line in, stare at the fake bait on his hook then cast it right back out, again. He’d done this a million times.

  “Alek?” Bell called as he repeated what he’d just seen, minus inspecting at the bait because he had no idea what he was looking for anyway.

  “Hmmm.” Alek hummed quietly, his blue eyes focused on the lake as if he could see beneath the glistening water’s surface.

  “What if you don’t catch a fish… then what?” Bell rested his pole against the side of the slim boat and propped his head in his hands.

  “Oh, I’ll catch one. I always do.” Alek kept the determined frown on his handsome face. “I certainly hope I do because I don’t want steak tonight.”

  Hope! That could be another two hours. Bell sighed. Well at least it wasn’t a terrible view. He went back to staring at Alek since he was the most beautiful thing out there. He’d yet to cut his hair, but the deep waves were still able to be finger-combed and held in place. Bell liked Alek’s salt-and-pepper beard and encouraged him not to cut it so low. He remembered how amazing it felt when the rough texture burned his thighs. He quickly steered away from those thoughts, not wanting Alek to get a whiff of his desire again, setting off a snowball effect.

  If only he’d thought to bring one of his paperbacks, then that would’ve made the time go by a lot faster. Oh well. He was staring at a clump of snow that fell from a tree’s overhanging branch and into the lake when Alek leapt to his feet, rocking the tiny boat hard enough to make Bell yelped embarrassingly. He glared up at him as if he was insane. “Aleksei, if I fall in this cold river, I’m taking you with me.”

  “Babe, you have a bite!” Alek yelled.

  Bell turned around and saw the tip of his pole was bent all the way over, about to fall overboard.

  “Grab it!” Alek shouted.

  “Okay, okay, my word. Stop yelling.” Bell swiped the pole just before it went in. Holding it in one hand, he leveled a bewildered look at Alek. “Now what.”

  “Now reel in my dinner!” Alek stepped into the middle section of the boat and yanked Bell’s back into his chest.

  Bell almost dropped the pole again as he flailed to stay upright on the measly scrap of metal that stood beneath him and the icy water.

  “Bell for shit’s sake, we’re not gonna fall in, will you please hold the pole and turn the reel handle.” Alek laughed, with a tight grip on his waist.

  Whatever fish he had, it was pretty strong. Bell flipped the pole to get a decent grip.

  “No this way.” Alek turned it back over and put one of Bell’s hands at the bottom of the rubber grip, and he pressed the other to the handle. “Now turn it.”

  Bell started to slowly rotate the lever.

  Bell heard Alek slap his own forehead, “No, clockwise, Belleron.”

  “Oh.” Bell shrugged. “You didn’t tell me what to do when I got a bite.”

  “I thought you knew.” Alek laughed.

  “Sure, Beloved. Because I have tuna tartare every night, except for fish pie on Fridays.”

  “I didn’t know you were a comedian.” Alek nipped at the side of Bell’s jaw as he trembled in the freezing temperature. His cherished seemed to be immune to the cold. His long john undershirt and Carhartt outdoor jacket appearing to be all he needed. “Can you reel a little faster, please?”

  “Why? What’s the hurry? I already got it.” Bell casually turned the handle of the reel, watching the line move back and forth across the lake’s surface.

  “Because it’s fighting to get free and it can jump off the hook if you take too long. Then we’re back to waiting hours for another bite.”

  “Bloody, hell, Aleksei! Why didn’t you say that before?” Bell used his enhanced speed to turn the lever, bringing the fish in so fast, Bell heard it clunk against the side of the boat. “Oh no. Did I knock it out? He’s still edible right?”

  Alek’s face was crimson, he was laughing so hard. He used the net to get the large, iridescent fish—that Alek called a rainbow trout—inside the boat and into the small cooler. Bell set his pole down, standing with his hands on his hips and his head held high.

  “You’re pretty proud of yourself over there.” Alek reeled in his own barren line and set his pole in the boat.

  “I am. I have secured dinner for my starving mate.” Bell sat on the opposite side as Alek rowed them to the bank. While he enjoyed the cold breeze whipping through the loose strands of his hair, Alek kept giving him a sarcastic scoff when he looked at him. It wasn’t his fault that he excelled at all he did.

  Bell quirked a smug brow at his alpha. He proved he wasn’t as hopeless as Alek thought he’d be out there. On the way home he’d make sure to keep up with Alek on the trail… maybe even surpass him. Bell mockingly tapped his chin, “I’ll have to document this in my wilderness journal.”

  Alek couldn’t believe how much Bell liked to win… and gloat. He hadn’t stopped praising himself and marching proudly in front of him since they’d packed up and headed home. It was dark out, which wasn’t a problem for them, however the icy terrain could be troublesome. Now his smug vampire was acting as if a two-hour trek up Mount Osceola in the winter was as easy as a spring stroll through Central Park. The part of the mountain where Alek
had built his cabin was off-limits to the public because it was considered too dangerous to climb, with its steep ascent and dramatic drop-offs. There’d be no one crazy enough to even attempt it, so the location was perfect. But, it was slippery and some of the turns were sharp and unexpected.

  “Belleron, why are you trying to outrun me?”

  “I’m not. Just ready to get back and relax after a long day of sport fishing.”

  Alek laughed, “That wasn’t sport fishing, baby… just recreational.”

  “Fishing to eat is not recreational. That’s called survival.”

  “Fine. I guess. But, I want you to slow down and wait for me, there’s a turn coming up that you—”

  Bell’s shout, then the sound of his body slamming into the earth several yards away had Alek’s large beast shifting, before he could call for him, and leaping over the side, his four huge paws hitting the ground a second after Bell.

  NO! Wolf hollered. Their mate continued to tumble uncontrollably, the momentum of his fall keeping him from getting his footing. Wolf barked and bounded ahead, leaping far enough to get in front of Bell, just in time to stop him from careening over the cliff.

  Bell lay still for a long moment, his face buried in the cold earth, breathing heavily. He groaned and rolled onto his back when he realized he wasn’t going any farther. Wolf stood above him, pushing his muzzle in close and roaming over Bell’s face then down his body, checking for injuries. “I’m all right, Wolf.”

  Wolf huffed, driving his nose deeper into Bell’s hair. “You have to be more careful, Belleron.”

  Bell was clutching his chest, staring up at the hill he’d fallen over. “My foot hit a patch of ice or something really slippery, and the next thing I knew I was toppling.” He worked his way to his feet, brushing off the dead leaves and grime he’d picked up along the way.

  Wolf backed up and sat on his haunches. He wasn’t as tall as Wrath when he was in his animal form, but he knew he was impressive. He was a Volkov. Bell gazed in his eyes for a long time as if he was trying to see if anyone else was there. But there wasn’t. It was just him. This was how they existed.

  “You’re my protector, aren’t you?” Bell said wistfully.

  “I am your wolf, and you are my Belleron. I will protect you with my every breath.”

  Bell stood in front of him and inched his hand up and drove it deep into the thick, stark-white fur around his neck. “Thank you.” Bell whispered in his mind, his voice as sweet as the Mother’s on a winter breeze. Wolf ducked his head and faintly licked the inside of Bell’s palm then called on Alek, retreating quietly into the background. Never going far.

  “Bell,” Alek gasped, throwing his arms around Bell’s waist and yanking him to his heaving chest. “Thank gods he got to you in time.”

  “I’m sorry.” Bell shook his head. “I was being silly. I should’ve known—”

  “Hey, don’t apologize for having some fun with me, but you have to realize the wild can be dangerous if you don’t show it the respect it deserves.” Alek caressed Bell’s messy hair, plucking the larger twigs out of his single braid.

  “Understood.” Bell nodded. “Thank you for sending Wolf.”

  “He came on his own. He acted fast, coming the second he sensed your fear and my call was right on the cusp of that. He didn’t hesitate this time, he was brave and I’m proud of him.” Alek kept his link open, allowing his strong animal to feel how pleased he was for saving their mate.

  “I am too.” Bell took a deep breath, and Alek could see he was still a bit shaken.

  “Well, I’m glad you took us the ultra-shortcut way home, because the cabin is right over there.” Alek pointed into the distance, and Bell puffed a humorless laugh.

  “Yeah. How smart of me.” Bell took another step, his hiking boots knocking something hard and unforgiving, and it wasn’t the cold earth.

  Alek gulped when he realized where his mate stood. “Bell.”

  “What is this?” Bell stomped his foot, listening to the hollow clang the metal door made. “Aleksei?”

  Alek didn’t answer. He could only stand there with his heart in his throat, unsure how to explain Wrath’s dungeon. Bell became exasperated waiting for an answer. He glared daggers at Alek and went about investigating it himself. He watched in horror as Bell got down on his hands and knees, and started shoveling the little amount of ground cover away, pausing when recognition dawned in his dark eyes. He and Mac hadn’t had time to secure the top before they’d been rushed away on a jet. Then after the truce between the three of them, he hadn’t thought about this place. He never believed anyone would stumble upon it way up here. Finding the door unlocked, Bell flung it open, his hand quickly clamping over his mouth and nose when he caught the scent of Wrath’s anger. His distress.

  “Aleksei… what did you do?”

  He couldn’t take the way Bell was staring at him, almost judging him. He looked so, so disappointed.

  “Bell, don’t.”

  But, Bell was already moving down the ladder. Alek wouldn’t follow. He’d never set foot inside there again, and he desperately wanted his mate out of there, and so did Wolf.

  “What the hell is this?” Bell yelled. Alek felt his mate’s anger spiking. “Did you lock Wrath down here behind these bars… like… like a prisoner?”

  “Bell, a lot happened. Choices were made. Some good, some bad.” Alek stood at the entrance to the massive hole he’d dug in the mountainside many years ago.

  “Was he so bad that you had to cage him like a rabid animal?”

  Alek heard Bell rattling the bars in fury. “Please just come from out of there, love. Please.” Alek didn’t want that funk of desperation clinging to Bell’s pretty skin.

  Bell climbed the rungs of the ladder, then reached over and slammed the door shut so forcefully that it sounded like the firing of a shotgun when it connected with the ground.

  “I wish there was a way I could get you to understand. We’ve all made our peace with that terrible time in our lives. We need you to accept it as well. I’m begging you, mate.”

  “How many times did he beg to be let out?” Bell asked, grinding his fangs together. “How long did you lock him in there at a time, Alek… a day… weeks… a month?” Bell got in Alek’s face, his rage smothering him and attacking his mind. “The sheer thought of Wrath in that tiny hole for even one second against his will is killing me.”

  “I’ve spent years wanting to make it right… it took time, Bell. It took you.” Alek tried to bring Bell to his aching chest, but his mate pulled away, causing a surge of anguish to pierce his skull.

  “I need a second, Aleksei… don’t follow me.”

  “Bell wa—”

  His mate flashed away from him, towards the dark cabin. Wolf howled sad and long inside him, and Alek had to clamp his lips tight to keep the cry from escaping. At least Bell didn’t flee in the opposite direction or farther into the mountain, where Alek would be terrified for his well-being, and would have no choice but to follow.

  Alek folded forward and braced his hands on his knees. He stood naked in the cold since Wolf had shredded the clothes he’d had on when he shifted, leaving them scattered along the trail. His cooler and the other backpacks were up there as well, but right then it was the furthest thing from his mind. He needed to make it all right with Bell. Get him to understand.

  Maybe he couldn’t. Bell told Alek not to follow him. He didn’t say anything about one of the others.

  Wrath was drawn to Bell’s rage the second he’d let it tear through his heart. He flexed his neck, feeling his body expand. It felt good to come forward in this form again; he was exceptionally powerful as a human. He stilled, letting his hot energy course through him, relishing in the glory of being out and free. He had complete control again, because most importantly he had Wolf and Alek’s trust. He wouldn’t let them down anymore.

  Go after him, he needs you right now, not me.

  Wrath stood rooted to one place, his waves beg
inning to spread from his chest, altering the temperature around them.

  Hey. Alek said in that deep but somehow gentle tone that Wrath realized he used when he was feeling empathetic. It’s okay to be nervous.

  Is that what he was? Nervous? He didn’t recall ever feeling this sensation before. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t necessarily good either. He began to shake and his lower belly ached with pressure, a swarming need to find Bell and quench his anger. He heard his fast steps which were almost at the cabin before they came to a swift stop. Wrath listened to the sound of Bell’s erratic breathing, his accelerated pulse and his aching heart. Even if he’d wanted to continue to avoid Bell, he couldn’t. Not now. Not when he could feel how much he needed him.

  Wrath felt Alek retreat as far down as he could and curl himself around Wolf. After a few seconds, the alpha cleared their link and left him alone. Wrath stared off into the distance and reached out to Bell with his mind, not liking when he didn’t answer back.

  “Your rage drives me to you, fragile mate. Your anger upsets you terribly, but it feels wonderful inside of me. I can take it from you and make you feel better.” Wrath started a fast jog that quickly morphed into his extraordinary speed. He skidded to a sudden stop just before the cabin when he lost Bell’s scent. He hadn’t gone any farther than this point, he was certain. Wrath frowned, turning in a complete circle, not seeing Bell anywhere. As if moving in slow-motion, his lips curved into a wide smile as he craned his head and searched high into the massive conifer tree. “My little bird.” Wrath smirked, then shot himself upwards.

  When he got to the top, Bell was straddling a branch, both his arms braced behind him, staring at the dark clouds passing over them. “Stop calling me that.”

  “Admit it. You like it when I do,” Wrath said, inching forward.

  Bell didn’t agree, but he didn’t miss the slight twitch of that thick bottom lip. “I admit I like the view. Things do seem a bit clearer up here.”