Brax Chapter 13
When I stopped to pick Cerys up from work, I wasn’t prepared to be told she and Irene Clark had gotten into an argument that had escalated to the point they were in Dr. Gardener’s office. I didn’t stick around to hear Denise’s details of the incident. I just hurried to the office of the head of the emergency department.
On my way, I ran into my coworkers Wilson and Montgomery, escorted by Eddy, one of the ER’s security people. Eddy appeared rather grim. My two coworkers greeted me and asked what I was doing there. By the time I explained that I was picking up my girlfriend, who I believed was one of the reasons they had been called, we were at the doctor’s office door.
I was immensely relieved to see she was unharmed. Irene, on the other hand, was demented. She was seething. There was no other word for it. I could feel her hatred coming off her in waves. The way she glared at Cerys was disconcerting. I knew some of her animosity was directed toward me, too. I didn’t care about that. It took restraint not to say more when I was in there, but I held it back.
Back in the ER, I paced while Cerys finished charting and gave another nurse her report. When we left the hospital, she was drooping with fatigue. I decided to save my questions until she had something to eat, a shower, and sleep.
She went back to my place. I can’t recall the last time she stayed at Twyla’s. When Cerys voiced her guilt about not staying with her, Twyla quickly reminded her that it was only supposed to be until she found her place anyway. My house was that place, according to Twyla. When she said that, I hugged her hard. The crazy thing patted my ass when I did and whispered I owed her and that she’d make me pay up later.
Cerys still had stuff at Twyla’s place. I was planning to ask her to move in entirely. We were mated. She and I wouldn’t be living apart. I nor my wolf would tolerate that. Her scent permeated the house, making us both content. Since the Temecula trip, Nightstalker had been extremely content and smug. I’d asked him why, but all he did was say I’d see.
I warmed up some leftover stew she’d made in the Crock Pot yesterday while she showered. Cerys did eat a bowl before she said she was tired and needed to sleep. I tucked her into bed and lay with her until she fell asleep, which didn’t take long. Then I was up and making calls.
My first one was to inform Banner of what I knew so far and ask him to be her legal counsel if needed. He readily agreed. Next, I called the station and talked to Wilson. He filled me in on what they knew so far. It seemed a clear case of Irene being in the wrong, and Cerys defended herself. After that, I did something I should’ve done already.
When I went to ask Heron to speak with Cerys, I’d been introduced to all the Crows. One of them, I recalled Heron said he was their IT specialist. I wondered if he could do what I needed. I could look up certain things about Irene as an officer, but I wanted to dig deeper.
I placed a call I never thought I’d make. We seemed more involved in Cerys’ ex’s life than I wanted. However, if he or one of his brothers could help us, then I’d take it. I had to leave a message when I called.
“Heron, this is Brax. Give me a call as soon as you can. I need to see if one of your brothers can help me. It’s for Cerys.”
Hopefully, that was enough to intrigue and get him to call me back. With that on hold, I had no other calls to make—or at least I thought so until Twyla came driving up into the driveway like she was headed to a fire a couple of hours later. When she exited her car and marched determinedly toward the front door, I knew she’d heard about what went down at the hospital. I rushed outside.
“Twyla, I know you’re upset and want answers. So do I, but Cerys is asleep right now. She’s wiped. Can we do this later?”
“Why didn’t one of you call me and at least give me a heads-up? I was in the grocery store, and that busybody, Lorraine Appleby, came running up to me, asking if I heard anything new. And had Cerys told me what really happened? I had to pretend I knew, and I waved off her incessant badgering for details so she could spread them from here to Vegas. I swear, she needs to get hobbies or something.”
I tried hard not to snicker. Everyone in Needles knew Lorraine. She did tell everyone’s business. It was her goal in life to know everything. When she didn’t, it drove her crazy. The department got weekly calls from her about one thing or another. Twyla was right. She needed new hobbies or friends to occupy herself.
“I’m sorry. It was hectic, and when we got home, she barely stayed awake long enough to shower and eat a bowl of stew. She went out as soon as her head touched the pillow.” Cerys was often tired, but today seemed to be excessively so.
“Did that witch Irene Clark hurt her? I heard others talking after I ran into Lorraine. They said there was a fight at the hospital, and the cops came.”
“Come in, and I’ll tell you what I know. We just need to keep our voices down so we don’t wake her up,” I reminded her.
At her nod, I reopened the door and brought her inside. I took her to the kitchen. After getting us both something to drink, I launched into what I knew from all my sources. She wasn’t happy when I finished.
“I’ll pay that ast a visit. See if she dares to fuck with my wryes ,” she snapped.
“Twyla, translate, please. You know I don’t understand Welsh.”
“Sorry. But if you’re going to be with my Cerys, you’ll have to learn. Ast means bitch. Wryes means granddaughter. I tend to start saying more Welsh words when I get upset, just to warn you. I’ll make sure to teach you all the swear words first. But that’ll have to wait. Tell me what we’re going to do to that evil woman?”
“What do you mean, do to her? She’s been arrested. After Cerys wakes up, we’ll go to the police station so she can give her statement tomorrow. It’s up to the arresting deputies and the magistrates to determine what Irene is charged with. She may pay a fine, get community service, or, less likely, jail time. I do know that Irene is fired, so Cerys doesn’t have to worry about working for her.”
“That’s not enough! She’s slandering her and you. You don’t want her casting doubt on you two professionally. Plus, no one goes after my family and gets away with it.”
I smiled. “I promise, Irene Clark won’t cast any more aspersions on your granddaughter.”
“Cerys isn’t my only family. You are, too. That includes those friends of yours as well. I’m adopting you all. I’m glad you got Banner involved, but I feel there should be something more we can do.”
I hesitated to tell her about my call to Heron. What if he didn’t want to help, or if his one club brother couldn’t do what I wanted? While I was debating, my phone rang, taking us both by surprise. I hastily got it out of my pocket. The screen showed it was Heron. I held up my finger as I answered it.
“Hey, Heron, thanks for getting back to me so fast. Sorry for disturbing you. This won’t take long.” Twyla’s eyebrows inched up when she heard me say Heron’s name.
“Sure, no problem. I was in the middle of club business when you called. You said it had to do with Cerys. Is she alright? What do you need from one of my brothers?” Heron asked.
I detected concern in his tone but nothing else. I told him Twyla was there and listening, and then I filled him in on what happened. When I was done, he was less than happy and swore.
“Goddamn bitch! I’m glad her ass got arrested, and she’s fired. What can my club do?”
“I remembered it was mentioned that one of the Crows is an IT specialist. I was wondering what that entailed.”
“Yeah, Eagle Eye is all into that. I don’t know exactly everything he does, but he’s never let the club down since I’ve been here. He’s done some amazing things. I can ask him. What do you need?”
“As a cop, I can get general information on her background, such as if she’s ever been arrested and stuff like that. However, I have this nagging feeling there’s more at work here than she’s just a hateful bitch. She has it out for Cerys and me. I want to know why. I thought if someone could dig deeper into the shady stuff, they might find something.”
He didn’t say anything for a few moments. I was about to ask if he was still there when he answered.
“Brax, I’d do anything to help Cerys. I hope you and her know that. I was an asshole to her in the past. She didn’t deserve it. I want to make up for that. If I can help her in any way, I will. I’ll ask Eagle Eye if he can do that. I’m almost sure he can. Give me until tomorrow morning to get with him and ask. Once I know, I’ll call you. If he can’t, I’ll see if he knows and trusts someone outside the club to do it. There’s another MC we might be able to ask.”
“I appreciate it, Heron. More than you know. And if Eagle Eye needs payment or a marker, I’ll do it, within reason.”
He chuckled. “I’ll tell him, but I doubt he’ll want something for his time. Okay, let me see if I can track him down. He might be involved at the moment.”
How he said it, I knew that meant Eagle Eye was probably with a woman.
“No problem. Thanks. Talk to you later.”
“You will. Later. Bye, Twyla,” he called out.
“Goodbye, Heron. You’re earning my trust. Don’t fuck it up again,” she piped up to say.
“I won’t,” he said solemnly before he hung up.
“I wouldn’t have thought of that, but if his club friend can do what you want, I’m all for it. I’m impressed with how you handled talking to him.”
“Twyla, I was upset and jealous at first. It almost cost me Cerys. I had to look at it rationally. After interacting with them and when he came to talk to her, I found that he’s a decent guy. He made a mistake with Cerys, and he hates that he hurt her. However, if he hadn’t, I might’ve never met her. That would be a tragedy in my book. I love her. She’s my mate, even if she is human. Heron has only feelings of friendship for Cerys. He’s head over heels in love with his woman, Rebel. We’ve both ended up with who we were destined to be with.”
“I always had this feeling about you and Cerys. Even before she mentioned you, I was trying to figure out a way for the two of you to meet. After she told me about how you affected her when you came to the hospital, I was excited. Only she was doing her cautious shit. I was almost ready to tell you she likes you when it happened on its own. Sometimes, Cerys has to figure things out for herself. She doesn’t want to make mistakes, so it takes time.”
“I noticed her the second I walked into the ER. I found whatever excuse I could to go there. I needed glimpses of her. I held back because I was still clinging to my dream to find my destined mate within my kind. That’s what most shifters and supernaturals want. We want to have that unbreakable connection and children. It was a bit hard for me to give that up. However, Cerys showed me that even without kids, we’re perfect for each other. We can adopt. I think the gods mixed her up. She should’ve been a wolf, but they accidentally made her human. She’s absolutely what I need and want.”
“I’m happy to hear it. It sounds like it’s less and less likely I’ll have to hurt or kill you for shattering her heart.”
“You’re not killing him, Twyla. Brax is mine, and I’m his,” Cerys said from the doorway.
I’d heard her coming, but I hadn’t warned her grandmother. She’d come to the kitchen as I told Twyla how I felt. Even though Cerys knew how I felt about her, I thought it didn’t hurt for her to hear it again.
I held out an arm. Cerys came to me and snuggled up against me. I kissed the top of her head. She sagged into me.
“ Astéri mou , what are you doing awake? You should be asleep for several more hours. Did we wake you? We’re sorry.”
“No, you weren’t too loud, although I heard you as if you were standing beside the bed. I must be super tired or something. I came to see if everything was alright,” Cerys said.
“It’s fine. Twyla heard about the business with Irene in the grocery store from Lorraine Appleby,” I explained. Cerys groaned and apologized to her grandmother.
“Twyla, I’m so sorry. I was exhausted when I got home and forgot to call you.”
“Honey, I understand. Brax explained. I hate that woman knowing anything that pertains to my family before me. I’m unable to counter anything she may have said that’s incorrect. Plus, I want that ast to pay.”
“You don’t need to worry about me or get so wound up over stuff. Irene Clark is being handled,” Cerys assured her.
“I know it’s being handled. Your man has Banner on the case, and he’s asked Heron to see if his club brother, Eagle Eye, can do something more in-depth on Irene,” Twyla spilled.
This prompted me to explain what I’d been doing while she was asleep. When I was done, Cerys was shaking her head.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I can’t believe you did all that while I slept for three hours. Or that you asked Heron for help. Thank you, agápi mou .” She raised on her tippy toes and kissed me. I didn’t care if Twyla was there or not. I took my time. When we parted, Twyla was humming.
“What are you all happy about?” Cerys asked her.
Twyla smiled and said, “Because it warms my soul to see the two of you so in love.”
We spent maybe another half an hour with Twyla before she headed home for the night. I promised one of us would tell her if Eagle Eye could or couldn’t do it. It was hard to wait. To pass the time, I coaxed Cerys back to bed. I wanted her to sleep, but Cerys had other ideas, one where we got naked and made love. I took her slowly. When we eventually came, it was beautiful, and we both were able to fall asleep.
I got the call from Heron at seven the following day. He apologized for it taking as long as it did. Eagle Eye had been off doing something and wasn’t reachable until this morning. The good news was that Eagle Eye could dig deeply into Irene. All he needed was basic information about her, such as her name, address, birth date, and Social Security number. He joined the call from Heron’s end after Heron told me he could help.
Typically, I would never share anyone’s information with someone outside the department. However, because my gut was churning, I couldn’t ignore it, so I gave it to them. I made them swear they wouldn’t share it with anyone or do something with it, like steal her identity. They laughed, and Eagle Eye told me he could do that with plenty of others, so not to worry. Then he promised to get back to me when he found something or if she came up entirely clean. After we both thanked him, he hung up to get to work.
Unable to sleep after speaking to them, we got up and had breakfast. Then, I took Cerys to the station to give her statement. While she was doing that, I visited some of my colleagues and got the lay of the land since the arrest involved my girlfriend. They gladly told me what they knew.
It seemed Irene had called a lawyer to get her out. However, the magistrate was busy and hadn’t gotten to her yet. Without Cerys’ statement, they felt it wasn’t right to let Irene out on bail. They wanted to be sure they had all the charges that pertained to the case filed. Irene had been carrying on and yelling on and off all night. She demanded to be let out, threatened to sue the department, and more. Montgomery happened to be in there, so he and I talked.
“That Clark woman is a whack-job, Brax. I don’t know what her beef is with you and your girl, but she has one. The carrying on she did on the way here and in the cell is insane.”
“I don’t know why. Unless she holds a grudge because we had words a couple of times before I met Cerys. That woman treats her staff like shit, and I called her on it.”
“You said a couple of times. Was it always about her staff?”
“No, once it was due to her trying to insist I needed to let her introduce me to some friends. That happened not long ago, maybe a few weeks before Cerys and I began to go out. I told her I had enough friends and wasn’t interested. I wanted nothing to do with her or anyone she called a friend. She tried to get pushy, and I told her to back the hell off.”
“Well, it was enough to make her hate both of you. Did she ever come on to you, and did you rebuff her? She acts like a woman scorned, I kid you not,” Montgomery added.
I chuckled. “There’s no way Irene Clark is interested in me sexually.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t count on that, babe. I forgot to tell you. Yesterday, I more or less accused her of wanting you, and she went off. I think she secretly has a thing for you, and the idea you’re with such an inferior person to her drives her crazy. Or crazier than she already is,” Cerys said. I’d sensed her approach.
It was weird. Even though she was human, I swore I could sense her, and it wasn’t her scent that tipped me off. It was this tingling awareness that started right after I met her and had grown. In addition, I had feelings that didn’t feel like mine but couldn’t be hers. That was only possible with a fated mate within your kind. Christ, maybe I was losing it.
You’re not. She’s ours. It’s to be. The gods made it so , Nightstalker chimed in.
She’s heaven-sent, but the gods didn’t send her as a destined mate. You know how it works. She’d have to be a wolf. I must subconsciously project those feelings and think they belong to her. Shit, I wish someone we knew that is in on the secret was with a human so I could ask.
“Brax, are you alright?” Montgomery asked. Cerys looked at me worriedly. I realized I had zoned out on them and never said anything about Cerys’ remarks about Irene.
“Sorry, I’m fine. I was just thinking. I’ve never gotten the vibe from Irene that she was interested in me. I think she’s off her rocker. Maybe she needs meds. Or if she has them, she needs to take them.”
Montgomery nodded, but Cerys wasn’t convinced. I was desiring to get out of there. I spent enough time here. Even though I was supposed to be working today, I called my sergeant last night to see if I could take it off. I was lucky, and someone else readily covered the shift. I’d pay him back. I didn’t think I should leave Cerys alone the day after the blowup.
“Are you good to go?” I asked her.
“I am.”
“Good. Hey, I’ve got to run, but if you find out anything, call me. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I told the people in the room. They called out their goodbyes, and we returned them as we hustled out of there. I wanted to spend uninterrupted time with her.
However, that wasn’t to be, or not as long as I wanted. We spent several hours together. Some of it was relaxing, like watching a couple of movies. After a very enjoyable lovemaking session, we went outside to the pool. It was hot, and a dip in the pool sounded good. Due to the sun’s unrelenting heat, it wasn’t as cold as I preferred, but it was better than the surrounding temperature.
I don’t know how long we’d been out there when I caught the rumble of motorcycles. I knew them well. I could recognize each of my friends’ bikes based on sound alone. It was them. I was trying to unravel the individual bike sounds to determine who was coming. I was surprised when Cerys sat upright on the floating chair she was in.
“Who’s coming?”
“What makes you think anyone is coming?” I asked. Had I reacted, and she picked up on it?
“Brax, don’t play with me. You have to hear them if I can. It’s motorcycles. I can’t tell how many or who, but I know it’s more than two.”
I was stunned. How was that possible? They were still a couple of miles away. “Baby, are you sure?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Cerys, if you hear them, do you know they’re still a few miles away? It’s not possible.”
“What? No, they have to be closer.”
“Wait,” I told her. We sat in silence as they got closer. Her eyes widened at the amount of time that lapsed. When they stopped in the driveway, I had to ask before they came to find us.
“How many are there? Do you know who it is?”
She wrinkled up her forehead before she answered. “I believe it’s four. As for who, I think it’s everyone but Banner and Nico. God, if I’m right, how do I know that?”
I didn’t get a chance to answer her before I heard my name being shouted. “Brax, we’re coming to the back. If you two are naked and doing the naughty, you have two minutes to stop and cover yourselves,” Fennick yelled.
She giggled and rolled her eyes before she hollered back, “We’re not naked, perverts. Get your butts back here.”
Their laughter preceded them. When they came through the gate, there were four of them, and she was correct about which ones. We exchanged a contemplative look. This warranted some thought.
“Dang, they must’ve done the dirty before we got here. Oh well, at least we get to see Cerys in a bathing suit. Looking good, babe,” Gunnar told her.
I growled at his statement, making him smirk. They were helping themselves to my beer. I got out of the pool. When she swam to the steps to do the same, I grabbed her a huge beach towel so she’d be covered. I dropped into a chair at the table after I got both of us a drink and pulled a chair out for her.
“What brings you guys here? Did you miss our beautiful faces that much?” Cerys teased them.
“We missed yours. Brax’s is ugly as hell,” Royal said. I gave him the middle finger.
“I’m surprised Banner and Nico aren’t with you?” I piped up to add.
“They’ll be here soon. They had to stop to get something. Tell us you haven’t had dinner yet,” Keir stated.
“We haven’t, but if you’re looking for Cerys to cook it for you, it’s not happening. She’s had a hard week.”
“Nah, we’re bringing it to you. We want to get caught up on the Clark incident and see if we can do anything about it. Banner gets to play lawyer, but what about us? That bitch is messing with our sister,” Gunnar chimed in.
“Your sister?” Cerys asked in surprise.
“Sure. Brax is a brother, even though he’s a lowly wolf. That makes you our sister, though you could’ve done better, sis. I’m just saying,” Royal added with a wink.
She laughed. “Oh my God, that was almost endearing until you threw him under the bus. By the way, I think his wolf is hot. I mean, yeah, you guys are okay, but Brax and Nightstalker do it for me.”
I grinned at them as they groaned. They told her she needed medical attention as I detected the sound of a car. I waited to see if Cerys would say something. Like the bikes, it was still a few miles away. I didn’t have long to wait. About fifteen seconds later, she glanced over at me.
“Is that Banner and Nico?”
I saw the guys’ eyes widen. Their hearing was enhanced, too. They glanced at me, and Royal mouthed, Can she hear that?
“It seems she can,” I said aloud.
“How?” Keir asked.
“That’s not possible,” Fennick said.
“When did this start?” Royal asked.
“Are you sure she’s not a shifter?” Gunnar questioned.
“Let’s wait for Nico and Banner. I need to ask you guys some questions,” I told them. “Baby, don’t look so worried. It’s alright,” I crooned.
Cerys sat there looking apprehensive. I stood, picked her up from her chair, and brought her to mine. I cuddled her on my lap. This was preferable anyway. She was too far away in that chair. I nuzzled her neck as I placed kisses and tiny nips along it. I paused to kiss and then lick my claiming mark on her shoulder. The guys noticed.
“Hey, wait a damn minute. You didn’t tell us you’d claimed her like that! When did that happen?” Royal asked.
I heard the car coming to a stop. It was Banner’s. I didn’t say anything. I might as well tell them all together. “We’re in the back,” I yelled, although they knew it. They could scent where we were, and the other four’s trail to the backyard would be evident. About a minute later, Banner and Nico came around the corner of the house. Both were lugging multiple bags in both hands.
“You asses could help carry this,” Nico sounded off.
“You need the workout. I’ve noticed you’re getting pudgy around the middle,” Fennick instantly replied.
There was playful grumbling and insults back and forth. They brought the bags to the long counter connected to my outdoor kitchen. Standing up, we went to it. Bags and containers were opened. When it was all sorted, we found they’d brought a feast of Chinese food. My stomach growled.
“I hope you like Chinese,” Banner said to Cerys as he handed her a paper plate.
“I hate it,” she said. Her expression was set in a look of disgust. Banner froze.
“Fuck, you do? Shit, I’m sorry. I was sure that you liked it,” Banner mumbled.
“I can go get you something you do like. Just tell me what to get,” Nico offered.
She stared at them. She held her disgusted expression for a few more moments, and then it faded. She smiled and laughed.
“I’m messing with you. I love Chinese food. Let’s eat. I’m starved.”
“Brat. Brax, spank her ass for that, will ya?” Nico asked.
“Oooh, we’re getting kinky. Is it sexy time?” she asked with a smirk.
“Please, sweet gods, don’t let us see that,” Keir begged.
“Hey, if you want an audience,” Nico said suggestively. Cerys shoved him, but he didn’t move.
“Hush up with your dirty shit. We’re eating,” she told him.
After we all loaded our plates and sat down to eat several bites of food, which led to numerous appreciative remarks, Cerys’s new abilities came up. Royal was the one to do it.
“We were about to discuss something when you two pulled up,” Royal stated.
“Oh yeah, the shit with Clark? Why were you starting without us?” Banner asked crossly.
“Calm your feathers. We weren’t talking about that, although we wanted to. It seems our dear Cerys has developed some new abilities. They are new, aren’t they?” Royal asked her. She nodded.
“What kind of abilities? Other than pissing off her supervisor and almost getting hit for it?” Nico said with a smirk. She gave him the bird, causing him to laugh and kiss her cheek. Royal let it die down, then gestured for me to go ahead.
“Cerys heard these four coming on their bikes when they were still two or three miles away. I thought it was her imagination or that she saw me react and guessed. However, she heard your car. I made sure not to do anything to give away that I heard you. She was no more than fifteen seconds behind me. She asked if it was you coming. Same distance away,” I quickly explained.
It was dead quiet for almost a minute before the explosion. They were talking over each other loudly, and I had to let out a loud howl for them to stop. Everyone was staring at Cerys in disbelief. She was back on my lap, leaning against my chest, and I put my arms around her for comfort.
“Stop staring at me like I’m an alien or something. I don’t know how it happened. No, I didn’t used to hear things miles away. I’m not sure exactly when it started, but it has been since Brax and I got together. It’s been more noticeable since Temecula.” She glanced over her shoulder at me.
“You have the claiming bite. When did you give her that, Brax?” Royal asked. Nico and Banner looked at her. She turned so they could see it. Their faces registered surprise and contemplation.
“I gave it to her Friday after we got there. So, not quite a week ago,” I informed them.
“I sensed a change before that but thought it was my imagination. It wasn’t nearly as clear as it is now. And there’s been other things, now that I think about it,” Cerys admitted softly.
“Like what?” Fennick asked excitedly.
“My sense of smell seems heightened. I can tell certain people just by their scent. Sometimes, it’s the cologne or perfume they wear, but it’s more. Even if they don’t wear those, I can tell who is approaching me before I see them. And my feelings have been off.”
“Off how?” I asked. This was all new to me. Why hadn’t she said anything?
“ Agápi mou , don’t be upset. I didn’t tell you because I was trying to figure out whether it was all in my head. Like right now, I know you’re angry. It’s mixed with disappointment and wondering what you did wrong that I didn’t tell you. However, looking at your face, I see nothing.”
“What am I feeling?” Nico jumped in to ask before I could say something.
“You hope to project a playful attitude, but underneath, you’re afraid to hope it’s real,” Cerys told him.
The thing was, she was right. All of us, as shifters, could sense the feelings of others. Some were better at it than others. Cerys demonstrated a high level of it, even for one of us. How?
“How? Have either of you ever heard of anything like this?” I asked Royal and Nico.
I targeted them because they were the oldest among us. They were a year apart in age, and they were only a few years away from being seven hundred years old. Unlike the rest of us, they were first-generation survivors of the Black Death. They carried the burden of that and what they saw in their souls. They’d shared a little about it, but I knew it was much worse than what they told us. As I waited for them to answer, I tried to calm my inner turmoil—Cerys wasn’t the only one experiencing things.