Chapter 27 For a Favor #2
He went on to explain that the dude’s wicked scar wasn’t from a hanging.
When his older brother, Ruckus, was alpha of Wandering Paw, Chains tried to kill him and take the pack.
Ruckus dragged him from the back of his motorcycle by a silver chain around his neck, then left him with that scar as a reminder of the price of betrayal.
“Damn. Family drama, huh?” I whistled low, leaning back in my chair.
“Ruckus, real name Rocco, found his mate two years ago and settled in her pack,” Emerson went on. “Wandering Paw’s alpha nowadays goes by Havoc.”
“I always wondered where Chains ended up,” Angelo ground out. “If he’s working with the Harrow bitch, it’s not just for fun. He’s got an agenda.”
“And we’ll make sure it’s his last one,” Cas rumbled as Ko nodded.
As my brothers shared what we knew about Seri’s past so far, I texted myself a reminder to ask our spy in the Harrow household what he knew about Claudio during the next check-in.
“So what’s the plan?” I asked after a moment. “Send Claudio mercury-infused fruit in a silver basket and hope he chokes on it?”
“You could try that.” Emerson rolled his eyes. “But if you want results, you’ll need Alpha Jace Beaudreau of Gray Shadows. Evermere’s in his territory.”
“That’s a lot of ground for one pack to cover,” Cas murmured after Emerson explained that Gray Shadows stretched from the Hudson River to Lake Erie.
“It is, but Alpha Jace has a system. Lone wolves patrol the western borders in exchange for free range. Most of the pack’s settled in the Catskills. Easier to manage.”
“Lone wolves, huh? Sounds like a bunch of misfits with nothing better to do. Reminds me of some dhamps I know.” I glanced at Koa, who didn’t rise to the bait, but the corner of his mouth twitched.
“Ko, get Seri?” Cas asked before I could keep going with my schtick. “I know she’s still asleep, but we don’t want to waste their time.”
Without a word, Koa pushed off the pillar and disappeared into the house. I watched him go, my smirk fading as I turned back to Emerson and Angelo.
“She had a rough nightmare in the middle of the night,” I told them quietly to explain why she wasn’t awake yet. “Second one since she’s been here.”
I hated that she had them, but at least she trusted us enough to come to us afterwards. I’d tried to convince her after the first one to just move in, but she was hesitant. Koa said it was shyness and nerves, and Cas thought there might be a little fear there, too.
’S okay, I told myself. I can wait. For as long as she needs. But when she’s ready, there’ll be no mercy. Good thing pussies are built to take a pounding—
“I wish that was something I could heal,” Angelo brought me out of my thoughts, “but hearts and minds aren’t as easily repaired as bodies.”
“True enough.” Cas steepled his fingers across his chest to appear relaxed. “While we wait, can you tell us more about Alpha Jace?”
“He’s a good guy. Strong, fair. He’s had to carry a lot on his shoulders.” Emerson’s calm cracked just enough to show the storm underneath. “My parents, Alpha Bellamy and Luna Ivana Jones, were executed six years ago. King Julian’s orders.”
Angelo reached over, resting a hand on Emerson’s arm. The gesture was small, but loaded with meaning. These two were more than just mates; they were a unit, a well-oiled machine that worked seamlessly together. It was something that used to make me envious, but not anymore. Not since we found Seri.
“They were corrupt,” Angelo added, his voice tight. “Abused their pack, murdered innocent wolves. One of their victims was Emerson’s brother, Thoreau.”
“Wait, your own parents did that?” I blinked, my humor evaporating as Emerson nodded, his jaw tighten.
“They kicked me out for being gay. Thoreau was just a kid. I couldn’t take him with me.
Leaving him behind? It’s something I’ll always regret.
” Emerson’s eyes flickered with pain before he locked it down.
“Anyway, Jace Beaudreau was only sixteen when Julian appointed him alpha. He’s done a damn good job of it, too. ”
“Sixteen? Kid’s got guts,” I admitted, impressed. “And now he’s going to have to deal with Claudio Kane. Poor bastard.”
“Claudio’s not his problem. He’s ours,” Cas corrected.
“Fair point. So, we’re calling in the cavalry, huh?” I grinned at Emerson, who gave me a nod. “Well, if Jace is half as badass as you two make him sound, this might actually be fun.”
“Why would he help us?” Cas asked.
“Alpha Jace doesn’t ignore threats,” Emerson said. “And he really, really hates guys who hurt women and kids.”
“Don’t we all?” I smirked.
Then Koa stepped under the pergola with Seri in his arms, her honey-gold curls tousled and her gray eyes half-lidded with sleep. She blinked at the morning light filtering through the wisteria blooms, all curled up against Koa’s chest like she belonged there.
Which, of course, she did.
Cas straightened immediately, his green eyes sharpening as he took her in. I couldn’t hold back the smirk; big bro was already on edge, and she wasn’t even fully awake yet.
“Seri,” Ko murmured, setting her down gently on her feet. “We have guests.”
She froze, her eyes widening as she took in Angelo and Emerson. A flush crept up her neck, and she fidgeted with the hem of her oversized hoodie.
My hoodie.
“This is our wife, our beloved,” Cas announced, voice richer than twenty-year scotch. Pride rolled off him in waves, the kind he usually reserved for newly acquired artillery. “Serafina Cimmerian.”
Under a pair of strangers’ eyes, she stumbled and caught herself on the back of a chair. Five sets of predatory reflexes twitched toward her, even Angelo, whose fingers flexed like he wanted to steady her.
“These are friends, starlight,” I told her as she sat down. “Angelo and Beta Emerson del Vecchio, who somehow convinced the Angel of Death to play house with him.”
“Oh, I— I didn’t know we had company,” she stammered, still trying to wake up. “I’m so sorry I’m not—”
Angelo cut her off with a wave of his hand, his usually stern features softening in a way that made me raise an eyebrow.
“No apologies, bella. You’re healing. Rest is important.”
“You’ve been through enough. The last thing you need to worry about is us.” Emerson nodded, his deep voice warm.
“Wow. Who knew you two could be so nice? Emerson, I thought your default setting was ‘stoic mountain.’ And Angelo, I didn’t think you had a soft side.”
“Only a monster would hurt someone already savaged by monsters,” Angelo muttered, shooting me a glare, and for once, I didn’t feel the urge to crack a joke.
“You remind me of my luna back home.” Emerson leaned forward slightly, his brown eyes studying her. “A badass survivor.”
Seri ducked her head, her cheeks pink, as she tucked a curl behind her ear and murmured, “Thank you.”
As her shoulders relaxed more, she glanced at Emerson.
“You’re a shifter? My mother, Jocelyn, was from the Royal pack.”
“So your mates tell me. If you have questions about anything shifter-related, I’d be happy to help. And Angelo comes from a magical family. Our pack’s coven could help you learn about your talents, if you’d like.”
“That sounds amazing.” Seri’s eyes lit up, but she hesitated, her fingers twisting in my hoodie. “Maybe later? When I’m strong again?”
“Anytime you’re ready,” Emerson assured her.
Angelo glanced at me, and the unspoken question hung there, heavier than my tactical boots.
“You’re one of only two we’d let touch her,” I said, serious as the grave, “and Gemma Shepherd isn’t available right now.”
He gave a sharp nod, respect in his eyes, then stood and moved toward Seri. Cas’ growl rumbled low in his chest.
“Relax, bro,” I snickered as Ko grinned. “Angelo’s not into breasts. He’s more of a balls guy.”
Emerson shot me a withering look that made my smirk widen.
“Your husbands say you’re injured, bella.” Angelo approached slowly. “I can heal you, if you will allow me?”
When she nodded, he crouched before her, his hands glowing faintly as he touched her ankle.
“Dislocated,” he muttered, his brow furrowing. “So many cuts and bruises. And this.” His fingers moved to her upper arm. “This was Claudio?”
Her eyes skated off of his. She couldn’t say anything, but that was answer enough.
Angelo’s expression darkened, and Emerson’s fists clenched, but they both reined it in when Seri flinched. Giving her a small smile, Angelo touched his fingers to her hand and flooded her with golden light.
“There, bambina. All better.” Then, frowning, he leaned closer to her, their faces almost touching. “This whisperbind, though.”
Her whimper had Cas dragging Seri’s chair back and stepping in front of her.
“Back. Off.”
“Whoa, easy there, brother!” I cut in before claws came out, wedging between them. “He’s just doing what we asked him to.” I offered Angelo a mostly sincere apologetic look. “We’re still adjusting to having a beloved.”
“I understand.” Angelo straightened, his lips quirking in a rare smile. “It was the same for Emerson and me in the beginning. You want to put yourself between her and the world.”
“True enough,” I agreed. “As for the whisperbind, tell me it’s something low tier you can unfuck.”
“Not without killing her.” Angelo’s glare softened as Seri curled in on herself. “Scusa, piccola. Silence shackle, Z. I wouldn’t even dare to touch it.”
“We’re burning that bitch to ash.” Koa’s fist hit the pergola support and showered us in leaves.
Picking Seri up, Cas cradled her like a baby, and she nestled into him, her cheeks flushed, but her eyes bright.
“Thank you, Angelo,” she whispered, and her sigh of relief was like music to my ears. “I can’t remember the last time I didn’t feel stitched together by pain.”
Cas inhaled sharply, kissing the top of her head over and over. Ko made a hurt sound in the back of his throat and rubbed her knee. Blinking my stinging eyes, I brushed my fingers through her curls.