CHAPTER TWO #2
His head turned slightly, and slowly, gray eyes, afraid and timid, looked up at him, connecting to his own dark gaze.
“Come with me.” He said to the small man and extended his hand.
The gray eyes looked at his hand for several seconds and then, with mountains of caution, took hold, and in that moment, Valerian knew that he would never again be apart from this shockingly gorgeous little man.
He was bonded in heart if not yet in soul.
Valerian put on his kindest expression, picked him up, and held him in his arms.
He weighed nothing more than a sack of potatoes and was so delicate that Valerian was careful of his hold, fearful that he would add to the poor man's injuries if he held him too tightly. "Who hurt you, baby?" He asked.
“He ran away.” He said. “You scared him, and he ran away.” The sound of his voice was soft and breathy like a whisper, but there was power there as well. He was struggling to pull himself together. Valerian could feel him trying to figure out what was happening.
“Why was he hurting you?”
“He doesn’t like me, never has.” That came out with a deep sadness. He was confessing a lot in those few words, and it had Valerian’s anger surging and his hound demanding a name.
"Who doesn't like you, baby?"
“It doesn't matter." He shook his head, uncomfortable with what he shared. "I'm leaving and I'm never coming back, so it doesn't matter."
“Let me help you leave.” Valerian kissed the side of his head and then, with his prize in his arms, ran from the room.
He moved so fast he was nearly flying, intent on getting his mate out of danger and away from anyone who would hurt him.
He felt his mate go limp, having passed out, which was probably for the best. His injuries were many but not serious, but the night was obviously overwhelming.
"Sleep, baby." He said and kissed him again.
The touch of his soft skin sent chills through Valerian. His scent was fresh and clean, filling Valerian's heart and mind, and it was unbelievable. He burst out of the back door and into the parking garage, where Silas and Master DuCane stood swords drawn in front of their vehicle.
Master DuCane was looking pleased; apparently, the battle had been invigorating. “The deal is off.” He announced, and Silas chuckled. "How is your mate? Apparently, he is the reason for all of us being here today.” He moved toward Valerian.
“Fate is an amazing woman," Silas commented and also took a step toward Valerian. They were being careful, but they both wanted to see the man in Valerian’s arms.
“Someone beat the snot out of him, but other than unconscious, I believe he is well," Valerian reported, and Master DuCane came up close to stare down into the young man’s face.
"I know him. His name is Theo Tuffin, the youngest son of Nelson Tuffin.
He always stayed in the back of the room and remained very quiet.
I thought it was my presence that bothered him, but fear is a part of his life.
" The Master looked up at Valerian. "May I?
" He asked, and Valerian nodded in the affirmative.
The Master moved the blonde hair away from Theo’s face and placed his hand on his forehead. “He has suffered much at the hands of his family.” Valerian clutched him tightly as if afraid someone was going to try to take him.
“He’ll be okay.” The Master looked at Valerian and smiled. "He has you, Valerian, and his life has just become a million times better than he has ever dreamed.”
“Whoever beat him escaped the basement before I had the opportunity to kill them," Valerian stated.
“You’ll get another chance to settle the score, I’m sure.” The Master assured him with a pat on the shoulder. “Silas and I managed to decrease the wolf population in this area considerably.” He smiled.
“The Ackerley family will not be pleased," Silas commented lightly.
“Their pleasure is not my concern. Now let’s get home so Valerian can take proper care of his new love.” They drove away as Nelson Tuffin ran from the elevator into the garage, shouting for them to stop. He was given no consideration because Theo no longer belonged to him.
“I smelled a human and a wolf when I found my mate on the floor in the basement," Valerian stated as he studied the refined beauty of his mate’s face and the sheer elegance of his presence.
“I took out three wolves in the stairwell, but everyone in the basement had scattered and disappeared when I got there.”
“Nelson and Larry were with us," Silas interjected.
“That leaves Justin.” The Master added. “There are only the father and three sons.”
“The wolf was one of Parson's men; his smell was all over him," Valerian said and pulled his mate closer. “I should have gotten to him sooner.” He stared down at his sleeping mate.
"You tore through that place like a madman. There was no way you could have gotten there sooner unless you were magically transported.” Silas said sarcastically.
“This isn’t over. You will get your revenge.” The Master stated with finality.
Parson walked up to where Nelson Tuffin stood staring at the exit long after the black SUV had departed.
“DuCane and his bodyguard killed everyone in that room apart from you and your son.” Parson gritted out the words between clenched teeth.
“The hellhound killed three of my men on the stairwell, but your sons were spared.” Nelson turned to look at him, and instantly Parson grabbed him by the throat and broke his neck.
Nelson was dead before he had a chance to think or speak. “My men are not going to be the only ones to die this night," Parson said and wiped the blood from his hands onto Nelson’s gray jacket. He then pulled out his phone, dialed Henderson Ackerley, and explained the situation.
“The hellhound left with the youngest Tuffin boy, I think his name is Theo," Parson stated.
“What’s their relationship?”
"I don't know, but he seemed to be the catalyst that set this entire meeting on its ass and turned it into a blood bath.” He didn’t share the fact that his men were the first to draw arms. He was comfortable enough laying all the blame on the Tuffin family or what remained of it.
"I don't want to take on DuCane; he's too powerful, but I can't let this go unchallenged."
"Understood, sir."
“Tell those Tuffin boys, Larry and Justin, they either bring me Theo's head or I'll take theirs. Someone has to pay.”