Chapter Eight
He came! Bear actually came for me! Wren’s mind was full of half-formed questions – how did Bear find him?
Why did he come? Yes, Wren had asked him to, but…
His mind shut down. He was out of the apartment he’d seen as a prison for so long.
He was in the arms of a man who, for some reason, Wren trusted.
He smells good. He had no idea what was going to happen next, but he just kept his eyes closed, his cheek resting against Bear’s jacket.
He could hear the man’s heart beating. This is nice.
Bear didn’t go far. They were at the bottom of the stairwell, but he didn’t go outside. Instead Bear was taking them to the back of the building. Probably a good idea. Wren didn’t know. His body was tugging him into sleep even as Bear was spiriting him away.
Wren was jostled, but Bear was still holding him tight. “Cyrus,” he said urgently, “Is Python with you?” Wren wondered if he should open his eyes. Did Bear bring his friends with him? Wren thought he should care, but Bear was warm, and Wren could barely think at all.
“I need a lift out of here,” Bear seemed a bit upset, although Wren didn’t get the impression it was with him. “My little warrior, as you called him, has just been talked off a four-story-high ledge. I need out of here now.”
The mysterious Cyrus, or Python, must’ve said something, because Bear snarled.
“Python can have the job. He eats them. Yes, damn it, you heard me correctly. That’s why the agency never found the bodies.
He specifically asks for shifters, and then he fucking eats them.
I have less than two minutes left. Tell Python to get his pants on and get us out of here. ”
“It sounds like you’re the one who’s getting your pants in a knot.” Another voice joined the conversation, only this one, Wren could hear. The voice was deep and didn’t sound unhappy, but Wren nestled into Bear’s chest and scrunched his eyes tight.
“Did you say eat them?”
“Yes, damn it.” Bear’s voice was low as well. “Apartment four. He’ll be there in about five minutes. But Wren and I need to get back to the Alley, now.”
“Ooh, both of you?” The voice sounded amused. “Does that mean your online warrior is…”
“Yes. Yes. Yes. Please, Python, no jokes. There’s so much Wren doesn’t know, if you get my drift, and I’m on my last nerve here.”
“Fuck I’m not surprised. All right, I’ll drop you and the warrior off, grab Cyrus, and we’ll come back and finish this job. We’ll have a night away in your hotel room, so we can bring back your stuff and return the rental. Sound good?”
“Perfect. Time, Python. Time. We’re running out of it.”
“You need to stop stressing. Hang on.”
Wren felt the air move. It was such a weird sensation. It wasn’t a breeze or the rush of air on a person’s face when they were running. But the noise from outside the apartments dropped away, and suddenly the only thing Wren could hear was Bear’s breathing and his own.
“Er…” Wren wasn’t sure if he even wanted to open his eyes. “Did someone shut the door? Are we in a closet?” He gripped Bear’s jacket lapel. “At least I’m in here with you.”
“We’re at my house, Wren.” Bear’s arms seemed to tighten around him, although it didn’t hurt. “Do you know anything about the paranormal world?”
“Should I?” Wren let out a long breath. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to ruin our first-ever meeting, but I just can’t keep my eyes open. Could I possibly get a glass of water and perhaps a cushion if you have one? I’m happy to sleep on the floor.”
“I don’t think I can let you go right now, Wren. I’m trying not to be creepy. I’ll get your water, and there’s food here if you’re hungry, but I don’t think I can put you down. You gave me a big scare tonight.”
“Aww, Bear.” Wren felt tears seep from under his eyelids. “I scared me, too. No sleep…constant cleaning with those horrid, horrid, toothbrushes…” The tears were falling faster. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I just couldn’t see anything outside those apartment walls.”
“It’s okay.” Bear’s voice sounded shaky. “We can go outside now if you want. I have a lovely rocking chair on the porch that will fit us both if you stay close.”
“You’ll have to carry me.” Wren tried to laugh and sniffed instead. He quickly swiped over his damp cheeks with his hand. “Standing on that ledge and not falling took the last of my energy. I don’t think my legs work anymore.”
“That’s not a hardship.” Wren felt the movement and heard Bear’s shoes on a carpet, no, a rug, wooden floors, and then the click of a door as it opened. The freshness of the night air hit Wren all at once, and he shivered.
“I’m sorry. Are you cold? Should I get a blanket?”
“No. No. It’s lovely, really.” Wren patted Bear’s chest. “You’re very warm. It must be how a real bear would feel.”
“It is.” Wren was jostled around a bit, and then he heard the creak of wood as Bear sat down. Bear sighed, and Wren got the impression that it was a happy sound.
“If you feel like opening your eyes for a moment, the sky is very beautiful here tonight,” Bear said softly.
“It’s lovely and quiet here,” Wren said.
He turned his head away from Bear’s chest for a moment, forcing his eyes open as he looked up.
“Oh, wow, you have trees.” He looked around.
“And really cute houses. This looks like a very private and secluded place. How did we get here? Will your neighbors mind me being here?”
“You’re in Assassin’s Alley,” Bear said with a chuckle. “The other guys who live here are all my friends. They won’t mind.”
“I have so many questions. Like, how did we get here so quickly and…” Wren shook his head. “You know what? Too tired. Tomorrow I’ll ask the questions, not that you have to answer. You came. That’s all that counts to me.”
“We have a lot to talk about, Wren.” Bear seemed to rumble, a noise that sent a delightful shiver down Wren’s spine. “Just know that you are safe here. In fact, I’d say you are safer here than anywhere else in the whole wide world right now.”
“I haven’t been safe for a very long time.” Wren settled back against Bear’s chest when he saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. “Who’s that?” He stiffened as two huge men approached Bear’s porch.
“Calvin and Levi. They’re friends. Hey, boys. This is Wren.”
“Cyrus texted us,” one of the men said, holding up a covered plate which he held out to Bear. “Thought you might like some smoked pork sandwiches. We had leftovers tonight.”
“I made a flask of hot chocolate, too.” The other man slid a tall flask onto the porch. “It can be a bit chilly out here.”
“Thanks, guys. Wren and I have a few things to discuss in the morning, but we’ll be at the grill if you’re cooking tomorrow night.”
“Sounds good,” one of the men said.
“Welcome to the Alley, Wren,” the other one said, and then both men just wandered off as if it was perfectly normal to hand out food and leave.
“Here, sit up a bit. You need to try one of these sandwiches.” Bear’s arm eased Wren around, so he was sitting upright, his back against Bear’s front. “Those two are grill masters. They often cook for all of us in the evenings.”
“That does smell good, thank you.” Wren took one of the sandwiches Bear offered, taking a big bite. A flood of tastes coated his tongue – spices, honey, and tender pork encased in fresh white bread. Wren groaned. “I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything so yummy.”
He went to take another bite when another much smaller man came running over.
“I’m not staying, Bear,” the man said in a rush, placing a pile of clothes on the porch.
“Hi, Wren, I’m Flint. Cyrus texted me and said you might need a few things to get you started.
He thought you and I are roughly the same size, so I hope you don’t mind secondhand. They’re clean.”
“Clothes for me?” Wren looked up at Bear and then at Flint. “Thank you so much,” he managed to say without crying again. “That’s so kind.”
“Thanks, Flint.” Bear seemed pleased. “We’ll catch up tomorrow night, yeah?”
“Definitely.” Flint ran off across the road to another small house.
Wren looked at his sandwich and then down at the clothes Flint had left. “Your friends are being very nice. I’m not used to it.”
“They know you’re important to me,” Bear said simply.
Wren wondered why they might think that.
Technically, he and Bear had only just met, even though they’d talked to each other for months online.
He was about to ask when Bear added, “And here comes Storm and Pax. Storm is the tall one, and Pax is the shorter one. They’re a couple.
They live in the house next to Flint’s. Hi guys. ”
“We won’t stay long,” Storm said, coming up to the porch and smiling.
He was a very handsome man, but in Wren’s eyes, Bear was safe as well as handsome, and that was far more important.
“Cyrus texted us, and Pax thought your new friend might like a few donuts, seeing as Gwen’s place won’t be open for hours. ”
“Cyrus said you’d had a rough night.” Pax bounced right up onto the porch, a big box in his hands. “Donuts make absolutely everything better. Do you prefer jam, chocolate, or sprinkles?”
“Er…” Wren looked at his half-eaten sandwich, Bear, and then back at Pax. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a donut. What is it?”
“My gods.” Pax turned on his partner. “This is worse than we thought. Quick, quick. Put the sandwich down. The meat is lovely, yes, yes, but you have not lived until you’ve had a donut. Here, I’ll have one with you.”
“Pax, they’re for Wren and D… I mean, Bear,” Storm reminded his partner gently.
“This man has never eaten a donut. I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t show him how to get the maximum pleasure from these wonderful goodies.”
Bear seemed to be laughing under his breath. “Did you want to try a donut, Wren?”
“I guess. It would be rude not to. I can eat the sandwich after, right?” Bear nodded, so Wren handed over his sandwich and leaned over, peering into the box Pax was holding out. “Is that chocolate?” he asked, pointing at one with dark-looking sprinkles on it.
“Perfect choice for your first time,” Pax said as Wren took that one, and he took another, handing the box to Storm. “You need to take a nice big bite,” he added. “There is no point nibbling a donut. You don’t get to the gooey bits in the middle if you do that.”
“You would eventually,” Storm chuckled as Pax took a huge bite.
Wide-eyed at the way Pax groaned, Wren quickly took a sniff, then opened his mouth wide and took a big bite.
A rush of sugary sweetness, along with a tart chocolate undertone filled his mouth.
“Hmmm. HMMM.” Wren chewed and quickly swallowed.
“That is magic in my mouth.” He pointed at the half donut he had left. “Magic!”
“You get it. We’re going to be such good friends.
” Pax popped the last of his donut in his mouth.
“I know,” he mumbled around his mouthful.
“I’ll leave the rest, Storm. I’m not that much of an addict.
But you’d better be up early to restock my supplies when Gwen opens in the morning.
She has twelve different flavors of donuts now. Twelve!”
That sounded like a lot, but Wren couldn’t answer as his mouth was full of donut.
Storm left the box on the porch, and then he and Pax waved and ran off, back to their little house.
For some reason, Wren had to double blink again as his eyesight blurred.
“You have such lovely friends,” he said quietly, resting his cheek on Bear’s chest. “I wish I could stay with you forever and ever.”
That rumble sound came from Bear’s chest again, but all he said was, “I want that, too.”
“Hmm.” Wren closed his eyes, and that was all he knew.