CHAPTER FIVE
Kyle was going with his gut on this, or rather, his heart, because that was where Lev Wilder resided. He had become a part of him, a lover and a friend in the span of a day, and it felt like the most natural thing ever.
Kyle was a planner and a take-it-slow kind of guy until he came face to face with Alpha Lev Wilder. One look, one touch, and the best sex ever had sealed his fate, so to speak, and he was not upset about it.
A joyful, giddy feeling filled him, and he was overcome with a sense of belonging and love. He could see it growing between them, and it was good. It was the craziest thing Kyle had ever done, and it was wonderful.
Ethan had called him dull and lifeless, complaining that he was holding him back with his lack of spontaneity and creativity. It was all words to make him feel better about his betrayal, and until Lev entered his life, Kyle had believed it to a certain extent.
Now he understood that his lack of shine had nothing to do with him and everything to do with the man standing next to him.
Lev made him smile and had brought him to life with his care and attention, and it was all natural, nothing faked or forced.
His true connection to Lev was amazing and fulfilled in a way that Ethan never could.
He was ashamed to admit that he stayed long after the relationship had soured simply because he was afraid to leave. He was afraid to be alone and thought a troubled relationship was better than no relationship at all.
He suffered when Ethan dumped him, but it was actually the nicest thing he’d ever done for him.
Kyle was then forced to face his fears and to stand on his own, and he discovered he liked it.
He hadn’t noticed the slow drain of his self-worth and confidence after years of personal put-downs, complaints, and abuse.
With Ethan gone, he found himself again.
Ethan had done nothing but take from him emotionally, financially, and spiritually.
He looked over at Lev standing beside him, and what he felt was so different from anything he had felt with Ethan. This relationship, although strange in many ways, was shaping up to be the greatest of his life. Once you got past the supernatural and the wolf shifting, it was pretty standard.
He smiled at the absurdity of his thoughts, and Lev took his hand, pulling him close as they left the apartment. Kyle was going to see the Pack lands, which sounded like a compound or forest gated community.
He didn't know what to expect since Lev simply referred to it as a community. It was secret and guarded, hidden under the title of Wilder and Associates, a registered business entity with an address in the capital city.
The residents of the Wilder pack did not frequent Kyle's hometown even though it was only about thirty miles away. They did not want to become familiar with anyone there.
The town was too small, and questions were sure to arise, so they did all their business in a town ten times its size, and about a two-hour drive. It made sense; it's easier to hide in a crowd, and no one was going to follow them back to the forest.
They stepped out into the hall and were heading to the stairway when the elevator opened, and Ethan stepped out. Kyle just stood there staring at him for a moment, confused by his sudden presence. Lev stepped closer to Kyle and squeezed his hand, apparently picking up on the tension.
"Kyle," Ethan said, all casual and friendly. Kyle noticed he looked at Lev and then at their joined hands, and then back at Kyle. "Can we talk?" Kyle had mentioned Ethan to Lev, but did not go into detail, just explained they'd broken up when Ethan had cheated.
"I'm just leaving," Kyle explained. "Maybe another time." Kyle took a step, and Ethan tried to block him. Lev immediately moved in front of Kyle and gripped Ethan with an icy stare.
"He said another time," Lev stated deep and clear.
Ethan looked up at him but did not immediately step back.
Ethan reached out to grab Kyle, but Lev placed the palm of his hand on Ethan's chest and pushed him back.
Kyle could sense that Lev was restrained, but it was tenuous and might not last if Ethan refused to back off.
"I don't have time right now, Ethan. Besides, we have nothing to talk about." Kyle wanted him to go away, but he was not taking no for an answer.
"Just five minutes." He pleaded, and Kyle could tell he was growing angry.
“No.”
"Five minutes, I'm only asking for five fucking minutes, you owe me that . . ." His rant was cut short when he tried to grab the front of Kyle's shirt, and Lev intervened. Lev seized him by the wrist before he got hold of Kyle and twisted his arm, moving Ethan back a step at a time.
"He said no," Lev stated, and for the first time ever, Kyle saw a flash of fear in Ethan's eyes.
"Go home, I'm not interested in giving you one minute, let alone five. Go home and don't bother me again." Kyle felt a rush of confidence, much of it due to Lev standing by his side. Lev pushed Ethan away, releasing him as he did so. "Go home," Kyle repeated.
Ethan stood there for a moment and then turned and got back on the elevator. After the door closed, Kyle took a deep breath and looked up at Leve. "Sorry about that. He must have gotten bored with his new boyfriend."
"Does he scare you?" Lev looked concerned in a let-me-kill-him sort of way. "I can deal with this for you if you'd like." Kyle started shaking his head. He wasn't sure what 'deal with' meant, but he had a pretty good idea.
"He'll go away, he doesn't fight for anything, he'll find someone else to bother, he always does. He used to scare me sometimes, but not anymore. I outgrew him months ago."
"Good, he's not worth your time or your energy." Lev tilted Kyle's face up to his and kissed him softly, slowly, and it felt like the man was marking his claim. Kyle returned the kiss, letting him know that he was the only man in his life.
****
Lev wanted to break that bastard’s arm, but his mate would not have agreed. They were in the early days of their mating, and it would not be good to traumatize his sweet mate, so he tried to make himself clear without doing any permanent damage to the guy’s arm.
Ethan very well might need to be dealt with if he continued to be a bother. He would urge Kyle to move to the Pack house as soon as possible. Their bond was moving ahead quickly, and Kyle's regard was growing by the hour, so moving to the Pack house was the next step.
During the drive back to the forest, Lev explained how the Pack functioned and discussed the rules and hierarchy they followed.
Basic stuff, but things Kyle needed to get familiar with as the Alpha Mate.
Kyle listened and nodded. Lev wasn't sure if he was understanding everything, but he seemed to be getting the general picture of the Wilder Pack and what it meant to belong.
"In all the years that you have occupied the Aveline Forest, has anyone ever discovered your existence?” Kyle asked the innocent question that packed a lot of implications. He would have to be careful how he answered because he didn’t want his mate to think they were a bunch of barbarians.
“Other paranormal beings know of our existence.
There have been very few humans who have found us in the centuries that we have resided in the Aveline Forest. Those humans came with bad intentions, and we protected ourselves.
We will always protect ourselves." He turned and looked at Kyle directly, making his meaning clear.
"Mostly, we just redirect the odd wanderer before they get too close.
It has worked well for a very long time. "
“Other paranormal beings?” Kyle said in astonishment, and Lev smiled. His mate’s wonderment had taken precedence over everything else he’d said. Lev told him about the fox shifters and the Fae that live further up the mountain.
"It will get easier the longer you are with us. It's a lot to take in all at once, but our bond will help you acclimate to this new reality." Lev assured, and Kyle just nodded skeptically.
“What will you do if John’s map and stories of the waterfall get into too many hands?” Kyle asked.
"If they find the falls, then they find us. If they discover the mystical aspect and power of the falls, then all paranormals are at risk." He paused and then stated. "We will do whatever we have to to protect ourselves."
They turned off the main road onto a two-track that you’d probably miss if you didn’t know it was there.
The road was about five miles north of where Kyle had parked the night before.
The drive was rough, but it had to be that way; everything was designed to keep people away.
The two-track road fell away to a narrow path just wide enough for a vehicle.
Lev smelled them before he saw them: two humans and three jackals. Jackals were never good news. They were simple thugs, criminals, and mercenaries, never a decent one among them. They were hiding themselves up ahead. Lev slowed down, and Kyle looked over at him expectantly.
"We have company," Lev said without taking his eyes off the path ahead.
"Stay behind me at all times." He stated, and Kyle did not comment, just gave a curt nod.
Lev got out of the vehicle, walked to the front, looked around, then took several steps down the path.
He signaled for Kyle to stay with the vehicle, and he hung back and stood beside the front fender.
Lev was pleased with the way he understood the seriousness of the situation and trusted him. The danger was ahead of them, and it wasn’t long before the three jackals made themselves known.
"Get out of our way, wolf." One of them said. He led the others who stood a step behind him, one on the left and one on the right. The two humans tried to say something, but a single look from the large Jackal had them holding their tongues.