31. Finn
Finn
S taying in my human form while Clyde had the love of my life at his mercy had almost killed me. But it had been necessary to get us to this moment. It was the only reason Buddy hadn’t forced the shift.
We’d been waiting. Distracting Clyde long enough for the others to get into position. Keeping his attention on me so he wouldn’t realise he’d been surrounded.
Without me saying another word, Evan leaped from the roof of Chester’s house, landing directly on Clyde. He’d remained in his human form to make the move clean.
At the same moment, Calan dove through Chester’s kitchen window, grabbing Chester around the waist and ripping him from Clyde’s grip. He twisted in the air, his hard body protecting Chester’s as they went skidding across the ground.
The only one of us to transform was Logan. He’d been lurking behind Clyde, sneakily drawing closer the whole time I’d talked. As the jaguar shifter hit the deck, Logan pounced, jaws open wide.
Clyde recovered quickly, shifting as he realised he was outnumbered. His enormous paws swiped out at Logan as snarls and growls filled the air. Bones cracked as Evan shifted too, throwing himself into the mass of fur that was Logan and Clyde.
There was no question of letting Clyde walk away from this. He’d violated the treaty the instant he’d touched Chester. I didn’t give a shit if this triggered an all-out war with the Clarkson Clan.
He’d threatened Chester. Hurt him. Planned to kidnap him and hold him hostage.
Eternal death was the only outcome left for Clyde.
Calan got to his feet, helping Chester to his. He glanced at me and I saw the question in his eyes. Should he shift? Or stay and protect Chester?
I wavered. My wolf was demanding justice. Begging me to jump into the fray and seek the vengeance that was owed to me.
But then my gaze fell on Chester. On how the blood had leeched from his face. His shaking hands covering his mouth in horror. The way he swayed on his feet as Clyde landed a lucky hit on Evan, fur and flesh flying.
And I knew exactly where my priority was.
“Calan go,” I shouted, running to where he and Chester stood. He transformed as soon as I was within arm’s reach of Chester, landing on four paws less than a second later.
I grabbed Chester’s face in my hands, gently spinning him so his back was to the chaos. “Eyes on me, m’eudail.”
“E-E-Evan,” he stuttered. “You have to help them.”
“Breathe,” I said, taking his hand and putting it on my chest. “The others are fine. Evan’s healed already.”
“Are you sure?”
My gaze flicked over his shoulder to see the three wolves literally pulling Clyde to pieces. “Aye, m’eudail. Just keep your eyes on me. It’s nearly over.”
Chester winced at the sound of bones breaking. I had to admit, even as a seasoned warrior, the noises were brutal. As I’d expected, my inner circle were taking this attack on Chester personally.
Nothing about how they were ending Clyde was clean or quick.
“Tell me what you were doing with the ladder,” I said urgently, my hands keeping Chester’s attention locked on me.
“Umm, I was putting Christmas lights up.” He flinched as a human scream rent the air.
Clyde must’ve shifted into his other form, perhaps hoping it’d inspire mercy.
Instead it had just made it easier for Logan to perform his party trick.
Clearly doing it once before had inspired him to go for a repeat. “Blue and white ones.”
“That’ll look so magical,” I said, speaking louder than usual. The screaming had stopped now, but I wasn’t sure the schlicking sound filling the air was any better. “Have you decorated inside yet?”
“Not yet,” Chester said faintly. “I thought it’d be cute to do it together.”
“I’d love that.” I brought my forehead to his. “You’re doing so well, m’eudail. Just keep breathing. Tell me, do you want a real tree?”
“I’ve never had one before.” Chester’s trembling was easing with every inhale. “I’ve always wanted one though.”
Behind us, Logan and Calan were dragging the larger pieces of what remained of Clyde towards the woods. Evan had shifted back into his human form, disgust and fury on his face as he used a shovel to load what remained into heavy duty black sacks .
I made a mental note to buy Chester a new shovel next time I was in town. “Tell you what, why don’t we go into the woods soon and pick a tree? We can cut it down together and I’ll carry it back for you.”
There was a ghost of a smile on Chester’s face as his hands encircled my biceps. “Good to know these muscles are useful for things other than looking good.”
“They’re very good at tree carrying.” I lowered my hands from his face to wrap my arms around his middle instead. “Among other things.”
My words had the desired effect as Chester flushed. I knew he was thinking of two nights ago, when I’d held him clean off the ground to fuck him against the wall.Good. I’d much rather him be thinking about that than what was happening behind him.
Honestly, I was so beyond pissed. At Clyde, for targeting Chester when he couldn’t get to Reid. At myself, for not realising that might happen.
Most of all, I was pissed that Chester was having to experience this side of my life.
If he became my mate, it was likely just the first time of many.
But the difference there was he would be my mate.
We’d be bonded. I wouldn’t have to rely on my wards being tripped as they had been today.
I wouldn’t need to run at breakneck speed through the forest, desperately praying I’d get to him in time.
That wasn’t to say Chester would never be in danger, but the odds of him surviving such an encounter would be much higher.
I couldn’t push him in that direction though, not after what he’d been through with Matt.
But the reality was that we’d likely just started a war with the Clarkson Clan.
I could guarantee Clyde wasn’t the only one who knew about my relationship with Chester, which meant the likelihood of this happening again was far greater than I’d like.
What was the alternative though? Ending things with the person who’d come to mean more to me than any other?
There was no fucking way. It might be selfish, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t giving Chester up for anything.
Evan flashed me a thumbs up and I nodded. He disappeared in the same direction as the others to burn the remains. One of us would need to go and inform Reid too.
I doubted he’d shed any tears over his father’s death.
“Okay,” I said, stroking Chester’s side soothingly, “everything has been taken care of, but I’m going to ask you not to look behind you until Logan has been back to do a proper clean-up.”
Chester flinched. “I’m assuming Clyde is dead?”
I inclined my head. “He signed his death warrant the moment he touched you. I’m not sorry for it either, m’eudail. I’ll happily kill anyone who hurts you.”
He let out a shaky laugh. “That shouldn’t be a turn-on.”
I pulled him in to kiss his temple. “Like I’ve said before, nothing about what turns you on will ever shock me.”
“The others? Are they okay?”
“Perfectly safe and healed.” I sighed. “I’d like to say this doesn’t happen often, but it’d be a lie. All of us are highly trained to deal with situations like this. In truth, any of us could’ve taken Clyde down without an issue, but the others wanted their piece of him too.”
“They did? Why?”
I rubbed my nose against his. “Because they see you as clan, Chester. You’re theirs to protect almost as much as you are mine.”
“You didn’t get involved though,” Chester said thoughtfully. “In the killing, I mean. ”
“I wanted to, almost more than my next breath, but ye needed me more. And Chester? You’ll always come first.”
His eyes swam as he searched my face. Nothing could’ve prepared me for what came out of his mouth next. “I love you, Finn.”
The words tumbled out at speed, Chester’s face flushing. He seemed almost surprised by himself, but not regretful.
I blinked rapidly. “Ye do?”
“Yes.” He lifted his chin determinedly. “I love you. You’re the best person I’ve ever met and I’m honoured to have you in my life.”
I tried to speak, but my throat was too thick with unshed tears. Instead, I pulled Chester into a crushing hug, trying to communicate what I couldn’t yet say.
We held each other there, on the banks of the loch, until I’d pulled myself together.
Until I was able to release him and finally unlock the words I’d been desperate to say for weeks now.
“I love ye too, Chester. I thank my lucky stars that I came across your shop that day. I stepped over the threshold and everything in my life changed for the better. I’ll never stop loving ye for that alone. ”
We kissed then, right on that spot by the loch where I’d fallen apart so many times. I’d been living with the belief that I’d put myself back together successfully, but now, with Chester in my arms, I knew I’d been wrong.
He’d been the one to put me back together. To heal the wounds I’d never thought would close.
To teach me how to love again.
It was only Chester’s shivering that had us drawing apart. The winter wind was brutal as it whipped across the loch. It didn’t bother me though, which was good considering I was still naked. “Come on, let’s get you somewhere warm.”
Chester started to turn instinctively, but my hands snapped to his shoulders. “Nope, no turning around. We’ll go to my place until the others have got things sorted here.”
His teeth sank into his lip. “Is it safe to leave the house? The window is broken and the door is unlocked. What if I get robbed?”
I chuckled, tucking him under my arm and steering him towards the woods. “If that happens, they’ll be confronted by three very pissed off shifters. Don’t worry though, no one can cross the wards around your property without me knowing.”
Chester shot me a quizzical look. “What does that mean?”
Shit. Apparently, this was something I’d neglected to tell him. “Ah. Well, I set wards up around your house a couple of months ago. It’s like a spell, almost, and I can feel if anyone crosses them.”
Recognition dawned. “That’s how you knew Clyde was here.”
I nodded. “Our focus might’ve been on Reid, but you were never left unprotected, m’eudail. I’m sorry it took us so long to get here.”
“Don’t,” he said softly. “Don’t apologise. You came, that’s all that matters.”
“I’ll always come, Chester.” I kissed his temple, frowning at the iciness of his skin. “Ach, you’re freezing.”
“At least I’m dressed.”
I shrugged. “It’s fine. I don’t feel the cold.”
“Still, we should’ve taken my car.”
I winced internally. Chester’s car had unfortunately been parked in what I’d term the‘splatter zone.’ It’d need a very thorough clean before Chester could use it again. “Well, there is a way to get back even faster than a car.”
Chester eyed me warily. “Are you suggesting what I think you are?”
M inutes later, Chester slid from my back and fell to the floor. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
I shifted back into my human form and crouched in front of him in alarm. “Fuck. Did I go too fast? I was just so worried about how cold you were.”
Chester gave me a wobbly smile and patted my shoulder. “It’s fine. I just need a minute.”
An amused chuckle came from a few feet away. “I see your first time riding Finn wasn’t very successful. You need more practice. I can give you some good riding techniques if needed. I find it’s all in the prep.”
I glared at Logan as Chester flushed. “Are ye quite done? Or did you have another innuendo waiting to make itself known?”
Logan winked mischievously. He was dressed now, his hair damp and slicked back from his face. “What would be the fun in telling you? It’s much better to drop a sexy surprise grenade.”
Chester’s lips twisted in a wry grin. “A sexy surprise grenade?”
“Yes. Much better than the regular kind, I find. Although those can be handy too in the right situation.” Concern erased his mirth as he came to crouch beside us. “You are looking a bit green. Want some ginger tea? I’ve heard that helps. ”
My ire at him vanished. That was the thing few realised about Logan. His snark and inappropriateness hid the biggest heart I’d come across. There was little he wouldn’t do for those he cared about.
Including skinning anyone who hurt them. Caring, yes. Slightly disturbed? Also yes.
We wouldn’t have him any other way.
“I’m okay.” Chester smiled at Logan. “Thank you. I just need to get used to it, I guess.”
My heart warmed as it did every time Chester casually talked about the future. With the declarations we’d just made, it was something I could let myself get used to.
I was one lucky shifter.
I lifted his hand and kissed his palm. “I’ll go slower next time, I promise.”
Logan helped me get Chester to his feet. He went to brush the dirt off his back but stopped at my glare. Holding his hands up with a chuckle, he retreated. “Come by the main house when you’re done.”
Chester shot me a puzzled look. “Done with what?”
Logan was too far enough away for me to wallop—something I was certain was intentional. “Having furious‘oh my god, we survived’ sex. Take your time though. If you’re too quick, I’ll be judging you, Finn.”
He disappeared into the house before I could do more than take a single step towards him. “Little shit.”
Cold fingers entwined with my warm ones. I turned to see Chester looking at me with unmistakeable heat in his eyes. “You heard what he said. We better get to it.”