Chapter 26
Zane rubbed his cheek against David’s soft hair, inhaling his scent.
His mind wandered to the life his mate had lived—the suffering, the pain, the evil—he survived it all and came out on the other side, now entrusted to Zane’s care.
Humbled—that was how he felt—that he’d been chosen to protect and love such an extraordinary shifter, he closed his eyes and thanked the Fates, vowing to be worthy of such a gift.
Listening to his mate’s slowing heartbeat, he continued to caress him, calming his anxiety.
Finally hearing David sigh as his body relaxed, Zane began giving his mate soft kisses, along the tattoo that ran from his neck to his forehead.
Pausing there, Zane asked, “Babe, who designed your tattoo? I’ve never seen anything like it. ”
“I don’t know. I think I was born with it and, according to the High Priestess, that’s how she knew who I was.”
“Amazing!” Zane exclaimed, running his finger over its ornate design. “I’ve seen some birth marks, but never one like this. What did your mother say?”
“Nothing. I never asked her. I just assumed the High Priestess was right because my mother never said anything. I didn’t see the marks until I ran away.
When I saw myself in a shop window for the very first time, I freaked out.
I was so afraid someone would see me and return me to the High Priestess.
I saw a man wearing a shirt with a hood on it… ”
“You mean a hoodie?”
“Yes, but I didn’t know what it was called then…
just that it would allow me to hide most of my marks.
I asked him where I could buy one and he told me about this funny little shop which had them in all different colors.
Did you know they even came with words on them?
I didn’t buy any of those; instead I got two black ones and used them until the High Priestess found me in Scotland and then it didn’t matter anymore. ”
“Babe, you called yourself a myth, why?”
“Because the High Priestess read me a story about a boy in a book of myths and said he was me, but it couldn’t be me, I thought, because everything the boy did was evil and hurt people.
I was a High Priest. My purpose was to save people so I couldn’t understand why she thought I was the boy in the myth.
I never would steal anything, Zane, never! ”
Kissing his mate again, Zane said, “Babe, I know. Remember when I told you my wolf knew there wasn’t any evil in you?”
“Yes…”
“Whenever there’s a situation where I’m confused or puzzled about the intentions of someone, I turn to my wolf for advice.
See, unlike the human part of me, my wolf can see the truth through someone’s lies or misleading behavior, no matter how they try to hide it.
When we met, my wolf immediately wanted to claim you because he knew you were filled with goodness and light.
That’s why I said nothing you’d ever tell me would change my mind. ”
Shaking his head, David said, “After I arrived in Scotland, I thought I was free, but then one night, after the pub had closed, the High Priestess visited me in my room at Morgan’s.
It was then I found out I hadn’t escaped her plan to use me to steal stuff.
At first, I refused to do what she wanted because it was wrong…
and I told her so. She just laughed and pulled out a picture of my mother, chained up in my room and asked me if ‘no’ was still my answer, because if it was, she’d order my mother killed. ”
David bowed his head, remembering the welts on his mother’s arms and his capitulation to the demands of the High Priestess.
Looking up at Zane, his lashes wet with tears, David whispered, “I told her I’d do anything she asked, as long as she didn’t hurt my mother.
Your wolf is wrong. I’m not filled with goodness and light. I'm evil…just as the book claimed.”
Zane looked at his mate’s body curled in on itself, conveying the sorrow and hopelessness he felt as he confessed his sins and Zane knew this was a test the Fates were giving him to prove his worthiness to be David’s Fated Mate.
“Babe,” Zane said, lifting his mate’s face so he could see it, “I do understand why you think that, but my wolf and I have to disagree because your reaction shows how much good is in you.
“Sacrificing yourself to save another is rare in this world and you didn’t hesitate, even though you knew if you did what the High Priestess demanded, it would take a piece of your soul.
Your agreement to do her bidding assured your mother’s safety and bought you some time to figure out how to save her without stealing.
That’s not evilness; it proves your goodness.
You are worthy to be a High Priest, David, and I’m so proud you’re my mate. ”
David’s eyes searched Zane’s face, finding only love staring back at him. “Are you sure?” he whispered.
“Very sure, tesoro mio, very sure!” Zane hugged his mate tightly, wanting to replace all of David’s bad memories with beautiful ones. “Can you relax now?”
Nodding, David tucked his head under his mate’s arm, resting it on Zane’s chest and, listening to the rhythm of his mate’s heart, fell asleep.
~/~/~/~/~
Back in his cottage, Angus was thinking about what he saw and knew his King needed to know.
He was pretty sure neither Zane nor David were a threat to the pack but still, he couldn’t take a chance.
First, though, he needed to find out more information and there was only one person who could supply it.
Checking the hour and chuckling at the reception he was going to get, Angus called and waited.
“Ay?” Brian’s voice rasped, heavy with sleep.
“Sorry to wake ye, but I want tae ask you about two visitors who arrived tonight…Zane and David. Ye know them?”
“Ay, why are they there? They were at mah cottage and their brother was comin’ to git them.”
“I don’t know aboot that, but they told me there were some men chasing David and asked for shelter. I put them up in yer place here.”
“Guid, all that matters is they’re safe.”
“Ay, but that’s not what I’m callin’ about.
When I was makin’ mae rounds, I was knocked on mae arse with a wave of power coming from the cottage they were in.
I peeked in and found ‘em surrounded by light with lightnin’ shooting all aboot the room.
Brian, the power comin’ from them was…well, I ne’er seen anythin’ the likes o’ that before. Are we safe?”
Captain Brian smiled to himself. David and Zane had claimed each other. “Ay, for sure, ye’r safe.”
“I’m goin’ tae call the King, tellin’ him they’re here,”
“Guid idea. The Blackwood Pack is looking for them.”
“When will ye be comin’ with the supplies?”
“In a couple of days. I’ll call ye first.”
“Thanks, bye.”
Angus ended the call, then hesitated about calling his king due to the lateness of the hour but, in the end, he followed Brian’s advice and dialed Ian’s number.
~/~/~/~/~
Slate was dreaming about licking Bear Bug Ice Cream off Dakota’s abs when he wondered why his mate was buzzing instead of moaning.
Increasing the pressure of his tongue and grabbing Dakota’s cock, he was enjoying a fine taste of one, before sampling the other with his cold mouth.
Sighing in relief when the buzzing stopped, he heard Dakota’s moans and calls for Slate to fuck him.
As his tongue scooped up the rest of the melting ice cream, he again heard the annoying buzzing, followed by three dings.
His dream world slipping away, Slate awoke, groaned, rolled over and picked up his phone, cursing at whoever thought it was a perfect time to call him.
Rubbing his eyes, he focused on the texts first, reading them quickly.
Alarmed, he opened the email his people sent and installed the attached app.
Looking at it, he realized they’d finally found David.
Jumping out of bed, he pulled on his jeans and headed to see Logan.
~/~/~/~/~
Ian was slumbering peacefully but Colton was wide awake by his side, calling to mind all his medical knowledge about pregnancy.
In his gut, he knew something was wrong but just couldn’t put his finger on it.
The fatigue his mate was suffering had appeared too early, leading Colton to believe there was something wrong with the pup, but without the equipment back at the pack house, he was clueless about what was happening.
Colton wanted to head home sooner than they’d planned.
All that was left to do was to spend some time with Ian’s subjects, but once that was finished, he planned to enlist Ian’s parents to help persuade his mate to go home, promising them once the baby was born, he and his mate would return to Scotland.
While he was formulating his plan, Ian’s phone rang, interrupting Colton’s train of thought.
~/~/~/~/~
Logan groaned as Kieran shook him out of a deep sleep. “What’s the matter, babe?”
“Macushla, wake up! Someone’s knocking on our door.”
“Arrrggg, fuckingbedammed, I’m never going to get any sleep.
” Rolling over, Logan slowly sat up, listening to the pounding, pissed off at the person doing it.
Standing, he grabbed a robe and slipped his arms into before wrapping it around him and tying it closed.
“Go back to sleep, babe. I’ll handle this,” Logan mumbled as he left their bedroom.
Shuffling over to the suite’s door, he yanked it open and growled at Slate, “This better be good or I’m kicking you out… oh, Ian. Are you all right? The pup?”
Slate pushed in with Ian and Colton behind him. “Yeah, Ian’s fine. However, I received multiple texts, emails, and calls from my staff, waking me up.”
“So, you decided if you were awake, everyone should be?”
“Sounds good to me but no, this has to do with David and Zane and the...”
“I know where they are,” Ian interrupted.
“How? Where are they?” asked Logan.
“Angus called me and told me they showed up there earlier and asked for shelter so he put them in a spare cottage,” Ian said.
“So they are safe, right?” asked Logan.
“Yes…” answered Colton.
“No…” said Slate.
Logan’s eyes bounced between his brother and Slate. “I’m confused. Are they safe or not?”
Colton looked at Slate. “Go ahead.”
“My people finally found the frequency Antonio’s bio-tracker transmitter was using and they also discovered a number of them are active right now. I’m pretty sure they belong to the members of the group Antonio mentioned,” Slate said.
“Are any near us?” asked Logan, wondering if he needed to alert Groose.
“No…”
“Finally a break…” said Logan.
“Not exactly,” Slate said, fishing out his phone. “Here…look. See the red dots? Each one belongs to someone. And notice how they’re all heading toward the stationary red dot…and that location is…”
“Oh, fucking shit, where Angus and his pack mates are! And David and Zane!” exclaimed Logan.
“Let me see that!” snapped Ian.
“Angus has no idea they’ll soon be under attack,” Slate said.
“Shit! Ian, call Angus back and warn him,” said Logan. “Also tell him Kieran and I will be there shortly.” Then, turning toward the bedroom, he shouted, “Kieran, wake up, we have to go!”
“I’m ready, macushla, my spirit told me,” Kieran said, joining the group wearing his pink down jacket.
“I’m going with you, Logan!” Slate insisted.
Colton looked at Ian who gave a slight nod. “So are we. Ian’s subjects are under attack and he has to lead them into battle.”
“Fine, fine. Meet me on the roof in five minutes,” growled Logan.
“And Ian, don’t forget to call Angus…I’ll let Groose know what’s happening,” Turning to the others, he snapped, “Five minutes or I leave without you.” Then he sent a quick text to Groose and another to Jackson, letting them know they were joining the Scottish Wolf Pack to fight off the intruders.
Taking Kieran’s hand as they left the room, and heading for the roof, Logan became concerned. Turning to his mate, he said, “Maybe you should stay here because of squirt.”
“No macushla, we’ll be fine. Don’t worry. But we must get to David and Zane as fast as we can. David’s life depends on it.”
Opening the door to the roof, Logan and Kieran saw Ian and Colton waiting for them. Walking over to them, Logan asked, “Where’s Slate?”
“He’ll be here in a minute. Dakota’s coming, too,” Colton said.
“Bro, there’s something else you should know…
David and Zane claimed each other and Angus told Ian about waves of light coming from their cottage last night that knocked him on his ass.
I don’t know what gift Zane got but it must have been a powerful one. ”
Logan then knew they had no more time to waste. “Stand back, I’m going to shift.” As Logan began transforming into his black dragon, Slate and Dakota arrived. Then, it was ‘all aboard’, after which, Logan spread his powerful wings and lifted off, heading north.
~/~/~/~/~
The fire had died down, cooling the room, forcing David to snuggle closer to Zane for heat.
Feeling relaxed, he pushed his ass against his mate’s groin and, as he did, he felt a twinge from having had Zane’s cock in him.
Smiling, he drew a deep breath, inhaling the scent of his mate before exhaling; his body was coming alive with desire.
Reaching down to his hardening cock, David slowly stroked himself, careful not to wake Zane—but his need was too great to ignore.
“Hey, babe,” Zane’s raspy voice said, “do you want some help with that?”
“Maybe,” David purred, rolling over to face his mate. Moving closer, his cock touching Zane’s, David began to grind his hips while kissing his mate’s nipples.
“Oh-h-h, oh-h-h-h, babe-e-e,” Zane moaned, his eyes rolling back in his head at the sheer pleasure David was giving him.
Thrusting his hips forward, Zane pulled his mate’s hips tight to his, loving the grinding he was getting from him.
The velvet skin of David’s hard shaft against his own sent lustful shivers through his body making Zane want to claim him all over again.
David moved faster, his pre-cum acting as lube, his need igniting, he wanted to bring Zane to orgasm first. Fastening his teeth on one of his mate’s nipples, David pulled slowly, stretching it, before letting go to pleasure the other nipple.
Soothing them, afterwards, with his tongue, David felt his mate stiffen as Zane’s hips pumped against his, his mate’s cock oozing pre-cum.
Reaching down with his hand, he grabbed both their cocks, quickly stroking them, feeling the tingling in his groin that signaled his orgasm was on the way.
Determined now to bring them off together, he leaned in, tongue licking his mate’s lips, murmuring, “I love you.”
At hearing those words from David, Zane’s body surrendered; spurting creamy globs over his mate’s hand and triggering David’s cock to explode.