CHAPTER 16
How it would even be possible for Caster to be in a mind space he only shared with his wolf, Mark couldn’t begin to analyze. Not when Caster’s hold, tightening by the second, drew him further away from more fear than he thought was possible to experience.
Zeke’s attack on his wolf, and that is what it was, an attack, had come so fast, he’d been unable to resist. It didn’t help that his wolf had been off guard, a consequence of the safety they both felt in Caster’s presence. How had Zeke known to attack him in his most unguarded moment?
Caster pulled away from the embrace. “You think he’s watching us?”
Mark started to nod, but his fractured attention was torn further by Riley’s sudden appearance in the room. He jumped. Caster didn’t even seem fazed.
“What the fuck?” Riley seemed impatient, urgency infiltrating his movement as he stepped closer to the bed.
It was only then that Mark noticed a frantic Kyle by a door that was broken beyond repair.
Even with the added protection Riley’s immense power promised, Mark couldn’t contain his panic.
He reached past the barrier, keeping his wolf contained, and he breathed when the animal was there, signaling its trust for both Caster and Riley by flooding his body with its unique blend of healing hormones.
“Get us out of here.” Caster’s voice sounded strained, almost out of reach.
His questions died when the now familiar sense of Riley’s power overtook his body.
His skin tingled with its effect, the unsettling flip of his stomach indicating a teleportation spell, and he was in an unfamiliar room, still in Caster’s arms, still naked.
But the calm, safe feeling he only experienced in Caster’s presence was back, and when he reached for his animal companion, the wolf seemed contented enough to relax.
He followed his animal’s lead and sighed into Caster’s embrace.
Caster’s sudden movement stopped all thought.
He only had a moment to analyze the unfamiliar room before Caster pushed him to one of the armchairs next to the very large bed.
The room was much like the bedroom they’d shared in Caster’s mansion, but much larger, retaining the same black-and-gold décor.
He took a breath, and his body was awash with Caster’s unique scent.
“Where are we?”
Caster stared at him for a long moment, looming over him, both of them unwilling or unable to cover their nakedness. Then he moved towards an open door, Mark assumed was the bathroom. “My father’s house. This is my room.”
He disappeared into the bathroom, and though they were close, Mark couldn’t help the feeling that their experience in his mind space had created some distance between them.
“What?”
Caster’s voice startled him, and he looked up from the very interesting carpeted floor, expecting to find anger, only to be met with concern.
Caster held out his hand. “Come here.”
His body bowed to Caster’s desires, and he was moving before he could even think. All tension dissipated the moment they touched, and Caster pulled him into his arms with enough force that the landing was anything but soft. Still, he doubted he would ever resist.
Caster’s whisper tickled the skin on his temple. “I don’t know what happened. It was as if you called to me and I was powerless to resist.”
The embrace lasted a few long seconds, increasing his sense of safety, and then Caster said nothing as he pulled him further into the bathroom.
The hot water caressed his tired muscles, and he sighed his contentment, leaning on Caster as they both struggled to accept the new change in their unusual relationship.
Mark was sure of one thing as he allowed the heat from the water, Caster’s care, and his love to lure him further into safety; the gentle, caring Zeke he’d once known was no more.
It was now clear that whatever the witch had brought back wore Zeke’s face but couldn’t be the Zeke he’d once loved. Had he ever known him?
Caster’s hand moved over his back, tracing a path of comfort to the back of his head, urging him to meet his gaze.
The look on Caster’s face mirrored his concern, and he held on to the safety, the determination the look communicated. “He will never get close enough to hurt you. I won’t let him.”
It was a whisper, words he’d said before. But now carried more conviction, a vow Mark was certain he could rely on.