Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
Griff: What detergent do surfers use to wash their wetsuits?
Ruby: It’s too early in the morning for this, just so you know.
Griff: Tide! Get it? *ROFL*
Dallas: Now I gotta top that. What’s a cat’s favorite TV show?
Griff: Ooh! How about Caturday Night Live ?
Ruby: Ha! Good one, Griff. My vote’s for RuPaul’s Cat Race .
Harper: Hmmm. Avatar: The Last Cat-bender ?
Cal: No way, it’s totally The Catpranos ! Or wait, Kittens of Anarchy !
Dallas: You’re all wrong. It’s Claw and Order . Duh.
Shae: You’re all seriously weird.
—MEOW Squad Group Text Thread
Griffin
“Why so glum, Griff?” Ruby asks as she pops a purple jelly bean into her mouth with a hum of happiness.
I slump down on my stool. We’re in the compound’s state-of-the-art lab, where Emma’s taken up shop and has been working away like a mad scientist—or rather, Potion Master—ever since she arrived.
Talk about bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble!
At first, I was a teensy bit worried that Ruby suggested bringing Emma on just to make Shae more comfortable and also because Ruby was very clearly into her. But in the week she’s been here, Emma’s already proven herself an invaluable asset to the team. Our potion reserves are nicely stocked, and Emma is working on developing a number of new potions tailored to some of our group’s more specific needs.
And, as an added bonus, it does appear that there’s a sweet romance blooming between these two wonderful women.
I’m happy for my friend, but it also makes me wistful.
I sigh longingly as I watch them sitting side by side across from me at the lab’s clearest workbench. Emma’s making some notes with a focused look on her face, and Ruby’s scooted her stool close and is leaning against her while contentedly popping jelly beans in her mouth.
Ruby arches an eyebrow at me. “Fess up, Griff. What’s got you all gloomy? It’s not like you.”
I pooch out my bottom lip, unable to hold back a pout. “It’s just that I’m… a little envious that your love life is going so much better than mine.”
Emma lifts her head from where she’s been focusing on her notes. “Patience is key when it comes to Shae. Believe me, it took me a whole year to earn his trust as a friend.”
I groan, wanting to wallow for a moment. “That just means what lies ahead for me is even more difficult.”
Ruby deigns to share a yellow jelly bean with me. “Have some faith in yourself, Griff. You’re cute as a button, have a stupidly hot body, and you’re one of the sweetest guys I know.” She smiles. “Shae’s lucky to have you for a mate. You’re the kind who will dote on your mate and love them with every ounce of your being. I’m sure he’ll see that in time. But he’s been through a lot, and he’s not ready for what you want with him yet.”
I feel my ears droop even more and my tail sags. “Yeah, I know. And I’m prepared to give him as much time as it takes—in the worst-case scenario, he won’t accept our bond. But as long as he lets me stay by his side, that’ll be enough for me.” It’s not what I want at all, but if it’s what Shae needs, I’ll give it to him.
Ruby’s mouth twists unhappily. “I truly hope, for you both, that Shae can get to a place where he’s ready to accept your bond one day. It will bring so much joy to both of your lives.” She shakes her head. “I think part of what he doesn’t fully realize about his parents’ situation is that his own father’s resistance to the bond with Shae’s mother was probably part of what warped and twisted him. Denying such a connection often yields unexpected magical backlash to the one who refuses the bond.”
She’s right. What am I even thinking? While I’ll never force him, it doesn’t mean I have to sit back like a passive fool, especially when it comes to protecting Shae.
I lift up both hands and smack my cheeks loudly to snap myself out of my momentary funk.
Emma stares and Ruby snickers.
“Thanks for hearing me out. I’m done wallowing. What I need to do now is focus on supporting Shae in his recovery and”—I waggle my eyebrows for emphasis—“wooing the fuck out of him.”
Ruby hoots with laughter. “That’s the spirit, Griff!”
My optimism renews double-fold, and I bounce in my seat, unable to keep still. I need to start formulating plans for Operation: Woo My Mate Like a Smooth Motherfucker !
“I know it’s only been a week, but it seems like Shae’s first few appointments with the therapist have gone well,” Emma offers.
I nod. “Seems like it. He doesn’t really talk to me or anyone about their sessions, but I get the sense that the tangled mess of emotions inside of him is starting to unravel, in a good way. It’s just a vibe I get, you know? Like, from his aura or something.”
I tend to have keen instincts that way.
Emma chuckles to herself. “Seriously, Griffin, you’re such a California surfer dude sometimes.”
I grin at her. “Like you should talk, surfer chick!”
She and I have been going surfing together lately. I’ve given her one of my old boards for the time being since she hasn’t been able to return to her apartment. We’re all too worried that the place is being watched by the folks out looking for Shae. Eventually, we’ll be able to get her clothing and stuff and move it here or put it in storage, but we’re opting to stay safe for now.
“Well, Shae totally has a thing for the cute himbos,” Emma says. “I say, use that to your advantage when you try to woo him.”
I have noticed Shae’s eyes lingering on my body at times, especially when I bare all during our swims together. Perhaps I need to find more opportunities to get naked in the house in front of him as well? Hmm….
“Shae seems to be cool with you touching him,” Ruby says. “He’s nowhere near as comfortable with any of the rest of us. Your special empathic abilities are a major advantage in your favor when it comes to him.”
I smile like a besotted fool, which I totally am and a-okay with it. “He’s adorable, isn’t he? Every night he lets me sleep with him and cuddle him.”
It leaves me with boners of steel every freaking morning, but it’s well worth the pain and suffering.
Emma chokes on air. “Sh-Shae lets you… cuddle him?”
I nod enthusiastically, my tail thwapping against the side of the stool. “It started because he had some nightmares when he first arrived. Haku couldn’t wake him up, so he came and got me to try and help. We quickly discovered that my presence—and my super awesome SCSS—lets him relax and get a good night’s sleep.” I puff out my chest in pride. “I’m thrilled to know I can do this for my mate.”
Ruby’s eyes twinkle with mischief. “Are sleep and cuddling all that’s going on when you share his bed?”
My cheeks warm. “While I would love for more, obviously, I’ve promised to keep things platonic.”
There’s no way I’d ever take advantage of Shae or anyone else. I’m all about mutual consent.
I dart my hand out and steal a green jelly bean before Ruby can swat me. Popping it in my mouth, I grin. “Anyway, I get to spend quality time with my mate while we sleep, and we go swimming together every day. It’s pretty awesome, all things considered.”
Even if my hand is getting a serious daily workout from jacking off multiple times a day.
Ruby rummages around in the bowl of dwindling jelly beans and pops a blue one in her mouth. “I’m sure time in the water is helping him a lot. Sirens are natural ocean dwellers.” She shakes her head, anger blazing in her eyes. “I can’t believe his family kept him away from the ocean for fifteen fucking years. It’s amazing that he’s still alive and sane.”
I can’t stop the growl that rumbles up the back of my throat. My fists clench on the bench. “I almost want those assholes to come after Shae just so I have an excuse to rip them to shreds.”
Ruby’s eyes widen. “Whoa! I’ve never seen you get wolfed out like this before.”
I blink at her. “What do you mean?”
“Griff, your eyes turned gold.” She points at me. “And look at your hands.”
I stare in total disbelief at the claws I’ve sprouted. “Holy shit.”
Ruby clutches her hands to her ample chest. “Griff! You finally got your claws.”
I turn my hands over, marveling at the sight. Wolfkin aren’t shifters in the traditional sense, although we are distantly related to werewolves. We maintain our human form but possess some wolf-like characteristics, like our ears and tails. But most of our kind also sprout claws and have our fangs lengthen when in danger. They’re an enhanced form of protection. As a Bearkin, Dallas can also activate deadly claws on his hands and feet. I’ve never been able to.
Until now.
As my anger recedes, the claws do as well.
“I can’t believe it,” I whisper.
Being unable to activate my claws was one of the many reasons I’d been an outcast in my old Wolfkin pack. I’m just not dangerous and calculating enough for the ones who prioritize political and economic power, nor am I remotely aggro enough for the meatheads in the community.
“It’s because you’ve found your fated mate,” Ruby offers softly. “Your desire to protect him and keep him safe must have finally triggered your body’s natural instincts.”
My tail picks up speed, thumping with excitement. Whatever the reason, I’m thrilled that I have more ways to keep my mate safe. Anyone who tries to hurt Shae will have to answer to me.
Ruby chuckles. “While that was a very manly and wolfish display, it’s kind of undermined by your overall adorableness.” She reaches over and ruffles the hair on top of my head before scratching my right ear, which I immediately lean into with a contented huff.
“I may be adorable, but I can be badass if I want to be,” I retort with a pout.
Far from convincing, I know.
Ruby chuckles. “Of course, of course.” She pets me and I close my eyes with pleasure.
The intercom in the lab—we have them throughout most of the compound—crackles to life. “MEOW Squad meeting in the living room in five minutes! Drop what you’re doing and get your butts scootin’!” Dallas bellows loud enough that my ears flatten in response to his summons.
We’ve all basically given up on Dallas regulating his voice. Part of me suspects it’s a Bearkin thing because he speaks in a semi-roar most of the time. Maybe his future mate will help him soften his voice a little?
We make our way to the living room and I perk up instantly when I see Shae sitting on a love seat facing the wall of windows overlooking the Pacific. I’m already learning my mate’s ways.
He had a therapy session a while ago and went off to his room to be alone. That’s become his new MO after each session. But Dr. Greenwater made it clear that this was necessary and appropriate decompression time for him since therapy sessions can be quite taxing for trauma patients.
I’m relieved to see he’s looking less withdrawn each day. Even in the short time that he’s been living in the house, his skin has developed a healthier tint and his hair is becoming more lustrous and vibrant if that’s even possible. If he’s this gorgeous as a half-siren, I have to wonder how mesmerizing full sirens are…
Of course, I may be a tad biased because of the mate bond. To me, Shae’s the most beautiful man in the entire world. I sigh dreamily at the thought.
Dallas has played a huge part in improving Shae’s physical health. When the doctor who assessed Shae informed us that he was malnourished, Dallas immediately began devising ways to remedy that problem and has been taking every opportunity to feed my mate. I’m happy to let him since I suck when it comes to cooking and baking. While I’m confident I can fulfill my mate in many arenas—especially the bedroom—I’m more than willing to leave fulfilling his meal needs to our resident Papa Bear.
I bound over to Shae, practically floating with joy at seeing him, and claim a spot beside him on the love seat. This affords me the opportunity to sit close and press my body lightly into his in a way he’s receptive to.
When he relaxes into me, I close my eyes and smile with satisfaction as my tail thumps against the couch.
True to his Papa Bear self, Dallas places some freshly baked cookies and glasses of milk on the coffee table when he joins us.
“Help yourself, Shae,” Dallas says, crossing his big muscular arms over his rainbows and kittens apron. We got him that for Christmas and he wears it all the time.
“Oh, I don’t think—” Shae starts to demur, but Dallas gets a stern look on his face and his fuzzy bear ears twitch with annoyance.
Shae swallows his resistance and gives Dallas a faint smile. “Thank you, Dallas. I’ll have one.” He reaches a slim, fine-boned hand across the coffee table and picks up one of the warm and gooey chocolate chip and caramel chunk cookies that have won more than a few people over to Dallas’s charm.
Everyone watches with avid interest as Shae takes his first hesitant bite. His eyes flutter closed, and he moans so deeply and sensually that my cock stands at attention before I even have time to process things.
Fuck. Shae eating cookies is now being fully registered in my spank bank.
Shae licks his lips and opens his eyes, expression dreamy. “Oh. My. Fucking. God . These are amazing.”
“Oh ho, ho, ho!” Dallas laughs and pounds his chest in a manly fashion with a huge fist. “Consider yourself lucky. I am a master baker.”
Cal snorts from where he’s sprawled on one of the sofas. “I could make a filthy innuendo here, but I won’t.”
Dallas narrows his eyes at him. “Maybe I should shove a cookie in there to shut your mouth.”
Cal gives him a cheeky grin. “By all means, Papa Bear .”
Dallas huffs and takes a seat on another sofa, where Ruby and Emma are cuddled up together.
Everyone in the house, minus Harper, descends on the cookies with ravenous abandon. I don’t know how Dallas manages to do it, but the cookies are soft and gooey and perfectly baked every time. The caramel and chocolate ooze from the cookies when you bite into them, melting on your tongue, and it’s like a little foodgasm in your mouth.
I gobble one down but for once I barely taste it because I’m so focused on Shae’s reactions, which are making me super horny. Then again, almost anything he does makes me super horny.
I’m elated when he picks up a second cookie and starts nibbling on it. I covertly give Dallas a thumbs-up and he returns it, albeit less covertly, a huge, satisfied grin on his face while he strokes his beard and nods to himself in satisfaction.
Once we’ve had our milk and cookies—look, don’t judge, it’s not just for kids—Dallas calls our squad meeting to order.
“We have some updates that everyone should know about.” He turns to Harper. “Do you want to take it from here?”
Harper’s sipping tea and lounging elegantly in an oversized armchair. Today he’s dressed in a stunning hanfu in various shades of jade green, the loose fabric fitting him in a way that emphasizes his natural grace. His long hair is pulled into a complicated updo with a number of matching jade hair ornaments adorning his tresses. Expertly applied makeup enhances his ever-youthful and beautiful appearance. Seriously, he looks like he could have just walked off the set of a Chinese period drama.
Also, I totally blame him because he got me hooked on watching The Untamed last summer and we spent days binge-watching it together on Netflix. Now I’m a total fan and we’ve bonded over our mutual love of watching sexy guys fall in love with each other on television.
He crosses one long leg over the other, his perfect posture something that I can’t help but admire.
My mom always told me I tend to slouch like a slob.
Harper cradles his teacup in his pale hands. “I’ve made contact with the Silverstorm sept.” His dark eyes focus on Shae. “They’ve been searching for you and your mother for the last fifteen years.”
Shae’s eyes widen but his expression remains skeptical. “Are you sure they weren’t feeding you a bunch of horseshit?”
My prickly little porcupine. Even when he’s understandably grumpy, I want to cuddle him and cover him in my happiness pheromones.
Harper favors Shae with an amused smile. “I believe them. They have appropriate documentation of their efforts as well.” His expression turns dark. “Unfortunately, it seems the human authorities did not take their inquiries seriously. They spoke with your father at some point early on. He persuaded them that your mother had run off with you and that he hadn’t seen either of you since.”
My tail bristles in response, and Shae stiffens next to me.
“That’s… just…” I sputter in outrage.
Harper’s gaze softens with understanding. “Tragically, there is a long history of human negligence when it comes to cases of missing and endangered Otherkind. We aren’t high priorities for most of them. Shae’s mother’s sept tried multiple times to push the human authorities to start an investigation, but they refused. When the sept then went to the Otherkind Council, the council’s hands were largely tied. In matters such as these, we typically need joint cooperation with human law enforcement in places that aren’t Sanctuary Havens before we can conduct searches for those who are believed missing or endangered.”
Shae shakes his head and makes a snort of disgust. “Great to know general human bigotry contributed to my enslavement for years.”
I reach over and pet his hair, marveling at the magnificent colors that shimmer in the light. I could do this all day and not get tired.
“Not all humans are bad, Shae.”
Based on the incredulous expression on his face, he doesn’t believe me. Granted, he hasn’t had a lot of positive experiences with the species as a whole, so I don’t blame him.
The thought makes me wonder. Will Shae want to move to a Sanctuary Haven to get away from his past? It would be one way to stay safe from his family. The idea makes my heart stutter for a second, but then it settles. I don’t want to leave my found family behind, but I’d go with him if that’s what he wants.
Harper continues. “Your grandmother is most keen to see you. We did not give her details about what happened as we thought it would be best for you to speak of that with her yourself. If you feel like you’re unable to do so, we will happily step in, but I do believe she would appreciate hearing the story from you.”
Shae gives a reluctant nod. “I understand. Mom was her daughter and I’m her grandson. Seems only right that I tell her the truth.”
“We’ve tentatively arranged for her to come with one of your other relatives in a few days,” Dallas adds. “They’ll visit us here at Casa MEOW since I’ve made them aware of the danger you’re in and the need for the utmost secrecy. We’ll have a security detail with them to ensure they aren’t followed from the island to us. We just need your approval to go forward with this plan.”
Shae’s silent for several moments and then sighs. “If she’s been looking for me and my mother for so long, then she deserves to have some answers. I’ll meet with her. I can’t guarantee I’ll want to see her more than this one time, but I’ll do what needs to be done.”
My heart swells with pride—my mate is utterly amazing. “I’m so proud of you,” I whisper.
He gives me a slightly weirded-out look. “Uh… thanks?”
Shae doesn’t appear to know how to handle compliments, but I plan to praise him every chance I get.
I grin and my ears swivel with eagerness. “Can I meet your grandmother too?”
Shae blinks at me. “You want to meet her?”
“Yep.”
His lips quirk. “Let me think about it, okay?”
I bounce in my seat. “Of course.” My tail’s wagging away.
“Use the puppy-dog eyes,” Cal coaches me from across the room where he’s still sprawled out on a sofa, his arms behind his head as he watches us.
I decide to give it a whirl.
Shae immediately covers his eyes with one hand and holds another palm toward me. “Gah! Stop with the eyes.”
I grin, my canines popping out over my bottom lip. It’s good to know this works on more than just Cal.
Harper clears his throat delicately. “Ahem. If we could get back to business?” He focuses on Shae again. “We’ve also had some people covertly trailing your father, stepmother, and stepsister for the past week.”
Shae freezes beside me but appears to be listening.
“As we suspected, they have quite a number of people out looking for you.”
A bitter laugh escapes Shae. “They don’t want to let their cash cow and personal punching bag go.”
His words make my heart hurt and I can’t hold back a faint whimper as my empathic senses pick up on his pain.
Harper inclines his head. “So it would seem. They have made a public announcement that Bella Divine’s World Tour plans have been put on ‘indefinite hiatus’ while she ‘focuses on her health.’”
“No doubt my stepmonster will use this as an opportunity to try to sell more of her products.”
Harper’s lips twitch. “A very likely possibility from what I have gleaned of her personality and behaviors. It’s fairly clear your stepmother is the mastermind behind this operation. Your father and stepsister mostly do what she tells them.” Harper’s eyes become shadowed with sadness. “I’m afraid your father doesn’t seem concerned about your absence apart from fear that it might expose all of their illegal actions. I’m sorry to have to be the bearer of such bad tidings.”
Shae crosses his arms over his chest in a defensive posture I’ve come to recognize, and I send all the soothing vibes my power can muster in his direction. “Yeah, well, that doesn’t surprise me one bit. It’s been pretty evident to me for the last fifteen years that my father doesn’t care about me. I suspect he only kept me alive because my stepmother realized she could make a profit off of me.” He shrugs in a jerky fashion. “When I escaped that house, I cut ties with everyone there as far as I was concerned. I don’t have any plans of ever going back or attempting to have any kind of relationship with any of them. They can rot for all I care.”
I whine a little, unable to hold back my distress at Shae’s sad words and the knowledge of all that he’s endured. “We’re your family now,” I tell him. “We’ll be here for you, always.”
He gives me another odd look that’s a mixture of exasperation and, dare I say, fondness? Shae reaches up and, for the first time, pets the top of my head. “Thanks, Wolf Boy.”
This is the first true gesture of affection that he’s given me and I can’t help but let out a very unexpected, “Awooo!”
Shae freezes and stares at me, mouth agape, while everyone else around us starts to crack up.
“Oh my god! I haven’t heard one of those in ages,” Ruby says, clutching her stomach.
“Those are the fucking best,” Cal agrees. “Totally made my day, bro, just so you know.”
“No one can top Griffin’s overall level of captivating charm,” Harper says matter-of-factly and takes another sip of his tea.
I hunch my shoulders. “Guuuyyysss! You’re embarrassing me.”
“No… fair. I… fucking can’t… even… with you,” Shae sputters, his cheeks going red.
“Sorry. I got a little too excited when you pet my head,” I admit, flashing a sheepish smile.
“You two are just so stinkin’ precious,” Ruby says with a little squee.
Sensing my opportunity, I gently grab Shae’s hands. “Let’s go on a date!”
Shae gets a panicked, vaguely cornered look on his face, and I beam, then hurry on before he can say anything. “I’ll take you somewhere fun. Have you ever been to an amusement park before?”
I notice that he hesitates, a gleam of interest in his eyes.
“We’ll go to Pacific Park. We can go on rides, play games, and eat corn dogs and cotton candy!” It’ll be fun and romantic.
Cal and Ruby simultaneously facepalm.
“What?” I ask, confused.
Dallas lets out a loud belly laugh. “There’s nothing wrong with being a kid at heart, Griff.”
“Don’t judge. I just want to give Shae lots of experiences he might have missed out on growing up.” If anyone needs an opportunity to let go and have fun like a carefree kid, it’s him.
“I’ve never been to an amusement park,” Shae admits, almost too quiet to hear.
Still holding his hands, I draw them to my chest where my heart’s pounding with anticipation. “Pacific Park is totally cool and it’s right on the ocean—on Santa Monica Pier, in fact. I can’t wait to show it to you and I just know you’ll love it.”
Shae bites his bottom lip, clearly interested but not entirely sure. “Is it… safe for us to go?”
I turn what Cal calls my puppy-dog eyes on Dallas and he gives me the Papa Bear smile I was hoping for.
“MEOW Squad will provide security, but we’ll give you two lovebirds plenty of space.”
“We’re just friends,” I say. “Right, Shae?”
“Uh… yeah. Sort of friends.”
For now!
It’s a start, and I grab onto it with all my might.
“We’re going to have so much fun!”