Boiled Over
Talon
My heart raced as I navigated the streets, each turn a blur. The encounter with Dominic haunted my thoughts. How could I let that happen? Anger and confusion warred within me.
My lion roared within me. He was pissed I left the pretty demon. Over the past weeks, he’d grown possessive of Dominic, considering him ‘his demon.’ Yet, whenever I sought clarity on whether he was our mate, my mind became a maelstrom of Dominic and Lucas”s images, leaving me with no answers.
“Dude, slow down!” Jeremy’s voice cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. I shot him a fleeting glance, then refocused on the road, narrowly overtaking another car. Behind me, I heard Leon”s sharp intake of breath. Glancing in the rearview mirror, I saw him white-knuckling the ”oh shit” handle, his face etched with fear.
“Seriously, Talon, we don’t have nine lives—even if we are lion shifters. Slow down!” Jeremy’s voice escalated into a near-shout.
I cast him another glance and reluctantly eased my foot off the accelerator. My grip on the steering wheel remained firm, a physical manifestation of the chaos raging inside me. What the fuck was I thinking?
As the car neared the pride house, I pressed the console button, and the heavy wrought-iron gate parted, slowly revealing the familiar driveway. The ornate metalwork, usually a symbol of strength and safety, now felt like an unwelcome barrier to a refuge I was no longer sure of.
I sped down the drive, skidding to a halt in front of the grand mansion. Jeremy was quick to exit the car, and Leon followed suit, albeit more cautiously. I slammed the car into park and let out a massive sigh. ”Fuck, what am I doing?” I muttered under my breath.
Glancing out the window, I couldn”t help but notice Jeremy theatrically falling to his knees on the ground. ”Dramatic much?” I commented as I stepped out of the car.
“You almost killed us,” Jeremy snapped, standing up and brushing himself off. ”I don’t know what’s got you so wrapped up, but you need to figure that shit out,” he added before storming into the house.
Leon paused, giving me a look that seemed to be a mix of concern and reluctance to speak before he, too, followed Jeremy inside.
I had been a whirlwind of chaos these past months, especially after encountering Dominic. Before him, my mind was clouded with uncertainties about Lucas, but now it was a tumultuous storm involving both of them.
”Fuck, maybe they are my mates,” I murmured to myself, sinking into the overstuffed couch. My body sagged under the strain of my thoughts. I groaned, cradling my head in my hands. ”What a clusterfuck.”
“You can say that again.”
I lifted my head to see Alejandro enter the room. He took a seat beside me and released a groan, just as I had. Ale, as he went by, was a black panther shifter. He’d been trying for months to woo his mate, but things had been moving at a snail’s pace, given the fact that he scared the shit out of his mate, Randy.
Randy was a human and had no idea about mates or shifters. He went hysterical when Ale shifted in front of him.
“Randy still freezing you out?” I asked
Alejandro shot me a sharp look, his eyes a mix of frustration and affection. “He’s not freezing me out. He’s more lukewarm. We were supposed to go out for dinner, but he was held up at the hospital. He said he’s on his way home now.” He leaned back, eyes closing as he let out a deep sigh. The picture of patience tested to its limits.
I didn’t reply. I didn’t know what to say to that. Actually, I knew what to say; I just wasn’t sure he’d take my question the right way. Could Alejandro help me?
I took a deep breath. “Why do you do it?”
He opened one eye, peering at me curiously. “Do what?”
”This,” I gestured vaguely. ”Coming here every day, trying to inch closer to Randy, facing setbacks every time.”
Alejandro sat up, his gaze intense and unwavering. ”Because he”s my mate, Talon. My other half. What wouldn”t I do for him? I”d wait an eternity, if that”s what it takes to be by his side. Isn”t that what we do for our mates?”
His words struck a chord within me, echoing the turmoil of my own heart.
“What about you?” Ale asked, leaning back on the couch.
My heart raced. “What about me?” I could hear the tremble in my voice.
Ale smirked. “What’s going on with you and the fuzzy bunny? Brian’s brother, Lucas.”
“What do you mean?” I avoided the question.
“Come on, man. He’s your mate, isn’t he?” Ale asked with a chuckle.
I averted my gaze, the uncertainty about Lucas clawing at me. ”I… don”t know,” I admitted quietly.
Ale raised an eyebrow. ”What”s there to figure out? Either he is or he isn”t. What’s your lion say?”
”It”s complicated,” I muttered, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion.
Before Ale could press further, Jeremy burst into the room, breaking the tension. He grabbed the remote, flipping on the TV with an eagerness that drew our attention.
”Guys, you gotta see this,” he announced, quickly navigating to a news channel.
The screen showed a satellite image of a formidable storm system. ”Hurricane Ada is forming off the Yucatan, and it”s huge,” Jeremy exclaimed, pointing at the swirling mass on the screen.
The weatherman”s voice filled the room. “The path of Hurricane Ada is highly unpredictable. As you can see in this cone of uncertainty, it could impact anywhere from South Florida to the Panhandle. We”re potentially looking at a major hurricane hitting the Gulf this week.”
One of the anchors chimed in, ”Isn”t it early for a hurricane, Robbie?”
”Absolutely,” the weatherman responded. “Storm season usually starts June 1st. We”ve seen tropical systems in May, but nothing major. Having a storm of Ada”s magnitude form in April is extremely rare.”
I watched the swirling mass on the screen, feeling a strange sense of foreboding. This storm, Dominic, Lucas, it was all a perfect mess.
“Dude, we have to get supplies and board up,” Jeremy said, excitement filling his voice.
“The Den has all the provisions, not to mention hurricane shutters. They come down at the press of a button,” I replied.
“Aw man, half the fun in storms is the prep.” He paused and grinned. “And hurricane parties.”
Jeremy’s words brought a brief smile to my face. His excitement about hurricane preparations and parties was momentarily overshadowed as I overheard a familiar voice. It was Brian speaking on the phone in a tone laced with concern. My ears perked up at the mention of a name that tugged at my heart.
”Mom, I”m sure Lucas saw the reports, and he”ll prepare,” Brian was saying, his voice carrying through the room. I unconsciously leaned in, trying to catch every word. ”You don”t need to worry… Yes, I know he moved away, but… Alright, I”ll call him and tell him to come down here… Yes, ma. Don”t worry. Love you, too.”
The mention of Lucas”s name and the concern in Brian”s voice sent a rush of conflicting emotions through me. Part of me wanted to reach out to be involved in ensuring Lucas”s safety. And what the hell did he mean move? When did Lucas move?
Jeremy, oblivious to the internal storm brewing within me, chimed in again, breaking into my thoughts. ”Hey, Talon, did you hear me? Hurricane party, man! It”s going to be epic!”
I forced a smile, pushing aside the tumultuous thoughts about Lucas and focusing back on the immediate situation. ”Yeah, epic,” I said, rising to my feet.
I knew Brian was still frosty toward me from our last conversation, but I had to know more about Lucas.
“Brian,” I said, walking into the kitchen.
Brian turned to me. His expression was one of exasperation and worry. “What do you want, Talon?” He asked, his tone cold.
I let loose a small sigh. “What’s going on with Lucas?”
His eyes narrowed. “What the fuck do you care?”
“Hey, I did what you said and stayed away from him. It’s not my fault my lion is so fucking confused.” My anger and irritation boiled over, and I didn’t think I could stop it. “I ask my lion if Lucas is our mate, and he gives me nothing. I feel a connection to Lucas, hell, I fucking dream of him, but all you mated fuckers told me my lion would tell me. Well, my lion has told me jack shit. He doesn’t know. Now, pull the stick out of your ass and tell me what’s going on with Lucas. He moved?”
Brian’s eyes widened, and his mouth hung open at my words.
“Talon.” Fuck, just what I needed. I turned to my king and bowed my head.
“That’s no way to speak to my mate, my consort. You will show—”
“Edward, I deserved it,” Brian interrupted, stepping to his mate’s side.
“But—”
“No buts. I’ve been an asshole to Talon, and I told him to stay away. I had no idea what he was going through. Your lion really hasn’t told you?” Brian asked.
I shook my head. “No, he….” I couldn’t tell him he couldn’t decide between Dominic and Lucas. He was one confused kitty. “He hasn’t. How is Lucas?” I asked again.
Brian released a loud breath. “He moved. He found a place three hours from here. It’s the beach town of Crystal Cove. My mom is worried because of the storm.”
“Have you told Lucas about your lion? How he doesn’t know if he’s your mate? Have you talked to Lucas at all?” Edward asked.
“No,” I replied quickly. “I didn’t want to hurt him, and Brian told me to stay away until I got my head out of my ass.”
“Sorry about that. Maybe this one time, you should’ve ignored me and talked with him,” Brian said.
I nodded. “You’re right.” I should’ve talked to him… to them. I wanted answers. Perhaps it was the only way to get them.
“I’ve gotta go.” I turned to leave.
”Where are you headed?” Edward called after me as I strode towards the door.
”Crystal Cove. I need to sort this out, once and for all.”
I was done waiting for some answer that was never coming. I needed to figure this shit out—Fate be damned. I only hoped Lucas would talk to me.