Chapter 5
The first rays of the sun brushed over Callum’s face. He blinked against the brightness, then realized he’d slept through the night. It was the first time in years he’d not woken from the nightmares that plagued him.
When he heard the soft snuffle behind him, Callum was ready to jump up, but then those fingers that had mapped his skin, stroked his hair, and helped to remind Callum that not all touches were meant to bring pain tightened on his flank.
“Good morning,” Teddy croaked out. He sat up with a groan, and Callum wanted to apologize for making him sleep outside in the stall. “I haven’t slept that well in a long time,” Teddy said, giving Callum a smile before he yawned and stretched. “I should head inside. I have to start my new job today. And before you wonder, I’m going to be putting all of Hyde’s files onto the computer so we can have easier access. Dr. Hamilton wants to know what was done to everyone, so she can help them.”
Dr. Hamilton? Callum recalled the woman who told him she was a vet and wanted to help him. How she’d pulled out a needle, and Callum, in a panic, had slammed her against the wall and she’d bounced off and fallen face-first onto the wet ground. There was so much confusion. People yelling, hands all over Callum, pushing, shoving him back into the pen. They did something to him that dragged him into that darkness he was used to. When he woke up, they were gone, but he noted his hooves had been scraped and trimmed. He was able to stand without pain and the tremors weren’t nearly as bad, but he figured that was just to get him ready for more experiments.
“I know you’ll have a hard time believing this, but these people? They’re good. They want to help. They’re sending the kids who Hyde had here to school, and they’re still trying to find their parents.”
Their parents were dead. All of them. Callum had heard their cries, the pleading for the lives of their children. Hyde telling them that their sacrifice was appreciated. And the sounds of machines that dragged screams from their very depths, and then they fell into an eerie silence. At least until the next person was pulled in and the process started all over again.
“Even if they never find their families, these kids will be cared for and loved by the family Alp and Mal are building here. Dr. Hamilton is great. She’s human, but she’s caring and kind. Everyone seems to adore her. She’s even gone so far as to bring in a jar of lollipops, and she gives the kids one after their appointments.” Teddy grinned. “I… might have found them and helped myself to one or two… dozen.” His eyes gleamed. “I’ve got a sweet tooth like you wouldn’t believe.”
Teddy seemed the type who’d like his sweets. Callum loved chocolate cake, especially with raspberry filling and chocolate frosting. That combination had always been his favorite. When Cooper’s birthday came around, he got a baked-from-scratch cake every year. Callum got something store-bought, but he loved the flavor and texture.
“You know,” Teddy said, pulling Callum from his thoughts. “I bet you’re a chocolate lover, like me. How about when you’re able to shift back, we go to town and I’ll buy you a chocolate bar or some cake or something.”
Before everything happened, Callum had wanted to cook. Or, more specifically, bake. All his life, Callum had bounced from one thing to another, never being sure of what it was he wanted to do. That changed one day when a teacher—Mrs. Haskins—asked him to help her put together things for a bake sale to benefit Cooper’s stupid baseball team. She was kind and patient as she taught him blend, sift, cream, and so many other things. When she saw how eager he was, she talked to him about culinary school.
She painted such an amazing picture of things Callum could learn, he actually fell in love with the idea. So much so, he asked his parents about going to school to learn baking. They’d snorted, telling him it—he—wasn’t worth the expense.
That was the day Callum finally decided what he wanted to do with his life. To prove that he had what it took. He pored over videos of people—especially his own age—who had cooking channels on YouTube or TikTok. The more he learned, the more he wanted to know. It was, according to his friend, Tamitha, a rabbit hole, and Callum didn’t want to get out of it. After a few months—and some encouragement from Tamitha and Mrs. Haskins—he decided to let his parents know of his passion and commitment.
His parents, unsurprisingly, shot that idea down barely even discussing it. So Callum decided he would make it on his own. That was what he and Cooper had been arguing about when they were taken. Cooper wasn’t happy that Callum was going to be leaving him alone with their parents. He thought Callum should stay too, because in the most important game, he’d played like crap and hadn’t been recruited by any decent colleges.
But there was a life out there. One that didn’t include his parents, one that helped him get away from Cooper. One that was going to allow him freedom to create beautiful things and know that he’d done it on his own. So, in order to make that life happen, Callum got a job. It wasn’t much, just lugging things at the small bakery in town. Thanks to his shifter strength, a fifty-pound bag of flour was fairly easy to heft and carry. The owners were pleased with his work ethic and gave him all the hours he wanted.
Then Cooper came and the argument started. It seemed neither of them noticed the men until it was too late. They swarmed Cooper and Callum, driving them to the ground. Cooper reared up, dislodging the men, and started fighting them. He’d screamed something to Callum, but with the blood pounding in his ears, Callum hadn’t heard it as he showed what a coward he was and ran.
“Hey, can I come back tonight?”
The words snapped Callum out of his thoughts. He turned to Teddy, who was giving him a hopeful look.
“I mean, if it’s okay with you.”
The man was covered in really nasty stuff. No one would ever willingly do that, right? Yet Teddy had. He’d stayed with Callum the entire night. He’d brushed Teddy, promised a bath, and they’d run in the woods together. Yeah, Teddy could definitely come back. Callum leaned forward and nudged Teddy, which led to another bout of giggles. Callum loved the fact that this big, strapping man had such a whimsical side to him.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Do you think you might want to try that bath tonight?”
Maker, yes. He wanted that desperately. To maybe wash away some of the crud that clung to his soul and watch as it swirled down the drain. He nodded, and Teddy beamed him a smile.
“Great. I’ll try to make it early. Mal said I could do my job whenever, but I’d feel bad if I didn’t put some effort into it today.” Then he did the most curious thing. He threw his arms around Callum’s neck and squeezed. “Thank you for allowing me to stay last night. I’ll see you later.”
One more quick hug, and then Teddy ambled off into the woods. Callum wanted him to come back. He was about to bellow, try to get Teddy’s attention, when he realized he didn’t need to, because Teddy was coming back tonight!
And maybe he’d bring another hug with him. If there was one thing Callum was certain of, he couldn’t wait to see Teddy again, because being with Teddy brought safety and security.
And Callum needed that now more than ever.
The first thing Teddy did when he got back to his room was strip off his nasty clothes and throw them into the garbage. True, they had people who did the laundry, but Teddy would be embarrassed as hell to find out they touched his stained clothes. Still, he wouldn’t trade last night for anything. He hadn’t lied to Callum: it was the first night in far too long he’d slept straight through, and it felt glorious.
He stepped into the shower, amazed that the water started out hot and stayed that way, even though he lingered, washing the smell from his skin. He thought about giving Callum a bath tonight and was surprised to find his cock filling. It rarely did, especially since they’d slaughtered the people who’d been in the place that night. Teddy could still hear their screams as he and Ivan tore into their flesh.
He knew he should feel guilt, but what Damon and Mal had said was true. They were protecting not only themselves, but everyone Hyde had locked away from their lives. When Teddy laid eyes on the first shifter—his skin abraded and fiery red, his eyes filled with fear, and the way he shrank back into the cage and screamed—all thoughts of mercy were gone. If he’d known what they’d done to Callum, Teddy was certain he would have been even more brutal.
He dressed in a pair of torn jeans and a T-shirt that had seen better days. It was so much different from the suits he and Ivan had worn while they were escorting Damon, Cece, or their boys, Wiley and Micah. Those were chosen to give the impression he and Ivan were larger than life and not to be messed with.
He grinned, because if anyone needed that suit, it would be Cece. Devil bear indeed. When Damon had asked if Teddy was interested in making the move to the Wald pack, she’d taken him aside and spoke to him of the benefits.
“I won’t be throwing you around anymore.”
That would have been funny, if it wasn’t so damn true. Cece had given Teddy more bruises in one sparring session than he’d gotten in the remainder of his career with the First and First Mate. He’d also gained things, though. Two good friends in their sons. Wiley, who would one day be First, was still young, but he had already chosen his mate. He was the best of Damon and Cece, and Teddy had no doubt he would make an amazing First. Micah was… well, he was like a placid lake that you could sit and watch, and know that the serenity would flow over you as well, encompassing you in warmth and caring.
He’d done many of the painted walls in Wald. Landscapes, forests, sky. If it existed, Micah could draw it. When Alp spoke with him about doing the walls, the first thing he’d done was the main hallways. Then he asked Alp if he could do the rooms too. When Alp agreed, Micah found out what each shifter was, then set out to recreate a scene that would speak to their animal as well as the human. Teddy felt certain that he’d done it to coax those who were unable or unwilling to shift back to their human forms.
“I can do your room for you,” he’d offered.
“I think you’re using it as an excuse to skip school.”
Teddy knew it wasn’t true. Micah loved his classes and was a verified genius. If Micah offered, it was out of love.
“I would appreciate it,” Teddy said later. “I can think of no one I would rather have make me feel comfortable in my new home.”
And a moment after he said that, he found himself with two arms full of the slender blond boy who clung to him and said how much he was going to miss Teddy. How had Teddy missed the fact that Damon and his family weren’t just the people he protected, but also the ones he loved?
Leaving his room, he smiled and nodded at a few people whose names he didn’t yet know, then made his way to the cafeteria to grab some coffee before he went to work.
The moment he stepped into his makeshift office, Mal wrinkled his nose. “Dude, what were you rolling in?”
Very few things would escape the notice of the First.
“I spent the night laying with Callum. He… had a reaction to me walking toward him with a bag in my hand. I never even thought of it, and stayed to calm him.”
Mal grunted, but it wasn’t out of annoyance or anger. Mal’s was genuine and oddly affectionate. “That was nice of you.”
“I’d like to give him a bath tonight, if that is allowed.”
“Sure, of course it is. They tried, but he was—” Mal waggled his brows. “—bullheaded.”
Teddy shook his head. “Let’s not tell Alp that one.”
“Good idea. Anyway, if you can get Callum to come inside, you can use one of the shower rooms. There are a dozen shower heads in there, so you could aim them toward the center and stand beneath the spray.”
That sounded like a great idea. “Thank you, Mal.”
He beamed a smile. “Don’t thank me. What you’re doing benefits us all. One of the goals Damon and I set was to get all the shifters to return to their human forms as soon as possible. If you can get Callum to do that, you’re going to be my hero.”
“I was just thinking of Damon and his family a little while ago.”
“Probably prophetic. They’re coming here this morning. Micah has some more painting to do, and Wiley wants to be sure we don’t need anything else. Damon is only coming along as a chaperone. He wants to see his kids in action.”
“Cece isn’t coming?”
“No, they’re dropping her off to visit with Nura, Alp’s mom. I think Damon said she was taking Ivan with her.”
Which was probably why he was calling before. “He called, but I was busy, so I have to call him back. Um. Is it okay if I do that quick?”
“Sure, of course. I told you, we’re not structured around here. As long as things are getting done and it keeps the Council from breathing down our necks, I’m fine.”
Mal picked up his coffee and ambled off, leaving Teddy alone in the cubbyhole of an office. He slid his phone from his front pants pocket and called Ivan back.
“Little brother!” Ivan boomed, his voice a balm for Teddy.
“I’m sorry I missed your call last night.”
“Were you going at it hot and heavy? Banging someone into the mattress? I would have ignored my call too.”
“No, I’m not the manwhore you are,” Teddy replied with a laugh.
Ivan snorted. “Is true, yes. I am in a league of my own.”
They both cracked up. When Teddy had himself under control, he asked, “Do you have a few minutes?”
“Of course. Cece is in the airport gift shop, looking for something to take to the bunny’s mother. I was with her, but she pushed me out when it became apparent the store was not built for someone my size.”
“What did you knock over?”
“A magazine display. In my defense, it is a very tiny store.”
Where Ivan and Teddy were concerned, most of the world felt very tiny. At well over six feet tall and built like linebackers, everything around them was like papier-maché. It didn’t help they didn’t have the coordination of Cece, who could probably dance through the store and never touch a thing. Bears were more lumbering forces of nature that would plow through whatever stood in their way to get what they were after. It made Teddy nervous about actually having a baby to hold, because he wasn’t sure he wouldn’t crush the poor thing.
“So what’s up?”
“I was calling to tell you I miss you, and to ask if you’re enjoying new job.” Ivan’s accent was thick, heavy.
“What’s wrong?”
“Why you ask? Everything is fine. Hunky dory and all that.”
“Your Russian accent is slipping out. Now, don’t make me have to beat it out of you.”
He snorted. “Yes, because that will happen.”
“Fine. Don’t make me call Cece. We both know what she’ll do if I tell her something’s up.”
He sighed. “I know I told you to take job, but….” He hummed. “I miss my brother.”
Warmth spread through Teddy. “I miss you too. Did you want me to come home?”
“Yes!” he said loudly, his excitement palpable, but then in a much more even tone, he said, “No. I don’t know. We have been together every day our whole lives, and when I woke up this morning, I realized I would not be seeing your face, which I love so much.”
“Ivan….”
“No, is not you, is me. I guess I never thought about how this would hurt.”
“I can come home, you know.”
Strange to think that a few days ago, he would have jumped at the chance, but now? Somehow his heart was planting roots in Wald, and Teddy wasn’t sure how he felt about leaving.
“No, do not do that. It is my issue, and I will deal.”
“Ivan….”
“I miss my brother, but I am beyond happy he’s chasing after a dream.”
“You know, you can always come visit me.”
“You would allow this?” Ivan asked tentatively.
“Allow? You’re my brother, idiot. I would love to see you.”
“Then da… I mean, yes, I would like to come see you.”
“Great. I’ll show you around, introduce you to Callum, and?—”
“Callum?” Teddy could picture the raised eyebrows. “Who is this person of whom you speak with such fondness?”
“What? No, I wasn’t?—”
“Theodore,” he chastised. “I know your tone. This man—Callum—he is important to you.”
“Oh, he’s…. Well, let me tell you the story.”
He leaned back against a stack of papers and regaled Ivan with everything he knew so far. When he finished, he felt lighter, as though sharing the horrors somehow chased some of them away.
“It sounds as though you like this person.”
“I do. He hasn’t shifted back to human yet, but I know I’m going to like him in either form.”
“What if he is ugly?” Ivan teased.
“Then he and I can be ugly together,” Teddy replied.
“No. The two of you, even if ugly, will be beautiful together.”
And that comment from his always-so-guarded brother warmed Teddy to his soul.