Chapter 21
Several days later, after more batteries of tests that led to no new insights, Byk was beyond frustrated. He’d been poked, prodded, bent, twisted, and manhandled by so many people. It had taken everything in him not to shift and run. No, that wasn’t true. One look into Teddy’s amazing eyes relaxed him enough to let the doctors do their work.
He was grateful when they finished and told him they were done for the day. He figured Teddy would take them back to their room for rest, but apparently he had other things in mind.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” Byk answered, without a moment of doubt.
Then he produced a strip of cloth he slipped over Byk’s eyes. “Come with me,” he said, taking Byk’s hand. Several minutes later and they still hadn’t arrived at wherever Teddy was leading them.
“Where are we going?” Byk asked. “And why do I have to be blindfolded?”
“I need you to trust me,” Teddy replied. “Can you do that? Just for a few more minutes?”
“For as long as you need,” he answered, not surprised he meant it. He would follow Teddy to the gates of the Maker’s domain and beyond if necessary. Around them people were whispering and some of the kids were tittering. Oddly, despite the visit with the doctors, Byk’s heart felt light, partly because Teddy hadn’t let go of his hand and the other reason was the sounds of the children’s laughter.
“I can hear you, you know,” he teased, and the kids gasped. “You sound like you’re having fun. Maybe later we can all watch a movie, what do you think?”
“Yeah!” came a chorus of voices, interspersed with cries for Frozen .
“Then we’ll watch Frozen ,” he promised. “With lots of popcorn. And, if I add in some candy, maybe Teddy will join us too.”
The kids started pleading with Teddy to watch the movie with them, and he sighed as though he was giving so much. Then he chuckled. “Of course I’ll watch with you. And not just for the candy.”
He squeezed Byk’s fingers. It was nice to feel normal, at least for a while. After excusing themselves, Teddy continued on the journey, taking a willing Byk with him. After several twists and turns, Byk had no idea where they were.
“Close your eyes,” Teddy whispered. “I’m going to remove the blindfold.”
He did as Teddy asked, and a moment later, the sting of bright lights had him squeezing them shut even more. When he adjusted to the brightness, he opened his eyes and his heart felt too big in his chest. They were in one of the kitchens, the warmth from the ovens heating the place to where it was a tad more than comfortable. A woman stood there, hands crossed in front of her, dressed in a spotted white apron, her hair tucked under a black toque.
“Is this him?” she asked, her voice gruff, but kind.
“It is,” Teddy replied.
Then the woman smiled and warmth washed through Byk. “My name is Sonia, and today I’m going to start your baking lessons.”
Baking lessons? He turned to Teddy. “You did this?”
He smiled wide, showing off his beautiful pearly white teeth. “Of course. You told me how much you wanted them, and I will always do my best to give you what you need.”
How weird was it that after years of being ignored by his family, and of being taken by Hyde, it led him to this kind of happiness? Not that it made everything else disappear, but it did give Byk something to hold on to.
“Can I sit over there and watch?” Teddy asked, pointing to one of the tables in the lunchroom.
Sonia chuckled and tilted her head toward the door. “No.”
Teddy gave a great puppy imitation when his eyes widened and he whimpered slightly. “Oh, but?—”
“My student needs to have no distractions. Baking isn’t like cooking. It requires precision, focus, attentiveness to details. Judging by how he’s looking at you, that won’t happen as long as you’re in the room. Go on now. Leave us to our work.”
Teddy sighed and his lip jutted out. “Fine.” He turned and shuffled his feet as he trudged to the door.
“Teddy? I’ll save you something sweet, okay?”
“If it’s chocolate, I’ll love you forever,” he said, then winked. “Even without the sweets, I’ll always love you forever, Byk. Remember that.”
He left the room, and suddenly the baking lessons weren’t important. He wanted to spend the time with Teddy, especially if it was the only time he had left.
“It’ll be okay,” Sonia said, putting a hand on his back and leading him to a workstation. “We’ll make chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting and cover it with chocolate shavings. That’ll fix him right up.”
Byk couldn’t help the chuckle that bubbled up from deep within. He loved this slice of normalcy that Teddy had gifted him with. For the next several hours, he listened intently as Sonia helped him to refresh the skills he’d learned years ago, then proceeded to incorporate new ones into his repertoire.
“I can tell you’ve had training,” Sonia said, a big smile on her face. “It’s a pleasure to work with you.”
“Thank you. You’re a great instructor. I didn’t have formal training, mostly just things a teacher showed me years ago.”
“Oh? You seem to know your stuff. May I ask why didn’t you pursue a career?”
She didn’t know? Byk stared at the table, his hands clenched on the top of it. “I… was one of the people who were held here.”
The color drained from Sonia’s face and her eyes became shiny. “Oh, honey. I’m so sorry. I thought you’d come here from another pack. I had no idea…. I’m sorry. The pack found me after my sister… after….” Her lip trembled. “The First said they found her body. The records showed she’d had a baby, but she died too. They contacted me to let me know. When they told me about this place, I was sick to think that my sister and niece died without anyone who loved them around. After we talked, I felt like I needed to come here, to help everyone else like I wished I’d been able to help Dana.”
Byk could understand. “I’m so very sorry for your loss.”
They stared at each other a few moments, and then they were both crying, clinging to each other, sharing tears, and being there to comfort each other. It was good, Byk decided. Not like Teddy, but still something he could hold on to in his heart. He’d known he wasn’t alone, but meeting Sonia, Byk realized his family had grown larger. And he hoped it continued to grow.
She scrubbed a hand over her face, then gave a watery smile. “We should get this cake done. Wouldn’t want Teddy deprived, or he might get growly.”
Byk laughed, and it felt good.
Sonia showed him how to make an amazing buttercream, which he then applied to the cake. Afterward, they threw chocolate shavings on it all willy-nilly, giving it a haphazard look. Finally, he asked about putting cookies atop it. She thought it was a brilliant idea, so she handed him a pack. When they’d finished, it wasn’t perfect, but it was beautiful in Byk’s eyes. Teddy had granted a dream to Byk, and he’d always treasure it.
“Can we do this again?” Sonia asked. “I have a lot of things I can teach you.”
“Really? You wouldn’t mind?”
“No, sweetheart, I wouldn’t mind. It’s been ages since I had a chance to work with someone, and I’m enjoying it a lot.”
So Teddy had planned a surprise for Byk, and it wasn’t just a single day. He was giving Byk a chance to do something he’d always dreamed of. First a home, then a mate, and now, maybe a chance at a real life.
“Do you think…?” He swallowed hard, uncertain how to voice his desires. “I mean, would they let me work here as a baker?”
Sonia clutched the counter as she laughed hysterically, her eyes filling with tears. When she calmed, she hugged Byk, and he found it to be pleasant. “Why do you think you’re here? When Alp said Teddy spoke with him, I thought you knew enough to be able to start tomorrow.”
“Oh, I’m?—”
“If I’m honest, I prefer training you myself. We’ll go slow with the lessons, give you time to assimilate into the pack. Never doubt, though, when we’re done, you definitely have a job.” She nudged him with an elbow. “I hear tell the First’s mate has a taste for carrot cake.”
Who was Teddy Egerov that he could sweep into Byk’s life and single-handedly make everything better?
Maker, Byk loved him so.
When the door to the room opened, Teddy bolted toward it. Byk had been gone for nearly eight hours, and Teddy was climbing the walls. He’d hung around outside the kitchen, but when Mal spotted him, he dragged him off to a meeting with Dr. Hamilton, who said that what he’d done so far was invaluable. He assured her he knew he was behind, but that he would get back on task soon.
She waved a hand and said he should take care of Byk first. She was coming to understand the importance of mates and knew how necessary it was to spend time together with them. Her wording seemed odd, but Teddy blew it off, happy that she understood his need and desire to be with Byk.
“You’re back!” he shouted happily.
“Did you miss me?” Byk asked, an eyebrow arched.
“You don’t know how much.” Teddy pulled him into an embrace, delighting in the scent that washed over him. “I’m glad you’re home.”
“I have gifts,” Byk told him, raising the box he held.
“You’re my gift. I don’t need anything?—”
“It’s chocolate.”
Teddy stepped back and reached out. “Gimme my gift,” he demanded, then cackled. He gleefully took the box when Byk handed it to him and inhaled deeply. “Double chocolate?” he asked, jutting out his lower lip.
“Of course. And it’s all for you.”
He opened the top and widened his eyes. It looked amazing. Definitely not a store-bought cake that was exactly like every other one. This had style and character. “You made this?”
“I helped.”
The cake had a haphazard and messy look to it, but Teddy could see it was anything but. It had been crafted with great care, showing attention to detail, and, of course, most importantly, it had been smothered in chocolate.
“You didn’t help,” Teddy said. “You created.” He put the box on the table and hugged Byk again. “I’m so proud of you.” He could feel Byk’s heart thumping against his own chest as they clutched one another, Byk’s head on Teddy’s shoulder.
“You gave me a gift,” he said softly. “I’ve always wanted to bake something for someone I love.”
“No, your gift is in your creativity. I only helped you to find an outlet for it.” He stepped back and peered into Byk’s eyes. “I wanted you to have the chance that was stolen from you all those years ago.”
Byk’s head lolled. “I’m tired,” he whispered. “I haven’t been on my human feet that long in forever.”
“Then what do you think about going to bed?”
He fluttered his lashes. “Yes, please.”
Teddy hefted Byk into his arms, pleased when he didn’t protest and simply wrapped his arms around Teddy’s neck. He carried him to their bedroom and placed him gently on the mattress.
“Did you want a shower first?” A nod. Teddy wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. Byk was clearly ready to collapse. “How about if you get comfortable, and I’ll be back in a minute? Afterward, you can decide if you want to sleep or shower. Sound good?”
Byk’s eyes were already closing, and he murmured something before his chin dropped to his chest. His poor baby.
Teddy got up and made a quick trip to the kitchen. He grabbed two plates and silverware and was about to return to his room when Sonia appeared.
“Got a minute?” she asked.
“Sure, but I can’t be long. I want Byk to eat something so he can sleep.”
She smiled. “I’ve been baking for thirty-six years. I’ve worked in several restaurants, and even had my own place until I retired. I have to tell you, never in all that time have I met someone with so much heart. He did whatever was asked of him without complaint. When asked questions, he did his best to answer, and if it was wrong, he nodded and then did it the way I showed him.
“Byk is a gem, Teddy. A true, pure-cut gem. I wish I had been able to teach him when he was younger. I truly believe that he’d be a master by now. I’m so very sorry for the years they stole from him, but I’m going to do everything I can to help him realize his dream.”
Tears stung Teddy’s eyes at the thought of what Byk had lost and what Sonia was offering to help him find. He wasn’t the kind of person who thought only a mate could solve issues. That would be narcissistic. He knew that everyone in Wald had a part to play in making a life for the people who lived here.
“Thank you again for doing this. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
“No, sweetheart. You’re wrong. I’m the one who is grateful to you. See, after all those years, baking had become more a chore than anything else. Sure, I did it, but it simply wasn’t as fun as it had been. With Byk, he brought the joy back for me. He made me remember what it was like to be young and in love with the art. And that’s thanks to you. No one I know would have gone the extra distance to help their mate like that.”
He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “I think you’re wrong there. If there’s one thing I’m learning, it’s that the people of Wald have each other’s backs, mated or not. Mal and Alp are building a family here. Something where everyone works to better their kin’s lives. It’s not going to work for everyone, because what family doesn’t have people who would rather be left to their own devices?”
She nodded sagely. “You’re right. My sister loved our family, but she wanted a break. She was tired of hearing about being a shifter. Just wanted to be, in her words, normal. She decided to head to Florida and have some fun.” She choked. “That was where they took her. The last time I ever heard from her was four years ago. I got a phone call telling me she’d met a man she really liked.” Her lips tightened as she clenched her fists. “She said his name was Jackson Hyde.”
Teddy wanted to roar. The man was dead, but it was like they’d never be free of his influence. He pulled Sonia into a hug and squeezed. “I’m so sorry. You know that he’s dead, right?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I know that he died here and almost took Malachi with him.” She sniffled. “When I was growing up, I was taught the Maker would want us to forgive our enemies, but I can’t. Not ever. He took my sister, my niece. She might have been his daughter, and he….” She clutched his shirt, then buried her face in Teddy’s chest and sobbed. He stood there and held her, as thoughts of Byk flitted through his mind. He could have lost something precious before he’d ever even met him.
“I, too, believed that hatred was wrong, but he hurt so many that I cannot find a way to move past the anger to forgiveness. Honestly, I don’t believe I ever will. My truest hope is that Hyde is suffering for his sins and will do so until eternity is no more.”
“I find I can’t disagree with that,” Sonia said with a hiccup. She stepped away, brushing tears from her cheeks. “You should go back to Byk. He needs you.”
He leaned down and kissed her cheek again. It was good that the family Teddy needed to surround Byk with continued to grow. “You always know where to find us.”
“I do. And I hope we’ll see more of each other.”
Teddy grinned. “Does this mean I can sit in here and watch Byk work?”
She chuckled as she patted his arm. “No, but it’s a good try.”
He laughed as he headed for the door. When he got to the hall, he made a beeline for their room. As he entered, he could hear the soft snores from Byk, and it soothed the ache he’d experienced while talking with Sonia. He put the plates and silverware on the table, turned down the lights, then stripped off his shoes, socks, shirt, and pants before climbing into bed with Byk. As soon as the covers were pulled up and Teddy had his arm wrapped around Byk’s stomach, he found sleep came far easier than ever before.
And it was down to his mate.