37. Finn
Finn
L eaving Chester the following morning had made me physically ache. It was the first time we’d been apart since the Clyde incident. Chester might have been safe from him, but who knew what the Clarkson Clan had planned next?
Still, it was that very reason that made parting from him necessary. I’d driven him to his shop and walked him inside, then I’d waited until Logan arrived, only leaving when I was certain they’d be safe. He’d decided to join them in the shop for the day, something I was grateful for.
Chester didn’t seem to mind, simply kissing me on the cheek and wishing me luck for this morning. He knew I was going to meet with Calan and Evan to go over what had been discussed with Danny. Hopefully, at the end of it, we’d have something resembling a plan.
“I’m sorry if Logan is a nuisance,” I’d whispered just before leaving him. “I can make him wait outside if it’s easier.”
“No, it’s fine.” He smiled and kissed me once more. “Maybe Logan can tease a smile out of Reid.”
We both glanced at Chester’s assistant. He was being uncharacteristically quiet, his head bowed as he concentrated on his work. The bags under his eyes were so dark they almost looked like bruises.
“I hope so,” I’d replied. “We’ll all be there for him, just as we are for you.”
An hour later, I was in the clan house having given Calan and Evan the full rundown. “Realistically, Danny doesn’t think it’ll come to an attack either. If we suspect that’s going to happen, he’ll be flown up by one of the demons. They can have him here in under fifteen minutes.”
Calan frowned. “A demon?”
I raised a brow at my enforcer. “Do you have a problem with demons?”
“Course not,” he said gruffly, his cheeks turning ruddy. “Just wasn’t expecting them to be involved, that’s all.”
“They’re a big part of Danny’s social circle,” I reminded Calan as he scowled at the floor. Why was he being so odd about this? He’d never seemed particularly bothered by the mention of them before. Harlow looked after his money, for fuck’s sake. “His best friend is mated and married to Ferry.”
“The Grim Reaper?” Evan’s eyes went round. “That’s so fucking cool.”
“I don’t think he’s the reaper anymore,” I said. “From what Danny told me, he lives a quiet life with his mate down in Southampton. But he’ll come and fight for us if needed.”
“Well I don’t give a shit who comes to fight for us, so long as they help,” Evan said, fixing Calan with a determined glare. “You got something to say, Calan?”
He huffed and rolled his eyes. “Course not. I don’t have an issue with demons. It’s just…Never mind.”
He clamped his lips shut. Evan shot me a questioning look but I shook my head. I knew my brother. Once he closed up about something, nothing would make him talk. In a way, it was a positive trait. If you told Calan that something was a secret, you could be certain he’d never share it.
Just as he’d never shared my love for Sarah.
But it was obvious that whatever his issue was, it was bothering him.
Given how he’d encouraged me to take steps towards happiness a few months ago, you could rest assured that I’d be doing the same for him.
He might not want to tell me what was going on, but that wouldn’t stop me keeping an eye on him.
If something, or someone, was upsetting Calan, that in turn meant they were upsetting me.
We talked a little longer, discussing what further information to disclose to the council. Logan had given them the bare essentials already, but more was needed. None of us wanted to give them the full story though.
After what they’d put us all through, our trust was something it would take them a long time to win back.
With Evan tasked with doing that and Calan agreeing to step up the training programme with the younger wolves, that just left me to write to the Clarkson Clan.
“Better you than me,” Calan muttered. “I don’t have the patience for any of that diplomacy bullshit.”
“Which is why I sit behind the desk instead of you.”
“And thank fuck for that.” Calan stretched and yawned. “Can’t think of anything worse, to be honest.”
His attitude had made our work distribution simple over the years. Calan had never coveted leadership, perfectly happy with his role as the enforcer. I was lucky to have him in my circle. Lucky to have all of them, in fact.
The only thing missing now was Chester.
Our visit to Southampton had solidified the knowledge that he’d eventually be my mate.
Logically, I knew it was right to wait. That rushing Chester into the decision would backfire in the long run.
I just wished I could stop picturing Clyde’s hand around his throat.
The pure terror in Chester’s eyes as he stared at me, wondering if I’d be fast enough to save him.
I never wanted him to be in that position again, especially not without the mating bond to protect him.
I was going to have to be patient…and ensure Chester was guarded around the clock.
Calan and Evan were about to leave when a piece of unfinished business had me holding my brother back.
“What’s up?” he said once Evan had left the room.
I gave him a dark smile. “I’m sending you over to Siberia. There’s someone I need you to take care of for me.”
Chester
Shop was dead so decided to finish a little early and go home
Chester
Don’t panic – Logan is with me
Chester
He’s volunteered to put up the Christmas lights for me to save me going up a ladder.
I didn’t see Chester’s texts until a couple of hours after he’d sent them. I’d decided to drop in on the warrior training Evan was overseeing. If a threat to our borders was coming, I needed to know we’d be able to withstand it.
What I saw of the young shifters was extremely promising. There were two in particular, Brodie and Hamish, who showed enormous potential. I made a note to speak to the others about fast-tracking their training.
By the time I’d finally checked my phone and seen the texts, Chester must’ve been home a while. Part of me was irritated that I’d missed out on spending a few extra hours with him, but this was the reality of my life as the clan leader. I had responsibilities I couldn’t ignore.
Even if I sometimes wanted to.
Besides, it was good that Chester was getting to know Logan better. Well…hopefully it was. Logan could be a little git, but his heart was in the right place.
I was also massively relieved to see that it was him, not Chester, who’d be climbing up the ladder to do the lights.
Don’t get me wrong, I knew Chester was more than capable, but I’d prefer it if he waited to do risky things until after we were mated, even if the risk was ridiculously small.
Given that Chester had confessed he’d almost slipped off the ladder last time, it was a small risk I’d rather he didn’t take.
Humans were so fragile. I’d always known that, but having Chester in my life was like painting it on a wall in neon colours and then underlining it several times. The anxiety would fade once he was my mate. I had no intentions of rushing him though, much to Buddy’s chagrin.
After checking with the council and Evan that I wasn’t needed for anything, I shifted and ran to Chester’s. The cold air barely penetrated my thick fur, which was perfect considering the climate we lived in.
I got to Chester’s and dropped the overnight bag I’d been carrying in my mouth.
Shifting back into my human form, I smiled at the sight before me.
Small twinkling lights hung from the roof of Chester’s home.
There were even some strung around the bottom windows and in a few of the trees closest to the property.
With the surrounding woodland and loch, it looked like a scene from a postcard.
No. It looked like home.
Lifting my bag onto my shoulder, I walked towards the house to relieve Logan. I didn’t need to go far to do so though; he came barrelling out of the front door almost immediately.
“Have a good night,” he sang, his eyes twinkling as he bounded past me. “See you tomorrow, Buddy!”
I froze and groaned. Fuck. I should’ve known that wouldn’t stay quiet forever. I wasn’t mad at Chester about it—Logan and the others had ways of ferreting information out of you before you even realised.
Oh well. I didn’t regret pretending to be a dog. How could I, when it had led to Chester becoming such an important part of my life? If putting up with a few centuries of teasing was the price I paid then I’d do so gladly.
It was unusual that Logan hadn’t hung around to give me more shit though. I’d half expected to have to physically kick him out of the house before he’d leave, and that was before he’d discovered my little secret.
Shoving that thought aside, I rapped briefly on Chester’s front door before opening it. “M’eudail?”
A kaleidoscope of Christmas lights greeted me. They wound up the banister, surrounding the doorways, and were even on the plants Chester kept in the hallway.
“I’m in the kitchen,” Chester called out.
Grinning, I dropped my bag and rushed through to find him. “Oh my god, these lights are awesome, Chester! I love them. Did you?—”
The words died away as I stepped into the kitchen.
Chester was hovering near the table, which had been set for two.
It was fancier than anything we usually bothered with—napkins and the plates Chester had told me had been his gran’s.
More twinkling lights covered every surface, but these provided an intimate air instead of a festive one.
“What’s all this?” I asked softly, pulling Chester in for a hug.
“I wanted to do something special for you,” he said, cupping my jaw and kissing my lips lightly. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.” My gaze fell on the magnificent centrepiece. “I love that you brought flowers home too.”
“Actually, they’re for you.”
“They are?”
Chester stepped back slightly and gave me a shaky smile. “They are. I realised that, despite having been given many bouquets, I hadn’t ever made one for you.”