Chapter One #2
“No idea. I can’t get them to warm up to me, but my mate should be arriving soon, hopefully they’ll see I’m not a threat if we’re formally introduced.”
“You called knowing I couldn’t leave Lycaonia.”
“Yup.”
“You know I will be stewing on this for days, weeks even.”
“Absolutely.”
“I fucking hate you.”
“I love you too, big bro.”
“What about Ewan?” Graham suggested.
“Adair is running him ragged with their new trainees,” Hunter reminded him.
“I’d feel better if one of us were with you.”
“You sound like Dad now. He wanted you both home too.”
Graham sighed. “I’ll do whatever I can from here. Send pictures the second you can, especially if I won’t be able to see them for a while.”
Hunter took pity on his brother. “It will be amongst the first things I’ll do the moment they let me get within five feet of them.”
“Hunter, the dreams… are you okay?”
Hunter had a weak moment where he wanted to beg his big brother to come home.
He was grown now and a unit warrior, but he realized that no matter what, he would always want his brother at his side when he needed help.
“Something comes for the kids, and in losing them, my mate is practically destroyed.”
“I’m calling Caiden,” Graham began.
“I have to do this on my own.”
“Like hell you do.”
“Graham, it’s taking everything in me not to beg you to come home. But, if I’m to be a father to those kids, I have to stand on my own two feet. They have to be able to rely on me.”
“Fuck!”
“Besides, I have my unit brothers and Ma and Dad here if I get stuck.”
“The second things get dicey, you better call me.”
“I will. In the meantime, as the Delta unit leader, keep Colton from killing Sascha so Aiden can concentrate on the accurately described ‘dumpster fire’.”
Graham barked out his laughter. “Those two have been keeping me entertained for months. Why ruin a good thing?”
“Because if Aiden gets distracted, Meryn will worry and that’s not good for her.”
“You right. Okay, fine, I’ll play mediator for our Menace.”
“Thanks.”
“Give that terror a hug for me.”
“You trying to get me killed?” Hunter protested.
Graham just laughed and disconnected the call.
Hunter fired up his ATV and headed for the Nu estate to check in with his unit brothers.
*****
“No. Stretch the balloon over the grapefruit,” Meryn ordered.
“Baby, the balloon will snap on my fingers when it breaks,” Aiden countered.
“Ryuu, didn’t you look up the size of the baby?” Meryn asked.
“Yes, denka. The closest fruit in size to a baby’s head at birth is a grapefruit.”
“If my shit has to stretch to give birth, then you can risk your fingers getting snapped!” she yelled.
“Okay! Okay, I’ll try,” Aiden said, turning back to the task at hand.
Hunter knew he was failing miserably keeping his smiles at bay when he walked into the kitchen.
“And how is everyone’s favorite lil’ mama?” he asked, heading to Meryn to ruffle her curls.
“Doing better today,” Meryn said, then brightened. “Hunter, can I have some of your bacon? You requested the cayenne, honey version, right?”
He nodded. “Of course, you can.”
Behind them, Genevieve got out a large gallon bag of bacon with his name on it. “I told her you would say yes,” she said and handed over the bag.
“I didn’t want to be rude,” Meryn said, already reaching for the bacon.
Laughing Hunter passed her the bag. Just seeing her eyes light up was worth a run to get more bacon for himself. She dove into the bag with glee. “You can eat whatever you want Meryn. If anyone says shit, send them to me.”
She sniffled then went to wipe her eye, and he grabbed her hand quickly, causing Aiden’s head to snap up. “Watch it!” he ordered.
“Sir, she has cayenne on her fingers,” Hunter reminded his commander.
Aiden relaxed. “Good catch.”
Ryuu walked over to the sink and wet a washcloth for his charge. “You have my thanks,” he said, when he came over and handed Meryn the cloth.
Hunter sat down next to Meryn and watched as she carefully wiped her eyes.
“Sonofabitch!” Aiden exclaimed.
Meryn grinned and kept eating her bacon, then turned to look at him. “Did ya get any closer to the kids?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No, but both of my parents want to meet them soon,” he paused. “Is it technically kidnapping if I take them, if I’ll eventually be like a parent to the kids?”
Meryn just nodded. “Yup. Plus, if you scare them, your mating will definitely hit a snag.”
Aiden sucked on his fingers then looked his way. “Wait until your mate comes home.” He smiled. “I had Meryn track her down. Your mate already left her place of employment and is on her way here. It may take longer with the portals down, but now you know she’s on her way.”
Hunter exhaled. “Thank the gods for you, Meryn. If you want any more bacon, just let me know. I’ll run out for you.”
Meryn popped another piece in her mouth and smiled. “I’ll update your tab color later.”
Hunter sat up straighter, feeling proud of himself for making her happy. Then he stilled. “When did she leave?”
Meryn shrugged. “Couple days ago. It wouldn’t surprise me if she gets here today.”
Hunter stood. “Sir, permission to stalk my mate’s house?”
“Permission granted. But no kidnapping. That means her or the kids,” Aiden said, concentrating on his balloon.
Hunter dropped a kiss on the top of Meryn’s head, taking advantage of Aiden’s distracted state, and jogged to the foyer. If luck was on his side, he’d be meeting his mate today.
*****
Kiera exhaled a long sigh of relief. She had been traveling for days.
When she found out the portal to Storm Keep was closed, she was concerned.
When she realized that meant she’d have to fly back, she was irritated.
Knowing she’d have to call for a ride in, pissed her off.
Why were the darn portals closed? She shook her head and grabbed her backpack. “Thanks. How much do I owe ya?”
“Flat fifty,” her driver replied.
She pulled out the cash and handed it over. “I bet business is booming with the portal down.”
He laughed. “You’re not wrong.”
“How far out do you go for pick up?”
“Anywhere within thirty miles of the city.”
“Not bad.”
“I’ll take as much business as I can get before the portals come back online. The money I’m making now helps offset parking costs for the year,” he explained.
“Smart.” She pulled on the handle and opened the door.
They both got out and went to the back of the car. He opened his trunk and pulled out her rolling suitcase. “You sure you want to come back now? Things are getting dicey with the Witches’ Council and the warriors.”
“How so?”
He shut the trunk and leaned against his car. “Public opinion is split. The Witches’ Council detained Caiden Ironwood’s mate for questioning without telling him.”
“Gods above what’d he do?” she asked, adjusting her backpack.
The man chuckled lowly. “He and his brothers chucked their enforcers at the castle.”
“What! Wait, what enforcers?”
His eyebrows raised. “How long you been gone?”
“About five years off and on. I’d come back here and there for weekends to visit, but you know how hard it is to get a good contract.”
“You’re telling me,” he said, pointing to his car and current form of employment. “Couple months ago, the Witches’ Council started using enforcers to patrol the streets and bring people in for questioning.”
“Questioning for what? That sounds sketchy as hell.”
He bobbed his head. “Too many ferals about, and dark portals started showing up in éire Danu of all places. They are trying to keep things safe.”
“What happened after they threw the enforcers?” she asked.
“From what I heard from my cousin, who was two streets over when everything went down, all of the Founding and Noble family members from the formation of the city are taking back their ancestral homes. I believe the phrase, ‘We’re done playing nice.’ Was used.”
“Holy shit.”
“Yeah, so as I said, not the best time to be visiting.”
“I just left behind the worst excuse of a boyfriend, and I need to get home to check on my brother and sister,” she explained.
He stood up straight, no longer leaning against the car. “Good luck.”
“Same to you. I’ll keep your number.”
He smiled and when he lifted his arm to give her a salute, she saw the outline of a warrior’s tattoo in black. Why was a Vanguard acting as a paranormal Uber driver?