It stunned Creed to see his eldest brother at the cliffs. Neb was sent on a lot of missions for the clan, traveling all over the place.
Pure rage simmered in his brother’s eyes. It was a given that word had traveled of Kado’s death.
Creed stiffened, wishing he wore his sword. It remained in the bedroom. “Give me a few moments to prepare. Can we fight in one of the training rooms? My mate can’t leave my home and I don’t want her harmed.”
“I didn’t come here to challenge you, Creed.”
He glanced down his brother’s uniform. “You’re in battle gear.”
“I heard what happened and came right here from my assignment. I didn’t take time to change or to stop at my home. May I enter?” His brother glanced away, looking down the corridors, then back at him. “I’d rather talk to you in private. I have no intentions of harming your mate or starting shit with you.”
Creed opened the door wider and stepped back. “You’re welcome in my home.”
Neb strode forward. Creed closed and barred the door. He followed him inside and spotted Angel coming down the hallway. He moved fast to get between her and Neb. He motioned for her to stop and stay back. He hated the worry he identified in her look and the way she stared at his brother.
Neb peered back at her and slightly bowed. “You must be Angel. I am Creed’s eldest brother, Nebulas. You may call me Neb. Welcome to our family, as fucked up as it is.” He turned to face Creed. “Your mate is beautiful but I had faith that she would be. She’s more delicate than I imagined but I approve of your choice.”
“It’s not a requirement to me.”
Neb chuckled. “I am glad to hear it.” He sobered. “So father finally pushed you too far. I don’t blame you for what happened. I would have taken him out eleven years ago but mother made the rest of us swear to never kill him. You were her only son she spared from making that promise…but he was harshest with you. She was a realist, and knew the day would come when he forced you into a challenge. How are you holding up? Tell me you aren’t grieving that son of a bitch.”
“I’m at peace.”
Neb nodded. “Good. You should be.” He turned his head, studying Angel. “I don’t know if you met our father but if anyone deserved to die, it was him.” He looked back at Creed. “I’m at peace with his death. I wanted you to know we’re good.”
“What about our brothers?”
“I haven’t spoken to them yet. I came directly to you. I know they are at the cliffs. I’ll track them down next and have a talk with them but I don’t believe either will hold a grudge. He ordered all three of us to come yesterday when he learned of you taking a mate.” He paused. “I’m just sorry it took me so long to get here. I had orders to locate a nest last night and it couldn’t be put off. They had stolen a group of Lycan kids we needed to retrieve.”
“Why would Vampires do that?” Angel came closer, pressing up against Creed’s side, staring at his brother.
“The blood bastards think it’s amusing to make the boys fight to the death, and children are easier for them to snatch while they are off pack lands. The ones taken were going to movies or visiting malls. We’ve had a string of kidnappings in various states lately. It’s like a new sick sport for them, and it’s pissing us off. They’ve been taking them in the ten- to fourteen-year range. Old enough to shift but young enough to be overpowered and stolen.”
“Their guardians weren’t able to track the missing youths?” Creed frowned. He hadn’t heard anything about it.
“There are no guardians on the Lycan packs who’ve been targeted so far. They’ve contacted Lord Aveoth, begging for assistance. We’ve been working with some of the VampLycans on finding the nests responsible. Our neighbors fear those blood bastards might try to grab pack women to breed next, so they got involved. Nobody wants a repeat of the past or kids dying. The shit we’ve seen is pretty bad.”
It alarmed Creed. He wondered if Lord Aveoth had already sent another guardian to protect the Henita pack. “Do you have a phone?”
Neb withdrew one from his back pocket and offered it to him.
“Give it to me.” Angel held out her hand. “I have my parents’ number memorized. I’ll warn them.” She was thinking the same thing he was. The Lycan kids in her pack could be in danger.
Creed passed it to her and watched her dial. She pressed it up to her ear and he could hear it ring twice before a woman answered. Angel held still, probably guessing he and his brother could overhear the conversation. She’d been raised by a Lycan pack. They all had excellent hearing.
“Hi, Mom.”
“You made it home safe? I worried when I tried to call you and you didn’t answer your cell last night. It’s not like you, but I figured you had to be exhausted after not sleeping well, having to travel home, and then go to work.”
“Sorry. Listen, did a new guardian show up?”
“Not that I’ve heard. Where is Creed? Isn’t he up on the mountain?”
“No. Look, I’ll call you again later and fill you in, but I need you to know something. Some Vampires have been kidnapping young Lycans and making them fight to the death. Creed isn’t there right now to protect our pack. Gather everyone and put them on alert. Have them on watch at night and keep the young ones safe. Do you understand?”
“Is that happening to the Washington packs? I thought you didn’t talk to them. Did Creed tell you he was leaving here? Why? What’s going on?”
Angel met Creed’s eyes, and then glanced at his brother. “Do you mind if I borrow your phone for a few minutes?”
“Go ahead.”
She looked back at Creed.
“Tell her everything,” he urged.
“Mind if I do this in the bedroom?”
He shook his head. “Go, Angel. We’ll be here.”
Angel disappeared down the hallway and closed his bedroom door.
Creed sighed and addressed his brother. “Her parents haven’t been told yet that we’re mated. I just left without speaking to the elders where I was guardian, and we were brought straight here. She needed to warn her pack.”
Emotion flashed in Neb’s eyes. “Father didn’t tell me much when he called. She’s human, not Lycan, and the only human associated with the pack you protect is the child you once found in the woods. That’s her? The little girl?”
“She grew up.”
Neb grinned. “No shit. Do you have anything to drink around here? I’d love to hear this story.”
Creed smiled. “Have a seat.”
Neb removed his weapons, stacking them on the counter. “I’m all ears.”
Angel walked over to the fireplace and took a seat on the couch. She was nervous as she tried to think of the right words to say. “Um, can you sit down, Mom?”
“What is going on, Angel?”
“Is Dad with you?”
“No. He’s training some of the youth this morning.”
“Okay. Well, there’s something I didn’t tell you. You know how the ravage makes GarLycans emotional?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I pushed Creed, and he kind of lost control. It was totally my fault. He bit me.”
Silence over the phone was the only response.
“I’m at the cliffs. We were ordered to come here after their lord discovered we mated. I’m fine, and happy to be Creed’s mate. We didn’t get permission first so that was kind of a no-no.” She wasn’t about to explain everything. It would just alarm her mother more. “Long story short, we’re together and happy. I’m just going to be here for a few months.”
“Oh shit,” her mother gasped.
“It’s fine,” Angel rushed. “New mates stay at the cliffs.” That was possibly true. The enforcers who’d found her said something about how they thought all men going through the ravage should come home to do it. “Creed’s home is really nice, and I’m truly happy. It’s just that right now, he’s not up on the mountain to protect the pack. You need to gather the pack and tell them about the Vampire attacks on kids. They’re supposedly going after kids as young as ten, okay? Keep them out of human towns and close. Creed and I just found out, and I had to call to let you know.”
“Why didn’t you say something about being his mate when he brought you home?”
“I didn’t want you to freak out and we didn’t know how Creed’s people were going to react. It’s all fine now, I swear. I’m good. I love Creed. You know that.”
“How is he responding to having you for a mate?”
“Really great.”
“He isn’t furious or upset?”
“No.” Angel gripped the phone tighter. “I swear. I know what you’re probably thinking. I would have assumed he’d be furious but that’s not the case. He’s been so sweet and wonderful with me.” She lowered her voice. “We’ve even talked about having a baby. We’re leaving it to nature. He loves me too.”
“He said that?”
Angel smiled and relaxed. “He shows me every time he touches and looks at me, Mom. He’s still a GarLycan. It’s going to take some time for him to verbally express how he feels. But he makes me happy.”
“Your father is going to want to go there. So do I.”
“Right now, you need to protect the pack. Creed and I will be returning there as soon as Lord Aveoth says we can go.”
“Why are they keeping you? Why can’t you come home now?”
“New-mate thing.” Her mother would freak out if she told her they were being punished. Then she remembered the Lycan at the airport. “I’m putting off a scent that new mates get. It’s complicated, but I’d drive unmated Lycan men insane. I smell like I’m in heat big time.”
“Are you safe from other GarLycans?”
“Yes. Creed would never allow anyone to hurt me. You know that, Mom. He’s my mate. I will call you tomorrow, okay? This phone belongs to Creed’s brother.”
“Where’s your phone?”
She wasn’t sure where her things were. She hadn’t seen them since they’d entered GarLycan territory. “I forgot to charge it,” she lied. “I’ll do that soon.”
“You call tomorrow.”
“I will. I love you and Dad. Tell him I’m fine and happy. I promise. And tell the elders and alpha now that the kids are in danger.”
“We’ll take care of the pack. We’re not helpless without a guardian.”
“I know, but I’m also aware that we’ve grown to depend on Creed a lot to keep us safe at night.”
“That is true.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too.”
Angel ended the call and stood, crossed the room, and opened the bedroom door. The sound of two men laughing made her smile. It seemed at least one of Creed’s brothers accepted that he’d mated her, or at least didn’t mind. She walked into the living space to find both of them sitting on the couch holding beers in hand. Creed patted the couch and she went to him, taking a seat. She reached over his lap to give his brother the borrowed phone back.
“Did it go well?” Creed appeared worried.
“My parents know how I’ve always felt about you. Dad wasn’t home but my mom will tell him. I’m sure they’ll be happy once the shock wears off. She’s also going to gather the pack to warn them about kids being taken. They’ll probably assign perimeters for the pack to patrol tonight until the danger passes or we go back there.”
“I have some time free. I finished my last assignment and am due time off.” Neb sipped his beer. “I could cover being the guardian for that pack during my vacation. You said Lord Aveoth gave her six months’ confinement? I’ll talk to Kelzeb. I’m sure he’ll assign someone there when I need to return to duty, if asked.”
“I’d appreciate that.” Creed put his arm around Angel, pulling her closer. “I’ve grown to care about those Lycans.”
“I can be there by tomorrow night, and that will give me time to speak to our brothers before I leave.”
“Thank you.” Angel was touched. “That’s really nice of you.”
“Watching over a quiet area will be a good change of pace.” Neb grinned. “I’ve seen too much death over the past few years. The blood bastards have kept me pretty busy, between thinking it was cool to grow huge nests they couldn’t keep under control and now going after Lycan kids.”
“Thank you,” Creed rasped. “I’ll sleep better at night knowing you’re looking out for Angel’s family and friends. The elders are a bit talkative but I just think of something else while they’re speaking to me. They are going to want to go over what they expect from you as their guardian. Just nod every so often.”
Neb shook his head. “Only you would do that, brother. You always did have the patience of a saint. I just plan to drive in, tell them I’m there, and give them my number to call if I’m needed. Then I’ll stalk their air until morning. Are there any hot bitches who have a curiosity about GarLycans?”
“Most of them are mated, and I avoided the rest,” Creed confessed, glancing at Angel.
“Sorry.” Neb winced. “I didn’t mean to bring up anything taboo.”
“I avoided all the women who might have shown an interest in me.” Creed rubbed Angel’s back. “I couldn’t have the only one I wanted. There’s nothing to hide. I never took any of her pack to my bed.”
Angel knew that. She’d have heard if Creed had taken a lover. Her parents wouldn’t have told her but her friends would have. It made her love him even more. “I love you so much for that.”
“I couldn’t hurt you that way.”
Neb cleared his throat. “So where did you go to find company? I’d like to know where I can pick up a woman.”
Creed looked at his brother. “I didn’t.”
Neb gaped at him. “Weren’t you there for like twenty-five years?”
“Closer to three decades.”
“Shit.” Neb glanced between them, finally holding Angel’s eyes. “And you? Did you ever date anyone from the pack?”
She shook her head. “Creed had rejected my offer to be his mate right after I turned legal age. I dated one guy from another pack. It didn’t make me forget him or how much I loved him, so that’s when I moved away.”
“You two are breaking my heart,” Neb sighed. “Fuck, I hate our father all over again for a new reason. You could have mated her back then if he hadn’t sworn you to a hundred years of service. Fucking bastard. It worked out though. You’re together now.”
Angel nodded. “And we’ll never be apart.”
“I can drink to that.” Neb tipped his beer bottle and finished it off. “I’m going to go look for our brothers, make sure their heads aren’t up their asses about what you had to do, and then I’ll get assigned to be a guardian.” He stood.
Creed let Angel go and got to his feet. He hesitated but then hugged his brother, who embraced him back. “Thank you.”
“For what? Not being anything like our father? I try damn hard not to be. May he burn in hell, if there is such a place. He had it coming.”
Angel watched as Neb gathered his weapons, strapped them on, and then Creed escorted him out. Her mate returned with a smile on his face and she walked to him.
“I’m so glad that went well,” she confessed.
“I don’t think my other brothers will be a problem. If they are, I’ll deal with them. I have Neb’s support. They’ll heed his words when he speaks to them. All of us looked up to him more so than our father. He was the one who tried to look out for us.”
“How did he look out for you?”
“He used to sneak away to visit even when I was stuck at the north border. He brought me presents to help occupy my time and letters from our mother. Neb is the one who brought my other brothers to your territory right after I was assigned to be guardian there. The bed I mated you in was actually a gift from Neb, and he had my other brothers help him fly it to me.” He grinned. “He said I should have a comfortable place to sleep since he knows guardians usually don’t end up with the best accommodations.”
“I’m glad you had that, Creed.”
“It would have caused him trouble if our father had found out he’d spent time with us. Neb did it anyway. He wanted us brothers to be close, despite our father’s attempts to keep us apart.”
“Why would your dad want that? Siblings should be close.”
“My guess? He wanted our loyalty to remain with him and not to each other. He probably feared we’d stand together against him. He was such a cold son of a bitch.”
It hurt her, imagining his childhood, but it helped knowing he’d had Neb. She liked his older brother. “Our kids will be close.”
Creed reached up and cupped her face with both his hands. “They will be loved by their mother and father. I will encourage them to feel emotions and allow you to hug and kiss them so they know how important they are to us.”
“You’re going to make an amazing father.”
Doubt clouded his eyes and she hated to see it. He didn’t protest but the silence spoke for him.
“You’ll be hugging and kissing on our babies when they’re born. I know that. even if you’re not so sure yet.”
“I can’t even imagine.”
“You gave an abused, frightened child to Lycans. I didn’t know how great my life could become until you gifted me with a loving family. It’s your turn to be saved by me.”
He smiled. “I look forward to it.”