Duncan

 

 

Duncan snapped his phone up on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Mr. Pryde.” It was the twins’ teacher.

“Yes, Mrs. Jacobson, what can I do for you?” Duncan asked, he absolutely did not like the woman. She grated on his every nerve every time she opened her mouth. No matter how wealthy he was she always addressed him with her nose in the air as if she smelled something bad.

“It’s about the twins…”

“You didn’t misplace them again, did you?” On their first day of school the twins, although they were excited to start school, missed Jordan and wanted to go home. Instead of having their teacher call Jordan to pick them up, they snuck out of school—or so everyone thought. It took the teacher looking for them for over an hour before they decided to call Jordan, who called Duncan before getting to the school. It took Jordan twenty minutes to find the twins, asleep in the auditorium.

“No, as a matter of fact they are still here, sir.”

“What do you mean they are still there?” Duncan demanded.

“I’m sorry, sir, but Mr. Sutton didn’t pick the kids up at the appointed time. I tried calling him countless times, but he didn’t answer,” Mrs. Jacobson told him, but Duncan didn’t hear the rest of what she said. Jordan wasn’t answering his phone; he didn’t pick up the kids? He tried to think of what could have happened, but nothing came to mind. Without saying a word, Duncan hung up the phone and ran to his car. On the way there, he called Jordan. When his phone went straight to voicemail he started panicking. He dialed Ryland’s number next.

“Hey, what’s up?” Ryland answered on the first ring.

“I need you to go pick up the kids and meet me at the house,” Duncan instructed in a rush.

“Why? What’s up with Jordan, did he get held up or something?” Ryland asked.

“He’s not answering his phone, and he didn’t pick up the kids,” Duncan told him as he got in his car. “Just get the kids and meet me at the house. No, make it the bunker, I’m not sure what we’ll see when we get there.”

“On it,” Ryland told him.

Duncan hung up and dialed another number. “Duncan, how are you?” Mrs. Sutton asked.

“Have you seen Jordan?” he asked without any politeness.

“No,” she answered, nonplussed by his bluntness. “Is there something wrong? Did you two have an argument?”

“It could be nothing but he hasn’t picked up the kids, and he’s not answering his phone.”

“I will meet you at your house,” she told him and hung up the phone before he could tell her to meet him at the bunker instead. 

Thirty minutes later, Duncan pulled up to the bunker. Ryland was outside waiting for him. “Why are you out here?” he asked as he got out of the car.

“I need you to stay calm,” was the first thing Ryland said to him.

The worry that had crawled up his spine was now running through his entire body. “Where are the kids? Where’s Jordan?” Duncan asked as he tried to get around Ryland.

“Mrs. Sutton has the kids inside the bunker keeping them busy with snacks…”

“And Jordan?”

“Mr. Sutton, Parker, and Sebastian are over at the house, along with Johnson,” Ryland told him.

“The sheriff,” he said, confused as to why the pack sheriff was at his house.

“I brought Jordan’s mom over here to be with the kids,” Charlie said.

Duncan just realized the other man was standing there, he was so focused on finding out about his mate that he didn’t notice the other man standing there.

“What are you two not telling me?!” Duncan yelled.

“Jordan’s not at the house,” Ryland told him.

“There was sign of a scuffle, but no Jordan,” Sebastian told him. “We searched every part of the—”

“What do you mean he’s not there?” Duncan turned to get back into his car, he needed to get home and find out what the hell Ryland and Sebastian were talking about. Someone grabbed his arm. He looked over his shoulder, looking back at his Beta. “Let me go, Ryland!”

“No! I need you to fucking calm down. Before you go half-cocked in a rage, looking for Jordan, you need to see the twins. As much as Mrs. Sutton is in there trying to keep them busy they keep asking about Jordan. They know something is wrong, man!”

Duncan pulled his arm away from Ryland and started pacing, his beast was not settled and wouldn’t be until their mate was found. He was still alive, Duncan was sure about that, their bond was still alive. But he couldn’t feel Jordan’s emotions, it was as if something was blocking him from feeling his mate.

Ryland went to touch him and he flinched away from his best friend. “I need my mate, and you two are beating around the fucking bush!” Duncan growled, he could feel himself shifting into his beast. “Where is my mate?” Duncan roared. His mind was hazy with anger.

“He was taken, alright!” Ryland yelled. “Someone took him.”

“Taken?” Duncan asked raggedly, his extended nails digging into his palms. “What do you mean?”

 “I don’t know, the house was trashed except for the kitchen,” Sebastian told him.

More rage filled Duncan as Sebastian spoke. “Who? Who took him?” He was trying to hold his beast back.

“Hunters, they took him in exchange for the hunter we have, well had,” Sebastian answered.

Duncan roared and let his beast have utter control; they took off into the woods trying to find their mate. If anyone tried to stop them he wasn’t sure. The only thing he and his beast cared about was finding their mate.

Jordan moaned as he rolled over, he went to move his hand but froze when he realized he was unable to lift them. Cracking one eye open Jordan tried to figure out where he was but his vision was hazy. The last thing he remembered was being thrown in the back of a truck. Or was it a car? Shit, I must have fallen asleep. Closing his eye Jordan sagged against the wall behind him and winced when he realized that his arms were tied behind his back.

“I see you’re awake.” Jordan snapped his eyes open and he was able to see where he was and the man standing in front of him.

The man was sitting in a chair, he had short, neatly cut silver hair and electrifying green eyes. He was wearing a colorful gaudy cloak that Jordan couldn’t describe in words. The cloak looked expensive but the bright green, purple, red, and orange color made him want to throw up. Who wears a cloak these days? Jordan looked away from the cloak, as hard as it was and peered into the man’s face noting that he looked very familiar, but Jordan couldn’t figure out where he knew the man from.

“No need to be quiet,” the man told him. “Aren’t you wondering what you’re doing here, or who I am for that matter?” Jordan remained quiet and continued to stare at the man with as much venom as he could muster. “So much like your mother,” the man sighed, and it got Jordan’s attention. “Foolish.” He shook his head. “She was a foolish child.”

“What do you know about my mother?” Jordan spoke finally.

“Ah, now he speaks,” the man told him. “I know everything about your mother,” the man said, leaning forward.

“Who are you!” Jordan demanded. He tried to get up, but realized he was tied to something.

“Some call me King Bergstrand, or you can call me Grandfather, but I rather you don’t.” The last he said with a smirk on his lips.

Jordan gasped, The fuck! Grandfather!

“I can see you’re surprised by me being here.” He started to laugh and Jordan got the sickest feeling in the pit of his stomach that he couldn’t describe. “I should have killed you and that daughter of mine. But I let you go instead. Tell me, young one, did your aunt have any children?” Jordan didn’t answer, he continued to watch his bastard grandfather as he stepped closer to Jordan and kneeled in front of him.

He raised a hand and grabbed him by his face roughly. “You look so much like your mother and smell like a dog,” he whispered scowling, as he stared at Jordan intently. His face softened just a bit, as if realizing what was happening, he roughly released Jordan’s face, then raised his hand higher and slapped him across the face. His head snapped back hitting the pole behind him. Jordan thought he saw stars—literally—by the forceful hit. “Your existence is an abomination!” he yelled. He stood and backed away from Jordan, keeping his eyes on him.

“And you’re fucking psychotic!” Jordan yelled back before he caught himself.  The man stared down at him as if he were the first person to talk like that to him. “I don’t give a fuck who you are or what you think about me. But the minute I am free, I’m going to kill you,” Jordan seethed.

Jordan was expecting another slap across the cheek, but was surprised when Bergstrand cackled. “Bloodthirsty aren’t we?” he asked after he stopped laughing. “If I liked you that would have made me proud. But please, don’t pretend as if you know what it’s like to kill someone.”

“Who’s pretending?” Jordan shot back.

“Ah, my little abomination, the things I could teach you, but I cannot stand the sight or smell of you.”

“Fuck you, asshole!”

“I leave that to your mangy dog if he ever finds you alive,” Bergstrand said to him.

Jordan closed his eyes and tried to block out the old bastard. He was hoping that he had the strength to phase out of the room or change into a small animal and escape. He snapped his eyes open when he heard the old man laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Jordan asked him.

“So young and so foolish,” Bergstrand told him. “I know what you are trying to do. Don’t you think I have not thought about all the possible ways you could have gathered your powers and try to escape? I can see the power of your grandmother coursing through you. The ability to change into any animal at will. To phase out of a room. Your grandmother and mother were both talented and powerful women. One could control fire and the other ice, I on the other hand can control...” He stopped talking and stared at Jordan. “Ah, I see you were not fully aware of your lineage? Pity,” he said then tsked. “I guess I should at least let you know what you are before you die. The god of the sun, in his infinite wisdom, saw fit to give his protectors of the earth elemental abilities. We control land, air, water, and fire. Too bad I will never get to see just how powerful you could have become. I detest the blood of dogs running through you.”

“Yeah, well, I detest you too and I just met you,” Jordan told him but the blowhard wasn’t listening.  Bergstrand seemed like the kind of man who liked to hear himself talk. Jordan was trying to figure out a way to get the hell out of the situation he was in. His family must’ve been going out of their minds with worry. Duncan probably went bat shit crazy once he found out that Jordan was taken.

“Which one of those talents did you get?” Bergstrand asked, pulling Jordan back from his thoughts. “No doubt you’ve gained their talent, while the other child remains as worthless as the day she was born.” Rage started to build inside Jordan, it was one thing to talk about him and call him names but no one talked bad about his mother. Bergstrand must have noticed the change in his breathing. “I knew you weren’t listening to me, foolish boy,” he said as if they were on the best of terms.

“Don’t talk about my mother, you fucking bastard.” Jordan glared at the man standing over him.

Bergstrand bent and grabbed Jordan by the neck but didn’t squeeze it. “I will say what I want about that traitor. I gave her everything a daughter could ever want. And what did she do to repay me? She went and got pregnant by a dog who was not worthy enough to lick my boots.”

“Why don’t you just kill me now, because mark my words, old man, when I’m free I will kill you and that’s not a threat. It’s a promise.” They stared at each other. Jordan didn’t want to show Bergstrand just how full of shit he was.

“Do it now,” Bergstrand taunted. “Summon one of your gifted abilities, let me see what you can do and maybe I will let you live.”

Jordan spat in Bergstrand’s face as retaliation. His fingers tightened around his neck and covered his mouth and nose. Slowly stopping his flow of air. But Jordan didn’t look away, he stared at the man who called himself his grandfather as he tried to kill him. His vision was starting to get blurry, his chest was hurting from the lack of oxygen. He didn’t struggle, the last thought through his mind was that he was really stupid for taunting the man who wanted to kill him. Before he lost consciousness, Bergstrand released him and stepped back. Jordan started coughing, gasping for air as it was pulled back into his lungs.

Bergstrand stood towering over him, wiping off the spittle from his face with a handkerchief. “Tell me, young man, why haven’t you asked why you’re here?” He spoke as if he was ordering a cup of coffee. “Don’t you care for your wellbeing?”

“What sense would it make?!” Jordan wheezed. “Aren’t I here for leverage to draw out my mate? It’s the reason why you didn’t kill me just now, even though you wanted to.” Jordan could see in the man’s eyes just how much he hated Jordan’s existence.

The bastard stared down at Jordan for a few minutes too long. “So you do know what’s going on? Maybe you’re not as foolish as I first suspected.” There was a knock at the door and Bergstrand opened it. “What is it?”

“My Lord, we’ve heard back from the lykosian Alpha, also the lead hunter wishes to see you.”

“He can wish all he wants; he is on my time. However, I’m through in here, lead the way.”

He watched as Bergstrand walked over to the door. Just as he was about to walk out the door, Jordan stopped him with the one question that was burning through him. “Do you feel any guilt for anything you’ve done?” Bergstrand didn’t turn to look at him, nor did he answer, he made an incoherent sound and continued out the door without giving Jordan a backward glance.

Jordan surmised that the man was just a cold-hearted fucking bastard.  He let out the breath he had been holding, tilting his head back and sighing in relief. His chest still hurt and so did his head. He moved his mouth from side to side loosening it up. He was feeling the after effects from his psycho grandfather.

Who would have guessed the evil grandfather would show up out of nowhere? Fuck, I need to find a way to get the hell out of here.

Jordan looked around the room for something, anything he could use to cut his ropes. He pulled on his arms, hoping to loosen whatever the ropes were tied to. When nothing happened, Jordan gave up and leaned back on the pole. He was about to close his eyes when the door opened. He wasn’t in the mood for another bout with his so-called grandfather. He watched as the man who was dressed differently than Bergstrand in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt walked over to him.

“My Prince, we cannot stay longer—”

“Who the hell are you? And please, don’t call me that,” Jordan asked.

“I beg your apologies,” the man said with a bow. “I am Aoi Nakasima, I was a guard to your mother and aunt. And the reason why I’m helping, you’re our last hope to save our kingdom.”

Jordan was having a hard time believing the man. Because Aoi or whatever his name was did not look old enough to be anyone’s guard, Aoi reached behind and pulled a knife from his back. Jordan watched him carefully. If he was going to be killed, he’d rather face his killer. Aoi tilted him to the side and cut the ropes.

“Come. We must hurry,” he said helping Jordan up.

“Not that I’m not appreciative for the help but,” Jordan said has he pushed Aoi forward throwing him off balance. Jordan grabbed his arms and knife, bringing it to his neck. “Why are you helping me?”

Aoi was breathing heavy, he was a bit taller than Jordan but was slender in build. “I told you, you’re the only one that can save our kingdom. Another war is about to start and this time the nyxians will be in the center of it. More will die. I give you my word, My Prince, I will not harm you. I will swear it with my blood if I must. But first we must get out of here before they return. I promise, My Prince, I’m not trying to lead you into a trap.”

Jordan had no choice, he had to believe Aoi. There was no other way he was going to get out of there and warn Duncan. If Aoi was leading him into a trap, there was nothing Jordan could do about it. Jordan released him but kept the knife handy. If he was going to die, he was going out fighting.

“I’m trusting you,” Jordan told him. “But screw me over and I won’t hesitate to kill you.” When the hell did I become so bloodthirsty?

Aoi nodded. “I expect nothing less from the next leader of the nyxians.”

“Yeah, singing my praises still won’t save you. Let’s go.”

“Right,” Aoi said. “Stay close to me. The ones who are waiting for us will be on the other side of the hill.”

Hill? Where the fuck are we? And who are the other ones?

Jordan had so many questions, but he knew that he would have to ask them later. They walked to the door and Aoi cracked it opened and looked up and down the hall before walking out, Jordan was right behind him following close. There was no one standing guard and Jordan thought that it was strange. The hunters and his grandfather must have been certain that he was not going to get away and didn’t post any guards. They crept down the hall with Aoi leading the way. They walked a bit further and with every corner they turned, Jordan expected someone to be there to stop them from leaving.

“We’re almost there,” Aoi whispered. They stopped and froze when they heard footsteps coming their way as an alarm sounded. Red lights started flashing, Aoi cursed. “They realized you’re gone. Can you shift?”

Jordan looked down the hall and realized that there was nowhere for them to hide. “Um…” Jordan went to answer but stopped when he saw the worried look on Aoi’s face.

“Please, tell me you can shift or use your powers?”

“Then I won’t,” Jordan told him. “What about you? Can’t you shift, phase, or use your powers?”

“No, those are powers only given to those in the royal line. There are some things we low born can do, but nothing to the magnitude you royals can do. Fuck, we are in trouble. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Hey, asshole, you didn’t ask, and I still don’t know if I can trust you yet,” Jordan snapped at him. “Look, they’re getting close so let’s try and find a way to get the hell out of here.”

Aoi didn’t respond, he simply grabbed Jordan by the arm and they started running, but they didn’t get far enough.

“Aoi Nakasima, stop!” Jordan heard. “You’re a fucking traitor just like your brother!” the voice screamed. Aoi stopped running and put Jordan behind him. “How could you do this, Aoi?” Jordan couldn’t see who was talking.

“You know this is wrong, Isao. He is trying to kill the prince and his mate. And what about all the things he’s done up until now. Can you honestly tell me you are fine with all that’s going on?”

“He is your king!” Isao yelled. “It is not for you or me to question him.”

“That man stopped being my king the night he killed his daughter’s mate!” Aoi roared. “How can you stand by and watch another repeat of history by an insane king?”

“That’s because he’s our king! I pledged my loyalty to him.”

“And he is our prince. I cannot stand by and watch as another war starts because of his hate. Join me, Isao, join us. Let’s get the prince to safety and fight against King Bergstrand.”

“I will never betray my king, Aoi,” Isao told him.

“Then you are a fool,” Aoi said to him. “I pity you, and the rest who still consider that man their king.”

“I do not want your damn pity!”

Jordan tried to peek around Aoi, hoping to see the other man but was stopped. “When I charge at him, I want you to run and get away. The others will be waiting for you. I need you to survive, tell my brother I forgive him.”  

“What about you? Who’s your brother?” Jordan asked him.

“Don’t worry about me, just go!” Aoi yelled as he pushed Jordan towards the direction they were running before and charged after Isao.

He was about to start running, but Jordan took a quick look back to see what was going on. He wasn’t sure if he should leave or stay. Aoi was helping him and any minute he was going to die trying to help him. He couldn’t have Aoi’s blood on his hands. For all his talk of killing, Jordan was sure he couldn’t hurt a fly. People say and do stupid things apparently when they are in danger. The two men were rolling around on the floor, Aoi currently had the upper hand.

Jordan was about to run but that nagging feeling that made him stick around told him to help Aoi. The other two men that came with Isao tried to get into the scuffle but were thrown to the side by both Aoi and Isao. He needed to think of something quick or neither he nor Aoi would get out of there alive. He looked for something that he could use to incapacitate Isao, spotting the fire extinguisher down the other hall.

He ran and grabbed it off the wall. Turning back, he went back the way he came and stopped when he saw another person coming his way. He couldn’t tell if the man was a hunter or one of his kind, but he had no personal attachment to either. Besides, the man was coming after him to kill him. He swung the weapon in his hand, knocking the person out. Another man was coming after him and he did the same, but that time the guy was ready for him and kicked the extinguisher out of his hands. Jordan was thrown off balance and he couldn’t recover in time to stop the blow that was coming towards his face, sending him back and causing him to trip over the first guy he knocked out.

Jordan was starting to get sick and tired of people hitting him in his face. The guy he was fighting with went to jump on him to hit him again and that time Jordan threw his hand up to block his face. His hands felt hot for a second before he heard a loud wrenching scream. Moving his hands from his face, Jordan’s eyes widened in shock as the man he was fighting with was burning and tumbling down the hall.

“Holy shit!” He looked at his hands and then at the man who was burnt to a crisp. How the fuck did that happen?

“Don’t just fucking sit there!” yelled Aoi as he ran towards Jordan and grabbed his arm, pulling him up. His clothes were torn and his face bloody, but he was alive and that was all that mattered. “There’s more coming!”

Aoi wasn’t kidding. Not thinking twice, Jordan grabbed the fire extinguisher and unlocked it, spraying the white substance at the men heading their way, slowing them down, giving him and Aoi a chance to make their escape. Once they were outside, Jordan expected them to get into a car but they kept running. He wasn’t sure how far or how long they ran, he was just happy to get away from the hunters and his grandfather. Now all he had to do was warn Duncan and tell him that he was okay.

Duncan wished everyone would shut the hell up and stop telling him to calm the fuck down. It had taken him a while to shift back to human and regain his composure, but he was still angry and was ready to rip someone’s head off. His mate was kidnapped, and he was there debating with a fucking blood sucker on when to go and save his mate. He had no idea what the fuck Harrison was doing there. It was Ayumi’s idea to get Harrison involved since she knew about him being a sanguine. Since meeting her, Duncan couldn’t seem to say no to her. Laxus was the only one that wasn’t trying to calm him down. The man stood in the corner of the room with his hands folded across his chest, glaring at everyone in the room.

“Everyone shut the hell up!” Duncan barked. “Harrison, I don’t give a flying fuck as to why you’re here, if it were up to me, you wouldn’t be, but you were told to bring the hunter and you showed up empty-handed.”

Harrison growled and bared his fangs at Duncan. “I will not hand over my mate! How can you ask me to do something like that?!”

“Then, if you don’t have a fucking solution, get the hell out of my house!”

“Stupid dog,” Harrison mumbled.

He reached out quicker than it took anyone to realize what was happening and grabbed the blood sucker by the throat, applying pressure to his jugular. No one tried to stop him or pull them apart. “The only reason I won’t kill you right here and now is because your stench will take years to go away.”

Harrison smiled. “Do you think I’m afraid of a dog like you?” he asked, even though it was a struggle for him to talk.

“You should be,” Duncan told him, his fingernails turned into claws as his grip tightened around the other man’s neck. “Thank Jordan for the fact that you’re still breathing.”

Duncan released him and Harrison sagged against the wall. He was still so angry he didn’t know what to do. He wasn’t thinking straight and understood why Harrison came empty-handed, if he were in the other man’s shoes he would have done the same thing. There was no way he would give over his mate to or for anyone, no matter how close they were. Duncan knew he was being selfish, but he had no other choice. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and opened them again.

“Look, I appreciate you guys being here, but the more we sit around debating shit, the longer Jordan will be in fucking danger. He's my mate, and I'm going after him. You guys are welcome to join me.”

He looked at Harrison, who was still sagging against the wall, he saw the understanding in the other man’s eyes. Duncan wouldn’t apologize for his actions out loud, but the words hung between them. Duncan got up from the table as Ryland, Charlie, Parker, and Sebastian stood behind him. He walked out of the kitchen with his Beta and enforcers following behind him. He had no fucking idea what the hell he was going to do, but he knew he was getting his mate back.

“So what's the plan?” Ryland asked him. “Forget everything and everyone else in there, let’s talk about what we can do to get your mate back.”

He nodded. “First, we need to find out where they're hiding and the only one that can tell us is Harrison's mate and he's not going to help us, much less talk to us.”

“I can show you where it is.” Duncan gasped and turned around. He couldn't believe who was standing in front of him. His knees almost buckled but he held strong. “Well, aren't you going to welcome me home?” Duncan's only response was pulling Jordan into his arms and holding him tight. “It's okay, I'm here and I'm safe.”

Duncan nodded as he pulled back from their embrace. There were bruises on Jordan's face, he gently touched the side of his face, the fucker who hurt his mate was going to die. His beast was growling and pacing back and forth in anger. There was also a definite handprint around his neck and Duncan wanted to know who dared to try and kill his mate.

“You should see the other guy,” Jordan joked, but Duncan wasn't in the mood for jokes.

“How did you get away?” he asked able to find his voice.

“I had some help,” Jordan answered, pointing behind him.

Duncan looked up noticing the six or so men standing behind Jordan for the first time. They were all dressed in black. “Who are you?” Duncan growled as he tried to get in front of Jordan.

“Stop that,” Jordan chastised, smacking him on the arm. Duncan ignored the chuckles from his friends and the newcomers. “Aoi and his friends risked my grandfather's wrath to help me, shit that sounded weird,” he said shaking his head.

“Your grandfather?” Ryland asked.

“Oh boy, do I have a story to tell you, come on, let's go get something to eat. I'm starving and I’m sure these guys are hungry as well.”

Jordan stepped around him but Duncan grabbed him around the waist, holding him before he could get too far and turned him around. He placed his hands on Jordan’s shoulders.  “Jordan, you need to talk to me,” he told his mate. “I’ve been going out of my mind trying to figure out a way to rescue you.”

“Going out of your mind?” Parker said. “More like there’s a body or two of some animals’ carcasses spread out in the forest.” Duncan wanted to knock his enforcer out right then and there.

Jordan’s eyes widened. “Duncan, what happened? What did you do?”

“Don’t worry about me, I’m more concerned about you. You were kidnapped and gods know what happened…”

“Duncan, there is nothing to worry about, I’m here and I’m fine. And now, I’m hungry and I want to eat before we decide on a way to go after my grandfather. Because I know for sure he’s coming after us.” He grabbed Duncan by his arms. “Come on, let’s go eat.” He looked behind him at the people that came with him. “You guys, too.”

Duncan wasn’t sure what to think about all of that. Jordan seemed too calm for someone that was kidnapped and held against his will.  He looked back at the men that came back with Jordan. Duncan was confused about the entire situation. They reached the kitchen and he was thrown back by the force that collided with them. Ayumi had seen Jordan and threw herself at him.

“Oh my gods, Jordy, you’re okay.” She buried her face in the crook of his neck.  Duncan heard the crack in her voice and knew that she was crying.

“It’s okay, Mom, I’m fine,” Jordan told her. She pulled back and touched the side of his face. He reached up and wiped away the tears from her cheek. “See, I’m all good.”

Ayumi looked up and her eyes connected with his and confusion registered in her eyes. She looked back at Jordan. “How...how did you get away from the hunters?” she asked the same question Duncan did.

“These guys behind me,” Jordan said pointing behind him without looking away from her.

“Who?” she asked again searching behind Duncan.

“My Lady Ayumi,” one of the men said and stepped around Duncan and stood beside Jordan before going to his knees. “It’s good to be in your presence again, My Lady.”

Ayumi gasped and reached down to touch the man’s head. “It’s good to see you as well, Aoi, and I’m sure your brother will be happy to see you as well.” She looked at Jordan one more time before looking back down to Aoi. “But why are you here?”

“My Lady, it was your father,” Aoi said.

“My father?” she asked, looking back and forth between Jordan and Aoi. “He’s here?”

“Yes, and he’s helping the hunters, Mom,” Jordan told her then turned to Duncan. “He’s also the one poisoning your people.”

“What the fuck?” Ryland blurted out and Duncan couldn’t disagree.

“There’s more,” Jordan said.

“What else could there be?” Duncan asked.

“They are building an army and not just your run of the mill army, crazy bad guys with guns. But an army of super soldiers,” Aoi said standing. “There’s a war coming, and the king is in the center of it.”

“Fuck,” Duncan cursed.

“I agree,” Ayumi said.

“So you’re a what now?” Jordan asked Bronx.

Jordan was shocked beyond words to find out his best friend since childhood was not human in the least. It was a couple hours later, after he had gotten back, and the surprises had not stopped coming. Blayze had patched up his lip and saw to his face that was already healing. It was late in the night, but no one was in bed or had a chance to go home. After telling Duncan and the rest what happened while he was held captive, since they were planning on storming the hunter compound before they had a chance to pack up and leave. Bergstrand was more evil than anyone could have thought. Aoi told them how a couple of years after Ayumi and Laxus ran away, the king wrote a decree banning all nyans from mating with other sects.

The children that were not born of pure nyxian blood would be executed. Aoi and his friends worked as a part of the secret resistance and helped rescue and ferret as many people as they could. Some were not as lucky to have gotten away. Ayumi and Laxus were making it their job to locate the families and ensure that they were safe. There was a war coming and they would need others to help in the fight. His mother was disappointed to hear that her father’s hate only grew the older he got. His small world was growing.  There were things that Jordan didn’t know until Aoi and the rest told the group.

“Yeah, and it's a sanguine, in other words a vampire,” Bronx answered.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Did you know that I was a nyxian? Wait, do you drink blood? Oh my gods, have you drank my blood?” Jordan fired off questions continuously that made Bronx chuckle.

“I tried telling you, hell, I took you to my club with the intention of telling you so many times, but I chickened out. I couldn’t and didn’t want to lose your friendship. And I suspected you were more than just human. I’m sure my parents knew, which was why they tried to force us apart in the beginning. As time goes on and the more you start to learn how things are done, you’ll realize all the sects don’t get along. Hell, I’m sure it’s killing your mate right now to be nice to me,” he finished with a snarky smile. “As for drinking blood, yes, we need it as a life source and would die without it. But we also need to eat regular food. No, I’ve never tasted your blood. I’ve never had the urge to do so either, which is why I knew you weren’t my mate.”

“Did you wish I was?”

Bronx sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “Do you really want the answer to that?”

He wasn’t sure if he did. Maybe he was being selfish asking the question in the first place. “Do you hate me?” Jordan asked his best friend.

Bronx looked at him, then pulled him close and kissed him on the forehead like he’d done a million times. “I could never hate you. You mean more to me than you will ever know.”

“Better not let Duncan hear you say that,” Jordan joked.

Bronx laughed. “You’re right. I’m astonished he’s not staring me down right now. Or prowling around somewhere keeping an eye on us.”

They chuckled at that. Duncan was a bit possessive of Jordan, but he liked that about the man.

“How are you dealing with all of this?”

Jordan pulled out of Bronx’s arms and leaned back on the sofa he was sitting on. “I’m not sure how to answer that question.”

“What do you mean?”

“Where do I start? Who would have thought that on the day I got hired for a job that things turned out like this? My boss is my mate, my best friend was afraid to tell me what he is, my parents hiding my heritage from me, and I’m still trying to figure out why I’m not angry. I should be mad at you, Duncan, and my parents. But seriously, I’m relieved.”

“Why are you relieved?”

“For years now, I’ve been seeing strange things here and there. Like remember a few months ago I told you I had this dream that I saw a big black dog with blue eyes in my dream and instead of it trying to kill me, I was able to touch it and play with it as if we knew each other.”

“Yeah, I remember. I told you that you were crazy,” Bronx said with a smile. “I’m sorry, little bit,” he sighed.

“For what?” Jordan asked, confused and ignoring that his friend used the nickname he hated.

“For keeping everything a secret from you,” Bronx told him.

“There’s nothing you could have done, in a way I kind of understand,” Jordan told him. “What if you told me and I freaked out and your fears came true? As much as I hate to admit it, things happened the way they did for me and Duncan because they were meant to. Do you remember how drawn I was to his picture?” Bronx nodded. “I think even with the block on my abilities, I knew Duncan was mine, you know? I even stopped sleeping around the second I laid eyes on his picture.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes longer and Jordan tried to absorb his own words.

“Since I’m apologizing for secrets, I need to say I’m sorry for something else,” Bronx told him.

“Please don’t tell me you killed someone,” Jordan said jokingly.

“No, but I could have,” Jordan furrowed his brow and Bronx continued to speak. “I couldn’t do it; I couldn’t exchange my mate for you even after all we mean to each other and even though I understood the position Duncan was in.”

“Who would ask you to do that? If mates mean the same thing for lykosians, it does for your kind—”

“It does,” Bronx said, cutting him off.

“Then who would ask you to do something like that?” Jordan asked him.

Bronx did not have to say anything, the expression on his face told Jordan everything. Anger boiled inside of him and before Bronx could stop him, Jordan was already marching into Duncan’s office. The door banged on the wall when he pushed it, he saw the surprise from everyone in the room.

“How dare you!” He was seething with anger.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Duncan asked.

“Why would you ask Bronx to do something like that? To turn over his mate!”

“So he told you?” Duncan said.

“Damn right, he did,” Jordan answered, crossing his arms over his chest. “So you’re not denying what you did?”

“Why the fuck should I? You are my mate and I will do anything to protect you.”

“And what about Bronx’s mate?” Jordan yelled.

“Exactly, what about his mate? What business should I care what happens to his mate? I am a selfish bastard, Jordan. I protect and keep what’s mine safe. That includes my family, my pack, and most of all my mate. If you didn’t know it, well now you do. What do you think would happen when you burst in here, that I would say I’m sorry? Well, I’m not. Harrison would have done the same thing if he was in my shoes.”

“He’s right, Jordan,” Bronx said behind him.

“But we are talking about another person's life, don’t either of you care about that?”

“I’m going to say this again.” Duncan stood to his feet and walked around his desk and closer to Jordan but didn’t touch him. “My main concern is my mate, which is you, my family, this means the twins and my mother, and last is my pack; in that order.”

Jordan read the if you don’t like it, too fucking bad.

“I will admit that I’m not used to all this shit,” he said. “But I refuse to let someone be sacrificed because of me.”

Duncan growled in frustration. “Why the fuck are we even talking about this? You’re here and we didn’t need to sacrifice anyone.”

“I know you don’t like it, Jordan, but that is the way things are,” Bronx said behind him.

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Things need to change,” Jordan said.

“This is how things are in our world,” Bronx told him.

“But it’s not fair.”

“To you maybe,” Duncan told him, anger still radiating off him in waves.

Jordan still didn’t understand and he probably never will. But he expected more from Bronx and Duncan.

“It’s just the thought that you would have done it without a thought to anyone else that bothers me,” Jordan told Duncan then turned to Bronx. “I don’t know either of you,” he said and walked out of the office going up to the room he shared with Duncan.