2
FOREST
“Shh, it’s okay. Everything’s fine,” I whispered to Willow as he continued to struggle against his swaddling. He had been grumpy since he woke up, and no matter how much I fed him, he wanted more and more. I knew he needed milk to grow, but my chest was getting really sore from how frequently he fed. And right now wasn’t the time for a feeding. I looked around at the people around me, dressed in their black attire similar to my own. Mark’s family members, as Jason had told me, were the people sitting up at the very front. I hadn’t said much to them aside from an apology before taking a seat. I felt so weird about these things. Mark didn’t deserve to die, and I felt partially to blame because it was my ex-boyfriend who killed him. That just made it even more awkward to try and console the family. It felt like my fault.
Jason had chatted with them quite a bit after I had taken the seat, before the memorial began. A preacher was standing in front of a large portrait of Mark, with flowers surrounding the base of the frame. He talked in-depth about his life, what he had done, and what a good person he had been. One by one, the family approached the frame and the preacher and took turns speaking on Mark as well, saying what they loved and missed about him. It was honestly a beautiful service, but now with Willow getting so fussy, it was hard for me to listen when I was trying to keep him silent.
Jason leaned over, whispering while keeping his eyes ahead at the family member that was currently speaking. “Is he hungry?”
I nodded, clicking my tongue against the roof of my mouth at our baby to get him to calm down. “He’s been hungry since five this morning. I need a break, but I didn’t pack any formula. I didn’t know how long this would take,” I whispered back, beginning to bounce Willow in my arms. Jason nodded, sitting back up. “It shouldn’t last much longer.”
Willow wouldn’t care how long it lasted, he was hungry now. His beautiful, large eyes stared back into mine like a reflection. While I could see a bit of Jason in him, he definitely was a mirror image of me. And he was my world. Just a few months ago, I would never have guessed I’d be here with this baby. And he was a blessing for having pulled through being born so early. I’d give him the world, but only if he would just wait until the service was over before he started to cry.
I noticed a couple of people turning around and giving me a look, as though to say get that baby out of here. Willow’s whines were slowly increasing in frequency and loudness. I would give them apologetic looks in return, but I didn’t want to leave.
Finally, the last family member returned to their seat and the preacher raised his hands upward.
“That was beautiful, Jesse. Mark truly was a man of this world, and has left such an impression on everyone around him. He cared about everyone he met, and went to the greatest of lengths to ensure even strangers were safe. He will be greatly missed. Now, if you will all bow your heads with me for a final moment of silence.”
I continued to bounce Willow to keep him relaxed for just a bit longer. “Please, Willow. Be a good boy,” I whispered to him among the vast number of whispers from strangers as they prayed to themselves. Willow’s eyes locked onto mine, as though he was searching them for an answer to his hunger. I gave him a pitiful look and glanced around. One by one, people began to lift their heads now that they were done with their prayers.
“Thank you. Please, if you would like to add flowers to the memorial stand, do so. The family will be here for their friends to talk to for a while longer, and I will remain to counsel anyone in need of it. Amen, and may God bless you.”
Finally! I stood up quicker than everyone else and made my way out of the small crowd of people. “Here we go, okay?” I cooed over my baby, undoing several buttons of the black button-down until it was open halfway down my chest. I nudged Willow’s head close to my exposed chest and he didn’t hesitate to quickly latch on.
“Be gentle!” I laughed at him, watching as he suckled away quickly while I walked around closer to where everyone had parked their cars. The service was held at a botanical garden, with plenty of pathways to walk, and was outside, despite how chilly it was. Willow didn’t seem to mind the bit of chill, and I made sure to get him wrapped up tight, with a large knitted cap for his head to stay warm. I wouldn’t be able to stand it if he got sick and had to go back to the hospital again.
I kept pacing around the small rounded path that encircled the center garden, where everyone was now standing and talking. I noticed Jason talking to who he told me were Mark’s grandchildren. They were smiling and nodding as my lover kept speaking. He placed a hand onto one of their shoulder with a grin.
One thing I knew for sure about Jason was his deep desire to help people. Just like he had helped me, even beyond what was necessary for a stranger to do. He was the most kind-hearted wolf I’d ever known.
I smiled at him as he started to make his way over towards me, but as he approached, his attention quickly turned from Willow and I towards an older man. He had been sitting in the very back of the crowd of people, dressed in a long black pea coat that covered the rest of his clothing. His beard was more white than black, matching the perfectly styled hair atop his head. Jason blinked, the joyful look on his face falling, replaced with a look of surprise and confusion. I tilted my head to the side, watching them, also confused at the interaction as Jason quickly made his way over to the man.
Who was he?
JASON
“What are you doing here?” I tried my best not to snarl, maintaining my composure as best as I could. It’s not like I hated the man, but he didn’t belong at this service. The last time I had seen him, Jake was still alive. So it’d been some time since I’d seen his face. But it wasn’t one that I could easily forget.
“I came here to see you.” He smiled at me, offering up a half bow in a formal manner. I shook my head, looking back at Forest who gave me a strange look. I tried to ignore him, speaking in a more hushed tone.
“What for?”
“I just wanted to give my own condolences for you. I know Mark was a friendly neighbor of yours, one that didn’t deserve to die in the manner that he did.” His smile remained on his face, but there was something else on his mind, I could tell. Just as when I had first met him, his eyes were still cold, even with the warm look on his face.
“Thanks, but I think apologies are better suited for Mark’s family.” I went to move away but he snatched my elbow quickly, giving it a firm tug back towards him.
“I didn’t only come here for that. I heard that you were in the market for a new home.”
Now that piqued my interest.
I turned back to face him again, cocking an eyebrow up in curiosity. “Excuse me?”
“Jason, I never got to apologize for the actions of my pack. I try to keep them in line, but the younger ones do as they will. Pups will be pups.” He shrugged. “But what happened with Mark, and your mate there,”—he nodded over to Forest—“is absolutely unacceptable. Every bit of Thorn’s actions will not be tolerated.”
I froze when he said that name. “What do you know?”
“My boy, you know who I am. When your previous lover got in that altercation with one of my boys, did I not treat you well and toast to both of your health? My organization may not have the best reputation, but I’m an honorable old wolf. It’s a shame we have to cross paths in such a manner. I only have a pull over my own clan within the pack, and that miserable brat was one of them.”
“So what about your wolves that attacked Forest, huh? If you were so honorable, why would you be fine with them attacking him when he did nothing wrong?”
He clicked his tongue at me, looking me over. “I know little about that side of our faction. Our pack is larger than most, I’m sure you have guessed. I only know about what happens within my group. We have different Alphas that control different... business opportunities, so to speak.”
“So what? You’re sorry about Mark’s death, and Thorn trying to kill Forest? Declan, I’d rather you not get further into my business. Everything that involves your pack somehow fucks up. And I won’t risk it, not when...” Again, my sights followed over towards Forest and Willow, Forest now walking towards our car and getting in. I assumed to keep him and the baby warm. The breeze was starting to pick up, and part of the crowd had already dispersed to leave, holding their arms at their sides to keep their body heat trapped underneath their jackets.
“That is exactly why I’ve come. I am honorable. I will not have the people under my control stepping out of line any further. And in condolences, for everything, I wish to help you find a new place to live. Imagine it, how much safer you would feel. And your mate would be rather ecstatic, I presume.”
My knuckles cracked involuntarily as I clutched them into fists at my side. I didn’t trust a word he said, but I was getting desperate. Even working on call, getting on every shift I possibly could without passing out from the fatigue, it was barely a drop in the bucket to what we would need as a down payment for a new home. I couldn’t move him into a more dangerous area of town, where it would be cheaper to move. Forest and Willow both deserved the best. But at this rate, I’d never be able to afford it.
“I don’t know...”
“We are not evil. Our dealings in business may not be legal in Solara, but it’s an honest living. And what Leon and I do control, I try my damnedest to keep them shaped up and behaving like good wolves to keep the law off our backs.”
I felt him place his hand onto my shoulder, coming closer towards me until he could whisper in my ear. “I’m only offering this as a sign of peace. I want nothing more to come from Thorn’s fuckup. If you want the help, I’ve offered it. If not, then I’ll have peace of mind knowing that I at least offered.”
He waited for me to say more, but I couldn’t decide yet. Not that quickly. Forest and Willow needed a new home, but there had to be something behind this. There was no way he was offering this out of the goodness of his heart.
“Fine. Don’t say I never offered you help. Good day to you.” I felt Declan remove his hand, his footfalls crunching the dry, dying grass underneath each step.
“Wait,” I finally called out to him. I heard him pause in his tracks.
“Yes?” His voice sounded too delighted, and his attempt to hide it was shit. But the offer was almost too good to be true. Finally, I spun on my heel to face him with a frown.
“I... I accept.”
“Oh, fantastic decision. Here, take this.” Declan reached into his left pocket, procuring a small business card, walking over to place it out in front of me. I accepted it carefully, keeping my eyes on him, “Give me a call, and we can discuss more about the house.”
He gave a final nod and continued on his way, not waiting for me to say anymore.
I eyed the card in my hand suspiciously. It was mostly blank except for his name and number on the front.
With a gulp, I made my way over towards the car that Forest was waiting for me in. I had to remember, this was for him. For our child. This was the only thing that would get us out of that fucking house and somewhere else.
But deep down, I hoped I hadn’t just made a deal with the devil.