It was late afternoon. Liam, in his lion form, was lazily swinging his tail as he scanned the skies for signs of his mate. Whatever it was that caused Beau’s tiredness the day they arrived was long gone, and by day three of their holiday, they’d found a rhythm that suited them both. It was peaceful, sleeping in in the morning not having to jump every time a baby cried; having the kitchen to themselves so they could share leisurely meals and curling up on the couch to watch movies or just make out. Liam’s heart ached being away from Lucien, but even he was sensible enough to know he and Beau needed private time together.
There’d been one horrible night. Liam’s fur prickled just thinking about it. He’d snapped at Beau for the silliest of reasons; something to do with dirty towels. For some reason he’d gotten so angry over nothing. But Beau took it all in his stride – holding Liam close as he wept as though his eyes were broken.
After, they’d talked. Liam haltingly poured out all his hopes and dreams he’d had in the month he’d been apart from Theo. It was Beau who told him it was perfectly natural for him to grieve over broken dreams. Then, of course, Liam felt bad because Theo had been Beau’s mate too. He and Beau shared their tears then as Beau explained how long he’d waited to find his two mates and what that had meant for him long before he’d turned up at Cam’s. The sun was just peaking over the horizon when they finally fell asleep. It was a heartbreaking night in so many ways, but for all the pain, Liam believed it brought them closer together.
And now his mate was flying. Liam wouldn’t admit to anyone just how much of a goober he acted when Beau shifted for the first time. His bottom jaw almost hit his knees. One minute, Beau was standing there all glistening skin and sexiness and the next, there was this ginormous bird in his place. Beautifully colored in oranges, reds and yellows, with a long tail and sweeping wings like a peacock tail, he was as tall as Liam in human form. Liam could only gape as the majestic being bowed low before spreading his wings and taking to the skies.
Liam stretched and roared just because he could. The warmth of the sun on his fur was making him sleepy, but it was his turn to cook. That was something else that fascinated Liam, how easily they had shared the chores. He wasn’t a huge fan of cooking, but the remains of the delicious pasta meal Beau cooked for lunch was still sitting in his belly, so he knew he had to make an effort.
Just five more minutes, he thought with a sigh as his head flopped down on the flat rock. Beau had warned him he might be gone a while as he rarely shifted during the day so it was a treat for him. He’d headed out over the sea where it was less likely for anyone to see him. Liam could only imagine what it must be like, soaring on wind currents taking in the view below. His eyelids fell shut as Liam did imagine it; nothing but wide open spaces and the feel of the wind rushing across feather covered skin. At least Liam thought Beau had feathers.
The sound of a car had his eyes snapping open. Liam growled. Rousing his head, he quickly scanned the area. There was no sign of Beau although the sun had dipped. Damn it, I must’ve fallen asleep. The car, whosever it was, was getting closer. Liam didn’t have time to shift and dress. Jumping off the rock, he buried himself in the bush by the house, watching the driveway. If it was humans lost on the road, he’d give them a hell of a fright. He couldn’t think who else would be seeking them out.
Trying not to get too excited; Liam’s lion loved to chase things, he hunkered down in the dirt, trying to make himself smaller. That wasn’t an easy thing to do. For a lion shifter, Liam was huge, and that was without the crazy orange streaks he now wore thanks to his mating with Beau. That is no ordinary car, Liam’s eyes widened as a long black car made its way slowly around the tight corner just before the house. It’s a freaking limo.
There was no room in front of the house for the limo to turn around unless it wanted to drive on the sand. The driver was probably worried about rust, because he just stopped the car and hopped out to open the back door. A tall man, slender, but with a military hair cut stepped out, buttoning the jacket of his suit as he eyed the area with disgust.
“Get my son out here. Damn boy should’ve heard the car. If he’s in bed, kick the bastard he’s with out on his ear. I want my son in front of me in two minutes, or your fired.”
The driver threw a salute and hurried up to the house, not even bothering to knock before he went inside. Liam’s lips curled back. That was his space; his and Beau’s. Without thinking of the consequences, he leaped from his hiding place, planting his feet firmly on the steps to the house before he roared. The tall man turned and now Liam could see the family resemblance. Shame the guy was such an ass.
“A cat. How quaint. Must be a bitch trying to get the fur out of the furniture.” Mr. Ferris flicked a non-existent piece of lint off his jacket. “Why don’t you be a good boy and shift and tell me where my son is before I burn your ass.”
Liam shifted, not because he was ordered to, but his lion didn’t have the vocabulary he needed. “Beau’s not here, so what ever you want will have to wait. Why don’t you back that thing up the same way you came, and I’ll let him know you called.”
“You are so cute,” Mr. Ferris sneered. “Thinking you’ve got something going on with my son. He eats ten of the likes of you before breakfast.”
“This mark says otherwise,” Liam pointed to his mating scar. “I asked you nicely. Leave.”
Mr. Ferris’s eyes narrowed as he took in the scar. “Where’s my son’s other mate? Please tell me that one doesn’t have a dick.”
“That’s complicated and none of your business.” There was no way Liam was going to explain Theo or a possible mate who was still to come to someone who looked at him as though he was shit on the man’s shoe. “It’s just Beau and I here at the moment and as I said before, you’re not welcome unless he says otherwise.”
“Do you know who I am?” The man drew himself up straighter if that was at all possible, and Liam caught sight of a fireball in his hands.
“No, and that’s just one of the reasons why you aren’t welcome here.” Liam stood firm. “I heard about the way you talked about your son to your staff. You’re hardly here to congratulate him on his mating. Now go.”
“I won’t have him mated to the likes of you!” The fireball Ferris was holding flew in Liam’s direction so fast he didn’t have time to move. His hands coming up was a reflex action. He wasn’t sure who was more shocked – him or Beau’s father when he caught the damn thing.
“Huh, pretty.” Liam juggled the ball between his hands and then threw it up in the air. It disappeared into a shower of tiny sparkles. “What else have you got?”
“Him.” Ferris pointed over Liam’s shoulder to the driver who had his fists raised behind him. Pissed off beyond belief, Liam grabbed the man’s hand and leg and threw him, so his head connected with the door frame with a solid thunk.
“I guess you’ll have to drive yourself out of here.” Liam picked up the slumped form and threw it towards the car.
“Look, you…you…you mangy fur ball.” Ferris’s face was bright red. “I don’t care what that son of mine said, promised or did. You are leaving him today.” He put his hand in his jacket pocket. Liam tensed, worried what else was going to be thrown at him. But the man pulled out a billfold. “How much? How much is it going to take for you to leave here now and never get in touch with my son again?”
Liam tilted his head, curious. “You do realize your son and I are true mates, don’t you? There isn’t enough money in the world that would make me leave Beau.”
“You haven’t found your third,” Ferris snapped. “If I kill you, he’ll have to wait until the Fates bless him with another mated pair. A female pair this time. I suggest you take the money.”
“Have you done this kind of thing before?” Liam could feel his lion rumbling deep inside of him, wanting out.
“No, but I’ve been preparing for this day for centuries.” Ferris laughed, a dry and hollow sound. “I always knew there was a possibility the fates would try and mess with my plans for my sons. Until the bond is forged with all three of you, it can be broken especially if you were to have an unfortunate accident. My son won’t suffer that much and then maybe next time he wants a freaking mate, he’ll see sense and do what I tell him to do.”
“I don’t think so, father.” Liam’s head shot up as he heard Beau’s voice behind him.