Wen wasn’t happy about being called to Trayis’s home late at night. He and Gerri had been sharing a bath, their first as mates, after he’d finally gotten her to eat. She walked beside him, holding his hand as he paused at the front door and knocked.
Trayis answered it. “Come in.”
“What’s wrong? What have my parents done? That’s it, right?”
Gerri tightened her hold on him and shot him a worried look. He hated that his parents were a danger to her. He wanted her to feel safe as his mate. Trayis gestured them to take a seat on the couch.
Wen led her inside but didn’t want to sit down. “Just tell it to us straight. What have they done?”
Trayis closed the door and leaned against it. “They informed me that they no longer wish to be part of my clan.”
Wen had to lock his knees to keep from falling on his ass. He was that stunned. “What?”
“They wanted my permission to leave. I’d never force someone to stay. I made some calls. I didn’t want to ask Lorn to take them in. He’s got enough shit to deal with as far as troubled VampLycans go. Velder and Crocker both offered to accept them. They’ve decided to move into Crocker’s territory. It seems they’ve made some friends there.”
“That’s where most of the women came from that they tried to throw at me.” Wen was still reeling. “I’ll talk to them.”
“They’re already gone, Wen. I guess they left the meeting, packed their belongings into their truck, and just wanted official permission to leave. I watched them drive away myself and had one of the enforcers follow them out of our territory.” Trayis moved closer. “I’m sorry, but this is probably for the best. They each gave their word that they wouldn’t attempt to harm Gerri or any children you had.”
Gerri tugged on his hand and practically pulled him to the couch. She gave him a shove until he heavily sat. She climbed onto his lap and put her arms around him. “I’m so sorry.”
Trayis took a seat in a chair near them, watching Wen with concern. “I didn’t see this coming either.”
Wen had never guessed they’d leave the clan. “At least I didn’t have to kill anyone.”
“There’s one more thing I need to tell you.” Trayis hesitated, his expression grim.
“Just say it.” Wen braced for more emotional shocks.
“Man, it’s so screwed up, I don’t even know how to break it to you.”
“Wen is strong,” Gerri murmured. “I’m with him. Tell us. Whatever it is, we’ll get through it together.”
Trayis glanced at Gerri, then held Wen’s gaze. “They came to tell me they wanted to leave. I told them I’d make those calls, which I did, and then I went to their house to let them know which clans they could live with. Your father told me they’d go to Crocker’s territory, but…then your mother thanked me—for letting them know that you had died. She turned to your father and said they had nothing left here, now that both of their sons were lost to them forever.”
Wen closed his eyes, fighting to remember how to breathe.
His mate held on to him tighter and he forced his lungs to work.
“Elna’s totally fucking lost it,” Trayis muttered. “And Mandro was going right along with it, assuring her they could have more children. He said it would be like when they’d first mated. I’m so sorry, Wen. I had to tell you in case you tried to contact them. That’s how they’re playing this now.”
He nodded. “I’m dead to them.”
“Oh, Wen. I’m so sorry.”
He held on tight to his mate. “Don’t cry, Gerri.” He reached up and wiped at her tears. “I remember what you said about your mother and how you had to walk away from her. You survived that. I’m so proud that you’re a survivor. So am I. You’re the only family I need.”
It hurt a hell of a lot, but in a way, his parents had lost him years ago when his older brother had died. He’d stopped being Wen to them and became a replacement for Gerbin. His gaze met Trayis’s next. “It’s for the best.”
“It is,” Trayis stated firmly. “Do you want me to adopt you too?”
The offer was a huge honor. He thought about it for half a minute. A laugh burst out of Wen. “Hell no. That would make my mate my sister.”
Trayis sat up straighter but then amusement sparked in his eyes. “I didn’t think about that. You’re my son-in-mate. Just don’t call me daddy. That would be weird.”
“So fucking weird,” Tymber stated from the hallway. “Kinky too.”
Wen turned his head, staring at his friend. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“We weren’t sure how you’d react, so I wanted to be close in case you wanted to beat on someone.” Tymber sat on the coffee table. “Sorry your parents are fuckheads. The good news is that they won’t be screwing with you, your mate, or the kids you have. No more unwelcome random bitches in your bed either. Just the hot little number on your lap.” Tymber winked at Gerri.
Wen snarled at him. “Don’t flirt with my mate.”
“I think Tymber was looking forward to you kicking his ass around my yard if you needed to get out your frustrations and is still trying to make that happen.” Trayis stood. “Anyone want a drink? I know I could sure use one.”
All three of them said yes.
Gerri reached up and ran her thumb over Wen’s lip. “Are you okay?”
“I am. It’s actually a relief,” he admitted.
“Really?” She didn’t look convinced.
“I thought it would end in bloodshed. It didn’t. I’m disowned. I can live with that. Best of all, I don’t have to worry about them coming after you.”
“I feel guilty.”
“What did you tell me about it not being my fault that they’re this way?”
Gerri smiled. “True.”
“There are no regrets when it comes to us. I love you, G.L.”
“I love you too, honey b―”
Wen lunged and kissed her lips to mute her. She laughed against his mouth and he pulled back, winking. “Only when we are alone.”
Tymber leaned forward. “Honey what?”
“Forget about it.” Wen shot him a warning look.
Trayis returned carrying beers. “Honey butt?”
“Maybe honey badass?” Tymber paused. “Honey badger? He can be kind of grumpy and mean. Come on, Gerri. Finish that endearment.”
“Fine.”
Wen tensed but she turned her head and winked at him, then faced his two friends.
“I was saying I love you too, honey, but I lust for you as well. Wen is my everything.”
Tymber opened his beer. “I’m calling bullshit. Honey bee? His punches do kind of sting when he lands them.”
“Here’s to the mated couple.” Trayis held up his beer. “Cheers to you two. The start of your mating was a bit rough but it’s all good from here.”
Wen opened the beer and lifted it. “To happiness.”
Gerri clinked her can against his. “To love and lust.”
“I’m going to figure out what you call him,” Tymber promised. “Honey beehive? Because you don’t fuck with those.”
“Drink your beer and shut up,” Trayis ordered.
They all took a sip at the same time. A phone rang and Trayis reached for his back pocket. His smile faded when he glanced at the screen, and he answered it. Then he was on his feet and down the hallway so fast, it was hard to see him.
Wen tensed, hoping it wasn’t something about his parents. He hoped his troubles were over with them. The door down the hallway closed, so he couldn’t hear a thing being said.
Trayis returned a minute later. This time, he appeared highly amused.
“What is it?” Tymber stood.
Wen stayed where he was. He had his mate on his lap and had no intention of moving her. She was right where she belonged. “Want to share what’s so funny?”
Trayis glanced at his enforcers. “That was Lord Aveoth. He heard from Decker. The bastard wants to make a deal with him to come home. I’m guessing the Vamp Council gave him the boot.” He grinned. “You did it, Wen and Gerri. I’m guessing Horton must have done or said something that messed up their little alliance.”
Wen laughed, his night suddenly getting a hell of a lot better. “We do make a hell of a team.”
Gerri tugged on his shirt. “Why is everyone so happy that Decker, a.k.a the boogeyman, wants to return to Alaska? Isn’t that a bad thing?”
“No, G.L. It’s fantastic. Lord Aveoth is going to kill that bastard.”
She slowly smiled at Wen. “Never mess with a fur bat.”
Tymber choked on his beer. “Did you just call Lord Aveoth a fur bat?”
Wen downed his beer and set it on the side table. He lifted Gerri. “That was your imagination. My mate would never do that. I’m taking her home. Good night.”
Gerri clung to him. “Night. We’re going home to do that whole love-and-lust thing.”
Trayis opened the door for them. “Think girl!”
Wen carried her outside, heading toward her cabin. “What in the hell does that mean?”
She buried her face against his neck. “He wants us to have lots of sex.”
“That’s a weird way to put it.”
She laughed. “He’s a VampLycan. What do you expect? You’re all kind of crazy.”
He growled low at her, knowing she was playing with him. She could always make him laugh. “Seriously, what does ‘think girl’ mean?”
She threaded her fingers through his hair and tugged his ear closer. “He wants us to have some girl babies for the clan.”
Wen came to a stop and stared into her eyes. “For real?”
“Yes. He believes mind over matter might work. So we have to think the word ‘girl’ every time we have sex. It’s going to be easier for you than me, since I am one. Me on the other hand…I guess you’re going to have to do things that make me totally mindless so I don’t accidently think anything with the word ‘boy’ in there. Like, ‘boy, is he good at that’. Are you up for the challenge, mate?”
He began walking again. “Accepted. Step one. Get her naked in a bed.”
Gerri threw her head back and laughed. “But I’d totally do you in the mud, honeybun.”
He stopped, sniffed, his gaze roaming the dark. “We’re alone. I’m not scenting anyone nearby. How do you feel about dirt?”
She grabbed his face and kissed him. “I’d love to get dirty with you. Anywhere, anytime.”
He left the path and hunted for a nice soft spot to make love to his mate. “You’re about to be eaten by the big bad wolf, golden locks.”
“You never get your fairy tales right,” she teased. “That’s the three bears.”
“I got my fairy tale ending. That’s all that matters. I have you.”