Chapter Fourteen
As soon as they were done eating, Parker returned. He seemed relieved to hear that they were agreeable to his plan. They followed him down to a parking garage and over to an old truck.
Parker pulled open the back doors.
“It would be best if you stayed back here for the journey. You would be more comfortable in your shifter forms.”
Max surveyed the space. It was big enough for both his bear and Michael’s ocelot to rest comfortably.
“Okay,” he agreed. “How long is the journey?”
“I’ve agreed on a meetup point with Griffin about four hours from here. We have a tank full of gas and no reason to stop before then. Are you ready?”
In answer, Max took a few steps away and shifted, then climbed into the back of the truck. Michael followed a moment later, his ocelot slinking out of view behind Max, using the bear like a shield from the door.
“Very good,” Parker said. “Any problems, just bang on the wall, and I’ll pull in somewhere out of sight if I can. If we’re being followed, I’ll blow the horn first, so you know to be ready.”
Max grunted an acknowledgment as the alpha shut the truck doors, throwing them into darkness. Turning, he sought out Michael. The omega was clearly nervous, his tail flicking, his ears perked up. Max settled down onto the floor and waited. After a moment, the ocelot gravitated closer and crouched next to him. The engine burst into life and the truck moved off, pushing Michael’s body against his. The omega sank to the floor, bracing himself against the rocking movement of the truck.
After a few minutes, Michael sidled closer, pressing his whole body against Max’s flank. He could tell the omega was cold and was seeking out the heat and comfort his bear provided. The alpha didn’t mind. Michael was the whole reason he was there, tearing across the country to keep him safe. And now he knew he was doing the right thing. He wasn’t a liar, he hadn’t stolen Michael for his own selfish reasons, hadn’t separated an omega from his kids without just cause.
With a low rumble, he rested his chin on Michael’s back and the omega’s nervous movements ceased. To Max’s surprise, a few moments later, he started purring. A fast rumble that contrasted his own slow vibration. Michael’s scent wasn’t what he’d expected in a compatible omega. It wasn’t sickly sweet like cotton candy the way he distantly remembered others talk about it. It was like the scent of warm cinnamon on a cold winter morning. Understated, just a hint of something exotic and sweetly spicy. He wondered what he smelled liked to the omega. Something good, he guessed, from the way Michael’s nose was buried in his fur. They were both close to exhaustion, but Max knew he needed to stay awake until he got Michael to his brothers. There was no doubt in Michael’s mind that they meant safety and the alpha trusted that. Still, that didn’t mean the omega needed to stay awake, and he was pleased when he drifted to sleep a short while later. Safe and sound, with a bear at his back.
He guessed a few hours passed before Michael woke. When he did, it was with a startled jerk and a high-pitched cry that cut off almost as soon as it started. Max held still and waited for the omega to come to full alertness. He did, with a long shudder. Max, nudging his nose against Michael’s fur, did his best to comfort. He could see whatever dream he’d been having had rattled him. Had he dreamed of his cubs? Of that alpha, Julian? Or, more likely, Claude. The spiteful, resentful beta who’d made his miserable life just that bit more unpleasant.
The shuddering gradually eased off but instead of settling back down, Michael pulled away. Max realized why a moment later when he returned to his human form.
“Sorry, Max,” the omega croaked, his voice thick with tears. “It was just a bad dream.”
Torn between staying as a bear to keep Michael warm and the need to comfort him with words, he opted to shift too.
“Hey, it’s fine. Come here.”
He held his arms open, and Michael sank into his embrace, clinging tightly to him.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
The omega shuddered again then shook his head, his hair brushing Max’s chest.
“Are you worried about seeing your brothers again? It’s been a long time.”
Michael went very still, and Max waited. Eventually, he spoke.
“I’ve wanted to see them again for the longest time. But we’ve been apart for so many years. They’re practically strangers. What if…”
“What if what?”
“What if they’re not the people I remember? What if I can’t trust them the way I should? I’m not very good at trusting people.”
Given the way the omega was clinging to him, Max wasn’t sure that was true.
“They’re your brothers. From what Parker said, they’ve been searching for you for years. It sounds very much like they want you with them for all the right reasons. Listen to your instincts, what are they telling you?”
“Run to them and never let go.”
“That’s your answer then, isn’t it?”
Michael didn’t reply, clinging a little tighter to him, his face hidden against Max’s shirt.
“We’ll see you safe, Michael. I promise.”
“I know you have a life of your own to get back to, with Parker and his pack. But will you stay,” the omega asked, peering up at him hopefully. “Just until I figure things out?”
Max hadn’t considered the idea of leaving Michael’s side. Just the thought of it had his bear prowling beneath his skin. Taking the omega’s hand in his, he pressed a gentle kiss to it. “I don’t think I could leave you right now even if I wanted to.”
“You’re my protector,” Michael agreed, with a small smile. “But helping me has taken so much from you. Your whole life…”
“It’s coming back,” he assured him. “Every day things get a little clearer. But how I feel about you doesn’t change.”
Michael bit his lip. “I don’t know if I’m ready for…”
“Me, either,” Max agreed. “But for now, we stick together and see where things go, hey?”
The omega smiled, both happy and relieved. “Yes, please. I’ll feel better with you there.”
Max cupped his cheek, holding Michael’s gaze. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
The truck jerked to a sudden stop, throwing them both forward and back. Max grabbed hold of Michael before the omega could be knocked away. The horn blew, twice, then went silent.
“What is it?” Michael asked, his eyes wide as he glanced around.
“Shh,” Max encouraged, listening intently.
He could hear voices outside, Parker’s and some stranger’s. He caught a few words, enough to know they were in trouble.
“Michael, stay right back from the door,” he urged, pushing the omega a few feet behind him.
His bear swam to the surface, and he embraced it, letting the power of the shift wash over him and positioning himself right by the doors. If whoever was out there dared open them, they would regret it.