Three Hearts
It was odd. For the last couple of weeks Baxter had been full of tension, frustration, and fear. Most of the strangers were gone, following their respective alphas. Royrick and Caius remained, though for very different reasons.
Royrick leaned against the wall of the kitchen and refused to take his eyes off Sophia. The Black Pine First Beta was in the middle of making a sandwich, one eye on the front of the cabin and the other on what she was doing. She didn’t like not having her alphas where she could see them. As First Beta to Kane, it was her responsibility to carry out his orders and maintain discipline within his tactical team. The last couple of weeks had been very difficult, with Kane under suspicion and then behind bars— her usual authority usurped by the tribunal and thrust into limbo. Having Burke free was really the only reason she didn’t give into frustration and snap someone’s neck. When Kane wasn’t around, Burke was in charge. And if Burke wasn’t around, then Sophia, as First Beta, was in charge. The younger alphas within Kane’s tactical team had trouble adapting to a beta in charge, but the roles and pack structure were reminiscent of war bands that were in use hundreds of years ago, and it was familiar to Sophia and the few older wolfkin on the tactical team.
“I am standing right here, Sophie.” She pretended not to hear him, just because she could. He grumbled about stubborn betas and tried again. “I’ve been here for several days now, and not a word to me that wasn’t polite chitchat. Is there nothing you want to say to me?”
“Ham or turkey?” Sophia snapped out, and he sighed loudly. She could damn near hear him rolling his eyes. A chuckle at the door made her look up.
Gerald gave her a small smile as he eyed Royrick warily. Royrick gave Gerald a thorough once-over, making Sophia bristle and Gerald pale. “Roy, leave him alone. Gerry, you want a sandwich?”
Gerald tore his eyes away from the frowning clan leader, and walked over to stand beside her. “Turkey, please. No mustard.”
Sophia slapped the sandwich together and handed it to Gerald on a plate. Gerald flushed, taking it from her while watching Royrick from the corner of his eye. “I’ll just go,” Gerald said quietly, his courage failing him when confronted by Royrick’s displeasure. “Thank you for the sandwich.”
She snapped out her hand, catching Gerald by the wrist and holding him in place. “Stay right here.” He was startled, but all he did was nod, confused. She dropped her hand and marched to Royrick, stopping a foot away. He towered over her, always had, but she never let it get to her. Royrick was a brat, but he never resorted to violence or laid a hand on her she didn’t invite. His eyes sparkled at her, a small smile lifting one side of his lush mouth. She resisted the urge to sigh and run her fingers over his chin. They hadn’t been a pair for a very long time.
“Leave Gerry alone,” she ordered, uncaring she was bossing around a clan leader. She knew where he was ticklish and the fact he was frightened by spiders. No mystery left to intimidate her. “He’s part of my pack, my family, and he’s mine.”
“Yours? Does Kane know you’ve claimed Caius’ castoff?” Royrick frowned.
Sophia growled. She could damn near feel the misery that rolled off Gerald at Royrick’s callous words. She lifted a finger, claw extended, poking Royrick hard in the chest. He flinched, and tried to grab her hand, but she slapped his hand away and poked him again. “Gerald is more than people think. He’s a decent wolf, unafraid of hard work and willing to sacrifice himself for his family. He loves Ghost like the pup never left, and has devoted himself to Kane completely. All he needed was someone to trust him, to need him, to bring out the best of him. No one is going to disparage Gerald where I can hear, not even you! Apologize!”
“Sophia, it’s okay,” Gerald interrupted, voice hollow and dulled. She spun on her heel and pointed at him, and he gulped.
“It is not okay! Never say that again. No one speaks to you or about you like you’re nothing. I watched your father treat you like shit for your whole life and you took it. You’ve only just now started to act like a decent person and I’ll not see you backslide!” She spun back around, making Royrick jump, alarm spreading across his features. “Apologize or I’ll rip your balls off. You’re a better man, a better alpha than that petulant attitude you’re carrying. Where’s the honorable and forthright alpha I nearly mated? Find him again.”
Royrick hated to be embarrassed. Really hated it. The one thing he hated more than humiliation was being wrong. He prided himself on being someone his wolves could look up to, depend upon, and calling out his honor left him feeling like a failure. He couldn’t stand it, and despite his bratty ways, his honor was his greatest asset and most redeeming quality. She glowered, growling softly, and he straightened from the wall and stepped to the side, facing Gerald.
“Sophia is right. I apologize. That was needlessly rude and cruel of me. I am sorry, Gerald of Black Pine.”
She glared at Gerald over his shoulder, and he stood taller. He put the plate down and with some hesitancy, approached Royrick. He halted, just within reach and dared to meet Royrick’s eyes for a long moment before his nature made him drop them away. He nodded, and a fine shiver raced over him from head to toes. “Apology accepted, Alpha Royrick.”
Gerald was a lesser alpha, almost a beta if not for his size when a wolf and his meager gift of command. His personality wasn’t as dominant as Royrick’s, and it showed. Royrick sighed quietly, shame and regret coloring his features before he hesitantly reached out to Gerald.
Gerald watched the greater alpha’s hand coming from the corner of his eye, and Sophia held her breath. A verbal apology was sufficient—he didn’t need to touch Gerald, especially since Gerald belonged to Kane and Black Pine, not Royrick’s clan. Royrick cupped the back of Gerald’s neck in his big hand, and Gerald whimpered softly, tipping his head to the side, exposing his neck to the stronger wolf. He settled at the touch of the clan leader, eyes fluttering shut. They breathed, at first at odds and then together. Time fell away and every breath, every heartbeat felt more pronounced. More real. Sophia breathed, filling her nose with the twisting scents coming from the two alphas.
Hurt and…heat. Vulnerability laced with pain and aching need.
Sophia blushed, glad neither of the two men were paying attention to her. Royrick was rubbing a thumb along the underside of Gerald’s chin, the lesser alpha’s eyes shut, mouth parted as he panted softly. He seemed to be in a trance, which she could understand completely—Royrick’s touch was something to appreciate. A long time it might have been since they were lovers, but she remembered well the pleasure to be had in his bed and arms. Gerald was lost, neatly pulled under Royrick’s sway and the wounded air he carried about him seemed less sharp, soothed by the attention.
“He needs,” Royrick whispered. “He feels everything too deeply. He’s vulnerable.”
Sophia nodded, wordlessly agreeing. She had thought to help Gerald along now that he wasn’t trying so hard to be tougher than he really was, but this was a new and interesting development. She liked the fact Gerald didn’t want to be in charge, that he didn’t need to lead like most alphas—he was content to follow. Royrick was meant to lead, a greater alpha exactly where he was meant to be—clan leader. He needed to lead. He had to lead. He could yield when he must, but his place was at the top.
Sophia smiled, thinking Fate and their Goddess were far wiser than she would ever be—and she wasn’t one to ignore a chance to find happiness. She looked up at Royrick, who was staring at Gerald in soft wonderment. Gone was the brat. Gerald appealed to him, and from the way Gerald was reacting to Royrick, the appeal was mutual.
“Why did you come when Caius called?” She asked softly, careful not to break the spell. “There were other alphas Caius approached in the North who would have come to sit on the Tribunal,” She had an idea why, but she wanted him to say it.
“You were here,” Royrick answered. He tugged gently, and Gerald went willingly, all but melting into Royrick’s slightly bigger frame, tucking his face into Royrick’s neck. Royrick slipped his arm around Gerald’s waist and held him tightly. “I wanted to see you again. I never stopped loving you. Then I get here, and your heart belongs to someone else. I thought it was Burke at first, but it’s this sweet pup, isn’t it?”
Sophia exhaled, thinking hard, taking in how Gerald clung to Royrick’s body. He needed a greater alpha to support him. Sophia was strong, she was dominant—but she was a beta. She could give Gerald some of what he needed, but she would always fall short in other ways. “It hasn’t been done, not openly.”
“A clan heir is bonded to a shaman,” Royrick grinned at her over Gerald’s head. “I don’t think anyone is going to notice if a clan leader takes two mates.”
“Getting ahead of yourself, aren’t you?” She stepped closer, and ran a hand down Gerald’s back. Gerald sighed happily, snuggling deeper, all but plastered to Royrick’s front. She rubbed her hand up and down his spine, and soft grumbles and happy shivers came from the lesser alpha. She grinned, and gentled her touch. It was nice to see Gerald so relaxed and calm.
“I don’t think I’m getting ahead of myself at all, Sophie. You see it too, I know you do. We could make this work,” Royrick insisted, and he held out his free hand. She stared at it, then up at his eyes. They held warmth and desire, and a fondness she knew would never fade away, no matter how many decades passed.
“I won’t be a sweet beta mate who sits in her den and waits for her alpha to remember her,” Sophia warned. “I will never be like that. Pups would be nice, but I am more than my ability to breed.”
“I know,” Royrick assured her, hand still held out. “Caius has nothing but praise for his heir’s capable First Beta, and your reputation is known far and wide. I was stupid to assume you would give up your ambitions. I’ve had decades to regret my mistakes. I have no First Beta—the position is yours, if you want it.”
She looked at Gerald, then back to the hand Royrick still held out to her, enticing and patient. “And the position of mate? What about Gerald? He might not want this.”
“I want,” Gerald sighed out. He sleepily blinked his eyes open, and his dark eyes were full of desire and contentment. He turned just a bit, and held out his hand to her as well.
“Alpha Mates, First Beta, lovers. I say we try,” Royrick wiggled his fingers a bit, grinning. “Sophia. You’re far too brave not to try.”
She glared, but lifted her hands and took both of theirs. They gripped her small hands tightly and she let herself be pulled forward. Gerald shuffled over a bit, and somehow, they both fit under Royrick’s arms, secure in his embrace.
Gerald smiled down at her, and she relaxed, leaning on them both. “I’m glad I came in for a sandwich,” Gerald whispered, and Royrick laughed, tossing back his head.
****
Kane stood beside his clan leader, facing an unrepentant Royrick, who grinned from ear to ear. Gerald all but hid behind the bigger alpha, eyes dropped to the floor, one hand tucked into Royrick’s like a child. Sophia stood next to Royrick, shoulder to shoulder, and while she wasn’t as blissed out as Royrick, the hope and happiness in her eyes made Kane want to smile, too.
“You come with an honor guard, and leave with two of my wolves? I’m inclined to think you had this planned,” Caius drawled, sitting back in the chair behind Andromeda’s desk in her study. “The best First Beta Black Pine has had since Josiah disappeared, and my remaining son?”
“Let’s not bullshit here, Caius. You tossed Gerald aside like trash and Kane caught him. He’s Kane’s wolf now, and it’s him I’m asking to release Gerald.” Royrick looked to Kane, who lifted a brow at his boldness. “Kane, Heir of Black Pine, I humbly—,” Kane snorted at that and Royrick winked, both ignoring Caius’ soft growls, “I humbly request that you release both First Beta Sophia and Gerald McLennan from your pack and clan. I would take them home as honored mates.”
“You left Royrick because he wanted you to only be his mate. You wanted more,” Kane said, directly addressing Sophia. “You left Red Wraith and bided your time. Josiah’s absence gave you the chance you needed. You came to me and asked to be more, to be allowed to have ambition and a place of responsibility and power. Is that what you still want?” She nodded, and flicked her eyes over the two alphas next to her before looking back to Kane.
“I did. I also know I’ve since proven myself as First Beta. I know my worth, and so does Royrick.” Her voice was steady, sure. He could hear no doubt in her tone. “I can be a First Beta still, and Alpha Mate.”
“And Gerald? You would share a clan leader’s bed and the rank Alpha Mate with him, a lesser alpha?” Caius asked, and Kane saw Gerald flinch.
“Gerald is worth loving,” Sophia declared, lifting her chin. “All he has ever needed was for someone to love him, someone worthy of his devotion. He has no desire nor the temperament to lead, and trying to live up to unrealistic expectations soured his personality and left him wounded to the soul. I will treasure him, and Royrick will, too. We know what he needs, and how to care for him. We are both strong enough to welcome more than one wolf into our hearts.”
Caius’ expression went blank, eyes dark. Gerald shivered, creeping behind Royrick. The reprimand was there in her words and tone—clear as anything, Sophia just called Caius out on his poor treatment of Gerald for the last two hundred years.
“I release you, Sophia of Black Pine, First Beta. May your new mates treat you with respect and care, worthy of your love and devotion,” Kane declared, dropping his arms and smiling. Sophia breathed a sigh of relief and Royrick grinned. Gerald lifted his eyes at last, hope burning in his dark gaze brightly enough to make Kane feel it in his chest. “I release you, Gerald McLennan, alpha of Black Pine. May your mates be worthy of your love and devotion, your loyalty and heart.” Kane nodded once to Gerald, who smiled at last, eyes wet with unshed tears. Royrick’s smile was near blinding. “Treat them well, or I will head South and break you in half before taking them back. They are priceless. Treat them so.”
“I swear to our Goddess that I will treasure Sophia and Gerald forever,” Royrick vowed, taking Sophia’s hand in his and squeezing Gerald’s with the other.
Caius remained seated, but Kane walked around the desk and pulled Sophia into a hug. She squeezed him back, and Kane held her for a moment before letting her go. Gerald was next, and Kane surprised him by reaching out and hugging him as well. Gerald was stiff at first, then relaxed, head dropping to Kane’s shoulder. “Thank you for everything,” Gerald whispered.
“You’re welcome. Take care of yourself, and each other. You need anything, call me, okay?” Kane spoke quietly, rubbing Gerald’s back. “I am so proud of you.”
Gerald broke at his words, and he gratefully turned the alpha over to his new mates. Gerald melted into Royrick’s arms and Kane was pleased by how well they seemed to fit. Sophia was teary eyed but smiling, rubbing Gerald’s shoulder and murmuring reassurances to him.
Caius sat, unmoving, but unlike before, he wore every emotion on his face for Kane to see. “Sir?”
Caius startled, and sat forward in his chair, coughing. His eyes looked everywhere but at his son, and Kane frowned. *He will never return, Caius. Your children are all gone but for the one here, now, in this room.* Before Ghost, before the last couple of weeks, Kane would not have dared speak directly to Caius in such a way, or say such things. It was true, though—Gerald would never return to Black Pine, not while Caius remained Clan Leader. There was nothing here for him aside from his nephew, and Ghost was far more likely to go to wherever Gerald was than the other way around.
Caius stood, his usually golden complexion waxy and pale. He stared at Gerald, hands fidgeting, restless.
“Father?” Gerald said, tentatively. Caius flinched, as if wounded.
“May I have a moment with my son?” Caius asked quietly. Sophia and Royrick exchanged glances, worried. His tone grew sharp, impatient. “I will return him in one piece.”
“I’ll be fine,” Gerald told Royrick and Sophia. She hesitated, but nodded, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before leaving the room. Royrick gave Caius a long, weighted stare, then almost defiantly, tipped Gerald’s chin back with a finger and kissed him. Gerald jumped, but settled quickly, opening his mouth and letting Royrick have his way. They looked great together, honestly—Royrick’s bright blond hair and Gerald’s darker hues of brown contrasted nicely. Royrick took his time, staking his claim for all to see.
Kane smirked, rubbing at his mouth, and headed for the door when Sophia held it open. She winked at him, cheeks glowing as Royrick released Gerald with satisfied grin. Gerald was flushed and his lips wet, blinking slowly. They left, Kane shutting the door behind them.
He took a spot along the hallway, and smiled knowingly when Sophia and Royrick did the same, all three of them unashamedly eavesdropping.
****
“Father?”
Caius had no idea what to say, what to do. Kane’s words rang in his mind, and all he could see was the broken and ravaged body of Roman every time he shut his eyes. Roman’s corpse shared equal time with the memory of Gray Shadow’s damaged wolf-form, limp on the rocks along the river’s edge. His daughter’s body, warped, stuck between forms, dead of a silver overdose and wounds she could not heal. His grandcubs, tiny bodies unmoving in their seats, Josiah’s screams of loss and pain ringing in his ears.
“Father? Are you well?”
“No,” Caius replied, unthinking. What dignity did he have left after such failures? Why was he trying so hard not to feel when every time he denied his heart and emotions, someone he loved died? Roman corrupted by ambition, striving to be more than he was, to live up to standards Caius never meant to set. Marla dead and her babies with her, and he never told her he loved her that last day. Never took the time to see her off, to say goodbye, too busy with duties he could have passed on to his Heir.
Shadow, his Shadow. His heart. A chance, many times over, to give in to his heart’s demands and claim Gray Shadow as his mate. They might have made it, against all odds. They might have succeeded, been happy. Instead he clung to duty and tradition, too afraid to try, too certain they would fail, and held the greatest love of his life at arm’s length, torturing himself by simply being friends.
“I have failed you.” Caius looked up, meeting his son’s shocked eyes. “I am a failure as a father. I have been so consumed by duty that I felt that anything short of perfection was a waste. I saw a lesser alpha, and forgot to see my son.”
“Father.”
“Don’t, I must say this. Kane is right. Once you leave, you’ll never return. The last of my children, gone, and I am such a fool. I have driven away all your older siblings, and the one to remain festered evil in his spirit. I saw greed and ambition foul your brother’s heart. Saw his corruption warp you, drive you to the edge, ruin you. It took Kane’s willingness to forgive and move on to pull you back. I did nothing. I turned away, too damn unwilling to risk what remained of my heart to save either of you. I failed Roman. I failed you. And I am sorry.”
He could not decipher whether it was anger or anguish that twisted Gerald’s face in a grimace, but the tears were easy to understand. Gerald had always been so vulnerable, easy to drive to the emotional edge, and Roman used to tease him mercilessly for it. Caius merely disregarded Gerald, to his shame, and he would never redeem himself enough for his failures as a father.
He didn’t remember going around the desk. He was in front of his son, and shocked them both by taking him in his arms. It tore at him that the last time he held his child was almost two hundred years prior. Tears escaped, racing down his cheeks as he clutched Gerald to his chest, holding as tightly as he could, refusing to let go. Gerald was stiff in his arms, hands curled to fists, shuddering as he tried to rein in his sobs.
“I am so sorry.” Caius repeated it, over and over, quietly, hoping that it would reach some merciful part of his son’s heart. He didn’t deserve Gerald’s forgiveness, but Gerald deserved to be free, from everything, even the resentment he held for his own father.
****
Perhaps waiting just outside the door wasn’t such a smart idea. Kane put himself between the door and Sophia, who was determined to get past him and into the room. All three of them could hear quite clearly what was going on inside, and Kane was convinced that it needed to happen. For both Gerald and Caius.
“Move out of my way,” Sophia ordered. “You can hear him—he needs us.”
Royrick grabbed Sophia around the waist and lifted her off her feet. He backed away until he reached the wall, and leaned on it. Kane was impressed and half-certain he was going to see Sophia kick Royrick’s ass. To his surprise, she merely hung from his grip with a glower on her face, eyes locked on the door.
“They both need this, Sophie. Gerald will be fine. We’ll make sure of it.” Royrick put Sophia on her feet, keeping his arms around her, and she gave a reluctant nod.
Kane was going to miss Sophia. She was fearless and strong. Older than him by quite a bit, she brought to her position as First Beta an air of responsibility and capability. He made no secret of the fact he appreciated her skills and loyalty.
Movement at the end of the hall drew his attention. Ghost smiled at him, silver eyes alight with affection. He made a curious motion with his hand and Kane reached out with his mind. *All is well. Caius and Gerald are working out some things before they depart.*
Ghost gave a short nod. *My grandfather is stubborn and my uncle carries armor that is ill-fitting. Caius would do well to yield more often, and Gerald’s strength is in supporting those he loves. Change is necessary for both if they wish to thrive. We live too long to torture ourselves.*
*Says the nineteen-year-old,* Kane teased, and his young mate blushed.
*Am I then too young for you, my alpha? My human father still worries about our age difference. Is he right to worry? Do you take advantage of me and my inexperience?* The coy and sultry tone to Ghost’s mental voice sent shivers throughout his body. Kane stiffened, eyes locked on the young shaman at the end of the hall, his silver eyes glowing brightly, lower lip caught in his teeth as he ducked his chin, looking up at Kane from under long, thick lashes.
*When did you learn to flirt, little wolf?* Kane asked, body tightening, the desire to leap after his mate and tackle him to the ground almost overpowering. His nostrils flared and his eyes glowed, claws teasing at his fingertips as he fought back his body’s urges.
*Andromeda’s teenage granddaughters flirt quite often,* Ghost said primly, lifting his chin and grinning wide. *I watch and listen.*
*Oh, by the Goddess. We’re leaving as soon as possible,* Kane groaned mentally, thinking that his already irresistible mate would be devastating with even a hint of seduction skills to his credit.
****
Caius stood by the front door of Andromeda’s cabin, watching as his son and his new mates said their goodbyes. Ghost clung to his uncle, the youngling struggling to hold back his upset at Gerald’s departure.
“I forgive you, Father,” Gerald had whispered, voice heavy with the weight of his tears. “I can’t forget. I won’t forget being regarded as less, as useless. But I can forgive you. I must. I don’t want to be like this anymore. I hate who I became while I tried so hard to be what I thought you wanted.”
Gerald had briefly returned his embrace, a swift clench before backing away, eyes wet and skin flushed from crying. His son left him without another word, striding for the door and into the arms of Royrick and Sophia.
He blinked, clearing the images from his mind. It wouldn’t do to dwell over much. They lived for a very long time. Maybe one day he would find a way to connect with his children. Maybe.
Sophia hugged Burke, the Speaker teasing her with his customary charm and quick grin. The clan leader in him was saddened to lose Sophia. She was worth three betas. Strong, fierce, a fighter from the Old World. Her experience would now serve Red Wraith and Royrick’s position as clan leader.
Royrick was the last of the Tribunal to leave. He had assurances that Red Wraith would be attending the summer gathering that summer. Dread Claw and Red Wraith still counted among their allies. Whether Birch Grove and Ashland could be considered allies at this point, Caius had his doubts. He would wait and see.
The honor guard from Red Wraith were ready to depart, the SUVs packed and all clan members accounted for but for Michael. The shaman was remaining, his intent to assist in locating the wolfkin who were still missing, and stopping Simon Remus. He stayed inside the cabin, speaking with Andromeda and her family. His was a temporary goodbye—he would see Red Wraith again soon, Goddess-willing.
Burke stepped away, and Sophia gave her packmates a nervous smile and a short nod in goodbye. Kane gently disentangled Ghost from Gerald, and they stepped away. Gerald looked his way once, and Caius gave his son a nod, hoping to convey everything he could no longer say. Gerald and Sophia disappeared into the back of Royrick’s SUV, the clan leader for Red Wraith waiting for them to settle before getting in as well. The doors shut, engines came alive, and the Red Wraith convoy slowly drove down the gravel road.
Caius breathed in, the cold air bracing. His eyes watered but he ruthlessly beat back the tears that threatened. Kane, Ghost, and Burke stood with the Black Pine tactical team, watching until the vehicles were lost from sight and the sounds of the diesel engines faded away in the wind.