24. Drew

Chapter twenty-four

Drew

Kieran's the first through the door, almost barrelling it open in his haste. I barely have enough time to stand before his hands are on my shoulders, running over me as if he's expecting to find an injury.

"You're okay?" he asks. "Fuck, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you here—"

"I'm fine." Lucien follows him through the door, then Sam and Adam. Sam's holding Adam's hand, but his eyes are dark as they trace over me in much the same way Kieran's hands did.

"Why did you go outside?" Kieran says.

"I just—I needed fresh air. I'm sorry! I didn't go through the wards, I swear. I just needed to be outside."

"He didn't go through the wards," Sam says, and Kieran nods, though I don't think he disbelieves me.

"Sit, my love," Lucien murmurs, one hand sweeping over Kieran's shoulders. "It has been an eventful night."

Kieran squeezes the back of my neck once before he withdraws, and I drop into one corner of the sofa again. Sam leads Adam over, sitting him next to me and taking his place on the other side. Lucien sits in one of the chairs, and instead of getting his own, Kieran deposits himself in Lucien's lap, resting his head on Lucien's shoulder for a moment.

It's as much for Lucien as it is for him. I can see that. Some of the tension leaves Lucien's frame and he presses his lips to Kieran's temple.

"What happened?" I ask. I don't want to break the moment, but I can smell Adam's distress, and the lightning buzz of Sam's anger. Kieran's, too, though it's buried under concern.

When Adam doesn't speak, I look at him. He's not pressed up against me, not the way he was yesterday, and I don't want to push. Still, I spread my legs until our thighs touch, and my heart thuds when he doesn't move away.

"Chieftain Lazarus was murdered," Lucien says, "and the hunters discovered Adam in the house where Lazarus was last alleged to be."

I frown. But why would—

"It wasn't just that," Adam says. His voice sounds hoarse, and he leans forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. "She found me standing over a pile of ash with a stake on the floor. They think I killed him."

"But you didn't." I look at the others. They know that, right? They have to know—

"We know," Sam says, and there's still banked anger in his eyes, but it's not directed at me. "Someone's trying to frame Adam, just like they tried to frame me."

I take a deep breath, filtering through the smells that reach my nose. Fear, anger, sorrow… Hunters, someone else's magic, but not a hint of another vampire aside from Lucien and Elle.

"I can't smell another vampire," I say quietly, and Adam turns his head to look at me. "I can tell them, if you want. You didn't do it."

"We all know, Drew," Lucien says. He sweeps his hand up and down Kieran's back. "I believe it does not matter. And if we were to take you to the Council right now, I am afraid it would lead to other problems."

I don't understand, and when my heart leaps, Adam's thigh presses more firmly against mine. Of course. He can hear it.

"I should've taken you to Deacon days ago," Kieran says with a sigh. He sits up properly but doesn't move from Lucien's lap. "The Council's right. They have jurisdiction over me and Sam. They'd take you to Deacon, which would be fine, but we'd be in trouble for keeping you here without telling anyone."

"Let's go to Deacon, then," I say, even as my stomach twists.

"No," Sam snaps. I whirl around to look at him but catch Kieran's look of surprise before I do. "Not after today. Elliot didn't get through the wards. The wolves have nothing close to that. They'll keep you with them—they have to—but they won't keep you safe."

"What did he say to you?" Kieran asks.

I wring my hands before I speak. "He said he's after Sam. I told him you didn't kill Nora—" I look at him, desperate for him to believe me. "But he didn't care. He said the wolves are off-limits. Me, and I thought he meant you, Kieran, but he meant someone else, too. I think he doesn't want to help whoever he's helping, but he said something about fae bonds and—"

"Fae bonds?" Sam interrupts. "What did he say about those?"

"Just that they're hard to break. And the pack, too! Something's happening with the pack back home, but I don't—I don't know—"

I realise, suddenly, how shallowly I'm breathing. Kieran shifts on Lucien's lap, but Adam is faster, his hand coming up to clamp down on the back of my neck. His thumb rubs along the hinge of my jaw and I suck in one breath, then another.

"That's it," he murmurs as if there's no one in the room but the two of us. "Deep breaths, little wolf."

My face flames, but I don't shy away from his touch. I can't. I look past him, though, and catch sight of Sam. He watches us silently.

"Someone's trying to pick us off one by one," Kieran says after a moment. He's watching me and Adam, too, but he doesn't seem concerned by it. No, his brow is furrowed as he tries to solve the mystery. "We had Tristan come after me. Someone killed Nora and framed Sam. Now, Lazarus and they've framed Adam."

"They are trying to weaken our crai's position," Lucien says. "It is as we thought before."

"You're certain?" Sam asks.

Lucien nods. "Hunter Helene arrived at the same conclusion we did. It had to be a vampire who killed Nora. One with access to magic, in some way, and we saw that with Tristan and Nora, as well. Vasile was there, so whichever vampire committed the deed did so right under his nose."

"Who was there?" Kieran asks.

"Myself, Njáll, Lazarus, and Briar." Lucien frowns. "I do not believe Njáll did this. Lazarus is dead."

"Briar?" Adam says. His scent is tinged with disbelief. "She—"

"I am not certain," Lucien replies. "By framing Sam, they set him up for Elliot's revenge, as well as making it clear that Vasile missed the killer. Now, a chieftain has been killed, purportedly by one of our younger clan members. It will look to others as though Vasile is turning a blind eye, or as though he has lost control of his clan."

Kieran looks up into Lucien's face, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "You, too?"

"Yes. This all began with me. With Nathan. Whoever is out to destroy our crai saw an opportunity and took it."

I frown; I don't understand. Adam squeezes again, though, and I let the thought slide away.

"So this vampire… Whoever he is, he's Elliot's master, too? He's after Vasile and Kieran and some other werewolf?" Sam scowls, leaning forward. "We need to find him."

Lucien nods. "We do, but first I need to—" His phone rings, a shrill tone, and loud enough that I jump. Adam shushes me gently, his touch still keeping me grounded.

"Yes. I understand, yes. No, I will—I will be there momentarily." Lucien sighs as he hangs up. "I need to go to the clan. Crai Vasile wishes to speak with you, but as your sire, and your chieftain, he is happy for me to return in your stead." He's looking at Adam as he says the last part.

"Why can't he come here?" Kieran asks.

"He cannot leave the clan house with all that has happened," Lucien says. "A chieftain has been killed. An entire district is in uproar, and my position is being called into question again."

Adam tenses next to me, but Lucien shakes his head.

"It'll be fine," Kieran says before Lucien can speak, but Lucien nods all the same.

"Yes. I will call a car and go. I will be safe there, and I will make sure to—"

Kieran snorts. "I'm coming with you." He looks at Sam. "You're staying here."

"I could come," Sam offers. "We know the wards are good. I'm tired, sure, but I could beef theirs up a little if it'll make them feel better."

Kieran studies him for a moment, then shakes his head. "No. Stay. Rest. If I can, I'll talk to Vasile about that tonight. But I don't think Elliot's going to go after random vampires, and he'd have a lot to get through before he got to Lucien or me."

"Fine," Sam says. "But text me when you get there."

"Okay."

We stand when they do, and Adam's hand falls from my nape as he does. Lucien hugs Adam as Kieran claps Sam on the shoulder, squeezing once for good measure. Kieran pauses when he comes to me, then reaches up and leans in, pressing our foreheads together.

"I said I'd keep you safe, Drew, and I will."

"I know," I say. He's my brother, and with his scent and Sam's and Adam's and Lucien's, too, I know I am. But when they leave…

"Keep them safe," Kieran whispers, and shock runs through me. He thinks I can… "I know you can do it, Drew. And I know you'll be fine tonight. You've got this, okay?"

"Okay."

He hugs me once before he and Lucien head to the door, and when it closes behind them, the key turning in the lock, we're all silent.

Sam rubs a hand over his face. He looks exhausted, and I know he's trying to hide it. Adam…

Adam starts to pace, running his hands through his hair until his curls all stand on end. The guilt and shame I could smell on him before are gone, overpowered by panic. Fear.

He knows he'll be safe here, right? Even if I can't protect him, Sam will. I know he will.

"What are they going to do with me?" he says, and his voice is quiet, but there's no other sound in the room. Sam watches him pace, and I know he wants to reach for him, but like me, he doesn't know what to say.

Adam whirls on us all at once. "What are they—" He shakes his head, squeezing his eyes shut. "What's going to happen to me? I didn't kill him. I didn't! And if they—If they go after Lucien again, then I don't know—"

I'm crossing the room before my conscious mind catches up to me, and Adam blinks up at me when I step into his space. Sam moves, too, but not closer. No, he's now in a position where he can see both of us, and he's watching avidly, brow furrowed like we're a puzzle he's trying to solve.

Adam's eyes are wet, tears gathering at the corners. It makes them even more vibrant, so green and vivid in his pale face. I trace the constellation of freckles on his skin with my gaze. The spicy, familiar scent of him is underneath all the sour fear and despair he's feeling, and breathing that in is enough to ground me, to remind me that I want to give him the same support he gave me.

"It'll be okay," I say, even though we all know I'm lying. I go for a different truth. "We'll all look after you, no matter what."

Adam hiccups, and his hands are shaking, but I wrap my arms around him and gather him close regardless. He lets out a little sob, burying his face in my throat, and when I look up and meet Sam's gaze, I think I've done the right thing.

"You'll be okay," I murmur and rub his back slowly as he clings to my T-shirt. I can't help myself when I lower my head, brushing my lips to his temple. "We're just going to—We'll try to relax tonight, okay? No one's coming here. Lucien and Kieran will be fine. Elle, too. We're all safe."

I don't understand the next sound Adam makes. I lift my head, and Sam's standing closer now, close enough to touch, and I want to reach out and drag him forward, pull him into our embrace. His eyes darken as he watches us, and I don't dare breathe in deeply enough to work out what he's feeling.

"Drew," Adam says, and I look down at him again. He's not really all that much shorter than I am, but still he's tilting his head back like he wants to look up into my eyes. "Drew," he says again.

"What is it?"

He studies me for a second, eyes flicking between mine before they drop down to my mouth. I suck in a surprised breath. He can't—He won't—

Adam surges up and kisses me. I close my eyes, rocking back on my heels as he presses our mouths together, and when his opens, when his tongue slides over my lips, seeking entrance, I can't help my needy groan. Adam makes his own sound in response, his hands moving up to my shoulders as he sucks on my tongue. I feel lightheaded, still holding him tight. If I let go, I might just float away, and then Adam growls into my mouth, teeth digging into my lower lip, and I melt and whine and—

I tear my mouth away, breathing hard. Sam!

He's still standing there, watching us, and I can't read his expression and I won't read his scent, but his chest is rising and falling as quickly as mine is.

Adam reaches for him, tugging him closer. Sam doesn't resist the move. Adam doesn't let go of me, either, one hand still bunched in the back of my T-shirt.

"Come here," Adam says against Sam's mouth, and then they're kissing, too. I swallow hard. My heart is thundering so hard I can't hear anything over the rush of blood in my ears, except—

Except Sam tangles his hand in Adam's hair, pulling him down, closer, and I hear the helpless whimper Adam lets out in response. My cock jerks in my jogging bottoms, and my gums itch with the desire to let my fangs out, to bite—

I let out a little gasp, and Sam and Adam part. Adam blinks owlishly at Sam, all his panic apparently gone, but Sam's eyes shine when they meet mine. He doesn't let go of Adam's hair but reaches out with his other hand, tangling our fingers together.

"Drew," he murmurs. "Can I…?"

"Yes," I say, already nodding. Whatever he wants—whatever they want, they can have it, part of me, all of me…

Sam lets go of Adam, who stays standing where he is, watching both of us now. When Sam moves closer, pushing up onto his tiptoes, I grasp at his hips, shaking at the feel of him beneath my palms. He takes my face in his hands and his breath is hot against my lips.

Is he going to make me wait? Is he going to do this at all? A small whimper escapes my lips and Sam's grip on me tightens. I let out a shaky breath. "Sam, please…"

He swoops in and takes my mouth, takes possession of me in one sharp movement. I open for him on a groan and his tongue sweeps in, teasing my own. Adam's breath hitches, and when Sam pulls back to kiss the corner of my mouth, I take a breath, dizzy from lust and the smell of our combined arousal.

Sam's eyes are steady as he watches me, but we're pressed together and even if I couldn't smell him, I can feel his hardness against my hip. Adam shuffles in closer, skimming his lips down Sam's throat. "Keep going," he murmurs, and Sam's shoulders tense.

"We… We probably shouldn't do this," he says.

I can't help the disappointment I feel—that they might actually both want me, even if it's just for tonight, is the headiest of sensations. Adam reaches for me, his hand sliding up under my T-shirt to make me shiver.

"What if we never get another chance?" he all but whispers against Sam's ear. He knows I can hear him. He drags his fingernails down my side and Sam's expression shifts when I pant. "I want both of you. Please, Sam. It'll be okay."

Sam growls and kisses him again, this time harsher, but he keeps one hand on my face. Adam is still touching me, too, fingers digging in like he wants to explore the softness he's found. When Sam pulls back, they're both breathing hard, lips red.

"Do you want this, little wolf?" Adam asks. His voice is rough.

I start to nod, but I know he wants words. "Y-Yes." Can't they see how desperate I am for it, for them?

I think they can. It doesn't matter. Adam leans over and kisses the side of my neck before he tips his head to rest it on my shoulder. We both watch Sam. If he doesn't want this, that's that.

All I can hope is that he does.