Chapter Eleven

Nothing was going to stop Colt from getting inside Milo's house to retrieve his mate's belongings. As badly as he wanted to kill Eric, Colt would keep the peace as long as the guy didn't stop him. Afterward, Colt would show Eric what being victimized truly felt like then bury his sorry ass.

"I need a favor," Colt said when Kellen returned from picking Atlas up from work. He'd yet to tell his brother that he now knew the name of the person who'd beaten Milo.

"What's up?" Kellen asked as he and Atlas stopped in the kitchen.

When Colt had heard his brother pull up, he'd left Milo in their bedroom, out of earshot. "I need you to take a ride with me," he said. "Milo told me who beat the shit out of him."

"Are you going to return the favor?" Atlas asked as anger filled his gray eyes. "Promise me the person isn't going to get away with what he did to Milo."

Colt grinned. "Bloodthirsty?"

"I don't know Milo, but the thought of anyone hurting him enrages me," Atlas replied. "I'm glad he's moving in. No one deserves to be abused."

Atlas knew of Colt and Kellen's past. Ever since he'd found out, the human had treated Colt like a brother, constantly fussing over him. Colt might act like a brat when Atlas did that, but he secretly loved how nurturing the human was toward him. Lord knew Colt hadn't experienced that with anyone else until Milo came into his life.

"Actually, I wanted to go to his house to gather his things," Colt said. "He lives with his uncle, and I need Kellen to stop me from unleashing my rage on the guy until I have Milo's belongings out of there."

"I take it the uncle is the one who hurt Milo," Kellen said. "If he is, you might have to stop me."

Fuck it. If the uncle died beforehand, Colt was still getting Milo's stuff. The sight of those bruises on his mate's torso still haunted him. Every time Colt thought of them, his wolf wanted to break free. Now that he knew who was responsible, he wasn't holding back his wolf.

"Yeah, he's the one who did it." Colt told them about Eric's violent temper. "I need you to help me pack Milo's room, since I have no clue how much stuff he has."

"You also don't need the piece of shit creeping up on you while your back is turned." Kellen nodded. "Let's get it done now."

"I'll keep Milo company while you two are gone," Atlas said. "Since he's your mate and going to live here, we might as well get to know each other." He turned to Kellen. "Maybe you should take Morgan with you so Sam can join me and Milo."

Colt had met Kellen's friends, and they seemed nice, but he didn't want his mate to feel overwhelmed. "Maybe another time," he said to Atlas. "I think Milo might appreciate it being just the two of you for now."

"You're right," Atlas said. "I'll grab a bunch of snacks, and we can chill in your room and watch TV."

"Lock up behind us." Kellen kissed Atlas.

"I'm gonna let Milo know I'm heading out." Colt was glad Atlas would be there. He knew his mate didn't like being alone. He was surprised the guy hadn't followed him to the kitchen.

Colt stepped into their bedroom to find his mate stretched out on the bed, the remote in his hand. The new bedroom furniture was scheduled to arrive in three days. Colt couldn't wait to get his clothes off the floor and back into drawers. He'd even ordered an extra dresser for his mate, hoping that Milo moved in.

That was before Milo had agreed today.

Placing the remote on the bed, his mate sat up. "You're heading there, aren't you?"

After crossing the room, Colt sat beside him. "I have your list in my pocket. I promise not to forget anything." He brushed aside some imaginary hair on his mate's forehead, unable to stop himself from touching Milo. "I won't be gone long, and Atlas is here." He smiled. "I think he's dying to be your friend. He wants to load up on snacks and chill in here with you."

"I guess if I'm going to live here, we should get to know each other."

Colt laughed. "I swear he just said the same thing in the kitchen." He had a feeling the two were going to become best friends. "If you need me before I get back, call me."

Milo held up his phone. "It's fully charged and ready for me to text you like crazy to see how things are going."

"You can't text me that much, or I won't get your stuff packed," Colt replied, though he loved that his mate hated being separated from him as much as Colt hated the idea. "Behave, and think of an obscene way to describe scrambled eggs while I'm gone." He winked. "When I get back, I might even let you pet my wolf."

"Seriously?" Milo looked as if he was about to do a happy dance. "I wanted to ask you, but I wasn't sure if that was crossing a line or something."

"Crossing a line?" Colt shook his head. "You're my mate, babe. My wolf is a part of me, so you can pet him anytime you want." He leaned down at kissed Milo but forced himself to keep it brief. "We'll go back to our spot, and I'll shift so you can walk with him."

Milo fell on his back, sighing. "You're too good to be true."

"Funny, but that's what I think about you every time I look your way." Colt pulled Milo into a sitting position. "If I can get your things fast enough, you and my wolf can take that stroll tonight."

Milo grinned and bounced. Now all Colt could think about was Milo bouncing on his cock. "Don't forget my mom's small jewelry box in my top drawer," his mate said.

Colt patted his back pocket. "It's on the list, shorty."

"Or the photo album on the floor in my closet."

With a roll of his eyes, Colt bent and kissed his mate. It was meant to stop Milo from giving him needless reminders, but this time, it lasted longer and made Colt's body hard. If he didn't leave now, he might not make it out of their bedroom.

"Try not to miss me too much while I'm gone." He winked.

"I'll try not to weep into my pillow," Milo teased. "Get out of here so you can get back that much sooner. I'm super excited to pet my wolf."

"Your wolf?" Colt grinned. "I guess he is."

Forcing himself to pull away, Colt headed out. He was taking his truck since he didn't know how much stuff Milo had, and his Range Rover offered more room than Kellen's car.

Colt also wanted his brother with him for intimidation tactics. As tall and muscular as Colt was, Kellen was built like a living, breathing mountain. It never hurt to have someone like that with him. Kellen could watch his back as Colt packed up Milo's room.

He wasn't worried about the mates being alone since no one ever came to their house. Besides, Kellen had set up a state-of-the-art security system a few years back. He would receive a notification before anyone got close to the house.

Kellen was already in the passenger seat—as if he'd known which vehicle they would take. Colt put the truck in Drive and took off. "He's not Milo's blood uncle. My mate's mom married some loser but divorced him six months later. Eric is that loser's brother."

"Where's Milo's mom?"

Colt turned onto the main road. "She died three years ago. Since Milo couldn't afford to live on his own, he asked Eric if he could move in."

"You're telling me that Milo has dealt with this prick for the past three years?" Kellen rubbed his hand over his beard. "I really am going to kill the son of a bitch. I'll never understand why some men think it's okay to use someone as a punching bag, especially someone smaller."

That was lost on Colt, too. Despite his past being wrought with abuse, he'd never lost that protective part of himself. Not for long, anyway. But even when he fought with men who didn't deserve his anger, it was never anyone who couldn't take the punches.

The thought of putting his hands on someone as small as Milo and Atlas made Colt nauseous.

When he pulled down the dirt driveway, the sun was just starting to set. The house was in full view. The night Colt had picked Milo up, he hadn't paid attention. But now, as he scanned the property, he noticed how neglected and rundown it appeared. The paint was peeling, shutters were broken, and the yard was overgrown with weeds.

A rusted red pickup was parked right by the porch, its hood facing the front door. Colt parked behind it and shut off his Range Rover.

As they both stepped out of the vehicle, Kellen made his way to the porch on the passenger side of the beat-up pickup while Colt pocketed his keys and walked around the driver's side. A lone light shone from one of the downstairs windows, casting a glow onto the porch. In the background, the faint sound of a television could be heard.

Just as Colt passed the driver's door, he slowed to a stop. The window was rolled down, and he smelled something he hadn't expected. Kellen had stopped, too, looking at Colt from across the roof, his brows furrowed.

There was no mistaking the distinct scent of jaguar. From the look on Kellen's face, he smelled it, too.

Eric was a shifter. Milo had lived with the guy for three years, so how had he not known what Eric was? Colt was pretty damn sure Milo would have given him a heads-up if he'd known.

Colt's wolf snarled as they continued their slow walk, climbing the porch. Before Colt could raise his hand to knock, the door swung open. A tall guy, lean with muscles, stared at them through the screen door. "There a reason I got two wolves on my property?"

Pure attitude poured off Eric. Colt had met his type before. Someone always raring for a fight with a constant chip on his shoulder as if the world owed him something.

When Kellen ripped the screen door from its hinges, Colt lunged at the jaguar, pinning him against the closest wall, his forearm over the bastard's throat. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't tear your throat out," he snarled. "You used your fucking strength against a small human, beating him senseless."

Instead of being afraid, Eric smirked. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Colt had to jerk his head back when Kellen's fist connected with the jaguar's face. Eric flew sideways out of Colt's hold then hit the floor. Kellen towered over him, his hands balled into fists, his face a mask of fury. "Lie again and I'll eat your fucking heart!"

Crouching down, Colt curled his fingers into Eric's shirtfront, a deep growl rumbling in his chest. "What my brother is trying to say is we know you took your violent temper out on Milo. I'm going to pack his things while the mountain behind me babysits you. Make one move to stop us and we'll do to you what you did to your nephew, only you won't survive."

The need to beat Eric bloody rode Colt hard, but he had to get Milo's things. He stepped over the jaguar shifter and headed into the kitchen, looking around for trash bags. He found a box on top of the fridge and grabbed it before heading to Milo's bedroom. He didn't have to guess. Milo had been very specific which room was his.

As Colt stepped into the bedroom, he noticed the lack of personal belongings. The room was sparsely furnished with only a bed, nightstand, and dresser in sight. The walls were bare, devoid of any decorations or personal touches that might make the bedroom feel like a home.

As he opened the closet, his eyes landed on the empty top shelf and the few clothes hanging limply on hangers. Colt grabbed the clothes and the photo album off the floor, using a trash bag to store them.

When he went to the dresser, he saw that more than half of the drawers were empty. Only two held a small amount of clothing inside. It was clear that his mate didn't have much in terms of possessions, and it tugged at Colt's heartstrings to see such a simple and barren living space.

Fuck if it wasn't the same scenario as Colt had when he lived with his mom.

The only difference was that Milo couldn't afford to buy himself things while Colt's mother refused to give her children anything beyond the bare necessities.

He carefully lifted the jewelry box up and sat on top of the dresser and then pulled the list from his pocket. There was no way Colt could miss anything since there wasn't much in the room to begin with, but he scanned the list, nonetheless.

With everything checked off, Colt grabbed the half-full bag and walked back to the living room. He set the bag on the porch before he went back inside. Eric was now seated on the couch, a can of beer in his hand. The guy must like the taste because nonhumans couldn't get drunk from it.

His gaze fell on something sitting on the end table. The dark red bottle had a slender neck that led to a wide base. It was Red Spanking, alcohol that was made specifically for preternatural who wanted to get wasted.

How many times had Colt consumed the liquor just to forget his past? What pissed him off was the fact that Eric left it out in the open, uncaring that Milo might have helped himself to some.

If Colt's mate had drunk any, the potency would have killed him.

Crossing the room, Colt lifted the bottle and threw it against the wall, smashing it into a million pieces as the liquid splashed everywhere.

Eric shot off the couch with a low yowl. "Do you know how much that cost me?"

"Do you know what that would have cost Milo if he'd drank any of it?" Colt snarled as his canines descended.

"He's not coming back here anyway." Eric narrowed his eyes. "He owes me money. I might have let you come in here and grab his shit, but if he doesn't give me what he owes me, I'll—"

Colt whipped his arm out, grabbing Eric around the throat. "You'll what?" he growled. "Fuck it." Colt threw Erick to the floor so hard the room slightly shook. The guy shifted into his jaguar, twisted free, and leapt at him, claws out.

With a menacing growl, Colt dodged left then curled his arms around the cat, slamming Eric back down to the floor. Then Colt unleashed on him, driving his fists into the jaguar's side, still not satisfied when he heard ribs crack.

Eric shifted back into his human form and tried to swing at Colt.

"You want to beat on a helpless human?" Colt's head filled with red haze as he released his dark side. "I'll show you what a true fucking monster can do."

He wasn't sure how long he knelt there driving his fists into Eric, but hands gripped him and pulled him back. "He's dead, Colt. Enough!"

Colt's chest heaved as he stared down at the bloody mess. He drove his clawed hand into Eric's chest and ripped out his heart. "I hope you rot in hell, you son of a bitch."

He spat at Eric's lifeless body before he stormed out, grabbing the bag from the porch where he'd left it, making sure to keep his blood-soaked hand away from the plastic.

Then Colt went to the side of the house and found a spigot. After turning it on, he washed as much of the blood away as possible. Drying his hands on his shirt, he called Cannon and told the deputy what just happened and gave him the address.

When Colt hung up, he grabbed the bag again and hopped into his truck. He tore from the driveway, leaving behind a large cloud of dust.

"You need to shift and run," Kellen said from beside him. "You can't go back to your mate like this. Milo doesn't need to see this side of you."

Colt's wolf still wanted to fight, still not satisfied after he'd killed the jaguar. He blew out a few breaths and nodded. "When we get home, I'll go for a run in the forest behind the house."

He wasn't sure if a run would help with the way he felt, but Kellen was right. Colt didn't want Milo to see the monster that had broken free.

* * * *

"Wait, wait, wait." Milo held up his hands, palms out. "You're telling me vampires are real and one tried to kill you?"

Atlas nodded as he chewed the cookie and swallowed. "I know how you feel right now. I was shocked beyond words when I found out what the guy was. It was way worse for me since he had me by the throat and I was dangling in the air while he choked me out."

They were sitting on Colt's bed, their legs crossed, facing each other with a mountain of snacks between them. The television was long forgotten since Atlas had begun telling Milo about how he'd meet Kellen and everything that had happened afterward.

"I think I need a drink." Milo pressed his palm against his forehead.

Atlas handed him his can of soda. "Baby sips. You don't want to get wasted."

Despite being told that vampires were real, Milo grinned. "Wouldn't want the carbonation going to my head."

Atlas chuckled. "Worse, when I went to the emergency room for slugging Colt's concrete jaw, I saw my best friend and my ex-boyfriend together. Come to find out, Braylon had been sleeping with Glen even when I was still dating the jerk." Atlas popped some MMs into his mouth. "I was devastated, even though I'd dumped Glen a month before. Braylon had comforted me while he was warming Glen's sheets."

"That's just foul." Milo took a sip of his drink. He really liked Atlas, even though he'd initially been uncomfortable around the guy.

Milo never really had friends. In high school, he'd talked to a few people, but they'd never hung out. Even though his mom would always be his best friend, Milo liked having someone his own age to hang out with.

Someone who knew about the nonhuman world.

"Tell me about it," Atlas agreed. "But I have Kellen now, and he's introduced me to two of his friends. A mated couple. You've got to meet Sam. He's a mate like us and fun to be around."

"I still can't believe you socked Colt on the jaw." A part of Milo wanted to be pissed, but Atlas had done that trying to defend Kellen. The guy hadn't exactly told his story in a seamless timeline. Atlas had been all over the place, telling Milo first about how Colt had been ready to kill Kellen when he thought his brother had put bruises on Atlas's neck.

If anything, that endeared Colt to him, knowing his mate was ready to protect Atlas even though he didn't have all the facts before he and his brother had gone for blows.

"What about you?" Atlas bit another cookie. It was a mystery how the guy didn't weigh more with as many sugary snacks as he consumed. Maybe Atlas didn't do that all the time.

"What about me?" Milo set his can aside then told Atlas about his life with his mom, her failed marriage, and how he'd had to move in with his uncle.

"Is he the one who hurt you?" Atlas rested a hand on Milo's knee.

"How do you know about that?" Had Colt told his brother and Atlas about his bruises? Milo wasn't sure if he should be pissed or not.

"It's not what you think," Atlas said. "Colt didn't run to us and spill the beans like some gossip. After he came home and lit into me and Kellen for no reason, he tore his room apart. Ever since I found out about their past, I've kind of taken Colt under my wing, sharing my family with him because all he had was Kellen. He's like a brother to me, Milo, and I hope one day Kellen and I will be like brothers to you. I was just worried about him when he went off the deep end."

"When he thought I rejected him," Milo said as he stared down at his feet. "I understand why he would think that, but…" Milo cleared his throat, hating to think about the pain Colt had been in. "When I first saw Colt at the reception, it was like a spell was cast over me. I know that sounds corny, but—"

"No it doesn't," Atlas interrupted. "I fell hard for Kellen when we met at Fearless Fox. I kept telling myself I didn't want to be bothered and wasn't impressed with his charm, but I was. I'd never gone home with a stranger before, but I was out the door with him so fast my head spun."

"Colt said it's the pull, but I know it can't just be that." Milo looked at Atlas. "Maybe at first. I nearly got my uncle fired because I couldn't stop myself from touching Colt."

Atlas chuckled. "I remember. I was confused until I saw the way Colt was looking at you. It's the same way Kellen looks at me."

Milo frowned. "I think I would have recalled Colt staring at me as if I was his entire universe."

Atlas smirked. "Then you weren't paying close enough attention, hon. Someone would have to be blind not to see how enchanted he was with you. He was ready to kick your boss's ass that night. Also, he was looking at you that way the morning I walked into the kitchen to get those bagels. You weren't paying attention to Colt, but I saw the way he was looking at you. It wasn't just enchanted that time. He had a soft look in his eyes that made them sparkle. Only a guy in love looks that way."

"In love?" Milo nearly choked, though he didn't have anything in his mouth. "We've only known each other about a week!"

Milo wasn't sure why he found that unbelievable since he was already in love with Colt.

"The way Kellen explained it to me, it's different for nonhumans. Their entire lives they search for their mate. If they're fortunate enough to find them, their already halfway in love with them."

Milo was at a loss for words. Colt was halfway in love with him already? Why hadn't his mate said anything? Why haven't you said anything to Colt about how you feel?

They both turned their heads when the doorbell rang.

"Are you expecting someone?" Milo asked.

"No one knows where I live. I've yet to invite my parents over." Atlas got up. "Maybe it's Morgan and Sam, the mated couple I told you about."

They walked out of the bedroom and headed for the front door. Milo doubted it was Eric. Colt and Kellen hadn't returned yet, but it was highly unlikely that Eric had followed them back and raced to the front door before the brothers came in through the back.

Atlas swung the door open. Standing on the other side was a tall and slender young man with delicate features and silky brown hair. His piercing blue eyes were captivating, making him undeniably attractive.

"Can I help you?" Atlas asked as Milo came to stand next to him.

"I'm here to see Colt." The stranger might have been gorgeous, but his tone left something to be desired. It was haughty, as if he was irritated that he had to deal with Atlas and Milo.

"And you are?" Milo asked as his gaze swept over the guy, a surge of jealousy flying through him.

"I'm Hayley, and Colt is my boyfriend."