Chapter Three

Raidh watched as Jaytee straddled the sleek black motorcycle and, with a swift kick, brought it to life. The loud roar of the revving engine and muffled rumble of the exhaust drowned out all other sounds.

Then, with a mischievous grin, the wolf shifter beckoned Raidh to join him on the bike by patting the tiny space behind his massive frame.

Raidh's eyes bulged in horror. Oh, heck no. Nuh-uh. Not happening.

"Not on your life." He crossed his arms stubbornly. Was the wolf shifter insane? Raidh had never been on a motorcycle before, or any other form of transportation other than his wings and own two feet. He swallowed nervously. "I am not getting on that thing. I'll just walk to your house."

"It's five miles from here." Jaytee patted the seat again.

Raidh firmly shook his head. "I value my life too much and would prefer to keep all my limbs intact."

"I promise it's safe, honey." He revved the engine once more, causing the rumble of the exhaust to grow louder. "I've been driving motorcycles since their invention. In almost a century and a half, I've only laid my bike down roughly eight times, none of them being my fault."

"But you have laid it down," Raidh pointed out, still hesitant and unconvinced by his mate's experience and reassurances.

"I'm seasoned," Jaytee insisted.

"With craziness." There was nothing his mate could say that would convince Raidh to get on that death trap willingly. "Just give me your address and I'll meet you there...in one piece."

Jaytee chuckled at his reluctance. But to Raidh's surprise, instead of pushing him or trying to convince him, Jaytee simply shrugged and revved the engine again.

It was clear that this was not up for debate. Either he got on willingly or Jaytee would leave without him.

Would his mate really leave him? Raidh had nowhere else to go, and now that he knew his sister was looking for him, his time to cast the concealment spell was running out.

When Odette couldn't find him, Galamir would discover his disappointing, half-witted, useless excuse for a pathetic son had left the realm.

Those insulting words should have cut deeply, but Raidh had gone numb to them, especially after hearing them for over a millennium.

Raidh was not going back. For what? So his father could continue disparaging him, force him to use dark magic and participate in those braggart-filled gagfest competitions?

He didn't even know why Galamir made him compete since his father spent the entire time criticizing and belittling him for every spell he cast. Galamir even accused him of not taking things seriously, making Raidh's life miserable.

Nothing Raidh did was ever good enough for his family.

Raidh needed to cast the spell quickly, but could he trust Jaytee to keep him safe on the motorcycle?

"My hair is going to get messed up with all that wind," Raidh said, trying his best to stall.

Jaytee dismounted the motorcycle. "Turn around," he said softly.

Raidh complied, feeling a rush of exhilaration as Jaytee's skilled fingers wove through his hair, gently braiding it. He shivered at the touch of the wolf shifter's hands gliding through his hair, the slight tug as strands were pulled into place.

But it was the accidental brush against his pointed ears that made him gasp.

"My ears."

"Are hidden."

That wasn't what Raidh was talking about. The points were very sensitive and, if played with for too long, would cause Raidh to orgasm.

Jaytee slid his hands down Raidh's arms, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. He leaned in close, his lips close to Raidh's ear, then whispered in a sultry tone, "Wrap your arms tightly around me when you get on. Follow my lead and lean whenever I do, Moonbeam."

Raidh felt a surge of desire rush through him, felt Jaytee's heat radiating behind him, as he nodded.

When they mounted the motorcycle, Raidh curled his arms around Jaytee's waist, which caused their bodies to press close together. Sweet honeydew. Raidh felt all of Jaytee's deliciously hard and corded muscles under his palms and against his chest.

"Hang on, Moonbeam," Jaytee said right before he took off.

Raidh suppressed a scream, instead concentrating on how every muscle in Jaytee's upper body flexed tight as they drove through town.

The wind whipped through Raidh's hair when they hit the back road, the braid Jaytee had carefully created keeping it secure.

As they rode, Jaytee's grip on the handlebars tightened, and Raidh could feel the power and control the wolf shifter had over the motorcycle. It was intoxicating, and Raidh secretly felt a thrill run through him every time Jaytee leaned into a turn or accelerated on a straightaway.

Soon they turned off the road and headed up a long driveway. Up ahead, Raidh saw a large, dark blue home with off-white trim and a red front door. There were two pickup trucks and three cars parked to the side of the house.

Jaytee pulled under a carport and shut off the motorcycle. Raidh's legs felt like they were still vibrating when he dismounted and looked around.

"You boys were supposed to be back an hour ago," a man said as he marched onto the porch. "Dinner has been getting cold." He scowled at Jaytee then frowned as he looked at Raidh.

Instinctively, Raidh stepped behind his mate. The stranger bore a striking resemblance to Jaytee and his siblings, with the same sharp cheekbones and intense gaze, but this man had a more rugged and seasoned look, like he had lived a lifetime already. He even had the same long, thick beard as the others, but he was a lot more muscular.

Could he be their father or perhaps an uncle? Raidh wondered as he took in the man's strong features, broad shoulders, and muscular body.

"I see you got sidetracked, Jaytee." The man's voice was deep and filled with warmth as he acknowledged Raidh with a nod. "Welcome to the Frost home, young man. I'm Kalen Frost, Jaytee's father."

Raidh felt a knot tighten in his stomach at the mention of a father figure—a reminder of his troubled relationship with Galamir. He could only hope that Kalen would prove to be kinder and more accepting. Being welcomed into their home was already the opposite of what Galamir would have done.

"Bring your fella inside, Jaytee," Kalen said with a warm smile. "He can join us for dinner."

Just then, Raidh's stomach rumbled. Time ran differently in the Unseelie realm than it did in the human world, so there was no telling how long it had been since he'd eaten.

"Dad, this is Raidh." Jaytee proudly introduced him. "My mate."

The corners of Kalen's handsome eyes crinkled as he smiled at them. "I suppose getting sidetracked wasn't such a bad thing after all."

Raidh grunted slightly when his mate threw an arm around him and hugged him close to his side. Jaytee was too damn big and needed to remember his strength. Raidh wasn't trying to get a few ribs cracked.

"I'll tell you about it over dinner," Jaytee said. "But first I want to show Moonbeam my room. Let him freshen up if he needs to."

What Raidh really needed was to cast a spell so nobody from the dark realm could detect him. He had resisted learning dark magic, but some spells were used by both Seelie and Unseelie fae, and the concealment spell was one of them.

"I do need to freshen up," Raidh admitted. He only needed a few ingredients for the spell, and he hoped the Frost household would have them.

As Jaytee led him inside, Damon and Jax pulled up under the carport. Raidh took note of the living room. The Frost home was warm and inviting, with comfortable furnishings and the smell of a home-cooked meal wafting through the air.

When he'd first arrived in this town, he never could have imagined that the universe would answer his need for a place to stay with four huge wolf shifters.

He was just a tiny bit worried when he noticed a collection of knives mounted on one wall.

"That's Jax's collection," Jaytee explained with a chuckle. "Anytime we take a trip, he adds to it. And trust me, he doesn't spare any expense." He shook his head with a grin, clearly amused by his brother's obsession.

"As long as he doesn't try to show them off and accidentally slice me in half," Raidh said. Even from where he stood, the knives looked sharp and deadly.

"Nah, he knows how to expertly handle them." Jaytee leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, "Although when he first started collecting them, he had to constantly shift to heal all the cuts he gave himself. But don't tell him I told you that."

Raidh snickered. "Your gossip is safe with me."

Kalen sniffed the air as Raidh passed him. Jaytee let out a low growl and positioned himself protectively in front of Raidh. "I already had to fight Damon about how my mate smells. Please, Dad, don't make me have to fight you too."

"And get your ass handed to you?" Kalen narrowed his eyes at his son. "Pup, when you feel your britches are big enough to take on your old man, we can settle it outside."

He turned to look at Raidh.

Fizzle sticks. Not this again. Raidh would rather sleep in the forest surrounding this town than have to deal with yet another supernatural who couldn't resist the enticing scent of his blood.

Jaytee's growl deepened as Jax and Damon entered the house. The two brothers exchanged confused glances as they looked between their father and Jaytee.

"Why is Jaytee growling at Dad?" Damon asked no one in particular. "Is he feeling suicidal?"

"Or is Dad smelling that same mouthwatering scent we smelled before Jaytee handed you your ass?" Jax asked Damon then cautiously asked Jaytee, "Do we need to get Raidh out of here?"

Kalen snorted. "I can control my wolf a hell of a lot better than you pups. I have no intention of attacking the fae." He tilted his head slightly. "But I am curious to know if he's Seelie or Unseelie."

Raidh's body began to shake, his gaze fixated on the front door as an overwhelming urge to flee overcame him. Supernatural despised dark fae, believing them all to be evil. The older generation of Unseelie certainly had issues, and most of the younger ones didn't want anything to do with dark magic.

"Calm down, Raidh," Kalen said to him. "You're mated to my son, so I don't care which type of fae you are, just as long as you promise not to bring my boys any harm."

"What're you talking about?" Jaytee frowned, looking between his father and Raidh.

Kalen chuckled softly. "You boys still have much to learn about this world. I'll leave it up to your mate to explain things to you, as long as I can get that promise."

Raidh nodded slowly.

"I'll reheat dinner," Kalen said before walking away.

Now Raidh was alone with three wolve shifters staring intently at him.

"You're a fairy?" Jaytee asked curiously.

"Fae," Raidh corrected him.

"What's the difference?" Jax asked.

Raidh placed a hand on his hip and raised an eyebrow. "What's the difference between a wolf and a dog?"

"Dogs bark, wolves howl," Jax answered without hesitation. "Dogs are less mentally mature than wolves. They also tend to be wider and stockier, whereas wolves—"

"He was being sarcastic," Jaytee interjected, giving Jax a look that said he should have known that already. Then he crossed his arms. "What I want to know is the difference between Seelie and Unseelie."

"Do you even know what those words mean?" Raidh asked defensively, still scared out of his mind to reveal his true identity.

"I'm just guessing, but it probably refers to the distinction between good and evil fairies," Jaytee said, sweeping his gaze over Raidh.

"Fae," Raidh emphasized through gritted teeth.

"And since you refused to tell me what you are, I can only assume you're one of the bad ones."

Jax and Damon let out low growls.

Keeping his eyes locked on Raidh, Jaytee said to his brothers, "Growl at my mate again and you two can deal with my wolf."

"How is that a threat when all three of you are wolves?" Raidh asked.

"We may be twins, but his wolf is twice the size of mine...and Jax's," Damon said with a shrug. "We take that threat seriously." A wide grin spread across his face. "Tell me you're a naughty fairy. That would be so cool."

Fae!" Raidh shouted in frustration.

"Naughty fairy." Damon chuckled as he walked away.

"I was right about you being a jerk!" Raidh shouted at Damon's retreating form, only for the twin to laugh harder.

"You should have never let Damon know that bothers you." Jax smiled wickedly before leaving Raidh alone with Jaytee.

"I have never met more immature jerks in my life!" Raidh argued.

Jaytee stood there with his muscular arms crossed. "I'm not going to make assumptions, Moonbeam. I want you to tell me yourself. Are you a good or bad fair— fae?"

"Most preternatural already assume we're all evil," Raidh replied angrily, throwing his hands up in frustration as he fought back tears.

"Which one, Raidh?" Jaytee pressed on, clearly not backing down.

"You might as well kick me out now," Raidh argued. "Who would want someone like me as a mate?"

"Raidh," Jaytee said in a low warning tone.

"What?" Raidh snapped at him.

"Which. One?"

"Unseelie!" he shouted at Jaytee. "Happy now? You finally got what you wanted."

He stormed toward the door, so fed up with the hatred and assumptions surrounding his kind.

Not that most of them didn't deserve it.

The older fae had worked damn hard to earn their reputation for being evil. They always used the excuse that Unseelie were inherently dark, but Raidh was living proof that it was just an excuse for them to continue their malicious ways.

"Whoa!" Jaytee grabbed Raidh's arm and pulled him back, his grip holding a gentle strength.

Raidh tried to push away from his mate's grasp. "You'll only grow to resent being mated to me when you have to hide what I am from everyone you know."

"Calm down, Moonbeam." Jaytee pulled Raidh into his arms, and he finally crumpled against his mate, feeling helpless. "I told you on the side of the café that it didn't matter to me what you are. I'll always have your back. And the only opinions that matter are those of the people who live under this roof."

Raidh sniffled, trying to hold back tears. "Your twin is twisted if he wants a dark fae to be here."

Jaytee chuckled. "Then I guess my whole family is twisted." He wiped away Raidh's tears with his thumbs. "But what I do care about is why your sister was sent to fetch you."

"Oh, shoot!" Raidh pulled away from Jaytee's embrace. "I need to cast a concealment spell to hide my location." He held up his hands, palms facing out. "It's not dark magic, I promise."

If the cat was out of the bag, he might as well be open about everything. There was no point in hiding things if he wanted the Frost men to help him.

But he also needed to warn them about what they were getting into. They'd welcomed him into their home, and he wasn't repaying their kindness by not telling them a powerful fae might ring their doorbell looking for him.

He mentally snorted. As if Galamir would ever ring a doorbell. His father was all about grand entrances.

"Do you need a bubbling cauldron or some exotic insects or maybe the feet of a chicken?" Jaytee furrowed his brows but otherwise didn't seem fazed at the idea of casting a spell. "I'm not sure I can locate eye of bat."

What on earth had his mate been watching or reading? Raidh suppressed a laugh, unable to pass up the chance to have a little fun. "As well as some wolf shifter bones. Do you happen to have any lying around?"

His mate looked at him as if he wasn't sure if Raidh was joking or not.

Raidh chuckled. "Just kidding! The look on your face was priceless though."

Jaytee snorted. "I wasn't worried. I was just going to offer you Damon to use."

Raidh loved his mate's sense of humor, though he knew Jaytee wouldn't actually sacrifice his twin. Maybe. "I just need certain herbs," he explained, deliberately leaving out the part about needing some of his own blood.

He had a feeling Jaytee wouldn't be too keen that Raidh had to cut his own arm open.

There was just one drawback with using one's own blood to cast a spell. It briefly revealed their location to those they were trying to conceal themselves from. That was one heck of a flaw in the spell.

Galamir would know Raidh was casting it. Also, by using his blood, since he was dark fae, Raidh would turn a simple spell into a dark one, but it would also make the spell twice as powerful. Because he had no other choice. He wasn't going home. The dark fae realm was no longer his home.

"I also need a room," he said to Jaytee. "Somewhere without any identifying objects that could lead someone here."

"I know just the place." Kalen spoke up from behind them. "Tell us what you need, and we'll make it happen."

"Why?" Raidh turned to see Damon and Jax joining them as well. "You guys don't even know me. Why would you help?"

"You're family now," Kalen stated firmly. "You promised not to bring my boys any harm, so just tell us what you need, and we'll make it happen, son."

Raidh was touched by their immediate support and willingness to help without demanding any answers. It only emphasized how different they were from his own family.