Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Adam

Adam laughed as Shawn yelped before taking off across the yard. The problem was that as he tried to get away from the rambunctious Hellhound pup, Jasmine thought it was a game, and chased after him.

"I really didn't know she'd have such an obsession with fluffy tails," Seb said as he rose. No doubt to try to get his pup to give the shifters a break.

"He's just being a baby," Bryce said. "Shawn! Let the puppy play!"

Adam cackled as Shawn growled at Bryce only to be surprised when Jasmine caught his tail and yanked on it again.

"This is great," Lawson said.

It really was. Adam peered around the full yard and at the people he loved most in the world.

Adam sat in the shade of the deck with Seb, Bryce, and Lawson sipping on fresh lemonade. His mate was in the middle of the yard playing horseshoes with Axel, Bo, Atom, Ash, and Rainier. Shawn, Nate, Craig, Trevor, and Logan were all in their shifter forms. Drake and Notel were at the grill, both talking excitedly as they waved at the food. Ari had his head bent over something River was showing him on his phone as Anton rested his head in River's lap. Adam didn't know if he should worry about that yet. River could be a bad influence but Ari needed to loosen up and worry less and River was great at putting others at ease.

Seb passed the Hellhound pup to Sam and Ansley as he passed where the two of them had been sitting with Levi and Gavin before returning to the deck.

"Levi looks better," Seb said quietly.

Adam looked over at his dear friend. The dark circles under his eyes were gone. However, the moment they'd returned to the human realm, the tension had returned in Levi's shoulders. "I wish he'd consider staying in the Hell realm longer."

"He needs to come home," Bryce said. "Not that your place there isn't home, but it's not his. He can't let whatever happened between him and his mate fester. It's not healthy."

"Does everyone know?" Adam asked.

"Everyone knows enough to be worried about him," Lawson answered.

"Plus, if things get too bad here, I'll drag him to your place in a second," Lawson said. "But he does need to figure things out."

It wasn't any of their places to decide for Levi.

Adam just wished he wasnt so far away.

"And I heard him tell Axel that he'll be helping Atom training with the warriors at least once a week," Seb said. "So, we'll see him."

"I know." It was just killing Adam that he didn't know anything about this man that had broken Levi's heart. Although, five miles wasn't that far from the house. Wait! It really wasn't that far at all.

He glanced around at his friends to see who the best choice for a secret mission would be.

Bryce was out. Axel would notice if the boy was missing for more than two minutes. Ansley would be sneaky enough but he'd want Sam to go and Sam was not good at keeping anything from Shawn. Nate was just as bad and with two mates there was a greater chance of him being missed. Same with River who would be perfect. That left Seb and Lawson but Adam didn't know if he could talk Seb into the mission. Lawson on the other hand…yeah, that might just work.

"I'm going to get more lemonade," Adam said, standing. He widened his eyes at Lawson before discreetly moving his chin toward the house.

"I'll…help," Lawson rose.

"What are you two up to?" Seb asked.

"Nothing!" Adam said quickly.

Bryce leaned forward as he narrowed his eyes. "Do we need to run interference with your mates?"

Adam loved the Alpha mate. He beamed.

Bryce sighed. "Okay, but if I get corner time, I'll be very unhappy."

Seb groaned. "That doesn't sound good."

Reaching over, Bryce patted Seb's hand. "I always get a treat after punishment."

"That's not what I was talking about," Seb said. "Those two. I feel trouble coming on."

"No trouble," Adam promised. "We're just going to take a quick hike in the woods."

"Hike!" Lawson whined. "I hate walking."

"Shh," Adam hissed. "We have some investigating to do." He glanced quickly at Levi then away.

"Oh!" his three co-conspirators drawled.

Finally, they were getting on board. "I just want a quick look."

Seb didn't look convinced, but Bryce nodded. "Go out the front. Just make sure you stay inside the ward. Axel will know if you cross over the barrier."

"How close can we get?" Lawson whispered.

"If you stay to the south, you should be able to go pretty far into the woods," Bryce told them.

"How do you know this?" Adam questioned.

Bryce grinned. "I take a lot of naps in my Daddy's lap. He talks about business. Including pack business. He doesn't hide anything from me."

"You are so getting corner time for this," Seb warned.

"It will be worth it if we can find out anything about this guy," Bryce said. "I might need my Daddy to shift and eat him. How will I know if they don't go snoop?"

"I don't think your Daddy will eat anyone for us. Even if that person broke Levi's heart," Lawson said.

"He threatened to eat multiple people when we went back to his old home," Bryce pointed out.

"And if not, then I'll have Mal drag him to Hell and torture him," Adam vowed.

"Just go." Seb waved a hand. "You're making me more nervous, not less."

Adam snickered as he pulled Lawson toward the house. They couldn't be gone long. Drake was distracted by the food and having Notel there to talk about recipes. Across the yard, Mal threw his head back laughing before fist-bumping Axel.

His family.

Adam loved them all.

He wanted them all to be happy.

If he had to take desperate measures to make sure that everyone in his family found love, peace, and happiness, he would.

Adam held Lawson's hand through the house then out the front door before they toward the woods. They made their way carefully past the parked vehicles, using them for cover, before hightailing it to the edge of the forest.

He had to take a second look at the magical ward.

"Powerful, isn't it?"

Adam looked up at Lawson. "You can see the ward?"

Lawson pointed to his eyes. "Gift from my mate."

They all knew about the color change, but Lawson could see magic? "I knew I picked the right partner!"

"I don't know that I should be happy being your partner in crime," Lawson said dryly.

"Not crime," Adam pointed out. "And you love Levi as much as I do."

"I know," Lawson said. "Let's hurry though."

Adam was fine with that. Staying close to the border between the forest and their home, he led the way. There were a few times when they passed those in the backyard that Adam totally expected to be yelled at.

They made it past their own backyard and farther toward the state park. Adam didn't spend much time this far away from the house. He stopped and pressed his hand against trees that he spotted were struggling for some reason or another. It was easy enough to share what he naturally carried.

"What exactly are you doing?" Lawson questioned quietly. "All I can see is a pulse from your palm to the bark of the tree. The tree seems to …absorb it?"

Wow, Lawson really could see magic.

Adam nodded. "Sometimes the trees are sick. Or not getting enough nutrients. I can use my dryad gift to help give them a boost," Adam explained.

"You know," Lawson said as he followed behind, "the more I learn about our world, the better I understand Seb's desire to know everything. It really is fascinating."

"I feel the same way about my new realm," Adam said. "There are so many layers that Mal has told me about or I've heard people talk about. Being at the core is nice because that's where Mal is needed, but I can't wait to explore more."

"I can see that," Lawson said. "You already have so much on your plate though."

"I have great help," Adam said. "There are still some groups of demons that haven't embraced what I'm trying to do but Mal promised to take me to their communities so I can talk to them. It might take more time, but I think I can help them too."

"It's a good thing you're immortal," Lawson joked.

Adam stopped walking. "I'm immortal."

Lawson nearly bumped into him. "Weren't you always? Aren't you fae?"

He shook his head. "Half fae. I wasn't immortal. Not until I mated Mal." Holy shit! How had Adam not realized that? This was like the whole Duke thing again. He was not telling the others he just realized this.

Lawson laughed. "Well, I'm super happy about it. I couldn't imagine not having you in my life forever."

"Forever!" Adam clapped. He'd have his mate, his family, his friends, all the people that meant the most to him forever. That put a smile on his face. Now he just needed to make sure that Levi was happy by his side.

"Do you know where the cabin is?" Lawson asked.

"This way. I think."

Lawson groaned. "We're going to get lost!"

"We're not going to get lost." Adam knew his way back. Plus, if he needed assistance, he could count on his tree friends.

He continued to lead Lawson farther into the forest, staying at the edge of the state park. It took longer than he expected. Adam was about ready to admit defeat when he heard a crack.

"Shh!" He pulled Lawson down beside him.

"What was that?" Lawson whispered.

"I don't know." He crab-walked closer to the sound. Adam went as close to the magic barrier as he could get before he patted the trunk of the tree he leaned against. "Could you just give us a peek?"

There was a rustling before leaves and branches moved as if a strong breeze had come through.

There in front of a cute wood cabin was a man.

"Is that him?" Lawson asked.

It had to be, right? "I think so?"

"What's he doing?" Lawson asked.

The attractive man in his late thirties brought an ax over his head before bringing it down.

Crack.

"He's chopping wood," Adam told his friend.

"That's kind of hot." Lawson blushed after he said it.

It was. Levi's mate was shorter than Levi but about the same height as Adam. He wore green cargo shorts and a sleeveless white T-shirt. His brown hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat as he continued swinging the ax.

There was nothing extraordinary about the human. Not that he wasn't attractive. He was. But then again Adam was mated to the Master of Hell, so he was probably biased in thinking that the human was sort of bland. And yes, Adam could tell that this man was human. But there was something in his eyes as he squinted around him that spoke of some power.

Had he heard them?

Resting the ax against his shoulder, the human continued to scan around.

Adam shivered.

"Great, Mason," the man muttered. "Now you're spooking yourself." He shook his head before retaking his stance.

Mason. At least they had a name now.

Mason finished his task before he started to haul his load inside. On one of his trips inside the house, Adam turned to Lawson.

"How would he have heard us?"

Lawson shook his head. "Human?"

"Yeah," Adam said. "But—"

"Maybe he heard the trees move? Or felt us?"

That was possible but something bothered Adam. "I want to get closer."

Lawson shook his head as he grabbed Adam's wrist.

Mason came out into the yard but this time he sat on the porch with a bottle of water in his hand. Adam crouched down to watch.

The human was just sitting there.

It sort of freaked Adam out. The way Mason would peer around as if he knew he was being watched. That was impossible though. Not from this distance. He'd drink from his water bottle, but those dark eyes never stopped searching.

Finally, after way too long, Mason shook his head before rising. He tossed the empty water bottle into a blue recycling bin then went back inside the cabin, closing the door behind him.

Adam huffed. He couldn't see. He patted the tree beside him. "May I come up?"

A branch lowered and Adam climbed up.

"What are you doing!" Lawson demanded.

"I just want a better look," Adam said.

"Adam!"

He ignored his friend. "Up, please."

The branch lifted him higher until Adam could see in the front window of the cabin. Mason was on a cell phone as he paced the front room. An old worn couch with a bright colored blanket over the back blocked Mason nearly from Adam's sight. All the furniture appeared to be older or used. On one wall, a huge television was mounted but that was about the only new thing in the cabin.

Adam could see into a small kitchen with stained and broken tiles. Half the cabinets were missing the doors and there was construction material against one wall. Adam couldn't see into the only other room but he figured it was the bedroom and bathroom.

The old ranger station had been there as long as Adam had lived at the Alpha house but this was the first time any of the rangers appeared to be settling in. Mostly they would just check on it a few times a year.

He had to wonder how having a park ranger so close to them would affect the family. Well shit, except this was supposed to be Levi's mate.

This man should become a part of their family.

God! Adam wanted to know so much more but unless he went up and knocked on the door, he wasn't sure how to accomplish that task. How had Levi managed to stay away from this man?

As Mason waved his hand wildly as he spoke on the phone, Adam had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing. He hadn't meant to freak the human out, but it was obvious that he knew Adam and Lawson were out there. Nothing else explained his suspicion. That had to mean that Mason must be more than human. Maybe so diluted that Adam couldn't pick up on it.

That had to be it!

Not that it helped Adam figure anything out. This was sort of a wasted trip. At least if he couldnt get closer.

He really needed to get closer.

All he knew was what Levi's mate looked like, that he chopped his own wood, which was sort of sexy, and that he apparently felt Adam and Lawson. Adam still had no idea what to do to get this Mason guy and Levi together.

Unless Mal really would drag Mason down to Hell?

No, it wouldn't serve to frighten the human. Maybe if Adam explained—

Lawson yelped and Adam snapped his head to the side to see his mate standing there with his hand over Lawson's mouth.

"Busted," Adam mumbled.

The tree branch started to lower.

Adam didn't look away from his mate. Mal didn't appear mad at him. No, instead there was a definite smirk on his face.

Once he was close enough to the ground, Adam jumped down and gave the trunk of the tree a few quick pulses of his power to help the tree grow and thrive.

"Hello, mate." Adam beamed at Mal.

Mal lifted a brow. "Your Alpha swore you wouldn't be foolish enough to sneak off and spy on Levi's possible mate."

"Well…" Adam shrugged.

"I bet him twenty bucks that was exactly what you did."

"Damn it." Adam pouted. "They know?"

"Boy, you two are not as sneaky as you thought you were. Trevor followed the two of you the entire time."

From the corner of his eye, Adam spotted the black panther. An animal that did not belong in a United States state park. Still… Adam narrowed his eyes. "Why didn't anyone stop us?"

Mal released Lawson, who spun on him. Lawson pointed a finger in Mal's direction.

"You all want to know too!" Lawson accused.

Mal shrugged. "I'm new to the family. I can't speak for them. But I don't disagree. As soon as Drake and I realized what was happening, we told Axel, who had already sent Trevor after you. We did make sure Gavin kept Levi busy, so he didn't notice."

Adam winced. Levi would not be happy with them, and Adam didn't want to add to Levi's stress.

"Luckily, Gavin is interested in helping Atom and Levi in training the warriors, so if we get back now, no one else will realize you were gone."

"Fine." Adam didn't even get anything good!

"Did you find out anything?" Mal asked.

"No." He was totally pouting.

Mal picked him up and gave his cheek a kiss. "I know you want to help your friend, but this is up to Levi. You can't force this."

"I just want him to be happy," Adam said.

"I know, boy. How about you support Levi and make sure that he is in the right headspace for when he's ready?"

"I guess." That didn't seem like nearly enough.

Mal held his hand out to Lawson.

And they were back in the house. In the suite that had been Adam's before he mated with Mal.

"I guess I should find Drake," Lawson told them.

"I don't think he's mad," Mal said. "He seemed to find it as amusing as I did. Your Alpha, on the other hand…"

Lawson's cue little nose scrunched up. "Yeah."

Adam wrapped his arms around Mal's neck as soon as they were alone. "Thanks for not yelling at me or anything."

Mal's claws dug into the back of his jeans. "One of the things I love about you is your big heart. It has to be hard to see Levi so unhappy, but I mean it. Don't push your friend. He'll figure it out and, in the meantime, we'll be there for him."

"Okay, Daddy." Adam leaned closer. "Kiss?"

Mal snorted. "Like I've ever denied you a kiss."

Adam let Mal control the tempo of the kiss and surrendered to his mate. Mal was there to take care of him so Adam could take care of everyone else. Together they just worked.

Would he have ever imagined being mated to the most powerful demon in Hell? No. Had Adam ever considered that he'd have his very own minions that he swore to love and protect? Also no. Would Adam change anything about his new life? Hell no!