Chapter 3

Chapter

Three

R ory went to shower, because he was offending himself, and he grabbed a handful of turkey sandwiches on his way back to the healers.

Hopefully, Fen would want a bite.

He’d woken up with Fen in a deep, healing sleep, and the big wolf hadn’t stirred when he’d left. So he felt okay about taking a little break.

He’d cleaned himself up, and goddess, didn’t that feel better?

Jameson came walking up to him. “How’s the new one?”

“Good. He’s good. I think the pain is better. He’s sleeping now; that’s why I decided to take a shower.”

Jameson gave him a little bit of a strange look. “You sure took to him quick.”

“I guess?” He shrugged. “I was when we found him.” It was more than that, and Rory knew it, but he wasn’t sure how to explain it, so he didn’t bother. He wasn’t a wolf. But then he never heard anybody in his head like that. Only Fen.

“I suppose.” Jameson gave him another long stare. “Still. It’s interesting. Has he said anything to you about where he’s from?”

Rory shook his head. “Nope, we haven’t really talked about that.” There seemed to be a deep pain there, and Rory wasn’t gonna even start to ask about it until after Fen was feeling more like himself. It didn’t seem fair. “He was pleased that there were two alphas, that you two were running everything together. Surprised but pleased.”

Jameson shrugged one shoulder. “It works for us. It doesn’t work for everyone. But I like it.”

“Yeah.” It hadn’t worked for the people who had shot Fen. That was why they had been banished.

“I need to talk to him as soon as I can,” Jameson said as if reading his mind. “If the others are taking shots at wolves they think are ours, we need to do something about it.”

“Totally. I’m right there with you. You know whatever I can do to help.” Rory just wanted to be allowed to stay. He’d never been so happy. Now he kind of understood how Gareth felt when he went up to the dragons. Well, except for the fact that Gareth actually was a dragon. That complicated matters a little bit. Him. Rory was just a dude.

A good dude, a decent dude, and he loved this pack as much as any of the wolves except for possibly Jameson and Keegan.

But still just a dude.

That was okay. People needed dudes. Not everybody could be special. Some people just had to be normal worker bees. And that was what he was. A happily normal worker dude who lived with werewolves. In the mountains because the dragons left. So normal.

Jameson gave him a knowing look. “There’s a lot to you that you don’t acknowledge, Rory. And I’m happy to have you in the pack.”

He stood there and blinked. Was he seriously that obvious? Probably. “I just want to fit in, you know? I’ve never been happier, and there’s something about Fen. Something I don’t even know how to explain.”

“The healers say you can hear him, mentally.”

Rory nodded. “I can. Just as clear as I’m hearing you right now, you know?”

Jameson nodded, but his eyebrows lowered in a worried frown. “You do know that humans don’t hear wolves like that, don’t you?”

“I do, but… I can. I mean, I can hear him. He’s a good wolf, sad, because something terrible happened to his family. I don’t know what, but I know he’s really hurt.” Rory shook his head. “And then he got shot!”

“He did.” Jameson’s mouth flattened into a hard line again. “That’s unacceptable. I’m looking forward to being able to talk to him.”

“I want that too. It’ll be so much easier once he can shift. I know that he’s hurting less than before, so hopefully soon.” He had no idea how much better things had to be before he could shift back from a wolf.

“Can you take me to meet him? Introduce him?”

“Of course. I mean, you’ve been out to see him.”

“But I want a real introduction. He trusts you.”

“I hope so.” Rory sure wanted him to. The fact was, it was like this weird kind of ache. He just didn’t understand how on earth he could want this so badly and not even know what this was.

It was like he craved just being with Fen. He wanted to sit there and stroke Fen’s ears and muzzle. Rest with him, stay with him.

It just didn’t make any sense. And even worse, Rory didn’t care. As much as he liked things to make sense, he simply didn’t care.

He wanted this to be right, natural, but he had this sneaking suspicion that if Jameson told him he couldn’t see Fen anymore? If Jamison said this wasn’t a thing, this wasn’t possible…

He had this weird conviction that if he had to choose, he’d choose Fen.

“You’re worrying again,” Jameson said, one hand landing on his shoulder. “Don’t worry. You’re okay.”

Rory felt his cheeks going hot. “How did you know?”

Jameson shrugged. “I’m the alpha. It’s my job.”

“I guess so, yeah.” He chewed his lower lip. “I just don’t want to screw up. I mean, I’ve always been the youngest, you know? The one who just did what he was told. You all make me feel needed.”

“You are. I’m beginning to understand that absolutely everything happens for a reason.”

Jameson stared into him, and Rory kind of felt caught—not in a bad way, not like trapped, but as if he had to stay there.

Stand there and absorb what Jameson was telling him.

“I thought Gareth was a wolf. We found out that there are half fae, half wolves. We’ve had three humans? Four? That ended up being dragons. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that I don’t know anything . And that I’m learning every day. That magic is way beyond anything I can control. You’re pack, I know it. Fen knows it. Keegan knows that you belong here. The rest of it is petty details.”

His mouth dropped open, but he couldn’t deny it. Something in him warmed to the whole idea, even if he didn’t believe it.

“Then I’ll be pack. You know that I want to be here with you, with all of you.” With him. He wanted to be here with Fen.

“Should we go see if he’s awake? Speaking of Fen?” he asked.

“Absolutely. If he’s not up to visitors or resting, then we’ll leave him alone. But if he’s up, maybe at least we can make an introduction.”

They headed across the courtyard, and not for the first time, Rory was so happy to see how this little group of wolves had managed to make a real home for themselves.

There were children having lessons. There was a tiny farmer’s market set up for trade. There were classes going—fighting, knitting, music.

The weavers were starting to fill one of the common areas, tracking in with armfuls of wool and linen so that they could create clothes, blankets, things to sell to the outside, but also just for them.

They were creating beauty just for them, and Rory was pleased to have been a part of all this for so long.

The healing center slash clinic slash makeshift hospital was in a separate building in a quiet part of the packland. Much smaller than a gathering place, there were only four rooms to the entire place really—the main room, one exam room, and two little rooms for people who needed more long-term care.

“Ah, Rory,” one of the healers said. “Did you get something to eat?”

“I cleaned up,” he said, smiling. “Is he awake?” He hoped so. Fen was getting better, but Rory wanted him well.

Nita smiled at him. “He seems to be, yes. He drank, he ate quite heartily, he used the bathroom, and then he crashed again. He’s good, I think. I believe that he’s turned a corner.”

That was what Rory needed to hear. “Can I go see him? I want to introduce him to the alpha.”

“Of course.” She smiled, waved her hand toward the room Fen had been staying in.

“Thank you, Nita. I appreciate it.”

Jameson nodded. “Bright blessings, dear one.”

“And to you, Alpha.”

They had two healers in the pack—one elder, one young.

And then there was Nita.

Rory wasn’t exactly sure what Nita did, but she was always there. She was always friendly, and she always made him feel as if he was welcome, as if he was helping.

She was one of those women that you couldn’t tell if she was twenty or she was seventy. Her face was unlined, but her eyes seemed to hold the wisdom of ages. When she touched him, her hands felt callused like they’d been working for decades.

Of course he’d never ask.

Rory was fully aware that there were things you never asked a woman.

One, how old she was, and two, if she was pregnant.

Also, he never congratulated any omega on being pregnant unless it was confirmed by their mate. He’d gotten his ears boxed once for that, and had learned exactly what that old phrase meant.

Fen was awake when they went in, awake and human, wrapped up in blankets, and Rory shivered, gaze exploring every inch.

“Fen.” He smiled. “You’re up.”

“Mostly.” Fen’s voice sounded rough, hushed. “You okay?”

“I am. I wanted to introduce you to one of the alphas. Jameson. Jameson, this is Fen.” He’s gorgeous.

You’re biased.

Rory grinned . Maybe a little.

“Pleased to finally meet you, Fen. I’m glad you’re healing.”

Fen inclined his head. “Thank you, Alpha.”

“Jameson, please. We’re only formal when it’s necessary. Can you tell me what happened to you?”

“My pack was small,” Fen said. “Just my family. Once they were…gone, I was a lone wolf, so I’ve been traveling, looking for a place where another pack wouldn’t drive me out.” When Jameson nodded, Fen went on. “I thought I would be safe up at the tree line, but that was where I got shot.”

Jameson growled. “I swear to the moon, those wolves are assholes, the lot of them.”

“I think they’re not doing well, Jameson,” Fen said. “They’re ragged, and they look hungry.”

“Hungry? They were well provided for when they left.”

“The children I saw looked gaunt. In fact, that was how I got shot. I was going to offer to hunt for them. I assumed they were a small family alone.”

“Okay. I’ll go look for them, find out what’s happening. No one starves on pack land.”

“Don’t get shot,” Fen said wryly, making Rory snort.

“That won’t happen. I’ll bring reinforcements.”

“Good.” Fen nodded again, but he was starting to sag.

“I’ll leave you to Rory’s TLC, my friend. But welcome to the pack.”

“I’ll take care, I swear.” Rory went to grab a glass of water for Fen. Poor, worried wolf.

Poor, worried, sexy man.

Are you all right ? Fen asked him.

“Yes. Yes, of course.” Turned on, which was probably not appropriate. Fen was thin, pale, but so beautiful.

“Good. Thank you for all your help, Rory. I know you didn’t have to.”

“I didn’t, but I sort of did.” I wanted to be with you. Can you still hear me?

I can. Fen reached for his hand, and he moved close, twining their fingers together.

I can hear you too. I— He really liked Fen, unreasonably so.

Fen smiled, his eyes very blue. “I like you too, Rory.”

“Do you…do you need anything? Is there anything I can do for you? At all?”

“Come sit with me? They’re bringing some soup.”

“I would love you. To. I would love to.”

Fen’s smile was slow and happy. “Mmm. Well, good. We can share.”

“Soup’s easy. Are the clothes okay? Did you have anything stashed somewhere that I ought to go and fetch?” Hopefully, no one would shoot him. No one seemed to find him a threat at all.

“No. I—I was traveling light.” Fen chuckled. “I kind of left everything.”

“I’m sorry. I brought all of my things with me, so if you need anything…”

“Thank you.” Fen squeezed his hand. “You’ve been so kind to me. I—you’re amazing.” That gaze warmed, making his heart beat fast.

“How could I not be?” Fen had been hurting, and there was something about him—something wonderful.

“So tell me about the pack?” Fen tugged him over to sit closer.

“I’m not sure what to say. It’s thriving now, but it didn’t used to be. It all was different before Jameson and Keegan took over. The pack attacked the dragons, even. It was wild, stressful. And then? Slowly everything started to change. The dragons started having others come in and the babies started happening. And then when Jameson and Keegan challenged the alpha here and won together, it was sort of like, you know, when there’s a terrible storm, and suddenly the sun comes out.”

He grinned, thinking how many supply runs he’d made then. “Everything changed. And of course there’s always some people who believe, even though the former alpha was evil, that anything that wasn’t exactly like he was was evil. Strongly inferior. He was a violent, ugly man. But then there were still those who followed him. Who believed his bullshit. Who believed that anything different from them was bad and that moving forward was wrong. That the only way to rule was by, you know, an iron fist and power and fear.”

Rory shook his head. “I don’t understand it. I’m never going to understand it. I don’t get how they’re still so damn mad. But they are and I can’t change that.”

Fen nodded, pondering that. “My family pack was small for the same reason. Our pack was mostly a mix of brown and gray. Like your average gray wolf. But my people had this silver coat. And my two sisters were white. So they drove us out.”

“Where are they? We can go get them. I’ll go get them if you want.” Anything to ease Fen’s pain.

“What are left moved off north toward Alaska. Closer to where there are others, you know, like us. Me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say. I mean, there’s even a half fae and half wolf here. They let me stay here, and I’m not a wolf at all. We have other white wolves, even. Our shaman, for example. Niall’s amazing and dear. His mate, Loyal, in fact. He’s Keegan and Jameson’s brother. So there’s this tiny little pack up in between where the dragons lived and here. It’s the shaman and a handful of others. And then all the babies. They come down and visit a lot, especially the little ones. They love their uncles Key and James.”

Fen shook his head, smiled. “This is a magical place.”

“It really is. Genuinely, I… I just can’t imagine not being here. Not now that I got to come and stay. I mean, I suppose…” He shrugged, letting his words trail off, because what was he going to say?

He supposed at some point, there wasn’t going to be a place for him anymore.

He didn’t really think so. After all, Keegan and Jameson cared for him. He had a little cabin and kept it clean. He contributed. He wasn’t taking up more resources than he was bringing in. He wasn’t going to be any more alone and isolated here than he was at home.

Every so often, he wondered where the dragons had gone. If they were dead or if they’d just gone to some magical place that wasn’t here.

He desperately wanted to know. He wanted to know if little Sebby was okay. The young dragon had been so proud of his “larparcas”, as he called alpacas, that he’d chosen for Gareth.

And his little chickens, that boy was mad for his chickens.

Surely they weren’t just dead. Surely that amazing energy hadn’t just been erased like it had never existed.

“What’s wrong?” Fen grabbed his hand. “Are you all right?”

He nodded, even though it was a lie. “I’m just… I was just thinking. Memories.”

Memories and worries and hopes. He had to believe that Seb, Penny, Stella, and Kiefer with his little books… He had to believe that they were all okay.

He swallowed hard. “I get a little choked up about the dragons,” he explained.

“They just disappeared?”

“Yes. They call it crossing the veil, but I always thought that meant they died.”

“No one has ever heard anything from them?”

“Niall, he’s the shaman, swears that there will be contact—letters, that sort of thing. Not yet though.” Not yet.

“Well, maybe it takes time for letters to come from another dimension.” Fen was teasing, but not meanly, he thought.

“Maybe…you know, maybe…it does.” He hadn’t thought about it too terribly hard.

What the hell did he know about magic? About dimensions…

It stunned him, how much he didn’t know about…the things he didn’t know about.

“It doesn’t matter. I can’t change anything that happened there.” Rory shrugged, then straightened, refusing to make himself small. “I can make things better for you though. I know I can. I think I can smell the food coming.” Rory concentrated, breathed deep, his nostrils working. “Yep, I can totally smell your lunch.”

“Our lunch,” Fen corrected. “What do you think it is?”

“Lamb stew with tomatoes, carrots, and potatoes.” Then he sniffed again. “Oh, and there’s cornbread with cheese. Possibly green chilies, but just a hint of them.”

He could barely smell the fruitiness of it.

Fen smiled at him, watching him with glowing eyes. “Amazing nose, mate.”

“My brothers always said so.”

Whoa. Mate.

Was that mate as in ‘Oh, good on you, mate’ or mate the way that Jameson said mate or Keegan said mate. Those were two totally different things.

I meant it like I meant it, mate.

His body went hot, his fingers and toes tingling. He couldn’t be a wolf’s mate. Could he? He was just…a guy. A human.

“Sweet Fen, then you have to know. I’m not a wolf. I don’t want to lead you on. I’m just a person, a human.” Just a boring, normal, nonmagical human.

Fen tilted his head again. And then the door opened, Nita hurrying in. “I have brought stew and cornbread. Oh, Fen! I’m so glad to see you up and around. Do you feel better?”

“I do, thank you. I think—I think I feel much better.” Fen’s smile was warm, and it started a fire deep inside him. “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”

“I think Rory took care of you more than I did, but you’re more than welcome.” She nodded at him, smiled. “I’m going to get you some clothes that will make you feel even more comfortable. And then? If you feel up to it. We’ll find you a place here in the pack somewhere where you can really start to recover.”

Oh no. No, not somewhere. Not for his Fen. “He can stay with me until he finds something that he would rather have. I have an extra room in my house.”

He had been honored to build a big house, because he did so much trading for the pack. So it seemed only fair to share his space, to use the room that he was blessed with, not to mention that was all he wanted to do anyway. “If Fen is happy with that, of course.”

“Excellent. Then we have a plan. Let me find you some shoes, some soft comfy clothes. While you have lunch, you think about whether you feel like you can start moving around.”

“Excellent. When can I go to Rory’s?” Fen asked.

Nita smiled at him. “You can go after lunch and getting dressed. Or if you think that you need to just stay here, that’s also an option. Always. Now, let me get you some clothes.” She bustled out just as quickly as she bustled in.

“I wasn’t trying to pressure you, but I just… I want you with me. I want to be with you.”

“Of course, I’ll come, mate.”

There was that word again.

What on earth was he going to do about it?