Neb grinned. “No shit. Do you have anything to drink around here? I’d love to hear this story.”
Creed smiled. “Have a seat.”
Neb removed his weapons, stacking them on the counter. “I’m all ears.”
Angel walked over to the fireplace and took a seat on the couch. She was nervous as she tried to think of the right words to say. “Um, can you sit down, Mom?”
“What is going on, Angel?”
“Is Dad with you?”
“No. He’s training some of the youth this morning.”
“Okay. Well, there’s something I didn’t tell you. You know how the ravage makes GarLycans emotional?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I pushed Creed, and he kind of lost control. It was totally my fault. He bit me.”
Silence over the phone was the only response.
“I’m at the cliffs. We were ordered to come here after their lord discovered we mated. I’m fine, and happy to be Creed’s mate. We didn’t get permission first so that was kind of a no-no.” She wasn’t about to explain everything. It would just alarm her mother more. “Long story short, we’re together and happy. I’m just going to be here for a few months.”
“Oh shit,” her mother gasped.
“It’s fine,” Angel rushed. “New mates stay at the cliffs.” That was possibly true. The enforcers who’d found her said something about how they thought all men going through the ravage should come home to do it. “Creed’s home is really nice, and I’m truly happy. It’s just that right now, he’s not up on the mountain to protect the pack. You need to gather the pack and tell them about the Vampire attacks on kids. They’re supposedly going after kids as young as ten, okay? Keep them out of human towns and close. Creed and I just found out, and I had to call to let you know.”
“Why didn’t you say something about being his mate when he brought you home?”
“I didn’t want you to freak out and we didn’t know how Creed’s people were going to react. It’s all fine now, I swear. I’m good. I love Creed. You know that.”
“How is he responding to having you for a mate?”
“Really great.”
“He isn’t furious or upset?”
“No.” Angel gripped the phone tighter. “I swear. I know what you’re probably thinking. I would have assumed he’d be furious but that’s not the case. He’s been so sweet and wonderful with me.” She lowered her voice. “We’ve even talked about having a baby. We’re leaving it to nature. He loves me too.”
“He said that?”
Angel smiled and relaxed. “He shows me every time he touches and looks at me, Mom. He’s still a GarLycan. It’s going to take some time for him to verbally express how he feels. But he makes me happy.”
“Your father is going to want to go there. So do I.”
“Right now, you need to protect the pack. Creed and I will be returning there as soon as Lord Aveoth says we can go.”
“Why are they keeping you? Why can’t you come home now?”
“New-mate thing.” Her mother would freak out if she told her they were being punished. Then she remembered the Lycan at the airport. “I’m putting off a scent that new mates get. It’s complicated, but I’d drive unmated Lycan men insane. I smell like I’m in heat big time.”
“Are you safe from other GarLycans?”
“Yes. Creed would never allow anyone to hurt me. You know that, Mom. He’s my mate. I will call you tomorrow, okay? This phone belongs to Creed’s brother.”
“Where’s your phone?”
She wasn’t sure where her things were. She hadn’t seen them since they’d entered GarLycan territory. “I forgot to charge it,” she lied. “I’ll do that soon.”
“You call tomorrow.”
“I will. I love you and Dad. Tell him I’m fine and happy. I promise. And tell the elders and alpha now that the kids are in danger.”
“We’ll take care of the pack. We’re not helpless without a guardian.”
“I know, but I’m also aware that we’ve grown to depend on Creed a lot to keep us safe at night.”
“That is true.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too.”
Angel ended the call and stood, crossed the room, and opened the bedroom door. The sound of two men laughing made her smile. It seemed at least one of Creed’s brothers accepted that he’d mated her, or at least didn’t mind. She walked into the living space to find both of them sitting on the couch holding beers in hand. Creed patted the couch and she went to him, taking a seat. She reached over his lap to give his brother the borrowed phone back.
“Did it go well?” Creed appeared worried.
“My parents know how I’ve always felt about you. Dad wasn’t home but my mom will tell him. I’m sure they’ll be happy once the shock wears off. She’s also going to gather the pack to warn them about kids being taken. They’ll probably assign perimeters for the pack to patrol tonight until the danger passes or we go back there.”
“I have some time free. I finished my last assignment and am due time off.” Neb sipped his beer. “I could cover being the guardian for that pack during my vacation. You said Lord Aveoth gave her six months’ confinement? I’ll talk to Kelzeb. I’m sure he’ll assign someone there when I need to return to duty, if asked.”
“I’d appreciate that.” Creed put his arm around Angel, pulling her closer. “I’ve grown to care about those Lycans.”
“I can be there by tomorrow night, and that will give me time to speak to our brothers before I leave.”
“Thank you.” Angel was touched. “That’s really nice of you.”
“Watching over a quiet area will be a good change of pace.” Neb grinned. “I’ve seen too much death over the past few years. The blood bastards have kept me pretty busy, between thinking it was cool to grow huge nests they couldn’t keep under control and now going after Lycan kids.”
“Thank you,” Creed rasped. “I’ll sleep better at night knowing you’re looking out for Angel’s family and friends. The elders are a bit talkative but I just think of something else while they’re speaking to me. They are going to want to go over what they expect from you as their guardian. Just nod every so often.”
Neb shook his head. “Only you would do that, brother. You always did have the patience of a saint. I just plan to drive in, tell them I’m there, and give them my number to call if I’m needed. Then I’ll stalk their air until morning. Are there any hot bitches who have a curiosity about GarLycans?”
“Most of them are mated, and I avoided the rest,” Creed confessed, glancing at Angel.
“Sorry.” Neb winced. “I didn’t mean to bring up anything taboo.”
“I avoided all the women who might have shown an interest in me.” Creed rubbed Angel’s back. “I couldn’t have the only one I wanted. There’s nothing to hide. I never took any of her pack to my bed.”
Angel knew that. She’d have heard if Creed had taken a lover. Her parents wouldn’t have told her but her friends would have. It made her love him even more. “I love you so much for that.”
“I couldn’t hurt you that way.”
Neb cleared his throat. “So where did you go to find company? I’d like to know where I can pick up a woman.”
Creed looked at his brother. “I didn’t.”
Neb gaped at him. “Weren’t you there for like twenty-five years?”
“Closer to three decades.”
“Shit.” Neb glanced between them, finally holding Angel’s eyes. “And you? Did you ever date anyone from the pack?”
She shook her head. “Creed had rejected my offer to be his mate right after I turned legal age. I dated one guy from another pack. It didn’t make me forget him or how much I loved him, so that’s when I moved away.”
“You two are breaking my heart,” Neb sighed. “Fuck, I hate our father all over again for a new reason. You could have mated her back then if he hadn’t sworn you to a hundred years of service. Fucking bastard. It work
ed out though. You’re together now.”
Angel nodded. “And we’ll never be apart.”
“I can drink to that.” Neb tipped his beer bottle and finished it off. “I’m going to go look for our brothers, make sure their heads aren’t up their asses about what you had to do, and then I’ll get assigned to be a guardian.” He stood.
Creed let Angel go and got to his feet. He hesitated but then hugged his brother, who embraced him back. “Thank you.”
“For what? Not being anything like our father? I try damn hard not to be. May he burn in hell, if there is such a place. He had it coming.”
Angel watched as Neb gathered his weapons, strapped them on, and then Creed escorted him out. Her mate returned with a smile on his face and she walked to him.
“I’m so glad that went well,” she confessed.
“I don’t think my other brothers will be a problem. If they are, I’ll deal with them. I have Neb’s support. They’ll heed his words when he speaks to them. All of us looked up to him more so than our father. He was the one who tried to look out for us.”
“How did he look out for you?”
“He used to sneak away to visit even when I was stuck at the north border. He brought me presents to help occupy my time and letters from our mother. Neb is the one who brought my other brothers to your territory right after I was assigned to be guardian there. The bed I mated you in was actually a gift from Neb, and he had my other brothers help him fly it to me.” He grinned. “He said I should have a comfortable place to sleep since he knows guardians usually don’t end up with the best accommodations.”
“I’m glad you had that, Creed.”
“It would have caused him trouble if our father had found out he’d spent time with us. Neb did it anyway. He wanted us brothers to be close, despite our father’s attempts to keep us apart.”
“Why would your dad want that? Siblings should be close.”
“My guess? He wanted our loyalty to remain with him and not to each other. He probably feared we’d stand together against him. He was such a cold son of a bitch.”
It hurt her, imagining his childhood, but it helped knowing he’d had Neb. She liked his older brother. “Our kids will be close.”
Creed reached up and cupped her face with both his hands. “They will be loved by their mother and father. I will encourage them to feel emotions and allow you to hug and kiss them so they know how important they are to us.”
“You’re going to make an amazing father.”
Doubt clouded his eyes and she hated to see it. He didn’t protest but the silence spoke for him.
“You’ll be hugging and kissing on our babies when they’re born. I know that. even if you’re not so sure yet.”
“I can’t even imagine.”
“You gave an abused, frightened child to Lycans. I didn’t know how great my life could become until you gifted me with a loving family. It’s your turn to be saved by me.”
He smiled. “I look forward to it.”
Chapter Seventeen
They were eating in the kitchen a few hours later when the pounding on the door jolted them both.
Creed rose, grabbed Angel’s arm, and hurried her into the bedroom. “Stay here,” he ordered. “Bolt the door behind me.” He grabbed the sword next to the bed, strode to the fireplace, and took down the second one.
“Wait!” Angel grabbed his arm. “Do you have more weapons?”
He nodded. “In the wardrobe.”
She let him go. “Do you know who’s out there?”
“No, but I’ll find out. Probably my brothers. I’ll assume they didn’t agree with Neb and have a problem with my challenging our father to the death.”
The pounding grew louder, and he knew time was up. They’d break in the door soon, and he wanted to battle them in the corridor instead of his home. “Bolt the door.”
He rushed into the living room, wishing he had his belt on to sheath his swords. He had to set one against the wall in order to unlock the door and jerked it open. It hit the wall as he grabbed the sword so he had them both in hand. A rumble came from him as three men in the hallway leapt backward.
Creed recognized each face.
He should have predicted that the surviving council members would have a problem with him killing one of them. He tensed and lowered his weapons, keeping the blades down. “Did you come to challenge me? I’ll assume that’s why you’re beating on my door. When and which of you shall I fight?”
Domb pulled his sword—but so did Milgo and Lisser. The three Gargoyles spaced each other by four feet, leaving Creed trapped with only the open doorway at his back. They obviously meant to attack him.
“You have no honor if you do this,” Creed pointed out. “You want to challenge me? Do it fairly one on one. Issue a time and I’ll meet you in court. All challenges are to be performed before Lord Aveoth for his ruling. You know this.”
Domb sneered. “We don’t acknowledge him as our lord.”
Creed gripped his weapons tighter, taking a defensive stance. The bastards had him outnumbered three to one. They were bad odds. “Cowards,” he accused.
“Executioners,” Milgo argued coldly. “You murdered a council member. We sentence you to death.”
“Lord Aveoth will kill you for this.” Creed had learned enough about his leader to know he wouldn’t allow them to get away with slaughtering one of the clan. He glared at Domb. “So will Kelzeb. Isn’t he your son?”
“I will disown him,” Domb spat.
“They both are plotting to kill us anyway.” Lisser began to slightly shell. “We’ve been stripped of power, and Kado’s death was methodically orchestrated.”
“That’s a lie. Have the three of you lost your sanity? I mated a human and my father tried to have me encased for it and demanded that she be enslaved as his breeder. No man would allow that to go unchallenged.” Creed slightly shelled his skin. “At least have the honor to come at me single file.”
Lisser stepped back a few feet, silently agreeing by lowering his weapon.
Domb swung his sword and lunged forward. So did Milgo.
Creed was glad he’d been taught to use double swords when worried about an attack. It was tempting to completely shell. They wouldn’t be able to kill him, but he wouldn’t be able to move or protect his mate if he did. That wasn’t an option.
Metal clashed as he kept Domb back and saved his neck from Milgo taking a swipe at it.
“What the fuck?”
The voice was a familiar one to Creed, but he couldn’t spare a glance down the corridor to see which one of his brother’s spoke since they sounded alike.
“We’ve got your back!” another voice shouted, again familiar.
Milgo spun, moving off. That left Creed fighting Domb. The Gargoyle was a bit stronger but Creed was desperate to protect the door and his mate inside. Adrenaline surged through his body and he found extra strength. He blocked another blow and was able to position himself enough to see what was going on around him.
His two brothers were taking on Milgo and Lisser. No matter how they felt about him challenging their father, he was grateful that they were fighting with him rather than against him.
Domb rumbled deeply, leapt back, and shot a glare at the other fighting men. He curled his lip before he took another swing with his sword at Creed.
He blocked the blade aimed at his chest. He could see Domb was becoming frustrated when Creed was able to use his swords to avoid taking direct hits. The Gargoyle unshelled his body to be able to move faster. It gave him an advantage but also made him more vulnerable to injuries his harder skin would have deflected.
Creed took advantage and managed to land a strike on Domb’s shoulder. Blood poured down his arm, soaking his shirt where it had sliced open. The Gargoyle roared from the pain and stumbled back. He shelled fast and hard, his skin turning gray.
Creed didn’t allow him to recover, instead focusing on disarming the bastard. It took three swings of his swor
ds to send Domb’s flying from his hand.
“Submit,” Creed snarled.
Domb lunged at him. He couldn’t move too fast with his body in that dark gray state. Creed dropped his swords and spun, twisted out of the way, and threw out a leg. The Gargoyle tripped and crashed into the floor. Creed watched as the man had to soften his skin enough to get up. Swords clashed nearby but he didn’t look away from the pissed-off ex-council member, even when someone screamed in pain.
Domb spun and held a dagger in his hand. He lunged, attempting to stab Creed in the throat. He missed making a direct hit, but pain lanced the side of Creed’s neck.
Domb had to stay unshelled to be able to move fast, and Creed took advantage by letting his claws loose and punching them into his opponent’s chest.
The Gargoyle roared from the pain and jerked back, but then attempted to plunge the dagger into Creed’s face, going for his eye.
Creed managed to dodge and stabbed out with his claws again, scoring a direct hit to Domb’s exposed throat. Protective instincts over his mate and rage had him twisting his wrist viciously before he even gave it thought. Blood sprayed, and he used his other hand to stab into his enemy’s throat too, slashing.
Domb dropped and Creed jumped back.
Shouts and pounding boots sounded as Creed panted, his fingers soaked with blood. He watched as Domb struggled to breathe, choking on his own blood. Most of his throat had been destroyed. Creed expected the man to shell in an attempt to save his own life. It would stop the bleeding. He’d eventually heal, but he’d have to remain in a hard shell for months to survive that much damage.
He didn’t.
“Shit!”
Creed glanced to his side when Duster stepped next to him. The scout had others with him, who also crowded around the downed ex-council member. They looked as if they’d just come off shift, since all four of them wore their uniforms. Duster pulled out his cell phone, making a call. Creed heard him informing someone, probably Lord Aveoth or Kelzeb, that there was a problem and the location.
“Shell,” Creed ordered Domb. “You’ll die otherwise.”
Domb managed to lift his gaze from where he was on his knees a few feet away. A look of hatred blazed from the bastard’s cold eyes.