“As crazy as it sounds, I do understand, son.” Hollis nodded.
Anytime the old male called him son, Thadd’s heart lurched. The bastard who’d raised him had disavowed him in front of the entire clan, while the male who’d actually helped create him was unknown to him. His mother never gave his name, not even as she lay in the dirt, gasping her last breath. Thadd, his given name had been Thabiti, held her head in his lap, brushing away her tears, daring anyone to come near them. “You’re going to be fine, Mama,” he whispered.
She shook her head, pain twisting her beautiful features into one that would stay with him always. “Thabiti, I am so...sorry for my duplicity. You are meant for greatness.” She lifted her hand, placing it over his own where his claws had sprung free. “These mark you as the great beast to be ruler of all, not feared, asali.” Her words were getting weaker, each breath harder for her to take.
It had taken him too long to get back to the village from the morning hunt. He should’ve known something wasn’t right when his...the male sent him off at daybreak to lead the hunt. None of the warriors who normally go out and get the meat for the day had gone, yet he’d thought since it was his birthday it was a right of passage. A way to prove he was a male of worth. When the vision came to him, he’d fallen to his knees just as the others had began to shift for the hunt. He’d cried out, shifting faster than ever. Only instead of going with them toward the animals they were to hunt, he’d gone back. A red haze had covered his sight when he’d heard his mother’s plea for mercy.
“Are you alright, Thadd,” Annie asked.
He shook off the memories, blinking a few times to dispel what he’d seen and done. “I am, yes. I best get going.” If he learned anything from that fateful day, it was not to waste time dawdling.
“I packed a lunch for Hollis, but you take this one, and I’ll make him another one.” Annie got up and placed a box on the table. “You come back to us; you hear me?”
Thadd stood, unable to lie and say yes. Instead he gave her a hug, thanking her for the food and love she’d given him for the last ten years.
“Let me get this mess cleaned up, Annie.” Thadd started gathering dishes.
Hollis placed a hand over his. “We got this.”
He didn’t know if it was because he was vibrating with the need to be gone or if Hollis needed to comfort Annie, who appeared ready to burst into tears. Either way, Thadd was glad for the reprieve. Not that he minded doing dishes, but his animal was clawing at him to move. “I’ll let you know when I get...settled.”
When that would be he didn’t know, but it was the best he could give. He headed toward the backdoor with a final wave.
“See that you do and, Thadd...” Hollis paused, waiting for Thadd to turn and face him. “It don’t matter where you came from or where you’re headed, you always got a place here. This is home. We’re your family. Blood don’t make you family. It’s the caring that does. And us here at the Wilder Crew, we care a fuckton for you. What I’m trying to say is don’t get yourself killed. It’ll make my Annie all kinds of upset.”
Annie shoved her elbow into Hollis’s abdomen. “What he’s saying is, we love you. You’re one of us, one of ours. You’re in our hearts and souls. We’ll feel the loss if you don’t come back. I sure don’t want to lose you so don’t make me.” She turned away, lifting her apron.
Thadd could hear her sniffling. He didn’t like hearing the female in pain. He looked behind him at his bike, turning a weary glance toward the open road. “I’ll do my best.” It was the only thing he could say.
Hollis gave a jerk of his chin, gazing back at the interior of the house and where his mate had disappeared to. Knowing he couldn’t put off leaving any longer, Thadd stepped outside, taking one last long look around the land he’d called home. “I’ll be back.”
Fuck, he hoped like all get out he would be.
He jogged down the steps to his Harley, pulled his hair back into a low ponytail, strapped on his skull cap like he was human. Even though he didn’t wear one most of the time since he liked the feel of the wind in his hair, Thadd wore one when he rode long distances. He wanted to say fuck it and toss the damn thing aside, but laws in other states had him keeping the thing on. Shit, again he hoped like nothing else it wouldn’t be too far. Out of all the countries and states he’d traveled through in the five years since he’d fled Kenya, Texas was the one place he’d felt most at home in.
TORRANCE STEPPED OUT of her bedroom, hoping Ridge was already gone for the day. She absolutely loved him, like an older annoying brother, but sometimes she truly wanted to strangle him. The fact she A. couldn’t reach around his thick-ass throat would be a hinderance. Another major issue stopping her was B. she couldn’t jump high enough in her human form. Oh, also, C. he was her favorite person next to Mr. Bixley, which technically the latter might not count since he was her baby goat, so theoretically he was an it
