“What do people think is going on here?” Lynk waved his hand around vaguely. “I mean, this place is huge. It’s not like you can hide it from the people in town, even if it is way out here in the sticks.”
“Well, I’d guess the humans probably think we’re some kind of cult or commune. Most of the surrounding towns are occupied by paranormals, though, so it’s not really an issue. They know what we are, and for the most part, they just leave us to it.” He’d never really speculated on what the humans believed of their little community, but now, the thought made him chuckle. No doubt they had all sorts of gruesome ideas about what went on inside the iron gates of Haven.
“I’m sorry that I hit you.” The words were said so quietly, Kieran almost thought he imagined them until Lynk spoke again. “I had no right to do that. My only excuse is that I panicked and reacted badly.” Kieran didn’t respond, but he squeezed the hand in his with reassurance. He hadn’t been angry about Lynk’s right hook to his jaw.
A little dazed perhaps, a lot confused, but anger had never factored into the equation. Lynk’s apology was sincere, but something in the way he said it didn’t sit right with Kieran.
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From the moment Kieran had lifted him out of that chair in the library, Lynk had said a number of things that didn’t make sense to him. He hadn’t said he didn’t want Kieran to hold him, he’d said he
“shouldn’t” want it.
It also didn’t escape his notice the way Lynk practically quivered when Kieran used his “alpha” voice. Nor did he miss how his mate had stilled at once when Kieran had ordered it. He’d only wanted to prevent Lynk from hurting himself, but he couldn’t deny the man’s reaction had sent a jolt straight to his aching cock. He just didn’t understand what any of it meant.
“Did I say something wrong?”
Studying Lynk’s bent head, his downcast eyes, and the way his shoulders rounded as though drawing in on himself, Kieran felt the first threads of uncertainty. There was obviously something he was missing, something that Lynk needed from him but was afraid to ask for. Lynk wasn’t pack, shouldn’t respond the way he did to Kieran’s commands. Yet, he was more…obedient than any of Kieran’s siblings.
Obedience. What an odd word for him to use for a human being, but it was the only thing he could think to describe Lynk’s behavior.
Kieran was used to taking control and being in charge. While he knew from talking to Torren that Lynk had some wicked powerful magic, the man was so unassuming that no one would ever realize it.
Lynk was beginning to shake again, his hand wobbling in Kieran’s grasp. He was obviously uncomfortable with Kieran’s lack of communication.
Not knowing how else to comfort the man, Kieran scooped him up in his arms, nuzzled the side of his neck, and made a sound somewhere between a growl and purr. Lynk calmed at once, breathing out a contented sigh as he curled closer and fisted his hands in Kieran’s shirt.
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It was a dirty trick, but it worked, and Kieran would take whatever advantage he could get until he figured out what the hell was going on with his very peculiar mate.
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Chapter Two
Stepping up on the front porch of the large cabin, Lynk had a momentary sense of panic when all three of Kieran’s brothers stepped outside and took up ranks, barricading the entrance to their home.
Sweet hell, were they putting steroids in the water? Everyone he’d met apart from Aslan and his friends was big enough to double as the side of a barn. Even Torren and Raith seemed better suited to the wrestling ring than some backwoods town in Wyoming.
A steady hand landed on his lower back and rubbed in soothing circles. “Guys, this is my mate, Lynk Braddock. Lynk, these idiots are my brothers, Parker, Jericho, and Elijah, but we call him Eli.”
“They don’t look very happy to see me,” he commented, moving a little closer to Kieran’s side.
“They’re not big fans of Torren’s, so you’re kind of getting the evil eye by association. They won’t hurt you, though.” Kieran pushed him forward a step, and surprisingly, the brothers parted to allow them entrance into the house.
“Kieran, if they don’t want me here maybe I should just go back up to the main house.”
“Nah, it’s cool,” one of the men answered. Lynk knew their names. He just didn’t know which one was which. “I’m Parker, and your brother is an egotistical fuckhead. You seem okay, but I’ll reserve judgment.”
“Parker!” Kieran barked. “Go be stupid somewhere else.”
“I’m Jericho.” He appeared to be the youngest of the group. “My sister would probably lop my balls off if I was rude to you, so if you 22 Gabrielle
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talk to her, tell her that I was minding my manners.” He held his hand out, which Lynk took hesitantly.
“Don’t mind these idiots.” The last one, who had to be Eli, nudged Jericho out of the way and snatched Lynk’s hand, giving it a firm squeeze before releasing it. “We’re happy to have you here. As for you being mated to Kieran, well, good luck with that. He’s a bigger asshole than your brother.”
Lynk frowned down at the floor. He didn’t think the men were being fair at all. Kieran didn’t seem like an asshole. Granted, he didn’t know the man very well, though. Torren could be a bit arrogant and kind of uptight, but they were talking about him like he was Attila the Hun or something.
“Torren is a good man with a big heart. I know he can come off as conceited, but that’s mostly to hide all of his insecurities. He would do anything in his power to help any of you.” Parker just grunted, seemingly unconvinced. Eli
