Everything That You Are Page 8
Once they were all seated, Katherine continued to keep the conversation light, talking about her plans for the day and asking about the businesses run by some of their clan members. As Alpha, it was his responsibility to keep their community prosperous and assist anyone seeking employment, loans, repairs, or anything else within his power to help with.
The duties far outweighed the pay, even though he did very well for himself, but he cared about each member of his clan and took pride in his work. They all tried to include Kaden in the conversation, but his only responses were monosyllabic and his shoulder-length platinum hair kept most of his features hidden.
Michael noticed that, by the time everyone else had finished eating, he had yet to take a bite of the food his mom had piled onto his plate. His mother rounded the table and leant down to place a kiss on the crown of Kaden’s head. He flinched at the contact but sent a small smile up at her as she and his father excused themselves, retreating to the living room.
Michael remained seated and asked, “Not hungry?” The man just shrugged, so he added, “I really wish you’d eat something.” After another shrug, Michael sighed. This was going to take a lot more finesse than he thought he had. “What were you doing out at Henry’s ranch?”
Kaden finally lifted his head and gave Michael an indignant look. “I work there.”
Michael tried not to show too much surprise as he asked, “Really? What do you do?”
“I’m a… I can pick up the emotions of animals and project mine into them. Henry hired me to train his horses.”
“Wow. That’s really great.” Michael was extremely impressed by the man’s ingenuity at finding a job which put his power to an excellent use. However, he imagined it also made Kaden extremely valuable to Henry, which might cause problems considering his mate would have to quit. After nearly four years of regret and loneliness, he knew he wouldn’t be able to allow Kaden to commute to a job that would take him away from Michael for the better part of nearly every day of the week.
As if reading his mind, Kaden said, “I’m not staying here. I’ll identify the killers and tell you where to find them, but I’m gone as soon as I can find some clothes. I’ll reimburse you for any costs.”
The thought of losing his mate again had his chest tightening to the point that he thought it might cave in on itself. “Kaden…” He had to choose his words carefully. He fleetingly considered pointing out the fact that the man would need to testify against the killers in front of a clan council, thereby forcing him to stay until that happened, but quickly tossed that idea. He wanted his mate to stay for the sake of their relationship, not because of an ugly obligation.
“Kaden, you’re my mate. I don’t expect you to forgive me for rejecting you the first time we met, but…I would like for you to give me a second chance.”
Kaden began to shake and Michael could see all of his anger shining brightly in his deep blue eyes. “You don’t deserve a second chance,” he whispered vehemently. “He saw you turn around and leave. You, an Alpha. That could only mean that I was clanless, and he…he knew…” Kaden pressed his lips together so tightly they turned white before he bowed his head, once more hiding his face behind blond locks.
“Kaden, can I touch you? I know my words don’t mean much to you. You have every right to be angry, but I want you to know what I’m feeling. How much I want to make up for my mistake. If you don’t think my emotions are sincere, I’ll drive you back to Henry’s farm right now and give you some time. But if you do believe they are, give me at least a few weeks to show you how much I want this.” He waved his hand to indicate both of them.
Kaden studied his face through his lashes and strands of hair and Michael found himself holding his breath, trying to give his mate as much time as he needed to think about his suggestion. It wasn’t easy, and as the seconds dragged into endless minutes, he thought he would go mad from the suspense. Finally, Kaden took a deep breath and reached out his still-trembling hand to Michael and touched his forearm.
The man’s emotions came through sluggishly at first. Michael could tell he was trying to hold them back. There was fear, uncertainty, confusion. All justifiable, but not what he wanted to invoke in his mate.
He reached inside himself and thought about all the nights he had spent longing for the small man he had been determined beyond anything else to find again and comfort the way he should have done so long ago. He recalled the joy he had instantly felt in the barn when his dream had come true. How he had finally felt whole once he’d completed the mating ritual, binding their souls together and allowing for the possibility of true happiness to grow.
Kaden gasped, looking straight at Michael, and he had no doubt that every emotion he was trying to emit to the man through touch was also shining from his eyes with just as much fervour.
After a deep, shuddering breath, Kaden whispered, “Okay. Two weeks.”
The excitement and pleasure that bubbled up from Michael was sharp and overflowing, causing Kaden to snatch his hand back in surprise.
“I’m sorry. I’ll work on that, but I am glad you decided to give this a chance. To give me a chance.” Michael leant forward cautiously and placed a quick kiss on Kaden’s lips. He felt an electric current pass between them and knew that the desire that suddenly coursed through him was not completely one-sided, but Kaden abruptly pushed his chair back and took his dishes to the sink.
“Sorry again. Can’t seem to help myself. Wait!” Kaden paused just as he was about to empty the contents of his plate into the trash. Michael stalked over to him and glanced down at the dish. “You still haven’t eaten anything.”
The man sent him a confused look then shrugged. “Umm…I guess last night upset me more than I thought. I’ll eat later.”
Michael tightened his eyes, not believing him for a second, but decided to relent for now. While they both set about cleaning the kitchen, Michael said, “So I was thinking that we could head up to Grisham Lake today, take it easy. The weather should be nice.”
“Don’t you want to take my statement first? About the…the murder?”
“You said you knew the attackers, right? Do you think I should be worried about them disappearing?” Michael asked.
Kaden seemed to give that some thought, then answered, “No. I know exactly where you’ll be able to find them.”
“Good, then that can wait for a few days. Stephen’s body has been taken care of and you deserve to take a break. So how about it?”
Kaden chewed his bottom lip and busied himself with wiping down the table and countertops. After everything was cleaned and put away and the young man still hadn’t answered, Michael opened his mouth to suggest something else when he heard, “I don’t have any clothes here.”
“My mom already thought of that. She brought over some of my old clothes from my school-aged years that should fit you until we can get you some more. The woman’s a pack rat.”
“What about your work?” Kaden asked.
“I’ve spent four years searching for you and now I’ve only got two weeks to convince you to stay. I’m not wasting a single moment of it on anything but you.” Michael could tell he was fishing for excuses, but he was confident in his ability to find a way around every single one of them.
Except maybe for whatever had just occurred to his mate.
Kaden jerked his head up and gave him a wide-eyed look that he was sure portended trouble. “Oh shit! I almost forgot about Missy.”
* * * *
Gregory slammed the receiver down on the phone, cursing under his breath. Things were falling apart, had been falling apart since his little mage had managed to escape a year and a half ago. Without the kid’s power, he couldn’t manipulate the many investors, influential figureheads, and key members of his clan he’d been taking advantage of. They were starting to express their doubts and abandon deals with which he would have raked in a tidy profit.
Normally, he would have sent out search parties, but if word got out to his clan t
hat he and his Betas had been hiding a half-breed among them, there would be a riot. It was unheard of, to say the least, and if they caught on to the fact that he’d been using the kid’s power against them, he would be exiled.
A knock on his door disturbed his thoughts and he could smell Thomas on the other side. “Come.” His Beta let himself in and sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs on the other side of his desk. Without looking up, Gregory said, “I just got off the phone with a snivelling mayor with more bullshit than backbone, so unless you have good news, I suggest you come back later when I’m in a better mood.”
“Oh, I think you’ll like this,” Thomas replied.
Gregory finally met the other man’s gaze and studied the pleased look on his face. Considering the fact that he and his Betas had been frustrated and on edge for more than the past year, that look could only mean one thing.
“You found him. Is he here?”
Thomas let out a grin and said, “I found him. I don’t have him yet, but I will. Very soon. I just need to do some asking around first.”
Gregory narrowed his eyes at the vague answer. “Thomas, I don’t have time for your ambiguity. Spit it out and be quick.”
Thomas wasn’t affected by his foul mood. He’d been dealing with it ever since they were pups. Besides, the knowledge that he would soon be reaping the benefits of their former slave’s power again felt too good to let anyone ruin it for him.
“We saw him in a barn on a farm just outside of West Plains, right after we finished killing that little cheat, Stephen. I would have grabbed him but we caught whiff of an Alpha headed our way and couldn’t risk him seeing us near the body.”
“Did the boy see you murder Stephen?”
“Maybe, but he’s got blood on his own hands, and he knows we’re close to finding him now. He won’t tell anyone. He’s not at the ranch anymore, so I’m assuming the Alpha took him back to his clan. There’re only a few around that area, though, so it’s just a matter of finding out which Alpha interrupted us that night. We’ll get our little bitch back, sir.”
Gregory could feel his excitement building but he managed to keep it from showing on his face. He wouldn’t be satisfied until he had his slave locked in his bedroom where he belonged. “Good. I don’t want you guys to come back until you have the boy in your custody, but you will keep me posted every day.” Thomas nodded and jumped out of his chair, eager to get started on their search.
“Oh, and Thomas? If any of you touch him before you bring him to me, I’ll cut your dicks off. He’s mine,” Gregory growled. He was going to have fun punishing his boy for leaving him. He watched his Beta swallow visibly then leave, before he let the slow smile of anticipation break out on his face.
* * * *
Kaden had grudgingly agreed it would be best to keep his whereabouts a secret from all those who didn’t need to know—including Henry—until the murder investigation was resolved. Though he was certain he would lose his job, the alternative of Thomas finding him and dragging him back to Gregory was even less appealing.
Eventually, Michael had talked him into allowing Nick to pick up his sister and drive her back here to ensure her safety. Kaden didn’t trust Nick and had voiced his opinion without hiding any of his contempt for the man, but he couldn’t deny the sincerity of the man’s intentions when he’d touched him to discern whether or not he was a threat to Missy.
After a brief phone call to Missy’s cell phone, he had been confident that she would follow his instructions to pack a light bag and meet Nick half a mile down the road from the ranch. He hadn’t been able to give her an explanation over the phone, nor had she asked for one.
Her level of trust in him was humbling and it had almost brought him to tears. He’d failed her and his mother so completely in the past that he knew he didn’t deserve to have her in his life, but he was grateful all the same. The call had been placed nearly two hours ago, and he could feel his anxiety increasing with each passing minute.
Kaden cast a sideways glance at the huge man sitting beside him on the couch while they awaited the return of Nick with his sister. If he was honest with himself, he would admit that he’d been holding on to the fantasy that this gorgeous man would realise his mistake and come to rescue him ever since they’d met.
He’d dreamt that Michael would find him and take him away from his waking nightmare, show him that pain didn’t have to exist every second of every day, but that was before Gregory had broken him. He knew the disgusting mass of scars that was his body—the ugly, broken spirit that was his, devoid of hope. He could offer this powerful man nothing but a used, empty shell.
And yet, there was still the desire for something more, something better…and he hated himself for it.
He would survive, though, like he always did. By the end of the two weeks, Michael would realise that he wasn’t worth the trouble of keeping after all. He would come to his senses and find a mate that was worthy of his status, casting Kaden aside like the used-up goods that he was.
Again.
Until then, Kaden would keep his heart in the neglected box he had locked it in years ago and postpone his running.
Gregory’s men had spotted him in Henry’s barn, which meant that he couldn’t return to working there without taking the risk of being captured by his tormentor again. He would need to run far and fast, and most likely have to do things to support Missy and himself that he didn’t want to contemplate just yet. If he could stave off that necessity for even a few days, he would. His only regret in all of this was to have to force his fifteen-year-old sister to cut her roots and run with him.
At the sound of gravel scrunching underneath the tires of a car, he jumped up and ran to the door, not bothering to see if Michael or his parents were following, and flung it wide. Relief engulfed him as he saw the petite blonde bounce out of the passenger seat once the car came to a stop and race into his open arms, almost knocking him over.
“Jade! I’m so glad to see you. I was chatting with my friend Stacy about science this morning and she told me that her teacher told her that black holes were two-dimensional and I was like, ohmigod! Seriously? And so we went to the NASA.gov website and found out that they were four-dimensional and I was going to print out the page so she could take it to her…”
Kaden tried his best not to wince as her gaze finally turned to the people standing behind him at the bottom of the porch. Her eyes widened and a perfect O formed on her lips as she tried to slip past him to get a better view.
He gently pulled her back with an arm he wrapped around her waist and said, “Missy, these are some friends of mine. And you can call me Kaden here. It’s okay.” He turned to acknowledge them while still keeping hold of the girl. Pointing at the taller man with his other hand, he said, “This is Michael, and those are his parents, Katherine and Sam. We’ll be staying as guests here for a bit, so try to remember your manners, okay?”
His sister studied all four of them—as Nick had gone to stand behind Michael—for a few moments before her face lit up as though an idea had suddenly struck her. Please let it go, please let it go, he begged silently, but his luck had never been that great, or even good, for that matter.
“Did you finally find a boyfriend? Which one is he? Wow, they’re both so sexy. I’ll bet it’s that guy.” She pointed at Michael. “Well, it’s about damn time. I was beginning to think you were abstinent and not just gay. Not that I mind that or anything. Just gives me more time to keep you to myself, seeing as how you work all the time. Hi!” She reached forward before Kaden could stop her and extended her hand to Michael. “My name’s Missy, short for Melissa. Did y’all meet up over at Henry’s? I’ve never seen you around there before.”
Kaden felt his stomach twist and fear renew itself as he raised his eyes to look at the man Missy was boldly shaking hands with. He’d forgotten to mention that Missy knew nothing of the years he’d spent out of her life, or the danger he was putting her in just by keeping her close.
&
nbsp; It had taken him months after escaping to feel confident enough to take over the responsibility of caring for her, but in the end, there had been no choice, really. She was his salvation. His reason for living. He had no life without her in it.
He was absolutely stunned when Michael simply raised a single eyebrow at him and sent an indulgent smile Missy’s way.
“We did. And you must be his sister.”
Kaden suddenly regretted keeping her so sheltered when she practically melted at the man’s deep, charming voice. Her cheeks flushed and she giggled, still grasping the much larger hand in her own delicate one.
“I am. Did Kaden ever tell you about the work I helped him with on his latest project with Mockingbird? I did all of the calculations for the area space and designed the layout. I would have done more but this ogre,” she nudged a hip into Kaden’s side, “said I had to focus on my studies more. As if! My grades are…”
“Okay, Missy.” Kaden stopped her before her tirade could reach full-blown proportions. Sam and Katherine let out soft chuckles as he said, “Manners, remember? Did you bring your laptop with you so that you could keep up with your homework?”
She rolled her eyes and retorted, “Of course. Like I thought you would give me a break while we’re out here. I’m not that delusional. Oh, and don’t forget you promised to buy me that encyclopaedia of plants online.” She faced the group of onlookers and said, “That’s my power. I love nature, and I can help plants grow, and…”
“Missy!” Kaden couldn’t believe she’d blurted out that information in front of virtual strangers.
“What?” She cast him an innocent look. “They’re weres, right? I can smell them.” Missy quickly turned to Michael and Nick and said, “Not that that’s a bad thing. You both smell really good. Kaden smells like sunshine, and I always tell him that he should stop working so much so he can provide the light for my flowers at home, but he just rolls his eyes and buys me another plant or makes me do my homework. Sometimes he can be a real pain in my…”