Flawless by Evans, Gabrielle (icecream ebook reader TXT) 📗

“Kieran, can I have a word?” Torren marched toward him from the direction of the kitchen with a scowl on his face.

He might have been concerned if it wasn’t for the fact that Torren always looked half pissed off about one thing or another. “Sure.” He moved away from the others and followed the elder halfway down one of the long corridors before the witch came to a stop and faced him. “What’s up?”

“Have you had a chance to talk to Blaise?”

“No, there really hasn’t been time. Why? Do you know something?” Discovering that Torren hadn’t fathered Raina’s adopted pups had been a shock. Realizing that there could be someone out there who could claim the twins and take them away from his sister didn’t sit well with him, either. They needed to find out one way or another, however, so they could be prepared if that day came.

Torren shook his head slowly. “I’ve been a little preoccupied myself. Galen says the pups are hybrids, but he can only pick up shifter. That leads me to believe that their father is most likely human.

It could be harder to find him if that’s the case.” While part of him was pleased by the news because that meant it would be harder for the man to find the twins as well, another part of him felt ashamed at his happiness. It was likely that this guy—

whoever he was—didn’t even know his children existed. Or worse, he knew and was now somewhere mourning because he thought them Flawless 43

dead. However he looked at it, there was a moral obligation on his shoulders that wouldn’t let him leave it alone.

“I don’t want Raina and Teegan to lose the cubs, but I think we need to find the father. Not only is it the right thing to do, but I can’t take the anxiety of constantly waiting for this guy to just pop up.

Whatever happens, I want to face it and get it over with.” In a surprise move, Torren clapped him on the shoulder and squeezed in comfort. “You’re wrong, you know. You would have made a great leader.”

“No. I can take charge when I need to, but I’m not cut out to rule a whole species.” He understood his shortcomings and limitations and was fine with them.

He had no regrets about turning down the offer to take the elder seat for the werewolves. Raina was much better suited to that position and would do great things with her new leadership role.

There was something else they needed to discuss, though. “I’m going with Lynk.”

Torren bobbed his head and smiled crookedly. “I had a feeling you would. Just…be careful with him.” Kieran remembered Lynk’s strange behavior in the shower. “He won’t tell me where he was before he was kidnapped. Hell, he practically jumped out of his skin when I asked. I don’t know if I can be what he needs.”

“You are the other half of his soul—literally. There is no one in the universe better suited to his needs. Take it slow, and you’ll get where you need to go.”

Well, that was extremely unhelpful. Leave it to Torren to be all vague and mysterious. “Give me something, Torren. I don’t need to know his life story, but give me some kind of fucking direction. I’m drowning here.” It was obvious that Lynk responded to command rather than requests. Kieran just didn’t know if that was a good thing or a byproduct of something far more sinister.

44 Gabrielle

Evans

“He hasn’t told me the full story, either.” Torren crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his back against the wall. “I can tell you this. We all have our crosses to bear, the skeletons in our closets if you will. Lynk is probably the most intelligent person I have ever met, but it comes at a price.”

“What price?” And more importantly, what could Kieran do to ease his mate’s burden?

“You’ve been stressed lately about finding the man who fathered your nephews, right?” He waited for Kieran’s nod. “Your mind is always busy, constantly churning, and you probably only get peace from those thoughts when you sleep.”

That was exactly how he felt, but he was still having trouble seeing the point Torren was trying to make. “I don’t understand,” he finally relented.

“Imagine living your entire life like that—even in sleep. Lynk’s mind is in a constant state of chaos, always working, never giving him any peace. It leaves him on edge, nervous, and opens the door for second-guessing and self-doubt.”

“How do I help him?” Kieran would do whatever he had to do, be whatever Lynk needed him to be.

“You have to help him shut down and decompress.”

“How?”

“I can’t tell you that.” Pushing away from the wall, Torren paused for just a moment, looking down at his feet before he lifted his head and met Kieran’s gaze. “Follow your instincts and do what feels right.

Your soul bond will guide you.”

“Yeah, okay.” Kieran watched the witch walk away and shook his head.

What the fuck was that supposed to mean?

Flawless 45

Chapter Five

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but why is Torren sending you instead of Raith?”

Lynk folded his hands in his lap and looked over at Kieran as they rode along in the backseat of Varik’s SUV. He wasn’t offended and could understand why Kieran would question Torren’s decision. Raith should have been the obvious choice since he was bigger, stronger, and less likely to get himself hurt if things went wrong.

“I have a connection with Thane. If he’s anywhere inside the coven, I’ll be able to feel him.”

Kieran’s brow wrinkled, and his head tilted to the side. “Because he’s your brother? Wouldn’t Torren or Raith be able to do the same?” Smiling at his mate’s confusion, Lynk shook his head minutely.

“Thane is my twin. We can even speak telepathically if we’re close enough.”

Kieran didn’t look pleased about this bit of information, but