Freeing Demitri's Wolf by Charlie Richards (read books for money TXT) 📗

he remembered those lonely and frustrating days. “I finally broke down and explained to him why Maggie left me. He said I should always be prepared to defend me and Valerie.”

“And you keep it loaded?”

Kiernan snickered at his lover’s dry tone. “I live alone.”

He frowned, “Or, at least, I do right now. I’m hoping that, since you’re not at your parents anymore, I can convince you to move in here.”

Demitri tied the last knot then wrapped his arms around Kiernan’s neck. “Yes, please,” he whispered, before capturing Kiernan’s mouth.

Kiernan let him lead for several seconds, relishing the younger man’s enthusiasm. He ran his hands over his lover’s body, reassuring himself that Demitri was unhurt.

Finally, Kiernan pulled away. “We need to get dressed, so we can get over to your alpha’s.

Demitri nodded. “Maybe Lark will make us breakfast,” he said absently as he scurried up the stairs.

Having no idea who Demitri spoke of, Kiernan just followed him upstairs.

Demitri called Declan, confirming that they’d be expected. By the time they arrived, several other cars were there, too. Declan introduced Kiernan to his mate, Lark, a short, slender, blond human, who grinned happily and congratulated them on their mating. That explains Demitri’s breakfast comment. Lark seemed very happy to learn they’d worked out their differences.

Next was the pack enforcer, Carson, who turned out to be a good-looking Native American. He also met Carson’s mate, Jared, who—although he smiled—seemed just a bit too cheeky for Kiernan’s tastes. He met Shane, the pack beta, plus Kade and Manon, a couple more enforcers. Kiernan planned to ask Demitri later what an enforcer did.

By the time introductions were done, Kiernan’s head swam with names and faces. He just knew there was no way he’d remember everyone.

Several of the men took the scientist, whom Demitri called Brett, and Rachel out of Kiernan’s truck. Fortunately, they were both still unconscious. Lark, whom he learned was a doctor, made quick work of cleaning and bandaging Brett’s wound.

As they were putting the pair in the bed of Kade’s pickup, a classic mustang rolled to a stop in front of the house.

Kiernan just held in a whistle at the pretty vehicle. From the driver’s side hopped a sandy haired guy who shouted for help while sprinting around the hood.

Declan and Demitri immediately hustled toward him and Kiernan quickly followed. “What’s wrong, Nick?” Declan demanded.

“Raven got the best of Miach,” Nick responded, pulling open the car door.

“Oh, shit,” Demitri whispered.

“Who’s Raven?” Kiernan asked, even as he moved around the door and helped Declan and Nick ease a nearly unconscious Miach from the car. A bandage was wrapped around the man’s ribcage and his left forearm.

Demitri shut the door, then hurried in front of them to get the front door. Declan answered, “He’s one of the scientist’s soldiers. They used shifter DNA to do something to him to make him stronger, faster, with a few special quirks thrown in.”

They maneuvered Miach upstairs, following Lark’s instruction, and laid him on a bed. Once back in the hall, Kiernan asked, “They work on their own people? I thought they just experimented on shifters. Rachel said they were going to make her normal…uh,” he flushed at Declan’s scowl. He lifted his hands in apology. “That’s what she said.”

Declan sighed. “I have a lot of shifters in me pack, but when she started coming to fewer and fewer pack runs, I should have gotten to the bottom of the problem.”

Grimacing, he explained, “The scientists will capture shifters, experiment on them, then use their findings to try to create super soldiers. Miach is one of them, but he defected.

Raven is another. We’ve been holding him for a number of months, trying to convince him to do the same.” Declan sighed. “We failed, and now that he’s loose again, everyone will need to remain vigilant.”

Kiernan couldn’t help it. He growled in frustration.

“Looks like I’m gonna have to start packing again.” Demitri wrapped his arm around his waist, giving him a side-hug.

For some reason, just that small affection calmed him.

Kiernan smiled at his lover.

Declan’s eyes narrowed. “If ye’re going to shoot a paranormal, decide quickly whether ye’re going to incapacitate or kill. Incapacitating will be harder, because it will take several shots. Killing would be much easier. To do that, ye shoot ‘em in the head or heart.”

“Geez, I don’t want to kill anyone,” Kiernan admitted. “I just want my mate safe. Now that his parents are caught, I thought he would be, but it sounds like I’ve just walked into the middle of a war.”

“Ye have,” Declan confirmed. “But it’s not a battle ye have to fight alone.” To his surprise, Declan gripped his shoulder and squeezed in a reassuring gesture. “Me daughter, Sara, is cooking breakfast for everyone. Help yerself.”

Kiernan nodded, then, arm still wrapped around Demitri, turned toward the stairs.

“Hey,” Declan called softly. “Congratulations, and welcome to the pack.” He smiled at the both, his gaze warming slightly. “I am glad ye were able to patch things up.”

Kiernan smiled. “Thank you.” He glanced at his lover and added, “We both are, too.”

“Should I assume Demitri is staying with ye now?”

Declan asked candidly.

“Hell, yeah,” Kiernan replied quickly.

Declan chuckled softly, then glanced toward Miach’s room and sighed. “Thanks for bringing Rachel and Brett to us. I’ll take it from here.” He disappeared into Miach’s room.

Kiernan’s gaze snagged on the doorway. He could just see Lark’s shoulder as he spoke with the other men in the room.

“Think he’ll be okay?”

Demitri nodded, then urged him down the hall. “Lark just told Nick that the knife wound missed any vital organs.

With his accelerated healing, Miach didn’t lose as much blood as a normal human would have, so he was in no danger of bleeding out. Unfortunately, the second wound in his forearm sliced a tendon, so there’ll be some rehabilitation time. Poor guy.” Kiernan nodded, allowing his lover to lead him back to the first floor. “I’m gonna give Joe a call and let him know I’m going to be late,” he said,