Hagen, Lynn - Stormy Eyes [Brac Pack 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) (10 page)

“What’s he saying?” Storm asked as they waited for the men to dress.

“He’s talking about his Stormy eyes.” Kyoshi smiled. “Also about his new best friend, Loco. He is telling them that they have nothing to worry about and this house has great food.” Kyoshi laughed. “He just told them about the great big game room inside where you can play kids’ games or get drunk.”

Storm chuckled as Kyoshi turned around.

He talked the three out then inside to the den where they sat huddled together, a look of terror etched on each face. Kyoshi remembered that feeling. He wished he had gotten them away when he and Keata escaped. They hadn’t been so lucky. His stomach knotted at what they must have endured while in the smugglers’ hands.

Kyoshi listened as Storm was informed about Tank. Storm bit out a curse. Kyoshi followed as his mate picked up his pace to the bedroom that seemed to have every warrior crammed inside. Tank lay flat on his stomach not moving. Kyoshi could tell he was breathing, but his pallor worried him.

Maverick came out of his office and informed them that Zeus had agreed to take the three young men to his pack. He would send over one of his soldiers to introduce to them and have Kyoshi explain what was going on.

“Why can’t they stay here?” Kyoshi didn’t like the idea of the men going somewhere that wouldn’t have an interpreter.

“It’s not their destiny.” That was all Maverick would reveal to everyone before he left.

“Damn dreams of his. I’m beginning to wonder if Maverick isn’t growing pot out back. He sure as hell acts like it sometimes, all this mumbo jumbo crap,” Storm ranted.

* * * *

The doctor spent half the night in the room with Tank, the warriors pacing the foyer, waiting.

When the physician emerged, they swooped down on him, questioning Tank’s status. The man backed up into the wall, his eyes darting from one face to the next, a fine sheen of sweat speckled his brows.

“Back away now,” Maverick commanded in a low tone. The warriors stepped back as their Alpha approached with his hands behind his back.

“Is he okay?” Maverick asked in a light, soothing tone. The doctor eyed Maverick then gulped.

“He’s resting. The bullet didn’t penetrate his spine. Lodged a few centimeters to the left. He should recover.” His voice grew steady as he went into his professional mode.

“Thank you, Doctor…?” Maverick asked.

“Doctor Nicholas Sheehan.” He extended his hand to Maverick.

The Alpha shook it then led Dr. Sheehan to his office.

* * * *

“Do you think the men will be okay in the Eastern pack?” Kyoshi asked Storm as he curled up at his side. He ran his hands through Storm’s silky, golden hair.

“I’m not sure, love. I don’t think Maverick would send them somewhere that they would be harmed.”

Kyoshi fanned Storm’s hair out over his shoulder, his hand tracing the dips and curves of his muscular arm. He leaned up and kissed the bulge of his bicep.

“Kyoshi.” Keata ran into the room only to have Loco grab him around the waist and haul him back out. He closed the door silently.

“We have got to get him his own room.” Kyoshi laughed.

“First thing tomorrow.” Storm pulled Kyoshi into his arms.

“Why do your eyes change color?” he asked.

“My paternal side is descended from Mage. They are a race that was slaughtered into extinction. No full-blooded Mage exists anymore. My blood is so diluted that the powers to control the elements weren’t even passed on.” Storm explained to Kysohi.

“I think they are very mysterious. They make one step back and take notice.” Kyoshi smiled up at him and Storm melted.

* * * *

Keata peeked into the bedroom to see the big wolf sleeping. He crept over to the sleeping form. Keata ran his hand over the ugly puckered hole on his back, and he wondered if the wolf was going to be okay.

“Hey.”

Keata looked up to see the wolf smiling at him over his shoulder. He dropped his hand and pulled it behind his back. His eyes stayed locked on eyes so brown they were almost black.

“It’s okay. You can touch it.” Tank reached out slowly and led Keata’s hand back to his wound.

Keata smoothed his hand down the wolf’s back, his eyes darting back up to make sure he wasn’t hurting him.

“You doing okay?” Tank reached out and ran his finger down Keata’s face.

“I okay. You?” Keata leaned into the touch.

“I’m fine. Just a scratch.” He smiled.

Keata grinned as he laid his hand over the wolf’s.

* * * *

Kyoshi grinned when Cecil wrestled with his controller, mad because he lost again. He was glad they were talking again. He didn’t like animosity among them. Mates had to stick together. They were the runts of the house, him especially.

“Glad to see you guys getting along again.” Jasper winked as he grabbed a beer from the bar. He twisted the cap off and took a long swig.

“Just a misunderstanding.” Cecil patted Kyoshi as they started a new round.

Kyoshi battled his man until Cecil’s lay bloody on the floor. He really liked these video games. Kyoshi turned to grab his juice when he saw Keata quietly close the door to the room that Tank slept in. He watched as his cousin crept up the stairs and disappeared. His anger built at the thought of the large wolf taking advantage of his cousin’s innocence. He was getting tired of having to watch these wolves and their roaming hands.

“You playing?”

Kyoshi turned his attention back to the game as he thought about Keata and what was going on. Maybe it was just an innocent visit, checking on the wounded warrior. He may be jumping to conclusions, but Kyoshi couldn’t help his protectiveness. It was ingrained in him to take care of Keata.

He finished his game then climbed the stairs to find out what was going on. He found Keata sitting on his window seat, staring out in a daze.

“Keata, are you okay?”

“I fine. Why?” Keata turned his attention to Kyoshi.

“Why were you in Tank’s bedroom alone?” Kyoshi saw the light blush as Keata shrugged his shoulders. His head spun with the possibilities of what may have happened.

“Did he touch you?” Kyoshi hissed.

“I grown man. My business.” Keata turned back to his window gazing as if dismissing Kyoshi.

“You are
my
business, young one, and I demand to know what happened.”

“No.” Keata crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Kyoshi. He could tell that Keata wasn’t budging on this.

He stomped from the room to find his mate. Storm was in the backyard checking some bricks that had came loose on the path leading to the garden when Kyoshi huffed over.

“I think Tank made a move on Keata,” Kyoshi said angrily.

“Hang on. Tell me what happened before I accuse anyone else. I’m not about to ruin someone else’s name until I have all the facts.”

Kyoshi relayed to him what he saw and Keata’s stubborn stance.

“Sounds to me like Keata is correct. He is grown, Kyoshi, no matter how much you wish it differently.” His mate knelt down to Kyoshi. “You have to cut the strings sometime. But I will speak to Tank privately and ask him about it.”

“No. I don’t have to cut anything except Tank’s balls off if he goes near Keata again.”

“Kyoshi, be reasonable. Keata isn’t a juvenile. He can make his own choices, live his own life—”

“So you are saying he should move out?” Kyoshi stared at him in amazement.

“That’s not what I’m saying. If you calm down, then you would understand—”

“No, he is not allowed to make his own decisions. He needs guidance, he needs protection, and he needs me.” Kyoshi bit back a sob on the last part.

“Come here, dragonfly. I see what’s wrong. It isn’t that you think Keata can’t take care of himself. You can’t give him up.” His mate held him in his arms, kissing him softly.

“He’s all I have, Storm. Please don’t ask me to give him up.” Kyoshi cried into his mate’s neck as the words he just spoke sank in. It was true. He couldn’t give his cousin up. He was a reminder of his childhood, his mother, and Japan—and he was Kyoshi’s responsibility.

“I would never ask you to give him up. Just give him room to grow, discover who he is, without you shadowing him. Trust him.” Storm carried Kyoshi into the house then upstairs to their room. “I think the first thing you could give him is his own space. I talked with Maverick. He has the perfect room for Keata. He’ll be fine.”

“I don’t know. I don’t think I can do it. What if he becomes frightened in the middle of the night? What if he needs me?”

“Then there is a house full of people to help him, and if he insists on you then he knows where we sleep.” Storm wiped Kyoshi’s tears away, holding him close.

“I’ll try,” Kyoshi promised.

“Come on. I wanted to take you two down to the recreation center.” Storm pulled Kyoshi from the bed.

Chapter Eight

They found Keata and Loco sitting on the front steps, sharing an ice cream. Storm watched as Loco chuckled, wiping the sticky treat from Keata’s chin.

“I wanted to take them to the rec center,” Storm said after clearing his throat.

“Sounds good. I’ll go see if the other mates want to tag along.” Loco stood, ruffling Keata’s hair as he walked inside.

“You okay?” Storm asked as he sat where Loco just vacated. He looked around the front yard, the nice plush grass laid out before them. Storm’s gaze went to the gravel drive on the side of the house, multitudes of pick-up trucks and SUVs lined the drive. It seemed like a normal house, looked ordinary and human. If the outside world only knew who inhabited it.

“I okay.” Keata patted Storm’s knee. “What rec center?”

“A place to play with other people.” Storm kept the explanation simple, knowing Keata became frustrated when he didn’t understand.

“Roger that.” Keata looked forward again, as if daydreaming. Storm wondered what Keata dreamed of, what he wanted out of life. Keata laid his elbows on his knees, watching as two squirrels chased each other across the expansive yard.

“All the mates want to go,” Loco informed him as he stepped back outside. “Guess we posse up.”

“I’ll take one of the larger vehicles.” Storm stood, brushing his backside off as he went to grab the keys to one of the SUVs.

“Is Keata outside?” Kyoshi asked as he came from the den.

“Yeah, he’s out there with Loco.” Storm leaned down, an overwhelming urge to hold his mate encompassing him. “I love you, dragonfly.” Kyoshi blushed and smiled up at him.

“I love you, too.” Kyoshi pulled him down for a quick kiss.

“We’re ready.” Johnny skipped to the door as Hawk followed close behind him. Once the mates met out front, they piled into the waiting vehicles, chatting excitingly about getting out of the house.

Storm felt bad that they couldn’t come and go as other humans could but such was the life of being mated to a were-creature. The luxury of total freedom would no longer be theirs.

Kyoshi buckled his seatbelt in the front seat, smiling at Storm before settling back.