Page 10

Derrick

M y skin feels itchy and too tight, like there’s a problem I need to solve. Our dorm has felt like a war zone ever since Lucas found his mate on Saturday. Sunday he spent the whole day gone who knows where while Bas skulked about the room, stewing over not being invited. That inevitably led to another big blowout when Lucas returned home with a smile and smelling like his mate.

I may not know my mate based on scent, but damn, that sunny forest smell drives me wild.

Liam spent most of his Sunday and Monday practicing for his afterlife. He was a ghost moving about only when he could remain unseen. Except, of course, when he had to throw his two cents in on the argument Sunday night. Any reason to be an ass to his twin, I suppose. Regardless, after the stress of the weekend, I’m almost happy to get back to classes Tuesday morning. My first class of the day is English, which passes fairly quickly and before I know it Lucas and I are headed to meet Liam and Bas for lunch.

A tall, gangly, red-haired boy jogs up to us as Lucas and I pass the Unity Fountain.

“Hey, you’re Derrick Ashford, right?” he asks with a pant, obviously out of breath.

I have no idea who this kid is and thank fate for that, that means his slow ass isn’t on our roster.

“Yeah, that’s me, what’s up?” My question goes unanswered for a long moment while the kid bends at his middle and gasps for air like a fish out of water.

“You okay, bro?” Lucas asks.

He gasps out a few heavy breaths before finally righting himself again. “Shit, sorry about that guys. I just ran from the dean’s office to here. Shifter Tribunal Leader Ashford and his Tribunal Cohorts had some sort of meeting with Dean Harold. I was with the dean just before and he asked me to find you and let you know your father is on campus and would like to see you after his meeting.”

“Thanks man,” I say, reaching out and clapping him on the shoulder.

I turn to Lucas and jerk my head, indicating he should come with and head towards the Admin Building. When we arrive at the steps to the building, my father and his tribunal cohorts are stepping out of the door.

“Ahh, Derrick, Lucas, it’s good to see you, my boys,” Dad’s thunderous joy radiates in his voice.

“Hey Dad,” I say with a smile and a wave. “You act like it’s been months since we left. It’s only been a few weeks.”

He bounds down the stairs and wraps Lucas and me in a dragon dad hug. His bulk is impossible to miss, all broad shoulders and easy confidence.

“Well, according to your mother, it’s been ages since she’s gotten to make her boys a meal,” he states with a chuckle as he pulls back, holding us by our shoulders studying our faces with his knowing eyes. “I want to know everything. But first, let's go say hello to my cohorts.”

He releases us and we walk over to the other side of the stairwell where his cohorts stand, having some sort of tense conversation. They break apart as we approach and when they turn to face us, I can't help but catalog the differences. Cooper Norton, an elephant shifter, offers a tense but not unwelcoming smile while his fellow cohort Ranger St. James offers only a cold stare and a neutral expression. Something about the flicker in his eyes rings my dragon’s alarm bells.

This man is absolutely seething in rage, but why? Wait, St. James, is he Lucas’s mate’s father? Oh shit, well, that explains all the running. I’m sure he was a joy growing up. But surely she has other fathers, right? If she’s a kitsune, her mom must be as well… right?

I rack my brain trying to remember if my father has ever mentioned the St. James family beyond Ranger. Coming up blank, I decide to ask him when I get the chance and attempt to focus back on the present.

“St. James, Norton, you remember Derrick, right? And this here is one of his best friends, Lucas,” Dad introduces us.

“Yes, of course. Hello again, Derrick,” Cooper reaches out to shake my hand. “I trust you boys are enjoying your time here?”

I shake his hand and reply, “of course, sir. How’s Mrs. Norton and your fellow Mr. Nortons?”

St. James scoffs at my question, but that doesn’t deter Cooper from replying.

“They are well, thank you for asking.”

Up to this point Lucas has been weirdly quiet but when I look at him, I realize what he’s about to say too late to stop it.

“Wait? St. James? Are you Rachel’s dad?” Lucas’s golden retriever energy usually endears even the prickliest of people, but it has no effect on Ranger St. James.

“Yes,” his voice holds a subtle malice, “I am her father. How do you know my daughter, boy?”

“Oh, she’s-” Thankfully, he cuts off what he was about to say when he finally catches the warning in my eyes.

“She’s dorm mates with one of our friends from math class,” I finish for him.

“I see,” I get the vibe that he doesn’t believe my half truth so I push it just a bit further.

“Yeah, Dallas, this adorable little otter shifter, she is super helpful when we need to study,” I lay it on thick and receive raised eyebrows from both Lucas and my dad.

“You think an otter is a good match for a dragon?” St. James’s arrogance makes my blood boil even if I hold no interest in Dallas.

“I think that is up to fate,” I reply with a shrug.

He scoffs again, apparently finished with this conversation.

“If you’ll excuse me, I think I will go say hello to my daughter before I leave.” He shakes Cooper and my fathers hand and then he’s gone around the side of the building.

I turn and give Lucas a look hoping he knows what he needs to do next, and he nods his understanding in return.

“Well, it was great seeing you Mr. A. I gotta skedaddle so I’ll catch you later.” He doesn’t wait for a reply; he just jogs off the same direction Rachel’s father just went.

Cooper also excuses himself after another round of handshakes and takes his leave. My father leads me around the side of the building where there are a few benches, we choose one and sit. He turns on me almost instantly, leveling me with his infamous “tell me everything” stare. I crack instantly, spilling everything that has happened from Saturday to today. Leaving no detail out, I tell him about Liam’s outburst and Bas’s jealousy and even my questions about Rachel’s parent pack. When I’m finished, I heave out a sigh and bury my head in my hands.

Why does a girl I’ve never seen face to face seem so important to me? Why does she drive me so wild? Why do I feel a need to protect her like the need to protect my boys? What is going on with my dragon?

My dad breaks me out of my thought spiral with another of his awesome dad hugs. When I feel like I can breathe again he releases me.

“That’s a lot on your plate, son. You say this mysterious daughter Ranger never speaks about is a kitsune? Interesting.” The familiar look in his eyes tells me he’s putting puzzle pieces together in his mind. “Well, that gives me something to look into, all I ever knew of his mate was that she died in childbirth. That alone is rare for shifters, but a kitsune with only one mate is basically unheard of. However, that’s not for you to dwell on or figure out. Right now, you need to focus on your brothers and fixing those rifts before they become too deep to overcome.”

“I know dad,” I hang my head and remember the look of pain on Liam’s face Saturday night. “I just don’t know what’s actually wrong or how to fix it.”

“That’s easy, D You talk. Haven’t your mother and I drilled it into your head at this point? Communication is the key to every relationship.”

“That’s easy for you to say when you're not dealing with an angry tiger and an angrier wolf at the same time,” I huff, a plume of smoke escaping my nostrils.

Dad just chuckles. “Oh, son, if you think an angry dragon mate isn’t every bit as vicious as those two combined, then you highly underestimate your mother.”

We both laugh at that. My mother is… passionate. She has to be to keep my dad and me in line.

“Okay, dad. I’ll try again,” I agree when we stop laughing.

“And if it doesn’t work the first time, you try again, and again if necessary. Don’t give up on them. They are more important to you than I can express,” he always speaks in riddles when he wants me to come to my own understanding and it drives me nuts.

“Ugh, why do you always talk in circles? What does that even mean?” This time, the smoke plume I release as I huff in frustration is a bit bigger.

“Didn’t you ever wonder why your mother and I made an effort to keep you four so close over the years even though you were on rival teams?” Dad says with a knowing glint in his eye.

“What does that even mean, old man?”

Dad just laughs again, “Remind me someday to tell you about your mother’s special ability.”

“Why can’t I know now?”

“When you’re older, son. For now, take care of your boys, the rest will fall into place,” he says mysteriously before he clamps me in another tight dragon hug and then raises from his place beside me.

“Love you, dad. Tell mom I love her too.”

“Love you too, son. Your mother sends her love too, you should give her a call soon,” he advises, then turns on his heel and walks back towards the parking lot.

I take a few minutes to get my head on straight. When I glance at the time, I see I have just enough time to swing by the café and grab a sandwich to eat while I walk. With a firm plan for at least the next two hours, it’s easier for me to face the world.

Math class is okay, but Lucas is buzzing and obviously has something on his mind. I try to make time to talk to him but there is none and next thing I know, we are on our way to practice. Typically, when I’m stressed, baseball helps me to relax, but that’s not the case today. Instead, I’m consumed by my father’s riddles and instructions. I keep replaying what he said on repeat in my mind. What did he mean when he said that he and mom kept me and the guys close? I always thought that we did that on our own. I’m instantly pulled from my thoughts when Hopper “accidentally” shifts right as he’s sliding into home plate. My reaction time sucks and he kicks me right in the face with his big stupid kangaroo feet.

Between the issues with the guys and the incident on the field when we get back to the locker rooms after practice, the mood is tense as ever. Bas is generally just being a dick to Lucas and Liam is outright ignoring his existence. The happy-go-lucky Lucas that came home Sunday night is all but gone and in his place is a sad guy who can’t understand why his brothers aren’t happy for him. Needless to say, I’ve had enough of this and it’s time for the four of us to have a conversation.

When we make it back to the dorm after practice, I call for an emergency meeting and order up some food from the café. Once we’re all sitting around the table with full stomachs, I decide it’s now or never.

“Listen guys, we need to talk,” Lucas says before I get the chance to say anything.

“I know,” I say, raising an eyebrow at him. “That’s why I called this emergency meeting.”

“Oh, right. Sorry D, go ahead, floor is yours.”

“You two have been irritating the fuck out of me for days and I’m over it. I don’t know what your deal is, but ever since Lucas found his mate, you’ve both been bigger dicks than usual. It’s starting to affect the team, and that’s where I draw the line.” Bringing the team into this may be playing dirty, but they need to take this seriously. “So whatever it is, get it off your chest now so we can move the fuck on.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Liam says, crossing his arms and flicking his eyes at his twin before quickly looking away.

“Right. So I must have imagined your outburst when we got home after the game Saturday.” I roll my eyes.

“Think whatever you want.” He shrugs.

Bas takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. “I thought Rachel was my mate. When Lucas mated her, I may have lost my cool a little.”

“Oh great. You too,” Liam snarks.

“I thought so. But now I’m not so sure.”

“Why? Because she’s my mate? I already told you that doesn’t mean she’s not yours,” Lucas sighs, shaking his head. “Besides, she’s a kitsune with four tails. I’ve made peace with sharing her. You’ll have to too.”

“A kitsune? What the fuck is that?” Liam snaps.

I roll my eyes again .

Have neither of them talked to Lucas since Sunday?

“A kitsune is a multi-tailed fox. They have tails that represent their mates. Unlike wolf and tiger shifters who can smell their mates, kitsunes have no way of sensing their mates until the first time they make skin to skin contact. And they always have multiple mates. The most I’ve ever heard of a kitsune having is nine mates,” I explain to my idiot friends. “Didn’t your parents teach you about other shifter species?”

“Wait. So you mean she is my mate?” Bas perks up.

“I didn’t say that. But if she’s a kitsune and she has four tails, that means she has four mates . Lucas is one, you could be another.” I shrug.

“Hell yeah! I don’t give a fuck if she has multiple mates as long as she’s mine. I’m gonna touch her tomorrow, so I know for sure.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Lucas warns.

“Why not? Trying to keep her all to yourself?” Bas glares at him.

“It’s not that and you know it. I don’t think she’s happy about having four mates. She seems skittish. You know she ran when I accidentally mated her. Then today when I finally caught up to her dad, he had already found her and what I saw was… weird,” Lucas says, concern lacing his tone.

“Wait, her dad was here? Why? Who is he?” Bas peppers Lucas with questions and even Liam seems to tune in a bit more at this piece of information.

I fill the guys in on the beginning of the story. Meeting my father and his cohorts. Realizing Ranger St. James is her dad and his cold demeanor when we met him. The time it takes me to explain this is what Lucas needs to gather his thoughts, he picks up where I leave off.

“So after I caught up to Mr. St. James and Rachel, I stayed back so he wouldn’t know I followed him. He was basically pinning Rachel to the wall. I couldn’t see her face, but her posture said everything I needed to know. She’s scared of him, guys, she’s so scared I could feel it in the bond even though it’s still new,” Lucas lets out a bone deep sigh.

“They were in a public area so he was speaking quietly, but I did catch him asking her if she’d been dressing and acting ‘appropriately’. My wolf was chomping at the bit to come out and take him out just for scaring our sweet Moonbeam. It took everything I had to convince him that tearing apart an elected politician out in the open was probably not a good idea.” Lucas shudders, his wolf brought close to the surface by the memory.

“Shit,” Bas and I say in unison.

My dragon hearing even picks up a soft ‘Shit’ from Liam.

“So, I just don’t want you to force her into something. Mates are a lifelong commitment and there’s obviously something going on with her dad. If she’s not ready, she could resent you. I don’t want either of you to get hurt,” Lucas implores Bas to understand.

“Says the one that’s already mated to her,” Bas chuffs. “Wouldn’t having all her mate bonds in place protect her more? We should be coming up with a plan to strengthen them as quickly as possible, not trying to keep them from forming.”

“Yeah. I am. And you know it was an accident. I didn’t just walk up to her and touch her without her permission. Maybe you’re right, but at the very least ask before you touch, okay? Can you promise me that much?”

Bas gives Lucas his word and they hug it out, hopefully squashing their issues for good. I'm proud of myself for initiating this conversation for a minute until I realize that at some point Liam left not only the conversation but the whole dorm.

Hope he doesn’t do anything stupid.