Page 7

Gavin

He dropped Stryker onto the chair at the table in front of the plate of food that he’d prepared before going to look for the boy.

“When did you make this?” Stryker asked, picking up his fork.

“Do you even realize how long you were gone?”

“No?” Stryker paused with the fork up to his mouth. “It couldn’t have been that long.”

Gavin sat across from him and pulled his own plate closer. “Why don’t I fill in some missing pieces about my family while we eat.”

“Your family?”

Gavin waved his fork to indicate the property. “My family. That’s what we call ourselves.”

Stryker took a bite of the chicken salad that Gavin had stolen from the main house earlier. “Well some of the guys are related but not all of you.”

“Chosen family,” Gavin provided.

“Okay, go on.”

“You know about each couple, I assume,” Gavin said.

“I know enough,” Stryker replied.

“Or you think you do,” Gavin responded with a smirk. “You can only learn so much from watching.”

“I just had that thought. So, tell me.”

“Axel and Anton come from what we affectionately call dragon land. There aren’t many dragons still around. We’ve had trouble with Axel’s father. He’s currently in the custody of the paranormal council for attacking Anton.”

“The paranormal council? Who’s that?” Stryker leaned forward as excitement flashed on his face. “And how many is not many dragons? Like, would I ever meet another one? Have I met another one?”

Gavin had him. Stryker was intrigued and keeping the boy’s attention was vital to the end game. “I doubt you have ever or will ever meet another dragon shifter. They don’t leave their land. And now that Axel’s father is gone, they’ve found peace for the first time in decades.”

“You’ve been there?” Stryker pushed his plate away. Luckily, it was empty, and the boy had gotten something more than an energy drink in his system. Yeah, Gavin had seen the boy try to sneak off with that.

“I accompanied Axel, Bryce, Anton, River, and Rainier went they went back a few months ago.”

“Holy shit! That’s awesome.”

“Axel has been collecting us since he became an adult. He left home, left everything behind, to become the alpha he was meant to be. And to get away from his father. Nate was one of the first shifters he came across.”

“The little guy that wears onesies?”

Gavin snorted. “That little guy was a sniper in the military and is still one of the best shots in the world.”

“Fuck me!”

They were really going to have to work on Stryker’s bad language if he was going to hang out with the other boys. “He’s mated to Craig and Bo.”

“The bear shifter and dog. They also disappear into the woods quite often. Portal? Noah told me about those.”

Dog? Gavin nearly choked on his last bite of food. He took a long drink of his water. “Bo is the Alpha of the hellhounds.”

“Hellhounds!” Stryker’s voice rose.

That wasn’t fear he heard. “He has his own pack but oversees all the hellhounds. Craig owns the BDSM club in town. That’s where they all met.”

“Good security. Craig knows what he’s doing,” Stryker stated.

“I’ll pass that along. Nate is a little. He has PTSD from his time in the military, and it helps calm him.”

“Bryce and Anton are littles too. And Lawson is a pup? He’s cute chasing a ball but he and Drake need to learn to shut their curtains.”

“They don’t mind who sees,” Gavin shared. He’d walked in on Drake and Lawson too many times to count. “When Bo showed up, Craig shifted at the club, revealing himself to Lawson, River, and Seb. That was when Drake realized Lawson was his mate. He brought all three into the family.”

Stryker rested his chin on his fist as he watched Gavin closely. “Go on. Please!”

“That was around the time that Anton showed up. At the request of his father.”

“The one in the paranormal council’s custody?”

“Yes. River didn’t want anything to do with Anton when he first arrived.”

“Why not? Even if Anton isn’t my type, the man is attractive.”

“He was also a complete asshole. Under his father’s thumb. It took time for us to really get to know him. For him to trust us.”

“He obviously trusts you now,” Stryker said. “And is an adorable little.”

“That’s a little newer for him. Being little fits him though. River and Anton were dating when Rainier showed up and changed everything for them.”

“The fae king,” Stryker said. “I’ve only seen him once.”

“He spends most of his time in his own realm. He is a king and the fae outnumber both humans and shifters. He is a very busy being. River comes through the portal every day to work. He’ll bring Anton to hang out with the boys or Anton stays with Rainier.”

“And you’ve been to that realm as well?”

“Yes, several times. It’s beautiful.”

“Then why does River come here to work? I imagine being mated to the king must have some perks.”

“River works because he wants to work. Just like the rest of us,” Gavin said. “Forever is a long time to be doing nothing. Also, Shawn hired River before he was mated. Trusted him. Gave him a chance to run his own crew. To be his second. It means something to River.”

“Shawn is the panther?”

“That’s Trevor, who’s mated to Ansley, the author,” Gavin corrected. “Shawn is the wolf shifter. His mate is Sam, who owns the bookstore.”

“Sam wears the bowties,” Stryker said. “Ansley is a little as well, right?”

“Yes. Sam and Ansley are best friends.”

“They work a lot,” Stryker said. “But their mates are properly protective. I approve.”

“I’m sure they’ll love to hear that,” Gavin replied as he rolled his eyes. Both Shawn and Trevor were overprotective of their mates. They didn’t need any more encouragement. Sam and Ansley weren’t going to be happy.

“But not as protective as the ones that portal in and don’t live here. River and Lawson’s brother has a mate that scares me. And let me tell you, I’m not easily scared. Noah won’t tell me much about them though.”

Gavin nodded. He could understand. “Ash is a reaper.”

“Reaper?”

“He takes the souls of the recently deceased for judgment. When there’s a particularly bad person, the hellhounds help. He isn’t a being that I would ever cross. So whatever River tries to rope you into, I would think twice.”

Stryker pressed his lips together.

So, River had said something to his boy. Gavin wasn’t surprised. “Seb also has his very own hellhound pup as protection, so keep that in mind.”

“Let me guess. You’ve been to hell too?”

“I have. It’s quite nice there. Seb and Ash live on one plane but Adam and his mate, Mal, live closer to the core.”

“Mal?” Stryker frowned. “He was with you all when I first saw you. Adam is the bouncing guy who kept trying to make everyone into his minion?”

“Adam is a riot, and he collects minions like Axel collects family. Do not become one of his minions.” Gavin felt like saying that was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. This was not going to end well.

Stryker hummed without making a commitment to what Gavin said.

“I mean it,” Gavin warned. “Several of the demons have already become Adam’s minion, including Tristan, and that demon is pure trouble.”

Stryker cackled. “I like him already.”

This was a mistake. Gavin had been sharing about the different people and personalities in the family to make Stryker feel more comfortable, but Gavin was already regretting this. He had the very bad feeling that Stryker was going to befriend the troublemakers in the family. Where was Bryce when Gavin needed him?

“Go on.” Stryker waved his wrist. “This is awesome. Tell me more about Tristan.”

“Tristan’s mate is human, but he’s also crazy. Don’t get too close to Tristan. Jason is Levi’s mate’s twin.”

“The park ranger and the gargoyle. Now that’s a hot couple! Why haven’t I met this twin, Jason?”

Gavin was going to let the comment about Mason and Levi go. Stryker was just trying to make him jealous. Or did he really think they were that hot? Gavin was hot. He knew it too. “They don’t live on the property. They are either in hell or stay in the old ranger’s station that used to belong to Mason before he moved in with Levi.”

“Fine. That’s so boring though.”

“Boring can be good,” Gavin replied. “Very good. It means no trouble.”

“Papi,” Stryker drawled. “Trouble is exciting. Gets the blood pumping.”

Gavin lifted a brow. “That’s what you’re going with? You do realize that I am quite aware how Dean found you.”

Stryker grinned. “That’s not fair. They were witches!”

“You are very lucky that was the first time you came across a paranormal,” Gavin pointed out.

“Okay, I’ll give you that. I wouldn’t have found you if I hadn’t been rescued.”

The boy wasn’t wrong. “It could have been the end for you.”

Stryker rolled his eyes. Seriously rolled his eyes at Gavin. “This is where the lecture starts.”

“Lecture?” Was Gavin planning on giving him a lecture? He might.

“I shouldn’t hack, blah blah blah, I shouldn’t steal, blah blah blah, it’s wrong.”

“More blah blah blah?” Gavin guessed.

“Exactly!”

“Do you take anything seriously?”

“Why would I?” Stryker leaned closer.

“Because I am trying to discuss something very serious with you.”

“I thought you were just telling me about your family,” Stryker said.

“Why do you think I’m telling you all this?”

“To get rid of me.”

“To…what?”

Stryker sighed. “I’ve had this talk before.”

“This talk?” Gavin didn’t understand. “You haven’t known about the paranormal world long.”

“Not that talk,” Stryker said. “The morning-after talk. Where you send me on my way.”

“I’m not sending you anywhere,” Gavin promised.

Stryker shook his head. “We both know that this is temporary. You’ll find your mate one day. Hearing more about your family, I’m pretty sure it will be someday soon.”

“You’re right.” Gavin slid from his chair to walk around the table. He crouched next to Gavin. “In fact, I already have.”

Stryker’s eyes widened. “Then what the fuck are you doing here with me?”

They really needed to work on his language. Gavin took a deep breath as he grasped Stryker’s hand in his. “Because you are my mate.”

Stryker stared at him.

Gavin gave Stryker’s hand a squeeze. “Did you hear me?”

Stryker blinked.

“I knew the moment I stepped inside your RV. Your scent told me everything I needed to know. Although, honestly, I was pretty sure before that,” Gavin confessed.

“I…you…”

“Mates,” Gavin repeated.

“You…”

Gavin nodded. “You are my mate.”

Stryker yanked his hand away as he jumped from the chair.

Gavin leapt to his feet and held his hands up. “Stryker—”

“No,” Stryker shouted. “Don’t say it again!”

Okay, that was not the reaction that he expected. “What?”

“No!” Stryker pointed a finger at him. “Not another word.”

Gavin opened his mouth then immedicably closed it. Stryker looked scared. Not mad. Just terrified. “Str—”

“No!” He gripped his hair with his fists.

“I need you to calm down,” Gavin said softly.

“Don’t you fucking dare tell me to calm down!”

“I wasn’t,” Gavin tried.

“Just stop talking!” Stryker yelled.

Well shit. Now what?

Stryker started to pace. “Mates? This can’t be happening. This wasn’t part of the plan. The game. Now everything is all messed up. I’ll ruin everything. I always do.”

The more Stryker muttered and paced, the more Gavin grew concerned.

“I need to think about this,” Stryker whispered. “I need to think!”

“I…”

Stryker whirled. “I need to think.”

“Okay.” Gavin needed to give his mate time. He could understand that. Had Stryker not really thought this was possible? Their connection had been there from the beginning. Stryker had to know that something was drawing them together. That had been Gavin’s first clue.

Stryker headed toward the door.

“Where are you going?”

“To think!” Stryker replied. “I need a moment!”

“Wait!” Gavin called.

Stryker stopped before reaching the door. He didn’t turn but at least he was listening.

“There is more we need to discuss,” Gavin said. “Please don’t take off.”

Stryker shook his head.

“Please. It’s not safe. There’s more you need to know. At least let me finish telling you about the paranormal.”

Stryker’s shoulders stiffened. “I can take care of myself.”

Fuck! Gavin stepped closer, watching Stryker’s body in case the boy did run. He stopped before reaching Stryker. Didn’t touch him. “Please. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I thought the threat was gone,” Stryker questioned softly.

“It is as far as we know,” Gavin admitted.

“Okay.” Stryker reached for the doorknob. “I just need to think. I won’t leave the property.”

“I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk,” Gavin told him.

“Thanks.”

* * * * *

Stryker

“Psst!” Stryker called out to River.

River froze where he was passing by the tree Stryker was hiding behind. Noah turned his head and spotted Stryker then nudged River. River glanced around then quickly made his way over to where Stryker was.

“What are you doing?” River asked crouching down beside him.

Leaning against the tree, Stryker shrugged. “Hiding.” Or that was what he’d been doing for the last hour. Now he was bored. Although he wasn’t ready to return to Gavin to talk…he didn’t want to talk about mates. Stryker still hadn’t decided what to do.

Noah plopped on his butt right next to him. “Whatcha hiding from?”

“Gavin,” Stryker confessed.

“Why are you hiding from Gavin?” River asked calmly.

Stryker wanted to be calm. He wished he could just take the news that Gavin had shared, smile, and jump on board. That was not going to happen though. Not when Stryker knew this would change everything. It was going to be a disaster. There was literally nothing in his life that Stryker hadn’t fucked up.

Noah sighed before he grabbed Stryker’s hand. Stryker squeezed Noah’s fingers. He was glad that both Noah and Dean had found family there but that didn’t mean that Stryker deserved the same. He was not a good person!

“Gavin told you that you’re his mate,” Noah guessed.

“You knew!” Stryker whispered in betrayal.

Noah shrugged. River moved to sit beside him. Their shoulders brushing.

“We guessed. It’s kind of obvious when one of the paranormals finds their special person. Gavin isn’t the touchy-feely type. He’s always sort of held himself back from the group. Not with you though. He can’t take his eyes off you,” River told him. “And he threw you over his shoulder. That was hot. I’m so gonna make Rainier carry me like that to bed later.”

“I think he’s wrong,” Stryker shared.

River shook his head. “No, you don’t.”

No, he didn’t. Stryker didn’t think that Gavin was wrong. He was terrified that Gavin was right.

“It’s okay to be scared,” River said. “I was.”

“I am not scared,” Stryker denied.

“Yes, you are.” Noah tapped the side of his nose. “Don’t forget that I can smell your emotions.”

“Fucking shifters,” Stryker muttered.

“I am fucking a shifter and it’s awesome,” River quipped. “So is being fucked by my fae king.”

Stryker gasped. “You can portal to the fae realm.”

River rolled his eyes. “Duh, I’m like a prince there or something.”

Still gripping Noah’s hand hard, Stryker grasped River’s with his free hand. “Take me.”

“What?”

This was the perfect solution. “Take me to fae land!”

“It’s not really fae land,” River said with a frown. “It’s—”

“Dude!” Stryker knew this was a great idea. “Just take me.”

Noah and River exchanged a look over his head.

“And stop that,” Stryker ordered. “I just need a few hours to think. I can’t do that here. Not with all the happy couples. I need some time on my own. I promised Gavin I wouldn’t leave the property though.”

“Technically the portal is on the property,” River pointed out.

“I just need a few hours,” Stryker said. He didn’t want to disappoint Gavin. Not like he’d done to everyone else in his life. Maybe there was something to this mate thing, because just the thought of disappointing Gavin had his stomach aching.

“I understand,” Noah said.

River groaned. “I’m going to get in so much trouble for this.”

That was right. Stryker slumped. It wasn’t fair to ask this of River. They were just barely friends. River didn’t owe him anything. “Never mind.”

River laughed. “Oh! I’m so going to take you. I even have the perfect place for you to get your time alone. I’m just going to get into trouble.” He winked. “I like trouble. And it’s been a while since I’ve seen Rainier pissed off.”

Stryker turned to look at his crazy friend. “Really?”

River shrugged. “Sure. I like to keep Rainier on his toes. And Anton will lovingly kiss my bruised ass for me.”

Noah laughed. “Gavin is right. You two together is crazy. I love it!” He clapped his hands.

“So, you won’t tattle on us?” Stryker asked.

“I’ve totally got your backs. If anyone asks, I’ll tell them that you’re hanging out in River’s cabin and want to be alone,” Noah said.

“We are going to cause so much chaos!” River cackled.

That sounded like fun. River and Noah were both great to be around. The three of them…yes to all the chaos. And some of the others that Gavin had spent the afternoon telling him about. Stryker would totally make a good minion. Stryker just needed some time to get his thoughts in order.

“Just wait until you meet the pixies!” River announced. “They love to cause trouble. Well, except for Fabian. That little pixie is wrapped around Anton’s finger, so don’t trust him. The others though…they’ll help us.”

Stryker climbed to his feet before he helped River and Noah up. He knew that Gavin would be hunting for him soon. The other man had agreed to give Stryker time to think. The look in his eyes had also warned that it wouldn’t be a lot of time. Stryker needed to go now.

“We have to go,” River said.

“Yeah,” Noah agreed. “I can hear Logan saying that he’s heading for a nap under his tree. He’ll know we’re here. And as much as I love Logan, he’ll tell Dean what’s going on.”

“Come on!” River tugged on Stryker’s arm. “We need to use the portal before we get caught.”

Stryker followed behind River but paused to glance back at Noah. The familiar was rubbing his hands together while grinning. Looked like Stryker had another BFF. Maybe he really could be friends with these guys. If he accepted what Gavin was offering.

There were a lot of ifs floating around in his head.

And as much as Stryker didn’t want to admit, there was some hope floating around as well, making his palms sweaty and his stomach turn. Hope was a fickle bitch after all.