Page 3 of Whisper Woods (Legends of the Whisper Woods #3)

Seff

Even in the dim morning light, the golden orange and teal feathers of the phoenix peering down at me are intense. The bird cocks its head, the headdress-like plume on its head twitching with the jerky movement.

Squawk!

The creature’s unexpected screech makes me jump, the obnoxious sound and jarring movement working together to double team my headache. Ugh . Slowly, so I don’t cause any more damage, I test out my arms and legs, wiggling my fingers and toes and then flexing the muscles. The moss is soft underneath me, and thankfully the earth is warm. There is still enough summer in the air to keep the chill out of the morning. Which is a really good thing considering how often I’m ending up out here lately.

Sitting up is a little harder than I’d like, my body is aching and sticky with sweat from last night's run. Thank the Gods for my accelerated healing, because I’m pretty sure I fucked my foot up on a rock before Wolf took over.

Gingerly I check myself out and sure enough, there is the faint mark of the gash on the sole of my left foot. Various other scrapes and bruises are already healing on my arms and legs. They’ll be gone before breakfast.

Speaking of breakfast, I need to get moving. Scraping my hand through my hair, I haul myself to standing, using the moss-covered rocks I’d nestled against for leverage. My head spins with the movement, dehydration kicking my ass.

Checking that I still have my phone and keys handy in the go bag looped around my neck—a handy little idea I got after Edith slipped an amulet around Wolf’s neck when we went into Marieths cottage—I realise I have no idea where the fuck I am. Except for “in the Woods”, which is not at all convenient. Just like my phone. It’s all well and good that I brought it along, but it died overnight so it’s basically a useless brick to me now.

As if to add to the point, my stomach rumbles loudly. I left my car and clothes at the Black Stump Tavern last night, so if I can find my way back, I can hopefully convince Mauvy to feed me. The little faun runs the tavern with our other friend, Roan, and while she is tiny, she manages the place with an iron fist. Nobody would ever cross her. She’d poison their next meal without a second thought.

Inhaling deeply, I find my centre and let my instincts lead the way. One footstep, then another, and I’m on my way back to the tavern. Wolf has no interest in the trek back, even though he dragged our ass all the way out here.

My body protests each step, my recovery slowed by exhaustion. Too much work, too much stress.

Too many sleepless nights out here in the Woods.

Running until the noise in my head finally stops .

At least the Woods are peaceful this time of the morning. I love how chill it is here, especially when my mind is calm. There is just something good about strolling through nature, bits flapping in the breeze. It makes me feel connected. With autumn just around the corner, the Woods feel like they’re on the cusp of a change. Everything’s slowing as they prepare to slide into their winter sleep.

It’s something I think they miss, the others in the pack. Even though we are technically of the Whisper Woods, something they howl about with pride, they nearly all live in Twin Heads, or right on the outskirts of the Woods, never venturing past our well-worn path to our pack grounds.

They don’t get it.

But then, they don’t get a lot of things.

I shove the thought from my head with a rough shake. Breathing deep, I let the cocktail of smells tease my instincts. Despite seeming like it’s empty, there are plenty of animals and creatures nearby. The scent of a nest of squirrels close by prickles Wolf’s fancy and he prods at our shared consciousness to let him take over and sort out breakfast himself.

Absolutely not, big guy. My money is on Mauvy having bacon . I reason with him, shoving back the change and picking up my speed.

The sprites of the Woods are busy this morning. Their musical laughter is faint, but just there over the sound of the rustling leaves as they dance around the undergrowth. Little golden glowing lights flutter around making the most out of their morning.

I’m still not a hundred-percent certain where I am exactly, I’m relying only on my instincts to get me to the tavern. But I manage to orient myself when, after about a half an hour of walking, I scent the centaurides’ grotto nearby to the west. Which would explain the soft tread of hooves behind me.

“Good morning, Wolf,” the greeting is mellow, with a thread of steel behind them. A warning. Plastering on my most charming smile, the one that never fails me, I keep my body relaxed and non threatening as I turn to face the centauride.

The centauride staring me down has a beautiful chestnut coat, with three white socks. Her tail swishes impatiently as she waits for my response. She also doesn’t seem too impressed with my smile, a stony frown on her face, arms crossed over her bare chest. A sword is strapped to her back. I can see the glimmer of the silver between her long brown braids.

While they are all technically part of one herd, centaurs and centaurides mostly live separately after puberty. The women raise the young as a group. Biology means nothing to them when it comes to parenthood. The herd is a unit as far as they are concerned, and they all work together.

As the foals grow, the centaurs become more involved. After puberty they either move on to the males or stay with the females. They are actually pretty chill about the foals choosing where they want to go, too. There are always some centaurides who choose to be with the centaurs, or vice versa and the herd is always really accepting of them. It’s only on full moons that the clan reunites, with the elders of the herd taking care of the young for the night. For like, obvious reasons.

“Good morning,” I bow with a small wave and then rest my hands on my hips, leaving myself completely open and vulnerable. Centaurides are notoriously violent to protect their young and I really don’t want to get in a fight this morning. I have lunch with the pack to get to. “Just passing on through. ”

She doesn’t reply, just looks me over from head to toe, her glare slipping ever so slightly as her eyes drift over the hard planes of my stomach to where my dick hangs between my thighs. I make it do a little jump, and bite my cheek to keep from smirking when her eyes slam back up to mine. If I’m not mistaken, there is just a slight hint of a blush on her cheeks.

“Where are you headed?” At least the steel is gone from her voice now, replaced with a hint of heat. Fuck.

Toning it down a notch, I reign in the dimples. “Just on my way home.” I point in the opposite direction of the grotto, certain that the Black Stump is only a good forty-five-minute walk from here. Less if I let Wolf take the lead and leg it.

Hearing my thoughts, he is already shoving at me, trying to push me out the way to take over. Anything to get to the food. It’s an effort to hold him back and focus on the centauride, who has sauntered closer.

“Are you hungry perhaps? Would you like to join us for breakfast?” Yeah, definitely time to book it.

Smiling regretfully, I suck my teeth. “Sorry, gotta see a guy about a thing. Gotta run.”

I throw a thumb over my shoulder and take a step back. For a moment I think she is going to take exception—something flashing in her eyes before she nods.

“Very well then, goodbye Wolf.” She nods her head and takes a step back.

“See ya, have a good one!” I say with a wave, before turning and walking in a very purposefully casual way away from the grotto and centauride. As soon as I’m sure I’m out of eyesight, I pick up speed until I hit a full run.

I hold back the change until the very last second, letting the pressure build and build and it explodes out of me. Magic sizzles over my skin like ecstasy, as the change takes over, contorting and transforming my being mid-stride.

I take a back seat as Wolf runs us to the borders of the Woods and the tavern grounds, enjoying the ride, he hunts out our home away from home.

Sure enough, I arrive just in time for breakfast. And there is even bacon on offer. After grabbing my shorts and cap from the car, I strut into the tavern.

“What are you doing here this early?” Roan asks, confused as he drops off my plate. Roan and I have always been friendly, and he never seemed to mind that I am a bit different from the rest of my pack.

In fact, I think he kind of likes it. Like me, he’s not into all that pack hierarchy bullshit. And while it’s less of a problem under Dad than it was with the old leader, it’s still there. I guess that’s why this place became a refuge for me when I was younger.

Colin, the old Everfyr pack leader, and Roan never got along, so the pack never really hung out at Black Stump. Some of them do now, but old habits die hard and they all prefer to drink closer to home at the pubs in Twin Heads.

I’m definitely not complaining, though. It’s nice having something that feels like it’s just for me.

“Spent the night in the Woods,” I say, adding a flirty smile and a wink. I don’t enjoy lying to my friends. So I don’t. I just let them misconstrue the truth a little. If you have a reputation, might as well use it to your advantage.

Roan chuckles a laugh, shaking his head with a smile.

“Too right. Let me know if you need anything else.” Knocking on the table, he throws his tea towel over his shoulder, making his shirt strain over his impressive biceps with the movement.

“Will do. How’s Theo doing?” My stomach clenches at the dreamy look that passes over Roan’s face at the mention of Theo, the fae we rescued from the clutches of the evil, ancient fae, Marieth, only months ago. The whole thing may or may not be the cause of all my sleepless nights. Or part of it anyway.

Theo has been staying here since we came back. It’s been hard for us, those who went in and got him, but it’s nothing compared to what he has been through. He’s stronger than he looks; he’s fought through some super dark shit but he doesn’t back down.

He’s been renovating the old house at the back of the tavern. It used to be Roan’s uncle’s but when his uncle died, it just got left sitting there. When Theo started, the place was a mess, but now it’s looking good. Really good. It’s nearly all done and Theo’s taken over the gardens.

We’ve become good friends. Not as good friends as Theo and Roan, who are one-hundred percent boning on the down low. Or I think it’s meant to be the down low. They don’t talk about it, but if they are trying to hide it, they’re doing a shit job of it with the way they are constantly sneaking off and coming back all sexed-up.

The pheromones flying around the place are enough to drive me mad. Maybe that’s what’s causing that restless feeling lately? That thing that’s making every edge feel a little too sharp?

Being around all these loved up horn dogs is making me edgy.

“He’s good. He’s uh, sleeping in. He was tired.” I snap out of my internal musings with Roan’s reply, just in time to catch the hint of colour under his beard.

“Yeah, I bet he was tired.” I chuckle a little laugh and give Roan a wink. He only rolls his eyes at me, watching closely as I pick up a strip of bacon and shove it into my mouth.

The same restless energy that seems to be a part of me as much as Wolf is, sets my leg bouncing under the table. Without even noticing, I’ve shredded my napkin at some point, so I shove the torn up pieces into a pile away from my plate.

“You going to Caelan and Tor’s tonight?” Roan asks.

I don’t like how closely he’s watching me. For all the times I’ve wanted someone to see past, well, everything, the idea is mostly terrifying. I don’t think I’m ready for that without a little more caffeine to bolster my reserves. So I strengthen the mask, rolling my shoulders to get rid of any tension, I lift my trusty navy ball cap to run my fingers through my hair before settling it back down.

“Yeah, wouldn’t miss it.” I keep my grin wide as I pop another piece of bacon in my mouth, chewing it carefully.

“Hmm,” Roan’s eyes inspect me while he hums. “Right, well, we’ll see you there.” And with another knock on the table he’s off to serve other guests down for breakfast. A quick check of the time shows I’m running super late if I want to get a shower in before the pack thing, so I shovel down my breakfast, and with a quick wave to Roan, and the bartender Woodsy who’s just showing up for his shift, I book it for town.

** *

Fuck a duck, I am late . My parents' street is lined with so many cars there is absolutely no chance I am getting a spot close to the house. Idling in the middle of the street, I slump forward, resting my head on the steering wheel. My headache faded while I was in the Woods, but it’s back again, like a pickaxe to my temple.

A sharp honk of a horn echoes through the street, and from the rear-view mirror I can see my parents’ neighbour glaring at me from his driver's seat. I have no idea what his name is, but from the way he is glaring at all the cars he is probably one of the ones that is always complaining that it’s a residential street and not a drop-in centre.

Still, I give him a wave and ease my foot back on the accelerator, cruising around the block until I manage to find a car park. From the looks of things, it’s not just the pack, it’s the guys from work too. The regular barbecues are something Dad started when he became pack leader. He thought it would help bring the pack together after all the shit that went down after Colin died.

Things were really tough in the pack before that. Colin was, well, an asshole. One of those guys that talked a big game about “purity of the blood” and being an “alpha” but really he was just a sad, insecure, hate-filled man too dumb to understand anything outside of his own way of doing things. Anything new or different terrified the shit out of him because it was a risk to the house of cards he built his power on .

We… did not get along.

In fact, he really hated me. Especially because I was a contradiction that proved all his insane theories wrong. Under his power structure—the type of thinking that died out in the Great War—I’d be considered an “alpha.” Since puberty, when my body caught up to itself—I’ve been one of the biggest and strongest in the pack.

But I’m also gay, which goes against the “purity of the blood” thing and breeding. Or something. I honestly never understood it, because the rules make no sense. Either way, even the pack was getting frustrated with the archaic way he was running things.

But you can’t go against your pack leader, and so everyone had just carried on. Things have gotten better, like a lot better, since Dad ascended. But even if the beat has changed, it still feels like the same old dance.

This isn’t the house Bree and I grew up in. It’s at least twice as big as the little three-bedroom place we had growing up, but my folks bought it after Dad took over the pack and they needed a bigger place to host everyone. I can hear the chaos already in full swing as I walk up the front path.

A handful of kids barrel past me to the fenced front yard the moment I open the door, followed by a harried dad-type person scrambling after them with a ball. He manages to catch the littlest one before they fall into Mum's beloved lavender bushes, but only just. I watch for a second as he organises the kids into a game of kickball.

“Hey, Seff! You gonna come join us?”

More of the dads from the pack make their way out the front, to join Dad Number 1, otherwise known as Ricky, in tiring out the kids. They slap my shoulder as they pass, up-nodding in greeting. The kids are already squealing with laughter on the grass. And as much as I like kids—and would usually be out there with them—Mum will kill me if I don’t do the rounds before I get caught up throwing the ball with the pups. I always end up getting too caught up playing with them and forget to do all the boring adult things too.

“Definitely later, I gotta go say hi to everybody.”

More than one of the dads looks disappointed, more than ready for me to swoop in and relieve them for a bit.

The lounge just off the entry has a couple of new mums trying to get their kids to sleep. One is pack, the other is the wife of a guy from work. They both glare daggers at me as I enter until I hold my hands up in treaty, putting a finger to my lips to let them know I understand.

The noise and the number of bodies increases the further I get into the house. A group of teens battle over a game controller in the second lounge. A suspicious group of not quite teens under the dining table in the formal dining area. An even more suspicious older teen couple come downstairs looking more rumpled and flushed than either of their parents would appreciate.

Everyone else is in the back of the house, where the freshly renovated combined kitchen, dining, and living rooms overlook the spacious backyard and patio.

It’s easy to see why the little kids went out the front. It looks like there is a Pack vs Work Crew game of ball going on and from the body slams going on they aren’t being gentle.

Those not playing are all under the veranda together, their loud laughter rumbling through the kitchen with the smell of Dad’s barbecue. Mum is holding court at her beloved kitchen island with a gaggle of her friends and my aunts crowded around with her. I can see several half-filled pitchers of cocktails spread between the trays of food.

I bypass them all to go to the living area, where several of the senior pack members are gathered. Including Nanna Berry. She’s my favourite. I learnt a couple of years ago not to startle her, so I make sure I’m in plain sight before I boom out, “Nanna!” and swoop down to envelope her into a big hug.

“Oh Seff, my darling boy.” Her frail hands clutch at my shoulders. “It’s about time you got here.” Her white hair has been pinned back by someone, and I take a moment to inhale her talcum powder and perfume scent.

I don’t know what the perfume is, but she has always drowned herself in it. I’m not sure if she wears it anymore or if it’s just part of her DNA. But the smell of it always loosens something inside of me.

I squat down at her knee, and she settles back into the overstuffed recliner. Dad bought a few of them specifically for the senior pack members, to make sure they are comfortable at pack events. Garret and O’Brien are currently snoozing in the other two.

“You’re looking good Nanna. They been taking care of you?” Nanna lives in a seniors facility that specialises in being care. It can be tricky when beings get old, they can lose control of their powers and many need specialised assistance. The pack pays for the very best, though.

“Of course, darling. But the food’s rubbish.” I huff out a laugh, rolling my eyes.

“Of course it is Nanna. Mum will fix you up today.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Her pale eyes narrow at me. “You haven’t been sleeping again have you?”

Nanna was one of the few pack members that never made fun of me as a kid for being different. Nanna B just said I was a big kid with big energy and equally big emotions and I’d find my way eventually. And after I learnt how to hide all the stuff that bubbles up inside, she’s the only one that really saw through it all.

“I’m all good Nanna. Don’t you worry about me.”

Nanna B just scoffs, waving me off. “Don’t tell me what to do young man. If I want to worry about you, I will.”

“Seff, darling! When did you arrive?” Mum interrupts before we can bicker anymore. Nanna winks at me as I stand and turn to face Mum, pulling a blanket into her lap and shutting her eyes. Mum tugs me into a tight squeezing hug, before pushing me back to give me a quick once over.

“Just now, just saying hi.” I wave to Nanna who is now faking being asleep. Or I think she’s faking. At her age she falls asleep pretty quickly.

I obviously pass Mum’s inspection because she wraps her arm around my waist. She's tall, but not quite tall enough to reach around my shoulders.

“Excellent, come join us for mimosas before they lay claim to you outside. Matty has plans to nag you into helping him paint his nursery.” I let her lead me over to her friends.

“Shouldn’t be a problem Mum, I’ll catch him later and let him know.” I’ve been doing a lot of work over at the Black Stump, helping Theo and Roan, but that is wrapping up so I’ve got a bit more free time. In theory, anyway.

And Matty is pack, so he should be the priority. Even knowing that, I can still feel the weight of the expectation in my spine, accompanied with the familiar flush of guilt at my reluctance. Ever since Dad got the role of top dog in the pack, there have been far too many eyes on me. I’m not even his number two, but it’s always there, lurking in the background, this idea that I’m somehow lining up to be his heir. Hard pass. The hardest pass.

Even the idea of taking over the pack sets off my hair trigger fight or flight reflex hard enough to have me looking up flights to the other side of the world.

“Seff! How are you? Been seeing anyone special lately?” Aunt Margerie kicks off as soon as I reach their group.

“Actually, Margerie.” I lean in, conspiratorially. “I’ve been on dates. Like real ones.” The tidbit causes a ripple of excitement to go around the island as they all talk over each other to get more information and offer up every gay, bi or pan single man they have ever crossed paths with.

“Have you had any second dates, though?” It’s Tam, Mum’s best friend that cuts through to get to the real questions, a faux-stern look on her face.

At some point my leg started bouncing again. It must be irritating Mum, because she reaches over, placing a gentle hand on my back, giving me the subtle head shake she does when I can’t keep my body under control. I make sure to stand up a little straighter so it’s less tempting to fidget.

“Alas, Tam, so far I have not.” I clutch a hand to my heart with a dramatic sigh, drawing out a laugh from the ladies around me.

“So how, exactly, is this different to hooking up with every cute boy you see like a kid at a candy store?” Ouch, Mum. And I thought you loved me. I continue my wounded act, falling with a pretend sob onto Delilah’s shoulder next to me. She takes full delight in the opportunity to cop a feel of my biceps as she pats my arm.

“Mother, you wound me . Here, I am, devastated in my loneliness and—”

“Oh, enough of that,” Mum laughs, shaking her head and wrapping her arm around my waist for a quick, squeezing side hug.

I can see the questions in her eyes that she can’t ask with everyone around. Is this because of what happened in the Woods? Is this because my ex Caelan returned with not just a mate, but a bonded mate? Like, not only are they magically connected, they’ve bound their lives, spirits, and magic together. It’s a pretty massive commitment that they managed to pull off by accident. It’s kind of impressive, to be honest.

I have told my parents the bare bone facts about what occurred in Marieth’s cottage; it was that or have them believe the idiotic rumours that somehow made their way through the beings of the Woods, but she knows there’s more I haven’t told her.

“Well, if you’re interested, I have a very lovely nephew.” Another friend offers and I wince internally, because if it’s the nephew I am thinking of, I have met him. And he wasn’t very nice. Not nice at all in fact.

He was dirty.

In the very best ways.

I clear my throat and drain the last of my mimosa.

“Uh, I have another date next weekend, but if that doesn’t workout, maybe I’ll hit you all up. I better go see Dad.” With one last wink, I leave the island and head out the opened sliding doors to the patio. A beer is pressed into my hand, and I keep hold of it, because otherwise I’ll just get offered another one.

After yet another round of hellos, including Dad who’s too busy at the barbecue to actually chat, I settle in at the long outdoor table to watch the game still going on the lawn. It’s getting brutal out there. Blood is flying everywhere, along with Dad’s grass.

“You alright, Seff? Looking a bit tired there.” Zeke, a pack member around my age, nudges my arm suggestively. God's tits, I must look like shit the way everyone is harping on about me not getting any sleep.

I slide down in my chair, stretching out my legs to cross my feet at the ankles. Picture perfect casual.

Turning to Zeke I bounce my eyebrows a couple of times, and suck at my teeth. “I’m doing good, you know how it is.”

The guy is nice enough, but dense as two bricks. But he chuckles right on cue, saluting me with his drink.

The conversation carries on around me, and I try to stay checked in and be involved, but Zeke's right, I am tired as shit. And I swear we’ve had these exact conversations every single barbecue since the dawn of time.

The same complaints from the parents. The same comments from the crew about the same jobs. One or two digs at my sleeping around, and “stepping up to help Dad,” and “taking my place.” Another subtle wink with a suggestive nod to sneak off somewhere private. Dad making the same big speech about Reinstating the Pride of the Pack while downing beers and waving the tongs around for emphasis. This late in the summer it’s the complaints about the heat, and in a few months it’ll be the same complaints only it’s too cold.

Do they never get tired of it? How can they not hear it? It’s so fucking loud. Sometimes I think I should have followed my sister’s footsteps and gone to study civil engineering in Loqueaur City—I mean, she’s younger than me and I’ve never had the smarts to go on to university. But that’s besides the point really.

“For the Gods sake, Seff, be careful!” The shout and gasps draw me out of my daydream about escaping this place, running away. Maybe with a black haired, olive-skinned hottie that lurks in the Woods whenever I’m lucky.

“Fuck, I’m sorry.” The cold drinks I’ve knocked over with my bouncing leg spill over the edge of the table as everyone races to mop them up, the scrappy remains of my bottle label sailing along in a sea of sticky soda and alcohol.

The mess is quickly cleaned up, and the drinks refilled, but there are still the usual comments about me being a klutz. Even though I haven’t been clumsy since my body caught up with the size of my feet when I was ten. Nobody around here ever notices when you change.

“Need a hand getting that cleaned up?” Tai’s voice is deep and rumbly as he leans in close over my shoulder, nodding to the wet patch on my thigh. Built like a brick house, he smells like sweat and grass and man.

I try to keep it subtle and nod just once, casting a quick eye over to Dad to make sure he isn’t looking. Not that he cares, it’s just weird when your dad knows you’re hooking up in his house. Maybe a quick and dirty orgasm will get rid of this funk. Tai gives my shoulder a quick squeeze and then he backs off, chuckling smugly as he does.

I give him a minute, to keep up the pretence that the twentyish beings around the table have no idea what’s going on. Then I clear my throat, wincing when the chair squeaks on the pavers. Heading inside, it’s not hard to figure out which room he’s snuck into. I was there only a few weeks ago with Sien.

Pack gatherings, I sigh to myself, a bolt of lust curling up my spine when I see Tai there waiting, hard dick already in hand when I push open the door of the second spare bedroom, even when they’re different they are exactly the same.