AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Billy has been asking for a killing for years, and you would be within your rights to do so." Dallas appreciated his friend's understanding. "As a matter of fact, let me help."
"I'll let you know if it comes to that," Dallas told him in all seriousness. "This waiting is a bitch. I want him with me, not at the encampment among all those assholes."
"He has survived those assholes this long I'm sure he'll be okay until this afternoon," Kevin interjected his own thoughts, and Dallas had to agree, but still, being apart was not easy, especially after their night together.
Andy rose early, considering he didn't go to bed until the early hours of the morning. It was a restless night with thoughts of Dallas and anxiety over telling Billy that he found his mate and his mate was a vampire. If he could get Billy alone, the conversation would go easier than if he had to talk in front of Ford and the others. They were such a bad influence, but Billy was an adult and well able to choose his own friends and associates.
At six, he got up, showered and dressed, and prepared himself for the meeting with Billy. The relationship between cougar and vampire was never good, but over the past few years, it became even more chilly and riddled with suspicion on both sides. There were no bonds that he was aware of; between cougars and vampires, he and Dallas would be the first, and acceptance was yet to be determined.
Billy didn't get up early, so he would have to wait until after nine to go and see him. He usually had his breakfast on the back deck by himself, so Andy was hopeful that he would have his brother to himself for the discussion. The more he thought about it, the more he wondered if Dallas had the better idea. Maybe he should have simply left with Dallas and called Billy from the Palace and let him know he was never coming back. The thought made him smile.
As soon as he considered the idea, he dismissed it because he needed to be upfront with Billy, and hiding was never his style. Billy's opinion didn't matter, for Andy would follow his heart regardless, but hiding his mate and his intentions didn't feel right and didn't feel like the way he wanted to start this relationship.
He checked his phone and saw a good morning text from Dallas. They'd exchanged numbers last night, and Dallas made him promise to call if he needed him. He returned the good morning and added that he would see him at two that afternoon. Honestly, he couldn't wait to leave, not that the Palace would be a breeze, but he would have Dallas. They had a long way to go, having just met, but Andy was eager to get started.
"Andy, you home?" Elroy was knocking on his door, and although he wasn't in the mood to deal with Elroy and his angst this early in the morning, he opened the door and invited him in.
Elroy was a decent guy, and he was on his own with no family. He looked to Andy for support from time to time. He usually didn't ruminate over a situation for longer than a few hours, but it would seem the incident at the bar was getting under his skin.
Andy poured him a cup of coffee, and they sat down together in Andy's small living area. "What can I do for you?" Andy asked.
"Ford said that by walking away and leaving Billy, I forfeited my chances of becoming part of the security team for this year." His voice was shaky, and it was clear the verbal slap down that Ford delivered hit him hard.
"It wasn't your responsibility. It should have been Ford who saw to Billy's safety. As his second, he is supposed to be by Billy's side and support him. He ran off and is trying to blame his cowardice on you." Andy pointed it out with considerable emphasis. He really disliked Ford. The man gave him a bad feeling every time he got close, but Billy liked him for some odd reason.
"Doesn't matter since Ford makes the decision on who gets in and who doesn't," Elroy stated, defeated, and Andy had nothing to comfort him with since he was telling the truth.
"Ford has more power than he should, but there isn't anything you or I can do about it," Andy told him and refilled his coffee cup. "Don't challenge him and do as you're told, and he'll forget soon enough. The inner circle he's cultivated needs more members. He'll let you in sooner or later if that is what you desire."
"It's either Ford's team or working the gardens; no offense, Andy, but gardening is not my dream. There are no other jobs in this pack." Elroy drank his coffee and then stood up.
"No offense taken; I enjoy the gardens, but they aren't for everyone."
"Ford has me on the kitchen detail, and they're going to want breakfast pretty soon." Elroy stood and put his cup in the sink before turning toward the door. "Thanks for listening to my grumbling. I'll wait it out and do what they ask, and maybe he won't make me wait a year to be fully vested."
"Don't look so eager; Ford loves to play games with people." Andy probably said more than he should have, but he's been feeling rather energized and free since meeting his mate. The cougar pack was temporary for him, and soon, he would be starting a new life. Ford no longer held any power over him.
"I'll pretend it doesn't bother me, and I'll try to focus more on Billy and less on Ford."
"Good plan." They said their goodbyes, and Andy waited a while before heading over to the main house. He wanted to give Billy time to get his breakfast and be out on the deck. He did not want to run into Ford.
CHAPTER SIX
Dallas headed home after having breakfast with Archer and Kevin and getting some good advice. He would shower and change and request a meeting with Silas as his superior; it was important that he notify him that he found his beloved. He wondered how the news that a cougar shifter was in their midst would land, but he knew that no matter what, he would have Andy by his side regardless.
He sent Andy a good morning text, and he answered immediately, which was gratifying. Two o'clock could not come soon enough, in Dallas' opinion. The idea that Andy was going to try and make his brother see reason regarding their mating seemed even less likely now in the full light of day. If Billy laid a hand on Andy, he would end him, and he was not kidding.
He looked around his quarters and wondered if Andy would be comfortable and pleased with his home. They were on one of the upper floors that afforded a lovely view of the gardens, something that he believed Andy would appreciate. Dallas also planned to investigate getting Andy involved with the food production aspect of the gardens.
The Palace boasted many greenhouse gardens that would welcome someone like Andy with his education and his drive. If he wanted to start something of his very own, then Dallas would make that happen. There were many acres of coven lands available to members that could be cultivated for his needs.
He wondered what Andy would bring with him after seeing his small cabin. He doubted the young man had many possessions. There wasn't room for much in a domicile of that size. His heart ached for his beloved when he thought about what it must have been like for a young man like Andy, gentle, kind, and giving, to grow up in an atmosphere that was so harsh.
He wished he'd found him sooner and could have spared him the ongoing degradation of living with his brute of a brother. But Fate works in her own time, and apparently, she saw now as the ideal time for their bond. Dallas was ready and excited to find his own mate ever since witnessing the bonding of Silas and his human mate, Wolfe Reynolds. That union was beautiful and brought out the best in each man.
It took many years, but now it was his turn with his beloved, and there was nothing he wouldn't do to keep him safe and happy. People needed to be aware of that fact and take heed. He checked the time and wondered if Andy had spoken with his brother yet. He reached out with his mind to try and touch his mate, but their bond was too tenuous, and all he felt was a subtle waft of tension.
Dallas had worked his entire life, all one hundred and thirty-two years, to become part of the Coven leadership, and he looked forward to moving up from a security surveillance team to leading a military unit and attaining the title of commander. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down in the living room in front of the window with the best view and considered his future.
