SHADOW
I didn’t ask how did Califf get Calder’s address. I was sure he had his number, too. We showered and changed to something nice before heading to his brother’s address.
“Please, be nice?” I linked our hands as we entered the lobby of Calder’s nice apartment building.
“Me? Of course.” His smile didn’t convince me. He seemed to have his own agenda. I knew I didn’t change his mind, giving Calder a chance to know each other, but I would figure out what was up on his sleeve.
We got into the elevator and punched the number five button.
“Your father gave you the address?” I studied him thoughtfully. Those eyes were haunting.
“Yeah. He texted me with the number.” He seemed calm, very calm, and it was unnerving.
My temper broke. “Whatever you’re planning tonight, don’t do it, Califf. I’m warning you.”
“Or what, baby? You told me to be nice.” He pulled me closer, lifted my chin, and forced me to look at him before he pressed his lips against mine. “The only plan I have for tonight is giving you the orgasm I owe you and another bonus.”
“Promises. Promises.” I rolled my eyes.
“We’ll see, baby.”
We walked out of the elevator, heading towards Calder’s apartment. So, I teased him, “Is he single?”
He growled. “Why are you interested in knowing if he’s single?”
“Maybe he brings a date.”
“The more the merrier then.” His expression didn’t change as he pressed the doorbell.
Seconds later, I heard footsteps approaching, and the door opened wide, revealing Calder in a crisp white shirt, two buttons opened, and sleeves rolled up his elbows. He matched it with gray pants. He looked handsome and fresh.
“Hi,” I said awkwardly.
“Shadow, I’m glad you could make it.” He smiled, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek.
“Califf.” He offered his hand to my stoic husband standing next to me.
“Calder,” he said his brother’s name in a gravelly voice- it sounded like the outermost edge of his restraint as he gripped the hand.
“Please come in.” Calder stepped aside, welcoming us inside his apartment. “It’s not much, but it’s been my home for four years. Have a seat.”
We settled into his small living room with pretty cozy dark leather couches. The interior and color were minimalist and very masculine.
“Thanks,” That was all Califf could say, but he didn’t sit down. His eyes wandered around.
I didn’t see pictures, or there could be, but he removed them before we arrived. There were paintings and long bookshelves that covered half of the wall. The rest was floor-to-ceiling windows.
“I’ll be right back.”
I nodded with a smile. Once he was gone, I faced my mate. “Why did you suddenly become speechless? Don’t make this night any more awkward, Califf.”
“I just don’t know what to say, Shadow. Should I ask him how his life was without a father figure? How did he cope after losing his mother? How did he buy this apartment, finish his college, and become a professor while I lived a good life-”
“Oh, my God.” I briefly squeezed my eyes before I met his gaze and held his hands. A wave of realization hit me. “I’ve been reading you wrong this entire time. I thought you hated him and scared that your parents would share their attention between you two.”
“Are you kidding me? Yes, I don’t trust him, and I’m hurt that I found out from him. And I felt betrayed, but I would never feel jealous. Maybe a little, but I’m afraid-”
“You’re guilty.”
When he looked away, I felt terrible. “This is not your fault.”
“Of course, it isn’t, but when Calder said he just wanted to meet my father, Dad didn’t do anything as if his son didn’t exist even if Calder reached out. I’m sure he didn’t meet him with the intention of sharing the wealth.”
“Then be nice. At least be civil.”
“What do you think I’m doing?” His words came out harsh.
“You’re treating him like a leper.”
His eyes narrowed. Before he could say something, I left and followed where the smell of food came from.
“Hey. Do you mind if I help?” His kitchen was neat and looked like he didn’t use it often, with dark-colored appliances, a dark island, and cupboards.
“Isn’t he territorial?” He had a roasted lamb before him. It was still smoking, and it smelled delicious.
“He is, but you’re not a threat.”
“The cutlery is in the drawer to your right. The glasses are up, and the plates are in the next cupboard. Don’t worry, the cutlery isn’t silver.”
I chuckled as I grabbed the things one by one. “Does it hurt you?”
“Kind of.”
“Thanks for having us on just short notice.”
“You’re always welcome. Is he this brooding?” His question made me chuckle.
“Yeah. Scary but with a big heart, especially right now. He has a lot on his plate. You’ll love Califf if you get to know him.”
“Will he give me a chance, though?” he asked hesitantly.
“He’s already doing it. He can be aggressive, blunt, and uptight, but that’s who he is.”
“I understand.”
When Califf came to his brother, I carried the things to his dining table.
“Do you mind if I use your bathroom?”
“It’s on the corner to the left.” Calder pointed in the direction.
Calder and I set up the table. He brought the roasted lamb, and I took the salad and bread. He came back with a bottle of wine.
“How did you learn to cook?”
“I worked in a restaurant in college. The chef was good to me. He packed me food before I went home because he knew I still had to study. He also taught me some recipes.”
“My parents died when I was young. Kent adopted me and never saw me differently.”
“He’s human?”
“Yes. I was supposed to work for him, but Califf kidnapped me.” I smiled when I saw him behind me.
“I told you they didn’t kidnap you.” He came behind and kissed my exposed shoulder.
“Well, you didn’t let me go either.” I looked at smiling Calder. “He starved me for three days.”
“He what?” His eyes grew wide.
“She wanted to leave, but I couldn’t let her go,” he said without hesitation as he sat next to me.
“So, you two are mates, right?”
“So you haven’t met yours?” I asked.
He slowly shook his head. Confusion plastered on his face as he put a slice of lamb into my plate.
“Are you dating anyone?” I passed the bowl of salad to Califf.
“Baby.” Califf squeezed my knee under the table.
“It’s fine. No. I had a girlfriend for two years. We broke up because she said I was weird.” He poured wine into the glasses before he sat down. “And she wanted to date a normal guy, not sneaking out in the middle of the night.”
“When you meet your mate, you can’t stay away from them nor keep your hands to yourself. The mating bond is hard to resist. You both are like magnets. You become protective of her. And you even like all the bad things about her.”
“Is that what happened to both of you?”
“Worse. She rejected me,” Califf said drily.
“Isn’t that supposed to be painful?” His question made me pause.
Califf looked at his brother. “So you know?”
“Yes. I asked someone. An older woman. She has an apothecary near my old home, but she’s a werewolf.”
Califf nodded. “How do you suppress your wolf? Do you feel him?”
“I don’t know.” He shook his head. More confusion flustered on his face.
“You must know if you have a wolf. You’re the son of an alpha. Your werewolf gene is stronger than your human side.”
“I took Wolfsbane essence.”
I gasped. “I heard about it.”
Califf groaned at me. “Care to explain, wife?”
Calder chuckled.
“Remember when I went to see Zarah? I asked if there’s something to keep a wolf dormant inside, and she mentioned that.” I looked at Calder. “Does it hurt?”
“For a few tries, yes. It felt like I was melting, but I had to do it because I was scared.”
“You don’t have family from your mother’s side?”
“Easy,” I said through our link.
“I have relatives, but he died years ago. One of the reasons I want to meet you and your father is to learn about what’s inside me.”
“He’s your father, too, Calder,” Califf said calmly, making me relax. I thought it was a kind gesture. “I met our father yesterday. He told me you met my parents.”
“Yes. We did. Eleanor is very kind.”
“She is the best,” I said proudly.
“You should stop taking Wolfsbane essence. It will kill your wolf. You should embrace what you are. If you want my help, you only have to ask me. I will help and guide you if you’re willing to go through the transformation process.”
“I can’t lose control. I have a regular, normal, mundane job.”
I felt the fear in his voice. I understood him. I was just like him growing up, alone, and no one knew what I was until Kent helped me figure it out instead of casting me out of his life.
“You won’t. That’s why I am here to help. Shadow and the other pack members will help you. You don’t have to lock yourself during full moon once you shift fully.”
“I’ll think about it.” He nodded as he sliced the meat on his plate.
“Do you know what rogue means?”
“Yeah. A werewolf without a pack,” he replied to me.
“Technically, you’re a rogue, and that’s dangerous for you to leave alone. I was a rogue for many years. My adopted father, Kent, bought land so I could run and let my wolf free, catching rabbits, but it didn’t feel the same compared to being in a pack. Now, I feel complete. Trust me, once you adopt your true nature, you feel freer. We will help you. I will help you, and you should know that you are not alone anymore. You have Califf, Waylon, and you have the entire pack.”
“Your mother. Did she ever suspect something different about you?” Califf asked.
“I guess so. When I was a kid, she kept telling me I was special.”