A J Jarrett Warriors of the Light 04 Garrett's Choice

Warriors of the Light 4

Garrett’s Choice

Garrett Carrington’s been raised since birth to be a fierce and
respected alpha, but all the traits adored by others do nothing to

impress his warrior mate.

Lachlan Campbell pushes Garrett’s control at every turn, and when
he tries to bring his warrior mate to heel, Lachlan refuses. Now

left alone, Garrett’s starting to wonder if what he thought he once
wanted is worth losing his mate over.

With a witch among them, Lachlan has been forced to move back
in with Garrett to search for the evil plaguing the Carrington pack.

Giving a second chance, Garrett’s going to do whatever it takes to
win back Lachlan’s affection.

After receiving information from an unexpected source, Garrett
and Lachlan must put aside their differences and work together to
save the future of the pack and each other. In a blink of an eye,

Garrett is forced to choose between what’s expected of him and
what he truly desires.

Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Shape-shifters
Length: 58,032 words

GARRETT’S CHOICE

Warriors of the Light 4

AJ Jarrett

EROTIC ROMANCE

MANLOVE

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove

GARRETT’S CHOICE
Copyright © 2013 by AJ Jarrett
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62242-193-0

First E-book Publication: January 2013

Cover design by Christine Kirchoff
All cover art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be
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All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance
to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers

Dear Readers,

If you have purchased this copy of Garrett’s Choice by AJ Jarrett
from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also,
thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

Regarding E-book Piracy

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DEDICATION

For Tatum and Lauren. Without your help the majority of my

characters would be nameless. Thank you, girls.

GARRETT’S CHOICE

Warriors of the Light 4

AJ JARRETT

Chapter One

Four weeks ago

“I don’t understand why you have to go.” Garrett stepped in

Lachlan’s path to the front door. “We’ve only just met, and I can’t
stand the thought of losing you. And if you walk out that door that’s
exactly what will happen.”

Lachlan released a heavy sigh as he stared his mate in the eye. He

understood Garrett’s concern, but he was a Warrior of the Light. This
was his job. The constant danger and risk he took daily was a part of
his occupation. If Garrett had any hope of making a go of this
relationship, the man had better come to terms with that and soon.
Being a warrior was who Lachlan was, and nothing would ever
change that, not even his soul mate.

“Garrett, I’m going to be fine.” Lachlan cupped the side of

Garrett’s stubble-covered cheek. The short, sharp hairs tickled his
palms and sent an erotic yearning down to his toes. He wanted to
reassure his mate, but he also wanted to take the man in his arms and
make love until neither one of them could walk. His heart and brain
were at war with the correct action to take where his job and mate
were concerned.

Garrett’s Choice

“I bet every warrior who has died has said the same thing.”

Garrett scoffed. “I’m the alpha of this pack, and you no longer need to
sacrifice yourself for the council.”

Oh hell no he didn’t just say that. Like I need him to take care of

me.

Lachlan dropped his hand from Garrett’s cheek. “I’m going to

ignore what you just said because I know it must have come out
wrong.” Lachlan sidestepped Garrett and headed for the door. “I don’t
need anyone to take of me. I’m a warrior for god’s sake. I’m more
than capable of taking care of myself. So if you will excuse me, I
have a friend’s mate to go help save.”

“Baby, stop, please.” He felt the light pressure as Garrett grabbed

ahold of his arm. “I’m just scared. I don’t mean to come off as an
insensitive ass, but you’re mine, and I’m yours. Doesn’t that mean
anything to you?” Garrett’s chin dropped to his chest, and he stared at
the floor.

He didn’t like to hear the sadness in Garrett’s voice or to look

upon the turmoil on his face. Life was full of right and wrong
decisions, and he couldn’t afford to fuck up. They had to save Miles.
It was the right thing to do. But he also had to take in consideration
his mate’s feelings.

Fuck! Why does it have to be so hard?
“Garrett.” Lachlan placed a finger under his mate’s chin and

forced his head up. “I swear to you on my honor, I’ll be back. Not
even god himself could keep me away.” He brushed his lips lightly
against Garrett’s. “Knowing I have you waiting for me, gives me
every reason to be smart and safe while I’m out there. Please have
faith in me.”

“I do. It’s just the alpha in me wanting to order you to stay here

where I can keep you safe. I know you’re a Warrior of the Light and
well trained in the art of fighting but tell that to the man inside me,
hungering for his mate.”

AJ Jarrett

Lachlan stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Garrett’s

neck and kissed the man for all he was worth. The kiss was forceful
with their tongues dueling for possession of the other. Lachlan
couldn’t hold back. He had to put everything he couldn’t say into that
one kiss. Garrett had to believe he’d be back because one way or
another he would. Even if it was his brother bringing his body back
for Garrett to bury, Lachlan would be back. Granted, he hoped it
didn’t come to that, but life was unpredictable, and he was being a
selfish prick for making promises he and Garrett knew Lachlan
couldn’t guarantee.

Slowly, Lachlan pulled away from Garrett. His men were outside

waiting on him. He looked longingly into his mate’s eyes. “Trust in
me. I’ll be back.” With one last kiss he walked out the door.

He didn’t look back. The heavy, intense stare of his mate stabbed

him in the back. If he looked over his shoulder, it might just have
been enough to make him stay.

“Hey, bro, everything all right?”
“Yeah, I’m great. I just met my mate, and I’m off to battle against

a psychotic lunatic. What could possibly be upsetting me?” he said
sarcastically. He knew his brother meant well, but it didn’t help
alleviate the pain he felt from walking away from Garrett.

“That has to be rough, man.” Lawson patted his shoulder. “But we

Campbells were built for fighting, and we come from tougher stock
than those fucking idiot Warriors of the Dark.”

He wanted to believe what his brother said, but doubt was an evil

bitch. It played with a person’s mind until they started to believe it,
and the next thing that happened would be he’d make a mistake and
not only get himself killed but his fellow warriors or even worse, his
brother.

Lachlan scrubbed a hand down his face. He needed to get over his

shit and get his game face on. The dark warriors were always ready to
throw down. That meant they had to bring their A game and kick
some serious ass and rescue Miles.

Garrett’s Choice

“You’re right. Let’s do this.” Lachlan high-fived his brother and

hopped into the SUV. His fellow warrior Quinn sat in the driver’s seat
ready to take them to their destination. Lachlan relaxed back in his
seat. He needed to get his wits about him and focus on the battle
ahead.

With one last glance back toward the large, cabin-style house,

Lachlan caught sight of something running toward the car. It wasn’t a
man but a wolf. It tried to catch up to the car, but Quinn had put his
foot to the pedal, accelerating quickly. The wolf gave off one long
howl, and Lachlan knew what his mate was trying to say. Be safe.

* * * *

The battle was dirty. They found the house, and Malcolm had

been prepared for them. A fight ensued until the majority of the dark
warriors were dead or dying, or they ran off like the pussies they truly
were.

Lachlan witnessed something that night he hoped never to see

again. In an attempt to save his mate, Miles sacrificed himself for
Ben. It was the most selfless act he had ever witnessed. But thanks to
Astrid, a witch held captive with Miles, Miles was saved with the help
of Ben’s vampire blood.

It was all too much to see and be a part of. Lachlan craved his

mate more than ever. To be in his arms, to kiss his strong, sure lips,
and to just be with the one man created just for him.

After they reached the warrior compound, Lachlan grabbed his

truck keys and headed toward Garrett’s house. Life was fragile for
human and paranormal alike. He had to show Garrett how much he
had already grown to love and care about him. The bond had started
to form, and there was no way to stop it. They were destined to be
together by fate.

The sun had started to rise as he reached pack lands. He pulled

into the driveway, screeched to a halt, and sprayed gravel into the

AJ Jarrett

yard. Lachlan threw the car into park and jumped out. As he started to
run to the front of the house, a large wolf ambled down the porch.

Lachlan stopped. His heart pounded out of control, and his breath

rushed out of him in deep, heavy pants. A wolf with black, shiny fur
trotted up to him. Garrett in wolf form definitely outweighed Lachlan
when in his lion form. Lachlan would estimate Garrett’s wolf to be as
big as a freaking moose and lined with thick muscle.

“Garrett,” Lachlan said softly. The clear blue eyes staring back at

him made Lachlan’s knees go wobbly. The first time he’d seen
Garrett’s eyes, Lachlan was a goner. His soul got sucked into those
peepers to mingle and combine with Garrett’s to become one.

A light breeze blew across his face, and Lachlan felt goose bumps

prickle across his skin. He gazed up at his mate. The wolf started to
quiver, and its body fell to the ground. The sound of bones popping
and joints going back to normal size crackled like popcorn popping.
The sound was grotesque, but it was a part of shifting from human to
animal and vice versa.

It only took about twenty seconds for Garrett to fully turn back

into himself. He kneeled on the ground, naked, with a fine sheen of
sweat covering his body.

Lachlan’s cock pulsed in his pants, and he stepped toward his

mate. He had to quench his desire for the only man he’d ever give his
heart to.

As he got closer, Garrett stood up. Lachlan’s eyes locked on his

mate’s broad shoulders, tracing down to his rippled abdomen that
tapered down to the muscled V of his waist. The sheer strength his
body emitted spurred on Lachlan’s desire.

Garrett closed the distance between them and wrapped his strong

arms around Lachlan’s waist. The robust, outdoors, wild scent of his
mate was like a punch to the gut, knocking Lachlan off his feet.

Garrett smashed his mouth down hard onto his. His mate’s tongue

plunged deep, and Lachlan held on. The aggressive nature of the kiss
spurred Lachlan’s libido.

Garrett’s Choice

Garrett started to pull and tug at his clothes, and Lachlan leaned

back. “Baby, stop.” Lachlan looked around them. “We can’t do this
out here.”

“In the woods.” Garrett’s excited eyes darted between his. “I want

to take my mate under the sky and in front of nature.” He trailed his
fingertips down Lachlan’s cheek. “Can I claim you on the grass-
covered ground, with the birds to serenade us?”

“Yes.” That was all he got out before Garrett lifted him off his

feet. Lachlan wrapped his legs around the man and allowed himself to
be carried to the woods surrounding the house. He wasn’t small, but
Garrett was larger. It still must have been a sight for someone to
witness if they saw his mate carrying him across the yard.

Garrett started to run, and Lachlan rested his head on the man’s

shoulder. He didn’t want to block Garrett’s view of what lay ahead.
They were paranormal and immortal, but still, a fall to the ground
would hurt like hell and put a damper on the moment.

The speed his mate used was impressive. Before long they were in

a clearing in the woods. A small brook trickled on the far side of the
area. Birds chirped here and there. The sights and sounds were
romantic. Lachlan felt the sensual pull of this place as if going back to
the basic needs of life where there were no thrills or expensive things,
just two men coming together to start their forever.

His mate laid him on the ground and hastily removed Lachlan’s

clothing. Garrett’s moves were precise and confident. A man sure of
one thing, that sex was most certainly in his near future.

“I’m going to love you so good, you’ll never want to leave me

again,” Garrett said as his eyes and hands roamed over Lachlan’s
now-naked body.

Lachlan let what Garrett said go without a fight. He hated that

Garrett still thought he left him on purpose, because he didn’t. He was
a warrior. It was part of his job to assist when need be.

Garrett urged Lachlan’s arms up over his head and gave him a

look that said not to move. He then trailed his tongue down Lachlan’s

AJ Jarrett

neck to his hardened nipples. His mate’s moist, smooth tongue lapped
around the pebbled peaks, alternating from left to right. Lachlan
squirmed on the ground. The pleasure too much to bear. His cock had
swelled to beyond the point of pain. He needed to come and fast.

“Fuck, Garrett.” Lachlan put his hands on Garrett’s shoulders and

tried to push him to the desired location he wanted his lover to be.
“Suck me. I can’t stand it anymore. I need to come.”

Garrett started to chuckle. “You’re not going to come until I’m in

this sweet ass.” He squeezed Lachlan’s ass in clarification. “The first
time you release your seed and scream out my name in pleasure I’m
going to be buried so far inside you, you’ll know who you belong to.”

Again the wording sounded a bit off. Technically he didn’t belong

to anyone, but he wanted his heart to belong to Garrett. He blamed the
intensity of the situation for Garrett’s poor choice in wording.

“Then you better fuck me now. I don’t want to wait any longer.”

Lachlan could hear the pleading in his voice, but he didn’t care. As
long as it got him what he wanted, fuck his pride. He grabbed the
sides of Garrett’s face and let his sharp nails come out to lightly graze
across his mate’s flesh. “Claim me.”

Garrett let out a low growl and captured Lachlan’s lips in a

searing kiss. He forced Lachlan’s hands back over his head. He eased
a hand between them and used his fingers to swipe up the pre-cum
leaking from the head of Lachlan’s cock. The fingers then went lower
to play across Lachlan’s rippled entrance. Lachlan felt his hole flutter
at the contact. He edged his hips forward trying to get the teasing
fingers in deeper.

Garrett smiled mischievously down at him. “Are you impatient,

my love?”

“Fuck yeah.” Lachlan didn’t have any pretty words for his lover.

He was beyond that at the moment. Lachlan needed a solid, hot, and
thick cock inside him stat.

Garrett pushed up on one arm to hover over Lachlan. He then used

his free hand to rub his damp tip over Lachlan’s heated hole. Lachlan

Garrett’s Choice

roared his frustration, sending some birds in a nearby tree to flight.
Garrett smiled down at him and pushed forward in one forceful thrust.

“Holy shit!” Lachlan hadn’t bottomed in a long while, and the

burn was intense. He sucked in mouthful after mouthful of air. His ass
tightened around the large pole shoved up nice and deep. He just
needed a second to adjust.

His mate didn’t move or rush him. Garrett lowered his body to

cover him, and the slight shift caused Lachlan to jerk beneath his
mate.

“Shh, breathe, Lachlan.” Garrett dropped soft, gentle kisses to

Lachlan’s jawline and cheeks. “Accept me into your body.”

Lachlan tried to do as Garrett asked, but without lube his channel

wanted to protest the dry claiming. He closed his eyes and wiggled
slightly to accommodate the large dick in his body. After a few swirls
of his hips, the pain ebbed a bit. The pinch of pain added to the fire
coursing through Lachlan’s cock to settle in his balls. He wanted
more.

Garrett growled as he plowed forward taking what he wanted

from Lachlan’s greedy hole. With every slap of Garrett’s hips,
Lachlan raised up to deepen the stroke. Now that the pain faded to
mind-blowing arousal like he never felt before, Lachlan needed more.
If Garrett wanted to shove his balls in Lachlan’s ass, he’d let the man.
He craved everything about his mate and wanted the man to crawl
inside him and never leave.

“So tight, so good,” Garrett grunted. “Please god, say you’re

close. I’m not going to last much longer. It’s been too long.” Garrett’s
hips never faltered.

Reaching between their bodies, Lachlan fisted his overheated

cock. The veins bulged around his length feeling about ready to burst.
Lachlan stroked the taut skin in quick tugs. He wanted them to come
together this first time.

“Yeah, that’s it. Fuck yourself for me baby.” Garrett groaned as

pulled out of Lachlan’s body. He bent his head forward, where

AJ Jarrett

Lachlan’s leg creased at the hip and bit down hard. Lachlan gasped at
the initial contact. Garrett’s canines sliced through Lachlan’s skin like
a knife through butter.

“Garrett!” Lachlan screamed heavenward. The bite almost threw

him over the edge to utter and complete ecstasy.

“Hang on, baby.” Garrett bit into his own wrist then swiped up a

collection of his and Lachlan’s blood and covered his cock in the
fluid. Grabbing Lachlan around the hips he surged back in, balls deep.

Lachlan lifted his legs higher in the air, needing more of that

deep-seated pleasure only a hard cock fucking him good and proper
could supply.

He kept the steady down-up pull on his dick. The tingling in his

balls fanned out across his body, making him feel a warm and fuzzy
heat in his veins. He locked eyes with Garrett as the first jet of cum
left his body to spatter along his chest.

Garrett’s hips moved at supersonic speed as he slammed into

Lachlan’s body. Lachlan’s ass muscles contracted around Garrett’s
length, sucking the pearly-white seed from his mate’s body. Garrett’s
breath hitched and his body went jackknife straight. His body was like
an angled plank across Lachlan, every muscle strung taut and
quivering as Garrett’s cum bathed Lachlan’s insides.

Lachlan could feel pieces of Garrett’s soul fuse to his, melding

together as one. They were no longer two separate souls but one
stronger that held the promise of eternal love.

When the spasms died off, Garrett fell forward resting his chest

against Lachlan’s. Lachlan had to admit that was one of the best
things about having a male lover, never having the fear of crushing
his partner. He loved to feel the heavy weight of a man surrounding
him, and now Garrett held that honor for the rest of his life. Lachlan
hugged Garrett close, tucking his head into his mate’s neck, breathing
in the scent of their lovemaking.

“It’s done,” Garrett whispered into his ear. “We’re bonded

together until death do us part.”

Garrett’s Choice

A smile curled his upper lip. “I love the sound of that,” Lachlan

said, unashamed to admit it. Garrett was a good man who would love
him forever.

AJ Jarrett

Chapter Two

“So let me get this straight.” Lachlan sat forward in his chair to

stare at Ben. “I’m being ordered by the council to move back in with
my mate?” Taking a breath, Lachlan took a moment to arrange his
thoughts. “Excuse me if I’m wrong on this, but since when is it the
council’s business what takes place between mated couples?”

Lachlan didn’t like being a hard-ass, but Ben knew why he left

Garrett. After only one fucking week of actually living together, the
whole relationship went south. Garrett felt since he was the alpha that
Lachlan had to obey his orders. Well that was all fine in theory, but
that was not the way Lachlan had been wired.

Garrett being a demanding prick was only half the problem. There

were some of Garrett’s pack members who just flat-out hated
Lachlan. They thought him being a lion shifter made him less of a
paranormal being when compared to a wolf. The things they would
say were just too disrespectful for Lachlan to have to bear. If he
stayed beyond the one week he tried to make the relationship work,
he’d be charged with murder. The teasing and callous attitude was too
much for a man to have to handle. So Lachlan did the adult thing and
left.

Garrett tried to give some song and dance that he had to stay

impartial with these matters. Lachlan understood that, he truly did.
With the witch, Damon, on the loose, they had to take precautions,
but Garrett could have at least stood up for him and made it clear that
Lachlan was to be treated fairly.

Garrett’s Choice

“Typically they don’t, but this is a different matter altogether.”

Ben ran a hand through the already-mussed strands. Lachlan could see
the strain on his boss’s face from having to request this of him.

“How so?” Lachlan asked.
“Questioning Garrett’s pack hasn’t gotten us anywhere. Either

they don’t know anything or they’re just not talking. Take your pick.
But now there is talk about the pack wanting to appoint a new alpha.
It’s all hearsay, but you never know. I’ve met a few of the Carrington
Pack members, and they all seem to just adore Garrett. So this could
just be the council getting their panties in a twist.”

“Ben, how does all this involve me?” Lachlan didn’t understand

how his choosing to leave Garrett had any effect on the council and
the possibility of Garrett losing his rank as alpha. Garrett was a fit and
athletic guy. He’d win against any challenger who would choose to
fight the man. “Garrett’s a fierce and strong alpha. He wouldn’t lose a
fight for his leadership.” Lachlan shrugged like what he said made
perfect sense and that anyone would have to agree.

“I’d like to agree with that assessment, but we can’t chance it.

With the possibility of witches being involved with this wolf pack, we
can’t allow them to let another wolf challenge Garrett for alpha. This
could be the witch’s plan all along. There’re too many unknowns for
us to just put Garrett at risk of losing leadership of his pack.”

“Once again how does this involve me?” Lachlan was getting

snappy, but he wanted the straight truth.

“It boils down to this.” Ben pointed his finger across the desk at

Lachlan. “You need to move back in with your mate and show a
united front. There are talks that some of the wolves in his pack aren’t
happy that the alpha’s mate has chosen to live away from him. They
think if Garrett can’t control you, then he can’t keep control of the
pack.”

A bitter taste clung to Lachlan’s tongue. There’s that word again,

control. What was with these wolves and the need to control
everything and everyone in their path? He didn’t want to let down the

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council, but Lachlan felt as if he was selling his soul if he agreed to
this arrangement. He understood the circumstances if a corrupt wolf
took over the pack, but did Lachlan have to sacrifice himself to
prevent that from happening?

“What if I say no?” he had to ask. What were his options if he

defied the council?

Ben snapped his fingers and pointed at Lachlan again. “See, I

knew you would ask that and told my father as such.” Lachlan
watched as Ben rummaged through the papers on his desk looking for
something. Ben’s father, Benedict, was a bigwig over at council
headquarters. His job consisted of running all sections of the Warriors
of the Light and serving as head of security at the Council of
Paranormal Beings. A lot rested on Benedict’s shoulders, and the man
at times liked to flaunt his power when the need called for it, and
Lachlan crossed his fingers praying this wasn’t one of those times.

“Oh, here it is.” Ben pulled out a paper out from under his

keyboard. He held it up and stared over at Lachlan. “Now remember
these are my father’s words, not mine. Okay?” Lachlan nodded his
understanding.

“He said that if you refuse to do as the council has asked, he’ll

send your cat ass up to Alaska. Where you”—Ben darted his eyes up
from the paper—“I’m quoting this here, can freeze your furry little
ass off.”

Lachlan’s head fell to his shoulders. Shit! He knew Benedict

meant it, too. That guy didn’t fuck around. When he gave an order, he
expected it to be followed through without question.

A loud grunt followed by a low growl rumbled across the room.

Lachlan turned to see his mate glaring at Ben. Garrett’s hands were
wrapped tightly around the chair’s arm rests, displaying white,
bloodless knuckles from the death grip he had on the poor chair.

“What?” Ben asked. He had one eyebrow cocked in question. “I

didn’t write this.”

Garrett’s Choice

Lachlan stared at his mate who fidgeted in his chair. Garrett’s tan

skin had a hint of pink underlying tones, causing the skin to
absolutely glow. There had never been a question in Lachlan’s mind
that Garrett’s was beyond handsome, but looks weren’t everything.

After several seconds and some deep breathing, Garrett finally

spoke. “I just don’t like my mate to be spoken to like that. Be it face-
to-face or through the written word. Lachlan should be treated with
respect.”

“Oh please.” Lachlan rolled his eyes. “Now you want to stick up

for me?” He turned his full attention to Garrett. “The phrase too little
too late was invented for moments just like this.”

“Dear god, you are a thickheaded man!” Garrett shifted to stare

daggers at Lachlan. “I’ve always had your back, but I’m the alpha of
my pack. I have to be neutral, especially now with that fucking witch
on the loose.”

“It goes beyond just that.” Lachlan stood up. “You treat me as if

I’m to be your trained little puppy always at attention and ready to do
as you wish. Fuck that and fuck you.” He was losing his shit, but he
couldn’t help it. He’d just been ordered to go live with Garrett or go
freeze his butt off in Alaska. Either way he was fucked.

Garrett rose to his full six and half feet and took a step toward

Lachlan. Lachlan was only a few inches shorter than Garrett, but he
still had to fight the need to take a step back from the animalistic
craze swirling in the stormy, blue depths of his mate’s eyes.

Lachlan held his ground, unwilling to show any signs of

weakness. To cower in defeat would only prove to Garrett that
Lachlan needed to be taken care of and that he should retire from
serving with the Warriors of the Light.

Heat radiated off of Garrett’s body in subtle waves, causing

Lachlan’s skin to tingle with awareness. Garrett’s intimidating frame
always had the opposite effect on Lachlan. He wanted to hang on to
his anger, but being so near to the one man that held his heart broke

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down Lachlan’s resolve. It almost made Lachlan want to forget his
checklist for the perfect mate and Garrett’s controlling ways. Almost.

Garrett, being an alpha, loved to be in charge, and secretly,

Lachlan kind of liked that about his mate, but he also wanted Garrett
to know he wasn’t going to be pushed around just because fate stuck
him with an alpha. There was no denying he was attracted to Garrett,
but sexual attraction and sex were only a small part of any mating.
Respect and understanding were key to making any relationship work.
But damn if standing this close to his most desired temptation didn’t
crack the majority of his resolve.

“Are you damaged?” Garrett asked in a low whisper. “I fucking

love you, and all I get in return is what I didn’t do or how I did it
wrong. You’re impossible to please.” Garrett grabbed Lachlan by the
biceps and squeezed the firm muscles tightly in his grasp. A shudder
zinged through Lachlan’s body at the rough touch. “I have half a mind
to bend you over my knee.”

Lachlan’s lips parted, and all the air in his lungs rushed out. The

air crackled between them and Lachlan could feel the electric current
move across his flesh. He couldn’t help but be turned on by Garrett’s
aggressive, take-charge attitude.

“Okay, that’s enough, you two.” Ben stood, placed his hands on

his desk, and leaned across it. “I get you guys have some unresolved
issues, but you’ll have to figure that out on your own time. Now
please sit back in your seats.”

Garrett’s eyes never left Lachlan’s. Lachlan watched as Garrett’s

pupils shrunk back to normal size, but he could still hear the rapid
tempo of his mate’s heart rate. With a look to Ben, Garrett released
Lachlan’s arms and went to his seat.

The temperature in the room felt as if it had dropped twenty

degrees. Without his mate’s touch, Lachlan felt bereft. He wanted to
seek out more of that scorching heat his mate emitted through his
pores, but to do that would be to admit defeat and play by Garrett’s
rules, and Lachlan wasn’t ready to do that.

Garrett’s Choice

Lachlan fell back into his chair and stared at the floor in front of

him. His skin itched with the need to come, and his cock had filled to
half-mast, but he refused to acknowledge the bulge in his jeans.
Garrett was undoubtedly an attractive man. His body’s reaction had
nothing to do with love. It was just a means to an end. And the end
was Lachlan screaming wildly as he shot his load across Garrett’s
finely chiseled chest.

“You have to go. There’s no choice in the matter,” Ben answered

before Lachlan could speak. “I can tell by the look on your face that
you don’t like this, but you have to see the magnitude of the situation.
I, no, we need your cooperation in this matter, Lachlan.” The hard
lines around Ben’s mouth and eyes softened. “Please, my friend. Help
us catch this witch.”

Ben had been a good friend and an excellent leader to Lachlan.

He’d probably do anything the man asked of him, even this. Lachlan
chewed on the inside of his cheek as he gave one more moment’s
thought to what he already knew he’d agree to. “Okay.”

“Thank you, Lachlan. The council and I both appreciate your

willingness to help out.”

Lachlan gave one last quick nod to Ben and stood to leave. The

council needed him to be professional and do his job. Being a Warrior
of the Light gave his life purpose, and he didn’t want to let down the
only family that accepted him and his brother, Lawson, when their
pride threw them out.

As he reached the door, with his hand on the knob, he turned to

Garrett. “I’ll be to your home as soon as I can.” Lachlan pulled it
open and stepped out into the hallway. “When I get there you can give
me the details of what is to be expected of me.”

Not waiting for an answer, Lachlan headed down the hallway that

led to the staircase. He needed to pack his things and head out before
he lost his nerve and couldn’t go through with it. Living apart from
Garrett made them not being together easier, but living under the
same roof? Now that would be more difficult. He was already

AJ Jarrett

suffering the aches and pains of not being with Garrett, and now the
temptation to assuage his desire lay within his reach.

“I’m so fucked,” Lachlan mumbled to himself as he made his way

to his bedroom. There wasn’t a timeline on how long he had to stay
with Garrett, so he might as well prepare himself for the long haul.
There were more important things at stake than his pride, and that’s
what made him an excellent warrior. He put others first and looked at
the big picture. And right now they had to find this witch running
amuck within the Carrington Pack. Lachlan couldn’t handle it if
someone else got hurt, or worse, lost their life.

* * * *

Garrett watched as Lachlan walked out the door and didn’t say a

word. Really, what could he say? He fucked up. Being an alpha didn’t
mean jack shit in his relationship with Lachlan. Lachlan wanted an
understanding and loving mate, not one wanting to control his every
move. Garrett didn’t do the things he did out of his need to control
Lachlan but more out of fear. He’d waited years to find his mate, and
to lose Lachlan would be his undoing. If Lachlan were to die during a
mission for the council, Garrett would be good as dead, too. The love
he had for Lachlan was so strong there was no way he could go on
without him.

“Will he ever forgive me?” Garrett asked Ben, hoping the other

man could give him some insight. Lachlan and he had only been
mates for a month, and Garrett didn’t know enough about Lachlan to
know how long the man could hold a grudge.

“I’m sure he will in time, but you need to give him some space.

Like most men he doesn’t do well when given orders he doesn’t agree
with. After what happened with his family, Lachlan keeps himself
guarded. He’s constantly in protect mode.”

“His family?” Garrett’s brows drew together in confusion. He

hated to admit it, but he didn’t know what Ben was referring to. He

Garrett’s Choice

and Lachlan hadn’t gotten that far in their relationship where they
shared their pasts with one another.

Ben narrowed his eyes at him. Garrett felt like he was being

judged for a crime he hadn’t known he committed. “Lachlan never
told you about this family or how he came to be a member of the
Warriors of the Light?” Garrett shook his head no. “Huh, that’s
interesting. One would think you all’s past would be at the top of the
list of topics to discuss.”

Garrett’s jaw started to tick as his teeth clinched tight. He didn’t

need another fucking reminder that he messed up. “Did you know
everything about Miles before you mated him?” He couldn’t hide the
anger in his voice.

The harsh look on Ben’s face slowly dissipated to be replaced by

an understanding glow in his eyes. Ben shook his head. “No, I didn’t.
I’m sorry, Garrett, that wasn’t fair to say. I know how this mating
thing can go. We don’t always think with our big heads first.”

“No we don’t, and apparently I didn’t think at all.” Garrett leaned

forward, rested his elbows on his knees, and dropped his head in his
hands. He dug his fingernails into his scalp, letting his claws extend.
The sharp bite of pain he inflicted on himself wasn’t enough to ease
the guilt he felt. “Can you tell me anything about Lachlan’s past?
Give me a hint of what I’m dealing with so I can make it better?” he
asked then slowly looked back up and was met by Ben’s pity-filled
eyes.

“I’m sorry, Garrett, it’s not my tale to tell. Like I said just give

him time. I know with you being an alpha it will be hard when
Lachlan refuses your requests, but you have to let him be the man he
always has been. Don’t try and change him.”

Garrett let out a harsh laugh. “That is going to be hard. No offense

to the council and the Warriors of the Light, but being a warrior is a
dangerous job. I can’t help but want to keep him safe.”

“I can relate, but you need to let him be him. Lachlan has been in

charge of his own life for quite a while now, and he can’t just submit

AJ Jarrett

to your every whim no matter how much you want him to.” Ben
shrugged a shoulder. “Being mated is one of the best things that can
happen to you, but it’s also a lot of work. You’re going to disagree on
things, but you have to learn to trust in each other. Lachlan needs to
learn that as well. You’re not the only one to blame for this separation
between you two.”

Ben’s words helped relieve some of the guilt he felt but not all of

it. He didn’t want to blame Lachlan for anything, but the man never
gave Garrett a chance to apologize or to explain.

“Thank you, Ben.” Garrett stood and so did Ben. He shook the

offered hand then turned to leave.

A lot of work needed to be done to prepare for Lachlan’s arrival.

A part of him wanted to demand Lachlan stay in his room. They were
mates after all, but that would be met with a fight. Lachlan needed
space, and Garrett was going to give it to him.

The room next to his was currently occupied by his next in

command, Wes. He’d have him move down the hall and give Lachlan
that room. Lachlan would have his own space but also be close
enough to Garrett that he could keep an eye on him. It made Garrett
feel better knowing his mate would be close. Lachlan may not desire
his touch right now, but that could change if Garrett played his cards
right.

Garrett’s Choice

Chapter Three

Lachlan pulled up outside of Garrett’s house and stared at the

large home that looked like an oversized log cabin. It was beautiful. It
looked warm and inviting to any person passing by, but all it held for
Lachlan were bad memories of what should have been.

“Please, god, give me the strength to do this,” Lachlan mumbled

to himself as he pushed himself up and out of the car. He shut the
door quietly, not wanting to tip off any of the wolves on the property
that he had arrived.

In the four short weeks he’d known his mate, the bad memories

far outweighed the good. Some of Garrett’s pack, not all but some,
didn’t care much for Lachlan. They felt a lion shifter was beneath the
wolf species and treated Lachlan like he was something nasty one
would find on the bottom of their shoe.

Lachlan wasn’t the easiest person to get to know, but he tried with

Garrett’s pack. When they’d ignore him or refuse to run with him,
Lachlan would just nod his head and not say anything. Lions and
wolves were different. Lachlan could respect their need to get used to
him, but how long would it have to take? He’d only given it a week,
and it was more due to Garrett than the other wolves that he didn’t
stay longer. Garrett wanted Lachlan’s total submission. To do as he
said without hesitation, and Lachlan just couldn’t bring himself to do
that.

It wasn’t that Garrett was a bad mate, just a controlling one. And

Lachlan had a feeling that Garrett couldn’t control his domineering
ways, but it didn’t make it okay. One mate couldn’t micromanage
everything the other one did. It wasn’t fair or right and would

AJ Jarrett

inadvertently push the other mate away. It was sad but true, and this is
what had happened to Lachlan and Garrett.

Lachlan could feel the heat infuse in his cheeks, and his pulse

started to rise with his frustration. Wanting to protect one’s mate was
one thing, but to demand they give up all they’d ever known was
another. Lachlan could understand the fear Garrett must feel when he
would go out on missions, but Lachlan couldn’t just shut off who he
was to appease his mate. The Warriors of the Light took him and his
brother, Lawson, in when their family tossed them away. To leave his
fellow warriors now would be a slap in the face to the family he’d
created with the other men.

Lachlan was a lion shifter, and typically all lions belonged to a

pride, which is similar to a wolf pack, a large extended family that
lived and hunted together. The stronger and more stable the pride, the
less risk of being overtaken by another pride or another class of
shifters. The paranormal world had its good and bad elements just like
human society. They also had prejudice.

His brother, Lawson, had been caught in a compromising position

with another man, a human man. If it wasn’t bad enough that he was
gay, he got caught floundering around with a human. The pride they
belonged to didn’t like humans, thought them a mistake amongst
nature.

Lawson was immediately exiled from the pride and Lachlan

followed along beside his brother. He wouldn’t allow his twin to be
sent away on his own. Lachlan and Lawson were identical, but
beyond that Lawson was more than just his brother. He was the other
part of Lachlan’s soul. He could not and would not live without
Lawson’s love and understanding and wouldn’t bestow that fate upon
Lawson. They were family, and family stuck together. At least in his
book they did, but obviously not his in his folks’.

Lachlan and Lawson left that day never to return. Their mother

had been saddened as he and his brother set off into the great
unknown, but their father wasn’t. His father looked relieved watching

Garrett’s Choice

them go. To have not one but two gay sons had been an
embarrassment to his father. His father couldn’t even look at them as
they walked away from the only home they had ever known.

An unwanted tear escaped Lachlan’s eye, and he quickly swiped it

away. Whenever he thought about the past, the emotions he didn’t
want to feel bubbled to the surface and weighed him down.

“Lachlan, is that you?”
Lachlan turned around to see Aaron coming toward him. Aaron

had been a member of the wolf pack that bordered alongside his
family’s pride. Even with the prejudice from Lachlan’s pride and
Aaron’s pack, they’d become good friends. When Lachlan and
Lawson left that day, Aaron wanted to come with them but Lachlan
told him to stay. They were young and none of them knew how to
survive without family. It wasn’t until years later when Aaron’s
parents died that he moved away. He didn’t want his little brother
growing up with the constant reminder their parents were never
coming back. He wanted Toby to have a fresh start.

Over the years they’d stayed in contact. Aaron was the only other

person besides Lawson who really knew him. There were times that
Lachlan wished he and Aaron had been destined mates. But nothing
ever came from wishing, and Lachlan decided friendship was better
than nothing.

“Aaron.” Lachlan slapped Aaron’s hand then pulled him into a

one-arm hug. “How’s it going?”

“Oh you know.” Aaron nodded his chin to his left. “Hanging out

with my brother. He still won’t go out alone ever since Lucian
attacked him.” Aaron turned concern-filled eyes back toward Lachlan.
“I’m worried about him, Lachlan.”

“Fuck,” Lachlan said as he pulled Aaron in for a tight hug. “I wish

that could have been prevented. I vow we will catch that sick bastard
and make him pay for what he’s done.”

AJ Jarrett

“I know.” Aaron stepped out of Lachlan’s embrace but held onto

his hand. “I never got the chance to thank you for not telling the
council or Ben the whole story involving Toby.”

Lachlan nodded his understanding. Lucian had lured Aaron’s little

brother Toby into the woods where he brutally raped and beat the
poor kid. When Aaron finally found Toby, Lucian was gearing up for
round two.

From what Aaron told Lachlan, he fought with Lucian and was

about to tear out his throat when one of Lucian’s goons intervened
and escorted an angry Lucian away, shouting out his warnings of
revenge. Aaron didn’t give chase because his brother needed him.
Toby hadn’t been the same since the attack, and Lachlan couldn’t
blame the poor kid.

Lachlan often wondered if anyone ever could truly recover from

such a terrible thing. Astrid had overcome his past, but Astrid had
Klaus to get him through the hard times. Lachlan started to think it
might do Toby some good to talk with Astrid. Maybe the young witch
could help Toby find the tools he needed to heal.

“Some things even the council doesn’t need to know.” Lachlan

looked over in Toby’s direction and saw the young wolf shuffling his
feet in the dirt, a faraway look in his eyes. “Don’t lose hope, Aaron.
It’s only been a month. Toby just needs some time.”

“Yeah, I just wish he’d talk to me. I think that’s what makes this

so hard. Part of me thinks he blames me for not being there.” Aaron
let go of Lachlan’s hand to ball up both his fists. “Fuck, I blame
myself for not being there. I promised to always watch out for him.”

“Come on, Aaron, you can’t think that way. There was no way for

you to know what was going to happen. You told me how Toby had
been acting out since the death of your parents. You and I both know
when you go looking for trouble, you’re bound to find it. It’s no
excuse, but you couldn’t have prevented this.”

Garrett’s Choice

Lachlan gave Aaron a moment to collect himself. After a few

deep breaths, Aaron rested his hands on his hips, and the pain etched
into his face subsided. “I know, but it doesn’t make it any easier.”

“I know, man. That’s what we big brothers do. Stand up for the

little guys in our life,” Lachlan teased.

Aaron chuckled. “Since when do you have a little brother? Last I

checked you and Lawson were twins.”

“That’s what Lawson says, but I was the first one to breathe actual

oxygen, therefore I’m older.” Lachlan cracked a smile. “Even if only
by thirty seconds.”

* * * *

Garrett stood by the window watching his mate and another wolf

outside talking. He grabbed ahold of the windowsill, his fingernails
digging into the hard wood. Jealousy like he never felt before swam in
his gut. He recognized the wolf to be Lachlan’s childhood friend
Aaron. Friends or not, it didn’t give Aaron the right to be touching his
mate. Especially when Garrett wasn’t allowed to touch him.

“Hmm. I see the kitty has come home.”
At the teasing, unkind words, Garrett swung around. A young

wolf by the name of Josh stood behind him glaring out the window.
The look of disgust was apparent on his youthful face.

Before thinking better of it, Garrett grabbed Josh by the throat and

backed him into the wall. “Watch what you say.” Garrett sneered
down into Josh’s face. “That man out there is my mate. You know
what that makes him?” He didn’t give the man a chance to respond.
“Co-alpha of this pack. So I suggest you get used to it or find another
wolf pack to call home.”

Garrett gave Josh one more hard shove against the wall then

released him. Josh didn’t utter a single word as Garrett walked away.
The days of him working to please the pack were over, and Josh and

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whoever else had an issue with him being mated to a lion shifter could
go fuck themselves.

“Everything okay?” Wes asked as Garrett stomped past him.
“Peachy,” Garrett muttered.
“So is it standard practice to toss around fellow pack members

now or some shit?”

Garrett turned to look at his next in command. “He insulted my

mate.”

“Oh.” Wes’s mouth rounded. “Well that’s a different story.”
“Yeah, it is.” Garrett walked down the hallway that led to his

office. He needed to cool off before Lachlan came inside.

“So what’s the game plan, chief?” Wes plopped down on to the

couch in Garrett’s office.

“First off we need to make sure the wolves not on board with my

mating keep their mouths shut. No more meowing when he walks by,
and those fucking cat remarks need to stop. He’s my mate and needs
to be treated as such. To insult Lachlan is like insulting me.”

Wes lounged back on the couch and propped his feet up on the

armrest. “So you finally figured it out, I see.”

“Huh?” Garrett looked at his oldest friend, confused by his

comment. “Figured what out?”

“Do you really want to know?” Garrett nodded yes. “Okay.” Wes

sat up. “I understand you’re caught between a rock and hard spot and
that your mind has been on other things since we found out about this
witch, but you kind of pushed Lachlan to the back burner.” Wes held
up his hand when Garrett went to protest the accusation. “I’m not
saying you meant to, but you did. You’ve been working around the
clock trying to pinpoint where this witch is and that left little time for
listening to your mate.”

Garrett scrubbed his hand down his face. Wes was right, but that

was only part of the problem. “Yeah I know, some of the wolves have
been nasty toward him, but I think I’m more to blame for something I
said.” He didn’t want to see the judgment on his friend’s face, but he

Garrett’s Choice

had to talk this thing out. Maybe Wes could help him or offer some
sort of advice. Wes was his second-in-command after all.

“Dear god.” Wes cupped his hands around his face. “What did

you say?”

“I asked, no, I demanded he leave the Warriors of the Light.”

Garrett’s head fell forward, and his chin rested against his chest.
Saying it out loud made him feel like shit. Asking that of Lachlan was
the equivalent of him asking Garrett to give up being alpha.

“Fuck, man,” Wes whispered under his breath. “That had to take

some balls.”

“Give me a break, would ya? I’m a freaking alpha. I demand shit

all the time.” He did, but somehow that excuse didn’t feel that solid of
a defense.

“Yes, you are, but that doesn’t mean you can demand things like

that from your mate. I don’t know Lachlan that well, but he doesn’t
look like a passive sort of guy, living to make you happy. I think
you’re going to have to do a lot of ass kissing to get back into that
man’s good graces.”

Garrett gave up trying to hold his head up and let it fall forward,

to bang hard on the desktop, but Garrett didn’t flinch. He deserved to
feel the pain. “Once again, I know,” Garrett mumbled into the hard,
flat surface.

“Acceptance is the first step, my friend.” Wes started to laugh.
“Fuck you,” Garrett said as he simultaneously gave Wes the bird.
“Hey don’t be hating on me because you fucked up. You just got

to woo your boy now. Get him to fall in love with you all over again.”

“You think he doesn’t love me?” Garrett looked up at Wes. The

feeling of dread filled his stomach. He never considered that before.

“Oh I’m sure he loves you, very much so, but he probably doesn’t

want to. So you have to show him you’ve changed. Set the few
wolves straight who keep giving Lachlan shit, and you need to let him
do what he wants, not what you want.”

AJ Jarrett

Garrett thought about it, and it made sense. “When did you get so

insightful?”

“From watching you make so many mistakes.” Wes smiled so

wide all Garrett could see were his pearly-white teeth.

“Asshole,” Garrett teasingly growled.
Wes stood and headed for the door. He glanced over his shoulder

as he turned the knob. “Still right though.”

Garrett tossed a pen in Wes’s direction only to hit the door as it

shut behind him.

Alone with his thoughts, Garrett started to draw up a mental plan

of action. From here on out he was going to make decisions for him,
not the pack as a whole. He’d still take care and protect the pack, but
he needed to focus on getting his mate back. Because if he didn’t
Garrett would go insane, and then what good would he be to his pack?

A light tapping had him looking toward his office door. “Your

mate is wanting to see you,” a nice female wolf by the name of Clara
said around the edge of the door. She was terribly shy but very kind.
Clara came from another pack a few years ago and was one of the
wolves that resided within his home.

“Thank you, Clara. Tell him I’ll be right out.”
“Sure thing, Garrett.” Clara dipped her head then eased the door

closed behind him.

Garrett took a few deep breaths to help calm his racing heart, but

it wasn’t helping. Nerves pricked at his skin as he rose to his feet and
headed out the door. He had to keep his temper reined in. If he blew
up on Lachlan, the man might actually take Benedict up on his offer
and move to Alaska.

As he came around the corner, Lachlan’s back was to him. He was

talking to Aaron and trying to talk with Aaron’s brother, Toby. But it
was pointless. Toby was still dealing with the trauma of his attack a
few weeks prior. Toby had been lured away into a situation he
couldn’t get out of, and now he was paying the price.

Garrett’s Choice

When Lachlan got closer and still neither Lachlan or Aaron turned

to acknowledge him, Garrett cleared his throat.

AJ Jarrett

Chapter Four

The sound of a throat clearing interrupted his and Aaron’s

conversation. He turned to see Garrett standing behind him. Lachlan
eyed him warily. The man looked like he was covered in sweat and
about ready to puke on the floor.

“Lachlan, I see you made it over okay.”
Lachlan watched as Garrett closed his eyes and cursed under his

breath. Very odd.

“What I meant to say is, I’m happy to see you.”
“Thanks,” Lachlan drew the word out real slow. Garrett looked

jumpy and he couldn’t put his finger on why.

“Aaron, thank you for greeting my mate.”
“My pleasure.” Aaron reached over and pinched Lachlan’s side.

Lachlan jumped then giggled at the faint tickle sensation it gave him.

The sound of a deep growl echoed in the entryway, and he and

Aaron both jumped.

“Could you please refrain from groping my mate while you’re

standing right in front of me?” Garrett’s voice was low and menacing.
The blue of Garrett’s irises swirled like a thunderstorm had erupted in
the man’s eyes.

“I’m sorry, Alpha. I meant no disrespect.” Aaron made to grab

Lachlan’s arm again and quickly let it fall to his side. “Lachlan, I’ll
talk to you later. I’m really glad you moved back in.”

Lachlan pulled Aaron into a final hug. He met Garrett’s eyes over

Aaron’s shoulder. Part of Lachlan wanted to smile at his mate.
Lachlan thought it’d be a good punishment for Garrett to watch him
be close with another person. But in the end he thought better of it.

Garrett’s Choice

Lachlan didn’t want things to get tough on Aaron because he was
acting childish.

“We’ll talk later.” He gave one more pat to Aaron’s back then

took a step back. Before he knew what he was doing, he shouted
Toby’s name. The kid looked back at him with wide eyes.
“Remember what I said. If you ever want to talk to Astrid, just let me
know.”

Toby nodded his head and started to walk back up the steps.

Aaron shrugged his shoulders in defeat and followed after his kid
brother. Lachlan really hoped Toby took him up on his offer. If
anyone knew what he was going through it would be Astrid.

“I never thought about that,” Garrett said softly. “Astrid would be

the ideal person for Toby to talk with about what happened.”

“You know?” Aaron didn’t tell Lachlan that Garrett was aware of

what happened to Toby. He assumed Aaron kept it secret from his
alpha as well.

“When Aaron brought Toby home, I was awake. I helped him care

for Toby. The kid was a mess and didn’t want anyone to know. So
when he asked me to not say anything, I didn’t.” Lachlan watched as
Garrett’s hands balled up into fists. “After we got Toby calmed down
and into bed, I went hunting for Lucian.”

“Why?” He felt silly for asking the obvious, but Lachlan wanted

to hear what Garrett would say.

“Because Toby deserved justice for what happened to him. Plus,

no one hurts one of mine and gets away from it. Fuck, Toby’s just a
kid for god’s sake. No one that young should ever know that kind of
pain.”

Lachlan watched as emotions flooded across Garrett’s face. The

man was passionate about what he said. Lachlan could feel his heart
thawing just a little bit toward his mate.

With a quick nod of understanding, Lachlan picked his bag up off

the floor. “So, can you show me to my room?”

AJ Jarrett

Garrett started up the stairs. Lachlan remembered this path from

when he lived here that one short week with Garrett. If Garrett
thought Lachlan was going to share a room with him, he had another
think coming.

“Here’s where you’ll be staying.” Garrett stopped in front of the

door right before his. “I had Wes move down the hall so you could
have this one. I didn’t expect you’d want to share a room with me, but
I didn’t want it to catch wind that you were in a room down the hall
either. Since we’re still not sure if anyone in this house is a traitor, I
thought it best to err on the side of caution.”

“Makes sense.” Lachlan stepped into the room and threw his bag

on the bed.

“Well, I’ll leave you to it then.” Garrett stood at the door,

unmoving. “I’ll see you at dinner?”

“Sure. A man’s got to eat,” Lachlan said jokingly, trying to break

up the tension.

Garrett smiled one last time and shut the door on his way out.

Lachlan wanted to run after Garrett to hug the man good-bye. The
longing for touch was cutting into him deep. Lachlan felt for sure he’d
crumble to the floor.

Lachlan took one unsteady step toward the door but threw himself

back on the bed instead. He just got here and already he was ready to
crack. Fishing out his phone Lachlan cued up Lawson’s number. It
rang twice before his brother answered.

“What’s shakin’, bacon?” Lawson’s happy voice came through

loud and clear, and it was just what Lachlan needed.

“Oh not much.” A smiled tugged at Lachlan’s upper lip.
“Really? A little birdy told me otherwise.”
Damn the good word traveled fast at the warriors’ compound. His

mind started to race to who the culprit might be.

“Don’t strain yourself. It was Trevor. He’s like an old lady with

the gossip.” Lawson snickered. “But I like it. He keeps me updated on
the goings-on at the compound.”

Garrett’s Choice

Lawson was on the team Ben put together to follow leads on their

fellow warrior, Sayer. As of yet they had no luck in finding the other
man. Lachlan had been pissed when Ben wouldn’t let him go out on
the mission with his brother. Ben said that he was needed here. Now
Lachlan knew why that was.

“I miss you, too, Lawson.” Lawson didn’t have to say it for

Lachlan to know.

“It wouldn’t be so bad if we could just catch a lead, but we

haven’t gotten squat.”

“Be patient. I’m sure you’ll find something soon. Even the evilest

masterminds make mistakes.”

“Yeah, I know.” Shuffling noises came over the line. “Not to

change the subject, but how’s it going between you and my brother-
in-law?”

Lachlan cringed at the term brother-in-law. Lawson started using

that to refer to Garrett, and it really drove Lachlan crazy. “It’s going. I
just got here so I don’t have any gossip for you, bro.”

“You’re no fun.” Lachlan could practically see the pout on his

brother’s face. “Oh shit, hang on a sec.” After a brief pause Lawson
came back on the line. “I gotta go, Lachlan. Got a call on the other
line. It’s the council, so I have to take it.”

“I understand. Work takes priority.”
“Not always, but unfortunately this time it does. Love you,

Lachlan. Call if you need anything.”

Lachlan said the same and was about to disconnect the call when

he heard Lawson’s shout. “Yeah?”

“I wanted to tell you to relax. Give Garrett a chance. You never

know. He just might surprise you.”

Before Lachlan could respond, the line went dead. Lachlan

climbed up from the bed and headed to the bathroom to wash up for
dinner. He wasn’t closed off to the idea of giving Garrett another
chance, but he wanted it to be on his terms.

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Fifteen minutes later Lachlan stepped out of his room and started

down the hallway that led to the stairs. The sun had started to set, and
through the windows lining the wall, Lachlan could see the pinks and
golds painting the sky.

So caught up in the beautiful scenery, he never heard the click of

another door shutting.

“Oh lookie here, it’s the wittle pussy cat out without his master.”
Lachlan instantly recognized the whiny little voice coming from

behind him. He turned so quickly he took the men following him by
surprise. Without a second thought, Lachlan swung and landed a solid
punch to Josh’s nose. The little fucker was a pain in his ass. The other
wolves who didn’t agree with a lion shifter mating a wolf kept their
opinions to themselves and just sneered in disgust. But Josh? This kid
kept on him like a dog with a fucking bone.

“Fuck, man!” Josh’s shadow, Victor, shouted as he knelt down

next to Josh.

“I barely tapped him.” Lachlan fought not to smile. He’d let Josh

get his jabs in before without reacting, but now he didn’t care. So
what if these wolves didn’t like him? He was Garrett’s mate, and it
only mattered if Garrett wanted him here, not that Lachlan cared
about that either.

“What’s going on out here?” Wes asked as he hustled toward

where Lachlan stood. “Lachlan, are you okay?”

He was just about to answer when Josh piped up. “Is he okay?”

Josh’s voice was nasal from having a broken nose. “He attacked me.”

At that, Lachlan couldn’t help but laugh.
“Yeah, right,” Wes said as he crossed his arms over his broad

chest. “I highly doubt it.”

“Thank you, Wes.” Lachlan always liked Wes. The man came off

as scary, with his shaved head, mocha-colored skin, and his heavily
muscled body that constantly seemed to be flexing. Wes liked to give
off the impression he’d rather punch a person than talk to them, but it
was all for show. Wes’s enchanting green eyes always gave him

Garrett’s Choice

away. Behind his rough exterior was a gentle man that had treated
Lachlan with nothing but respect since the day they had met.

“But it’s true,” Victor spoke up. “He came out of nowhere and hit

Josh.”

“How do you like my cat reflexes now, son?” Lachlan couldn’t

help but tease the two wolves. The old saying You mess with fire,
you’re going to get burned must have gone unheard by these
jokesters.

“Okay, Tweedledee and Tweedledum.” Lachlan could see Wes

was fighting back his laughter. His chin trembled in between his
words. “Go get cleaned up, then come down for supper.”

As Victor helped Josh to his feet, Lachlan made like he was going

to take a step toward them, and Josh flinched back. At that he and
Wes looked at one another and let loose with their merriment.

They made their way down the stairs and headed toward the

dining hall. He looked over when Wes nudged his shoulder with his
own.

“That little shit had it coming. I’m glad you finally gave it to

him.”

“Ah it was nothing.” Lachlan brushed off Wes’s praise.
“No, it was, and I’m glad you finally put that little prick in his

place. I don’t know if you’ve met Josh’s dad, but that guy is ten times
worse than his kid.”

Lachlan thought back and tried to remember if Josh’s dad was one

of the wolves he’d helped Garrett question. “I don’t think I’ve had the
pleasure.”

“Good, then don’t. You think his kid’s a prejudiced little fuck,

daddy’s got a doctorate in assholism.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”
When he and Wes entered the dining room, most of the wolves

that lived in the alpha’s house were already seated. Lachlan glanced
around looking for an open seat that wasn’t directly next to someone.

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“Lachlan, over here,” Wes said as he guided Lachlan toward the

head of the table where Garrett sat.

“Hey, you two.” Garrett stood to greet them. “Everything okay?”
Just then Josh came barreling into the room. The swelling in his

nose had already started to go down. “He hit me,” Josh accused as he
came to a stop on the other side of Garrett.

“Did he now?” Garrett looked at Josh then looked toward

Lachlan. “What did he say?” The question was directed to Lachlan.

Everyone in the room had their eyes on Lachlan. He felt a little

silly repeating what Josh had said. Plus it was degrading to Lachlan as
a person and as a lion shifter.

Lachlan darted his eyes down the length of the table. “He called

me a wittle kitty and asked why I was out without my master.” A few
muffled laughs echoed in the quiet room, and Lachlan cringed with a
pinch of embarrassment and a pinch of anger that anyone would laugh
at such an insult.

Right before his and everyone else’s eyes, Garrett smacked Josh

upside the back of his head. Josh yelped in pain, and the whole room
went quiet. Lachlan looked from Garrett to Wes, who looked pleased
with Garrett’s reaction.

“Let this be a warning to any and all wolves who treat my mate

with disrespect. It will not be tolerated. If you don’t like it, by all
means pack up and move on.” Garrett ran his narrow-eyed stare down
one length of the table and up the other side. Lachlan followed his
stare, gauging the reaction of the wolves sitting around the table.
“Feel free to spread the word.”

Garrett gave one last final stare, daring anyone to say a word.

“Please, Lachlan, have a seat.” With that Garrett sat down and pulled
his napkin into his lap.

Lachlan stood there gaping at what his mate had just done. Garrett

had never stood up for him like that in front of the other wolves
before. A little more of the brick wall surrounding his heart began to
crumble to dust.

Garrett’s Choice

Chapter Five

After dinner Lachlan said his good-nights and headed out of the

dining room. Garrett had stayed back to talk with Josh for all the good
it would do. Josh was young and thought he knew it all. Lachlan
pitied the young man his ignorance. Karma was a bitch, and it always
came back tenfold.

Lachlan couldn’t begrudge Josh too much though. From what

Wes said earlier, Josh might have a rough home life. It didn’t take
much to build a foundation for hatred, and maybe Josh was just
misguided youth. But either way Lachlan wouldn’t stand for such
blatant disrespect from the young pup.

“Excuse me, Lachlan?” a soft-as-cotton voice whispered.
Lachlan turned to see Clara standing behind him, twirling her

thumbs round and round. The petite brunette looked frightened of her
own shadow. Lachlan instantly wanted to wrap her in a hug and shield
her from the evils of the world. With the Warriors of the Dark
uprising in their forces, it was people like Clara that Lachlan worried
about. It was always the innocents that got caught in the crossfire and
wound up dead.

“What can I do for you, Clara?” Lachlan gentled his tone.
“I…I…” Clara stuttered, and her breathing increased.
“Clara, it’s okay. You don’t have to be nervous around me. I’m

only a hard-ass when the situation requires it.” Lachlan smiled down
at the young woman, hoping that eased her nerves.

A small grin lit up her precious face. She looked like an angel sent

down from heaven. Lachlan could practically see the halo adorning
her head. Her eyes shined a brilliant shade of green, adding to her

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angelic appearance. “I just wanted to welcome you to the pack. I–I
never got the chance before now.” Her smile grew bigger.

“Thank you very much. I appreciate your kind words.”
Silence stretched out between them, and Lachlan didn’t know

what else to say.

“I understand you’re a Warrior of the Light.” Lachlan nodded his

head. “I was kind of wondering, more like hoping, you wouldn’t mind
showing me some of your fighting skills you learned from working
with the warriors?” Clara’s eyes dropped to the floor as she continued
to speak. “I’m not the strongest wolf, but I want to be prepared in case
we get attacked. I don’t want to feel helpless.”

“Aw, Clara.” Lachlan stepped forward and placed a finger under

her chin to raise her eyes to meet his gaze. “You are not helpless. You
understand me?” A tear dripped down her flushed cheek. “I’d be
honored to help train you.”

“Really?” she asked excitedly.
“Really.” Lachlan was pleased he was able to make the jittery

wolf smile. He’d do his best to help raise her self-confidence. “Just let
me know when you have some free time, and we can practice.”

“Oh, thank you so much, Lachlan.” Clara wrapped her thin arms

around Lachlan’s waist, and for one moment he was uncertain what
he should do. He wasn’t used to strangers hugging him. Lachlan
brought up one hand to cup the back of Clara’s head and the other
around her shoulders.

“No thanks needed.”
Clara stepped back, and Lachlan thought she looked like a whole

new person. She held her head high and had a bounce to her step as
she walked away.

“That was really kind of you.” Lachlan jumped when Garrett

spoke. “She’s rather shy. It had to have taken a lot to get her to come
to you.”

Lachlan watched as Garrett eased around the corner. Garrett put

his hands in his pockets and leaned against the wall. The relaxed pose

Garrett’s Choice

looked good on the man. A slight smile curled his lips, and sincerity
radiated from Garrett’s eyes.

“I’m glad she did. I’d like to think your pack will come to trust me

the way they trust you.”

“Does that mean you’ll be staying?” Garrett pushed away from

the wall and walked slowly toward Lachlan.

To keep from moving, Lachlan brought his arms around his back

and laced his fingers together. Garrett’s black hair fell into his eyes,
taunting Lachlan to brush the luscious lock aside. A knowing smile lit
up Garrett’s full, ruby lips and the sharp angles of Garrett’s face
softened. A sweet glow bounced off Garrett’s ocean-blue eyes and
pulled Lachlan closer.

Lachlan wanted to growl out his frustration. With Garrett looking

all yummy, how was he supposed to keep up his defenses and hold
true to his feelings on wanting to go slow with Garrett until he knew
for sure the man had changed and wouldn’t force his will upon
Lachlan?

“Well the council kind of has me over a barrel with that, don’t you

think?” Lachlan’s mouth went bone dry as Garrett came to stop mere
inches from him. Garrett was just the right height that all he had to do
was tilt his head down and they would be able to touch lips.

“I know, but I’d like to think eventually you’d want to stay here

with me because you want to, not because you’re being forced,”
Garrett whispered softly. The light breeze brushing up against
Lachlan’s face caused sensations to break out across his body that had
a direct link to his balls. They started to tighten, and his cock began to
rise from the nearness of the other man.

Lachlan took a deep swallow then forced his mouth to work.

“Maybe.” Garrett’s tongue came out to swipe across his lips. The wet
shine captured Lachlan’s full attention, and all his ability to think
went out the window. He started to move forward when Garrett took a
step back.

“It’s getting late,” Garrett said. “I’ll let you get off to bed.”

AJ Jarrett

Lachlan stood there stunned. What the fuck just happened?
Garrett stopped when he reached the foot of the stairs and looked

back to Lachlan. “Would you like me to walk you to your room?”

Lachlan felt his fist ball up tight against his thighs. He needed him

so desperately, yet Garrett pulled away. He’d be damned if he begged
Garrett for anything.

“No,” Lachlan said nonchalantly as he brushed past Garrett. “See

you in the morning.”

Lachlan didn’t look back when Garrett said good-night. He just

kept his back to his mate as he climbed the steps. When he reached
his room, he threw open the door but caught it in time before he
slammed it shut.

“What kind of game is he playing?” Lachlan asked himself as he

headed to the bathroom. He flipped on the cold water. If he had any
hopes of getting any sleep, he had to chase away any and all desire for
Garrett.

* * * *

Garrett stopped in front of Lachlan’s door. He stared at the thick

wood, wishing he could magically see through it, but it was no use.
He hadn’t been born a witch, so he couldn’t make the door go away
by casting a spell. But he’d give anything to see what Lachlan was
doing behind that door.

After dinner Garrett held back to talk with Josh and Victor. He

wanted to make it clear that Lachlan was off-limits for any type of
teasing the two men had been bestowing onto his mate over the past
month.

Josh held to his word that he wouldn’t provoke Lachlan, but

Garrett knew better. He eventually just gave up and told Josh if it
happened again, he be forced to shun him from the pack. Garrett
didn’t want to do that, but Josh had to know his boundaries. Josh
looked dejected but dropped his head in defeat and agreed to lay off

Garrett’s Choice

Lachlan. Garrett wasn’t overly concerned with Victor. Victor was a
follower and would do whatever Josh agreed to.

Garrett hated giving Josh an ultimatum, but it was the only sure

way to get through to his head. Josh’s home life had been rather
difficult growing up, and the first chance Josh got, he moved into
Garrett’s house. Josh’s dad was a real hard-ass. The man believed any
shifters other than wolves were worthless, and his opinion on
homosexuals wasn’t much better. Garrett actually came to blows with
Josh’s dad when he made a derogatory remark toward another wolf.
They fought, and Garrett won without much difficulty. The man
claimed he couldn’t respect a man who took it up the ass. Garrett
politely informed the man that if he couldn’t respect a gay man, then
he couldn’t respect his alpha because Garrett was gay. Ever since that
day Josh’s father stayed clear of Garrett, only seeing the man when
the pack ran under the full moon.

The memory of Josh’s father’s hatred still angered Garrett to this

day. The loathing and disgust that oozed off the man came in droves.
Garrett often wondered how Josh made it out of his childhood home
without being severely scarred.

The sound of creaking floorboards met Garrett’s acute hearing. He

could hear Lachlan moving about his room getting ready for bed.
Garrett took another step toward the door and raised his hand. He was
just about to knock when the door flew open. Lachlan stood before
him in a loose pair of flannel pajama bottoms, his hair damp. A trickle
of water dripped down Lachlan’s muscled chest, and Garrett wanted
to close the gap to lick the wet drop away as it wove its way down the
dips and valleys of Lachlan’s torso.

“Garrett, what are you doing out here?”
“I…Well…I…” Garrett didn’t know what to say. He wanted

Lachlan in the worst way. “Fuck it,” Garrett growled as he pulled
Lachlan into his arms and covered Lachlan’s lips with his own. He
swallowed down the small whimper that tried to escape Lachlan’s
throat.

AJ Jarrett

* * * *

Lachlan hesitated for a moment then gave in to what his soul

craved. He curled his fingers into Garrett’s shoulders and tugged him
closer. Garrett devoured every inch of Lachlan’s mouth using teeth
and tongue to cause the sweetest pain.

Garrett dropped his hands to grab Lachlan’s ass, smashing them

even closer. The distinct bulge in Garrett’s jeans burrowed into
Lachlan’s hip. With every rough touch Lachlan’s pulse rose, and
sensations so delicious ran along his every nerve ending.

Before Lachlan could comprehend what was happening, Garrett

pulled away from him. Sweat glistened across his forehead as his
breathing rushed past his lips in heavy pants. The man looked like he
held on by only a thin wire. Lachlan wasn’t for sure if he wanted
Garrett’s control to snap or not. The time they shared at dinner had
been nice and comfortable, almost familiar in a way Lachlan longed
for. But if they had sex now, would it make Garrett think Lachlan had
given in and could be easily controlled?

“We should stop.” Garrett took a step back, holding Lachlan at an

arm’s distance away. “I want to be with you, but I don’t want to rush
things like we did when we first met. I want, no I need, to prove to
you that I can be the mate you deserve.”

What the hell? Lachlan stared dumfounded at his mate, mouth

hanging open and eyes bugging out from their sockets. Never in a
million years did he expect to hear those words come out of his
mate’s mouth. Lachlan agreed that they should slow things down, but
he so desperately wanted his mate. In Lachlan’s hazy thoughts, he
couldn’t think of why them sleeping together would be so
problematic.

“But, if you want…” Lachlan nibbled on his lower lip, too

embarrassed to make the first move or to even vocalize it.

Garrett’s Choice

“Oh, I want. There’s no doubt about that.” Garrett gave him a

naughty little grin. “But for us to get past our issues, we need to take
it one day at a time,” Garrett said as he headed for the door. “Good
night, Lachlan.”

Lachlan felt like he’d been doused with a bucket of cold water.

Garrett’s thoughts, feelings, and control were very mature. Lachlan
couldn’t believe this was the same man who practically threw a
tantrum when Lachlan refused to leave the Warriors of the Light. To
say Lachlan was impressed would be putting it lightly. He was more
like amazed by Garrett’s suggestion to wait.

Lachlan followed Garrett to the door. Once Garrett stood over the

threshold standing in the hallway, he turned toward Lachlan. “If you
need anything, I’m right next door.” He thumbed over his shoulder.

“I can see that.” Lachlan smirked. “Does that need include a blow

job?”

“Huh?” Garrett stumbled over his feet and grabbed at the wall to

steady himself, and Lachlan began to laugh.

“Good night, Garrett.”
“Night, my love.”
Lachlan watched as Garrett walked the few feet to his bedroom

door, not shutting his until Garrett was safely inside his room. Not
that there was any threat that they were aware of in the house, but it
made Lachlan feel better knowing his mate was safe and sound in his
room. Lachlan walked over to rest his back against the wall he shared
with Garrett. They were separated by wood and Sheetrock, but
Lachlan felt close to Garrett somehow.

He closed his eyes and imagined Garrett tucked into bed with

nothing but a sheet to cover his body. The way Garrett’s skin would
stand out in contrast to the crisp white linens. Lachlan’s cock jumped
in his pants, and he began to palm the quickly growing erection.

Stop it! Lachlan smacked his other hand against his forehead,

trying to dislodge all dirty thoughts of Garrett. But it was no use. All
he could see every time he closed his eyes was Garrett standing naked

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in front of him, ordering Lachlan to his knees to service his very
heavy and needy cock. Lachlan could almost picture the silky skin
stretched taut over the solid, thick length.

The visual in Lachlan’s mind took hold of his body. Lachlan

fumbled to undo the tie of his pajama bottoms and let them fall down
his thighs. He fisted his length in his grasp and gave a rough upper
tug. The cap leaked clear juices coating his hand. Lachlan used the
pre-cum to help ease the glide of his fingers around his dick.

His mind wandered back to Garrett. Lachlan worked his shaft and

pretended it was Garrett rubbing and gripping his cock, pushing him
dangerously closer to the edge only to pull back just before Lachlan
tumbled over into a mind-blowing orgasm.

The sound of his hand smacking back and forth reminded him of

the sound his and Garrett’s bodies made when they fucked. Garrett
would thrust his cock deep within Lachlan, slapping his balls against
Lachlan’s ass. The slow withdrawal was followed by a powerful slam
forward.

Lachlan’s back arched off the wall as he shoved his hips forward,

working his hand faster. He could feel the cum boiling in his groin,
begging to burst free. Lachlan sped his movements up and thrust
forward into every jerk of his hand. Lachlan could feel his seed
pulsing up from his balls and racing up and out his body.

“Garrett,” Lachlan groaned as cum shot out his slit and covered

his hand. Lachlan slowed his hand and rested his head back against
the cool, solid wall. He swallowed down breath after breath, trying to
slow his heart rate. The orgasm was so intense it was as if Garrett
were truly in the room with him, touching him.

After a few minutes of deep, calming breaths, Lachlan pushed

away from the wall and walked across his bedroom to the bathroom.
He squinted when the sharp light stung his eyes. Lachlan washed his
hands as he gazed at himself in the mirror.

The red blotches on his cheeks shined like he suffered windburn

from a cold winter’s day when snow covered the ground and crisp,

Garrett’s Choice

cool air cut through the body like a knife. The only problem was
Lachlan wasn’t cold. If anything, he was in fear of overheating. Even
as mad as he had been at Garrett, it didn’t matter. His body and soul
recognized its other half and didn’t want to be separated for a moment
longer.

Lachlan finished washing up then headed to bed. He shucked his

clothes before getting under the blankets. As he lay there staring up at
the ceiling, he made a promise to himself. If Garrett behaved well and
didn’t try and boss him around, he’d reward his mate. It wouldn’t be
too much of a hardship being as he wanted Garrett just as badly. They
hadn’t made love in over three weeks. Something had to give.

AJ Jarrett

Chapter Six

A few days had passed, and things were going smoothly. Lachlan

and Garrett had shared a stolen kiss here and there and held hands
every chance they got. The little innocent touches reminded Lachlan
of when he was younger and tiptoed his way around his journey of
sexual self-discovery. It was new and exciting and a bit frightening.
Lachlan had grown and matured quite a bit since his days as a clueless
youth, but age didn’t calm his frazzled nerves whenever in close
proximity to his mate. The way Garrett’s eyes would flash to his and
the way he smiled drove Lachlan crazy with longing. It took
everything he had to not jump the man. But what Garrett said was
right. They needed to move slow and get to know one another better
so that they could be the mate each other deserved.

“Umf,” Lachlan grunted as he took a hit to the stomach.
“Oh no! Lachlan, are you okay?” Clara asked as she rested a hand

on Lachlan’s shoulder where he stood doubled over gasping for air.

After talking to Clara that first night back at the house, Lachlan

hadn’t been able to shake the young wolf. She was coming more and
more out of her shell and smiled with such ease. He couldn’t believe
how much she’d changed. Her smile could light up a room that had
been shrouded in darkness.

Clara hadn’t talked about her past and would avoid any reference

to it if Lachlan mentioned it. He didn’t want to pry, but he was
curious as to what made the young lady so guarded and afraid.
Whenever someone caught Clara off guard she’d flinch as if she was
preparing to take a blow to the face. The thought of someone even
laying a finger on her angered Lachlan more than anything. Lachlan

Garrett’s Choice

wanted to know her history and what brought her to the Carrington
Pack, but he wouldn’t push her. Clara would tell him when she was
ready.

Her thirst for combat knowledge was insatiable. That reason right

there made Lachlan think the young lady had been abused before she
came to live with Garrett and his pack. Her eagerness to learn how to
defend herself was typical of abused individuals. They wanted to be
stronger than their attackers.

For all Lachlan knew she was looking to get revenge on the one

who had hurt her. He couldn’t fault her for that.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Lachlan stood and coughed into his hand.
“I’m so sorry.” Clara’s voice came out high pitched and frantic. “I

swear I didn’t mean to do that.” Her hands fell to her sides, and her
fingers automatically went to fidget with the hem of her raggedy old
T-shirt.

“Clara, sweetie, I’m fine.” Lachlan gave her shoulder a gentle

squeeze. “That was one hell of a punch. I’m proud of you, squirt.” He
used the nickname he had started calling her by, and it did the trick.
Clare gifted him with one of her huge smiles.

“Really?”
Lachlan nodded his head. “Really.” He caught her just as she

launched herself into his arms. Lachlan held her in a gentle but firm
hold. He imagined this was what it felt like to have a sister. While he
and Lawson stilled lived with their parents, they hadn’t had any other
children. If they had more now, there was no way for Lachlan to have
known.

Just then the sound of a buzzing came from the backpack Clara

always carried around with her. Her cheeks darkened as she rushed to
check her phone. Lachlan watched as she read whatever message
she’d received.

“I gotta go.” Clara shouldered her bag and started to walk off.
Lachlan grinned as she walked away, never looking up from her

phone. Lately she’d been getting a lot of messages, and Lachlan

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wondered if she’d met someone. “See ya later, squirt,” Lachlan
hollered after her, and Clara turned to wave then took off running for
the house.

Not ready to go back inside, Lachlan decided to go for a run. He’d

been dying to shift and run in his lion form, but he didn’t want to
freak out the locals. The locals being the Carrington wolves.

He hadn’t had any issues since the first night he arrived, but that

might all change if he turned into a five-hundred-pound lion and
started hunting on their grounds. Granted, him being mated to Garrett
made Lachlan co-alpha of the pack, but he didn’t want to go splitting
hairs or get into a pissing match with any of the wolves. They were
being respectful of him, and he’d show them the same in kind.

The path Lachlan followed into the surrounding woods looked

well worn. Everyone that lived within a hundred-mile radius was a
shifter of some sort and, being true to their second nature, liked to run
and hunt.

It made Lachlan feel free and at one with his lion when he ran and

hunted. He’d heard the same from his fellow shifter warriors that
running was a good release from the pressures of human society.

Lachlan kept at an even pace and trotted along without a care in

the world. The sunshine beamed down, chasing away the autumn
chill. It made the temperature comfortable and perfect for a midday
run.

“Are you queer now, too, boy?”
The sound of shouting in the distance had Lachlan stumbling to a

stop. The foul and disgusting word got his attention more than the
raised voice did.

“No, Dad. I just like living on my own is all. I swear.”
Lachlan eased closer to the voices and saw Josh talking with

another man. From the resemblance, Lachlan took an educated guess
this was Josh’s father. Wes had been right. The man was a bastard.

Garrett’s Choice

“On your own, huh?” The man snickered. “With all those fags

over there, I’m starting to think I raised a fairy. You like their
company more than your own family, boy?”

From what Lachlan was witnessing he’d say, yes, the company at

Garrett’s house was ten times better than anything at Josh’s house.
His home life must have been terrible.

“No, Dad. I just…”
Josh never finished his sentence. His father hauled back his hand

and smacked Josh across the face. The sound echoed in the quiet
afternoon. Before Lachlan could stop himself, he took off running
toward the men.

Josh might be an ass, but he was a member of Garrett’s pack and

by circumstances Lachlan’s, too. Josh’s dad may be a member as
well, but to treat another with such cruelty wasn’t okay in Lachlan’s
opinion. The guy deserved to be bitch slapped right back.

Just as Josh’s dad was pushing his hand back in the opposite

direction, knuckles out toward Josh’s face, Lachlan let loose a loud
roar. Both men jumped, but it was the older man who cowered in fear.

“What’s going on here?” Lachlan asked as he brought his hand up

to Josh’s chin to look at the red mark flaming at the side of his face.
“Are you okay?”

Josh met his eyes, and for a brief moment Lachlan saw the

vulnerability in the young man’s eyes. The usual hard gray softened
and glistened with what only Lachlan could assume were unshed
tears.

“Get your hands off my son, you…”
Josh jerked out of Lachlan’s hold and Lachlan let him go without

taking offense. It was hard to show weakness in the presence of a man
he considered an enemy, even if Lachlan truly wasn’t his enemy.

Lachlan swung around, strategically putting himself between Josh

and his father. “If I were you, I’d be very careful of the next word that
comes out of your mouth.” Lachlan kept his voice low and eyes hard
as he eyed Josh’s father. He wanted to make the man feel small and

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worthless like he’d just done to his own child not more than five
minutes ago.

“Why? What are you going to do to me, cat man?”
Cat man? Lachlan wanted to laugh. The name sounded like a

moniker a superhero would use. But if he cracked even a smile, it’d
take away from the seriousness of the situation, and it was serious.
Lachlan wouldn’t stand for any member of his pack to be treated like
shit, not even Josh.

My pack? Where did that come from? Lachlan shoved that

thought to the back burner for the time being. He had an out-of-line
parent to deal with.

“This.” Lachlan brought his fist up and bestowed upon Josh’s dad

the same gift he gave Josh a few nights prior. The man’s eyes went
wide then he stumbled backward, clutching his nose. Blood oozed out
around his clenched fingers, dripping dark crimson to the ground.

A smug smile creased Lachlan’s face. If anyone deserved a beat

down it was this prick standing in front over him. Lachlan glanced
over his shoulder and caught sight of a small smile on Josh’s face. But
in the blink of an eye it disappeared. Back were the hard edges that
made the young man seem older than his twenty-two years.

“Go home, Dad.” Josh came to stand beside Lachlan.
“Go home? He hit me.” The man climbed to his feet. “I’m going

to report him to the alpha.”

“He is the alpha!” Josh shouted. “You just insulted the alpha’s

mate, who by proxy is your new alpha, too. You’ll be lucky if Garrett
doesn’t shun you.”

A semblance of clarity ghosted through the man’s eyes, but hate

clouded the pupils once again. “You know what? I don’t need this
pack or a queer-loving son.” Josh’s father spat on the ground near
Lachlan’s feet. “This pack has gone to shit since Garrett’s daddy left
anyways. I’m out of here.” He turned to leave but stopped to look
back to Josh. “You coming, boy?”

Garrett’s Choice

Lachlan couldn’t believe it, but he prayed Josh said no. He may

have his differences where the young wolf was concerned, but not
even Josh deserved to live with an asshole like that.

“No. I choose allegiance with the Carrington Pack, and I’m not

leaving.” Josh straightened his shoulders, lifted his chin, and stared
down his nose at his father. “If you leave it’s on your own.”

“That’s fine with me.” Josh’s father stare turned ice cold. “Your

mama should have let those hunters kill you when you were a child,
then maybe she’d be alive and I wouldn’t have a disappointment for a
son.”

Lachlan flinched as if the harsh words were directed at him.

Memories of his own father filled his mind. Clamping down on his
emotions, Lachlan cleared his throat. “I think you should leave.
You’ve made it quite clear you don’t want to be here, and quite
frankly you just wore out your welcome.”

It looked like Josh’s dad was gearing up for another argument,

and Lachlan held up his hand and shouted, “Go!” The man left but not
before throwing another hateful looked toward his son. Lachlan stood
by Josh’s side as his father left the woods, the pack, and his son’s life
forever.

“He was out of line, Josh. This wasn’t your fault.” Lachlan rested

his large hand over Josh’s smooth slender neck. He could feel the
muscle bunch up and clench as Josh’s body trembled.

“What do you know?” Josh shrugged off Lachlan’s touch and

stormed away.

“I know more than you think,” Lachlan shouted as he ran to catch

up with Josh.

“He wasn’t always like that, you know.” Josh’s hand darted up to

wipe away the wetness that escaped from his eyes. “After she died, he
just hasn’t been the same.”

“I can understand a person hurting from the loss of a loved one,

but it’s no excuse to treat the only family you have left like crap. You
can’t blame yourself for his cruelty or his inability to deal with shit. I

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know what it’s like to love someone who turns you away at the first
chance they get. To toss you aside like a piece of trash you’d find on
the street. People like that don’t deserve our love or respect.” Lachlan
hadn’t expected to discuss his family’s torrid history. It just slipped
out.

“Our?” Josh asked.
Lachlan explained to Josh about his brother, Lawson, and the

affair Lawson had with a human man and how those actions led to his
brother being shunned from the pride. It still hurt to talk about, but if
his experience could in any way help Josh, Lachlan would be more
than happy to do whatever was necessary. Even if it drudged up the
past.

“So what did you do?”
“I did what anyone else would have done. I left with my brother.

No one should ever be forced to set out in the world all alone like
that. It’s cruel.” Lachlan never regretted that decision even for a
minute.

“How old were you guys?” Josh shoulders slumped, and Lachlan

could see the fight leaving him.

Lachlan pursed his lips in thought. It took him a moment to

remember. “We were seventeen.”

“That’s so young.” Josh’s eyes widened in disbelief. “And all for

being gay?”

“Yeah, that was over a hundred years ago though. It was a

different time back then.”

“Still doesn’t make it right,” Josh whispered. “Why can’t they just

love us for who we are and not

hate us for what we aren’t?”

Lachlan wasn’t sure if Josh wanted him to answer. And truth be

told he didn’t have an easy answer to give. Parents should love their
children no matter what and stand by them through good times and
bad. But after his experience and what he just witnessed between Josh
and his father, those family ties didn’t always exist no matter the day
and age they were in.

Garrett’s Choice

“I think they do in their own way.” Lachlan tried to explain. “But

other people’s expectations and approval cloud their judgment.”

“That’s bullshit. They’re just weak.” Josh’s skin became flushed

with anger. “It shouldn’t matter who we’re friends with, where we
live, or if we’re gay. A parent’s love should be unconditional.”

Lachlan wholeheartedly agreed with that statement, and if one day

he was blessed with kids of his own, he’d be a supportive parent no
matter what. “You’re right, Josh. It should be, but you can’t let the
faults of your father bring you down.” Lachlan wrapped an arm
around Josh’s shoulders and walked with the man toward the entrance
of the woods where he had entered.

“How can you be so nice to me?” Josh asked.
“Because”—Lachlan blew out a heavy sigh—“I see a lot of

myself in you. You didn’t have the ideal home life, you’ve lost
someone you loved dearly, and you’re having issues with your
sexuality.” Josh stepped away from Lachlan so fast, Lachlan’s arm
banged into his side.

“I’m not gay,” Josh stammered out.
“Oh.” Lachlan rammed his hands into his pockets. After their

conversation he was for sure Josh was gay, but maybe he had
misunderstood. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply anything.”

“Why? Do I act gay?” Josh looked down his body as if he were

trying to see if there was some sort of sign that he was gay.

“No. I just thought.” Lachlan stopped himself. He’d come a long

way with Josh and didn’t want to strain the newfound friendship.
“Never mind. It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you’re happy.”

Josh nodded his head. “So you don’t wish I’d leave? I mean all

the stuff I’ve done to you, no one would blame you if you didn’t want
me around anymore.”

“Lucky for you I’m not like everyone else. You’re part of this

pack, and that makes you part of our family.”

“I agree.” Lachlan and Josh both looked toward the clearing

where the boisterous voice came from. Garrett stood leaning against a

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tree watching them. Garrett lazily pushed off from the tree and strode
in their direction. “Lachlan is right. You’re family, Josh, and I would
never turn my back on you. I do think you owe Lachlan an apology
for the way you’ve treated him.” Garrett glanced over at Lachlan. “I
think it’s safe to say Lachlan and I agree that the shit you’ve pulled is
strictly because you’re young and dumb.”

“Garrett,” Lachlan chastised him.
“It’s true. We’ve all been there,” Garrett defended. “But if you

learn from your mistakes is what matters.” Garrett pinned Josh down
with his stare. “Have you learned your lesson, Josh?”

“Yes, sir,” Josh answered easily. “I’m sorry, Lachlan. I haven’t

been fair to you, but after today”—a smile spread across the young
man’s face—“all that will change. Thanks for coming to my rescue
today and listening to me.”

“Don’t sweat it. What are friends for?”
Josh said a quick good-bye as he left the woods. He looked like he

walked a little lighter. Lachlan had to think letting go of all that hatred
had to be a relief.

“That was very kind of you.”
“It was nothing really.” Lachlan raised his arm in the direction

Josh had just left. “His father was extremely out of line. The way he
was treating Josh it’s no wonder the kid acts like an asshole. His dad
is a complete dick. Oh before I forget I kind of punched his father in
the face and kicked him out of the pack.”

“How do you kind of punch someone?” Garrett asked teasingly.
“Well is sounded better than admitting that in the past couple days

I’ve punched two pack members for being assholes. Don’t want you
to think I’m a hothead or something.”

“Oh, babe, you are most definitely hot.”
Garrett’s eyes roamed over Lachlan’s body so aggressively,

Lachlan could have sworn he felt the man’s touch. The gentle blue of
Garrett’s eyes became dark like storm clouds readying to set loose a

Garrett’s Choice

massive downpour. The predator in his mate was climbing to the
surface, and Lachlan knew goddamn well he was the prey.

“I thought you wanted to wait,” Lachlan said as he took a step

toward Garrett. He lightly dragged his fingers up Garrett’s forearms.
Lachlan’s fingertips tingled from the electrical shock he got from
touching his mate.

“Babe, I think we’ve waited long enough, don’t you?” A

seductive grin tilted up the corner of Garrett’s lips.

Lachlan didn’t answer. He threw himself into Garrett’s arms and

slanted his mouth over Garrett’s. Laughter seeped past his mate’s lips,
but Lachlan didn’t let up. Yes, he was being overly aggressive, but it
had been so long since he and Garrett had made love. He needed hard
and rough, and he needed it now.

Garrett’s hands roamed down Lachlan’s back, and his body

shivered from the caress. When Garrett’s fingers reached Lachlan’s
ass, his mate gripped him tight and pulled him close, kneading the
muscled flesh. Lachlan shifted to better align their cocks. The coarse
friction was just on the side of painful but a lovely ache indeed.

With his hands grabbing Lachlan’s butt, Garrett walked them

backward farther into the woods. Lachlan grunted when his back
pushed against a large tree. The bark bit into his skin through his shirt,
but Lachlan didn’t say anything. He was afraid if he said something
Garrett would put a halt to their playtime.

“It feels like years since I’ve touched you last,” Garrett said

between leaving wet kisses along Lachlan’s neck. “All those innocent
little kisses we’ve shared over the last few days have been driving me
insane.” Lachlan gasped for breath as Garrett pulled back to look at
him. “Then at night when I heard you in your room touching yourself
until you came, whispering my name, almost had me breaking down
your door demanding you submit to me.”

Lachlan’s eyes went wide. He’d been so quiet while partaking in

the pleasure of his body.

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“Don’t play coy.” Garrett brushed his lips lightly across

Lachlan’s. “We’re shifters. Our hearing is impeccable. You knew
exactly what you were doing to me, my mate.”

“Maybe I did. But it sure as hell didn’t get me anywhere. Now did

it?” Lachlan goaded his mate.

“You’re going to be the death of me.” Garrett smashed their lips

together using teeth and tongue to push Lachlan into submission.
Lachlan could taste a faint hint of blood but he was unsure if it was
his or Garrett’s. Not even pain could touch Lachlan now.

“But what a way to go,” Lachlan said as he broke his lips free of

Garrett’s, angling his neck to show Garrett where he wanted his lips
to be.

Garrett growled then nipped at the tender skin where Lachlan’s

shoulder and neck met. Without warning Garrett spun Lachlan around
facing the tree. Lachlan rested his forehead against the hard surface,
and tried to collect his frazzled nerves. His mate was moments away
from fucking him out in the open in the middle of the woods under
the warm rays of the afternoon sun. If anyone got too close, they’d
either hear them having sex or get an eyeful of their naked asses.

Lachlan didn’t have much time to ponder that thought before he

felt nimble fingers untying his gym shorts and yanking them down his
legs. His skin broke out in a sweat, and Lachlan jerked when Garrett
stepped close, rubbing his jean-covered cock into the crease of
Lachlan’s bare ass. Like a wanton whore, Lachlan pushed back,
silently demanding Garrett to fuck him.

Placing his hands at chest level against the tree, Lachlan arched

his back, putting his bottom on display for Garrett to take. A faint
chuckle followed by a swat to his backside caused Lachlan to twitch,
but he held his ground.

“You want me to fuck you?” Garrett asked as he trailed his tongue

down Lachlan’s back. The wet onslaught combined with the harsh
words left him speechless. The goose bumps covering Lachlan’s skin

Garrett’s Choice

were answer enough. All Lachlan could do in response was give a
jerky nod of his head.

“Then show me.” Another slap to his ass. The sting went straight

to the tip of Lachlan’s cock, causing the cap to weep. “Spread ’em.”

Lachlan rested his chest against the tree then reached his hands

back to pull apart his cheeks.

“Yeah, just like that.” Lachlan could hear the smile in his lover’s

voice.

The razor-sharp points of Garrett’s claws had unsheathed and

coasted down the expanse of Lachlan’s back. He wasn’t afraid Garrett
would lose control and cut him. Lachlan just wished Garrett would
get a move on it.

A hot puff of air blew across his pucker, and Lachlan looked over

his shoulder to see Garrett kneeling behind him. His head poised to
dive into Lachlan’s crease. And just as he’d hoped, Garrett went deep,
his tongue licking at the rippled muscle. Lachlan’s legs shook as
Garrett speared his tongue into his entrance.

Lachlan moaned and fidgeted from the pleasure being put upon

his body. His cock strained with the need to come. Good lord, he
needed Garrett to get to it.

“Garrett, please,” Lachlan begged, pushing his ass out farther.
Garrett gave one more wet slide of his tongue on Lachlan’s

intimate flesh then stood up. Lachlan heard every prong of Garrett’s
zipper detach as he unfastened his jeans. A little more shuffling then
Lachlan gasped as Garrett’s hot length smacked against his lower
back. Garrett only pulled his pants halfway down his thighs. Lachlan
could feel the denim brush against his calves, adding to Garrett’s
dominating presence.

“Keep your hands right where they are,” Garrett said as Lachlan

started to pull his hands away.

The wet tip of Garrett’s cock swept past Lachlan’s eager hole. The

tiny muscle fluttered with anticipation. With his cheeks still pulled

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apart, Lachlan eased back, trying to impale himself on Garrett’s solid
length.

“Easy now, baby,” Garrett said softly into Lachlan’s ear as he

covered Lachlan’s back with his front. As Garrett pushed forward, the
broad tip of his dick eased past Lachlan’s entrance. He cried out as a
sharp pain engulfed his body. Even with the wet rim job Garrett gave
him, Lachlan was still rather dry.

“Relax, Lachlan. Take me into your body,” Garrett rasped into his

ear. “All of me.”

At Garrett’s words Lachlan took a deep breath and pushed

outward. As he did that, Garrett slipped farther inside.

“Ah, fuck yeah, just like that.” Garrett panted against Lachlan’s

neck. “So good.”

Lachlan’s head fell back to rest on Garrett’s shoulder as his lover

thrust forward, burying himself to the hilt. The growl Garrett omitted
ruffled the back of Lachlan’s hair from the force. Garrett held still,
breathing hard, giving Lachlan’s body time to adapt.

The stretching burn sensation started to drift away, and Lachlan

edged back closer to Garrett’s hips, even further imbedding the thick
shaft. Garrett gripped Lachlan’s hips in a tight hold.

“Don’t stop.” Lachlan moaned. He circled his hips and jerked

from the blossoming excitement coming to life inside his stretched
hole. “Claim me, again.” Lachlan peered over his shoulder and met
Garrett’s heated stare. He prayed his mate saw the need lying within
them.

“God yes.” Garrett pulled out his length only leaving the tip

inside, then rammed forward. Garrett kept up his fast-paced rhythm,
not letting up for even a second, and Lachlan couldn’t be more
thrilled. “So tight, so good.” His mate grunted as he rutted inside
Lachlan’s body.

Sweat covered both their bodies, and the fur covering his mate’s

chest tickled Lachlan’s back. Lachlan reached back and wrapped his

Garrett’s Choice

arms around Garrett’s neck and let his mate have his way with his
body.

Garrett never faltered as he wrapped his warm fingers around

Lachlan’s cock. Lachlan’s mouth fell open, but no sound came out.
He was too lost in his mate, in the moment, to even try to put words to
the feelings coursing through his body.

Lachlan’s body tightened and strained as Garrett scraped his

fingernail across the head of his dick. His orgasm swam just out of
reach, and his balls shrunk close to his body. Lachlan could feel the
cum build up, readying to erupt like a volcano.

“Faster,” Lachlan cried out as he fucked himself on Garrett’s

shaft, meeting him thrust for thrust, and then forcing his cock forward
into the tight grip Garrett had on him.

Garrett reared back then slammed forward a half dozen more

times. His hand never wavered from Lachlan’s cock. Garrett kept up
the firm hold on Lachlan’s pole up until the end.

“Fuck yes!” Lachlan’s body jerked and clenched as his spunk shot

from his body to cover the tree in front of him. Garrett kept stroking
him, prolonging the tantalizing pleasure.

Lachlan could feel his ass clamp tight around Garrett’s length, and

his lover groaned as he moved harder and faster toward his release.
Garrett released Lachlan’s flagging cock to grip Lachlan’s hips in a
hard grip. Lachlan grabbed ahold of the tree while Garrett let loose on
his ass. He bucked forward with such force Lachlan came up off his
feet. One, two, on the third stroke, Garrett howled then sunk his teeth
into Lachlan’s shoulder. Lachlan cried out again as another orgasm
racked through his body. He thrashed in Garrett’s grip.

Hot wetness filled Lachlan’s hungry hole. Lachlan smiled, wildly

gasping for breath as his lover’s dick pulsed and emptied its sweet
juices deep inside him. Nothing felt more right in Lachlan’s world at
that very moment.

Garrett clutched Lachlan close to him for several moments until

their breathing resembled something close to normal. Placing one

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more soft kiss to Lachlan’s shoulder, Garrett pulled out. Cum started
to race down the back of his thigh. Lachlan moved to wipe it up, but
Garrett shoved his hand out of the way.

Garrett fell to his knees and licked away the wetness dripping out

of Lachlan. Lachlan craned his head around trying to watch as his
lover ate his own spunk from Lachlan’s body. The sight had
Lachlan’s cock jumping in reaction.

When done, Garrett stood up and turned Lachlan to face him.

Garrett covered Lachlan’s lips with his own, sharing Lachlan’s taste
with him. Lachlan groaned and sucked at his mate’s tongue, eager to
taste their lovemaking on Garrett’s tongue.

One more wet slide of tongue against tongue and Garrett pulled

away. “That was amazing,” Garrett said as he wound his arms around
Lachlan’s waist.

Lachlan started to laugh. “Well thank you. I do aim to please.”
“That you do.” Garrett smacked Lachlan on the ass. The sound

echoed in the woods.

“Ouch.” Lachlan rubbed at the reddened skin.
“Get dressed. If we’re late for lunch, Wes will come looking for

us. And no matter how much I trust and respect the man, I don’t want
him to see my sexy-as-sin mate naked for one minute.”

“Aww, how sweet.” Lachlan bent down to snatch up his shorts

where they lay wrapped around his ankles. “You’re jealous.”

“When it comes to you, yes. I’m very jealous.” Garrett planted a

hard kiss on Lachlan’s swollen lips. “Now get dressed and let’s head
back to our house.”

Lachlan pulled up his shorts and took the outstretched hand

Garrett offered. Hand in hand they walked back to their home.
Lachlan never considered anywhere home other than the Warriors of
the Light compounds they lived in. They moved around a lot, so one
never stuck out. But living with Garrett felt like home.

Lachlan whistled softly as he walked alongside his mate. He

hadn’t felt this content in ages.

Garrett’s Choice

Chapter Seven

Garrett hummed softly to himself as he walked down the hallway

to his office. He had a bounce to his step, and he felt like the ten-ton
weight tied around his neck had been cut free. After the afternoon he
just spent with his mate, things were starting to look up. Garrett knew
for a fact he had a glow to his checks as he wandered around his
house with a goofy grin plastered across his face. He was in love, and
nothing could compare to this feeling radiating out of his chest.

When they reached the house earlier, Garrett walked Lachlan back

to his room. They shared a few more kisses as they stood in the
hallway not wanting to say good-bye. Garrett said the first thing that
popped into his mind and that was for Lachlan to move back into
Garrett’s room. Now that they were together for keeps this time, they
should be able to share the same room. Lachlan agreed and promised
to pack his things and be moved in by tonight.

Tonight! My mate will be in my bed, tucked in close to me. That’s

fucking fantastic.

Garrett pumped his fist into the air and did a little side jump and

clicked his heels together. Life couldn’t get any better.

“What the fuck was that?”
Garrett turned around, grinning like a madman. “What was what?”
“You just jumped in the freaking air and clicked your heels like

you were fucking Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz.” Wes crossed his
arms over his chest and cocked his head to take closer look at Garrett.

“What? Can I not just be having a good day?” Garrett’s cheeks

stung from all the smiling, but he couldn’t help it. His damn face

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muscles were out of his control, and Garrett couldn’t be upset about
it.

“Good day, is that right?” Wes’s face split into a knowing grin

and started to laugh. “I guess all those crazy howls and purring
whimpers I heard coming from the woods were you and your mate
knocking boots in the great wide open, huh?”

“Yeah.” Garrett’s smile fell from his face. “You heard us?”
Oh, shit! If Wes had heard them, then other people probably heard

them, too. Garrett didn’t want Lachlan to be embarrassed or upset. He
didn’t think his mate would mind but he didn’t want to chance it.
They’d been apart for long enough, and Garrett couldn’t go back to
living without Lachlan.

“Not only me but a few others.” Wes stepped closer and patted

Garrett on the back. “Don’t sweat it, man. You’re a lot happier with
Lachlan in your life, and it shows. I think your pack members are
happy for you. I know I am.”

“You think?” Wes nodded yes. “Thanks, Wes.”
“Plus you’re a lot less of a dick while Lachlan’s around. That

alone has probably got the pack members wanting to fall at the lion’s
feet thanking him for pulling that stick out of your ass.”

“Hey now. It was because of trying to keep the peace within the

pack that cost me Lachlan the first time.” It was true. He’d
overlooked all the nasty comments thrown at his mate and all the dirty
looks sent in Lachlan’s direction. It was like navigating through a
minefield. He was trying to keep his mate happy but also the pack.
With a witch on the loose causing trouble, Garrett had to keep on the
pack’s good side so he could get information. But as it was, none of
the pack members knew anything or they just weren’t coming
forward, and that scared Garrett the most. Not knowing if one of his
wolves would turn on him at any minute was a frightening thing.

“It did and that lies completely on your shoulders. You’re the

alpha and you lead us, not the other way around.” Garrett opened his
mouth to explain, but Wes started speaking again. “I know why you

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did what you did. I’m just glad you figured it out before you lost the
guy for good.”

“Me, too.” Settling matters within the pack was one thing, but

Garrett still had to work on letting Lachlan have his freedom. Garrett
didn’t think he’d ever be okay with Lachlan being a warrior, but he
had to try.

Garrett turned and started back on his destination to his office, and

Wes fell in sync beside him.

“Have you invited Lachlan to the moon run tonight?” Wes asked.
The moon run was just that. The first night of the full moon all

pack members got together in the woods for a run. They treated it as a
large get-together. Everyone brought a side dish, and they’d grill
some type of meat. It was a good way for everyone to hang out, and it
also gave the pack time to speak with the alpha and gave the alpha a
chance to address the pack.

The myth behind the full moon causing werewolves to change

from human form to wolf form was created for entertainment value by
Hollywood. Garrett didn’t deny it made being a werewolf sound more
interesting, being governed by the moon and losing all control during
their shift. Yeah, it wasn’t like that at all. It didn’t matter if it was
human form or wolf form, shifters were still the same people. Their
minds didn’t change, and their control didn’t slip.

“No. I just assumed he was coming,” Garrett answered honestly.

Lachlan was his mate and co-alpha. Why wouldn’t he come along?

Garrett had reached his office and sat in the chair behind the desk,

and Wes relaxed back in the chair in front of him.

“Damn, boy.” Wes shook his head. “Haven’t you learned

anything? You need to invite Lachlan. He might like being asked and
not told he is going. You know?”

Garrett hadn’t thought of it that way. It made sense. “You’re right.

That would be the considerate thing to do. Hell, he might not feel
comfortable being the only lion among a pack of wolves.”

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“Possibly but I get the distinct impression your mate won’t give a

shit. I just think he’d like the chance to agree to go or not.” Wes
winked over at Garrett. “Plus your considerate behavior might get you
lucky later.”

Not that he thought he’d have any issue getting Lachlan on his

back, knees, or another position later, but he didn’t want to hedge his
bet. His cock began to fill just imagining his mate down on all fours,
ass high in the air, demanding Garrett fill him so full that Lachlan
wouldn’t know where Garrett began and he ended.

“Lachlan,” Garrett shouted from his office.
The sound of heavy footfalls echoed down the hall. “Yeah?”

Lachlan asked as he poked his head into the office.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell like that.” Garrett felt like an ass.

He didn’t want Lachlan to think he had to come running every time
Garrett called to him.

“It’s cool. I was heading this way anyways. What’s up, mate?”

Lachlan asked as he walked into Garrett’s office. He bumped fists
with Wes then sat down in the chair opposite Wes.

Garrett’s heart actually fucking fluttered at hearing Lachlan call

him mate. Damn, he was going to melt right there in his chair.

“Umm…” Garrett coughed to clear his throat and get his emotions

under control. “I was wondering if you’d liked to join us for the moon
run tonight. We do it every month. It’s tradition.”

“That’s kind of why I was coming to see you.” Garrett watched as

Lachlan mindlessly picked at a hole in his jeans. “Clara had
mentioned it, and I’m actually thrilled to get the invite from you. I’d
love to come if you think it won’t cause a problem.”

“No problems at all.” Garrett made a mental note to thank both

Wes and Clara. Wes for his timely advice on extending an invite
when one wasn’t needed because Lachlan was pack now, and to
sweet, young Clara for befriending his mate. “This is your pack now,
Lachlan. There are no restrictions on what you can and can’t do. I
promise you that.”

Garrett’s Choice

“Really?” Garrett could only nod. Lachlan’s face lit up like a

summer’s day with the smile he beamed his way.

Lachlan rose to his feet and walked around Garrett’s desk to his

side. “Then I’ll see you later, mate.” He bent at the waist and planted
a quick kiss against Garrett’s lips. As he straightened Lachlan cupped
the side of Garrett’s face and whispered, “I’m going to hold you to the
no-restrictions promise.”

Garrett inwardly cringed at the mischief swirling in his mate’s

amber-colored eyes. What have I agreed to?

“Aw that’s so sweet,” Wes said when Lachlan had left the room.

“You guys are so smitten.”

“Oh, shut up.” Garrett threw a pen in Wes’s direction. The man

easily dodged the flying missile. “Don’t you have work to do? Or in
the very least someone else to go and harass?”

Wes chuckled as he climbed to his feet. “Okay, I’m out of here.

Holler if you need anything.”

Once alone, Garrett stared at the large expanse of windows that

made up the far wall of his office. Garrett had been born a wolf and
had always had a great appreciation for the outdoors. A wolf loved to
run and hunt and those qualities had always been ingrained into
Garrett’s DNA. He loved the creature comforts of indoor living,
luxurious furniture, heating and air-conditioning, indoor plumbing,
but nothing could take away from his love of grass-covered ground
underfoot and wide-open skies overhead.

When Garrett had this house built some years ago, he made sure

there were a lot of windows throughout the home. If he couldn’t be
outside, at least the windows provided him an excellent view.

As he sat listening to birds chirp and watching leaves scatter

across the lawn, he couldn’t wait until nightfall. It would be the first
time Garrett and Lachlan would be running together with the pack.
The first time they made an official appearance as a mated pair.

Garrett relaxed back in his chair and placed his arms behind his

head. He couldn’t have asked for a better day.

AJ Jarrett

Chapter Eight

Lachlan couldn’t believe his eyes as he came into the clearing.

Tables and lawn chairs flooded the area with a large bonfire smack-
dab in the middle. What appeared to be every member of the pack
wandered around talking and eating as if they were at a barbecue. It
was amazing. Had any nonparanormal being come upon this group of
people in the woods, they would just assume they stumbled upon a
get-together between family and friends.

The only light came from the moon above and the fire sitting

center stage of the gathering. Lachlan recognized most of the faces,
but some were still new to him. No one gawked at him or gave him
dirty looks. They all were too caught up in their merriment to even
notice him. For that Lachlan was thankful.

Before he left with Garrett to come to the moon night run, Lachlan

had been a ball of out-of-control nerves. He sat in his room and nearly
chewed every fingernail down to the quick. It wasn’t that he cared if
the wolves liked him or not, but he wanted to fit in. Garrett was his
mate, and the Carrington Pack was Garrett’s family, and since
Lachlan wanted to be with Garrett, it made this his home, too. He
wanted everything to be in perfect harmony for once in his life.

“Lachlan.” He turned to see Aaron heading his way. They clasped

hands, and Aaron pulled Lachlan into a one-arm hug. “Glad to see
you here tonight.”

“This is my pack now, too.” Lachlan gestured to the surrounding

crowd of people. “Even if some of them don’t like it. Tough shit.”

“Oh, come on, man.” Aaron nudged him in the shoulder. “I think

a lot of them are just wary of you because you’re a newcomer. I think

Garrett’s Choice

once they get to know you better, they will see what an awesome guy
you truly are.”

“I hope so,” Lachlan mumbled under his breath.
Aaron wrapped an arm around Lachlan’s shoulders and pulled

him into his side. “I know so. Sure, some of them are assholes, but if I
remember correctly every species has that problem.”

“True that.” Lachlan had seen that firsthand from his own family

of lion shifters. “Each faction of paranormals does have a few bad
eggs.”

“Aaron, I know you and my mate are good friends, but could you

please refrain from touching him so much?” Garrett’s request was
followed by a low growl.

Aaron pulled his arm back and held his hands high in the air.

“Sure thing. I meant no disrespect, Alpha Garrett.”

Lachlan started to laugh, and Garrett turned his menacing stare on

him. “Garrett, I’m sorry but you have nothing to worry about where
Aaron’s concerned. We are just friends. Always have been, nothing
more.” Lachlan squinted one eye in thought then looked from Garrett
to Aaron then back again. “He did mess around with Lawson, but I
had no part in that.”

“I wouldn’t call that messing around,” Aaron answered. “With us

both being dominating tops, neither one of was willing to bend over
and grab ankles for the other, our time together consisted mostly of
blow jobs.”

“Dear god, man.” Disbelief clouded Garrett’s face. “How can you

stand there and say that right in front of his brother?”

“Oh, it’s okay, really.” Lachlan shrugged his shoulders in

indifference. “Lawson and I talk about everything and even on
occasion shared a guy or two in the past. We’re twins, we like to
share.”

“What the fuck did I just walk into?” Wes’s mouth gaped open as

he looked at Lachlan.

AJ Jarrett

“Apparently Aaron has fucked around with my brother-in-law,

and from there the conversation ventured into my mate and his
brother having shared men in the past,” Garrett answered. His voice
sounded aloof like it didn’t bother him, but Lachlan could see the
slight tic in Garrett’s jaw.

“I don’t know whether to be in shock or extremely turned-on at

the moment.” Wes ran a hand over his shaved head.

“Ditto,” Aaron said as he tried to hide his laughter. “I’ve partied

with the twins on several occasions when we were younger, and I’ve
actually seen…”

“Okay, that’s enough.” Garrett interrupted as he waved his hands

wildly in the air. “I’d rather live under the false pretenses that my
mate was celibate before he met me.”

Lachlan grabbed a bottle of water from the table behind him and

took a sip. He looked around him as his mate and their friends talked
a little more. Lachlan noticed immediately that Aaron’s little brother
was absent from the festivities.

“Hey, Aaron.” Lachlan waited until he had his friend’s attention

before he continued.

“Yeah.”
“Where’s Toby?”
“That’s a good question. I was curious about that myself,” Garrett

said as he looked among the faces milling around the campsite.

“He’s still not feeling up to it.” Aaron released a heavy sigh then

looked to the ground. “There are days I don’t think he’ll ever be the
same kid he used to be before the attack.”

“Oh, come on, man.” Wes clasped a hand on Aarons’ shoulder

and gave him a little shake. “The kid just needs some time, is all.”

“Wes is right, Aaron.” Garrett spoke up. “If Toby needs anything,

and I mean anything, please let us know. He’s pack, and we take care
of each other.”

“Thanks, you guys. It means a lot, it really does.” Lachlan

watched as Aaron wiped away a small tear.

Garrett’s Choice

“Also the offer to put Toby in contact with Astrid still stands as

well. Astrid’s a good man. I know he’d help Toby if he can.” Lachlan
put the offer out there again. The demons haunting Toby’s present
were the same demons of Astrid’s past. Lachlan couldn’t help but
think the young wolf would benefit from talking with the witch.

Aaron just nodded and headed off into the crowd of people

walking around having a good time. Lachlan’s heart broke for his
friend. Toby was suffering, but so was his brother.

“It’ll get better, Lachlan.” Garrett entwined his fingers with

Lachlan’s. “We just need to give Toby time. All we can do is offer
him the help and have it available when he’s ready to accept it.”

Lachlan nodded. It didn’t help him feel any less helpless though.
“Garrett, it’s about that time.” Wes tapped his finger on his watch

face.

“Time for what?” Lachlan asked.
Garrett started walking forward, dragging Lachlan behind him,

never letting go of his hand. “To address our pack before the run.”

Lachlan quickened his step to keep pace with Garrett. He pulled

his shoulders back, doing his best to give off the appearance of
confidence. He said he didn’t care if the wolves liked him or not, and
that was only partly true. Part of him wanted them all to get along
without any underlying currents of animosity.

As they neared the front of the crowd, silence fell upon them. The

only noises were the crackling of the fire and crickets chirping in the
distance. All eyes were on them. Lachlan held onto Garrett’s hand,
and his mate gave a small squeeze as if to give him some of Garrett’s
strength.

“Good evening,” Garrett said and was followed by several

greetings from the crowd. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming out
tonight for the moon run. To start things off I’d like to formally
introduce everyone to my mate, Lachlan.”

Holy shit! Lachlan stared out amongst the span of faces staring

back at him. He lifted his hand and gave a stiff wave.

AJ Jarrett

“Lachlan is a member of the Warriors of the Light, and he is a lion

shifter.” Garrett turned to smile down at Lachlan then turned his
attention back to the pack. “He’s also co-alpha of this pack and should
be treated as such. I know there have been some problems since
Lachlan and I’ve met, and I hope those are no longer an issue.”
Garrett narrowed his eyes to stare out among the crowd, and Lachlan
followed his gaze, looking for any naysayers.

“This is Lachlan’s first official moon run. The first of many more

to come, so please let’s make him feel welcomed.” When Garrett
finished, he stepped toward Lachlan and dropped his head forward to
give Lachlan an innocent kiss for all to see. Hoots and hollers rang
out from the crowd, and Lachlan could feel his face burn.

Garrett pulled back and mouthed I love you, and then looked back

toward the pack. “Before I forget, remember to stay within the
Carrington property lines.” Garrett’s gaze flickered to some of the
younger wolves, and he pointed a finger in their direction. “I’m
talkin’ to you wise asses over there.” The teenagers gave the “who
me?” look then agreed to follow the rules.

As the crowd started to split up to prepare for the run, a few of the

pack members came over to introduce themselves properly to
Lachlan. Some apologized for being hesitant on getting to know him.
They admitted that their fear of the unknown clouded their judgment.
Lachlan totally understood that since he felt the same way toward
them. It would take time, but Lachlan could see hope on the horizon
for him and the Carrington Pack.

“Hi, Lachlan,” Clara said as she reached up to give him a hug.

“I’m really glad you came tonight.”

“Me, too, Clara. Me, too.” Lachlan hugged her back. “So you

ready to run?”

“Yes, sir.” She started to head off toward the far end of the group.

“See you later, Lachlan,” Clara said over her shoulders.

“Clara, where are you going?” Lachlan asked as he jogged to

catch up with her.

Garrett’s Choice

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Clara stopped walking and turned to face

Lachlan. “Me and some of the other unmated females like to run
together.”

“I can understand that.” Unmated males could be quite frisky

during and after a shift. Not all females were into having sex just for
the sake of having it. They didn’t let their bodies rule their better
judgment. “Well you be careful and howl if you need anything.”
Lachlan held his hand palm up for her to smack his. He smiled when
she started to giggle as she slapped her hand against his and then took
off toward where the other women were.

Lachlan watched for a moment to make sure Clara had reached

the other wolves before he turned back to look for his mate. He saw
Garrett talking with another wolf and headed in that direction. When
he stood next to Garrett, Lachlan slipped his hand into the curl of his
mate’s fingers.

Garrett turned to look at him, pride shining in his eyes. “Lachlan,

this is Barney and his wife, Grace.”

“Hello.” Lachlan thought the couple looked familiar. Once he

shook Barney’s hand, it dawned on him why. “I remember you two
from the night at the warriors’ compound. You helped us find Astrid.”

A little over three weeks prior, before everything came to a head

between him and Garrett, Astrid had been abducted. He and Garrett
worked with the Warriors of the Light to get Astrid back. Ben’s mate,
Miles, informed them that Astrid’s mate, Klaus, could wish them to
Astrid and ultimately save him. And by god it worked. Lachlan
couldn’t believe what he’d witnessed that night, magic used for the
greater good.

Barney and Grace had willingly volunteered to help with the

mission even though they’d never met Astrid or Klaus. They said that
Lachlan was just as much their alpha as Garrett, and they could sense
Lachlan’s need to help and get Astrid back. And they did without any
questions or any type of reimbursement of any kind. Barney and
Grace were selfless people who only ever wanted to help.

AJ Jarrett

“Yes, sir. That was us.” Barney gave Lachlan’s hand a hardy

shake.

“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you at first.” Lachlan’s eyes darted

about him aimlessly. “It’s just been a crazy past few weeks.”

“Hell, don’t sweat it.” Barney gave him a knowing look. “You’ve

had other things on your mind. Don’t feel bad about a thing.” Barney
wrapped his arm around Grace’s shoulders and drew her close.
“We’re just happy to see you back with Garrett.”

“Thanks, that means a lot.”
“We mean it, too,” Grace said as she stared longingly up at her

husband. “No one should be separated from the person they love more
than their next breath.” Her eyes met Lachlan’s. “When you live
forever, finding your soul mate is the only thing that can help keep
you grounded. Hang on to it, darling, and never let go.”

Lachlan looked over to Garrett, and his mate stared right back at

him. Just looking at his mate set his pulse racing. The love he had for
Garrett was like no other, and that connection seemed to be attached
with a tight iron fist to his dick.

Lachlan could feel an uncomfortable heat crawling up his neck to

settle in his cheeks. The last thing he needed was to have to get
undressed in front of all these other shifters with a hard-on so strong
he could pound steel rods into the ground.

Just then Garrett rested his hand on the small of Lachlan’s back,

just above where his ass rounded out. The heat smoldering in his
mate’s eyes foretold of the need coursing through Garrett’s body. It
appeared Lachlan and his mate were on the same page. First they’d
run with their pack then head home to fuck like the beasts they were.

“I have no intentions of ever letting you go again,” Garrett said

softly against Lachlan’s ear.

“Let’s do this, lovebirds,” Wes said as he hustled in their

direction. “The moon is high, and we’re ready to run.”

Reluctantly Lachlan stepped away from Garrett and started to

remove his clothes. Everyone else was either undressed or in the

Garrett’s Choice

process of undressing. They were shifters, so modesty was wasted on
them. Being naked in front of others was something a shifter grew up
used to. If they weren’t then they’d go through a shit load of clothes
every time they shifted and ripped the ones on their bodies to shreds.
A very costly endeavor.

With clothes off, the other shifters waited until Garrett shifted

before doing so themselves.

Lachlan watched, transfixed on his mate’s glorious body as it

shimmered in the firelight. Every muscle tensed and flexed as the
change crept over him. Where once stood a man on two feet, now was
a wolf with the blackest fur that shimmered in the moonlight. Garrett
let out a howl and all the other wolves started to shift.

Catching up, Lachlan quickly allowed his body to grow and

stretch to form his lion’s body. The usual dizzy and ticklish sensation
ran through him as he fell to his knees and as his body transformed. It
was over before he knew, and several other wolves stood gazing at
him. Lachlan felt a little self-conscious at first, then with one sharp
bark from Garrett, they took off. Lachlan rushed to catch up with
Garrett and ran by his side.

The woods were dark, but the moon guided their way. Even

without the luminescent light from above, their paranormal eyesight
allowed them to see extraordinary well in the dark. A gift granted to
them by their animal forms. Wolves and lions were predators. They
had to have superb vision in order to protect themselves from any
unseen threat that may be lying in wait, ready to attack at any moment
they dropped their guard.

Lachlan raced alongside Garrett, letting the cool breeze whip

across his face. He felt the freest when running in his lion form. The
problems he had while in his human form didn’t seem so bad. The
lion in him didn’t care if others liked him, or if his mate was a
complete asshole. The lion only cared about running, hunting, and
fucking. It was simple.

AJ Jarrett

Looking over to Garrett, Lachlan could see the relaxed demeanor

of his mate. Running in wolf form must give Garrett that same feeling
of rightness in the world if only for a short time.

They ran across the uneven, rough ground and pounced over

fallen trees and low dips in the ground. The decaying leaves crushed
to dust under his heavy paws as he ran with abandon with his mate.

The wolves had started to separate, but Garrett held close to

Lachlan. Lachlan could faintly hear the sounds of Mother Nature over
his and Garrett’s heavy breathing. They were racing and playing like
they’d never done before. Lachlan felt like a teenager as he nudged
and leapt over his mate. In return Garrett would barrel into his side
and give a light nip to Lachlan’s flanks. They were having fun.

Lachlan was preparing to tackle Garrett to the ground when a

loud, ear-piercing howl filled the air. He looked over to Garrett to see
his mate had stopped dead in his tracks scenting the air. Garrett’s eyes
landed in the direction facing east, and he took off running.

Garrett’s Choice

Chapter Nine

Everything was going so perfect Garrett should have known

something would come along and fuck it up.

He was traipsing through the woods with his mate having the time

of his life. A lion and a wolf weren’t a common combination in a
mating, but he and Lachlan were making it work. They were growing
to trust one another like only mates could. It didn’t matter that they
were from different species. They were enjoying a moonlit run
together. Garrett was overflowing with happiness until the sound of a
desperate howl wrenched through the woods.

It took Garrett only a moment to detect where the howls were

coming from, and he took off. Behind him he could hear Lachlan
rushing to keep up. Garrett wanted to shift and tell Lachlan not to
follow, that it might be dangerous. But to shift now would only cost
him precious time that whoever howled may not have.

As they reached the east side of the woods, a small creek ran

through the narrow clearing. Garrett could scent the blood in the air
and immediately shifted to his half-human form. He eased up on to
his feet and took a cautious step toward the dark mass lying half in,
half out of the creek. He wanted to be prepared just in case this was a
trick by the witch trying to infiltrate his pack. Garrett couldn’t afford
to be blindsided especially with his mate standing right behind him.
At all costs Garrett had to keep Lachlan safe.

In the distance Garrett could hear Wes howling, and it was getting

nearer. Garrett should wait for Wes, but an overwhelming sense of
doom had him walking forward to assess the situation.

AJ Jarrett

As Garrett drew closer to the scene laid out before him, he

instantly knew something was severely wrong. The copper scent of
blood was heavy in the air, almost so that Garrett could taste the
substance on his tongue. Glancing about, his eyes landed back on the
water. It was flowing red. Whatever lay humped over the edge of the
creek was either dead or in the process of dying.

“Who is that? I can smell blood in the air,” Lachlan’s rough,

rasping voice asked from beside him.

“I’m not sure. But I’m going to find out. Keep your eyes opened

for any signs of an attack. This could be that witch’s doing.” Garrett
stepped closer to the motionless body on the ground. The sound of
water trickling over rocks would have been soothing had he not
known that a body lay only a few feet away.

Garrett bent down and rolled the wet form over. He gasped when

he saw the lifeless eyes of one of the younger females staring back at
him. Her throat had been ripped out. The wound was so deep and
vicious it went clear down to her spine. Between her breasts lay a
gaping hole where her heart should have been. Whoever did this
wanted to make sure it killed the girl.

“Lachlan!”
Garrett stood up so fast he felt dizzy. He turned to his mate just in

time to see another female running toward him. As the moonlight lit
up her face, Garrett recognized that it was Clara.

“Clara, oh my god what happened?” Lachlan held the woman

close as she sobbed into his chest.

Garrett glanced down at the lifeless body one more time then

turned his attention to the hysterical woman in his mate’s arms.

“They came out of nowhere. Lacy and I were just running,

enjoying the night. We never heard them coming. I…tried.” Clara’s
voice hitched, and she gasped for breath. Her hands shook
uncontrollably as she tried to explain what happened.

“Shh, calm down, Clara.” Lachlan pulled her close again, trying to

soothe her any way he could.

Garrett’s Choice

Garrett looked in all directions trying to figure out what had

happened. Typically when dark warriors attacked, they didn’t leave
survivors. Something about this didn’t feel right, but Garrett couldn’t
be for sure.

“Oh my god, Clara, you’re bleeding.”
Garrett walked back over to his mate and a crying Clara. Her right

cheek had been slashed open, and the wound wasn’t closing. Silver. It
was the only thing that would cause a wound not to heal properly.

“Clara,” Garrett said as calmly as he could. “I need to know what

happened here.”

Clara looked up at him but kept her head resting on Lachlan’s

chest. Her eyes were wild. Garrett feared she was suffering from
shock.

After a few deep breaths, Clara started to speak. “Lacy and I were

running like we usually do, together. We liked to run on this side of
the property because most of the unmated males don’t come this far
out. We can run without being bothered.” Clara broke down again and
started to cry.

“Clara, I know this must be difficult for you, but I need to know

what happened.” Garrett placed his hand on the back of her head,
trying to will his strength into the young woman.

Sounds of footsteps met Garrett’s ears. He recognized Wes’s scent

coming toward them.

“We were running, and then the next thing we knew we were

surrounded. There were so many of them we couldn’t escape. We
tried to fight them but they were too strong.”

“Who? What were they, Clara?” Lachlan asked. The warrior in

him was starting to show through, and Garrett feared his mate would
seek out vengeance to right the wrong committed tonight.

“Vampires but not like the ones I’ve met. They had eyes black as

night.” Her lips started to tremble as tears ran like a river down her
cheeks smearing the blood dripping from her wound.

AJ Jarrett

“Garrett, come over here.” Garrett turned around and walked over

to Wes. The man was knelt down next to Lacy’s body. “By the looks
of the wound it was something with sharp teeth, but I can’t say for
sure it was a vampire. But the bite looks consistent with a vampire
attack.”

More wolves arrived on the scene, and Garrett quickly explained

the situation. He ordered the younger wolves back to the campsite and
out of harm’s way. A few older wolves ushered them back. Grace
took Clara from Lachlan’s arms and promised to keep her safe.
Garrett knew how attached Lachlan had become to the young woman
and promised that Grace would take excellent care of her.

Garrett chose four of his trusted pack members to stay. They

needed to spread out and start searching the area for clues. The
blanketing night sky wasn’t helping their cause. Even with the moon
high above, it wasn’t enough light to capture a glimpse of anything of
real importance.

Garrett ordered Lachlan to stay close to his side. When his mate

opened his mouth to complain, Garrett cupped the side of his face and
stared into the amber depths, silently pleading with Lachlan to do as
he said. With a reluctant nod, Lachlan agreed.

The sound of laughter had everyone jerking to a stop. Garrett

turned his head from side to side searching for the direction the sound
came from. It echoed so loudly it was as if it were coming from all
directions, but that was impossible.

Garrett gripped Lachlan’s hand tightly when his mate tried to

move away from him.

Lachlan tried to pull his hand free, but Garrett was unrelenting.
“Let go of me.” Lachlan yanked his hand out of Garrett’s hold.

“We need to catch whoever that is.” Lachlan’s eyes tracked the
movement and sound of the fleeting stranger.

“Lachlan, I’m ordering you to stay put.” Garrett stepped in front

of Lachlan, blocking his path as he tried to walk around him.

Garrett’s Choice

“Excuse me?” Lachlan narrowed his eyes at Garrett. “Did you just

say you’re ordering me? Fuck you.” Lachlan shoved Garrett in the
chest and walked right on past.

“Lachlan, I gave you an order. Cease moving or else,” Garrett said

forcefully as he reached for Lachlan’s arm. When his fingers wrapped
around his mate’s firm bicep, Garrett tugged him around.

“Or else what?” Lachlan sneered as he stared down his nose at

Garrett. Garrett was impressed with that feat since he was taller than
his mate.

“This.” Before Garrett knew what he was doing he pulled back his

fist and punched Lachlan square in the side of the head, knocking him
unconscious. A welt the size of his fist bloomed on the side of
Lachlan’s head. Had Lachlan not been a paranormal, the blow would
have killed him.

“Holy shit!” Aaron exclaimed as he ran forward, falling to his

knees next to friend’s prone body. “What the fuck, Garrett?”

“It was for his own good.” Garrett tried to justify his actions. His

fingers ached from the force

with which he struck his mate. Lachlan

would be fuming when he woke up, but Garrett would deal with that
later. He couldn’t do his job as alpha if he was constantly worried
about his mate. They had already lost one pack member this night,
and Garrett didn’t want to lose any more or worse, his mate.

“Right, see how well that excuse works for you when he wakes

up.” Wes stood beside him staring down at Lachlan.

“We don’t have time for this. I did what I had to do to keep my

mate safe.” Garrett believed those words. He just prayed Lachlan
would, too.

AJ Jarrett

Chapter Ten

The search for the trespassing stranger and possible murderer

turned up empty. Whoever was in the woods had vanished as if into
thin air. No scents, no tracks, nothing to prove there had ever been
anyone there at all. The only evidence they had was one dead body
and one hysterical female proclaiming that there had been several
men in the woods that night.

Garrett looked over at his mate. Lachlan sat stiffly in his seat with

an ice pack held to his head. He was immortal, and the knot had
receded quite a bit, but Garrett assumed it still hurt like a bitch.

Since Lachlan had regained consciousness, he had ignored

Garrett. When Garrett and the other wolves exited the dense woods
and entered the clearing where the rest of the pack had remained,
Lachlan greeted him with a steely stare. There was no love or
understanding for what he had done in those eyes, just pure,
unadulterated hatred.

The drive home carried on in silence. If Lachlan couldn’t

understand why Garrett did what he did, it was no use to try and
explain it to him now. Garrett just knew he had his work cut out for
him to repair, once again, the damage he’d caused.

Garrett wanted to punch the dashboard he was so fucking mad.

Everything he had done since meeting Lachlan was out of love. Why
couldn’t his mate see that? It wasn’t just that Garrett was a control
freak, which he was. He just needed his mate to stay alive. The
paranormal world was in utter chaos, and Lachlan’s job as a warrior
put him front and center of the war going on around them.

Garrett’s Choice

The Carrington estate came into view, and Garrett turned down

the long driveway. He parked the car and before he even shut the
engine off, Lachlan had jumped out, racing up the front steps.

Garrett blew out a heavy breath and got out of the truck. He

looked to the sky and prayed for the patience to deal with his surly
mate.

Lachlan stormed up the stairs, and Garrett followed close behind.

They had to hash this out before it festered into an even bigger
problem. Garrett had lived without Lachlan before, and he wasn’t
about to do it again.

“Lachlan, we need to talk.” Lachlan spun around and the

bitterness in his mate’s eyes broke his heart. He’d caused that pain.
Garrett needed to learn to trust his mate, but the fear of the unknown
clawed at his insides like a beast. But by his mate’s rigid posture and
clenched fist, Garrett knew he had a shitload of groveling in his
future. He’d give and do anything to get them back to the way they
were before the moon run.

* * * *

“Talk?” Lachlan threw Garrett into the wall and watched as he

crumpled to the floor. Garrett lay there stunned, and Lachlan took
advantage of his stupor to grab his shirt front and toss him up against
the wall, holding the material tight in his fist. “You fucking hit me in
front of our pack.”

“I had to. If I hadn’t you would have ran after those men. I

couldn’t chance you getting hurt or worse, killed.” Garrett gripped
Lachlan’s wrist in his hands, trying to get Lachlan to release his hold.
It only made Lachlan’s fist clench tighter, and the shirt started to rip.

“That’s my fucking job,” Lachlan spat into Garrett’s face as he

banged Garrett against the wall with every word he spoke. “I’m a
goddamn warrior. It’s what I’ve been trained to do.”

AJ Jarrett

“Maybe, but I’m not trained to just let someone I love run blindly

into danger.”

That gave Lachlan a moment’s pause, but it was fleeting. Garrett

used the word love to justify his actions, and it wasn’t right. Garrett
was domineering and wanted everything his way, a picture-perfect,
cookie-cutter life. Well he could kiss that notion good-bye because
Lachlan wasn’t some weakling needing someone else to tell him what
to do. Lachlan was a fierce and strong warrior. He’d killed men for
less than the grievances his mate put upon him tonight.

“Please, Lachlan, understand where I’m coming from.” Garrett’s

voice softened, but Lachlan wasn’t fooled. If he let Garrett go he’d
get the upper hand, and Lachlan couldn’t allow that. He had to make
Garrett understand he didn’t need to be taken care of. If anything,
Lachlan had a more cunning mind than his mate. Garrett was just too
pigheaded to realize it.

Garrett started to struggle, but Lachlan wouldn’t let go. “Let go of

me. I’m your alpha, and I was just doing what was within my right.”

Lachlan started to chuckle. He couldn’t believe the nerve of his

mate. “If that statement were true then I’m your alpha as well, mate.
We’re equals in everything.” Lachlan stepped close until his nose
brushed against Garrett’s. “Being mated can be a real bitch, huh?”

“I understand that you’re upset and hurt and probably a little

embarrassed, but you’re being irrational right now.”

“I’m being irrational?” Lachlan pushed Garrett against the wall

again, and a picture fell to the floor along with some Sheetrock.

Garrett raised his arms up then brought them down quick and hard

on Lachlan’s forearms. Lachlan immediately let go, and Garrett
tackled him to floor. They rolled around, bumping into furniture as
they did. The sounds of splintering wood and cracking glass mingled
with their grunting. The sound didn’t compare to Lachlan’s racing
heartbeat as it beat out of control.

They continued to grapple on the floor with Lachlan landing on

his back. He bucked his hips and shoved at Garrett’s shoulders, and

Garrett’s Choice

he went sailing across the room. Lachlan pounced and held Garrett
pinned to the floor. Sweat gathered in his hairline and ran down his
face to drip from the tip of his nose to land on Garrett’s lips.

Garrett’s tongue darted out to lick up the salty liquid, and Lachlan

roared at the sight. His cock had already been half-hard from the
wrestling around they’d done, now it throbbed with need. Even as
angry as Lachlan was, his body didn’t know the difference. All it
knew was that it wanted to claim its mate.

Lachlan gripped Garrett’s wrist in his hands and pulled them over

Garrett’s head. His mate was bleeding from a split in his lip and a
gash above his eyebrow. A fine layer of sweat caused Garrett’s tan
skin to glow in the low lighting of the room. The predator in Lachlan
had never been so turned-on. He needed to be inside his mate. He
needed to prove his dominance to Garrett so that his mate knew he
wasn’t the only alpha in their relationship and that Lachlan didn’t
need to be coddled like an infant.

As Lachlan held on to Garrett, his mate stared up at him with half-

hooded eyes. A firm bulge bumped up against his, giving away his
mate’s arousal. Lachlan fell forward and covered Garrett’s lips with
his own. The kiss was hard and rough. Lachlan used his teeth to nip at
Garrett’s lips until they bled some more. He used his tongue to swipe
away the coppery crimson, savoring every drop as it slid down his
throat. Garrett’s lips parted, and a soft growl met Lachlan’s ears.

Lachlan pulled back, and Garrett stared up at him with such

wonder that Lachlan felt guilty for fighting in this manner with the
man he so desperately loved and wanted to be with.

Garrett’s usual smiling blue eyes were nearly black with desire.

Lachlan could see the yearning raging like a forest fire in his mate’s
eyes, and Lachlan snapped. He sat back on his haunches and flipped
Garrett over. Garrett hit the floor with a thud and a sharp inhale of
breath. Lachlan quickly covered Garrett’s back with his front and
shuddered as the heat radiating off his mate sank through his clothes
and into Lachlan’s skin.

AJ Jarrett

Lachlan licked at the back of Garrett’s neck, humming as he

tasted the sweat covering the tender skin. As he feasted on Garrett’s
flesh, Lachlan took in his mate’s smell, dried leaves and fire. It was
rustic and wild like just like the man beneath him.

Between the smells and sounds his mate made, Lachlan lost his

grip on his control. Blood pumped directly to his cock, making the
member flex and jerk in his pants. Garrett wiggled his hips just a
fraction, but it was enough to have Lachlan grinding his hardened
shaft into the crease of Garrett’s jean-covered ass.

Lachlan was still angry, but his lion wanted to claim its mate until

all the rage drained from his body. Without getting Garrett’s consent,
Lachlan let his claws descend and sheared the clothes from Garrett’s
body. Garrett wasn’t fighting him, but his body began to tremble.
Lachlan ran his claws lightly down his mate’s back, watching as the
muscles jumped from the gentle touch. Lachlan reached down with
his hands and grabbed Garrett’s ass, hard enough to puncture the thick
tissue with his nails. Garrett gave a small yelp, and Lachlan couldn’t
help but smile. He liked seeing his mark on his mate. Garrett was
always the one sitting in the driver’s seat, but now, it was Lachlan’s
turn.

Lachlan leaned back down to cover his mate’s naked body, letting

the rough textures of his clothes scrape across Garrett exposed skin.
He blew hot breaths against Garrett’s ear and licked along the shell. A
small tremor raked through Garrett’s body.

“Don’t move a muscle,” Lachlan said in a raspy whisper, his

throat thick with arousal. His mind and body were on overload with
his out-of-sync feelings. He started off wanting to hurt his mate, to
make him feel little and weak the way Garrett had done to him that
night. But now, all he could think about was sinking into Garrett’s
tight, hot channel and fucking him until they both screamed out their
pleasure.

Lachlan popped up and rushed over to his nightstand. He pulled

out the lube he’d left in the drawer. As he walked back over to where

Garrett’s Choice

Garrett lay facedown, he toed off his shoes and shucked off his shirt.
He unfastened the snap on his jeans but kept them on.

Peering down at his mate, Lachlan took in Garrett’s broad

shoulders that tapered down to a trim waist. Garrett’s backside was
perfect as if carved from marble to form the roundest ass Lachlan had
ever seen. And Garrett’s legs were so thick and corded with muscle
the man could probably snap someone’s neck with those lethal
weapons.

Dark, coarse hair covered Garrett’s legs and ran up to shade the

crease of his mate’s ass. Lachlan wanted to dive between those firm
mounds and tease the tiny pucker the thick hair tried to conceal.
Reaching down, Lachlan pulled up on Garrett’s hips, bringing the
man up onto his knees. Lachlan smiled as he kneaded Garrett’s flesh,
letting his fingers fan out. He started to work apart Garrett’s ass
cheeks.

When Garrett started to push into his touch, Lachlan bent down

and ran his tongue from the cleft of Garrett’s crease down to the
dusty-colored star of his entrance. Lachlan teased the small opening
with his tongue. He’d circle then dart his tongue inside, stretching
ever so lightly.

“Fuck,” Garrett grated out between clenched teeth as he rubbed

his face into the carpet.

Lachlan smiled. He kept up his assault on his mate’s ass until the

hole fluttered open, almost winking at him. Sitting back, Lachlan
pulled his pants halfway down his hips and coated his cock with the
lube, using the excess gel to probe his mate’s entrance with his
fingers. Garrett gasped as his muscles clinched tight against invasion.

“I’m going to fuck you until you beg me to stop,” Lachlan said as

he pulled his fingers free.

He’d only finger fucked his mate for a few minutes. Lachlan

wanted to take Garrett while he was still nice and tight and could feel
the pinch of pain. The pain would only last a second before it blended
with pleasure. Lachlan wanted Garrett to be shocked by his bold

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actions. He wanted his mate to know that Garrett wasn’t the only
alpha in the bedroom.

With one hand on Garrett’s shoulder, Lachlan used the other to

guide his aching cock to his mate’s hole. He swiped the bulbous head
over the muscle and grinned as he watched Garrett’s muscles tense.
Using his other hand, Lachlan pushed forward until the crown sunk
inside.

Lachlan released a loud moan and pulled back out. On his next

breath he pushed in farther and Garrett arched his back, jutting his ass
out further. Lachlan brought his other hand up to grab Garrett’s other
shoulder and gave one quick thrust forward until his thighs met the
back of Garrett’s ass. He held still for just a moment before he started
pounding into his mate.

Garrett grunted with each inward stroke but never protested

Lachlan’s handling of his body. In and out, harder and harder,
Lachlan was getting lost in his mate’s body. On the next thrust,
Lachlan knocked Garrett forward. Lachlan took that moment to push
Garrett’s head into the carpet and held him there. He leaned farther
over Garrett’s body as he slammed home with every stroke. Keeping
one hand on Garrett’s head, Lachlan used his other one to reach
around and pump Garrett’s cock. Lachlan’s orgasm stirred just
beneath the surface, but he wanted to feel Garrett come on his shaft
while he thrust into his tight heat.

Lachlan fisted Garrett’s cock in time with his hips. Cum collected

in his balls, and he was moments away from shooting his load deep in
Garrett’s velvet channel.

Garrett had claimed Lachlan in the blood, sex, magic ritual. It was

only fair Lachlan do the same for his mate. Lachlan pulled out of
Garrett and sliced a thin line from tip to base down his length. Blood
instantly beaded up from the shallow cut. He then collected a drop of
blood that dribbled from the claw marks he gifted onto Garrett’s body
and wiped the contents over his angry red tip, then thrust back into
Garrett.

Garrett’s Choice

“What are you doing?” Garrett rasped as he tried to push onto his

elbows.

“Claiming my mate.” Lachlan locked his arm in place, not

allowing Garrett to get up. He was in control, and Garrett had to
follow his orders.

Lachlan’s body felt strung tight as he rammed into Garrett. He

was just about to come when he felt Garrett’s erection swell in his
hand. Garrett’s seed shot out the tip, bathing Lachlan’s hand in
warmth. The dual sensations of feeling Garrett clamp around his cock
and the smell of his mate’s pleasure shoved Lachlan over the edge
into the most delightful free fall of his life. He came long and hard
inside Garrett’s smoldering depths. Their bonding connection had
already been cemented into place, but Lachlan could have sworn he
felt their souls strengthen in power.

Garrett collapsed to the floor, and Lachlan followed him down,

not ready to pull out of Garrett’s welcoming body. He half lay on the
floor and on his mate. Garrett didn’t seem to mind. He just lay there
trying to catch his breath.

After a few minutes Lachlan pulled out and climbed to his feet.

He went into the bathroom and rinsed off his cock then grabbed a wet
cloth. Garrett was still lying motionless on the floor when Lachlan
returned. He knelt down and wiped away the cum leaking out of
Garrett’s stretched hole. When he was done Lachlan tossed the soiled
cloth in the direction of the bathroom, not caring if it actually made it
to its destination.

Looking down at his mate on the floor, Lachlan had no desire to

lounge on the hard surface, even with the carpet, when he had a nice
cozy bed to share with his mate. They needed to talk, and Lachlan
would be damned if they did it on the cold floor.

“Come on, Garrett. Get up.” Lachlan tapped Garrett on the

shoulder when he didn’t move.

AJ Jarrett

Garrett turned his head and looked up at him. “No. If I get up

you’re just going to kick me out. I prefer to lie here on the floor so I
can be near you.”

Lachlan wanted to laugh at the needless determination on his

mate’s face. Kicking Garrett out was the last thing Lachlan wanted to
do. “I meant for you to join me in my bed, not leave the room.”

“Oh.” A look of shock crossed Garrett’s face before he could

mask it.

Lachlan extended a hand to his mate, and Garrett accepted it. He

pulled Garrett to his feet then walked hand in hand back to the bed.
Lachlan pulled back the comforter and motioned for Garrett to climb
in first. Once Garrett was situated, Lachlan curled in next to Garrett,
wrapping his arm around Garrett’s waist.

Lachlan combed his fingers through Garrett’s dark hair, relishing

in its thickness. Garrett was always so eager to take care of everyone
else, but Lachlan could sense his mate needed some pampering of his
own.

Neither one made the move to speak, and Lachlan had thought

Garrett had fallen asleep until he turned to face him.

“I’m sorry about tonight. I just got scared,” Garrett admitted in a

small voice. One that Lachlan couldn’t believe came from his strong,
confident mate. “I know I sound like a broken record, but I’m trying
to work on not ordering you around, but it’s just so hard when you
constantly want to step right in the path of a moving car.” Garrett
darted his eyes up to Lachlan’s. “So to speak.”

“I know you are, but you have to realize I’m not weak and I’m not

stupid. I wouldn’t jump into a fight without having some sort of
strategy in place.” Lachlan took a deep breath. He wasn’t about to let
his emotions get the better of him. “You need to start seeing me as
your equal and not one of the many people you need to take care of.”

Garrett’s eyes dropped to stare at Lachlan’s chest. He started to

twirl his fingers in the fine hair covering Lachlan’s torso, and Lachlan
found the action sweet and innocent, so unlike the man himself. His

Garrett’s Choice

mate needed someone to step up and take care of him for once. Too
much pressure sat on Garrett’s shoulders. If only he’d see that
Lachlan was here with no intentions of going anywhere. They could
share the responsibility of running and caring for their pack.

“Part of me knows that, but I can’t chance losing the one thing

that makes all this worth living for.” Garrett gestured around the
room. “I’ve been groomed from an early age to be the alpha of this
pack, so my dad could one day retire after eight hundred years of
service. The stress and anxiety has eaten away at me. I’m afraid to
make any wrong decisions. My father was an amazing alpha. I cannot
not live up to the expectations he set forth.” Garrett looked at Lachlan
with sad eyes.

Lachlan’s heart broke for Garrett. His mate didn’t try to always

have the upper hand out of some sense of entitlement but out of
training.

“My dad taught me that family came first and above all else to

keep them safe, that includes the pack. He said to let them down
would be failure and that someone might challenge me for my seat as
alpha.” Garrett’s hand stilled where it moved on Lachlan’s body.
Lachlan wanted him to keep touching him but knew better than to
interrupt his mate. “I might have grown up here, but knowing that one
day these people’s fate would rest solely in my hands had me keeping
my distance. If I didn’t know them on personal level, maybe it
wouldn’t hurt so much if I did happen to let them down. After a while
one face bled into another and all that meant was another person I had
to keep safe. I never told my parents, but it was hard knowing my
whole life had been planned out for me before I ever got the chance to
really live it, you know?”

Lachlan didn’t know what to say. This was the first time Garrett

had opened up to him. If Lachlan thought too hard on it, he’d be
riddled with guilt. Every time they were together Lachlan only
thought about himself and his feelings and what he wanted. Never
once did he consider Garrett’s needs or even inquire about his mate’s

AJ Jarrett

past. Lachlan felt like a downright jerk. He’d guarded his heart for so
many years, he immediately went on the defensive when Garrett
didn’t live up to the expectations Lachlan had built up in his mind for
what he wanted his mate to be like. In doing so he wedged a ten-foot
gap between them to keep Garrett from hurting him. But in the end
Lachlan had only hurt himself and made his mate suffer.

Maybe Garrett had every right to punch me in the face. Lachlan

twitched his nose at the memory of the hard right hook Garrett
planted on him.

“Well, you’re not alone anymore. You have me to help with the

burden of leading the pack,” Lachlan said, wishing they could rewind
time to have avoided all the misunderstandings that kept them apart.
“I wish we could have talked about all this before now.” It wasn’t all
Garrett’s fault for the lack of communication between them, but
Lachlan wanted to right that wrong. Get on a more even ground with
his mate. It wasn’t an issue of lack of love because the love was
plentiful. It was Lachlan’s fear of being let down by his mate and
Garrett’s fear of letting his mate down. It was a cluster fuck to the
tenth degree, all from each of them being too stubborn to talk about
their own fears.

“There’re a lot of things I wished we would have done before

now.” Garrett released a nervous chuckle. “But what is done is done.
The question is can we move forward from here?”

Lachlan leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly across

Garrett’s. They still had so many things to sort out and work on, but
this was a beginning, and it looked promising.

Pushing Garrett to his back, Lachlan rolled to lie on top of his

mate. The kiss deepened, and Lachlan could feel his cock rising to the
occasion for round two. He reluctantly broke the kiss.

“Does this answer your question?” Lachlan circled his hips,

grinding his erection into Garrett’s hot length. Garrett gasped and his
warm, moist breath fanned across Lachlan’s face, making him
shudder from the light, teasing breeze.

Garrett’s Choice

No more words were spoken as Lachlan sat up and straddled his

mate’s hips. Garrett quickly prepared Lachlan, then Lachlan rode
Garrett until they both cried out their triumphant relief. The night had
started out crazy but ended in an understanding that they would work
together and start to share responsibilities as alphas of the Carrington
Pack.

Garrett still seemed hesitant to share responsibilities with Lachlan,

especially with a witch on the loose, but Lachlan reassured him this
was how it had to be. For them to be together they had to make
adjustments. And that also meant Lachlan wouldn’t be taking as many
risks. He agreed not to go on too many missions with the Warriors of
the Light until he discussed their severity with Garrett. He had a duty
to his mate and to the pack. Lachlan had finally accepted that and
would meet Garrett halfway.

As the minutes ticked by fatigue started to set in. There were still

many more things to discuss regarding the sequence of events that
transpired earlier that evening, but they decided to shelve it until
morning. Wes and a few other wolves continued to search the woods.
If any more information turned up, those men would find it and report
back at first light.

Snuggling in closer, Lachlan relaxed into Garrett’s strong arms.

The constant, steady stream of his mate’s breathing started to carry
his tired mind off to sleep.

AJ Jarrett

Chapter Eleven

Lachlan’s eyes blinked open instantly, and he knew he wasn’t

alone. He reached out and felt the empty spot where his mate had
been lying. The spot still held the indentation from Garrett’s body but
had grown cold. Garrett wasn’t in the room with him, but Lachlan
wasn’t by himself.

He stretched his arms above his head as he turned to his side. Out

of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a fair-haired man squatting
by the wall next to the bed. The man didn’t move, and Lachlan could
only guess he didn’t realize Lachlan had his sights locked on him.

The predator inside Lachlan sprung to life as he stalked its prey.

In a split second Lachlan went from lounging on the bed to leaping
across the room and tackling the man to the floor. His lion instincts
had him doing it with stealthy precision and agility, totally taking the
intruder by surprise.

Lachlan sat across the man’s hips and held his arms by the wrist,

pinning him down. A combination of shock and fear danced across
the man’s face. Bending over, Lachlan got closer. “Who are you?”
His voice was low and gravely and had the man shaking in fear.

“My name’s Damon,” the man could barely whisper past his dry

lips.

That took Lachlan by surprise. The witch they’d been searching

for was in his fucking bedroom. What were the odds of that
happening? And how did he get in unseen? And the question that
piqued Lachlan’s interested the most was why was he here now?

Before Lachlan could say any more Damon’s body began to

shake. If Lachlan hadn’t been staring at the man, he never would have

Garrett’s Choice

believed what he had witnessed. Right before his eyes Damon’s
features began to change. His nose stretched to form a muzzle of a
wolf, with a light dusting of hair marking his cheeks but not all over,
as consistent with wolf shifters. His green eyes glowed in the dark,
like two spotlights. His hands began to tremble in Lachlan’s hold and
Lachlan darted a glance at the tight, balled-up fist. Short claws started
to extend from his long, thin fingers.

Lachlan’s eyes rounded as he watched the man beneath him

struggle for control as he was in partial shift. Damon’s eyes clenched
tight and he shook his head in short bursts. Not once did he struggle
against Lachlan’s grip. No, it was more like he was fighting himself
for control.

In all of Lachlan’s many years he had never seen such a sight.

Damon was said to be a witch, but he was changing, though not fully,
into a wolf. Whatever Damon was it wasn’t a full witch. Something
Lachlan knew to be impossible. Paranormals couldn’t crossbreed.
Something to do with the balance of good versus evil and Mother
Nature not allowing the scales to be tipped to favor one side over the
other, but it looked like someone found a way around that again.

The only half-breed Lachlan knew of was Astrid. He was part

witch and part fairy. It took great magic to make his conception come
about. But this? Maybe they had been lied to or mistaken on exactly
what species Damon was a part of.

Damon struggled to calm himself, and Lachlan watched in awe as

the man got his breathing under control and his face faded back to
normal. His chest rose and fell heavily, but Lachlan didn’t move from
where he held the man down. Something wasn’t right here.

“What are you?” In a state of shock the words slipped out of

Lachlan’s mouth.

“Shh,” Damon whispered. “Please be quiet or they’ll hear you.”

Tears started to pool in the man’s eyes. “They always do.”

Lachlan looked up thinking that there must be more people in his

room. Damon was worried that someone else would hear them, but

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Lachlan couldn’t sense anyone else in the room. He looked back to
Damon. “What’s going on? There’s no one else in here.”

“They’ve got their ways. Just please be very quiet and listen to

me.” The dam on Damon’s tears broke loose, and fat drops streaked
down his face.

Lachlan looked over his captive skeptically.

The man was tall and

lanky with hollow cheeks, and his skin was a pasty-looking gray.
Lachlan could feel every one of Damon’s bones as they poked out
against his thin skin. Lachlan had seen pictures of people who were
malnourished and Damon fit the bill to a T.

The most astonishing thing about Damon was his eyes. They were

large and round and seemed to take up most of his face. The bright
green hit a sense of familiarity with Lachlan, but he couldn’t place
where he’d seen those eyes before.

Coming back to himself, Lachlan asked, “Why should I? You’re

the witch terrorizing my pack.” Damon’s eyes rounded on that
statement. Lachlan nodded his head. “Yeah, we know all about your
dealings with the recently deceased Rhett.”

Rhett was a pack member

who proclaimed Damon had promised to bring back his deceased
mate if Rhett spied on the pack. When things started to go south Rhett
abducted another warrior’s mate with the intentions of sacrificing
him. “You’re a witch up to no good trying to harm my pack. Why
shouldn’t I rip your throat out right now?” Lachlan threatened Damon
but wouldn’t actually kill him. They needed answers, and the suspect
came so willing to him. Lachlan couldn’t kick a gift horse in the
mouth. Plus his curiosity was getting the better of him.

“I’m sorry!” Damon said in a panic. “Please don’t kill me. I swear

I never meant any harm.”

“I ask again why I should believe you.” Lachlan let a low growl

seep into each word, doing his best to scare the man.

“Because if I wanted to hurt you I could have done it while you

were sleeping.”

Garrett’s Choice

101

Lachlan jerked in surprise. “How long have you been watching

me?”

“For about fifteen minutes.” Damon nibbled nervously on his

lower lip. “But long enough to kill you if I wanted to.”

The guy had a point. Lachlan let go of Damon’s hands and

scooted off of him and sat on the edge of the bed. He gestured with
his hand for Damon to start talking. Damon’s eyes darted to between
Lachlan’s spread legs then back to his face. Lachlan looked down at
his body and realized he was naked. Had the situation not been so
serious Lachlan would have laughed at the bright blush painting
Damon’s cheeks and neck.

“Okay, speak,” Lachlan barked at Damon. The sooner Damon got

to talking, the sooner he got some answers.

“Can you”—Damon looked up at the ceiling as he pointed to

Lachlan’s lap—“put some pants on?”

Lachlan huffed out an exasperated sigh and pulled the blanket in

front of him, covering his exposed body. “Better?” Lachlan didn’t
wait for a response. “What are you doing here?”

“I can’t tell you much because they’ll know. They always know

what I’m doing.” Damon brought his hand up to chew on his
fingernails. The man was scared of something. Something more so
than being in a Warrior of the Light’s, plus a mate to an alpha’s,
bedroom.

“Who are they?” Lachlan narrowed his eyes at Damon.
“I can’t say because…”
“Because they’ll know.” Lachlan finished the guy’s sentence. “So

what can you tell me? Why did you risk exposure to come here?”

“All I can say is be careful. Don’t fall—”
The sound of a floorboard creaking in the hall had both of them

jumping and turning to face the door. Lachlan moved to stand, and
Damon grabbed his hand, and Lachlan met the man’s frightened stare.
“Please, whatever you do, don’t fall into her trap. The plan has been
set in motion. It’s only a matter of time before they attack. Garrett’s a

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strong warrior. Killing you makes him weak. They need him dead so
he can’t fulfill the prophecy.”

“Her? They? Prophecy?” Lachlan asked. His face scrunched up in

confusion. What Damon said didn’t make any since. Garrett wasn’t a
warrior, and what prophecy was Damon referring to? And what
people had him so afraid?

Another sound came from the hallway, and Damon edged toward

the wall. “Whatever you do, don’t trust anyone.”

Before Lachlan could say anything else to Damon, he was gone.

Damon vanished right in front of his very eyes.

How the hell did he do that?
The encounter left Lachlan with more questions than answers.

Lachlan replayed everything Damon had told him. None of it made a
lick of sense. Lachlan started to wonder if Damon was insane and
didn’t know what he was talking about.

Shaking his head, Lachlan ran a hand through his hair. He

couldn’t get past the fear he’d seen in Damon’s eyes, and the man
reeked of terror.

If Damon came to warn him, why? Damon was the bad guy or so

they all thought. Damon had convinced a depressed, homicidal wolf
who had lost his mate to spy on the Carrington Pack. All with the
promise to bring his mate back from the dead. Lachlan knew that was
dark magic, but dark and dangerous wouldn’t be words he’d used to
describe Damon. No, the man appeared timid and looked like he
would be frightened of his own shadow.

Lachlan glanced out the window at the brightening sky. The sun

would rise within the hour, and the day would start. He and Garrett
had to discuss what happened in the woods and the dead pack
member. They also needed to inform Ben and the other warriors. It
was the job of the Warriors of the Light to fight the dark warriors, and
if Damon could be trusted, they needed all the help they could get.
But Damon’s parting words were to not trust anyone so for the time
being he’d sit on the information Damon had given him. The most

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important thing was finding out who killed Lacy, and with one look at
Damon, Lachlan knew he wasn’t a murderer.

The sound of footsteps creaking down the hallway had Lachlan

hopping off the bed. He snatched up his discarded jeans and stepped
out of his room. The hall was dark but getting lighter with the rising
sun. Looking left then right, Lachlan saw Josh leaving his room and
heading to another one, and if he wasn’t mistaken it was Victor’s
room.

What is he up to?
“Hey, Josh,” Lachlan said as he jogged down the hall toward Josh.
Josh jumped and spun in a circle facing Lachlan. He looked guilty

but didn’t flee. “Oh, hey, Lachlan. Going to get your morning bowl of
milk?” Josh teased but only halfheartedly. “I hear you kitty cats like
your milk.”

After the heart-to-heart he had with Josh in the woods, Lachlan

knew for a fact Josh didn’t hate him, completely. Josh looked like a
kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar who was trying to avert
Lachlan’s attention away from the real reason he was sneaking into
another man’s bedroom.

“Cut the crap, Josh.” Lachlan nudged Josh in the shoulder lightly.

“What are you up to?” In the back of his mind Damon’s whispered
words “don’t trust anyone” kept playing on repeat. But as Lachlan
looked at Josh, the kid didn’t look all that sinister. More like afraid
with a hint of shame in his handsome features.

Josh looked to the door then back to Lachlan. He tipped his head

to the side, indicating for Lachlan to follow him away from the door.

“How did you know you were, you know, into guys?”
Lachlan schooled his expression and crossed his arms over his

bare chest. He didn’t want to show his shock at the kid finally
admitting he was gay. “Well, Josh. I knew early on that men were
more my cup of tea then the ladies. I won’t lie, I have enjoyed the
flesh of a woman over my many years, but it’s guys who trip my
trigger,” he answered honestly.

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“Oh.” Josh’s eyebrows stretched up to his hairline. He seemed

taken aback by Lachlan’s frankness.

“Why do you ask?” He already knew why, but he wanted to

bridge the gap between him and the younger wolf so they weren’t just
friendly but actual friends.

“I—” Josh started to fidget with his hands. “It’s just…” Josh’s

voice trailed off again.

“Yes.” Lachlan nodded, waiting for Josh to spill his guts.
“Fuck!” Josh whispered, but it still came out quite harsh. He fisted

his hands in his hair and pulled at the dark strands. “I think I’m in
love with Victor.”

“Oh.” It was Lachlan’s turn to be surprised. Josh didn’t strike him

as the type of man to love anyone. A screw them and leave them, yes.
The kid was snarky and annoying at times but ultimately cute as hell
with his lean, muscled body, shaggy, brown hair, and his adorable
honey-brown eyes. A dangerous combination for the single people of
the world.

“Is he your mate?” Lachlan found his voice. He watched as Josh

paced back and forth.

“No.” Josh shook his head. “But I know what I feel, and it feels

like love.”

Lachlan wasn’t going to refute what Josh said he felt. Who was he

to tell someone what love was and what it wasn’t? Since finding his
mate, Lachlan knew what true and everlasting love felt like, but he
couldn’t explain that to Josh. Josh was young and would eventually
have to discover that on his own.

“So I take it you want to pursue a more”—Lachlan pursed his lips

as he thought of the best way to put what he needed to say—“physical
relationship with Victor?”

“No. Yes.” Josh stopped pacing. “I think I do.”
The innocent gleam in Josh’s eyes had Lachlan remembering back

to his first time. He was nervous and scared to death but determined.
Josh looked the same way now as he stood before Lachlan.

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105

“Does Victor feel the same way?” Lachlan felt it best to ask the

most important question to this possible hookup.

“Yeah, he does.” A smile as bright as the morning sun lit up

Josh’s face. Lachlan had never seen the young man seem so genuinely
happy before.

“Then I think you should talk to him and see where things might

lead.”

“So you don’t think I’m a pervert?” Josh asked as he rammed his

fingers into his pockets.

Lachlan began to laugh. “Dude, I’m a card-carrying member to

the I love cock club, so no I don’t think you’re a pervert.”

The sound of a doorknob turning then the creak of a door opening

had Josh and Lachlan looking in the direction of Victor’s room.
Victor looked confused then his eyes swung to Lachlan, and he
looked terrified and he shut the door quickly.

“Sorry,” Josh offered. “We grew up with families who didn’t

approve of same-sex pairings. So we’ve gotten good at hiding our
feelings for one another.”

“No worries. I can relate.” Lachlan laid his hand on Josh’s

shoulder and gave a light squeeze. “Go to him”—Lachlan shot him a
wink—“and have some fun. You’re young, you should be doing shit
like this. Just be careful and listen to each other. No one likes a bossy
lover.”

Lachlan didn’t have time to react before Josh jumped into his

arms, hugging him tight. “Thank you for listening.” Josh pulled pack
to look up at Lachlan. “Maybe cats aren’t so bad.”

“Get out of here.” Lachlan ruffled his hand through Josh’s hair as

the kid bounded off toward Victor’s room.

“Oh the memories,” Lachlan sang to himself as he headed back to

his bedroom. Josh was really starting to grow on him. They bonded
over asshole fathers, men, and sex. There was no better way to start a
friendship.

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Once in his room Lachlan went to the bathroom to shower up. He

needed to wash off the scent of his and Garrett’s lovemaking before
they headed to the warrior compound. He didn’t need to be teased by
his friends while they were trying to discuss a serious situation. And
he didn’t need to hear all the “I told you sos” from them either.
Lachlan’s bossy nature got in the way of his happiness just like his
friends always said it would. But everything was different now, so
very different.

Lachlan started to hum to himself, and he got cleaned up. He

couldn’t wait to lay eyes on his mate and feel the love they shared
warm his skin like it always did when he was near Garrett.

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Chapter Twelve

Garrett sat behind his desk, tapping his fingers against the hard

surface. The thump, thump, thump sound drowned out all others. He
was lost in thought at everything that happened at the moonlit run.

They had one dead wolf, one frightened female, and a shitload of

unanswered questions with not even one clue on how to solve the
mystery. All they knew definitively was that a witch by the name of
Damon was stalking the pack in hopes of causing mayhem.

“I wish I had more to tell you, Garrett, but I don’t,” Wes said as

he stared over at Garrett from his seat across the room. “There’s not
one single sign that there was ever anyone in the woods. The only
lingering scents were Clara’s, but that is to be expected since she was
with Lacy. No footprints or beaten-down walking trails. All we have
is Clara’s word, and she wouldn’t lie. Hell, I’m not sure she knows
how to lie.”

“I know.” Garrett’s gaze grew focused, and he sat up in his chair.

He heard things with his own ears. There wasn’t a question that they
weren’t alone in the woods that night. But Garrett thought it odd that
they had no signs to prove what they all knew to be true.

“And we heard the laughter coming from the tree line. Something

was out there,” Aaron said as if reading Garrett’s mind.

Aaron was still fairly new to the Carrington Pack, but Garrett had

grown to trust him in that short time. His loyalty never wavered, and
the love he had for his brother spoke volumes of Aaron’s caring
nature. There wasn’t a thing Aaron wouldn’t do to protect his family
and close friends. Aaron was a good man that Garrett trusted to have
at his side in a fight. After Wes, Aaron was Garrett’s go-to guy.

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“So what do we do now?” Wes asked.
Garrett looked toward the door when it creaked open and saw

Lachlan standing in the entryway.

“We go to the warriors’ compound and inform Ben of what

happened here last night,” Lachlan said with all the gruffness of a
warrior.

Damn he’s so fucking sexy.
Garrett swallowed hard, trying to keep from drooling down his

chin. He couldn’t think straight with his mate so close.

The man’s hair was still damp from his shower, making the

golden-blond locks appear a dark brown. The cotton shirt he wore
hugged every contour of his muscular chest. And the jeans he wore,
good grief, they fit like a glove and were faded from many years of
use. Lachlan looked relaxed and well put together without even
trying.

Garrett’s gaze dropped to stare at his mate’s crotch. What he

wouldn’t give to free Lachlan from his pants and suck him until he
passed out.

“Hello? Garrett.” Lachlan snapped his fingers. “Are you awake in

there?”

“Shit.” Garrett ran a hand down his face, trying to quell his raging

hard-on. His solid length ached behind his zipper. “I’m sorry, just lost
focus there for a second.” Garrett grinned up at his mate. “But I agree.
We do need to talk with Ben, and that’s why I already called him.
He’s the council’s main contact in this area, and we need their
assistance in catching Damon or whoever the hell was out there last
night.”

Lachlan’s eyes dropped for a fraction of a second, almost like he

was hiding something.

“Lachlan, everything okay?” Garrett stood up and walked over to

his mate. He brought up his right hand and caressed the stubble skin
of his mate’s cheek with his knuckles.

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109

* * * *

“Yes.” Lachlan gave a forced smile. “Everything is fine.”
Part of Lachlan wanted to tell Garrett about Damon and the visit

he had from the witch, but he held back. Lachlan looked around the
room, not sure who he could trust. He trusted Garrett, and he’d known
Aaron for years, and as much as he liked Wes, he still couldn’t bring
himself to tell them.

Lachlan came to a silent understanding with himself. When the

time was right, he’d tell his mate and the pack what he’d learned from
Damon. But first he needed to find out who he could trust. And he
still needed to decide if what Damon said was true.

“You already called him?” Garrett nodded. “Great, then let’s head

on over.” Lachlan motioned for the men to follow him. When Garrett
stood next to him, Lachlan entwined his fingers with Garrett’s. He felt
guilty for not confessing everything to his mate, but he needed time to
see if what Damon said even held one ounce of truth. There was no
need to worry his mate without good cause.

Wes and Aaron followed along behind them, snickering the whole

way. Lachlan didn’t mind because one day those two men would find
their mates, then god have mercy on their souls.

“Pay up,” Lachlan heard Wes say.
“Okay, okay, you called that one.”
Lachlan looked over his shoulder and saw Aaron giving Wes

money. What was this?

“What are the two of you talking about?” Lachlan asked.
Aaron and Wes froze in midstep. They looked at each other then

over Lachlan’s shoulder to Garrett.

“It’s nothing really,” Aaron said quickly.
“No, I want to know.” Lachlan strode toward the nervous duo and

used his best “don’t fuck with me” stare. “Now,” he growled for good
measure.

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Aaron looked to Wes, but Wes just shoved Aaron in the shoulder.

“Wes and I made a bet on how long it would take you to forgive
Garrett for punching you in the face last night.” Lachlan had to still
his hand from rising to touch the side of his head where Garrett had
hit him. The pain had long since faded, but the memory hadn’t. “I said
two days and Wes said you’d have forgiven him by morning.” Aaron
shrugged his shoulders and smiled wide. “And you did, yeah.”

Behind him, Lachlan heard Garrett’s soft-spoken curse. Lachlan

might be a man in love, but he was still a man. And apparently his
pride hadn’t lessened with the mating bond.

“Come on, babe, just ignore them.” Garrett tried to tug Lachlan

closer to the car.

The only reasonable thing Lachlan could think to do to save face

was…

“Ouch!” Garrett shouted as he grabbed his face. “What the hell,

man?”

Behind him he heard Aaron mumble a curse and Wes fighting

back a fit of giggles.

“I’m going to wager you two didn’t make a bet on me reacting

like that, did you?” Lachlan said to a shocked-looking Wes and
Aaron. Lachlan reached out his hand to help his mate up. “Sorry,
honey, but a man’s got his pride, and I owed you that.”

“Yes you did.” Garrett wrapped his arms around Lachlan’s waist

and pulled him close. At the first brush of lips, Lachlan leaned heavily
into his mate’s sturdy build. Garrett’s tongue flicked across his lips,
and Lachlan let out a long moan. He wished for nothing more than to
be able to go back to bed and ravage his mate, but duty called.

Lachlan pulled out of Garrett’s arms and continued the walk to the

car. If they didn’t put a halt to the kissing, they’d never leave the
house, and there were more important things to deal with currently
than their need for sex.

The drive from Carrington Pack lands to the warriors’ compound

only took about fifteen minutes. On the way there Wes and Aaron

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111

talked in the backseat while he and Garrett remained silent. They
clung to each other’s hands, not wanting to be separated even for a
second.

Once at the compound they got out of the car and walked up the

front path. Lachlan tried the door, and as he expected, it was locked.
He rang the doorbell and waited.

They didn’t have to wait too long before Miles answered the door.
“Hey, guys, how’s it going?” Miles asked as he opened the door

wider to let them in.

“Good as could be expected with what’s going on,” Lachlan

answered.

“Yeah, I heard what happened last night. That poor woman. Is her

family doing okay?” Lachlan could see the concern in the vampire’s
eyes. Miles had a gentle heart, and he never liked it when someone
was suffering.

“They’re dealing. Lacy was their youngest child,” Garrett

answered. “She was a delightful young woman. It’s a tragedy for her
to lose her life the way she did.”

“I agree.” Miles started off down the hall toward Ben’s office. He

waved a hand for them to follow.

Miles knocked once then opened the door. Ben sat behind his desk

talking on the phone. The heated expression on the man’s face tipped
Lachlan off that it must be a serious conversation. Lachlan prayed it
didn’t involve his brother.

Lawson had been sent out on a mission with Elias and Cason, two

fellow warriors. The last Lachlan heard the three men were in
Louisiana. They were following clues that had come to them from
council headquarters involving sightings of the man who they
suspected had taken Sayer, their missing warrior.

Cason was a wolf shifter and Elias a chameleon shifter. Both men

were skilled in fighting and battle tactics, but Lawson was his brother.
No matter what, Lachlan would always worry about him.

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Where Lachlan was more reserved and thoughtful, Lawson would

fly by the seat of his pants and jump headfirst into danger if the
occasion arose. Lawson’s cold-as-steel nerves and fearless attitude
always caused Lachlan to stress out because his twin never took
proper precautions. Yes, they were immortal and it took great effort to
seriously hurt them, but they could still die. Beheading, long exposure
to fire, copious amounts of silver injected into their bodies, or heart
removal was all it took to kill another paranormal.

“Dad, I promise, I’ll call back if any new information arises.” Ben

rolled his eyes. “Yes, sir.”

Lachlan and Garrett took the open seats in front of Ben’s desk,

and Aaron and Wes stood behind them. Miles walked around to sit on
Ben’s lap. Lachlan wished he had the courage to sit that way with
Garrett, but Lachlan was a lot bigger than Miles and thought it might
look a little ridiculous, him sitting on his mate’s lap.

“Well, guys, I told my dad about what happened last night and he

thinks that since there aren’t any definite leads, we need to assume
this Damon is the culprit,” Ben said as he wrapped his arms around
his petite mate.

Not that Lachlan should care, but he thought it didn’t feel right

blaming Damon. The man obviously looked like a victim, not some
sort of mastermind. He still thought it too soon, but he had to tell
them about Damon coming to his room. If they put all their bets on
Damon, and he wasn’t the evil coming after them, it may be too late
to repair the damage.

Lachlan cleared his throat. His nerves made him feel shaky, and a

good dose of guilt sat heavily on his chest. He should have told
Garrett everything right after it happened.

“I don’t think Damon’s who we should be worried about.”

Lachlan shot a glance at his mate before looking back to Ben.

“Why’s that? He’s the one that sent that Rhett asshole after Logan

and nearly got Finn killed.” Ben held Lachlan’s stare, not wavering
for one second.

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“Because”—Lachlan couldn’t help but look at Garrett as he

answered—“Damon came to me this morning and was trying to warn
me.”

“What!” Garrett shouted as he sat forward in his chair and turned

to look head-on at Lachlan.

“Huh?” was all Ben could manage to say.
Lachlan could feel everyone’s eyes on him, and he didn’t like

being put center stage. Lachlan kept all his focus on his very upset-
looking mate. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you first thing, but what I have
to say is going to sound crazy, and you all are going to think I’ve lost
my marbles for even considering it being real.” Lachlan could see the
deep creases lining his mate’s mouth that usually held a happy smile.
Garrett was disappointed in him, and he had every right to be.

“No we won’t,” Ben offered. “But regardless of what we might

think, you need to tell us.”

He dragged his attention away from Garrett and looked at Ben and

Miles, where he sat perched on Ben’s lap. “This morning when I
woke up, Garrett had already left the room, but I could feel a distinct
presence in there with me. I caught sight of a young, sickly looking
man crouched in the corner.”

“Well what happened then?” Ben asked when Lachlan took a long

moment to breathe, replaying everything in his head so that he didn’t
leave out one single detail.

“That’s where it gets weird. I tackled him to the floor, and then he

started to change.”

“Change?” Miles asked, scooting forward to lean across the desk.

He was totally engrossed in what Lachlan had to say.

“Into a wolf.” Lachlan turned his attention to Garrett, but the

man’s face was like an iron mask. Lachlan couldn’t tell what his mate
was thinking.

“How’s that possible?” Miles splayed his hands out on the desk.

“Damon’s a witch.”

“Maybe he lied,” Aaron spoke up.

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“No.” Lachlan shook his head. “He’s part witch and part wolf.”
“How can you be so certain? Did you ask him?” Ben asked.
“I did, but he never answered.” Lachlan held up his hand to

silence any more questions. “But I know what I saw, and Damon has
to be a half-breed. When I was holding him down, his body tried to
shift into a wolf, but it only took half effect. His claws and teeth only
lengthened a little bit, and his face never grew any fur. It was like he
was caught between his shift from man to wolf.”

“That’s impossible.” Ben looked dazed as he listened to what

Lachlan said.

“I thought the same thing, but I witnessed it with my own two

eyes. And the one thing that had me believing him even without
Damon confessing to me that he was in fact a witch was that he never
denied it and he vanished right in front of my eyes. I blinked, and he
was gone. That had to be from some sort of magic only gifted upon a
witch.”

“Shit,” Ben whispered as he flexed his hands open and closed.

“What did he tell you?”

Lachlan told them how gaunt and malnourished the witch

appeared and how he was frightened of someone finding out that he
came to visit Lachlan. He told them how Damon said that a plan had
been set in motion but didn’t know any specific details. He also said
how Damon referred to Garrett as a warrior, not an alpha and that the
dark warriors involved needed to kill Garrett in order to stop the
prophecy from becoming fulfilled.

Chancing a glance at Garrett, Lachlan still couldn’t read his

expression. The man looked thoughtful as if he were trying to solve a
puzzle.

The room remained silent for several long minutes while everyone

processed the information. Lachlan welcomed the reprieve from
having to talk. His skin itched, and he could feel sweat collecting in
his hairline. He’d hoped that Garrett could forgive him, and that made
saying his next statement so hard.

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115

“He also said not to trust anyone.”
The hard edge to Garrett’s thick jaw eased, and his lips softened.

“Babe, it’s okay. I mean yeah I’m pissed you didn’t come get me so I
could talk with this guy, but I’m not upset.” Garrett frowned then put
up his thumb and forefinger and held them about an inch apart. “Well
maybe just a little, but I know it wasn’t me you didn’t trust but what
you had learned. I probably would have done the same had he come
to me.”

The breath Lachlan had been holding back seeped out his mouth

and nose in one long sigh of relief. Lachlan stood up and walked over
and sat in his mate’s lap. He didn’t care how stupid it looked for a
man his size to be sitting in his lover’s lap because Lachlan needed
this closeness at the moment. He had been so scared Garrett would be
upset with him that he couldn’t hold back his affection any longer. He
placed his hands on Garrett’s cheeks and pulled him forward. When
their lips connected, Lachlan could have sworn he heard fireworks
going off in the distance. Garrett’s skillful tongue demanded entrance,
and Lachlan submitted obediently. He loved Garrett and trusted the
man with his life. He hoped that this one kiss could convey that.

“Okay, gentlemen.” Ben cleared his throat, and Miles slapped his

open palm down on the desk, trying to get his and Garrett’s attention.

A loud whistle had them jerking apart. Lachlan looked to Wes,

who stood with his fingers to his mouth getting ready to whistle again.
When he saw Lachlan and now Garrett staring at him, he dropped his
hand. “Sorry.”

When Lachlan tried to move, Garrett wrapped his arms tight

around his waist.

“Lachlan, did Damon say anything more?” Ben asked.
“No. He might have told me more, but he got spooked and went

poof.” Lachlan snapped his fingers to clarify his point.

“That’s some freaky shit,” Wes said absently as he stared down at

Lachlan.

“It is actually,” Ben agreed.

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“What do you think he meant by me being a great warrior and this

prophecy business?” Garrett’s warm hand rubbed up and down
Lachlan’s back as he asked his question.

“I’m not sure, but he looked so serious. I couldn’t help but believe

every word he said,” Lachlan answered.

“I guess we need to call my father back and inform him of this.”

Ben looked past Lachlan to Garrett. “Maybe one of the witches on the
council will have an idea about this prophecy. I wouldn’t count on it
though, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask.”

Lachlan nodded his agreement and sat and listened as Ben called

his father. Time was of the essence. None of them knew when the
attack would take place, and there wasn’t any way to get ahold of
Damon to ask him more questions.

As Lachlan sat there with his mate’s arms around his chest, he

prayed that any answers or revelations would come to light. He didn’t
like thinking his mate’s life was in danger.

* * * *

Garrett sat quietly trying to take in all the new information. He

was still a little pissed Lachlan hadn’t trusted him to tell him right
away about Damon, but he could understand his mate’s hesitance.

The things Damon had told Lachlan seemed outrageous. The

reference Damon made about Garrett being a warrior didn’t make any
sense whatsoever. Yes, at times he hated being the alpha of the
Carrington Pack, but never once did he consider relinquishing his
standing as alpha to become a warrior.

As he sat there with his arms wrapped around Lachlan, he tried to

let everything sink into his racing mind. The warmth and weight of
his mate was real, something Garrett could hold onto, keep him
anchored. If he didn’t have Lachlan he would be out of his mind on
what to do. Witches wreaked havoc on society in general, but never
had any personally attacked the Carrington Pack, and that made

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Garrett the most worrisome. Trouble was in their sights, but no one
knew where it would be coming from or when.

Garrett nuzzled his nose against Lachlan’s neck and kissed the

vulnerable flesh and prayed with his entire being that he would be
able to keep his mate safe. If he died in the process, so be it, but he
had to keep Lachlan safe.

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Chapter Thirteen

A few hours later, Ben suggested taking a lunch break. Lachlan

and Garrett had decided to stay until more news came back from
council headquarters. Garrett sent Wes and Aaron back to the house
to keep an eye on things just in case the mysterious Damon showed
up again. Lachlan didn’t think the man would, but stranger things had
happened.

After they ate, Ben and Miles left the kitchen, stating they had to

take care of something real quick. By the heated glances the two had
been sharing during lunch, Lachlan knew exactly what kind of
business they were referring to. After coming clean with Garrett on
the Damon situation, he, too, wanted to have some alone time with his
mate.

“You want a tour of the house?”
“Sure.” Garrett wiped his napkin across his mouth, tossed it on his

discarded plate, and stood up.

Lachlan showed him around the first floor. The indoor and

outdoor pools, the theater room, the den, and the library. Then he led
Garrett up the stairs, swaying his hips suggestively as Garrett
followed close behind. He heard a low growl come from his mate, and
his cheeks ached from grinning so much.

“And this way leads to my room, just follow me.” Lachlan looked

over his shoulder, but Garrett’s eyes were on Lachlan’s ass. The
obvious bulge in his mate’s pants was a silent invitation for Lachlan
to hurry the fuck up and get somewhere they could be alone.

“I’d follow you anywhere,” Garrett said as Lachlan turned back

around and quickened his pace.

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119

Lachlan reached his door, and as the door swung open, Garrett

was on him. Garrett wrapped his thick, muscled arms around
Lachlan’s chest, pulling him close. Garrett kicked the door shut then
walked Lachlan toward the large bed in the center of the room.

Garrett nibbled along Lachlan’s shoulder as they stumbled

forward, tripping over their entwined legs. When they finally reached
the bed, Garrett released Lachlan to push him forcibly to the bed.

All the air left Lachlan’s lungs as he landed on the soft surface.

His skin burned with desire, knowing what was about to happen. His
alpha wanted to exert his power over his mate, and Lachlan welcomed
the coupling.

The bed dipped where Garrett knelt on either side of Lachlan’s

hips. He jerked at Lachlan’s hips until Lachlan raised up far enough
Garrett could unfasten his pants. With that done, Garrett yanked the
material down Lachlan’s legs. The cool air in the room chilled the
exposed skin of Lachlan’s ass, and chills ran throughout his body.

“I’m going to fuck you raw,” Garrett said against Lachlan’s skin

as he buried his face between Lachlan’s ass cheeks.

“Oh, god, yes please,” Lachlan mumbled as his body shook when

Garrett’s eager tongue found his opening, lapping at the tiny star.

Lachlan yelped when the palm of Garrett’s hand smacked down

on his ass. He sucked in another mouthful of breath when Garrett
landed another on the other side. Lachlan could feel his lion just
beneath the surface wanting to roar out its pleasure.

“I’m not angry with you, my mate, but your actions do have

consequences.” Garrett shoved two fingers into Lachlan’s ass without
warning. Lachlan tensed and clenched the bedding under him in his
fist. “I want you to always tell me what’s on your mind, crazy or not,
I want to know.” Garrett curled his fingers, pegging Lachlan’s sweet
spot.

“Fuck,” Lachlan cried out as he pushed his ass back toward the

invading fingers working over his hole. “I promise. Anything, just
don’t stop.”

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“Never,” Garrett growled. He pulled his fingers out then went

back in, adding another to the two.

Lachlan panted hard as his body started to unravel. He loved his

mate and everything the man did to him. How did he ever live without
Garrett?

Garrett climbed off the bed, and Lachlan moaned at the loss of

contact from his mate. He turned his head to the side and watched
Garrett pull Lachlan’s shoes off then yanked his pants the rest of the
way down his legs. Garrett then went for the button on his jeans and
pulled the material down his hips. He pulled his shirt up over his head
but didn’t remove it. He let it lie wrapped around his shoulders,
leaving his hairy chest and hard abs exposed for Lachlan’s viewing
pleasure.

At the first glimpse of his mate’s heavy cock falling forward,

weighed down by the massive girth, Lachlan felt his own dick start to
leak. Lachlan was on the edge of coming just from their foreplay and
seeing his gloriously naked mate.

Garrett fisted his veiny shaft and gave a quick up-and-down tug.

Lachlan released a whimper as he watched, mesmerized. A smile
tugged at Garrett’s upper lip. It wasn’t a happy smile. No, it was a
deviant, dominating, evil grin.

“You want this, Lachlan?” Garrett waved the angry red cock in

his hand in a circle.

Lachlan nodded his head then rested his cheek against the bed,

unable to speak. He jumped when a hard hand came down fast on his
already-reddened ass.

“Answer me? I want to hear you say it.” Garrett smacked Lachlan

again and again.

“I want it, I want it.” Lachlan’s voice was barely audible as he

ground his hips into the bed. He needed relief and soon or his dick
would explode.

Garrett nudged Lachlan’s legs farther apart then pushed on the

backs of his thighs until Lachlan crawled up on to his knees. His legs

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shook, but with Garrett’s tight grip, he was able to stay balanced.
Garrett got up on the bed and settled between Lachlan’s spread legs.
Lachlan trembled when he heard then felt Garrett spit on his pulsing
hole. Garrett was really going to take him raw, no lube at all. Lachlan
knew he should be worried and a little frightened at the pain that
might cause. But Lachlan was a paranormal after all. Any pain Garrett
caused him would fade after only a few hours or when he shifted,
which he could do right after if need be.

“You taste so good,” Garrett said between tonguing Lachlan’s

hole again. “I could eat this ass all day long.” A thick finger entered
him as Garrett continued to lick and suck on his entrance, preparing it
for Garrett’s throbbing length.

Lachlan’s body was covered in sweat, and he couldn’t take any

more. He wanted to feel his mate deep inside him. He wanted
Garrett’s cum to seep into the deepest, darkest regions of his body that
no one else had ever been. He wiggled his backside on his wobbly,
unsteady knees, signaling to his mate to take him.

“You ready for me?” Garrett asked, and Lachlan nodded his head

frantically. Garrett spat one more time on Lachlan’s stretched hole
then lined up the rounded, blunt tip. The crown kissed at Lachlan’s
hole, and Garrett teased him with quick forward motions but never
fully going in.

“Fuck me, fuck me, fuck me,” Lachlan chanted as his mate teased

him. “Please, Garrett, I need you now.”

Garrett coursed his fingers down Lachlan’s back as he lined up his

cock and thrust forward, not stopping until he was buried balls deep
into Lachlan’s heated channel. Garrett’s rough growl echoed in the
room, and Lachlan purred at the all-consuming full feeling. His ass
ached from the force of Garrett’s entry, but the burn melded into
satisfaction and delight. Lachlan never knew how much he’d enjoy
rough and raunchy sex until he met his mate.

Not giving Lachlan much time to adjust, Garrett started working

him over in quick, deep thrusts. Lachlan wavered back and forth on

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the bed as Garrett plowed into his sensitive hole, never letting up.
Lachlan’s dick hung heavy between his legs and his balls were hard
as stone, pulled up tight to his body. He could feel the cum boiling
along his shaft, wanting to be set free. Lachlan slammed his ass back
hard on to Garrett’s cock, needing his mate to move faster if that was
possible.

“You like that?” Garrett asked with a wicked push forward of his

hips. Lachlan could only nod his head.

Garrett’s hand landed between Lachlan’s shoulder blades and

pushed down. Lachlan dug his head into the soft comforter that
cradled his head. Garrett grabbed Lachlan’s wrist then, pulled his
arms back as Garrett held them tight. Lachlan’s back arched up, and
his dick pulsed, begging to be touched.

“I’m going to fuck the cum right out of you.” Garrett angled his

hips, brushing the broad tip over Lachlan’s prostate, and Lachlan
roared as his cock began to throb. “That’s it, baby, ride it out.”

Lachlan’s spunk felt like molten lava as it climbed up his shaft

with every pounding of Garrett’s shaft inside of him. One, two more
forward motions and Lachlan roared as loud as he could. Jets of
searing, white spunk shot out his body to coat the bed below him. It
was like a never-ending geyser. Lachlan feared he’d pass out from his
orgasm.

“That’s it, baby.” Garrett never let up. He kept up his rapid pace

until his body locked over Lachlan’s. Lachlan felt the first pulse of
Garrett’s cum as it tried to reach his guts it shot out so hard. Pump
after pump of seed filled Lachlan’s hungry hole. Still buried deep
inside him, Garrett leaned forward and locked his jaw on Lachlan’s
shoulder and bit down, hard.

Lachlan’s shouts turned into a deep roar as blood trickled down

his shoulder. His mate was like a wild beast in the throes of passion,
and Lachlan wouldn’t want it any other way.

Lachlan fell forward on the bed, and Garrett followed him down.

Right before Garrett’s weight landed on him, he turned and pulled

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Lachlan’s back to his chest, all while his cock twitched inside
Lachlan. Lachlan didn’t care if Garrett never left his body. He felt
more complete when he and Garrett were like this. Two bodies, one
soul.

Garrett combed his hand through Lachlan’s hair, and Lachlan

dropped his head back, not wanting Garrett to stop. He wiggled closer
and felt Garrett jerk as the motion shoved his dick farther back inside
him.

“God, I love you,” Garrett whispered as he rubbed his cheek

alongside Lachlan’s. “How did we ever mange to stay apart for a
month?” Lachlan started to laugh. It was like Garrett read his mind.
“What’s so funny?” Garrett pulled out of Lachlan and rolled him to
his back, staring at him with wide eyes.

“Nothing,” Lachlan said between each gasp. “I was thinking the

same thing while you were fingering me within an inch of my life.”
Lachlan’s laughter subsided and he looked, really looked at his mate.
“I love you so much, I’m not quite certain how I lived without you for
so long.” A tear ran out the corner of his eye, and Garrett leaned
forward kissing it away.

“Me either, and I’m not just talking about for that one month we

were apart.” Lachlan didn’t have to ask what Garrett meant because
he felt the same way. It seemed like his life before meeting Garrett
never happened. Life hadn’t truly begun until he met his mate.

Lachlan cuddled closer, and he and Garrett snuggled together for a

while longer. Time seemed to tick by unnoticed by either of them.
This moment felt too good to leave behind. They were in love and the
happiest they had ever been in their entire lives, and neither of them
wanted to leave the serenity of this feeling. Outside Lachlan’s
bedroom door stood reality, and neither of them wanted to deal with
that just yet.

* * * *

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Sometime later—Garrett was unsure how much time had

passed—he and Lachlan cleaned up and left his mate’s room. They
walked hand in hand down the long staircase. Garrett couldn’t speak
for Lachlan, but the world seemed different somehow. Colors seemed
brighter, scents smelled more vivid, and his body felt lighter than air.
Garrett was happy. The happiest he’d ever been.

Looking over to Lachlan, Garrett saw the same goofy grin he

wore mirrored back at him. Even with everything going on, life
couldn’t have been better.

When they reached the first floor, Lachlan started to lead Garrett

back to Ben’s office. They were halfway down the hall when Garrett
noticed Quinn standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows that
ran along the far wall. Garrett couldn’t see Quinn’s face but didn’t
need to.

Quinn’s height towered over most men, and his broad shoulders

could block out the full shine of the sun if he stood before it. The
sharp features of his face looked cut from stone and just as hard.
Garrett wasn’t for sure he’d ever seen Quinn smile or show any type
of emotion except for annoyance. But with all that it still didn’t take
away from Quinn’s attractiveness. He had thick black hair that lay
straight down his back. His piercing blue eyes appeared to read into a
person’s soul. Garrett didn’t find himself frightened of much, and
would never admit it to anyone, but Quinn was one scary dude.

“Hey, Quinn?” Lachlan asked.
Quinn seemed shaken from whatever he was looking at and turned

to him and Lachlan. “Oh, hey, Lachlan. Garrett.” Quinn lifted his chin
in acknowledgment.

“What are you doing?” Lachlan asked as he pulled Garrett by the

hand closer to Quinn to stare at the window. “Great, Trevor and Leo
are out there,” Lachlan said excitedly. “I wanted to check in on Leo
and say hi to Trev.” Lachlan started to walk off then turned back to
Garrett. “You want to come?”

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125

Trevor was Miles’s cousin, and the man was a menace most of the

time. Trevor being a newly turned vampire only made him more
energetic. The guy was exhausting to be around. Now Leo, Leo was a
kindhearted man who got pulled into their world when Rhett used him
to gain access to Logan. Leo had been shot and left for dead and it
was Trevor who made the hard decision to turn Leo in order to save
his life. Garrett had to admit for all Trevor’s faults he was a sweet and
caring man.

Garrett looked out the window then back to his mate. “Naw, I’ll

pass. I’m sure I’ll see them later.”

“Okay.” Lachlan turned and walked away.
Garrett stood there watching the two young men and saw that they

were wearing track pants and sleeveless shirts. Putting two and two
together, Garrett assumed they had just gotten back from a run.
Probably a good way for Trevor to burn off all that fucking energy he
carried inside him. Garrett had had the pleasure of meeting Trevor a
time or two, and the kid was a chatterbox and super hyperactive.
Since Trevor had been turned into a vamp, Garrett would bet money
the kid could literally bounce off the freaking walls. Garrett couldn’t
comprehend why Quinn constantly wanted to spend time with Trevor.

No offense to Quinn, but Garrett pegged Trevor as the kind of

person Quinn tried to avoid. Quinn was of the serious type. Work
came first, and at the end of the day if there was time to play, then
maybe Quinn would relax. But he was a warrior, and there was never
time to breathe let alone relax. Quinn took his job very seriously, and
Garrett couldn’t fault him that. Garrett found that admirable about the
man, but everyone needed downtime, and Quinn never seemed to
acquire it.

Without looking at him Quinn began to talk. “You didn’t want to

go out with your mate?”

Garrett chuckled to himself. “No thanks. Last time I was around

Trevor the kid grabbed my ass and said I had potential.” The memory
still made him laugh.

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A low growl met Garrett’s ears, and he turned his gaze from the

window to Quinn. The man looked extremely pissed. Fire burned
behind his blue irises with the look of intent to hurt someone. That
someone being him.

“Quinn, take it easy.” Garrett held up his hands in surrender. “I

didn’t take the actions seriously, and I don’t think Trevor meant
anything by it. He was just trying to be funny.” Garrett shrugged.
“Anyway I’m with Lachlan, and no matter how adorable Trevor is,
I’m spoken for, and head over heels in love with my mate.”

The pulsing vein in Quinn’s temple seemed to slow, and Quinn’s

face softened as he looked back toward the courtyard. Lachlan had
made his way to the two men, and they stood there talking.

“Sorry, Garrett.” Quinn scrubbed his hand down his face. “I guess

I’m just on edge.”

“Tell me about it.” With all the crap that had happened the

previous night, Garrett could relate, but something about the way
Quinn looked at Trevor didn’t seem right.

“Quinn, are sure everything is okay? I mean I know you don’t

know me all too well, but you’ve known Lachlan for years. I’d like to
think one day you and I could be friends. So if you ever want to talk,
I’m here for you.”

Quinn stood there quiet for so long Garrett didn’t think the man

would answer before Lachlan came back inside. But the man
surprised him when he spoke.

“Have you ever wanted something so bad, but to have it could

cause you great pain?” Quinn asked, still not looking at Garrett.

Garrett thought about it, and sure, who didn’t? “Sure. I think

we’ve all felt that way at some time in our life. But most times the
risk is worth the reward.”

“You think?” Quinn looked at him, his expression skeptical.
“Yeah, Quinn. If you never try, you’ll always wonder what if.”
Quinn nodded his head and went back to staring out the window.

Garrett followed his gaze and noticed how Quinn seemed to track

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Trevor’s every movement. In an instant the light clicked on for
Garrett.

“Oh my god! You like Trevor?” The words were out before

Garrett could think them through. His brain was having a spaz attack.
Could it be that the big, serious, and scary Quinn had a thing for the
annoying little shit?

Quinn’s eyes widened in shock then he quickly schooled his

features. “No, it’s just…” Quinn’s voice trailed off. “It’s just
complicated.”

“Man, it’s understandable. From what I’ve heard from Lachlan

and seen with my own two eyes, you spend a lot of time with Trevor.
It’s only natural.” Garrett rushed to reassure the man. Trevor was cute
as a button and had a mouth that could make sailor blush. Garrett
could definitely see the appeal. He slapped Quinn on the back. “You
should go for it, dude. Ask Trev out.”

“It’s not that easy.” Quinn crossed his arms over his chest and

hugged his body tight.

Garrett thought the action unusual. Quinn always seemed so

certain of himself, but now he looked like a little lost puppy. He
looked from Quinn then back to Trevor, who was talking Lachlan’s
ear off, then back to Quinn again. It was then that everything started
to fall into place. Quinn was always around Trevor. Be it training him
or just being near to him. He didn’t like any of the other warriors
talking to Trevor, and if one had the nerve to flirt with the guy, Quinn
would lose his shit. Garrett remembered the story Miles told him
about when Quinn and Trevor first met and how Quinn punched a
guy, knocking him unconscious all because he kissed Trevor.

But if what Garrett assumed was true and Quinn and Trevor were

mates, how come Trevor wasn’t going bat-shit crazy over Quinn?
Trevor didn’t seem the type to ignore his mate or turn him away. No,
Trevor was outgoing and caring. He’d accept his mate and love him to
death. And with that kid, Garrett thought that might be a real
possibility.

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“You don’t have to confirm or admit anything to me, but if you’re

keeping something from Trevor and denying yourself, that’s not
right,” Garrett said softly. “I’m no expert on love or on mating. As
you can see Lachlan and I have had our ups and downs, but we
worked through it and here we are.” Garrett rested his hand over his
heart and could feel the strong thud, thud. “Lachlan is my heart and
soul. I couldn’t live without him and to try to would be suicide,
Quinn.”

A smirk quirked up Quinn’s lips. “You see a lot, don’t you,

Alpha?”

Garrett squinted one eye in thought, then shook his head. “I’d like

to think I do.” Resting a hand on Quinn’s shoulder, Garrett took a step
closer. “I have to ask, if Trevor is your mate, how does he not know
this?”

“Magic, my friend,” Quinn admitted and it was Garrett’s turn to

be surprised. He didn’t think Quinn would actually confess anything
to him. “You can’t say anything. Not even to Lachlan. He wouldn’t
understand.”

“Quinn, I’m not sure I understand.” Keeping secrets was bad, but

this wasn’t a secret Lachlan needed to know, and it wasn’t Garrett’s
business to spread. He was sure Lachlan would understand.

“I’m a warrior, and death follows on my heels every day. Why

would I want to bring a newly turned vampire into my life just to
watch him possibly die?”

Understandable, but something wasn’t adding up. “That’s true, but

what if he doesn’t die? What if centuries pass and you finally decide
to tell him. Then what?” Garrett let out a bitter chuckle. “I’m not sure
about you, but I’d be pissed at the man who made me suffer without
my mate for that long. And if I were you it’d kill me to watch the man
I love fall in love with someone else. Because over the years I’ve
learned that two people don’t have to be mates to fall in love and you
can’t keep Trevor locked away from the rest of the world. It’s bound
to happen one day.”

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“I know this already!” Quinn shouted. His voice was loud enough

to carry to the men standing outside. Lachlan, Leo, and Trevor turned
toward them, and Garrett just waved at them.

“I don’t mean to upset you, Quinn, but I don’t want to see you

suffer when you don’t need to. That’s not fair to either of you.”

Garrett watched as Trevor waved back, all his attention on Quinn.

Trevor beamed a bright smile at Quinn, and Garrett heard the big man
let out airy sigh.

“I agree, but I’m not sure I can undo what has been done.” Quinn

swiped a hand under his eyes then turned away from the window.

Fuck! Garrett didn’t know what kind of deal Quinn made, but he

prayed the man found a way out of it. “My father always taught me to
start at the beginning and go from there. Whoever created this magic
is the key to undoing the spell. You just have to use your resources in
locating them. You have access to all sorts of intel at your fingertips.
I’m sure Ben would help you.”

“As more time passes, I’m starting to think that’s what needs to be

done but not yet. I want Trevor to be safe for as long as I can keep
him that way.” Quinn shuffled his feet nervously. “Plus I’m not ready
for him to hate me as much as I know he will for keeping this from
him. But I had to do what was best for me back then, and hopefully
one day Trevor will see it that way.”

With that Quinn turned and strode away. Garrett watched him go,

and a feeling of pity for the other man filled his gut. That had to be a
lonely existence Quinn lived. Garrett could see the benefits of not
having a mate, no one to worry about or care about and no one to
worry or care about you in case you didn’t come home from a
mission. It was both selfish and selfless all at once.

“Hey, baby, you all right?”
Garrett looked away from the direction Quinn had left in and

turned to greet his mate. God, he loved Lachlan more than anything
else in the whole fucking world and felt fortunate he’d never have to
go through what Quinn had chosen to.

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“Yep.” He pecked Lachlan on the lips. “Let’s go check back in

with Ben and Miles and see if they heard back from the council yet.”

As they walked away, Garrett chanced a glance out the window

one more time. He saw Trevor roughhousing with Leo in the yard. A
pang of loss for what Trevor didn’t even know he was missing
punched Garrett in the heart. Maybe one day Quinn would pull his
head out of his ass and claim what was his.

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131

Chapter Fourteen

“Nothing?” Lachlan asked.
“Not a thing,” Ben answered back.
Lachlan didn’t know what to do now. He’d put a lot of faith in the

council having answers to what Damon had said.

“My dad said we should up patrols and if you or any one of your

pack members come in contact with Damon again that we should try
and convince him to come to the warrior compound.”

“I don’t want him hurt, Ben.” Lachlan had seen the fear and

desperation in Damon’s eyes, and call him crazy, but Lachlan didn’t
think Damon was the mastermind behind the goings-on with Rhett or
Lacy’s murder.

“He won’t be, jeez.” Ben rolled his eyes. “Damon is like Astrid

and an anomaly in our world, we can’t willingly kill him. We need to
get answers, and, Lachlan, I take you at your word that Damon’s an
innocent. I trust you.”

Lachlan nodded his head in thanks. He didn’t owe shit to Damon,

but something about the guy tugged at his heart strings.

“So that’s it?” Garrett stood up and began to pace the floor. “We

just wait for another attack against my people?”

“There isn’t anything else we can do right now, Garrett,” Ben

answered. “We have nothing to go on, and the only witness you have
didn’t get a look at her attackers. I’m sorry but we have to wait until
they make themselves known again.”

“Fuck,” Garrett growled.
“Thanks, Ben. We understand that there isn’t much you or the

council can do. These dark warriors have us by the short hairs, and

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there isn’t a damn thing we can do about it.” Lachlan needed to be the
voice of reason for his mate. Garrett was upset, but Ben had a point.
They had no clues to go on.

“No thanks necessary, Lachlan. Just keep us informed, and if you

need any of the warriors to come help keep watch, just let me know.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help.”

Lachlan stood and shook Ben’s hand. Garrett walked over and did

the same. They left Ben’s office with the promise to stay in touch.
Lachlan entwined his and Garrett’s fingers and left out the front door
to head home.

Home. A smile spread across Lachlan’s face. It’d been so long

since he’d had a real home. Yes he had a home with the warriors but
they moved around constantly, and with Garrett there was only one
house, not several to live between and even if there were, Lachlan
wouldn’t care. As long as he had Garrett, he’d live or move anywhere
just to be near his mate, always.

The sky had started to turn pink, and the sun would be down soon.

Autumn had settled in on the Midwest, and with the time change it
began to get dark by six o’clock. Lachlan hadn’t realized they spent
that much time at the warrior compound. They’d be home just in time
to eat dinner with the pack.

“Are you worried, Lachlan?” Garrett asked as he pulled his car

into the drive.

“Why? Will it change the inevitable?” Lachlan climbed out of the

truck and followed alongside his mate to the front door.

“No, but I don’t want you to be stressed out or anything.”
“Really? And what about you? I can practically hear your heart

pounding in your chest. I know you’re worried about me and the
safety of the pack, but I’m your mate. We’re equals.” Lachlan
bumped shoulders with Garrett. “I’m in this mess with you.”

When they reached the front door, Garrett tugged on Lachlan’s

hand, and Lachlan fell into his mate. “And I wouldn’t want it any
other way, mate.”

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133

Lachlan felt like a kid with his first crush whenever he was near

his mate. His heart melted at the sight of Garrett’s sexy grin. Lachlan
considered that grin to be Garrett’s special grin that he only used for
Lachlan.

Staring into Garrett’s striking blue eyes, Lachlan could swear he

saw his forever in the welcoming blue depths. The tan skin of his
mate’s face glowed with happiness, and Lachlan loved knowing he
did that for his mate. He put that look of utter ease on Garrett’s face.

“I love you,” Lachlan purred as he rubbed his nose against

Garrett’s.

“Me, too, babe. Me, too.”
Lachlan opened the door and stepped inside. The house was dark

and quiet. After what happened at the moon run, Lachlan wasn’t
surprised by the absence of people. Lacy was a well-liked woman and
her loss was felt throughout the entire pack. Lachlan had only known
the wolf for a short time, but she had a smile that would bring most
men to their knees. She reminded him a lot of Clara, sweet and
innocent, and always with a kind word for others.

“Lachlan, I’m going to go to my office for a bit and check in with

Wes.” He locked his arms around Lachlan’s waist. “If you need
anything”—Garrett nipped at Lachlan’s lips and a small gasp left his
throat—“and I mean anything, just give a shout.”

“Will do, my love. Now go and get some work done or do

whatever it is that alphas do.” Lachlan swatted Garrett’s ass as his
mate passed him by.

Left alone, Lachlan went to the kitchen to find something to eat.

His stomach rumbled loudly, letting him know it agreed with
Lachlan’s decision. As he walked down the hallway toward the
kitchen, bright-yellow light lit the entryway. Lachlan eased around the
corner, shouting out a hello to whoever might be in there. He didn’t
want to spook anyone.

In the corner with his knees pulled up to his chest sat Toby. He sat

staring down at his half-eaten sandwich. The way the young man

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watched it made Lachlan think the damn thing might be readying for
an attack.

Lachlan hated how fearful the man had become, but he had every

reason to be like this. Being raped and beaten took its toll on a person.
Nothing so horrible had ever happened to Lachlan, but he detested
that any person had to suffer such a horrendous act.

“Hey, Toby,” Lachlan said softly as he walked closer to the man.

“Everything okay?”

Toby jerked when the floor creaked under Lachlan’s feet. Lachlan

stopped in his tracks, not moving a muscle. He didn’t want to scare
Toby off. He wanted to help the man heal and try to get some sense of
normalcy back in his young life.

“Oh, hi, Lachlan.” Toby scooted farther back into his chair, still

clenching his legs in a death grip. “I’m fine.”

“Where’s your brother?” Lachlan pulled the chair across from

Toby out, doing his best to look as nonthreatening as possible.

“He went to the bathroom. I’m sure he’ll be back any minute,”

Toby’s words were spoken so softly Lachlan had to strain to hear him.

As if on cue Aaron came running back in. “Toby, sorry it took so

long. Now let’s finish our din…” Aaron stopped talking when he
noticed Lachlan sitting at the table. “Lachlan, didn’t see you there.
Did everything go okay after we left the compound?”

Lachlan informed Aaron of the details of their conversation with

Ben and what the council had to say. Not much to share but he wanted
his friend to know what was going on. After a few more minutes of
idle chitchat Aaron excused himself and Toby. He put their dishes
away and gave one last wave to Lachlan then left the kitchen.

“I wish I could take away his pain,” Lachlan whispered to himself

after a few minutes of sitting alone in the kitchen. If Astrid’s fairy
magic had the ability, Lachlan would ask his friend to take away the
horrible memories that plagued Toby’s life.

“Lachlan,” a gravel voice said from the direction of the back door.

Lachlan turned his head, trying to see who it belonged to. “Help me.”

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135

Lachlan jumped to his feet and ran to the door. He skidded to a

stop when he saw a very bloody Damon lying on the floor. Blood
smeared against the wall in dark streaks. “What the hell happened to
you?”

Damon’s body and clothes were soaked through with blood.

Lachlan had to swallow down the vomit that threatened to shoot out
his mouth. Damon’s scalp had been ripped from his skull. White bone
shone bright against the bloody chunks of flesh that hung loose
around his head. It looked like Damon had just walked off the set of a
horror movie. It was that grotesque. Lachlan had seen some terrible
and disturbing things in his time as a warrior, but never something
quite like this.

Lachlan snatched up one of the hand towels hanging over the

stove door and went to his knees beside Damon. “Who did this?” He
tried to stop the flow of blood but it was no use. The deep-red liquid
seeped out with every beat of Damon’s heart.

Damon tried to laugh, but it came out more as a wheeze as he

choked on blood. “I told you they would know.”

“Oh my god.” Blood soaked through the towel and dripped to the

bright-white tile floor. “We need help.” Lachlan pulled Damon’s
upper body into his lap and yelled as loud as he could. “Garrett!” The
sound echoed in the once-peaceful and -quiet kitchen.

“Lachlan.” Garrett came running into the kitchen and did a double

take at Lachlan and the battered Damon in his arms. “What the fuck
happened? Who is this?”

“This is Damon.” Lachlan looked down at Damon. “Who did this

to you?”

“My mother.” Damon’s body started to shake from shock.

Paranormals healed fast, but Damon looked sickly and underfed, and
that could cause his healing abilities to take longer.

“Your mother did this to you?” Garrett knelt down and picked

Damon up off the floor. “Sweet fucking Jesus. Who would do this to
their own child?”

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Lachlan ran to the cabinets and grabbed several more towels and

followed Garrett as he carried a trembling Damon to the front seating
area and laid him on the couch.

“Yo, Garrett, I smell blood. What’s going on?” Wes came running

through the entryway. “Holy fuck. What happened to him?”

“He’s been scalped,” Lachlan answered. He removed the blood-

soaked towel and applied another, pushing down firmly on the
wound. Damon yelped in pain, but they needed to stop the bleeding.

“Damon, look at me.” Garrett placed a finger under Damon’s chin

and turned him gently to face him. “Do you know who I am?” Damon
gave a jerky nod. “Then you know I won’t let anything happen to you.
But I need you tell us what happened.”

“What’s all the yelling about?” Aaron asked as he came into the

room.

“Aaron, come help me.” Lachlan waved for Aaron to come closer

to him. “Hold the towels in place. I need to call Ben.”

Aaron moved without question and covered his hands on Damon’s

head. Lachlan pulled out his cell and punched in Ben’s number.

“What do you want? Didn’t you just leave?” Ben teased.
“Damon’s here and he’s been hurt real bad,” Lachlan said

breathlessly. “Get here as soon as you can.” He hung up not waiting
for Ben’s reply.

“Come on, buddy, I want to help you, but I can’t if you don’t tell

me what happened.” Garrett spoke low and softly to Damon as he
stroked his thumb across Damon’s hand.

“They found out I came here.” Damon’s words were jittery, but

Lachlan could understand him. “My mother took my hair and skin as
punishment.” Damon started to shake again, and Lachlan placed a
hand on Damon’s thin, boney shoulder. “She said next time she’d take
my head.”

“That’s harsh,” Aaron said as he placed another towel over

Damon’s head.

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“She thought I was too weak to fade out, but I did. I left, and she

doesn’t even know it.” Damon tried to laugh but it was a failed
attempt. “Showed her.”

“Damon, why did you come here?” Lachlan asked.
“To warn you.” Damon grabbed Lachlan’s hand. “They’re going

to sacrifice two of your wolves tonight. They want to lure you out.”
The last part Damon spoke to Garrett. “Your devotion to your pack
will force you to hunt down their murderers, and Lachlan would go
with you. He’d follow you into hell, and my mother knows this. They
want to kill him in front of you to make you suffer.” Damon started to
weep. “Then they’ll kill you and drink your blood.”

“Oh my god,” was all Lachlan could say.
“Who did they take, Damon?” Garrett kept his calm and asked the

most important question. “Who are they going to sacrifice?”

“Two men. I’m not sure of their names, but they’re young. Too

young to die.”

The front door banged open, and Ben stomped into the living

room with Miles and Quinn on his heels. Behind them followed
Trevor, Abner, Klaus, and Carter.

Klaus and Carter were both witches. Garrett was relieved to see

them. If anyone could help with a witch problem it was another witch.

Abner followed behind Carter. He was a bear shifter and also

Carter’s mate. The last he heard the two were still on the outs but
Garrett was grateful for the large man’s assistance.

“Do you know where they’re keeping the men?” Garrett asked.
“In the woods about two hundred yards from where the girl was

found. They know you hunt there and will find the bodies easily.”
Damon’s eyelids started to droop.

“Damon.” Lachlan shook his shoulder. “Damon.” Another shake.
“Easy there, Lachlan,” Ben said as he came up behind Lachlan.

“He’s passed out, and by the looks of him, that’s a good thing. The
pain must be unbearable.”

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“I’m going,” Garrett announced. He released Damon’s hand and

stood up.

“Are you fucking crazy?” Lachlan stood toe to toe with his mate.

“That’s exactly what they want. They want you and me to go out
there so they can kill us.” Lachlan waved his hands in the air. “Is that
what you want?”

“Damon said that their plan is to get to us after they kill their

captives, not before. I say we ambush them.” Garrett softened his tone
and rested his hand on the back of Lachlan’s neck. “I can’t leave my
pack members out there to die like that. I just can’t, and I think deep
down neither can you.”

Lachlan took a deep breath and tried to swallow around the lump

lodged in his windpipe. He rested his forehead against Garrett’s as the
worst-case scenario played through his mind. Losing Garrett wasn’t
an option he was willing to gamble on.

“I have faith in you. Now I need you to have faith in me, Lachlan.

I need you by my side when we take down these bastards.”

Lachlan pulled back to look into Garrett’s eyes. “You want me to

come with you?” That possibility never entered his mind that Garrett
would want him there. Garrett had always tried to make Lachlan stay
far away from danger, and Lachlan despised that. But now his mate
stood before him asking for his help. Lachlan thought hell must have
frozen over for such a request to pass his mate’s lips.

“Of course. We’re a team, and we’re better together than apart.”

Garrett pulled Lachlan into a kiss, and the passion sparked to life. Soft
swipes of tongue and gentle nibbles of teeth fueled Lachlan’s need to
stay by his mate’s side and protect the only man he’d ever love.

The sharp sounds of clapping had them jerking apart. Lachlan and

Garrett turned in the direction the noise had come from. Trevor stood
there grinning like a devil.

“It’s about fucking time you two got those ginormous heads out of

your tight asses. Thank you, Jesus.” Trevor raised his hands
heavenward as if giving thanks to God himself.

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“Trevor, you’re such an ass.” Miles pushed his hand against

Trevor’s head. “Sorry, you guys. The filter from his brain to his
mouth has never worked. I think my aunt dropped him on his head as
an infant.”

“Oh please!” Trevor exclaimed. “I just vocalized what we were all

thinking.” Trevor pointed his hand to the men standing around the
room.

“It’s okay, Miles,” Lachlan said. “The little loudmouth has a

point.”

“Hey,” Trevor said with a pout, and Lachlan couldn’t help but

grin.

“Now that we have all that settled. Let’s come up with a plan to

go and collect your pack members.” Ben fell right into command
mode, and Lachlan followed his lead.

Lachlan knew the importance of getting into the woods and fast.

Damon had passed out before he said when exactly this sacrifice
would be taking place. They had the location, and that was better than
nothing. Lachlan just prayed they made it in time.

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Chapter Fifteen

Less than an hour later, dressed all in black, Lachlan and the

others moved silently through the woods. The sun had set completely,
and full-on night gave them cover as they moved through the woods.
Lachlan stayed close to Garrett’s side as they trudged forward.

Ben had come up with the plan to surround the dark warriors from

all sides. He thought having the element of surprise on their side was
their best commodity at the moment. Ben paired off Lachlan and
Garrett to attack from the front, Carter and Abner from the back,
Trevor and Quinn from the west side, and Ben, Miles, and Klaus
coming at the dark warriors from the east. Some of the Carrington
Pack members were being led by Wes and Aaron and held back about
hundred yards, ready to attack on Ben’s command if the dark
warrior’s numbers outweighed their own. All their bases were
covered.

“How come whenever trouble has to go down, it’s in the fucking

woods?” Trevor asked. “I mean it’s so cliché. It’s like in a horror
movie. It’s all been played out before.” Lachlan rolled his eyes, and
wasn’t the only one, as Trevor carried on.

“So, Trevor,” Miles interrupted his cousin. “Would you rather the

crazy, scary assholes use methods that aren’t as predictable? So that
maybe they take us by surprise and kill us all.”

“Oh dear god in heaven knock it off,” Quinn whispered. “You two

fight like a couple of five-year-olds.”

Lachlan bit back a giggle. In the face of danger the sparring

cousins always found a way to take the edge off the impending doom
of the situation. He didn’t think Trevor or Miles knew they were

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doing it, but it seemed to help relieve some tension from the fight
ahead.

“Okay, we separate from here.” Ben motioned everyone close.

“Make sure your earpieces are on and only speak when absolutely
necessary.”

“He’s talking to you, bitch.” Miles thumped Trevor on the

forehead.

“I’ll show you bitch.” Trevor moved to smack Miles in the head,

but Quinn snatched him around the waist and set him on the other side
away from his cousin.

“Remember these are dark warriors and they fight dirty. Be ready

for anything. We all saw what they did to Damon, and he’s one of
their own.” Ben looked from man to man then checked his headset to
make sure he could connect with Wes and Aaron from where they
were out in the distance. Satisfied, Ben motioned for everyone to take
their positions.

Garrett grabbed Lachlan’s arm as he started to head forward. He

raised an eyebrow at his mate. “You okay, Garrett?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just wanted to tell you no matter what happens

here tonight, I love you and if it comes down to it, save yourself. Run
if you have to and if it means leaving me, then do it.”

“Shut up, Garrett.” Lachlan placed a hard kiss on his mate’s lips

silencing any arguments. “If you go down, then I’m going down with
you. I’d never leave you when you need me the most. We’re mates,
that’s what we do,” Lachlan said with a small smile.

“I figured you’d say that.” Garrett kissed him one more time then

started to walk off. “You’re such a stubborn hard-ass. I think I might
need to spank that out of you.”

“Promises, promises.” Lachlan pinched Garrett on the butt as he

caught up to him. Lachlan never had any doubt before going into a
battle, but he also never had so much on the line to lose before either.
Giving Garrett a tight smile, he fanned out a little and kept pace with

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Garrett as they got closer to the location Damon had said they’d find
the dark warriors.

Fifteen minutes had passed and still nothing. They were close to

where Damon had said they would be, but Lachlan didn’t see
anything. Then a crack wrenched through the eerily quiet night.
Garrett and Lachlan glanced at each other then turned to hustle up the
small hill. They stopped and looked across a small clearing but didn’t
see anything.

“Ben, did you guys hear that?” Lachlan asked into his radio.
“Yeah, but I’m not seeing anything. What? Hang on a sec,

Lachlan.” Ben paused then came back across the earpiece. “Klaus
said he can feel energy in the air. Some sort of magic is all around us.
Klaus said to be cautious.”

“Copy that.” Lachlan looked at Garrett and nudged his chin

toward the dark space of woods in front of them.

They slowly stepped forward, looking for any signs of dark

warriors. Ben said Klaus felt magical energy all around them but
Lachlan couldn’t see or scent a single soul in the area except for his
mate and fellow warriors. He felt like a sitting duck as he walked
along in the darkened night. Every shadow cast to the ground had his
heart skipping a beat. Danger was in the air, and Lachlan couldn’t
pinpoint what direction it came from.

Lachlan was about to radio Ben when something weird happened.

What appeared to be a flash shined in front of his eyes. It happened so
quickly at first Lachlan thought he must have been seeing things.
Then it flashed again, and he saw two men strung up between two
trees. They were beaten and bloodied.

The scene before him kept flashing in and out. Lachlan zoned in

on an all too familiar face.

Josh!
Without thinking Lachlan took off running. He could hear Garrett

behind him shouting for him to stop, but he couldn’t. Didn’t Garrett
see that it was Josh? They had to save him.

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Lachlan continued running toward Josh. A hazy fog engulfed him.

Lachlan’s legs were pumping hard with his excursion, but he didn’t
feel like he was going anywhere. It was like trying to run through
water. His body felt heavy and dragging. The force of the pressure
weighed powerfully down on his body as he kept running, but his
attempts were sluggish.

Then as soon as the feeling started, it stopped. He stood in front of

a blazing fire. Lachlan looked around him and didn’t see the person
holding his pack members hostage, but he did get a good view of who
was being held with Josh. Victor. He should have known. The two
men were inseparable.

“Garrett, let’s get them down.” Lachlan turned to look at his mate

but didn’t see Garrett anywhere. He walked back the way he came but
ran into an invisible wall. He bounced back as he tried to go through
it. Lachlan pounded his fist on clear barrier and shouted Garrett’s
name.

Lachlan tried to call Ben from his earpiece but was met with the

same eerie silence. He couldn’t reach his mate or the warriors.
Lachlan looked back over his shoulder. He was alone.

He took a cautious step forward, constantly looking around him

for the persons responsible for this as he neared the young wolves.

“Josh. Victor,” Lachlan whispered.
Josh’s head rose slightly, and he tried to pull against his bindings,

but it was no use. Lachlan looked over to Victor but the young man
didn’t move. His youthful face was puffy and almost on the verge of
unrecognizable. Dark-purple marks streaked across his tanned skin.
Both eyes were swollen shut, and blood dripped from gashes on his
chest.

Looking back to Josh, he didn’t appear to be much better, but he

was awake. Lachlan thought it a miracle Josh had stayed conscious,
but then again it would have been better if Josh had fallen into that
blissfulness that came with sleep instead of witnessing the man he
loved being beaten while he watched, helpless to do anything about it.

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“I’m going to get you out of this,” Lachlan said to Josh.
Lachlan moved quickly, reaching for the knot holding one of his

hands when he saw Josh jerk. The young man’s eyes went wide, and
he looked down at Lachlan.

“Josh, it’s okay.” Lachlan tried to calm him down. “I’m here, and

nothing will happen to you now. Promise.”

Josh continued to struggle. The man was on the verge of panic.

Lachlan fumbled with the knot, but it was tight. He went to reach for
his knife when a hand landed on his shoulder, and Lachlan froze in
place.

“Now why would you make a promise you can’t possibly keep,

Lachlan?”

Clara?
Lachlan slowly turned around and was met with the realization

that his ears weren’t deceiving him. The magnitude of the situation
topped with the knowledge that the once-innocent face of a woman he
thought he knew had in fact been nothing but a stranger.

Clara’s wavy, brown hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail.

Her heart-shaped face looked gnarled and haggard from evil and
unfamiliar to Lachlan now. The eyes that once drew him in reflected
nothing but hate. Lachlan couldn’t grasp that this was his sweet,
kindhearted Clara. The young woman he would have done anything
for.

“Clara, what’s going on?” Lachlan asked.
She laughed, and her eyes sparkled as if it were the funniest thing

she had ever heard. “Well isn’t it obvious?” Clara stopped laughing
and sauntered toward him. “It’s in my nature to do this since I’m a
witch and all.” Once she stood right in front of Lachlan, she ran one
thin finger down his cheek. He wanted to cringe away but didn’t want
to give her that power. “And to be honest I get off on it.”

Lachlan made to grab his knife, but he couldn’t move his hand.

His eyes darted up when he heard Clara giggle. He tried moving his

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feet, but they were stuck to the ground as if they were in cement
blocks. For the first time in many years, Lachlan started to panic.

“I don’t understand,” he said. “I’ve seen you shift. I know you are

a werewolf.” He spoke in a rush, trying to figure out what was going
on. The things he’d seen, he couldn’t have imagined it. But this? This
hold she had on him now, he couldn’t explain it even if he weren’t
freaking out.

“See that’s where you’re wrong.” Clara snatched the knife from

its sheath where it rested on Lachlan’s belt. “For centuries witches”—
she turned to hold the blade up to the firelight—“have been looking
for ways around that annoying bitch, Mother Nature. All this good
versus evil and balance in the universe is a real pain. Don’t you
think?” Clara looked over her shoulder and winked at him.

“What are you talking about?” Lachlan fought against the

invisible bindings holding him in place, but it was no use.

“Lachlan, you truly are a stupid cat, but then again maybe your

precious council doesn’t keep you all as informed as you’d like or
maybe they are just that far behind the times.” She turned and pointed
his own knife at him.

“As with anything time wears on. Seconds become minutes,

minutes become days, days become weeks, weeks become months,
months become years, and so on and so on. See it’s an endless cycle,
and it was just a matter of time before evil found a way around
Mother Nature’s balance of good and evil. As time wears on she’s
gotten tired, and her hold on what’s right and wrong is starting to slip
in certain areas.”

“You lie,” Lachlan said between clenched teeth. The balance of

good versus evil was the only thing that held good and evil on a level
playing field. Without it chaos would run amuck and they would all
be fucked.

“I do not,” she snapped at him. “Evil can’t get around everything,

but we found a way to shift, and if you ask me it’s a start.” Her eyes
swung to Victor and Josh. She walked closer to them. Lachlan’s body

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turned and followed her, but he had no control. She caused his body
to move as he stood there powerless to fight it.

Lachlan kept his face hard, not wanting to show any signs of fear.

He kept trying to figure it out. Evil beings were always trying to find
a loophole, but this just seemed unrealistic. There had to be a
drawback.

“I can tell by the contorted look on your pretty face you’re trying

to figure out if I’m lying or telling the truth.” Once she reached where
the men were hanging in the air, she turned back to Lachlan. “My son,
Damon, should be enough proof for you.”

Lachlan’s mind jerked. If he hadn’t been held by an unseen force

he’d probably have stumbled and fallen flat on his ass. Clara didn’t
look that old, but paranormals didn’t age beyond their twenty-seventh
to thirtieth year of life. They all appeared young, but Clara always
seemed to have a naiveté about her. He had to give her credit, she
fooled him.

“How?” Lachlan asked. His only defense was to keep her talking

and hope that Garrett and Ben found a way around the barrier keeping
him caged in with Clara.

Clara’s head jerked to the side. She stared at something he

couldn’t see. Sweat trickled down from his hairline as he tried to think
of a way to get his hands on her.

“Now that’s not fair,” Clara said in a pouty voice but didn’t say it

to Lachlan. He had no clue who she was speaking to. She blinked her
eyes, and when she opened them again, all Lachlan could see was
black. Her pretty bright-green eyes were replaced with a shiny black
onyx, void of any life.

“Clara,” Lachlan kept his voice steady as he spoke.
Clara’s head fell back and she opened her mouth and screamed so

loud, Lachlan thought his eardrums had broken. Lachlan watched as
black smoke wove its way out of her mouth in a circular motion like a
tornado. Then the smoke shot out in all directions, breaking through
the invisible force field surrounding them.

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Lachlan watched as Clara shook her head and took a deep breath.

He tried again to move his hands, but it was a failed attempt.

“What was that?” he asked.
“Oh, that.” Clara pointed out into the distance. “A little present for

your friends.” Clara held a finger up to her lips. Lachlan wanted to
ask what she meant by that. His mate was out there. His heart started
to beat rapidly at not knowing what was happening beyond the little
bubble she held them in.

“Now where was I? Oh how I’m able to shift and be a witch?

That’s easy to answer. I have to drink the blood of a shifter until I
drain them completely then kill them before they can heal themselves.
I take in their life force. To get a life, you have to take a life. But the
younger the shifter, the shorter the effects. A pain in the ass if you ask
me.”

“That’s impossible.” Everything in Lachlan said not to believe her

strange ramblings, but he’d seen her change. He’d met Damon.
Something was at work here.

“Come on, Lachlan. Open your eyes. You’ve seen me shift and

you see with your own eyes now that I’m holding you prisoner with
my magic, and”—she held up a finger—“I’m keeping you hidden
from your precious mate and those bothersome Warriors of the Light.
I’m a full-fledged witch, my dear.”

“I’ve met Damon. I can’t imagine him killing a fly let alone a

person just so he can shift.” He had to keep talking. They had a witch
with them, too. Klaus was old and powerful. If anyone could find a
way around Clara’s magic, it had to be him or so he prayed.

“You’ve hit the nail on the head with that one. I became pregnant

with Damon while under the influence of a shifter’s blood. So he was
given the gift of a witch as well as partial shifting abilities. He can’t
shift fully, so he’s more of a freak than anything. Adding that to his
caring nature makes him a disappointment to have as a child. But he
is good to have around for his predictability. When I found out he
came to you, I knew he’d go to you again. So being the cunning

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woman that I am I told him my plans after I gave him his punishment
for contacting you in the first place. That boy needs to learn respect
for his mother, but he did serve a purpose tonight. He told you about
the missing wolves, and you did what I’d expected. You and Garrett
came looking for them. Always the heroes.”

“I’d rather be a hero than a psychopath like you.” Lachlan’s skin

began to itch. His lion wanted out but whatever hold Clara had on him
paralyzed his ability to shift.

Clara clicked her tongue. “Lachlan, you should be nicer to me

being as I’m the one with all the power.” She stepped toward him and
ran the edge of the blade down his cheek. The motion was slow and
deep, causing blood to ooze down his cheek. He clenched his eyes
tight as the pain worked its way across his body and through to the
rest of his nerve endings.

When done, she took a step back. Clara brought the blade to her

mouth and licked down the sharp edge, taking in Lachlan’s blood. Her
eyes flashed black again as she hummed her pleasure. Lachlan just
stared at her, unable to look away.

“Your blood tastes amazing.” Clara closed her eyes, and when she

opened them, they had gone back to normal.

“Clara, why are you doing this?” Lachlan pleaded. He didn’t

know how much time had passed, but he was losing faith that his
mate or the warriors would get to them. “Damon said you wanted
Garrett dead, why? He’s been nothing but good to you. Took you in
when he believed the lies you told him. Garrett cares about you.”

“Because, cat,” Clara hissed at him. “He’s destined for great

things, and we can’t have that. So he must die and the best way to do
that is?”

“To kill me first,” Lachlan whispered. His eyes fell to stare at the

dirt-covered ground. It was the last thing he’d see before he died. He
wasn’t ready. This couldn’t be it, but it was out of his hands. If this
was the end for him, it shouldn’t be for Josh or Victor.

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“Let them go,” Lachlan shouted as he nudged his chin in the

wolves’ direction. “You have me. Please just let them go,” he begged
for all he was worth. Something good had to come of all this.

“Let them go?” Clara looked at Victor then to Josh. “And let such

easy prey escape me. I can’t do that. I’m not wired for humanity. Like
when Lacy begged for her life, I just laughed. Like I care if she lived
or died. I needed a recharge, and she tasted so divine.” A cruel smiled
twisted her face, and Lachlan couldn’t believe this was the same Clara
he cared for. “And I was so hungry that night like I am now.” She
turned to the young men and looked them over from head to toe.

“Clara, please.” Lachlan could feel the sting of tears as he

watched her eye the boys like they were a meal and not people, with a
soul, who deserved to live.

“I’ll tell you what, Lachlan, you choose.” She held a hand up and

pointed between Victor and Josh. Josh’s eyes were wide, and his body
shook. Victor was still unconscious, not knowing his life was in
jeopardy. “Who lives to see another day, and who goes to meet his
maker?”

“You can’t ask that of me. It’s not fair.”
“Okay. Then I choose.” Clara turned to Josh and held the blade up

to his throat.

“No!” Lachlan screamed.
“Hmm, I guess it’s your lucky day,” Clara said to Josh.
Clara blinked out of sight then appeared in front of Victor.

Lachlan screamed as he watched her slice the knife across his throat
and covered her mouth over the gushing wound. Josh’s hindered
screams filled Lachlan’s ears as he struggled unsuccessfully once
again to break her hold.

Victor never moved as she drank gulp after gulp. Lachlan could

hear the disgusting slurping sounds she made. Victor’s skin began to
drain of all color and turned a stone white as all his life-giving blood
seeped out of his body.

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“Clara, stop! God just please stop.” Lachlan shouted at her, but

she never looked his way.

When no more blood dripped out of the wound, she gave one final

lick. She looked over her shoulder, winked at Lachlan, then turned
back to Victor. She placed both her hands on Victor’s head and
twisted. The pop of bone and the wet sound of muscle and skin
tearing apart were sickening. She wrenched Victor’s head from his
body and tossed it aside like it was nothing.

Fury like Lachlan never felt before coursed through his veins.

Victor was young and deserved better than this. Lachlan remembered
the talk he shared with Josh just that morning. Victor and Josh were in
love, not mates, but a close second. And now it was gone. Victor’s
body hung from his bindings. That was all that was left of the young
man. His soul was gone forever.

“No!” Lachlan roared as his shift took over. Whatever hold she

had weakened with his fury. Lachlan could only partially shift, but
that was enough. He felt his claws descend and his teeth lengthen. His
face contorted as it grew and stretched. Fur prickled across his face
and body as his muscles changed form and he stood taller than his
normal height.

With one quick shove he moved past whatever power she had

over him and lunged at her. Clara still had her back to him and never
saw it coming. She screamed as he bit down on her shoulder. They
struggled but he never released his heavy jaw. He had it clamped
down in a deadly grip.

Clara started to shift. Her claws extended, and she reached back

and grabbed Lachlan by the head. Her nails dug in deep, and he
roared as the pressure seared his skin. He used his own clawed hands
to pry off her hold, but she was strong. When she curled her hand
inward, he threw her off him.

“You stupid cat.” Clara’s voice was garbled in her half-wolf, half-

human form. “I’m still stronger than you.”

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Flickering lights behind her caught Lachlan’s attention. He could

have sworn he saw beyond the lighted circle they were in. His
distraction gave Clara her opening.

She leapt forward and swiped her claws across his face. Lachlan

stumbled backward but kept his arms up. He shot out his right then
left fist but met nothing but empty air. She was fast and strong.
Lachlan had never fought someone this powerful before. She had
abilities he’d never seen, and he wasn’t entirely sure what all her
capabilities were.

A fist to the gut had Lachlan doubled over. He gasped for breath

as he stood back up. He dodged her next punch, but she was too fast
for him to reach. She laughed and taunted his efforts. Lachlan was
tiring out, and he expected this was her plan all along.

Clara jumped to his left then blinked out of sight. Lachlan

shuffled his feet as he circled around. He could feel his blood run
down his face to soak his shirt. Between the blood loss and him
exerting all his energy, he could barely stay on his feet.

From behind him he heard a twig snap, but before he could turn

around a hard blow connected with the center of his back. The sound
of bone cracking echoed in the clearing. Lachlan fell to the ground
like a ton of bricks. Clara flipped him over then sat to straddle his
hips. She smiled down at him.

“You disappoint me, Lachlan.” Clara smiled. “I expected more

from a Warrior of the Light.” She tsked. “I guess you warriors are a
weaker lot then we originally thought.”

Clara raised the knife in her hand high above her head. The light

from the fire reflected off the long, serrated edge. The deathly intent
in her eyes glowed with victory.

Over Clara’s shoulder he could hear Josh trying to cry out. He

could see the tears streaking down the young man’s face, and there
wasn’t a damn thing Lachlan could do to save him. Lachlan would bet
his soul that Clara would kill Josh as soon as she finished with him.
Another young life cut short by the woman he called his friend.

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Clara continued to talk, but Lachlan was no longer listening. To

hear more of her cruel intentions didn’t matter now. He’d die before
he ever got the chance to tell someone. The blow to his back snapped
his spine in two. Sure, he’d heal in time, but the look in Clara’s eyes
proved that time had run out.

His head lolled to the side, and staring back at him were Victor’s

lifeless eyes where his head lay detached from his body. Victor died
because Lachlan wasn’t smart or quick enough. Clara had sucked him
into her game of deceit, and it cost Victor’s, and soon Josh’s, lives.

Lachlan’s vision started to fade out. He no longer had the energy

to fight or keep his eyes open. If he were going to die, the last thing
he saw was not going to be the crazy bitch preparing to kill him.
Letting his eyelids drop shut, Lachlan brought up Garrett’s image. He
pictured the ruggedly handsome man who had captured his heart and
given Lachlan’s life purpose after so many years of going through the
motions. His time with Garrett was short but oh so sweet. Lachlan had
to believe Garrett would find the strength to go on without him.
Losing one’s mate was the hardest thing a paranormal could suffer
through, but it could be done, and if what Clara said was true, Garrett
was destined for great things and needed to survive.

Succumbing to his fate, Lachlan let go of everything around him.

His time had come to an end. The haziness of sleep dragged him
under, and then there was nothing.

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Chapter Sixteen

“Where the fuck did he go?” Garrett yelled into his earpiece as he

turned in a circle. One minute Lachlan was by his side, then the next
he was gone. In the flash of an eye his mate had disappeared.

“Garrett, where did who go?” Ben’s voice came over the airway.
“Lachlan. We were walking together searching the area, then he

just took off running. I followed, but he just disappeared. As if by
mag…”

Garrett’s words trailed off as what he just said sunk in. Klaus had

warned them he felt some type of energy in the air, and now Lachlan
was gone. Whatever was out here with them took Lachlan.

The sound of feet crunching leaves and twigs grew nearer. Ben

came into sight with Miles and Klaus by his sides. A pissed-off look
marred the Warriors of the Light’s leader.

“How did you let this happen?” Ben accused in a not-so-friendly

tone.

“Me?” Garrett stepped up to Ben until they stood chest to chest. “I

didn’t let anything happen. He was here one minute and gone the
next. We weren’t prepared for something like this.” Garrett started to
lose all the fight in him. “I let my mate get taken from me.”

Garrett could hear the men around him talk, but he couldn’t make

out the words. The most important person in his life just vanished into
thin air. He could still feel Lachlan and knew he was alive but for how
long? Whoever was responsible for this wanted Garrett dead, and
killing Lachlan was a good way to do it.

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“Everyone calm the fuck down,” Klaus ordered. “There was

nothing Garrett could have done. This place reeks of magic. What
happened was meant to. Whoever did this has great power.”

“We heard what happened.” The witch named Carter came

barreling toward them with his mate, Abner, not far behind. “Klaus,
what should we do? Can our combined magic counteract this? Or at
least point to where Lachlan disappeared to?”

Garrett’s head shot up at that. It was his only hope.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Klaus answered. “How far away

are Quinn and Trevor?”

“We’re right here.” Quinn spoke up in a clear voice. “We headed

this way when we heard Garrett shouting.”

“Okay, Carter and I will try to merge together our magic and

break or at least put a crack into whatever magic is blocking us from
finding Lachlan.” Klaus looked at Garrett. “Can you sense him? Does
he feel far away or close?”

Garrett closed his eyes and brought up Lachlan’s image. His heart

yearned to see its mate again, but he dug beneath all that for his
connection to Lachlan. Flashes of light and jumbled-up pictures
floated through his head. But the most important thing he could feel
was the fast-paced beating of Lachlan’s heart.

“He’s close. I can feel him like he’s right here with us.” Garrett

kept darting his eyes around as if he thought Lachlan would come out
from behind a tree or something.

“That’s good. Hopefully it won’t take much, but we will need you

guys to watch our backs. Once we start we can’t stop or it’ll break our
spell. Whatever is surrounding us is pure evil. This has to be one
badass witch,” Klaus said.

Carter nodded his head. “I agree. I’ve never felt this kind of

energy before.” The thin witch shivered. “It’s dark and lifeless.”

Garrett didn’t like what they were saying because wherever

Lachlan was, he was with that witch. He didn’t know how, but he
knew it with his whole body that Lachlan was in danger.

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155

“Okay, let’s do this,” Ben said as he motioned for all the men to

circle Klaus and Carter. They were the only link to reach Lachlan, and
they had to protect the two witches.

Garrett looked over his shoulder, and Klaus and Carter stood

facing each other holding hands. They didn’t say anything. They just
stood still like statues with their eyes shut.

“Do you hear that?” Trevor asked.
Garrett’s head tilted to the side, and he heard a faint screaming.

Not one of someone in pain or fear but of pure unadulterated rage.

“Shit.” Someone shouted as black smoke swirled around them.
Black forms surrounded them. They looked to be in the shape of

humans, but they weren’t solid. Garrett thought they looked like
smoke, black and hazy but definitely took on a human form.

“What the fuck are they?” It was Miles who spoke.
Garrett, too, wanted to know what they were up against. The

figures swayed back and forth then sprung toward them.

One lunged at Garrett, but he jumped to the side. Then another

swung at his face. It made contact with a stunning blow to Garrett’s
cheek. He stood dazed for just a moment before he straightened his
shoulders and spun around and swung. His fist connected with a solid
mass, but just as soon as he hit it, it was gone. Not knowing what else
to do, Garrett kept at it.

The battle raged all around them. Faceless beings hammered

down on them, one after another. It was an army with an endless
supply of energy, who could battle into forever.

“Garrett,” Klaus shouted to get his attention. “Go.”
Garrett turned around just barely missing a punch to the jaw. As

he did a small flash of light grabbed his attention. As he moved
forward, he could see bits and pieces bleeding through the dark
scenery in front of him. A fire burned bright, and two people were on
the ground. The picture before him held longer, and he could make
out clearer images.

Lachlan!

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His heart threatened to stop as he watched a woman sitting on top

of his mate with a large knife held above her head.

Intent on getting to his mate, Garrett started to run. A blow to the

back of the head had him falling to his knees. His brain felt shaken,
and his vision had begun to blur. Garrett brought a hand up to the
back of his head while using the other to push himself up off the
ground. Once on his knees, he focused on the flickers of light out in
the clearing in front of him. The ground was bumpy and covered with
dying grass. Branches lay discarded on the ground where they fell
from the withering trees. The vision he’d seen of Lachlan on the
ground was gone.

What the hell is going on? Garrett cursed whatever magic that was

at play. How could he get to his mate if the portal that would take him
to Lachlan kept fading in and out?

“Go!” Klaus shouted. “We can’t hold it for much longer.”
Just as Klaus spoke again, the invisible curtain fell away and he

saw Lachlan still lying on the ground.

Pushing to his feet, Garrett ran all out. He wasn’t going to miss his

chance again. He had to get through the barrier.

Garrett was almost there when he saw the woman on his mate

start to lower her knife. Even with the distance separating them, he
saw the smile on her face. Garrett’s pulse spiked along with his fear
and rage. Allowing the shift to come over him, Garrett felt bones pop,
muscles stretch, and his clothes tear away. Digging deep into the cold
hard soil, Garrett jumped into the light and snapped his heavy jaws at
the woman.

He took her by complete surprise. She screamed and fought with

her right arm. Garrett had her left arm in his mouth, and he bit down
harder. Jerking his head to the side he ripped the thin arm from her
body. She howled in pain, but Garrett didn’t care. He tossed the limb
into the fire and went back for her neck.

“This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen,” the woman cried as

she tried to fight Garrett off.

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157

Garrett kept his teeth safely planted in the soft flesh where her

neck and shoulder met and looked up. He’d heard that voice before
but never with such venom and hatred.

Clara? Garrett couldn’t speak in his wolf form, but thoughts ran

rampant in his head. How could this be the same sweet Clara he’d
known for years? She didn’t have a mean bone in her body. Why is
she doing this?

Garrett darted his eyes around the area as much as he could. The

sight of feet dangling in the air had him turning his muzzle with Clara
still attached. She screeched in pain, but he ignored her screams.

Josh was held suspended in the air with ropes and a headless body

right next to his. Garrett wanted to retch at the sight. Shifting his gaze
over the carnage, he saw it. Victor’s head was lying on the ground.

“Like what you see?” Clara started to laugh. The sound was so

cruel and vile to his ears. “I might die tonight, but let these deaths
linger over your head, Alpha. The guilt will eat you alive.”

Not giving it a second thought, Garrett sunk his teeth deeper, then

pulled. The wet sloshing of her head coming free of her body as bone
broke, filled Garrett with a since of triumph. Spitting her head to the
ground, Garrett let the change flow over him again.

Blood dripped from his mouth. He swiped it away as he quickly

crawled over to where Lachlan lay unconscious on the ground. He
lifted Lachlan’s limp body into his arms. Voices grew louder, but
Garrett didn’t look up. All his focus was on his mate. He felt for a
pulse and thanked god it was there. Faint but there.

“Dear God in heaven,” Ben’s voice met his ears. “Cut him down.”
“She kil…killed him,” Josh stuttered. “She didn’t even care.” The

young wolf broke down and started to sob.

Garrett knew he needed to check on the others, but he couldn’t.

Everything he held dear lay limp in his arms. More than anything
Garrett needed Lachlan to wake up.

Another set of fingers appeared and felt around Lachlan’s neck.

Garrett growled low but didn’t speak.

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“Garrett, buddy, he’s alive. He’s just sleeping,” Ben said. Garrett

nodded his head. He already knew this. “Let’s get him back to the
house. He might be hurt, but he’ll heal.”

Garrett stood to his feet, still cradling Lachlan to his chest. He

started to walk. Some of the warriors were following, but he didn’t
care to see which ones. Lachlan needed to be in bed where all the
destruction he’d witnessed this night couldn’t touch him.

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159

Chapter Seventeen

Once back at the house Garrett went straight up the steps with

Lachlan in his arms. When he reached their room, he pushed open the
door and laid Lachlan on the bed. He took off Lachlan’s heavy boots
then went for his clothes. Garrett wanted to make sure there weren’t
any visible wounds they needed to worry about.

When Garrett rolled Lachlan to the side to pull back the blanket

he saw the large purple-and-black bruise in the center of his back. He
felt around the darkest part and could feel the separation in bone.
Lachlan’s back had been broken. A little rest would heal his mate
back to normal, but Garrett started to think about what he saw in that
clearing. What his mate had watched and was helpless to do anything
about. Garrett ran his fingers through Lachlan’s wavy hair and bent to
kiss his forehead.

“It wasn’t your fault, baby. Don’t let this consume you,” Garrett

whispered to his mate. Lachlan played at being a hard-ass, but he was
a sensitive man. Garrett knew his mate would probably blame himself
for what happed to Victor and to Josh, but no one was to blame. Clara
had fooled them all. If anyone was to blame it was Garrett. He was
the alpha. He should have seen through her charade, but he didn’t.

With one last kiss to his mate’s lips, Garrett got up and went to his

dresser to get some clothes on. He flipped off the light when he left
the room and eased the door shut behind him. Garrett walked down
the stairs more slowly this time. Now they needed to try and piece
together what exactly happened.

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As he came around the corner, he saw Ben, Miles, Trevor, and

Quinn in the entryway. The door to the living room where Damon
was had been closed. He looked at Ben and quirked an eyebrow.

“Why’s the door shut?” Garrett pointed to the closed door.
“I did that before Aaron could see anything.” Ben stepped forward

and waved for Garrett to come closer. “While you were upstairs with
Lachlan, Aaron brought Josh back. The young wolf is in shock, and
Aaron had his hands full getting him up the stairs.”

“What does that have to do with the door being shut?” Garrett

asked.

“Because of this.” Ben cracked opened the door.
Garrett peeked into the low-lit room and his eyes landed on where

Damon lay sleeping. A towel still covered his head, but the blood on
the sides of his face had dried. The witch was finally starting to heal.

Relief flooded his chest at the sight. Damon was the only one who

would be able to give them answers about Clara and the dark warriors
she had working with her.

Something moved just to the left of Damon, and Garrett’s eyes

tracked the movement.

Oh no.
Garrett’s eyes went wide. Sitting on the floor next to Damon was

Toby, Aaron’s little brother. Toby wasn’t touching Damon, but he sat
close to the couch, with his head on his knees, sleeping.

“What do you think this means?” Garrett looked to Ben.
“I’m not sure.” Ben shook his head. “But from what I’ve heard

that kid doesn’t go near anyone. I have to wonder why he’d come in
here to sleep next to a beaten, blood-soaked witch, if there wasn’t a
real good reason.”

“Shit.” Garrett knew exactly what Ben was hinting at. If Damon

was Toby’s mate, Garrett didn’t want to be around when Aaron found
out. Toby had been through a lot in the past few months and Garrett
wasn’t for sure how Aaron, let alone Toby, would react to this.

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161

Ben patted Garrett’s shoulder. “Let’s not panic yet. We can’t be

certain that they’re mates. It could just be that Toby sensed Damon
needed someone.”

“Maybe.” Weirder things had happened, but Garrett had a

niggling feeling it was more than that. Toby hardly left his room and
didn’t talk to anyone. Garrett couldn’t picture Toby making a
complete one-eighty now.

“What are you guys doing?” Aaron’s sullen voice asked from

behind them. “Is Lachlan okay?”

Garrett and Ben both jumped, bumping heads in the process. Ben

and Garrett exchanged a worried look.

“Lachlan is upstairs sleeping. He hasn’t woken up yet, so I’m not

sure the extent of his injuries, but he’s breathing and healing, that’s all
that matters.”

“That’s good to hear.” Aaron pointed with his thumb over his

shoulder. “I helped Josh get cleaned up and into bed. He’s shook up
pretty bad. He keeps calling out for Victor. I kept reminding him
Victor didn’t make it. Poor guy keeps breaking down into tears. They
were best friends, it has to be hard to watch something like that and be
helpless to do anything about it.”

“Yes it does.” Garrett coughed to clear his throat. “Aaron, we

need to show you something, but can you promise not to freak out?”

“Why? What happened? Is Toby all right?” Aaron walked up

close to them, worry causing his face to harden.

“He’s fine, Aaron,” Ben answered. “But when we got back we

came to check on Damon. To see if he was awake to give us some
answers. And well…”

“Toby’s in there with Damon.” Garrett thought it best to get it out

there. Like ripping a Band-Aid off.

“What?” Aaron pushed past them and opened the door. “He is.”

Aaron sounded shocked.

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Garrett and the others followed Aaron into the room. Toby had

moved his head to rest on Damon’s hand closest to him. They slept
peacefully.

“He hasn’t let anyone touch him since—” Aaron stopped speaking

and looked up at them. Garrett could tell Aaron wanted to protect
Toby’s privacy and didn’t want to give away all that had happened
the night Lucian attacked him. “He just recently started to let me
touch him. Do you think they’re mates?”

“We’re not sure, Aaron. But I’m just glad to see Toby coming

back to the land of the living.” Garrett truly believed in what he said.
He didn’t know for sure if the two were mates, but he was more than
thrilled to see Toby out of his room of his own free will. Hopefully he
was on the road to recovery.

Aaron knelt down next to Toby. He lightly shook his brother’s

shoulder. “Toby, hey wake up, buddy.”

Toby’s eyes opened, and he gave his brother a small smile. His

eyes widened when he saw Garrett and the others standing behind
Aaron.

“Toby, why don’t you let me take you up to bed?”
Toby looked around to all the men in the room, and Garrett felt

bad for intruding. He didn’t want Toby to be upset or scared, but they
needed to talk with Damon.

“Okay.” Toby nodded and started to get up.
“Don’t go.” All eyes turned to Damon as he spoke to Toby.

“Please stay.”

Toby looked to Aaron and then to Garrett. Garrett nodded his

head yes that it was okay for him to stay in the room.

Damon was still weak from blood loss, and his hand shook as he

reached for Toby. Toby looked down at the blood-stained fingers and
lightly grasped Damon’s hand. He sunk back down to sit on the floor.

“Damon, do you think you’re up for some questions?” Garrett

asked as he moved to sit on the opposite end of the couch Damon sat
on.

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163

Damon looked to Toby then up to Garrett. “I think so. What do

you need to know?”

Questions ran rampant in Garrett’s brain. He didn’t know where to

begin. Garrett decided it best to go slow. He opened his mouth to
speak but another voice spoke first.

“Why didn’t you tell me Clara was your mother?”

* * * *

Lachlan had woken up in Garrett’s bed. The feeling in his body

had started to come back, but he still had the pins-and-needles
sensation thrumming through his body. He wasn’t 100 percent healed
but enough to move.

He sat up on the bed and dragged his legs to the edge. Taking a

deep breath, Lachlan hauled himself up to his feet and toward the
dresser. He pulled out a T-shirt and a pair of pajama bottoms. It was
slow going, but he yanked them on his injured body and made his
way down the stairs.

Voices came from the direction of the front seating room where

Damon had been left. Lachlan had a few questions for the witch and
headed that way. He heard Garrett speaking to Damon and stumbled
for the door. He had to ask the one question that had been eating at
him. “Why didn’t you tell me Clara was your mother?”

Why didn’t Damon tell me? I could have acted sooner if I’d

known. I could have protected him and saved Victor and kept Josh
safe.

When Damon didn’t respond, Lachlan asked again, “Why didn’t

you tell me? I could have helped you.”

“Lachlan.” Garrett jumped to his feet and came to his side. “You

shouldn’t be out of bed. You need rest so you can heal.”

Lachlan took Garrett’s hand and let him lead him to the couch.

Damon pulled his feet back and made room for Lachlan.

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“Don’t tell me what I need,” he snapped. The instant the words

left his mouth, he regretted them. “I’m sorry, baby, my nerves are just
so raw right now.” He paused to steady his breath. Images of Victor
kept flashing before his eyes.

“I know, Lachlan, I know.” Garrett helped Lachlan sit down, and

then he settled in close to Lachlan’s back, never taking his hands off
of him.

Lachlan stared at a wide-eyed Damon. The witch looked scared,

and unshed tears glossed over his eyes.

“It’s okay, Damon.” Lachlan was shocked to see Toby pop up

from where he sat on the floor and scoot in close to Damon. “They
won’t hurt you, but they need answers. They can’t help you if they
don’t know where to begin.” Toby’s voice was soft and came out as a
whisper.

Damon nodded his head and looked back to Lachlan. “Yes, she’s

my mother. I didn’t tell you because”—Damon stared off into space
for a moment then looked back to him as a tear fell down his cheek—
“she’s still my mother. For ninety years I’d hoped that one day I’d
make her proud of me, and I swore that I’d never tell anyone she was
my mother when we moved here. I just…” Damon trailed off as he
wept quietly.

“You just hoped she’d love you.” Lachlan finished the witch’s

thought. He could understand that, and Damon may be ninety but
seemed more like a fresh-faced teenager. The poor witch’s life had
hindered his self-esteem. Clara had taken advantage of Damon’s
sweet nature and made him do despicable things. And Damon gladly
did it in hopes to one day gain his mother’s love and approval.

“Yes, but she never did. I didn’t want to spy on the pack or even

talk to that horrible Rhett, but I had no choice. Mother said I had to or
else.” Damon didn’t say what the or else was, but Lachlan saw the
man flinch at the remembrance.

“What did she want from us?” Garrett asked.

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165

“The coven my mother is part of has a witch who can see small

glimpses into the future. She said you held great power as a warrior,
and when the coming begins, you’d be dangerous to the Warriors of
the Dark.” Damon nibbled on his lip nervously. “She also said you
were destined to end my mother’s life. That’s why mother wanted to
kill you before you ever got the chance.”

Lachlan looked to Garrett. Damon didn’t know his mother was

dead. That he was free of the evil hold she had over him. Lachlan
reached for Damon’s trembling hand.

“Damon, she’s dead.” He held tight when Damon tried to jerk

away. “We found her in the woods, and she told me that her plan all
along was to get us out there tonight. She knew you’d been talking to
me and used you to lure us out there. Do you understand what I’m
saying? She did this to you on purpose.”

Damon shook his head from side to side in denial. Large tears

streaked through the dry blood on his face. “Why?” he cried. “Why
was I never good enough?”

To everyone’s surprise, Toby wrapped his arms around Damon

and hugged him close. Lachlan watched as Aaron took a step closer
and rested a hand on Damon’s shoulder.

“You are good enough, she was just too blind to see it. She tried

to make you like her, a monster bent on killing and destruction,”
Lachlan said. “I understand she was your mother, but you deserve so
much more than she could ever have given you.”

“I just can’t believe she’s gone.” Damon fidgeted with his hands

as his head rested on Toby’s shoulder. “She was all I had.”

“No she’s not,” Toby said softly. “You have us, too, and we’d

never hurt you.”

Damon sat up and looked into Toby’s eyes. Lachlan could see it.

He wondered if anyone else could. Toby was still too young, but the
blooming of love lay right under the surface. Lachlan wasn’t quite
sure if Damon even realized it, but it was there. One perfect
connection to another person that couldn’t be broken.

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“Damon,” Ben said as he moved closer. He sat on top of the

coffee table in front of him. “Did your mother say anything about a
man named Sayer?”

Damon shook his head. “No, my mother never told me anything

she considered important. Who is he? Is he in danger, too?”

Ben ran a hand through his hair and dropped his head to rest his

chin on his chest. “Yeah, he’s in trouble, but we don’t know how to
find him. When Rhett abducted Logan, they used Sayer’s blood and
hair to distract us. I was hoping your mother had mentioned him.”

“I’m sorry.” Damon started to cry harder. “I’m useless and no

good to anyone.”

“Don’t say that,” Lachlan said louder than he intended. “You

can’t control others’ actions. None of this is your fault. Don’t let it
destroy your chance for a normal life.” Lachlan tilted Damon’s chin
so they could meet eyes. “I’ve got a feeling you have a lot to live for
now.” Lachlan darted his eyes to Toby. “You’re free.”

Damon followed his stare and stared at the young wolf beside

him. A small smiled tugged on Damon’s upper lip. Hopefully the
cruelty Clara had bestowed upon her son hadn’t completely damaged
him. Toby was a good person who got dealt a bad hand at luck and
paid the price. Damon and Toby were both broken in some aspects,
but maybe together they could repair their damaged souls.

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167

Chapter Eighteen

Two hours later Lachlan was lying down in bed once again. They

talked to Damon some more, and Damon confirmed what Clara had
said. The dark warriors had found a way to take on other paranormals’
abilities if only for a short while. Drinking the blood of whatever
paranormal they had captured until the heart stopped beating then
killing that person so they couldn’t heal themselves, they took on
those shifters’ traits and the older the paranormal, the longer the
effect.

Damon also said that his mother was under the effects of shifter

blood when she became pregnant with him, causing Damon to be
some sort of freak of nature. He was a witch but could do a partial
shift into a werewolf like what Lachlan had witnessed. Clara taunted
her son, calling him an abomination not worthy of life. She blamed
him for his father leaving her. Damon’s father said he couldn’t stand
to have a freak for a son and left them.

Lachlan and Damon had more in common than the witch knew.

Both had been abandoned by their fathers and made to believe what
they were was unnatural. Granted, Damon being a half-breed was a
little different then Lachlan and Lawson being thrown out of their
pride for being gay. But in the end it was all the same. The people
who were supposed to love them unconditionally failed them.

The door creaked open, and Lachlan rolled over to face Garrett.

“Is he okay?”

Garrett’s face looked weathered. Lines creased his eyes and

around his mouth. His strong, handsome mate looked like he aged ten
years. Garrett had gone to check on Josh. The wolf kept crying out for

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Victor. The turmoil and pain in his voice stabbed into Lachlan’s heart.
Their young love only just barely flickered to life before it was blown
out by evil. Lachlan knew the two men weren’t mates, but when love
was involved it didn’t matter. The heart couldn’t always tell the
difference.

“He’s sleeping now, but I’m not sure he will ever be okay,

completely.” Garrett pulled off his clothes and crawled into bed next
to Lachlan.

Lachlan tucked his head under Garrett’s chin and wrapped his left

arm and leg over his mate’s body. He breathed in the crisp smell
mixed with sweat that made up his mate’s scent. The feel and smell of
Garrett’s body would never get old. To think he was mere seconds
from dying and never seeing Garrett again. The thought still caused
fissures of fear to seep through his body. Lachlan tightened his hold
around Garrett.

“They were in love,” Lachlan finally admitted. Garrett needed to

know the extent of Josh’s agony. “They weren’t mates, but they were
each other’s first.”

“Oh my god.” Garrett’s arm tightened around Lachlan’s

shoulders. “The pain he must be going through. I couldn’t imagine
living without you. Mate or not, it still has to be difficult.” Garrett’s
warm lips kissed Lachlan on top of his head. “How did you know
this?”

“I caught him sneaking into Victor’s room.” A small chuckle

passed his lips at the memory of an uncertain Josh trying to work up
the nerve to go in Victor’s room. “It was sweet. He was so worried
about what to do.”

Lachlan didn’t think he had any more tears left to spare, but they

started to fall like rain. His face was chapped from the salty liquid
he’d shed so much of already, and it stung with each tear. “Now it’s
gone. All they could have enjoyed together was taken away. I should
have been able to save him.”

Garrett’s Choice

169

* * * *

Garrett sat up and pulled Lachlan up as well. He knew this was

going to happen. Lachlan blamed himself for something no one could
have predicted.

“No you couldn’t have. She fooled us all. She was a witch who

had powers you couldn’t fight against. We’re lucky you survived at
all.”

“But still,” Lachlan sobbed. “I spent a lot of time with her these

past few weeks. I should have seen something.”

“How?” Garrett asked as he ducked his head down to meet

Lachlan’s gaze. “She was a superb actress. I’d known her for years,
and I never suspected a thing. She was able to trick an alpha, how did
you expect to see something?”

“I know this. I can see the logistics of it, but it doesn’t help

alleviate my guilt.” Lachlan swiped a hand under his eyes. “I stood
there helpless while she drank down Victor’s blood then ripped his
head from his body. I’ve seen some pretty messed-up shit in my day
but nothing, and I mean nothing, had ever affected me like what I saw
tonight.”

Garrett rubbed on Lachlan’s back in a soothing manner. He was

certain Lachlan had seen some terrible things in his life, and most of
the time Lachlan or the other warriors didn’t actually know the people
they were protecting, but Lachlan knew Victor and Josh. They
weren’t the best of friends, but Garrett could see the friendship
building between the young men and his mate.

“Baby, I can’t make you unsee or forget what happened tonight,

but you need to move past it.” Garrett placed a finger over Lachlan’s
lips when he started to speak. “I’m not saying it will be easy, but if
you let it consume you, they win. I need you, your brother needs you,
the pack and the warriors, we all need you. Please, my love, don’t let
this tear you apart because it will if you let it.”

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“I know, and I’m trying.” Lachlan wrapped his arms around

Garrett’s neck and rested his head on Garrett’s chest.

“In time it’ll get easier. I don’t expect you to bounce back

tomorrow or the day after, but you have to keep moving forward. One
step in front of the other because Josh will need you.” Victims of
violent acts tended to bond over the shared experience, and if that
were true, it’d be Lachlan who would bring Josh back from that dark
place he was held prisoner. The place where his lover had been
murdered and Josh felt lost and alone. Lachlan could help the young
man find his way again.

“You don’t think he’ll blame me for what happened, do you?”

Lachlan asked.

Garrett didn’t know how Josh was going to react come the light of

day, but some part of him, deep down, didn’t think Josh would blame
Lachlan. If anything Josh would be too busy blaming himself.

“No, I don’t think he will. My guess is he’ll blame himself along

with everyone else for a while. He’s grieving, and that’s only natural.
But in the end I think he’ll need us more than he realizes. We’re a
family, and we take care of each other.”

Lachlan stared up at him with longing in his eyes. “Thank you for

saying that and being honest with me.” Lachlan blew out a breath.
“Who would have thought a few weeks ago that I’d actually care what
Josh thought of me but now”—Lachlan’s lips pressed into a hard
line—“Now I can’t stand the thought of him ever hating me. I see a
lot of myself in him.”

“Like with all things, Lachlan, give it time. We’ll get through

this.” Garrett leaned forward and pressed his lips gently to Lachlan’s.
He swallowed down his mate’s sigh and traced his tongue along the
plump flesh. Garrett pushed forward, forcing Lachlan to lie back on
the bed. He pulled back when Lachlan gasped in pain.

“Are you okay?” Garrett ran his hands down his mate’s body as if

he could locate the sore spots.

“Fine, just a little tender still.” Lachlan reached for Garrett.

Garrett’s Choice

171

Garrett hovered over Lachlan, bracing his weight on his elbows as

he gazed into his lover’s golden eyes. “I love you so much, Lachlan.
When I couldn’t find you, I thought I’d die right there on the spot.”
He kissed Lachlan on the forehead, his nose, and then each cheek.
“You’re my heart and soul. I can’t live without you.”

“Oh, Garrett.” Lachlan reached up to peck a soft kiss on Garrett’s

mouth. “I feel the same way. You were my only thought as Clara held
that knife over my head. I lay there praying for just one more chance
to tell you I love you.”

“Well, it looks like your prayers were answered. As were mine.”

Garrett kissed Lachlan on the lips, then moved down to his jaw. He
nibbled and caressed with his hands every inch of his mate’s chest.
Garrett worked his way down Lachlan’s body, placing light kisses
here and there. Lachlan’s body trembled, and Garrett watched for
signs that his mate was in pain. Not seeing any, Garrett worked his
way lower.

Shoving the sheet away, Garrett feasted his eyes on Lachlan’s

magnificent cock. It lay hard and thick against his hip. The tip leaked
tiny drops, and Garrett lapped it up as he went by. Garrett settled
himself between Lachlan’s thighs. He didn’t want to hurt or cause any
discomfort to his mate, but he had to taste him. Garrett needed more
confirmation that Lachlan was okay.

Garrett bent over Lachlan’s body and licked from base to tip,

tracing the heavy veins that ran along his length. Lachlan moaned and
rested a hand on Garrett’s head, but didn’t push him down to the
engorged shaft begging for relief. He flattened his tongue and circled
it around the tip. The hot, smooth skin caused sparks to jolt straight to
Garrett’s toes. He’d never tire of his mate’s body.

“Garrett, please,” Lachlan begged. “Help me forget.”
That was all his mate had to say. Garrett dipped his head down

and swallowed Lachlan down to the root. He rubbed his nose against
the short thatch of hair surrounding the base. Garrett hummed as he
worked his throat up and down Lachlan’s length.

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Lachlan jerked and twitched from his sensual onslaught. Garrett

used every trick he learned over the years to make this the best blow
job Lachlan had ever had. He pulled back to tease the little slit on the
tip. He used one hand to lightly massage the furred balls hanging
loosely between his mate’s thighs. Garrett fondled the firm little orbs
for a little longer then stroked his hand downward past Lachlan’s
balls. He caressed the skin all the way back until he could rub his
thumb over Lachlan’s entrance.

Garrett groaned when he felt the tight muscle flutter under his

touch. His dick had hardened to unbelievable proportions, but he
tamped down his own need. Lachlan needed him and he couldn’t take
Lachlan in his condition. So the next best thing was to suck his mate
until he forgot his name.

“Yes, finger me. I need it,” Lachlan cried out.
Bringing the finger to his mouth he used his spit to slick the single

digit. He pressed lightly against the rippled skin, and the muscle gave
way. Lachlan’s body sucked the finger inside and clenched tight.

“God you’re so beautiful,” Garrett said as he watched his finger

fuck Lachlan’s hole. “I’ll never tire of seeing this sight.”

Garrett used his free hand to hold Lachlan’s shaft upward, and he

took the length back into his mouth. He hollowed out his cheeks and
sucked as hard as he could, all the while still fingering Lachlan’s ass.
He curled his finger forward and rubbed against the bundle of nerves
that lay nestled in his mate’s body. Lachlan squirmed and panted as
Garrett kept rubbing his sweet spot.

Pulling off Lachlan’s dick with a pop, Garrett stared up at his

mate. “Come for me, Lachlan. I need to taste you. I need you to fill
me up with your love.”

Lachlan’s mouth fell open, and his head hit the pillow. His hips

shot upward, causing his plum-colored cock to bump Garrett chin.
Garrett smiled and kissed the tip then began to deep throat the hard
shaft once again.

Garrett’s Choice

173

The muscle clenching against his finger began to throb, and

Lachlan arched upward. Garrett used his free hand to help jack his
mate’s length as he sucked. Lachlan’s breath hitched and the hard
cock in Garrett’s mouth swelled then shot down his throat.

“Oh god, Garrett,” Lachlan cried as he body emptied down

Garrett’s throat.

Garrett swallowed as fast as he could, but a little dripped out the

side. Licking Lachlan’s dick clean, Garrett sat up. He smiled down at
his exhausted mate. God how he loved this man.

His cock still reached forward, aching for relief, but Garrett

ignored it. Yes he wanted to get off, but it could wait. He’d given his
mate what he needed and that’s all that mattered at the moment. It
was enough for Garrett just to see his mate sated and relaxed lying
next to him.

“I love you and don’t you ever forget that.” Garrett shifted to lie at

Lachlan’s side.

“Right back at you, mate.” A goofy smile lit up Lachlan’s face.
After all that had happened he was excited to see that smile.

Lachlan would be okay. It would just take some time. With them
being immortal, time was something they had plenty of.

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Chapter Nineteen

The next morning Garrett left his mate to sleep and headed down

to his office. He needed to set about reaching Victor’s family and
making burial arrangements as well.

Garrett entered his office and walked around his desk and sat

down. He powered up his computer, and while he waited a folded
piece of paper with his name on it caught his eye. Looking around the
room as if to see who might have left, Garrett opened the letter.

Dear Garrett,
Thank you for freeing me from my mother. I deeply regret not

coming to you sooner. But what’s done is done. I will forever live with
that guilt, but I promise to make it right.

Please tell Toby I’m sorry. I will come back one day. I’m just not

sure when. I need to discover who I am without the influence of my
mother surrounding me. Until I know who I am, I’m no good to Toby.
I don’t expect him to wait for me, but this is something I need to do.

Tell Lachlan thank you for being my friend and believing in me.

He’s a good person. And you are, too, Garrett. You saved me from my
mother, and I will always be in your debt.

With all my heart,
Damon
Garrett stared down at the letter. He was at a loss on how to

respond. The reasons Damon counted for leaving were
understandable, but his absence would still cause a lot of pain,
especially for Toby.

“Shit.”

Garrett’s Choice

175

“Is this a bad time?” Ben asked as he entered Garrett’s office. His

eyes dropped to the paper held in Garrett’s hand. “I see you found his
letter.”

“Yeah.” Garrett tossed it aside. “You knew he was leaving?”
“I saw him sneak out this morning. I caught up to him outside, but

it was no use. He’d already made up his mind and I can’t say I blame
him.” Ben ran a hand down his face. “His mother really pulled a
number on him. This might sound like total bullshit, but Damon needs
to find himself. Discover who he is without his mother’s influence
hanging over his head. He’s no good to anyone until he does.”

Garrett ran his finger over the note where he tossed it aside. “I can

understand that, but I’m not sure Toby will.”

“I agree with that, but I think Toby still needs time to heal as well.

Hopefully Damon won’t be gone too long.”

“Hopefully.” Garrett met Ben’s stare. “Not that I’m not happy to

see you, but why the hell are you here so early?” It was only seven in
the morning. He couldn’t imagine what Ben wanted to discuss so
early.

“I never left,” Ben answered. “Miles and I stayed the night. I

wanted to be here in case you or Lachlan needed me.”

“Not that I’m not grateful, but why?” Garrett’s brow furrowed.
“After you and Lachlan turned in, I stayed up and spoke with

Damon a little more. I pieced together his ramblings and came up
with a theory.”

“Really? And what’s that?” Garrett relaxed back in his chair.
“He kept saying his mother said you were destined to be a great

warrior. That’s a pretty exact claim from where we come from. The
term warrior is sacred among our kind. It takes a special person to be
a Warrior of the Light. If what this witch Clara said was true, you are
meant to be with us, not the alpha of the Carrington Pack.”

Garrett’s eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. What Ben said

was crazy talk. He was born and raised to be an alpha. It wasn’t his
choice, but it’s what he’d been groomed since birth to do.

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“I’m not saying you have to, but think about it. We were one hell

of a team last night. I’d be honored to have you fighting beside me in
a battle any day of the week. You’re a good man, Garrett, but I’m
starting to think you were destined for something other than just
living here as alpha.” Ben stood up and walked toward the door. He
opened it, but before stepping into the hallway he glanced back over
his shoulder. “Just give it some thought. You’d make an excellent
warrior.”

“Thanks.” Garrett nodded his appreciation as Ben walked out the

door.

Garrett turned his chair to stare out the window. The sky was

cloudy, and the trees were barren of their leaves. Winter would be
upon them soon, and then blankets of fluffy snow would cover every
surface.

The seasons changed, without doubt, from fall to winter, winter to

spring, then spring to summer and over and over again. It was
predictable, kind of like the way Garrett had been living his life.

From since the time he was a small child, it had been drilled into

his head that he would take over when his father tired of being the
Carrington Pack alpha. Garrett was never asked if this was what he
wanted. It was assumed.

Not that Garrett had any ill will against his folks, but he would

have liked to have had the option to say no, he didn’t want to be in
charge. Being the alpha was a great honor but one he never asked for
or craved to have.

Garrett liked helping others but hated making the hard decisions.

He wanted to be free to worry about himself for once without thinking
about the consequences to the pack. He wasn’t a bad alpha. In fact he
was great at the job, but he never had the chance to decide for himself
that this was his path in life to take.

Garrett started to think maybe, like Damon, he needed time for

himself. To discover who he was. Who he would be without being the
alpha of the Carrington Pack.

Garrett’s Choice

177

Watching the wind blow the brown leaves across the lawn, Garrett

came to a decision. One he made all on his own, not to benefit the
pack, but what would benefit him and what would make him happy.

Garrett turned his chair around and punched in Wes’s number and

held his breath while he waited for his friend to answer.

* * * *

Lachlan had just gotten out of the shower when Garrett entered

their room. After a good night’s rest Lachlan’s body had healed
completely. He moved with ease without the pain he felt the previous
night. The dreadful memories still plagued him, but that was to be
expected. He didn’t think he’d be able to put that behind him for some
time.

“Hey,” Lachlan said as he toweled off his hair. When Garrett

didn’t answer, he looked up and noticed that Garrett sat stiffly in the
chair by the bed. Panic immediately took over. “What’s wrong?”

It took a moment for Garrett to answer. Lachlan watched as

Garrett shook his head then met his stare. “Nothing.” A smile started
to spread across his face. “Actually everything is great.”

Lachlan rushed to his side and knelt down in front of his mate.

“What do you mean?” Garrett smoothed his knuckles down the side
of Lachlan’s face and he leaned into the touch.

“For the first time in my entire life I made my own decision, for

me and no one else.”

Lachlan studied his mate’s strange behavior. Garrett wasn’t the

depressed sort, but Lachlan had never seen him this ecstatic. “And
what is this big decision?”

“I’m resigning as alpha.” Garrett said it like it was nothing.
“You did what!” Lachlan shouted.
“I’ve decided to give up my role as alpha. I’m stepping down.”

Garrett blew out a heavy breath. “God it feels freeing to say that.” He
let out a hoot of joy.

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Lachlan shook his head, and his eyebrows shot to his hairline.

None of what his mate said made sense. “Babe, I’m not following
here.”

“Lachlan, my whole life being the alpha was expected of me. No

one ever asked me if this was what I wanted. I finally realized after
talking to Ben that there are other things I might be destined for. That
maybe this isn’t the path for me.”

“Then what’s your path?” Lachlan started to sweat. What if

whatever decision Garrett made didn’t include him?

“I’ve decided to join the Warriors of the Light.” Garrett wrapped

his warm, strong fingers around Lachlan’s. “I think my future lies
with them and you. Plus I know you wouldn’t be happy here. Being
co-alpha of the pack would bore you in time, and you would want
something more from your life.”

“No I wouldn’t,” Lachlan said with vigor. He’d never blame

Garrett for their life together with the pack. Everyone made sacrifices,
but what Garrett wanted to do was major. “I belong wherever you are.
Be it here or Timbuktu. You are my heart, Garrett. Where you go I
follow.”

“I know, baby, that’s why I love you.” Garrett leaned forward to

brush his lips across Lachlan’s then pulled away. “This is what I
want. I want to help people. I want to help stop whatever this coming
is that is barking at our heels. The dark warriors are growing in
strength and in numbers. We need to help protect our world.”

Lachlan grabbed Garrett’s hand and kissed his palm. “You don’t

have to do this. I don’t want you to wake up one and day and regret
your choice.”

“My only regret would be not doing this. I want to be a Warrior of

the Light and be with you wherever the hell that may be.”

Lachlan’s heart felt like it was going to expand out of his chest

with happiness. He loved being a warrior, but he loved his mate more.
With Garrett’s decision he didn’t have to give up anything. His mate
was ultimately giving him the world.

Garrett’s Choice

179

Garrett dropped to his knees and pushed Lachlan backward. He

covered Lachlan’s body with his and took his lips in a passionate kiss.
Garrett flicked his tongue and teased and demanded entrance, and
Lachlan opened for him. Lachlan sucked and stroked Garrett’s
smooth, warm tongue, breathing in the scent of Garrett’s desire
mingled with his own. His cock pressed hard into Garrett thigh, and
he felt the telltale sign that Garrett was right there with him. Garrett
shifted and ground his stiff length into Lachlan’s. Lachlan moaned,
and his hands scrabbled for purchase on his mate’s shoulders.

Thump, thump, thump.
“Fuck me.” Lachlan groaned. Things were just getting hot and

heavy and someone had to come and knock on their door.

Just great.
“I have every intention to.” Garrett chuckled. “But we have a pack

meeting to attend to.” Garrett dropped a quick kiss to Lachlan’s
pouted lips. “If you’re a good boy maybe later I’ll let you have a go at
me.” Garrett flashed him a wink.

“If I’m good?” Lachlan barked out a laugh. “If I remember

correctly, you like having my dick up your tight ass, pun intended.”
He smacked Garrett hard on the ass and then squeezed the tight
muscle.

“Whatever.” Garrett rolled his eyes then stood up. He held a hand

out to Lachlan and helped him to his feet. “Get some clothes on. I
don’t like others seeing my sexy mate naked. All this is for my eyes
only.”

“Oh you flatter me.” They both laughed, and Lachlan sobered

abruptly. “I love you, you know that right? No matter what, you’ll
never lose me.”

“I know.” Garrett kissed him again then headed for the door.

“Now get dressed.”

* * * *

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Garrett stood outside his bedroom door and waited for Lachlan.

Nervous energy had him pacing the floor in earnest. Before he came
up to break the news to Lachlan, he spoke with Wes. He offered the
position as alpha to him. Wes had been his friend since they were
small boys, and Garrett knew he’d make for the perfect alpha. But
Wes declined. Said where Garrett went he followed. Garrett wasn’t
surprised. Wes was a loyal friend and undoubtedly would be until his
dying day.

He made one more call, and that was to Barney and Grace. Barney

had been a friend to his family for centuries. Garrett’s father always
said if something ever happened to the Carrington family line, Barney
would be his pick for alpha. He was a good and honest man who
would work hard to do what he could for the pack. Garrett knew when
Wes declined Barney would be his next choice.

When the bedroom door opened, Garrett turned to greet his mate.

“Ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Lachlan reached for his hand. “You sure

about this?”

“You bet your sweet ass I am.”
Garrett led his mate down the stairs and out the back door. Wes

had gathered as many pack members as he could in such a short
amount of time. By the looks of it, they all made it. His lawn was
flooded with people. Most stood talking quietly in small groups,
uncertainty and worry in their every movement.

When Garrett stepped outside, everyone stopped talking to stare

up at him. He never shied away from public speaking, but now, now
he felt like he might throw up from the fluttering butterflies wreaking
havoc in his stomach. Lachlan gave a quick squeeze to his hand, and
that was all the encouragement Garrett needed.

“Good morning. I’m very appreciative to everyone getting here so

quickly. I have an important announcement to make.”

“Is it about what happened last night?” someone called out from

the crowd.

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181

“Did you catch the dark warriors responsible?” another shouted.
“No we haven’t. But we’re working on it.” Garrett motioned to

Barney and Grace to come stand next to him. “This is in regards to
another matter.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve had the honor of being
the alpha for many years, and it’s been a privilege. But due to reasons
I’ve made for myself, I’m stepping down.”

A collective gasp echoed throughout the crowd.
“I know this might come as a shock to many of you, and it was a

big surprise to my father. But this is my life, and I’ve chosen to take a
new path. One suited just for me.” He wrapped his arm around
Lachlan’s shoulders and pulled him close. “And my mate.”

“Then who will lead us?”
“I’ve chosen the best wolf for the job, Barney Clawson. He and

his wife, Grace, have been a part of the Carrington Pack for as long as
I can remember, and even before that. Barney’s an honorable man
who will make an excellent alpha.”

Garrett scanned the crowd. An alpha could appoint another alpha

but a member of the pack could oppose and challenge the chosen
alpha to a fight of dominance. The winner would be the new alpha.
But like he expected, no one opposed Barney being their new leader.
Barney was the loyal sort and would always put the pack ahead of his
own needs.

“If no one challenges my decision, then let’s howl to your new

alpha.” As was their tradition, all the wolves tilted their heads back
and howled toward the sky, a song of acceptance for their new leader.

After the announcement Garrett hung around and spoke with

several of the wolves. Most wanted to say good-bye and give him
farewell hugs. It was sad, but Garrett thought of it as where one
chapter ended another began and every time he looked into Lachlan’s
eyes, he knew he’d made the right choice.

As the crowd started to thin out, Garrett excused himself to return

to his office. He was giving the house to Barney and Grace to live in,
and he wanted to collect his things from his office. Not one ounce of

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regret filled him as he cleaned out the drawers and packed up his
laptop.

“Hey, there you are.” Lachlan came into his office. “I didn’t see

you sneak away. Having second thoughts?”

“Fuck no.” Garrett wound his arms around Lachlan’s waist and

brought his closer. “Just ready to head to the warriors’ compound. I
think Ben will shit golden bricks that I actually took his advice.”

Lachlan rested his hands on Garrett’s chest. “He might. You

always like to stand toe to toe with him. This ought to be fun to watch
you two working together like this.”

Garrett growled at his mate then dipped down to bite at his neck.

Lachlan squirmed in his hold, but Garrett held on tight, not letting
him escape. The playfulness turned into heavy petting and Garrett
shoving his tongue down Lachlan’s throat. What would it hurt to fuck
his mate one more time in his office before they left?

There was a knock on the door followed by Wes poking his head

in. “Sorry, guys, but there were some people wanting to see you.”

“Sure, come on in.” Lachlan stepped out of Garrett’s embrace and

sat on the edge of the desk. “I swear it’s like they have radar or some
shit. Major cock blockers.”

Garrett wanted to respond to his whining mate, but Aaron walked

in behind Wes with Toby on his heels. “Everything okay?”

“Sorry to interrupt.” Aaron nodded at them. “But I wanted to talk

to you both.”

“Sure.” Garrett motioned to the couch for Aaron and Toby to have

a seat. “I actually wanted to talk to you two as well.” Garrett sat in the
chair across from the brothers.

“Have you seen Damon?” Toby whispered.
Garrett looked up to Lachlan then back to Toby. “That’s kind of

what I needed to talk to you about.”

Garrett hadn’t told Lachlan about Damon leaving because he

knew how upset Lachlan would be. But more than dreading telling his
mate, he feared having to break Toby’s heart with the announcement.

Garrett’s Choice

183

Chapter Twenty

“Is Damon okay?” Lachlan moved to sit on the armrest of

Garrett’s chair. He hadn’t seen the witch this morning, but he just
figured he was still resting. No one would have blamed the poor guy
for sleeping for a month solid.

“He’s fine.” Garrett’s eyes dropped to stare at the floor.
Lachlan could tell by his mate’s posture something wasn’t right.

“Garrett?” Lachlan asked. He rubbed his fingers along the back of
Garrett’s neck, trying to coax whatever news he had to tell out of him.

“Toby, Damon left sometime early this morning.”
“What?” Toby’s voice broke on that one word. Tears pooled in

the corners of his eyes and ran down his cheeks.

“Did he say why?” Aaron asked as he slid closer to his brother

and pulled him close.

“Here.” Garrett handed a folded piece of paper over to Toby.

When he didn’t accept it, Aaron took it from Garrett. “It’s all in there.
He didn’t leave to be malicious or to hurt you, but he knew he had to
overcome the pain from his past before he could be of any use to
helping you with yours. He needed space to work through his issues
and he couldn’t do that if he was surrounded by us.”

“Can I see that?” Lachlan held his hand out to Aaron, and Aaron

gave him the letter. Lachlan read through the letter with mixed
emotions. He didn’t want Damon to be on his own, but the witch
needed time. The abuse he lived through hadn’t broken Damon but it
left him scarred. It took a real man to admit his flaws and step back
and try to fix them. When he finished reading it for a third time, he
handed it back to Aaron.

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Toby reached out to grab it before Aaron could get ahold of it. He

read it with tear-filled eyes. Soft sobs squeaked out every now and
again. When he was finished, Toby looked up at Lachlan.

“Do you think he’ll really come back?”
“I do,” Lachlan answered. He didn’t know Damon that well, but

he could sense the young witch was loyal and kept to his word. Toby
and Damon hadn’t admitted it, but Lachlan could see that they were
mates. It wasn’t a secret. The night before, the way the two held
hands and stared longingly at one another, the whole room had been
convinced. But Toby wasn’t of proper mating age. A paranormal had
to be twenty before a mating bond would solidify itself. No one knew
why, but it was the way it had always been. So Damon had a few
years before he had to be back, but it didn’t keep Lachlan from
wishing he’d return sooner.

“It’s okay, little brother.” Aaron hugged Toby with one arm

around his shoulder. “I think he also wanted to give you some time,
too. You’re still recovering, and after all he’d gone through, I think
it’s admirable.”

Toby just nodded his head as he continued to cry. For both Damon

and Toby the full hit of the mating bond wouldn’t hit until Toby was
of age, but there was still an underlying connection. Like having a
best friend.

“Thanks for letting us know, Garrett,” Aaron said. “But I came in

here for a reason.” Aaron took a deep breath. “I was wondering if the
Warriors of the Light could use any more warriors.”

Lachlan was a little taken aback by Aaron’s announcement. In all

their years as friends Aaron never showed any interest in being a
warrior. Not that he’d be a terrible warrior, no, Aaron would be
fantastic. The man had a nose on him like a hunting dog. Being a
paranormal and a wolf shifter already allotted him heightened sense
of smell, but Aaron’s ability went beyond that. He could sniff out a
piece of gum dropped in a barrel of cement then buried six feet
underground. The man had skills with that nose of his.

Garrett’s Choice

185

“I’d have to ask Ben, but he’s never turned down a person willing

to commit themselves to the Light. We’d be honored and lucky to
have you,” Lachlan answered honestly.

“Can Toby come with me?”
Garrett spoke up before Lachlan had the chance. “Toby is

welcomed wherever you or we go. I might not be your alpha
anymore, but we’re still family.”

Aaron smiled and gave a quick dip of his chin. Toby didn’t look

up. He still held Damon’s letter clutched to his chest.

“I want to come, too.” Lachlan and the others turned toward the

door when they heard Josh speak. “There’s nothing here for me
anymore. My mother died when I was a child, my father’s disowned
me, and…” Josh’s voiced hitched. He coughed into his hand. “And
Victor is gone. If you and Lachlan aren’t here, Garrett, than I don’t
want to be either. So can I come with you?”

Lachlan pressed his hand into Garrett’s shoulder when Garrett

opened his mouth to speak. He wanted to answer Josh’s request.
Lachlan walked over to where Josh stood just inside the office. “Josh,
you don’t even have to ask. I know we got started off on the wrong
foot, but I’d never leave you behind. I think of you as that little
brother I never had.”

“Thanks for that, Lachlan.” Josh swiped a hand under his wet

eyes.

Seeing the raw emotion on Josh’s face and the way his body

shook, Lachlan reached out and pulled Josh to his chest. The kid was
a pain in the ass, but he was Lachlan’s pain in the ass.

“So it’s settled then.” Garrett strode over to Lachlan and Josh. He

kissed Josh on the forehead then wrapped his arm around Lachlan’s
shoulders. “We go together as a family.”

Pride was the only thing Lachlan could express as the

overwhelming feeling racing through his veins. Garrett had the
courage to make a new start, and so had some of his friends he’d
made while staying with the Carrington Pack. The family he made

186

AJ Jarrett

with them was now going to be a part of his other family. Lachlan
couldn’t have been more thrilled. The old saying was wrong. He did
get to have his cake and eat it, too.

As the others left the room to go and pack, Lachlan turned in

Garrett’s arms. “You ready to become a Warrior of the Light and
ultimately the council’s bitch?” Lachlan teased.

“I wouldn’t say that, but I am ready to start our new journey

together. And the sooner we stop the Warriors of the Dark, the safer
we’ll all be.”

“That’s one of the things I love about you.” Lachlan rose up on

his toes and nuzzled against Garrett’s jaw. “Always thinking of
others.”

“What can I say? I aim to please.” Garrett drew Lachlan into a

deep kiss. Their tongues glided against one another, and their hands
stroked each other’s bodies.

The need for oxygen had Lachlan easing back. “God, I love you.”
“That’s good because I love you and I’m never letting you go

again.”

Lachlan gave into another kiss that let Garrett haul him to the

leather couch against the wall.

It was a dangerous time and only looking to get worse, but right

now in this very moment nothing could touch them. Lachlan was at
peace with the pain from his youth and optimistic that with the help of
his mate, he’d one day overcome the destruction he witnessed the
night before. Hard times lay ahead, but Lachlan was ready to deal
with it one day at a time.

* * * *

“Klaus, level with me.” Ben tapped his fingers on top of his desk.

He’d left Garrett’s house hours ago. The need for answers had him
seeking out Klaus. “What were those things last night? In over a
thousand years of life, I’d never seen anything like that before.”

Garrett’s Choice

187

“I wasn’t for sure at first, but I called Carlos at headquarters to

asked one of the witch elders for confirmation.” Ben nodded his
understanding. He’d met Carlos when the man came to help with
trying to decode Astrid’s past. Nice guy and smart as hell. He might
be a witch but also a scientist of sorts. Carlos helped develop weapons
to use against dark warriors among other things Ben wasn’t sure
about. The man was beyond intelligent.

“And?” Ben asked.
“Those black smoky things were phantoms.”
“Come again?” The term sounded vaguely familiar, but Ben

couldn’t be certain.

“A phantom is a type of demon that’s not able to live in this realm

without having a host to gain energy from. They can’t take corporal
form. I’m guessing Clara made one hell of a deal to get such evil
power backing her up. That’s why they were able to attack us last
night. For a witch to garner such power they have truly lost all their
humanity. A ticking bomb just waiting to go off. I’m actually pretty
surprised there hadn’t been more bloodshed since she came to live
with the Carrington Pack.”

“Me, too. I bet she was doing her killing away from the pack as to

not draw attention to herself.” Ben could only imagine the body count
Clara left in her wake.

Ben had never heard of such methods and didn’t even know it was

possible. “Did you ask Carlos about Clara drinking blood of shifters
to take on their ability to shift?” Ben had to ask Klaus because he
couldn’t get his father to return any of his calls, not like the old man
would give him any answers anyway.

“He said that he had heard rumors, but no one in the council had

ever tried it before.” Klaus shifted in his seat. “Said it’s too risky. The
more a paranormal allows evil into their soul, they become something
else. Not quite human or a paranormal. After a while they become
like the phantoms. They just fade out of existence. That’s why it’s not
a practice all dark warriors choose to do. The Warriors of the Dark

188

AJ Jarrett

might be hell-bent on causing others pain, but they love themselves
way too much to kill themselves, and ultimately calling on the power
of the phantoms will eventually do that. Pretty fucked-up shit if you
ask me.”

“I’d say.” Ben spun his chair around while he thought about

everything Klaus said. “What about Damon? After meeting the guy I
don’t think he’s evil but what did Carlos think?”

“He said he’d like to meet Damon but to be honest, Carlos, hell,

anyone for that matter, has never heard of such a half-breed. Damon’s
special. One of a kind as far as we know.”

“I was afraid you’d say that.” Ben didn’t stop Damon when he left

and maybe he should have, but Damon wasn’t ready. The witch
needed time to come to terms with all the terrible things his mother
had done to him. Like with Astrid, Damon was fortunate not to have
gone insane from the years of abuse.

“Don’t stress on it, Ben.” Klaus stood from his chair. “Damon’s

got a good heart. He’ll come back one day.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Ben walked Klaus to the door and down the

hallway.

The sound of excited voices had him walking just a little faster.

The voices didn’t sound hostile, but nevertheless he wanted to see
what was going on.

“Hey, Ben,” Garrett said as Ben came around the corner. “Is it

okay I brought a few other wolves with me? I personally think they’d
make excellent warriors. I’d bet my life on it.”

Ben had a feeling Garrett wouldn’t come alone, and he was

betting on it. Lachlan was a valuable member of his team he didn’t
want to lose, but Garrett was another worthy warrior and what he’d
seen of Wes and Aaron’s fighting skills, they were definitely warrior
material.

As Ben looked upon the faces of his new warriors his attention

landed on one in particular. Toby stood halfway behind his brother

Garrett’s Choice

189

with his long hair falling into his eyes. The one thing that would
guarantee Damon’s return stood in his foyer.

“What do you say, boss?” Lachlan asked. He had one arm

wrapped around his mate and the other over Josh’s shoulders. “You
think we got room for all these knuckleheads?”

“You bet we do.” Ben stepped forward and greeted his new

warriors. With the addition of these men, their forces only grew
stronger. And with the uprising of dark warriors they needed all the
help they could get.

THE END

WWW.AJJARRETT29.BLOGSPOT.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AJ Jarrett currently lives in the Midwest with her husband and

four children. A lover of M/M romances, she has started writing her
own stories for others to enjoy. She loves her characters to be
antagonistic toward one another but ultimately find their happy ever
after. She believes love can be found in the craziest of places and a
little humor along the way never hurt. To her, there’s nothing sexier
than two men finding their soul mate and falling in love. When she
isn’t chasing around her kids, she can be found sitting on the couch
with her trusted laptop giving life to the voices in her head.

For all titles by AJ Jarrett, please visit

www.bookstrand.com/aj-jarrett

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com

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