Scarlet Hyacinth Mate or Meal 04 The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

Mate or Meal 4

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

Heartthrob or hot wings? For lynx-shifter Garth Mckenna,
hummingbird Nicolas is both. Without a doubt, Nicolas couldn’t be

hotter if he tried. He is Garth’s sun, his love, and his unexpected
mate.

Between such different men, finding a middle ground is never

easy. When Garth’s two sons reject Nicolas, Garth is torn between
his boys and his mate. He does not know what to do and what to

believe.

Nicolas doesn’t remember his past, and he has kept what little he

does know a secret from his new friends. Garth brings love to his
life, and he is hurt when Garth’s sons refuse his affection.

However, sometimes, the sun is too scorching even for its
children. Nicolas’s mysterious past emerges to threaten his loved
ones, and it might eclipse all his hopes for the future. It is up to

Garth to save them from perpetual darkness.

Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 39,731 words

THE LYNX WHO

CLAIMED THE SUN

Mate or Meal 4

Scarlet Hyacinth

EROTIC ROMANCE

MANLOVE

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove

THE LYNX WHO CLAIMED THE SUN
Copyright © 2011 by Scarlet Hyacinth
E-book ISBN: 1-61926-127-8

First E-book Publication: December 2011

Cover design by Jinger Heaston
All cover art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

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Letter to Readers

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DEDICATION

For everyone who’s ever felt different. There’s someone out there

to love us all.

THE LYNX WHO

CLAIMED THE SUN

Mate or Meal 4

SCARLET HYACINTH

Prologue

Nico-Chi…
Nico-Chi…
A voice summoned him from the darkness, reaching out to him.

Confusing images created an erratic slideshow in his mind.

Nico-Chi…
Nico-Chi…
On and on, the voice went, until he could no longer resist it. He

opened his eyes, groaning as a monstrous headache hit him with full
force. He took a deep breath, focusing on ignoring the pain. He had
experience with that. Did he?

Shock coursed through him as he realized he didn’t know whether

or not he’d suffered from a heavy migraine in his life. In fact, he
couldn’t remember anything at all. He looked around himself
desperately, his gaze trying to identify the source of the mysterious
voice. Much to his dismay, he found himself alone, completely alone.
He’d woken up in a clearing of sorts, somewhere in the wild. Even so,
not even a bird or a beast seemed to be around.

It was twilight, the last rays of the sun already saying good-bye to

the world. At this time of the day, there should still be critters buzzing

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

all around, night birds exiting their nests, and predators coming out to
feed. The utter stillness made him even more nervous, and the only
knowledge he had of himself was his name—Nico-Chi. The forest
looked completely unfamiliar, and every other memory felt shrouded
in a thick veil. Fuck.

Still, the thought of a possible watching predator made him realize

the extent of his predicament. He was helpless and vulnerable here.
He needed to get his act together and, preferably, find a safe place to
spend the night.

He struggled to his feet and promptly fell in the grass. It was only

then that he noticed he didn’t have a stitch of clothing on. Jesus
Christ. How had he ended up in the middle of nowhere naked as a
jaybird?

Not jaybird. Hummingbird, his mind provided. Nico-Chi blinked

as he sensed the force inside him, the wild, erratic freedom of the tiny
creature. He was a shape-shifter. Well, that might explain his
nakedness. If he’d gotten here by flying, he wouldn’t have been able
to have any clothes.

As he registered this, he also noticed a pit just within his reach. He

peeked inside and his keen eyesight took in the gruesome sight of a
dead ocelot, impaled on thick, sharp poles. Nico-Chi must have been
a hair’s breadth away from sharing the creature’s fate.

For whatever reason, the knowledge gave him strength. His

headache even started to fade, although the cause for the pain relief
might have been his shape-shifter abilities. Nico-Chi got up and this
time didn’t trip or fall. Through the thick canopy of the trees, he
spotted dim lights in the distance. A settlement, probably human.
Nico-Chi took one more look around the dark forest and made his
decision. He allowed the shift to flow over him, turned into his tinier,
bird equivalent, and launched himself into the air. Perhaps with those
people, Nico-Chi could find the answers he needed so badly.

Scarlet Hyacinth

Chapter One

Twenty years later

Nicolas fretted around the house, making last-minute preparations

for the arrival of his friend, Skylar Pierce. Skylar would be bringing
another man with him, a carnivore named Garth Mckenna. It made
Nicolas more nervous than he’d have liked to admit, since he’d
always been wary of meat-eaters.

“Are you sure you don’t need any assistance?” one of his best

friends, Daniel Gardner-Boyd, asked. Daniel was the reason behind
the entire meeting.

Daniel Gardner-Boyd had been Nicolas’s friend for many years

now. A somewhat reclusive squirrel, Daniel had just recently found
his other half, werewolf Soren Wade. Unfortunately, many were
displeased with the union.

Nicolas was glad he’d been included in the plan meant to find out

who’d killed Soren’s beta, Carlie. Simply the thought that someone
had murdered the woman and planned to blame it on Daniel made
anger course through him. More importantly, Daniel had almost been
killed, as had Soren and Daniel’s pups. Nicolas would not stand for it.
Nicolas had his own part of the blame in the issue, since he’d insisted
in having Daniel take a silver-bullet gun with him, making his friend
look suspicious in front of the wolf pack. But this wasn’t about
Nicolas’s guilt. They needed to find out who was trying to hurt Daniel
and the pups.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

He thanked Daniel for his offer, but refused it. He moved from the

kitchen to the living room with the plates of snacks he’d readied
beforehand.

After what seemed like forever, the sense of predator approaching

hit Nicolas. The doorbell rang, and he rushed to greet his guests.

When he opened the door, the first figure he saw was that of

Skylar. He’d befriended Skylar later than Daniel and their common
friends, Shiloh and Carson. However, Skylar managed to gain his
trust, quite a feat given that Nicolas always had trouble trusting
people.

Daniel and Soren also appeared, and they shared greetings with

Skylar. In that moment, Nicolas’s eyes fell on the second, taller figure
standing in the doorway. A drop-dead gorgeous blond man analyzed
him with eyes the color of the sea. Their gazes met and held, and
Nicolas forgot to breathe. His heart beat so fast he could hear his
pulse thrumming in his ears.

He might have completely embarrassed himself if not for Skylar’s

opportune intervention. “Where are my manners?” his friend said.
“Garth, I’d like to introduce you to Nicolas Shields, Daniel Gardner-
Boyd, and his mate, Soren Wade. Everyone, this is my friend, Garth
Mckenna.”

Nicolas managed to regain his composure. “A pleasure to meet

you. Please come in.”

“Thank you,” Garth replied. His voice sounded husky, almost

hoarse, and it sent shivers down Nicolas’s spine. “I’m glad to meet
you, too.”

They all returned to the living room where the talk regarding

Daniel’s problem began. Soren was investigating the club The
Grinder, their only lead in finding out who’d killed Carlie Denning,
linked to a certain mysterious individual going by the name of
“Cunning.” Apparently, they’d gone to the right person because in
minutes, Garth had explained “Cunning” belonged to the Cunningham
family, a paranormal mafia with a strong hold over the LA

Scarlet Hyacinth

underground, for whom Garth had worked in the past. It should have
unsettled Nicolas more than it did, but then again, he was the one with
the weapons collection in the house. He had enough oddities so that
he couldn’t in good conscience blame Garth for whatever the man had
done.

“Okay,” he said. “So can you help Dani figure out who hurt his

friend?”

“I can try.” Garth seemed a touch hesitant. “Mind you, I haven’t

talked to this guy in years, so he might tell me to go fuck myself.”

In spite of his reluctance, Garth ended up calling his contact, a

man named Byron. Apparently, he was the brother of the individual
Garth suspected of being involved in the killing, Heathcliff
Cunningham. When the conversation ended, Byron had agreed to
meet up with Soren the next day.

As expected, Daniel insisted on coming along, but Soren refused.

“You’re only coming to The Grinder over my dead body,” the
werewolf told Daniel.

Nicolas agreed with Soren. It was too risky for his friend to go to

a club reputed to be a hang-out for the worst carnivores in existence.
“Dani, I hate to say it, but he’s right,” he told his friend. “It’s too
dangerous.”

“If it makes you feel better, I’ll go with him,” Garth added. The

offer was very generous, but at the same time, it unsettled Nicolas.
Unexpectedly, the idea of Garth going into the proverbial lion’s den—
even if he himself might be a lion—made Nicolas exceedingly
anxious.

Of course, Daniel looked relieved that his mate wouldn’t be

heading off into danger on his own. “You have my thanks, Garth,” he
said. “I’m relying on you.”

A few more arrangements were made, and a meeting was decided

for the next day at Nicolas’s apartment. Finally, the time came for the
guests to leave.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

“Be careful, all right?” Nicolas told Skylar and Daniel as he led

his friends out of his apartment. “Drive safely.”

“Thank you, Nico,” Daniel replied absently, seeming lost in

thought.

“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Daniel’s wolf mate, Soren added.
Skylar offered him a small smile. “We’ll get here bright and early.

Don’t worry. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

Nicolas smiled back, even if he didn’t feel very optimistic about

the situation. Skylar had that effect on him, and on everyone for that
matter. Nicolas couldn’t be happier that he had the other man on his
side, and not just because Skylar was filthy rich.

They said their good-byes, with Nicolas still musing over the

day’s events. As he closed the door behind his friends, he found
himself hesitating. He didn’t want to go back to the living room.
Garth was there, and Nicolas really didn’t know how to deal with
him. He’d only just met the man, and yet, he already felt the attraction
between them.

Nicolas cursed himself for his stupid anxiety. He didn’t fear

anyone. He refused to fear a stranger his body responded to. He didn’t
even know why Garth stayed behind, but he’d figure it out and then
he’d show Garth the door.

Decision made, he returned to the living room and found Garth

waiting there. “Skylar, Daniel, and Soren are gone.” He crossed his
arms over his chest. “So, you wanted to talk to me, I take it?”

Garth nodded. “I hope I’m not bothering you. I promise I won’t

stay long.”

Garth sounded quite apprehensive, and Nicolas’s resolve began to

falter. “It’s fine. Just go ahead. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”

The other man crossed the space between them and reached for

Nicolas’s hand. He seemed to change his mind at the last moment and
let his arm fall. “Look, Nico…”

Scarlet Hyacinth

Nicolas bristled at the familiarity. “Nicolas,” he corrected. He

immediately felt bad about his bitchiness when he saw the carnivore
wince, but he needed to draw some boundaries.

“Nicolas,” Garth repeated, taking a deep breath. “I’m not going to

lie. Both of us are adults and can deal with a simple truth. I think
you’re my mate.”

Nicolas gaped at the other man. “Your mate? We don’t even know

each other.”

“No, we don’t,” Garth answered. “And I don’t expect you to

accept me, just like that. But… If you’d give me the chance, I’d love
to get to know you.”

Nicolas frowned. “Why would you? I’m not the nicest person in

the world, as you probably figured out.”

“I just think we could have something special, if we tried.”

Garth’s voice turned earnest. “Will you at least think about it? You
don’t have to give me an answer right away. With this thing with
Daniel and Soren, it’s the worst time ever for it. But just…think about
it.”

Nicolas couldn’t deny the other man the simple request. “All

right. I will.”

Garth smiled at him. “Thanks.” This time, Garth took Nicolas’s

hand and squeezed it. “Thanks a lot.”

Their eyes met once again. Nicolas couldn’t tell who reached for

whom first. The next thing he knew, they were kissing, Garth’s mouth
crushing against Nicolas, devouring him. Garth’s tongue licked at the
seam of Nicolas’s lips and, with a delighted chirp-sigh Nicolas almost
didn’t recognize as his own, he opened up to Garth’s exploration.

His body responded to Garth’s proximity, and his cock went rock

hard. A burning need to let everything go emerged from inside him.
He wanted to surrender to Garth’s passion, to find freedom and
completion in being taken by the other man.

Nicolas had never been particularly submissive, from what years

he could remember at least. He’d always preferred to be on top in his

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

rare one-night stands, even when he bottomed. And yet, with Garth,
he found himself imagining something different. Sinful pictures of
extreme pleasure flashed through his mind’s eye. He could see the
light shining off their sweat-slicked bodies, hear the slap of flesh
against flesh, and feel the burn inside his anus when Garth invaded
him.

Alas, the image began to fade when Garth broke the kiss, allowing

Nicolas to breathe. For a few moments, they just stood there, staring
at each other. All the while, Nicolas was acutely aware of the hard-on
pressing against his hip and his own erection still straining in his
jeans. What would Garth say? Would he insist on staying the night? If
so, how should Nicolas answer?

The solution to his little dilemma came faster than he’d have

liked. “Right,” Garth said breathlessly. “I should be going. Long day
tomorrow and all that.”

He released Nicolas from the impromptu embrace, and all of a

sudden, Nicolas didn’t want the other man to go. In fact, he couldn’t
think of any better idea than have Garth stay, preferably in Nicolas’s
bed. However, he somehow found the strength to nod. “That would
probably be best.” Garth was right. There were too many problems
now for Nicolas to make an informed and rational decision. He
needed to take his time and think about this.

Garth kissed his hand, and Nicolas began to lead the other man

out. As Garth stood in the doorway, he turned toward Nicolas one
more time. “Take care of yourself tomorrow, okay?”

It was a bit silly that Garth felt the need to say such a thing, since

they would meet the next day anyway, at least according to the plan.
Garth and Soren were supposed to come to Nicolas’s, together with
Daniel and Skylar. From there, the two carnivores would leave to the
club. Still, Garth’s concern touched Nicolas.

“I will,” he replied.
In silence, he led Garth to the exit. For a few moments, both of

them stood in the doorway. Nicolas might have actually told the man

Scarlet Hyacinth

to stay, but finally, Garth stepped outside and, with another look back,
left Nicolas’s apartment. Nicolas had the sudden urge to just stare at
the man until Garth disappeared out of the building altogether. Just
because of that need, he closed the door as quickly as he could. He
would not follow Garth with his gaze like some mooning maiden. He
refused to make a fool out of himself like that.

His anger spiked half out of self-disgust, half out of suppressed

arousal. He stalked to his bedroom and opened his secret stash of
weapons. He needed to pick one for tomorrow anyway. He might as
well do it now. Perhaps it would make him forget about blue bedroom
eyes and soft blond hair.

* * * *

Garth opened his apartment door with a tired sigh. The entire day

had drained him more than he’d have thought possible. It was hard to
face his past once again, and hearing about the crimes Heathcliff
Cunningham committed against the werewolves made all sorts of
unpleasant memories stir in his head.

As he stepped into the living room area, he heard the distinct

sound of small feet thumping against the hardwood floor. He turned,
just in time to be jumped by two tiny bodies. “Dad!” the two children
shouted in delight. “You’re late.”

Garth hugged his sons tightly, already feeling a bit better. “Had an

important meeting,” he explained. “And how have you boys been?”

Preston and Corbin broke away from him and grinned wordlessly.

Garth could only imagine what that expression meant. Indeed,
moments later, the babysitter, Gina, ran toward him. “Mr. Mckenna, I
can’t do this anymore.” She huffed, her eyes wild, her clothes wet,
and her hair sticking out oddly.

Garth groaned. He didn’t need this after the day he’d had. “Gina,

just… Not now. I’ll give you a raise. How’s that?”

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

He was already paying her more than any babysitter ever earned,

but his kits were hard to deal with. Very few people were willing to
try now. The only person Garth could trust his boys with was Skylar.
Unfortunately, Skylar had an agency to run and could not spend his
days watching over Preston and Corbin. Gina might not be the ideal
choice, but Garth didn’t have any other solution.

Gina huffed. “Fine. Can I go now?”
Garth nodded. “Be here bright and early tomorrow. I have an

important issue to attend to, and I need you to watch over the kits.”

The woman took off, grumbling under her breath. Garth ignored

her, knowing the promised sum of money would pacify her. This
happened regularly, and Garth made a mental note to put some more
effort into finding a replacement. He didn’t like Gina, and not only
because of her hissy fits. Perhaps he should take his kits along to his
workplace more. He used to do it, but of course, back then, the boys
had been younger and more likely to fit in with the other children in
the agency nursery. Garth would have to discuss the issue with Skylar
again.

For the moment, he focused on his two sons. “Do I even want to

know what you did to her?” he asked, arching a brow.

“Probably not,” Corbin answered, still grinning.
Garth secretly found their behavior endearing, but he knew they

deserved a reprimand. “Boys… What did I tell you about being
respectful to elders?”

“That we should,” Preston replied. He gave Garth a quizzical

look. “Dad, why do you smell like that?”

Garth hadn’t even thought that his sons might smell Nicolas on

him. He and Nicolas hadn’t done more than hug and kiss, but lynxes
had very sharp senses. “Like what?” he asked, curious as to what his
kits thought about the change.

“I don’t know,” Corbin answered. “Strange. Like you’re you and

someone else.”

Scarlet Hyacinth

Garth was startled by the answer. Himself and someone else,

indeed. Having a mate was like being one with another person, or at
least so he thought. It felt so strange that his children could sense it,
especially after just one day.

He couldn’t hide Nicolas’s existence from them, but at the same

time, it was too soon to venture into explaining the circumstances of a
possible relationship. Hell, Garth himself couldn’t understand it too
well. Lynxes weren’t monogamous beings. They didn’t take lifelong
mates. And yet, the moment Garth had seen Nicolas, he’d known
there was a bond between them, something that just waited to be
explored. How could he make the children understand that? He
probably couldn’t.

Still, they were waiting to hear what he had to say, and Garth

needed to tell them something, to assure them nothing had changed. “I
met someone,” he said vaguely. “Someone I’m fond of.”

“Someone you’re fond of?” Preston repeated. “Oh, you mean like

Mr. Pierce.”

Garth shook his head. “No, not like Skylar.” He considered his

approach, feeling a bit frustrated when he realized he didn’t have any
couples around him he could compare himself with. In the end, he
went with the one thing his kits would understand. “Remember when
you visited the agency and there were families around, daddies and
mommies with children?”

The boys nodded. “Well, I found someone like that, a special

person. I’m not sure yet what will happen, if he’ll accept me, but if he
does, I would like to introduce him to you.”

Corbin frowned. “But, Dad… You already have a family.”
Garth knelt and hugged his kits. “And I love you both to bits.

We’ll just make our family a bit larger. It will be the four of us,
instead of three.”

The children still seemed puzzled, but not completely opposed to

the idea. Garth decided to drop the subject for the moment and allow
them to process it. “Come on. Have you had dinner?”

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

When the kits nodded, Garth smiled at them. “Lessons?”
His boys were already looking more enthusiastic. “Finished,”

Preston answered.

Garth believed him, since he had excellent reports from the tutors

he hired for his kits. “All right, then. Playtime!”

He grabbed both his sons and draped them over his shoulder.

Lynx kits loved to play, and Garth made it his business to spend time
with them as much as possible.

Later that evening, after the kits were worn out and in bed, Garth

retreated to his own room. He hadn’t brought up the issue with Gina
again. It could wait. Nicolas, however, couldn’t. The kits’ reaction
encouraged him, and he thought that maybe, with time, they would
come to accept Nicolas.

But before that could happen, Garth still had a lot of problems to

deal with. Sighing, he collapsed on his four-poster facedown and fell
asleep as soon as he hit the pillow. That night, he dreamt about
Nicolas’s dark eyes, so full of mystery and sensuality. And when he
did wake, it was with renewed decision. He would not lose his mate,
and his chance at happiness. He would make Nicolas see how good
they could be together. There was simply no other alternative,
because Garth wasn’t willing to live without Nicolas.

Scarlet Hyacinth

Chapter Two

The next day

Garth sat on the benches outside the emergency room in the

agency hospital, his heart beating a million miles an hour. By his side,
Soren fidgeted, looking as nervous as Garth felt. Garth couldn’t blame
the werewolf. Their plan to catch Heathcliff Cunningham had gone to
shit. While Soren and Garth had been away trying to find Byron, the
damn shark attacked Skylar, Nicolas, and Daniel and nearly killed
them. In fact, if not for Byron’s opportune intervention, they would
probably be dead, and Garth and Soren would have joined them.

Garth and Soren had been at the club, waiting to meet Byron,

when Soren’s connection with Daniel had notified them off the
danger. They’d rushed to rescue the three men, but arrived too late to
prevent the ensuing car accident and the shot that had Skylar
struggling between life and death. In the end, Byron intervened to
save them, but they weren’t out of the woods yet.

Together with Soren, Garth had taken the three men to the

hospital. They were there now waiting for news on their two mates
and Skylar. It seemed to take forever until at last, a medic appeared.
“Mr. Gardner-Boyd isn’t in any danger,” he explained. “He was very
lucky. His broken ribs didn’t pierce his lungs, and the mild
concussion from the car accident is being healed as we speak,
courtesy of his shape-shifter powers. Mr. Shields can go home
immediately, since his injuries were very light and have already
disappeared.”

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

Garth immediately felt much better when he heard Nicolas was

unharmed. Soren seemed similarly relieved upon finding out Daniel
would be all right. However, it didn’t escape Garth’s notice that the
doctor hadn’t mentioned Skylar. “What about Mr. Pierce?” he asked,
keeping his tone formal. In the end, Skylar was not only his friend,
but also his boss.

“Mr. Pierce was shot with a special bullet, and it caused a lot of

damage to his system,” the doctor said.

Soren looked surprised. “Silver?” he asked.
“The bullet was indeed made out of silver,” the doctor confirmed,

“but the precious metal didn’t actually hurt Mr. Piece. The projectile
seems to have been embedded with a substance extracted from sea
anemones. Smaller species of shifters, and especially sea animals like
Mr. Pierce, are very vulnerable to such venoms.”

Garth cursed. “How typical of Heathcliff. Will Skylar be all

right?” He slipped into familiarity, but the doctor didn’t seem to
notice or didn’t care.

“We’ve managed to eliminate the substance from his system,” the

man said. “Sea horses are actually quite sturdy in case of blunt
trauma, but penetrative injuries allow bacteria in the system,
something they are sensitive to. They heal slower than other shape-
shifters from such wounds. Still, Mr. Pierce’s condition has improved
considerably since he was brought in. The following hours will be
critical, but our prognosis is optimistic.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Soren said. “Can I see my mate?”
“Of course. Step this way.”
The doctor led them both toward the private rooms. Soren stayed

behind in Daniel’s quarters, while Garth went further. As he
approached their destination, he could hear the sound of a familiar
voice shouting, “I’m fine. Lay off. I’m not hurt. You should focus on
the others.”

Garth entered the hospital room and found Nicolas shouting at the

gathering of nurses and doctors. When the hummingbird saw Garth

Scarlet Hyacinth

come in, he shot to his feet and reached for him. “Thank God. What’s
going on, Garth? They won’t tell me anything.”

Garth wrapped his arms around his disgruntled mate. “Shh, it’s

fine.” At first, Nicolas tried to protest, but slowly, he melted in
Garth’s arms. “Tell me,” he whispered almost brokenly. “Are they
dead?”

Garth wished he had better news for his mate, but truth be told, he

knew it could have been much worse. “Daniel’s fine. His injuries
weren’t that serious. According to the doctor, Soren will be able to
take him home tonight.” He paused. “Skylar’s wounds were more
severe. He’s not out of danger yet, but he’s getting better.”

Nicolas trembled in his arms. Garth would have almost thought

the other man was crying, except he somehow knew Nicolas would
never surrender to such a weak impulse, especially not in front of
strangers. Garth, however, understood him. Skylar was very special to
him. The seahorse had been his only friend for years. Garth had been
reluctant to allow anyone to reach his heart, anyone except his kits.
But somehow, Skylar had done it. It boggled the mind that one single
gunshot could wipe away all that kindness, deprive the world from
Skylar’s gentleness and caring nature.

Taking a deep breath, Garth released Nicolas and cupped his

mate’s cheek. “How are you feeling?” he couldn’t help but ask.

Nicolas threw a disgusted look over his shoulder. “Like I was

telling them, I’m just fine. I may be a hummingbird, but I’m still a
shape-shifter.”

Garth nodded. Nicolas did indeed look unharmed, and the only

thing that had kept Garth sane throughout the wait was the knowledge
that his mate hadn’t been injured as much as Skylar or even Daniel.

“Can you talk to the doctor?” Nicolas asked. “I want to see my

friends. I’m sick of this room.”

Most likely overhearing the conversation, the medic appeared.

“You’re free to go. Mr. Wade is with Mr. Gardner-Boyd, but I have
nothing against you visiting, too, as long as you remember not to tire

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

him. Mr. Pierce, however, is a different matter entirely. I’m afraid I
can’t allow you to see him.”

“Have you contacted his family?” Garth asked.
The doctor nodded. “As you know, they were abroad, but they’re

flying toward us as we speak.”

Garth was pleased to hear that. His friend cared about his parents

greatly. Alas, the Pierces’ many businesses often led them away from
the United States and Skylar. Garth knew they would be crushed once
they heard about their son’s injury.

For the moment, Garth couldn’t do anything except trust Skylar’s

strength. He took his mate’s hand and said, “Come on, love. Let’s go
see Daniel.”

Nicolas seemed a bit pacified at that. The doctor led them to

Daniel’s quarters, but they didn’t go inside immediately. Soren was
with the squirrel, and both Garth and Nicolas decided to give them a
few more moments of privacy.

“What’s going to happen now?” Nicolas asked absently.
Garth didn’t know if his mate was even talking to him, but he

replied, nonetheless. “Nothing in particular,” he said. “Byron is a man
of his word. Between him and Soren, Heathcliff will be punished. I
believe our role in this story is over.”

Even as he said this, Garth wasn’t sure he’d spoken the truth.

He’d thought he’d left behind his life in the Cunningham family, but
recent events had blown that conviction away. Their worries rotated
around their friends, though, so Garth added, “Skylar is going to be all
right. He’s stronger than he looks.”

Nicolas eyed him with a mix of hope and disbelief. “I just wish I

could have helped them more,” he said.

“From what I gather, you did.” Soren had told him Nicolas had

killed two of the men intent on attacking them. It might have seemed
odd to Garth, except he’d seen the gun Nicolas used with his own
eyes. There were many things about Nicolas he still didn’t know, but

Scarlet Hyacinth

one thing was certain. The hummingbird was no mild-mannered
bookstore owner.

Nicolas tensed, his gaze turning into a suspicious glare. When

Garth didn’t add anything different, he seemed to deflate in relief.
Obviously, whatever questions Garth had, they would have to wait.
His mate didn’t feel ready to share anything about where he could
have acquired skills to protect himself.

“It wasn’t enough,” Nicolas said sulkily. “They both got hurt, and

you and Soren would have been in the same situation if not for
Byron’s intervention.”

Was it Garth’s impression or had Nicolas’s voice softened a bit

when he’d mentioned Garth? He stared at his mate, trying to decipher
the enigma of the hummingbird’s soul. What did the other man truly
think about him? There was attraction between them, yes, but could
there be more?

As a rule, hummingbirds were known to be promiscuous in their

romantic relationships. Many bird species were like that, and Garth
rarely, if ever, saw a committed couple come register at the agency.
Actually, in all the years he’d been there, he’d never met a
hummingbird who’d chosen to register his or her mating. In fact, he’d
never met a hummingbird at all, until Nicolas at least, and what he did
know was from books or word of mouth. In a way, lynxes shared the
hummingbirds’ lifestyle, never choosing one single partner. But not
Garth. Garth wanted more. He wanted a real bond.

Before he could make himself ask something, Soren emerged

from the room. “Hi,” he said with a weary smile. “Come on in. Dani
wants to see you.”

Nicolas rushed inside with the haste typical of any hummingbird.

Garth smiled fondly as he watched his mate fuss over Daniel. Today’s
attack could have erased not only Skylar’s kindness, but also
Nicolas’s mysterious beauty, his energy, and the grumpy affection he
always hid. The thought made Garth cold to the bone, and he swore
he would talk to Nicolas seriously after all this was over. No more

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

hiding. They were mates, and Garth wanted to get to know Nicolas, to
learn everything Nicolas wanted and was too afraid to show.

He didn’t know how long they’d been in Daniel’s room when a

nurse rushed inside. “Mr. Pierce is awake,” she said with a smile. “He
wants to make sure you are all safe.”

The fist that had been clenching Garth’s heart released and he

sighed in relief. “Thank you,” he told the woman.

“Can Daniel be moved, or is it too risky?” Soren inquired.
Before the nurse could even answer, the squirrel was out of the

bed, a bit unsteady on his feet, but otherwise looking quite all right for
someone who’d been in a terrible car crash. Soren hastily grabbed his
mate and lifted in his arms. “Baby…”

“Soren…”
That one word held enough exasperation, and Garth knew the

werewolf would have some trouble keeping his mate safe as he so
obviously wanted. Nevertheless, the nurse reassured them, explaining
that Daniel’s shape-shifter nature had dealt with the injuries quite
quickly. He was all clear to visit Skylar.

The doctor met them at the door and gave them a serious look.

“Just one visitor,” he said. “Mr. Pierce is out of immediate jeopardy,
but his condition is still delicate.”

“You go in,” Nicolas told him. “You’ve known him the longest.”
Garth thanked his mate and, after dressing in a protective outfit,

went inside. He was struck by how pale his friend looked, how small
and frail. Still, in spite of the obvious pain he was in, his friend smiled
upon seeing him. “Garth, thank God. Tell me what happened. I don’t
remember much after the accident.”

“Don’t worry, my friend. Everyone’s fine. Just worried about

you.”

“Really?” Skylar gave him an eager look. “You’re not just saying

that?”

“Trust me, Skylar. Everything’s okay. You get better and you’ll

see it for yourself.”

Scarlet Hyacinth

Skylar beamed at him. “I trust you. I just… needed to know.” He

hesitated. “And… The man. Your friend.”

“Byron? What about him?”
“Could I maybe see him?” Skylar asked. “I want to at least thank

him.”

Garth gave his friend a puzzled look. “Skylar, he’s not here. He

went to take care of Heathcliff.”

Skylar blinked and deflated. “Oh. All right. I suppose that makes

sense.” He was struggling to keep his eyes open now.

“Just get some rest, Skylar,” Garth said. “I’m sure you’ll get to

thank Byron another time.”

Skylar nodded and murmured another “thank you.” His breathing

evened as he fell asleep. Garth felt tremendously relieved. His friend
might not be in a great condition now, but he would recover.

He left the room to see anxious faces around him. “Well?”

Nicolas asked impatiently. He was biting his lip, and Garth couldn’t
help but steal a small peck.

“He fell asleep after I told him you’re all right.” He decided to

keep the little issue about Byron to himself. There was no sense
bringing it up, anyway. The important thing was that Skylar would be
better soon.

“You should take your mates home,” the doctor advised. “They

need bed rest to recover completely.”

Daniel started to protest, but Soren silenced him with a brief kiss.

“We will, Doctor. Thank you.”

“We’re staying,” Nicolas said stubbornly. “I’m not hurt, and I’m

not leaving until I know for sure Skylar isn’t alone in this place.”

“Are you sure, love?” Garth inquired. The endearment slipped

out, and Nicolas scowled fiercely.

“I’ve said it a million times now,” the hummingbird said. “I’m

fine.”

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

Garth would have preferred it if his mate agreed to rest, but

Nicolas was, indeed, stronger than he looked and the doctor decreed
Nicolas’s injuries healed. “All right, but I’m staying with you.”

“I don’t need you to babysit me,” Nicolas mumbled. Nevertheless,

he didn’t protest when Garth directed him to sit down on a bench just
outside Skylar’s room. They said their good-byes to Soren and
Daniel, and as the other couple left, Garth sat next to Nicolas and
pulled his mate close. Nicolas allowed it and even leaned into the
embrace.

It was surprising, just like it had been surprising that his mate

hadn’t protested to the endearment. Garth wondered what thoughts
passed through Nicolas’s head. Had the events of the day put things
into perspective for the hummingbird just like they did for Garth?

When Nicolas spoke, the words surprised Garth tremendously.

“So, care to tell me about your sons?” he inquired.

Skylar must have mentioned them. Well, it would make things

easier, to a certain extent, since Nicolas didn’t seem pissed at Garth’s
omission of their existence. “Their names are Preston and Corbin.
Their mother and I never married. Lynxes aren’t family-oriented.”
Garth sighed. “Still, I’d hoped we’d get over that mentality, if only for
the kits. We didn’t. Bella left when the boys were barely learning how
to shift into human form.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Nicolas whispered.
“Not your fault.” Garth shrugged. “I didn’t really love her. I just

hate that the kits suffered from her abandonment.”

“How old are they now?”
“Corbin is ten and Preston nine.” He smiled fondly. “They’re

growing up so fast.”

“Do you think I could meet them?” Nicolas asked in a small

voice.

Garth opened his mouth to reply, but his words died when a sort

of screech-pop assaulted his ears. “Garth Mckenna!” a woman’s voice
screamed. “What are you doing here?”

Scarlet Hyacinth

Garth looked up and suppressed a groan. He’d completely

forgotten Skylar’s parents were due to come here, or rather, hadn’t
expected them to arrive this fast.

Skye and Lark Pierce had never forgotten the fact that Garth’s

presence in their agency was largely due to Byron’s intervention.
Byron had put pressure on the two seahorses to employ Garth there.
Perhaps they would have let it go, especially after all this time, but
Garth had become friends with their beloved son, Skylar. Garth had
been out of the mafia for almost fifteen years, but they still considered
him a poor influence on Skylar.

Skye Pierce made her way to Garth’s side. “I should have known

you had something to do with this,” she said, glaring at him.

Garth forced himself to ignore the anger pouring off her. He

didn’t think she hated him—the Pierces were incapable of hatred—
but whatever she did feel, it came awfully close to disgust. He got up
and nodded at her politely, knowing better than to try to kiss her hand.
“Mrs. Pierce, it’s a pleasure to see you. Skylar will be very happy
you’ve arrived.”

Her expression changed instantly. “How is he? We haven’t had

the chance to see the doctor yet.”

“He woke up earlier, and we spoke briefly. He’s sleeping now.”
Lark Pierce reached them as well, his eyes going from Garth to

Nicolas. “Thank you for staying here,” he said. “I’m sure Skylar
appreciates your friendship.”

Lark had always been the more polite one of the couple, although

behind the façade, Garth could detect the same distaste. Given the
circumstances, he didn’t want their opinion of him to reflect on
Nicolas. “Where are my manners? This is Skylar’s friend, Nicolas
Shields. Nico, Mrs. Skye Pierce and Mr. Lark Pierce.”

Nicolas got up and smiled tightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
To Garth’s surprise, Skye hugged Nicolas. “Oh, don’t be so

formal. Skylar has told us all about you and your friend Daniel.”

Lark nodded. “We’re so glad our son is making new friends.”

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

It was a jab at Garth, and Nicolas twitched, obviously noticing.

Garth didn’t think the two seahorses had realized the tension in
Nicolas. “Mr. and Mrs. Pierce, if I may… Nicolas was also in the
accident that injured Skylar. I’d like to take him home.”

“Of course, of course.” Skye nodded hastily. “Go on ahead.”
The doctor appeared as they spoke and without another word, the

Pierces were led inside.

“I guess we should go before they come out,” Garth said.
Nicolas nodded, his body still taut with tension. Garth felt warm

inside when he realized how angry the hummingbird had gotten on his
behalf. “Relax, love,” he said. “They’ve always been like that. They
just worry for Skylar, that’s all.”

“They can worry all they like,” Nicolas mumbled, “as long as they

leave you be.”

Uncaring of anyone who might be watching, Garth pulled Nicolas

close and pressed his lips to the other man’s. Nicolas gasped in
surprise, but he didn’t delay in embracing Garth in turn. To think he’d
nearly lost the chance to do this. God, Garth would never take for
granted having his mate by his side. He’d do his best to convince
Nicolas of how right they were for each other.

The kiss quickly turned from gentle to passionate. Garth thrust his

tongue in the other man’s mouth, exploring, tasting, allowing himself
to drown in his mate’s scent and flavor. It felt so good, so amazing
that Garth forgot about everything that wasn’t this incredible man in
front of him.

The sound of a cleared throat snapped him out of his haze of

pleasure. Garth broke the kiss and stole a look behind himself. A
nurse gave him a sheepish look. “I apologize, but you’re making some
of the other patients uncomfortable.”

Garth felt irritated. This was a shape-shifter clinic, and displays of

affection such as his weren’t uncommon. If other patients were indeed
uncomfortable, it must be because Garth was a lynx and Nicolas a
hummingbird. Most people still didn’t understand how such a mating

Scarlet Hyacinth

could be possible. Unfortunately, during the course of his job here at
the agency, Garth encountered that sort of mentality far too often.

Still, making a scandal at Skylar’s door was out of the question. In

the end, Garth worked here, and as much as Garth wanted to rant and
rave, it wouldn’t do him any good. “I see,” he answered. “We’ll just
go.”

The nurse didn’t seem too happy about that, but she nodded and

left without a word. Garth took his mate’s hands and led Nicolas
through the corridors and out of the hospital. It was only then that
Garth realized he could feel a lingering sense of power around him.
He hid a smile when he figured out Byron had been here. There might
be something more to Skylar’s question regarding Byron than it
would seem at first glance.

However, the thought melted when he realized he could not see

his car in the parking lot. Fuck, he’d come with Soren and his own
vehicle wasn’t here, but back at The Grinder.

He groaned, cursing himself for his forgetfulness. “I left the car at

the club.”

Nicolas laughed lightly. “That’s fine. We’ll call a cab.”
They hailed a taxi and found one with relative ease. After they

slipped inside the car, Nicolas gave his address to the driver and
leaned against Garth.

The presence of the stranger made it impossible for them to speak,

but Garth still held his mate close, feeling the heat of the other man’s
skin even through the material. It was having a significant effect on
him, and the lingering arousal from the kiss returned full force.

Nicolas must have sensed it because he dropped his hand in

Garth’s lap, massaging his crotch lightly. Garth closed his eyes,
struggling to contain his groan. He only half-succeeded, his senses too
invaded with his mate for him to care about propriety or about what
some random human thought.

In his mind, he could already feel Nicolas’s lips or, better yet, his

sweet ass wrapped around his prick. God, he wanted to be balls-deep

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

inside his mate, stretch Nicolas’s tight hole, mark him with his seed.
He wanted to pull on Nicolas’s soft dark hair and see his black eyes
cloud over in lust.

Distracted by Nicolas’s touch and his own fantasy, he almost

didn’t realize when the car stopped. “Here we are,” the driver said in a
bored voice. “That’ll be five fifty.”

Nicolas rummaged through his pockets and came up with a

rumpled ten dollar bill. He pulled Garth out of the car before Garth
could even figure out what was going on. He hadn’t expected this
when they’d left the hospital.

“Come on,” Nicolas urged him. “This is our stop.”
Garth gave his mate a curious look. “Love, this is your stop.”
Nicolas arched a brow. “Don’t tell me you don’t want to come up

with me because I won’t believe you.”

Indeed, Garth couldn’t say that and be honest. He stepped away

from the cab, allowing the disgruntled human to drive off. “Nico,” he
told Nicolas, “are you sure about this?” Nicolas was still recovering
from his injury, and if Garth went up there, they would be having sex,
no doubt about it.

Nicolas just snorted. “I’m not made out of porcelain.” He

hesitated, his nonchalant expression growing a bit more neutral.
“Unless, that is, you want to go home. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.
You probably need to see your kits.”

To be true, Garth felt torn between his children and his mate.

Indeed, he wanted to see with his own eyes that his sons were okay
and hadn’t been involved in this mess, but Nicolas… The very
thought of not having Nicolas with him chilled him to the bone.

“Nico… Would you like to come home with me tonight? You can

meet my sons like you wanted.”

Nicolas’s eyes widened. “I don’t know… It’s been a long day.

And…it’s too soon.”

Garth’s heart fell. He understood Nicolas’s unwillingness to

commit. They’d only known each other for two days and Garth was

Scarlet Hyacinth

already introducing the family. Christ, it made no sense, not even for
him.

He nodded and struggled to find a smile. “Of course. I’ll just lead

you upstairs and go.”

Much to Garth’s surprise, Nicolas shook his head. “Give me a

minute. I’ll take a quick shower and change clothes. Wait there and
we’ll go.”

Garth opened his mouth to reply, but he never got the chance.

Nicolas was already gone, having retreated into the building at a
mind-numbing speed. Garth prepared himself for a long wait, but it
must have taken less than five minutes for his mate to come back
down, freshly washed and changed.

“All right,” Nicolas said, wiping his still moist hair with a towel.

“I’m ready.”

The dim light of the late afternoon shone over his hair as he wiped

it dry, and for the first time, Garth realized his mate’s hair wasn’t
really black. In fact, when Nicolas changed position, streaks of bright
red appeared through the soft, chin-length locks, only to disappear
once more, moments later. It was like magic.

Garth stared, mesmerized by the beauty of the spectacle. “Your

hair changes color,” he said in awe.

Nicolas smiled. “It’s a hummingbird thing.” He pulled out a pair

of car keys and threw them to Garth, nodding at a vehicle parked
across the street. “Let’s go.”

“You’re letting me drive?” Garth asked, arching a brow.
“Why bother with GPS?” Nicolas shrugged. “You know where

you live best.”

Garth smiled at his mate’s matter-of-fact tone. Many people didn’t

allow others next to their cars, but it seemed Nicolas didn’t have that
sort of problem. Both men entered the car and took their respective
seats. Garth started the vehicle and directed it toward his house. In his
mind, he was already wondering if he’d done the right thing by
inviting Nicolas. He wanted a long-term relationship with the

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

hummingbird, but the kits might not be ready for the meeting, and
Nicolas had faced so many dangers today it was unfair to push him
into something that could be emotionally exhausting.

All too soon, the drive ended, and Garth stopped the car in the

underground parking lot of his building. They abandoned the vehicle,
and Garth led his mate to the main elevator. This apartment complex
had great security, which was why Garth even felt safe to leave his
kits here. Everyone who came in here needed to pass through several
security protocols on each floor. Garth had added an additional layer
of security by purchasing an entire level of the building for himself
and his family.

The elevator led them to the floor in question. They didn’t run into

anyone on the way, something Garth felt thankful for. At last, the lift
stopped and its doors opened with an almost inaudible whoosh.

Garth retrieved his access card and let himself and Nicolas inside

the apartment. Predictably, moments later, his kits bounded toward
him. They hugged Garth and peered curiously behind him.

“Who’s this, Daddy?” Preston asked.
“This is the man I told you about yesterday. Nicolas Shields.

Nico, meet my sons, Preston and Corbin.”

Nicolas knelt so he could be at the same level with the two

children. “Hi,” he said, extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet
you. I’m Nico.”

The two kits looked a bit puzzled, but accepted Nicolas’s greeting.

Garth exhaled a sigh of relief. He’d been more concerned about this
then he’d realized.

“Where’s Gina?” he asked his kits.
As if summoned by Garth’s words, the babysitter emerged, this

time dry and composed. “Hello, Mr. Mckenna,” she said politely.

He considered asking her to prepare them a snack, but then

realized he had nothing in the house that a hummingbird would eat.
He wanted to smack himself at his lapse and made a mental note to
get some supplies the next day.

Scarlet Hyacinth

“Gina, this is Nicolas Shields. From today, he’ll be visiting. He

has free rein around the house.”

A frown appeared on Gina’s face, but it disappeared in moments.

“Of course.”

“You can go now,” he told her. “We’ll order out tonight.” Turning

to his boys, he asked, “How does pizza sound?”

The kits released sounds of joy—Garth insisted on feeding them

home-cooked meals, and like all children, they loved junk food.

Nicolas smiled as well, perhaps figuring out the reason of the

sudden decision. “Thank you,” he murmured in Garth’s ear. “I
appreciate this a lot.”

Garth struggled to suppress his arousal. It was hardly appropriate

in his kits’ presence. As the babysitter left, he set about to call the
pizza place. Three meat lovers’ pizzas and one vegetarian were on the
way. He also asked for deep-fried onions and chips. As an added
surprise, he ordered some ice cream. They might as well celebrate
living through the day with unhealthy food.

The kits seemed to sense his mood, as they didn’t act up at all.

The four of them ended up spending the evening together, watching a
family movie. When evening fell, Garth took the tired boys to their
room and tucked them in. Once he made sure Corbin and Preston
were in bed, he returned to his mate.

Nicolas was in his office, having served himself a glass of brandy.

He beamed at Garth as soon as their gazes met. “Hi.”

Garth invaded Nicolas’s personal space and grabbed the glass out

of his hands. He drained it of the alcohol and placed it back on the
bar. “Hi back.”

They didn’t say anything else. The entire evening, their need for

each other had been smoldering at a low flame, and it now burst out
with the intensity of a supernova.

Garth crushed their lips together, groaning as Nicolas’s taste

invaded his senses. Christ, had he said he was going to wait? He must
have been out of his mind.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

He pulled his mate close and forced the other man to walk back

until they hit the couch in the center of the office. Nicolas fell on the
settee, and Garth climbed on top of him. Their mouths only parted for
a brief second, but it was too much for Garth to withstand. He needed
Nicolas, needed him with a desperation that he’d never have thought
he would feel.

His hands worked at Nicolas’s clothes, slipping under the material

to find skin. Soft, so soft and so warm. He could hear Nicolas’s
heartbeat racing, so fast it seemed impossible that it wouldn’t burst
out of the other man’s chest. Nicolas’s tantalizing aroma tickled at his
nostrils, a mix of exotic flowers, pure male, and hot arousal. Garth
could feel his mate’s hard cock nudging against his thigh, and the
knowledge of his mate’s excitement made his desire soar even higher.

He tore Nicolas’s shirts and pants off, with no regard whatsoever

as to what the hummingbird might wear later. The only thing he knew
was that he wanted Nicolas and he needed to taste his mate as soon as
possible.

That thought gave Garth the impulse to break away from

Nicolas’s luscious lips. He licked down his mate’s body, exploring
each inch of delicious flesh. Nicolas released a soft, excited chirp as
Garth’s tongue trailed over the hollow of his neck, and Garth noted
the hot spot. He dwelled over the sensitive area for the longest time,
simply enjoying the sound of his mate’s sweet cries.

Never once did he cease mapping Nicolas’s body with his hands.

His fingers found his mate’s nipples, and he tweaked on the tiny nubs,
hiding a grin when Nicolas’s moans turned incoherent.

Garth’s senses were assaulted by his mate’s increasing desire, and

his dick throbbed in answering to Nicolas’s arousal. It was slow
torture, for both of them, and the beast inside Garth emerged,
demanding that he take possession of what was his.

Garth wrapped his fist around his mate’s prick and began the slow

journey down. His mouth abandoned Nicolas’s collarbone, tracing a
line over the hummingbird’s chest and abs. Following a sudden

Scarlet Hyacinth

impulse, he stopped at Nicolas’s navel, stabbing his tongue into the
tiny opening.

Nicolas covered his mouth with his hand in an obvious attempt to

tone down his cries, but Garth could feel the pleasure that coursed
through his mate at the stimulation of the spot. It was actually a bit
strange. Most birds didn’t have much sensitivity in the area. In species
where reproduction wasn’t viviparous, the belly button appeared on a
child years after their birth. It was, in a way, only a tiny addition
meant to make shape-shifters fit in, and it didn’t have much
connection to other nerve endings. But Nicolas seemed different, and
Garth loved discovering every little thing about his mate.

What he wanted most, though, was to drive Nicolas wild, to wrap

his lips around his mate’s cock and suck him dry, and then fuck him
into oblivion. He didn’t delay in following that impulse. Without
giving his new lover one single warning, he lowered his mouth over
Nicolas’s prick and swallowed him down.

A choked trill escaped Nicolas as Garth bobbed his head up and

down his hummingbird’s cock. Unsurprisingly, even Nicolas’s pre-
cum tasted almost like honey. Even from the little time they’d spent
together, Garth had noticed Nicolas loved things sweet. Besides,
Nicolas was, after all, a hummingbird.

Garth continued torturing his mate’s cock. Half unconsciously, he

started purring, and the vibration seemed to drive Nicolas crazy. All
the while, Garth rolled Nicolas’s balls in his hands. The sac beckoned
to him, and he lowered his mouth to taste the wrinkled skin. Nicolas
whimpered, begging, “Please, Garth. Please…”

The sound of his name on his mate’s lips was too much. Garth

returned to Nicolas’s dick and really went to town. He increased the
suction, taking his lover’s cock deep into his mouth and swallowing
around the head. At the same time, he released his own prick from its
confines. It demanded being let in on the action, but Garth didn’t
touch himself further. If he did, he’d climax, and he wanted to come
in Nicolas’s ass. It wouldn’t be long now. He could tell Nicolas was

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

moments away from orgasm, and he desperately wanted to taste the
hummingbird’s cum.

Just like Garth had predicted, moments later, Nicolas arched his

back and found his peak, muffling his cry once more. Streams of hot
spunk filled Garth’s mouth, making him drunk at the taste. Sweet, so
sweet, like nectar from the gods.

He would have loved to gulp it all down, but unfortunately, he

couldn’t afford to do it. He didn’t keep lube all around the house, for
obvious reasons, and he couldn’t risk going to the bathroom now.
Instead, he gathered some of Nicolas’s own cum and slicked his dick
up.

Garth flipped Nicolas on his belly, exposing the hummingbird’s

delicious hole. The tiny opening seemed to wink at him as Garth
spread his mate’s ass cheeks. He hissed when he slowly inserted a
finger inside Nicolas’s anus. God, his lover was tight, so tight, and the
hummingbird’s body sucked the digit right in, as if demanding more.

Eagerly, Garth added another finger and stretched Nicolas’s

opening, preparing his mate for invasion. He crooked the invading
digit just so, grinning when he found Nicolas’s prostate. As he rubbed
the spongy gland, Nicolas buried his face in the couch pillows, his
entire body emanating renewed arousal. A murmured “please”
followed, and Garth could not resist.

He removed his fingers from Nicolas’s anus and lowered his body

over his mate’s. He positioned his cock at Nicolas’s hole and readied
himself to thrust inside. But it then occurred to him that this was their
first time together and it would be over an office couch. Hell, Garth
hadn’t even taken his clothes off. He’d only lowered his zipper and
bared his dick and was ready to fuck Nicolas, as if the hummingbird
were no better than a common whore.

Nicolas must have sensed the change in mood. He lifted his head

and peeked back toward him. “What? What is it?”

Scarlet Hyacinth

When he looked at Nicolas’s flushed face, Garth’s control

faltered. He barely managed to keep himself in check and answer,
“I’m just not sure this is the right place to do this, that’s all.”

Nicolas’s expression darkened, and he turned around to face Garth

directly. “Not the right place,” he drawled out. “I see. Well, then, I
should probably go.”

Garth cursed himself for ruining the moment. “No, love, it’s not

like that. I just think you deserve better than an over-the-couch fuck in
my office.”

The shadows in Nicolas’s eyes dissipated. “What’s wrong with an

over-the-couch fuck?” Nicolas pushed himself closer to Garth and
climbed on top of him until he was practically in Garth’s lap. “We
were enjoying ourselves very much.”

“It’s not just about enjoyment,” Garth answered. His thoughts

scrambled as his mate nibbled on his earlobe. “Love…”

“Just stop worrying. Let me get you out of these clothes and you’ll

feel much better.”

It was somewhat strange, but comforting, that the two of them had

both zeroed in on the same problem. Garth allowed his mate to
undress him, and as Nicolas’s warm, enthusiastic hands caressed his
skin, his misgivings melted into sheer passion.

At first, Nicolas took things slow, as if seducing Garth with each

removed garment. But as the heat of desire rose between them once
again, Nicolas started moving faster and faster. Before Garth knew it,
he was completely naked, and so was Nicolas.

Nicolas clung to his neck and met his gaze with fevered black

eyes. He didn’t speak, and neither did Garth. Nicolas positioned his
ass on top of Garth’s cock and pushed down. It was Garth’s turn to
release a choked groan as the muscles guarding the entrance to
Nicolas’s body yielded, allowing him inside.

Nicolas trembled, his body taut with sensual tension, sexual

energy thrumming through him and into Garth. His ass squeezed

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

Garth’s prick in an iron-like vise, and the dam keeping Garth’s desire
at bay broke.

In a flash, he pushed Nicolas on his back against the couch and

lifted the hummingbird’s legs, draping them over his shoulders. For a
few moments, the motion made his prick slip out of Nicolas’s tight
warmth, but Garth didn’t delay in thrusting back in. He impaled his
mate on his dick, his mind and body having reverted to a visceral,
primal level.

Nicolas didn’t protest at all. Instead, Garth’s forcefulness seemed

to excite him. He pushed back against Garth’s invading cock, never
once breaking eye contact. It was hypnotizing, and in that moment,
Nicolas’s dark eyes that seemed to hold so many secrets became open
gateways to Nicolas’s soul.

Over and over, Garth fucked his mate. He couldn’t get enough.

With each thrust, the fire inside him burned brighter, the almost
painful pleasure sizzling over his skin. He always aimed for his
mate’s prostate, more than anything yearning to bring Nicolas over
the edge once again. His mate was simply beautiful when he came
and Garth wanted to see it again and again, to feel Nicolas’s cum
splash against his skin, to have his mate mark him the same way he
would mark Nicolas.

Nicolas clutched his shoulders tightly, small chirp-gasps escaping

him from time to time. He was lovely and passionate, and he was all
Garth’s. God, just the thought made Garth realize how lucky he’d
been today, and how much he could have lost.

The memory of that terrible fear drove him into increasing the

speed of his thrusts. He wanted to imprint himself into Nicolas’s skin,
to shower the hummingbird with kisses and protect him from anyone
who might try to hurt him. He wanted a new life, for the both of them
together.

In a peculiar development, his fangs ached and the beast within

Garth demanded to mark his mate. That had never happened to Garth
before during sex, but still, he knew all too well what it meant. As

Scarlet Hyacinth

much as he’d have liked to fulfill his selfish fantasy, he needed to talk
to Nicolas about it first. The last thing he wanted was to take the
hummingbird’s choices away with a rushed claiming.

So instead of burying his fangs in Nicolas’s skin, he crushed their

lips together once more and reached between their bodies to grip his
lover’s shaft. Two strokes of his hand on the hard column of flesh and
it was all over. Nicolas’s scream ended up muffled by their kiss as the
hummingbird’s ass clenched around Garth’s prick. Garth was helpless
in front of the delicious sensation. Burying himself one last time
inside Nicolas, he filled his mate with his seed. For a second, Garth
couldn’t even think or breathe. The only thing he could do was feel,
feel and need this incredible man beneath him.

They collapsed together on the couch, breathing hard and riding

out the pleasure of the afterglow. Garth couldn’t help it. He felt too
comfortable, so he started purring again.

A breathless laugh escaped Nicolas. “I can’t believe it. You’re

purring.”

“You have that effect on me,” Garth shot back, more relaxed than

ever.

Nicolas cuddled close to him, and for a brief moment, neither of

them spoke. Nicolas was the one to break the silence. “Thank you,”
he whispered.

Garth gave his mate a confused look. “What for?” He’d more than

enjoyed their coupling, so no thanks were needed. Truth be told,
Nicolas’s words made him a bit uncomfortable.

His dilemma was clarified when Nicolas added, “I know you

wanted to bite me, to claim me. I could feel it. But… I’m not ready
for that, not yet. So, thank you.”

Garth nodded wordlessly and kissed his mate’s forehead. Not yet

meant that one day, Nicolas would be ready. Until that day came,
Garth would respect his lover’s decision and wait patiently.

* * * *

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

Corbin slipped out of his bed, feeling a bit antsy. His younger

brother had fallen asleep, but Corbin still thought about the
mysterious Nicolas. His dad hadn’t given him and Preston too many
explanations, but Corbin understood that if Nicolas had come here to
meet them, he would be an important person in their lives.

What unsettled Corbin most was that, surprisingly, he liked

Nicolas. He liked that he made Corbin’s dad laugh and be relaxed.
Today, when they’d been watching the movie, Corbin’s father had
looked happier than Corbin had ever seen him. What did that mean?

With the ease of all cat-shifters, Corbin navigated through the

dark and padded out of the room. There was a light still on in the
office, so he decided to avoid going too close. His dad would feel him
if he approached the room too much.

The sound of light laughter reached his ears, prickling his

curiosity. He wanted to see what Nicolas was doing with his dad, but
at the same time, he knew his father would be pissed if he
eavesdropped.

The decision was taken out of his hands when the office door

opened. Corbin immediately ducked back into his room and slipped
back into bed. He heard his dad’s familiar footsteps close in, and for a
few moments, he thought he’d been busted.

It seemed luck was on his side, though, because his dad went into

the bathroom instead. Corbin released a sigh of relief and contended
himself with not having been caught. He’d investigate Nicolas the
next day. For the moment, he’d just get some sleep. After all, Nicolas
wouldn’t hurt his dad. Right?

Scarlet Hyacinth

Chapter Three

A few months later

Splash.
A vein twitched in Nicolas’s forehead as the cold water hit him

from behind. He should have expected this. His instincts had told him
to get ready for something, but still, he’d wanted to see Garth. The
man worked too much, and Nicolas wanted Garth to relax a bit.
Apparently, this had been a bad idea. He should never have come here
in the first place.

Childish giggles reached his ears through the haze of anger.

Nicolas dumped his keys on a coffee table, turned, and smiled tightly
at Garth’s kits. They’d stopped trying to create traps in the halls when
it had become apparent that he was too quick for that. Now, they just
attacked him outright. “Wow, cold water. Always so refreshing.
Thanks, boys.”

Preston and Corbin gave him twin looks of amused pleasure.

“Don’t mention it,” Corbin said cheekily. As the older boy, he was
always the leader in the pranks the kits pulled on Nicolas. Preston
tended to simply follow his brother’s indications.

Nicolas would have liked to tell them something, to shout at them

and explain they shouldn’t act like this. Perhaps they didn’t like that
Nicolas was dating their father, but there were boundaries that needed
to be set, and the kits’ rudeness was getting out of hand. But he had
no authority over them, and they were the proverbial apple of their
father’s eye. Besides, even if he hated to admit it, he liked the boys.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

They’d been amazing in the beginning of his relationship with Garth.
He couldn’t understand their change.

“What happened here?” Garth asked. He was coming out of his

office, and Nicolas immediately regretted his initiative. Garth had far
too many problems for him to have to worry about Nicolas’s
disagreement with the kits.

“Nothing,” he answered. “The children and I were just playing.”
Garth’s expression darkened, and he glared at the two boys as he

reached their sides. “Go to your rooms,” he said. “You and I will talk
later.”

Looking a bit apprehensive, Preston and Corbin took off and

headed toward their rooms. As soon as they were out of earshot,
Garth sighed and hugged Nicolas. “I’m sorry about this, love. I swear
I don’t understand what’s going through their little minds
sometimes.”

Nicolas broke away from the other man’s embrace. “Don’t,” he

said snappishly. “You’ll get your clothes wet.”

With a sigh, Garth released him. “Come on. Let’s get you

showered and changed.”

Nicolas nodded and allowed his lover to lead him to his room.

Once the door closed behind them, Nicolas tore his clothes off with a
disgusted huff. As a rule, moistness didn’t bother him. In fact, the
hummingbird inside him reveled in wet environments. What pissed
him off, however, was the intent behind the prank, the very idea that
he was rejected by the two most important people in Garth’s life.

“They’re just kits,” Garth offered in a low voice. “They don’t

mean anything by it.”

Nicolas controlled his temper and turned to look at Garth. He

knew the man was biased in judging his sons, but how could he not
be? Still, he didn’t think he could bring himself to say anything
comforting and understanding right now. His mood had been dark all
throughout the day, with nightmares plaguing his restless sleep the
night before. His coming here had been not only for Garth’s benefit.

Scarlet Hyacinth

Spending time with the lynx usually helped, but since the kits had
grown cold and rude, it only seemed to make things worse.

Acknowledging his own bitchiness, Nicolas didn’t say anything.

Distantly, he noticed some humidity had gotten on Garth’s clothes,
making the garments stick to Garth’s muscled body a bit. Nicolas
forced himself to turn away before arousal could overcome frustration
and anger. He dumped his wet clothes on the floor and headed to the
bathroom without a word. He didn’t want to think too much about the
reason why he left the door cracked in silent invitation.

As Nicolas ran the water in the shower, he thought back to the

scene in the hallway. He was overreacting, he knew it. He shouldn’t
let the kits get to him so much. If he didn’t get angry, the boys would
stop teasing him. But lately, he’d been feeling off. The nightmares
were growing worse, and Nicolas felt lonelier than ever.

What bothered him most was that he couldn’t understand why the

two children had changed their attitude toward him. In the beginning,
the four of them spent a lot of time together, and Nicolas was loathe
to admit he’d started to care about the little rascals. But all of a
sudden, they seemed to change their minds and now spent their time
torturing Nicolas and doing their best to separate him from their
father. Yes, he’d begun to care about them, and their new behavior
hurt him deeply.

He stepped into the shower, doing his best to not think about

anything except the calming flow of water. Sometimes, it seemed the
only thing that could get his temper back in check, except sex with
Garth. Just remembering the feel of his lover’s prick inside him left
him hard and aching. Christ. Nicolas needed to get a grip. He wasn’t a
sea creature so as to depend on having water around, nor did he need
any carnivore to function. He would ask Garth to take a break in their
strange relationship. After all, the lynx wasn’t the only one with
baggage. Nicolas had issues far more troublesome than two harmless
kits from a previous relationship. Their bond would never work, not
with all the secrets between them.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

The feel of an approaching presence startled him from his glum

thoughts. Instants later, Garth slid into the shower stall, naked as the
day he was born. He pressed his hard body to Nicolas’s and met his
gaze. “I know this is hard for you, love. You’ve been so
understanding. Just wait a little longer. They’ll come around.”

When Garth spoke to him like this, Nicolas couldn’t bring himself

to stay angry. He placed his head on Garth’s shoulder and closed his
eyes. How could he ever give this up? The warmth of Garth’s arms
couldn’t compare with anything in the world. Sometimes, Nicolas
thought he could even feel like a full person, not the torn, broken man
he was underneath all the bravado.

He wondered when Garth would start asking questions. The lynx

had been honest and upfront with everything in his past, including his
time in the Cunningham LA mafia. It would be only fair for Nicolas
to reciprocate. Garth had been the understanding one, not Nicolas.

“Love?” Garth asked. “Are you all right?”
Nicolas looked up at Garth and forced himself to smile. He knew

it came out as a poor attempt, since Garth simply grew more
concerned. “Is this really about the boys?”

Nicolas shook his head. He knew he should probably be

explaining to Garth the whys behind his unusual skill with weaponry
and the realities of his past, but he couldn’t bring himself to broach
the subject. “Just…kiss me,” he said as he pressed himself even closer
to his lover.

Perhaps he was being unfair in distracting and seducing Garth, but

all that ceased to matter when Garth groaned and surrendered to the
desire. Garth pressed his lips to Nicolas’s and as their mouths ground
together, Nicolas moaned and surrendered to Garth’s exploration. The
other man took his invitation and thrust his tongue into Nicolas’s wet
cavern in an imitation of the oldest dance of passion of all times.
Garth kissed like he fucked, with no restraint, taking what he wanted
and offering pure, unaltered pleasure in return. Nicolas pushed away
everything that wasn’t Garth and melted against his lover. Only Garth

Scarlet Hyacinth

could make him feel like this, like he could take on the world and
win, like they were invincible together.

Garth growled and pushed Nicolas against the shower wall. The

contrast between the cool tiles, the heat of Garth’s body, and the
warm water raining on them was strangely arousing. When Garth
broke the kiss, Nicolas arched against his man, wordlessly demanding
more.

His lover rubbed against him, the lynx’s hard cock nudging

against Nicolas’s hip. Nicolas reached for Garth’s prick and would
have taken him in his fist if Garth hadn’t stopped him. With another
animalistic snarl, Garth flipped Nicolas over, maneuvering him in a
new position. Nicolas obeyed, using his hands to steady himself on
the slippery shower tiles. He pushed his ass toward his lover, wiggling
it invitingly.

He felt, rather than saw, his lover kneel behind him. Strong,

talented hands spread his cheeks, exposing his nether opening.
Sensual tension coiled inside Nicolas as he waited to see what Garth
would to. And then, a raspy tongue licked across Nicolas’s crease.
Nicolas bit his lip against the scream forming himself in his throat.
The distinctly feline traits of the caress sensitized every nerve in that
part of his body, even some he hadn’t known existed. He could only
be thankful he’d showered beforehand because otherwise, he couldn’t
have allowed Garth to do something so taboo.

Garth stabbed his tongue into Nicolas’s hole, using it as if it were

a little cock. With every second that passed, Nicolas found it harder
and harder to remain silent. He was a hummingbird, and as such, he
liked to let loose and cry out when in bed with Garth. Both of them
could get somewhat vocal in their fucking. Alas, while this aroused
Nicolas very much, it wasn’t a good thing in the rare occasions they
had sex in Garth’s home. Young innocent ears were always within
hearing distance.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

He bit down on his arm as he moved his ass against Garth’s face.

He wanted more, so much more. He wanted Garth’s tongue to be
replaced by his cock.

As if guessing his thoughts, Garth removed his tongue from

Nicolas’s body. Two slick fingers thrust inside the opening. The little
rimming session had already relaxed Nicolas, and he pushed back
against the invading digits. He couldn’t help releasing a small gasp.
“Garth… Please!”

“Please what, love?” Garth murmured in his ear. “Tell me.”
Even at the low volume, the words still excited Nicolas beyond

belief. “Fuck me, Garth. Fuck me,” he whispered back.

The fingers disappeared from Nicolas’s ass, and Garth’s cock

nudged at Nicolas’s hole. One single push, and Garth slid home.
Nicolas’s body swallowed him right up, and Nicolas released a sob of
relief. Only when Garth was inside him did he feel complete. Garth
filled the void that shrouded Nicolas’s heart. Body and soul, Nicolas
belonged to Garth, and he always would.

Garth pulled out of him, but before Nicolas could feel his absence,

he thrust back in. He began an almost punishing rhythm, thrusting in
and out of Nicolas’s channel. As his lover’s prick hit his prostate,
Nicolas cried out, “Garth! Oh, Garth!”

Just when he thought it couldn’t get any better, Garth flipped him

over and lifted him in his arms. Nicolas wrapped his legs around
Garth’s waist, amazed at the fact that his lover never once left his
body. At this point, he probably shouldn’t be, but Garth always
managed to surprise him.

Again and again, Garth hit Nicolas’s prostate, harder and harder.

The water splashed over them, adding another layer of sensation.
When Nicolas stopped being able to control himself, Garth crushed
their lips together once again, drowning out the sound of his moans.

Nicolas clung to his lover, burying his fingernails in Garth’s skin,

holding on tight, allowing Garth to do whatever he wanted. He felt
free, free like he could never be in real life. The burn in his anus,

Scarlet Hyacinth

Garth’s grunts in his ear, the cool hard tiles against his back, it all
created a symphony of perfection, as if this shower had been built
specifically to be an oasis, a host for this moment in time.

When his orgasm came, it took him completely by surprise. With

a muffled cry, Nicolas exploded, and his vision cracked around the
edges. He felt like he was flying, and the bright brilliant colors of a
world refused to him swallowed him whole in a rainbow of emotions
and sensations.

Moments later, Garth buried his cock one last time inside Nicolas

and filled him with his spunk. Breathless and dizzy, Nicolas enjoyed
the knowledge that he’d pleased his lover. Their lips met one more
time, the kiss lazy, a comforting lip-lock. A deep purr rumbled from
Garth’s chest, both comforting and arousing Nicolas.

Perhaps they’d have tried for a second round, but the water began

to cool and a small, squeaky roar sounded outside the bedroom.

It was quite a mood breaker. Nicolas suppressed a sigh as they

both cleaned up as quickly as they could. It seemed their little respite
from real life was over.

* * * *

“Would you please pass the salad?”
Preston wordlessly obeyed and handed Nicolas the bowl with the

untouched salad. At the table, the boys’ manners were completely
impeccable, just like when Garth took them out in public. Nicolas
wasn’t fooled. He knew the little devils were probably already
plotting their next move.

He took the bowl from Preston and thanked the young lynx. He

was being unfair, of course. The kits needed time to adapt to a
romantic interest in Garth’s life. They’d grown up being the most
important thing for Garth, and it made sense that they would feel
threatened.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

How much time? That wicked part of him asked. Nicolas had been

going out with Garth for months, and the boys’ attitude had grown
worse, not better. Ah, well. It was nothing he could do about it right
now. He’d just enjoy the dinner and the remainder of the evening.
Perhaps he’d even dare to stay the night. He was feeling mellow and
relaxed after the shower.

Nicolas absently put some salad on his plate and took of bite. As

the flavor of the salad hit his taste buds, Nicolas shot to his feet and
spat the food out. “What the fuck?”

Unlike other shape-shifters, bird shifters didn’t have an acute

sense of smell. Hummingbirds were even worse off than others, and
Nicolas had often felt frustrated around Shiloh, who seemed to be
able to detect scents better than him. It was for that reason that
Nicolas hadn’t realized the salad contained distinct traces of meat and
egg. Even if hummingbird shape-shifters were a bit more gifted than
their animal counterparts where the sense of smell was concerned,
Nicolas had been unable to figure it out until he’d gotten a good bite.
No wonder the bowl of salad had been placed away from Garth. The
other man could scent what Nicolas could not, in spite of all the
flavoring.

Garth rushed to his side and immediately detected the problem.

He offered Nicolas a glass of water and Nicolas hastily rinsed his
mouth. As he placed the glass down, he smiled at his mate. “That’s
better.”

Garth didn’t seem too reassured. “Boys, go to your room,” he told

his sons, his voice practically a growl.

It was the second time Garth had ordered the two kits to their

quarters in the same day, but this time, the lynx’s voice sounded cool
and dangerous. Nicolas had only heard that tone once, when Garth
had been talking to the now defunct Heathcliff Cunningham. It scared
him a little, and he placed a hand on his lover’s shoulder. “It’s fine,”
he said. “No harm done.”

Scarlet Hyacinth

“Love, they put chicken in your salad. That’s not fine, and it’s not

the way I taught them to behave.”

Nicolas looked at Corbin and Preston and felt even worse.

Preston’s eyes were wide with shock. The small lynx was obviously
surprised at the extent of his father’s anger. Even Corbin looked
apprehensive. They must have truly thought it was a harmless prank.

“It’s nothing really,” Nicolas said again. “I’m sorry for cursing.”

He dabbed his lips with a napkin and offered his lover a smile he
didn’t feel. “I’d better go.”

Garth looked torn. He stole a glance and his boys and then at

Nicolas again. At last, he sighed. “All right, love. I’ll call you
tomorrow, okay?”

Garth leaned in for a kiss, and Nicolas turned his head. Garth’s

lips landed on his cheek, instead of his lips, like they’d been meant to.
Nicolas didn’t want to be cruel to his lover, but kissing in front of the
kits would only make things worse.

They broke apart, and Garth led him to the door in silence. “I’ll

deal with this,” Garth promised as Nicolas put on his coat. “I
promise.”

Nicolas nodded and smiled again. “I believe you.”
He pecked Garth, this time on the lips, and slid out of his lover’s

apartment without looking back. As he left the building, he looked at
the darkened sky. Raindrops were starting to fall, and people began to
run in an attempt to find cover from the approaching storm.

Perhaps Nicolas should have gone back upstairs, but he didn’t.

Instead, he walked into the rain and headed toward the subway. The
walk would do him good. Hopefully, it would make him feel better, at
least.

* * * *

As the door closed behind Nicolas, Garth returned to the living

room. The kits had fled, having probably taken refuge in their room

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

while Garth was leading his lover out. Angry and frustrated, Garth
started gathering the dishes.

He’d had many talks with Preston and Corbin regarding their

behavior toward Nicolas. Every time, they promised they would stop
with their pranks, but they never did. Garth couldn’t understand it.
Sure, he knew his boys weren’t the easiest kits to be around. They
gave their babysitters regular trouble and thought up all sorts of
pranks. However, at the beginning of Garth’s relationship with
Nicolas, the two children seemed open-minded, even accepting of the
hummingbird.

Had Garth pushed them too far, too fast? He’d never taken stable

lovers since Bella had abandoned him, leaving him to raise the kits
alone. He simply hadn’t found the time or the energy to do so.
Meeting Nicolas shattered that way of thinking. He knew he should
have been more considerate to his boys, but he’d genuinely thought
they had come to like Nicolas at one point.

With a sigh, Garth prepared his children plates of food. He

couldn’t allow them to go without a meal. They were growing lynxes,
and they needed to eat. He put away all the rest and tossed the stupid
salad that had been the cause of it all. He’d cooked it himself. When
had the kits managed to add the egg and the chicken to it?

Shaking his head, Garth made his way to the boys’ room. He

knocked at the door and slowly opened it. “Boys? Come on. Get
something to eat.”

He stepped inside and looked at his sons. They were huddled

together on the bed, looking miserable. When he approached them,
they obediently took the plates of food and started to eat.

Garth waited until his boys finished their dinner. They seemed to

drag out each bite, obviously reluctant to start any conversation with
him. At last, they put the plates away and looked at him. “So, what do
you have to say for yourselves?” Garth asked. He’d have liked to
believe his sons had an explanation for what they’d done. Hell,

Scarlet Hyacinth

perhaps it had all been an accident. Perhaps the kits hadn’t been
behind it after all.

The boys didn’t even try to deny it, though. “Why does he have to

come here?” Corbin inquired, instead. “He doesn’t belong with us.”

Garth couldn’t deny the pain that coursed through him at his son’s

words. He wanted his boys to love Nicolas as much as he did. He
dreamed of having a family, just the four of them, like he’d never
managed to achieve with Bella.

He knew it was unusual for a lynx to want that. As a rule, his kind

weren’t very family oriented. Case in point, Bella. Many times, lynx
kits were abandoned in the wild with their animal counterparts once
they were old enough to care for themselves. Garth had grown up like
that, and it was one of the reasons why he’d ended up working for the
Cunninghams. He’d sworn no child of his would ever be without a
family, but unfortunately, the woman who’d mothered his sons had
disagreed. Garth hadn’t loved her, not really, but he’d been angry and
hurt for the kits.

He shook himself and forced himself to smile at his sons. “Of

course he does. You’re just not used to it.”

Preston shook his head. “He’s prey. Mom told us that.”
Garth froze. “Pardon me?”
Corbin elbowed his sibling in the stomach, but it was too late.

Garth had already heard the phrase that explained more than he’d
have liked. “Your mother’s been in contact with you?”

At first, his sons didn’t answer, so Garth glared at the two kits.

“Answer the question.”

Even the more stubborn Corbin blanched in front of his tone. “She

comes by sometimes when you’re at work. Gina lets her in.”

Gina. Right. The fucking babysitter. Skylar had told Garth he

shouldn’t have trusted her. Christ.

“When did this start?”

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

“A month or so ago,” Preston provided. “Daddy, she said that

she’d come back if only we made the hummingbird go away. Please,
tell him to go away.”

Preston’s expression was so eager that Garth could only imagine

what lines of bullshit Bella had been feeding them. He couldn’t blame
the kits. After all, she was their mother. But he couldn’t give up
Nicolas either. Jesus, what a clusterfuck.

“I can’t do that, Preston,” he answered. “I love him.”
“But he’s a bird, and a man,” Corbin protested. “It’s not right. It’s

against nature.”

Garth frowned. Seriously, what had Bella been teaching them?

Garth always pointed out to his sons that love was love, no matter
what form it took. Sometimes, he’d taken the kits to the adoption
agency, and they’d been quite intrigued to see the same-sex couples
finding children to raise. They had never once said such things
though. “Boys, don’t you remember all the times you visited the place
I worked?”

The two kits nodded and Garth went on. “When you saw those

people together, did it seem wrong to you? A woman loving a woman
and a man loving a man?”

“Not right then,” Corbin grumbled, “but then Mom started to

explain, and it makes sense. I mean, it’s obvious things are not
supposed to be that way. We’d go extinct.”

“Oh, son.” Garth sighed. “The world is all about diversity. It isn’t

so clear cut as your mother put it, but the first thing you have to
understand, relationships are not about breeding. They’re about love.”

“But Daddy, don’t you love Mom?” Preston asked.
“Of course I do. After all, she gave me you two. But I love her in

a different way than I love Nico. And on that note, your behavior
today was unacceptable. I expect better of you. Think about what
you’ve done. Nicolas could have gotten seriously ill.”

At the reprimand, the two children looked away. “Are we

grounded?” Preston asked.

Scarlet Hyacinth

“For the moment, no more visits to Soren’s until I can see some

improvement.” Both kits let out cries of dismay. On Soren’s pack
lands, they could really commune with their animals without fear of
being seen. It was one more frustrating thing for Garth that the kits
could get along with Soren’s pups so well and accepted Soren and
Daniel’s mating, but refused his own.

“But, Dad...” Corbin tried to protest.
“No buts.” He wrapped his arms around his sons and pulled them

close. “I know this is difficult for you, but remember you’ll always be
my first loves. Nothing will ever change that.”

“Really?” Corbin asked.
He didn’t sound like the restless, naughty kit he seemed all time,

but like a child uncertain of his parent’s affection. “Really,” Garth
replied. “Give Nico a chance. You’ll see he only wants the best for
us.”

“Okay, Daddy,” Preston answered. “We’ll try.”
“Good. Now you need to get some rest. Tomorrow, you have

lessons, and I won’t be responsible for you claiming tiredness.”

He left the bed and kissed his sons’ foreheads. “Good night.”
With that, Garth left the room, distantly wishing he’d have found

Nicolas earlier. Things would be so much easier had the kits been
younger. At this age and after growing up without a second parent,
they’d find it difficult to accept someone else in their lives.

And now, Bella had shown up. Garth clenched his fists as anger

coursed through him. He refused to allow her to use his kits against
him. She didn’t know him, not really, but she would find out it wasn’t
smart to mess with Garth Mckenna.

* * * *

Corbin cuddled into the bed, feeling miserable. He was upset that

because of him, they would no longer be allowed on the pack lands

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

owned by Soren, but most of all, he was upset because he’d hurt his
dad.

He knew he’d made a mistake in putting the chicken in Nicolas’s

salad. He’d never actually thought he could make the hummingbird
sick. But Nicolas was an intruder, right? That was what his mother
always said, and she must know better.

His conviction faltered when his brother’s small voice inquired,

“Corb, Daddy’s hurt, isn’t he?”

Corbin didn’t answer, but in his heart, he felt worse than ever. He

wanted to believe he’d done the right thing, but… God, he needed to
talk to his mother. He needed to know what to do.

“Go to sleep,” he told his brother. “It’s going to be all right, you’ll

see.”

As his brother clung to his side, Corbin closed his eyes. Before he

knew it, the exhaustion of the day claimed his consciousness and he
fell asleep as well.

* * * *

Nicolas reached his home soaking wet and feeling a bit calmer. It

was quite late by now, and he knew he should get some rest.
Tomorrow, he would need to get up bright and early to open the
bookstore.

But sleep refused to come, and Nicolas left the bed. He made

himself a cup of tea using his special nectar sweetener. After he
finished his drink, he sat down at his desk and booted up his laptop.
He typed his password, making a mental note to change it soon. He
knew he was paranoid, but he never stuck to the same passwords for
too long.

He opened his browser and logged into his Twitter account. It was

quite astounding that a hermit like him used Twitter, but it entertained
him for two main reasons. The obvious one was the very logo of the
website. He got a kick out of being the hummingbird tweeting in

Scarlet Hyacinth

cyber-space. The second reason was a bit more private. It amused him
that people would willingly allow him to stalk them without knowing
him. They freely offered bits and pieces of their lives which, when
connected, could give Nicolas important information. It wasn’t
something obvious to the casual eye, but Nicolas was a hummingbird.
He saw beneath appearances.

True enough, there was another motive for his using of the social

platform. It made him feel…normal. He might have created the
account upon losing a bet with Shiloh, but following his friends
online cast aside his loneliness. Liam and Brody also had an account,
and they sometimes posted updates about their sons—harmless things,
of course, that wouldn’t make anyone suspect their shape-shifter
nature. Daniel also logged in from time to time, and they ended up
talking with each other via Twitter. It felt strange, but it made Nicolas
smile.

Sometimes, he just watched other people speak. Favorite

musicians or authors, other store owners or clients, they were all
there, the spectacle of mankind at his fingertips.

Nicolas’s brows shot up as he realized he had a personal message.

His thoughts immediately went to Garth. Perhaps the lynx had
decided to log on as well. Sometimes, Garth had an uncanny feel of
what Nicolas was about to do.

He clicked his inbox and was surprised when he saw the sender. It

seemed to be from one of his clients, a little old lady who always
came by on Saturdays and unerringly bought a travel guide and a
classical music vinyl record. Nicolas’s store was among the few who
still sold such products and nostalgic old-timers loved it.

The message said simply, “Check your snail mail.”
Nicolas always forgot to do that, since he rarely got anything

except bills and random fliers. But what made cold shivers run down
his spine was the last word of the message. Nico-Chi.

It couldn’t be. No one knew the issues of Nicolas’s past. He’d

never confessed his true name to his friends. In the end, the one he’d

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

chosen was close enough so he didn’t feel a fake when he talked to
them.

And yet, Nico-Chi seemed so far away now. He’d held the terror

of being followed by an unknown shadow for many years. He’d
travelled from town to town, doing odd jobs, raising money, and
leaving before anyone could get close. Finally, fifteen years after he’d
woken up in the odd clearing, he’d settled down in LA. And then, one
fateful day, he’d met Shiloh Holden, and the rest was history.

His hands trembled as he got up in a daze. He didn’t want to

check his snail mail. He didn’t want to see whatever was there. But
something inside him pushed him onward, as if a hidden force were
forcing him to do it, manipulating his limbs.

He reached the small coffee table where he kept his

correspondence far too soon. Among all the expected fliers and bills,
a big manila envelope caught his eye. He didn’t know how he could
have missed it in the first place. It was quite bulky. His only excuse
was that he’d had quite a lot on his mind lately.

Taking a deep breath, Nicolas retrieved the envelope and opened

it. His hands trembled, though, and in his nervousness, he handled the
item wrongly. The open envelope fell to the floor. As Nicolas knelt to
pick it up, he realized its contents had spilled on the floor. His eyes
widened in horror. There were pictures, dozens of pictures, all with
Nicolas and the people he loved. Nicolas and his friends at the
bookstore, Nicolas with Garth, out walking, and even long-distance
shots of them fucking. There were even individual pictures of Daniel,
Soren, Skylar, Garth, and even Carson. Christ, even Carson who now
lived on his own land away from all this mess. And the
children…Even the children had been under watch.

Nicolas held up a photo of Garth’s kits playing with Soren and

Daniel’s pups and tasted bile in his mouth. This couldn’t be
happening. He’d lowered his guard and drawn the shadows of his past
over the people he cared about.

Scarlet Hyacinth

The sound of the phone ringing didn’t surprise him. If they’d been

watching him for so long, they obviously must know his cell phone
number as well. Nicolas steeled himself and got up. He retrieved his
cell phone and stared at the display. For a brief moment, he’d dared to
hope it might be someone else, perhaps Garth, but the call was from
an unknown number.

Struggling to control the racing of his heart, Nicolas pressed

accept. “What do you want?” he asked without preamble.

A disembodied chuckle echoed from the other side of the

connection. “Hello to you, too, Nico-Chi. I see our gift made the right
impression on you.”

The caller spoke in a whisper, so Nicolas couldn’t even tell if his

stalker was male or female. Not that it mattered. Whoever this person
was, he or she obviously had accomplices.

“Skip the boasting,” he shot back, “and explain. I’ve got nothing

to do with you. Why are you following me and my friends?”

“You don’t know?” The person tsked. “Right, I forgot. Your little

amnesia problem. Tell you what, Nico-Chi… I’ll make you a deal.
Come meet me tomorrow at dawn, in front of the Museum of Art.”

“The museum’s not open at that hour,” Nicolas replied numbly.
His caller laughed again. “You always were perceptive. Don’t

worry, Nico-Chi. We’re not going there to see the exhibits.”

“And if I refuse?” Nicolas couldn’t help but ask.
“You won’t.”
The phone went dead, and Nicolas had the sudden urge to throw it

against the wall. He didn’t. Instead, he gently abandoned it on the
coffee table and sat down at his computer once again. Without
allowing himself to think too much about what he was doing, he
logged into his e-mail account and started composing messages. The
least he could do for the people he’d involved in this mess was say
good-bye.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

Chapter Four

The next day

Garth read through the documents in front of him, not really

registering the information. He’d tried to call his mate that morning,
but the hummingbird’s phone had been turned off. He wasn’t
answering his landline, neither at home or at the bookstore. Garth was
wondering if his mate might be more upset than he’d originally
thought. Had the prank from the day before bothered Nicolas so
much?

“Sir?” Elsa’s voice snapped him out of his musings. “Sir, did you

hear me?”

Garth stared at the owl, having completely forgotten about her

presence. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“The papers for the Pattersons,” Elsa repeated. “Have they been

processed?”

Garth couldn’t really think about that right now, especially since

remembering the happy couple made him think about Nicolas.
“They’re being processed now,” he answered. He got up from his
desk and passed a surprised-looking Elsa. “I’ll be leaving early today.
If you have any other questions, direct them to my secretary.”

He ushered her out, ignoring her shocked hoots, and left the office

as well, locking it behind himself. He nodded at his secretary, a
pretty, plump koala-shifter. “Cancel all my meetings for today.
Something’s come up.”

Scarlet Hyacinth

“Yes, Sir,” the woman answered. She knew better than to question

his decisions, and she would efficiently reorganize his schedule to
accommodate the change.

Garth thanked her and started walking away. As he exited the

building that housed the agency, he retrieved his cell phone once
again and speed-dialed Nicolas. Nothing. The cell phone was still off.

He briefly considered dropping by Skylar’s office to ask him if

he’d talked to Nicolas, but decided against it. He needed to solve this
problem on his own and not involve outside people. Nodding to
himself, Garth drove off and headed toward Nicolas’s bookstore. He
stopped by a flower shop and purchased the largest bouquet of roses
he could find. It was actually quite funny, but in spite of his moody
nature, Nicolas loved flowers. As Nicolas couldn’t be like all
hummingbirds, he hated to show it. Garth had only discovered it one
month into their relationship.

He should have felt a bit stupid bringing flowers to a man, but he

would do anything to make Nicolas open up. He’d never had the
hummingbird cease all contact like this, and it made him nervous.

At last, he reached the bookstore Nicolas owned. His heart started

beating faster when he saw the closed sign on the shop window. It
was unusual for Nicolas to skip work. It was only when his friends
needed him that he abandoned his business. The rest of the time, he
went to the bookstore six days a week.

It was possible that the hummingbird had decided to take a break

or even that the salad from the day before had made him sick. Garth
doubted both options very much, but he didn’t wait to muse over it
too much. He started the car once more, this time heading toward
Nicolas’s apartment.

But much to his dismay, he found Nicolas wasn’t there either. He

knew it from the very moment he stopped in front of the building. He
could still scent traces of his mate’s smell in the air, creating a picture
in his head. His mate had been outside today and left with his car. But
where?

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

It was an exercise in futility for him to try and follow the scent.

There were far too many smells in the city for him to have any luck.
Still, that didn’t mean he couldn’t try.

Predictably, the tracks went cold as he engaged himself in the

busy LA traffic, and Garth found his phone and dialed the first
number he could think of. The call connected in mere moments.

“Hi, Skylar,” Garth greeted his friend.
“Oh, hey,” Skylar replied. “What is it? I heard you took the day

off. Everything okay?”

“Actually, Skylar, have you spoken to Nico today?”
At the other side of the connection, Skylar’s tone grew concerned.

“I haven’t. Did you two fight?”

“Something like that.” Garth sighed. “The kits were acting up

yesterday, and I just couldn’t find a solution. I didn’t think he was
actually angry with me, but he’s not answering his phone and he’s not
home or at the bookstore.”

“You don’t think...something happened to him?”
Garth hadn’t dared to voice that thought, not even to himself, but

when Skylar said it, he realized that indeed, he suspected something
was amiss. Nicolas had never left like this. He could always be
located and kept his cell phone open at all times, just in case
something happened. And that wasn’t the only unsettling fact about
the situation. In truth, Nicolas had never shared the secrets of his past
with Garth. He was hiding something, Garth just knew it, and he’d
always thought Nicolas would eventually tell him, in his own time.
But what if these secrets were dangerous and had come back to hurt
Nicolas? What if Nicolas’s quirk of collecting weaponry wasn’t a
simple quirk?

“I don’t know,” he answered his friend, “but... My heart tells me

something’s wrong.”

“Listen to your heart then,” Skylar advised. “We need to find

him.”

“Thanks, Skylar. I’ll keep you posted.”

Scarlet Hyacinth

Garth ended the call and dialed Byron. He might have been

pushing his luck since his old boss had jumped to his aid before.
However, for Garth, Byron was among the few men he trusted and a
friend, as well as his former mafia superior. Byron would understand
if Garth explained how he felt about Nicolas.

Byron picked up on the first ring. “Please don’t tell me something

else is wrong.”

“How do you know?”
Byron sighed. “I’m right. I hate it when I’m right. What’s the

matter?”

“Nico is missing,” Garth answered, finding it harder and harder to

focus on driving. “I… I need help, Byron.”

“Okay, calm down,” the shark said. “When did you see him last?”
“Yesterday night. We had a small spat, and he left. But he’s not at

home or at his store, and he’s not answering his cell. It’s unlike him.”
Garth took a deep breath. “I know it may sound like I’m being
paranoid, but I know something’s wrong. I can feel it.”

“Did he tell you anything at all?” Byron inquired.
His tone sounded strange and alarm bells rang in Garth’s head.

“Anything, like what? Byron, what do you know?”

“I did a little research on your Nico,” the other man replied

nonchalantly.

“Say what?” Garth was more than a little shocked. He’d never

known Byron to invade one’s privacy.

“Don’t take it personally, Garth. Something about him niggled at

my senses, and I had to make sure Skylar’s safe with him around.”

Garth struggled not to scream. Nicolas had been around Skylar

long before Byron ever showed up. Furthermore, the shark hadn’t
even tried to approach Skylar and had been stalking the seahorse from
the distance from that fateful day of the accident. Of course, Byron
asked Garth to keep this a secret, something that frustrated Garth,
since he suspected Skylar might want Byron, as well.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

He pushed the annoyance out of his mind and focused on the

importance of the information Byron might have. “Okay. What did
you find out?”

“Nicolas Shields doesn’t exist, Garth. Sure, there are a number of

people with that name in the States, but your Nico isn’t one of them.”

For whatever reason, Garth wasn’t surprised. Even so, he needed

to know exactly how this could help him. “What do you mean?”

“It’s easy enough. Upon first glance, his data comes out clean, but

when you dig a little deeper, you figure out that the first time your
mate ever appeared was twenty years back, in Mexico. It seems he
just one day emerged out of the rainforest. Mind you, that’s entirely
possible. It’s not unusual for shape-shifters to have reclusive
communities in their respective habitats. But if that is so, the name he
used in LA is not his real one.”

“Mexico.” Garth mused over the information. It was a stretch to

go look for his mate there since this morning his mate had still been in
the States. “Listen, Byron, send me all the data you have and please,
monitor the borders, just in case something happens. I’m going back
to Nicolas’s place to investigate.”

Byron promised he would, and after thanking his friend, Garth

closed the connection. He could no longer track Nicolas using his
senses, but there had to be something at his mate’s place, something
to give him a clue.

It wasn’t hard to enter the apartment. Nicolas had given him the

key once, and Garth was often around the place so no one who might
see him would be surprised at his presence. Upon first view, there
didn’t seem to be anything unusual about the apartment. The living
room was as clean as ever, and the bedroom still smelled of Nicolas’s
scent. There were no traces of anyone else having been in the
apartment at all.

Disheartened, Garth readied himself to leave when his eyes fell on

an apparently innocuous manila envelope. He didn’t know what had
drawn his attention to it, but he figured it wouldn’t hurt to look it

Scarlet Hyacinth

over. He wasn’t the type of lover who obsessed over checking his
loved one’s messages, but on this particular occasion, correspondence
could yield an important clue.

The envelope was, however, empty. Garth frowned, the feeling

that its contents had been important swelling inside him. He sniffed
the paper, hoping to catch a trace of where his mate might have put
the item or items inside.

It was surprisingly easy to catch the scent in question. The

envelope smelled like flowers, a bit like Nicolas did, but not quite.
Garth couldn’t exactly identify the difference, but it was there.
Another hummingbird must have dropped it off.

With the aid of the envelope, Garth found its contents inside

Nicolas’s desk. He froze in horror and shock. There were pictures,
dozens of pictures, all of Nicolas’s loved ones, including Garth and
his kits. Any hope that Nicolas had taken them vanished when he
caught sight of the hummingbird in some of them. Someone had been
stalking them, and that someone must have taken Nicolas.

But why hadn’t Nicolas mentioned anything? Why leave like that,

out of the blue? Did Nicolas know this person? So many questions, so
few answers.

He was startled from his musings by the sound of his phone. Hope

blossomed in Garth’s chest upon seeing Skylar’s number. Perhaps the
seahorse had heard something from Nicolas.

He took the call and opened his mouth to ask Skylar about his

news. He didn’t get the chance. “Check your e-mail,” the seahorse
said, his voice so quiet Garth almost didn’t hear it.

“Skylar, what is it?”
“Just…check your e-mail,” the seahorse answered. Without

further ado, Skylar ended the call. Garth didn’t delay in doing exactly
that. Thankfully, his smartphone had an e-mail app, and in seconds,
he’d logged into his account. Tucked in neatly in his inbox were two
new e-mails, one from Nicolas, and a second one from Skylar.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

From: gunsaregreat@rocketmail.com
To: garth.mckenna@yahoo.com
Subject: Remember me

Hi, Garth.
This is a very difficult e-mail for me to write. I considered and

reconsidered these words a thousand times, but I don’t have much
time and I’m sick of lies.

For the past twenty years, I’ve lived in fear, always looking over

my shoulder. I don’t remember who I was before, but I thought I was
finally free in my new life with you, with our friends. I was wrong.

I’m not going to tell you not to come looking for me. I know that

no matter what I say, you still will try. But please remember one
thing. You are a very good man, Garth. You have family, children
who need you, and friends who care about you. Don’t throw your life
away.

What we had was amazing. I know I didn’t say it enough, but the

time we spent together was the happiest in my life. Just think of me as
a beautiful memory and let me go.

Yours,
Nico
P.S. Say good-bye for me to your kits. Tell Corbin I said to take

care of his dad. For Preston, a special message: Grow a spine! He
needs to be on his own feet now and stop doing whatever his brother
wants him to do. Just my opinion, of course. And above all, don’t
forget to say I will miss them and their pranks. They might not care
about me, but I do care about them.

The e-mail didn’t say anything else about who exactly had come

to get Nicolas or what had happened to make him leave like that.
Garth peeked into Skylar’s e-mail as well. It was, unsurprisingly, a
forward of the message Nicolas had send his friends.

Scarlet Hyacinth

From: gunsaregreat@rocketmail.com
To: skylark.pierce@gmail.com, brodyslamb@yahoo.com,
ihatepeanutbutter@gmail.com
Subject: I’m sorry

Hi my friends.
By the time you get this message, I will be gone. I know you

probably won’t understand why I chose to do this. In a way, I don’t
understand it myself. I just know that I have to go to keep you all from
being hurt.

I’m sorry for lying to you, for hiding my past, and even now, for

getting you involved in my problems. You were the best friends a
hummingbird, or anyone else for that matter, could hope to have. So,
above all, thank you.

Please, take care of yourselves and your families. And, as one last

favor to me, please take care of Garth. He will not understand.

All my love,
Nico

Gritting his teeth, Garth wished he had listened to his heart and

taken Nicolas as his mate. He’d wanted to give the hummingbird time
to adjust, and now, that could very well be their undoing. Even if their
bond was strong, without the claiming, Garth couldn’t follow Nicolas
to wherever the man had gone.

Then again, Garth had no knowing if lynxes could or could not

bond that way. He’d been impressed by the extent of Soren’s
connection with Daniel, but Soren was a wolf. It might be different
with felines. No matter. He’d worry about it later, much later. Perhaps
he couldn’t detect Nicolas through their bond, but he would stop at
nothing until he found his mate. And he knew exactly where to start.
It seemed very suspicious that Bella had showed up at the same time
with Nicolas’s mysterious kidnappers.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

He found it strikingly easy to shut down his emotions, just like

he’d done many times in the past while working for Byron. There was
no time for suffering. He needed to get a move on and find his mate.
If Nicolas didn’t turn up in LA by nightfall, Bella should start to
expect a visit from him. Now more than ever, he was glad he’d fired
Gina the day before and chosen to take the kits to the agency nursery
until he found another babysitter.

There was one more thing to do. He dialed Skylar’s number again,

and the seahorse answered in moments. “Any news?” he inquired.

“No, but I found some suspicious photos in Nico’s apartment. I

think someone has been watching us. We need to get everyone to a
safe place.”

“My house,” Skylar suggested without missing a heartbeat. “Since

the attack, my parents tripled the guards and the alarm systems. It’s
practically a fortress.”

“Great idea. Get my kits safe and call Soren and contact Liam

Denning-Holden as well. There were pictures of them, too, as well as
of the Williams-Wade family. They’re not safe where they’re living
now.”

“Will do. You find Nico, okay?”
Garth thanked his friend and snapped his phone shut. He would

not rest until Nicolas was again by his side.

* * * *

“Corb, I don’t know about this,” Preston said, biting his lip. “You

know Daddy told us to stay inside the agency at all times.”

Corbin glowered at him. “Do you want to see Mom or not? She

won’t be able to come here, and you know it.”

Truth be told, Preston didn’t really want to see his mother. She

gave him the creeps. Unlike Corbin, he didn’t remember her too well
from when they’d been younger. What had stuck with him, though,

Scarlet Hyacinth

was one conversation he’d heard between his parents. “I don’t want to
be a mother,” she’d said. “Just let them grow on their own.”

At the time, what that meant hadn’t really processed, and even

when she’d abandoned them, he hadn’t understood why. It was only
when their dad started bringing him and his brother to the agency that
he’d grasped the meaning of their words. If their father hadn’t insisted
on keeping them, Preston and Corbin would be like these children
here, without a family.

Still, Preston never went against his older brother, so he just

nodded. Corbin looked pleased and changed into his lynx form.
They’d slipped away from the nurses who were too busy with a small
fight between other cubs and hidden in a supply closet. The plan was
to change shapes and slip through the air ducts outside. It wasn’t a
bad idea, given their size, although if they got caught, they’d certainly
be punished.

Preston would have most likely gone with it anyway, but the door

to the supply closet opened. “Boys, what are you doing in here?”
Skylar Pierce asked. “You scared me half to death.”

Skylar was the only one other than their dad that Preston truly

liked without a problem. He felt his face flame at the man’s
expression of disapproval.

Corbin quickly turned into his legged form. “We were just

playing,” he lied with a straight face.

Skylar didn’t look like he believed them, but didn’t comment

further. “Come on. We’re leaving.”

“Leaving?” Preston repeated. “Leaving where?”
“You’re temporarily staying with me,” Skylar replied. “Hurry up.”
In that moment, Preston realized something wasn’t quite right.

Skylar seemed nervous and upset. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing,” the seahorse answered too quickly. “Nothing at all.”
“Where’s Dad?” Corbin must have sensed the wrongness of the

situation as well. “Can we talk to him?”

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

Skylar groaned. “He’s not here right now. Look, boys, your dad

has something very important to deal with. He’ll tell you about it
tonight. Now come along.”

Preston didn’t protest as Skylar pulled them out of the supply

closet, and neither did his brother. As Skylar loaded them in his car,
Preston couldn’t help but wonder what kind of problem had led their
dad to send them to Skylar’s. Was it Nicolas? Had Corbin been right
all along? Had Nicolas taken their place in their father’s heart? God,
Preston hoped not.

Corbin grabbed his hand and squeezed it comfortingly. “It’s

okay,” he mouthed. “Dad wouldn’t leave us.”

Preston nodded, unconvinced. In his mind, his mother’s words

sounded yet again. “Just let them grow on their own.”

* * * *

Nicolas cracked his eyes open and immediately closed them again

as a throbbing headache threatened to tear apart his skull. What had
happened? The last thing he remembered was… Going to the museum
to meet up with the mysterious caller. He’d been waiting for his
stalker to arrive, looking at the time, thinking about what Garth would
feel when he’d received the e-mail. After that, there was nothing at
all, no memory of what had happened.

Nicolas took a deep breath and tried to open his eyes again. This

time, he succeeded, but the only thing he could see was darkness,
absolute darkness. He experienced a brief moment of panic while he
believed he’d gone blind, but he then caught sight of a small speckle
of light close to his legs.

In that moment, his situation truly processed. He attempted to

move, but unsurprisingly, he couldn’t. Both his hands and his legs
were bound. His kidnappers had also gagged him, and the realization
almost made him laugh. He must have been even more out of it than
he’d originally thought if he hadn’t figured out the horrid taste in his

Scarlet Hyacinth

mouth was due to the rag stuffed in it. From there, it didn’t take a
genius to figure out the cramped space he currently found himself in
was the trunk of a vehicle.

Nicolas couldn’t say he was surprised. He’d known what to expect

when he’d gone to the meeting at the museum. He’d have liked to
know who exactly had kidnapped him, but he didn’t doubt that he’d
find out soon enough.

In a way, he was almost relieved. There would be no more

unanswerable questions, no more nightmares he couldn’t decipher. At
last, he would find out who he was and how he’d ended up in that
lonely forest in Mexico.

Unfortunately, his kidnappers seemed to intend to test his

patience. For a little while, Nicolas just waited in silence, but the heat
inside the trunk began to get stifling. Nicolas didn’t particularly have
problems with high temperatures, but the small space made his
breathing difficult and the tight bindings cut his circulation.

Nicolas decided to say fuck it and allowed the change to flow over

him. Human arms turned into tiny wings as he released himself from
the bindings. Of course, it would have been great if he’d been able to
find a hole in the trunk, but his kidnappers must have anticipated the
situation and made sure he couldn’t escape even if he did shift.

At last, Nicolas grew tired of waiting for something to happen.

Angry and frustrated, he changed back into human form and began to
kick at the metal. Finally, he drew a reaction from his kidnappers. The
car slowed down and stopped, and Nicolas held his breath as he heard
someone get out from the front.

The trunk lid popped open, and Nicolas shielded his eyes as light

suddenly hit him. At first, he couldn’t see the face of the person above
him. The only thing he could tell was that the gender of the kidnapper
in question, obviously male.

But Nicolas didn’t wait to see much else. He melted back into his

smaller form and shot outside through the now free space. He didn’t
get too far before a net trapped him midflight.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

“I don’t think so, little Nico-Chi,” a woman’s voice said. “You

wouldn’t want us to turn our attention to your dear friends again.”

Images assaulted Nicolas upon hearing the voice, memories of a

happier time, when his life had been his own and he hadn’t feared a
thing. “Come on, Nico-Chi,” the woman said. “Turn back. We have a
conversation pending.”

Nicolas obeyed, his mind reeling from the overwhelming

flashbacks. One of them provided the information he needed to know.
“Valentina? Is that you, hermana?”

The words fell from his lips easily even if he hadn’t spoken

Spanish in almost twenty years. God, his head hurt. What had
happened? Why did his sister hate him? He recalled the two of them
flying through the rainforest in shifted form, happy and carefree.
What had changed?

“Oh, so you remember me after all,” Valentina said. “And Alonso

thought you’d forgotten all about us.”

Nicolas turned toward the man who’d open the trunk. Alonso,

Valentina’s on-and-off boyfriend, his mind provided. Like Valentina
and Nicolas, he was also a hummingbird, and his most distinctive
feature was his large nose.

The sight of it sparked another memory in Nicolas’s mind.

Slowly, he reached for his own nose. It was, just like he remembered
it, cute and small. He looked at Valentina and noted that her own nose
was too large for her face.

The facts hidden in his mind resurfaced. For most bird shifters, the

size of the beak made no difference for the size of the shifter’s nose
when he or she changed shapes. However, hummingbirds were
different. All the members of his clan had big noses, everyone except
Nicolas.

His fractured mind couldn’t provide any reason for this difference

or if it had anything to do with the rupture between him and his
family. His memories made very little sense, coming to him in a
whirlpool that threatened to destabilize his consciousness.

Scarlet Hyacinth

“I… I don’t remember,” he told his sister. “What happened?”
“You betrayed us, Nico-Chi,” Alonso said. “You betrayed us, and

now it’s finally time to pay the price.”

Alonso pulled Nicolas up, and Nicolas stared at his sister, willing

her to say something. She never did. Before he could ask anything
else, a blow to his head sent him spiraling back into the darkness, and
this time there were no small lights to reassure him.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

Chapter Five

“I’m sorry, Garth.” Byron passed a hand through his hair, looking

genuinely agitated. “There’s simply no sign of him.”

Garth acknowledged his friend’s words with a nod. Something

had told him that finding Nicolas wouldn’t be so easy.

“You should go home, get some sleep,” Byron suggested. “We’ll

start anew in the morning.”

Garth let out a bitter laugh. “As if I can sleep.” Still, Byron had a

point. He needed to check on his sons. Skylar had called him earlier to
let him known Corbin and Preston were safe inside the Pierce
mansion, but Garth needed to see them, regardless. They were smart
boys, and they would figure out something wasn’t right. “I’m going to
Skylar’s to talk to the kits. Have you found any trace of that other lead
I mentioned?”

“Bella?” Byron frowned. “You really think your ex has something

to do with this?”

“I don’t know, but it’s worth a shot. She tried to use the boys

against Nico, so it’s clear enough that she’d do anything to get rid of
him.”

“Well, I’m looking into it, but nothing yet. Your babysitter

doesn’t know anything. Apparently, they met in different places
arranged by your ex. Bella seems to be keeping a low profile, but I’ll
find her.”

“Thanks.” Garth wasn’t exactly surprised about Byron’s lack of

success. Even with the shark’s great influence, it wouldn’t be easy to
comb to a city the size of LA. Garth wouldn’t have even known

Scarlet Hyacinth

where to begin. But Garth had hope. He needed to if he wanted to stay
sane.

“No problem,” his friend and former boss answered. “I’ll keep

trying to dig into Nico’s past. I’ve already started sending people to
find any other hummingbirds who reside within LA. We’ll come up
with something, you’ll see.”

Although Garth suspected the people who’d taken Nicolas weren’t

natives of the area, the idea had merit. Taking into account the smell
on the envelope, hummingbirds were definitely involved. Perhaps if
Byron found someone in the city, that person could lead them in the
right direction.

Garth and Byron made arrangements to see each other again in a

few hours, and then Garth headed out. Byron’s club, The Grinder, was
a good distance away from Skylar’s mansion, and his house had also
been in the same neighborhood. That changed when Byron met the
seahorse. He’d purchased a property in the proximity of the Pierce
family home, with the obvious intention to watch over Skylar. It was
sweet, in a somewhat disturbing way, but then again, Byron was a
shark. He didn’t know any better.

At the same time, this development made the trip from Byron’s

house to Skylar’s very short. In no time, he was driving through the
big gates of the Pierce compound. Like Skylar pointed out, security
had been tightened to the point of obsession, and it made Garth feel a
bit better, at least regarding his children’s safety.

He parked the car in the driveway and made his way inside.

Skylar met him in the foyer. “Hey,” the seahorse greeted him
sedately. “Still no luck?”

“No luck,” Garth confirmed. “I’m just checking up on the kits,

and then I’ll go back to the search. How are they?”

“Restless,” Skylar answered. “The presence of Soren’s pups has

helped, and Carson and I have been trying to distract them. It didn’t
work one hundred percent. They know something’s up.”

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

“Of course they do.” After all, Garth wouldn’t just take them from

their home for no reason. “I’ll talk to them.”

Skylar led him inside and toward one of the many living rooms

inside the big mansion. Even before Garth reached the room in
question, the door burst open and his two sons came running out.

“Daddy, you’re here,” Preston said as he hugged Garth.
“Of course I am,” Garth answered, lifting his youngest son in his

arms. “Where else would I be?”

Corbin pulled on his pant leg to draw his attention. “Dad, what’s

going on?”

Skylar gestured them to an adjoining empty room and discreetly

left Garth alone with his kits. As the door closed behind Skylar, Garth
sat with his children on a soft couch. “Boys, first of all, I want you to
know this has nothing to do with you. I’ve asked Skylar to house you
for a while because it’s safer, but beyond that, you’re not involved in
any way.”

“Daddy, what’s the matter?” Preston’s voice trembled as he

spoke. “You sound upset.”

“I know you’re old enough to understand how important it is for

this to be kept secret.” Garth took a deep breath and said the words
that tasted bitter on his tongue. “Nico disappeared.”

The kits’ eyes widened. “Is it because of the thing yesterday?”

Corbin asked. “Was he that angry? Did he really get sick?”

“I already told you it’s not that. There are some bad men after

him, and I believe they forced him to go. But don’t worry. I’ll find
him.”

He kissed his children’s foreheads and got up. “Listen to Skylar,

okay? I’ll come by as often as I can.”

“Okay, Dad,” Corbin answered. “We’ll be good. We promise.”
Garth hated to ask his kits this, but he knew he needed to do it.

“One more thing. Do you have any clue where your mom lives? I
need to talk to her about her visits.”

Scarlet Hyacinth

“We don’t really know,” Corbin answered. “Gina would take us to

the park, and Mom would meet us there.”

Garth sighed, scrapping that lead as well. Byron had told him

Gina didn’t know where Bella was, and Garth believed him. No one
ever dared to lie to Byron.

“Okay, boys. Thanks.” Garth smiled at his children once more and

gave them each a hug. “And before I forget. Nico had a message for
both of you.” His heart ached as he relayed the contents of the e-mail
to his children. “Corbin, you are to take care of me, and Preston,
you’re supposed to grow a spine and stop your brother from doing
stupid things. He also said he’s going to miss you.”

“Nico… said that?” Corbin stammered.
“In an e-mail.” Garth rubbed his eyes, feeling emotionally

exhausted. “Now I really must go, kits. Take care, okay? And listen to
Skylar.”

His kits hugged him one last time, and he left the room, meaning

to go back to Byron’s, perhaps come up with a plan to find Bella. In
the hallway, he ran into Soren and his brother, Brody. “Can we help
with anything?” Brody asked.

Garth considered the question then shook his head. Byron had

plenty of people at his disposal, and they would be searching for
Nicolas under threat of death. “It’s best if you just stayed here and
looked after everyone. I’ll let you know if anything comes up.”

The two werewolves nodded. “All right, Garth. Good luck.”
Garth thanked the men and, without further ado, left Skylar’s

home. Good luck, indeed. He would definitely need it.

* * * *

When Nicolas awoke, he’d been moved from the famous car

trunk, but his general situation hadn’t improved any. This new space
was larger, but, impossibly, even darker, so much so that Nicolas
couldn’t see a thing around him. It was quite shocking, since his

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

eyesight had always been great. Nicolas guessed it must be an
underground cell of sorts. His captors had not bothered to bind him,
though, something that unsettled Nicolas. Were they really so certain
that he couldn’t escape?

He sat there, musing over this and over all his questions.

Valentina. Alonso. What was it about them that he couldn’t
remember? And his own name? What did it mean? God, he couldn’t
take this anymore.

Nicolas changed into his hummingbird form, hoping a little flying,

even around the small cell, would put him into a better mood. It
didn’t. Instead, it made him even more restless. Hummingbirds
weren’t meant to be below ground. They were meant to bask in the
sun, feel the free air and the scent of flowers. This… this was wrong.
He turned back into his human form and leaned against the cool wall,
mentally begging for something, anything to happen.

Thankfully, his wait came to end when an unseen door opened.

The person entering the room carried a lamp, so Nicolas was spared
from the unbearable darkness. “Hello, Nicolas,” a male voice said.

Once more, Nicolas was struck by the familiarity of the voice.

Every little thing seemed to be triggering memories inside his brain.
“F–Father?”

“You’re remembering.” The man hung the lamp high on the wall.

Now, Nicolas could see him clearly. He recalled his father hugging
him, laughing, teaching him how to use various weaponry.

“Why am I here?”
His father snorted. “You’re here because we need you. Your

betrayal cost us dearly, and now you’re going to fix it.”

“But I have no idea what I did,” Nicolas shot back. “Tell me what

I did.”

“You ran,” the other man replied and spat at Nicolas’s feet. “You

dishonored yourself and your ancestors. Our family has been reaping
the results of your cowardice for the past twenty years. But no
longer.”

Scarlet Hyacinth

“I…don’t remember,” Nicolas replied weakly. “I don’t know what

to do.”

The older hummingbird laughed. “Of course you don’t. I hear

you’ve become a whore for our worst enemies. But I’m not surprised.
I can expect anything from you right now.”

“Father,” Nicolas tried again, “what happened? Why do you all

hate me? We…we were happy once.”

His sire looked away. “Yes, we were.” His voice softened, turning

into a low murmur. “Believe me, Nico-Chi, I would do anything to go
back to that time.” His tone hardened once more, and piercing black
eyes fixed on Nicolas again. “But we can’t, and you have to pay the
price of retribution. You are the blessed one, Nicolas, and that won’t
ever change.”

The words sparked a tidal wave of memory in Nicolas’s mind. He

clutched his forehead and screamed as he remembered…

1990, somewhere in Northern Mexico

Nicolas stared at himself in the large ornate mirror, his heart

beating faster and faster. This was it, the night when he’d finally
become a man.

Today was his fifteenth birthday. Today, when he shifted, he

would receive the gift of his ancestors. He’d been training for this
ever since he’d be old enough to shift into his legged form. From
today on, he would become a great warrior like his father.

From ancient times, their lands had been in danger from other

shifters inhabiting the rainforest. They shared a border with the
ocelots who worshipped the jaguar god, Tezcatlipoca, and the snakes
who brought offerings to the feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl. The
snakes mostly left them be these days, but the ocelots made often
incursions within hummingbird lands. Thankfully, the hummingbirds’
sun god, Huitzilopochtli, helped them, granting them the speed and
agility necessary to fight off their enemies. And today, on Nicolas’s

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

coming of age, he would grant one final gift, the one that would allow
Nicolas to become a true soldier of his clan.

His sister burst inside the room, looking as excited as he did.

“Come on, Nico-Chi,” she said. “Hurry it up. It’s starting.”

Nicolas turned to Valentina. “What do you think, Val-Coza?”
She beamed at him. “You look great. My little brother, finally a

man. Who’d have thought it?”

Their mother appeared through the open door and glowered at

them both. “What are you doing chatting? It’s almost time.”

As Valentina left, Nicolas’s mother gave him a weepy smile. “My

baby. I can’t believe you’ve grown up so fast.”

Nicolas accepted a hug from his mother. He loved her dearly, and

her affection always calmed his nerves.

She broke away from him far too quickly. “Go on,” she said. “The

ceremony is about to start.”

With that, Nicolas’s mother ushered him out of the room. The

beads on his cloak twinkled, reminding him of his own chirp. As they
left the house, the sun’s rays hit the golden embroidery on their
clothing, making them shine.

There were lots of people gathered in front of their home, both

young men and women who’d come of age and older folk who’d come
to watch the ceremony. Valentina had taken her place at their father’s
side and their mother joined the rest of the family as Nicolas mingled
with the rest of the group.

The elder appeared in front of them and started to utter their

names. Nicolas’s mind whirled when he heard his own name called
out. Nicolas Chimalli Huitzilin.

In ceremonies, the Huitzilin clan always used their full warrior

names, granted to them to honor the Aztec ancestors. Nicolas’s name
meant “Shield,” something he secretly found very appropriate. He
wanted to be a shield, a shield for his family, the Huitzilin—the Aztec
hummingbirds of the Mexican rainforest. On the other hand,

Scarlet Hyacinth

Valentina’s name, Cozamalotl, meant rainbow. It suited her, since
females were meant to bring glee and hope in their lives.

Like all youths, Nicolas respected his past greatly, but at the same

time, he was glad it was just that, the past. His people no longer made
blood sacrifices to their sun god. Instead, Huitzilopochtli received
from them all their devotion, song, and most earnest worship.

They all held their breaths as they waited for the sun to reach

zenith. At last, the elder said the words the entire gathering needed to
hear. The older men and women fell on their knees, while the youths
all changed into their hummingbird form.

Priests gathered around them and hundreds of flower petals fell

over them. Almost instantly, Nicolas felt an amazing heat flow
through him. It was simply magical.

At last, the rain of petals ended and the feeling began to fade. At a

sign from the elder, all the youths changed back into their legged
form. Now, their noses were identical to those of the rest of the clan,
huge and beautiful.

Nicolas beamed, a feeling of accomplishment washing over him.

But then, silence fell over the gathering. All eyes were on Nicolas, and
apprehension gripped him. The elder headed toward him and the rest
of the youths parted to make way.

The older hummingbird hugged him. “Welcome to the clan,

blessed one.”

Nicolas was confused. He’d never seen such behavior in all his

life as a hummingbird. Granted, he and his sister didn’t live in the
main hummingbird center, but with their mother, deep in the
rainforest. Nicolas only came here to see his father and receive
training, while Valentina did so to socialize and find potential males.
Since he’d been too young, he’d never participated in official
ceremonies and his knowledge only came from his parents. Was this
behavior normal?

The elder broke the hug and smiled, obviously noticing Nicolas’s

confusion. He gestured with his hand and moments later, one of the

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

priests provided a shiny mirror. Nicolas took it and stared at his
reflection. He looked absolutely the same. His nose hadn’t changed in
the slightest.

“But… Why?”
“You are our blessed one,” the elder replied. “Now come. We

must celebrate.”

Put at ease by his leader’s words, Nicolas went with the older

hummingbird. He didn’t know what “blessed one” meant, but he
decided it didn’t matter. His people and his family would show him
what he needed to do from now on.

Nicolas took deep breaths, trying to draw out every possible

memory from the flashback. It was useless. He still couldn’t figure
out why his family hated him.

He looked up at his father, always aware of his sire’s eyes on him.

“What do you intend to do with me?”

“For the moment, nothing,” the other man replied enigmatically.

“But your time will come, and on that day, you’ll at last wash the
shame you brought upon our family.”

With those final words, Nicolas’s father took the lantern and left

the cell. The heavy door closed behind him, and Nicolas was left in
the darkness once again, struggling alone with his faceless demons.

Scarlet Hyacinth

Chapter Six

A few weeks later

Preston stole a look at his father, and tears emerged in his eyes.

He’d never seen his dad like this. Ever since Nicolas had disappeared,
Preston’s father had fallen more and more into despair.

Oh, he still tried to pretend. Whenever Preston and Corbin were

around, he smiled at them and hugged them with the same affection as
before. But Preston could feel the difference in his father. It was as if
the older lynx was slowly withering inside. Even now, as they sat at
the table together, he was only pretending to eat.

Everyone else seemed concerned as well. Preston could see it in

Skylar and also in all of the other people present. When they thought
Preston and Corbin weren’t watching, they gave Garth worried looks.

Preston focused on his plate and did his best to hold his sorrow in

check. The conversation that buzzed around him passed him by. He
was thankful for their presence. Soren, his brother, Brody, and their
friend, Liam, took turns in going out with Garth to try to find Nicolas.
Carson, Brody’s mate, helped Skylar with taking care of all the
children in the house, and Preston had taken to spending a lot of time
with the lamb-shifter. He was nice, and he told happy stories, stories
that sometimes made him believe Nicolas would return and they’d be
happy after all. He also liked Shiloh a lot. The swan shifter was
funny, and when he and Carson sang, it soothed a part of Preston that
had rarely known gentleness.

Rather, when they sang, Preston remembered Nicolas. Before

Preston’s mother had showed up, Preston had actually allowed

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

Nicolas to get close. He remembered times when they would go to
visit Nicolas in his workplace, a large, beautiful bookstore. Nicolas
would show both him and Corbin around and tell them stories about
different places all over the world. He’d even given them books as
presents. Preston still kept those books and, now that Nicolas was
gone, spent his time reading through them.

All throughout dinner, Preston thought about those times and

those stories. He wondered if he’d ever see the inside of Nicolas’s
bookstore again. He wondered his dad would find his genuine smile
or if their lives had forever been robbed of that warmth.

The meal ended on a somber note. Skylar’s parents gestured for

the servants to clean the table and to bring them dessert. Preston
opened his mouth to decline. He did like sweets, but he wasn’t in the
mood for eating anything.

“Father, can we be excused?” Corbin asked, obviously guessing

Preston’s thoughts.

Their dad gave them a surprised look. “But your dessert… Don’t

you want to eat it?”

“Maybe later,” Preston answered.
“Perhaps we could have the cake taken to the children’s room,”

Mrs. Pierce suggested. “Is that okay with you, Garth?”

“Yes, thank you, Mrs. Pierce,” Preston’s dad replied. “Okay,

boys. You can go play.”

Preston and Corbin thanked their father and rushed out of the

dining room. Preston still wasn’t sure what to believe about the
Pierces. They were always very kind to Preston and his brother.
Besides, how many people were willing to receive a dozen strangers
in their home, just like that? Even if he was young, Preston knew very
few would be so nice. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that,
whenever Mr. and Mrs. Pierce looked at his dad, there was a degree
of tension in them.

Sighing, Preston followed behind his brother, unsurprised when

their steps led them toward the big gardens. All of a sudden, Corbin

Scarlet Hyacinth

stopped dead in his tracks. There was someone talking in front of
them, two guards if Preston guessed right.

“I don’t think Mr. Mckenna will find Mr. Shields,” a male voice

said. “Too much time has passed.”

“He’s getting careless,” another man answered. “He’s not even

trying to keep his actions a secret anymore.”

“I know,” a woman whispered. “Just the other day, I overheard

him talking on the phone about his ex.”

“Mr. Mckenna thinks she’s involved, right?” the first man

inquired.

“It’s quite likely,” the second man added. “I’ve worked with Mr.

Pierce for years, and I remember her. She was not a pleasant person.
One time, she—” He suddenly stopped speaking. “Hey, do you feel
that?” he asked, voice cautious.

Preston knew the guards must have sensed them. Corbin grabbed

his arm, and they made a dash for their room. They reached their
destination with no incident. As soon as the closed door was behind
them, Preston gave his brother an earnest look. “Do you really think
Mom could have done something like that?” he asked.

Corbin seemed thoughtful. “I don’t know, but we have to find out.

We’re the only ones who can do it.”

“But how?” Preston inquired. They couldn’t get out of the Pierce

compound and, even if they did, they wouldn’t know where to even
start searching.

“We need help,” Corbin answered. “We can’t leave the mansion

on our own.”

Preston’s eyes widened at his brother’s words. Corbin always

tried to be as independent as possible. Apparently, Corbin wanted
Nicolas to be found more than he’d admitted. “But who would help us
sneak out of here? Skylar?”

Preston considered the suggestion, but shook his head. “Daddy

would never allow us to go outside, and Skylar would never be able to

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

hide the plan. Maybe Shiloh.” The swan was very fond of Nicolas and
was more likely to try a daring idea.

Corbin didn’t seem convinced. “It won’t work. They’ll never

agree.” He took a deep breath. “Let’s just talk to Dad. We have to
trust that he’ll know what to do.”

Preston nodded. “But first, let’s ask Skylar to lend us a hand.

We’ll need all the help we can get.”

* * * *

“No, absolutely not.” Garth glowered at his two kits. “I refuse to

risk you.”

He was touched by his sons’ offer, but at the same time, he knew

he could never take it.

He’d been searching for Nicolas and Bella for weeks now, with no

luck. At the same time, all the hummingbirds in Los Angeles seemed
to have disappeared. There had never actually been all that many, at
least not to Garth’s knowledge. On one occasion, Byron’s men had
managed to track down one particular hummingbird, but they’d
missed their target. From that point on, their search had been in vain.
Since hummingbirds were, by nature, cautious, they must have left the
city entirely.

For Garth, their inability to find a lead meant both Bella and the

people who’d taken Nicolas were even more dangerous than he’d
originally thought. He couldn’t chance getting his kits hurt by
involving them in this.

“But, Dad, if we convince Mom that you want her back, we can

get her to talk and tell us the truth.” Corbin gave Garth a pleading
look. “We could bring Nicolas back.”

“Maybe it’s an idea worth considering,” Skylar suggested gently.

If the words had come from anyone else, Garth would have exploded,
but he knew the seahorse meant well.

Scarlet Hyacinth

“Skylar, they’re just kids. What could we possibly have them do

to find Bella?”

“What if you released the rumor that you were in the market for a

mate again?” Skylar suggested. “Bella might try to approach you or
the boys.”

That wasn’t a bad plan, and it wouldn’t involve risking Preston

and Corbin. Still, the mere thought of denying his bond with Nicolas
made Garth sick to his stomach.

He forced his nausea back and nodded. “All right. Start making

arrangements at the agency. I’ll talk to Byron to keep things low key
from now on.”

“What do we do?” Preston asked.
“You wait,” Garth told his son. “We all have to wait.”
It wouldn’t be as easy as his children thought. Even if Bella did

want him back, she would be reluctant to approach him. It would take
forever for her arrogance to defeat her caution.

Still, a far-fetched plan was better than no plan. At present, the

only lead they had was Nicolas’s Mexican roots, but searching
beyond the borders of the United States proved to be more difficult
than expected. The area was controlled by hostile shape-shifters who
didn’t believe in cooperation. Byron might have been able to draw
something out of them, but they all hid in the rainforest, where sea
creatures had a significant disadvantage. Garth himself had tried to go
there, to sniff out his mate, but he’d failed abysmally in finding one
single trace. There were simply too many scents in the rainforest.
Even if Nicolas had been there, Garth couldn’t feel him.

So Garth agreed to Skylar’s suggestion. As the seahorse ushered

the kids out of the room, Garth picked up his phone and dialed. God,
he hoped this worked because he was running out of ideas and out of
time.

* * * *

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

One week later

Corbin and Preston sat together in the large garden of the agency.

There were other kids around, but no one in specific either of them
wanted to play with. These days, they made it their business to stay
within sight of the building, but not close enough so as to scare their
mother away.

Corbin knew now that he’d made a serious mistake in pushing

Nicolas out of their lives. He couldn’t understand why their mother
had sought them out in the first place, and he wanted to find out. He
wanted to know if she truly didn’t care about them and if she’d used
them.

He hated the thought, but he could see the suspicion every time he

looked in his brother’s eyes. When Nicolas had been around, Preston
never had that sad look. Corbin wanted to fix it.

Still, as the days passed, Corbin had begun to believe that their

mother would not approach them. Their plan would fail, and Nicolas
would never be found. The only reason why they went through the
motions each day was that they couldn’t give up.

But today turned out to be different. Corbin sensed his mother

approach and hope rekindled inside him. They were far enough away
from the agency so that fewer guards were around, so they’d have to
stall until everyone could get into position and trap her.

It was surreal that he’d even think that about his own mom. A part

of him still wanted her to be by his side, still craved her affection. But
Corbin had never been one to dwell too much on untruths. He
understood more than adults gave him credit for. Perhaps it made him
a little pushy with his brother, but he always meant well.

He’d wanted so much to have a family, and he didn’t realize that

he’d already had it until Nicolas disappeared. Now, he would fix it—
for his dad and for Preston, but also for himself and Nicolas.

Scarlet Hyacinth

Their mother approached them, emerging from the trees that

formed a pleasant plant barrier between the agency and the concrete
jungle outside. “Hi, children.”

“Hello, Mommy.” Preston smiled at her, looking genuinely

excited.

“We missed you,” Corbin added.
“So did I.” She sat by their side, and for a brief moment, Corbin

hesitated. Was he truly doing the right thing? She was his mother,
after all, and there were no real clues that she’d been the one to cause
Nicolas’s disappearance. He desperately needed to know, to make
sure.

“Have you heard? The hummingbird’s gone.”
He imagined the moment when they would find Nicolas and

managed to add a dose of satisfaction to his voice. His mother took
the bait. “I heard.” She laughed. “Well, just between you and me, of
course he is. What kind of mother would I be if I didn’t get rid of that
stupid intruder trying to steal our happiness?”

“It was you?” Preston asked. He sounded shocked and upset, and

Corbin immediately popped up to cover his brother’s mistake. “Wow,
I didn’t realize that you could do something like that.”

“Let’s just say I have friends in right places.”
“I would love to meet those friends.” The voice of Byron

Cunningham came strong and clear as day, closer than Corbin
expected. He hadn’t felt a thing, and apparently, neither had his
mother. She shot to his feet and turned around to face the new arrival.

Corbin secretly admired Byron. He never got to see his dad’s

friend much, since for whatever reason, Byron didn’t come by
Skylar’s place or the agency. However, he’d met the man a couple of
times, and he’d immediately liked him. There was just something
about him, a strength that made Corbin trust him. It wasn’t discreet,
like Nicolas’s, but rather, veiled, hidden. Now that Byron was here,
Corbin knew they’d be all right. His mother would have probably felt

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

approaching guards and then all the plan would have been for
nothing.

“W–Who are you?”
To a certain extent, it surprised Corbin that his mom didn’t know

Byron, but he supposed it was for the best. Perhaps she would have
never approached them had she been aware of the aid the man offered
Corbin’s dad.

Byron didn’t bother to reply. He grabbed her arm and began to

lead her toward the agency. “Come along, boys,” he said pleasantly.
“Your mom and I have a little conversation pending.”

Corbin’s mom hissed angrily, and her form rippled as she began

to shift. Before she could do so, though, there was a slight change in
the air, as if the atmosphere were charged with electricity. “Don’t
even think about it.” Byron’s tone was as polite and calm as ever.
“Just come quietly and you won’t be harmed.”

After that, Corbin’s mother didn’t protest further. She seemed to

have forgotten about Corbin and Preston altogether. For that reason,
Corbin was glad when they reached the main building and found his
dad waiting, with Skylar by his side.

“Bella, how nice of you to join us,” Garth said.
Skylar and Byron exchanged a look Corbin didn’t really

understand, and then Byron averted his gaze. Skylar took Corbin and
Preston’s hands and began to usher them away. “Let’s go, boys. Your
parents need to talk now.”

Corbin went without comment. He still felt odd about

participating in his mom’s capture, but remembering the evil way
she’d boasted about hurting Nicolas made him feel better. He only
hoped that she did indeed know something and the hummingbird
would be returned to them soon.

* * * *

Scarlet Hyacinth

Garth entered his office, with his friend dragging Bella along

behind him. As the door closed, ensuring their privacy, Garth grabbed
her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes. “Where is Nico? What
have you done to him?”

“I haven’t done anything to your whore,” Bella spat back.
Garth wondered how he could force her to tell him what she

knew. He didn’t have to come up with any plan. Byron helped him
out.

“Just tell the truth.” Shivers went down Garth’s spine at Byron’s

tone. “We wouldn’t want your children to hear you screaming.”

It was always a wonder to hear Byron speak like that. The shark

had never used that tone on Garth, and yet, he still wanted to expose
his neck and do whatever Byron asked him to. It was almost like a
hypnotizing force that only Byron had.

Predictably, Bella wasn’t immune. “I–I didn’t do anything. It

was…the hummingbirds.”

“The hummingbirds,” Byron repeated. “Which ones? Who?”
Bella took a deep breath. “Remember my sister? Well, she had a

boyfriend, an ocelot living in Mexico. I went there to visit her and ran
straight into a guerilla war. Oddly, the hummingbirds were winning,
and I ended up a captive.

“I’d randomly told my sister you’d hooked up with a

hummingbird named Nicolas, and when we were caught, they found
out. They started asking questions. I was afraid. I had to tell them
everything I knew about Nicolas and his friends.”

She stopped, as if having trouble speaking. “What else?” Garth

prodded.

“They came here and brought me along. They had me contact the

kids to make Nicolas’s life difficult.” She shrugged. “It was no
hardship to me. I didn’t know what they wanted with him, but I
figured they’d eventually go away once they were done with Nicolas.
Then, one day, they just left. I’m guessing they took your little whore
with them.”

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

“I need names, places. Where were you exactly? Who did you talk

to?”

“I never heard family names. There was a woman named

Valentina and a man with her. He was the one who mentioned her
name while I was present. They didn’t introduce themselves or
anything like that.” She paused, as if deep in thought. “They kept
referring to Nicolas as Nico-Chi. As for the place, I can draw you a
map if you like. I don’t think the ocelots will be very helpful, but they
hate the hummingbirds, so they might point you in the right direction,
anyway.”

“In the rainforest, then.” God, Garth had been so close to his mate

and failed in finding him. “Hurry up and draw the map. We leave
tonight.”

Scarlet Hyacinth

Chapter Seven

The jungle was hot and oppressive around Garth. He wiped his

brow with a cloth, wishing he could simply change in his second form
and be done with it. His beast wouldn’t feel much more comfortable
in this environment, but at least he’d release some of the tension
inside him.

Of course, he couldn’t shift, for two reasons. The first one was

that he needed to carry his backpack of supplies and he would never
be able to do that in lynx form. More importantly, their ocelot guide
was already very jumpy around Garth and his company. Like Bella
had said, the ocelots weren’t very welcoming or open to strangers, but
some coaxing from Byron’s part led them to agree to supply them
with a guide up to the borders with the hummingbirds’ lands. From
there, they were on their own, since the ocelots didn’t know what lay
beyond those borders, either.

In spite of the fact that he didn’t have his mate’s exact location,

Garth still felt a bit optimistic about this. He could sense that with
every step he grew closer and closer to Nicolas. The rainforest was,
indeed, labyrinthine, and he’d never have found his way on his own,
but with the help of the ocelot guide, they were getting there.

Several hanging plants tried to stop their progress, but Garth and

his party removed them with their sharp machetes. The insects were
harder to dissuade. However, shape-shifters didn’t much care about
bug bites beyond the fact they were annoying. No animals made their
appearance, and slowly but surely, the group progressed through the
wet jungle.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

At last, the ocelot guide stopped. “I’m not going any further,” he

said in broken English. “This land is unmapped by my people.”

“All right,” Garth replied. “Thank you. Let’s go, everyone.”
They left the ocelot behind and began to advance on their own.

Everyone was silent, aware of the high stakes of their expedition. At
one point, Brody, Soren, and Liam made their way to Garth’s side. “I
think I noticed something in the trees,” Brody whispered.

“The hummingbirds,” Liam added.
Garth gave the werewolves a barely perceivable nod. He’d noticed

it, too. They were being watched. The hummingbirds were
remarkably well camouflaged, but while they could trick Garth’s
sight, his other senses told him where his enemies were. Still, he felt a
touch reassured that the werewolves had realized it as well. He was
glad they’d insisted on coming along. Nicolas meant a lot to all of
them, and Garth trusted that with the help of their friends, he’d be
able to recover his mate.

They kept on walking, pretending to be unaware of the

hummingbirds’ scrutiny. With every second that passed, Garth got
more and more nervous. What were they waiting for? Why weren’t
they attacking?

All of a sudden, Garth froze in his tracks. He shared a look with

the werewolves, who looked just as apprehensive as he felt. Secure in
his knowledge that something was wrong, Garth knelt in the grass,
grabbed a nearby twig, and tossed it in front of him. Hundreds of
arrows clouded the sky and spikes shot from the trees. Had they not
felt the traps, they would have been killed.

He wasn’t really surprised about the presence of the traps. The

ocelots had mentioned the practice was quite common in the area.
Their guide had taken them around the ones placed by ocelots, but
had pointed out other shape-shifters used them as well, including the
hummingbirds.

With the traps disarmed, their enemies saw no reason to remain in

the shadows. Garth and his friends ducked as bullets swept over their

Scarlet Hyacinth

position. They managed to find refuge in the heavy foliage. Without
waiting for one single moment, Garth dumped his pack and his
clothes and changed into his feline form. He had guns with him, of
course, but the rainforest was the turf of the beast. He could fight
better in this shape.

He knew the hummingbirds would be used to striking back

against felines and other carnivores, but the silent ferocity with which
they did so still surprised him. They were protecting something or
someone, he realized as he dodged an expertly thrown dagger.

Decision coursed through him. These warriors might be entirely

justified in guarding their land, but Garth couldn’t care less. He
wanted to get his mate back, and he would go through anything or
anyone to do so.

His body went into battle mode, and he shut down his emotions,

much like he’d been doing these past weeks to simply survive. He
climbed into the trees where their attackers were hiding and leaped
toward his opponent. They went down through the vegetation and hit
the ground, with Garth on top of the hummingbird. The man seemed
dazed at the counterattack—the ocelots must have a different style of
fighting—and Garth took advantage of the fact. He shifted back into
his human form and with a few well-applied punches, knocked the
other man out.

All around him, there were other people fighting. Chaos reigned

for a few moments until at last Byron took control of the situation.
“Stop!” he shouted.

Everybody froze. The air became charged with electricity. Byron

looked angry, angrier than Garth had ever seen him. “You will show
us where Nicolas Shields is,” he said, his voice strikingly calm. He
picked up one of the hummingbirds and gave the man a penetrating
look. “Won’t you?”

To his credit, the man didn’t immediately reply. When Byron

shook him, the hummingbird seemed to snap out of his daze. “I’m not

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

afraid to die, monster,” he told Byron. “I will go like a warrior, not a
traitor.”

Garth was disturbed by the words. He could hear the fanaticism

behind them, as well as the disdain. The word traitor unsettled Garth
greatly, since he had the impression the hummingbird was referring to
a specific person, most likely Nicolas.

Byron didn’t look put out by it, though. He seemed to make a

decision, and all of a sudden, he allowed his power to flow over them.
It threatened to choke Garth, even more so than when Byron had done
similar things in the past. He now knew that his friend had never truly
shown the full extent of his abilities. In all his time with the
Cunningham family, Garth had never figured out why Byron’s power
was so much greater than that of Heathcliff or any other shifter he’d
encountered. It was a mystery, a secret everyone seemed to fear.
Right then and there, Garth could understand why.

The hummingbird went ashen and started rambling in his own

language. Garth didn’t understand much, but he thought the man had
started to address Byron as Huitzilopochtli. Byron took it all in stride
and repeated his question regarding Nicolas’s location.

This time, the hummingbird was much more receptive. “Of

course,” he said. “We realize you probably wanted him earlier, but he
fled and we only found him now.”

Byron didn’t comment, maintaining a somber silence. Garth

wisely kept his mouth shut as well. It was only when the
hummingbird spoke again that he could not manage to remain quiet.
“We will send a message ahead to get him ready for you,” the helpful
man said.

“No!” Garth shouted. When the hummingbird gave him an

alarmed look, he hastily added, “He is not to be touched by anyone
else than our lord.”

Byron’s lips twisted into a barely visible smile, but it disappeared

at once. “It’s not necessary,” he said. “Just take us there.”

Scarlet Hyacinth

Thankfully, the hummingbird group obeyed and nothing more was

said. Those who’d shifted during the battle, including Garth, retrieved
new outfits from their packs and dressed. They started walking once
more, this time following their unlikely guides. It was only at that
moment that Garth finally took in the peculiarity of their appearance.
All of them, with no exception, had huge noses.

Garth wondered if this was something typical to hummingbirds.

Once again, he wished he’d been able to find shifters of this species in
Los Angeles. Other than what he saw here, he had no standard of
comparison. But if he judged by this group, Nicolas, with his cute
button nose, was obviously the odd one out. Could he have been
persecuted because of this difference?

It was entirely possible and not unusual among shape-shifters, or

humans for that matter. Those who were different were always treated
like crap. To a certain extent, Garth himself had suffered from this,
being at the receiving end of many insults from other felines. But he’d
had his kits and many friends to help him out. Nicolas obviously
hadn’t been so lucky.

At this point, Garth couldn’t fix the past. He only hoped they

would reach their destination before it was too late.

* * * *

Garth pressed his lips to Nicolas’s, groaning lightly as their

mouths made contact. “Love, you taste so good…”

Nicolas wrapped his arms around Garth, pulling his lover closer.

The feel of Garth’s erection against his ass aroused him beyond
measure. He wanted to feel the lynx’s prick invade him, to have that
delicious length breech his ass. God, only Garth could make him feel
like that, like he was in the center of the sun, showered by the warm
rays. He burned inside out from the heat of Garth’s passion.

Garth lifted Nicolas in his lap, and as the lynx’s hands travelled

over his naked skin, Nicolas buried his face in the other man’s neck,

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

breathing in the deep scent of man and power. It was something he
valued more than anything, that unique aroma. He’d never
experienced lovemaking through all of his senses, and it made him
drunk with anticipation.

Garth kneaded Nicolas’s naked buttocks, his strong fingers

reaching between the ass cheeks and to Nicolas’s fluttering hole. As
one dry digit rubbed against the opening, Nicolas gasped and pushed
himself down in a futile attempt to take it in.

Garth tsked and kissed the hollow of Nicolas’s neck, a

particularly sensitive spot. “Be patient, love,” the lynx murmured
against his skin.

Garth flipped him on all fours, and Nicolas accepted his mate’s

desires, positioning himself to receive Garth’s cock. He wiggled his
ass, wordlessly demanding what he needed, what they both needed.
For his effort, he got a slap across his ass.

Oddly, it didn’t hurt. Instead, the pain pooled straight into his

prick, making him want Garth even more. A cry-chirp escaped
Nicolas, and he couldn’t help but beg, “Please, Garth.”

Once more, his mate spread his ass cheeks, but this time, it wasn’t

a finger that teased Nicolas’s hole. Instead, Garth’s feline, raspy
tongue swept over his crease. The sinful caress almost triggered his
orgasm. It felt so good to have Garth’s mouth exploring his innermost
recesses. When Garth touched him like this, he wasn’t afraid of
anything anymore. He truly felt that he’d given Garth every inch of
his body, and his soul and mind wouldn’t delay in following. It
comforted him, because he wanted to share every secret he had with
Garth, to tell the lynx how much love existed within him.

Garth’s tongue wormed its way inside Nicolas’s passage, gently

preparing the way for a harsher invasion. Nicolas pushed back
against his mate, fucking Garth’s face, loving every minute of it. He’d
almost reached the brink of climax even without touching himself.
God, that tongue drove him wild, piercing him like a little, strikingly
flexible cock. Every nerve in Nicolas’s body was alight with need and

Scarlet Hyacinth

sensation. Soon, he was reduced to incoherent mumblings, no longer
able to even string two sentences together.

Not that it mattered. Garth always knew what he needed and knew

the exact moment when to take Nicolas on the highest peaks. Indeed,
moments later, Garth removed his tongue from Nicolas’s anus and
kissed his nape. “Ready, love?” he asked in a husky tone.

Nicolas could only nod. He bit his lip as Garth positioned his

prick at his hole and pushed in. Relaxed by the rimming session, his
muscles yielded to the skilful penetration. In one single motion, Garth
slid home.

The sensation of being impaled felt even more amazing than

Nicolas remembered. He might have tried to stay quiet, but Garth’s
cock hit his prostate and Nicolas’s mind melted in a shower of stars.

Wild with lust, Nicolas thrust back against his mate, needing more

of the delicious penetration. He let out a keening chirp when Garth
pulled out, but it was swallowed by his own scream when his lover
thrust back inside. God, he couldn’t get enough. Garth’s prick
stretched him so perfectly, reaching depths no one had ever reached.
They simply fit together.

Tears streamed down Nicolas’s face as the sexual pleasure mixed

with emotional fulfillment. And then, Garth reached in front of
Nicolas and enclosed his dick in a tight fist. Nicolas couldn’t take it
anymore. Crying out his mate’s name, he came, his orgasm sweeping
through him like a tidal wave.

When he began to recover, Nicolas opened his eyes, wanting more

than ever to tell Garth the words he’d never had the courage to say.
But as his vision focused, he found himself all alone in his dark, damp
cell.

At first, his reality didn’t truly process. After all, how could he

have possibly thought he had Garth with him in such an awful place?
Perhaps his orgasm had short-circuited his brain cells and he couldn’t
take in his environment anymore.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

But any attempt of self-deception was in vain, and Nicolas finally

acknowledged the truth. He remained in captivity, in a deep, dark hole
in the ground where time had no meaning and daylight never reached.

The only reason why Nicolas even acknowledged the weeks he’d

spent buried here was that the sun outside called out to him and his
inner calendar marked every passing day, every time the beautiful
sphere of flame disappeared for the night.

He’d given up on ever being found, but much to his dismay, his

dreams of Garth never ceased. His only comfort was that the
loneliness his captors abandoned him in meant that no one would see
him in the throes of a wet dream.

Nicolas chuckled bitterly to himself. Could he get even more

pathetic and ridiculous? Here he was, at the end of his entire life,
having sex dreams about Garth. How strange that nightmares plagued
him when he’d been free and living by Garth’s side, and now, when
those nightmares had come true, he would lose himself in reveries of
Garth.

He still wondered what was going to happen to him. Other than

the occasional servant who brought him his meals, no one ever came
to see him. His family hadn’t visited him again since his father’s
appearance. His mother hadn’t showed up, and the only familiar voice
he heard from time to time was Alonso’s.

Nicolas leaned against the cool wall and closed his eyes. It didn’t

make much difference—even with his eyes open, he couldn’t see a
thing—but somehow, keeping them closed soothed him. He
remembered the images from his dreams and wondered what Garth
was doing. Had the lynx forgotten about him already? What about the
kits? Were they happy they’d gotten rid of Nicolas?

He was startled from his musings when he suddenly heard loud

voices outside. It was odd, since whenever someone spoke, they were
very careful to keep the volume low so that he wouldn’t overhear.

“It’s not time for it yet,” Nicolas’s father was saying. “We need to

wait.”

100

Scarlet Hyacinth

“We can’t wait any longer,” another voice answered. Nicolas

identified it as belonging to the elder hummingbird.

“But, Elder, you know it yourself,” a woman protested. “The next

eclipse is in more than a decade. It’s useless.”

Nicolas recognized the woman as his mother, and his heart ached

as memories began to assault him again. He pushed them all away and
tried to focus on the conversation taking place outside.

“Are you questioning me?” the elder shot back. Even from his

isolated room, Nicolas could hear the anger in the tone.

“Of course not, Elder,” Nicolas’s mom answered, “but you have

to understand that there’s no need for Nico-Chi—”

She didn’t get to finish the phrase. Nicolas heard her cry out and

knew the elder had hurt her somehow. “Silence,” the old
hummingbird said. “You two are weak. This is why your son ended
up a coward and shamed your family.

“I will not allow him to skirt his responsibility again. With these

intruders upon us, we need the help of the guards to stave the
invasion.”

“Elder, I’m sure our warriors can handle whatever the ocelots can

throw at us,” Nicolas’s father tried to say. “It’s probably nothing.”

“The ocelots have never been so daring before. Furthermore, our

men haven’t contacted us since they left, so I must assume the worse.
I did plan to wait until the next eclipse to do this, but circumstances
have changed. We need help.”

A mix of hope and dread swirled in Nicolas’s chest. From what he

could tell, someone had invaded hummingbird lands. Nicolas didn’t
know how, but he knew it was Garth coming to rescue him.

On the other hand, the elder seemed determined to hurt him.

Nicolas wasn’t sure what doing his duty entailed, but it didn’t take a
genius to realize he wouldn’t like it very much.

The door opened and at last, the elder walked in, followed by

guards. Nicolas’s mother and father were in the doorway. “Take him,”
the elder hummingbird said.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

101

There were too many guards for Nicolas to try a daring escape. He

had an incredible feeling of déjà-vu, but he couldn’t quite grasp the
memory just within his reach. In the end, he allowed the soldier to
manhandle him out of the dark cell.

Outside, his father and mother were waiting. Nicolas couldn’t help

but feel a bit relieved when he saw the tears in his mom’s eyes. It
wasn’t that he wanted her to be in pain, but selfishly, he
acknowledged the fact that this sorrow meant she still loved him.
Even his dad who’d been so angry when he’d come to see Nicolas,
even he seemed heartbroken.

Of course, this meant something very bad would happen soon.

Nicolas straightened his spine and readied himself for the worse. He
would need every ounce of his remaining strength if he wanted to get
out of here alive.

The guards directed him on a stone staircase, and they emerged in

a sunny grove. Nicolas’s eyes hurt from all the light after being in
absolute darkness for weeks. Even so, the rays of the sun did wonders
for his mood. Perhaps he’d be able to release himself after all.

A hard nudge from a guard reminded him of the seriousness of the

situation. Between nudges and pushes, Nicolas was led from the
grove toward a huge pyramid.

Nicolas had grown up around the pyramids of his ancestors. He

remembered coming to the sacred temples many times. However, this
particular one seemed to spark something inside him, the same
apprehension that had been with him ever since he’d heard the voice
of the elder.

He might have tried to escape, but all of a sudden, the older

hummingbird was right by his side. The other man didn’t speak.
Instead, he blew a strange dust all over Nicolas’s face. A haze began
to cloud Nicolas’s senses, and he distantly heard the elder say, “I’m
not taking any chances this time.”

The guards dragged his now-pliant body toward the pyramid and

over the stairs. Nicolas’s muscles had gone completely lax, and he

102

Scarlet Hyacinth

couldn’t make himself protest anything they were doing. He remained
completely unresisting as the soldiers strapped him down to a cold
slab of stone. Priests emerged around him, taking position over his
wrists and ankles.

Finally, the elder loomed above Nicolas. In his hands, he held a

large, black dagger. The rays of the sun twinkled over the dark blade,
and just like that, Nicolas remembered.

1991, somewhere in Mexico

The pyramid shone brightly in the morning sun, drawing

Nicolas’s gaze. “Why are we here?” he asked his father.

“You’re here to receive the greatest honor of all, to fulfill your

duties to our people.”

Nicolas smiled. The past year, since coming of age, had been a

dream. Everyone had honored him as if he were a great leader. It was
amazing, but Nicolas sometimes felt bad because he hadn’t actually
done anything special to deserve it.

Like the other young men his age, he’d become a warrior. Now,

he protected his clan’s lands from invading shape-shifters. The
ocelots could be particularly wicked. It hadn’t always been pleasant,
and Nicolas could still remember the sick feeling he’d experienced
when he’d first killed a man. But here in the rainforest, they were
perpetually at war. Even with all the effort he’d put into his given
tasks, he still didn’t feel he’d earned the honors his clan showered
him with. Perhaps he would now be granted the opportunity to repay
his family and his kind.

His father led Nicolas over the stairs of the secret pyramid. It was

among the few temples still left untouched by human hand, and
hummingbirds protected it zealously as it was dedicated to their sun
god, Huitzilopochtli. Other such pyramids existed in the area, but they
were guarded by different types of shifters, like their long-term
enemies, the ocelots.

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

103

As they advanced on the staircase, Nicolas began to wonder why

he’d been brought here. Darkness began to fall over the area.
Nicolas’s heart started beating faster as the sun started to disappear.

“Father, look!”
His father didn’t seem surprised. Instead, he silently ushered

Nicolas inside. Nicolas was too shocked to even fight the far too
abrupt shoves.

It was only when he reached the very top of the pyramid that he

finally began to understand. A stone slab lay in the center, and in
front of it, five priests emerged, followed by guards. One of the priests
held a black, obsidian dagger.

Nicolas’s eyes widened at the sight of the weapon. He might not

know much about the outside world, but he had learned a lot of things
about the Aztec culture. He knew his ancestors sacrificed people when
darkness swallowed the sun at noon. And he knew he’d been the one
chosen as a sacrifice.

His body was limp, and he didn’t protest as his father and the

guards forced him on the slab. The other priests held him down, but
Nicolas couldn’t have moved even if they hadn’t immobilized him.
Technically speaking, he could still try to escape if he changed into
his second form. But the guards around him had firearms, and he
would probably be shot before he got too far.

A few moments passed while the priests said incantations. They

showered Nicolas’s body with flower petals, and once more, Nicolas
found himself invaded with the strange sense of heat. He felt drunk,
drunk on the potent nectar of the flowers. Why was he here again? He
couldn’t remember.

And then, the head priest lifted the black dagger above his head.

The last rays of the sun glinted off the blade. Just like that, a switch
went off in Nicolas’s head. In instants, he rolled off the slab and
pushed the priests away. Since he didn’t want to kill his own kind, he
didn’t go for life-threatening injuries as he fought his way through the
guards. There were so many of them, but at last, he managed to reach

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the edge. When he was sure he couldn’t be trapped, his body melted
into that of a hummingbird.

He might be making a mistake, and he might be betraying his

people and his religion. It wasn’t even that he feared death. He didn’t
want to die, no, but he’d been taught to accept it as natural in the
course of all existence. Even so, he didn’t believe his god, the god
he’d worshipped all his life, would want him to die.
Huitzilopochtli was the sun, and in his mind, he also meant life.
Besides, his mother had always spoken to him of the teachings of the
feathered serpent, the wise Quetzalcoatl. They went against such
barbaric sacrifices. True, Quetzalcoatl had chosen the sacrifice of
birds instead of humans, but shape-shifters weren’t the same as their
animal equivalents.

As he flew, the sun was completely swallowed into the darkness. A

few shots rang out, narrowly missing him. One of them grazed his
wing, and Nicolas began to have trouble flying. In this form, even a
scratch from a bullet could kill him.

Shockingly, he managed to get quite far away from the pyramid

before he found himself forced to change into his legged form. He
didn’t wait for one single second. Instead, he rushed through the
heavy foliage, running as quickly as he could.

His mind was screaming, and his heart felt torn into pieces. He

felt betrayed, and at the same time, like he’d done the betraying. He’d
dishonored his family by fleeing from the pyramid. But he didn’t
believe in human sacrifices, and he’d been convinced his kin didn’t
either. They only killed when defending their territory. Or did they?

Now that he thought about it, he’d known some of the guards

who’d shot at him. He’d even been in battles by their side. A mix of
anger and shame filled Nicolas, swallowing the confusion, fear, and
pain. His entire life had been a lie. He’d wanted to be a warrior so
much, believing in his clan’s honor. As it turned out, his people had a
very big secret, and the one thing Nicolas could never forgive.

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105

Behind him, Nicolas heard the rest of the hummingbirds coming.

He took a decision and changed direction. He was heading straight
toward ocelot lands, but right then and there, he’d rather take the
chance with the felines.

Still, his pursuers didn’t let up. On occasion, bullets splintered the

wood of the trees, and Nicolas only managed to escape being hit
because of his speed. He was actually much faster than other
hummingbirds his age.

It must have been either that or incredible luck that allowed him

to leave his clan’s territory reasonably unscathed. And still, his clan
persisted, never once abandoning the pursuit. All of a sudden, Nicolas
felt a different presence behind him. On instinct, he looked back, only
to see a female figure sweep past him. He couldn’t figure out the
woman’s identity, but she seemed to be heading straight in the
direction of Nicolas’s pursuers.

A few minutes later, Nicolas realized his clan stopped following

him. He mentally thanked the unknown female for distracting them.
Whatever she’d done, she might have very well saved his live.

Nicolas reached a large grove and knelt in the grass as he

realized the sun was shining brightly once more. The world had not
ended because he’d fled from his kin. His relief melted when the
feeling of being watched encroached on his senses. Nicolas looked up
and saw an ocelot approaching slowly, baring its fangs at him.

Nicolas couldn’t even tell if it was an animal or a shape-shifter.

He slowly began to back off, knowing he was in no condition to fight.
The standoff with his family still occupied his thoughts, and he
couldn’t focus for the life of him. He’d also lost the weapons he
always kept on him when he’d shifted into hummingbird form.

The ocelot pounced, and at the same time, Nicolas turned back

into his bird form and flew off. He moved as quickly as he could,
frantic, without really watching where he was going. He ended up
high up in the trees, but when he finally lost the ocelot, another
danger grabbed him.

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The tiny Nicolas ran straight into a spider web. The sticky threads

captured him and refused to let go, no matter how much Nicolas
struggled. Intellectually, Nicolas knew this could have all been
avoided had he calmed down and paid more attention, but now it was
too late.

Of course, he would not allow the spider to make him its dinner.

Quickly, Nicolas shifted into his human form and released himself
from the web. But as he readied himself to change back into a bird
and take flight, the ocelot pounced. It must be a shape-shifter, then.
No mere animal would have followed Nicolas so high.

They fell together through the foliage, with Nicolas struggling to

fight against the enraged, insane feline. He didn’t know what in the
world was going on in the ocelot’s mind, but the carnivores were very
vengeful.

As they came closer and closer to the ground, it occurred to

Nicolas that the ocelot would most likely land safely, while Nicolas
would break every bone in his body. And then, a heavy tree branch hit
the back of Nicolas’s head, and Nicolas knew no more.

Terror coursed through Nicolas as he finally grasped everything

that had happened and would happen. His people still believed in the
old Aztec superstitions and had intended to sacrifice him during the
great 1991 eclipse. The same feelings of betrayal invaded Nicolas,
like during that fateful day. His people should be better than this.
They should understand that the past was the past, and it should stay
that way. The hummingbirds suffered enough from the attacks of the
ocelots. They didn’t need to die at the hands of their own kind.

But unlike twenty years back, Nicolas no longer considered

himself a traitor. During his time away, he had learned a lot of things.
He’d gained more and more respect for books, which was the main
reason why he’d decided to have a bookstore in the first place. From
these books, he’d understood the true causes of astrological
phenomena. No one would defeat the sun if Nicolas didn’t die. The

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107

sun would be there long for eons in the future, untouchable in its
absolute power.

And Nicolas, as a child of the sun, could not allow for more

crimes to be committed in its name. For himself, for Garth, for
Preston and Corbin, and for every other hummingbird who might be
targeted by the elder’s ignorance and need for power, Nicolas needed
to stand his ground and live.

The dagger fell, tracing an arch of death toward Nicolas’s

abdomen. At the last moment, Nicolas moved out of the way, rolling
off the slab, much like he’d done twenty years back. The elder was,
however, quite fast. He intercepted Nicolas, and attacked him once
more, wildly swinging the weapon through the air.

This time, the dagger struck true. Pain exploded over Nicolas’s

cheek and neck. It was only by miracle that the sharp blade didn’t
sever his jugular. Nicolas staggered back, the light of the sun
blinding.

From the corner of his eye, Nicolas could see the edge of the

pyramid dangerously close. He wanted to change into his second
form, but he was dizzy, so very dizzy. His wound burned, and
distantly Nicolas acknowledged it must’ve had some sort of poison
applied.

As the elder lunged forward, Nicolas took one more step back. He

realized that single move would be enough to send him tumbling
down. But he didn’t fear death. He only wished he’d have been able
to see Garth one last time.

It was the image of Garth’s smile that appeared in his mind’s eye

as he fell from the pyramid top. The way it was built guaranteed that
by the time he reached the bottom, he’d break every bone in his body.
From that kind of injury, not even a shape-shifter could recover.

But all of a sudden, through the haze of the pain, Nicolas heard a

voice beneath him cry out, “Nico!”

It was Garth. Garth had come for him. Nicolas couldn’t believe it.

He would get his wish. He would see his mate and tell him how sorry

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he was for all this, for never confessing the truth and endangering him
and the kits, for never showing the true extent of his feelings.

That thought gave him a strength he didn’t know he had. His body

melted into his bird form, and he took flight, the steps beneath him a
distant threat.

He could now see a large group gathered around the pyramid. His

sight zeroed in on Garth’s familiar form, but he could also spot Byron
Cunningham, as well as Brody, Liam and Soren.

Even as he acknowledged the fact that his friends had never come

to his aid, his previous injury seemed to still affect his body. It was
strange, but it seemed the blood flow hadn’t stopped with his shift.

Injured, Nicolas couldn’t hold himself aloft for much longer. He

spiraled down in a fall that would have easily crushed his small body.
At the last moment, though, instants before he was about to hit the
ground, his lover caught him and held him close.

Nicolas couldn’t believe it. He wanted to see for himself that

Garth had truly come for him, that it wasn’t all just a dream. He’d
dreamed so much of Garth lately that now he didn’t know if he could
trust his mind not to play tricks on him.

He tried to crack his eyes open, but the strength that had saved

him from falling to his death drained out of him. Then, he tried to call
out Garth’s name, but the only thing that came out was an exhausted
chirp.

No longer able to resist the cold fatigue that fell over him, Nicolas

surrendered to the darkness.

* * * *

Garth paced in front of the small building, his heart thundering

and his mind reeling with the events of the past hour. When he’d
come to the rainforest, the last thing he’d expected was to find
Nicolas on the brink of being sacrificed by a fanatic shaman wannabe
who couldn’t let go of a past only he considered glorious.

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The mere thought of what happened in these forests without the

knowledge of any outside authority made Garth sick to his stomach.
He knew that after all this was over, he needed to sit down and have a
serious talk about sending in an ambassador to deal with shifters in
remote areas. It simply wasn’t acceptable that in this day and age,
people would still be sacrificing their kin to pagan gods.

Of course, all those concerns faded in front of the fear for

Nicolas’s life. When he’d been left with Nicolas’s fragile
hummingbird body in the palm of his hand, he simply hadn’t known
what to do. He wasn’t trained in offering medical assistance beyond
the most basic of knowledge, and he definitely didn’t have what it
took to deal with Nicolas’s injuries. In fact, it was beyond his power
of comprehension why the hummingbird’s condition hadn’t improved
upon shifting. They’d brought a medic along, but the man had been
just as puzzled.

Thankfully, Nicolas’s parents had arrived at the scene. Garth

could still remember the conversation with crystal clarity.

“Oh, no!” the woman cried out upon seeing Nicolas’s tiny body.

“My baby!”

“Are you Nicolas’s mother?” Garth asked. She nodded shakily, he

added, “Please help us. You must know of some sort of medicine that
could help him.”

“Yes, there has to be a way.” She took a deep breath and seemed

to decide on something. “I am Margarita, and this is Nicolas’s father,
Felipe. Please, follow us.”

It was easier said than done. During their conversation, their

misguided…guides had realized their mistake, at least to a certain
extent. They now seemed confused as to Garth’s obvious affection
toward Nicolas. The guards from inside the pyramid had also
emerged, accompanied by a tall, older hummingbird. “Get them!” he
ordered.

“Just go,” Byron told him. “We’ll deal with this.”

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Liam, Soren, and Brody followed behind Garth as he left the

pyramid grove, trailing behind Margarita and Felipe. Their doctor had
also come along, even if the two hummingbirds didn’t seem too
happy about it. As they ran, he could still hear angry voices shouting,
then the sound of a battle. Garth trusted Byron to diffuse the situation,
so he didn’t once look back.

The two hummingbirds had led him with great speed away from

the pyramid. As they walked, Felipe had started to explain, “We never
wanted this to happen. We just never had the courage to stand up to
the elder.”

“Someone came to us just now, a healer,” Margarita offered. “She

told us the truth about the elder. He needs to be stopped.”

“And this healer can help Nico?” Garth had inquired.
“I hope so,” Margarita whispered in a barely audible voice.

“Come, we’re very close now.”

At last, they reached a hut in the woods, where an elderly woman

had met them. She’d taken Nicolas’s tiny body, made a disgruntled
sound, and then pushed Garth from her abode. To her credit, she’d
accepted the presence of the other doctor inside.

And so, Garth’s only choice had become waiting, waiting and

hoping. Margarita and Felipe seemed convinced that the old woman
could help them. Garth didn’t trust them as far as he could throw
them, but they did seem to love Nicolas. Besides, there were no
medical facilities here, and their doctor, while competent, couldn’t
deal with such a situation on his own.

Finally, the door to the hut opened, revealing the hummingbird

healer woman and the doctor from Garth’s group standing in the
doorway. It was an odd sight, past and modernity together struggling
to save a life.

The woman gave Garth an enigmatic smile. “Come on in.”
Garth didn’t delay in taking her offer. He slipped inside the hovel

past the two and immediately headed toward the small cot. Nicolas
lay on the tiny bed, motionless, but breathing.

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Garth rushed to his mate’s side and took the hummingbird’s hand.

He kissed the far too cool palm, mixed feelings of fear and relief
swelling inside him.

Even looking at his lover’s face made him feel guilty, like he’d

failed Nicolas. His mate seemed so very pale, and the whiteness of his
skin contrasted with an ugly line of red that traced Nicolas’s cheek
and neck, starting from the very corner of his eye.

“Is he going to be all right?” he asked the medics. “Why isn’t the

wound healing?”

The old woman released a sigh as she came to sit by his side. She

took a bowl with a clear liquid and began laving Nicolas’s face,
paying close attention to the injured area. “He will live, but there is
nothing I can do about the wound,” she said in the same broken
English the ocelot guide and the other hummingbirds used. “I have
many times warned against this, against the use of such poisons. But
the elder never listened. Stubborn people, always wanting more than
they are granted by nature.”

“What do you mean?” Garth inquired. He squeezed his mate’s

hand, his eyes going to the red line again. “I thought shape-shifters
healed from injuries as long as they lived through them.”

“They do,” the hummingbird replied, “but the elder… He has

done some things.”

Garth stared at her and for the first time, he realized her nose was

like Nicolas’s, of a smaller, more normal size. “Does this have
anything to do with your nose?”

“You have good instincts, feline,” the old healer answered. “Yes,

indeed. You see, everyone in the clan is convinced that we are granted
the gift of the gods as we come of age. But have you ever seen other
hummingbirds, outside the clan? They look exactly like Nicolas.
There is no coming of age change.”

It was Nicolas who interrupted the explanation. “I don’t

understand,” he said in a raspy voice. “We all saw it with our own
eyes.”

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Margarita and Felipe entered the hovel, but Garth didn’t pay them

much heed. His entire focus was on his mate, on his beautiful mate
who’d at last recovered consciousness. “Nico… Oh, Nico. Love,
you’re back.”

Nicolas smiled at him. “You came to take me back, didn’t you?

How could I leave?”

Garth knew he shouldn’t push his mate, but he couldn’t hold

himself back. He pressed his lips to Nicolas’s in a tentative kiss,
needing the reassurance, needing to truly feel Nicolas was alive and
well. Twice in the expanse of a couple of months, he’d been so close
to losing Nicolas. Never again. From now on, Garth would dedicate
his life to protect his mate and his family. Nothing was more
important.

For a few moments, no one existed in the world except the two of

them and the kiss that tasted like tears and relief. Garth didn’t even
make the attempt to thrust his tongue into Nicolas’s mouth like he
normally would have. It was enough to just feel Nicolas’s lips moving
against his, to feel his mate’s sweet breath and known it would not be
the last one.

All too soon, they broke apart, and Garth became aware of the

presence of the other people in the room. He cleared his throat and
turned toward the elderly hummingbird and silently nodded.

She didn’t seem to mind the interruption. In fact, she smiled,

before her expression sobered and she began to speak again. “Dear
boy, you don’t even know who I am, do you?” she told Nicolas.

Nicolas shook his head. “I’ve never seen you in my life.”
“Of course you haven’t. I’ve been hiding here under threat of

death. Not even your parents knew of me until I contacted them.

“My name is Sara. I was a healer of our clan long before your

time.” Her eyes misted, as if she were remembering those distant
years. “Back then, we respected our legacy and accepted the good and
the bad in being a hummingbird.

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“One day, a young lad came to me, wanting to be my apprentice.

He was sharp and good with plants, so I agreed. Little did I know that
upon finding out the power herbs could have, he would twist it for his
own sick purposes. By the time I realized how obsessed he was with
the old ways of our ancestors, it was too late.”

She turned toward Nicolas. “Hummingbirds are not meant to have

an acute sense of smell. The elder boosted abilities we are not
supposed to have through the use of nectar of a flower created by him
for that distinctive goal.”

“Genetic manipulation,” Garth’s medic said in a shocked voice.
Sara nodded. “At first, he claimed he was doing it all for us, to aid

us in our fight against our enemies. Back then, we were still having
some issues at our border lands with the snakes, so those in charge
rushed to take his advice, even if he always had an almost fanatical
loyalty toward the old ways. They did not realize the danger until it
was too late.”

Garth might not have known too much about the diplomatic

relationships between shifters in the area. He gathered there must be a
perpetual conflict state. It made sense that the hummingbirds, who
were by their nature in danger of becoming prey, would try to get an
edge in this battle.

“Perhaps at that point, he truly believed he was doing the right

thing,” Sara continued. “But men aren’t meant to be gods and
interfere in divine creation. In time, it all got worse. Those who knew
about it fled or died, and the young generation was left at his mercy. I
admit I myself was afraid, and I only now dared to approach your
parents, when I saw just how far he’d gone.”

“But why didn’t his plan have any effect on me?” Nicolas

inquired. “Why didn’t those plants work?”

“I doubt they didn’t,” Sara answered. “For you, the process just

didn’t manifest outwardly.”

“I did gain a sharpening of senses back then,” Nicolas murmured,

almost to himself, “but it’s gone now.”

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“This particular nectar needs to be administered over and over for

it to continue its effect,” the healer explained. “But it is also a way to
twist nature. It must be destroyed.”

“You don’t have to worry about that anymore,” Byron’s voice

sounded from outside. He came in, carrying the hummingbird elder
over his shoulder. He dumped the unconscious man on the ground and
said, “I don’t take kindly to have my friends attacked.”

He turned toward Garth and added, “You take care of your mate,

Garth. I’ll handle this filth.”

Garth was torn between accepting the more than generous offer

and claiming his right to avenge his mate’s suffering. His beast
roared, demanding to take revenge on the elder hummingbird who’d
tortured so many people for his own selfish purposes.

But before he could decide, Nicolas leaned against him and said,

“No. His own people have to judge him. They will decide once they
learn everything that has been said here.”

“The boy is right,” the old healer said. “We shall let the people

decide. They need to be told about this.”

Garth didn’t comment. Perhaps they had a point. In the end, as

much as it irked him, the hummingbirds needed to deal with their
mistake in their own way.

He shared a look with Byron. If the hummingbirds eventually

decided their elder was not guilty after all, Garth would make sure the
man would not live to make any suffer, ever again.

But all thoughts of revenge disappeared when Nicolas’s small

voice suddenly said, “I…don’t feel right.” Garth’s mate wheezed. As
he moved, the wound that had started to seal under the healer’s
ministrations reopened.

Nicolas reached for his face and gaped at his hand came out

bloody. “Garth, what’s wrong with me?” he asked. “Why am I not
healing?”

“You’re healing, child,” Sara tried to say. “That wound is going to

scar, yes, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

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Nicolas shot to his feet and dashed outside. He moved so fast,

impossibly so for someone who’d been seriously hurt mere hours
before. Nicolas’s parents tried to call him back, and Garth rushed after
him, following his nose to guide him through the thick vegetation.

He found his mate standing in front of a clear stream, staring at

his own reflection. “You know, Garth, I never considered myself
vain,” he whispered. “But now, I’m beginning to change my mind. I
was a freak among my own people. Now I’ll be a freak in civilization,
as well.”

Garth made his way to his mate’s side and hugged him tightly.

“Oh, love… A scar on the outside means nothing for the person you
are on the inside. Don’t be afraid. I love you, no matter what
happens.”

Nicolas turned in his embrace, his black eyes wide. “You love

me?”

Garth smiled. “I do. Funny thing, how I never managed to tell you

until now.” He’d many times used an endearment when addressing
Nicolas, but never actually confessed his feelings outright. “Let me
just say it again, so that we’re clear. You’re my sun, Nico, my sun and
my love. Don’t ever forget that.”

“Oh, Garth…” Nicolas buried the uninjured side of his face in

Garth’s chest. “I… Thank you. Thank you.”

Garth forwent the fact that Nicolas hadn’t said the words back for

the comfort of Nicolas’s warmth against him. It didn’t matter that
Nicolas didn’t say the words back, as long as he felt the emotion
behind them. And Garth was certain that emotion existed. It was only
a matter of time until they both healed enough to finally love each
other as they should.

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Chapter Eight

Nicolas stared at the covered mirror in the bathroom in frustration.

He’d been standing in the same spot for hours now, willing himself to
move and remove the cloth that shielded it. It was shockingly hard.
He’d never valued his own appearance beyond keeping it as normal as
possible. He supposed he’d been handsome enough before he’d been
kidnapped—Garth seemed to think so at least. Then again, Garth
couldn’t exactly be trusted to be unbiased where Nicolas was
concerned.

In the past few weeks since they’d returned from Mexico, Garth

had lavished Nicolas with affection. All his friends did so, in fact, but
Garth most of all. He often came by with his children and had taken
leave from his office to care for Nicolas’s bookstore.

It was very sweet, but while Nicolas appreciated it greatly, he’d

started to get tired of being treated like he would break any moment
now. Of course, it would probably help if he didn’t freak out
whenever he took his clothes off and saw the nasty scar on his chest
and if he could look at himself in the mirror without turning away.

Nicolas didn’t even know why he couldn’t get over it. The scar,

while long and very visible, wasn’t as ugly as it could have been.
Besides, people walked around with scars all the time. Granted, they
weren’t shape-shifters, but so what?

The real problem was that whenever he looked at the mark, he

remembered his time spent in that dark pit in Mexico in the sunless,
mind-numbing cold. He remembered the glint of the black dagger,
and then the way the poison had burnt through his veins. Sara might

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117

have saved his life, but she hadn’t been able to wipe those memories
away.

Nicolas sighed as he stepped away from the mirror. At least Sara

was doing a great job with rebuilding what the elder destroyed. The
clan had been shocked upon hearing Sara’s words. Apparently, some
of the older hummingbirds remembered stories of her, but no one had
truly believed she even existed. If she hadn’t come to his parents, they
wouldn’t have known either, but for whatever reason, she’d wanted to
save Nicolas’s life.

Nicolas returned to his room, idly sorting through the memories

that were now coming back. He didn’t know how, but he knew Sara
had been the one who’d saved him from his pursuers, twenty years
back, when his clan first tried to kill him. It was comforting that
someone had cared about him when no one else did.

His family seemed to want reconciliation now, but Nicolas didn’t

feel ready. Perhaps one day, he’d be able to forgive them, if not
forget. Perhaps he’d be able to focus on the fact that, in the end,
they’d wanted him to live. But for the moment, he could recall far too
vividly the anger in Valentina’s eyes and the disdainful
disappointment in his father’s stance.

Nicolas shook himself. If he kept brooding like this, he’d never go

on with his life. How long was he going to feel sorry for himself?
He’d lived through his captivity, damn it. He’d received an injury,
yes, but that didn’t mean he should wallow in his own misery forever.
Hell, at this rate, he would push Garth away with his stupidity. For
crying out loud, Nicolas and Garth hadn’t even made love because
Nicolas was too self-conscious about his scar.

Grumbling to himself, Nicolas made a decision. He swept through

the house and pulled all the blinds he kept closed out of fear that he’d
see his own reflection. He stopped next to his hidden gun collection
and briefly considered throwing them all out before deciding against
it. He would get rid of them, yes, but in a more rational way that

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wouldn’t allow any punk kid to end up with a pair of nunchucks. He
then returned to the bathroom and tore off the cloth of the mirror.

He glared at his own image. “What the fuck are you doing,

Nicolas Chimalli Huitzilin? How much longer are you going to draw
out this situation?”

Oddly, the name felt strange when he uttered it. He shook his

head. “Nicolas Shields,” he corrected. But that name felt odd, too.
Who was he really? Nicolas Shields had been a mask, a temporary
identity created until he could find his real one. But Nicolas didn’t
want that reality back. It had almost killed him, twice, and he was still
recovering from it.

“Who am I?” he asked his reflection. “Who am I?”
The question became much more important than the scar starting

from the corner of his eye and tracing the line of his cheek. Nicolas
didn’t even have the benefit of growing much facial hair, so there was
nothing to hide it. But somehow, that mark ceased to matter in the
face of the much more important problem. Who was he?

In the bedroom, his cell phone rang, but Nicolas ignored it. A few

minutes later, his landline demanded his attention. Exasperated,
Nicolas allowed the machine to take the call.

His eyes snapped away from the mirror when he heard Garth’s

voice come through after the beep. “Hi, love.” Garth sounded a bit
apprehensive and maybe even a touch tired. “I just wanted to check if
we’re still on for tonight. I…uh…I talked to Skylar to babysit the
kids.” Garth paused, seemingly struggling for words. “I guess you’re
sleeping or something. Anyway, I’ll call later, all right? Love you.”

Garth knew perfectly well that Nicolas hadn’t been sleeping. He

woke up at the slightest noise and two phone calls in a row were
impossible for him to miss.

Before the message ended, Garth’s tone turned concerned. “Please

call me back when you get this. I miss you.”

It occurred to Nicolas just how selfish he was being by ignoring

the phone call. Garth did try not to baby him, but Nicolas had

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disappeared once without a trace and Garth must be suffering greatly
whenever Nicolas did things like this.

Nicolas shot toward the hallway, hoping to catch his mate on the

phone before Garth ended the call. Alas, not even his hummingbird
speed served to get him there in time. When Nicolas reached his
phone, Garth had already hung up.

Nicolas cursed and picked the receiver up. It was easy enough to

call back. He just needed to press one single button. But something
stopped him from doing so. What would he say if he did call? He
would have to admit he’d ignored Garth. He wanted to kick himself
from creating an awkward situation between them when they were
always so at ease with each other.

As he stood there, wondering, Nicolas’s eyes spotted his

abandoned laptop on his bedroom desk. He hadn’t booted it once
since that fateful night since he’d received the PM on Twitter. It was
yet another thing he’d been afraid of. A part of him imagined that
once he logged in, he would see another horrible message that spoke
of stalkers coming to destroy his life.

Nicolas put the receiver back in its place and stepped in his

bedroom. Perhaps he could e-mail Garth. He hastily started his laptop,
tapping his foot impatiently as the operating system loaded. At last,
after passing through the usual wall of passwords—God, how stupid
those precautions seemed to him now—he opened the browser,
logged in on his e-mail account, and opened his Twitter in a different
tab.

His inbox was flooded with various e-mails. His friends had

written back after they’d gotten his good-bye messages. There were
also inquiries from concerned customers and other random
acquaintances. More recent messages came from his sister back in
Mexico.

Nicolas read through those from his friends, touched at the

obvious concern stemming from the words on the screen. He debated
opening Valentina’s, but decided against it. He wasn’t in the mood for

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it now. He lingered over the “compose message” tab for a few
moments before deciding against it. Perhaps calling would be better,
after all. Finally, he logged off and stole a peek on his Twitter
account.

There were several PMs in his account, but upon a close

inspection, Nicolas didn’t find anything suspicious. He almost
laughed at himself. Of course he wouldn’t find it. What did he
expect? The elder who’d tried to kill him was now imprisoned in the
bowels of the pyramid he’d wanted to sacrifice Nicolas in. His priests
and the warriors fighting for him shared his sentence, and Sara would
decide when they would be released, if ever. There was no one who
would want to hunt Nicolas now.

However, there was also a PM from Garth. It seemed to have been

written moments ago.

I know you most likely won’t read this, but I love you. Please

come back to me.

It was short, like all Twitter messages, but it was enough. On

impulse, Nicolas typed a message in the reply box. “I love you, too.”
As if in a daze, he pressed send.

Only seconds later did he figure out what he’d just done. He’d

essentially declared his love to Garth over Twitter, when he’d never
said it out loud, face–to-face. Nicolas wanted to punch himself at his
stupidity. He wished there was a way to undo it, but alas, some things
couldn’t be taken back.

For a few moments, Nicolas waited to see if he would receive any

reply. When none came, he was both disappointed and relieved.
Perhaps he could hack into Garth’s Twitter account and delete the
damn message from there. He laughed at his own ridiculous ideas.
Why was he even considering such absurdities?

He turned off his computer as he accepted Garth would see the

message sooner or later. He should call and invite Garth over so that

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121

he could say the words in person before Garth read it. No, he didn’t
want to bother Garth at work. Hopefully, the lynx wouldn’t see the
PM until tonight and the visit. Then again, he should probably contact
his lover, if only to confirm the meeting. God, why did it have to be
so difficult for him to make one single decision? It was just a freaking
phone call.

Frustrated with himself, Nicolas retrieved his cell and dialed

Garth’s number. Much to his surprise, it went to voice mail without
the lynx picking up. Anxiety rose inside Nicolas. Had something
happened to Garth or was the other man angry with Nicolas?

Nicolas looked for the number of Garth’s office. His lover’s koala

secretary answered his call. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Mckenna is not in.
Can I take a message?”

Nicolas numbly thanked her. How could Garth not be there? Just

minutes ago, he’d logged in on Twitter. Sure, he might have done so
from his smartphone, but if that was so, where had Garth gone when
he was supposed to be in the office?

He fretted over this, pacing back and forth through his house.

What now? Should he wait and call later? But if so, when?

He was so lost in his thoughts that when he felt the presence

approach he almost disregarded it as his imagination playing tricks on
him. The sound of the key in the lock dissipated that illusion. He
rushed to the hallway, just in time to see Garth enter the house.

Their gazes met and held, and the recollection of their first

meeting passed through Nicolas’s mind. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
Was it only a couple of months?

He didn’t have time to dwell on that thought. Garth crossed the

space between them and grabbed him in an iron-like vise. “Say it
again,” he murmured. “Say it.”

For a few moments, Nicolas went blank, Garth’s forcefulness

making hot arousal course through him. He loved the way Garth
squeezed his arms, just on the other side of pain. The intense look in

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Garth’s blue eyes made them look almost black, like the sea on a
stormy day. Nicolas wanted to drown in them.

“Nico.” Garth’s voice was a growl now. “Say it.”
In that instant, Nicolas realized what Garth wanted him to say.

The lynx must have read the Twitter message. Oh, well, so much for
trying to avoid Garth seeing it.

Was Garth pissed? No, Nicolas didn’t think so. If anything,

behind that harsh tone, there seemed to be a need hiding, a need for
reassurance.

Nicolas knew that when his friends had bonded with their

respective mates, a deep connection had formed. It was something
he’d always wanted to have with Garth, at the same time fearing what
he needed to give up in order to achieve it. All his secrets would have
been revealed, and Nicolas had been terrified of them chasing Garth
away.

But his past was out in the open now, and his fears needn’t rule

his life any longer. “I love you,” he said. “You’re my mate, and I love
you.”

It was the first time he’d admitted the bond between them out

loud. Garth released an almost sob and then, to Nicolas’s surprise,
grabbed him and draped him over his shoulder. “I’m sorry about this,
love,” he said. “I have to claim you.”

In a few long strides, Garth reached the bedroom and dumped

Nicolas on the mattress. A bit dizzy, Nicolas simply watched as his
lover—no, his mate—stripped for him. The garments flew off in a
flurry of material, revealing Garth’s majestic body. With every inch
of skin revealed, Nicolas grew even hotter and more light-headed. He
wanted to get rid of his own clothes, but he couldn’t move,
hypnotized by his mate’s now nude form.

Garth, however, didn’t have any problem in shedding the damn

clothing. After ripping his own off, he began to work on Nicolas’s.
Nicolas congratulated himself for wearing comfortable and easily

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

123

removable things when indoors. In moments, he was naked and
panting under Garth.

Garth brought their bodies together, and Nicolas moaned as the

lynx’s fist enclosed around his shaft. They’d tried this several times
since Mexico, but it hadn’t worked out. Now, Nicolas couldn’t even
remember why. The mere sensation of his mate’s warm hand around
his dick drove him crazy with lust. When Garth brought their two
erections together, Nicolas arched his back and clung to his mate,
digging his fingernails in the other man’s skin. “God, Garth. Please!”

Garth just looked at him, his breath coming in pants as well. His

eyes fixed on Nicolas’s face as he moved his hand up and down their
joined pricks. “What do you want, love? Tell me.”

Nicolas didn’t mind asking for what he needed. “Fuck me, Garth.

Fuck me.”

Garth’s gaze seemed to get even more intense. “No, Nico. I’m not

going to fuck you. I’m going to make love to you.”

The explosive passion between them somehow surrendered in

front of the emotion. Garth pressed their mouth together, and Nicolas
pulled Garth closer, disregarding all his fears and uncertainties.
Garth’s tongue demanded entrance, and Nicolas parted his lips,
allowing his mate inside. He lost himself in the kiss, his senses
invaded with Garth’s distinctive taste.

Garth’s hands trailed over his sides, caressing and massaging, and

Nicolas allowed himself to do his own exploring. He mapped the
strong, corded muscles of Garth’s back, shuddering when Garth
released a low growl. Sometimes, Garth’s gentleness made Nicolas
forget that deep inside the man was a beast, a carnivore, a predator
wanting to claim his mate.

For once, Nicolas wanted to give in to that demand. It was one he

should never have refused because they fit together, like yin and
yang—Garth, the caring lynx with a heart of gold, and Nicolas, the
hummingbird who collected weaponry and had once been taught ten
ways to kill a man.

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When their lips parted, Nicolas found his strength and murmured,

“Claim me, Garth. Just, let go and claim me.”

“Oh, love.” Garth groaned, a tortured, torn sound. “I thought I

might never hear those words from you.”

A pang of guilt speared Nicolas, but when Garth smiled at him, it

began to dissipate. Yes, he’d waited. Yes, they’d lost a lot of time
together. But if he hadn’t, perhaps he wouldn’t be so sure now that
this was truly what he wanted, what they both wanted, and not just
sexual attraction.

“You’ll hear them every day from now on,” he replied.
The words seemed to flip a switch inside the lynx, and Garth

descended upon Nicolas again. His hands were frantic, exploring
Nicolas’s skin as if he couldn’t get enough. His weight above Nicolas
felt so very comforting, so safe, familiar and at the same time,
insanely arousing. Now more than ever, Nicolas wanted to have his
mate pierce his ass, to take Garth’s cock inside him. His anus
clenched in anticipation, and Nicolas released a chirp-whimper,
hoping to convey his tremendous need.

His mate must have understood his desire. Garth briefly rolled off

Nicolas and rummaged through the nightstand. He came back seconds
later, his precious prize in his grip.

Grinning, Garth opened the bottle of lube and poured the slick

liquid on his fingers. Eager, Nicolas lifted his legs and spread them
wide, exposing his nether opening to Garth’s inspection. Garth
released another groan. “God, love, you’re so beautiful.”

His slippery fingers rubbed against Nicolas’s hole, awakening

every nerve in the region. One digit wormed its way inside, zeroing in
on Nicolas’s prostate. Nicolas gasped and pushed back, the gentle
touch merely whetting his appetite.

Garth added another finger, while his other hand went to Nicolas’s

cock. He moved his fist in perfect coordination with the almost
relentless massage against Nicolas’s special spot. Nicolas thrashed on

The Lynx Who Claimed the Sun

125

the bed, torn between ripping himself away from the far too delicious
torture and demanding more of it.

In the end, he didn’t have to make the choice. Garth removed his

fingers from Nicolas’s ass and poured more lubricant on them. He
slicked up his cock and positioned the thick shaft at Nicolas’s
twitching hole. Slowly, ever so slowly, he pushed in, filling Nicolas to
the brink.

Nicolas bit his lip in an effort to contain the pleasure that

threatened to overcome him. As expected, he failed abysmally. When
his mate’s thick prick brushed against his prostate, he had to reach
between them and squeeze the base of his dick to prevent himself
from climaxing.

He wanted to ask Nicolas to pound him, but his mate stilled and

gave him a deep look. “Say it again,” he whispered.

Even if Garth’s voice was low, the words swept over Nicolas with

a striking intensity. For a few instants, they didn’t really process, so
Garth repeated, “Say it again.”

Nicolas finally made the connection between Garth’s earlier

demand and this one. He couldn’t have been more surprised. All the
blood seemed to have pooled from his brain to his cock. How could
Garth expect him to even think right now? Besides, didn’t the lynx
know that words spoken in the heat of passion couldn’t be trusted?

Or could they? Between the two of them, the boundaries between

mere lust and genuine affection had long ago disappeared. They were
now combined into one comprehensive emotion. When their bodies
came together, so did their souls.

And so, Nicolas was not afraid to say the words again. “I… I love

you,” he stammered out between pants. “I love you so much.”

As he finished the phrase, Garth pulled out of him and thrust back

in. The motion made the lynx’s cock hit Nicolas’s special spot with a
strength that caused the bed to creak. The pleasure that exploded
through Nicolas’s body grew even more, and he pushed back, fucking
himself on his mate’s cock.

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They fell into a rhythm as familiar to them as life itself. Their

breaths and heartbeats were in unison. In Garth’s eyes, Nicolas saw
the same emotion he’d earlier expressed. Neither of them spoke.
Words were useless, the language of their bodies enough to convey
everything that needed to be said.

Nicolas felt like he was back in the rainforest, glowing in the sun

and fleeting among the flowers he loved so much. Only here, there
were no threats and no enemies. He was safe, protected, and most of
all, loved.

With the amazing ecstasy soaring higher and higher, it didn’t take

long for him to reach the brink. He needed just one more thing, one
thing to cement their bond. “Claim me,” he managed to cry out.
“Please, Garth, claim—”

Garth didn’t even give him the time to finish the phrase. He

struck, embedding his fangs in the flesh of Nicolas’s neck.

A pleasure that Nicolas hadn’t even known could be possible

invaded his body. Being with Garth was always beautiful and
amazing, but this… This went beyond all imagination, beyond what
words could possibly express. Nicolas felt his connection with Garth
click into place, and then Garth’s thoughts and emotions seeped into
Nicolas’s brain, mixing with his own.

It was too much, too much, and Nicolas found his peak, crying out

his mate’s name as he climaxed. Heat filled him when Garth found his
peak as well, and incredibly, Nicolas felt the lynx’s orgasm, as well.
The pleasure was too much for him to withstand. He lost
consciousness, floating in a haze of absolute nirvana and contentment.

He came to when a voice reached out to him. “Nico? Love? Can

you hear me?”

“Yes, Garth,” Nicolas answered. Of course he could hear his

mate. Why couldn’t he? He cracked his eyes open and looked up at
his lover.

“You can hear me.” Garth said, sounding shocked. “You can

really hear me.”

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127

It was only then that Nicolas realized Garth had been speaking to

him in his mind. He remembered the bond Carson, Shiloh, and Daniel
shared with their mates, and finally understood. “You didn’t expect
it?” he sent to his mate via their connection, testing his ability to
telepathically talk to his mate.

“Lynxes aren’t like wolves, love. We don’t have mates. Hell,

we’re not even monogamous. And still, the moment I saw you, I knew
you were the one for me. I knew you were my sun. I just… I didn’t
realize it was going to be like this.”

Nicolas mused about his mate’s words. “Maybe it’s not about the

species, but about how we feel about each other. After all, we aren’t
just the beasts we carry inside.”

Garth smiled at him. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Nicolas smirked back when he realized his mate had started to

purr. He loved to hear the comforting sound. It was so… Garth. And
of course, it also had a lot of potential when Garth sucked his cock.

The lynx got up and retrieved a wet washcloth from the bathroom.

When he returned, Nicolas reached for him and pulled him back down
on the bed. “Never mind that. We have a lot of time to make up for.”

Their lips came together in another kiss, and their passion

reignited. It was a long time before either of them ventured out of the
bed again.

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Epilogue

Corbin and Preston sat together in the park, their new babysitter

keeping a watchful eye on them. It was a beautiful, warm day, and
their father had given them permission to come here, with the
condition that they needed to watch out for any dangers. He might
have been more cautious, but apparently, he trusted the person
temporarily in charge of watching over them, something quite
understandable given the identity of the babysitter in question.

Nicolas plopped next to them in the grass, obviously undisturbed

by the fact that he was staining his clothing. Corbin liked that about
the hummingbird. He wasn’t like other adults. He didn’t mind
forgoing all those rules Corbin hated so much. And when he did draw
a line, it was always with a sternness that held a hidden affection.

“Whatcha doing?” Nicolas asked them.
Preston shrugged. “We were thinking about shifting, but I’m not

sure it’s allowed.”

“Oh, this place is for shifters only,” Nicolas replied. “Go right

ahead.”

The real concern wasn’t that they feared people would see them

shift, but rather, that they would get pissed at it. Most of the people in
the area were herbivores. Even if Corbin’s dad was okay with having
a hummingbird mate, others weren’t so accepting.

Nicolas winked at Corbin. “Don’t worry about them,” he

whispered. “Just do whatever you like. You’ve got as much right to
be here as they do. As long as we mind our own business and stay
away from the others, we’ll be fine.”

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129

Corbin felt reassured at the hummingbird’s words. He and his

brother chose a slightly more secluded spot, handed their clothes to
Nicolas, and changed into their lynx form. It was always so freeing to
release their beasts. Sometimes, they got to do it when they visited
Soren’s pack lands, but that was far too rare in Corbin’s opinion.

He must have been rolling around in the grass with his brother for

ten minutes or so when he felt a familiar presence. Both he and his
brother instantly went cautious. They hadn’t seen their mother since
that fateful day when she’d come at the agency. Corbin had been
wondering what had happened to her. His father had assured him
she’d been released since her involvement in Nicolas’s kidnapping
seemed to have been made under duress. Even so, Corbin still felt a
touch apprehensive.

She appeared from the trees, in shifted form and closer than

Corbin had expected. She bared her fangs at them, and it occurred to
him that she might have found out about the plan and was pissed
about his and Preston’s involvement in it.

He shifted back into his human form, and Preston did the same.

“Mom?” he asked hesitantly.

She ignored him, and Corbin couldn’t help backing off a little. He

didn’t know what she might have done if Nicolas hadn’t stepped in,
effectively placing himself between their mother and them. “And you
must be Bella,” he said. “It’s nice to meet you and all, but if you’d
like us to have a chat, I would rather we did it in legged form, and
possibly somewhere else.”

Corbin’s mother did shift, but she ignored the latter part of

Nicolas’s suggestion. “I’m not going anywhere, hummingbird,” she
said, anger tainting her voice. “These are my kids, not yours, and I
can do whatever I like with them.”

Preston clutched to Nicolas’s back, obviously scared. Corbin’s

apprehension melted into anger. “What do you want, Mom?”

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“Just to tell you one thing, honey.” Her tone turned kind, but her

eyes were cold. “You were always a burden for me. I’m glad someone
else has to carry you for a change. I hope I’ll never see you again.”

Her gaze turned to Nicolas. “And you. Don’t think you’re better

than me just because you have Garth now. You’d have never gotten
him in the first place if I hadn’t thrown him away.”

Nicolas laughed. “Shows what you know. Garth and I were meant

to be. But of course, you can’t understand that.”

She sneered at them. “I never loved him. I only wanted him so

that he couldn’t be yours. But if he’s so stupid as to choose you over
me, that’s fine. I hope you’re as miserable as you deserve.”

She turned on her heel and stalked off, changing back into her

lynx form and disappearing in the distance.

As she left, Preston burst into tears. Corbin couldn’t blame his

brother for crying. Sure, he’d suspected their mother had just been
using them, which was why they’d wanted to help in the first place.
But from that to having her shout such ugly things in their faces… It
still hurt. Why didn’t she want them? Why didn’t she love their
father?

Nicolas knelt to hug them both. “Just ignore her,” he said. “She’s

just bitter that she couldn’t get her way.” He kissed them both on the
cheeks. “I’m sorry. Perhaps if I hadn’t been around…”

Preston released a horrified sound. “No. You’re the one who

makes Daddy happy. I’ve never seen him smile as much as he does
when you’re around.”

Corbin nodded. Thinking back, he suspected that even if his

mother had wanted to return to his dad, it wouldn’t have lasted. She’d
have left again. “Besides, you’re not such a bad guy,” he told Nicolas.

Nicolas laughed. “Thanks for that, boys,” he answered. “Hey, we

still have time to get some ice cream before we have to meet up with
your dad. What do you say?”

Corbin arched a brow. “We’re not supposed to eat sweets before

dinner. It spoils our appetite.”

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131

“I won’t tell if you won’t.” Nicolas smirked. “Besides, just this

once, I’m sure your dad wouldn’t mind.”

“Okay.” Preston wiped his eyes, already anticipating the delicious

sweet. “Let’s go.”

“Not so fast. We might be in a shape-shifter park, but I won’t have

you walking around naked.”

Both Preston and Corbin began to laugh uncontrollably. Nicolas

laughed with them, a happy, joyful sound that reminded Corbin of a
bird chirping. When they finally calmed down, Nicolas helped them
with their clothing. “Okay. Now for your treat.”

Nicolas led them to the ice cream vendor and bought them two

cones. “Just don’t eat it too fast. I wouldn’t want you to get sick.”

Preston nodded and obediently took his time in savoring his ice

cream. Corbin slowed down a bit, too, even if his tendency was to
gulp it all down.

Just as they finished the cones, a voice startled Corbin from his

enjoyment of the treat. “Nico-Chi!” a woman was shouting.

At first, Corbin thought the person had nothing to do with them,

but then, Nicolas groaned. A few moments later, a slender female
reached them and smiled widely. “Hi. Long time, no see.” She had the
largest nose Corbin had ever seen on a person.

“Hello, Valentina,” Nicolas replied. “What do you want?”
Valentina’s smile faded. “Can’t I simply say hi to my little

brother?”

Her words made Corbin give her a more serious look. He hadn’t

known Nicolas had family. He eyed her, watched Nicolas’s tense
stance, and decided they needed to leave. Sister or not, the woman
didn’t seem to be in Nicolas’s good graces.

He pulled on Nicolas’s arm. “Can we go now?” he asked. “Dad

should be here by now.”

Nicolas turned to him and smiled. “Sure thing.” He looked back at

his sister. “I’m sorry, Valentina. I’d love to stay and chat, but as you
can see, I’m busy.”

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Valentina gave Corbin and Preston a distinctly disgusted look.

“You’re a babysitter for the feline now?”

“I’m a parent,” Nicolas snapped back. Hearing the hummingbird

say that felt strangely right. A parent. Nicolas was their parent, like
Corbin’s dad. “Now back off. I can still take you, Valentina.”

Valentina lifted her hands, as if to say she was harmless. “Okay,

okay, I get it. Just… Hermanito, why don’t you come home? You
don’t need to stay here any longer. Sara is dealing with things. She’s
even getting us treatment for what the elder did. You’re safe now.
Please, come home.”

“I am home,” Nicolas replied simply. “Now I really have to go.

I’ll see you later.”

Valentina grabbed Nicolas’s arm. “Wait! At least, tell me why

you won’t answer my e-mails.”

Corbin bristled at her demeanor. He couldn’t believe she’d asked

Nicolas to leave them. He wanted to take a bite out of her and put her
in her place. Perhaps then, she’d find out not to mess with Corbin’s
family.

“I changed my e-mail address,” Nicolas told her.
At the expression on Valentina’s face, both Corbin and Preston

snickered. She had apparently learned her lesson, though, as she
ignored them instead of saying anything about their amusement.

“And you didn’t tell me?” she asked, actually sounding hurt.

“Never mind. Will you give it to me now?”

Nicolas sighed in exasperation. “If I do, will you just leave me

alone?”

Valentina nodded. “Te lo prometo.”
“It’s the.hummingbird.who.tweeted.i.love.you@yahoo.com.”
Valentina stared. Corbin and Preston stared. Then at last, Preston

burst out into laughter. “How do I know there’s a story there?”

Nicolas ruffled Preston’s hair. “Shut up, you.” He looked at his

sister again. “Now, just go, hermana. I’m happy here. I might come
visit one day, but not now.”

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133

Valentina looked sad. “I never thought I’d say this, but you’re not

my Nico-Chi anymore. You really are Nicolas Shields.”

Nicolas shook his head. “I’m Nicolas Mckenna.”
With that, Nicolas turned his back on her and slowly led Preston

and Corbin out of the park. They were supposed to meet Corbin’s dad
in a few minutes.

Indeed, just as they reached the exit, Corbin saw his father’s car

pull in. He released himself from Nicolas’s hold and shot forward.
When his dad got out of the car, Corbin took advantage of the
opportunity and jumped on him.

His father laughed and picked him up. “Come here, you. Did you

have fun today?”

Judging by the tone, Corbin guessed his dad knew about his

mom’s visit, the ice cream, and the meeting with Nicolas’s sister.
Therefore, he didn’t feel the least bit guilty when he replied, “It was
great.”

“I’m glad. Now get in the car,” Corbin’s dad said. “I’m taking you

out for pizza. I’m sure you must be starving.”

Amusement twinkled in his eyes, and it was more than a little

clear that he intended to give them a lesson as to why they shouldn’t
eat sweets before dinner. Behind Corbin, Preston released a small
squeak while Nicolas chuckled. “Don’t worry. We can take the
leftovers to go.”

The two men shared a brief kiss, and as he looked at them, Corbin

wondered how he could have ever doubted the bond between them. It
was right there, so real that Corbin thought he could reach out and
touch it.

After a few moments, his parents parted mouths, and they all

entered the car. Preston clapped his hands together. “Pizza time.”

As his father started the car and engaged in traffic, Corbin caught

sight of Nicolas studying them through the rearview mirror. His mind
went back to what Nicolas had said back in the park. “I’m Nicolas
Mckenna.”

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Before he knew it, he opened his mouth and inquired, “Are you

two married?”

It was Nicolas’s turn to release a choked sound. Corbin amused

himself with noticing how much it sounded like a chirp. “I… We…
Er…”

“We’re mated, and we’re making arrangements to officially

“And then you’ll really be my sons.” Nicolas’s voice sounded

small and uncertain.

Corbin shared a look with his brother. He couldn’t really find

words, but Preston was always better than him at that sort of thing. “I
think we already are,” he said.

Nicolas only acknowledged Preston’s words with a nod, but by

now, Corbin knew how to interpret Nicolas’s actions. Since he didn’t
want the mood to become somber, he added cheekily, “Oh, and one of
these days, you’re going to have to tell us how was it that you tweeted
I love you.”

Laughter rang out in the car, both adults cracking up. “I sure will,”

Nicolas said. “One day.”

And Corbin was satisfied with that because in that reply, he saw

the promise of a future. A future with his brother and two parents who
loved each other. What more could he ask for?

THE END

WWW.SCARLETHYACINTH.WEBS.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A native Romanian, Scarlet was born in 1986 and grew up an avid

fan of Karl May and Jules Verne, reading fantasy stories and
adventure. Later, when she was out of fantasy stories to read, she
delved into her mother’s collection of books and, of course, stumbled
onto romance.

As a writer though, Scarlet Hyacinth was born one sunny summer

day, when a dear friend of hers—the same friend who introduced her
to GLBT fiction—proposed they start writing a story of their own. As
it turns out, the two friends never did finish that particular story, but
Scarlet discovered she had a knack for writing and ended up starting
to write individually. And so, between working on her dissertation,
studying for exams, and reading yaoi manga, she started writing the
Kaldor Saga. Along the way, Scarlet met a lot of wonderful people
who supported her, and in the end, she found her story a home and, in
the process, fulfilled a beautiful dream

Also by Scarlet Hyacinth

Siren Classic ManLove: Mate or Meal 1: The Lamb Who Cried Wolf

Siren Classic ManLove: Mate or Meal 2:

The Wolf Who Hatched an Egg

Siren Classic ManLove: Mate or Meal 3:

The Love He Squirreled Away

For all other titles, please visit

www.bookstrand.com/scarlet-hyacinth

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com

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