Mates in Life and Death (6 page)

Could it be like wolves in the wild? How exactly did it work?

As if guessing Linden’s dilemma, Ash shifted. It was the oddest

thing. Linden actually felt the energy of the change within him, deep

inside his soul. It echoed to the part of him that screamed a warning in

dangerous moments or arched in pleasure in Ash’s presence and felt

things beyond what normal folk could. And then, Linden ended up

with his arms wrapped around human Ash’s neck, just like a few

moments ago, when they’d kissed. This time, however, Ash looked

very human, and very naked.

40

Scarlet Hyacinth

Flustered, Linden broke away and got up. “Wow,” he said. “That

is something.”

“You’re not frightened?” Ash asked. He didn’t move, and Linden

surmised it was Ash’s way of ensuring Linden didn’t panic.

He shook his head. “Some things just are. I can tell you don’t

mean me any harm. I can feel it in my heart.” He paused,

remembering the weird animal from the night before. “The other

wolf. Was it like you, a werewolf?”

“Spirit wolf,” Ash corrected. Ever so slowly, he began to stand,

until at last they were eye-to-eye, or rather, eye to naked chest.

Gulping, Linden forced himself to focus on the explanation. “You’re

half- right. The beast that attacked you is the closest thing to a

werewolf we have in the real world. As a rule, it appears when a spirit

wolf bites a human.”

Linden was beginning to understand. “This is why a human mate

would be problematic? Because someone might bite me? But surely,

such a thing can be avoided.”

Ash sighed. “Spirit wolves can protect their mates from anyone

but themselves. Our instincts tell us to claim our other halves, and that

is done through a bite.”

Linden’s eyes widened. “O h, shit.” His heart fell at the realization

their budding relationship could not progress. He could not ask Ash to

take the chance, especially not after what he’d seen the day before.

Just his luck. All the good ones were either straight, married, or

werewolves.

“Q uite right. So far, I’ve grown up under the impression human

mates are not possible. I always thought fate would not be so cruel to

give us this amazing gift, then make it unreachable. Apparently, I was

very much mistaken.” Ash began to put his clothing back on. “As for

the concept of mate, I think you’ve already grasped it.”

Linden nodded. He could feel it inside of him, growing at an

alarming rate. “So what did your father say? I didn’t exactly get much

of it.”

Mates in Life and Death

41

Ash turned to Linden and took his hands. He kissed them, then

spoke again. “Apparently, my brother found his mates. Two mates,

and one is human. Somehow, they managed to prevent the human

from turning feral.”

As odd as the concept of two mates seemed to him, Linden

focused on the most important part of the explanation. “That’s great.

It would mean we…ah…a human and a spirit wolf could be

together.”

He was getting ahead of himself again. Hell, they’d only just met,

and in the expanse of twenty-four hours, Ash had saved his life and

revealed the existence of not-quite werewolves. He’d also told Linden

they were mates, but humans and spirit wolves could not be together,

then gone back to say they actually could, since Ash’s brother found

not one, but two mates. “This is very confusing.”

“I understand.” Ash hugged him tightly. “It’s okay. If you’re

willing to try, we have all the time in the world to get to know each

other. I admit I never intended to tell you about me being your mate,

but this gives me hope.”

Linden understood what Ash wasn’t saying, the depth of the loss

Ash would have suffered had it been so. “So now what?” he asked.

“Well, they’re sending someone to check on your mom. Perhaps

we’ll find out something more then.”

Linden certainly hoped so. “Well, until then, what do you say

about an old- fashioned dinner at home? I know my mother would

love to meet you.”

Ash’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? I’d be honored, but…”

Linden silenced Ash with a peck. He knew he was doing the right

thing. He couldn’t hide this from his mom. Perhaps he wouldn’t tell

her about the ferals, but he had to share the incipient emotions in his

heart. It all felt too huge for him, and yet, so very real.

He started to lead the way back until he realized he didn’t have a

clue on where Ash actually took him. He glanced back at the other

42

Scarlet Hyacinth

man. “I suppose this is where you take me into your arms again and

take us to town.”

Ash laughed and started to put his clothes on. “With pleasure.”

* * * *

After a flash race through the forest, they reached the town. A

brisk walk led them to Linden’s home in maybe fifteen minutes. Ash

enjoyed every moment of it. It surprised him Linden had taken the

entire thing so well. It could be shock, or something different.

However, his prospects improved considerably since this morning,

since he’d considered himself doomed to abandon his human mate.

Still, nervousness coursed through him at the thought of meeting

his mate’s mother. What did Linden intend to say? Their relationship

was ambiguous at best. He couldn’t exactly call himself Linden’s

boyfriend—in human terms—but neither could he explain the spirit

wolf logic of their bond. “Don’t look so tense,” Linden said, taking

his hand. “She’s going to love you. You’ll see.”

The warmth of his mate’s hand drove away all fear, and Ash

grinned sheepishly. “I hope so.”

They entered the courtyard through a small gate. The house had

definitely seen better days, but on the whole, it looked well-kept.

Rose bushes, well- trimmed and cared for, decorated the alley. The

paint on the fence was beginning to peel, but the wood stood strong.

Linden retrieved a key from his pocket and opened the door. “It’s not

much,” he said, “but it’s home.”

The first thing that struck Ash was the aroma of freshly baked

cookies. Whole wheat, honey, carob chip cookies. Excluding his

mate, he hadn’t smelled anything so delicious since he’d last been

home. “Mom, I’m home,” Linden called out.

He gestured Ash to get in and close the door. They followed the

scent into a cozy kitchen. A slender, long- haired woman sat at the

Mates in Life and Death

43

table, drinking what smelled like ginseng tea. “Hi, baby,” she said.

“Sorry I couldn’t welcome you.”

Linden knelt next to his mother. “No problem. You okay? You

shouldn’t have strained yourself to cook. You know you shouldn’t be

around smoke.”

“I had a feeling you’d come early, and I wanted to surprise you

with something sweet,” she replied. Her voice sounded weak, but

warm. “And you used to love these cookies a lot when I made them.”

Her gaze turned to Ash. “Besides, we have a guest today. What kind

of host would I be if I didn’t have anything to serve?”

Ash blinked in surprise. He knew for a fact that Linden hadn’t let

his mother know of Ash’s visit. Linden, however, didn’t seem

shocked. He just tsked. “Okay, but you shouldn’t have gone to all the

trouble.”

“It’s no trouble,” she replied. “Now introduce me to your friend.”

Linden gestured for Ash to come closer, then flushed, clearly

realizing Ash never told him his full name. “I’m Ashton Hart,” he

said, helping his mate out.

“Pleased to meet you, Ashton,” the human woman replied. “I’m

Willow Rivers.” She tilted her head as if analyzing him. “That’s odd.”

“What? What’s wrong, Mom?”

Willow hummed thoughtfully. “I’m glad he’s come at last, but I

saw you with a different wolf.”

Ash gaped at Willow, shocked at her statement. He wasn’t sure

which part of it to address first. Willow laughed. “Don’t look so

shocked, Ashton. I may not know exactly who you are, but I can feel

it. And I dreamt it a long time ago.”

Linden’s easy acceptance of his paranormal nature began to make

sense. He’d grown up with a woman with a clear affinity for the

supernatural. In fact, if Ash had to guess, his mate probably shared his

mother’s abilities.

“Sit and eat. You look tired.”

44

Scarlet Hyacinth

Ash obeyed, her gentle voice directing him with as much certainty

as his spirit wolf trainer’s growls once did. Linden placed a platter of

cookies in front of them, a few glasses, and a large carafe of natural

orange juice.

He then took a seat between his mother and Ash. Ash felt so odd

to share a table with this human woman over crispy cookies and juice.

It felt so much like home that he suddenly had the yearning to see his

own family. “Tell me about yourself,” Willow said.

Ash considered his words, wondering how to explain what he did

without frightening her. She seemed so frail, like a porcelain doll, but

yet, she held such hidden strength it awed him. “I’m a warrior. I guard

my people. I have two younger brothers and a sister, and the oldest of

them shares my work. And… I really like Linden.”

Linden grabbed a cookie and bit into it. “You never told me that,”

he said in a pouty tone.

Willow smiled. “I’m sure you’ll have plenty of time to figure

things out. The important thing is you found each other.” Her

expression sobered. “But, Ashton, is what you do dangerous for

Linden?”

“I wouldn’t do anything dangerous for him,” Ash answered. “I

won’t lie. O ur way of life has dangers. But we hope to change it.”

“And his family said they’re going to help us with a lung

transplant,” Linden piped in.

Willow looked surprised, and then her expression turned cautious,

even reluctant. In a sense, Ash understood her. Transplant surgery

was risky, and now that he saw her, he realized it might not be an

appropriate solution. But Ash didn’t doubt his people would be able

to find an alternative.

When Willow spoke again, her voice sounded skeptical. “Well,

that I didn’t expect. I don’t want you to feel obligated to help me. I

accept whatever comes as a result of my own choices.”

“It will be a pleasure for us to help. I know it would make Linden

very relieved.”

Mates in Life and Death

45

His eyes met Willow’s, and in that moment, Ash had a feeling

they understood one another. They both loved Linden, and they’d do

whatever it took to keep him safe, loved, and happy.

46

Scarlet Hyacinth

Chapter Four

Dan exited the Magistrate’s office with Valerius. He’d been at the

Den for three months now. Throughout this period, Wolfram helped

him put some order in his memories with more sessions. He’d also

suggested some exercises he could use that would aid him do this by

himself. Naturally, Wolfram was a busy man, and he couldn’t focus

just on Dan. But they were making progress, and Dan thought soon,

he’d be ready to go. His companions occasionally visited from the

Hart compound from time to time, but he’d remained here at the Den,

and he missed his friends.

He noted Valerius seemed tense and wondered why. He realized

the reason when they met up with Trent and Marion. Trent held a cell

phone to his ear and looked concerned. “What is it?” Valerius asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“I haven’t been able to get through to Drew, or Dad,” the other

spirit wolf replied.

“I’m calling the private line of the compound now,” Marion said.

She lifted her hand to demand silence when someone answered her

call. “Yes, Mrs. Hart here. I’d like to talk to my mate or Doctor

Blunt.”

“Well, they’re not here, My Lady,” the person at the other side of

the connection said. “They’re not in the compound.”

Trent and Valerius looked visibly upset now. “They’ve left?”

Marion asked. “Where? When?”

“A few hours earlier,” came the reply. “You probably can’t

contact them because they’re flying to their destination. I’m not sure

where they’ve gone.”

Mates in Life and Death

47

Marion gritted her teeth. “I see. Thank you.”

She snapped her cell phone shut. “Keep trying at Drew’s. When I

get my hands on them…”

After a frustrating half hour, Drew took Valerius’s call. “Oh, hi,

babe. What’s up? How are you?”

“How are you?” Valerius shot back. “Or rather, where are you?

We’ve been calling you for two hours.”

“Uh… Right. Well…” At first, Drew sounded like a fidgety,

scolded child, but the brilliant scientist soon made a comeback. “You

see, we got a call from your brother. He needed some medical

assistance, and I volunteered.”

“From Ash? Why does he need help? And why in the world did

you have to go? There are other qualified medics who could’ve

gone.”

“Your brother found his mate, a human. The boy needs help for

his mother. I couldn’t
not
go.” His voice softened. “I’m sorry. I’d have told you, but I didn’t want to worry you.”