Casey, page 9
part #8 of Safe Haven Wolves Series
"I thought you left home close to a hundred years ago."
Casey smiled before she said, "What's a hundred years or so between friends? The point is, without my mother around, I haven't had anyone to talk to, and I am a bit rusty in the spoken word. I translated closely to the actual meaning."
"So how old are you? I know your kind live long lives, but you age as humans do for the first part, right?"
Nathanial choose that moment to walk into the kitchen. "Casey left home when she was barely old enough to feed herself. She is a child, still. An intelligent, resourceful child but still a child."
Casey turned to glare at him before turning back to Trey. "Don't listen to the old geezer. He was around when dirt was invented. I didn't leave home until I was in my forties. That's how long it took me to realize the clans were arranged to suck the power from the witches less powerful than them. The only thing that would have ever happened would be for the powerful to grow in power as the weaker ones fell. I don't agree with that at all. It isn't right, nor is it fair."
Gabby wasn't even trying to hide her laughter at hearing Nathanial described as an old geezer. No one had said how old Nathanial was, but the description Casey had shared of her first impression of the man was spot on. He had the body and the looks of a god. No human looking at him would have pegged him much over twenty-eight though he had to be well over three-hundred. He had a sadness to his eyes that made her wish she could have met him before the loss of his partner and seen the flashy attitude Casey had met.
"It has always been our way. One clan to lead all and one ruler above all. The problem wasn't the way the clans did things, the problem was Miranda had no moderation. She wanted to be all-powerful at the risk of any and all beneath her. I don't think that one person can rule unchecked. Initially, she had people in place to keep her grounded and to keep her from getting arrogant and tyrannical. They had a falling out, and Miranda became the dictator rather than the benevolent ruler."
"Why do the clans even need one ruler? Why not a council or some type of governing body. How do they decide who rules?"
"I was wondering that myself." Craig walked in the kitchen, supporting Kate with his arm wrapped around her waist. Trey took one look at her face and slid slightly left, so he was in front of the knife block and glared at Craig. Trey watched as the man pushed everything away from his mate's spot at the table and guided her to a seated position where she promptly lay her head on the table and went back to sleep.
He hadn't liked the interaction the first morning the two stayed when Craig brought a half-sleeping Kate into the kitchen with him. That morning had been the first morning he ever saw a wolf roll his eyes with a long-suffering sigh of patience. Apparently, the morning routine had become just that, routine. Conall told him later Kate was not a morning person and a wise man let her sleep. Craig wasn't wise. Craig would half lift half drag Kate from bed, she would try to hit him with whatever was at hand when she woke enough to grab anything. The wolves would rise and circle, waking Kate more firmly, she would swear at Craig, and the process would begin all over again the next morning as he tried to turn her into a morning person. So far, from Trey's understanding, she had singed her mate's hair a few times and stabbed him twice. The second time was here in his kitchen, and it had taken longer to calm his wolf than it had to clean up the small amount of blood. Trey questioned Craig's intelligence each morning. He was persistent if nothing else. Although the list of names Kate called him in the morning was impressive nothing as nice as the word persistent came close to what was in Kate's descriptions.
"Have a seat bitches, and I will give you a history lesson." Nathanial looked over at Kate with a thoughtful pause, before waving a hand in her direction. "I think she can still reach the jelly, move it a bit further away from her right hand. If she wakes and I am the one talking I would hate to have to dodge the jar. Someone can fill that poor thing in later when she wakes up."
Trey's phone vibrated, and a glance at the screen showed him their friends from out of town had just landed. He held up a finger, "Hold that thought I have to pick up the others. Casey, why don't you ask Nathanial about that thing while I am gone." Trey reached around Gabby and grabbed a couple more slices of bacon before leaning down to kiss the end of her nose. He used the pack path to talk to her as he drove to the landing field.
Make sure when you see the Golden Wolf stir you give them plenty of room. I would hate to kill everyone because you got hurt because Craig is an idiot who can't let him mate sleep late.
Gabby giggled before sending her thoughts back toward her mate. Yes, love. Hurry back and be safe. The weatherman said it snowed last night. I called Kyle and told him to go ahead and plow just in case, so maybe he will have gotten out that far.
I will take the jeep. Thanks for calling Kyle. I didn't think about the roads.
Well, love, you have told me over and over and over and —
Trey's laugher interrupted her, What is it I have told you.
We are in this together. I love you crazy man. Now go pick up your aliens and bring them back so they can talk to your other alien friends. Trey?
Yes, baby?
Do you ever think that maybe the world has gone crazy around us or that it's just us? I mean, a year ago I didn't know shifters existed now I am playing hostess to aliens and shifters and hybrids. Sometimes I wonder if I will wake up trying to figure out what I ate that caused me to dream insane dreams.
Well, the aliens aren't so hard to get used to if you consider how impossible shifters are according to science. If you think about it, aliens make more sense and are more realistic than our people.
Still, isn't it strange that everyone seems to end up on our doorstep? I mean of all the places and people in the world you end up with two alien races as friends. How is that even possible? Do you think our world is littered with aliens to such a degree that one family located in the middle of the mountains could befriend two separate races from different parts of the galaxy or universe or wherever they come from?
I sleep better at night if I don't think about that.
Are you at the landing field yet? You missed the best show just now. Casey started stripping her shirt off at the table, and Nathanial drew back in surprise and told her he still bats for the other team. She ended up throwing her shirt at him, but she missed, and it landed on Kate's head. The button got tangled in Kate's hair, and no one wants to touch it now so Kate is wearing Casey's shirt on her head and well, you should have seen it. Oh, and Nathanial doesn't have a clue about the symbol on Casey's chest. Craig said Keith can't find anything in any database he has access to, but it will take a while longer for the computers to run all the images available.
Alright. Look, love, I have an idea. Does Casey still have her shirt off?
Yes. I told you it's on Kate's head.
Well, she could have gone for another one. Listen, if Dacron is so knowledgeable about Casey's race, then he may have a clue what the tattoo is but I don't think Casey would want to ask him. Not after the way he has looked at her like she was vermin to be killed. So try to keep her top off and maybe he will say something about it. That way, she doesn't have to ask him because if she were to refuse to ask, I would have to respect that.
So we just won't ask?
Something like that. I just pulled up to the field. Gabby?
Yes, dear, still here.
Don't tell anyone but Dacron is rubbing at his chest like Casey has been doing.
What do you think it means?
No clue. Can't be a sexually transmitted disease between the two races unless they only need to be close to pass it.
Trey! It isn't a rash!
Gabby, darling, you have to remember both of our friends come from different planets. We don't know what a rash looks like on their worlds. We can't judge their bodies by ours. Hell, for that matter, we don't react the way humans do to everything. We will be back shortly. I will try to find out anything I can on the return trip.
Okay, be careful. Are the roads very bad?
Not terrible. Kyle is working on them.
Chapter Fifteen
Marcus sat straight up in bed swearing.
Krys moved closer and drew in a deep breath. “Go back to sleep. The pack is quiet this morning, and you told everyone to take off today until noon. We have to wait on the shipment to get through with more material anyway.”
Marcus turned a stricken look toward his mate. “We never called Craig. He must be going insane wondering what my decision will be and whether he will have a home to come back to when he is done trying to help Trey.”
Krys stretched, and her hand drifted across her mate’s stomach. His indrawn breath was her only warning. She rolled to the side of the bed before he realized she was moving and stood up. “No, I have to pee. I have to brush my teeth. And you have to call Craig.”
“If you hadn’t added that last part. Are you coming back to bed after?”
“No, I am going to fix you breakfast and feed it to you one bite at a time. So get up.”
Marcus reached for his phone as his eyes roamed down Krys’ body. “Can I use you for a plate?”
Krys laughed. “No, you can’t use me for a plate, but I will be dessert. But you have to get up first.”
“Can I have dessert first?”
She rolled her eyes at the question and headed for the bathroom, laughing, calling back over her shoulder she told him, “No. Dessert comes after the meal. Call Craig.”
“Fine. But I want you to know you spoiled a perfectly good meal by putting the dessert last.”
He grinned at the laughter he heard in response before scrolling through his contacts to find Craig.
Marcus.
“Craig, my brother, I was wrong. I let a moment of fear and uncertainty dictate my words. My actions were unworthy of family.”
So, I still have a pack?
“You might as well ask do you still have a family.”
What of the rest of my family? My in-laws-by-mating?
“Are you sure you want to keep them?”
Of course, I am sure. I think. I haven’t had any problems yet if you don’t count the total lack of support in getting Kate to face the mornings.
“Fuck, are you still dragging her out of bed when you get up? Why do you do that to yourself? No, a better question is why do you do that to everyone else. You haven’t caused any problems at Trey’s doing that have you?
No, of course not.
Marcus heard Craig answer, but apparently, the man was around the others, which meant the phone call could be heard. From the laughter and mocking he heard in the background, he didn’t think Craig saw the situation the same as everyone else.
“Quit dragging your mate out of bed before you cause someone to get hurt. I would hate for one of mine to cause a problem in another Alpha’s territory no matter how well we are getting along.”
I am not going to cause an incident or let anyone get hurt.
Marcus heard more laughter, and after ending the call, he stared at the phone for a long while. When Krys came to check on him, he was still staring to the phone.
“Well, all better now?”
He turned startled eyes toward the bedroom door.
“Oh, baby. What’s wrong? Did something happen to Craig?” Krys rushed to the bed.
“No, everything is fine. I think.”
“Then why were you looking like that when I walked in?”
“Did you ever get the impression anyone at Trey’s could be swingers?”
“Could be what?” Krys reached out to feel his forehead, “You don’t feel like you have a fever.”
Marcus jerked his head away, “I don’t have a fever I feel fine. I called Craig, and while we were taking the others were discussing getting Casey’s shirt off of Kate’s head and talking about touching Casey’s chest. It sounded sexual to me, but I didn’t think true-mates could be swingers.”
Krys stared at him in confusion, “You must have misheard something.”
“Run your finger down the center of Casey’s chest and watch what happens. Casey, I think Kate is going to keep her head buried in your shirt for a while longer. Do those sound like I misheard something? What the hell is going on at Trey’s?
Krys shrugged, “I don’t know. Do you want to order Craig home?”
“For having an orgy? I don’t think I can order him home for doing… whatever it is he is doing. He was surrounded by people and apparently having fun. An orgy isn’t my idea of fun, I don’t plan on ever sharing you but hey, if it makes them happy. Whatever.” A slow smile crossed his face as he realized how close Krys was to the bed. Before he could grab her and pull her back to him, she jumped away.
“Oh no, you don’t. I told you I am cooking this morning so behave.
“But baby, I am ready for dessert. You promised me dessert.”
“I said after you eat.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“Food, Marcus. After you eat food, that I cook, on the stove.”
“Fine. Spoil my breakfast. But I’m gonna remember to get my dessert.”
“I hope you do. Now come on, get up. I’ll be in the kitchen.” She blew him a kiss as she walked backward out the door.
“Oh yeah female, you are gonna be the one begging by the time I am done.” He whispered.
“I heard that.”
“You were meant to hear it. Come back to bed.”
“Nope. Cooking.”
Marcus stuffed another pillow behind him and lay back, head cradled in his hand behind his head. He would wait. She would be back to check on him, and when she saw he was still in bed, she would make this cute sound of disgust and glare at him. She would tell him the food was done and he would smile. She would glare harder, if that were possible before she turned around and went back in the kitchen muttering. Then she would return with the food on a tray and insist on them eating together. Afterward, well, he would probably have to help her clean up the mess again and buy new plates. But making love with his mate in the early morning hours was worth it.
Chapter Sixteen
“Dammit, Kate, I swear.” Casey ducked another fork. “Craig, you idiot, next time leave your mate in bed to sleep.”
Kate looked around the room blinking. “Why am I in the kitchen and,” She tugged on the shirt on her head again, “ouch, what is on my head?”
“My shirt. And if you will be still, I will get your hair untangled from the buttons. That is what I was trying to do when you woke up and tugged it the first time. Now be still and quit throwing things at me. Remember, all of this is Box Man’s fault. Throw stuff at your mate next time, not the innocent bystanders who are just watching the train wreck about to happen with no place to run.
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why is your shirt on my head?”
“Oh, that’s Nathanial’s fault.”
Kate closed her eyes and blinked a few times before laying her head back on the table. Everyone watched her to see if she had given up and gone back to sleep or was just trying to process. When she lifted her head again, more than one sigh of relief echoed through the room.
“Let me see if I understand. Speak slower. Why am I wearing your shirt on my head?”
“Well you see, I was going to show Nathanial my chest and he got snarky and said he still bats for the other team and I ended up throwing my shirt at him, but since he was standing on the other side of the table it fell short and landed on your head.”
“So you, a heterosexual woman took your shirt off to show your chest to a homosexual man, that you already know is gay, and then when he reminded you he is gay you threw the shirt at him thus exposing your chest to not only him but a room full of—” Kate’s voice petered to a stop as she woke enough focus on Casey. “Where did you get that tattoo, and why does it look like it is pulsing?” Kate shook her head a couple of times and closed her eyes.
“Um, Kate, sweetheart, last night? Casey screaming? Internet search? Any of that ring a bell?” Craig watched his mate with wary eyes and saw the moment she woke enough to remember the previous night.
“Oh, yeah. Wait, it was not pulsing like that last night. When did that start?”
“Right after Trey left.”
“Gabby? I don’t know when Trey left. I wasn’t here.”
“Actually, you were. In fact, I put you right there myself.”
When Kate snarled Craig backed up a few feet. “I realize you moved me from the nice comfortable bed I was in, to this chair. I don’t know what you thought you would accomplish or why you keep insisting on doing that, but I will tell you one thing. Tonight you will find some place else to sleep. You are not sleeping with me. Cause when you sleep with me you wake up with me, and for some reason, you seem to think I need to get up when you get up, and I don’t. So until you can figure out how to get our of bed by yourself, you will be sleeping by yourself.”
“Wait, you can’t do that. I mean, it wouldn’t be fair to Trey and Gabby to ask them to open up another room for me when we can share.”
“I’m not asking them to open another room for you. I am just letting everyone know they will have to step over you in the hallway when they pass by cause you are sleeping on the floor, outside, in the hall.”
“No.”
“Oh for the love of little green apples will the two of you stop it. Every morning it is the same thing. Craig, stop dragging your mate around while she is asleep or I will personally lock you out of her room tonight and make you sleep on the floor.”
