The Return: Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

When Jonas entered the house, he came out to the back where I was working with Brent Royale, who I found on the website. It listed him as being a handyman jack-of-all-trades kind of guy, and when I spoke with him, he said that putting together a shelter for Matt would be no problem.

The work had been going well. The lean-to style edifice would give Matt protection from the elements, but still allow him to see the stars he loved. And if things got bad, Brent added tarps that a man or wolf could easily unfurl to cover the unit.

Then Jonas walked in and dropped his bombshell.

“Wait, let me get this straight,” I said for probably the fifth time. “The people who are in charge are coming to the coffeeshop Monday? And they’re bringing an entourage with them?”

Jonas gave an indulgent smile. “Yes, for the sixth time.”

“So I’ve only got this weekend to prepare. That’s just fucking awesome.”

“Brent, tell him that it’s not a big deal.”

But Brent stood there, pale as a sheet. “The Council? They’re coming here? To Harken’s Corners? Monday?”

Yeah, so encouraging. “Not a big deal, huh?”

Jonas at least had the decency too blush. “Core, I swear to you, they only want to get a chance to meet you. They’re another part of the pack that failed you, and they want the opportunity to make it right. That’s all. And they did say you could stay in Harken’s Corners, and not have to move to the pack house. That has to count for something, right?”

“No. It means they’re doing a lot of ass covering.”

He moved closer, and put a hand on my bicep. I expected to be pulled to him, and he didn’t disappoint.

“You have to stop being so mistrusting. People make mistakes, and we do our best to rectify them. The Council knows they didn’t treat you as pack, and they regret it. Give them a chance to prove themselves.”

“May I say something?” Kinsey inquired.

“Of course. Please, speak freely,” I told him.

“I’m thirty-four years old, and I have never heard the Council apologize to anyone for anything. They are the ultimate arbiters of our laws and customs. If they’re coming here, and with the intent to apologize, I would give them your trust until they prove they aren’t worthy of it.”

He made sense. I turned to Matt, who stood at the window looking out over the backyard, staring longingly at what Brent had built. It wasn’t a house, but it was something that would protect him. On the inside I placed several down comforters I’d gotten from Analise Braybrook, who crafted the most beautiful quilts I’d ever seen. I ordered a few for our place. The thing that frustrated me, was when I asked how much I owed for them, both Analise and Brent said that as the Alpha Mate, there would be no charge.

Yeah, no, but that was something I’d sort out later.

“Matt?”

He turned, eyes wide. “I’m sorry, I was…occupied.”

“No problem. What do you think I should do?”

“About what?”

Wow, he’d really been focused on the yard. “The Council is coming Monday. Do you think I owe them the opportunity to talk to me?”

“The C-C-Council?” he sputtered. “Yes, you should. They’re our leaders.”

He seemed more nervous than ever. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he squeaked. “Everything is fine.”

But it wasn’t, and I could…sense it. “Can you excuse us? I’d like to take Matt out and show him what Brent put together.”

“Corey, we—”

“I just need a few minutes,” I assured Jonas.

Matt followed me out into the yard. I closed the door, but wasn’t sure the others wouldn’t hear us anyway.

“Okay, what’s wrong?”

He dropped his gaze to the ground. “Nothing.”

“Try again. We both know you’re nervous. Tell me why. I can’t help if you don’t.”

He tilted his head up. “Why do you care? I’m not your wolf.”

“Maybe not, but I’d like to be your friend.”

He bit his lip. “This job is my last chance. If I mess this up, they’re going to send me away.”

I shook my head. “Excuse me?”

He turned away from me. “I…can’t do much. People, especially strong ones, make me nervous. I have a hard time speaking to them.”

“You seem to do fine with Jonas.”

“Alpha Jonas isn’t like other Alphas. He doesn’t demand, he asks. I think he learned a lot from you.”

Another person who said that I helped Jonas become the person he was today.

“He’s a good man, and I like him. I like you too. I love working for you, because you treat me like I matter.”

“You do.”

He gave me a wan smile. “Not according to the Council. My last four assignments, I’ve messed up somehow. I was late picking someone up for work because of traffic, and he wasn’t there on time for a vote. Another one, the guy called me stupid, then threw something at me and laughed. I jerked, and we hit a parked car.”

“Did you tell them that?”

He shook his head. “It wouldn’t matter. They’re higher up on the food chain than I am.”

The more I heard about this Council, the less I liked them. “Why don’t you go ahead and try out the shelter? Let me know if you can think of anything else you want before Brent leaves.”

He frowned. “What are you going to do?”

“Me?” I smiled at him. “I’m going to get ready for the Council.”

“Corey, I—”

“It’ll be fine, trust me. Come in when you’re ready. I’m ordering pizza for dinner.”

He squinted at me, then started stripping his clothes. I loved the fact wolves had no sense of modesty. Once he had finished taking them off, he reverently folded them and placed them on the top of the building.

“Thank you for this,” he said, his voice breaking. “It’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

Before I could reply and say how sad that was, Matt had shifted and marched inside, where he lay down on the comfy blankets. As soon as he put his head on his paws, I went back into the house. Jonas and Kinsey stopped talking, instead turning to look at me.

“Everything okay?” Jonas asked.

“Oh, peachy,” I said. “I’m looking forward to meeting the Council.”

He narrowed his gaze. “Corey….”

I gave him a smile. “Who wants pizza?”

Monday couldn’t come soon enough.

 

Corey was up and bouncing around the house at three on Monday morning. I lay in bed, watching as he got 0ut of bed, then zipped from room to room, starting coffee, throwing on some breakfast, and finally, back to the bedroom.

“Get up.”

“But I’m tired,” I whined. “Watching you exhausted me.”

He snickered. “If you think that’s bad, just wait.”

That got my attention. “What are you going to do?”

He gave me his most innocent—and obviously fake—smile. “Whatever do you mean?”

This did not bode well. “I need you to talk to me.”

“And I need you to get ready. Everything is ready, so let’s boogie.”

Then he was gone again. I don’t think I ever dressed so fast. When I got down to the kitchen, I found Kinsey standing out the window, as he sipped a cup of coffee and looked out into the backyard.

“It looks good, Corey,” he said. “Matt seems very comfortable.”

“I’m glad,” he replied, as he plated up scrambled eggs and cheese, and slid a mound of sausage onto a platter, then placed them on the table. He went to the oven, opened it, and pulled out baking tins with biscuits, which he piled onto another plate and placed in the center of the table, then added butter and jam to the setup.

After he had everything out, he opened the back door and shouted for Matt, who came bouncing in moments later. He shifted, then sat naked at the table. I looked to Corey, who seemed to take this as an ordinary thing. That made me smile, because he’d be seeing a lot of naked shifters during our pack runs.

“Mmm, this is delicious,” Matt said, stuffing a sausage into his mouth.

“It’s eggs and cheese,” Corey teased. “Kinda hard to mess up.”

Matt hummed happily as he ate his breakfast. “Aren’t you eating, Kinsey?”

He shook his head. “I’ll pick up something later.”

“No, you won’t. Sit your ass down and eat.”

I chuckled, especially seeing Kinsey’s eyes narrow. He glanced at me, and I shrugged.

“The mate has spoken,” I said, pointing to an open chair. “Respect the mate.”

It almost seemed that Kinsey was going to argue with me, but he went to the chair and flopped into it. He glared at the offending breakfast plate, before picking up a fork and taking the first bite.

“Okay, you can tell me how good it is now,” Corey teased him.

“It’s okay,” Kinsey mumbled around the big mouthful of food he’d just shoveled in. “The biscuits are a little dry.”

“And you’re a liar,” Matt said, eyes wide. Then he clapped a hand over his mouth. “I’m sorry!”

Kinsey chuckled. “No, you’re right.” He stuffed the rest of the biscuit in his mouth. “They’re amazing.”

The only sounds then were the men adding butter to the biscuits, Matt drizzling a little jam on his, and them chewing. I glanced at Corey who stood staring at me, then tilted his head toward the table.

“Oh, sorry. I was caught up in watching them graze.”

I took a seat and grabbed my own things. I marveled at how comfortable this was, even with Matt and Kinsey in the house. Then I realized that Corey never answered me.

“Don’t think plying me with food is going to make me forget, Core. What are you going to do when you meet the Council?”

He smirked. “Why, I’m gonna be the most delightful host,” he said, affecting a mock Southern accent.

“Stow it, Blanche. I think we both know better.”

“No, I promise, I’m going to be a great host. Stop worrying.”

That made me worry even more.

When we finished eating, Matt dutifully gathered the the utensils and placed them in the dishwasher.

“I could have done that,” I told him.

“Oh, no. Alphas don’t—”

“This Alpha does,” I assured him. “Both me and my mate work hard, so we’ll be splitting the household duties.”

“I’m sorry,” Corey said, “Can you tell me when I invited you to live here?”

Yeah, that was true. I had always pictured Corey and I making a home. Maybe adopting some children at some point. “Well, I was kind of hoping that you’d—”

He leaned in and kissed me. “Of course you can stay here. Nothing would make me happier.”

His cheery tone made me insanely happy. God, where he was concerned, I was way too damn easy.

He clapped his hands together. “Okay, I think it’s time we head to the shop. Lots to do today.”

That niggling worry gnawed at me. “Corey, please don’t do anything rash.”

He reached up and put a hand over his heart. “Me? I would never.”

Which meant he was planning on it. I hoped I’d be ready for the fallout.

“Let’s go. Matt, are you good to drive?”

He smiled sheepishly. “As soon as I get dressed.”

“Well, go already!” Kinsey snapped.

Matt was outside in a dash, gathering up his clothes.

“Don’t yell at him,” Corey growled.

“I didn’t,” Kinsey insisted.

“You did, and I don’t like it. Everyone treats him like crap, and I won’t have it in this house or within earshot of me. No, in fact, it stops today. Do I make myself clear?”

Kinsey swallowed hard and tilted his head to the side, baring his neck. “Yes, Alpha Mate.”

When the hell did Corey grow up? My dad had said Corey wasn’t shy about expressing his opinion, but he’d never been one to actively challenge another person like he was doing right now. And against Kinsey? Damn. Corey wasn’t the same boy I knew. Then again, neither was I. We’d both changed in the years we were apart, and I had to remember that.

“I’m ready!” Matt said, striding from the room. He had on pressed black pants and a black jacket with gold buttons over a crisp white shirt and starched tie. On his head was perched one of those stupid caps you see on chauffeurs in the movies.

Three….two….one.

“What the hell are you wearing?” Corey demanded, right on cue.

Matt glanced down. “My uniform. Why? Is something wrong with it? I remembered to polish my shoes this time.”

He stuck a foot out, and it was true. His shoe was gleaming. Matt looked spit polished and ready to work. The problem? It didn’t seem like Matt anymore.

“Go get changed,” Corey insisted. “If you’re going to be hanging out at the store, you need to be comfortable.” He glanced at Kinsey, who sat there in black pants, a white shirt similar to Matt’s, and a black blazer. “You too.”

“This is our uniform,” Kinsey said. “We have to wear them.”

“Uh, no. You don’t. What you need to do is fit in with everyone at the shop. You two stick out like sore thumbs.” He peered at Matt. “You: Jeans and a T-shirt with sneakers.” Then this gaze cut to Kinsey. “You: Jeans and a pullover. You’ll give off a preppy vibe.”

Kinsey’s eyes narrowed. “You can’t—”

“He can,” I insisted. “If the two of you want to sit in the shop, then you dress the part. Think of it as going undercover. There’s no need to draw attention to Corey like that.”

Matt seemed over the moon, while Kinsey glowered, but then left the room. When they came back, each was dressed as Corey said they should be. Before we went to the car, Kinsey put his glasses on. Matt sighed. We slid into the car; a jet black 2021 Cadillac Escalade, with me and Corey in the back, and Kinsey up front with Matt.

“Why?”

“What do you mean?” Kinsey asked, obviously confused.

“Why do you wear the mirrored glasses.”

He looked over his shoulder and gave a wolfish grin. “It’s part of my charm and mystique.” He reached up and touched his nose. “Plus, it hides my scar, which scares kids.”

“It’s fucking dumb is what it is. Only a douche wears sunglasses inside a building.”

“What about blind people?” Matt threw out.

“Okay, douches and blind people,” Corey corrected. “Which one are you, Kinsey?”

“You know, you’re….” He closed his mouth, his teeth grinding.

“You can say it, go ahead,” Corey told him. “I’m a big boy, and I can handle it.”

A quick shake of the head. “Never mind.”

“Say it, Kinsey. He’s given you permission,” I told him.

His lip quirked up. “Are you sure?”

“He said you could, so yeah, go for it.”

His head snapped over his shoulder. “You’re a dick. I might let you get shot just for shits and giggles.”

Matt gasped and looked absolutely stricken. “You wouldn’t!”

Kinsey was immediately contrite. “No, of course I wouldn’t. You know me better than that.” He nudged Matt’s shoulder with his left hand. “Right?”

Matt didn’t say anything. He sat there, his lip trembling.

“Hey, c’mon Matt. You know me. I have never spiked an assignment, and we’ve had way worse people to deal with. Remember that guy in Michigan? The one who wanted you to drive him to a brothel, then expected you to wait outside, and wanted me to stand guard in the room while he…did the deed. Nothing could be worse than that.”

In the rearview mirror, I could see the shine in Matt’s eyes. Corey was right. Matt needed to be protected.

“Matt, they’re goofing around, I promise. Corey isn’t angry with Kinsey, and I know Kinsey is teasing.”

“It’s just…. I look to you because you always know the right thing to do. I figure if I follow your lead, I’ll be okay.”

“I won’t ever let you fail,” Kinsey replied, putting a hand on Matt’s forearm. “We’re a team, me and you. Right?”

Matt sighed, but his smile came back. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Kinsey insisted. “I was being rude, and I had no call to be.”

Matt pulled up in front of the shop, then got out and opened the door for us.

“Thank you,” Corey said, giving Matt a wink.

The puppy dog expression on Matt’s face told me everything I needed to know. He wasn’t in love with Corey, but he had a huge case of hero worship going on. It only made sense. Corey had put together a shelter in the yard, just because Matt wanted to watch the stars. I’d dealt with a few Alphas and their mates before, and none of them would deign to do something like that for the help. It’s another thing that made Matt better than any other person I knew.

Now if I could only be sure what he was going to do when the Council arrived.