《(BL) Tales of a Shifter (P1) - The Meeting》


 Chapter 1 - His End

    CHAPTER 1 - His End


    (The gossamer moon was the only sentinel to witness our tenuous beginnings.)


    -Unknown


    Brandon burst past a clump of trees, racing deep into the woods.


    A fine mist of droplets fell from the pine needles overhead, down into his dirty blond hair. The water saturated him. Plastering the few dry strands left down onto his scalp, forehead, and temples. His wet clothes clung to him and made his thin cheeks and dark-rimmed eyes seem all the more devastating.


    Brandon whipped away a cool droplet from his skin, fighting not to shiver and failing miserably. ¡°Damn forest! It¡¯s freezing!!.¡± He panted shallowly as he moved forward and asked himself. ¡°Where the hell am I anyway!?¡±


    Brandon pushed through another water-soaked pine branch and gritted his teeth as the cold dew drenched him once more. His soggy ashy blue jeans and thin black t-shirt gripped his flesh with a sharp bite.


    Clingy and cold like ice. While his shoes were soggy, rotten, and two days from falling off his feet completely.


    Shaking away the cold he tried to motivate himself.


    ¡°Keep going Brandon...Don¡¯t think, just move your feet. Move...just a little more...¡± Brandon whispered to himself. Egging himself on raspy and weak. Still, he knew that he had to keep moving.


    The crunch of the pine needles beneath his rapid, stumbling steps, were muffled by the trees all around him. They blotted out the expanse of the sky, only allowing Brandon disconcerting hints of stars, clouds, and some small silvery shafts of moonlight; that far from illuminated his way deeper into the darkness.


    Unluckily more often than not Brandon found himself running full on into one tree after another. But if someone had asked him, he would have been hard-pressed to choose between the lack of light or the giant hole in his side that was causing him to traverse the darkness in a drunken, painful slump.


    Brandon slipped, his heavy feet knocking each other turning his stumble into a full-on face plant into the soil, but at the last moment, Brandon raised his hands from his stomach and snatched at the tree beside him. His nails scratched into the bark. Chips and splinters shoved themselves underneath his nails, releasing the heavy scent of pine and sap.....and blood.


    Biting his lip as the pain subsided, Brandon tried to catch his breath. He slowly came around to look at his throbbing fingertips.


    In the sad light of the moon, Brandon looked at his hands for the first time in hours.


    Ignoring the stiff sting of wood under his nails, he stared grimly at his blood-soaked fingers and forearms and then sighed. Brandon knew without looking at the rest of himself that his entire lower shirt and right pants leg were drenched in coppery fresh blood. His blood. And he also knew that there was enough blood in the soil behind him that it should have killed him by now.


    Surely he was already dying.


    Fresh blood painted his hand, his stomach, it dripped steadily from the cuff of his right pants legs down into the scrub beneath him. Gleaming like bright red paint there was even a thin trickle of blood running from his cheek and lips where distinct gashes and a large painful bruise were just beginning to take purplish black definition.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Brandon stared at his blood covered appendages a moment or two longer trying to gather the strength, no. The Will to move.


    ¡°Oh come on!¡± He whispered fiercely to himself. ¡°Pick up your feet! Don¡¯t stop!¡±


    Brandon leaned awkwardly on that tree. Which was honestly the only thing keeping him on his bone tired feet and tried to ignore the blood that gushed out of the wound in his side every single time that he took a breath.


    With every little wave of watery warmth that flowed down his hips, to further drench his pants, Brandon grew groggier, weaker.


    But with every scrap of power still left in his body, he refused to pass out. Even as the fatigue of his journey slammed into his lungs and made his knees shake.


    I won¡¯t stop....I can¡¯t...


    He told himself.


    But deeper than that he was afraid to stop.


    Brandon¡¯s raised his head and slammed his fist into the trunk savagely. And welcomed the pain that came with that. Determination and sorrow warred there in his groggy green eyes.


    ¡°No,¡± he whispered angrily to himself, barely having the strength to move his lips. ¡°You are not going to make this easy for them! If this is the night that they finally catch up to you Brandon....By god, you¡¯re going to make the bastards work for it!¡± He lectured himself raising his head, to glare into the darkness before him; as though his enemies¡¯ were there in the shadows, not somewhere behind him, chasing him.


    Like rabid dogs after a newborn fawn.


    Pick up your feet and MOVE!!!!


    He shouted inwardly. And somehow he did move.


    Brandon groaned as he dropped his bloody arms back to his sides and forced his tired legs to bend.


    He couldn¡¯t help but shiver as more blood gushed out of the gaping hole in his side to splash across his hip. That terrible feeling made him want to throw up. A continuous sickly warm flow on his legs as the blood fled his veins.


    Somehow feeling cold and numb all at once Brandon took one step, then another. The time fell away as he kept moving forward. Soon he was melding with the darkness even as his skin paled more and more in the scant moonlight.


    ***


    Sadly Brandon realized he wasn¡¯t going to get very far get far before they came upon him.


    It began with the rustle in the trees then along the pine needled path he had at his back. Then the sound of a hunter, deep and vicious, a growl that rose every hair on his neck. This growl was strange to his ears, but in his state of anemia and exhaustion, Brandon couldn¡¯t be bothered to wonder exactly why that was.


    Of course, at this sound, Brandon tried to flee, further into the trees. But Brandon stumbled into three more trees before he finally had to still his footsteps or risk falling to the ground for good. His head swam with pain and confusion. But even with his mind befuddled he knew a few select things. A few important things.


    He knew he was lost. He knew he was dying. And he knew that it was there with him now, only awaiting its chance to pounce. Well and truly unsurprised that this was going to be his final night of living, Brandon chuckled weakly, coughed, and got ready to make his last pathetic stand.


    Gritting his teeth against the new gush of blood and pain that flowed out of his body following his movement. Brandon reached around to the center of his back and gripped the handle of a dagger.


    It was a simple weapon, with a jet-black handle and a blade as long as his palm and as sharp as any good blade could be.


    It sat sheathed just beneath his shirt and thrust through his leather belt so he could pull it when he needed it. Grabbing for it, but he refrains from brandishing it, he turned slowly. Using the pine tree at his shoulder as a crutch he took a pathetic stance more leaning than standing and glanced out into the now eerily silent forest.


    With his back up against the tree Brandon scanned the night with green eyes too dulled by pain to reflect anything but exhaustion and...Acceptance. He held his place there at the tree, panting, bleeding out, praying that this would be it, and waiting for the monster to descend and devour him.


    Somehow taking a deep breath he screamed. ¡°Come on!! Show yourself! You hear me! IM NEVER GOING BACK TO HIM!!!!¡±


    Brandon gripped the dagger tighter as another growl cascaded on the night, bouncing off the tree trunks, encasing him, and pounding on his ears, and waited for his end.

 Chapter 2 - New Smell

    Chapter 2- New Smell


    Ezekiel didn¡¯t know what exactly called him off the beaten path that night....but on instinct, he had followed the soft breeze of the night. Now he stood and watched the mortal below him from the tree branches high above the intruder''s oblivious head.


    So close that he could smell nothing but thick coppery blood.


    It drenched the air, it bleed across Ezekiel¡¯s senses, tickling the beast inside of him. It growled dangerously coming awake in moments as if jolted from its rest.


    So strange. It was a curious scent, blood....and something else, laced along with it. It overpowered the smell of pine that had always been a part of his Clans forests.


    The smell of a mortal was alien to him in and of itself.


    Ezekiel had never actually met one in person before. Of course he had been told all kinds of things, much of which he had quickly tossed right back out of his brain before it could take root.


    Many Shifter¡¯s not only wanted to stay far away from mortals, but a lot of them feared their sapien partners. His people seemed to mistrust their weapons, and their influence, but many Shifters just disliked their massive numbers.


    Unlike any of the seven Shifter Clans around the world, it was well known that mortals rarely suffered from things like infertility. In fact, Ezekiel had even heard it told that the mortals had so many children that many of them were discarded by their parents or sold into slavery, or wiped out of the womb completely.


    But this blood, almost burned slightly as Ezekiel inhaled it. It was strong.....it was new.


    He took another inhale. A deep rumble bubbled up into the darkness. The beast within him was disturbed by the smell and yet compelled to pull it in.


    It was like pepper was being drug deep into his nose, but beneath the strange pinch, there was something, warm? Something...intriguing. Ezekiel knew that he needed to run this stranger off for good.


    That he needed to chase the Mortal off Clan Lands and go back to patrolling the woods the same as he had every night, but instead Ezekiel found himself stuck in the trees, clocking the unwitting mortal with his senses.


    In the back of his mind, he heard the anxious growls of his companion, his Shifter.


    The beast inside, the big cat was more than disturbed by the mortals'' presence and sharp scent.


    The claws of its consciousness dug at Ezekiel''s mind, his soul. Begging, asking, and insistent to be released. It wanted to investigate, to hunt, to get closer, and Ezekiel wanted it too.


    He soothed the companion inside of his chest, calming its energy, but still, the air filled with the warm pop of the Shift. Small aspects of his inner beast bled through, merging with his mortal form, mixing them.


    Ezekiel soft blue eyes, and black pupils, contracted sharply, slitting into the eyes of a beast....a cat.


    And Ezekiel knew that his irises would be shining now, an iridescent bright blue light would now be lent to his gaze by the Shifter inside, that turned his soft blue gaze into twin globes of light.


    The blue in them was far too pale to be called sky blue. To him it was more like the hot flash of lightning in a storm. While his nails began to lengthen. Growing by inches. Which was an unpleasant tug, following the energy he released until his nails were sharp claws, more than capable of ripping a man limb from limb.


    His teeth also grew and, much like his nails, this was accompanied by an unpleasant tugging sensation as his mortal canines, extended into fangs worthy of any hunter.


    With the Shifter sense pouring into him, energizing him, sharpening his reflexes, eyesight, smell, and taste all at once; Ezekiel once more took a deep inhale of the air. With a soft inhuman growl, he started testing it for information. The essence of another scent could tell him so many things.


    The smell could reveal how his prey was feeling. If they were sick. Where they had been. Even what items they were possibly carrying on them.


    So Ezekiel opened his mouth and pulled in the air; parting his lisp slightly so that the scents could saturate his tongue and throat. And instantly wished that he hadn¡¯t!This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Ezekiel gagged hard as the smell of sour puss and sickly pungent rot coated the back of his throat.


    Infection....a terrible infection...


    Ezekiel thought to himself as he took another breath.


    This mortal....is very sick. How did he manage to get here in that state?


    Ezekiel shook his head.


    He¡¯ll be dead soon...


    Ezekiel realized as he looked down on the muttering mortal.


    Not only could Ezekiel smell the blood, but his feral eyes saw the way the intruders'' bloody clothing stuck to his frail shivering body.


    He could smell blood coating the air like a mountain of pepper and copper.


    The tastes of it on his palate was so warm, that it burned Ezekiel¡¯s nose.


    But.....oddly he didn¡¯t turn and leave. He couldn¡¯t...he couldn¡¯t turn away.


    He.....wanted to speak to the mortal all of a sudden. He wanted to investigate.....he wanted to smell more of this strange, yet somehow good smell.


    He wanted to meet this being that he knew nothing about. He....wanted to help it.


    But mortals aren¡¯t supposed to be here....


    Ezekiel had to remind himself. Then he looked down at the intruder again. The mortal was screaming something, his voice so dry and broken that it made Ezekiel cringe.


    Still... it¡¯s sick. If I leave now.....?


    There was so much blood. And now Ezekiel was torn. Did one run an injured and dying mortal away? Or did he help it?


    Unexpectedly the choice was made for him as the mortal suddenly broke off from his mad rants and slumped over in a huddle against the pine tree.


    Liquid coughs, and sounds that Ezekiel had never known before began to come out of the intruder below him. Sounds like that.....hurt him to hear. Like sobs.....like soft screams. Like pure agony.


    And before he knew it Ezekiel was going down.


    But remaining cautious, Ezekiel hissed down at the intruder to get his attention first.


    Possibly startled by the sound, the Mortal screamed and jerked up his head and Ezekiel couldn¡¯t help chuckling darkly as the stranger jumped nearly out of his skin.


    Ezekiel could sense the mortal fighting to find the voice that taunted him in the darkness. But knowing that he was hidden from view, Ezekiel looked over the mortal form above. He couldn¡¯t see much from his angle. Just the top of the mortal mans head. Its hair was light golden and brown and soaking wet.


    Simple pants and a shirt also soaking wet. And bright, giant blood stains...all over. But more important than all of that Ezekiel couldn¡¯t see anything on the intruder that he could use as a weapon.


    No sheathes. No bulges in his pockets. But Ezekiel knew that that didn¡¯t exactly mean that the intruder didn¡¯t have any hidden blades on him.


    I¡¯ve got to take this slow....just in case...


    He told himself, then he moved in.


    Ezekiel stalked along the branches over the mortals oblivious head; toeing the wood beneath his feet. His movements were graceful, smooth, and confident. Because of the beast inside, Ezekiel never feared falling. He trusted the beast, his inner cat to lead him safely; to navigate the darkness for its mortal counterpart.


    Quickly Ezekiel lept from the tree without any hesitation.


    Like fluid, he fell to the forest floor ten feet below, until he felt the shock of spongey needles underneath his feet. Ezekiel then let gravity pull him down into a crouch, as he came to a stop, and then he listened for the mortal¡¯s response.


    Ezekiel had landed only a few feet away from him, but the mortal didn¡¯t seem to notice him yet. Ezekiel had heard that mortals couldn¡¯t see well in dim light. Nor did it seem like they could smell the way his people did.


    Any Shifter would have smelled him by now, but this stranger remained slumped over by the tree. Making that horrible noise.....smelling so....different from anything Ezekiel had ever known.


    Suddenly the mortal spoke. ¡°Please.....please just stop....¡± The intruder sobbed into the shoulder of the pine tree holding him up. His face was still a mystery to Ezekiel as the mortal had it turned into the dark shadows of the night, and his dirty, wet hair was obscuring his face. But his voice was shaky, breathless....and scared.


    Ezekiel straitened to his feet, silently watching the intruder for any signs of agitation as he took one cautious step and then another step forward and as he moved Ezekiel tried to speak to the strange person.


    ¡°Hello?¡± Ezekiel said softly to the mortal and was rewarded with a terrified shout as the mortal jerked his head up.


    Ezekiel paused for a moment as the mortal seemed to finally notice him there in the darkness.


    Still Ezekiel couldn¡¯t really see his face, but their eyes did meet. Mint green. And Shadows. That¡¯s what he saw. Eyes so green that they should have been glowing. Eyes so lost that they took one look at Ezekiel and darkened with....deep distress.


    They looked at each other for only a few seconds before the mortal made a soft broken sound and scrambled back into the tree even more.


    He was holding his side...Ezekiel could see. He could also see the blood rushing Instantly Ezekiel got hit with another sharp jab of his scent. Puss, dirt, and blood...a lot of strange blood. ¡°Hey, what happened to you?¡± he asked as he took another step closer. ¡°Whats wrong?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± the intruder abruptly moaned. ¡°I won¡¯t!!!¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t?¡± Ezekiel asked him. Confused by this mortals erratic behavior. ¡°You won¡¯t what? Hey, can you hear me?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t go....¡± The intruder simply whispered. ¡°I wont.¡±


    Ezekiel shook his head.


    Did all mortals behave this way?


    Ezekiel asked himself as he moved closer.


    Or is he acting this way because of the pain he¡¯s in?


    But somewhere along the way Ezekiel had made a terrible mistake....


    He had dropped his guard and entered the mortal¡¯s personal space.


    Purely on instinct Ezekiel shifted his weight to the side just as the blow hit.


    The intruders'' shin cracked into his right thigh with more force and power than Ezekiel would have thought was possible. The precision made it had to deflect the strike without pain. Ezekiel stumbled back, as he blocked the groin shot. But he didn¡¯t get the chance to be happy about it before he looked up and saw a glinting blade coming down angled at his heart!

 Chapter 3 - Sweet Death

    Chapter 3 - Death


    With a snarl, more beast then man, Ezekiel charged into the mortal.


    He clamped his hands around the mortal¡¯s smaller right wrist that was holding the blade, and slammed him back fully into the tree beside them.


    The mortal screamed in agony, and Ezekiel smelled more blood rush into the air, but the mortal wasn¡¯t done in by Ezekiel¡¯s attack.


    A fist, small, and hard cracked into the side of his head. Once, then twice.


    Ezekiel tottered to the side as blood blossomed inside his cheek and his hold on the mortal slipped. And then the mortal started to rush him.


    Ezekiel quickly retreated. With his hands out to his sides, and his knees bent he stepped back as the mortal ran at him.


    The intruder slashed the blade back and forth. He knew what he was doing with the blade Ezekiel soon realized as he looked for an opening and failed to find one for the first few seconds.


    Close and centered to the body. The mortal held himself in a tight ball of rage and precision. And Ezekiel didn¡¯t want to risk tackling him and getting cut. But there was something. The blood. The more that the mortal moved, the more that the blood on his side ad pants began to deepen. Fresh blood soaked his body and still he kept going.


    Ezekiel found himself getting increasingly upset as they continued to move around each other.


    The mortal was going to make himself bleed to death.


    Abruptly between a strait thrust of his blade, that had Ezekiel jumping back too keep from getting disemboweled, the mortal stumbled over his own feet.


    Ezekiel saw the hiccup and shot back in.


    He slugged the mortal in the jaw and even though Ezekiel pulled the blow, the intruder promptly crumpled onto the pine needles in front of Ezekiel and didn¡¯t move again.


    Slightly guilt-stricken. Ezekiel stared down at the mortal.


    Shit.....did I kill him that easily!? He asked himself as he dropped his fists and stood up straight.


    Panting Ezekiel didn¡¯t waste one moment, he crouched down next to the mortal and tried to feel his pulse and that¡¯s when the mortal hit him with the blade. With a broken scream, the mortal sat up startling Ezekiel with the sudden move.


    Flashing in the moon, the mortal turned and slammed the blade deep into his chest. So close and so deep by his heart that Ezekiel swore that he felt the cold metal brush against it. And then, before Ezekiel could recover his wits ,the blade was ripped back out and the mortal cocked back to drive it into him once more....


    ***


    Ezekiel roared.


    No!


    The beast inside of him roared out in rage.


    Energy flooded his body, pushing the pain back for a moment, allowing Ezekiel to snap his body back. He dropped out of the blade''s way, back onto his hands, and then he raised his leg and slammed it down into the mortal¡¯s stomach and ribs. And this time he didn¡¯t hold anything back.


    The mortal screamed in true agony.


    A sound that made Ezekiel hate himself a little bit came out of his bruised mouth, as the mortal dropped the blade into the soil. Then the mortal rolled over onto his stomach and tried to crawl away, coughing and hacking for air.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Jesus Christ, just stop it already!!¡± Ezekiel found himself snarling as he scrambled across the earth and struggled with the mortal once more. ¡°Calm down.¡± The Shifter in him growled as the mortal elbowed him in the cheek.


    Finally fed up, Ezekiel grabbed the man''s wet clothes and flipped the man over and turned him onto his back. Then he had to straddle the intruder to keep him still and to negate any kicks he tried to deliver. But the mortal kept right on fighting him.


    The mortal screamed some more, his green eyes wide, but unseeing. His panic and pain and blood were all like a blanket around them. It was suffocating. The mortal kept kicking and punching. Fighting for his life. Tears ran down his cheeks.


    ¡°Dammit! Stop! Clam down.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s hand closed around the man¡¯s throat like iron.


    The mortal went still beneath him for a second. Then the intruder clawed at his hand, gasping for air, then choking on a wordless sob as he found that he couldn¡¯t pull Ezekiel¡¯s fingers away.


    It was a horrible sound. His fear was impossible to ignore. His struggles so weak now compared to his earlier more aggressive movements that Ezekiel wanted to lessen the strength of his hold. ¡°Just calm down. I dont want to hurt you.... ¡± he said softly looking away from the intruder and over to his shoulder.


    A sharp pain shot out of his chest and shoulder feeling like fire from the knife wound , but even though the wound enraged Ezekiel and caused him considerable agony, something kept Ezekiel from actually breaking the intruder¡¯s throat right then in retaliation.


    Something about his eyes. His smell.


    Ezekiel didn¡¯t want to give the mortal the chance to attack him again, but the mortal made another wet gurgle, and somehow Ezekiel found himself releasing the mortal abruptly.


    Then Ezekiel put a hand to his chin and held his face steady so he could get his first clear look. The darkness still kept him from really putting a face to this strange man , but his eyes stood out in that mask of dirt, made of blood and pain.


    Mint green eyes opened and closed as the mortal hacked, his voice was light but hoarse. And for the moment the mortal was docile beneath him. Ezekiel tried to let him catch his breath before he began interrogating him, but the mortal had other plans.


    ¡°Who are you? Why are you here!? Why¡¯d you attack me!?¡± Ezekiel soon hissed at the mortal staring him in the eyes.


    Ezekiel could see that his skin, beneath the dirt, was pale and his body was shaking. Ezekiel felt it, against his legs. He felt the warmth too. Blood, flowing out of the mortal¡¯s side, coating his inner right pants leg. Soaking in a big crimson circle that worried Ezekiel.


    The smell of it pinched his nose still. So strange to him. He¡¯d never smelled such a smell before. The mortal didn¡¯t respond to him, but Ezekiel could feel his strength flowing away as the mortal kept blinking and watching him.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± he asked the mortal again softer, his throat clogged with the scent of the man. The mortal¡¯s eyes moved along Ezekiel¡¯s face, then his jaw and then back to his eyes. His eyes lids fluttered closed then opened again slowly.


    Is he going to pass out? He doesn¡¯t seem lucid.


    The mortal gazed up at him for a few long moments not speaking, or moving and Ezekiel let him. Then suddenly Ezekiel had his wet bloody hands on his face. Staining his cheeks. Ezekiel would have jerked back, but the strange man¡¯s hands were gentle as they slide past his cheeks and ears and up into his scalp and stopped there. Ezekiel swallowed as he had the strangest urge to lean back into the touch. A quiver traced his belly and spine.


    Then the man was pulling on the back of Ezekiel¡¯s head. Forcing him down.


    Until they were nearly nose to nose. The mortal looked him right in the eyes and said simply ¡°Finally come to claim me...take me away? Its funny that you¡¯re beautiful.¡± He whispered, his voice wrecked with exhaustion, but strong and enchanting. ¡°I thought Death was supposed to be ugly, but your breathtaking...why did you take so long? I want to go¡­.Im so tired¡­.¡±


    Cloudy green eyes drooped and then the mortal leaned in even more. His eyes closed and shockingly Ezekiel felt something soft and warm brush against his lips. A thrum of excitement and shock took Ezekiel¡¯s breath and senses away as the man kissed him softly, then hard. Desperate and weak, a sob clashed between them as the man suddenly ran his tongue past Ezekiel''s frozen lips. Confusion took hold, but nothing was confusing about the deep wave of satisfaction that crashed over Ezekiel¡¯s inner beast when the stranger''s taste registered on his tongue. His senses scattered as his inner beast mewled in delight, something cold lit up in him like his soul had been brushed with sunlight for the first time and a moan bubbled past his lips as he felt the creature inside of him pull the stranger closer, clambering against his body, pushing Ezekiel to deepen the kiss. On instinct his arm wrapped around the man he was frail like a bird but he felt so¡­.


    What the hell am I doing!


    Ezekiel jerked back in surprise, his senses returned, and the mortal¡¯s hands fell off of him. They landed on the earth next to the mortal, who had in fact passed out.

 Chapter 4 - Mercy

    Chapter 4- Taking Stock


    ¡°Well....What do I do with you now?¡± Ezekiel asked himself.


    In the deathly silent moments that passed after the mortal fell unconscious, this was the only question, out of the other hundred buzzing around in his head; which Ezekiel most desperately wanted to find an answer to. Feeling somewhat unbalanced by the slight tingles dancing from where the man had stolen the kiss. Ezekiel wiped at his mouth and shook his head.


    Still leaning over the mortal on the ground, Ezekiel felt harsh twinges of pain lance down his arm and across his collar. Reminding him that he had just in fact survived a deadly blow. Ezekiel took a moment to reassure himself that the stranger wasn¡¯t going to jump up and stab him again.


    Calling on the beast inside him, he felt warm energy flowing out of his core and into his eyes. With a slight sting, Ezekiel then felt his eyes slit, taking on the shape of a cat''s gaze. With soft moves he swept his hands across the stranger¡¯s hips and ankles, searching for more blades. With the beast inside lending him its sight, the darkness melted away and for the most part, Ezekiel could see as though the sun was sitting overhead. But even with his sight improved he quickly came up empty.


    He didn¡¯t discover any other hidden blades, but he did find a pair of gloves stuffed into the mortal''s back pocket. As dark as the night sky and made from supple leather, Ezekiel took a moment to inspect the gloves, but like the rest of the mortals, they were empty. Ezekiel slipped the gloves into his back pocket and sighed.


    Who are you?


    Ezekiel said to himself shaking his head. Even though his search had been brief, Ezekiel hadn¡¯t been able to find one scrap of information on the intruder that would have pointed to the man¡¯s identity.


    Yet his search had given Ezekiel some things to think about.


    Like the fact that every inch of the mortal''s stomach and legs were covered in his odd-smelling blood. His clothes were also sickly warm to Ezekiel¡¯s touch, and Ezekiel could feel more of the warm fluid staining his own pants as he continued to look over the mortal; which told him that the mortal had been bleeding for a long time. Heavily.


    As Ezekiel searched the mortal over for signs of injuries. He soon realized that the blood was coming out of his side. Without hesitation, Ezekiel shimmed back on his knees and slowly peeled the mortals blood-soaked shirt up so that he could see the wound.


    A milky, pussy, glob of flesh, and stench were all he could make out though. The hole in the man¡¯s side was a fevered red shade of irritation and it stunk of sour rot.


    With a gag, Ezekiel closed his eyes and let the mans shirt fall back over the disturbing sight.


    Ugh! That¡¯s not a cut.....a piece of his fucking body is just gone!


    Ezekiel thought.


    Something must have eviscerated him......How the hell is he still alive....!?


    Ezekiel gagged on the smell once more as he opened his eyes and tilted his head trying to listen for a sign that the mortal was actually still alive. His breathing was nearly nonexistent....but his heart was a whisper to his senses. Ezekiel strained his ears for some sign of life.


    ¡°HOHOHO!!¡± With a robust hoot of victory, an owl tore across the canopy overhead. Breaking the silence abruptly.


    Ezekiel shook off the needles that fell from the trees. And with his concentration destroyed, Ezekiel tried again.


    Putting a hand to the mortal¡¯s mud-stained throat, as he leaned down to his chest, Ezekiel slowly let the beast inside fill him up and alter his hearing. He tuned its senses into the silence. Cutting out the shifting winds and pines above, as well as the harsh, excited chirp of the crickets below. And still....he didn¡¯t hear anything.


    Normally the beast inside would have picked up the mortals heartbeat from across the clearing, but his breathing and his heartbeat had vanished.


    Long seconds passed and still, there was nothing. Ezekiel found himself with his ear pressed right over the stranger¡¯s heart.


    Come on.....


    Confused as to why it mattered to him at all that the mortal didn¡¯t die, Ezekiel just listened harder. As though that would make the mortal take a breath.


    Come on...!


    Ezekiel found himself urging the stranger to breathe even as he held his own breath to escape the smell of the rot on the mortals clothes, but even with his ear on the mortals chest, there was nothing there.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    No shallow breaths....no heartbeat. The mortal was gone.


    Ezekiel felt something cold brush his heart....as if he had just been thrust into the underworld. And he didn¡¯t know why. His mind shifted into stark dread he couldn¡¯t overcome initially.


    And then there was a tiny thump. And then a few seconds later....a second thump. A weak heartbeat.


    Releasing a harsh breath, Ezekiel pulled back. The cold dread ripping deep into his soul dissipated.


    He¡¯s alive...just barely...but seriously what do I do with him, now?


    Coming to a decision that the mortal wasn¡¯t capable of moving, much less attacking in his current sorry state Ezekiel decided to move off a ways and inspect the wounds that he had sustained earlier. And to think.


    With a painful hiss, Ezekiel lowered himself into the pine needles beside the mortal and inspected his shoulder.


    Ezekiel quickly lifted up his shirt, biting back another painful hiss as he watched the blood flowing down his right peck from a giant, bloody gash two spaces to the left of his heart. The wound in his shoulder was clean and at least a few inches deep.


    As Ezekiel inspected it with his slit eyes in the darkness a small chill raced down his spine as he realized something.


    Just a few more centimeters to the right....and with a little bit more strength....he would have killed me.


    Ezekiel told himself.


    As a Shifter....Ezekiel and anyone like him benefited from the power of the beast within. It was very hard to kill one of his people or imprison them. Most cuts would heal over a long period...and silver was actually the only metal that weakened a Shifters strength enough to hold them.


    Even as Ezekiel watched the blood, he began to see signs of his body working to heal.


    A soft trickle of warm energy was seeping into the area. The beast inside lent him its energy, speeding up the process. All Shifters healed in this way and Ezekiel was assured as he watched the knife wound knitting up; that the pain would soon be gone.


    Slowly dropping his shirt back down Ezekiel climbed to his feet and began to pace beside the stranger.


    Ezekiel tried to keep his wits about him in the next few second but he was so terribly out of his depts. And he knew it. The stranger was dying. Every second that passed, every thought that passed his mind, was another waste......or was it a blessing?


    Did this strange-smelling, green-eyed, violent stranger deserve to just slip away into the darkness? He could be a cold blooded murderer, or a thief for all Ezekiel knew. He was obviously dangerous and quite possibly insane.


    Or was he just an unfortunate stranger who could die if Ezekiel didn¡¯t make up his mind?


    Ezekiel knew what he needed to do to save the stranger.....but was it the right thing to do?


    He knew he could take the stranger to the healer in his village, but by doing that Ezekiel would be sticking his neck out....and for what?


    Ezekiel didn¡¯t have to help the stranger. He could choose to walk away right now and save himself a headache..... Or he could also chose to save a life.


    The answer seemed so simple to him....but he hesitated.


    For a very long time Ezekiel had been taught not to hate mortals and outsiders, but to distrust them fiercely. To be weary of them if one of them ever came into their Lands. And he had been taught that the Clan Lands were a Statuary. A place for his kind, where Mortals choose seldom to venture and Shifters seldom offered them an invitation.


    It wasn¡¯t a hatred for outsiders that Ezekiel knew. And it was also not a deep-rooted dislike.


    It seemed to be a tradition of separation, that for all Ezekiel could see was amicable for both races. And Ezekiel believed that all the other Seven Shifter Clans operated under this same tradition of separation from each other and from Mortals as well.


    Who was Ezekiel to break this unspoken rule?


    Then again.....Ezekiel was hardly known for his traditional.....or normal behavior as it applied to Shifters.


    He was often the one to do what was in his mind and heart to do. No matter how risky, or dangerous or embarrassing. IT wasn¡¯t a conscious choice on his part either. He just did as he willed himself to do. Not as a tradition dictated.


    He liked going down the rocky, dangerous paths Life was for the livivng after all. But the path that he was on now....the choice that he needed to make........wouldn¡¯t just affect him.


    Suddenly a beastly song broke the silence of the night. A three-part chorus of Cat-like snarls, and one forlorn howl beckoned to him. Instantly Ezekiel recognized that chorus and somewhere deep inside his gut cramped.


    ¡°Dammit.....I missed the check point!¡±


    Ezekiel groaned to himself as he realized that his brothers would now be searching for him.


    And from the sound of it , they had already been looking for him and were extremely anxious to find him.


    Great!


    Ezekiel hissed in expiration as he walked over to the mortal and went to pick him up, then he stopped and stepped back again. Impatient with himself he put a hand in his hair and bit the inside of his cheek.


    This path.....was possibly going to end in disaster. He knew that.


    But really did he have a choice now?


    He was the one who had gone to investigate the noises. He was the one who had found the stranger. He was the one who had talked to him. He was the one who had wanted to help......he was the one who had just gotten kissed.


    A three part chorus of Cat like snarls, and a forlorn howl of a wolf beckoned to him once more. Searching for him, demanding his response, and promising retribution to anyone that was not supposed to be there.


    With a groan, Ezekiel slapped his head down into his hands. Then giving up on fighting the inevitable, he raised his head, and let out a harsh roar. The air vibrated with his voice alerting his siblings to his exact whereabouts.


    Silence came after his call and then one solitary howl danced on the wind, and Ezekiel knew that they were coming his way.


    Decision made.


    Ezekiel went to the mortal, bent down and scooped him up from the ground. The mortal was even lighter than he thought, causing Ezekiel a moment of shock as he settled the stranger in front of him. Ezekiel tried to ignore the sharp tang of his blood as the mortal¡¯s wet clothing squished between them.


    A bloody bag of bones.....you won¡¯t last the night if I don¡¯t do something huh?


    Ezekiel said to himself.


    ¡°But did you have to wander into THIS forest?¡±


    Ezekiel asked the stranger who of course didn¡¯t respond.


    Realizing that he was stalling, Ezekiel, pulled the mortal tighter to his chest and started walking towards the village. And towards his brothers.

 Chapter 5 - Brothers

    Chapter 5 - Brothers


    Ezekiel could sense the eyes within the darkness as he neared the path that would take him out of the pine forest and into the perimeter of his home.


    Glaring, calculating, and questioning, they burned into him, but more than him Ezekiel felt these eyes focused on his arms.


    Looking at the stranger that he bore like a broken, bloody, sack nestled against his chest.


    Ezekiel let the power of his beast take over and felt the power bleed into his eyes. He felt his pupils shrink sharply, until darkness became more like light. Shadows gave way to him and there, not ten feet from him, Ezekiel could make out the shadows of three, very large, very animalistic outlines.


    Ezekiel blinked slowly, then looked down at the stranger in his hands. ¡°So....¡± He began talking to the new arrivals. But he didn¡¯t use words to speak. No. He growled, hissed and roared out his sentences. Speaking the language of the Shifter inside of him. ¡°So I guess I need to explain this?¡±


    A soft growl rolled off  all three of the shadows. And too Ezekiel, the growls and hisses that followed were as easy for him to understand as a spoken word.


    ¡°We came when we heard you call.¡± A voice snarled out of the darkness. The shadows of his brothers moved towards him from the pine woods. ¡°We were concerned when you didn¡¯t meet up for the Checkpoint, but now I know why. What have you done Ezekiel?¡±


    At this question, Ezekiel felt a chill of worry nip him in the stomach. As his brothers snarled and howled and barked at him he knew that they were angry. But even though Ezekiel couldn¡¯t see their forms clearly, he didn¡¯t feel the need to retreat. These animals were his brothers, after all, he had no reason to fear them.


    ¡°What is THAT mortal doing here!?¡± The middle shadow snarled again. It was a deep familiar growl. His eldest brother Walter was speaking. ¡°I thought that you understood the rules!¡± he said.


    ¡°I do understand the rules!¡± Ezekiel hissed back. ¡°I know that we aren¡¯t supposed to let outsiders in. But I swear! I ran into this mortal out there in the woods. He¡¯s sickly Walter.¡± Ezekiel shook his head, to shake away the guilt of lying, but he didn¡¯t dare tell his brothers the whole truth about his run-in with the stranger. ¡°I thought that we could take him into the village...?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± A new voice growled, cutting Ezekiel off. This voice was just a familiar to him as the others, but this voice belonged to none other than his second eldest brother Lander. ¡°Outsiders don¡¯t belong here Ezekiel!!! You know that! What exactly are you trying to do!? Why cant you listen to the rules like everyone else!?¡± Lander roared at him from across the clearing.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to help! He¡¯s hurt!!¡± Ezekiel snarled back at them all. His throat shifted into an octave that no mortal could ever reach. ¡°I had to.....¡±


    ¡°You had to disobey the rules!?¡± Lander roared over him. ¡°You had to go against the norm? You had to find some way to upset everyone. Once again!?¡± Lander growled again once more cutting him short. ¡°Is that it? Is it so hard for you to stay out of trouble!? Lord knows you and your hot head have made things hard enough!¡±


    Ezekiel snarled back in frustration.


    ¡°This is different!!¡± He barked at his Brothers. And somewhere deep inside he realized that he was telling the truth. This was different than the normal stunts that he pulled. Somehow....it just seemed important that he help the stranger. But Ezekiel shook that feeling off. He remained himself that he was just trying to do the right thing. This had nothing to do with him, his temper... his sickness!


    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious with this Ezekiel. We can¡¯t take a mortal into the village. It would cause an uproar!¡± The third shadow said. This snarling voice belonged to his third eldest brother Nate and it was a much calmer growl compared to the others.


    ¡°Come on guys.¡± Ezekiel found himself begging slightly. The weight and smell of the bloody mortal in his arm helped to dull some of the sting to his pride. The blood wouldn¡¯t stop...It was slow and judging by the cadence deadly, but soaking into his shirt....making him anxious. ¡°It¡¯s one little mortal. What harm can it be for us to take him into the village?¡± Ezekiel challenged his siblings.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know.¡± Nate snarled softly. ¡°We haven¡¯t had a mortal on these lands for over three hundred seasons. I don¡¯t think we¡¯ve ever really known one to get this far inside of the Clan Lands.¡±


    ¡°Well this one is here....and I want to help it,¡± Ezekiel told them with a clipped growl.


    Silence followed and Ezekiel tried not to shift from foot to foot in open impatience. He had to move. But Ezekiel knew that his brothers weren¡¯t going to just let him stroll by. He had to break their guard a little....or make them see reason somehow.


    ¡°So?¡± He rumbled into the darkness as the silence seemed to stretch. Three pair of glowing eyes glared back at him. At the mortal. Full of hostility.


    But Ezekiel just kept his tone light. ¡°Are you three just going to sit there in the shadows like a bunch of scaredy cats? Or will you come out here and talk to me.¡± Ezekiel hissed. ¡°I promise you the mortal is out cold....¡±


    A snarl of hesitation rolled out of his brothers and Ezekiel rolled his eyes to the heavens. ¡°Oh grow a damn pair and come here!¡± he hissed at them once again.


    Almost again their will, the shapes of his brother¡¯s moved closer.


    Until in the moonlight, two large spotted Leopards and one grey wolf stood slightly apart in the night.


    ***


    The two large leopards, each varying in size only slightly, and one alarmingly large grey wolf approached Ezekiel in darkness.


    The slight shuffle of dead pine needles beneath their feet, did nothing to convey the real size and weight of the three Shifters.


    The three animals gazed on Ezekiel and his burden with eyes that were unnervingly intelligent and full of unspoken words. The two leopards¡¯ and the wolf also had drastically different eyes from Ezekiel¡¯s own. The Leopards were his elder brothers Walter and Lander. While the Wolf was his other brother Nate.


    Ezekiel knew that his own eyes glowed a florescent light blue, not too different from the burning blue of a dying flame or an arc of lightning in the sky.


    The leopards¡¯ that approached him had eyes ranging from a shocking florescent green to a glaring sunset yellow, not unlike the eyes of an owl.


    While the wolf had two-tone eyes. The wolf¡¯s right eye was a blinding white almost as clear as the snow and his right eye was as dark as tar.


    And as they neared Ezekiel it wasn¡¯t hard to see how the animals moved in synch, a march of solidarity, and a march that on any other night Ezekiel would have been a part of.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    But even though the moment was tense and Ezekiel could sense their displeasure with him, he was glad to see his siblings. Shifters like him. Men who he trusted more than any other.


    ¡°Have you seriously thought this one through Ezekiel...?¡± Growled the larger Leopard with eyes burning bright yellow. This was Ezekiel¡¯s older brother Walter.


    Ezekiel sighed and said back to the beast. ¡°Just listen to me, Walter. I¡¯m taking the mortal to Mother. She¡¯s the only Healer skilled enough and she will help him. She will know how to help him.¡±


    This brought on a thoughtful-sounding hiss from his eldest brother.


    ¡°But do you understand how Dad will react to this?¡± The leopard with the yellow eyes, looked behind itself, back toward their home. ¡°There will be hell to pay when he finds out!¡± Walter growled glaring back at him from behind the animal''s face.


    Ezekiel translated the hisses and growls internally and then responded just as fiercely if solemnly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care Walter. Let him burn the house down with his fury, but I¡¯m not going to sleep in my bed tonight while a complete stranger bleeds to death right outside our door!¡± Ezekiel inserted.


    A moment of silence followed as all three animals shared a glace before Walter looked back at Ezekiel with a snort and a head shake.


    ¡°Fine.¡± Ezekiel translated from the animal''s familiar movements. Then the three animals finally began to close the gap between themselves and him.


    As the two Lapboards and the wolf neared him, padding on silent paws in the spongy forest needles a chorus of hisses, whimpers, barks and growls peppered the night.


    Each one is full of apprehension, worry, anger, and curiosity. Ezekiel watched each of the Shifters as they stopped not three feet away from him, obviously not prepared to get too close to the mortal.


    Ezekiel hissed back at them, summoning the sound from deep within where his own inner beast lay in wait for his call.


    He encouraged his siblings to come closer. He bore the mortals pitiful weight all while he did this until with a swift growl all three of his brothers began to near him once more.


    His brothers circled Ezekiel then, sniffing, the air, him and the mortal. Before he finally was forced to sit the stranger down for their examination. Ignoring the wolf''s harmless bark, he set the burden into the soil. Ezekiel did this gingerly, wounded as the stranger was, Ezekiel didn¡¯t want to risk killing him with hurried, jerky moves.


    And once he had backed away, not two seconds after he had laid the mortal to the ground, three very curious black noses were roaming across the intruder from head to toe.


    Ezekiel knew that his older sibling wanted to investigate the mortal thoroughly using some of a Shifters greatest endowments. Scent and taste.


    But strangely, when the green-eyed leopard, drug a scratchy tongue across the mortal''s cheek, Ezekiel instantly felt his lips tighten in a frown, and when the wolf lapped at the mortal¡¯s bloody pants legs, Ezekiel nearly snarled.


    Suddenly he felt...crowded. His brothers were far too close to the stranger and he didn¡¯t like it. They didn¡¯t have to smell him. They didn¡¯t have to touch him. They definitely didn¡¯t have to taste him.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Bright blue eyes flashing, then burning, he hissed at his brother¡¯s aggressively, and with varying degrees of flinching the trees Shifters took a healthy step back from the stranger to stare at Ezekiel. But just as fast as the absurdly protective sound escaped from between his teeth Ezekiel squashed it.


    A little embarrassed by his strange reaction, Ezekiel hunkered down beside the mortal and pretended to take his pulse. Pretended because Ezekiel already knew that the mortal was barely alive, but he needed something to center his eyes on other than his brother¡¯s.


    Ezekiel placed a hand over the mortal''s heart and looked up. ¡°This guy¡¯s not gonna last much longer.¡± He sighed, dropping his fingers from the mortal¡¯s cold, bloody shirt, and weak pulse.


    ¡°We need to make a decision.....Mom might not get to him in time if we don¡¯t hurry up...¡± Ezekiel told the three brothers. He glanced up at the animals that still stood before him and glared at them impatiently.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna need you guys to De-Shift and talk to me like normal dammit!¡± He implored softly. ¡°If he¡¯s gonna make it I could use your help getting him home before he bleeds out!¡±


    A moment of hesitation was all Ezekiel got this time before his brothers all moved back into the shadows and De-Shifted.


    The change from Shifter to man, or as his people called it De-Shifting; was always accompanied by an intense blast of energy all along a Shifters skin.


    Most felt it like a hot wave across the skin and face, which is exactly what Ezekiel felt cascaded across the still night air, times three. Sharp heat prickled across his skin, as he watched his three brothers meld from one shape into another.


    Ears laid down, bones reallocated and cracked, spines lengthened, and clothing took the place of fur, until three shirtless men of differing heights, builds and eyes stood staring back at him. But the eyes. The eyes remained the same.


    ¡°Ezekiel...Don¡¯t you care about what Father will do once he catches you?¡± The newly formed man in the middle of his brothers asked him. Steeping closer, so that the moonlight from above began to lighten the shadows around his features...Ezkeiel was finally looking at his eldest brother.


    The yellow eyed man spoke with a voice devoid of emotion.


    Walter was the largest of the four, his chest was wide as were his hips, which hugged his jeans to his body, where the faint outlines of his muscular definition could be made out.


    His hands forearms and back were corded with muscle that also easy to see since his brother traveled shirtless that night. Hair cut short to the scalp by his ears, but grown at the top was brown in the soft moonlight, just like the slight dusting of a beard that covered his squared jaws, slim cheeks and beneath his nose.


    ¡°Now....you will make us accomplices to your madness? Give me one reason why I shouldn¡¯t rip you apart for such a blatant show of disrespect?¡± Walter softly questioned Ezekiel in a deep rumble that was almost as animalistic as it was calm.


    There was no emotion in his question, just simple straight forwardness. If nothing else Ezekiel knew his eldest brother to be the coolest in stressful times, if the most distant of his siblings emotionally.


    And as Ezekiel went to respond to his words, he was brought up short by a power beyond himself. ¡°I...¡±


    ¡°Silence.¡± Walter barked at him in a sterner voice and turned Leopard eyes on him.


    A pain. A wave of power hit him, as their eyes linked and suddenly Ezekiel didnt utter a word. It wasn¡¯t because Ezekiel didn¡¯t want to speak or wouldn¡¯t speak back against his eldest sibling, but because he physically couldn¡¯t.


    With that one look Ezekiels entire cognitive functions shut down, words weren¡¯t just unutterable they became an impossibility.


    They vanished, along with his thoughts. Completely silenced. And even more disturbing than this was the fact that Ezekiel didn¡¯t even try to fight it after about two seconds. Walter''s power just settled across his mind, his soul. Ensnared. He listened for that was all he was permitted to do.


    ¡°Ezekiel like all of your other brilliant ideas, this too will end badly.¡± Walter hissed, pointing down at the mortal. ¡°Father has been lenient in the past, but this!?¡± Walter hissed, shifting his piercing yellow eyes down to the unconscious mortal before him. ¡°By bringing this stranger here, in this act of willfully disobeying him you are saying that you don¡¯t care about the rules he has set forth! Rules that not only protect him but the rest of our Clan!¡± Walter huffed, still with no real inflection to his words other than stating simple facts and consequences.


    Then Walter waved his hand across the front of his chest, palm out facing Ezekiel. ¡°Now explain yourself. Speak.¡±


    A new wave of power slammed into Ezekiel¡¯s entire being, but unlike feeling his brothers will locking down on him, Ezekiel gasped as the cage was popped off. His mouth and mind were suddenly free.


    ¡°Damn.¡± Ezekiel hissed suddenly as the funny feeling of being freed of his brothers'' power faded away. He put a hand to his throat and cleared it.


    ¡°Did you really have to do that Walter? You just had to put the mojo on me?¡± Ezekiel quipped at him, but Walter didn¡¯t respond. He calmly waited for Ezekiel to give him an explanation.


    Put on the spot Ezekiel tried to explain. But what did he have to say in his defense?


    All of his actions so far had been based on simple instinct and absolutely zero forethought. He was reactionary. His own personal curse. So naturally he had nothing to say.


    Sighing Ezekiel dropped his hand from his throat and shrugged. ¡°Ok Ok... So...so I don¡¯t exactly do what I¡¯m supposed to do ALL THE TIME, but do you really think I¡¯m doing this...!¡± Ezekiel said pointing down at the unconscious stranger like Walter had before him. ¡°To get back at Dad!?¡±


    Ezekiel rolled his eyes at his older siblings.


    ¡°Sure we have our disagreements sometimes. But I would never do anything to jeopardize our people! This time it¡¯s not some fire I started or me destroying some vase in the house cause I went a little crazy. I¡¯m trying to do a good deed here.¡± Ezekiel told them all. Then he sighed realizing something.


    ¡°Just forget it!¡± Ezekiel said with a shake of his head.


    ¡°I can''t waste time on this. You three can go back to patrolling the perimeter like good little cubs and forget that you saw any of this. I¡¯ll take care of the rest. I¡¯ll get him up to the house and ask Mom to look at him. Case closed.¡± He finished with a confident air. ¡°Now move out of the way!¡±

 Chapter 6 - Powers At Play

    Chapter 6 - Powers At Play


    Ezekiel wasn¡¯t sure what to expect after his harsh words....but he should have known that there would be serious backlash.


    ¡°I think someone¡¯s forgotten who the hell he¡¯s talking to! Do you really think you''ve got what it takes to go up against any of us!¡± sneered Ezekiel¡¯s green-eyed brother, Lander.


    With a brisk step, he brushed past Walter and approached Ezekiel with eyes full of open aggression.


    Lander was Ezekiel¡¯s second eldest brother.


    He much like Walter had wide shoulders, but his hips were more narrow and defined by muscle and sinew. Defined but slimmer he was built for the Shift, the streamlined body made for hunt and kill, like the leopard that slept inside of him. His hair was a stark mix of golden and light golden that was long enough to brush the tips of his ear in the front, but long enough to dust his neck at the middle and back of his head.


    And unlike Walter Landers face was free of all facial hair, though his upper chest was also dusted with short golden hair. While his left eyebrow was triple pierced, with three simple green amethysts that shimmered in the sun, but barely sparked in the moonlight. And with his hair swiped back with the morning dew that had soaked him through to his jeans.


    ¡°You¡¯ll take care of it? And let¡¯s all just forget that you¡¯re playing with fire!? You are so freaking ignorant sometimes Ezekiel. ¡± Lander pointed out marching across the clearing. Pine needles crunched as he walked.


    ¡°You touched it remember!? There are drops of blood all over you! Now your scent is on the mortals skin, not to mention his blood smeared all over your shirt. So...Even if we did leave it with you and you took IT into the village....Dads gonna smell the blood tonight when he comes home. Then Dads gonna find the mortal and that will be it! And you can¡¯t NOT come home ¡¯cause then he¡¯ll be looking for you. Either way, you¡¯re freaking caught. So we can¡¯t just ¡°Let you take care of it.¡± Because you¡¯re already in deep shit!!¡± Lander shook his head. ¡°But I don¡¯t really care about what happens to you or this intruder, but now you¡¯ve drug us into this mess with you!¡±


    ¡°I said I didn¡¯t want your help!! Now back off!?¡± Ezekiel snarled. Lander took one bold step after another towards him and the mortal.


    ¡°But you want Mom to get involved!? For some stranger?¡± Lander hissed in outrage, still coming at him.


    ¡°I know what I¡¯m doing!!¡± Ezekiel hissed, taking a steep over the mortal to stand in his more emotional brother¡¯s way.


    ¡°No you don¡¯t you lil shit!!¡± Lander said. ¡°Every Shifter in this Clan knows not to go anywhere near a mortal, but you just had to try didn¡¯t you!¡±


    His brother hissed as Ezekiel came abreast of him, but Lander dominated him, with his slightly taller body.


    Ezekiel tried to respond in an even tone instead of a growl but he failed. ¡°I know the damn rules. He¡¯s my DAD too you know!¡°¡± Ezekiel replied to Landers harsh words. ¡°And of course I don¡¯t want to get MOM mixed up in this!¡±


    Lander smirked, but Ezekiel ignored him and kept talking. ¡°But, I definitely can¡¯t risk taking the stranger half way across the Clan Lands to the other Healers house either.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± Lander hissed in irritation. ¡°Anyone but mom would be better!¡±


    ¡°Well for one, you asshole.¡± Ezekiel snarled at his infuriating sibling. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be able to get the mortal all the way over to the Eastern village before sun up. And by then there will be far too many Shifters outside preparing for the upcoming harvest. If I get spotted with the mortal, not to mention if one of them smells the intruder, count on word of this getting back to father faster than a fly settling on shit.¡± Ezekiel said and smoothly ignored how Lander glared at him for his vulgar use of language. ¡°So that just leaves mom.¡±


    Ezekiel continued gesturing to the woods ahead of him. ¡°Mom will not only be able to help with the mortals injuries, but she¡¯s closer, and unlike anyone else, I know I can count on her to stay quiet about all of this. At least until I can get the mortal stabilized and then back out of here.¡± he finished.


    Lander growled somewhere deep in his chest like a cat in distress, but ten times bigger and angrier, and didn¡¯t say a word.


    Probably because he knows that Im right!


    Ezekiel said to himself. Then cleared his throat.


    ¡°Lander... I know that¡¯s its not ideal getting Mom mixed up in this, but she would want us to help him!¡± Ezekiel tried to implore. ¡°She would also be heartbroken if she found out that there was someone here who needed her help but they died because we were too SCARED to come to her! Even if that someone is a mortal.¡± Ezekiel stopped, putting his hands on his brother¡¯s shoulder, and trying to ease him away.


    With a sudden growl, Lander shoved Ezekiel backward with a hiss. Long white canines grew before Ezekiels'' eyes, overlapping Landers bottom lip as his anger let the Shifter, the leopard, inside come closer to the surface.


    ¡°Mom won¡¯t hear anything about this Ezekiel.¡± He spat, as Ezekiel glared him in the eyes. ¡°The solution here is easy to see. Just take this filthy mortal back wherever you fucking got him from and leave it alone!¡± Lander pointed out stepping right up to Ezekiel again. Getting in his face now.


    Ezekiel snarled, his own eyes slit, and glowing blue, overtaking his irises, as leopard eyes replaced his mortal ones.


    ¡°I wont! What¡¯s wrong with you? Why are you trying to condemn a total stranger to death? We don¡¯t murder outsiders!¡± he shouted.


    Lander smiled at him nastily and completely unmoved.


    ¡°Oh grow up! It isn¡¯t murder if we didn¡¯t slice ¡¯em up in the first place.¡± He supplied coldly. ¡°There are NO MORTALS PERMITTED without Dad''s express authority onto the Clan Lands! You know this is wrong! What gives you the right to usurp Dad¡¯s authority anytime you want to!? Youre not special and just because your blood is a little fucked up compared to the rest of us it doesn''t give you the right to just go off the rails like this!¡±


    Ezekiel shoved his brother with his left arm, still unable to move his right shoulder very much since he had gotten stabbed.


    ¡°Oh like your so god damn goody goody Lander. You don¡¯t give a damn about the rule and I know I don¡¯t give a damn about Father''s rules IF they say that I have to stand back and let people die in front of me. Even IF that person is an outsider! He¡¯s harmless. What will it hurt for Mom to take a look at his wounds? Huh! Tell me what the fucking issue really is!?¡±


    Lander took a step back from his brother with an aggressive hiss and spit at the ground, beside the mortal¡¯s body. ¡°On fucking cry me a river you liar!¡± He said. ¡°If that mortal is so sickly and helpless, then how did you get that giant hole in your chest Ezekiel?¡±


    ¡°Shit.¡± Ezekiel mummed under his breath, feeling the giant stinging hole in his collar all the more now that his brother had mentioned it.


    He had hoped that his dark clothing and the smell of rotten flesh on the mortal would hide the smell of his own blood. Ezekiel had also hoped that the sparse moonlight would hide the decidedly deep flesh wound inches to the left of his heart, but no such luck.


    Lander being so close to him must have smelled the blood he had spilt while apprehending the intruder.


    ¡°Oh, Shit is right.¡± Lander chuckled with a hard edge. ¡°Now tell us the whole story. Not some patched-up sob story. You didn¡¯t just find him passed out in the woods did you, little brother?¡±


    ***


    ¡°I...¡± Ezekiel started....then he stopped.


    He wanted to lie. He didn¡¯t want them to know that the mortal had in fact stabbed him. Tried to kill him. They would think he was crazy.


    Am I?


    Ezekiel had to ask himself.


    Taking a delusional mortal that stabbed him through the chest and then kissed him, right into his home...to his MOTHER no less?


    But still wasn¡¯t there more to the story?


    The tears, the blood, the strange behavior, the fear that Ezekiel had glimpsed in the stranger''s eyes that had encouraged him not to kill the stranger himself only a few minutes ago. Something told him that this man, whoever he was, wasn¡¯t there to cause them any harm.


    But Ezekiel also didn¡¯t want to lie. Not because he would feel bad about it, but because his brother Lander, much like his other siblings was....powerful. Or more like they each had powers that made any lie Ezkeiel would try to tell, completely useless.


    And where Walter could silence him with just a word.....his other brothers could do much more. Especially Lander.


    And then it wasn¡¯t Ezkeiels choice anymore. Because a knife cold and steel, slammed into his brain, causing a pinching pain that soaked right down into his spine as it sliced across his thoughts. Into his memories.


    Ezekiel was knocked wordless by strong discomfort as his elder brother tested his thoughts partaking of his mind without his permission. Ezekiel grunted and grabbed his temples from the invasion of another mind, the cold unfamiliar presence.


    ¡°Lander get the fuck out of my head!¡± he snarled, his own canines lengthening in his mouth, fangs cutting into his bottom lip. Ezekiel thought about charging his brother and teaching him a lesson. But then it stopped.


    Suddenly the cold was gone. Like a knife withdrawn from his temple, Ezekiel shook his head and winced trying to knock away the cold on his spine, but he knew that the sensation would last for hours; unlike Walter''s power which faded away after only seconds of being removed.


    Ezekiel felt exhausted being used as a punching bag for not one of his siblings, but now two in a row.


    He prayed silently that his third brother, Nate, wouldn¡¯t see fit to jump in, but Ezekiel¡¯s third brother stood to the side simply watching. Nate¡¯s two tones eyes, seemed quite bored with the whole situation as he cracked open his mouth and yawned softly.


    Ezekiel insanely wished that Nate would step in if only to stall Lander from getting more aggravated.


    ¡°So, let¡¯s take a look.¡± Lander mused, looking down, the only proof that he had just read Ezekiels mind, was the fact that he hadn¡¯t moved the entire time, until now.


    His brother closed his eyes, his lids jumping as he mind saw all that his powers had taken from Ezekiels private thoughts. ¡°So the outside wounded you!? And you still want to help him? No way am I letting you take him anywhere near the Clan. Leave him here Ezekiel.¡± Lander all but demanded.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been through this!¡± Ezekiel calmly shot back at him. He was positively sick and tired of his brothers'' tone. ¡°I¡¯m taking him into the village Lander!¡± He flashed his growing fangs in a clear threat. A rumble of violence in his chest seemed to tremble the air between the two men. ¡°Don''t bring this to blows. We both know that I¡¯ll win this fight, Lander, so back off!!¡±


    ¡°OH! So now you wanna fight me!?¡± Lander sneered, then shrugged. ¡°Bring it on, but you¡¯re wasting your time. No way is mom gonna help an outsider that tried to kill you! And he¡¯s definitely dead when Dad finds out too.¡± Lander shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s not gonna work!! I¡¯ll just put the little shit out of his misery right now for you!¡±


    With a sharp pop of energy, warmth poured across the air, and Landers nails shivered slightly and then began lengthening, until in seconds they had become long sharp clear claws. The hunting scythes of a leopard tipped Lander''s fingers and from the look on his face...Ezekiel knew his brother was gonna try and use them.


    Ezekiel snarled at him in warning and took a step forward. He was prepared to make his brother backdown¡­and he knew it was obvious that he would not step down as all of his brothers seemed to stiffen.


    ¡°WHOA! Dammit, Ezekiel! Stop it already. We get it!! Jesus!!¡±


    Nate suddenly growled, putting a hand over his eyes, then he strolled forward.


    Suddenly the only sibling who hadn¡¯t made a move or said a single word so was walking right between Ezekiel and Lander and it was only his presence that kept things from turning into chaos.


    With an unconcerned smirk, he put a hand on Lander''s shoulder. ¡°Did you seriously have to challenge Lander to a fight!!? We don¡¯t have time for this you two....the sun will be up soon. We need to come to a decision before then.¡±


    Nate, the wolf, Ezekiels third eldest sibling, said with an eye roll.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Which served to accent the fact that one of his eyes was jet black, while his left eye was pure white with a black pupil. His height matched Ezekiels'' as did his build, but the main variations could be found in the cut of their features and their hair color.


    Whereas Ezekiel was long-haired and dirty blond. Nate¡¯s hair was bolt black and cropped inches from his scalp and styled at discordant spikes and angles that were somehow still appealing to the eye.


    Where Ezekiel''s muscles were sinewy and more graceful, Nate¡¯s limbs were slightly shorter, but bulked with more muscle and tanned far more. And where Ezekiel''s face was unmarred by any piercings or scars, Nate¡¯s left eye was marred by a deep, old, and very long scar.


    The old cut was faded, but still noticeable enough in the pale moonlight to stand out. While Nate''s ears were both fitted with two three-inch gages in the shapes of spikes.


    ¡°Get out of the way mutt.¡± Lander hissed, slapping Nate¡¯s hand off of his arm after they silently glared each other down. Daring the other to make a move. ¡°I have made my decision. That outsider is not going into the village!!¡± He snarled as he tried to brush past Nate, but Nate stepped in his way smoothly.


    Nate shook his head and smiled at Lander as Lander growled back in his face, but Nate''s smile flashed sharp, wolfish teeth. ¡°No one can talk to you when you get like this Lander. You need to calm down.¡±


    ¡°Move Nate....or I¡¯ll move you!!¡± Lander hissed at him.


    ¡°Nope. You¡¯re still not calm.¡± Nate quipped, his voice just as smooth as Ezekiel''s, but a smidge huskier as he opened his left hand, palm down, then closed it into a fist.


    With a crisp cold snap of power, his energy poured out into the night. With an indignant shout of surprise, Landers left leg snapped together with his right, as if drawn together by magnets. And a moment later his claw-tipped hands were ripped down and plastered at his side and thighs.


    The sudden move apparently caught Lander off guard, because he swayed dangerously fighting not to fall forwards as he was tied into a penguin stance that would have been comical any other time to Ezekiel.


    Lander snarled, gnashing his teeth in righteous fury, and began to struggle wildly for release. But for all his snapping and struggling Ezekiel knew he wasn¡¯t going anywhere. Having been at Nate¡¯s mercy before Ezekiel knew that it was futile to fight him once he managed to capture you.


    ¡°Let me go you stupid bastards!¡± Completely ignoring his brother as Lander had a small meltdown behind him, Nate walked up beside Walter and Ezekiel, leaving Lander in the background to curse them to all kinds of unpleasant locations. ¡°Let me GO!!¡± Lander shouted and snarled.


    Unconcerned, Nate simply flexed his neck from side to side and settled in by Ezekiel''s side. Putting a hand on his shoulder, he beckoned Walter to join them in a circle next to the still mortal.


    Once Walter was close enough, Nate shrugged and said


    ¡°So what ARE we gonna do? I definitely smell the blood on you now Ezekiel, and metal. The mortal definitely stabbed you....¡± Nate, tapped Ezekiel¡¯s left arm, making him wince as the wound in his arm throbbed. ¡°Right here.....Tell us what happened.¡±


    ¡°I already told you what happened!!¡± Ezekiel growled at his brothers, still feeling slightly aggravated and cagey after Landers'' failed attack on the mortal. ¡°We''re wasting time.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Walter growled looming over Ezekiel and Nate slightly. ¡°You are wasting time.¡± He said simply. ¡°You told us a lie. The sooner we get the truth, the sooner we can get to damn the point.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± Ezekiel hissed, glaring at them both.


    ¡°Ok. ¡°Nate shrugged and smiled softly. ¡°Now that our resident buffoon has been dealt with.¡± Nate rumbled with a smile at Landers expense. ¡°And since the rest of us can¡¯t exactly read your minds, Ezekiel, just start at the beginning.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Ezekiel breathed suddenly releasing a breath he hadn¡¯t known he had been holding.


    Now that the most volatile of his brothers was out of the way he felt he could relax his guard. So he recounted the events of what had all transpired between him and the stranger, as precisely and as quickly as he could. The smell of the mortal¡¯s blood saturating the air was an ever-present reminder that time was of the essence.


    ¡°So the mortal struck you...twice. One time close to the heart....but you still want to help it?¡± Nate questioned Ezekiel three minutes later once everything had been said.


    But then Nate leaned forward to sniff at his wounded shoulder. He grimaced as he withdrew. ¡± I don¡¯t smell any poison, only blood and iron. A blade for killing. This stranger could be very dangerous Ezekiel maybe it would have been best for you to leave him where he fell?¡± Nate softly asked


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t just leave him out there to die,¡± Ezekiel said back, took a deep breath, and dropped his head.


    ¡°I may have also cracked his ribs.... and...I sort of slugged him in the jaw when he came at me...but I didn¡¯t know outsiders were so fragile. I think I made the wounds worse by striking him.¡±


    ¡°So you feel guilty?¡± Nate murmured looking over at Walter. ¡°But you had to knock him out. That wound in your chest was not some lucky shot! And you are not some passer-by Ezekiel. It took some skills to land that blow on you.¡±


    Ezekiel tried furiously not to flush in embarrassment.


    Oh! What my brothers would say to know that I had left myself open to attack when I tried to check the stranger''s pulse...!?


    Ezekiel shuttered inside and then said to them.


    ¡°But I''m sure he wasn¡¯t trying to hurt ME! Ezekiel started only for Nate to speak over him.


    ¡°But he stabbed you Ezekiel! Normal people don¡¯t just go stabbing strangers, Im sure.¡± Nate said cutting him off.


    ¡°Well I... ¡°Ezekiel began again only for his other brother to speak over him this time.


    ¡°He obviously would have killed a lesser man with such an unprovoked, and vicious attack,¡± Walter said with a shrug.


    ¡°As I was saying...!¡± Ezekiel huffed, crossing his arms over his chest ignoring the fiery twinge that stabbed into his collarbone and shoulder as he moved his arm upwards. ¡°When I came upon him the mortal was screaming into the night. The mortal was raving, bloody, and weak, stumbling drunkenly from foot to foot and tree to tree. And after he saw me he started crying, moaning in pain.¡±


    ¡°He what?¡± Walter prompted.


    Ezekiel shrugged again ignoring the pain this time. ¡°He cried to me. He begged me not to ¡°Take him¡±


    ¡°He begged you?¡± Nate now prompted.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I said isn¡¯t it?¡± Ezekiel snapped at them both. He was tired of the run-around. ¡°So it stands to reason, that not only could this intruder have been confused, but this mortal could have mistaken me for this unknown assailant that seems to have split open his stomach like a pi?ata.¡±


    ¡°So by your thinking is that he tried to kill you.....on accident?¡± Lander sniffed, still stuck in place looking like a very angry penguin.¡°Oops! I''m sorry, I just plunged my dirk into your heart, good sir. It was all so very silly of me!?¡± Lander snorted at Ezekiel and looked away.


    But he only managed to shift his head though, since any other movement would have sent him to the ground face first, without his hands to catch him or to break his fall. The fiery anger that had taken him over seemed to have disappeared. He perhaps no longer wanted to kill the mortal, but he wasn¡¯t happy either.


    But Ezekiel had long ago stooped being surprised by the drastic emotional heights his older brother could reach and then come back from at the flip of a dime. That was just how Lander was. How his powers made him act. But Ezekiel squashed that particular train of thought as he responded to the question.


    ¡°What I¡¯m saying is he needs help, and I don¡¯t think he¡¯s a danger to us! So let¡¯s take him to the village already.¡± Ezekiel sighed, giving up.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even try it! What if he¡¯s one of those rare meat seekers that like to eat us and skin us?¡± Lander questioned him, long nails and teeth still quite visible through he could sense his brothers ire dissipating.


    ¡°What, like a hunter?¡± Walter provided.


    ¡°Riiiight,¡± Nate said with a good-natured eye roll. ¡°Like this pathetic pile of bones and rags is a Hunter? Hes as skinny as a weeping willow! Give me a break, besides all Hunters reek of silver and he doesn''t.¡± He said scoffing at the mortal on the ground.


    ¡°What else do I have to say?¡± Ezekiel said throwing his hands in the air. ¡°There is no danger here. So are you guys gonna help me or let me go? Make up your minds, because I¡¯m taking him to the village. No more discussion!¡±


    ¡°Fine, if this is to be the path you¡¯ve chosen, then I do not see any of us persuading you to turn back...at least not by resorting to violence....¡± Walter suddenly rumbled. His burning yellow eyes pierced the misty darkness. The large shadowed figure of his largest sibling was stoic and unyielding in the pale light of the moon.


    ¡°I will help escort the intruder to the house with you Ezekiel. But when we get there Im not leaving Mom alone with this stranger. Got it?¡± As the Eldest, his words held a lot of power over the other brothers.


    With no other recourse, all Ezekiel could do was nod. Then Ezekiel looked at his other brothers and quirked an eyebrow at them.


    ¡°He¡¯s gonna kill you for this!¡± Lander snorted predictably. ¡°You know that right? He¡¯s gonna kill ALL of you.¡± Lander hissed. A wave of soft warm air cascaded on the wind, as Lander''s burning green eyes and nails suddenly all disappeared from sight.


    ¡°And you know what? Frankly, I wouldn¡¯t miss this for the world!¡± Lander sneered in evil glee. ¡°It¡¯s been ages since I¡¯ve seen the old man rip a Shifter to little bloody bits. I¡¯m not helping, but I am tagging along for the ride.¡± his brother grinned, flashing the teeth that unlike his claws hadn¡¯t had the chance to shrink back to a mortal¡¯s length and remained sharp white fangs.


    ¡°Shut up Lander, before I leave you stuck behind like that till morning,¡± Nate growled at his older brother, sounding more like a dog than a man. Then he smiled and said to Ezekiel supportively.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say that I¡¯m conferrable with this, but Ill trust you Ezekiel. You¡¯re the one who encountered the stranger, so I understand you feeling responsible for him, but one foul move....¡± Nate said with a dark look at the mortal. ¡°If he hurts you again, or Mom, or any of our Clan? Ill rip this mortal¡¯s heart out of his chest and eat it along with a few of his other organs for shits and giggles. Ok? Great! Well then let¡¯s go already and save this guys life.¡± Nate said with a smile as he patted Ezekiel arm.


    It was a soft smirk, no anger was hidden in it. And his words were just as simple. They didn¡¯t ask for anything in return. Not even understanding.


    Ezekiel returned that smile out of habit because that is what he most often saw his Wolfish sibling doing. Smiling.


    Ezekiel knew his third brother the best and the least.


    Since Nate was closest in age to Ezekiel he often took things in stride or with an air of pure nonchalance that could be irritating...or even disturbing at times. Carefree and playful were the main points of his third sibling''s personality but just beneath that open enthusiastic nature, was a well of mystery that Ezekiel just couldn¡¯t fathom.


    Maybe it was because Nate wasn¡¯t actually related to any of them by blood? He had been adopted into the family many years ago and was loved no differently because of it by his siblings. But still he was a wolf and they were all Leopards.


    Ezekiel turned and offered Walter his thanks next, while Nate suddenly waved his left hand out towards Lander.


    Different colored eyes flashed bright white like snow for only a moment before Lander suddenly crashed to the forest floor, his limbs free of whatever power had been superimposed over them. Ezekiel watched Lander snarl and put his arms over the back of his head with a soft moan. His discomfort was understandable. Ezekiel knew that his entire body would be sore after Nate¡¯s hold wore off completely.


    It seemed so...routine and normal to witness these things. But Ezekiel knew that the things that his siblings could do were amazing, but somehow over their years, he had grown accustomed to their family¡¯s power.


    Even in the Shifter world, the things that they could do were unique. Only one child in each decade was born with enhancements or what his people called Innate Abilities. Supernatural powers. But for some unexplained reason all four of them had been born with powers at the same time.


    Where Lander could read minds, Nate was able to control a man¡¯s body. And Walter, well he manipulated men¡¯s hearts. Even Ezekiel and his father had powers, but their mother didn¡¯t.


    It made life with his brothers wonderfully unpredictable.


    So while Lander continued to mope on the forest floor, Ezekiel and the rest of the brothers crowded around the mortal.


    ¡°Come on. Help me carry him. Gently. Too much jostling could kill him before we reach the village.¡± Ezekiel instructed his siblings. He took the time to split the mortal¡¯s frail weight with Walter. So Ezekiel held his head and chest while Walter took his lower back and legs.


    Walters¡¯s large nose and face clenched in disgust as the smell of sour rot and blood overcame all of them. ¡°Elders above...He stinks. ¡± Walter growled to no one in particular.


    ¡°Hey, Nate put some kind of pressure on his side to slow the blood even more. The blood flow has slowed down a lot so we can stop him from slipping into shock if we don''t help to stem the wound .¡± Ezekiel told his sibling, then watched patiently while his sibling walked over to Lander, reached behind him, and quickly snatched the white tank top that he had stuffed into the back pocket of his jeans.


    Lander rolled over on his side and snarled at Nate in warning as he took possession of the shirt, but otherwise made no move to take back the garment.


    As Nate moved away, Lander began to regain his feet and watched them work from the sidelines.


    Having secured the cloth, Nate opened his mouth and put a few sharp teeth into it. He then yanked downward with his hands, pulling back with his head sharply. It reminded Ezekiel of a wolf pulling flesh from bone.


    A moment later the shirt had been torn in two then in three. Ignoring another of Landers angry growls Ezekiel helped Nate, secure some of the thin cloth around the mortal¡¯s sides, but as they tightened the cloth around the mortals wounds the stranger''s blood once more oozed. It got on Ezekiels skin, coating his and Nate¡¯s fingers as they worked.


    And once again, the smell zinged across Ezekiels'' sense. Like unpleasant pops in his nose and throat, but also leaving a tingling behind that was warm, and just a hint of sweet something....something he couldn¡¯t name.


    As the smell and feel of the stranger¡¯s blood saturated him once again, pouring down his throat, the warm buzz traveling on Ezekiels'' skin, much like the warmth that came after a Shift, Ezekiel found himself staring at the blood on his hand in fascination. It took him a moment to realize that his eyes were glowing bright blue now.


    His irises slit into thin bolts of blue and black, but his nails had also lengthened slightly and his teeth were annoying him.


    They itched in his gums, Ezekiel ran his tongue across the sharpening tips of his canines conspicuously, and then his lips, but it was only when he swallowed thickly that he began to see what was bothering him. Staring at his hand, the smell of blood coating his mouth. He was hard-pressed to ignore what he wanted this time. What he had been wanting since meeting the stranger. He wanted to taste it.


    Shocked by the disgusting idea Ezekiel tried to push it away like he had before, but it took root far too fast this time.


    The hum in his throat became a burn....like an ache in a parched throat for water. In fact, the moment that the idea crossed his mind, he had to fight the urge to raise his blood-soaked fingers to his lips and lap the sweet.....


    Ezekiel shook his head violently, letting a small snarl of confusion escape as he did so.


    Nate stopped working, his hands now coated in crimson the same as Ezekiels and looked up at him questioningly. His white and black eyes were fathomless. ¡°Your eyes...What is it Ezekiel?¡± he asked.


    Shaken and just a little queasy. Ezekiel ducked his eyes from his elder brother. His face hidden in the shadows as he took the knots and secured the cloth with one final tug. But sensing Nate¡¯s eyes still on him, he supplied an answer that was some version of the truth.


    ¡°I...I just...There¡¯s so much blood.¡± He began, trying to make his throat stop aching. ¡°I¡¯m just anxious to get him to mom before he dies on us.¡± He finished.


    Then trying to hide how shaken he was by his strange inner struggle, Ezekiel hefted the mortal a little, and with a flic of his chin, he got Walter to begin walking, as he followed, and Nate supported the mortals missing side.


    As they walked Nate kept the blood trapped, with firm hands that were far from merciful in the pressure that they applied to the mortals gashed side.


    Ezekiel couldn¡¯t help but wince as his bother applied force to the cloth to block any further bleeding. From the way his brother¡¯s hands were soon dripping wet, Ezekiel knew that if their unconscious intruder had been awake he would have been screaming in agony, but Ezekiel didn¡¯t say anything about his brother¡¯s bedside manner. He was the one that had insisted that they save the intruder''s life after all, and the bleeding had to be managed, even if it was staunched by such crude means.


    After a few moments of silent trudging forwards Walter once more spoke, a smooth rumble in the night. His eyes were nothing but burning slits of yellow that allowed him to navigate the dark pine forest with no fear of stumbling. ¡°You know...Once we get him to the house, he could still die Ezekiel.¡± Walter said to him quietly.


    As he always spoke. And with little emotion one way or another. ¡°No mortal this small and sickly can survive such a grievous wound. He may already be past the threshold. Accept this now and when he does pass, do not feel too encumbered by it. Mortals kill each other all the time and they are not sturdy creatures. They can die quite easily.¡±


    Positively in awe of his brother speaking that much in one sitting, Ezekiel could only nod at him.


    ¡°Die now. Die later. Who knows....¡± Lander chuckled, trailing behind them and not offering to help his sibling with their delicate package. ¡°Ezekiel, you should have just saved yourself the trouble really.¡±


    Ezekiel didn¡¯t answer him. But that was only because he didn¡¯t have anything to say. Lander chuffed at his silence.

 Chapter 7 - Follow Through

    Chapter 7 ¨C Follow Through


    ¡°Mom...You have to promise not to scream please?¡± Ezekiel whispered walking his mother up from the spiral staircase and down the long hallway of the third floor of their three-story home. The dim light that glowed from the few candles lit in the early hours of the previous evening lent a welcome shadow that helped to hide Ezekiel''s anxiety from her.


    After managing to not only sneak the mortal into their home without the world ending, Ezekiel quickly realized that both of his parents had retired to their bedroom for the night.


    Safe


    Was what Ezekiel had thought to himself as they smuggled the mortal further into their home.


    Each of his brothers struggled slightly to juggle the mortal¡¯s limp weight and avoid the furniture in the front hall. But...


    Somehow Ezekiel and his brothers eventually managed to take the mortal up toward the second floor, where they all knew there wouldn¡¯t be any shortage of spare bedrooms to hide the stranger in.


    But then....the hard part had come. Ezekiel now had to fetch his mother, Glen, from her bed and try to convince her to help him, help the stranger. Without his father finding out.


    Ezekiel hadn¡¯t even realized how nervous he was until he had left his brothers Nate and Walter and Lander behind guarding the unconscious mortal.


    Lander stood glaring at the three of them from the corner of the room, farthest from the mortal, and for the most part, he preoccupied himself by making rude comments and snarling in the mortal¡¯s direction.


    And as Ezekiel made his way out of the room, Lander shook his head at all of them and sighed.


    He left them there, watching over a half-dead creature that could hardly harm anyone, but Ezekiel knew intuitively that his brothers weren¡¯t going to take any unnecessary chances. Dead or alive the mortal was something new, violate and unknown. In the Shifter world, all of that translated into danger.


    So all alone and determined, but far from confident Ezekiel quickly climbed the stairs up to his parents¡¯ bed room; Which almost completely covered the entire third floor of their home.


    When he reached the top step of the third floor, he looked down the single-wide hallway.


    Two doors fit more for a church, large, heavy brownish burgundy wood, ingrained with the impression of two giant leopards laying in mirrored opposites, was the only thing to see. Ezekiel walked down the hall soundlessly. Then he cracked open the right door slowly. The wood, though years old, moved effortlessly and silently under his cautious shuffle.


    Good door.


    Ezekiel said to himself as he slowly entered the room beyond.


    He knew that just because he hadn¡¯t sensed his father yet didn¡¯t mean that he wasn¡¯t just around the corner.


    His father didn¡¯t become Clan Head by being an easy man to sneak up on. He was the master hunter in that village and everyone knew it.


    So while Ezekiel had opened the door he had strained with his inner senses. Stretching them into the space beyond the door searching for his father¡¯s scent, but with a grateful look to the heavens all he had managed to smell on the other side of his parent''s door was his mother¡¯s soft, calming scent. He scanned and scanned again for his father¡¯s scent.....but nothing.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Fighting not to sag against the door in relief, Ezekiel took a few steps further into his parent¡¯s very large, very well-lit bedroom. Ezekiel let his gaze settle to the light as he gave his surroundings a cursory glance searching for his mother. Ezekiel and his brother had of course been in their parent¡¯s room before, but it was far from an everyday visit. So it took him a moment to spot his mother.


    The entire room, much like the doors and the rest of their home was painted a deep rich reddish brown, bordered by a warm white, that like the doors was also ingrained with smaller, but no less intricate carvings of Leopards staring straight ahead, eyes fixed on the next Leopard only five inches away from it. Large windows sat on the walls. One far to the left, three in a strait seven feet across from the doors that Ezekiel now stood in front of and two more far to the left, and he knew that there would be one smaller window in the bathroom hidden just to his left behind a sliding wooden door.


    All of the windows blinds were drawn and pure white silken curtains blocked out the chill night and the half-moon that Ezekiel and his brothers had just managed to escape from.


    Far to the left of the large room was a small sitting area, on top of a pristine white mat that all sat in front of three bookshelves filled to the brim with books, manuscripts, and scrolls a few of which sat on the table and floor cracked wide open like the reader had just jumped up and walked away. A small wooden table in front of the chairs sporting a dying candle gave him a quick glimpse of an upside down pipe and a large brimmed rawhide hat with a giant feather sticking out of it.


    ¡°Dads pipe...Dad''s hat...¡± Ezekiel mused in breath looking on. ¡°Ok, good. I guess he¡¯s still out on patrol....¡±


    Far to the right, past the closed bathroom was a double-door closet, door open gave a few glances to the silken gowns, heels, boots, jeans and ties and other clothing that belonged jointly to his mother and father, and filling the space before that was another white rug, this one supporting a rectangular table sporting a vase full of white flowers, a tiny sewing machine and a small chest cracked open was spilling over with cotton, ribbons.


    Not seeing any sight of his mother there Ezekiel finally centered his gaze on the giant king mattress that dominated the area just before the three windows. The bed was massive, and mostly blocked from his view. Dark brown bed curtains flowed down from the rails over the bed, keeping Ezekiel from seeing if his mother was even in the bed. But taking a deep breath, Ezekiel took in her familiar scent once more and he knew that somewhere under those dark curtains was where he¡¯d find her. Ezekiel quickly crossed the room, silent as only a big cat could be, he tried his hardest not to startle her.


    A small gap in the curtains by the foot of the bed allowed Ezekiel to pull them back, then walk them all the way around on a sliding rail embedded in the ceiling above the bed until there was enough candlelight for him to see the interior by.


    And there....far to the right-center of the bed was his mother.


    Ezekiels mother, Glen, was not what one would expect to see after seeing her four sons. Compared to her children Glen was nothing like her very tall, muscled, black, gold, and dirty-blond-haired alpha male children, who not only outweighed her but outstood her.


    Glen was a small woman, five-eight, and a half in height and a buck fifty-five soaking wet. She was laying on her side, a long skirt and a willowy shirt tussled as though her sleep wasn¡¯t restful.


    Looking at her Ezekiel couldn¡¯t help but be remained of how delicate she seemed, how delicate she had always seemed to him. Small head, round face, small round jaw, long graceful fingers. Sinewy arms, and legs, but she also had small feet and dainty bones. A head full of curly brown hair was splayed all around her, and her hands were balled into little fists. One hand at her ribs and one at her temple. She looked far too content for him to awaken.


    And suddenly Ezekiel just wanted to duck out of the room. Just turn and leave her to rest, none the wiser of the things he was going to ask her to do for him.....the things that he was about to force her to do for him against his father''s, her husband¡¯s wishes.....


    So you¡¯re just going to let a total stranger die because you¡¯re getting cold feet? You chicken.


    A voice snipped at him from inside and Ezekiel cursed.


    No...I¡¯ve already done the worst thing possible, i let the man tresspass. Now I can only sink so far before everything bottoms out again....right?


    Ezekiel rolled his eyes at himself. ¡°Yeah right.¡± He scoffed softly.


    He leaned forward grabbed his mothers¡¯ small fist and tugged on her arm softly.

 Chapter 8 - This Is BAD

    Chapter 8 - This is Bad


    Realizing that it was almost three am Ezekiel allowed her the necessary time to emerge from her sleep before he spoke.


    ¡°Ezekiel?¡± His mother gorged, raising her head, curls tumbling over her shoulder she pulled herself up onto her seat and stretched leisurely. Bright green eyes glowed in the dim lights. Slit like a big cat they contacted sharply as her eyes opened, and as she opened her small mouth to yawn, tiny fangs flashed in the candlelight. Reminding Ezekiel that for all Shifters, sleep allowed the beast much closer to the surface than was possibly safe.


    ¡°Ezekiel? What time is it? Is something wrong?¡ä his mother hissed softly, drawing her arms up into the air to crack her back, closing her eyes and rubbing them as she slouched on the bed. When she opened her eyes again they were suddenly no different than a mortals, no glowing green or slits. And when she once more was overcome with a yawn Ezekiel didn¡¯t glimpse any Leopard fangs before she had smothered her mouth with a hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a few hours before dawn. Sorry to wake you, but something serious came up.¡± Ezekiel yawned then chuckled as he pulled back. ¡°I need you to come see this.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. What is it? ¡± Glen mused, she put out her hand toward him. Ezekiel took it and helped her slide across the mattress and steep down to the carpet. ¡°Something must be wrong if you have to come and get me so early Ezekiel.¡± His mother mused dropping his hand as she turned and walked over towards her bedside table.


    With a practiced flick of her hand, she lit a candle. The flame illuminated the room even more and took the shadows from between them. With a slight frown, Glen took in Ezekiels damp appearance, with sharp narrowed eyes that zeroed in on his blood-spattered throat, and hands. With a careless flick of her wrist, his other tossed down the matches and crossed over to him faster than he could put his hands out to forestall her.


    ¡°Oh sweet heart.¡± His mother sighed, putting her hand to his throat and following the blood back to the hole in his upper chest that had mostly clotted over and had mostly healed over in the last fifteen minutes. ¡°Did you get snagged by another moose again!?¡± His mother fretted, she pulled him down by his shoulder and Ezekiel let her.


    He refrained from telling her the truth just yet. He let her position him to her height, then once his chest wound was more level to the light she pulled down the hem of his clothes gingerly and winced at the blood leaking lazily from a deep incision in his upper shoulder, trailing into his lower collarbone.


    ¡°Mom...¡± Ezekiel began but stopped as his mother growled at him in irritation.


    ¡°Honestly Ezekiel you should have come gotten me sooner...Hmm...I think it needs a few stitches to stall the blood flow, but by the morning it should be fully healed without any attention from me.¡± Glen ignored him and poked the edges of the cut with her finger then released him.


    Ezekiel straitened and winced as his shirt pulled at the blood that had dried over the wound.


    ¡°Strange wound to leave if it was a moose....¡± Glen mused looking at him. ¡°That puncture is oddly precise Ezekiel. Are you sure it was a moose that hit you?¡±


    ¡°Mom...I never said it was a moose. But there is something I need you to see before...¡± Ezekiel tried to say only for his mother to startle him with a strangled hiss. Suddenly round green eyes began to glow, canines peeking out as they grew longer, she snatched up Ezekiels hands and sniffed at them.


    ¡°Mortal!?¡± Glen shook her head looking at his shoulder, her green eyes going from just glowing to slit and narrow like a cat in seconds. ¡°Did mortals attack you!?¡± Glen growled so hard and so beastly that the hairs on Ezekiel¡¯s arms rose at the pure protective aggression he could read there.


    Hoping to calm the situation as well as get Glen to listen to him, Ezekiel took his hands back and covered her small ones. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± he said softly and slowly. ¡°Mom listen to me. Something....huge happened. I need your help and I will tell you everything, but first, you have to promise me something.¡± Ezekiel took a deep breath and waited.


    ¡°Whatever it is...¡± His mother began. She looked so worried that Ezekiel felt like an ass for what he was about to say, but he said it anyway.


    ¡°Mom, I need you to promise me that you won¡¯t tell Dad about it.¡± Ezekiel rushed to get it all out and wasn¡¯t surprised when a moment later his mother rolled her glowing eyes and snatched her small hands away from him.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Ezekiel...¡± Glen hissed at him with a glare. Her eyes colored just then not just with worry, but with a little bit of fire. ¡°What did you do....?¡±


    ¡°Im serious! Someone could die.¡± Ezekiel cut her off. As much as he hated to involve her; the stranger would die without her help and her promise. ¡°Dad can¡¯t be told about any of this, nothing that I show you or tell you. He just won¡¯t be able to accept this....He¡¯ll be too furious to listen to reason. You know how he gets!¡±


    His mother¡¯s lips thinned slightly, but she didn¡¯t say anything. She searched his gaze and she must have felt sorry for him or she must have guessed that he was in a lot of trouble because she sighed, took up his blood-stained hands, and nodded.


    ¡°Fine. Ezekiel I promise I won¡¯t tell him....¡± Glen said, then shot him a hiss. ¡°But only for tonight. ¡± His mother patted his bicep. ¡°I will speak to him if I must. I can¡¯t... I won¡¯t promise you anything more than that, until you show me what this is all about...¡± She smiled at him softly. ¡°So are you going to let me help you...or not?¡±


    ¡°Ok...¡± Ezekiel sighed.


    I guess that¡¯s all I¡¯m getting.


    He thought to himself.


    Anyway, I can¡¯t afford to drag this out any longer. That mortals¡¯ bleeding out as we speak.


    So Ezekiel had led his mother from her quiet bed room, down to the second floor and as they neared the mortals¡¯ door, Ezekiel got more and more nervous. He continued to talk to steel his nerves. He absolutely didn¡¯t know what would happen once he revealed the mortal to her.


    Stooping in front of the room. Ezekiel took a deep breath.


    ¡°I promise I didn¡¯t know what else to do. ¡± He started, thinking to explain before he shocked her too badly.


    Glen swallowed visibly. She looked at his bloody hands, then back at the door, he could see her straining to hear beyond the wood. ¡°Just show me what¡¯s behind the door first before I have a heart attack...then I¡¯ll let you explain. Ok?¡± She asserted taking a step closer.


    ¡°But...¡± Ezekiel touched her arm to stall her.


    Glen grabbed the doorknob, trying to push it, but Ezekiel held it closed.


    ¡°Open the door.¡± his mother commanded, cutting him a small hiss of expiration.


    ¡°Just let me tell you....¡± Ezekiel tried again, but she wasn¡¯t to be put off.


    ¡°Show me already or I¡¯m going back to bed!¡± Glen snapped at him. She tossed her curly brown hair with her small fingers seemingly indifferent, but Ezekiel knew from the way that her eyes shinned with curiosity that he had her. But for how long would he be able to get her to play along? There really was no way to know.


    Until he gave her what she asked for.


    Ezekiel pushed open the door. He let his mother enter the room ahead of him, then Ezekiel walked in and closed it behind him.


    ***


    Ezekiel knew that the first thing that hit him mother was the smell of blood. Strange blood.


    Why? Because that was the first thing that hit him.


    That damn, burning, warm, alluring scent of blood. But Ezekiel was begging to wonder if he was the only one who found the smell even mildly appealing. From the look on his mother¡¯s face and the way that her hand came up to rub at watering eyes, the smell was too strong for her.


    And his brothers? From Lander, all the way to Walter his siblings all rubbed at their noses in quiet signs of irritation with the mortals scent. But ignoring these things for the moment Ezekiel just waited for his mother to make a move.


    Ezekiel knew that the first thing that his mother saw was the fact that all of his brothers were indeed in that room.


    Shirtless, shoeless, and obviously fresh from patrol. And then her eyes settled on the third and final surprise of the night. The small cot pushed up against the wall far from the door was sporting a hidden body. A thick black sheet pulled up over the mortal¡¯s entire body hid his face, but not his smell.


    ¡°Mom...¡± Nate began steeping towards her, but Glen...staring at the body hidden beneath the sheets put up a stiff hand to silence him. Turning sharp green eyes on Ezekiel she whispered.


    ¡°What¡¯s that....¡± she pointed at the shape on the bed.


    When Ezekiel didn¡¯t answer she glared at each of her sons, demanding answers none of them wanted to utter yet, each of them looking down and away.


    ¡°Please tell me what¡¯s going on...¡± Glen pleaded in a whisper at him. ¡°There¡¯s so much blood. Did you kill someone....?¡± she wrinkled her nose. ¡°God, I¡¯ve never smelled so much blood before.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Ezekiel said guessing at her train of thought. ¡°We didn¡¯t do anything to anyone. There was an intruder and I apprehended him.¡± Ezekiel told her walking past her towards the bed. ¡°In fact, Walter and Lander and Nate don¡¯t have anything to do with this. It was all me. I...well...This is what happened to my shoulder. This guy cut me and....¡±


    Ezekiel finished with a shrug. Then he stepped back, grabbed a handful of the black sheet that they had draped over the unconscious mortal to smother his scent, and slowly pulled it up and back bringing the mortal¡¯s pale, thin, dirty face into view. ¡°Is it a mongrel from another Clan? A wolf¡­or maybe some other shifters outcast?¡±


    Instantly Ezekiel¡¯s mother moved gracefully toward the bed. Her skirts flared around her bare ankles and small feet as she rushed over to the stranger beside him. Ezekiel took a step back to let her get closer. Her big green eyes are full of worry, she approached the man, dropped down on her knees beside the bed, and touched his cheek ignoring the blood and layer of dirt smeared there.


    Her right hand had barely brushed the mans pale flesh before she was pulling it back and frowning.


    ¡°Hes got a strange smell. My god...he¡¯s burning up.¡± She peered at the mortal then turned confused, then suspicious eyes on her four sons.


    ¡°His blood smells like a¡­¡± Slowly she began to put the pieces together. ¡°Shifters don¡¯t get fevers...So this is a!? You brought a mortal here!? That¡¯s his blood on you isn¡¯t it Ezekiel?¡± Glen trailed off, her eyes widening in shock then closing in acceptance, she whispered. ¡°Oh god this is bad...¡±

 Chapter 9 - Team Work

    Chapter 9 ¨C Team Work


    Team Work


    All three of Ezekiel''s brothers shared anxious unsure looks.


    Then all of them leveled their eyes at him. As if to say ¡°WE TOLD YOU SO!¡±


    But before Ezekiel could even think of the words his mother opened her eyes.


    Without a word she put a small hand to the mortal¡¯s chest. Then putting a hand to her own wrist she began silently counting the mortals'' pulse. Tight-lipped and not sparing any of them one glance she bit off two words. ¡°Explain this!¡±


    Ezekiel, and all of his brothers were grown men, although Ezekiel had only just turned twenty-three, he was definitely not a child.


    He didn¡¯t fear his parents, or really much when it came to being a Shifter but in that moment......he was totally blown by how much anger one woman could pack into those words. Ezekiel swallowed, looked at Lander''s sneering face, and flipped him off; then he went about recounting the entire story.


    This time leaving nothing out.


    ¡°So, he was already delirious when he attacked you basically? You describe mostly delusional behavior.¡± Glen mused more to herself more them to her sons, then she touched the mortal¡¯s forehead again. ¡°He seems to be suffering from a terrible infection. He could very well have attacked you out of paranoia and illness.¡±


    ¡°So you believe me?¡± Ezekiel asked her. ¡°I don¡¯t think that the attack was planned. He got lucky.¡±


    Glen looked at his shoulder and then hissed. ¡°I don¡¯t like it!! That was one lucky attack that could have killed you.¡± Glen told him, then she shook her head. ¡°But, yes. I see your point. His vitals are so poor. He¡¯s practically on fire from fever, and blood loss is going to take its toll on rationality.¡± Glen shrugged. ¡°I can only speculate, but in the end, it won¡¯t matter if he dies on us.¡±


    Lander ran a hand through his scalp with a snarl. ¡°So you¡¯ll help him!?¡± he asked her coming out of the corner to the center of the room. Glaring at Ezekiel he looked at Walter and spit at him. ¡°Say something here!! You¡¯re the oldest Walter!! Talk to them for me!¡±


    Walter, who was sitting, eyes closed, head tilted back to the wall, and his long legs out before him chuckled mirthlessly. Clam, uninterested brown eyes, opened and looked at them all, as Walter lifted his head and shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t think you want me to weigh in here Lander.¡± He said softly. ¡°I would not in fact be your supporter. I believe that we do what we need to do, what we want to do....and deal with the consequences later. If death can be prevented it should.¡±


    Nate, who was standing by the door, tossed his hand into the air. ¡°I agree.¡± He said with a wolfish smile at Lander. Then he put his hand back down and said ¡°We should let Mom try to heal the stranger. No matter what...We¡¯ll deal with the Clan rules later.¡±


    Ezekiel smiled at him, then looked at his mother. But she seemed to be in her own world. His hands were shaking slightly as she put her hand on the mortal¡¯s chest. She pulled it back when his shirt made a wet slapping sound beneath her fingers. When she looked at her palm it was dripping with fresh blood. ¡°No,¡± she said softly. ¡°I can¡¯t. This is a Mortal and I¡¯ve never...¡±


    Their mother looked at Ezekiel, then back at the mortal, but she shook her head. She stood up and walked a few steps away from the bed. ¡°I can¡¯t do it. ¡±


    ¡°Because of dad?¡± Ezekiel asked her following behind her until she stopped a few feet away from the bed and turned to him. She put a hand to her hip as she looked at him with a swift eye roll.


    ¡°Ezekiel, I love you father, but the man doesn¡¯t frighten me in the least. In not saying ¡°no¡± because of your Father. ¡± Glen touched his shoulder, as he came up to her. ¡°I can¡¯t do it because I¡¯m not skilled enough, sweetheart. I don¡¯t know if I can save the stranger or if I¡¯ll just end up killing him faster.¡± Glen told him. With a helpless shrug, she walked back over to the bed and motioned to the mortal. ¡°Look at him, listen to that heartbeat, he''s drenched in his own blood.¡± His mother bit her lip. ¡°Mortals are delicate. He¡¯s already got both feet in the grave Ezekiel. I¡¯m a healer, not an angel. And mortals are so...fragile.¡±


    ¡°So you don¡¯t know if you can?¡± Nate asked her, striding up to her side and Ezekiels. Two-toned eyes holding her gaze. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean that you can¡¯t. And if he dies....we did what we could. Rather than doing nothing and him dying anyway....right?¡±


    Walter threw his hand into the air this time. ¡°I agree.¡± He said with a dry voice.


    Lander rolled his eyes, but he didn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°Alright.¡± His mother said, turning back to the bed. ¡°I will do what I can, but God Ezekiel this is not going to end well for you or your brothers.¡±


    ¡°Come on. ¡°Ezekiel hissed. ¡°Dad will understand.....don¡¯t you?¡± he asked her. ¡°I know you see that this was important!¡±


    ¡°I do sweetheart....more then you know.¡± Glen said smiling. ¡°But your father is such an alpha male. He won¡¯t take this well. Rules are rules and now there is a mortal here in his home!!? You need to tell him about this. Tonight. He will be here soon anyway.¡±


    ¡°Not if you stall for some time actually.¡± Walter suddenly chimed in with his eyes once more closed. Everyone looked over at him, but he didn¡¯t say anymore.


    ¡°Stall for time? How?¡± Ezekiel asked. But Walter didn¡¯t respond.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Ezekiel sighed and looked at Nate. ¡°So we got to stall Dad. Got any ideas?¡± He said to Nate looking for some kind of idea, but Nate was just as helpful as Walter.


    Nate smirked and shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t ask me.¡±


    ¡°UGH!¡± Lander suddenly snarled at them all. ¡°My god! You aren¡¯t gonna stall Dad. He¡¯ll know some things up the moment he can¡¯t locate Mom. The man¡¯s not stupid! You would have to come up with something really good to get him to stay out there all night long, chasing his spotted tail!¡±


    Ezekiel got quiet.


    He knew that Lander was right, but there had to be something that he could do.


    Ezekiel took a moment to think, then he scratched his chin unconsciously, but then he stopped when the smell of copper zapped his nose. Looking down at his hand, he watched the blood of the mortal flaking off of his hands and......got an idea. ¡°One of us could do it.¡± He said suddenly, turning his nose away from his hand and dropping it.


    ¡°We could use the blood scent to lure him out of the village....!¡±


    ***


    A few minutes passed and everyone was still hovering in the room, deciding just what their roles should be in the coming hours.


    Nate¡¯s face scrunched up in doubt after Ezekiel proposed his idea to stall their father with the intruder''s Blood scent. Whit and obsidian eyes peering across the room and out the window at the slightly lighter sky.


    The morning sun was only hours away.


    ¡°Can we really stall him like that? Won¡¯t we just be announcing the mortal¡¯s presence to him? He¡¯s not going to be happy!¡± Nate surmised correctly.


    But Ezekiel shook his head. ¡°Sure but if one of us can keep him going until tomorrow it won¡¯t matter.¡± He pointed out.


    ¡°Ok. So we stall him.¡± Nate smiled.


    ¡°No.¡± Glen snapped at the both of them from her spot next to the bed. ¡°Your father needs to know about this! Stop this nonsense!¡±


    Ezekiel put a hand to his head.


    ¡°Look Mom he¡¯s going to die....¡± He said looking at the mortal. ¡°Just look him over and get him stable. Well, tell dad about all of this tomorrow. Just one night! You promised.¡±


    Glen hissed at him. ¡°I said I would think about it.¡± Then she bent over the mortal and brushed his fevered forehead. ¡°He¡¯s getting hotter. ¡± She said softly. Then she looked at them all. ¡°I¡¯ll need Nate to help me if I do this.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Nate whined, dropping his smile for the first time that night. He looked kind of pale as he looked over at the mortal too. Ezekiel knew that anything to do with cutting or medicine made his brother skittish. Another mystery about his wolf sibling.


    ¡°Not for the surgery Nate. ¡°Glen assured him quickly. ¡°I¡¯ll just need you to go and get the needles and morphine, then I¡¯ll need your nose for a moment. I won¡¯t ask you to cut anything.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Nate said still looking almost as pale as his white-rimmed left eye.


    ¡°You¡¯ll sniff out the infection in his body and give me an idea of how severe it is, then you¡¯ll go out so I can work on it,¡± Glen told him. She smiled at him encouragingly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not gonna split him open in front of you.¡ä She chuckled as Nate crunched up his nose in disgust, then she shot Ezekiel a cool look.


    ¡°But?¡± Glen hissed at Ezekiel now. ¡°Once I stabilize this stranger we WILL tell you father about him. Surely if we tell him tonight I fear that his anger will not allow him to see reason. He will want to move the mortal away, take him to other mortals, but as injured as he is this stranger will likely die in the next few minutes without some sustained care and very little movement.¡± Glen sighed. ¡°One night Ezekiel!¡±


    Then Glen turned back and began braiding up her hair. Ezekiel guessed that she needed it up so that she could work.


    While she did that he turned to Nate again.


    ¡°So even if this mortal survives....how are you gonna hide him even for a few hours!?¡± Nate exhaled looking around. ¡°Dad is so gonna smell this as so as he comes up the stairs. I¡¯m gonna be here so I can¡¯t do it.¡±


    ¡°I could do it but....¡± Ezekiel said, then he stopped and looked down at his shoulder. ¡°Dad would smell my blood even more than the mortals. I¡¯ll need more time to heal.¡±


    ¡°So?¡± Nate said looking at Ezekiel then looking past him to their other siblings Walter and Lander. ¡°Ask them.¡±


    Nate turned and went to the door. ¡°I¡¯ve got some morphine to pack.¡± He said to Ezekiel then he raised his voice. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a jiffy Mom. Do you need anything else?¡±


    ¡°Crushed rose paste for the abrasions on his arms and face as well. Styptic for the bleeding wounds.¡± Glen listened to him, then she stood up from the bed, skirts swishing, hair bound back in an intricate brown braid as she walked into the bathroom doorway. ¡°Be back by the time I¡¯m done sterilizing my hands.¡± She told his brother. Then she was out of sight.


    Nate didn¡¯t waste a moment. Ezekiel barely saw the door open and close behind him.


    Once he was gone Ezekiel swallowed and looked at his eldest brothers. Walter hadn¡¯t moved or said a word since suggesting that they stall their dad. And somehow Ezekiel knew that he wasn¡¯t going to do anything he didn¡¯t want to do.


    But he had to ask.


    Ezekiel turned to Walter. ¡°Walter can you run interference?¡± he asked him from the center of the room. Walter opened his eyes and quirked an eyebrow at him.


    Walter looked back at him silently, then simply closed his eyes and put his head back on the wall again. ¡°No.¡± He said. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving this spot until that intruder has a needle in his arm.¡±


    With a groan, Ezekiel turned away from him. He knew that asking Walter again would only get him the exact same answer. He wasn¡¯t going to leave the mortal alone with their mother or without an escort until he was ready.


    And suddenly Ezekiel was faced with a choice. He outlined his options to himself.


    Shit. Nate¡¯s helping Mom get the morphine and gauze. I¡¯m a bloody mess. Walters being stubborn......so that leaves...


    Ezekiel groaned again, then knowing that he had to suck it up, he walked away from the bed and towards Lander. Lander was leaning back in the corner again, actually watching him as well.


    Not wasting his energy on engaging in a glaring contest Ezekiel quickly crossed the room, took a shoulder to the wall beside Landers, and just said what he needed to say.


    ¡°Lander......will YOU PLEASE run interference with dad?¡± he asked.


    And with a hiss, Lander surprised him by smiling darkly. ¡°Ok...maybe I¡¯ll help a little bit. But only because I can see how scared shitless you are by the thought of Dad walking into this house tonight. ¡±


    Ezekiel flashed his fangs at him. ¡°So you¡¯re helping us now....why? Mood swings much?¡± He teased. Knowing that he was looking at a gift horse in the mouth and not caring.


    ¡°Shut the fuck up. ¡± Lander hissed at him. His eyes flash with light for a slip seconds. ¡°I guess I¡¯m helping...but only because moms a part of this shit show now. She needs time to work her magic right?¡±


    Turning a shirtless back to him. Then making his way out of the room Lander added almost as an afterthought. ¡°Or maybe it¡¯s because I plan on leading Dad right back here anyway so he can kill that filthy eyesore? Who knows?¡±


    Before Ezekiel could even think to respond, Lander was out of the door.


    ¡°Asshole.¡± Ezekiel sighed to himself, then jumped when a cold thought spiked into his head cutting like a nail in his left temple.


    You forgot to tell me thank you, little brother.....be greatful.


    Lander hissed in his head, then the cold started to slip away.


    With an impotent yowl under his breath, Ezekiel rolled his eyes at his brother. Then he opened the door and hissed at his brother¡¯s shadow going down the hallway. ¡°Stay the hell out of my head, Lander!¡±


    Ezekiel thought he heard a phantom of a laugh in his thoughts, but he couldn¡¯t have been sure as the cold faded away completely.

 Chapter 10 - Hell

    Chapter 10 ¨C Hell


    Someone was touching him.


    Brandon felt it all over his skin, no he sensed it. Eyes. Hands. Something wet and slimy spread on his flesh.


    His breathing was so slow that he couldn¡¯t hear anything but the thrumming pain spreading out of his stomach into every inch of his body.


    His skin was too tight, it was melting. It was popping. His eyes itched. Nothing felt solid. The earth rolled.


    The thoughts that tried to take hold slipped and ran away from him like spoiled eggs.


    And the cold......he felt the cold like thrones beneath his clothes. Grating on every nerve like nails. Ripping. It stabbed all throughout him. Borrowing into his stomach and spine. But....there was also the wet feeling all over him. In the darkness his entire body seemed to torture him. But the worst pain was coming from his lower body. It was like someone was knawing on his guts.


    But still. He sensed the hands on him. The eyes on his face. Voices talking over him.


    Muffled, distorted voices. And the light was so far. It drifted so far away from him that Brandon knew that he didn¡¯t have the strength to open his eyes and take it in.


    Hands pressed on his skin made him angry. Made him terrified. But he couldn¡¯t move. It hurt just to scream inside of his own head. And these hands....were not hurting him. They just touched him. His face. His arms. And where they went, something wet and warm was left behind.


    Who are you?


    What do you want?


    Brandon moaned to himself, wishing that he had even the will to force his lips apart. But the pain just sucked him down and the cold crawled around inside of him like spiders.


    He didn¡¯t know where he was....but maybe this was Hell. And it was all that he deserved.


    ***


    Ezekiel closed his eyes slowly and stretched his arms to the side. A giant yawn cracked his teeth, but his claws played an anxious beat on his forearms as he crossed them.


    He was camped out on the floor outside of the room where he had left his mother Glen to tend to the mortal¡¯s dire wounds.


    In truth, their mother had almost bodily thrown her sons out of the room. After Nate helped her spread salve all along the mortals¡¯ arms, and Ezekiel helped her wrap them in gauze, she swiftly escorted them all, even Walter, to the hall and closed the door in their faces.


    And after that the moments had slid into minutes, then bled into an hour and still the door stayed closed.


    And in the time that passed Ezekiel and his brothers were wrapped in anxious silence.


    Nate passed the time humming a soft tune to himself, with a carefree air about him that Ezekiel envied.


    While Walter stood like a stone statue beside the door with his head cocked to the side. His face was unreadable, but Ezekiel could tell that he was using his sense to reach beyond the door. To listen to their mother as she worked on the mortals wounds without them.


    And Lander was out there in the darkness somewhere with their Father, hopefully keeping his dad out on the outskirts of their Lands; chasing the blood scent left behind on Lander''s clothes and skin after being near the mortal.


    Or he could be selling you out....


    A small voice said to him.


    Ezekiel sighed and pushed that thought away.


    He knew that Lander, a moody prick though he was, was also a man who he could count on to do the right thing. Even if he sometimes pretended like he didn¡¯t know what that was. And Ezekiel also knew that there wasn¡¯t anything that he could do about his father now.


    He could still feel the slight trickle of power draining out of his core and settling around the wound in his shoulder that the stranger had given him only a few hours ago.


    It would take more time before the beast within Ezekiel was done healing him and that meant that he needed to rest. Ezekiel fought it for a while....but as he sat on the carpet next to Nate everything began to fade. His eyes grew heavy, and his head slipped down to his chest...


    It came without warning. An instant and then chaos swallowed their home.


    WHOOSH! BANG!


    Suddenly the sound of crashing thunder filled the entire home. The sound of shaking wood broke Ezekiel from the cocoon of sleep, followed by the roar of something big....and very male.


    ***


    The house thrummed with tension. It sat on them all thicker then air.


    ¡°What was that? ¡°Ezekiel mumbled half a second later, quickly climbing to his feet and staring down the hallway. But the stairs beyond were where the roar had actually echoed from.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Nate and Walter crowed around him and Nate hit him on the shoulder. ¡°OH, that?¡± He said with a cool chuckle. ¡°That was the sound of the shit hitting the fan.¡±


    ¡°Dad seems to have discovered that there is something amiss.¡± Walter rumbled from beside the door. His warm eyes reflected neither fear or worry. ¡°It¡¯s only a matter of time now.¡±


    ¡°But how!?¡± Ezekiel hissed at them unconsciously quelling his voice as though that would somehow keep his father from locating them just a little bit longer. ¡°What happened? Landers so useless he was supposed to keep dad occupied!¡±


    ¡°Looks like Dad really can¡¯t be distracted the whole night.¡± Nate shrugged, not bothering to lower his voice a single octave.


    ¡°Hey...he didn¡¯t sound very happy about the little goose chase you sent him on Ezekiel. Walter sad casting him a disappointed look. ¡°You know? Stalling him really was a bad idea.¡±


    Ezekiel snarled at him in disgust. ¡°It was your stupid idea, Walter!¡±


    Suddenly the door behind them whooshed open and there was his mother. Her hair braided back, her dress smeared with dirt, and water and blood looked considerably less elegant then it had before and her hands in front of her were wrapped in a thick cloth that was almost stained bloody red. But she seemed pleased with herself and completely unmoved by the roar of her husband.


    She finished wiping her hands and cast them all one grim glance and raised her eye brows. ¡°Well.¡± She said to them, slapping the towel over her right shoulder. ¡°You had better get ready. I told you that this wouldn¡¯t end well.¡± Glen sighed and turned back into the room, her stained dress still swirling out around her, holding the bedroom door open she looked back at them and rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. ¡± She told them. ¡°Get in here. Since he''s already in a lather nothing is gonna stop him from getting into this room. You know he¡¯ll be up here any minute and I can¡¯t be leaving my patient to have a family meeting in the hall.¡± She finished and slipped further into the room and out of sight.


    Ezekiel looked at his brothers shrugged and followed her inside.


    The moment he came into the room his eyes traveled to where the bloody mortal still laid. Slumbering and still filthy, but now he had bandages wrapped around his arms and a giant patch on the side of his temple. Multiple bloody rags sat in a heap on the floor beside the bed, but for the most part, the mortal was still a dirty mess.


    So much so that his face was still a general mystery to Ezekiel. But still he couldn¡¯t help looking. And Once again Ezekiel was overpowered by the mortals smell and had to pause just indie of the door to catch his breath as the smell of the stranger''s blood, shot down into his lungs and coated them in a mild stinging warmth.


    Dammit! Why does his blood affect me like this!


    Ezekiel snarled to himself as he felt the warmth spreading in his mouth and across his tongue. The beast inside growled and pushed at him slightly, he felt his teeth starting to itch in their gums.


    What¡¯s wrong with me?


    Ezekiel chocked and coughed, caught off guard for a second. Not paying him any particular attention, Walter quietly brushed past him.


    While Nate slapped him on the back and put an arm around his neck. ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked him as he pulled him into the center of the room. His eyes gazed at Ezekiel as though he could see into his mind.


    Ezekiel let Nate pull him as he put a hand to his nose, trying to block out the exciting smell pulling on his senses.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m okay.¡±


    ¡°Oh No! You¡¯re not!¡± Lander suddenly hissed from behind them all.


    Startled Ezekiel and Nate spun around, but to their surprise, they came face to face with their father who was standing in the open door way.


    ¡°I''m only going to ask this ONE TIME...Why do I smell mortal blood in my home!? He growled under his breath as he continued to stand in the outside threshold. All of his six foot eleven body blocked the exit. ¡°What¡¯s going on in here?¡±


    Ezekiel''s first thought was to step closer to Nate and Walter. Futilely trying to block the mortal from his father¡¯s view and for a few moment¡¯s it worked.


    Mantilo, their father, was a large man especially compared to Ezekiel¡¯s small mother.


    He was even bigger than his oldest son Walter. And when Ezekiel looked at him it was easy to see how he unlike their mom had given them all a huge helping of testosterone.


    As their Clans Leader, he had to be strong and his physical strength was readily apparent in his long legs, barreled chest, muscled arms and stomach that completely filled out his white t-shirt and jeans. But the strength that he possessed was noticeable in other ways too. In more profound ways. It was in his presence. His stature.


    The command was in his long rounded chin and shaved head. His hair was jet black, cut nearly to the scalp at the sides and six long inches at the top and back, and pulled into a neck length ponytail. Sharp eyes, were glowing a hot golden, but his eyes were normally a warm blackish brown when his inner beast was under wraps. His stern mouth opened on a hiss of outrage flashing all of them with a mouth full of fang.


    A sound and sight that Ezekiel and all of his brothers knew far too well. A top predator sizing up his prey.


    Unfortunately, they managed to upset their father quite often and now as he stood in the light of the hall, his eyes glowing a bright yellow. Ezekiel fought to remind himself that he wasn¡¯t a little kid waiting to be scolded anymore.


    I don¡¯t care what he says I''ve done nothing wrong.


    Ezekiel told himself seriously.


    ¡°Ok, so no one wants to answer that question?.¡± Mantilo growled and stepped further into the room.


    Then he reached back and grabbed something from behind the door. Suddenly Lander was there, being shoved bodily into the room. And he looked terrible.


    ¡°Next question. Does anyone want to explain this to me then? He stinks of mortal blood.¡±


    Ezekiel felt himself wilt on the inside. Walter and Nate all froze like deer caught in very angry headlights. But somehow it was Lander who shattered the unimaginable tension. With a hesitant limp, he circled from the hall, and past their father and into the middle of the room.


    Ezekiel¡¯s first reaction was to slug him, but he was instantly brought up short as he looked at his elder brother¡¯s current state. Landers blond hair was messy and filled with dead pine needles. His jeans and upper body were splattered with fresh grass and dirt. And his bottom lip was busted wide open and swollen up two sizes.


    ¡°Oh Good God!¡± Ezekiel laughed forgetting how dire his situation really was for a few seconds. He looked Lander up from head to toe and sneered at him ¡°Damn! He beat your ass Lander!!¡±


    ¡°Fub you Ezekiel!¡± Lander snarled around his busted lip. His every few words distorted and slurred as he tried to talk around the swelling. ¡°You¡¯re the one who came up wit the shit-ass plan to wave the mortal''s smell around him.¡± Lander put a hand to his mouth and winced as he poked at his swollen lips. ¡°I nearly gob mauled to death because of you!¡±


    ¡°Well.¡± Walter suddenly chimed in. ¡°Maybe you should have run faster Lander?¡±


    Nate snarled, his teeth flashing in an arrogant sneer. ¡°Yeah, I think he wanted to get caught, hes such a suck up!¡± he said to Lander walking up to him.


    ¡°What do yo know you mangy mutt? You cant be calling me a liar when your....!¡± Lander tried to hiss and took a threatening step closer to Nate who snarled back.


    ¡°ENOUGH!!!!!!¡± Mantilo barked loudly as he barged into the circle and shoved his son''s back.


    Suddenly Glen marched into the fray. ¡°Mantilo calm down!¡± she hissed at him. But it was then that Mantilo zeroed in on the occupied bed that she had left behind her.


    ¡°No...Is that what I think it is!?¡± Mantilo breathed casting a glare about the room at his family and his glowing golden eyes demanded an answer.

 Chapter 11 - Disrespect

    Chapter 11 - Disrespect


    ¡°Dad wait...¡± Ezekiel began.


    Mantilo walked forward, snarled, and pushed Ezekiel aside.


    Ezekiel stumbled to the side and let him pass as he bit his lip anxiously. He knew making a move to defend the man would only lead him to a worse fate.


    Mantilo went closer to the mortal¡¯s body. He feared what his dad would do, but Ezekiel also knew that trying to stop the man was pointless.


    ¡°A mortal? Are you insane!?¡° He growled approaching the stranger in the bed. Mantilo looked over the feverish, slumbering moral and clenched his fists at his sides. Ezekiel could sense his anger and unease growing as he spoke. ¡°Get him out of here! We need to take him back to his kind!¡±


    Ezekiel looked at his mother and then back at his dad with a wince. ¡°We can¡¯t do that...¡± He tried to say. He tried to tell his dad that the mortal wasn¡¯t in any condition to be moved, but Mantilo growled at him, cutting him off.


    ¡°You can¡¯t!? Fine then! I¡¯ll do it myself.¡± Mantilo barked.


    ¡°Mantilo don¡¯t!¡± His mother gasped running over to the bed.


    But faster than anyone in the room could react his father wrapped a heavy hand around the mortals neck and unceremoniously started to rip him from the covers. The mortal¡¯s entire body was limp as a rag doll as his father tried to lift him from the bed and into the air by his thin throat.


    ¡°Whoa!¡± Lander slurred over his busted lip.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Nate tried to interject.


    Ezekiel''s hand was wrapped around his father¡¯s wrist faster than he even knew what he was doing. ¡°Let him go! Dad, you¡¯re gonna crush him!¡± Ezekiel hissed as he squeezed his Fathers wrist and snarled at him, his neck felt a flsuh of heat as his inner beasts heckles rose. Unbidden Ezekiel felt his inner beast rising to the challenge, challenging their father, something he never dreamed he would do in a million years.


    Mantilo roared back in his son''s defiant face.


    ¡°Stop it both of you! Mantilo put my patient down before you kill him!!¡± Glen slapped her hands into his father''s chest and somehow her words more than Ezekiels aggressive behavior seemed to get his attention.


    ¡°Your patient!?¡± Mantilo hissed still holding the lifeless mortal a few inches off the mattress. And despite Ezekiels attempts to turn his wrist free of the mortal, his dad wouldn¡¯t release his hold.


    ¡°Yes, my patient!¡± Glen hissed at a man that no other man in their village dared to take that tone with. She put her hands on her small hips and growled right back at him. ¡°You are gonna make him more anemic if you don¡¯t put him down!¡±


    Mantilo scoffed and blinked at her. He seemed at a loss for words. Ezekiel wisely decided to let her continue to talk to him.


    ¡°Woman have you lost your mind!¡± Mantilo finally growled at his mother.


    ¡°Well....¡± Glen sighed. ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure at this moment, but that¡¯s beside the point.¡± She pointed to the mortal hanging before him. ¡°He needs medical attention so I gave it to him. That makes him my patient. My responsibility.¡±


    Using his free hand his father grabbed her shoulder and pushed her back from the bed. ¡°So, you brought this outsider in here!?¡±


    ¡°No! I wasn¡¯t the one who brought him here!¡± Glen snarled back just as fiercely. ¡°But I am gonna treat him, so put him the hell down Mantilo. RIGHT NOW!!¡±


    Without a word Mantilo let the mortal fall back onto the mattress like a useless sack. Ezekiel wince and tried to reach out, but faster than he could react his dad, turned and snatched him by the arm.


    ¡°If your Mother didn¡¯t bring him here...¡± Mantilo hissed turning on his son. And shoving him away from the mortal by his arm ¡°Which one of you did it!?¡±


    ¡°Yeb Ezekiel....who was it that wanted to bring the mortal here again?¡± Lander taunted him. His words were still distorted by his fat lip.


    ¡°Shut up you rotten asshole....!¡± Nate growled at him.


    Only for Walter to stop him with a silent hand on his arm.


    Walter cast Ezekiel a steady, serious look and Ezekiel knew that he let this drag on long enough. He needs to explain himself and stop stalling.


    So with a tight deep breath, and ignoring the ants crawling across his skin. He opened his mouth and confessed.


    ¡°I did it. I brought the mortal here Clan Head.¡± Ezekiel sighed, pulling away from his father, who snarled and threw his arm at him.


    ¡°You did this!!¡± Mantilo growled, stepping towards him. His golden eyes actually grew even brighter as his fury reached new heights. But before Ezekiel could come up with a response his mother grabbed his giant bicep.


    ¡°Mantilo listen to him!¡± She tried to tell him.


    ¡°God I can¡¯t believe I tried to stop you from doing this!¡± Lander slurred a little, a smug smirk trying to form on his busted mouth. ¡°This has to be the most fun I¡¯ve had in weeks!!¡±


    ¡°Lander seriously shut The Hell UP!!!¡± Ezekiel hissed in fury at his brother and this time Lander actually did stop speaking. But his swollen smirk hadn¡¯t fallen off his face.


    ¡°What were you thinking?¡± Mantilo asked him then, starting to crowd him. His anger filled up the entire room almost, but Ezekiel didn¡¯t move back. He had made a choice. He had brought the mortal here and now he had to stand by that choice and take the heat.


    But suddenly his mother had had enough.


    "Mantilo stop being so dramatic!¡± She shouted, pulling on his arm. ¡°The boys been stabbed for god¡¯s sake. All your yelling and pushing us going to reopen his wounds!!¡±


    ¡°Mom!¡± Ezekiel and Nate both moaned in unison. Walter shook his head. Ezekiel closed his eyes and put a hand to his scalp and swiped his hair back. ¡°He really didn¡¯t need to know about that!


    ¡°Opps?¡± Glen mumbled softly stepping back and lapsing into silence.


    ¡°Is that true!? Tell me? Did this outsider attack you was he hunting you?¡±


    Ezekiel hesitated. Mantilo snarled and shoved him into the center of the room; ignoring his mother¡¯s aggravated hiss. ¡°Talk!! Now!!¡±


    ¡°Yes!!¡± Ezekiel hissed back. ¡°Yes the mortal attacked me, but....¡±


    ¡°And you brought him here to the village, a threat!?¡± Mantilo turned on his older brothers. ¡°You let him bring him here!?¡± he accused them.


    Ezekiel didn¡¯t let him. ¡°No.¡± He inserted. ¡°I made them go along with this. I thought that...!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you thought!!¡± Mantilo growled over him. ¡°We don¡¯t bring outsiders into our home! We have very few visits from other Shifters, but Mortals never come here! WE do not allow THEM into the village! There are far too many things that could go wrong...These people are fragile and yet emotional beyond explanation, some of them hunt Shifters for trade you know this!!¡±


    Mantilo snarled in frustration looking back at the bed where Glen had quietly managed to put the mortals head back onto the pillows. Mantilo looked back at Ezekiel, then leaned forward and sniffed the air slightly.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t smell the blood on you when I first came in, but I can smell it now. He bled you, good boy, he struck you in the chest, a killing blow for most.¡± Mantilo hissed, opening and closing his fist beside his leg.


    ¡°This outsider could be here to kill us. Hunt us! Did you consider that after he struck you with his blade? How on earth did you ever think that bringing someone who stabbed you into our home, near your Mother was a good idea?¡±


    Ezekiel shook his head. ¡°I know that it sounds bad, but at the time it seemed like a good idea to me.¡± Ezekiel started to explain quickly, not wanting his dad to cut him off again. ¡°He did stab me, but he¡¯s sick! Can¡¯t you smell it?¡± Ezekiel asked, knowing that all of them could smell the blood-saturated air in the room. ¡°I honestly think he attacked me by accident, because of his injuries.¡±


    ¡°Smell?¡± Mantilo hissed at him, seeming confused. ¡°I don¡¯t smell anything, but blood.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t smell anything either.¡± Nate chipped in unnecessarily.


    While Walter shrugged.


    Wait does that mean that they can¡¯t smell what IM smelling?


    Ezekiel wondered to himself. Then he asked all of them ¡°You¡¯re not picking up on an odd scent, like pepper?¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Nope. ¡± Walter said looking at his mother. Then at Lander.


    ¡°I can¡¯t smell anything!¡± Lander slurred as he swaggered up to the side of the bed. ¡°This mortal is filthy. He snuck into the forest, attacked you and it clear hes not bathed...¡± Lander paused and leaned over the mortal¡¯s head. He inhaled deeply; then with an explosive snot and a head shake, he moved back to show his displeasure with what he had just inhaled. ¡°He just stinks of rot and sweat to me.¡±


    ¡°He seems to be suffering from fever dreams. He must also have a very extensive internal infection.¡± Glen said sharing her personal diagnosis for the stranger. ¡°But his blood and body don¡¯t smell particularly strange to me either Ezekiel.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s some kind of drug that I¡¯m smelling then?¡± Ezekiel questioned himself softly.


    He put it out there only because he knew that everyone else in the room was thinking about it. The mortal was thin, emaciated, wearing tattered clothing, and on death doorstep.


    Drugs were a likely culprit for the stranger¡¯s distress excluding the strange man¡¯s torn-up body, but somehow Ezekiel found that he doubted that what he was smelling was dug residue in the stranger''s blood.


    For one thing, the smell of drugs would never get him so riled up.


    ¡°Get out of the way.¡± Nate said swiftly making his way to the mortal¡¯s side. ¡°I¡¯ve got a better nose then all of you cats combined. ¡°Nate quipped walking over to the bed once Lander had stepped away from it. He leaned down over the unconscious mortal, picked up the stranger''s arm and inhaled just above the mortal¡¯s wrist.


    He took a few seconds to linger like he was searching for something, only for him to shake his hand a moment later and look over at Ezekiel with a shrug.


    ¡°His scent is a little strange I guess.¡± He exhaled softly as he placed the mortals hand back at his side. ¡°It¡¯s the infection I believe and he also seems to be really malnourished. ¡± Nate shook his head. ¡°But I don¡¯t smell anything in his blood that¡¯s corrosive or nasty. I doubt that he¡¯s got anything like crack or heroin pumping in his veins. He must just be sick for another reason.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter!¡± Mantilo hissed at them all, grabbing Nate¡¯s arm and pulling him away from the bed the way he had Ezekiel.


    ¡°But don¡¯t you want to know what brought him out here? Or why he attacked Ezekiel? Or even where he came from?¡± Walter questioned Mantilo calmly.


    ¡°No,i dont.¡± Mantilo told them. ¡°I just want him removed.¡± Mantilo shook his head. ¡°I still don¡¯t know what possessed you to do this.¡± He said to Ezekiel.


    Ezekiel rolled his eyes, and hissed at the ceiling ¡°Oh for god¡¯s sake! It¡¯s like I¡¯m surrounded by people I don¡¯t even know! Since when do we turn our back on other creatures just because we don¡¯t like them? Dad I saw you get your arm ripped open yesterday while you were trying to free a moose from a bog!¡± Ezekiel sighed. ¡°So he stabbed me. So he¡¯s mortal. We can still help him.¡±


    Mantilo snarled suddenly. ¡°Ezekiel this is not about him just being mortal. All things that traverse this earth should be respected and above all understood, but to bring him in here even though you knew that he was dangerous. You knew that I wouldn¡¯t like it and you went around my back, you acted in opposition as if you do not respect me!!!¡±


    Ezekiel bit his lip. He didn¡¯t have much to say in defense, because that was exactly what he had done.


    Mantilo hissed at him. ¡°Then you drag your brothers down with you. You even pulled your mother into all of this!¡±


    ¡°Well actually, I chose to help on my own. I was all in to save the man so yeah theres that part.....¡± Glen quipped at him.


    But his father just continued to speak over her. ¡°Then....¡± He chuckled looking over at Lander. ¡°Then you what!? Sent Lander out there smelling of mortal to keep me distracted? You fools!?¡±


    ¡°Well, we all kind of thought that you would...you know, kill the mortal on sight or something.¡± Nate shrugged. ¡°So we had to keep you busy for a while...¡± Nate hedged on all of their behalf, not just Ezekiels. ¡°But...You should know that Lander happily volunteered for the job. He was so happy to do it, Dad that he practically begged to do it.¡± He quipped. "It was so nice to see him being so supportive foe once." Then he cast Lander a triumphant look.


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t!¡± Lander hissed in outrage, the slurs becoming less and less noticeable as his swelling lip began to deflate and heal up.


    Mantilo took a deep breath. ¡°Stop. You feared I would kill him?¡± Mantilo asked them then shook his head. ¡°No, I wouldn¡¯t have killed him. Even though killing would have been my first instinct after he stabbed you.¡± His father growled looking at Ezekiel. ¡°Still my first action would have been a rational one. I would have taken the mortal, back towards the closest mortal city. Back to his own kind.¡±


    ¡°But that was what we knew you would do, and the mortal would have died if you had found him here and moved him there.¡± Walter quietly explained.


    ¡°To get the mortal here, they had to move the mortal, and in doing so, his wounds further tore and more blood was lost. Anymore movement and the mortal would have gone into shock and died. ¡°Glen said backing up their point.


    ¡°Fine.....fine!¡± Mantilo began after a short silent pause between them all, which made Ezekiel hold his breath. ¡°I guess I believe your claims. I would have turned the mortal out the moment I saw him, but now that he is under my roof and I can¡¯t move him without killing him right now. He will remain.¡±


    Mantilo looked at Glen, then at the mortal, and rolled his eyes. ¡°For now just forget about his scent and where he came from.¡± Mantilo waved his hand. ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about what ails the man. He¡¯s troubles are not ours and as soon as he wakes up I¡¯m kicking him off of my land.¡±


    ¡°Dad...¡± Ezekiel began only for his father to hiss loudly and glare at him.


    ¡°Ezekiel be quiet!?¡± he growled shutting him down completely with his stern snarl. ¡°You are not off the hook!!¡±


    ¡°My God how many times do I have to say it? He was going to die!¡± Ezekiel shouted forgetting for the moment that he was seriously lucky that he didn¡¯t look like Lander yet. But he knew that what he had done wasn¡¯t something that he should feel bad about.


    He was proud that he had saved the stranger. No matter what his father may have said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t take that jaunty fucking tone with me, boy!¡± Mantilo roared sounding more and more like a beast and less like a man. ¡°Life is sacred. I¡¯m the one that taught you to value it!! So don¡¯t assume that I have forgotten this rule, but there is so much about this that is wrong and you are so young and naive to how our species interact.¡± Mantilo elaborated pointing to the bed.


    ¡°Mortals and Shifters operate differently...... But saving the life of someone who tried to kill you is idiotic by any Shifter''s standards. He tried to kill you!! And you are neither a slow Shifter nor a weak one.¡± Mantilo pointed out. ¡°So I don¡¯t care how sick he is now, that attack on you took some real power and probably a lot of skill for a plain old mortal to muster. He¡¯s not just a run-of-the-mill intruder and I wont take the chance that he is.¡±


    Mantilo shook his head. ¡°When he gets up....he¡¯s gone. Do you understand me!?¡±


    ***


    After Mantilos hard words everyone shared a swift look. But it was Ezekiel that spoke next.


    ¡°Fine¡± Ezekiel groaned running a hand down his face in aggravation and surrender. ¡°Until he wakes up, I¡¯ll just keep an eye on him.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Mantilo shouted then leveled glowing slit eyes at each of his sons. Using the Shifter in him to quell their rebellious natures. ¡°No one is going near that stranger again after tonight except me or you mother.¡±


    This time Ezekiel wisely held his tongue and none of his brother made a move to object either.


    Mantilo blinked swiftly, and between on blink and the next his glowing eyes faded back to normal. ¡°For now let¡¯s leave the stranger in your mother''s care.¡± Mantilo shook his head as he looked back over at the stranger lying in the bed before he turned to his wife. ¡°So what do you need to properly care of the mortals wounds Glen?¡±


    Glen who had returned to the mortal¡¯s side and was sitting on the floor next to the bed, now turned away from a tray full of bloody towels, and shredded cloth that Ezekiel could see was a pair of ratty decimated shoes.


    The blood painted strings and white cloth sat beside her with a carving blade and he realized that his mother must have had to cut them off of the intruder¡¯s feet.


    Glen paused. Then she looked back at his father and said. ¡°Well if he¡¯s going to live...I need to do surgery. So I¡¯ll need a new pack of needles and thread. Preferably surgical grade and sterile. Glen looked out of the one window in the room as she continued.


    Ezekiel glanced that way as she talked and was surprised to see the sky lightening in soft oranges and blues as the sun began to rise somewhere on the opposite side of the sky.


    ¡°The best place to find those things will be over in the southern part of the village with Kim. I¡¯ve packed the wound with gauze and sewed up the sides of his gut to hold in and slow the blood, but he¡¯s just going to keep bleeding until I can close some of those larger veins and arteries that got slashed, by whatever it was.....¡± Glen turned her lips to the side as she looked at Mantilo.


    ¡°How soon do you need it?¡± Mantilo asked her dryly.


    Glen pursed her small mouth, then smacked her lips and rolled her large green eyes at him. ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know...How¡¯s about before the mortal bleeds to death on the bed.¡± She bit off seeming bothered with his father¡¯s tone of voice. ¡°So preferably getting it in the next few hours if you don¡¯t feel to put out and want to waste more time shouting!¡±


    ¡°Hold it, Glen.¡± Mantilo began glaring at her. ¡°Don¡¯t take that tone with me. Let¡¯s not forget who was helping our son hide all of this from me just a few short minutes ago!¡± Mantilo snapped at her, eyes beginning to glow again.


    Glen took one look at him and just laughed.


    Ezekiels breath caught in his throat when she then went right up to her husband; a man who outweighed here by a good 170 pounds and poked....poked him in the chest.


    ¡°Lay off!¡± She hissed at him. ¡°I will not sit here and let you condemn me for helping someone. Nor will I be talked to like I¡¯m just another one of your Clans Men. I¡¯m your wife!¡± She said then pointed at the larger room. ¡°These are our sons. And this mortal is currently dying in front of us.¡± Glen dropped her hand. ¡°So the longer that I sit here babysitting you five pussy cats is another moment that he won¡¯t make it! ¡±


    As Glen spoke here large green eyes began shrinking and lengthening, and a dark green florescence touched her iris almost making it glow, but not fully. His mother never got to that point unless she was about to Shift completely.


    The eyes of a simmering Leopard taking over, she growled at Mantilo. Her small frame began to thrum with Shift energy that popped warmly in the air, but didn¡¯t expand.


    ¡°The man that I love very much is a caring, compassionate father! Not some big unruly ape who throws his fangs around the one time something doesn¡¯t go his way!¡± She continued then narrowed her eyes at Ezekiel, who like his brothers was standing back in utter silence and shock.


    She hissed and stomped past his father before Mantilo had a chance to regroup and when she made it to Glen downright roared in Ezekiel¡¯s face.


    The Leopard in him quelled at her expression of parental fury. Ezekiel averted his gaze and looked down. Ezekiel didn¡¯t mind looking away too much, because In the Shifter world, much like the animal kingdom, to look down or away from another Shifter was a sign of respect and of submission.


    ¡°Ezekiel you will never let anything like this happen again!! Do you understand me!¡± His mother began. ¡°How dare you! This will be the final time that you purposely circumvent your father or ignore the rules. He is not only your Father, but he is a Clan Head to us all. Our leader!! And you¡¯ve got to learn to mind your place beneath him! You aren¡¯t as immature as you act. You have wisdom and strength. Start using it!!!¡± Glen sighed. ¡°I would never ask you to ignore your heart or turn your back on someone in need, but you know damn well that the choice should have been your father''s to make. You should have gone straight to him, instead of doing as you pleased. Your disrespect was a blow to him.¡±


    Feeling like he had to once again state the obvious Ezekiel went to open his mouth.


    ¡°And if you even try to utter that lie again I''ll slap you.¡± Glen told him swiftly seemingly reading his mind. Lander snickered. Glen¡¯s eyes shifted off of him to glare at his sibling to the far left of him. Landers shoulders were shaking with mirth as he snickered behind his hand.


    ¡°Stop that Lander.¡± She hissed at her blond-haired son. ¡°Laughing at him is not making this any easier.¡±


    Glen looked back at Ezekiel. ¡°Your father is a good man, as you well know! So I don¡¯t want to hear it! You were wrong, even if what you wanted to do was right! So deal with it, and do as he tells you.¡± Glen took a deep breath, turned, and sighed.


    ¡°Now would you ALL kindly get out of this room? I¡¯ve got some sterilizing to do.¡± She said waving a hand at them over her shoulder. ¡°Now shoo. And pray that you have an uneventful day, because last night just about killed ME!¡±


    Quietly Ezekiel agreed with her. And he had a feeling that all of his brothers and father probably did too.

 Chapter 12 - Off The Hook

    Chapter 12-  Off The Hook


    ¡°Haa ha... No one can cut through the bullshit like Mom.¡± Nate breathed out happily with a bemused smile pointed up at the ceiling as he walked down the hall with his brothers.


    Their father Mantilo, his back wider and more rigid than any of theirs marched before them, leading them down the hall away from the second floor.


    They were finally leaving Glen with the mortal and heading back to the front door for all that Ezekiel could guess. Heading down the spiral staircase, which muffled their footsteps as thick brown carpet bounced beneath their bare feet.


    ¡°Yup...¡± Walter mumbled from far to the right. A rare smirk touched his grim mouth then was gone the next second.


    ¡°Did you see her eyes?¡± Lander sighed. His lip was finally back to normal size, but Ezekiel could still see the cut on his bottom lip. Putting his arms behind his head and holding them there by the wrists as he walked Lander said. ¡°Man it¡¯s been months since I¡¯ve seen mom that close to the Shift! I swear to god I thought she was going to go full Leopard and paddle the lot of us.¡±


    ¡°Shut up...¡± Ezekiel snorted, even as he somehow managed to smile.


    Ezekiel and the rest of his brothers managed the next few minutes of the walk in silence, as they finally reached the end of the stair case, turned down another much shorter one and finally hit the bottom floor.


    After a little more walking Mantilo lead his sons to the front door and the small parlor connected to it.


    The entrance into the house was a giant box that could have been a room all on its own. Painted in warm, slightly reddish brows like the rest of the Mansion and lightly furnished it could have been the walk-in to a hospital, except for the various painting and portraits that showed off each of the members of Ezekiels family.


    The front door was a large rectangle of beautifully finished, dark heavy wood that often swung effortlessly open and closed, while carved deep into the wood about eye level for Ezekiel where five giant diamonds sat in a singular row cut from bright red stained glass.


    Three small coffee tables, made of polished mahogany lined each of the wall to the right and left of the door a few inches back from the door panels. They were waist high and each had a giant vase full of water, lilacs, pine needles and sweet grass. The fragrance was stark, but so subtle and calming that most couldn¡¯t help, but take in a deep breath and feel...better.


    Ezekiel knew that the flowers came from his mother¡¯s personal garden far to the south of the mansion and he knew that since they often had visitors from the surrounding villages, who would often be dealing with some neighborly dispute his mother took strides to alleviate any stress that they may be feeling when they come to their Clean Head for advice.


    Watching as his father cracked open the door softly and knowing what was coming next, Ezekiel forced his feet to follow his brothers out onto the front porch. But felling in desperate need of stress relief Ezekiel found himself taking an extra three breaths of the sweet scent before he closed the door behind himself.


    The morning dawn was just kissing the cool air, and as it danced across his face and chest Ezekiel shivered as the sweat that he had on his back and chest rapidly cooled.


    Ezekiel watched Nate close his dual-colored eyes and smile up into the sunlight, as though he didn¡¯t have a care in the world.


    While Lander hissed and with a predictable scowl on his face, he wrapped his arms around his bare chest and tried to keep himself warm.


    Walter didn¡¯t react to the cold for all that Ezekiel could see, and Mantilo was already walking down the porch steps silently taking in the leagues and leagues of knee-high grass and snakelike dirt paths that lay all across his people''s Lands.


    The morning sun winked off the dark shadows and hills and as Ezekiel took in the sheer vastness of his home made the beast inside kind of purr in satisfaction.


    In the south, west and easterly directions Ezekiel could just make out the small town-like buildings positioned at the far corners of their Clans Land¡¯s. Each of the towns were filled with his father''s Clans Men and women. Leopards that followed his father and mother. The villages were barely noticeable in the early dawn, but Ezekiel knew that each of them was quite large and housed families just as large as his own.


    And then miles and miles outside of that, there was this giant band of pine trees that wrapped around the whole of their Lands. Thick, dense, and wild, the pine forest stretched all around and bled off into the northern mountain tops far in the tier of their home.


    Mantilo took a healthy inhale of the pine-scented earth all around him, then walked off the porch and traveled down into their expansive front lawn.


    Ezekiel and his brothers all shuffled after him, until he stopped, about five minutes later, turned turn back to them and laid out the daily roster of chores. The same way their father did every morning.


    ¡°OK, first thing.¡± Mantilo began suddenly. Unlike his sons he was fully clothed. His loose-fitting green t-shirt and denim jeans filled and defined with hard muscle by the large man who filled them. Mantilo hooked his thumbs in his jeans pockets and eyed Ezekiel first. ¡°You are not off the hook.¡±


    Ezekiel took a deep breath and raised his chin. Ready to take whatever was coming to him. Mantilo watched his youngest son steadily and let him stew in silence for a few seconds.


    Ezekiel like the rest of his sons was not a child.


    Ezekiel was twenty-three years old and the youngest. Nate was right before him in age also in his early twenty¡¯s.


    Walter was the oldest of his sons at age twenty-nine. And Lander came in just below him in age at twenty-six years.


    But Shifters were different then Mortals in the way that they aged.


    Where mortals were known to age once a year, for Shifters, the first few years of life were the same as a mortals. But after puberty.....after the Shift first takes them for the and the beast inside awakens, Shifters began to have a rapid decrease in their aging. Mantilo had estimated that Shifters aged one year to a mortal every four or five.


    So in reality his sons were nearly decades older then they really appeared. And the same could be said for any of the other Leopards in Mantilo¡¯s Clan or other Shifters around the world, that were not pubescent yet.


    So none of his sons were children, they were grown men, whom he had no real authority over, nor did Mantilo treat Ezekiel as such, but they were still his sons and no matter how old any of them got Mantilo would continue to protect them....or guide them, sternly, if need be. Until the day he died.


    ¡°But....¡± Mantilo amended looking Ezekiel in the eyes. He was secretly proud that his son was trying to take his punishment without any flinching, but he kept his face grim and his tone grave as he said ¡°I will concede on behalf of you mother, your brothers, and because no matter what has happened behind my back. Life is in the process of being saved today. So....I¡¯ll be lenient.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Thinking that life couldn¡¯t be better Ezekiel mistakenly dropped his shoulder and ex-hailed in relief only for his father to continue. ¡°Ezekiel you are to now take over Landers patrolling shift, added onto your own shift for the rest of this week, as well as help your mother with gathering the materials needed to ensure the intruder''s wellbeing. That means you will most likely be ruining back and forth between Kim¡¯s and Glen, in mortal form. Gathering gauze and herbs for sterilization. Mmmm...Just make sure that you don¡¯t Shift while you transport the surgical supplies. We don¡¯t want to risk an infection, from fur or dirt touching the supplies that your mother will be using.¡±


    Knowing that the distance between the healer Kim and their own mansion was a difference of nearly three miles, Ezekiel tried not to openly grimace.


    Ezekiel speared his brothers with glares as they all broke into snickers and laughs at his expense. With effort, Ezekiel schooled his gaze before he looked back at his father, but the anger was there in his blue eyes even though he bowed his head and complied. ¡°Yes father.¡±


    ¡°Also, I will only say this to you once more.....¡± Mantilo quipped. And on one side of himself, Mantilo felt a little sorry for his youngest son. Ezekiel was a good and naturally curious man, and reckless to a fault. He knew that Ezekiel was dying of curiosity when it came to their unexpected intruder, but Mantilo didn¡¯t want him getting any more involved. It seemed best that they all remain at arm¡¯s length concerning the stranger until Mantilo knew just what he was really there to do.


    ¡°Im ordering you to STAY out of that mortal¡¯s room.¡± He commanded Ezekiel and the rest of them once more.


    At this, Ezekiel raised his head and frowned. ¡°What? Well then how am I supposed to help heal him if I can¡¯t go near him....?¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t be healing him at all, nor will you approach that room again.¡± Mantilo rumbled with a shrug. ¡°You will bring all of the supplies that you gather to your mother, and then head off to continue your patrols. Which will take you much longer now that you¡¯ll be taking over all of Lander''s duties. Feeding the animals in the West and South. Weeding with the Clans Men in the South to prepare the fields, gathering herbs in the East, and scouting the forest in the East and South.....Gosh, you¡¯ll barely have time to stop, much less check on that mortal.¡± Mantilo smiled over at Nate as he gaffed with laughter, then he turned steely, sharp yellow eyes on his son.


    ¡°I mean it Ezekiel.¡± he enunciated. ¡°Stay away from that room.¡± Mantilo didn''t like how his son had been willing to come to the stranger''s aid so openly. He didn¡¯t like it at all.


    ¡°Fine. As you will it Clan Head. ¡°Ezekiel once more complied, but there was no hiding the hiss underneath his breath that he expelled as he looked out into the morning dawn creeping across the cool wet grass, dashing small rainbows on spider webs as it grew brighter.


    Mantilo nodded, unperturbed by his sons¡¯ displeasure.


    ¡°Now, in the mean time we are still Guardians,¡± Mantilo said trying to move on. ¡°We¡¯ll carry on with our assigned routes, but there will be a few changes.¡±


    Guardians. Mantilo¡¯s fancy way of saying, Watchmen or enforcers. In the mortals world his sons would have been called cops.


    Every Clan Head in the history of Mantilo¡¯s Clan had had a small band of Leopards that he used to gather information, protect his people and cull any would be usurpers of the peace. Over the years the purpose of the Guardians had of course changed, but the main purpose was the same. To assist the Clan head in protecting and cultivating the land and the Clansmen.


    In the past the Guardians were normally other males from other families in the Clan, but Mantilo had his sons, and each of them had powers and individual strengths that made them invaluable as his Guardians. He only had two other Guardians and they were his niece and step-nephew.


    Mantilo took a moment to think about their current predicament and how he was going to disperse his sons for the next few days.


    Then he looked to Lander. ¡°You will not be on patrol with us Lander. Stay with your mother. Ezekiel will pick up the slack for now.¡± Mantilo began. ¡°I want you to keep an eye on the mortal. Tap his thoughts when he wakes up if u can, find out if he¡¯s got any hidden agendas, and above all else? If he makes a move to hurt either you or your mother. Put him down.¡±


    Ezekiels lips thinned at that, but he still didn¡¯t say a thing.


    Lander nodded at his father and then looked at Ezekiel sideways. ¡°Hey, I hope you enjoy cleaning out the sheep manure.¡± Lander goaded him. ¡°I¡¯ve been putting it off for days, and today Mrs. Henry¡¯s definitely gonna make you do it all in retaliation for my putting her off for so long. So you have fun with that Lil bro.¡±


    Ezekiel flashed him a mouth full of sharp fangs in return.


    Mantilo ignored the exchange and turned to his other two sons. ¡°Nate, you¡¯re with me. I have a few elk that need hunting and skinning and separating for the up and coming Celebration. Then you can get back to your normal patrol of the village to the north¡± Nate blinked his dual-colored eyes and smirked. Mantilo took that as an agreement and moved on.


    ¡°Walter you will continue to patrol the West Village,¡± Mantilo said next


    Walter looked in the direction of the village in question and said nothing. Like Nate¡¯s simple smile, Mantilo took his oldest son''s silence as an answer in and of itself.


    ¡°Good. Let¡¯s get it done.¡± Mantilo told them all, unhooking his thumbs from his jeans he turned and strode out further into the sunlight and grass.


    ***


    All of the brothers broke the formation at that time.


    Walter trudged off to the west silent and unmoved by the events of the last few minutes. Nate was happily following his father to the north and with a small sigh Ezekiel turned and started out for the south.


    ¡°Hey....¡± Lander suddenly called to him from behind. ¡°You¡¯d better go and pick up those surgical supplies Mom asked about first Ezekiel.¡±


    ¡°Shit.¡± Ezekiel hissed and changed direction towards the west. ¡°This is gonna take forever without Shifting.¡±


    ¡°Good. A long walk will teach you something.¡± Lander laughed at him.


    ¡°Come on Lander. Seriously? I¡¯m not complaining about the walk.¡± Ezekiel barked stopping to hiss at his brother. ¡°You know that I could run for miles and not feel a thing. It¡¯s the time that I¡¯m concerned with.¡± Ezekiel explained to him.


    ¡°This whole picking up and bringing back supplies will take almost an hour by foot. Not to mention all the other Clansmen who will be at Kim¡¯s looking for healing herbs, slaves, and supplies, just like me. Mom said that the mortal¡¯s condition was delicate.¡± Ezekiel pointed out. ¡°He could die from blood loss by time I actually manage to return and your too busy being an asshole to care!¡±


    ¡°Ezekiel, you know that you¡¯ve got the fastest legs in the village. You¡¯ll be back here in no time! Besides... it¡¯s my job to be an asshole.¡± Lander said dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s not like Walter even has a sense of humor or a sense of any other emotion for that matter. And Nate¡¯s too damn chipper. So it¡¯s my job to humble you bastards.¡±


    Not knowing what possessed him to say what he said next, Ezekiel tipped his head into the soft sunlight. ¡°Im anxious Lander. I don¡¯t want him to die on us. I think it would be a terrible waste. It¡¯s weird I guess, but...¡± Ezekiel shrugged and stopped.


    ¡°Not really. ¡± Lander said, then suddenly broke off with a chuckle. ¡°Hey! Do you remember Annabel the cow?¡±


    ¡°God...¡± Ezekiel dropped his head and grated at him. ¡°Please don¡¯t remind me. Let me live the shame down!¡±


    ¡°Come on!¡± Lander teased. ¡°You loved that cow! You raised it right after it was born and its mother bled to death. Dad told you to just let it die because it was premature and a runt to boot, but you fought him on it for a week. And you cried and cried until he gave up.¡±


    ¡°What''s your point!?¡± Ezekiel hissed softly, trying not to be horribly embarrassed.


    ¡°My point is that you aren¡¯t weird. ¡± Lander laughed. ¡°You¡¯ve just found yourself another Annabel. You love taking care of stuff. I mean that¡¯s why you¡¯re the one always feeding the hogs and caring for livestock. You got moms Healers mentality but for animals.¡±


    ¡°Hm, I guess see your point.¡± Ezekiel nodded smiling back. ¡°But you know Annabel died two days later,¡± he recalled sadly. He could actually still remember the last breath that the little cow had taken in his lap after sitting with her for seventy-two hours straight. ¡°I¡¯m hoping that that doesn¡¯t happen to the stranger.¡±


    ¡°Well, here we are again. Just like the silly cow, but trust in her, Mom won¡¯t let him die.¡±


    Ezekiel rolled his eyes at him. ¡°You tried to kill him yesterday morning Lander.¡± He drawled. ¡°Remember?¡±


    ¡°Heat of the moment... and it was just a threat.¡± Lander simply stated then sighed sounding almost guileless for once. ¡°I¡¯m not a monster Ezekiel.¡±


    Ezekiel eyed him and shook his head. ¡°Oh really, see I couldn¡¯t tell.¡± he teased.


    ¡°Ha ha smart ass¡± Lander hissed. ¡°Just stop worrying. I¡¯ll do my job. So will mom. No need to worry about your little intruder after this anyway. You won¡¯t be seeing him again after today if Dad has his way. Once he¡¯s better Dad  will be removing him.¡± Lander reminded him. ¡°So hurry and go pick up the supplies already.¡±


    Lander said shooing him as he turned and mounted the steps to the front door. He looked back at the last step and snapped his fingers. ¡°Oh...and you might want to put on some shoes....no some boots! Those sheep really made a mess of the place last time I was there....¡±


    Ezekiel flipped his brother off.


    ¡°Fuck you...I¡¯m getting this manure out of the way if it kills me, you asshole. I¡¯ll be damned if you get to keep cracking on me about it.¡± Ezekiel hissed.


    Changing direction, so that he could go into the garage beside the right wing of the mansion; where he would don a pair of rawhide boots for the long day ahead. And no sleep. But deep inside he felt not one shred of regret.

 Chapter 13 - His Pain

    Chapter 13 ¨C His Pain


    So he dreamed. Brandon couldn¡¯t move. He couldn¡¯t hardly breathe. He felt a great agony pounding at the base of his head, but all of this seemed so far away.


    So Brandon dreamed in that far off place just between sleep, unconsciousness, and death.


    Because he knew he was dying.


    Even in this foggy state of consciousness, his heart whispered to him what his mind couldn¡¯t say. He was a goner. How much longer would it take? How long before the release was final? Or how long before he woke up and was forced to live underneath their thumb all over again?


    He didn¡¯t know. So he dreamed.


    Strangely enough, dreaming was far too comfortable to him.


    Brandon actually dreamed often, every few days one would creep up and overtake him. But for him.....it was always the same dream. Always the same things. Always the same people. Always has the same outcome. Always the same nightmares.


    But this time, just before the predictable horror started Brandon saw something new.


    Eyes. Bright blue, slit, cat eyes, glaring at him first in anger, then in agony, pain. The eyes burned with condemnation. He had hurt this person. And so he had apologized, but now the eyes still glared, hunting him.


    Brandon screamed them away and suddenly. LIGHT.


    Like a slash of fire, it broke across his dreams, pulling him down into the nightmare that he had every few days on a tiresome loop. And as sad and crazy as it was this nightmare was the only thing that he had, that was his, that he always had, no matter what. A nightmare in a nightmare was his only calm. His only real comfort.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    And as fucked up as that was Brandon gave into the nightmare. Let it settle. Because he knew he couldn¡¯t fight.


    The light of the sun, cutting into his eyes, blaring, the wind whipping. Rock all around. And the man standing opposite him.


    Brandon looked at the man standing before him. He was tall, slim, dressed strangely, and he had a head full of golden hair, almost long enough to reach his elbows. But for all the hair, this was a man, Brandon could tell, not only because he had had many years to analyze the recurring nightmare, but because his face was covered in paints and symbols that outlined his masculine nose, chin and forehead.


    And of all things to see in a dream....this man was holding a very large, very blood-covered sword in his large, and blood-covered hands.


    ¡°Raise your weapon Brother...¡± The man said to him. He spoke to no one else, but this as always confused Brandon because he had no siblings. No family. But in this dream, every time he dreamed it this man called him Brother.


    ¡°No Kail...¡± Brandon felt himself respond in the dream, he felt his lips moving, though he wasn¡¯t sure he was even forming the words or were they being imposed on him?


    He looked down at his on hand where an equally long blade sat in his smaller emaciated grasp. This blade was also splattered with crimson blood, but Brandon couldn¡¯t see any blood on his body anywhere else. He never could when he had this nightmare, leaving him to wonder where the blood came from.


    Among so many other things like; who exactly was Kail? Being one of the bigger ones.


    The man, Kail smiled sadly at his answer.


    And Brandon watched for the thousandth time as this man laughed and closed his eyes like he was in some great pain... And for the thousandth time the drama just cut off. The light blared across his sense like needles to his brain. Everything got thrown up, then down, then it vibrated.


    He felt the pain in his stomach. Spreading out like ice and fire, numbing and stinging all of him. Then there came the fall. He felt like someone was tearing him apart, chopping his soul into pieces and then stomping on every little bloody chunk until he was nothing.


    Then suddenly he was one again. The man, Kail was gone, the darkness was there, but there was no light, no blood, and no sound.


    Until a little while later the light cut back into his mind and it all began all over again.....


    It was nothing new. But the pain....the pain was always fresh for him.

 Chapter 14 - Unknown Agony

    Chapter 14- Unknown Agony


    Glen struggled to ignore the intruder¡¯s screams as she moved along the hall walking away from his room.


    Ever since coming to her only a few hours ago, the mortal had been a bloody, emaciated, smelly, and now moaning bunch of agony. Glen had suffered through the first few hours because the mortal had kept his distress contained to a few pathetic drawn-out moans and leg twitching, but in the last half hour, his moaning had transformed into full-throated screams. And try as she might to discover the source of the mortal''s agony she soon came to realize that this pain was purely mental. Spiritual.


    And try as she might to stay dutifully by her patients'' side as Glen knew all healers should....she just couldn¡¯t stomach that. It was too visceral. To familiar.


    So feeling exhausted and nauseous, Glen had drawn out some silken scarves and softly if firmly tied the mortal to his sick bed. In hopes of not only minimizing his wound bleeding anymore from his erratic movements but to keep the clearly disturbed individual from getting up and lashing out in his fever dreams. She feared that the most.


    As much as Glen loved her husband she knew without a shadow of a doubt that he would rip apart anyone that harmed her weather the blow was passed in sickness or not. And Glen loved him for that. He was not only her husband, but he was also the love of her life. Her Life-mate. His loyalty to her was never questioned, nor hers to him. But Glen also knew that it could be damn irritating if it was misdirected. Which it currently was...on the mortal.


    Glen sighed deeply just thinking about it as yet another terrified scream split the silence of her home making her wince and blink back tears. She resisted the urge to turn back. Honestly what could she do for him, but suffer along with the stranger and the hell that plagued his restless mind and broken body? Things that she didn¡¯t want to guess at....much less sit around and watch. And Glen knew that remaining there could also make her a target if the mortal started to struggle, or slipped free of his bonds. No, it was best to wait until she could do something for the mortal. She would wait for her son to return with the surgical supplies. Until then.....


    Another terrified shriek tore the air making her jump and then sigh. Glen turned the corner and descended the spiral stair case, letting the warm thick carpet beneath here caress the soles of her feet. As soon as her feet hit the bottom floor she spotted Lander as he rushed over to her.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on...are you OK?¡± He hissed at her, his eyes glowing green with concern and suspicion. ¡°Is he awake?¡± Landers Shifted his gaze and gave her a quick once over as he spoke. Checking her for injuries.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine Lander. ¡± Glen assured her son softly. She touched his shoulder and smiled. Instantly she felt all of the tension in his shoulders lessen. ¡°It¡¯s okay...breath. Are you OK?¡±


    Lander in-hailed deeply, then ex-hailed. ¡°No....¡± He finally breathed after three more deep breaths. His eyes still burned, but she could see that he was calmer. ¡°When will the damn thing shut up? I can¡¯t...I can¡¯t stand this anymore!¡±


    Glen took a deep breath of her own. She could feel the warm energy popping all along her son¡¯s skin. His emotions were piqued. Her second son had always been very....sensitive to the thoughts of others. The things that plagued others in the dark of the night, haunted him in the hours of the day. Because he could see it all. Feel what all those around him wanted, wished, hoped and would try to do. The good, the perverted, the evil, the desperate. He could read it all, and all of it affected him. The stronger the thoughts....the worse Lander was inclined to feel or be influenced.


    Glen took Landers hand as yet another of the mortals screams ripped apart the halls. Lander winced. ¡°It¡¯s OK. Focus on my thoughts. Clam. Come with me. ¡°Glen soothed his as she led him across the parlor and down the left of the front door and down the hall leading towards the Living room. Projecting calm into her mind and her voice she gave him a steady ¡°What do you see? Can you see what¡¯s causing him so much pain?¡±


    Glen¡¯s sons being gifted the ways that they were was...trying at times. But far from something that was overly shocking in Shifter society as a whole. Strong males and females were often born with innate abilities. That is what they were named Innate abilities that stemmed from the rare mixing of mortal and animal DNA that went on to give birth to the race of Shifters.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Not man, not beast, but something supernatural and powerful. That power manifested itself in every Shifter and Shifter Clan differently, but in the Leopards it was known to give them enhanced speed, balance, and their unusual innate abilities that over the generations had stemmed from, telekinesis to telepathy all the way to brainwashing or memory tampering.


    Normally the Leopards Clan only had one or two such gifted pups born in every few centuries. Such strong and supernaturally gifted individuals would then been placed in competition at puberty to battle for the title of Clan Head but Glen and Mantilo had given life to not only one supernaturally gifted son, but three all in the same decade, and then fate had brought Nate, a wolf, but a highly powerful male into their family. Luckily Walter being the eldest of his fathers sons automatically guaranteed that he would be the next Clan head so neither of her sons felt any rivalry for the ¡°crown¡±.


    But ignoring that this many strong and innately gifted Leopards hadn¡¯t been in one family for nearly three hundred years, Glen accepted all of their supernatural oddities as they were. And secretly Glen had always been slightly un-surprised by it all.


    Glen understood that she was an unusually strong-minded and strong-bodied female she had born all of her sons with little complication or help. While Mantilo was a well of wisdom, raw power and enough intelligence to out think, maneuver and out-politic every one of his enemies in the past. So when Glen had become his betrothed shed know that their children would be destined to follow in his footsteps, even if it had turned out that three of those sons would be gifted supernaturally and one of those sons would be a stranger.


    So though it was highly unusual for all of her Nate could bind men with his thoughts. Lander could read the thoughts of others, or be dragged down by their emotions. And Walter...was ...well something that no one really understood...yet.


    Glen sat her second son down beside her down on the couch beside her and squeezed his hands. ¡°Tell me what you can see in his thoughts. Separate yourself from the emotions, and tell me what you see.¡± Glen gave him a moment, then prompted. ¡°Anything?¡±


    Lander frowned, opening the eyes that he had closed, to look up at her from beneath his eyelashes, his smoky green eyes no longer burning green as he was taken in by his mother¡¯s calm and stern direction. ¡°No. There¡¯s nothing there¡±


    ¡°No?¡± Pushed him slightly.


    ¡°No!¡± Lander hissed, dropping her hand and closing the hand that she had smoothed back into a tight, white-knuckled fist. ¡°I can¡¯t...I can¡¯t read him! It¡¯s like he¡¯s a blank sheet.¡± Lander stammered, struggling to explain what he was seeing and feeling to his mother.


    ¡°There is this wall around his thoughts. I¡¯ve only known a few people that are one strong enough to create walls in their heads and two consciously aware enough to try and build one. You, Dad, and Walter are only a few of them and there have only been about twelve and all of those were all Shifters, Leopards. He¡¯s just a dying mortal, they are supposed to be weak and I can¡¯t read him!? He¡¯s literally blocking me. ¡±


    ¡°But....¡± Glen began assimilating herself to her son''s troubling discoveries. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen you be affected by someone who¡¯s thoughts you can¡¯t even touch,¡± she said making a statement and a question to him at the same. She once more captured his fist and instead of trying to un-clench it she simply put her hand on top of his.


    ¡°I can¡¯t touch his thoughts, but his emotions are sharp enough. I can pick up what he¡¯s feeling, but not anything about why or what¡¯s causing it. He¡¯s absolutely terrified. And it¡¯s leaking through his metal wall, like whips. It keeps cracking against my mind.¡± Lander hissed. ¡°It¡¯s been nearly an hour. My damn head hurts so bad I can hardly think strait.¡±


    Glen sighed. ¡°Come with me...¡± Let¡¯s take a turn about my garden. Maybe some distance will help to muffle some of this mortal¡¯s distress. From the both of us.¡±


    Lander didn¡¯t really respond, he simply took his feet, pulled his mother to his side and they made their way to the south of the mansion. Silence engulfed them both as the mortals screams increased as they walked back into the hall, turned right, and they walked underneath the spiral steps to the long dimly lit hall situated far behind it and to the right. More screams nearly chased them into this hall before the ceiling and distance muffled the screams...mostly.


    ¡°I wonder if he was screaming like that when Ezekiel came across him.¡± Glen asked her son once she managed to wipe out the echoes of the mortal''s voice in her ears.


    ¡°I doubt it. ¡± Lander snorted mirthlessly. His cheeks were decidedly pale after being exposed to more of the mortal¡¯s screams and undoubtedly his emotions. ¡°If the stranger has been that....crazy when they had met in the wood. I don¡¯t think Ezekiel would have even went close to him.¡±


    ¡°Do you think he¡¯s gonna wake up from this soon?¡± Glen asked him anxiously as they took a right and stepped around the next corner, passing low voltage lights that nicely shadowed the different pieces of art paintings and warm brown paints that covered the interior of their entire home. ¡°I had to tie him down.¡±


    ¡°Jeez. That guy is seriously fucked up.¡± Lander sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯s gonna make it through the rest of this night,¡± Lander told her. As they made their way further into the house and away from yet another of the mortals heart-wrenching screams.


    Glen swatted her son across his arm, but for the first time in his entire life she didn¡¯t say anything to condemn his words choice. Because having seen things that Lander couldn¡¯t have seen in that room.....on that mortal¡¯s body?


    Well, she just couldn¡¯t help but agree with him.

 Chapter 15 - Promises To A Stranger

    Chapter 15 ¨C Promises To A Stranger


    Sometime later...


    Ezekiel mounted the front porch steps panting harshly. His lungs begging for more air then he could actually draw. He cradled a giant bag in his arm that was packed full of surgical supplies ranging from surgical needles, thread, gauze, antiseptics, scalpel¡¯s, peroxide, alcohol and a box full of surgical gloves and masks.


    Ezekiel held all of this stuff close to his body. He¡¯d run all the way to Kim¡¯s healing home. It had taken time for him to get her to swear an oath of silence and even longer for him to detail the mortals injuries and, then to recount the story to her, before she had conceded and offered her help.


    Then once she had loaded him up moment later he had paid her, then made a beeline back to the mansion. For all of his haste the whole outing had taken him nearly two hours to complete, not for the first time Ezekiel thanked God for grating him his own innate abilities. Ezekiel knew that no other Shifter in his entire Clan could have done what he had done in so little amount of time and in mortal form no less.


    With a happy little snort to release most of the air he had just in-hailed Ezekiel straiten upward and climbed the steps to his front door, but before he could juggle the bag in his hands out of the way and reach for the door knob, the door flew open. Missing Ezekiel by a shoulder, Landers snarling voice could be heard as he brushed past his sibling.


    ¡°God what took you so long?¡± Lander growled, part Leopard...part man, as he jumped off of the porch and began pacing back and forth across the dirt path before the tall grass.


    Ezekiel spun on his heel. ¡°Don¡¯t start with me! You try doing all of this in mortal flesh and then you can complain....¡± Ezekiel trailed off as he took a moment to really look at his brother. Landers hands were clenched at his sides as though he was in pain. His eyes were wide, darting from side to side and shifted. Glowing a fierce green, as he walked first one way and then another. Looking for all the world like a frustrated beast in a cage.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? I went as fast as I could, but...¡± Ezekiel began in concern only to be cut off.


    ¡°Nothing wrong with me!?¡± Lander hissed. ¡°It¡¯s that damn mortal. Two hours....for two god forsaken hours it¡¯s been screaming like a stuck pig!¡±


    ¡°Screaming?¡± Ezekiel asked him frowning. ¡°Why is the mortal screaming? Is he awake already?¡±


    ¡°God I hope not!¡± Lander barked on a dark laugh. ¡°There¡¯s something wrong with that damn thing if you ask me.¡± Lander grimaced as he pulled a hand through his golden hair. Then he eyed the package in Ezekiels arm and rolled his eyes. ¡°Go and give that stuff to mom Ezekiel. Help her get him patched up. I can¡¯t be near that until it shut up. And the sooner she gets that needle and thread the better...¡± Lander commanded; under his breath he said. ¡°Maybe then she can sew the guys mouth shut...¡±


    Ezekiel wanted to listen, but he did still remember that he wasn¡¯t supposed to go near the mortal. Something his older brother seemed to have forgotten in his frustration. Instead of reminding him Ezekiel lifted his chin and hedged. ¡°Aren¡¯t you gonna stand guard like Dad asked you too?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Lander said bluntly. ¡°I can¡¯t even go up those stairs without my head nearly exploding. I need a break. Ill trust you to watch moms back....for now¡±


    ¡°But....¡± Ezekiel began. He knew that his brother was serious, but he wasn¡¯t exactly on good footing with his father just then for him to be jumping back into the line of fire.


    ¡°I can¡¯t...¡± Lander snarled cutting him off. Bright green eyes glared at their house as though it was some giant monster that was about to pounce on his brother and pummel him. Lander grabbed his temples suddenly and hissed in pain, closing his Shifted eyes. He enunciated all of his words next few words. ¡°My heads gonna explode, Ezekiel! I¡¯m not going to go back in there until you make it stop!¡±


    ¡°OK...OK. I won¡¯t tell dad if you won¡¯t.¡± Ezekiel tried to soothe slightly unnerved at what had agitated his brothers so badly. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    ¡°Big words little bro.¡± Lander growled as Ezekiel turned back towards the door and grabbed the knob. ¡°But I doubt you powers are gonna be of much help here.¡±


    Ignoring his jib, Ezekiel punched open the front door and steeped inside. His mother out in the hall, by the spiral staircase. She was chewing her lip, rubbing her arms and tapping her small slipper. Her hair was still bound back in a braid, but while he was gone she had changed from her dress into a simple pair of jeans and a lack tank top.


    ¡°Mom I¡¯ve got the supplies.¡± Ezekiel called to her.


    But he never got the chance to hear here response. It was like him opening the door was some kind of silent trigger, because three second later a scream, half sob, half rage, all terrified tore across his senses. Not only making him jump, but the leopard deep down inside of him roar in red hot confusion and anger. Ezekiels jumped in shock. His head whipped up to the second floor landing where the scream had crawled out from.


    ¡°What the hell...¡± He breathed.


    The broken wail came to an abrupt end, Ezekiels eyes were ripped from there a moment later when he suddenly felt h=the bad in his arms being removed. His mother touched his bicep with calming cool fingers that countered the hot heat that popped across his skin. The Shift mingling with his concern and the anger.


    ¡°How long has that been going on?¡± Ezekiel asked her softly.


    ¡°It started a few minutes after you left with your father....¡± She explained. She looked a little pale and shaken to him, but also determined. Her big green eyes locking with his.


    ¡°Is he awake?¡± Ezekiel questioned her putting a hand on her shoulder.


    ¡°No...He¡¯s unconscious.¡± Glen told him, putting a hand to her heart. And looking down in concentration when the mortal whimpers began once more. ¡°He....he seems to be dreaming, but he won¡¯t wake up, so he could also be halucinating.¡±


    ¡°Is he speaking.... has he said anything to you?¡± His mother shook her head in denial. Ezekiel cocked his head. ¡°Well, can Lander read his mind? ¡±


    " No. He¡¯s even blocking Lander out.¡± She sighed as she swiped an errant curl from her braid back behind her ear.


    ¡°What?¡± Ezekiel gasped at her. He was three parts shocked and one part envious. Ezekiel, unlike his father and Walter wasn¡¯t impervious to Landers abilities and it was startling to realize that the mortal could do something that only a select few men and women in his entire Clan could do.


    She just nodded at his shock. ¡°Lander couldn¡¯t touch his mind at all. And all the stranger does is scream.¡± She said and as if to prove her point, the mortal shouted again. Chills bit into Ezekiel¡¯s skin as the scream poured across the entire house.


    What in god¡¯s name is happing inside this guy¡¯s head?


    Ezekiel asked himself.


    His mother took the strap of the supply bag from him then and slung it across her small shoulder. With a sad smile she turned to the steps and Ezekiel followed. She shook her head.


    ¡°I know that you shouldn¡¯t be in here, but...¡± She shrugged away the rest of her sentence as she climbed ahead of him. ¡°Come with me for now...I think Lander is at his limit and I¡¯m gonna need you to help me put the stranger under for surgery.¡±


    ***


    Ezekiel followed his mother up the spiral stairs, down the halls and up to the Mortals door. And as they stood outside Ezekiel found that he could barely breath for all the tension and....protective energy pulsating around inside of him. Every scream was so visceral. So damn agonized that he could almost feel the fear, and the pain.


    Standing outside of the mortal¡¯s door he brimmed with a ....unbelievable, but completely uncontrollable need to sooth this hysterical intruder. To make the pain the intruder was so obviously in just go away.


    Ezekiyel instantly began to see the naivet¨¦ in this train of thought. He didn¡¯t know the first thing about this strange man or even mortals in general.


    Whatever he did. What ever he tried to do, could potentially make the situation better....or much worse.


    If I used my power on him......


    Ezekiel started...then shook his head in denial.


    I¡¯m too anxious right now. So if I used that on him, he might just...


    Ezekiels train of thought was cut short as he suddenly realized that he and his mother had arrived at the mortal¡¯s sick room.


    The first thing that hit him was of course the sound as the man on the other side screamed again. A high scream far from the high pitched scream of a woman and more like a breathless skydiver. But still with a hard edge of hysteria and pain that sliced across Ezekiel sensitive ears, and his gut making his teeth feel like they would brake as he tried to clench them against the sound.


    Yet the second thing to hit him and probably the hardest for him to ignore was the pure smell of salt and copper tinging the air. The mortals smell soaked the air in the small room. It zinged across Ezekiel senses, across his acute part beast tongue, down his throat, and lodged itself into his lungs. The scent had a feeling too. It was like peppered air, which at first numbed, then warmed like an application of mint to his throat. He in-hailed it even as it kind of hurt. His inner Shifter was bothered by the smell. He felt its power leaking over his eyes and nose. Leopard eyes burned bright blue, as he took in the smell, tantalizing, exciting and confusing all at once and no less potent after smell it so many time already.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Was he truly the only one who could smell this and what was the reason why?


    No one else seems to be picking up on it, except for me.


    He thought as he and his mother made their way further into the room, and closed the bedroom door behind them. Ezekiel could see that his mother wasn¡¯t affected by the scent like he was. Her nostrils flared taking in the thick coating of blood in the air, and then she sighed.


    What the hell is it?


    He thought to himself, then put a hand to the middle of his chest as the beast inside of him crawled around and pounded him there. He felt its energy, like claws racking across his soul in agitation.


    Whatever this smell is..it must be bad. It¡¯s driving my Leopard crazy every time I come near it!


    But he in-hailed it anyway, because the truth was....he sort of liked it. And deep deep in the back of his mind he ignored the part of him that whispered.


    Taste it...Drink.


    With a hiss Ezekiel dropped his hand and tried to focus on his mother or on the mortal himself. Anything else but the Leopard clawing at his mind.


    Anything else to ignore that voice in his head that filled him with three parts disgust and two parts nausea. He didn¡¯t like blood. He didn¡¯t crave it and he knew that no Shifter craved blood. So why......


    Ezekiel instead choose to focus on the final thing that he had hit him when he had entered the mortal¡¯s room.


    The stranger was tied to the bed.


    Fresh dashes of blood blemished the thin white short sleeved shirt and loose bleached sweats that Nate had lent to their mother as a replacement for the bloody clothes that Glen had had to discard. The mortal wiggled, thrashed, clawed, screamed and kicked as much as the silken bonds would allow him, looking for all the world like he was fighting some invisible battle.....or in tremendous pain.


    But the strangest thing in this manage of wrongness was that the mortals eyes, though, dulled with terror and pain....were wide open. Cool green as they had been in the dark forest they still drew Ezekiels eyes. Not unlike two pools of glistening ocean water, they stared unseeing and up at some unknowable nightmare that only he could see.


    This was the first time that Ezekiel had seen the mortal cleaned and without blood and dirt all over his face. And Ezekiel was struck with the first clean washed view of the mortals face. It was a handsome face.....some would have even called him beautiful.


    Which Ezekiel knew was sick to be thinking about right then and there...but there it was.


    Hollow cheeked, emaciated, bloody and bruised...but attractive? God what was wrong with him? Ezekiel couldn¡¯t help but shake his head at himself as he continued to analyze this strange and pained creature.


    And as he looked he had to concede that without the sickness that clearly gripped the invaders mind he might just have been mildly attractive once. A delicate nose, chin and a soft mouth. The mortals hair and eye brows also drew him in, though they were a dirty blond like Ezekiels own hair, this mortal wore his hair much shorter the Ezekiel. Barley two inches off his scalp any one way, and yet ruffled and tumbled form his struggle on the bed that it looked far too soft, like Ezekiels hand could slide right through it.


    Accompanied by those eyes....round, half lidded as though he were dreaming, and fanned by lashes that Ezekiel had never seen on...anyone. A darker brown then his blond hair, they stood out as the mortals eyes, rolled up into his head for a moment, before squeezing shut. Bandages and gauze wrapped around his arms and up to his elbows and around his lower throat gave testament to how cut up he had been beneath the dirt and grime. As did the three four itch Band-Aids that were glued to the mortals pale left temple holding a thick, bloody gash closed that disappeared up into the strangers¡¯ hair line. And there was the intense shivering and moisture that gathered in cold sweats all along his neckline, forehead, and wrists soaking the silken scarves around his hands.


    Suddenly the mortal shouted again breaking Ezekiel out of any further staring. Ezekiel clocked this scram as he had all the others. It seemed to him that the mortal was so exhausted from his ordeals that he only managed a scream every five minutes or so. At first he thought that the mortals was only screaming ever few minutes because that was when something scared him. But seeing how this next scream tore up and out of the mortal, like the act of screaming was something that the strange abhorred. Like he was fighting to be as silent as possible. Straining against his bonds so hard that the frame of the bed shook slightly.


    Then the mortal fell back unseeing, moaning, shifting, weakened, until yet another scream clawed its way past his gnashed teeth.


    Ezekiel took a step back and hissed as he put a hand to his head. It was already starting to pound and his damn leopard wouldn¡¯t stop roaring him.


    ¡°Man!¡± Ezekiel snarled softly shaking his head and approaching the bed as his mother walked over to the dresser by the opposite wall. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen someone experience fever dreams so....painfully before.¡± He said to her.


    ¡°I know, but the depths of the infection seems to be pushing him deeper into shock and paranoia.¡± She sighed as she took the satchel holding the surgical supplies off of her determined little shoulders. ¡°Include blood loss and the extensive pain his every movement could be causing and that would explain the screaming.¡± She explained as she continued to unpack the bag and place the supplies out. Starting with a handful of scalpels. They clanked as she placed them against the wood.


    ¡°So you think it¡¯s just the pain causing all this?¡± he asked her glancing back at the mortal then quickly looking away, when the stranger screamed and dissolved into a heavy gasping sob.


    Glen scoffed to herself a strained secretive smile appearing for a moment. ¡°No. I¡¯m quite sure that the pain not what is causing this mania.¡± She said as she suddenly lifted three slim syringes from the satchel. Each one was filled with a clear liquid and covered by a bright white top concealing the needle. She sat two of the needles down and deftly removed the top on the one in her hand. She put the needled up into the light slightly and used her thumb to displace a few thick drops of the fluid up and out of the syringes needle. With a swift nod at him she walked over to the bed. ¡°Help me hold him down.¡± She commanded over her shoulder.


    Ezekiel could sense that she had more to say on the subject, but Glen just turned back to the bed without elaborating and Ezekiel decided to drop it for now.


    Ezekiel quickly circled her side, and hesitantly put a hand on the mortals shoulder and right hip.


    And for the next three minutes Glen struggled to find a blood vessel and Ezekiel struggled to hold the burning, slippery mortal down as he seemed to become more hysterical by the second.


    ¡°Dammit, I can¡¯t get a vein and he¡¯s shaking too much!¡± his mother hissed turning from the bed suddenly giving up and leaving Ezekiel to struggle with the increasingly agitated stranger alone. ¡°Hes too wild! If I put this in him, it will break off in skin. I¡¯ll have to knock him out first. Chloroform it is.¡± His mother walked over to the surgical bag and began to pull out a small black bottle.


    ¡°Wait what!?¡± Ezekiel grunted as the mortal thrashed and moaned. ¡°Why on earth did Kim just have Chloroform sitting around to give to you?¡±


    ¡°Oh wow! Does it really matter right now Ezekiel?¡± His mother sighed, turning from the bag with the bottle and a white rag in her left hand.


    ¡°What? I think it¡¯s a pretty good question.¡± Ezekiel hissed at her with a small smile, but it didn¡¯t last long.


    ¡°STOP!!!¡± The stranger suddenly sobbed. ¡°STOP IT PLEASE!!¡± The mortal threw his head back into the pillows and arched against Ezekiels hands. Ezekiel pushed him back down after a stunned moment.


    The shock of his voice after nothing but screams silenced Ezekiel and his mother for a moment. Then Glen came a step closer.


    ¡°Oh my god! ¡°She whispered. He green eyes a smidge bigger them normal as she looked at him ¡°Is he awake?¡±


    Ezekiel shrugged at her, then jumped as the man pulled on his arms and tried to sit up.


    ¡°Please.....your hurting me. Let me go!!!¡± The mortal moaned, furthers displacing the covers on the bed. ¡°LET ME GO!!!¡±


    ¡°Be still.¡± Ezekiel mumbled fiercely as he put more of his weight on the stranger. Worried that he would hurt him, but also worried that he would break free and hurt them.


    ¡°NOO!¡± The mortal screamed and kicked the bed and covers.


    Ezekiel was shocked by how strong the man was. Even burning with a fever and battered, the man was all steel beneath his hands.


    ¡°Hey calm down!¡± he grunted pressing the mortal into the bed again. ¡°You¡¯re gonna bleed to death if we do that.¡± Ezekiel tried to reach up and touch his face, but the mortal flinched away from his touch and gasped in agony. ¡°It¡¯s okay we¡¯re not going to hurt you.¡± He tried to reason surprised by his frenetic fear.


    But when the mortal did finally open his eyes and look around Ezekiel knew that he wasn¡¯t listening. Maybe he couldn¡¯t even hear Ezekiel. The stranger¡¯s eyes were open and he was crying, but his gaze was dull. He was still burning hot to the touch. The heat from his fever pouring off of his clothes.


    ¡°Hey can you hear me....?¡± Ezekiel began leaning back off of his arms to give the mortal some breathing room.


    ¡°I¡¯m.....God....I¡¯m sorry....¡± The mortal whimpered, his voice and eyes filled with desperation. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to, you have to understand! Stop hurting me!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s hallucinating.¡± Glen shook her head and took the rag and placed it against the bottle that she swiftly uncapped and tipped forward. ¡°I don¡¯t think he even knows that were here.¡± Glen surmised suddenly recapping the bottle and sitting it on the ground. ¡°Keep holding him, I¡¯ll knock him out.¡±


    She stepped closer to the bed, the rag in her hand limp with chloroform liquid.


    Ezekiel went to cover his mouth and nose as the cloying scent tried to burn his nose.


    And suddenly the mortal twisted his arm and his wrist slipped free. With more accuracy and strength that surprised him the mortal slugged Ezekiel right in the nose. Ezekiel cursed as pain bit into his nose and shot into his eyes. With a growl he stepped back and grabbed it as the mortal gasped and scrambled to get his legs off the bed, but was pulled up short by his injured side and the scarf on his other wrist. That moment of hesitation as the head board refused to give allowed Ezekiel to grab his leg and push him back on the bed.


    ¡°Fucking let me go!!¡± The stranger screamed his voice still chocked with sobs. But along with the desperation was the anger.


    ¡°Ezekiel are you okay!¡± Glen said steeping away from the bed as the mortal tried to kick him with his other leg. But he missed and as Ezekiel tried to wrestle him back into the bed the stranger began scrambling on the mattress trying turn on his side and claw at his other wrist and pull it free.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Ezekiel hissed struggling to recapture the man before he pulled his other wrist free.


    Damn it! That¡¯s the second time this guys managed to land a hit on me!


    He snarled to himself and then he got an idea. Snatching up the strangers hands and pressing him into the bed Ezekiel was forced on the mattress to hold him.


    Pressing the mortal¡¯s arms to the bed and trying to keep the stranger from kneeing him he climbed up on the bed. Using his feet, and his ankles, Ezekiel held down the terrified mortal, while he pushed his hands down into the mattress at either side of his head. Ezekiel didn¡¯t have to look too see the damage that the mortal was doing to himself. The air smelled of blood all the heavier as the new clothes on him began to soak through with fresh crimson.


    ¡°No! No! Noooo!¡± The mortal screamed at them, tossing his head. Sobbing for mercy. ¡°No more!¡ä


    Until Glen¡¯s small, but strong hand clamped down over the mortals face. Cloying and sickly sweet the chloroform should have take all of the fight out of the mortal in seconds, but surprisingly he continued to thrash and kick.


    And Ezekiel soon figured out that he was holding his breath.


    Sitting as he was on the mortal, Ezekiel was forced to look him right in the eyes as they widened in first shock then fear which was promptly follow by.....water. Shinning green eyes stared up at Ezekiel as the continued to scream indistinct words into the rag. His eyes begging him for something, but Ezekiel didn¡¯t understand what.


    Tears. A myriad of emotions flashed there in that cool green gaze.


    His heart beat uneven and ragged. He was just on the edge of another scream and Ezekiel fought a losing battle with himself. The mortals fear grated on him for some unknown reason. It made him sick. He hated to see anyone in such a precarious, mental position.


    As the chloroform took the mortal down into a more unconscious state the mortal clawed at the bed, still fighting, still bleeding to death.


    He refused to calm down.


    The mortal tried to fight him some more, hurt himself some more and Ezekiel gave up.


    Ezekiel raised his right hand from the mortal¡¯s slim wrists and touched his temple with his knuckle. ¡°Shhhhhh. I¡¯m sorry....¡± Ezekiel whispered in the calm that was descending. Hoping that the mortal could hear him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fight......I know you¡¯re scared, but you¡¯ll be okay now. I¡¯m not going to hurt you. I won¡¯t.¡± Gently, he ran that knuckle down the mortal¡¯s pale, burning hot cheek ¡°I promise you¡¯re okay....Just breathe deep. Breathe for me.¡±

 Chapter 16 - Hangin By A Thread

    Chapter 16 ¨C Hanging By A thread


    Perhaps his touch had distracted the mortal.


    Perhaps his words had broken through the fever dreams? Or maybe chloroform was just too overwhelming to continue to battle in his exhausted state, but the mortal shuttered as his chest expanded suddenly.


    He took a breath, and then he succumbed seconds after Ezekiel withdrew his hand from the mortal''s face.


    And like a switch going out, the man''s head dropped, his eyes drifted shut, and all of the tension in that fevered, shivering, and bloody frame swiftly faded.


    Ezekiel sighed and gently removed himself from the bed, so he could stand beside his mother. Glen rook over and held the chloroformed rag to the mortal''s face for another thirty seconds before withdrawing it. If she had anything to say about Ezekiel''s actions, she kept it to herself. She simply turned and walked to the bathroom. She tossed the chloroformed rage into a trash bucket and washed her hands.


    Ezekiel watched her emerge a minute later, hands and forearms still soaking wet, as she approached the surgical supplies once more and began slipping large extra white surgical gloves down onto her hands and forearms, stopping halfway up. Finally, she turned to Ezekiel as she fitted each tiny fingers to the finger holes. Then she looked at Ezekiel and glanced between him and the mortal.


    "Ok." She sighed. "He''s out for now, but I''m still gonna need to inject that morphine before I start cutting and sewing. His mother smiled at him as she walked towards the door. Refraining from touching him, she waved Ezekiel over.


    Glancing at the unconscious Stranger, he turned and joined her.


    "Thank you for holding the mortal down, but I need a sterile environment now." His mother said, letting him open the door for her.


    "I can''t help you sew him up?" Ezekiel asked her. Unlike his brothers, he actually had passable skills as a healer. Skills Ezkeiel had emulated from watching his mother and working at the animal ranches as a child. He''d sewn up more gashes and delivered more calves then the rest of his family combined. Excluding his mother, who had more experience healing the men and women in their village and delivering the Leopards Clans children?


    "Nope. "His mother said quickly. "I don''t think that would be a good idea."


    "Why not?" Ezekiel asked her suspiciously, stepping out of the room and letting her crack it, so they were speaking through the gap.


    "Well, for one, I''m gonna have to strip the man naked." She said her head sticking through the crack as she leaned against the door. "And you don''t exactly play it straight sweetheart."The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "Righttttt!" Ezekiel smirked at her, leaning against the door. "And I''m not mature enough to see a naked mortal? Come on! I''ve worked on male Shifters in the village and it wasn''t a problem! Mortal or Shifter were both guys, Mom. What''s he got that I haven''t already seen?"


    "You would be surprised...." His mother mumbled under her breath, looking away.


    "What was that?" Ezekiel said, tilting his head towards her, but his mother just pushed him back. He was getting curious to know just what it was she was hiding, but she wasn''t talking.


    "No help needed. Besides.... "She told him somberly, smoothly moving away from her suspicious comment. "He could also bleed to death once I start cutting Ezekiel, do you want to see that? What if he bleeds to death? Do you want to witness him slip away, watch as his heart stops beating?"


    Ezekiel frowned because he wasn''t sure he liked what she was implying about his level of investment in the Stranger.


    Honestly? No, he definitely didn''t want to see that, but instead of answering, he turned her question back around.


    "What? You don''t think I can handle it." He insisted instead. "I know death"


    At this point his mothers eyes flashed a deep yellow and she tisked past her teeth.


    "You are so much like your father...you push for answers and then dont accept the ones I give, because you already know what remains unspoken." Glen sighed at him. "It doesn''t matter what you say because I said no, and you''re not coming back in here again. Now go on. Return to your patrol. I''ll be fine until Lander shows up."


    "All right. But try to be positive." Ezekiel stood up and nodded. He wanted to help, but maybe this was all he could do. He had to let his mom do her best. "I know I asked you to do this, and you''ll do your best. But I don''t want you to take it hard if he''s too sick for you to heal Mom." Ezekiel lifted a hand up to her left cheek and smiled at her encouragingly. "You''re a great healer, so I''m sure he''ll pull through, but if he doesn''t, no one is to blame."


    "Well, that''s entirely his choice." His mother sighed, putting on a tough face, but he knew how sad she got when anything, especially her patients, died on her. In that regard they were very much the same. His mom leaned into his hand nuzzling it softly then pulled back. "Either way....you will know if he''s survived or not in a few short hours. For now all you can do it leave me too my work and stay out of trouble with your father. So please get going before he finds you in here."


    Ezekiel bowed his head as she turned, and the door slid shut behind her.


    Ezekiel departed from the hall just as he heard the cloth of the mortal''s clothes rustling and then the sharp zing as he caught the smell of fresh blood being released into the air.


    Ezekiel scrubbed at his noses as the fresh scent of the mortal burned him all over again. With a blue-eyed glare, Ezekiel looked down at his pants, smudged and smeared with the mortal man''s tantalizing blood as well, and he growled. With an agonized hiss, Ezekiel closed his eyes and just focused on the calm silence rather than the sick fact that he still wanted to know what it tasted like.


    He listened to the clink of his mother''s tools on the other side of the door and hissed to himself. "She seems pretty sure that he''s not gonna make it...."


    But Ezekiel didn''t feel that way. He wasn''t simply determined that this entire past night wasn''t some colossal waste. He felt like he couldn''t let the Stranger die. He felt compelled to at least think that he would live, because believing that he was going to die just aggravated him. There was that blood on his pants, electric with life, burning his lungs like a soft flame. So alive, so strange.


    "I still don''t know his name. I wish I had asked." Ezekiel said to the empty hall, then smiling sadly because he knew it was really no use to dwell on it, he turned and made his way to his room. A change of clothes and then back to the sheep''s. He was still a Guardian and he still had two villages to patrol.

 Chapter 17 - Curious Cat

    Chapter 17 ¨C Curious Cat


    Ezekiel trudged home much much.....much later. The chill night hurried him along one of the dirt paths leading up through his tall grasses and onto his pouch.


    All three storied of his family''s mansion was dark. No candles flickered in any of the third-story windows where his parent''s room was. Ezekiel knew that that meant that it was well past two in the morning. He usually saw his mother''s candle burning on the upper window sill as she waited for all of them to return from their various patrols, but only a few lights were shining, and all of those were on the bottom floor.


    He burned with curiosity even as his eyelids begged for sleep.


    Had the mortal, in fact, survived the surgery? Was he awake, or was he still in a haze of pain and unconsciousness?


    But he also burned with a need to fall into the bed.


    His hands and feet throbbed from slogging around mile after mile from one village to another. And his thighs and backside hurt from where repeated head butts and ramming''s from unruly sheep had been delivered to his lower body. For the last three hours. He now understood all too well why his brother Lander had put off the cleaning of the Sheep Pins for the last few weeks and deep deep down he cursed the green-eyed devil to the depths of hell. As he clattered up on the pouch, he growled and kicked off the mud and hay-caked boots on his feet into the railing. In frustration, he decided that he was going straight to bed.


    After all.....He had another day of this particular patrol shift until his dad said otherwise.


    Ezekiel walked into his house, closed the door, and navigated the darkness seamlessly up to the second floor. He made plenty of noise as he walked, letting his family know that he was in fact a friend and not an enemy skulking in the night.


    Ezekiels knew that sneaking up on other Shifters at night was a clear sign of ill motives. Predators only walked on fleet feet when they hunted after all. So, taking the necessary time to stump his way up the steps, he soon found himself walking down the one hall that still had light in it. The hall leading to the mortals room and coincidentally the same hall that all of his brothers shared.


    Each level of Ezekiel''s home was built in rectangles, stacked one atop another for their three-story home. Excluding the basement, which was only a small square beneath the bottom floor, where the entrance, living room, kitchen, sparing room and day room were all located. The second floor was an inter-connected rectangle of eleven fully furnished rooms.


    One of which Ezekiel knew the Mortal now occupied. Ezekiel also knew that his brothers Nate and Walter occupied the room''s way on the opposite side of the rectangle. While Lander and Ezekiel had beds on the shorter side of the rectangle, where only one bedroom resided for the two sides.


    Ezekiel made his way down the hall as a wide yawn broke out of him, but he couldn''t bring himself to pass the mortals room without at least checking if he really was still alive.


    The need to know was eating away at him, even as he tried to ignore it.


    Why do I even care?


    Ezekiel had to ask himself as he leaned into the mortals door and pressed his ear to the wood.


    Nothing at first, just the lingering scent of old blood. Ezekiel pressed his ear against the wood harder, strained for a sigh. He held his breath without knowing it.


    Then he heard it. A soft, slow heartbeat.


    Alive!


    He gasped and dropped his head back. And as a wave of extreme relief rolled over him, he realized that he really did care far too much. But for now, he was too happy to care anymore.


    Maybe I could.....


    He thought to himself, reaching for the doorknob. Then he shook his head.


    No, I''d better not.


    Ezekiel scolded himself, then walked away. He was able to pass the mortals room as he made his way to the end of the hall past three empty room and made his way to his room. The hall before his room was pitch black, so Ezekiel navigated it swiftly, fighting off the childish curiosity that tried to take him over.


    His father wanted him to stay away from the mortal, and for once, he wasn''t tempted to test the waters.


    He retired, stripped, and tried to get to bed.


    ***


    So, half an hour later, Ezekiel was both surprised and reluctant to respond to the sounds coming from the Mortal''s bedroom as he stepped out of the shower and began to towel off the moisture. Ezekiel''s room was five rooms away from the mortals, but Ezekiel was strangely attuned to every sound that he made.


    When the Mortal had begun shifting on the mattress, Ezekiel had caught the sound of the sheets moving and had paused to listen for further distress. Cocking his head to the side and letting the beast inside lend him its senses but....there was no other sound for some time.


    Until he had stepped out of the water, and now there was a frenzy of different movements coming from the Mortal, making his ears perk up. Like the Mortal was kicking or clawing at his mattress.


    He''s moaning again.....


    Ezekiel thought to himself as the soft, drawn-out cries fell on his sensitive ears. But...why? Was he in pain? Was he dreaming again? Didn''t his mother give the stranger enough morphine to last through the night? Ezekiel wondered to himself.


    All of these thoughts came over him, egging on his curiosity. He desire to get up and walk back to the Mortal''s room....and take a look. Ezekiel continued to listen to him thrash as he dried, slipped on a pair of briefs and, slippery black sweat-pants and a black t-shirt. He sat back on his bed, letting a fresh towel catch the water from his hair, and.....grew more and more anxious.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    "Can''t anyone else hear that?"


    He began to hiss. As he pulled the towel over his head and started drying it.


    "Maybe I need to go and wake Mom up?" he said, talking to himself.


    But...he didn''t really want to do that.


    He wanted to assuage his curiosity.


    I''ll just check on him. If he needs more morphine....then I''ll grab mom.


    He decided. Then he shook his head and tossed the towel onto his floor. Not thinking about the fact that his dad was only a few feet away from him, Ezekiel left his room and went back to the Mortal.


    Once he got there, Ezekiel listened to another drawn-out moan and shook his head.


    "God I hope he doesn''t start yelling again." He said to himself.


    Then not wanting to get caught or chicken out Ezekiel turned the door handle and swiftly disappeared inside.


    The room was pitch black after he closed the door behind himself, but Ezekiel didn''t need much light to navigate the space. The Mortal''s voice led him right to his bedside. And Ezekiel felt more then saw him kicking and twitching around on the mattress. Ezekiel reached out, intending to find the cover and pull it back over the Mortal quickly, but suddenly, the Mortal seemed to sense his hand and grabbed hold of it.


    "Please....!" the Mortal whispered, squeezing his hand. His skin was like burning coals, making Ezekiel jump.


    "Please, what?" Ezekiel whispered at him, leaning closer. He refrained from pulling back as he tried to calm the man.


    He didn''t understand what the Mortal was trying to say. So he tried to ask him again to explain what he needed. "What''s wrong?"


    "Please." The stranger seemed to whisper, his voice so subdued that Ezekiel knew that he was still unconscious. Seeing things no one else could see. "Stop it!" the Mortal shouted, suddenly pulling on Ezekiel''s arm.


    "Stop what!?" Ezekiel whispered back at as he tried to listen for the sudden approach of any of his family. Then, he breathed in relief when he didn''t hear a thing. Ezekiel barely made out the mortals face in the darkness, but he sounded so unhappy that Ezekiel knew that he was probably going to start screaming again if he didn''t find a way to calm him down. But he was still confused.


    "Please stop it...." The Mortal whispered fiercely, squeezing his hand and moving his head to the side. "Stop hurting me!"


    "Oh. Your in pain again?" Ezekiel mumbled more to himself than to the Mortal. Something told him that the man in the bed still wasn''t completely lucid. His skin burring in fever attested to that, as did the incoherent sentences he was uttering. Ezekiel squeezed his hand back slightly to see if that would help to calm him.


    "Here. Does this help you?" he said to the Mortal. He squeezed his hand again, and the Mortal squeezed it back. A prolonged squeeze that lasted the length of his next moan.


    Ezekiel hissed as the stranger''s nails bit into his hand. Trying to calm him down Ezekiel put a hand to his head and patted his scalp softly careful to avoid the gash on his left temple. He soothed his short blond strands back. Secretly surprised when it was as soft to the touch as he had thought.


    "Shhh. It''s okay." Ezekiel slowly sat down on the ground and let the Mortal have his hand since it seemed to calm him to hold something.


    The mortal flinched from his touch, but Ezekiel just brushed his hair back and dropped his hands. His grip was tight and stiff, but it wasn''t so that Ezekiel couldn''t handle it. He let the mortal squeeze his hand for a long time after that. Off and on, accompanying one slim moan after another until he started to drift off.


    The stranger seemed to calm down after that, but as Ezekiel tried to put his head down on the bed next to him and get rest while he waited for the stranger to fall unconscious again.


    The Mortal began to stammer and shake in his sleep.


    "Co....cold...." He mumbled, shifting slightly on the bed. He looked like he was trying to burry deeper into the mattress, but all of the cover that he had had before was on the floor and to Ezekiel the stranger felt like a burning inferno. His skin like a towel soaked in boiling hot water.


    "No." Ezekiel said softly, squeezing the stranger''s shaking hand. "You''re too hot right now....you don''t need cover." He knew that the mortal couldn''t really understand him, maybe he couldn''t even hear Ezekiel, but he seemed to calm before after Ezekiel talked to him so he hoped it worked now. "You''ll only be cooler if I cover you up."


    "Co.....coldddd. "The man moaned, clutching at Ezekiel''s hand again. "So cold....."


    Ezekiel tried to sooth him form his spot on the ground and talk him to sleep. But this time, talking didn''t quiet him. And Ezekiels arm and legs were falling asleep the longer he spent in that awkward position next to the bed. Ezekiel put the stranger''s hand back on his chest and walked around the bed. The man whimpered as he moved away, but Ezekiel quickly pulled his hand back into his own as he climbed onto the mattress next to the Mortal. The Mortal moaned and shocked him by shifting back into his side.


    Ezekiel struggled with how strange this would look if he got caught versus wanting to get the mortal calm and back to sleep. Finally giving up, he gently shifted the man so the mortals back was against him to him and pulled him against Ezekiel''s chest. So that he was encased mainly by his arms and chest.


    Man, what am I doing!? if this guy wakes up and slugs me...I would totally deserve it!


    Ezekiel thought to himself as he continued to hold him and his hand. For all Ezekiel knew this guy may not have been as accepting of dudes climbing into his bed as he was, but Ezekiel liked to think that he wasn''t just doing this because he was a little sweet on the guy. He knew that he genuinely wanted to get the mortal back to sleep and feeling comfortable. Skin-to-skin contact was helpful for injured patients suffering from shock. Ezkeiel hoped that once he had calmed him this way that he would go back to sleep, so he could heal faster.


    Sleep was the key to a healer''s success. His mother had drilled that into him and all of his brothers a long time ago. He knew that she had just taught them that rule to make it easier for her to force them into bed rest, if one of them ever got a severe injury. But he also knew that it was still partly true.


    Shifters were known to heal better if they took a load off and allowed the beast inside to work on closing the wound.


    He knew that mortals didn''t have a beast inside of them like Shifters, but the same principle had to apply to them. Right?


    Ezekiel also knew that Shifters were warmer than other creatures, so he hoped that he could help the man feel better by getting closer to him. But the Mortal just pressed back into him and continued to whimper.


    "Cccc...old. I''m cold." He moaned.


    The mortal shivered beside him, shifting in his spot, his teeth chattering in a painfully loud rhythm that worried him. He knew that the stranger was running a fever, but some people didn''t feel comfortable enough to sleep at night if they didn''t have some cover on their skin.


    Dammit! Mom would kill me.....but once hes asleep I''ll take them off.


    Ezekiel hissed, pulling his closer, but refraining from squeezing him lest he hurt the Mortal''s side. So, knowing that he was gonna be dead if his father discovered him there, Ezekiel quickly reached into the dresser next to the bed. He quickly pulled out two fresh folded sheets and threw them over the Mortal.


    The stranger moaned again and squeezed Ezekiel''s hand as he tucked the cloth around him. Ezekiel felt the Mortal''s heat through the thin fabric; his heart-beat was sluggish and slow but drummed hard and deep in increasing anxiety. But Ezekiel just stayed close, and soon his moaning quieted down, and there was nothing left in the silence soon but his labored breathing.


    To his peace of mind, Ezekiel had the strangers shivering slightly managed, and his breathing smoothed into even gasps. Ezekiel felt terrible for him, so he just let the minutes tick away, waiting for the stranger to calm. And still, he held desperately to Ezekiel''s hands. He clutched onto the Shifter as if for dear life.


    Ezekiel waited a long time, wanting to pull away and get the heck to his own room, but the bruises in his legs began to throb. He became warm sitting next to the stranger''s ragging body temperature, and he became reluctant to move.


    And soon he didn''t hear anything because he had fallen asleep.

 Chapter 17 - Confusion

    Chapter 18- Confusion


    Soft, heavy breaths in the darkness stimulated him. The strong smell of pine, like a sharp soap or lotion, pulled him up.


    Brandon opened his eyes. And instantly froze.


    He felt....like he was dead.


    He felt so cold he gasped and bit his cheek to stop from moaning. And even though he felt a weight over his entire body that reminded him of silk, he still felt a silver chill all along his bones. And just off the edges of his mind was this knowing ache. Biting into his skin all around his stomach was a pain that he didn¡¯t know the origin of. He felt tight and yet loose there around his hips and on his left side, like his guts were going to burst through his belly. But pain he could deal with. He had to deal with it. But the unknown he had to decipher....or get the hell away from it. He needed to find out where he was.


    Brandon tried to claw at the unfamiliar weight on him, holding him down on the surface that he seemed to be on top of, but he felt the sickness all through him.


    He wanted to find his feet and get it out of the way, but suddenly, he felt more than the weight of the cover over him. He felt something large and heavily breathing nestled behind him.


    Someone was touching him again.


    Damn it! Get off!


    Brandon shifted and turned on the mattress and snatched his hand away from the stranger before him. Pain sliced down his leg as he moved, but now he was facing this strange person lying next to him. Brandon reached before him and used the palm of his hand to navigate the darkness. The first thing he felt was a rigid definition and cloth.


    IT was so dark he couldn¡¯t see, but he picked out what mattered by feeling and sound.


    He was in a bed. His clothes felt weird. His head was breaking apart. And the person in the bed next to him was flat-chested. And for all Brandon could tell, they were still sleeping.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Shit! Shit! Where am I?


    Brandon racked his mind for an answer, but the sharp pounding muffled his thoughts. He couldn¡¯t think clearly. He felt sick, so sick and achy and cold. Something in him just wanted to wilt. To borrow back into that warm sleep he had suddenly been jerked from by the tickle of someone¡¯s hand on his skin. Holding his hand. The hand he had felt on his had been warm and solid. Strong, like a man¡¯s hand, but there was really only one way for him to be sure. Brandon pressed the palm of his hand on the stranger¡¯s upper body, down their wide, hard chest and torso and with an anxious swallow, he slid his fingertips against the stranger¡¯s muscular thighs and pelvis.


    Was it a man? Did he find me?


    He still couldn¡¯t be sure honestly...


    ¡°You know, stranger....¡± A voice suddenly drawled in the darkness. Smooth, deep...pleasing as it startled Brandon, and he jerked his hand back. ¡°Most people don¡¯t wake up and start molesting their mysterious bed partners. Did you like it?¡±


    I dont know that voice!


    Brandon didn¡¯t think. He raised his leg up. He screamed as agony flared down his entire stiff side. Grunting through his teeth, he kicked out and slammed his feet, which he was shocked to realize were utterly bare, into the stranger¡¯s chest.


    Something snarled, and both he and the stranger fell off opposite sides of the mattress.


    The first thing Brandon soaked in when he hit the ground was the absolute unfathomable pain that sliced down half of his body, then radiated up his spine and back down into his gut. IT was so extensive and deep that he gagged. Dry heaving as the nausea slammed into him, but he was empty on the inside. He could feel the void of no food, no liquid, and no strength as he tried to scramble to his knees and find his feet in all the new horrible sensations.


    ¡°Hey! What was that for!¡± the large stranger hollered from the opposite side of the bed. And Brandon heard him scrambling to his feet. He begged his feet to comply, and he soon stood on legs that felt no stronger than twigs. His eyes darted around the pitch-dark room, searching desperately for some avenue of escape, and then he saw a way out.


    There!


    He thought to himself. He spotted his escape beneath a slit in the wall behind him. A light shines into the room.


    A door!


    The stranger was moving towards him. He could hear him getting closer.


    Brandon didn¡¯t waste the time to think. He dashed, or more like he stumbled over, in the direction of the door. The man roared behind him. ¡°Wait!¡±


    What the hell was that!


    Brandon screamed to himself.


    He slammed into the door and fumbled along the wood, searching for a doorknob. He wasted a few precious seconds trying to push the door, then changed direction and ripped it open...

 Chapter 19 - Chase

    Chapter 19 - Chase


    Soft, warm light hit him, and suddenly, he was standing in a hallway. A burgundy hallway, filled with soothing candlelights and carpet as thick and just as lush as the rooms he had just run from. The hall branched to the left and right of him, and Brandon struggled not to dry heave into the ground as the world tried to tilt all around him.


    He was shaking. He was hurt. He couldn¡¯t breathe.


    He had to move!


    Brandon stumbled to the left and tried to run, but he didn¡¯t even get a chance.


    ¡°Hey, stop!!¡± Suddenly, there was a hand around his wrist, and Brandon was jerked back, nearly lifted off of his feet and into a wall of warmth. ¡°Gotcha!¡±


    Brandon struggled feebly to get free for a few seconds, but no matter how he turned his weak wrist, the Stranger wasn¡¯t letting go. With an indignant jerk that threw him off balance more than the Stranger he finally looked at him.


    ¡°Let me....¡± He began to bite off through his teeth, and then he just trailed off.


    The eyes. That stole the breath from him and took the words from his tongue. Two sharp blue globes slashed open with solitary bright black slits. Animal eyes. Unnatural eyes.....Beautiful eyes. And the rest of the Stranger wasn¡¯t anything to ignore. He had a solid round chin and face, a firm mouth and a rounded nose that was a little pointed.


    He had long arms, legs and a wide torso, all of it was thick with strength. His arms were corded with lean muscle, and he had a lethe definition beneath the thin black tee that stretched over his chest and stomach. His shoulders were simple and robust, and he wore a thick pair of sweats over his hips. The material rode low on his slim lower body, the rim of his boxer showing through and giving Brandon a nice view of the man¡¯s epic v-cut. Brandon looked away before the man thought that he was trying to look anywhere else. The strange man outstood Brandon by three good inches, so he estimated that the man was at least six feet tall. Medium-length dirty blond hair, not unlike Brandon¡¯s, was pushed back on his scalp and behind his ears.


    The back of it just barely brushed the nape of his neck. And all while Brandon looked him over, those blue eyes did the same to him. But unlike Brandon, this Stranger didn¡¯t look anywhere but his face.


    Brandon felt his hand in the man¡¯s grasp and tried to pull away. ¡°Let me....¡± He began, but the man cut him off.


    ¡°Go?¡± The Stranger finished for him as he pulled on his wrist, and Brandon couldn¡¯t ignore the strength in his grip. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t do that. Besides, what are you even trying to do? You won¡¯t get far in your current condition......¡± The Stranger sighed, his mesmerizing gaze shifting from Brandon¡¯s face to his forehead, where Brandon was just beginning to feel a ticklish trickle running down his forehead and over his left cheek.


    The Stranger smiled at him, and Brandon had to catch his breath. He stepped back from the man....Was he just an ordinary man? And he tried to twist free. The man watched him, his strange slit, sharp gaze racking across his face and then suddenly softening as they settled on Brandon¡¯s upper forehead. ¡°Damn, you¡¯re bleeding again.¡±


    The gentleness in his eyes. In his voice.....confused him. A moment ago, Brandon had been sure that this man was going to strangle him, and now the Stranger looked like he was sad about his cut? His slit eyes went from steel to soft in seconds. Did something so predatory and yet strangely beautiful really exist....or was he still dreaming?


    The Stranger touched his chin and tried to pull him closer. ¡°Hmm. I think I can close that up myself...¡± He said to Brandon, his touch a shock that finally managed to wake him up.


    When Brandon felt the Stranger touch him, he raised his fist and threw it forward. The Stranger moved fast. He dropped his head back, and since he was still holding Brandon¡¯s wrist, Brandon was thrown forward. Then he forced Brandon¡¯s arm to bend and spun him around on his heel. With a grunt, Brandon slipped as his own arm was used as a rope. His numb side throbbed, and he fell back into the Stranger¡¯s chest again, and the man locked him back against him. The man wrapped his arm around Brandon¡¯s, encasing him and blocking him from raising his arms.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°Ha! ¡± The blue-eyed Stranger hissed behind him. ¡°I¡¯ll be damned if you get a third hit on me today!¡±


    Confused and trapped, Brandon tried to lash out again. Using the carpet, he slammed his legs into the ground, and his shoulders slammed into the Stranger¡¯s body, but Brandon was dismayed when the man barely stumbled.


    Shit, I can¡¯t get him off!


    Brandon thought to himself. Then he turned his head and sunk his teeth into the Stranger''s forearm.


    Can¡¯t use my arms....I¡¯ll use my teeth!


    Something roared behind him.


    What the hell is that sound.....is there a wild animal around here?


    Brandon thought to himself as he began to jerk his hands and kick his legs breaking the strangers hold slightly.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± The Stranger yelled, and once again, Brandon slammed his legs into the carpet and slammed his shoulders into the man¡¯s chest.


    They toppled back. The Stranger grunted as Brandon purposefully centered his weight and his elbows so that they would dig into the Stranger¡¯s body. His hands slipped as Brandon reared up and slammed his elbows back into his chest again. Ignoring the numb pain that was beginning to flare back up into an inferno of agony in his side, Brandon quickly snatched away from the Stranger, rolled onto his knees, and slammed his fist into his face.


    He aimed for his nose, but the Stranger shifted his face and his fist slammed into his cheek instead. Brandon recovered quickly he turned his punch into a backwards elbow and this time it connected. But his arm was week and he didn¡¯t feel the man¡¯s nose crunch the way he had expected, but he knew he had hurt him.


    ¡°Goddammit!¡± The Stranger howled as he put a hand to his nose and reached for Brandon simultaneously. Brandon struck him across his face and rolled to his feet. His entire body felt ice cold, it moved across him in waves, goose bumps across his flesh, but he pushed it down and once more turned to run.....And tripped and fell into the carpet.


    With a pained shout, he looked down at his leg, where the Stranger had wrapped a steely hand around his ankle. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± He snarled into his hand that was still pressed to his face. He growled as he tightened his hold, and because Brandon was watching him this time, suddenly Brandon realized that it was him. The animal sounds the roar, the growl. This Stranger was doing it all.


    Oh God!


    Brandon panted to himself as the man suddenly jerked him across the carpet and back towards him.


    His eyes are glowing!


    And they were. The slit eyes were now surrounded by a beautiful underflow that was so light blue that Brandon could have mistaken it for them for bolts of lightning.


    That means he¡¯s a.....


    Brandon didn¡¯t finish that thought as the Stranger jerked on his leg again. Brandon tried to kick him off again, but the Stranger grabbed his calves and slammed his legs into the carpet; then, with a sharp pull that hurt him and also showed how strong the man was, he pulled Brandon the rest of the way back to him. With a grunt, Brandon lifted up and tried to smack him with a right, but the Stranger wasn¡¯t having any more of it.


    He shot forward, taking the hit on the chin. He grabbed Brandon¡¯s arms and slammed him back into the carpet again once more, letting out a hair-raising growl. ¡°Stay Still, Dammit!¡±


    Suddenly the Stranger had him straddled, his large hard body, blocking out the soft candle light as he panted and continued to shackle Brandon to the ground. He shot Brandon a soft sneer. ¡°What now? Are you gonna calm the hell down so I can....¡±


    Brandon glared at him and attacked. He brought his knee up and into the strangers groin area....And missed.


    The man was forced to release him. Brandon shot up and hit him in the chin with his palm, then he rose up on his forearm and kicked out, striking the Stranger in the chest once more, and with a frustrated snarl, the man fell back onto his butt.


    His nonexistent strength fading fast, Brandon bit back a smile. Something in him was delighted by the man chasing him. He didn¡¯t know why, but the murderous look of determination to capture him on the strangers face just kind of warmed him. It also struck him with terror as alien and slit eyes glared back at him. Something inside of them tracking his every single move. Beastly. Brandon turned and scrambled to his feet, and ignoring his trembling legs and burning body


    He shot off. He ran as hard as he could and screamed in frustration when he stumbled down the hall and something inside told him that he was almost out. He hit the corner and there, just a few more feet he saw the top of a landing. Leading where?


    He didn¡¯t know he just knew that he had to reach it. And he never did.


    Brandon felt large hands turn him and shove him backwards.


    ¡°Let me go! LET ME GO!¡± Brandon screamed in frustration as he was suddenly flung around he wanted to kick out, but the blue eyes of the Stranger were taking his breath away all over again as the snarl of a beast filled the unfamiliar hall and hands like steel locked him against the wall.

 Chapter 20 - Frying Pot To Flame

    Chapter 20 -Frying Pot To Flame


    Damn! I...think you liked that a little bit too much...


    Ezekiel panted to himself. He wasn¡¯t tired, but the adrenaline crawling all along his heart made him gritty. As did the Leopard inside that was wide awake and snarling to get free.


    And it wasn¡¯t mad like he was. No. It had enjoyed the chase...The Leopard was pouring its power into him, scratching at his mind, trying to break free. It liked the idea of catching and dominating this man.....maybe a little too much.


    Ezekiel ignored its mewling calls in his head and tried to focus on the strange green-eyed mortal who was proving to be as slippery as an ell, even with his exhaustion clear to the naked eye.


    How in god¡¯s name is he still able to move!


    Ezekiels asked himself.


    He was two seconds from death this morning. What the hell did mom do to him?


    Knowing that these questions were really the last things he should be worried about, he shook them away like the demanding call of his inner beast.


    Hoping to waylay any more of the mortal¡¯s crafty moves and thus the mortal¡¯s desperate attempt to escape, Ezekiel pinned the mortal to the wall with his thighs and chest while his hands held the mortal¡¯s arms immobile above his head. The mortal screamed profanity at him and struggled mightily against his hold, and though Ezekiel had to tighten his grasp on his wrists to keep the mortal in his power, he could feel the frailty of the man¡¯s body as it pushed against him. But beyond all this. Beyond the screaming and the aggression was the reality that the mortal was right up against him. His heat, amplified by the fever burning in his pale skin, poured into Ezekiel¡¯s chest and stomach as the mortal pressed into him. His mint green eyes were full of cool calculation and fury.


    He was obviously furious at Ezekiel for boxing him in, but beneath that, Ezekiel could see the calm edge of his thoughts. He could see that the mortal was trying to get a grasp of his surroundings and maybe even think up an escape plan.


    And then there was the smell of him. A curious scent that had haunted Ezekiel ever since their meeting in the woods. There was no set way for Ezekiel to describe the smell. It was more of the feeling that came with the mortal¡¯s scent that haunted him. He in-hailed, and it was like a spike of awareness strait to his gut and spine, a hum, a burn. Pleasant, but unpleasant. It was warm and shocking but constant. That awareness had stuck with him for days, and now here he was with the mortals¡¯ scent all around him.


    With the mortal standing before him he felt that same spike in his stomach. That same awareness.


    The mortal had finally stopped screaming at him and sagged up against him slightly. He was exhausted. His legs shook against the front of Ezekiels thigs and the heat of fever wafted off the mortal¡¯s skin, making him wonder if they would have to put him into a tub of ice sometime soon.


    Ezekiel took this time to regain his own breath, and as he dropped his head and sighed deeply, his face came closer to the mortal. The stranger¡¯s head was tipped back, giving Ezekiel a clear view of his throat. As the mortal also tried to get back his strength. So close to his pulse, Ezekiel caught his breath as the stranger¡¯s scent washed over him thoroughly.


    He began to lean forward, chasing that...smell.


    Unbidden his nose, then his lips brushed against the side of the mortal¡¯s throat.


    God, I must be losing my mind, but....his scent is just....


    Ezekiel¡¯s eyes drifted shut as he felt the soft warmth meet his lips. His skin suddenly felt like silk, which made Ezekiel want to touch him more. He inhaled and ex-hailed, drowning himself in that smell before he let his mouth drift open and slowly let his teeth ghost across his throat in a soft bite.


    Ezekiel pressed close as he nipped at the mortal¡¯s nape a second time, and the tip of his tongue flicked out to taste him on his fangs, hissing to himself in satisfaction when the mortal sighed and leaned into him more. Whether he did it from shock, pleasure, or exhaustion, Ezekiel didn¡¯t know, and he didn¡¯t get the chance to find out.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    He released the mortal¡¯s right hand so he could softly grasp the mortal¡¯s chin and Ezekiel lifted his head from the man¡¯s throat and analyzed at him.


    The mortals eyes were fluttering open and closed, his mouth parted slightly as he continued to labor for his breath. Then, probably sensing Ezekiel¡¯s stare, the mortal eyes opened slightly. Green gems gazed back, looking lost and overwhelmed.


    Wanting to shake himself but unable to help it, Ezekiel caressed the mortal¡¯s cheek with his thumb and lifted his chin. The confused flame that he glimpsed there in the man¡¯s glimmering eyes made him shiver. Fresh awareness pooled down inside of him, awareness that maybe he wasn¡¯t the only one feeling....whatever this was, this magnetism.


    ¡°Tell me you name?¡± And as the question tumbled from Ezekiel¡¯s lips, he was hit with the realization that he had pinned a literal stranger to the wall. And the fact that he was enjoying having pinned that stranger to the wall didn¡¯t slide past him either. The contact between their forms was oddly pleasing.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± he questioned the mortal softly.


    ¡°Uh? Who am I!? Are you serious!?¡± The mortal said suddenly, speaking for the first time since waking up in the room, ¡°Let me go! I¡¯ve said it like three times!¡±


    His cool green gaze shot to the left and down the hall, then shot back to Ezekiel. He twisted and shifted against the paint, trying to pull his hands down, but he was trapped, and Ezekiel sensed that he knew that, too.


    ¡°Who am I!?¡± he said, giving Ezekiel''s a shrewd glare. ¡°Why the hell would I tell you that. Tell me who you are, and maybe I¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    ¡°Answer the question.....¡± Ezekiel began. He pushed in closer and snarled at him. ¡°Before I make you regret attacking me!¡±


    ¡°Oh, was that a threat?¡± The stranger quipped, his eyes connecting with Ezekiels. ¡°I don¡¯t respond well to those. Maybe you should rethink your fucking tone!¡± he challenged.


    Ezekiel leaned back slightly at the man¡¯s teasing and almost arrogant tone. His vulgar mouth. He either didn¡¯t know what his current situation was, or he didn¡¯t fear it. Looking at his clear eyes, Ezekiel felt it was the former. He wasn¡¯t even a little bit frightened from what Ezekiels could see. Just....frustrated that he couldn¡¯t get free just yet.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you respond to intruder!¡± Ezekiel shook his head. He hissed, still trying to intimidate him. And sort of liking the fact that it wasn¡¯t exactly working. ¡°Now, what is your name!?¡±


    The mortal took a deep breath as if he were being highly put upon.


    ¡°OK. you want it?¡± He said suddenly, and before Ezekiel could restrain him, he leaned in and put his mouth next to his ear. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you exactly who I am, blue boy...¡± He whispered in Ezekiel¡¯s ear. ¡°I¡¯m the last person on earth you should be touching so casually.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean? And did you just call me Blue Boy?¡± Ezekiel growled, moving in to glare at the stranger. This conversation wasn¡¯t going how he thought it would at all. ¡°Do you have any idea of the shit you¡¯re in?¡±


    ¡°Do you? I don¡¯t think you want to play this game with me¡­¡± The mortal whispered leaning in as well, then with a quick sneer he actually snapped his teeth , nipping Ezkeiel hard enough to break skin on the side of his chin. The Guardian jerked back in shock and growled, but the mortal only smirked at him, saying nothing else. Giving him nothing but that cool stare. There was no fear or rage, and instantly, Ezekiel got the impression of real danger from him, but it was more than that. It wasn¡¯t just danger. It was like seeing a wild dog looking back at you. Blood thirsty. Unruly. Crafty. Skittish. Primed for violence.


    But the connection lasted only for a second, maybe less, before Ezekiel was suddenly snatched off the mortal. He was jerked back from the wall and thrown quite hard to his back. His head cracking against the wooden floor like a slab of cement made him shout and grab at his skull in pain and unpleasant surprise.


    ¡°Are you fucking kidding me!!?¡± Ezekiel heard his father¡¯s thundering voice snarl in rage from somewhere over him.


    ¡°Have you lost what little sense god gave you...!?¡± Mantilo hissed, crowding him, his brown eyes slit like a leopard and glowing yellow in righteous indignation.


    Still unable to help himself, Ezekiel snarled as he rolled to his feet and turned back on his father. He couldn¡¯t have halted the disrespectful sound from rising in him if he had tried. He didn¡¯t like being separated from the mortal. His father had no right! His fangs itched as he felt them try to grow.


    But just as fast as the anger came over him, it faded. As did his misplaced instinct to stake a claim. He felt lost for a second. The warmth of the mortals¡¯ skin was gone, as was the mortals scent. All he could see was his family, standing in front of him like a wall, blocking him from the mortal.


    He could only catch glimpses of the stranger now between his families¡¯ shoulders. The mortal was crouched down in a ball on his knees in the spot where Ezekiel had released him. He didn¡¯t attempt to speak or attack. He just sat there in a ball of tight apparent agony.


    Ezekiel looked at his siblings next because all three of his brothers were staring at him with bemused expressions. That clearly spelled out how deep in the shit he was. His mother looked downright worried. She was chewing her lip and alternated, looking between him and his father anxiously.


    And his father was glaring right at him, his jaws clenched in anger. Knowing he was past the point of no return, Ezekiel tried to speak. ¡°Dad I...¡± he began.


    ¡°What did I tell you!!?¡± Mantilo snarled at him, using his voice to dominate him completely. Suddenly unwilling to anger his father any more than he already had, Ezekiel looked down and away from his burning eyes, conceding dominance with that small gesture. ¡°I told you that mortal is dangerous! I command all of you to stay away from him!! What more do I have to say to make you obey my commands!?¡±


    ¡°Let me explain, you don¡¯t understand...¡± Ezekiel began once more speaking out of turn, only to have his father hiss and step toward him threateningly, a fist of claws rose and started to reach for his throat....

 Chapter 21 - Diffuse

    Chapter 21- Diffuse


    Once again, Ezekiel felt his inner beast buckle in him, felt his anger flash to the surface, and sensed his eyes glimmering with hostile aggression. He couldent stop it. He flashed his fangs back at the Clan head, knowing that he had to back down, move aside...but... something made him want to press back, assert his right to be there...near the mortal.


    Mantilo went to grab him, possibly planning to throttle him into submission like he deserved, but...


    At that moment, Ezekiel''s mother stepped between them, her deep green eyes slit and glowing like a cat in the night. ¡°Stop this, both of you!¡± She hissed, pushing them apart with a stiff shove that forced both men to give way. Her move was surprising but not her strength.


    Ezekiel knew that his mother was in some way on equal footing with his father when it came to power and influence in the village.


    She stood with his father on even ground and so was likely the only one in the whole village that could challenge him... or calm him down. And as she flashed her teeth at the both of them, Ezkeiel did step back. He realized that she was pretty darn good at intimidating him too, or was it that she unlike his father hadent been the one to pull him away from the mortal in the first place?


    "Have you lost your mind boy!?" Mantilo snarled as Ezkeiel dropped his eyes, then thier father full on growled back at her, but all of the aggression melted out of him as she returned the sound.


    "Enough, the moment has passed. Ezekiel backed down."


    Not waiting for a response, she dropped her arms, huffed, and walked to look over at the mortal who was still kneeling in a ball on the ground by the wall.


    ¡°Stop fighting. There''s something wrong. I¡¯m smelling blood. Lots of blood... Whether he¡¯s an intruder or not, this guy is still my patient, and if you haven¡¯t noticed, he¡¯s hurt again.¡± Glen sighed. ¡°I can¡¯t have you scaring him back into shock and worsening the problem! So help me....or leave this hallway!¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about? I¡¯m not leaving you up here with that....¡± Mantilo said, turning from Ezekiel to look behind him at the mortal. The mortal seemed to sink deeper into a ball at his tone of voice. His slender arms tightened around himself, and his head tiled forward, blocking his eye from Ezekiel''s view. Mantilo hissed at the stranger as he glared at him. ¡°Besides, he¡¯s not your patient anymore, Glen. He seems much better to me. If he¡¯s awaked, I can get him the hell out of here.¡±


    ¡°No! Don¡¯t move him!¡± Mantilo took a step forward and Glen hissed at him, her eyes flashing with a slight luminescence and Ezekiel watched his father grimace and step back from the mortal reluctantly.


    ¡°Dammit Glen...¡± He growled at her, the rolled his eyes. ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t move him just yet, you mad woman, but he is going back into that room! I don¡¯t want him anywhere else in my home!¡±


    Him mother bit her lip, worry replacing aggression on her face. ¡°But....I don¡¯t think I should move him at all... ¡°She began.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him? He was fine a moment ago. I can help...¡± Ezekiel said, concern, making him forget himself and step past his father to stand beside his mother.


    His father snarled and snapped at him, making Ezekiel step back. Clearly asserting control of the space, and Ezkeiel struggled not to bristle at him.


    ¡°Back off. You are not to go near him again! I thought I made that clear.¡± He hissed as Ezekiel once more took another steppe back. He knew he had pushed his father to the edge.


    But when the stranger whimpered painfully, Ezekiel and his father broke eye contact to look at him, then over at Glen.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him now?¡± Mantilo grumbled as the man shook on the ground next to the wall. To Ezekiel, it looked like he heaved once or twice, but nothing managed to come up.


    Glen tilted her head up and sniffed the air, but it was his brother Walter who answered him first.


    ¡°The mortal is bleeding internally again, beneath the skin. His stitches hold, but something has torn, and is now pooling heavy blood into his wound,¡± he said to his mother¡¯s back. His dark brown eyes shifted from analyzing the stranger to Ezekiel. His face set in its usual solemn frown, showing no real emotion.


    His mother nodded, glancing at him briefly. ¡°Yes. I smell the blood gathering, pooling around the stitches in the flesh. I¡¯ve got to relieve the pressure, drain the new blood and plug the hole. I¡¯ll have to resew him up.¡± Glen said, ticking the points off on her small but graceful fingers.


    ¡°Either way he seems to be hurting real bad.¡± she told them. She shot Ezekiel a glassy glare. ¡°What the hell happened anyway? Why is he awake!? Did you go into the room and cause this?¡± she asked him.


    Ezekiel opened his mouth to respond, but his mom walked away with an eye roll before he could devise a decent lie to tell her.


    She stepped toward the mortal without another word, but at that moment, the mortal looked up at her. His green eyes were still filled with fire and violence, but they were also glazed with pain, making him far less agreeable.


    ¡°Stop...¡± He panted shallowly at her and held his stomach hard with his arms.


    ¡°It¡¯s OK...¡± she tried to soothe back.


    Ezekiel watched his mother talk to the mortal softly as she tried to come closer. But the stranger wasn¡¯t listening. He could see his entire body shivering. Ezekiel worried that the fever was still holding his mind partially in a vice of paranoia. But his mother just tried to get closer.


    ¡°Stay calm, we''re just gonna take you....¡± She began to explain.


    But with a ragged breath, the mortal jerked back from his mother¡¯s approach. ¡°Stay the fuck away from me!¡± He screamed at them all. Ezekiel listened as all the men in his family reacted to the mortal¡¯s crude language in his mother¡¯s presence. Ezekiel even hissed at his rude remark and watched his mother halt in her advance and chew her lip once again in indecision.


    ¡°Hey, you stupid asshole, she¡¯s trying to help you! Watch your fucking mouth!!¡± Lander snarled stepping toward the mortal. His fists clenched, and his canines flashing slightly pointed and white.


    If the mortal was worried, it didn¡¯t show. He only looked back down and wrapped his arms around his middle stomach even tighter. Ezekiel sensed more then saw him bite back a scream of pain as he tightened his hold. His eyes drifted shut, almost as though he struggled to stay conscious.


    ¡°It¡¯s OK.¡± His mom told his second oldest brother softly, putting her hand out to stop his advance. ¡°He¡¯s just scared right now. We have him surrounded, so just take it easy..... ¡±


    ¡°Not to mention that he¡¯s weak, hungry, paranoid, confused, and currently bleeding to death. Oh, and he''s very pissed off that he can¡¯t escape. His desire is to be free...¡± Walter put in from behind them all.Stolen story; please report.


    Ezekiel paused to look back at him questioningly, but he knew better than to waste time wondering how his eldest brother knew half the things that he knew about people. Walter had always been able to sense what others couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Glen said softly. ¡°Well, I guess having a hole in your side would make anyone a little moody. Right?¡± She offered.


    ¡°That does not make it OK to be an ass...¡± Nate said with a shrug and a smirk.


    ¡°Oh hush... a few bad words can¡¯t kill me, boys,¡± Glen told her sons as she looked back at the mortal.


    ¡°No, they won¡¯t kill you, but they could kill him.¡± Mantilo sniffed, steeping closer to the mortal. His lip-curling to reveal the deadly points of sharp fangs. ¡°He should have some respect! Stop screaming at my Mate and get on your feet before I drag you back to the room and break a few bones while I''m at it!!¡± He roared at the mortal, agitating the situation even more and making the stranger flinch and open his green eyes. And all Ezekiel saw there was red hot rebellion. Feral. Desperate.


    Ezekiel once more sensed rather than saw the stranger tensing for the attack. He was surprised that he was getting a little used to reading the Mortals'' aggressive behavior. And after getting into that desperate tussle in the hallway with the stranger, he could almost see what was about to happen next.


    A blood bath.


    Trying not to think about what he was doing to himself. Ezekiel stepped around his father and boldly approached the stranger. He knew it was the wrong choice the moment he took a step forward, but what else could he do?


    The tension in the room was starting to boil over. The mortal was nothing but a hair trigger at best. And with all the yelling and anger around him, Ezekiel feared that the mortal would attack his mother or, worse, his father, and honestly, either act would be a definite death sentence.


    But Ezekiel strangely didn¡¯t feel any animosity or distrust towards the stranger. Besides, he¡¯d already taken a blade to the chest, and a few weak punches, and the mortal was still breathing. He had held his anger in check, pushed down his instincts, and pulled his strength so that he wouldn¡¯t break any of the stranger''s bones by accident while he tried to subdue him. His father and brothers....would not be so kind if they perceived a threat. Ezekiel thought that this spoke to his more patient nature. He could defuse this.....somehow.


    So Ezekiel ignored his father¡¯s hair, raising hiss of outrage as Ezekiel defied him once more and came right up to the mortal. He kneeled down a few feet before him and snapped his fingers sharply at him.


    "Hey...look at me." The mortal jumped, opening those incredible, fiery green eyes to look at him.


    ¡°Hi, remember us? Well, the woman behind me....¡± He began pointing behind him with his thumb so the mortal would understand, but he knew that his mother was the only woman in the entire home. ¡°Please listen to her...¡± he told the mortal simply. ¡°She can make the pain stop. OK?¡±


    The mortal didn¡¯t look up. His only response was a stiff and breathless. ¡°Fuck you.¡±


    Ezekiel was surprised at himself when all he did was smile at the mortals¡¯ backlash and leaned in closer. ¡°OK good.¡± He found himself hissing dryly. ¡°Now we know that your mouth works....How about your legs? Get up. I wont ask again.¡±


    The mortal looked at him with a dirty glare and didn¡¯t move.


    Ezekiel sighed, looking back at his family, hoping for some aid, but when none of them offered him any, he tried to speak to the mortal once more.


    ¡°Look we aren¡¯t going to force you to do anything against your will stranger.¡± Ezekiel finally continued. ¡°But you can¡¯t just sit here and bleed out.¡± He said as he scooted a step closer and reached towards the mortals shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s kinda of stupid actually. So just get up.¡±


    The mortal jerked away from his hand once more. Then he slammed his fist into the wall beside him in an aggressive show that hardly made Ezekiel flinch. ¡°I told you to fucking stay away from me. I¡¯ll kill you! ILL KILL YOU!! Leave me alone!¡±


    ¡°Listen we aren¡¯t trying to hurt you!¡± Ezekiel growled back as a fresh burst of copper filled his senses. An oval of crimson spread across the front of the mortal¡¯s shirt as he pulled his stitches apart, and the blood beneath his skin flowed out.


    ¡°Oh crap!¡± His mother cried behind him. ¡°His stitches, we¡¯ve got to get him to the bed, Ezekiel, and stop the blood.¡±


    Were all mortals this foolish?


    Ezekiel had to wonder as he dropped his hand and shook off the burning smell of the stranger¡¯s blood. He couldn¡¯t afford to be mesmerized by that scent right now.


    ¡°Look, either you stand the hell up, or I will carry you back to that room!¡± Ezekiel told the man with a pointed glare of his own. ¡°It¡¯s just that simple. Now move....or get moved. You have five seconds!!¡±


    To his amusement, the lil green-eyed mortal shot him a cock glare and spat out resolutely. "F...five! Touch me, and I''ll break your fucking jaw!''


    A tense silence followed where the mortal glared at him and said nothing, and Ezekiel shrugged back onto the soles of his feet. He flashed his fangs at the man, ignoring the flash of awareness that danced inside, something feral and dominant, as he got ready to snatch up the foolish intruder and carry him to his room. But then, probably sensing his inevitable loss, the mortal surrendered.


    "fuck this..." Suddenly, the man released his stomach with another pained whimper, and without a word, he struggled up to his knees. He clutched at the wall for support, and finding none there, he sat kneeling, head bowed and labored for air for a few moments. Ezekiel could see that he wasn¡¯t out of air, but that the mortal was searching for the energy to stand. To push his thin body up on even thinner legs and move back to the room he had run from.


    Ezekiel was deeply disturbed that the man had pushed himself so hard. His agony wasn¡¯t hidden or undetectable. It was deep and harsh on his body. The agility and power that the mortal had displayed only minutes ago seemed like a dream to Ezekiel now. He seemed unable to summon even the strength to speak.


    Where had he ever gotten the will to move from that bed, if he was still so close to deaths door?


    Ezekiel asked himself.


    On an impulse Ezekiel took his own feet, and walked forward to stand on the wall beside the stranger. He reached out to help the mortal to his feet, his fatigue and pain were just too obvious. Not only could Ezekiel sense the mortals¡¯ pure exhaustion, but he could see that the entire side of his shirt was turning red from blood. Ezekiel couldn¡¯t let him hurt himself any further, but he didn¡¯t even manage to brush the mortal''s shoulder with the tips of his fingers before the mortal slapped his hand away.


    For some reason, Ezekiel wasn¡¯t perturbed by the mortal¡¯s actions toward him; he felt no flare of anger. He just sighed like he was dealing with an obstinate child or an upset animal out in the village.


    ¡°Calm down. You can¡¯t do it alone. Just take my hand. You¡¯re hurt and weak.¡± Ezekiel said, stepping closer. ¡°Come on......your too slow for me. I don¡¯t have all night to coddle you. Get up. Now.¡±


    Ezekiel said before smiling easily into the angry glare the mortal directed at him again. Maybe he was being an ass, pushing someone so ill and weak but he had a feeling that it would get him results.


    With shaking hands, the mortal strained to his feet, ignoring Ezekiel''s offer entirely. So Ezekiel nodded, dropping his hand, and looked down the hall toward the room that he mortal had tumbled out of only minutes ago. He directed the mortal that way silently with his eyes. Ezekiel then gestured behind his back to his mother without having to look at her. ¡°You¡¯re too exhausted to walk that far right? Let us help you. Let this lady help.¡±


    He saw the flash of defiance in the man¡¯s green gaze as he looked first at Ezekiel then the rest of his family members, the cool calculation returned. The mortals¡¯ eyes darted around looking for an escape. It was like watching a cornered animal for real this time.


    Ezekiel caught his green gaze for the briefest of seconds and shook his head in denial.


    Don''t do it, don''t freak out...just comply. Ezekiel tried to express to him silently.


    He knew that if the mortal tried to make another run for it, he could very well die at the hands of his overprotective father.


    The stranger gave it thought, but after he silently analyzed all of Ezekiel''s brothers and his parents, the mortal sighed. Without a single word, he turned, wrapped an arm around his stomach again, and using the wall for support, he limped painfully back toward the guest room.


    Ezekiel watched him go for a moment, then he shifted to the side and smiled at his mother. Letting her know that she could follow. With a slight sigh of relief, his mother brushed past him. She was careful not to touch the man following Ezekiel''s example, though she held her hands out toward his back in case she had to catch the hobbling mortal if he suddenly lost his feet.


    Ezekiel''s gaze was ripped from their progress as his brother''s voice suddenly burst into his head. With a harsh whisper, he slid into Ezekiel''s mind like cold slime on the back of his head.


    You are so dead, Ezekiel.....


    He heard Lander chuckle inside his skull before his brother brushed past him.


    Good luck. I doubt I''ll be seeing you again for a while, lil bro.....


    His bother teased his cold voice like an icy knife sliding on his nerves.


    Ezekiel shook his head to shake away the cool presence of Lander''s thoughts in his mind, and then he snarled at his brother. ¡°Enough of that! Stay out of my fucking head! I¡¯m not gonna warn you again!¡±


    Lander ignored him as he walked away, but Ezekiel did feel his cold thoughts withdraw quickly as he moved. Walter and Nate followed him without comment, though Walter did shake his head as though he had somehow heard the whole exchange between the two of them. And then Ezekiel and Mantilo were alone together.

 Chapter 22 - Nameless Fusteration

    Chapter 22- Nameless Frustration


    Ezekiel swallowed dryly as he realized his father¡¯s gaze was on him. His eyes burned through the back of his head. Ezekiel wanted to just walk away from the coming lecture, the coming confrontation, but he also didn¡¯t want to drag it out.


    So he turned back to his father, and without making eye contact, he took a knee, kneeling before him in the ultimate show of physical submission. And instantly, an age-old ritual was begun. A ritual that his father had taught him to practice since he was a child. Ezekiel had always been given the Ritual as a form of punishment.


    But he knew that it could also be used to ask for forgiveness for trespassing against others or against the Clan Head himself. Ezekiel knew that it was something considered outdated. Reserved for the Guardians and the Clan Head alone now, but his family choose to practice it anyway. A physical altercation between Shifters was often too dangerous and Ezekiels family found that the Ritual suited them perfectly fine.


    In the Ritual, the violator took a knee and then submitted their wrongs in spoken word to the victim of their actions. Once done, the violator then waited defenselessly, hands bound before them for a response or a physical form of retaliation for their transgressions. Ezekiel knew that the Ritual didn¡¯t always work. Sometimes the violator refused to participate or the victim wanted to settle the situation with more blood then the other Shifter wanted to spill.


    ¡°Before you start...¡± Ezekiel began placing one fist atop another before him and clasping them to his breast. ¡°I meant no disrespect, Father. Truly.¡± Ezekiel tried to convey the truth of this by dropping his gaze in obedience.


    ¡°Mmm-hmm...No disrespect?¡± Mantilo mused, then shook his head while looking down at him. ¡°So what did you mean by going against my direct order? Going near him after I told you to stay away was stupid and reckless of you!! I heard you fighting with him, what if he had gotten lose? Who knows what he¡¯s capable of! If he wasn¡¯t so badly injured....who knows what he may have done? Don¡¯t you understand that I tell you things to protect us all!?¡± he asked his son softly.


    Ezekiel sighed in relief. He had to be thankful for small favors. His father hadn¡¯t seen everything, hadn¡¯t seen him....nibbling on their new guest. Tasting his skin.


    What the hell had he been thinking? Ezekiel wondered, looking back on his behavior now. It was like he had been drawn in, like a moth to a fire or a magnet to metal. His earlier actions felt almost automatic now, like he had been in a trance.


    Ezekiel winced as his father growled at him. ¡°Speak!¡±


    All while Ezekiel had mused, his father had been waiting for his response. ¡°Well...¡± he began. ¡°I know what you told me and why, but...¡± Ezekiel said. He knew he had to be humble right now and contrite, but that had never been in his nature. He struggled with what to say. So, in the end, he went with pure stupid honesty because he didn¡¯t have much else but that to give. ¡°I went to see the mortal because I was...curious. I¡¯d never seen one of them this close before, and he was moaning, so I went to investigate. To ask what was wrong..¡±


    ¡°Curious?¡± Mantilo hissed, starting to walk a tight circle around Ezekiel like a cat circling a mouse. ¡°And so you what....snuck into the room of your attacker only to get attacked once more! It is almost too stupid to put into words !! We don¡¯t know what this moral is capable of! Don¡¯t you understand that if that boy had aimed his weapon a little more accurately, your mother and I would be burying our son instead of tending to an injured outsider!!?¡±


    Ezekiel paused. He could feel his father''s frustration and his concern all at once. And he instantly felt horrible for not realizing his father¡¯s feelings earlier. He was a fierce protector, which made his father such a determined leader. Ezekiel knew that his dad was a natural-born Clan Head (Not chosen but born to the title) and that he took his title seriously as ruler and protector of the entire Leopard Clan. So the fact that someone, a mortal at that, had not only gotten onto his lands but had almost managed to fatally hurt a member of his own family. It must have angered his dad to no end.


    ¡°Look. I¡¯m not some fragile piece of glass.¡± Ezekiel scoffed. ¡°I may be the youngest, but you know that I¡¯m not weak. I¡¯ve had lots of scrapes and broken bones, Dad.¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°But none of them could have taken you from us. A broken leg is nothing compared to this! You shrug off my concern like a fool! ¡± Mantilo pointed out sharply.


    ¡°I know...but I¡¯m fine. Believe me, I¡¯m okay.¡± Ezekiel told his dad softly, trying to reassure him with a smile and a carefree shrug of his once-injured shoulder. ¡°It was just a lucky strike. The mortal was on the edge of death when I found him. He was drowsy and weak, so it¡¯s a wonder he cut me at all...¡± Ezekiel blinked as he recalled coming out of the shadows and then feeling the cold blade sliding down into his body at a downward angle.


    He shook his head to clear away the still-fresh feeling. ¡°And today, when I went into the room, he woke up disoriented as well,¡± Ezekiel said, again admitting to sneaking into the mortal¡¯s room. ¡°The stranger woke up and saw me, and then he ran.¡± Ezekiel continued talking slyly. Omitting the fact that he had fallen to sleep in the stranger¡¯s bed, which he obviously knew had caused the mortal to attack him, but he would have been an idiot to tell his father that.


    ¡°I must have scared him when I tried to stop him...¡± Ezekiel said with a fake shrug of confusion. ¡°I attempted to stop him from running out of the room, and he defended himself. Again, I don¡¯t believe that he was trying to hurt anyone. He just seems kinda lost...¡±


    Mantilo snarled, cutting Ezekiel off. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask you for your opinion, Ezekiel! I will certainly find out the truth about the stranger for myself! Your input is deeply unappreciated on this matter. So refrain from giving it!¡±


    Ezekiel ex-hailed in frustration, wanting to speak more, but he held his tongue. Suddenly, he wished that he had never gone into that room. Maybe if he had just stayed away, the mortal wouldn¡¯t have gotten so worked up.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I submit that I was wrong and impulsive. I have disrespected the rule of my Clan Head and gone against his wishes. I will take whatever punishment you give me.¡± Ezekiel began hoping to soothe his father¡¯s ire with him. He recited the words that completed the Ritual.


    Then, unable to help himself, he slipped in a few more words in on the stranger''s behalf. ¡°But I do feel like we have to get more information from the mortal before we judge him unfairly for his actions.¡±


    Mantilo sighed. ¡°....I accept your submission and pardon you, Ezekiel...This one last time." he recited the answer to the Ritual of Violation that ended the practice.


    Then, with a suddenly weary-sounding sigh, his father crossed his arms, and he looked into Ezkeiel''s eyes as he softly continued.


    "Ezekiel, I mean what I say. If you continue to not abide my words both as Clan Head and your Father, then, you will be stripped of your current title...no matter how much it would pain me to do so.¡± Mantilo let the severity of that promise sit between them.  ¡°Now rise,¡± he told him softly.


    ¡°Thank you, Clan Head,¡± Ezekiel answered and then did as he was told. He knew the grace and patience that he had just been given...and he knew perhaps that he far from deserved it.


    But once he was standing on his feet Ezekiel found himself troubled by his father¡¯s lack of an answer to his request of mercy on the mortal¡¯s behalf.


    ¡°So what happens now?¡± he asked as they looked at each other.


    ¡°Now...¡± Mantilo sighed, whipping a wide hand across his mouth. His deep brown eyes troubled. ¡°Now I make sure that this mortal is really as defenseless as you seem to believe. Then I¡¯ll figure out what to do with him after we¡¯ve spoken.¡±


    Ezekiel looked down towards the doorway where his mother and his brothers had dispersed with the mortal. ¡°Maybe I could come with you...¡±


    ¡°Nooo.¡± Mantilo hissed in a drawn-out way, cutting him off, and sighed once more, walking past his son. ¡°I will not require your presence for this Ezekiel. In fact? You will go out and patrol the Northern and Southern villages for the time being while I consider the matter.¡± he commanded, leaving no space for argument. ¡°Once you return to us, this matter will have been settled. Do you understand?¡±


    Ezekiel turned around as his father brushed past him. A silent dismissal.


    ¡°But Father....!¡± He called, and yet he knew it was futile. His father¡¯s wide back was ridged and set with the latent streaks of anger. ¡°I¡¯m the one that spoke to him first! Just let me talk to him for a second time....¡±


    ¡°No! Leave for patrol, Ezekiel! Do not think to return this night!¡± Mantilo thundered, cutting him off once more with a voice as sharp as a knife and as vicious as a leopard. ¡°Do not test me again so soon!¡±


    Ezekiel snarled viciously at being forced away from the mortal yet again. Not caring if his father heard him, he took the steps down to the first floor and quickly left the mansion. Once outside, he shed his flesh and raced across the fields in his spotted fur.


    Letting the power in his body, the animal within, steal away all thoughts of his mistakes, but more importantly, He allowed the beast to steal all his memories of the mortal¡¯s warmth. The feeling of his soft skin beneath Ezekiel''s aroused fangs. He let the smell of fresh pine wash away the haunting scent of blood and the feeling of his body laid up against Ezekiel''s own. A terribly interesting feeling of playful surprise and intense refusal that Ezkeiel had felt when he touch him.  The Leopard tried to run it all away.


    But it all remained in spite of him.


    For all that, Ezekiel didn¡¯t even know the Stranger''s first name.

 Chapter 23 - Death Threat

    Chapter 23 ¨C No Cooperation


    Brandon fought to ignore this new, painful world that he had woken up to.


    He felt out of place here with its hulking men, glowing eyes, and sharp teeth. He stumbled into the room because there was nowhere else for him to go yet. The room he inched into was dark, except for the light that was bleeding into it from the hallway, he was so nauseous now that everything was pitching from side to side. But no matter how much he tried to, no vomit would come up. There was just the dull ache of sickness in his stomach. He couldn¡¯t analyze the room search for an escape route. He also couldn¡¯t keep his feet.


    With an agonized gasp, he fell to his knees on the carpet and stayed there. He clutched at his body, trying to hold the pain at bay, but all he managed to do was dissolve into pointless tears of pain and fold in over himself, sitting on his knees in this strange, dark room.


    A small shadow moved past him, and he heard cloth swishing before there was suddenly a blossom of new light. The smell of burning wax hit him a moment later.


    ¡°On no!¡± A soft, sweet voice called over him. He felt the shadow move past him again. ¡°Get out of here. I can¡¯t work with you brutes taking up all the space.¡± The feminine voice said, and Brandon heard the wood behind him swing closed.


    Something hard and flat slammed against the wood behind him, but Brandon was too sick to move. He just continued to listen as the pain began to steal his breath.


    ¡°Glen!¡± A deep male voice barked, sounding like he was being forced to speak through the wood. ¡°Stop trying to close the door on me, dammit¡± ¡°The deep voice barked. ¡°I need to keep my eye on that Mortal. So let us in there!


    ¡°Oh, please. The man is two seconds from passing out!¡± The feminine voice grunted. She seemed to be trying to move something heavy out of her way. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to see! Now go away until he¡¯s stabilized.¡± The female grunted, and with a sharp thunk of wood shutting, the man¡¯s voice faded away.


    Brandon still couldn¡¯t move, but suddenly there were small but steel hands pulling him from the ground to his feet.


    ¡°Come on, stranger¡­¡± the wielder of the strong hands said beside him. ¡°Let¡¯s get the Grim Reaper off our doorstep.¡±


    Brandon bit back a shout as the small woman forced him across the room, then down onto the bed so that he was lying on his side. Methodically removing the soaking wet cloth over his chest, she began buzzing around his side like a nut. He wanted to move her. Push her hands away. Cover up¡­..the things that he always covered up.


    But¡­.the pain paralyzed him¡­.or was it the endless cold and chills. The waves of the sensations chasing themselves from his forehead to his toes and back again kept him in a useless pile, totally at the woman¡¯s mercy.


    It hurts¡­.god every part of me hurts.


    Brandon thought to himself. It hurt so much so that the strange woman¡¯s touches melded into the agony. He lost his eyes somewhere in the back of his head. And there, along with the pain, he oddly found blue eyes watching him. Glowing blue eyes.


    ¡°This will help with pain and numb you¡­..but after this¡­..I¡¯ll be out of syringes.¡± The strange woman said to him. Her voice was the only soft and kind thing about the situation for Brandon, so he tried to focus on it. ¡°I hope it makes the pain manageable for you. Or at least knocks you to kingdom come for the next few hours.¡±


    Brandon barely managed to follow her, but suddenly, something warm pinched him in his arm, and he fell into the darkness. The warmth spread. Like honey in his veins, it numbed him. And in that haze, the blue eyes stayed no matter how hard he tried to ignore them. And when he woke up an untold amount of time later, he was shocked to come face to face with eyes as yellow as the sun¡­.and ten times harsher.


    Brandon struggled up from the darkness. There was a weight all over him. He felt like a doll made of stone.


    Where was he? What was going on?


    In the end, it didn¡¯t matter to him. Wherever he was¡­he couldn¡¯t stay there. He never could stay in one place for too long.


    His mind told him to move, to stand, but his body was too slow to respond. He tried to shift off his back and into a sitting position, but everything on him felt sluggish and heavy. His tongue felt swollen and dry, and his stomach and side¡­..was all numb. He couldn¡¯t feel the bed beneath his hips, but he knew it was there. The unbearable pain¡­wasn¡¯t gone either. Brandon could still feel the hollow ach at the base of his spine and all the way down his left leg.


    He still felt a chill on his entire body and the slosh of vomit trying to rise. There was something draped over him and something thick and soft stuffed behind his head, holding him up against something hard and sturdy like a headboard. He still couldn¡¯t move his limbs yet, but he managed to open his eyes relatively fast. He only had a few seconds to glance down before familiar voices made him aware that he wasn¡¯t alone.


    The first thing he saw was the outline of his own feet beneath a thin white sheet. And he had a few seconds to feel sunlight pouring into the room from his right. All of his thoughts focused in on the light.


    Light meant an escape route to him.


    Then Brandon heard a door opening far across from him.


    ¡°It¡¯s been hours Glen.¡± A deep, but slightly familiar voice growled. ¡°Is that intruder stabilized yet?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­.it¡¯s been almost six hours now so hes pass the worst of it.¡± Said the soft feminine voice from before. ¡°Come in¡­..the boy is all stitched up and medicated. He seems to be coming out of the shock right now.¡±


    Brandon tried to shift on the bed, and with a mighty grunt, he managed to balance himself into a sitting slump on the pillows. His spine and hips were so weak that he barely held it. But he refused to be taken lying down. He knew that escape was impossible the way that he was, as weak as he felt, but he still wanted to be ready for anything.


    The four men and the small woman walked over to the bed. The largest of the men stuck close to the small woman, but the other three men went to the base of the bed and just¡­..waited. Brandon felt like he was still dreaming as he glanced around the room and all the eyes looking back at him were feral eyes of beasts. And their steps and moves seemed to glide sleepily from one to another. Grace¡­power. That was what he felt. Glowing slit eyes watched him. Brandon¡¯s nerves felt frayed as he sensed all of those strangers attention settle on him.


    Brandon tried to analyze each of them. His eyes fell on the large man beside him, who looked like a mountain of stone. His stern face and grim mouth looked like they could cut diamonds, and his eyes¡­.were yellow and filled with a deep well of power and confidence. The small woman, compared to him, looked like a fluttery angel. She had eyes big and beautiful and green, a beautiful face, small bones, and a head full of sandy brown curls that danced around her delicate throat and shoulders. The other men in the room he glanced at quickly.


    One of the men was almost as big as the man standing with the woman, but his face was younger by comparison and almost expressionless. He stood with his heavy arms crossed over his chest, and he regarded Brandon coldly. But his eyes¡­.they glowed a slight yellow as well, marking him as something more, something not human.


    The other two men weren¡¯t large, but like the other two these men had an uncommon grace about them, and an energy in their presence that made him¡­..anxious. Like something was watching him. The last two men had glowing eyes as well. One man had two-toned eyes. Black and white pupils interchanged from right to left and piercings in his left eye accompanied by a faded over scar. While the other man had eyes that were crystal green and bright blond hair and a nasty smile on his face. The last two men were of two varying sizes, one lean and long, the other lean and thick, though neither of them were tiny or short men.


    And none of the men were by any means shorter than five feet eleven inches tall.


    Brandon openly checked each of them out, not caring if it disturbed them, but for the most part, the strangers just watched him back until the large man beside the pretty woman began asking him questions.


    ¡°What is your name mortal?¡± the large man asked him softly. He stared down at Brandon, but Brandon refused to raise his eyes to meet him. This man wasn¡¯t like the blue-eyed man that Brandon had almost given the slip; there was a graveness about him, an iron in his voice that commanded obedience. But Brandon wouldn¡¯t yield. He remained silent and locked his lips firmly together. ¡°How did you get here?¡±


    ¡°Do you know where you are?¡± the man tried again. The silence was all that he received again. The man stepped closer, obviously starting to get piqued. He snapped his fingers together twice and spoke at Brandon a little louder. As if he thought he was a simpleton.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°I know that you understand what I¡¯m saying to you, boy. Here I¡¯ll go first. My name is Mantilo, and this is my home.¡± The man, Mantilo, told him. His voice was colored with growing ambivalence. ¡°This is Shifter territory, Were Shifters, and this is no place for Mortals like you. My youngest son came across you about four days ago in the forest. He says you spoke to him, and then you attacked him with a knife.¡± As the man spoke to him, Brandon drifted away to his own thoughts. He soaked up as much information as he could.


    Four days? Shifter Territory? I should have known! The eyes were a dead giveaway!!


    Brandon thought to himself as the man continued to talk.


    Oh god, I¡¯m so stupid. The last thing I needed was to stumble into Shifter Territory. I was so dazed from that hit that I must have gotten turned around in the woodlands.


    Brandon was dismayed and more than a little unbalanced that he had managed to lose so much time. He tried to retrace his steps from what the man before him had said. He remembered climbing the hill, falling and hitting his head, then hazily he remembered¡­... he had stabbed¡­.something. Something that had grabbed him from the darkness.


    So that was the blue-eyed man? He must be this guy¡¯s son?


    Brandon shivered involuntarily as the feeling of pointed teeth pressing into his neck ghosted into him. Brandon blinked as he saw the Shifter holding him against the wall again. Felt his mouth glide across his collar. Brandon remembered the anticipation that had come over him, the shivers that had touched him in his lower belly, and tightened his chest when the stranger had nuzzled his skin. For one insane moment, Brandon had wanted¡­.


    He put a hand to his throat and ex-hailed shakily.


    It must have been insanity¡­


    He told himself, and it was at that exact moment that he keyed back into what was being said.


    ¡°You almost fatally wounded him! Luckily, you missed his heart.¡± The large man, Mantilo, by his own introduction, ex-hailed deeply. ¡°Now, why did you attack him in the first place? Who are you? Do you have a name!?¡±


    Brandon glared at the man. He didn¡¯t attack anyone who didn¡¯t deserve it. And Brandon didn¡¯t like what the man was implying, but he still refused to speak. He wasn¡¯t sure where he was, or who these people were or even what he should say to them. He had a sinking feeling in his gut that he had done something awful, and now he couldn¡¯t remember it.


    ¡°He is not being very forthcoming,¡± Mantilo said, breaking eye contact with Brandon to look at the beautiful woman beside him. ¡°This could be so much easier¡­if I could beat the answers out of the boy.¡± The female Shifter who had tended to his wounds cast her husband a sympathetic if slightly mocking, pat to his cheek.


    The woman openly studied Brandon herself as he and Mantilo spoke. She was a small Shifter, which only served to outline her vulnerability amongst all the more prominent and menacing males in the room. Even Brandon would have outstood her¡­.and he was only about 5 feet nine inches tall.


    But she held herself confidently.


    There was a steel to this woman as well. Brandon could sense it in her, just as Brandon could sense it radiating from the different men around him. Her bright green eyes smiled up at Mantilo as she stepped closer to him. And instantly, Brandon realized that they were a couple. Possibly even married. Brandon¡¯s eyes quickly spotted the identical golden wedding bands the two were sporting on their right hands and concluded that Mantilo and the small woman, Glen as Mantilo had called her, were, in fact, married.


    ¡°Maybe he is one of the Hunters from the East? But still, I don¡¯t know why he would come here? So maybe he¡¯s just lost?¡± she said to her husband. Brandon registered her words and frowned up his face. He may not have known much, but he knew about the Hunters. Thieves, murderers for sport or for hire who often invaded Shifter settlements then shot and skinned any Shifters that they managed to catch. Suddenly, the reproductions of staying silent grew by a thousandfold. If they suspected him to be a Hunter, they could kill him.


    And Brandon knew that he was not in any position to defend himself. He was outnumbered and with only his words to fight within his current state. Brandon finally gave up on being silent and answered the man¡¯s question.


    ¡°A Hunter? No, I¡¯m not anything like those people.¡± He scoffed out loud at her and instantly he sensed every man in the room tense and pay him more attention. If that was even possible. As if Brandon opening his mouth had reminded them that he really was alive and a threat.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on. I just got lost out there, stumbled into the trees, and then¡­..and then¡­..¡± Brandon put a hand to his temple then dropped it. ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t remember much else after that.¡± Brandon shrugged. ¡°I certainly don¡¯t remember hurting anyone¡­and I don¡¯t know what else you want me to say.¡±


    The menacing man, ¡°Mantilo,¡± Brandon reminded himself, let the broken silence ride for a moment. Then he said. ¡°So you¡¯re not a Hunter? Then who are you? You say you¡¯re lost, but there aren¡¯t any mortal establishments for miles and miles. Besides, there is a giant dense forest surrounding this entire place? You were miles inside of it, only steps from stumbling into our village. Most mortals wouldn¡¯t be able to navigate it, much less go into a strange forest if they are trying to find their way home.¡±


    Mantilo looked him over, his yellow eyes filled with dislike. ¡°I saw you when you first arrived. No personal possessions, no money, no food¡­..Filthy and sick. Were you trying to steal from us? Mortals have come here and broken into our lands before and tried to steal. Some of them have even attempted to rob us for money. And they were certainly dealt with.¡± Mantilo glanced at the other prominent men in the room, then glared at Brandon as if to say that he was something that needed to be dealt with. ¡°So why did you come here?¡±


    Brandon debated adopting a stony silence once more, but what good would it do him now? ¡°I¡¯m not a killer, a thief, or a child.¡± He told Mantilo instead. ¡°You have no reason to accuse me and I don¡¯t have any reason to answer to you! You can¡¯t interrogate me!¡±


    ¡°No reason?¡± Mantilo growled and Brandon was slightly frightened when the man¡¯s eyes quickly changed between one word and the next. Feral cat eyes glared down at him and Brandon was struck silent when Mantilo¡¯s brown irises, glowing yellow like two suns. ¡°It¡¯s awfully fucking convenient that you don¡¯t know anything about t anything~¡± Mantilo pointed out. ¡°Not only do you refuse to answer any of my questions. You¡¯ve now attacked my son TWICE in two days! What else are we to believe!?¡± Mantilo nearly shouted at him.


    Brandon slammed his hands into the bed, disgusted with the man¡¯s tone. ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened in the wood! But when I woke up, I didn¡¯t attack him until he came after me! He chased me! I was just trying to get away from him! I had to get away!¡±


    ¡°Get away?¡± Glen, Mantilo¡¯s wife asked him suddenly. Pulling Brandon¡¯s attention from Mantilo to her. ¡°You have no reason to be afraid of us. We haven¡¯t harmed you in any way. In fact, if my son hadn¡¯t carried you here, you may well have died from that wound in your lower side.¡±


    Brandon blinked as her words hit him.


    So the blue-eyed man brought me here for healing? But why?


    He wondered to himself, then he said to her. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to attack him, but no one asked him for his help¡­.¡± Brandon told them all, specifically, he spoke to Glen. He figured she was the best one to talk to right then. Calmer. Less glowing eyes about her.


    ¡°But you did receive our aid¡­¡± Glen told him softly, if firmly. She was obviously trying to keep the situation from escalating too far. ¡°One kindness deserves another, stranger. We saved your life. Now explain to me why you were trespassing here in the first place?¡±


    Brandon¡¯s gut was cramped as guilt tried to overcome him. And instantly hating that he felt even a little bit bad about any of this, Brandon couldn¡¯t help but clam up once more. What did these¡­.things understand about him? What right did they have to treat him like a prisoner or a threat? What could they possibly even begin to know about his situation?


    Nothing!! That¡¯s what!


    Brandon didn¡¯t want to talk anymore. He didn¡¯t owe these people anything. Correction¡­.he didn¡¯t owe these Shifters anything. And he would not be bullied, no matter what they did to him. Physical pain he could handle if it came down to it.


    ¡°I command you to SPEAK!!¡± Mantilo bellowed, his glowing eyes burning with impatience and anger now as the silence went on for a minute.


    ¡°Kiss my ass! First of all, you can¡¯t command me to do anything.¡± Brandon yelled back at him, and his wife sighed and shot the big man a hiss. ¡°And Secondly, I told you that I got lost. What more do you want from me! You can fucking choose to believe me¡­.or not. I don¡¯t care!¡± Brandon exclaimed. Then he found himself flashing his middle finger at Mantilo, just to piss the man off more. And even though Brandon couldn¡¯t have known how much of a mistake that was, something in him quailed at the anger he could feel focused on him only a few seconds later.


    Mantilo stepped closer to the bed with a hiss that sounded all too beastly. Brandon looked down and away and closed his eyes. He knew that the man was going to strike him now, but no hands fell on him. A second after he flinched away from Mantilo, the Shifter growled and said four words to Brandon.


    ¡°I want you gone.¡± He breathed heavily.


    Brandon paused, still waiting to be struck, then he looked up at the Shifter and was chilled by the yellow eyes that pinned him down. Violence simmered in Mantilo¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°I don¡¯t tolerate intruders. Especially intruders with no respect for my home! I should have let you bleed to death, but for my wife¡¯s kindness, you still live. So whatever you were doing here¡­.you have worn out your welcome!¡± Mantilo told him. Once again, his voice dipped, sounding more like the growling rasp of an animal than a man. ¡°I want you out of my house and off my lands by first light tomorrow, or I will kill you in this bed. Limping or crawling I want you out of here!¡±


    Brandon glared back at the Shifter as he turned away without another word and began to usher his wife out of the room with him.


    Unable to stay quiet, Brandon spoke at his rigid back.


    ¡°Fine,¡± he said to the man as he walked out. ¡°You don¡¯t have to yell at me asshole!! I¡¯m gone!¡±


    Everything got way too quiet after he said that. Mantilo¡¯s steps faltered for a moment; he turned back. Eyes still glowing, even brighter now, his face contorted grotesquely, almost shifting into the visage of something with fur and large canines, and slit cat eyes. Brandon was once more caught off guard when a snarl, the snarl of a giant unnatural monster as real as anything he had ever heard before, poured over the small room yet somehow holding on to his calm Brandon withstood it. Refusing to be cowed, Brandon glared back. He stared the Shifter in the eyes until he turned away once more and marched toward the bedroom exit.


    Mantilo¡¯s wife shook her head at her husband¡¯s back, and with a huff, she neared the bed and spoke to Brandon softly. He was surprised to see a bemused smile on her face as she put a hand beside her mouth and bent down beside the bed as though she was going to whisper a secret to him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He¡¯s just trying to scare you.¡± She told him softly as she let an even bigger smile come over her enchanting features. Then, purposefully raising her voice until she was nearly shouting, she continued to say, ¡°I PROMISE NO ONE IS PUTTING MY PATIENT OUT UNTIL I SAY SO!!¡±


    Brandon blinked at her as she winked her right eye and turned to follow her husband. The curls bouncing as she went.


    Mantilo hissed again, this time sounding more frustrated then angry and like a towering wind he flung open the bedroom door, and disappeared from sight.


    Glen followed him a moment later, as did the other large men who had sat quietly all the way through the interrogation. For the first time, looking at all of the tall and¡­..handsome men, Brandon began to suspect that these men were family members of the blue-eyed man as well.


    Were they his brothers? Brandon wondered to himself.


    The last man to leave the room was a green-eyed Shifter with blonde hair who flashed Brandon a dirty sneer. Brandon glared back, and since he was already making friends, he flipped him off as well.


    ¡°Crotchety little bastard aint ya?¡± The man laughed, shook his head, and closed the bedroom door as he swept into the hallway. And Brandon was suddenly left alone.

 Chapter 24 - No Chice

    Chapter 24 ¨C No Choice


    It was only in the silence that Brandon allowed himself to acknowledge his racing heartbeat and the fear. The mind splitting agony thrumming across his belly. And it was only in the loneliness that he started to piece his choices together.


    ¡°Who are these people?¡± he said to himself, closing his eyes. Now that Brandon was alone and his relative safety was assured, at least for a few more hours, he allowed himself a moment or two to reflect on his current situation.


    My gloves.


    An image of thin, wrist-tight black leather gloves came into his mind. He didn¡¯t waste the time looking around for them. They were gone. So was his blade and the rest of his clothing.


    Sadly, the gloves were the first thing that he thought of because he didn¡¯t truly own anything else. The blade he had bought for protection. The gloves had been the only thing that he could bring with him when he ran. He resented their loss for a few moments but soon had to move on.


    Brandon then quickly examined his wounds, only to realize he had been given a lot of first aid. White gauze and bandages bound him tightly, almost everywhere on his upper body and legs. They were wrapped all around his chest and stomach, as well as his right hand and his left leg. But even with his body tightly bound in bandages, he still felt a knawing pain all along his side.


    How on earth did I pull through that one? As weak as I was, that last hit should have ended me...


    Brandon thought to himself. He remembered the desperation, the howling on the night wind, the pain opening up his side, and the heavy flow of warm blood. Brandon pushed those memories away. They made him sick. He pressed a hand to his inflamed skin around the bandages and bit back a scream as his entire body tried to collapse on him.


    Just touching the bandages hurts like a mother!!


    He thought to himself as he fell back into the bed and shakily sighed away the scream bundled in his chest.


    Brandon sighed as he barely managed to pull the covers he had displaced back up over himself.


    Unexpectedly, a wave of exhaustion washed over him. He tried to think of all the things these Shifters could be beneath their mortal illusions, but his information about the ways of the world was as shallow as a bird¡¯s bath.


    Honestly, all he had ever had were the books. The pictures in them told him about the world beyond. The world he couldn¡¯t see. But more than anything else, he knew that his knowledge of Shifters was thin.


    He only knew that Shifters could change shape, but finding out what they could do didn¡¯t really tell him WHAT they could become. Brandon knew that a Shifter could retain mortal shape by locking up their true appearance somehow. He knew very little about them or even how they managed it. He could remember one book telling him that there were multiple kinds of Shifters and that each kind chose to live in large packs or Clans.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    He understood that there were as many as Seven Shifter Clans. Yet Brandon was hard-pressed to guess what Clan existed where or what those Clans were called.


    There were only two Clans that the book had named, and they had been the Dog Clan and the Bird Clan. Brandon didn¡¯t know what any of those Shifters were like, but he had a good feeling that he wasn¡¯t around and any dogs or birds. The Shifters that he had encountered so far roared and hissed like felines.


    Brandon racked his brain. He tried to remember if there was a map in the books he had read. Something that would help him figure out just where he was...or what these strangers were. But he came up empty.


    He had been running blind for a long time now. No maps. No direction. Just running.


    He had absolutely no natural way of knowing what Clan he had managed to first invade and then anger. All Brandon knew was that he had to get out of this place. He couldn¡¯t be sure who he was dealing with.....he couldn¡¯t trust these people. And when he closed his eyes, he saw those bright yellow slit eyes glaring at him from within the face of a man. The beast within threatened him. They could kill him. They hated Brandon for hurting the blue-eyed Shifter, or at least the large male Mantilo did.


    Glen seemed to like him for some strange reason that he didn¡¯t care to decipher.


    And then there was the blue-eyed Shifter he had accidentally attacked out in the woods. From what Brandon had been able to understand, the man he had attacked was their son? He suddenly wished he had asked for his name. Why had he brought Brandon here? Why had he gotten into so much trouble when Mantilo had caught him with Brandon, and why was Brandon even thinking about him?


    I don¡¯t care!


    He told himself


    Brandon was sure that he was never going to see the blue-eyed Shifter again, but even as he thought this, Brandon couldn¡¯t help trying to recall his features. And unlike the aggressive and almost feral and gaze of Mantilo...


    The blue eyes Brandon saw and thought about.....calmed him. For a moment, Brandon almost wondered where Mantilo had sent the blue-eyed man to? But as Brandon caught his mind drifting in that direction, he purposely turned it to other things.


    Brandon quickly decided that the first thing he had to worry about was getting out of that room, but even as Brandon tried to find the strength or even the will to move, it slipped right back out of his grasp.


    Sighing, Brandon quickly realized that he didn¡¯t even have the strength left to move his feet to the edge of the bed. His desperate tussle with the male Shifter and his subsequent interrogation by Mantilo and Glen had left him totally drained. Brandon wanted to ignore the frailty he felt and the way his whole body felt like it was shaking, but no amount of denial was getting him out of that bed anytime soon. He found his resolve to go weakening.


    He had to rest. For once....he had to stop.


    His head hurt terribly just from thinking and this was the first time, in a long time, that Brandon had slept in anything as soft as a bed.


    And though he should have wanted to put as much distance between himself and the aggressive Mantilo, oddly enough, Brandon didn¡¯t feel like he was in danger. Or at least he wasn¡¯t in trouble for at least another eight hours. So, instead of making preparations to get the hell out of these people''s homes, Brandon found himself collapsing back and swiftly melting away.


    Right now, but tomorrow...he would find the strength to move. Deep down, he knew that he was lying to himself, but what else could he do.


    Soon he had to move on, even if this cursed body could not carry him.

 Chapter 25 - I Am Uneasy

    Chapter 25 -Uneasy


    Glen stalked behind Mantilo all the way to the bottom floor of their home.


    A soft warmth crawled all along her arms and brushed her spine. A feminine hiss curled down her throat. She ignored her sons as they trailed behind both her and Mantilo; no doubt they were waiting to see what was about to transpire.


    Angrily stomping along, her Mate''s ire seemed to rumble in the space like a physical thing. Mantilo stomped down the steps in front of her, awareness of his wild emotions, the faint heat of shift energy dancing in the air, and the scent of his inner beast tickling her senses. Pulling up many different responses from her. The strongest of them is pleasure. Even amid rage...the female Shifter and the woman in her couldn''t help but be excited at the familiar tingle of their mate floating into her lungs. It was a tingle that Glen always felt when she caught Mantilo''s scent or simply saw him walking around or standing beside her.


    She was genuinely crazy about her mate. She treasured her husband. And Glen knew that there was no one else for her or anyone else that she would be able to walk beside except for him.


    Every never ending in her body was his to destroy.....and vice versa.


    But maybe that was why she currently wanted to strangle him to death?


    Another hiss crawled up her throat as Mantilo stepped off the bottom landing and headed for the door, pretending not to hear her displeasure.


    So Glen slammed her foot into the ground as she stopped on the last stair step and openly snarled at him.


    Suddenly, Mantilo turned and roared back at her.


    "What in gods name is wrong with you, woman!" he snarled, his irises slit like the cat hidden inside of him. "Why are you hissing up a storm?"


    "You!" Glen growled, pointing at him. "You are unbelievable, Mantilo! Did you hear yourself back there, acting like a mindless beast? You almost Shifted just so you could scare the stranger half to death!!"


    Mantilo hissed at her. "How I choose to deal with that intruder is none of your concern."


    "What in God''s name is wrong with you?" Glen snapped back at him. "You threatened him! You threatened to kill him! He''s a boy!"


    "Damn right, I did! And I meant it! He''s a threat to us." Mantilo growled down at her. He outstood her by a good five or six feet, even though she had the step she was standing on to make her stand taller. But as he used his size to dominate her, he only made Glen angrier.


    Glen rolled her eyes. Sometimes, the men in her life boggled her mind. "Mantilo, you said so yourself...He is just a mortal boy and one that is possibly no older than Ezekiel. He''s practically two days from death and, not to mention half your size and barely half your age....and you feel challenged by him!!?"


    Mantilo''s right hand balled into a meaty fist that he slammed into his leg. "I want that....little bastard out of my house!"


    "You don''t know anything about him! You can''t just get rid of someone because you don''t like their attitude. He can''t be moved anytime soon!" Glen rebuffed, feeling horrified.


    "I can...and I will." Mantilo snarled, brushing aside her objections, and Glen was surprised and alerted by his tone. He sounded so cold and heartless to her just then....but in all the years of their Mating and marriage, she had never associated coldness or heartlessness with him.


    "What are you doing, Mantilo? This isn''t like you!" Glen growled, feeling a sharp tooth cutting into her cheek as her canines sharpened.


    She took a step back from him and from the anger. Mantilo was not a mindless bully or a fool. She respected his mind and his wisdom...and he respected hers. Yelling at him was only distorting that... And Glen realized that she had to calm him down, or they would just continue to argue in circles.


    She took a deep breath and reached down into her soul. She calmed the Leopard in her, wrapped it in her will, refocused the beast inside, pulled in the heat on her skin, and then sensed Mantilo''s energy.


    It was a potent mixture of anger and frustration, but it was driven by an anxious and wound-up mind. Now that Glen wasn''t bogged down in her own emotions, she could sense the tension in him. His soul...his beast was terribly unbalanced, and so was he.


    "Mantilo, listen to me...." She began this time with all the calm that she could muster. But Mantilo cut her off.


    "Wait!" Mantilo barked at her. And with a sigh, she leaned back on the rail beside her. Mantilo hissed and bent to the side so that he could look behind her at their sons. "This conversation is not a show. Leave us alone to talk." He demanded softly. "You all have work to get done....so go do it."


    All of their sons shifted on the steps behind Glen and hesitantly moved to obey. She knew they were all curious where this situation would end up once they left, but Glen was glad of the chance to speak without them there to witness any arguing.


    Lander softly moved to Glen''s side and kissed her on the cheek.


    "Be safe out there." She told them as she returned it, then he walked down the rest of the steps, past his father, and towards the front door. Nate kissed her as well and hurried to follow him. Walter brushed past his mother and his father and joined his siblings, but before Lander could get the door fully open, Mantilo hissed at them. "Walters in charge for right now. I''ll be busy with other things in the Northern Fields. So, let Walter assign you your patrols for the afternoon. And if you see Ezekiel, tell him he''ll be sleeping in the garage if he oversteps again."Stolen novel; please report.


    Lander and Nate exchanged bemused smiles. But none of their sons made any sounds or objections to his orders, so Mantilo waved them on, and they disappeared out of the doorway. A few seconds of silence rained before Mantilo turned back to her, his entire presence brimming with anger.....and an unwillingness to continue the argument.


    "Glen....we aren''t gonna keep fighting about this." He said, walking right up to her as she straightened up from the banister.


    "Ok....we don''t have to fight. I don''t wanna yell at you anymore. "She said to him, coming down the steps to stand directly in front of him. "But.....your behavior upsets me my heart," Glen told him softly. "I can sense the storm in your mind about all of this. Tell me, what is wrong?"


    Glen watched him as he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. The action was so similar to Ezekiel''s movements that she would have smiled at it any other time. "Must there be something wrong with me? Is it not enough that I want the Mortal gone because I don''t like him?" Mantilo grumped at her.


    "No, there is something wrong. In your heart. I can tell." Glen said to him softly. She reached out and touched his chest with the palm of her right hand. "We both share this heart...so of course I can tell. Talk to me."


    Mantilo paused and looked away. Then he said, "I feel this heaviness in my stomach. There is something strange on the wind ever since the Mortal showed up. Something whispering to me that he shouldn''t have come here." He explained to her.


    Mantilo...and all the people in her Clan believed in ill omens and trusted their instincts to guide them in times of crisis. In the past, a feeling or change in the air signaled danger. A superstition that had guided her people soundly away from many disasters, and it was something that many Clan Chiefs in the past, like Mantilo, felt compelled to heed. So when something felt bad, they listened to that feeling above all else.


    Glen tried to laugh away his somber tone.


    "Mantilo.....everything outside of this village is not trying to kill us...or hurt us." She pointed out to him with a soft smile. But Mantilo just glared at her. "I am not afraid of him, woman. I simply want him gone."


    Glen shook her head at him. "But why? Because he was rude to you!?"


    Mantilo scoffed. "No....his smart little mouth didn''t wound me or my pride." He said, then he stopped and seemed to struggle with a thought before he could voice it. "It''s because I know that there is something about him that isn''t right....and I think....you know it too, Glen." Mantilo hissed at her softly, looking into her eyes. And even though she tried to hide it, she couldn''t keep him from seeing that she understood him. That she had felt what he had felt about the Mortal.


    "You and I sense it.....and so do the boys. Ezkeiels acting like he''s lost his marbles...and honestly, I''ve never known the boy to give so much of his attention to anyone." Mantilo began. "Lander tells me that he cannot read the mortals'' emotions or sense his thoughts. Even when the Mortal was asleep, he couldn''t break through his walls." Mantilo said to her softly. "Lander tells me that this mortal has a block stronger than steel around his mind." Mantilo shook his head. "Now I ask you... Do normal mortals even know of such a thing? They are shallow people cut off from supernatural powers. Only the strongest or wisest of them even stumble upon it...So why would some young mortal already know how to do it?"


    "I don''t know, but...." Glen opened her mouth, ready to argue with him some more. She tried to tell him that there was something important about the Mortal that he didn''t understand. Something that she had been hiding. But Mantilo was done talking.


    "Glen!" Mantilo barked, cutting her off completely. He reached forward and held her face between his hands. He pulled her towards him softly and looked her in the eyes. "Glen, just this once... you''ve got to let this go! You''ve sensed it too....I know you have. There is something wrong."


    Glen did sense it. But that was one of the things that she and he often argued about the most. Their guts...or their instincts couldn''t rule their entire lives. Glen believed that they were more than beasts...and more than men. Mantilo thought that anything that was foreign or outside of the Clan was dangerous, and he had his own reasons for believing that. Things in their combined pasts that would make him deaf to anything else that she said on the Mortal''s behalf just then.


    But she wanted to try once more because even though Glen had sensed how strange the Mortal was....She had seen things that she couldn''t ignore.


    Things on the Mortal''s body that spoke to her. Things that.....she didn''t want to reveal yet. Things she had no right to disclose.


    Glen sighed and put a hand over one of the one he had on her cheeks. "He''s so sick, Mantilo. You can''t seriously plan to move him in this state. His ody is broken down. Please If you''ll just let him stay here a little longer...?"


    Mantilo closed and opened his dark eyes slowly as he dropped his hands to her shoulders. "Glen the mortal makes me uneasy. I....I don''t want him here any longer than he has to be."


    "But Mantilo, he needs a few more days of medical attention....!" Glen began.


    "I said no!" Mantilo hissed at her, his eyes flashing dimly for a moment a stark yellow. Glen bit her tongue and looked away, feeling defeated...because she knew that he wasn''t budging.


    Mantilo sighed, took her hand, and kissed the palm of it, then he put it over his large chest directly over the clam-heavy thump of his heart." Listen to me. I can''t explain it right now..... but there is something off about him, Glen. My gut is telling me that this is something that we need to steer clear of. My Clan and my family come first to me. Your safety is more important to me than doing the right thing for a stranger. So tomorrow... he''s gone." Mantilo hissed and looked away from her. "I''m sorry my Heart. I know you wanted to help him...but this is for the best."


    And Glen couldn''t do anything but kiss him goodbye, a kiss that was soft and sweet despite their tones with each other.


    "Stay safe....and try to keep away from the Mortal until I return tonight or one of our sons returns from thier patrol." He told her, and then his strong back was disappearing out of the door.


    Glen sighed. She didn''t know how to persuade him otherwise. Nor did she plan to trample all over his objections....but still she had a niggling thought in her mind that wouldn''t go away. She saw the nameless Mortals wounds in her mind, she felt his guts beneath her fingertips as she pushed them back into his body, fingertips slick with his essence. She remembered the ache in her hand from all the stitches she had had to apply to make up for the missing skin, the smell of rot and puss in his wounds that she had had to clean out.


    And Glen feared that he was still going to die despite her best efforts.


    Glen guessed that if the Mortal had another spontaneous bout of movement anytime soon....his body wouldn''t be able to handle the stress. He was low on blood, fighting an unknown infection...and his body... His body was terribly fragile.


    The healer in her rebelled at the idea of just letting Mantilo do as he pleased. Whether the Mortal was strange or not...Whether he was dangerous or not?


    Surely, he doesn''t deserve to be dropped off in the forest and left to die...


    She told herself.

 Chapter 26 - Try Again

    Chapter 26 ¨C Try Again


    Ezekiel walked back through the front door to their Mansion with determination.


    Almost two days had passed since he had gotten caught up with the mortal.


    Ezekiel had spent that time on thin ice and mostly far away from the house and out in the villages. Which was not something completely new.


    As Guardians, Ezekiel and his brothers sometimes spent days...to a week, out of the home fixing one Clan issue or another.


    Ezekiel had spent time cleaning and running errands in the village to burn away the curiosity about what was happening with the stranger. But he still wondered what was going on at home.


    Unfortunately, their Clan Lands were so extensive that Ezekiel didn''t catch a glimpse of any of his brothers, and he didn''t exactly think he should go home yet.


    Still sleeping in grassy fields beneath the sky for the last day and a half had left Ezekiel on the outer loop of things, and despite the tension... Ezekiel grew restless with a need to scout out the situation himself. So there he was in the Mansion...secretly sure that his father was going to rip him a new one.


    Walking back into the house, Ezekiel instantly realized that he was absolutely dying for a meal, but even though he should have felt good to be home after a long few hours of patrols, he didn''t. In fact, the same home that Ezekiel had known all his life and had always found comfort in gave him very little peace.


    When he came in through the heavy wooden front door and let the dimming sunlight play across the bright red diamond-shaped stain glass widows etched into the middle of the door as he softly shut it behind him. Instantly, Ezekiel couldn''t help but notice the change in the air. A change that had tickled his subconscious for almost a week now. Ezekiel couldn''t believe that in only half a week, his entire home had gotten turned upside down. But it had.


    It was a subtle change that he only picked up because of his inner beast. The big cat within never failed to bring the details of his environment to his attention, and many times, his Leopard had protected him. By alerting him to the unnatural crack of a branch, the smell of decay from a weakened pine tree, or even the change in air pressure that signaled rains or thunderstorms approaching.


    His Leopard''s senses had always kept him fully aware of every change that could harm him, but he honestly wished it would let this one slip by. There was a scent in the air now. The mortal had put it there. It was a soft scent that twined down the familiar hallways of his home, changing his surroundings in an almost imperceptible way. And because the smell was new, his Leopard reacted to it, the energy of the Shift pouring out his core, changing his eyes and teeth so that his pupils contracted to thin slits and his canines lengthened behind his lips. It was a protective gesture, something that always happened around new things. At least.... that''s what Ezekiel told himself.


    He ignored the fact that he found the scent in the air mildly....attractive? He ignored the fact that every time he came into the house, he sought out the scent of the mortal, insuring himself that his father hadn''t made good on his threats yet. He also ignored the fact that every time he caught the mortal''s scent, he breathed easier than before. Somehow, marking his continued proximity to the mortal calmed him. But Ezekiel shook the bizarre feeling away every time. He told himself each time that his eyes and teeth didn''t grow because the mortals'' scent excited him, but because it was something new in his environment, he was forced to react to. That''s what Ezekiel told himself.


    Ezekiel closed his eyes and quickly forced the energy that his Leopard was putting out back down inside of himself. His eyes rapidly changed back to normal, and just as he felt his fangs shrink away, he sensed the presence of another coming toward him.


    Ezekiel scented the air and quickly realized that his mother was approaching him. Ezekiel waited patiently for her to come into the room, and once again, he couldn''t help but notice that even her scent had changed since the mortal had arrived. When she came around the corner a few feet before him, he instantly caught the look in her eyes and the smell of her. His mother''s emotions, which had always been bubbly and upbeat, now tinged the air with nervous energy. She smelled...almost scared of something.


    He had never scented such troubled emotions from her before, and it was not only her. He could sense it in the air now; something had disturbed his entire family since last he had seen them.


    Instantly, his mind jumped to the only possible conclusion. Something had happened with the mortal.


    "What happened?" Ezekiel asked her. But she only shook her head at him. Once she got close enough to reach out and grab his hand, she tugged on it softly and pulled him along with her down the hallway to the left of the door that led into the living room.


    Ezekiel let her pull him along, and he soon got an answer to his question when his mother turned to him and said. "Your father won''t listen to me." She took her hand from his grasp and wrung it with her other. Her bright green eyes were clouded with misgiving. "I tried to tell him that that boy is terribly sick."


    "What''s going on mom?" Ezekiel tried to soothe her by speaking slower and softer.


    "The mortal Ezekiel, he''s not well at all. He''s all skin and bones, mostly starved. And his wounds. It ...it was like someone pulled his guts out, and he stuffed them back inside. That''s how it looked to me when I operated on him. I don''t know how he''s even still alive. He should have bleed to death by now. And I know I stitched his wounds up, but it would be a miracle if he manages to gain his feet in the next three days. I''d be even more surprised if he makes it another day before he falls over dead in front of us. He can''t move yet."


    "Mom.... that''s just not possible," Ezekiel told her. He couldn''t believe that a mortal that was wrestling with him so fiercely only a few days ago was still in such bad shape. "You didn''t see him, but I did. When he woke up, he was like a firecracker. He was everywhere. He was fast and alert and strong!"


    Glen shook her head. "Well, I don''t know what you saw or what he did in those moments after he woke up, but that mortal was still dying. When he woke up, he was nearly dead, and he is currently still on the death''s doorstep."


    "Man, so he really must have had a number done on him." Ezekiel breathed. "So what happened to him out there? Did he tell you who he is or where he came from?" He asked her.


    His mother shook her head. "No," she told him, dropping her hands and walking further into the room.


    It was only once Ezekiel got further into the room that he realized that he and his mother were not alone. He quickly caught sight of his brothers Walter, Lander, and Nate. Nate and Lander were sitting down on two couches situated across from one another with a coffee table between them. Speaking in hushed voices and, at first, ignoring everyone else in the room. Ezekiel spotted his eldest brother, Walter, a moment later, standing to the side. He was in the far corner, gazing out of the window into the moonlight night, but his gaze quickly and suddenly connected with Ezekiels as he came further into the room. He nodded.


    Then he looked away. Glen walked over to Nate and Lander, and after a moment, Ezekiel went to join her. And got a first-hand glimpse of the chaos that the mortal had stirred up.


    "Don''t you think he''s overreacting? The mortal seems harmless to me." Nate was saying to Lander, and Ezekiel realized that he was talking about their father. His two-toned eyes peering at Lander from across the table were filled with incredulous humor.


    "Harmless? Whatever that mortal is...I can''t read him, Nate."


    "SO," Nate said, casting Ezekiel a frustrated smile. As Lander rolled his angry green eyes.


    "SO.... he''s hiding something! I''m telling you, he ain''t normal!" Lander barked at him. "And did you see him give Dad the finger!? That little bastard has no respect. Dad was right to get angry with him."


    Nate sighed, his smirk turning slightly serious. "Lander dad didn''t just get angry with the mortal. He basically sentenced the mortal to death." Lander rolled his eyes and looked away, but Nate kept talking. He leaned forward in his seat as he said. "Dad''s gonna toss him out there into the woods, and he''ll die out there in hours from his wounds! I could smell the rot and the fever on him. He shouldn''t be moved yet, or that infection will spread."If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Lander shrugged. "Well, maybe the mortal shouldn''t have been such a hard ass!?"


    Lander and Nate both made sounds of disgust in their throats as they looked away from each other and stopped talking for a moment to wave Ezekiel further into the room. Ezekiel smiled at Lander, patted Nate on the shoulder, and eased his way into the conversation.


    "So it sounds like I missed something exciting, huh?" He said in a light manner. Even though what he had heard so far disturbed him. Suddenly, the tension in the air he''d been feeling the last few days made sense.


    It seemed to him like the mortal had made a fatal error.


    He had somehow angered Ezekiel''s father. Of course, Ezekiel knew that it wouldn''t have been hard to make his father unhappy, especially since Ezekiel had already made him blow a gasket twice that week.


    A side of Ezekiel worried that his father''s displeasure with him and his mistrust of the mortal had made everything far, far worse.


    Sighing, Ezekiel said, "I''m confused. What are you guys doing down here? Your patrols must have ended hours ago?" Ezekiel said, standing beside his mother and looking down at his brothers on the couches.


    "Well, I ain''t here by choice, trust me." Lander grumbled at Ezekiel, turning from his conversation with Nate to shoot him a look of dissatisfaction. "You crazy people won''t stop dragging me into this crap. Mom practically dragged me down here."


    Nate rolled his eyes at him and said to Ezekiel. "NONE of us had anything better to do. And...we were all a little restless. So we figured we''d come to a decision before everything hit the fan tomorrow."


    "We are all anxious," Walter stated in his normal, simple manner, not even bothering to turn from the window to address his brothers. "Dad refuses to talk about this rationally, but someone needs to."


    "Well, what do you wanna do?" Ezekiel said to all of them. "Mom said dad''s gonna toss him out. But.... It''s not like Dad''s gonna change his mind if we continue to argue with him. And it''s kind of hard to go around him on this one."


    "Well, maybe we don''t have to just throw the stranger out into the wilds to die; maybe if he talks to us, we can figure out where his family is? If possible, we can get him somewhere safe and clean. That would be best," Glen said to them. Her green eyes were big with optimism.


    "Or if he talks to us, it could convince Dad that he is not a threat. Then Father will calm down, and the mortal can continue to receive treatment for his wounds here." Nate said. A characteristic calm smile was still plastered on his face.


    "Yeah, sure....good luck with all that." Lander laughed at him from across the coffee table. "Come on, Fido, think about it. The mortal is not talking to anyone. He clammed up the second dad started interrogating him." Lander shifted until he was partially facing Ezekiel from his seat. "Dad and the mortal got into a yelling match seconds after they met, and before you knew it, Dad got so frustrated that he threatened to kill him! And you know, Dad never changes his mind once he''s made a decision. Ezekiel, even if you do get the mortal talking to you...."


    "Wait..." Ezekiel said, cutting him off. He glanced from Lander back to Nate and shook his head. "I get it now. I''m supposed to go and talk to him? You want me to interrogate the mortal, don''t you?"


    "What....you scared, little bro?" Lander hissed at him.


    "You know what? I''m ignoring you." Ezekiel said and turned to his mother. "Why do you want me to talk to the mortal? You''re his healer, Mom; won''t he trust you more?"


    Glen twisted her lips and shrugged. "There was no special reason why. You''re the one who brought him here. You were there first when he woke up, and you seemed to have a rapport with him. I figured you could build on that."


    "I don''t have anything with this guy except for matching bruises!" Ezekiel said, casting her a soft frown. Secretly, he knew he was just being hesitant because he actually wanted to see the mortal far more than he knew he should have.


    "Oh...Sweetie." His mother suddenly frowned back at him, then smiled and took his hand. "I forgot. You don''t have to do this if you don''t want to! I know the mortal hurt you. He jumped on you and stabbed you, and now your father is furious with you. Are you regretting helping him now? It''s understandable...."


    Ezekiel sighed. "No, it''s not that. I don''t hate him or anything...."


    If anything, I like the mortal, and we haven''t even said more than a few words to each other.


    Ezekiel thought to himself. For a moment, the mortal''s scent hit him hard, then the sting of it faded again. He saw the mortal fighting him, his skin warm like an oven locked against Ezekiel''s chest.


    The smell of him...


    "So you don''t wanna do it? Just say so, Ezekiel." Nate asked him suddenly, pulling Ezekiel out of his thoughts.


    Ezekiel rubbed the back of his neck and laughed hopelessly at himself. "Well, it''s not like I don''t want to help, but every time I get involved, I just seem to make matters worse. The mortal has attacked me multiple times. I don''t think he even wants me near him anymore....and if Dad finds out that I went against his orders again.....he would slaughter me!"


    "Oh, don''t worry about your father. Just leave him to me." His mother said. And for the first time, he got the feeling that she really did have some personal stake in the mortal, but why or what it was that was making Glen so anxious, he didn''t understand.


    Then again, how can I understand her? When I don''t even understand my own needs to get involved.


    Ezekiel told himself.


    He smiled at her as he dropped his arm and said. "Ok....If I can get him talking and if he doesn''t go ape shit on me again....." Ezekiel shrugged. "We....can go from there."


    ***


    Ezekiel made his way to the second floor, landing with his family in-toe.


    In the late hours of the night, candlelight warmed the walls and cast shadows in their wake. Ezekiel, his mother Glen, and his brothers walked in companionable silence. Ezekiel had never really came to understand or like his parent''s preference for using candles and flame in place of the normal lighting techniques that many of the other Shifters in their Clan choose to use. But Glen and Mantilo were old souls. Shifters born in vastly different times then the current and chaotic year of 2015. Ezekiel''s parents had walked the earth for almost a century, and in a lot of ways, their mindset toward technology hadn''t changed.


    And as if to make the situation even more impossible, most power lines and electricity would have to come from outside of Clans forests. Siphoned from the mortal cities nearby. It had taken Ezekiel and his brother developing a unified front against their parents just to get a few lamps put in, central AC, and basic kitchen appliances. Ezekiel and Nate had managed to sneak in two laptops and set of washing machines before their father had finally put his foot down and banned them from putting up anything else in the main house.


    Unfortunately...Ezekiel still struggled to explain to them the concept of phones and Wi-Fi to his parents, and so they made due with the candles, no cell phones, and if any of them wanted to watch a game on TV, they had to visit a neighbor. Yet the calm lighting far from hindered Ezekiel and his family from making their way to the second floor and down the hall to the mortal''s bedroom. When he came to the door, he turned to his family and put up his hand to stall them.


    "Hold on...." He said softly to them. He stepped away from them as he, put his hand on the doorknob and went to crack the door open. "Let me go in first..."


    "Wait, sweetheart.... he''s a little high-strung right now." Glen began to explain. Her hair bounced around her face as she shook her head. "I don''t know if it''s a good idea to approach him alone."


    "But you said that he was still sick, right?" Ezekiel pointed out, taking a step away from the door and back towards her and his brothers. "He''s sick....and weak. What''s the worst he can do?" Ezekiel remembered the mortal''s fancy footwork in the hall, but he ignored that.


    He wasn''t worried about the mortal attacking him again. The mortal wasn''t terribly strong...or vicious. His movements and attacks had been clumsy, slow, and soft. Ezekiel sensed that the mortal may have been skilled in combat if he were in a better, healthier state...but even then....no mortal could hope to best a Shifter. "And he doesn''t have any weapons that he can use on me this time around either. Don''t worry. I''ll be fine going in alone for now."


    But...." Glen bit her lip.


    "Mom..." Ezekiel sighed and went to comfort her, but Walters''s voice cut him off. He was standing beside Lander and Nate and directly behind his mother. He put a giant hand on her small shoulder and squeezed it softly. She looked back at him, and Ezekiel saw his brother''s cold brown eyes soften just for a second.


    "It''s the best plan, Mom. The mortal is in a strange place....and surrounded by Shifters, one of whom just threatened to kill him. So maybe he will be less defensive with only one of us in the room this time." Walter said from behind his mother. His mother hesitated, glanced at Ezekiel, and then nodded.


    "OK," She said, swayed by Walters''s calm words. "Just be careful."


    Walter dropped his hand from Glen''s shoulder.


    His brown eyes shifted to Ezekiel, suddenly filled with cold indifference once more, as he regarded his younger brother. "Can you please hurry it up! I''m... tired." He hissed softly, turned and walked to the wall opposite the mortal''s door, and leaned back on it without another word.


    Before Ezekiel could do as he asked, Lander patted Ezekiel''s shoulder. "Just don''t let him stab you anymore, Ezekiel, or I''ll make him bleed for it ALOT." Lander hissed his tone was light, but the aggressive look in his eyes put Ezekiel on edge. Ezekiel smiled at the beast in Lander dark green eyes, trying to reassure him.


    "Whoa, put away the claws Lander." Ezekiel forced himself to chuckle. "We''re just gonna talk. I''ll be fine. No blood."


    Then, to cut the conversation short, before Lander could get any more upset, Ezekiel stepped back and opened the mortal''s door and disappeared inside. The moment he closed the door, he realized that....there was no heartbeat behind him.


    He instantly spread out his Shifter senses and was assaulted by the smell of the mortal all over again. Blood and the slight smell of rot, sterilizer, and morphine stuck in the air. It all took him over and blended so that new and old scents became one, but the smell that stood out the most was the mortals. A warm spike shot down his throat before he even had a chance to turn away from the door and release the doorknob. It clung to him for a moment before he shook his head, which unfortunately didn''t do anything to stop the thirst that tried to overtake him. A sharp sting....almost as though sand were being poured down his tongue...and something in him knew what would make the sting soften. Ezekiel clutched at his chest as the beast inside clawed at him.


    Shit! Stop it!


    He growled to it...and to himself. He didn''t know what this was....but it was getting stronger every time. Ezekiel pushed his beast down and tried unsuccessfully to clear his throat and swallow, but his mouth was bone dry.


    What the hell?


    Ezekiel sighed, thumped his head on the door, and turned away from it, releasing the doorknob that he didn''t realize he was still clutching.


    And not two seconds after he turned to regard the mortals'' room....he froze. He had expected to see the mortal in the bed in the middle of the room, sleeping or resting. Instead....there was no one there.


    The bed was a mess of sheets and pillows and discarded bloody bandages.


    And the mortal was gone.

 Chapter 27 - Subdue

    Chapter 27- Subdue


    The panic that tried to grip him in that moment was so sudden and so unwanted that Ezekiel shoved the grip it attempted to take on him away instantly. But even as he turned away from panic...he knew that he had to act quickly.


    Ezekiel snarled and turned on his heel and went to pull the door open and alert his family until something across the room smashed into the ground and the sound of desperate scrambling filled the air. And then, two seconds later, all sound ceased.


    Ezekiel''s head snapped in the bathroom''s direction, and with a small hiss, he dropped his hand from the doorknob and tiled his ear toward the bathroom. Silence was all he got at first...then he heard the short, rapid breathing of someone who was desperately trying to hide.


    "Hello?" Ezekiel said, but no answer came back. He hesitated to approach the bathroom for a few moments as he tried to parcel out the mortal''s exact whereabouts in the other room by sound and smell. But his ears only picked up the faintest breath on the air...and his nose was absolutely no help.


    The entire room that he was standing in was absolutely drenched in the smell of the mortal''s strange blood, antiseptic, and the faint tinge of rot from the mortal''s ghastly wounds. Everything was skewed for Ezekiel and his inner beast. So he sighed and walked across the room and stepped into the bathroom doorway cautiously, glancing around to spot the stranger.


    But he didn''t have to look far.


    The first thing Ezekiel saw when he stepped into the doorway was the massive pile of trash spread around half of the bathroom floor. Thin cloths drenched in drying blood, gloves, towels, and napkins soaked in alcohol/ chloroform, a shattered soap holder, discarded bandage and gauze packages, and an overturned medium-sized wastebasket covered the tiles and rugs leading over from the sink to the toilet, and shower. And there, standing slightly hunched over his side, with bandages still over his forehead, was a shaky, handsome, if somewhat pale, feral-looking green-eyed mortal. The sight of him was instantly effecting, evoking the feeling one would get seeing a large, beautiful Buck standing perched in the woods, ready to fight or flee at the crack of a twig.


    The second the mortals eyes met Ezekiels his entire body went ridged with violence. He didn''t speak he charged at him. Ezekiel assumed that he was trying to escape again and threw his hand in front of him in the universal sign of STOP. But the mortal just came at him faster.


    "Hey...Hey, wait!"


    Ezekiel said, and he would have grabbed the stranger and stopped him, but a second before the mortal got close enough for him to apprehend, his light green eyes glazed over in a scary light, and he reached beneath his shirt and pulled out a syringe.


    Suddenly, the image of the bathroom in discord and the gauze and bloody cloths all over the ground.


    Damn it....he raided the trash for a weapon and found the needles that mom must have thrown away...!


    Ezekiel realized as the mortal came upon him, drew back, and tried to plunge the needle into his arm. Ezekiel jumped back out of the bathroom doorway.


    "Ye-ouch! Are you freaking serious...!" Ezekiel growled as he dodged three more swipes and stabs that the mortal tried to deliver with the syringe clenched in his hand. Then suddenly, faking another thrust down, the mortal jumped forearm, slammed his hand into Ezekiel''s throat, and shoved him back into the wall with a solid thump as Ezekiel''s momentum was suddenly interrupted.


    Ezekiel snarled as the leopard inside of his roared in outrage. Ezekiel let the power surge up, and as he let his claws flow out of his fingertips and his teeth lengthen into fangs....the only thing that snapped him back to rational thought was the sharp and uncomfortable prick against his corroded artery.


    "Have you come to kill me?" The mortal whispered in his ear as he pushed on the needle he held to Ezekiel''s throat. The tip of it just about to prick his skin. With the prospect of having a needle jammed into his throat, it took Ezekiel a moment to register what precisely the mortal was saying, but when it did finally dawn on him, he hissed in frustration.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    "Kill you? What the hell are you talking about? No one''s trying to...." Ezekiel said, speaking in a steady, soft voice as well. He adapted the mortals near whisper. He didn''t struggle....he could see how upset and panicked the mortal was, and Ezekiel didn''t want him to make a rash mistake and stab him. Nor did he want to scream at him and alert his family to what was going on.


    He knew that the stranger was on terribly thin ice already, and once more, it looked like the current situation was just another misinterpretation born from his father''s actions earlier.


    Ezekiel tried to reach out to the mortal to calm him..... But the man flinched away and pressed the needle against Ezekiel''s neck even harder.


    "Don''t move!" The mortal said, speaking slightly above a whisper now. He sounded frantic and frazzled. "Just stop trying to move....!"


    The door knob jingled suddenly as one of Ezekiel''s family members grabbed the door knob and began to turn it. The mortal''s head whipped from the door to Ezekiel back again, and Ezekiel could nearly feel the panic choking the stranger suddenly. The feral look in his eyes caught Ezekiel by surprise.


    "Ezekiel?" Came his mother''s voice, alerting him to the fact that she was possibly about to walk in. Ezekiels felt the mortal''s attention shift in the direction of the door. His incredible green eyes hardened as he began to pull back, the needle dropping for Ezekiel''s neck, and with a swift spin, he tried to go for the door.


    Mom!


    Ezekiel grabbed the mortal by the throat before he could take a step further, lifted him, and spun. He pushed him into the wall with a territorial snarl.


    The mortal grunted and struggled, but Ezekiel ignored him as he focused on the door.


    "Mom! Don''t come in yet, everything''s okay!" He yelled back at his mother through the door. "We''re talking...so just wait out there until I tell you to come in."


    "Oh..... okay." The door knob made a sharp "Shink" as the bolt slid back into place, and his mother released the latch. "Is...is everything okay?" Glen asked him, but Ezekiel didn''t respond because the mortal was still holding the syringe, and Ezekiel had to get it off him quick.


    For a second, they were at a stalemate, and Ezekiel couldn''t help being slightly distracted by the mortal''s face....he was quite the eye full. His eyes were captivating for no reason. And there was nothing about his face that was feminine, but beneath the sickness his face drew all of Ezekiel''s attention. The almost gossamer eyes that he had, his dirty blond hair just barely brushing the tips of his ears, and a soft mouth.....just like Ezekiel had thought before, the man was effortlessly beautiful, effortless in a way that distracted the mind. But even though his face was just a little bit too bewitching....he wasn''t weak or tiny in comparison to Ezekiel at all. He was only two or three inches shorter than Ezekiel in height.


    He can''t weigh much less than me, either.... I''ve probably got a good twenty pounds on him.


    Ezekiel silently analyzed, glancing at the mortal''s shape, but the clothing the mortal was in, which was obviously too long for him, kept Ezekiel from truly guessing his size and height just then.


    A pair of thick grey sweats that spilled over the mortal''s ankles and feet and a long-sleeved green shirt that still smelled faintly of Nate also obscured most of his skin from Ezekiel, but Ezekiel could still sense the fire on his skin. The heat between them, pure physical steam from his fever almost made Ezkeiel feel ill....the strength of it worried Ezekiel suddenly.


    How the hell is this guy back on his feet? Is he delusional?


    Ezekiel thought to himself....as he took a moment to gauge the heat that he was feeling on the mortal''s neck and the thready heartbeat beneath his palm on the mortal''s neck, and he was both surprised and disturbed.


    Oh man....he must be running a temp of 100 to 103 degrees.... he''s gonna go into a comma if we don''t get him cool.....but man, from the way he moves, you wouldn''t think he was about to drop dead!


    At another time, his strength would have earned him Ezekiel''s respect. But Ezekiel found that the mortal''s behavior towards him only made him frustrated.


    Every time we''ve met, he''s been so high-strung that he refuses to listen to me! I''ve got to get him to see that I''m not a threat.....Then if mom doesn''t want him to die, we''ll have to get him naked and into a cool tub Asap....


    Ezekiel shook off that seemingly inappropriate conclusion as the mortal suddenly bit his lip and looked down at his stomach. The sharp tang of copper came over him.


    Wait...Blood? Fresh blood...


    Ezekiel realized as the strange warm burn settled on his tongue, but just he forced himself to focus as he realized what the fresh blood could mean for the stranger.


    His guts....it was like he had to push them back in....I used stitches....


    Glen''s words echoed in his head as he shook the scent off.


    Damn....The stitches must be damaged.... I''ve got to get him back into the bed!


    Ezekiel hissed urgently as he lessened his hold on the mortal''s throat partially and leaned back slightly. "Shit....I overdid it. Are you okay?" Ezekiel tried to ask the stranger, but the mortal never let him finish


    "Get the fuck away from me!" With a bit back moan, the man opened his gossamer eyes, glaring at him, and faster than Ezekiel could guess his intention, he slipped forward and slammed his forehead dead into Ezekiel''s right eye. With an enraged hiss, Ezekiel felt the pain bounce around his eye socket and straight into his brain before his hand slipped, and suddenly the mortal was on him.

 Chapter 28 - Butting Heads

    Chapter 28 ¨C Butting Heads


    The stranger grabbed him, and Ezekiel couldn¡¯t understand or entirely deny the sharp arc of electric awareness that caressed him all over his skin as the man wrestled with him.


    His deceptively powerful, wiery legs wrapped around Ezekiel¡¯s hips, while his other hand snatched at Ezekiel¡¯s hair, tugging at his scalp. Ezekiel sensed the strike that was coming next.


    The mortal was going to stab the needle into his chest. Speed and skill brought his palm up into its path. He crushed the mortal¡¯s hand into his own, shifting the syringe and at just the right angle to keep it from shattering.


    The mortal gasped, his green eyes widening in fear as Ezekiel nearly crushed his hand. Ezekiel could have snapped his wrist or used his strength to force the syringe to burst in his hand and cut his palm open to teach him a lesson...


    But Ezekiel could still see that the mortal was not in any shape to take more damage. He saw the cut at his temple and felt the heat on the mortal¡¯s skin, and just faintly beneath his overpowering scent was the smell of rot still coming from the wound in his side...


    So Ezekiel used his fingertips to apply pressure to the mortals¡¯ wrist and tendons instead.


    The soft sound of glass shattering as it hit the ground came to him as the mortal gasped in pain and released the needle. But Ezekiel ignored it. He regained his balance, shook off the mortal¡¯s hand, and pushed him soundly into the wall again.


    The mortal tried to scream, but Ezekiel slammed his forearm into the mortal¡¯s throat and locked it there. With a soft gag, the mortal¡¯s head and back slammed into the wall. While his legs remained wrapped around Ezekiel¡¯s hips.


    Ezekiel used his body to press him into the wall and hold him against it with his own hips and weight.


    ¡°Fuck...let...go!¡± The mortal panted, and suddenly, he was clawing at Ezekiel¡¯s arm. "Fuck....fuking..."


    Ezekiel ignored the sharp bite of nails on his skin as he used his other hand to capture his hands, and finally, he pushed his arm behind the mortal¡¯s ribs. Completely immobilizing him. The mortal pushed and struggled against him, but soon, Ezekiel had his arms shackled behind his back and used the wall to hold him in place. The mortal grunted in pain as the pressure hit him in his shoulders and undoubtedly in his stomach, but instead of calming down he went into a pnaic and tried to maneuver his chin downward so that he could take a bite out of Ezekiel arm that he had over his throat, pushing him into the wall.


    Ezekiel hissed and leaned into his arm, pressing on his throat more. The mortal wheezed, choking, untamable. ¡°Stop! Stop right there! I¡¯ll be damned if I let you sink those vicious things into my arm again.¡± Ezekiel told him.


    ¡°Let go of me you asshole!¡± The mortal panted, his eyes staring down as Ezekiel forced his chin up was with his forearm. Angry gossamer green eyes glared down at him.


    ¡°No.¡± Ezekiel told him...still talking softly as he cast the door a look to see if anyone was coming in. So far Ezekiel could see that ....no one was messing with the door, but he knew that he had to get the mortal calm before his family came bargaining things got blown totally out of proportion. Ezekiel leaned in slightly, still speaking in a whisper he talked up to the man. ¡°Hey, please calm down. I¡¯m sorry about this, but I had to stop you before you hurt someone... I¡¯ll put you down now if you can be calmer.¡±


    Rather than calming down, the mortal bucked again. ¡°Why the hell are you whispering!?¡± The mortal tried to shout around the arm pressed to his windpipe, but he only got out a short, harsh wheeze.


    ¡°I¡¯m whispering because there are some people out there in the hallway who don¡¯t need to know about you attacking me again!¡± Ezekiel said softly and pointed with his chin at the small pile of glass next to his feet where the needle had shattered in the carpet.


    The mortal didn¡¯t look where he indicated; instead, he wiggled against Ezekiel¡¯s hips, trying to push him backward but only pushing their bodies closer. ¡°Get off of me...¡± He moaned. ¡°Why do you keep trying to stop me from running!?¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s not forget your part in all this; you¡¯re the one that keeps running when you see me....and it¡¯s kinda in my nature to chase.¡±


    Ezekiel said to the mortal. ¡°Now be quiet before you cause a big scene!¡± Ezekiel said as softly as he could... then feeling a shiver as the stranger pushed against him with his hips, he hissed at him. ¡°And you¡¯re the one holding on to me now...so YOU let me go, stranger!¡±


    ¡°No....you let my neck go first!¡± The mortal shot back. The fever on his skin bled through the contact points between them into Ezekiels body as their freams leaned against each other.


    Ezekiels tried to ignore the picture that suddenly popped into his head of two spoiled children fighting over something. But more than anything else, the mortal¡¯s scent wanted to take him over again. And the feel of the mortal¡¯s body laid against him and wrapped around Ezekiels hips....didn¡¯t help him turn the strange smell aside either. He felt his lower half stirring to life and stiffening. A slight shudder of awareness kissed his gut. He tried to focus on the stranger¡¯s eyes instead of his body heat, and in their green depths, he could see the violence simmering beneath the surface.


    ¡°Why would I let you down?¡± He hissed at him. ¡°You¡¯re not listening to me! You¡¯re just going to attack me again !¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am! What gave it away!?¡± The mortal bit off, still trying to pull away from him.


    Ezekiel snarled, surprised by the mortal¡¯s reckless tongue. Then Ezekiel hid a hiss of frustration, feeling the mortal¡¯s legs tighten around his hips tighter and not entirely disliking the sensation. ¡°Well, if you think you¡¯ll get another shot at me, you¡¯re insane. So we¡¯ll just be stuck like this unless you let me go and quietly get back into the bed!¡± He told the mortal.


    ¡°God....I need another needle, or a knife...or a gun. ¡± The mortal groaned and put his head back on the wall with a small thump, but for the most part, he didn¡¯t release his hold.


    ¡°So...I guess we¡¯re at a stalemate?¡± Ezekiel chuckled softly and pulled his arm back slightly so the mortal sank onto his hips a little heavier, and Ezekiel wouldn¡¯t have to strain to look at him directly. The position of their bodies against the wall was awkward and far too close for two people who barely knew each other. With Ezekiel locked between the mortal¡¯s thighs and his arm on the mortal¡¯s neck, their chests and hips brushed as each of them shifted or took a breath, and as their eyes connected, Ezekiel sighed.


    ¡°How does it keep coming to this Stranger? We have seriously got to stop meeting like this. As first impressions go...I¡¯ve actually had much better, you know? I¡¯m not a bad guy...¡±


    ¡°Really? I don¡¯t care.¡± The mortal mused, a sarcastic tilt to his words as he glared up at the ceiling and refused to look at Ezekiel or let him go. ¡°Just release me...¡±


    ¡°All though maybe I¡¯ve had worse first impressions....you are the first one that has tried to kill me, stab me...bite me. ¡± Ezekiel shrugged, ignoring his rudeness. ¡± And trust me, I know you¡¯re a little bit scared right now...but no one¡¯s trying to bring harm against you, so if you could just comply with me....¡±


    ¡°Shut up! Don¡¯t  to melie! That big man said he was going to kill me, he sent you to do it!¡± The mortal grunted, trying to push against Ezekiel again, but he soon found that he couldn¡¯t make Ezekiel step back no matter how he arched his back or squirmed, he was doing a twine and a push that almost made the Shifter curse because it forced him to roll his body to mainting his hold on the man. The soft undulation of the mortals body against Ezekiels was almost shockingly arousing, and the Guardian fought his body¡¯s reaction to the man. He fought it hard.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Fuck I must be more pent up then I knew...


    He internally admonished the Shifter was more than confused by the wicked sensations he had to push away....he was not one to be so easily tempted. The dance of the mans body against his own just made him deeply aware that he  normally had more control.


    And most of all, He knew getting a hard-on at that moment would have been an unspeakable disaster.


    ¡°Ah... you mean Mantilo?¡± Ezekiel gritted his teeth, then he pushed him flat against the wall again, holding him down more heavily to make him be still as Ezekiel shook his head and focused.


    " Well, I¡¯m told that you upset him with rude remarks. He was angry and spoke out of turn, but I can assure you Mantilo won¡¯t hurt you. I think we can all resolve this...¡±


    ¡°No! He was serious!¡± The mortal panted, cutting him off. That asshole named Mantilo came in here and told me to leave...but I fell asleep, and now it¡¯s a new day, and he sent you to kill me.¡± The mortal said with a frantic pace to his words...that nearly left Ezekiel behind. ¡°So excuse me for trying to protect myself, but that Shifter with the yellow eyes brought the topic of killing into this situation first.¡±


    ¡°Again, his name is Mantilo, and he¡¯s my father, but he is also a very benevolent man! You provoked him. I can assure you he didn¡¯t mean to lose his temper!¡± Ezekiel explained to him....hoping to get him talking more..


    ¡°That makes no sense! I provoked him by not telling him my name!? Screw you and screw him...¡± The mortal grunted at him again, his expression of inquiry at odds with the shifting and moving the mortal was doing against Ezekiel and the wall behind him as he tried to pry his arm out of Ezekiel¡¯s grasp.


    ¡°....Oh!¡± The mortal cried a moment later as he relaxed briefly, gasping for air. Perhaps realizing that he couldn¡¯t break away from Ezekiel¡¯s grip, he glared. ¡°I get it now...You¡¯re the one that he accused me of trying to kill! I stabbed you or something?¡± he panted slightly.


    ¡°Yes. You did some damage with a blade you were carrying, and now you¡¯ve attached me twice in the last seventy-two hours....¡± Ezekiel tried not to hiss and sighed instead as he looked at the mortal directly. ¡°But.....¡± he began. ¡°Since we¡¯re all adults here. You could let me go, and then we could have a nice calm conversation instead of fighting like this.¡±


    ¡°Can we?¡± The mortal said back, his incredible green eyes turning slightly cloudy. ¡°Mr. Teeth and yellow eyes seems to want me dead. I cant trust you people.¡±


    ¡°Well, can you blame him?¡± Ezekiels muttered more to himself then to the mortal, but he still spoke loud enough so the mortal could hear him. ¡°You seem to have a bad habit of hitting first and asking questions later.¡± Ezekiel hissed at him.


    ¡°I like hitting first....it feels good. Its fun.¡± The mortal stated with a cold shadow in his eyes that made Ezekiel pay attention suddenly. ¡± Besides, it¡¯s better than hitting last and regretting it, I say.¡±


    Ezekiel didn¡¯t like the sound of that.


    Ezekiel felt that only someone with true combat history would utter a sentence so....heavily. So seriously. Someone who was used to exchanging blows and had taught themselves to be as quick on the draw as possible. Ezekiel had witnessed the stranger¡¯s aggression and speed already. And somewhere in there, he had identified the skill that may have existed if the man wasn¡¯t a sickly bunch of stitches and fever dreams, but he wondered what made the stranger so wild and reactionary.


    Who the hell is this guy?


    Ezekiel thought to himself even as he opened his mouth and sneered at the man bound against him and the wall.


    ¡°Well aren¡¯t you just a little black hole of aggression? What are you gonna do...just keep throwing punches until you get your way?¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s wrong with that?¡± The mortal shrugged or tried to but only managed to lift one shoulder.


    ¡°WELL, for one, it¡¯s pissing off everyone you meet! You¡¯re being rude too!¡± Ezekiel pointed out with a hiss.


    ¡°Oh, that sounded like a personal evaluation of me...Do I detect a note of anger or maybe embarrassment in your voice?¡± The mortal said in a sickly sweet voice that made Ezekiel hiss up at him in annoyance.


    ¡°Anger, I get...¡± He said, confused by the mortal¡¯s choice of words. ¡°But why would I be embarrassed here?¡±


    ¡°Because I totally owned you twice now! I beat your ass up and down that hallway, Shifter. So come on, lets do this...¡± The Mortal laughed at him softly. Goading him. ¡°I can win again. Perhaps you¡¯re feeling a little sore over that? Big dominant guy like you can¡¯t keep up with me? How sad for you!¡±


    ¡°OH! Is that right? Well, let¡¯s see you try it again now? I dare you...¡± Ezekiel challenged back, leaning in so close that he nearly brushed the man¡¯s lips. His breath caught at Ezekiel¡¯s proximity, and the fire in his gaze flashed with challenge and something like amusement. His scent was intoxicating, and his eyes beguiling and profound. This guy was playing all sorts of games with his self-control at that moment. Never before had Ezekiel been so tempted to take the kiss of another. To let his dominance and aggression free, to push on the man and make him submit.


    ¡°Your quiet? Dont back down now? I dare you to keep pushing me...Your playing with fire....but you¡¯re pretty hopeless in your current position.¡± Ezekiel said, glaring in his eyes and hissing as he let his fangs flash openly before pulling the stranger¡¯s arm and shifting it upward slightly behind his back to drive home his point. The mortal gasped in pain and arched against him as Ezekiel put pressure on his shoulder blade, then released it a moment later.


    ¡°I could have shattered your arm by now,¡± Ezekiel said sharply. ¡°But..... let¡¯s say by some miracle you manage to beat me? I guarantee you that you won¡¯t get out of this room alive. They would probably rip you apart in the hallway.¡± He finished using his eyes to indicate the door.


    As if to punctuate his words, Lander snarled and kicked the door. ¡°What the hell¡¯s going on in there!¡± he growled. ¡°What¡¯s taking so damn long?¡±


    The mortal looked at the door, and his hands tightened in Ezekiel¡¯s as he probably realized that more people were outside the door than just Ezekiel¡¯s mother.


    ¡°Oh? So you¡¯re ganging up on me? What¡¯s the matter, little man? You can¡¯t handle me yourself.¡± The mortal bit off meanly.


    Ezekiel laughed, he couldent help it, and used his hand to tilt the mortal¡¯s face to the side. The man whimpered from the hash act, then the mortal tried to snap at his fingers, but Ezekiel didn¡¯t let him. ¡°Oh please, Mortal. If you could beat me, you would have done it by now. You¡¯re all talk at this point, and we both know it!¡±


    The mortal glared at him, green eyes clear and sharp as the challenge seemed to hit a nerve. ¡°Let me go, and I bet I¡¯ll have you on the ground again in no time.¡±


    ¡°You know....? For someone that¡¯s so weak, you sure do talk a lot of shit, but all you¡¯re doing is hurting yourself.¡± Ezekiel hissed and slowly pulled his arm across the mortal¡¯s throat until his hand was wrapped beneath his chin.


    ¡°Listen to me carefully now. I don¡¯t want to hurt you, and in your state, you¡¯re hardly a threat to anyone. I could have broken you apart with my fingertips if I wanted to.....¡± He felt a wild sense of beastly satisfaction as he suddenly snarled, snatched Brandon up against him, and carted him across the room. Once he reached the bed, he unceremoniously threw him down into it. ¡°Now sit down and shut up before I tie you to that bed. You¡¯re supposed to be sick! No more attacking the first thing you see, got it!?¡±


    ¡°I am sick!¡± The mortal coughed, putting a hand to his throat. ¡°I¡¯m sick of you people telling me what to do and manhandling me! Ever since I woke up your ugly face is all I see!¡± The stranger mortal snapped at him as he struggled to sit up on the mattress, kicking pillows off the bed as he did so. ¡°Hey, are you listening to me, you blue-eyed bastard!! I¡¯m gonna RIP your head off!¡±


    He¡¯s so angry, like a little vowle biting at my heels...Dare I say it¡¯s kinda cute and homocidal?


    Ezekiel internally thought, watching the man rail at him in a fashion that should have been threatening but simply came off...as entertaining?


    ¡°Please...try it, stand up and ill put you back down.¡± Ezekiel snarled back, his smirk thick with the cut of his front fangs and his heart dancing with a small thrill.


    The Stranger tried to stand up suddenly....but a wave of green washed over his features and he was brought back down on the bed with an agonized cry. The mortal put a shaky hand over his side, and instantly, thick red blood bled through the material of his shirt. He nearly slapped Ezekiel in the face with the smell of it.


    ¡°I think....¡± The mortal panted, pressing a hand into the bloody cloth and scrunching his eyes in pain. ¡°Shit....I think I¡¯m about to pass out.¡± The mortal said as he looked up at Ezekiel from the bed; his enchanting green eyes glazed slightly, but he froze the moment he looked at Ezekiel.


    And Ezekiel knew why. He knew what he saw in Ezekiel¡¯s gaze....eyes more like slits than circles....a predator¡¯s eyes locked on the blood smearing the mortal¡¯s hands. And try as Ezekiel might, he couldn¡¯t make the beast flowing into his gums and eyes go away, so he turned away from the blood. Dangerous. Foolish. He let his control slip and knew he had to pull away quickly. His inner beast roared in anger when he moved away. He tuned out its wild desire for the man.


    ¡°Jesus, I¡¯ve got to get a hold of myself. It¡¯s unnatural! I don¡¯t fucking crave blood!¡± Ezekiel said softly, ignoring the beast inside that was starting to urge him to go to the bed and taste the red blossoming on the mortal¡¯s clothing. Run his fangs and tongue over his skin...Taste him...all of him.


    Swallowing dryly instead, he walked briskly over to the door and opened it.

 Chapter 29 - Willingness

    Chapter 29- Willingness


    Brandon kept his mouth tightly clenched and his body still as he watched the Shifter turn away from him and throw the door open to the hallway.


    ¡°Mom....he¡¯s gone and popped his side open again!¡± The Blue-eyed Shifter barked as he stepped back to allow the people in the hall into the room.


    ¡°What....!¡± Gasped the small female Shifter from before. The woman slipped past the Blue-eyed Shifter and up to the side of the bed. When her round eyes locked onto the blood that was drenching his shirt, she made a slight hiss in her chest and put her hands on her tiny hips.


    ¡°What did you do?¡± she huffed at Brandon, her expression one of disappointment, but Brandon was still too stunned to answer her. Both by the pain growing in his hips and gut...and by the way the Shifter had reacted a moment ago.


    What a dangerous look he gave me.


    Brandon thought, looking at the Blue-eyed Shifter back. The sharp teeth and beastly eyes from a moment ago felt burned into his mind. Brandon felt a shiver go down his spine and his belly flutter.


    He looked like he was about to jump across the room and eat me.


    With his dirty blond locks brushing his neck and his shoulder bunched as he held the door open, nothing about his profile revealed any of the tension that had been all through his body when he had pinned Brandon to the wall. Or the aggression on his face after he had sat Brandon in the bed.


    Even though Brandon couldn¡¯t see his face, he felt he was wearing a calm smile as he let his family into the room, standing by the bedroom door and talking to the three tall men following the female into the room.


    Brandon only had a few seconds to look at them all and analyze them before the pain began to fog his mind too badly for him to care anymore about picking apart his newest visitors.


    Brandon quickly realized that all of the men that had come into the room were slightly familiar to him.


    It took him a long, slow moment to place them, but Brandon rolled his eyes when it clicked.


    Oh, goody...


    Brandon thought to himself, swallowing hard as a soft wave of vomit tried to rise up his throat.


    These are the jack-offs that were with Mantilo and the little lady from the other day. So I was right. These are the blue-eyed Shifters¡¯ family members? Mother...and brothers...but I don¡¯t see his father this time.....


    Brandon looked at each of the males that entered and couldn¡¯t pinpoint much of a resemblance between them all. If they were alike in any way that Brandon could discern, it was in their combined good looks, eye-catching physique, and size. And the eyes. None of their gazes struck Brandon as sharply as the blue eyes did, but each of the Shifters that came into that room.....he could see lights in their eyes...something living with them in their souls. Brandon couldn¡¯t quite guess what that was or why it felt dangerous to him yet.


    The green-eyed and golden-haired Shifter that Brandon had flipped off before was the first one to enter the room behind the female. He took one cold look at Brandon....sneered, and flashed a mouth full of sharp canines as he not so subtly returned Brandon¡¯s middle finger to him. Then proceeded to stand as far away from the bed as possible while still standing in the room.


    The following two male Shifters to enter both cast him confident nods and went to stand at the foot of the bed. One Shifter had the same black and white eyes and piercings that Brandon remembered, while the other Shifter was a wall of muscle only slightly less intimidating than Mantilo, with brown eyes that were tinged a slight yellow.


    The small woman standing with her hands on her hips shook her head and tried to grab him. That instantly shocked Brandon back to the moment and away from the large men that had walked in.


    ¡°Hey Hey...Who are you, people! What are you trying to do now?¡± Brandon groaned, throwing the small woman¡¯s hands off of his as she gently tried to pull his hands away from his bloody shirt.


    ¡°We can talk about that later...¡± The blue-eyed Shifter growled at him, suddenly turning from the doorway....and his eyes were no longer filled with the strange light that had taken Brandon¡¯s breath away and made him feel like a deer in a lion¡¯s cage. But when he looked at Brandon, he only let his eyes linger for a moment before he looked away again. ¡°Well, deal with introductions when you¡¯re not bleeding all over the sheets, stranger.¡± He said as he walked forward.


    The blue-eyed Shifter spoke and stood next to his mother. ¡°For now, well, just focus on that leak in your hip...¡± He said to the female as he stopped beside her. ¡°Mom, it¡¯s a pretty consistent flow of blood. You may have to re-stitch him up.¡±


    Glen, as Brandon remembered her being called, walked over to the four Shifters and spoke directly to the blue-eyed one. ¡°Oh, That¡¯s a lot of blood. Tsk, I won¡¯t be able to pinpoint it with it smeared everywhere. It¡¯s probably drenched his hips now, too....it will take too long to wash the blood off like this with a rag.¡±


    ¡°¡°Fine....just dunk him in the shower then.¡± The male with different colored eyes said to her with a shrug.


    Brandon watched Glen bite her small pink bottom lip. ¡°Well, it¡¯s a good idea, but I can¡¯t lift and clean him alone. Why don¡¯t one of you boys take him to the bathroom and spray him down for me? ¡°She said, turning soft eyes on all of the men.


    ¡°NO....¡± Brandon said softly, holding his hip tighter as the idea of getting touched by more people made him hurt deep in his heart. He also distantly disliked the idea of getting naked in front of any of the strangers....but the main driving force behind his denial was his sexual orientation.


    ¡°But...¡± Glen protested, slightly stern in her tone. ¡°I need to get at the wounds soon or your only going to get weaker and sicker form blood loss.¡± She tried to reason with him.


    Oh god....is that even possible? How can I feel any weaker than I already do?


    Brandon asked himself. And it was the idea of being weak and sick for even longer that made him give in.


    ¡°O...k, but can you take me to the shower?¡± Brandon said to the green-eyed woman, but with a hiss, the blue-eyed Shifter shook his head in denial.


    ¡°She can¡¯t lift you like one of us could, and you need to let us help you.¡± He stated sharply, his eyes never straying to look at the blood or anywhere but Brandon¡¯s eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t you feel terrible? He asked softly. ¡°The sooner we get this done. You¡¯ll be patched up...¡±


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t understand.....¡± Brandon said, cutting him off. ¡°I want the blood to stop, but I don¡¯t wanna shower with any of you strange men!¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Glen asked him with a small questioning tilt of her head. Which made her curls shift to the side with her.


    ¡°I just...I would prefer it if a woman helped me wash off.¡± Brandon hedged rather than speak further, but the blond-haired Shifter laughed at him from across the room with angry eyes as he pushed off the wall and walked up to the bed.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°You would prefer if a woman helped you?¡± He sneered. His statement is not a question but more of a challenge. Even so, Brandon responded to it.


    ¡°What?¡± he tried to breathe shallowly to keep the pain in his stomach from spreading with each inhale. ¡°Is there something wrong with what I said?¡±


    ¡°Yes... You said you want a woman to wash you? ¡°He rehashed Brandon¡¯s words. ¡°Well, of course you would want that,¡± He sneered. It seemed to Brandon that his face, though handsome, was permanently either stuck in a cold sneer or a nasty expression of some kind. ¡°What man doesn¡¯t want a pretty woman to jump into the shower with him? But I think you forgot that that is our mother, you little shit! We¡¯re not gonna let her go into the bathroom with some naked mortal.¡±


    Brandon struggled to explain for a second. Then he just gave up. ¡°Fuck it....¡± He sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair, then he explained. ¡°I¡¯m not attracted to women, you dumbass.¡±


    As one, all of the Shifter¡¯s eyebrows in the room went up, then came down as they exchanged looks.


    ¡°Ah....¡± Glen said softly. ¡°Sorry about that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine...you didn¡¯t know, and I don¡¯t wanna be rude, but I don¡¯t think it would be appropriate...So maybe I should receive help from you and not your sons.¡±


    ¡°We get it.¡± The blue-eyed Shifter growled, looking at his family and then at Brandon.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re not gonna kill me for asking your mom to help me wash..?¡± Brandon said as he grunted and squeezed his stomach. The Shifter let him recover before he shrugged and responded.


    ¡°No,¡± he said to Brandon. ¡°If you swing a certain way, I understand how uncomfortable showering with random men might be.¡± He told Brandon.


    Confused by that little bit of sympathetic insight, he motioned at the Shifter.


    ¡°You do?¡± Brandon asked him. ¡°Uh, most men don¡¯t get it.¡±


    ¡°Good thing he plays for the other team, too, huh?¡± The black and white-eyed Shifter teased, elbowing his slightly younger-looking brother playfully. The blue-eyed Shifter just hissed at him and rolled his eyes.


    Brandon looked at the blue-eyed Shifter with a small scoff. He was slightly surprised by this admission and partially not. The man was gorgeous. Not just his eyes. His face, his smile, and the way he moved. The man oozed something like aggression and magnetism. Brandon found it hard not to find him pleasant to look at. He was more THERE than anyone else in the room to Brandon, and he didn¡¯t know why. He certainly didn¡¯t like it, but there it was. A sculpted package of muscle and looks that seemed like he had been fed beef with aside of testosterone since he was a kid. And the women would be jumping for his attention.


    Why am I surprised...but its not like it should even matter to me right?


    Brandon had to ask himself...but there was something in the Shifters gaze that made him feel things. There was an interest in Brandon that was just a little more keen then most men¡¯s would be, an allure in his eyes, huskiness to his tone when he spoke...and the flutters that caressed Brandon¡¯s skin when the man put his hands on his body.


    ¡°Oh....ewww.¡± The green-eyed Shifter said childishly...but the mean glint in his eyes wasn¡¯t childish to Brandon in the least. He looked at his mother and rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Ewww....¡± Brandon said, mimicking the noise he had made. ¡°What the hell does that mean!?¡± Brandon said, frowning deeply and shooting him a glare.


    The blond-haired Shifter didn¡¯t like his tone because he took an aggressive step forward and hissed.


    ¡°What the fuck do you think it means you little....!¡± The Shifter began to shout.


    ¡°Stop it and Shut up, Lander!¡± The blue-eyed Shifter growled and then looked back at Brandon. ¡°Ignore him.¡±


    He said to Brandon quickly as he shot his brother a quelling look that, for all Brandon could see, just made the green-eyed brother angry, but for the moment, he was silent.


    ¡°So...you aren¡¯t attracted to woman at all?¡± The most enormous brother in the group suddenly asked him. It was the first word that the large man had spoken since he had walked into the room. He had a deep, calm voice.....it was nearly emotionless. It was such a strange sound on his ears that he shot the large Shifter a curious up and down look before he responded


    ¡°I told you.¡± Brandon said, looking at the large man in his slightly yellow eyes and seeing nothing there but a sharp emptiness and strength. ¡°I play for the other team alright. Nothing about this woman is of any interest to me. Nothing.¡±


    ¡°Nothing!¡± Glen huffed and puffed. And suddenly, she flipped her curls behind her left shoulder with her hand in a feminine display of disgust. ¡°Well, how insulting of you. I¡¯m deeply wounded. So what am I ugly to you!?¡± She hissed, looking at her sons.


    ¡°Oh Oh gosh I didn¡¯t mean to be an ass.¡± Brandon told her. ¡°Your very beautiful Mrs. Glen....I just mean that to me, you aren¡¯t attractive...¡±


    ¡°Huuuh! Excuse me!?¡± Glen began mouth agape, she stamped her foot and looked positively miffed.


    Brandon slammed two hands into his face and released a scream of frustration. ¡°Oh god! I didn¡¯t mean for it to sound that way!¡±


    In the few seconds of awkward silence that followed, Brandon did his best not to try and put another three feet into his mouth. When suddenly a soft giggle began to float on the air. When Brandon looked at her Glen was smiling back.


    ¡°Gotcha!¡± she said with a sweet little hop in place. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I had to get back at you a little for being so rude to my husband the other night.¡±


    ¡°Oh....ok I guess.¡± Brandon said, because there was really nothing else for him to say. Glen simply smiled back.


    Lander suddenly threw his hands into the air. ¡°SO were decided then? Well, that¡¯s just freaking great. The mortal gets a bath, and the rest of us have to suffer because there¡¯s another one running around our house.¡±


    ¡°Another one?¡± Brandon said, not really understanding the Shifter¡¯s point until he looked at the blue-eyed Shifter. ¡°OH.....You mean another gay man?¡±


    The green-eyed Shifter stuck his tongue out like he had tasted something nasty, then shook his head. ¡°Ewww!¡± He exclaimed with a dramatic shutter. ¡°Don¡¯t say it so casually...It makes my freaking skin crawl when you people come around me!¡± he said with a cold glare.


    ¡°Come on...just let it go for once!¡± The two-toned brother hissed at him, trying to calm the growing tension, but the green-eyed Shifter didn¡¯t even glance at him.


    Brandon scrunched his face up in confusion and utter awe that someone would be so rude and be that way in his own siblings¡¯ face. But the blue eyes Shifter simply rolled his eyes to the heaven and let his bother continue. Brandon would not.


    ¡°Seriously, are you just being an asshole to be funny? Or is that how you really feel?¡°¡± He asked the Shifter angrily.


    ¡°Of course, this is how I really feel. ¡± The green-eyed Shifter shrugged, his eyes sparkling with disdain that he directed at Ezekiel and then at Brandon. ¡°First Ezekiel and now you. That¡¯s two more gays than I ever needed to know. Fucking homos are invading the world.¡±


    Brandon shook his head as the Shifter¡¯s completely disgusting attitude took root, even though he wanted to ignore him. He couldn¡¯t fight the flare of anger that he had ignited.


    ¡°What the hell did you just say to me..!? I will beat you...¡±


    Brandon began, his fists tightening in his shirt, but as a wave of nausea hit him in the chest, he could only bite the inside of his cheek and bend forward to hold back the roll of sickness. The Shifter laughed at him.


    ¡°Stupid fags...¡± He sighed, turned on his heel, and walked out of the room. ¡°I¡¯ll see you guys later; I¡¯ve got a date with a moose carcass from the Dorman¡¯s House that has to be skinned before Dad gets home in the morning. Let me know how things go.¡±


    And with a wave, the blond-haired irritant was gone from Brandon¡¯s sight.


    ¡°Ass hole!¡± Brandon spit in an angry whisper to himself as he tried not to throw up on the mattress.


    ¡°Seriously Mortal...Just ignore him....¡± Said the Shifter with piercings in his face, a soft smirk on his handsome face. And as much as he wanted to, Brandon didn¡¯t even have the energy to growl back at him.


    At this point, Glen stepped up to the bed and bent down beside him. Placing a warm hand on his forehead, she tilted his head back. ¡° Not good. Your temps gone up fast....!¡± She began in surprise and used her other hand to smooth back his scalp and look him directly into his eyes. ¡°But you¡¯re not delirious.....¡± She sighed and released him gently. ¡°Can you manage the pain for a few minutes more?¡±


    Brandon wanted to say no, but he bit back, held his hip harder, and nodded quietly.


    ¡°Ok.¡± She said, standing back onto her feet and going to the door. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a jiffy. I need to grab the medical supplies downstairs and change clothes...Three minutes tops.¡± She said and slipped out of the door with a small sashay.


    ¡°Come on. We can¡¯t be late for patrol, ¡° he said. ¡°Dad will be back from his business in the morning.¡± The large and mostly expressionless Shifter said as he turned and walked out of the room, without another word. Followed by the Shifter with two-toned eyes, who smiled at Brandon softly and walked out. Leaving Ezekiel, who nodded at him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll come and talk with you later....¡± The blue-eyed Shifter said as he began to follow the rest of his family, but before he exited the room completely, he stopped, snapped his fingers, walked across the room to the bathroom, and disappeared inside for a minute or two. When he came out, his bright blue eyes had a smug light in them.


    He hefted the small waste bucket that held the rest of the discarded needles and bandages from the surgery that his mother seemed to have done on him. ¡°I¡¯ll be taking this with me. So just stay in the bed until my mom comes and gets you and try not to move too much.¡± He said as he walked out of the room with the trash can and closed the door behind himself.


    Only a few minutes after he left, Glen returned with a gorgeous smile on her small face and began to help him out of his bloody clothing. Brandon realized then that he was absolutely disgusted with himself. Because he sat there and waited as the Shifter had asked him.


    Bossy UGLY Blue Eyed bastard!


    Brandon grumbled to himself.


    But even to himself, he couldn¡¯t ignore the fact that knowing that the Shifter wasn¡¯t straight made him feel a little bit better. It made him secretly want to smile. It made something in his stomach churn like butterflies.

 Chapter 30 - Rotted Wounds

    Chapter 30 ¨C Rotted Wounds


    The water was soothing to his skin, and Glen proved to be every bit the caring Healer that her sons professed her to be. She stood in the bathroom with him in a shower that was just a little unconventional. The shower was half the size of the bathroom.


    Tile covered the walls and floor, and a pole built into the roof allowed an off-white shower curtain to slide around the area. Blocking Brandon and Glen in as a two-headed nozzle shot water down, standing beside him. A slightly tilted floor allowed most of the water to rush down a significant drain in the middle of the floor. Glen soaped up his legs and back since he didn¡¯t have the strength or the mobility to reach them. She allowed him to take care of everything else for modesty''s sake, softly instructing him not to get soap or water on his bandaged side while he washed.


    Then she poured water down his back and chest to remove the suds.


    She was so gentle and professional about it all. And Brandon was so tired from the small exercise that he found it hard to feel too embarrassed by it all. She rinsed him twice, and finally, when she reached out and turned the nob on the shower off, he couldn¡¯t take it anymore. He had to know.


    ¡°Why.¡± He said to her, his voice bouncing all around the porcelain shower as the droplets from the shower head and his body slapped into the floor below. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you asked me about this?¡± he asked her. Using his hands, he motioned to his entire body. ¡°From the moment you undressed me....you just ignored it.¡±


    Glen surprised him by letting out a small laugh. ¡°Sweetheart, if I asked you any questions, would you actually even answer them?¡± she said to him.


    Brandon didn¡¯t even have to think about it. ¡°No,¡± he told her truthfully, which was ironic, he knew.


    Glen smiled at him sadly and silently wrapped a fresh towel around his hips, covering his nakedness. Slowly, she took his arm and bicep and guided him out of the bathroom. And even though he tried to hold his own weight up, he was pathetically weak compared to her. Her petite body had more strength than he could have believed possible. Enough to support him all the way to the bed in the room beyond without breaking a single sweat or stumbling. As she sat him on the bed, she shrugged.


    ¡°I won¡¯t pry. I¡¯m not a busybody or a worry wart Guardian like my husband or sons.¡± Glen told him as she walked away from him and pulled open a door Brandon hadn¡¯t noticed was in the room. As she pulled it open, Brandon got a glimpse of fresh white lines and towels crammed along the three shelves inside of the pantry she had uncovered.


    ¡°What¡¯s a Guardian?¡± Brandon felt himself compelled to ask. He wanted to compile as much information as he could. He understood so little about everything. All he had was the information that he had gleaned from books....he had a chance here to learn more about these Shifters.


    Glen nodded. ¡°Guardians are like the law in this Territory. They protect the village, lend their strength to gathering materials, and settle disputes among the Clans'' men. Mostly, they patrol our borders and keep the Clan running smoothly in any way that they can. It is an ancient custom in our Clan and in some other Shifter Clans. My Husband sends them out, and they spend a lot of time trying to fix problems and prevent crimes in the area, so they are all overzealous about...everything.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s why your husband hates me? Is me being here a problem that needs fixing?¡± Brandon asked her even though he already sort of knew the answer.


    ¡°Yes and no. Glen told him softly, returning from the closet with a fresh pair of clothes for him. ¡°Either way, it¡¯s not my job to go around solving problems all day. ¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Brandon said as he watched her sit the garments beside him on the bed. A fresh white shirt that stretched down past his elbows, thick grey sweat pants, and no underwear.


    Well, what did I expect? It¡¯s not like I would want to borrow any of her son¡¯s stuff. Hell, I don¡¯t want to borrow their clothes.


    Brandon thought to himself.


    But Brandon also didn¡¯t want to run around naked, so he didn¡¯t make a fuss as she started putting a shirt over his damp head.


    I hate being touched!


    Brandon growled to himself.


    But he had to admit that this was a necessary evil. He had to have her help, or he would only make his injuries worse. And beyond even that. Glen was so gentle with her hands and words that he didn¡¯t notice it too much. She also refrained from touching him for too long, almost as though she could sense how much he disliked the contact, even though he tried not to show it.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    She worked slowly and methodically in order to not disturb his wound, and soon, the clothing was cascading over his body, hiding it from her and everyone else that he didn¡¯t want to see it.


    As she let him recover from the exhaustion creeping up, she continued talking.


    ¡°But my son will be back to speak with you.¡± She said suddenly as she took up the sweats and bent down on her knees. She slipped in one of Brandon''s legs at a time. Then she looked up at him. And once again, he realized how small but beautiful she was. ¡°And I have a feeling that he won¡¯t be as respectful of your privacy as I am. He can¡¯t help it. He is curious about you. And curiosity always was his Achilles hill.¡±


    Brandon grunted in pain as she pulled him to his feet and pulled the towel from around his hips.


    ¡°But you aren¡¯t gonna ask me anything?¡± he said, slightly confused as he helped her get the pants on. He let her slide the sweat pants up his calves, then took over and painfully maneuvered the pants the rest of the way up onto his hips, covering himself once more. Brandon sensed that she was trying to gather her thoughts so that she could answer him.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not gonna ask you anything, but only because you won¡¯t talk to me,¡± Glen said to him as he finished and looked back at her.


    ¡°But you think I¡¯ll talk to him?¡± Brandon sneered at her. He was panting slightly, and she noticed.


    Glen didn¡¯t say anything to that. She sat him back on the bed slowly, and then she took a fresh towel off of the nightstand and stood in front of him, her knees brushing his.


    ¡°I think.....¡°She said, coming to him and putting the towel over his head. And rubbing his scalp softly with the material so that it blocked her from his eyes. ¡°I think that if someone tried to save your life. The least you can do is have a civilized conversation with them. If you¡¯re worried about your body? Don¡¯t be, honey. I haven¡¯t discussed the things I¡¯ve seen.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re....odd.¡± Brandon scoffed beneath the towel, the heavy towel blocking out the world around him so that all he could feel were the fresh stitches in his side, the pain and exhaustion throbbing in his bones....and her tiny hands rubbing his crown.


    ¡°Why do you say that?¡± Glen responded a moment later. ¡°I promise you I am quite normal.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Brandon denied her, not caring if he was being rude. ¡°You¡¯re not normal...Normal people look at me, and they are frightened or disgusted. I¡¯m disgusting to look at, and you¡¯re just acting like you don¡¯t see it.¡± Brandon shrugged beneath the towel. ¡°It¡¯s odd that you¡¯re being so nice.¡±


    ¡°Kindness isn¡¯t odd,¡± Glen said over his head, his voice sharpening slightly. ¡°Who on earth treated you so grotesquely!¡±


    Realizing that this wasn¡¯t a road that he wanted anyone sniffing down, Brandon tried to backpedal suddenly. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. Lots of people have sort of acted like asses towards me....¡±


    Glen persisted with a hiss. ¡°What pig¡¯s people can be! I swear those types of people should be....!¡±


    ¡°Hey Its ok lady. Those people....¡± He said, cutting her off. Her heightened emotions upset him, so he tried to get her to calm down. ¡°They don¡¯t matter anymore.....¡± He mumbled and squeezed his fists covertly into the sheets as images and smells of the people he didn¡¯t want to remember assaulted him. ¡°They are just people....who are behind me.¡±


    ¡°But where did you get that idea from?¡± Glen started to pry. Suddenly, her continued presence was starting to wear on him. He wanted to shout at her, tell her to go away. This was why he hated them....everyone wanted to know. To see. To understand him. Touch...talk....people.


    What a waste of her time...These Shifters should just leave me alone.


    Brandon thought to himself.


    What terrible bloody mess he could make of it all. In seconds, he could destroy everything these Shifters held dear to them. Kill them.....


    Brandon wanted to laugh as he thought of this...but the sound died in his throat before it could reach his cold lips.


    ¡°Where are these people that are behind you? In a mortal city somewhere?¡± Glen asked him softly.


    Dead......One day....I¡¯ll kill all of them.


    Brandon thought to himself darkly.


    And then....they won¡¯t exist anywhere on this earth...


    But he knew that he couldn¡¯t say that out loud....it would raise too many flags.


    Brandon remained silent to all her questions after that. He couldn¡¯t speak past the ball of emotion trying to choke him to death. Hate. So dark it slithered around his senses. He hated being touched, he hated other people. He hated Shifters, too. He hated....this moment. But he also detested that tiny part of him...that didn¡¯t hate her or her blue-eyed son.


    And suddenly, the towel was pulled up, and he was staring into Glen¡¯s big green eyes.


    ¡°Well, whoever it was...forget about them for now.¡± She told him softly. ¡°You¡¯re not disgusting. You¡¯re my patient. What you look like couldn¡¯t matter less to me than your species or gender.¡±


    Brandon swallowed the hatred down because he knew better than to show it to anyone and directed a glare down at the carpet between his feet. ¡°Are we gonna stop talking about this soon? Besides, your son will be asking me about this, too?¡±


    ¡°Well, as I said earlier.....¡± Glen began her green eyes peering at his hair instead of him. She used her nimble fingers to pat his scalp, and when it came away from his scalp drenched in water, she shook her head and started hefting the towel back over his head softly.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t violated your privacy in any way. Trust this truth. So no one else in this house knows what I know, nor have they seen you unclothed. What you choose to talk about with Ezekiel is entirely up to you, but if you would like to discuss who and what did that to you, I¡¯ll be a good listener now.¡± Glen tilted the cloth back over his head, blocking her from his eyes.


    Brandon bit his cheek as the idea of any further contact with anyone at that moment made him cringe. ¡°No. I don¡¯t like talking about this.¡±


    ¡°OK.¡± She said softly as she continued to massage away the water in his hair.


    And Brandon stayed silent. Fighting the growing urge to push her hands away from him. he felt like he was suffocating by the end.

 Chapter 31 - Q & A

    Chapter 31- Q & A


    Sometime later found Brandon alone. Clean, exhausted beyond words, a soft throb of pain on every inch of his body, and tucked back into bed.


    A good two hours had passed since the female Shifter, Glen, had left him to rest and to await his second interrogation of the day and third interrogation of the week, and he just wanted to get more rest. And yet, try as he might to fall back asleep, he struggled to drift back into unconsciousness. He tottered on the edge of awake and darkness. His mind felt too heavy, the dreams floating there, and the memories he didn''t want to visit would torture him. He was too weak and worried to fight off his subconscious and too scared to submit to it. So he had forced himself to stay awake, and this is how the Shifter with blue eyes found him.


    Sleepy. Pissed. And in no mood to have a chit-chat. But somehow, the Shifter almost shattered all of that with nothing but his presence.


    A soft knock at the door pulled his tired eyelids up. A moment later, the door cracked open slowly, and a familiar and unfamiliar face appeared. Eyes shining like two lights made of blue florescence caught sight of him and....for what felt like the longest time, but was only a minute, Brandon realized that the Shifter wasn''t hard on the eyes at all.


    The Shifter was tall as all the men in his family seemed to be. Even though he wasn''t a roided out monster of muscle like the Shifter Mantilo, it was easy to see that he was all definition and lean beneath the faded blue jeans, the barely there sleeveless layered t-shirt that he wore over a chest and dented stomach, that Brandon guessed was the same rigid definition as his arms and the same warm vanilla colored tone as the rest of his skin. Dark brown Tim''s on his feet and blond hair, streaked with dark brown locks, combed back from his face in a haphazard way that made Brandon think that he had done it with his fingers.


    But no more than his body...his face set in a natural but expectant expression was just as hard to ignore.


    He coolly looked the Shifter up and down and tried to forget that not hours ago, he had had this stranger''s body locked against him. And even then....he had found the blue-eyed Shifter quite stunning. It was impossible, but the more he saw the Shifter, the more mesmerized and visually stunning he seemed. And Brandon had only been awake for a few hours. His reactions and thoughts embarrassed him, and he refused to let them show.


    The Shifter nodded at him silently and closed the door behind himself.


    Dammit....why am I all anxious?


    Brandon thought to himself as the Shifter came closer to the bed.


    He hated to feel a bunch of nerves in his stomach....but he couldn''t turn it off because he was anxious no matter how hard he tried to fight it. And Brandon hated that. He also hated that he suddenly felt a smidge better for no discernible reason since the Shifter had walked in. But....he did.


    Until the Shifter walked up to the bed and reached out toward Brandon to shake his hand. And that''s when he saw it. A blade. His blade. OR, more specifically, the grip and handle of the blade that he was currently missing.


    Not really thinking about what he was about to do. Brandon went to sit up, and pretending to be weaker than he was, he took the hand offered to him. And ignoring the terrible strain it put on his hip, he surged forward and attempted to wrap his hand around the blade on the Shifters hip.


    Suddenly, he had a hand at his throat like a clamp of steel. It held him as the Shifter pressed a handful of claws to his face and slammed him back into the pillows. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?" He hissed, his face inches away from Brandon''s were slit and glowing a brighter blue the only seconds before. He glared down, and Brandon tried not to be dominated by the animal he saw there. Something calm, calculating. Something that was analyzing him. Hunting him.


    Brandon wanted to yell at him and fight him off but with the Shifters hand on his throat and the wicked claws inches from his eye...Brandon quickly decided that movement wasn''t the best idea just then. His eyes, his mouth, and even his chin. He was a terribly handsome specimen; there wasn''t an inch of him that Brandon found visually unappealing, from his hair to his size.....it was disconcerting.


    Brandon hardly liked anyone he met. He couldn''t waste time enjoying people when he had to keep on the move all the time. But.....he didn''t even have a negative thought to attach to the Shifter sitting over him that could have possibly snapped his neck with a flick of his hand.


    "Hey!" The Shifter snarled, snapping Brandon back into the moment. The hand around his throat tightened slightly, and the claws below his eye socket grazing his skin made a chill of surprise go down his spine. "Are you listening to me....do you have a fucking death wish or something? Why did you just try to attack me this time?"


    "Fuck you, blue boy, you don''t scare me." Brandon bit out, trying to pull his eyes away from the Shifters and failing. "I want what you took from me. Give me back my blade, you thief!"


    "Give you my knife? Why in god''s name would I ever hand you anything sharp! You just tried to stab me a few hours ago....in the neck...WITH A NEEDLE!"


    With a frustrated sound, the Shifter pressed the claws deeper into his cheek, but Brandon noticed that he was careful not to actually cut him, nor did he squeeze Brandon''s throat so tightly that he couldn''t breathe. He could no longer attack the Shifter, but he wasn''t in any discomfort as the Shifter held his throat. "Now calm down, or I''m gonna get my mother to sedate you."


    "And again, I say "Fuck you!" Brandon rolled his eyes. "That knife belongs to me. You stole my stuff. Now give it back to me!" Brandon tried to demand next, but the Shifter ignored his outrage.


    "This isn''t yours... it''s mine!"


    Brandon tried to push his hand off his neck....but he was too weak. "Liar!" he barked defensively.


    "Ouch! So now I''m a thief and a liar? So unfair." He spit, turning his head and looking at the blade on his hip. "I''m telling the truth. I haven''t stolen from you. This is my knife.....the blade grip I''m wearing just looks similar to the one you had." The Shifter rolled his eyes. "Besides, I would remember the blade that you stuck into my chest cavity after all, and this one isn''t it."


    Brandon tensed in fear as he removed his claws from Brandon''s cheek and reached down and unsheathed the long blade at his hip. Lifting it into the light a few inches, Brandon realized that even though the grip and size were similar, the metal of the Shifters knife was completely different from his currently lost blade.


    "God Damnit! I must have dropped it along with my pack out there in your forest....." Brandon mumbled to himself, relaxing his muscles and ignoring the Shifter entirely for a few moments as he tried to retrace his steps and failed. He stabbed around in his scant memories of the last few days...then gave up...when all he seemed to bring up was empty darkness.


    "Wait...is that it?" The Shifter said, a frown on his face as he pulled back slightly. His blue eyes filled with incredulity. "One moment you''re screaming thief and liar, and the next...nothing?"


    "Yup...." Brandon said, tilting his head as much as the current situation would allow. "...Was I supposed to say something else?"


    The Shifter laughed and looked away... then back at Brandon. He appeared to be lost for words: "Seriously, I just told you that stabbed me in the chest, and you don''t know what to say back to me?"


    "What do you want me to say!?" Brandon tried not to scream as the tedious back and forth and strange looks started to irritate him. He watched the Shifter close his blue eyes and shake his head as though something were hurting his head.


    What does he want from me?


    Brandon thought to himself. He honestly had no idea what more needed to be said just then, so he tried to move on.


    He couldn''t move much, but the Shifters hold had lessened enough that he was able to tilt his head down and looked at the long clear claws pressed into his cheek. He frowned as an important question from before suddenly became very pressing. "So you have claws and glowing eyes, I see? So what kind of Shifters are you people?"


    Suddenly, the Shifter''s blue eyes opened, and he let out a sharp laugh of disbelief. "Your personality is terrible....do you know that?" he began.


    "First, you try to steal my knife, and then you ask me a question?" The Shifter smiled at him, all predatory and tickled, as he pulled his claws away and shook his head. "What kind of Shifter am I? The kind that you don''t wanna get too angry. So... let''s lay some ground rules right now," The Shifter sighed, looking down at his hip where the partially pulled-up blade sat in the sheath at his side.


    Brandon didn''t say anything; he didn''t miss the fact that the Shifter had avoided his question, but he let it go. He wanted to ask him to elaborate further about just what kind of animals his family could shift into...but he got the sense that, like Glen....her son wasn''t going to tell him the answer.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "First rule....no more attacking me! You don''t seem to understand that we don''t mean you any harm." The Shifter said, his blue eyes going soft for a moment. "You don''t have to act so feral and defensive with me." He hissed, sitting back on the bed, giving Brandon some space, even though he still held him by the throat and down on the bed. "I promise I''m not gonna hurt you, but you have to stop trying to hurt me."


    "Whatever..." Brandon said, looking up at him. "I''ll be calm...Now let me go already." Brandon went to push up off the bed slightly and leaned back on the mountain of pillows that Glen had given him, but Ezekiel held him to the bed a moment later before relenting.


    The Shifter helped him and pulled him back into a sitting position, still holding him by his throat. After Brandon was up, he released him and held his hands out to the sides of him, in a symbol of surrender.


    "Ok..... I''ll let you up....but seriously, think before you do anything else aggressively. You''re not in the healthiest state right now, so if you pop those stitches again, it could be awful. Just keep your hands to yourself. That can''t be too hard... "The Shifter said teasingly as he slowly but confidently sat on the edge of the mattress and dropped his arms into his lap.


    Brandon scoffed softly and as the Shifter settled in beside him. Brandon waited for him to do something...or say something, but for the longest moments, they just...looked at each other. The Shifter, Ezekiel, sat inches away from him, and his proximity was oddly nice. Brandon watched his face; his blue eyes, which were so strange and slit, roamed over Brandon''s face as he watched him back. Then suddenly, the Shifter was staring at his throat, his nose flaring as he seemed to catch a scent. Brandon had the feeling that the Shifter was scenting him.


    An image of Ezekiel holding Brandon to the wall suddenly sprang back up. His grip, his body locking him into the wall. His gentle lips...his fangs on his skin. The smell and heat of his form had nearly ignited unwanted shudders from him. Brandon shook the thought off, put a hand on his throat, and looked away. The feeling of his own fingertips on his skin still shocked him, and he flinched.


    Not for the first time, he wondered where his gloves were now. He had grown accustomed to the feeling of leather on his skin after donning his gloves in the morning and wearing them all day. A habit that had saved many lives.


    Where did all of my stuff go?


    Brandon thought to himself as he pulled his hands away from his skin.


    I can''t function without those gloves for long...


    "Why are you so quiet now?" He said to the Shifter, trying to break the silence. "What do you want from me...?" He said, looking down at his other bare hand in his lap. "Your mother said you wanted to talk to me...so talk already."


    "Are you on drugs?" The Shifter suddenly questioned him. His nostrils flared again as his eyes moved from Brandon''s throat to his face.


    "Wait.....Where the hell did that come from?"


    Brandon asked, looking back at him. He was so blindsided by the question that he laughed. "What are you talking about!?"


    "I asked if you were taking narcotics, stranger."


    Brandon wanted to tell the Shifter to go to hell, but the bewildered look on his face stopped him. He looked like there was some secret he was trying to unravel.


    Brandon didn''t know what was bothering the Shifter, and he didn''t really care. He just wanted him to get to the point. Something about Brandon that confounded him and for curiosity''s sake....Brandon wanted to know what it was.


    "Oh, that''s right, you guys are like the local law enforcement around here, aren''t you?" Brandon said. "Your mother called it....something fancy...." Brandon trailed off as he tried to dredge up the name Glen had given him in the shower.


    But the Shifter beat him to it. His blue eyes glanced away from him as he shrugged. "It''s not too fancy. We call ourselves Guardians since it''s our job to protect and serve our Clan."


    "So what is this.....an interrogation?" He sneered softly, looking at the Shifter.


    The Shifter looked back at him, and without an ounce of guilt or hesitation, he nodded his head. "Yes. I''m gonna interrogate you...but it''s simply information sharing. No pressure. No danger to you. Pretend like you''re talking to a mortal cop if it would help."


    I''ve never even been within two miles of a cop in my life. So I can''t really pretend.


    Brandon thought to himself.


    But for some reason, he appreciated that The Shifters readily offered answers.


    "All I care to tell you is that I''m a traveler. I hunt for my food, so I have to be lucid since I''ll be using weapons. I''m not taking anything." Brandon sighed, answering his absurd question, "I''m clean. I''ve never taken any narcotics. But I know I look bad, so I can see why you would ask me that....I guess?"


    The Shifter shook his head and looked like he wanted to say more, but Brandon interrupted him quickly.


    "But, if I have to talk to you, then you''re gonna have to answer a few of my questions as well."


    "Well, aren''t you an opportunist? Trying to turn an interrogation back on the interrogator...?" The Shifter smiled softly, a move that emphasized not only his incredible mouth but also the four slightly sharp teeth, two on each side of his front teeth. Pointy canines that no mortal would ever sport. The sight of them shocked him as much as the Shifters smile tried to charm him. "Fine, let''s do this. A limit of ten questions for each of us.....I believe that sounds fair enough?"


    "Alright... you''re the cop here, not me," Brandon told him, somewhat surprised by how casual but serious the Shifter was. It was oddly inviting, whereas before, Brandon had wanted nothing to do with the conversation.


    "I''m a Guardian, but who''s splitting hairs?" The Shifter shrugged as he replied. "Anyway, what is it you wanna know? Ask."


    "It''s only one question, actually....." Brandon told him. "Um, I want to know what happened when I was found. Your father and your mother say that you were the one that found me and...I don''t remember much about it."


    "Yeah, I was the one that found you," Ezekiel confirmed. "About a mile and a half out from the village....you were bleeding to death."


    "When you found me....was there anyone else with me?" Brandon asked him, trying to keep the tightness in his chest out of his voice.


    The Shifter shot him a suspicious look. "Was there supposed to be someone there with you?"


    "You''re avoiding the question," Brandon told him, and the Shifter smiled at him. Some of the teeth in his mouth looked far too pointed for Brandon''s peace of mind.


    "Tell me more, and maybe I''ll give you an answer." The Shifter tried to leverage. His blue eyes shining too bright. "Tell me who you''re looking for?"


    "No...you irritating....." Brandon sighed and closed his eyes, still feeling the sickness pounding at his head and eyes and side, but talking seemed to help....talking to the Shifter seemed to help, so he tried to moderate his anxiety. "Can you just tell me what you saw when you found me?"


    "Now who''s avoiding the question?" The Shifter shot back. He shifted on the bed as though he were preparing to stand up and leave the room. "Why should I tell you anything at all...?"


    Brandon snatched his arm and jerked the Shifter towards him. "Answer me! Was there anyone else there besides me when you found me!?"


    The Shifter snarled at him and pulled back. They stared at each other. Brandon released him and looked away as Ezekiel shot him a curious glare, but after a moment he shook his head. "Look I only saw you. When I found you, you were alone and two feet from death. I also didn''t sense anyone else out there at the time."


    The Shifter watched him. His eyes like blue lasers. The beast in him seemed to be analyzing Brandon''s every move. Every expression that he made "IS that a good thing? Or a bad thing for you?"


    Trying to hide the mountain of relief that he felt at those words, Brandon simply shrugged at him. "It''s not good or bad. Its fine..... That''s just.....fine."


    The Shifter shot him a soft glare. He didn''t seem to like Brandon''s cagey wording. So Brandon decided to change the subject. "You still have....about eight more questions to ask me, right?"


    "So now we''re keeping count...?" The Shifter sighed. "Fine. I only have about two or three." He began. "So... we''ve established that I found you out in the forest alone, but where did you come from exactly and how did you get here? Do you live around any of the nearby cities?"


    "I don''t know about that. I kind of move from place to place, not looking back." Brandon told him.


    The Shifter hissed at him slightly, and Brandon almost jumped as he was reminded that the man beside him wasn''t a man at all. "How can you not know?" He said. "Do you know how you ended up with that cut in your stomach?"


    "Oh, that cut?" Brandon rolled his eyes. "I got that from falling on top of a sharp rock." He quickly supplemented the excuse, and part of that wasn''t a total fabrication. "You now have about five questions left."


    The Shifter growled at him, obviously not liking the count that Brandon was keeping. "You fell on a rock?" he said next. "Seriously, mortal, you could at least pretend to be telling the truth."


    "Why should I pretend?" Brandon told him. "You can''t trust me. You don''t even know my name, and I don''t want to know yours. We just met, and for all you know, every word out of my mouth is or could be a lie." He pointed out.


    And that was a lie as well. Brandon had told the Shifters nothing but the truth since he woke up. He was just careful about what truths he shared or didn''t share. He had to be.


    "Stop being difficult...We can exchange names now if it would make things easier between us." The Shifter offered.


    "But I don''t want to,make it easy" Brandon said....the last thing he wanted was to get chummy with these Shifters.


    "So you don''t want to talk seriously or exchange names. Well, if you were just going to talk in circles, why did you even bother to talk to me at all? I''m not one for wasting my time!" The Shifter snarled back at him, shaking his head.


    Brandon just shrugged at him and let him guess what it meant.


    "Fine ...well, skip names for a while, so don''t clam up on me now. I feel like we''re starting to get somewhere." The Shifter said, leaning towards him slightly. It was obvious from his smirk that he was being sarcastic." Look, you said you travel and that you''re a hunter, so you must be good with directions. How did you get lost here? Were you trying to get home and ran into the forest? If so, we can get you back to your home anytime...you just have to tell me."


    "I don''t have a home," Brandon said, cutting him off quickly. "And as I was hiking... I slipped on a sharp rock and got lost. I''m assuming I lost my way because of the blood loss and fatigue the fall caused me. That''s all."


    Brandon didn''t lie, as a rule. He tried very hard not to tell lies, and he didn''t concoct stories simply because he didn''t like to do it. But.....that didn''t mean that he had to spill his guts to these people. Especially since he couldn''t really trust them.


    As Brandon saw it, part of a story was still half of the whole thing. "I didn''t come from anywhere. And I''m not going anywhere." Some of that was the truth. Brandon honestly didn''t know where he was or where he was going anymore. He just had to keep running. The place he had come from...he hoped he would never return there.


    The Shifter dropped his shoulders and sniffed at him. "Ok, so what is that supposed to mean? You don''t have a home?" The Shifter asked him, looking troubled. "Do you have anyone you can go to? Any friends or family nearby or even a few cities away from here?"


    "Nope and nope," Brandon told him, refusing to elaborate. He had little to say about himself because a normal person wouldn''t understand.


    All I have are enemies.


    He remained himself. And he knew that no one could ever relate to that sentiment.


    "You now have two questions left." He told the Shifter softly. Smoothing a hand across his lap and did everything possible not to look at the Shifter anymore."Feeling satified yet?"


    Ezekiel sighed, sounding defeated; he didn''t demand an elaboration on his answers either.


    He seemed to be taking extreme care, but he didn''t seem to like the short answers he was receiving. But before Brandon could completely shut him out. The Shifter turned his back on him and pulled something out of his pocket. 2 Thin black leather gloves

 Chapter 32- Small Favors

    Chapter 32- Small Favors


    The moment Brandon saw the precious garments, he tried to snatch them away.


    But Ezekiel was too fast for him. He jerked them out of his grasp. "Hey, Shifter...give me my gloves! I know those are mine."


    Ezekiel hissed at him in warning, flashing his teeth aggressively. Brandon glared at him, but he didn''t make a move to take them again. The Shifter shook them as he leaned closer, holding the gloves in the space between them.


    "My name is Ezekiel...not Shifter." The Shifter told him, his eyes nearly as long as ovals instead of round like a mortal''s pupil.


    "I don''t care!" Brandon said back to him.


    "That''s fine for now...you don''t have to tell me your name. Just stay calm. I know these belong to you, so you don''t have to be aggressive about it." The Shifter, Ezekiel told him with a sharp smile. "I found these on you when you came here. Along with a knife. A very long knife that you stabbed me with. I lost the blade in the mulch and didn''t care to go get it back...but I grabbed these from your pocket."


    Brandon''s eyes stayed glued to the leather as Ezekiel talked to him. He had a lot tied up in the gloves that the Shifter held. A lot of secrets that he needed them to conceal. So he ignored the Shifter''s words, and after a short silence, he snatched for the gloves again, but Ezekiel leaned back, and he missed.


    The Shifter smiled at him as he wiggled the gloves. "Want to tell me why you have these and why you were carrying a knife?"


    "Seriously, Shifter, this isn''t funny," Brandon said, feeling his head starting to pound even harder.


    "Ooooh," Ezekiel said, sucking air through his teeth and making a pained expression. "Sorry, that''s....not my name. I''m sure I just told you what it was; maybe you didn''t hear me? Im Ezekiel."


    Brandon slapped the covers between them in frustration. "Fine, Ezekiel. Happy? I hunt, so I need these items." Brandon said tersely. "I need the gloves to protect my hands and the knife to skin my kills, okay? That''s all"


    As the Shifter listened to him, Brandon shot forward and snatched the gloves out of his hands. "And they''re mine!"


    Surprisingly Ezekiel let him have them.


    Brandon''s weak hands fumbled numerous times as he tried to slip the leather over his hands. Brandon sighed in relief as the cool leather covered his palms. Brandon smiled up at his hands as he flopped back on the bed. The gloves were vital to him. In ways that he didn''t want to acknowledge. The leather had always been on his hands; he needed it to function.


    He was overjoyed to see the only other possessions he had in the world, besides himself, returned to him. In fact, he was so preoccupied with his returned property that he didn''t see how Ezekiel was analyzing him until he looked up and saw him watching. His blue eyes moved from the gloves to Brandon''s throat, then up to his eyes. The clear unnatural slit in his eyes making him look more dangerous all of a sudden.


    "You''re....very odd." He hissed out and looked at his hands again. "I know that you''re lying about the wound in your stomach. Something sharp and long cut you, and it wasn''t a rock." Ezekiel said, tilting his head to the side. He cast the gloves a glance and then looked at Brandon''s throat again. "Your scent is all wrong too...." The Shifter put a fist to his chest and rubbed his hand against his throat as though he were in discomfort. But he quickly cleared his throat and moved on. "I think...that there is something wrong with your skin. Or possibly something in your body skewing your scent."


    You have no idea...


    Brandon thought to himself. But on the outside, he smiled coldly at the Shifter as though he was somehow offended.


    "Yeah, well, who cares what you think?"


    The Shifter hissed, his blue eyes flashing just a little bit brighter.


    "Stop deflecting. I can smell it on you. There is something wrong with your body! And your story makes no sense! It could be some kind of pest in your hair or veins or....a drug that you took. Just let me smell your pulse." He said, reaching for Brandon''s newly gloved right hand, but it was Brandon''s turn to jerk away from him.


    "No...why?" Brandon bit off, tightening his fists so the leather on his hands squeaked. Just the idea of being touched again so soon and by anyone else except Glen....made his skin crawl.


    The Shifter leaned forward. "I just want to prove that there is nothing nasty in your veins. My brother checked you out a little while ago and didn''t smell anything. But I do. And I keep smelling it. It''s...."


    Brandon watched the Shifter take another inhale of his scent before frowning and wiping at his nose as if something were irritating him. "Well, I can''t describe it. I don''t know what I''m smelling, but I''ll be able to understand it now that you''re stitched up and after that shower my mother gave you. Your scent is cleaner...no old blood."


    "I don''t understand," Brandon said to him, honestly intrigued, even though he would never show it. "You live in a Shifter Clan, and I''m guessing from you people''s reaction to me... I''m the first mortal to come this way in a while. So what could you possibly know about mortal drugs or how detox even works?"


    "Wow." Ezekiel rumbled at him, smiling slightly. That charming smile hitting Brandon everywhere he didn''t want to be hit. "That''s like the longest, non-ambiguous sentence you''ve managed to speak so far. I''m surprised. No, I''m amazed."


    "Whatever. It was just a question...." Brandon sighed, looking away.


    "Okay, okay, don''t pout." Ezekiel tried to soothe him. "Look....drugs aren''t just used by mortals, okay? There are a few unfortunate Shifters in our Clan that have gotten into mortal narcotics, and my mother has had them here while she attempted to remove the drugs from their systems. Does that answer your question?"


    "Yes." Brandon nodded his head.


    "Okay." Ezekiel nodded back at him. "Now, can you give me your wrist?"


    "No. Keep your nose to yourself." Brandon said, sneering at the blue-eyed beast. "I''m not on drugs, and I don''t want you touching me anymore."


    "No one who''s on drugs actually admits it," Ezekiel said calmly, brushing off his denial. "Whether mortal or Shifter, they will lie about it. So I want to check on you myself. And I''m gonna have to touch you....." Ezekiel said, then asked him as he put up his hand. "I know that you hate it, but I need to."


    Brandon sighed and nodded again. "Fine...but this counts as your last goddamn question." He bit off, and Ezekiel shrugged.


    "Okay...." Ezekiel agreed, still holding out his hand.


    "Just do it fast."


    Ezekiel put a hands down on his wrists and wrapped his palms around the leather tightly, before he pushed Brandons own arms against his chest. Shackling them against Brandon''s sternum with nothing but his grip that was like iron. Brandon realized that he didn''t trust him not to attack him, so he was being cautious. As the Shifter leaned over his chest. His weight pressing on the arm that he had on top of Brandon''s chest making Brandon squirm in discomfort....because deep inside the Shifter''s proximity was far too lovely. Little flutters of awareness kissed his skin at every point where they came into contact, innocent brushes that highlighted tingles across his nerves.


    Ezekiel snarled as Brandon pushed against him, making Brandon think of a beast leaning over his kill. Which, of course, made it harder for Brandon to sit still. Ezekiel tightened his hold and put a hand on his chin, causing Brandon freeze as he held his face still. "Hey, calm down. Don''t move so much, or this will take longer than we both want it to."


    With his hand on his chin and their faces so close, Brandon felt a small hop in the pit of his stomach as the Shifter moved down on him and to anyone they would have thought he was going to kiss him.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    But Ezekiel bypassed his mouth completely and sniffed at his collar, his rigth hand snaked up Brandon''s arm and wrapped around the back of his neck, supporting the base of his head as he drew Brandon closer pulling him up off the pillows slightly. His touch was confident, and affecting. Cradling him like a lover.


    Trying not to fight him, Brandon let him pull him in and turn his face to the side. He stiffened as he felt Ezekiel''s nose brush against the nape of his neck, sending a shower of electricity along his body that made him clench in shock. The Shifters hand softened on his throat as though to gentle his demand. Then Ezekiels inhaled him again, the sound and feeling of his breath on Brandon''s skin was frightening......and just a little bit too intriguing.


    Brandon shuttered as the arm on the back of his throat softly shifted from the nape of his neck to his chest, resting over his heart. Large and warm, he felt Ezekiels fingertips through his thin shirt, his heart beat bouncing against his palm.


    He didn''t know what was going on with his body at this point. Brandon closed his eyes and shuttered out another breath. He really didn''t like to be touched. He hated it, but as he felt the Shifter drawing back, his hand sliding down the front of his throat gently caressing away the heat left by Ezekiels breath before it dropped away. Well....he knew he didn''t hate it nearly as much as he should have.


    "Okay," Ezekiel mumbled, backing away further as he let Brandon''s wrists go. He eyed Brandon dubiously for a moment, then pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "I''m done. I didn''t smell anything in your system today either. Just...your blood. So I believe that you''re not drugged out or suffering from some kind of pest in your blood, but you still smell....strange to me. Your blood is so different....." Ezekiel trailed off, looking away from a moment like he was trying to place the scent.


    "I smell strange? Yeah, that''s always a nice thing to hear. Maybe I need another shower?" Brandon chuckled sarcastically under his breath. He shook off the feeling of Ezekiel''s hands and laid back in the bed. He whipped the sheet over his chest, trying to put as much space between them as the small bed would allow. "Now you can leave me alone, right?" he said, tugging on the cover weakly, trying to get Ezekiel to move off the bed.


    "Not really." Ezekiel hissed. It was disconcerting for Brandon to hear those animalistic sounds coming from him, but at the same time, it seemed to fit into his presence too well.


    A man...But a beast as well.


    Brandon reminded himself as Ezekiel continued to talk.


    "But since we need to wrap this up before my father gets wind of this entire thing, I will go." He said, taking his feet.


    He slid off the mattress and put his arms behind his back as he stood beside the bed. Just the simple act of shifting his weight, causing the muscles on his arms and chest to flex. Brandon almost found himself looking at the Shifter head to toe all over again. His height, his hair, and his arms. Even the slight sheen of sweat down the front of his collar, his chest glistening from his daily activities, drew his eyes.


    The way his shirt and jeans flexed with his every movement, muscles dancing. The Shifter was....nothing but a distraction. His body was a magnet for Brandon''s eyes, but other things kept pulling his attention. Especially his scent. The smell of pine and sweat wafting off of the Shifter was the nicest thing that Brandon had ever smelled. It calmed him slightly, but he chose to fight it rather than think about how or why.


    The Shifter held Brandon''s gaze with his glowing cat eyes. "Hey, I want to ask you one more thing before I go, though."


    "And what if I said No?" Brandon challenged him. "You''ve already reached a max of ten questions, mister."


    Ezekiel blinked as though Brandon hadn''t said a word and continued to look him in the eyes. "Please tell me why were you screaming?" He asked him softly. "In your sleep...you were screaming like someone was killing you."


    Brandon could have played dumb. He could have ignored the question, but he knew that he did often dissolve into screams against his will. In his sleep, he could feel the panic taking hold, and he had woken up on more than one occasion.....hyperventilating or screaming into his pillow. Clawing at his face...or in a pool of vomit.


    He didn''t have to see the sad look on the Shifter''s face to know that he had been privy to one of Brandon''s scream sessions.


    "Don''t... Don''t worry about it. We don''t have to talk about that." Brandon scoffed and looked away from him. He was getting uncomfortable talking to this Shifter the longer he picked at his brain. "You don''t wanna know."


    "Come on, would it hurt you to answer just one of my questions?" Ezekiel shot back at him.


    He was nothing but a stranger to Brandon. But Brandon did owe him.


    A stranger that saved your life.


    Brandon remained himself.


    Even if you didn''t ask him too.


    He debated whether he would answer him seriously. What harm could it do to talk about the screams? The dreams.


    Brandon knew that if the Shifter had been anything like his father, the pushy and aggressive Mantilo with his barbed questions, Brandon wouldn''t have talked to him at all. But Ezekiel didn''t act that way towards him. He honestly seemed curious. The Shifters voice held a genuine note that Brandon found hard to shut out entirely. And that sort of irritated him.


    He looked back at the Shifter, feeling a little defeated even though Ezekiel hadn''t said a word yet. Calm and shocking blue eyes just analyzed him. Waited patiently for a response. Brandon felt compelled to say something to fill the expectant silence between them.


    "Fine, I''ll tell you, but it''s nothing big." Brandon sighed as he finally broke the silence and answered his question. "I suffer from night terrors. I have a bad dream, and I scream... That''s it."


    "Night terrors? Do all mortals experience them? What are they about? Do you have them often?" Ezekiel asked him next with a curious tilt of his head.


    "Look, I thought you only had one question?" Brandon hedged rather than answer him this time.


    "Sorry, your right..... I''m done. I''ll leave you to rest." Ezekiel sighed, throwing up his hands. A beautiful smile overcame him suddenly. "But I think I can do something for you before I go." He said. "If you''ll let me....there may be something that I can do to help you get a few good hours of rest tonight."


    "Well, what are you gonna do?" Brandon shrugged. "It''s just how my brain works. You can''t help that." Brandon said as he sighed, pushing his head back into the pillows.


    "Yeah, well, I know how to fix your brain....or at least trick it into resting for a while," Ezekiel told him, still smiling.


    "IF your TRICK has anything to do with more needles? Then I don''t want to see it." Brandon told him as he yawned. He was sure his jawbone popped as he felt the tears gathering in his eyes. He was dying to sleep, but he knew there wouldn''t be any peace for him when he closed his eyes. He tried to keep talking to the Shifter, but even that seemed to be getting more complicated. "There''s nothing to do for this kind of thing. You can''t trick a brain with meds."


    "I don''t plan to use any needles on you," Ezekiel said. "But I don''t think you''re gonna like it when I do this either." Brandon waited to see if Ezekiel was going to pull out some kind of pill or sleeping fluid but Ezekiel stayed next to him not moving for a few seconds.


    "Just don''t move around too much...." He hesitated to move back, and instead, after having a silent battle with himself, he reached out and put a hand to Brandon''s forehead gently but far faster than Brandon could catch.


    Shocked by the sudden contact but already lying down on a pillow, Brandon could not flinch away from the touch the way he wanted to. Instead, he had to settle for a glare.


    "Get off me!" Brandon shouted at the Shifter. But since he neither had the strength to move his arms or shift his body, all he could really do was raise his voice. "Get OFF!! Stop touching me! Please! Dont!"


    "Stop panicking." Ezekiel met his glare head-on and didn''t remove his hand in the least. "Shhh..." Ezekiel mummed as though he was soothing a small animal and not a person. The eyes he had closed opened and were now burning bright blue. The eyes of a cat pinned him down, but there wasn''t anything angry or cold there, just soft and imploring. "I''m not going to hurt you. I promise...you are safe with me."


    Brandon was uncomfortable with the instant belief that he felt for his words. But so far the Shifter hadn''t done anything to him, but asked him a few questions and return his gloves to him....so maybe believing Ezekiel when he said that he wasn''t going to hurt him now wasn''t completely moronic of him.


    God...does he have to touch me...?


    Brandon thought to himself.


    "What the hell are you doing?" he forced himself not to shout this time giving an unwilling inch.


    "Don''t worry. I''m not trying to do anything weird." Ezekiel mummed, his eyes drifting closed again, as though he was falling asleep, except that he kept talking. "Just close your eyes. I''m gonna see if I can help you."


    "I don''t want any more of your help! So, get away me Shifter." Brandon nearly shouted, as he tried to turn his head away, unsuccessfully. Wedged into the pillows, he didn''t move much.


    "Listen.... You''re so obviously exhausted. Don''t you want to sleep? If you let me, I will help with that!" Ezekiel snipped at him, opening one of his glowing eyes to look at Brandon''s face. And Brandon had a good idea of what the man saw, because he was tired.


    No.


    Tired and exhausted, those words didn''t fit.


    Brandon felt far worse.


    Dead. Empty. Sloth.


    Those words hit far closer to his mark of how he was currently feeling, and he was just lying down in a bed.


    If...if the Shifter wants to help me sleep, maybe I can try to hear him out? He''s probably just going to medicate me again anyway.


    Brandon told himself.


    "Okay. Let''s see you put me too sleep then." Sighing, Brandon finally closed his eyes, and that''s when he began to feel it.


    A soft pressure on his mind, something as warm as the hand across his forehead, expanded all across his senses: his cheeks, throat, and hands. Like sunlight light, but soothing. Suddenly, Brandon saw himself sitting on a small patch of green grass, in the sunlight, sleeping. It was so calming to see the grasses, the blue sky, and the lukewarm wind on his scalp.


    Where is the image coming from? Are these Ezekiel''s thoughts?


    Brandon wondered.


    I feel a cold chill on my forehead, but why does his skin feel so cold now, almost like it''s piercing my mind?


    So many questions and so much anxiety, but the warmth was just too nice for him to fight. He didn''t want to fight it.


    Brandon slipped into a soft unconsciousness that was warm and sunny this time instead of a biting solitary darkness. For the first time in......weeks, he got to rest.


    Brandon had stayed strong longer than most men could have staved off sleep deprivation or the insanity that it causes, but he was overjoyed to finally slide into the calm darkness now. He knew that the nightmares were gone for now. Of course, they would return, but for the next few minutes, Brandon would be free of it. And tonight.....By GOD, he could sleep! And for the next few hours, he could sleep without worry.


    What a luxury. He actually tried to sigh out a broken word of thnks...but he was gone before his lips could move.

 Chapter 33 - A Massacare

    Chapter 33- Massacre


    Silence.


    The mortals head slumped in his grasp. Ezekiel looked for a moment at his face, the delicate dance of his eye lashes, pale skin, the  beige pink press of his lips as they drifted open. It was a sight that made him feel things, so he looked away fast.


    Ezekiel smiled; his eyes once again closed as he let a little bit more of his internal impressions pour across the mortals mind. He shared his memories of soft warmth, peace, relaxation. He impressed these thoughts in a loop of energy and suggestion until he felt it take root, like a little blanket of energy, the memory would slowly play out on its own, fading from the mortals mind completely, but he hoped that the peace and warmth would remain once his shared memories faded from Brandon''s mind. The mortal seemed to need it.


    This being another part of Ezekiel''s innate abilities, he felt the power inside of his core, trickling out of him and into his entire body. A warm stream separate from his blood, but his to direct as he willed through his body.


    Innate abilities were rare and powerful supernatural abilities often only gifted to one Leopard male or female every two decades. And only one male or female in a family typically possessed an innate ability, but for Ezekiel and his brothers these things didn''t seem to apply. All of them were supernaturally gifted. And Ezekiel....was the first and only Shifter born to have more than one innate ability at his disposal. Their powers made them great Guardians but in some ways...the gift was also a curse.


    At times when people needed their powers Ezekiel and his brothers were proud to have them, but dealing with each of their individual powers and the side effects from them was an exercise in will. In some cases Ezekiel knew that his siblings each struggled with it.


    Ezekiel had his own....side effects that caused him no end of pain when it came to his own innate abilities. Ezekiel could impress his thoughts and memories on others through touch. Which is what he had just done to calm the mortals mind. Good feelings like peace and comfort he could share or weave into another person''s consciousness. Bad feelings like terror and hate he could also push onto his enemies or anyone he wanted to mentally dominate. But he could only do it through touch, and unfortunately, the act was not two-sided. He couldn''t read the thoughts of others or take their memories. But unlike the rest of his brothers, Ezekiel had more than one innate ability. In fact, he had three of them.


    Making him the most supernaturally possessed male to ever be born in the last few centuries. Ezekiel never let this go to his head, though. He was not in search of power or validation. He didn''t need to bang on his chest and posture.


    Besides, Ezekiel knew that each of his brothers was gifted, and, in some ways, they were more powerful than him, as he was more powerful than them.


    He felt no need to compete, and each of his siblings, excluding Lander, seemed to feel the same. Ezekiel failed to tap into his powers too often because there was a side of himself that he never wanted to let out, but he did often use his powers to help him with his duties as a Clan Guardian.


    He was usually the one in the family to keep his siblings from erupting into an all-out war. With a touch he could often stop an angry Shift or a clouded mind. Stop other Shifters from overflowing with frustrations or fighting amongst themselves. He could soothe even his father''s wrath or Landers if he could touch them, and only if there was no other option. He did not use his abilities to manipulate others.


    He could help them keep the beast at bay if they lost themselves and in his village many looked for him to intervene when there was a massive dispute among the Clans men or a blood feud that refused to die out between some younger leopards.


    He may not have been the most respected or law-abiding of his siblings, but his power was respected, and in the end, that was what mattered. Especially since his other two powers would be deadly if he didn''t control them. The other powers were tied into his blood, making Ezekiel what his people called a Reaver.


    A strange, feral concoction of Shift energy and Supernatural strength was always boiling beneath the surface. Like steam in his soul building up with no way out.


    Reavers were dangerous. Unlimited strength. Unlimited rage. In the wrong state of mind, or if he got terribly wounded....he could and would turn Reaver. He would hunt and kill anything in sight. The rage and unfiltered power that he could display were bad enough, but Ezekiel also had another innate ability: stamina. A deep, deep reservoir of stamina.


    Ezekiel spent most of his time finding an outlet for the power inside of him. He was rarely tired or sick, and he felt this buzz all around his leopard, pushing it against him all the time. For some Shifters, the beast inside was easy to control, but for Ezekiel, the beast was right there with him, step for step. It could and would take him over. He held it down, but the Reaver in him kept him and his leopard on edge no matter what.


    He was always in one thing or another. Always poking his nose around where it didn''t belong. But Ezekiel had taught himself to use that, to indulge in the boundless back and forth in his mind and body. He used it to sharpen his mind and keep active. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but for Ezekiel, curiosity had saved him from going insane a long, long time ago.


    Ezekiel opened his eyes slowly, sighed as the stranger''s scent washed over him, and pulled back his hand. The smell of leather mixed with the peppered scent of the mortal blood still sent a zing of awareness into him, but Ezekiel tried to ignore the slight burn in his throat as he turned and blew out the candle and left the mortal to rest.


    When Ezekiel returned to the hall, his mother and brothers all turned to look at him. Ezekiel looked back at them and shook his head. "I got nothing." He told them as he ran a hand back across his head and scratched the back of his scalp. "He wouldn''t talk about it or anything, really." He explained.


    Glen sighed. "Well, we tried." She cast Ezekiel a soft smile of encouragement. "Thanks anyway, honey. I will still try to talk with your father about this."


    Ezekiel smiled back at her and touched her arm. "Don''t worry." He told her. "I''ve got an idea."


    And the Mortal had given it to him.


    ****


    Ten minutes later found Ezekiel and the rest of his family on the ground floor of their mansion. The warm glow of candlelight contrasted the dark, starless night beyond the drapes. Ezekiel could feel the minutes ticking away until his father would return, minutes he was wasting.


    "You can kiss my ass. I''m not wasting my breath on this anymore. Dad''s gonna be back tomorrow, and then all of this will be out of your hands," Lander hissed as Ezekiel asked him once more to cover for him. Ezekiel needed to slip out now.


    The rest of Ezekiel''s family had already moved out into the foyer by the front door. Nate and Walter had already heard about his plan, and realizing that they couldn''t be instrumental in making it work, his brothers had gone off to the doorway with Ezekiel''s mother to discuss Patrol and the upcoming festival.


    "Come on, you sour bastard. It''s just one little lie!" Ezekiel tried not to beg and found himself failing miserably. Lander hissed at him, but for the most part, he ignored him as he sat in his seat, stoically putting on. But Ezekiel knew that if he wanted his last-ditch plan to work, Lander was going to have to be on his side. The mortal''s words had struck a chord in his mind.


    Why had he asked me if anyone else was out in the woods?


    Ezekiel had wondered to himself all after putting the man to sleep. Ezekiel had been sufficiently busy at the time, trying not to die, so he had honestly been unable to analyze the surroundings for any other beings besides the intruder. And with the strange scent of the mortal''s blood playing with his senses, Ezekiel couldn''t recall smelling other bodies in the woods, but could there have been someone else out there?


    Was there another intruder in the forest? Is there something out there that can help me get to the bottom of this?


    Because the sooner Ezekiel removed some of the mystery surrounding the mortal, the sooner he could get his father to stop being so overprotective.


    He hoped.


    Ezekiel needed to sneak away from Patrol and out into the fringes of the forest, back to the place where he first discovered the mortal. And this is where Lander came in. Ezekiel knew that if anyone else except for Lander tried to cover for him with their dad, except for Lander, Ezekiel knew his father would be highly suspicious. For all his aggression, Lander was the most straightforward of them all.


    Lander hissed as he stood up and began to walk out of the door.


    "Lander, wait! Stop being an ass, you know Dad gonna be back soon ..." Ezekiel called, walking behind him, only for him to slam into his brother''s back when he abruptly stopped in the middle of the doorway.


    Over his shoulder, he spotted his mother and brothers standing just in front of the door. His mother was in a slim black nightgown that dusted the carpet beneath her bare feet, and his siblings were in their patrolling gear. Ezekiel did a hiss of his own and went to shove his brother out of the way, but at that moment, Lander turned his head and shot him a warning look.


    "I''d shut up if I were you..... ''cause he just walked up the steps." His green-eyed brother barely whispered as he stepped to the side and leaned back against the wall ignoring Ezkeiel.


    Before Ezekiel could even register that all of his plans had just gone up in smoke, the front door was opening and his father was striding in.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    The moment he saw his entire family gathered in the foyer, he paused, looked at each of them, sighed, and closed the door behind himself.


    Instantly, Ezekiel picked up the vibe that something was wrong.


    Why is he back so soon?


    Ezekiel asked himself as his mother greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.


    He''s never been back hours before the deadline before...


    Even though his father must have sensed his son''s curiosity, all of his attention remained on his wife for the first few moments after he came into the house. Mantilo greeted her softly and embraced Ezekiel''s mother, his broad chest and arms looking like they would swallow Glen up entirely before he let her go a moment later.


    Mantilo greeted Walter first, and the severity of his tone as they began to speak made it apparent that his mind was on far, far grimmer things besides the continuing tension of the stranger''s presence in his home.


    Ezekiel cast Lander a curious glance as their father waved them over, but as Lander cast him a customary sneer and shrugged back, Ezekiel walked over without further hesitation.


    His father didn''t mince any words. With a soft breath, he shook his head, his dark hair soaking up the candlelight. His brown eyes hard with regret.


    "We have a dangerous situation." He began, glancing at each of his sons as he talked. "Something has slaughtered a couple moose in the western part of the fields. Something large. Something....angry."


    All of the brothers took a step closer, their interest piqued...and their instincts telling them that this was a moment to band together.


    "The Sem''s Clan alerted me to the mass slaughter last night and sent me a message requesting that I come out to the fields and investigate it personally."


    "Well, that was bold of them, wasn''t it?" Nate pointed out. He put his thumbs through his jean pockets. A slightly serious grin on his face as he looked at Walter. "Calling out the Head of the Clan to investigate a few dead Moose?"


    "No, I wasnt bothered by the request.....and it wasn''t just a few moose''s Nate." Mantilo said. "The entire field that I visited was covered in bloody moose bits! A massacre."


    "Nice." Lander scoffed.


    Their mother shot him a serious look, but for the most part, the rest of the family ignored him.


    "An entire field? So, how many do you think actually died out there?" Ezekiel asked him next. He was better with numbers. He didn''t much care for ambiguity.


    His father cast him a serious look. "All of the bodies were disjointed, so I had to estimate from the random body parts strewn all about the place...." He told him. "But I''d place my guess at about fifteen dead and there may be another five or so that were drug off and eaten."


    "So something kills fifteen or more moose, chews on a few pieces and that''s it? What the hell did it even kill the moose with....a bazooka?"


    Glen cast Lander an odd look. "What on earth is a bazooka?" she interrupted.


    All of the brothers looked at Lander. Ezekiel had no answer for her. He honestly had never heard of such a thing himself. Lander laughed.


    "Uh Don''t worry about it mom... it''s just this sick that the mortals shoot out of a cannon that makes everything it hits explode into bunch of pieces."


    "Okay....back to what I was saying before. It wasn''t a bazokie or whatever." Mantilo growled.


    Lander went to correct his improper use of the mortal term, Ezekiel kicked his shoe and glared him into silence.


    "The thing that did this.....ripped and clawed the bodies apart." Their father explained demonstrating slight by letting his own claws pop up from his fingertips. "All of the bodies were slashed up, the cuts between joints jagged. And Blood was all over the field. Soaking it as if the beasts had been taken by surprise and dispatched in a mighty flurry of killing."


    Fifteen moose....nothing in these parts, hunts like that.


    Ezekiel thought to himself as each of them silently digested the information.


    There''s a few bears and mountain lions and foxes.....but nothing that would hunt so excessively and also nothing that is strong enough to take down so many moose....


    Ezekiel had had his own run-in with a moose years ago. Antlers a hard a cement, hooves as sharp as glass and a heavy body made of muscles and height. On his sixteenth birth day he had gotten to close to a fawn while hunting with his brother his leopard had suffered not one, or two punctures, from kicks and antlers to its body, but five deep wounds that had taken weeks to fully heal from.


    The moose that foraged around the western and northern parts of their lands were powerful and they were territorial mammoth''s that demanded respect and all of the Shifters in Ezekiels Clan gave it to them. It was only when the moose migrated around the mountains that they were hunted in preparation for the annual ceremony.


    Ezekiel felt a slight chill because he couldn''t logically place what or who had managed to kill so much game. He knew that not even a pack of a pack of rabid dogs would have been strong enough to kill so many of those moose.


    "Look, it doesn''t matter so much what it was..." Mantilo began after a few moments of silence had passed. He hissed softly as he moved away from the circle and walked towards the staircase. For a split second Ezekiel feared that he was going up stairs after the mortal again, but his father simply sat on the staircase and looked at them. "Right now I fell that''s its urgent that we find it and keep it from killing any more of the game we live off of."


    Ezekiel and all of his brothers nodded in agreement to that.


    "Okay! So let''s go hunt it down already!" Lander bumped Nate''s shoulder. "With this mutt''s nose on our side...." He began as Nate growled at him. "We''ll be able to track down whatever it was long before morning. It had to have left some kind of scent behind or tracks....."


    "No...." Mantilo breathed heavily, cutting his son off. "I already tried to track down whatever it was by scent, but there was far too much blood, decay for me to get a good accurate scent."


    "No scent trail? That complicates things for us...." Walter rumbled in a voice that could have been disappointment or indifference.


    "Well sweetheart.....tracking is more than scent trails, I''ve seen you guys tracking game in lots of different ways." Glen said Ezekiel''s oldest brother. With big green eyes urging them to be positive, she looked at her husband and said. "Let''s forget scent. Whatever it was that killed the moose''s to the west must have sustained some injuries of its own, right?" She asked him "So what about tracks or blood that wasn''t from the moose''s? Do you remember if you smelled that?" she asked him, but Mantilo rubbed a large hand across his eyes tiredly and shrugged.


    "IT was a travesty Glen. Something about it, something about the marks on the bodies, it seemed familiar.....but....for the most part?" Mantilo sighed again. "The moose were completely opened up in the fields, so there was also the scent of feces and urine from the intestines and released bladders that had been pulled out into the fields. It obscured all traces of smell and brought in multiple scavengers that further messed up the area for any adequate tracking to take place. So tracks were overrode by other predators that visited the site before I arrived."


    "Well..... let''s just go already!" Nate nearly yipped in excitement. Nothing got Ezekiel''s brother more excited than the idea of the chase.


    "If we go, it would be best to have all hands on deck. Tracking down whatever killed the Moose may not exactly be a walk in the park." Ezekiel''s dad told them. "I''ll be calling in the rest of the Guardians from patrol to help tonight."


    Ezekiel found himself smiling softly at that.


    Man...


    He thought to himself.


    It''s almost been two weeks since I saw Erin and Drin.


    All the business with the upcoming festival and the intruder showing up has kept me too busy to go by and pay those two a visit.


    Ezekiel regretted that now. The two other Guardians in the village, which brought the total up to six, were not just his friends but his family. Theses Guardians he thought of lived outside of the brothers home, but they that were as close to Ezekiel as anyone could be, because they were his cousins. Ezekiel absolutely adored the last two Guardians in their family, not only because they were younger then him, but because he had watched them grow up.


    But the tension between him and his dad, coupled with his regular duties and patrols in the villages, had seriously put a damper on his time. Suddenly, the prospect of seeing his cousins was all the motivation he needed.


    "All right!" Nate nearly yipped like the wolf that he was. "It''s all hands on deck, but it''s not gonna be necessary. This is just gonna end up being total overkill!" He partly scoffed.


    "What? You don''t think I should pull the other Guardians in on this...This thing could be something lethal." Mantilo began, but Nate wasn''t convinced by his somber tone.


    "Dad, I doubt it!" Nate denied him softly. "You know what I think? It''s probably just one of the local Bears. Last month a bear wondered into the Horse fences and took out three of the Mares before we could run it off."


    "Oh, and why do we care what you think?" Lander growled at him, the scowl on his face a certain contrast to the smirk on Nate''s.


    "Come on, I just know! I feel it down in my wooly tail!" His brother exclaimed, wrapping an arm around Lander''s neck and leaning on him heavily. Until Lander shoved him off. Barely fazed by Lander''s customary aggression towards him, Nate simply smiled harder, flashing a sharp set of canines.


    He bounced up on his feet and brought his hands before him. "Six of us on one hunt? We''re so gonna slaughter this thing....and believe me when I say this..." Nate smiled as he pushed his fists into his palms, alternating, popping his knuckles as he talked. "It''s going to be awesome!" Nate inserted optimistically.


    Ezekiel and his mother both shook their heads. As Mantilo and Lander sighed. Nate Wolf was showing out, excited by the prospect of hunting in a pack.


    Walter simply shrugged, his face nearly expressionless, aside from the slight shine of luminescent yellow bleeding through his eyes, as the prospect of the hunt stirred his inner beast closer to the surface.


    "All right... let''s gear up and then we''ll meet the other Guardians on the way." Mantilo told all of them, then he looked directly at their mother. "Can you bring me my blade and a fresh pair of boots?"


    For the first time, Ezekiel glanced at his father''s feet and noticed the crimson blood stains discoloring most of his tanned hide and soaking the strings.


    With an accommodating smile and a nod, Ezekiel watched his mother hurry towards the kitchen.


    All of Ezekiel''s brothers moved and clustered about the front door. Ezekiel could literally feel the heat around them, floating softly in the air as the Shift simmered beneath their skin, and it was at that exact moment, he realized that he didn''t even know if he was going to be allowed to join them.


    Hunting. Shifting. Ezekiel knew that those things were privileges in Shifter culture. Things that all Shifters were allowed to do, but when one Shifter angered another, particularly a Shifter in a higher standing than themselves, Shifting in that shifter''s presence was enough to start a fight. Other things like Hunting was a privilege that most Shifters were barred from participating in if the Clan Head felt the need to discipline or punish them.


    And Ezekiel knew that he had angered his father greatly in the last few days. He was still on thin ice, and the issue with the mortal was still at a boiling point....but whatever was going on sounded like important business. And even in the middle of the awkward situation he found himself in...it was his job to protect the Clan from danger.


    But he realized that he wouldn''t know unless he dared to ask.


    "Dad...?" Ezekiel asked his father as he stepped up beside him. Mantilo had his head tilted down as he waited for Glen to return, but he quickly opened his stormy brown eyes and glanced at Ezekiel with a cocked bow. "This whole thing sounds a little bit dangerous and I wanna tag along....if that''s all right?"


    His father didn''t even look at him as he leaned forward and began untying the laces from his boots.


    "Nate said all hands on deck, so I guess that means you too, but if you''re coming do as I say and bring shoes....cause it''s not pretty out there." Mantilo said to him. He slipped his large feet out of his bloody boots and socks, just as Glen returned to the room with a massive pair of boots under her arm. As his father slammed his feet one by one into fresh boots and laced them up, all of the brothers shared looks of displeasure, but all they all put on their boots and Tims as well.


    Ezekiel nodded at Lander when he tossed him his boots from beside the door, and after a moment of shuffling, Nate tossed the door open and charged out into the night. "Let''s move!"


    Ezekiel bit off a hiss of discomfort as the warm energy of the Shift pooled in his feet beneath the leather encasing his feet. All Shifters in their Clan knew that shifting and boots just didn''t mix well, but if their father had advised them to wear shoes, it would have been better for Ezekiel to comply.


    So, after kissing his mother on the cheek, he was also out in the darkness.

 Chapter 34 - New Life

    Chapter 34 ¨C New Life


    Ezekiel traversed the darkness at a steady sprint behind the rest of his brothers and his father, who led the way. The supple grass pulled and tugged at his legs, snapping as he continued to move further into the Clan Lands with his family.


    The nearly inescapable scent of pine colored all of the soft breezes that stirred the forests around them. Cricket call and the steely moonlight above gave ambiance to the calm night, but for the most part, Ezekiel and his family roamed the darkness in relative silence.


    Ezekiel easily kept up with his brothers, at times pulling ahead or racing along Nate, whose two-toned eyes nearly reflected the moon in the sky as they began to glow.


    As all of them tracked along the path that their father traveled, he quickly realized that instead of traveling to the west where the dead moose had been found, their father was leading them to the southern part of their Lands. Ezekiel knew that four or five miles to the south laid the southern village, which was home to nearly fifteen Shifter families, three fields, and one farm.


    Having lived in the Leopard Lands his whole life, Ezekiel was very familiar with the layout and distance needed to travel before he arrived at each of the villages inside of the Clan, as well as some of the outlying structures built between some of them. So he wasn''t surprised when he spotted the large wooden cabin stationed a few miles off the outskirts of the slumbering southern village. Soft light in the windows alerted Ezekiel to the fact that the occupants inside were awake, and as Ezekiel and his family closed the distance towards the large wooden home, the front door was thrown open, and two bodies moved into the light on the front of the vast wooden porch.


    And before he knew it Ezekiel was looking at his cousins. The last two Guardians in the Leopard Clan.


    "Erin! Drin!" Ezekiel called out as they dashed the rest of the way across the field and stopped on the larger dirt path that led directly to the wood pouch that his cousins were standing on. His brothers and father took a moment to catch their breaths. Something he barely felt the need to do. So, leaving them behind him, he raced up the steps and engulfed the last two members of his family.


    Erin was a tall willow, 17 years old and 5¡ä10 with the legs and arms of an amazon, long, thin, and defined in the jeans and blue sweater that she wore. A few soft, appealing curves filed out her tall figure, short brown hair, and heart-shaped face.


    A teardrop chin, small hazel eyes, and a gentle mouth completed her soft features, which quickly spread into a beautiful smile of surprise when Ezekiel hugged her softly and placed a kiss on her temple.


    "Ezekiel!" Erin began as she pulled back slightly. "I missed you; where have you been."


    To that question, Ezekiel had only one reply. "I''ve been kind of busy."


    Drin, his cousin''s mate and Ezekiel''s cousin-in-law by Shifter law, waited until Ezekiel and Erin had swapped appropriate pleasantries before he took Ezekiel''s hand in a friendly shake and let Ezekiel tussle his hair a bit before he moved back.


    Drin seemed a little stiff to Ezekiel as they pulled apart, although the younger Guardian had always been a little ridged when it came to anyone except his beloved Mate.


    Drin was a short, buff boy compared to his more willowy and slender Mate.


    He was barely older than 17 as well, with sharp blue eyes, black curly hair cut close to his head, and a flat nose. He, unlike many of the men in the village, had very little height, but Ezekiel''s cousin didn''t seem to be affected by this much.


    If anything, Drin was more confident because of his size, and even though all of the men in Ezekiel''s household outweighed him and outstood him, Drin had emerged from more than one fight with his head held high. But this was not to say that Drin was cocky or spent his time picking fights like Ezekiel''s brother Lander did. In fact, Ezekiel knew his Cousin in Law was awfully accommodating, much like Erin was. He welcomed company, enjoyed a simple conversation and rarely had a hiss or a snarl to dish out.


    He was beyond reproach as far as Ezekiel was concerned, and so even though he sensed the odd tension circling about the couple as he greeted them, Ezekiel found himself ignoring it.


    Instead, He took a few moments to converse before his father could cut in.


    His father talked beneath the pouch light, which, unlike the lights in Ezekiel''s home, were fueled by electricity instead of candlelight, and as they exchanged more words, his eyes were ensnared by the twin points of gold light on the couple''s hands.


    Both youths now wore rings on their right hands.


    Rings that were, in fact, only a few months old because Erin and Drin were newlywed.


    In fact, the rings were just as new as the Mating Marks that wrapped around their right and left wrists like inked-on black bands.


    Normally only an inch or two in width, the mate Mark bled through the skin soon after two mates claimed each other in the ceremony of their people or in private.


    The Marks often appeared only on the wrists of the Mates, but in other cases, the Marks could appear on other parts of a Mated Pairs Skin.


    Ezekiel didn''t know much about them...nor did he think about the Marks often, but he knew they were still highly regarded. The Marks were a mysterious thick band of freckles that roses around the mated Shifters wrists and remained until death. Binding two Shufters and declaring them untouchable to all others.


    To be so young, Ezekiel was happy for his cousins. Drin was an orphan. Erin was too.


    Ezekiel didn''t know what happened to Drin''s parents, but he knew that Erin''s mother and father, Ezekiel''s own aunt and step-uncle, had died in a fire many years ago, when she was still very young.


    But Erin was never alone with her cousins and uncles ruling the village.


    For a while, she only had Ezekiel''s family to care for her, but she soon met Drin in elementary school.


    From there, they had been neigh inseparable. And through it all, Ezekiel had taken on raising them beside his father and mother, who supported them financially but, because of age and Clan duties, had very little time for fun activities.


    It was only six months past that Erin and Drin had officially become Mates, married by the Clan Head himself, and they had become newly appointed Guardians only a few months after that.


    Being Guardians was a craft and responsibility that both of the young Shifters had barely managed to master or come fully into on their own as of yet.


    Besides, even though they were now on par with the brothers in the village and held all the same power that Ezekiel and his family held, Ezekiel just couldn''t treat them professionally.


    With a mischievous hiss, he rushed them both and crushed them to him again in a second affectionate hug that made both Guardians squirm and giggle for him.


    With the both of them wrapped against his chest....he still just saw the little kids that he had watched grow to their current point. Their laughter filled the space, and Ezekiel chuckled at the afffection they shared, simply happy to be with them.


    The moment Ezekiel pulled back and hopped down the steps to stand next to Nate, Lander was on Erin next.


    Walter continued to hang back in the darkness, unseen for the moment. He made no moves to embrace her but did smile at her though.


    It was swift knowledge that All of the brothers adored Erin and welcomed Drin into their family happily, much like a brother. Even though Ezekiel was the main one who mentored them and tutored them in school, they all wanted to see the young mates flourish.


    "Hello baby girl, you ready to howl at the moon with the rest of us." Lander teased, flashing his canines in a playful display so unlike him that Ezekiel could only shake his head. She was the only woman besides his mother that Ezekiel had ever known his brother to be so cuddly with.


    "Umm, yes?" Erin said shyly, then laughed when Lander gave her a giant hug of bearish proportions, nearly making the girl disappear despite her height.


    Suddenly, Lander released her and grabbed her slim wrist. Jerking her forward, he exclaimed. "All right! You and me against the rest of these punks. We''re gonna bag us the skin of whatever we find if it kills me!"


    "Hey! Lander, calm down...let her go before she falls..." Drin said rigidly. He swiftly walked beside them and growled. "Stop pulling on her...."


    Lander laughed him off, completely ignoring the stiff undertone to his body language that Ezekiel was finally starting to register as aggression.


    "Aw shut it Drin....me and the lil lady have got a date with some dead moose. You can just go hunt with Ezekiel...like a good lol newbie."


    Drin and Lander barely got along, so for the most part, Ezekiel ignored the exchange until Drin''s snarling voice cut across the night.


    "I''m warning you! Stop being so rough with her, dammit!" he demanded as he slapped his hand down on Lander''s wrist, hauling him to an abrupt stop as he went to pull Erin down the porch.


    Lander hissed as he turned fully toward Drin, the smile on his face a moment ago....melting into a sharp glare.


    "I''m not being rough with her, you little pimple." He growled. "What the hell''s wrong with you tonight anyway?"


    "Nothing....just be careful."


    Sensing all of the brothers looking at him, Drin visibly reined himself in by releasing Landers wrist, but Ezekiel noticed that instead of pulling back, he steeped partly between Lander and Erin, not breaking Landers hold, but standing in the way of her going down the steps. "Erin isn''t feeling well, so don''t push her around..."


    "Yeah, okay....whatever! You can''t control her life and make her stay in the house all the time, just because you''re Mates Drin. She''s a Guardian too, not a piece of glass! She''ll be fine!" Lander sneered at him, completely blowing Drin''s displeasure off.


    He began guiding Erin closer to the edge of the steps once more, pulling his arm away from Drin''s grasp. "Common lil Cuz... we''ve got some killing to do!" Lander growled as he took Erin''s wrist and tried to haul her down the steps with him even more wild and playful.Stolen novel; please report.


    "Uhhh umm... Wait! Lander, hold up... We have something to tell you guys." Erin said.


    Then, she pulled back, twisting her wrist and trying to pull away, something Ezekiel didn''t miss the significance of. Their cousin was a very willing and gentle soul. Even though she had the body of an Amazon. She rarely went against the will of anyone around her. Lander didn''t get the hint and release her fast enough, though.


    And suddenly Drin growled, his eyes glowing icy blue as the Leopard inside crawled to the surface. Faster than Lander could react, Drin slammed his palms against his chest and nearly threw Lander to the ground as he stumbled backwards down the steps and was forced to release Erin''s hand to stop his fall.


    "Don''t touch her again!" Drin spat in the moments before Lander managed to catch his balance, and he pushed Erin behind him as Lander hissed back.


    "Wait....Drin... Lander...Calm down!" Erin tried to interject along with Ezekiel and Nate.


    "All right, guys....cool it." Ezekiel hissed, steeping towards them, as he caught the darkening light in both of the Shifter''s gazes.


    "Yeah....Lander, calm down, just walk away..." Nate put in behind him.


    Without another word, Lander''s claws and eyes Shifted. He growled at Drin.


    A deep-throated growl more beast than Drin could ever hope to match, but the boy didn''t back down. If anything, Ezekiel watched him egg on Lander by curling back his lips and flashing him with a set of thick fangs. Both Males fully in a dominate mindset.


    It was such a sure sign of aggression that Ezekiel knew that a fight was just on the fringes.


    "HEY! Stop it right Now!" Ezekiel called, his arm on Landers wrist and his snarling voice snapping the tension for a few second.


    He didn''t pull or tug on Lander''s arm, though; he simply held him to his spot. Anything else on Ezekiel''s part would only escalate the problem, but just then, it wasn''t his responsibility to intervene.


    Mantilo, who had stepped away to speak to Lander, marched back into the fray. Fully aware of the shift in the air, he marched up out of the dark backdrop beyond the porches light and growled his displeasure. Hard and heavy.


    His calm brown eyes took in the entire situation in a second.


    "DRIN! LANDER...stand down. Take a breath!" He growled, but still Lander and Drin hissed, eyes locked.


    Ezekiel knew it would take just the smallest twitch before they had two adult Leopards slashing and ripping at each other, until one submitted. He tightened his hold on Lander''s arm; he let tranquil thoughts run from his body into his brother trying to combat the violence, but he was not entirely sure if he could stop the inevitable, knowing that he was one of the only reasons the two men weren''t already at each other''s throats.


    "Are you boys listening to me!!!?" Mantilo hissed, his tone going down a level unnaturally, yellow light bleeding into his irises, in the night, with his Leopard staring them down, it was hard to deny that this man was in charge.


    "I forbid you to Shift in front of me!" Mantilo roared, marching up behind Lander and putting a large boot down on the bottom step. "Reign it in! NOW! And if anyone here makes another move, you''re going to answer to me!" He said it softly, seriously, glaring at Drin, then at Lander. The soft crackle and pop of heat around his skin signaling how close the beast inside was to emerging. "Don''t try me...."


    A second passed as Mantilo''s voice and demeanor settled over the Shifters around him. Bending their anger to his will, his dominance. Drin and Lander visibly fought against it, both men flinching away from his eyes and proximity, turning their glowing gazes away from each other.


    Drin almost visibly trembled with unused adrenaline from nearly shifting. His blue eyes averted from Lander and Mantilo completely. A sullen silence overtook him.


    "Fuck off of me..." Lander hissed rudely at Ezekiel.


    With a nonchalant shrug, Lander threw Ezekiel''s hand off and instantly pulled in his claws, the aggressive glow in his green eyes back under his control.


    Ezekiel moved back, leaving Lander on the last step, beside his father. He strolled to stand beside Nate, and as the awkward transition stole the seconds, Lander and Drin delved into childish silence. Mantilo finally shook his head.


    "I want an answer. What was all that about? Anybody.....?" Mantilo said to his sons in a frustrated tone, barely back to normal as the leopard still lurked near the surface of his own skin.


    Lander and Drin snapped out of their sullen silences at the same time. They hissed, pointed, and opened their mouths to throw insults, but Erin cut it off.


    "It was my fault." Erin put in, lifting a hand in the air.


    She spoke quietly but confidently over the two Shifters, stepping from behind Drin and looking right at Lander.


    "I''m sorry, Lander, don''t be upset with us, please. "She began, pulling her hands together and wringing them in a fashion similar to Ezekiel''s mother''s. "I''m sure Drin just got a little worked up because....well, Drin was worried about me going out with you guys tonight. He''s been asking me to tell you for a while now, but I was too scared...."


    "She can''t go out there," Drin stated boldly, cutting in. "And I don''t want Erin to participate in any more hunting. I got aggravated when Lander tried to drag her out."


    "Well, I know you worry, but she''s safe with us." Mantilo began, as Lander scoffed at Drin. His tone leveled out, both calm and irritated. "We''ve been out before on hunts Drin and everything was fine...."


    "No.... Erin''s not safe! She isn''t going out anymore!" Drin hissed at their father, nearly making Ezekiel''s heart skip a beat.


    Drin was far too young to be taking such a strong tone with any Shifter as old and strong as Ezekiel''s father. But apparently caught up in his odd jumpy behavior, Drin didn''t seem to notice his affront and kept on talking.


    "Right now, she''s got to stay here, and so do I. So I''m sorry you made the trip out to get us, but we''re sitting this one out..." Drin slowed, then stopped and swallowed hard as he met Mantilo''s yellow gaze across the pouch steps.


    Ezekiel felt for him.


    Few men starred down his father or disappointed him. Ezekiel knew that even as his son, Mantilo had a very shallow pool for tolerance.


    "She''s not going out on the hunt tonight, and neither am I," Drin repeated. His tone grew stronger as he talked.


    A beat passed.and Mantilo could only sigh.


    "Your wrong Drin. You are both Guardians now. Something you begged me to take you into. If I call on you, you know it is your duty to answer and assist me." Mantilo asserted outlining one of the most basic parts of a Guardians duties to not only the village, but the Clan Head that governed it.


    "Are you rescinding your oaths to me? Would you have me brand you as Oath Breakers? Why have me ordain you as my Guardians if you didn''t intend to stay the course!? If you were NOT going to be true to the duty entrusted to you!?" Mantilo snarled at the both of them, obviously upset. Disappointed.


    "Um.....well, we didn''t mean to...but...I." Erin attempted to explain, but Mantilo overrode her.


    "Fine, if you don''t mean to stop being Guardians, then let''s move past this... The night is growing short and our prey is waiting." Mantilo sighed, stepping up the pouch and trying to take both of their arms in his heavy hands and guide them off the pouch.


    "No!" Drin snarled, once more showing very little respect for their father and stepping between Erin and Lander and now Mantilo hissing up a protective storm. "She''s not going hunting! She''s in a delicate place right now. Stop!"


    "Whoa! Hey Drin calm down....were not going to force her to go." Ezekiel tried to placate him. He didn''t know what was making the youth so snappy, especially since his cousin-in-law had always been a good kid, but he didn''t want to make him any more jumpy than he already was.


    "A delicate situation? What the hell does that mean?" Lander hissed in a tone far less rational than Ezekiel''s. He outstood and outweighed their younger cousin by a foot, but Ezekiel''s blond-haired brother seemed to sense the tension in Drin''s stance and kept his distance.


    Ezekiel caught the tension between the couple as they once more exchanged private looks. As they struggled to answer Lander''s demanding question.


    Ezekiel came to their rescue, hoping to put his Cousins at ease. "Hey guys, it''s all right." He shrugged slightly. "We''re not upset or anything.....Just tell us what''s going on."


    Suddenly as if a small damn had broken in her heart, Erin put a hand over her mouth, her eyes misty, and exclaimed. "I just realized..... I''m pregnant!" she blurted and sobbed the news in a voice filled with excitement....but also colored with apprehension. Silence swept the group. Heavy silence.


    And Ezekiel knew why. They were young, at least by Shifter standards; both of them had only just experienced their first Shifts a year ago. So, the aging process was only just now starting to slow. In mortal and Shifter society, age was different. For the most part, aging was a normal process. Year by year, growth is similar to mortals until puberty hits the Shifter. Then the Shift a few months or years later and from that point on the Shifters age progression slowed, as the beast inside awakened, poured into life and energy into the Shifters soul and they became one being. In mortal society, Ezekiel and his brothers were only a few years older than their cousins. But unlike Ezekiel and his brothers, who merely appeared to be young, at least by mortal standards, Drina and Erin were barely past their first Shift.


    In most cases in Shifter society, age was relative, a Shifter that appeared to be in their prime could in fact be nearly 100 years old. But in Erin and Drin''s cases, they were little more than cubs....teens.


    After that announcement, a moment of awkward silence passed over the brother and their father. A moment in which Lander retreated a few steps from Drin''s space, Ezekiel and Nate shared looks of surprise and Mantilo suddenly rushed Ezekiel''s cousins and nearly took them off their feet.


    "Congratulations!" Drin nearly mewled in fear as Mantilo wrapped both of them up against his chest and let out a roar of happiness and pride.


    Ezekiel laughed. It was odd and refreshing to see his father, a Shifter who was always so serious and strong, let his care for the couple show through. Even though Ezekiel knew that his father wouldn''t have taken in the orphans and supported them all this time if he hadn''t cared about them, it was still nice for Ezekiel and his brothers to see.


    "Thank....thank you, Mantilo." Erin stammered slightly as Mantilo''s embrace settled over her and her Mate. As Drin held himself stock still, perhaps paralyzed by Mantilo''s unaccustomed show of affection, Erin happily smiled as she turned her face to the side and wrapped a slender arm around Mantilo''s side to hug him back.


    "You''re....not mad? We thought you would be mad." Drin said, his voice muffled by Mantilo''s hold, but for the most part, Ezekiel picked up the question.


    "Why would he be mad? It''s good news, Drin." Ezekiel asked, speaking behind his father''s back.


    "Well.... it looks bad, were so young and don''t have family beside you guys to support us, the other Shifters won''t like it. They will talk, claim that were are taking advantage and causing more burdens for the Clan Head..." Erin explained in a small voice, still in her Uncle''s embrace.


    "Forget that stuff.... let them talk like fools. I''m not mad." Mantilo assured them both as he sat them free of his embrace, but he kept one arm wrapped around Erin''s shoulders, speaking to her on a gentler note. "I know that your age isn''t ideal for something this big, but I know you''ll both be fine. You''re both kind and intelligent individuals, born leaders. You''ll do your best....and you''ll do it well."


    "Besides...." Mantilo began, casting all of his son''s disappointed look. "None of those fools here have graced me with any Grans to call my own. Your child will be the first child to carry the name of our family on to the future."


    Mantilo smiled at Drin, who now seemed to have dropped his aggressive guard. The couple thanked him again.


    But Mantilo continued, still holding his niece close. "Well, don''t thank me just yet...." Mantilo began as he looked down at the girl. "I still want and need both of you to accompany us tonight on this hunt."


    "But..." Erin began softly.


    "She can''t go out there; it''s dangerous!" Drin said at the exact same moment.


    "Dad...!" Walter interjected on a slight hiss, the first words he had spoken in almost two hours. He seemed unhappy with Mantilos words.


    But Mantilo cut all of them off as he released her.


    "Calm down! I do not wish harm on the child!" Mantilo began first looking at Walter, a significantly serious look, then he glanced back at his niece.


    "Look, I''m not saying that Erin will have to participate with running down or capturing anything.....even if there is anything to capture when we hunt tonight. But I need her eyes, her nose, and her body to be present." He said to her, "Both of you wanted to be Guardians, and it''s a responsibility that you have to be as dedicated to as you are able. You have no reason to refuse...."


    "Well.... he''s right about that..." Erin began looking at Drin, who had a frown on his young face. "We practically begged Mantilo to appoint us as Guardians in the Village, and not two months into it, we want to bail out?"


    "Still..I dont want you out in the woods...what if the thing were hunting is dangerous?" Drin began. Turning his blue eyes on her.


    Once again Ezekiel interjected.


    "Take it easy. We don''t know what''s out there. BESIDES, I''ll stay with you guys and make sure that she stays away from all the action. I''ll protect you both... I''m a tank, so you know nothing can get past me unless I''m dead. I''ll be by your side." At that point, both Drin and Erin seemed to relax somewhat.


    "Okay, well, stay back and hang close to Ezekiel....but I hope whatever this thing is that we''re going to be tracking is small. And that it goes down quick and easy." Erin inserted nervously.


    Her brown hair getting temporarily thrown about in a stiff nightly breeze.


    "Erin, I wouldn''t send you into danger head first," Mantilo spoke sharply, though Ezekiel felt that he meant his tone to be warm to the young Shifter.


    "In fact, I want both you and Drin to stay back and support. All I require of you tonight is some ground-pounding, nothing more." Mantilo told her softly, assuring her. He obviously didn''t miss the sour expression on Drin''s face as he sent Drin a serious look accented by eyes beginning to glow with dominance.


    "Look, I don''t like it, but the Western part of these lands are sparse and wide, as you both well know, so more legs will simply cover more ground. You either follow me now or withdraw. Make your choice?"


    Mantilo demanded of them, one of the few times that his father had ever felt the obligation to explain himself, sitting like a big pink elephant as he stepped back from the couple and watched them consider his words.


    Eventually, Drin''s face smoothed over...then Erin smiled, and as one, the two young Mates bowed their heads and called out. "We follow you, Clan Head. We Trust no other to lead our way."


    Mantilo hissed in acceptance, lifted his voice, and called out. "All right then, people... let''s go. Form up! Move out! Let the hunt begin!"

 Chapter 35 - Threat In Darkness

    Chapter 35- Threat In Darkness


    The moon sat like a bloated dot in the balmy night sky as the party of seven finally crested the steep hills to the far west.


    This part of the Clan Lands was at least eight miles into the western fields, where only a few log cabins sat, and the open sky hung like a diamond-studded blanket over the world.


    The tall grasses snapped and flipped in the slight breeze, and the pine trees that boarded their entire village tinged the air with the crisp scent of pine and sap.


    Ezekiel glanced up into the sky, calculating the moon''s position with his internal instincts.


    One AM?


    He thought to himself as he walked beside his mostly silent and calm older brother Walter and just in front of Erin and Drin, who made much more noise trekking through the supple grass than Ezekiel and Walter combined.


    Dammit, in just a few more hours, Dad seriously gonna kick that stranger out into the wilds to fend for himself.


    Ezekiel spent his next few minutes thinking of what he could do. But he didn''t have the time. What could he say to his father to make him be lenient to the stranger? But he didn''t have the words.


    As much as Ezekiel wanted to turn his thoughts to his current duties, the mortal face and scent rose up to unexpectedly befuddle him... Ezekiel actually remembered the heat of his skin just beneath his lips as he scent tested his blood or the soft weight of his exahusted head pressed against Ezekiel''s palm as he fell into peaceful sleep.


    Ezekiel was actually trapped in his mind remembering the stranger''s beguiling green eyes and the fact that he still didn''t know the mortal''s name... he ruminated on that unfortunate fact, that was, until his father led them over the last rise, and they hit the nose melting stench waiting for them.


    Like an ocean tide of putrid rot, the smell hit every single one of the Guardians, sending almost all of them into watery-eyed hacks and coughs of deep disgust.


    Erin, who was more delicate than the rest of them, retreated from the hill, and Ezekiel heard her vomiting a few feet back.


    Ezekiel''s belly rolled, and he let Drin go over to her while he threw an arm over his nose and tried to take slow, deep breaths through his mouth. It barely helped to stall the stench from attacking his heightened sense, but he wanted to believe that somehow he was keeping the offensive smell at bay.


    For the most part, it appeared to Ezekiel that Walter was completely unhindered by the scent, and Mantilo almost seemed to ignore it. Lander snarled and plugged his nose while Nate growled; silvery eyes as bright as the moon above peered almost hungrily into the darkness that hid the multitude of bodies that the overbearing smell of rotting blood must have been wafting off of.


    The Wolf alternated between whimpers and growls for a long second as he sniffed at the abomination that saturated the entire area.


    To Ezekiel, it was like Naye was having a private conversation with the beast inside of himself, but as the wind picked up, flinging even more of the smell up onto him, Ezekiel had to move away from that thought and focus on holding his lunch down.


    "What in god''s name is that terrible smell Mantilo?" Erin began to bemoan, coming back up over the rise with Drin after emptying her stomach.


    Ezekiel didn''t fault her for her reaction in the least and felt terrible for her when he saw the way her throat worked to hold down more sickness as she moved closer to the other Guardians and, thus, closer to the scent. "How do we track anything in this!?"


    But either because of the smell or all of the talking he had done before, Mantilo wasn''t in the mood to chat idly.


    Standing to the side on the grassy rise overlooking the carnage, he addressed them all quickly and precisely with a plan of attack.


    "As you can see..." Mantilo started, his yellow eyes reminiscent of a very angry owl. Ezekiel could see multiple shapes in the grass beyond him. Still, unmoving shapes with weird sticks attached to every few shadows lying among the other shadows in the vast field beyond.


    He didn''t need the dim moonlight putrid blood, and other fluids in the air to tell him that the shadows were the torn-up bodies of the moose that they had come to see.


    "This is a serious problem. Multiple kills, no real feeding, and as of right now....we have no idea what''s doing this. But because of its choice of prey we can guess too things safely."


    "It''s big." Walter quipped simply in answer.


    "It''s strong." Ezekiel said next.


    Their father nodded. "Exactly. This thing is most likely a bear, but from the way that it is hunting and the veracity of its kills....it may be sick, diseased or just overly territorial. Either way, it''s killing in large quantities and is obviously not going to stop until we find it."


    Instantly, Ezekiel knew from his father''s tone that he didn''t, in fact, believe that it was a bear at all, but he suggested it because it was the only animal profile that would logically fit the carnage down below them. His father shrugged as he came to the end of his talk.


    "Now, we''ve taken out a few diseased bobcats and Mountain Lions before, but nothing much bigger than that. So....first, we''ve got to be smart about this and safe. Spread out among the kills and search for anything that we can use to hunt down this beast."


    Ezekiel didn''t have to look at Erin to know that is was her feminine gag behind her hand that rose into the night. Mantilo took pity on her.


    "Erin, Drin, stay up here, keep your eyes and ears open." He hissed out softly at the Guardians. "If you see anything out there, or coming towards the carcasses that doesn''t look right, holler a warning! Be vigilant and swift!"


    With a firm head nod, more thankful than professional, Drin and Erin pulled back from the group, stood together on the rise of the hill, and watched the surrounding darkness diligently. Drin''s blue eyes glowed like glaciers, and Erin''s eyes caught a simple glow of light like glowing sandy brown.


    Realizing that he had promised to stay beside the younger Guardians to put them at ease only a few hours ago, Ezekiel went to join them, but his father caught his eye, and that stopped him.


    "Ezekiel." Mantilo began once Ezekiel turned back towards him. "Leave them for now....they will be safe enough up here. I want you out there, tracking with the rest of us. Go." Mantilo told him softly.


    "Are you sure? I told them I''d stay close by..." Ezekiel asked his father, looking at his cousin and her Mate.


    They looked like the smell in the air was going to rise up and attack them, but he knew that his father wouldn''t ask unless he was sure of the younger ones safety, so Ezekiel sighed and followed his un-answering father down the side of the hill and into the death that waited below.


    The smell only grew stronger as they moved in among the still shapes in the grass. And as Ezekiel moved past the shadows that he was starting to make out, he not only sensed the blood coating his shoes as he moved, but he heard the barely audible "Squish" his boots made as he traveled across the blood-drenched graveyard.


    The sounds of tiny feet scampering away from their late-night feedings fell on his sensitive ears, and more than once, Ezekiel had to shake his legs free of the multitude of insects that tried to climb up his pants as he moved. Without exchanging words, his brothers moved apart to scour the area. Eyes and ears alert, searching the carcass-riddled field for tracks that they all knew would be hard to find, but each of them kept that to themselves as they settled in on different corners of the fields and worked.


    .


    And it was only after Ezekiel had moved far enough out into the darkness, far enough from him to lose all sight of his brothers, and only for him to see that the moon light from above faded behind the coal colored clouds above.


    All light was instantly stolen from all of them, and as the minutes passed, the darkness refused to lift.


    It was unfortunate, but no natural beast could see in pure darkness, not even the Leopard in Ezekiel could pierce total darkness with its senses. Only the smallest fragments of moonlight would do in any other situation, but with the moon completely swallowed up, Ezekiel gave up on straining his eyes if all he could see up close were a few clear details up close and far away all he could barely make out were the shadows of another bloody shape.


    Shit....there goes visual tracking....now I''ve got to use my nose. Why god!


    He lamented as he reached down into his core and diverted the energy pouring into his eyes, allowing him to see scare shapes a few feet away, and poured the power into his nose and ears.


    The blood and body parts were everywhere. It didn''t take Ezekiel long to understand not only why his father had been alarmed by the carnage, but why his father had been nearly unable to track down whatever beast had slaughtered the mousses. Body parts were everywhere, soaking the ground in blood as it settled beneath the limbs, smearing all of the prints in the earth....and with the hundreds of rats and other scavengers that Ezekiel knew had paid that area a visit....the night promised to have a disappointing end.


    There''s nothing here.....


    Ezekiel sighed to himself after another thirty minutes had passed. Minutes of fruitless searching accompanied by the unforgiving bites of hundreds of bugs and more than one rat.


    Man, I''m getting nowhere. I don''t have anything new....and I''ve looked over multiple carcasses. So far I''ve only reinforced my idea that NO animals in these parts could have done this.....Not even a sick bear.


    Ezekiel thought to himself, choosing not to ignore the cool chill on the back of his neck. He let his instincts guide his thinking.


    He ran the tips of his hand along the bloody stump of a moose''s head on the ground before him, the sixth of his lovely night. The dead moose''s tongue sat hanging limp from its ridged mouth and its eyes frozen open in terror as Ezekiel examined it. Once more.


    In the tearing and wet meat about the stump of its neck, Ezekiel picked out the signs of teeth and claws. Teeth and claws that didn''t match anything he had ever seen, not rats, or foxes, or bears. Marks that he had seen on almost all of the body parts, thin almost blade like clawing and teeth marks like needles or spikes. The imprint on the flesh confused him....because he didn''t in fact recognize it at all.


    Not bear teeth or cougar claws.....Something far more savage than a bear caved up these things.


    Ezekiel internalized


    But dad said that the marks look familiar to him....I wonder why?The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Ezekiel asked himself as he glanced at the moose head and glanced at the last and final clue that had him completely befuddled.


    It was a black, milky substance smeared on the snout of the moose. Ezekiel now knew after sniffing the fluid from afar that it wasn''t blood or fecal matter, but besides that, the fluid was a complete mystery to him......and so far, every single body part around him and that he had examined that night had had the black fluid smeared across it in some way.


    Ezekiel was extremely curious about what it was, but just as he reached out his hand to touch the substance and show it to his father, the thought was torn out of his mind by the frantic voice of his brother calling to him.


    "Ezekiel!!! EZEKIEL, COME LOOK AT THIS STRANGE BLACK STUFF I FOUND....HEY EZEKILE YOU HEAR ME! Get over here!!" Nate nearly howled across the fields, his voice echoing from the small patch of pine forest, halfway across the fields of dead carcasses.


    Nate was the only one closest to Ezekiel''s position. He tended to hover near Ezekiel most of the time. whenever they hunted in a pack.


    While Lander was far, far to the right of the field. Walter was mostly lost to the shadows, and Mantilo was down in the grasses closer to Erin and Drin''s position. So, realizing that not only was he the only one that could hear him, but that he was the only one that Nate could readily see in the darkness that persisted, Ezekiel decided to join him.


    Ezekiel dropped his hand, leaving the black, filmy substance on the skin of the dead moose untouched.


    He stood knocking off big bugs that delivered a vicious bite to the back of his leg and ignoring the squish of blood beneath his boot. Skipping across the various dismembered parts, he called back across the field in the general direction from which he had heard his brother calling him moments before.


    "Nate! Where are you?" He called as he began to near the dark and dingy outline of the pine forests to the far right of the field.


    "I''m in the forest, come in here quick...I think I found something."


    And it was only once he got a few feet from the clustered, thin pine trees that he caught sight of his brother.


    Leaving the bugs and blood but not the stench behind him, Ezekiel walked into the forest to join his brother. Ducking beneath one errant branch full of dying pine needles, Ezekiel walked across the cracking pine beneath his feet as he marched a few feet into the forest and came up behind Nate, whose silvery eyes were trained on a giant, torn-up moose chest, laying discarded into the middle of a slight clearing between a few pine trees.


    "It was here," Nate told his brother the moment Ezekiel got close enough to speak. He stood up, glancing Ezekiel''s way for only a second before he kicked over the carcass to reveal the moose''s upper chest cavity and everything that was missing from it. The bloody part was missing the mooss''s head, but most of the ribs and flesh were still there. The moose''s chest cavity appeared torn open instead of sliced, its heart and lungs missing, while the stomach and guts remained pulled out, but not eaten.


    The upper spine peeking through its missing fur, all of it tinged with the strange mucus-sy black fluid that seemed to be on all the rest of the mosses bits and unlike the rest of the moose''s bits that Ezekiel had run across that night, it looked to him like that part of the moose had dirt and worms smeared all over it....like something had buried it, dug it up....then gotten interrupted while it was eating its late night treat.


    Ezekiel eyed the corpse, he eyed the pine floor as best he could with the darkened forest canopy overhead, but he had a feeling that there were no tracks in the spongey earth either.


    "So, it looks like it stopped feeding on this one last...but whatever IT was, it looks like we spooked it away from its kill."


    Nate growled, his teeth, and skin rolling with a slight heat, begging to change in the darkness, but the full heat of the Shift remained locked down. "I''ll see if I can catch its scent. Let me get some help. Watch my back."


    "Ok, good idea."


    Ezekiel watched as his brother tilted his head back slowly, a slight brush of heat floating off of his skin as he let the Wolf inside of his closer and closer to the surface. It was errie and strange for the Wolf to be given so much of his brother, because for Leopards unlike Wolves they did not share thier bodies with the beast the way that the Wolves did. Giving away the control Until the Shifter was more beast then he was man was dangerous. And yet Nate was not a Leopard and so in the moments to follow, his brother said nothing in a mortal''s tongue. He growled and snarled quietly to himself, and eyes that glowed as white as the moon held a spirit, unlike Nates. The Wolf, a wolf with a name unspoken and a presence mostly ignored in their Clan, roamed in his eyes, but for now, it wore his sibling''s flesh. And in this way his brother scented the area with a nose that completely out did all of his brothers noses combined. The Wolf becoming his brother. Ezekiel did not understand why the Wolves chose to share so much with their inner beasts, but he did respect the beast in his brother, its senses nonetheless, and let him work.


    The seconds ticked by.


    Suddenly, two slightly high-pitched roars filled the night coming from the direction of the hill. Instantly, Ezekiel recognized the calls as calls of warning, not help. Ezekiel looked at Nate a few steps before him. He was almost in a trance, his two-toned eyes locked on a fixed point as he inhaled deeply over the decimated moose body, sniffing at the gnawed legs and guts, trying to pick up a scent. IT was instantly clear from the Wolf''s dedication to its task that it didn''t recognize the call that had just been given.


    "Nate...." Ezekiel started to call him, but it was at that exact moment that Ezekiel sensed something beyond the trees. In the silence of the dark woods, without the tinkle and snap of dead pine beneath their feet and only the sniffing of his brother to distract him.....Ezekiel heard something out there breathing.


    "Hey....Nate...." Ezekiel began speaking a little louder, but he was soon disturbed once more.


    "No! No!" Mantilo suddenly shouted or roared in the fields on the other side of the tress." Everyone Listen to me! Don''t touch the bodies!" Ezekiel''s eyes shot to his outlined figure, nearly indiscernible out beyond the trees in the darkness.


    "Don''t touch the bodies!" Mantilo shouted again.


    He was staggering backward from the carcass that he had been examining. Ezekiel didn''t know why and he couldn''t see his father''s face clearly but his dads voice was filled with such a heavy edge of horror and disbelief that Ezekiel was instantly alarmed. He turned back, intended to rush over and shake his brother to get him to snap back to attention, but the moment Ezekiel turned his gaze back on his brother he froze in horror.


    ***


    There was a shadow, hunched over in the shadows, standing like breathing darkness behind his brother, claws, long thick black claws on the tips of long gangly fingers that could have been mans or beasts held at a fatal downwards angle to his neck.


    "Nate move!" Ezekiel screamed.


    He rushed to protect him. Adrenaline spiked and he slammed his body over the Wolf. He tackled his brother from the left, knocking him sideways and off balance. Nate shouted as he was rudely ripped out of his Wolf Sense and slammed into a tree, cracking his skull on the trunk as he stumbled across thick roots.


    Ezekiel then dodged back from three flurries, that snapped that him from the dimness.


    Claws that went for him zealously now that Nate was out of harm. Nate tried to get back to him side, but slipped and fell to the ground and clutched at his head in pain.


    When the smell of his blood hit Ezekiel''s sense, Ezekiel could only hope that he hadn''t hurt his brother terribly, since Ezekiel knew that his dangerous blood often made him unaware of his own strength. But all he could do now was mentally apologize and continue to doge attacks that seemed to come from a hundred different directions all at once.


    After a good twenty seconds of just trying to survive and protect his brother, Ezekiel finally got good footing, pinpointed the threat in the shadows and tried to charge the beast and cut it with his claws or teeth but suddenly something from a completely different side struck him in the chest hard, Ezekiel was thrown back to the side, where his upper arm slammed into the tree a few steps behind him.


    A sharp, jarring spike of painful agony rolled down his left arm as Ezekiel slammed into the unforgiving bark.


    He wanted to ignore it, he tried to jump back, or even count how many adversaries there were, but the agony that hit him, went straight to his senses. He slipped to his knees for a few seconds, and it was possible that that saved his life. Bark splintered as the beast slammed it u long claws into the spot where he had been standing nearly decapitating him.


    Fuck! What the fuck is this thing?


    Ezekiel hissed in his mind, letting his claws grow, his teeth Shift. He growled in aggression at the attacker or was it more then one?.


    The darkness was too heavy. The moonlight hidden behind clouds in the night kept him dangerously blind. Ezekiel struggled to discern the shape in the night, he had to rely on his ears to track the tall shadow, even as the pain in his shoulder grew at his every move. But the shadow didn''t move in on him. Instead, it suddenly pulled back, and just like that, the shadow was gone, racing off into the darkness.


    Confused, Ezekiel didn''t understand what had driven the aggressive creature off until a giant Leopard tore into the forest beside him, accompanied by Lander, who hissed at Nate, who was holding a bloody hand to his temple.


    The Leopard, sporting a pair of dark eyes, whose scent and demeanor soon named his as Walters Leopard growled, stalked over, sniffed Nate''s head, licked Nate''s cheek, then chuffed and moved off into the forest at a gallop, leaving them all behind.


    "Walter, wait. Shit! What the hell, you guys! What happened?" Lander hissed


    Nate climbed to his feet, blood on his chin and neck from the gash he must have sustained after Ezekiel shoved him. Ezekiel wanted to apologize, but Lander was suddenly in his face. "Dad told us to do this the smart way, and you to go off alone and take on this thing by yourselves!? You''d both be in serious trouble right now if I hadn''t caught a whiff of your thoughts and known you needed help! What was that thing!?"


    "I don''t know what it was....but something came after us.....Ezekiel nearly had to break my neck to get me away from it!" Nate dropped his hands, grimaced in displeasure at his own bloody fingers, then raised his hand to his mouth and licked it. His customary smirk was replaced with a frown as he wiped more blood off his cheek, licked it off his palm, and then spit it into the darkness.


    "Jezz, I can''t believe I was so stupid! I''m sorry about pushing you, Nate." Ezekiel said to him, hoping that the cut could heal soon.


    This time, Nate did smile. "It''s okay. "He shrugged. "For all we know, you just saved my life."


    His jovial mood made Ezekiel feel a little better.


    "Still...." He reaffirmed." I wasn''t trying to hurt you; I was just reacting when I pushed you down. That thing got the drop in us. Somehow, it snuck in and was getting ready to stab you..," Ezekiel panted as the pain grew more pronounced in his arm and back, radiating over his collarbone. He leaned back on the tree and shifted his focus to Lander. "You should have seen it! This thing came out of nowhere, Lander. No scent or anything! It was just on top of us before we could really do anything but try to get away from it."


    "No scent? Damn.....I hope you''re wrong about that." Lander grumbled.


    "Well, anyway, this thing, how many of them did you see?" Lander hissed at them both as he shook his head.


    "It was only one," Nate told him, his two-toned eyes no longer glowing as the Shifter inside pulled back to lend him it''s healing.


    Dropping his hand from the gash in his temple that wasn''t healing but had stopped bleeding, Nate bit his lip and frowned in indecision. "It was just ONE....right, Ezekiel?"


    Was it only one?


    Ezekiel asked himself, but since he wasn''t sure that there had been more attacking him or even WHAT had attacked him, he nodded his silent agreement to Nate''s numerical assessment of the intruder.


    "All right. Ezekiel? Your looking pale better give me that." Lander hissed, and before Ezekiel had the excellent sense to dodge him, Lander had jerked his arm away from him and started examining it.


    "Ah...Fuck, not so fast!!! My shoulders dislocated! "Ezekiel hissed at him.


    Unable to pull back as his brother squeezed his shoulder and elbow, then unceremoniously dropped it to Ezekiel''s side, the youngest brother felt his core twist with intense suffering.


    "I''m. Going. To .fucking. Kill. You. One. Day!" Ezekiel ground out on a snarl as the agony shot right down to his toes and up to his head. His fangs snapped as he snarled at his brother.


    "OH Stop being a little bitch! Your fine...its just out of socket, not broken right!?" Lander hissed, turning on him and looking away.


    "Looks like your on the sidelines for now. Dads gonna have to set that for you though, so we''ll see you later lil bro. Try to catch up."


    Grabbing Nate by the arm and hauling him off deeper into the forest behind Walter leaving Ezekiel with his pain, a few seconds before his father appeared, along with Drin and Erin.


    Ezekiel snarled resentfully at Landers back as it melted into the shape of a beast and diapered into the night chasing the fleeing attacker. Along with Nate.


    But Ezekiel soon had something else to occupy his hatred as his father snatched up his arm, just as un-gently as his green-eyed son, and turned it one way and another, searching for something.


    And before Ezekiel could even take in one breathe to scream a profanity, his father gripped his wrist and elbow, and wrenched his arm, sharply up and into his shoulder muscles. The joint snapped back into the socket.


    "Come one, let''s go." Mantilo breathed, barely giving Ezekiel time to recover his breath. Or curse him and Lander to hell.


    "You got off easily. It''s good that that thing didn''t cut you at least. Cuts.....are really bad, if this beast is what I think it is."


    Mantilo growled looking far too troubled for Ezekiels liking. He glanced at the darkness, growled, and looked at Erin, Drin, and Ezekiel.


    "What I think it is?" Ezekiel echoed his father. He glanced at him as he massaged the tender joint that he could feel settling back into place. "What do YOU think it is...?" he asked him.


    But his father was past the point of hearing.


    "Ezekiel, what are you waiting for! The joint will heal soon enough. Let''s go." His father hissed at his niece and her mate next. "Go back! It''s too dangerous. For now Erin, return to the Clan Head Estate with Drin. Tell Glen that we will be back soon."


    Then, without another word or asking if anyone had any objections or even caring to see if Ezekiel would follow him, Mantilo sprinted after the other Guardians on the chase.


    "What the heck is going on, Ezekiel?" Drin questioned him in the still seconds that reined after Mantilo ran off.


    "What the hell was that thing we glimpsed moving in the trees? It looked so wrong and misshaped." Drin shook his head as the words escaped him after that.


    Ezekiel hissed, much as his father had. Remembering the strength of the blow that had landed on him in the darkness or the nearly sickle-like claws that had hung over his brother''s unsuspecting head. His inner beast felt frustrated and angry but also cautious.


    "I don''t know what this thing is, and Dad seems to be a little bit frazzled about it, but I do know one thing. We need to kill it before it kills something bigger than a moose. It seems like it''s got a taste for flesh.... shifter flesh." And that was the only answer that Ezekiel could leave Drin with as he pushed off the tree and raced to his sibling''s side

 Chapter 36 - Out Of Time

    Chapter 36 - Out Of Time


    Two hours later Ezekiel and his brothers had to admit, even to each other that the trail had gone dead cold.


    Ezekiel knew that his father and his brother had in fact lost track of the mysterious attacker a half an hour into the chase, but had continued to chase shadows and sounds just a little longer before they had admitted defeat. All through the chase there had been little time for chit chat, so once Mantilo lead his sons back to the bloody rotted fields, Ezekiel tried to get some information from him.


    Once more they glossed over the area of dead moose, this time at the behest of their father none of the Guardians dared to touch any of the carcasses that had anything black smeared on them. The siblings continued looking for any clues as to what it was they were fighting, this time all of them remaining together, but the search remained as fruitless as before. And the beast that had attacked made no other appearance. The night burned away, until finally Ezekiel moved away from his brother and pulled his father to the side.


    ¡°Dad....earlier....I got the feeling that your know something about all of this. You¡¯re telling us to stay away from the black fluid and you were checking me for cuts like you already knew that that thing had claws.¡± Ezekiel recounted his behavior back to him.


    ¡°From that look on your face I think you might know exactly what did all this. Are you going to tell us what you¡¯re so anxious about?¡± He asked gently, even though he wanted to pry or possibly even demand the answer.


    Mantilo growled at him, but not in aggression or irritation, it seemed like he growled more out of unhappiness. ¡°Ezekiel.....¡± His father sighed looking out on the field, then up at the moon, his brown gaze stuck in a glare of thought that he kept to himself.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what I think yet. I have a guess, but my hunch feels like paranoia. I am sure that this situation.... It¡¯s not good.¡± Mantilo hesitated. In that second of silence between them, Ezekiel sensed that his father was disturbed and terribly conflicted. So instead of digging at him Ezekiel nodded as if he understood and looked up into the lessening moon light.


    ¡°It¡¯s late, and for now we are all frustrated and unsure about what we¡¯re hunting. We should return to the house and regroup with Erin and Drin.¡± He said to his somber father.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°Fine....lets pull back.¡± Mantilo patted him on his shoulder solidly. ¡°Give me a little more time to think before we discuss my suspicions.....¡± Mantilo explained after another brief hesitation. ¡°I want to do a little more research, before I admit, even to myself what I think we¡¯re dealing with.¡±


    ¡°Ok.¡± Ezekiel agreed, and his father and brothers moved together and discussed things of their own. But for some reason Ezekiel pulled off to the side. He walked a few feet away from them and it was there amid that random, insect infested spot that he spotted something in the grass.


    Ezekiel stayed still for a moment deeply disturbed by the current turn of events and not really knowing why. Then in the grass he saw it. A glint, a shine. Not blood, not flesh....metal.


    A blade....?


    Ezekiel attempted to pick it up, but as his eyes focused on it harder he realized that the handle was smuggled with a slimy cover of black liquid. Fluid that his father demanded his sons never touch.


    Ezekiel went down onto his hunches once more suffering the bug bites that assaulted his legs and hands and instead of lifting the blade and risk touching the black fluid he lowered his head to the earth and examined the item that seemed so far out of place among the ripped up body parts and moose blood.


    It was a simple blade, long and sharp, with a black grip. The steel of the blade smeared with black fluid and blood. Ezekiels eyes began to glow as his curiosity began to expand.


    Why does this look so familiar to me?


    He felt a niggling in the back of his head. There was blood on the blade so Ezekiel turned his head sideways and getting as close as he dared he sniffed the blood and instantly he realized what it was that he held. It was the blade that had stabbed him. The blade that the intruder, that the mortal, had nearly killed him with.


    How did it get out here? I found the mortal miles away from here?


    Not a half dozen hours ago Ezekiel had been trying to find evidence that the mortal had been running from something or someone. But, now in a completely different place deep within their lands he had discovered this new piece to the mortals puzzle. And in the process of hunting down a moose killer he had discovered that there was perhaps a beast roaming around that troubled even his father.


    Suddenly a sharp cold slug slithered over his head.


    Ezekiel....What are you doing? Let¡¯s get going already.


    Landers voice rumbled over his thoughts.


    The icy pain of his invasion obscuring all of Ezekiels other thoughts.


    Caught up in the odd mystery of the blade Ezekiel didn¡¯t even get upset as his brother once more invaded his mind, but as the cold faded and Ezekiel looked up and realized that his family was already a few feet away he knew that he had to catch up.


    Not sure what conclusions to even draw at the sight of the blade, and unwilling to grasp it against his father¡¯s advice, Ezekiel stood up to follow in his siblings wake. His mind abuzz with confusion over the blade and the mysterious beast that had attacked them.


    And inevitably the mortal who¡¯s time was running out.

 Chapter 37 - Horse Killer

    Chapter 37 ¨C Horse Killer


    Mantilo caught sight of the house in the distance sometime later.


    After jogging in the night beside his sons, chasing shadows and in hailing the putrid scent of dead moose flesh for hours he was glad to be within steps of his bed. His legs and arms burned from the multitude of bite he had sustained, now that he had visited the mosses graveyard three times in the last few hours and in the back of his head he still felt the rage burning. A rage that had come over him and refused to die, when he realized that his sons were under attack, that two of them were hurt.


    He controlled it, but the drying blood on Nate¡¯s face, and the obvious way that his youngest son was favoring his uninjured shoulder ate at Mantilo.


    He should have sensed the unique threat sooner. Put the pieces together faster. And even now, when he didn¡¯t completely believe what his gut was telling him about the moose killer, he believed that he should have done more to protect his family.


    The fringes of exhaustion crept in as his eyes took in the mansions warm lights and the scent of sweet water and pine lacing the winds, cleared out his assaulted throat and nose, of the putrid smells of decay and death. But even more then the bug bites and fatigue of nearly three sleepless days, Mantilo felt the weight of his own worry weighing him down.


    He didn¡¯t want to think that he was somehow right. That his suspicions were somehow founded. There was only one thing that he knew about that smeared black fluid on its kills. One thing that he prayed he was wrong about, since he hadn¡¯t ran into one of the beasts from his memory, in nearly sixty five long years.


    Mantilo wanted to shake the thoughts away so he focused on the movement of his feet across the land and the rush of cool air in and out of his lungs. And he focused on his boys they rushed home beneath the moon light that ducked in and out of the clouds over head. He could sense the fatigue on his sons as well as the blue eyes of his youngest son. Every so often he caught Ezekiel watching him, or catching his breath to say something, but then he would subside and fall back into a silent thoughtful march beside his siblings.


    Only to find Glen on the porch. A small porcelain cup in her hands as she stared out in to moonlight fields from the top step. And suddenly something more important than the tension bunched under his shoulders, the bed that was calling his name and the beast attacking their local livestock dawned on him.


    His Mate looked like she wanted to talk.


    Instantly he guessed what was coming next. He just knew, in his gut, that she wanted to talk to him about their current problem. The glaring pink elephant in the room that was shacking in their bed on the second floor of their home. A problem that he was soon going to erase in the morning.


    Ezekiel and Glen, both wanting to talk to him. Both wanting to fight with him over a stranger. Mantilo understood that they were the same. In the way that their hearts ruled their minds.


    But Glen totally blindsided him with the first thing she said.


    ¡°There¡¯s been another attack.¡± Glen called out to them as they shuffled closer to the front door and the light.


    ¡°What...¡± Mantilo hissed coming further into the light and seeing the soft glow of apprehension in his Mates green eyes. ¡°What¡¯s wrong Glen?¡±


    Glen shook her head. ¡°Well.....it was a distress call so I think something bad may have happened to them.¡±


    Before he could open his mouth to ask her anything else, the front door swung open behind her and out came Erin and Drin.


    Their young faces also filled with apprehension brightened as they noticed him and their cousins standing outside.


    ¡°Mantilo....¡± Drin rumbled slightly. His blue eyes going right to Mantilo¡¯s form standing in the night. ¡°We just got the message, we were waiting on you to return.¡±


    ¡°The distress call came from the Martians Clan out on the farm.¡±


    Drin continued to report, holding his Mates lager hand as they stood in the warm light pouring out of the open doorway


    ¡°It looks like they found some dead...¡± Glen began to explain, in a worried tone that made him think the worst.


    ¡°Someone¡¯s been killed! Was it one of the Martian¡¯s?¡± Mantilo demanded walking closer to the pouch and cutting her off as the idea that one of the Shifters under his care had been harmed.


    ¡°No! No one¡¯s been killed Uncle.¡± Erin quickly interrupted in a soft voice. ¡°They simply are requesting that you come out. From the message it seems something was killed on the farm...but it wasn¡¯t any of the Shifters that lived there.¡±


    Mantilo nodded. Catching himself as the worry subsided. ¡°We¡¯ll all go and investigate. Join us. We¡¯re going to go and pay the Famers a visit.¡±


    Without a word, Drin pulled on Erin hand and her tall legs carried her down the steps as though she were floating. Drin followed close on her tail, hovering as all first time fathers somehow managed to do as she walked out to stand close to Nate and Ezekiel.


    ¡°Wait....¡± Glen called to him as he tried to marshal the Guardians beneath him to move out. ¡°Mantilo we¡¯ve got to talk.¡± Glen began in a tone that brooked no argument.


    Mantilo stopped and sighed. He had known it was coming.


    ¡°I am needed elsewhere.....¡± He told her stiffly. Ignoring the soft glare that she sent at him, her big green eyes sparking with a stubborn tilt of her head. ¡°I don¡¯t have time to talk about this right now..¡±


    She laughed as though he had said something comical. ¡°Well, when do you want to talk about it exactly?¡±


    ¡°Well talk about it....when it¡¯s appropriate Glen.¡± Mantilo began, getting slightly piqued as Glen continued to talk at him.


    ¡°OH!¡± Glen scoffed, folding her slim arms. A gesture that spelled doom, even though she was so small that it did nothing to make her more intimidating. ¡°You mean when there¡¯s no more time to argue the point and your practically dragging IT out the front door!? No....were going to talk about this right now.¡±


    ¡°What IT are they referring to?¡± Drin questioned them both from the sidelines, cutting into a battlefield that Mantilo knew he wanted no parts of.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing Drin! Let¡¯s go Guardians, move out!¡± Mantilo tried to hiss at him and his sons, hoping to duck out of the argument gracefully, but Glen gasped in anger cutting him off.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not nothing! It¡¯s a human Being Mantilo! A mortal life that were just holding in our hands like it¡¯s some kind of toy!¡± Glen ranted at him in her soft strong voice that carried on the suddenly still air. ¡°We can¡¯t keep skipping about the issue, especially since you are being so gosh darn pig headed about him!¡±


    Mantilo wanted to hiss at her in outrage. The last thing he wanted was for news to get around. The Clans men would defiantly be a little disturbed when the news about the moose got around and one the Clan found out about the mortal sneaking in....the questions would only keep coming.


    But already the damage had been done.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Drin suddenly butted in, to the detriment of Mantilo¡¯s fraying nerves ¡°What mortal? Where?¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    ¡°Wait....There¡¯s a mortal here!?¡± Erin asked them all, with an edge of excitement to her voice that only seemed to aggravate Mantilo more. ¡°Let me see! Oh Please aunt Glen! I¡¯ve never meet one before!!¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Mantilo snarled striding up to his wife.


    But Glen was neither intimidated by his size nor the glow in his gaze. He secretly prayed to god that no other man on earth figured out how to dismiss him like she could.....her complete lack of fear when it came to him was something that often warmed his heart, because he remembered how hard he had had to work once upon a time to get her to trust him so completely, but at that moment it was nearly enough to make him want to kiss her into submission ...or silence.


    ¡°Yes there is a mortal here Erin! And You should definitely meet him! Why not? This is an exciting time for all of us! Isn¡¯t it just wonderful?¡± Glen exclaimed back at her niece with forced cheer in her voice that she seemed to know would aggravate her Mate.


    Mantilo leaned closer to Glen.


    ¡°Glen...go in the house.¡± He commanded evenly. ¡°Well discuss this later....I¡¯m going to the Martians Farm, before first light.¡± He tried not to growl at her. If there was one thing that Mantilo had eventually learned that didn¡¯t work on his Mate, it was growling and snarling at her....No matter how badly he wanted to at times.


    But it also seemed that his even tone with her at that moment didn¡¯t do anything to persuade her to leave him in peace.


    She rolled her big beautiful eyes at him, and wrapped her arms across her chest. A stubborn tilt one her hips and head as she glared back at him. ¡°First.....were going to talk.¡±


    ¡°Glen! My position and my responsibilities to this Clan come before anything we have to discuss concerning that outsider!¡± Mantilo growled at her. He wouldn¡¯t give on this. He never would. He had to leave and answer the call.


    Somehow seeing the reason in that argument through her heavy stubbornness Glen stomped a small foot as she realized that she couldn¡¯t argue against his words.


    ¡°Just....can I talk to you for a minute!? You know its important!¡± Glen hissed in frustration. The combined sense of urgency that Mantilo felt to deal with the new threat to his lands, plus the building aggravation with the mortal whose presence in his house was wholly unwanted, was enough to tip Mantilo over the edge.


    And Suddenly Ezekiel was speaking at him. Seemingly having found the words that he couldn¡¯t utter on the run to the house. At the worst possible moment Ezekiels voice came in over his shoulder.


    ¡°Dad listen, she...¡± he began thinking to overstep once more, but Mantilo had seriously lost all patience with him.


    ¡°No!! You will be silent.¡± Mantilo barked so heavily that everyone around him jumped. ¡°This conversation has no room for you Ezekiel, so watch your words!!!¡± Mantilo growled at his son, glaring back at the blue flames in his eyes that stared back at Mantilo. Ezekiel glanced away quickly.


    Then Mantilo hissed and looked at Glen. ¡°Later tonight we will speak about....everything.¡± He told her in a tone marginally less forceful. ¡°But for now I want to make these final rounds and wrestle with a few unanswered questions of my own. Our talk on the mortal WILL wait, my Heart.¡±


    Glen huffed, then nodded as the boys and their cousins began to move away into the night on heavy feet. ¡°Okay....Tonight well talk.¡± Glen agreed. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting up for you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you will.¡± Mantilo said. He rolled his eyes to the sky as reached up and rubbed at his neck and shoulders appearing to rub away some kind of soreness. He was clearly aggravated, but when he turned to Glen he gave Ezekiel¡¯s mother a soft prolonged hug and a kiss that conveyed his hidden concern for her welfare.


    ¡°Woman...youre looking paler than usual.¡± He whispered to her as he moved back. ¡°Why don¡¯t you try to get some rest?¡± He asked her softly. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be exhausted after nursing the mortal back to life twice now. I¡¯ll be back before dawn. Promise.¡±


    Glen smiled at him, her understanding, and nodded again. Then she watched Mantilo and the rest of her family march out to meet the Martian¡¯s halfway across the Clans Lands.


    ***


    The Martins, a Clan of the finest equine breeders in all their Clans Lands, was a terribly small family comprised of one Leopardess, her Husband and their slim, but diligent son.


    Mantilo and his small entourage of Guardians met with the ranchers, looked at the damage wrought as it was apparent that something big had torn through a side of the farmers fence and slaughtered five horses.


    Mantilo sent Ezekiel, Nate, and Lander out into the surrounding area beyond and behind the expansive ranch to search for signs that their elusive prey was still hiding close by. Then he sent Erin and Drin into the Martians home so that they could gather information from the rest of the family members. While Mantilo took his eldest son and Mr. Martian with him to examine the horse¡¯s remains.


    But in that regard Mantilo quickly realized that there wasn¡¯t anything to inspect. The horse carcasses were barely recognizable. Muzzles, throats and hind-quarters were sliced up in an almost angry fashion, organs and vital parts spread about the hay within the decimated fences that laid near the fringes of the Clans pine forests.


    It was easy for the three Shifters to notice the black fluids dripping off of the chewed off limbs, fears and severed heads.


    Still struggling to identify the monster at work, but knowing definitively that the black fluid was a bad thing, Mantilo left the father Martian with express directions to let his son¡¯s burn the horse remains while wearing the Farmers Horse Shoe making gloves from the forge, then he advised the man to let his sons burn the gloves as well.


    Once Mr. Martian had moved away grumbling beneath his breath about how expensive replacing the fences and the gloves would be Mantilo glanced at his silent nearly immobile son as he continued to survey the carcasses¡¯.


    Time pressed in on him. Mantilo certainly didn¡¯t want to return home and speak with Glen about the Mortal, but he also didn¡¯t want to completely ignore her either. Mantilo knew that he could trust Walter to do as he commanded and to keep the rest of the boys in check and out of danger. He was Mantilo¡¯s eldest son for one, but secondly he was the next in like to take over after Mantilo steeped down. Walter was his Clans Heir. In a Shifters Clan the Clan head was the present, a staple of power and protection for his people, but the Clan Heir was the future. Mantilo stood on the opposite side of the dead horses and caught his son¡¯s calm, nearly dead brown eyes with his own.


    Almost as though he had read Mantilo¡¯s thoughts his eldest son looked up at the moon in the sky and shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re running late....¡± He rumbled his baritone traveling easily across the still night, where not even the crickets called. The hair cut short to the sides of his head and long at the top, called all of Mantilo¡¯s attention to the minute changes in his expressions that a less observant person may have missed.


    ¡°You should return home and get some sleep.¡± Walter rumbled softly, his height and weight nearly identical to Mantilo¡¯s. Their yellow eyes connecting across the bead horses as they talked. But where Mantilo knew that his gaze was conveying both exhaustion and worry....Walters eyes held zero expression. Whatever Mantilo could decipher flickering in the depth of his sons eyes was merely a ghost of something that could have been happiness or frustration.


    ¡°Are you sure you can handle everything else?¡± Mantilo asked him. ¡°What if there is another attack?¡±


    Walter shrugged at him. ¡°You know there won¡¯t be...This beast has hunted, killed then hunted and killed all over again in very close intervals. Not to mention running away from us....it should be curling up in a hole somewhere for the next few days to digest or at least recoup its energy.¡±


    ¡°But...¡± Mantilo began still not comfortable leaving his sons with the rest of the work. And even though Walters thinking was along the same lines as his own....Mantilo still hesitated to retire. He wasn¡¯t surprised by how close in thinking his son was to him. Walter was the first of his sons that he had taken under his wing after all. And the one destined to eventually take over as the Clan Head in the future.


    This time Walter hissed, a dry dead hiss that conveyed little in the way of emotion, but still got his point across.


    ¡°Dad, whatever else happens we can handle it for the night.¡± He strongly laid out, then his eyes traveled out towards the forest where his youngest brothers Nate and Ezekiel had just disappeared into to search for clues, then he looked back at Mantilo. If such a thing were possible Mantilo would have sworn that he saw the hint of a smirk on his face. ¡°Besides this time alone together will be good for you and mother....It will also give you and mom time to discuss the....uninvited guest in the house without any outside interruptions of the blue eyed variety.¡±


    ¡°Ah....but your mother and I have nothing to discuss on that matter.¡± Mantilo hissed in a sharp tone. ¡°The mortal is leaving. Period.¡±


    ¡°Humph, go home and rest Dad. Ive got a feeling that you¡¯re going to have a long night.¡± Walter softly pushed although to Mantilo it seemed like he wanted to laugh at Mantilo for thinking that any talk with his mother would end so cleanly. Though his face remained mostly unchanged.


    ¡°Yeah...all right Walter. Just make sure that the rest of the Guardians pull in their round before they come in for the night. I know that we''re all tired, but a few hours of extra work will not kill them.¡± Mantilo began.


    Then he glanced up at the Martians house realizing that Erin and Drin would still be inside with the rest of the Martians Clan gathering information. ¡°And send Erin home as soon as possible. She needs a break and to eat as well.¡±


    Walter simply nodded at him. And as Mantilo stood on the other side of the horse carcasses and looking into his son¡¯s dull brown gaze he was saddened to realize once more that he was getting nothing back from him.


    Mantilo would never say it, but he often feared that though his eldest son was surely strong, and courageous enough to one day lead their Clans Men, Mantilo knew that Walters painful past stunted him emotionally. He was a ball of emptiness most times, a shallow pool that reflected nothing back by choice. It often went to a dangerous level of numbness that none of his family members could quite handle though none of them loved him any less for his behavior.


    But Mantilo quickly realized that this was a pathway that his thoughts shouldn¡¯t have been traveling on such a colossal night.


    Mantilo nodded his head, patted his son on the back and made his way back to the Clan Head Estate alone.


    At least until he was run down by Glen for a very unwanted conversation.

 Chapter 38 - Healers Plea

    Chapter 38- Healers Plea


    Mantilo returned from the horse ranch feeling decidedly heavy with possibilities and a fledgling plan of action for the coming morning.


    This time when he neared the house, his Mate was nowhere to be seen, until he had climbed the winding steps of their home, up past the second floor where the scent of the intruder lingers slightly on the air.


    A new scent and so its presence seemed like a blaring sigh to the beast inside that he needed to go and investigate, but Mantilo ignored it, he was far too tired to do anything more but climb to the third floor.


    The leopard embossed wooden doors that stood like wooden gates before him, the beautifully carved twin leopards in the wood laying down and mirrored in a back to back pose always managed to make him feel a pinch of pride. Not only because it was Mantilo¡¯s great grandfather who had carved the beautiful door, but because it was Mantilo himself that had restored it after a fire nearly took its magnificence from the world.


    The doors opened softly with a rush of air and solid weight beneath his palms as he pushed into the room beyond.


    The familiar settings about him, from the large bed that dominated the center of his room, with all of the curtains pulled back. And there was his Mate, sitting, curled up on her side and staring down into a book.


    She was dressed in a slimming pitch black gown that stood at a clear contrast to her sandy blond hair and bright green eyes. She was so small, sitting in the middle of their large room and mattress and in comparison to him, that Mantilo often and foolishly feared that he would squash her, but he felt a dual appreciation for her mind and her inner strength.


    The moment he steeped closer she turned and sat the book she was reading on the floor. Shinning beautiful green eyes that he could get lost in for days glanced him over and she smiled. All signs of her earlier anger gone. ¡°Come here.¡± She urged him, putting out a slender hand.


    Mantilo walked over to the bed, he wouldn¡¯t have turned form her If her could.


    ¡°Welcome back....¡± she said first, pulling him closer.


    He expected her to jump right into the talk about the mortal, but she surprised him by raising his hand and placing a kiss to his slightly red wrists. The irritation and swelling that the bug bites had created had begun healing on the run over and now all that remained were the bright red marks that would soon fade all together. She rubbed her cool palms over the healing skin in a compassionate way that only a healer of her caliber could manage, then she looked up at Mantilo. A new question hanging on her lips.


    Once again his mate surprised him, took his other hand and pulled him towards the bed. ¡°So what happened at the Martians Farm?¡± She questioned him softly. It wasnt an empty inquiry Mantilo knew. Even though his love was worried about the mortal, she cared deeply for their people and any struggles the villages were facing.


    ¡°They were attacked, but the Martins themselves are fine. ¡± He clarified as he placed a peck to her temple. ¡°Unfortunately they lost a few horses tonight.¡±


    ¡°Oh no....¡± She tisked angrily. ¡°The Martins adored those animals. I hope they weren¡¯t too broken up over their loss.¡±


    The Martins had appeared more upset about the damage done to the farm then they murder of their livestock, but Mantilo decided to keep that to himself.


    He took a seat on the bed beside her, groaning softly as the weight being removed from his feet allowed him to realize how sore he really was. The soles of his feet throbbed in time with his heart beat in the back of his head as he continued to fill her in.


    ¡°So far we¡¯ve been two steps behind this thing.¡± He began looking at her lovely face in the candle light and smoothing a hand down one of her arms so that he could take her hand. ¡°We need to route this menace as soon as possible, and keep everyone as safe as we possibly can. It¡¯s attacking indiscriminately....it¡¯s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt...¡±


    ¡°Do you know what it is? Or where it¡¯s gone too?¡± She asked him, swiping a piece of straw off of his shirt and dropping it off the bed.


    ¡°No....I only have a vague hunch to go on right now. I¡¯ll do more research on its ID later....¡± Mantilo said in response to the first question then shrugged to the second. ¡°As for the killer¡¯s location, the boys are scouring the Martians farm for clues. Then I assigned each of them to making individual rounds in each of the villages but I fear that the menace has had its fill of free food and will be laying low for the next few days.¡±


    ¡°So what will you do?¡± She asked him. ¡°If it goes to ground it will take you even longer to find it, and if it¡¯s randomly traveling all over the place killing things it could pop up anywhere next time.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, so the only thing I can do...¡± ¡°Mantilo sighed coming to a conclusion in that moment. ¡°Is something that¡¯s going to make me terribly unpopular for the next few days with the entire Clan?¡±


    Glen gasped. Her gaze sparking with light as she quickly realized what he was moving towards. ¡°You putting the Village on Lock Down, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s for the best....Right now, this thing....whether I¡¯m right about its identity or not....its vicious and aggressive.¡± Mantilo hissed. ¡°And it¡¯s bold. Taking out full grown moose which is big intelligent game for any predator to tackle. Then it finishes by attacking Ezekiel, Nate and now a farm full of horses....¡± Mantilo shook his head. ¡°I think it¡¯s going to kill someone if we don¡¯t find it soon.¡±


    ¡°But a Lock Down Mantilo?¡± Glen pushed softly. ¡°It will only a few more weeks before the Celebration is scheduled to take place in the Clan. Preparation will be totally crushed if we are forced to stop all travel and remain confined in our separate villages. Please tell me this is going to be less of a disaster then the Lock Down we had to enact when that terrible orange Fever broke out last fall.¡±


    Mantilo shook his head, even as he sort of shuttered inside. He remembered that particular Lock Down all too well. The orange fever, so named by his Mate and the other Healers in the village, because the effected Shifter that contacted it broke out in hives and swelling complemented by the whites of their eyes acquiring a healthy orange tine....all before the Shifter fell into shock and died. The orange fever had been a mysterious plague on his land that had seemed to come from nothing and eventually disappear altogether.


    But in an attempt to save lives and slow the spread of the sickness, Mantilo had had to enact a massive, unforgiving Lock Down that had lasted nearly three months. Banning all traffic through the villages except by the Healers, his eldest sons and a Few Clans men brave enough to risk infection to pass out food.


    ¡°Well....¡± Mantilo breathed coming out of his own thoughts. ¡°Hopefully this it won¡¯t be as severe as past Lock downs or as long. I¡¯m planning on enacting a simple curfew and a band on most travel in the forests or along the edges of the Village, which seems to be the main areas where this thing is choosing to strike form.¡±


    A small smile curved Glen lips as he brushed her hair behind her shoulder. It was a simple smile, but it was a smile that he felt was about to out maneuver him somehow.


    Glen asked him another veiled question. ¡°So basically there won¡¯t be any travel allowed?¡±


    ¡°Well travel among the four Villages will be risky, but outside of that, I¡¯m more concerned about the fringes of the Village. So I¡¯ll be limiting travel across the Clan Lands for the next few days until the beast is brought down. So yes, I¡¯m putting the entire Clan on the same exact leash.¡±


    ¡°The entire Clan? Everyone in the Clan?¡± Glen asked him slowly as though she were trying to line up her own thoughts as well as clarify his own.


    Mantilo hissed softly at her. He felt it coming, the purely male part of him sense her quietly maneuvering him the way that she wanted him to go, but he wasn¡¯t sure what she was doing just yet. ¡°Yes, everyone in the Clan.....Glen what are you doing?¡± he asked her sharply.


    She rose her left shoulder, shrugging innocently at him. ¡°Nothing. I¡¯m just saying....¡± She inhaled deeply, then exhaled her next sentence in a rush. ¡°I was thinking, if you¡¯re Locking Down the whole village anyway.....and you want everyone inside of it to stay away from the border, then the mortal could remain here.....¡±


    With a snarl Mantilo flopped back on the bed. He couldn¡¯t even respond. He was so tired and run down. And the bed felt far too nice beneath him. Glen would argue. She would continue to pester him. He couldn¡¯t avoid it. But in her timing alone his Mate had nearly defeated him.


    She fought him every step of the way when it came to the mortal. Something about him had captured his wife¡¯s gentile heart in a vice. He understood that, but that didn¡¯t mean that Mantilo had to like it or even allow it to stand.


    Mantilo sighed as Glen climbed on top of him, with a soft sensual hiss that made his pulse pick up despite his fatigue. He reached out and she bent down to him so that his hands glided into her scalp, pushing her sandy brown hair back from her face and neck. He enjoyed the few beautiful brown locks that spilled out of his grasp and tickled his forehead, neck, and chest as he pulled her down and kissed her. They both groaned and sighed as they shared their tastes, it was pure delight and utterly calming to his soul to have her there.


    Even after all the years they had spent together he still found the feeling of her body next to his awe inspiring. It felt right. It felt good to embrace her every night, to share his body and his soul with her. To share burdens and love. His Life Mate. He looked into her eyes and everything just faded away. The tension, the confusion and the stress.


    Her slim weight settled over him as she pulled back to look him in the eyes. ¡°So dose that moody silence mean yes to the mortal staying?¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Mantilo paused. ¡°Glen....you are like a dog with a bone! What is it? I mean you¡¯ve never been so hard on me before...¡± He rumbled looking into her green eyes and urging her to be open with him.


    ¡°Well It¡¯s the mortal himself. I sense that he¡¯s in trouble. Even if we can¡¯t help him and he only stays here for a few days, he needs rest and food and tending to his injuries.¡± Glen tried to persuade him.


    Mantilo wasn¡¯t taking the bait just yet. He looked at her dead on. ¡°What else?¡± he asked her.


    ¡°Uhmmm....¡± Glen mumbled shrinking back a little. Her innocent look deepening, which only spelled out to him that she was hiding something.


    ¡°Ummmm-What?¡± Mantilo pressed but Glen only bit her lip and looked away.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can continue.... ¡°She began looking affronted. ¡°I really shouldn¡¯t say anything more without his permission. I¡¯d be breaking a Healers rule.¡±


    ¡°What rule would that be?¡± Mantilo picked, trying desperately not to roll his eyes to the heavens.


    Glen caught onto his careless tone and glared at him. ¡°I¡¯d be breaking the confidentiality between a patient and their doctor.¡±


    Mantilo failed. He rolled his eyes, dropped his head back on the bed, and groaned obnoxiously.


    ¡°Okay!¡± Glen snarled in frustration, perhaps sensing that she was losing him. ¡°Just this once...and only in the spirit of protecting my patient form further harm.....¡± Glen began, swallowed then proceeded to shed so disturbing light on their uninvited house guest.


    ¡°I saw it when I was seeing him up and changing him out of the bloody rags that he came here in. There are markings all over him. Someone¡¯s been cutting him up.¡± She attempted to outline the mortal¡¯s injuries in an objective streamlined fashion, so Mantilo knew that she didn¡¯t exaggerate the mortal¡¯s sate of being in the least. He knew that his wife had dealt with everything from broken bones to severed limbs and everything in between.


    ¡°The evidence is all over his skin...¡± She explained to him seriously. ¡°From his chest to his back, down to his knees and the sheer volume of the damage is atrocious. How he went through what he must have went through and survived....I don¡¯t really know.¡±


    Mantilo growled, sharing comfort and disquiet all with that one small sound. ¡°Don¡¯t do this to yourself Glen. You always want to take on the worlds problems. But you don¡¯t own that boy anything. So, stop trying to get me to sympathize with him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not trying to get you to sympathize. ¡°She growled back at him hotly. Piqued at his seeming coldness towards this new information. ¡°I¡¯m answering your questions, even though it completely goes against patient, doctor confidentiality to do so. Now tell me that he can stay!¡±


    ¡°No Glen, besides he¡¯s only your damn patient by so sick twist of fate.¡± Mantilo growled with a little fire of his own. He was tired of her using her responsibility as a Healer against him where the mortal was involved. ¡°He told us that he came here by coincidence, he could have ended up anywhere out there. And just because he lands here it doesn¡¯t automatically make him our responsibility. Besides I questioned the boy myself. IF he was in some kind of trouble wouldn¡¯t he have said something back then!?¡± He demanded.


    But his Mate came right back at him. ¡°You intimidated him! You¡¯re the last male on earth any Shifter would come too when you fly into rages and threats like you did.¡±


    Mantilo felt she was being unfair and hissed as he came up slightly on his elbow to point out where he was coming form. ¡°Glen, I gave him a chance to explain his intrusion into our home and he in turn acted like a rude little brat! So now I say...his fate may as well be out of our hands!¡±


    ¡°Ok.....I get it.¡± She began sighing away some of the tension that had been developing between them. She leaned down and began to layer him with kisses. First on his forehead, lips and chin, then down on his throat. Deftly she began to undo the buttons of his shirt. ¡°But.....can¡¯t you see that you¡¯re being a little too ridged about this? Wont you rethink this... for me¡± She asked him as the shirt opened and he found not only the cool air on his chest, but also her small warm hands.


    And suddenly he felt her petite warm teeth and tongue nipping and caressing at his throat, a shiver passed over him as she moved down the length of his torso. Kissing, sucking and setting him to a slow burn so that nothing mattered but her and more of her touch.


    Suddenly she lowered her head and wrapped her soft lips around his right nipple. As she bit him on the hard tip, he felt the point of her canines on his flesh, scraping sensitive flesh, bringing pain, but also feeding the burning pleasure.


    Mantilo hissed, and slid his hands up into her curls, encouraging her as she moved on. Pressing a sinfully soft line of kisses across his chest to his other nipple which she lavished with the same attentions as the one before.


    Then her head, her lips and her hands were drifting down his hard stomach and past his hips. Mantilo dropped his head back as Glens mouth nibbled and licked at the edge of his jeans. All but ignoring the large bulge that was developing beneath her supple hips, until he felt her hands grinding and pushing against him through his pants. With a growl as his teeth grew longer behind his lips, nearly cutting him in the process, Mantilo pulled her hands up, so that they locked behind him, then he guided her back up so that she sat on his hips, the silk dress bunched up over her luscious thighs in a deliciously seductive fashion. He tried to kiss her and roll his aroused hips against her hot core, Glen began to rock against him.


    A sinful arch of her hips against his that made pleasure blossom like a spike in his groin and gut. His head drifted back even further which allowed her to bypass his mouth and suck on his nipples again. Everything in him responded to her touch. He felt like he was burning all over and nothing but her skin against his own could halt the flames that had ignited.


    But That was how it was between Mates. Passion and pleasure that could ignite as fast a gasoline and was as consuming as a storm of ferocious flames across the mind and soul.


    Often most Shifters never found their Mate, not their true Mate at least. IT was a fluke....a twist of fate that brought two people together whose souls....just seemed like one.


    Some loved it....others loathed the connection that Mates formed once they met...because mentally and physically a Mate was more important than breathing. Their touch, or scent, more vital than even a drink of water. In this way one Mate was like a slave to another. Their whims....their feelings....Their love. It could consume a couple. It could override common sense. It could destroy two peoples happiness.


    And in this way Mantilo could have resented what Glen was trying to do, He knew that his Mate wasn¡¯t playing fair and Mantilo knew it needed to be addressed.


    For one, he adored the woman in black silk. Nothing fit her as snuggly or as sensually as silks, and black was always so mysterious on her that he couldn¡¯t resist loving to watch it move on her body and skin....until he took it off of course.


    But beyond his Mates choice of clothing, it was what she was doing to him. When he had meet her, and realized she was his Mate sex had taken on a new meaning. The urge to dominate that one person. To have that one person...it was maddening at times. Only years of time in that persons company did anything to dull the ache, and even then Mantilo had never known the urge to slack off it was just more manageable for him.


    Using that power, a power only she had over him as his Mate, that no other man on God¡¯s green earth would ever posse to distract him could have upset him. But it didn¡¯t, simply because he had that same power over her. And unlike his Mate he was used to using it to get what he wanted from her. There had been plenty of times when he had pushed the strong healer out of an argument simply by kissing her or touching her till she was a mess for him. Using the Mate bond to drown her in ecstasy. He had used their bond to capture her heart after all long ago...and felt no shame about using it now back against her.


    He brought her head up, and stole a demanding kiss from her, as he pulled her closer. He played her mouth and body knowing that his kisses drove her wild and breathless


    She hissed, as he rocked back against her, taking some of the control out of her teasing as she let him guide her moves. She panted as her body began to squirm and heat up in his hands. She fought to speak as her body yielded to him.


    ¡°You have enough to worry about already Mantilo. With the Celebration coming around and now this beast on the prowl....can¡¯t you just ignore this.....¡±


    He put his hands on her hips to still their movements. Not so much because he wanted her to stop, but because he needed to concentrate. Mantilo gave up on trying to move past the subject ¡°Look Glen.... ¡°He breathed slightly harder as his body warred with his mind for control. He wanted her, he would always want her, but not if it was going to be the end of the talk when he did take her down into the sheets. ¡°I see what you¡¯re saying, but even with that beast, and the Celebration, I would still be able to escort the mortal off our lands. He is leaving that¡¯s that!¡±


    Glen sighed, green eyes tinted with need and anger equally. ¡°You¡¯re such a sour puss right now.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re cheating, you little seductress...¡± Mantilo pointed out right back to let her know that he wasn¡¯t fooled.


    ¡°Only because you¡¯re acting like a stubborn mule.¡± She nipped at his throat with her fangs, then pulled back.


    She tried to pull away from him completely, but Mantilo wrapped her in his arms once more, locking her close, still straddled over him.


    ¡°Am I?¡± Mantilo growled. He kissed her softly as he took one of his hands and ran it down her side and along her belly. ¡°I think I¡¯m just not giving you what you want so you¡¯re trying to pout.¡± And before she could quite muster a response to that Mantilo slid his hands down her small silk covered middle, closing in on the molten heat of her core, the sweet heat and scent of her arousal for him making his mouth water and his manhood hard and thick between them.


    She jumped, pulling back slightly from his lips. He pushed against her, caressing her through the silken nightgown that she wore. He urged her to move, as he slowly ran his fingertips between her legs and against the silk barring him from touching her directly. When she moaned and her hips began to move against his hand he growled softly. He pulled her down for a kiss fully prepared to forget about their talk all together.


    When their lips met it was like a spark. Sweet and hot and just the beginning.


    But once more Glen broke the kiss and put her forehead against his as held her dainty weight to his wider chest. ¡°Please Mantilo....¡± she whispered to him, sounding like she wanted to cry. Her eyes were closed as though she were making a wish. She begged him, holding off a sob. ¡°Oh please, my love?¡±


    ¡°Dammit Glen.¡± Mantilo sighed, felling like the bad guy suddenly. Like a bully. ¡°Arr you serious! Your begging for that little irritating child...Okay... okay! If you¡¯re going to cry on me....I will concede.¡± Mantilo told her, he couldn¡¯t bear to ignore her any longer. Or ignore how much she wanted his cooperation. For some reason taking care of this young stranger was important to her. He suspected that the kindness came from the part of her that made her a wonderful mother.


    But Mantilo didn¡¯t completely roll over. ¡°If it will give us peace. Then I¡¯ll give the boy temporary stay here. At least for another few days. The Beast should be located by then and dispatched. It will also allow him time to heal his wounds....I guess that matters too. A little bit.¡±


    Glen¡¯s eyes flew open a moment later as she laughed and pulled back slightly. Her green eyes were full of glimmering joy that made him melt for her.


    ¡°You will let him stay!? Oh thank you!¡± she cried. Then she put her hands on his cheeks and kissed him again sending tendrils of sweet pleasure and hunger all over his skin and lions and Mantilo could taste her excitement and her love for him all at once.


    He kissed her back, growling as he tumbled their tongues and moaned her name and just as Mantilo got ready to flip her over and pull her beneath him and satisfy them both; Glen pulled away from him and hopped off the bed all together.


    ¡°Glen!?¡± Mantilo sat up on his elbows as she moved toward their bedroom door. ¡°Come back woman! What are you doing now?¡± he growled as she sauntered further from his grasp. The black silk shimmering in the candle light like water as she moved.


    Glen pivoted on her heel to look back at him as she put her hand on the doorknob. Her eyes, glowing slightly like gossamer jewels and contracted like a wild cat, glittered with excitement and impatience. ¡°Well I have to make sure the boy doesn¡¯t think you¡¯re going to wake up tomorrow and kill him now. Right?¡± she said.


    Glen opened the door and disappeared from his sight before he could respond. He stared at the empty door way trying to figure out how it had come to this. A moment ago Glen had been all his and now it looked like he wasn¡¯t getting any of her time any time soon.


    Mantilo dropped back on to his bed with an overburdened hiss. ¡°Heavens!! It¡¯s like there¡¯s a new babe in the house dammit.¡± He said to himself. ¡°I didn¡¯t get any of her time back then either.¡±


    He refrained from thinking about the fact that that that exact same baby on his mind had grown into the man that had brought the mortal into his home.

 Chapter 39 - Stand & Report

    Chapter 39 ¨C Stand & Report


    And so his fourth night of sleeplessness and now empty sheets passed him by.


    Figuring that he wasn¡¯t doing anything worthwhile in the bed alone anyway Mantilo forced himself to his feet and made his way out of the bed room and into the dim hallways, colored by warm candle light.


    He followed in his wife¡¯s wake only until they both reached the stair case. He watched her brown curls and slight frame disappear up the steps toward the room where the mortal would be resting. He could scent his son Lander up there as well. Mantilo quickly guessed that his son was keeping watch. He had probably been put there by Glen herself to keep tabs on the mortals continued well-being. Knowing that no harm would come to his wife as long as Lander was with her, Mantilo turned from the steps and walked a few feet to his left until he came to the heavy front door.


    He found his way easily in the darkness the Leopard inside lending him its senses. And as he got closer he instantly caught the scents of his other sons. Articles of their clothing sat strewn about the door stop. Shirts socks and shoes. Most Shifters didn¡¯t have to remove clothing to Shift from flesh to beast, but Mantilo knew that it was often a faster change if the Shifter had less clothing to meld into their fur.


    As he moved the items out of the door way as he and Mantilo realized that they had already returned from patrol. He could smell their inner Shifts and sense the pop of their energy they had left floating around but he would have sense them in the house. Just as he had sensed Lander upstairs.


    This whole business must be making them restless. They are probably still running the Clan grounds


    Mantilo told himself.


    And suddenly he was itching to shed his own mortal skin and run in the moon light with them. He quickly began slipping off his shoes. He walked out the door letting it swing shut behind him as he inhaled the cool night air. It was tinged with scent that had become more familiar over the years.


    A small light overhead just barely beat back the darkness of the coming night, but it was more than enough light for him to see by. He took a moment to let the beast inside come alive, he felt its spirit unfurl inside of him slowly, like a wooden log, bursting into flames. Warm and vicious but contained within. As Mantilo began to feel it scratching at his mind, shoving against his control. He let it stew as he monitored the land before him.


    His home. His land. As Clan Head there was a deep significance to him for the earth that he stood on. A tittle ran in his veins and an invisible crown adorned his head. The smell of the pine forest¡¯s to the far left and right, the rotting mulch and pine needles settled deep in him. He knew the smell better than any other. The smell of sweet grass and cool water also came over him floating up from the cliffs behind their home.


    A home that he and his sons had guarded and protected for decades and would continue to protect no matter what. As he exhaled Mantilo realized that he wasn¡¯t alone anymore.


    Something was watching him.


    Mantilo let the Shift take him without hesitation; energy unbound within him as he gave over his body to his inner beast. Flesh slid away and reformed tightening and loosening as bones cracked and moved.


    Until a moment later there stood a very large male Leopard glaring out into the tall grass. Its heavy limbs and jaws were far larger than any one leopards should have been, as were its giant paws and long tail that lashed back and forth like a rapier. Its giant eyes were dilated and they glowed a bright warm yellow as the Leopard peering into the dark woods and surrounding grass searching for any hit of movement. Finally with a deep throated hiss the Leopard hunched down, its head snapped to the left and bunching thick leg muscles the Leopard sailed off into the darkness.


    Vicious growls and chilling hisses filled the night air and then the long anguished howl of a Wolf filled the front yard until suddenly all sound died away. There was the scuffle of feet, a wave of energies moving and contracting and the shifting of bodies.


    Then Mantilo walked out of the shadows, the Leopard had been put away, and in his arms he had his three sons locked in his embrace.


    ¡°I surrender!¡± Nate grumbled at him as he pulled and struggled to be free. His dual colored gaze glowing with a white light similar to the glow of the moon.


    ¡°Shit, the old man¡¯s still got it.¡± Walter sighed as Mantilo released his sons.


    Ezekiel rubbed a hand across his throat and bent over while he panted. ¡°Next time don¡¯t give up so easily Nate...¡± he snarled softly.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Nate growled back at him. Silver eyes as wild and mysterious as the moon burned with unfulfilled retribution.


    ¡°No.¡± Mantilo said over Nate¡¯s rising voice. He smiled at each of his sons as they looked at him. ¡°You¡¯re all just too obvious! I could almost taste your excitement, your animal instinct. Next time just don¡¯t be so noticeable. I could feel you out there. You got to learn to conceal your presence if you want to take down your enemy.¡±


    All three of his sons accepted his words in silence, but Mantilo was certain that like everything else had had taught them they would take his words seriously.


    ¡°Do you have anything to report?¡± Mantilo asked them steeping closer so that he now stood in a tight circle with them. He waited patiently for one of them to speak


    ¡°No. ¡°Walter said first being the first one to recover from the tussle in the grass.¡± There was nothing going on in the Western village tonight. Over the week, I broke up a fight or two between a few hormonal female cubs.¡± Walter shrugged his wide shoulders, then he snapped his fingers.¡± Oh and a tree fell down on top of old Mc¡¯Rileys cabin.¡±


    ¡°Was anybody hurt?¡± Mantilo questioned him, his glowing eyes beginning to cool back to their black mortal pupils.


    Walter shook his head solemnly and said. ¡°No and the Rileys are moving in with the Fir¡¯s until the damage can be repaired. No strangers or intruders sighted. Really nothing interesting seems to be happening. The buzz about the beast hasn¡¯t spread yet, so everyone is just preparing for the upcoming Clan gathering.¡±


    ¡°Well once they find out about the Beast and the Lock down, I know many of the Clans Men will have a lot to say. So be ready to be bombarded with questions.¡± Mantilo sighed.


    Nate shrugged. ¡°Well deal with it later. For now the beast is more important than the Celebration.


    ¡°Still we¡¯ve done this Celebration for the last fifteen years in a row and it¡¯s always ran smoothly.¡± Ezekiel pointed out to them all. ¡°This lock down may throw off the timing slightly.¡±


    ¡°Well that may not be an entirely bad thing. Ill speak with Glen about possibly moving the Celebration up or back by a week just in case.¡± Mantilo nodded as each of his sons shrugged or cast him looks of approval. Then he looked to Ezekiel next. ¡°Now what about the Eastern village?¡± He asked him looking to the small cluster of lights far out in the night.


    Ezekiels glowing blue eyes slowly cooled as he spoke next. ¡°Nothing to report on my side. No one in the west has been disturbed by the beast or noticed anything strange. Over the last few days, I knocked down a rotted pine tree and found a missing cat for the Durmen Clan. Then helped some Leopardesses gather herbs and shoot down some quails. That¡¯s about it. Like Walter said nothing interesting until last night.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Mantilo breathed as he looked to his next son. ¡°What of the Southern Village?¡± he asked Nate softly.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Nate rolled his shoulders as he walked past his father and flopped down onto the wooden steps of the front porch. His silvery gaze looking out to the south at the darkness there, a sleeping village.


    ¡°I helped the women in the Southern village plant seed for the coming spring last week. Then I settled a dispute between the males of the Gabil Clan three days ago.¡±


    Nate told them with a slight shoulder shrug. But from the sadness in his eyes Mantilo knew that his son had more to say on this matter.


    Mantilo walked to the railing beside Nate and draped his arms across it and leaned into it so he could listen to his tale.


    ¡°What was the dispute about?¡± Ezekiel asked suddenly when Nate held his silence. Ezekiels bright blue eyes started glowing as he walked forward and sat down beside his brother perhaps sensing his unease.


    Ezekiel was always the most compassionate of his sons. He disliked seeing any of his family distressed, and Mantilo knew that this often caused him and his leopard to be a little bit too close. Emotions caused their inner beasts to arise, to try to take control, to try to protect. And Ezekiels more earnest nature tended to align with his leopards protective instincts more often than not. And then there was the part about Ezekiel being a natural Reaver. His supernatural powers and his strength could be overwhelming for one as young as him.


    The change, the beast was always there for Reavers, tied into them more than into other Shifters. A fuse that was always lit. Some Reavers were wild from birth and this partly explained Ezekiels incredible potential for reckless behavior and his piercing thought process. The Reavers energy drove him to probe into everything around him. But Mantilo knew that it was a combination of Glens loving nature and Ezekiel¡¯s own inner strength that kept him on a short leash and out of substantial trouble.....some of the time.


    Mantilo wanted to tell his son to pull in his Shift, but he was just as anxious to know what it was that had disturbed his normally care free son so badly.


    ¡°Tell us ...¡°Mantilo rumbled softly net to them as Nate shifted on the steps and continued to stare into the dark.


    ¡°Well, this is just going to make you blow your top.....¡± Nate took a deep breath. ¡°Mr. Gabil has been brutalizing his sons and his wife.¡± Nate hissed sharing a hot glace with his father and brothers. ¡°I discovered it only yesterday and just now got the chance to report since we were dealing with....so many other things.¡±


    ¡°Gabil!¡± Mantilo snarled in outrage. There were few things that he suffered to live on his Clan Lands; murders, Hunters, and brutalizers of children were not among them. ¡°That lazy drunk! I always knew Emily was a fool to marry a bastered like him, but she was in love.¡± Mantilo sniffed. ¡°I couldn¡¯t talk her out of marrying him though I feared he was a bad match for her all along.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Nate snarled softly. ¡°Well, Gabil was a violent drunk or so I was told. He would slap his wife, Emily, around then attack his sons whenever they tried to intervene.¡± Nate continued looking away from his brothers into the darkness once again appearing severely agitated. ¡°But last week his two boys turned sixteen and Shifted for the first time. To hear them tell it thy both wanted to stop him from hurting their mom again. Gabil was sopping drunk, furious and after their mom. Their inner Leopards awakened and when their father went to hit them, they just reacted on pure protective instinct.¡±


    ¡°Did they kill the man?¡± Walter suddenly chimed in, his voice as cold as his eyes, where little to no emotion ever really showed, but Mantilo thought he caught the stirrings of rage there. His eldest was a lot like him his cool control and mind often made Mantilo proud. But his distance, even from those that loved him, often saddened his father. Nate smiled a wolf smile at Walter all teeth and no humor.


    ¡°No.¡± Nate. ¡°Unfortunately I showed up in time to save the pricks life. His sons had him by the throat and belly, ready to tear him to shreds. Gibil¡¯s injuries were extensive so I had a local, healer Kim, look him over. He¡¯s been in her care ever since the attack this morning.¡± Nate sounded disgusted as he commented on Gabil¡¯s current state of being alive.


    ¡°So the fool still lives..?¡± Mantilo rumbled, his inner leopard sharing and giving outrage. ¡°Maybe I will go and visit Gabil tomorrow.¡±


    Ezekiel who was in the middle of squeezing Nate¡¯s shoulder in brotherly affection, dropped his hand and looked at his father. His interests obviously piqued at his father choice of words.


    ¡°Tomorrow?¡± he asked Mantilo cautiously. ¡°But aren¡¯t you going to escort the Mortal off Clan Lands tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Was I?¡± Mantilo growled at his son. He could hear the hope in his voice that he tried to mask. Mantilo sighed and pushed back from the railing dropping his arms to his sides. ¡°I hope you proud of yourselves, son. You and your mother¡¯s sneaky ways have tired me out. I haven¡¯t the stomach to fight with Glen any longer on the matter of tossing the sorry intruder off the Clans Lands. So I¡¯m letting you keep your little pet for a short while longer. At least until I can figure out what this moose killing business is all about.¡±


    Ezekiel stifled his initial instinct to growl at his father¡¯s words. But Ezekiel wisely held his inner leopard¡¯s voice down and instead he stood up and walked to the front door. ¡°So how long is a ¡°little while?¡± he asked his father softly. Turning at the door to look at him, his son¡¯s eyes still glowing like lightening.


    Mantilo¡¯s eyes flashed bright yellow for a second. He could sense his son¡¯s emotions, his rebellion was clear to the Leopard within him, but the mortal in him...The father in him choose to let it slide. For once.


    ¡°A week is all he gets. And during that time he¡¯s your responsibility Ezekiel.¡± Mantilo stated to them all. ¡°Don¡¯t let that mortal out of your sight understand?¡± Mantilo told him sternly. ¡°A week. And moose killer or no in my claws...I still want him gone.¡±


    Not waiting for a response and pretending not to see the thankful smile that spread across Ezekiels face, a smile that mirrored his mother Glens far too much, Mantilo turned and began to walk away.


    ¡°Nate!? Walter!? I¡¯m going to pay Mr. Gabil a visit....¡± He called as he walked out into the grasses and darkness. ¡°Are you coming with me?¡±


    ¡°Coming.¡± Walter called out to him.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t miss it.¡± Nate said with a toothy grin that was just a little on the blood thirsty side, his inner wolf shinning in his two colored gaze


    Mantilo didn¡¯t wait for them though, he Shifted and bound away into the darkness. Leaving his sons to follow as they may.


    *****


    ¡°Well he¡¯s not very happy.¡± Walter sighed a rare smile gracing his solemn face as he walked out into the grass. ¡°I¡¯d better make sure that he ONLY beats the crap out of Mr. Gabil and doesn¡¯t cut him apart. Say hi to the mortal for me Ezekiel.¡±


    Then like Mantilo, Walter Shifted, and energy popping warmly in the air as mortal limbs broke and reformed. A smaller, but no less daunting Leopard with burning yellow eyes, turned on silent paws and bounded away after Mantilo a few seconds later.


    Nate, hung back for a moment as he looked back at Ezekiel as he stood, brushed his pants of nonexistent dust, and stepped down from the porch steps. ¡°So is he?¡± he asked his brother his teeth growing sharp and long right before Ezekiels eyes.


    ¡°Is who what?¡± he said confused by his bothers quick question. Ezekiel scrunched his forehead in confusion as he watched the Shift take his brothers shape and transform it.


    Nate shrugged, juggling a small tooth necklace lying on his chest. The necklace glinted in the light as he gestured with claws beginning to protrude from his fingertips. ¡°Is the stranger your new pet mister soft heart?¡±


    Ezekiel rolled his eyes and laughed. ¡°Of course not! Dads just being Dad Nate. He thinks I have a bad habit of adopting strays.¡±


    ¡°You do have a bad habit of adopting strays.¡± Nate said right back to him, his eyes beginning to glow like the moon above. The pop of Shift energy filling the air. ¡°Just think of it like this. You¡¯ve never adopted a mortal before!¡±


    Ezekiel glared at him, his blue eyes glowing. On one had he was happy to see that his brother was back to his childish teasing ways. On another he kind of wanted him to shut up. But he couldn¡¯t quite say anything back.


    Not because he took his brothers teasing serious but because he couldn¡¯t deny that he was extremely intrigued by their new house guest. His curiosity hadn¡¯t nearly been quenched yet. This was still the first mortal that he had ever met. And he was nothing like Ezekiel had thought they would be. The intruder came off as combative, sarcastic....and terribly sad for some odd reason. He was rude, skittish and uncivilized almost like he didn¡¯t know how to function in a peaceful manner. Not to mention his weird scent and the black leather gloves that he carried around. All and all he was a puzzle.


    Something inside told Ezekiel that normal mortals behaved...differently. So that lead Ezekiel to wonder what was so different about this particular one.


    Still, he found his brothers teasing annoying.


    ¡°Look, Im not soft. And I¡¯m definitely not interested in adopting any mortals!¡± Ezekiel hissed steeping toward him. ¡°I¡¯m just helping the stranger because it¡¯s the right thing to do! So you and Dad can shove it with the jokes!¡± Ezekiel growled. ¡°Besides Nate, why are you giving me a hard time?¡±


    ¡°Yeah...I should leave you alone! I should just shut my mouth. ¡± Nate said as he walked away. And the further his steps carried him the more his clothes and skin melted together forming something soft and thick and gray. ¡°It¡¯s not like your attracted to the mortal or anything.....right little brother?¡±


    ¡°Look you flea bitten excuse for a dog...¡± Ezekiel began with a snarl. Nate¡¯s strange wolfish eyes laughing at him silently in the darkness. His teasing got under Ezekiels skin more then he wanted to admit. ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything better to do!? Get out of here!¡±


    But he needn¡¯t have tried to run Nate away.


    A shadow of Nate¡¯s beastly tail was already bounding away after Walter and Mantilo without another word to him. The Wolf flew into the darkness, the playful howl it gave off echoing across the fields, chasing away the bad vibes in the air and praising the moon hanging in the skies, until the wolf had totally become one with the grass and disappeared into the night.


    Sighing Ezekiel turned back to the door and opened it and even though he hated himself he couldn¡¯t stop form inhaling the air. Ever searching for the Mortals scent even when he didn¡¯t know why he did it. Ezekiel cursed as his eyes contracted and his teeth itched to lengthen behind his lips. Cursing again Ezekiel shook his head and walked further into the house.


    ¡°I¡¯m not attracted to him...¡± Ezekiel said again as he slammed the door shut as though to make his denial real.

 Chapter 40 - A Step Forwards

    Chapter 40 ¨C A Step Forwards


    Ezekiel purposely turned from the door, ignored the stairs that lead not only to his , but also to the Mortals bed room. He choose instead to walk to his far right and then he walked under the stair case and headed to the kitchen. To his dual dismay and surprise he ran into his mother.


    Her back was too him as she worked. A few pots beside her bubbled and steamed and his mother¡¯s hands worked and buzzed around the vegetables before her. She was chopping and slicing and humming as she worked, and as he watched her she turned and shacked all the vegetable she had cut off the board and into the steaming pot beside her.


    Trying not to startle her Ezekiel thought to step back out of the room and go straight to his bed, but his mother turned around before he could move. Her bright green eyes sparkled as she smiled and called ¡°Ezekiel? Come in. I¡¯m gonna need your help with this.¡± She beckoned him.


    Ezekiel smiled at her as he came into the room. ¡°And what is this exactly?¡± He asked as he leaned up against the counter top folding his arms out before him.


    His mother didn¡¯t answer him at first she reached up into the cabinets above the sink and removed a large plate and bowl. Then slipping on a mitten she popped open the stove door and lifted out a small wooden plate with a small loaf of bread in the middle. She lifted the bread onto a tray before her then she turned and grabbed the handles of the boiling pot. Deftly she lifted the tilted the bubbling soup into the bowl beside the bread then she sat the empty pot back onto the counter top.


    Glen turned back to him her brown hair brushing her shoulders as they bounced. ¡°This...¡± She said setting a wooden tray in front of him. ¡°...is dinner for the mortal.¡±


    Ezekiel smiled down at the giant bowl of broth and bread sitting before him, chunks of chicken and celery bobbed within the soups steamy depths and the bread was sweating butter, his mother¡¯s knife and a small fork sat beside the large loaf of bread. ¡°Did you make enough?¡± He chuckled standing back from the rising steam of the food.


    His mother laughed as she took the cutting board and deposited it into the dish washer along with the empty soup pot.


    ¡°I think I did.¡± she told him softly. ¡°The mortal said that he was hungry so I just figured a bowl of soup would help him get back his strength.¡± she explained to him as she turned back to the sink and began washing her hands. When she finished washing the rest of the soap from her fingers Ezekiel watched his mother dry her hands and walk over to the table. She hiked her hip up on the edge of the wood and sighed softly. ¡°So have you spoken to your Father yet?¡±


    Ezekiel nodded. ¡°Yeah. He told me that the mortal could stay at least until the wild animal has been found and neutralized. Then he appointed me his official babysitter for the remainder of his stay.¡±


    Glen smiled at him. ¡°Good...¡± she told him. ¡°You¡¯re the one he trusts the most right now.¡±


    Ezekiel rolled his eyes annoyed. ¡°Okay. Where did that come from?¡± he hissed looking at the counter top. ¡°You and Nate have to stop insinuating stuff like that.¡±


    Glen frowned at his tone. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? What did Nate say to you?¡±


    Ezekiel put a hand to his forehead then dropped it again. ¡°He thinks that I¡¯m attracted to the mortal...that I like him or something.¡± Ezekiel chuckled and shook his head, but then stopped smiling when his mother¡¯s face didn¡¯t melt into a smile of absurdity.


    ¡°I guess I shouldn¡¯t jump to conclusions either, but I thought you did like him. ¡°Glen tilted her head at him. She seemed confused by his hesitation. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be embarrassed about it. You have to be sympathetic and care about someone to help them. Liking someone is part of sympathizing. It doesn¡¯t mean that you have to jump their bones, it can be completely platonic.¡± his mother told him.


    Ezekiel almost opened his mouth to deny what she was saying, but honestly who was he even lying to anymore. Himself?


    Ezekiel sighed as he reached out and pulled the food tray closer; turned and leaned his side into the counter.


    ¡°Look.¡± He hissed at her. ¡°It¡¯s really not a big deal alright? I just want to help him. That¡¯s it. There¡¯s nothing more to it. ¡°Ezekiel told her.


    Besides, being attracted to a virtual stranger is already more then I want to deal with.


    He thought privately.


    His mother laughed softly at his defeated tone and pushed of the edge of the table. She walked up to him and putting her hands on his chest she sighed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ezekiel.¡± she told him softly as though she was sharing a secret. ¡°I get it. I mean the mortal is quite handsome. Isn¡¯t he? Breathtaking if I had to define him.¡±


    ¡°Exactly....¡± Ezekiel replied before he could stop, cringed and put a hand over his eyes in mortification. ¡°Nope. Don¡¯t say anything else. We are not talking about this anymore.¡± he grumbled at her.


    Glen smiled, raised up on her tippy toes, which she had to do to place a kiss to his cheek. ¡°Ok Ill drop it, but he seems to accept you more than the rest of us....I think.¡± She said walking away from him. She walked a few feet across the room to turn the knobs on the dishwasher. The sound of spraying water soon filled her part of the kitchen ¡± After all if you hadn¡¯t got him talking he would have never agreed to let me heal him and show me all of his scars. I mean it¡¯s terrible what they did to him isn¡¯t it?¡±


    It was Ezekiels turn to tilt his head at her in confusion, sharp emotion hitting him in the back at her words. ¡°Scars? What scars?¡±


    Glen¡¯s head whipped his way and the smile that had been there died a swift death.


    ¡°Oh...¡± she said almost sadly her eyes connecting with his. ¡°You didn¡¯t know did you?¡±


    ¡°Know what?¡± Ezekiel asked back trying to discern the look on her face. She looked shocked and scared all at once.


    ¡°About the scars....I though he showed them too you earlier and that¡¯s why you insisted on making your father be lenient...¡± His mother began, but the more that she looked into his blank eyes the more she began to realize that Ezekiel had no idea what she was talking about. ¡°So....¡± Glen breathed putting a hand to her chin. ¡°Are you telling me that you didn¡¯t know about what happened to him at all and you still helped me convince your father to let him stay...thats a surprise.¡±


    Ezekiel shook his head taking his weight off the counter so he could stand to his full height. ¡°Who cares about that now? What are you talking about? What happened to him?¡± he growled becoming exasperated and needing to know the answer more then he wanted to admit.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    His mother swiped a hand through her hair. ¡°Well I guees it will come out soon enough. The mortal...someone¡¯s been hurting him.¡± she explained. She pulled her right hand down from her hair and wrung it before her with her left. ¡°I don¡¯t know much. I just...I saw it when I was putting in his stitches Ezekiel. He has scars all over his back and legs, maybe more on his body. It was so bad. I couldn¡¯t really get a clear grasp of the magnitude of the scaring, but it was deep, old and wide spread.¡±


    Ezekiel felt his fangs gnash as his inner beast snarled in anger. He looked away then back at her. ¡°Did he tell you what happened to him?¡± he hissed slightly. Then realizing that is eyes and teeth were itching he tried to calm down, his inner leopard could sense his unease. His rage. Ezekiel tried to tune his emotions down. He wanted to shake it away, but there it was. Anger....for the mortal. The more that he learned about the stranger the more uncomfortable he became. What was it that allowed this stranger to worm into Ezekiels emotions when Ezekiel almost preferred to be indifferent. It was like he had no other choice, but to care.


    Glen dropped her hands. ¡°No, he won¡¯t tell me what is wrong.¡± she informed him. ¡°He won¡¯t talk to me, Ezekiel. He only seems to respond to you really.¡± Glen shrugged her shoulders. ¡°So, now that your father has calmed down about him, can you take the food to him and talk with him again? Maybe get him to open up a little more?¡±


    Ezekiel smiled at her and hefted the trey of food. ¡°Ok, but I¡¯m not making any promises. He just woke up and he¡¯s still healing right now. If I push too hard he might just get defensive.¡± He said, then turned and made his way out of the kitchen calling back over his shoulder to her. ¡°Hopefully a full stomach will make him more agreeable right?¡±


    ***


    Ezekiel left his mother in the kitchen and made his way to the stair case. He had no problem balancing the food as he made his way and soon he had crested the last step and was traveling down the hallway on the second floor. As he passed his brothers Nate and Landers rooms and turned the corner, he soon spotted the guest room; where the mortal would be sleeping.


    Standing outside of the door Ezekiel easily spotted his brother Lander. His short blond hair was swiped back and his dark green eyes glared at the wall opposite him. He stood arms crossed, and feet planted in front of the door with faded jeans and a white t-shirt on. He looked positively grumpy to Ezekiel, but when had his brother ever been without a frown or a sneer on his face?


    He didn¡¯t acknowledge Ezekiels presence until Ezekiel was standing beside him waiting for Lander to move or even blink. Or exhale.


    ¡°Damnit!¡± Lander suddenly exclaimed twenty seconds later coming out of his apparent trace a moment before Ezekiel could decide whether or not to just push him out of the way. ¡°I still can¡¯t do it! He¡¯s like a goddamn wall!¡± Lander swore turning to Ezekiel his face covered in a scowl and his green eyes slit thin like quarters. His fury letting the Leopard within claw too close to the surface. Ezekiel could sense his frustration and wanted to calm it.


    But even if that was the case Ezekiel was lost for a moment as to what his brother was even talking about. Then he realized what was going on and chuckled. ¡°Are you still trying to read the mortals mind?¡±


    Lander steeped away from the door with a snarl. ¡°Yep and I¡¯m getting fuck nothing off him.¡± his brother informed him putting a hand to his eyes and rubbing them harshly. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying for over an hour now to find a crack in his mind, but it¡¯s like he doesn¡¯t have one. His thoughts are a prison. I¡¯ve never know a mortal I couldn¡¯t read. It¡¯s fucking bugging me Ezekiel!¡±


    Ezekiel steeped closer to the door. ¡°Sooooo just stop trying.¡± He told his brother softly. ¡°Maybe this mortal just doesn¡¯t have a crack in his thoughts. Would that be so strange? You must have met people you couldn¡¯t read before this?¡±


    Lander took his hand from his eyes and sighed. ¡°Kind of. But everyone has a crack.¡± he told Ezekiel confidently. ¡°Especially mortals. I¡¯ve met a few strong minded Shifters before, like Walter for example and even mom and dad can partially block me out. I can barely read them at all, but not mortals. Their supposed to be weaker than us!¡±


    Then as though he was just seeing his brother for the first time he frowned at the tray in Ezekiel arms. ¡°What¡¯s with the food?¡± he asked looking Ezekiel in the eyes.


    And before Ezekiel could say anything he felt something cold and foreign sliding into his mind. It was there only for a moment and then it was gone. Ezekiel snarled at his brother, his canines lengthening in promised aggression. ¡°I hate it when you do that!¡± he told his brother as he shook his head to get the cold slimy feeling to leave his temples. ¡°Stop reading my mind without permission you ass!¡±


    ¡°Cool it....I told you everyone has a crack Ezekiel, I was just proving my point¡± Lander laughed. Then he tilted his head and closed his eyes like he was seeing something in the depths of his mind. He opened them a moment later a smile glowing in his green feral gaze. ¡°So Dads gonna let the intruder stay?¡±


    Lander asked him completely ignoring Ezekiels anger.


    ¡°Good. That will give me more time to try and find a way past his barriers. No mortals gonna beat me. Especially not some fag I just met. ¡°Lander mused to himself, then his eyes dimmed until they were once again their simple dark green and his pupils had dilated. Ezekiel shook his head. He looked at Brandon¡¯s bedroom door then back at his brother.


    ¡°So you really can¡¯t read anything off him?¡± Ezekiel asked him as he looked at the door once more. Ezekiel was surprised to realize that deep down he really hoped that Land could eventually read something off the mortal. Getting anything out of Brandon had been and was going to be a struggle.


    ¡°No....but there are other ways of getting people to talk.¡± Lander shrugged. ¡°You could charm it out of him, seeing as you¡¯ve got a thing for him and all.¡± Lander said as he walked past him, reaching out to ruffle Ezekiels hair as he walked. ¡°You two homos have a good night.¡± he chuckled out loud as Ezekiel jerked his head away from him.


    Weighted down by the food in his hands all Ezekiel could do was hiss angrily at his brothers back.


    Good God, does the whole family have a smart remark for me? I help a guy who just happens to be gay and instantly everyone assumes that there¡¯s something else behind it!


    He thought to himself as he pushed his anger and his leopard back down.


    But it was more ran that and Ezekile knew it. He had not shown much interest in any living breathing men besides his brothers in a long time. He wasnt foolish enough to try knowing that most of his Clan innately feared him...but he had made great strides to insert himself where this stranger was concerned multiple times in a matter or days.


    Pivoting on his heel, as Lander disappeared down the hallway towards the stairs Ezekiel steeped closer to the door and balancing the food tray in the crook of his left arm he knocked.


    And got absolutely no response.


    So he knocked again. Once, then twice, then three times.


    Finally he called out. ¡°Hello? I¡¯m coming in.¡±


    Still he got no response. Sighing, something he seemed to be doing a lot of since the night he gotten stabbed, Ezekiel turned the door knob and walked into the room.


    ***


    To Ezekiels immediate surprise there was no sign of the green eyes stranger when he first walked in. And since he couldn¡¯t readily identify the mortals place in the room with his eyes, caution spurred him to reach out with his senses.


    He let the senses of his inner Leopard pool out around him and instantly he picked up the strangers scent, his blood as well as the sound and smell of water and soap. Ezekiel walked further into the room and looked toward the closed bathroom door.


    ¡°He¡¯s in the shower.¡± Ezekiel thought looking at the light blaring around the wood and reflecting off the tiles through the gap under the door.


    Ezekiel quickly closed the bedroom door behind himself and sat the tray of food onto the bedside table. He glanced around the room spotting various articles of the strangers clothing as well as a trash can filled with fresh bloody bandages and gauze. The scent of the mortal¡¯s blood saturated the air nearly making him dizzy, but waking him up as well. Bathed in his odd scent Ezekiel could no longer deny that the smell of him was exhilarating....exciting.


    Ezekiel touched the tips of his canines that had begun to lengthen and without his permission at that. His leopard scratching softly at the surface of his mind. Not wanting to alarm the mortal Ezekiel pulled in his senses, tucking away his teeth and his inner Leopard. He looked around and realizing that there was nowhere else to sit but on the bed Ezekiel walked to the foot of it and sat down on the ground instead.


    With his back to the bed, and his right knee propping up his arms Ezekiel put the side of his head on top and looked at the bathroom door once more. He closed his eyes listening to the water fall and realized that he was anxious. He didn¡¯t know why exactly.


    Maybe because this was the first time he and the mortal would be alone together since the night Ezekiel visited him without permission. Or maybe because out of the handful of times that Ezekiel and the mortal had been face to face the mortal had hauled off and attacked him?


    Or do I simply just want to see him again? Ezekiel asked himself.


    Unable to admit the answer even to himself Ezekiel continued to wait and listen to the ¡°SHA....¡± of falling water echoing out of the bathroom

 Chapter 41 - Open Up

    Chapter 41 ¨C Open Up


    Brandon turned his face up into the warm water as his hands scratched at his scalp. It pooled in the crevices of his eyes and dripped past his ears and down his cheeks like tears. Fresh blood leaked from his sewn up side, the wound inflamed and filled with stitches resembled the maw of an angry deformed demon. The blood swirling down into the drain at his feet made him nauseous to look at so he didn¡¯t.


    So....Glen says the village is on lock down? And until it¡¯s taken off red alert I¡¯m stuck here?


    Brandon mused to himself. Glen had appraised him of this information only a few minutes ago, but he was still struggling to come to grips with the fact that he was now a reluctant guest in the Shifters territory...until the threat had been neutralized.


    But...what was the threat? IT can¡¯t be me. Can it?


    But he knew that the lock down seemed to have happened days after he arrived there. And while he was still sleeping. So he was sure that this sudden Lock Down had nothing to do with him. But he was still curious or just bored, so he spent a few more minutes stewing over the events that were keeping him in his savior¡¯s home.


    What causes a lock down in a Shifter Village anyway?¡±


    .


    Brandon asked himself. He knew so little about them, or how they operated that he found himself trying to imagine all kinds of things.


    A flood? A fire? Perhaps it¡¯s just a storm coming and they are locking down because it¡¯s going to be bad. In that case I¡¯ll be glad to sit still for a while and let it pass.


    Unfortunately Glen hadn¡¯t elaborated on what had caused the shift into lock down. He secretly had his own fears about what it was....or who it was that had arrived, but he kept those fears locked down tight. He knew that he had gotten far away from that person. Far away from his enemies. For now...he had to believe that.


    He forced himself to stop thinking about what it was that was going on outside of that room. Outside of his own life. Brandon realized that whatever was going on in that Village....he was getting on with his journey. He wasn¡¯t going to stay there for long. He didn¡¯t need to stay there.


    With those thoughts replacing all others, he began to take stock of how his body felt or ached as he continued to wash.


    The wound smarted painfully as Brandon dropped his arms to his sides and let the water do all the work. Letting the soap that he had barely managed to reach up into his scalp and apply leak away down his back and thighs. It was only once his legs began to shake and the ache in his side became too sharp that Brandon dropped his head out of the water.


    Shaking the water from his face as he reached out and slammed the knob to shower down. The warm stream stopped instantly and Brandon let the droplets from his hair run down his neck as he pulled the white towel down from the shower curtain and pressed it into his face. After a moment more to pull the last of his waning strength together he dried off his chest and arms before he pushed the white shower curtain aside and stepped into the spacious bathroom.


    As he stepped out on to the ivy green bath mat at his feet he looked himself over in the mirror a few feet across from him. The steam in the room blurred his face and obscured his image. Which Brandon was thankful for. He really didn¡¯t want to look at his haggard body, the weight he had lost over the last few months had left him little more than skin and bones. He could still see his ribs in his mind poking out like he was some kind of emaciated dog. It disturbed him.


    Brandon took the time to dry his legs and back before wrapping the now damp towel around his narrow waist. Then Brandon walked to the bathroom door and just before he pushed it open a voice called to him.


    ¡°Hey! Just so you know, I¡¯m out here!¡± Ezekiel¡¯s voice echoed slipping into the bathroom through the gap beneath the door. ¡°Are you done yet!?¡±


    Brandon instantly steeped back form the door as though it were about to blow open and knock him over. It surprised him that he actully rembered the Shifters name and voice, but instatly he recognized both from memory alone.


    ¡°Are you listening Mortal?¡± Ezekiel called out to him. ¡°Please come out. I brought you dinner fifteen minutes ago. It¡¯s probably ice cold now, but you really should eat.¡±


    Brandon squeezed his eyes together until little light flew past his sight, he fought the growing fatigue every moment he continued to stand. ¡°Alright.¡± he said through the door. ¡°I got it. You can go now.¡±


    ¡°Well....¡± Ezekiel said to him. ¡°Actually I can¡¯t. See we need to talk some more you and I.¡±


    Brandon put his head against the door and put his hand on the door knob to keep his knees from buckling. ¡°I don¡¯t really feel that well.¡± he said. Surprised by how much he meant it. His strength really was fading fast and the last thing he wanted to do was talk to anybody about anything.


    ¡°Ok.¡± Ezekiel sighed from the other side of the door. ¡°I promise I¡¯ll leave you alone, but before I go you need to let me check your stitches. Mom says your still in danger of infection and water makes the stitches weaker so they could pop if I don¡¯t make sure that you re-badge them the right way.¡±


    Bone tired Brandon¡¯s legs just refused to support him any longer. Slowly he keeled down in front of the door, releasing the knob he turned and put his back against the cool white wood.


    ¡°Hey...you ok?¡± Ezekiel called his voice making Brandon jump and sigh. His voice was nice, but Brandon hated it. He didn¡¯t want him there. He didn¡¯t know why, but anyone, but the blue eyed Shifter would have been better. Brandon jumped again when Ezekiel called his name again, this time his voice only inches away from the door.


    ¡°Hey Mortal. Did you pass out in there or something?¡± he asked through the wood.


    Suddenly feeling crowded and trapped. Brandon felt himself snap slightly. Brandon screamed at him. ¡°JUST LEAVE ME ALONE Shifter!¡±


    Utter silence followed his outburst. Then Ezekiel tapped the door with his knuckle.


    ¡°So...is this how were going to keep addressing each other?¡± Ezekiel said to him, completely ignoring his screams. ¡°You know we both have real names right?¡±


    ¡°What Shifter, don¡¯t like what I call you?¡± Brandon sighed looking across the bathroom at the still steamy shower. ¡°Trying to play nice? This isn¡¯t a tea party.¡±


    Ezekiel was quite from a moment....then he spoke through the door once more, this time with a probing question. ¡°What¡¯s your name stranger...if you tell me, I¡¯ll stop calling you ¡°Mortal¡± and you can stop call calling me just Shifter?¡±


    " Hmph.. if I have to...My name is Brandon...just Brandon.¡± Brandon finally spat not really seeing anything anymore. ¡°Now what Shifter, huh? Will you leave?¡± he asked him back through the wood, but the Shifter surprised him, by addressing him in frustration.


    ¡°Dont be rude. Its not Shifter! Now I have a name Brandon....You should learn to use it.¡± Ezekiel snarled back through the door at him. In a commanding voice.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    I guess he¡¯s not going to leave me alone....


    Brandon thought to himself. And Brandon didn¡¯t answer.


    Short of breath and suddenly feeling horrible he put his head back on the wood and closed his eyes. Fighting to find the strength to regain his feet.


    How did I ever let myself get this weak? Brandon thought to himself.


    ¡°You sound drained...Did you fall?¡± Ezekiel suddenly said softly after his silence making Brandon jump once more. ¡°Is that why you¡¯re talking to me from the floor?¡±


    ¡°Fuck man...Your name is Ezekiel right?¡± he called out as the silence from the other side of the door persisted.


    ¡°I dont care why you came. Please go away. I''ll be fine.....¡± Brandon began then groaned as the bathroom door was pulled open and he was forced to support all of his weight on his own. He looked up into the glowing blue eyes of a predator. Ezekiel''s pupils were slanted appearing at once alien and familiar from the night they had first met. The sight of the animal within, the Shifter within; stealing his breath away.


    The Shifters eyes locked with Brandon...and for a second there was a sharp emotion in them that made Brandon''s breath stammer.


    Brandon looked away from his eyes, and self consciously he put his arms over his bare chest and wet skin with a shiver. "Stop looking at me...." he whispered.


    Ezekiel didn¡¯t talk he just reached out as though he was about to grab Brandon¡¯s arm, but Brandon shied away from him. Frustrated and scared to be handled by the man anymore.


    ¡°Leave me be.¡± he said glaring up into the Shifters eyes confronting the beast head on.


    Brandon was expecting the Shifter to simply pull him up kicking and screaming, so he was surprised when Ezekiel simply smiled at him and took a step back.


    ¡°Im trying to leave, but I have to take care of you first. You can glare at me all you want mortal but you¡¯re still my mother¡¯s patient and right now I¡¯m responsible for getting you put to bed and feeding you...¡± Ezekiel told him the smile on his face melting into a solemn head shake.


    ¡°Your way too tired to be any kind of threat to me right now. And I¡¯m not leaving until I make sure that your bleeding has been managed. So just stop being a wild animal for two seconds and listen to me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s rich. You have frigging glow sticks for eyes! Im not a wild animal. You¡¯re the Shifter here.¡± Brandon rolled his eyes and looked away.


    Ezekiel sighed and folded his arms. The glow in his eyes slipped and his pupil¡¯s dilated back to their normal size.


    ¡° Listen, you¡¯ve lost a lot of blood, Brandon.¡± The Shifter said, using his name again. ¡°I told you not to go moving around because you were bound to be anemic....not to mention weak as a baby.¡± Ezekiel regarded his position on the floor frankly as he put out his hand. ¡°You look as white as a sheet now....so let me help you before you pass out? I won¡¯t do more then needs to be done. I promise you....ok?¡± he asked him softly.


    With no other choice and no will to continue the argument, Brandon conceded defeat.


    ¡°Whatever.¡± He scoffed quickly just to shut the Shifter up. Looking back at Ezekiel finally he could see that the Shifters eyes had stopped glowing, but he could still sense the animal in him, in his warm blue gaze. It made Brandon feel colder than before like he needed to hide himself away or be devoured in that glowing light. Shaking his head Brandon realized that Ezekiel was still waiting on him to make a move.


    Annoyed at being forced to cooperate he slapped his hand down into Ezekiels palm with more force then was necessary. He used Ezekiels hand as lever as he strained to pull himself up. He knew that his sudden move should have at least made the Shifter stumble forward, but Ezekiel only closed his hand around Brandon¡¯s hand and softly, if firmly pulled. Wrapping his other arm around Brandon¡¯s bicep, he provided Brandon with an anchor. Ezekiel didn¡¯t him give anymore assistance then that. Almost as though he could sense how much he was not wanted.


    Once Brandon got to his feet he felt all the strength in him crumble like a dry leaf, he was powerless to take even one step, his knees felt like jelly. Once again Ezekiel seemed to sense his precarious state and with a slight pull on his hand he helped Brandon walk the last few feet to bed.


    The man¡¯s touch made his skin feel so strange, the heat of him near made Brandon feel goosebumps rise along his back and a slither of strange tingles in his belly. His reactions to this beast made his chest tighten with alarm.


    As soon as Brandon was close enough to the bedside table he snatched his hand away from Ezekiel and transferred all his weight to the table top.


    His sudden move shook the stand making the lamp beside him wobble and the light flicker, shaking violently.


    ¡°Just...give me a sec.¡± Brandon mumbled water dripping down from his bangs to land on the wood beneath him. Trying to find his center. His peace.


    ***


    His back was to Ezekiel now, but Ezekiel could hear Brandon panting in slight panic, even though he refused to look anywhere but down.


    Ezekiel wanted to ignore Brandon¡¯s obvious displeasure with his proximity, but he didn¡¯t want to violate his feelings of unease anymore then he already had. Ezekiel knew it was best to keep his distance as he watched Brandon shaking and shivering in his towel.


    He could see the blood leaking out of the stitches sewn into Brandon side, a steady stream of crimson pooling around and soaking the edge of the white towel wrapped around his waist. The image was too stark, the blood to bright. He didn¡¯t like looking at it.


    Ezekiel left Brandon and walked back into the bathroom. Flicking open the drawers beneath the sink he pulled out two fresh white wash clothes and a bottle of peroxide. Then he walked back into the bed room and walked over to the bed. He took a breath or two to calm himself as he felt his rage and anger trying to blossom...inside his mind was ringing with pure alarm at what he had seen.


    Hes hurt....so bad....


    As he got closer to Brandon Ezekiel couldn¡¯t and didn¡¯t stop his eyes from wandering across Brandon¡¯s bare back where he took in the glaring evidence of where Brandon¡¯s skin had been slashed open more times than he could count on his hands. Evidence of abuse inflicted over and over.


    Of course Ezekiel had gotten a glimpse of the scars on Brandon¡¯s chest and back when he had first opened the bathroom door. He¡¯d been beyond shocked, but had wisely concluded that right then wasn¡¯t the best time to show it. The pure white scars that braided up and down and left to right stood out on Brandon¡¯s skin that was pale now due to his injuries but which was only a few shades lighter then tan.


    As he looked at the vicious lashes and old cuts Ezekiel could barely stop the hiss that crawled up off of his chest, but he keep his inner leopard locked away with effort. Instead he clenched the cloth in his hands as he stepped forward. ¡°Brandon can you sit down on the bed for me? I need to take a look at your stitches.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Brandon said still looking away from him. ¡°I¡¯ll stand up.¡±


    ¡°Stubborn man....¡± Ezekiel sighed as he came up beside Brandon and quickly popped open the bottle of peroxide and splashed some onto the cloth, then he kneeled and gently swiped the stream of blood leaking from the edge of his red and ragged wounds. Brandon didn¡¯t seem inclined to speak so Ezekiel worked in silence. He began to clean the area as gently as he could still he wasn¡¯t surprised when Brandon hissed in pain as he gently pressed a dry cloth onto the stitched wound to take away any of the access liquid and blood.


    Ezekiel took Brandons hand and put it over the towel telling him silently to keep on the pressure, before he let go. Ezekiel released a breath as he stood saying ¡°That cuts pretty bad, I don¡¯t know how long it will take too heal. You also have a fever that¡¯s why you¡¯re shaking like a leaf right now.¡± Ezekiel told him as he sat the bloody cloth on top of the table next to Brandon¡¯s hands. Seeming to hesitate a moment Ezekiel suddenly questioned him. ¡°You said you fell down? But we both know that something cut you. Its pretty clear to see.¡±


    Ezekiel asked him trying to catch his gaze. Brandon turned his head to look at him. His entire posture was guarded and hostile. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.....¡± Brandon said then closed his eyes and looked back down like just the act of talking hurt him. His cool avoidance was odd. It sounded forced to Ezekiel ears, devoid of emotion like he was trying to stay calm and detached from the situation.


    ¡°Something hit you, cut into you it¡¯s clear as day¡± Ezekiel tried to compel him to co-operate by stating what he felt was obvious, but Brandon mostly ignored him.


    ¡°IF something hit me, I hit it back.....¡± He supplied unhelpfully putting a heavy emphasis on ¡°IF¡±.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it so much Ezekiel...¡± He breathed tightly obviously fighting the pain in his side. ¡°I can deal with anything that comes at me....so imagine whatever you like and move on with your life. Ok?¡± He mused, and to Ezekiel it seemed like the man was speaking more to himself the too Ezekiel at all.


    His words and reactions gave Ezekiel a glimpse into a darker thoughts that only managed to leak out in this strangers tired words. But he notice that the mortal never showed it on his face. For some unknowable reason, Brandon the mortal, only seemed to display what he wanted to. Not what he was thinking.


    Ezekiel nodded to himself as he took away the cloth from Brandon¡¯s side. The bleeding had lessened co put his finger next to the wound and softly tested out the inflammation around the wound and the stitches.


    He could see that there was still blood crusting around the thin strings holding Brandon¡¯s side together, but for the most part he was happy with what he had managed to clean away. Ezekiel sighed as his eyes fell on a few of the older scars branching down his right shoulder and stopping just sigh of his ribs.


    I don''t have the words...What the hell has he been through?


    Ezekiel asked himself.


    If I can just get him to talk to me...


    But as Ezekiel looked more and more at all the damage that had been done, he had to wonder if he was only fooling himself.

 Chapter 42 - Silent Scars

    Chapter 42- Silent Scars


    Brandon waited for Ezekiel to speak, but for the longest time the Shifter only examined his wound, so when he did finally speak again Brandon was pulled out of the darkness he had begun to slide into.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand this at all...¡± Ezekiel sighed to himself.


    Brandon exhaled feeling frustrated and sleepy all at once. ¡°What¡¯s there to understand? It¡¯s a few cuts....¡±


    ¡°Not that....¡± Ezekiel chuckled dropping his hands from his side. He steeped behind Brandon out of his periphery view. Brandon forced himself to stand and just as he opened his mouth to ask Ezekiel what he was doing he felt Ezekiel hands on the back of his head. His cool fingers caressed the base of his skull where Brandon knew a three pronged scar disappeared up into his hair line.


    ¡°This is what I don¡¯t understand.¡± Ezekiel told him. ¡°It looks like someone tried to break open your head. Why would someone do that to you, or any of this?¡±


    ¡°Leave it alone Ezekiel. I. Don¡¯t. Know! I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about!¡± Brandon growled at him. And moved his head slightly away from his touch.


    ¡°Right...¡± Ezekiel told him softly. ¡°Or is it more like you don¡¯t want to talk about it?¡±


    ¡°Why the hell does it matter?¡± Brandon bit back at him. ¡°They were all accidents. I slipped and fell a few times ok? I got cut in the wilderness. No big deal.¡±


    "Accidents? You need to thin of a better story Mortal." Ezekiels hands touched gently to the side of his head again. Brandon refused to answer, as Ezekiels hands began to drift down, touching more. He gritted his teeth.


    ¡°If all of these were accidents I guess I could understand, but these aren¡¯t accidents. Someone has been hurting you.¡± he growled and unlike Brandon when Ezekiel growled it sounded like there was a giant animal ready to pounce through his chest and maul the world around him. The sound made Brandon fell tiny.


    And yet Brandon was far too preoccupied to be frightened. Ezekiel hands roamed down the back of Brandon¡¯s neck to his shoulders and then his ribs. And every time he came to a scar branded across Brandon¡¯s skin, Brandon felt his fingers outline it or feather across it gently as though they were still fresh enough to feel pain.


    Everywhere that his hands visited tingled after he moved on. Brandon¡¯s fevered skin cooled where he touched it. Ezekiels palms ghosted down his back until they came to his ribs and it was here that Ezekiel paused. A moment of silence...then another untill...


    Brandon stifled a shiver as Ezekiels palms settled over both his sides and his fingertips wrapped around his body. Warm, powerful digits that actually made his stomach shudder with awareness of their grip.


    His fingers sat in the groves where ten long horrible slashes cut across his right and left sides stretching down toward his belly, disappearing down into the top of the towel above his hips. His touch made the man feel like he was about to collapse, as more tingles danced hard over his stomach.


    ¡°Oh man....¡± Ezekiel said to himself. ¡°Are these claw marks?¡± he asked. His voice filling the suppressive silence between them that Brandon refused to fill. ¡°Has a Shifter been attacking you? Is that what happened, or not?¡± he asked Brandon, but still got no response. So he moved on.


    Ezekiels hands dropped from the marks over Brandon¡¯s sides as he reached around Brandon, his heat on Brandon bare back as he grabbed his writs. He pulled him around slowly, forcing Brandon to face him. He locked eyes with Ezekiel for only a second before Ezekiel, reached up, took his chin and tilted it back, maneuvering him like a puppet. He forced Brandon too look at the ceiling so that he could gaze closer at the gruesome marks that marred his chest and upper arms.


    A finger rose and danced over a old scar in the middle of his pecks, another crossed over the soft tissue Brandon left nipple and Brandon flinched hard when that warm finger traced even that old wound, but....he just let it happen. He didnt know why.


    Why am I being so docile?


    Is it because Ezekiels hands are so...hesitant, like hes scared hes hurting me? Hes so gentle, wherever he touches my skin I feel a zing from the top of my head to the base of my skull? Is that normal? I can¡¯t tell if I hate it or not....


    Brandon wondered to himself. But that is what he felt every time Ezekiel touched him, a little shock? But it was a good kind of shock, a surprise to feel a good feeling after feeling nothing but fatigue and pain.


    So Brandon let Ezekiel look him over, he found himself fascinated by the shook he could see playing across Ezekiels handsome face. He watched him as Ezekiels fingertips skirted across his collar bone, chest, and arms and then stomach where yet more old cuts and healed scars dotted and braided. Because Brandon had a hard time understanding the Shifters reaction he let the contact between them continue when he otherwise would have pushed him away. To Brandon the scars had been there for a long time. They were just a part of him now, something ugly. Like his soul.


    And on top of that Brandon had never really cared about how they appeared to others but it was clear from Ezekiels face that the state of his body was disconcerting to say the least.


    Brandon knew that the two worst scars could be seen now. The one on his chest just below his collar bone; where a long deep scar slashed across his sternum. Brandon knew that it looked like a long blade had been drawn vertically and viciously from the top of his left pec through his right breast and off the side of his body. The second worst scar could be found on his stomach a few inches to the right of his belly button where it looked like some on had driven a spike deep into him leaving a round hole behind to heal.


    Ezekiel¡¯s hands brushed across this scar like all the others and Brandon ignored the way his breath hitched when Ezekiel hands brushed past the hem of his towel. The whole time, as Ezekiel checked out one scar after another Brandon had tried to ignore the fact that his hands were all over him, but it seemed to be getting harder and harder. He was getting anxious for no reason.


    Ezekiels touch wasn¡¯t sexual, it was more like a catalogue, like the Shifter was simply taking metal notes of the damages so it didn¡¯t make Brandon feel uncomfortable in that sense and still Brandon found himself feeling disturbed.


    Suddenly all he wanted to do was cover himself up and hide. It was such an unexpected feeling...embarrassment. Shame.


    Instantly Brandon hated that he felt that way at all or even the fact that Ezekiel brought out those feelings in him.


    At that exact moment Ezekiel look up, looking Brandon in the eyes. He was shocked to see that his eyes were slit once more. His bright blue pupils burning. They glowed a powerful color of blue, not like water, or the sky, but a flash of power and light. It was a lightening blue Brandon decided and his black pupils that had been round only moments ago, were now nothing more than thin slits lost in the lights glow.


    The eyes of a Shifter, a predator born into him held Brandon to the spot. As an aggressive hiss crawled up and out of Ezekiels throat.


    ¡°All of these scars... are pretty old, spread out stages of healing....¡± He said. He looked down at the scar covering Brandon¡¯s chest as he put his hand over it. Brandon swallowed as his touch made his heart jump, he prayed that Ezekiel didn¡¯t notice.


    ¡°This one....¡± The shifter began. ¡°This gash must be at least four years old, and this hole in your stomach....¡± Ezekiel continued as his hand glided down Brandon¡¯s feverish skin to his belly. ¡°It looks like someone skewered you, but why?¡± Ezekiel raised his eyes back up to Brandon¡¯s. Brandon keep his face blank, he offered no answers.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    "Stop ignoring my questions." Ezekiel snarled as he exhaled in his chest making Brandon jump.


    ¡°Your safe here ok.¡± he told Brandon softly. Ezekiels eyes traveled down to the red wound in Brandon¡¯s side and he shook his head.


    ¡°Tell me who¡¯s been hurting you. Tell me how you ended up in the forest that night. If you¡¯re running from something I....we will try to help you.¡±


    Ezekiel almost implored him to speak. But Brandon only looked away.


    Ezekiels gaze hurt him. He seemed to see too much and yet not enough. Brandon didn¡¯t crack under his assault, he refused to open up about himself anymore then he already had. It wasn¡¯t safe here, it wasn¡¯t safe anywhere.


    Suddenly Ezekiel snatched up his chin forcing Brandon to look at him again.


    ¡°Brandon say something....just talk to me.¡± Ezekiel called to him again making Brandon exhale sharply as Ezekiels cool touch seeped into him. His eyes burned, pulling, commanding. Hunting? Once again Brandon was caught breathless, but he fought against it and snatched his face away from Ezekiels grasp.


    ¡°Stop touching me.¡± He told the Shifter. Mint green eyes glared into Ezekiels feral ones full of distrust and anger. Rebuking his kindness completely. ¡°And stop asking me questions.¡±


    ¡°I never asked you for your help Shifter. If you¡¯re going to interrogate me against my will you could have just let me die.¡± Brandon told him as he turned and flopped down onto the edge of the bed.


    Ignoring fresh pain from his side, he quickly reached over to where Glen had sat a robe and a fresh change of clothes. Brandon slipped the robe over his shoulders covering his back and chest and arms if not his legs and feet. The cloth felt good, protection against the predator that now stood glaring down at him.


    ¡°Die...you dont seem to scared of death. Is that part of why you came here? Because you were resigned to die?¡± Ezekiel asked him after a moment of pregnant silence.


    Brandon didn¡¯t answer him right away. He just stared down at the water that dripped lazily from his wet bangs to splash onto the thick carpet below.


    ¡°So what if it was...¡± he finally sighed almost numbly. It didn¡¯t feel good at all to speak about something like this to a complete stranger


    Ezekiel put a hand to his forehead and exhaled sharply then dropped it again. ¡°Alright.¡± he said. ¡°If that¡¯s the case then...¡± he began then paused. Hesitated....


    Brandon looked up at him. ¡°Then what?¡± he said with a glare. Brandon didn¡¯t want to hear anything like pity or Judgement. He could honestly do without both, but he was surprised when Ezekiel simply shrugged and looked away from him.


    ¡°Then I¡¯m glad I found you...when I did.¡± Ezekiel said and smiled. Brandon watched the flashing blue in his eyes faded away completely and his pupils dilate back to normal, then suddenly he turned and began to walk away. Brandon watched him walk over to the door and open it before he thought to say anything back.


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± He asked Ezekiel before he could walk out. Ezekiel turned back to him, as he held the door ajar.


    ¡°Yup.¡± Ezekiel told him with a soft smile. Then he tilted his head back and snapped his fingers. ¡°Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you the house rules.¡±


    ¡°Rules? What rules?¡± Brandon said with a fresh glare.


    ¡°Well my parents are letting you stay, at least until you get better. So there are some things you have to know. It¡¯s noting big.¡± Ezekiel laughed. ¡°I¡¯m just gonna tell you a few things that could save your life. You are a mortal in a house full of Shifters after all. Where the wild things are....¡±


    Brandon stared at him coolly. ¡°Just get on with it.¡± he said.


    ¡°Alright. Living here you¡¯ll be mostly around my family. So I guess my advice to you would be ¡°Stay away from my dad. You just need to be careful of what you do while you¡¯re around him.¡±


    Brandon raised his robe to catch the water that was gathering under his chin. ¡°Careful how?¡± He said. ¡°Am I in danger here?¡±


    Ezekiel thought to himself for a moment before he responded. Not exactly reassuring he knew. ¡°Yes and no.¡± he finally said. ¡°You see my father Mantilo, he already doesn¡¯t care for you much.¡±


    Brandon scoffed. ¡°Yeah I could tell.¡± He could still see the large man¡¯s face in the back of his mind. His burning yellow eyes and his features Shifted in rage at Brandon¡¯s refusal to cooperate and answer his questions.¡± He threated to kill me the other night.¡±


    Ezekiel cringed then nodded his eyes filled with apology. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but you did break onto his lands and attack me. So he feels like you violated him personally. Like you violated his home¡±


    ¡°And that¡¯s a bad thing I know, but why do I have to hide from him? Its not like your father is the king of the world... ¡± Brandon exclaimed.


    ¡°Well...for one, while you¡¯re on our lands....¡± Ezekiel sighed. ¡°He kind of is King of the world. See my father is the Head....of this entire clan. The Clan Head is what he has been titled by his fellow Leopards. He¡¯s as close to a king as anyone can really be in Shifter society and in in the twentieth century.¡±


    ¡°Are you serious...?¡± Brandon chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s just fucking peachy.¡± He breathed. Then he looked back up at Ezekiel, curiosity making him ask a new question. ¡°So what.....Glen is like the Queen by your Clans definition!?¡±


    Ezekiel shrugged in answer. ¡°In a way....yes. Were Leopards so the women are considered as strong as the men in every regard.


    ¡°Wait...Leopards.¡± Brandon asked him, finally realizing that he had the answer to the question that had been plaguing him for the last few hours.


    ¡°Exactly, were the Leopard Clan.¡± Ezekiel answered and suddenly the slits in his eyes made all the sense to Brandon. He had stumbled into a Land full of highly intelligent big cats, that walked around looking like men and women....but could easily rip off his head.


    Somehow remaining calm and collected Brandon chuckled. ¡°Wow....So what about the other Shifters that I saw here ...and you....Oh! Don¡¯t tell me.¡± Brandon laughed. Ezekiel rolled his eyes seeming to know where he was going. Perhaps he had heard the joke bubbling up on Brandon¡¯s lips before.


    ¡°So you and your brothers are like perfect little princes?¡± he snickered. It sort of felt good to mess with the Shifter a little. ¡°My God...Are you the Prince of the Leopards. How perfectly annoying is that?¡±


    Ezekiel drooped his shoulder sighed obviously not liking being teased.


    ¡°WHELP! This conversations going off the rails. We¡¯ll talk more about my family status later okay. What¡¯s important right now is that you understand where you stand and that it¡¯s not in a favorable light as far as my Dad is concerned. So try to avoid any confrontation with him.¡±


    ¡°All right!¡± Brandon said in expiration. ¡°I get it. Next rule?¡±


    Ezekiel raised a hand and put up three fingers ¡°I actually only have three rules for you. One stay away from my dad.¡± he said lowering his thumb and each consecutive finger as he ticked off his statements. ¡°Number two don¡¯t attack anyone ever again, because....well most Shifters won¡¯t hesitate to eliminate a threat.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re so different because...?¡± Brandon drawled at him.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re still breathing.¡± Ezekiel responded and shrugged like talking about murder was normal. And perhaps in Shifter Clans murder was handled that way. Brandon wasn¡¯t sure, so he tried to move past it.


    ¡°So you didn¡¯t kill me, but you weren¡¯t exactly delicate in apprehending me!¡± Brando reminded him as he remembered Ezekiel trying to get the needle out of his hands only a day ago. ¡°You nearly broke my hand and you popped my wound open.¡±


    ¡°No...all of that was you!¡± Ezekiel hissed back. ¡°And I wasn¡¯t trying to hurt you, but when you attack someone multiple times, it grows old really fast. Besides, I had to defend myself. You attacked me...three times....? Am I just supposed to ignore that and play nice with you?¡ä Ezekiel pointed out.


    ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t do it anymore.¡± Brandon ground out. He had the feeling like he was being far too nice to the Shifter.


    ¡°You promise?¡± Ezekiel niggled him further, prompting Brandon to glare at him.


    Brandon grumbled. ¡°No, I¡¯m not promising you a damn thing. But I didn¡¯t know what was going on when I jumped on you! Gezz I¡¯m not some maniac I¡¯m not goona jump on every random stranger I see in your Village, if I even go out into it.¡± Brandon wiped his mouth, the black leather gloves on his hands flashing in the candle light.


    Then he sneered at Ezekiel slightly. ¡°But I still don¡¯t like you, so I might find myself tearing you apart again real soon. You never really know....¡± He shrugged. He said it more to get a rise out of the blue eyed Shifter, but that didn¡¯t mean that Brandon didn¡¯t slightly mean it too.


    ¡°Ok sure.¡± Ezekiel chuckled as though Brandon¡¯s threats were nothing but idle chit chat. ¡°Well that only leaves rule number three and this one is just as simple as the last two. Don¡¯t wander around by yourself.¡± Ezekiel told him lowering his hand as his tone growing cool and serious.


    ¡°Great now I¡¯m being baby sat!¡± Brandon shook his head. ¡°So what am I to you people? A prisoner?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing like that.¡± Ezekiel tried to explain to him, his blue gaze pinning Brandon down for a few moments. ¡°I told you, my Dad doesn¡¯t trust you. He¡¯s worried that you could be a threat. We have to put Clan safety above anything else. So if you need to take a walk or if you want to leave the mansion, just make sure that either my mom Glen or I¡¯m with you, but I doubt you¡¯ll be moving anytime soon...¡± He finished.


    ¡°Fine.¡± Brandon sighed. ¡°I¡¯m only gonna be here a few more days anyway. Until the lock down ends. Treat me like a criminal if you what to. What do I care?¡± Brandon laughed to himself.


    Ezekiel frowned at his bowed head. ¡°I told you that¡¯s not what we¡¯re doing....¡±


    ¡°SO.....is that all you wanted to say tonight, because I¡¯m tired.¡± Brandon said, cutting Ezekiel off harshly as he raised his head back up. ¡°If that¡¯s all you wanted to tell me I want to be left alone now.¡±


    Brandon watched Ezekiels jaw flex as he chewed up whatever words he had been about to utter.


    ¡°Ok.¡ä He said after a cold silence. ¡°After you eat just put the dishes out side, they will be taken care of. And Ill be back tomorrow morning to check your stitches.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± Brandon said as he looked over at the food sitting on the other bedside table directly behind him, then he looked back at Ezekiel and made a shooing action at him.


    ¡°Now go away.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going.¡± Ezekiel sighed putting up his hands. ¡°I¡¯m going....Would it kill you to say thanks Mortal?¡± And without another word Brandon watched him pull the door open and walk away, shutting it softly behind himself.

 Chapter 43 - Flame

    Chapter 43 ¨C Flame


    Alone I blanketed the Darkness, and Alone I held it at bay


    -Unknown


    Brandon sat still for a long time after he left. His body, his mind felt colder without another soul in the room to interact with.


    And he let himself fall into a sitting unconscious for an untold amount of time.


    The fatigue carried away everything even the feeling of Ezekiels earlier presence. He felt hollow and by god he loved it. The silence gave him peace and it helped him gather back his crumbling will.


    He soon managed to stop shaking long enough to realize something.


    IT.


    It was finally coming back.


    It was growing inside.


    This was the longest he had ever managed to evade them and block the power, but he could feel the flow racing across his insides.


    Filling up that hollow place inside, taking hold of his soul once more.


    Like a flame or a flower it blossomed inside of him, it took away his pain, and his fatigue until all that he could feel anymore was the buzz of the power.


    An energy that was him and had always been a part of him....it was a beacon that betrayed his presence at every turn. The thing growing inside..... Always brought the hounds of hell down on him, but he was far too weak to just pick up and run this time.


    He needed time to rest. Time to figure out his next move.


    He had to delay the light inside for just a little while longer.


    And Brandon knew that the only way to slow down its gradual return...was to increase the pain until the power was burn out.


    ***


    Quickly Brandon threw of his robe and unhitched the towel from around his hips. Swallowing as the cold air blew threw his slim frame. With a small whimper as his stitches pulled he slipped on the baggy sweats that Glen had left him for the night leaving off the shirt she had also left him to sleep in.


    ¡°Shit! It¡¯s really coming back....¡± he said to himself. ¡°I can feel it growing, healing me. This cut will be closed up by tomorrow if I don¡¯t do something and there¡¯s no way I¡¯ll be able to explain that.¡±


    Brandon looked down at his side and groaned already he could see the hot red inflammation around the stiches fading away as if by magic.


    Brandon bit his lip then, realizing that he couldn¡¯t afford to hesitate. This wasn¡¯t something that the Shifters would ignore or understand. It wasn¡¯t something anyone ever needed to see again.


    Brandon leaned to the side, and reached over to the bedside table. Straining slightly he picked up the tray of food, spilling the contest of the bowl over onto the bread. Taking a deep breath he lifted himself up and disappeared into the bathroom once more.


    Sitting the tray on the edge of the counter Brandon leaned over and snatched the new tooth brush Glen had left him out of the cup. He quickly put the handle of the toothbrush into his mouth and bit down on it to hold it there. The glimpses of himself that Brandon caught in the mirror disturbed him. His movements were more than erratic, he looked terrified.


    What can I do?


    Brandon thought to himself, even as he began to hatch an idea of exactly what he was going to have to do to keep the power at bay for a few more days.


    He shivered as more and more of the power unfurled within him, he could feel it spilling over inside of his soul, leaking out of him into the air around his skin.


    He could feel the pressure of it all around him now, the air nearly crackled with the unseen. He tried to hold it back, smother it inside of himself, but he had never had control before and Brandon knew that he would have even less after sustaining the injuries that he had.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    In fact the only thing he had ever been able to do was put up wall inside of himself. Barriers around the energy that was within, but he had neither the mental stability nor the strength to pull off that kind of thing just then. He was pathetic. He was weak.


    And if he didn¡¯t do something soon he was going to be caught.


    ¡°Jesus, think......Ok..... I can¡¯t block it right now...!¡± He said around the stick in his mouth to himself. ¡°But....if choke the power with something.....maybe divert it back towards my internal organs and keep it busy....¡±


    Refusing to acknowledge what he was thinking or even what he was about to do to himself. Brandon snatched up the knife and ignoring the food beside him all together. He raised the blade sat it to his skin and pressed the handle of the blade into his side until he couldn¡¯t push it into himself any harder. He hesitated, closed his eyes and slammed the knife across his side as hard and as deep as he could.


    Wet meaty thunks followed as he beat the stiches and his guts all about from the outside.


    Sharp pangs registered as the handle split his stitches even further. Brandon bit down on the tooth brush so hard that it nearly snapped, but somehow through it all he managed to keep his agonized screams down to a pathetic whimper or two and then it was done.


    Panting in suppressed agony Brandon forced himself to stand. He held the knife close so that his sweat pants could catch the blood that dripped lazily from the knifes hilt.


    His knees felt like jelly and his head spun forcing Brandon to stand still and try to fight the fog of pain trying to take him away. After a moment Brandon knew that he had to move or pass out on the floor. He tossed the knife into the sink, ignoring the clatter it made as they struck the sides of the white bowl, staining and smearing it red. Opening his aching jaws he let the broken tooth brush fall in beside it.


    Swallowing Brandon turned on the hot water and let it run. He put his blood covered gloves beneath the water and let the flow clean them, until steam filled the area above the white bowl washing away his blood and fogging the window.


    Brandon took up one of the clean white towels beside the toilet seat and pressed it to his gut, as he felt the blood drenching his thigh. This time he didn¡¯t even try to keep down his short shout of distress as he pressed the towel into the raw wound. He was glad for the running water that helped to muffle his voice. He was also glad for the steam. He didn¡¯t care much to look at his own image just then.


    But he could feel the power around him dimming. He could feel his insides growing hollow once more. The flame in his soul faded away, washed under by the pain and his fatigue. Diverted towards the damage he had done for now. Soon the energy, the power, that thing inside of him would return, but at least he was safe for a little while longer.


    ***


    After Brandon cleaned up himself and the bathroom, he had little to no energy left for anything but holding a wash cloth to his bleeding side.


    Wrapping a fresh robe around himself. Then turning off the bedside lamps he climbed into the bed. He didn¡¯t have anything to change into and he didn¡¯t want to ruin the shirt that Ezekiels mother had left for him so he left it at the foot of the bed next to the robe. Brandon knew that the hip of his pants were drenched in blood, but there was nothing he could do about it and he figured that it would make his lie more believable tomorrow morning when he told Ezekiel that his stitches had popped all on their own.


    Brandon struggled to get comfortable as his fever returned with a vengeance, he shivered uncontrollably and the more he moved it only served to put a deeper strain on the few stitches that he hadn¡¯t managed to break already.


    The sleep that he eventually managed to get was little and disturbed. Unlike the quiet nights that he had managed to enjoy the last few days, his mind was soon dragged into a terrifying dream. It was of course a familiar dream, that like the power within him, he was powerless to control. It was a dream that he had, had in a recurring fashion since he was twelve years old.


    It haunted him, and carried him away at least once a week; Coming over him with no warning and no escape.


    For all that the dreams hurt him they were simple dreams.


    Brandon would have even gone so far as to describe moments in the dream as being beautiful. But there was so much more too it then the beauty.


    The dreams often began the same. With Brandon. Or at least Brandon had come to believe the figure that he saw in his mind, was him. In some place....in some time, in his twisted imagination, the figure in his dream was him.


    Brandon would awaken to see himself, watch himself, standing at the precipice of a mountain. Dark earth, open sky, and patches of colorful vegetation dotted all of the lands before him. He was just there, staring out over a foggy depthless, expanse of crags and pillars in the earth. Basking in the light from a pale sunrise that could have made GOD himself cry.


    Brandon didn¡¯t just think that this dream was about him, he knew it was because the man standing on that mountain looked like Brandon¡¯s identical twin. Everything about the man in his dream mirrored himself. From the man¡¯s mint green eyes, and height to his weight and facial expressions. He resembled Brandon so much so that he had come to associate the man with himself. And yet there were differences between them that Brandon had been able to pick out, but only after years and years of dreaming this same dream.


    The man that he dreamed of seemed stronger then him, more seasoned. There was an edge to his stance and a darkness in his eyes that Brandon felt he would be silly to try and imitate.


    For all he felt connected to the man in his dreams he was also alien to Brandon but still Brandon felt kin to him and yet it all also seemed like nothing more than a dream.


    A dream that always played out the same.

 Chapter 44 - Kail

    Chapter 44- Kail


    Once the dream descended, Brandon would always open his eyes to a beautiful sight.


    The sun rising was far out and beyond him. Starburst yellow and oranges blending with a fog wafting down from the heavens to coat the mountains. These sights were breath taking to him. The sun seemed so close that he often wished that he could reach out and touch it. But no matter how he strained he was unable to move from his spot fixed above the man.


    Then Brandon would begin to hear them conversing in breathless pants. Two males voices beneath him, raised in anger. One voice was familiar to him, because it was his own voice echoing out into the void and sheer rock all around.


    The man that looked like him stood beneath him. His twin was looking down into the fog and blackness. His hands were clenched at his sides as he screamed at the man standing behind him. It always struck Brandon how his twin was dressed in his dreams.


    His apparel appeared far too ancient to Brandon, as though he was looking upon a king or a medieval lord. He always appeared to Brandon in his dreams wearing a long silken robe that could have been spun by a spiders own hand. A gossamer white gown that appeared at once beautiful, but powerful and strong.


    Even his twins¡¯ speech seemed alien, and yet Brandon understood every word that he said.


    He ignored the heated conversation that carried on below him though.


    Because Brandon had heard it all a thousand times before. A dark argument that hurt him every time he listened to it, but no matter how he tried to stay above the scene transpiring below him, he was eventually always forced to float down and bear witness to the dark play.


    ¡°.....and you will let them topple everything that we have worked to achieve? Can you see that they won¡¯t just stop here!?¡± Brandon¡¯s twin screamed turning back to the man behind him. ¡°Kail, you have to understand that they are using you!¡±


    Kail, the man that his twin addressed was for lack of a better word beautiful. And yet Brandon¡¯s felt no physical attraction for the man in his dreams at all. He felt like thought like that were forbidden to him for some strange reason, so he admired the man, but that was as far as Brandon¡¯s feelings for the man named Kail ever went.


    Unlike Brandon¡¯s twin who wore his hair short and cropped the man named Kail had a mane of black hair lain down his back and bound there in a thick braid. And his features though far from elegant or soft, were instead strong and inspiring and covered in marks and symbols. He appeared to Brandon as a tribal warrior.


    Face decked out in black and white paints. He looked as though he had just emerged from battle, cuts and blood stained him and his clothing. Clothing that like Brandon¡¯s twin was alien looking. It was nothing but a long gossamer gown, but unlike Brandon¡¯s this mans gown was coal black and covered in etched golden spirals in the shapes of dragons. It was easy to see that the man named Kail not only out weighted Brandon¡¯s twin but out stood him by a good two inches.


    And then there was the long thin blade that Kail held loosely by his side. It was covered in fresh gore, but for the life of him Brandon had never been able to see any deep wounds on either of the men in his dream.


    ¡°In this I am noting but a tool.¡± Kail finally said back to Brandon¡¯s twin. His handsome face melting into a grave scowl of regret. ¡°You¡¯re the one who drove us to this Brother.¡±


    Brandon¡¯s twin turned to the man named Kail as he raised his weapon before him in a daunting stance.


    Brandon¡¯s twin closed his mint green eyes, eyes so similar to Brandon¡¯s, and looked down. Tears started falling as he bowed his head. ¡°No, they brought US to this.¡± he said to Kail. ¡°And you betrayed everything you knew for a lie. You will never ever be able to take this back.¡±


    They continued to talk, even as Brandon began to feel the levity over him fading away. The dream was ending. He prepared himself for the darkness that was coming his way.


    ¡°No.¡± Kail smiled over at Brandon¡¯s twin sadly. Kail raised the blade before him strawberry light glancing off the silvery blade in his hands.


    ¡°I betrayed everything I know for a future. We all knew that there was no going back, not for me. Or for you. I¡¯m embracing the evils I have committed today, so that we can have a future. I¡¯ve made the choice to do this horrible terrible thing to my brother....All that remains is for us to settle the score.¡± Kail finished. And suddenly the light reflecting off his blade was blinding Brandon.


    The sun rose fully out of the fogy mountains, dancing on top of the clouds below it, and glistening behind the two men.


    And that¡¯s when Brandon fell. Every time it was the same.


    It was as though an invisible stage had just disappeared from beneath him and down off the side of the cliff he plummeted. He lost sight of the two men completely as everything around him zoomed past his eyes and he fell into the darkness and the rocks below. For some reason he always dropped out of the sky at this point in the conversation, and for some reason he always woke after the darkness had stolen all life from him.


    After feeling the rocks breaking him into a hundred bloody chunks and bits. After feeling his heart beat choking off.....he woke up choking for air, face wet with tears, and strangest of all was the pain in his heart.


    Every time that he awoke from the dream the pain in his heart haunted him the longest. He sobbed into his covers, for the pain that like the men in his dreams felt all too familiar. But in the end the meaning behind it all, or even his own understanding remained alien and far from his soul.


    But as always, once Brandon stopped the screams, took a few deep breaths and wiped his face of the tears; He fell back into a dreamless sleep.


    Where he contemplated for the millionth time what it all meant. What became of the two men in his dream? Why did one of the men resemble him? And why did every single dream end with that damn fall into oblivion.


    But no answers ever echoed back to him and he had come to accept that maybe none ever would. Besides there was more to worry about in Brandon¡¯s life right then.


    Like the fact that someone was knocking at his bed room door.


    ¡°Hey stranger! Brandon!? Wake up it¡¯s been nearly two days.¡± Ezekiels smooth voice called to him, making Brandon open his eyes and realize that warm sunlight was beating against the window behind the curtains to the far left of his bed. ¡°My mother wants you to walk around a little, stretch out your legs. So come down to the kitchen after you get dressed, alright.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Brandon sighed softly to himself. He got so little rest, that he was reluctant to peel himself from the covers. Not really caring if Ezekiel could hear him or not he ignored Ezekiels shadow beneath his bedroom door and focused on getting back to sleep.


    ¡°Hurry it up!¡± Ezekiel suddenly growled from the other side of the door and banged on the door again. Brandon realized that he could probably hear that Brandon wasn¡¯t making any strides towards getting out of the bed at all. ¡°Hey are you awake in there?¡±Stolen story; please report.


    ¡°Yeah!¡± Brandon barked at the door, making sure that Ezekiel heard him this time. ¡°I¡¯m awake all right!?¡± He dropped his heavy head back onto the bed with an eye roll. ¡°Now just...give me a second.¡±


    He felt groggy, and still slightly feverish, but he thought he was doing well enough to at least attempt to get up so the Shifter would leave him be. Besides Brandon couldn¡¯t deny that he was ravenous. Warm and numb from sleep he managed to begin stretching the sleep away without any pain.


    Until he went to move his arms and legs and roll to his side and shouted as excruciating pain shot across his stomach, hip and side.


    ¡°Fuck.....¡± Brandon dug his fists into the bed, feeling the leather gloves incasing his fingers instead of the sheets. He strained up onto the pillows and headboard as he looked down at his stomach. Slowly he reached down, removing the covers to reveal his lover hips and stomach. All of it covered in blood.


    He gingerly raised his shirt and peered down at what he had done. Beneath the bloody wash towel he had wrapped around his stomach he could see that the inflammation around his torn stitches had become so dark and red that it almost looked like his side was rotting off.


    Brandon sighed realizing that maybe his little stunt last night hadn¡¯t been even remotely a good idea. ¡°Oh great.....¡± he moaned.


    ¡°Are you ok?¡± Ezekiel called to him suddenly from the other side of the door. He sounded both impatient and worried.


    ¡°No....¡± Brandon forced himself to answer speaking up to be heard from his awkward position. ¡°My stitches popped again.¡± he groaned hating himself.


    A moment later his bed room door was pushed open as Ezekiel came partially inside. ¡°What did you do to them now?¡± he sighed looking up from a pile of clothing he held balled under one of his arms toward the bed. ¡°They were fine when I left the other night...¡±


    Ezekiel trailed off when his eyes did finally fall on him. The first thing he looked at was Brandon¡¯s bloody pants leg and his ragged side. That look much¡¯s then it had when he had left the room last night. Ezekiel glared at Brandon and Brandon felt a chill as he worried that Ezekiel had guessed what he had done. But Ezekiel only hissed.


    ¡°What are you a dog?¡± he growled.


    Brandon could almost feel the Shifters aggravation as he walked further into the room and sat the clothes in his arms at the foot of the bed. ¡°? Am I gonna have to put a freaking cone around your stomach to keep you from popping the stitches Mortal? Could you not help sleeping with just a little bit care? ¡°He said. He glared at Brandon¡¯s stomach and rolled his eyes. ¡°Come on! Look at that damage!!¡±


    Brandon was torn between being happy that Ezekiel believed that his pooed stitches were an accident. And being annoyed with being spoken too as though he were just a little bit touched in the head. He decided to go with annoyed.


    ¡°Will you just shut up Shifter and give me something for the pain.¡± Brandon chuckled then hissed in agony. ¡°I¡¯m not moving until you give me either a pill or a very stiff drink.¡± Brandon told him and he meant it. He knew that there was no way he was getting a foot on the ground unless Ezekiel gave him something to manage the pain with.


    ¡°Hey no need to get grouchy.¡± Ezekiel said as he sighed and reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small white folded up paper. Inside the paper Brandon could just make out the chalky residue. I thought you might be needing some pain relief by today, after mom put in those stitches.¡±


    ¡°I guess no one can blame you for wanting a shower, but we did warn you not to wet your flesh, it makes it tinder, easy for tears to happen....¡± Ezekiel continued to talk as he walked across the room and flipped on the light in the bathroom.


    His voice echoed softly off the tile as he spoke making Brandon¡¯s pain calm as his mind focused on it. It was a warm voice, with a baritone that vibrated in Brandon¡¯s chest and made Brandon listen even when he wanted to just tell the Sifter to shut up.


    ¡°Normally we don¡¯t keep medicine around the house for pain, but my brother, Nate gets migraines so he keeps a pack of BC around just in case.¡±


    Brandon listened to the Shifter turn on the water in the sink and fill up a cup with it. Then Ezekiel turned off the water and came out of the bathroom still carrying the white folded paper and the cup of water. Walking up to the side of the bed, he sat the cup down next to the medicine on the bedside table and cast Brandon a hesitant look.


    ¡°So....¡± He began steeping right up to the bed. ¡°On a scale of one to ten, how much do you think movement will hurt you right now?¡±


    ¡°Eleven...¡± Brandon bit off as he tried to shift on the bed and a spike of fire crawled down his left leg.


    ¡°Well I guess this is gonna hurt....¡± He mumbled as he put his knee on the edge of the bed and leaned over until he had placed his hand next to Brandon¡¯s head. Brandon wanted to be into much pain to notice the jump that his pulse did as the Shifter crowded him on the bed....but he noticed it anyway.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna have to bring you to the edge and sit you up so you can swallow the water. ¡± Ezekiel told him


    ¡°Why?¡± Brandon tried not to whine about it, but he was honestly not in the mood to be touched by anyone at that moment. No matter the reason. Ezekiel rolled his eyes and went to touch his arm. Brandon jerked to the side as best he could, letting him know that he wasn¡¯t going for it. ¡°Wait! Please, don¡¯t touch me. I can take the medicine like this its fine....¡± He tried to explain.


    ¡°No.¡± Ezekiel denied. His blue eyes darting around Brandon¡¯s face then connecting with his gaze. ¡°Your pulse is all over the place....Your skins all sweaty and discolored, you¡¯re sick. If I feed the medicine to you like this and you vomit...you¡¯re going to choke on it....so let me sit you up.¡± He partially explained, but mostly seemed to demand.


    Brandon cursed his fate....but he was nauseous and hot and barely able to think past the throbbing in his side, so rather than delay the delivery of the medicine any longer, he nodded.


    Ezekiel sighed. ¡°OK, well go easy....I¡¯m going to help you sit up and move your legs.....¡± He said as he proceeded to put one of his long arms around Brandon¡¯s shoulder, wrapping a hand around his upper arm the other arm under his thigs.


    He shifted Brandon¡¯s body to the edge of the bed, then began to let his legs and feet tilt over the edge as he started to pull Brandon upwards.


    ¡°Oww...¡± Brandon mumbled as his stomach tried to somersault and his side registered the strain of being furled up.


    ¡°Go slow...Deep breaths.¡± Ezekiel instructed him, he pulled Brandon closer, turning him so that his legs were now hanging off the bed.


    ¡°I got it...¡± Brandon tried to say in a strong voice, but only managed to whisper as a spike of shivers and warm blood began to run down his hip. He froze as his mind went fuzzy.....he didn¡¯t want to move any further.


    I can¡¯t breathe....I can¡¯t breathe....I...


    He thought to himself. But Ezekiel cut into his internal monologue.


    ¡°Does it still hurt that bad?¡± Ezekiel mumbled into the sparse inches that remained between them. ¡°Here...hold onto me.¡± Ezekiel took Brandon¡¯s arm and lifted it over his shoulder and placing it behind his neck. Brandon didn¡¯t want to be any closer to the Shifter then he needed to be, but he knew that the sooner he was sitting up the sooner Ezekiel would let him go.


    Brandon wrapped his arms behind his head, and Ezekiels nearly came chest to chest with his as he wrapped his wrists behind his neck and pulled on him for support. The gloves around Brandon¡¯s hands were just thin enough that he could sense the tips of his hair tinkling against them.


    And he jumped when Ezekiels chin brushed against his collar, but with Ezekiels arm around his back to support him, he didn¡¯t move much. He could only shiver when Ezekiels breath registered in the crook of his throat.


    ¡°Let me hold the weight...try to be still or you¡¯re going to hurt yourself.¡± He said as he began to pull Brandon up wards slowly.


    Against his will Brandon obeyed. Ezekiels voice taking his mind off the pain slightly as their cheeks brushed. And while he slowly pulled his to the edge and upwards the blue eyed Shifters proximity began to get to him....and not in the good way.


    The Shifter tried to distract Brandon entirely. From Ezekiels heavy arm and hands holding him against his wider chest.


    His breath on Brandon¡¯s throat and the lingering smell of needles on his body. The warmth of his touch and his skin leaked through the leather gloves on his hands, and into the robes across his chest, beneath which he was mostly unclothed.


    For a second....an image tried to come over him, aflutter of awareness crawled up his spine. He was taken back to the moments after he had woken up, the moment that Ezekiel had pinned him against the bedroom wall. The feeling of Brandon¡¯s body trapped against his. It fed a moment of insanity.


    Where instead of holding Ezekiels neck for support Brandon began to imagine that he saw himself slipping his hands up into the Shifters long hair. That the Shifter moaned as his fingers flexed in his scalp. He turned his head and pulled Ezekiel closer. Their lips met silken heat exploded on his senses as the Leopard suckled on his...


    Brandon felt accosted by the thoughts. He couldn¡¯t push it way.


    Brandon closed his eyes and mentally shouted the thoughts away. And when he opened his eyes the vison was gone. But the ghost feelings of heat on his skin, and wish of a kiss remained on his lips.


    Shit...I must be going crazy....


    He thought, feeling terribly uncomfortable and suddenly wanting nothing more than to push the Shifter away from him.


    Then all he felt was pain as Ezekiels hissed against his skin, his breath and lips brushing the space between Brandon¡¯s neck and shoulder. Shocking his skin as the feeling and sound raised goose bumps along Brandon¡¯s arms, but before he could register much of anything, Ezekiel snatched away from him and Brandon slammed into the carpet beside the bed and a wave of fire cut across his sides. It stole every thought out of his head. Especially any favorable thoughts he might have had for the Shifter in that moment.

 Chapter 45 - Foul Urge

    Chapter 45


    The moment Ezekiel, walked into the room and touched him he felt the strange, but increasingly familiar burn beginning. He smelled the blood.


    But he tried hard to ignore it. He tried to focus on the medicine....but his inner beast locked into the smell of the mortal¡¯s skin, the weight of his body in Ezekiels arms and the feeling of his skin as it accidentally brushed against Ezekiels lips.


    He remember the strange thirst from their previous meetings. He remembered the want to bite.


    And an image flashed across his mind.


    He saw himself pull the mortal against him and he watched himself suck on his soft skin, nibble on it, then his teeth sank into his pulse. He imagined pushing the slender mortal in to the mattress and pulling deep and hard on his vein until they both unraveled in pleasure from the act. It was a day dream, but for a second Ezekiel felt something spicy and hot roll down his throat. And for a second he imagined how good it would be if the mortal pulled him in. Turned in his arms, put his legs around him and pressed his slimmer body into Ezekiels.


    He actually felt a slight shiver roll down his spine as he imagined Brandons taste. Felt the mortal as he moved and moaned against him. He imagined that Brandon¡¯s fingers slid up into his scalp and pulled on his hair as Ezekiel pulled harder on his vein. The feeling, the images, it felt so real, they locked him in place. Something in him clawed at his chest pushed on his mind.


    Bite him? What the fuck?


    Ezekiel thought to himself, feeling slight of breath. He slowly came back to the moment and realized that he was still holding the mortal, his mouth in the crook of his neck. Ezekiel was disturbed to feel his teeth peeking out of his mouth.


    A burst of copper in his mouth made him panic for as second, but he quickly realized that what he tasted was his own blood. His canines had sharpened so fast that they had sliced into his tongue.


    With a hiss Ezekiel snatched back from the bed, breaking Brandon¡¯s hold on him. In the back of his mind he registered his hip striking the night stand and the glass of water shattering on the carpet....but just then he was more focused on regaining his control.


    It was then that he realized that Brandon was on the floor, barely managing to stay in a sitting position. His teeth were clenched and his pale skin had a distinct green tint to it suddenly. ¡°Shit! That fucking hurt...!¡± Brandon grumbled as he tried to stand, holding a hand to the bloody remains of his robe.


    His glare transferred from Ezekiel for a few moments to land on the wet spot on the carpet that was littered with the shards of a broken cup. ¡°You....you dropped the pain meds.¡± He stammered softly.


    The mortal clutched at his wet side and glared up at him, his stunning mint green gaze all too sharp for Ezekiels comfort at that moment. A moment of silence leveled between them, a moment Ezekiels spent trying to tune out the stinging scent of fresh blood.


    ¡°Hey, stop staring at me! What¡¯s wrong with you!?¡± Brandon bit off through clenched teeth. He put out a black gloved hand and demanded. ¡°Help me off the floor!¡±This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    ¡°Damnit....I¡¯m sorry. I just....¡± Ezekiel stopped talking because he truly had no words for what had just happened. He shook his head slightly as he stood in place and remained silent. He ignored Brandon¡¯s hand at first.....he didn¡¯t trust himself to touch the mortal just yet.


    So to stall for time, he pretended to turn and look at the mess of water and medication smeared into the carpet by his heels. ¡°Damnit.....that was the last pack in Nate¡¯s room.¡± He commented, turning back to Brandon and licking his dry lips. ¡°Were going to have to get you something else for the pain.¡±


    ¡°Great....¡± Brandon breathed at him sarcastically. ¡°So what do I need to do now?¡±


    He asked Ezekiel still sitting on the floor, he pressed his hand to his side, and the wet slap of his gloves in the blood made Ezekiel swallow.


    ¡°Well.....my mother is a Healer.¡± He said, taking a deep breath and trying to kick start his mind on anything else but the smell and burn on his tongue. His mind pulled together slowly, but he quickly finished. ¡°I¡¯ll take you down to her...she might have a few herbs or something she can mix for you to drink that will dull your reaction to the pain.¡±


    ¡°Just help me up...¡± Brandon panted still extending his bloody and leather covered hand outward.


    Still not sure what to make of what he had just...imagined. Ezekiel tried to play the whole thing off. He stepped back up to the bed and leaned down. This time he only grasped Brandon by the right hand and bicep. Taking a step back he slowly pulled Brandon up to his feet and noticing how badly he was shivering, Ezekiel stepped beside him and ducked beneath the arm that the mortal wasnt using. Of course Brandon tried to blow his ears off with angry questions.


    ¡°Seriously what was that all about!?¡± Brandon began, as Ezekiel began to carry him across the room and towards the door. ¡°I nearly puked when I hit the ground....What did I do? Because you dropped me to the floor like I was a dirty rag or something! Hetmy I¡¯m asking you a question . ..!¡± He panted limping along beside Ezekiels side.


    He knew he should tell the man that he had done nothing to deserve the fall, But Ezekiel wanted to remain silent, the irritation in Brandon¡¯s voice felt contagious. Especially since his blood covered glove was hanging across Ezekiels shoulder dangling in his periphery. The fresh blood nipping at Ezekiels mind, making the beast inside restless. Making his gums itch as the canines inside them tried to pop back out. He couldn¡¯t focus with Brandon¡¯s voice all in his head.


    ¡°Jesus Brandon!¡± Ezekiel snarled at him in frustration, cutting him off from further fussing. Although Ezekiel knew that his anger was unjustified. ¡°Unless you¡¯re going to fucking walk down the stairs by yourself, shut up and let me think for a second!¡±


    With that Ezekiels walked him out of the bed room door. The soft candle light was missing in the early morning hours, replaced with the stale sunlight that poured into the hallways through the blinds that had been pulled back.


    Brandon who was obviously irritated with Ezekiel held his silence, possibly only because the pain kept him from speaking. With a snide comment too low for Ezekiel to really hear Brandon silently let himself be carried.


    Soon Ezekiel exited the hallway minutes later and mounted the steps easily with his frail burden, but as the silence stretched, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a little bit bad for yelling.


    The illusion had startled him, unsettled him, and sadly enticed him more then he wanted to acknowledge.


    He had actually felt his fangs sinking into warm flesh, felt himself wrapping his arms around another person¡¯s body. He imagined that he even felt soft lips and warm flexing hips grinding against him lustily...it had definitely been a long time since he had had anyone in his embrace...


    And he cursed his overactive imagination.


    Finally Ezekiel descended the steps as carefully as he could, often taking all of the mortals weight against his side to keep Brandon from hurting himself.


    The blood continued to sting Ezekiel¡¯s senses, but confused more and more by his increasingly inappropriate reactions to the mortals scent and proximity, Ezekiel made himself shut it out.


    I must be losing my mind....


    Was what he thought to himself as he stepped off the last stair and onto the bottom floor of the mansion.

 Chapter 46 - Emergency

    Chapter 46- Emergency


    Minding his speed so as not to intensify Brandons pain Ezekiel surely and patiently led the man in the direction of the kitchen....the place Glen spent her early mornings most days.


    But...The moment Ezekiel guided Brandon further into the kitchen he realized that he had a problem on his hands.


    ¡°Well...Well...What do we have here...?¡± Lander nearly growled as he glanced over the two of them. His brother stood across the kitchen with a loaf of bread in his hand, and a plate on the counter top in front of himself. He looked away from Ezekiels and Brandon long enough to sit his bread down on the plate before him.


    Ezekiel resisted his initial urge to groan and instead focused on ignoring his sibling for the moment in favor of getting the mortal off of his feet. Brandon¡¯s eyes were barely open but he barely let Ezekiel support him. He refused to lean on him much even though he was obviously in agony. Ezekiel didn¡¯t like it...but he didn¡¯t force him either.


    Ezekiel made a move to guide Brandon further in, but the mortal, whimpered and bit his lip and resisted. Ezekiel stopped....he felt the mortal shaking slightly and breathing. Deep heavy breaths against his side. Calming breaths. Steadying in-hails and exhales.


    Ezekiel let him gather himself in silence, watching the mortal struggle through his agony and hating that he couldn¡¯t do more.


    But Lander wasn¡¯t as considerate in the least.


    ¡°Hey....!¡± He called out nearly at a shout, but when the mortal didn¡¯t look at him or even respond ti his call, Ezekiel brother positively shouted it again. ¡°Hey You Mortal!¡± He barked across the kitchen, forcing the Brandon to flinch and finally look at him. ¡°So is this how you show your gratitude to my family...by leaving your fluids all about our home? Haven¡¯t you heard that your people¡¯s blood is unsanitary?¡± He asked rhetorically.


    ¡°Leave him alone...¡± Ezekiel said with a roll of his eyes.


    ¡°Prick....¡± Brandon whispered back as his only response, clearly not in up to speaking much at that moment in time. Without another word he let Ezekiel walk him slowly across the tile in the kitchen.


    ¡°Ooohhh....this guy¡¯s got a mouth on him, huh Ezekiel? Feisty.¡± Lander picked back like a small child and Ezekiel hissed at him, in frustration.


    ¡°Seriously Lander!? Give it a rest.....¡± Ezekiel snapped at him, then he sighed as he concentrated on walking Brandon further into the room, and lowering him into a backless high stool beside one of the kitchen counters. Brandon released him quickly, once more reinforcing the idea that he detested being touched for any reason. But Ezekiel didn¡¯t have time to be offended by or curious as to the reasons behind his behavior.


    Instead Ezekiels glanced at his brother and then about the empty kitchen, getting a sinking feeling in his stomach that he didn¡¯t want to acknowledge.


    ¡°Where¡¯s mom?¡± He asked his brother, already knowing that he wouldn¡¯t like his answer.


    ¡°She¡¯s out in the Western Village, helping them deliver the Andersons baby.¡± Lander told him. ¡°Apparently the Leopardess in that Clan went into labor early this morning.¡±


    ¡°Shit.....¡± Ezekiel said, moving back and looking at Brandon¡¯s side. His black gloves covered most his side, holding his shirt to the wound that was hidden beneath, but it was easy for Ezekiel to see the blood spreading through the fabric of Brandon¡¯s clothing like water across the surface of a sponge.


    Frustratingly Ezekiel began feeling an instant flare of thirst over take him, a dry burn on in his throat but he pushed it away as he looked at his brother and away from the red spread on the mortal¡¯s side.


    ¡°Lander what is he gonna do? He needs a patch job done on his stomach wound and mom was the only Healer in the village that knows about a mortal being here.¡± Ezekiel scratched the back of his head and then shook it. ¡°I could take him to Kim¡¯s...but I doubt he¡¯ll make it all the way over there with his stiches popped and open.¡±If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    ¡°Popped open? Lander hissed slightly in Brandon¡¯s direction instead of responding to Ezekiel¡¯s questions ¡°How the hell did you manage to do that?¡± Brandon shot Lander a stiff glare. And Ezekiel sensed that the ridged set of his body wasn¡¯t entirely due to the wound in Brandon¡¯s side, but to the fact that he didn¡¯t want Lander speaking to him.


    ¡°It....¡± Brandon bit back at his brother. ¡°It just happened alright?¡± The mortal sighed and looked away, seeming to get more exhausted as the moments went.


    ¡°Well I guess you¡¯re screwed....huh?¡± Lander informed Ezekiel with an unconcerned shrug as he began to pop a top on one of the condiment bottles before him.


    ¡°So....¡± Ezekiel mumbled putting a hand to his chin and feeling completely lost for a solution. He knew that he was good with most of the animals, and had even stitched up a few jagged cuts on one or two of the horses and cows....but he didn¡¯t want to hedge the mortal¡¯s wellbeing on the patch jobs he had had to do on a few animals.


    ¡°So genius...if it¡¯s so important just call Erin out here to deal with it.¡± Lander told him, being more helpful in that moment then he ever managed to be. Then he turned and opened the door to the freezer, the whir of cool air echoed out of the opening as his brothers blond head dropped down to peer inside.


    Ezekiels smacked a hand against his forehead in shame that he hadn¡¯t thought of his cousin first. ¡°Of course! I¡¯ll, call Erin up here! Since she¡¯s not going out on patrol for now, it won¡¯t be too inconvenient to have her travel out this way and do the stiches. ¡°Ezekiel exclaimed, looking at his brother who only rolled his eyes and grumbled under his voice.


    Brandon¡¯s head came up and he shared Ezekiels gaze for a moment. ¡°Who¡¯s Erin?¡± The mortal asked him softly.


    ¡°She¡¯s our cousin and consequently an apprentice Healer in our Clan.¡± Ezekiel answered him as the mortal looked away.


    ¡°Ok...that¡¯s great....but....¡± Brandon panted to him. ¡°Is she going to have something to numb the tears in my stomach too?¡± He inquired, holding a gloved hand tightly to his side. His obvious pain making Ezekiel fell even more foolish and guilty for his blunder with the medication up in the room.


    ¡°Unfortunately no.¡± Ezekiel told him, as he walked across the kitchen and reached into one of the jars sitting beside a bread box and toaster oven. When he withdrew his hand he was holding an egg white flip phone. He looked up into Brandon¡¯s light green eyes for a second then looked back down at the phone in his hand.


    ¡°A local Healer further in the Southern Village named Kim is the only one who is in possession of things like morphine and tranquilizers. She passed them along to my mother the night that you appeared, but most of the medicine like that is kept on reserve for the animals. I¡¯ll see if Erin can go grab some more from Kim before she comes this way...but stopping that leak is more important than pain relief.¡± Ezekiels saw the mortal grimace, but when he withdrew into a pained silence Ezekiel decided to leave him alone and go and make the call.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Lander asked him, returning from his expedition into his fridge to shoot Ezekiel a glare.


    ¡°I¡¯m going into the lobby of course....you know the reception anywhere else in this house is crap.¡±


    Ezekiel sighed he knew that because their village happened to be in such a remote area, far from most cell towers that most of the appliances that required such things tended to fail unless they were turned on in certain areas of the house or the villages.


    ¡°So what...?¡± Lander hissed, reaching into the fridge, grabbing a pack of meat, various condiments and a bag of salad, and then slamming the door closed with far more force then was needed. He walked the ingredients to that counter top, snatched up a knife and pointed it at Brandon who was looking paler and paler as the minutes ticked by. ¡°Am I going to have to stand here and watch that eyesore for you?¡± he complained.


    ¡°Lander stop it....And now that I think about it? Why are you here? I mean aren¡¯t you supposed to be out on patrol with the others right now?¡± Ezekiel asked his difficult sibling.


    But Lander just smirked at him and looked down as he finally popped open the bag of meat that he had taken form the fridge earlier. ¡°I¡¯ve got a meeting with the Sherman¡¯s out in the South...so I circled back this way to grab a bite and what happens to me....¡± Lander began to lament unnecessarily. ¡°I get stuck with fucking babysitting duty...¡±


    Ezekiel growled in expiration. ¡°Forget that I asked! Just stand there and call me if his condition changes?¡± His brother grumbled obviously about to argue, but Ezekiel was above trying to listen. ¡°The signal only takes a few moments to kick in and the call will only last a minute at the most. Then you can be on your merry way....Okay?¡±


    Ezekiel sighed and not waiting or caring for a response he made his way towards the door. His hands held the open cell before him as he steadily pressed in a sequence of numbers that would get him into contact with his cousin.


    ¡°Okay...stay still Brandon. Ill be right back.¡± Ezekiel said glancing at the man. To his surprise Brandons eyes on him were needy and vulnerable in their pain and Ezekiel felt his own gaze softening in empathy, before he was lifting the phone and pressing it to the side of his head.


    Then Ezekiel stepped out into the hall as the ringtone trilled through the speaker, leaving his brother and Brandon alone.

 Chapter 47 - Say it Again

    Chapter 47- Say It Again


    The moment Ezekiels presence and voice faded out of the room, Brandon found it harder not to focus on the pain.


    Brandon sank his teeth into his cheek, trying to stall the tears that wanted to build as the blood continued to gather on his hips. He felt the damp warmth dripping off his side and hitting the edge of stool and for a split second he wished that his energy would return. He wished that he haven¡¯t temporarily banished the power inside that could wipe away every little ache and pain.


    But just as quickly as he made that wish he took it back and mentally set it aflame.


    Yes......Brandon knew that the power inside of him could wipe away his pain, but it could also wipe away every living thing in that house with him.


    So instead of continuing along those ultimately useless trains of thought, he focused on his pain.


    There was a throb in Brandon¡¯s entire left side. Thump....thump....thump. It radiated out of the torn stitches and flesh and organs that he had.....quite foolishly damaged the other night. Every breath was like a hot poker to his guts.


    It was excruciating. It was all he could focus on. That and the rude sounds that the blond haired Shifter across the kitchen was making at his expense. Brandon didn¡¯t have to recall that this was one of Ezekiels brothers....or that he went by the tittle Guardian like Ezekiel. His brother who went by the name of Lander.


    Brandon looked at him; A tall, handsome, blond haired, green eyed, mass of muscles with a raw magnetism about him that attracted the eyes no matter how hard Brandon didn¡¯t want it to, but unlike Ezekiel his brother had a harsh vibe about him. A feeling came off of him that stung like the edge of a cold knife against Brandon¡¯s skin.


    Brandon couldn¡¯t stand that feeling or the way that Lander had a perpetual sneer plastered across his charming face, even while he stood across the kitchen preparing a meal.


    His eyes seemed far too dark to Brandon, like there were grey clouds brewing just beneath their hostile surfaces. And the expression in his face was full of sneers and condescension and a hint of rage; it was like Lander, knew everything everyone else was thinking and he hated them for thinking it.


    What¡¯s this guy¡¯s problem?


    Brandon thought to himself dully, letting his curiosity fog the pain a bit.


    Lander must have sensed Brandon¡¯s eyes on him, because he glanced up from the food he was preparing


    ¡°Hey.....¡± Brandon panted, stopped, and then tried again. ¡°What are you grumbling about?¡±


    ¡°Me? I¡¯m just thinking about You....you queers are so dramatic....¡± Lander murmured, he cut his eyes at the obvious blood drenching his shirt and shook his head as if in disappointment.


    ¡°Ezekiel looks like hes about to pop over some blood and it¡¯s not even that bad of an injury...¡± The blond hair¡¯d Shifter nearly hissed at him. ¡°I don¡¯t see why we have to go bothering my cousin for some sissy little mortal.¡±


    ¡°Queer? Sissy? ¡± Brandon bit off, unable to summon the strength just yet to infuse his question with any real emotion.


    ¡°Did I fucking stutter?¡± The tall Shifter grumbled as he slathered his bread with a white substance and then quickly tossed the various pieces of his sandwich together.


    Brandon laughed in astonishment that one man could be so......vile. Everything about Landers demeanor made it not only unpleasant to be with him, but it also made it terribly hard to believe that someone so crass was related to Ezekiel...much less to Glen.


    Brandon silently watched as Ezekiels brother tossed the final piece of his meal together, lifted it and took a big bite. Lander chewed the sandwich thoughtfully for a moment, his gaze centered on Brandon for a few seconds before he swallowed and said ¡°So what¡¯s your name anyway? And why cant I read you.....I can read everyone so I should be able to read a little nobody like you.¡±


    Totally caught off guard by the quick change of conversation, but still sickened by the Shifters tone, Brandon bit of his next response. ¡°My fucking name is Brandon...and I don¡¯t have any idea what you¡¯re talking about. I don¡¯t give a shit if you can or can¡¯t ¡°Read me¡± but have I done something to you personally? Does me liking men offend you or something?¡± he asked Lander directly.


    ¡°Well, of course it fucking offends me!¡± Lander chuckled, tossing down a half-eaten sandwich on to his plate, so violently that it struck the plate and fell apart, spreading meat and lettuce over the clean counter top before him. ¡°It¡¯s disgusting....your disgusting. But besides that...How do you not know what reading is? You¡¯re the one blocking me from reading you in the first place!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what the fuck you¡¯re talking about...!¡± Brandon nearly shouted, only for the Shifter to bark back at him just as angrily.


    ¡°You¡¯re blocking me.....from....reading.....your mind.¡± Lander slowly and obnoxiously .pronounced his sentences in snarling chunks, that made Brandon¡¯s blood boil. ¡°I can¡¯t READ you, get it now? I don¡¯t know how to say it any simpler for you idiot.¡±Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Read my mind? What the hell?


    Brandon asked himself. For a moment he didn¡¯t believe the Shifter, but it didn¡¯t take him long to recall the way that Ezekiel had put an illusion on his mind. He remember the sunlight and the calm that had engulfed him. A dream pouring into his him from another place. From another person.


    In all honesty Brandon had forgotten about the experience, and he didn¡¯t really understand it, but now he was struck with disquiet.


    What had the blue eyed Shifter done to him to get him too sleep?


    A hidden power....like what Lander was speaking of?


    Instantly Brandon worried about what other things the Shifters in that family could do.


    ¡°You....Can you really read other people¡¯s minds?¡± Brandon asked Lander slightly incredulous.


    ¡°Damn right I can.¡± Lander responded with a flare of confidence that seemed to fit right in with his character.


    But Brandon wasn¡¯t worried about his behavior.... So much as he was worried about what was being implied if Lander was telling him the truth. Brandon was possibly in a highly dangerous situation, without even knowing it and he had to find out what he was dealing with. ¡°What about the others....¡± He forced himself to ask Lander in a calm voice.


    ¡°What?¡± Lander responded. ¡°Oh, Can they read minds? No....and it wouldn¡¯t matter, because I can¡¯t read your mind anyway.¡± Lander griped, tapping a hard fingers on his temple a few times. ¡°You¡¯re keeping me out of your head somehow. So why don¡¯t you focus on telling me how you¡¯re doing it?¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about¡± Brandon grumbled back confused. ¡°I¡¯m not DOING ANYTHING, but what about the rest of your family....What can they do if they aren¡¯t mind readers like you?¡± Brandon implored him, only for Lander to growl at him aggressively.


    ¡°Why would I tell you any of that shit....you¡¯re a stranger and besides; Why do you care!?¡± he asked Brandon suspiciously.


    But Brandon only shrugged off his suspicions and said. ¡°What if you attack me or something? I need to know what I¡¯m up against...¡±


    ¡°Oh come off it mortal.¡± Ezekiels brother answered back, completely unsympathetic to Brandon¡¯s words. ¡°If any one of us wanted to take you out, knowing about our abilities, won¡¯t save your sorry ass.¡± Lander told him, his tone far too condescending and sharp for Brandon¡¯s liking.


    ¡°But...¡± Brandon tried to interject only for Lander to strong arm past his words the next moment.


    ¡°Alright now that you understand all that, let¡¯s get back to the important matter.¡± He growled, flashing a pair of canines that were almost too long and too sharp. ¡°I can¡¯t read you and that only happens when someone is actively blocking me out.¡± Lander briefly explained, although Brandon got the feeling that he didn¡¯t really explain for his benefit. Lander paused, and starred dead into Brandon¡¯s eyes and for a moment Brandon thought that he saw his green eyes lengthen, and elongate. He thought he saw a light flash in his irises, but in the next second Lander blinked and it was gone. Suddenly he spoke a tremor of a growl on his voice. ¡°Now...Right now....I¡¯m trying to read your mind....Can you feel me?¡± he asked Brandon.


    And almost instantly Brandon felt...a weight on the side of his head. It was a light as fingertips on his temples and as cold as ice. Something in Brandon responded to the feeling.


    Violently.


    Brandon felt a thump inside of his core, the energy flickered alive like a spark form two stone striking. Angry. Vengeful. The cold was knocked away like a worthless bug as the power inside snapped like a vicious dog at the foreign energy that tried to invade his thoughts. Then the power retreated back into the recesses¡¯ of Brandon¡¯s soul. Spent and buried once more.


    Brandon bit his lip and looked down to hide the bewilderment that tried to raise over him. He didn¡¯t understand any of what he was feeling or why he felt it at all. He couldn¡¯t control it. He could barely decipher it....and live with it. But one thing was for sure.....he couldn¡¯t talk about it. So when he looked back at Lander in the next few seconds he smoothed over any expressions, and shrugged nonchalantly.


    ¡°No...I don¡¯t feel anything.¡± Brandon said. Then sighed as he keyed back into the pain radiating along his side and whishing that he could tune it out completely. He should have been dead.....Brandon knew it. The damage that had been done to him and the damage he had done the other night, no normal man could have endured.....but he wasn¡¯t just any man. He didn¡¯t know what he was.


    I¡¯m something horrifying.....I know that at least...


    Brandon thought to himself.


    But Lander, completely unaware and unconcerned with Brandon¡¯s state of mind just then, uncrossed his arms and shook his head, seemingly unable to believe what Brandon had just said to him


    ¡°Hmmm, I can¡¯t believe it.¡± Lander mused, the glare in his green eyes sharpening, before he shrugged. ¡°Must be all the homo blood in your veins blocking me out then.¡± Lander sneered unpleasantly before he took up the plate before him, turned and tossed the food into the trash, then he turned back and leaned back against the counter top. He ran a hand forward through his spikey blond hair. ¡°Case closed. I guess.¡± He said and shrugged.


    Brandon¡¯s hands itched to throw something into the Shifter face, but nothing was around for him to grab, so he clenched his jaw in frustration. ¡°You know what?¡± He said. ¡°Fuck you.....you¡¯re just an ignorant ass-hole...¡± Brandon griped at Lander in annoyance, wishing that the Shifter would leave him to suffer in peace.


    ¡°Well fuck you right back queer. I¡¯d rather be an ignorant asshole, then a fagot any day of the week.¡± Lander snapped back without a hint of hesitation or kindness.


    Brandon slammed his hand down on the counter top, ignoring the streaks of fresh blood that he spread across its once pristine surface, as his gloved hands pressed onto the marble top. ¡°Say it again! I dare you to say that fucking word to me again!¡± he shouted at the edge of his seat


    Lander growled, dark green eyes shining unpleasantly as he opened his mouth.......


    ¡°Hey...!! Hey what are you guys screaming about in here?¡± Ezekiel said walking back into the kitchen at that exact moment. ¡°Lander what are you doing...?¡±


    But the blond haired irritant completely ignored Ezekiel. Lander locked his green eyes on Brandon¡¯s face and sneered. ¡°Lucky you....¡± He snarled.


    ¡°You just got saved by the fucking bell.¡± Lander said, then he began to pull away as if he was preparing to leave, but Brandon wasn¡¯t about to let that stand.


    ¡°Hey!! What are you scared of you prick? Come on.....I dare you. Please, come over here...¡± Brandon baited him as he used his eyes to motion to the area next to his seat. ¡°Say it to my face Shifter.¡±


    By now Brandon could sense Ezekiel moving towards them, he was saying something, speaking in a stern tone, but Brandon ignored him completely. He clenched his fists on the table top and waited to see if the blond haired Shifter was still going to turn and walk away.


    But Lander wasn¡¯t backing down. He laughed and walked up right beside the chair and leaned down and snarled in Brandon¡¯s face. ¡°FAG!¡±

 Chapter 48 - Wild Agressions

    Chapter 48- Wild Aggression


    There wasn¡¯t anything to think about. He wanted to break the Shifters face.


    So Brandon shot forwards and slammed his forehead into the Shifters face as fast and as hard as he could, feeling a vicious little flare of joy when Lander stumbled backwards with a curse and a shout, but Brandon wasn¡¯t done yet. The left of is forehead was flaring with pain from the connection of bone to bone, but


    He scrambled up, kicking his chair to the ground behind him as he attempted to circle around the counter top and follow up his head butt with a few solid punches, a kick to the crotch, but he never made it.


    Suddenly a hand snatched at him from behind. Brandon didn¡¯t even have time to struggle before he was being moved threw the air.


    Ezekiel angrily threw him to the floor. Fire ran down Brandon¡¯s spine as he collided with the wood. Instantly he felt what little bit of clotting that had started, split open and more warm blood gushed up out of the wounds and soaked the belly of his shirt.


    Brandon barely could breath for the pain and fury that came over him.


    That Bastard!


    He wanted to curse Ezekiel, but when he managed to orient his gaze back on the brothers he realized that Ezekiel was in fact doing all that he could to hold Lander down and back.


    Ezekiel looked like a different Shifter in those moments. He appeared more like the angry Shifter that had pried a syringe from his hand and held Brandon to a wall, then like a calm Guardian who was responsible for bringing him dinner.


    The brothers snarled, roared and wrestled slamming into furniture and nearly knocking an entire rack of glasses from a countertop. Fangs and teeth emerged as each of them struggled and the beasts inside of them scratched at the surface. A pile of papers scattered as Ezekiel suddenly manhandled his brother violently into a corner. Pinning him down. Ferocious talons like blades and fangs gnashed in dominate fury gleamed as he roared in his brother face nearly crushing him.


    ¡°Hey cool it! ¡± Ezekiel growled as he held his brother against the counter top, by the collar of his shirt. Thick white fangs overlapping as Ezekiek pulled back his lips and snarled back at Lander who was trying to shove him away. ¡°Lander stop it...!¡± he commanded, but his words fell on deaf ear.


    ¡°You candy pants son of bitch.....Im gonna...rip you apart!!¡± Lander panted and shouted over his brother. His glowing green eyes pinning Brandon to the floor for a moment, but Brandon wasn¡¯t about to back down. He limped up to his feet, holding his side, ignoring the bloody smudge he had left on the tiles behind him and held onto a chair for support.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    ¡°Candy pants!?¡± Brandon shouted right back, suddenly so hot he didn¡¯t even feel the pain anymore. ¡°Oh please.....Come at me again....! And I¡¯ll show you who the motherfucking fag in this room is!!¡±


    ¡°NO MORE!!! Stop it! ¡°Ezekiel roared at them both, he tightened his hold on his brother and slammed him aggressively into the cabinet when Lander tried to push back and rush at Brandon in fury. Ezekiel hissed and turned on Brandon in frustration.


    ¡°Brandon if you don¡¯t sit down and shut the hell up....I swear Ill jump across this counter top myself...!!¡± He snarled, his irises sharp and oval shaped, and burning with an unholy aggressive blue light that nearly made Brandon want to flinch away from him. ¡°Sit down! NOWW!¡±


    The air almost seemed to vibrate with the echo of his roar. And it was the anger in his eyes...more than his threat that made Brandon clam up. He felt somehting inside warn him to back down.


    Lander growled at his brother, in what Brandon took as a clear warning to let him go. But with a firm hiss Ezekiel continued to hold him. He jerked his brother across the room by his clothes, and finally shoved Lander out of the kitchen doorway.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough Lander! Get your ass to your Patrol......! Get out of here now!¡± Ezekiel commanded him, a snarl hidden in his tone.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to keep the Sherman¡¯s waiting any longer.¡±


    Lander growled softly standing in the hallway just before the kitchen. Stiffly he pulled at his rumpled clothes and shot his brother a strange look. But instead of fury he looked down right confused.


    ¡°Look at you. Bearly able.to control yourself! Seriously Ezekiel.... ¡°He partially panted, and partly growled. Claws and a set of fangs still standing at the ready.


    ¡°You¡¯re seriously going to go all Reaver on me...for that trash.¡± He scoffed and sent Brandon a glare that could have cracked glass. ¡°What they hell is wrong with you, you¡¯re going to let that mortal....push you to the edge!?¡±


    Ezekiel roared and slammed his fist into the wall beside the door way. ¡°Why are you still here Lander....Go patrol the village. NOW! Don''t push me!¡±


    Lander hissed, looked his brother up and down and threw his hands up in a sign of surrender, which was easily spoiled by the cocky sneer that he sent his brother right behind it.


    ¡°Fine.....I¡¯m gone.¡± Lander said, claws and teeth slowly melting away. Then he turned in a blur of blond hair and disappeared.


    The moment Ezekiels brother walked away, Brandon wanted to collapse into a chair.


    The blood was no longer gushing warmly out of his wound side, but his shirt was plastered to his body and his gloves were soaked in warm liquids. And the pain....was now nothing more than a throb.


    Brandon wasn¡¯t sure if that was good or bad, but he did know that he had a problem. The seconds ticked by, turning into heavy minutes and in that time....Ezekiel didn¡¯t make a move or say a words. He just stood, in a menacing silence, by the doorway, snarling in his chest just enough to make Brandon¡¯s skin crawl.


    Torn between silence and uncertainty, Brandon swallowed and opened his mouth.


    ¡°Ummm, Ezekiel?¡± Brandon called out, but instantly wished that he had just slunk off in silence when the Shifter turned and came at him.

 Chapter 49 - How Dare You

    Chapter 49 ¨C How Dare You


    Brandon would have described the feeling coming over him in the next few moment as fear.....if he was ever tortured into admitting it.


    But as Ezekiel turned on him, and stalked across the kitchen, with claws, eyes and teeth looking far too ready for use Brandon actually found himself backing away from him. But he didn¡¯t get far, before the prick of claws closing around his upper arms and the pressure of being pulled were being applied and he stumbled into the furious gaze of the Shifter.


    ¡°And are you insane!!¡± Ezekiel hissed. His voice distorted, but still smooth at the round of each word that he spoke. ¡°Don¡¯t you ever EVER do that again?¡±


    ¡°What!?....Don¡¯t do what!?¡± Brandon panted trying to pull back, but it was hopeless. All he managed to do was get blood on the backs of Ezekiel¡¯s hands as he tried to push his hands off. But unfortunately his attempts to pull away only seemed to incense the Shifter more.


    ¡°We talked about this the other night!¡± Ezekiel growled. ¡°I told you never....ever attack a Shifter, especially not one of my family members.¡± He rumbled, sounding far too disgusted for Brandon¡¯s liking. It wasn¡¯t like Brandon was responsible for what had just happened.


    Ezekiel¡¯s slit gaze seemed to burn like a blue candle as he glared down at him and Brandon struggled with an intense need to turn away. ¡°Lander, Mantilo...and even me......Do you not understand that we can and will kill you!?¡± he snarled the question, his tone so heavy that it made Brandon respond.


    ¡°Threaten me all you like, but He started it!¡± Brandon barked back. ¡°I was just finishing what he started!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not threatening you! But we are the son¡¯s of the man who wanted to drop you in the wilds to die three days ago!¡± Ezekiel pointed out far too pointedly for Brandon to easily counter. ¡°And my brother is not the most stable Shifter in this place if you hadn¡¯t noticed!¡± He would have happily put you in your place if I hadn¡¯t stopped him just now!¡±


    ¡°He would have died trying.¡± Brandon mumbled back coldly, but instantly regretted his words when Ezekiel nearly bit his head off.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t going to kill anyone. He¡¯s my brother.....and this is our home.¡± Ezekiel snarled and punctuated the sound with a small shake. Not hard enough to hurt him, but enough to make Brandon flinch. ¡°How dare you! Don¡¯t you ever threaten any of them again!! Do you understand me!!?¡± Ezekiel hissed releasing Brandon so suddenly that he almost slipped then he turned and marched away. ¡°Sit down Brandon!¡± He growled.


    ¡°All right....All right.....Stop yelling at me.¡± Brandon moaned slightly then swallowed as a swarm of nausea hit him in the stomach. ¡°Shit, I¡¯m goona be sick.¡± He mumbled as he anxiously watched Ezekiel pace his side of the kitchen restlessly. Bright blue eyes, viscous teeth and nails flashing as Ezekiel pivoted in an overly amped up fashion. It wasn¡¯t hard for Brandon to see that the Shifter was struggling. And surprisingly witnessing his anger....made Bandon fell...bad.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    He looks like he wants to tear the damn place apart.


    Brandon thought.


    ¡°Ezekiel......¡± Brandon tried to move, but Ezekiel¡¯s hiss crawled up his skin stopping him cold and when he looked up Ezekiel¡¯s gaze was locked on him and there was a cloud about the edge of his gaze that made Brandon fell oddly trapped for a few seconds, until Ezekiel slowly blinked and spoke.


    ¡°Just...stay in your seat.¡± Ezekiel seemed to mumble in an automatic hiss that made Brandon even more uncomfortable.


    ¡°Ezekiel....Hey....Calm down.¡± Brandon tried to sooth, more than a little disturbed for some reason by Ezekiels took his seat and glanced away from the agitated Shifter towards the mess that had become of the kitchen after all of the heightened arguments. Not particularly liking the mess or the cloud of rage floating off of Ezekiel, Brandon sucked a pained breath in through his teeth as he once more forced himself to stand up. ¡°Ezekiel come on, listen, lets clean all of this up....I¡¯ll help. Okay?¡±


    Suddenly Ezekiel stopped pacing, his eyes going form unfocused to laser point in seconds as he registered the fact the Brandon was standing up. He snarled at Brandon. ¡°Brandon sit down.¡± he said. Then he cast his blue gaze about the kitchen, seeming to notice the whirlwind of papers he was standing on top of for the first time. His gaze went back to Brandon and for the first time he took a deep breath.


    ¡°Just sit still.¡± Ezekiel rumbled after he exhaled. Nearly moving with a grace that didn¡¯t seem natural to the eye he walked over to a cabinet and jerked it open. The movement still a bit agitated, but far less aggressive than any other moment before.


    When he turned around his teeth were almost unnoticeable aside from the tips of his fangs peeking when he spoke. ¡°Here.¡± Ezekiel commanded and tossed a bright white hand towel on the counter top before Brandon¡¯s seat.


    ¡°That will slacken the blood flow until my cousin arrives to put in the fresh stiches...She¡¯ll be here in the next half hour....¡± he continued then cut off and turned. He quickly kneeled onto the tiles and began to shuffle the papers together, but as he worked he mumbled a comment. It should have been too low for Brandon to hear, but he heard it anyway. ¡°The smell of blood is suffocating me.¡± Ezekiel said to himself.


    Brandon instantly inhaled, but all he smelled was pine needles and clear air. ¡°The smell of blood is suffocating you? Is it really that bad....cause I can¡¯t smell a thing.¡± he asked the Shifter, fully aware that Ezekiel hadn¡¯t meant for Brandon to hear him.


    Brandon was confused when Ezekiel literally freeze for a good three seconds, then Ezekiel shook his head and went back to gathering the papers and striating the kitchen.


    ¡°Never mind.¡± He responded. And then a silence settled over the both of them that lasted all the way through Ezekiel straightening out the kitchen and fixing two cups of steaming tea. He sat one mug before Brandon and retreated to a counter top three feet away.


    But after another few minutes had passed, Brandon was both surprised and disgusted to realizes that both him and Ezekiel hadn¡¯t made a move to sip from their cups and had instead both sat staring into their cups.


    ¡°Ezekiel....are you still mad.¡± Brandon mumbled, shattering the silence. He watched Ezekiel blink, but he didn¡¯t look up from his cup.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m still mad.¡± Ezekiel almost hissed, looking at him for only a second before he turned his eyes back down to the cup in his hands.


    Brandon rolled his eyes at the silence that enveloped them once more. He reached out and pushed his luke-warm cup of tea away with a flick of his writs. ¡°Well I¡¯m not....so if you can get over yourself, I¡¯d like to ask you a question now.¡±

 Chapter 50 - The Reaver

    Chapter 50 ¨C  The Reaver


    Information, and facts.....Brandon thrived on knowledge he gained on a day by day basis. From the first book and words he had ever learned, he¡¯d felt a hunger for more. Learning was what kept him alive. IT was what filled the gaping hole inside of him. He needed to know everything about everything around him.....because he knew so very little about himself at all.


    Brandon didn¡¯t know where he was going...


    Brandon didn¡¯t even know WHAT he was supposed to do...


    And he definitely didn¡¯t know why something like him existed at all.


    Anything Brandon could take in or attach to the empty blank slate that he had to stare at everyday....was vital to him feeling like a normal man. Learning and questions seemed like all he had to cling to in life.


    ¡°So I need get over myself , huh?¡± Ezekiel smirked clearly done-in by Brandon¡¯s blunt words.


    Ezekiel finally looked up from his cup and rolled his eyes in ex-pirated consent.


    Brandon was overly relieved to see that his gaze was as clear as water. His pupils were still slit like a beasts and they still glowed slightly, but the cloud of anger was gone.


    ¡°You know? Your tongues going to get you in deep water one of these days?¡± Ezekiel as he stood up and walked over to Brandon leaving his cup behind him. He softly pulled up a chair, and faced him and gave him an attentive head nod. His student proximity making Brandon want to lean in.


    ¡°Alright fine. ..since you¡¯re so curious, that you feel the need to be rude after all of that....go ahead and ask away.¡± He said with an open gesture of his hand.


    "Stop sassing me." Brandon ignored his glib tone and turned towards him, or turned towards him as much as his stiff side would allow before he jumped right in a subject that had been on his mind since Lander had first started to pick at him. ¡°I¡¯m not rude and this is about your brother Lander...¡± Brandon began.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about my brother with you, Brandon.¡± Ezekiel slightly growled. And instantly Brandon wanted to be offended by his tone and he would have been. If he wasn¡¯t secretly impressed by Ezekiel obvious affection and loyalty for the members of his family....no matter how obnoxious one of them seemed to be.


    So rather than be offended Brandon lifted a hand in a calming gesture.


    ¡°Hey....cool it.¡± He snipped at Ezekiel slightly. ¡°It¡¯s nothing bad.....I was just saying, before me and Lander got into it, he told me that he could read minds...and that he had tried to read my mind, but had been unable to do it.¡± Brandon explained, then shook his head. ¡°What the hell? Is that true? Can you Shifters read minds?¡±


    ¡°So, he told you that...¡± Ezekiel sighed. A small bit of understanding seemed to dawn on the Shifter and he rubbed a hand against his blue eyes.


    "Try to understand. Most of us tend to only talk about our...abilities only if we have too.¡± Ezekiel told him, hesitating for a second before continuing. ¡°But to answer your question, not all Shifters read minds.¡ä He explained. ¡°In fact Lander is the only one who can minds in the entire Clan...While the rest of us can do other things...¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡± Brandon inquired, and Ezekiel sighed at him.


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± He asked. ¡°I thought you mortals were all about science and facts...do you actually believe anything that I¡¯m saying right now? Believe we have powers?¡±


    ¡°Who knows? I don¡¯t have any real reason to doubt it, do I?¡± Brandon pretended to contemplate, even while he worried that he had walked into a verbal nurse. He didn¡¯t want any of the Shifters analyzing him....or asking questions about him. He needed to seem normal, he needed them to stay away from him. So he tried to shift the focus. ¡°I¡¯m mean who cares what I think, if the truth is infront of me....I don¡¯t run from it. Are you telling me the truth?¡±


    ¡°Well, yeah and you¡¯re honest, at least.¡± Ezekiel conceded tapping a knuckled on the side of the counter top, suddenly. ¡°But, for the most part the abilities that a Shifter has or doesn¡¯t have varies by what they are and where they are in relation to Shifter territories.¡±


    ¡°Ok...Meaning what?¡± Brandon pushed.


    ¡°Meaning...that a bird Shifter will never have the abilities of a Leopard Shifter. ¡± Ezekiel answered him, shifting in his seat slightly.


    ¡°And...¡± He continued gesturing with his hand. ¡°There are only ever two Shifters in any one Clan that has abilities they can use at all. For example A bird Shifter will have Powers more related to thier build, environment as hunting style the same could be said for a Leopard Shifter.¡±


    ¡°Alright. But how do you get them...?¡± Brandon asked stating to enjoy the back and forth. ¡°And why do you have them in the first place?¡±


    Ezekiel shook his head. ¡°No Shifter knows or really cares about that part.¡± He revealed with a shrug of indifference.


    ¡°We are supernatural creatures these powers are just apart of our lives. We don¡¯t need to know WHY. Most of us simply chalk it up to nature....or God...or an overabundance of energy coming into us when we are born.¡±


    Ezekiel shrugged. ¡°But most Shifters don¡¯t ever posse powers so its hard to track it....or the reasons for it to exist in our people. If anyone wanted to guess I would tell them to assume that it is a fluke, mother and all that jazz. It is what we are.¡±


    Brandon was easily intrigued by the conversation, as well as surprised to hear a Shifter speak of such a thing as a possible deity or ¡°God¡±. He had assumed that their people wouldn¡¯t cling to such things as religion or faith in higher beings.


    Things Brandon had learned to shy away from long ago.


    Brandon had heard of God.


    He had prayed to a silent God.


    ...But Brandon had also killed the one that had taught him about the idea of God and benevolence and he had killed many more after killing that person.


    Whatever GOD existed, if one or many existed at all, He would surely not listen to Brandon now. And Brandon didn¡¯t want to pretend and pray to the silence, anymore.


    Brandon turned from that thought and smirked at Ezekiel.


    ¡°So you¡¯re telling me that your brother was granted these amazing abilities, by complete chance?¡± He asked the Shifter rounding the conversation back to the original topic.


    ¡°Yup, but I wouldn¡¯t call the abilities amazing.¡± Ezekiel told him, a heavy undertone hidden in his voice that Brandon didn¡¯t quite understand. ¡°Lander can read minds....up to a point.¡± Ezekiel explained putting stress on his words.


    ¡°All abilities that I know of are different, and have different hang-ups. For example Lander can¡¯t read a few of the Shifters out in the Clan for reasons no one really understands. He also can¡¯t read my elder brother Walter or my Father and sometimes he can¡¯t even read my Mother Glen either.....¡± Ezekiel stopped as if he suddenly remember something, he turned his gaze on Brandon.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°The first night you got here Lander told us that he couldn¡¯t read you either....Have you felt anything....cold or like a pressure on your mind?¡± He asked Brandon, perfectly describing the things Brandon had felt just a few minutes ago with his brother, but of course Brandon didn¡¯t let on that he knew what Ezekiel was talking about.


    He simply shrugged. ¡°Nope. All I know is that your brother was saying something about me blocking him out and then he started calling me names.¡± Brandon said and left that sentence there for Ezekiel to interpret.


    And Ezekiel did with a small head nod. ¡°Lander calls it ¡°Blocking¡±, but what he means is that there is a wall around a person¡¯s mind that he can¡¯t get past. Some Shifters can do it if they have practiced it like my Father....¡± Ezekiel informed him. ¡°But Lander says that mortals rarely have the know how to do that kind of thing.¡±


    Brandon waved a hand in the air. ¡°Well, then I¡¯m just a rare case.¡± He said, trying to insert as much nonchalance into that sentence as he could.


    ¡°Who knows, either way it gets under Lander¡¯s skin....he¡¯s a little emotional when he can¡¯t get his way....¡± Ezekiel unnecessarily tried to explain as they both looked away for a moment, each gathering thier thoughts.


    But Brandon simply remained silent. Soon another few moments had passed and he looked back at Ezekiel as a new question eventually popped into his head.


    ¡°Well back to the point....¡± He began, trying to move away from Lander and more towards other topics. ¡°Before we got into that argument....your brother told me that you all had powers of some kind in this place. Does that mean that the rest of your family have these powers too?¡± Brandon asked him.


    ¡°Well it¡¯s mostly me and my Brothers.¡± Ezekiel corrected him. ¡°My mother and father have no abilities, but they are strong in other ways. They wouldn¡¯t be the Clan Heads if they were weak.¡±


    Brandon pulled up an image of the men standing around his bed from the night he had first came fully awake and he counted their shape mentally, before he said. ¡°That¡¯s four Shifters in all, if I¡¯m counting you with your brothers.¡± He said recalling that all the men that he had met before showering with glen had been Ezekiel siblings. ¡°But, I thought you said only two Shifters ever get to have abilities in most of the Clans around the world.¡±


    ¡°It was a fluke.¡± Ezekiel shrugged supplying this as the only answer. ¡°But we all have different powers. And so far....You¡¯ve already been on the receiving end of what I can do.¡±


    Ezekiel told him, leaning on the counter top and staring at Brandon expectantly. And at first Brandon wasn¡¯t fully catching on to what he meant, then it clicked. He remembered Ezekiel¡¯s hand on his head. Brandon remembered sleeping after that touch, feeling warm and cold all at once.


    ¡°You used your power on me when you put me too sleep.¡± Brandon said to him and Ezekiel nodded as he sat up in his seat.


    ¡°Yes....and so you know formally we just call them, Innate abilities.¡± Ezekiel calmly explained. He turned his gaze from Brandon¡¯s as he leaned back in his seat, taking a deep breath and stretching slightly, before settling back down.


    ¡°Innate abilities often show up after we Shift for the first time. And in my family¡¯s case, it just so happens that I and all of my brothers were born with them. I can¡¯t reveal Walter and Nates abilities to you without their permission, but you already know that Lander reads minds.¡± Ezekiel admitted, shrugging a slight apology before he moved on. ¡°And as for me? I can implant my own feelings, emotions and even memories all with a simple touch of my skin on yours.¡±


    Ezekiel tapped a finger on Brandon¡¯s hand, striking the leather covering his hand. ¡°Happiness, misery, joy and even grief, I can manipulate It.¡± He pulled back. ¡°But as a personal rule I only do it with permission and only if the person in question really needs me to do it to them. They have to be open to the manipulation for it to work most times too.¡±


    ¡°Innate abilities? Hmmm.¡± Brandon made an impersonal sound, then shook his head. ¡°So you can make anyone feel anything if they let you touch them, but....Why do you only use your abilities when people ask you too? It seems like your brother uses his abilities on everyone all the time.¡±


    Brandon inquired, positively intrigued about the other power the Shifters he was staying with could wield. Of course Brandon had lived with monsters all his life. See things that no one would understand or believe. He had even read, small passages about the Shifters before meeting one.


    Little blurbs in tiny books that had alluded to the idea that their kind were able to perform supernatural feats, but it was one thing to read about it and something else entirely to experience some of it.


    But even though Brandon was intrigued, in the back of his mind was the knowledge that he could do things none of the Shifters in that entire clan would be able to withstand. There was the knowledge that there were monsters after him....monsters just as horrifying as him. Men with powers he didn¡¯t want to see anyone subjected to ever again.


    Brandon shook his head to knock away the heavy thoughts and pulled his attention back to the man sitting beside him.


    ¡°If I had abilities like you and your brothers...¡± Brandon admitted, purposely ignoring the fact that he did have power of his own. But the power that he possessed couldn¡¯t touch other people and for all he knew it had no name.


    ¡°I¡¯d use that ability all the time, Ezekiel. Just one free happy memory to replace one sad memory for everyone I meet."


    ¡°Ah, but you know it wouldn¡¯t stop at just one bad memory.¡± Ezekiel laughed cynically and raised his palm. ¡°If you could have nothing but happy memories all the time...wouldn¡¯t you ask me to implant them and erase everything else in your mind? Every sickness or fight or....a bad dream turned to sleepless night?¡± He remarked.


    And Brandon knew that that last part was directed at him, but he didn¡¯t raise to the bait, instead he resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the Shifter.


    Would I ask you to erase every memory of a bad dream or sickness I¡¯ve ever experienced!? OF COURSE I WOULD!!! In a fucking heartbeat....


    Brandon wanted to respond. He felt the dark, the fog of his past festering like a gaping wound that no stiches or scalpels would ever be able to seal or cut away.


    ¡°Well...¡± Brandon responded weakly instead turning in his seat to look at the Shifter. "I know its not like you actually can erase it all, but who wouldn¡¯t want to be happy Ezekiel?¡± he asked quietly.


    But Ezekiel growled in denial and lowered his hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s not real happiness if I have to create it for them, and my power lasts only for a brief time because of that fact.¡± He responded simply. ¡°That¡¯s the problem with my ability. It can¡¯t last.... because you can¡¯t be happy and subconsciously, deeply miserable at the same exact time. Besides its incredibly hard to do it most times.¡±


    Then Ezekiel shrugged. "Besides In the end you have to create your own happiness, its not supposed to be easy, or painless...Right?" he asked confidently, something in his tone hinting at a heaviness...or sadness, and try as he might....Brandon didn¡¯t have a rebuttal. So he moved on.


    " I guess your right.¡± Brandon replied nonchalantly, then quickly blurted out a new question.


    ¡°So um...can you do anything else?¡± Brandon asked him, looking away from his calm eyes, as Ezekiels gaze felt far too direct all of a sudden.


    Ezekiel hesitated for a second then discreetly clenched and unclenched his right hand before responding. ¡°I have a few other abilities, but they aren¡¯t anything I feel like discussing at this point.¡± He said, his words nearly as cold as a slab of cement between them. But Brandon couldn¡¯t help but want to chip at it slightly....if for no other reason than because he didn¡¯t like Ezekiel¡¯s cold reaction to his inquiry.


    ¡°Dose....does it have something to do with ¡°Reavers?¡± Brandon asked him going back to what Lander had said, and tried not to stutter when Ezekiel full on glared at him in displeasure.


    ¡°Can you tell me what that¡¯s about? Sorry if Im stepping over a line, but your brother was growling about something like that before he left and..and...ummm....¡± Brandon continued until he finally had to look away from the intense blue gaze.


    ¡°I dont know why he said that! Lander....has a big mouth.¡± Ezekiel hissed softly finally breaking off his glare and sighing.


    ¡°But....Reaver is sickness and in Shifter society, we don¡¯t discuss them...or how Shifters become them.¡± he commented, obviously not in the mood to discuss the new seemingly heavy topic.


    Brandon didn¡¯t understand so he kept pushing.


    ¡°So...Reavers.....are Shifters?¡± Brandon slowly pieced together.


    ¡°Yes...¡± Ezekiel replied as thought the answer were a tooth being pulled from him. It was so obvious from his displeasure that this was something he didn¡¯t want to talk about with anyone. But the reason why....remained obscure, so Brandon asked the first question that came to him.


    ¡°And....are you a Reaver, Ezekiel?¡± Brandon asked him quietly and not knowing why he was speaking in a hushed tone. The word ¡°Reaver¡± Brandon didn¡¯t understand it or know what it meant, but he got the feeling that it wasn¡¯t a good thing and it was at that point that Ezekiel cut him off.


    "Dammit! Look, you couldn¡¯t know this but it¡¯s rude to ask that stuff around here Brandon....Reavers are lunatics.¡± Ezekiel hissed in a tone only a few octaves higher then Brandon¡¯s whisper, as he grimly clued Brandon in.


    ¡°Reavers are Shifters, born with something in their blood. Like a virulent disease. They will go mad at the drop of a hat and slaughter anything and everything around them. They are Shifters with unnatural speed and strength. Most Reavers caused with this disease have only one fate and one fate only....to slip into complete madness and die alone and forgotten. ¡±


    Ezekiel turned to him, the mesmerizing glow in his eyes almost menacing but also hissing deep pain and resignation. ¡°It¡¯s rude to ask me if I¡¯m a Reaver, but since we¡¯re past the point of no return just know that you should fear me. You should fear my anger...just like all the rest. You would be insane if you didn''t keep your distance...like most do. ¡± He annunciated the sentence in a stern voice that left absolutely no room for further discussion on that matter.


    And yet Brandon couldn¡¯t help but marinate on that information in silence. He wanted to understand why or how someone even became a Reaver, but Ezekiel must have sensed him stewing in his thoughts, because he started him up talking again with a new question of his own.

 Chapter 51 - A Connection

    Chapter 51


    ¡°Anyway Brandon you don¡¯t seem too surprised about everything you just heard?¡± Ezekiel commented, gesturing towards him and speaking without a whisper or a hiss now. ¡°Is it...common in the mortal cities to see things like this...Do your people perhaps have abilities too?¡± he asked him.


    No, but His people had a power. Raw....dark....Power. And Brandon knew that HIS people did things with that power....that he didn¡¯t want to remember.


    Brandon honestly didn¡¯t have an answer about what the mortals did or didn¡¯t do. He had only ever been around monsters and darkness. He knew very little about anything and most mortals he had only just began to interact with when he began his....¡°Journey.¡±


    So he answered simply and vaguely. ¡°Well it WAS startling to hear about your powers and everything...¡± He began, grasping for words as he went along and trying not to bumble them.


    ¡°But I....um....I learned about Shifters and their societies from schools books and off the web while I was...um traveling around....so most of this is no big surprise to me, I guess.¡±


    Ezekiel chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s interesting...¡± He began looking at Brandon and smiling. ¡°You mortals read books to learn about us in school, and we read books to learn about you...somehow nothing really compares to a real conversation like this...does it?.¡±


    Brandon smiled back at him slightly and he sensed at that moment that both of them had settled in to a mutual, companionable rhythm. They exchanged a few more questions, wrapped in a strange cocoon of familiarity that didn¡¯t make sense to Brandon, but also didn¡¯t seem unnatural. He talked to Ezekiel as though he hadn¡¯t been completely separated from most human contact all of his life.


    ¡°So, do you and all the other Shifters in this village really change? Do you change into Leopards, I mean?¡± Brandon inquired, completely unable to imagine the man before him as an animal, even though he sensed something.....predatory in his eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t exactly imagine you with spotted fur and four legs and a tail?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t change we Shift...and we are what we are.¡± Ezekiel tried to explain, but when he saw the look on Brandon¡¯s face her tried to revise his words. ¡°Look, I¡¯m me, but I¡¯m the leopard too. We were born together, we share the same heart and mind. It wouldn¡¯t be fair to keep him locked up. So I Shift into him and yes....I grow a tail and everything you described right down to the fur.¡± Ezekiel finished with a calm smile, looking like a man talking about his most prized possession instead of a beast taking over his body.


    ¡°Well would you rather be a Leopard or a man?¡± Brandon inquired sensing that Ezekiel had great care for his other half, but Brandon also could see that he didn¡¯t dislike walking around on two feet either.


    Ezekiel chuckled and nodded his head. ¡°There are times when I like one form over another I guess....¡± Ezekiel answered with a slight hesitation. ¡°Leopards are so aware of everything. Not to mention being a man all the time is boring and often slower, but I can¡¯t choose one without killing another.¡± He said his eyes shining and still slit, but full of a carefree light that Brandon didn¡¯t want to enjoy.....but couldn¡¯t wholly resist.


    ¡°So what you¡¯re telling me is that you are both of them?¡± Brandon concluded, but once more Ezekiel shook his head.


    ¡°No, we are neither.¡± Ezekiel told him sharply. ¡°Not man not beast. Simply Shifters. We. Just. Are.¡±


    ¡°Okay.....¡± Brandon conceited, personally coming to the realization that it didn¡¯t have to make sense to him, if it made sense to the Shifters.


    ¡°Well, what about food?¡± He probed with another question. ¡°Do you guys eat meat or are you all domesticated and gnaw on leaves of lettuce and eat with forks and spoons.¡±


    Ezekiel chuckled and leaned in close. ¡°Can you seriously see me walking around here with a bowl of wimpy leaves in my hand? I mean look at me. Im a mans man.¡± He demanded softly.


    Brandon shrugged ignoring Ezekiel¡¯s self important smile that was getting more and more eye catching the more that he did it. Brandon fingered the cup sitting in front of him, drawing Ezekiel gaze towards it for a moment.


    ¡°Well you did just brew me a cup of tea, like a good lil house wife and clean the kitchen¡­So I was confused¡­..¡± He teased.


    Ezekiel hissed at the jest, then smiled far too easily and openly. A nostalgic tilt came over his lips, making him look like a big kid.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Yeah I guess. But My mother taught me how to do things like that¡­and just so you know I haven¡¯t made a cup in years. I personally prefer a hot grill, to a shiny kitchen.¡±


    ¡°Oh well, you¡¯re a regular cave man aren¡¯t you¡­ ¡°Brandon drawled at him. ¡°Let me guess¡­.you take your meat raw and bloody Right?


    ¡°Yup or just plain raw¡­I love the blood the most. There¡¯s nothing like a fresh kill.¡± Ezekiel laughed, a light moving in his eyes that seemed separate from his gaze. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know how your people gets along with out a pair of sharp teeth and some of these¡­?¡± He said raising his hands and putting them on the countertop. And between Brandon blinking his eyes; Ezekiel¡¯s teeth and nails were suddenly and noticeably elongated.


    The very pointed tips of two white fang brushed his bottom lip and the rounded nails of only seconds before had become long pearly white claws.


    Like a fascinated child Brandon turned and leaned into wards the Shifter. Not noticing that as the two of them conversed they each separately took chances to move closer together. Brandon poked at the solid claws on one hand, not feeling the smoothness that he guessed was there, because of the leather, but he still felt the claws hardness.


    Smiling in surprise Brandon found himself softly flipping the Shifters hand over and pinching the point of the claw, which nearly pierced through his gloves. ¡°Your nails their so¡­.well¡­deadly, but also pretty cool.¡± He found himself mummering as he pulled back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about them too much¡­..They are both retractable.¡± Ezekiel said back and then he demonstrated this.


    His nails shook slightly as they grew inches in length in only a few split seconds, quickly turning into the clear and deadly, but eye catching claws of his inner Shifter. Then with a thought he seemed to pull his nails right back in. Brandon put the clawless fingers down softly.


    Then Brandon leaned in to look at his teeth next. Wordlessly Ezekiel tilted his head back and let himself be explored by Brandons curiosity.


    Suddenly Brandon¡¯s side protested at the movement, reminding him that he had to keep a firm hand on his injured stomach, but he still raised his other hand and placed the tips of his fingers on Ezekiel chin and glanced up into his slightly opened mouth.


    ¡°Hmmm, I gotta say¡­You people are regular killing machines¡­.¡± Brandon commented as he traced the curves of the teeth with his eyes.


    There were actually six of them in all. Two long nearly blade like canines stationed at the top and two more medium length fangs sitting beside the longer top teeth. Then at the bottom row were two more sharpened teeth, barely longer than two inches, but just as sharp looking as the other four upper canines.


    ¡°And suddenly I have a whole new respect for your mother.¡± He said as he dropped his hand with a small shiver. Ezekiel laughed, dropped his head and looked right at him.


    And the combination of his smile, filled with tools for killing and his eyes, dancing with both a dangerous glow and a charming openness was diabolical. Brandon pulled back shocked when he felt his heart stir into a ache of odd longing.


    He¡¯s so beautiful¡­.


    Brandon thought.


    There were so few good things¡­.or good images that he had experienced in his life. So little beauty.


    But this Shifter looked at him and it was enough to nearly make him forget that beautiful things don¡¯t exist in his world. That he didn¡¯t get to touch beautiful things.


    But these were things he could never afford to forget.


    The boyish smile melted away like a dream as Ezekiel tilted his head, using the movement to capture Brandon¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Jeez, I¡¯m starting to notice that every time I look at you¡­You have this habit of catching your breath.¡± He tilted his head back level. ¡°Am I that frightening to you?¡± He tested softly, obviously sensing Brandon¡¯s withdrawal, but not pulling back himself.


    ¡°Yeah, I bet you wish you could frighten me.¡± Brandon returned scoffing, using bravado to act unfazed, looking at the Shifter and easily coming up with an answer for his odd behavior.


    ¡°But I was really just surprised for a second. It¡¯s your eyes. Their quite stunning. The way your iris shrinks and plumps out¡­¡± Unconsciously Brandon reached out and caressed the space beneath the Shifters right eye. He didn¡¯t feel his skin beneath his fingertips, but he felt the heat.


    ¡°Every time I¡¯ve seen them they have been glowing slightly and the pupils are slit in long thin ovals¡­¡± Brandon began ¡°¡­.Are you always mad or something?¡±


    Ezekiel blinked at that question, then replied. ¡°Well, most Shifters eyes glow a little bit or at least change shape, sometimes for no reason at all Brandon. But our eyes mostly tend to light up when our inner beasts come closer to the surface. Still, most of the time our eyes will glow when were in danger or simply in a highly emotional state of mind¡­¡±


    Emotional state of mind?


    Brandon mused to himself as he looked at the Ezekiel and the Leopard before him. As he remembered another beast¡­another person with glowing enchanting eyes.


    That Shifter¡­was a monster¡­.


    He thought to himself¡­.his mind slipping into a dark corner of memories that was never far away from him.


    Jacob¡­he was always around me and his eyes always seemed to glow just before he¡¯d unravel¡­.


    Brandon felt the darkness trying to rise up higher. So heavy that it stung his eyes and throat, threatening to spill over. Trying to prevent it, he kept talking even though he could barely even see Ezekiel¡¯s face anymore.


    ¡°Do they get like that when you¡¯re hungry too? I¡¯ve seen eyes glowing like this when¡­¡± Brandon stopped suddenly and blinked.


    He wasn¡¯t in his dark thoughts, he was staring into Ezekiel¡¯s eyes realizing that he was talking far too freely.


    Ezekiel frowned at his hesitation. He reached up and grasped Brandon¡¯s gloved palm holding it as he pulled it down form his cheek. He squeezed it gently. Comfortingly. Holding it between them.


    ¡°When what Brandon?¡± he softly pushed, his eyes searching his face.


    Brandon froze as he realized that Ezekiel was touching him far too late. He felt the weight of his hand, the heat through the leather gloves. He snatched back his hand.


    And a knock far away in the other room shattered the moment like glass.

 Chapter 53 - Healers Apprentice

    Chapter 52 -Healers Apprentice


    Leaving the Mortal in the kitchen Ezekiel made his way to the front door just as the second knock sounded. He opened the door to a familiar and welcome face.


    ¡°Oh my God!¡± Erin exclaimed as her soft hazel eyes contracted to thin slits and her nostrils twitched as she inhaled heavily.


    She stood out in the sunlight, dressed coolly with simple boots, jeans and a red blouse and her tall frame filling the doorway. Having traveled from the middle of the village carrying a medical kit a soft sheen of sweat shown on her forehead and throat, and her short brown hair brushed her shoulders as she steeped further into the house, turned to Ezekiel and frowned. ¡°It reeks of blood in here Ezekiel....Is all of this coming from the...the intruder?¡± she asked softly, almost timid.


    Ezekiel softly closed the door behind her as he said ¡°Yes....the mortals bleeding pretty heavily, he seems to have popped half a dozen of his stiches and mom was busy so I had to give you a call.¡± He explained to her, then he smiled and half hugged his cousin to his side. Her tall willowy frame rested against him, making him happy. ¡°Thanks for coming out, by the way. I know Drin says you needed your rest.¡±


    ¡°If it was up to my loving husband....I¡¯d be stuck in a small dark padded room until this baby comes to term.¡± Erin replied wryly as she rolled her eyes and returned his affectionate hug, then pulled back.


    ¡°I adore Drin....¡± She asserted softly. ¡°But I¡¯m not even showing yet and he¡¯s already trying to confine me to a bed...¡± She told him, glancing down at her middle. ¡°The baby and I will be fine...¡± Erin finished with another smile, then her hazel eyes glanced about the hall in curiosity. ¡°So?¡± She began to ask Ezekiel. ¡°Tell me what¡¯s going on with this intruder....is he dangerous?¡±


    Ezekiel¡¯s first instinct was to say ¡°No¡± But after a moment of hesitation he admitted to himself that he still knew next to nothing about the mortal in their midst¡¯s. So far all Ezekiel knew for sure was that Brandon wasn¡¯t one to shy away from conformation.


    So Ezekiel gave his cousin a small shrug and replied.


    ¡°Possibly, but don¡¯t be nervous I¡¯ll be with you and as of two days ago he stopped being an intruder and became a guest of the Clan...and since then he¡¯s been mostly agreeable. And he¡¯ll be here for a while now that the lock down has been put into place and until we get this moose killing business handled and take down whatever that thing in the forest is that¡¯s hunting down the livestock ; The mortal will remain as a guest.¡±


    ¡°Oh....alright. He¡¯s a guest not and Intruder.¡± Erin said with an excited nod. Once more she glance about the hall as though she might catch a glimpse of the mortal. ¡°So...um......what¡¯s he like? I¡¯ve never met a human before....¡± She asked Ezekiel next, turning fascinated eyes on him. ¡°Can you tell me why he¡¯s hurt? Can you tell me what he looks like? And can you...?¡±


    ¡°Hold on cousin. Wait wait.¡± Ezekiel said as he turned on his heel and motioned for his cousin to follow him. ¡°You have a job to do first, so simmer down with the questions for now....¡± Ezekiel guided her towards the kitchens door way after leading away from the front hall, down the hall and turning to his left. ¡°Besides, You¡¯re about to meet the mortal yourself...¡± Ezekiel finished with a motion for her to proceed him into the kitchen.


    With another excited head bob she brushed past him and walked into the kitchen where Ezekiel knew Brandon would be sitting. The first thing Ezekiel was expecting to hear is cousin say was ¡°Hello¡± but what he got next was a startled gasp. ¡°¡±Oh! Ezekiel.....is he dead!?¡±


    Ezekiel turned into the room and glanced over his cousins shoulder and was slightly unsettled to see Brandon face down on the countertop, his hair thrown forward obscured his eyes, so Ezekiel couldn¡¯t tell if he was awake. He sat with the side and back of his shirt soaked with blood, and a small circle of blood at the side of his feet, next to a tablecloth that was also stained.


    Brandon appeared unmoving and for a second Ezekiel feared he was unbreathing. And as Erin rushed over, with Ezekiel and began to take a pulse Brandon moaned. A short pained sigh of discomfort, letting them both know that he was in fact still alive.


    Taking a breath that he wasn¡¯t aware of holding, Ezekiel focused his hearing and in a few seconds he was able to pick up the slow and heavy rhythm of the mortals heartbeat. With a sigh Ezekiel softly brushed the mortal¡¯s hair off of his eyes. ¡°He¡¯s unconscious...¡± he told her.


    ¡°Ok...¡± with Erin said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that...I just....I know that their kind a very fragile.¡± she began a relived breath of her own Erin turned and sat the medical bag that she had appeared with on top of the counter beside her.


    Then with a cautions step she moved in front of Ezekiel and after a moment he backed up and let her take his place. He watched her brush Brandon¡¯s hair back a softly to peer at his face.


    ¡°Wow, look at him.¡± She began speaking softly as though she feared to disturb the mortal. ¡°He¡¯s as white as a sheet Ezekiel....and what¡¯s with the gloves over his hands?¡± she inquired, but Ezekiel just shook his head so she went back to looking at Brandon ¡°Well anyway, he looks like he¡¯s only a few years older than me...and he¡¯s covered in blood.¡±


    Not wanting to think about all of the blood around him. Ezekiel hissed at her, as he stepped back a few steps. ¡°Erin ogle him later please. We need to patch the man up before he kills over on us.¡±This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    He said getting as far from the mortals scent as he could get in that moment and still tasting the blood saturating his tongue. Even at a short distance the smell got to him. He still felt the claws at his throat. He felt the beast simmering just beneath his skin. It wanted out. It had almost gotten out.


    And he had almost unleashed it on his own brother. Which shamed him. But when Lander had tried to attack the mortal, hurt Brandon, Ezekiel had wanted to tear him apart. He couldn¡¯t understand it. The need to put his sibling in his place over a complete stranger, to make sure that he never tried to hurt that stranger again. It was wrong. But he remembered the rage that had gripped him, the protective urge that had overcame him. The same urge that had forced him to save the mortals life only a week or so ago....


    But why Ezekiel felt anything at all for the stranger eluded him. All Ezekiel knew was that the feeling was getting stronger, more pronounced....as was Brandon¡¯s scent.


    Erin sent him a hiss of her own as she glanced up from the morals face to look at him. ¡°Ezekiel, I¡¯ll get him patched up, don¡¯t worry, but let me have a moment. I mean I¡¯ve never seen one of his kind in person before...he looks so...¡± Erin shook her head, reached out and touched Brandon¡¯s face. After a moment she bit her bottom lip and trailed off, so Ezekiel coaxed her to continue.


    ¡°He looks so....what?¡± he asked her, but she just shrugged and pulled back.


    ¡°Well he¡¯s sick and extremely low on fluids.¡± She said to him, her hazel eyes troubled. ¡°Can I see the wound? Where is it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just beneath his shirt on the left.¡± Ezekiel told her and then watched his cousin as she carefully peeled the mortals clothing up a few inches to examine the wound which was nothing but a huge, red, inflamed mess of crooked and snapped wires and uneven torn angles of skin, smeared with blood.


    Ezekiel let her have a moment to concentrate, then he asked her. ¡°So what are your first impressions about him?¡±


    Again Erin shrugged, but as she set the shirt back down over the wound, she smiled softly. ¡°Well, for a mortal he¡¯s quite handsome. I hadn¡¯t expected a mortal to have such....a pretty face though...I was sure that most of them would be all strange and frail and possiblly not as attractive as Drin...¡± Erin commented openly and shook her head.


    She pulled back from the mortal, and walked over to her medical supply bag, and as Ezekiel joined her he continued to talk. ¡°His skin is very dry and his hair looks a little dull so he may be malnourished. But aside from the obvious he appears to be in good physical condition and his blood smells toxin free to me. He¡¯s also got the cutest cluster of freckles on his nose that I have ever seen.¡±


    As she stooped to take a breath Ezekiel paused, leaned over and confided softly in her ear.


    ¡°Hey, just so you know...I was just asking about his injuries, Erin.¡±


    His cousin shot him a surprised look and as her face flushed slightly in embarrassment and Ezekiel tried not to laugh.


    ¡°O...oh....I knew that.¡± Erin muttered weakly a few seconds later, as she cast her eyes back at Brandon and fumbled to get past her embarrassment. And for the most part Ezekiel didn¡¯t press her about the comments she had made. He knew that they mortal wasn¡¯t hard on the eyes...and Ezekiel also knew that thinking that the mortal was attractive, wasn¡¯t nearly as inappropriate as some of the things Ezekiel had already thought about.


    Like biting him and tasting his blood. Making him moan...


    So Ezekiel held down the chuckle that he wanted to have at his cousin¡¯s expense and let her regain her composure.


    Something she quickly did as she refocused on Ezekiel earlier question. ¡°Well as for the busted stiches...His....entire left side is soaked in blood, and for the most part the blood is still flowing a little, so he¡¯s in danger of going into shock if we don¡¯t move fast....¡± Erin began to explain, the flush dying out of her cheeks as she got the serious look and tone of a healer.


    She outlined her thoughts as concisely as Ezekiel knew his mother would, showing that one day she would take on the title of Healer. Erin tuned and finally opened up the medical bag that she had brought.


    Ezekiel helped her move the supplies around on the countertop as Erin continued to speak to him. ¡°His injuries are caked in blood so I couldn¡¯t see much beneath his clothing except some heavy clotting and bruising...So the first thing we¡¯ll do is boil some water and wash him off. Then I can check on the extent of the tearing, but for the most part I can tell that I¡¯ll probably have to de-stich and re-stich him up.¡±


    Ezekiel nodded. ¡°So you¡¯re going to pull out all the old stiches first, then re-stich him up?¡± He winced at the idea. ¡°That¡¯s going to be painful, did you bring anything for the pain?¡± he asked her.


    But his cousin shot him an apologetic look. ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry, but I didn¡¯t have any herbs on stand by for this kind of thing. Do you think he¡¯ll be able to handle it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know...but he¡¯s pretty stubborn, so he should be okay.¡± Ezekiel admitted and his cousin nodded.


    ¡°Well no matter what we¡¯ve got to clean him, so first we¡¯ve got to wake him up...¡± Erin answered and Ezekiel agreed, but at that moment a voice interrupted them.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sleeping.¡± The mortal suddenly spoke from behind then and as Erin and Ezekiel turned back around to regard him, Brandon suppressed a gasp of pain and straitened up in his seat. ¡°I just....I just needed to catch my breath.¡± He breathed shallowly as his eyes fluttered up and down then closed again as though the act of keeping them open was too much work.


    ¡°Oh....good.¡± Erin began with a clear smile. She walked over to Brandon and just as he opened his eyes to see her, she took his hand. ¡°Hello there my name is Erin and I¡¯ll be taking care of that wound for you ...¡°Ezekiel watched her as she took hold of Brandon¡¯s hand and instead of shaking it, she simply held his gloved palm in her own. ¡°And just to make things easier on us both...may I have your name mortal?¡±


    Brandon shook his head and pulled his hand away from her, seeming to still struggle with his breathing before he answered her softly. ¡°My name is Brandon...just Brandon. You can leave off ¡°The mortal¡± part.¡±


    ¡°Ok....I will. ¡± Erin said, not seeming perturbed by the obvious way that Brandon shied away from her touch. ¡°And now that that¡¯s out of the way....I¡¯m going to have to tell you...¡± Erin bit her lip and steeped back.


    ¡°What I¡¯m about to do is probably going to hurt. I don¡¯t have any medicine to stop the pain. I¡¯m sorry but the wound need to be cleaned and sealed to stop the fevers.¡±


    At that Brandon shot Ezekiel a miserable look, which surprised Ezkeiel because he was sure that Brandon was ignoring his presence in the room entirely until then. Then he looked back at Erin and smirked, like he wasn¡¯t nearly bleeding to death. ¡°Lets do it. I can take it.¡± He said.


    And Ezekiel didn¡¯t know why that just made him angry to hear Brandon respond with such clear indifference to the suffering that he was about to endure.

 Chapter 53 - Weakness & Warmth

    Chapter 53


    Brandon kept his breathing shallow, tried to listen only to his heart beat and the bodies in the room. He wanted to focus on Ezekiel, but he wasn¡¯t close enough, nor was he speaking. He was standing far back, standing rigidly like he were holding himself in place, but why Brandon didn¡¯t know.


    He found that he wished that the Shifter was speaking or moving so that he could focus on that instead of the girl. But he couldn¡¯t.


    So Brandon tried to focus on how cold he felt and the pain in his stomach.....anything to keep his thoughts off the pull within him.


    The flame, the energy waking up, clawing at him like a sickly puppy. Like a heavy drum beat it thumped against his soul, reaching out, sensing. He couldn¡¯t stop it. He couldn¡¯t control it. But he understood what it was reaching for.


    The Leopardess. Erin.


    She was a beautiful young girl, as tall as Ezekiel and as stunning to look at as Glen, but like the rest of Shifters that Brandon had encountered he sensed the beast in her. An unnatural grace. A predator.


    With her soft hazel eyes, brown hair, and heart shaped face. She looked more like an amazon to Brandon then a healer, but beyond that he sensed something in her. A spark of extra power. A small buzz of extra energy. And he wanted it. The flame inside of him wanted to consume it. He felt it flickering alive in his soul. Taking advantage of his weakness to resurface, to hunt.....to feed.


    Brandon didn¡¯t know what the spark was that emanated all around Erin. It felt soft and weak and warm....and just what he wanted. But Brandon didn¡¯t want to risk the chance that he would do something horrible.


    He knew that it wouldn¡¯t hurt her if he took the small bulb of energy off of her, nor would she feel it if he stole the excess energy away from her, but as tired as he was just then....as sick as Brandon felt; He didn¡¯t want to give into the power within him.


    He refused to feed it. He despised it. He wanted to deny it. He wanted to starve it. He wanted to flame to die away as it had before.


    So he held it down. But still the energy buzzed, just along the Leopardesses¡¯ fingertips as Erin spoke to him and began to remove the shirt that was soaked in his blood. The world swam in and out, all that mattered was the buzz, until his shirt fell away and he heard the young healer gasp in shock.


    It took him a moment to realize that Erin was staring at his chest, at the scars that littered his torso. And Brandon forced himself to focus on her and what she was saying.


    ¡°Oh my god....¡± The Leopardess gasped and Brandon watched her look at Ezekiel. Her hazel eyes glanced about the destruction, and she flinched back as though she wanted to touch one, but didn¡¯t know if she should. ¡°What happened to you?¡± Erin asked him.


    Not planning to give an answer to that question; Brandon swallowed and tried to act like a normal person. ¡°If....if it¡¯s too disturbing....¡± He said began barely putting his mouth to work. But Erin cut him off. She touched the bloody wound on his side gingerly almost like a ghost and slowly tapped around the abused flesh with her fingertips.


    ¡°No, It¡¯s not disturbing at all.¡± She said. The shocked look in her eyes remained as she looked him over, but a genuine smile lit up her face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was just surprised....and I¡¯m just a little afraid that Ill hurt you. Are they still tender?¡± She asked him, looking like she wanted to pull her hand away instead of continuing to prod his side.


    Still feeling cold, Brandon glanced over her head and found warmth in the eyes that captured his. Ezekiel watched him steadily from his spot a few feet away. His blue eyes glanced at the damage with neither shock nor empathy registering within them....just rage. And pain.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry....¡± Brandon found himself telling her as he stared into the Shifters blue eyes. ¡°They don¡¯t hurt anymore. ¡°He explained to the leopardess but for some odd reason Brandon felt like he was telling Ezekiel instead.


    ¡°O...Okay. I¡¯m happy to hear that.¡± Erin gladly expressed. And at her words Brandon broke his eyes away from Ezekiel and looked at her.


    ¡°So can we begin?¡± He asked her, wanting to get away from the girl and her tempting energy. And get away from Ezekiels magnetic gaze.


    ¡°Yes, just um...remember to keep breathing.¡± Erin told him.


    Then the young leopardess began applying the new stiches. She moved hesitatingly at first, but soon she had settled into a fine rhythm full of focus and precision. Her large, but graceful fingers skimmed his side with a confidence that didn¡¯t negate pain, but also didn¡¯t cause it unnecessarily. Brandon may not have liked to be touch, but he had no choice but to respect her care and patience.


    The skill in her hands remained Brandon of another leopardess; Ezekiel¡¯s mother Glen, and soon enough...against his better judgement, Brandon grew calm in the silence with her and Ezekiel standing close by.


    The buzz in the air didn¡¯t get louder or stronger, but more and more it called to him. A fine dust of warmth and energy buzzing all around Erin¡¯s slim hands and body.


    The energy inside of him crackled all along his soul. It craved the energy hanging around the girl. It knew that it was there, it scratched at Brandon lightly, on the edges of his mind, begging for scraps. It wanted to taste the energy that was there....energy that would make Brandon fell a thousand times better. All he had to do was let himself take it, but Brandon held back.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    He tried to still his mind, he tried to go numb to everything. Still every stich was torture, every time the needle popped in and out of his already sensitive flesh he wanted to moan, he wanted to push Erin away....the pain was nearly impossible to ignore or tune out. So was the yearning inside of him, the itch to take the small buzz of excess life hanging about the leopardess and devour it.


    Seeming to notice his increasing stiffness and interpreting it as pain, Erin suddenly spoke to him. Her voice echoed against his mind and bounced away, but he made himself pay attention.


    ¡°So.....where is that that you hail from Brandon?¡± she spoke clearly though she remained engrossed in her work.


    ¡°H...Hail from...?¡± Brandon said with a slightly dead chuckle. Purposely leaving her question unanswered. He glanced into her hazel eyes. ¡°That¡¯s a...dramatic sounding question.¡± he told her.


    ¡°But aren¡¯t mortals all about drama and big gestures?¡± Erin began with a small tilt of her eyebrow. ¡°I hear that you live these intense little lives full of so many odd things. Like living in big cities made out of stone and electricity....Oh!¡± The leopardess exclaimed suddenly making Brandon freeze in fear that she had fumbled a needle, but all Erin did was catch his gaze and share a shining smile with him. ¡°And you mortals can fly!¡±


    ¡°Wait...¡± Brandon managed with a small smile. ¡°We cant fly. We.... We can travel around in these giant metal machines. They take off and lift into the air. I¡¯ve seen them....but I¡¯ve actually never ridden on one myself.¡± Brandon told her suddenly wanting to subdue the burst of carelessness that had overcame him. He really didn¡¯t need to talk about himself.


    ¡°Oh?¡± The leopardess asked him, as she leaned back in her seat, dunked a fresh towel in the steaming bowel beside her and started dabbing at something on his stomach, which Brandon assumed was more blood and didn¡¯t look. ¡°So you¡¯ve never been on one of these metal flying machines? Why not?¡± Erin asked him as she sat the now, blood stained cloth across her shoulder and went back to work.


    ¡°I just like walking...¡± Brandon partly fibbed in response. The truth was that Brandon had in fact tried to ride in the contraption that the men around him had called an ¡°Airplane¡±. He had hoped to use the flying contraption to escape to a place far far away.


    Unfortunately the moment Brandon had stepped onto the flying machine, the entire engine belched white smoke and died. Three hundred people were rushed off the Airplane and Brandon was left with the sneaking suspicion that he was the one responsible for the machines malfunction.


    Of course Brandon had tried to board other Airplanes....but all six of the other planes died the moment he came near them. He didn¡¯t know why...he just knew that walking was far safer where he was concerned....for him and for other people.


    After that the silence between him and Erin tried to creep back in, but for once Brandon needed the conversation, more then he craved the silence. So he continued to chat Erin up by asking her a few more question.


    ¡°So...¡± He began with a small hiss of pain. ¡°Who told you all of this stuff about Mortals Erin?¡± he asked her.


    The young leopardess shrugged at his question. ¡°Well most of the stuff that you need you can find on the web, but mostly I learned about mortals from my instructor from school....he was a world history and sociology professor.¡±


    Intrigued Brandon asked her. ¡°Wait....wait.....you went to school?¡±


    ¡°Well, didn¡¯t you go to school?¡± Erin asked him with a small smile.


    No, but that¡¯s beside the point.


    Brandon said to himself.


    Everything he had learned....Brandon had learned at a price. He looked over at Ezekiel shrugged and replied to Erin. ¡°Well, of course I went to school, it¡¯s just that I didn¡¯t think Shifters did that kind of stuff.¡±


    ¡°Well we Shifters do. And I got top marks in school.¡± Erin confided to him proudly as she applied two more stiches that made Brandon¡¯s teeth clench. ¡°¡±I just graduated a few months ago, so I¡¯m not in School anymore. And I¡¯m a bon-a-fied member of Shifter society. I¡¯m working on becoming a Healer and I¡¯m also a Guardian working along with my cousins under our Clan Head Mantilo. So I¡¯m awesome.¡±


    Brandon found himself chuckling once more. Liking the young leopardess even against his will. He put a hand over his mouth to stifle a shout that tried to rise in the next moment when Erin tugged on one of the strings connected to his flesh.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Ezekiel called after a moment of stunned silence followed his pain shout


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Erin hissed looking ashamed, but Brandon waved her down with his other hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay.¡± Brandon told her, avoiding Ezekiel¡¯s gaze all together. But still feeling his eyes on him Brandon tried to get the conversation started back up.


    ¡°So, what...What else have you been taught about mortals Erin?¡± Brandon asked in a mummer that he knew was mostly stifled by the gloved hand still held across his mouth. Even so, Erin seemed to pick up on the gist of his question and after a few more silent and focused seconds of unstitching she responded.


    ¡°I know of big prosperous cities. Like New York City where everything is all cold and stone, I¡¯ve also studied places like England and Paris and some odd place called Africa?¡± Erin bit her lip and shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve also read about contraptions as big as a house that can move the earth and I¡¯ve even been told that a few of your people have left this world behind them and that they slumber up in the stars and sleep on the moon.¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡± Brandon couldn¡¯t help but gruff at her. ¡°The way you talk about us....¡± He began in a pained whisper as Erin pulled back yet another torn patch of wires and tender flesh and softly wiped away the old and new blood that began to flow downwards.


    Erin paused and flashed him a look of sympathy, before she resumed. ¡°What? Did I say something funny?¡±


    Brandon shook his head slightly. ¡°No.....but it just kind of sounds like poetry when you talk about mortals.¡± He told her, barely keeping his focus on her and not on the pain. He cast Ezekiel a glance. Then centered his eyes back on his feet and tried to continue speaking.


    ¡°It¡¯s like.... like you¡¯re.....praising mortals, but humanity isn¡¯t all that great....believe me.¡± Knowing that he was being morbid Brandon tried to soften his words with a chuckle but Erin didn¡¯t smile this time.


    ¡°No...¡± The leopardess agreed swiftly. ¡°I learned a lot about mortals in world history. And I know that mortals have many short comings. So I wasn¡¯t singing man¡¯s praises mindlessly.¡± Erin told Brandon as she leaned back.


    ¡°I was simply outlining what I knew about your kind that was positive. But I know that mortals have committed hundreds of atrocities in their time. I know that mortal men have created and perfected all kinds of acts of murder, war, and destruction on each other and on the environment. I also know that there are a few mortals out there that call themselves Hunters and that they hate and hunt Shifters for sport; and that they skin us and sell our fur or heads.¡± Erin sighed, then shrugged. ¡°But I don¡¯t have to agree with you and say that ¡°Most mortals are bad based off a few of their actions¡±.


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t.¡± Brandon quipped. And Erin shrugged.


    ¡°Besides the history of my own people isn¡¯t pristine.¡± Erin told him, she shifted in her seat ¡°So if mortals have problems....sadly the same can be applied to Shifters as well.¡±


    ¡°Really. Do you actually believe that?¡± Brandon smirked looking at the leopardess. Enjoying the conversation so much that he forgot himself.


    ¡°Yes...the Shifters have made some horrible mistakes!¡± Erin answered him. She motioned with her hand ¡°So many that I cant stress it enough! Back before the Sacred Laws were written and the Clans were separated peacefully, well there were whole Clans of Shifters that were wiped away in these long turbulent, bloody wars many of which were instigated by assassinations.¡±

 Chapter 54 - The Great Loss

    Chapter 54 -The Great Loss


    Brandon stopped Erin with a soft question.


    ¡°Wait. Sacred Laws?¡± He questioned her, then he shared a look with Ezekiel. ¡°What Laws are those exactly? And what Wars are we talking about?¡±


    ¡°Well they are the doctrine....or the codes by which all Shifter society function.¡± Erin glossed over, not seeing the blank look on Brandon¡¯s face.


    ¡°The Sacred Laws were created soon after The Great Loss and it is known throughout all seven of the Shifter Clans that these Laws were written by the Dragon Lords.¡±


    ¡°Whoa....wait!¡± Brandon cut in his mind buzzing with fresh questions suddenly. ¡°Dragons...?¡± he asked her, not believing that he had heard her right. ¡°There are Dragon Shifters?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Erin giggled at him uncertainly. She looked at Ezekiel then back at Brandon, her hazel eyes clouding with confusion and surprise and skepticism.


    ¡°Of course there are Dragons Brandon.....¡± She laughed again, but this time the sound choked off as she turned her head and squinted at the blank expression on Brandon face.


    He truly had no idea what she was talking about.


    Brandon knew that he should have down played his obvious ignorance on the matters that they were discussing, but he honestly wouldn¡¯t have known where to begin and he didn¡¯t have the strength to force himself to act like anything but a confused, lost, and uninformed person.


    Maybe because that was what he really was?


    Brandon didn¡¯t know much more about the world then what his last two years of running had taught him and beyond learning how to buy food or work computers he still didn¡¯t know a lot about the world around him. He knew even less about history or politic or laws.


    ¡°Come on mortal you must know of the Dragons....¡± Erin shook her head and gestured with her hands. She pointed a finger up to the heavens. ¡°They and the ancient leaders of Man came together longa ago. And because of what they did, all that you see here and all around you is possible!¡±


    Brandon shrugged and glanced about the kitchen, trying and failing to get what the leopardess was trying to tell him. ¡°What do I see here? What did they make possible?¡± Brandon asked her trying not to feel foolish as Erin shared a disbelieving look with Ezekiel, who for the first time during their conversation had moved closer and was giving Brandon a strange look of his own.


    ¡°Peace!¡± Erin bit off, she fanned her long arms around her, making an all-encompassing sign.


    ¡°Everything, all of man and Shifters would be gone if it wasn¡¯t for what the Dragons and the Ancient Kings of Man did. They Dragons themselves have ruled on high for millennia¡¯s. They wrote the Sacred Laws in blood and fire....Working together, with the Kings of Men they....¡± Erin stopped and shook her head at herself. ¡°Oh, you must have head all of this growing up....right?¡±


    Brandon simply shrugged. Erin scoffed and opened her mouth to say something more.


    ¡°Erin wait.¡± Ezekiel suddenly interjected. With a hand on his chin Ezekiel tilted his head at Brandon and asked him directly. ¡°Brandon you¡¯re not playing with us are you? You really have no idea what she¡¯s talking about....This isn¡¯t a game?¡± he said it not so much as a question, but as more of an answer to Erin¡¯s prodding and disbelief.


    Brandon looked at him. He should have found Ezekiel¡¯s simple assertion annoying, but he didn¡¯t. He actually liked that Ezekiel took his ignorance at face value. Brandon shook his head. ¡°No...¡± he answered.


    ¡°But that¡¯s not possible! What about the wars, and the Great Loss!? How can you not know this stuff?¡± she positively growled. Showing Brandon a new side of herself.


    ¡°Sorry, no clue.¡± Brandon could only shrug. And feeling no obligation to elaborate on his ignorance any further he tossed his hand up at Erin. ¡°So why don¡¯t you educate me a little miss history buff. Explain to me what the Sacred Laws are again.¡±


    ¡°Well.....that would take all night.¡± Ezekiel put in before Erin could respond, but from the look on her face she seemed to agree with Ezekiels words.


    But as Ezekiel looked at Brandon¡¯s expectant look, he sighed and tried to elaborate. ¡°But the quickest way to summarize it, would be to call the Scared Law a text, or a codex of behaviors and rules that are supposed to govern the interaction between the Clans and the Mortals.¡±


    ¡°It that it?¡± Brandon asked them. ¡°But what are the Laws exactly?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the gist of it actually, and if you only wanted to define it Ezekiel got it perfectly.¡± Erin shook her head after Ezekiel cast her a look. ¡°But To full elaborate on the Sacred Law fully would actually take me days....but because you asked I can at least try to outline how they came to exist and what they represent.¡±


    ¡°Ok.¡± Brandon nodded.


    ¡°Well most of the things I¡¯ll be telling you about happened nearly three thousand years ago according to dates of some of the most ancient scrolls and artifacts.¡± Erin began. ¡°But suffice it to say. Man and Shifters were once terrible enemies. Man grew across the earth, and slowly all the beasts of the land began to die away. Including the Dragons who once dotted the heaves like the stars.¡± Erin shrugged and shook her head.


    ¡°Resources were low, hatred ran high. And so there was a war. Most of the wars that were started, the Shifters carried out on each other. Clan on Clan, fighting for land, and food and survival. And then the mortals joined in and the fighting knew no end. But to make a long story short and to skip over a few hundred chapters of history, the Dragons, and all the surviving Clans came together. They made a deal on the dawn of The Great Loss and after a terrible event the wars were over. The Kings of man and beast signed the Sacred Laws into existence. A symbol of eternal and binding blood ties that are supposed to govern in Sifter society and stand as a peace treaty for all time between us and mortals.¡±


    Her words tickled him. Something about them felt strange to his ears. His head hurt. Suddenly feeling terribly clod again and weightless, Brandon ducked his head. He swallowed a few times trying to regain his composure, even as his mind whirled. Filled with a thousand questions and no small amount of confusion Brandon waited until the tile stopped shifting beneath him, then tried to ask her. ¡°Wait....I...I don¡¯t understand. So.....there are Dragons out there somewhere? And what was The Great Loss? What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry. You two, but that¡¯s enough....¡± Ezekiel interjected casting Brandon a concerned look as he waivered in his seat. ¡°Brandon your about to fall out of that chair.¡± He said


    ¡°I¡¯m....I¡¯ll be fine. Just answer the question¡± Brandon tried to say it clearly and just as sternly as the Shifter, but it came out like a hollow whisper. He heard the buzz all around him, it was in his ears, in his soul. The energy felt too sweet, too warm to ignore. He wanted to tear that little spark off of Erin suddenly. He had to have it. The flame inside of him needed it! And she didn¡¯t. all he had to do was take off the gloves...and reach out....


    But Ezekiel was between them. ¡°Erin there will be more time for a history lesson later....finish up the stiches now.¡± He told her, and without an argument she nodded


    ¡°Okay...¡±


    ¡°But...¡± he began. Brandon tried to interject and stand up, but nearly lurched himself onto the floor.


    ¡°Stop that...you¡¯re exhausted.¡± Ezekiel inserted, he grabbed at Brandon¡¯s arm and sat him back down. And to Brandon¡¯s shame Brandon knew that that was the only thing that kept him from collapsing out of his seat. ¡°It¡¯s been two hours and the stiches are almost finished. Besides Erin¡¯s tired and she can always speak with you later...you know....when you¡¯re not bloody, shirtless and sick.¡±


    Feeling heavy and out of control all at once Brandon bit his lip. He tried to keep his thoughts strait, he tried to ignore the pain, and the cold and the buzz and the flame....he tried to ignore Ezekiel¡¯s warm hand on his bare arm. ¡°Erin don¡¯t let him stop us....don¡¯t listen to him, he¡¯s just a big blue bossy prick....in fact that¡¯s his new name, bossy blue boy.¡±


    ¡°Not it¡¯s not. Brandon stop.¡± The Shifter hissed in expiration as. ¡°Are you groggy or something...your slurring your words?¡± And that was the end of it. For the next fifteen minutes Ezekiel held Brandon¡¯s arm and supported him as Erin put in the last few rows of stiches.


    And Brandon swam in and out of his own turmoil as the minutes passed. Until with a happy little shout Erin pulled back. ¡°All done.¡± She exclaimed. Then she leaned in and put a hand on Brandon¡¯s chin forcing him to look at her. ¡°How are you feeling now Brandon?¡± she asked him and Brandon forced himself to answer her.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°My side is burning.¡± He told her and it was. The rest of his body felt as cold as ice, but his wound was on fire.


    ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll try to fix that.¡± She said and with a sympathetic look she removed her hand, turned and reached around to grab a big black bottle and a fresh cloth. ¡°I¡¯ll apply this septic to clot any further bleeding and the fluids been chilled so it should reduce the inflammation as I apply it.¡± She said, her words barely more than an echo.


    Suddenly Ezekiel released him and steeped towards Erin. ¡°No, Erin.¡± He began sounding stern. ¡°That¡¯s enough for now, let me apply the rest of the septic...¡± He told her and went ot take the cloth and bottle out of her hand. ¡°Besides you need your rest and its been a long day, you should go home before the sun drops.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine Ezekiel.¡± Erin said, jerking the cloth and bottle away from Ezekiel and hissing at him slightly. ¡°Stop worrying so much, you¡¯re as bad a Drin sometimes. Just let me do this last part....and then....¡± Her words faded away from him. Brandon couldn¡¯t hear her or Ezekiel anymore.


    Brandon wasn¡¯t listening. The energy was right there. Like a warm heartbeat. It was so close. It was his too take. It belonged to the flame. He started to give in. He started to give the monster in his chest what it wanted.


    He was going to let it feed...just this once, he was too weak to fight it and what would Erin miss if he did take it? A small spark of energy that she didn¡¯t even know was there? Brandon couldn¡¯t keep holding the power in him down.


    He couldn¡¯t...until Ezekiel said to his cousin ¡°I know you know how to take care of yourself, but Erin you shouldn¡¯t be up and about like this! It¡¯s not good for you right now.¡±


    And somehow those words got past the flame, it got past the need, and the monster and it made Brandon wake up enough to raise his head and his voice and question them both. ¡°Why?¡± Brandon managed to make his words heard over their bickering. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Erin? Is she sick or something?¡± he asked.


    Ezekiel, unaware of his struggled sighed and said ¡°No, she¡¯s not sick, she¡¯s pregnant...¡±


    ***


    And this was why he could never forget what he was.....what he could do. He killed.


    From the moment the leopardess had walked into the room Brandon had sensed it.


    Suddenly Brandon realized what that slight buzz behind his eyes was. Extra energy, small, soft, humming beneath the bigger currents in the room. The life of a child encased in its mother¡¯s womb. And he had wanted to devour it.


    The feeling had come over him suddenly and without understanding. As it always did. Electricity across his body, chills up his back, a warmth in his soul. All of it told him something different. Sometimes it told him nothing at all.


    So much he didn¡¯t understand, but he knew that the leopardess needed to stay far away from him. And the Flame.....everyone did.


    In the passing moments that it had taken for his horror to register Erin had once more approached him and ignoring Ezekiels disapproving looks she began applying the septic to his red, but freshly sewn side.


    Not thinking, Brandon shoved the girl¡¯s hands away from his body.


    ¡°Ow....!¡± Erin cried as she fumbled the septic and rags, causing all of it fall on the ground and splatter, chilly cold black fluids all over the tiles.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Ezekiel growled, scooping down to help his cousin stopper the poring fluids and gather the cloths she had dropped. ¡°What are you doing, Brandon!?¡±


    Caught up in the horror of what had almost happened. What could have happened to Erin¡¯s child...all Brandon could think about was getting away from her.


    Somehow Brandon found himself shooting out of his seat. Brandon backed away from them.


    ¡°Brandon!?¡± Ezekiel shouted as he moved towards the doorway. But by the time he had looked up again, Brandon had swept out of the room.


    But of course he didn¡¯t get far at all.


    ***


    Erin didn¡¯t know what it was that had set the mortal off but she was instantly worried. In his condition she knew that the mortal, Brandon shouldn¡¯t have been moving. Leaving the bottle and clothes on the floor, she follower Ezekiel and sprinted out of the kitchen and down the short hall that led to the front of the home.


    And when they got there both Erin and Ezekiel were shocked to find the mortal standing at the top of the first three of the steps appearing as though he had stopped from sheer lack of energy. With his face laid on his arms, across the railing Brandon was still shirtless so it was easy for Erin to see that his sides were heaving in absolute exhaustion and that he was shaking from head to toe.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    Erin aske herself as she followed Ezekiel over to the mortal.


    He was fine only a few minutes ago.....Now he looks like he¡¯s having a panic attack.


    But Erin was destined to remain clueless because as she and Ezekiel moved closer and prepared to grab the mortal, he screamed at them.


    ¡°Please stop!!¡± he yelled into his arms, hiding Brandon¡¯s face from view.


    Ezekiel hissed at the mortal as he waved her off and approached Brandon on his own. ¡°What the hell what are you doing Brandon....what¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked the man as he stood on the step beside the mortal and tried grab his arm.


    ¡°Leave me alone!¡± Brandon shouted and with more strength then he should have had he lifted his head and shoved her cousin back. But seemingly prepared for the move, Ezekiel grabbed both of his hands and the mortal began to fight him. He struggled and shoved with more energy than a dying man should have possessed. Louder and louder, he screamed and seemed to be on the pint of pure hysteria. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me....Don¡¯t touch me!¡±


    Finally after only a few moment Erin watched her cousin jerk the mortal off the steps, but he fought him the hold way. ¡°Brandon clam down!¡± he tried to reason, but nothing he said seemed to work. ¡°Brandon you¡¯re going to hurt yourself if you don¡¯t get a grip! Stop struggling!¡±


    But all the mortal said was ¡°Let me go!¡±


    Finally with no other option, but to restrain him or let him injure himself further Erin watched her cousin jerk the mortal around and lock his wrists behind him and still the mortal tried to fight them. ¡°Brandon, please clam down I¡¯m not trying to hurt you! I promise, I wont ever hurt you...¡±


    ¡°But I want to hurt you....¡± Brandon choked back as though he wanted to sob. ¡°So just leave me alone!!¡± he said.


    ¡°You want to hurt us?¡± Erin asked him confused by his words and behavior. But Brandon didn¡¯t elaborate, he only continued to struggle with her cousin, futilely trying to get Ezekiel to release him.


    ¡°Let me GO!¡± Brandon shouted once more...until with a choked cough, he collapsed on the floor at Ezkeiels feet and seeming like he didn¡¯t want to put unneeded strain on the mortals shoulders, Ezekiel released him.


    The mortal sat in a dejected heap and like a doll he then let Ezekiel move him. Her cousin positioned the no longer hysterical man back against the stair case. Speechless and assaulted by the silence now that the mortal had calmed, Erin was surprised to see her cousin reach out and gently pushed the mortal¡¯s hair back from his forehead and stared into his eyes.


    ¡°Are you done now?¡± Ezekiel asked the mortal with a soft smile, his eyes worried but to Erin¡¯s shock a tear traced its way out of the mortal¡¯s right eyes.


    ¡°Ezekiel....¡± He choked out, sounding as though he were speaking in a trance or just too empty now to put any emotion in his voice. ¡°I need to leave this place. Please...please...¡±


    Ezekiel frowned dropped his hand from Brandon¡¯s forehead and didn¡¯t respond. And just when Erin was about to speak for him, he lifted his hand and dashed the tear from the mortals face. Softly he traced its path down his cheek and wiped it away with his thumb.


    ¡°Shhh...You should know that you never have to beg me for anything and I get that you want to leave.¡± Ezekiel said softly as he smoothed away the dampness on Brandon chin. The act so strongly tender that it caught her eye. ¡°And I¡¯m sorry that I trapped you here, but we are on a Lock Down for everyone¡¯s safety, you can¡¯t leave cross my Clan Lands borders and besides where would you be going Brandon? You can barely walk and you¡¯re still days away from a full recovery. Just give me a little time to get you back on your feet. I just want to help you, nothing more. Let me do that.¡±


    At that a fresh tear ran down and once more Ezekiel wiped it away as Erin watched the mortal sob slightly and shake his head.


    ¡°Your so fucking bossy blue boy...I don¡¯t know why I met you. You cant help me....I wish..I..w....¡± Brandon mumbled and dropped his head onto his chest, then he went completely silent and Erin realized that he had passed out.


    After that Erin and Ezekiel spent a moment in shared silence both of them processing Brandon¡¯s actions and words, before Ezekiel sighed, leaned down and scooped up the mortal as though he weighed nothing but air. And the mortal was anything but small, but in Ezekiel¡¯s embrace....he seemed to rest easily.


    Such a scene should have seemed strange and unnatural seeing as the two were virtual strangers as far as Erin knew, but Ezekiel handled the mortal with such confidence and care, that all Erin ended up feeling was a sharp ache for Brandon and a hope that he would awaken in a better state of mind.


    Barely seeming to notice the weight in his arms her cousin cradled the mortal against him and spoke to her.


    ¡°Look Erin....I¡¯m sorry about.....well all of this.¡± Ezekiel told her. Brandon¡¯s head tucked beneath his chin as though that was where it belonged. ¡°Are you okay? I know that you got shoved back there....¡±


    ¡°No, I...I¡¯m fine....he didn¡¯t hurt me....¡± She explained, trying not to stare at Brandon in his arms. ¡°I¡¯m just confused. I don¡¯t know what I did wrong...¡± she began feeling somehow responsible for Brandon¡¯s distress. But Ezekiel assured her.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything...¡± he interjected quickly, then looked down at his shirtless and still pale burden and sighed. ¡°I think Brandon just got spooked by something.¡± Ezekiel explained.


    ¡°But what do you think it was?¡± Erin tried to ask as she touched Brandon¡¯s cheek only to feel fresh tears on her palm. Saddened and upset by the feeling of his tears on her hands, she pulled back. Her chest tightened for the sight of his sorrow. She wished she could ease it. And without an answer Ezekiel tightened his hold on the mortal, turned and began to walk towards the steps.


    ¡°Erin....I¡¯m gonna go and put him to bed.¡± He explained. ¡°If you want to wait for me, I¡¯ll be right back down to help you with the septic that spilled in the kitchen.¡±


    ¡°No..I¡¯m fine.¡± Erin said giving them both a little wave neither of them could see just then seeing as Brandon was unconscious and Ezekiel had his back towards her. ¡°Once you get him settled finish off his side for me. You just focus on getting some fresh gauze wrapped around his stomach and some fluids into him....I¡¯ll focus on cleaning up the septic and then I¡¯ll head home. When he wakes up will you tell Brandon that we¡¯ll talk more later?¡±


    Ezekiel stopped and smiled back at her. ¡°I will, promise. And thanks Erin. Hell probably need the company. Get home safe, alright?¡±


    Erin smiled and watched him disappear up the steps before she went back to the kitchen. She cleaned up the medical spills, threw away the dirty rags, wiped down the floor and replaced her medical supplies and was soon gone.


    ***


    And when Erin left the house she was both confused and intrigued.


    She found that even though Brandon had been aggressive towards her, she liked him. She even hoped that she got speak with him again. But she was deeply worried about and for him as well. It was strange but true.


    What was the mortal¡¯s story?


    She pondered on his injuries, the scars that littered his body and also his strange and irrational behavior.


    And as she neared the cabin that she shared with Drin she couldn¡¯t help but wonder whether the handsome stranger was going to prove too much for their normally patient and kind cousin, Ezekiel to deal with.


    And what she worried about most of all as she walked into her home and gave her mate a kiss was WHY the tender acts she had witnessed between her cousin and Brandon made her terribly happy....but also incredibly sad.

 Chapter 55 - Beyond Boredom

    Chapter 55


    Life continued on in the mansion with the Leopards for Brandon, but he felt more like a plague victim instead of a guest as the days passed.


    After his incident with the stitches and his subsequent outburst Ezekiel gave him some space. And for that he was thankful. Brandon found that the longer he spent with the Shifter...the more he felt like he was losing sight of his priorities.


    And, even though he was mostly alone, the next two mornings went about the same for Brandon. Ezekiel woke him up, checked his injuries, and fed him. And then Ezekiel tried to ask him with a few questions. And for the most part Brandon ignored him until he gave up and went away.


    Then Brandon was right back in bed trying his hardest to heal slowly, to parcel out the energy that he could feel growing stronger inside him. Every minute it grew, the signal getting stronger.


    He didn¡¯t know how to stop it anymore. He could almost sense the monsters out there in the world. Hunting for him, waiting for him to slip. Soon the power would be too strong for him to neglect, but for now....Brandon refused to let it rise to the surface.


    He let the energy roll off him like water when he was alone and desperately chopped and locked it down wherever another person came close to him. He ate frequently and conserved his strength. He understood that his days among the Shifters in that mansion were only growing shorter. Soon he had to move on...or people were going to die.


    But by the third morning he came to realize that the Lock Down on the Leopard Clan was still firmly in place and normally used to traveling large distances, Brandon was tired of pretending to be sickly and exhausted. After untold nights spent out in the wilds, running, fighting and surviving....the small room that he awoke inside of each morning began to wear down on his mind. He needed space and open air and the earth beneath his feet.


    He was angry to be trapped there. He was sick of the feeling of carpet beneath his toes..... Or perhaps he was simply bored out of his mind?


    No books rested in the guest room that he occupied. So he couldn¡¯t read to pass the time.


    There also were very few electrical appliances to tinker with, which didn¡¯t surprise him since the Leopards that he lived with seemed to run their home like an old log cabin up high in the mountains instead of a majestic, beautiful mansion sitting in the middle of a giant four part and fully functioning village.


    But somehow he found the candle light charming and even though Brandon was surprised by the lack of innovation that he did see, he wasn¡¯t wholly unhappy about it either. He had quickly come to like the calm, and quiet that surrounded him and the overpowering smell of pine in the air. It settled him like.....well nothing had ever settled him before.


    Still.....if I don¡¯t get out of this room.....I¡¯m going to start climbing the walls!


    Brandon told himself. And just that fast he was resolved to getting out and taking a stroll.


    He pulled back the covers, and with a stiff, limp that remained from the healing stitches, Brandon forced himself to stretch out. He soon got out of his sick bed, pulled on a pair of black sweats and a long sleeved white shirt which fit him, just all the other clothing that the leopards had given him.


    I¡¯m starting to feel bad for this guy Nate, I bet he¡¯s running out of clothes by now....


    Brandon said to himself as he looked around for something to put on his feet and came up short. So with a stifled yawn he gave up on shoes.


    He slept with his gloves on at all times, so there was no need to look for them. But as he moved around in the loose back sweats he desperately wondered where he could possibly get a pair of jeans from before the day was over.


    But pushing those random thoughts to the back of his mind for the moment, he walked up to the bed room door. Turned the knob and stepped out into the hall and after that he spent the next fifteen minutes traveling the interior of the mansion aimlessly. He ran his fingers across the aged, if spotless walls, counted the candles and windows, and stayed far away from any of the closed doors that he happened to encounter.


    He soon discovered that the floor he had woken up on was the second in the three story mansion and that the halls were built in a large rectangular square, with two to four different doors built along the sides.


    And as he traveled the full circle of that, he came to a cut in the hall that lead out into an open area, where railing and a giant spiraling staircase sat, branching up one way towards the third flood and another way down towards the bottom floor. Hard wood and thick carpet made up slid steps. And because Brandon had no escort, and he already knew what was down the steps, he decided to go up to the third flood just to peak around.


    And as it turned out, the peaking was fairly short. Because as Brandon steeped up to the third floor he came across a small hall leading to nothing but two very large, beautifully engraved doors which sported the dual image of leopards. Feeling like he had come to a forbidden place Brandon soon turned and made his way back down the steps feeling the far too life like eyes engraved in the wood following him as he walked away.


    But Brandon soon found himself on the bottom step, on the bottom floor and as the sound of voices floated over to him he forgot all about the eyes and went to investigate. He went to his left and followed the voices back into a room that he had been in only a few days ago.


    The tiles and counter tops were as pristine as he remembered seeing them before, and all traces of blood or medicine that may have been spilled were nowhere to be found and instead of evidence of his previous activities in that room Brandon discovered three familiar faces.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    In the corner of the room, sitting at two opposite side of the dining table, which was covered with a white table cloth and half eaten plates of food sat both Glen and Mantilo and opposite them sat a slightly familiar man, with a scar over his eye, piercings and a set of eyes in his head that were each a different color, making him look nearly blind in one eye as it was nearly as black as coal, while the other eye was as white as a pearl with a black pupil.


    Of course Brandon recognized Glen, whose small stature, bouncy light brown curls, and vibrant voice rang out in the room before him and Brandon didn¡¯t think he could forget Mantilo, who sat like a mountain beside his wife, with a thick braid of black hair draped over his shoulder, and sharp angled features turned to her in attention.


    But it took Brandon a moment to realize that the third man was another of Ezekiels brothers and one that he had already meet nearly a week ago.


    Not one for shyness Brandon soon made his way over to the Shifters and wasn¡¯t surprised when Mantilo, who had his large back turned to the doorway, was the first of the Shifters too acknowledge him. Although his words were less then accommodating when he spoke.


    ¡°Boy....when one enters a room they are expected to announce themselves....¡± Mantilo rumbled in a deep voice that was perfectly at home with the hard face that he turned on Brandon. ¡°The least you could say to the people feeding you is ¡°Good morning.¡±


    Brandon stared at the large man, partially wanting to lick his tongue out at him like a child, but mostly wanting to know why the Shifter insisted on calling him ¡°Boy.¡±


    But not wanting to cause another incident Brandon nodded his head looked at the rest of the Shifters gathered and mumbled a quick ¡°Good morning.¡±


    Both Glen and the man with the scar smiled and offered him good mornings in response, though Mantilo simply grunted and remained silent. Not sure of what else to do, or say Brandon prepared to flee back to his boring empty room, but he was stopped as the man with the scar stood up from his seat, and called to him.


    ¡°Hello...¡± The man said, and before Brandon could prevent it, the Shifter had taken his hand and give it a firm shake. ¡°I know we¡¯ve met before...but it was pretty short so you might not remember me. I¡¯m Nate.¡± He said introducing himself.


    ¡°Nate?¡± Brandon rehashed. ¡°That¡¯s right...these are your clothes and your one of Ezekiel¡¯s older brothers right?¡±


    The Shifter smiled and nodded in acknowledgement.


    ¡°Yup, I¡¯m Ezekiels brother, and I¡¯m also a Guardian in the village. Mom had me give you a few of my hand-mi-down, but I can see that their not really the tightest fit....¡± Nate chuckled as he glanced down at the rolled up pant legs and shoe less feet that Brandon was sporting.


    Brandon rolled his eyes and shrugged, but Nate shook his head. ¡°Sorry about that those sweats are so old.... I¡¯ll get you some jeans from the village sometime soon okay? It should be pretty easy since we are almost the same size.¡±


    ¡°Um...Thanks.¡± Brandon began, then to show that really would appreciate it, he smirked slightly at Nate. A mouth full of sharp teeth greeted Brandon as the Shifter gave him a big smile in return. And the first thing to pop into Brandon¡¯s mind was that the smile looked....Wolf-y. But seeing as Brandon knew that he was in a Leopard Clan he quickly dismissed the thought.


    ¡°No problem.¡± Nate replied, released his hand, and quickly rejoined his mother and father at the table. Once more leaving Brandon at a loos for what to do or say. But Glen quickly filled the silence.


    ¡°So Brandon how are you feeling today sweet heart? ¡± She asked him with all the warmth and genuineness that she had shown him before. Her large green eyes looked him over in slight concern. ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    Again confused Brandon frowned slightly, crossed his arms, and shook his head. ¡°No, I feel fine....why?¡± he asked her.


    Glen gave him a brilliant smile and sighed. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful.¡± She said and Brandon actually wanted to curse when he felt a little warm inside. And luckily not noticing Brandon¡¯s displeasure Ezekiel¡¯s mother continued.


    "I guess I was just surprised to see you out of that room...¡± She said. ¡°You seemed to be pretty content to spend all your time in there. So I figured something was wrong if you came all the way down here.¡±


    Brandon shrugged. ¡°Oh....no. I¡¯m fine Glen...¡± He stopped, then Brandon forced himself to explain more, since his short answer sounded cold and sharp, even to his own ears. He unfolded his arms and sighed ¡°I was actually feeling a little restless being up there all day and I decided to go for a walk. Maybe stretch my legs a little bit.¡±


    Mantilo who was just swallowing a spoon full of food, looked up at him and sat back in his seat. ¡°You¡¯re stretching your legs without your escort?¡± He asked in a cool manner. Then he motioned with his hand. ¡°I thought Ezekiel explained the rules to you already. I told him...¡±


    ¡°He did.¡± Brandon quickly asserted not wanting to get Ezekiel in trouble. Then not even knowing why he should care about that, Brandon shot Mantilo a cool look of his own. ¡°And I only went around the house Mantilo, I wasn¡¯t trying to leave or anything.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Mantilo hissed slightly. ¡°You aren¡¯t supposed to be walking about without Ezekiel as a chaperone or someone else to keep an eye on you...¡± Mantilo spat at him heavily.


    ¡°I know.¡± Brandon bit off, then sighed. The man was so stern. He really didn¡¯t want to be watched like a child, but he also didn¡¯t want to return to his bed just yet.


    ¡°Fine. Just tell me where to find him and I¡¯ll go there and stay with Ezkeiel.¡± He asked Ezekiel''s father.


    But instead of answering Mantilo wiped his mouth with a cloth and asked him a question of his own. ¡°Have you ever had a job boy?¡±


    Confused and thrown off by the change of subject Brandon paused, then shrugged. ¡°Um sure. I¡¯ve had like one or two different jobs before. Mostly manual labor.¡± He replied.


    And Brandon had hated both of them. One had consisted of cleaning a gas¡¯s station and the other had consisted of picking old fruit on a farm. Neither job had been pleasant for him, and both jobs had had to be dropped once Brandon¡¯s past inevitably found a way to catch up with him.


    ¡°Well that¡¯s good, because if your so restless and Ezekiel has to chaperone you, you can pass some time and energy while you¡¯re here working and if you¡¯re going to be walking around anyway....you can do a little work around the Clan to support my people.¡± Mantilo asserted, more of a telling then an asking and Brandon knew that if he wanted out of that house he was going to have to agree. So he did.


    ¡°Why not.¡± He shrugged. And received a smile of encouragement from Nate.


    ¡°Good answer.¡± Mantilo grunted. He grabbed the plate before him and soundlessly rose to his feet and walked towards the sink. ¡°Go Find Ezekiel, and don¡¯t lose him again while your out of your room .¡± He commanded as he moved.


    ¡°He and his other brothers are out in the shed to the far left of the porch once you walk off the last step. Find him and remain with him unless there is an emergency. If you know what¡¯s good for you, you wont disturb the other Clans Men and as he works you can help him.¡±


    Mantilo finished and didn¡¯t say more as he began to wash his plate, so the next thing Brandon knew a pair of small hands had grabbed his left hand and Glen gave it a soft squeeze.


    ¡°Be careful of your wounds while you¡¯re out there Brandon...and don¡¯t tire yourself out.¡± Glen commanded softly then she released his hand and began steering him out of the room.


    ¡°Oh! And get Ezekiel to lend you some of Nates spare patrol boots for the day.¡± She said and with a little pat on his back, she left him standing in the hall, as she disappeared back into the kitchen.


    And with nothing else to do or say....Brandon went to the front door, opened it and steeped out of the mansion that he hadn¡¯t been outside of in nearly two and a half weeks.

 Chapter 56 - Clan Duties

    Chapter 56 ¨C Clan Duties


    It was on once Brandon had walked outside into the air that he realized how early in the morning it really was.


    He quickly guess that it was no later than 6 am by the position of the sun in the sky and the soft dewy chill that glossed the grassy fields that stretch endlessly all before him. Far, far in the distance Brandon could make out the giant canopy of the pines that encircled the Leopards Land¡¯s and the mountains to the far north that boarded the other side of the land.


    He took it all in for a few seconds, then he stepped off the porch, ignoring the cool droplets that drenched the soles of his feet as he moved towards a wide gap in the far left of the mansion, where dim light poured out and the shadows of multiple people could be seen moving about.


    Slowly Brandon marched over to the opening and put his head into the light and glanced around.


    The space beyond the door was filled with various items for field work. Far too the left was a shelf filled with boots, and old clothing, and far too the back Brandon could see a pile of shovels, folded chairs, and other appliances that were mostly obscured from view, and set into the middle of the wide space were five wooden benches, while across the room, seeming completely out of place was a giant flat screen television and a mini fridge humming its life away. And then he spotted the bodies responsible for making the shadows.


    Ezekiel sat on one side of the tv. He looked freshly risen, with hair combed back, and a long sleeved plaid shirt left open and a pair of simple jeans and a black belt. His eyes were turned down at his feet, where he was lacing up a pair of boots on each as he had a smile on his face as he listened to what his brother Lander was saying to him.


    Lander stood beside him, in a white t-shirt and faded jeans, with his own boots already laced on and the customary cocky smile plastered on his face as he said something to Ezekiels that seemed to make him laugh. And it was at that moment that Lander seemed to sense Brandon¡¯s eyes because Lander looked over and the smile turned to a sneer as his dark green gaze took Brandon in.


    ¡°We¡¯ll look who¡¯s here.¡± Landers familiar and unwelcome voice called out. ¡°It¡¯s Candy Pants....¡±


    Wanting desperately to ignore him, Brandon steeped further into the room and simply replied ¡°That¡¯s not my name.¡± Then looking at Ezekiel directly he said ¡°Ezekiel can I talk to you?¡±


    ¡°Oh come on Candy Pants is perfect for a little shit like you...¡± Lander quipped sounding like he wanted to say more, but Ezekiels quickly cut him off.


    ¡°Lander leave it alone.¡± Ezekiel hissed and after a moment Lander shrugged and didn¡¯t say another word. Then Ezekiels stood up, completely uncaring of the shirt that remained open as he walked over to Brandon.


    ¡°Good morning...What¡¯s wrong...Brandon?¡± he asked and like his mother Ezekiel¡¯s blue eyes glanced around Brandon as though searching for injuries as Lander stepped up beside them to listen.


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong...¡± Brandon sighed surprised to be answering the same question once more. ¡°Your father said that I had to have you escort me if I wanted to walk around.¡±


    ¡°Right. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Ezekiels said, then shook his head and then shrugged in apology. ¡°But I¡¯m not actually goona be able to escort you around right now....I have to get on my rounds and patrols.¡±


    ¡°I know....Can I come....? You dad said I could go.¡± Brandon asked and told him. Ezekiel hesitated, but seemed both surprised and happy about the idea. He reached up and began buttoning his shirt as he spoke.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind it you tag along for a few hours but...¡°He stopped and bit his lip in uncertainty. ¡°Are you sure? It¡¯s nothing special. It might get boring out there.¡±


    ¡°It will be fine.¡± Brandon replied then glanced at Lander only to realize that Lander was watching him already. ¡°What?¡± Brandon asked Ezekiel brother and the Shifter just shrugged.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°Oh nothing....I was just wondering when you were going to be getting the hell out of here. Fuck off out of the Clan Lands Mortal.¡± Lander barked. And Brandon rolled his eyes.


    ¡°No Lander.....not today....can¡¯t we just have one peaceful day....¡± Ezekiel began, but Brandon spoke past him.


    ¡°Hey....just so were clear....I didn¡¯t fucking ask to be here!¡± Brandon told him. ¡°And as soon as that Lock down is removed...I¡¯ll be gone.¡± Brandon shrugged and said ¡°If you want me gone so bad....How about you do your fucking job and leave me the hell alone.¡±


    Lander snarled and Ezekiel hissed at them both in a clear warning to stop but a heavy rumbling voice shut everyone down. Brandon and the brothers glanced about and spotted a large Shifter, with brown eyes and black hair short and cropped about his head.


    ¡°Hey now......¡± said the large, black haired shifter, who had a look of utter uninterested plastered across his face. ¡± I was sure that we all had a lot of work to do today. So why are you two standing in here acting like childish assholes?¡±


    Brandon watched the new arrival stroll towards them and he was surprised and humbled to feel.....disturbed by the Shifter. The brown eyed Shifter was a large man with more than a few inches on Brandon, but it wasn¡¯t his size that intimidated Brandon at all....it was in his eyes, and the energy that he carried with him.


    This Shifter moved with the same grace and power as the rest of them, but beneath that he felt....empty to Brandon. Hollow. In his gaze Brandon saw recognition, and understanding, but nothing else. It was like looking into a still body of water. No ripples. No current or reflection. Just an overbearing calm.


    Brandon assumed that he wasn¡¯t the only one who felt this as both Ezekiel and Lander affected looks of guilt. ¡°Sorry Walter.¡± Ezekiel mumbled turned and finished off buttoning his shirt, while Lander also turned and walked towards the doorway.


    ¡°Whatever.¡± Lander offered as his only response as he brushed past and posted up by the wall.


    ¡°Um....Who are you again?¡± Brandon asked the large Shifter, using Landers silence to inquire into the newest Shifter identity.


    ¡°My names is Walter and we¡¯ve met only in passing a few days ago.¡± The Shifter answered without hesitation.


    ¡°And you¡¯re the mortal who would have died without our help a week ago. We carried you to the healer, even Lander helped.¡± The eldest brother said to him....and by the way that he spoke; possibly because his voice held absolutely no life, Brandon couldn¡¯t turn his words away. They sounded nothing like an opinion. Just hard statements. No accusation, or guilt. A fact.


    Brandon felt a small chill on his skin as he looked at the man a moment longer then gave in.


    ¡°I¡¯m....Sorry.¡± Brandon mumbled, feeling like he had no other recourse at that moment, but to submit to the large brother as Lander and Ezekiel already had.


    In response Walter only shrugged slightly. ¡°It¡¯s okay...Lander was also not been considerate of the fact that you are a guest and that we have to be kind to our guests.¡± Walter once more said, his voice devoid of all inflection, just words that, were more cold hard statements.


    "I didn''t ask you to speak for me." Lander hissed savagely at his brother apparently not liking the rebuke, but aside from that Lander didn¡¯t comment again.


    So Walter rolled his wide shoulders and glanced at Ezekiel, before taking his foot off the porch step and unsheathing, then sheathing the blade strapped to his hip.


    ¡°All right, were off.....Ezekiel don¡¯t get off task today. The Pigs need fresh gruel. And the Erikson Clan wanted me to tell you that you¡¯ve been neglecting Crystal for far too long. You¡¯ll need to visit the farm because the band needs fresh water and hay before the day is out. Stay Focused out there.¡± The larger Brother shot Brandon a completely blank look, turned and walked away.


    Lander took advantage of his elder brothers back being turned to hiss violently at Brandon then he too was gone, walking away as well.


    Ezekiel turned to Brandon then, in the silence that followed his brother¡¯s departure and said. ¡°Well now that we¡¯ve avoided that situation.....let¡¯s get going. ¡°Then his blue eyes looked down at Brandon¡¯s feet and he frowned. Pivoting, Ezekiel walked over to the wall, where the clothes and boots were stashed. ¡°But first, try these on.¡± He said, taking out some boots at random.


    It took a few tries, but Brandon and Ezekiel soon found a pair of boots that he could fit and once more Brandon found himself outside in the dawning sun and wet grass. Ezekiel''s took it slow, and Brandon suspected that he did this because he knew that Brandon wasn¡¯t anywhere near healthy or fully healed. Brandon traveled along behind the Shifter, through what felt like three miles of nothing but grass and open blue skies.


    He and Ezekiel walked in a mutual silence, and Brandon spent his time taking in the cool fresh air, and the strain that walking put on his mostly healed body. But even though his lungs felt weak, and his side began to ache Brandon reveled in the feeling of his body getting stronger.


    And then Brandon began to catch a whiff of something distinctly animal.


    He glanced up, panting shallowly and in the distance, another few dozen feet ahead of them, he spotted the first stop on Ezekiel¡¯s agenda. A Pig Farm.

 Chapter 57 - The Guardians

    Chapter 57 ¨C The Guardians


    It didn¡¯t take Ezekiel long to lead Brandon down to the farm. And the scenery wasn¡¯t much more the Brandon had expected to see. Three large white fences grounded in the shapes of squares sat in front of a relatively pristine looking farm that was painted bright red and white like pepper cane.


    Brandon took all of that in as they grew closer, only realizing once Ezekiel had led him to the front of the barn, that the entire farm was actually quite large. Nearly more than a few acres across and a good three fields wide, with all of the fences b giant vats of mud with bits of yellowed grass packed into it. Brandon quickly guessed that the yellow grass was hay that had been trampled beneath the farm animal¡¯s feet.


    But if he had expected to see any of these animals in person he didn¡¯t get the chance. The entirety of the farm seemed devoid of life at the moment of Ezekiels arrival.


    Confused Brandon turned and questioned him about the missing animals.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t there any animals here?¡± Ezekiel chuckled glanced at him and smiled. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I forgot that you¡¯re new to the village. ¡± He began turning his blue eyes out towards the open.


    ¡°All of the pigs have actually been moved out to the western village for the winter, but seeing as the spring is right around the corner the farmers will be relocating the pigs back this way later in the week to give the farm land in the west a few months to recuperate and grow fresh fields for the next turn of the season.¡±


    ¡°Ah...¡± Brandon expressed his understanding, then he asked. ¡°So you do this every year, like clockwork?¡±


    ¡°Yup...¡± Ezekiel replied.


    Then motioning for Brandon to follow him as he turned, and walked towards a large metallic rectangular door built on the side of the Barn house. Brandon watched Ezekiel lean down, grab a thin chain and then jerk that chain up, so that the door began to lift up into the top of the wall, disappearing like a curtain rolling up to let in the sun.


    Ezekiel steeped into the barn and Brandon trailed a few steps behind him, letting his eyes grow accustomed to the interior of the building. And once they had adjusted to the dimness Brandon took a quick glance about the Barn house.


    He took in the simple plank steps built into the far wall that lead a narrow path up to a thick upper floor, where the stacks of dozens of bundles of hay could be seen, just waiting to be lugged about. Next Brandon looked about the bottom floor of the Barn, where he spotted at least twenty short stalls, all empty, but clean and all the size that would fit a group of pigs.


    Then dotted all around the interior of the barn house were large, and sturdy wooden beans, some with hooks and harness holders hammered into them; While far too the back of the barn Brandon spotted an empty space, where a large drain sat in the wood and jutting out of the walls in the empty space were three old fashioned shower heads, attached to three levers.


    The pipes were spread out by a few feet and all of the nozzles were pointed down in the imitation of a shower. Brandon looked at the pipes and guessed that the nozzles were used to pour water and possible to bathe the farm animals.


    Suddenly Ezekiel spoke, pulling Brandon out of his own mind. ¡°So... This is how we can do this..."


    Ezekiel said, standing across the room, and looking down at a pile of tools laid out on a table next to the wall. And it wasn¡¯t until that moment that Brandon realized that the Shifter had pulled out the tools out of a small room behind the steps. Brandon walked his way as he continued to speak.


    ¡°I need to get all of the fresh hay that I can, out there and spread it out in the fenced areas.¡±


    Ezekiel began, turning towards Brandon slightly as he sensed him getting closer Ezekiel turned form the table, and leaned his hip on the table as he spoke, his blue eyes seeming to glow in the dim light.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll be filling all of the slop troughs and spreading some dried seeds out into the fields....¡±


    ¡°Wait...¡± Brandon said cutting in. ¡°Slop and hay?¡± HE asked the Shifter feeling a little lost about what Ezekiel was really doing at the Farm.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this a job for a farmer? I thought you were some kind of big shot law enforcer or something...¡± Brandon told him, walking up to the table and running his hand across the handle of a shovel.


    ¡°You Guardians just go around dealing with farm animals and menial chores all day...What¡¯s that about? Shouldn¡¯t you be out there fighting crime in the Clan?¡±


    ¡°I do fight crime...but sometimes there is more to be done to keep things running around here and as a Guardian I¡¯m more than just a source of authority. I¡¯m a pillar in my Clan, a source of strength, actually all of the Guardians are meant to represent that.¡± Ezekiel shrugged. ¡°I guess sometimes I am just a big shot law enforcer, but that¡¯s only a fraction of my duties in the Clan.¡±Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°Hmm, so all of your brothers are out in the villages....doing farm work....because they are pillars of the Clan?¡± Brandon asked him not getting the connection between a Shifter cop and a Shifter farm hand. But Ezekiel smirked and replied.


    ¡°A more mortal way to look at it would be if I said this...¡± Ezekiel told him. ¡°My father is the head of our Clan like a King or a President. And the Guardians that work for him are like a kings Generals or a President¡¯s advisors. We are more than simple farm hands or the law....we are our fathers arms, we reach out, we give ourselves to our Clans men, and they use us to make life easier and our Dad uses us to keep everyone safe. It¡¯s all that a Guardian needs to do. Me and all of my brothers.¡± Ezekiel finished sharing his gaze with Brandon for a moment.


    ¡°Wow...You....¡± Brandon began then stopped, pulling back his hand from the shovel and looking at the Shifter directly.


    Secretly Brandon was more than a little impressed and intimidated, by what he had just heard. He hadn¡¯t really understood the extent of Ezekiel¡¯s family¡¯s influence in their Clan, but now Brandon was beginning to see that he was spending his days in the presence of some of the most important men and women in the Leopards Clan. Men that he had attacked....multiple times....and women that had healed him out of sheer kindness.


    But...


    Brandon didn¡¯t let himself feel to overwhelmed. Besides he didn¡¯t think it would do for him to suddenly start bowing and scrapping and acting nervous, so he smirked at Ezekiel and finished his earlier thought. ¡°...You really are the good two shoes prince of the Leopards.¡±


    And Ezekiel just laughed.


    ¡°Yeah well, call me whatever you want to Brandon....¡± Ezekiel sighed after his laughter subsided a few moments later. ¡°But I¡¯ve seriously got to get started on this stuff....or I¡¯ll never be finished.¡±


    Ezekiel steeped away from the table and began walking over to the stir case leading up to the second floor. As he walked he motioned about him. ¡°You can take a walk around the farm if you like, this should only take me a few hours and then well...¡± He said still walking off, but Brandon interrupted him.


    ¡°No...¡± Brandon said and shook his head. And at his objection Ezekiel stopped to give him a considering look.


    ¡°What....you want to do something else?¡± Ezekiel asked him and Brandon nodded. But Ezekiel sighed and shook his head. ¡°You can¡¯t be over taxing your body right now Brandon....You should take a seat out in the sun and get a little more rest.¡± Ezekiel tried to command him.


    But Brandon didn¡¯t exactly want to sit around. ¡°Actually that''s not on my agenda...¡± He told Ezekiel. ¡°I can help you spread the hay or something....I didn¡¯t exactly come out here to twiddle my thumbs....¡±


    Brandon shrugged. ¡°I could have stayed in the bed if that were the case. And I¡¯d rather work out my muscles, just so I don¡¯t get too stiff while my stiches close up. ¡±


    Looking like he wanted to protest Ezekiel finally did a shrug of his own. ¡°Alright....if you really feel up to it, I¡¯ll let you help.¡± He said, then he hissed. ¡°Just take it easy, no heavy lifting for you.¡±


    ¡°Sure, Sure.¡± Brandon shrugged, not really planning to listen. He wanted to see just how weak his injury had made him too.


    ¡°Alright.... Follow me.¡± Ezekiel told him, starting to walk towards the stair case leading to the second floor, once more. Brandon ran to catch up, and as Ezekiel walked he talked over his shoulder.


    ¡°There are buckets hanging on the back floor that were going to need to transport down here. Theirs a tub full of pig food round the side of the Barn. Well gather that and well pour the slop into the troughs spread out in the field.¡±


    Ezekiel said, raising his voice as his and Brandon¡¯s boots hammered the planks of the stair case. ¡°Afterwards, if you¡¯re still feeling okay, I¡¯ll let you grab a shovel so you can bust up the hay bales for me....¡±


    After that the work began.


    First the troughs were to be filled with slop and the buckets were to be transported and poured into the troughs. And for the most part Brandon found the job to be agreeable...aside from the ripe odor of pig slop that assaulted his and Ezekiel¡¯s noses. Brandon wanted to ask where the slop came from, but soon decided that he didn¡¯t care much for the answer.


    The oily, runny, slop seemed composed of nothing but composted vegetables and old fruit and stink. The odor of it nearly stealing Brandon¡¯s breath at every deep whiff. But Brandon did his best to move at a steady pace and lift as much pig slop as he could stomach to smell....but more often than not he found himself struggling with some of the burdens that he forced himself to undertake. Every stumble that he suffered, and every aching muscle only further outlined to him how sorry his condition had really become.


    Still he kept on, hoping that this labor would be his first steps back to the healthy person he had been before the wounds had been inflicted on him.


    Soon enough all of the troughs were filled to the brim with fresh slop and with a vigorous look on his face Ezekiel called Brandon to him.


    And as Brandon drew close he couldn¡¯t help but notice that the Shifter looked completely unfazed by the work and labor that Brandon had struggled through.


    And once Brandon reached him Ezekiel smirked and gestured towards the barn.


    ¡°All right...were done with the slop and troughs. Are you ready to start busting open the hay bales?¡± Ezekiel asked him softly. The smirk on his face gave Brandon a notion that the Shifter was possibly poking fun at him mentally, but for the most part Ezekiel just waited for Brandon to reply.


    With panting that he hoped was mostly subdued Brandon took a moment to swallow and looked the Shifter up and down, feeling a slight pinch of envy overcome him. Because unlike Brandon Ezekiel looked as clean...and handsome as he had that morning outside of the mansion.


    Ugh! This guy looks as cool as a Popsicle...Do Shifters even sweat...? I want him to sweat too...


    Brandon found himself thinking, stuck in a moment of absurdity that he couldn¡¯t quite break away from.


    I know they sweat...If its alive it sweats....and I bet when they do sweat, they look just as hot and unhappy and pathetic as I must look right now...! Screw him and his perfect hair!!


    ¡°Brandon?¡± Ezekiel asked catching his eyes. ¡°Did you hear me?¡±


    Shaking himself Brandon looked away. ¡°Yeah I¡¯m ready...Let¡¯s do it.¡± Brandon told him and ignoring the way that Ezekiel seemed to smile deeper and shake his head. He walked past him to go and gather a shovel from the Barn, while Ezekiel trailed behind him, to pick up the first bale of hay.

 Chapter 58 - Playful Mistakes (18+)

    Chapter 58- Playful Mistakes


    The hay bales were much harder going. But as the next two hours trickled by Brandon was impressed to find that he and Ezekiel managed to burst open nearly twenty five bundles and spared them around nearly eighty percent of the farm. Ezekiel worked at a considerate pace, and saved most his breath so they worked in companionable silence.


    Soon enough the minutes had passed into another hour and the silence turned to thinking on Brandon¡¯s part. And to his surprise Brandon soon found that he was reminiscing back on his various and volatile interactions with the different members of Ezekiels family. Particularly the green eyed brother Lander and his more amenable interactions with Nate and Walter and even Erin and his parents.


    Brandon found that he wanted to avoid further confrontations until he moved on from the Leopards Clan....but he knew himself. He knew....that he had a bad habit of not backing down.....


    And he knew that if the green eyed Shifter came at him again...he was going to go back at him, just as hard.


    Brandon wondered what it was about Lander that got under his skin and why a man who did what Ezekiel did and spent his time caring for the wellbeing of his Clan, could be so nasty. While the rest of his family seemed so...nice.


    Brandon slammed the hoe that he had been using to break apart and spread the hay bales in the mud and he called out to Ezekiel who was just marching back to his side from inside of the barn, with a new bale of hay balanced on his shoulder.


    The Shifter was now sweating a lot and contrary to Brandon¡¯s previous thought that the sweat would make him look unappealing....it just gave Brandon something else to look at and Brandon knew that he already had a hard time keeping his eyes off the Shifter as it was.


    The moisture gathered along his hair line wetting the strands, then running down Ezekiels throat and glistening on the skin that shown through the unbutton shirt that he wore. Which of course pulled Brandon¡¯s eyes down to his chest and everything that the Shirt was covering. The sweat running down into Ezekiels shirt tempted Brandon¡¯s imagination against his will. It made Brandon wonder if the Shifter was going to remove the clothing sometime soon to escape the dampness the sweat cause....And it made Brandon question if he wanted ¡°Soon¡± to happen ¡°Right Now.¡±


    Hoping to get away from those thoughts Brandon tried to focus on his questions for Ezekiel, rather than Ezekiel himself.


    ¡°So Ezekiel....¡± He began, speaking to jump start his brain once more. ¡°I was thinking about what you said about Guardians and everything that they do and I sort of realized that all of your family members seem to have jobs that are about helping in the Clan. Even your Mom.¡±


    Leaning on the shovel he waited on Ezekiel to get closer and reply.


    ¡°That¡¯s about right.¡± Ezekiel finally responded as he stepped inside of the fence. ¡°As the children of the Clan Head it¡¯s our duty to look after my father¡¯s people. So that meant becoming Guardians, and as for my mother it meant becoming a Healer. But besides just being our fathers sons, all of my brothers WANTED to go into this line of work. We all love our village and we sort of try to do everything we can to keep it going and healthy.¡±


    ¡°Even your lovely brother Lander?¡± Brandon asked, unable to help himself, but also not seeing the angry and aggressive Shifter doing anything out of kindness for others. ¡°I mean it¡¯s hard to see your older brother doting on anyone....or being nice to people. I don¡¯t get how he even fits in in that job.¡±


    Ezekiel sighed, chuckled and tossed down the bale of hay at his feet. He steeped around it and replied. ¡°Look I know Lander may seem like a horrible person but Lander...even more than the rest of us; He takes the safety of our Clan and our family to heart.¡± Ezekiel began to explain sounding both proud, but also subdued.


    ¡°Lander may be a pain sometimes, but he would kill to protect anyone of our Clans Men and he would also put his life on the line for anyone that he cared about...¡±


    Ezekiel rubbed a hand across his forehead, dashing the sweat that had plastered down a few of his golden strands to his face. Then he shrugged and said ¡°As far as were all concerned....Lander¡¯s one of the hardest working, and dedicated, Guardians in the Clan.¡±


    Brandon was skeptical, but all he could do was laugh and say. ¡°Well it¡¯s too bad he¡¯s such a dick...¡± Brandon said, but then realizing that he was being immature, he sighed and rephrased his words.


    ¡°I mean Landers handsome and he seems pretty bright, if he were a little nicer. I¡¯m sure more people would get along with him....¡±


    ¡°What did you just say!? Who¡¯s Handsome?¡± Ezekiel scoffed cutting him off, then he seemed to have a horrible revelation and his face scrounged up in disgust.


    ¡°Are you talking about Lander......? Ewwww, you think my Brothers handsome.....That¡¯s just wrong Brandon....¡± He groaned. ¡°Where did that thought even come from.¡± He said, shifting his face into a semi-disgruntled smirk showing that he was mostly playing around.


    Wanting to laugh at Ezekiels obvious displeasure, Brandon simply shrugged and cocked his chin down onto his shovel and the backs of his gloved palms. ¡°We¡¯ll all of your family members are nice looking, I was only making an honest observation. For example, your cousin Erin, she was stunning. With all those eyes and legs like a model or something. And your father is sort of charming in a growling, shouting, irritating kind of way....¡± Ezekiel chuckled when he said that and cast Brandon a smile. ¡°And of course your mother is gorgeous. Shes like a little angle or something.....So, is it really surprising for me to say that your brothers look good?¡±


    Ezekiel sucked his lip, then took a step closer. He lowered his voice as he spoke, making Brandon leaning into him unconsciously. ¡°No....but you left me off the list¡± He said softly, a playful grin growing as he said. ¡°You complement everyone else....what about me?¡± At first Brandon was stumped for a response, until he realized that Ezekiel was teasing him.


    Brandon rolled his eyes and lean in some more, making a cooing sound that one might make at a child. ¡°¡±Oh no¡± Brandon teased back. ¡°Blue boy¡¯s fishing for a compliment! How sad.¡±


    With a hiss that should have made Brandon jump Ezekiel reached out and grabbed the shovel, using it to move into Brandon¡¯s space, but not to touch him. Ezekiel tilted his head and growled. ¡°Don¡¯t call me that....and besides who¡¯s fishing mortal?¡± he said. ¡°I know I look good.¡± Ezekiel announced with a smirk. ¡°So it¡¯s not about vanity, it¡¯s about the fact that I¡¯m a sexy man, and I deserve to be on that list. ¡± Ezekiel pointed out in a cocky tone that was totally undermined by the boyish smile on his face.


    Brandon tried to curb it, but he found a full on laugh bubbling out of him before he could stifle it completely. And since he was unable to remove the expression, he glanced away from Ezekiel and rolled his eyes. ¡°What you deserve is to be humbled mister sexy.¡± Brandon grumbled as he sloshed water from the spout down onto ¡°You¡¯re just conceited and bossy, Blue boy nothing more, nothing less.¡±


    ¡°Come on....¡± Ezekiel groaned. ¡°Knowing that you look good isn¡¯t about being conceited its about being....confident.¡± Ezekiel inserted as he pulled on the shovel stick making Brandon lean his way even more. ¡°And I¡¯m a very handsome individual. And wanting to think that other people appreciate my appearance isn¡¯t a bad thing either. So if were all being completely honest...Tell me. Do you think I¡¯m sexy Brandon?¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Brandon gaffed and had to cover his mouth to hide the smile he was fighting not to have. ¡°Oh god....I¡¯m so done with you Blue Boy. Really, let¡¯s get back to work!¡± he commanded turning and getting ready to slam the shovel into the fresh hay that he had neglected. Internally praying that Ezekiel wouldn¡¯t keep playing game...but it was a prayer that went unanswered. Ezekiel pulled on the shovel, jerking Brandon to another stop and back in his direction.


    ¡°Okay fine....¡± Ezekiel hissed with a huge grin as threw his hands up, then quickly wrapped them around the handle of his shovel before it could fall. ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me...but I bet you wanna know if you¡¯re on my list?¡±


    It was odd for him to be acting so carefree with Ezekiel, but Brandon had a hard time not falling into a rhythm when they talked. A rhythm that smarted of something warm and fun. Something he knew he didn¡¯t need to be doing, but it was exciting. So Brandon found that he had lost himself in the banter.


    For one insane second Brandon almost felt himself nod to Ezekiels teasing.


    ¡°No...I don¡¯t...want to know.¡± He bit out instead, turning away so that the Shifters blue eyes would stop piercing him. ¡°I don¡¯t care. So lets get back to work...¡±


    Ezekiel chuckled, not seeming to listen, and leaned towards him. His mouth opening to speak and his eyes gleaming slightly. Not knowing why Brandon panicked. He shoved the obnoxious Shifter with his elbow but he overestimated Ezekiel¡¯s balance. Ezekiel tipped back dangerously over the hay bale that he had put down earlier. Not wanting him to fall Brandon turned and tried to grab him and somehow they both crashed into the trough, sitting just a few steps to the left. Spilling a vat of foul smelling slop and vegetable peels all over themselves.


    With groans of despair and disgust Brandon and Ezekiel untangled themselves and sat staring at each other for a good three seconds before Brandon managed to speak.


    ¡°Hey....¡± He said. Choking on a sour aga. Somehow finding the will to chuckle. ¡°Do you...uh... Still wanna know if you look sexy or not? Because Ive got an answer for you.¡± He asked, then burst into laughter when Ezekiel shot him a glare. Brandon laughed all while he flicked a slimy peel off his neck and used his fingers to clean, and flick off some of the slime that had splashed onto his cheek.


    ¡°Oh, ha ha smart ass....I was just playing with you.¡± Ezekiel grumbled as he hopped to his feet and pulled Brandon up on his. ¡°Come on...let¡¯s just go wash this stuff off before my nose melts off.¡± They made their way to the barn, Ezekiel helping Brandon as the odor and slime ran down his head and tried to blind him.


    On the way, they both slipped and fell into a patch of freshly laid hay


    ***


    And so the situation became all the more awkward when Ezekiel led Brandon into the Barn and they both had to face the prospect of stripping naked and washing off....without a door, or even a speck of dust to separate them. But as both of them tried to handle the moment like adult....Brandon just felt more and more nervous.


    ¡°Do you need help with your clothes?¡± Ezekiel asked as he and Brandon now stood in the empty space beneath the nozzles and pipes preparing to wash off.


    Brandon shot him a look. Ezekiel hissed and rolled his eyes.


    ¡°I not playing....¡± He said, and gestured to Brandon¡¯s left hip. ¡°You still have that busted side. I was asking because I know you can barely raise one of your arms.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll....um...Ill manage...¡± Brandon said with a shake of his head.


    ¡°Ok.¡± Ezekiel said. ¡°Just turn the nob on the wall all the way to the left He hesitated, sat the towel by Brandon¡¯s feet, then he turned and began to walk away.


    Feeling horribly uncomfortable for no real reason, Brandon almost willed him to walk away faster, but of course Brandon realized something that made him call Ezekiel back over. Which Ezekiel did turn back, raising an eye brown at Brandon as he walked back towards him. ¡°I¡¯m just curious...¡± Brandon told him. ¡°If we get naked....what are we going to wear to get back to the mansion?¡±


    ¡°Well...¡± Ezekiel began looking uncomfortable too. ¡°We actually don¡¯t have any spare clothes out here, I¡¯ll have to wash the slop off and air dry what we¡¯re wearing.¡±


    ¡°Oh...¡± Brandon tried not to look horrified at the idea of the both of them being naked and stuck waiting on clothes, but something on his face must have giving him away because Ezekiel cleared his throat.


    ¡°Is that a problem? If it is we can just stay in this stuff and walk back to the mansion...¡± He tried to compromise, but Brandon was already shaking his head.


    Brandon could hardly stand the stench of the slop for the few second that it had been spilled on him, he couldn¡¯t imagine trekking in the sun and letting the slop bake beneath his nose.


    So with another swallow he nodded reached down, and grabbed the towel that Ezekiel had given him.


    The tension was unreal in the next few moments as the both of them stripped and washed on separate sides of the barn. The fall of water, the rasp of clothes being removed and their breaths were all that could be heard. The urge to look at Ezekiel was more psychological than physical. Until the two became nothing but meaningless words. Until the warm water began to feel like something else. Until Brandon felt a shadow move across his back.


    Until Brandon felt large wets hands....Ezekiels hands, close around the sides of his body, caressing his pelvis. ¡±Here¡­Let me help you¡­¡± drawled a voice, solacious, thick¡­and all Ezekiel.


    Strong and gentle, Ezekiels touch lingered on his hip, then slowly, deliberately they began to slide together, brushing along Brandon¡¯s hips, and thighs. Not knowing why he wasn¡¯t speaking or fighting...All Brandon could do was watch and feel and moan.


    Ezekiel suddenly pressed against him from behind, solid and warm and slick from the shower, he ran his right hand up, racking his nails across Brandon¡¯s stomach and chest, until with a flare of pure possession the hand closed around Brandon¡¯s throat. He held him tight enough to restrain him, but not to hurt. Again Brandon couldn¡¯t seem to summon his voice or make a move...until Ezekiel took his left hand and ran it between Brandon¡¯s legs and gently took hold of his length, his hand stroked over the velvet flesh softly exploring him. With a shocked jump Brandon trembled and tried to pull away, but Ezekiel didn¡¯t release him. Instead he held Brandon back against his hot wet chest, turned his head to the side with the hand on his throat and still running his fingertips across Brandon¡¯s cock, he slowly began to stroke him, as Ezekiel hissed and lowered his lips and began to suck, and lick and bite all along the side, and back of Brandon¡¯s throat, his shoulder and upper spine, fangs scraped along skin deliciously. The warm water dripped over them, caressing in rivulets across the areas that hands weren¡¯t tending to. Tendrils of vibrant need crawled along Brandon¡¯s thighs and hips and he whimpered the Guardians name. Confused. But the touch was almost raw on his senses, the heat...it was electric. Brandon panted and moaned....and soon he begged, clawed and wanted for more.


    And then Brandon opened his eyes...and everything was gone. Horrified and confused Brandon glanced all about himself, realizing that he had been doing nothing for the last few minutes but standing like a stature in the stream of the water.


    No hands on his body pleasuring him, no lips and fangs on his neck....no Ezekiel. But a phantom of that touch remained....a kernel of that lust fluttered in his gut. Ran down his spine, brushed against his neck and tingled over his semi-awakened cock.


    With a shuttering gasp that he covered with his gloves, Brandon ducked his head beneath the water. He wanted to wash away the last few seconds and he choose to ignore the fact that even though he was beneath hot soothing water....his entire body felt like it was shaking.


    Brandon may not have known much more than the things he had read in a few books and what he had experienced while on the run, but he understood an attraction. The pull in his body to touch someone. Explore someone. And for some unknown frustrating reason he was starting to fear that he was getting fixated on the Shifter.....It was just a little flutter of butterflies when Ezekiel smiled at him, but already it was a problem. More and more he was noticing it....and worst of all he couldn¡¯t turn it off.


    There was this buzz underlining all of their interactions that was only getting stronger and had been getting stronger....from the moment Brandon had woken up and tried to get away from him.


    Attraction...sexual desire. Of course it was understandable in a way. Since Brandon couldn¡¯t exactly deny that the Shifter was hands down the most attractive man he had ever seen. Brothers and father aside.


    And yet Brandon wanted to deny all of that. He didn¡¯t need to feel any of it.


    Brandon wanted to find the area in his brain that was making him aware of Ezekiel and strangle it into submission or tell it to ¡°Shut up!¡±


    But two of the most frustrating things that Brandon had come to learn in his life was that....


    One- His body didn¡¯t do a good job of listening to him


    Two- Even if he was attracted to someone, even if he thought of then....he could never ever be with them.


    It took Brandon a few more moments to ground himself, but once he had, he finished washing, wrapped a towel about his hips and walked his clothes over to Ezekiel who was already standing in a towel of his own, and scrubbing his shirt free of filth.


    Brandon shamefully devoured him with his eyes. Every piece of the Shifter was toned, and wet...and seductively visible, aside from the towel that just managed to cover his hips from view.


    Felling like a sicko, or at least a man with a serious and inappropriate imagination, Brandon dropped the clothes beside Ezekiel, turned and ignoring Ezekiel¡¯s words to wait, Brandon slipped away, up the steps to hide until the clothes were washed and put out to dry.

 Chapter 59 - Urge To Protect

    Chapter 59- Urge To Protect


    Ezekiel sat, with a hand full of wet clothing, staring at the stairs that Brandon had just fled up and disappeared from onto the second floor of the barn. Ezekiel didn¡¯t know what had prompted the mortal to run off, and since he was hardly in a position to chase after him, being mostly nude himself, Ezekiel resolved to leave Brandon to his own devices.


    He took his time washing out the slop from his clothes and Brandon¡¯s, before ringing them out and placing them in the grass beyond the Barn to dry in the sunlight.


    Soon enough the clothing were dry enough for him to redress himself. Then deciding that he had given Brandon sufficient time to hibernate Ezekiel made his way back inside of the barn, over to the stairs that lead to the second floor and called him down.


    It took a few more calls, but eventually Brandon appeared at the top of the stair case looking like he was dragging his feet. He also looked terribly self-conscious in the single long towel that he had wrapped around his hips.


    Ezekiel watched him jog down the steps, but to his confusion Brandon stopped nearly five steps away, halfway down the stair case and just stood there. Hesitating...as if he didn¡¯t want to come any closer.


    ¡°Thanks...for washing them.¡± Brandon murmured, making no moves to step any closer. Or to reach out for the clothing. There was this cloud of....embarrassment about him that Ezekiel didn¡¯t understand. His face flushed, his heart beat erratic.


    So Ezekiel took a step up towards him climbing the steps to get closer and because he sensed Brandon¡¯s unease, he stopped short of him by three steps. ¡°No problem...here.¡± Ezekiel said holding out his clothes to him, and with little hesitation this time, Brandon snatched them up.


    Ezekiel dropped his arms and because Brandon didn¡¯t immediately make any moves to go and get dressed he said. ¡°The sweat pants may still be a bit wet, but after you get dressed let¡¯s get the rest of this hay laid down outside. And then it will be time to move on to our next stop for the day....unless you want to get back to the Mansion?¡± He asked and partially suggested, feeling the hesitation in Brandon¡¯s every move and knowing that he was terribly uncomfortable and wondering if it was somehow Ezekiel¡¯s own doing.


    But with a head shake Brandon denied his suggestion ¡°No... I¡¯m not ready to go back yet.¡± Brandon replied loudly. He clutched his clothes under one of his arms. ¡°I don¡¯t mind shadowing you for a few more hours...I mean...if you dont mind and...¡±


    ¡°Good. We''ll finish more rounds together.¡± Ezekiel told him cutting off his hesitant words.


    And then, far from welcomed, silenced descended between them.


    Ezekiel openly and unabashedly stared at him. He took no pains to hide it. Saw no reason that he should. He didn¡¯t deny how the man drew his gaze in that moment. Like a soft magnet.


    And then his eyes began to wander lower. He couldn¡¯t help it....he was just a Shifter. First his eyes settled on the increasing thrum of skin at Brandon¡¯s neck. His pulse picking up, jumping beneath his nape. He seemed so highly aware of Exekiels gaze that he seemed to buzz with anxiety. From there Ezekiels eyes and ears focused on his chest.


    The longer that Ezekiel focused on Brandon it was clear that he was definitely having a reaction to his proximity, but weather it was a fearful one or something else....Ezekiel didn¡¯t know.


    The man glanced away, his graceful swan like neck inviting his attention once again as did the glimmer of the sun along his swale frame. But even though he found Brandon¡¯s form attractive, his attention was taken more with the numerous, and brutal scars that marred his chest and back like terrible tattoos.


    Brandon¡¯s definition though obviously effected by whatever ordeals he had suffered was easily seen in his lean sides and arms, the flex and movement of his breathing outlining the slight muscular tone around his stomach, chest....his dusky brown nipples.....the duvet of hair beneath his navel that he wanted to caress...


    And it was at this point that Ezekiel wanted to kick himself. More and more he was finding the path of his thoughts turning....to the sensual. To the salacious.


    And he didn¡¯t really know what to do about it. He was a male like any other....sex was in his head, but when he was with Brandon...there was an undertone of it. His breathtaking scent, his needy breathing...his hesitant movements to hide his interest in Ezekiel. Ezekiel sensed it all. Far to sharply and it was and had been a problem for the last few days....that Ezekiel couldn¡¯t seem to solve.


    What was it...and why Brandon?


    Ezekiel wanted to ask himself.


    A mortal...with beauty...and anger...and something else in his gaze that pulled Ezekiel in. A deep mystery.


    Possible sensing the heavy undercurrent of unspoken words Brandon shifted beneath his gaze and asked him directly. ¡°Why are you staring at me Guardian?¡±


    Ezekiel smiled at his blunt tone, the way he tried to use that title to create distance. He found Brandon¡¯s directness refreshing, even though the mortal had a tendency to ask things in the shortest...and rudest manner possible. IT was also the simplest. And Ezekiel always found himself tickled by that fact.


    But seeing as the mortal had asked Ezekiel a serious question he licked his lip and attempted to offer an explanation for his ogling that wouldn¡¯t immediately make him seem like a creep. ¡°Just...looking for a few answers.¡± He told Brandon.


    Seeming to dislike that answer Brandon rolled his eyes and said sharply. ¡°Well you¡¯re not going to get them ogling me like I¡¯m some kind of freak....so stop it.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you fell when I look at you? When my eyes are on you, I know you can see exactly what I think...cant you?¡± Ezekiel said suddenly unable to stop himself. And tired of dancing around the subject. He disliked the dismissal in his tone, Brandon¡¯s nonchalance around him, but Brandon simply tightened his hands on his clothes and didn¡¯t respond.


    But Ezekiel smirked because he knew that Brandon felt exactly what Ezekiel felt when Ezekiel looked at him.


    Sharp attention. Deep interest. Curiosity. Maybe even some of the fire that had no right to exist for this man. But even though the markings on his body were shocking to Ezekiel....he held no dislike, or disgust for Brandon¡¯s appearance. He didn¡¯t think he was a freak....but he also didn¡¯t know anything more about the mortal then his first name.


    The silence was a wall between them that lengthened. Ezekiel didn¡¯t know what else to do, but he keep talking. He had opened this can of worms and he wanted to see what it was going to lead him to.


    ¡°Brandon...don¡¯t shut down on me.¡± He said taking a step up on the steps. ¡°I can¡¯t read your mind....and I¡¯m just asking you to talk to me...¡±


    With a strategic back step Brandon put quick space between them. ¡°About what? I don¡¯t understand what you want me to say.¡±


    ¡°Talk about yourself maybe?¡± Ezekiel suggested to his question. ¡°You know plenty about me and about my family...¡± He started small. Hoping that it would lessen the directness of his words. ¡°You know about me...about me being a Reaver, that Im sick.....¡±


    Ezekiel said then stopped as he realized the truth of that one sentence. The mortal before him knew one of his deepest secrets...and Ezekiel didn¡¯t even mind. Ezekiel chuckled at his own odd behavior and with a head shake he continued to talk.


    ¡°It¡¯s crazy...but I don¡¯t even know your age or where you come from. I guess, I¡¯m asking you what I¡¯ve been asking you since we first met. Who are you?¡± Ezekiel shrugged. ¡°What happened to you out there? Where did you get those wounds from?¡±


    ¡°And who are you to me? What gives you the right to ask me anything?¡± Brandon asked him with a flare of defensiveness, which was so commonplace with his personality that Ezekiel easily ignored it.


    ¡°No offense.... ¡°Ezekiel began, stopping on the step just in front of Brandon and asking. ¡°But has anyone ever cared enough to ask you about this stuff besides me? I want to know...¡±


    ¡°Leave it alone! Why do you care...? We barely know each other.¡± Brandon shot back sidestepping the question and turning it back on Ezekiel, with a cool glare.


    The ease of his evasions and his refusal to give up any information, now and in the past, made Ezekiel want to hiss at him.


    Instead with a sigh Ezekiel glanced away ¡°No matter what I say to you, you evade it.¡± Ezekiel told him, truthfully letting some of his irritation show as he put a hand to his chin and rubbed his thumb across his mouth in thought. ¡°It¡¯s like this is...a game where you turn every question back into a question. You never give me a straight answer Brandon.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    With a soft scoff Brandon looked him right in the eyes. ¡°You¡¯re delusional, you¡¯re imagining things that aren¡¯t real. Like the fact that you have any right to pry into my life. I assure you Ezekiel...you don¡¯t, even if you are a type of lawman in these Lands.¡± Brandon said, once more evading the true heart of the questions he had been asked.


    He was a stranger all right. It was the mystery behind his looks. Behind his words and his behavior....the mystery of Brandon...it drew him. Made him step forward. Made something in him want to remove the mystery. Force it to flee and leave him and the mortal alone for once. And because of that Ezekiel was soon standing on the step in front of him, challenging Brandon and his stubborn actions. He hissed in his face.


    ¡°Oh...Like I¡¯m imagining the fact that you¡¯ve never taken off those leather gloves not once since I gave them back to you. You wash, eat and sleep in leather gloves.¡± Ezekiel began smiling at that, but he knew that it was purely a smile of condescension. ¡°And am I just imagining this... horrible cut in you stomach too?¡± Ezekiel growled as his eyes drifted down to the red and freshly stitched up hole in Brandon¡¯s side.


    ¡°Something tried to split you open like a piece of fruit...it nearly killed you! You would be dead if not for my mother!¡± Ezekiel hissed more as he took his right hand and gently laid it over the stitches. His touch wasn¡¯t harsh, but Brandon still flinched and stepped back. Like a Leopard on the prowl Ezekiel couldn¡¯t help but follow him backwards. Step for step. ¡°Your guts, and your stomach were nearly outside of you, festering with infection....you should have died because of what they did...¡±


    ¡°Stop it...¡± Brandon managed, his lips stiff as he clenched his teeth and tried to move another step backwards.


    Ezekiel traced his steps, slowly. Feeling far too much like he was hunting ¡°And what about all of these other scars.....They look so old and painful...¡± Brandon jumped as his back bumped into the guard rail. Ezekiel stopped, not boxing him in, but also giving Brandon no where to easily step, but into him. Ezekiel ignored the fist at Brandon¡¯s side and came closer. ¡°They look familiar...¡±


    ¡°Ezekiel...dont.¡± He began voice shaky. Possibly thinking to utter a warning or a threat...but something had caught Ezekiel¡¯s eyes about the pattern of the scars that he hadn¡¯t noticed before.


    Following his instincts Ezekiel let some of his inner beast leak out. Let some of its energy pour down his fingertips. Then not stopping, Ezekiel put his claws against Brandon¡¯s skin, just above his chest, listening to Brandon gasp in shock as his palms and claws pressed against his old scars and bare skin. There was no way that this was okay, but Ezekiel wasn¡¯t thinking about anything except for what he had discovered. The scars in Brandon¡¯s flesh didn¡¯t match the length and width of his finger and palms...but they were similar enough that Ezekiel felt a chill run up his spine.


    Shit....am I seeing this right? Claws...? Could a Shifter have clawed at him...Something with Claws had to have done this?


    ¡°What are you doing...?¡± Brandon tried to object at the caress of his hands and shift away from him, but Ezekiel caught him up against the railing. The Mortal froze up in fear but using his hand to tilt Brandon¡¯s face to the side Ezekiel soothed his stiffness, rubbing his thumb over the tight muscle in his neck. The man obviously wanted to bolt, but Ezekiel moved slow, listening to Brandon''s tight breaths, and countering with a few soft mummers.


    ¡°Shhh....Its okay...Dont run. I¡¯m not going to do anything bad. I wont hurt you.¡± Ezekiel pressed, stepping closer and bending into the crook of Brandon¡¯s neck, so that he could see more of what had now caught his attention in the valley of endless damage that had been done.


    A bite mark. Lots of bite marks. Ezekiel didn¡¯t know why he hadn¡¯t put it together it before, when he had first examined Brandon¡¯s body, but in the warm sunlight pouring into the barn it was far easier to see, then in the dim candle light of the mansion at nighttime.


    Something gnawed on his neck with its teeth....was this done by an animal or Shifter? But why would someone or something be...chewing on his neck and clawing him up?


    Ezekiel asked himself as he traced the outline of the scar instantly recognizing the ragged tearing and the sharp lines and healed punctures as a bite. Teeth plunging into flesh and pulled back out leaving behind the scars of this act. Vicious and deep Ezekiel wondered how long it had taken the wounds to heal and how painful the attack must have been.


    Ezekiel didn¡¯t know what in god¡¯s name possessed him to do what he did next, but suddenly he wanted that mark...to disappear. He couldn¡¯t have described the feeling that came over him at that moment as anything else....except irritation. Irrational irritation.


    He felt a flush of energy pour out of his core as the beast of his soul growled inside of his head, Ezekiel felt his teeth lengthening behind his lips. He felt an urge to bite overcome him...like nothing before. Too feel the warm flesh before him yield to fang and tongue, to pull Brandon in and make him submit for just one moment. To make him understand...but understand what? Yield to what?


    "They marked you....it must have hurt..." Ezekiel mummered/growled, not sure of his own mind.


    Then he leaned in and resisting the urge to bite, he placed his lips against the offending scars. He placed a kiss to all three of them, feeling Brandon flinch at each brush. His breath came shallow and hesitant.


    The man seemed to turn fragile as glass beneath his touch.


    Ezekiel felt Brandons bare chest heaving against Ezekiel¡¯s hands, heard his heart beat begin to race as the seconds lengthened. The man was both terrified and uncertain yet...he seemed to want to stay close. In that moment Ezekiel realized his angry personality was just a mask, something to hide the terror the man held inside for anyone getting to close.


    Why am I doing this? Why was am I so attuned to him?


    Ezekiel and the beast inside of him didn¡¯t really know.


    It was confounding to have these urges overcome him. Urge¡¯s that felt bone deep, but only penetrated the surface of his mind. He didn¡¯t understand Brandon...but he was beginning to understand himself even less. And right then he didn¡¯t have any control.


    " I think you need to stop...¡± Brandon whispered, a shiver dancing down his spine that could have been anxiety or fear. Or excitement.


    ¡°Will you tell me who hurt you Brandon?¡± Ezekiel found himself saying next. Because that was the main question that he really wanted to know the answer to. And he pressed for it, with another dance of his lips to Brandon¡¯s skin that made the man shudder and breath his name.


    "Eze...ki..el..." Brandons voice made Ezekiel feel a dark hunger curl alive for a moment. His hands itched to reach for the man but he held back.


    Ezekiel rumbled at his silence wanting to force the man to open to him. He knew that this was what laid at the heart of his attentions....his attraction. The urge to protect. It was ingrained in him...it was who he was. And it was what he wanted to do for Brandon. It was what had drove him to save the mortals life...and defend him against his brothers and father.


    But Ezekiel should have known...after all of their other encounters, that Brandon was perhaps no different than an wild animal. Mistrustful, suspicious, and aggressive. And like any animal that¡¯s been cornered Brandon lashed out, instead of cracking and answering Ezekiel¡¯s probing questions.


    The balled fist that he had at his side, came up and landed on Ezekiel¡¯s chest, with a resounding smack and the force of a shove all rolled up into one.


    It stung, and pushed Ezekiel back in surprise


    Instantly feeling foolish and frustrated Ezekiel drew back another step, with a soft hiss. He covertly rubbed his offended collar as Brandon glared at him, his breathing quick and his eyes filled with a little frustration of their own.


    ¡°I told you to stop....you can¡¯t do things like that...¡± Brandon grumbled looking far too shaken by what Ezekiel had done, too vulnerable. ¡°How many times do I have to tell you not to touch me? I don¡¯t like it!¡±


    Ezekiel wanted to back off. He knew he needed to back off before he pushed too hard, but the Leopard inside of him....didn¡¯t accept that. It sensed the defiance in Brandon¡¯s body language, the challenge, the disrespect....and for some reason it refused to let that stand. Ezekiel agreed with its refusal to submit, so much so that instead of pulling back Ezekiel found instead that he began to crowd Brandon. He moved into his space once more forcing him back against the guardrail.


    ¡°And why is that?¡± Ezekiel found himself speaking without thinking. He growled the question, because the beast inside was simmering in his blood.


    ¡°Why is what!?¡± Brandon nearly growled back the question, not intimidated or cowed by Ezekiel¡¯s anger.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I or anyone touch you without you having a meltdown!? Help me understand why you push me away so aggressively when you¡¯re the one who kissed...!!¡± Ezekiel stopped, blinked and caught himself, heard what he was about to say and quickly halted it. Or tried to halt it...but Brandon latched onto his hesitation. Heard the heaviness of what was unspoken. And because he was just as irritated as Ezekiel he attacked it.


    ¡°I¡¯m the one that what...!?¡± Brandon replied like he knew that he was missing something important. ¡°What did I do...¡± he asked again, curiously he sounded utterly defenseless and anxious to hear the answer, just as much as he sounded upset.


    ¡°You... you kissed me.¡± Ezekiel finally said as though he were speaking something he had never hoped to speak. And he hadn¡¯t. Only minutes after Brandon had woken up and spoken to him....Ezekiel had pretty much come to a conclusion that Brandon didn¡¯t remember any of the events that had transpired leading up to him meeting his father and getting threatened by Mantilo.


    From that moment on Ezekiel had told himself that he wouldn¡¯t mention the incident to...anyone but here he was. Throwing it out into the world, between him and Brandon....between him and a man that he still knew nothing about, but was also terribly drawn to....in the worst way.


    ¡°Out in the woods....¡± Ezekiel continued....even though he didn¡¯t know what he hoped to get form this admission. ¡°You kissed me.¡±


    ¡°No way!?¡± Brandon exclaimed stepping towards him, looking offended and self-conscious at the same time. Ezekiel didn¡¯t like the obvious disquiet that his reveal had caused in Brandon, but now that they words had been spoke there was nothing to do but watch the disbelief flit across his face.


    ¡°No ....I couldn¡¯t have kissed you. I would never do that!¡± Brandon said again his denial even stronger this time.


    And somehow Ezekiel felt compelled to turn his denials on their head. ¡°But you did! You attacked me, I knocked you down and the next thing I know, you had me like this...¡± Ezekiel rattled off the scenario, but just as he reached out and his fingertips brushed Brandon¡¯s face so that he could demonstrate, Brandon slammed back into the rails in an attempt to escape. Utterly terrified.


    ¡°Get the hell away from me..!¡± Brandon shouted and shoved him away so fiercely and suddenly that Ezekiel lost his footing. He stumbled back off the fourth step and hit the ground, butt first and with a grunt of surprise.


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m sorry, I want going to actually kiss you or anything...I guess I asked for that.¡± Ezekiel groaned as he slowly climbed up onto his feet and barley ran a hand over his backside to remove the clinging debris from the floor. He looked up at Brandon, who wouldn¡¯t look back at him.


    ¡°Yeah you did. I¡¯ll...I¡¯ll see you outside.¡± Brandon said, and with an anxious scramble he fled back upstairs to dress.


    With nothing more to do and feeling distinctly rejected. Ezekiel went outside and began spreading hay once more. He didn¡¯t question his strange behavior or pay attention to the lingering feeling of warm skin against his lips.


    He didn¡¯t think about the way the man had nearly crumbled from his touch. Trying his hardest to not only ignore the twinge in his hip from being knocked away and hitting the ground, but also to ignore the sharp and intense feeling of frustration that he had absolutely no right to feel.


    ¡°Stupid!¡± He hissed at himself and used the heat of the sun and the scratch of the hay to push all thoughts of warm skin and the burning scent of Brandon far away lest he make another ass of himself....for nothing.

 Chapter 60 - The Band

    Chapter 60 ¨C The Band


    After an awkward hour of more work and hay spreading the sun was in the middle of the sky and surprisingly most if not all of the strain between them had managed to melt away.


    Brandon was happy to let the silence wash away the confusion and embarrassment and the nervousness that he had felt during the shower and during his and Ezekiel¡¯s talk. And since neither one of them seemed determined to dwell on it, or even analyze what had happed or had been said Brandon soon found himself panting and taking a standing break next to Ezekiel.


    Ezekiel, who had plopped down on a bench in the shade created by the roof of the barn also seemed content to move on and settled back into the cool manner that seemed so natural for him. Exerted from work, both of them took their time cooling off and catching their breaths before Ezekiel disappeared off inside of the barn, only to reemerge a few minutes later with two plastic flasks, each frosted over on the bottom, suggesting that he had retrieved them from the cooler.


    ¡°Here, drink some water and take it easy.....¡± Ezekiel instructed, handing Brandon a chilled flask, which he felt all the way through his gloves, before turning and stretching out on the bench with a sigh. ¡°I can¡¯t believe that we managed to finish all that work so fast, doing it solo would have taken me at least another three hours.¡± ¡°I know that they pace was a little rigorous for you....are you feeling okay....is you side hurting you?¡±


    Not exactly used to being asked about his health Brandon didn¡¯t want to respond. But he also wanted the awkward moments of before to fade away. He didn¡¯t want to think about the vison he had had in the shower....or about Ezekiel¡¯s lips on his skin....he didn¡¯t want to think about any of that. He wanted to get back to a simple outing with a Shifter that he barely knew. Not a Shifter that he had kissed....and for some ungodly reason....wanted to kiss again.


    ¡°No....no I¡¯m...uh...I¡¯m fine....¡± Bandon found himself responding to the question Ezekiel had posed, just to get away from his own confused thoughts. He swallowed looking away from Ezekiel and finding the prospect of silence undesirable he quickly fashioned a meaningless question to fill the space between them. ¡°So when do you have to bring in the hogs again?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t.¡± Ezekiel told him softly, twirling the canteen of water in his hands. ¡°Remember, I told you that the Hogs won¡¯t be here for another couple of days, you and me have done our part....and a darn good one if I had to put a label on it.¡± Ezekiel said, then he unscrewed his water and tilted the container up. After a moment he sighed, dropped the container and wiped his mouth. ¡°It definitely looks more alive out here after the work we got done, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Brandon glanced around and nodded, the muddy open patches placed al throughout the fences surrounding the fields looked much neater with the hay spread about and the newly cleaned and water filled troughs that dotted the area looked cool and inviting....at least enough to impress a pig. Finding that like Ezekiel he was satisfied with their work, he turned back to Ezekiel and asked him.


    ¡°So what happens now....is there more work to do some place else or is this all you had on your schedule?¡± Brandon sighed, lifting one leg and then the other feeling his knee caps popping as he swiftly stretched his legs, then placed them back into the grass.


    He wanted to take a load off his feet, but secretly debated weather sitting on the bench at that moment would only renew the awkward silence that he had only just managed to break away from. To Brandon¡¯s peace of mind Ezekiel didn¡¯t attempt to offer him a seat or bring up that the spot beside him was open, he simply looked at Brandon and answered his question.


    ¡°There¡¯s always more work to do...¡± He began softly, leaning over and placing his water bottle at his feet. Then Ezekiel leaned back and folded his arms over his chest. ¡°But I happen to have a little leeway in my patrols or Schedule as you might say.¡± Ezekiel said gesturing out towards the fields.


    ¡°I could take you to see one of the sights in the Clan Lands as a way to repay you....I know you don¡¯t want to spend your entire day out in the field doing hard labor with me. So this time I could go and show you some stuff....?¡± Ezekiel shrugged and glanced out over the empty farm as he waited on Brandon to respond.


    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t mind the work that we did....but what sights are you taking about?¡± Brandon eventually said with raised eyebrows. He had indeed enjoyed the work on the farm, but he was also slightly interested in exploring since he had been cooped up for so many days.


    ¡°What¡¯s to see in this place besides open fields and pine trees?¡± he asked not trying to be offensive, but also stating the obvious. So far all he had seen was open earth and sky and thought the Leopards Lands were beautiful, they didn¡¯t seem to hold much.


    ¡°Well there¡¯s lots of stuff.¡± Ezekiel easily answered a prideful smile spreading over his face, making it apparent how much he respected his home and its beauty. ¡°Like the four villages, the mountains and even the Mansion has a lot of rooms to be explored, but the most amazing is the Lake. ¡± Ezekiel told him softly. ¡°There¡¯s a Grand lake, a Shifter built one, approximately a mile to the north of our mansion, you¡¯ve got to see it.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean ¡°Shifter Built¡± Grand Lake? Brandon asked him finally closing the space between them and taking a seat on the edge of the bench. Completely squashing the slight hesitation that tried to keep him on his feet.


    He felt ridiculous dancing from foot to foot when there was a place to sit right in his face and Brandon knew that he didn¡¯t have to worry that Ezekiel would try to kiss him again. In fact when Brandon took a seat beside him, Ezekiel didn¡¯t even shift in his seat, he kept his arms over his chest and only turned his gaze to follow Brandon as he steeled down. He waited a moment for Brandon to sit back on the bench before he took a breath and replied to his question.


    ¡°The water that fills the Grand Lake I¡¯m speaking of, actually comes from a geyser that was discovered burrowed deep in the underground caverns inside of the mountain that our home was built on.¡± Ezekiel explained to Brandon as he brushed an overly curious bug off the edge of his shirt. Once the bug skedaddled off into the air with a slight buzz of thin wings, Ezekiel turned his gaze back on him and said.


    ¡°Soon after the geyser was found, my father, and a few of the Leopards in our clan got together and bust the cavern open. Then they opened up the geyser so that the water became a waterfall, which eventually filled up a huge empty basin behind our mansion turning it into a self-replenishing ¡°Shifter built¡± lake. What we like to call The Grand Lake.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm.¡± Brandon mused silently then he shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know, wouldn¡¯t taking me all the way back to the mansion be a bit of a long walk?¡±


    ¡°It could take a while to get there, I guess.¡± Ezekiel answered seeming unconcerned as he cast a small smile and dipped his head in Brandon¡¯s direction. ¡°It would only be a few miles though it that a problem?¡±


    ¡°Well I don¡¯t mind going to see this lake, but I don¡¯t really want to trek out that far if were already out here..... And I¡¯m not exactly ready to get back to the mansion.¡± Brandon admitted running a hand across his brow and pushing back his hair.


    ¡°Would you prefer to do something else?¡± Ezekiel suddenly suggested a breath later, pushing up off the side of the farm and sitting up strait on the bench like he had made a decision of some kind.


    ¡°Like?¡± Brandon replied, raising his own flask of water and taking a few swallows, before screwing the top back over the top. All while Ezekiel said to him.


    ¡°Well, we could always go and visit the Band.¡± Ezekiel began, a huge smile of anticipation growing on his handsome face. ¡°I would love to introduce you to Crystal.¡±


    ¡°The Band? Crystal?¡± Brandon inquired completely unfamiliar with the term and unsure what he was proposing, and seeming to pick up on this, Ezekiel chuckled in apology and explained.


    ¡°A Band is another term used for Horse Herd or Horse family.¡± Ezekiel explained briefly. ¡°My Father and a Shifter named Martin began a horse Farm a few years back. Now it¡¯s one of the biggest piece of farm land we¡¯ve got. With over eighty percent of the horses belonging to the Martina Clans Men who run the farm, while the other twenty percent belongs to my family, as well as a few of the best Mares and the one Stallion that is the head of that entire Band. And Crystal...is my pet.¡±


    With this being the only real option available aside from returning to the Mansion Brandon shrugged and said. ¡°Let¡¯s go cheek it out then...¡±


    After that they hung out at the farm for a few more minutes simply resting, until Ezekiel asked him if he was ready to set out and with slight trepidation Brandon followed behind him as they began their journey away from the pig Farm and out into the open fields. Traveling to the northwest.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong? Are you tired¡± Ezekiel asked over his shoulder as Brandon fell further behind, dragging his feet slightly. IT was only now....as he sensed that he and Ezekiel were getting closer to their destination that Brandon had begun to fear that he had made a bad....a terrible decision.


    ¡°I should have really said this earlier, but ...I¡¯m not good with big animals Ezekiel.¡± Brandon admitted as they continued to transverse the low grasses beyond the farm house. The warm wind stirring across the fields that he could glimpse from behind Ezekiel back, seemed to stretch on into the horizon, but Brandon guessed that the farm lands only extended a few dozen miles towards the sun, before ending.


    Brown black and white colored, tall and four legged shapes with swishing tails dotted the expanse of the farm lands, some of the horses standing so far out in the fields that Brandon could only just make out their shapes as square dots off in the green field. ¡°Most of them tend to hate me actually.¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Well, that doesn¡¯t exactly surprise me...¡± Ezekiel scoffed, as he held open the fence to the stable yard, and stepped back, he used his eyes to direct Brandon to go ahead of him. So with heavy feet Brandon walked past the rickety gate, and waited on Ezekiel as he shut the latch behind himself. ¡°You have this unfortunate habit of rubbing.....sensitive creatures the wrong way...Like my brother Lander for example.¡±


    ¡°Come on...¡± Brandon rebuffed him. ¡°He keeps starting the fights, it not just me.¡±


    ¡°Oh....and why do you think you keep getting into fights at every turn? Is it your positive, inviting attitude? Or your charming glare?¡± Ezekiel teased him, looking up from the gate with a small smirk on his face that softened words that otherwise would have seemed insulting.


    Brandon grimaced at Ezekiels gibe, and said nothing, but he knew that animals not liking him, actually had nothing to do with his attitude. Being around animals was always sketchy for him. Their energy was so easy to feel. A soft beat...or a buzz. The energy, the flame inside of him sought out these things and the animals....sensed it hunting. Sensed the monster in him reaching out to them and they often stirred clear of him.


    Its because I tend to kill everything and anything that comes near me....


    Is what Brandon wanted to say, but as always he choose to curb his true words.


    ¡°Hey, it beats me...¡± Brandon offered lamely as he brushed past the Shifter, walking along the fences inner line. ¡°But.....¡± He said, stopping at a random distance a few feet later, and dropping down into the warm grass beside a sturdy pole. ¡°I¡¯ll be staying here if it¡¯s all the same to you.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡± Ezekiel agreed with a head shake, before he moved off into the broader area of the fields. He had only a few steps, but the moment Ezekiel got more than two feet away from him, he put his fingers to his lips and let out a sharp shrill whistle.


    Brandon sat alone behind Ezekiel as the horses all around began to flock towards the Shifter.


    All colors and shapes and sizes meandered into the fields, snorting, huffing and pawing the earth as they veyed for Ezekiels attention and his space. They seemed to adore him or they thought that he had some kind of treat for him, as one by one they nuzzled, nipped, sniffed and called to him. And Ezekiel responded in kind, cooing names and patting down the smooth twitching sides and elongated snouts of each horse affectionately.


    It took Brandon a moment to sort through all of the movement and legs, but he eventually realized that there were at least fifteen horses, now prancing before him. And from what Ezekiel had told him all of the houses that he was seeing were female. The band seemed wholly uninterested in him and for the most part Brandon was simply happy to sit in the warm grass and feel the vibration of hooves in the soil.


    ¡°Hey...Brandon listen...¡± Ezekiel¡¯s voice echoed over the fence of bodies around him some time later, pulling Brandon from his thoughts and the warm grass. In the minutes that had passed since the dozen or so horses had come to visit Brandon hadn¡¯t been able to see Ezekiel or speak to him. Ezekiel called over the horses once more.


    ¡°Brandon come here...I wanna show you this....¡± But the rest of his words were drowned out as a few of the horses let out thick raspberries and neighed. A black horse even went so far as to buck and bolt off for no reason that Brandon could discern. Glancing at the black horse as it pranced away Brandon forced himself to pay attention to what Ezekiel had said.


    ¡°Ezkeiel?¡± Brandon asked and stood up. Ignoring the sharp zing that laced down his hip and leg as he put a sudden strain on the temporarily forgotten stitches. Swallowing the zing Brandon called over the space. ¡°What did you say Ezekiel, I didn¡¯t catch that?¡±


    ¡°I said, I wanna show you something....It....¡± Ezekiel tried to reply louder, but to Brandon¡¯s annoyance his words were once more drowned out by the horses buzzing around him, blowing air, swishing tails, pawing the earth and neighing.


    ¡°Say that again...! ¡± Brando called...and this time.....he didn¡¯t get a response. ¡°Whatever it is, just tell me.¡± Brandon told him, shouting slightly to make sure that he would be heard, and then he waited for a response....but Ezekiel seemed as muffled from his own side beyond the horses and once more didn¡¯t respond.


    ¡°Ezekiel?¡± Brandon called again, across the mummer of neighing and raspberry¡¯s and swishing of long tails. Unconsciously following the sound of where he had pinpointed Ezekiels voice into the huddle of mares that had surrounded him.


    But along the way Brandon made a mistake.


    He steeped to the side too fast, stumbled and had to put out his hands to stop himself from tumbling. Unfortunately his leather encased palms pressed into the side of one very large grey mare on the out skirts of the crowd.


    If horses could scream, this is what Brandon would have described the horse¡¯s voice as doing when it registered Brandon¡¯s touch against its heaving side. When its instincts told it that death was near.....that he was near.


    Like a ripple of chaos and panic all of the horses took up the call and bolted out in different directions. No bucking or kicking, just a mad dash away from the center of the crowd and out into the open.


    ¡°I...I didn¡¯t do it! I swear!¡± Brandon offered as a quick defense to suspicion that Ezekiel haven¡¯t even expressed yet. He knew that it was odd for such large and smart beasts to shy away from him in fear and for no discernable reason. And Brandon wanted divert any suspicion or anger that may have fell on him in the next few seconds.....but to his relief Ezekiel simply sat in the chaos, watching the mares disperse and then with a shake of his head he looked at Brandon and shackled.


    ¡°Uh...Wow...okay. Did that just happen because of you?¡± Ezekiel laughed as the sound of multiple retreating hooves on grass began to thin out.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything....I just stumbled into one of them....and it got scared.¡± Brandon repeated, slightly sour. ¡°But I told you Id start a stampeded if I came in here....Im no good with animals¡± Brandon offered in defense as he looked to his left and right, where deep equine eyes watched him and Ezekiel¡¯s....but Brandon knew that the fear was mostly because of him.


    The spooked mares stood scattered about the near area, snorting and pawing the grasses, eying Brandon and Ezekiel with what Brandon would have described as trepidation. ¡°So you weren¡¯t kidding were you? Animals actually run away from you....¡± Ezekiel began as he did a swift turn and glanced at the mares standing at a safe distance, about twelve feet away, before he finally turned to Brandon and smiled.


    But Ezekiel quickly seemed to pick up on how much the horse¡¯s reaction got to him and tried to make light of the situation. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s okay you know.....it¡¯s no big deal. Most horses are skittish by nature.....¡± He said and shrugged his shoulders. ¡°And I normally can¡¯t get anything done with all those mares swarming me for attention.¡± ¡°And since were burning daylight let¡¯s get to work.¡±


    ¡°More Farmers work.¡± Brandon said with a sigh. ¡°I thought you were a bad ass guardian, Ezekiel fighting crime and chasing down intruders...¡± He teased referring to himself. ¡°Is this really what you do...all he time?¡± he asked genuinely curious.


    ¡°Yes...I do farmers work all the time Brandon.¡± Ezekiel chuckled slightly then sighed and looked out over the fields. The sigh was content and serious at the same time. ¡°Its not all about being a Bad ass....but you know I¡¯d rather be doing this, then arresting Shifters or breaking up fights or worse investigating a murder.¡± Ezekiel told him softly. ¡°Just simple farmers work means to me that there is peace in our Lands and I wouldn¡¯t have it any other way.¡±


    Realizing that he may have committed a verbal blunder Brandon dropped the slum on his shoulder and stood up strait. ¡°Well I never really thought of it like that.¡± He said softly, looking out over the fields himself now. ¡°If hats the case....is there anything I can do to help. Spread more hay? Since I can¡¯t really pet the horses?¡±


    Ezekiel looked as though he appreciated the offer, but was also hesitant.


    ¡°Its just simple grunt work this time....¡± He put out with a meaningless shrug. ¡°I can honestly handle it myself if you just want to relax and catch your breath.¡± He offered, but Brandon didn¡¯t find the offer appealing.


    ¡°No, Its fine, somethings better than nothing. I need the exercise¡± He pushed and Ezekiel nodded.


    ¡°Well if you¡¯re up to it....¡± He began. ¡°How about you come over to the troughs and help me lay down some fresh water?¡± He suggested and with a slight sigh Brandon crossed his arms and looked at all of the horses littering the fields and clopping around in search of fresh grass.


    ¡°You...uh....You want me to go deeper into the fields with the horses?¡± Brandon tried to clarify without giving away how much the idea made him anxious. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea....


    ¡°Its fine they¡¯ll get used to you soon enough once we¡¯ve fed them and watered them. I promise, there¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡± Ezekiel assured him. But Brandon wasn¡¯t swayed, and he knew that his face easily reflected that. Apparently taking his hesitation for fear Ezekiels tried to coax him into agreeing.


    ¡°Come on Brandon what¡¯s to be scared of....¡± He said, gesturing to a big brown horse only a few feet away that was swallowing and sniffing the ground. ¡°They honestly wouldn¡¯t hurt a fly.¡± Ezekiel finished stepping towards the brown horse and patting its round meaty shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m not scared of anything.....I just don¡¯t want to make a mistake and start a stampede or something...¡± Brandon tried to balk, but Ezekiel stepped to his side and tapped his arm. A brush of his knuckles on his shoulder, but it could have been a hold around his wrist as well as it halted Brandon¡¯s progress.


    It was silly but the Shifters approach always made him feel overwhelmed. When he grew near...it didn¡¯t escape Brandon that he was tempted to mimic the move, to step into his space freely as Ezekiel stepped into his thoughtlessly....but it was a strange urge that he wanted to turn away and forget all together much like he still wished he could forget the day dream he had had in the shower.....but no such luck for him.


    With a small shake of his head Brandon came back out of his own head and queued into what Ezekiel had been telling him for the last five seconds.


    ¡°....Listen there won¡¯t be any stampedes....Most of the mares in this band are pretty level headed and tend to remain calm even in stormy weather or in highly stressful situation....I doubt you could stir up enough anxiety to make them stampeded, let alone gallop.¡± Ezekiel told him. ¡°Besides I¡¯m not gonna make you interact with them, you¡¯ll just be pumping the water for me into some troughs.¡±


    Well, that doesn¡¯t sound so bad....


    Brandon thought to himself.


    I helped him fill the pig troughs and that was simple enough...at least water wont smell like fresh, oily vomit and mold.....


    Brandon thought. He still didn¡¯t know how any animal could enjoy slimy vegetable peels and gruel that smelled like....


    But that was totally beside the point now. Brandon shook his head.


    These chores don¡¯t seem like they are ever going to end. I can¡¯t believe Ezekiel and his family run around all day doing this stuff on top of being Healers and Guardians in the villages...


    A tap of Ezekiels knuckle against his shoulder alerted Brandon to the fact that he haven¡¯t yet responded to Ezekiels proposal.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do that.¡± Brandon told Ezekiel first, stepping away from him slightly, then looking around, but not seeing any kind of storage device or container with a lever for him to pull. He shrugged and finally replied. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll help you pump water if I can, but what are we supposed to pump it out from exactly?¡±


    ¡°Drums...we have about twelve of them stationed against the left side of the far fences. ¡± Ezekiel responded, completely ignoring the space that Brandon had put between them. He raised his hand and pointed towards a cluster of cylindrical shapes out in the distance stationed at the far end of the thirteen dry troughs leading up to it.


    ¡°How do we get the water to the troughs?¡± Brandon asked, squinting his eyes trying to spot some kind of water line or cart.


    Ezekiel rolled his eyes to the heavens and motioned to Brandon to start walking with him.


    ¡°Stop wasting time. You don¡¯t have to worry about that part of the job, you just focus on pumping the water.....AND keeping the ladies off me.¡± Ezekiel said, with a swift wink, before he turned to the left and began to head out into the open fields, leaving Brandon to accompany him when he was ready.


    ¡°Oh Goody.¡± Brandon mumbled sarcastically as he soon up un-rooted his feet and followed Ezekiel halfway across the field and trailed behind him as they walked along the line of thirteen heavy wooden troughs that were nearly devoid of water.


    All while the few horses that still remained in the vicinity skittishly tried to inch closer to Ezekiel, but then shied away once they noticed Brandon once more.

 Chapter 61- Nightmares

    Chapter 61- Nightmares Return


    The Drums that Ezekiel had led Brandon to were seven giant cylindrical towers that climbed at least six feet into the air, covered in clean white plastic, with pipes the color of aluminum sprouting out the back of each one that then branched off past grass and soil into the earth.


    Brandon quickly guessed that the pipes led either to a river or a well deep beneath the surface.


    Ezekiel walked over to the first and closet Drum and tapped it with the palm of his hand.


    ¡°These are the Drums...¡± He explained. ¡°They are normally filled by those pipes in the back which are fed from a giant river situated to the north behind my house.


    ¡°That¡¯s nearly seven miles away from here.¡± Brandon exclaimed after thinking about what Ezekiel had told him for a quick moment.


    ¡°Yup, just about.¡± Ezekiel agreed. ¡°My family and a few of the Clans men dug the pipe trails a couple years back. But in the winter the river behind the mountain freezes and we have to hall all the water out here manually, it¡¯s grueling work. But.....not as grueling as the old pumping mechanism we installed. Hold on, I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Ezekiel grunted as he, turned, grabbed at bars in the side of the tank, raised his foot and started climbing the side of the drum, gracefully, much like he did everything else that Brandon had watched him do.


    Once Ezekiel reached the top of the drums built in ladder, he fiddled with something Brandon couldn¡¯t see because of the difference in height, but Brandon distinctly heard something clanking and rattling, before Ezekiel pulled back and climbed down the ladder holding a chain in his hand, connected to a thick lock.


    Ezekiel unceremoniously tossed the chain into the grass bedside the tank then looked at Brandon saying. ¡°Okay, so this is how these drums work.¡± He began to explain. ¡°At the top of each one of them is a thick green handle, you have to turn that handle to open the water passages, down at the bottom of the tank. And once I¡¯ve filled one trough I¡¯ll signal you to cut the water. Ill carry it back and bring a new trough....and well just do that about thirteen times.¡±


    ¡°Simple enough... ¡°Brandon began, walking past Ezekiel and standing next to the built in ladder. He looked up then back at Ezekiel. ¡°Why did you say that it was grueling work?¡±


    ¡°Well see, it¡¯s simple enough......for two people right?¡± Ezekiel began to answer him. ¡°But when there¡¯s just me, I have to climb up and then back down the drum after I fill each trough with water.¡± Ezekiel sighed.


    ¡°See, when we built them, we forgot to add stoppers at the bottom of the tanks....¡± Ezekiel said half smiling, half grimacing at the mistakes of the past. ¡°Oh well, nothing to do for it, but to stop and start the water each time I get ready to fill up troughs it can be a painfully long process.¡± Ezekiel stopped, shrugged and steeped back. ¡°Okay....Brandon, you climb up and we¡¯ll get started.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Brandon replied and without hesitation he turned to the ladder; a simple eight inch tall pole, installed into the outer wall of the drum and started to pull himself up. Instantly the tear in his side tried to protest, but Brandon pushed through the resistance and slowly started to climb the rungs.


    ¡°Hey, you know that might be easier if you took those slippery gloves off of your hands.


    ¡°Thanks....but no thanks.¡± Brandon breathed as he clambered up the fourth rung.


    ¡°You¡¯re serious about those gloves...I don¡¯t get it. ¡°Ezekiel commented, before he turned and started to walk away. ¡°All right, take it slow, and I¡¯ll be back with the first two troughs by time you make it to the top


    Brandon nodded his head, and focused on the ladder. He stumbled a few times at first as his stiches protested if he twisted the wrong way, but he was soon at the top of the Drum. The ¡°pump¡± turned out to be a circular, thick metal handle, painted a dark green that contrasted heavily with the white Drum and metal parts that it was attached to.


    The metal that the handle diapered into was unpainted and chalky with red rust, so when Brandon went to turn the handle he fully expected to meet resistance, but the handle slid like a well-oiled hinge beneath the force that he exerted.


    Brandon quickly spun the handle counter-clockwise to stop the water from flowing, then he turned his gaze out towards the fields, just in time to see Ezekiel lugging two heavy wooden troughs back towards the drum. Both troughs propped up on his shoulders.


    Brandon couldn¡¯t understand what came over him in that moment, but it was something about the way that Ezekiel moved effortlessly under their weight, the way that the mid-day sun hit him or his overall dutifulness to his horses.....but Brandon had to fight the urge to smile at him or just sigh about him.


    A reaction Brandon swiftly squelched, before Ezekiel noticed.


    But for the most part Ezekiel seemed clueless as had lowered the troughs down to the grass, then looked up and silently signaled for Brandon to turn the handle on the pump.


    Brandon complied just as Ezekiel finished setting one of the troughs beneath the Drum and in what seemed to be seconds, Ezekiel was signaling for Brandon to turn the handle and stop the pump, which he swiftly did. Once more ignoring the twinge in his side as he worked.


    Ezekiel nodded up at him, then easily slid the trough back out from beneath the trough, got down on his hunches and without a single grunt, he lifted the entire trough up into the air.


    Jezz....that thing must weigh like fifty pounds...


    Brandon thought to himself, thinking that anyone would need help transporting something so solid.


    ¡°Ezekiel, do you want me to help you?¡± Brandon found himself offering and even starting to turn from the handle, but Ezekiel sent him an easy smirk and a head shake from below.


    ¡°No, stay there. I¡¯ve got it, trust me.....you¡¯re helping plenty already. ¡°Ezekiel responded, seemingly ignoring the water soaking through the chest and belly of his shirt as it over flowed from his mostly fluid movements, then he walked a good distance away and swiftly settled the fresh trough of water back into its place. He returned a little wetter, grabbed the second trough, and slide it beneath the drum. ¡°Number two.... ¡°He said as he signaled for Brandon to turn the handle.


    Brandon followed this process for thirteen more troughs, working in companionable silence for the most part and each time Ezekiel lifted yet another water laden trough, without so much as a gasp or panting for air.....Brandon was undeniably impressed with his stamina.


    ¡°Hey....do you hear that.....¡± Ezekiel put a hand over his eyes and stared out into the north.


    ¡°Hear what?¡± Brandon asked him...slowing to a complete stop beside the Shifter.


    But Ezekiel just closed his eyes and tiled his head. Listening to only something he could hear for a long few seconds, before him finally open them again and answered Brandon¡¯s question with a giddy fist pump that made Brandon take a slight step back. ¡°Here they come!¡± Ezekiel exclaimed.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°What...¡± Brandon tried to ask him, but Ezekiel put up his hand in a motion of silence and pointed to his ear.


    ¡°Listen...you¡¯ll hear them.¡± He instructed. ¡°Lazlo the bands Stallion and Crystal the bands mare.¡± Ezekiel told him told him.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a shifter....but I¡¯ll try.¡± Curious, Brandon tilted his head and concentrated and then he heard it easily.


    Pounding


    One....two sets of hooves.....and even more behind that...


    Brandon thought to himself, and just as he opened his eyes, a group of large horses galloped across the rise of the hill a mile to the north. Brandon counted eight in all, but leading the charge was only two.


    They were huge....it didn¡¯t take Brandon long to realize that, even from the distance that separated him that the horses that were approaching were breathtakingly beautiful...and obviously dwarfed all of the other horses with them. One of the horses was as white as an egg, with light yellow hair, while the other house was pitch black with hair to match.


    The pair was at odds in color and in size where the egg white horse was a tall white graceful looking muscle, the black horse was a mountain of power and girth, with curtains of hair that danced around his heavy hoofs, neck and tail.


    It took another three minutes for the small group of horses to reach them and when they did the group of horses still standing about in the clearing and the new horses melted seamlessly into on large group, and instantly the two large horses that had lead the charge made their progress out of the group and strait to Ezekiel¡¯s side.


    With a motion for Brandon to follow Ezekiel made his way over to the pair and without any hesitation he threw his arms around the black¡¯s ones neck and laughed all while saying. ¡°Brandon say hello to Lazlo!¡± Ezekiel introduced, before giving the mighty horses mane a viperous scrubbing that it seemed to enjoy, despite the roughness of the act. ¡°Lazlo is the only male, the Stallion of our Clans Ranch and the protector of all of these fine mares you see.¡± Ezekiel explained.


    Then Ezekiel pulled back and went to the white one and unlike the black horse Lazlo he went to the side of the white horse and gently laid his head on her side, his blue eyes closed for a second then opened and with a smile he looked at Brandon and said. ¡°And this the other half of my heart....Crystal. She¡¯s my baby....I¡¯ve been raising her for the last few years, and aside from Lazlo she¡¯s sort of like boss around here.¡±


    Brandon saw the dopey joy on Ezekiel¡¯s face as he caressed the mare Crystal and instantly felt warm for him. Brandon had never had a pet, or any possessions of his own, nothing to put his emotions or care into but it was obvious that, with various things, Ezekiel was dedicated and put his heart into what he cared about.


    From his family, to his job...and now to his pet. Crystal reciprocated, snuffling and sniffing at him. She was graceful, a mountain of white and beyond that she had a belly engorged so heavily that Brandon actually felt uncomfortable looking at it.


    ¡°She¡¯s...so big and is she pregnant? ¡± Was the first thing he managed to blurt out, even though his thoughts had been to say something nice?¡±


    Like a proud papa, Ezekiel put his head on Crystal¡¯s wide side again, but this time he kept his eyes on Brandon as he said. ¡°Yeah she¡¯s big...She¡¯s actually the biggest and strongest mare in this whole band. She¡¯s got old Lazlo¡¯s nose wide open too. They are sort of like the alphas, and he tends to breed with her more too. This will be Crystals third rearing.¡± Ezekiel reported answering Brandon¡¯s question at the same time.


    ¡°So those will be Lazlo¡¯s babies too?¡± Brandon asked and when Ezekiel nodded he said. ¡°I¡¯ve never been around a horse, so do all the mares¡¯ expand like that when they are pregnant?¡± Brandon himself inquiring. The gait of the mare and the weight on her stomach seemed uncomfortable to Brandon, but the female bore it without missing one graceful step. She easily made a beeline for Ezekiel.


    ¡°Nope, this is a special case right here....were thinking twins. She¡¯s also real close to it too. Ready to pop any day now.¡± He said and Brandon found himself surprised, and once more looking at the white horses belly he proposed a new question.


    ¡°Well, is that....normal for a horse?¡± Brandon asked him as he looked over the beautiful mare and the girth of her belly. ¡°Having twins I mean...¡±


    ¡°No....¡± Ezekiel answered him readily even as he gave the horse his attentions. ¡°In fact most horses only carry one fawn at a time, but I¡¯ve been keeping a close eye on her and so has Lazlo....haven¡¯t you boy?¡± The large coal colored stallion seemed to bask in Ezekiels praise. Pressing his head against Ezekiels shoulder.


    Ezekiel rubbed a hand down Lazlo¡¯s dark muzzle affectionately, before turning back to Crystal and scratching his fingers through her heavy vanilla colored mane. He said ¡°Lazlo follows her everywhere, more so then he followed any of the other mares in the band when they got pregnant.¡± Ezekiel reported, looking slightly serious as he said so. Catching his tone Brandon commented.


    ¡°Well, You don¡¯t sound very happy about that.¡± Brandon said, watching Ezekiel slowly and efficiently, run his hands down all for of Crystal¡¯s majestic legs, before raising her hooves and shortly inspecting the metal shoes on the bottom of each hoof.


    Ezekiel studied her feet in silence before straitening up, and steeping away from her towards Brandon. ¡°It just sort of worries me....like maybe Lazlo senses something that I can¡¯t....but Crystal is a strong girl...I sure she¡¯ll get those fawns to term without a hitch.¡±


    He said with a stich of pride. ¡°I actually brought Crystal from a mortal....and when I got her she was nothing but skin and bones, by all rights she should have died....¡± Ezekiel recounted, and with a critical eyes Brandon looked at the round, rip, beautiful female before him. He couldn¡¯t believe that she had once been abused in such a way.


    ¡°So you saved her....is that why your so protective?¡± Brandon asked.


    ¡°I guess.¡± Ezekiel shrugged. ¡°But It took a lot of work to keep her alive and even more work to keep her healthy. We worked together and eventually I got her weight up and she¡¯s been on this farm for the last three years, with Lazlo.¡± Ezekiel lowered his voice as if to whisper a secret. ¡°Dont tell Lazlo, but she¡¯s kind of the love of my life.¡± Ezekiel chuckled. Brandon grimaced, but also smiled.


    And almost as though she sensed what Ezekiel was talking about Crystal walked up behind him and started to nip at Ezekiels hair.


    With a light chuckle he turned and gave her his attention, and Brandon decided to let him concentrate on his work for the moment.


    Brandon watched Ezekiel and the area for a moment, listening to the steady rip and snip of grass being torn up by the horses all around. He held himself still, keeping constant check on the flame that burn inside, constantly denying its hunger then suddenly it was like Lazlo noticed Brandon¡¯s presence.


    The large mountain of a house bobbed its heavy head up and down, up and down, then pawed the earth. Then, and to Brandon¡¯s internal shock the large Stallion began to approach him. With baited breath Brandon put out his hand and steeped forward....and just for one seconds. One split second Brandon glanced up, past the large stallions black shoulder and what he saw, what he thought he saw made everything inside of him unravel.


    For a split second the flame roared, the lock was smashed, the hunger was free, the power was pouring out.....until Brandon blinked in the next second and with what little control he still held he pulled the flame back in. He slapped down the voracious hunger and beat back the lock into place.....but all in those split seconds the damage had been done. ¡°Brandon!¡± Ezekiel screamed and had been screaming. ¡°Move!¡±


    Move?


    Brandon asked himself confused, until he blinked again and realized that there was a black mountain of legs and hoof coming right at him.


    Brandon fell back with a shout of surprise, moving just fast enough to doge a heavy black hove to the cheek, but still getting a bump over his eye that stung and slammed him on to his rear end.


    And just as Brandon fell to the ground Lazlo reared up and stomped the earth inches from his left leg, with enough force and anger to have broken Brandon leg apart, but luckily Lazlo seemed to have had enough of Brandon¡¯s presence, enough of the energy only a pure animal would know instinctively to despise.


    And with a heavy raspberry of air Lazlo turned and galloped off, starting a grand stampede of equine bodies that kicked up clumps of grass and earth in their haste to follow the angry stallion out into the open fields and away from Brandon and Ezekiel.


    Ezekiel called his name and tried to rush over, but he was held up by the stampede, and Brandon wasn¡¯t too aware of him. His eyes remained glued on the far forest line....on what had almost killed him. On what had nearly gotten every living thing in that field killed.


    Eyes...claws....brown skin moving among the brown bark. Blending in. So much so that Brandon believed he was going mad for a moment. He saw the tree....breathing....shifting. He saw it. Did he see it?


    Brandon stumbled back. He physically felt all of the blood drain from his face. He didn¡¯t want to see it!


    Then Brandon felt eyes on him. Suddenly something squeezed his arm from behind. Brandon screamed and jumped and tried to pull away until he realized that he was running away from Ezekiel. Not taking the time to explain himself Brandon glanced out into the distance again searching desperately for a shift in the grass, a flash of teeth.


    A hint that the nightmare was about to begin....but just that fast everything was gone. Leaving Brandon to fear that he was jumping at shadows....and leaving him with an angry and anxious Guardian that swiftly packed Brandon up and marched him back to the mansion to get the large bump developing over Brandon¡¯s temple left checked. But before Brandon retired that night he spent hours double and triple checking the lock on his inner flame.


    Making sure that it was hidden deep inside where it couldn¡¯t feed, or call out, that nothing could find him. Brandon spent hours reassuring himself that he still had time to get back on the road.

 Chapter 62 - Tending The Band

    Chapter 62- Tending To The Band


    The next three days they returned to the horse farm. It seemed to Brandon that tending the Band of horses was Ezekiel main concern that week, and he guessed that it was because Crystal seemed just about ready to pop.


    The routine that the two of them were developing was far too easy for Brandon to feel comfortable with and he was quickly frustrated to find that he actually liked the long patrols to the Farm.


    The time spent out of the room gave him a chance to get out of his own head....and Ezekiel¡¯s presence wasn¡¯t wholly ignored in this. When they hung out....there seemed to be a lot unspoken, but what that was Brandon didn¡¯t exactly want to focus on....and for the most part Ezekiel seemed to feel the same. They got along well, and there was plenty of work to be done with the horses each day. So Brandon didn¡¯t have much to dwell on what was or wasn¡¯t being said.....or done.....desired or secretly dreamed about. And he liked it that way.


    Most of their time on the farm was a quiet few hours spent in the company of the Leopard Clans charming mares and handsome black stallion. Or traveling in the open, the smell of pine, grass and hay all around him. The empty blue sky above him and the slow passing of the seconds. He was surrounded by horses or in truth he was surrounded by only about three mares each day. The few who had come to accept his presence among their troupe. While the rest gave their unyielding love to Ezekiel.


    During their visits Ezekiel stood among a crowd of mares as he tended to Lazlo and his pregnant mare Crystal. The horses formed a wall about him nearly blocking him from Brandon¡¯s sight every few minutes. They brushed against him, sniffed and nipped at Ezekiels clothes and hair begging for his attention. Brandon tried to ignore him. But every time Ezekiel¡¯s laugh floated over to him or his voice echoed as he talked softly to each of the mares Brandon had to look his way.


    ¡°Hey Sandy.¡±


    ¡°Good girl Trina.¡±


    ¡°Come here April. Look at that silky tail!¡±


    ¡°Oh wow Crystal...look at you sweetheart.¡±


    Brandon watched him softly caress the mares bulging belly. The wide smile that came over him and the clear care that he took with the mare¡¯s stomach drew Brandon¡¯s gaze against his will. A small shiver danced down Brandons spin as he recalled having Ezekiel¡¯s warm gentle hands skinning along his chest, caressing old scars, sharing affection in a way Brandon hadn¡¯t known before...


    It was maddening...but the view overall wasn¡¯t totally without its perks. Most of the time he caught himself.....just looking at the Guardian.


    The Shifter was sinfully attractive. He always was, but Brandon felt the pull to look at him most when they were alone and when the Shifter smiled so carelessly and kindly as he worked. Standing in his plaid sleeveless shirt with low riding jeans and boots in the sunlight that turned his blue eyes into glassy jewels it was a losing battle where Brandon only ended up hating himself for his own responses.


    He had self-control....Brandon knew he couldn¡¯t have made it so far without some control over his thoughts and will, but where on earth had it gone? With Ezekiel he seemed to have no bounds....and no clue if it was as obvious to the rest of the world. Brandon prayed that it wasn¡¯t.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Ezekiel called when a black horse bucked against a pair of mares that suddenly tried to muzzle in past Crystal to get at Ezekiel. The sudden sound caused a few of the more skittish beasts to scatter.


    Suddenly Lazlo lifted his head from the patch of earth he had nearly chewed bare in the last hour. His black heavy front hoof lifted and pounded into the grass and soil, sounding like the thump of a log. Brandon noticed that the large stallion tended to hover even more about his mare Crystal then before. Lazlo never seed to be away from her side.


    Brandon knew that Ezekiel took this to mean that Crystal was in fact getting close to her due date. Lazlo pounded the earth a little harder, then walked away from his patch to stand in a lateral position in front of Ezekiel. It was clear form his still pose and the swish of his tail....that he expected to be next.


    Surprising an eye roll at the equines bold behavior Ezekiel smiled. ¡°¡±All right Lazlo...your next big fella.¡± He said and without further adu Ezekiel got to work on his twentieth horse of the day.


    Inevitably Ezekiel caught Brandon looking at him before he could completely look away.


    ¡°Hey Brandon...come over here and help me.¡± Ezkeiel offered softly holding Brandons gaze. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be my body guard....come and guard me....¡±


    Unwilling to refuse and intrigued y the offer Brandon walked over.


    ¡°Let me brush him for you.¡± Brandon said suddenly, as his need to redeem himself with the elegant steed bit him in the back unexpectedly.


    ¡°Really!?¡± Ezekiel exclaimed slightly, stepping to the side of Lazlo¡¯s head, a look of surprise on his face. ¡°But...¡± Suddenly Ezekiel¡¯s next words were interrupted as Lazlo shoved his huge black head into Ezekiel¡¯s chest. And with a grunt Ezekiel cooed and reciprocated his affection with a soft embrace of the stallion¡¯s large head and a pat on the neck.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Brandon¡¯s envy of Ezekiel grew slightly. There was very little that Brandon was good at...but Ezekiel, who looked no older then him, seemed to do just about everything well or with a flair of ease. It wasn¡¯t jealousy....it was a feeling of inadequacy. Brandon was already a waste of life....he didn¡¯t want to be a burden as well. Never that.


    Brandon felt that if he was out in the field he had to....he wanted to help, but seeing as he and Ezekiels were using most of their time monitoring Crystal¡¯s progress there was nothing to do but interact with the horses....and since the incident with Lazlo Ezekiels didn¡¯t let Brandon do much but watch the hours melt away, while he did all the brushing and hoof checking...and de-ticking.


    After he released the Stallions head Ezekiel looked at him again, this time with less surprise. ¡°¡±Are you sure?¡± He asked him. ¡°You and Lazlo didn¡¯t exactly get along so well the other day.¡± Ezekiel pointed out.


    Brandon remembered the heavy hove passing inches above his temple, nearly knocking him senseless...but that had been his own fault. A lack of control. Today, no twig in the forest was going to make him look like a fool and in not so many words he told Ezekiel so as well. ¡°Come on Blue boy...you¡¯re the one that pushed me to try and get on with these horses....now are you going to give me a chance or not?¡±


    ¡°Alright fine...., but if you call me Blue boy again were going to fight.¡± Ezekiel sighed, steeping back from Lazlo slightly. ¡°Come on....were waiting.¡± Ezekiel said and without another word he held out the brush in his hand for Brandon to take. And after walking over Brandon lifted the brush, and with a flourish Ezekiel moved back and motioned for him to brush Lazlo¡¯s side.


    Determined Brandon began, starting from the belly, he pushed the brush up to Lazlo¡¯s spine. But as Brandon changed direction and ran the brush across the stallions flank, its skin and muscle twitched beneath his stroke. Brandon nervously raised his hand and ran it across the big expanse of heavy skin.


    Lazlo nickered and stomped the ground in clear agitation with his techniques.


    ¡°Hey....hey....be nice.¡± Brandon said, wagging the brush in his hand at the big black mountain of muscle. Which only made the black stallion paw the floor harder and blow air through its dark lips in response. Brandon was ready to give up, in fear of starting another stampeded or worse and attack, but at that moment Ezekiel laughed behind him.


    ¡°I cant watch this anymore...¡± He teased, and Brandon could hear his voice coming closer.


    In frustration Brandon dropped his hand out, palm up, offering the brush that he was sure Ezekiel was about to take from him. ¡°I don¡¯t know what Im doing wrong....¡± He began with a sigh, then a slight yelp, when Ezekiel¡¯s grabbed his hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s the way that you¡¯re touching him..¡± Ezkeiel softly reprimanded.


    Ezekiel came behind him boxing him in beside the horse¡¯s side. Without any hesitation as though he had done it a thousand times, he pushed up against Brandon¡¯s back as he wrapped his arms around and laid them over top Brandon¡¯s.


    Urging Brandon to raise his arms and the brush, Ezekiel then slowly guided Brandon¡¯s strokes with the brush. The feeling of his touch escaped Brandon as his gloves and clothing blocked that, but the weight and heat of another body, over him and behind him didn¡¯t escape him at all.


    ¡°Like this....¡± Ezekiel started to say as he placed Brandon¡¯s hand and the brush down on the Stallions warm side. ¡°You have to move with the grain of the hair. From top...¡± He said, his voice serious, but still slightly on the side of teasing as he pulled up Brandon¡¯s arm to the top of Lazlo¡¯s spin, then slowly helped him guide it back down the horses heaving side. ¡°To bottom so it wont hurt...¡± He finished, then he picked Brandon¡¯s hand up in his own and sat it on the next part of Lazlo¡¯s body.


    The feeling of his muscles moving against Brandon¡¯s back, his heat soaking through the clothing. Brandon actually felt himself leaning back into him slightly....and Ezekiel steeping in closer. The strokes that they performed on Lazlo¡¯s back and sides slowed....then stopped altogether. And still they remained with their arms on Lazlo¡¯s lower side, Ezekiels arms and chest encasing Brandon in that space, holding him slightly.


    And as both of them became more and more aware of the heat of each other¡¯s bodies, the harder it became for Brandon to focus on anything else. Suddenly there was nothing between them, but their breath. Brandon closed his eyes as Ezekiels heat registered on the side of his neck, then beside his ear. Against his better judgement Brandon let the tension leave his body and felt himself melt into the Shifters broad chest, it felt good there, safe.


    ¡°Hey...Brandon can I ask you something?¡± Ezekiel suddenly asked. A rumbling growl brushed against his cheek and Brandon flinched. He felt the brush drop out of his hand...warm lips tickled the pulse behind his ear..making a shower of tingles cascade over his spine.


    And that¡¯s when one of the mares made a weak, painful sounding whinny from within the group. It was Crystal.


    Both Brandon and Ezekiel turned from Lazlo....who himself let out an angry raspberry and pranced away towards his mare. Ezekiel hesitated, then he released Brandon¡¯s hands and stepped back and without a word he followed Lazlo to Crystal¡¯s side. Leaving Brandon feeling both lost and slightly embarrassed, but as Crystal made another sound of distress Brandon swallowed his momentary emotions and quickly made his way to Ezekiel. As he approached he saw Ezekiel run a hand down Crystals graceful muzzle, and then drop down to look beneath her belly.


    As Brandon¡¯s stepped closer, Ezekiel¡¯s popped back up and he was smiling like a loon, his canines just a bit too sharp. ¡°Its happening! Her water just broke!¡± He exclaimed. ¡°The twins are coming!¡±


    Totally on the opposite spectrum of joy Brandon felt a slight apprehension grip him. ¡°Now! Why!?¡± he asked looking at Crystal in surprise and just a hint of fear. He had never been around anything as....frightening as a birth. Human or animal....he didn¡¯t know anything about the process or what was about to happen.


    ¡°What are we going to do!? Do we do anything at all!?¡± Brandon asked him, feeling a slight shiver of panic when Crystal let out another cry, this one more pained and anxious then the one before. He head bobbed up and down and her slight pawing at the earth made the other mare and Lazlo dance about in uncertainty.


    But on his end Ezekiel seemed as cool as a cucumber, he put a hand under Crystal¡¯s large belly and felt around a few seconds before pulling back and replying to Brandon¡¯s questions. ¡°First things first.....¡± He began, grabbing a crop full of Crystal¡¯s hair and softly patting and shooing the mares out of his way.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got to get Crystal into a separate pin, so she can have the fawns somewhere secluded, with lots of clean hay and a little less....crowded.¡± he began, leading Crystal to the right, and Brandon followed a few steps behind.


    Ezekiel stopped only once to grab up a coiled rope and some towels, which he slung over his shoulder, then he continued giving Brandon a reassuring smile as they walked. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, once she¡¯s settled in, we won¡¯t have to do much, and if we¡¯re lucky those fawns will be out in no time....¡±

 Chapter 63- Complications

    Chapter 63 ¨C Complications


    I wanted to scream


    I wanted to Run


    I wanted to pull


    I felt so numb


    There was no need, no desire, no want,


    Until you kissed me...and that just spun me further down...


    -CrimsonPetals


    Half an hour later Ezekiel was shaking his head.


    ¡°Dammit, I knew this was going to happen!¡± He growled, a flash of bright light chasing its way through his eyes as he looked at Brandon then back at Crystal. The first fawn was born nearly within three minutes of Ezekiel placing Crystal in a pin full of warm clean hay...it was a small female with dark black eyes and a chocolate brown coat, but after that fawn (that Ezekiel decided to name mahogany) nothing else was forth coming.


    After fifteen minutes Brandon had watched Ezekiel hop into the pin and like an expert he had reached into Crystals body and tried to help the mare push out the second fawn that he said he could feel inside of her....but nearly another eight minutes had passed and all Ezekiel seemed to have to show for his efforts was a shirt covered in birthing blood.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t good.....it¡¯s stuck.¡± Ezekiel hissed standing next to Brandon, turning to the coiled up rope that he had laid over the post nearly an hour ago, as though he was already prepared for something like this to happen.


    ¡°What? How can you tell?¡± Brandon asked Ezekiels as he watched him uncurl one end of the rope and deftly tie a noose in it. Before he dropped the whole thing back over the fence and started to answer Brandon as he dashed what blood he could off of his hands on his jeans.


    ¡°It¡¯s been too long and only the tips of the baby¡¯s legs are showing. And no matter how hard I pull it¡¯s not enough....¡± Ezekiel explained ¡°To make matters worse, Crystals heart rate...her breathing. It¡¯s all getting weak....and so is the baby¡¯s.¡± Ezekiels stopped whipping his hands on his pants then and took up the rope off the fence and reached out. ¡°Here... ¡°He said trying to hand the un-noosed side to Brandon. ¡± Help me. I need leverage.¡±


    ¡°Wait...me? No! I don¡¯t know how....¡± Brandon tried to balk and dodge the rope, feeling like the wrong person for the job, but Ezekiel didn¡¯t let him escape, he grabbed up Brandon¡¯s hand and put the rope in it and softly closed Brandon¡¯s finger around it, giving him no choice but to hold it, or argue, as Ezekiel took up the other end and began walk towards Crystal. Cooing encouragement and soothing words and dancing about the dazed and en-labored mare Ezekiel finally managed to slip a noose over the two, bloody, and nearly twig like legs and small hooves protruding from her rear end.


    ¡°Just pull on the rope.¡± Ezekiel said, walking half way back to demonstrate, before he pulled his own end of the rope taunt. ¡°We¡¯re going to help her push. You wait for my signal.¡± Ezekiel grunted and with nothing else to be said....Brandon pulled on his end of the rope, until it grew taunt and strict in his hands.....then he waited. It seemed like hours, before Ezekiel would finally hiss and shout.


    ¡°OK! Pull!¡± And Brandon did. He found very little purchase in the hay, but he dug in and did as best he could until with a frustrated sigh Ezekiel said. ¡°Stop.....give her some slack...¡± he tugged on the rope and as directed Brandon loosened his hold slightly.


    Crystal blew a heavy and exhausted sounding raspberry, Brandon didn¡¯t want to see the blood running down her back legs or the still and unmoving legs protruding from behind her tail. The large female panted, sides and ribs blowing up and down, he could tell how uncomfortable she was and he wondered how long she would have the strength to keep on her feet.


    Suddenly Crystal knicker¡¯d and grew still, looking like she was straining or pushing to Brandon and it was at that moment that Ezekiel said. ¡°Once more! Pull!¡±


    Brandon and Ezekiel strained and were soon rewarded with the give of rope and a splash of red.


    The fawn it the hay like a sack of potatoes. Its head and body flopping like jelly and settling in an eerily silent pile of long limbs and gushy blood and fluids. With a sigh of triumph Ezekiel dropped the rope and jogged over to the fawns still body in the hay. Brandon followed slowly, cautiously. Anxious to check on the baby....but also cautions of what he knew slept inside of him. Of what he also felt burring to life, hunting....watching. Reaching.


    Brandon kept his distance, a few steps to the right of Ezekiel as he dropped into the hay and started to check the fawn over. At first Brandon thought it was dead, then Ezekiel turned and looked at him, a slight hopeful smile on his face as he raised his forearm and dashed the sweat from his brow. ¡°Its heart beat is thread-dy, I can hear it starting to fade....But if I can just get it to breath!¡± And what followed after that was a tense six minutes of pumping and rubbing as Ezekiel pulled out all of the stops to get the slightly twitching body in the hay to respond. To breath....to live. Until he finally...just gave up.


    Still and lifeless looking the fawn sat in front of him and with a curse Ezekiel let it be.


    Ezekiel shook his head looking so disappointed that it actually effected Brandon, who was also feeling just a little devastated. Especially since Brandon could sense the life still simmering there. He could feel it like a small birds wings beating or a flash of light across his mind. The Fawn....its energy.....it was still alive.


    And Brandon wanted it. He damn near could taste it. The Flame was always hungry. Always hunting. It reached. It knew. It told him to take it....but with disgust Brandon slapped its voice down. It was hard....nearly impossible to turn from the lure, the supple feast of life,. The flames will was so wild and heavy that it nearly choked him.....but Brandon did it and with the clarity that came after he pushed down the urges.... Brandon thought to possibly urge Ezekiel to save to baby....before Brandon killed it himself.


    ¡°Um....Try....Try it again....¡± Brandon began. Unable to stay back anymore he kneeled into the hay next to the bloody fawn and Shifter, ignoring the warm red liquid in the hay as it got on his jeans. And also choosing to ignore the myriad smells of the after birth and blood around them.


    ¡°What? Why....¡± Ezekiel turned slightly hard eyes on him, Brandon could tell that the loss of Crystals calf hurt him, but after a moment the look had softened and Ezekiel smiled sadly. ¡°Brandon he¡¯s gone already. It¡¯s normal to lose one every now and then. ¡±


    ¡°Well, mister optimist...¡± Brandon began grabbing his bloody hands with his gloved ones. He guided then back over the Calves small and still warm body. ¡°It won¡¯t hurt you to try it again.....So just try again.¡± He told his quietly pulling back his hands and leaving Ezekiels palms behind on the small still shape in front of them.


    And Ezekiel did. For another three minutes he worked...but on Brandon¡¯s side....his mind was miles away from his body. In his mind.....in his soul....the flame was awake once more. Grasping, reaching, and pulling for control. Hungry. It sensed all of the life about Brandon....especially the small, broken life that laid beneath Ezekiel¡¯s hands.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    A shift in the air about the Fawns body unseen by his eyes, but felt like a pop in Brandon¡¯s mind and deep in his chest alerted him to the fact that the fawn was still alive, but only just alive. It wasn¡¯t breathing, it heart wasn¡¯t pumping, but Brandon sensed the energy there....the potential for life. Like a singular spark to his entire core. The power inside of him shifted up reaching for the energy trying to take it. But rather than let the flame devour it Brandon pushed it down under layers of his own will. And when Ezekiel sighed and suddenly pulled back Brandon didn¡¯t let him move far. He pushed Ezekiel¡¯s hands back down onto the calves¡¯ squishy slick skin, just over is ribs and locked gazes with him.


    ¡°Brandon...¡± Ezekiel said, starting to shake his head.


    Brandon talked over him. ¡°Just...do it harder. One more time....¡± He said. Brandon felt compelled to urge him. He had to urge Ezekiel to keep going....or the flame inside was going to have its fill.


    Ezekiel eyed Brandon sharply, shook his head, and taking his words to heart he turned and slammed his fist into the calves¡¯ chest once....twice....and unknown to him Brandon could sense the energy jolt back inside of the fawns small body, like a zing of electricity. And suddenly the fawn was up beneath Ezekiels hands, crying its life to the world.


    Brandon and Ezekiel both jumped back in surprise then were quickly overcome with first stunned surprised then laughter. They both climbed to their feet completely uncaring of the warm blood on both of their pants and hands.


    Brandon watched Ezekiel watch the fawn. Like a bird taking flight for the first time the little brown and liquid covered fowl climbed up on its wobbly legs and made its way to its mother laying in the blocked pin beside them.


    ¡°Yes!!¡± Ezekiel ¡°We did it! WE did it. They all pulled through!!¡± he nearly hissed. Bright blue eyes glowing ever so slightly in excitement he stepped up to Brandon.


    And embraced him, with the thoughtless joy of a child written all over his face. Once more forgetting that Brandon hated to be touched, but in that moment Brandon couldn¡¯t fault him. He actually even managed a smile of his own. But Brandon wasn¡¯t entirely sure if he was happy about the successful birth or....if he was smiling because Ezekiels embrace was warmer than the sunlight.


    The elation he was feeling must have gone to his head because suddenly Brandon was being pushed back slightly and Ezekiel was talking to him. ¡°You were amazing....If Crystal hadn¡¯t made it I would have been crushed. Oh God thank you for all your help!¡± He said and before Brandon could get in a word edge wise he put his hands on Brandon¡¯s cheeks and placed a kiss to his forehead.


    Thoughtless, but quick and soft, the kiss was more of a peck that Brandon hardly minded....but then Ezekiels fingertips slid underneath Brandon¡¯s chin like silk, tilting his head.


    Shocked Brandon looked up at him, but this proved the wrong move because Ezekiel was looking down. And suddenly their lips were a breath away from each other¡¯s. The warmth of his breath...the brush of his lips as the Shifter came close but didnt claim him....it was like a spark.


    It was far too easy for Brandon to want him....and that was astounding. But what astounded Brandon even more then the intent in his powerful blue eyes was the fact that Brandon didn¡¯t move away from the charged moment.


    Instead Brandon felt unable to break away. Foolishly he even leaned in, their eyes connected, matching embers burning to life.


    Brandon¡¯s body and heart were swimming with emotions and other things he couldn¡¯t describe, but perhaps by fates design it wasn¡¯t meant to be.


    Without warning Ezekiel screamed and pulled back. Nearly stumbling to his knees, he turned his back on Brandon and shouted into the air.


    ¡°Ow!!¡± Ezekiel exclaimed in surprise and with what also sounded like pain.


    ¡°Shit!!...You bastered!¡± Ezekiel growled looking distressed, he put his palms to his temples and squeezed his head between them. ¡°Get the fuck out of my head!!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong!?...Who are you talking too?¡± Brandon tried to ask the distressed Shifter, but Ezekiel wasn¡¯t even responding to him, he stood apart, with on hand now at his head, wincing in obvious pain and speaking to thin air.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you have to say!¡± Ezekiel continued to converse with the unseen. ¡°I¡¯ve told you not to invade my mind like that....Why? Well, because it fucking hurts!!!¡± Ezekiel snarled, with a small roll of his eyes.


    Brandon would have thought the Shifter was playing some game, but for the fact that every other sentence that Ezekiel muttered sounded like the answer to another person¡¯s words. And from what Ezekiel was saying Brandon suspected that he believed he was speaking to his brother Lander...in his head.


    Brandon wasn¡¯t skeptical or disturbed by the thought that the two shifter were communicating by thought, and of course Brandon remembered talking to Ezekiel about his family¡¯s....abilities, but it was one thing to talk about something like supernatural gifts and another thing entirely for Brandon to witness it. For one....it was terribly confusing. So for the moment Brandon just watched Ezekiel speak to the wind as though his brother were within inches of him....and not in another village, on the other side of the Leopard Clans expansive homeland.


    ¡°OW!! Lander I¡¯m warning you, get the hell out of my head....!¡± Ezekiel began, putting a hand to the side of his head and wincing in pain. Then he stopped, his eyes widening in shock. ¡°Wait, what you say!? WAIT!!! What did you say? Billy has gone missing? What happened to him?¡±


    Gone missing?


    Brandon thought to himself, trying to follow the nonexistent conversation between Ezekiel and his sibling. He found himself trying to catch the Shifters gaze, but Ezekiel waved him off and put a second hand to his head as though the pain got more pronounced the longer he and his brother spoke.


    ¡°Okay... I get it!¡± Ezekiel said, then stopped and gestured in the air, throwing his head back in frustration a moment later. ¡°I said OK! I¡¯m on my way back to the house Lander. Just wait for me.¡± And with that Ezekiel seemed to end the conversation.


    A good twelve seconds of silence and the simple clop of hooves in the distance was all that Brandon could hear as Ezekiel stood a few feet away from him, with his head in his hands, massaging his temples as though he had a massive headache. Finally and with a deep sigh Ezekiel seemed to uncurl from his pain and glancing back at Brandon he dropped his hands and said. ¡°Sorry, when Lander does that....it¡¯s like having cold nails jammed into my forehead. ¡± Ezekiel said then he cleared his throat and glanced out on Crystal and her new fawns.


    Each of the babies were suckling hungrily and Crystal seemed to have recovered from her ordeal with grace and speed. She stood on strong legs, nipping and licking at the fawns doing her best to clean them.


    With a hiss Ezekiel sighed said. ¡°Well it...looks like Crystals going to be fine....¡± Ezekiel began shifting his head about so that he could get a good long look at her and her calf. Then seeming satisfied, he reached out towards Brandon, perhaps just to take his hand but Brandon wasn¡¯t taking that chance. So with a slight stumble he moved back from his grasp.


    ¡°Brandon....¡± Ezekiel began with a slight note of confusion and taking a step to follow him, but between that step and the next he seemed to understand exactly why Brandon was trying to keep away.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry....¡± Ezekiel said, and dropped his hand.


    Brandon shook his head and steeped further away. He couldn¡¯t figure out if the Guardian was apologizing for trying to kiss him....or for not trying to do it anymore. But Ezekiel didn¡¯t give him much time to ruminate on which one it was before he was speaking again. ¡± Come with me? It¡¯s an emergency. We¡¯ve got to go...now.¡± Ezekiel informed him with a slight air of urgency, and motioned for him to come closer so they could speak.


    Realizing the weight of what he was saying, Brandon tried to move past the awkward pause between them. He slowly stepped back into Ezekiels space ¡°What emergency?¡± Brandon asked him. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s been an incident in one of the villages...we have hunting to do.¡± Ezekiel growled and Brandon saw his pupils grow long and narrow so that Brandon was sure that he speaking to something else instead of Ezekiel. Something with teeth and claws. Ezekiel turned without elaborating and started walking towards the gate.


    As Brandon steeped past him and waited on Ezekiel to lock the gate he grew anxious in the heavy....angry silence. So he asked. ¡°Well, um what happened? I heard you say that someone was ¡°Missing¡±?


    ¡°Someone has gone missing. One of the locals in the Villages, a Shifter by the name of Billy. He¡¯s disappeared and as of this morning he¡¯s been gone for days, we¡¯ve got to find him or find out what happened to him.¡± Ezekiel reported heavily, before glancing down at his blood stained hands and clothing.


    ¡°Come on...¡± He sighed. ¡°Were putting together the Guardians and going out to search....But before that, I¡¯ve got to get you home and switch my clothes.¡±


    Brandon pretended not to feel strange when Ezekiel grabbed his hand and ushered him out of the pin, but he did, because he was still partially waiting on something that he had no right even thinking about. Something he had no right to engage in. Something like a kiss.


    Shit...what am I doing!?


    Brandon cursed himself for his actions and snatched his hand out of Ezekiel¡¯s grasp as they went along. Ezekiel released him willingly and without comment and with a hurried pace they began the journey back towards the mansion in hurried silence

 Chapter 64 - Billy

    Chapter 64- Billy


    After showering, Ezekiel separated from Brandon and met up with his father and brothers in the field.


    Having personally decided to leave Erin and Drin out of the search party Ezekiel and his brothers and their father Mantilo made the slow journey out to the home that Billy, a small time bee keeper in the eastern village had kept with his only daughter Beth....before as the reports indicated form his father¡¯s sources and from Billy¡¯s own daughter Beth; Billy suddently vanished into thin air.


    Ezekiel and his brothers traveled in apprehensive uncertainty that translated into silence. There had been very few missing people¡¯s events in their time as Guardians. In the last seven years there had been about twelve Clans men who had gone missing. Of that twelve five of the Shifters had come to unfortunate fates, Six had simply been misunderstandings and One case had been the work of hunters. The moon danced up into the night, kicking the sun out of its perch, before Ezekiel, his father and his brothers finally came upon their destination. The soft wisp of grass crackling in the groups wake and the shutter of pine trees in the far reaches of the night accompanied by the call of bugs was all that could be heard.


    Ezekiel found that he hoped that the situation with Billy turned out to be nothing more than a misunderstanding as well, but as they came upon the shambled wreck of broken glass and shattered bee hives that was Billy¡¯s home....his gut sunk in utter dejection.


    ¡°What the fuck...?¡± Lander none so eloquently spoke out, what was one every one of the brother¡¯s minds as they happened upon the clean destruction that had been visited upon the area.


    Billy¡¯s home was simple to look at, a cabin that possibly held three rooms looking in from the outside, while there was a wide fence that bordered the eastern field and an open area to the left of the home that was obviously where Billy cultivated his bees and the honey that he had sold to all of the villages in the Clan Lands. Tall, outlines of slightly yellow misshapen ovals and blocks stood there, and to Ezekiels the discordant....and distressed, broken sound of buzzing could just be heard.


    When visiting Billy¡¯s home in the Past Ezekiel had heard a tapestry of buzzing and movement and life coming from the honey comb fields....but tonight....in the dim darkness Ezekiel suddenly suspected that there was going to be very little life to be found in those fields.


    After a few more moments of stunned silence Mantilo turned and in a hushed tone he directed them to fan out. ¡°Go and have a look around the area....Go in pairs and keep an eye out.¡± With a snarl, that could have made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, Ezekiel watched his father¡¯s pupils grow long and begin to glow with a savage yellow light.


    ¡°I have a bad feeling about all of this....I think were being watched.¡± He told them, before they all broke up and went their separate ways. Mantilo and Walter paired off to investigate the inside of the cabin, while Ezekiel, Nate and Lander combed the outside of the decimated land for clues as to what had become of their mysteriously missing Clans Men.


    They searched the front and back but eventually all of the brothers found themselves out by the bee homes. Seven large, rectangular rows of boxes, where the sound of furious working bees buzzing could normally be heard. But this night...all Ezekiel heard was the pitiful....and dying wing beasts of the last of the bees that had somehow survived the onslaught. Out of thousands.


    It was instantly clear to Ezekiel as he examined the area, that not only had the bees come under heavy attack....but that it was by something large and with lots of claws....and ferocity. The large boxes were smashed wide open, like pumpkins that had had a hammer taken to then. Gallons of fresh uncollected honey had spilled out of the intricate and beautifully built honey combs that had been delicately built in the interiors of the boxes by the worker bees.


    The honey had poured out into the fields, making the grasses sticky, and littering it with the squishy white bodies of the dead larvae. There were various signs of teeth and claws in the wood in the destruction....but none of the marks were distinguishable. Honey made the earth soggy with the spongy smell of honey, but the damp gooey liquid not only made Ezekiel sad to see...but it also made any evidence or tacks muddy and smeared and un-trackable.


    ¡°Do you smell that?¡± Ezekiel asked his brothers some time later, after spending out, they had spent time hunting for tracks and clues in the torn grasses. Unable to see much of them in the darkness except for their heads and necks and glowing eyes, Ezekiel put a hand over his nose hiding it in disgust as he spoke to his brothers. ¡°It reeks of sewage and sugars. It¡¯s...unpleasant.¡±


    ¡°No shit...¡± Lander hissed, clearing his throat and spitting out into the night, showing his own dictates for the scent that prevailed around every inch of the bee hives. ¡°It....kind of smells like something whipped it out and pissed all over the place. Feces and honey....I don¡¯t think Ill ever forget this one.¡± Lander hiss sarcastically.


    Ezekiel dropped his hand. ¡°There¡¯s no sign of Billy anywhere and this entire place is in complete shambles....it looks like something went to town on the bees too....but what do you think did all this? And where the hell is Billy?¡±


    ¡°Well it looks like all of the bees are dying off, maybe....he got attacked as well?¡± Lander suggested slowly.


    ¡°By what?¡± Ezekiel scoffed.


    ¡°A bear...maybe?¡± Lander shot back, sounding convinced.


    ¡°A bear? I guess I can see that....but....¡±


    Ezekiel and Lander continued to converse as the minutes melted away. They bounced a few more plausible scenarios off of each other, but neither of them could come to an aggreance about just what had happened. And before they could Nate interrupted.


    ¡°Hey! Come here and look at this you two!¡± Nate called over to them. He was a few feet away, kneeling down beside one of the crumbled and bashed in bee hives. Silvery eyes of a wolf glanced up at Ezekiel and Lander as they made their way over to him.


    ¡°Look at this....There¡¯s something mixed into the honey and smeared all over the honey combs....right here.¡± Nate told them with a smirk and a quizzical tilt of his head he then pointed to a mound of little insect bodies gathered about the smashed bee hive. ¡°I think whatever it is....it killed off all the bees when it got into the honey....¡±


    ¡°What is that shit....its....black?¡± Lander asked, scrunching up his nose as he analyzed the dripping fluids mixed into the dripping honey with a hiss of distaste and suspicion.


    ¡°Yes...and it¡¯s everywhere....Its probably all over the other bee hives as well...¡± Nate stopped and bit his lip. ¡°Why...does this stuff look familiar to my guys?¡± he suddenly asked, as he stood up on his feet with a soft grunt.


    Ezekiel let him move back as he crouched down in the grass, and looked at the honeycombs, ignoring the crunch of bee bodies beneath his boots as he took a long hard look at the fluid....and then he felt the answer blossom like a light in the back of his head. ¡°Nate....¡± He said and swallowed. ¡°That crap was smeared all over the horses and moose at the farm and in the fields that we found butchered....That was also the night that we got attacked....!¡± Ezekiel hissed. ¡°Whatever it is....it¡¯s probably here....WE should tell Dad about this right now!¡±


    Ezekiel stood and began taking a step back and by chance, by luck....Ezekiel looked up towards the darkness. And in that split moment.... he sensed rather then saw....something pause and grow still....trying to avoid detection. Something that had been moving towards him and his brothers that entire time.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Ezekiel hissed, taking a step towards the movement....but it was already too late.


    A tall shadow split off into the night. A dark outline bleeding into the darkness like it had never been there in the first place. A head, the suggestion of a face...a flash of teeth. This was all Ezekiel got in the split seconds that followed....But Ezekiel knew he had seen it.


    Knew that this was possibly the assailant that had attacked the house....the assailant that could tell them what had become of their fellow Shifter Billy and his bees. With a shout, Ezekiel called out his fathers and brothers and pointed at the receding outline, which disappeared into the pine forest before all of their eyes.


    Ezekiel snarled, feeling the red hot anger of his inner beast. It was frustrated as he was. The Leopard inside of him protesting at the intrusion into its home and along with his brothers, Ezekiel tore off into the night and after the fleeing shadow....Thinking that perhaps this shadow was the same thing that had tried to take him out a few weeks ago.


    ***


    It had been hours since Ezekiel and the other Guardians had went out on Patrol. After a second shower and a glass of water. Brandon was in bed. And Brandon was dreaming...of what he always dreamed about.


    A mountain so beautiful it looked like a masterpiece carved and painted and captured in glass. Two men. One that looked like him, but spoke in riddles and held swords. The other man named Kail. A man he didn¡¯t know or understand. But a man he had dreamed about all of his life.


    The screaming. The agony. The unbearable sadness. IT hurt.


    When would it ever stop hurting him?


    Brandon wondered to himself, as darkness and torture swallowed him for yet another night.


    Until.....suddenly....there was whole new pain. Not dreams of pain.....Memories of his secret horrors. His life.


    Brandon screamed. He screamed his lungs out. He wanted to throw up his lungs. Rip out his heart. Blow out the brain that remembered this. That kept this darkness simmering just below the surface. To his detriment he felt every sordid memory as if it were happening in that moment, in that darkness. Felt the blood....the....


    BANG! BANG! BANG!


    ¡°BRANDDON!! Sweetheart open the door!¡± shouted an anxious feminine voice form the hall. The door rattled again as someone banged on it. ¡°Brandon please....talk to me! Its Glen.....are you okay!?¡± Ezekiel¡¯s mother shouted, sounding so worried and desperate for a response that he feared she would break it down.


    Brandon looked around in confusion. He was in a slump on the floor, no covers, no pillows. His entire body soggy with sweat and the smell of ammonia. He came up like a drowning man, fighting to surface from his own mind. /to escape it and lock it down like the rabid dog it was. His heart was in disarray. His soul was on fire. The flame......it was loose....almost. It was at the edge of its chain. Crackling all along his body, it was so close to freedom.


    ¡°Brandon!! Say SOMETHING!¡± Glen begged once more, her soft voice cutting him away from his thoughts.


    ¡°Glen.....¡± Brandon finally gathered the strength to respond and instantly felt tears burn his cheeks as he forced his throat to work. Slat and acid. It felt like he had bathed his wind pipe in salt and acid. Talking was....anguish.


    ¡°Brandon!?¡± Glen sighed loudly across the door, the shadow of her feet and body bouncing about in the hall, bleed into the room along with light from a candle Brandon realized she had lit. ¡°Oh God....you frightened me....you were screaming like something was....killing you!¡±


    Barely knowing where the strength came from Brandon tried to placate her with a lie. ¡°I¡¯m.....I¡¯m fine Glen...¡± He whispered loud enough that he knew she would hear him.


    With a soft bang, that Brandon only dimly registered as Glen¡¯s small body humping into the door, was quickly followed by a soft shout. ¡°Let me in Brandon.¡±


    ¡°No...¡± Brandon somehow managed to croak out, past the tears and the agony and the rage. He cringed as fresh tears stung his eyes,


    ¡°Brandon...¡± Glen began and she said more. He knew that she was speaking, but Brandon couldn¡¯t understand it. He couldn¡¯t focus long enough on her soft voice. All he felt was the ribbons of his skin, the flame.....the past.


    Feeling the moist squish of the floor from urine that he had soiled himself with, he rocked. Begging. Pleading. He covered his face....every inch of his mind felt tender, things no one should be forced to see flashed across his eyes, through his thoughts.


    Glen was still talking to him.....threatening to break down the door. Brandon could only whisper his protests into his shaking hands. ¡°Leave me alone, leave me alone, leave me alone, Leave me alone....or I¡¯ll kill you too....¡±


    The door rattled again and finally Brandon screamed even though it felt like razors in his head, and clutched at his throat. ¡°Leave me alone, Glen. Go away!¡± he shouted in cold fury. He didn¡¯t want to be seen, discovered in this state. Soiled and broken.


    But there was also the evil of what he was....the hunger. He was too weak but to keep the flame leashed in that one small room. If Glen came in....Brandon knew the unthinkable could happen.


    ¡°All right....¡± Glen said. She sounded so sad to him. ¡°Everything¡¯s okay sweet heart.... Brandon, I promise....your safe here....oaky?¡± she asked him.


    Brandon held back a sob of denial. ¡°Leave.¡± He told her and she did...but not before she spoke softly through the door one last time.


    ¡°I¡¯ll put out fresh clothes in the hall for you....¡± She said softly.


    Embarrassed by the knowledge that Glen knew he had lost control, Brandon couldn¡¯t mummer a response, but he didn¡¯t need to. Because with a soft feminine sigh the shadow beneath his door suddenly disappeared.


    Some unknown time later Brandon had crawled into the shower and he sat in the spray. It was boiling hot, but the needed the pain to chases away the pains of past.


    ¡°Why.....why did that happen....I never think of those.....things....¡± Brandon said speaking into his knee caps as the water scalded his scalp and back. He knew the horrors in his mind. The darkness. He never let it out. Never let it touch him. He couldn¡¯t and continue to function....but tonight it did. Was it all the questions that Ezekiel had asked him?


    Questions with answers that Brandon didn¡¯t want to visit. Drug up, by the earnest questions of the Guardian?


    Who are you Brandon?


    Ezekiel had asked him repeatedly.


    Where do you come from...?


    He had inquired in that very room.


    Tell me who hurt you?


    Ezekiel had implored him...with a touch.


    The truth....the stress...of their every encounter. It was getting to Brandon. He had spent very little time...with any living creatures. Brandon wanted nothing else, but for his isolation to return....for the silent suffering. He couldn¡¯t suffer more of this pain. More of the pain that Ezekiel and his family stirred up. With their kindness, and their questions...and their touch. He couldn¡¯t stand more of the darkness to leak out.


    Maybe I should kill myself....Just cut all the suffering away


    Brandon thought....and death had always been an option. A chance to escape....but Brandon had always found himself to be too stubborn for that course of action.


    Suicide. No reason not to do it....but also he would be dammed if he did. He wouldn¡¯t die. But couldn¡¯t live.


    Still, in that moment, in that room....anything felt possible. Everything was desolate.


    And in that desolation was the stillness. The stillness of a decision. A choice to make. It would be...easy. A blade at the pulse, a sharp stab into the heart. And Brandon wanted to make it, but in the stillness...there was suddenly a warmth.


    Not the hot water, or the caress of the wind. True warmth.


    It didn¡¯t descend or engulf him like a blanket....it was narrow. Pinpoint of warmth....like hands. Brandon felt one warmth on his cheek, and the other wrapped around his throat.


    Brandon felt the pressure, gentle, but possessive. It lifted him and tilted his head back. The water struck him in the face as the invisible hands moved him, so that had to close his eyes... but he didn¡¯t feel the hot sting of water. What Brandon felt was the weight of a mouth against his own. The warmth of a kiss.


    Not soft. Or calm. The kiss, the lips, and the warmth it was like a rebuke and an infusion all at once. The warmth bleed across the invisible touch, sweet and invasive and insistent. The kiss took his breath...his thoughts....until the sharp knife of pleasure formed, until the invisible hand at his throat had him by the chin turning him one way then the next, one kiss after another. Deeping as each touch became far too real....no longer just air and pressure, but the hot, heavy hunger of a day dream with tastes, and smell, and pain.


    Suddenly the warmth disappeared like a flash.


    And with it....went everything except the sharp burn of boiling water. Brandon jumped up, gasped and sobbed into his hand, feeling insane...but also alive. From his heart, to his lips and to his skin.


    Hot and cold.


    Warm and Shivering.


    Broken and Standing.


    And he cursed the feeling that had overcame him. The delusions of a lonely mind.....And he knew that only the dream of a kiss could be that undeniable and unrealistic.


    ¡°What...the hell was that....about? ¡±


    Brandon whispered to himself, swallowing slowly and looking at himself in a steamed over window next to the shower.


    ¡°Since when did I start having these ridiculous dreams?¡±


    He asked himself. Forgetting that he had been fully awake in the shower. And feeling too weak to be embarrassed he thought of his visons in the shower, simply feeling confused.


    And yet....somehow he found the strength to grab a towel, to turn off the water and to got to the hall and grab the clothes that Glen had left for him hours ago.


    He still felt the helplessness, felt deaths sweet release calling....but his heart beat....was just too loud and heavy in his chest to ignore. Strong....stubborn and even though he knew that he didn¡¯t deserve it....a life that had been saved. A life he had to keep living because of all the harm he had done.

 Chapter 65 - A Life That Is Wanted

    Chapter 65- Connected


    Ezekiel dreamed seldom...and when he did....it was often just a confusing tangled mess that he would forget within minutes of waking up....


    But tonight he dreamed of something he didn¡¯t think he would ever forget.


    It started off so innocent and normal...and painful. Everything was dark, nothing moved and that was painful because all he could do was listen.


    Someone was screaming in his head, in his heart.


    Ezekiel heard every scream, it ripped at his nerves, it made his snarl and hiss, but there was nothing to hiss or snarl at. He simply had to listen to the screams....screams that sounded familiar for some strange reason he couldn¡¯t quite put his finger on. Suddenly Ezekiel blinked and in the next moment all the darkness was gone. No shift...or movement on his part....he was simply standing in a small room.


    A bathroom.....A familiar bathroom. His bathroom, back at the mansion or at least one that looked like his.


    The echoes of the mysterious screams chased themselves around in Ezekiel¡¯s head, making him disoriented at first. Until the smell of steam...so warm and moist Ezekiel would have believed it was real and not just a dream mist, brushed past his face and began to clog his lungs. The wet fog gathered close in the small space....he swallowed it with every breath, so that the screams left his mind, replaced by the cloying feeling of steam on his clothes and skin.


    The steam was warm...too warm. And in it he sensed the real heat....the source of the steam. And suddenly he heard the water. Fast and heavy and furious....it fell far in front of him and to the right, hidden partially by the steam. Ezekiel could just make out the curtain of a shower, where he guessed the steam was coming from.


    Ezekiel approached the shower...and as he got closer he sensed the heat growing. The steam too thick and warm.


    And it was just then, before he reached the shower completely that he heard the splash of movement...the mummer of a voice. It was a dream. He shouldn¡¯t have been worried....or even embarrassed...but he was. Because that was Brandon¡¯s voice.


    In his dream....about a Shower.


    Ezekiel instantly wanted to deny what that said about where his head was when it came to Brandon...but....to his surprise a sound...a broken wail, a sob overcame his thoughts, pushing all thoughts of embarrassment or guilt to the back of his head.


    Why is he crying?


    Was Ezekiel first and last question as he slowly walked up to the shower curtain.


    Even though it was a dream, Ezekiel¡¯s first instinct as a gentlemen was to speak though the curtain...but as he came up to the side Ezekiel saw a flash of skin in the steam....red hot, blistered, boiled. Horrified by the glimpse and not thinking Ezekiel tossed the curtain to the side and there Brandon sat in a ball, beneath the spray, stark naked...but of course this was as far from Ezekiels mind as night was from day. All he could see was the travesty of damage that was being done.


    Every inch of Brandon¡¯s back was bright red, scalded and burned. Steaming water running in furrows down his back. Ezekiel looked at Brandon¡¯s face next and was horrified to see...nothing. A black stare....no pain in his gaze, but his eyes were black rimmed and puffy looking. The burning water had to be painful....agonizing as it ran across his exposed flesh....but when Ezekiel looked back at Brandon¡¯s face. Brandon just sat there, letting the water burn him, letting it boil his flesh.


    Incensed, by the sight and the damage he was doing to himself, Ezekiel called his name.


    ¡°Brandon!¡± he shouted. ¡°Brandon!¡±


    And got no response. Brandon ignored him entirely. In fact he only looked up at the opposite walls of the shower. His beautiful green eyes, misted with tears...and empty. Dead eyes. Then Brandon moved his arms and when he did Ezekiel saw...blood.


    Gushing like a fountain from his wrists. It was everywhere....it ran freely and there was nothing he could do. Ezekiel shouted in shock and dropped down next to the tub, just as the sharp clatter of a blade hit the bottom of the tub.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ***


    That sound of the knife hitting the tub shattered across Ezekiels ears like a gun shot. He winced and closed his eyes as it bit into his ear...unrealistically amplified by the dream and when Ezekiel opened his eyes again, the blood was gone. The blade was gone.


    There was just Brandon...sitting in the boiling water, steam all around...Brandon¡¯s head hidden in his knees, his dirty blond hair plastered to his head.


    Ezekiel¡¯s heart....was racing. He took a moment to swallow the dread of a moment before and fought to remind himself that he was in fact only dreaming...


    This fact was further emphasized when Ezekiel, who finally did overcome the panic and dread of a few moments before, tried to reach into the tub and touch him his glance off of him. Ezekiel found in the next few seconds of trial and error that he couldn¡¯t grab him or shift Brandon from the tub. He just sat there burning.


    Unable to move him....Ezekiel diverted to trying to capture Brandon¡¯s attention once more. ¡°Brandon look at me...Brandon....¡± He called and still he got nothing. Frustrated and anxious Ezekiel shouted at him. ¡°Why are you sitting here....Can you hear me?!¡±


    Suddenly on the edge of the tub, between them sat a blade. A long blade. It appeared out of nowhere as things often did in dreams....but when he saw it Ezekiel felt a queasy punch in his stomach.


    Oh no


    He thought and starting to get a horrible inkling of exactly what was going to happen next Ezekiel reached out and tried to take the blade up and away before Brandon could see it....


    To his detriment his hand passed right through the blade as if it were water. He tried again only to arrive at the same conclusion. There was nothing he could do about the blade. So once more with no other option Ezekiel once more turned his attention to Brandon. But nothing he said seemed to penetrate....nothing he said made Brandon stop looking so lost and agonized.


    ¡°Get up....Brandon get up....¡± He said, but it was like talking to a wall IT was frustrating and frightening, because as every second passed Ezekiel felt like he was running out of time.


    ¡°Maybe I should kill myself?¡± Brandon suddenly murmured to himself. It was the only thing he had said since the dream had begun and the words sent a chill down Ezekiel¡¯s spine. Nonchalant. So serious. So broken.


    And suddenly and completely oblivious to Ezekiel¡¯s attempts to grab the blade. Instead he reached up out of the hot water and easily he picked up the blade. It was long and it gleamed as he turned it this way....then that way in his left hand. His black rimmed green eyes analyzing the tool. There was no light in his mint green eyes, no fire...no life.


    ¡°Stop it!¡± Ezekiel snarled and because he didn¡¯t know what else to do; he couldn¡¯t grab the blade and he couldn¡¯t make Brandon see him. Ezekiel knew it was nothing but a dream...but still Ezekiel couldn¡¯t watch anymore. Couldn¡¯t watch it all over again.


    Sure that he would fail and have to watch the rest of the nightmare unfold Ezekiel reached out and grabbed Brandon and kissed him. Urging, screaming at Brandon with his touch.


    To his surprise and shock the feeling of skin came to him. The weight of a face in Ezekiel¡¯s hands. The movement and the yielding of a mouth against his own. The kiss wasn¡¯t anything short of harsh and direct on Ezekiel¡¯s side. Mixed with anger and concern... and the hidden want of the waking world. The kisses melted togeather. First one then many....it was sweet...and dark and Ezekiel feared to let it end. Feared to let the bliss end and the nightmare continue so he kept on, hoping to change the dream. To fix this broken image of Brandon that he didn¡¯t understand. A horrible image that he wanted to destroy because he couldn¡¯t tolerate the idea of death and the mortal in the same place.


    The Brandon of his dream...kissed him back. Just as desperate. Just a dark in his imagined want...just as relentless. Needing him. Ezekiel wanted to moan as he tiled Brandon¡¯s head back, and felt the kisses go even deeper. He felt the heat his soft lips, tasted each damp caress....the panting, the way his tears made the shifters soul shake....


    Something hit him hard. Ezekiel¡¯s came up from his dreams far too muggy and confused to react.


    Ezekiel shouted in surprise as a boot collided with his arm a second time and shoved him to the side. Ezekiel hit the forest floor and groaned as he was taken away from his inner warmth and ripped into reality.


    ¡°Hey...sorry ass!¡± Lander snarled standing over him sneering. Green eyes flashing in the dim light that shown in from the canopy above. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be on watch, Ezekiel!¡±


    ¡°Fuck you...¡± Ezekiel¡¯s said sitting up slowly, then feeling the throb in his arm Ezekiel snarled and stood up. ¡°Son of a...¡± He shoved his brother with a snarl of fury as his mind finally came up out of its sleep. ¡°Did you just kick me!?¡± Ezekiel asked.


    Lander shoved him back without an answer and just like that Ezekiel felt the rush of nail¡¯s and teeth...and the easy rage....but...


    ¡°Hey you two!¡± Mantilo suddenly growled from across the fire. Their father was laid back against a tree, his led out before him as Ezekiel had been sitting only moments before. He had one eyes open...it was glowing with a stern anger.


    ¡°Be silent!! You¡¯re going to scare off our prey. And Ezekiel your brother is right, boy get up....you had first watch for this patrol....Now do your job!¡±


    Ezekiel hissed at his brother, turned and walked over to the fire and dropped into the straw of the pine needles. He glanced around the fire spotting all of his brothers and his father, sleeping in the small relatively flat area, in the middle of the forest about twelve miles away from their mansion. He focused on the thing that they were hunting. He focused on the missing Shifter Billy. He focused on chill in the night air.


    He focused on the crackle of pine needles and the dance of the flames and not on the fact that he wanted to strangle his brother Lander for kicking him....and for waking him up.


    And most of all he tried not to think of Brandon...because if he did....Ezekiel would end up wanting to check on him...to see him. And if the dream was somehow a reality, he would want to stop him. Save him.

 Chapter 66 - Unspoken Shame

    Chapter 66- Unspoken Shame


    The puzzle pieces of his mind came together by the next morning...so that no one would know Brandons struggles in the night.


    Emerging from his room, he descended the steps the next night and just as he hit the bottom floor, the front door was thrown open and six tired looking Guardians shuffled into the front room. Leading their weary trek into the front parlor where most of the Shifters simply plopped down onto the carpet was Mantilo. All of them shoe-less and with eyes glowing and....claws out on their fingertips that looked sharp enough to gut a man. Instantly Brandon was gripped with....joy to see all of Ezekiels family returned safely after hours of hunting....but shocked and disgusted with the reaction Brandon shook his head and dropped the smile he felt on his face.


    Brandon tried to turn back, but he had barely shifted his feet on the steps backwards before a familiar and feminine voice was calling out to him.


    ¡°Brandon...sweet heart...?¡± It could be no one other than Glen. And as Brandon slowly turned back around from the steps he was attempting to climb. He saw the small Shifter making her way to him, thick sandy curls tumbled as though from sleep and big green eyes looked him over softly, before finally coming to rest on his face. Secretly checking him over for injuries form the night before.


    ¡°Brandon...I thought I heard you come down. I¡¯m glad to see you.¡± Glen began, looking both happy but apprehensive. ¡°Can I ask you for a favor?¡±


    ¡°Ummmm.¡± Brandon began, glancing over to the small group of Shifters panting and other wise resting from their activities in the night. He wanted to deny her....he had nothing to do with any of it.....but when he looked at Glen again and noticed her hands and clothes.....he just couldn¡¯t do it.


    ¡°What.....what do you need?¡± He asked her, as he noted the fresh blood on her hands, and sleeves and on her chest. Possibly from where Glen had wiped her hands.


    ¡°I need towels from the kitchen and I put on some hot water and antiseptic, could you go and fetch these things for me....I¡¯ve got a nasty cut over here that needs my attention...¡± Glen explained, casting a glance over her shoulder.


    ¡°Who¡¯s hurt?¡± Brandon asked her, glancing towards the blood on her hands again.


    ¡°All of them....¡± Glen hissed, unceremoniously wiping her hands on her dress, smearing stains. ¡°They say that they ran into something big last night, and apparently they got into multiple fights....but in the end they weren¡¯t able to pin it down or even really see what the beast was.....it seemed to have gotten away. And as they were tracking it further into the forest....they ran into a bear.¡± Glen shook her head. ¡°Can you believe that?¡±


    ¡°Mom!¡± came a call suddenly and Brandon recognized it as Nates voice. Glen looked back and Brandon glanced past her shoulder to see Nate waving at them, his right hand in the air, dripping with blood, his other hand clamped over his leg, Brandon guessed that he was holding a gash closed.


    All right.¡± Glen called softly, then she sent Brandon a small pleading smile. ¡°Please....fetch that water....but be careful not to get burned and don¡¯t forget to grab towels, they¡¯re just under the sink!¡± The she turned and went to her son.


    Brandon did as she requested. He quickly traveled to the left and into the kitchen. When he entered he gagged as the sharp scent of hot steam and chemicals hit him. And without too much hesitation he removed the boiling pot of water, stuffed a few towels under his arms, and returned.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    After he brought Glen the things she requested Brandon was more than a little unsure of what to do. But couldn¡¯t quite stop himself from hanging around her as she separately and effectively went through her family members and patched them up. Out of them all it appeared to Brandon that Ezekiel, Nate were the most bloody, and that Mantilo bore the worst of the wounds ranging from a few broken fingers, from striking the bear, and the mysterious intruders....as well as nearly ten open gashes on his chest and arms.


    ¡°Thank you sweetie for your help....you can go and take a seat in the day room for now....none of these Guardians...¡± Glen hissed as she turned Mantilo¡¯s arm to the left and she discovered another bloody wound. ¡°None of my patients are going to be patrolling tonight....¡±


    ¡°Oh....¡± Mantilo grunted. ¡°And is that you official prescription.¡± You think you can tell me what to do?¡± Ezekiel¡¯s father asked her, an edge to his tone, that would have been a threat addressed to any other being on earth.


    Glen simply smiled and none to gently shifted her body so that she knocked into Mantilo¡¯s shoulder....where a horrible gash stretched over his upper chest full of dirt and blood. If such a man could pale, that is what Brandon would have said that he did.


    His face screwed up in agony and his teeth clenched. From behind tight lips he tried to snarl. ¡°Woman....I cant believe you just did that...!¡±


    Glen sighed ¡°Oh I¡¯m sorry baby, it was an accident..I swear.¡± She said and with a slight hiss Glen looked at her husband, large green eyes veiled. ¡°Oh, but is there anything you want to say while I¡¯m sitting here...with this very sharp needle and thread about to close you up. Anything at all Mantilo my love...?¡± She asked and this...was a clear threat if Brandon had ever heard one.


    In seconds Mantilo¡¯s eyes widened, then he had turned, looked at his sons, all bashed up and bandaged, sighed and said to them. ¡°Rejoice! No one is on patrols for the rest of the day.¡±


    Ezekiel and all of his brothers cheered.


    ***


    Minutes later found Brandon watching all of the brothers walking or limping out of the room flowing their parent up the stairs. Lander rand Glen supporting their father, who was wrapped from fingertip to shoulder in gauze, curtesy of Glen.


    The Mates took time to share a delicate kiss of pure affection that hurt Brandon deep inside, infact seeing the Guardians parents treating each other so wonderfully always gave him pain, so he quickly got up, turned and walked further into the mansion to escape the envious sight.


    The last one out of the room was Ezekiel, but instead of following his family, Ezekiel approached him directly and openly looked him up and down.


    Felling vulnerable under his gaze for no good reason Brandon shifted from one foot to the next. The blisters on his arms and back were gone from the boiling torture the night before...but in Ezekiel¡¯s gaze he felt their old burn. The secret of their existence felt all to know in his sharp blue look.


    ¡°What....What is it?¡± Brandon finally broke out and asked as they stood in a cocoon of impregnable silence.


    ¡°Im...not sure.¡± Ezekiel suddenly sighed and crossed his arms. Gauze around his hands and wrists covering the bits and cuts he had received during his hunt. Ezekiel shook his head as though he felt silly or out of place. ¡°But I gotta ask....Brandon...are....are you okay? Do you need...anything?¡±


    For a moment Brandon feared that Glen had mentioned his actions the other night....but he quickly realized that Glen wouldn¡¯t have had the time to say anything, since she had spent hours strapping on medicine and closing up gashes. And he also didn¡¯t know why....but Brandon couldn¡¯t help believing that Glen wasn¡¯t the gossiping type, not the type of woman to go blabbing about his melt down to the entire house hold.


    So after a moment he took Ezekiel¡¯s question in stride as his usual behavior and simply shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m fine, I¡¯m not the one that got chewed on by a grizzly bear...¡± he responded.


    To his surprise this didn¡¯t elicit a smile from Ezekiel, all it garnered was an analyzing look. A look that glanced over him...as if searching for something. Not knowing what or why Ezekiel was staring at him....Brandon decided to turn the question back on him.


    ¡°Hey....Ezekiel are you okay? Your sort of spaced out...Did you get hit in the head?¡± he asked slightly concerned when Ezekiel once more didn¡¯t change his expression. With a sigh the guardian just steeped back.


    ¡°No....No, it¡¯s nothing....I¡¯m going to go catch some suds. Take it easy.¡± Ezekiel said, and before Brandon could muster a response. Ezekiel had turned and started to walk away. ¡°...I¡¯ll see you later.¡± He said as he disappeared up the steps.


    And for reasons unknown to Brandon Ezekiel¡¯s unease made him feel terribly guilty and exposed. Shameful. The soft steam burned skin that hid under his clothes made Brandon shudder in disgust at himself...and his sick mind.

 Chapter 67 - How To Talk

    Chapter 67 -How To Talk


    For another two days after the Guardians returned Brandon was determined to stay in his room. Electing to skip out on patrols with Ezekiel and stay in seclusion...until the third afternoon came and passed him by.


    Needing to stretch his legs and knowing that the Mansion tended to be empty in the evenings Brandon finally came down to the parlor, turned about in the open area, taking a few moments to decide which direction he would go in. Weather a trip back up the steps to his room would be his choice....or if he would take a seat on the steps and just watch the sunlight glancing inside from the windows around the door?


    But his choice of activity was decided for him in the next few moments. Brandon nearly jumped out his skin when a slim arm wrapped around his and yanked him down the hall.


    ¡°Glen!¡± Brandon blurted in surprise as he stumbled. Along behind her small, but surprisingly strong and sure skip.


    ¡°Come on, hurry!¡± Glen cried. Brandon felt an urgency in her insistent pulling....but he couldn¡¯t help noticing that this urgency was at odds with the small smile and the determination on her face.


    Not exactly prepared to push the Leopards away or to fight his way free Brandon let himself be drug, back, and to the right of the stair case....into a part of the mansion he hadn¡¯t felt the need to visit.


    Suddenly he was in the Day room. He knew this because the moment that they steeped into it Glen proudly exclaimed as much.


    ¡°Brandon....this is the day room, one of the quietest and handsomest places in the whole house!¡± Glen told him, stopped and softly amended. ¡°Well aside from the library of course.¡±


    Brandon glanced about the room, quickly taking in the area. It was a room twice as wide as his bed room, but just as narrow was the parlor, with the short ends of the room sporting small shelfs, filled with various vases, trinkets and books, while the long right side of the Day room, was lined with five large, crystal clear windows, covered by the same white gossamer curtains that covered all of the other windows in the Leopards mansion.


    While on the long wall of the Day room sat a large, and unlit fireplace, which looked to Brandon like it could fit half a tree. The middle, or filling of the Day room consisted of long short backed couches, three arm chairs centered about a small brown table top and two other tables and shelfs.


    Some of the tables held intricate silken table mats while others were covered in flowers, pottery, candle holders and even a few simple board games. In the back of his mind Brandon noticed the chess board, open far to the left of the room, when it looked like a game had quickly been abandoned by one of Glens family member¡¯s. Still noticing that Glen hadn¡¯t thought to release him, Brandon firmly, if gently removed himself from her clutch and asked her. ¡°What are we doing in here?¡±


    Completely unconcerned with his suspicious tone, Glen took a twirl around him and walked over to a table, where two high backed, drown chairs had been centered across from each other....and a tray stacked full of sandwiches and two very specific cups sat. ¡°Sit.¡± Glen offered, Green eyes indicating the chair to the right. Indicating that it was for him.


    Brandon didn¡¯t move. He didn¡¯t respond. And he didn¡¯t know how long he didn¡¯t do it. He was out of his element....he was suspicious...and just a little intimidated.


    ¡°What are you doing Glen?¡± Brandon inquired, uprooting his feet from their spot and finally nearing the chairs and the table....as the silent hesitation in him slowly eroded beneath Glen¡¯s soft gaze and patience.


    Glen shrugged and motioned to the food and drink she had apparently prepared for him and her. ¡°Were just....talking and drinking tea....¡± She said simply.


    Brandon stopped next to the table and next to the leopardess, still feeling a little unsure and ambushed. ¡°Oh...but...Why?¡± he asked her.


    ¡°Why not?¡± She shot back softly. Then bending down and taking the tray of sandwiches and offering it to Brandon.


    Brandon had no response, and no true argument so with some apprehension he took her offer, and grabbed a sandwich. And with a small smile Glen replaced the tray back on the table top.


    While she straitened up Brandon took a bite of it, tasting a wonderful burst of ham and tomatoes on his tongue. He swallowed the bite, shook his head as he felt Glen¡¯s eyes on him and sighed. ¡°Why are you doing this? What do you want?¡± Brandon asked her. Everyone wanted something.


    ¡°Do I want something from you?¡± Glen tilted her head to the side and smiled so charmingly that Brandon couldn¡¯t feel too suspicious of her motive any longer ¡°I just....I don¡¯t know much about you and we¡¯ve been around each other for nearly a month. I was practically up to my elbows in your blood and guts, and I haven¡¯t said more than a few sentences to you since we met. Please sit... If possible I was hoping we could talk for a little while?¡±


    ¡°Oh...I guess it does sounds odd when you say it like that. Im soory I wasnt thinking about all the work you did on me.¡± Brandon mumbled to himself. Completely unable to argue with that line of thinking....Brandon did as she asked him, taking a seat in a large, wide backed cushioned seat, sequestered directly in front of Glens chair and after a few seconds he said. ¡°I....I never actually thanked you for working on my injuries....Did I Glen?¡±


    Glen didn¡¯t respond to that, she simply took up a cup off the tray, filled with the light brown liquid and a yellow slice of fruit handed him a cup and smiled. ¡± You can thank me now..¡± She softly expressed as she sat across from him with her own cup and a sandwich.


    They are and drank....separately dancing about the slight awkward silence that prevailed from one minute to the next....until, finally clearing his throat, and reaching out for another sandwich, Brandon put forth the first question.


    ¡°Are....are we just having lunch here Glen? I thought you wanted to talk about something....?¡±


    Releasing a pent up breath, Glen suddenly sat down her own food and sighed. Looking sudddntly guilty, the healer soothed a hand down the front of her dress and to her knee, absentmindedly removing crumbs. ¡°First....let me say....I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to ambush you sweetheart.¡± She began, looking away then back at Brandon with a look that was asking for understanding. ¡°But every time I get a free moment I find that you¡¯ve gone back to that guest room and locked yourself away for a few days. I can¡¯t ever seem to catch up with you, and yesterday you just ran off on me...and....I don¡¯t mean to be so forward.¡±


    ¡°I....¡± Brandon began, then stopped. He didn¡¯t know what to say.....or what Glen wanted him to say. She had an earnest nature....like her son. And like Ezkeiel....it took him off his guard. He wanted to just do as she said and fall into her simple rhythm...but Brandon didn¡¯t get to do that.....ever. He had to remember that. ¡°I like the guest room. I know Im a little wooden, but I didnt mind being brought in here..¡± He finally replied lamely.


    Glen shook her head.¡°Im glad you like it in here, please feel free to come back in here when ever you want? And your wooden¡± behavior doesn¡¯t bother me at all. Im actually more worried about how u took off on us yesterday after all the boys returned from patrol. Things like that....Do they bother you?¡± Glen asked him suddenly, pulling him out of his thoughts.


    ¡°What things?¡± He asked her, following the leopardesses lead, since he didn¡¯t really know what to do or say. Conversation over tea....was like an alien language. He resolved to just listen to Glen and do his best not to do anything strange or unkind. He took a bite of his sandwich as she talked..


    Glen tilted her head, pinpointing his gaze with her own. ¡°Affection.¡± She replied after a moment. ¡°Open affection....you seemed terribly put off by that kiss Mantilo gave me.¡± She said mostly hitting the nail on the head as to Brandon¡¯s reasons for fleeing. ¡°And you definitely dislike touching or being touched.¡± Glen stopped, took a breath and looked at him again.


    ¡°Are....are the birds and the bees still a mystery to you? I know that your kind ages so slowly. Is that why you¡¯re so...put off by these things?¡± She asked him softly, and with a smile, but there was just a hint of seriousness there. The edge of a mother in her tone.


    Unbelievably Brandon actually felt heat on his face as her words came to him. In the middle of taking a swig of tea out of his cup....he nearly choked on the sweat liquid that Glen called ¡°Tea¡±.


    Is she asking me if I know about sex?


    Brandon asked himself and felt a small shiver of horror as he slowly put the cup back down on the tray before him. Sex education wasn¡¯t a talk Brandon wanted to have....or needed to have. He knew enough. He may not have had parental guidance. But Trial and Error were some of the best teachers in the world.


    He shook his head at Glen rapidly to show her that he really meant what he said next. ¡°Of course not...¡± He said. ¡°I know about the birds and bees. I just...find stuff like that to be....weird. I didn¡¯t mean anything by it...Did I offend you?¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°No its fine. Ill assume that you didn¡¯t exactly have parents who went around doing that kind of stuff?¡± Glen replied with a small smile.


    ¡°No....not at all.¡± Brandon told her truthfully, but perhaps not truthfully. Affection didn¡¯t exist where he came from. But in his own way Brandon had had parents.


    Glen nodded as if his words fit into some puzzle in her head perfectly. ¡°I guess that¡¯s why you seem so out of place here...¡±


    ¡°I...am?¡± Brandon asked, reluctantly. He felt a small prick of apprehension about what Glen would say to him next. If she would start interrogating him about his actions a few nights ago.


    But if Glen had question s about the night before, she kept then to herself. Instead she stirred the conversation in a completely different direction. ¡°You act like it.¡± Glen replied with a soft nod. ¡°You stay hidden for days, you eat in your room and you never just....walk around in the halls out go out on the porch for air.¡± Glen tried to capture his gaze, but Brandon wouldn¡¯t let her. ¡°You¡¯re not a prisoner.¡± She told him softly.


    No.....but I still need to be locked up....


    Brandon thought to himself.


    He sighed though. Knowing that Glen was honestly trying to put him at ease he set her a small smile. ¡°I know.¡± He told her. ¡°I know my manners may not be the friendliest.....¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying that. ¡± Glen quickly interrupted. ¡°You¡¯ve been alone, so you don¡¯t know how to function here. My family must seem so strange to you.¡± Glen said, tilting her head. She didn¡¯t have to make it a question, because it was a fact and Brandon knew that his behavior had already validated her thinking.


    So he shrugged and looked right back at her. ¡°I¡¯ve never been around a family Glen, so I wouldn¡¯t know.¡± He replied and agreed. The tray of sandwiches and tea sat mostly eaten and forgotten between them so there was little to occupy Brandon eyes and hands so he had no choice to look at Glen directly. And see how his words affected her.


    Glen looked like she was sad to hear that truth about his life. ¡°Well, Mortal and Shifter families must seem like they would be night and day to each other, but I think we¡¯re just as normal as your kinds.¡± She said, turning form his heavy statement with a softer point.


    ¡°I guess....but how so?¡± Brandon asked her, both happy to be moving away from any more questions about him and also happy to learn more about how the Shifters lived in the villages


    ¡°We fight, we argue, we eat togeather...we celebrate holidays.¡± Glen ticked off on her small fingers. ¡°We tend to celebrate a lot of ones that I believe the mortals participate in too.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡± Brandon asked her, settling back in his arm chair.


    ¡°Well there is only one or two that we actually care for that are mortal.....¡± Glen put a hand to her chin and looked away then with a laugh and a sparkle in her gaze she said. ¡°Oh! You¡¯ll know his one! Mother¡¯s day!?¡± she slightly exclaimed and questioned.


    Brandon didn¡¯t have a clue what she was speaking about, but he smiled slightly at her enthusiasm and replied. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of it. Is it special for Shifters as well as mortals?¡±


    ¡°In this house it is.¡± Glen said with a flourish of her right hand and in the next moment she had dropped her hand and leaned forward in her chair slightly. ¡°Do you want to hear about the fiasco that destroyed our home last year?¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡ä Brandon said with a half shrug, and with little more urging Glen began to tell her tale.


    ¡°So....this is how mother¡¯s day normally goes. It¡¯s like a game. The boys and Mantilo get togeather and try to buy me something from the villages, usually without me knowing about it....and every year they¡¯d fail.¡± Glen shook her head softly As if in sympathy. Then she continued.


    ¡°Now, it was a week before Mother¡¯s day, last year....and to my surprise...I still had no idea what gift the boys were going to try to sneak on me. And no matter how much I pressured them....no one was talking.¡± Glen chuckled. ¡°You see one year....I got Nate to flip on the others....¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Brandon said raising his eyebrow in surprise as he thought of Ezekiel¡¯s brother with the odd eyes. ¡°How did you manage to do that?¡±


    Glen scoffed and lifted her feet off of the floor and into her seat, tucking her head on her knees, she said ¡°Well I¡¯m not proud of it, but I played on his weakness a little bit.¡±


    Brandon shook his head to indicated that he didn¡¯t quite follow her and Glen sent him a smug little smile and confessed ¡°Bones.....I smoked up a giant bag of deer bones on the grill and Nate was like putty in my hands...¡±


    Still not following her, Brandon tilted he head back on his seat. ¡°So....Nate is obsessed with bones or something?¡±


    At this Glen laughed. ¡°Well...¡± She began with a shrug. ¡°He is a wolf at heart....and I think all wolves have a bit of a soft spot for deep meat.¡±


    ¡°Wait....Excuse me but....¡± Brandon said leavening up out of his seat and putting his chin in his hand. ¡°A wolf? Nates a Wolf....?¡± He asked her and with a soft smile Glen nodded her agreement. Surprised and curious Brandon then asked her. ¡°But....I thought that this was the Leopard Clan. I thought that all of you were Leopards...? Is Nate....the only Wolf here?¡±


    ¡°Well Duh...¡± Glen exclaimed doing nothing to clear up the confusion. ¡°Nates adopted!¡± she further informed, but instead of going into any elaborate details Glen rolled her eyes and waved a hand in front of her. ¡°But....¡± She said next. ¡°Were getting WAY off subject here Brandon...the point I was trying to make was that I had no leads about what kind of gift the boys were going to give me for mother¡¯s day....and it was driving me crazy!¡± Moving along with the rest of her tale Glen untucked her feet from her seat and leaned forwards on her knees.


    ¡°Then....¡± She said dramatically, big green eyes shining so beautifully that Brandon couldn¡¯t help but pay attention and be pulled in. ¡°The day was upon me. I woke up early in the morning and....do you want to guess what the first thing I smelled was?¡±


    Caught off guard by the question Brandon thought for a moment, shrugged and took a meaningless stab at an answer. ¡°Um....flowers?¡± he guessed.


    With an eye roll she blew a breath. ¡°Yeah...I wish....¡± She said. ¡°What I awoke to was the choking cloying clouds of smoke, billowing up out of my kitchen!¡±


    ¡°Was...was it serious?¡± Brandon asked her frowning at the image she was painting. But Glen once more just rolled her eyes.


    ¡°No...it was a fiasco though, as I said earlier.¡± Glen sat up and out a hand out in front of her face, palm towards her. ¡°I had to cover my nose as I went down to the kitchen...and when I got there....¡± She began, dropping her hand.


    ¡°There was black smoke coming out of the stove that smelled of burring cakes....and in the middle of the kitchen, amidst broken plates and a spilled vase of flowers...were the boys. OH!¡± Glen exclaimed with a chuckle. ¡°They were all, wrestling and fighting.....aaaand throwing fudge.¡±


    ¡°What!?¡± Brandon scoffed at the turn Glen¡¯s story had taken. Trying to imagine the chaos.


    ¡°Oh yeah... ¡°Glen sighed, twirling her tongue across her front teeth in remembered agitation before she continued. ¡°The entire kitchen....and every inch of my boys was covered in thick fudge! Can you imagine it?¡± Glena sked him smiling softly. ¡°All those big serious men covered, absolutely drenched in fresh fudge, it was a nightmare!! I didn¡¯t know what to do....or what to say....of honestly what to think!!¡±


    With a small chuckle Brandon said ¡°Oh no.¡±


    Glen laughed behind her hand, before she sat back and sighed. ¡°Oh no is right! I spent days scrubbing chocolate off the stove and floors....! And...apparently the entire thing got started....when the cake caught on fire. Im told that because Walter had ruined the cake Lander pitched a fit and from that point on....it was a brawl, which somehow ended with all of them in a fudge rumble!¡± Suddenly Glen sobered. ¡°And to this day....¡± She said softly. ¡°God is my whiteness I still haven¡¯t figured out what my present was going to be that mother¡¯s day....but I hope they never try to make it again!¡±


    At this point Brandon threw in an eye roll of his own and asked her. ¡°Did they even explain what they were trying to do that day?¡±


    ¡°A little...¡± Glen responded. ¡°Apparently....they had discovered my recipe book....and everyone knows that every year I create these little treats for the Clans Celebration. They are round, soft and filled with fudge.....good fudge.....fudge from heaven....If I do so say myself!¡± Glen elaborated with so much animated energy that Brandon found himself laughing.


    ¡°Apparently....the boys had SOMETHING planned and were going to use my own fudge as a present topper....but.....¡± Glen sighed, smiling. ¡°It¡¯s okay....I still remember the day in good conscience....even if it was a fiasco.¡±


    Brandon and Glen exchanged a few more words about the incident on mother¡¯s day and as they talked it was easy for Brandon to....enjoy himself. Glen didn¡¯t pry....or question him anymore. She didn¡¯t ask for any personal stories in return. She just....talked. And Brandon felt the endearment and the warmth in her words for her family. It was moving and a bit painful to see. He had never known parents or love or family the way that Glen painted it.


    Suddenly Brandon felt something.


    IT was a fluke that he sensed anything at all. He had no control, he had no way of even understanding what was inside of him.


    All he ever managed to do was shut it out or hold it down. But every once and a while he felt something he shouldn¡¯t be able to feel. He could read what no one should be able to decipher. The energy inside forced him to sense these things.


    Energy was all around....and in that one moment the energy that he sensed disturbed him.


    It was beyond him and in him. On the fringes of his mind and deep in his core where the power burned like a never ending flame. He pinpointed it, even as he smiled calmly back at Glen.


    Out in the night. He didn¡¯t see it in his head or smell it. It was simply a feeling. Eyes and movement beyond the confines of the Leopards mansion.


    A mindless energy that was familiar to him.


    A feeling so ingrained in him that Brandon couldn¡¯t ignore it, no matter how subtly it came to him. Hunting. Something terrible was hunting him.


    Unlike the doubt that had plagued him while he hung out with Ezekiel on his Clans horse ranch. Brandon had no doubts now. Something was out there.


    Every never ending in his body shifted to a darker, colder setting. His hands clenched, his teeth ground together, his thoughts flipped completely away from the Leopardess sitting in front of him and went to thoughts of things that he could use to cut and to slash and to kill.


    ¡°Glen....¡± Brandon quipped with false levity, cutting off her next sentence as he stood, took her small hand softly and partially pulled her to her feet out of her own chair. Ignoring that he didn¡¯t want to touch her Branson put a second hand on Glen¡¯s elbow and began to lead her towards the hallway, all while he said. ¡°I¡¯m starving suddenly, and after listening to that story I¡¯m dying to try that fudge you were talking about. You go and get the chocolate and I¡¯ll meet you in the kitchen....ok?¡±


    ¡°Oh, well...Sure. I didn¡¯t think that my story would make you hungry.¡± Glen said then smiled as he released her elbow. ¡°But...Ok. I¡¯ll go get the supplies. None of the other boys ever take an interest in cooking. And I¡¯ve never had a mortal in the kitchen.¡±


    With a little bounce she pulled away from him, her big green eyes positively lit up. ¡°Come on, this is going to be interesting!¡±


    ¡°You bet!! I¡¯m right behind you.¡± Brandon smiled. He held that encouraging grin on his face until her small figure slipped out into the candle lit hall, and down the hallway to the foyer. Then with a sharp glare at the large window across the room; Brandon balled up his fists, walked over to the window and peered out into the heavy night.


    The energy inside of him swirled out of control bubbling up. It sensed his worry. He couldn¡¯t grasp it. He prayed that he could contain it. The warm leather resting over his hands settled him, helped him hold down the power that wanted to pour out of his core and he waited as the feeling of eyes on his body continued to grow.

 C hapter 68 - PREY

    Chapter 68 ¨C PREY


    They were hungry...but they had already ate a feast of flesh.


    The beasts sat in the shadows....their thoughts not far from the darkness that surrounded them. The sharp cutting smell of pine and rotted mulch offended and agitated them as much as the healthy, willowy canopy all around them seemed to irritate them. Branches and thin sticks that trembled in the soft cool wind.


    The slight almost musical twinkle of the pine needles tumbling to the forest floor, seemed to disturb the hidden hunters making them even more jumpy and angry then they were normally.


    As though they were unfamiliar with such a thing as falling leaves or healthy air, their bodies twitched and saliva gathered at the edges of their mouths as they became more hot and bothered by the passing hour.


    But though clearly angered by their surroundings the beasts sat as still as sentinels in the night. Poised on the balls of their clawed feet.


    And although the pungent scent of horse intestines and blood wafted up from the shapeless pile of shattered bones and horsey hamburger sitting before them, nothing seemed to please the beasts and they only grew more and more agitated as the moments passed by.


    The gummy, watery, smacks of teeth and flesh meeting and grinding filled the night air....but this was not what they needed to do and the beasts knew it.


    Even though the equine blood and feces were good as they ran down their gullets....the beasts needed to find their target.


    The hunters had searched for their prey for many many moons now. They had smelled its blood in the air, followed it to this forest, but now the beasts were uncertain what to do to capture their target.


    Their prey slept in the north, far from the cover of the trees. Hidden in a large cave....A cave filed with many of the Shape Changers that their kind despised. Shape Changers that their kind would normally devour if given the chance.


    But there were too many Shape Changers for them to fight all alone... and that was the only thing that had kept the target out of their grasp for so long.


    One of the beasts had already tasted one of the Shape Changers blood only a few nights ago. It had been angry blood. Delicious blood. Strong blood.


    And all around the beasts the smell of prey lurked....the smell of Shape Changers lingered. A mountain of scents that made the deadly hunters crave to shred and rend and tear everything in their paths until they had gorged themselves on the carnage.....but the beasts knew in a primitive part of their minds that this would bring them trouble.


    The beasts now understood that it was too dangerous to attack the Shape Changers....unless they wanted to fail their Master...and to fail the Master was not something that they were prepared to do. Failure was not something they had been trained to do.


    Their Master told them to seek. Their Master had bade them to hunt....and kill. To capture!


    And there! Suddenly standing in the window was their target!


    With eyes blind, because all of their kind stalked with senses other than sight, they simply sensed him moving in the cave. Sensed their targets energy...like a roaring flame...or sunlight. Their target glowed to them, his power called to them. There he was.


    With a chittering, chocked bark, the beasts lost what little train of thought they had managed to sustain. They raced each other towards the figure standing in the glass.


    Their Master had sent them to find.....and now they would capture.


    ***


    A sharp pinch of apprehension shot down Brandon¡¯s spine. He felt dread rising, as he placed a gloved hand to the window pane and peered into the unfamiliar darkness outside of the Shifters home. Something shot across the shadowed fields beyond the window. Brandon swallowed in shock, but he didn¡¯t move.


    Perhaps it¡¯s nothing....


    He thought to himself in an attempt to stave off the darker....less unpleasant thoughts. The thoughts that told him that something terrible was about to transpire.


    Brandon¡¯s eyes strained to make out the large shape of what was approaching, but in the cloudy moonlight there was nothing for his eyes to focus on. Then suddenly...for a few seconds the clouds shifted and a dull white beams of light blanketed the fields just in front of the house.


    And instantly Brandon realized that the large shadow was in fact two, long bodies moving towards him. Eyes...teeth. And outlines far too large to be men...and too misshapen to be any animals.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    It was something else....something that ate men and devoured everything else.


    Ghouls!


    Brandon thought, but it was already too late and he knew it. The moonlight faded, but the Shadows stalked closer, and slammed right into the side of the house.


    The glass shattered and cut into his face. Long claws attached to abnormally long arms and fingers just barely missed him as Brandon jumped back, tripped over the coffee table and slammed into the carpet on the other side of the wood. Chattering, broken yelps and cackles....and snarls clawed into the world, as the long lean arms chopped and slammed into the walls beside the window....as the beasts outside fought not only themselves, but geometry as they tried to force their way into the candle lit room. A cold spike of shock shot deep into Brandon¡¯s soul. Paralyzing him for a few precious seconds until he mentally slapped himself into movement.


    Move! Get up! MOVE!


    He screamed at himself as an oily unpleasant scent washed over him. The smell of excrement and urine. A scent that haunted Brandon¡¯s senses.


    They¡¯re goona will kill everyone in this house...But if I leave, maybe they¡¯ll follow me!


    I¡¯ve got to lead them away from here!


    Not even taking the time to worry about the blood gushing down his cheek, or the glass shattering loudly behind him, Brandon scrambled slightly as he rolled onto his stomach and shot onto his feet. Barely breathing, he sprinted out of the room, turned right, and slammed right into a group of big bodies. But the chest that he found himself rammed against just then was attached to a pair of bright blue eyes. Brandon only had a second to glance around the hall, and catch a glimpse of Ezekiel, Walter and Lander before the urgency was clawing at him again to run.


    To keep the beasts from attacking the Shifters somehow. To lead them away.


    And yet the three Shifters blocked the hall, preventing Brandon from shoving past them and each of them were staring down at him with expressions of varying levels of worry on their faces.


    Brandon ignored them all. He could barely think past the numb fear in his heart. He brought his hands up and shoved on Ezekiels chest. Trying to manhandle him out of his way, but it was like moving a wall and instead of moving back Ezekiel grabbed his wrists and stepped closer.


    ¡°Hey! What happened? We heard you screaming......How did you cut yourself!? ¡± Ezekiel rumbled against him as he grabbed Brandon¡¯s arms and held him back so that he could look at his face.


    His bright blue eyes locked onto the bloody gashes in Brandon¡¯s face, but before he could say another word the sound of whooping howls and snarls crawled out of the doorway behind them. All of three of the brothers snapped to attention, like dogs on alert.


    ¡°Let me go!¡± Brandon nearly shouted a second later, as he tried to break away from Ezekiels hold. ¡°They¡¯re gonna come through the window!¡±


    But Ezekiel wasn¡¯t even looking at him anymore. There was thrum of deadly energy as each of the brother cast enraged, slit eyes towards the sounds of attack and intruders. But none of the energy took his breath like Ezekiels.


    Like a slap of hot water it expanded around him too dense, to angry, to blood thirsty.


    ¡°Take him!¡± He growled, like gravel was in his throat.


    With a sharp hiss he pushed Brandon into his eldest brother¡¯s arms and shot down the hall and towards the monsters that Brandon had just ran from. Walters left arm locked around Brandon¡¯s shoulders as he turned him around, completely unfazed by Brandon¡¯s struggles to pull away from him. And without another word Ezekiel and Lander raced down the hall, their faces and teeth dissolving into something a little less handsome and a little more beastly as they disappeared around the corner.


    For a second Brandon hesitated. Everything in his body told him to push the wall of meat and stone that was Walter, out of his way and get as far away from the Leopards lands as his feet could carry him. But a part of him wanted to follow the brothers, help them....protect them.


    And in that one moment of hesitation the chance to disappear out into the night was taken away from him.


    ¡°Well!? Don¡¯t just stand there. Come on!¡± Walter growled as he snatched Brandon by the back of his neck and nearly yanked him down the hall beside him. Hopelessly unable to break his hold Brandon stumbled back down the hall, listening to the growing sounds of battle pouring out of the day room ahead of them.


    Hisses, snarls, whooping cackling laughter, shattering furniture.....and roaring. Once Walter reached the doorway he released Brandon and with a snarl unlike anything Brandon could remember. Walters¡¯s large frame rushed into the room, leaving Brandon in the hall. Torn between watching...and running.


    Brandon knew that the longer that he stayed there the more he endangered lives. The way was clear now. The brothers would be more then busy fighting the monsters that had come for him. With no one watching him Brandon could usurp Mantilo¡¯s Lock down, sneak away and be miles out of the forest before the last Shifter in that house was slaughtered......but.....but he just couldn¡¯t do it.


    He didn¡¯t know why....but he felt that he had to help.


    So with a mouth full of curses, Brandon forced himself to sprint into the room and as he came in on the heels of the Guardians his first instinct was to look for Ezekiel.


    But seeing the monsters in the full warm candle light of the day room is what rooted him to the spot.


    Two snarling, six foot whooping, growling, giants stood in the now decimated left side of dayroom opposite Ezekiel and Lander, Walter and the door way. The left side of room where the monsters had clawed their way in; now held a ripped up arm chair and two smashed tables. Various other broken things litter the space, pieces that the beasts had seemed to destroy out of pure homicidal rage. And this time Brandon saw them with perfect clarity. As he had never hoped to see them again....Ghouls. Beasts.


    Oily skinned beasts, with thick flesh the color of dead leaves, long lean limbs with talons and heads shaped like equine. All these seemingly unnatural appendages were perfectly fused with the bodies of men, with slightly elongated snouts and thin waists and defined muscles. Pitch black, pupil-less eyes glared at the Shifters in the room, weeping a clear mucus, and leathery long oval ears laid flat against the sides of their misshapen skulls began twitching back and forth as the intruders stood still.


    Growling aggressively and crouched slightly forward on the balls of their unnaturally long and dirty feet. Their lips drew back over jaws filled with needle sharp teeth, fangs dripping with saliva as dark and vile as their soulless eyes.

 Chapter 69 - Death & Anger

    Chapter 69- Death & Anger


    Ezekiel had fought many fights over the course of his life as a Guardian. Both physical and mental. Some long, some short. Some meaningful, some prideful.


    And as the youngest boy in a family full of male siblings he had engaged in various battles for dominance ranging from playful to downright bloody....but he could only remember fighting for his life a hand full of times in his history.


    That split second to avoid tragedy. The rage, the blood lust.....the focus.


    He felt all of that in the few minutes that had passed since the moose killers, the olive skinned monsters, had appeared in all their horrible glory and began attacking him and his brothers in their own home.


    The beasts stunk of rancid meat and vicious black fluids ran from their jewels.....The scent of them was enough to turn Ezekiels stomach. It wafted off of them like perfume and for a moment Ezekiel realized that this smell was what had allowed the beasts to hide away from them so effectively. They stunk of rot and death....and Ezekiel and his brothers had been searching for the scent of something that smelled alive.


    Looking like twisted half formed Shifters, with the hyper elongated shapes of men and the appendages of beasts they were hard to look at strait on without feeling disquiet rising in your thoughts.


    With long snouts, fangs and talons for shredding meant, large pupil-less black eyes and a body that seemed driven by pure instinct...and rage. Not eye sight or even thought processes.


    The beasts moved like the wind. Their steps fleeting and hard to follow with mortal eyes, their attacks hard to predict because they were mostly savage and unthinking....seeming to use nothing but a combination of brute force and weight to their every advantage. They put all of their bodies into each move, so that every hit was like a slab of concrete to the arms as Ezekiel blocked and deflected one ravenous swipe of talons and teeth after another. The vile scent of bile floated all about the creatures....and Ezekiel suspected that the smell emanated from the black, silky, slimy fluid that dribbled down the jowls and chests of the beasts.


    The two monsters¡¯ kept up a salvo of attack and movement. They divided their attack on him and his brothers, so that Ezekiel was left to fight one, while his elder brothers were left to fight the other larger beast. They all struggled, even the beasts, who seemed unfamiliar with the confines of the room that they had just crawled into. They shot about, attacking, smashing their bodies and claws into the walls and furniture and cackling out into the air. A sound like none other than Ezekiel could remember hearing, the sounds of their cackles seemed like madness.


    It was like the insane laughter of a man, turned brittle and pitched at a high key that scrapped at the inner ear. It was annoying...and a tad disturbing. But even more of a problem was their frantic movement.....it remained Ezekiel of something.


    It¡¯s like....like they are searching for something...


    He realized in the back of his head as he ducked a heavy claw to his temple that would have severely injured him.


    But he soon stopped thinking. The blood roared in his ears. It was all Ezekiel could do to step into the beasts¡¯ space to land two or three blows of his own. But the kicks and cuts that he managed to land with his own claws barely seemed to faze the monster. The olive colored flesh was hard, taunt and nearly as thick as leather. Ezekiel tried to focus all of his attention on the beast¡¯s throat and body, but his claws never seemed to come into contact with any deep tissue. Every killing blow eluded him....and nothing he did to the Beast made it back off. It was quickly become a battle of desperation and endurance...and then everything turned. Lander went down as a heavy fist slammed into his right shoulder. Something shifted beneath Landers skin and he roared in agony as he went down to his knees.


    Then with a roar....Walter went flying into a wall, before collapsing on top of a coffee table, splintering it apart as his large body made contact. He didn¡¯t get back up.


    With a hyper cackle that sounded far too much like a laugh the beast crouched down on its hands and feet, and sniffed at the air, and with a chill Ezekiel watched its jowls open and its lips pull back over its snout. With a grimace of sharp, long canines and saliva it turned its ears, then its head in the direction of the one person in that room that wasn¡¯t a threat.


    Ezekiel actually felt his heart skip a beat. A sharp prick of shock hit him.


    Until that moment....he hadn¡¯t been aware of Brandon¡¯s existence in the room....hadn¡¯t considered the danger....


    He also hadn¡¯t considered that Brandon would not only rush over to Walter and try to pull him out of the room, but that he would see the beast coming for him and instead of running or even being afraid....he would stare at the beast and make no move to retreat. No fear. No anger. Just this black slate almost like he wasn¡¯t there in that moment....about to be accosted.


    ¡°Walter! Get out of there!¡± Ezekiel shouted, hoping to rouse one of them into action. But Walter was out cold. A slow growl traveled up the beast long throat and to the determent of Ezekiels nerves Brandon laughed. Something cold and hard.....and dark and empty of anything except a challenge.


    ¡°Fuck you...¡± He said. Holding Walter close...as though he could protect him.


    And Ezekiel sensed more than knew that the beast was about to launch


    ¡°Oh no you don¡¯t!¡± Lander roared jumping to the defense and racked his talons down the shoulder and oily back of the beast, eliciting a howl of agony as flesh and muscle spit open gushing blood.


    And like a flash the beast turned and centered all of its rage on Lander, pushing him back, bearing down. Trying to kill him.


    Ezekiel wanted to rush over, but he barely avoided a slash meant for his heart, and as he circled his own beast, he watched Lander form the side of his vision, begin to grapple with the one that had knocked Walter down. Then there was Brandon; who had rushed over to the spot where Walter had fallen and was just crouching down beside him and the shattered wooden table.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    And it was at that exact moment that Lander and the beast slammed into the carpet. Growling, snarling, roaring and the ripping of flesh and cloth was all he could hear ad his Brother struggled to subdue the intruder. Landers eyes were glowing with rage and blood lust, thick canines shown out as he snarled in the beasts snapping face. It was apparent that he was struggling....and that the fangs of the beast....were only moving closer.


    ¡°Lander!¡± Ezekiel hissed, shoving his own claws into the hip of the beast before him, it howled as his claws sunk into soft flesh and struck the joint beneath. The agony that that blow must have caused, brought Ezekiel a few moments ¡°Get out of there¡±


    ¡°I....cant! My fucking shoulder is broken!¡± Lander roared, the struggle and the rage in his voice sounding strained. ¡°I¡¯m pinned down...!¡±


    And like lightening Ezekiel found himself once more grappling with his own problems. The beast suddenly slammed into him. Its large, lean body like a train of warm metal. Its entire body rocked him, throwing him to the far right of the room and leaving his wheezing for air. Stumbling even further from his brothers, and with renewed vigor and speed the beast tried everything in its power to remove Ezekiel¡¯s head from his body.


    ¡°Shit...!¡± Lander growled and Ezekiel knew he only had seconds to intervene.


    Ezekiel couldn¡¯t get to him. He couldn¡¯t...


    But....suddenly Ezkeiel realized that HE didn¡¯t have too. All Lander needed was a distraction....a split second to turn the tables....Someone to intervene.


    ¡°Brandon...!¡± Ezekiel barked, shoving the beast to the left, and ducking a swipe that it sent back at him in retaliation. ¡°Help Lander!¡±


    Brandon looked at him, his green eyes looking dull and flat like a blanket had fallen over his thoughts. It was dangerous. And he instantly felt a pressure in his chest after even saying it. But....he couldn¡¯t pull it back in...and Brandon seemed to instantly focus on him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can stop that thing....¡± Brandon began the words were empty of anything. Cold. But they were not an excuse, just a simple fact. He fingered his right hand, tracing the leather glove over his palm, as he moved to his feet as though the answer laid beneath the material. He looked far too lost.....too mindless. His words made no sense. It was as though he were in shock....but as much as Ezekiel hated himself he had to push him....or people were going to die.


    ¡°Brandon help Lander! Now! Find a weapon!!¡± Ezekiel yelled over to Brandon, before he was once again assaulted by his own relentless beast.


    ¡°Alright...¡± Ezekiel heard Brandon say. Then without another word he snapped into action. Ezekiel saw him turn and rummaged around Walters landing place. And the next thing he knew Ezekiel saw Brandon hefting one of the broken legs of the table. The wood was as long and as wide as his forearm and splintered on the edge in such a fashion that it had the tip of a spike or a spear.


    With the same skill and precision that had allowed him to elude Ezekiel in the past, Brandon sprinted over to the tumbling, grappling mass that was Lander and the beast. At first he tried to slam the wood over the back of the beasts head, but the beast mostly ignored him. So with a curse Brandon backed up, and then with a small running start, Brandon slanted the wood down and rammed it up into the beasts lower back.


    The wood hit a sweet spot just blow the ribs and above the hip. It slid up into the beast¡¯s body with a sucking thunk and schleck of meat, accompanied by the howl of agony form the beast. The howl was so high pitched and resounding that Ezekiel flinched as the sound tore at his sensitive ear and sensed everyone else on the room do the same. Then releasing Lander....only to grab his right wrists....and fling him over the couch....the wounded and aggravated beast turned on Brandon.


    With a wooden back step Brandon and the beast did a slow dance. Until they stopped and simply stood looking at each other. The beast out stood and outweighed him by a mile...but Ezekiel didn¡¯t see anything on Brandon¡¯s face that was even close to fear. His eyes were cold and focused. He took one last step back and the beast followed....slowly it began to raise its claws. Like a scythe the beast poised for the final blow....and Brandon weaponless and unflinching glared back.


    Ezekiel knew that the beast was going to kill him. Brandon was going to die.


    No!


    It was a resounding denial of what was to happen....what could only be the outcome. He felt it all the way down to his core. He didn¡¯t have a second...he didn¡¯t have time to deal with the beast before him.....


    Ezekiel heard something inside of him demand.


    So Ezekiel didn¡¯t think....he let the instincts take him. He let the indescribable rage in his blood, leak out, just for a moment. Like a high that burned far worse then fire, he felt the energy of his inner beast filling him... the Reaver boiling in his heart.


    With very little hesitation he leaned into the next hit with his fangs and teeth. And with a crushing pressure he snarled as he latched on. Savegly he sunk his canines deep into the forearm of the beast and used his claws to shred flesh.


    Then Ezekiel laughed as he stepped in and tore into the beasts soft stomach. The rotten smell of the beast¡¯s blood choked him as his teeth and claws tore into it and in the back of his mind Ezekiel heard the distinct and unsettling feeling of bone and cartilage ripping, separating.... The feeling of an arm being pulled apart.


    He ran his claws up and into the beasts face as it tried to snap at him....without any remorse or care and with a pitiful growl the beast stumbled back and pulled away from him....The movement of its head and body as it retreated, flinging fresh unpleasant smelling blood across Ezekiel¡¯s face, joining the curtain of blood drenching his lips and throat..


    He only had a moment to glimpse a popped eyeball spurting blood....and a long olive colored arm, hanging nearly detached from its elbow....


    Then Ezekiel didn¡¯t have to hear its feet on the wood and glass to know that the beast was fleeing, running back into the night.


    And he didn¡¯t care....he simply sprinted to the monster that had hurt his brother¡¯s.....that was trying to hurt someone he felt compelled to protect at all costs


    In seconds Ezekiels was on the beast. He slammed into it from the side, forcing it away from Brandon even as it tried to bring its claws down on him.


    In the back of his mind Ezekiel heard Brandon calling his name, but the sound of his voice was nothing more than an echo next to the roar of rage now. The rage was endless. An ocean. It was so easy to swim in the red haze. So easy to feel the Reaver boil him alive. So easy to drown in it. It felt good. It was warm and perfect.


    There was fire in Ezekiels lungs and blood in his stomach. There was nothing better. He liked it....and that was the sin. The Shame.....the danger.


    Ezekiel swarmed the beast until it had no choice but to retreat.


    He grabbed the wood sticking out of its side and with little ceremony or precision he plunged it out of the beasts thick back, feeling the warm gush as red fluid began to flow.


    There was blood, and rage, and nothing else.


    Until suddenly Ezekiel felt something clamp around his throat and toss him back. With a grunt he rammed back into Brandon who had somehow came up behind him, and the next thing Ezekiel heard and saw was the pitiful whimper of the beast as it scuttled like a spider across the room, and disappeared out into the darkness. Smearing blood all about the frame.


    ¡°Ezekiel! Ezekiel stop! Control yourself!¡± Came the snarling command from his brother. Walters voice hard and as commanding as steel.


    Ezekiel pivoted and hissed back. He roared in defiance at the loss of his kill and his muscles coiled with the threat of violence on those that remained. His mind swimming in death...and anger. He wanted to kill anything that moved, the thrum of heartbeats in his ear was like a sirens call, to rip out throats....devour the hot flesh organs. He needed to...no....he wanted to...


    And yet it was the sight of Brandon, walking towards his brothers, and looking at him... The mortals need was clear in his eyes. He was so lost and his face was cut up...Ezkeiel couldn''t handle the anxious way the man looked around, between them all, obviously unsure. He needed confort nothing else...


    And his presence made the Reaver turn himself away. He gnashed his jaw, closed his blazing in human eyes and covered the hideous and ferocious visage of his too large six fangs. Disgust danced in his breast as his fingertips spread over the horrible veneer of his own warped expression, as it always did.