Never Let Me Go Read online

  They began walking briskly towards him not sure how to handle this but needing to be closer. Their instincts and nature were pushing them to meet this man. They were confident that being a wolf, he would know who they were as soon as he scented them. The little wolf was about to meet his two mates.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The men came up on him so fast Benny had no time to think or move or even take a breath. Within a split second, they'd surrounded him and crowded him to the wall. Oh my God, did they happen to scent his arousal, did he offend them? His mind was racing for an appropriate apology or an explanation, but his throat had choked up with fear the moment they descended. He couldn't find any words and blind terror had rendered him mute. His wolf, as always, skittish and afraid was running for cover.

  Benny had been beaten many times in his life. Growing up in a pack that valued nothing but brute force and power left him and his brother Jack, two omega wolves, to their mercy and that pack had no mercy. They would have surely died if their cousin Kristof had not rescued them. Now staring at these two deadly vampires he was certain his end was coming. These men weren't just angry drunken wolves; they were trained killers, and once you were in their sights, you didn't escape.

  The young wolf's fear hit him like a punch to the gut and Kingston instantly pulled back. He could hear the wolf's heart beating out of his chest and his breath coming out in shallow, short pants, that would leave him gasping for breath very soon. He raised his hand to touch him and instantly realized the mistake in that move.

  Both he and Diego sought to calm him, but the wolf was terrified beyond comprehension. His reactions were those of someone who had experience with horror in their life. They’d handled this all wrong, mistakenly having expected the young wolf to recognize them as his mates.

  He began to whine, and the sound was a pure frightened cry that had him folding in on himself and slipping to the floor evidently awaiting his deadly fate.

  “Sweetheart, no.” Diego was the first to speak as the situation got so out of hand so fast that neither knew what to do. The wolf was so terrified that any movement or words on their part just intensified his distress. They glanced at each other and took a step back just as someone came tearing down the hall towards them.

  It was an attack, this they understood; this they could handle. The man was large and powerful and when within a few feet from impact shifted into a most fearsome beast. They worked together glancing blows and evading claws and teeth. The wolf was formidable but was failing due to their combined concentration. They heard another approach from the opposite end of the hall.

  "Josef," Kingston stated as they kept the wolf occupied and forced him back. Josef jumped into the melee working to subdue them, but his attention was split between them, the young man and the large wolf. He was not at his full capability, and they were able to knock him back several times, but he never stopped. The large wolf managed to get a hold of Kingston’s arm and tore at the flesh, but Kingston remained firmly focused on his mission.

  They didn’t wish to hurt anyone considering that they were guests of the Hadden Coven, but they would defend themselves and their beloved. They kept close to the young wolf fearing for his safety in the middle of this brawl.

  He’d completely rolled into a ball on the floor by the wall and his whine, the sound of his terror, filled the air. The sound was disturbing and upsetting in a way neither had experienced before. The need to calm and console their beloved was overwhelming them.

  Kingston was holding off the wolf while Diego entertained Josef. Both were formidable fighters, but they were all obviously holding back, no one was going for the kill. The battle was going to be without end as everyone’s concern was the young wolf.

  They were all fighting for the same reason with the same goal in mind, protect the wolf. This was Kingston’s final thought as a wave of energy passed through him the likes of which he could only compare to Master Louis DuCane.

  Within a blink of an eye, he and Diego were swept up by this energy and slammed against the wall all activity came to an abrupt halt as they were suspended immobile inches off the floor.

  “What in the hell is going on here?” It was a question that demanded an immediate answer. Standing before them holding them aloft and still was the Master of this Coven, Nikolas Hadden, and he didn’t look at all pleased.

  Before they could respond, the wolf shifted and began a rant of impressive proportions. "They were attacking Benny. I heard his whine, and when I arrived, they were looming over him. He was scared out of his mind."

  The wolf shifter did not know what he was talking about, and Kingston could feel his anger rising. With a stern look from Diego, Kingston knew he had to stay composed, keep his head in the game before misunderstandings abounded. The wolf was making them sound like abusive fiends to target such a vulnerable member of the coven, but they would have their turn to speak.

  Master Hadden lowered them back to the floor but kept a tight grip on their throats in case they were contemplating any more trouble. They wanted their beloved, but they would have to explain first. There was no way that Master Hadden would let them near the small wolf at the moment. Josef was attending to him, but the little man was still scared out of his mind.

  “Kristof take Benny to Dr. Langley and stay with him.” He spoke to the large wolf. Both Diego and Kingston were pierced through with guilt at the condition of their little beloved. The moment was so fucked up. They had no idea how they would repair this relationship. Having scared the living daylights out of the little man was no way to begin a lifelong love affair.

  Diego could see the pain etched on Kingston's brow. He wondered how the man was restraining himself as they watched the large wolf take their beloved up into his arms and carry him away. The crying never stopped, and its effect was crippling.

  Hadden’s power was considerable and the only thing that was holding them back from going after their little wolf. Once Kristof and their beloved Benny were out of sight, Master Hadden released them. He also made it clear with one cold glance that they would be dealt with permanently if they tried anything.

  They stayed silent taking in the area and deciding their next move. They would follow Master Hadden unless it proved not to be in their best interests. In that case, they had their beloved's name, Benny, and he was taken to the medical office which they knew was on the ground floor. Coven laws and politics varied depending upon the Master, and they needed to be ready for whatever the outcome of the next few minutes.

  “Come.” Master Hadden spoke to them and motioned for Josef to follow. They walked down the hall three doors and then stopped and waited while Master Hadden opened the door and they all entered. Josef closed the door and took a guard stance in front of it. Master Hadden pointed at two straight back chairs directing them to sit.

  Diego looked at Kingston and neither wanted to sit, but this was not their call. Master Hadden was in control, so they sat. Hadden walked over to them and captured them in a steely dark stare before asking. "Why were you bothering Benny?"

  Diego answered knowing that Kingston hated explanations. Diego gave an account of Kingston’s first reckoning in the main room of the Club. He then described their search of the club itself until realizing the person’s scent was so slight that they assumed he’d left. Diego appreciated that both Hadden and his Second listened as he explained their suspicion and their delight.

  “We assumed it was a staff member since the scent was throughout the main room but also present in the kitchen and the area behind the bar. When we noticed the scent was all but faded, we decided to go to our room and discuss our next move. That is when we happened upon Benny standing in this hall, he was the source of the scent and the object of our quest.” Diego looked at Kingston who nodded and reached over to take his hand.

  Kingston looked up at Master Hadden. “We meant him no harm. We knew that he was a wolf and we assumed he would scent us and know who we were.” Kingston left it there not liking the third degree from these folks when all he wanted, needed was to see that their beloved, Benny was okay.

  The vision of him in distress and having that big wolf walk off with him was taking its toll on his ability to stay still. Diego's touch was helping, but Kingston could feel through their bond that Diego's anxiety was also growing.

  “Benny is your beloved?” Master Hadden was addressing Diego.

  “He is our beloved, our third.” Diego clarified unequivocally. They felt the Master reach out with his mind and touch the edges of theirs. He was checking their honesty and their motives. They did not resist for they had nothing to hide in respect to their beloved. Master Hadden was strong, but he did not have the power to invade the minds of Master DuCane's subjects especially not the minds of his assassins. They allowed him access knowing he needed to trust their motives.

  “We approached him too eagerly and startled the young wolf. He began to whine, and we could not reach him.” Diego was pained to relive those moments, but the Master needed to understand.

  "They're telling the truth," Hadden spoke to his Second but sounded less than delighted by the outcome. "Stay with them, and I'll check on Benny." He turned back to them before he left the room.

  “Your beloved is safe and being looked after by his Alpha, Kristof and our Coven doctor, Dr. Langley.” He said no more and immediately exited the room leaving Josef guarding the door.

  …

  Benny believed with certainty that he was going to die. The moment those men surrounded him he lost it and it wasn’t his proudest moment by far. When his fear overwhelmed him, his wolf took over and began to cower and whine. Benny, as an omega, didn’t have the power of most wolf shifters. He was biologically a smaller, weaker member of the species as was his brother Jack. Rather than figh
t back, his wolf is predisposed to cower and cry out, again not his proudest moment.

  “You’ll be fine. It was a terrible shock, but you’re recovering fine. Nothing to worry about Benny.” Dr. Langley patted him on the shoulder and turned to address Kristof who was wearing a pair of scrubs that Dr. Langley had given him.

  Kristof had shredded his fine suit when he shifted to save him from the . . . Vampires. Benny was feeling strange now that he was calm and back to himself. They'd presented themselves abruptly, but the vampires hadn't actually touched him or made any threats or demands.

  Now that he had time to think about it, the entire situation might have been an overreaction on his part. Fed in large part by his own imagination and the stories he'd heard about the assassins. Things weren't sitting well with him, his soul felt troubled. He would have to figure this out. The thought that he may have caused those men to be attacked by not just Kristof, but also Josef was suddenly weighing heavy on his heart.

  When Dr. Langley left the room, Kristof came over and sat down beside him. “You’re safe Benny. No one will hurt you.” Kristof put his hand on Benny’s shoulder lending him his alpha strength and balancing his energy.

  “I don’t think they were going to hurt me. My wolf panicked when they came at me so fast and based on all the stories I’d heard about the pair my wolf freaked out. I’m embarrassed to admit that I may have reacted negatively and excessively when it wasn’t called for. I thought I was stronger than that, but I took one look at those guys and started crying.” Benny found it hard to own up to how weak he really was. Kristof kept his hand on Benny's shoulder and continued to soothe his wolf.

  “Master Hadden will ferret out the truth. You had a right to be afraid, they’re a frightening couple, there’s no crime in that.” Benny tried to let go of the guilt that was slowly enveloping him, but it refused to go away. Something important was in the air Benny could feel it, but he couldn’t identify what it was.

  He glimpsed a blood stain on Kristof’s wrist and reached over to wipe it off. “I think you’re hurt.” He said and rubbed the drop of red liquid between his thumb and forefinger.

  "That's not mine. I wounded the tall blonde, but he didn't even flinch, and it didn't slow him down. Those men are well trained." Benny continued to study the blood on his fingers. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine," Kristof assured believing that the strain on Benny's face was for him.

  Benny was worried but not for Kristof. The blood was calling to him, and its presence was making his wolf howl, softly, but it was definitely a howl. The frightened rabbit in his mind was suddenly coming forward, and Benny did not know what it meant. Before he could consider it longer his attention was drawn to the door when Master Hadden walked in.

  He observed Benny for a moment before walking over to stand in front of him. Kristof remained close. “Do you know those two men?” He asked.

  “They’re the assassins.” He stated quickly without thinking then added more carefully. “They are Master DuCane’s men.”

  Master Hadden nodded. "Yes, they are Kingston Nash and Diego Castilla, and they claim that you are their beloved." Benny just stared speechless while Kristof instantly went for the obvious.

  “But they are a mated pair, which one is claiming Benny?” He asked.

  “They both are.” Master Hadden stepped up to Benny and looked at him closely, reading him and his confusion. Benny kept himself as composed as was possible and glanced to the side because the stare of a Master Vampire was impossible to meet.

  "Do you recognize them?" He asked, and Benny thought long before he answered. He looked down at the blood on his fingertips and knew.

  “Yes.” He said and then tried to explain. “I didn’t understand at first. I was so scared I couldn’t think straight. I thought they were attacking me when they came at me so fast.” He looked back and forth between Master Hadden and Kristof and then back at the blood.

  “My wolf is showing interest and concern.” Benny looked up at Master Hadden and then quickly away. “Are they okay? Are they hurt?” The thought of either of them being hurt was causing a sinking feeling in his heart. If they were injured, he was the cause. His alarm began to rise, and he suddenly felt that he must see them. He must make sure they’re okay.

  “The blood is Kingston’s, and he is perfectly fine. The blood speaks to you?” Master Hadden empathized.

  "Yes, it's strange because they scare the crap out of me but on some level, I know them." Benny struggled with a reasonable response. It was just a feeling, but it kept getting larger and deeper and he didn't know what it was or how to explain it accurately. "Are they my mates? Do I have two mates? I don't know what to do."

  Kristof squeezed his shoulder supportively but did not comment. Two mates, the idea made his head swim and he couldn’t seem to get it clear. The men were formidable in their own right and important members of a coven that happens to be one of the oldest and most powerful in the nation. How could he be the mate to men such as these?

  “You don’t have to do anything, Benny. Go to your room and get some rest and I’ll arrange for the three of you to meet tomorrow.” Master Hadden offered. Benny felt a spike of fear but pushed it back. He nodded and got up heading for the door but turned back before leaving.

  “Would you tell them I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause trouble for them.” Benny asked.

  “I will.” Master Hadden answered. Benny nodded and left the room.

  …

  Sitting there waiting for someone to tell them they could pursue their beloved was not setting well in Kingston’s mind. Never has anyone stood in his way when on a mission and this was indeed the most important mission of their lives.

  He looked over at Diego seated next to him and could feel that he too was incensed by the interference. They played by this Coven's rules and let them take Benny away, but now they were coming to the end of their patience. If they weren't informed of Benny's care and condition very soon, they would take it upon themselves to find out. Josef was strong, but he wasn't strong enough to contain them.

  Diego caught his eye and told him with one stern look to stand down. Diego was the calm level headed one and Kingston always heeded his directions and warnings. But in this case, all Kingston could see was the need to connect with their beloved. Benny was hysterical when they took him away, and that was the last they'd seen him. Kingston's instincts and nature were compelling him to find their beloved and secure his safety, and he wasn't sure how long he would be able to control himself.

  “Benny Lakatos has had a difficult life.” They were surprised when Josef who’d remained mute for the past thirty minutes suddenly began to speak to them. “His reaction to you is understandable if you knew him. He and his younger brother Jack were members of the Pine River Pack, and as omegas, I'm sure you know what their life was like in that pack. I was there when they were rescued by their cousin Kristof, I saw their condition. Benny has grown stronger in the years he's been with us, but some old wounds are hard to heal."

  Diego's heart went out to the poor little wolf as visions of that mangy group of beasts came to mind. The Pine River Pack was just south of their Coven and was on their list to be eradicated before the Pittsburgh Coven intervened and completed the job for them.

  Coven DuCane never interacted with the Pine River Pack but their behavior and their brutality, in general, had become problematic to the paranormal world at large. He knew Kingston was barely holding on to his control and this new information could trip that. He held tighter to Kinston's hand channeling his love and support.

  Kingston was a born protector, always defending what was his and being separated from their newly found mate was taking its toll. Now discovering that Benny had been for years at the mercy of the depraved wolves of Pine River was causing even his control to waver.

  He looked over at Kingston and tried to give him the strength to wait. The Master of this coven was honorable, and any delay was most likely justified. They had to play by the rules, for now anyway.

  "Thank you," Diego stated and Josef gave him a curt nod and then it was silence again. He squeezed Kingston's hand and felt him settle down. He and Kingston had been together for decades now, but they had always known there was another that would join them. Their bond was strong but not complete, Benny would complete them.