Tempestuous Miracles (7 page)

Wrapping an arm around his mate's slim shoulders, Frey watched his family go. "Is this all right?" Mirian asked once they were far enough away.

"As much as can be expected," Frey replied honestly. "It's unlike my father to be so rash, so he'll probably come back eventually. But that doesn't really matter. It's not like we're stuck here. I still have friends to turn to, and once you're comfortable with it, we'll consider our options."

Mirian perked up, clearly understanding the reference to Julian and Roman. "I'd love to meet another Bearer. Do you really think they'll want to help us?"

"I'm sure they will." Frey brushed a kiss over the tip of Mirian's nose. "After all, who could possibly say no to you?"

"Your family, apparently," Mirian drawled.

Frey laughed, hugging his mate close. "Fair enough. But I have faith this is going to be different. In the end, that's the only thing we can do, have faith."

His chuckles faded as the weight of his decision settled in his chest. He could not truly take Julian and Roman for granted, but his heart told him everything would be all right as long as he and Mirian stayed together. He would find a way to ensure Mirian's safety. He would not let any harm come to his beloved mate. And if someone tried to take Mirian away from him... Well, they would find out why it was never wise to mess with a werewolf's mate.

****

They didn't leave immediately. Instead, Frey chose to contact Roman Montblanc and ask for his assistance. The island might have been remote, but they actually had quite a lot of tech—including sat-phones.

Mirian leaned against Frey as his mate spoke to his friend, eavesdropping on the conversation. Roman sounded surprised upon receiving the call, but as soon as Frey explained the situation—skimming over some details which would be better to mention in person—he became excited. "That is excellent news, my friend. Congratulations." He sobered and let out a slight sigh. "I'm sorry to hear that your father was not more supportive, but rest assured, you're more than welcome to come here."

Mirian didn't know what to make of the warm welcome, and he wasn't sure it would be quite that easy. Once again, Frey almost seemed to read his thoughts. "Your Alpha won't mind?" he asked Roman.

"Not at all," Roman answered without missing a beat. "Your mate would be the third Bearer we have. To be honest, the pack is happier than ever. Seeing pups around... Well, everyone is very pleased. Believe me, whatever misgivings my father might have had completely died when he met my daughter."

"Thank you for your kindness," Frey answered. "I will discuss it with my mate and his family and call you again to make arrangements."

Predictably, Mirian's father wasn't very happy about the idea. "You don't even know these people that well," he argued. "How can you be sure he'll be safe?"

Mirian answered in Frey's stead. "It would be the best place we can possibly find as a refuge. The Montblanc pack is already the home of two Bearers, one of whom has given birth. Not only would I have protection, but also the medical care of staff experienced in other issues that might come up." He appreciated and trusted Gonzalo, but his physician would probably not know what to do about a child who was half-werewolf. "No one would hate me there, Father. They would understand."

Frey wrapped an arm around him, having likely guessed what Mirian wasn't saying. This wasn't just about the two of them. Mirian simply couldn't live on the island anymore, not like he had before. He loved his family, but the need to see and be more was getting the better of him. It had only increased after Frey's arrival.

Gonzalo cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "In any case, you're not exactly in a hurry, are you? There have been no signs of the island being targeted yet, so you don't necessarily need to go right this instant."

"We're not actually talking about a permanent move. I was thinking that a visit might be in order," Frey replied. "It would do Mirian good to meet another Bearer, give him more perspective over his potential choices. We'll decide what to do next according to what Mirian is comfortable with."

While Frey's words were completely reasonable, Mirian's family still protested. By the time the conversation ended, Mirian felt completely exhausted. He almost couldn't believe it when he realized it wasn't even time for dinner yet.

The realization shocked him beyond measure. Had it really been less than half a day since the storm? That couldn't be right, not when Mirian felt like he'd known Frey forever.

Maybe that was exactly the problem. There was a disconnect between what he knew at an instinctual level, and what how it translated into his human reality. Frey knew it too. It was why he hadn't claimed Mirian when Mirian would have gladly thrown all caution to the wind.

Frey seemed lost in thought as well, although Mirian couldn't have possibly said what it was that his mate was thinking about. He could have headed back to his room, he supposed, and led Frey to his own—Ariel must have made the arrangements by now—but the atmosphere between them was charged with a not wholly comfortable tension.

Mirian thus decided to lead his mate to the garden that adjoined the house. It was quite expansive, something his father had always hoped would prevent Mirian from venturing away from the grounds. It hadn't worked, but it was still a place Mirian enjoyed.

They sat on a stone bench conveniently placed under a tree that blocked most of their view of the house. "This is so strange," Mirian dared to say after a small moment of pause. "I have no idea what to think and feel right now."

Frey nudged his shoulder with his own, a companionable gesture that would have been right at home between friends, but not so much between lovers. "There's no 'should' when it comes to feelings. It's been a very long day, and things are finally starting to process. It's understandable that you'd experience some wariness."

Mirian nodded, but couldn't bring himself to actually put distance between them. He set his head on Frey's shoulder, staring out at the darkening sky. Now that he was actually sitting here, truly thinking about things, he realized just how torn he was.

"I'm scared," he confessed. "I want to leave the island so badly. I always have. I want to be with you. But this... This is the only thing I've ever known. What if..." What if they were wrong? What if Frey decided his family was correct to doubt him? What if he liked that female werewolf more? What if Frey's friends hated him?

Facing his father had forced him to claim that he was ready, but was that really true?

He realized he was trembling when Frey pulled him into his arms, kissing his hair. "I'm sorry, Mirian. This has all been happening so fast, much too fast for you. If I'd had my way, I would have courted you properly, given you all the time you needed. But I'm scared too. I'm scared that you might not be safe here, or that you'll change your mind and not want a werewolf mate after all. So I've been selfish and pushed you into something you weren't ready for. I'm so sorry."

Mirian let Frey's heat comfort and reassure him. "I won't change my mind. It's just... This morning I didn't even know you existed, and now, you already mean so much to me. How is that even possible?"

"You're my mate, so there's a natural draw between us," Frey explained. "But you don't have to let that draw lead you. You're a human, so you automatically attempt to rationalize something that cannot really be explained, and that's fine. We'll take things as slow as you like and get to know one another. In the end, you have to remember—everything is your choice."

Right. Frey had told him that before, in the cave. It was just so easy to forget and to lose himself when things were happening so quickly around him.

At some level, he realized he was playing hot and cold, not at all consistent with his emotions. Earlier, he'd practically assaulted Frey, and now he was being uncertain about their relationship. Frey had been so understanding, and yet...

"You don't mind?" he couldn't help but ask. "That I'm like this?"

"Oh, Mirian..." Frey cupped his cheek gently, brushing his fingers over his skin. "You're perfect. You're my very own miracle. How could I possibly mind?"

It would have taken a man stronger than Mirian to argue with that. Leaning in closer to Frey, Mirian allowed himself to relax and believe in this bond they shared.

It would take some time for him to get used to it, but Frey was with him and didn't judge him for his hesitance. And Mirian might be confused about today's events, but he was certain of one thing. He'd been right when he'd told his father that what he and Frey had was special. With time and patience, it would only grow and become strong enough to withstand any storm.

****

"Duke Lamine, huh?" As soon as Roman ended the call, Julian approached him, a scowl on his beautiful face. "That isn't good."

Roman didn't like his beloved mate's disturbed, distant expression. It only ever appeared when Julian thought about his past, something which Roman tried to prevent if he could help it.

But some things could not be wiped away, no matter how much Roman wanted them to. "Did you know him?"

"Yes and no," Julian replied. "He was at my party, the day you and I met. We didn't speak for long—his age disqualified him from actually pursuing a potential relationship with me—but he gave me this strange disquieting look. I didn't get the chance to learn more, because after that, I was distracted by you."

"You think we should look into it?" Roman asked.

"That would definitely be a good idea." Julian squeezed his hand, a shadow flitting over his eyes. "I don't know, Roman, but I have a very bad feeling about this. Start looking. The sooner we find out what's going on, the better."

It was in moments like these that Roman wished Julian didn't feel responsible for every single Bearer in the world. He loved Julian's kindness and determination, but at the end of the day, there was only so much a single man could accomplish without running himself ragged.

Julian almost seemed to guess his thoughts. "Stop worrying about me. I can practically hear you thinking. I promise I'll be careful."

Roman couldn't help it. He brushed a kiss over Julian's sweet lips. "Oh, you mean you won't try to take the world on by yourself?"

Julian scoffed. "Of course not. That's what I have you for." His expression sobered and he leaned into Roman's embrace. "I want others to have what we do, Roman. I want them to be happy. But I'm afraid... I'm afraid of what this will mean for them."

Roman trusted his mate's instincts. He also knew that some battles could only be fought by the people directly involved in them. "I'll start looking at once. But you just have to keep one thing in mind. Frey is a good man. If anything happens, he'll support his mate."

Even as he said the words, Roman hoped they would not have to test Frey's strength. He hoped he and Julian were wrong, and for once, things could actually be easy for a Bearer.

He highly suspected his hopes would be for naught.

Chapter Six

A few days later

"Pretty!"

The first word that greeted Mirian as he entered the Montblanc mansion sounded more like a childish squeal than anything else. As it turned out, that was exactly what it was, because as soon as he heard it, he turned, only to see a small wolf pup barreling toward him.

The pup's paws skidded against the floor, claws scratching the wood. The little animal let out a tiny howl of frustration, and its figure blurred, leaving behind an adorable little girl.

"Pretty!" she said again, once more focusing on Mirian.

Before Mirian even knew what was going on, she had attached herself to his leg and was tugging on his shirt, wordlessly demanding to be held. Mirian shared an amused glance with his mate. He couldn't possibly deny her, especially since the wooden floor was probably unfriendly to her naked feet.

He picked the child up, supporting her on his hip as she wrapped tiny arms around his neck. "And who might you be, little princess?"

"My daughter, Luna," a somewhat familiar voice answered. Mirian looked past Frey and spotted a tall man whose eyes glowed in a way that clearly pointed out he was a shifter. "Hello and welcome. I'm Roman Montblanc."

Mirian hadn't actually spoken to the werewolf, but the memory of Roman's conversations with Frey kept him from being too intimidated. Or maybe it was the decidedly adoring look Roman was giving the child in Mirian's arms. It was a little hard to be wary of someone who openly showed such love.

"Daddy!" Luna chirped out. "Found pretty."

She tugged on one of Mirian's errant curls, making him chuckle. Roman walked to their side, shaking his head at his daughter's antics. "Oh, honey. What did I tell you about being polite to guests?"

In response, Luna shifted in Mirian's arms, turning back into a puppy. Mirian laughed and handed her over to her father. "A little mischief-maker, this one."

"You have no idea." Roman ruffled his daughter's fur and cuddled her closer. "Please, come in. My mate and I have been waiting for you."

"Thank you for the invitation," Frey said. "We really appreciate the help."

"Don't mention it. In truth, we can probably help one another."

As they spoke, another person entered the room and made a beeline for Roman. He picked Luna up by the scruff and arched a brow at her. "What did I tell you, pup?"

The new arrival's fair skin and hair—very much like Luna's own—clearly identified him as Luna's Bearer parent, Julian Montblanc. Luna gave Julian an adorable yip, wagging her tail so hard her entire bottom was shaking. Julian rolled his eyes, now cradling her close to his chest. "Yes, yes, little one. I know you're cute. But that doesn't mean you're off the hook."

The puppy set her head on her birth father's shoulder, obviously realizing that was a complete lie. Julian smiled at Mirian and Frey.

"Our apologies for the commotion. Full moon is approaching and it's making the younger members of the pack restless. I'm Roman's mate, Julian. Welcome to our home."

"Thank you," Mirian said. "You have a lovely daughter."