Garrett's Choice Read online

164

  AJ Jarrett

  “Don’t tell me what I need,” he snapped. The instant the words left his mouth, he regretted them. “I’m sorry, baby, my nerves are just so raw right now.” He paused to steady his breath. Images of Victor kept flashing before his eyes.

  “I know, Lachlan, I know.” Garrett helped Lachlan sit down, and then he settled in close to Lachlan’s back, never taking his hands off of him.

  Lachlan stared at a wide-eyed Damon. The witch looked scared, and unshed tears glossed over his eyes.

  “It’s okay, Damon.” Lachlan was shocked to see Toby pop up from where he sat on the floor and scoot in close to Damon. “They won’t hurt you, but they need answers. They can’t help you if they don’t know where to begin.” Toby’s voice was soft and came out as a whisper.

  Damon nodded his head and looked back to Lachlan. “Yes, she’s my mother. I didn’t tell you because”—Damon stared off into space for a moment then looked back to him as a tear fell down his cheek—

  “she’s still my mother. For ninety years I’d hoped that one day I’d make her proud of me, and I swore that I’d never tell anyone she was my mother when we moved here. I just…” Damon trailed off as he wept quietly.

  “You just hoped she’d love you.” Lachlan finished the witch’s thought. He could understand that, and Damon may be ninety but seemed more like a fresh-faced teenager. The poor witch’s life had hindered his self-esteem. Clara had taken advantage of Damon’s sweet nature and made him do despicable things. And Damon gladly did it in hopes to one day gain his mother’s love and approval.

  “Yes, but she never did. I didn’t want to spy on the pack or even talk to that horrible Rhett, but I had no choice. Mother said I had to or else.” Damon didn’t say what the or else was, but Lachlan saw the man flinch at the remembrance.

  “What did she want from us?” Garrett asked.

  Garrett’s Choice

  165

  “The coven my mother is part of has a witch who can see small glimpses into the future. She said you held great power as a warrior, and when the coming begins, you’d be dangerous to the Warriors of the Dark.” Damon nibbled on his lip nervously. “She also said you were destined to end my mother’s life. That’s why mother wanted to kill you before you ever got the chance.”

  Lachlan looked to Garrett. Damon didn’t know his mother was dead. That he was free of the evil hold she had over him. Lachlan reached for Damon’s trembling hand.

  “Damon, she’s dead.” He held tight when Damon tried to jerk away. “We found her in the woods, and she told me that her plan all along was to get us out there tonight. She knew you’d been talking to me and used you to lure us out there. Do you understand what I’m saying? She did this to you on purpose.”

  Damon shook his head from side to side in denial. Large tears streaked through the dry blood on his face. “Why?” he cried. “Why was I never good enough?”

  To everyone’s surprise, Toby wrapped his arms around Damon and hugged him close. Lachlan watched as Aaron took a step closer and rested a hand on Damon’s shoulder.

  “You are good enough, she was just too blind to see it. She tried to make you like her, a monster bent on killing and destruction,”

  Lachlan said. “I understand she was your mother, but you deserve so much more than she could ever have given you.”

  “I just can’t believe she’s gone.” Damon fidgeted with his hands as his head rested on Toby’s shoulder. “She was all I had.”

  “No she’s not,” Toby said softly. “You have us, too, and we’d never hurt you.”

  Damon sat up and looked into Toby’s eyes. Lachlan could see it.

  He wondered if anyone else could. Toby was still too young, but the blooming of love lay right under the surface. Lachlan wasn’t quite sure if Damon even realized it, but it was there. One perfect connection to another person that couldn’t be broken.

  166

  AJ Jarrett

  “Damon,” Ben said as he moved closer. He sat on top of the coffee table in front of him. “Did your mother say anything about a man named Sayer?”

  Damon shook his head. “No, my mother never told me anything she considered important. Who is he? Is he in danger, too?”

  Ben ran a hand through his hair and dropped his head to rest his chin on his chest. “Yeah, he’s in trouble, but we don’t know how to find him. When Rhett abducted Logan, they used Sayer’s blood and hair to distract us. I was hoping your mother had mentioned him.”

  “I’m sorry.” Damon started to cry harder. “I’m useless and no good to anyone.”

  “Don’t say that,” Lachlan said louder than he intended. “You can’t control others’ actions. None of this is your fault. Don’t let it destroy your chance for a normal life.” Lachlan tilted Damon’s chin so they could meet eyes. “I’ve got a feeling you have a lot to live for now.” Lachlan darted his eyes to Toby. “You’re free.”

  Damon followed his stare and stared at the young wolf beside him. A small smiled tugged on Damon’s upper lip. Hopefully the cruelty Clara had bestowed upon her son hadn’t completely damaged him. Toby was a good person who got dealt a bad hand at luck and paid the price. Damon and Toby were both broken in some aspects, but maybe together they could repair their damaged souls.

  Garrett’s Choice

  167

  Chapter Eighteen

  Two hours later Lachlan was lying down in bed once again. They talked to Damon some more, and Damon confirmed what Clara had said. The dark warriors had found a way to take on other paranormals’

  abilities if only for a short while. Drinking the blood of whatever paranormal they had captured until the heart stopped beating then killing that person so they couldn’t heal themselves, they took on those shifters’ traits and the older the paranormal, the longer the effect.

  Damon also said that his mother was under the effects of shifter blood when she became pregnant with him, causing Damon to be some sort of freak of nature. He was a witch but could do a partial shift into a werewolf like what Lachlan had witnessed. Clara taunted her son, calling him an abomination not worthy of life. She blamed him for his father leaving her. Damon’s father said he couldn’t stand to have a freak for a son and left them.

  Lachlan and Damon had more in common than the witch knew.

  Both had been abandoned by their fathers and made to believe what they were was unnatural. Granted, Damon being a half-breed was a little different then Lachlan and Lawson being thrown out of their pride for being gay. But in the end it was all the same. The people who were supposed to love them unconditionally failed them.

  The door creaked open, and Lachlan rolled over to face Garrett.

  “Is he okay?”

  Garrett’s face looked weathered. Lines creased his eyes and around his mouth. His strong, handsome mate looked like he aged ten years. Garrett had gone to check on Josh. The wolf kept crying out for 168

  AJ Jarrett

  Victor. The turmoil and pain in his voice stabbed into Lachlan’s heart.

  Their young love only just barely flickered to life before it was blown out by evil. Lachlan knew the two men weren’t mates, but when love was involved it didn’t matter. The heart couldn’t always tell the difference.

  “He’s sleeping now, but I’m not sure he will ever be okay, completely.” Garrett pulled off his clothes and crawled into bed next to Lachlan.

  Lachlan tucked his head under Garrett’s chin and wrapped his left arm and leg over his mate’s body. He breathed in the crisp smell mixed with sweat that made up his mate’s scent. The feel and smell of Garrett’s body would never get old. To think he was mere seconds from dying and never seeing Garrett again. The thought still caused fissures of fear to seep through his body. Lachlan tightened his hold around Garrett.

  “They were in love,” Lachlan finally admitted. Garrett needed to know the extent of Josh’s agony. “They weren’t mates, but they were each other’s first.”

  “Oh my god.” Garrett’s a
rm tightened around Lachlan’s shoulders. “The pain he must be going through. I couldn’t imagine living without you. Mate or not, it still has to be difficult.” Garrett’s warm lips kissed Lachlan on top of his head. “How did you know this?”

  “I caught him sneaking into Victor’s room.” A small chuckle passed his lips at the memory of an uncertain Josh trying to work up the nerve to go in Victor’s room. “It was sweet. He was so worried about what to do.”

  Lachlan didn’t think he had any more tears left to spare, but they started to fall like rain. His face was chapped from the salty liquid he’d shed so much of already, and it stung with each tear. “Now it’s gone. All they could have enjoyed together was taken away. I should have been able to save him.”

  Garrett’s Choice

  169

  Garrett sat up and pulled Lachlan up as well. He knew this was going to happen. Lachlan blamed himself for something no one could have predicted.

  “No you couldn’t have. She fooled us all. She was a witch who had powers you couldn’t fight against. We’re lucky you survived at all.”

  “But still,” Lachlan sobbed. “I spent a lot of time with her these past few weeks. I should have seen something.”

  “How?” Garrett asked as he ducked his head down to meet Lachlan’s gaze. “She was a superb actress. I’d known her for years, and I never suspected a thing. She was able to trick an alpha, how did you expect to see something?”

  “I know this. I can see the logistics of it, but it doesn’t help alleviate my guilt.” Lachlan swiped a hand under his eyes. “I stood there helpless while she drank down Victor’s blood then ripped his head from his body. I’ve seen some pretty messed-up shit in my day but nothing, and I mean nothing, had ever affected me like what I saw tonight.”

  Garrett rubbed on Lachlan’s back in a soothing manner. He was certain Lachlan had seen some terrible things in his life, and most of the time Lachlan or the other warriors didn’t actually know the people they were protecting, but Lachlan knew Victor and Josh. They weren’t the best of friends, but Garrett could see the friendship building between the young men and his mate.

  “Baby, I can’t make you unsee or forget what happened tonight, but you need to move past it.” Garrett placed a finger over Lachlan’s lips when he started to speak. “I’m not saying it will be easy, but if you let it consume you, they win. I need you, your brother needs you, the pack and the warriors, we all need you. Please, my love, don’t let this tear you apart because it will if you let it.”

  170

  AJ Jarrett

  “I know, and I’m trying.” Lachlan wrapped his arms around Garrett’s neck and rested his head on Garrett’s chest.

  “In time it’ll get easier. I don’t expect you to bounce back tomorrow or the day after, but you have to keep moving forward. One step in front of the other because Josh will need you.” Victims of violent acts tended to bond over the shared experience, and if that were true, it’d be Lachlan who would bring Josh back from that dark place he was held prisoner. The place where his lover had been murdered and Josh felt lost and alone. Lachlan could help the young man find his way again.

  “You don’t think he’ll blame me for what happened, do you?”

  Lachlan asked.

  Garrett didn’t know how Josh was going to react come the light of day, but some part of him, deep down, didn’t think Josh would blame Lachlan. If anything Josh would be too busy blaming himself.

  “No, I don’t think he will. My guess is he’ll blame himself along with everyone else for a while. He’s grieving, and that’s only natural.

  But in the end I think he’ll need us more than he realizes. We’re a family, and we take care of each other.”

  Lachlan stared up at him with longing in his eyes. “Thank you for saying that and being honest with me.” Lachlan blew out a breath.

  “Who would have thought a few weeks ago that I’d actually care what Josh thought of me but now”—Lachlan’s lips pressed into a hard line—“Now I can’t stand the thought of him ever hating me. I see a lot of myself in him.”

  “Like with all things, Lachlan, give it time. We’ll get through this.” Garrett leaned forward and pressed his lips gently to Lachlan’s.

  He swallowed down his mate’s sigh and traced his tongue along the plump flesh. Garrett pushed forward, forcing Lachlan to lie back on the bed. He pulled back when Lachlan gasped in pain.

  “Are you okay?” Garrett ran his hands down his mate’s body as if he could locate the sore spots.

  “Fine, just a little tender still.” Lachlan reached for Garrett.

  Garrett’s Choice

  171

  Garrett hovered over Lachlan, bracing his weight on his elbows as he gazed into his lover’s golden eyes. “I love you so much, Lachlan.

  When I couldn’t find you, I thought I’d die right there on the spot.”

  He kissed Lachlan on the forehead, his nose, and then each cheek.

  “You’re my heart and soul. I can’t live without you.”

  “Oh, Garrett.” Lachlan reached up to peck a soft kiss on Garrett’s mouth. “I feel the same way. You were my only thought as Clara held that knife over my head. I lay there praying for just one more chance to tell you I love you.”

  “Well, it looks like your prayers were answered. As were mine.”

  Garrett kissed Lachlan on the lips, then moved down to his jaw. He nibbled and caressed with his hands every inch of his mate’s chest.

  Garrett worked his way down Lachlan’s body, placing light kisses here and there. Lachlan’s body trembled, and Garrett watched for signs that his mate was in pain. Not seeing any, Garrett worked his way lower.

  Shoving the sheet away, Garrett feasted his eyes on Lachlan’s magnificent cock. It lay hard and thick against his hip. The tip leaked tiny drops, and Garrett lapped it up as he went by. Garrett settled himself between Lachlan’s thighs. He didn’t want to hurt or cause any discomfort to his mate, but he had to taste him. Garrett needed more confirmation that Lachlan was okay.

  Garrett bent over Lachlan’s body and licked from base to tip, tracing the heavy veins that ran along his length. Lachlan moaned and rested a hand on Garrett’s head, but didn’t push him down to the engorged shaft begging for relief. He flattened his tongue and circled it around the tip. The hot, smooth skin caused sparks to jolt straight to Garrett’s toes. He’d never tire of his mate’s body.

  “Garrett, please,” Lachlan begged. “Help me forget.”

  That was all his mate had to say. Garrett dipped his head down and swallowed Lachlan down to the root. He rubbed his nose against the short thatch of hair surrounding the base. Garrett hummed as he worked his throat up and down Lachlan’s length.

  172

  AJ Jarrett

  Lachlan jerked and twitched from his sensual onslaught. Garrett used every trick he learned over the years to make this the best blow job Lachlan had ever had. He pulled back to tease the little slit on the tip. He used one hand to lightly massage the furred balls hanging loosely between his mate’s thighs. Garrett fondled the firm little orbs for a little longer then stroked his hand downward past Lachlan’s balls. He caressed the skin all the way back until he could rub his thumb over Lachlan’s entrance.

  Garrett groaned when he felt the tight muscle flutter under his touch. His dick had hardened to unbelievable proportions, but he tamped down his own need. Lachlan needed him and he couldn’t take Lachlan in his condition. So the next best thing was to suck his mate until he forgot his name.

  “Yes, finger me. I need it,” Lachlan cried out.

  Bringing the finger to his mouth he used his spit to slick the single digit. He pressed lightly against the rippled skin, and the muscle gave way. Lachlan’s body sucked the finger inside and clenched tight.

  “God you’re so beautiful,” Garrett said as he watched his finger fuck Lachlan’s hole. “I’ll never tire of seeing this sight.”

  Garrett used his free hand to hold Lachlan’s shaft upwar
d, and he took the length back into his mouth. He hollowed out his cheeks and sucked as hard as he could, all the while still fingering Lachlan’s ass.

  He curled his finger forward and rubbed against the bundle of nerves that lay nestled in his mate’s body. Lachlan squirmed and panted as Garrett kept rubbing his sweet spot.

  Pulling off Lachlan’s dick with a pop, Garrett stared up at his mate. “Come for me, Lachlan. I need to taste you. I need you to fill me up with your love.”

  Lachlan’s mouth fell open, and his head hit the pillow. His hips shot upward, causing his plum-colored cock to bump Garrett chin.

  Garrett smiled and kissed the tip then began to deep throat the hard shaft once again.

  Garrett’s Choice

  173

  The muscle clenching against his finger began to throb, and Lachlan arched upward. Garrett used his free hand to help jack his mate’s length as he sucked. Lachlan’s breath hitched and the hard cock in Garrett’s mouth swelled then shot down his throat.

  “Oh god, Garrett,” Lachlan cried as he body emptied down Garrett’s throat.

  Garrett swallowed as fast as he could, but a little dripped out the side. Licking Lachlan’s dick clean, Garrett sat up. He smiled down at his exhausted mate. God how he loved this man.

  His cock still reached forward, aching for relief, but Garrett ignored it. Yes he wanted to get off, but it could wait. He’d given his mate what he needed and that’s all that mattered at the moment. It was enough for Garrett just to see his mate sated and relaxed lying next to him.

  “I love you and don’t you ever forget that.” Garrett shifted to lie at Lachlan’s side.

  “Right back at you, mate.” A goofy smile lit up Lachlan’s face.

  After all that had happened he was excited to see that smile.

  Lachlan would be okay. It would just take some time. With them being immortal, time was something they had plenty of.

  174

  AJ Jarrett