was all about Kade, letting him see that Keaton wasn’t going anywhere and that Kade could be himself around him.
He pulled back, trying to catch his breath, seeing that Kade was just as frazzled, just as focused with what they were doing as Keaton felt. “So you said something about a workshop in the back?”
Chapter Six
Oliver stood outside the Lucky Clover, taking in some much-needed fresh air. The place was packed and the air conditioner couldn’t keep up with all the sweaty bodies writhing on the dance floor—and someone in there needed to learn what deodorant was used for.
He grinned when he saw Micah casually sitting back on the steps of the soon-to-open clothing store. He should have known his mate would keep an eye on him. Cecil was nuts if he thought he could sneak off without Maverick knowing.
The alpha was creepy-scary when it came to the things he knew. Nothing got by that timber wolf. But Oliver pretended not to see his mate as he leaned against the building, watching as a few people walked past him. Let Micah think he was covertly spying on Oliver. Maybe it would turn into a sexually fun game that Oliver would reap the rewards over later tonight.
He pulled out his phone and started to text Blair, letting his brother know that their babysitter was close by, when the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Oliver wasn’t sure why he suddenly became fully aware of his surroundings—maybe living with the shifters all these years had honed his skills at detecting bad shit—but he was glancing around, noticing Micah moving quickly across the street.
“What is it?” he asked his mate as his eyes swept the streets. “Why do I feel like there is no more happiness left in the world?” It felt as if something were sucking the very joy from his body and leaving him to wallow in misery.
“Hell hounds,” Micah stated flatly. “Go get your brother and Cecil. We need to get out of here.”
“What about everyone else in the club?” Oliver couldn’t just leave them to torture. He knew about the hell hounds. They were nasty and vile creatures that preyed on innocent people. One bite from their lethal teeth and a human would die.
“I’ll call Nazaryth, but until then, get your ass moving.” Micah spun Oliver around and pushed him toward the club entrance.
Oliver knew it was serious when his mate said he was calling the winged beast leader. The winged beasts were no joke. They came from some other realm, a mystic realm called Zanthar. There were twelve beasts who resided in their region and it was their job to hunt down and kill as many hell hounds as they could find. He wasn’t sure what one of those creatures was doing here in Brac Village, but he wanted it gone.
* * * *
Kade returned to the building the following morning to sign the lease papers. After going through the place last night with Keaton, he knew that it would be the perfect setup for his needs. He had thought so the previous night, but now that he was heading to meet with Kota, Kade wasn’t so sure.
He hadn’t been filled with so much doubt this morning, but as he walked closer to his destination, negative thoughts began to take over. Who was he kidding? He should not own a business of his own. Kade didn’t deserve that right after what he had done. They never should have let him out of—“Get out of my head.” Kade grabbed his temples, knowing those thoughts weren’t his own. He no more deserved to be locked up than—
“Who are you talking to?” Kota asked as Kade drew closer. “Are you feeling all right?”
Kade was not about to tell the beta that a whispering voice was inside his head, feeding him a bunch of bullshit. He wanted to lash out, to make someone pay as the claws of sorrow embedded deeper into his mind. “I’m fine,” he snapped.
Kota didn’t move, didn’t say a word, but Kade could see fury in the man’s blue eyes. He knew he had just crossed a line. Talking to the beta of the local
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