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Chapter 12
~Thomas’s POV~
“I just don’t get why you’re still mad, I told you Carson talked the bald guys out of it the moment they said it, so chill.” Grady said from across the room.
“That’s not the point Grady, you’re always doing stupid shit, if Carson hadn’t done something about it do you have any idea what kind of trouble I’d have been in?” I asked him seriously then watched as he simply shrugged, not looking at all as if he was sorry for what he had done.
“The bastards deserved it, discrimination is against the law.” He said again.
“Yeah you mean like how you discriminate against other homosexuals?” I said, but didn’t give him the chance to answer as I went on, “In any case, the pack doesn’t go by rules of the society, we have our own law and if you disrespect a member of the council you pay a serious price.” I emphasized, trying my best to get him to understand the implications of what he had done.
They wouldn’t have punished him of course because he wasn’t officially a member of the pack but they certainly would have dealt with me.
“I don’t get it, why’s the council so important, aren’t you and Carson the leaders?” Grady asked with furrowed brows. He was leaning against the wall with a half eaten apple in hand.
“Carson and I along with the council make up the executive members of the pack. The council advises Carson on how to rule and even though he doesn’t have to accept the advice given, he still has to at least take it into consideration.” I said, looking at him “Carson and I aren’t the law, we simply enforce the law that already exists, you understand?” I asked him.
“So you guys technically have no power then?” he asked, looking somewhat disappointed.
“Of course we have power, we can make new laws and the council answers to us but we don’t want to rule our pack in such a way that they think we’re immune to the law, that’s unfair to them, so to set it right, only Carson’s immune. Get it?”
“Yeah yeah.” He fanned me off and it was clear to me that he really hadn’t taken anything I’d just said seriously.
“Grady-” I started, ready to continue on with my lecture, but he held up his hand as if to silence me and I watched as he made his way over to where I sat, propped up against pillows.
In no time, he bowed his head until our faces were only inches apart and when I said nothing, he quickly pressed his lips to mine causing me to moan from the sheer pleasure of his touch. I tried to prolong the kiss, even rising my lips to meet his when he pulled away but he only chuckled.
“Be nice to me and I’ll take you out tomorrow.” He said with a cheeky smile and I bit back a growl of frustration.
He was treating me like a child but I couldn’t help the excitement that flowed through me at the thought of getting out of this place and so I clamped my mouth shut and waited for his next move…even though it pained me to do so.
“Good boy.” He chuckled and patted my head and I glared up at him, then took a deep breath to calm myself.
“So what’s on the agenda for today?” I asked, watching him munch on his apple as he sat on the coffee table facing me.
“Well the guys are coming over right after school, other than that, no plans.” He told me munching away.
“Aren’t you bored sitting here all day taking care of me?” I asked him seriously.
“Nah I’m great, wouldn’t mind if it was like this all the time.” he replied with a smile that I couldn’t help returning.
I’d had a feeling he was in love with me before he had said the actual words, it was evident in the little things he did, the way he would look at me sometimes and the way he’d hold me just a little bit longer than was necessary when we hugged. But to hear him say the words? Ever since then whenever I looked at him it was as if I could see his love for me radiating from his very being.
A month ago I wouldn’t have thought this possible. A month ago I’d accepted the fact that my mate would never care for me the way I cared for him, I’d anguished over our situation, I’d cried, I’d cursed, I’d worried and now I had everything I wanted right in front of me.
Was it possible for someone to be this lucky? To have everything he wanted in an instant? I still couldn’t believe it. I felt as though one day I’d open my eyes and it would all be gone; right back to the way it was before because there was just no way life could get this good was there?
Grady was a homosexual, he was my mate and he was in love with me! Despite all the frustration, annoyance and anxiety he put me through constantly, I was so happy to have him in my life and after getting a taste of what it was like, there was no way in hell I’d be going back to how it was before.
“Ah Thomas? You’re smiling again.” Grady said, breaking me out of my thoughts.
He was looking at me like I was about to sprout wings or something and I had to laugh.
“What’s so bad about smiling?” I asked good naturedly.
“The fact that you’re doing it.” He said again, the same expression plastered onto his face.
I chuckled; “It’s because I’m happy.” I told him.
“One minute you’re ripping into me for almost getting you in trouble and now you’re happy?” he asked, clearly amazed by my sudden transformation.
“Yeah because no matter what you do, at least I have you here with me.” I whispered, my eyes never leaving his face.
He visibly relaxed his expression and a smile blossomed on his handsome face before he leaned over until our lips were only inches apart and whispered “Is that so?”
Rather than answering, I raised my head to his. I just wanted to feel those soft lips on mine, but he pulled away before I could and chuckled.
I sighed, “You’re such a tease.”
He straightened up and stood, heading to the direction of the kitchen, but stopped at the door to call out: “Hey you hungry?”
“Yeah for you.” I called back with a grin.
“Trust me Thomas, you can’t handle this.” He mocked and disappeared from my sight. My grin widened at his words. He wouldn’t be able to escape me when I was fully healed, then I’d be sure to show him exactly what I could handle.
……………………………….
“You sure you’re okay?” Grady asked for what felt like the hundredth time.
“I’m fine Grady really.” I told him again.
I was standing in the kitchen and watching him put together a grocery list. Yeah you heard right; standing! Finally!
Earlier I’d gotten sick of sitting in the same couch doing what I’d been doing for the past three days; nothing. So I’d gotten up and just walked into the kitchen.
Grady had watched me in horror as I walked in and had tried to get me to go back or to at least sit down but I’d pretty much convinced him I was okay and I was.
While I’d walked of course I’d felt little twinges of pain here and there but mostly I just felt sore and easily winded. It felt great to finally be up and about and once again I thanked the heavens that I was born with this incredible healing ability.
“Don’t forget the dip, sour cream and onion not that nasty jalapeno stuff you always get.” I told him.
“I’ll get both.” He announced without looking up from the paper.
“Soo…” I said dragging out the word and Grady looked up from the paper, one eyebrow raised as he scrutinized my face.
“So what?” he asked.
“Well…you never did tell me whether you wanted to be my mate or not.” I continued.
Even though I knew he loved me, that didn’t mean he was fine with the whole mating situation and I figured it best to just get everything out there from now, while the time was still right.
“You make it seem as if I have a choice.” He said with a shake of his head, then it was back to his grocery list.
That’s the thing with my dear friend Grady, he couldn’t focus on anything worth a shit for any length of time but when it involved food it took up most if not all of his concentration. He ate anything and everything and that was fine…but to have someone more interested in food than in what you were saying was just wrong and so I found myself chuckling as I watched him, earning me another “You’re an idiot” look from him.
“I know it’s not something you can choose dude, I was just wondering if you’re okay with it…meaning are you okay with really being my mate like it is with Carson and Laken?” I trailed off when he raised his head to look at me.
“Dude you got me doing laundry and cleaning like some bloody housewife…I’d think the mate part is pretty much covered.” Grady said and if it wasn’t for the smile he gave me at the end of his sentence I’d have thought he resented helping me out here by just his tone.
“That’s not really what a mate does though; you’re not expected to do my chores or anything-”
“No kidding Sherlock.” He said sarcastically, then walked around the counter to where I stood and handed me the list; “Add whatever you think you might need, I’m gonna go shower, the guys’ll be here any minute.” He told me then sidestepped me, preparing to leave the room.
When he reached the door however, he paused and turned to look at me “And no, I don’t have a problem being your mate, I think maybe I’m even looking forward to what happens next.” He said then turned and left me standing there with my heart in my throat.
Grady, one of the school’s biggest homophobs was actually finally getting comfortable with the idea of being with another man…I’d fucking died and gone to heaven!
………………………………………….
“That prison aint the same without you two that’s for sure.” Tony said, giving us full view of the contents that swirled around in his mouth.
“Ugh, Tony shut your trap, nobody wants to see what goes on in there!” Darnell said, his face twisted in disgust. Tony only chomped harder, ignoring the laughing guys that infiltrated my living room.
“Tony’s right, it’s like everybody’s sense of humor got sucked right outta them, when ya coming back Grady, we’re dying out there man!”David whined, gazing at Grady as if he was his one and only savior.
“I’m beginning to wonder if you fools came over here to visit Grady after all.” I joked.
“Nah dude, we missed your sorry ass too, It’d be just as lame if it was only Grady there with us cause then who’d he make fun of?” Steven said smacking me on the shoulder.
“Gee Thanks” I drawled and they all laughed.
I looked across the room at the main topic of the conversation; Grady, but he was sitting on the arm of his favorite chair watching Nick try desperately to beat his high score. Grady was staring at the TV screen intently but otherwise he didn’t look worried.
“I still can’t believe you got hit by a car dude, that’s insane, I wish I was there to see all that go down.” Tony said again, his eyes perusing my body for any signs of cuts and scrapes.
“Wasn’t much to see and it wasn’t anything big anyway, I just dinged up my leg but I’ll be back at school next week, good as new.” I told them.
“How’d it happen though? Some dude just tried to run you over just like that?” Darnell asked and when I looked up it was to see every guy in the room looking at me, dying to hear my story. This is why you shouldn’t lie, I thought to myself.
“Mind your damn business, the man was almost killed, I’m sure he doesn’t wanna think about that shit again.” Grady said, coming to my rescue.
“What are you? His mom? Let the man talk.” Steven said, directing his teasing at Grady, who glared at him.
“I’m just looking out for my bro, stop being so damn inconsiderate dude.” Grady spoke again.
“Stop acting like some bloody fag dude, Thomas can take care of himself.” Steven shot back and I could tell he was only playing around but Grady clearly didn’t see it that way. In a flash he was out of his seat and up in Steven’s face, his fist clenched in Steven’s shirt.
“What’d you just call me asshole?” Grady asked, his voice low and dangerous.
“Grady stop.” I called over to him from where I sat but he ignored me and when I tried to get up to go over to him Darnell pushed me gently down onto the couch once more.
“Grady chill man, he was only playin.” Darnell spoke up, getting off the chair to rest his hand on Grady’s shoulder, but Grady only shrugged him off, gripping Steven’s shirt tighter.
“For real dude, it was a joke.” Steven said, his voice shaky with fear. When Grady was pissed, no one ever wanted to get near him.
“Does it look like I’m laughing?” Grady asked and shoved Steven to the ground. “Fucking asshole.” He cursed and turned to go into the kitchen, a moment later we all heard a loud shatter, like something being flung against the wall.
By this time everyone in the room had gone silent as they watched the scene. Only Darnell reached down to help Steven up.
“The damn fool finally lost his mind.” Steven said as he brushed off his pants.
“I think it’s time you guys left.” I spoke up.
This was hard enough on Grady without people teasing him about being gay, even if they didn’t realize it.
“Aww come on Thomas, don’t throw us out just because this idiot didn’t have enough sense to keep his mouth shut.” Tony whined. Steven only glared at him.
“Nah I need some rest anyway, maybe you guys can come over again some other time.” I told them then I stood as they grumbled under their breaths.
“Why couldn’t you just keep your damn trap shut Steven?” One of the guys complained as they made their way to the door.
“What? We always joke around like that, how was I supposed to know he’d flip out?” Steven retorted, clearly annoyed at all the hate he was getting.
When they’d all exited, I closed the door behind me and glanced around the room; beer cans, cups and chips were scattered over the furniture and ground, but rather than start the cleaning up process, I headed toward the kitchen, but just as I entered the phone rang. I glanced over to where it hung on the wall spotting the caller ID; it was Carson.
I glanced quickly over to my mate. He was sitting around the counter looking mad as hell. Satisfied he wasn’t doing anything crazy; like breaking all my plates, I picked up the phone and said a gruff hello.
“Thomas, we have a lead; Mac tracked down the other guy who got away the other night and you’re not gonna like this.” Carson said.
I was instantly on alert. “Tell me.” I said, almost dreading the news.
I hadn’t wanted to find out who they were this way. I’d hoped that Grady would feel comfortable enough to tell me but Carson had insisted on carrying out the search, saying that anyone who hurt a member of his pack had to answer to him and of course we couldn’t forget the fact that the guy had seen me in my wolf form and if he told anyone and they believed him; that would prove a serious problem for us.
I listened with baited breath as Carson spoke: “Turns out both of them are part of a drug dealing ring and when I say ring I don’t mean a small group of thugs; looks like they got ties across the country; this is serious Thomas.” Carson said, his voice low and grave as he delivered the news.
“Wait what? I don’t think I’m following, you’re saying that-” I started but he cut me off.
“I’m saying that you were right; it wasn’t some random hold up the other night; Those guys were after Grady because he probably did something to piss them off. I hoped he was wrong Thomas, but you know Mac; he’s never wrong, and that means your mate is in something deep; he’s either doing drugs or he’s dealing; when I find out more I’ll let you know.” Carson said before the line went dead.
My eyes flashed over to Grady and I stared at him in shock as what Carson said really began to sink in.
AUTHOR’S NOTES
THERE YOU GO LOVIES!!
QUICK QUIZ: WHO DO YOU THINK IS ON THE BOOK COVER? GRADY OR THOMAS? (the pic has since been removed. sorry guys)
I’LL TELL YALL THE ANSWER IN THE NEXT CHAP BUT LEMME KNOW YOUR ANSWER!!
sHOUToUT: To flutteroze; you are such a sweetheart; always kind and supportive..if I ever get published i’ll just have to send you a free hardcopy!
There are actually a number of you who I’d just love to mention in my acknowledgements if/when I get published because if not for your unending support I wouldn’t have had the courage to keep writing. I love you guys soooo much! <3<3<3 Keep sweet!
-DoUbLe.A
-unedited.
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