“Pa, it’s Chauncey. I need you out here in the far west southern pasture.” Chauncey wanted to kill the fey for hurting Bryce like this. He just prayed Bryce recovered from the rejection.
“What’s wrong, son?” Concern filled Pa’s voice.
“Ahm didn’t choose Bryce.”
“I’m on my way.”
Chauncey slid his phone back into its case and then took a seat on the ground next to his brother. It was almost as if Bryce was in a catatonic state. He didn’t move. The bear didn’t make a sound. Bryce just stared off into the distance, his eyes unfocused, like he was lost inside himself.
As soon as Bryce was back home, Chauncey was going to gather his brothers and find that piece of shit and kill his ass. Nobody messed with a Lakeland.
Not even Bryce’s mate.
He heard a truck approaching and knew it was his pa. He stayed by Bryce’s side, running his hands through Bryce’s soft fur as he waited for the truck to come to a stop. He hated seeing his normally laughing brother in such a deep depression. If it was the last thing he did, Chauncey was going to make Ahm pay for this.
He knew the man was nothing but trouble ever since meeting the leader of the Shadow elves.
His pa strode over and stopped by the two. “What happened?”
Chauncey clenched his jaw. “Bryce told him to either claim him or never show his face again. Ahm shimmered away.”
Pa squatted down beside them and ran his hand over Bryce’s head. “We’ll take good care of you, son. I won’t pretend this will be easy, but your family is here for you.”
The two stood and grabbed Bryce’s large bear form, taking him to the truck where his pa let the tailgate down. There were blankets in the back. Chauncey and his pa eased Bryce down and then Chauncey shut the tailgate, giving his pa a hard glare. “I’m not going to let Ahm get away with this.”
“Didn’t think you would, but just remember, this is a matter of the heart. Killing his mate won’t solve his problems.”
“He looked Bryce in his fucking eyes and then left him. What coldhearted bastard does something like that?”
His pa shook his head. “You don’t know the whole story, Chauncey. I have a feeling Ahm is not denying Bryce by choice.”
“Bullshit!” Chauncey shouted and then turned away, remembering that his pa wasn’t the one who tore Bryce’s heart out. He took in a deep breath as he ran a hand through his hair. “People have choices. There is nothing on earth that would make me choose anyone other than Curtis. I defied his pas in order to have him.”
“Did Ahm say anything?” Pa asked.
“He said ruling a tribe wasn’t easy, especially when his people refuse to let outsiders in. He asked Bryce for time.”
“And Bryce forced Ahm’s hand.”
Chauncey turned and stared at the man in disbelief. “He had years, Pa. How much more time does he need? I mean, Curtis needed time, and I gave it to him, but there is no way in hell I would have waited years.”
“I don’t pretend to understand Ahm’s motives, son. Right now we need to think about Bryce. Let’s get him home first.”
Chauncey walked over to the horses as his pa got into the truck and drove away. He mounted his horse, and then pulled Hell Raiser’s reins behind him. No matter what logic his pa was trying to talk, Chauncey was not about to let Ahm get away with throwing Bryce away.
Chapter Five
Bryce had given Ahm a choice and he was choosing Bryce. Ahm picked up the phone and dialed Rakeym, his second-in-command, telling the fey to meet him in his office. If he was going to turn his back on his tribe, Ahm at least wanted to put a strong leader in his place. Rakeym had ruled by his side for three centuries and knew how to lead a tribe. He felt confident his second would have no problems taking on this task.
Just because he was leaving didn’t mean he had forgotten about his people’s plight. He was still going to try and solve the inbreeding problem. Ahm just wished the Shadow elves would wake up and realize that their pride was killing their lineage.
He glanced up when his office door was opened. But instead of Rakeym walking in, it was Nara and Darla.
“I have put Rakeym in charge. I expect you to obey him.”
Nara looked stunned, and downright pissed. “Why, where are you going?”
Ahm was tired of denying his mate. He was sick of keeping Bryce in the dark. He knew his people would never forgive him, but Ahm wasn’t going to continue to live without his second half. “To my mate.”
There was a quick inhale of breath from Darla, and then Nara narrowed her eyes. “Since when do you have a mate, Ahm?”