Mal wasn't sure what he expected when he thought about Annaliese's domain. Maybe he thought it would be bright, sunny and wooded. Animals roaming, fae singing, and nature in full effect. Maybe he was generalizing everything he had grown up reading.
That wasn't it. They had to walk through the sewer system to get to it. Granted, it was an abandoned section, but he always thought the entrance would be in the woods somewhere. It didn't smell so he was sure they'd worked on it for some time to get the smell out.
They'd tunneled deep under the city, continuing with the brick layout. It made sense why no one could find them. Donovan knew where he was going which surprised Mal more than anything else. He'd been here plenty of times before to know his way around. Mal was shocked, but it faded after some time.
Everything became monotonous as they continued so Mal began to think. Would he meet Everett? How was he doing? Would he be happy to see him? Was he eating okay? Was he in pain? Was he…? It all whirled around in his head that it became jumbled. He started frowning out of habit as he delved deeper into his thoughts, something he didn't usually do because it made him look angry on the outside.
Donovan and Carver had sensed something was up two days ago, but they hadn't said much. His temper had been more acute since they had separated for the second time. His boss and partner were used to his moodiness so they tended to shy away from him because he'd eventually tell them what was on his mind.
Ezra wasn't that tactful. After Everett and Bastian showed up, he knew he smelled like both. The attorney asked immediately what he'd done and how he felt about it. Mal hadn't answered but he knew the attorney was very astute. He didn't care what he said. As long as his friends and family were safe, he didn't mind hurting people's feelings as he said his peace.
The second of the pack talked passionately, making sure Mal knew what he was getting into. Sharing a mate without restrictions would cause several problems. He wanted him to understand it in case it ever came up. Mal would have to respond with compassion and a little bit of force.
Mal had already thought about it. He didn't want to control Everett, but he was going to put some guidelines down if he truly wanted to live this lifestyle. He wouldn't stop him, but everything would have to be mutual. He didn't want to tie Everett down, not after everything. But if he truly wanted to have two lovers, he was going to have to get used to the idea.
The air pressure changed and warmed up as they came around the final turn. There was movement here as fae people moved at the entrance. They were waiting for them. Mal recognized one of them immediately.
Bastian looked different here than he had in the park and in his bedroom. Here he looked more majestic than in the lights of the parking lot. Though it was much dimmer, fae magic made his skin glow faintly. He was in his natural habitat, and he looked more formidable. He also had backup should things go pear shaped.
Mal looked around, ears straining to hear anything. Where was Everett? He would know they were coming. Why wasn't he here? His entire mood changed because the main reason he had come was to see Everett.
He looked at Donovan, and he knew he looked pitiful to the Alpha. If it was Claudia, Donovan would move hell and earth to get to her. Mal was doing well to keep his composure.
"Mordecai has him sequestered at the back of the compound," Bastian explained. The two werewolves looked back at him. He gave them a lopsided grin. "The fire mage is impressed with him, so he's pushin him as far as his body will let him."
"Is he okay?" Mal asked.
"He seems to be. He has a bigger appetite than before and his body is bulking up, but he's otherwise fine."
Donovan cast Mal a look when the other man sighed. He could feel the reprieve roll off him. He couldn't imagine being away from his mate while she trained to hone her skills. They had done that when she had gone to get her master's in nursing to become a teacher. He hated every minute of it.
Bastian turned and pushed the doors open. He led them through and down a treelined path that could have only been planted by magic. This was why the fae had hidden under two miles of rock. It was damn near impossible to sense anything through the manmade brick and natural clay.
The air was much clearer with the plants adn animals wandering through. A white stag passed by them with fae children following closely behind. This was where they raised their families in a quiet but somber way.
Mal had always thought the fae had a hard time having children. He thought they were like elves and sometimes werewolves. Looking at them now, he could tell they could reproduce when they wanted to. It seemed they took their time because of how old they were. They could live forever so why would they procreate? It was something he would nevere know.
Bastian pushed open another set of doors, and they strode through into a massive dining room. Several other fae were fluttering around setting the wooden table with plates, goblets, and food. They barely cast them a second thought as they did their jobs. Annaliese must be rolling out the red carpet for them.
Bastian stopped just shy of the head of the table. He motioned for Donovan and Mal to take up places behind the seats in front of them then crossed to the other side. He nodded to another man who then disappeared out a side door.
They didn't have to wait long. Annaliese and her entourage came through the door the servant had. She took up the head of the table and waited until the chairs were pulled out. Once she sat, those who'd come in with her pushed their chairs up and backed to the wall. This would be a self-serve meal.
"I trust no one tried to hinder your arrival," she said.
"No. It was quite easy. I know the route from the last time I visited," Donovan replied.
Annaliese nodded. She held out her dainty hand. "Please, eat. Bastian has already apprised me of the concerns in full. Are you sure Almain is behind this?"
Mal shook his head as he pulled cheese, grapes, and meat to his plate. "He didn't sound like it was his plan. Not the murders at least, but he does want Everett."
"My dear, even I want Everett, but I'm not foolish enough to go against you." Her eyes flicked to Bastian. It told Mal she knew about him as well but she was tactful not to say. She looked back at him. "What did he say?"
"We think that fae woman was once part of Dupree's sect but broke away when she was told to leave Everett alone," Donovan explained. "Is there someone you know who would go against his orders for a power play?"
"Yes, I do. That would be Belizia, and she's Bastian's former betrothed."
Mal couldn't help the look he cast at the other fae. He should have known this would lead back to fae male in some way. It had been way too easy for him to take Everett and watch over him while he trained.
He wasn't sure when the warning growl left him, but Donovan gripped the back of his neck in a tight grip. This time it wasn't directed at the fae leader, though he wasn't sure it would matter. He had been warned before all of this.
"Mal, it was centuries ago, and when I found out her intent to stage a coup, I broke It off. Annaliese banished her," Bastian explained.
"She must have joined with Almain afterwards," Annaliese suggested. "What's she's been up to after she left I'm unsure. But word has spread quickly. Everyone knows who Everett is. There are rumblings how unfair it is the werewolves have sole contact with him. Even the Packmasters have heard."
Donovan sighed. "I guess I better call him to explain things. Do you think he'll believe it was a complete fluke that he fell into my lap?"
"Probably considering I've never known you to intentylie. I don't think he'll reprimand you. But…" She looked between Bastian and Mal. Both knew she was about to out them. "He also needs to know that Everett is not a threat. The only reason he is associated with the werewolves is because of Malcolm."
"I hope you're right. I don't need an internal audit."
Mal glared at Bastian as Donovan and Annaliese fell into conversations about how to stop Almain Dupree and Belizia. He had a good mind to forbid Everett from seeing the fae man again, but he didn't want to resort to being a hard ass. Everett would need the same freedom he had given Mal during the full moon.
Bastian actually looked contrite. Mal was sure he hadn't known Belizia had been behind it, but he should have been honest. About what, Mal wasn't certain. He was so angry he was making shit up now. He wanted to be righteously angry for a minute.
There was a lot of commotion outside, and Mal instantly knew who it was. He stopped eating and tried to hear which way it came from. He knew that annoyed voice, and every inch of his skin ached to get to him.
A door opened behind them. Mal turned around to see an older man trying to keep a younger man out. He was worried about Annaliese getting mad about interrupting the guests, but the younger man was having none of it.
Everett pushed Mordecai out of the way and stepped through the door. He was hungry and he had seen the servants bringing trays of food in here. He didn't care who the guests were. He was going to snag a couple plates of food and go rest. Mordecai said he was done for the day. He was going to fill his bellies and take a long, long nap.
He stopped when he saw a familiar face. Mal sat two seats from Annalise with the same expression Everett wore. They looked at each other for a long moment before the young man's feet carried him across the room.
A chair clattered to the floor, but Mal was too preoccupied to care. He wrapped Everett up, drawing him to him and crushing his face into his shoulder. Everett tightened his arms around as waist and nearly crushed his hip bones.
"Why are you here?" he asked.
Mal put a hand in his hair. "I wanted to see you if I could. Donovan was coming to talk to Annalise. It made sense for me to come."
Everett stepped back half a step and looked at Mao. The world could see the subtle changes in him, especially weight loss. He was thinner in the face and neck, but he was also starting to bulk up. He was looking like weightlifter instead of his nerdy, good computer geek self.
The young man moved his hands until they were gripping Mal's face. The Werewolf sank into his touch, noting how much she missed it while he'd been here. He'd come to see him but he hadn't realized how much it would mess with his head. There are several more days, eight he thought. How would this be any easier?
Everett understood. If he hadn't been working so hard to keep from hurting Mal, even the young man would be fit to be tied. He missed Mal so much, but he knew he had to do what he could to keep everyone safe.
He pulled Mal to him, letting his kiss say what he was thinking and feeling. He didn't care who saw; Mal had to know what was going on in his head. Luckily, Mal responded in kind, hands coming up to grip his elbows.
Behind the couple, Annalise turned to Bastian. "They have something special. Do you really want to be in the middle of that?"
"Malcolm invited me, mistress," the underling explained. "Until Everett says otherwise, I will be attentive to him with the intention of sleeping with him. I will not go behind Malcolm's back, but I won't let Everett go unless he says to. I don't care if he loves me or not."
"You're playing with fire," she chastised.
"I'm surprised Malcolm even invited you in," Donovan mused. The two looked at him. He raised an eyebrow at them. "I'm not dumb. I just haven't said anything. As long as you don't interfere with Pack politics, I don't care what or who you do."
Annalise cast Bastian an amused look then looked at a couple who were in their own little world. "Gentlemen, please sit down. Everett, dear, you must be starving. Mordecai, come join us."
Mordecai looked indignant. "No, mistress. I cannot. I have other things to attend to."
"I did not ask."
Donovan called to Mal. Reluctantly, he pulled away and headed back to the table. Everett followed him, taking the empty chair to his left. He glanced at Bastian with a kind smile, and the fae felt content. The one he was falling for was happy, and so he felt happy.
They fell into an easy conversation. Everett and Mordecai began to argue about their training, and the others listened and learned. It was a nice reprieve for the hell that was undoubtedly at their doors.
The one person that benefited was Mal. He got to see how Everett was doing and how well he was taken care of. Even though he was tough, Mordecai seemed to truly care for Everett. He didn't agree with working through meals, but he had the younger man's respect.
He was able to listen without losing his temper because he knew the people around his lover cared for the youngest person. They would make sure he was trained and safe as he did so. If they could get through this, they could train just about anyone. Everett was their ticket to bigger things, but if he wanted out, he could walk away without hesitation.
They had to deal with the things ahead of them. Whoever was their actual enemy wasn't going to stop. They had to get this finished so they could go back to their normal lives. But what would normal life look like?