Reclaiming Quinn - Parker Williams Page 0,58

never have been together if Klein hadn’t forced us. Still, our son came from it, and I will never regret it. What I am ashamed of, however, is that Marissa missed out on a life she wanted because she was expected to stay home and raise our child. She defied Klein, which I begged her not to do, and said she was going to teach. Surprisingly, Klein allowed it. Mostly because, he said, it was a female job.”

“Y’know, the more I hear about Klein and his misogyny, the more I want Gareth to grind him into a pulpy paste.”

Rupert sighed. “I am not a violent man. My concerns were ensuring the pack had enough to eat, even if it meant doing a nasty job.”

Sean hummed. “In the old order, you would have been a Kappa. It’s why you’re drawn to care for your pack. You want to ensure their health and well-being by providing them nutrition. Quinn would have been Pi, the therapist. He who listens to problems and offers advice.”

“But I—” Quinn started.

“Don’t downplay it, Quinn. No one has been through more than you. Yet there’s a strength in you that will shine like a beacon to the wolves. With your mate by your side, they will flock to you and pour their hearts out.”

It all sounded good, but… “What if I’m not strong enough?”

“Then you’ll lean on Deke. Or Rupert. Or me. Or Gareth. You’re no longer alone. You have a family who cares for you and will do anything to see you happy.”

Quinn inhaled, and the sweet smells that permeated the room swirled in his lungs. A family. Not a wish for one, not a plea to the Mother to find someone for him, but one who made him feel better about himself than he had in… well, forever.

A moment later Quinn found himself nestled in an embrace from both Sean and Rupert.

“I love you, Quinn. You’re the only thing in my life before Lydon that I missed, and now that I have you back, I won’t—can’t—let you go.”

Mother had said she thought she’d have to rescue Quinn, but she was right. He had a family who did that for him.

And he’d never give it up.

Chapter Sixteen

QUINN…. THOUGHTS of you get me through the days here. These wolves are nothing like the ones in Lydon. They’re cruel, vicious. They anger quickly and have no issues showing dominance to anyone they feel is beneath them. Klein has allowed me to send food to the humans. He’s angry because something is wrong, and he’s not able to move them out. He’s blaming Gareth, and if he does have something to do with it, I’m grateful to him. This little girl can’t be sold. I’ll do whatever I have to to stop it.

“Trying to reach your guy again?”

Deke lifted his head and shrugged. “I don’t know how it works. I just know that I heard him a couple days ago, and about now I’m desperate to have his voice in my head.”

Two days ago, Klein had moved them yet again. He’d tied Deke and Zach together, thrown hoods over their heads, and then tossed them into a vehicle. They’d driven an hour, maybe more, before they stopped and were jerked out of the car and dropped on the ground. The hoods were yanked off, and Deke got the first real taste of fresh air since the whole debacle had begun. The new building was in worse shape than the one before. This one had mold in the crevices, thick and dark. Deke’s first thought was Zach, and whether he could get an infection from the crap that seemed to be everywhere.

Their first task was to clean the kitchen to make it somewhat usable for preparing meals. It was during this time Deke heard the little girl’s voice telling her mother how hungry she was. He went to Klein and played the obsequious role, telling him how much Quinn would appreciate it if he could care for the humans. It amused Klein to have Quinn beg for something he wanted, and though Deke should have been humiliated by it, he would do it again if it kept people safe.

Just like Quinn did for Margaret.

It struck Deke that Quinn had always stepped in to help others. He’d taken beatings, been raped, tortured, so others wouldn’t have to be. Quinn had always thought he was weak, but now Deke knew the truth. Quinn was the strongest son of a bitch he’d ever encountered.

So