Reclaiming Quinn - Parker Williams Page 0,6
for?” Lyram groaned. “Goddess, I’m getting old.”
“You’re not even thirty, what are you talking about?”
“Age is a state of mind. Believe me, I’m old. What’s going on?”
Deke wasn’t sure how to start. He’d gone over it hundreds, if not thousands, of times in his head, but despite the promise he’d made to Gareth, he didn’t seem to be making headway with Quinn.
“I’m not sure I’m doing right by Quinn. No matter what I do, he keeps pulling away, like he’s afraid I’m going to lash out and strike him. I’ve tried promises, teasing… hell, anything I could think of, I tried.”
“Did you try telling him he’s your mate?”
“No, I don’t think he’d believe me. He’s sure that I’m trying to trick him into somehow messing up, so that I’ll punish him. I have to ask, though… how did you know?”
Lyram chuckled. “When Gareth turned over Lydon to me, I inherited the link to the pack. I could feel all my wolves like little points of light in my head. I know their emotions, their doubts. I can sense your frustration with the situation, but also the deep and abiding love you have for Quinn.”
Deke blew out a breath. “I do love him. I just… I don’t know how to reach him.”
Which sucked. Deke was the one with a minor in psychology, but he didn’t have the first clue about how to get through to his mate.
“Let me offer a suggestion. Take Quinn away from Lydon for a while. Show him the world he’s been missing.”
“But it’s not safe…. And I have a lot of work to do getting those cabins ready.”
“Did you hire the crews?”
Deke scowled, even though there was no way Lyram would see him.
“And don’t scowl at me, especially when you’re the one who asked for my help.”
Freaking Alphas.
“Where would I take him?”
He wanted this. To get away with Quinn, to show him everything. To help Quinn not be afraid. It wasn’t like Deke didn’t have money. The insurance settlement from the accident left him with enough to last the rest of his life, and Quinn owned half.
“Where do you want to go? What do you think Quinn would most like to see?”
If only Quinn would talk to Deke, tell him what was on his mind. No, instead Deke had to claw through to his mate’s thoughts, do his best to put Quinn at ease. Oh, Deke knew Quinn expected a beating every damn time he breathed, but that would never happen. Still, Quinn had opened up to him, at least a little. He wouldn’t smile, but he felt comfortable enough to come into Deke’s room late at night when Quinn had a dream that scared him.
Ryker again. Always fucking Ryker.
“You’re growling.”
There was a hint of amusement in Lyram’s voice.
“Sorry. Thinking about Ryker and wishing I could have been the one to gut that son of a bitch.”
“Tell me about it. That man hurt so many people, and he got off easy as far as I’m concerned. Gareth crushing his throat was too simple. Personally, I would have gone back to the old ways of torture and kept Ryker alive as long as possible to enjoy being on the receiving end.”
It wasn’t right, the feelings Deke had. If he’d learned anything in psych class, it was that every story had a beginning. What was Ryker’s? What started him on the path of psychosis? What had been his thoughts the first time he killed someone? Had he been horrified at seeing someone die? Had he found the power at taking a life a heady thing? And why did it matter now? The man was dead, his pack disbanded and absorbed into Lydon. The men who’d hurt the children had been tried and, based on the testimony of the people of the pack, convicted. Deke wasn’t sure what punishment Lyram had dealt out, but he guessed the men would never again hurt another innocent.
“How long can you do without me?”
“As long as you need. It’s not just because Quinn is the Alpha Mate’s brother, it’s because he’s pack. He needs you to help him, and that’s more important than anything else right now. All I ask is that you put someone you trust in charge so we can continue getting everything in order.”
“I can do that.” He had the guy in mind. “Can I start next week?”
“You can start tomorrow. As of now, you’re officially on leave.”
“Alpha, I—”
“Call me Lyram. I’m not one for titles, unless it’s an official function