Wolf Bound

17 - Inappropriate question

Damian

“Soooo,” Jai nudges my shoulder, almost knocking me off my feet.

Fool!

I right myself and continue punching the boxing bag in front of me. I came to the in-house gym to get an hour of peace. I did not come here to be bothered by my brother every five seconds.

I love Jai, but he can be an annoying cunt at times. I thought he would have gone back to his own pack by now with Drew. But Jai and his mate stayed behind for an extra few days while Drew and his mate went back to Crimson Moon. So, of course, now that I’m home, Jai is here to annoy me while our mates get to know one another better. It will be good for River to make friends with her sister-in-law. She needs friends right now.

“So, what?” I ask uninterestedly, still hitting the bag left and right.

“Does your mate… You know?” He asks, suggestively, while widening his eyes.

I roll my eyes. “No, I don’t know, Jai. Instead of standing there like a moron, just get to the point. I’m getting old waiting.”

He leans closer, whispering toward me, “Does she do you like you do her? By that, I mean, does she fuc.k you in the ass?”

I narrow my eyes while dropping my hands.

What an asshole!

Who asks questions like that?

Jai might be my brother, but that was totally inappropriate!

‘Your brother. Clearly.’ My Wolf scoffs.

‘Yeah, and he shouldn’t have!'

‘Just smack him in the mouth. He might learn never to ask stupid questions again.’

I chuckle at Dixon.

“Jai, what business is that of yours?”

He shrugs. “Just curious.”

“But why?”

“I don’t know.” He laughs. “But seriously, you have the best of both worlds, Damian. A female with a dic.k. I bet River would be every bisexual person’s dream! So, does she?” He wags his eyebrows.

I turn to face him. “No, she does not, Jai. River is a woman regardless of her male anatomy. Besides, I’m not gay. I don’t even understand why what we get up to would be any of your business. I’ve never asked about your se.x life with Melissa because I have more respect for you and your mate. It’s disgusting that you even asked me. Being curious isn’t a crime, but what you just asked me was weird by anyone’s standards.”

Jai nods. “I know. I’m sorry. It was rude of me. But we’re brothers, Damian. I wouldn’t have cared if you’d asked me that question if the tables were turned. But I know you’re more respectful than that.”

I nod. “Yes, I am. I know you didn’t mean anything by what you just asked. But River means everything to me, and I won’t have anyone disrespecting her, even you.”

“I didn’t disrespect her! It’s not like I asked your mate that question. Probably because I never would.”

“Not directly.” I clasp his shoulder. “Just try not to ask such weird questions in the future. Okay?”

Jai laughs. “Deal. Anyway, what time do you leave tomorrow?”

I pull away from my brother. I grab my bottle of water and chug it before sitting on the workout bench. I wipe the sweat from my face and sigh.

“Dad said we’d be leaving early. He wants to reach Knight Castle by nine a.m.”

Jai nods while sitting beside me. “So, early then.” He chuckles.

To get to Knight Castle by nine, by car, no less, then we need to leave by seven a.m., which means River and I will need to be ready by six. I want to make sure my mate eats before we leave. She hasn’t eaten much today, and I know that’s due to nerves about meeting with the Lycan King.

River has nothing to worry about. Thane won’t disbelieve what he can clearly see. He’ll also help us to bring Daniel home, around destroying that damn facility. However, I do understand why River is scared. It’s not every day you’re brought before the Lycan King to explain the horrors you’ve endured at the hands of people who fooled your family into thinking they would help you.

“Yeah.” I nod. “River’s nervous,” I laugh. “Actually, she’s terrified of what Thane will say.”

“I’m not surprised. Thane is an intimidating fucke.r. All Lycans are because they’re massive and can easily overpower a Werewolf, especially Royal Lycans. But I’m guessing that’s not what’s frightening River.”

I shake my head. “No. River’s scared of what everyone will see inside her head.” I scrub my hands over my face. “It’s not good Jai. In fact, it’s just awful.”

The things I saw inside River’s mind when I showed her brothers what she’d been through are not something I ever wish to witness again. But I’m going to see it again once Blaze Knight projects those images for my family and River’s.

Goddess, seeing River’s memories like that could just be worse than looking directly into her mind. I wish I could protect my mate from this, but I know it needs to be done if she’s ever to get justice. And she will get justice. There is nothing I will not do to avenge my mate. I would walk through fire and flame for that woman, and even if it killed me, I would die knowing I loved River more than anything.

River deserves to be happy, but I know she never truly will be until our little boy is home with us. I’ve been wondering if Daniel has been born yet, and if he has, if he’s already been put through hell. I can’t even bear to think what he could have endured.

Thane will hit the roof when he finds out what those cunts plan to do with the children in their care. Yes, the King can sometimes be blind to what is happening in our city. But he can’t know everything unless the problem is brought to his attention. He’s a Lycan, but he’s not psychic. I only hope he has no objections to my joining the charge. Because I will not be left behind. I am going to that facility, and I will make those who hurt my mate pay the price for what they did to her, and for what they intend to do to our son!

“I won’t even pretend to know how bad it was, Damian,” Jai breathes deeply. “But I can imagine nothing good happened to River in that place. I saw the state she was in when she arrived here. River looked like she’d been through a year’s worth of torture without a reprieve.”

I pull air into my lungs. “Letting Thane and the others look into her memories won’t be easy for River. But I won’t leave her side. I’ll always be there for my mate, but I need to be the one to face that bastard doctor and his cronies. I want to bring our son home where he’s safe.” I turn my head and look at my brother. “But I need your help, Jai. I don’t think I can do this alone.”

“Damian, I will always be there for you, as will Drew. You don’t even need to ask. Whenever Drew and I have needed you, you were there without question. Now, it’s our turn to do the same for you.”

I needed to hear that, even though I already knew my brothers would help me. My big brothers mean the world to me. I would and have done anything for them, as I know they would for me. It’s always been the three of us against the world. I helped Jai with his mate, and I helped Drew find Emery when she was missing. I didn’t do it for thanks or praise, I did it because I love my brothers. I know they love me, and I know that I can count on them now.

“Thank you.”

Jai laughs. “You don’t need to thank me, Damian. You and Drew are my best friends. We’ve always been there for each other, and we always will be.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, we will be.”

I only hope that the three of us come out of this in one piece.