Reuniting With His Mate [Cackle Lands 3]

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

“Oh my gods, kill me now.” Calvin moaned as he plopped on the chair and closed his eyes.

Miller laughed, “Problems?”

Opening one eye, Calvin growled, just wait until your son gets here, we’ll see how you feel.”

Calvin grumbled.

Laughing, Miller said, “How many times did we talk about having kids of our own one day?”

“Shut up Milly.” Calvin muttered.

In a mock singsong voice of Calvin, Miller said, “Oh, I want lots of children one day. I want to wake up at two in the morning to feed them, change their diapers, play peekaboo, and go outside and play with them. I want to watch them grow, and know that as they do, they will be respected for the wonderful people they are. I want them to know that even if I am not the one who birthed them, they are loved, no matter what order they came to me. I want to give them peace, security, and never once in their lives would they question whether they belonged or were wanted.”

Sighing heavily, Calvin mumbled, “I do want most of those things, but waking with them at two in the morning and actually doing it are not as glamorous as I thought. I haven’t had a full night’s sleep in over two weeks and my s*x life… I swear those little buggers have an alarm system set to just when Jackson and I get to the good stuff.”

“Are they asleep now?” Miller asked.

Shaking his head, Calvin replied, “No. Jackson’s with them reading Little Red Riding Hood.”

Laughing Miller asked, “Making the wolf shifters out to be the bad guy again?”

Shaking his head, Cal answered, “No, he makes it up to be where she’s running from a toothy hyena. Says it will teach them how fierce and cunning we can be.”

“You guys are too much.” Miller laughed even harder.

Ziggy walked into the commons area where Calvin and Miller were sitting. “Have you seen Or?

I need to speak with him.”

“He’s out in the east side pasture. A couple of fences were down and he wanted them fixed before any of his horses got out.” Miller explained.

“Can you call him? I really need to talk to him. It’s important.” Ziggy said, moving from one foot to the other.

“Sure.” Miller said, pulling out his cell phone.

Sitting up, Calvin looked at the nervous little man, “Ziggy, what’s wrong?”

“I’d rather discuss it when Or’s here. Oh, and we’ll need Warren, Parker, Jackson, and Nate.”

Ziggy said, biting his bottom lip and refusing to meet Calvin’s eyes.

Ziggy was a strange shifter. No one knew what kind he was except for Orson and his cousin Parker. Or refused to tell a soul, saying that he had given him his word when Ziggy had been forced to tell Or when he asked to move to Trident territory to be closer to Parker, his only living relative. Orson said Ziggy had his reasons and one day maybe Ziggy would be comfortable enough to tell others.

That didn’t stop Calvin from trying to figure the guy out.

Calvin liked Ziggy. He had a fire in him that Cal respected, even if the little guy didn’t show it often. He was a mage and a seer if Calvin remembered correctly, and Cal would always be grateful to him for the help he gave to Miller when Rupert the soul demon had tried to take Miller away from Calvin. “Is there something we can get for you, Ziggy? I mean, while we wait for everyone to arrive?”

Shaking his head, Ziggy looked at Calvin, and softly replied, “No, but thank you.”

Calvin made sure not to show his discomfort when Ziggy looked his way. It was the man’s eyes that were seriously freaky. Calvin couldn’t remember seeing eyes with such tiny pupils and they were so dark that Calvin felt like if he looked too long in them, he might disappear or something.

Irrational, but still, that’s how he felt. “Can I ask you a question?”

Giving Calvin a small smile, Ziggy responded, “You just did.”

Laughing, Calvin asked, “Are your eyes that way because of your animal, or the magicky thing about you?”

“Calvin! Don’t be rude.” Miller said, hanging up the phone, then saying, “Or’s gathering the guys up and he should be here in about ten minutes.”

“I wasn’t being rude, I was curious. I’m just trying to get to know Ziggy, Milly. We know next to nothing about him, except he’s a nice sweet guy that prefers the lonely life.” Calvin said, in annoyance to his brother.

Ziggy held up his hand before Miller could say anything else, “It’s okay, Miller. I’m used to it.

At least Calvin asks instead of just saying things behind my back like most people.” Looking at Calvin, Ziggy said, “I have no idea why my eyes are like this. I was born with them this way. My parents’ eyes were normal and so were others’ like my kind.”

“And what kind is that?” Calvin asked.

“Calvin, Or told us to leave Ziggy alone about that.” Miller warned.

Rolling his eyes, Calvin replied, “Fine.” Turning to Ziggy, Calvin said, “I’m not trying to be rude or nosy. I just want to know more about the man that saved my brother’s life. I would like us to be friends. I’m sorry if my questions make you feel uncomfortable.”

“What kind of things, besides what I shift into and my eyes, would you like to know?” Ziggy asked.

Shrugging, Calvin answered, “Where were you born? What brought you to Trident? Where is the rest of your family? How are you a cousin to Parker when he’s a hyena and you are a… whatever you are? Why do you prefer to be alone all the time? Do you get lonely? Do you have any friends, if so who, if not why not?”

“For the love of… Calvin, stop already. You’re not even giving the man a chance to answer your questions.” Miller admonished once again.

Ziggy let out a true laugh. One of those that came from the gut kind of laugh. Calvin was entranced… not just from the sound, but the way that laugh transformed Ziggy and softened his features. Wow! Ziggy is a really handsome man, Calvin thought to himself.

“You two are the best.” Ziggy said, still smiling. “Let me see if I can remember your questions.

My mother was born in Australia, but moved to the States when she was a young girl. She met my father while out scrounging for food and he almost ate her. Thankfully, he scented her right away and realized they were mates.”

Miller sat forward as Ziggy talked, asking, “That would be Parker’s uncle?”

Nodding, Ziggy replied, “Yes, well kind of. My father was adopted into his family, so even though they aren’t blood, they are uncle and nephew… if you know what I mean?”

Both Miller and Calvin nodded. Miller saying, “I find it interesting that you would end up being adopted into a family like your dad.”

Something in Miller’s words had Ziggy’s eyebrows drawing together in an agonizing expression, his voice fragile and shaky, “My mom rarely shifted.” Ziggy cleared his throat, but as he continued, it thickened and was a bit unsteady. “She must not have scented the fox… that’s why she tried to climb instead of burrow into the ground.” Tears dripped absently from the corners of the man’s eyes, as he continued, “I got worried when my father screamed out and dropped to his knees yelling my mother’s name. I rushed from the house and I… the fox had…”

Calvin got up and went to Ziggy, hugging him close. “I’m so sorry, Zigman. I would never have asked had I known they weren’t alive.”

Ziggy drew in a shaky breath and pulled back. It was clear the man wasn’t used to being touched.

“It’s fine. It’s just hard remembering.” Miller handed Ziggy a tissue.

Calvin stepped back, allowing Ziggy to pull himself together.

Once the man seemed better, he softly said, “My father mourned my mother’s passing, and within a month he was gone. I was sent to Parker’s family and they were nice enough to let me live with them… but… then they found out that I wasn’t all they thought I was. My eyes freaked them out, then I started having the visions and that freaked them out even more. They stayed away from me as much as possible… well, all but Parker. I mean, I could always tell he wasn’t all that comfortable around me, but he still would invite me to do things with him.”

“Parker is a really nice guy.” Miller agreed.

Nodding, Ziggy said, “Yes, and when he left home to come here, I missed him terribly. He was my only friend. When I got old enough, I asked if I could come and join up with him. He said he would talk to Or. I had to tell Or about myself and my animal. He swore he would never tell anyone what was said in his office… and to this day he hasn’t.”

“I don’t understand. You sound so lonely and no one in this house would judge you, Zigman.

Why do you stay away from everyone if you want friends?” Calvin asked.

Shrugging, Ziggy replied, “As I’ve gotten older my powers have evolved. My mother wasn’t just an animal shifter, she was a very powerful witch as well. When it comes to my mother’s witch side of the family, when they have a child they are powerful in their own right. They don’t get them until they turn eighteen years of age. When one of her kin passes, their powers are transferred to the next in line and… and she was all that was left in her line until I was born.”

“Wait a minute. Are you saying you have powers like everyone on the witch side of your family?” Calvin asked.

Nodding, Ziggy answered, “And if I don’t have a child of my own one day, my powers will only continue to grow. It seems those gifts have intensified my clairvoyance and it doesn’t take much for me to read people. Just from that small hug you gave me, I saw how little sleep you got last night and why, and I know that Jackson will be coming down within the next two minutes wanting to fool around, because the twins are finally in bed. However, it isn’t going to happen, because of what I’m about to tell everyone.”

Calvin sat up, “Oh, hell no! If my man is ready for some nookie, I’m going to go to him and jump his ass before Or even gets here.”

* * * *

Calvin rushed out of the room and up the stairs. Miller laughed, asking, “Did you really see all that?”

Ziggy laughed, “I saw that he wouldn’t go have some fun, because he didn’t want to leave me here after making me cry.” Wiggling his brows, Ziggy then said, “No one should turn away from

a little loving. Besides, the babies are going to be colicky tonight, and he deserves some fun before he has a sleepless night.”

Nyx walked in just then saying gruffly, “Or told me I needed to meet him here.”

“He isn’t here yet, but it shouldn’t be much longer. Can I get you something to drink?” Miller asked as he stood up.

Nyx walked over to the bar, “You sit. I’ll get my own drink. Do either of you want anything?”

“I could use a water if it isn’t too much trouble?” Ziggy replied, unable to turn away from the large shifter.

Nyx was over six feet five and had to weigh a good two hundred and fifty pounds. Ziggy couldn’t believe he was an omega. In a wolf pack an omega meant weakness to most. Ziggy didn’t know about that, but he did know that in the hyena world an omega was not weak. They were some of the fiercest fighters of the cackle. Maybe it was because their solid white coat made it harder for them to blend in with their surroundings, or maybe it was because most didn’t make it to adulthood, because of the constant battles they were in. All Ziggy knew was that they were a force to be reckoned with—which was a good thing, because if what he saw was really coming, Nyx would need all the cunning and skill he possessed just to live.

Nyx seemed to just stand there until Miller asked, “Nyx, are you alright?”

Nyx seemed to jerk slightly, saying, “I’m fine, Miller. Just thinking about Mikka.”

Pulling out the bottle of water, Nyx walked to the men, handing the water to the small man.

“Here you go, Zig.”

Forgetting the fact he had rushed out of his home without the gloves he normally wore, and with thinking about whatever vision he had dreamed of causing him to rush out, his mind was still on what he had seen, and then seeing one of the men greatly affected by his vision, Ziggy was ill-prepared for the vision that hit him when Nyx’s fingers brushed against Ziggy’s bare ones, and Ziggy accidently touched Nyx’s ring.

“Damn it Darby, we need to move. I hear someone coming.”

“I’m trying, Osha, but this guy’s heavy, and since we already carried three other hyenas out of that pit from hell, my arms are like jello.”

“This was your idea, Darby, so stop bitching. I knew I should have had Cobalt bring the truck closer.” Osha snapped.

“Guys hurry. Ruben said that Patrice’s guards were coming this way, but he’s diverting them.

He’ll meet us about a mile up the street.”

“Wally, go help Darby, so we can get to the damn truck. This guy’s heavier than f**k and Darby is going to give the man a concussion if he drops him again.” Osha stated angrily.

“I didn’t drop him. I set him down, so I could catch my breath. Not all of us are Gargantua, Osha. Now stop your bitching and let’s go.” Darby said in frustration.

Wally rushed over to Darby and took one of the man’s arms. “I can’t believe this is Mikka. He’s so thin and pale. Gods, look at the scars on him. That b***h really did a job on him.”

“She sure isn’t going to win any mother of the year awards that’s for sure.” Darby stated, sounding out of breath.

“Cobalt has the truck ready to go. If we don’t run into any problems, we should be in Trident by tomorrow morning.” Wally said.

“I don’t know if Mikka has ‘til tomorrow morning, Wally. He’s barely breathing as it is.” Osha snapped.

The dark blue truck came into view and Ziggy watched as another man stepped out of the bed of the truck where two more people laid… both unconscious. “Darlene and Marco haven’t moved at all. I’m really worried about Marco’s breathing.”

“Same with Mikka. I think he has some broken ribs, and from the bruises I saw, I wouldn’t be surprised if there wasn’t some internal bleeding. We need to get them help quick, Cobalt.” Osha said, as Darby and Wally handed their burden over, so the two much larger men could get him in the truck bed.

“Where’s Ruben?” Cobalt asked.

“He was leading Patrice’s men away, so we could get Mikka to the truck. He said he’ll meet us about a mile up the street.” Wally said.

Darby jumped into the bed of the truck along with Wally. “We’ll stay back here to make sure they don’t get jostled too much.”

The sound of a howling call had Cobalt and Osha rushing to get into the truck. Cobalt yelling,

“We gotta go now!”

Cobalt was in the truck, but just as Osha was about to do the same, a large spotted hyena came out of the woods rushing to the truck. Without thought Osha shifted… into a golden jackal rushing straight to the hyena.

The hyena didn’t get a chance to set off an alarm howl as Osha leaped straight at him with his jaws open wide and large clawed paws set for attack. The hyena lifted on his hind legs, meeting Osha head on, and the two immediately rolled to the ground, teeth biting into each other’s flesh as their claws slid along their sides.

The sound of the snarls and the fierceness of the attack had Ziggy cringing as he watched the two animals go at it.

Osha twisted his hips, flipping the hyena to his back. He then brought his jaws to the hyena’s neck, but before he could get a good grip, the hyena twisted and sat on his hind end, biting at Osha and drawing blood. This seemed to piss the jackal off, because he lunged, swiping his large claws at the hyena, cutting into the hyena’s flesh, making him cry out in pain.

The hyena must have realized that Osha was a lot stronger and far more aggressive then him, because he tried running, but the jackal was on him in seconds, once again rolling him to the ground and going for the kill.

Osha opened his mouth wide and bit into the hyena’s neck. The hyena tried to move, but it stood no chance against the much more powerful jackal. Soon the hyena was no longer struggling.

Once satisfied the hyena was dead, he turned and rushed back to the truck, shifted, and jumped in shouting, “Go! Go! Go!”