Redemption (8 page)

He thought that was the name of the princess of her tribe. They’d spoken of her a little when they’d woken up.

Ive’s eyes watered and her forehead crinkled. He’d hurt her. He hadn’t meant to, but it was time to decide if he should stay or not. It might be better for him to go off on his own away from the pack. He could cause more harm than good. He had to think of Ive’s future.

Not something he’d ever had to do. Sure, Dji was charged with protecting his tribe, but a mate was another matter altogether. If something happened to her he might as well give up. And
he
could be the thing that happened.

“Sure. Yeah—find me later?”

Dji nodded and left the house. He didn’t go far. The porch swing on the veranda would do the trick. He pushed against the ground and let the swing go back and forth. There was a light breeze. The pack house was truly magnificent. The wooded area alone was wonderful. Dji could imagine runs through those magical-looking trees. He’d like to explore the land more, if he stayed.

That was the big question. On one hand, he had the support of people who seemed on the ball. The core group in the meeting were all strong. Most in magic, but others in shifting power. They were connected. Even he could see that. The Ancients must have a plan he wasn’t aware of. They hadn’t talked to him once Dmitri had taken over.

What should I do? Are you there, Ancient ones? A sign would be nice.

No one answered, but he should have expected that. His faith wasn’t the strongest right now. Dji wasn’t alone for long. He felt another presence. One he recognised. Zareb was there.

Is this my sign?

“Where is Ive?” Not the question he’d expected, but easy to answer.

“I needed some space.” Dji didn’t even bother to look up.

“If that is your hint to leave you alone, it will not work. You should know me better than that, my old friend.”

“I should be dead,” Dji whispered.

And he should. The carnage he’d caused in their first tribe still gave him nightmares. He’d done that. His body had been responsible and his soul hadn’t been strong enough to withstand an evil possession. Some protector he’d made. Killing a whole tribe wasn’t keeping them safe.

“There will be no talk like that. It was not you in charge of those happenings,” Zareb reassured him, but it didn’t really help. They were just words.

“I was there. I could sense what was happening. If you’d been possessed, you would have fought harder and won. I think that is why Dmitri picked me. I’m weak.”

“Enough. I will not have you speaking of my brother that way. Not when it should have been me. You were always the better person.” Zareb sat down next to Dji.

“When I was trapped, I tried to escape, but I wasn’t strong enough. There’s no doubt about that. It was only after I was exposed to Ive that things came into focus.”

“It was fated. You should know how the Ancients work.”

The Ancients. Where were they in all of this mess? Always a voice and never any actual help. They always spoke in riddles that you had to figure out. Dji had never had a strong connection with the deities. It was supposed to strengthen when the final ceremony took place, but all hell had broken loose and it had never happened for him.

“Then, if it was fated, you have no call to feel guilt.” Dji stood his ground.

It wasn’t Zareb’s fault that Dji had a defective soul.

“But I do because it was I who led you to that Vessel and I do not like that you call yourself weak. You are one of the strongest men I know. You have survived and you have a mate now,” Zareb tried to reassure him.

“I won’t be claiming her.” Dji shook his head.

He didn’t know when he’d come to that conclusion, but he knew it was the right answer. He had much to atone for.

“What does Ive have to say about that?” Zareb raised a brow.

“I—” Dji looked up at Zareb.

He didn’t even want to face his mate, but he wouldn’t take the coward’s way out. He’d leave that night after dinner and hope he could face Ive and not run like the gutless man he was.

“Do not punish yourself. Do you know what Ive did for you? Did she tell you how she came to be here?”

“I’m not worthy.”

Zareb stood and glared down at him.

“You will stop this now. I will not see you belittle who you are. You are Djimon, my brother, the protector, my friend and Ive’s mate.”

“Those are just words. I have been inside looking out, I’m not who I once was.”

“You do not have to be. Find yourself and let Ive help. She put herself on the line for you. If not for her, you would be dead. Go to her, make right by her. Then come find me because I
do
want to get to know you, help you to find yourself again—and Kir is here as well. That is something—for the first time my family is here. In all my years of fighting with Dmitri I could never dream there would be a day some of my tribe would be near me. Do not make me lose that again so soon.” Zareb kissed Dji on the forehead and left him.

It was a lot to think on. He’d been determined to leave, but now he was thinking of staying—this back and forth was just like something he would do. Would he ever feel like himself again and not this head case who couldn’t make up his mind?

Lunch was announced. It was time to go speak to his mate. Or, maybe—after lunch would be better.

Ive wasn’t hard to spot. She was a beacon of light to him. Talking seriously could wait.

“Did you have a nice time with Vivian?” Dji pulled out a chair for Ive.

“It was good. How was your time alone?”

“Zareb interrupted me and we spoke for a bit. It was nice talking to my brother.”

Dji noticed that Pete had sat down beside him. Grey wasn’t far behind.

“Where have you been all day?” Grey was seething.

Pete was staring down at the table not talking. Grey sat and Pete stood, leaving the dining area.

Grey stared after him but didn’t move to follow. They seemed to be having as much trouble as he was.

“Grey—it’ll be okay.” Ive soothed her brother, but looked at Dji.

He figured the words were for both of them. Tonight wasn’t going to go well. He could feel it in his bones.

Chapter Ten

Dinner wasn’t too bad. Mostly small talk. Ive could see that Grey wanted to leave, but forced himself to stay. The road wouldn’t be easy for her twin. Hell, it wasn’t easy for her. In her gut, she knew Dji was on the verge of leaving the pack. She was strong and would live through his abandonment, but she didn’t want to.

Kir was on their other side sitting beside a woman Ive hadn’t been introduced to.

“Hello. I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Ive and this is my mate Djimon.” Ive held out a hand.

“Hi. I’m Naomi. Nice to meet you. You’re the fox shifter, right? Part of Russ’ mate’s den?”

“That’s right.” Ive smiled.

“That’s great. Are you planning on staying?”

Ive looked to Dji, but he seemed lost in thought. If he left, would she stay? It would probably depend on her brother.

“I think so. I like it here and Vivian is staying.”

“Right. And your brother too. Pete is his mate, right? Sorry, I shouldn’t gossip.”

“No, no, that’s all right. Yes, they’re mates, but I have a feeling Pete is fighting it.”

“He’s had it rough. His damn parents should be shot.” Naomi shared.

The men were being quiet. Ive didn’t know if they were following the conversation or not. Kir kept sneaking glances at Naomi.

Would they all find mates in the Master’s pack? It seemed so unlikely, but some force had brought them all together under one roof. Now, if the men would stop fighting it and be happy, things would be peachy.

Ive didn’t hold any illusions. Her road wasn’t any smoother than her brother’s. Maybe for different reasons, but trouble still lay ahead.

Kir stood to leave and Naomi was quick to follow after saying goodbye.

“We should head to our room as well.” Dji stood and helped her out of her chair. They dealt with their dishes and were leaving when there was a commotion at the door.

“I can’t do this. No. I have to leave.” Kir looked panicked.

Ive wondered what Naomi had said to him that had spooked him.

“I—I agree.” Dji spoke softly, but Ive heard every word.

She couldn’t breathe. He didn’t mean… But he did.

“What the hell? We deserve a chance, Dji.” Ive’s eyes began to well. She rubbed at them.

“Ive—”

“Don’t ‘Ive’ me. Stay and fight for me—for us. You’ve just come out of something traumatic, don’t rush into a decision you’ll regret. Give us time.”

Dji’s shoulders slumped, but he didn’t answer. With one look at Kir, they left the room and walked through the door.

Ive collapsed in the hallway. She didn’t care who saw. Tears streamed down her face. She’d thought she’d have time to convince him that they were meant to be. Enough of this shit. He couldn’t run away. He needed to let her in and running away wasn’t going to help. She stood and took a stunned Naomi by the hand.

“Come on. We’re going to go talk to Zareb. They can’t do this.”

“I’m sorry. So sorry. I shouldn’t have told Baakir we were mates. Men freak out about that right? And he’s new here, we’d just met. I screwed up.”

“Let’s fix this.”

Ive had to ask someone where Zareb’s house was so they could get there. Maybe he’d have time to do…something. Tears welled up again and Ive dashed them away. It took a while for someone to answer her knock. She hoped it wasn’t Joy. Joy already looked down on Ive. Her sister-mate wasn’t the most flexible person and they tended to rub each other the wrong way. And now it looked like they had another sister-mate. The three of them were mates to the first created shifters. They needed to be strong. And hopefully over time they could bond.

Zareb opened the door.

“They’re gone.” Ive didn’t even give Zareb a chance to say anything.

He held the door open and ushered them inside. Joy walked into the living room. It looked like they’d interrupted something. Joy’s shirt was mis-buttoned and her hair looked—rumpled, for lack of a better word. Shoot, it just wasn’t her day.

What’s going on?” Joy looked between the three.

“Baakir and Djimon are gone.” It hurt to even say it.

“Gone? Where?” Joy seemed confused. “For how long?”

Naomi broke in, taking over for Ive. “I was with Kir, talking to him after dinner. Djimon and Ive were leaving the room. Kir said something about not being able to do this. To—be here. Or talk to me, I guess.” Naomi cleared her throat before continuing. “Djimon said he agreed with Kir. That’s when they both took off.”

“But they are together?” Zareb wanted to know.

“As far as we know,” Ive acknowledged.

“What would make Kir run? Dji would take the littlest excuse to leave. Sorry, Ive, but he feels guilt over the things Dmitri did in his name.”

The room went quiet. Naomi cleared her throat, but no one said anything as the tension grew in the room.

“Oh, fuck. Naomi, you and Kir are mates, aren’t you?” Joy ran a hand down her face. “What is with this tribe and this splurge of mating going on?”

“Is this true?” Zareb looked at Naomi.

“It’s my fault.” Naomi’s shoulders sank down low like she was trying to curl in on herself.

“Believe me, honey, none of this is your fault. Zareb’s brothers are stubborn and loaded to the gills, or should I say whiskers, with guilt,” Joy interrupted.

“What she says is true. It is not your fault.” Zareb was quick to agree with his mate.

“But it was. I blurted out that we were mates. Then Djimon showed up and Kir bolted.”

Joy guided Naomi farther into the house and pushed her onto the couch before leaving the room. She came back shortly with what Ive assumed was water, and handed it to Naomi.

“Ive, do you want anything?”

“No, sister-mate.” Ive sat down next to Naomi and took her hand.

“Okay then, what’s the plan of action?” Joy rubbed her hands together.

“I do not know. I spoke with both Dji and Kir today and told them that they belonged here, for them to think about that. I wanted my family whole again and I—maybe I pushed too hard.” Zareb looked down at his hands.

Great, now she’d made Zareb feel guilty. She was batting a thousand today.

“Stop. This guilt thing you guys have going is making me sick. We’re going to start living from today. No more of your past is going to interfere if I have to beat it into all of your heads. Ive, have you and Djimon mated yet?”

Ive’s face heated. “We’ve had—done—but—haven’t—that is, no we have not technically mated.” Ive was beyond embarrassed. She didn’t like to talk about her private life. Even if it was in the company of family. Especially in the presence of family.

“So you’ve done the mattress mambo, but no biting. Shit. I was hoping we could use that to locate him. Do you have something of his that we could use? I could try a spell maybe?” Joy glanced over at Zareb.

“Sometimes I can speak to Djimon in my mind. I have done it before, when Dmitri had possession,” Zareb informed the group.

“Then what’re you waiting for?” Joy seemed excited, like that would be the easy fix.

“It will take a moment. I need to centre myself. I will go outside.” Zareb didn’t wait for a response—he left the house.

“Can I get either of you anything?” Joy seemed a bit uneasy. As if she wasn’t used to guests.

“No, I’m really sorry we barged in here. I really shouldn’t even be here.” Naomi bit her lip.

“Nonsense, we’re family and it’s about time that Djimon and Baakir realised they aren’t alone anymore. It’s hard when your family leaves you, but if there are others willing to fill the void you let them. I learned that the hard way.” Joy shrugged. “Ive. Um—sister-mate?”

“Yes, Joy.”

“I want us to be friends.” Joy rushed the words out.

“I would like that, too.” Ive reached out for her and the three women connected.

“I think the three of us are going to need each other. Our men are a little different than the others in the pack. They have more baggage and we’re going to have to see them through it, all of us.” Joy sent a pointed look at Naomi.