Chapter 8 - Darren

There’s this crackling of electricity in the air. Does anyone else feel it? Is it just me? I’m not sure, but having him this close, standing eye to eye, is not making me relax. He’s looking at me with such intensity I’m reasonably sure he’s seeing into my soul. 

Cardinal even felt it as he got up and started to walk forward. As if our mate was a siren silently beckoning him forward. I decided I needed to do something, to say something. So I offered my hand and greeted him respectfully. After all, it’s what’s expected. 

I’m a Captain of an allied, temporarily, force, and he is the Alpha Heir and acting Alpha. It’s only respectful and proper that I greet him as such. I just wasn’t thinking when I offered my hand rather than a bow of my head. 

I wasn’t prepared for the jolt that went through me when our hands met. Nor the shiver creeping down my spine when André said ‘all mine.’

The words themselves are innocuous, but the tone he used and the look in those sapphire eyes made it clear he was indirectly claiming me.

“Now then, what were you discussing when I walked in?” André asked, not looking away from me or letting my hand go.

 Is he trying to make me uncomfortable? Or to see if the longer our skin stays in contact, I’ll succumb to the bond? Either way, I cleared my throat and ignored Cardinal’s warnings.

“Of course. Be happy to catch you up. Perhaps I could have my hand back first?” I arched a brow, glancing down to where he still held a firm grip on my hand. 

‘Hey, if he can grip your hand that firmly imagine what else he can grip.’ Cardinal tried to entice me. I clenched my jaw because damn my wolf. He needs to stop putting thoughts like that into my mind.

“Oops. My bad, handsome. You can have that back.” André winked a devious glint to his eyes as he released my hand. “André, back off. Darren’s not really the guy that you mess with.” Kurt sighed.

André cocked an eyebrow but didn’t take his eyes off me. “Is that so? But what if I want to mess with him? I can think of a million fun ways to mess him up.” His lips curled up into a smile that reminded me of that weird cat in the Lewis Carroll book.

‘You mean the Cheshire Cat? And I think that suits our mate very well.’ Cardinal helpfully reminded me of the character. And as I thought about the characters, it really does seem to fit what I’ve seen so far about my mate.

‘HA! You said ‘my mate’! You claimed him!’ Cardinal was jumping around in excitement. I rolled my eyes. ‘Saying or rather thinking that doesn’t mean anything. Just shut up. You’re distracting me.’ I shooed him back.

“André… I think you’re missing my point.” Kurt sighed. “Darren’s straight. Which shit. Darren, are you going to be cool when you see Sheila again? She’s mated now. Her mate is from this pack.” Kurt smacked his palm to his forehead.

I blinked, looking away from André at this news. “Sheila found her mate? Well, that’s wonderful news. I’ll have to congratulate her and her mate.” I nodded. I could feel André’s wary gaze on me as he took two steps back.

“You were involved with Gianluigi’s Sheila?” André questioned. ‘Don’t fuck this up. I swear to the Goddess if you mess this up!’ Cardinal warned as I turned my gaze back to André.

“I’m not sure how or if it’s relevant. But yes. We dated for a while. We called things off a couple of months ago as our wolves were restless to find their mates. Sheila chose to go to the gatherings.” I shrugged.

“You were with a woman?” André seemed more stuck on that point. I cocked an eyebrow folding my arms. “Yes. I still don’t see how this is relevant or appropriate conversation. Do you often question people about their sexuality?” I countered.

“Not generally. But my radar is never wrong. So it’s odd to hear you’re straight.” André casually shrugged. His words and even body language may be displaying indifference, but he can’t fool me.

Those eyes of his are more expressive than he thinks. I can see the wheels turning in there. Hearing I’m straight has him shaken.

‘Of course, it does, you idiot. We. Are. His. Mate.’ Cardinal grumbled, putting his paw over his muzzle. If he was human, that expression would have been a facepalm. 

“If we are done discussing sexualities. I believe Captain Darren was going to tell us about his ability and why they made him suited to be Isis’s bodyguard.” Damon called the situation to order. 

“Of course, Zio. Please, Captain Darren, elaborate.” André smiled, giving a dramatic wave of his hand. I sighed, rolling my shoulders. That damn crackling of electricity just as strong as when he walked into the room filled the air between us.

“It is easier to show than explain.” I shrugged. “Oh well, I’m all for a good show and tell. Please, demonstrate. Show me what you’ve got.” André smirked. His tone and posturing came off as joking and playful. But it felt more like he was the one putting on the show. 

‘Duh. Our mate is trying to act normal. This must be normal for him. He doesn’t want his uncle and cousin to realize we’re his mate and that you’re so obviously not claiming him. Just give our mate a demonstration of our power.’ Cardinal rolled his eyes. 

I sighed and nodded. Closing my eyes, I called up the power Cardinal gives me, the power that generations of Delaney have held. As I opened my eyes, I could see everyone in the room. Everything looked hazy like a thin layer was dividing me from them as I became invisible.

Slowly I stepped away from where I stood next to Isis. I navigated around the room or specifically around my mate. Taking my time as I looked at him.

Taking in every detail. André’s blue mohawk, the five o’clock shadow along his jaw. The way the borrowed clothes, from the same bin as mine, fit him.

‘Even in track shorts, his ass looks good.’ Cardinal mused as my eyes drifted down to that curve of his backside. ‘You’re checking him out. Using our power to do it without anyone knowing. Shameful.’ Cardinal teased.

“Where did he go?” Isis blinked, looking around. “That’s the gift of the Delaney bloodline. They can become invisible. People can’t even smell them when they use their gifts. I know their old Alpha used them for spies and assassins. Alpha Logan, however, is a straightforward guy, so he doesn’t bother with that.” Kurt shrugged.

He’s not wrong. That is how my former Alpha treated and used my family. We didn’t like it, but who were we to argue with our Alpha. He got what was coming when Alpha Logan took his head. 

As Isis reached for the spot I had been standing, she gasped, finding thin air. “So, where is he?” she asked. “He’s behind me.” André smiled confidently. “What makes you think that? Like Kurt said, we can’t even smell him. I can’t even hear his heartbeat.” Alexander questioned.

“Call it D’Amore intuition.” André shrugged, spinning on heels, so he was facing me. My eyes glanced down at his lips before taking a half step back. Our noses… our lips… were inches apart.

I thought to get back before he could reach me. But his hand reached out, and my invisibility faded as he grabbed a fist full of my shirt. That Cheshire cat grin on his lips as his eyes danced with amusement. 

“Caught you.” André taunted. “Now, what should I do with you? That’s the real question.” That amusement in his eyes took a darker, more devious turn. ‘He can do anything he wants. Tell him that.’ Cardinal insisted.

‘Shut it.’ I growled at Cardinal. “You could start with letting my shirt go. It’s borrowed, and I wouldn’t want to stretch the fabric out or tear it needlessly. Alpha André .” I suggested keeping a straight face.

André laughed. It didn’t seem forced or fake in any way. My answer actually amused him. “Wouldn’t be needless if it leaves you shirtless, Tesoro Mio.” He whispered so quietly I almost didn’t hear him.

My Italian is a bit rusty, but I could work out what he called me. He called me his treasure. ‘He’s already giving us a pet name. I like it.’ Cardinal shivered at the same time as I did.

I arched an eyebrow at him, waiting silently, forcing my face to otherwise maintain my perfected poker face. With a sigh, André let me go. “How did you do that?” Kurt questioned as I walked back over to stand beside Isis. 

“How did he do that? Even Alpha Logan can’t tell when you and your brothers are using your powers.” Kurt questioned me. “It takes a very skilled and well-trained Alpha or a mate to detect our presence.” I explained.

“Are you saying Alpha Logan isn’t as well trained as André?” Kurt questioned, looking at me in shock. “I am not being dismissive of our Alpha. But he did have a more condensed training as Alpha being the second-born son. Beta John, having the more extensive Alpha training, can detect us when he tries.” I shrugged.

I can’t say if André can pinpoint my location because he’s that well trained as Alpha heir or because we’re mates. I know my brothers can’t sneak up on their mates to save their lives. Sadria and Alison always sniff them out. 

‘It’s probably both. As our mate, he was bound to detect us and our scent.’ Cardinal concluded. “That’s an interesting gift. I hope you and your brothers didn’t use it to get into trouble. No, I don’t think you’re the sort to use his gift frivolously.” André teased.