Page 11 of Seven is Swell

“I’m sure everything’s fine. Maybe his phone broke or something.”

I appreciate Jackson’s reassurances even if I don’t believe him. “Yeah, maybe.”

The whole way to Ash’s office I just feel...off. I try and pull on our bond, but it feels like there’s something heavy sitting on it, dimming the feedback. That’s alarming.

Then my phone rings. “Finally,” I say as I hit the green button and bring the phone to my ear. “There you are. I was starting to worry because you never texted or called to say goodnight, and I got wrapped up in trying to stop about fifteen different fights between my mates and my boyfriend.”

“Delaney Duncan. Even your voice is enchanting.”

“This isn’t Wilder. Who is this?”

“Darling, must we? You know exactly who this is. Look, I need you to do something for me. I have my son here and we would really like it if you could find the time to swing by and settle a little misunderstanding we seem to find ourselves in.”

I look around me wildly even if it won’t give me any clues as to where Wilder is being held. No go though, I’m still in the middle of a college campus. Luckily, I’m not one to panic in bad situations; not with parents like mine. I know they’ve prepared me for any sort of situation, this included.

Also, if I’m ever faced with a very violent octopus wielding knives and threatening to consume my brother, I’m also set.

“You must be the elusive pride male. I’ve heard…so much about you.” I signal to Jackson to get out of the flow of foot traffic and to alert his brother so we can start figuring out a game plan.

“Yes, I am. Rane Wilder, at your service. I’m going to send over an address for you to this number. Please join me at your earliest convenience so we can talk. I tried to speak with the both of you a few days ago, but it seems you were otherwise occupied. Do wear something nice, it’s only respectful.”

“I’ll be there, but can I please speak to Ash first? I just want to make sure he’s okay.” Because if his father is answering his phone after I haven’t heard from him in almost a whole day, things can’t be good. Surely they aren’t dangerous though, right?

“Of course. When you get to the location, just follow the pathway until you see us. If you walk straight down, you can’t miss us. Do hurry.”

There’s some grunting and laughter, which sounds not at all happy, and then I hear the thing I’ve been needing to hear. “Hi Delaney. Do you have your other guys with you? Are you safe?”

“Ash? What’s going on? I’m fine, don’t even worry about me. I want to know ifyou’reokay because you haven’t exactly painted your father in a nice light.”

He exhales heavily, and I know he’s editing his situation to make me feel better. “It’s…something I figured was coming. Look, you don’t have to come. In fact, I’d prefer it if you didn’t. This isn’t something I want for you.”

“Talk to me. If you need me to be there, of course I’m going to be there. I just want to know what ‘there’ is and if you’re in any way harmed. Because if you are…things are going to go down. I have brass knuckles on me at all times and access to about 30 different toxins. 55 if you give me a few hours.”

“That’s…really? Stop distracting me. I’m supposed to be the one that protects you.”

“Yeah, you mated the wrong person if that’s what you pect.. We are going to protect each other when it comes time to, because neither one of us are weak. We each have things we’re going to be a bit better at due to circumstances, but I don’t expect you to save me. I will save myself when I need to.”

“Hold on one second, I’m just going to step somewhere more private.”

I put my phone on mute and start filling Jackson in on what I know so far. His jaw is clenched, and I can see the stress in hisneck, but his training is kicking in because he looks calm and levelheaded. Mostly.

“Okay, are you there?”

“Here.”

“Gods, Delaney. It’s all so stupid. I fucking hate him. I don’t think I’ve ever said that out loud before, but it’s true. I’m sorry I couldn’t contact you last night before bed, I knew you would be upset by that.”

“I was. Are you going to tell me what happened?”

“Not sure if Jackson remembers, but when you three were over a few days ago, my father showed up. Jackson came down the stairs, positively high on you, and screamed at him and pushed my father out of my home and locked the door. Jackson was completely nude by the way, so that was a treat for both of us.

“I’ve been avoiding my father since, because I knew that was going to cause some very big questions, but he’s invoked shifter law. He…Delaney, you don’t want to mess with him. Shifter politics are fucking messy.”

“Maybe they’re messy if your parents don’t run the entire council. I have fathers on the council seats, Ash. Did you forget that?”

“No, I didn’t. I wanted to handle this though without crying to my mate’s fathers I’ve never officially met for help. There’s no way they’ll be impressed with how you and I became mated.”

“Again, communication would have been a really good thing to do; because my parents love me, and if I’m happy,they’rehappy. They’re not going to threaten you or do any of that bullshit. I promise. What do I need to tell them?”

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