Keata's Promise [Brac Pack 7] (9 page)

“Understood. Just stand down. Someone will be there shortly.” Cody slid his phone back into his jacket as a human emerged from behind the building, bloody and crying out for help. Cody looked back at his truck to see Keata covering his mouth and pointing at the bloody mess of a man.

“Stay,” Cody shouted at Keata as he ran to the guy.

“Help me, please.” He held his hand around his waist, and Cody saw blood seeping out from under the man’s arm.

Two wolves came around the corner, coming to a halt when they saw Cody. They began to growl and snap their jaws.

“No, you fucking didn’t just challenge me.” Cody shifted and
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attacked, killing them both.

He shifted back and grabbed the remains of his favorite leather.

Dammit, why couldn’t wolves shift back and forth with their clothes?

He went through more jackets than a department store. He pulled his phone out once more, calling the fire department and ambulance. He quickly ran to his truck, opening the silver box bolted to the bed. As a shifter, he had learned, along with the other wolves, to carry spare clothes. Tossing the jeans on, Cody quickly shoved his feet into boots and tossed a T-shirt over his head. Checking inside his truck to assure himself his mate was safe, Cody ran back to the human.

Murdock and Gunnar raced toward him in their truck. They grabbed the two wolves, looking around to make sure no humans saw them, and then tossed the carcasses into the bed.

Cody nodded as the Sentries sped off to remove evidence of their existence.

“What are you?” The man stared up at Cody, his brows furrowed.

“The man that decides whether you live or die for witnessing a well-guarded secret.” Cody glared down at the man.

“I won’t tell. I swear. I’ve seen you guys come into my diner plenty of times. I like you all. Never any problems. Good business.” The man grunted at the pain he was experiencing.

“You the owner of the diner?” Cody thought he had looked familiar.

“Yeah, promise I won’t tell. Name’s Frank Thomas.” He held a bloody hand up to Cody.

Cody eyes him wearily then shook the offered hand. “Cody Wilder. I’ll be watching you, Frank Thomas.”

“No problem. You know where I work.” He tried to laugh, but it came out as a groan.

The fire truck pulled up along with the ambulance. Cody backed up and allowed the paramedics to work on Frank.

“Can you tell us what happened?” one of the medics asked Frank.

Frank looked over at Cody for a moment then back to the man
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questioning him, “I was trying to get in through the back door when I was attacked by a dog, must be rabid. The fire started because I was smoking when it happened.”

Cody nodded. “I’m his friend, Cody. This is Frank Thomas, owner of the diner. Where are you taking him?”

“Over to the Medic Center.” The paramedic pulled Frank onto the stretcher and loaded him into the back of the ambulance.

“See you at the Medic Center, Frank Thomas.” Cody turned his back and headed to his truck. Keata was watching the chaos in front of him with wide eyes.

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Chapter Seven

Keata set the bottle back under the bar and ran around to sit on the couch next to Johnny. They both giggled as they sat there, watching Storm come into the den.

Keata had to bite his knuckle to stop the laughter as Storm went behind the bar, grabbed a beer bottle, twisted the cap off, and took a large swallow.

Storm spit out the drink, it sprayed across the bar as he wiped his tongue on his shirt. “What the fuck is this?” Johnny giggled. Keata elbowed him to be quiet. Storm shot an angry look over at the two, but Keata curled his lips in and darted his eyes around.

Storm sniffed the bottle and then glared at them. “Who put Worcestershire sauce and vinegar in this bottle?” Keata shrugged. “Beer bandit.”

Johnny giggled again, and Keata almost burst out laughing.

“I’m going to go have a talk with Hawk and Cody.” He pointed to the pair. “Stay away from the beer.” Keata watched Storm walk away, and then he and Johnny fell over laughing.

“That was a good idea.” Johnny snorted.

“Yeah, good.” Keata held his side as he laughed.

Storm came back in and stood there glaring at them. Keata rolled over and laughed harder. Johnny laughing so much, he was crying.

He needed a good laugh after what he witnessed this morning. It was enough to make him never want to leave the house again. Since Keata knew he couldn’t live his life as a hermit, he dealt with it in his
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own way.

* * * *

Cody led Keata through the emergency room, asking to see Frank.

The nurse led him to one of the rooms in the back.

He pushed the door open, seeing Frank lying on a bed, bandages covering him. “How ya feeling, Frank?”

“Like roadkill.” He chuckled.

Keata walked over to the bed, but Cody pulled him back. “No, Keata. Man hurt.”

Frank looked down at Keata. “He’s beautiful.”

“He’s mine.” Cody pulled Keata to his chest, a low growl vibrating from him.

Frank threw his hands up. “No harm meant, just complimenting your man.”

“You gay?” Cody questioned him.

“No, but my brother is. I have no problem with gay people.” Frank smiled warmly down at Keata.

“No problem.” Keata grinned.

Frank began to speak to Keata in Japanese. Keata and Cody’s eyes widened.

“My grandmother was from Japan and insisted I learn the language of my ancestors.” Frank patted Keata on the back of his hand.

Cody growled again, and Keata tapped his chest. “Behave, mate.” Cody’s eyes softened on Keata.

“So what are you?” Frank asked.

“I think you already know the answer to that question.”

“Yeah, okay. So what’s this mate thing your boyfriend is talking about?” Frank asked.

“You know if I tell you and you betray—” Frank held his hand up. “I know you don’t know me, but I like our
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little town. If the world found out about you…well, military and reporters everywhere.” Frank shuddered. “No thanks.”

“Well, it’s about the same as mating in the animal world. One mate for life, and since I’m two hundred and seventy-two years old, living to be a thousand, that’s a mighty long time to be alone.”

“Holy shit!” Frank covered his mouth with his hand, looking at the door to make sure no one heard him. “You’re older than me.” Frank laughed.

Keata started laughing, too. “Old man.” He snorted.

“I’ll give you old.” Cody pulled Keata into his arms and kissed him. He turned back to Frank, “So why did those”—Cody turned back to look at the door—“
men
attack you?”

“Don’t know. I was honest when I said I was trying to get through the back door when they attacked, never seen them before.”

“I’ll inform my Alpha that they’re attacking humans now.” Cody couldn’t figure out why the rogues would attack humans. What was there to gain? He knew rogues cared nothing for packs, cared nothing for keeping their secret. That’s what made them dangerous, aside from the fact they were out to kill, but they usually kept it to other shifters.

Maverick was going to shit kittens on this one.

“There are more of you?” The human’s eyes widened.

“A whole pack. Two, actually.”

“Huh.” Frank looked thoughtful.

“Listen, about your diner. I want to make it up to you for what those
men
did to you.”

Frank held up his hand, “No, that’s what I have insurance for.”

“Insurance won’t get you a brand-new, updated kitchen.” Cody dangled the carrot in front of him.

Frank shook his head. “I can’t allow you to come out of pocket.”

“Before you say no again, we have more money than we know what to do with. Living as long as we have, it’s no sweat off of our backs to help out. Give back to the community.” This Frank guy was
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a tough sell. Any other human would jump at the chance of free money. He liked Frank’s ethics.

“I don’t care about your money. I’ll tell you what. You can modernize my kitchen if you agree to become my partner in business.”

Cody’s eyes widened. “You mean it? I’ve never owned a business before.” The idea had merit. It made him feel accomplished. Cody began to imagine what he wanted the place to look like. The excitement started building in him, but he kept a cool composure.

There was one person, or he should say wolf, that had to approve this, and finding out that a human now knew they existed just might be the toughest sale yet compared to convincing the human to take the money.

Maverick had to agree.

This might have just gotten more complicated than Cody had anticipated.

“Only way I’ll let you pay for the renovations.”

“Deal.” Cody shook Frank’s hand. “But those damn wolves in my pack don’t get to eat for free. The profit and pantry would be dry before the ink on our agreement was.” Cody laughed.

“Deal, but you can’t stop me from giving them free desserts.” Frank winked at Keata.

Cody growled again.

“Will you stop that snarly thing? I don’t want your mate. He’s just so adorable.” Frank waved his hand at Cody.

Cody was amazed at how well Frank was taking things. “I told you, one mate per lifetime.”

“So how do you know who your mate is?” Frank was once again intrigued.

“You don’t. You have to find them. Once you do, heaven or hell won’t stop a wolf from claiming what’s his. You just know, you know?” And thank goodness he hadn’t blown his chance with Keata.

“Yeah, I knew Emma was mine from the first moment I laid eyes
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on her. I know what you mean, Cody.” Frank’s eyes misted.

“You married?”

“Widowed. My Emma was taken from me a few years back.

Cancer.” Frank wiped the stray tear that came from bringing up an obvious painful memory.

“Sorry, man.” Cody couldn’t imagine Keata being taken from him. Just the thought made his chest ache. He’d been a fool in waiting those months. But now that his mate was at his side, only the act of god could separate them.

“Let’s leave the emotional stuff for the women and talk turkey.

You come see me when I get out of here and we’ll hash over all the details.” Frank raised his hand to shake Cody’s.

“Sounds good, Frank Thomas.” Cody shook the hand.

Frank spoke to Keata in his own language again, getting a laugh from his friendly—
too friendly
—mate.

“What are you telling my mate?” Cody eyed Frank then Keata.

“That he has a smart wolf for a mate.” Frank winked a Keata again.

Cody growled again.

Frank waved Cody’s threat away. “No worries, old man.” Frank chuckled.

Cody rolled his eyes and bid his farewells as he led Keata out of the Medic Center and drove him home.

* * * *

“Do you trust this Frank Thomas?” Maverick sat back in his chair, pulling at his soul patch. Interesting. He hadn’t seen this one coming.

So a human knew of their existence now.

“I do. He seemed cool about it, even offered me partnership in his diner for helping to renovate it. The fire destroyed the old one.” Cody leaned back in the leather chair.

“I’ll trust your instincts on this, but be aware, Sentry, if he betrays
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us, life as we know it won’t exist anymore, and we’ll be hunted.” Maverick knew he was taking a big risk at letting this human live, but it actually felt kind of nice for someone else to know and accept them.

If Frank betrayed them, he would kill him slowly and painfully.

Cecil’s happiness and well-being came before even his own pack. He wasn’t going to be on the run with his mate.
Ever.

“I’ll take full responsibility for him.” Maverick sat forward, looking the warrior straight in his eyes.

“You know what you’re saying, right? If this Frank does reveal our secret, you’ll be killed along with him.” Maverick wasn’t going to pull any punches. Cody had to know what he was agreeing to.

“I know, and I don’t take it lightly, Alpha.”

“Very well, I would like to meet Frank Thomas and reserve judgment for myself. If I feel he isn’t a threat, he lives, as do you.” Maverick dismissed Cody.

* * * *

Cody hadn’t expected that. He couldn’t even warn his new partner. If he did, Maverick would skin Cody alive. His loyalties lay with his pack, but he had an urge to protect Frank. Maybe it was because the guy had stayed true to his word, not telling a soul, maybe because he felt for the widower. Maybe Keata’s naïve trust was eroding Cody’s damn brain.

* * * *

He found his mate licking a spoon he had just dipped into an ice cream container. Cody shook his head. All the mates should be five hundred pounds by now, but luckily they were young and had high metabolisms. That and the fact that being mated to a wolf burned off excessive fat. Something in their saliva was transmitted to their mates.

Cody chuckled as he thought how people across the globe would
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love to get their hands on the wolves’ saliva, the new and improved diet.

“Hungry, baby?” He had forgotten that Keata hadn’t gotten a chance to eat with all the commotion going on.

“Yes, Cody.” Keata beamed up at him, ice cream smeared on his chin. Cody licked it off, growling at the intimate act.

“No sex. Food.” Keata tapped Cody’s chest.

“Food, then sex.” Cody corrected. He reached under his mate’s arms and lifted him in the air, kissing him before setting him down.

“Roger that.” Keata dug through the freezer and handed Cody a bag of chicken strips. “Please.”

“Anything for you, Keata.” Cody took the bag and set up the stove to begin frying them. Chicken strips weren’t the healthiest breakfast—lunch, now, since the morning had slipped away—but he would give Keata anything he asked for. Besides, he wanted more of that ass. Cody chuckled to himself.