Two Mates for a Magistrate (11 page)

“It is an honor.” Klaus’s voice sounded odd, as if torn between genuine happiness, confusion, and regret. Perhaps Klaus did not understand what his role would be, now that Dietrich and Fritz were in the picture.

Dietrich took pity on the man. After all, Klaus remained Wolfram’s friend. “The honor is mine. Thank you for being by Wolfram’s side when we could not.”

Klaus looked surprised, but then, the tension began to drain out of him. He nodded, his blue eyes strangely warm. Before they could fall into awkwardness, a sound from the bedroom alerted them that Marcus and Sebastian had awoken. Dietrich followed Wolfram and Klaus to check up on the two men. As he watched his mate and Klaus together, Dietrich knew he’d done the right thing. Like Wolfram said, Dietrich and Fritz were his mates, and as such, they needed to accept and love everyone he did. It wouldn’t be easy, since Dietrich didn’t have any experience befriending people. But a change would do him good, and as much as he hated everything Joseph had done, he felt stronger somehow, ready to take on the world.

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* * * *

Fritz had not left Trier for many years, not since he’d last visited with his parents in Berlin. He considered himself a small town man at heart, and Trier held an air of historical beauty that charmed him. But with his involvement with the spirit wolves, Fritz knew he would no longer be able to live here. Too much had happened. His very perspective on life changed, and the quaint existence he’d loved so much could no longer keep him safe.

Wolfram’s friend and subordinate, Klaus, brought with him ill news and the reinforcements to make the town safe. It was too late, though. Joseph had gone. They all knew it, just like they knew he would be back.

Fritz had a small moment of unsettlement, during which he simply didn’t know what to do. He’d called in sick the previous day, but his bosses would require some sort of explanation regarding his peculiar behavior.

Wolfram must have sensed his uncertainty because he left Klaus to talk to the men and came to sit by his side. “Don’t worry about it.

I’ll arrange for everything to be just as you wish it.”

Fritz sighed. “I’m not even sure what I want, except for being with you and Dietrich.”

Wolfram smiled. “As long as you’re certain of that, it’s enough.

Generally, when a human is introduced to our world, we help him make a clean break with his past.” He hesitated. “Sometimes, it’s a bit brutal. Tell you what, we’ll make up you fell ill and are going to see a specialist in the States. It’s close enough to the truth. You’ll have to talk to your parents and tell them, but I’ll do the rest.”

Fritz winced. He hoped his parents wouldn’t give him any trouble.

They weren’t very close, not since he’d told them he was gay, but still, this could be problematic. He decided to get the conversation over with while his mates were busy with the rest of the arrangements.

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His parents took it better than he’d expected. His mother immediately offered to come with him, but Fritz mentioned his partner would assist him. Once she heard about that, she no longer seemed so zealous. They ended the talk with the promise Fritz would keep in touch with them and give them news of his state. It hurt Fritz his sexuality would be such an issue between them, but he’d grown to accept it. At least they would not be involved with the dangerous world of the spirit wolves. Even so, Fritz made a mental note to have someone keep watch over them. Joseph was unpredictable, and he could take revenge on Fritz’s family.

The thought continued to trouble him all throughout the day. He felt a bit more relieved when he heard Wolfram dispatch some men to Berlin, but he soon began to feel weary, and couldn’t have been more thankful his mates took care of arranging for his permanent leave of absence.

A few hours later, they left Trier by plane. The private jet held all the comforts known to man, or in this case, spirit wolf, so Fritz relaxed and enjoyed the ride. At one point, he must have fallen asleep because he awoke when the plane was landing.

“We’re here,” Wolfram said just as Fritz cracked his eyes open.

“Where exactly is here?” Dietrich asked, verbalizing Fritz’s dilemma. They hadn’t managed to talk about where they would stay.

Fritz just assumed they’d go to wherever Wolfram lived, and had not cared about anything beyond that. Now, however, he found curiosity assaulting him. He peeked out the window and saw a large building that looked like a combination between a pagan temple and a French medieval castle. He couldn’t tell much from just a brief glance, but he began to feel light-headed.

“This is my home,” Wolfram replied. “The Magistrate’s Den.”

They didn’t have time for much conversation after that. The plane landed, and as they disembarked, all manner of staff surrounded them, fussing around Wolfram. It took a while to get used to hearing everyone calling Wolfram “My Lord.” He’d heard Sebastian and
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Marcus say the same thing, but he guessed he didn’t have the time to process it. Basically, Wolfram represented the equivalent of a king.

What did that make Fritz and Dietrich?

Fritz’s mind still spun from the events the day before, but what really took the cake was the moment when he caught sight of Marcus and Sebastian. The two had come with a separate helicopter. Marcus still seemed very weak, and in a lot of pain. Wolfram let out a deep sigh as he watched the medics lead them away from the helicopter.

“There have been so many victims to this senseless war. Marcus survived, but those who didn’t…” He shook his head and turned to look at Fritz. “Come on. We should get you to see a doctor as well.”

Fritz and Dietrich shook their heads at the same time. “It’s not necessary,” Fritz said. “They’re busy with other things. We’re fine.”

Wolfram looked like he wanted to protest, but in the end, he relented. “Very well. Let’s get you settled in. I have to go look into the state of the injured, and then I’ll be with you.”

With great regret, Fritz allowed the staff to lead him inside the huge mansion, while Wolfram disappeared in the direction Sebastian and Marcus had gone. With a distant part of his brain, he registered passing by all sorts of adornments and statues, illustrating a culture unsurprisingly dedicated to wolves. But in a way, he couldn’t quite enjoy it, not without Wolfram. The only thing that comforted him was Dietrich’s presence. He felt so confused and out of sorts, lost in a world he didn’t belong to.

At the same time, his presence here finally allowed him to process that he'd basically killed a man. True enough, his victim had intended to kill him, but that didn't make what he'd done right. A sense of remorse settled over his heart. He now understood how hard it must be for Wolfram to bear the heavy mantle of leadership.

When they reached their destination, Fritz found himself in a richly decorated suite, filled with antique furniture and what looked like a fortune in art. Some of the objects looked similar in style as the statues outside, but Fritz spotted the occasional human artwork or
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item dedicated to spirituality. The main room looked a little more neutral, like a receiving area of sorts, but the adjoining bedchamber seemed an oasis for Wolfram. Fritz saw his mate in the beauty and silent strength of the place. He already felt better just by being here and the memory of the dead feral began to dwindle.

They didn’t get the chance to enjoy the quiet for too long. As it turned out, Wolfram ignored their request and sent a medic to check up on them. Begrudgingly, Fritz and Dietrich submitted to the woman’s examination. She poked and prodded until Fritz thought he was going to scream. When she left, he collapsed on the bed, exhausted. “Thank God that’s over with,” he told Dietrich.

His mate nodded at him. “You can’t blame Wolfram for being worried, though.”

No, he couldn’t. He remembered all too well the agony he’d felt upon being bitten by the feral, but he didn’t want to dwell on it anymore. He’d lived through it. What didn’t kill him made him stronger, and Fritz knew he’d need the additional strength to support his mates.

“I understand his concern. I just wish we could spend a quiet evening together and forget everything that happened.”

“Sometimes, you can’t forget, no matter how hard you try.”

Fritz cursed himself for his insensitivity. Dietrich had been through a traumatizing experience and Fritz only worried about himself. Before he could say anything, Dietrich sat on the bed and lay down next to him. “It’s all right. Let’s just stay here for a minute and wait for Wolfram. He’s going to need us when he comes back.”

* * * *

“What’s the damage, doctor?” Wolfram asked one of his medics.

“So far, we’ve registered five fatalities in addition to the thirteen acknowledged on-site.” He handed Wolfram a list with the people in question. “The rest of the injured are on the mend.”

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Wolfram felt like he was going to be sick. He’d known these men for decades, some even more. They had families, mates, children. He took a deep breath and forced himself to keep a straight face. It wouldn’t do for the Magistrate to have a nervous breakdown in front of his staff.

He thought of his own mates, and the connection with Fritz and Dietrich gave him strength. “Marcus?” He felt even guiltier for Marcus’s injury. Essentially, he’d been having fun with his mates while Marcus was being tortured by Joseph.

“He is doing fine,” the doctor answered. “I expect him to make a full recovery.”

Wolfram sent a prayer to the Spirit Mother, grateful for that much.

“And the ferals?” he inquired of the medic.

“They are imprisoned, like you ordered. Their injuries are healing.”

Wolfram thanked the doctor and left the hospital. They’d disposed of the dead feral, but the live ones could prove to be useful. Wolfram didn’t consider himself to be a cruel man, but realistically, he knew Andrew Blunt’s serum would have to be tested on someone. He couldn’t risk administering it without making sure it worked. As much as he hated the thought, he’d have to take into consideration the option of using the ferals as test subjects.

There were so many things he needed to do, but he felt tired, so very tired. He hadn’t even managed to enjoy his new mating. Their one time together had been beautiful, but brief and plagued with nightmares, haunted by hostility.

But they’d reached safety now, and they were beyond Joseph’s grasp. For a few hours, Wolfram could just be the man, and not the Magistrate.

His staff occasionally stopped him as he walked, but in the end, after far too long, he reached his quarters. He opened the door and locked it behind him. His instincts told him where he could find them.

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Indeed, when he reached his bedroom, he spotted Dietrich and Fritz on the bed. They got up and gave him twin looks of affection.

“You’re back,” Fritz said. “Thank God.”

“We were beginning to consider coming after you,” Dietrich continued.

Wolfram chuckled, although hilarity was far from his mind. If anything, he felt relieved at finally being by his mates’ sides. “So you missed me, I take it.”

Fritz smiled back. “Of course we did.”

For a few moments, they stared at each other as Wolfram processed what he’d gained and nearly lost. Energy crackled between them, and Wolfram followed the current, drawn to the bed like a moth to the flame. He abandoned his coat and threw off his shoes, then joined his mates on the mattress.

No one spoke. For Wolfram’s part, he didn’t think he could make his vocal chords work. He was too raw, too overwhelmed by everything that had happened. He’d almost lost Fritz, just like he’d lost so many loyal soldiers. Fritz could have become feral, or even died, if Wolfram had not known in advance about the double bite.

Now more than ever, Wolfram needed to ascertain they were all here, safe and together. He intellectually understood it, but he wanted to feel it as well. His body begged for his mates’ touches, and his mouth watered with the desire to taste them.

In slow, languorous motions, they stripped each other, hands lingering over naked flesh, exploring hard planes of muscle. The wound from Fritz’s shoulder had disappeared, but the memory still lingered in Wolfram’s memory. He kissed and licked at the skin, making his mate moan in pleasure.

Dietrich’s hands caressed his flanks. His wolf mate nibbled on his ear, whispering, “Lay down, Wolfram. Just relax.”

Wolfram obeyed and allowed his mates to lower him on the bed.

Outside his personal quarters, he always needed to be in control, to be
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the Alpha over thousands. It weighed so much on him, and for a while, Wolfram just wanted to let it all go.

Fritz obviously sensed his mood. “It’s okay. Just let us take care of you,” he murmured.

With his two mates on top of him, Wolfram couldn’t think of any better idea. Fritz lowered his mouth over Wolfram’s nipples. The moment wet heat engulfed the tiny nubs, a shock of pleasure electrified Wolfram’s body, pooling straight into his cock. The damn member demanded attention, and thankfully, Dietrich gave it. As Fritz laved Wolfram’s nipples with his tongue, Dietrich proceeded to do the same with Wolfram’s prick.

The first touch of Dietrich’s mouth on his dick had Wolfram groaning in unrestrained pleasure. He arched against Fritz’s mouth, looking for more contact, more of the delicious agony. Dietrich sucked him deep, all the way into his throat, but alternated his motions with teasing licks. Similarly, Fritz nipped and sucked at Wolfram’s nipples. Pain and pleasure molded together in a cocktail of sensations.

Dietrich’s naughty finger rubbed at his perineum, then traveled down to Wolfram’s hole. Wolfram cursed, causing Dietrich to hesitate and retract his hand. “No! I mean, yes. Do that again.”

He didn’t know how he managed to make himself understood.

Perhaps it wasn’t even by words, but through their connection. Either way, Dietrich’s clever hands returned, continuing their caresses. The finger penetrated Wolfram’s ass, causing a slight burn that only made the whole thing better.