Page 5 of The Bull's Head

Mal gave a sheepish grin, and Alp sneered.

Alp’s eyes widened and his nostrils flared. “You ate that too? You sure you’re not pregnant?”

“Baby, if anyone is getting pregnant, it’s you.” He stood and swept Alp into his arms, then stroked a hand over Alp’s stomach. “And that would be just fine with me.” He kissed Alp then, hard and deep, leaving his mate staring at him, obviously shell-shocked, and from the pheromones floating around, incredibly aroused. “And for the record, there is a piece of cake and some fudge swirl ice cream in the back of the freezer for you. You know I’d never deny you anything.”

The interplay between the two of them reminded Teddy of Damon and Cece. It was obvious they were in love. His and Ivan’s parents had never been like that. For them, children were a necessity. They needed workers for the farm, and that’s what was expected of the boys. Their sisters were meant to clean and cook. The division of labor, as their father told Teddy, was what the Maker demanded.

One day, their sister, Ilya, put her foot down, and told their father she was as good as any boy and she could work circles around Teddy and Ivan. It was impressive to see, but futile in the end, as their father scoffed and sent her to her room.

She ran away not long after that, and they didn’t hear from her for almost two years, when she wrote and said she was living in New York and loving it there. She invited the other kids, but only Teddy and Ivan went—against their fathers’ wishes—and that was where they met Hiram. He filled their heads with promises, that if they were in his sleuth, they could be their own men.

That was the first, but not the last lie. He and Ivan were big, strapping farm boys and Hiram wanted them for enforcers. That’s all they were ever good for. At least Mal and Alp took Cece’s word that they had brains too. Now he had to make sure he didn’t fail anyone.

He stood and bowed his head. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to go to my room.”

The two stopped their play-tussling. “Teddy, you don’t have to go. We’re sorry if we made you uncomfortable,” Mal insisted.

“No, it’s not that.” He gave them both a smile. “It’s good to see people in love. It’s been a long trip, and I’m tired.

“Teddy—” Alp started.

“No, really. I’m okay. Just need some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning, and you can show me what needs doing, all right?”

Alp bit his kiss-swollen lips as he regarded Teddy. “If you’re sure.” He peered at Mal. “If this bothers you?—”

“No! Not at all. I am sure, though.” He turned to leave, but then glanced over his shoulder. “May I ask, is it allowed for me to go up and run a bit in form? I haven’t shifted recently, and my muscles are all achy.”

“Of course. Plenty of room. I strongly suggest heading down to the river. That water is so fresh and cold, it’s a true delight.”

“I’ll have to try that. Good night.”

He left the room, Alp’s giggles and whispered entreaties echoing in Teddy’s ears. He had a feeling he was going to like it here after all.

By the time he made it outside, Teddy thought maybe he should go to bed instead. He did need to be up early, so he could start his new job. At realizing that, flutters filled his belly. He had a new job, in a new pack, with kids he wanted to help as they grew into adulthood. Not tell them they have to be strong or brave or… whatever. He wanted them to be happy. Considering how much of their lives had already been stolen from them, Teddy found himself to be truly joyous at the thought of this new path. No longer was he an enforcer, killing to keep people safe. Now he had a chance to make a difference in a child’s life.

Teddy noticed a wooden crate near the door to the compound. He glanced at the lid and grinned. Apparently they’d given thought to the needs of their people, since it said “For Clothes.” Teddy stripped off, folded his clothes, then took a deep whiff of air. It was cleaner, fresher. In Walker Pack, they were close to a few larger towns, and the smells of nature mingled with the car exhaust and other scents that Teddy didn’t care for.

He got down on all fours and let the shift come. His bear wanted out, to explore this untouched wilderness. The ache he’d complained about became intense pain, as muscles stretched and new growth pressed through his fingertips and toes. When his face and body started to morph, Teddy had to bite back a scream. He knew it would be worth it, though. As soon as he was a bear, everything would be?—

The pungent smell of poop had Teddy pawing at his nose. That shit—heh—was rank. Only… it wasn’t just fecal matter. There was another odor. Teddy had smelled it when they’d invaded the labs. The drugs they used on shifters. Curiosity got the better of him, and when the transformation was finally complete, Teddy ambled off toward the place the scent of fear and death were coming from.

His stomach roiled at the thought of what he was going to find.

When were they going to drag him back into the darkness? Why were they doing this to him? Was this another one of their damned “tests”? They’d sent new people who told him he was safe before. The first couple times, Callum believed and he had hope. Then he realized it was never going to happen. They were obviously trying to give him false sense of security, and then what? They were going to rip it away? Callum Martin hated this damned place. He wanted to be home and…. He sighed. Home no longer had the same meaning. Not since they…. Callum lifted his head and bellowed, a loud, mournful sound that had escaped from him every time he thought about Cooper.

Why couldn’t Callum find Cooper? Where was he? If one of them was to get out, Callum knew to his soul his parents would have preferred it to be his older brother. Cooper was the golden child, the one who could touch shit and it would turn into treasure. Unlike Callum. Everything he had done or tried ended up as crap. Add to that, Cooper would given them strong, healthy grandkids. Callum wouldn’t give them anything but grief.

And the day they’d been… taken, that was proven. Cooper fought back like a man possessed. The odds were against him, though, and even he could only take that kind of beating for so long. Maybe if Callum had helped, they could have escaped. But Callum ran off, like a coward. When he heard the gunshot, he stopped and turned around, but knew he couldn’t do anything for his brother. He was weak, pathetic. Best to get as far away as possible, then come back with help.

That was the lie Callum had told himself every day for the last five years. After they’d taken Cooper down, Callum heard them shouting to not let him get away. The roar of the engines was near deafening as they got in their vehicles and raced after Callum. When the lights crested the hill and the four vehicles chugged into view, Callum lay down, ready to die. Oh, how he wished he had. Instead, they’d jabbed him with electro-sticks until his muscles locked and he couldn’t move, then brought him to this place, where they’d done unspeakable things to him. Monstrous things.

The night he’d heard Cooper scream? That had changed everything. Callum knew his brother was alive! He bellowed back, but silence was his only reply. Was Cooper pissed? He should be. Callum had abandoned him and, worse, proven that what their father had always said was true. Callum wasn’t a bull—he was a lamb. A meek, milk-drinking lamb who would bring nothing but shame to his family.

Why couldn’t they just kill him and get it over with? Hadn’t Callum suffered enough? What would it take for them to let him go after all this time?

The snap of a twig froze Callum in his tracks. Had they finally returned for him? Maker, please let him die this time. He couldn’t stand it here anymore. Unable to shift, not allowed to do anything but cry at the memories that assailed him every moment.

When an enormous head poked around the corner, Callum jolted. A bear? Did bears eat bulls? Callum knew he couldn’t beat the hairy beast. He had enough trouble standing up on the best of days. Being locked in the pen for months on end had left him barely able to move.

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