Ares

Now that this year's negotiations with the Darong faction were wrapping up tomorrow, I could finally turn my attention to the next item on my priority list. Evie was handling a lot of the day-to-day responsibilities that I typically handled as she always did this time of year. I would pick them back up on Wednesday. It left today for an important task.

As soon as I learned about Shane, Cole's older brother, I assigned my intelligence team to learning everything they could about him. Now, the file sat on my desk. I didn't need to look at it to know what it said, since I had already thoroughly read it as soon as it was delivered to me.

Shane Monaghan, age thirty-five. Werewolf. No pack affiliation.

Shane lived an hour outside of Chicago. He seemed to keep a low profile, having little interaction with the world. He worked at a local grocery store as a cashier and had been there for five years. Prior to that, no work history. In fact, my team hadn't been able to find anything on him before a rehab stay five years ago. The facility's security was no match for my team, so I had the whole file from his stay.

Shane had checked himself in for help breaking a drug addiction. He had completed the program and experienced no documented relapses since his release. The notes from his therapist filled in the ten years between leaving his family and entering rehab.

Shane had followed someone he thought he belonged with - filling in the blanks, that must mean he had believed her to be his mate and expected a bond to form between them. Instead, she had drained him dry. He spent all his money on drugs for them both, of which she took the lion's share. When the money ran out, he sold everything he could, including his body, to get more. Once he started whoring himself, she walked away without a look back. Shane spiraled even further from there. Sex and drugs became his whole life until an overdose almost claimed it.

It was terribly tragic. I hadn't told Cole or his family yet for one reason: I knew how fragile the road to recovery from addiction could be. Shane seemed to be doing well for himself now. Would thrusting him back into his past trigger a relapse? I didn't want to risk it. I felt certain Cole would agree.

So, I would visit Shane this afternoon and evaluate the situation for myself. If he was willing to reconnect with his family, then I would facilitate it. If he was not... then I would tell Cole and we would make a plan for what to tell his father and grandmother.

I initially debated whether to approach Shane casually, perhaps by shopping at the store where he worked as means of an introduction. However, I knew the discussion we needed to have must be done in private. So, I went to his home after his shift let out. On Mondays, he went in very early to unload the delivery truck and went home shortly after lunchtime.

He should be arriving home now.

I teleported to his front porch, landing behind him as he walked up the steps. He yelled and almost fell back, but managed to catch himself.

"Apologies," I said. "I did not mean to startle you."

Shane pressed a hand against his chest and stared at me with wide eyes. "Where did you come from?"

"My office," I answered.

"What?"

I grimaced. Perhaps I should have teleported further down the driveway and walked up so he could hear me approaching. "I am your brother's mate. My name is Ares."

"What? My brother, Cole?" Shane took a couple of steps forward, up onto the porch so we were on-level with each other. I stood nearly a head taller than him still.

"Yes. Can we talk?" I examined Shane's expression carefully in an attempt to ascertain what his emotional response was to hearing I was affiliated with his brother.

"Yeah. Uh... yeah. Come in." Shane seemed more stunned than distressed. It took him a couple of tries to insert his housekey into its lock. His fingers were trembling.

Shane got the door open and held it wide so I could enter before him. I nodded courteously as I passed through the threshold.

Shane gestured me toward the couch. It was the only place to sit in his living room, so I took one end and he took the other. He wrung his hands together and seemed to be waiting for me to speak.

Very well. "Your family asked me to find you. Now that I have, I wanted to speak with you. I need to understand whether reconciliation will be possible."

"After all this time..." Shane muttered, and rested his face on his palms.

I waited, understanding that he may need some time. I did not say, "They are worried" or "They miss you." The question in my mind was whether Shane was willing or able to see his family again. I didn't want to bring their feelings in and influence his answer.

"Cole is twenty-four now," Shane whispered. I nodded, though he wasn't looking at me. "He was just a kid the last time I saw him. Does he really want to see... me?"

"I think he wants to understand," I said gently, knowing that might be a deterrent for Shane. But he must know that if he returned to his family, they would ask questions.

"I didn't even say bye to them before I left. I haven't reached out. I figured they must hate me by now," Shane said. He stared searchingly at me.

"They love you," I assured him. "They've searched for you. They will understand if you explain it to them."

Shane's expression closed off. "No, they won't."

"I know everything, Shane. I know about Marcia, the drugs, how you got the drugs, rehab." He looked alarmed, and I added, "I know that's private. I will not share what I know with anyone, not even Cole. It is for you to decide how much you want to tell them and when, if you tell them anything at all. But I want you to know that I know everything, and I am certain your family would understand and embrace you if they knew. You should be very proud of the life you have built for yourself here."

He hung his head now. "I know. I am. But I'm still so ashamed of everything that came before. It's why I never went back. I can't bear seeing the look in their eyes when they learn what I did. Especially not my mom. Dad's always been laid-back, but I can't stand breaking Mom's heart. And Cole... he was so young when I left. I don't want all he knows about me to be my past."

My heart ached. He didn't know about his mother; how could he? "Shane..." He looked at me, and the words died on my tongue. I took a deep breath and forced them out. "A couple years after you left, your pack suffered an outbreak of bloodrash." Fear suffused Shane's expression - he had to know I wouldn't bring this up unless he'd lost someone. "Your father and brother survived, as well as your grandmother."

"No," Shane whispered. How could a single word contain so much pain?

"Your mother, grandfather, and aunt did not," I finished.

"No," he said again. His hands slid up into his hair, pulling at the strands. "No, no. They can't have..." Tears welled and overflowed from his eyes.

I knew the contact may be unwelcome, but I couldn't let him face this alone. I slid closer and wrapped my arms around his torso, pulling him against me. Shane didn't resist, and dissolved into tears as he clutched at me.

"I can't... I can't..."

It was clear he was trying to speak, but he couldn't get out the words. I rubbed his back and waited. It took a long, long time before Shane's sobs quieted and he was left trembling against me.

"I should have been there," he said. His voice was hoarse and I wondered whether it was better to go get him a glass of water or stay here and continue letting him lean against me.

"I didn't know your mother," I said. "I only know what Cole has told me of her. But I know she would have been proud of the man you are today."

That sent more tears streaming down his face as his eyes squeezed shut.

Eventually, he released me and scooted to put some space between us. "Sorry about that," he said, not meeting my eyes.

"Think nothing of it. You weren't prepared for my visit or to receive such news. I consider you to be family, Shane. If I can help you, I will."

He almost smiled at that. "I'm glad Cole has you. Have you been together long?"

"No, not yet. But I treasure him."

He did smile now. "My little brother, mated," he said, and whistled. "I can't imagine it."

A lot changes in sixteen years.

I didn't say it; that would have been needlessly cruel.

"Well... I guess I'm going home," Shane said. I was surprised he had made a decision so quickly and it must have shown on my face, because he gave a sad smile and said, "I don't want to miss more of my family's lives. And if they don't want to welcome me back... I deserve it."

"They will. They sent me looking for you," I reminded him. "If they didn't want you back, they wouldn't have asked." My reassurance didn't clear his worry. I could almost hear him thinking, "That was before they knew why I left."

"I'll need a few weeks to save up for a plane ticket. Do you think it would be better for me to call them before I show up?"

The answer to that was easy. "They'll want to see you as soon as possible, if you're up for it. Though your grandmother has been having some heart issues and we should prepare her first. I can take you to your father and brother whenever you're ready. I can teleport."

Shane's eyes widened comically at the information. "Really? Um, if you don't mind me asking... what are you?"

I was strangely hesitant to answer. The last thing I needed was for him to fear me. But attempting to hide what I was wouldn't do us any good. He'd never trust me in the long run, and that could drive a wedge between Shane and Cole. "I am a demon."

Now his eyes were open even wider. "Woah, I was not expecting that."

"Will you come with me?" I asked.

He stared for another moment before nodding. "Let me pack a bag."

"Of course. And I can bring you back here whenever you need. It's no trouble."

Shane smiled at that and headed toward the hallway. He hesitated before rounding the corner and looked back at me. "Um, help yourself to anything in the kitchen. I won't be long."

"Take your time," I assured him and settled in to wait.

While I waited, I opened my connection to Cole and frowned when I found he was feeling a mix of emotions that didn't make sense. What was happening that had him feeling so worried?

"Little wolf?" I sent through our bond.

"Ares!" he answered instantly.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

There was a long pause - too long - before he replied, "We'll talk when you get back." I was about to press him when he added, as an afterthought, "I'm fine!"

I frowned, but let it drop. "I have news," I told him instead. I could feel him waiting, so I continued. "I am with your brother. I'll be bringing him home shortly."

Cole's reaction was shock so strong it was almost violent, followed by excitement. "Are you serious?" he asked, but I treated it as rhetorical. He must know I wouldn't joke about something like this.

"Are you home?" I asked.

"I'm pulling in now." That surprised me. I knew he had gotten off work hours ago and didn't think he'd had any plans. Maybe he met with a friend or visited his family; I was sure he'd share later.

"Then I'll see you soon."

"Ares? Do you know why Shane left?"

I sighed aloud. "Yes. But I'll let him explain himself."

Cole didn't respond, and I let the conversation drop. Cole would have answers soon enough.

Not long after, Shane emerged from the hallway with a duffle bag slung over his shoulder. He looked a little lost, but offered me a small smile as he approached.

"I'm ready," he said.

I offered him my hand and brought him home.