Thoreau - Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Angelo del Vecchio
Looking down at the boy in my love's arms, I never would have guessed they were brothers.
Thoreau's eyes were blue-green like the ocean, and Emerson's were dark brown like a teddy bear's. Thoreau's hair was dark brown and as curly as Alpha Ash's, and Emerson's was stick-straight and black. And last but not least, Thoreau was so small and slight that I had trouble believing he was fifteen while il mio orsacchiotto (my teddy bear) was enormous.
Enormous everywhere, too, I thought with a proud smirk.
The only thing they had in common was their olive skin tone that made them look more Italian than me, and I was born in Venice!
Take him home and get him settled, then let me know when I can ask him some questions, Royal Price linked my mate and me after he dismissed the other betas.
Sure thing, I told him when Emerson didn't answer. We can try to get some information out of him, too, if he's up for it later.
Sounds good. Tell me if you find out something unexpected, but I think it's fairly obvious what happened here.
Thanks, Royal. We'll be in touch.
He nodded and we shook hands before he left, and I figured it was a good time to link my sister and cousins to ask for their help. Beatrix responded right away and said she and her mates were free and would take care of it.
It's a good thing we gave you all the old furniture from our old place, she said with a smug smile.
Just because you all wanted to get new stuff for your new places, I snorted and rolled my eyes.
Yesterday, the piccole uccelli (little birds) had picked out houses with their mates and now all their focus was on furnishing and decorating them. Well, except for Sara. Beta Crew's grandparents had left him a pretty little cottage in the woods by a waterfall that was stuffed full of their antiques and oddities, and Sara was having the time of her life going through it.
Needless to say, none of them had wanted our 'old' furniture, which wasn't old at all. Not two years ago, I'd paid good money for it, wanting high quality that would last, and now I was damned glad I had. Emerson and I definitely needed it to fill up our huge house.
The alphas of Five Fangs provided mated betas and gammas with a house from a list of available pack properties as part of their compensation package. For us, Emerson chose a gorgeous Victorian monstrosity, complete with hidden rooms and a rooftop observatory. I would have been happy to live in a yurt so long as it was with him, but Alpha Jayden told me Emerson had had his heart set on the place since he moved to Five Fangs.
Seeing the way Emerson's dark brown eyes sparkled as he gave me a tour around the place, I couldn't have said no even if I hated it. Whatever my baby wanted, I would make it happen.
Hey, it worked out to your advantage, didn't it? You already have a bedroom set for the boy, Beatrix pointed out in her practical way. What else do you need us to get him?
He has nothing. Even his clothes are not fit to wipe my shoes. I don't know what sizes he wears in anything, but he's a lot smaller than most boys his age.
Is he a runt?
No. Just malnourished. Hmm. I thought who I could compare him to. I met Alpha Wyatt's family at Peri Barlow's birthday party, and I'd say Reau is about Wade Black's size. You could call luna or one of the alphas and ask. They could at least give you Evie's number-
I'll take care of it, cugino (cousin), she cut me off. You focus on that pup and your mate. We'll help Leo get his bedroom ready. Hmm. While I'm thinking of it, I'd better call Leo and let him know what's up.
He won't come out of his own room while you're there, I scoffed. You'll be lucky if he answers your call.
He needs to interact with us, and the sooner the better, she insisted. Isolating himself is not going to help his healing process.
On one hand, I understood her argument. On the other hand, I had limited sympathy for the man who'd hurt my famiglia (family), even if he had been possessed by a demon at the time.
What could I say? Mine was not a forgiving nature. Never had been, probably never would be. I'd seen what monsters could do too many times to believe in turning the other cheek.
Mate? Talk to Emerson, please? Cove whispered. He's panicking.
Just that quick, every bit of my attention went to Emerson, and I didn't need the mate bond to know he'd gone down a rabbit hole of worry. Hugging him as best as I could around Thoreau, I reassured him that we'd figure everything out together.
I needed him calm because he was my mate and I would slay any dragon he faced either for him or alongside him, but I wanted him calm so he could help me understand what was going on with Thoreau.
I'd only needed a few moments of observation to know that raising the boy wasn't going to be anything like raising the piccole uccelli (little birds).
When I'd stepped up at eighteen to take custody of the four of them, I never could have guessed that it would be the best decision of my life. Despite the challenges that came with raising four little streghe (witches), I wouldn't have missed it for anything.
But I won't miss periods, I thought, profoundly relieved our piccolo cucciolo (little puppy) was a boy.
Are you sure you're okay with this? Emerson asked me for the third time. It's not going to be easy.
Nothing worthwhile is easy, orsacchiotto (teddy bear), but we'll get through it together.
I already feel bad for bothering you twice today and now-
Anger fired through my veins at his unexpected words.
Emerson Theodore. I clamped my hands tightly on his shoulders and, if he wasn't holding Thoreau, I would have shaken him. Don't you ever think you're bothering me again. That is not bothering me. That is called caring and supporting.
Sorry, he mumbled. I just don't want you to feel burdened-
Burdened! I hissed. I love you, stronzo (asshole)! I love you so much it scares me! Do you know why? Because I would burn this world to the ground for you! And you think that makes you a burden?
No, Angelo, you didn't let me finish. I was going to say, I don't want you to feel burdened by the role of parent again when you were just freed from it. He leaned closer and pressed his lips to my forehead. I can see into your heart through the mate bond. I know how much you love me. I never doubted that for one second.
I narrowed my eyes at him as I rummaged around in the mate bond myself. When I saw his sincerity, I silently sighed in relief that we were okay again.
I was as new to the mate bond as he was, and while I'd learned a lot about him in the last five days, I still had my own moments of doubt. Why would such a handsome, powerful, high-ranked wolf shifter want a glitch like me?
But just as he could see my heart through the mate bond, I could see his, and what he felt for me... Goddess! It was humbling, to be honest, and I only hoped I'd prove myself worthy of such utter adoration.
Helping you raise this boy will be a blessing, not a burden, I told him. I love him already. He's precious. Look at these curls and beautiful blue-green eyes! And just wait until the piccole uccelli (little birds) meet him! Can you imagine how spoiled and loved he's going to be?
No, I can't imagine, he said dryly, then blushed a little as he went on. For the record, I don't regret that Reau's here, but I am sorry this is happening now when we just found each other. I mean, we're already being careful because of having Leo in the house, and he's an adult who can handle it if he hears something he shouldn't.
A smirk tugged up one side of my mouth as I interpreted what he meant.
Well, orsacchiotto, I guess you'll have to learn to be quieter during playtime, won't you?
Me? he snorted as his whole face burned dull red. You're just as loud, you little shit.
You're lucky you're holding Thoreau, mio bello amore (my handsome love). Otherwise, I'd suck that lip right off of your face.
That's not the only thing that's going to get sucked today, is it, my bad boy? he asked with a smirk of his own.
Goddess, I hope not! I teased back, then leaned over Thoreau's head to drop a quick, hard kiss on my mate's soft lips.
I love you, angel, he whispered.
Shocked, my breath caught in my throat and I stared at him with wide eyes.
Usually, he called me loser, which I found amusing because it was so obvious he wanted to say lover. Other times, he called me little shit, which I loved because it meant my flirting had caused him to blush and he was trying to distract me. The rest of the time, I was Angelo. Not even Gelo.
I thought that might mean he was looking for a unique pet name for me. However, after hearing him call me angel just now, I wondered if that was what he wanted to use all the time and was too shy to do so.
Yes, Emerson was a mountain of a man and a powerful beta, but when it came to matters of the heart, my baby was as shy as a violet.
And I loved him all the more for it.
I, of course, had a dozen little pet names for him, each one sweeter and sappy than the last because they affected him more than he wanted anyone to know. While my love language was touch, Emerson's was definitely words. He savored my every syllable as much as I craved his fingers on my skin.
Two days ago, we were flirting in the link as he drove home from running an errand for Alpha Wyatt. By the time he pulled into the driveway, he'd come in his shorts twice and, well, let's just say he returned the favor in my love language.
To my very great pleasure, I purred to myself, my groin tightening at the memory.
We hadn't gone further than oral sex and masturbating each other, and that was enough for us for now. We were hesitant to venture into the realm of penetration, especially since we were both inexperienced and concerned about accidentally hurting each other.
Neither of us knew any male couples to ask for advice, but I'd accidentally overheard Zayne and Zayden flirting with Beatrix yesterday and, after Zayne promised they'd wear out both her holes that night, I decided I should have a little chat with the twins one day very soon.
Although I'm not sure I want to know that much about my baby cousin's sex life, I thought with a disgusted grimace.
"Angelo?" Emerson's deep voice regained my full attention. "Will you heal him now?"
"Of course. Cucciolo (puppy), may I put my hand on your arm to heal you?"
"Can Bubba still hold me, please?" he murmured.
"Of course."
"Will it hurt?"
"Probably a little," I admitted. "I saw the bruises on your stomach. Do you have a lot of other injuries? Are you in pain?"
"Hurts, Gelo. Hurts bad," he whimpered.
Then he shocked me by sticking his thumb in his mouth.
Germs! He's putting so many germs in his mouth! I curled my top lip up as I linked my mate. And he has no wolf to help him if he gets sick from it!
I know, but he's been doing it for years, Emerson murmured. It's not something we can get him to stop doing overnight. We'll work on it later. Try lollipops or something.
Why does he do it? Leftover habit from his baby days? I asked with furrowed eyebrows.
The sensation of sucking regulates him. He does it in a pattern, too, if you watch. Suck, suck, suck. Pause for a count of three. Repeat. It's a form of stimming.
Stimming, I said flatly, not knowing the term.
Self-stimulatory behavior. Doing something repetitively, usually without being aware of it. Lots of people do it, like Alpha Ash when he drums his fingers, but others like Reau stim when they're experiencing emotions that feel too 'big.' Emerson let out a heavy sigh. And he's probably also trying to block out the pain from his injuries.
My eyes grew wider and wider - and my concern for the boy greater and greater - the more my mate divulged.
Emerson, what-
His brain works differently than ours. That doesn't mean he's broken or dumb, like my asshole parents made him believe. He just has different ways of learning and interacting with others. Is that- My love's uncertainty and fear flared in our bond again. Is that a deal-breaker?
Orsacchiotto (teddy bear), I thought I made it clear. He is coming home with us, and we will give him nothing but love. I made my tone stern so he'd believe me this time.
Thank you, Angelo, he whispered and leaned down to kiss me gently. You are an amazing mate.
"More kissy-kissy!" Thoreau giggled around his thumb.
Smiling at him, I decided to get him home and comfortable, then help my mate tame his anxiety before I asked any more questions. For now, the best thing I could do for both of them was heal the boy.
I didn't know much about working with traumatized people, especially kids, but I'd been watching how others handled the luna. If it involved touching her, they always told her what they were going to do before they did it.
Since she responds so well to it, I guess I'll try that with Reau.
"Cucciolo (puppy), I'm going to touch you now." When he nodded, I laid my hand on his elbow. "Now I'm going to heal you. It might sting a bit. Ready?"
"Yes, Gelo."
As I flooded him with healing power, Emerson held him tight and rocked him, and I was surprised the boy didn't so much as whimper as I repaired dozens of bruises and cuts, a few ribs that were broken or cracked, and one dislocated knee.
Digging in deeper, I found his left collar bone had been broken at some point and never healed right. Same with his right shin bone and a couple of fingers and toes. I fixed all of those, then focused on what I sensed were the freshest - and worst - of his injuries.
"Hold him up against your chest, darling," I murmured. "I want to see his back."
With a nod, Emerson positioned Thoreau as I'd asked and used one big hand to pull up the boy's t-shirt, but it stuck in places and he stopped when Thoreau squirmed against him, obviously in pain despite his continued silence.
Frowning, I carefully eased the fabric away from his skin and found whip marks all over his back and shoulders. Some were scabbed over, a few were infected, and the rest were fresh and bleeding.
"Poor piccolo ragazzino (little man)," I whispered.
I linked Emerson what I saw, and his anguish flooded the mate bond in a tidal wave. My reaction was quite the opposite, however, and by the time I finished healing each wound, I was on fire to kill someone.
"How do you feel now?" I asked as I dropped my hand.
"Good, Gelo. Thank you." He finally took his thumb out of his mouth, but only so he could rub his face all over Emerson's chest.
"You're welcome. I'm glad I could help you."
"All right, baby brother. Anything you need or want before we show you your new home?" Emerson smiled down at him.
"Need to bring my cage along, please."
"Why do you want that thing?" My brow knitted in confusion.
"Where else will I sleep tonight?" he asked as if it was the most normal thing in the world to sleep in a dog crate. "And I left my new book in it!"
If I was incensed before, it was nothing compared to the absolute fury that fired through my veins now.
"We have a bedroom for you," I told him, trying not to let my emotions seep into my voice. "You don't need to ever sleep in a crate again. And I can get your book out of it for you."
"But it's my cage!" Thoreau wailed and his bottom lip quivered as his fingers fisted up in Emerson's shirt.
"Shh, Reau. We'll get it, I promise." My love's eyes swiveled to meet mine. I'll just throw it in the bed of your truck. It seems to have been part of his routine, and we can't take it away from him so suddenly when he's lost all other sense of normalcy. He'll have an epic meltdown if we do.
That's sickening, to make a boy sleep in a dog crate! I snarled. And even more sickening to make him believe that it's normal!
I know, he sighed.
Feeling my control slipping, I forced myself to take several deep breaths until I calmed down. Once I could unclench my fists and jaw, I looked down at Thoreau to find him staring up at me.
"Can I carry you to Emerson's SUV while he loads your crate in my truck?" I asked him.
"Yes, but can I have my book, please?"
"I'll bring you your book," Emerson promised, then gave me a nod.
"I'm picking you up now, Reau."
When he nodded, I slid one arm under his knees and wrapped the other around his upper back and lifted him easily. He couldn't have weighed a hundred pounds, which only added fuel to the fire raging in my belly.
"What's your book about?" I asked to distract myself from my anger as I carried him over to Emerson's vehicle.
"Aminals."
"What?" I blinked a couple of times.
"An-im-als," he corrected himself, his speech slurred and slow. "Too tired to talk. Sleep, please?"
"Yes, go to sleep, cucciolo (puppy). I'll wake you when we get home and you can meet our housemate, Leo."
"Leo the lion?" the boy murmured as his eyelids finally fell down and stayed down.
"Ha ha! No, Leo the wolf." I racked my brain for a simple way to sum up Leo's situation so that Thoreau could understand. The best I could come up with was, "He is very sad and sick right now. You will have to help him feel better."
"He can read my new book with me. That will make him happy. We will read about the pandas first. They're so fluffy and cute..."
Thoreau's voice got slower and quieter until it turned into soft little puffs of air, and I knew he was out, which was fine. Home was a good hour away, so the boy had plenty of time to get a little nap in, and sleep was the best thing for him right now.
Well, some rich bone broth would also do him a world of good, I thought and decided I'd make a large batch of it tonight.
Emerson had loaded the crate in my truck by the time I opened the back door of his SUV. Balancing Thoreau's slight weight on my hip, I carefully laid him down on the back seat and smiled when he curled into a little ball with his knees tucked up to his chest and his hands folded under his cheek.
With a chuckle, I sent the image to Emerson.
He is so cute, orsacchiotto!
Cuter than me?
You are not cute at all. I closed the car door and turned around. You're handsome as hell and sexy as sin.
Thank you, mate. You are, too. His gaze met mine as we approached each other, him walking to his vehicle and me to mine, and my heart stuttered at the heat in his dark eyes.
After we get home and tuck Thoreau into bed, we're taking a nap together, I told him. You have a promise to make good on.
Then I sent him a few spicy thoughts just like he'd done to me earlier, and the immediate bulge in the front of his pants made me smirk.
You little shit. He blushed as he strode past me, turning his head as he walked so his smoldering eyes never left mine. Stop copying me.
Turnabout is fair play, caro mio (my dear). I winked at him and his cheeks turned even redder, which delighted me. Besides, making you blush and making you hard are my two most favorite things to do.
Well, my most favorite thing to do is you, loser, he growled playfully as he rounded the back of his SUV and disappeared from my sight. I hope you're ready to gag on my dick during that 'nap.'
Grinning, I opened the door of my truck and climbed in.
Ah, but you forgot something very important, amore (love), I crooned. It's not your turn.
What? No. Wait. Yes, it is!
No, it's not. I sent him the memory of our shower this morning and grinned when he cursed. Remember what I said about turnabout? But don't worry, darling. I'll jerk you off the whole time. I'll grab your massive dick and pump it up and down while I fuck your mouth hard and fast. How many times do you think I can make you come before I-
Dammit, Angelo! he roared and slammed the link closed.
And I laughed, wondering if he'd just busted a nut in his shorts again.
Goddess, I loved teasing that man!