Guardian - 15. Chapter 15

Tristan rested in the soft patch of grass next to the two survivors of Scott’s ambush. The blood crusted on their fur, rendering them unable to morph into their human states. He was sure his mother felt the tear when her mate had perished at the paw of Scott. Tristan’s eyes opened to see the sun shining brightly overhead. He must have passed out completely. It looked to be noon or possibly an hour or two after. Lifting his head up, he looked to his brethren who stared at him with large eyes. He then noticed how small they were. His body stiffened and he looked at himself, and back to them. He had ascended. On shaky legs he stood slowly, knowing by standing how large he was now. During his healing time he had ascended to alpha. Now it was crucial that Tristan gain Gabriel. With Scott possibly on Orion’s tail in hopes of getting the human, only bad vibes came to him. But where would Orion go? He had obviously left Montana since the scent around his old territory was stale when they had first entered. Then it dawned on him that Orion had had intimate relations with Tasha of the desert pack. He could have possibly gone there. Looking back at the two who were now standing behind their new alpha, they awaited commanding.

“We still need to rest some. Then we’ll head down to Arizona, that’s probably where Orion set off to.” One took a step forward.

“But Tristan…there are only three of us.” Tristan frowned and looked back at his surroundings.

“Go back to the pack and tell my mother what happened. I’ll go alone; Orion won’t stoop that low to attack me alone.” The two eyed each other before looking back at the young alpha.

“Yes Alpha.” Tristan’s head turned at the title. It brought back memories of that night when his father had fallen and so did half of their pack, and even worse, that the majority had been males. The Island pack had almost been wiped out on the single trip. He watched them leave, hearing their paws hit the earth beneath them as they left. Tristan took a breath and began his own trek slowly. Scott no doubt would possibly get there before him, but maybe, just maybe, Orion would see him coming.

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Gabriel rolled in his sleep and jolted awake, looking down and seeing the sheets of the bed beneath him. He looked around before his eyes landed on the sleeping form of Orion next to him. The man was human and the single sheet lay across his ass, obviously naked underneath. Wanting to just get up shower, he found that he couldn’t move from his spot. His eyes were glued to the form of the werewolf next to him. Orion’s arms were up and cupped underneath the pillow, his black and grey hair just a mess on his head. His back was sleek and the color of his skin glimmered with the sun’s rays peeking in. Gabriel sat up and crawled a little closer, leaning all the way to see Orion’s face. His eyes were closed and his face was peaceful. But what was keeping the teen completely zoned in, was the shaved facial hair. The man had gotten rid of his 5 o’clock shadow and trimmed his goatee. He looked even more attractive. Catching himself even thinking about it, he bolted into an upright position and got out of the bed, feeling the tightness in his pants and going straight to the bathroom. He shut the door and remembered to lock it, giving a sigh, seeing his hands shaking on the door knob. He let it go and turned to the shower, undressing and turning the knob to start the water. He saw a towel and pulled it off the railing and laid it over the sink. He hadn’t had a decent shower in a week. He stepped in and yipped at the water. It was too hot and he grumbled, using the shower curtain to shield himself while he turned it a little cooler. Finally at a temperature he could handle, he let the water douse his hair and body. He stood there for a while before deciding to sit down on the tub floor and curl himself into a ball. He ignored his half hard arousal between his legs and just closed his eyes, losing himself within the sound of the water falling over his ears.

Orion stirred in the bed when he heard the shower going in the bathroom. He gave a groaning yawn when he stretched his body, feeling the cracks in his hips, shoulders and back. He sat up, swinging his legs around and stretching, his morning wood pretty obvious after drilling the mattress a bit. He stood and walked to the bathroom, turning the knob and at once felt the resistance of the lock. Sighing he left the room and went to the hall bathroom to use it. Walking in he did his business and then walked back into his room still stark naked. He was also in need of a shower from last night’s wrestling with his kids and wondered just how long Gabriel had been in so far. He didn’t want to scare the kid, that was the last thing on his mind. So he grabbed some jeans and a shirt and walked all the way to Tasha’s room. He heard her shower going as well but just walked right in, seeing her pull back the current to look at who walked in. She gave a laugh.

“Morning. You know you have a bathroom right?” she inquired, watching the man place his clothes on the sink and watched his eyes ask her to make room.

“He’s locked himself in there. So we’re sharing.” Tasha moved to let him in, taking the removable shower head and spraying his body, having her own fun with it as she sprayed his face once. He gave a grunt and wiped his face after she did it and eyed her.

“It’s too early for games.” Tasha gave him a snort and handed him the soap as he began to lather it up and wash his body.

“It’s actually two in the afternoon. You are just a late sleeper. Which brings me to my question, I need to go shopping, and the boys want you and Gabriel to join us.” Orion was lathering his stomach, staring at her.

“I hate shopping.”

“But you look so handsome now that you actually trimmed your ragged facial hair. And I think the Jarkla needs some human interaction.” Orion gave a snort at the suggestion.

“I doubt it. He gets along with me better as a wolf anyway.” he muttered. Tasha sprayed his face again which got him to growl at her again.

“He needs it. Anyway, you’re not his guardian are you?” she asked, her eyes narrowed on his and he frowned and grabbed the shower head from her to rinse his body.

“No I’m not. Tristan is.” Tasha tilted her head, stepping out to let Orion have the shower but drying off as she stood there.

“Tristan? Gareth’s son? Why take it away then if Tristan is the guardian.” Orion turned off the shower and pulled the curtains back.

“Because I want it!” Tasha threw a towel at him, getting the big man slightly angered too early in his morning.

“You’re a kid sometimes. Maybe if you win him over you can change his mind.” She wrapped her towel around her waist and walked out. Orion sighed and stepped out, drying himself off and joining her outside, grabbing his clothes as he walked out of the bathroom.

“What I don’t want is you spending too much time with him because one Tasha is enough for me thank you.” Tasha gave a smile and even a small giggle when he started to dress.

“I’m telling you Orion, just be less alpha and more you with him. You’re trying to be his guardian.” Orion looked at her and frowned. Why was she always right? He placed his shirt over his head and hung up the towel on her door.

“I’ll try. When are you going?” he asked, looking back at her as she clasped her bra.

“In about an hour. Jason should be downstairs with Jake making breakfast.” Orion didn’t say another word as he left her room and went back to his, still hearing the water running. He knew it had only been about 10-20 minutes but he was getting slightly alarmed. He walked to the door and checked the handle again. Locked. Frowning he placed his ear on the door to listen.

Gabriel could feel the water getting colder now as he just sat at the bottom of the tub. He slowly stood up and then figured he could at least wash his body and hair with what soap was in there. Doing just that, he hummed to himself until he finished and turned off the water, stepping out, grabbing his towel and drying off. He unlocked the door after looping his towel around his waist and opened the door, just to see Orion standing right before the door wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Orion stared down at the teen, his hair longer than it had been when they first met.

“Tasha wants us to go shopping with her and the twins. You up for that?” Orion asked. Gabriel looked at the man, who for once didn’t look so demanding. He gave a shrug and then bit his lip.

“Uh...sure. What will I wear though?” Orion moved away from Gabriel, the teen happy the space was back but slightly upset that it was gone.

“I didn’t forget your clothes if that’s what you’re wondering.” Orion pulled out a drawer where Gabriel’s clothes here. Gabriel walked over, his hand still holding the towel around his waist. Gabriel grabbed some jeans and a shirt, and then pushed the drawer closed with his hip. He looked to find Orion making the bed. He blushed a little, wondering if he could actually dress without being embarrassed around him. He’d never done it before.

“I won’t watch you if that’s what you’re blushing about.” Gabriel watched Orion turn to him when he spoke, his eyes watching him for a moment before turning back. Gabriel took his word for it and unwrapped his towel, addressing his hair before more moisture went down his back and shoulders. He opened a smaller drawer this time to grab some briefs, slipping them on and closing the drawer. He went and hung up the towel on the bathroom door and walked back, seeing that Orion was still focused on the bed and not once turned to look at him. He grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head but stopped his movements when he saw Orion’s body close to his and facing him. He stepped back some and pouted at the male.

“Hey! You said you wouldn’t watch!” he exclaimed. Orion only smiled, but it wasn’t his horny one at all. It was just a tender smile that let Gabriel’s body relax.

“I didn’t, but now that you’re half way decent, I see no harm in watching you. Unless it bothers you. Does it?” Gabriel eyed the man and grabbed his jeans, putting them on while the adult watched.

“No,” Gabriel finally replied. Orion only smiled and waited till he was dressed to run a hand through the boy’s hair. Gabriel stopped, watching Orion and feeling his fingers in his hair.

“You want to get a haircut?”

“.Maybe a trim. I like long hair.” Orion smiled and pulled his hand back.

“It looks good on you, but a trim does sound good. I should get one too.” Orion had ran a hand through his hair but was taken by surprise when Gabriel’s hand reached up and touched his arm.

“I like yours though.” Moments of silence passed before Gabriel realized what he had just told him and blushed madly, stepping back. Orion smiled and let his arm fall to his side.

“Ok then. I’ll keep it.” Gabriel’s eyes had moved to the ground but the teen couldn’t help but look up at the werewolf who once again smiled at him. Orion took his shoulder gently and led him out. “Come on, breakfast is downstairs.” Gabriel let Orion guide him downstairs where Jason and Jake where setting up the food on the counter, seeing Tasha already down there and fixing herself a plate.

“Oh Orion, your beta dropped off this little guy.” Both males looking down, they saw little Neil drinking some milk out of the bowl Jake had set on the ground.

“He is completely adorable.” Gabriel smiled and advanced, Neil looking up to see the Jarkla and gave an excited bark, running into Gabriel’s arms as the teen held him and gave him a solid kiss on his furry cheek. Tasha looked at Orion who watched Gabriel nuzzle with the pup but decided to ignore it and went to fix a plate. Tasha quickly moved beside her friend and nudged him.

“You should say something. You know, like ‘Why can’t I get a kiss like that’. Try and be funny. Try something.” She sounded like a nagging mother and Orion tapped her lips to tell her easily that he didn’t want to hear it. When he turned he stopped to see Gabriel standing before him but looking at Tasha.

“So what are we going shopping for?” Tasha smiled at his question and answered.

“Food and a few other things.” Gabriel looked to Orion, and then sat Neil back down on the ground as the pup went to his milk dish again. Gabriel stood back up and looked at the man who was now trapped between both him and Tasha.

“Can I talk to you?” This time, the question was directed straight to Orion. Orion looked to Tasha, back to Gabriel and confirmed it with a point at himself.

“Yes you.”

“Alright.” Gabriel grabbed Orion’s wrist and proceeded to drag him outside, all three wolves watching as the Jarkla left with him. Once they were outside, Gabriel turned and began talking almost instantly.

“I just wanted to get this off my chest that for the past week I’ve been thinking about taking Neil with me and running away and every time I heard you talking behind my back and everything you said and with what happened yesterday with me running and even the times before that when I didn’t want you near me and all that. But I have my reasons ok but I also want to say I’m sorry and yes I do find you extremely attractive but I don’t think I can go through with this at all. Not with you, not with Tristan. In truth I want nothing to do with this whole Jarkla thing but like you said yesterday I won’t be able to really handle it an-“ Before he could even finish, Orion had placed two fingers on Gabriel’s lips.

“Take a pause for a moment. Don’t say anything, just think about this question I’m about to ask you. Why do you think you can’t do it?” He removed his fingers and Gabriel just stared at him. What was running through Orion’s mind was, ‘what the hell brought this up?’ Gabriel looked down then back up but turned to start pacing. Orion watched him the whole time until he came back and opened his mouth but shut it again. Biting his lip he turned back away.

How was Gabriel going to put it? He was scared of sex? No not really. Ok wait yes he was. He was afraid of getting close to anyone. With how his family shunned him, true Gabriel did feel comfortable around animals and even around werewolves when they were in their forms but he always had issues after the shunning started. He went back to Orion and took his wrist once more, making the adult sit next to him on the chairs.

“It’s...not that I can’t I guess. More so of that fact I’m afraid. I’ll dismiss Tristan easy but…after that...can I just wait? This is still a big step for me and I’m unsure of what exactly I want to do. Besides that...I feel like I’m nothing but a tool from what you have told me and from what Amaya told me.”

“Amaya?”

“She’s the past Jarkla…there’s this place I call the Meadow and I go there every time I daydream or I nap or sleep and I talk to her a lot. She told me most of the stuff, like your name, Tristan’s name, the bonding thing. But with what happened between Scott and her... am I really this key to power or something? I just want to be a normal kid…”Orion felt for Gabriel, this being the first time the teen really sat down and talked to him. He wrapped his arm around his shoulders, the teen slightly leaning into the hold.

“Normal is far beyond what you are Gabe. And…if you really want to wait, I won’t push you on the guardianship. I do hope you will stay though. I have to say you’ve always kept me on my toes. I don’t want you to worry about Scott. Let me deal with him, and as for being a key to something, you are more to me now than some key.” Gabriel turned to Orion and eyed him.

“But I’m...I could pass for your son,” he muttered to him. Orion gave a chuckle and messed with his hair.

“I guess in human eyes I could.” Gabriel turned and gave the man a glare.

“Even in wolves eyes I could.” Orion gave a shoulder shrug at the comment the teen made and shifted his seating a bit, grabbing the boy and bringing him straight into his lap, making Gabriel blush badly.

“Does age really matter?” Orion whispered in his ear, resting his chin on Gabriel’s shoulder. Gabriel gave a sigh and tried to cool off his blushing.

“I don’t know.”

“Then stop thinking about it.” He lifted the boy easily, placing him back on his feet and standing himself. “I do have to tell you this however. If you want to wait and do what you just told me, you need to stay away from me during a full moon. Which is tomorrow. So stay in the room or at least inside the house and do not come outside at all.” Gabriel eyed the man and couldn’t help but wonder why, so he asked.

“Why?” Orion groaned, knowing he was going to ask it anyway even if he commented on not asking.

“Just don’t come out. “ Not really answering the question, Orion didn’t want to talk more about it as he moved past the teen, Gabriel being forced to pout and just follow behind. It was shopping time, and now the pure thought of why he couldn’t be outside ate at Gabriel’s thoughts, and would the entire time. He gave a small smirk to himself; he’d just have to snoop.