The Lion's Witchy Mate - Elle Boon Page 0,3

say, Alpha.” He only called Hollis by that title when shit was serious. Shit didn’t get more serious than him leaving and possibly not coming back. He’d only packed enough for a few days, but when he’d left Kenya, he’d only taken a backpack with a few things. That had been over fifteen years ago. It didn’t surprise him that the date of his departure from Kenya was on his fifteenth birthday. Maybe it was a fifteen year itch. It had taken him a good five years of traveling and yes, fighting to stay alive until he’d found himself in America on Texas soil. The twenty year old version of himself was a lot different than the fifteen year old who’d killed a dozen grown warriors to save his mother.

“If you need the Crew we’ll be there, no questions asked. You call, and we’ll come.” Hollis stared at him. The bright blue eyes of his wolf unblinking.

It was that look that reminded Thadd why the older man had never been scared of the beast within Thadd. Not that he could take what lived inside of Thadd. He didn’t know if any shifters could, but Hollis was an alpha to his core, holding his title among the mixed Crew of shifters like the leader he was meant to be.

“I know and appreciate all you’ve done for me. I’m not leaving with the intent to never come back. It’s just”—he sighed, running his hand through his long black hair. Shit, how did he explain to Hollis about his visions without sounding like a crazy lion—"I have this urge to be somewhere. I’m not sure where but know I need to get on my bike and head north. I figure I’ll know where when I get there.” He hoped like Hell it wasn’t somewhere too cold.

“As crazy as it sounds, I do understand, son.” Hollis nodded.

Anytime the old male called him son, Thadd’s heart lurched. The bastard who’d raised him had disavowed him in front of the entire clan, while the male who’d actually helped create him was unknown to him. His mother never gave his name, not even as she lay in the dirt, gasping her last breath. Thadd, his given name had been Thabiti, held her head in his lap, brushing away her tears, daring anyone to come near them. “You’re going to be fine, Mama,” he whispered.

She shook her head, pain twisting her beautiful features into one that would stay with him always. “Thabiti, I am so...sorry for my duplicity. You are meant for greatness.” She lifted her hand, placing it over his own where his claws had sprung free. “These mark you as the great beast to be ruler of all, not feared, asali.” Her words were getting weaker, each breath harder for her to take.

It had taken him too long to get back to the village from the morning hunt. He should’ve known something wasn’t right when his...the male sent him off at daybreak to lead the hunt. None of the warriors who normally go out and get the meat for the day had gone, yet he’d thought since it was his birthday it was a right of passage. A way to prove he was a male of worth. When the vision came to him, he’d fallen to his knees just as the others had began to shift for the hunt. He’d cried out, shifting faster than ever. Only instead of going with them toward the animals they were to hunt, he’d gone back. A red haze had covered his sight when he’d heard his mother’s plea for mercy.

“Are you alright, Thadd,” Annie asked.

He shook off the memories, blinking a few times to dispel what he’d seen and done. “I am, yes. I best get going.” If he learned anything from that fateful day, it was not to waste time dawdling.

“I packed a lunch for Hollis, but you take this one, and I’ll make him another one.” Annie got up and placed a box on the table. “You come back to us; you hear me?”

Thadd stood, unable to lie and say yes. Instead he gave her a hug, thanking her for the food and love she’d given him for the last ten years.

“Let me get this mess cleaned up, Annie.” Thadd started gathering dishes.

Hollis placed a hand over his. “We got this.”

He didn’t know if it was because he was vibrating with the need to be gone or if Hollis needed to comfort Annie, who appeared ready to