Charlie and Eli chattered away, making plans to stay in touch via the new phone we’d found beside Charlie's breakfast plate this morning. Eli had spent the times we weren’t all talking on teaching Charlie how to text, while Matt and I firmed up plans for him to bring as many men as possible tonight. We'd ride at dusk with his deltas in the hills as wolves, backing us up and tracking Charlie's scent.
One way or another, we were finding those missing brothers and getting them out of there. And the only people I planned on dying were the captors, hopefully at my hands.
Until we hit the porch steps, Charlie hadn't noticed anything but Eli. He stopped mid-conversation to squeal and took off at a run, rushing over to my bike and inspecting it. "This is so cool, Lucian! When I ride in the sidecar, I'm going to look exactly like Cary Grant in I Was A Male War Bride. Golly, my brothers will be so jealous when they find out." He stopped and glared as if I were purposely depriving them of sharing his fun. "You have to promise to take each of them on a ride, charming. Especially Eight. He will lose his mind."
Chuckling, I helped him get his helmet on and into the sidecar. "You don't have to threaten me with those fierce glares, beauty. I will happily take your brothers on as many rides as they want, but first we have to rescue them."
"Right. And let's get going. We have to get home so we can start making plans for tonight. I just remembered, you said you're Alpha of the Tehachapi pack, aren’t you? That's where we live? Alex told me to check for a friend there if we got separated. But then I almost died and… Yeah. Anyway, Ford Silvers. He knows Alex, so he might know where he lives."
While Charlie blithely dropped a fantastic clue, Matt and I shared a look. I nodded and got on the bike. "I'll search for Ford as soon as I get back, Matt. After I get a word with him, I'll give you a call. Hopefully, we can narrow down the location and get a better plan in place before tonight."
"I'm counting on it. Ride safe, my brother." Matt punched a fist against his heart while I did the same. Conversation finished, I fired up the beast and headed home. As we made the ride, I truly regretted not having a speaker system or even a Bluetooth for Charlie. Happiness pheromones poured off him. The faster I went, the more excited he got. The goddess had truly blessed me with a perfect mate.
When it finally occurred to me to speak to him telepathically, we were already rolling up in front of my house. Raul and his parents were sitting on the front porch, which didn’t surprise me. They’d clearly been watching for us, so I was impressed when they visibly restrained themselves from rushing over. As we hit the porch steps, Charlie was holding my hand, still gushing about the ride and planning for me to teach him to drive.
Just like he had in Lucerne Valley, Charlie stopped mid-sentence, distracted by the Ramirez family. His eyes sparkled as he studied them, clearly happy to meet more new people. When Essie arched an eyebrow in my direction, only my poker face saved me from laughing at the not-so-subtle hint.
Essie spoke before I could, staring pointedly at my chest. “Alpha, that’s a nice mark on your chest. Me gusta, now you can maybe start wearing shirts since you’ve nothing to prove, eh?”
Laughter bubbled from my chest as I winked at the fierce lady. "I’ll look into that, Essie. Now Charlie, these are the three most important people you'll meet today. And I say this because they live in our house. This is Essie. She manages the household. Her mate Pedro handles the winery, but we'll save the tour for another day. And Raul is the pack's Beta, which basically makes him my right-hand man. After you, of course. Ramirez family, meet Charlie—your official Alpha Mate."
Shaking his head, Charlie gently corrected me. "It's okay, he can be your right-hand man. Eli says as Alpha Mate, it's my job to rule beside you. To handle the things you might not think about, like celebrating special days or arranging gifts for new parents. I’m sure there's a lot more to it, but Eli promised to help me while I figure it out."
Charlie paused and smacked a hand to his forehead. "Look at me, being rude straight out the gate. You gave a nice introduction, and I totally ignored these lovely people." Shaking his head, Charlie dropped his hand and went to Essie first, greeting her with an expectant smile. "Forgive me. I'm Charlie, and I'm so happy to meet you."
Now that her attention was fully on Charlie, Essie gaped at him like she was seeing at a ghost. Standing, she crossed herself. Then she came forward and brought both hands up to cradle his face, staring at his birthmark. "Raul told me the story of how our Alpha found you and how you'd been kept a prisoner for as long as you can remember. Tell me, mi hijo, do you know where you came from originally?"
Something in her tone, along with her wet eyes and the tension I both felt and smelled coming off her, brought me to full attention. "Essie, is there a reason you ask?"
"Sí, es muy importante. Creo que conozco a su familia." She rattled off some more Spanish, but I was lost. Essie muttered under her breath, then smiled at Charlie. "You will wait here. My Raul will go get Dave and Tina Silvers."
"Silvers?" Charlie went from patiently confused to interested. "Are they related to Ford Silvers? He might be able to help us find where I was kept. The friend who rescued me told me to go to Ford."
Essie crossed herself again. "Ay, Dios! Raul, hurry, mi hijo. I believe the fates are fixing what obviously went wrong so long ago."
"Um, Essie?" I walked over and took her hand while Raul rushed to the golf cart. "Care to share what's going on? My Spanish doesn't extend further than pleasantries and how to find a bathroom in Tijuana." Nervous anticipation thrummed in my veins; even my wolf was pacing. Once again, it felt like we were on the cusp of a major moment.
"I would rather let you see for yourself, Alpha. I don't want to get Charlie's hopes up, but... well, you'll see what I mean when the Silvers family arrives. While we wait, let's sit. I made fresh lemonade and sugar cookies for Charlie."
Charlie inspected the chair options before picking the swing at the end of the porch. From there, we'd be able to see everyone's face, as well as the best part of the view. He sat and patted the spot beside him. "Join me, charming. This looks like it needs to be our perfect spot, don't you think?"
I thought any spot he chose would be perfect if he was there, but kept my thoughts to myself. I figured I'd save the mushy stuff for when we were alone. Mostly. I couldn't help if my arm went around him as I sat or the foolish grin spreading over my face whenever we touched.
Essie fussed over us, serving us treats while Pedro nodded and smiled. So far I'd heard him say three words, and I was definitely keeping count.
Before too long, Raul was back, pulling up on his trusty golf cart with a family of four on board. They seemed mystified but wore friendly enough smiles. I suppose getting called to the Alpha manor in the middle of the day was probably disconcerting.
For his part, Raul appeared less confused now, like being with them had shown him whatever Essie had seen. As they came closer, I quickly figured it out for myself. It was hard not to when the man and both sons exactly resembled Charlie, while the mother had his distinct violet eyes. Part of me wished Essie had prepared us for the shock I knew Charlie was about to receive, and part of me was grateful for the quiet interlude.