Tales of a Shifter (P5) - White Mountain

Chapter 2 - God Father

Chapter 2 – God Father

As the reality that Ezekiels confession would remain unanswered Ezekiel actually felt a small intense jab in his heart. Something akin to disappointment.

And yet....What Ezekiel felt even more then the disappointment was the sick swirl of frustration with himself. Ezekiel was not a child, or a young boy head over heels in amour. He was a grown man that had attacked a situation with all the finesse of a lumbering fool. His words and feelings for Brandon were not diminished or untrue....but in his delivery Ezekiel had to accept that he had perhaps been hasty and uncouth.

What did you expect!? You just threw that s**t in his face after he was attacked and brutalized.

Ezekiel hissed in his mind.

Still....Ezekiel had not uttered the words falsely....or without feeling that there was definite reciprocation on Brandon's end.

Ezekiel saw it in his eyes...and felt it when they kissed. In fact Ezekiel was sure that Brandon not only desired him and cared for him...but that Brandon loved him too, but Brandon was not at a point mentally to even have this conversation.

So where did this leave them? And what did Ezekiel do with the cold lump in his heart that no amount of rational thinking could undo?

Fortunately...or perhaps unfortunately as both Brandon and Ezekiel started to get up and sit on the edge of the bed, Ezekiel's bedroom door was suddenly thrown open and without an ounce of guilt or hesitation on their faces Nate, Erin and Drin all danced into the room.

"Hey! HEY! You could have knocked dammit!!" Ezekiel found himself growling in useless frustration as his cousins and his brother steadily intruded deeper into his room, only to step a few feet from the edge of the bed.

"Yo!" Nate called as he sauntered into the room at the head of the small group. Nate looked much better then he had only a few days ago. It was instantly apparent that his brother had fully healed from the grievous wounds he had received from Jacob. He was freshly dressed down in jeans and a whit-tee, and his eyes black and white eyes were full of vibrancy and mischief.

Erin and Nate also were dressed down. She was in a soft sun dress and sandals, while Drin was sporting jeans and a jacket. But unlike Nate, Ezekiel's cousins still sported a few fading bruises and some bandages. It was odd to see them still sporting wounds, but seeing as they were younger and had only just experienced their first s**t, they Leopards were far less adept at healing them then either Nate or Ezekiel's inner beasts.

Erin's face though did not look the least bit encumbered by his tone, instead she looked down right frustrated herself. And as she walked up to the bed his cousin stamped her foot and growled. "You were supposed to tell us when he woke up Ezekiel. We've been worried sick about him for days!"

"Sorry for barging in like this Ezekiel." Drin said with a small wave of his hand. "We were coming to check on Brandon, and Erin heard him talking and the next thing you know we were storming the room." Drin softly hedged on their behalf, with a sheepish smile as Erin dashed past him, and Nate, before she unceremoniously dropped down into the bed, between Brandon and Ezekiel.

"Brandon I so glad your awake!" Erin exclaimed, and with a genuine smile she swiftly leaned in and encased Brandon in a bear hug.

"Whoa!" Brandon flinched in surprise as the Leopardess embraced him without permission or hesitation.

Sensing that Brandon's discomfort came not only from the sudden touch, but because he was still stiff from sleeping off his injuries Ezekiel grabbed his cousin and unwound her arms gently but firmly with a small admonishment. "Erin stop that....he just woke up. Be Gentle!"

With a full on snarl Erin slapped away Ezekiel's hands and said. "Let me go! I have something to say! Brandon! Brandon make him stop!"

Brandon, who looked like he was enjoying the annoyed look on Ezekiel's face allowed her to resist for a moment. But almost instantly heeding Erin's words Brandon put up a hand and gestured to Ezekiel with a soothing look. "Let her go Ezekiel. I'm fine."

Ezekiel sighed and released her. "What is it Erin." He asked her as his cousin once more settled down on the bed between him and Brandon's as if she belonged in that small space.

"It's not for you Ezekiel!" Erin hissed, rolled her hazeled eyes and turned to Brandon. Once more she turned to Brnadon, but instead of embracing him she only took his hands into her own and sahred a slightly teary gaze with him.

Forestalling her words Brandon softly inquired of the Leopardess. "How you guys doing....how's the...the baby." His voice hitched on a small emotion as he looked at Erin then glanced over at Drin. It was obvious from his expression that he was deeply relived to be sitting with the couple after the events of the attack.

"We're all fine." Erin answered, a breathtaking smile spreading across her face as she glanced down at her stomach. She squeezed Brandon's hand and explained. "After the attack there was some blood and pain....but Glen gave me a clean bill of health. She said our son was strong. So I had nothing to worry about."

With a sure swell of tears in his eyes and a soft beautiful smile of his own, Brandon swallowed and said. "It's...it's a boy?" Brandon coughed slightly in surpise at the information

Drin nodded. His chest was puffed and prideful. "Yup. We're having a son."

"Everyone else was informed after her last checkup..." Ezekiel murmured as he watched Brandon tried and failed to quell the obvious happiness that this information grew in his green eyes.

"That's wonderful."

Silence fell, then with a small clearing of her throat Erin said "Brandon I really need to tell you two very important things. First? Me and Drin we want to tell you....Thank you."

"Don't." Brandon tried to reply, and with a guilty flush on his face Brandon tried to pull away from her. "Erin don't thank me...I put you guys in danger."

"No." Erin swiftly and sat closer to Brandon and flashed bright yellow eyes at him for a second, compelling his silence and attention. "You need to listen. Thank you....for trying to protect us." Erin expressed so deeply and clearly that Brandon couldn't seem to interrupt. "Thank you for saving our lives. I heard you standing up to Hovel on our behalf after he threatened to kill us." Erin blinked as water gathered along her hazel gaze. "I honestly don't believe either of us would be here if you hadn't fought so hard....So thank you...." Erin stopped, and without another word, she slowly took Brandon's hand and put it on her stomach. Brandon froze like deer in headlights as if he was afraid to even breath. Erin "Now....the second thing I wanted to do...was tell you that we want you to be named as sixth God Father to our Son."

"Ummm....Sixth God Father?" Brandon asked looking like he was floating.

Suddenly Nate broke in saying "Well, First God Father is Mantilo of course. Second is Walter. Third is Lander, even though he bitched about it." Nate paused to point at himself. "Fourth is yours truly and Fifth is Ezekiel." Nate shrugged and smirked. "I'm telling you this kid is never going to have any fun."

"Oh...." Brandon breathed. His eyes locked on Erin's stomach and his expression thoughtful. Finally he glanced up at Erin and said. "Erin...I....That's beautiful. I don't know what to say..."

Erin laughed at the pale and obviously overwhelmed look on Brandon's face but before Erin or anyone else could speak more....Brandon's face transformed. A pal of pure agony stole over his face, and with a small shout Brandon snatched away from Erin and curled over himself.

"f**k! No...No!" Brandon cried as he bowed deeper into himself and then he was screaming as if there was a sudden fire in the room. "Ezekiel...The Flame just woke up!"

Not needing much more than those words to understand just how serious the moment needed to be taken Ezekiel reached out, and firmly grabbed his cousin and started moving her away from the bed.

"Brandon!?" Erin called to him, then she turned worried eyes on him. "Ezekiel what's wrong?"

"Is he okay? Nate echoed next. His brothers smirk had fled and on his face was a mask of worry and disquiet. A soft Whine escaped him as Brandon shouted again, gagged and pushed his fists into his body as if he were trying to hold his insides together.

"No. Not really." Ezekiel hissed with worry crowding his heart. "Erin do you remember how Brandon got sick with you and mom? It's his power. It hurts him after he gets injured or has to heal." Ezekiels quickly informed his family, as he swiftly made Erin vacate the bed so that he could get to Brandon. "He needs to feed on some fresh energy."

"Well how do we get him some?" Nate asked him. His eyes were now filled with an intent light, and his hands were twitching at his side as if he were struggling not to reach out to Brandon.

"I can sort of give him mine." Ezekiel replied without preamble, casting Nate a glance Ezekiel reached down, grabbed Brandon and forced him up from the bed. Brandon's skin was suddenly as hot as a furnace and his eyes were swimming in pain and tears, as Ezekiel tried to settle him.

"What? You're going to give him energy?" Nate softly inquired from a few steps away.

"Um...But I remember what Brandon showed us from his past...." Erin shivered slightly and her hazel eyes glanced between them. "Isn't this dangerous?" She accurately inquired.

Ezekiel ignored all of them. He took Brandon's hands, placed them on his chest and looked into Brandon's eyes. "Brandon....Brandon feed...." He softly demanded.

But Brandon didn't respond right away. He seemed to be in a strange place. His pain seemed to have ratchetted up so suddenly that Brandon seemed to be struggling to assimilate his mind to everything that was happening. Soft shivers started to touch him, and his eye lids danced up and down as if he was trying to remain awake. But when Brandon did finally respond and he looked even more sick and upset at the sight of his hands pressed to Ezekiel's front.

With a soft pained gasp "Noooo. I....I can't...." Brandon pulled away.

"Brandon feed!" Ezekiel shouted in frustration and worry. Ezekiel knew that Brandon had sustained terrible injuries and that the Flame would be craving nourishment when he awoke, but the rapid nature of Brandon's decline and the pain he was in, set off all kind of bells in Ezekiel's head and heart. He had just gotten the beautiful man back, he had just managed to speak and touch Brandon since before Hovel had attacked them. Ezekiel had just seen his injuries fade away....and to once more be witness to Brandon's suffering after thinking it was over made him feel raw and anxious. "Were not going to keep doing this Brandon...Please. I don't mind. But I can't force you to do it!

A soft sob fell from Brandon's lips sounding so desperate and broken that Ezekiel instantly wanted to recoil fearing that he was causing pain. But Ezekiel never got the chance to pull back, because suddenly Nate yanked Brandon from the bed and embraced him against his chest.

There was a feeble resistance from Brandon, but in the next moment he slumped against his brother panting and wordless. Instantly Nate slowly lowed Brandon to the ground, his left arm cradling him.

"It's okay..."Nate murmured and with a small flare of intense confusion Ezekiel watched his brother caress his right hand across Brandon's forehead, and cheek. The action was surprisingly sweet, and Nates eyes were the softest that Ezekiel had ever seen them

Completely unaccepting of the gentle moment Ezekiel felt his inner Leopard claw his soul in red hot objection.

"Hey!" Ezekiel snarled and before he could even think about what he was doing, his hand clamped around Nates wrist with crushing force and a feral snarl crawled up his throat. "What the Hell are you doing Nate!"

"Ezekiel back off! You're making him worse!" Nate shouted.

And to Ezekiel utter surprise Nate didn't back down or look surprised instead Nate pulled Brandon closer and a full on growl trembled up and out of his core. Eyes flashed pure white and six right white fangs flashed, as Nate curled over Brandon in a protective fashion that was oddly reminiscent of a wolf standing over a pup.

"I don't need to back off Nate, you do!" Ezekiel nearly roared as his temper flared. "Brandon needs to feed before the pain gets too unbearable!" Ezekiel hissed and finished. "I know he's just being stubborn so, give him to me so I can help him!"

"Ezekiel he said No! You need to listen to him! He knows his body best not you! " Nate rumbled in a protective tone, then a small flash of white lights danced over his eyes and a sharp sneer touched his lip. "And let my f*****g arm go! What's up with you!?"

A part of Ezekiel wanted to listen to his brother. Ezekiel felt that he was perhaps being a little too intense about the current situation....but there was something in Nates voice, in his body language. A threat. A challenge. Something that shouldn't have existed. It felt like they were fighting over Brandon.

So feeling oddly like he had to respond to this Ezekiel flashed the fangs of his Leopard and tightened his grip on Nates arm. At this point Nate was also baring his fangs and snarling back.

It was unraveling so fast that Ezekiel couldn't even analyze just what the hell was going on between them. At this point it was more instinct then man that was guiding him....pushing him to put Nate in his place, dominance wise.

But sensing that thigs were getting far too volatile Erin and Drin both stepped in and started pushing and pulling on the two men.

"Hey!" Erin snarled taking a step forwards, she grabbed Ezekiel's hand and with a savage turn she made him release Nate. Then she threw his arm back at him in disgust. "Seriously!"

Drin snarled on the back of her heels, and he placed a hand on Nates shoulder. "Come on Guys! What's wrong with you two!?"

A beat passed, and suddenly Brandon's voice was raising up.

"Hey! HEY! I'm not just being stubborn! Everyone!! EVERYONE stop yelling! " Brandon suddenly screamed across every other raised voice and snarl that was developing in the room. Locked in Nates arms, Brandon panted into his glove, his face hidden as he gasped past his fingers. His body was shivering uncontrollably and his voice was strained.

"Ezekiel I know you just want me to feel better, but I've been dealing with this power for a very long time" Brandon shuttered and leaned against Nate who cast him a pained look and started rubbing his back, trying to give comfort. Ezekiel clenched his teeth and tried to focus on Brandon's weak words. "I know when I can and when I can't keep my control. I'm just too weak! I can't control myself this time Ezekiel! I can't feed on you right now Ill kill you!"

Ezekiel went to reply, but he never got a chance as Nate suddenly asked.

"This time...? Wait, have you done this together before?" Nate suddenly barked. His eyes glancing from Brandon back towards Ezekiel in demand of a response.

With his guts on fire Brandon seemed to force himself to respond.

"Ezekiel fed me some of his energy the last time I got this weak, but not this time..."Brandon stopped, dropped his hands from his face and he glanced away from Nate too look at Ezekiel beseechingly. "I will suck you dry if I start with you. I think....I need to alleviate some of the hunger....so that I can get back some self-control."

"How?" Nate asked before Ezekiel could.

Brandon closed his eyes on a painful choked sob and his hand turned into a fist in Nates shirt. "I need to go outside, please!?"

Without any more discussion Nate, Erin, and Drin started helping Brandon take his feet and walk out of the bedroom door.

Suppressing a small hiss of annoyance and possessiveness Ezekiel trailed behind his family and Brandon as they lead him first out of the Mansion, then down into the yard, and finally upon Brandon's urging they took him out under the canopy of the pine forest.

At one point Brandon lost the ability to keep walking, and collapsed into the mulch.

Of course Ezekiel swiftly went to take him into his arms, but to Ezekiels intense displeasure Nate leaned down, wrapped one arm around Brandon and effortlessly carted him up off of his feet, an settled the man against his chest bride style.

Every never in Ezekiel wanted to be geared towards snatching Brandon from his brother in that moment as Nate embraced him. And for the first time Ezekiel got the impression that something was defiantly different about the way Nate was acting.

This wasn't simple helpful behavior. Nates touch was a little to ready. A little too soft. Kinder and more nurturing.

A sharp image of Nates wolf, bloody and beaten, whimpering next to Brandon in distress filled Ezekiels mind...and with a small sinking feeling in his stomach Ezekiel watched his brother tuck Brandon against his body and continue walking into the brush, beneath the dim pine tree canopy.

Nate? Hes not doing what I think he's doing...Is he?