Feral Northern Shifters 2

Even when that person has dubbed me a cat killer .” The last two words were said with scorn. “Doug knows the rules. He can’t go out of the compound, for fear of imprisonment or death. I am the law here. He knows I mean what I say.”
“None of this will convince Bram.”
“Look, I’ve been very careful. Doug does not know where you are. Only Liam, Veronica, Seth and myself know this. You’re not in the same state. I don’t believe Bram or you are in danger. If I did, I would do something about it.”
“But Bram…” Ethan found it hard to describe the fear that rode Bram when they discussed Doug.
“Bram has been Doug’s omega for four years. It will take more than a month to deprogram him. Patience.”
“This is not about patience,” Ethan snapped. “I have no problem being patient when it comes to this. It’s about the fact that Bram judges Doug to be a real threat, even under the current conditions. Doug has told Bram, on more than one occasion, that if Bram ever betrayed him, he was dead. I wish you would kill the motherfucker.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“Are you serious?”
“Sure, I’m serious about considering it.”
Which meant more wait and see. “Bram wants to save me from all this danger by taking off. Which…infuriates me.” Here Ethan glared at Bram who started wiping down the counter. “We’re in this together. I mean if I hadn’t existed, none of this would have happened to him.”
“And he’d still be with Doug. Is that what you’d want for him?”
“Of course not.”
“So stop feeling guilty for existing. Doug is here. Doug is contained. Doug does not know where you are. Both of you sit tight, okay? I’m prepared to have another chat with Doug. I’ll talk to you again in a couple of days.”
“Okay.”
“Ethan? How’s the job?”
He tried not to sound too irritated. Who cared about the fucking job? It paid the bills. “It’s fine. It’s a job.”
“Good. Talk to you later.” Trey clicked off.
Ethan sighed. It did not feel “good”.
Bram observed him from the other side of the counter. “So nothing’s changed.”
“Doug has no way to find you, Bram.”
He shrugged, as if that was a technicality. But Doug couldn’t find them if he didn’t know where they were. It wasn’t possible. Ethan held on to that.
“You’re not going to suddenly take off, are you?”
Bram shook his head a little wearily.
“Is that a promise?” Ethan pushed.
“I’ll make a deal with you.”
Ethan raised his brows, since making a deal didn’t sound very Bram-like.
“You let me teach you how to read and I won’t take off.”
Groaning, Ethan leaned on the counter, bowing his head for a moment.
“It won’t be so bad,” Bram said softly. “I like teaching too.”
Which was hardly the point. Trying to read swung Ethan back two decades to when he was nine years old, in a classroom with kids who knew what was going on, and he didn’t. He felt stupid . And he strongly disliked feeling nine years old and stupid.
Bram’s hand slid around Ethan’s neck, blunt fingers coaxing him into an embrace, Bram kissing his neck and jawline, then plundering Ethan’s mouth. Also un-Bram-like, but Ethan liked it.
He should tamp it down, he had to go to work, but Ethan couldn’t bring himself to pull back.
When Bram broke away they were both flushed and a little startled. “Work.” Bram pointed out the door. “Better go.”
“Like this?” Ethan was hard and wanting.
Bram actually smirked. “I’ll be here when you come home.”
Ethan didn’t exactly remember agreeing to their bargain, but by the time he was driving away from the house, he figured he was stuck with it.
Well, if that was the way he convinced Bram to stay around, he’d take it.
~ * ~
    When Ethan got home that night—this week he was working days—Bram had not only made supper, chicken-something-or-other, he had a stack of worksheets on the kitchen table.
Good that Bram was here and keeping himself busy, bad that he was busily determined to teach Ethan.
Bram took one look at Ethan, burst out laughing, and walked up to kiss him on the cheek. “Sit. Eat.” “What are you laughing about?” Ethan grumbled.
“The look on your face. As if you’re doomed.”
Though he could have worked up to indignation, Ethan didn’t have the energy, especially with the food taking up his attention. He’d forgotten to bring lunch today, given the way he’d left the house late.
Bram sat opposite and began shoveling down as well.