Hagen Lynn - Murphy's Madness [Brac Pack 15] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Read online

  “Damn.” Cody shook his head. “Melonee?” Ludo knew how he felt. It still seemed unreal that a fey child was the cause of all the upheaval. The question of why was still a mystery, though.

  Figuring he might as well get himself something to eat while he was there, Ludo yelled into the kitchen for George to fix him a plate of whatever was ready. He wasn’t picky, and at six five and two hundred ninety pounds, he could put it away.

  George dropped a plate of pork roast and little baby potatoes in front of him. The serving size was enough to feed three people. Oh yeah, baby. He was going to enjoy this.

  Cody looked at him strangely when the fork hovered at his open lips. Ludo couldn’t move. He was frozen.

  Dropping the fork, Ludo looked around the diner. He tilted his head back as he sniffed the air in the direction of an empty booth. The smell was faint, but it still lingered in the air. His wolf was whining as Ludo looked around.

  Timber wolves didn’t have a great sense of smell. They relied on their hearing, but when it came to finding their mate, fate made sure all shifters could smell them.

  “Who sat there?” Ludo turned to Cody, but his finger was pointing over to the corner booth.

  “I don’t know. I’ll have to ask Tangee.” Cody tilted his head at Ludo, examining him closely. “Why?”

  Ludo ignored the wolf’s question. He pushed himself from his seat at the counter, making his way across the restaurant, and sniffed closely.

  His eyes slowly closed, enjoying the aromatic scent of a hot summer night and fresh roses. His cock hardened instantly, and his skin tingled as the aroma permeated his lungs.

  “Ludo?”

  Ludo turned. All eyes were on him. Keata was sucking his smoothie down with a straw as his eyes followed Ludo, Cody was leaning across the counter, his brows pulled together in confusion, and the few customers who were in the diner were watching him as well.

  He straightened, not wanting the human customers to notice his strange behavior. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, fighting the change. The need to claim that scent was riding him strong.

  “Where’s Tangee?” He desperately needed to know. His mate had been here, and from the scent, just recently.

  “He’s taking his break in the kitchen with George.” Cody tossed his thumb over his shoulder, looking at Ludo like he had lost his mind.

  Panic began to set in. What if he had been a tourist who was at this very moment driving away from here? Ludo knew his mate was a male. There was no doubt in his mind.

  Ludo slammed the palm of his hand against the double chrome doors leading into the kitchen, making the mates behind the door jump.

  “Could you tell me who was in that corner booth last?” Ludo growled, making the smaller mate pull back.

  “Ludo, what the hell’s gotten into you?” George huffed when he witnessed Tangee’s reaction. The Alpha would kill anyone who abused a mate, and intimidating them fell into that category. Ludo knew better, but his instinct to find his mate was making him crazy.

  Ludo cleared his throat, trying to still his racing heart. The thing was about to beat out of his chest. His mate had been here, his mate. After two hundred and twenty-six years, he was this close to finding him. The level of apprehension in him rose with the thought of his mate gaining miles away from him.

  “I apologize. Could you tell me?” Ludo bit his bottom lip. “Please,” he added on.

  “Which one?” Tangee slowly stood, heading toward the door. Ludo had to take a calming breath. The urge to shove the mate through the door quickly and point the booth out was making him edgy.

  Following Tangee, Ludo’s hand shot out as he pointed to the booth he was referring to, getting more agitated by the second when the mate took his time answering him.

  The dinner rush hadn’t gotten underway yet, so it shouldn’t be that damn hard to remember. Ludo took a step back. The need to throttle the slow-walking mate made his hands itch.

  “Oh, yeah, now I remember.” Tangee smiled up at him as if he was waiting for Ludo to ask who…again.

  “Well?” Ludo gritted his teeth, almost positive a few were going to crack at the restraint he was using to keep his hand from cuffing Tangee on the back of his head.

  “Murphy sat there.”

  “Murphy?” Ludo was about to explode. He had a name. That was a start. “Could you tell me who that is?” he asked through clenched teeth. He was feeling achy and agitated. Not a good thing when he needed patience right now.

  “The bookstore owner.” Tangee looked at Ludo with a duh expression.

  Ludo left the mate standing there. He raced from the diner and rushed the few doors down to the bookstore. He racked his brain trying to remember if he had ever seen the man before. He’d never been to the bookstore, but had he ever seen him in the diner? He couldn’t have if he’d never been there. God, he was losing his mind.

  When one of the mates wanted to go there, the warriors had to escort them, but Ludo had never pulled the short straw for babysitting them while they browsed.

  His mind raced at what his mate looked like, how his voice sounded, and how fast he could throw him down and claim him.

  Everything came crashing down around him when the big blue and white sign hanging in the door told him his mate had closed early. “Fuck!” Ludo shouted in frustration as he fisted his hands at his side. Now what? Did anyone know where his mate lived?

  Turning on his heel, Ludo walked at a fast pace back to the diner, almost ripping the door off of its hinges as he sought out Tangee.

  Spotting him talking with a customer, Ludo tapped his booted foot, waiting. He shoved his thumbs through his belt loops as he fought for patience once again.

  How long did it take to write down an order? God, this was frustrating. He wanted to shout at the people sitting there to make up their damn minds. Good god, there were only so many damn choices on a menu.

  Finally, after a million years, Tangee smiled at them then walked away, placing the order ticket in the window for George to fill.

  “Tangee,” Ludo called the mate’s attention.

  Tangee turned his head and smiled at Ludo. “Did you find him?”

  Would he be back here if he did? “No, he closed early.” Once again he found himself breathing out slowly. He loved the mates, but at times they could push someone’s blood pressure through the roof. “Would you happen to know where he lives?” Ludo asked through a tight smile.

  “Uh, why?”

  Argh! Just shoot me now and get it over with. What the hell did it matter? He’s a mate, you can’t throttle him, he’s a mate, you can’t throttle him. Ludo kept repeating the mantra in his head over and over again, hoping it worked. “I need to speak with him.”

  “He’ll be open tomorrow.” Tangee offered as he walked over to another table and began to talk with the customers.

  Ludo headlocked Cody and dragged him into the kitchen. He couldn’t kill a mate, but he could take it out on a warrior. They were built tough, and Ludo was actually losing his mind right about now. It didn’t matter which warrior, anyone would do.

  “What the hell, man?” Cody shoved Ludo off of him. “Have you lost your mind?”

  “I need to find the bookstore owner. Please help me out before Maverick kills me for harming a mate.” Ludo yanked the black band from his hair and ran his hand through it so hard he pulled strands out.

  “What’s going on, Ludo?” Cody leaned against the counter in the kitchen, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Why is everyone giving me such a hard time?” Ludo threw his hands up exasperatedly. “Can’t anyone just answer a question around here?”

  Cody’s brow slowly lifted, but he said nothing, waiting for Ludo to answer him. He could see he wasn’t going to get an answer until he gave one.

  “Fine, he’s my mate. Now will somebody in this place answer my fucking question?” Ludo couldn’t shake that desperate feeling. Which was odd considering his mate was a resident here and not a tourist d
riving away. His whole damn body itched to get it wrapped around the elusive man.

  He didn’t remember any other warrior having such a strong reaction and wondered why it was affecting him like this. It was as if he had to find him before he lost him.

  What sense did that make?

  “Tangee,” Cody yelled toward the dining area. About damn time he got some help. Ludo paced the kitchen as he waited for the mate to get in there.

  “Yeah?” Tangee walked slowly into the kitchen, eyeing Ludo cautiously. He knew he must look like a nut job running around in circles shooting questions off that were bizarre to them.

  “Do you know where Murphy lives?”

  As Tangee shook his head, Ludo felt his heart plummet. “Sorry, no.”

  Ludo wanted to crumble to the floor and kick his feet in a tantrum. This was unreal. He went through all of this only to end up back at square one. No closer to his mate than when he’d started. The only thing he gained from this was a name and a damn migraine.

  “Let me call the house, see if anyone knows.” Cody pulled his cell phone out.

  The only thing Ludo could do was have a seat back at the counter. He pushed his plate aside, no longer interested in eating. He wanted Murphy in the worst way. When you knew there was someone out there that was handpicked for you, it made it almost impossible to have patience. Fate thought Murphy would be perfect for him, so he desperately wanted to get to know the man. He wanted to lay his eyes on him and show him how wonderful they could be together.

  Keata’s hand shot over to him, stilling the fork he was beating against the counter. For once, he didn’t jump away from a mate. He just started bouncing his leg instead.

  How damn long did it take to ask where someone lived? He stood and started pacing the diner. Every time he passed the table full of human customers, they shrank back.

  “Ludo, can you pace in the kitchen?” Tangee approached him, “You’re scaring the customers.”

  Ludo gave a low growl as he tumbled hard back onto his seat. He wrapped his hair back in its band then began to strum his fingers. Once again, Keata reached over to still them.

  “Sorry, Ludo.” Cody finally got off of the phone. “No one knows.”

  Ludo pounded his fist onto the countertop, pissed that he had to wait until morning to see his mate. “Thanks.” He mumbled as he got up and walked out.

  There was an apartment building over by the police station, a few above some of the stores, and too many houses scattered around the urban area for him to go door to door. He had no choice but to wait. This was going to drive him mad.

  As he climbed into his truck, his thoughts went back to what his mate looked like. He didn’t care. Fate had chosen the man for him, but he was curious as hell.

  Was he short like some of the mates? Or tall like the rest? What color hair did he have, and what was his eye color? How was his temperament? What did he like to do? Ludo growled at the unanswered questions.

  He may have to wait, but when he found Murphy, all bets were off. The man was going to be his.

  Chapter Two

  Murphy looked over his shoulder as he made his way to the bookstore. He continuously turned his head left and right, looking around so quickly he was becoming light-headed.

  He was about to get whiplash if he didn’t stop snapping his head back and forth.

  If Maribel was going to strike, then he wanted to see it coming. Okay, maybe not, but not knowing when the next attack would come was driving him crazy.

  He had practically packed his whole apartment last night. Now all he had to do was inconspicuously pack his bookstore and get out of town before sundown. There was no way he was sticking around to find out how accurate her aim was when it came to his bits and pieces. His sex life may be at a stalemate, but that didn’t mean he wanted to be put out of commission.

  He prayed his plan worked. If she caught him trying to slip out in the middle of the night, he wasn’t sure what she would do. His balls clenched once again.

  Picking up the pace, Murphy hurried to get to his bookstore and begin his packing. He brushed the wayward locks from his face, feeling his face flush from the exertion of speed walking. His wrist had turned an ugly shade of greenish purple, and he feared she had done more damage than originally suspected.

  Crazy bitch.

  Scrambling in his pocket for his keys, he nearly jumped out of his skin when someone shouted his name. He turned to see the most amazing face staring at him from a few doors down. The man was all dark looks. Black shoulder-length hair, dark eyes, and a body to give sin a bad name. Did Maribel send a henchman?

  Murphy fumbled to get the stupid key to go into the lock. It wouldn’t go! He shot a look over his shoulder to see the man quickly eating up the distance between them.

  Oh god, he was dead for sure. Finally getting the tumblers to turn, he glanced one more time before pushing the door open and slamming it shut, he engaged the lock and ran to his office.

  Murphy bit his nails as he heard banging at the front door. The henchman didn’t sound like he was giving up. The knock sounded angry. Oh god, oh god, what was he going to do? He felt trapped as his heart felt like it was going to explode out of his chest.

  “Murphy, I just want to talk to you,” the man shouted outside the door.

  Yeah, up close and personal, he bet. There was no way he was allowing that gorgeous man in. Even if he was hot, no way, no how.

  “Murphy, answer the door.”

  Not likely. He may be a spineless geek, but he wasn’t stupid. There was no way that hot-ass man out there wanted to talk about dollies and tea cups. No, he wanted to talk about immense pain from the looks of him.

  “Murphy, if you don’t open up, I’m going to force my way in.” The banging continued as the guy rattled the door handle.

  What to do, what to do? Okay, he would talk with the man through the door, and if he seemed a threat, then Murphy would…do what? Throw a book at him? Slap him over the head with the latest magazines that had come in? Or better yet, give him a paper cut from the new calendars?

  “Murphy.” A warning tone shot across the store and to his racing heart. Okay, don’t make the madman angry. Keep the musclehead calm.

  Murphy took an unsteady breath as he walked to his awaiting beat down. He prayed they had cable television in the hospital room he was about to check in to.

  What the hell was wrong with his mate? If he didn’t know any better, he would say Murphy was terrified of him. But why? They hadn’t even met yet.

  This damn door was coming down in five seconds if his mate didn’t open it. He needed to be near him, see him up close. Hell, who was he kidding, he needed to claim him and carry him home to fuck him into the next century.

  Ludo saw a head of beautiful brown curls peek around the corner, and big amber eyes wide with fear. Just exactly what was going on? His heart stuttered then began to beat again at a faster rate when a tall and totally breathtaking man came from around the counter and inched his way to the door at a very slow pace. What was it with people and turtle-walking lately?

  His cock filled in less than two seconds, his canines dropped a fraction of an inch, and the need to howl was riding him strong. His leg almost tapped a thousand times a minute as his mate slowly made his way to the door. Murphy was sinfully edible. Ludo’s hands itched to touch skin, hair, cock. He’d settle for a toenail at this point.

  “Can I help you?” Murphy asked through the glass in the door.

  Ludo stood there stuck on stupid for a moment, his mind going blank at that wickedly erotic voice. Say my name, love.

  “Can I speak with you without a door between us?”

  “Why? I can hear you perfectly fine from here.” Murphy shifted anxiously from foot to foot. His hand came up to brush away his hair. Ludo noticed a bandage around his mate’s wrist.

  He had to stop the growl at the sight of his mate’s injury. If someone had purposely done that to Murphy, he was going to string the bastard up by the balls.
“Please. I just want to talk.”

  His mate sighed, shrugged his shoulders, and then reached out to unlock the door. Ludo pushed it open, taking in the intoxicating aroma of his mate. It was stronger and so much sweeter when coming directly from his mate.

  “So talk.” His mate backpedaled until he was behind the counter. His hands were flighty, touching this and that, not settling on one thing. His moves were nervous in nature. Did Murphy feel the pull? Was that why he was so nervous? Ludo’s heart melted for the smaller man. He’d be gentle since his mate was so skittish. Ludo would make sure Murphy was comfortable with him before he claimed him. Now that he had his mate close, he felt a calmness settle inside of him.

  He reached in his pocket and pulled out his rubber band, securing his hair in place. His mate’s eyes widened as he took a step back. What the hell was wrong with him? Ludo shrugged his leather off, tossed it on the couch that sat opposite the counter, then turned back around.

  Where the hell did Murphy go?

  “Murphy?”

  “Yes?” a small voice squeaked. Ludo leaned over the counter, spotting his mate crouched down behind it.

  Ludo walked around the counter, knelt down next to his mate, and reached a hand out. “Come.”

  Long, slender fingers trembled as Murphy laid his hand in Ludo’s palm. He gently pulled his mate until the man was in his arms. Oh god, this was what he had been waiting all night for. His cock jumped behind his jeans, straining at the zipper to be free and to play with this beautiful creature.

  “I’m Ludo.” His hands sought out skin. They rubbed the nape of his mate’s neck, feeling the tension knotted in Murphy. His thumb massaged the tense muscles, his other hand rubbing circles around his mate’s back. Ludo closed his eyes, basking in the knowledge that he was holding his mate for the very first time.

  Murphy leaned back, his amber eyes telling of the fear and apprehension that coiled his body tight. “Damn, you smell good.” Murphy looked at him in amazement.