Werewolf's Way [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 1] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) by Scarlet Hyacinth

answered. “But you never told me. Where are we going?”
    “Right now, we have to lay low at all costs,” Graham explained. “The draechen will undoubtedly be looking for us. But at the same time, I want to find my pack. I’m worried about my brother.”
    “You have a brother?” Caelyn inquired. “What’s his name?”
    “Stuart.” Graham sighed, remembering the last time he had seen his sibling. “He didn’t get captured with me, but I’m still worried.”
    “I’m sure he’s fine,” Caelyn said comfortingly. “If he’s anything like you, he must be a survivor.”
    That was very true, especially since Graham had tasked Stuart with taking care of the pack. “Maybe when we stop the car, we’ll use that pearl Raul gave us. Perhaps your friends could tell me where Stuart might be.”
    For a few moments, Caelyn remained quiet. “What is it, angel?” Graham couldn’t help but ask. Had he accidentally said something wrong?
    “Nothing,” Caelyn answered. “I was just thinking about… Well, about my own siblings. I wonder what they think of me, if I’ll ever see them again.”
    Graham’s heart clenched as he once more acknowledged the extent of what Caelyn had lost. The guilt and the anger threatened to choke him. He clenched his fists around the steering wheel, clutching it so hard his knuckles went white.
    Caelyn gasped. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.” His small hand landed on Graham’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault, none of it. The choice was mine, and I don’t regret it for a minute.”
    There was such honestly in Caelyn’s voice that it became a warm balm, soothing Graham’s wounded soul. He could truly believe then that he wasn’t to blame for his mate’s loss. The world had placed them in a position that Graham would have much liked to avoid. It wasn’t their fault.
    He couldn’t provide Caelyn with the answers he sought or with the brotherly affection he might have lost. However, he could give his mate a new family. And he knew exactly where to start.
    They’d left New York in a hurry since one of the most important draechen outposts in the United States and the world was there. The best thing to do right now would be to constantly stay on the road. They had to avoid big cities, as well as national parks or Amerindian settlements, since they were all watched. This meant they would have to mingle with the humans, preferably in some of the smaller towns.
    But Graham couldn’t wait until they found a more long-term place to stay. He had to claim Caelyn. He had to show the sprite that they could start something new and beautiful together. Both of them needed it.
    Driving with only one hand, Graham reached for his mate with the other one. Brushing a lock of soft blond hair from Caelyn’s eyes, he whispered, “I’m selfish enough that I don’t regret it either. In fact, I’m thankful I was captured. For once, the draechen did me a favor. If not for them, I’d have never met you.”
    Caelyn took his hand and kissed his palm, then each individual fingertip. It was so gentle, so worshipful, and yet so arousing that a thousand emotions stirred inside Graham. “I don’t want you to have to withstand anything bad ever again,” he murmured, “not even for something good.”
    “Love is worth fighting and suffering for,” Graham argued. He wanted to say something else, but then, Caelyn’s eyes widened and he blushed. Graham realized what he’d blurted out.
    Love. The famous L word that so many shifters, especially from the ninth caste, avoided. They couldn’t afford love, at least not the sensual, deep one that could easily turn into obsession. There was too much loss in their world, too much uncertainty.
    But there was no denying that, inside Graham, a new, young, and shy emotion had started to build. It was like a sapling, finally catching roots in spite of the less than fertile soil. Caelyn’s affection provided it with overwhelming warmth and