Chapter Nineteen

The man who had nearly been the cause of my death and was certainly the cause of my current pain was named Martin and turned out to be the adviser of a Gordon boy. Such a lucky man that Gordon was. It worried me that Kendall hadn't known that, but I didn't let the small piece of information get to me.

Martin had driven us far out, much farther than expected. Kendall had muttered a complaint, saying that he had much more important things to do than prove his own identity. It was loud enough for anyone nearby, such as Martin, to hear but was ultimately ignored.

We had driven out to Martin's acquired house, which was needlessly large for a single man. Martin had made the call while Kendall bandaged me up, applying cream that numbed the pain. Martin entered the room as Kendall finished, saying a true Gordon would be here within thirty minutes.

"How did a-" Martin paused dramatically, pointedly looking at Kendall's less-than-appealing appearance. "-man such as yourself end up with such an exotic wolf?" Martin's eyes flashed over to me, admiration and jealousy mixed together in his veiled eyes.

I may not be the standard black color of a Protector, but I certainly wasn't exotic. White wolves weren't as commonly spotted as black wolves, but we were seen every now and then. Just never before as a Protector.

Kendall tensed at the snide remark but kept calm. "I acquired such a werewolf because I, unlike some such as yourself, have the luxury of being able to afford one. However, this particular one made the mistake of underestimating me as you are now," he replied, managing to offend both Martin and me at the same time.

I only huffed at his comment, knowing it held a certain level of truth in it. I had underestimated a Gordon boy, even though I had grown around the tales and rumors of their sly deception. That itself screamed stupidity.

But Martin looked quite angered by the comment. His jaw was clenched tight enough that the cords of his neck seemed to pop out at me. "As if you have much room to talk. You didn't even acquire the wolf as a true prince would!" He snapped, worked up over nothing. Status and power were obviously important to this man, although he had none except over his natural wolves.

However, Kendall remained civil, appearing as if he were the more mature person. "Why should I throw away money that I have worked for when I can achieve my purpose using the wit I was naturally born with?" Kendall asked, the invisible smirk on his face almost tangible. He was winning the argument with little effort on his part.

Martin was seething by this point, his patience lost and his anger unveiled. "I could have you dead within seconds, you mutt. How dare you talk to me like that!" He snapped, jabbing a finger in Kendall's direction.

Kendall slowly walked towards Martin, the tension swirling and intensifying between the two men with each step. Kendall stopped just as his shoes were an inch from Martin's. The height difference between them was large, causing Kendall to look intimidating.

Kendall leaned in closely, so closely that Martin took a step back, unintentionally submitting. "How dare you talk to me as if I am a mere servant like yourself. I could have you killed for this act of disrespect," Kendall said lowly, his voice completely calm throughout it all.

Kendall then stood up, straightening his shirt and taking a step back. He was walking towards me when he added, "But an apology on your knees will be suffice when my brother confirms my identity."

I would've laughed had I been human. Seeing a man such as Martin, whose pride was precariously sitting upon a pedestal, apologizing on his knees would be comical to anyone. It was a shame that only three would be around to see the act.

Martin just glared, knowing anything he could say in defense would only sound foolish in response. His eyes held a fierce fire that was silent yet wouldn't allow itself to be smothered. It made me wonder whether he was the type to take losing well.

There was a series of raps on the door, causing a range of emotions. Martin's eyes lit up, lifted from his anger, while Kendall's body stiffened. In return, my heart sunk. Kendall didn't seem too thrilled for his brother to step through the door and save his life.

"I guess it's time to find out who you really are, Kendall," Martin easily said, striding towards the door with much confidence.

The door was opened quietly, and the greeting was rather quiet too. There were no booming laughs of warmth or any thunderous claps on the back. There were only displays of dominance and submissiveness. Humans were more like werewolves than most thought, including myself.

If I had just walked into the room and heard nothing of the previous conversation, I would assume Kendall wasn't related to this man. The rumors were true about Kendall looking much different than at least one of the Gordon boys. His brother was built, his figure larger than the lean one Kendall possessed. His tainted-halo-colored hair was thick, running just shy of his shoulders. His eyes were a dark green that I was almost positive were commonly mistaken for an unusual brown.

Kendall's brother wasn't looking at the man bowing in front of him but at Kendall and me.

"Master Gordon," Martin said, showing his obedience just a low pack member would to their precious alpha. I attempted a grin but gave up when the odd feeling wouldn't go away.

"Martin. Explain," Kendall's brother said, still not acknowledging Martin. But Martin straightened, his eyes flashing as they landed on us.

"This vile beggar is claiming to be your brother, so I captured him and his werewolf. I couldn't let them ruin Kendall's good name, Master," Martin explained, exaggerating the situation. I wouldn't call bringing two willing people to your house capturing.

"It is Prince Gordon to you," Kendall snapped, breaking his silent streak. He hadn't even glanced in his brother's direction.

Martin's mouth opened to spew an attack back, but Kendall's brother rose his hand, halting him. It was amusing, the amount of power he held over a man like Martin.

"Enough, both of you," he said, quieting them both. I barked a laugh, catching the attention of his dark eyes. Beside me, Kendall stiffened further as his brother walked towards us slowly.

He treated Kendall the same way he had treated Martin: without acknowledgement. He had walked up to us, eyes on me as he knelt down. His eyes were level with my own, and I caught the ghost of a smile displayed on his face. He wasn't visibly mad at least, so I allowed my body to relax.

"I am Cayne. Who might this magnificent male be?" He asked as if he was talking to an unintelligent dog. I only huffed at him to show I was offended before raising my chin away from him.

His calling me a male was understandable, but I was still offended. There had never been a female Protector, however it had been possible. There were no laws stating against doing so. It was just greatly frowned upon, I supposed.

Cayne laughed quietly, but I heard it. His hand stroked my jaw, gently pushing it so I was able to see him once again. "I apologize for the unintended offense," Cayne said, his smile larger.

"Her name is Snowflake, and she prefers not to be confused for the male gender," Kendall voiced, soft and low as he talked about me.

Cayne's eyebrows shot up, and I was sure Martin looked equally surprised, smugness surging through me. "A female Protector? Aren't you the oddball! A perfect match for Kendall," Cayne said so quietly I was sure only I had heard him.

He sighed, running his hand through my fur once before he stood up and face his brother. "Martin, give the three of us some privacy," he said, and I knew Martin had listened and obeyed by the sound of descending footsteps.

As soon as we were alone, he finally spoke to Kendall. "Give me one adequate answer as to why I should claim you," Cayne asked, his voice stone cold. My heart sunk as I realized the two didn't have a very "brotherly" relationship.

"Because I am a Gordon by flesh and bone as I have told that servant of yours," Kendall replied, his own voice coated in frost. I didn't like the direction this was heading.

"Oh? But you are not a Gordon in other ways, in the ones that count. Please inform me: when was the last time you visited Mother and Father?" Cayne shot back, obviously harboring old rage towards Kendall.

"You are dealing with my life and death right now, not trivial family matters!" Kendall hissed.

"It is considered a family matter when your brother has to travel out of his way to save your ass from being killed," Cayne snapped, as worked up as Kendall.

"Yes, my brother who happened to be a Gordon just as myself. Tell your servant the truth so Snowflake and I can be," Kendall requested, not sweet talking the man who would be the cause of his continuous living or sudden death.

"I refuse to claim a Gordon who does not acknowledge being one unless it benefits him," Cayne said, a note of finality ringing in his voice.

I nudged Kendall who looked down at me, seeing the desperation in my eyes. He stared back for a while, his eyes flickering before he sighed and met his brother's eyes.

"What do you want?" Kendall asked, his voice smooth with calmness. I discreetly nuzzled his leg, showing him I approved.

I thought perhaps Cayne would deny wanting anything, say he only wanted the wellness of his youngest brother. I even thought he might tell Kendall he had lost his chance long ago and deserved what he had coming. But neither of these were what happened.

"You are to visit us regularly whether it pleases you or not. You are to start by attending the small dinner this weekend. Is that understood?" Cayne asked without hesitation, his voice firm, no room for wiggling.

Kendall's jaw clenched, and I could hear his teeth grinding together in his mouth. "Fine. Now tell your servant who I am," he said, ending the conversation. Kendall clearly didn't like being defeated, but I was glad he gave in.

Cayne didn't call Martin in, however, but stuck out his hand. "I am not going to trust the word of a man who has been a stranger for so long. We will shake upon it," he suggested, his hand outstretched and waiting for Kendall's.

After a moment's hesitation, Kendall firmly shook his hand, quickly stepping back when it was over. He didn't feel as comfortable around his brother as a sibling should. I almost felt pity for him but disregarded it. Kendall wouldn't want pity from a single soul.

Cayne's eyes flickered before he glanced down at me. "You must be quite the werewolf," he murmured, the cold ice in his eyes seeming to thaw. It was a good thing he didn't hate me just because I was associated with Kendall.

"Yes, she is," Kendall said, the two finally agreeing on something. His eyes were soft, the rest of his facial features holding no expression.

The tension and formality had drifted away from the two as they looked down at me. I didn't enjoy the attention, yet I was glad they weren't at one another's throats. That made the small sacrifice worth it.

We were like that for a few minutes, each of us in our own thoughts until Cayne cleared his throat. "Martin, we'll be on our way," he said in a normal tone, but it was loud enough for Martin to come scurrying in.

"So this is your brother?" Martin asked, a glimmer of hope lingering behind in his eyes.

"Yes, now apologize for the inconvenience so we can be on our way," Cayne replied with a dismissive hand.

I watched Martin with curious eyes. I wondered if the deal presented beforehand would be disregarded by both parties, however I was wrong. Kendall would take his dignity and pleasure wherever he could find it.

"Yes, Martin, apologize," Kendall said slowly with purpose. I knew Martin understood by the way his face flushed with color.

Martin muttered under his breath, but with my hearing, I knew he was cursing Kendall and his future children. We all watched, Kendall and I with amusement and Cayne with confusion, as Martin lowered himself to the ground on his knees after slight hesitation.

His voice strained itself out of his clenched teeth as he said, "I'm sorry for the false accusation I directed towards you, Prince Ken . . . Gordon. Please, do forgive me."

A full-blown smirk was on Kendall's face as he tapped his chin. "I will take it under consideration later," he said, causing Martin's hate-filled eyes to snap in his direction.

"You little-"

"Enough. Must you act like children?" Cayne sighed, but there was a thin layer of amusement in his voice.

"We are leaving, Martin. I shall expect to see you soon. Get up off your knees," Cayne added to Martin who had yet to rise.

Martin stood up, flustered with anger and embarrassment. That was how he stood, glaring as we left.