Mythical Link ▸ Link Neal {Book One}

127

Link missed his home. He missed their family meals around the dinner table where they would talk about their days, and the kids would tell him what they had learned that day. They always had to tell him something that they've done that was new or learned. He missed curling up on the couch with the kids and watching documentaries on the wildlife, or how things were made. He missed the spacious front yard and the little patch in front of the house that was the home to sunflowers. He missed the way his bed conformed to his aching body, drawing him into a deep slumber.

Link appreciated his best friend opening his home up to him and his family; housing them, feeding them, letting them run their water bill through the roof with all of the showers and clothes that they've washed, helping to take care of their dog Jade with their own dog Barbara. Jade has had a few accidents in the house since they temporarily moved in, only because she wasn't familiar with her surroundings and it came as a shock to her.

Link was certain this was the second time this week Rhett would have to go grocery shopping. All five of the kids were growing kids, and they were constantly snacking on fresh fruits and vegetables, and the occasional junk food. He felt like a burden to the McLaughlins, and just missed being in his own bed. He could feel that his kids felt the same way, even though they loved being around Rhett's kids. They've practically grown up together, just in separate houses.

Christy had to have been feeling the same way also, especially the way she would look apologetic as she cleaned up the messes after the kids. The prospect of going back to the house that he once called home, destroyed to oblivion by monsters that shouldn't exist, made him feel a sour knot tightening in his stomach. There was nothing he could do to change Rhett's mind, for they were getting ready to pull up into Link's driveway.

What if Teegan would be there waiting for them at the house, like he had been when the kids were there? What if he was there, and he saw that they had Jackson with them and he thought that they were buddies with the man that senselessly murdered his daughter, furthering his burning desire for retribution? There's absolutely no guarantee that they would survive another encounter with that guy. Sure, Rhett could punch the lights out of a regular werewolf, but could he an Alpha werewolf?

Link wasn't even sure he could muster up the same strength behind his scream as he had before. He had lost all complete faith he'd had in his ability, not even knowing what his ability entailed anymore. He still had no idea why he could scream the way he does, of why he has weird premonitions, or why he feels things and hears things a normal being shouldn't be able to feel or hear. An inch of doubt began creeping over Link, suffocating his body still. If he didn't have this ability, who would have found the body?

"Link."

The images of her tiny skeletal body was burned into his brain.

"Link?"

Link tried blinking the image away, but he couldn't peel his eyes away from the maggots pouring out of every open orifice on her innocent face like starving cats.

"LINK!" Rhett's booming voice cut through him like an icy chill and Link shuttered with a cry, slowly turning his head to look at Rhett. Rhett's eyes were laced with worry. How long had Link been spacing out this time?

"What's the matter, man?"

Link blinked back a few tears, realizing they were parked in his driveway. His worst fears were about to come to fruition. "Link, talk to me."

Link could barely hear Rhett's voice again, like he was talking through a very long tunnel.

"We're at the wrong place," he said forebodingly. Rhett arched an eyebrow, his confidence sinking to his feet. He didn't like the way that sounded, and he sometimes wondered if Link realized what he was saying.

"Alright, it's okay. Let's just go in and make sure we've got the clear. If Teegan is in there and he sees we have Jackson, he might just kill him right there and then we won't find out a darn thing about him."

Link's eyes widened and at that moment, he hated how much he and Rhett thought alike sometimes.

"Okay," Link stammered, internally beating himself up for feeling so weak. The both of them exited the vehicle, Rhett throwing a glance to the back seat to make sure their quarry was still out. His breathing was steady, his arms folded neatly across his chest. The sunlight was streaming through the window and bathing him in a golden glow, capturing his built features. A pit of envy welled up in Rhett's chest, wishing he could be as muscled and masculine like the werewolf sprawled in his back seat.

He slammed the door with a look of disdain etched in his features and he sulked toward the house. Link trailed off after him, making sure he was close by his side so that he felt safe.

Link glanced at Rhett before Rhett threw the door open, throwing his shoulder in first. A look of alarm washed over Rhett's face and he wheeled on Link.

"Dude, it looks like somebody's been in here!"

Link shoved past Rhett, his eyes widening with surprise. He noticed how everything was out of place, and sudden booming voices made him nearly jump out of his skin.

"SURPRISE!"

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