Absentee Wolf Read online

  Strays 4

  Absentee Wolf

  Tobias "Toby" Dunham quietly fled Kansas eight years ago. Alpha's orders now compel Toby to return and upgrade the Strays Preserve's security system.

  Trying to finish his degree early, Kent Matthews is interning at Strays Preserve. His unexpected arrival coincides with Toby’s. After a chance encounter Kent instantly realizes why his father’s best friend disappeared. Kent is Toby’s much younger mate. Toby wants to start a relationship, but Kent had grown up and left no room for his absentee mate.

  The mate bond is pulling strongly but only adding more damage and confusion to their strained relationship. Insert outside opinions, resentment, and a dash of hormones, and Toby and Kent have a recipe for disaster. Kent has to come to terms with the past and accept Toby’s decision if he is ever to have the relationship he's dreamed of. But will Toby have the patience to wait for his mate?

  Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Contemporary, Older H/h, Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves

  Length: 37,656 words

  ABSENTEE WOLF

  Strays 4

  Tedi Sinclair

  SIREN CLASSIC

  MANLOVE

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

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  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Siren Classic ManLove

  ABSENTEE WOLF

  Copyright © 2014 by Tedi Sinclair

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-62741-209-4

  First E-book Publication: February 2014

  Cover design by Christine Kirchoff

  All art and logo copyright © 2014 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  Letter to Readers

  Dear Readers,

  If you have purchased this copy of Absentee Wolf by Tedi Sinclair from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

  Regarding E-book Piracy

  This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book.

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  This is Tedi Sinclair’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Sinclair’s right to earn a living from her work.

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  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  ABSENTEE WOLF

  Strays 4

  TEDI SINCLAIR

  Copyright © 2014

  Chapter 1

  “Hold on.” Toby listened as the phone was jostled, and muted static emanated from the receiver. Ben yelled a muffled “enter” right before sound returned to normal on the call.

  “Tobias, this is not up for discussion. I need you home.”

  “Ben, I can’t come home right now. I don’t want to run into Kent.” Toby’s heart raced at the thought of seeing Kent now. He didn’t want to just bump into him unprepared. Toby had a plan.

  “I know, but it’s the middle of the school year, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “Fine, but I’m staying long enough to fix whatever you need and then I’m leaving.” Toby had to leave. He already had it all figured out how he would tell Kent, and it wasn’t going to be an accident.

  “Okay. I’ll see you soon. Bye.”

  Toby hung up the phone, barely stopping himself from throwing it across the room. Toby didn’t want to go back to the Strays Preserve. He had at least another year before he would even consider returning permanently. Toby had people to protect. He really wanted to be at the preserve, but it was best for everyone, especially Kent, that Toby stayed away.

  Toby went to the fridge to grab a cola to take to his room while he packed. He opened his suitcase and pulled the small duffle from inside. Toby wasn’t taking more than a few days’ worth of clothes, and they would all fit just fine in the tiny bag. Once he was done appeasing Ben, he was getting the hell out of that preserve.

  While Toby rummaged for items, he took his phone and called Tayton. Tay and Toby had grown up together near the preserve and were closer than family. TnT was the pack’s nickname for them since they left destruction wherever they went. Toby had been Tay’s best man at his wedding. Tay and his wife, Gina, made Toby the godfather of their two kids in the years that followed. Toby loved Tay and Gina and their children like they were his own family.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey, Tayton, it’s Toby.” Toby leaned into the receiver, waiting to hear his best friend’s voice. He never realized how badly he missed Tay until he was calling.

  “Toby, it’s so good to hear from you. We miss you, bro. When are you coming to visit?” It was the same dance each time Toby called, but this time Toby took a new spin.

  “I should be there tomorrow.” Toby waited for the shock.

  “Oh, too bad… Wait? You’re really coming?” Toby laughed loudly into the phone knowing he had thrown Tay for a loop.

  “Yes, asshole, I’m really coming. Ben Martin called, and he wants me to do a project.”

  “Gina, Toby’s coming to visit. He’s gonna be here tomorrow.”

  Toby chuckled at the squeal that carried over the line as he sat down on his bed to listen to the sounds of Tay’s home. His gut clenched with loneliness.

  “God, I miss you guys.”

  “You shouldn’t have left. I still don’t understand why you had to go. You belong here with us and the rest of your pack.”

  This was the part of the talk Toby hated. He knew that Tay wanted him back at the preserve, but worried once Tay found out why Toby left he’d feel differently. Toby rubbed at the back of his neck that suddenly tightened with tension.


  “I know. Someday I hope I can explain it to you, but for right now this is what I have to do.”

  “You know we love you, right? And there’s nothing that would change that, right?”

  “Seriously, what are you getting at?”

  “I don’t know. It just felt like the right thing to say.”

  Toby pinched the bridge of his nose then rubbed his eyes. “Tay, I haven’t killed anyone. You’ve known I’m gay since forever. And being a dad makes you say stupid shit now.”

  “Fine, asshole, find your own ride from the airport.”

  “I’ll just call Gina.” Tay huffed into the receiver, and they both laughed.

  “Really though, I’m so excited you’ll be here.”

  “Me, too. Listen, I gotta pack. I’ll text you with flight details.”

  Toby threw some clothes on the bed, not paying attention to what he grabbed. He was just so happy to talk to Tay. Tay was his best friend in the world, and he missed him terribly. Toby wasn’t sure how much longer they were going to be able to stay friends. Eventually, Tay would learn that his son, Kent, was Toby’s mate.

  Toby grabbed the photo off the side table and smiled as he stared at it. Kent was wearing his cap and gown from high school graduation. Toby was so proud of Kent having graduated with honors. Toby knew that if he had been around for Kent’s high school years he would have been distracted and not have put in the effort.

  It hurt to stay away, but Toby felt it was for the best. He wanted to watch over his mate but knew if anyone could keep Kent safe it was his own father and Toby’s best friend. With Toby out of the picture, Kent got to grow up and make his own choices. He got to live his life in his own time and not try to rush for a mate that was already grown.

  He remembered Kent calling after Tayton broke the news that his Uncle Toby wasn’t going to make it to his graduation. Kent told Toby he was devastated. Toby rubbed at his chest reliving the memory. He was sure that he had heard him sniffle during the phone call, but Toby would never call him out on it or embarrass him. He had no right to because when he hung up the phone he’d bawled.

  Kent forgave Toby when his graduation gift arrived later that day, although his mom and dad weren’t too pleased about it. Toby tried to justify it because he thought graduation from a prep school with honors deserved a new car. It wasn’t like Toby got him anything dangerous or sporty, just a nice sedan with all the trimmings.

  When Kent called to thank Toby, he said he wanted to drive out to see Toby that summer and thank him in person since it was such “an epic gift.” Toby would have loved to see Kent except then Kent would have known that they were mates. So Toby talked him out of it by saying Kent needed to get a job to save up for college. Of course, the little brainiac had tons of scholarships already lined up. In the end, Kent listened, though.

  Toby had been home a few times between Kent’s fourteenth birthday and now, eight years later. Being away hurt like hell, but Toby couldn’t force Kent to even consider a mate at fourteen. Not that he would have done anything with him. He just didn’t think Kent should be worrying about things like mating when he should be doing school and playing sports and dating.

  Toby glanced at the clock on his nightstand. He had a few phone calls to make and some reservations to obtain before he hit the hay. Tomorrow was going to be busy.

  * * * *

  “Toby!” He turned to see Tay running toward him with his arms out. Toby grabbed him up in a bear hug.

  “I’ve missed you.” Setting him down, he looked around. “You didn’t bring Gina?”

  “No, she stayed home. Said we should go grab lunch. Just us guys.”

  At first Toby was disappointed that Gina didn’t come, but time alone with his best friend sounded really great after the cramped flight.

  “Awesome. I’m starving.”

  Toby had no checked luggage to grab, so they headed to short-term parking to retrieve Tay’s car. Toby threw his duffle in the back and buckled himself in the front seat. Tay grabbed his knee and shook it, getting Toby’s attention.

  “So how long are you going to be here this time?”

  Inwardly, Toby groaned. They weren’t even out of the parking structure, and he felt like Tay was starting. Toby wiped his hands on his legs before answering.

  “I really don’t know. However long it takes to finish Ben’s project.”

  “Why don’t you stay after for a few days? You and I can go golfing or something.”

  Toby exhaled as quietly as he could. “You don’t golf.”

  “I know. It just sounded like something manly that men can do together.”

  “Manly? Um, not so much. Manly would be hunting or even fishing, but golf? No, thanks.”

  Tay’s quiet put Toby at ease, and he settled back into the seat, hoping the conversation would take a different course.

  “Then let’s go fishing.” But of course it wasn’t.

  “I really should get back to my job in Colorado.”

  “Would it kill you to spend just a day goofing off with your best friend? Your job can wait.” Tay’s tone was aggressive, and Toby was unprepared to defend his reasons.

  “Tay, it’s complicated.”

  “Well, uncomplicate it. I want to know.”

  “I can’t tell you, okay? So just drop it.” Toby stared out the window as they drove from the terminal. He heard Tay huff out his displeasure, but Toby wasn’t willing to lose his friend because fate had made Tay’s son his mate.

  “No, Toby, not this time. I’m not going to just drop it. I will find out.”

  The drive to the restaurant was quiet after that. Tay turned on the radio, and it filled the void. Of course, it would have to be a song from their carousing days that blared through the speakers. Instead of reminding Tay of better times, it must have pissed him off further as he turned off the radio and mumbled “dammit.”

  Toby couldn’t stand the stifling silence. “Tay, please. I’ve never asked for anything from you. Can you please not force me to tell you? Let me keep this one thing.”

  “Why? Is it bad or dangerous?”

  Toby chuckled. “Bad? No, it’s not bad. Dangerous? I guess that depends on how it all works out in the end.” He regretted the words as soon as he’d said them. After years of secrecy, the word “danger” would have Tay’s mind concocting the worst scenario possible.

  “Are you serious? Toby, if you’re in danger, you have to tell me.”

  Again, Toby chuckled, this time trying to lighten the mood. “No, it’s not like that.”

  “Don’t joke about being in danger then. Either you are or you aren’t in danger.”

  “Fine. I’m not in danger. Are you happy?” He crossed his arms over his chest. Toby hated this constant barrage of questions. It was one of the main reasons he didn’t come home or bother to call. Yeah, he was lonely as fuck in Colorado, but he had peace. Tay reached out and held Toby’s arm.

  “Toby, you need to talk to me. You just up and left eight years ago. You barely keep in contact. You only show up when the alpha calls you. Is it that hard to believe that I would think you might actually be in trouble?”

  Toby sighed. He didn’t have the energy to discuss this with Tay. “I need to be in Colorado, okay? It’s where I belong.” Toby turned in his seat to stare at Tay. “And really, I’m not in danger. I was just trying to lighten things up.”

  “You’re lying.” Tay ground the words out through his clenched teeth.

  “What? Why would you say that?” Tay slammed on his breaks and hit the turn signal. He made a U-turn and headed away from the restaurant. Toby looked out the windows as the surroundings flew past them. “Where are we going?”

  “I am dropping you off at the pack house. I don’t want you to stay with us.”

  Toby’s face pinched. Toby wasn’t ready to tell Tayton yet. He wanted to talk to Kent first, and he had been putting that off for eight years already. He had to think of something fast to calm Tayton, but they arrived before he could do th
at. “Tay, please.”

  “No. I’m done.” Tay skidded the car to a stop just inside the preserve gates, jerking them to a stop across two parking spots. “I’ve tried to be understanding with whatever has been going on in your life. It’s your life. But each and every time you promise and then break your promise, you let me down or the kids or Gina. And you know what? We’ve actually come to expect it. I didn’t really think you’d be at the airport. That’s how little faith I have in you. Now, you’re sitting here lying to me about Colorado being where you need to be? I’m not going to have you hurting my family any more. When you can get your shit together, let me know. Now, just get out.”

  Tay turned away from Toby and gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. Toby reached behind him and grabbed his duffle from the backseat before he got out. He started to say something else to Tayton, but Tay held his hand up to silence Toby. He knew from experience that when Tay got like this there was no reasoning or talking until he calmed down.

  Reluctantly, Toby turned away from him and got out. Tay sped away before the door fully closed. Toby watched his best friend drive away, and a part of his heart broke. He stood for a moment and considered calling him right then to tell him everything. At least then Tay could hate him for a real reason. But that’s not how he’d planned it out. He had to tell Kent first so that they could tell Tay together. If Tay saw Kent happy, he might not hate Toby when he heard the news.

  The walk to the Strays Preserve welcome center was short. The fall air was cool and carried burgundy leaves and the scent of scrub pine with it. Toby had missed this place. The hills and the trees called to his wolf. Living in Colorado, he had plenty of places to run and let his wolf free, but it was never the same as his being with his home pack. Strays Preserve soothed his wolf. This was where his wolf wanted to stay.