Aspen's Song: Banished, #3

By BA Tortuga

Wolf shifter Aspen is exhausted and needs a break from the high-fashion, celebrity world of runway modeling. The visions he's experienced all his life are getting worse, making him feel even more peculiar and disconnected. And while he doesn't want to be a burden to anyone, when he's invited to stay with his adopted brother Wulf's small pack of misfits, Aspen relishes the idea of finding a place to belong.

When Gabe's military career ends due to life-changing injury, he has no idea where to go and gratefully accepts a place with his old friend Cory and his mate, Wulf. Immediately drawn to the beautiful and unearthly Aspen, Gabe fears he is not good enough for him, and avoids Aspen until he can't stay away any longer.

As danger stalks their pack, Aspen and Gabe must overcome their insecurities to recognize they just might be mates and learn who they really are to protect those they love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Turtlehat Creatives
• Release date: Jul 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781951532338

Book preview

Chapter 1

Gabriel Hathale sat on the little twin bed in the room they’d provided for him, his hands on his thighs. He was kind of afraid to move.

His discharge was final. He was off mandatory medical. So while he had a lot of physical recovery to do still, he was free to go.

Shit. Where the hell was he gonna go? He’d been in ops for ten years, living out of a rucksack in war zones, acknowledged or not. He didn’t even have an apartment or a storage unit.

Gabriel was a ghost.

He couldn’t go back to Lobo Canyon. No way. While there had been an alpha change, the elders there would never see him as anything but the boy who either had to go into the military or go to jail.

The government knew about a shit-ton that Lobo Canyon still thought was secret…

He rubbed his hands on his pants, trying to dry them. River would let him come stay. So would Miles. But River had a relatively new mate and a job as pack second, and Miles spent more time as a wolf than as a dude. His cousin Wendy had told him all that when he’d called. Fuck, she was the fucking sheriff now.

Gabriel grabbed his phone and called up the contact Wendy had shared with him. She’d said he could call one more friend from the bad old days, and Cory was the head of his own pack now. A band of banished misfits. That sounded like his kind of place these days.

So he called.

The voice on the phone was familiar and seemed genuinely happy to hear from him. Gabriel! Dude, Wendy said you’d be calling. When can you come in?

I have no idea. I have to be out of here by tomorrow morning, but I’ll need to take the bus. I’m in Virginia, so it’ll be a few days.

You hurt too bad to fly, buddy? Cory sounded surprised.

His cheeks heated. I can’t afford it. I mean, not right now. It’s a long story. His money was tied up for a week or so while he got legalities straightened out. The main account holder on his personal money had died, and he needed to take a death certificate to a branch of the credit union. In person. In New Mexico.

Fuck that. Seriously. I’ll get you a ticket right now. You’re pack. Cory’s words were immediate, warm, and welcome. We’ll pick you up in Albuquerque. Trey will love it. I’ll take him to the fancy-assed open-air mall to shop before you get in.

There’s something fancy in Burque? he teased. Okay. I can pay you back. He had resources. They were just tied up. I’m tired, man. So I really appreciate it.

No sweat. Seriously. Trey has a zillion miles saved up. I’ve got your back. We have a private place for you—do you need a ramp? We actually have a couple of portable ones. The main house has a permanent one.

I might, yeah. I’m not in a chair full-time or anything. Anymore, starting tomorrow, dammit. But I have a cane and a wheelchair both. I got blown up pretty good. He would have been fine either way, but his shifter body refused to stop trying to knit back together.

Quinn’s in a chair sometimes. He does great with his leg, but the chair is faster, and Josh and Janey’s little ones like to ride. Like it was nothing, like it was normal—the chair is faster. Hell, Matt’s in a chair full-time.

He took a deep breath because his chest was all tight. That sounds great, man. I—thank you. I’m kinda at loose ends. The scars would be enough to slow him down, even if the rest of him healed. They would pull tight… The docs said he would have some pain too. Even a shifter couldn’t regrow missing bone.

You have a place here. We’ve got room, and if you can stand hours of discussions on whether a ruby velvet or a peach georgette is right for a gown, you’ll be all right. The sarcasm dripped from Cory’s voice.

Uh. I have no idea what georgette is. He chuckled. I can ignore your mate as well as I ever did.

A muffled I heard that, sounded, and Cory raised his voice. It’s a talent, trust me. This laugh was sweet, teasing.

God, it was good to hear them back together, to know they were settled and happy. What do you need from me?

Send me all the info for your ticket. I’ll get it today and give you the deets for tomorrow. Cory had his I’ll handle it voice on now.

Got it. I’ll text and send you my email and all. He would do it right after he got off the phone. What little he had was packed, so he would sleep until time to go tomorrow. And watch stupid game shows.

No problem. We’ll have you back in chile country in no time. Cory sounded eager to see him, which felt surprisingly good.

Thanks, man. I—thanks. I need to heal up and get my shit together. If he even could get his shit together.

This is the perfect place for that. Text me, and I’ll grab your ticket.

They said their goodbyes, and he slumped. He had a place to go, he had a way to get there, and he had a plan.

Thank God. Now all he had to do was make it to Albuquerque.

Chapter 2

A spen? Aspen, you need to wake up, darling. Vanessa patted his cheeks gently, and it felt like she was slapping him with a metal gauntlet. Bang. Bang. One side to another.

’M awake. His head was pounding, and he thought maybe he was bleeding, at least from his nose. Maybe from his eyeballs, which would be really entertaining, as pale as he was.

He tried to focus, tried to figure out where he was and why Vanessa was here. Goddess, he hurt in every muscle and joint.

Honey, you had a seizure, I think. Right on the runway. They want you to see an EMT, so I’m trying to find one who’s family.

A seizure? He didn’t understand. He closed his eyes, trying to gather his scattered chickens.

You passed out. She helped him sit up when he flailed out with one hand, pulling him up so quickly his head spun.

Fuck. He needed to stop that shit. It was getting worse, though, not giving him any warning before the visions came. Did I say anything? Speak in tongues or some such?

No. Your eyes rolled back, and you dropped like a stone. She patted his hand now. You need a break, I think. You’ve been working too hard.

At least he hadn’t started spouting nonsense.

You will grow a mustache!

You have bad ink in your future!

Don’t sleep with that guy tomorrow! He has crabs!

He snorted. Yeah, I guess Lily is pissed. Lily Olear was the designer for the show he’d ruined.

Are you kidding? She’ll dine out on this for a month. Drama, darling. Vanessa bit her lip. I’m worried about you. You scared me.

I’m worried about me too. I’m thinking about going home. Not to Denver, but maybe to Juniper or even Wulf. In fact, Wulf’s pack seemed like a fine idea. Everyone there had some issues that made them stand out. If Aspen started spouting gibberish, no one would care.

You really should get checked, Vanessa said when he stood. Your head…

Tell them I refused treatment, will you? I need to apologize to Lily, then get out of here. The cameras will descend on me soon.

I kept them away as long as I could. You look like hell, Aspen, honey. You look like a ghost.

I always look like that. He bent to kiss her cheek, ignoring the wave of nausea when he moved his head, and went to grab his bag so he could call an Uber. He would send Lily a card.

Call an Uber. Get a plane ticket. Call Wulf and beg for a room for a few weeks. Months. Whatever. Wulf loved him. Wulf would say yes.

He scheduled his car, and then he did call, because otherwise he was going to toss his cookies. Distraction was always a good thing.

Hey! What’s up, Aspen?

Don’t tell Laurel. I passed out at a show. It was kind of a disaster.

Uh-oh. Whose show? I’ll cover for you. Do you want to come here? Do you need me to come get you? There was his dear friend.

Lily’s show. I’m in LA. I can be there on the red-eye.

Then I’ll get you at the airport. Text me the deets. Wulf was a doll. So willing to help with anything, and not only because Aspen’s parents had taken Wulf in when he was in trouble.

I need a break. I’m—it’s getting worse, Wulf.

Then come here, and we’ll help. I’ll fold you in, and we’ll sit and talk together for hours.

We will? He loved the sound of that and how it warmed him from the icy cold that was stealing over him. I can have hugs?

No one touched him. Ever. Well, Vanessa had, but he knew that was only to wake him up. Aspen thought people were scared, mostly. In a superstitious way. He wasn’t quite an albino, but a lot of people thought he was when he wore dark glasses, and more than one person had called him an avenging angel.

As many as you can stand, honey. You know we all love you here. We can bubble in the hot tub and drink prickly pear margaritas and watch the moon come up. Wulf’s warm voice held no pity. Just love and acceptance.

A wave of longing hit him hard, and he swallowed. I have everything with me. I’ll Uber right to the airport. Wulf’s pack was as close to a real home as he could think of right now. His sister Laurel would fuss, and his mom would have that quiet dread that he was going to die on her or something. Even Cory was nice to him at Wulf’s, and that man was a teeny bit hidebound. A lot of alphas were, though. He should know. His dad was one.

I’ll be at the airport. We’ll go have breakfast together. I need my Aspen snuggles. It’s time for a break, hmm? Wulf’s voice was so happy, so eager, and it was real and for him.

It is. I’ll see you soon, love. He hung up after a few more promises of hugs and cinnamon rolls, because his car had pulled up, according to the text that dinged his phone.

That was the ticket. He would be somewhere else in no time.

Chapter 3

When he got to baggage claim in Albuquerque, Gabriel could have just cried. The pressure on his joints from being in the air had been a screaming, aching thing, and the relief was huge.

So was the sight of Cory and his mate, Trey, waiting for him with a sign that said Gabby, which was his nickname from the bad old days when the guys would tease him to no end when he would snarl that he was named after an archangel.

Hey. He summoned a smile from his toes. Thanks, man, was about all he could manage.

Cory came right to him, grabbed him in a not-too-tight hug. Welcome home. Your chair get checked?

Trey took his backpack from his hand, the wild-haired wolf dressed in a gauzy shirt and leather pants and boots. Lord. That was a look for LA or New York. He loved that Trey—Wulf now—wore it to Burque.

Yeah. Yeah, it should come out on oversize, they said. My ruck will come out on the regular belt. It was too big to carry on. It was everything he owned but for the backpack that had his old laptop, a new tablet, and all his paperwork. And meds. Christ, the meds. He had ones for pain and ones to relax muscles and ones to keep his ears from ringing or his balls from shriveling or some shit.

Excellent. We brought the SUV. It’s cushy. Trey winked at him, and it was amazing—the confidence and the joy.

Thanks. How are you, Trey? The guy was scarred up something fierce, and Gabriel hated how the pack had done him when they were all kids.

Fabulous. Trey tossed his hair, so dramatic. I got some goodies at the Apple Store and at Trader Joe’s. Are you hungry at all? There’s a ton of options before we get out of Albuquerque.

I could have whatever. He grinned, thinking of his most recent mission, where he’d eaten lizard most nights. I’m used to MREs.

Well, we’ll get your chair, then get you some food so you can take a pill, Cory said matter-of-factly. Garcia’s maybe. Solid enchilada and chicharrones option there.

He perked up a little. Navajo taco? He loved fry bread with a fiery burning passion.

Yep. Cory let him lean all the way to his baggage claim, and there was his chair and his fancy cane, all strapped together. Man, the baggage guys used a lot of tape.

Before he knew it, he was out in the sunshine and in the backseat of a truly comfortable SUV. As he was getting settled, he heard a squeal and Oh my God! Are you Wulf? Can we have an autograph?

Wow. He blinked out the window at the forty-something lady and her teenage daughter, who were bouncing at Trey. He couldn’t put the two together, really, but good for him.

Trey was charming, kind, signed the autograph, and took a selfie with the two before Cory slipped him into the car.

Look who’s all famous, Gabe teased gently before laying his head back for just a minute. God, he was tired.

That’s me. Fashion designer to the stars. Trey laughed happily and leaned over to kiss Cory’s cheek. And you didn’t even growl this time.

They seemed nice, Cory said grudgingly. And they didn’t try to touch you without permission.

They were nice. Now, feed us, mate.

Yessir! Cory said, getting them moving.

The smooth ride of the big SUV lulled him right to sleep, and when he woke up, Gabriel could smell chiles and meat, cheese, and grease. His stomach rumbled, and he moaned, but he wasn’t sure he could move. He was stiff as a board from hours on a plane.

I got your chair instead of your cane, man. Traveling is tough.

He looked at the open door, where Cory waited, and he was a little overwhelmed at the kindness. He’d had good care from the government, but they’d all been impersonal, in and out.

Cory was solid, strong, and pure alpha. It was…well, surprising, confusing. Weird. Comforting too.

Cory’s hands were gentle, steadying him as he crawled out. He eased down into the chair, and he was whisked into a retro Mexican restaurant that was all dark wood and bright green, red, and yellow decorations.

They were seated in no time, and he had hot coffee and chips and salsa, and he had no idea what to do. This whole experience was surreal. When was the last time he’d been at a restaurant that wasn’t a hole-in-the-wall in a third-world country where he was waiting for a meet?

Maybe never.

We need to get a triple family pack to take home, please, Trey told the waitress. I have a pack to feed.

Oh, sí. We’ll have it ready when you go, hmm? She smiled, and Gabriel had to laugh. Yeah, he was back home. That accent was so comforting, settling in his bones.

I have a good friend staying at the main house. Aspen—he’s one of Stephen’s wife’s pack. He got in at the crack of dawn and is sleeping hard. Trey jabbered at him, not seeming to expect any answers, really, just making conversation.

Yeah? I won’t be in the way? He had no intention of making anyone’s life harder.

Nonsense. Trey waved a hand. We have Miguel’s trailer for you. He moved up to Lobo Canyon to be with River.

River—like, Mr. Football Stud, River? Who’d have thought? The idea that River was in love blew his mind. The whole old bunch is settling down. He shook his head. How is Miles?

Happy. Running around fuzzy more than not. Cory didn’t sound worried at all.

Good deal. That’s what I heard. I’ve missed everyone. Hell, he really didn’t know anyone anymore. What little he heard was when he called his cousin, which was on her birthday and, if he could swing it, Christmas.

It’s not a bad drive to visit. Everyone wants to meet you. They know to give you some space, but everyone is excited to meet someone new. Trey smiled at him. Except for Cory, his mom, and the children, everyone is less than welcome in other packs. We’re a special group.

I’m not sure how welcome I’d be back, Cory teased. Wendy is the sheriff now, you know? And River is a damn good second.

Wendy said. Gabe grinned. She might shoot you if you tried to take your old job back.

She might at that. Cory munched a chip, looking unconcerned. You’ll like the pack, man. Though you might just sleep the first few days.

I might. That’s totally possible. Probable. Goddess,