Keata's Promise [Brac Pack 7] by Lynn Hagen

headed to his truck. Keata was watching the chaos in front of him with wide eyes.

    Keata’s Promise
    73

    Chapter Seven

    Keata set the bottle back under the bar and ran around to sit on the couch next to Johnny. They both giggled as they sat there, watching Storm come into the den.
    Keata had to bite his knuckle to stop the laughter as Storm went behind the bar, grabbed a beer bottle, twisted the cap off, and took a large swallow.
    Storm spit out the drink, it sprayed across the bar as he wiped his tongue on his shirt. “What the fuck is this?” Johnny giggled. Keata elbowed him to be quiet. Storm shot an angry look over at the two, but Keata curled his lips in and darted his eyes around.
    Storm sniffed the bottle and then glared at them. “Who put Worcestershire sauce and vinegar in this bottle?” Keata shrugged. “Beer bandit.”
    Johnny giggled again, and Keata almost burst out laughing.
    “I’m going to go have a talk with Hawk and Cody.” He pointed to the pair. “Stay away from the beer.” Keata watched Storm walk away, and then he and Johnny fell over laughing.
    “That was a good idea.” Johnny snorted.
    “Yeah, good.” Keata held his side as he laughed.
    Storm came back in and stood there glaring at them. Keata rolled over and laughed harder. Johnny laughing so much, he was crying.
    He needed a good laugh after what he witnessed this morning. It was enough to make him never want to leave the house again. Since Keata knew he couldn’t live his life as a hermit, he dealt with it in his 74
    Lynn Hagen
    own way.

    * * * *
    Cody led Keata through the emergency room, asking to see Frank.
    The nurse led him to one of the rooms in the back.
    He pushed the door open, seeing Frank lying on a bed, bandages covering him. “How ya feeling, Frank?”
    “Like roadkill.” He chuckled.
    Keata walked over to the bed, but Cody pulled him back. “No, Keata. Man hurt.”
    Frank looked down at Keata. “He’s beautiful.”
    “He’s mine.” Cody pulled Keata to his chest, a low growl vibrating from him.
    Frank threw his hands up. “No harm meant, just complimenting your man.”
    “You gay?” Cody questioned him.
    “No, but my brother is. I have no problem with gay people.” Frank smiled warmly down at Keata.
    “No problem.” Keata grinned.
    Frank began to speak to Keata in Japanese. Keata and Cody’s eyes widened.
    “My grandmother was from Japan and insisted I learn the language of my ancestors.” Frank patted Keata on the back of his hand.
    Cody growled again, and Keata tapped his chest. “Behave, mate.” Cody’s eyes softened on Keata.
    “So what are you?” Frank asked.
    “I think you already know the answer to that question.”
    “Yeah, okay. So what’s this mate thing your boyfriend is talking about?” Frank asked.
    “You know if I tell you and you betray—” Frank held his hand up. “I know you don’t know me, but I like our Keata’s Promise
    75
    little town. If the world found out about you…well, military and reporters everywhere.” Frank shuddered. “No thanks.”
    “Well, it’s about the same as mating in the animal world. One mate for life, and since I’m two hundred and seventy-two years old, living to be a thousand, that’s a mighty long time to be alone.”
    “Holy shit!” Frank covered his mouth with his hand, looking at the door to make sure no one heard him. “You’re older than me.” Frank laughed.
    Keata started laughing, too. “Old man.” He snorted.
    “I’ll give you old.” Cody pulled Keata into his arms and kissed him. He turned back to Frank, “So why did those”—Cody turned back to look at the door—“ men attack you?”
    “Don’t know. I was honest when I said I was trying to get through the back door when they attacked, never seen them before.”
    “I’ll inform my Alpha that they’re attacking humans now.” Cody couldn’t figure out why the rogues would attack humans. What was there to gain? He knew rogues cared nothing for packs,