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Rendered ISBN #978-0-85715-720-1 ©Copyright Bailey Bradford 2011 Cover Art by Lyn Taylor ©Copyright October 2011 Edited by Claire Siemaszkiewicz Total-E-Bound Publishing This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing. Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution. The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork. Published in 2011 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Total-e-melting and a sexometer of 2.

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Southwestern Shifters

RENDERED Bailey Bradford

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Book four in the Southwestern Shifters Series Alex Morgan has a mission set for himself-get justice for his Alpha Anax and come back the big hero. The only problem there is that he can’t seem to track down Joshua Dobson, and he needs to, because Joshua needs to die. This was supposed to be a quick deal, but it’s been weeks and Alex is tired and missing his pack, and he can’t escape a few new truths he learns about himself. Before Alex decides to totally throw in the towel, he manages to find the man he’s been hunting, and his entire pack. Alex calls for reinforcements then finds he needs more than a few reinforcements of his own-against a man who has been abused most his life. A man who is Alex’s destined mate. A man Alex doesn’t think he should want, because he’s the brother of Joshua Dobson.

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Dedication To my editor and cover artist, thank you for all your hard work.

Trademarks Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmark mentioned in this work of fiction: Hummer: General Motors

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Prologue

What is it that makes people destined mates? Why can’t we have a say in the hand that’s dealt us? Alex Morgan wished to hell he’d had a choice. If that had been the case, he wouldn’t be hiding behind a thick green shrub, watching the man he loved with another. Or maybe I would. Alex watched Marcus Criswell, the Alpha Anax—leader of the North American packs, with the pretty red haired man on the cabin’s porch. Nathan. Alex had heard the redhead’s name, but hadn’t seen him before. He wished he wasn’t seeing Nathan now, although that thought made him feel petty and small. But Marcus had never shown the slightest interest in Alex, had never looked at him the way Marcus was looking at the other man, as if his entire universe was centred right there in the man’s wide eyes. Never looked at Alex with so much love when he’d ached to see it. The dull ache in his chest sharpened, growing barbed spikes that sent fiery bolts of pain into his spine. Every nerve vibrated with it until Alex thought he’d black out. Who knew emotional pain could be so much worse than physical pain? He shouldn’t be here, but as always, Alex had been drawn to Marcus. He’d wanted to see the man for himself, make sure he was okay. While he was certainly much thinner than he’d been, Marcus was clearly in no danger of dying from his months in captivity. In fact, with his more slender form and the shockingly long, beautiful blond hair, Marcus looked almost ethereal. Before, with his big muscled body and short close cropped hair, Marcus had been gorgeous. But now…now he was stunning, his cheekbones so finely etched they appeared blade-sharp. Gone was the goatee he used to wear as well, and his now-pale skin glowed—whether with health or happiness, Alex didn’t know for sure, but he suspected the latter. It made Alex feel like the interloper he was, hiding from the other members of his pack, afraid to let anyone see him—certain he wore his broken heart on his arm. Right below his shame, which burned like a brand through his thick fur. He’d been such a fool, falling for Marcus, and whether it was true or not, he felt as if everyone knew about his unrequited love. www.total-e-bound.com

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Alex’s paws dug into the soft earth, the yearning for Marcus quickly converting to selfloathing at having failed the man. Even if Marcus had ever been interested in Alex, he wouldn’t be now, not after the way Alex had let Marcus be abducted and held captive for six months. It was the ultimate failure for someone who was the captain of the Alpha Anax’s guard. Former captain, Alex reminded himself. Marcus bent his head; the smaller man stood on his toes. Alex crawled backwards, his heart aching as the two men kissed tenderly. Marcus’ hands looked so big, so strong, so capable as they stroked down Nathan’s back before teasing the tip of his long braid. Oh, it hurt through to Alex’s bones, watching the two of them! So why was he? Alex huffed softly, strangling the whine that wanted to work its way out of his muzzle. Hadn’t he already decided he couldn’t stay here any longer, couldn’t bear to see Marcus and his destined mate together? Marcus would be told of Alex’s admission of unrequited love, by Aidan, Marcus’ brother most likely, since he was whom Alex blurted out his unrequited love for Marcus to. Having Marcus know about it would be a humiliation to compound all others, and too much for Alex to cope with. He couldn’t stay, yet he loved the Alpha Anax. And he’d failed him. He’d let Marcus be taken by a vengeful shifter Alex knew intimately. It was too much, a burden of shame that was crushing him. He couldn’t stay, couldn’t look into Marcus’ dark eyes and see the loathing there. There’d be no tender looks for Alex, no soft words of forgiveness. He didn’t deserve them anyway, should they ever by some miracle be spoken. All Alex could hope for now was to redeem himself, at least a little, by bringing Marcus’ abductor to justice, as well as whatever members of the traitor’s pack he could find. Alex gave the mated pair one last look, envy melting to shame as he did so, then he turned and breaking his oath to never abandon his Alpha, Alex ran.

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Chapter One

Having spent most his life up north in or around Ohio, Alex wasn’t prepared for the gruelling heat of the Southwest in July—specifically not here in Whereverthefuck Arizona. He vaguely recalled overhearing some joke about it being a ‘dry heat’. Like that made any difference. It was so hot he wouldn’t have been surprised to find himself cooked from the inside out, and he was so thirsty he wanted to howl with it. Still, he had to admit there were some beautiful places in Arizona. So far, he thought this right here might be his favourite. The red rock cliffs were stunning, majestical to him in whichever form he was in. Manzanita and juniper dotted the landscape, and cactus, of course. The fact that a stream ran through a good stretch of this area meant there was a bit more diversity in plants, and all in all, Alex found it wholly entrancing—except for the fact he suspected Joshua Dobson and his pack were hiding out somewhere relatively close. At least within a hundred mile radius, Alex hoped, because fuck, he was tired in every way possible, and more than a little lonely. It was past time for justice to be rendered, either by Alex or Marcus, should Dobson or any of his pack turn themselves in. Maybe he’d have been finished already if Dobson’s pack had truly disbanded. That was a bit of misinformation given to Alison, Alex’s sister and now captain of the guard in Alex’s stead, by the now deceased Stewart Combs—former member of Dobson’s pack—and it threw a wrench in Alex’s plans to hunt down each member. Stewart had been their only link to Joshua Dobson at the time, but the wretched asshole had managed to grab Alex’s gun and kill himself before doing anything more than lying to them about Dobson’s pack being disbanded. One or two shifters he could handle, but a pack was more than he could take on alone. He’d known it might come to this but hoped it wouldn’t. If members had split off, he could have single-handedly taken each one on—been the hero he wanted to be. But the pack had stayed together, and now that Alex was sure of where they were, he would have to do

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something he dreaded. He’d have to call for help. It wouldn’t be the same as being the one who brought down Dobson and his pack, but maybe he’d still find some redemption. After all, he’d managed to track them; even if they moved out overnight, which he doubted, they couldn’t get ahead of him much. He was so close he could almost taste the victory, and in truth, he longed to finish this so he could return to his pack—or find a new one. Surely he could swallow his pride and do what needed to be done. Marcus would send his guard; he’d want Dobson brought to justice, along with his pack. So I can’t take them out all by myself. Doesn’t mean I failed. Yet it felt that way to him, and Alex snorted at his own vanity. This shouldn’t be about him in the first place; it should be about defending his Alpha Anax, avenging him even. But he knew there was too much of a desire to prove himself, too much hurt driving him for this to be an altruistic act. Ever since he’d got the idea into his head, Alex had been able to think of little else. He’d lit out like his tail was on fire, albeit it was also tucked between his legs. Weeks alone had given him plenty of time to think about his actions, his own reasons for being where he was, doing what he was. Alex wasn’t proud of what he’d learned about himself, but that wasn’t an excuse to let Dobson get away. He sniffed the air, catching the familiar scents he’d followed for a while now. One in particular seemed imprinted on his mind, in his senses, though Alex couldn’t figure out why. Heavily drenched in fear, he couldn’t make out anything else about the scent—or he could, but it just didn’t make any sense and confused him until he wanted to howl. He just followed to the best of his abilities. Often that odour was also tinged with pain, and it caused a weird burning in Alex’s stomach, so he’d tried his best to avoid it. He didn’t need the distraction. After following what faint hints of Dobson’s trail he could find over the past several weeks, and losing it and running in what amounted to great big circles all too often, Alex knew he was finally be getting closer to the asshole. Do what you have to. Better to admit you can’t handle this on your own than to end up dead and let Dobson get away. Then you can go home. Alex had always loved being part of a pack, and leaving his had been the hardest thing he’d ever done. Maybe he shouldn’t have let shame and yeah, fear, drive him out, but he had. Although there’d also been a pressing need to prove himself, and he knew now that had been one of the main reasons for this hunt, he hadn’t been entirely selfish in his reasons

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for leaving. The fact was, he had screwed up. He hadn’t protected Marcus from Joshua Dobson before, but he’d damn well do it now, or as soon as he got his hands on—or sunk his teeth into—the shifter. He almost hoped it came down to him and Dobson, fighting to the death. Alex’s fury boiled hotter than the sun on his fur, and he growled low, his paws curling into the ground. This was going to end, soon. Tonight he’d head over to Sedona and find somewhere to sleep for the night. He’d discovered it was easy enough to do, sniff out someone lonely or just horny. It felt a bit like whoring himself out, but Alex told himself it wasn’t, not really. He left the men well satisfied, and in exchange, he got a couple of hot showers, sleep in a bed, and sometimes a decent meal or two. Tonight he’d need another favour from his soon-to-be lover. He’d need to make a call, one he both dreaded and anticipated in equal measures.

**** “He’s still following us, Alpha.” Sean Dobson cringed upon hearing the beta’s report. Ever since Joshua had found out Marcus Criswell had not only survived being abandoned in the cave in New Mexico, but that he’d resumed his position as Alpha Anax, he had been crueller than usual. “Unless there’s a miracle, he’ll find us.” The proclamation made Sean shiver. It wasn’t just the news that they were still being hunted that scared him. In truth, Sean wished they’d get caught. What he didn’t want, though, was to be his brother’s whipping boy again. One glance at Joshua’s scowl and Sean knew he was fucked. Joshua was furious, and he’d look to take that out on someone. Sean was the usual target of his brother’s temper. He huddled in the corner, cradling his arm that hadn’t fully healed from being broken the last time. It would have been healed completely, should have been, if Joshua didn’t stomp or kick it every chance he got. Sean was worried it’d never heal right, shifter abilities or not—but what did it matter, really? They’d all be dead soon, or imprisoned—and rightfully so—by Alpha Anax Criswell. Sean knew which of those two he’d prefer.

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“Do you know who the fucker is?” Joshua growled as he clenched his fists. Sean bit back a whimper and tried to curl his body over his arm while keeping an eye on the other two shifters. The beta’s lips twisted in a cruel grin as he glanced at Sean. Marshall was Joshua’s most trusted pack member, which was why he was the beta, but he made Sean’s skin crawl. He didn’t ever want to be left alone with him. There was something in his eyes when he looked at Sean, something hungry and angry and it scared Sean to his core. Marshall seemed to enjoy subtly prodding Joshua, stoking his temper and leaving Sean to suffer the consequences. The smirk on the jerk’s face told him Marshall was fixing to do that very same thing now. “Maybe,” Marshall drawled as he shifted his gaze to Joshua. “If you didn’t have…problems…detecting scents, you would be able to tell us who the fucker is who’s determined to track us down.” Joshua’s hands clenched as he straightened, thrusting his chest out. “Is there something you want to say Marshall?” Sean bit his bottom lip, waiting for Marshall to point out that all the cocaine Joshua snorted had done irreparable damage to his sense of smell. Normally shifters weren’t affected much by human drugs, but apparently, if consumed in great quantities, at least one of them did have an effect. Joshua must have snorted a gram or two of coke in the past few days. It’d made him meaner than usual, and it wasn’t just Sean who’d paid for that. There were several female members of the pack who had been forced to part their legs for their alpha. Joshua had decided he needed to procreate, spread as much of his seed as possible, and it didn’t matter to him if the women were willing or not. In fact, Sean was pretty sure his brother preferred them to fight. It hadn’t been the first time Joshua had raped members of his pack. Sean often wondered why the women stayed, then he thought of his own situation and felt utterly hopeless for all of Joshua’s victims. The women were likely as terrified as he was, and rightly so. Joshua wouldn’t blink over killing any of them if they tried to leave. There’d only been one successful defector, Stewart Combs. Stewart had split from Joshua’s pack some time back, for reasons known only to himself. Sean wondered what happened to the man. Stewart had been an ass, never

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missing an opportunity to make Sean’s life even more hellish, but still, he hoped the shifter was alive and maybe even helping the Alpha Anax locate Joshua. But when Joshua turned to face him, Sean knew it wouldn’t matter even if that was the case. As furious as Joshua was, Sean probably wouldn’t live long enough to see his brother pay for his sins.

**** It was easier, Alex had discovered, to ‘borrow’ clothes from a clothesline if he was in wolf form. ‘Borrow’, because he always returned them, stripping and shifting into his wolf and dragging the clothes close to where he’d got them from. Alex knew each address he’d done it from, and once this was over, he’d reimburse the owner of the clothes for their use— probably with cash in the mail. That was the only thing he could think of to settle his conscience even though he always brought the clothing back. As a wolf, he could drop low to the ground, and his grey fur was less noticeable than bare skin. The hardest part was finding clothes out on a line, as well as ones that would fit him. Alex was desperate now, as the sun began to set. He knew he’d be lucky to find anything, and if he didn’t, he wasn’t quite sure what he’d do. Break into someone’s home while they were gone? The idea gave him the willies. Even reimbursing someone for the clothes wouldn’t undo the sense of violation they’d surely feel. No, he couldn’t do that. Better to spend another night in this form if it came down to it. The thing that would really suck would be not being able to call his sister. Alison, now captain of Alpha Anax Criswell’s guard, should be alerted to the fact that Alex would be fulfilling his promise very soon. Alex snuffled as he thought about that. It puzzled him that he’d got this far, been alone this long. He’d been certain the Alpha Anax would have his guards out, hunting for Dobson just like Alex was, yet he’d never seen nor caught scent of anyone following him. When he tried to parse out what that meant, he trembled every time as hope tried to bloom. Alex ruthlessly stomped it down. He’d be a fool to speculate that maybe Marcus trusted him enough still to give him this chance to prove himself. More likely the Alpha Anax had some brilliant plan in mind. For all he knew, Marcus’ guards could have already swooped in

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for the capture or kill. As angry as the thought made Alex, he couldn’t very well blame the Alpha Anax if that was what happened. He was leader of all North American shifters, after all, and Alex had already fucked up colossally, hadn’t he? Enough thinking about it. Time to figure out what I’m doing tonight. He crept around trees, eyeing the sparse dwellings as he padded along. His nose twitched. There was the familiar scent Alex had been hoping for—the almost flowery aroma of laundry soap. He spotted a long line sagging with clothes and crept closer, senses alert for humans or any other predators. Once he assured himself it was safe, Alex leapt the fence and crawled over to peruse the offerings. Settling on a pair of cargo shorts and a T-shirt that looked close enough to his size, Alex quickly plucked them from the clothesline. Getting back over the fence was tricky and he nearly ripped the shirt, but he made it back to the safety of the trees. Shifting into human form only took a matter of seconds, then Alex got dressed. The shorts were baggy and the shirt tight—he couldn’t help but snicker when he tried to imagine them fitting properly on one man—but they’d do. His bare feet could be a problem, but he’d found if he could manage to slip inside a club and not cringe too badly over what he might be stepping in, most potential tricks just assumed he’d kicked off his shoes to dance. Dancing was something Alex had quickly taken to. The bump and grind of male bodies, the scent of sweat and cum and sex redolent in the air—all of it combined to make him rather light-headed. He really hadn’t had too much to do with humans before this adventure began, and sex hadn’t been anywhere near as common as he’d have wished. Suddenly finding himself surrounded by it, and willing partners, was like a fantasy brought to life. Alex would miss it when he returned to his pack, or joined another pack. He still wasn’t sure how that would pan out. All he did know was, he wasn’t meant to be a lone wolf. Not at all.

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Chapter Two

Morning sunlight streamed across Alex’s face, but that wasn’t what woke him. A warm, wet mouth sucking his dick down to the hilt had his eyes popping open as he gasped. He shoved his hands under the sheet, burying them in silky strands of dark brown hair that felt cool on his skin. “Jesus, Harley!” he groaned, rocking his hips up to get that little bit deeper. A chuckle vibrated along his length, sending tingles to his balls as they drew up tight. Hands squeezed his quivering thighs as Harley’s throat muscles constricted around his cock. “Jesus!” Alex shouted, although it sounded more like a gurgle than anything else. Pleasure flooded him, heating his blood as it surged through his veins. Harley pulled back and sucked hard on the head, his tongue teasing the bundle of nerves under the rim, and Alex shouted again, nothing but sound and ecstasy as he poured spunk into Harley’s mouth. Harley suckled him until Alex had to pull away, his dick too sensitive to be touched. He tugged on Harley’s hair and the cute brunet scrambled up his body, his pretty dick bobbing and smearing pre-cum over Alex’s stomach, then his chest as he encourage the man to keep moving. “Good morning, stud,” Harley purred. Alex grinned up at the man, liking the way his brown eyes sparkled. Then he opened wide and sucked as much of Harley’s dick down as he could in the position he was in. “Oh my god!” Harley vibrated above him, his fair skin pebbled with goose bumps, his coppery nipples hard little peaks. Alex reached for them, pinching lightly as he’d learned was Harley’s preference. The man squealed in a way Alex found oddly charming, then Harley’s hips surged forward, filling Alex’s mouth and throat with rock hard dick. “Yes,” Harley hissed. “Take it, just like that, stud!” Alex didn’t particularly care for the stud part, but Harley was an enthusiastic fuck, and fun to be with even when they weren’t fucking. The problem was, he’d been so enthusiastic last night—and into the early morning hours—that Alex had been lucky to shower and shave. He’d passed out, sure he’d be drained

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of cum for days, and hadn’t made the phone call to his sister. Harley had said he could use his cell, but then he’d pounced on Alex—literally pounced—and shortly thereafter Alex had his dick buried in the man’s tight little ass. Now, as much as he was enjoying listening to Harley babble—except for that stud crap—Alex really needed to speed this along. To that end, he increased the suction and tongue play while reaching between Harley’s spread thighs. As soon as he felt that Harley’s ass hole was still lubed, Alex shoved two fingers in deep. Despite liking his nipples babied, Harley liked his ass pummelled to the point Alex had worried about hurting him. Two fingers inserted without any stretching first was nothing for Harley, nothing bad, anyway since the man slammed his ass back, demanding more as he moaned lustily. Alex obliged, more careful with the third regardless of Harley’s begging. As soon as he had the third digit in, he licked over the wide dripping slit of Harley’s cock, then stiffened his tongue and delved into it. Harley screamed, a window rattling, ear ache inducing racket as he came, jerking so hard his cock slipped from Alex’s mouth and shot cum onto his cheek. Alex turned his head; he didn’t like that, wearing another man’s jizz on his face. Maybe it’d be okay with someone he was with in a relationship, but it was far too territorial for him or his wolf to tolerate from a one night stand. The rest of Harley’s cum splattered the pillow, a little dribbled on Alex’s neck, which made him growl. It was too much, and he wasn’t as gentle as he’d have been if his wolf hadn’t been clawing to get out. He pulled his fingers off and pushed Harley aside. The brunet landed with a laugh, unfazed by Alex’s pique. He looked at Alex with a satiated look in his eyes and waved a hand in front of him, flopping it back and forth. “Jeez, you’re something, stud. Any time you feel like dropping in, feel free. I’m glad I took a chance on you last night. Usually I just don’t do anything this impulsive.” Alex’s temper eased as he glanced at the man. Harley looked almost delicate next to him. His much shorter stature and thin build would surely make him an easy target for someone determined to hurt him. “You shouldn’t, you know. Pick up guys like me, or any guy, period. You don’t know who you’re bringing home, or if they’ll come back with something…bad in mind.”

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Harley laughed and slapped at Alex’s thigh. “Right, way to kill the after-glow. Like anyone would bother coming back—I bet you don’t,” he said as he peered at Alex. “And why would someone hurt me if I was going to put out anyway? What, like they’d want to rob me? There’s nothing worth taking here.” Alex opened up his mouth to try to explain that sometimes people were cruel just for the sake of being cruel, but snapped his mouth shut when Harley bounded from the bed, his pert ass wiggling as he hurried to the dresser. “You said something about needing to make a phone call—here.” Harley turned and tossed a cell phone to Alex, who caught it easily even though it was a pretty shitty throw. Harley grinned and gave him a thumbs up. “Awesome reflexes! I’m gonna shower then fix us something to eat, and coffee.” He closed his eyes and sighed. “God, yeah, coffee…” Alex watched his butt until Harley closed the bathroom door, then, with nothing else to distract him, he dialled his sister’s number, tension tightening his stomach. It rang once then Alison picked up immediately. Of course she would. “Who is this?” Alison demanded in a tone stern enough to have anyone’s spine snapping straight—anyone but Alex, who bristled instead. “Alex,” he bit off, irritated for no reason he could pinpoint. It wasn’t like she’d known who was calling, and anyway, he hadn’t expected a friendly greeting even if she had known. “You ass,” she hissed, her voice dropping to a bare whisper. “You could have called sooner! Do you know how worried I’ve been? And Mom has been beside herself—whatever that means. She’s been upset! How could you do that to her?” Alex cringed as guilt swamped him. He hadn’t contacted anyone because he’d wanted to be able to tell them he’d been successful in his self-ordered mission. He was a shit to have been so focused on his own wounded heart and pride. “And Marcus—Alpha Anax Criswell, I mean. He asks every day if I’ve heard from you. You know he hasn’t let anyone else go after Dobson? Do you?” “No,” Alex muttered as he closed his eyes and scrubbed at his forehead. “Do you know why that is?” Alison snapped, either uncaring now if anyone else heard or having moved away from anyone who could. “No, I—”

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Alison steamrolled right over him, as she’d always done. “Because he believes in you, you idiot. He is smart enough to know you weren’t at fault. He admits that he should have listened to you and taken some of his guards with him!” Alison’s voice had risen with each word until she shouted the last, “And he’s the Alpha Anax so if he says that’s the way it is, then that’s the way it is!” Alex had jerked the phone away from his ear while contemplating pressing the end button, but the rumble of a deep, sexy voice over the line had him pausing as, his hand shaking so badly he dropped the phone on the bed. “Alex.” That, just his name said in that voice, was enough to set Alex’s emotions spinning in a chaotic whirl. Guilt, shame, fear, anger, love—and yes, lust though it shamed him. Alex picked up the phone and tried not to stutter. “Alpha Anax Criswell, I—” Alex swallowed then rushed ahead as he heard Marcus inhale. “I think I’ve found Dobson. I’m sure, well as sure as I can be. And his pack wasn’t disbanded, Combs lied about that or maybe Dobson lied to him but there’s close to a dozen scents and one in particular that just smells like fear and pain and—” Alex’s mouth skidded to a halt, slamming the words still wanting out against the back of his teeth. And why did I mention that scent? “Alex, be quiet for a few minutes and let me get a word in, okay?” Marcus’s amusement came through loud and clear, but so did his sincerity. Alex pressed his lips together as his heart did its best to break out of his chest. “Now, I knew you’d find Dobson, and I knew you wouldn’t do anything rash like go out and kill him in cold blood. As to that scent…” Marcus’s voice went strangely tight, as if something pained him. “I only knew one shifter who smelt constantly like terror on legs. Sean Dobson, Joshua’s brother, and I don’t want a hair on Sean’s head harmed if he’s still with that pack. The rest, you give me the location and I’ll have the guard there to help you. If there’s a dozen or so of them, even you can’t take them on, although I have no doubt you’d try and cut through half of them at least. But it’d be best to wait, if you would.” Alex’s head spun as he tried to fit Marcus’ words into his own perceptions. It just wasn’t happening; he’d carried his guilt and all the other burdensome emotions, including his unrequited love for Marcus, for too long to just let them go. Instead he focused on the rest

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of what the Alpha Anax said, mainly the part that pertained, possibly, to that scent that had niggled at Alex’s brain. “Why, if I may ask, am I not to harm Sean Dobson? And why would he smell like someone scared to death all the time?” Alex had picked nothing else up in that one scent. Not a hint of soap or sweat or anything. It was odd, and troubling, and another thing Alex couldn’t deal with right now. “Sean Dobson, he’s approximately five-ten, strawberry blond hair—it was cut down almost to the scalp, last I saw. He’s very thin, and he’s his brother’s punching bag. He was also the only person in that whole pack who tried to help me, and he paid for it when Joshua caught him. I think that’s what shook Joshua up, that the brother he kept under his thumb dared to defy him. It probably made him paranoid he was going to be betrayed, and so Joshua took off.” Alex didn’t buy it. Sean had obviously stayed with his brother, had chosen to. There had to have been plenty of times he could have escaped. If he was with Joshua’s pack, that had to be because he wanted to be there. He closed his eyes and delved into the dark memories he tried to repress. Pulling up Joshua Dobson’s thin face, his long lanky build and the thick cock he used like a weapon, was no problem at all. Alex remembered those all too well. What Joshua had done to him when he’d still been a kid was something Alex was still trying to come to terms with—but he wasn’t doing it right this moment. He’d barely begun to acknowledge that Joshua had sexually assaulted him years ago; anything more was beyond his ability to cope with. He shoved those memories aside and tried to remember if he’d ever seen this Sean Dobson. No one came to mind. Joshua’s older brothers, now deceased, he could remember clearly, but not a boy with strawberry blond hair. Marcus continued after Alex remained silent. “Sean has light brown eyes, almost amber, actually. The last time I saw him, Joshua had just beat the shit out of him for sneaking me food. Sean’s arm—his left, he’s left handed—was broken, and I think Joshua stopped short of killing him. The kid was a mess, more bruised than not. It was…it was sickening, Alex. Sean didn’t even try to fight back, he just curled up and let Joshua beat him, like it was something he was used to. Probably, he was. Is. For that matter, I hope he’s still alive, that the scent you told me about was his.”

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Alex’s grunt wasn’t any kind of answer, but it was the best he could do. He still couldn’t understand why Sean would stay with his brother when Joshua abused him like that. He wondered if it’d been a twisted show for Marcus, although Alex couldn’t figure out what the point of it would have been. But regardless of his own suspicions, the Alpha Anax had handed him an order, and Alex wouldn’t harm Sean Dobson, if he could avoid it. “I won’t hurt him,” Alex said, then qualified it. “Unless he tries to hurt me, then—” “Then you just knock him out, Alex, nothing more. That should be easy enough, there’s not much to him other than big, scared eyes and skin and bones.” With Marcus’ order handed down, Alex could only agree. “Yes, Alpha Anax. I’ll just knock him out, and try not to break his jaw or worse when I do.” “Don’t just try to avoid it,” Marcus snapped. “Make sure you avoid it. I trust you, Alex. I know Alison told you, but I’m telling you now. You aren’t at fault for what happened to me. I ignored your advice, thinking I was invincible or some similarly stupid shit, and because of that, and Joshua Dobson’s hatred of me and desire for my position, I nearly died. None of that was your fault.” Alex didn’t argue, though he was tempted. His wolf would have had a fit if he didn’t submit to the stronger alpha, and Harley would probably walk out of the shower to find a snarling wolf on his bed. That’d go over like a ton of bricks. Besides, arguing might lead to Marcus bringing up other things, like Alex’s stupid confession about loving Marcus, which he’d all but shouted to Aidan and everyone else in earshot. Then Alex thought, for the first time and it stunned him that it hadn’t occurred to him before, that Marcus likely knew about Alex and Joshua Dobson’s disastrous—for both of them in their own ways—sexual experience years ago. Alex couldn’t get off the phone quick enough. He mumbled the basic directions for how to get to the park entrance outside of Sedona, then he ended the call politely—he hoped. Truth be told, he wasn’t sure what he’d said. He’d just needed to end that call. Shortly after, Alex heard Harley shut off the water. Now that he knew he needed to wait on Marcus’ guards to get here, he had a little time to spare—and he knew just how he wanted to spend that time.

****

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Pain was something Sean was used to, sometimes even to the point of excruciating agony, but whatever was dragging him up from his sleep was a totally new level of hell. His skin felt like it was on fire, stinging in dozens of places. He cracked open his eyes and shut them immediately when bright sunlight threatened to burn his corneas. “About time you woke up, you lazy little shit.” Sean’s muscles tensed upon hearing his brother’s mocking voice. Vague flashes of last night pooled in Sean’s mind before exploding in a vivid flash of pain-filled memories. The beating hadn’t been as bad as he’d expected, but it had still been horrible, too painful to bear at times. Every time Sean cried out, Joshua would laugh like it was just the greatest thing ever. Sean didn’t want to make Joshua laugh, and certainly not like that. And he’d tried so hard not to, knowing it would only feed Joshua’s frenzy, but there’d only been so much he could take before he’d started begging for mercy, or death. He’d been given neither. Now he could only wait and see what was putting that smug tone in Joshua’s voice. A hard slap to his bruised cheek set Sean’s ears to ringing and his head to pounding so vigorously he thought something in there had burst. “Open your eyes, little brother. I want you to see what I’ve got in store for you and a couple of the bitches.” At the mention of the women—Joshua never referred to them as anything other than bitches—Sean forced his eyes open. It was only then he realised there were sobs coming from his left side. He rolled his head, whimpering as pain shot up his neck. Even his blurry vision couldn’t blot out the horrible sight he found. Two of the women, Rosemary and Michelle, were beside him several feet away. He ignored his own pain, the blossoming stings spreading over his body, and gaped in horror. Both women were nude, bruised, and tied, ankles and wrists, to stakes in the ground. A sinking sensation pulled at his gut before it crystalized and shattered into a thousand shards of terror. He craned his neck enough to see that his left arm was extended, his wrist tightly bound to a stake. He tried to wiggle his fingers but couldn’t even feel them, hadn’t known there was a rope around his wrist until—

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Sean jerked his head around so fast he gagged as nausea rippled up from his stomach. Fighting it down, sure he’d be left to choke on his own vomit, he saw that his other wrist was likewise tied. Then it occurred to him that the women were naked, and he… “No,” he whispered, his split lips cracking and rolling coppery liquid into his mouth. “Joshua—” Joshua laughed and kicked Sean in the ribs, hard enough to make him black out for a few seconds, or possibly longer. He couldn’t tell. “Figured it out yet? Can you feel the ants crawling on you? Are they stinging? I heard these red ones were really painful, and pretty soon they’ll be all over you, even though I didn’t put you right on their bed. They’ll keep finding their way to you. Imagine how loud you’ll scream then. Wish I was going to be around to hear it, but—well maybe I will, hear it I mean. I bet sound carries really good out here.” Sean had wanted to die many times over the years, but now that he was faced with the reality of an extended and excruciating death, he wasn’t so eager for it. Something quick, a bullet that splattered his brains all over, or a knife through the heart, even having his throat ripped out—those were ways he’d envisioned dying. Not like this, naked and humiliated and—and he needed to stop thinking about his own life and worry about the two women out here with him. Sean turned his head again and looked at them both, at their thin bodies stretched out like a vulgar offering to the sun and whatever creature was to come along. “Why?” he scraped out, aching for Rosemary and Michelle. “Why them?” He wanted to say more, defend the women. They’d never done anything that Sean could think of, certainly nothing to deserve this. “Bitches didn’t take when I bred them,” Joshua said scornfully. “Wonder if the scent of them bleeding will draw buzzards? That’d suck, to get ate alive by those ugly fuckers, but it’s not my problem.” Rosemary and Michelle’s sobs turned to whimpers that shredded Sean’s heart. He swore he’d find a way to help them, if he could, if he didn’t die here with ants pinching away at his flesh. The nasty things were incredibly painful, but Sean had been hurt worse too many times before to so much as flinch—and he wouldn’t give Joshua the satisfaction of seeing him flinch.

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He realised, with a wash of humiliation, that while he’d been prepared to die, he’d never been prepared to have his brother abandon him. As much as Sean hated Joshua, as much as he feared him, he also loved his brother in a twisted way. Joshua had controlled him with fists and belts and anything else he could use as a weapon for so long, but Sean couldn’t imagine not being with him. He knew Joshua hated him, had ever since Sean could remember, and he never knew why, but Joshua had never left him behind, had, in his sadistic way, taken care of Sean, providing him with enough food to survive on for the most part, and a pack to belong to. It shouldn’t have mattered since Sean was sure he was going to die, but it did. He’d thought to die directly by Joshua’s hand in some manner, not indirectly like this, and the terror he felt was stronger than any he’d ever experienced before. Sean sought Joshua’s eyes with his own and tried to keep his tears at bay. “J-Joshua, pplease…” Don’t do this, don’t leave me here, don’t leave them here. Joshua turned his back and started walking away. “If y’all are lucky, maybe the fucker who has been chasing us will find y’all and kill you quick. Or maybe he’ll sit back and watch the show. Either way, y’all ought to be a good distraction.” He stopped, then turned a quarter way around, giving Sean a look he couldn’t begin to interpret. “If it’s who I think it is chasing after me, you’ll really throw him for a loop, dead or alive.” Joshua laughed, that hateful sound that always made Sean’s stomach twist. “I thought I’d be able to keep you from him forever, and maybe I will if he isn’t quick enough.” Joshua walked back to him as Sean struggled to make sense of his brother’s words. He couldn’t. Obviously he’d taken too many blows to the head. “You just remember, little brother, who you belong to—me, no matter what anyone else says. If you survive this, and if the shifter on my trail doesn’t gut you outright for being my brother—if that fucker Criswell doesn’t execute you… Well, you can bet I’ll come back for you. You belong to me.” Panic clawed at Sean’s insides, trying to rip its way out. “Then w-why leave me?” Joshua’s mouth kicked up on one side as he landed a kick to Sean’s hip. “Because I’m thinking as much as I’ve enjoyed keeping you away from him, handing you over now is the best chance of surviving I have. It’s a me or you situation, and why the hell shouldn’t I be the one to live? I’m going to kill Criswell and lead the shifters the way they should be led. None

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of this compassion and tolerance bullshit. I imagine my whip will wear out in no time once I’m Alpha Anax. And you? You’re a worthless coward, good for nothing but hitting.” He shrugged and glanced up. “Think those are buzzards?” The drugs must have fried Joshua’s brain, he’s making even less sense than usual! Sean wanted to ask more questions, see if he could convince his brother to free at least the women, but Joshua slapped him again, a warning to shut up, then he turned and started towards the rest of the pack. Sean closed his eyes and let the tears leak from the outer corners. He couldn’t stand to watch the only family he had abandon him.

**** Alex figured he wasn’t disobeying a direct order if he returned to the cliff he’d stood on yesterday and waited for the guards’ arrival. Marcus had said it’d be best for Alex not to confront Dobson’s pack alone. He wasn’t going after Dobson—either of them. He was simply scoping the area out. Plus, he was pretty sure Harley was trying to kill him through sex. Alex had never known a human who had been so horny. Jesus, his dick was actually raw from all the fucking! But Harley seemed to be a good person, if rather naïve. Alex hoped nothing bad happened to the man if he insisted on bringing home tricks. After leaving the borrowed clothes piled up by the fence, Alex loped along, enjoying the scents of nature—oaks, pines, juniper and other plants, as well as the skittering wildlife that ran from the approaching wolf. He tried not to worry about what would happen later. The worst fear he had was that Dobson—Joshua, anyway—would escape. Just the thought of it had Alex increasing his speed, his long legs covering the ground as the scenery blurred around him. By the time he reached the end of the forest, his paws slapping against the red earth, Alex was strung tight with fear of failure. He bolted up the tricky slope, sliding precariously when he hit a patch of loose rocks. Growling and digging his claws in, he pulled himself up, determined not to fuck up his chance to prove—to himself if no one else—that he wasn’t a complete waste of DNA.

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Once he made it to the top of the cliff, Alex sat for a moment and inhaled gulping breaths. His lungs burned, his muscles, too, then something caught his attention. It was faint, but as he sniffed again, a shiver of excitement went through him. That familiar odour, the one he tried to ignore, lingered in the air, along with two others. Females, every bit as scared as the male. Alex could smell Joshua Dobson, had recognised the man’s scent early on as it was seared into his memories. Every time he’d caught wind of it since he’d begun tracking the man, it was entangled with that fear tinged aroma, masking most everything else of what might have been Sean Dobson’s scent. Alex dropped to his belly and crept closer to the ledge, his keen eyes searching out the source of the smell. He could see nothing below him, nothing of other shifters, that is. The stream split the land and provided a colourful green oasis amongst the red sand and hills, but a flash of movement in the sky drew his attention. Buzzards…what—Alex’s thoughts collided like cars from a derailed train, smashing end on end as he leapt to his feet. Buzzards, fear, blood, that scent, those scents, that weren’t moving away—Alex turned around and ran towards the scent, driven by an instinct he couldn’t deny. The guards would have to catch up when they could.

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Chapter Three

Sean had long since stopped being able to hear the women’s cries. Ants had stung him everywhere and his ears were no doubt swollen shut, much as his eyes were. He’d screamed until his throat was raw, then coughed and gagged as ants had climbed into his mouth. The awful things had stung him repeatedly when he’d closed his mouth and chewed, and they tasted horrible, but the idea of them crawling down his throat had been worse than anything else he could think of. His neck was past sore from shaking his head. Soon he wouldn’t even have the strength to do that, and then the ants would crawl wherever they could and he couldn’t think about that, not when he knew it was inevitable. If he could just shift—but he couldn’t any more than Rosemary or Michelle could. Stretched out like this, it was impossible for the bones, tendons and muscles to contort and bend as they needed to in order to free their wolves. Sean’s wolf had gone oddly quiet moments ago. It scared him horribly and made him feel even more alone. Was this how it happened? Would his wolf die first, abandon the human body that was failing minute by minute? Would he die utterly alone, despite the women beside him? He couldn’t hear them, see them, scent them, not anymore, but they were there. Weren’t they? Or had they somehow managed to free themselves, and they, too had left him alone? Sean couldn’t find it in him to care. He hoped they did escape, even if that left him by himself. They didn’t deserve what Joshua had done to them, none of it, from the physical abuse, the rapes, the mind games and verbal attacks, and certainly not this, being staked to the ground, waiting to see what killed them first. The sun was surely sucking away every bit of liquid in his body. Probably if anyone ever found it and cared to check, they’d find red sand in his veins. Maybe that’s how this whole place got that red colour to it. Spilled blood, from Indians and cowboys and everyone in between, their blood had soaked through the ground, through the rocks and coated it,

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stained it red. Sean let his thoughts ramble on, dimly aware they were off in a way he should have been concerned about. It was hard to give a shit, considering. He shook his head hard enough to make sparks ignite behind his closed lids, then Sean let himself slip further away from reality.

**** Alex had to slow down even though everything inside him was screaming at him to runrunrun! He couldn’t risk barrelling into an ambush, and would rather die than need to be rescued by his sister or any of the rest of the guard. As much as his wolf fought him over it, Alex crept closer to where he could see the buzzards in the sky. His stomach turned inside out, tried it’s best to hop right up his throat when he saw the three figures on the ground. Slinking closer, he tested the air. The scents of Joshua Dobson and most of his pack was faint, so they were likely several miles away now, but that wasn’t what made Alex freeze in place. It was that other, familiar scent, the one that had been up until then, tangled with Joshua’s, or muffled by it, to be exact. Alex could smell it now, and he whimpered, stunned then furious. He tried to ignore the way his insides warmed and tingled, the way his cock filled and pushed out of its sheath. No! Not him! Not that man, not ever! How could the Fates do this to him—why would they do this to him? Even if by some miracle Sean Dobson was innocent of Joshua’s cowardly attempt to dethrone Marcus Criswell, he was still a fucking Dobson and Alex wanted no part of any of them, unless it involved sinking his teeth into their jugulars. Except, even as he thought that, the bite turned to something else, something wicked and hot, a possession and marking of the sweet flesh of his mate. And it would be sweet, the attraction between them would assure it. Alex wouldn’t find anyone else who’d ever compare to his mate—and that was exactly what Sean Dobson was to him, his destined mate. I’ll find some way to fight it, to break the hold mates have over each other. Or I’ll fucking throw myself off a damn cliff. It didn’t occur to him to harm Sean; even an unwanted, traitorous mate was still more important than his own life. Alex hated it that he couldn’t do anything to change it, couldn’t shove these feelings out of himself and piss on them where they landed.

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He didn’t want Sean Dobson, and knew his wolf, his body, was going to fight him on it—and he likely wouldn’t be able to hold out for long. Death would be better, more honourable, at least. Alex snarled, his wolf was clearly pissed at that idea, but the human in him wouldn’t give on the matter. Alex didn’t want a Dobson for his mate. Death before dishonour and all that. The saying certainly fit in this case. A whimper slapped him out of his brooding. One of the women made the sound again, then she screamed and set every hair on Alex’s body on end. The agony in her voice shattered his anger, replacing it with a wellspring of sympathy as he charged forward and saw what he hadn’t before. Ants, big, red ones, were scrambling all over the first woman, and likely the other two forms staked out past her. Alex shifted quickly, his hands changing from paws even as he reached for the knots or the rope binding the woman’s wrists to the stake. As his hand brushed against her forearm, she opened her eyes. The pale blue irises nearly vanished as her pupils dilated. The scent of fear nearly overwhelmed him, and she opened her mouth and screamed, that same ear-drum splitting scream from moments ago. “Shh, let me help you,” Alex rasped, unable to hate the poor woman just because she was a member of Dobson’s pack. There were too many odours assaulting his sense, and one of them in particular was threatening to make his hands shake. The need to get to his mate pounded through his veins. Alex snarled as he worked the knot, then found his gaze reluctantly lifting, sliding over the second woman who appeared to be unconscious, further past to the thin man several feet from her. Closer to the ant bed, because he was nearly covered with the things. Bruises marred his skin; his left arm was slightly crooked, like it was swollen or something, maybe recovering from a bad break right about the centre of the guy’s forearm. His features were distorted, bloated, from being bitten or stung, both maybe as there were so many ants. There were so many on the man. It dawned on Alex that that was because he’d been placed nearest to the ant bed. Alex had no more control of himself. It was as if he was suddenly possessed. He snapped the rope in half then leapt over the first woman to free the next. In seconds he was moving again, kneeling at his mate’s side. Desperately he swiped at the man’s skin, knocking

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off ants only to have to repeat the gesture again and again. Sean’s body was covered with bites and red stinging demons. How much can a shifter take, how much poison is in each sting, how many stings has he suffered? How badly has he been hurt before being left here to die? The questions spun around in Alex’s head as he battled the ants with one hand. The fact that the man hadn’t moved, hadn’t made a sound terrified him even as he acknowledged his death would solve the problem of how to get rid of an unwanted mate. Still, Alex worked, one hand going to the rope at Sean’s left wrist, the other always swiping, moving, ignoring the painful bites. How has the man stood it? Alex couldn’t imagine what he’d suffered, the fear and agony that he must have felt. The rope loosened and Alex stopped fighting the ants long enough to gently free the shifter’s hand. The break in the arm looked bad; maybe it would heal if…if Sean survived. His heart ached at the thought Sean might not make it, and Alex, angry with himself and emotions and the goddamned Fates, reached over for the rope that bound the other wrist. By the time he’d worked all Sean’s limbs free, Alex was covered with a fair amount of bites himself. He ignored them and knocked more ants off the shifter then slid his arms under his battered body. If he wasn’t as gentle as he could have been, it was only because he was trying to hurry and get Sean away from the ants. The barest growth of strawberry blond hair on the man’s head, which Alex had failed to notice in his frantic attempt to save Sean, confirmed in his mind just who he was holding. So yeah, fuck it all, his mate was Joshua Dobson’s brother. But, if Sean survived this, he probably wouldn’t want Alex any more than Alex wanted him. After all, not many guys would be happy to discover their mate had been fucked by their brother. Alex carried Sean over to an area shaded by a rocky overhang several feet above their heads and tried to get the rest of the ants off him. He cringed, his own balls and cock shrivelling as he worked the nasty fuckers out of those crevices. Sean was swollen there, as well as just about everywhere else. Once Alex thought he’d got all the ants off, he picked Sean up and moved him to another shady patch. After laying him down, Alex lowered his head and pressed his ear to Sean’s chest. His heartbeat sounded slow and faint, which said a lot considering a shifter’s enhanced hearing. Alex sat back on his heels and couldn’t resist placing his hand where his head had been.

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Despite his conflicting emotions, he didn’t want Sean to die. He could tell himself it was because he wanted information on Joshua, because he wanted to see Sean punished, but none of it rang true. This man was his mate, and that alone was enough reason for Alex to want him to live. There was a mental link between mates, one Alex would have shied away from if the situation hadn’t been so dire. As it was, his wolf and man agreed that now was the time to try to utilise that link. Pressing his hand to Sean’s chest, Alex closed his eyes and shoved through his own prejudices against Sean. “Live, Sean. Fight. Don’t let Joshua win this time.” Alex wanted to say more, wanted not to ever use this fucking link again, and wanted to tear Joshua Dobson apart, limb from limb. Instead he lifted his hand and stood, then turned and went to work getting the two women moved into another small patch of shade.

**** “Live, Sean. Fight. Don’t let Joshua win this time.” The words speared through the happy place Sean’s mind had retreated to, one he’d discovered when he was a boy being beaten by his brother. Sean could go there, lose himself from reality in his mind and be unreachable— and yet, those words penetrated his alternate reality like a cannonball shattering a window pane. “I don’t want to. Just leave me alone and let me go.” Sean didn’t know why he was arguing with a voice in his head, but he wanted it to stay the fuck out of there and let him get back to that place where he didn’t hurt any more. He couldn’t bear the agony that seared every nerve in his body, couldn’t stand the even worse pain of knowing his brother had done this to him. The worst was being abandoned, left for the hunter— The hunter! Sean tried topen his eyes without success. His mind raced with possibilities—maybe he was hallucinating, maybe he hadn’t really heard that voice, maybe it was all just the worst nightmare in the world! Maybe— “No. Stop. This is real, I’m real, and you should know what it means to hear me like this!” But Sean didn’t, couldn’t think past his panic and pain. Not being able to open his eyes or hear, having to struggle for each breath to get past his swollen throat, none of those were conducive to rational thought. When there was nothing else from the voice in his head, Sean

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didn’t reply. There’d been enough force in that statement that Sean wouldn’t dare argue back. Joshua had beaten the backbone right out of him, and Sean knew it, accepted it. He let his mind drift and forgot about the weird occurrence as the pain ceased to exist in his alternate world.

**** Adrenalin and the need to tend his mate made freeing the two women easier than it would have been under other circumstances. Alex noted both females were in menses and wondered if Joshua had used them to add more confusion to the scents. It had nearly overpowered Alex at first, the strong metallic odour carrying heavily in the air. But it didn’t matter why Dobson had done it, only that he had, showing his twisted sadistic psyche with the act. Assured the women would survive as they had neither the bruising nor number of ant bites Sean had, Alex left them propped in the shade, their backs resting against the hard rock. He should have done the same with Sean, in case he’d had trouble breathing or something. Alex reached out with their link and a surge of panic made his knees weak when he couldn’t feel his mate. He hadn’t exactly felt him when he’d used the link the first time, had just assumed the man would hear, but now… Alex was at Sean’s side in seconds, running his hands all over that bruised body before finally settling one over Sean’s heart and the other over his parted lips. He pressed harder on Sean’s chest when at first he didn’t feel anything, but then, just there, the slight thumpthump of Sean’s heart and the light puff of shaky breath let Alex know he hadn’t died. Now that he’d freed the women, Alex took several minutes to look at his mate. He couldn’t make out much of Sean’s features, nor the true build of his body, although he looked as if he was barely fed enough to keep him alive. Every inch of Sean’s skin was bright red or bruised; the sun had cooked his exposed skin until it burned under Alex’s palms. Carefully, he raised Sean’s torso and peered over his shoulder. Bruises and bites covered Sean’s back, but that wasn’t the worst of it. What caused the moan to slip past Alex’s lips were the numerous silvery scars that striped Sean’s back in a cross-hatch pattern.

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Only one thing he knew of left scars on a shifter, and that was datura, a plant that was toxic to them. How Sean had the stuff applied in such symmetrical patterns confused Alex until he realised the marks looked like those left by a whip. Alex and his family had been a part of the same pack as the Dobson’s up until Marcus had taken over. Alex remembered well seeing Randall Dobson, Sean and Joshua’s father—who’d also been the Alpha Anax at the time—having his older son apply the whip to almost anyone who fell into Randall’s disfavour. A severe beating would cut through skin and muscles, clear to the bone. It was a horrible sight to see, but shifters healed—unless, as he suspected, Joshua applied datura over the wounds, scarring Sean’s skin permanently. Rage like no other he’d ever experienced blinded Alex as he thought of the pain Sean had suffered, the humiliation of being scarred when shifters didn’t do so otherwise. Alex might not want the man to be his mate, but the instincts that were an integral part of him railed against Sean experiencing such abuse. His howl rent the air as he held Sean to his chest.

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Chapter Four

“What the hell, Alex?” Alex pried open his eyes as he closed his mouth. Alison stood a dozen feet away, the rest of her guards behind her, all of them looking at him like he was crazy. “Are you trying to alert Dobson to our presence? What the fuck are you—” Alison stopped, her attention shifting to the man in Alex’s arms. “Is that Sean Dobson? Is he dead? Tell me he’s not dead! Marcus will have all our heads!” She ran over and squatted beside Alex, resting a hand on his shoulder as she leant closer to Sean. “My God, what did Joshua do to him?” Alex couldn’t seem to get his tongue to work as his heart pinched painfully in his chest. Alison reached out and pressed Sean’s bottom lip down, opening his mouth a little more. “His tongue is swollen, and what’s—” “Ants,” Alex finally managed to grit out. “He and the two women were staked to the ground by the ant bed over there.” Alison sucked in a loud breath and stroked Sean’s cheek with a tenderness that both shocked Alex and pissed him off. “Poor guy. The women, too—Lex! You and Val check the women! The rest of you find Joshua Dobson’s scent!” Alison never looked away from Sean while she yelled the orders out, and Alex was on the verge of telling her to back off when she nodded once then glanced at him. “He’s breathing, barely.” Alex’s hold tightened briefly before it occurred to him he might be hurting his mate. The conflicting emotions inside him had settled to a silent bickering for now. All he wanted to do was make sure Sean would be all right and find a way to ease his pain. “You look tired,” Alison said. “And you smell like sex. And human.” The reminder of what he’d done with another man only hours ago shamed Alex. Granted, he hadn’t known what Sean was to him then, but it still tainted the whole time with Harley, making it dirty instead of an enjoyable experience.

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“I needed somewhere to stay, a way to make a call,” Alex replied before he thought better of it. Once the words were out he knew he was in for it. Alison didn’t disappoint him at all. Eyes narrowed and lips thinned, she raked him with a glance that made him feel like the lowest life form. “So, what? You’re a whore now? You fuck someone for a place to stay? What’s happened to you?” “It wasn’t like that,” Alex mumbled, but it kind of was, just not exactly. “Harley and I both got something out of it. It’s no different from when you decide you want to fuck some guy and spend the night with him. What’s the difference if I didn’t have anywhere else to stay and I needed to make a goddamned phone call?” “The difference is that I fuck someone because I want to, because there’s lust and interest and all that crap, not because it’s an exchange of services,” Alison snarled. “You wouldn’t have done anything like that before—” “Before what?” Alex snarled back. “Before I fucked up, not once, but more times than I could live with? Before I lost all confidence in who and what I was? Before I—” “That’s quite enough from both of you,” a deep voice rumbled. Alison went so stiff Alex was surprised her spine didn’t snap. As for him, he shut his mouth so fast he bit his tongue. Alex couldn’t look up, couldn’t stand to see whatever expression was on Marcus’ face. He wanted to melt into the ground, let the hot sun take him apart and mix him right into the red earth. “Is that the guy?” The light tenor wasn’t one Alex recognised, and his stomach plummeted as he realised who it must belong to. Marcus’ answer left no room for doubt. “Yes, Nathan, that is Sean Dobson.” Marcus’ voice cracked on Sean’s name, and the Alpha Anax moved closer. Alison stood and backed away, then before Alex knew what was what, Marcus was there, crouched beside him. Alex couldn’t ignore the man as much as he’d like to. Marcus was his Alpha Anax, and no matter how humiliating it was, Alex still had to look at him and acknowledge his presence. Alex made it as far as the man’s broad chest before another figure joined them. He recognised the handsome redhead, met his eyes for less than a second before looking back at Sean’s battered face.

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“Is he going to make it?” Nathan asked quietly, reaching out to touch Sean’s neck. The growl was out before Alex could stop it as he jerked Sean away from Nathan’s hand. “Alex.” Marcus said only that, neither yelling nor speaking in his normal tone, but something in between that had Alex dragging his gaze to the Alpha Anax’s almost black one. Alex tried to think of a way to explain his reaction to Nathan’s attempt to touch Sean, but all he could do was grit his teeth as Marcus slowly extended a hand towards Sean. This possessive wave was something Alex had heard of between mates, but he’d never understood it—had thought, even, that it must have been exaggerated. Yet as he watched Marcus’ hand, stared at his knuckles smattered with white-blond hair, Alex’s need to guard his mate overrode all reason. Growling at the Alpha Anax would likely get his ass kicked, but Alex couldn’t stop the sound from rumbling out. He didn’t avert his gaze from Marcus’, didn’t show any sign of submission even though he should have. Would have, had the asshole not been so insistent on trying to touch his mate. Every hair on Alex’s body had to be standing up as that hand got closer. His lips peeled back from his teeth, exposing his canines in the human equivalent of a wolf’s warning to back off. Marcus narrowed his eyes and seemed to peer right into Alex’s soul. The hand he’d reached for Sean with changed directions and clamped down on the side of Alex’s neck instead. Alex’s wolf quailed a bit at that; this was his Alpha, demanding submission. To refuse would mean a fight Alex couldn’t win, and as reason slowly sank in, he knew he wouldn’t want to win, much less ever fight Marcus. The growling stopped and Alex dropped his gaze, tipping his head to the side and exposing his neck to show his submission. Marcus squeezed hard enough to steal Alex’s breath, but the reprimand was mild, the wolf version of slapping one’s hand. “Take a couple of deep breaths, then let’s try this again.” Alex did his best to comply with Marcus’ order, and had almost managed to calm his racing heart down when the man spoke and screwed it all up again. “This time, you’re going to let me touch Sean. I know it’s hard to watch someone else— another man especially—touch your mate, but it needs to be done.”

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“Why?” was what Alex asked, but what he wanted to know besides that, was how Marcus knew. His neurons finally fired up and he silently duh’d. As if his reaction hadn’t been a dead giveaway. Marcus reached for Sean, his intentions clear. Alex wanted to hold the man tighter, wanted to knock Marcus to the ground and tell him never to touch Sean, never to even try, but he didn’t, knowing that would only end with his own death, or at least leave him wishing for it. “Because I want to check him for myself,” Marcus said calmly as his hand made contact with Sean’s skin. “I need to, and you need to let me after that pissing match we just had.” Alex sucked in a harsh breath and forced his fingers to unclench as Marcus carefully pulled Sean into his arms. It took an incredible amount of effort, but he looked away and found himself locking eyes with Nathan. The man didn’t look any happier than Alex felt, but he didn’t utter a word of protest at his mate holding another man. “He needs medical attention,” Marcus muttered in that tight, crackling voice he’d used earlier. “Nathan, go get Shania. I’m glad we thought to bring her with us.” Nathan was gone in a blur of movement, his long red braid thumping against his back as he ran. Alex watched him, not really thinking about it, just needing to look anywhere but at Sean in Marcus’ arms. “He’s gorgeous, isn’t he?” Marcus asked, sounding irritated. Alex snapped his head back around and frowned as he met Marcus’ gaze. “Nathan, I mean. You were watching him.” That sounded a lot like an accusation to Alex. He shrugged and turned his attention back to Sean. “Not really. I mean, yeah, I guess to the gorgeous part, but I wasn’t watching him, exactly. I just didn’t want to watch you.” There was no need to add that he didn’t want to watch Marcus touching Sean, they both knew what he meant. As a mated shifter, Marcus wouldn’t have wanted to see his man in another’s arms. Marcus sighed and held out a hand to Alex. Alex stared at it in confusion. “It might help,” Marcus began as he grabbed Alex’s wrist and pulled until Alex’s hand rested against Sean’s cheek. “If you touch him, too. Then it’s not so much like I’m molesting your mate.” It did help, but the resentment that had filled Alex upon discovering his mate, and who his mate was, returned with a vengeance. He pulled his hand back and stood, stumbling back

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a few steps as he did. “But I don’t want him.” No matter what his body, his instincts said. “I don’t.” He looked at Marcus and cringed. He hadn’t ever seen his Alpha Anax look so furious. “He’s…he’s one of them,” Alex stammered, backing away a little more. “Surely you understand, I can’t…can’t…not him! There’s got to be something to undo this whole mates thing—” Marcus’ growl struck fear all the way to Alex’s bowels. Everything inside him quivered as the bigger man tipped his head, his eyes burning into Alex. Alex saw Shania and Nathan looking at him with nearly as much anger as Marcus had, then Marcus laid Sean down for Shania to attend to—and Alex didn’t have even a second to prepare as the Alpha Anax attacked, slamming him into the rock behind his back. Alex’s grunt was knocked out of him in a whoosh as his lungs and the rest of him were squished between hard rock and an equally hard body. Marcus pinned him with his greater weight and one hand clamped around his neck, making it a challenge for Alex to breathe. “You would deny your mate?” Marcus snarled, his eyes black with the force of his anger. Alex could see it, smell it, feel it in the hand tightening around his throat. He’d have shuddered if he’d had any space to do so. “You don’t even know him, you’re saying fuck you to the Fates who only bring a few their destined mates. You would take that gift, a man who will be your perfect match in every way, and throw it away because of his last name? His family, which he had no choice in belonging to? Is it because his brother molested you—” Hearing that regretted admission said so easily sent Alex into full flight or fight mode. He struggled and tried to free himself. The scuffle that ensued could have turned into an outright fight, but Alex wouldn’t challenge his Alpha Anax in such a way. That he was putting up a struggle at all was enough reason for Marcus to kill him, and when that thought penetrated Alex’s angry haze, he was torn between panic and shame. Panic won out and he shoved hard against Marcus’ chest. Marcus’ growl sent a spike of fear down Alex’s spine that only made him fight harder, pushing and wiggling, still unable to outright hit his Alpha Anax even in his frenzied state. “Stop it!” Marcus punctuated the demand with a shake that rattled Alex’s brain and left a goose egg on the back of his head from smacking against the rock. “You won’t run again, do you understand me? I let you go because you needed to prove something to yourself, not me.”

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Another teeth rattling shake made Alex’s eyes water, but the hand at his neck loosened enough that he could draw a full breath as Marcus continued. “I never blamed you, didn’t doubt your ability to do your job despite your feelings for me. Looking back I should have known, but you hide your emotions very well—or you used to. I think you’ve buried too much for too long, and it stops, now.” If Alex hadn’t had his senses knocked out of him, he’d have been smart enough to keep his mouth shut. Instead he had to make it all worse. “You didn’t go all batshit on Aidan when he didn’t immediately jump to claim Zane.” Alex barely got the words past his bruised throat, and wished he hadn’t been able to when Marcus roared loud enough to wake the spirits in the surrounding hills. “My brother was chasing after Zane soon after, and if he hadn’t do you think I would have sat back and been okay with that? But I knew Aidan would do the right thing, whereas you…” Marcus slapped both hands to Alex’s chest. Holding him firmly in place as he stepped back, Marcus looked him over from top to toes before settling those eyes on Alex’s. “You, I don’t know what to make of anymore. I thought I knew you, what kind of shifter you are. Now I’m not so sure.” With that, he let go of Alex and turned his back on him, dismissing him as if he were nothing. Alex sank to the ground and dropped his head in his hands. He didn’t know what kind of shifter he was any more, either, but he suspected it wasn’t any kind he’d like.

**** What he noticed first was the power that seemed to surround him. It was familiar and welcome, yet different than he could remember experiencing before. Then there were hands touching him, and as much as he’d have liked to flinch, to curl into a ball and protect himself, Sean just couldn’t. He waited for the blows to fall, but what came instead were gentle touches, or ones that were nothing more than impersonal checks of various parts of his body. Those Sean could tolerate, but the gentle ones, fuck if they didn’t hurt worse than some of the punches he’d taken. Sean couldn’t remember the last time someone had touched him with any gentleness at all. Or he could, but it wasn’t a pleasant memory since it’d got the woman killed. It’d been

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years ago, and one of the times Joshua had beaten him so badly Sean had been sure he would die. When one of the women in the pack, an older shifter named Lessa, sneaked into the room he shared with Joshua to try to tend his wounds, she’d signed her own death warrant. He often wondered if she knew that, and suspected she had. Lessa had been one of Joshua’s favourite targets. She’d been quiet and somehow untouchable no matter what Joshua did to her and who he did it in front of. Lessa always seemed to rise above it, as if her body had nothing to do with her beautiful soul. On that day years ago, her body and soul had both vanished after Joshua had beat her to death in front of the entire pack, making sure Sean was front and centre for the show. The more Sean had begged his brother to stop, the crueller Joshua became, drawing out Lessa’s death. When she’d looked at him, a strange peace in her green eyes, Sean had stopped pleading for her life. Lessa was ready to go, and to extend her stay here for his own sake was a selfish act Sean couldn’t contemplate. A touch, feather soft over his cheek made his eyes sting. He imagined if he hadn’t been dehydrated, he’d probably have bawled like a baby. But what if those touches were another one of Joshua’s cruel tricks? They could be exchanged for punches, slaps, kicks—the slicing agony of the whip. Sean didn’t hear so much as feel the whimper he loosed as he waited for the pain to begin. Instead, the hands seemed to try to soothe him. They didn’t, only making him more certain something worse was coming. Then that powerful scent grew stronger, and arms, thick with hard muscle as they slid around his shoulders and sat him up, reminded him of someone… Cool liquid trickled over his lips, and Sean eagerly parted them. If there was something in it to kill him, then so be it. The thirst was a living thing in his veins, stripping the moisture from every cell. The first drop of water was sheer nirvana, and quickly absorbed by his dry tissues. More water followed, and Sean whimpered again, trying to get hold of the hand controlling the liquid flow. He needed more, not these baby sips that only teased at quenching his thirst.

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He was manoeuvred around until his back was against a broad chest. Sean tried to move away, knowing with such strength came even greater cruelty. The arms around his middle tightened and the chest behind him vibrated with what he knew was a growl. There was such power in it that it seeped into him, and Sean ceased his struggling as his wolf, not gone as he’d feared, merely sleeping through the misery, quivered and shook in acknowledgement of the one true Alpha Anax—the man Sean had risked his life to help. It’s over then, at least for me. Marcus Criswell has found me, and whatever punishment he chooses, I’ll accept. Joshua won’t be able to run from the Alpha Anax much longer. Sean relaxed against the Alpha Anax, shocked when he realised it was the man himself who was administering the little sips of water. What Sean had done to merit such attention was beyond him. He hadn’t been able to free Marcus, hadn’t, too many times, been able to sneak him even an adequate amount of food or water. Maybe he wanted Sean healthy, or at least not so close to death’s door, before trying him for treason. Sean mentally shrugged as something wet and thick was smeared over his skin. Truth be told, he didn’t care what happened to him now.

**** Alex tore his gaze away from the sight of Marcus helping tend to Sean. He had no right to protest, not after the shit he’d spouted. Why Marcus hadn’t just eviscerated him as efficiently physically as he had verbally was beyond Alex’s comprehension. It was obvious he wasn’t welcome here, wouldn’t have a place in the pack again, and he couldn’t blame Marcus…couldn’t claim to love the jerk any more either. Apparently humiliation could snuff even the most ardent flames of a disillusioned and unrequited love. Even knowing he’d royally fucked up, Alex still didn’t want to leave. Part of it was that his mate was here, and even if Alex didn’t want Sean intellectually, he wanted him every other way possible. The rest, of course, was wanting to be accepted into the pack he’d loved being a part of for so long. But he couldn’t see that happening, and figured it best to get away before he was told to do so.

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Alex didn’t think anyone paid any attention as he slipped around the group and started towards the creek. He planned to quench his own thirst then shift and pick up Dobson’s scent. No doubt Alison and the rest of the guards would do the same, but he hoped at least to get a good head start so he could deal with Joshua Dobson himself. He faltered when it dawned on him the reason he wanted to catch Dobson himself—the main reason, anyway—had changed. This wasn’t just about his own pride, his dented ego that he tried to convince himself he wasn’t acting on. He’d lied to himself and everyone else when he’d said he was going after the traitorous bastard because Dobson had dared to fuck with the Alpha Anax. The truth was, though he only just acknowledged it, he’d been doing it for himself. What a pathetic, delusional dickwad he was! Oh but now, now none of that mattered as much as giving Joshua Dobson some payback for torturing Sean. There was no doubt that was what it’d been; those marks on his back, the broken arm, the bruises and today’s sickening display. All ways of torturing his brother, and who knew why the sick fuck did any of it? Why had Joshua sought him out years ago, courted him and flattered him until Alex, with all the naivety of a sixteen-year-old on the verge of accepting that he was different, tumbled right into the man’s hands? The experience had scarred Alex for years, as surely as Sean must be scarred by his brother’s abuse. And maybe that answered one of Alex’s questions—why did Sean stay in his brother’s pack? Alex thought about how lonely he’d been since starting this hunt, how he’d ached for the comfort of a pack. If all he’d known was abuse at the hands of his alpha, if he thought there wasn’t any other way for him to live, wouldn’t he have stayed, too? He wouldn’t have had the strength to leave, or the cowardice, he admitted. Running wouldn’t have been an option had he been terrified of the repercussions. Better to stay and take the abuse and live, as it were, than to be chased down and killed. Alex knew there was more to it than that, that there was a victim mentality or something of the sort that had to be factored in, but he just didn’t know enough about it to apply it logically to Sean—and he didn’t know Sean, his mate, at all. Yet here he was, running away again. He could claim it was the need to avenge Sean, and that need did burn bright and hot in his chest, but it wasn’t stronger than a mate bond, was it? Alex was trying to figure that out when the sound of pounding footsteps had him

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spinning around. His eyes bugged when he saw Nathan, red hair having come loose from the braid and flying all around him as he narrowed his eyes and charged right at Alex.

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Chapter Five

Nathan wasn’t the Alpha Anax, but he was the man’s mate, and as such, higher ranked in the pack than Alex had ever been. Alex was tired, confused, angry, and emotionally exhausted—the whole rainbow of emotions. He didn’t want another confrontation, but it looked like it was going to happen. Hoping to avert a violent one, he knelt and craned his neck, exposing the vulnerable artery that Nathan could easily rip out should he choose. Not that Alex thought he would, or he wouldn’t have offered his submission, but it was the only way he could think of to show he wasn’t interested in a fight. Nathan barrelled to a halt, his shoes skidding in the soft dirt in front of Alex. Alex glanced up through his lashes when the man didn’t say or do anything other than pant. Nathan’s hands were planted on his lean hips, and his hair was pretty much everywhere, tangled and stringy and slick with sweat near the temples. His face was red, which set off the green eyes. Streaks of grey split the irises in a starburst pattern. It was an unusual colour combination, Alex mused, then wondered why he’d even noticed. Probably because, as much anger as he was expecting to feel, to scent from Nathan, all he was picking up was something that looked to be, according to Nathan’s expression, sheer exasperation. “Geez, would you get up already? What the hell do you think I want to do, sniff your neck or rip something out?” If Nathan’s expression was one of exasperation, his voice was one laced with irritation and, unless Alex was very wrong, a bit of humour. “Seriously, get up before Marcus looks this way and thinks you’re offering to blow me.” Alex was up so fast dots danced before his eyes. He glared at Nathan when the man had the gall to laugh. “It’s not funny! Marcus would kill me if he thought that!” “No shit,” Nathan agreed. He snorted as he glanced over his shoulder then turned back to Alex. “I think he’s still playing nurse to your mate. It’s mildly irritating, but also kind of cute. Maybe I should get him one of those uniforms—the guy ones,” he clarified when Alex was sure his jaw couldn’t drop any further. “Or maybe one of those white nurse’s hats, you know the ones? But I think those are only for women, but maybe—”

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Alex’s head was going to explode if Nathan didn’t shut up. “Is there a reason you followed me? Besides freaking me out with the whole ‘Alpha Anax in female nursing garb’ stuff?” “That freaked you out?” Nathan asked as his eyebrows shot up. Alex glowered; if Nathan wasn’t going to act like a higher ranking shifter, then Alex wouldn’t treat him like one. Nathan’s smirk, however, had Alex rethinking that. The red headed man looked like an evil fairy with that look on his face. Alex sighed and threw his hands in the air. “What do you want from me? I swear to God you are the most confusing man I’ve ever met!” Nathan’s smirk somehow grew darker as he looked at his fingernails on one hand then buffed them against his shirt. “Well, normally I’d say my job here is done then, however”— he glanced at Alex then beyond him towards the stream—“if all you were doing was going for a drink—which, we have plenty of back there; Alison had some of the guards carry the ice chests we brought—anyway, if that’s all you were doing, you can come back. Unless you’d rather have fresh stream water, that’s cool too.” Alex’s mind raced as he tried to figure out how to answer what hadn’t really been a question. Then Nathan stepped closer and poked at a spot on Alex’s chest. Hard. Alex was so stunned he stood there like an idiot while Nathan repeated the jabs several times before Alex finally had enough sense to step back. “What the hell is your problem?” he snapped, rubbing at his chest. Nathan gave him a haughty look but couldn’t hold it, snickering instead. “I was counting the ant bites. Dude, you’re covered. You’ve even got them, you know, there.” Alex glanced down to where Nathan was pointing and wished to hell he hadn’t. Sure enough he had several bites there and now every damned one of them was stinging. Alex glared at the man and crossed his arms over his chest. “Well you sure aren’t counting those bites.” After an eye roll that should have detached his optic nerves, Nathan tapped his foot and studied him for a moment. Alex was about ready to demand the man say something when he finally did. “Okay, here’s the deal. I saw you slink off and figured you were going to haul ass and run again, and use some stupid excuse for it. Your sister would have started bitching all over

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again about it, Marcus would have blamed himself for running you off, and your mate? Did you even think about him? Or are you really such a heartless asshole you’d hold all that crap you spewed to Marcus about his name and family and whatever against him?” If Alex had thought Nathan looked like an evil fairy before, that was nothing compared to the ball shrivelling glare he levelled on Alex now. “I can’t believe Marcus would have someone like that as the captain of his guard. Or is it that you’re still hung up on my mate?” Alex shook his head quickly, because that evil look had turned into something closer to malevolent as Nathan had growled out that last part. “No…I don’t…I mean, I just put him on this pedestal, you know?” Nathan’s growl intensified and Alex hurried to explain. “I’ve had a lot of time to think, and I realised after what…what happened with Joshua Dobson—” “When he sexually assaulted you,” Nathan snapped, not sounding sympathetic although the anger seemed to drain from his expression. “You were sixteen. You weren’t an adult, and Joshua was.” “Yeah,” Alex said when he really just wanted to deny that’s what it was, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t say it, either. He’d spent years trying to turn what had happened between him and Joshua into something he could cope with, but the fact was, Joshua had assaulted him, had taken advantage and manipulated Alex then hurt him in ways no one ever should be hurt. “That. After that, I didn’t have anything to do with men for years. I tried, you know, with females, but there was just no way.” He shrugged and tried to ignore the burning in his cheeks. “So yeah, eventually I couldn’t take any more of my own hand, and I fucked a guy, and it was, well it was good. I could do that, but I couldn’t do anything else, like have a relationship. I just couldn’t go there.” The more he talked, the clearer his reasons became to him. He’d kept what Joshua had done to him buried so deeply, told himself it didn’t affect him once he’d started having sex, but it had. Alex hadn’t let himself consider having a relationship because he wasn’t capable of giving himself to another man, not after the violent way Joshua had used him. He wasn’t going to explain that to Nathan, however. He was already spilling his guts and he didn’t even know the man, yet he couldn’t seem to stop. “Marcus—Alpha Anax Criswell, I mean,” Alex corrected, not wanting to irritate Nathan by being too familiar with his mate. “He came along and just blew me away. Took on Randall Dobson, easily defeated him. Marcus wasn’t ashamed of who or what he was, he

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didn’t hide it, he embraced it. Here was this big, tough shifter who was out and waving his rainbow flag in everyone’s faces and demanding he be accepted. And he was, for the most part. Few challenged him, and those that did were left holding their asses in their hands and swearing fidelity to their new AA. And he appointed me, me captain of his guard.” Alex shook his head, remembering how stunned he had been that the new Alpha Anax thought he was worthy of the position. “He was—is—honest and fair, smart and, please don’t get mad, attractive. It was easy to put all that built up longing on him, knowing he’d never do anything so dishonourable as to have an affair with someone directly under his command. If he had…” “You wouldn’t have loved him anymore,” Nathan finished when Alex trailed off. “So he was lovable as long as he was unattainable.” “Yes,” Alex admitted. “I’m just pretty fucked up, I guess.” “Not any more than most of us.” Nathan glanced over his shoulder again. Alex looked as well and saw his mate being bundled up in what looked like a sheet. Nathan half turned and hitched his thumb in that direction. “So, are you still going to run?” Alex didn’t even try to deny that was what he had intended. “I want to, and not all just because I’m a mess. I want to bring Joshua Dobson in, if I don’t kill him first.” Nathan’s grin was that same one that made Alex think the man was more dangerous than his pretty looks suggested. “Get in line, buddy. I can’t even begin to tell you the ways I’d love to make that asshole pay for all the things he’s done.” Alex shivered as he thought that Dobson would be a very lucky shifter to die at anyone else’s hands besides Nathan’s. “So are you coming or not? If it’s not, I think you’ll have your sister on your trail and that would suck big time.” “Understatement,” Alex muttered, but he followed Nathan back to where the other shifters were gathered.

**** Whatever they had been doing to him, it seemed to be working quickly. Sean could hear somewhat, so the swelling there must have gone down, and he could open his eyes

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enough to see a little, even though everything was blurry. He knew the looming big shape was Marcus Criswell, and he was glad to know the man had recovered from his months in captivity. Stuff had been slathered over his skin, which eased most of the burning and itching. His left arm had been set, which had been awful but not something he experienced for the first time. The first time, the pain had shocked him so badly he’d loosed his bladder, much to Joshua’s delight. Sean had been in too much pain to care. He’d been given something vile to drink, which he’d tried to refuse until Marcus had insistently began pouring the liquid in his mouth. With his head back, Sean had no choice but to swallow, and within minutes was glad he had because as gross as the stuff was, it evidently had some sort of painkiller in it. Sean was still aching a bit, but he was pleasantly buzzing, floating on a cloud of medicinal manufacturing that he didn’t particularly care to leave. Something niggled at his brain, but he couldn’t grasp it. He wondered if this was how Joshua felt when he snorted all those drugs. If so, Sean could kind of understand why he did it, though he still thought it was a bad thing to do, especially for an alpha. Sean couldn’t have led his hand to his dick with the way he was feeling right now. How could an alpha lead a pack if this was the way drugs made them feel? Yet even through his pleasurably drugged haze, he felt a change in his body, one that spiralled up from his groin, trying to harden his dick when that particular part of him hadn’t been hard in too long to remember. Still the warm, exciting feeling spread through him, heating the soles of his feet and all the way to his fingertips and the top of his head. Everything in between sparked and tingled, and a scent reached his nostrils that, miraculously, brought that formerly limp slab to startling quick erectness. Holy shit, that’s some good drugs. Except his gaze landed on a tall, lean, dark haired man with surprisingly blue eyes, and Sean realised it wasn’t drugs at all that was setting his body to quivering with something he’d never thought to feel. The niggling blossomed into a memory, a voice in his head, and Sean wavered between panic and hope as he named the feeling coursing through him.

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Desire, arousal, lust—it was everything and all of those but so much stronger. And the reason for it was the man standing at the edge of where the shifters had gathered, looking somewhere other than at Sean. But who could blame the man? Sean’s euphoria vanished in a snap when the man turned and walked towards someone else. He couldn’t blame him. Sean was damaged physically and for sure mentally—probably even worse that way. And he would likely be tried as a traitor soon, so yeah, why wouldn’t his mate walk away? All shifters had heard of destined mates and hoped that one day they would find their own. The pull between them was recognisable from the first meeting, and, Sean had been told, irresistible. Sean didn’t think he was a particularly strong man to begin with, or else Joshua wouldn’t have treated him like shit. He didn’t have a hope of resisting his mate, and didn’t see why he should bother trying, except that his mate undoubtedly deserved better than him and didn’t seem to want him. It wasn’t like Sean had ever thought he’d have a mate anyway, but now that he did, the instinct to touch the man, to talk to him or even just look at him was almost overpowering Sean’s pain and fear. A mate would have the power to hurt him—or love him. But destined mates aren’t capable of hurting one another, not truly, not the physical kind of abuse like Joshua did to me, and not the bone-deep emotional ache I’ve felt for years. Sean closed his eyes, too confused and scared to think about it right now. His body burned from a thousand points. There were other things he needed to be worried about instead of whether or not his mate would want him—like whether or not he’d be alive long enough for that whole issue to matter.

**** It wasn’t until Alex followed his sister and the two guards who weren’t staying behind to pursue Dobson that Alex learned something he’d have thought someone might have told him sooner. “Val, give Alex something to put on. Wouldn’t want to get pulled over and end up in jail because all his stuff is hanging out. We’ve got about a seven hour drive to Santa Fe, so let’s get moving.”

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“What’s in Santa Fe?” Alex asked as he caught the black cargo pants tossed to him by Val, one of Marcus’ guards. He wished for once he had some underwear on, because the salve he’d been given to rub onto his cock and balls was sticky. “The new headquarters,” Val said as he waved a shirt at Alex. “You want shoes too? Well yeah, probably you do in case we make any stops.” Alex buttoned the pants then caught the shirt while he mulled over the change in HQ. “Why Santa Fe?” Alison answered as she opened the driver’s side door. “That’s where Nathan has his gym, and his dad Rick lives there. Plus Marcus wanted to be closer to Aidan, his brother and Aidan’s mate, Zane. They’ve got their place on the market and are looking for a suitable home on the outskirts of Santa Fe as well. Now if they could just convince Mika and Gabe to move…” Alex smiled absently at the mention of Mika and Gabe, two of Marcus’ and Aidan’s closest friends. They were Zane’s friend, too, although there’d been a time when Mika and Gabe hadn’t been fond of Zane at all since Zane had once been an alpha of Mika’s former pack—and had ordered Mika to be banned from the pack for being gay. Once it’d come to light that Zane had no choice other than to kick Mika out or die, Mika and Gabe had managed to put away their anger and even helped Zane when he’d been seriously injured. All in all, Alex thought the men were pretty amazing. “How are they doing?” Alex asked as he watched the Alpha Anax’s black Hummer pull away. His mate was in there, and Alex wanted to ride with him, but there wouldn’t have been room with the two female shifters and Sean, as well as Shania, Nathan and Marcus. And he hadn’t been asked, either. Alison waited until he got in and started buckling up before she answered. “Ah, you missed Gabe’s changing ceremony. Last weekend he became an official shifter. He and Mika both pledged fidelity to the Alpha Anax, then there was a whole lot of sexing going on in Lincoln National. I felt left out,” she added with a laugh. Alex’s mood plummeted. He’d missed so much, his family, his pack, Marcus’ return as Alpha Anax, Gabe’s ceremony—all because of his wounded pride and his embarrassment at having so many of his secrets known. “Did you call Mom yet?” Alison asked as she guided the SUV onto the dirt road.

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Sighing, knowing he was in for a well-deserved ass-chewing, he held out his hand. Alison plunked the cell phone into his palm, and Alex dialled his mother’s number as Alison added, “Don’t forget to tell her you found your destined mate. That should take some of the heat out of her.” But it wouldn’t if she knew how I acted. “I’ll call her, and Aaron, too.” He hadn’t spoken to his brother in a while and it’d be good just to hear his voice. “Aaron won’t be home right now, but you can leave him a message.” Alex frowned at his sister. “Where is he?” Alison shrugged. “Some girlfriend he’s hooking up with. I don’t know, he goes through them like he goes through toilet paper. Boy never did learn the ‘take only what you need’ rule.” “Maybe he did, and he needed half the roll every time he took a shit. I told mom years ago she should have just bought a pressure washer to hose Aaron off with. Daily.” “Quit stalling by bringing up our brother’s shit. Toilet paper usage is okay, but discussing fecal matter or urine, nuh-uh. Call mom.”

**** After more than three hours in a vehicle Alex was about ready to punch something. He felt especially confined since he’d spent so many weeks out in the open, with the exception of the occasional hook-up. That, and every time he’d tried to contact his mate using their link all he’d got back was a rather euphoric wave of gibberish. Sean was definitely in his own special la-la land, and while Alex didn’t want him hurting, not knowing how he was doing other than being higher than Willis Tower in Chicago, was driving Alex nuts with worry. Look how quickly I changed my mind. That link is more powerful than any un-mated shifter could ever guess. It wasn’t just the link that had affected Alex, though. The conversation with Nathan, and a surprisingly calm one with Alison had helped peel the scales of self-deception from Alex’s eyes. Then when Alison had apologised for accusing him of letting Stewart Combs kill himself, and for knocking him on his ass as well, Alex thought he must have stumbled into a parallel universe. Alison had never apologised to him, not like that, and he wasn’t quite sure

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what to make of it. Neither was she, apparently, because the silence between them extended into the awkward realm it was now in. Alex’s heart flipped when the Hummer’s turning signal flashed and the brake lights lit up. “We’re stopping too, right?” He wanted to at least check on Sean himself, see if maybe he could reach the man on some level. “Of course,” Alison said after snorting loud enough to lose a few nose hairs. “Like we’re letting the Alpha Anax and his mate stop at a rest area alone after what happened last time.” “I’m surprised he’s stopping at one now,” Alex admitted. Dobson had abducted Marcus from a rest area in New Mexico. That was where the trail ended when Alex had searched in vain for the man. The damned GPS tracker hadn’t done a bit of good since Marcus’ old Hummer had been left behind for thieves to plunder. As soon as Alison stopped the SUV, Alex was out the door and bounding over to the Hummer. He wasn’t quite ready to face the Alpha Anax yet, not after their earlier confrontation, so he veered to the passenger door where Shania was just getting out. “How is he?” Alex asked, trying to peer around her. She wasn’t a small shifter, tall and bulked up with muscle in a way that still managed to look feminine. Marcus twisted in his seat and Alex couldn’t avoid his eyes. “Why don’t you see for yourself?” I’m trying! Alex decided it was wiser to keep his mouth shut this time around, but once Shania moved he climbed in the vehicle and immediately became aroused from his mate’s scent. Behave, now’s so not the time. The two women he’d rescued were huddled together in the seat, so Alex assumed Sean was curled up in the back. Before he could so much as reach an arm around to touch his mate, who was bundled up like a baby in a swathing cloth, Marcus’ hand landed on his shoulder. Alex flinched and glanced at him even as he tried not to bristle at the delay in touching Sean. “I have a better idea,” Marcus said in a way that sounded almost apologetic, which made no sense to Alex. “Come around back, I’ll open it that way and you can reach him easier.” If it was a peace offering, it was the best one Alex could have hoped for. He nodded and backed out of the vehicle, then met Marcus and Nathan at the back of it. Nathan gave him a

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grin and patted his arm. “I’m just going to go relieve some of the pressure off my bladder.” He sauntered off with a swing of hips that made Marcus’ eyes gleam with the same desire that rolled off him. Alex decided to breathe through his mouth. “Sorry, just let me…” Marcus opened the back of the Hummer a few inches then stopped and looked at Alex. “Look, Alex, I shouldn’t have lost my temper like I did, it’s just—this man in here, sometimes he was the only reason I survived. There were times I was sure I’d die, when I’d been starved and deprived of water, or beaten so bad I could hardly breathe, and yet there was this slip of a man, so scared he smelt of nothing else, but he’d risk his brother’s wrath to try to help me what little he could. I just…I think you’re a good shifter, and Sean is as well, and maybe I was a little pissed at you for leaving like you did—” “I’m not a good shifter,” Alex said before Marcus could go on. “But I will be. Please, can I…” He grabbed the edge of the tailgate. “Sure, sure, sorry, I—” Marcus opened the tailgate and stepped aside. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, after your sister scares all the men out of the restroom.” Alex looked at Sean curled on his side with his broken arm cradled against his chest. He didn’t think there’d ever been a moment in his life where he’d wanted anything more than he wanted to hold his mate. Alex climbed in and cursed. They weren’t going to fit, not in this small space. He settled for scooting as close to Sean as he could and carefully lifting Sean’s head and placing it on his lap. Sean stiffened then relaxed, his breathing smoothing out after a second’s hesitation. Alex carefully ran his fingers over Sean’s short hair. In this lighting it looked more of a light brown than strawberry blond, but that might have been due to the dirt and grit and that god awful salve that Shania had applied to Sean’s bites. Alex trailed a hand down the side of Sean’s face, keeping the pressure light so as not to hurt him. The sticky salve was an annoyance that kept him from truly feeling Sean’s skin, but if it helped Sean, then Alex would happily put up with the stuff. He traced the line of Sean’s bruised jaw, then further down, feathering touches over the side of his neck. Sean shivered and made a needy sound, and moisture leaked from the edge of one swollen eye. Alex stopped, afraid he’d caused Sean pain, but Sean made the sound again and wiggled as if trying to scoot up onto Alex’s lap. Alex stroked the long line of his neck again,

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and couldn’t miss the way Sean’s skin pebbled with goose bumps under his fingertips. He moved his hand around and felt the pronounced knobs of Sean’s spine standing out at the back of his neck. Marcus’ words about Sean sneaking him food came back to Alex. Had Sean done without just to help Marcus? He couldn’t have been getting much food himself. Even distorted as his body had been, swollen by ant bites and his brother’s beating, it had still been obvious by the sharp pelvic bones and stick-thin appendages that Sean had been dangerously malnourished. “Fuck it,” Alex muttered as his heart did that pinching thing again. He wiggled around carefully, biting back curses, twisting himself damn near like a pretzel until he was able to curl his body around Sean’s. A satisfied smile curled his lips as he nuzzled Sean’s hair, uncaring of the sharp scent of the salve and the sticky mess it was leaving on his face. He was wedged in good, and he wasn’t going to move again unless someone pried him out with a crowbar.

**** Sean sighed happily, content to stay in the nice dream where he was held in strong arms. Occasionally lips kissed his head, his temple, the skin beneath his ear. It was the best dream he’d ever had, and he didn’t ever want to wake from it. His dream man felt perfect pressed against him, and he smelt like all the best things Sean had never thought to have. “It’s not a dream, Sean. I’m real, and I’m here. Wake up and you’ll see.” Sean frowned at the voice invading his dream. It sounded every bit as delicious as the dream itself, but he suspected it was a trick. Being awake was never pleasurable, and this dream or fantasy or whatever was something he didn’t ever want to leave. But the fucking voice would not shut up! “Open your eyes for me, Sean. I haven’t seen them yet. Marcus told me they were beautiful, almost amber coloured. I’d like to see that, see you looking back at me without anything but joy in your eyes. Trust me, Sean, please. I’m your mate. You know I could never hurt you.” Sean was pretty damned impressed with his mind even in his sleep. He hadn’t known he could dream so realistically of something other than horrible things. He’d be more

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impressed though if he could get that voice out of his head. He knew he had a mate, but the man hadn’t wanted anything to do with him earlier, so this was surely just another cruel trick his mind was playing on him. Joshua was probably involved in it too, Sean just wasn’t sure how. “I was ashamed, that’s why I walked away when I came back. I said some things, stupid, stupid things earlier, and the Alpha Anax had put me in my place. I wanted to run, to hide from what I’d said and done, but someone wouldn’t let me. Nathan made me see what I was doing, why I was doing it. Nathan—” Hearing another man’s name in that smooth, deep voice was enough to snap Sean right out of his pleasant dream. Of course something would have to screw it up. Except when he opened his eyes, he found himself peering up into those blue ones he’d longed to have look at him earlier in the day, and Sean’s breath hitched in his chest when it sank in that he hadn’t been dreaming at all.

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Chapter Six

They arrived at the headquarters in the evening. Alex groaned with relief. His body ached and everything was stiff from lying on his side and trying to be still so as not to jostle Sean. After that shocking jolt of seeing Sean’s eyes—which were even lovelier than Marcus had described them—Sean had immediately closed them again then drifted to sleep. And Alex hadn’t been able to reach him again no matter how hard he’d tried. It wasn’t like he encountered a mental brick wall or anything; Sean just…wasn’t there. It had scared the shit out of Alex at first, but once he’d seen that Sean was still breathing, his heart still beating, Alex had resigned himself to being ignored. He’d ask Shania or Nathan about it later, or, if he could get past his own issues, Marcus. Maybe one of them would know how Sean managed to make himself disappear mentally. “We’ve got a room set up for you—and Sean,” Nathan said as the vehicle came to a stop. “It’s on the ground floor in the same wing as the guards’, so I hope that’s okay.” As if Alex would complain. He was just glad to be allowed back, even if the pack had moved to Santa Fe. Alex had hated the pollution in Cincinnati. It’d made his nose burn more often than not. Surely Santa Fe would be less stinky. It took both Marcus and Nathan helping for Alex to unwind and crawl out of the back of the Hummer, then the three of them carefully manoeuvred Sean into Alex’s arms. Shania hovered on the large porch, the two female shifters behind her. Once they were all inside, Nathan showed Alex to his—and Sean’s—room. Alex blinked and turned to question Nathan, because surely this was wrong. His old room at HQ had been small and sparsely furnished, the walls white and the carpet beige. This room here was more like something Alex would have expected to find in a luxury hotel. The bed alone was almost bigger than Alex’s old room, and there wasn’t a speck of white or beige anywhere he had seen. “Don’t look so shocked,” Nathan said before Alex could get a word out. “Marcus is glad to have you back. He’d set this room aside for you when we moved here, and, before

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you ask, I was totally fine with that. I knew you couldn’t, and wouldn’t, ever make a move on Marcus. Otherwise, you’d be sleeping out back in the kennels.” “I don’t doubt it,” Alex muttered. He looked at the room again, at the warm rust coloured tiles and the soft yellow walls decorated with framed paintings of wolves and mesas. The ceiling was the same shade of yellow, but golden beams of what he thought were pine ran across the length of the ceiling every couple of feet. “There’s a fireplace, not that you’ll be needing it anytime soon, but it’s romantic.” Nathan pointed to the ornate fireplace. “Everything you need is in right there in the copper tin or under the window seat. The bath is through that door,” Nathan nodded towards a door to the right. “Closets are those doors over there across from the bed. There’s even a little study through that door. We’ll see to it that you and Sean have clothes and whatever else you need, and Deb will be bringing you both something to eat after Shania checks Sean.” Nathan turned and tapped at his chin with one finger. “Is that everything? I think that’s everything, but if not I’ll fill you in later or in the morning. Any questions?” Only a dozen, like why and… Well, they pretty much all started with ‘why’. “If you’re not up to seeing anyone—and you don’t have to, you’ve just found your mate, after all, and he’s hardly in shape for company—then don’t feel obligated. Except for Marcus, of course—and me.” Nathan frowned and that finger tapped faster. “I really can’t think of anything else. Oh! Don’t feel bad about the room, all the guards got an upgrade when we moved. How anyone could live in those dreary-ass rooms you all had back in Cincinnati…” Nathan walked off muttering to himself about a certain gay man’s lack of decorating skills. Alex shook his head and carried Sean over to the bed. He laid him down gently on top of the gold and red comforter and made sure his head and neck was well supported. Alex sat on the edge of the bed and debated unwrapping his mate from the sheet wound around him, but a tap at the open doorway spared him from making that decision. Alex turned and waved Shania in. “I didn’t know if I should take this thing off him.” He gestured to the sheet. It was going to have to come off in order for Shania to tend his wounds. “Uh, where do I start?”

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“You always were a smart man,” Shania teased as she ruffled his hair. Alex grimaced; she always did that and he always hated it. Which was probably why she did it. “Grab that tail end of the material by his shoulder.” Alex did and together they peeled the sheet off Sean. The bruises still looked horrible, their colour deepening to a purplish black in places, but the ant bites were considerably less swollen. “That salve is pretty good medicine,” Shania murmured as she ran her hands down Sean’s leg, checking the bites and bruises. “He should be healing faster, though. These bruises should be into that green stage, you know, and even the ant bites should be almost cleared up. He’s pretty malnourished, though, so his body might not have the reserves it needs to heal as it should.” Alex grunted, watching the woman’s hands track back up Sean’s legs and to his— Shania!” “What?” Shania replied, not even giving him a glance. “You know he’s yours, and you also know I need to check all of him more thoroughly than I could earlier. So stop being obtuse and help me spread his legs.” By the time the very thorough examination was over, Alex felt a little queasy, and he was glad Sean hadn’t been awake for the humiliating experience. Alex had tried to reach him several times and got nothing at all. Which reminded him— “Shania, can I ask you something real quick about the telepathic link between mates?” Shania stopped halfway to the door and walked back over. “You can ask, but I don’t know how helpful I’ll be, not having a mate myself.” Alex explained his inability to sense Sean at all mentally, and Shania frowned thoughtfully as she looked at him. “If I had to hazard a guess—and that’s exactly what I’m doing, so keep that in mind—I’d say Sean probably developed a coping mechanism years ago, a way to escape into his mind when things were bad. Kind of disappear within himself, or withdraw, blocking the pain from reaching anything other than his body.” Alex frowned as he looked at his mate. “So, I’m a bad thing? Comparable to the brother who—” “No. Get your head out of your ass,” Shania snapped. “What happened today, being staked out like a sacrifice to the sun god or whatever, that was a very very bad thing. Being

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abandoned by the one person who had—admittedly shittily—been taking care of him for probably all his life? That would be an even worse thing. Then toss in a destined mate when his mind is already swirling with who knows what, and it was probably more than he could deal with.” “I don’t understand how Joshua leaving him, short of the manner he did so, could be worse than the actual way he left Sean there.” Alex needed to understand that, or he’d probably say something that would hurt Sean once he did wake up. Shania took Alex’s hand and guided him across the room. “In case he can hear us. I think it’s possible, especially if he isn’t unconscious so much as he’s hiding like I suspect.” Alex nodded that he understood and Shania glanced at Sean as she spoke softly. “If Sean has a victim mentality—and I wouldn’t see how he couldn’t—then he’s come to believe he’s useless, worthless, at fault for what he’s suffered. Some victims of abuse do as I described, find a way to hide themselves away from what’s being done to them. And before you ask, because I can see the question coming, he stayed, like so many abuse victims do, because he didn’t think he had a choice.” Shania stopped and arched a brow at him. “Are you understanding me?” “Yes ma’am.” Alex nodded to top that off. “All right then. Sean could have been too scared to leave, didn’t think he had anywhere to go, anyone to help him or protect him. Just like those poor women, Michelle and Rosemary. Neither one wants to stay here, they are already begging to be allowed to leave. Marcus said he’d release them tomorrow if they were healed enough. So they will be out of here. They’ll probably find another pack with a jerk for an alpha, or they’ll go back to their original packs and find them a man who treats them like Joshua did. Statistically, in humans at least, that’s what happens. I expect the same in shifters. We haven’t exactly set up study groups, don’t have the facilities for it, so I have to go with the information on humans.” Shania shook her head and sighed. “But, back to Sean. He may have been brainwashed in a way by his brother. If you’re told you’re stupid and useless and deserve what’s happening to you, it’s all too easy to believe it.” Alex closed the door after Shania left and leaned against it, resting his head on the cool wood. Was he able to deal with the issues Sean might have? Without screwing him up?

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Probably not without knowing a hell of a lot more than I do now, but I will learn. I won’t be another person who hurts Sean or leaves him feeling abandoned and scared. It would be hard, because Alex would be battling his need to claim Sean as desire between mates could be irresistible, but he’d manage. The idea of causing Sean harm was unacceptable. Which meant, Alex realised, he needed to have enough faith in himself to do what was right, to put his mate first. Turning around and staring at the sleeping—or not—man on the bed, Alex vowed he would do whatever it took to make Sean whole and happy.

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Chapter Seven

Sean sat up in bed, scooting back until he could rest against the headboard to get a better view of the handsome man as Alex entered the room carrying a tray of breakfast foods. Whether it was the bond between them or the simple truth, he thought Alex was the most attractive man he’d ever seen. Tall and lean, with thick black hair that set off the light blue of his eyes and classically sculpted features, the man was perfect. Sean both anticipated and dreaded their mating— which would happen sooner rather than later. As hurt as he was, he couldn’t look at Alex without thinking about fucking, and knew the visceral would soon trump the intellectual. Not that he was particularly intellectual. Joshua had told him often enough he was dumber than dirt. He didn’t want to think about his brother right now, though. It caused too many conflicting emotions inside him. He’d rather look at Alex. It was his third day here, and the first that he wasn’t trying to sleep through. Alex’s persistence in pouring broth down his throat or water or milk had disturbed Sean often enough that he didn’t even care to try to hide as he had been doing. Besides which, Alex smelt better than the food he was now setting on the small table he’d has someone bring in earlier. Two thickly padded chairs had been carried in too, and Sean just wasn’t sure what to make of it. Everything here was fancy, and Sean was sure he wasn’t good enough for any of it, especially not the man who was, much to Alex’s own bad luck, his mate. Alex turned to him with a charming smile in place. He held out one hand and wiggled his fingers. “Come on, I know you’re hungry. Your stomach was growling so loud during the night it drowned out your snores.” “I—” Sean shut his mouth. If Alex said he snored, then he snored. Sean knew better than to argue with anyone.

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Alex’s smile stayed in place but a sad look filled his eyes. “You don’t snore? Is that what you were going to say? You’d have been right; I’m the one who snores, sometimes I even wake myself up.” Sean blinked, trying to figure out if he was being teased. He thought he was, but it was a novel experience and he just wasn’t sure. Alex winked at him and wiggled his fingers, and before Sean knew it his hand was in that big, warm one and he was being gently tugged up from the bed. The sheet slipped down and Sean squeaked, a sound his brother had always hated. He tried to pull his hand back but Alex held it. “I don’t want you to trip. The sheet is tangled all around your ankles and feet.” Sean looked down and wished he hadn’t. There were so many bruises, and he was so bony—and naked, which was something other shifters might have been comfortable with but he wanted to melt into the sheets. “Here,” Alex murmured as he came closer. Sean flinched and the man stopped. “Just sit on the edge of the bed and I’ll grab you something to put on.” Sean sat and immediately mourned the loss of that hand around his. Alex walked over to the closet and opened the door before plucking a shiny silky looking robe in a brilliant shade of red off a hook. He brought it over to Sean and held it out, waiting for something. For me to put it on? Sean dared to glance up into Alex’s eyes. “Yes, exactly that.” Hearing Alex’s voice in his head sent a shiver down Sean’s spine, one that then curled under his butt and warmed him in places that sent a direct lick of heat to his cheeks. Blushing furiously, he slid his right arm into a sleeve. The left was a little trickier because Sean was still favouring it, but his arm had only one of those stretchy wraps on it, so maybe he should be healing quickly—or maybe his arm was always going to have that bump. With the robe over his arms, Sean started to tug the rest of the material over his body, specifically his cock and balls as they were still tingling as if in anticipation. Sean knew it was the mate bond that made him yearn to lie under Alex, maybe even over him, but he was still scared. Either of those would be a first for him, and though his body was saying one thing, his mind was shying away from such an intimate act.

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Alex’s hands joined his, or so Sean thought until Alex tied the thin belt around Sean’s waist. “Too tight? Not tight enough?” he asked. Sean shook his head. “It’s fine,” he whispered, almost afraid to answer. He reassured himself that Alex wouldn’t harm him, he was the man’s mate. It was the same thing he’d told himself over and over, but everything prior to this in his life had taught him differently. People hurt you. The people you loved hurt you the most. “All right then, let’s see how much of this food we can put away.” Alex took his hand again and Sean stood on shaky legs. He hurt all over, but not so much as he had the first day. He wasn’t healing as fast as he should be, but that had been happening for a while now. “Probably from lack of proper nutrition.” Sean startled. Alex could hear his thoughts? Alex nodded. “Bits and pieces. It’s more an impression of feelings than actual thoughts. You could do the same to me if you tried.” He wasn’t sure he wanted to do that, so Sean shook his head and let Alex lead him to one of the plush chairs at the table. Alex pulled out the seat then scooted Sean in once he’d sat, which was nice, he decided. Then he saw the food—pancakes, waffles, fruit—so much fruit!—yogurts and meat. Sean salivated as he eyed the thick slices of bacon and the greasy links of sausage. A bowl of white gravy speckled with pepper was on the tray too, as well as half a dozen fried eggs, toast and a small pitcher of syrup. Sean wanted to weep in gratitude. He didn’t know where to start first or if he could start first. Alex picked up the plate in front of Sean and piled it high with food. A smaller plate was filled with toast, eggs and gravy. “Dig in,” Alex told him. “I forgot our drinks. Do you want milk, orange juice, water— one of each?” Sean closed his mouth around the forkful of waffles, moaning as the sweet syrup hit his taste buds. His eyes slid shut and he heard Alex mutter, “Oh my god,” but since he didn’t sound disgusted—and since the scent of his arousal permeated the room—Sean didn’t worry he’d offended Alex. “Some of each, I think,” Alex said huskily, and Sean shocked himself by smiling slightly. He didn’t think the smile left his lips once during the rest of breakfast.

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**** Alex paced the bedroom, waiting for Sean to finish showering. His concerns about Sean’s ability to stand for long were muted by the fact there was a fold-down seat in the stall. A knock on the door stopped him before he could start brooding, and Alex hurried over to let the visitor in. He knew who it was before he reached for the knob. Marcus’ scent was as familiar to him as his own. “Alpha Anax,” Alex greeted as he let Marcus in. “Marcus, please Alex. I’ve always hated the title—most of the time, at least.” Marcus entered the room, sniffing the air. “There’s been no…consummation yet. That’s probably best considering Sean’s current physical state, but it can’t be easy on either of you.” Alex grunted in agreement and hoped his cheeks weren’t glowing like they felt like they were. Marcus clapped him on the back and chuckled. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I’m sometimes a bit more open than I should be, I guess you’d say, but I really don’t know how the two of you have held back.” “Because it’s what’s best for Sean right now,” Alex answered, thinking the answer should have been obvious. “Sean’s showering, in case you wanted to see him. He should be done in a few minutes.” “Actually, I wanted to talk to you first, alone. Can we sit?” “Like I’d tell you no,” Alex teased then shook his head. Teasing his Alpha Anax wasn’t something he’d done before. Maybe letting go of his hero-worship had freed Alex in more ways than one. Marcus clapped him on the back hard enough that Alex was surprised his shoulder blade didn’t shoot through his chest. They sat at the table and Marcus propped his jaw on one fisted hand. “The guards still haven’t caught up with Joshua.” Alex had assumed as much since no one had said otherwise. “Do they think they are even close?” “Actually, they think they may have lost him.” Marcus sighed and closed his eyes for a moment while Alex ground his teeth so hard he was surprised they didn’t shatter. “It seems he managed to get hold of transportation. The guards found tire tracks, three different vehicles. And”—Marcus’ sighed, his shoulders drooping—“there were more footprints and

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scents. At least three other shifters helped Dobson and the rest of his pack escape. It seems this will never end.” Alex loosened his jaw enough to speak as he fisted his hands in his lap. “As much as you and I, and everyone who supports you might wish it, it probably will. If it isn’t Joshua Dobson causing trouble, it will be someone else. You can’t win over every single shifter in North America no matter what you do.” “I know, I do, but men like Joshua Dobson are more than just trouble makers, they’re—” The bathroom door opened and Marcus coughed, as if choked by what he’d been about to say. Alex was up and heading for Sean, who stared at Marcus with a troubled expression. “I didn’t realise you were done,” Alex said, easing closer to Sean. He’d learned quick enough sudden moves unnerved the man. Sean surprised him this time by reaching for Alex’s hand. “He got away? Joshua—he’s not going to be caught?” Alex felt the shudder start at Sean’s fingertips and race over Sean’s body. Taking a risk he judged acceptable, he hoped, since Sean had taken his hand first, Alex slipped his arm around Sean’s narrow waist. The silk robe was nothing compared to feeling the warmth of Sean’s skin seeping through the thin material—and, he didn’t pull away. Did, in fact, lean against Alex’s side. “He’ll be caught,” Marcus said with an assurance his expression didn’t belie. “I know you probably don’t want your brother killed, but I can’t promise you he won’t be. Joshua is a dangerous man.” Sean lowered his eyelids and edged an inch closer to Alex. “I don’t know what I want. He’s…he was all I had for years, and I k-know he’s dangerous, he’s…he’s probably just plain evil, but I can’t just wish he was dead.” Alex could and did, but he kept that thought shoved down deep enough he hoped Sean would never discover it. “You don’t have to. Marcus isn’t telling you that you have to want your brother dead.” Sean’s reply rocked Alex to the core, and not just because it was the first time Sean had dared to use their link. “I know, I just…I worry I’m going to say the wrong thing or be kicked out or imprisoned or executed—”

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It wasn’t just his hold on Sean’s waist that tightened. Alex went taut as an over-tuned guitar string on the verge of popping. “No, I thought you knew. Marcus,” Alex didn’t look at him, needing instead to see his mate’s pretty eyes. He slid a finger under Sean’s chin, encouraging him to lift his head. “Didn’t anyone tell Sean he wasn’t going to have to stand in judgement?” Marcus’ eyebrows rose up to tease at the fine blond hairs that had slipped from his pony tail. “When would I have told him that? I thought you would have told your mate that!” Fuck, I am relationship plutonium! If it wasn’t for the mate bond, Sean would undoubtedly kick me to the kerb! “No, I wouldn’t,” Sean murmured so softly Alex wouldn’t have heard it if he hadn’t been a shifter. “I’ll leave you two to discuss…everything. But first,” Marcus stood and walked to Sean. “Thank you for helping me when no one else in Joshua’s pack would, or could. Thank you for taking a beating more than once so I’d have food and water. You’re an incredibly brave man, and I know I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for your help. Now, I’m going to leave you two alone.” With a jaunty grin that made his eyes sparkle, Marcus left the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. Nerves jangling, and that small kernel of hope that had been planted when Sean took his hand, blossoming, Alex stared into Sean’s eyes.

**** Sean swallowed past the lump of fear in his throat. Now that he’d opened his mouth, he kind of didn’t know how to follow up on that little declaration. An almost familiar longing was coursing through him, setting off a thrumming in his body that seemed to settle in his groin. His gaze dropped to Alex’s lips as he licked his own, tasting that metallic flavour that he definitely recognised. The damage done by Joshua’s fists was still evident, not healed fully, but the pain had ceased and he couldn’t help but wonder what Alex’s lips would feel like pressed to his.

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Alex groaned and tipped Sean’s head back. Sean didn’t look away from Alex’s pink lips. “Sean, I want to kiss you, but I’m afraid—I don’t want to hurt you, or scare you. I want you so much I don’t trust myself to be gentle.” “You would be—gentle. You haven’t been anything but since we’ve been here.” And Sean wanted a kiss so badly he was prepared to beg if he had to. The bond between them was tightening, strengthening, and his body was on the verge of making demands he wasn’t sure about—but he wanted a kiss. “God help me,” Alex muttered, then he brushed his lips over Sean’s, once, twice, a third time before settling on them. Sean whimpered, opening for Alex, inviting him for a deeper kiss, and after a second’s hesitation, he felt the tip of Alex’s tongue flick his bottom lip before sliding into his mouth. It set off a riot of sensations in Sean, rocking him onto his heels as he tasted his mate for the first time. Alex’s flavour was addictive, consuming, burrowing into Sean’s cells and settling in them. Sean whimpered again as Alex’s tongue teased his, sliding beside it, nudging it to play. Sean rested his left hand on Alex’s hip but grabbed a handful of Alex’s shirt with the right, trying to climb Alex like a jungle gym. He flicked his tongue and shivered at the delicious sound Alex made in return, then he set about drawing out more of them. The scent of their arousals mixed and twined together, filling Sean’s lungs with the erotic aroma every time he inhaled. It added fuel to the fiery need burning in him, yet he hesitated to do anything else, like reach down and fondle the big dick pressing against his stomach. Alex shifted, slipping his leg between Sean’s thighs, dragging his balls over the rough denim. It lit Sean up in an instant, his hips jerking as, to his utter mortification, he came all over Alex’s hip. Alex’s moan filled Sean’s mouth, his throat, his lungs as Alex kissed him less gently. Sean returned the kiss as passionately as he could, and he was just beginning to think maybe he hadn’t done anything wrong, coming like he had, when everything…just…stopped.

****

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The need to claim Sean was so strong once Alex smelt the man’s release that it took everything in him not to throw Sean on the floor and fuck him senseless. It was that desire to do so which had Alex lifting his head and slowly easing away from Sean. The confusion and fear in the man’s expression tore at Alex and he immediately sought to relieve Sean of both. “I had to stop while I could,” Alex explained, wishing Sean would raise his eyes and look at him. “When you came, it was the sexiest thing I’ve ever experienced, and I wanted…want you, Sean, so badly I ache with it. I’ve tried to keep it hidden, to not touch when I want to, to not push myself on you in any way, to not even think of the things I’d love to do to you. You have no idea how hard it was for me to stop when I did.” Alex had tried not to imagine laying Sean out and tasting every inch of his skin, or how his ass would feel rippling around Alex’s cock, squeezing it so tight all he could do was moan as the cum was pulled out of him. There were so many things Alex had tried not to think about, so much desire for his mate he buried as deeply as he could for both their sakes. But he feared all his hard work had been undone by Sean’s reaction to that kiss and the slide of his thigh against Sean’s balls. Sean finally looked at him as he nibbled on his plump bottom lip. When he released it from between his teeth, Alex’s cock leaked, wetting his jeans. “I know I’m ugly, and the bruising isn’t helping any, but I’m still a shifter, still your mate. The desires you have, I have, even if my mind kind of stumbles over them. I won’t be able to hold out any longer than you will before we have to fuck or fight from sheer frustration. I’d rather fuck, if we could take it slow.” “You’re not ugly. Don’t say shit like that about yourself.” Alex traced Sean’s lips, swollen more from kisses than anything else. He could see beyond the bruising, enough to tell Sean was one of those men who had that perfectly androgynous beauty. Men and women would all want to look like him or fuck him, or both. Trailing his fingers over Sean’s cheek, he hummed softly, enjoying this chance just to touch. He traced the line of Sean’s jaw, then further up until he reached the short strawberry blond hair at Sean’s temple. “Is it curly, straight, wavy?” Alex rubbed his hand over the soft strands. “Would you prefer to keep it short, or would you consider letting it grow out?” Sean frowned, a fine wrinkle creasing his brow. “I tell you I’d rather fuck, and you’re going on about hair?”

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Alex noticed Sean didn’t mention calling himself ugly. That was something they’d have to work on over time. He couldn’t undo all the damage Joshua had done, but he could clarify a couple of other things. “There’s more to sex than shoving a dick into a hole.” Sean’s cheeks flamed red but he didn’t look away. “Have you ever had sex?” “No,” Sean squeaked out. Alex’s cock throbbed at the idea of being his mate’s first— and only—lover as Sean stood up straighter, a determined expression on his face. “But I can learn how to do it right. I’ll do whatever you tell me to.” He took a deep breath, and Alex, lost in the beauty of his eyes, jumped and nearly squeaked himself when Sean’s hand cupped his dick. “Is this right?” Alex wanted to grab Sean’s hand and press it firmly against his shaft, wanted to rut until he shot his load then do it all again with both of them naked. Instead he kept perfectly still, afraid anything he did would be wrong. Sean stared at him intently and squeezed, applying near perfect pressure to Alex’s dick. Alex closed his eyes and gently grabbed Sean’s wrist. “Have you ever done anything with another man? Or woman?” “No.” Sean’s hand trembled. “This isn’t right? You don’t like it?” “I do like it, too much. I can’t think and I was trying…” Another squeeze and Alex moaned, his other hand finding Sean’s hip. “Sean, there are things we need to discuss before we take this any further. Even though we’re mates, we can’t always let our bodies rule.” Sean looked so insecure, not sure if he should believe him, so Alex did the only thing he could think of. He reached for Sean through their link and let Sean feel the warmth he stirred in Alex, the joy over their brief encounter—and the need that Alex was trying desperately to keep reined in for now. In return, Alex felt Sean’s insecurity drain away as something very much like pride lit Sean’s expression. The smile that tipped his mouth up sent Alex’s heart into a series of cartwheels, and he smiled slightly. “Go get washed off while I change, and then I think we need to talk.” Alex wasn’t sure what about exactly, he just knew they needed something other than sex to strengthen the bond between them. Sure, it would happen, they’d come to know each other as well if not better than they knew themselves. Most of the mated pairs Alex knew started off with sex, or dived right in shortly after meeting. Every cell in his body was screaming at him to do the same, yet he couldn’t, not yet.

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The sexual attraction between them would always be strong, and grow more so the longer they were together. But learning how to talk, to really talk, could be a bit more difficult, especially when what he wanted to do was spend every waking moment fucking. If he gave in now, would Sean regret it once certain things came to light? And suddenly, Alex knew what he needed to say, and it set his stomach to roiling so that his jowls watered. There was definitely one thing they needed to discuss. His hands shook as he changed into a clean pair of jeans. There was cum on his shirt, too, so he took it off but didn’t bother putting another one on because Sean had come out of the bathroom and was staring at him hungrily. I could just not say anything. Maybe he’d never have to know… But that smacked of dishonesty, and Alex couldn’t lie to his mate. Sean walked over, his steps jerky as his gaze seared Alex’s chest. When he was close enough, he lifted one hand and placed it over Alex’s heart. The touch was comforting rather than stimulating, and as Alex gazed at Sean, waiting for him to look in his eyes, he felt the words building, pressing against the denial that had always suppressed them. Once those amber eyes raised to his, the truth he hadn’t been able to admit even to himself finally ripped free. “When I was sixteen, Joshua raped me.” Sean didn’t just blanch, he turned as close to translucent as possible. Even the bruises seemed to fade as he groaned, pressing a fist to his stomach. Alex was afraid the man was going to faint, or fall or something. He threw an arm over Sean’s shoulders and guided him to a chair. “Sit.” Sean’s reaction was quickly staunching Alex’s embarrassment at his admission. A part of him knew he shouldn’t feel like he did, that he’d been an innocent kid who hadn’t asked for what had happened, but it made him feel weak, less than a man, to acknowledge the truth of what had happened. That he’d been a victim…and probably still was since he could barely get those words past his lips. Imagine how Sean must feel then. And I wondered why he stayed with Joshua? He’s had a lifetime of abuse, and I just had a few hours… Sean grabbed at Alex’s hand when he started to move away. “I’m sorry, Alex. I wish Joshua had never hurt you.”

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Alex looked at their hands, fingers weaved together. There was more strength in the slender hand holding his than one would think—and more strength in Sean than Alex had ever had. “Next several times I saw him, he was beat to hell. I heard rumours it was because one of his brothers found out he’d fucked a guy. I don’t know how anyone knew, but I always figured that guy was me.” “I remember hearing them arguing, my father, Joshua, Samuel and Vance. I didn’t understand what was happening, but then I heard Joshua scream and scream and scream.” Sean’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he stared off at something in his memory. “Joshua had always been my hero, I guess, up until then. Whatever it was that was wrong with him that made him rape you, it must have made him hate me, too.” Sean closed his eyes for a moment then looked at him. “I can hear you still, feel you in my head. I like it, I think. To answer what you’re wondering, no one, not our older brothers, not our father, and not even our mother, no one stepped in to intervene when he turned on me. Our family was kind of the survival of the fittest sort. Hugs and kisses weren’t allowed, but slaps and kicks, punches and that whip? Those were all good.” Alex would have given anything to go back in time and get his sixteen-year-old self to rescue Sean, but thoughts like that were fanciful and a waste of time. All he could do was try to help Sean here and now, and in their future. “He won’t hurt you again, Sean. I won’t let him. No one in this pack will let him. I don’t think you want to go back to him now that you know there are shifters who will care for you.” Sean fidgeted with Alex’s fingers, pressing them between his knuckles then on them, repeating the gestures a few times before continuing. “He said…when he was leaving me there on the ground, that if you were who he thought you were, I’d ‘throw you for a loop’ so he could get away.” Alex grabbed the other chair and pulled it up beside Sean then sat, his thigh pressed against Sean’s. “He thought I’d take it out on you, what he did to me?” Sean opened his mouth then shut it, his frown returning as he got a faraway look in his eyes. “I don’t think that’s it. He said he’d enjoyed keeping me away from you, like he knew…” Sean’s eyes widened and his breath rushed out as if he’d been punched in the stomach.

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A trickle of fear slithered down Alex’s spine as Sean’s eyes met his. “Like he knew you were my mate?” “He did,” Sean whispered. “I don’t know how, but he did, or at least suspected. How could he have? It doesn’t make sense that my brother would know who my mate was before I did.”

**** This was all his fault. Maybe he hadn’t deserved to be abused as he had been, but Joshua’s jibe about keeping him from Alex—he was sure as he could be that Alex was who Joshua had been referring to—and the fact that Joshua had raped Alex years ago all combined to form a crushing guilt that Sean wasn’t sure he could bear. “How long ago?” Sean asked, afraid he knew the answer. Alex tensed beside him. “Thirteen years ago. Long enough I should have been past it, but I never dealt with it, I suppose. You’re the only person I’ve ever said those words to.” “Why me?” “Because you needed to know, and I needed to tell you. I understand how cruel your brother can be. What he did to me wasn’t over quickly. Joshua took his time and made sure to hurt me as much as he could without leaving any marks that couldn’t be hidden.” Alex cupped his cheek and rubbed his thumb under Sean’s jaw, chasing away some of the chill he felt. “I couldn’t understand at first why you stayed with him. It took pulling out that memory I’d tried so hard to ignore to open my eyes, my mind. Did he—” “No, never,” Sean said, having seen where Alex was going and not wanting to hear it. Joshua had abused him horribly, but he hadn’t ever crossed the line into total depravity. “But he hit me the first time when I was eight. Thirteen years ago.” It was more proof, in his opinion, that Joshua had known something Sean and Alex had only just discovered a few days ago. Alex paled, his olive skin turning grey. “That…doesn’t seem coincidental, does it?” “I don’t think it is. And he said—” Sean’s voice faltered, fear of losing something he hadn’t yet fully discovered squeezing his throat tight. “He said no matter what, I belong to him. That he’d come back and get me if I wasn’t dead.”

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The link they shared sent the wave of fury that rushed over Alex into Sean’s mind. Bright and hot, it burned quickly, flowing into Sean then leaving him cold and strangely calm. “No.” Sean heard the word, felt it in every fibre of his being. It was strong enough to begin unravelling the tendrils of Joshua’s hold on him. Alex repeated it, his voice sure, strong, even as his touch remained gentle. “You never belonged to him. You never will. You belong to me, as I belong to you, and Joshua will never come between us again.” Sean believed him. He wasn’t alone, abandoned, wasn’t hated, at least not by Alex. He didn’t think any of the other shifters he’d met so far hated him either. For the first time in years, Sean felt wanted, and his body sang with a desire he’d only yet received a taste of. Bruised, beaten—he understood now it didn’t matter to Alex. Alex wanted him, wanted to touch him, make love to him. Knowing that chased the dark shadows of doubt—the ones that told him he was useless, a stupid piece of shit, the ones that shouted such insults in a voice that sounded identical to Joshua’s—all of the shadows receded under the affection and need that flowed from Alex into him. “Please,” Sean whispered, his pulse racing as blood rushed to his cock. “I need you.” “Please don’t tell me no again. Not when I’m just beginning to understand…”

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Chapter Eight

Alex could no more tell Sean no than he could stop his own heart. But he could make sure Sean wasn’t hurt. The need to protect Sean was paramount, and Alex had some demons of his own he needed to conquer when it came to sex. He stood and pulled Sean up with him. That slender body trembled under his hands as he embraced Sean. “We’ll go slow. I won’t hurt you.” Sean shuddered harder and gave a nervous laugh, his warm breath sending electric currents over Alex’s chest. “I don’t think I can go slow. I feel like I did earlier, on the verge of coming and we haven’t done anything!” “Well,” Alex rumbled, grinning when Sean whimpered. “One of the many benefits of being a shifter is the ability to get hard over…” He slid one hand down over the silky robe, teasing at the opening with his fingers. “And over…” This time it was him who whimpered as he touched the smooth skin of Sean’s stomach. That skin pebbled with goose bumps as Sean gasped. The muscles under Alex’s fingers rippled and tightened. “And over.” He tugged the belt loose and dipped his hand back between the folds of material, tracing the soft line of hair below Sean’s naval. He didn’t have far to go before the side of his hand nudged the wet head of Sean’s cock. “Oh!” Sean’s head dropped back, his bottom lip caught between his teeth. “Alex! Please!” “I’ve got you,” Alex murmured, and he did, his hand fisting Sean’s hot, hard length. Sean’s fingers curled into the tensed muscles of Alex’s shoulders. Alex stroked, measuring Sean’s cock, pleased with the size of it, craving the man as he hadn’t anyone else before. He thumbed the bundle of nerves beneath the cap. Sean jerked, his hips pumping as he wailed. The scent of his cum reached Alex’s nostrils a split-second after spunk splattered his hand. Alex’s own cock was in desperate need of attention, but he continued to stroke Sean’s dick, watching his slack features for any sign of discomfort, using their link to check as well. Sean’s thoughts were scattered on a wave of bliss that made Alex clench his thighs to keep

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from coming in his pants. The friction that caused, the denim against his dick, almost had him doing it anyway. “Bed, Sean, and naked. We need both of those things, now!” “Yeah.” Alex led Sean to the bed and peeled the robe off him. The bruises had faded much quicker over the past twenty-four hours, but they still marred his skin. His cock was long and thick, hard and curved up towards his belly. Alex ached with a need he hadn’t felt before, one he’d thought never to feel. Perhaps it was the instinctive urge to keep his mate safe, to not cause him pain, or maybe, Alex thought, it was a combination of that and working past his own fear of penetration—and then again, it could be that he simply really wanted to give himself to Sean in a way Sean would likely never expect. But Alex wanted everything from Sean, and didn’t think he shouldn’t offer everything to Sean as well. Sean was looking at him, his eyes wide with arousal and wonder, and Alex had to taste him. He framed Sean’s face with his hands then kissed him, lapping at those full pouty lips before sliding his tongue into Alex’s eager mouth. Eager hands fumbled with his pants, trying to unfasten the buttons and free his cock. Sean whimpered into the kiss as he tugged at a stubborn button, and Alex reached down and popped the button off with a sharp tug. Sean shoved at his jeans, his blunt nails scraping Alex’s flanks in the most stimulating of ways. He hitched an arm around Sean’s waist and pulled him closer, seeking the skin on skin contact he’d longed for. Sean’s hands landed on Alex’s ass, gripping his cheeks as their bodies came together. Their moans mingled in one another’s mouths as an electric bolt shot through them, zinging from Alex to Sean then back again through their link. Alex cupped Sean’s ass, lifting him so their cocks slid together, and it was the sweetest agony as Alex struggled to hold back his orgasm. He trailed kisses along Sean’s jaw, nibbled the soft skin below his ear, then sucked the join of neck and shoulder until Alex cried out, his hands letting go of Alex’s ass and ringing the base of his cock instead. “Alex,” Sean panted as he licked over Sean’s collar bone. Alex kneaded the firm swells of Sean’s ass, stimulating them both as he kissed his way to Sean’s nipple. Alex licked the little nub then scraped his teeth over it and Sean’s hands were there, fisted in his hair, pressing Alex’s face against Sean’s breast. “Oh my god! Alex!”

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Alex hummed around the tit in his mouth, flicking the tip with his tongue. As much as he wanted to come, he wanted to show his mate pleasure more. After a hard suck to Sean’s nipple, Alex righted himself then stepped out of the pants still pooled around his ankles. He took Sean’s hand and looked him in the eyes, and let Sean see exactly what he wanted. If Sean didn’t want it too, he could say no and Alex wouldn’t push. But he really hoped Sean said yes.

**** Sean wanted to, but he hesitated to answer at first. “Are you sure?” Alex didn’t hesitate at all. “Positive. Check if it will help you decide.” Alex’s emotions, the wisps of his thoughts were all open to Sean, and as thoroughly as he checked, he couldn’t find anything other than the same want that throbbed in his veins. “All right, I…I want to, I just don’t want to screw it up.” The idea of hurting Alex turned Sean’s stomach, and even had his dick softening a bit. Alex took his hands and looked intently at him. “You won’t,” Alex assured him. “I promise. I’ll talk you through everything, either mentally or verbally. Let me do this for both of us. I won’t as something from you I’m afraid of doing myself.” Sean couldn’t quite figure out how to refute that, not when he wanted Alex however he could get him, and not when he could feel Alex’s determination to have his way. Alex’s need to work past the sexual assault that had happened to him years ago was so strong Sean couldn’t miss feeling it through their link. He nodded, trusting Alex to know what they both needed. Alex sat on the bed and pulled Sean to him, in between his spread thighs. “But first I need to get your dick hard again.” And that was all the warning Sean got before Alex opened his mouth and licked a stripe across Sean’s cockhead. Sean gasped as he felt that lick all the way to his balls, then Alex sucked in the crown, his lips a tight seal, his tongue flicking and teasing over Sean’s glans. If Alex was just trying to make him hard, he needed to stop now, because Sean was afraid he wouldn’t be able to last long with that wet heat enveloping his tip.

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Then Alex’s head bobbed up and back down, taking Sean’s dick in to the root, and Sean moaned, his hands reaching for Alex’s silky hair. Apparently coming twice gave him more staying power than he’d thought, because Alex began sucking him, hard on the upstroke, fast on the down. Alex’s fingers tickled his balls, light touches that tingled and sparked the nerves there to full life. Sean pumped his hips once, barely, afraid to do what he craved. Alex’s hand clamping onto Sean’s butt cheek and pulling knocked those inhibitions away. Sean tightened his hold on Alex’s hair and thrust with more force, and it felt so good, so perfect, he did it again, harder. Alex moaned, the vibrations shooting up Sean’s cock as it was buried in Alex’s throat. Sean stopped thinking and being afraid and trusted his mate to tell him if he was too rough. He fucked Alex’s mouth for several blissful minutes, shivering every time his eyes met Alex’s. If Sean thought he was close to coming, Alex tugged on his balls, not enough to hurt exactly, but it pushed his climax back. He traced Alex’s top lip, stretched wide around Sean’s length. Alex’s eyes closed almost entirely as he made a sound of approval. Sean pressed in deeper, loving the way those slick muscles contracted around his dick. He pulled almost all the way out then plunged into that welcoming mouth as sweat slicked his skin. Tension coiled in his belly, set his thighs to quivering, and Sean knew if he didn’t stop now he was going to come despite his and Alex’s best efforts for him not to. Alex released Sean’s cock with a loud, lewd slurp then toppled back onto the bed. “Fuck me now, Sean. I can’t wait any longer.” Sean took in the lines of Alex’s lean, muscular body. His shoulders were broad, his waist small, hips lean. Long, strong legs and arms, and a thick patch of hair on his chest that thinned into a trail to his pubic hair. Alex’s cock was thicker and longer than Sean’s, but he wasn’t worried. Sean was actually glad of it, considering whose dick was going where. If Alex ever wanted to fuck him, Sean was afraid there was going to be a problem—but he’d try. “Sean.” Alex almost whined it, and Sean jerked his gaze up from the large hairy balls he’d been ogling. “There’s lube in the drawer there. We’ll need it.”

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Sean got the tube out and popped the cap off. Alex rolled over onto his hands and knees then peered over his shoulder at Sean. “Slick up a couple of fingers, but start with just one.” Sean’s hands shook and he made a mess, but he ended up with viscous stuff on his fingers as well as his dick, too, so that was good enough. He climbed onto the bed, kneeling behind Alex. Alex clenched his ass cheeks then dropped his shoulders down and spread his legs wider. Sean ran his non-lubed hand over one cheek, testing the tautness of the flesh. Alex moaned and arched his back, sticking his muscled butt up higher. Sean smoothed a finger down Alex’s crack, which was as fuzzy as the rest of his butt. When he found the small ring of wrinkled skin, he sucked in a sharp breath as it fluttered under his touch. “Sean, now, please!” Alex rocked back, the move spreading his ass cheeks open. Sean brought his slick fingers to the pink hole and without teasing began to press inside. “Oh fuck, fuck!” Alex wailed, pushing back into the penetration. “Deeper, come on, I need…yesss!” Sean sank his finger in to the third knuckle. He wiggled it around, amazed at the tightness, the heat of Alex’s body—and hoping this snug little channel was going to stretch a lot more. “It will, I swear it will! Wiggle your finger again, curve it…more—” Alex’s thought shut off abruptly as he groaned. “Ungh!” Alex jolted like he’d received a small shock, the scent of his arousal increasing until it was all Sean could smell. He curved his finger again, touching the small bump inside Alex’s rectum. “Not too hard, just brush it like…just…like…that!” Alex’s panted breaths grew louder as Sean pumped his finger, teasing that hidden spot every third or fourth stroke. He pulled out then pressed two digits in, going slow at first until Alex slammed his hips back, shoving Sean’s fingers in to the hilt. Sean grabbed a handful of Alex’s butt cheek and squeezed, then reached between Alex’s legs and cupped his heavy sac. He closed his hand around it loosely while he curled his fingers inside Alex’s ass. Alex began rocking steadily, fucking himself onto Sean’s fingers. He cried out every time his prostate was stimulated. His inner muscles rippled and clenched around Sean’s fingers, promising a mind-blowing sheath for his dick. Knowing Alex was ready for it as well, Sean pulled his fingers out and scrambled between Alex’s legs.

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His nervous jitters were long gone, replaced with an arousal so intense it was almost painful. He held the base of his dick as he lined it up to Alex’s glistening hole. His other hand clenched on Alex’s hip as Sean slowly began pushing into Alex’s ass. Alex’s impatient growl didn’t make Sean go any faster, either. Instead he pulled back and rubbed the head of his cock over Alex’s pucker, teasing them both. “Sean, stop teasing and fuck me already, please!” Alex grumbled. “Gladly,” Sean replied. He nestled his cock up to that hot little hole and gripped Alex’s hips, then rocked forward, the head of his dick slipping right past the ring. “Oh God, fuck, Alex!” Sean fought back the urge to slam his cock in the rest of the way as he waited for Alex’s inner muscles to loosen enough for him to slide in a little deeper. Alex moaned and arched his back more and Sean’s dick sank in deeper. His fingers flexed on Alex’s hips, need driving at his spine, urging him to rut hard and fast. He didn’t, knowing that would hurt Alex. He worked his cock in inch by inch, taking the time necessary to keep his mate safe, to make the experience a pleasurable one for them both. When Sean finally bottomed out, he was dripping with sweat and his fingers were pressed deep into Alex’s firm flesh. A flush covered Alex from his ass to the back of his neck, and Sean wanted to lick every bit of that rosy skin. Instead he pried his fingers from Alex’s hips and began rubbing soothing circles over Alex’s lower back and ass. Alex shivered, his spine arching as he moaned. The heat of his rectum seared Sean’s cock as inner muscles massaged his length, clenching around it. He looked at where their bodies were joined, at the pink ring stretched wide around his length. “Jesus, Alex,” Sean whispered, amazed at the way his cock fit so perfectly in Alex’s ass. “Move,” Alex grunted, wiggling his hips. Sean nearly swooned at the sensations that raced through him. He dropped down onto Alex’s back, sliding his arms under the man’s chest to grab the front of his shoulders. Sean licked a drop of sweat off the back of Alex’s neck, the taste calling up an instinct he couldn’t resist. Rolling his hips, seeking to get deeper, he ground against Alex’s ass as he nipped the spot he’d licked. Alex gasped, his legs parting more, and Sean began fucking him with short, hard strokes. He worked the succulent flesh beneath his teeth, his hands pulling Alex back into each thrust. Alex grunted and undulated beneath him, and Sean’s mind buzzed with

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lust as he opened his mouth and bit, instincts driving his hips as surely as his teeth as they sank into Alex’s skin. Alex screamed, his pleasure hitting Sean like a massive wave, rolling over him and pulling him under to a dark sensual place where need ruled. He clamped his jaw tight, the taste of his mate’s blood firing his own as he pistoned into Alex’s ass. Alex shouted again, the sound reverberating in the room as Sean lifted up, his mouth open as he panted, Alex’s essence still saturating his being. Sean moved his hands up to Alex’s back, pressing his shoulders down as he ploughed into Alex’s opening again and again. Alex’s grunts and yells grew louder as he reached beneath himself and began jerking off. Sean fucked him harder, driving in deep, his balls slapping against Alex’s with each thrust. Over and over, Sean laid his claim to his mate as ecstasy seared through him. Alex gave an ear-ringing shout and his ass clamped down hard on Sean’s dick. Sean’s balls pulled up tight as Alex shuddered and cursed, the scent of his cum filling the air. Sean’s dick was squeezed in a velvety hot vise, deep in Alex’s body. Sean groaned, long and low as spunk poured from his slit, bathing Alex’s channel, marking him as Sean’s as surely as the bite had. Sean’s vision blurred; he closed his eyes and threw his head back, howling as pleasure exploded white-hot from his head to his toes. Alex collapsed under him, his long legs shooting out and throwing Sean off balance. He landed on Alex, knocking the breath—what there was of it—from them both. Alex reached back and held onto Sean’s hip, letting him know he wanted him to stay where he was. They lay panting, struggling to fill their lungs, each unwilling to move for several minutes. When Sean finally managed to kick start a few brain cells, he leaned up and saw the mark—bite—he’d left on Alex’s neck. Instantly contrite, he touched the bloody flesh. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened to me.” That he’d done such a thing cast a dark pall over the rest of their love making. Was he like Joshua after all, hurting someone he was supposed to take care of? “No!” Alex barked, rolling over so fast Sean’s dick popped out. Alex flopped Sean onto his back, and promptly sprawled on top of him. “Don’t even think that, Sean, ever. You did what all mates do, mark their lover. I’ll do the same to you, I won’t be able not to, and you’ll

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enjoy it, crave it, just as I am even now. You made me yours,” Alex said, his eyes burning with passion and pride. “And I will make you mine.” Sean didn’t doubt it, and the balm to his soul suffused him with happiness. He smiled at Alex and pushed a chunk of hair out of his face, tucking it behind his ear. “I’m already yours, bite mark or not.” Alex’s eyes glowed impossibly brighter as he slowly lowered himself down until all but his chest pressed fully against Sean. “That you are,” he purred, then proceeded to kiss Sean senseless.

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Chapter Nine

“Are you sure we’re allowed to be in here?” Sean whispered, his eyes huge as he looked at all the books on the shelves. His wonder tugged at Alex’s heart, further cementing their bond. The past few days, they’d made loved, fucked, and laughed as much as they could. They hadn’t even left their bedroom until today, when it dawned on Alex that they hadn’t seen any of the rest of HQ. He’d been too busy monopolising Sean’s time, but he was pretty sure—positive, actually—that Sean hadn’t minded. In fact, he’d nearly had to drag Sean out of their room. The man was definitely on the shy side. Alex thought it was cute. “It’s fine. Marcus said we could go anywhere except barging into people’s bedrooms. He never minded letting anyone use his library, either, so relax.” Alex leaned down and kissed the side of Sean’s neck. He always shivered and whimpered softly when Alex did that, and both reactions were addictive. “Okay. Jeez, you know I melt when you do that,” Sean grumbled good naturedly. “Which is part of why I do it,” Alex teased back, winking—something he’d never imagined himself doing, go figure—at his mate. He draped his arm over Sean’s shoulders and rubbed the back of his neck. The knobs of his spine weren’t as prominent as they’d been when he first found Sean. Alex glanced at Sean’s profile as he looked over a row of mystery books. The bruises were finally gone, his arm healed days ago, and he’d even gained some weight. His skin was pale, but attractively so, and he glowed with good health and happiness. The strawberry blond hair was growing fast, something not uncommon in shifters. The inch-long growth looked to be curling already. Alex tried to picture it as he moved his hand up to rub the silky strands at the base of Sean’s hairline. “It is curly,” Sean mumbled as he reached for a book. “That’s why Joshua kept it shaved. He said I looked like a girl. All my family teased me about that. They used to call me Goldilocks when my hair was still white-blond. Once it darkened to this colour, the ginger insults began.”

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Alex narrowed his eyes, trying to picture Sean with lighter hair and curls. The image that popped up was so vivid he knew it wasn’t ‘make believe’ but a memory. He struggled to place it, and once he did he shared it with Sean. “That was you, right? I saw you once, from a distance, mind you, and thought you were a girl.” Sean turned and arched a brow at him, but his lips twitched as he tried not to smile. “A girl? Really, Alex? And yeah, I don’t remember that day, but what you showed me was me and Joshua walking to one of our brother’s cabin.” Sean’s brows scrunched down as he frowned at Alex. “That had to be around the time I was seven or eight. You’d think I’d remember that, but when I try I want to slip back to that safe place I told you about.” “The one I hate, but am glad you had in the past,” Alex said. He’d asked Sean about it yesterday, and Shania had been right. It was the only way Sean had been able to cope with the abuse he’d suffered. Sean was still frowning but he did take Alex’s hand. “I don’t think I need it any more. It’s not nearly as nice as being here with you.” Alex’s joy at hearing that was tempered by Sean admitting his mind wanted to pull him inside it and keep him safe. He struggled to bring the image into sharper focus, sharing it with Sean as he did, hoping he wasn’t making a colossal mistake. He replayed that bit of memory like a movie reel, slowing it down to explore every second of it. There was only that glimpse, a second or two in time when a teenage boy glanced up to see an attractive man walking with what Alex had thought was a little girl. Alex hadn’t paid much attention to the child, instead lead by his hormones to look at the male. That should have been the end of the memory, except Sean gasped and his hand jerked from Alex’s to press at his head. The book he’d been holding fell to the floor as Sean brought that hand to his head as well, holding it as if trying to keep his head from exploding. His pupils dilated and the scent of his fear filled the room. Sean’s eyes snapped shut, but the reel played on, this time, Alex realised, from Sean’s memories. The little blond boy was tagging along behind his older brother, who he idolised. Joshua had always kept the other family members from picking on him, even going so far as to move Sean into his bedroom and taking him with him everywhere Joshua went. Sean loved his brother fiercely, and thought he’d always be safe with him, which was why…

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The child-Sean turned his head in the memory, sniffing at the air. Something smelt good, better than anything he’d ever scented before. It wasn’t a food kind of good, either. It didn’t make his tummy rumble, but it did make his heart race and his fingers and toes tingle. Warmth suffused him when he inhaled deeply. That odour made him feel safe, safer than even Joshua did. He stopped and pivoted on his heel, determined to find the source. When he spotted it, Sean lit up inside like the big fireworks display Joshua had taken him to see last summer. Sean took a step forward— “No!” Sean, the here and now adult Sean, screamed and dropped to his knees. The agony and terror that flooded him slammed into Alex as well. Alex clutched at his temple as he reached for Sean with his other hand. The link between them snapped closed, and Sean started to topple over. Alex forgot about the grenade that went off in his head and caught Sean, falling with him but rolling onto his back to protect his mate. The tiled floor vibrated with the sound of running feet, heavy footsteps in rapid succession as voices called out from different directions. Alex cradled Sean to his chest, one hand cupping the back of Sean’s head and the other arm around his back. He tried to reach through that barrier of nothingness, but Sean was gone in a way that sent terror shrieking through Alex’s veins. He closed his eyes and tried again, coaxing, pleading, demanding, but nothing worked.

**** “He looks like he’s sleeping.” Alex dragged his gaze away from Sean’s chest. He couldn’t squash the fear that Sean would just…quit and leave him permanently. Marcus stood in the doorway, his hand on the knob. Alex hadn’t even heard him knock. His world had narrowed down to this one slender man in their bed. “But he’s not,” Alex pointed out unnecessarily. Marcus had been the first to arrive in the library, followed by Nathan and Alison and just about everyone else at HQ. When even the Alpha Anax couldn’t get a response from Sean, Shania had made everyone but Alex leave then had him carry Sean back to their room.

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Shania examined him and left, probably not very long ago, but Alex hadn’t paid attention to time, except to think it’d been forever since that moment in the library. He’d berated and cursed himself innumerable times and figured Marcus was here now to do the same. That was fine, because Alex knew he deserved it and more. Marcus walked over to the bed and glanced at Alex. “I’m going to touch him. That’s not a request, but a warning for you to behave when I do it.” Alex would have snarled over being scolded like a child, but what was the point? He’d harmed his mate, the one thing he’d promised Sean he’d never do. Marcus would be within rights to take him out back and whip him by whatever means he saw fit. Marcus smoothed his hand over Sean’s brow, then caressed his hair with a tenderness that seemed an unspoken blessing. He pinched a budding curl between his finger and thumb, then craned his neck and grinned at Alex. “Curls. I wouldn’t have expected it. Soft, too. I thought maybe Sean’s hair would be frizzy, you know, or straight, but it looks as if he’ll have even curlier hair than I do. That can be the bane to a man’s masculinity.” He looked back at Sean, frowning after a moment. “I didn’t realise…huh.” Marcus lifted his hand and straightened up then walked to the table and dragged the other chair to the bedside. “I hadn’t really looked at Sean, you know. When I was a captive, all I could focus on was trying to survive. He was just this sweet kid who was trying to help me at great risk to himself. Then when you found him, he was—” Marcus stopped and shook his head. “Well, you know how he looked. The two of you holed up in here for days, and,” his smile took on a wicked edge. “Consummated your bond, at least to an extent. You’ve got Sean’s mark right here.” Marcus touched the bite that Sean had freshened earlier that morning. “But the point is, I hadn’t seen him since he’d healed. He’s very—and don’t take this wrong—beautiful, isn’t he?” “I might take it wrong.” Marcus jumped, slipping forward in his seat at his mate’s snapped words. Alex glanced at the doorway and thought he should have locked the damned thing. He wanted to be alone with his mate, not listening to another mated pair bicker. Nathan walked over and sat down on Marcus’ lap. From his peripheral vision, Alex saw the red head lick a stripe up Marcus’ jaw. “You’re lucky I’m not the jealous type,” Nathan purred.

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“There’s no reason to really be jealous. Your mate wouldn’t ever cheat on you.” Alex wanted them gone already. Marcus narrowed his eyes at Alex. He didn’t even have to see the man to know it, he could feel the Alpha Anax’s glare. “And that’s why you and every other mate get pissy over someone else touching their mate.” ‘Pissy’ was an understatement. Alex wanted to challenge anyone who touched Sean even though he knew it was stupid. “It’s our instincts,” he muttered, brushing his thumb over the back of Sean’s hand. Nathan leant forward, well into Alex’s line of sight since it looked like the man was trying to get nose to nose with Sean. “Marcus is right, you know. I’ve been called pretty or beautiful more than once—stop growling, Marcus, I meant by you because of course you and I were virgins when we met. The point is, even I agree. Sean has those features that male models would kill for. He could knock everyone dead at a drag show.” “Nathan!” “Marcus!” Nathan exclaimed right back. “Alex knows I’m not insulting Sean. I’m saying he’s got most men and women beat in the looks department.” Nathan leaned in even closer for a second before sitting back with a huff. “And why doesn’t he have gold-tipped eyelashes? Or orange ones, whatever? He’s got thick black lashes that are going to make all the ladies envious.” Alex had traced those lashes with his fingertips, and brushed kisses over them on Sean’s cheeks when he’d slept. Right now he’d give anything just to see them flutter open. “Alex.” Just his name, nothing else. He hated it when Marcus did that. A two-syllable demand for his undivided attention. Alex sighed, not bothering to hide his irritation as he looked at Marcus. Marcus arched one brow but let the show of attitude go, for now at least. Alex figured he’d pay for it along with being a shitty stupid mate as well soon. Marcus’ other eyebrow rose up to join the first. “Whatever that look means, get it off your face. Unless you did something to Sean that sent him into this…this catatonic state, you’ve no reason to be punished.”

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Alex didn’t blink or bother making an excuse. “I did,” he admitted. “This is my fault, and whatever you want to do to me, I won’t protest it. I promised Sean I’d never harm him…” He stopped and shook his head, his throat tight with emotion. “And what horrible thing did you do to send Sean off into his head? Shania filled me and Marcus in on this self-preservation instinct of Sean’s.” Alex managed—just—not to glare at Nathan. The man had sounded mocking at first and it had tweaked Alex’s already frayed nerves. There wasn’t any use in refusing to answer, though. Nathan was every bit as powerful as Marcus even if he was only viewed as the man’s mate. Turning his gaze back to Sean, Alex explained what had happened earlier, which led to a retelling of his and Sean’s conversation about their suspicions that Joshua had known they were mates. He laid out the information succinctly, then waited for whatever punishment Marcus decided to hand down. It wasn’t Marcus who spoke after a long stretch of silence though. Nathan leaned over and smacked Alex on the arm, hard enough to bounce him off the opposite armrest. “There,” Nathan sniffed. “Does that make you feel better? Now you’ve been punished—for being a dumbass!” Alex darted a glance at Marcus, who was looking at Nathan with a sappy grin on his face. He returned his attention to Nathan, because the man might be small, but he packed a mean punch. “I admitted I was a dumbass for sharing the memory with Sean after he told me what it did to him. You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know.” Nathan looked at Marcus. Alex would have sworn the air crackled with the power of their mental link. Both men nodded then looked at him. Nathan’s evil grin was back, and Alex had to tense his muscles to keep from shuddering. “Well, here are a couple of things you obviously didn’t know. I smacked you and called you a dumbass for thinking Marcus would punish you for sharing a memory with Sean.” Alex opened his mouth to protest but Nathan pointed at him and narrowed his eyes. “Sean didn’t try to stop you, did he? He didn’t toss you out of his head. In fact, when your memory ended, he dredged his up and tried to examine it. Sean wanted to remember, he knew, I think, that there was an important reason he was blocking that particular memory.

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You said yourself it was suspicious. Now why don’t you think about what he did share before he withdrew? Combine it with the rest of what you told us.” Alex closed his eyes and reviewed Sean’s memory of the day Alex had seen him. Sean had scented something…attractive, although not in a sexual way. A boy as young as he’d been wouldn’t have known about such things, Alex didn’t think. The tingling sensation, the warmth and feeling of safety and happiness, they rang a familiar bell in his head and his eyes snapped open on the image of that blond curly head turning to look at a sixteen-year-old boy who was looking elsewhere. The pieces slid together audibly in his mind, each one forming a twisted picture. Alex’s pulse throbbed at his temples as he looked at Nathan. “He saw his mate.” “Exactly,” Nathan said, a satisfied smile curling his lips. “And I doubt a kid that age would have known what it was he was feeling. He’d have turned to the person he trusted with his questions. The person who didn’t make him feel quite as warm and fuzzy—stop scowling, I don’t know what terms to use to describe the bond between mates when both of them are kids!” Marcus jostled his legs, nearly tipping Nathan onto the floor. He shot the man an apologetic look and wrapped his arms around Nathan’s waist then pulled him to his chest before facing Alex. “As much as you don’t want to talk about it, you need to. How long after that was it before Joshua assaulted you?” Alex’s stomach dipped and he had to clear his throat since every bit of moisture had vanished upon being asked the question. He licked his dry lips and tried to track the days between the first event and the night he’d been raped. “A couple of weeks, maybe. Joshua didn’t…” God, I hate having to talk about this! Continuing was physically painful; his stomach burned like he’d swallowed battery acid and his head was pounding a discordant rhythm. “He didn’t just find me and do it. He—I guess he courted me, kind of. Befriended me. I’d just figured out I was gay, and knew that was not going to bode well for me in any pack. I was feeling pretty alone, scared to even talk to any other boys because I was afraid I’d get a hard on and everyone would know.” Nathan placed his hand on Alex’s arm. Alex looked into those grey flecked green eyes and wanted to hide from the sympathy he saw in them. “That had to have made a horrible

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thing even worse, to have someone trick you into trusting them then betraying that trust in such a violent way.” Anger crept into Nathan’s expression, tinting his cheeks red and letting off a smoky odour. “I swear I’m going to rip that bastard’s intestines out and strangle him with them. My delicate sensibilities and morals will just have to go fuck themselves. This is one time I can definitely condone violence.” “Why wouldn’t he remember, though?” Marcus asked, echoing one of the questions lingering on Alex’s tongue. Nathan rolled his eyes and scowled at Marcus before shaking his head. Alex was glad he wasn’t the one who had asked the question. “Because,” Nathan drew the word out as he made a rolling motion—come on, figure it out—with his hand. Marcus grinned at Nathan. “You’re too fun to rile up.” His expression turned serious as he spoke. “When he told Joshua that he’d found his mate—although he probably didn’t use that word, Joshua figured it out regardless—and explained that the boy he’d seen had made him feel even better than Joshua did, Joshua got jealous. Sean had, by his own admission, worshipped his brother. That had to be a big ego boost to Joshua.” Alex nodded. “And it probably made it worse that his mate was male.” “I don’t know about that,” Nathan mused, tapping at his chin. “I really think Joshua would have gone after anyone he saw as competition for his brother’s attention. Gender wasn’t as important. So, to continue our group conjecture, Joshua probably hurt Sean any time he mentioned you or that day. Then he went after you—” “No.” Alex went over what he knew again. “No, Sean said Joshua began hurting him after their father and brothers turned on Joshua. The rumour was, Joshua had been caught fucking another man. I don’t know how; maybe his family smelt it on him, or maybe he bragged about what he did to me. For all I know, someone could have seen us. He had me bbent over a fence for hours on what was supposedly abandoned property.” “Alex.” Oh my fucking—now Nathan was doing that to him, too? “What?”

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“You understand that if someone had seen, and not done a damned thing to help you, that adds another layer to your victimisation.” Nathan gnawed on his bottom lip for a second before releasing it. “I think that’s what I mean. And no one likes to be called a victim, but that’s because people seem to think victim means weak. It doesn’t. The two are not synonymous. In fact, I would categorise them as antonyms. Most victims rise above their circumstances, if given the opportunity. And even if they aren’t given the opportunity, they make one.” “Nathan’s right,” Marcus chimed in. “Zane, Mika, and me—we’ve all been victims. I don’t think any of us, including you, are weak. Do you think I’m weak, Alex?” The explanation soothed away some of Alex’s embarrassment. He hadn’t thought of any of those men as victims, especially not Marcus. “No, never. It’s just harder to forgive yourself, I guess.” The other men frowned and Alex hurried to correct himself. “Or to believe there’s nothing to forgive yourself for. That’s what I meant. I blamed myself for being naïve, for not being strong enough to fight off an adult male, then I shoved the whole horrible mess as deep down inside me as I could. I still don’t want to talk about it, but I’m getting to where I don’t blame myself as much. I don’t think it’s possible to just let it all go at once.” The smile Marcus gave him would have had Alex bemoaning his unrequited love at one time, but now it only made him proud of pleasing his Alpha Anax. “It’s a good start, Alex. Now let’s see what we can do about bringing your mate back around.”

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Chapter Ten

Jesus Christ, what is that racket? It sounded worse than two tomcats with their tails tied together. The obnoxious noise grew louder as Sean surfaced from that safe place, his conscious mind pulling him back into the world. He felt Alex’s soothing presence in his mind just as it dawned on him what all the noise was. “I understand what caterwauling is now,” Sean muttered without opening his eyes. The bed dipped and he bounced as he inhaled Alex’s scent. Warm, soft lips pressed against his, and Sean didn’t care who else was in the room, he moaned and wound his arms around Alex’s neck. “Don’t do that to me again, please Sean. I can’t take it when you disappear like that.” Sean’s mouth was too full of Alex’s tongue and his head too full of all the dirty things he wanted to do with Alex to form any kind of answer. He sucked on Alex’s tongue, mimicking what he wanted to do to Alex’s dick. He barely heard Marcus and Nathan’s laughter. “I think that’s our cue to leave.” The bedroom door opened then slammed shut and Sean skimmed his hands down Alex’s sides to cup his butt. He kneaded the firm globes hard, the way Alex liked it. Alex’s moan as well as the way he pushed his ass up had Sean’s dick hard in no time. But he had different plans for his dick than usual. “Fuck me, Sean. I need to feel you in me. Bite me, mark me, claim me, and screw me until I can’t sit without it aching.” Alex lifted his lips and turned his head, rubbing his cheek against Sean’s. “Sweet fucking hell, Sean. You nearly made me cream my jeans. Let’s get naked, if you’re sure you’re up to it.” Snickering, Sean grabbed one of Alex’s hands and shoved it between them. Alex arched his back, bowing his spine to make room then his wonderful hand was on Sean’s dick. The layer of clothing between that warm hand and his body was no kind of barrier, and Sean’s

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eyes crossed as Alex’ rubbed his over the denim, heating the material up and driving Sean out of his mind with need. “I’m gonna make this so good for you,” Alex purred as he nuzzled Sean’s neck. “Open your legs for me, need to feel you.” Sean’s legs parted as Alex lifted slightly. He tracked his hands up Alex’s back as the man settled in, bringing their groins together. Alex kissed him again before levering his torso up, Sean’s hands moving to grab onto his biceps, then Alex shifted his hips, grinding in a way that shot bolts of heat to the quivering nerves in Sean’s cock and balls. His ass clenched, driving up, his hole pulsing as he thought of Alex’s big cock filling him. That was one thing they hadn’t done yet, and not because Sean wasn’t willing…he’d just been a little scared, but every time he buried his dick in Alex, felt the man’s pleasure spark sharp and bright, Sean had become less nervous. Today he’d been prepared to beg and plead if he’d needed to, or to shove Alex down and suck his dick, tease him until Alex was every bit as desperate to fuck as Sean was to be fucked. He was sure there was going to be some serious conversation later, some thinking and tossing back and forth of ideas, but for now he needed this, and Alex did, too. “Yessss,” Alex hissed, lifting his head to stare down at Sean. His hips rocked faster, harder, his eyes narrowing to slits as his breathing accelerated along with his thrusts. Sweat ran from his forehead to his eyebrow, beading up and plopping onto the pillow beside Sean’s head. Sean licked his lips at the thought of tasting Alex’s skin, licking the salty sweet moisture from every inch of skin. He loved the way Alex tasted, the way he smelt—pretty much anything and everything that had to do with him. His mind hovered on the edge of discovery, something powerful just out of reach when Alex’s moan and stuttering of his hips catapulted Sean into a climax that snapped his spine straight before bowing it as Sean writhed and rutted. “That’s it, ah!” Alex’s rumbling groan seemed borne from his stomach, vibrating up his torso, shaking Sean with its force as the evocative scent of their cum mingled together, redolent in the air.

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Alex huffed as his arms trembled, then he dropped down beside Sean and turned those want-filled blue eyes on Sean. Sean didn’t think he could get either of them naked fast enough.

**** Alex grunted as Sean pounced on him, shoving him onto his back. Those lean nimble hands had him stripped—with Alex’s help when he could—in no time at all. When Alex reached out to help Sean divest himself of clothing, Sean had snarled, just a quick warning, and rather than irritate Alex, it’d warmed him like just about nothing else could have to see his mate unafraid of showing his temper. Then Sean was bare-assed naked and Alex forgot about everything else except the way this man made him feel, which, right now, was as if he was being singed from the inside out, much like the Arizona sun had done, except even more intense. Sean stood beside the bed and stretched, raising his arms high over his head, locking his hands together and thrusting out his chest. Pale pink nipples framed with just the slightest trace of golden hair begged to be tormented, worked into ruby buds swollen with blood from Alex’s ministrations. Alex dragged his gaze up to Sean’s shoulders, the slight ridges of muscles bunched as he leaned his arms up and further back. His cock swelled as he looked at the long line of Sean’s neck, arched as if in offering. Saliva pooled in Alex’s mouth; he’d mark his mate soon, pin him down and sink his teeth into that pale flesh as he sunk his cock into Sean’s tight ass. Sean shivered, whimpering as Alex shared the image with him. He lowered his arms, running his hands over his chest, plucking at his nipples before sliding his palms down to his concave belly. “I want that so bad,” Sean rasped, his hands moving, thumbs trailing the golden hair below his belly button. Alex’s gaze locked on his cock, flushed pink on the curved stalk. The crown was darker, almost purple, flared wide and dripping from the slit. “Come here,” Alex croaked, holding out one hand. Sean crawled onto the bed, his dick bobbing. Alex watched the sway of his balls as he straddled Alex’s hips and crawled on his knees up until his tip was within licking distance. Sean pushed his cock down, aiming the crown at Alex’s lips. “Open for me. Suck it.”

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The command in Sean’s voice never failed to stimulate Alex to the point of mindless obedience. He parted his lips as he placed his hands on Sean’s thighs. “Come on, fuck my face. I want to feel you lose control.” Sean groaned as he slid his dick into Alex’s mouth in a steady thrust. His flavour set Alex’s taste buds to vibrating as he sucked, his tongue swirling over the thick vein on the underside of Sean’s length. Alex relaxed his throat and ran his hands up to Sean’s nipples, pinching at the little nubs, rolling them between his thumbs and forefingers. Sean’s control began slipping, his thrust going from a controlled glide to a rough, fast jerk of hips that buried his cock in Alex’s throat. Alex twisted Sean’s nipples slightly, not enough to hurt his mate, just enough to make the feeling spark heat through his chest and zing to his groin. Sean’s strangled cry as he fisted his hand in Alex’s hair was one of the most beautiful sounds Alex had ever heard. Sean shoved his dick in deeper, holding it in for a second then withdrawing. Alex licked and sucked as he worked Sean’s nipples, absorbing every desperate sound that tumbled from his mate’s lips. “Fuck me, Sean. Let go and do it,” Alex coaxed. Sean did, panting as he drove his dick back in to the hilt. Alex worked him into a frenzy, sucking, licking, swallowing, moving one hand down to cup his swinging balls and squeeze gently while his other hand teased Sean’s nipples. Sean bucked his hips, grunting over and over, his groin pressing harder against Alex’s face with each thrust. “Yeah, baby, just like that. Let go, give me everything—” Sean’s balls tightened, hardening as they tucked up to his body, preparing to set a load free. Alex moaned with anticipation, letting the vibrations ripple around Sean’s dick. Sean’s shout rang off the walls as he fucked faster, his rhythm gone, desire swamping him. Their link swelled, expanded, as the cock in Alex’s mouth did the same. Sean’s essence poured down Alex’s throat then flooded his mouth as Sean shuddered, backing out until his crown was on Alex’s tongue, bathing it in his cum. Alex swallowed each drop greedily, bringing his hands to Sean’s ass, squeezing the clenched globes until he could get his fingertips into the fuzzed crease. He slid one hand down, suckling Sean’s cock softly as he found the wrinkled folds he’d sought.

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Sean gasped and arched his back, his dick popping out of Alex’s mouth, trailing cum and spit over his chin. Alex pressed a fingertip to the tight hole. He’d fingered Sean’s sweet little ass more than once, wringing cries of pleasure from his mate, but now he wanted more—so much more. “On your hands and knees,” Alex rasped.

**** Sean toppled to his side and barely managed to roll to his belly and push himself up. His brain was mush, that’s all there was to it. Alex had melted it and sucked half of it right out his cock. Hands at his hips helped position him. Alex wedged his legs between Sean’s calves then spread his knees farther apart, forcing Sean to do the same. Sean lowered his chest down to the pillow beneath him, his shaking arms unable to hold his weight. “Do you know what I’m going to do first?” Alex asked, and Sean wondered how the man could form a coherent sentence until he remembered that he was the one who’d just had his second explosive orgasm. Before he could answer, Alex flooded his mind with images so erotic and arousing blood rushed to fill Sean’s cock again. Sean moaned, eager and willing even if his muscles were quivering with aftershocks from coming so hard. Alex smoothed his hands over Sean’s shoulders, then slowly traced the ridges of his spine. He flattened his hands on the middle of Sean’s back, dragging his hands down slowly, spanning the width of Sean’s waist. “This,” Alex rasped, his hands clenching gently, “turns me on so fucking much, the way my hands look so big on your narrow waist.” Sean’s breath hitched at the words and image. Alex’s hands were long and strong, Sean’s waist almost tiny in comparison. Alex tightened his grip for a second, letting Sean feel his strength, then he stroked over Sean’s flanks, rubbing harder and bringing a brisk heat to his butt. “Now…” Alex thumbed Sean’s crack, spreading his cheeks little by little as he slid his hands down in slow increments. “I’m going to eat your hot little ass until you beg me to fuck

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you, Sean. Going to make you feel so good, every orgasm you’ve had before will pale in comparison.” Sean doubted that; Alex had given him so many exquisite orgasms, and his snort said so. Then he felt the bed shift slightly and a puff of warm breath gusted over his hole. Sean sucked in his stomach as goose bumps pebbled his skin. Alex pried his ass open more, then his wet slick tongue lapped down Sean’s crease, right over his pucker, further down to his balls. Sean’s legs wobbled as nerve endings were stimulated almost unbearably. His knees slid on the sheets as Alex dragged his tongue back up, then Alex hooked an arm around Sean’s waist and that hot tongue vanished as Sean was dragged across the bed. Alex growled, his need thick in the sound as he settled Sean in a new position. Knees on the floor, bent over the edge of the bed, Sean gripped the fitted sheet and screamed as Alex parted his ass cheeks and without hesitation and sealed his lips around Sean’s hole. Sean’s chest tightened; his cock throbbed, pinned between his body and the bed. He whimpered as he tried to drag in a breath. Alex sucked hard, his teeth scraping the delicate tissues. Fiery need spread out from Sean’s ring, spiralling to his balls and cock, streaking up his spine, peaking his nipples as he rubbed against the bed. “That’s it, baby. You taste so good.” Alex’s thoughts were infused with the sultry purr that stoked Sean’s desire. He pushed his butt out, widened his knees, spreading his ass as much as he could without reaching—Sean stopped that thought and reached back, his hands encountering Alex’s. He shoved at them and buried his fingers in his crack as he pulled his cheeks apart. Alex’s moan was filled with the hunger coursing through Sean. His tongue flicked over Sean’s pucker, teasing, stimulating, then finally pushing in. Sean didn’t even have the breath to scream as the divine feeling of Alex’s tongue fucking into his ass sent his body into a frenzy of want. His hips rocked, seeking friction for his dick, more tongue, he didn’t know what, Sean just needed. He choked on a cry when Alex growled and shoved his tongue in deeper, spearing Sean’s ring. Sean writhed and whined as Alex used lips, tongue and teeth to drive him to the brink of climax over and over. Every time Sean was teetering, nearly toppling over that edge, Alex would tug his balls or lift his mouth up and rub his face against Sean’s thighs.

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By the time Alex added a finger to the mix, sinking it in deep and fast, Sean was beyond desperate to be fucked. He needed Alex in him, his dick splitting Sean open, claiming him in the most elemental way. “Please! Please Alex,” was all Sean could manage, the words tumbling out over and over as he felt another digit stretching his hole. Alex fingered him slowly at first, then with greater urgency as Sean continued to beg. “I have to stretch you more. My dick is thicker, and longer, than these two fingers. There will be as little pain as possible when I take you.” Sean was past the point of worry about potential pain. He sobbed as his needy ass ached for more. A third finger helped some, but soon it wasn’t enough and neither were the hard thrusts as Alex finger fucked him with more force. “Alex!” Sean screamed, his need clawing at him with white hot talons. He shouted again as fingers brushed over his prostate, then his ass was empty and aching to be filled again.

**** Alex applied a liberal coating of lube to his cock then tossed the tube aside. Sean peered over his shoulder at him with heavy-lidded eyes. Alex squeezed the base of his dick, ruthlessly forcing his budding climax back. “Roll over.” He needed to see Sean’s face when he claimed him. Sean did so clumsily, his limbs shaking as he sprawled on his back. Alex hooked his arms under Sean’s knees and climbed onto the bed, pushing Sean into the centre of the mattress. He raised his arms, tipping Sean’s ass up, curling his stomach. Sean’s cock bounced, tapping his skin and leaving a string of pre-cum bridging the slight gap from crown to belly. Alex gazed at his mate spread before him, his dick hard, balls tight in their wrinkled sack. He spread his arms out, which separated Sean’s butt cheeks, exposing the glistening just waiting to be filled. Alex’s butt clenched in sympathy. He knew all too well now how it felt to need a thick cock splitting his ass open. “Hold your legs up.” He needed inside Sean desperately, struggled not to just slam into him.

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Sean palmed the backs of his knees, pulling his legs to his chest. Alex wedged his knees under Sean’s butt and lined his dick up, rubbing the head over Alex’s pucker. He watched, fascinated as he pushed the tip in. Rippling heat surrounded it, sucking his cock in greedily. Alex dropped down over Sean, catching the bends of Sean’s knees with his elbows. The move spread Sean open even further, and Alex’s dick sank in steadily for a few inches before Sean’s breath whooshed out and his ass clamped tight around Alex’s length. Sean’s eyes widened and his hands clenched on Alex’s forearms as he dropped more of his weight onto Sean. “Fuck,” Sean rasped, swallowing loudly as he blinked repeatedly. “That’s…oh it’s—” Whatever Sean had been about to say was lost in a moan as his inner muscles loosened and Alex drove his cock home, his balls slapping against Sean’s ass. Sean panted and rolled his head from side to side, his eyes closing as he whimpered. Alex held still, battling the need to thrust, to pummel Sean’s ass until they both came. He dipped his head and caught Sean’s lips, pressing hard to keep the man’s head still. Sean opened for him like a morning glory greeting the sun. Alex nipped at his bottom lip and Sean gasped. His inner muscles constricted, rippled, then loosened as Alex plundered his mouth. Alex nudged his dick in deeper and swivelled his hips, the tight silky heat sparking from his cock to the base of his spine. He flicked his tongue against Sean’s then raised his head, staring into those amber eyes. Alex rocked his hips, pulling out a few inches. Sean’s lids flickered then lowered almost shut. His mouth dropped open; his fingernails bit into Alex’s skin. The sting of pain had Alex’s hips snapping forward, slamming his dick in hard enough to drive grunts from them both. Sean’s lips curved in a wicked challenge; he spurred Alex on with images and unspoken demands. Alex let go of any idea of being gentle—neither of them wanted that now. He pulled out almost entirely, letting the rim of his cock tug against the inside of Sean’s ring. Sean squirmed, his nails sinking deeper. “Alex, fuck me!” he demanded in a voice deep with need. Alex gave his mate a wicked smile of his own then filled Sean’s ass with one smooth hard thrust. Sean’s back bowed as he keened, and Alex began fucking him, holding nothing back. He wedged his forearms under Sean’s shoulders, dislodging Sean’s hands, and grabbed onto his mate, holding him in place for each slamming penetration.

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Sean’s keen hitched higher; his head tipped back, arching his neck in a tantalising manner. Alex’s eyes latched onto that join of neck and shoulder, and he lowered his head, his mouth watering, tongue tingling with the knowledge of what was to come. All the while he ploughed into Sean’s ass, spearing him over and over. Sean’s shout when Alex’s cockhead stimulated his gland fired the instinctive drive swamping Alex. He licked the tender spot, grunting at the taste of his mate. His hips jutted harder, faster, shoving his dick deeper as soft, hot muscles constricted around it. Alex scraped his teeth over Sean’s skin, a warning or a promise—or both. Sean rolled his head, offering himself to Alex in that primitive way and Alex snarled, his wolf howling inside him as he sank his teeth into his mate’s flesh. Sean’s entire body jerked as if Alex’s weight were nothing. He grabbed Alex’s head, shoving his face against Sean’s neck and shoulder as his legs latched tight around Alex’s hips. Alex let the taste of Sean’s blood sink into him, soaking into his marrow, binding them together even stronger. He suckled and nipped, his hands tightening their grip as he fucked Sean, sense and reason gone, nothing but primeval needs of their bodies, their wolves, driving them both. Sean raked his nails down Alex’s back, leaving a burning trail of pleasure-pain behind. He bucked and scratched Alex’s ass, his hips, the tops of his thighs. Alex answered each sting with a nip or sucking bite, driving their need together, feeding it back and forth to each other through their link as well as their sounds and bodies, their touch. Alex felt the climax welling inside him, rising quick and unstoppable. He left off nuzzling the mark he’d made and raised himself up on one arm, never losing his rhythm as he fucked Sean, jackhammering against his ass as he filled him time and again. Sean’s face glistened with sweat, his eyes clenched shut as his nostrils flared with each noisy breath. Alex reached between them and fisted Sean’s dick, stroking to match the thrusts of his hips. Sean’s eyes flew open as he bellowed, his nails scoring paths down Alex’s biceps. Alex pumped his wrist, his palm smoothing over Sean’s cockhead. He caught the slit with the edge of his thumbnail, and Sean’s bellow turned into a howl as jizz spurted from his tip. Alex rammed his cock in deep as Sean’s inner muscles began clenching. He burrowed in to the root, his balls drawing up as his howl joined his mate’s. Alex’s orgasm seemed

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ripped from his bowels, boiling up from deep inside him and spilling out in spurts of cum that saturated Sean’s rectum. He shivered and thrust, grinding his hips as waves of ecstasy washed over him repeatedly. Gradually, the ability to think returned and Alex dropped to his elbows atop Sean, drinking in the sounds of his mate’s raspy breaths. Alex licked and kissed the bite mark, stimulating them both, slowly, steadily. Sean tugged on his hair eventually, and Alex turned his head to find a sweet smile on Sean’s lips. His eyes sparkled with a joy that Alex was sure lit his own as well. “Now you’ve claimed me all properly,” Sean whispered, his eyes darkening as the pupils dilated. “When can you do it again?” Alex let his body do the talking, answering Sean the best way possible.

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Chapter Eleven

A dull, pleasant ache in his ass roused Sean from sleep. He stretched, extending his arms and cuffing something with his elbow. A grunt wafted breath over his arm, and Sean pried open his eyes to find Alex’s narrowed as the man glared at him. They’d spent hours having sex, and, though it’d been a temporary mood killer, talking about the conclusions Marcus, Nathan and Alex had reached while Sean had been out of it. Alex had distracted him from brooding and worrying over it, had fucked him until Sean couldn’t think of the guilt he’d felt. Then it had been Sean’s turn. Remembering had Sean licking his dry lips and grinning. “I’d think you would wake up smiling instead of glowering after last night…and this morning. You sure weren’t irritated when your knees were up by your ears and I was fucking you silly.” Alex’s expression softened, as he pulled Sean on top of him. “Maybe that’s how you should have woke me up instead of socking me in the jaw.” Sean’s dick had been hard when he’d awakened, but now it grew impossibly harder as he thrust, rubbing their cocks together. “We can close our eyes and start the morning all over aga—” A knock on their door had them both scowling as they glared in that direction. Sean sniffed and sighed, disappointment dousing his arousal. “Marcus,” he and Alex said at the same time. “I swear he did it on purpose,” Alex grumped. Sean wasn’t so sure, but he did know the Alpha Anax had to be able to scent their need. It hung in the air with the odour of cum and sweat. “Just a minute,” he called out, rolling off Alex. They got out of bed and hurried to get dressed. Sean glanced at the dried spunk on his belly and chest, scratching at it much like Alex was doing to his own. “Wish he would have waited until we finished and showered.” He was feeling a tad grumpy himself now as he pulled on a shirt. Alex muttered an agreement and beat him to the door. He opened it and Marcus stepped into the room, his nose wrinkling. Instead of pointing out the obvious, he kept a

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sombre look on his face as he addressed them both. “Shower, then come to my office. I just got a report in on Joshua’s whereabouts.” With that he turned and walked back out. Sean stared at the empty doorway as worry turned his stomach sour. “It’s something bad, isn’t it?” Alex hesitated, walking over to his side and wrapping his arms around Sean before answering. “I think it must be. For once Marcus didn’t make a remark about the smell or claiming or any such thing.” Mind racing with possibilities, Sean averted his gaze when Alex looked at him. He was afraid he knew what Marcus would tell them—Joshua was coming for him, just as he’d promised. Sean fisted his hands as Alex held him tighter. “He can’t have you, Sean. I promised you I wouldn’t let him hurt you again, and my promise nullifies his. He doesn’t love you. I do.” Sean whipped his head up so fast his neck popped. He searched Alex’s eyes, feeling the truth settle over him, into him, cradling his heart and soul. “I do,” Alex said, his eyes burning with the intensity of his emotions. They wrapped around Sean as surely as Alex’s arms, holding him in a cocoon of safety. As long as Alex held him, nothing would hurt him. “Nothing will you hurt, not like Joshua did, ever again, whether you’re in my arms or not.” Sean let out a stuttering breath as he nodded. The words were on the tip of his tongue; he parted his lips to say them only to have Alex kiss him, swallowing what Sean had intended to say. Alex’s mind moved with his, warming the chill that had coated his skin since Marcus had entered the room. “I know, Sean. I feel what you feel, can sense it every time you look at me, touch me.” Nestling closer, Sean infused the kiss with every pounding, vibrant emotion he felt for Alex and received the same from him. They kissed until their lips were sore and swollen, the flesh slick and hot. “We’d better get cleaned up,” Alex said with a wicked grin. He let Sean go, partially, taking his hands and walking backwards as he guided Sean to the bathroom. Sean hesitated when Alex released his hands, frowning at his mate. “Maybe it’s not a good idea for us to get cleaned up at the same time. Marcus seemed to want us in his office, like, an hour ago.” Alex snorted as he bent to turn on the shower. “Trust me, he knew what was going to happen when he told us to get cleaned up. He just wants us to be quick about it—and I can

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do quick.” He waggled his eyebrows at Sean and began stripping off his clothes. Already his tanned skin was flushed, his arousal showing. Sean took one look at the thick, proud cock pointing at him and couldn’t get naked quick enough. Alex chuckled and helped him, dropping to his knees and pulling down Sean’s sweats. He licked the underside of Sean’s dick and palmed his balls, looking up at Sean. “What do you want?” Sean bit his bottom lip as he considered his options. They were all very good options, but there was one in particular he wanted to indulge. “Fuck me?” “Like you ever have to ask,” Alex said, standing quickly and dragging Sean into the shower. The water was lukewarm at best, but Alex’s hands were hot on his skin as he spun Sean away from him. He pressed his hands to Sean’s shoulders, massaging them gently. “Put your hands on the wall.” Sean did, then spread his legs. The tub wasn’t quite wide enough for him to spread open like he wanted, so he propped a foot on the lip of the tub. Alex slammed the shower door shut with one hand while prodding Sean’s ass hole with the fingers of the other. “Still wet, stretched. How sore are you?” He inserted a finger and Sean hissed. “Too sore. Maybe we should—” “No,” Sean snapped. He wanted to feel Alex taking him again, just in case— Alex growled and pulled his finger out of Sean’s ass. “I said I won’t let anything happen to you!” “You can’t control everything and everyone, Alex,” Sean said, hoping he could explain his fear. He kept his mind open, but Alex didn’t seem interested in prying. “It isn’t you I’m doubting. Part of it is myself. I didn’t want Joshua to leave me. What if…what if—” Alex grabbed his shoulder and turned him around. The fierce expression on his face sent a thrill of fear-tinged excitement through Sean. Alex wouldn’t hurt him, he believed that, but the man was bigger, stronger, and his anger well-controlled despite how sharp it was. It made Sean’s wolf want to roll over in a show of submission, and it spiked Sean’s arousal back up to where it’d been before this discussion had started. Alex’s nostrils flared as his anger morphed into something hotter. He nudged Sean back a step. “Turn the water off and grab the shower head.” Sean hurried to comply, nearly smacking his head on the wall when he bent over and Alex grabbed his ass. “Hurry,” Alex muttered. Sean turned the water off then faced Alex. He

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reached up and grabbed the showerhead in one hand and the short bit of pipe with the other. Looking up, he considered the fixture. “Do you think it’ll hold my weight?” “It doesn’t need to, not all of it.” With that, Alex grabbed the back of Sean’s thighs right below his butt cheeks and lifted him up. “Wrap your legs around me and lock your ankles together.” Desire pounding in his groin, Sean did as he was told. Alex hefted him higher, then Sean felt the tip of Alex’s dick pressing to his ass hole. “Ready for me?” Alex asked, his gaze intent on Sean. Sean started to nod then moaned as that thick cock penetrated him. Alex’s hands guided Sean down, filling him with one thrust. His back was pressed to the wall slowly, giving Sean time to adjust his grip if need be. He did, then Alex lifted him a few inches and slammed his cock back in as he lowered him onto Alex’s dick. Sean’s head hit the wall with a thunk as Alex fucked him. It wasn’t pretty or neat, it was a hard, gritty fucking that set Sean’s ass on fire and made his entire body throb with the need to come. Alex grunted and rammed his cock in short, hard thrusts that rattled Sean’s teeth. Sean let go with one hand and grabbed the back of Alex’s neck. “Do it. God damn it, Alex, do it!” Alex groaned as he let his head be pushed down, shoved against Sean’s neck. His lips latched on to the mark he’d left and Sean whimpered. He bit, and Sean screamed, cum spewing from his dick. Alex’s rumbling grow signalled his end, as did the near-violent thrusts as he pounded Sean’s ass. He lifted his head and howled as his hips stilled and he filled Sean’s channel with cum. Dropping his head back to Sean’s shoulder, Alex laved the mark. Sean panted and waited for his muscles to stop trembling. When they did, he lowered his legs and let go of the pipe, letting Alex’s weight where he pinned Sean to the wall keep him upright. He ran a hand through Alex’s hair, admiring the way it gleamed with moisture from either sweat or before he’d turned the shower off. “We’d better hurry for sure now,” Sean prodded gently. “Ungh,” Alex grunted, but he slapped a hand to the wall and pushed himself up. “Damn, that about turned my bones to gel.” “Mine too,” Sean admitted. They smiled at each other then cleaned up as fast as they could. Assuring one another they’d removed all the jizz, they got out after Sean turned off the water.

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By the time they’d tended to other matters of hygiene and got dressed, Sean figured they were pushing their time limit, and Alex agreed. “Yeah, we probably should run to his office.” Alex winked at Sean but Sean wasn’t sure he was joking entirely. They walked at a fast clip, not quite jogging but pretty close to it until they reached Marcus’ office. Alex raised his hand to knock on the door then dropped it when Marcus bellowed, “Get in here, now!” Sean scooted closer to Alex, relieved when he draped his arm over Sean’s shoulders. “He’s not like Joshua, you know this. Don’t be afraid just because Marcus sounds a bit…bitchy. He won’t hurt you.” Sean nodded, but he couldn’t quite hide his fear when he entered the room with Alex and found Marcus glaring at them both.

**** Marcus’ glare softened when the scent of Sean’s fear permeated the air. Alex was glad, because he’d been ready to snap at the Alpha Anax, and that likely wouldn’t have ended well for him. “Y’all took longer than I’d expected.” Marcus’ lips twitched then stretched into a smile as footsteps sounded behind Alex and Sean. He smelt Nathan before he saw him. Nathan brushed by him, shooting an amused glance in their direction before perching on the edge of Marcus’ desk. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at them, though his words were for Marcus. “See, I told you we would have had enough time to fuck. You owe me a blowjob.” To Alex’s delight, Marcus’ cheeks turned ruddy as he grabbed up a stack of papers and started neatening them, tapping them against his desk. “Nathan,” he scolded, but Nathan only harrumphed and studied Alex first, then Sean. “Be warned, he’s trying to think of nicknames for the two of you. He and Gabe have this competition to see who can come up with the most embarrassing ones.” Nathan nodded as he narrowed his eyes. “So far, Gabe beat me before we ever met with the whole ‘Double D’ for Aidan and ‘Grand Poobah’ for Marcus, but I’m thinking I can use the two of you to catch up.”

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Alex didn’t have to feign worry over that. He knew Nathan would drag out something awful. Sean’s soft snicker eased some of Alex’s concern, though, so he didn’t protest. Nathan would come up with whatever he came up with. “Later, Nathan.” Marcus sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers under his chin. He pinned Alex with an inquisitive look and tipped his head to one side. Alex tried to steel himself for whatever was coming, sure he wouldn’t like it. Sean’s hand twined with his, and he squeezed it gratefully. “I told y’all the guards lost Joshua, but it seems they picked up his trail again—or part of it. In Sedona.” The words congealed into a lump of cold dread in Alex’s chest. He darted a glance at Sean, unsurprised to find him nibbling on his bottom lip and watching Alex. Alex reached up and scratched the back of his neck, his nerves pinging. “Sedona? Where—” He sucked in a noisy breath. Marcus nodded. “From what we can tell, he tracked you, or at least where you had been shortly before coming after him.” “It couldn’t have been Joshua,” Sean blurted out. “It was,” Marcus snapped, slapping the desktop as he leant forward. “His scent was all over Harley Johanson’s apartment!” Alex’s knees quivered. He locked them to keep upright as Sean argued with the Alpha Anax. “No. I mean, I’m not saying he wasn’t at this Harley Johanson’s apartment, but Joshua’s sense of smell has been damaged, probably permanently. He has a…a fondness for cocaine. It apparently has some effect on shifters when consumed in very large amounts.” “All right, so one of his other pack members led Joshua there. Who would that be?” Marcus asked, then, before Sean could answer, “Alex, sit before you fall. It isn’t your fault.” Sean turned to him, frowning at Alex. “Why would you think it was—” “Because I fucked him,” Alex admitted, unable and unwilling to lie to his mate. “Just hours before I found you.” Sean looked away, biting at his lip again. Nathan stood and took Alex’s arm, steering him to one of the chairs in front of the desk. “Sit, like you were told.” Nathan pushed and

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Alex sat, wringing his hands together between his knees. He looked at his mate, who was still avoiding meeting his eyes. Nathan took Sean’s arm and shook it. Alex barely held back a snarl as his mate jerked his gaze up to Nathan’s. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop it. Alex hadn’t met you yet. He didn’t know he had a mate, or he wouldn’t have been able to have sex with someone else. He wouldn’t have even wanted to have sex with anyone else. Were you aware you had a mate?” Sean shook his head, and finally looked at Alex. “No, I didn’t…I didn’t understand, and it sure didn’t hit me like it did once I saw Alex again. I guess it wouldn’t feel the same to a child.” “And you can think of that time in the past now?” Marcus asked. “A little,” Sean said. “I’m afraid to push too hard, in case…” He shrugged then looked at Alex, letting him feel the truth as he spoke again. “Nathan’s right. You shouldn’t feel guilty for having…for, you know. I can’t even say it without getting mad, but that doesn’t mean you were wrong!” Sean sounded mad, but the anger was directed at himself. “Just, believe us when we say it wasn’t your fault, not what you did before, and not what happened to…Harley Johanson. That’s no different than me blaming myself for what Joshua did to me.” Alex opened his mouth to argue but couldn’t figure out how to refute the claim. He closed his mouth and looked hopefully at Sean. Sean’s mouth curled in a slight smile and he shook off Nathan’s hand on his arm and came to sit beside Alex. “Now that that’s settled,” Marcus muttered. “Sean, who is the beta? The same shifter as when I was being held captive?” Sean nodded, taking Alex’s hand once again. “Yes. Marshall Vaughn. He’s…he’s always scared me, the way he looked at me.” “Then he’s a dead fucker,” Alex said. “He deserves it for being Joshua’s beta as well as for looking at you in any way.”

**** Sure his eyes were going to bug right out of his head, Sean gaped at Alex. The man meant what he said, unequivocally. Sean couldn’t even argue, because he’d seen Marshall do

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almost as many horrible things as Joshua had—and Marshall had hated Marcus Criswell every bit as much as Sean’s brother did. Alex nodded once then turned back to Marcus. “Is Harley—is he dead?” Alex reached for Sean mentally. “I’m sorry, but I have to know. Whether anyone blames me or not, Harley wouldn’t have been dragged into this if I hadn’t…” “We don’t know for sure. If he was killed, it wasn’t in his apartment. There was blood— his—but not a lot. Colby thinks Joshua took him somewhere. The theory is,” Marcus shifted in his seat, his eyes settling on Sean. “That he’s using Harley for bait, or a bargaining chip. And that Joshua’s coming here, for you.” Even though Sean expected it, he still reeled with shock. Alex stood and lifted Sean up, settling them back down into Alex’s seat with Sean on his lap. Sean huddled against his mate as darkness pulled at him. His mind screamed for escape as the others talked. “He’s a bigger idiot than I thought, even,” Nathan snarled. “Joshua ought to know showing up here will only ensure his death. Not that it wasn’t going to happen, anyway.” Sean tried to resist the compelling impulse to bury himself away. He stopped hearing the other’s voices, except for the soothing one in his head. Dimly, he recognised Alex’s voice. Sean clung to that familiarity, the love he felt for him, as Alex coaxed him to stay with him. “Don’t, please Sean. I won’t let him near you, he’ll never touch you again. I’ll kill him myself if you can forgive me for it. If not me, then Marcus, or Nathan, or Alison—there’s a bunch of us here who’ll fight to protect you. Joshua can’t get through us all. He won’t get through at all. Not these doors, and not past every shifter here.” Sean wavered as Alex continued, then realised he couldn’t keep hiding like he used to do. All that did was take his awareness out of what was happening. It did nothing to protect his body—and he couldn’t protect his mate if he was just a catatonic lump. “I won’t,” Sean whispered, raising his heavy head to look into Alex’s eyes. “I’m not going anywhere without you.” Alex’s smile melted away the bands of fear that had bound Sean’s mind. “Thank you.” The kiss Alex gave him was so sweet it made Sean’s eyes burn. The sound of Marcus clearing his throat brought it to an end too soon, and Sean kept his eyes closed to keep from glaring at the Alpha Anax.

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“All I wanted to say,” Marcus began, his deep voice rich with amusement, “and what I wanted to make sure you heard, was that this, here with your pack, is your safe place now, Sean. With your mate, and with the rest of us. You don’t need that coping mechanism you used before, not anymore. And when you’re ready for it, I’ll make you an official pack member, with as fancy a ceremony as you want.” Sean opened his eyes, the desire to glare at his Alpha Anax gone as he was suffused with a warm, happy feeling. He looked at Marcus, and at Nathan, smiling like a loon beside him. “I don’t need anything fancy. I vow fealty to you, Marcus Criswell, right now, before your mate and mine.” It wasn’t a flowery speech, or even the official one, but it must have been enough because Marcus stood and rounded the desk, Nathan coming around the other side. Marcus held out his hand to Sean. “Normally, if we were doing this the fancy way, there’d be kneeling involved on your part as well as a show of submission. I think a handshake, and baring your neck, should be enough.” Alex hugged him tightly then released him, leaving the choice up to Sean. And Sean, having been given so many good things he’d never even dared to dream of, slid to the floor, kneeling as he bowed his head and arched his neck. “Welcome to the pack,” Marcus said, pride in his voice and scent. He touched the back of Sean’s neck, and Sean wept.

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Chapter Twelve

Alex paced the living room of HQ. It had been over a week since they had heard anything else about Joshua Dobson’s whereabouts, and waiting for the asshole to show up was driving Alex up the wall. It wasn’t that he wanted Joshua anywhere near, just…he wished he’d make his move already so everyone else could get on with their lives. Joshua Dobson and Marshall Vaughn excluded. Those two were dead as soon as anyone here other than Sean laid eyes on them. Alex would and could kill either of them— Sean and he had talked about it, and agreed that Alex would do what was necessary to keep them and any other member of the pack safe. What Alex wouldn’t do was seek Joshua out with the express intent of killing him. Marshall Vaughn was fair game, though. Alex paced some more, checking the clock every few minutes. Sean and Nathan were up to something, sending him out of his and Sean’s bedroom and telling him not to return for two full hours. Marcus had been allowed in though. Alex fumed internally as he kept pacing. He didn’t deliberately share his thoughts, but he didn’t exactly try to restrain them and keep them to himself, either. Well of course he was! He wouldn’t tolerate his mate to be alone with another man in that man’s bedroom for two hours! Even knowing nothing should happen, that the mate bond would hold…But damn it all, it still pisses me off! “Stop being so angry. We told you it’s because we’ve got a surprise for you. I just hope you like it.” Sean didn’t sound too sure about whether Alex would or not. Alex immediately sought to reassure him. “I’d love anything from you, anything you gave me or did for me. I love you, and nothing will change that.” “Good, I hope you mean that as much as you think you do.” “What do you mean? I—” “Alex.” “Oh god damn it.” Alex wasn’t able to keep the words to himself as he turned and tried not to glare at Marcus and Nathan, both of whom were grinning fit to be tied. “What? What did you two do?”

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“Something you’ll thank us for, I think.” Marcus seemed so delighted, Alex was finding it hard to stay irritated. “I do believe your mate is waiting for you.” Alex nodded and headed for the bedroom. There was an odd, metallic-sweet scent in the air but he ignored it. He just wanted to know what had been going on in his bedroom for the last two hours that had Marcus and Nathan lit up with grins bigger than should have been possible. Sean had asked Alex to trust him, to not pry around in his head for those two hours, and Alex had been good, but damn, it had been hard! Now he just wanted—Alex grabbed the door knob and twisted it open. And stopped mid step, his jaw dropping and his hands reaching out to stop his fall, because he was—falling. Alex hit the floor knees first and just managed to slap a hand down before his face made contact, too. “Alex!” Sean ran over to him, except…he didn’t look exactly like Sean. Well, he does and he doesn’t, and fucking hell! “Are you all right? Oh my god, you hate it, right? I mean, I look like a—” Alex grabbed Sean’s wrist and had him tucked under him in two seconds flat. “You look fucking hot,” Alex growled, surprised by how turned on he was. It wasn’t going to be very long at all before he ripped off Sean’s clothes and fucked him—or maybe he’d rip off his own, let Sean fuck him. That idea stoked his libido into overdrive as he moaned. “You have to fuck me, Sean. Now!” “Like this?” Sean squeaked, waving a hand at his face. Alex dipped his head and licked at Sean’s rouged lips, tasting a hint of strawberry and chemicals he didn’t care to know the names of. He raised his eyes up to Sean’s lined ones. The rich blue liner brought out the gold in Sean’s eyes, making the irises almost glow. Thick lashes made thicker with makeup swept down, hiding those eyes from Alex. “I’m glad I didn’t let Nathan use the duct tape,” Sean muttered. Alex only arched a brow as he looked at all the thousands of tiny glittery specks in the eye shadow that had been liberally applied. It was the same blue as the liner, on the bottom half of Sean’s lid, anyways. Then there was a darker blue in the crease that was smeared up and blended into a silver glittery shadow. Alex traced the hollow of Sean’s cheek, also accentuated with makeup. It brought Sean’s cheekbones into stark relief. Alex lowered his head and nibbled on the sharp edge, ignoring

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the scent and taste of the makeup, seeking out the flavour of his mate’s skin instead. Sean moaned and grabbed at his shoulders. “Fuck me,” Alex whispered in Sean’s ear, only then noticing the sparkling earring clipped onto Sean’s lobe. “Damn. Now, Sean, please!” Something about seeing Sean made up like this, his beautiful features outlined and framed by painted on colours, just ramped up Alex’s desire for his mate to a new level. “You need to let me up if you want me to fuck you.” Alex raised his head and smirked as he looked at Sean. “No, you stay right there. Don’t move, I’ll be right back.” Alex jumped up and took a moment to look at Sean again. Dressed as he was in dark trousers and a loose white shirt, a thick belt accentuating his trim waist, he was devastatingly gorgeous. “Right back,” Alex murmured, then darted to the bed to dig the lube out from under the pillows. He ran back to where Sean waited and tossed the tube to him. “Open it, and your pants. Get your cock out for me.” Alex stripped quickly while Sean unzipped his pants and pulled out his thick cock. “You’re beautiful, every inch of you.” Sean’s cheeks darkened as he looked at his hand on his dick. “I have scars—” “That only emphasise how gorgeous you are, how strong to have survived what you did.” Alex believed that with everything in him. Sean’s tentative smile pinched at his heart. “You know I mean it. There isn’t anything about you that doesn’t flip every one of my switches.” When Sean laughed softly, Alex knelt then crawled up his body. “I want you, now, like this, forever, however you look. It’s true that I’ve never seen anyone as attractive as you are, but it’s this—” He placed a hand over Sean’s heart. “That makes me love you so much.” Alex held Sean’s gaze until Sean nodded, then he kissed Sean fiercely. The thick sticky lip gloss was going to be smeared all over both of them, but Alex didn’t care. He sat up and grinned, thinking Sean looked thoroughly debauched and they hadn’t done anything other than kiss yet. “That’s a smug look,” Sean teased. “I’m feeling pretty damned smug,” Alex admitted. Sean reached for the lube. “Do you want me to stretch you or—”

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“No.” Alex wanted that sweet burn as Sean’s cock stretched him. “You lubed your cock, that’s enough.” “But—” Sean began, his eyes going wide. Alex silenced him by reaching behind himself and grabbing Sean’s dick. He scooted back and used his other hand to pull one ass cheek aside. As soon as the fat crown bumped his hole, Alex exhaled and sank down. Sean scrambled for a hold on Alex’s thighs, those nails scoring his skin in the way that heated Alex’s blood. He pushed down harder, taking more of Sean’s cock. Sean whimpered, his eyes rolling back. Alex moaned as sweet pleasure-pain spread through his ass. Arching his back, he pressed down, burying Sean’s dick inside him, stopping only when his balls slapped against Sean’s pubic hair. “Oh my god, Alex!” Sean twitched as he took several deep breaths. “You’re killing me—” Alex raised up on his knees slowly then sank back down, fast and hard. Sean yelled and tossed his head, and Alex set about riding him, driving Sean’s thick cock into him, moaning every time that wide crown brushed his gland. It wasn’t but a few seconds until Sean was gasping and bucking up as Alex lowered his ass. Slick skin and the sound of their bodies slapping together, the sight of his mate, makeup now smeared and eyes closed as he cursed—it was too much, and Alex couldn’t last long. Reaching for his dick, he stripped it with rough strokes as he fucked himself on Sean’s cock. He tried to watch Sean, but his vision began to blur as his balls tightened. Sean’s cock swelled inside him as Sean pressed against Alex’s thighs, holding him down, still. Wet heat spilled inside Alex’s ass, and it set of his own climax. He ground his butt down, shouting as he pumped his dick harder. Cum shot out, splattering Sean’s neck and chest, his belly, until Alex collapsed, drained, at least for now. “I don’t know whose idea the makeup and stuff was,” Alex said several minutes later as he carefully rolled off Sean. “Whoever thought of it though, remind me to thank them later.” He waggled his eyebrows at Sean and leered. “Especially if it was you.” Sean arched a brow that Alex only now realised had been pencilled in a couple of shades darker than his hair. “Well, if by thanking you mean fucking or sucking, that better only apply to me. This was Nathan’s idea, and I have to wonder…”

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Alex propped himself up on one elbow and looked at Sean. “Wonder what?” “He just seemed to know a whole lot about applying makeup. And then there’s the fact that he had makeup to begin with.” “Maybe he bought some when he and Marcus went out yesterday?” Alex was trying to think up excuses, but now that Sean had got him thinking, he had to admit he was a little curious himself. Sean shook his head. “I don’t think so. It wasn’t new. I guess he could have it because maybe some of the kids at the gym use it when they have competitions?” Alex snorted and hefted himself to his feet then extended a hand to his mate. “Somehow I have a problem seeing a bunch of kids—girls, one would assume—wearing makeup this dark for competition. Then again, I know jack shit about stuff like that.” “Me too,” Sean said as he took Alex’s hand. “So how bad does the makeup look now?” He grinned crookedly, or it might have been the way the red gloss was smeared all over his chin and above his upper lip. “It looks perfect.” He tousled Sean’s curls and grinned. “You’ve got that whole ‘just been fucked’ look going on.” “Great,” Sean grumbled, but he didn’t sound mad. “I’ve gone from beauty queen to overused hooker in fifteen minutes flat.” “Not even fifteen,” Alex pointed out. “And you look adorable, so quit complaining, and I promise to scrub you clean in the shower.” He watched Sean out of the corner of his eye as he added, “Then I’ll eat your little ass until you come all over yourself, and then I’ll lick you clean.” Alex grinned as he caught Sean when he stumbled. It was a damn good thing he’d been watching him when he’d laid out his plans for the evening.

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Chapter Thirteen

Sean crossed his eyes at Nathan. “You are not calling me Gingerella! That’s crap!” Nathan huffed and tapped his chin. “But it fits, with your hair colouring and the evil— well, not half-brothers or step-brothers, whatever. But it works. And you got the handsome prince—okay you just got Alex—” He snickered and ducked when Sean took a swipe at him. “Okay, okay, Alex is the handsome prince, whatever!” “I am pretty good looking, I’ve been told,” Alex said as he entered the library. Nathan snorted and made a shooing motion with his hand. “Oh, but it doesn’t count when mommy’s the one saying it, they have to say shit like that!” Alex refrained from dragging Nathan’s mother into the potential verbal smack-down. He’d heard about Nathan’s murdering his mother when Nathan had been a small child, and there was no way he’d make a joke involving her considering those circumstances. He could, however, prevent Sean from being saddled with a nickname that was likely to stir up bad memories. Walking over to his mate, he held up an arm. Sean hurried over and snuggled against him. Alex stroked the soft, shiny curls, wound tight like strawberry blond springs. “Didn’t you say Joshua started making fun of you when your hair turned this colour?” Alex made sure to catch Nathan’s eye. Nathan’s mouth rounded into an ‘o’ and he looked close enough to mortified to suit Alex, who gave the barest nod. “Yeah, he did, but Nathan didn’t know.” “Nathan knows now,” Alex said as Nathan bobbed his head. “And you should have told him. He can find something else equally awful but not cruel to call you.” “I’ll work on it.” Nathan looked at Sean. “I wish you would have told me. I don’t know when I cross the line if there isn’t one drawn in the sand. Or chalked on the floor or whatever.” Sean shrugged. “It’s fine. I just don’t like thinking about it so I don’t, I guess.”

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Before anything else could be said, Alison walked into the library. Her black hair was pulled up in a bun so tight it looked painful, Sean thought. She looked kind of intense, but she’d always been nice to him. Nathan took a look at her then frowned, nodding slightly. “I’ve got to go, Marcus is snapping his telepathic fingers at me.” He left without another word, loping from the room. Alison closed the door and came further into the room. The serious expression on her face wiped the whole Gingerella debacle from Sean’s mind. She stopped in front of them and touched Alex’s arm briefly. “There’s some bad news, Alex. Maybe you and Sean should have a seat.” Sean asked before Alex could, knowing it would be hard for Alex to do so. “Is Harley dead?” “Oh! No, no, not that, sorry.” Alex sagged against him and Sean couldn’t stop himself from shooting Alison a nasty look. To her credit, she did appear remorseful as she pulled out a chair for her brother. “Really, I am sorry, I just didn’t think, since you have your mate and all.” Alison pulled another chair around for herself, across from them, as Sean plopped into his seat. “Just because I have my mate—my incredibly wonderful mate—doesn’t mean I don’t give a shit if other people die! Shit, Alison, what kind of heartless bastard do you think I am?” Alex’s anger flared higher the more he spoke, but Sean didn’t try to stop him. He had a point. “Well, I’m sorry, I said! I’m a bitch, I know. You’re right.” Alex nodded and slouched in the chair. “Okay. I swear you’ve apologised to me more times since I’ve been back than in our whole lives before I left.” Alison fidgeted, picking at a string on her cargo pants. “I missed you, and…and I feel really bad about the way I acted before you left. I never should have thought you’d betray Marcus, much less actually say something like that out loud for everyone to hear.” Sean’s eyebrows darted up. He hadn’t heard about that. Alison must have noticed his curiosity because she addressed him next. “Sean, I’m guessing Alex hasn’t mentioned that when I brought Stewart Combs in, he got hold of Alex’s gun and killed himself. I…well I was furious to have lost the only lead we had, and I accused Alex of being in league with your

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brother. And, and I hit him, too.” Alison’s entire face was flushed and her eyes glistened. “I was a complete bitch, and Alex left because of me.” “No, I didn’t,” Alex said, sounding so tired Sean ached for him. And he had his answer about what had happened to Stewart Combs, the fool. Alex turned sideways in his chair, as much as he could, and looked Sean in the eyes. “I left because I was embarrassed, because my pride took a hit and I couldn’t accept that. I ended up telling everyone in earshot, everyone who was there when Combs killed himself, that I’d been in love with Marcus. To make it even worse, I also told them that I’d had sex with Joshua.” Sean knew Alex wasn’t in love with Marcus, and figured he could find out easily enough what had been going through Alex’s mind to make him think that. And he would, but there was the other matter. “You didn’t have sex with Joshua.” Alex shook his head slowly. “No, I didn’t, but I told you, you were the first person I’d ever been able to admit it to, that Joshua raped me.” His cheeks coloured when he said it, and his voice quavered, but Alex didn’t hesitate. It was, Sean knew, a sign of healing. Alex was confronting his past and dealing with it instead of hiding from it. “He couldn’t even say it to me,” Alison murmured. “Alex carried that alone, all these years, and I never knew. If I’d been less self-centred and less concerned with making rank, maybe I’d have noticed something horrible had happened to my brother.” Alex shook himself, like a dog shaking off bath water. “Enough of everyone blaming themselves. What happened, happened, and I didn’t deal with it at all, but now I am. We all need to move beyond our pasts.” Sean couldn’t agree more. He just wished his brother would stop being a threat to his future. “Right, again, you’re right.” Alison sat up straighter and touched the bun at the back of her head. Sean wondered if there was a reset button under there since every trace of emotion disappeared off her face. “I got way off track there, but that all needed to be said. Now, Colby called and said he got an anonymous call on his cell phone. The number was blocked, and he replayed the phone call—thank goodness he thought to record it, gotta love smart phones. The voice was distorted, but the called claimed to be a relative of one of the shifters who helped Dobson escape in Arizona. He said his brother was driving a white truck,” she rattled

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off the make and model, licence plate, and what might have been the VIN number for all Sean knew. “And his brother called to tell him the whole Dobson pack was heading to Cincinnati to set up a new regime in our old HQ.” Alex was out his chair in a flash, pacing the few feet between his and Alison’s chairs. “Who is going to the old building? Does anyone know if this was just an attempt to mislead the guard? Has Colby found out who the shifters are who helped Joshua escape?” Alison caught Alex’s wrist. “Stop, please, you’re making me dizzy. Sit back down with your mate or something, but quit pacing. It’s hard as hell on my neck and eyeballs.” Alex sat back down and put his arm over Sean’s shoulder. Alison flicked a quick smile. “Y’all look so cute together. Now.” All trace of teasing was gone. “Colby and half of his team are already on a plane to Cincinnati, and you know how much shifters hate flying, but not a single man or woman protested. And every one of them wanted on that plane. The other half is still in Arizona.” “Okay, and the rest of it?” “We don’t know if it’s an attempt to mislead us or not. We have to take both possibilities into consideration. Three, really. One, that Dobson really is thinking of setting up a new regime, which will lead to complete slaughter of his pack should any of them refuse to disavow him. Two, he’s still in Arizona skulking around. Or, he’s on his way here, probably even very close to us. He’d try to distract us, divide out guard, then attack. Marcus sent a half dozen guards on a different plane right before I came in here.” “That leaves six of you here,” Alex pointed out. “As well as Marcus, Nathan, myself, and Sean.” Alison nodded. “Yes, and two more. Aidan and Zane should be arriving any time now.” “Good. The more of us there are, the better off we’ll be. “ “My feelings exactly.” Alison stood and patted Alex’s shoulder. “So no one is to be outside, unless Marcus okays it. Which he won’t. We need to keep all of our senses alert for signs of Dobson or any of his pack. Sean, if you can think of anything that would be helpful to us if it comes down to us fighting Joshua’s pack, please let Alex know. Or me, but I figured you’d confide in your mate first.”

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“Of course.” He watched her leave then Sean stood up and climbed onto Alex’s lap. “I have a very bad feeling about this.” “Me too. Do you know how to fire a gun?”

**** Sean looked at Alex like he was crazy. “No, Joshua always said shifters were meant to fight muzzle to muzzle.” Alex crooked his neck and peered back at Sean. “Was he a wolf when he abused you, or when he tortured Marcus?” “No.” Sean blinked, confusion darkening his features. “He was in his human form, but…well, it just seems like he’d attack in this case at least as a wolf.” “Not if he has a hostage. He’d have a difficult time hanging onto Harley and fighting, although I guess he could always have someone else holding him. Even if Harley was tied up or unconscious, he’d want to keep someone with opposable thumbs on him.” “I can see that,” Sean said as he stood and helped Alex up. “But shooting a running wolf in the right spot would take a skill I wouldn’t have. I don’t think I could shoot anyone, either.” “You’d be surprised at what you are capable of doing to protect someone you care about.” Alex hook his arm through Sean’s as they headed out of the room. “One thing I don’t want it for you to be put in the position of having to choose whether or not to kill your own brother if it comes down to that. You would kill him, if it were him or me.” Alex knew it even if Sean didn’t. He didn’t want Sean to carry the guilt from taking his brother’s life, though. Sean was too tender-hearted not to let it tear him apart. He’d recover, eventually, but that guilt would always be there. “It would,” Sean admitted, delving into their link. “But you’re right, too, in that I would kill him before I let him hurt you. I would at least try to cripple him if it came down to him or one of our other pack members. Except for Marcus and Nathan, since they are our Alpha Anax and his mate.” “The need to protect our AA is almost as strong as our need to protect our mates—if we’ve accepted our Alpha Anax as our leader.” Alex stopped in the hallway as voices rang

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out from the living room. “Shit.” He knew those voices, and wasn’t sure he was ready to see the shifters they belonged to. “What?” Sean asked, tugging on his arm. “Who is it? You’re heartbeat just accelerated. You smell like you’re nervous, almost afraid.” Alex wanted to run, that’s what he wanted to do. The urge hit him out of nowhere. He could take his mate, leave, they could hide somewhere no one would ever find them… “Someone would find us, and neither of us would be happy without a pack. Who are these shifters making you think about taking off?” It wasn’t running, Alex told himself as he practically dragged Sean back into the library and locked the door. It was just giving him a few minutes to explain things. “That’s Marcus’ brother Aidan and his mate, Zane. I was Aidan’s captain when he took over while Marcus was missing. He…he thought I had something to do with Joshua as well. That I’d let Combs get my gun on purpose or something so he could kill himself. I didn’t. I just wasn’t thinking, and it cost me—their trust, Alison’s, and—” “And what, Alex? What else did it cost you?” Alex gathered Sean into his arms and buried his face in those silky curls. “It brought me to you, so I can’t regret any of it. Who knows what would have happened if I hadn’t had my little snit fit and taken off? We might never have met each other. The thought of that makes me ache clean to my bones.” “Alex,” Sean murmured as he tipped his head up. Alex looked into his warm light brown eyes and let the last of his regrets and shame go just before Sean melted his knees with four little words. “I do love you.” “Oh.” It wasn’t elegant or even intelligent, but Alex did well to get even that out as he slid down to the floor, his back getting scraped by the panels of the door. “I knew, I told you I knew, but hearing you say it…Damn, Sean, you about stopped my heart.” “I love you, too,” Alex whispered against Sean’s lips, then he kissed Sean as if he needed to in order to survive, which he thought just might be the case.

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Chapter Fourteen

Sean tried not to resent the two shifters joining them in Marcus’ office. It was hard to do, though, considering how they’d been so quick to think Alex a traitor. Alison was easier to forgive, because she was Alex’s sister. “We’re all family, in a sense, members of Marcus’ pack. It was a very stressful time. Everyone was on edge.” “Stop making excuses for them. They were still wrong.” Sean sneaked a glance at Aidan, who looked so much like his brother—well, they are twins, nitwit. Aidan was watching him with an amused expression. Sean narrowed his eyes at the man. Aidan arched one brow and nudged his mate. Then Sean found himself glaring at two shifters bigger and no doubt meaner than he was. “Sean, leave it. Remember, I wouldn’t have run if things had happened differently.” “Fine,” Sean grumbled, turning away from the two others and leaning his head against Alex’s shoulder. He thought he heard Marcus snicker but decided against checking. He knew that was Nathan’s snort, Sean had only heard it about a hundred times. A day. “Alex, I don’t think your mate cares for me or Zane.” Sean tensed. Aidan sounded just like Marcus, except annoying. He was tempted to do something totally immature like tell Aidan he sucked and stick out his tongue. Maybe his lost childhood was catching up with him. “Sean is rather shy,” Alex rumbled, his fingers teasing at Sean’s curls. “Well, shy and pretty as he may be, I still would like him to look at me without giving me the evil eye for a few minutes so I could thank him properly.” Yes, the man was definitely annoying. Sean craned his neck enough to glare with one eye. He hoped it was the evil one. “I’m just going to sit back and observe,” Marcus said with too much enjoyment in his voice. “Sean…” Alex gave Marcus a pleading look. The damn shifter just shook his head. Something vibrated against Alex’s chest, then his side, then spread to a rumbling noise in his ears. He realised with a start that Sean was growling. Alex started to rise and get Sean out of

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the room until he calmed down, but Aidan’s words stopped him. “He’s a feisty little thing.” Alex dropped a kiss on top of Sean’s head. “No physical violence, okay?” Nathan stood up and pointed at Aidan. “He’s taller than I am, and you really need to watch that condescending tone. Even your mate pinched you for that one.” Nathan pointed at Zane. “I saw you sneak your fingers over and pinch Aidan on the thigh. Next time pinch harder.” “Maybe you should sit down and observe, too,” Marcus said as he patted his lap. Nathan gave him a cutting look and plopped his rump back on the edge of the desk. Aidan sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I was teasing, guys. I don’t know what Sean’s problem with me is. All I wanted to do was to thank him for helping my brother stay alive. I didn’t realise I was going to piss off a third of the shifters in the room. Two thirds, judging by the way Zane tried to pinch off a hunk of my flesh.” He closed his eyes and sighed. “And Sean’s so mad he’s growling.” Aidan opened his eyes and stood up. Sean’s head moved on Alex’s shoulder as Aidan approached. When Aidan squatted in front of him, Sean sat up straight and lifted his head but kept his shoulder pressed to Alex’s. “Sean, want to tell me why you look like you’d rip my throat out in a heartbeat?” lex wanted to start this whole meeting over, but it was too late for that. And Sean had the right to his feelings, and really, Alex was glad to see that Sean had moved past his fear. He wouldn’t have stood up to Aidan not too long ago. And it sort of made Alex feel all warm inside to see and hear his mate’s protective side in action. Now, if he’d just speak. Sean stopped growling. He looked at Alex. “I should let it go?” Alex shook his head. “A little late now.” “Fine.” Sean faced Aidan and, though his shoulders tensed and his hand shook in Alex’s, his voice was steady when he spoke. “You owe Alex an apology. If you can’t bother to do that, why would I think you’d be sincere in offering me your gratitude?” Aidan frowned and looked back and forth between them. “What does one have to do with the other?” He held up a hand. “Wait. Okay, it doesn’t matter. You’re right. Alex, I shouldn’t have doubted you. I apologise.” Alex hadn’t thought he needed an apology, but it eased his mind in a way he hadn’t known he needed. “Thank you.” He didn’t know what else to say. He’d apologised for fucking up months ago.

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Aidan turned to Sean. “And, you. I’m sorry for being a dick to your mate. And for calling you a feisty little thing. And for being dense, Zane told me to add.” Aidan shrugged. “I can be, sometimes. That’s why Marcus is a much better Alpha Anax than I could ever be. Now, I want to thank you for taking care of my brother as much as you could while he was Joshua’s captive. I know the price you paid for it was high, the risk you ran even higher, and I owe you more than I can ever repay. If you want to hate me, that’s fine, but I think you’re a pretty amazing guy and Alex is lucky to have you.” Aidan held out his hand. Sean shook it. “I’m lucky to have Alex. I don’t know about whether or not I’ll like you, but I won’t hate you. The rest is really up to you. I’m…I’m very touchy about some things, like being made fun of. Or someone hurting my mate.” “Got it.” Aidan offered his hand to Alex as well, and once fences had been mended, they got down to business. “Sean doesn’t know how to shoot,” Alex said, wanting that out there before someone just handed Sean a weapon. “All right. We can make sure he’s not put in a situation where he needs one.” Marcus turned towards Sean. “Do you want to learn to shoot? I’m not sure we’d have time, but Alex could probably teach you. We have a small shooting range out back, a few of the guards could escort y’all.” “I don’t know, I’m not sure—” “Alpha Anax Criswell!” The shout silenced everyone in the room for all of a second, then there was a race to the office door. “Keep Marcus and Nathan back,” Alex yelled. Aidan and Marcus began arguing, and Zane and Nathan stepped to their mates’ sides. “Behind me, Sean. Please.” Sean stepped behind Alex. “Only this time, because I’m afraid I’d do more harm than good otherwise.” Alex opened the door and slipped out. Sean followed him. “I meant stay in the office.” “That’s not going to happen and you know it.” Val came around the corner barrelling into the hallway full tilt. “Alex! Someone shot Alison when she was walking the grounds and inspecting the locks on the doors and windows!”

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Alex’s veins iced as he saw the blood on Val’s hands. “Where is she?” “In the med room, Shania is treating her. The med room is in the same wing as our bedrooms. I think she took a through and through, right arm, no arterial spray, but there’s a dozen SUV’s about a mile away, coming towards us.” “Marcus!” The office door opened and Marcus stormed out. His jaw was red with a budding bruise. Aidan came out and didn’t look any better, a lump already forming on his cheek. “Don’t ever try to protect me like that again, any of you!” Marcus roared. “I have to know what’s going on so I can protect my pack!” Alex kept his head down, eyes glued to the floor. “Joshua Dobson and his pack are on their way. Val spotted a dozen SUV’s that will be here any minute. Someone shot Alison but Val said she will be fine. We need to move.” Marcus began snapping out orders. “Fuck! Val! Get all the remaining guards inside! Find out if anyone saw where the sniper might be hiding! We don’t know if she or he meant to wound Alison. It could just be an idiot with a gun, but that’s still a dangerous idiot. Everyone—stay away from all windows and doors. Stay low and let’s get to the hall in the west wing.” Sean had thought there’d be more time before Joshua showed up, but he’d known, deep down, that his brother would come for him. For whatever reason, Joshua was fixated on him. It was sick and twisted, but still the truth nonetheless. As they ran for the hall in the opposite wing, the roar of engines was so loud the floor shook under his feet. Marcus stopped, his eyes widening as he looked towards to direction the noise was coming from. “Val, what kind of SUV’s are they in?” “There were six Hummers, three Excursions and three Suburbans.” “Shit! Run!” Marcus yelled just as the sound of metal crashing through what had to be the fence rent the air. Sean was lifted off his feet, his breath whooshing out as Alex tossed him onto his shoulder. Alex ran, and the sound of the engines grew louder. And louder. They reached the hall, Alex putting him down and giving Sean a shove that sent him careening forward. Sean looked back and saw Alex grabbing other shifters by the hands, arms, whatever body part he could reach and pulling them into the hall.

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“Move!” Alex shouted, shoving a shifter who wasn’t moving fast enough to suit him. He was leaning out of the hallway screaming at someone when the house shook, adobe and metal, beam and boards shattering. “Alex!” Sean screamed, panicked so that he couldn’t move. Alex turned, a stricken expression on his face as he ran to Sean. “Keep moving!” Sean found his legs lifting, his feet pounding the floor as he ran. The sounds behind them were horrible, groaning and rending sounds, smashing glass shattering, engines revving and brakes squealing. Who didn’t make it out of there? Sean wondered, Alex’s expression when he turned around seared into his brain. “Val. I saw the interior wall explode as something came through it. One of the Hummers. Val was hit with so much flying debris…” “Sean, Alex, in here!” Sean grabbed Alex’s hand and turned through the doorway Aidan had called to them from. He looked around and saw Shania bandaging Alison’s arm. Marcus was talking to Alison, whispering so low Sean couldn’t hear him. He didn’t try. He let Alex pull him into his arms, and gave Alex all the comfort he could.

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Chapter Fifteen

“We need to get out of this place before they tear it down on our heads.” Marcus looked at him. “Where is Val?” Alex shook his head, failure shoving his shoulders down. “I couldn’t reach him. He stumbled, got up, then the Hummer…” Alex swallowed as his throat muscles burned. “I don’t know if he survived. If he did, and they’re in there with him, he won’t be alive for long.” “I could go,” Sean said, striking fear through Alex’s heart. “No! I promised he wouldn’t hurt you!” Alex held onto his mate as tight as he dared. “As did I,” Marcus reminded them. “We’re a pack. No one is going to let Joshua leave here alive, do you understand that, Sean?” “Yes.” Alex thought that was the end of it but he was wrong. He hadn’t caught even a whiff of what Sean had been thinking. “What I meant, Alpha Anax, was I could go out there, and…and kill Joshua. He would never expect it from me. I can’t remember when I ever fought back when he was beating me.” “No,” Alex began only to have Marcus shush him. “Wait, he’s got the foundation for a good idea,” Marcus said. “If he could distract Joshua, I’ll kill the fucker—and I’ll be fast and merciful, Sean, I promise you.” “I don’t want you to do this, Sean, please. Please don’t.” Sean turned his luminous eyes on Alex. Pain etched into Sean’s feature, lining his mouth and brow. “I have to, Alex. What are we going to do otherwise? Let them kill us all? Pick us off as we climb out windows?” “It might be a good idea for you to take this,” Shania said as she came over to stand in front of Sean. She held a hypodermic needle full of a murky liquid. A green cap covered its tip. “Whatever you do, do not get any of it on you or in you.” “Datura,” Alex muttered.

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“Yes. If you need it, pop the cap off and stab whoever it is who needs to die. This much will do them in within five to ten seconds.” Sean took the needle and palmed it, tucking the plunger end up under his long sleeve. As if planned by Fate, Joshua Dobson’s voice rang out. “Sean, get your scrawny ass out here before I kill this stupid fucking guard and this stupider fucking human!” “Harley. He must still be alive, Alex. I have to do this.” Sean stood on his toes and Alex kissed him, wishing it could be longer, forever. Sean dropped back to his soles and turned to Marcus. “I’ll distract him as long as I can. I don’t think that’ll be long, though.” “We’ll hurry, all of us.” Marcus gave Sean a quick hug as Joshua shouted again. Alex sent a silent plea to his mate. “Come back to me, Sean.”

**** Sean crept down the hall, listening to his brother’s threats. They didn’t strike terror into his heart anymore. That didn’t mean he wasn’t scared, because he was. There was a man he loved whose life was in danger, and several more of his pack whom he cared about and had to protect. He pinched the green cap between his thumb and forefinger as Joshua issued a particularly vile threat. It was the following one that had Sean battling not to run down the hall and shove the needle into Joshua’s neck or wherever he could shove it. Hearing his brother calling Alex a faggot and threating to rip his entrails out his ass was almost the match that lit Sean’s fuse. “Don’t let him get to you. Don’t let him win. Be careful, he may scent you already.” “I don’t think so, Alex. He can’t smell for shit, and all I can smell is chemicals and the innards of this house, busted and saturating the air.” Alex was quiet after that, letting Sean concentrate. He could feel his mate in his head, was reassured by his presence, which was what he needed right now. Sean crept closer to the entryway that led to the living room. He was almost there when Marshall jumped out in front of him. “Look who we have here, the pretty little girly boy. Joshua!” Marshall grabbed at him and Sean tried to duck, but the other man was bigger, meaner, and more experienced with physical combat. Sean closed his fingertips around the syringe as

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Marshall caught him by the hair and yanked hard enough to bring tears to his eyes. He locked an arm around Sean’s throat and dragged him, kicking and gasping, into what was left of the living room. And straight into Joshua’s arms.

**** “Joshua has him.” Alex cringed as he felt his mate’s pain. His promise not to let Joshua hurt Sean again had been worthless. “Alex.” Alex didn’t give a damn this time. “What?” Marcus placed a hand on his shoulder. “You had to let Sean make his own decision. Joshua never did.” Instead of making Alex feel any better that only made him angrier. “That’s easy to say when it’s not your mate out there.” Marcus narrowed his eyes and brought his hand to Alex’s neck. His big hand closed around it, not squeezing, but the threat was there. “Do not ever tell me it is an easy thing to allow anyone in my pack to put themselves in a dangerous situation. Are we clear?” “Yes sir,” Alex said, his anger at Marcus shifting onto himself. “All right, let’s go.” Marcus stepped back and stripped, shifting in seconds into a pure white wolf. Alex stripped as well, adding his light grey wolf to the pack. Once they’d shifted, Marcus led the charge down the hall—a quiet, stealthy lope as Joshua’s laughter echoed off the walls.

**** Joshua laughed, his rank breath wafting over Sean’s face, spittle spraying his skin. “They handed your worthless ass over real quick, didn’t they? Even your mate didn’t want you!” “How did you know?” Sean asked eyes darting around as he tried to count the shifters in the room. There were sixteen, but five of them were the women in the pack that Sean suspected hated Joshua. He’d planted his seed in every one of them, whether they been

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willing or not. Sean didn’t think he was deluding himself when he read disgust and loathing in their expressions as they looked at Joshua. Sean made sure Alex had the information and his opinion about the women, then he concentrated one keeping Joshua talking, letting the words flow through to Alex as best he could. “You told me, idiot. Not in those exact words, but enough that I knew.” Joshua hauled him up close and dragged Sean across the room, towards the hall that lead to the office. “You were supposed to only love me, me, you ungrateful little shit! But you started spewing this line of bullshit about how you saw this boy and how he smelt like perfection and you were going to love him more than anything. After everything I did for you, you fucking stood there grinning like some sappy angel and told me that shit?” “He’s my mate, Joshua. You know we’re—” Joshua slapped the rest of the words away. Sean cringed as his lips split. Blood ran into his mouth and down his chin. “He was a fucking he! That isn’t natural, and I don’t care what anyone says, there are no gay destined mates!” “If it’s unnatural, why’d you rape him then? That makes you evil and unnatural by your own definition!” Sean shouted, blood speckling Joshua’s face from the force of it. Joshua laughed and shook him until Sean’s ears rang. “The mate bullshit is unnatural for queers. Fucking whatever I want is my right. And it just so happened you decided your mate was a cute boy with a bubble ass that I’d wanted to fuck for years. I’d just been too scared to do it, but you, well you gave me the incentive.” He leant down until he was nose to nose with Sean. “Fooling him into thinking I cared about him was almost as good as fucking him. Almost. Did he tell you about it? About how he cried and begged me to stop?” “Shut up,” Sean muttered. Joshua’s eyes rounded, and Sean yelled it again as he popped the cap off the syringe. “Shut up! You sick son of a bitch!” Joshua glared and the sickening smile that used to send shards of fear to Sean’s soul stretched his lips. “Well, seems like someone’s got the idea they can back-talk.” Joshua lifted and heaved, and Sean was flying backwards, the syringe slipping from his hand right before his head cracked against the wall.

****

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Alex couldn’t exactly tell Marcus what Sean was passing along, but he did try to give him a head count. Alex butted Marcus’ flank with his muzzle. Marcus’ whipped his head around and snapped. Alex whined softly and stopped, bobbing his head towards the living room and pawing at the floor. Jesus, like that counting horse on TV. Fuck. Alex whined again and pawed at the floor, quick flicks of his nails as Marcus and the other wolves watched. Marcus waited a second when he stopped pawing, then the Alpha Anax snuffled and turned around, leading them on. They were almost to the entry way when a large white wolf with silver tipped ears and tail came charging at them. Marcus let out a growl that set Alex’s fur on end, and the fight was on. Alex followed Aidan and Zane, the rest of their small pack coming as well, except for Nathan, who wouldn’t leave his mate. Aidan surged into the living room, snarling and snapping his teeth, baring them at anything that moved. Zane edged up beside him, his head low as he howled a challenge to the enemy. Alex spotted Val, unmoving, blood pooled beneath his head. He started to charge towards him only to be stopped by the sight of his mate being flung through the air. The syringe fell from his hand, and he hit the wall so hard his head cracked it. Alex changed directions, bounding over anyone who got in his way. A wolf charged him, not one of his pack, not a friend. Alex bared his teeth and lunged, taking the other wolf on instead of trying to avoid the charge. The need to get to his mate clawed as his guts like the devil’s own nails. He let that need take him, open his jaw and rip and rend, blood and fur coating his tongue. His teeth sank deep, he growled as more blood gushed into his mouth. Alex clamped down tight and shook his head. The other wolf stopped—moving, breathing, living. Alex released the wolf’s neck and leapt over his body, only to nearly cough up his heart when a human screamed right beside him. Skidding to a halt, he saw Harley, kicking at a snapping black wolf that crept in a circle around him. Aidan flew past him, heading, Alex saw, towards a shifting Joshua Dobson. Zane was a silver grey blur as he followed his mate. Alex needed to get to his mate, but the black wolf had laid his ears back and was tensed to strike. God damn it, none of this is Harley’s fault! Fuck!

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Alex leapt, slamming into Harley’s side. The poor man screeched, nearly making Alex’s ears bleed from the heinous pitch. The black wolf had leapt as well, after Alex, and pain seared Alex’s side as sharp teeth tore into him. He kicked up and bucked the other wolf off, then turned and lunged right for the shifter’s throat. The black wolf side stepped and Alex pivoted, swooping in fast and hard—and deadly. Arterial spray splattered Alex, and everything else in the vicinity, including Harley, whose screeching stopped as his eyes rolled back in his head. Alex shook, finishing the kill, then spat the nasty thing out. Now he needed someone to protect Harley! He howled, begging, and nearly pranced with relief when Alison appeared, limping slightly but otherwise her usual vicious wolfy self. Alex touched his nose to hers then ran, desperate to reach Sean. He skidded to a halt beside his mate, nosing his face, his bloodied lips. Sean was breathing, his heartbeat strong. Alex licked his sweet skin, from the mark at the side of his neck up to the sensitive skin beneath his ear. “Wake up, Sean. Open those beautiful eyes for me.” Alex felt the warmth of Sean’s mind in his and whimpered. Sean hadn’t gone away, not in his mind. He was unconscious, but not permanently damaged, and…he was waking up. His lids fluttered and slowly rose. Sean smiled at him then grimaced and brought a hand to his split lips. “Hurts.” He sat up cautiously and eyed Alex before scrubbing at Alex’s thick fur. “You’re even sexy as a wolf. Damn. I’m shifting.” Sean had his shirt off before he finished the thought but then he stilled, his shirt in one hand. “Alex, the syringe! Where is it?” They spotted it at the same time. “Daria has it!” Daria, one of Joshua’s pack members. She held it in the air while her attention was centred on the two wolves trying to kill each other. Aidan’s fur was splattered with blood, rivulets ran from a gash at his hip. Alex’s side throbbed in sympathy as the wound the black wolf had given him flared with pain. “You’re hurt!” Sean’s hands were on him, patting and prodding. Alex whined as Sean touched the injured area on his side. Sean threw his arms around Alex’s neck and buried his face in Alex’s scruff. “It’s not too bad. Right? You’ll be fine.”

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Alex licked his mate’s face, tasting blood and tears. Sean lifted his head and turned it towards the woman still holding the syringe. The green cap was gone. Daria held it by the plunger. “Daria!” Sean let go of Alex and pushed himself up. The woman looked at him, fear emanating from her so strong the scent of it coated Alex’s throat. “Put the syringe down! Put it down!” Daria glanced at the syringe then at Aidan and Joshua. Aidan knocked Joshua aside, but the bastard wouldn’t be deterred. He lunged at Aidan, just missing his throat. Aidan leapt back and snarled, lowering his head as his ears flattened to his skull. “Daria, please. It’s deadly—” Daria dropped the syringe like it had burned her fingers. She stepped back as if it would shoot up off the floor and plunge itself into her. Sean dove for it, his hand just missing it. Alex yelped as Marcus barrelled past him, bumping his injured side. He watched as Aidan backed away and Marcus leapt in front of Joshua Dobson. Marcus lunged and Joshua yelped as he didn’t quite move fast enough. Blood streamed down his shoulder, soaking into his dark fur. Marcus lunged again, snapping his teeth as red tinged saliva dripped from his muzzle. Joshua skittered back several steps, growling and giving his own show of teeth. Marcus lowered his head, his broad shoulders rippling, tensing. Strength coiled in his muscles then released as he shot through the air. Joshua never drew another breath. Marcus came down on him, a furious white storm of death. His jaws clamped around Joshua’s neck. Blood spurted in an arch, dripped and puddled on the floor as Joshua’s body jerked and spasmed. Marcus growled and tossed his head, breaking bones and ripping out Joshua’s throat. He tossed the carcass aside then howled, and the room fell silent. The only movement came from Aidan, who picked up the syringe and muttered something about disposing of its toxic contents. Alex shifted. Sean sobbed and Alex reached for him. “I’m sorry, Sean. I know you loved him—” “No,” Sean rasped, turning his tear-streaked face up to look at him. “I hated him from the moment you told me what he did to you. And I wanted to kill him myself when he laughed about it, bragged about it. But I didn’t, and he’s dead, and…I’m so relieved because

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he can’t ever hurt anyone again.” Then Sean sniffled once, and tugged off his sweats, and shifted into a beautiful strawberry blond wolf. Alex shifted back and their voices joined with Marcus’ and the other members of their pack, singing of justice rendered.

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Epilogue

Sean looked around their new headquarters. Marcus and Nathan had gone all-out, buying an even larger adobe mansion. This one had over five hundred acres for them to run on, and already Nathan was talking about needing more land. If it wasn’t for him being so busy with decorating every wall, window and room in the house, Sean figured Nathan would be over at their nearest neighbour’s, making them an offer they probably wouldn’t refuse. He could be a charming man when he wanted to be. Alex came through the front door carrying several boxes stacked almost to his head. “Why couldn’t we have got a moving company?” Nathan turned from the window he was measuring and planted a hand on his hip. “Because we don’t want any more humans here. We still don’t know what the fuck to do with the one we’ve got. Add to that, Val still hasn’t regained consciousness… It’d just be best not to risk anyone who isn’t one of us seeing a comatose man who sporadically shifts partially into wolf form.” There wasn’t anything to do other than agree on that. Val had suffered a head injury and Shania hadn’t been able to do more than to keep him alive. Sean’s gut tightened as he wondered what would happen to Val. “He’ll be all right,” Alex whispered in his head, and Sean nodded. He hoped so. Sean lifted two of the boxes off Alex’s stack and set them against the wall. Nathan narrowed his eyes and Sean shrugged. “They aren’t marked for any room. I thought you were in charge of labelling all the boxes.” “Someone else must have packed those. Probably Harley.” Nathan went back to measuring the windows. “Where is Harley?” Alex asked as he set the rest of the boxes beside Sean’s stack. “He still scared to come out of his room?” “Yeah, pretty much. I would have thought he’d at least be willing to talk to you.” Sean actually liked the guy. Harley was the definition of the word feisty in his opinion, and yeah, he was cute. But he was also still kind of a mess and freaked over everything that had

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happened to him, and the only one who’d been able to get more than a “Fuck off!” out of him so far was Daria. She and the other women from Joshua’s pack had sworn fealty to Marcus, but only Daria had asked to remain in Santa Fe with them. Sean wasn’t sure how he felt about the pup she would birth soon. Daria told him she intended to give birth in wolf form. That being the case, she’d bear a pup or two, and they wouldn’t be able to shift for a few years. There would be little shifters with his brother’s DNA in them. Sean wouldn’t hold that against them. Daria was a good, kind woman, one who’d said she was sorry over and over for not helping him when Joshua had beaten him. Sean told her he didn’t blame her, and apologised more than she did because he hadn’t been able to stop Joshua from raping her or any of the other women. Joshua had always made sure of that, leaving Sean a battered, bloodied lump beforehand. “I meant to tell you, I decided on nicknames for you two.” Nathan didn’t even look up from the tape measure he was reading. “I’m thinking I’ll go with something that y’all would have to be complete assholes to throw a hissy over.” Alex groaned almost as loud as Sean did. “Do we even want to know?” Nathan looked up and winked at Sean. “I thought I’d be nice and just call you SeanyPoo. That okay?” Sean wrinkled his nose at Nathan. “That’s actually creepy. That doesn’t make me an asshole. It makes you…well, creepy.” “Argh!” Nathan flung his hands in the air. “Fine! Wait until you meet Gabe and he gives you a nickname! Then you’ll regret ditching my Seany-Poo!” “Just out of curiosity, what was Alex’s nickname going to be?” “Sean…” Alex grumbled. Sean shot him a wink. Nathan crossed his eyes at them. “I’m not telling. Now y’all will both be doomed to Gabe names. He and Mika should be here next week. I’ll make sure the two of you get to spend lots of time with Gabe so he can come up with something really disgusting. Now go away, I’m busy.” “Fine, we’re going to go get busy, too,” Alex said. Sean’s cheeks went hot and his dick went hard and he was more than ready to go. “You two suck,” Nathan muttered. “That’s advice, not name calling!”

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“Maybe you should take your own advice,” Sean said, as he dragged a very willing Alex along behind him. Their room wasn’t furnished yet other than the huge bed, but that was fine. That was all they needed right now. “Shall we?” Sean asked as soon as they cleared the door. Alex’s answer was a hard fast kiss then an almost as quick stripping off his clothes. Sean wasn’t far behind, kicking off his pants and diving onto the bed after Alex. They bounced and laughed and Sean didn’t think life could get any better. Then Alex started in with those slow, drugging kisses, the kind that made Sean simmer from the inside out. “Oh god,” he gasped when Alex finally stopped kissing. Sean whimpered when Alex traced his lips with a blunt fingertip. “I love these lips,” Alex said before kissing him again. “And these eyes. This nose. These cheeks.” Alex emphasised each part, bathing it in kisses. “I love you.” Sean framed Alex’s handsome face with his hands. “I love you too. Your kisses are amazing. But I need to come before my dick falls off, Alex. You’ve got me ready to blow and no way to do it.” “Ah, I’ve got your way to blow it right here.” Alex sat up and spun around until he was facing Sean. Then he smiled a predatory smile and lay back before rolling onto his side. He patted Sean’s hip and Sean rolled as well. His cock bumped Alex’s chin and Sean licked his lips in anticipation. He fisted Alex’s dick, aiming it at his mouth and sucking the dripping cap in. Alex moaned and thrust his hips. Then Sean’s cock was enveloped to the root in wet heat as Alex deep throated him. Sean arched his back, his hips rocking as he sucked down Alex’s dick. The set up a rhythm quickly; Alex bobbed his head down while Sean dragged his mouth up, and together they sucked and licked until they were both shaking with the need to come. Alex moaned and dropped his head back, Sean’s cock slipping from his mouth. “Sean, let me have you.” Sean released Alex’s dick. “You already have me, which means you can fuck me whenever you want, however you want. So tell me, how do you want me?” Alex was up and pulling Sean with him almost instantly. “Chest down on the mattress, ass up in the air. That would make me the happiest man in the world.”

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“You’re not already?” Sean teased as he spread his legs and slowly eased his upper body onto the mattress. He wiggled his butt at Alex. “Does this help?” “You know what I meant. It would make me even more happy than I am as the happiest man in the world. And yeah, that helps me—to come before I can even get my dick in your ass if you keep shaking it at me.” Sean smirked but stopped wiggling because he could feel the extent of Alex’s arousal. The man wasn’t joking. “Okay, so take me already.” “Oh I will, right after I lube this sweet little hole up.” Alex pressed his fingertip in just enough so Sean could feel that mild burn, then he withdrew and moved over beside Sean as he dug the lube out from under the pillows. “One night we’re going to forget to recap this and end up with a real mess on our hands. Or heads, more likely.” Sean didn’t particularly care if they woke up slathered in lube as long as Alex hurried up and fucked him. “I will, just…” Alex teased his hole for one second then pressed in more than one finger. Sean could tell by the stretch and burn. Alex wasn’t planning on going slow at all. Sean jerked and cried out when Alex’s fingers grazed over his gland. Another brush and Sean began to babble. “Alex, oh my holy hell, fuck me ah yeah, like that, twist—ahh!” A third finger spread him wider, working Sean’s tight ring as Alex began fucking his ass with more force. The man was pure magic with those fingers, Sean knew it for a fact. He writhed and shoved his butt back, needing more. He didn’t expect to get it the way he did, though. Alex pressed another finger in, setting Sean’s pucker to burning in the best way. The further Alex’s fingers sank, the louder Sean moaned. Alex teased him like that for several minutes until his fingers glided over Sean’s prostate one too many times and Sean yelped and grabbed the base of his dick. “Perfect,” Alex said as he pulled his fingers out, then his cock was pressing in, filling Sean’s ass in a swift, sharp thrust. “Damn it, I can’t…I have to—” “Do it,” Sean begged, “fuck me so hard I see stars!” Alex roared then withdrew completely, leaving Sean’s needy hole aching to be filled. Alex slammed back into him so hard Sean would swear he tasted cock in his mouth. “Yeah, fuck, baby, tip your ass up a little more.”

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Sean arched his back, and as soon as he did, Alex fucked him, ramming his dick in, the head occasionally brushing over Sean’s gland, keeping him literally on his toes. Alex gripped Sean’s hips harder, pulling him back into each thrust. Sean gathered handfuls of sheets, blankets, pillows—anything he could get a hold of. He moaned and reached for his cock, palming the hard stalk then fisting it. Sean didn’t want gentle, not to his ass or dick, not tonight. He gripped tight and started stripping his length, heating his skin as he jerked faster. “Do it,” Alex urged. “Do it and let me feel it, feel your ass trying to suck the cum right out of my dick.” It only took a half dozen more strokes and Sean came, shouting as pleasure exploded into bright colourful lights behind his lids. Alex kept fucking him, desperate sounds slipping out of them both. “Up, Sean, up on the bed,” Alex ordered, pulling his cock out of Sean’s ass. Sean crawled onto the bed and started to lie on his belly only to have Alex stop him. “On your side, and hitch up this top leg, hook your arm under the knee—just like that. Now arch your back for me.” Sean arched his lower back. Alex straddled Sean’s bottom leg, one hand on Sean’s hip, then Alex lined up his cock. His knee brushed Sean’s balls; Sean tried to hump Alex’s knee, but Alex ploughed into Sean’s ass. “Yes!” Sean shouted as Alex began jackhammering into him. The knee against his balls pressed harder, and Alex’s cock rubbed Sean’s gland more times than not. Alex dropped down over him, his hand pushing at Sean’s jaw. Sean knew what Alex wanted, and he wanted it too. Sean stretched his neck and pulled his shoulders back. Alex licked at his neck, but the angle was wrong and Sean found himself flat on his back, his knees by his ears, and Alex ramming his cock home while sharp teeth nipped at Sean’s mark. “My mark,” Alex rumbled, biting at Sean’s earlobe. “All of you belongs to me.” “Same goes,” Sean grunted out as a powerful thrust drove him a few inches up the mattress. “Mine,” was all he got out before he was scooted up another few inches. Sean reached up and slapped a hand to the headboard, holding his body in place to receive this enthusiastic fucking.

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Alex scraped his teeth over Sean’s mark, then bit hard and fast, no warning licks or nibbles. Sean screamed and came and came, his cock spurting until he thought he’d never come again—and still Alex fucked him. Sean waited until Alex left off the bite then he fisted his free hand in Alex’s hair and pulled his head to the side. Alex bit him back, not as hard or deep, but enough that Alex would really feel it. Alex gasped then moaned, his hips stuttering, grinding against Sean’s ass. Alex collapsed beside him and Sean scooted over until he was comfortably settled with his head on Alex’s chest and an arm and a leg slung over his sexy body. He trailed his fingers over the placed Alex had got bitten during the confrontation with Joshua. Alex had healed from the injury in less than forty eight hours. Sean was glad; seeing Alex in pain and feeling it on an emotional level sucked. Sean would rather be hurt himself. “Not happening to either of us, at least nothing bad,” Alex mumbled, sounding half asleep. Sean murmured his own agreement. Alex was right. They’d been through too many horrible things already in their lives, and their personal boogeyman was dead. They had each other, and this wonderful pack, and that was everything that mattered in this world.

Coming Soon from Total-E-Bound Publishing :

Love in Xxchange: A Bit of Me Released: November 7th 2011

Excerpt Chapter One

Xavier Talbot rolled over in bed and groaned. His head was throbbing and his mouth was as dry as could be. He suspected there was sunlight creeping in through the blinds, not that he was willing to open his eyes and check. It was too bright behind his eyelids for the blinds to have been pulled closed properly. Xavier dragged an arm up over his brow and winced as his muscles protested the move. What the hell had he done last night? A groan from beside him had Xavier’s eyes popping open. Who the hell had he done last night? Images flashed through his mind, blurry scenes from the night before. Walking into his office, finding… Oh no! Xavier didn’t want to look. He really, really didn’t. That didn’t stop him from craning his neck and turning his head. His stomach lurched as blond hair tipped with blue brushed against his nose. The hair moved, his bed partner’s head tipped back, and Xavier found himself looking down into worried blue eyes. Shit! “Morning,” Billy said, his voice thick with sleep and his breath ripe with the vestiges of alcohol. “Jesus!” Xavier snapped to full awareness as he scrambled back, both from shock and to escape Billy’s potent morning breath. Had Xavier been a little less hungover and a lot less shocked he might not have misjudged how much mattress he had left.

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As it was, he hit the floor with a resounding thud that resounded through his entire body and knocked the air right out of his lungs. He wheezed, feeling like he’d been kicked in the gut. Billy peered over the edge of the bed, his eyes lit with amusement. “If I’d have batted my eyes at you and called you Big Daddy would you have gone right through the wall?” Xavier narrowed his eyes at the little shit then breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed Billy still had his silver shirt on. It wasn’t much of a shirt, granted, but it gave Xavier hope that he hadn’t done anything stupid, like fuck the man. He cringed and closed his eyes. That would be like fucking his brother, and that was just…gross. But the thought spurred his brain into gear, and memories of last night came flooding back. He’d been in a foul mood because he was short staffed, because a couple of idiots had got into a fight over a twink, because the deposit from the night before hadn’t added up and he had a sneaking suspicion of why that was so—he’d had problems with his brother Randy ‘borrowing’ cash from the register before. The last thing he’d needed was to walk into his office and find Randy sitting at his desk. Well, that was almost the last thing he’d needed. Seeing Billy’s blond and blue hair bobbing up and down had been the straw that broke the camel’s back—or Xavier’s temper. Normally he kept a tight rein on his emotions, but finding his moronic brother using his office as a fuck room had thrown gasoline on the ember of anger boiling in his gut. And to know it was Billy Randy was in there with-- Xavier growled and opened his eyes to glare at the smaller man. “What the hell were you thinking?” he snarled. Billy was like a brother to him, more so than Randy had ever been. Granted, Billy was a much younger, much more annoying, trouble-making brother—and those last two were really saying something, considering the crap Randy always seemed to stir up. But at least Billy’s brand of trouble wasn’t malicious. He was just naïve and he didn’t ever think about repercussions, whereas Randy was a bully who got off on his delusions of power. Randy was an ass. Billy shrugged and looked remorseful, sort of. He was hard to read sometimes. “Well, I told Randy I didn’t want to, but he wouldn’t leave me alone so I thought if I got him off he’d just shut up. It seemed like the quickest way to get him to go away.”

Xavier groaned again and smacked his forehead, something he regretted immediately. He was surprised his eyeballs didn’t shoot right out of their sockets. “Billy, I told you—” “I know, I know,” Billy said then sighed noisily. “I’m supposed to come get you if Randy’s being a dick. But you were busy, and you were all…snarly. You know I don’t like snarly. It cancels out my happy.” Oh my hell! How the—“Billy, sucking off Randy doesn’t cancel out your ‘happy’? Seriously?” He would never, ever understand this man’s way of thinking! Trying to watch out for Billy was going to be the death of him. Billy huffed and slid off the bed to lie on the floor beside him, his head propped up on one hand. The serious expression on his face was so out of place Xavier could only gape at the little blond. “I figured you had enough to deal with already,” he admitted, and something Xavier never wanted to see again flickered across Billy’s face. He’d never seen the man look ashamed before, and it made Xavier ashamed as well. It was his fault Billy had been…servicing Randy. If he’d kept his shit together last night instead of being ‘snarly’, Billy wouldn’t have felt the need to handle Randy on his own. “Anyway, it wasn’t so bad,” Billy continued, although the downturn of his lips said otherwise. “Randy’s an ass, and he’s rough and—” “Stop!” Xavier didn’t want to hear the details. He already had the visual, walking in, finding Randy pummeling into Billy’s mouth, the gagging noises flooding his ears as Billy pushed at Randy’s thighs. That explained the soreness in the rest of Xavier’s body. He’d beaten the fuck right out of Randy, but not without taking some damage himself. Then he’d proceeded to get miserably drunk, and then… “How’d we get home?” Xavier frowned. “And why are you here?” Billy lived in the apartment over the garage, had for a few years now. Billy sat up, looking surprisingly good despite the prior night’s events. No one would know that cute face was backed by dragon breath right now, either. The man looked damned angelic when he smiled.

“We got drunk—well, I got drunk, you got shit-faced,” Billy corrected. “I didn’t want you to, you know, like, choke to death on your own puke or anything, so I called a cab and came home with you.” Xavier was fairly certain he hadn’t been that drunk. Had he? Billy bounced on his butt and clapped his hands together, setting off a thunderous explosion of pain in Xavier’s head. “Oh! Maybe I even saved your life! Does that mean you owe me?” An exuberant Billy was too much to take this early in the morning—or whatever time it was. Xavier levelled a glare on the man to no avail. “Did I throw up, Billy? Because I don’t remember throwing up, and if I didn’t throw up, or if I did and made it out of bed and to the bathroom on my own, then no, I don’t think my life was in any danger.” Billy frowned and stopped bouncing. “I really wish I could lie, but you know I suck at it. As drunk as you were, I think it’s a miracle you remember anything.” Xavier agreed, not that he’d say so. “I’m just a miraculous guy.” “Yeah,” Billy snorted and hopped up. “Can I use your toothbrush?” Xavier opened his mouth to say no but Billy was already in the bathroom. Fuck it, he’d just buy a new toothbrush. While Billy was busy, Xavier managed to pull himself up off the floor and onto the bed. He contemplated going back to sleep for a few more hours since it was barely ten a.m., but there were things he needed to do. Like make sure he hadn’t hurt Randy too bad. The ass was still his brother, after all, though as far as Xavier was concerned Randy was banned from the club. And anyone who let him in would answer for it. There was also the matter of his office. He seemed to remember the place looking like a tornado had blown through it. The bathroom door opened and Billy stepped out, looking entirely too happy until he glanced at Xavier. “You look like shit.” Xavier scowled at the way too perky man and levered himself up off the bed. He might have appeared more intimidating if he hadn’t immediately stumbled. Xavier caught himself with one hand on the headboard. Billy smirked and Xavier glowered. “Seriously, dude, you look pretty bad. You’re too old to be getting shit-faced.” Billy came over and held out his hand. “Need some help getting to the bathroom?”

Being called ‘dude’ never did anything other than ramp up his irritation, and the crack about his age didn’t improve Xavier’s mood any, either. “No,” he snapped, pushing Billy’s hand away. “I do not need help! Go see if you can figure out how to make some coffee.” If he had to be around the exuberant man without caffeine, Xavier wouldn’t be able to resist turning Billy over his knee—and Billy wasn’t into spanking, or any other kind of BDSM, which was a shame. Xavier thought a daily spanking would do the man a world of good. Billy’s smirk intensified. Make that twice-daily spankings. “And I am not old!” Xavier winced and decided he’d done enough yelling this morning. All Billy had tried to do was help him—and get in a few teasing barbs. Xavier sighed and pressed his hands to his eyes. “Go make the damn coffee.”

**** He’d been an idiot to think an all-white bathroom was a good idea. Didn’t matter if the countertop, along with the toilet and separate Jacuzzi tub were made of marble, if the fixtures gleamed in the way only expensive ones did, the room was too damned bright. He should have gone with taupe or a dull industrial grey. Too late now. The bathroom was fine up until now. How is it alcohol can make the color burn my retinas? Like being snow-blind without the snow. Or cold. “Stop being a baby.” And god, even his own voice sounded like a gong in his head. Maybe getting clean would make him feel better. It sure couldn’t make him feel any worse. Xavier took his time in the bathroom, because Billy was right, he did look like shit. His jaw was bruised and he had several marks on his chest and stomach, and, from what he could see when turning himself into a human pretzel to look in the mirror, on his back. He had definitely been off his game last night. Usually Randy didn’t get in more than a couple of punches. Xavier had thought Randy had been looking a bit soft around the middle, but maybe he’d been wrong. Randy had obviously been in good enough shape to beat the tar out of him. He spotted the bottle of aspirin on the counter and quickly took four of them. Bending to drink from the faucet made his head spin, and Xavier figured he was lucky he managed

not to keel over. He remained hunched as he finger-brushed his teeth—his toothbrush was not only wet, there were globs of toothpaste on it from Billy using it. Xavier stood slowly and swiped the bottle of mouthwash. He turned on the shower as hot as he thought he could stand it then stepped inside the enclosure. The stinging water pelted him, working at his sore muscles. Xavier turned carefully and let it work its magic on his front. Once he felt a little less miserable, he took the cap off the mouthwash and rinsed away the last traces of the alcohol that had lingered in his mouth. Then he proceeded to scrub off the grungy feeling getting drunk always left on his skin. When he washed his hair, he found a knot at the side of his head that made him wince. Apparently his head wasn’t just hurting from too much liquor. Randy had clocked him good, the asshole. Xavier finished showering and turned the water off. He didn’t want to risk bending over to pick the mouthwash up from where he’d dropped it so he left it there and got out. After a quick towelling, he walked into his bedroom and promptly shoved his hands over his cock and balls. And glared. Something he seemed to be doing a lot of this morning. Billy beamed at him from the foot of the bed. “I made you coffee and toast. You look pretty good naked. Your dick’s bigger than Randy’s.” The combination of Randy’s dick in any context and the thought of food made Xavier’s stomach heave. He was glad he’d left the door open, otherwise he’d have smacked into it as he darted back into the bathroom. Coming to a skidding stop on his knees, Xavier grabbed the porcelain bowl just in time to empty out his stomach. “Ew.” Xavier lifted his head and, sticking with the morning’s pattern, glared over his shoulder at Billy, who merely raised his nearly colourless eyebrows at him. Xavier turned back to the toilet and crossed his arms over the bowl before dropping his head on top of them. “Hey.” Xavier was too beat to even twitch as Billy petted his back. “I’m sorry. I should have just come and got you last night.” Billy was always sorry. That he meant it sincerely didn’t nullify the fact that he’d do something equally as thoughtless again. It also didn’t eradicate Xavier’s own responsibility in

this whole mess. And it certainly didn’t excuse Randy. Xavier wanted to hit Randy all over again, this time while he was sober. “I shouldn’t have been a dick,” Xavier muttered. “I know better than to let things get to me like that.” “If you’d get laid more often, you wouldn’t be so tense,” Billy informed him. As much as Xavier would have liked to argue that point, he couldn’t. He’d had a…dry spell, that’s all it was. “You’re too picky,” Billy went on, still stroking Xavier’s back. “You used to fuck at least one different guy a night, remember? And they were all willing to let you do whatever you wanted to them, weren’t they?” “Yeah.” They had been, and Xavier had gorged himself on all the available ass for a while before he grew tired of it. Kind of like when he’d been a kid and ate four funnel cakes at the county fair. Xavier had puked for hours, it’d seemed like, and even though that had been twenty-six years ago, he still couldn’t even stand to smell funnel cakes. Well, he wasn’t that sick of easy fucks, he was just…too mature to keep acting like that. Mature, not old. Hell, he was only thirty-seven! Billy, vibrant drama queen that he was, slapped a hand to his chest and widened his eyes as he fluttered his lashes. “Oh no! Tell me you haven’t—” he gasped, tipping his head back and pressing his hand to his forehead. “Grown up! Say it ain’t so!” Xavier snickered despite his best effort not to. He slapped Billy’s ass hard enough to make the man yelp and turn those baby blues on him. “Enough already. First I’m old, then I’m a loser for not getting laid, then it’s—horrors!—I’ve finally grown up! I’m pretty sure you’ve gotten in your potshots for the day.” Billy harrumphed and folded his arms over his chest. “That’s what you get for not being decent enough to let me be a hero and save you from choking on your own puke.” Billy’s teasing smile faded and he looked so serious it was kind of creepy. “Teasing aside, I wish you’d find someone, Xav. You don’t even give guys a chance anymore.” Xavier knew where this discussion was headed and he wasn’t interested. Every time Billy started down this path it turned into an argument with Billy huffing off and pouting until Xavier caved and took him shopping. It was expensive, too, so it’d be best to distract Billy now before he went on a rant. “Would you warm up the coffee for me?”

Billy narrowed his eyes at him when Xavier turned around. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. If you didn’t look like death warmed over, I wouldn’t fall for it. But since you do, I’ll be nice—this time.” He started to walk away then stopped at the bathroom door, half facing Xavier. “But you still need someone to come home to, someone to take care of you.” Then Billy left him there, leaning against the cabinet, shocked by the serious tone that delivered the serious words. He shook his head, thinking his alcohol saturated brain cells must have imagined Billy using that tone. And besides, Billy was the one who needed a keeper, someone with enough patience not to crush that vibrant spirit which irritated the hell out of Xavier sometimes. Not a Dom, since Billy was not, as he’d say, ‘into that freaky stuff’. “Coffee’s ready,” Billy hollered from the other room. He sounded like his normal perky self again. Xavier sighed and pressed a hand to his stomach. He had things to do, a brother to check on, an office to refurnish—eventually. It was time to face up to the repercussions of last night’s stupidity.

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About the Author

A native Texan, Bailey spends her days spinning stories around in her head, which has contributed to more than one incident of tripping over her own feet. Evenings are resounds for pounding away at the keyboard, as are the early morning hours. Sleep? Doesn’t happen much. Writing is too much fun, and there are too many characters bouncing about, tapping on Bailey’s brain, demanding to be let out. Caffeine and chocolate are permanent fixtures in Bailey’s office and are never far from hand at any given time. Removing either of those necessities from Bailey’s presence can result in what is known as A Very, Very Scary Bailey and is not advised under any circumstances. Email: [email protected] Bailey loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.

Also by Bailey Bradford Southwestern Shifters: Rescued Southwestern Shifters: Relentless Southwestern Shifters: Reckless Southern Spirits: A Subtle Breeze Southern Spirits: When the Dead Speak Southern Spirits: All of the Voices Southern Spirits: Wait Until Dawn Southern Spirits: Aftermath Southern Spirits What Remains Love in Xxchange: Rory’s Last Chance Love in Xxchange: Miles To Go Love in Xxchange: Bend Love in Xxchange: What Matters Most Love in Xxchange: Ex’s and O’s

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