The Lamb Who Cried Wolf

 

Mate or Meal 1

The Lamb Who Cried Wolf Lunch or lover? That is the question that appears in werewolf Brody’s mind when he meets lamb shifter Carson. The answer is easy. Simply looking into Carson’s innocent blue eyes tells him that the lamb is his mate. If he’s going to eat Carson up, they’ll both enjoy it. Carson has been isolated by his flock due to his inability to grow into a strong ram. When he is unexpectedly attacked by his halfbrother, he does not expect being rescued by a wolf—let alone falling in love with him. But in spite of Brody and Carson’s feelings, there are other forces at work, and people who don’t agree with Brody’s new plans and diet. If Brody can’t find a way to save their bond, Carson might become lunch, after all. Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Shape-shifter, Vampires/Werewolves Length: 36,464 words 

THE LAMB WHO CRIED WOLF Mate or Meal 1

Scarlet Hyacinth

EROTIC ROMANCE MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove

THE LAMB WHO CRIED WOLF Copyright © 2011 by Scarlet Hyacinth E-book ISBN: 1-61034-977-6 First E-book Publication: October 2011 Cover design by Jinger Heaston All cover art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers Dear Readers, If you have purchased this copy of The Lamb Who Cried Wolf by Scarlet Hyacinth from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

Regarding E-book Piracy This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book. The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment. This is Scarlet Hyacinth’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Hyacinth’s right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

DEDICATION For my readers. I hope you enjoy the story of the lamb who cried wolf .

THE LAMB WHO CRIED WOLF Mate or Meal 1 SCARLET HYACINTH Copyright © 2011

Chapter One “And so the boy learned that nobody believes a liar, even when he is telling the truth. And in the future, he would know not to cry wolf when there wasn’t one.” Carson smiled as all the children around him scuttled closer. “And did the villagers find the sheep?” a little girl asked anxiously. Carson ruffled her hair. “Of course they did.” The kids didn’t have to know the real world didn’t work that way. Wolves didn’t give back lambs. “But the villagers had a lot of trouble because the boy lied.” The children nodded in understanding. Carson ushered them to get up from the floor. “Go on now. Go to bed.” “But…Can’t we stay up for another tale?” a boy asked. Carson shook his head at the child. “Your parents are going to be very angry with me if you don’t get enough rest, and they won’t allow you to come visit again. We wouldn’t want that, would we?” Sighing, the children retreated to the sleeping area. Carson hugged them all and tucked them into bed. After he made sure they all slumbered quietly, he returned to the living room. Just as he’d expected, he found his mother, Annabelle, waiting for him there.

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“You know, you shouldn’t tell the children that story,” she said. “It gives them nightmares.” Carson laughed. “It’s just a story, Mother.” She sighed, and Carson knew what she was thinking. Perhaps the lambs were safe in Annabelle’s home, but their parents were forced to deal with an increasingly difficult situation. Lately, their little community had received many losses, and Ramston, the town that had once been their sanctuary, was more and more looking like a prison and a death sentence. In the circumstances, the elder rams and ewes had left to Los Angeles, intending to prepare to move there. “Do you think Father will find a new place for us to stay?” Carson asked her. His mother grimaced. “I don’t think we have much choice, baby boy. We can’t take many more attacks. We’ll die out.” Carson looked toward the bedroom where the children were sleeping, his heart hurting at the thought that tomorrow, those lambs might be attacked by a rampaging wolf. His gaze then went to the window. Night had fallen, and soon, the predators would be out to hunt. Once, they’d been safe from it, but not anymore. Now, they’d been found out, and it was only a matter of time until the wolves broke through their defenses. The younger, stronger rams were left in charge of Ramston. For Carson’s part, he should have been on guard duty like the others, but unfortunately, he seemed to be a late bloomer at best. His horns hadn’t even fully emerged, even if he’d reached his twentieth year. In fact, he didn’t look much different than he had at fifteen. As such, he’d been delegated some of the tasks that traditionally went to the ewes. To a certain extent, he didn’t mind, since he liked the lambs, but it still hurt when the young rams teased him. He knew his family was disappointed in him, and he himself would have liked to be a stronger support for the flock. Even if his mother did her best to hide it, he knew the truth. In the current circumstances, though, he would merely be in the way if he tried to help the guards.

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Shaking himself, Carson went to his mother and hugged her. “I’m going home,” he told her. “Ray should be there in the morning, and he’ll be angry if I’m away.” His mother frowned, visibly upset. “You shouldn’t be out in the streets after dark, baby boy. Your brother will understand if we explain—” “No, Mother.” Carson shook his head. “I’ll be fine. Besides, I’m twenty. I can take care of myself.” She didn’t look convinced, but thankfully, didn’t comment. She knew he was as stubborn as a mule—quite ironic, given that he was, for all accounts, a lamb. Besides, having him stay the night would just make the snickering voices louder. They said their good-byes, and Carson left the safety of her home. He waved at the guards set around all the homes holding the lambs of the flock. Predictably, they ignored him, and Carson pushed away the brief pang of hurt and headed toward his own house. He had no desire to see Ray, but his brother already teased him relentlessly. He wished he could have earned the right to get a home of his own. As it was, he was forced to share the home that once belonged to his grandparents with his brother. The chill wind blew through his hair as he walked, and Carson pulled up his coat, wishing for the comfort of his wool. It was so much better to be in shifted form. But these days, he only changed to his second shape when he was alone or when he had no choice. His many lacks made him feel inadequate, but at least like this, he could pretend there were no differences between him and the rest of the young rams. Shape-shifters had always lived among the humans, secretively, of course. Humans destroyed what they couldn’t understand, so all shifter races kept to themselves. Unfortunately, their lives rotated around the same conflicts that existed in the wild, and alas, Carson’s kind were the target of many predators, simply for existing.

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Carson would have thought that, since they had a second shape, they would also have different feelings, different needs. But he knew no one who thought like him. They were sheep, and their enemies wolves. The course of nature was clear, with the difference of the new methods they used to hurt each other or protect themselves from harm. He rubbed his arms, feeling lonely and cold. Sheep naturally craved the proximity of their own kin, yet another reason why Carson liked being around the lambs. Most everyone else rejected him. He was unusual, and in their flock, unusual spelled isolated. Sometimes, that seemed almost all right. He loved the children and loved telling them stories. Seeing their cute eyes widen at his words made it all worthwhile. Growing up, he’d dreamed about the day when he’d have a family of his own, lambs he could pass on his stories to. But now, he couldn’t help but think that storytelling wouldn’t help Ramston if the wolves attacked. It wouldn’t save the lambs from their fangs and claws. Carson was so lost in his thoughts he missed the approach of another person until he ran into a wall of solid muscle. He cursed and backed up, only to find himself colliding with another man. Much to his dismay, he realized the man in front of him was his brother. “Look who’s out at this hour,” Ray said. “Shouldn’t you be nursing the lambs?” “They’ve gone to bed,” Carson replied, holding his spine ramrod straight. “And what about you? Shouldn’t you be guarding the outskirts?” He knew he’d made a horrible mistake in talking back when Ray’s sarcastic expression twisted into one of anger. “Don’t talk back to me.” Carson backed up, but ran into yet another person. In that moment, he realized he’d somehow become surrounded by Ray’s friends. There were at least four young rams, other than Ray, all giving him disdainful looks.

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“We’re going to teach you a lesson you’ll never forget,” Ray said fiercely. Carson tried to escape, but he was surrounded. The hostility emanating from the much larger men around him roused the instinct of self-preservation ingrained in each living being. His panic morphed into anger, and he charged his brother, even if he knew he had no way of winning. To his satisfaction, he managed to get in a few decent blows. However, moments later, Ray pushed him off and Carson fell, his body colliding painfully with the cobblestone path. “What are you doing?” Ray sneered. “Get him.” The other four rams obeyed the older Ray and jumped on Carson. There was no place to hide from the blows, no way of dodging them. Distantly, Carson realized that yes, shape-shifters had other feelings, but alas, in Ray’s case at least, they were all wicked and mean. He would have been able to accept the blows as something passing if the touches hadn’t suddenly turned lascivious. For whatever reason, the rams began tearing Carson’s clothes off. Ray just stood there, laughing, watching them, encouraging them and spouting insults at Carson. “That’s right,” he said. “Carson can be your little ewe. What a great idea.” A sob escaped Carson at the realization that he would be raped by his brother’s friends. He’d never shared his body with anyone. Ewes focused on strong rams, not underdeveloped ones like him, but Carson had never felt the need to couple with them anyway. He’d come to think himself as not only weak, but also asexual. Still, the thought of his virginity being stripped of him in such a vile manner made his entire being rebel. “Ray,” he tried to beg, “help me. Please.” But Ray didn’t help. Just as Carson thought all was lost, a wolf howl sounded somewhere to their right. It was close, so very close. The rams froze and stopped their abuse of Carson. They got up, taking up a fighting stance.

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On all fours, Carson crawled away from them and looked toward the general area where he’d heard the wolf howl come from. He half expected the beast to lunge at them from the shadows. Instead, when it emerged, it walked slowly, as if it had all the time in the world and was just taking a stroll through the park. Carson trembled as he watched the beast approach. It was huge, gray fur covering a massive body and pale green eyes studying them with interest. Carson didn’t doubt the beast could have easily taken a cougar on its own. It was precisely for this reason why their guards stuck together, to fend off such threats. Carson had assumed someone else had taken over the responsibility if Ray and his cronies abandoned their posts. But there were only so many rams, and it seemed Ray’s stupidity left a hole in the defenses. They hadn’t even brought their guns along. Fuck. The wolf took a few more steps, and just like that, the courage seemed to drain out of Ray and his friends. With similar screams, they turned and ran, fleeing as fast as they could and disappearing into the night. Carson would have very much liked to do the same, but his body hurt and he didn’t even think he could move. He stared at the wolf, frozen. Oddly, he felt thankful the predator had shown up. At least if he died, he would do so with dignity. Another wolf appeared from behind the first one. For a brief second, it seemed as if the two were communicating, and then, the second one went chasing after Ray. Great, just great. Apparently, this huge animal wanted Carson for himself. At any rate, it didn’t matter anymore. As much as Carson would have liked to flee, he couldn’t make his body move. He was doomed. **** Brody watched the beautiful youth on the ground, conflicting emotions passing through him. On the one hand, his mouth watered at

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the sight of the man naked and at Brody’s mercy. Clearly, the lamb didn’t intend to flee, too panicked to do anything but stare. In spite of the desire, however, anger and confusion warred inside Brody—anger at what the stupid rams had almost done to the lamb and confusion because he even cared about it. After all, the lamb was prey. By rights, Brody should be eating him now. Instead, he found himself analyzing the young man in front of him like he would a bitch in the pack. As he approached the gorgeous, succulent treat, his nostrils were invaded by an amazing scent. Brody’s instinct to feed was replaced by the one to copulate, to fuck, and to mate. He wanted to claim this little lamb as his own. The impossibility of such a thing crossed his mind as a distinct notion. The wolf knew what it wanted and it didn’t care about limits. It didn’t understand the concept of forbidden. He needed, and he would take. Distantly, he acknowledged the fact that his mission was compromised, but whatever. He’d found out enough, and his Alpha would just have to deal with it. Right then and there, Brody couldn’t care less. Without further hesitation, Brody pounced, shifting midleap. Now that his eyes could see color, he took in the true extent of the lamb’s beauty. He was gorgeous, white-blond hair reaching his slender shoulders and wide blue eyes analyzing Brody in obvious fright. The youth made a sound that seemed a cross between a “baah” and a scream, but didn’t move. Brody landed on top of his delicious prey, shocked at himself when he paid close attention so as to keep their bodies from colliding painfully. “Well, hello there, little lamb,” he growled in the young man’s ear. “It seems I have you at my mercy.” The lamb gulped. “A–Are you going to eat me?”

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Sinful images popped inside Brody’s mind, showing sweat-slick bodies moving together, his own and the lamb’s. “Oh, I’ll eat you all right, but you’ll enjoy it.” The lamb looked confused, but Brody didn’t have time to explain. He saw Liam heading back toward him in his shifted form. Brody gathered it was time to go. The rams must have finally gotten their act together, or alerted the rest of the guards inside the town. The damn sheep used guns with silver rounds, and Brody couldn’t risk getting hit by one. He shot to his feet and grabbed the lamb, draping the young man’s unresisting body over his shoulder. Grinning to himself, he followed after Liam as his friend led him back the way they’d come. The stupid sheep had left a hole the size of Europe in their defenses—possibly because of the same rams who’d attacked Brody’s lamb. Brody growled as he remembered the bastards. He wished he could have taken them out, shredded their flesh and tasted their blood, but his priorities lay with his mate. His mate? Seriously? How could a lamb be his mate, and a male one at that? And yet, even as he thought this, Brody knew it was true. He’d have a very difficult time convincing the young man of it, though. For the moment, his sweet prey remained paralyzed with fright, but Brody intended to make that change. Perhaps he could woo the little lamb by bringing him a piece of his attackers as offering. Then again, perhaps not. Brody and Liam escaped Ramston with relative ease. Once they were at a safe distance away, Liam shifted into his legged form. Brody placed his mate down and turned to his fried, waiting for the explosion that was bound to occur. Indeed, moments later, Liam shouted, “What the fuck, Brody? What was that back there, and what in the world are you doing with the lamb?” Brody realized his behavior would draw his friend’s attention. Liam knew him well, and knew how much the pack meant to him. It was one of the reasons why they’d been selected for the scouting

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mission in the sheep lands. Their Alpha—and Brody’s brother, Soren—wanted to know if the sheep truly meant to move into human territory. Brody could safely say the rumor was correct, judging by the motions in the town and the absence of the elder rams and ewes. Still, he and Liam would have paid more attention and scouted more thoroughly, if not for running into the little lamb. Brody couldn’t bring himself to regret it. He shrugged at Liam. “I have my reasons for bringing the lamb along.” Liam stared at Brody’s mate speculatively. “Perhaps you’re right. I’m sure the pack would love a lamb dinner tomorrow.” Brody cursed at his friend’s words, knowing they would frighten his poor mate again. Indeed, the young man made that “baah” sound again and, before Brody’s shocked eyes, turned into his animal form. Liam rubbed his hands together. “Oh, would you look at that? He’s making it easier for us.” Brody snarled and pushed his friend away from the lamb. “Don’t you even think about it. He’s off-limits.” He knelt next to the terrified lamb, gently caressing the soft wool. The lamb’s blue eyes fixed on him, as if asking him a silent question. “Don’t worry, little lamb. No one is going to harm you.” Liam gaped at him. “Okay, have you lost your mind or what? He’s fucking prey.” “He is also my mate,” Brody snarled. He had no intentions of denying the connection between him and the lamb. Sure, he’d have liked to explain things to the young man in private, but unfortunately, he could not do that, not in the circumstances. He had a feeling he would need Liam’s help. “Your mate?” Liam repeated, looking dumbfounded. “But, Brody…” Brody frowned, silently telling Liam this wasn’t up for discussion. As always, Liam understood him. “Fine. I won’t question you, or

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touch your…mate. But you have to realize, my friend, that the pack won’t like this.” Brody knew his friend was right, just like he knew that, at this stage in his life, he needed to make a choice. It was really a nobrainer. He couldn’t take his mate to the pack, and he didn’t intend to leave the lamb to fend for himself. Therefore, it followed as natural that Brody would have to leave the pack. Sure, his family wouldn’t be happy about it. In fact, Brody would bet money his father would be furious. Hopefully, his brother would help him. For the moment, he picked up his mate in his arms, all the while continuing with his caresses. In the end, the lamb began to relax a bit, as if finally acknowledging the fact that Brody didn’t intend to hurt him. Brody began to walk back to their car. Liam followed behind him in silence, seemingly musing over the situation. Once they reached their vehicle. Brody opened the back seat and gently placed his mate there. The lamb didn’t protest, as if dazed. Brody could feel his mate’s exhaustion irradiating from him like a cloud, both physical and emotional. The urge to shield him from everyone was so strong that Brody almost keeled over. He did his best to temporarily leash it and pulled his clothes on. The sheep in the back seat would be strange enough. It wouldn’t do for humans to see two naked men with it. He and Liam dressed and entered the car. Usually, Brody would drive or take shotgun, but now he sat next to his mate. “Drive,” he told his friend. Liam took the driver’s position and closed his door. As Brody secured himself and his mate in the back seat, Liam started the car and drove off. The sound of the engine startled Brody’s lamb, and the young man shifted back into his human form. The transformation made it so that Brody ended up with a lapful of naked mate. On instinct, he wrapped his arms around the lamb’s waist, pulling him closer.

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The young man tensed and started to fidget. “W–What’s going on?” he stammered. “Where are you taking me?” “Be still, little lamb,” Brody said. His mate’s motions seemed designed to drive him out of his mind. The youth’s pert bottom rubbed against Brody’s cock, making hot lust course through him. His control hung by a thread, and it was only the knowledge of what the lamb had gone through that kept him from losing it. Squeezing his mate to his chest, he did his best to ignore his arousal. “You’re safe with me.” The lamb didn’t seem very reassured, not that Brody blamed him. “I’m Brody Wade, and that’s my friend Liam Denning. What’s your name?” “C–Carson,” the lamb answered. “Carson Williams.” “That’s a gorgeous name, for a gorgeous man.” Liam cleared his throat. “I hate to interrupt, but I’d like to know where we’re going as well.” “As you realize, I don’t expect him to be safe with the others, so I won’t go back. So drop us at the outskirts of L.A. In the meantime, I need you to do something for me. Go to Soren. Tell him I’ve found my mate and to meet me in front of the Griffith Observatory, two days from now, at noon. “ An awkward silence fell over the truck. Liam seemed tense, and so did Carson. Brody held Carson tighter. As much as he cared about his friend, he couldn’t wait until they reached their destination. After all, Liam was a wolf, and didn’t have the same connection with Carson Brody did. He would be inclined to hurt Carson. Finally, Liam spoke. “I’ll help you, my friend. Just be careful.” Even with Liam’s reassurance, the trip seemed to take ages. At one point, Brody busied himself with providing Carson something to wear. They’d brought along small packs, but, unfortunately, Brody’s clothing proved to be unsuitable for the much smaller Carson. They ended up borrowing a shirt and a pair of jeans from Liam, who didn’t

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have the same bulk. Even so, Carson looked like a child who’d raided his parents’ closet—or rather, like a sheep in wolf’s clothing. Brody almost laughed at the thought, but the situation pissed him off. Liam’s scent was all over Carson now, and Brody ached to rub against his mate, to take the offensive clothes away and mark the lamb as his own. However, that would have to wait until they were safe and in private. At last, at early dawn, Liam dropped them off in the city. The first thing Brody did was to take out every cent he had on his debit card and look into plane and bus departures for the following days. He couldn’t access all of his accounts without alarming his father, and he needed to avoid having the man find out about Carson, at least until Brody spoke to his brother. He hoped they wouldn’t have to leave the area, but if the need appeared, he’d have to be ready. Truth be told, Brody now placed his trust in Soren. Wolves in general respected matings, but given his position in werewolf society, his decision wouldn’t be easily accepted. Still, he hoped Soren would help him out. After all, the man was not only his brother, but also his Alpha. In the end, he decided he was better off renting a vehicle, which still left him with a reasonable sum of money to find them a place to stay for the night. Still, Brody knew he had to look for an affordable place, because they’d have to live from his savings for a while, at least until he got access to the rest of his money. He knew several hotels in town that could provide decent accommodations at a pretty good price. They also stopped at a supermarket to stock up on supplies, both foodstuffs and an outfit for Carson. In a bid of optimism, he added a bottle of olive oil to their cart. He didn’t know if he’d get to enjoy Carson’s delicious body in the near future, but he could only hope it would happen. As they drove around, the scents of the city assaulted them. Soon, Brody noticed it was affecting poor Carson. When they passed by an

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Indian restaurant, Carson turned an interesting shade of green. “Oh, God, I think I’m going to be sick.” “I’ll stop the car,” Brody offered stupidly. “No, no. Just keep driving. I’ll be fine.” Once they left the area behind, Carson did indeed seem to regain some of his composure. However, the incident put things into perspective for Brody. All the smells coming from the food places around the city seemed delicious for him, but disgusting for Carson. Of course, he couldn’t blame the lamb for his reaction. After all, Carson must have felt the same thing Brody did when he saw or scented the corpse of a wolf. Still, in the circumstances, Brody felt illprepared to care for his mate. Could they really make things work?

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Chapter Two The first rays of the sun were just appearing from the horizon as Carson entered the small hotel room Brody had found for them. He sniffed around experimentally, and watched as Brody did the same. When the wolf gestured that it was okay, Carson plopped on the bed facedown, exhausted. He couldn’t understand anything anymore. How had he gone from being at the mercy of the young rams in his town to accepting a wolf’s help? Brody was a mystery to him. The man seemed besotted with him. Carson knew enough about wolves to understand what Brody had told his friend. Mates were very important for them, and this was perhaps the only thing Carson always respected about their enemies. Sheep didn’t mate. More often than not, the rams chose the ewes they liked—any number of them—and reproduced. In fact, Ray and Carson were only half-brothers. With their flock dynamics, that hardly mattered, though. Or at least, it shouldn’t have. For that reason, Carson couldn’t understand what Brody intended. How did matings for wolves work? Would Brody want another mate, someone who could procreate? Hell, why was Carson even considering it? For crying out loud, they were predator and prey. They didn’t mix. The answer to his question came when Brody sat by his side. His hand gently caressed Carson’s hair, and he lay down, hugging Carson to his chest. He was warm, and strong, and in his embrace, Carson felt so safe it should have been impossible. “I don’t get it,” he mumbled. “I don’t get any of this.”

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“I know,” Brody murmured. “It’s hard to accept. Sheep don’t have mates, do they?” Carson shook his head, and Brody continued. “Well, let me explain to you a little how it works. We wolves mate for life, shapeshifters even more so than our equivalents in the wild. We know who the persons meant for us are from the moment we see them. I knew from the beginning that you were destined for me, meant and born for me. Everything else doesn’t matter. We can work it out.” “But you don’t know me,” Carson protested. “How can you go on just instinct to choose your life partner?” Brody chuckled and his laughter washed over Carson like a wave of pleasure. “We’re shape-shifters, little lamb. Instinct is our middle name. What does yours tell you?” Carson almost laughed. A sheep’s instinct wasn’t exactly reliable. It just told them to flock together and jump when another one did. Still, he did feel something when Brody held him, and it wasn’t just because of instinct. “I…I don’t really know,” he answered. “I feel safe with you, but I don’t understand why.” Brody pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Because we’re mates. We might not know each other very well, but we have all the time in the world to find out everything.” Carson met the wolf’s eyes. They were so deep, so green, and so very beautiful. “But, Brody, we are predator and prey. Doesn’t that bother you?” He didn’t know what he expected the other man to answer, but it surprised him when Brody shook his head. “Not at all. Mates are mates and love is love.” Carson bit his lip hard, trying to suppress his tears. He couldn’t believe someone like Brody understood what Carson had been trying to say to his flock ever since he’d become a grown-up. How was it that a wolf grasped it? All his life, these predators had been a

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nightmare for the whole of Ramston. How did that fit in with Brody’s behavior? Brody swiped his thumb over Carson’s cheek, and Carson looked away, realizing he’d lost the battle with his tears. “Don’t,” Brody said. “Don’t hide from me. How are we ever going to mate if you don’t give me a chance?” Brody actually sounded upset, and for some reason, Carson felt the need to soothe the man. “I’m sorry. I am. I just…I need you to teach me. I don’t know how to have a mate.” Brody’s expression changed, his eyes taking up the predatory expression that Carson remembered from Ramston. Unlike that time, however, it didn’t scare him. Wild anticipation filled him, his body burning with a need he’d never felt before. “I can teach you, Carson.” Brody growled lowly. “Do you trust me?” Did he trust Brody? The man was a wolf, and his kin had hunted Carson’s from the beginning of time. For all Carson knew, Brody himself had killed people from Ramston. And yet, Brody had been so gentle with him. Could he really say no? In the end, Brody was not just a wolf, but also a man, a man who took Carson’s breath away. “Yes,” he answered. “Yes, I trust you. Just…take it slow.” Carson had knowledge of what happened between two men. There were rams in the flock with a preference for other males, and it wasn’t all that unusual. On occasion, Brody had actually seen a few couples rutting, some even in their animal form. But Carson didn’t know what a wolf would do while coupling. Sure, he knew the general anatomical part of it since rams all received a solid education on their predators. However, their teachers had only given them the basis of the wolves’ reproduction. The anticipation was killing Carson. “Don’t worry,” Brody said. “I’ll take good care of you.”

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Slowly, Brody brought their faces together, so close Carson could feel the wolf’s breath tickling his cheeks. Carson’s heart beat a thousand miles an hour as he waited to see what Brody would do. At last, the other man pressed their lips together. He moved his mouth against Carson’s in a seductive motion. Carson gasped, allowing the wolf entrance. He wrapped his arms around Brody, surrendering himself to the other man’s domination. Brody must have sensed his silent acquiescence, because the gentle kiss became more aggressive. Brody’s tongue devoured Carson’s mouth, arousing him beyond measure. It was his first kiss, and more intense than anything Carson ever expected. He clung to the wolf, gasping with delight, taking in the other man’s sensual assault. Brody’s hands began to work at his clothes, desperately tearing at the material. Carson tried to help his mate, but of course, failed abysmally. They ended up tangled in the remnants of Carson’s shirt and pants, frustratingly attempting to push them out of the way. As their mouths parted, Carson let out a huff, while Brody just chuckled breathlessly. “Be patient, little lamb,” he whispered. “Everything will come in time.” But Carson didn’t want to be patient. He wanted to be touched and to touch in turn. He found himself trying to remember all the things he’d seen those rams do together, just so as he could explore the same road with Brody. It annoyed and embarrassed him that he didn’t know how to offer the other man pleasure. Still, he struggled to obey and wait like Brody said. Eventually, his patience was rewarded. Brody got rid of his own clothes, and as the man discarded each item of clothing, Carson’s entire body began to tremble with heightened anxiety and anticipation. Dear God. Carson had seen Brody naked back at Ramston, but he’d been in too much panic to fully acknowledge the gorgeous hunk of man he had within his reach. For crying out loud, the man seemed cut from divine cloth. Carson didn’t know where to look first. Michelangelo’s David had nothing on Brody where rock-hard abs were concerned. The

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wolf’s coppery nipples perked up upon being exposed, as if demanding for attention, and Brody’s cock pointed accusingly at Carson. Hell, if it were alive, the statue would be embarrassed upon comparing his dick to Brody’s. The wolf’s shaft was massive. From what Carson remembered, it would have to go inside his…inside his ass. But surely, it would never fit. As if guessing his thoughts, Brody cupped his cheek gently and pressed a kiss to his lips. It was nothing like the one from before. In fact, it didn’t even seem aimed to arouse him, but rather to soothe and comfort him. “I know I’m a bit intimidating,” he said, “but don’t worry. We’re mates.” Carson would have loved to have the same trust Brody did, but he simply couldn’t manage to relax. “Somehow, I doubt you’ll be the one with a baseball bat up your ass,” he muttered, disgruntled. Brody just chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. You’ll love it. I promise.” Carson gave the wolf a doubtful look. Truth be told, he wanted what Brody offered, but he was afraid of it, too. What if he did something wrong? What if Brody didn’t like it? And what about this mate thing? Did Brody’s attraction originate only from it? What if he hated Carson afterward? He didn’t realize he was panicking until Brody’s strong arms wrapped around him, squeezing him tight. “Hey, Carson, we don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you.” Carson’s eyes widened as he realized he’d fucked up. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just…I’m nervous. Why do you even like me?” Brody released him from the embrace and gave him a look of disbelief. “Are you kidding? You’re gorgeous. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a mate, even before I knew I wanted one.” He took a deep breath, as if struggling for words. “You’re…you.”

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Carson couldn’t find a reply for that. He was too overwhelmed, too shocked. His entire world seemed to have gone topsy-turvy, as if he were in The Twilight Zone. All of a sudden, all his doubts ceased mattering. He was a sheep and Brody a wolf. So what? They’d only just met. So what? Who cared? Brody was right. They were mates. Beyond all the anxiety, Carson could sense it, too. Otherwise, he would never have trusted Brody in the first place. Without allowing himself to hesitate further, Carson pressed his lips to Brody’s, bringing their bodies closer together. They were both naked now, and once Carson took the decision to stop worrying about things beyond his control, he found it easy to focus only on his mate’s nudity. He climbed into Brody’s lap, no longer frightened. Instead, the feel of Brody’s hard prick against his ass aroused him like hell. At first, Brody seemed surprised, but he quickly took over the kiss. His hands explored Carson’s body, leaving behind trails of fire on his skin. Carson rubbed against his mate, aching for more, yearning for something he couldn’t quite understand. Much to his dismay, Brody pushed him away. Carson gave his mate a confused look. Had he done something wrong? Was he a bad kisser? “Just give me a second,” Brody said. “I’ll be right back.” Without further explanation, Brody left the bed. Thankfully, the hotel room wasn’t all that big, and Carson watched his mate as the wolf headed toward the bag with their groceries. He lay down on the mattress in wait as he observed Brody move. God, simply the play of muscles on Brody’s back could make a man come. Brody retrieved the bottle of olive oil from the bag and returned to the bed. At first, Carson didn’t understand the reasons behind Brody’s fetching of the bottle, but then the wolf said, “Come on, little lamb. Spread your legs for me.” Carson obeyed, knowing that this was it, the moment he’d feared from the second he’d seen Brody’s prick. He spread his legs and, on instinct, lifted them, exposing his hole to Brody’s gaze. He was

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rewarded with a groan from his soon-to-be-lover. “Jesus Christ, Carson. Do you have any idea how hot you look?” “Why don’t you show me?” Carson shot back. He didn’t know where the flirty, coy comment came from, but it seemed to arouse Brody even further. Somehow, Carson could feel it echo inside him. If he’d had any doubt about the connection between them, that would have settled it. He’d worry about the rest later, much later. Brody opened the olive oil bottle and poured some of the liquid on his fingers, all the while holding Carson’s gaze. Carson gulped, struggling to keep his nervousness in check, but he couldn’t prevent himself from tensing up slightly at the first touch of Brody’s slick finger on his anus. “Relax,” Brody said. “As long as you relax, we’ll be just fine.” Carson nodded, but it was easier said than done. Obviously noticing Carson’s problem, Brody lowered his head and took Carson’s dick in his mouth. Red hot pleasure shot through Carson as the wet inferno engulfed his prick. He couldn’t help but push his dick deeper inside Brody’s mouth, at the same time reaching down to thread his fingers through the wolf’s hair. Brody bobbed his head up and down Carson’s shaft, twisting his tongue just so in motions that Carson hadn’t even considered possible. With Brody working him so deliciously, Carson couldn’t even remember to stay tense. When his mate pushed a finger inside him, Carson took it with ease, loving the unfamiliar, but pleasurable sensation. The second finger burned a bit, and the third even more, but Brody did an excellent job in distracting him. And then, Brody hit his prostate, a spot Carson only heard about but never had the courage to find. Carson arched his back as shocks of ecstasy coursed through him. “Oh, God, Brody. Please, please, please…” At this point, he didn’t fully understand what he was asking for, but it didn’t matter. Brody did. Brody knew. The wolf pulled his fingers out of Carson’s ass and lifted his mouth. Carson moaned, feeling abandoned and bereft, but then, something hot and huge

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nudged at his opening. Slowly, Brody pushed inside him, impaling Carson on his prick. Just like Carson had noted earlier, the wolf was more than well endowed. Even if Brody took it slow, the penetration hurt. Still, Carson bit his lip and focused on Brody’s scent, on his gaze, and his expression of concentration. He just needed to relax. It would be fine. It seemed to take forever, but at last, Brody embedded his shaft fully inside Carson. In the beginning, Carson almost couldn’t believe it. He felt so full, impossibly so, but at the same time, so connected to Brody. The burn of the initial penetration began to melt into pleasure. A buzz of restless energy settled over Carson’s skin. “Please, Brody,” he begged again. “Move.” And Brody did, indeed, move. He pulled his dick out of Carson’s passage and thrust back in. Somehow, Brody hit Carson’s prostate, making renewed ecstasy wash over him. From then on, it all became a blur. On and on, Brody continued to fuck him, pushing in and out of his anus. The speed and strength behind the motions made the bed creak almost ominously. Carson clung to his mate’s shoulders, doing his best to push back, but he acknowledged the fact that he couldn’t hope to be coordinated or coherent. Still, somehow, they made it work, moving together like they’d known each other from the beginning of time. In the circumstances, Carson couldn’t hope to hang on for much longer. His arousal, his lust, and confusing emotions overwhelmed him. He just needed one more thing, one thing to push him over the edge. His mind might not have realized what it was, but his body and his soul knew. Following a sudden urge, Carson tilted his head, baring his throat to Brody. A few moments later, sharp fangs pierced his flesh. Agonizing pain invaded him, but it just hurt for a brief instant. Then, it seemed as if a sun burst inside of him and sweet ecstasy swallowed him whole, sending him into a whirlpool of nirvana.

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Carson felt a connection click into place, his bond with Brody becoming complete. He sensed his mate’s pleasure and the extent of the wolf’s own conflicting emotions. Like that, with Brody inside his mind and his body, he came like he never had in his entire life. He didn’t know how long he simply floated on the cloud of pleasure, but when he came down from the incredible high, he found Brody looming over him, green eyes still hazed with pleasure. “You okay, little lamb?” Carson smiled. “I’ve never been better, big bad wolf.” Brody blinked at him and then burst into laughter. “Gorgeous and funny,” he said as he wiped a tear of mirth. “I hit the jackpot.” Carson didn’t answer, but he secretly thought it was the other way around. Somehow, he’d been granted a chance at happiness, and he wouldn’t squander it, no matter what happened.

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Chapter Three The next day Brody watched Carson as his lamb experimentally sniffed one of the incense candles. His mate let out a moan of contentment. “Mmm, this smells great.” He turned pleading eyes to Brody. “Can we get this one, too?” Brody stole a look at the price and suppressed a wince. For a scented candle, the thing was awfully expensive. But how could he resist those wide blue eyes? And more importantly, he wanted to provide for whatever Carson wanted and needed. Something inside him told him to. His wolf yearned to care for Carson, to give the lamb everything he’d missed in life. It was astonishing that his mate had only just discovered incense candles. Then again, in Ramston, life would have been focused on caring for the younger lambs and preventing the wolf attacks. Brody couldn’t help but feel a little guilty about that, even if he knew it was the way things worked in their world. He didn’t realize he’d been ignoring Carson until slender arms wrapped around his torso. “It’s all right,” his lamb whispered in Brody’s mind. “We’re beyond that now.” Brody smiled and caressed Carson’s soft hair. It was one of the advantages and disadvantages of having a mate. They could hear each other’s thoughts and talk through their telepathic bond. Brody loved it, but he also would have liked to keep some of his concerns to himself, not to burden Carson with his worries.

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“Hey, we’re a team now,” Carson said. “Your troubles are mine. I can handle it.” “I know you can, and I trust you. I just want to protect you.” He shook himself and struggled to break the suddenly somber mood. They were better off relaxing and just enjoying each other’s presence. “We can get the incense candle if you like. Anything you want, Carson.” Carson hugged him again and selected one of the candles—just one, and the cheapest, Brody noted. Carson must have overheard Brody’s financial concerns as well. Berating himself for his stupidity, Brody chose a second item, the last one that Carson had wanted. “Brody, you don’t have to…” Carson tried to say. Brody shushed him with a kiss. “I want to.” The scented candles weren’t a useless commodity. The smells of the town still bothered Carson, even inside the hotel room. Sheep shape-shifters had very sensitive noses and even detected delivery boys with various products. The hotel policy had nothing against the use of scented candles. It helped that Brody gave the manager a generous tip to keep their stay there as discreet as possible. Carson sighed but yielded. It was just a candle, and a few dollars wouldn’t hurt their budget too much, and they’d stopped at this store to buy stuff, not to window-shop. After Brody talked to Soren, he’d be able to access the other accounts. Brody and Carson would be fine. All day, Brody had led Carson around the city, taking him to parks, showing him the sights. Brody had never truly enjoyed the beauty that could appear even in a huge metropolis such as Los Angeles, but with Carson by his side, everything seemed so much better. But of course, once they’d grown tired of touring, they’d begun to shop—and Brody could not resist bringing Carson to this store. Eagerly, Brody led his mate from the more neutral part of the store and advanced into the kinkier one. He’d taken his mate here without telling Carson what it actually was, an adult shop. The entire

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building seemed quite harmless from the outside, and the first section held sensual, but more innocent stuff like the candles, lotion, or shower gel. Here, however, there was lubricant of all variety, dildos in different colors and sizes, anal beads, and many other types of toys. Brody didn’t want to force his lamb into anything too kinky. He knew Carson had been a virgin the night before. He’d felt it and then acknowledged it through their bond. Still, they needed some real lube. The olive oil worked, but it got everywhere and ruined the sheets. It was something the manager of the hotel hadn’t appreciated so much. “Oh, my,” Carson said breathlessly. The look on his face was priceless. “This is…Wow.” Judging by the distinctive feeling of arousal coming from Carson, Brody guessed it was a good “wow.” Perhaps Carson would enjoy something a little wilder after all. Just as Brody thought this, a salesman approached them, a wide grin on his face. “Could I help you gentlemen with anything?” he asked, leering at Carson. Brody’s hackles immediately rose as the other male threatened his ownership of his mate. He suppressed the urge to bare his fangs at the stupid human and smiled tightly. “No, that won’t be necessary. We’re good.” He knew he’d been unable to disguise the hostility in his voice when Carson gave him a curious look. Apparently, the lamb hadn’t been paying attention to the human at all, because otherwise, he’d have sensed the salesman’s arousal. Upon Brody’s show of aggression, Carson noticed the situation as well. He wrapped his arm around Brody’s waist and leaned against him, his warmth and sweet scent comforting Brody. “Thank you, but he’s right. We can handle things just fine.” The salesman didn’t seem deterred at all by their refusal. “All right,” he answered, “but if you need anything—and I mean anything—just shout. Name’s Shiloh. Shiloh Holden.”

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From his obscenely tight pants, the man retrieved a piece of paper and offered it to Carson, who just stared at it. “Outside of office hours, too.” Perhaps a different time, Brody might have taken Shiloh up on his offer. The young man was definitely gorgeous, tall and willowy, with an elegant, almost aristocratic look. For the first time, Brody noticed that the guy smelled like shape-shifter, something he would eat. A swan? Yes, a swan. He wondered if Shiloh realized he was playing with fire. Of course, Brody didn’t intend to do anything about it. He had his mate now, and he was a one-lamb wolf. A loud manly voice sounded before Brody could refuse Shiloh again. “Shiloh, stop flirting with the customers, and get your ass in here.” Shiloh laughed. “Oops. Looks like I’ve been busted. Have fun.” With a final smile, he turned his back on Brody and Carson and sped away. “What was that?” Carson asked. “A swan.” Brody chuckled. “A swan in a sex shop.” “I thought they tended to be shier,” Carson said, obviously confused. He pocketed the offered paper, but Brody didn’t bother to take it from his mate. Neither Carson nor Brody would call, and that paper would just be a cute memory. Whatever Shiloh’s story was, it wouldn’t be Brody’s job to find out. He turned toward his mate. “At any rate, I do believe we were busy doing something else before we were interrupted.” Carson’s face flamed as his eyes went from Brody to the sex toys and back. “Do you know how to use all this?” he asked in a barely audible whisper. “I do,” Brody answered through their connection. “Would you like to try something?” Carson nodded shyly. “I might. I’m just not sure what.” “How about we start slow?” Brody suggested. “Slow is good,” Carson answered.

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Brody hid a smile. Somehow he knew that by the end of the day, taking it slow would be the furthest thing from their minds. **** “Hold that elevator,” Brody shouted to the man already in the lift. The stranger did as he’d been asked, and Brody managed to slip into the elevator just in time, followed by his mate. Brody nodded and thanked the man. His entire body buzzed with arousal, though, and he willed the guy to get off the elevator already. As it turned out, the man abandoned the lift on the first floor. Who the fuck took the elevator for one flight of stairs? Jesus Christ. The moment the doors of the elevator closed, Brody reached for Carson and crushed his lips to his mate’s, dropping their shopping bag on the floor. For a few moments, Carson enthusiastically responded, but then he broke away from Brody. “We can’t,” he panted. “The camera. They’ll see.” Brody cursed stupid indecent exposure laws and wished they didn’t apply to shape-shifters. There should be some sort of norm that noted the difference between them and humans. Humans might be able to keep it in their pants, but Brody felt like he would burst if he didn’t get inside his mate in that very same moment. “Just come here,” he murmured, taking his mate in his arms. “There’s no law against kissing.” Carson surrendered and for a few moments, Brody allowed himself to revel in his mate’s kiss. Now that their bond was complete, he could feel Carson so much better, deep inside his heart. Sex wasn’t enough to claim one’s mate—hell, it wasn’t even required, since the bite did all the work. However, with Carson, his true mate, it was different. Brody needed to mark Carson, to brand the lamb as his over and over again. His body ached for a renewed coupling, and he rubbed against his mate, his prick so hard it hurt. Just a little longer, just a little longer and he would get what he wanted.

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At last, a more than welcome “ping” and a swoosh announced they’d reached their stop. Brody broke away from Carson, and they stumbled out of the elevator. At the last moment, Brody remembered to grab their purchases. It would truly be a pity if they lost their bag of goodies. Brody intended to put them all to good use. He dragged his mate toward their room and reached it in record time. It was only then that he realized he had no idea what he’d done with the key card. Before he could panic, Carson offered it to him with a trembling hand. Breathing in a sigh of relief, Brody snatched the card and opened the door. At last they were in private. No sooner had Brody closed the door than Carson pounced on him in an uncharacteristic display of aggression, pressing their lips together. It seemed his little lamb wanted this as much as Brody did. Brody growled and took over the kiss. Using his larger body, he directed them toward the bed, without releasing his mate from the liplock. God, Carson was incredible. Brody couldn’t believe that in only a day, they felt so close to each other. This could just happen with fated mates. He was sure of it. Brody pushed Carson onto the mattress and took advantage of his mate’s slight daze to empty the bag on the bed. They’d ended up buying quite a good selection of toys, ranging from a cock ring to anal beads and even handcuffs and a flogger. It had made a significant dent in Brody’s budget, but the hell with it. Carson licked his lips as he watched the items on the bed. “Brody…” The sound of his name on Carson’s lips sufficed to break the remnants of Brody’s control. He pounced on his mate, randomly ripping the just-purchased clothing. Carson helped him take his own off. The clumsiness of that first time was gone, replaced by a need guiding their bodies, making them move together. There were no more doubts, not in Brody’s mind and not in Carson’s either. Sure, things weren’t perfect and they still had a lot to learn about each

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other, not to mention all the shit Brody’s pack would give him. But this…This was so right, so true. In that moment, Brody could trust everything would be all right in the end. Carson briefly broke the kiss and gave him a playful glare. “Stop thinking so hard.” He pushed Brody off him and straddled him, all the while analyzing the items on the bed with lustful curiosity. “Now, teach me what to do.” Hot arousal swelled inside Brody as images of his mate riding his prick filled his mind. He grinned up at Carson. “Okay, little lamb, but you have to do exactly as I tell you.” Carson gulped as if he’d just realized who he was playing with. Even so, he nodded, and Brody didn’t feel any fear coming from him, just the performance anxiety that had upset Carson the day before as well. Brody made a mental note to love Carson so thoroughly that his lamb would never, ever, think himself inadequate again, and when his mate smiled, he knew Carson had heard the thought. “Exactly as you tell me to,” Carson repeated. “I understand.” Brody clutched the bedspreads with his fists to keep himself from pulling his mate down and just burying himself inside of Carson. His urge to dominate awoke, stronger and more intense than ever. Brody had always enjoyed bondage and power play, even if he’d mostly kept it from his pack. Some would have seen his sexuality as a sign of him wanting to be the Alpha, and Brody couldn’t be bothered with politics, not to mention that he’d never want to fight against his brother. But now, he wanted to share his desire with Carson, and Carson seemed more than willing to accept it. “Take the lubricant,” he instructed Carson. “Open the tube.” Carson did as he’d been told, although Brody noticed his mate’s hands still trembled. As Carson uncapped the tube of slick, Brody continued to speak. “Pour a little on your fingers. Get them good and wet.”

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Carson obeyed, pouring a generous amount of liquid from the bottle and somehow managing not to make a mess either. “Now reach behind you and thrust them into your ass, like I did yesterday.” Carson abandoned his position of Brody’s lap and sat back. He lifted his legs into the air and exposed his pretty pink hole to Brody’s greedy gaze. Two slender fingers hesitantly rubbed around the rim, then slowly pushed inside. Brody almost swallowed his tongue at the sight. Jesus Christ. His mate was going to kill him. “Am I doing it right?” Carson panted out. His eyes widened and he let out a cry. Brody chuckled when he realized his mate must have accidentally hit his prostate. “You’re doing great. Just don’t rush it.” Carson moaned and continued to push his fingers in and out of his ass. He thrashed on the bed, tiny whimpers that sounded like Brody’s name escaping his lips. Brody would have loved to take his time and watch Carson finger-fuck himself, but alas, he was only a wolf, and he had his limits. He pounced once again, snatching his lover and pushing him under him once more. His mate let out the adorable “baah” again, but this time, it didn’t seem frightened, only surprised, and maybe even a touch relieved. In a flash, Brody retrieved the handcuffs and secured his mate’s arms to the headboard. He was thankful he’d had the foresight to buy the padded type, as he didn’t want Carson to be hurt in any way. Carson arched against him, his naked body already slick with perspiration. “Please, Brody. I need you now.” Brody stole a kiss from Carson’s sweet lips, indulging himself just a bit. He then retrieved two of the toys that showed most promise. Moving faster than humanly possible, he went to the bathroom and cleaned the items using the sterilizer they’d also purchased. He then returned to the room, cock ring and anal beads in hand. Carson watched him, his beautiful blue eyes looking like a stormy sea now.

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Hastily, Brody slipped the cock ring on Carson. He had a distant thought that perhaps he should’ve had one for himself but discarded it. Even if he did come before he got inside Carson, his recovery time would allow him to still fuck his mate. It would be the same for Carson, but the cock ring in this case had a different purpose. The buildup of pleasure was just as important as the moment of coupling. The night before, Brody had taken Carson in the heat of their first mating, but now, he wanted to spend as many hours as possible fucking the man, touching him, licking him, worshipping all that delicious skin. He wanted to show Carson how beautiful and special it could be between them. Grinning down at his mate, he took the anal beads and slowly inserted them in Carson’s passage one by one. Carson’s cries increased in volume, encouraging him, but as much as they aroused Brody, he took his time. On occasion, he added more lube, just to make sure. When the last bead penetrated Carson’s ass, Brody moved them around, all the while massaging Carson’s shaft with his fist. Soon, his mate grew wild and Carson knew it was time for them to couple. But first, he wanted to try something else, to see how Carson took to a bit of pain with his pleasure. Leaving the beads in, Brody flipped his mate on all fours and slapped Carson’s ass hard. The handprint mark that appeared made his prick throb, more so when Carson screamed. Brody might have thought Carson hated the spanking, but their connection was flooded by Carson’s ecstasy. Growling, Brody applied two more blows, beautifully reddening his mate’s bottom. He couldn’t take it for much longer. He needed to be inside Carson. Two more hits had Carson incoherent, the cute “baahs” appearing more and more. It seemed they happened in moments of extreme emotion. At last, Brody stopped trying to resist his mate’s allure. He pulled out the anal beads and then positioned his prick at Carson’s hole. In one single thrust, he slid home.

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Carson was hot and tight, and his body welcomed Brody just like Brody knew it would. He groaned, thrusting in and out of the passage, always aiming for his mate’s prostate. Carson pushed back, seemingly yearning for this as much as Brody did. Carnal bliss mixed with emotional fulfillment as their bodies came together. Brody’s wolf howled in satisfaction as he took his mate and felt Carson’s pleasure. Their origins might have been predator and prey, but it no longer held any meaning. They fit together. They were mates, and it was the only thing that mattered. Brody’s fangs dropped, and without hesitating, he lowered his body over Carson’s. Sensing Brody’s need, his mate offered his throat. Brody sank his fangs into the delicious flesh. The moment Carson’s blood invaded his mouth, stars burst into his vision. Their connection sizzled with ecstasy and Brody found his peak, sending his seed deep inside Carson. At the last moment, he remembered to remove the cock ring off Carson, and in seconds, his lamb climaxed as well. Carson’s ass tightened around Brody’s cock, squeezing every drop of his cum from him. Their orgasms seemed to become entwined and went on and on, until Brody thought he would die from too much pleasure. He didn’t know how much time passed when he finally became aware of collapsing on top of Carson. He rolled off his mate, careful not to crush the smaller man under his bulk. “That was amazing,” Carson breathed out. Brody squeezed his mate to his chest. “You haven’t seen anything yet.” His gaze fell toward the window, and he dimly registered the way the last rays of the sun slipped into the room. Tomorrow, he’d have to meet with Soren. Tomorrow, he and Carson would need to return to the real world. But for now, they could just enjoy each other’s presence and simply love. Brody would worry about the rest later.

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Chapter Four The next morning Carson awoke feeling sore in all the right places. The day before had been amazing, almost surreal. He’d have thought it all a dream if not for the slight stiffness. It would all go away in a few more hours— he was a shape-shifter, after all—but Carson was pretty sure Brody would soon put the delicious soreness back. He couldn’t wait. And speaking of his mate…Where could the wolf be? The pillows still smelled like him, but Carson missed his warmth. He cracked his eyes open, scanning the room for Brody. He sighed, unsurprised when he didn’t see the man. He’d have sensed Brody had his mate been around. Taking a deep breath, Carson focused on their connection. He fell on it naturally, as if he’d been bonded with the wolf his entire life. “Brody?” “Coming your way, Carson,” his mate’s amused voice answered. “Be patient.” Feeling reassured, Carson leaned against the pillows and waited. Indeed, a few minutes later, Brody entered the room, carrying a paper bag. “Breakfast,” he announced. Delicious scents assaulted Carson’s nostrils, the comfortable, safe and yes, sexy one of his mate combining with slightly earthier aromas. “Mmmm…Blueberry muffins. My favorite.” He extended his hands for the bag carrying his prize. “Give ’em here.” Brody laughed and walked to the bed. “Don’t I get a goodmorning kiss first?”

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Carson pretended considering it for a moment. “Okay,” he said. “But just a short one. You know, morning breath and all that.” He puckered his lips as Brody abandoned the bag of goodies on the bed. “I couldn’t care less about morning breath,” he murmured. The wolf pressed his lips to Brody’s in a soft, sensual kiss that made Carson’s toes curl. His mate didn’t try to take it any further and broke away just as Carson was really getting into it. “Go ahead and eat,” the other man said, a knowing twinkle in his eyes. “I want you well fed for later.” Carson’s slight disgruntlement changed into amusement and he snickered. “Oh, so that’s your evil plan, my big bad wolf. You intend to fatten me up and devour me later.” The teasing comment escaped his lips without him intending it to, but Brody just grinned. “Oh, I’ll devour you all right. Now be a good boy and eat all your greens.” Carson snickered, silently relieved that he hadn’t spoiled the carefree mood. He opened the bag and retrieved his more-thangenerous breakfast. Other than the muffins, Brody had brought him a packed salad as well as granola bars, water, and even carrot juice. For anyone else, it would have seemed frugal. For Carson, it represented a feast. But still, carrot juice? “I’m not a rabbit, you know,” he commented. Brody flushed. “It was an impulse buy. If you don’t want it—” “It’s fine,” Carson interrupted his mate. “It’s more than fine. Thank you for being so thoughtful.” In that moment, Carson noticed the bag didn’t hold any food for a carnivorous diet. “But what about you?” Brody shrugged. “I ate out.” Carson was torn between being touched, angry, and upset. He sighed, having suddenly lost his appetite. “Brody, I understand you eat meat. You don’t have to hide it from me. Of course, I wouldn’t like you to eat lamb, but other than that, I’m fine with it.”

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“I just don’t want to scare you,” Brody replied softly. Through their connection, Carson could sense what Brody wasn’t saying. The wolf feared Carson’s reaction when he first acknowledged this basic difference. Taking a deep breath, Carson struggled to find the right words. “Look, we’re mates, right?” When Brody nodded, Carson continued, “Then we’re going to have to get used to each of our quirks, our personalities, and needs. How can we do that if you hide from me?” For a few moments, Brody remained silent. “You’re right,” he said at last. “I don’t want to hide. Tell you what. When we go to lunch, we’ll eat together.” Carson grinned, acknowledging his victory. “But for now, you’re sharing my muffins.” Brody chuckled and stole another closed-mouthed kiss. “How could I refuse?” His mate’s voice dripped with sexual innuendo, and Carson became hungry for something else. He hastily chewed on his salad and grabbed a sip of water while Brody wolfed down a pastry. Carson couldn’t resist. He jumped his mate and pressed his mouth to the other man’s. “Mmm…Blueberry Brody. I think I have a new favorite.” He licked down Brody’s neck, tonguing his Adam’s apple. Brody tasted salty, all man, and Carson wanted more of the delicious flavor. Abandoning all thought of actual food, he began to unbutton Brody’s shirt, worshipping each inch of skin he revealed. Brody allowed him to explore at leisure, guiding him when Carson would have hesitated, encouraging him with gentle words and certain hands. Even so, even knowing how much his mate wanted him, Carson still felt nervous when he reached down to Brody’s genitals. His hands trembled as he unzipped his mate’s jeans. His body thrummed with arousal when he realized the wolf wasn’t wearing underwear and he caught sight of his mate’s impressive cock.

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God, had he really taken it inside him? He almost couldn’t believe it, and he couldn’t believe how much he wanted it again. But for the moment, his breakfast was lacking in one very important ingredient—Brody. Still a bit nervous, he pushed Brody’s jeans down and out of the way and took the wolf’s prick in his hand, experimentally massaging it. “Don’t tease,” Brody ordered. “Suck me.” Carson shuddered as the command sent tendrils of arousal through him. Instantly, his body reacted and he lowered his mouth over Brody’s prick, his entire being focused on pleasuring Brody. The first taste of his mate made him moan, and his own cock throbbed in need, demanding to be let in on the action. Now more than ever, Carson felt thankful he hadn’t bothered to put clothes on. It made it easy for him to reach down and wrap his fist around his dick. Brody’s hands entangled in his hair as the wolf guided his cock in Carson’s mouth. “That’s it, little lamb. Take me. And don’t come. I want you to come around my cock.” Carson trembled at the command and forced himself to stop masturbating. He focused on the prick in his mouth, taking it as deep as he could. It wasn’t easy, given Brody’s size, but Carson breathed through his nose and did his best. He looked up at Brody, loving the way his mate’s green eyes analyzed him in possessive lust. “You’re doing great, Carson,” Brody continued to encourage him. “So great.” With Brody’s voice and scent surrounding him, Carson lost himself in the pleasure. It was so amazing, so perfect, a teasing preparation for what would come later. But then, all of a sudden, Brody’s cock left his mouth. Carson blinked in confusion when he heard his mate curse. “Brody, what is it?” For a few seconds, he thought he’d done something wrong, perhaps bitten Brody. Werewolf or not, Brody would not like having his cock bitten. But then, their connection cleared up, and through Brody, Carson acknowledged what was going on. “Pack,” Brody’s beast told him. “Wolves.”

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While sheep had excellent senses and skill in detecting their predators, it was useless when wolves were downwind or, as it were, protected by walls. Brody, however, felt them, perhaps through a connection wolves shared. “We have to go,” Brody told him. “Hurry. Put something on and move.” Carson rushed to obey. He pulled on a pair of pants and a shirt. He’d have considered grabbing some of their bags, but Brody dragged him toward the door, abandoning all their belongings. “Leave them,” he said. “We don’t have time.” They rushed through the fire escape and went down the few flights of stairs necessary. Finally, they were outside the hotel and very close to their car. Carson thought they were going to make it, but then, his senses were assaulted by the scent of predator as the wolves no longer bothered to keep their presence hidden. There were more than a dozen men and women surrounding them, appearing from various spots. Carson shrunk closer to Brody, tasting terror in his mouth. He felt safer by his mate’s side, but his reason knew Brody couldn’t possibly take them all and win. A tall wolf who looked somewhat like Brody took a step forward. “You’re so predictable, little brother,” he said. “I just knew you’d do our work for us and try to escape.” “Soren,” Brody said, and that one word dripped so much poison it shocked Carson. “What are you doing here? We established to meet at noon at the Observatory.” The second wolf—Soren, apparently—sneered. “You fail to understand that I am Alpha and I give the orders.” Brody narrowed his eyes. “I never questioned your leadership. I merely wanted to meet with you and explain that I found my mate.” Soren snorted. “Your mate. Right. I heard all about your mate.” His gaze turned to Carson, and Carson shuddered at the threat he saw there. These were the wolves the stories spoke of, the wolves who

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populated his nightmares, and who would have no qualms in eating him if given the chance. “Cease this stupidity, Brody,” Soren said. “I can understand you wanted to have a little fun. But now that you have it out of your system, come back to the pack and let us deal with the lamb our way.” “You will not touch a hair on his head,” Brody snarled. “Before I let you do that, I’ll kill you. I challenge you for the leadership of the pack.” For the first time, Carson actually saw Soren’s self-assurance falter. The wolf must truly doubt that Brody and Carson were mates. “You’d do such a thing for the lamb? You’d attack me, your Alpha and your brother?” “You give me no choice,” Brody shot back. “Fine.” Soren nodded toward the other wolves, and the beasts shot into action. Brody intercepted them and pushed Carson out of the way, but several of his opponents crowded in on him. “Don’t fight us,” Soren said. “You’re just making the situation worse. The humans will see. We’ll just take you to pack lands. You can’t possibly expect to hold the challenge here, can you?” Brody ignored him and still tried to push his attackers away. He managed to get rid of a couple, but while he was distracted, the other wolves crowded in on Carson. Carson hated being a burden on his mate, and he tried to defend himself, but fear crowded his mind. His body ceased functioning and at one point, he just stood there, frozen. “Fine,” he heard Brody say. “I’ll come with you. Just leave Carson alone.” “Oh, I think not,” Soren answered. “Grab him,” he told the wolves. One of Carson’s attackers lifted him up and draped him over his shoulder. Carson couldn’t help a sound of terror, and he had to focus not to turn into his lamb form. Before these last forty-eight hours, he’d never lost control of his animal, but now, the presence of the

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predators seemed to be triggering his innermost fears. It would just make the situation worse. Thankfully, the wolves didn’t attempt to hurt him. They just stuck Carson in a car and climbed in next to him. Carson dared to hope Brody would come with him, but he realized they’d put his mate in another car. It was the panic of this separation that gave him a strength he didn’t know he had. “Brody!” he shouted. Outside, he heard Brody howl like an animal. He fought to open the car door, surprised when the latch gave. It seemed the wolves had not expected him to try to make an escape while cornered. And surely, Carson knew he couldn’t get away, but the thought of losing Brody just made that a distant, unimportant reality. The wolf who’d caught him before cursed and reached out, grabbing Carson just as he was leaving the car. “Fucking lamb. Stand still if you don’t want to be eaten.” A female wolf who’d taken the driver seat glowered at the man. “Stop it, Lester. Maybe they really are mates. What do you know?” Carson thought he heard a bit of compassion in her voice, but even so, he doubted she would help him. “Don’t get all softhearted now, Carlie,” Lester said. “The Alpha won’t like it.” As if summoned by Lester’s words, Soren appeared and sat in the front, taking shotgun. It surprised Carson that he would let Carlie drive, but soon, he realized why. As the female werewolf started the car, Soren turned toward Carson and said, “I don’t know what your game is, lamb, but you’ve messed with the wrong wolf. By the time this is over, you’ll pray Brody had killed you the night you met.” Carson tried to ignore the Alpha, but with every second that passed, it was getting increasingly difficult. The car seemed to be heading out of the city. His only comfort was that he could still sense Brody close, which meant they were being taken to the same place. All throughout the trip, Soren continued to spout insults at Carson, as if urged on by his silence. Carson wanted to talk back, to defend

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himself and his mate, but he was only a lamb. What could he do against these wolves? He needed to keep his mouth shut and stay alive. And then, their connection was flooded by Brody’s warm voice. “Don’t panic, little lamb,” Brody said. “I’ll get us out of this. I promise.” “Why do they hate us so much?” Carson couldn’t help but ask. “We just want to be left alone.” “I know, Carson.” Brody sighed. “It’s a little more complicated than that. My family is very keen on tradition, especially my father. I’d hoped Soren would be on my side, but apparently not.” If Brody’s father was worse than Soren, Carson didn’t think this situation would get any better. Carson gulped and stared at the wolves in the car with him. He was beginning to think there wouldn’t be a way out. “Don’t think that, Carson,” Brody’s voice said again. “Just trust me. I won’t let you get hurt. Trust me.” “I do trust you, Brody.” It was their cruel fate Carson didn’t trust, the same fate that had thrown them together even if they were so different. What did Brody’s earlier words mean? Would he really challenge his brother? What would it entail? Carson feared the answer to his own questions. **** The car Brody rode in followed Carson’s, and it was the only reason why Brody remained inside, no longer fighting once his mate was out of his reach. Soren didn’t play fair. His little gang of cronies had overpowered Brody. Of course, Brody couldn’t expect his brother to answer to the challenge in the middle of a human city, but that didn’t make Soren’s behavior more acceptable. Brody focused on his connection with Carson, trying to calm his mate down. He placed his hopes in the challenge. Even if Soren was

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older than him, Brody had confidence that he could beat his brother. The best case scenario would be that he’d manage to do so without killing Soren and surrender leadership of the pack in exchange for being left alone. The worst entailed him losing and getting both himself and his mate killed. The car left the city and headed out into pack lands. Unlike sheep, wolves didn’t have town-like settlements. Instead, they lived in small packs with Alphas ruling over them and an elder as a general authority. Unfortunately for Brody, their elder was his father. In truth, he should have known better than to believe Soren would defy their parent. He’d relied on their bond of brothers and had put his mate in danger because of it. He’d never forgive himself if something happened to his mate because of his misplaced trust. The familiar scenery told Brody they were close to their home. At last, the vehicle slowed down and stopped in front of large, iron gates. The gates opened, leaving the path clear for the convoy. A few minutes later, the cars halted once more, and this time, the driver cut the engine. “We’re here,” the wolf said to no one in particular. Brody ignored him. He’d grown up together with these men and was now being manhandled by them as if he were some sort of criminal. His only crime had been taking a mate. Why was that unacceptable for his pack? His guards gestured him out of the car, and Brody obeyed, mostly because he sensed Carson out there. As soon as he left the vehicle, he caught sight of Carson standing next to Soren. His wolf rebelled and the fear he still felt coming from Carson fueled his anger. He broke free of his guards and lunged forward. Soren just gave him a cool look, seeming completely unfazed by Brody’s display. “Be patient, little brother,” he said. “You wanted a challenge and you’ll get it. But for the moment, we’ll have to secure your lamb. We wouldn’t want anything unpleasant to happen to him.”

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Carlie appeared by Soren’s side. “I will take the lamb, Alpha, if it’s all right with you.” Hope emerged inside Brody. Carlie was Liam’s sister. She and Brody weren’t exactly friends, but from all the people present here, he would much prefer to entrust Carson to her. Unfortunately, Soren shook his head. “Lester will take him.” “You can’t be serious,” Brody protested. Lester hated him and would love to torture Carson, just to hurt Brody indirectly. Alas, he was also Soren’s Beta, along with his brother Geoff. Brody would never understand why his brother had chosen the two men as his trusted aides. Soren rolled his eyes. “Take the lamb inside, Lester, and don’t hurt him. Brody, you’re trying my patience. If you win the challenge, you can do what you want. Now follow me.” Brody growled at his brother, intending to continue the argument. But then, Carson’s gentle voice appeared through their connection. “Don’t worry about me, Brody. I’ll be fine. Just focus on the challenge and come back safe. Imagine we can get out safe and be happy.” Brody took a deep breath and nodded. “Fine,” he said out loud to his brother. “Just keep your word and keep him safe.” Through his bond with Carson, he added, “I’ll get us out. I promise.” He watched as Lester directed Carson into the mansion, feeling helpless and stupid. Soren started to walk away from the mansion doors and toward the adjoining hunting grounds. The pack owned quite a bit of land in this area, a more recent purchase due to finding out about the sheep town’s location. The elder—aka Brody’s father—often distributed their forces according to where the prey was located. Once, it had made sense. Now, it just seemed cruel and unnecessary. Why did they have to continue hunting the sheep, the deer, and all the other shapeshifters? They didn’t need the meat. They could purchase it from the supermarket, like humans did, or hunt animals and not shifters. It

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suddenly seemed like a sort of cannibalism to Brody, and he couldn’t believe that he’d accepted it before he’d met Carson. It was simply grotesque. Still, everyone else looked quite convinced he was in the wrong. His brother led him into the meeting grove, where all fights for the Alpha position took place, and Brody realized with dismay there were already many wolves gathered around to see the upcoming battle. Most gave him ugly looks, but remained silent, respecting the institution of the challenge. It was the smart thing to do, since if the contender won, he would not be lenient toward the ones who’d spoken against him. Brody wondered where Liam was. He didn’t think Soren would have hurt the man just for helping transmit a message, and Carlie hadn’t seemed in mourning or anything like that. Still, Liam’s absence wasn’t very encouraging. His guards joined the others, forming a circle around Brody and Soren. Soren began to take his clothes off, looking completely at ease and certain of his victory. Brody did the same, all the while struggling to calm down his racing heart. Even if he sensed the hostility in the air, he needed to be strong, to fight for his mate. “You can still back down,” Soren threw at him. “It doesn’t have to be this way.” “You’re the one who pushed my hand,” Brody replied. “I won’t allow anyone to hurt my mate, no matter what the price is.” And that price could very well be Soren’s life, or even Brody’s. Challenges were often to the death, the fight to be Alpha cruel, unleashing the beast inside them. There would be blood, and a lot of it. It was not like the fight for territory between two Alphas, where violence rarely reached such extreme levels. Even on common circumstances, a challenge meant far too much for both participants. But for Brody, the stakes were much higher. He had to win this. Finally, the clothes—and the proverbial gloves—were off. Soren’s form blurred as he shifted and Brody also allowed his beast to take over. His vision went monochrome and his limbs turned into paws.

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They circled around each other, and Brody assessed the way his brother moved, taking note of his stronger spots, of the way Soren would most likely attack. For a few moments, he just waited. Sometimes, it was better to allow the opponent to make the first move. His brother knew that as well, but nevertheless, he lunged at Brody. Perhaps he didn’t think Brody could defeat him. After all, he was Alpha. He must consider himself the strongest of the pack. Brody dodged Soren’s attack and answered with his own lunge. His paw hit Soren’s shoulder, drawing first blood. Soren didn’t seem bothered by this. He moved out of the way and, as quick as lightning, jumped Brody again. They collided against each other, jaws snapping, trying to reach vulnerable veins, claws scratching, drawing blood. Several times, Brody received a few well-placed blows from his brother. But at last, Brody saw an opening. He sunk his fangs into Soren’s shoulder, clamping them down and tearing into the sensitive tissue. Soren howled in pain and tried to break away. Brody released his brother only when Soren’s erratic motions threatened to injure him. He backed down and analyzed the situation with the instinct of the wolf and the intelligence of the rational shape-shifter. In his mind, Carson encouraged him. Soren, however, seemed to have lost that balance in realization of his imminent defeat. He lunged madly at Brody, but Brody dodged him, nipping his brother’s side in the process. Soren’s attacks grew more and more inaccurate. It seemed that the battle would be over soon. Soren was bleeding heavily from his shoulder wound and beginning to tire. Brody just needed to draw it out and go for the kill. Even so, he hesitated. His brother had lost, and he knew the others could see it as well. He heard it in the murmurs already rising in the crowd. It was only a matter of time until Soren fell.

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But then, Brody sensed something wrong. Pain assaulted him, not his own, but his mate’s. Brody howled in anger, his wolf no longer caring about the already defeated foe. He went into protective mode, his entire being yearning to be by his mate’s side and remove him from harm. Dodging his brother again, Brody ran toward the edges of the surrounding circle. He snarled at the pack, uncaring of the shouts that reached his ears, trying to stop him. At last, the crowd parted for him and Brody sped back in the direction of the mansion, where his mate was. “Hang on, Carson,” he sent to his mate. “I’m coming.” “Brody, don’t,” Carson said weakly. “They’ll just hurt you, too. Please, don’t.” The words merely inflamed Brody further. He was so focused on his destination and his mate that he missed his brother’s approach until it was too late. A heavy body landed on his back, and sharp fangs dug into his flesh. Brody struggled to release himself from Soren’s hold, uncaring that in the process, he might be making the situation worse. But his despair made him vulnerable, and Soren applied several more wellaimed bites. Pain filled Brody’s mind and body as the torture on Carson continued. Whenever he pushed Soren away, the other wolf returned with relentless persistence. Brody could still sense the weakness in Soren, but his brother must have realized Brody’s as well. He didn’t allow Brody to leave, and no matter what Brody did, he could not continue his flight toward Carson. Assaulted from two different directions, Brody found himself unable to even focus on anything else but the pure need to reach his mate. At one point, he couldn’t even see his brother anymore. Only the sight of Carson’s blue eyes appeared in his mind’s eye, the way they’d been that time when they’d first met in Ramston, just a few days ago. Brody had failed him. He’d promised to protect Carson and failed.

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At last, a final blow from Soren made his body surrender, and Brody fell to the ground, incapable of getting up again. He sensed his brother somewhere close, and then, a foot landed on his neck. “This battle is over. Shift and yield.” Brody didn’t answer, his desperate gaze still on the mansion in the distance. He tried to crawl away, even if he knew he could not reach Carson. “Do you want to die?” Soren asked in exasperation. “Yield already.” Somehow, even through all the pain, Carson’s voice reached Brody. “Yield, Brody. Live. Please, for me.” The pained plea crushed Brody. His soul crumbled on itself, and he turned back into his human form. “I yield,” he whispered. Soren’s foot vanished from on his neck, and Brody heard orders being given. Guards appeared and lifted him up roughly. They were carrying him in the general direction of the mansion, so Brody didn’t bother to fight. Carlie joined them, and through his haze of continuing pain, Brody heard her ask, “What happened to you? Why did you run like that?” Brody didn’t reply. He couldn’t. He just focused on clinging to the connection between him and Carson. It remained there, still strong, and Carson seemed to be withstanding the pain of his attack. It was Brody’s only comfort. “Just take me to see my mate,” he told his guards. “Can you at least do that?” Carlie exchanged a couple of words with the men, and in the end, they agreed to let him see Carson for a bit. The Alpha hadn’t said he couldn’t, and they apparently believed Brody and Carson would die soon, anyway. Everyone deserved one last wish. At last, they reached the mansion and the guards carried him toward the second floor. The mansion didn’t have cells, since wolves rarely, if ever, took prisoners. When someone broke pack law, the

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person in question was transferred to the elder’s headquarters and his fate decided there. Brody wondered if he and Carson would even live long enough to reach his father’s house. The feel of his mate got stronger with each passing moment, and finally, a door opened. His guards stopped and dropped him to the floor. “What happened here?” Carlie shouted. Brody opened his eyes and saw his mate on the bed, full of blood, several bite marks covering his limbs and torso. There was some shredded wool around, a sign that Carson must have at one point become so terrified he’d shifted into his animal form. Lester sat on an armchair, arching a brow at Carlie, while his brother, Geoff, just stood there, smirking and still covered in Carson’s blood. “What?” Lester asked. “I didn’t hurt him.” Something broke inside Brody. The need to kill invaded him, the desire to enact revenge. Whether or not he’d die after this day, these wolves would not live either. Adrenaline coursing through his veins, he shifted again and jumped Geoff. The man changed as well and tried to fight him off. Another wolf—Lester—lunged toward Brody, but Brody dodged his attack. In several powerful rips, he tore into Geoff’s jugular. Both Lester and Geoff tried to stop him, but the smell of Carson’s blood urged him on, making him ignore the pain. One final effort, and Geoff’s struggles ceased as life drained out of him. With one foe taken down, Brody turned toward Lester. Alas, he didn’t have time to deal with Lester, as well. The other wolves jumped him, pinning him to the floor. Again, Brody tried to fight, but the burst of strength given by his anger and despair was beginning to lose its potency. He heaved and bucked against his captors, and perhaps he might have broken free. Unfortunately, in that moment, Soren entered the room, followed by more wolves.

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“What happened here?” he said, as if in echo of Carlie’s earlier words. “Are you mad, Brody? I thought you said the lamb was your mate.” Soren approached Brody, and a distant thought made Brody realize his hypocritical brother suggested he’d hurt his own mate. He shifted into his human form and spat in Soren’s face. “You fucking bastard. You know very well what happened here. I’d have won the challenge.” He’d have lunged at Soren if the guards hadn’t held him down. “You set your cronies on Carson, knowing I would feel his pain, knowing I couldn’t possibly focus on the battle with my mate hurt. I can’t believe I was so fucking wrong about you. I don’t know who you are, but you’re not my brother.” Soren looked dumbfounded. He turned toward Lester. “I told you the lamb was not to be harmed.” “Alpha, you said I shouldn’t hurt him,” Lester replied. “I didn’t do anything. It was all Geoff.” Brody strained against the hold the other wolves had on him. “And he is dead now. I hope you know that I’ll kill you, too, if it’s the last thing I do.” “I haven’t done anything wrong.” Lester sneered. “The lamb is prey. His flesh is our right.” To Brody’s surprise, Soren punched Lester. “Enough. What happens to the lamb is not your decision, and semantics won’t change the fact that you disobeyed me. As my Beta, you should have known better.” He nodded toward the other soldier. “Take him. He’ll be judged for breaking pack law.” Lester was dragged out of the room, futilely trying to protest. Brody didn’t fool himself, however. Lester’s punishment didn’t mean he and Carson would be off the hook. Brody closed his eyes. He just wanted to nuzzle close to Carson, to clean his wounds, to soothe his mate. Soren’s voice drew his attention, and Brody found himself forced to look at his brother as the other man spoke. “You sensed his pain?”

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Brody frowned. “Of course I did. He’s my mate. How could I not?” Soren didn’t say anything else. He just turned toward Carlie and said, “Get a medic in here, and have him look over Brody and the lamb. And spread the word. I don’t want any further harm to come to them. “ Carlie quickly nodded and left the room. Brody didn’t know what to believe about Soren’s sudden change of heart. He just wanted to be left alone with his mate. As if guessing his wish, Soren gestured the guards to release him. “We’ll allow you to stay here with him, but don’t try to escape. The windows are barred and you’re not in any condition to flee pack lands.” Brody just sat next to Carson and pulled him close. Almost instantly, Carson’s eyes cracked open. “B–Brody?” he asked. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine, little lamb,” Brody said through their bond. “They can’t break me.” Although they’d come awfully close, just by hurting Carson. “I’ll be fine,” Carson whispered back. “I may not be a wolf, but I’m still a shape-shifter.” Brody appreciated Carson’s courage, but it didn’t make him any less angry, desperate, and hurt. He felt Carson’s wounds healing slowly, as did his own, but they were both still so weak, and he didn’t think he could defend them should Soren decide to get rid of them. One thing he knew was that his brother spoke the truth regarding the defenses of the mansion. These rooms were especially prepared for holding lawbreakers, and the outside of the mansion would not be easy to go through even if Brody and Carson were in perfect physical condition. At last, they were left alone. Even if Brody sensed guards at the other side of the door, he supposed it was better than nothing. As soon as the other wolves granted them privacy, Brody released Carson

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from his embrace and left the bed. Carson whimpered in protest. “Where are you going?” he asked. “Just to the bathroom, Carson.” He didn’t know how long Soren’s sudden bout of generosity would last, and he needed to get their wounds cleaned up. It would help them heal faster. He couldn’t rely too much on Soren’s medic, especially for Carson. As quickly as he could in the circumstances, he made his way to the adjoining bathroom and started the water in the tub. While it filled with warm water, Brody returned to the sleeping quarters. He picked up his mate from the bed and retraced his steps, going back in to the bath. Gently, he placed Carson in the water, then joined his mate inside. The temperature was just right, and it both hurt and soothed his wounds. Still, Brody felt clumsy, angry, and sad when he tried to wash his mate, only to find the previously flawless skin marred by angry bites and awful wounds. The water grew red by the time they were in at least a satisfactory condition. Carson leaned against him, and gradually, Brody felt him relax. The pain was still there, but more dim. Even so, Brody could not feel relieved. The moments when he’d sensed Carson being hurt still passed through his mind, and his wolf’s anger lingered there, just waiting to reemerge. “Hey, it’s okay,” Carson said. “I’m fine. We’re fine. We’re going to get through this.” Brody forced himself to nod, even if he knew he couldn’t be very convincing. He got out of the bath and pulled Carson with him, finding with pleasure that his mate could stand on his own. As he rubbed them both dry, he heard the door open and felt the medic come in. Taking a deep breath to control his rising temper, he wrapped Carson in a towel. There were no robes around, so that would have to do. If the medic even breathed wrong in Carson’s direction, Brody would deck him, injuries or no injuries.

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Thankfully, the medical examination was professional, with no useless, additional comments. Carson and Brody were prescribed plenty of rest and given a few salves that would speed up the healing process. Even if his senses identified them as genuine, Brody still tested them on himself first before applying them on Carson. Later, after the doctor left, they received food, meat for Brody and a vegetarian meal for Carson, and even a change of clothes. Of course, Brody hadn’t forgiven his brother—how could he?— and he couldn’t help but wonder what game Soren was playing out. Still, for the moment, he could do nothing but wait. He felt his strength returning with each passing second, but he couldn’t take any chances. If only he could get a message out to Liam or Carlie. He still didn’t know what happened to his friend. He didn’t think Liam would abandon him. They’d been through too much together. But then again, he couldn’t rely on others. This whole fiasco had happened because he’d trusted the wrong person. He needed to come up with a plan. But what? Leaving Carson to rest, Brody went to the windows and analyzed the bars. They were made out of silver and were quite sturdy and thick. Brody would never be able to break them by hand. Perhaps he could use one of the pieces of furniture as a tool, but then, the guards would hear and it would be pointless. He might be able to take them out, but it was very unlikely that even if he succeeded breaking out of the room, he and Carson would be able to leave the pack grounds without being detected. Carson sighed, having obviously caught onto his musings. “Brody, come to bed,” he said. “You can’t get us out.” He continued to speak through their connection, “Perhaps tonight we’ll have more luck. Their vigilance might lower.” Brody didn’t say anything else. His mate had a point, and trying to escape now would indeed be futile. Brody sat down on the bed and wrapped his arm around Carson. “I really messed up, didn’t I?”

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“Don’t say that,” Carson answered. “You couldn’t have known your brother would react like he did.” “I should have known.” Brody sighed. “I just thought wolves valued mates more than they did their prejudice. I suppose I was wrong.” He didn’t know how much time passed while they just sat there, hugging. They didn’t touch each other sexually—it was not the time, or the place. Even if they were alone in the room, the guards outside would hear and feel anything. Still, it couldn’t have been much later when Brody sensed a familiar presence approach. Brody tensed and broke away from Carson. “Who is it?” his mate asked. Brody sighed, once more cursing himself for putting Carson into this position. “My father. Just stick behind me, little lamb. His problem is going to be with me.” Or so he hoped. A few moments later, the door opened and his father walked in. The older wolf looked just like Brody remembered him. In many ways, he was an older version of Brody and Soren, his black hair having gone gray and the occasional line creasing his face. However, even with that, he still seemed as alert and strong as ever. No one would ever dare to challenge Elder Kevin Wade for his position. He sensed Carson’s disbelief as his mate realized just how traditional and important Brody’s family was. Brody wished he’d had the time to explain it to Carson, but then again, he wished for many things, and none of them seemed to have any chance of coming true. “Greetings, my son,” his father said formally. “I hear you’ve gotten yourself in quite a distasteful situation.” “Hello, Father,” Brody answered. “I suppose it depends on what you would consider distasteful. Personally, I’m not very fond of the way my brother has treated my mate.”

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His father ignored the comment. “The problem with this lamb of yours is very upsetting. Your brother thinks we should just leave you alone, but I disagree.” Brody’s heart fell. If his father chose to be stubborn in this, he could very well ruin their lives. It was the second reason why he’d remained close-by and not fled when he had the chance. It would have made them fugitives from wolf shape-shifters. Unfortunately, their kind was spread out all over the world, even in tropical lands not native to actual wolves. So unless people suddenly decided to have a colony on Mars, there would be nowhere for them to hide. “So what do you suggest, Father?” he asked. “We merely want to be left alone.” “I’m afraid that’s not possible.” The older wolf frowned. “You must understand, son, this mating you insist upon cannot be. He is your prey. That’s the normal course of nature, and it cannot be disrupted.” Soren entered the room, followed by a group of soldiers. The situation didn’t look very promising. “I will kill you if you touch him.” Brody growled. His father let out an exasperated sigh. “You do realize there is nothing you can do if I should choose to slay the lamb, don’t you? By rights, it is what I should do. However, your brother pointed out a certain injustice inflicted upon you. Therefore, I have decided to spare your lamb, on one condition.” Brody was torn between relief and anxiety. “What condition?” His father nodded, and the soldiers parted to allow a pretty bitch to enter the room. She didn’t speak or introduce herself. Instead, she just met Brody’s eyes and smiled shyly. If she thought she was fooling anyone with her demeanor, she was sorely mistaken. Brody knew she-wolves, and they were foes to be feared. At last, his father answered his question. “You will part ways with the lamb. We will take him back to his town and drop him there.” “But he is my mate,” Brody protested. “You cannot be serious.”

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“I’ve already thought about that.” His father gestured toward the female wolf. “This is Roxanne. She’s agreed to help us out in this unpleasant situation. If you do have a bond with the lamb, claiming her should help you break it.” Brody gaped. His father couldn’t be serious. Matings couldn’t be broken just like that, especially not between true mates. He realized his family didn’t truly believe Carson and he were bonded in every sense of the word. And as he looked into his father’s eyes, Brody understood that the man would never accept it. If he tried to explain it now, Carson would end up dead. There was no other choice than to accept his father’s supposed generosity. To his surprise, before he could answer, Carson pushed past him and faced the gathering of wolves. “No. No way. I won’t allow it.” Brody sensed how difficult it was for Carson to go against his nature and stand up for himself in front of a pack of predators. At the same time, however, he noticed the wolves’ immediate reaction upon seeing Carson put himself in the center of attention. Their nostrils flared and a sense of greed and anticipation filled the air. Carson tensed but didn’t back down. “I won’t allow it,” he said again. Brody’s father looked at him. “Brody, decide now. I’m not discussing this with your lamb. You know your options. I’m waiting.” Yes, Brody knew his options, and only one of them would allow Carson to get out of here unscathed. “All right, Father,” he told his sire. “You win.” He felt sick to the stomach as he turned to his mate and said, “Carson, you and I are predator and prey. This was nothing more than a huge mistake.” Brody actually felt Carson’s heart break. “But, Brody,” Carson protested through their connection, “there has to be a way. You can’t break our mating. You can’t tie yourself to her. We belong together. That’s what you said, remember?” Yes, Brody well remembered what he’d said, but his promises meant nothing in front of the odds they faced. “Well, I was wrong.

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Don’t talk to me through this bond anymore. It’s off-limits starting now.” Truly, he’d been a fool to ever consider a mate bond with a lamb. Lambs were his lunch, not potential lovers. They lived in different worlds, and as much as it hurt, it was better to break up now than pay the price later. He stepped away from Carson and joined his father. The bitch took his hand, and Brody allowed it. “I want to see him safely off to his town before I do anything else,” he told his father. The older wolf didn’t protest. “Of course. I’ll give the orders now.” He clapped Brody on the shoulder. “Congratulations. You made the right decision.” Brody nodded, even if he felt numb inside. Whatever he might have claimed to his father, the connection with Carson remained there, as strong as ever. Once Brody bit Roxanne, however, it would be tainted, strained, or perhaps disappear altogether. It was the only known way to eliminate a mating, though, by replacing it with another one. Still, the mark of the first mating never went away, and the severing of the bond would affect Brody forever. The only thing that reassured Brody was that sheep did not mate like wolves, and Carson would find someone else with ease. The emotional pain that came from Carson didn’t dwindle, however. The lamb allowed the wolves to manhandle him, never once protesting, as if lost in a dream. His eyes remained fixed on Brody, so blue and clear, and Brody again felt like he’d let down and betrayed his mate. He followed after the rest of the wolves with Roxanne clinging to him like an annoying leech. As a small comfort, he caught sight of Liam appearing from a room and joining them. His friend gave him a look of regret, and Brody was thankful that at least, someone understood. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help,” Liam mouthed. Brody just nodded in distant acquiescence. He didn’t blame his friend for any of this. Liam couldn’t have changed Soren’s mind or

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influenced the outcome of the situation in any way. Brody was only glad wolves had not turned to shooting the messenger like they had with breaking mate bonds. The soldiers led Carson into one of the cars, but his father didn’t let Brody climb into the same one. Perhaps the man feared Brody would change his mind. As if anything could be done at this point. He’d taken this decision for Carson’s sake and would not back down. Liam climbed into the car with Brody, but didn’t speak. Everyone seemed to grasp Brody’s foul mood. The trip back to the outskirts of Ramston took far too little time than Brody would have liked. They didn’t go too far or too close to the sheep town. With the previous attack, the sheep must have strengthened their defenses, and the wolves had no desire of getting shot. Brody left the car and watched as Carson did the same. His lamb took one final look toward him then walked away from the vehicle and disappeared into the forest. “There you go,” Brody’s father said. “He’s safe now.” Brody didn’t feel quite satisfied. The forest might be full of animals that could hurt Carson. “I’ll rather see that for myself.” The other wolf frowned. “That’s fine, as long as you take a couple of men with you.” Brody hadn’t expected his father to trust him, so he wasn’t surprised at the request. A couple of men turned to be five huge werewolves, led by his brother. Liam joined them, as always, by Brody’s side. They followed Carson’s trail into the forest, staying at a reasonable distance. At one point, Brody sensed Carson realized he was being followed, but didn’t seem to care. Finally, they reached the edge of the forest, just in time to watch Carson enter his town. “You see?” Soren whispered. “He’s fine. Now let’s go before anything worse happens.” Brody went, turning his back on Ramston and the life he’d hoped for.

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Chapter Five Two years later “But Carson, I don’t know why you’re so adamant in staying away from us. It’s been two years. We’re willing to forgive and forget.” Carson took a deep breath and focused on not slamming the phone against the wall. His mother didn’t know about everything that had happened to him during those few life-altering days, or rather, chose not to know. After Brody’s rejection, Carson had returned to his town, only to be faced with a new problem, his brother. Ray had invented some fucked-up story about how and why he and the other young rams left their posts. It involved Carson getting eaten by the wolves, and it had been quite believable, or so Carson gathered. And naturally, when Carson returned, claiming the wolves let him go, everyone turned against him, including his own mother. Disgusted and uncaring, Carson had left Ramston behind. Besides, he didn’t think he could live in the same town as his brother and his cronies anyway. No one believed his story about his near-rape either, so Carson no longer felt any need to live in Ramston. He did miss the forest from time to time, but he’d built a new existence here, something better than he’d ever had in his home town. From time to time to time, however, he called his mother, just to check up on the lambs. Alas, she ended up throwing accusations at him and making him so angry he couldn’t see straight.

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“Forgive and forget,” he repeated in disbelief. “Well, I haven’t forgotten your rejection, or the way my brother instigated his little friends to rape me.” At the other side of the connection, an exasperated sigh sounded. “How many times do I have to tell you it was your imagination? It must have been the wolves who did that, and you merely replaced their images with Ray’s because he was there.” All the strength drained out of Carson. “Whatever, Mother. I don’t have the time or the patience to argue. I have to go to work now. Bye.” Without further ado, he cut the connection. The reason he’d given his mother was only a half lie. He still had a half an hour or so before he needed to leave for work. He needed to wait for Shiloh, since yet again, his friend had been away the night before. All of a sudden, Carson heard the apartment door opening. “Honey, I’m home,” Shiloh shouted in his typical exuberant manner. Carson shook his head at his friend’s antics and went to greet him. As he entered the hallway, a slender body pounced on him, almost making him fall. The swan was taller, but slimmer than him, and at the same time, stronger than he looked, or even remembered sometimes. “Carsie! I missed you.” Carson arched a brow and extracted himself from the embrace. “You just saw me yesterday before you went on your date. So, how was it?” Shiloh shrugged and went into the kitchen. Carson followed behind him. “Exactly as I expected,” Shiloh said. “Hot sex. He won’t call me.” Carson couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Even if Shiloh didn’t act like a normal swan-shifter, Carson knew that in his heart, his friend still waited for The One. Shiloh waved a hand, as if casting aside the bad thoughts. “Tomorrow is another day, and many gorgeous hunks await.”

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Carson smiled. “And you deserve better than each and every one of them.” Two years back, Shiloh had been his proverbial savior when Carson didn’t have any place to go, no friends, and no money. On impulse, Carson hitchhiked back to the city and with great difficulty, found the hotel where he’d stayed with Brody. It had taken some stealth, but he’d managed to slip inside their room. He’d realized then that none of the items they’d bought remained there, and understood that the wolves must have come and gotten rid of all the evidence that he and Brody had ever been here. But as luck would have it, whoever dealt with this task missed one little piece of paper, a paper that had been in his pocket when Brody tore the jeans off him—Shiloh’s phone number. Not knowing what else to do, Carson had called—the best decision he’d ever made in his entire life. Shiloh had given him a place to stay, helped him find a job, introduced him to all sorts of interesting people, and become his best friend. He was an amazing man, and perhaps Carson could have fallen for him, if he hadn’t been still hung up on a certain wolf. Seeming completely oblivious to Carson’s thoughts, Shiloh sighed. “You know what we have to do? We have to pick up guys. We’ll take Dani along. What do you say?” Carson struggled to find an excuse to decline, but in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to lie. “You know I’m not much for that sort of thing, and Dani isn’t, either.” In fact, their friend was very likely to have a heart attack if Shiloh suggested yet another club outing. Shiloh rolled his eyes. “Too true. I don’t know what to do with you two. Anyway, we’ll just invite him over, eat lots of ice cream, and complain. How does that sound?” “Sounds great.” Carson grinned. “But now, we gotta go to work. Now, have a shower. I’ll make coffee.” Shiloh let out a moan of distress, but Carson ignored him, already familiar with all of Shiloh’s tricks. Thankfully, his friend stole a look

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at the clock on the wall and cursed. “Okay, okay, I’m going. We should find better jobs.” Or so Shiloh said, but truthfully, both of them were quite happy with their current employment. Shiloh had left the sex shop for the benefit of working in a music store, and found Carson employment in the bookshop section. As it turned out, Carson’s storytelling skills proved to be quite useful. Their employer, another shifter named Nicolas, agreed to set up a special hour for children to come and listen to Carson’s tales. Both parents and kids were thrilled, the shapeshifter community appreciated them, and the income of the shop was soaring. Still, that didn’t mean they could afford to come in late. Carson made his friend the promised coffee, then retreated to his room and changed his clothes. As he stared at himself in the mirror, an image not his own appeared. Carson blinked and tried to push it away. “Get out of my head,” he willed his betraying mate. “Get out. Get out.” It was very strange, really. Brody had broken his heart upon claiming that bitch, and only because of Shiloh’s help did Carson manage to survive it. He couldn’t hear Brody’s voice anymore, and even after two years, he felt it like a missing limb. Even so, their bond remained there, Roxanne’s presence having apparently been unable to break it. The saddest thing was that he knew Brody didn’t intend any of this. Otherwise, they could have come up with something. Carson would have even agreed to be Brody’s side dish, his dirty secret, just to have a little of Brody’s time. But Brody had never once approached him, and as much as Carson wanted to see him, he didn’t know how to find the wolf. He knew it wasn’t entirely Brody’s fault. His mate had been pushed into this choice by his father. The elder wolf basically threatened Brody with killing Carson. Carson might not know a lot about pack hierarchy, but he did realize Brody’s father was like their overall leader, and a very powerful man. That didn’t make the entire

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thing any less painful, though. Wasn’t love always supposed to win out, to be stronger than anything? Carson sat on the bed and buried his face in his hands. Would he ever be free of the past? Did he even want to? Sometimes, he looked at the calendar and marveled two years had already passed. How could time fly like that, when he still remembered Brody’s caresses so vividly? They’d just had forty eight hours together, not even that, to be true, and yet, Carson relived those moments every day, yearning for Brody’s scent, for his touch. A knock sounded at the door, and Carson absently told Shiloh— because it could only be Shiloh—to come in. His friend slipped inside, and his voice sounded concerned as he asked, “Are you all right, Carson? It happened again, didn’t it?”‘ Carson nodded, appreciating the fact that Shiloh knew when to be serious. “Is it ever going to stop hurting, Shil? It’s been two years already.” Shiloh plopped down on the bed next to him. “I’m afraid you’re asking the wrong person. You know I’ve never fallen in love. But I can tell you this. All things happen for a reason. If Brody and you were meant to be, he’ll return to your side. If not, fuck him. You’ll find your true destiny.” Carson couldn’t help a smile. “Thanks. I appreciate it.” Shiloh nudged him with his shoulder. “Don’t mention it. Now get a move on. Work, work, remember?” Carson nodded, thankful for the distraction work would provide. He and Shiloh left their shared two-bedroom apartment and exited the building just as a car pulled over and honked. Carson immediately recognized it and grinned as their friend Dani lowered the driver’s window. “Greetings, my friends,” Dani said. “In a rare development, I’ve been granted permission to take out the family vehicle. I decided to visit and perhaps facilitate your arrival to your workplace.”

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The words might have sounded stuffy and strange, but the speed with which Dani spoke them made most of it impossible to understand for the casual listener. All squirrels spoke at this rhythm, Shiloh had told Carson once, but only Dani bothered with long words. “Thanks, Dani,” Shiloh replied. He grabbed Dani’s head through the window and pressed a sloppy kiss to their friend’s cheek. “I always knew you loved me.” When Shiloh released him from his clutches, the squirrel still looked unruffled. “And how are the canto lessons going, Shiloh?” Dani asked pleasantly. “I understand your current teacher is a nightingale renowned for his beautiful voice.” Carson wished Dani hadn’t mentioned that. Alas, the squirrel also had a propensity for “foot-in-mouth” conversations, making all sorts of gaffes. Case in point, Shiloh. For whatever reason, Shiloh’s lifelong ambition, other than his eternal quest for the ideal man, was to learn how to sing. How Shiloh planned to do that was a mystery, since, like all swans, the man was tone-deaf. But Shiloh didn’t look discouraged or even upset by Dani’s words. “He’s an arrogant jerk, just like I expect. But I’m not worried. I’ll find the right teacher yet.” Between the good-natured bantering and Shiloh’s recount of his nighttime adventures, they navigated through traffic without losing their tempers. In no time, they reached the shop, and Carson and Shiloh got out. “Thanks again, Dani,” Shiloh said. “You’re a gem.” Dani said something in answer, but Carson didn’t hear it. In his mind something else echoed, the voice of a screaming woman and a pain and a desolation—not his own—but that echoed in his heart. ****

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“I’ve had it,” Roxanne shouted at Brody. “I’ve had it with you and your attitude. This isn’t what I signed up for when I agreed to be your mate.” Brody took another sip of his beer. “Move out of the way. You’re blocking my view, and the game’s just getting interesting.” It wasn’t, not really, as Brody couldn’t care less about who won the Super Bowl. Still, sports and liquor provided a welcome distraction, better than anything he’d tried at least. Women certainly didn’t help, and as a guard, he’d become a liability for the pack. He was torn and broken, a shadow of his former self. He’d been a good boy and done everything his father told him. He’d claimed Roxanne, left Soren’s pack, and come to live with the elder’s pack. Perhaps the older wolf expected distance to help Brody get over Carson. It hadn’t. Instead, the pain of their separation intensified with each passing day. Through Liam, he’d learned that Carson lived in San Francisco with a swan-shifter named Shiloh Holden. Brody had of course, remembered the young man from the sex shop. After all, how many swans with that name could Carson possibly know? But even if he was jealous, he knew Carson still loved him. His father’s plan had backfired. Claiming Roxanne might have destroyed his connection with Carson had the lamb not been his true mate. As it were, it only made three people unhappy. Of course, Brody had been unable to force himself to actually have a relationship with Roxanne. The claiming bite had been the full extent of their intimacy. He couldn’t have gotten hard for her if he tried. Secretly, he found comfort in this. He knew he’d betrayed Carson by breaking their mate bond, but at least he hadn’t taken another to his bed. “I want you to know I intend to report you to the elder,” Roxanne continued to rant. “I can’t live like this any longer. I want a family, pups, not to waste away with an excuse of a wolf.” Brody continued to ignore her, and eventually, she went away, like she always did. Once she left, Brody put the beer away and shut

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off the TV. He agreed with Roxanne in one thing. He couldn’t live like this anymore. But what else could he do? The alternative would be to go after Carson and try to get him back. However, even if Carson might be willing to forgive him for two years of pain and separation, the situation had not changed. They were still predator and prey. Brody’s father still refused to accept the possibility of a mating between a wolf and a lamb. Hell, throughout these years, the man watched his every step and thwarted all his incipient plans of reaching out. Fuck. Roxanne was right. He was a sorry excuse of a wolf. How could he allow his father to separate him from his mate? How could he perpetuate this situation and turn into a couch potato with nothing to live for? Growling, Brody took the beer bottle and threw it against the wall. It shattered and left behind an ugly, damp spot that made Brody even angrier. He was so lost in his fury he only sensed his father approach when the man was already coming inside the room. “Finished?” His father crossed his arms over his chest, glowering. “I’m not at all pleased with your attitude toward your mate.” Brody took a deep breath, barely managing to keep himself from throttling the man just because of calling the bitch his mate. “I’m afraid I can’t do anything about that.” And he couldn’t care less about it, either. His father looked irritated. “I gave you a good mate, and you’re pushing her away. Why, Brody? Why can’t you settle down, give her the family she wants?” “Sorry, but the equipment doesn’t respond with her.” Oh, he could get hard, but whenever he tried having intercourse, Carson’s face popped in his mind, the way the lamb had been the last time they’d seen each other, and he simply couldn’t go through with it. He didn’t want anyone else. He just wanted Carson. “Can you be serious for once?” his father bellowed.

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Brody cast aside all sarcasm and straightened his spine. “Look, Father. You’re an elder. You know as well as I do you can’t give me a mate. It simply doesn’t work that way. You realized this when you saddled me with Roxanne, so don’t come throwing accusations at me. It’s your own fault.” His father bared his teeth at Brody. “It’s the lamb. You’re still thinking about him, even after all this time. As if it weren’t enough that you chose a male, he had to be a lamb.” The elder wolf shook his head. “I realize my mistake now. I should have killed the lamb two years ago. That way, you’d have forgotten all about him by now.” Something inside Brody snapped. He couldn’t take it any longer. How dare his father threaten his mate? Brody’s wolf emerged, demanding retribution. He’d stayed quiet for two years, but not anymore. He’d rather die than allow anything to happen to Carson. He didn’t know what emotion urged him to attack. It could have been his anger, his despair, or his need for a mate who was no longer there. Either way, he found himself shifting into his wolf form, something he rarely did nowadays. In this second shape, his bond with Carson felt even closer and even more painful. But now, Brody reveled in that. The sorrow and the hurt made him even more furious, and he found strength in it. He pounced on his father, attacking with a savageness he’d never expected to use against his own parent. The older wolf must have been surprised, because he didn’t immediately retaliate. Brody almost backed down, since he found no pleasure in hurting someone who could not fight back. But the wolf did not care about such considerations. His beast’s nature took advantage of a weakness and used it for an advantage, and the fact that his opponent was kin changed nothing. Still, a part of Brody was not surprised when his father changed his approach. He shifted into wolf form and twisted away from Brody, protecting the most vulnerable parts of his body. He then shot forward and, with a speed that should have been impossible for someone his

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age, replied to Brody’s attack with one of his own. The older wolf’s paw scratched Brody’s snout before he could dodge it. On normal conditions, Brody might have been deterred, not so much by the pain, but by the look in his father’s eyes. They were wolves and obeying their Alpha was ingrained in their beings. But Brody’s anger made him ignore all that in favor of fighting back. He didn’t care about anything anymore. He just would not allow his opponent to hurt his mate. Snarling, he lunged again, sending the older wolf falling to the floor. He knew he didn’t have much time before his father recovered, so he’d have to settle for a quick kill. He might have actually gone through with it, but once more, Carson’s eyes appeared in his mind. For the first time in ages, Brody heard his mate’s voice in his mind. “Brody, don’t. He’s your father.” It came weakly, very much so, but it was there, and it made Brody hesitate. The older wolf had separated Brody from his mate, and he deserved to die for it. But they were still family. How would Brody ever be able to face Carson—sweet, innocent Carson—if he committed patricide? Still growling, he backed off and turned back into his human form. His father did the same and gave him a wary look. “What did you mean to prove by that?” Brody chuckled bitterly. “Nothing. You should thank Carson,” he sneered. “He saved your life, old man.” His father blinked at him. “You meant to kill me.” It was spoken as if the man never actually understood it. “You separated me from my mate, my true mate. What do you expect, for me to go along happily with your master plan to fuck a bitch chosen by you, and be thankful? You blackmailed me into claiming Roxanne, and you even want to force my wolf to bond with her. And I might have accepted all that, but just minutes ago, you said

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you intended to kill Carson. I won’t allow it, no matter what I have to do.” Of course, the moment when he could have stopped it from happening in the most certain way had gone by, but if necessary, he’d find a different solution. His father just stared at him, as if he’d never seen Brody before. “Fine. If that’s the way you want it. You’re claiming the lamb as your true mate, and I’ve had it with trying to change your mind. If you can prove the truth of your words, I’ll let you go.” As the man spoke, Roxanne burst inside the room, followed by three other wolves. They must have heard the commotion. Stupid people. Their delayed help would have been futile if Brody had decided to finish his father off. Ignoring the new arrival, he arched a brow and asked, “And how do you expect me to prove it? You didn’t believe me the first time.” “If you can defeat your nature, and show me you see the lamb as a mate, and not a meal, I will agree to support you in whatever you may decide later.” “Why do I have a feeling it’s not so easy?” Brody narrowed his eyes. “Important things never are,” his father answered quizzically. Brody wanted another chance, but he never signed blank checks. “Tell me what I have to do first.” He didn’t fear for himself, but whatever his father had planned, it would involve Carson’s presence, too. “For the moment, the only thing you need to know is that no harm will come to you or the lamb by my hand, or anyone from the pack.” Brody opened his mouth to ask for details, but his father stopped him. “Don’t question me, Brody. Now, come along and don’t be difficult. We have a short trip to make.” Brody looked into his father’s eyes and, at last, understood his situation. Attacking his elder would be punishable by death, if it got

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out. His father was offering him a way out, and Brody had no choice but to take it.

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Chapter Six Carson’s day was not going well. It was the first thought he had when yet another stack of books collapsed on top of him. Granted, it had been entirely his fault. His hands were shaking and his heart beating so fast it threatened to burst out of his chest. Something was going on with Brody, and it drove him crazy to just see and feel bits and pieces. “Carson, are you okay?” his boss and friend, Nicolas, asked. “You’ve been acting strange all day.” Carson just sighed, since Nicolas knew the answer to the question before he’d even asked. Nicolas knelt next to him and helped Carson pick up the fallen books. “Maybe you should take some time off,” the other man suggested. “You’ve put a lot of effort into the bookstore lately. You deserve a break.” Carson sat on the cold floor of the storage room and buried his face in his hands. If he went home, he’d just have more time to think about Brody. If he stayed here, he’d be in the way and might even damage the products. “I’d rather stay, if that’s okay with you,” he told Nicolas. Nicolas nodded, his expression suggesting he fully grasped the extent of Carson’s need for distraction. “Sure. Tell you what. Go help Shiloh in the front. I’ll wrap up the inventory here.” “Thanks, Nicolas.” Carson smiled and got up. “That would be great.” If customers showed up, making nice would perhaps draw his mind away from Brody. Carson doubted it though. Too much had happened. He was still shaken from the day’s events. Just earlier, he’d

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sensed the man trying to kill his father. He’d managed to reach out to Brody and make himself heard, but the spark was gone now. Even so, he knew Brody’s behavior couldn’t have gone unpunished. He feared for his mate’s life, and he felt more helpless than ever. Shiloh jumped him as soon as he left the storage room. “How are you feeling?” he asked. “Still loopy?” “It comes and goes,” Carson answered, not comfortable with telling Shiloh the true extent of the problem in public. “It’s stronger today.” Shiloh hugged him. “Have you tried shifting?” Carson groaned. “It just makes it worse. I guess I’ll just have to wait it out.” It was what he always did, although today, it would not work. Carson didn’t even want it to. He just wanted Brody. Shiloh released him from the embrace and nodded, regret painted on his face. “I’m afraid so. I wish I could help you, but—” All of a sudden Shiloh stopped speaking, and at the same time, Carson sensed something wasn’t right. The bell announcing new customers rang, and his senses were assaulted by the smell of predator. Shiloh cursed and pushed Carson behind him. “Nico, you better get out here.” As their friend and boss appeared from the back, the wolves approached the counter, their gazes fixed on Carson. Carson didn’t know them, but it didn’t take a genius to figure out this had something to do with Brody’s anxiety. “Hello, little lamb,” one of them said. “Don’t call me that,” Carson shot back. Only Brody had the right to call him by the sweet pet name. The second man chuckled. “Don’t get your wool in a knot. We’re merely here regarding a common acquaintance of ours. The elder has given you and Brody another chance. All you have to do is come with us.”

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Carson’s eyes widened. Could it really be true? Could they still be together, even after all this time? In his heart, Carson had never stopped hoping. But trusting the wolves would be just plain stupid. “No way,” Shiloh replied in his stead. “He isn’t going anywhere with you.” “And how are you going to stop him, or us, swan?” the first man asked. “Oh, we have our ways,” Nicolas piped up. The second wolf laughed. “Right. A swan and a hummingbird. Some bodyguards you have, lamb.” As quick as lightning, Shiloh and Nicolas retrieved two shotguns from beneath the counter. They were loaded and ready, Carson knew, the bullets of pure silver, and much like those used by the guards in Ramston. So far, Carson had never seen them used, but judging by the way his two friends held the guns, they must have had other unpleasant experiences with carnivores. “Back off, fucking dogs,” Nicolas said with a frown, “or else we’ll have to check if you’re so clever with a round of silver inside you.” The amusement vanished from the wolves’ demeanor and they tensed. “You’re playing with fire, hummingbird,” one of them said. But even with the warning, neither of the two tried to approach him further. Instead, the second wolf added, “Look, we’re not going to push your hand, lamb. If you don’t want to come, that’s fine. But remember, you won’t get this chance again.” Carson bit his lip, more than ever yearning for his connection with Brody, needing a piece of advice. He couldn’t trust these men, no. Still, he was afraid of what the wolves’ words meant, what they implied. Had he been right to fear Brody’s behavior would be sanctioned, perhaps even with death? If so, Carson didn’t think he could live without Brody. This might be his last chance of seeing his wolf. “Okay,” he answered. “I’ll come with you.”

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“What?” Shiloh turned toward him, gaping in disbelief. “You can’t be serious. Once you’re out the door, they’ll kill you.” “I’ll be fine,” Carson answered with more certainty in his voice than he actually felt. “The hell you will,” Shiloh shouted at him. “If you’re insisting on this folly, I’m coming with you, and so is my trusty shotgun.” As much as Carson appreciated his friend’s support, he didn’t know how this would all turn out. If he did indeed die, he didn’t want to drag Shiloh down with him. His friend had done too much for him and still needed to live, to love, to find his place and his purpose in life. “No, Shil.” Carson shook his head. “This is something I have to do.” He hugged both Shiloh and Nicolas. “Thanks for everything, both of you,” he whispered. “Don’t say good-bye,” Shiloh murmured back. “Don’t you dare say good-bye.” So Carson didn’t. Instead, he embraced his friends tighter, then broke away. “See you later,” he said. The wolves didn’t comment and waited for him patiently. At last, they left the shop, whereupon Carson defeated his instinctual feel and inquired, “Can I drop by my apartment to grab a few things?” One of the wolves shook his head. “You won’t need them.” That didn’t sound very encouraging, but it was too late to go back. Suppressing a shudder, Carson allowed the wolves to lead him to a black van. His entire being screamed, No. Don’t. Never get inside the van. But he guessed that those people who said sheep were stupid must be at least half-right, because he didn’t back down. Then again, it might have been just his need to see Brody. Their connection— however strained and dim—had kept him going, as much as he hated to admit it. If he lost that, he might as well stop breathing altogether. The doors of the van opened, revealing a couple more wolves inside. Probably if Shiloh and Nicolas had insisted on keeping him inside the shop, the other predators would have burst inside. In fact,

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Carson would have bet money that even if he’d decided not to come with the wolves after all, they’d have forced him. In the end, it didn’t matter. Either way, the result would be the same. Without protesting, Carson entered the van and sat next to the wolves. He willed himself to calm down, even if his every instinct shouted at him to get out of there. Thankfully, the predators ignored him, even if Carson could still sense their hostility toward him. The car started, but with the van having no windows in the back, Carson couldn’t see where they were headed. He closed his eyes and focused on not having a panic attack. As a rule, sheep were taught from a very young age to avoid that sort of thing, but in such circumstances, it might prove problematic. He didn’t know how long the trip took, too concentrated on not losing himself to the panic. He only became aware that it had ended when he sensed the car slow down and stop. Somehow, he managed to muster the courage to ask, “Are we there?” One of the wolves who’d come after him inside the bookstore nodded. “Good luck. You’re going to need it.” Carson blinked in surprise, unsure of how he should interpret the wolf’s words. He didn’t have much time to dwell on it, however. The door of the van opened, revealing even more predators. Great, just great. Taking a deep breath, Carson followed their instructions and left the car. He found himself in the middle of a grove. How strange. He must have been so lost in his musings that he didn’t even notice the shift from asphalt to dirt road. With a mix of dread and curiosity, he looked around, trying to figure out his current location. His heart began to beat faster when he felt a familiar presence nearby. The wolves hadn’t lied about one thing. Brody was here. Unable to contain his enthusiasm, Carson broke free of the wolves and ran in the general direction where his senses told him he could find his mate. He froze in his tracks when the tall figure of Brody’s father appeared in front of him.

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“Stop right there, lamb, if you want to live,” the older man said, narrowing his eyes at Carson. “It’s too late to change your mind or run away.” “I don’t want to run,” Carson answered. “I merely want to see Brody.” Perhaps confessing his need for his mate’s presence wouldn’t earn him any points, but he doubted he’d be able to hide it anyway. Oddly, the wolf didn’t seem angry. Instead, he almost looked thoughtful. “So you sensed he is here. Very good. Did my men tell you I decided to give you another chance?” Carson nodded, even if he didn’t trust the wolf. The elder had been the one to separate him and Brody in the first place. Why would he change his mind? “I see in your eyes that you doubt me, Carson. That’s your name isn’t it, Carson?” Carson just stared and, through a miracle, managed to reply, “Yes, it is. And yes, I just can’t believe what’s going on.” “Entirely justifiable.” The wolf grabbed Carson’s arm as if they were old pals intending to go on a walk. “You know who I am, I take it?” Carson suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. However stupid these wolves considered sheep to be, the connection with Brody and the time he’d spent by the man’s side two years back had given Carson a pretty good clue about the man’s father. “Yes, sir,” he answered, the respectful word tasting bitter on his tongue. “Very good.” He paused, as if to heighten Carson’s anticipation or highlight whatever he intended to say. “You see, Carson, I’m both a concerned father and an Alpha with a duty. I am forced to do certain things that might seem cruel to outsiders. Above all, I believe in nature following its course.” The man stopped speaking again, and Carson took his cue to say, “I don’t understand. Where are you going with this?”

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“My men told you I intend to give you and Brody another chance, yes?” When Carson nodded, the elder wolf continued, “Before we go on with anything, I want to ask you a question. Do you know what happened earlier today?” Carson hesitated, uncertain what the wolf expected or wanted him to say. In the end, something in the other man’s eyes told him to go with the truth. “About what Brody did? Yes.” The elder pulled him away from all the other wolves, then in a whisper, asked, “Tell me exactly what you felt.” The wolf’s attitude confused and intimidated Carson and he stammered through an answer. “I…uh…In a way, I sensed it when he…attacked you, and sort of…Well, tried to…” The other man nodded, thankfully not requiring him to be more coherent. “I see. And you did what?” Carson gulped. Should he tell the wolf that he’d spoken to Brody and pleaded with his mate to stop? It seemed like an advantage in the circumstances, but the man might interpret it in a bad way and make an additional accusation toward his son. Then again, the others didn’t seem to know about Brody’s actions. The elder had pulled him away to discuss it. Perhaps the wolf truly was a concerned father, as well. Gathering his courage, Carson went with the truth again. “I…I managed to speak to him, and…told him to stop.” Once more, the wolf looked thoughtful. “I appreciate your honesty,” he finally said. “It is very important.” His penetrating gaze fixed on Carson. “First of all, I want you to know you passed the first test. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but there’s a difference between a claimed mate and a true mate. Brody believes you are his true mate, his other half, as it is. As I gather, in spite of his bond with Roxanne, they cannot talk to each other telepathically. This supports his claim that you are the one for him. I had not actually trusted his words until today.” Hope coursed through Carson. “So you’ll allow us to be together, then?”

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“Don’t be hasty, lamb.” Great, Carson was back to being a lamb. “What you and he are trying to do defies everything we know. As such, I want to complete a test. If you pass it, you will be free.” Carson didn’t think he’d like this new plan, and his suspicion was confirmed seconds later, when the wolf pulled him toward the very edge of the grove. As they walked, he sensed Brody’s presence grow more and more powerful, but he couldn’t see his mate anywhere. At last, they stopped and the elder pointed at something Carson hadn’t originally noticed—a hole in the ground covered with bars. It seemed deep, and even if he was a shape-shifter, Carson couldn’t see to the bottom, but still, he knew Brody must be in there. He knelt on the grass, desperately trying to break through the bars. “Brody,” he called out. “Brody!” Brody’s voice answered him as if from the distance, “Carson? Oh, God, you shouldn’t have come. You shouldn’t be here.” The elder pulled Carson up and forced him to meet his eyes. “You will stay in there together for one month. You will occasionally be given food, but not Brody. If he lives through this without trying to eat you, it means that you really are true mates.” Carson gaped. “You can’t be serious. He’ll die.” The other man shook his head. “Wolves can live without food for a long time, and you will be under close supervision. But I don’t think it will get to that.” Clearly, no matter what the wolf had said earlier, he was still convinced Carson and Brody couldn’t be true mates, and that, if pressed, Brody would eat Carson. The elder waved his hand in the general direction of the grove, and some wolves made their way to their position. They removed the grate, using thick gloves. The bars must be made out of silver. Before Carson could say anything else, the elder pushed him into the pit. Carson fell through the darkness, hearing himself screaming, not knowing if he was going to even survive the landing. Shape-shifter or

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no, he could still break his neck. He closed his eyes, unwilling to see his demise coming. And then, all of a sudden, strong arms wrapped around him, catching him. His nostrils were invaded by a spicy, familiar scent. Carson cracked his eyes open, and for the first time in two years, met the beloved gaze of his mate. **** Carson looked just as beautiful as Brody remembered him. He’d changed very little, barring a more fashionable hairdo probably the result of Shiloh-the-swan’s intervention in Carson’s life. He was both happy and dismayed to see his mate. In fact, he felt thrilled at holding Carson once again, but the danger he’d put the lamb in shadowed that glee. As if forgetting all about the horrible place they were in, Carson buried his face in Brody’s neck and took a deep breath. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” he mumbled. He broke away and glared up at Brody. “How could you just leave me like that? How could you claim her?” Carson sounded furious, and his eyes sparkled with genuine anger and jealousy. Brody’s mouth went dry with the desire to kiss the hell out of his mate. And for once, he saw no reason to deny himself. Even if there were dozens of wolves above them, it didn’t matter anymore. The decision had already been made, and Brody’s father would not change his mind no matter what Brody did. With that in mind, Brody pressed his lips to Carson’s. His mate’s flavor hit his taste buds, and Brody groaned in ecstasy. It felt as if he’d been a man wandering in the desert for two years, and he’d finally found his oasis. He didn’t know how he’d even managed to survive without the ambrosia of Carson’s kisses and caresses. It seemed impossible now.

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Carson entangled his hands in his hair, moaning lightly, parting his lips to allow Brody entrance. Their tongues entangled as they reacquainted themselves with each other, and Brody lowered Carson to the ground and covered his mate’s body with his own. He plundered the recesses of Carson’s mouth, rubbing against his lamb as he did so. His prick responded to Carson’s proximity in a way that it never had to anyone else, especially not during these past years. He groaned, already aching to tear Carson’s clothes off and fuck his mate. They broke apart to breathe, and Brody met Carson’s gaze again. His mate’s glare was replaced by an expression of awe. “Don’t try to quiet me down with that,” Carson murmured, but he didn’t sound upset at all. “Sorry.” Brody smiled gently. “Okay, that’s a lie. I’m not sorry.” Carson smiled back. “Me either.” His expression sobered. “I don’t want you to be with her anymore.” A fist clenched around Brody’s heart at the pain in Carson’s gaze. “Whatever happens from now on, we won’t part again,” he promised. This time, he’d keep his word, no matter what happened. Carson nodded, seemingly believing his words. “Do you think your father will really let us go?” Brody released Carson from the embrace and rolled over. They sat together on the cold ground, with Carson leaning against him. “He’s a man of his word,” Brody answered, “but I’m not sure how he’ll react next. This whole thing is crazy.” Carson bit his lip, looking anxious. “Did he tell you about the…plan?” Brody sighed. “That he means to starve me? Yes. It’s not too farfetched. Wolves can go a long time without eating. But it’s beyond my power of comprehension how he can think I would ever eat you.” “He doesn’t believe we’re really mates,” Carson replied. “I suppose that’s a good thing for us, though. We might have a chance at this.”

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Carson seemed to be trying for optimism, but Brody could sense Carson’s fear, not for himself, but for Brody. “Hey, little lamb, don’t worry. I can handle it. Wolves are resilient creatures. I’ll be fine.” He grinned. “Now, let’s just not think about it for a while, okay? We’ll figure something out, I’m sure.” He fixed his gaze on Carson. “I know it’s not the most romantic setting,” he said, “but God, I’ve missed you. You have no idea how much.” Carson beamed gently, his blue eyes so deep that even in the gloom of the pit, they lit up Brody’s soul. “I think I have a pretty good clue.” The message hidden in those simple words and the emotion Carson said them with cast aside all the shadows in Brody’s heart. He didn’t care about where they were anymore. He just needed to touch Carson, needed it so badly it hurt. Without waiting for a second longer, Brody took Carson’s lips once again. He’d run out of patience. He yearned to be inside Carson, to have his mate’s body wrap around his prick. He had to have Carson, now. Desperately, he fumbled with his mate’s clothing. The rational part of his mind kept him from tearing them, since he knew they wouldn’t get a wardrobe change for quite some time. They undressed as quickly as they could and put their clothes into a pile, forming a make-shift bed. When they finished, they lay down together, with Carson under Brody. Brody’s hands traveled over the expanse of Carson’s naked skin, exploring everything he’d missed throughout the past two years. Carson’s nipples perked up as Brody brushed his fingers over them. His mate gasped, a beautiful, needy sound that made Brody’s cock throb. He peppered Carson’s face with kisses, then advanced down Carson’s neck, nibbling on the sweet skin. He didn’t bite down, not yet. The bite would cancel out his already strained connection with Roxanne, and he didn’t want her there, between them, while he made

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love with Carson. But he wanted to give his mate a bit more pleasure first, and he had to ask for permission before he went along with it. Carson seemed to have understood the situation, but that didn’t mean he would immediately agree to the bonding. Carson, however, must have guessed or sensed his doubt. “I want you to claim me again,” he said, panting. “I want you back.” Brody licked down Carson’s chest, stopping when he reached his mate’s nipples. He suckled on the buds of flesh, loving the way Carson arched against him. He caressed his mate’s sides, the soft silken skin he’d missed so much. Carson spread his legs, giving Brody access to his genitals. Brody took Carson on his silent offer and reached between their bodies. First, he wrapped his hand around Carson’s dick, moving it up and down the thick shaft. Carson’s cock twitched in his fist. The lamb moaned, his voice a pleading rasp, “Oh, God. Brody. Touch me. I need you.” Brody briefly abandoned Carson’s nipples and continued to press kisses on Carson’s chest and abdomen. As he traveled lower down, he stopped fisting Carson’s prick, choosing to tease his mate’s taint instead. He rubbed at the lovely hole hidden between Carson’s cheeks, already yearning to be inside. Instead of just thrusting inside Carson, though, Brody lowered his mouth over his mate’s dick. He put everything he had in the suction, not teasing, just going for the prize that was Carson’s pleasure. Carson cried out in euphoria, his hands entangling in Brody’s hair, forcing his mouth lower down. Brody chuckled, Carson’s need for him awakening his darkest instincts. He wanted to spank Carson’s ass and remind him who was boss. But that would have to wait for a different time. Brody just went with the moment, moving his mouth up and down on his mate’s prick, occasionally swirling his tongue around the glans. All the while, he started massaging Carson’s testes and continued to tease his lover’s ass with a dry finger.

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Carson bucked against him, as if torn between sensations. Brody didn’t prolong their torture for much longer. He himself needed to get to the main event. Removing his mouth off Carson’s cock, Brody returned to his previous position over Carson’s neck. “Carson?” he asked. Even in the darkness, Brody saw his mate nod. “Do it. I told you I want it.” Perhaps Carson’s decision might be influenced by the sexual chemistry between them, but Brody’s wolf told him what to do. Brody pushed their bodies close, so very close. His fangs dropped, and without waiting another second, he sunk them in the soft flesh of Carson’s neck. Ecstasy coursed through him the moment his mate’s blood hit his taste buds. Shots of electricity coursed through him and he found his peak, his cum splashing against Carson. At the same time, he felt Carson come as well, his mate’s seed mixing with his between their bodies. The intensity of their joint climax wiped away the bonds that kept Brody tied to Roxanne. The artificial connection burst into a million pieces and immediately, Brody felt liberated. A sense of complete happiness filled him as his bond with his mate was back in place. For a few moments, Brody just allowed himself to revel in the renewed connection and in the aftermath of the orgasm. He almost couldn’t believe he had his mate back. The bond he’d yearned for through two years of tortured solitude returned. All of a sudden, Carson’s voice emerged in his mind. “Brody?” He sounded tentative, almost fearful, and Brody couldn’t help but kiss Carson once again. “I’m here, little lamb,” he whispered through their bond. “I’m never going away again.” In their kiss, Brody tasted both arousal and release. His beast howled inside him, yet again demanding that he consummate their union and mark his mate as his own. Even if he’d come mere seconds ago, his prick was already rock hard.

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Brody gathered his and Carson’s semen and used it to lubricate his cock. With the excess seed, he proceeded to prepare Carson as thoroughly as possible. He inserted a finger in his mate’s hole, hissing at the tightness that engulfed his digit. “I was waiting for you,” Carson sent through their bond. Brody’s wolf growled in satisfaction at Carson’s explanation. He knew Carson had not slept with others. Even with their bond damaged, he’d still been able to sense it to a certain extent. Still, it felt good to hear it out of his mate’s mouth. Gently, Brody added another finger and scissored the two digits inside his mate. He probed deep inside his mate, seeking for the spot he knew would make his mate fly. Seconds later, his fingers hit the spongy gland and Carson cried out, the sweet “baah”-moan that Brody remembered so well. “Oh, God, Brody,” he gasped. “Please, please. Fuck me.” Brody added another finger, continuing to prepare Carson’s hole. “Patience, Carson. Good things come to those who wait.” But even as he spoke these words, he knew he could not wait any longer. He’d been waiting for too long already, and he’d reached his limit. Focusing to control his passion, Brody finger-fucked his mate, until at last he deemed Carson as prepared as he could get. He removed his digits and positioned his prick at Carson’s entrance. In one single thrust, he pushed inside. Tight heat engulfed him in a velvet fist, and he stilled, just barely managing not to come again on the spot. Carson whimpered, their connection flooding with his emotions. “Brody,” he practically sobbed. “Move.” His mate’s words seemed to work magic on him. Brody pulled out of Carson and thrust back inside, gritting his teeth at the pleasure so intense it almost fell into pain. Over and over, he fucked Carson, and his mate pushed back, impaling himself on Brody’s cock. They moved together like they’d never been parted, like time hadn’t flown

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over them. Nothing else mattered except this moment, their reunion, and their true bond. Who cared that they were lamb and wolf? Certainly not Brody. It would take more than that to separate them this time. He’d learned his lesson. Carson belonged to him, and Brody would never let his lamb go again. Mixed emotions swirled inside of him as the scent of sex and sweat assaulted his nostrils. There was so much he wanted to say, so many explanations and apologies, and Brody tried to tell his mate everything through his soul and body. Their connection buzzed with sensations and feelings. Carson’s eyes filled with tears, and the sight of it, and the knowledge that his mate truly understood made Brody awed and humbled. But deep inside, he was a wolf, not a man, and he needed to reassure himself of their continued bond. He pushed in and out of Carson, never once letting up, each moment increasing both his desire and his need to come. Carson’s cries echoed around him, beautiful and pure like the man himself, and Brody’s mind spun as his senses were assaulted from every direction. Sight, touch, hearing, smell, taste, and so much more, blended in a cocktail that made Brody drunk, no, high. Not even in his darkest times when he’d tried to drink himself under the table to just forget had his mind been so fogged. This time, however, it was because of pleasure, not pain, and Brody embraced the nirvana, opening himself to Carson and the beauty of their bond. Soon, his balls began to ache with the need to come, and his orgasm threatened to take him over again. But he didn’t want to climax before Carson. He yearned to feel his mate come around his cock, and to see the ecstasy painted on Carson’s face. Increasing the pace, he always aimed for Carson’s prostate. Lowering his body over Carson’s, he pressed their lips together once more. When he broke the kiss, he whispered in Carson’s ear. “Come for me, little lamb.”

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Instantly, Carson’s body tensed and with a choked cry, his mate found his release for a second time. The feel of Carson’s climax was even more incredible than Brody remembered. Burying himself one last time inside Carson, he flooded his mate’s passage with his cum. Exhausted, he collapsed on top of Carson, somehow remembering to roll off his mate and not squash him. Carson cuddled by his side, sighing in contentment. “I love you, Brody,” the lamb said. Brody froze. In their short time together, words of love had never been spoken. Brody had been too busy worrying about finding his mate, then protecting the man from the rest of the wolves. After that, they’d been parted so quickly they didn’t even get the chance to know each other. And yet, Brody’s wolf knew Carson so well it rivaled long-term matings. Against all odds, their bond had persisted, and even if Brody had been unable to speak to Carson, he’d seen it in Carson’s heart. From his point of view, their souls were one. Smiling to himself, Brody answered, “I love you too, little lamb.” The words came with striking ease, and even in the darkness of the pit, Brody felt happier than he had in years.

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Chapter Seven Time passed as Brody and Carson remained stuck down inside the pit. Carson was, indeed, thrown the occasional bale of hay, and in order to eat it, found himself forced to shift into his lamb form. Not that it made any difference. Given the low temperature inside the pit, they spent more time in their second shapes, using their clothes as bedding. Brody seemed to be quite adept in coming up with food out of nothing, but the strain was beginning to show. More often than not, both he and Carson spent their days digging into the hard ground, looking for the occasional worm. It was gross, but the animal inside Carson acknowledged these things were, for Brody, food, and it would help his mate survive. Carson’s only comfort was that they were carefully watched. Each day the wolves above looked inside the pit, checking on Brody’s condition. Brody snarled at them, and Carson would have considered telling his mate to tone it down if the situation didn’t look so dire. As it were, he doubted any change in their behavior—other than a severe health problem—could convince the wolves to let them out. Perversely, he was glad he had Brody with him, because otherwise, he’d have lost his mind. They had little food, no way to bathe, not to mention that they needed to do their private needs in the same place they slept. Of course, such sensibilities faded when compared to Carson’s worries about Brody’s welfare. Brody tried to distract him, and somehow, in that way, they ended up telling each other of the time they’d spent apart.

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“Shiloh really helped me out,” Carson told Brody one day. “I’d have never thought he could be that sort of person when we met him in the sex shop.” Brody chuckled. “Goes to show you not to judge people.” Carson sighed and pressed himself close to Brody. He didn’t know how much time they’d spent here. The days and nights were so very similar in the pit. That was probably the worst thing about their incarceration. Shape-shifters did have an internal watch, and Carson judged something like a week must have passed since they’d seen the sun. It seemed like more. How could Brody’s father possibly allow this to happen? For a while, Carson thought the man would abandon them here to die. Sure enough, Carson didn’t think he could survive without Brody, and with each passing second, his mate was weakening. But just as he thought this, something happened Carson hadn’t anticipated. So far the only motions above them had been those belonging to the wolves guarding them and providing feed for Carson, but all of a sudden, Brody tensed. “Something’s going on up there,” he said. Indeed, if Carson paid close attention, he could hear the dim sounds of a struggle above them. Hope surged inside him, but then Brody whispered, “It’s Soren. I can feel him.” “What would your brother want with us now?” Carson asked, biting his lip. Soren hadn’t been very nice to them. In fact, the last— and only—time Carson had seen him he’d hurt Brody in the challenge. Carson hoped only circumstances pushed Soren into doing so. He supposed they would find out soon. As if in answer to his dilemma, the grate above the pit lifted. “Brody?” Soren’s voice came from up above. “Are you in there?” “Why?” Brody shot back. “You want to throw in hand grenades, or what?” Soren didn’t answer the sarcastic comment. A rope fell down, almost reaching the ground, but not quite.

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Carson and Brody pulled their clothes on. Whether for good or ill, Soren clearly intended to meet with them. They got up and made their way to the rope. Brody tested it to see if it was safe. It held, but they still looked at each other in doubt. “My brother has disappointed me before,” Brody said. “Everybody deserves a second chance,” Carson answered, “and in the end, it’s not like we’re missing out on the Ritz down here.” “Good point.” He took a deep breath and said, “Okay, you go first. In case you fall, I’ll catch you.” Carson shook his head at Brody’s concern. Contrary to what Brody might think, sheep were actually good climbers, something they must have caught from their distant cousins, goat-shifters. But it did feel good to be fussed over, and besides, if it made Brody feel better about it, who was Carson to question it? “Wait,” Brody said, having apparently changed his mind. “Let me go up first and see if it’s clear. Then I’ll come back down and get you.” Carson rolled his eyes. “Whatever happens, happens, Brody. If they’d wanted to kill us, we wouldn’t be able to do much from down here anyway. They have no reason to get us out.” With that said, Carson gripped the rope and began climbing. His own doubt stemmed from something different, rather than the fear he’d get hurt. If they left this enclosure, would they be forfeiting their last chance to be together? Would the time they’d spent down there be for naught? He didn’t know, but he wasn’t willing to lose the opportunity to get out either. Seeing Brody get weaker and weaker had to be the hardest thing he’d ever done. Truth be told, he feared the starvation Brody had suffered through might prevent him from being able to climb the rope. It was a long way, after all. Perhaps he should have been the one to go up second, since he’d kept most of his strength and could catch Brody if something went amiss. But he needn’t have feared. Brody kept comforting him with soft words through their bond as they climbed.

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Sooner than Carson expected, he was out of the pit. Seconds later, Brody joined him, taking his hand and squeezing it as they breathed fresh, free air once again. For a few moments, Carson’s eyes struggled to get used to the sun after the time he and Brody spent in almost complete darkness. When his vision adjusted, he caught sight of Soren and Brody’s friend, Liam, standing in front of them, looking uncomfortable. Three other men, probably the guards who’d been in charge with holding post over Brody and Carson’s prison, lay at their feet, unconscious. Soren wordlessly offered Brody some food, and, after sniffing it a bit, Brody fell upon it like the starving wolf he was. Carson had not expected the two men to bring him anything, but Liam provided him with a vegetarian meal as well. A diet of hay, while enough to keep him alive and healthy, wasn’t exactly his choice of gourmet meals, and he felt thankful for the gesture. Water was next. The wolves thankfully provided the needed supply during his and Brody’s enclosure, but somehow, it seemed to taste different up here, with the wind blowing through his hair and the sun’s rays shining on his face. But of course, the moment of simple glee could not last. Brody finished his own meal and turned to his brother. “As much as I appreciate this, Soren, why are you here?” Soren sighed. “I came as soon as I heard. I assure you, I didn’t know about this, Brody. Had I been told, I’d have never allowed it.” Brody narrowed his eyes at Soren. “And how did you find out? I’m assuming Father isn’t exactly forthcoming with the information regarding our imprisonment, and besides, you don’t live with us.” Soren hesitated, then pulled Brody and Carson away from the pit. Liam proceeded to bind the still-motionless guards to trees, while Soren whispered, “Okay, first of all, no one is supposed to know this except us four. Father acknowledges the fact that his decision was extra-harsh, and told me and Liam to bust you out.”

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Carson blinked, not understanding anything anymore. “But…Why couldn’t he just waive the sentence?” Soren looked pained, while Brody rubbed his eyes. “I hate to say it, but I actually understand,” Brody said. “He’s an Alpha, the elder Alpha. If he did that, he’d look weak. His position would be in jeopardy.” Soren nodded. “I know it doesn’t set things straight, but it can’t be helped.” Oddly, it made sense to Carson as well, even if he would never forgive the elder Alpha for what he’d done to him and Brody. He very much doubted Brody’s father wanted his forgiveness in the first place, anyway. “So where does that leave us then?” he asked Soren. “Are we on the run from other shifters? Will we be hunted down?” In answer, Soren retrieved two envelopes from his jacket and offered one to each of them. “From Father. I haven’t read them, but I do know that he means to let you go.” More confused than ever, Carson opened his. In a clear, masculine penmanship, a few lines sketched the elder wolf’s message for him. You win, lamb. Wolves aren’t going to be a problem for you and Brody any longer. But remember, your task won’t be easy. Brody traded his pack for you, and you’re going to have to make up for that. Good luck. You’re going to need it. It didn’t say anything else. Brody’s letter, however, seemed longer, and as Carson folded his own piece of paper, the other man continued to read. Carson was curious, but he didn’t prod in Brody’s mind. His mate would tell him when he felt ready. Finally, Brody tore his eyes from the piece of paper. “It seems he’s allowing the use of my old accounts. We’re free to go, but I don’t belong to any pack anymore.”

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Once more, Soren seemed saddened. “I know. I wish things could be different, but—” “Hey, no one’s stopping you from contacting Brody from time to time,” Carson piped up. “And then, there’s Liam.” Perhaps he could not offer Brody a pack yet, but it was a beginning. Soren nodded hesitantly. “Of course, if Brody agrees to see me.” For a few moments, Brody just gazed at his brother in silence. “You’re my brother,” he said finally. “I haven’t forgiven you yet, but perhaps in time…” Soren’s eyes shone with emotion, and Carson considered slipping away to give the brothers a moment of privacy. He didn’t get the chance. Liam made his way to their side and said, “Come on, guys. We need to go before the sleeping beauties awake.” It seemed everyone agreed with Liam’s assessment. Between Soren, Liam, and Brody, they tossed around vials holding something that smelled suspiciously like urine. They were masking their scent, Carson realized, so that the guards would not later know who’d attacked them. When the distasteful job was done, Liam and Soren led Carson and Brody out of the forest and to a car. It seemed they’d come on foot through the woods, probably to avoid leaving more traces. Together with his mate, Carson climbed into the vehicle and leaned against the bench. The slight weight of the envelope sent to him by the elder wolf seemed to burn in his pocket. Would they really be left alone from now on? God, he hoped so.

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Chapter Eight A few months later “Fucking hell!” Brody tossed the hammer on the ground as once again he failed in the simple task of securing two boards together. Damn it. Perhaps they should have stayed in the city after all. Better yet, maybe they should have used contractors. It seemed shape-shifters might be good at hunting, but not so much at fixing homes. He and Carson had bought a beautiful property in the Rockies. The first time they’d seen the old house in the middle of nowhere, they’d fallen in love with it. Sure, the building needed work, but Brody and Carson trusted they would manage. Together, they’d be able to create a home for whatever pack or family they would gather in time. Carson had confessed to being sick of the town and yearning for greenery and pasture. But the price for the land and the house had been quite a strain on Brody’s accounts, and they’d decided to go with fixing their place, themselves. Unfortunately, neither Brody nor Carson knew too much about construction work. Since they’d refused accepting help from either of their friends, it was also damn slow. Okay, so it had its advantages, namely having a certain lamb close at all times, but still, Brody felt like an utter failure for not being able to provide Carson with the home they both dreamed of. Frustrated with himself, Brody jumped off the stairs and landed on the grassy ground. He took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh mountain air. It was lovely out here. Perhaps he should just take a break and

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enjoy the day with his mate. He and Carson had been through so much. They deserved some time off. All of a sudden, Brody sensed his mate approaching, as if Carson had guessed his thoughts. Grinning, he turned, and found himself facing an unlikely sight. A beautiful white lamb stood in front of him, watching him with big blue eyes. Carson’s white fleece shone so white it almost hurt Brody’s vision. Brody had a flashback of the moment they’d first met, only this time, there was no terror in Carson’s stance, or his heart and mind, just expectance. “What are you up to, little lamb?” Brody asked, as he started walking toward Carson. Still in animal form, Carson began to back away. As Brody approached more, Carson turned and started running. Surprised and amused at his mate’s behavior, Brody chose to go along with it. So, Carson wanted to play. Brody would show him the rules of the game. He shifted into his wolf form and began to chase after his errant mate. His senses immediately tracked down the scent of his oh-sosweet prey. Because yes, Carson was his prey, but not in the way any of the wolves of Brody’s pack had judged it. He was the prey Brody could never get enough of, the one he loved to catch over and over, and who’d managed what no one else had, to tame the beast inside him. Inwardly grinning, Brody ran through the greenery, following the occasional flash of fleece he spotted in front of him. However skilled Carson might be in some physical aspects, he remained a domestic animal, and one not meant to blend in with the environment. He didn’t have much chance to escape Brody. But Brody knew that Carson didn’t even want to outrun him, not really. The game was about the delicious moment when Brody would catch Carson and devour him in a way most pleasurable for both of them.

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For a little while, Brody allowed Carson to elude him, enjoying the simple glee of the chase. He loved it out here, because from time to time, he could actually go and hunt without being bothered by anyone. But this hunt held a far greater prize, and impatience began to grow inside him. He sped up, and within seconds, was gaining on Carson. With a lunge, he jumped on the still-fleeing lamb. They went crashing down to the ground, rolling into the soft, green grass. Instantly, they both shifted. “It seems you caught me, my big bad wolf,” Carson said in a breathless tone. “Now, what are you going to do with me?” Instead of replying, Brody crushed his lips to Carson’s. The adrenaline of the hunt still coursed through his veins, and his beast howled in demand that he claim his mate. They were both naked, courtesy of the change, but unfortunately, they also didn’t have any lubricant. Besides, Brody enjoyed rolling around in the grass as much as any wolf, but there were benefits to a home—namely, some sort of furniture he could tie his mate to. They hadn’t decorated the inside of their house yet. Mostly, they used portable cooking utensils and things like that. However, Brody had made an exception with regard to their bed. It had been the first, and only item they’d brought inside the house. Thankfully, the sleeping quarters were well preserved, and no one had made a comment as to why he’d insisted on a certain type of headboard. His mind already on the many things he could do to Carson, Brody separated their lips and gave his mate a heated look. “You’re going to get it now, my lamb.” He shot to his feet and pulled Carson up. As he draped his mate over his shoulder, Carson “baah”-giggled, his hands exploring the muscles of Brody’s back. Arousal coursed through Brody at the feel of his mate touching him like that, as if he couldn’t get enough. His lamb cupped his buttocks, experimentally squeezing the cheeks. Brody growled in frustrated lust and slapped Carson’s ass. “Careful

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now, little lamb, or I might lose it. You wouldn’t want me to fuck you right here and now, would you?” Carson moaned, his cock twitching against Brody’s skin, and Brody gathered that actually, his mate did want to be fucked, and fucked hard. Brody started running, heading back the way they’d come. He reached their house in record time and burst through the front door, up the stairs, and toward the bedroom. The floorboards protested to his thumping as he sped, and Brody made a mental note to reinforce them as soon as possible. At last, he reached his destination. He ran into the room they shared and dumped his mate on the bed. Before Carson could even say a word, Brody joined his mate on the mattress and covered his lamb’s body with his own. Once more, their lips met in a delicious, mind-melting kiss. Brody explored every recess of Carson’s mouth, and, as always, his mate surrendered so beautifully that Brody almost came just from it. But he owed Carson a little something for the chase, and he knew his mate expected it. Damn lamb was more manipulative than a fox. With great difficulty, Brody tore himself away from Carson’s mouth. Moving as quickly as he could, he rummaged into the bag they kept next to the bed for such occasions and retrieved a paddle and a vibrating butt plug. The toys weren’t like the ones they’d bought for their first few times together, but they didn’t have to be, either. Brody and Carson were starting a new life, and here and now, they brought everything that made them who they were, including their kinks. Brody hastened to the adjoining bathroom, where he proceeded to clean the butt plug. It should have been somewhat problematic to keep their toys here, but they’d lucked out. The house had running water and electricity, thank God, alimenting itself from its own private supplies, and strikingly, the piping didn’t have any significant problems. It had sealed the deal for Brody and Carson, and Brody was even more thankful for it now.

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With his task finished, Brody returned to the bedroom and gulped when he saw what his mate was doing. Carson had two fingers up his own ass, thrusting them in and out of his body, writhing on the bed at his own touch. Their connection was flooded with desire and need, as Carson begged, “Please, Brody. Please fuck me.” Brody made his way back to the bed. “That’s mine,” he growled. He pulled Carson’s fingers and analyzed his mate’s now-slick hole. “Impatient, aren’t you, Carson?” Carson nodded with so much enthusiasm that Brody’s arousal increased even more. He flipped his mate on all fours and caressed the tight globes with greedy hands. With a grin, he exposed Carson’s hole, his mouth watering at the sight of the twitching opening that seemed to beckon him closer. Still, he resisted, remembering the punishment his mate had earned. He took the butt plug and slowly, ever so slowly, inserted it into Carson’s anus. His mate whimpered, trying to push back against the toy. “Hold onto the railing, Carson, and don’t move,” Brody ordered. “I’m going to make your ass glow.” Carson obeyed, his body tensing even as he struggled to stay still. Brody took a few seconds to inspect his handiwork. Seeing Carson’s sweet hole stretched by the plug made him yearn to be inside his mate even more. Instead, he pressed the button that activated the toy. He’d bought the item on impulse, but the results told him that he’d made the right choice. Carson cried out as the plug massaged his anus. Through their connection, Brody could feel his mate’s pleasure increase more and more. Smirking, he grabbed the paddle and struck, keeping the blows aimed toward the area he knew would not hurt Carson. His mate actually howled this time, insofar as he could howl without being a wolf, at least. Brody might have even mistaken the sound as protest, had he not sensed all of Carson’s emotions inside him. It brought a

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whole new dimension to the sex, and Brody distantly wondered how in the world he’d gotten so lucky. **** Carson tightened his hold on the headboard as Brody continued his sensual torture. As blow after blow fell, he began to fall deeper and deeper into a mind space reserved only for these moments, a space where the boundaries between pleasure and pain faded. The warmth that spread from his thighs and buttocks pooled straight into his prick, making him dizzy with want. The harsh kiss of the paddle drove him wild. His connection with Brody remained the only thing real and true. With every hit, Brody jostled the vibrating toy inside him, making the vibrations even more intense. It felt so good, and yet, not enough. Through their bond, Carson heard the order, “Don’t come, little lamb. Don’t come until I tell you to.” So Carson bit his lip and struggled to keep himself anchored when the wave of pleasure threatened to sweep him off his feet. He could no longer even speak, having become a being of pure emotion. Thankfully, Brody understood his desires. All of a sudden, the spanking stopped and the toy disappeared from Carson’s ass. Carson shivered as his lover pressed kisses over his heated buttocks, then over his spine until he reached his neck. Brody was so close now, so close to where Carson wanted him to be. The toy had just whetted his appetite for something much better he wanted to have inside him. Carson ached to be filled by his mate, to feel Brody stretch his anus to capacity, to have the wolf touch him like only he could. He felt Brody inside his mind, and then, Brody’s cock nudged at his opening. Carson clung to the railing as his mate slowly pushed inside him. His ass burned from the hits and the toy Brody had used

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on him. He trembled, his entire being focused on obeying his lover, his mate, his master. At last, Brody was fully inside him, his balls flush against Carson’s ass cheeks. A myriad of scents surrounded them, assaulting Carson’s senses. Brody was everywhere, inside him, around him, driving him deeper and deeper into that unique world where only their pleasure and love mattered. Brody pulled out of him and thrust back inside, hitting Carson’s prostate. Carson cried out and arched against his mate, needing more, yearning for everything Brody had to offer. He pushed back against Brody, thrashing wildly, clinging by sheer force of will to the headboard. “Oh, God, Brody. Please. Just…More.” Brody increased the pace, and Carson’s ears filled with the sound of flesh slapping against flesh. His anus burned with the invasion and his balls ached with the need to come. His entire body buzzed with unfulfilled arousal. Each of Brody’s motions rubbed against the stillsore skin of Carson’s ass and thighs, and the slight tingle just added to the sensation. They fell into a wild rhythm, taking their pleasure in each other. Brody’s almost violent fucking might have actually seemed callous if not for the intense love Carson felt coming through their connection. Before meeting Brody, he’d have never thought he would experience such things, that the pain could translate into pleasure and the lust into pure, unaltered affection. Everything inside Carson reached out for Brody as his mate took him, on and on, never once faltering. He bit his lip in a desperate attempt to keep himself in check, but he couldn’t take it much longer. As always, his mate was right there next to him. He reached for Carson’s prick and pumped it a few times. And then, his fangs clamped down on Carson’s flesh and through their bond, the order at last came, “Come.” Carson’s blood turned to liquid heat. His vision went white as ecstasy coursed through him. Crying out Brody’s name, he found his

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peak. At the same time, he felt his mate thrust one last time inside his passage and fill him with his seed. His mind short-circuiting from the overflow of pleasure, Carson allowed himself his orgasm to take him over. He didn’t know how long it took, how long he shook in the throes of climax. He felt it all inside him, but inside Brody as well. And when his consciousness began to return, the first thing he noticed was the heat. By his side, there seemed to be a real furnace—Carson’s very own personal one. His body still burned from the enthusiastic fucking, and inside him, in his very soul, the warmth of their bond lingered. Carson cuddled closer to his mate and smiled when a strong arm wrapped around his waist. Everything they’d gone through was worth it. They could finally have the life they’d dreamed of now. **** When Brody first opened his eyes, he didn’t immediately realize what had prickled his instincts. He still felt exhausted from the earlier sex fest, but in seconds, he became alert and realized what he was feeling. Someone—more than one person— had invaded his territory. His home no longer only smelled of him and Carson. By his side, Carson stirred as well. Perhaps he’d felt the wrongness, too, or maybe their connection alerted him. Either way, he didn’t panic. Instead, he gave Brody an inquiring look and through their bond, asked, “Who is it? What do we do?” Brody tentatively sniffed the air. With each passing second the presences were approaching. But there was something strange that Brody had not quite expected to scent together ever again. Pack and prey. Brody hastily pulled a pair of pants on, and after Carson did the same, they slipped out of the room. Other than Carson, he sensed two people nearby. One of them had been the bane of his existence for

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two years, and he’d have known her anywhere. He supposed there was some reason to that old saying. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. But how could Roxanne have found out where he and Carson lived now? And what was she planning? Did she really think she could just waltz in here? And do what? Whatever the case, Brody would not allow her or whoever she’d brought along to hurt Carson. He bared his fangs, ready to protect his territory. All of a sudden, Carson gasped. “Brody, wait. I think…I think my brother is with her.” Brody blinked as flashes of memory coursed through his mind. Carson’s half-brother, Ray, was also the man who’d instigated the other rams to hurt Carson two years back, the night Brody and Carson met. Brody had been steaming for quite a while to get revenge on the man, but Carson had let the whole story go, and the last thing Brody wanted was to open old wounds. It seemed, however, that Ray didn’t share Carson’s opinion. But how could Roxanne have met Ray? It made absolutely no sense. In any case, the appearance of Carson’s brother meant Roxanne had come here not only intent on revenge, but also carrying weapons that wolves did not have. Their kind might use silver from time to time to punish or restrict lawless wolves, but they didn’t have the proficiency sheep did. But Brody would not allow that to hold him back. “I’m not afraid of guns,” he sent to his mate. “I’ll be fine.” Carson looked worried, but didn’t comment further. They had the advantage since they knew the house, and their smell was already on everything. The best thing would be to stay in the bedroom and wait for their attackers to come, then take them by surprise. Nodding to Carson, they retraced their steps and went back the way they’d come. Hopefully, Roxanne and Ray had not realized Brody and Carson were awake. But they didn’t get to reach the bedroom. An impending sense of danger assaulted him. He didn’t know the reason, as his senses had already detected Roxanne and Ray.

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Carson, however, seemed to know. “Get down,” his mate shouted. Carson lunged at Brody, and they fell to the hard floor just as a rain of bullets showered the hallway. As quickly as he could, Brody rolled them over and covered Carson’s body with his own. He managed to push them into an adjoining alcove. By some miracle, the bullets missed Carson, but two of the rounds scratched him. Silver, the special kind of bullets sheep or other prey-shifters used against wolves. Just great. At least they hadn’t actually become embedded in his flesh. That could have become a big problem. He took a deep breath and focused on his mate’s wildly beating heart. Keep Carson safe. Keep Carson safe. That was what he needed to do. The litany gave him a surprising clarity of mind, and he realized what he’d originally missed. There was another person in the house, a wolf soldier and one who’d known what to do to disguise his approach. Without Carson, they might not have been able to realize it at all. It was a long time since Brody had smelled his opponent’s scent, but he remembered it with crystal clarity. That day marked his separation from Carson, and something else—the only time he’d killed one of his own. He wondered how he’d never thought it would eventually come to haunt him. True enough, he’d never known what had become of Lester after being dragged out of the room by Soren’s men, but it seemed whatever Brody’s father had done wasn’t enough. The man had returned and seemed quite keen on vengeance. Brody didn’t have much time. Lester was at the other end of the hallway, and Roxanne and Ray were closing in fast. They seemed to have come equipped to fight an army, not just a wolf and a lamb. They needed to move. Brody thought fast. In the house, they were trapped, outnumbered, and outgunned. However, the forest and the mountain would protect them. The only way out would be through the window a few feet in front of him. To get there, however, they would have to run through Lester’s line of sight. If—with an emphasis on

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if—they managed, it would be smooth sailing from there. They were only on the second floor, and the architecture of the building would allow them to land outside without too much trouble. “We can make it,” Carson said in his mind. “Go. I trust you.” Even with all the doubts in his mind, Brody knew they didn’t have much choice. He grabbed Carson and lunged forward. A shout of anger sounded from his right, but Brody ignored it. He had instants before Lester reacted. He moved faster than ever before. In a flash, he crossed the distance that separated him and Carson from the window and jumped. Glass shattered, scratching his face, and moments later, another rain of bullets followed. Thankfully, he landed on the ground without further injury and rushed away. However, as he reached the beginning of the forest, another shot rang out. Their luck didn’t hold, and this time, the bullet hit Brody in the leg. It wouldn’t have brought him down, but the shock of the impact and the extra weight he carried made him stumble. With the momentum, he tripped against a hole in the ground, and fell, jamming his knee against a big rock. Brody actually felt the bone break and go through the skin. Howling, Brody dropped his mate from his arms. “Brody,” Carson cried out, scuttling closer. “Go, Carson. Go. Get out of here.” His mate would still be able to escape. Brody could stall and buy Carson time to run. But Carson didn’t obey. Instead, he crawled even closer and lifted Brody’s body, obviously intending to carry him. It was awkward, but Carson was stronger than he looked. He might have succeeded, but before Carson could do anything, Roxanne and Ray reached them. “Stop right there, lamb,” Roxanne sneered. “What do you want with us?” Brody asked. “You hated our supposed mating as much as I did. You told me yourself you’d speak to Father to have it broken.”

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Roxanne glowered at him. “Yes, I did intend to do that. But there’s a difference between what I planned and what you did. You abandoned and humiliated me in front of the pack. You left me for a lamb, a lamb of all things. Do you have any idea how that feels?” She didn’t even wait for a reply. Instead, she pushed Carson down with the shotgun, and they fell back on the ground at her feet. Ray laughed. “Why are you doing this, Ray?” Carson asked. “How did you even know where we were?” “Oh, it was easy.” Ray chuckled. “All I had to do is ask Mother the phone number you called her from. Silly git still believes everything I tell her, including that I mean to bring you back home and save you from the awful wolf keeping you prisoner.” Brody had known Carson kept in contact with his mother by the use of his cell phone, but it never occurred to him someone might use that to track them down. Fuck. Once more, he’d been careless. “I thought I’d have trouble finding out who your enemies might be, but to my luck, everyone knows who you are,” Ray continued. “The paranormal world is absolutely abuzz with news of the wolf who mated a lamb.” No wonder Roxanne was pissed. Being in the limelight couldn’t be very pleasant. Since Brody and Carson left civilization behind, they seemed to have missed quite a lot of excitement. Brody wondered why their friends never mentioned it. Perhaps they hadn’t wanted to encroach on Brody and Carson’s happiness with such things. As Ray spoke, Lester appeared from the house. “And when the ram contacted us, we simply could not resist.” Brody glared at the man. “Why don’t you go crawl back to the hole you came out from? I’m sure your Alpha would love to know you came after me.”

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“I don’t care what the Alpha says. I’m not his Beta anymore,” Lester shouted. “You killed my brother. Now, I’m going to take your mate away from you, and then cut you into little pieces.” “And you really think you can get away with that?” Carson said, distracting Lester from his plan. Roxanne snickered. “We have our ways.” Brody had no clue what his mate planned, but he felt Carson’s mind working furiously. They couldn’t get out of here through brawn. Therefore, they’d have to do it through brains. The weak link lay in two wolves having joined with a sheep. They didn’t have the bond Brody and Carson shared, and as such, the alliance would be tenuous at best. “The throwing around of piss thing, right?” Carson grinned. “That might throw you wolves off, but not sheep or other races.” Brody had no clue if Carson’s friends—swans or squirrel—would have the ability to distinguish scents in spite of the method his kind used to cover their tracks. He suspected no, but he couldn’t be sure. Thankfully, neither could Lester or Roxanne. Their expressions turned from smug certainty to alarmed anger. “Of course they wouldn’t be able to feel us,” Roxanne said with a nervous laugh. With the fear that she might be discovered, she’d apparently forgotten all about her fury toward Brody. “Really?” Carson pressed his advantage. “Go ahead and ask him.” He nodded toward Ray. “He knows I’m right.” Lester and Roxanne turned to Ray, whose blood drained out of his face. “I…uh…I don’t know. It’s possible.” “Of course it is,” Carson added. “We are trained to sense predators, especially in forested areas. And in case you didn’t know, I have many friends who won’t take kindly to what you’ve done here.” The two wolves turned their anger on Ray. “You fool,” Roxanne shouted. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” It might have been stupidity or stubbornness, but Ray didn’t back down. “It’s not like you disagreed with me, bitch.” Of course, if he

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tried to flee now, the hunting instinct would just kick in. Perhaps Ray had finally realized he’d bitten off more than he could chew. Brody almost winced at Ray’s words. He knew Roxanne had quite a temper and wouldn’t take lightly to being insulted by a sheep. It was very different to be called a bitch by pack and to have prey do the same. As Brody had expected, Roxanne’s form began to blur until she transformed into a wolf. This time, Ray didn’t hesitate. He aimed the gun at her, frowning. “You move a muscle, and you’re dead.” Unfortunately for Ray, he was two against one. Lester changed into his second form as well and lunged toward the young ram. Ray’s gun went out, but it missed its target. In a panic, Ray changed into a ram, trying to use his sharp horns to push the wolves away. He managed to fight back for a minute or so. His horn landed in Roxanne’s eye, and she howled in dismayed distress. She backed up, tossing her head around. Lester, however, wasn’t in the least bit thwarted by her pain. He jumped on Ray, burying his fangs in the ram’s throat. Taking advantage of their distraction, Carson jumped forward and snatched Roxanne’s shotgun. Several bullet shots echoed in the clearing around their house, and Lester and Roxanne slumped down to the ground. Carson dropped the gun, as if in shock of what he’d done. For a few moments, time seemed to stand still. Everything was just surreal. However, seeing Lester and Roxanne still on the ground forced Brody to snap out of his trance. He’d been running on pure adrenaline and it had helped him ignore the pain, but now, he needed to direct his attention toward his own problem. The wound looked gruesome, the bone sticking out of the skin. Brody had to hurry or his shape-shifter abilities would work against him and his injury would close too early. Carson knelt by his side, looking worried. “Oh, God, Brody. What do we do?”

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Brody looked around and found a stick. He couldn’t ask his mate to do this for him. In fact, he’d have much preferred if Carson wasn’t here to see it, even if a selfish part of him found comfort in his mate’s presence. He inserted the piece of wood in his mouth and leaned against his mate. In one motion, he snapped the bone back into place. Horrifying pain coursed through him, and he almost blacked out at the agony. It didn’t help that the silver bullet was still lodged in his leg, polluting his blood. He breathed through it, focusing on Carson, on his mate’s soothing voice. His abilities kicked in, and the pain began to diminish. However, just as Brody started to feel better, Lester stirred, trying to crawl away. “I aimed for non-lethal injuries,” Carson said, still gripping the shotgun. Whatever Carson had aimed for, the shotgun had done quite a lot of damage from up close. Lester and Roxanne were unlikely to recover soon, more so because of the silver now attacking their bodies. Still, they would live, and as such, needed to be watched. The ram, however, didn’t move at all. Carson seemed to be studiously trying not to look in his brother’s direction. The sight of the savaged neck of the ram made Brody understand why. “I’m sorry.” Carson sighed. “My mother is going to be very hurt. He was always her favorite.” Carson’s voice didn’t hold any resentment, just acceptance and regret. He shook himself. “We should get you to a doctor, Brody, and call someone to help us with this.” “Go,” Brody said. “I’ll guard our friends,” he added sarcastically. His leg would heal, but the silver was more of a problem. Brody hoped his body would be able to fight it for a bit longer. He needed to make sure Roxanne and Lester didn’t try to attack them again. At last, Carson returned to him. Judging by his mate’s expression and the worry that flooded their bond, Brody surmised he wasn’t in a

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very good condition. “Hang in there, Brody,” Carson said. “Help is on the way.” Brody nodded. “We need to take the bullet out. It’s poisoning me.” “Okay.” Carson breathed in deeply. “Take the bullet out. I’m on it.” Even with all the panic Brody sensed inside his mate, Carson managed to focus. He retrieved their first aid kit and returned to Brody’s side. “What do I do now? I’m no wolf medic. I know a little about sheep medicine, but beyond that…” “I’ll guide you through it.” Brody struggled to offer his mate a smile. “It’s not actually very different.” He’d have liked to spare his mate of this, but they didn’t have much choice. In his current state, Brody couldn’t focus enough to take the bullet out. Thankfully, Carson seemed more adept at this then he thought. He sanitized the wound, and with excruciating care, started the painful process of saving Brody’s life. Brody managed to remain conscious just enough to watch Carson succeed in his task. Just as the bloody bullet hit the grass, his world became dark and he surrendered to unconsciousness. **** Carson paced in front of the room that held his mate. He knew Brody was still alive, since their connection remained in place. At the same time, the silver had done quite a number on Brody. His lover might not be in deathly peril, but he wasn’t out of the woods yet, either. A voice drew him out of his musings. “Brody will be fine,” Elder Wade said. “He’s a strong man, and he has a lot of things to live for.” Carson offered the wolf a weak smile. He’d never have thought he would ever do that, given everything the elder had done. But Brody’s

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father came through for them when it mattered. Perhaps they weren’t exactly friends, but Carson could appreciate the man loved his son. Carson had called Liam, and Brody’s friend had been quick in rallying additional troops. Much to Carson’s shock, Elder Wade immediately provided medical assistance to Brody. Carson didn’t know what happened to Roxanne and Lester, but he’d asked the elder to keep Ray’s body safe. Again, the man surprised him and respected his request. “Thank you for your help,” he told the elder. “I just don’t know what we would’ve done without it.” The wolf seemed thoughtful. “To tell you the truth, we’re not the ones who saved Brody’s life. You did, at removing that bullet. My people merely hurt him.” He paused, as if considering his words. “I was wrong about you,” he finished. It was the closest thing to an apology Carson could expect. As a rule, Alphas didn’t admit their mistakes. It gave Carson hope that maybe, one day, his mating with Brody would not be condemned. At last, the door opened and a wolf medic appeared. “How is he?” Carson asked at once. “He’ll recover soon,” the doctor replied. “Thankfully, we were able to eliminate the silver poisoning before it did too much damage.” He gave Carson a penetrating look. “The situation would have been much worse had the bullet not been removed before we arrived.” The doctor cleared his throat. “At any rate, he is awake and wishes to see his mate now.” Excitement coursed through Carson. “Is that okay?” he asked breathlessly. “Is he well enough?” “You know I am, little lamb,” a rough voice came through their connection. “Now get in here. I want to see your beautiful face.” Without waiting for the doctor to answer, Carson burst inside the room and rushed toward the bed where Brody lay. His mate looked a bit pale, and Carson knew he would be weak and feel his lingering

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hurt for quite a while now. But the smile on Brody’s face was very real, and overwhelming relief gripped Carson. “Come here and give me a kiss,” Brody said with a grin. And when Carson did, everything else paled except the knowledge that this bond was here to stay and no one would ever part them again.

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Epilogue A few months later Carson fidgeted on the chair, unable to contain his impatience. After three months of putting their lives back into place, they finally had a home. Roxanne and Lester had survived, but the silver had left lasting trails on their bodies. Roxanne’s eye never healed, and Lester lost much of his mobility. Elder Wade guaranteed that the two, or anyone else for that matter, would not be a problem for Carson and Brody. With that out of the way, Carson and Brody had officially registered as mates. It hadn’t been exactly easy, since the usual process entailed the involvement of the elders of both species. However, they’d managed to find a way around that, through the shape-shifter agency that specialized in dealing with family relationships. They were now known as Williams-Wade, having gone with the hyphenating option, on the basis that it best suited their bond. His mother still struggled with the situation and with the truth of Ray’s death and his attempt to kill Carson. However, she seemed to be trying to understand and making progress every day. Carson and Brody were beginning to build a new life together. As such, Carson had brought up the topic of adopting. Their home was far too big for just the two of them. Carson wanted a family, and since they couldn’t do it the old-fashioned way, they’d have to resort to the proper channels. After some deliberation, they’d decided to submit an application to the adoption section of the agency. The same one that helped them

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with their mate bond could offer them a baby to care for. It would take a while for their file to be processed. Even if they weren’t quite ready to receive a child in their life at this moment, by the time their request was considered, they’d be more than settled. But now, when they actually sat in the adoption agency, Carson’s idea seemed more and more silly. Several other couples were waiting, some same-sex like him and Brody. There were no wolves, however, or any other carnivore among the homosexual pairings. More importantly, there were no predator-prey matings. In fact, most of the couples were of people of the same race, and they didn’t seem happy about Brody and Carson’s presence. Brody squeezed his hand, offering silent comfort. “It’s all right,” he said through their bond. “They hate what they can’t understand. But we’ve come such a long way. In time, people will accept us.” On instinct, Carson leaned closer to his mate. He received several ugly—well, uglier than before—looks, but he ignored them. His mate was right. They’d convinced Brody’s father that they were true mates. Beyond that, everyone else could go to hell. Finally, their names were called by the receptionist and they were led into a spacious office. A stern-looking female owl-shifter sat at the desk. “Brody and Carson Williams-Wade, correct?” she said without preamble. Carson nodded. He opened his mouth to add something polite and appropriately impressive, but the woman didn’t give him the chance. “I looked over your file, and I found it quite surprising that someone like you would want to apply for adoption.” Carson heard derision in her voice, and his heart fell. It would seem adopting wouldn’t be as easy as Carson had hoped. Hell, she didn’t even introduce herself. “Why would you be surprised?” Brody asked. “I noticed other same-sex couples waiting in line.” The owl glared at him. “Don’t be obtuse. They are real couples, not like you.”

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“I don’t believe you have any authority to judge our bond,” Carson shot back, anger flaring at her disdain. “Very well. You might be right there.” The owl smiled tightly. “But either way, what I meant to say is different. We are concerned of what would happen to a child growing in such unusual circumstances. As you can imagine, a carnivorous child would grow up to try to eat you, Mr. Williams, while an herbivorous one would be eaten by Mr. Wade.” The way she separated their names irked Carson, and also made him realize their pasts had been investigated. “How can you say such a thing?” he asked. “We would be the most loving family for our children.” “I’m afraid it simply doesn’t work that way.” The woman gave them a penetrating look. “I’m sure you’ll come to understand it soon. Of course, once you find other partners, you are both welcome to try again with your respective mates.” Brody looked like he was ready to lunge at her. Realizing that if they stayed, they’d have more to lose than to gain, Carson pulled his mate out of the room. A fist squeezed his chest with the weight of his crushed dream. He’d wanted so much to give Brody a real family. His vision blurred and he struggled to keep back his tears. Brody hugged him tightly. “Hey, don’t cry. There are other ways.” What other ways? Shape-shifters only had the authority of this agency that ruled over all cases. Adopting a human was out of the question. They could try finding a wolf or a sheep to donate eggs for them, but what woman would be willing to agree to it? Carson forced himself to calm down and nodded. He couldn’t give up, not so soon. “You’re right. There’s always a way.” Brody released him from the embrace and glowered at the other couples currently staring at them. “What? What are you looking at?” Carson felt a small measure of satisfaction as several of the people present winced. Still holding Brody’s hand, he stalked out of the

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adoption agency, head held high. They’d find a way to complete their family, he just knew it. **** Later that day The shrill sound of the telephone woke Carson up from his slumber. By his side, Brody grumbled and got out of bed. “Whoever it is better have a good reason for calling.” It was only three in the afternoon, but both of them had succumbed to emotional exhaustion. Neither Brody nor Carson had been in the mood for sex, so they’d just fallen asleep in each other’s arms. They must have slept at least a couple of hours, but Carson still felt exhausted. He waited for Brody to get rid of their caller so that they could go back to bed. All of a sudden, Brody’s voice came through their connection. “It’s from the adoption agency. This guy Skylar Pierce says he saw our file and he’d like to meet us.” Instantly, all tiredness fled Carson. He got up and stared at Brody in disbelief. The owl had been more than a little clear that they wouldn’t have a chance in adopting. But perhaps Carson and Brody had just run into a bad person and they still had a chance. He nodded eagerly and hastened to put his clothes on. In his rush, he tripped and fell face-front on the floor. While he picked himself up, Brody finished making arrangements and headed toward him. “Come on, Carson. Get a move on. We have a meeting in an hour.” The following thirty minutes or so were a flurry of getting cleaned up, dressed, and making sure they didn’t forget any detail. Carson couldn’t be sure about the identity of the man who’d called them. He

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hadn’t met any Skylar Pierce while at the adoption agency. Why would this guy want to help them? They got to their destination with fifteen minutes to spare. As it turned out, Skylar Pierce was already waiting for them—or at least, so they were told by the receptionist. Unlike before, she didn’t give them an ugly look. Instead, she almost sounded respectful. A few moments later, Carson understood why. The office they were led to was huge and adorned with all sorts of expensive items. This must be where the big bosses of the agency worked. Oddly, a young man sat behind the desk. He got up when Carson and Brody entered the room. “Hello, gentlemen. I’m Skylar. Thank you for agreeing to meet me.” He had a nice, kind smile, and Carson found himself smiling back. “Thank you for calling us.” They shook hands, and Skylar gestured them to the chairs in front of the desk. As they made themselves comfortable, Skylar sat down as well. “First of all, I’d like to apologize for Elsa’s behavior. I assure you she will be appropriately reprimanded.” Carson surmised Elsa was the owl. “We appreciate that,” he offered. Truth be told, he felt impatient to get to the subject. He wanted to find out why they’d actually been summoned back. “She said we could not provide a home for any of the children here,” Brody told Skylar. “What changed?” Skylar winced at Brody’s reprimanding tone. “Nothing, not really. But there’s a certain situation and when I stole a peek at your file, I thought you might be interested in it.” Skylar got up from the desk and gestured for them to follow him. “Come. I have someone I’d like you to meet.” Carson nodded and got up as well. He was thankful for Brody’s presence. It gave him strength as they walked outside Skylar’s office. On occasion, the sound of a weeping child reached his ears. This

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building housed not only the main headquarters for the staff of the agency, but also a temporary crèche and daycare center. Finally, Skylar stopped in front of a room with a large windowed wall. Inside, Carson could see a small lion and a baby antelope on the floor in shifted form, with two women watching over them. At first, it almost seemed that the lion was being aggressive toward the antelope, but soon, Carson realized they were playing. The lion held back his blows and the antelope looked very comfortable with the presence of the predator cub. Carson watched the sight in awe. He’d heard of such things but had never thought he’d be a witness. “The antelope’s mother was killed by a lion pride while in shifted form,” Skylar explained. “One of the lionesses ended up adopting the baby and raising it with her own. Unfortunately, the pride didn’t approve, and the lioness died while protecting the two. Their luck was that the children’s aunt respected their mother’s memory and called us.” Skylar sighed. “At first, they just brought the antelope, but the lion cub kept running away and coming here. They refuse to be parted.” He gave Carson and Brody a penetrating look. “Do you think you can handle it?” Carson gaped. Not one, but two children? Could they do it? He shared a look with his mate. “What do you think?” he asked through their bond. Brody’s mental chuckle sounded in his mind. “You know as well as I do these are already our kids.” Yes, Carson knew that. He didn’t kid himself. The two babies would be demanding and a handful, but who could be better to raise them than him and Brody? They both understood how each other’s lives worked and would understand the children as well. “Could we meet them?” he asked Skylar. The young man smiled. “Of course.” He led them inside the room, and almost instantly, the children stopped playing. The lion shifted into a young blond boy, maybe three

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or four years old. “What do you want?” he growled at them. “I’m not giving Angel up.” It was both sweet and heartbreaking to see the lion protect his antelope sibling. Skylar smiled at the aggressive child. “That’s fine, Clark. No one’s asking you to. These nice gentlemen just want to meet you.” Clark gave Brody and Carson a suspicious look. “Why?” Brody took a few steps forward toward the lion cub. “We’d like to take you home, you and your brother. Angel, is it?” As Brody spoke, the antelope finally shifted as well and appeared from behind his protector. Wide eyes went from Brody to Carson. “W–Who are you?” Brody gave him a helpless look, to which Carson just shook his head and chuckled. He made his way to the children and knelt next to them. “That, my dears, is a very long story. Come, sit by me and I’ll tell you all about it.” As the two children obeyed, Carson began to speak once more. “It all starts with a lamb and a wolf…”

THE END WWW.SCARLETHYACINTH.WEBS.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR A native Romanian, Scarlet was born in 1986 and grew up an avid fan of Karl May and Jules Verne, reading fantasy stories and adventure. Later, when she was out of fantasy stories to read, she delved into her mother’s collection of books and, of course, stumbled onto romance. As a writer though, Scarlet Hyacinth was born one sunny summer day, when a dear friend of hers—the same friend who introduced her to GLBT fiction—proposed they start writing a story of their own. As it turns out, the two friends never did finish that particular story, but Scarlet discovered she had a knack for writing and ended up starting to write individually. And so, between working on her dissertation, studying for exams, and reading yaoi manga, she started writing the Kaldor Saga. Along the way, Scarlet met a lot of wonderful people who supported her, and in the end, she found her story a home and, in the process, fulfilled a beautiful dream.

Also by Scarlet Hyacinth Siren LoveXtreme Forever ManLove: Tides of Love 1: Saving Connor Siren LoveXtreme Forever ManLove: Tides of Love 2: Craving Owen

For all other titles, please visit www.bookstrand.com/scarlet-hyacinth

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