Touch My Wolf

gÉâv{ `ç jÉÄy Copyright © March 2011, Eden Cole Cover art by Anastasia Rabiyah © March 2011 Amira Press Charlotte, NC 28227 www.amirapress.com ISBN: 978-1-936279-74-6 No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Amira Press.

Touch My Wolf

Eden Cole

Chapter One Blaine removed his Stetson and swiped an arm over his forehead. The day had turned really hot, which was unusual for their area in the Rocky Mountains. He took his time walking along the path that led to Corey and Devin’s cabin. Knowing them, they’d be in the throes of hot, sweaty sex even now. Considering he hadn’t seen either of them in the main hall and Corey hadn’t unlocked his office that must to be what they were up to. He grumbled as he continued on, not like him at all. Usually Blaine was easygoing, taking everything in stride and not taking himself too seriously. He was happy for Corey and Devin, but their love showed him all too well what he still lacked—his mate. Corey had sent him a text to meet him at his place. He knew just what he wanted too. Blaine had been avoiding dealing with the captured men from the rival pack they’d broken up. A few had assimilated into their group, but some were wild, fierce, and angry. They had never lived among humans, preferring to embrace the animal side. After what they’d done to Devin, Blaine wanted to see all of them put down or driven away, but that’s not how Corey did things. Devin agreed with Blaine, but he supported Corey one hundred percent. Sighing about the whole mess that had been dumped into his lap as the Beta, he knocked on Corey’s door and waited. No one answered, so he knocked again. When it became clear that they weren’t planning on coming, he frowned down at his watch. Damn it, at ten o’clock in the morning, they should be roused. The ranch still had to function, mate or no mate. Aware that he was just jealous, he tried the door, found it unlocked, and let himself in. The interior was chilly like they’d cranked the A/C to maximum. Blaine shivered and shut the door behind him. He considered calling out to see if they were awake, but decided against it. Both Alphas were big, and sexy as hell. He’d watched Corey claim Devin and jerked himself off at the sight. Another glimpse of those hard bodies would be great. And they owed it to him anyway since they had no problem 1

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flaunting it in his face. Corey hadn’t even been gay before Devin. Not like him. Blaine knew what he was and what he wanted. He’d wanted men ever since his hormones had awakened as a pup. The bedroom door stood open. Corey had a thing about doors. He liked to be on guard, to know what was coming. While he could hear and smell an intruder long before it got to him, Corey wanted to see as well. That weirdness, which Blaine had no idea where it came from, was why he liked his bedroom door open at all times. Blaine drew up to the entry. His cock shifted in his pants at the sight. Covers lay on the floor in a pile, and the two naked men’s bodies were in a tangled heap on the bed, nothing separating them. Blaine traced their limbs with his gaze, fingers interlaced, torsos sealed together. Corey lay on top of Devin with his hips meeting at his mate’s. Blaine imagined them moving, Corey jutting into Devin, or just rubbing cocks together for the sheer tormenting pleasure of it. He grew tight with longing. Corey grunted and blinked. Blaine didn’t move. He’d leaned into the doorjamb and crossed his arms over his chest. When he realized he was there, Corey sat up still straddling Devin. “Morning,” he mumbled. He stretched his arms over his head and ran his hands through messy hair. Corey was all corded muscle, ripped abs, big biceps. Blaine had always been attracted to him, but his friend let him know he wasn’t into other men. Not until he’d met and fallen for his mate. Now, Blaine observed, he felt no shame at all. He made no attempt to hide the fact that they’d been at each other all night, and from the looks of it, he had no intention of climbing off his lover. Blaine tried turning his eyes away from two long, healthy cocks pressed together, but he couldn’t stop looking. Two perfect specimens just feet away from him. Depression weighed heavily. He couldn’t force his normal smile to his lips even if he had the energy to try. “You rang?” he demanded. “Oh yeah,” Corey said. He stretched again, his hips shifting forward and pushing his crotch toward Devin’s. His mate moaned and reached out blindly with his hands. Corey patted them down to his stomach and held 2

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them there. “Sorry, I had to call you here, but right now, he can’t be satisfied. We’ve barely gotten any sleep over the last month.” “So sad for you,” Blaine quipped, and then bit his tongue. Devin, whose head had been buried beneath a pillow, popped out and glanced in Blaine’s direction. He’d forgotten Devin didn’t allow anyone to disrespect Corey, but he wasn’t afraid. “What’s crawled up your ass, Blaine?” Devin demanded. “If only,” he growled back, and then swore. “Listen, I’ve got a lot to do so if there’s nothing you need…” Corey was on his feet in an instant, heading toward Blaine. “You’re not your usual self, and you’re avoiding your job. Anything we need to discuss?” “No, nothing.” He retreated a step and looked from Corey to Devin and back again. “I apologize. I’ll get on it. The prisoners, right? You want me to work with them and get them to start interacting with others.” “I know how you feel,” Devin interjected. “You’d rather ring their damn necks, right? Well Corey thinks they can be changed. There’s only four. You can handle that, can’t you, Blaine?” Blaine sneered. “I can, but maybe you can’t.” Devin growled low in his throat, a clear threat. Corey took a step to the right and blocked Blaine’s sight of Devin. “Stop it, both of you. Blaine, if you have a problem, now’s the time to spit it out.” He shook his head. “No, I don’t have a problem.” He turned to go and then stopped and came back. “No, I do. You two have been at it for a month straight. You’re in here more than you’re in the office, and everything else is getting dumped onto me. Have you forgotten your people and the battle we just came through? Maybe you forgot that Laramie died along with a few others in that battle we had with the other pack. Laramie at least had a family.” He didn’t get the chance to finish his tirade before Devin was on him, slamming him hard against the wall. He crowded Blaine with his big frame pressed close. His hand was wrapped around Blaine’s throat, and he

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frowned eye-to-eye with him, nostrils flared. “You have a problem with how Corey runs this pack? I told you to watch your mouth, didn’t I?” Blaine locked onto Devin’s hand and pulled. He contracted his arm muscles hard to pull at the other man’s hold. If he didn’t throw in his weight through his shoulder, he wasn’t getting loose. He got enough space to wedge his shoulder in and pushed. They left the wall, but Devin doubled his efforts and shoved back again. Blaine winced at the impact of his body hitting the hard barrier and Devin’s long form sealing him in place. His thigh went between Blaine’s before he realized it was going to happen. All Devin had to do was lift his leg to ram his balls. He blew out a breath. As angry as he was at being put in this position, he liked how his groin tingled with another man so close. He grew hard with the friction of their bulging cocks coming together. When he glanced up into Devin’s eyes, he saw the knowing look. Devin was completely aware of the effect he had on Blaine, and that pissed him off all the more. Corey laid a hand on Devin’s arm, and the man released Blaine so fast, he almost dropped to the floor. Corey caught him and held him up until he regained his footing. He was too close without clothes, making Blaine’s senses go wild. Damn it if he didn’t get a lover soon, he was going to rip someone’s head off. Corey’s next words left him speechless. “I think as his Alphas, we need to take care of Blaine,” Corey said to Devin, “not threaten him. Right now, since he doesn’t have a lover, maybe we should take him into our bed.” “Wha-?” Blaine said blinking. Devin glared at him and then did a sweep of Blaine with his gaze and then focused on Blaine’s face again. “You might be right. That’s why he’s acting like an ass, because he’s not getting any.” Blaine swore. He was about to defend himself but thought better of it. All these years, he’d imagined what it would be like to have Corey, and he’d been close to having Devin when they dated. To have them both hadn’t even crossed his mind. And if Corey was sure, it was a done deal. There was nothing Devin didn’t do for his mate. 4

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But what about their relationship? Would adding Blaine to the mix destroy what they had? He didn’t want that. Even though he knocked heads with Devin, he liked the guy. Devin was good for Corey, and anyone with eyes could see they were meant for each other. Devin hadn’t stopped looking at him. Blaine had the feeling he was just waiting for the opportunity to make him submit by ramming his big cock up Blaine’s ass. He didn’t mind being taken at all, just not as a means of punishment. “You sure you want to do that, Corey?” he asked his old friend. “Devin here looks like he’d rather skin me than bed me. And if I touch you, I might get fed my balls.” Corey looked at his lover who nodded. “I’m sure. Now, you get down to the holding area and do what I asked you to. We’ll talk more about this later. I’ll be in the office soon.” At Blaine’s look of disbelief, he said, “I will. An hour tops. Devin moved to yank Corey back against him. Obviously feeling the man’s cock against his rear excited his friend. Blaine watched him go erect in a heartbeat. Devin grinned. “Make that two hours.” Annoyed and turned on, Blaine left. At least it looked like he would get some action real soon.

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Chapter Two Blaine took the short route across the back of the cabins to where they’d chosen to keep the shifters that were out of control. The buildings had been used for storage for years, but Corey had commanded one to be cleaned out. The good thing about it was there were small rooms like big closets on one side of the building. Now they were used as holding cells for their four captives. Three men and one woman. None had spoken more than a few words. All had that look in their eyes, Blaine had noted. Or at least he had in three of them. The few times he’d come, the fourth man had been put tranqed because of his violence. He was bigger than most of the men guarding him, and stronger possibly than all of them. Blaine’s reports said he’d needed no less than four men holding him still in the shower when they’d brought him here and cleaned him up. Ah well, his job was to rehabilitate them, so he would do it. All of the fenrir wolf shifters were wild in some way. He just needed to tap into his, find where these beasts were, and bring them back to their human side. No big deal. He strolled into the sparse building as he’d done before. Doors lined the opposite wall, the first three with locks on the outside. The middle two stood open, and the last one again had a lock. The worst of them was in that room. Like before, he felt something odd here when he came, a sense of despair. Every time he entered, he was also overcome with a desire to shift and run through the woods, feeling the earth beneath his paws. The sense was so overwhelming, he had to stop and take a few deep breaths. He had a job to do. Two men came in the side door and paused to greet him. Blaine nodded toward the far end of the building. “How’s he doing?” “Oh him? He’s just fine,” the man said with heavy sarcasm. “Just tried to rip Jesse’s arm from the socket a while ago.” “What happened?” Blaine demanded.

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“We were taking him out for his shower and to air out his room, and Jesse thought he’d get brave and not follow procedure. The monster got a little wild, and well we had to tranq him—again. Everything under control now though.” Blaine walked over to the door and listened. There was no sound inside. He laid his hand on the knob. “He’s tranquilized, you say?” The man nodded. “Yep. Did it myself and checked not five minutes ago. He’s out like a light. You’re not going in there, are you, Blaine?” Blaine ignored him. He punched in the code to the lock. Before he turned the knob, he nodded to the guard. The man swung around the gun he had hanging from his shoulder and trained it on the door. Blaine opened it. He didn’t know what he expected to see inside. A Sasquatch-like giant of a man with long, unkempt hair, dirty and smelly perhaps. But that’s not what met his curious stare. The man lying on his back on the twin sized bed had white-blond hair that looked like someone had chopped it off with dull scissors, but it didn’t take away from his handsome face. He had a strong jaw and a determined, tight-lipped expression even in sleep. His shoulders could rival a linebacker’s. All of the captives had been supplied with simple clothing, and this man hadn’t been an exception. A black T-shirt stretched over his muscles atop khaki cargo pants. His feet were bare. Blaine went over to him. He looked civilized, and yet he was the wildest of them, unyielding, full of hate. “Blaine, maybe you shouldn’t stand so close,” the guard called out. “It’s fine.” The minute the words left his mouth, the sleeping man opened his eyes. Blaine stiffened, but he didn’t move back. From his position, he knew he blocked the prisoner’s face from being seen. The guard didn’t know he was awake. What impacted Blaine and had him almost shaking with shock and denial was what he felt when he looked into those eyes. Not this man. Not one of them!

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Blaine took a step back toward the door. The guard swore now that he could see. “He’s up that soon? Damn it, I put three in him!” He raised the gun, but Blaine put a hand over it. “Wait, just get out.” “But—” “Do what I tell you to do!” The guard walked backward from the cell but held the door open. Blaine moved at a more unhurried pace, and as he did his captive sat up, watching him with narrowed eyes. Blue eyes, Blaine noticed. The man began to growl low in his throat. His teeth sharpened and lengthened. Was he even aware of who Blaine was or of this feeling of connection? Maybe he was wrong. He hoped so. The last time he’d been with someone had been too long ago. That was it. Fate would not deal him so cruel a blow as to give him a mate but make him untouchable. “What’s your name?” Blaine asked. The guard sucked his teeth. “He doesn’t say a word, never has.” “I said what is your name?” Blaine asked again, ignoring the man behind him. Blue tinged the half beast’s skin, followed closely by hair sprouting from his pores. He was going to shift. His ears grew pointed. Blaine heard the cracking of bone as the change began. When he spoke, his voice was ragged and harsh. He leaped forward like he was ready to kill Blaine where he stood. “My name is Gamble.” Blaine leaped backward out of the door, and the guard slammed it shut just as Gamble crashed into it. He banged and growled for several minutes, but Blaine wasn’t paying attention to the noise. His mind was filled with thoughts of how Gamble looked while sleeping—sexy like someone he’d like to play with. That was out of the question. He wouldn’t spend any more time on him for now. If he was going to rehabilitate Gamble, that would take considerable energy. He’d have to focus on the others first. His decision made, Blaine pushed Gamble to the back of his thoughts and went to work for the rest of the morning. By late afternoon,

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he was tired. His throat was dry from talking so much, and all he wanted was food and rest. He left the lockup and returned to his cabin. Being the Beta of the group had its perks. His place wasn’t as big as his Alpha’s, but it did have two bedrooms and a loft. Although one of the bedrooms was considered the master, he preferred the loft. The ceiling there was almost all made of glass. He could stare out at the night sky or the clouds. And when the sun shone too brightly, he could pull a covering over it. The reinforced glass kept his room warm in winter and cool in summer. This place, this land was perfect as far as he was concerned, and it was no wonder that Gamble’s pack had wanted it. He frowned realizing he was thinking of the wild shifter. The truth was Gamble hadn’t been far from his thoughts. Pure-blooded fenrir wolf shifter, he thought as he undressed in preparation for a shower. Gamble was big and thick. When he’d stood up that instant before he’d turned completely wolf, Blaine had seen how big he was. The other man had him by at least half a head, maybe more. No wonder so many men were needed to keep him in line. What if he is my mate? No, that couldn’t be because both mates always recognized each other. Always. He didn’t know Gamble, so he couldn’t be sure if the reaction he’d had to Blaine was normal for him or not, or if it indicated that he knew who Blaine was. What if he wasn’t gay? He shook his head. He could go round and round with this, but it meant nothing. Not only did he not have time to deal with the man, he didn’t want to. He didn’t want a screwed up mate. Deciding to forget about it, he stepped into the shower and washed away the dirt and sweat. When he came back out of the bathroom running a towel over his damp skin, he heard his cell phone buzzing. He hurried over to it and read the text before frowning. Corey never just fucking called anymore. Blaine slipped into jeans and a tee and pushed his feet into his boots. Heading over to Corey’s place, he grumbled because the call hadn’t

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directed him to come to the office. He’d been busy all day. Maybe Corey had come and gone from work, but he wondered. When he knocked and pushed the door open at Corey’s, his nose was assaulted with the delicious smell of steak grilling. He would know that scent anywhere. He made his way into the kitchen and stopped to watch. Devin and Corey were barefoot and shirtless, but they’d slipped on jeans at least. The rear door of the cabin stood open, and Devin slipped out of it to tend to the grill. Every place in the homestead had the ability to cook in house, but most people went to the main hall. Unless of course they were newlyweds like these two. He sighed. “You texted?” he announced. Corey stopped tossing salad. He looked too domesticated, Blaine thought. Before now, Corey had never cooked a meal. The women who ran the kitchen down at the main hall did that for him and the others. Blaine guessed it was Devin’s doing that had him in here. Again jealousy rose in him. Corey watched him. “Come here.” Blaine raised an eyebrow. “What?” “You heard me,” Corey repeated. “Get your ass over here.” He walked over, and jerked in surprise when Corey put a hand to his jaw line. “I know you’re having a hard time right now.” Blaine grimaced. “Have you gone soft being mated? I’m fine.” He’d started to make more protests when Corey stepped closer and pinned him between the counter in the center of the kitchen and himself. Blaine couldn’t hide how he’d gone solid from the first touch. He licked his lips. “Uh, he’s just outside,” Blaine said. He didn’t fear any man, but he’d have a hard time besting his Alpha, especially Devin. “We’ve talked about it,” Corey told him, and leaned in to kiss Blaine’s lips. Without even thinking about it, he opened his mouth and let Corey slip his tongue in. Desire coursed through him, but he shoved Corey back. “Don’t play games with me,” he ground out. A step sounded outside, and Devin came back in. He eyed the two of them and went about setting down a tray of steaks. When he was done, he 10

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came around the counter and stood next to Corey. “So?” he said looking at Blaine. Blaine looked from one to the other of them. “Are you two having trouble? Is that what this is about?” “Don’t be stupid,” Devin growled. He flipped Blaine around by his shoulders and pushed into him. Blaine gasped at the bulge teasing his ass. He gritted his teeth. Devin leaned over his shoulder and let his lips skim Blaine’s cheek. When he grabbed for Blaine’s cock and began stroking it, he was done for. There was no way he was going to fight his way out of there. He didn’t want to. Devin gave him a hard squeeze that hurt a little but excited him more. “You’re one of ours. We take care of our own.” He shuddered. Should he tell them about meeting Gamble and what he’d felt? Would it cancel what was obviously going to happen tonight? He wasn’t going to pursue Gamble, and he knew whatever he started up with Devin and Corey was for now, not permanent. For as long as it lasted, he could have a little fun with his leaders and let the future take care of itself. Feeling a bit of his old self surface, he grinned and leaned in to kiss Devin. “You’ve been itching to tame me, haven’t you? That will be a hard fight, I warn you.” Fire flashed in Devin’s eyes. One side of his mouth turned up, and he nuzzled Blaine’s lips. They teased each other’s tongue for a little before Devin uttered, “We’ll see about that. I’ve hog-tied feistier than you plenty of times.” Devin went to proving his point by moving his hand from Blaine’s cock and drawing both Blaine’s arms behind his back. He fought to get loose, but Devin locked his hands together to keep the hold. He jerked Blaine around until Devin leaned against the counter, and Blaine rested against Devin. Corey caught him in the middle and took up stroking him where Devin left off. He pushed his tongue into Blaine’s mouth while lowering his zipper. Blaine moaned. They were going to have him right here in the kitchen, even before they ate. His jeans hit the floor. Corey took his cock 11

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in his palm and slid his hand from base to tip. Every time he reached the top, he squeezed and massaged until Blaine clenched his teeth together. He let his head fall back, knowing if Corey didn’t ease up, he was going to explode soon. “Suck him,” Devin commanded Corey. Corey gave him a hard look as if to say he would not be bossed. He moved in close to Blaine and kissed his lips again, lingering with his tongue swirling about Blaine’s mouth. Hungry for more, Blaine pressed in harder. He devoured Corey’s mouth, but the farther he moved to capture him, the more his arms hurt. Devin wasn’t letting go. He jerked on Blaine, which brought him back to his chest. While Blaine sucked in a few breaths, Corey knelt down in front of him. His blond head bent between Blaine’s legs made him want to shove his fingers in the silky strands and make Corey swallow all of his cock. “Let me touch him,” Blaine asked Devin, but the shifter shook his head. Blaine gasped as Corey ringed his tip with is tongue. “I won’t hurt him. I’ll just hold him while he sucks.” “I said no,” Devin told him. “You stay still and take your punishment.” When Blaine glared at him over his shoulder, he chuckled. Devin tightened his grip on Blaine’s arms and swooped in to cover his mouth. His kiss was unlike Corey’s. While it was just as desperate and hungry, Devin was rougher, more demanding. He swept his tongue over Blaine’s bottom lip and forced his way in. Blaine could do nothing but accept the onslaught because he was feeling weak with Corey sucking his cock. The sensations swept his control away. One man between his legs, pulling on his shaft with his mouth, and the other dominating him, forcing him to take it all. Blaine had never given up so much, so fast. He’d had powerful lovers in other shifters. In fact, it was because he enjoyed the roughness of the sex and the abandon of letting go of all inhibitions that he never dated human men. But Devin didn’t give him a chance to decide on his own. He just moved in and took everything. Blaine had to admit that it felt incredible.

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He began pumping against Corey’s face, feeling his orgasm build. His groin muscles tightened as all the blood rushed to the area. Devin let go of his mouth only because he wanted to watch his mate. Blaine stared as well, getting off on his cock disappearing into Corey’s mouth. All those years appreciating the sight of Corey, attracted to him but sure he wasn’t the one, and now he had him. Blaine licked his lips and moaned. “Yes, oh yes, Corey, suck me. You’re going to make me spill in your mouth.” He pumped a little harder, but Devin released one his arms to lock his hips into place. Being kept immobile made it all the more tortuous. Blaine could do nothing but feel. Each time, his cock came out wet and warm from his leader’s mouth, the air hit it and teased his shaft, making him more excited. His balls rose and tightened. He was close. When Corey released his cock to lick his way down to Blaine’s balls, he protested. Corey ignored him. He kissed and licked his thighs. He squeezed them, and after he’d waited until Blaine was on the cusp of losing it, he returned to his cock and deep-throated him. Blaine threw his head back and shouted through his release. Corey drank down every single drop then licked him clean when he was done. He sat back on his haunches and watched Devin. His mate nodded. Blaine wondered what they were up to and then he knew when Corey began removing his jeans. He tossed them aside and turned toward the table. Blaine’s mouth watered when his Alpha leaned over and his ass spread in invitation. Both Blaine and Corey stood still a minute to take in the sight of Corey, legs planted firmly apart, muscled thighs and hard ass. He raised his arms to brace on the table and folded them to rest his head. “Well?” Corey called back to them. Blaine was about to move in since Devin had released his aching arms. He stroked his dick to get it nice and hard, but Devin stopped him. “On your knees. Get him nice and wet,” he drawled in his heavy Southern dialect.

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Blaine considered ignoring him, but Devin didn’t have to let him take his mate. This was a privilege, a gift that could be snatched back. He wasn’t going to look it in the face. Blaine dropped to his knees. Besides, why should he mind licking the ass of the man who had only been a fantasy for him all this time? He ringed Corey’s hole with the tip of his tongue and then applied pressure. Corey squirmed and moaned. He brought his hands up to push the cheeks farther apart, but Devin beat him to it. Blaine was beginning to realize that while Devin would let him fuck Corey, he wasn’t willing to let him touch his mate. That was ridiculous, but again he wasn’t going to argue. Devin held Corey’s ass cheeks apart, and Blaine sucked and licked at his hole. He lowered his mouth to push between his legs to get a taste of his sac and then moved back up. All the while, he left Corey’s skin glistening with moisture. Seeing it, his cock throbbed to be buried inside. Devin stooped and framed Blaine’s body with his. The material of his jeans scraped Blaine’s ass. Devin’s hard cock was easy to make out behind the fabric. “Now take this and grease him up and your dick too,” Devin said. Blaine took the small tube and did as he was told. When he and Corey were ready, he wasted no time. He stood up and guided his stiff cock to Corey’s hole. The tight opening responded to his push, expanding around his girth and letting him in. Inch by inch disappeared up Corey’s ass. Blaine moved in, gasping for breath because it felt so good. Devin took both his hands and placed them flat on the table. At the same time, he trapped him between his body and Corey’s. He gave a powerful thrust, shoving Blaine deep inside of Corey. All three of them cried out. Blaine began banging into Corey at lightning speed. When Devin seemed sure he wouldn’t try to hold Corey’s waist, he let go of his hands and shed his jeans. He was frantic, blurs of movement at the edge of Blaine’s vision. Blaine was more interested in the insane feeling of being buried to the hilt inside his leader. In pleasure, he watched Corey go up

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onto his toes and arch his back. His ass rose a little higher, and Blaine took the invitation to slam his dick home. The table shook and banged the chairs around it. None of them cared. When Devin was completely naked, he jerked Blaine’s head to the side and shoved two fingers into his mouth. Blaine tried pulling away from the violence of the move, but Devin held on, making him suck his digits. Devin’s eyes had gone pale, and his teeth had sharpened. Blaine recognized the beginnings of a shift. Devin’s desire took him over the top, and he would not be able to control himself until he had Blaine. A hungry growl emanated from his throat, and he pulled out of Blaine’s mouth and reached behind him. Blaine knew what he planned to do. “Please, use the lubricant,” he begged. Devin seemed beyond comprehending. He pushed a wet finger into Blaine’s ass anyway, and Blaine gasped. Standing up straight made him tighter, and Devin was a big guy. If he went in at this angle without even greasing him up, it would hurt like hell. He paused in his thrusts into Corey and found the small tube where he’d tossed it on the table. He greased his fingers and reached behind him to stroke Devin’s cock. The big man groaned in response, but he didn’t stop him. Blaine added more until he was satisfied Devin wouldn’t rip him apart. He finished up and then bent more over Corey bringing his chest flush with Corey’s back. Corey moaned and writhed under him. Devin worked his anus a little more with his hand and then replaced it with his cock. Blaine willed himself to relax and arched to take Devin. The ache was sharp at first, but then bliss. Devin was slightly bigger than he was. His massive body hulked over him, and his unyielding muscled thighs pushed against Blaine’s. Devin swore. “Fuck, you’re tight. Have you even had a man before?” Blaine growled. He pushed hard into Corey, but Devin made him pay for it by ramming him as well. His ass felt so full and stretched. With his dick buried in Corey, sensations came at him from the front and the back. They fell into a rhythm of pumping into each other, three men with their bodies aligned. Blaine looked down and to the side to watch them come 15

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together. Seeing himself push into Corey while Devin pushed into him made his head spin. He couldn’t get enough. He didn’t want to come again yet. He wanted to feel this forever. But neither Devin nor Corey had released, and from the moans they emitted, he knew they were close. Devin thrust harder, sending Blaine into Corey. He held onto Blaine’s hips and kept the punishing pace. Blaine clenched his jaw and shut his eyes tight. He couldn’t hold back. He was going to come too. “Yes!” he shouted, followed by Devin’s growl. He emptied himself inside Corey’s ass and felt Devin’s final push behind him, before the other man’s thighs quivered against his as he ejaculated. When Devin pulled out, Blaine did the same and sank to the floor breathing hard. He pushed his fingers through his hair and watched as Devin pulled Corey to a standing position. They embraced and kissed, holding each other like they’d been apart forever. Blaine sighed. As good as that was, he needed his own mate. When they’d cleaned up, they sat down to dinner together, and Corey invited him to spend the rest of the night in their bed. He accepted. At least for the time being, he could have a lot of fun sandwiched between two Alpha shifters. No man could resist.

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Chapter Three Gamble opened his eyes in the lockup, hating every day, hating the four walls that kept him from running free in the woods. If he could get loose, he’d kill them all. They’d already murdered his Alpha along with a few others. None of them deserved his mercy. None, except… He thought of the man he’d seen the day before, tall and well built. Gamble had him by a good head at least, but the man exuded authority. He wasn’t the Alpha of this pack. He’d seen that one, and when he got his chance, he’d take him out. But this man, the one that visited him was familiar. Gamble was sure he hadn’t seen him before. He’d been too occupied with getting to his leader before that bastard killed him to notice anyone else around. Gamble closed his eyes and brought up an image of the man in his head. Caution and suspicion had clouded those eyes, but behind them he saw kindness. He had no patience for such a thing. Kindness meant weakness in his book, and that guaranteed his victory when he got loose. For all his determination, he couldn’t deny there was something special about this man. Who was he? He had a strong, sexy body with a nice big cock if the bulge in his pants was any clue. Gamble had fucked his leader plenty of times, so he knew what turned him on. Maybe he would kill them all and save him for last. Then he’d satisfy his lust with that one before he ended his existence as well. Outside his door, someone unbolted the small square that would allow them to slide his food in to him. He sat up and waited. His time was coming. Instead of the compartment opening like he expected, Gamble was surprised that the door itself slid back. He was about to spring forward when the man from the day before stepped inside and shut himself in with Gamble. Crouched on the bed, fully clothed but with his feet bare, Gamble weighed what to do. If he attacked and killed the man here, they’d just open the door just enough to fill his ass with lead. If he bided his time, he

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might be able to escape to do more damage to them. That decided, he didn’t move or take his eyes off of his prey. Gamble breathed in deep. The man’s scent intoxicated him and made him want to get a taste. He bet he could make the guy come in his mouth with just a few licks. All of these thoughts and his lust he kept hidden, knowing he gave nothing away, even in his expression. “I’m Blaine,” the guy said, standing by the door but not appearing afraid. “I rushed out so fast yesterday, I didn’t get to tell you. I remember you said your name is Gamble. Norse, right? You’re full-blooded fenrir, like us.” I’m nothing like you. Gamble bared his teeth, knowing they were those of the wolf inside of him. When he wasn’t in his full animal form, he remained like he was now. He had no need to connect with humans or live among them. If he didn’t pick up on the shifter blood running in Blaine’s veins, he would never know he wasn’t human by the look of him. “I thought maybe we could get to know one another and become friends,” Blaine suggested. “Anyway, I told the guard that I would bring in your lunch today so we can talk.” Told not asked, Gamble thought. So he was someone in charge. The Beta maybe. Gamble narrowed his eyes and caught a new scent, one he hadn’t picked up on the man yesterday. He left the bed in a heartbeat and sent the tray flying against the wall. Gamble crashed into the man and thumped him bodily on the door behind him. Someone called out, “Blaine, you want me to open the door?” “No, it’s fine,” Blaine answered. “I told you. Not until I tell you. Everything’s good.” The fact was Gamble had his hand around Blaine’s throat, and he squeezed. Nothing Blaine could do would get him off. He was a good judge of strength and while this shifter was strong, he didn’t match Gamble by a mile. Gamble blocked him in, aware of the big chest muscles rising and falling, the nostrils flared. Blaine had called on the inner beast’s strength, so his teeth were pointed as well. Both his hands covered Gamble’s and 18

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tugged to keep him from crushing his windpipe. With impersonal interest on the outside, Gamble curiously sniffed at Blaine. He leaned in close and ran his nose along Blaine’s neck. He allowed his body to come closer so that they brushed in length. His thigh pushed against Blaine’s crotch, and the smaller man winced. Gamble didn’t do it enough to hurt him, but Blaine seemed to expect it. Gamble sniffed him again. Not one, but two men. Two had been close enough to him to leave their scent, an aroma of sex, even though most of it had been washed away. He couldn’t imagine why that should make rage boil inside of him. Two men—two shifters—had fucked Blaine. Gamble snarled. “Wait, wait, wait,” Blaine said, pulling at his arm. Gamble thought his cock had gone hard, but he focused on the man’s lips, wondering what he would be like to kiss. Maybe no better or worse than any other man he’d been with. Definitely not as good as it had been with his Alpha. A fresh wave of anger surged over him, and he pulled Blaine forward only to slam him again. “If you kill me now, there’s no way you’ll get out of here alive,” Blaine explained. “You understand that much, don’t you?” Gamble couldn’t resist talking to him, although he wanted to pretend he didn’t get it. “You scared?” Blaine sneered. “Hardly. I’ve been in fights with tougher men than you.” “No,” Gamble told him. “You haven’t.” Their lips almost touched, Gamble with his head ducked, Blaine looking up at him. He wouldn’t give an inch. That much was plain to see. Gamble would have to take whatever he wanted. He’d never forced a man. He never had to, and his real interest had only ever been in his Alpha. They weren’t mated, but Gamble had hoped to be the only one. He never was. Rather than kiss Blaine, he turned him and pushed him to the door with his back to Gamble. He kept hold of Blaine’s throat but loosened his

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hold and reached in front of him to his crotch. At the same time, he raised his thigh enough to brush it along Blaine’s ass. “Who has been here?” he demanded. “I smell them. Two men.” Blaine stiffened. “That’s not your business.” “It is.” Gamble dipped down so his cock pressed into Blaine’s rear. His shaft twitched, wanting to go deeper. He massaged Blaine’s cock, feeling the length grow and harden. He let go and slid higher to the button on his jeans. When it opened under his fingers, he lowered the zipper and pushed the clothing away. Blaine’s cock sprang out long and erect. Gamble licked his lips. “I could take you right now.” “Not before I stopped you,” Blaine ground out. Gamble knew it angered him that he was no longer in control. He’d thought he was the big bad wolf come to tame Gamble with his human ways and words. “Try to stop me,” Gamble taunted. Blaine didn’t hesitate. He laid a flat hand over his fist and jabbed his elbow back into Gamble’s side. Gamble winced, but he didn’t release his hold. Blaine went after him again, stomping his foot and reaching back for Gamble’s balls. Knowing that would hurt, Gamble leaned back. He lost hold of Blaine’s cock to his disappointment, and it gave Blaine his chance. He spun and barreled into Gamble, sending him backward across the room to land on the bed. Just as Blaine landed on top of him to pin him down, Gamble grinned. He knew better what he’d done to the sheets. In an instant, he switched their positions, so that Blaine was on the bottom and he was on top. He threw an arm over Blaine’s broad chest, forcing him into the mattress. At the same time, he reached past him to the shredded sheet he’d roped together into an unbreakable bond. One end went around Blaine’s wrist, and the other was knotted to the steel frame of the bed. He wasn’t going anywhere. They fought against each other for several minutes. Their grunts filled the small space. Gamble being bigger and with nothing to lose was the victor. He tied Blaine’s other arm down and sat up straddling him.

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Blaine breathed hard and growled in frustration. The rising and falling of his chest mesmerized Gamble. “I could call and have someone in here in a heartbeat.” Gamble leaned down on his chest causing him to grunt. He raised clawed fingers. “And I can have your throat slit faster.” He would never kill this one. Gamble already knew that. What he didn’t know was why. What made him so special? Was it only because he wanted to fuck him? Maybe. He’d have to see if the feeling went away after he’d had him. Gamble watched him struggle against the bonds, his arms above his head and flat on his back. Blaine’s cock was still hanging out, teasing Gamble to take a taste. He pulled Blaine’s pants lower and smiled at the bead of precome he found. His gaze flicked back to the man’s face. “Being tied down excites you?” “Go to hell,” he spat. Gamble leaned down and licked up the small bead. He closed his eyes, enjoying Blaine’s flavor on the tip of his tongue. Beneath him Blaine hadn’t moved, but he couldn’t control his cock. The rod shifted and thickened all the more. “I thought you couldn’t speak,” Blaine rasped. “No one but me has ever heard you talk. My report said you were dumb and ignorant.” Gamble rose up from Blaine’s cock head and frowned. “Just because I don’t speak often doesn’t mean I can’t or that I don’t understand anything. Anyway, it doesn’t matter what your people think of me, or what you think. When I’m out of here, I’m going to kill all of you for what you did to my Alpha.” “Your Alpha?” Blaine snapped. “Maybe you forgot what yours did to mine. He beat him until he was almost dead.” “He didn’t. I did.” Blaine’s eyes widened. He was silent, seething, Gamble guessed. Now the lust for Gamble’s head on a platter must be on his mind too. Gamble tore open Blaine’s shirt. He removed his jeans and pulled off his boots. His prisoner was almost completely naked. His tanned, smooth skin

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tantalized Gamble. All he wanted to do was spend the rest of the day touching him, tasting him. Blaine’s eyes had gone dark. His fingers were clawed, and his chest heaved in his anger. Gamble ignored all of that as he pushed one muscular thigh up to kiss the skin on the inside of it. Blaine jerked, but he said nothing. “You want me dead now?” Gamble asked as he licked a trail up Blaine’s thigh. He kissed the heavy sac between his legs. Blaine stared at the ceiling, his lips pressed together in a thin line. Gamble gave him a lick on the head of his cock. “Who had you? Tell me.” Blaine met his gaze. “Are you jealous? That I had lovers while yours is dead?” Gamble swiped his claws across the man’s stomach, tearing the skin. Blaine hissed and clenched his jaw against the pain. “It’s obvious you were in love with your Alpha, but he didn’t make you his mate,” Blaine went on. “Shut up,” Gamble roared and leaped off the bed, backing to the wall. He kept his eyes on Blaine as if he would attack at any moment. Gamble crouched to the floor, feeling the change coming, but he resisted. “Your leader was okay with you fucking him as often as you liked, wasn’t he? Did he at least make you his Beta?” Gamble jumped on the bed atop Blaine. He raised his hand to claw him again, but he couldn’t bring it down. Blaine’s gaze never wavered. He stared into Gamble’s eyes like nothing terrified him. Gamble knew how to humiliate him and get under his skin. He lowered himself down Blaine’s body to his cock and took it into his mouth. Greedily, he swallowed inch after inch, savoring his taste, enjoying how it stretched his mouth because of its size. He lowered his head over it as much as he could and then sucked upward, letting it slide out. At the head, he kept hold and sucked harder, biting down with the roof of his mouth rather than his teeth. Blaine would feel the pressure without the pain or injury. His captive squirmed and made small noises like he tried to smother his groans. Gamble didn’t let up. He couldn’t, especially with his own 22

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cock straining against his pants. The space was limited when he wasn’t hard. Getting excited like he was now made it impossible to stay dressed. While he took Blaine’s cock in his hands and ran his lips and tongue along the sides, he reached down and unzipped his pants. Having no underwear under them, he sprang free, stiff and long. Gamble swallowed Blaine’s dick again and groaned as he pumped his mouth up and down the length. He drew back and teased the opening at the top while watching the other shifter. “You want me to stop?” “I don’t want you,” was the response. Gamble raised an eyebrow. He sucked Blaine in a fast rhythm. The man’s hips came up off the bed, pushing his dick into Gamble’s mouth. His balls tightened, and he could no longer hide the fact that he liked what Gamble was doing. His groans bounced off the walls, encouraging Gamble to keep it up. On and on he pulled on Blaine’s shaft, letting the head pop from his mouth only to stuff it back in. When he knew Blaine’s orgasm was close, he concentrated on the part most sensitive—the head. Seconds later, come spurted into his mouth, and he gladly drank it down. “Bastard,” Blaine spat. Gamble laughed and sat up. He climbed on top of his prisoner and straddled him. Their cocks lay together, and he was pleased to see Blaine’s eyes widen at his length and girth. “Bet you’d love to have this in you, wouldn’t you?” Gamble asked. “You’d love to get it in me.” Gamble lay flat so their chests met. He almost came feeling Blaine’s tiny nipples on his own. He ran his hands down Blaine’s arms and kissed his lips. At first Blaine turned his head, but Gamble followed him and covered his mouth. He pushed his tongue inside the wet warmth and lost his train of thought to the pleasure. His breathing ragged, he lay still with his nose beside Blaine’s, their lips just touching. This time the other man didn’t turn away. “I’m going to put my cock in your ass,” he whispered. Between them Blaine’s shaft twitched. He didn’t have to look to know that it had gotten hard again. All he had to do was rub against Blaine and he’d come. That’s 23

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how badly he needed it right now. “I’m going to take you over and over until you beg me to stop.” Blaine sneered. “Like hell I will. I told you, I’ve taken bigger men than you.” Jealousy reared its ugly head once again. Gamble jerked Blaine’s hips up to him so he could reach underneath to the hard ass. He felt his way to Blaine’s crack and pushed a finger to his hole back there. “Prove it.” Blaine was about to say something when the scrape of the door opening distracted them both. Gamble didn’t have a chance to turn around before several points of pain broke out on his back. They’d tranquilized him. Men rushed into the room and dragged Gamble back. He fought, but with each movement his strength waned. He wanted to keep his eyes on Blaine, but the room grew blurry. “Oh damn, I’m sorry, Blaine,” someone said. “Go get Corey now!” The last thing Gamble thought before he blacked out was they were calling for the Alpha, and that man would be the one to touch Blaine, removing all memory of what happened here. He didn’t want that. He wouldn’t give up Blaine to anyone.

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Chapter Four Blaine sat with his hands over his face and saying nothing. Could this situation be anymore embarrassing? He didn’t think so, not when half a dozen guards came into the cell only to find him on his back naked and the prisoner on top of him. He had to be grateful for small favors like the fact that they hadn’t come in a moment earlier and found him coming in the man’s mouth. He groaned and raked his hands through his hair. They had to guess though, didn’t they? He was still hard when they dragged Gamble off him, and he hadn’t been fighting when the man kissed him. At the least, he could have bitten his tongue off when he stuck it in his mouth. But Blaine hadn’t wanted that. From Gamble’s first touch, Blaine was hooked. He had never in his life enjoyed a man sucking him off like he did with Gamble. And his dumbass body still wanted more—a lot more. But Gamble was the enemy. His expression said it all as he fell into unconsciousness. First chance Gamble got, he would murder them all, Blaine included. He could never have this sexy man, could never enjoy the pleasure/pain of having Gamble put that massive cock into his rear. Blaine licked his lips and kicked himself mentally for thinking about it while Corey sat in front of him behind his desk and Devin stood at the window, arms folded over his chest. They wanted an explanation of what happened, and he couldn’t give them one. Not anything satisfactory. “So,” Devin began, “instead of taming this beast, you let him take you captive and rape you.” “He didn’t rape me,” Blaine shouted and jumped to his feet. Corey cast Devin a look and focused back on Blaine. “Okay, calm down. Devin, you stay out of it. Tell us what happened, Blaine.” Blaine sighed and sank into his chair. “I was going in there to talk to him. Nothing happened.” He glowered at Devin. “Except that he got the better of me and thought it would be great to humiliate me by taking my clothes off. That’s all.”

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He wouldn’t tell them about the blowjob and certainly not how good it was. Technically, yeah, that bastard had forced it on him, but from the second he rubbed up against Blaine at the door, Blaine had wanted him just as badly. He couldn’t fully blame Gamble for letting the beast have his way. Devin narrowed his eyes at him and shifted his shoulders up and down. “I don’t know. You do like your lovers bigger than you. Maybe you liked being tied down. We’ll have to remember that the next time you’re at the cabin.” Blaine gave him the finger, and then he realized what Devin had said. The next time? They’d had fun, and both Devin and Corey took turns sucking his cock and taking him from behind. Their sex drives had no off button. But none of that compared to the few minutes he’d had with Gamble. He didn’t know if it was because the bond Devin and Corey shared was absent so he didn’t feel like an outsider brought in. In that cell, it had been just him and Gamble, and there was still the problem of how he felt about Gamble, like he was important to his life. The connection had intensified with their first kiss, but Gamble was still oblivious. He just wanted to get himself off, and he was still hung up on his Alpha. When Blaine realized they’d had a relationship and it had been more than just sex on Gamble’s part, he admitted if only to himself that he was jealous. He could never replace an Alpha, and what would Devin and Corey say if they knew that it was Gamble who beat Devin? This was a no-win situation. When Gamble first admitted what happened, he did feel like ripping the guy apart. But the other emotions Gamble stirred in him resurfaced. He could no more hurt Gamble than he could stop being a shifter. “I feel like there’s something you’re keeping from me,” Corey said, staring at him. His face didn’t hold anger, but his patience was wearing thin. “He told me something,” Blaine said, tapping his fingers on the heavy wooden desk. He didn’t meet their eyes. Corey was fiercely protective of Devin since the incident. Telling him might mean Gamble’s death. After 26

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all, Corey had promised to kill anyone who laid a hand on his mate. He said…He told me he was the one who beat Devin.” Corey gasped. “What did you say?” Blaine couldn’t repeat it, but it was enough for Devin. He stormed across the room and slammed a fist on the desk. “You’re telling me that bastard that we’ve been feeding all this time and housing is the one that did that? He’s dead.” “No!” Blaine stood up. They widened their eyes at him. “I mean…” Corey came around the desk and squeezed Devin’s shoulder. They kissed, filling Blaine with longing. “What else?” Corey insisted when he faced him again. “I want him.” “You want him?” Corey said in disbelief. Devin was about to speak, but Corey cut him off. “You don’t want me to kill the man responsible for almost taking my mate away from me permanently because you want to have sex with him? Am I understanding you right, Blaine?” Blaine rotated his shoulders, aware of a knot that felt like someone had slugged him in the back. He put some distance between himself and his leaders in case they wanted to practice wringing a neck starting with his. The window where Devin had been seemed like a safe spot, so he moved there and looked out over the grounds. The swaying trees in the afternoon air called to him to come and run. He couldn’t blame Gamble for wanting to stay in the wild. There were fewer complications. If they were as wild as their ancestors, Devin and Gamble could fight it out, and then it would be over. Devin would lose. He swore at the realization that he’d just sided with the enemy even if it was only in his head. “Before you both blow a gasket, let me say this,” he began. “I don’t believe he’s my mate. There’s no reaction on his part except for wanting to make me look like an idiot. But I have these feelings.” “Feelings,” Corey repeated. “Yeah, like…you know…like he’s the one.”

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“The one!” Devin barked. “He’s not your mate, but he’s the one. They’re one and the same, or didn’t you know that?” “I know,” Blaine snapped. Corey explained it. “If both sides don’t feel it, then they’re not mated. I don’t mind telling you, Blaine, that I’m not happy. I want to go down there and end this guy for touching Devin. But you’re my best friend. Right now, I want more than anything for you to find your one and be happy.” “I want your ass on a platter for not spitting this out the second you knew,” Devin added. Both Blaine and Corey gave him a look that said not helpful. Devin frowned, but he deferred to Corey. Blaine waited in silence for his leader to tell him the verdict. He needed a little more time, although he had no idea how to approach Gamble again. That he wasn’t going to look bad in front of the men was a given. “Seventy-two hours,” Corey announced. “That’s how long you have to get Gamble to confirm or deny that he’s your mate, and trust me, I’m going to want proof of the connection. If it doesn’t happen in that time, I will kill him. Is that acceptable?” What choice did he have? “Yeah, that’s fine.” After further discussion about his plans for reaching the others, Blaine got out of there. He felt helpless. How did a man reach his mate when his mate was half out of his head with revenge and hate? And he could be wrong. This could be a matter of lust. Devin was right. He did like his lover bigger, and while Blaine had never been tied up before, he couldn’t believe how hot it was. He’d been ready to come from the moment he pulled at the bonds and knew he couldn’t get away. Sure he could have shifted and torn the sheets to shreds, but he hadn’t wanted to. As he walked down the path leading from Corey’s office, he recalled the feel of Gamble’s mouth wrapped around his erection. He grew hard just thinking about. He wanted more. Even if it turned out Gamble wasn’t his mate, at least he’d have had the best sex of his life. And that’s what it boiled down to. He needed to go all the way with him, at a time when 28

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there were no interruptions. If they were mates, they would bond after sex, and there would be no denying it. “Hey, Blaine.” He turned to see Jeff, the man who he sometimes went into town with to drink and pick up women. Well, Jeff picked up women, and Blaine could always find a man. He nodded to his friend. “Hey, what are up to?” Jeff shrugged. “A few of us are going to Pete’s tonight. You in?” Pete’s was short for Pete’s Bar and Grill. They played country music, straw and peanut shells covered the floor, and in the back was a room for pool and a room for riding a mechanical bull. Blaine checked his watch. The day was far spent, but not late enough for the switchover to light guard duty at the lockup. He’d go crazy if he sat around waiting. Better to pass the time doing something. “Yeah, I’m in. When are you leaving?” “Couple hours.” Blaine agreed to be ready and walked on. By the time he’d taken care of some other business that was a part of his duties and had gone back to his cabin to shower and change, it was time to meet the others at the main gate. He took his truck since he wanted to be able to leave when he was ready to go. Jeff hopped into his truck, and they headed down to the bar. The minute he entered the place, Blaine ordered a beer and took it to the back of the bar where a few men had games of pool going on. He leaned against the wall while drinking and watching. “Hey, you looking for a little fun?” a man asked approaching him. Blaine gave him a once over. Tall, good build. He wasn’t Blaine’s type as he seemed soft. Blaine liked his men hard and rough. Devin had been exactly what he liked, but he’d ended up being Corey’s mate. He sighed thinking about it. When he didn’t answer, the guy sidled up close. He bobbed his head to some tune Blaine had heard before but didn’t know the words to. Blaine took a swig from his drink. The guy came closer. Now Blaine could feel his cock against his thigh. He had a hard-on, and Blaine got a little worked up. 29

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He looked at the man trying so hard to get his attention. He supposed they all had a type of gaydar. Blaine didn’t carry himself in a way to give away his sexual orientation. Not that he was ashamed of it. He was what he was. “What are you offering?” Blaine asked, not really interested but wanting to pass the time. The man smiled and tilted his head to the side. The movement turned Blaine off. “I don’t know. Whatever you are, I guess. I’ve always wanted to get with your kind. I never got lucky before tonight.” Blaine narrowed his eyes at him. “My kind. What do you mean by that?” He pressed in closer. Blaine resisted shoving him away. “You know, fenrir shifters. I ran with a pack of them for a little while. You might know them. They’re the group that came up against your people about a month back, captured your Alpha and all?” Blaine gritted his teeth, which had sharpened on hearing the man’s admission. “You’re one of them?” He didn’t know why he asked considering one whiff told him the man was not a fenrir. He was a shifter all right, but not a wolf. What he was didn’t interest Blaine at the moment, but rather what he said. He reached out and took the man by the shirtfront and dragged him closer. With his head bent toward him, anyone watching might think he’d found his bed partner for the night. “Well?” he demanded. The guy began to shake, but he didn’t struggle to get out of Blaine’s hold. Maybe he liked it. “No, no. I’m not one of them. Like I said, I ran with them for a while. I don’t have my own pack. We…uh…my kind don’t run in packs. We’re loners. Anyway, I was with them for a little while, and if you need to know anything about them, I can tell you.” His expression was hopeful. Blaine let him go and half turned away. He did want to know, but he wasn’t going to let this weakling know. Shrugging, he brought his beer to his lips and took a long swallow. “Why would I give a fuck? We killed off most of them.” “Bet you didn’t kill Gamble,” the man said with a grin. Blaine stiffened. He feigned ignorance. “Gamble?” 30

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The man brought his hand up and rested it on Blaine’s chest. He traced his fingertip over the material of Blaine’s shirt until he located his nipple and began to circle it, teasing every once in a while. “Yeah, Gamble. He’s a big one, and gay too. Or I guess he was since he was always on top of their Alpha.” Blaine gritted his teeth. Jealousy choked him until he wanted to plant his fist in the man’s face. He wrestled himself for control. Even without Blaine saying a word, the man must be in the mood to talk, so he kept on. “Gamble was obsessed with him, or at least in love. And everybody but him could tell that the leader was just using him for sex. He wasn’t going to make Gamble his second or acknowledge him as his mate.” Despite himself, Blaine asked, “Why’s that?” “Because as powerful as Gamble was, he would then be considered one of the Alphas, and he was strong enough to take over completely. Word has it that the leader killed his mate in the past in a battle for leadership of the pack. Can you imagine that? I would have said that’s impossible, that a person could never kill their own mate—like it’s a physical and emotional impossibility. Know what I mean?” Blaine did know what he meant. He’d felt he didn’t have it in him to hurt Gamble because he saw him as his mate, but did Gamble feel the same? He was sure of nothing regarding the other man. He’d never even heard of a wolf shifter denying the bond between mates. “Anyway,” the man said, “Gamble obsessed over his lover to the point that he’d do whatever he wanted. He’d kill for him. Gamble did all the dirty work, an obedient little pup if ever you saw one.” He chuckled. “I should say big, dumb pup, I guess.” At that insult, Blaine drove his fist into the man’s mouth and knocked him on the floor. He howled in pain and spat out blood. Several of his friends went on alert, but Blaine shook his head. They settled into whatever they’d been doing. None of the humans approached. They might not know what Blaine and his kind were, but they knew not to fuck with them.

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Blaine leaned over the man on the floor and tossed him a tissue. “I’d watch what I say out of my mouth from now on if I were you.” He stepped over the trembling man and headed over to Jeff. “I’m going back. Not in the mood after all. I’ll talk to you later.” Jeff rested a hand on his shoulder. “Okay, bud, I’ll catch a ride with one of the others. That is, if I decide to come back tonight.” He winked and pulled the woman who stood beside him onto his lap. She laughed when she shoved his hat off his head and ran her fingers through his hair. Jeff buried his face in her deep cleavage. Blaine turned away. Women meant nothing to him, but now he had to worry more about Gamble. If they mated, would Gamble ever turn on him? Did his ambitions go as deep as his former leader’s? And even if they did mate, how would that change the fact that he hated Blaine’s people for the loss of his lover? He drove back to the homestead and parked outside of his cabin. His watch said nine, but he wanted to wait until at least eleven before he headed down to where Gamble was. Most likely one guard would be on duty just to keep an eye out. He would wait until the man checked the grounds and then slip in. With any luck, Gamble wouldn’t get violent, and Blaine would have a chance to talk to him more. Then…well, then he’d see what happened if they mated.

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Chapter Five Just the thought of mating with Gamble turned Blaine on. When he got back to his place, he walked in and headed to the bedroom. Another shower and he’d lay down for a bit. The next time Blaine opened his eyes, it was after midnight. He swore and sat up rubbing sleep from his eyes. One hour later than he had intended wouldn’t make a difference, so he headed to lockdown. The night was still and quiet. In the distance, the sound of howling reached him, and he glanced toward the sky. A full moon. He grinned not believing that he could have forgotten. On a night like this, most of his people were randy. If there was sex to be had, they went at it. Knowing he was right, he wasn’t surprised when he heard grunting near the building where they held Gamble. Blaine breathed in deep. The scent of the person he picked up was one of the guards, although he was surprised by the identity of the woman the man was with. He wondered if Devin knew his twin was out here at midnight riding a man’s cock. Not so much of a mouse when lust hit, Blaine guessed. The inside of the building was quiet. He moved past the first three doors of the other prisoners, caring only about reaching Gamble. He paused to listen to the sounds of the night. The guard was too excited to pick up his scent in the area. He was glad for small favors. Blaine listened outside Gamble’s cell. He opened the small slot in the door and peered in. Gamble crouched in the corner watching him. The dim light shining in from the windows behind Blaine reflected in his eyes, making them appear to glow in the dark. “Stay there. Don’t move,” Blaine said. He closed the slot and then opened the door. The fact that a combination lock had been put on the door, one that was accessed on either side, was a good thing. He couldn’t take keys into the cell with him, yet he’d be able to get out when he was ready. Blaine stepped inside and let the door close behind him. He listened for the lock to slide into place.

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“I smelled you coming a mile off,” Gamble said, resentment in his tone. Blaine studied him. He wore no shirt or shoes, only pants. And he could pretend he didn’t want Blaine there, but the erection he already sported said otherwise. Even wild, or because of it, Gamble could not deny the call to physical gratification tonight of all nights. Blaine approached the bed, keeping a careful eye on Gamble. While the room was darker now that he’d shut off most of the light outside, he could see just fine. Gamble rested one hand on the back of the bed, exposing his side. Blaine gasped at the marks on his skin and rushed over to him. “Who the hell did this?” he demanded. Gamble shrugged. “You can thank your guards for that.” “They were not given commands to beat,” he ground out, hating the thought of someone hurting Gamble. “I’m not some weak pup that I’ll cry over a few scratches,” Gamble assured him. “Besides, he got some time off work for his pains.” “Meaning?” “Meaning I tried to rip his arm off to beat him with it.” Blaine frowned at him and then went back to his side. “I should get something to clean this up.” Gamble pulled his hands away from his injury and forced Blaine to look into his eyes. “Why are you here?” “You know why I’m here.” Gamble stared at him for a few minutes. They were mere inches apart. Gamble stood in the same position he’d found him, and Blaine knelt with one leg on the bed. The blood rushed in his ears, and he felt his heart trying to leap out of his chest. If nothing else, this man excited him. For him to die, even if he wasn’t his mate, was a horrible loss. Gamble kissed him, pushing his tongue into Blaine’s mouth. The kiss was a punishing one, meant to hurt him or make him run. Blaine wasn’t giving in. He gave as good as he got, pushing back against Gamble and exploring his chest with his hands. 34

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“I could snap you in half,” Gamble whispered between hungry nips. “Don’t underestimate me,” Blaine shot back. Blaine ended up on the bed with Gamble over him. His groin rubbed into Blaine’s. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of this man’s body on his. Gamble pushed a thigh between Blaine’s and brought his knee up. The twinkle in his eye seemed to dare Blaine to fight. He didn’t need to. “So you want me to fuck you, is that it?” Gamble asked. “Before your people kill me?” Blaine gasped. How could he know what the plan was? They’d only just decided a few hours ago, and it wasn’t likely that either Corey or Devin had told him. At the confusion that must be reflected on his face, Gamble laughed and sat up. Blaine hated the loss of the heavy weight on top of him. He leaned up on his elbows. Gamble sat on his haunches quite content to ignore the erection behind the cargo pants. Blaine swore silently. He’d give anything to unsettle him and take back the control Gamble seemed to have. Just once to see him beg for Blaine. He almost laughed. This man was just short of all animal instinct. He’d never beg. He’d take what he wanted. That was what turned Blaine on the most. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Blaine lied. “We’ve kept you safe all this time. Why would we kill you now?” “Kept me safe?” Gamble laughed. “Don’t you mean kept your people safe from me?” “If that’s the case, all you have to do is stop being so aggressive and trying to fight, and then you can be free,” Blaine explained. “There are a few of your pack who live among us in peace.” Gamble’s eyes darkened and narrowed. “I have no desire to play nice with the likes of you. Anyway, the guards talk as if a shifter cannot hear them through the door. They taunt me with threats and say it’s official. My date for execution is in three days.” Blaine did all he could not to let his emotions show. So someone had overheard their discussion and ran their mouth. Corey would want to know. “I don’t know why they would say such a thing, but it’s obvious you’re going to play games rather than explore what we both desire.” 35

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He stood ready to leave and moved toward the door. Turning his back on Gamble was probably a mistake, but Blaine was disappointed. Gamble struck him as the kind of man who would spite his own needs to get back at an enemy even in the smallest way. If they were going to kill him, he wouldn’t give Blaine the satisfaction of having him before then. He took two steps before the bigger man was on him from behind. Gamble crushed him to his body with one massive arm and reached for his pants. Blaine gasped in surprise when Gamble lowered his zipper and pulled his cock out. He’d been wrong, and so glad he was as Gamble stroked his hard cock from bottom to top. Blaine rested his head back against Gamble’s chest and groaned. Gamble put a finger in the precome at the shaft tip and licked it off. He didn’t stay away for long though. His pumping was bringing Blaine to a climax fast. “Turn your head,” Gamble commanded. Blaine did and tilted it upward for them to kiss. He lost himself in the feel of Gamble’s mouth on his and his hand squeezing and tugging on his cock. Gamble crushed his mouth, punishing him. Blaine could do nothing but surrender in bliss. Before long, he came hard, gasping and grunting. Gamble released him and returned to the bed. He lay down on his back with his hands behind his head. “Come over here and suck me.” Blaine frowned. “You’ve forgotten that I don’t answer your commands.” “Suck me,” Gamble repeated like Blaine hadn’t just refused. Blaine cursed at him, and they stood there having a stare-off. He felt himself losing because he did want to taste Gamble. He’d not had the chance before, and this might lead to more. How he hoped so. One time. He could give in one time, and then get his way in the end. He dropped to his knees and unbuttoned Gamble’s pants. When his cock came into view, Blaine swallowed, eyes widening. His cock was fatter than Devin’s, and it would, without question, hurt like hell getting up his ass, but he’d gone hard just seeing it. Blaine didn’t concentrate on the shaft right off. He started at Gamble’s thigh and kissed the corded muscle he found there. Gamble’s skin was 36

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smooth and hairless, to his surprise. He smelled of soap. He wondered just how many men it took to hold him in the shower so he wouldn’t escape. Blaine imagined all of them soaking wet, struggling together. Their muscles must have glistened with moisture. Jealousy rose in him thinking that they got to see this sexy body every day and got to wash it. Did they touch Gamble’s dick? No, he couldn’t think about that, or he’d go nuts. Better to enjoy the fact that he had it in his hands right now and could taste at his leisure. Blaine pushed the bulbous head past his lips and gave a suck like a lollipop. He pulled the thick cock from his mouth and ran his tongue all over it, concentrating on the head. Tangy, salty precome coated his tongue, and he went back for more. He squeezed the base and pumped upward while he dragged on the head. Above him, Gamble grunted his pleasure rather than let himself moan. Blaine did enough moaning for the both of them. He’d never had a man that tasted so good, even if he couldn’t get more than Gamble’s cap into his mouth. When Gamble’s balls rose and tightened, Gamble pulled himself out of Blaine’s mouth. “Do you have lubricant?” Knowing what that meant, Blaine pulled it from his pocket. Butterflies formed in his gut knowing what he was in for. “Turn over,” Gamble instructed. Again, he didn’t bother refusing command. This was what he wanted. He needed to know one way or another if Gamble was his mate, and he’d know that when Gamble came inside of him. Blaine stood up and shed his clothes in seconds. He knelt down on the edge of the bed and used the cream to prep his hole. Just using a finger to push into his anus got him excited. He worked it in and out a few times before adding another finger. Gamble seemed to get tired of waiting doing nothing. He shoved Blaine’s hands aside and creamed his own fingers. Blaine almost collapsed from the first invasion of his lover’s digits. He pumped his hips and squeezed his ass tight so he could feel more. He knotted his fingers in the sheets when Gamble kissed and licked his ass. He worked his way up over Blaine and laid his head on his back. 37

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Blaine would never have thought Gamble could be so gentle with his intimacy, but that thought faded the moment Gamble began hand fucking him hard and fast. Blaine grunted and clenched his teeth. Gamble had gone to four fingers inside him. “Damn it, you don’t have to do it that rough.” “If you can’t take this,” came the cruel reply, “you’ll never take my dick. Do you want it? Or not?” “Yes!” Blaine shouted as his anus stretched and gave around Gamble’s thrust. “I want it now. Give it to me.” Gamble stopped right away and added more lubricant to Blaine’s already sore ass. He braced himself with his eyes closed. He breathed through his nose and willed himself to stay calm. He’d had bigger men then himself. This shouldn’t be a big deal. Gamble’s dick head eased into his hole. Blaine lost his stance and almost fell over, but his lover caught him in a tight grip around his waist. He winced against the pain but said nothing as Gamble pushed farther in. They went slow, Blaine trying his best to keep himself at an angle to take all of his lover. He’d never been so full. He tried stroking his own cock, but he didn’t have the strength. He was at Gamble’s mercy, but that bastard had none. Gamble began to pump in an out until Blaine’s muscles gave and let him in with ease. The ache decreased, and Blaine’s mind and body were overwhelmed with pleasure. The feeling was almost tormenting. He hung from Gamble’s hold as Gamble thumped into his ass. The sound of their bodies slapping together added to his bliss. Gamble’s balls bounced against that small stretch of skin between his ass and his own balls. He loved every touch. He couldn’t get enough. “Ah, yes, yes,” he moaned. “Don’t stop, Gamble.” Gamble growled low in his throat and thrust harder. Blaine’s head spun. He could come just like this, but the orgasm held off, keeping him in suspended animation, teasing him but not letting him fall. “Do you want to be my bitch?” Gamble muttered.

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Blaine clenched his jaw. He was nobody’s bitch. His fingers clawed, and he tore the sheets under him. If he thought he had control, he was wrong. Gamble had released his waist only to hold him at both hips to drive his erection into Blaine. His back arched, ass surrendered, Blaine had to admit he belonged to Gamble as long as he wanted him. “I’m not giving in to you,” Blaine said, though he heard the weakness in his own voice. “You’ve already given in.” Gamble leaned down and reached under Blaine. One squeeze and stroke, and Blaine emptied himself into Gamble’s hand. When he was done. Gamble sat up and pounded faster. His sharp intake of breath told Blaine he was close, but instead of coming in Blaine as he expected, Gamble jerked out of him and shot his thick cream across Blaine’s back. Blaine’s mouth fell open in shock. He spun around. “What are you doing?” Gamble’s expression was impassive. “I’m done with you for the night. Get out.” “B-But you should have…” he began. Gamble was already cleaning himself off and slipping back into his pants. Blaine could argue all night, but that would only make him look desperate. Gamble knew what he was doing. He’d deliberately not come inside Blaine. He knew there was a chance that they would be mated if he did, and that meant he’d rejected Blaine. Without a word, Blaine bent to pick up his clothes and boots and walked to the door. He half expected Gamble to jump him and force his way out. If he did, with the condition Blaine’s heart and his weakened body was in, Gamble would have made it. But Gamble stayed where he was, perched on the edge of the bed with his arm behind his head. He didn’t give a damn either way. Blaine walked back to his cabin and dropped his clothes on the floor. He stepped into the shower even though the water hadn’t warmed up enough yet. Nothing penetrated the hurt he felt. Whether Gamble and he belonged together or not, he pathetically longed to be with him. Even after 39

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that meanness Gamble had subjected him to. He pounded a fist on the shower wall as water ran down his face and over his body. He reduced the cold water, and soon the tepid warmth turned to hot. The sting on his skin distracted him just a little from his broken heart.

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Chapter Six Why had he done that, Gamble wondered. Why did he hurt Blaine? Especially since now he knew that by hurting him he’d hurt himself. The truth was he wanted to be with Blaine, even if they weren’t mated, he wanted more of him and to keep him close at all times. The only other man he’d felt that way about was his Alpha. They weren’t mates, but Gamble had loved him. He’d promised himself that he would kill all of these people in retribution for taking him away, but that would hurt Blaine. Gamble slammed his fist against the wall, cracking the plaster. This situation was too complicated. They’d never accept him, and he couldn’t turn his back on what they’d done. He growled and paced the small room. Tangling his fingers in his hair and tugging did nothing to ease his torment. “Blaine, Blaine, Blaine,” he chanted. Gamble came to a decision. He’d bide his time and then make a last desperate attempt at escape. After all, he had nothing to lose. They were going to kill him. A chance would present itself before then. The morning came, and he stayed in his corner when the guard opened the door. He didn’t fight when they took him to the shower. Not yet. Too many of them surrounded him, and they had no problem using the tranquilizer gun, which pissed him off. “I don’t know why you’re bothering to behave,” the guard said when they’d brought him back to his cell. “Like I told you, you have three days—oops, two now.” He chuckled. “Enjoy the other side. If you see Fenrir, say hi for me.” The door slammed shut. A short while later, the middle compartment opened for his food to be slipped in. Gamble took it and the verbal abuse without a word. When Blaine came again, Gamble jumped on him. He kissed his neck and pressed close while running his hands all over the man. Like the night before, he refused to come inside of Blaine. If they were mates and he claimed Blaine in that way, he’d be lost without 41

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Gamble. This way, they could enjoy a few nights of sexual bliss, and then Gamble could leave forever. Blaine could find another lover. The thought of that was too much to deal with, so he buried it. Besides, having Blaine under him was all he needed at the moment. With the lights off and the night quiet, Gamble stretched naked over Blaine. A sheet rested over his hips, and his legs and Blaine’s were tangled together. He enjoyed the feel of Blaine’s dick pressed against his as he lay on top of his lover. They remained still while they caught their breath from the last round of sex. “I guess you want me to leave now,” Blaine said, anger in his tone. Gamble didn’t move or say a word. So far tonight, he’d been quiet, not responding to his lover’s attempt at conversation. If he dared say anything, he thought he’d give himself away, so he didn’t risk it. Blaine shifted. Their cock heads brushing made Gamble harder. He put a hand at Blaine’s hip to keep him still. “You’re just going to ignore me all night?” Blaine demanded. Gamble said nothing. Blaine tried again. “I guess you were in love with your Alpha?” That got Gamble’s attention. Was he jealous? He leaned up to look into Blaine’s eyes, and he was sure he saw it there. One part of him wanted to reassure Blaine he had nothing anymore to be jealous of. What Gamble had felt for his leader was not even on the same scale with what he felt for this man. On the other hand, he wanted to keep Blaine in the dark about him. He didn’t want him to push harder for them to mate. If Blaine only knew, Gamble would kill for him, do anything to protect him. If he knew that, he’d figure out that they were mates, and nothing could keep them apart. That’s why Gamble had to hold him off. “I still love him,” he said. That was true somewhat. He loved his leader for what he’d been to him, but he was no longer in love with him. Blaine turned his head. The murder in his gaze was clear. He ground his teeth, which had sharpened to points. Gamble leaned down to run his tongue over them and then over Blaine’s lips. They kissed, hungrily and for a long time. Gamble reached down to grab hold of Blaine’s thigh, and 42

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he raised it to press into him. Blaine groaned. He arched his chest upward to Gamble. Gamble took the offering of his flat nipples and teased one with the tip of his tongue. Blaine moaned his name. The word tore at Gamble. He felt his resistance crumbling and fought with everything inside of him. Without even knowing it, Blaine had a hold on him. He raised a hand and touched Gamble’s cropped curls. A guard had cut his hair to spite him. The locks had gone half way down his back. Blaine seemed mesmerized by the rough look. “S-So you could never love me, I guess,” he said. In an instant, Gamble’s throat dried. He stared at Blaine and licked his lips. “That’s what you want? I told you, you can be my bitch at any time.” Blaine swore. “Stop fucking around! This is serious, and you know it.” Gamble tried to shut him up with a kiss, but Blaine wedged an arm between them. His strength was great, no match for Gamble’s, but still a turn on because he was one hundred percent man. He wasn’t weak. Gamble loved dominating his lover, but he preferred his lover to be able to give back to him almost as hard as he got. Blaine was exactly that and more. With Blaine fighting him all the way, Gamble got his lover over onto his stomach. He checked Blaine’s back entrance to see that it was still lubed enough for him to enter. With Blaine flat against the bed, Gamble drove into him. His cock was immediately surrounded by warm, tight walls. He forced Blaine’s arms above his head and locked their fingers together before he began pumping deep into him. Blaine gasped and bit off a cry. What Gamble had done didn’t hurt now that they’d done it several times just tonight, but the tight fit with his body straight was unbelievable. Gamble kissed his neck and nibbled his ear. They moved as one, shuddering and panting. Blaine’s ass curved into him drove his lust to new heights. Every push, every sensation of his cock gliding into that small hole drove him to the brink of madness. Their thighs were slick with

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sweat, but neither wanted to separate. While Blaine fought him, he knew his lover enjoyed everything that Gamble did to him. He leaned to the side a little, not much because he didn’t want his chest off of Blaine’s back. He moved just enough to be able to see his ass rise in the air and come down on Blaine, tightening as he pushed in. Each time his dick was seated all the way to the hilt, Blaine shuddered and groaned. He hadn’t said a word in a while, but the slight arch to his back causing his hips to rise up to meet Gamble’s thrust, the way he gripped Gamble’s fingers, it all spoke volumes. Gamble nuzzled his face in Blaine’s hair, memorized his scent for when they were apart. His lips moved, but he didn’t say it out loud. I love you. When he could no longer keep him there without declaring his feelings, Gamble dismissed Blaine. Like before, Blaine gathered his stuff in silence, his face stony. He left, and Gamble prepared for a life of darkness without him. **** Gamble had put them all down with tranquilizers. Payback was a bitch, and it had felt good to take out his captors. Of course, if he hadn’t been weakened by his feelings for Blaine, the bastards would be dead. Either way, he was free, and he could head out of town and put as much distance between this place and himself as he could. But there was one thing he couldn’t let go. He had to find the leader and see the man face to face that had killed his leader. He knew it was risky and that they might catch him again, but he had to try. Still, since the guards weren’t due to change shifts yet, he might have a few hours before they realized he’d gotten out. He shifted into his wolf form to track the leader. With any luck, he’d catch him alone. Knowing he was mated would make that difficult. He knew that if it were possible for him and Blaine to be together, he’d never let the man leave his side. 44

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Gamble threaded through the trees, avoiding the paths. He came out facing the building where the scent of the leader was strongest and frowned. This was one of the scents he picked up on Blaine, which meant Blaine had slept with his Alpha. Anger surged in Gamble. He didn’t want any other man touching Blaine, but he had no choice. When he was gone, Blaine would choose someone else. He shifted and approached the building, walked up the few steps, and entered. The Alpha sat behind his desk with his head bent over paperwork. Gamble gritted his teeth. “I should kill you now,” he announced. The man looked up calmly. He’d known Gamble was coming of course. “Do you really want to be here? You should be long gone, shouldn’t you? Today is the day I set to have you killed.” Gamble stalked across the room and brought his hands down hard on the desktop. His clawed fingers scraped the wood, leaving deep gouges, but he never took his eyes off of his prey. The man stood up, his eyes narrowed and teeth beginning to sharpen as he snarled at Gamble. “A life for a life,” Gamble told him. “You killed my leader, so I kill you.” “He hurt my mate, so I challenged him. He lost.” Gamble eyes widened. “You knew it wasn’t me who did it. I told Blaine intentionally so he would tell you. I wanted to force a confrontation.” The man walked around the desk to face Gamble head on. He respected the fact that he wasn’t afraid to die. “You think I’m a fool? Your scent wasn’t on him. Your Alpha’s was. He was the one who beat Devin, not you.” “If you knew that, why did you order my death?” All of a sudden the anger seemed to drain out of him. He remained alert but not wound tight as if he was ready to attack. “Why are you here?” “I asked you a question,” Gamble snapped. He went on as if Gamble hadn’t spoken, as if the first question was rhetorical. “Are you here for your former leader or for Blaine? If you’re

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here for a dead man, then I was wrong about you. But if you’re here for Blaine, then we have something to fight about.” Gamble blinked at him, not sure he followed. “What the hell are you talking about?” The door opened, and another man came in. He went on alert the second he spotted Gamble. Damn it, he was out of time. He’d played this whole thing out wrong. The second his paws hit the ground, he should have run and kept running. Swinging his gaze back and forth between the two men, he assessed whether he could take them both. Probably not, especially the bigger man who marched across the floor and stood slightly in front of the one he’d been arguing with. Gamble drew in a deep breath. This was the other scent. This man had also had Blaine. Hurt tore at his insides. Blaine is mine, and they deserve to die for touching him. He took a step toward them, but the damn door opened again. This time, it was Blaine. He stopped, seeing Gamble. Blaine looked from him to the other two and noticed the bigger man’s fingers clawed. He rushed over and pushed Blaine. Gamble growled and ripped Blaine away from him. “You don’t touch him!” he exploded. Every eye turned on him, and it pissed Gamble off that the leader’s gaze held amusement. “Just as I thought. You’re here to challenge me for sleeping with Blaine. Is that it?” Gamble clenched his jaw. He stared at Blaine. He hadn’t meant to see him again. Letting him go last night had been hard enough, near impossible. They hadn’t even claimed one another, and yet their bond had begun. Blaine turned to him. “Look, it was before you and I slept together, okay? It hasn’t happened since then.” He glanced between them. “I don’t want you to fight. Someone will die if that happens. Corey, isn’t it obvious even if we haven’t mated? He’s my one.” Gamble watched Blaine’s face redden. He ran fingers through his hair, tussling it and making himself even more irresistible. The fact grated on Gamble’s raw nerves. 46

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“I love him. I know our pasts are hard to look beyond, but I need him. Corey, Devin, please, don’t kill him.” “Don’t beg!” Gamble ground out. “You don’t owe them anything. You’re better than that.” Internally, he was falling apart hearing Blaine say he loved him. He longed to have Blaine looking at him when he said it, but Gamble was used to hiding what he felt deep inside. He knew he looked wild right now, caring only to rip something apart. “I had conditions, Blaine,” Corey said. “You’re out of time.” Blaine turned to him and stepped close. Gamble could do nothing but ball his hands into fists at his sides and look down at his lover. Blaine wore a long-sleeved shirt open at the collar by a few buttons. The peek at his hard chest reminded Gamble of what that entire body looked like naked. The fact that he himself didn’t wear a stitch showed one and all his reaction to Blaine. His cock rose and stiffened until it leaned out a little from his belly as if reaching for Blaine. “I’ll prove it right now,” Blaine said, resting a hand on his stomach. Gamble flinched at the touch. If his lover didn’t stop now, he would not be able to keep himself from taking him right here in front of the other two. “No.” He shook his head. “I’m not proving anything to them. I’m leaving here if I have to fight my way out.” Blaine lowered his lashes. His jaw tightened. Gamble couldn’t tell if the emotion he saw was hurt or anger. “So you won’t claim me, just like you haven’t over the last few days? Every time, you wouldn’t come in me. You don’t want me.” “You’re a fool,” Gamble snapped. “I’ve fucked you in every conceivable position. I get hard every time you walk in the door. You can’t say I don’t want you.” “It’s not enough. We haven’t mated—” “I owe them nothing!” Gamble shouted. “I will not prove—” “Prove it to me,” Blaine interrupted. “Prove to me that you love me. Mate with me, and I’ll fight by your side against…against everybody.” He stepped closer to Gamble until their bodies brushed, and he ran his hands over Gamble’s chest, planting small kisses there. When he looked up, 47

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Gamble was shocked to see wetness in his eyes. He’d always steeled himself against weakness, hated it in his lovers, and instinct told him Blaine was the same. Yet seeing his lover broken ripped Gamble apart. They kissed lightly, Gamble unable to push him away. Blaine spoke softly against his lips. A human wouldn’t have heard his words. “I need to know you love me more than him.” “That’s a given,” he blurted out and then was embarrassed. Hope bloomed in Blaine’s eyes, but he stood in silence. He could be tricking Gamble just to get what he wanted. They might have plotted together how to destroy him emotionally and then kill him after they’d finished the game. But no, he knew Blaine. He was sure of it. Blaine ached for him the same as he did Blaine. If he released inside of him, their bond would become more solid. Even now, it was so strong that his lover was willing to fight against his leader. Gamble understood that level of giving of oneself. He’d done it from will alone when his Alpha was alive, but Blaine was driven to it. Blaine was his one, and he was Blaine’s. He accepted it at last. “I love you,” Gamble admitted, “and I will prove it here and now.” He took hold of both sides of Blaine’s shirt and ripped them apart. Buttons flew, and gasps of surprise filled the room. Blaine’s attention didn’t waver from him. He leaned down and kissed along his lover’s chest, teasing his nipples with the tip of his tongue before he went back to Blaine’s lips. While devoured Blaine’s sexy mouth, he worked his way down to his pants and opened them with rough hands as well. Blaine didn’t protest once. When he was naked, Gamble pulled him close and bent his knees to bring his cock on a level with Blaine’s. They rubbed together, their erections stroking, precome on each tip mingling. Gamble drew in a shuddering breath and nipped his way down to Blaine’s throat. Blaine tipped his head back, giving Gamble greater access, and he didn’t hesitate to explore. Blaine’s scent was like a drug to him. He couldn’t get enough. Breathing him in took Gamble on a high he never wanted to come down from. 48

Touch My Wolf

Eden Cole

At first, he leaned Blaine against the desk and dropped down to take his cock into his mouth. Gamble swallowed as much as he could and licked along the sides. He kissed his sac and took each ball into his mouth to suck. Blaine squirmed and groaned. He tangled his fingers in Gamble’s hair, crying out his name. Gamble moved back to his dick and sucked hard on the head. Blaine’s thighs shook, and he gasped, as he was close to coming. But Gamble released him and stood up. He kissed away Blaine’s disappointment and made him turn around to face the desk. While Blaine leaned over the desk, ass in the air, Gamble turned a demanding look on the other two. Devin smirked and tossed him a small tube. Gamble nodded his thanks and opened it to grease his fingers. When he was done, he pushed three at once inside Blaine. Devin swore. “Don’t you want to go easy on him?” Now it was Gamble’s turn to smirk. He leaned back a little to give Devin a good look at his shaft. “He’s used to this, aren’t you, Blaine?” “Just put it in me now,” Blaine demanded. Gamble grinned. He worked Blaine’s hole a little more and then pushed his thick hard-on up his channel. Blaine shouted, “Yes, yes!” Gamble reached in front of him and laid a hand over Blaine’s crotch to protect him from banging into the desk, and he grasped his hip with the other hand. He began a slow grind, but as soon as Blaine was ready, he pounded into him. The slap of their bodies meeting filled the office. Blaine groaned his pleasure, while Gamble grunted his. Moisture pooled at Gamble’s temples and on his top lip. Wherever their skin met became slick, and still he ground deep into Blaine. He pumped faster and threw his head back with his eyes closed. There was nothing on earth like being connected to Blaine, both physically and mentally. He wanted to hold it until just past eternity, but his orgasm was coming fast. His core muscles all worked to push an overwhelming sensation where they came together. Gamble’s balls rose and squeezed tight. He couldn’t hold back. His come came shooting forward, and he felt it move along his cock to fill his lover’s ass. At the same time, his palm grew warm with Blaine’s release. 49

Touch My Wolf

Eden Cole

“Ah,” Gamble moaned. “I take you, Blaine, as my mate. For now and always.” “And I take you for my mate,” Blaine panted. Gamble flattened the man he loved on the desktop and lay on him. They found each other’s lips and sealed their merger as one with a kiss. “Blaine, Blaine,” he chanted, not meaning to say it aloud. Blaine clutched his hand, and Gamble sat up to lift him in his arms. A couch was situated in the corner, and Gamble took his mate over to it to sit him on his lap. They nuzzled together still kissing. Gamble hadn’t had nearly enough of Blaine’s hard, sexy body. He would need a few hours. Then…then he would go… Pain washed over him. He couldn’t take Blaine from his home and those he loved. His mate broke their kiss and rested his forehead on Gamble’s shoulder. After a few minutes he whispered in Gamble’s ears. “I will keep my promise. I’ll stay by you forever. If you make them your enemy, then they’ll be mine too.” “The opposite should also be true,” Corey said leaning against his desk, arms folded. Devin’s hand lay over Corey’s cock, stroking him through his pants. The man had no shame, and from the tents in both men’s pants, what Gamble and Blaine had done had affected them. “What are you talking about?” Gamble asked. He still had no love for them. “If you’re committed to Blaine, then you have no problem making me and my mate, and our people your people. This is Blaine’s home, and I’m sure you know how hard it is without a pack.” Gamble frowned. “I thought today was my day to die?” “You weren’t the one who hurt Devin. I have nothing against you,” Corey said simply. “But you touched Blaine.” “With his consent. We are his Alphas. We take care of our own, and he needed what we gave him. He’s got you now.” Gamble looked at Blaine, and he nodded. Gamble hesitated. Was he telling the truth? Would they back off of Blaine now that he had him? If 50

Touch My Wolf

Eden Cole

they touched him or even looked at him funny, Gamble would put them both down, one way or another. But could he really stay here and live among them? He searched his heart, still full of hate for Corey. Living without Blaine wasn’t an option either. “You know,” Devin interjected, “your bond isn’t complete. Maybe that’s why you’re still struggling with things.” Gamble glared at him, and Blaine turned beet red. “He’s right,” Corey agreed. “You need to both release inside each other to seal things.” Gamble put Blaine off his lap and stood up. Doubt clouded Blaine’s eyes for a moment, but then he narrowed his eyes and firmed his jaw. If Gamble thought of rejecting him, he had the feeling Blaine would knock him over the head and drag him off somewhere to finish the job himself. Gamble bit back a smile. “Am I right in thinking that it doesn’t have to be in front of you two?” he asked. Corey nodded. Gamble held out his hand to Blaine, and his mate took it and stood. “Then come on. We’ll do this in private. If you want to stay with these people, then that’s what we’ll do. They’ll become my allies and my pack.” “Are you sure?” Blaine asked. When he confirmed, Blaine tugged him toward the door. “Then let’s get out of here. Corey, Devin, I’m going to need a month off!” The door banged into the wall as they ran, shifting as they did to head into the mountains. Gamble’s paws pounded the ground behind his mate. Wherever Blaine went, that’s where he’d follow. In the end, there’d been give and take. He understood that Blaine needed the pack, but by leaving the confines of the homestead and heading into the wild, Gamble knew that Blaine realized what he needed as well. Blaine was everything, and the sorrow and anger Gamble had been carrying in his heart slipped away. The touch of his one had healed it all.

The End 51

TuÉâà à{x Tâà{ÉÜ Eden Cole is the author of several erotic works including male/male and ménage, and she has many more on the way. Please visit Risky Ink at riskyink.blogspot.com to find out more about her First Time Series of male/male novellas.