Heal My Wolf

[xtÄ `ç jÉÄy Copyright © September 2011, Eden Cole Cover art by Mina Carter © September 2011 Amira Press Charlotte, NC 28227 www.amirapress.com ISBN: 978-1-937394-05-9 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.

Heal My Wolf

Eden Cole

Chapter One Brandt pulled his car to the side of the road, a frown marring his face. He stepped out of the vehicle and slammed the door before peering at the map. Where the fuck was he? Corey knew he had little patience for wasting his time, and this mission was just that—a waste. Why would the pack ever consider buying ground this far north? The temperature had dropped a good thirty degrees since he started out this morning, and it wasn’t looking good for warmer whether as the day wore on. He ran a hand over his brow and squinted at the narrow road that led up and up. In the distance between the trees, he could just see snowcapped mountains and ground his teeth. Just above him, the clouds had grown heavy, and if he didn’t miss his guess, they’d open up before long. He had to make it to his destination or risk treacherous driving. He crumpled the useless map and tossed it on the front seat. He was about to fold in after it when something from the corner of his eye caught his attention. An animal darting from the forest set Brandt’s inner wolf to alert. A growl rumbled up from his throat when he recognized the beast as a domestic cat. One of the biggest he’d ever seen in his life. The feline was easily the size of a medium height dog, and its fur was long and golden mixed with a deeper bronze. Brandt expected the ears to flatten against the animal’s head and a wary hiss when it saw him, but the cat stopped moving and just stared at him. “Don’t worry. I’m in too much of a hurry to chase with you, although it might be fun.” Brandt found his mood had lightened up a little, and he chuckled. “You’re good for something, huh?” He climbed back into his vehicle and drove down the empty road. Looking through his rearview mirror, he caught sight again of the cat. This time it was directly in the road, and its mewl seemed like a warning. Brandt shook his head. He must be more tired than he thought. An hour down the road, and he realized he’d made a wrong turn somewhere. Brandt whipped his SUV around and headed back the other way. While he drove with one hand, he searched around in his duffel bag 1

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for his phone. Why the hell he’d put it there instead of tucking it in his jeans, he didn’t know. More frustration, he decided. Huge plops of water began splashing on his windshield. “Just great,” he muttered, pissed. The happier mood the cat had influenced began to fade—along with his visibility. The storm came suddenly and intensified just as fast. Brandt hiked the wipers up to full speed and leaned forward in his seat. The rolling water had to be another figment of his imagination. That is until it swept his vehicle off the road. The SUV’s tires found no purchase in the mud, and still the water carried him along. He could at least be happy he was on slippery if not exactly solid ground, but in the next instant even that was gone. The SUV tumbled into nothingness, and the all windows by that time were coated with debris and mud. An impact he couldn’t see slammed into the driverside door and crunched the bones in his arm. He grunted in pain. Another impact, this time from the front, and he was jerked forward to crack his forehead on the steering wheel. After that, he remembered nothing. **** Brandt opened his eyes to a raging headache, but at least the light was low. Being a wolf shifter, he didn’t have to strain to see in the darkened room. The furnishings were rustic, including the bare necessities of a bed, a table with two chairs, and a small kitchenette area. A fire raged in the fireplace although there were vents on the ceiling indicating the place had central heating. He lay on the bed, and from the look of him, someone had removed his boots and clothes. They’d also dressed his crushed arm. He frowned. The crack of the bones had been audible. Not likely that the soft bandaging would do much. The front door opened, and cold air swept in along with a few droplets of rain. He shivered. The man who entered rushed to shut the door again. “I’m sorry. Here let me fix your blankets.”

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He came over to tuck Brandt more securely beneath the covers, and for some reason Brandt squirmed. Of course he didn’t like being on his back ill, but it was more than that. The man unsettled him. “How did I get here?” he asked. Calm golden eyes met his. “I brought you.” The man turned and dug into the duffel he’d carried in. “I didn’t have anything here to eat, so I went out to borrow some food. I’ll have some warm soup for you soon.” When he stood up and headed over to the kitchen, Brandt couldn’t help watching him go. Long, weatherworn fingers moved with precision as he prepared the soup. Chunks of vegetables and meat went from a container to a small pan and then were heated on the stove. “I did warn you the storm was coming,” the man continued. Brandt narrowed his eyes. He found it interesting that the man didn’t turn on the lights while he worked. Brandt could see him fine, but he should be stumbling around. “When did I see you?” he asked. He would have remembered, if not the wiry build and too-long bronze hair, then the golden eyes. The man looked up from his task and smiled. Brandt’s mood lightened a little, and his headache became a bit more tolerable. “I was the cat,” the man said in a matter of fact tone. Brandt’s jaw dropped. “You…a cat…?” he stuttered. “Yes, I’m like you. You’re a shifter, right?” He frowned. “How did you know that?” The man shrugged. “When you grew canine teeth and tried to bite me while I was healing your arm.” “Oh, I uh, sorry about that.” Brandt put a hand to his arm expecting intense pain and found little. “I heard it break. You know it should have been set. I heal fast, but this seemed more severe.” “It was.” The man stepped over to the bed and pulled up a chair. He sat down and held the bowl of soup on his lap. “As I said, I healed your arm—as much as I could. I’m Tyr by the way.” “Tyr,” Brandt repeated. The name was a Norse one, he recognized. His people, the fenrir wolves were descendents of the Norse god Fenrir. That 3

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was one point in favor for this shifter, but a cat of all things. Maybe that was what made him antsy. “A cat out here?” Tyr grinned. “Yeah, we’re a small group. Not more than twenty. We drifted in from all over, but we’re essentially forest cats. Do you know your Norse mythology?” “As much as the next man.” Tyr laughed. Brandt wanted to keep that smile on his face, which of course irked him. “What of it? I know your name is Norse but…” “It is said that the Norse goddess Freya had her chariot pulled by Norwegian forest cats. Bigger than the average house cat, they were given to her by Thor. It’s also known that Vikings kept cats as pets.” Tyr’s cheeks turned pink, and Brandt was hard-pressed to ignore the draw he felt to this strange man. “We don’t share that part much. I didn’t mean to go so far.” Brandt lowered his gaze to Tyr’s hands. They were strong, yet they cradled the bowl with gentleness. “Is that mine?” “Oh! Yes, I’m sorry. It’s probably cooling too much. Here, I’ll feed you.” At the same time Brandt was reaching for the bowl, Tyr ladled soup with a spoon. Their hands bumped, and a drop of hot liquid fell on Brandt’s finger. He winced, and Tyr let out a yowl that was similar to a cat’s. “Fuck, I burned you. I’m sorry again.” Brandt laughed. The word “fuck” seemed out of place in Tyr’s mouth. He raised his finger to his lips and sucked the soup off. “No harm. But I can feed myself, thanks.” Tyr relinquished the bowl with obvious reluctance, but he didn’t move from his seat. He seemed determined to watch Brandt finish off every bit of the soup, and his scrutiny set Brandt to squirming again. He shifted in the bed, but his movements only called Tyr’s attention to the cover lying over his hips. Both of them stared down at the obvious tent there. This time, Brandt felt his own cheeks warming. To cover his embarrassment, he blurted, “What did you do to my arm? It doesn’t hurt much, but I’m sure I broke it.”

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Tyr dragged his gaze from Brandt’s crotch and looked him in the eyes. “That’s my gift. I heal. I mended the bones, but full mobility and any leftover pain will take its course until it’s better.” “That’s amazing. I’ve never heard of any shifters with healing abilities. My alphas would be interested in knowing that.” He fed himself a lump of potato and a bit of beef. The food was delicious, and he wondered who cooked it. Who had Tyr borrowed from, one of the women in his clan? “So you can’t heal pain?” he asked rather than pursue his thoughts. Tyr’s eyes widened. “Oh yes, I can heal pain.” Brandt couldn’t help looking at him. His eyes weren’t just pure golden. They had flecks of brown. Interesting. “I wondered because since I woke up I have a raging—” Tyr’s gaze flew back to Brandt’s crotch. “Headache,” Brandt emphasized. “My head hurts.” The healer moaned in apparent embarrassment. “Of course. I should have assumed you would. I’ll get my bag.” He rose, and Brandt concluded Tyr looked for an excuse to escape. The cat shifter had thought Brandt was about to ask him to satisfy his hard-on. He would never have been so rude. Besides, while he was attracted to men and had been since he was a teen, he hadn’t indulged a whole lot in that desire because of his pack’s needs. They were small—of course not as small as Tyr’s people, but still they had more than enough challenges with the leadership being gay. If all the men went to each other for sex, there would be no new wolves born. While he considered that, he wondered what Corey or Devin would think if he admitted the truth about his longings. Brandt hadn’t committed to any of their women, but he’d fucked Corrin the night of the full moon. Since she was without a mate, he had been thinking of claiming her. He knew she wasn’t “the one,” but he couldn’t be choosy. Then again, he suspected Corey was considering Corrin to mother his offspring. That might be why he’d sent him out on this wild-goose chase for land none of them would want to live on. This area was too cold for his liking.

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If Corey did take Corrin, it was a shame. Brandt had liked her shy, gentle spirit. The more aggressive women didn’t appeal to him in the least. He sighed at the possible loss, but then Tyr returned and sat down. Brandt didn’t know the man well at all, but he struck him as the kind of man he’d like to get to know better. Maybe he wasn’t gay. “Finish that up,” Tyr encouraged him without a command in his tone. Brandt did as he was told and then handed the bowl over. He noticed Tyr was careful not to touch his fingers again and was sorry about that. He’d enjoyed the brief caress even if it wasn’t meant to be one. “I’m all yours,” Brandt quipped and enjoyed the pink in Tyr’s cheeks. The golden eyes flashed, and he thought he saw rounded pupils reshape to slits like a cat’s, but when he looked again, Tyr was human. He folded a cloth with some type of herb that smelled of honeysuckle and something earthier in the middle and laid it on Brandt’s forehead. Ancient words that Brandt didn’t understand fell from his lips as he leaned forward. Brandt knotted his fingers in the covers to keep from reaching out and stroking Tyr’s thigh. The healer wore a type of leather pants that looked like it was handmade in the style of Native Americans. He was obviously not of that race with his pale skin and eyes. The bulge between his legs was a good size though, and Brandt wanted to stroke it for his own pleasure. But that might offend Tyr, and it was the last thing he wanted. The pain lessened, drawing his attention. “I’ll be darn. It doesn’t hurt. How did you do that?” Pleasure suffused the other man’s face, and he shrugged. “I was born with the ability, or that’s what I’ve been told. I remember doing it as early as three years old. A playmate my age had fallen and skinned his knee. When I saw him crying, all I could think about was how much I wanted to soothe his pain away. The words came to me, and before I knew it he was good as new. Later with study, I learned to use the herbs for more severe injuries.” Without thinking, Brandt reached out and laid a hand on Tyr’s thigh. The muscles tensed under his touch. “I’m impressed. Can everyone in your clan do what you do?” 6

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“No, just me.” Tyr looked down at the dirty bowl in his hand. “I should go and let you rest.” “Stay.” Tyr, who had half-risen, sat back down, and Brandt prepared to learn all about the most intriguing man he’d ever met.

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Chapter Two Tyr left the wolf shifter sleeping and pressed his back to the door outside. His heart raced. He’d been with a few of the men in his clan many times, but none of them made him feel like Brandt did. Maybe it was the fact that he was his natural enemy, the age-old cats versus dogs. While both sides lived on their instincts, there was still much of the human in them. He had nothing to fear in Brandt, at least he didn’t believe the man intended to attack him. Not to hurt anyway. As he peered up at the night sky, he considered it. Tyr had seen the attraction in too many men’s eyes not to recognize it in Brandt, and the size of the tent in his boxers told its own story. Brandt might not want to hurt him in the killing sense, but he was a big man. He had to be a good foot taller than Tyr, possibly six foot five, and he wore his midnight hair cropped close. His eyes, which matched Brandt’s hair, gave him a dangerous appearance. Only when he smiled did Tyr’s wariness ease, but then his desire kicked in. He’d been glad to have the barrier of the bowl and any other item he could keep in his hands to hide his erection. Brandt was his guest—his injured guest—and he didn’t need to deal with Tyr coming onto him. Tyr chuckled to himself. As if I would. Besides, the others wouldn’t like it. They had let their displeasure be known at Tyr bringing the man to their homestead. Unlike Tyr, a few of them knew right away what Brandt was and wanted to kill him while he was unconscious. He’d managed to get them to back off with the promise that he’d keep the man in control. Easier said than done. “Tyr!” Kai called in anger. “What’s taking you so long? Come on. I have to get up early in the morning in case you forgot.” He started at the call of his name. If he wasn’t so caught up thinking about Brandt, he would have heard Kai coming. “I think it’s best I stay close to him. I’ll sleep on the floor in the cabin in case he has a rough night and develops a fever.”

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Kai sneered. “That dog is plenty strong to get through the night alone. Come on. You know what I want, and I want it right now.” To demonstrate, Kai laid a big palm over his crotch. Tyr sighed and nodded. “Coming.” He glanced back at the cabin door and hoped that he’d done all he could for Brandt. Kai was probably right anyway. Brandt was strong. His bones had mended faster than any Tyr had healed of his own people. Kai’s cabin wasn’t far. Once Tyr had satisfied him and he’d fallen asleep, he’d come back to check again. In the morning, he’d wake up beneath Kai to keep the biggest and the most dominant of their men happy. **** Once again, Brandt was awake when Tyr entered the cabin. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner. You must be starving. You found the bathroom okay? I realized after I left that I never pointed it out.” Brandt was uncovered, dressed in boxers and nothing else. Tyr did everything he could not to glance down at the package hidden by his underwear. Tyr was normally the calming factor among his people, but from the moment he laid eyes on Brandt, he couldn’t quite pull himself together. “I’m fine,” Brandt grumbled. Not a morning person, Tyr noticed, but it didn’t bother him. Brandt peered at him with curiosity in his gaze. “You said this is your place, but you don’t stay here often. You uh…stay with your mate?” Tyr busied himself making breakfast. He was glad of the opportunity to turn his back. “I don’t have a mate. “You and one of the women in your group have an ‘arrangement’?” His heartbeat rose. “No.” Would he admit to what he was? That would take knowing for sure, and he hadn’t worked that out. His desires were undefined because he’d always put others first. That pleased him more than anything, and no one had ever insisted on knowing his preference.

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The cabin door banged open, and Kai stood there. His silver gaze slipped from Tyr to Brandt and back again. When he moved to snag a strip of bacon from the plate Tyr was piling with the meat, he didn’t exactly try to avoid brushing his body against Tyr’s. Fingers tightening on the spatula, Tyr clenched his teeth together and kept his head bent. “I’m feeling a lot better,” Brandt grumbled. If anything he seemed more pissed than when Tyr first walked in. “I’m heading back. Thank you for taking care of me yesterday.” He rose to sit on the side of the bed. Tyr watched him slide into his jeans and pull them over lean hips. When he peered at Kai out of the corner of his eye, he noted that the bigger man was doing the same. Tyr didn’t miss the gleam of appreciation for Brandt’s ripped abs before his expression turned hostile. “You’re not going anywhere, dog.” Brandt’s nostrils flared, but he didn’t rise to the insult as Tyr expected him to. “Why’s that? You going to hold me hostage?” Kai sucked his teeth as if to say he wouldn’t lower himself. “The only road out of here is flooded, and another storm is heading in by this afternoon. Even if you were to shift and run out, you’d be washed away before long, and Tyr would be dragging your sorry ass back again.” Brandt stalked across the floor of the small cabin. “If you have a problem with me being here or with me personally, you have only to say so. I’ll be real happy to readjust your attitude.” Kai faced him head on. For a minute Tyr didn’t move. He stood in awe of the two big men. Kai was just as big as Brandt, and maybe just as deadly. Being a cat shifter didn’t give him a disadvantage in this form because he was all bulky muscle. But Tyr didn’t want to see them fight. He wanted neither to be hurt, and Brandt had been through a lot. He flipped the power off on the electric skillet he’d been using and rushed around the counter. Standing between the two men, he laid a hand on each of their chests. “Don’t fight. Kai, he’s been injured. Let him heal in peace.” Kai frowned. “I thought you fixed him up last night.”

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“I did what I could. The rest is left to his natural regeneration process.” He knew he was making it seem like more than it was. Brandt was fine. If he didn’t develop a fever last night, and he was up on his feet, he was okay. With color in his cheeks and eyes clear, Tyr felt confident that Brandt was whole. If the roads weren’t out like Kai said, there would have been no reason not to drive him into town to arrange for passage back home. He was glad of the delay but wouldn’t let Kai know that. “Fine,” Kai snapped. “Keep him out of my face.” He smacked Tyr on the ass and slammed out of the door. After he was gone, Tyr didn’t meet Brandt’s eyes. He went back to cooking, and silence reigned until he was done. Together they sat down at the small table with bacon, eggs, grits, and biscuits with gravy. Brandt grinned at his full plate. “Wow, all this? Do you cook this way every day?” Tyr flushed. “No, not every day. Just when I’m taking care of a patient. Most of the others like hunting for their food in the morning. Gets the blood pumping.” Brandt gave a knowing nod and tucked into the eggs while pouring himself a cup of coffee. “Soooo, you and him. You’re lovers?” “It’s nothing serious. I’m not committed to him.” How could he say neither was he to the half dozen other men in the group. Kai was just the most demanding. “I was thinking of breaking it off.” Now he sounded like a man who didn’t know his own mind. “Your people have casual relationships?” Brandt chuckled. “Of course. Sex is sex.” He raked Tyr with his intense gaze. “We dream of meeting our mate just like any other shifters, but we all have needs. Do you believe in fated mates?” Tyr nodded. “Yes, I believe it for others. I’m not sure if that person exists for me.” “Why are you so different?” He shrugged. “A few reasons. Anyway, do you have a lover back home?”

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A look came into Brandt’s eyes making Tyr think he did have someone. “I thought I did. Or rather I intended for it to become more serious before I left. I suspect now that my alpha sent me away to get me out of the picture.” Tyr’s brows went up. He noticed Brandt’s coffee cup was empty and refilled it. Before he withdrew, Brandt’s fingers brushed over the back of his hand. He knew it wasn’t an accident, but his touch was a lot different than Kai’s. “He didn’t feel he was right for you?” Tyr asked. “She,” he emphasized. Tyr’s heart sank. He’d misread the signs. “So you’re not gay.” Brandt’s grin lit up the room and made Tyr’s cock tighten. He was attracted to this man, no mistake about that. The intensity of the feeling was new and interesting—scary at the same time. “I’m gay. I just haven’t given into it that often.” Tyr gasped. “So your alpha doesn’t allow it? I’ve heard stories about the aggressiveness of the wolf packs and their prejudices. There’s a particular one. Maybe you’ve heard of them.” He tapped his lip trying to remember. The most they kept in mind regarding the wolves were how to stay out of their way. Tyr’s people had long kept a record of where the more predatory shifters kept a homestead and avoided those parts of the country. “Fenrir. That’s the one. They’re said to be arrogant and think they’re better than the rest of us. They like their bloodlines pure and never mix across species. Have you heard of them?” “I have,” Brandt admitted. Tyr didn’t get the amusement from the other man. Maybe Brandt thought his people’s fears were funny. Well, they had to look out for themselves. They were bigger cats than what one would find in a house as a pet, but they were still cats for fuck’s sake. “No, it’s not about my alpha not allowing me to live a gay lifestyle. In fact, his mate is a man. And his second is in a committed relationship with his a man.”

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Tyr’s jaw dropped. “That’s incredible. Then your people must be among the most tolerant.” Brandt pushed a flat palm across the table, and his fingertips touched Tyr’s. A zing of awareness shot through Tyr, and he didn’t withdraw even as his stomach muscles cramped with his nervousness. “You wouldn’t be against us…” Brandt began. For an answer Tyr stood up and walked around the table. When he stopped in front of Brandt, the bigger man slid his chair back, and Tyr climbed onto his lap facing him. Their cocks were both hard, and when they touched through their jeans, Tyr’s ached. Kai pleasured him if roughly, but he’d never felt so hungry, so in desperate need to be claimed. Brandt’s chest was still bare, and Tyr couldn’t resist touching it. So strong and hard, the plains drew his fingertips in an exploration. The tanned skin was smooth and hairless, and when he reached the flattened nipples, Tyr paused, his heart pounding. “Is this fine?” he whispered, shaking a little. “Enjoy yourself,” came the deep, rumbling reply. He glanced up into Brandt’s face and marveled that he had produced that look of lust in the dark eyes. Not that the others hadn’t lusted over him. They did. They all enjoyed him being so much smaller yet still one hundred percent male. The men had thrilled in bending him to their will, abusing his hole until he was sore. He took it and then used his skills to heal himself later. That was who he was. Kai had never told him to enjoy himself. Tyr thought about what he’d like at this moment, sitting on Brandt’s lap, and he realized he’d like to see if kissing the wolf shifter’s lips would be good, or if somehow because they were natural enemies it would be a turn-off. He ran his hands up to the broad shoulders and leaned closer until their chests touched. Pleasure suffused his being. If that was any indication, he was in for something mind-blowing. To his surprise, Brandt held still while he explored. Tyr nibbled the corner of the other man’s lips and then stuck the tip of his tongue out. Brandt tasted salty and flavorful like bacon. He rested his lips on the firmer ones in front of him, and then Brandt 13

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brought up a hand to hold Tyr in place. He parted Tyr’s lips with his own and delved inside. Tyr was used to giving in. He closed his eyes and let Brandt kiss him. The kiss was strong and dominant but not harsh. He had no doubt that Brandt could be forceful with him, but for the time being he didn’t push too much. Tyr shivered with the pleasure of it and took the kiss even deeper on his own. He ran his tongue along the warm recesses of Brandt’s mouth and then withdrew enough so he could pull on his lower lip. His cock strained in his pants wanting out, and Brandt must have sensed it because he pushed Tyr back. Tyr watched as his new lover undid his pants and pushed apart the two sides. When he was exposed, Brandt let out a low whistle. “For a small guy, you’re pretty big.” Tyr grinned. “I’m proud of it.” “You ought to be.” Brandt reached in and began stroking Tyr’s cock. Tyr sucked in a breath groaning. Brandt echoed the sounds he made with ones of his own. “Mm, you like that, baby?” Tyr clenched his hands on Brandt’s shoulders. “No one has ever called me baby.” Brandt paused in his movements. “Did I offend you?” “Oh no, I like it. It’s weird, but nice.” He considered the times he’d been with the others. The comments were always, “Tyr, bend over. Tyr, raise your legs higher. I can’t get into your fucking hole!” He had wanted to shout, “That’s because you’ve worn it out until it’s all swollen and sore!” Brandt ran his hands up and down Tyr’s cock. He weighed his balls and massaged them without being too rough. But after a few minutes, he shoved at Tyr’s jeans with agitation. “It’s been so long since I’ve had a man. I admit I’m a little horny.” “It’s fine.” Tyr stood up and dropped his pants. He heeled out of his boots and stood naked from the waist down. “We can get on the bed.” Brandt shook his head. “No, I want to suck your cock right here. Lie on the table.” 14

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Tyr’s cock twitched. “Are you sure? I could bend over.” Brandt scooted back a bit farther. “No, come on. I can’t wait to get that big thing in my mouth. I’d be interested to see if I can stretch my lips around it. You’d like me to drink your come wouldn’t you?” Tyr stepped closer in jerky movements. Of course he’d like his cock sucked, but Brandt actually wanted to do it? He cleared the table in seconds with his eagerness and then climbed up. The wood was hard on his back, and it was a good thing he wasn’t as big as the others. The small table wouldn’t have held them with any comfort. Brandt parted Tyr’s legs and began caressing his inner thighs. He dropped a kiss on a spot just to the left of Tyr’s sac. “Damn, your muscles are sleek but hard like steel. That climbing all over this mountain, huh?” “Do you like your men hard or soft?” Tyr tensed for the negative response. “I like them exactly as you are. Come here, and feed me.” Brandt didn’t wait for Tyr to shift toward the edge of the table. He came after him, and Tyr’s back arched up with the first pull on his erection. Brandt seemed determined to swallow Tyr’s cock. He licked it from base to head, getting it all wet, and then he sucked on the head, his mouth half closed. Tyr wanted to relax and close his eyes so he could just feel the sensations, but he couldn’t look away. He wanted to watch the excitement in Brandt’s eyes and how he enjoyed Tyr’s shaft like it was a special treat. At last, he opened his mouth wide enough, and inch after inch disappeared inside. He made a guttural sound and withdrew. “I can’t believe how long you are. Such a big, beautiful cock, and you taste incredible. I could suck you all day.” Tyr’s member grew tighter with Brandt’s words. He flattened himself on the table and just felt. Brandt raised his legs and slung them over his shoulders. He buried his head between Tyr’s thighs, all the time sucking and sucking until Tyr was on the verge of release. He grunted, shifting on the table and raised his hips. “I’m going to come.”

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In answer, Brandt sucked harder, and Tyr couldn’t hold on any longer. He didn’t want to. He let go, and his come shot up the length of his cock and into Brandt’s mouth. With his eyes closed, Tyr heard the sounds of Brandt swallowing. The moans of a man who loved come turned Tyr on even more. His balls seemed to empty everything they had just for Brandt because Tyr had never been so satisfied. When he was done, Brandt stood up and pushed his chair out of the way. “Will you turn over for me, baby?” “Of course.” Tyr did as he was told. Brandt caught his hips and guided him into place. “Easy, don’t hurt that dick.” Tyr settled into place leaning over the table with his legs slightly spread. Brandt stroked his ass. He gave it a sharp smack, hard enough to sting but not enough to hurt. Again he stroked. “You’re not tired, are you?” Brandt asked. Tyr smiled for the consideration. “No, I’m fine. I can go as long as you need me to.” To his utter shock, instead of prepping to put his cock into Tyr’s hole, Brandt dropped to his knees. “More,” Brandt muttered. “I want to eat you some more, baby. I don’t think I can get enough.” Tyr melted as Brandt began rimming his anus with his tongue and then delved a little inside. Tyr arched his ass higher, feeling his cock hardening all over again.

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Chapter Three Brandt moaned. He’d missed this, licking a man, squeezing his cock and sucking it. The male form turned him on like nothing else. In order to get used to the fact that he’d chosen to have a female partner, he’d kept himself from indulging too much in sex with men. But when he laid eyes on Tyr, he couldn’t help it. He wanted Tyr, just like he was now—bent over with legs apart so Brandt got a good look at his balls and cock from behind. Not to mention that sexy ass hole. Had any of his former lovers been this pink down here? He ran his tongue all around the puckered entrance and then flicked at it over and over. Under his hands, Tyr’s thighs quivered, and he moaned. Brandt loved how his touch caused the man to shiver in ecstasy. He had an insane desire to make Tyr come again while calling out his name. Brandt left the hole and traced kisses over one of Tyr’s cheeks. The muscle was tight and hard. He slapped at it and then soothed the sting with a kiss. “Mm, you taste amazing,” he grunted between licks. “Do you like what I’m doing to you? Tell me you like it, Tyr.” Tyr panted. “I like it. You’re going to make me come again too soon. You should get yours. Put your cock in me, Brandt.” “Not yet.” Brandt reached between Tyr’s legs and began stroking his cock. The shaft twitched in his palm. From the height of Tyr’s balls, he figured the healer had been right. He was going to climax a second time, which was exactly what Brandt wanted. Only then would he push his aching hard-on into him. There was no need to rush things. Half of Brandt’s pleasure in sex came from pleasing his partner, and he wanted Tyr to be satisfied first. Brandt raised his head. “Turn over, baby.” Tyr flipped from his stomach to his back. Brandt grasped Tyr around his thighs and began licking the inner area on one. He made his way higher until he reached the hole again. This time, because of Tyr’s position, he had to fight his way between the cheeks to his prize. Tyr gasped and groaned, his knees rising.

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“Oh no you don’t,” Brandt told him. He held Tyr’s legs down and kept burrowing home with his tongue. From the amount of quivering Tyr was doing now, it wouldn’t be long. Brandt kissed the base of Tyr’s sac and then sucked gently on it. Tyr would have done a wolf proud with his howl of delight. Brandt suckled higher until he reached Tyr’s cock. He swallowed the stiff rod and drew on the tip. “I can’t…I can’t… hold on,” Tyr moaned. A shot of come filled Brandt’s mouth, and he held it there enjoying the flavor before swallowing. More took its place. He pulled the dick in deeper and raised his gaze to Tyr. His new lover had collapsed on the table, hands up by his head in total surrender. His lips were deeper rose than they had been earlier, indicating he might have been biting them. Parted like they were made Brandt decide when he was done down here, he’d claim that mouth. The last drop of come coated his tongue, and he stood up to lie across Tyr’s slim body. Brandt’s broader width easily fit between Tyr’s parted legs, and their cocks met. He enjoyed the feel of the healer’s flat chest and toned abs under him as he lowered his head to kiss him. Brandt opened his mouth and let Tyr push his tongue between his lips. He’d kept that last few drops of come without swallowing them. Tyr licked it away with no problem. Good man. Brandt moaned. He reached under Tyr’s legs to drag them higher and set them around his waist. He pushed just a little, and the tip of his aching shaft pierced Tyr’s hole. Brandt paused, closing his eyes. If he wasn’t careful, before he got all the way in, he’d explode. The door was thrust open and slammed against the wall. “What the fuck is going on here?” Kai demanded. Fuck! In Brandt’s lust for Tyr, he’d forgotten what the other man had said earlier. He was thinking of breaking off his relationship with Kai, not that he’d already done so. Brandt didn’t go in for cheating partners, and he’d dump a lover in a heartbeat if the bastard ever even thought of it. Now here he was doing it to someone else. Brandt jerked out of Tyr and backed up. “Look, man, it—” 18

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“What?” Kai growled. “Not what it looks like? It was an accident?” He stalked toward Brandt. “You’re fucking dead, dog.” Brandt’s temper rose. “As if a kitten like you could do it. I’d like to see you try.” The fist came out of nowhere and smashed into his jaw. Brandt staggered back but remained on his feet. He punched Kai in the stomach first and then thrust an uppercut into his chin. The cat shifter went down. Brandt didn’t wait until he was on his feet again. He lunged for him, but Kai brought his feet up just in time to kick Brandt back. “Stop this,” Tyr shouted. “I don’t know why you’re so upset, Kai. “Shut up, Tyr,” Kai growled. He flew at Brandt, and they locked arms. Brandt should concentrate on the fight because Kai was pretty big in his human form. He held his own with ease. A lesser man would have gone down by now. Brandt prided himself in the strength of his punch. When the shifters back home sparred, most enjoyed doing so in their wolf form. Brandt relied more on the human form. There was a certain satisfaction to be found in the crack of his fist across his opponent’s jaw rather than using claws and teeth. But he couldn’t understand why Tyr thought Kai wouldn’t be upset finding them having sex. After all, he and Kai were lovers. Surely Tyr grasped the situation. When they locked against each other, chest to chest, Tyr fought to pull them apart. Brandt was careful not to hurt the smaller man by accident. Kai shoved him away, knocking Tyr off balance. The kitchen table smashed under his weight when he went down. “You bastard,” Brandt growled. He thrust Kai off of him and bent to help Tyr up, but Kai caught him in the kidneys with a punishing blow. The pain was excruciating, and he went down to one knee, his eyes watering. He blinked them clear and surged upward to catch Kai on the chin with the top of his head. Kai went up off his feet and landed against the counter. The wood on the side splintered under his elbow. Kai staggered to a steady stance and shook his head. “I’m not sharing him with a dog.”

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Brandt spit out blood that had pooled in his mouth. He wasn’t sure if he’d bitten his tongue or his lip was cut. He ached in several places. If he hadn’t been in that car accident maybe he would have taken this cat down sooner. “You think I haven’t heard that a million times, the whole dog insult? Try harder.” Kai sneered. “How about this?” He jerked Tyr, who hadn’t put his clothes on yet, into his arms and forced him back against his chest. “All of this belongs to me.” When he squeezed Tyr’s cock too hard, and Tyr cried out, Brandt saw red. All of his thoughts of keeping his human form went out the window seeing the hurt in Tyr’s eyes. Shifting came on fast, from the bones cracking in his face to the extension his snout to his legs breaking and reshaping to the wolf’s shorter length. Hair sprouted from every pore, and he knew his eyes had gone from dark to a pale gray. Brandt dropped down on all fours and bared his teeth. He growled with unmistakable menace and advanced on Kai. The cat shifter swore and threw Tyr aside. “Come on, dog. I can take you,” he taunted. Kai made no effort to change. Brandt would have torn him to shreds in a heartbeat. He raised his fists and steadied his stance, still willing to fight Brandt as a human. Fool! Brandt thought. Yeah, the fenrir wolves were arrogant, but they had reason to be. He launched himself off the floor straight at Kai’s chest. The impact sent Kai falling backward so hard his heavy bulk smashed the door and took it off its hinges. They were outside in the midmorning sunshine. Brandt snarled in the middle of Kai’s chest. His enemy lay on his back dazed. Brandt would have gone in for the kill, or rather for the bite that would end this scuffle, but a sound distracted him. He glanced up in the small, bright eyes of a dozen cats. They ranged in sizes, but all were much bigger than a housecat. Sharp claws were extended all around, and hisses permeated the air. Brandt could take them on, but he’d come out the other side worse for wear.

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“No, don’t. Please!” Tyr held his arms out to his sides, chest rising and falling at a rapid pace with his heavy breaths. At last he’d found time to shuffle into his clothes, but the top button on his pants was still undone. His dishevelment must announce to everyone what he’d been up to. “No one has to fight. Brandt is my patient, and I’m caring for him.” One of the cats shifted to his human form, and Brandt couldn’t help noticing the muscled physique. He wore no clothes, and he had nothing to be ashamed about in the size of his cock. Still, he thought, the man wasn’t perfect like Tyr. Even dressed Tyr outshone him. Idiot, stop falling for him. This was to be a quick fuck, nothing else. Then I will be on my way. He hadn’t gotten to release, and he wanted to. Once he’d forced Kai and the rest of them to back off, maybe he still could. “Everybody knows how you care for your patients,” the cat turned human said. A few yowls that sounded more like snickers met his announcement. Brandt glanced at Tyr to find his cheeks pink and his lips pressed together. Brandt took a step in the direction of the man who spoke, but Tyr blocked his path. He crouched in front of Brandt and reached a hand toward his muzzle. Anyone who knew the wolf shifters, especially when they were as angry as Brandt had been earlier, did not take their lives into their hands that foolishly. But Brandt nuzzled the warm hand and licked his palm with a low whine. Tyr scratched him behind the ear. Brandt aimed his nose in between Tyr’s legs, but the man pushed him back to his disappointment. “Please, Brandt, let it go. Turn back. I-I’m going to go with Kai…to talk.” For a long moment, Brandt stared at him. Why was he choosing that bastard over him? He’d been the one to defend Tyr when Kai had hurt him. Just thinking of it pissed him off, but what could he do. He’d never forced a man to be with him, and he damn sure wasn’t starting now. Brandt gave a low bark at Tyr and backed up. He didn’t take his eyes off of Kai or the others in his clowder. Before he was out of reach, Tyr extended a hand to touch his head, but Brandt snapped and bared his teeth. Kai was on his feet this time and 21

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dragged Tyr away. “Leave him. Let’s go,” he demanded. And when he turned, Tyr gave him one last look over his shoulder and followed Kai. Brandt slunk back into the cabin feeling as if he’d lost the fight. He shifted, walked out and lifted the door off the ground, and wedged it back in place. Later he would look around for tools to fix the door. For now, he located a broom and dustpan to clean up the mess. The activity cooled his anger and helped take his mind off the fact that he never got to come. After some time, he realized it wasn’t helping and shifted again. A run in his wolf form would help when nothing else did. Kai had said another storm was coming, but he wouldn’t be gone long and he’d stay away from the roads. The ground was soft and damp beneath his paws. On impulse, Brandt ran in the direction he believed he’d crashed his car and soon found it. They weren’t kidding about the flooding. He stood on high ground atop a hill overlooking the road. A veritable river ran around his mangled car, and felled trees with trunks thicker than his body lay to the side. Now that he wasn’t in the middle of the catastrophe, he saw what must have happened. The powerful water had caused him to ping back and forth between a few trees. The biggest trunk looked like it had permanently sealed the driver side door closed. If it had fallen just a little farther to the right, it might have crushed him in the car. Brandt shook off the tingle that crawled over his spine. Tyr had saved his life, and he hadn’t thanked him. If he saw the healer before he left, he’d make sure to rectify his error. Hours later, he headed back to the cabin. He’d put it off long enough and only gave in to returning to the enclosed box when the clouds grew heavy like they’d done the day before. He had no wish to be caught in another of these violent storms. At the cabin, he shifted to his human form. A hot shower took away the soreness in his muscles, and he picked over the cold breakfast from that morning. After the sun had long gone down and he’d played as many hands of solitaire as his sanity allowed, he dropped into bed. If the water

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didn’t drain off the road soon, he’d take a chance and run out. Not the first time he’d risked his life and wouldn’t be the last. Sleep took its time coming, but when he opened his eyes to a sound outside, he realized he’d dropped off. He smelled Tyr, and his cock hardened. Frowning, he shoved at the hard-on, trying to make it less obvious and then threw the blankets over it. Tyr gave the door a hard push, and it opened. Hm, pretty strong, Brandt thought since he’d wedged it good, and the wood had swollen some from the weather. He didn’t let on that he was glad to see Tyr. His poker face remained, and he grumbled. “What do you want? Must be two or three in the morning.” “It’s three thirty,” Tyr supplied. Brandt shrugged. “I came to say I’m sorry. Kai has a temper problem. He tends to be selfish and so preoccupied with what he wants, he doesn’t see anyone else’s desires.” “What the fuck does that mean? And why should I care? You got what you wanted didn’t you?” Tyr gasped and gritted his teeth. “I’m not like that.” “No? Could have fooled me.” Brandt sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. His feet were bare, and he winced against the chill of the hardwood floor. He’d neglected to light the fire. Tyr must have guessed he was cold and crossed the room to do the task for him. Brandt watched him drop down to his knees and begin piling wood in the fireplace. He saw the tension between the shoulder blades and imagined himself kneading it out before he snapped his mind away from such a thought. “You were wrong too,” Tyr muttered. “How do you figure that?” Once he’d gotten the fire built up, Tyr stood and turned around. The heat began soothing Brandt’s muscles, and he made his way closer to it. Tyr didn’t move away although their shoulders touched. “You let me talk about the fenrir wolves, and you’re one of them.” 23

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“When a jackass puts his foot into his mouth, who am I to stop him?” Tyr glared. So he had more fire than Brandt would have guessed. Not all sexy submission. Brandt hid the smile he felt and faced the fire. When his limbs had de-thawed a bit, he retuned to the bed. He was still angry, and he didn’t feel like giving Tyr an inch. Brandt lay out on the bed with one knee raised. He caught the look Tyr gave him. Lust was plain in the honey eyes, and to his annoyance, his cock responded. He shifted his gaze to the wall. Soon enough Tyr would leave, and if he was too hard up, then he’d jerk off and get some sleep. The clink of a belt buckle and the rustle of clothing followed the bed sinking in on one side. Brandt looked over. Tyr, naked, stood above him. “I want to finish what we started.” Brandt licked his lips. He couldn’t deny how beautiful Tyr’s body was, how solid and sleek with muscle. His cock was erect and leaning out from his crotch. Brandt remembered how it tasted and the sexy curve of his ass when he’d licked it. Common sense told him to turn Tyr down, to send him back to Kai, but he didn’t want to. He couldn’t go home without having him at least once. “Your boyfriend going to bust in and stop it?” he growled. “We’re not a couple,” was the response. Tyr laid a hand over Brandt’s cock. “I know you’re still interested or you wouldn’t be this hard. Let me satisfy you, Brandt. I’ve never met a man like you, but I know you’ll like me riding you.” “You’re that confident in that tight ass of yours?” Tyr smiled, and he was knocked off-kilter. A smile like that could make a man fall in love, he thought. No, he had to think about the future of his people. Taking a man as his mate was out of the question. A good fucking, and that was it. Tyr seemed to take his silence as consent. He tugged Brandt’s boxers low enough for his cock to pop out. The golden eyes widened with desire, and then his mouth was on Brandt’s dick, sucking him off like he was addicted to the flavor. Tyr moaned. When he flicked his gaze up to Brandt, his core muscles clenched. Brandt pushed him back. 24

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“Stop, stop. I’m going to come if you don’t. I want in you now.” He watched with narrowed eyes as Tyr threw a leg over his hips and then settled himself in place. Brandt blew out air through his nose and tried to keep himself in control. What he wanted was to ram his cock fast and hard up Tyr’s ass, but he never wanted to hurt him. He held still and let Tyr do the guiding. Tyr’s long fingers circled his cock and held it up as he sank don’t in degrees. Brandt’s mouth dropped open, and his eyes shut. The pleasure was indescribable. Tyr’s ass was tight like he imagined. The walls squeezed his cock making him short of breath. They milked his dick and tugged at it until it was hard for him not to come. Wanting it to last a bit, he gulped in deep breaths and gripped the sheets while willing himself to stay calm. The word “baby” trembled on his lips, but he held back. Tyr wasn’t his. The endearment indicated a sensual relationship between the two of them that didn’t exist. And yet… He reached down to rest his hands on Tyr’s hips. The healer’s skin was pale like he didn’t spend much time outside, smooth and unblemished. While he rode Brandt’s cock it began to glisten with sweat. Brandt craved to lick it off and enjoy the salty taste. Like a drunken man, Brandt watched Tyr rise up with strong thighs only to fall down until his cock was buried to the hilt. Brandt moaned and pushed his own hips up. Their thrusts met somewhere in the middle, and the slapping sound of the skin coming together took his desire to a whole new level. “Fuck, yes!” He squeezed Tyr’s hips harder and pounded upward. “So tight. How the hell do you get so tight? I can’t get enough. Don’t ever get off my cock.” He stared at Tyr whose head had gone back and eyes closed. Long lashes for a man rested on his cheeks. A flush gave him color, and his sweet lips parted on a gasp. “You’re so big. It hurts a little.” Brandt froze. He sat up almost making Tyr fall backward. He caught the smaller man in time and drew him close to his chest. “I don’t want to hurt you, Tyr. It’s not all about what I want. You’re sexy as hell. I’ll give you that, and fucking you makes me feel like I want to lose my mind, but 25

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I’ll be damned if I mistreat you for my own pleasure. You gotta like it too.” Tyr’s eyes widened. If he was pink before, he was red in the face now. He turned his head away toward the fire and kept his gaze there rather than look Brandt in the face. “I gave the wrong impression.” Brandt studied him, and then he got it. He chuckled. “So it got you off, huh?” Tyr nodded. Brandt brought him closer and nuzzled his neck. He began a slow grind into Tyr and melted in the ecstasy. With effort he kept his head on straight. “I still don’t want to hurt you. I mean I love rough sex. I’m a wolf after all. Doggie style is the best, fast and superhard. But not if it means you’ll be damaged. Why would I abuse the sweet ass that gave me pleasure? We’ll take it easy.” He forced Tyr to look at him, and he held his chin while he kissed him. Tyr’s mouth was so good, Brandt delved inside to swirl his tongue about the warm depths. Tyr wrapped his arms around Brandt’s neck and murmured his bliss. “It’s too bad I can’t have you every day from now on.” Brandt held a firm arm around Tyr’s waist while he stroked his cock. Having his dick in Brandt’s palm and a cock in his ass must have sent Tyr over the edge. Brandt watched him buck and cry out his name before come coated his hand, his stomach, and even his cheek. With Tyr satisfied, Brandt was able to concentrate on his own orgasm, and soon he followed Tyr in release. He allowed Tyr to climb down and he lay on his back. Tyr went to the bathroom and returned with a warm, wet towel. Content like he’d never been before, Brandt laid still while his lover cleaned him up and then himself. When he was done, Tyr surprised him even more by climbing back into bed and curling into his arms. A lousy day had just become perfect.

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Chapter Four Tyr stood in front of Brandt in the shower, allowing the bigger man to wash his cock. On one hand, he felt embarrassed to be treated so carefully. But on the other, he’d never felt so special. No one as long as he could remember thought of him first before themselves. He’d made it his life choice to care for others—treating their injuries, having sex with those who wanted it. He never thought of himself as a man-whore or anything like that. Tyr considered it to be one more step he was willing to take to be sure the men were looked after. They had few women among them, and someone had to do it. Every one of the men he’d slept with, including those who’d never considered being gay, thought only of how Tyr could get them off. But Brandt was different. He couldn’t believe how horrified his lover had been a couple nights ago when he thought he was hurting Tyr. Just thinking of it warmed him and made his heart beat faster. Tyr wasn’t a fool. He knew it was a mistake to get too close. Soon Brandt would leave and go back to his people, maybe even to claim a woman as his mate. He knew better than to fall in love. While they enjoyed each other’s bodies, and when they weren’t fucking, the conversation flowed, Tyr knew that zing wasn’t there. Everyone spoke of an awareness when one finds one’s mate. All of a sudden they could sense the other’s emotions, and they were in tune like none other. He and Brandt didn’t have that, and they probably never would. They were natural enemies. That fact wouldn’t change with time. “All clean,” Brandt announced. Tyr turned in his arms and lay on his chest. Warm water streamed over their naked bodies, and he enjoyed a sense of contentment, he didn’t remember feeling before. “Now I should do you.” “Now you should kiss me,” Brandt corrected. Their lips locked and tongues intertwined until Brandt’s growling stomach actually drowned out the water. Tyr drew back laughing, and Brandt swatted his ass. “If someone didn’t wear me out last night, I wouldn’t be starving.” 27

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Tyr stepped from the shower and began toweling off. Every time he traced the terrycloth to his crotch and over his thighs, Brandt’s gaze followed. Brandt might tease, but his appetite was more heightened than Kai’s, or maybe even two of the men put together. “I tried several times to get you to eat, but you wouldn’t let me out of the bed. So while you wash that hairy nest, I’ll fix you some eggs and sausage.” Brandt appeared insulted, and he frowned down at his crotch. “I clipped it short.” Tyr spun to display his own shaved area and waited for Brandt’s admiration. The wolf shifter’s dark brow rose. “While you are beautiful like that, I’m not sure I’m ready for it. The beast is supposed to be a bit more hairy.” Tyr chuckled. “We’ll debate over it later. I’m going to dress and make breakfast.” “No,” Brandt called out after him. “Don’t dress.” Tyr grinned all the way to the kitchen. He slipped an apron over his head and tied it around his waist. Brandt commented on his skin all the time, and he didn’t want to mar it with grease burns. As he prepared a veritable feast to satisfy a wolf’s hunger, he considered whether they could really be happy together. Brandt hadn’t invited him to go with him when he left, but Tyr had the feeling just a nudge might get an invitation. He could be of use to the fenrir wolves as a healer. Maybe they could come to accept him that way. Brandt strolled into the room just as Tyr sat their plates down. He calmly dished out food for Brandt and poured him a cup of coffee. While his lover tucked into the scrambled eggs heavy on the Swiss cheese as he liked them, Tyr put cream in the coffee and left out the sugar. “Very domestic, this little scene. You know me well in a short time,” Brandt commented. Tyr smiled and sat down. Brandt leaned over and kissed him before taking his own seat. His shiver let Tyr know he hadn’t warmed the place enough. He got up to hike the thermostat. “It’s warm where you’re from?”

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Brandt shrugged. “Not always. I tend to prefer warm weather, and I have a blazing fire or the central heat blasting during that time of year. I was thinking about something.” Tyr tucked into his food. “Yes?” “I know you have your duties here, but…would you consider going home with me? I can’t guarantee anything long-term. I don’t even know how they’ll receive you, but I’d like to see more of you for a while. I’m not offering a commitment.” “So in other words, it’s over if your family rips me to pieces and leaves me dead at the edge of your lands?” To Tyr’s surprise, Brandt’s teeth grew sharp and jagged. His voice was more animal growl than human words. “I’ll kill anyone who lays a hand on you.” Tyr held up his hands. “I was joking. I’m small, but I can hold my own in a fair fight.” Brandt looked doubtful. In truth, so was Tyr. He talked big because he didn’t want to be a burden on Brandt or let him think he was weak. Tyr knew he had his strengths and weaknesses. He did what he could to survive just like anyone. What he wanted, however, was to stay with Brandt forever. That desire might be unrealistic, but he would take what he could get for however long it lasted. “I’ll go,” he said. “Good. We’ll leave in the morning.” Tyr nodded. “I can gather some herbs I might need and talk to my people.” He hadn’t missed how no one bothered to come around. None of them liked Brandt, but he didn’t care. Kai hadn’t spoken to him since he’d told him it was over. A few of the others had asked him for a night in bed together, but with not knowing when Brandt was leaving, he’d wanted to spend all that time in his arms. He hadn’t regretted it. ****

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Brandt headed up the walk that led to Devin and Corey’s office. He rolled his shoulders trying to loosen the muscles, but they refused to let go of the knot between them. “We need to see my alphas first to be sure you can stay,” Brandt said. Under normal circumstances, any mate or potential mate was accepted with a minimal interview, but this was different. He knew that. Admitting what Tyr was would be hard, that is if they didn’t already know. Corey’s perception continued to amaze them all. When they drew up to the steps, Tyr jogged ahead of Brandt and opened the door for him. Brandt smiled. As he walked by, he locked his fingers with Tyr’s and pulled him in behind. Inside the office, Devin and Corey looked over at them. Both men’s expressions were like thunderclouds, but Brandt didn’t think it had anything to do with him or Tyr. They’d been arguing if he didn’t miss his guess. “Corey,” he began, not sure if this was a good time. “I wanted to introduce my…lover.” “Your lover!” Devin bellowed. He eyed Corey and then grinned, walking over. Behind him, Corey frowned. Devin stuck his hand out. “I’m Devin, one of Brandt’s alphas. That’s my mate behind me. Corey. And your name is?” The way Devin eyed Tyr like he was a piece of prime rib grated on Brandt’s nerves, but he kept his lips shut and didn’t move. Even when Devin took a step too close to Tyr and leaned in to breathe in his scent. Tyr spoke his own name clearly, and from the look of him Brandt didn’t think he was afraid or intimidated. Then he remembered that bastard Kai. Tyr must be used to the posturing of dominant types. “Mm, you have an unusual scent,” Devin commented. “What is that?” He raised a hand to touch Tyr’s hair and paused to look at Brandt. Only then did Brandt realize he’d begun to growl. “You said lover, didn’t you, Brandt?” Corey asked when he walked up. He shook Tyr’s hand. “Not mate.”

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Brandt knew what Corey was getting at. He was getting worked up over someone who would share his bed for a little while, and then he’d move on. That wasn’t something to piss off his alpha for. “Not mate,” he agreed through clenched teeth. But Corey was angry too. Devin seemed determined to make him jealous for whatever reason. He’d never seen them play those games. They were the closest mates he’d ever encountered, even to the point of finishing each other’s sentences and spending every waking moment together. What could have caused them to fight? “Excuse us, will you, Tyr?” Corey said. “I need to talk to Brandt.” Tyr glanced at him, and Brandt nodded. “Remember the cabin I showed you? That’s where I live. Wait for me there. I won’t be long.” He didn’t want to kiss Tyr in front of them, or they’d guess his feelings went deeper than they should. But Tyr had no such hang-ups. He stepped close to Brandt until their bodies just brushed and kissed his lips. Brandt’s cock tented his jeans, and Tyr walked out of the office with more than Brandt’s eyes on his ass. Devin grinned. “I think I’ll make sure he finds his way okay.” He disappeared out the door, and jealousy tightened Brandt’s chest. He spun to face Corey. “I wanted to update you on the land you sent me to scout.” “Forget that for now,” Corey interrupted. He walked over to his desk and leaned on it, crossing his legs at the ankles and folding his arms across his chest. He focused on the floor, a furrow in his brow as if he searched for the right words. “About Corrin.” Brandt stiffened. “I know you had a brief thing with her, and I suspect you’ve been thinking about taking it further, possibly committing. I sent you away so Devin and I could talk with her.” Brandt couldn’t help his anger. “What you’re getting at is you’re going to take her for yourself, aren’t you? I’ve heard the talk. Everyone feels you should lead the way in growing our pack by having your own offspring. So you chose to fuck your mate’s sister. Is that it?” 31

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Corey narrowed his eyes at him. “Is that the attitude you want to take with your alpha?” Brandt ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “No. The truth is I don’t know if I’m going to be allowed to have Tyr here for as long as we’re together.” “Why is that?” He’d rather get back to discussing Corey’s love life rather than his own right then. “Because he’s a shifter…uh…not a fenrir of course.” “And that’s a problem how since he’s male and not your mate?” Brandt paced. “He can be very useful to us. He’s a healer. A real live healer. When I crushed my arm in the car accident, he used his abilities to fix my arm in one night. It was unbelievable—” “Brandt!” He stopped moving. Anger and frustration made him want to lash out, to tell Corey to fuck off. He would take Tyr if he wanted whether Corey liked it or not. Especially since Corey stole his girl. Not that he’d had sex regularly with Corrin or that they’d declared anything more serious to each other. The principle was what mattered. “He’s a cat shifter,” he blurted. Corey’s eyes widened, and then he sneered in disgust. “Like a pet?” “No!” He couldn’t have thought of a panther or a leopard? Why would his mind go straight to something domestic and tiny? The door opened, and Devin walked in. “What did I miss?” Brandt glared at him. Did his lips look at bit redder like he’d been kissing? He didn’t care if Devin was his alpha, he’d kick his ass if he laid one hand on Tyr. Devin seemed to guess his thoughts and moved in closer, amusement and a challenge in his eyes. “Think you can take me?” he teased. “He’s mine,” Brandt told him. He eyed Corey. “He’s got Corrin, so now you have to try for my lover?” That wiped the smile off Devin’s face. His brows crashed low over his eyes, and he growled in anger. Corey approached them. “That’s enough.

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We’ll talk about Tyr later, Brandt. Meanwhile, keep his…ability…between us.” He laid a hand on Devin’s chest, and to Brandt’s surprise, Devin shoved it away. That shook him. The strongest relationship in the entire pack was clearly on the rocks and didn’t bode well for the rest of them. Before they started up their argument again, Brandt left. The interview had gone well if only because Corey was distracted with his own problems. He took the path toward his cabin but then turned toward the community building instead. News of what had been happening before he left would be good to know. Inside the building an area had been set aside for lounging around to watch television, another room for sparring, and the biggest area used as a dining room. Brandt chose the lounging room and found Blaine, the second in charge, and a few others. When Blaine spotted him he stood and stretched his hand out. “Hey, Brandt, so you’re back. Heard you brought someone with you.” He shifted uncomfortably but took the offered hand. “Yeah, I did.” Several pairs of eyes watched him as if they expected him to expound, but he just took a seat and put his feet up. One of the men offered him a beer, and he took it with a muttered thanks. “Just came in to see what’s the latest.” He peered at Blaine not sure how much the man would share. He and Corey were best friends, but Blaine tended to be the go-between when Corey was unapproachable. He’d calmed their fears on many occasions. “I was in with Corey and Devin a few minutes ago, and it looks like there are problems at the top. Should we be concerned?” Blaine’s eyes darkened, and he compressed his lips. When they waited, he sighed and wiped a hand over his face. Not until he’d drained his beer did he speak. “Look, I’m sure it’s all around the homestead by now that Corey and Devin are having issues. They decided it would be best for all of us if Corey produced offspring. Corrin was chosen.” The other guys looked at Brandt with sympathy, confirming his suspicion that everyone knew he’d had his eye on her for himself. He shifted under their gazes. “I had no claim on her.” 33

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“You said ‘they’ decided,” one of the guys piped up. “Did Devin agree?” “Devin and Corey are always in agreement,” Blaine snapped. Which of course wasn’t true, or they wouldn’t be having this conversation. Blaine went on ignoring the obvious. “While you were away, Brandt, he…” He surged to his feet and paced. “I don’t know all the details, and no one other than the two of them needs to know. Corey had one night with Corrin when she was ovulating. Time will tell if it produces anything.” Brandt considered what he knew of his alphas. The fact was they were connected. Sometimes one felt what the other did. If Corey in any way enjoyed his time with Corrin, then it might be that Devin sensed that, and it made him jealous. Worse would be if he felt what it would be like with his own sister, which would be gross, and too weird. Again, that would put strain on any relationship. “So what if she doesn’t get pregnant?” Brandt said. “Will he try again next month and the next? I can’t imagine Devin’s not going to blow at some point.” Blaine nodded, his pallor gone pale. “I’ve considered that.” What he didn’t say was another thing Brandt knew. Those that were in opposition to gay alphas were the ones putting pressure on Corey. In the end, someone might challenge him or demand that he step down. Then who would lead? Before Devin came and knocked heads on Corey’s behalf, there had been total discord among the pack. Brandt didn’t want to go back to that. They were weaker when they weren’t united and subject to attacks like they had suffered from Blaine’s mate’s people. Brandt drained the last of his beer. “Thanks for the drink. I guess I better get back to my cabin.” Before he could get too far, Blaine called after him. “Hey, Brandt.” He turned. “Yeah?” “Don’t hold it against Corey. I know you wanted to do your part to grow our numbers, but you have to be true to your wolf too. If he wants who’s waiting for you at home, that’s the way it’s got to be.” He shrugged. “Yeah.” 34

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He left the community building and headed back toward his cabin. The closer he drew to it, the more he longed to see Tyr. Lying in his man’s arms, he could forget about the stresses of the pack. Blaine didn’t have to ask him not to hold anything against Corey. He wished his leader no ill. Not Corey anyway, but Devin was not going to take out his jealousy for his mate on Tyr. His lover had dealt enough with big bullies who wanted only to please themselves. He’d seen that in Kai. Still, he’d been surprised the cat shifter let Tyr go without much of a fight. He had called after Tyr that he would be back when Brandt learned what he was truly all about. At first Brandt let that get to him, but then he dismissed it as just something to scare Tyr because Brandt and his people were wolves. Brandt would do everything in his power to protect Tyr, and like Corey said, no one needed to know what Tyr was. They would know he was different and of course a shifter of some kind. He and Tyr would leave it there. With the drama the alphas were entertaining from, no one would focus long on Tyr. Except me, he thought, imagining that sexy body, especially the big cock and round ass. “Yum.” He opened the door and yelled out, “Tyr, where are you?” No answer. He walked through the rooms. He called his home a cabin, but in truth, it was a good size with two bedrooms, and a study. His location was good as well, being close to Blaine and the alphas’ place. Not that anyone was really that far given their community was pushing one hundred members. He came to his bedroom and paused looking at the queen-size bed. Tyr and he had made due on a twin-size back at his homestead. The queen would seem like too much, but he had every intention of either having Tyr under him or riding him by straddling his hips for each moment they were in the bed. The size of it wouldn’t matter. “Where the hell did he get to?” he wondered as he headed back to the door. Worry knotted his stomach. Surely, no one had found out what Tyr was and was harassing him somewhere. Thinking that, Brandt picked up the pace.

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Once he was outside, he took a sniff of the air to pick up Tyr’s scent. The second he identified it off to the right, his cock hardened. He jogged along the walk. Tyr smelled like that when he was sexually excited. Perhaps he’d visited the lake they had on grounds and was waiting there thinking of Brandt. When he drew nearer to the spot where he knew he’d find Tyr, Brandt had to admit to himself that he picked up two other wolves in the same location, yet he didn’t smell fear. He pushed back a hanging tree limb to come upon a scene he never thought he’d see. But why should he think that when he didn’t know Tyr at all. Two men, one standing behind Tyr rubbing against his ass while his hand was freely stroking Tyr’s cock, and the other in front of him with his tongue down Tyr’s throat. Brandt saw red. He ran at them and jerked one man away from Tyr before slamming his fist into his jaw. When he went down, Brandt whirled and went after the other guy. This one dodged the first swing, but Brandt caught him in the gut with his second. “Fucking bastard, what do you think you’re doing?” Brandt roared. “What are you doing?” the guy countered, wiping blood from his busted lip. “We don’t attack our own, especially for a— Brandt knocked a tooth down his throat, and the guy choked and sputtered. He then swung in the direction of the first guy. The man jumped to his feet and was gone through the trees. Brandt focused his attention on Tyr who stood frozen, eyes wide in shock. “Brandt, I-I…” he began. Brandt made no effort to come closer to him or to give him words to say. Tyr came to him and put a hand out, but Brandt knocked it away, realizing afterward that he’d just done the same thing Devin had done. But he didn’t deny that he was jealous. He’d thought at the very least he could hope for faithfulness in his partner. “Seconds after I bring you here?” Brandt spat. “I guess I shouldn’t have thought we made a quick connection back there because apparently you fuck anything that’s moving the first time you meet them.” “It’s not like that, Brandt,” Tyr pleaded. “I don’t want anyone but you.” 36

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“Are you fucking kidding?” he roared. Forgetting his promise to himself never to be like the rough men that had been Tyr’s former lovers, he jerked the smaller man to him, hovered his lips over Tyr’s and then threw him back. Tyr landed on his ass in the dirt. Brandt waited for him to get pissed off, to come at him like one of his kind would have done, but Tyr stayed down there. “I never meant to hurt you,” he said. Brandt flexed his fingers at his sides. Right now he wanted to rip the idiot apart. “I’m not hurt. I expected faithfulness. We did come here as a couple, didn’t we?” “Yes, we did.” Tyr pushed up to his feet, and by his wince and sway, Brandt realized he’d hurt him. A twinge tightened his chest, but he ignored it. Tyr stepped closer but didn’t risk touching Brandt a second time. “You don’t understand. They wanted me. I had to—” “To what?” Brandt snapped his teeth together knowing a bit of the change had come on him. “You think you’re irresistible to all men? I know those particular guys. They’re not gay, or they weren’t before today. What, do you have some power over all of us that makes us want to fuck you? Is that a part of your ability?” For the first time since he arrived on the scene, Brandt saw the honey eyes darken. “No, it’s not. And no I don’t think I’m so much that everyone wants me. It’s just that…” Brandt turned his back because it was hard to keep looking at Tyr. Even after what he’d done, Brandt wanted him. Everything inside him lusted to have Tyr, to taste his flesh and to feel his lips beneath his own. He had to hide the erection he sported and hoped Tyr’s nose didn’t work as well as his to know when he smelled sexual excitement. “Spit it out already so I can just go about my business,” he said. “I know that it would be dangerous to let anyone know what I am. And I didn’t want to cause you trouble. I’ve always had a different scent than my people. I thought it was the healing ability that set me apart. Some of the more aggressive types say it smells sweet.” “You think I want to hear this?” Brandt grumbled. 37

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Tyr came up behind him. He shut his eyes when Tyr wrapped his arms around him and brushed his palm lower over Brandt’s swollen cock. His lover’s hard chest pressed to his back made his mouth water. He longed to lick Tyr’s flat nipples and tease him by dipping his tongue into Tyr’s navel until he quivered. Desire threatened to drown him. “They were agitated, pushing to know what kind of shifter I am,” Tyr whispered. “I could tell they were also turned on by it.” Brandt clenched his jaw. “You can smell it then?” “I saw it in their eyes—and in their pants.” He sighed. “I’m not saying this to torment you, Brandt. That’s the last thing I want. I just want to tell you the truth. I only gave in to them so they wouldn’t keep pushing. If that happened and they found out, I’d have to leave. I don’t want to leave you.” Brandt blew a heavy breath through his nose. He shook Tyr off and started back toward his cabin. Low hanging branches scratched at his face, but he ignored them and the blood he smelled pooling in the wounds. Tyr rushed up from behind and began clearing his way. Brandt growled at him, but he didn’t back off. He continued at Brandt’s side, irritating and so damn beautiful. “Maybe your kind are domesticated,” he jibed. “Born to serve those more powerful than you are.” He waited for hurt to register in Tyr’s eyes, but they remained clear. Like he’d done at Corey’s office, Tyr jogged up the couple of steps to the cabin and opened the door. Brandt barreled past him, but he allowed Tyr to enter his home. “First chance I have I’m sending you home.” Instead of a plea to stay, Tyr dropped to his knees and unbuckled Brandt’s belt. “Then let me satisfy you before I go.” Brandt sneered. “Is that what you offered those other guys?” Tyr didn’t answer. He pulled Brandt’s jeans open and dragged his boxers down. Brandt shivered. Maybe just once before they separated forever.

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Chapter Five Tyr took Brandt’s cock into his hand, loving its thick hardness. He’d known from the moment his man turned away that Brandt still wanted him. The knowledge gave him hope. If he pleased Brandt, it wouldn’t be easy for the wolf to send him away. Tyr knew he couldn’t bond with Brandt on a spiritual level that two wolves might be able to achieve, but he believed that Brandt cared. He would do all he could to stay with him. That was the whole reason he’d done what he had. In hindsight, he knew he couldn’t treat Brandt like the men back home. He raised Brandt’s dick and kissed the underside before going lower to his balls and licking them. The moans above his head let him know he was on the right track. He belonged to Brandt, and the only way Brandt would get rid of him was if he killed him. In a low voice, head bowed in submission to the wolf, he repeated his thoughts. Brandt growled. “Do you think cheating is fixed so easily?” Tyr ran a tongue along his thigh and nosed between them to run his cheek over Brandt’s cock. Brandt tangled his fingers in Tyr’s hair and pushed him back. He held onto Tyr with one hand and raised his cock with the other. The head touched Tyr’s lips. “I’m more than just this to you,” he muttered. Angry eyes pinned him in place. “Are you? You said yourself that you have a scent that drives the wolves crazy. You’re just a piece of hot ass.” To demonstrate, he shoved Tyr back and curled his fingers. Claws grew from his nails and pointed on the ends. He swiped his arm in lightning speed, and Tyr looked down to find his shirt in tatters. Tyr narrowed his eyes and smiled. He threw the bits of material aside. “Should I be impressed? I’m a cat, remember? We can do that and more in half the time.” Brandt dropped down between Tyr’s legs and let his hips meet Tyr’s. They were both panting, chests rising and falling in rapid succession. A film of glistening sweat had begun on Tyr’s skin, matched with Brandt’s

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own. When Brandt forced his shoulders to the floor, Tyr raised a hand on instinct and left four red streaks across his lover’s pecs. Brandt’s lips tightened. “Tell me what you think someone like you can do to best me.” He leaned up long enough to tear his shirt open with buttons flying everywhere and jerked it over his shoulders. Tyr’s mouth watered at the powerful chest. He wasn’t doing this right. He’d meant to seduce Brandt, but looking up into his eyes, he saw only anger. He shivered when Brandt pinched his pants button open and lowered his zipper. The desire he felt was there plain as day with the way his cock strained against the opening. But Brandt wouldn’t take it as being only for him. He’d assume Tyr grew this hard for any man, and it wasn’t true. From the first time he saw him Brandt on the side of the road, Tyr had been drawn to him. And the first time Brandt touched him, he was hooked. No other guy had made his cock this tight and achy. “What’s so special about you?” Brandt insisted. He took Tyr’s cock in his hands, and Tyr tensed waiting for the tug that would hurt. Kai had liked it rougher than he could stand sometimes. But Brandt stroked his length and backed up so he could lower his mouth onto Tyr’s cock. A hiss escaped between Tyr’s teeth. His claws tore at the floor under him. He groaned Brandt’s name. Brandt licked Tyr’s balls while still squeezing lightly at his cock. He licked lower until he just teased the edge of Tyr’s ass. Tyr cried out his name. “Please, Brandt.” “Please what?” Tyr couldn’t make himself say another word. Brandt wasn’t hurting him physically, but his actions pained him all the same. Their gazes met, and he found it hard to look away. Brandt’s anger burned him as much as a fire would. When Brandt stood up and walked out of the room, Tyr froze in shock. “Come here!” Tyr sprang up from the floor and all but ran into the bedroom. He’d toured the place earlier when Brandt sent him out of Corey’s office. He liked the bed, but he kind of wished it was twin-size so they’d have to squeeze together. 40

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Brandt lay on his back completely naked. He indicated a small tube on the bedside table with a point of his chin. “Use that to grease your ass. I want you to ride my cock.” Tyr hurried to scramble out of his pants and shoes. Then he picked up the tube. He’d never used lube with Kai or with Brandt since they’d both licked his hole until it was good and wet. The fact Brandt wanted him to do it now made him feel like Brandt didn’t want him to enjoy himself too much. He was willing to go as far as he needed to make his lover happy. If he was going to be forgiven, it would take time. He squeezed a bit of the gel onto his fingers and reached behind him. “No,” Brandt said, “get up here and face away from me while you do it. Then you climb on my dick that way. I want to watch your ass as I go in and out.” Tyr climbed on the bed in silence and did as Brandt commanded. His cock bobbed still tense. He needed to come, but that would wait. With one finger lubed, he pushed into his hole and arched so Brandt could see. “Yeah, do it slowly.” Tyr closed his eyes. If Brandt would call him baby like he’d done before, everything would be worth it. Brandt’s tone revealed his desire but not warmth. Tyr went in and out of his ass at an unhurried pace. Brandt grunted. “A little faster. Now two fingers. Yes, like that.” On his knees, Tyr moved back and forth, his tight opening swallowing his fingers and then releasing them. He was more than ready, but he knew Brandt liked watching him pleasure himself. He bent way down between Brandt’s parted thighs so his ass could rise higher. Brandt growled. “I should eat that. No, not this time.” He jerked Tyr’s fingers away, and Tyr gasped. He lay still waiting for the next command. When it came, he moved right away. “Now sit on my dick. Go all the way in.” Brandt waited as if he didn’t expect to be disobeyed. Tyr didn’t disappoint him. He sat up and positioned himself over Brandt’s cock. Still facing away, he reached behind him and began guiding the shaft between his cheeks and into his 41

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hole. Slowly, he descended, and his jaw grew slack from the pressure inside of him. So full, Brandt’s thick cock stretched his hole and his insides as though to capacity. His entrance didn’t hurt, but Tyr whimpered all the same. He couldn’t believe how good it was to be possessed by Brandt. “Ride it,” came the instruction. Tyr began to move. He leaned all the way up so that Brandt almost slipped out, and then he came down. The length glided up into him. Brandt moaned. “Faster. Bounce on it.” Tyr swallowed, wetting his dry throat, and he bounced a little. Brandt squeezed his thigh. “I said faster, damn it.” Tyr complied. He rested his hands behind him on Brandt’s hard abs to give himself leverage, and then he bounced until his lover’s cock glided in and out. Each time he came down, his cock flopped against his thighs. When he rose up, it followed. The slap of their bodies coming together was hypnotic. He shut his eyes and put his head back. Unable to bear it anymore, Tyr locked his teeth together and closed a fist around his own cock. He stroked a few times, but Brandt’s hand came down on his and jerked it away. Tyr gasped. His eyes burned, but he refused the tears. Brandt sat up and wrapped strong arms around Tyr. He jutted into Tyr’s ass while trapping him in a steel hold. “Damn it,” Brandt shouted after a few strokes. “I’m going to come.” Tyr assumed he was going to let himself go inside of him, but Brandt pulled out and thrust Tyr face up on his back. Brandt pumped his cock, and thick come shot forth, sprinkling all over Tyr’s chest, his abdomen, and his thighs. Brandt grunted his pleasure and dropped down on the bed panting. Tyr got up and went to the bathroom. He locked the door behind him, turned on the shower, and stepped under the spray before the water warmed. Goose bumps broke out on his skin, and the tears he’d held in fell down his cheeks. He waited there a long time, hoping any second Brandt would knock on the door. When he didn’t, Tyr washed his body, climbed

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out of the shower, and dried off. By the time he left the bathroom, Brandt was gone. He got dressed. While he considered what to do, someone knocked on the door. Tyr went to answer and found Devin standing there. Tyr hesitated. He glanced over his shoulder and then back at Devin. “I don’t want to cause any trouble. Brandt—” The big man grinned and pushed his hat back from his forehead. “I know exactly where Brandt is, and in there ain’t where.” Tyr guessed most people who met Devin were impressed with his Southern drawl. While Tyr felt it was sexy, it did nothing for him. His thoughts were all for Brandt right now. Earlier, he’d had to ward off Devin’s advances when he walked him here, but they’d also come off as halfhearted. Devin wanted his mate, and Tyr didn’t blame him. He shuffled his feet, knowing he’d delayed too long to respond, but he fought the desire to ask the man where Brandt was. If they weren’t having issues, he would know where his lover was. The scents of so many unfamiliar wolves confused him a little. If he shifted, he could pick him out, but that would be dangerous. Devin had mercy on him. “I came to see if we could get your help. Brandt said you’re a healer.” Tyr perked up. “Yes, I am. Is someone injured or sick?” Devin nodded. “Fool got his fingers caught in some farming equipment.” A shiver ran down Tyr’s back. “Shouldn’t you take him to a local hospital? That could get serious.” “You know better than that, darlin’. Anyway, we have a doc. He patched him up, but he says there’s nerve damage. He can dose him, which he did, but…” “I can’t grow back fingers, but I’m willing to help. Take me to him.” Tyr hurried inside to gather his bag and then stepped out of the door and closed it behind him. He was glad when Devin dropped the teasing and led him along the walk to wherever his new patient was. He guessed they weren’t used to having many serious injuries as the shifter community on 43

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a whole had better healing ability than humans. Unless it was something like this, they recovered from everything. Even diseases like cancer weren’t a part of their world. Devin led him into a small building with the word “Avery” on the sign above the door and a medical symbol next to that. Simple and to the point, he thought. The man inside was a good head taller than Devin and wider in shoulders than Kai, but his smile was friendly enough. He extended a hand. “Scott Avery,” he said. “Everyone just calls me Avery. You’re Tyr, Brandt’s mate?” Tyr felt his cheeks warm. “Uh, no. I’m not his mate. We’re just seeing each other for now.” He cleared his throat. “Where is the patient?” “I’ll leave you to it,” Devin called and disappeared out the door. Avery led him to a back room with a long table against the wall that held medical supplies, a narrow bed that seemed to be built wider and longer for the oversized shifters. On it laid a man moaning and thrashing about. Thick bands held him down across his chest and wound around his wrists and ankles. Tyr frowned. “Didn’t you give him something to lessen the pain?” “I did, but it doesn’t last long,” Avery said. “I have to keep administering it. When I learned about your abilities, I thought you could help, and I asked Devin to see if he could convince you to help. No one is saying what kind of shifter you are, and I know some aren’t too fond of the fenrirs in general.” “I’m a healer,” Tyr snapped. “It doesn’t matter what your people are when my help is needed.” “I appreciate that.” Tyr saw the look of interest in the other man’s expression, but he ignored it. Even for their size pack, he wondered if they were all ignoring the most obvious fact about themselves. There were an inordinate number of gay men in their group, most in the closet. No one seemed ready to accept it. They weren’t going to grow bigger until they accepted partners from other packs or other types of shifters.

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He moved closer to the bed and rested his hand on the man’s forehead. No fever. That was a good thing. “Hello…” “Mack,” Avery supplied. “Hello, Mack. I’m Tyr, and I’m going to help you.” “What’s the point?” Mack muttered, eyes glazed with sorrow. “What kind of wolf will I be with only one hand? A fucked up one, that’s what. How can I hunt like this? How can I keep up with the others? Just put me out of my misery. It’s better for everybody.” “What about your wife,” Avery interrupted. “You think she wants to lose you?” “Do you see her here?” he countered. Avery’s gaze shifted to Tyr. “You have any family?” Tyr shook his head as he began searching through his bag of herbs. “No, my people more or less are all orphans from all over the world. We drifted together out of a need to be with those who understand us. We’re probably the last of our kind.” “What kind is that?” Tyr ignored the question and placed a couple of pouches on the table. “Do you mind leaving us alone? I have to work up a considerable amount of…” “Magic?” “Energy. And it takes a lot out of me. It would be harder to have you here because you’ll have your own pull.” What he said was true, but that wasn’t the only reason he wanted Avery to leave. The ritual to heal Mack’s nerves, which was what caused him pain, would make the beast in Tyr rise to the forefront. The cat’s features would be stark in his face and hands. Avery would figure out what he was without any trouble. “Also, if you could give him something to make him sleep, even if it’s just for a few minutes. I need him not to fight me at the start.” Avery studied his face and then nodded. “Okay. I can do that. If Brandt trusts you to bring you here, so do I.” Trust. Brandt was far from trusting him at that moment or any other.

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Chapter Six Brandt tried to stay away, but he couldn’t help wanting to see Tyr’s face. He longed to hear his voice and even touch him. A first class idiot was what he was. Any man who allowed his partner to cheat and then took him back wasn’t a man at all. I guess I’m not a man. He tracked Tyr down to Avery’s place. Their pack physician was a good man, gentle and kind. Brandt liked him because he was a welcome break from all the dominant testosterone tossed around the homestead. A few times he’d slept with Avery, but their relationship never developed. Brandt had made it clear he was open to it until either of them found their mates or bonded just to have offspring, but Avery had never taken him up on it. Maybe in the end he wasn’t the man’s type. Without knocking, he walked into the doc’s office and then stopped dead in his tracks. Avery’s strong arms were wrapped around Tyr’s waist holding him from behind. Tyr’s head was bowed and turned away. Rage boiled in Brandt’s heart, and he growled before charging at them. He grabbed Avery by the back of his shirt collar and jerked him away from Tyr, at the same time driving his fist forward. The crack of bone under the blow didn’t faze him. What did stop him cold was that Tyr went down with Avery like a rag doll and lay there unmoving. “What the fuck did you do to him?” he roared and dropped to the floor to gather Tyr in his arms. “It’s not what you think,” Avery said wincing at his obvious pain. He sat up and took a second to suck in a breath, and Brandt saw anger he’d never expected from this gentle man, even if he did attack him. “He used his gifts to help with a patient. He warned me that it would take a lot out of him, and when I came back in, I had to catch him from falling. That’s all there was to it.” Brandt glared at him. He didn’t believe it, but when he glanced down at Tyr, he swore. Tyr’s eyes were closed, but even with them that way, he could see they were slightly slanted, and cat whiskers stuck out from his

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cheeks. His ears pointed on the ends and looked like they’d shifted higher toward the top of his head instead of the sides. Fuck! “I need to get him home,” Brandt muttered, blocking Tyr from Avery’s sight. “He’ll sleep it off and be fine.” Without a backward glance, he shifted Tyr into his arms and carried him out the door. No one was in the immediate vicinity, but that could change. He tucked Tyr closer to his chest and started forward. A good twenty pounds seemed to have evaporated in that time, and when he checked Tyr again, he gasped. His lover was going to shift, right here in the middle a pack of wolves. A howl not far away made him change directions. He smelled it too, the scent of his enemy, a chew toy, something to bully and then kill. Brandt’s heart raced. All at once, he battled between protecting Tyr and hunting him—just like wolves that had joined the first who had howled. Tyr wouldn’t be safe on their grounds. As he ran on two legs, Brandt marveled at how fast Tyr shifted. One minute he was his sexy lover, and the next he was a bundle of fur in his arms. Twice as big as a house cat, but still vulnerable. And he hadn’t yet opened his eyes. Howls sounded at several points around them although he hadn’t spotted anyone. He would never outrun them this way. Taking a chance, especially knowing his instincts would take over, Brandt shifted as well. He left his clothes on the ground and ran on all fours with Tyr hanging by the scruff of his neck from his mouth. Brandt’s paws ate up the ground as he ran full tilt. The pavement gave way to grass and then dirt as he darted between the trees. With little room to spare, he cleared the fence surrounding their property, but now he heard those in pursuit. They would close in soon. He pushed hard. His lungs and throat burned. I have to save him. There’s no other choice. I won’t lose him. While fenrir wolves were bigger than the average wolf, Brandt didn’t have a lot of space from his mouth to the ground to hold Tyr. Too often, Tyr bumped the ground, tearing Brandt up with guilt. If he hurt him worse 47

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than what he was suffering now or what any of those chasing them would, he’d never forgive himself. The best he could do was to put as many miles as he could between the two of them and the wolves. The miles disappeared, and the barks of the wolves grew farther away. Brandt recalled a place across a shallow stream that might work for keeping Tyr safe. He altered his course and then came to sliding halt. A wolf stepped out from the bushes and blocked their path. He snarled, sharp teeth exposed and head low. Brandt kept his eyes on the wolf as he gently placed Tyr on the ground. His heart ached watching Tyr curled into a ball, and he rounded the small body to stand between his lover and the wolf. Brandt recognized this bastard. He was one of the ones that had had his hands on Tyr at the lakeside. What Brandt did to him, he had coming. Brandt let his feelings be known through is crouching stance, his bared teeth, and the low growl in his throat. They circled each other, but he didn’t let it go so far as to separate him from Tyr. The wolf snapped its powerful jaws toward Tyr, but Brandt bumped him in the side. He rolled on the ground, and Brandt followed. He needed to end this quickly before anyone else caught up. He caught the other wolf around the neck and bit down. A howl of pain rent the air. All he had to do was shake hard, and his enemy would be dead, but he didn’t need to go that far. Blood pooled in his mouth, and he backed off. The wolf collapsed on the ground unmoving. Brandt scooped up Tyr in his mouth and starting running again. He didn’t know how long later it had been, but at last he drew up to the cave where they could rest. He laid Tyr down gently on the ground and went out to find water. After he’d quenched his thirst, he brought back water for Tyr and let the refreshing liquid drip from his mouth to Tyr’s. His lover still didn’t move, and Brandt began to fear for his life. But right now, he couldn’t do anything other than hope Tyr would come out of it. He curled his body around Tyr’s and waited. After some time, he drifted off, ignoring the aches in his muscles and his sore paw pads.

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**** Movement woke Brandt, and he saw that the light had waned. While he slept he had changed to his human form. Tyr stood at the mouth of the cave looking back at him. “It’s not safe for you to leave yet, baby,” Brandt told him. “Not until you can shift.” He thought Tyr started at his use of the endearment, but he wasn’t sure. Brandt patted the ground in front of him. “Come back here.” Tyr hesitated and then padded over on silent paws. He settled in the curve of Brandt’s body, and Brandt stroked his soft fur. He scratched Tyr under his chin and marveled at the motor starting up. “Never thought I’d ever stroke a cat,” he muttered. “Are you okay now? You didn’t tell me using your ability took so much out of you. Was it like that when you healed me? I guess Kai took care of you.” Tyr didn’t respond of course, but Brandt kept talking, knowing his calm voice soothed Tyr. He felt the animal relax and watched his eyes close. When he was sure Tyr was asleep, Brandt settled down as well and rested his head on his bent arm. Sleep had almost claimed him again when he sensed Tyr changing. The sleek cat became the slim man with his ass tucked in tight to Brandt’s crotch. They were both naked, and Brandt grew hard seeing them so close together. Brandt traced fingertips over Tyr’s hip bone, the long bronze lashes rose, opening Tyr’s eyes. Brandt’s heart skipped a few beats and then continued in a rapid, steady pace. “There’s a bit of water nearby where we can wash.” “Thanks.” Tyr stood up and followed Brandt as he led the way. They crouched by the water’s edge and used their hands to wash off the dirt that had collected on their skin. Brandt tried keeping his eyes lowered to the rippling surface, but he couldn’t help staring at Tyr. In the pale moonlight, Tyr’s body called to him. He couldn’t help how badly he wanted the other man, and he felt the guilt of having left Tyr without satisfying him earlier.

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“I’m not going to build a fire,” he told Tyr. “I’m not sure yet that your cat scent has dissipated from the area, and I don’t want to lead anyone to our location. I can keep you warm for tonight, and we’ll head back in the morning.” Tyr lowered his head so Brandt couldn’t read what he was feeling or guess at his thoughts. “You don’t have to. I’m stronger now. I can shift at will, and I’m a forest cat, so I’m used to the surroundings. My fur will keep me warm.” Brandt didn’t hear any resentment or malice in Tyr’s words. Tyr must think he felt obligated and not that he wanted to protect him. He led the way back to the cave and lay down with his arms behind his back and ankles crossed. Tyr moved about as if searching the cave. “Come here,” Brandt said. Tyr hesitated and then came over. He squatted beside Brandt, giving him a good view of his big beautiful cock. “What can I do for you? Do you want me to get you some water? Or did you change your mind about the fire? I know how to light one.” “No.” Brandt forced his gaze higher to Tyr’s face. Sadness etched the honey eyes, and his chest constricted. “Do you have siblings in your group? I never asked, and I’m sorry.” Tyr looked away. “No, my mother was never very strong. Every child she had was either miscarried early in the pregnancy or died soon after birth. I was the only one to survive.” “That’s why you’re special,” he reasoned. “And your parents?” “She died when I was four. He left after that.” The tone Tyr spoke in was flat and unemotional. Brandt studied his face to see if he was hiding his pain, but he had the feeling Tyr regretted not having his parents around, but he’d never really known them to be depressed about their loss.” “Who told you about it?” “A friend who took me in and raised me. He was the one that awakened me to what I am and helped shape me into the man I am.” Now depression was plain in his face. “I wish I’d made different choices. I 50

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would be a stronger man. Brandt, I never meant to hurt you. I thought… I guess it doesn’t matter what I thought. What I did was how I survived all this time. You understand?” Brandt nodded. He didn’t want to think about Tyr’s past. In some ways it was similar to his in that he had no parents. His grandfather had raised him. He knew he was a full-blooded fenrir and could count back many generations. That had been satisfying until he met Tyr, and now he was discontent and resented it. To distract himself, and because he couldn’t resist being this close to his lover, Brandt reached out a hand to stroke Tyr’s cock. His lover’s eyes closed, and his pink lips parted. Hunger rose inside Brandt. His desire was too much to take things slow. He sat up and scooted back against the wall then held his hands out. Tyr came to him, and Brandt guided him to turn around. Tyr balanced himself so his ass could be high enough for Brandt to lick his fingers and begin wetting Tyr’s hole. As soon as two fingers sunk inside, Tyr cried out in ecstasy. His deep voice and trembling body set Brandt on fire. His cock shifted, eager to be buried in Tyr. When his lover was ready, he tugged him down onto his cock. Inches disappeared into the puckered hole, and he watched with eyes that burned to see every detail in the darkness. “Yes, oh, baby, yes. You feel so good.” His legs were parted, and Tyr sat on his erection facing away from him. They ground together, Brandt’s fingers holding Tyr tight at the waist. He lifted Tyr up and brought him down. No matter how many times he’d taken him, Tyr’s ass squeezed the hell out of his dick, and he loved it. Tyr moaned, holding himself up on Brandt’s knees. He arched his back and pumped while moaning. “Do you like it?” Brandt demanded. “Do I fill you up?” “Yes,” Tyr whispered. “Do you want me to come in your ass, little kitty?” Tyr’s fingers spasmed on his knees. He wasn’t sure if calling Tyr little kitty had excited or angered Tyr. Brandt pumped faster and harder. Their bodies slapped together, sounds echoing off the rocky walls. 51

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Pleasure rippled through Brandt’s system. His cock pulsated with a need to explode. He grabbed Tyr around the waist and rested on hand flat on the ground as he shoved upward into him. Tyr yowled like a cat, and Brandt could no longer hold back. His come burst out, filling his lover’s tight little hole until he was spent. When the last drop eeked out, Brandt rested his head against Tyr’s back and kissed the moist skin. He loved fucking men. He didn’t know how he’d ever take a woman to his bed after Tyr. Beautiful, sexy, hard Tyr. His lover was about to get up, but Brandt held him in place. “You want to come, don’t you?” Tyr peered at him in surprise over his shoulder. “I wasn’t sure if you’d let me.” “Have you ever fucked your previous lovers in the ass?” Tyr’s eyes widened. “Me?” he croaked. “Yeah, you.” Brandt pushed him up off his cock and then settled him down on his back. “I’ve been enjoying the touch of your big dick all this time and sucking it, but I want to know what it’s like to have it in my ass. Do you have a problem with that?” “Of course not.” He licked his lips. “To take you… I never imagined.” Brandt climbed over him. “I’m sorry I didn’t satisfy you earlier. It wasn’t fair of me to do that to you even if you were wrong. It was abuse, and I consider myself a better man than that.” Tyr kissed him, and for a few minutes they did nothing other than curl their tongues into each other’s mouths. Brandt’s cock, which had gone soft, began to harden again. Tyr’s mouth was hot and wet, and scorched Brandt with need. When they broke apart, Brandt scooted higher, ass poised above Tyr’s rigid cock. “You want to do the honors or shall I?” Tyr grinned. “I’ll do it. Suck my fingers.” With eagerness, Brandt did, taking the two digits deep into his mouth and sliding them out. Tyr hissed between his teeth, but when Brandt was done, he reached between Brandt’s ass cheeks. The pinch of pain made Brandt suck in a breath. He’d 52

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never had a man back there. He was tight, and his stomach muscles clenched with the thought of how wide he would have to stretch around Tyr’s big cock. “Give me a minute,” he said wincing. He braced his hands on Tyr’s chest and rose up a little. Tyr didn’t pull back. He worked Brandt’s ass until he got three fingers in, and Brandt sucked in air to try to stay calm. “If you don’t relax, it’s going to hurt more,” Tyr told him. “Do you want to get on your knees?” Brandt frowned. “No, take me like this. I can do it. Just put your dick in me. Do it now, baby.” Tyr pushed in just the head, and Brandt fell forward. He was surprised at Tyr’s strength when he caught him. Brandt, as big as he was, hung more like a feeble kitten as his lover fucked him. His ass rose and fell onto Tyr’s cock, stretching around the wide rod. To his embarrassment, he was shaking, and he could do nothing but let Tyr guide him. At first, the only satisfaction he got was in the pleasure Tyr had. His lover moaned and whispered his name, calling out encouragement as he plunged in and out of Brandt’s sore ass. Then the muscles in his rear relaxed so Brandt could enjoy it more. He began to move on his own, pumping Tyr’s dick at an increasing speed. “Yes,” Tyr growled. “I’m coming, Brandt. I don’t want to stop it. So good.” “Come in me,” Brandt pleaded. Tyr filled him. He felt the thick liquid warming his insides and then dripping out along the sides of Tyr’s cock and from his sore hole. Brandt reached under him and took some onto his fingers. He rubbed it over Tyr’s balls and squeezed them gently. Tyr cried out, and jerked in bliss. Brandt bounced a little longer on Tyr’s dick while still rubbing his sac. He gritted his teeth, and then the sensation he loved so much came over him. His come shot out, coating Tyr’s belly and his chest. They collapsed together facing each other. Brandt gathered Tyr into his arms like he’d never let go.

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Chapter Seven Hard-pressed to keep the grin off his face, Tyr walked ahead of Brandt into Corey’s office. He enjoyed the fact that Brandt kept his hand at his lower back, and he stayed close to his side. All he wanted was to go back to the cabin and lie in bed with him until they were exhausted. What they had done last night had blown him away. Not that he preferred sex that way, with his cock buried inside Brandt ass. Just the fact that Brandt trusted him enough to do it had been everything to him. Tyr had fallen asleep acknowledging to himself that he loved Brandt with all his heart. At this point, he couldn’t imagine being with any other man. “There you are.” The voice startled Tyr from his thoughts, and he realized the stiffness in Brandt at his side was because Brandt had already spotted Kai. “What are you doing here?” Tyr demanded. He looked at Brandt and hoped he wouldn’t think that Tyr wanted him there. They had things to work through, and he knew when it came to other men, Brandt wasn’t completely secure in Tyr. He planned when he told Brandt that he loved him to vow to be faithful forever and to face any danger to their relationship by going to Brandt instead of trying to fix it the way he’d done in the past. “I came to get you,” Kai said, standing. “You don’t belong here, Tyr. You and I both know it. He knows it too.” Before either of them could respond, Corey spoke up. “Do you know the frenzy you two left here last night, Brandt? Avery told me about Tyr beginning to change in front of him. And one of our own had to be brought back and treated. He said you attacked him.” Brandt sneered. “That fucker tried to hurt Tyr. I wasn’t standing around to let him. I was within my rights, and I should have killed him.” “Brandt, you have to understand—” The door of the office banged open, and Blaine walked in. He had met the second in command in passing and thought he was hot but not

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someone who could compare to Brandt. “I’ll take over. You have other things to attend to.” Corey frowned at Blaine. “Such as?” The man hesitated and looked around the room. Tyr wondered what was going on that would take precedence over him nearly sending half the pack crazy. Thinking of it, his throat dried. Brandt had explained what had happened when he was out of it, and he vowed not to use his ability in the middle of the homestead again. If he was needed, he’d set up a place off the grounds and work there. That is, if Brandt allowed it. “Such as,” Blaine said, snapping Tyr out of his own head, “Corrin isn’t pregnant. And Devin is gone.” Tyr watched the blood drain from Corey’s face. “Gone where?” “I don’t know. Just gone. He’s not on the grounds. Someone said they saw him load a duffel into the pickup and leave through the front gates.” “No, no, no!” Corey shouted. “He wouldn’t leave me. He wouldn’t do that!” The alpha leader sank into his chair, eyes blank. Blaine elbowed through those standing around and laid a hand on Corey’s shoulder. “Everyone out. We’ll settle this later.” Brandt took Tyr’s hand and led him to the door. Kai followed, and Tyr had to jerk his hand away as Kai tried to take the other one. Just as they were closing the door, Tyr heard something that left him cold. “Get the word out, Blaine,” Corey said. “I’m stepping down as alpha. Whoever wants the position can have it!” When they were outside on the front walk, Kai again grabbed for Tyr and whipped him around. “You see, Tyr? We don’t belong here. They’ve barely got their shit together. Even the leadership is weak and confused.” Brandt leaped between them and shoved Kai back. Kai hissed, and they were about to fight, but Tyr threw himself at Brandt’s chest. “Don’t.” Brandt blinked at him but paused. Looking over his shoulder, he saw that Kai wasn’t going to attack if Brandt wasn’t. Still, Tyr couldn’t help wondering if he was right. The wolves weren’t united, and if they no

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longer had a leader, then everyone would freely follow their animal instincts. Brandt couldn’t protect him against a whole pack. “You belong with him,” Brandt said. Tyr gasped and stared into Brandt’s eyes. Even though he was thinking it, he’d expected Brandt to fight for him. Maybe he didn’t feel like Tyr did. “What are you saying?” Brandt sighed and disentangled himself from Tyr’s hold. “I’m saying you should be mated to your own kind. I was stupid last night. I… I’m not going to deny I love you, Tyr. I love you more than my own life, but…we’re not the same. Technically, a bonding is supposed to be done in front of a witness for two people to be mated, but it works all the same just between them. When it’s two men, they come in each other. We did that in the cave.” A strangled noise came from Kai’s direction, but Tyr ignored him to keep his focus on Brandt and what he was saying. “So we’re bonded?” he asked with hope. Brandt shook his head. “No. We’re not. We’re two different species. We can’t bond in that sense. We found each other, but we’re not necessarily meant for each other.” “What the hell does that matter?” Tyr’s eyes burned. He wanted to sob and plead with Brandt, but he wouldn’t look weak in front of him or in front of Kai. “I don’t want any other man than you, Brandt. I won’t allow another man to touch me.” To his surprise, a tear did fall from Brandt’s eye, and he brushed it away. Tyr didn’t shift a muscle in case he fell on Brandt’s chest and refused to be moved. Brandt cleared his throat. “I know that. I see how much you love me in your beautiful honey eyes. And I know you would be faithful to me. You didn’t understand before, but you do now, don’t you?” Tyr nodded. He couldn’t speak. “That’s why I’m sending you away. It would kill me if someone hurt you.” He looked at Kai. “You’re safer with him, and if he ever treats you roughly, I will skin him alive.” 56

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“Fuck you,” Kai snapped. “You let him go, and he’s mine. I can—” Brandt jerked Kai up in his collar, and for the first time, Kai appeared to be at a disadvantage. He couldn’t wrestle Brandt’s hands off of him. “All right, all right,” Kai conceded. “I won’t hurt him. I promise. Just let us get on our way. The sooner we put this pack of dogs behind us, the better.” Brandt grunted his assent, and let Kai go. Then he tugged Tyr into his arms. Tyr parted his lips, allowing Brandt to fill his mouth with his thick tongue. He sucked and moaned, wanting so much more. When Brandt raised his head, Tyr bit off a groan. “How do you know?” he whispered in desperation in his lover’s ear. “Who do you know we’re not bonded?” Brandt brushed his cheek against Tyr’s, and Tyr felt dampness. “Because I can let you go.” Tyr didn’t move from Brandt’s arms under his own steam. Brandt pushed him gently back toward Kai, and he was led to the car that would take him away. For the first time in his life, he’d fallen in love, and yet he couldn’t have the man he wanted. Numb, he climbed into the car and stared straight ahead. Kai whipped around the other side, too happy, too satisfied in himself. He turned the engine over and threw the car in gear. Before they were off the fenrir property, his hand was one Tyr’s thigh, riding higher. Tyr shoved the hand away, his lips tight with his anger. “You have to give me time. Right now I don’t know when the thought of a man touching me other than Brandt won’t fill me with disgust.” Kai’s cheeks reddened, and he gripped the steering wheel until the leather squeaked. “I promise you. I’m going to teach you to love my touch. None of the others get you this time. Nobody but me.” Tyr studied Kai’s profile. In his own way Kai loved him, and he didn’t know why he had never seen it. Kai had been cruel, almost punishing Tyr for something, although he couldn’t imagine what. Now he wondered if Kai hated the weakness he felt for Tyr and took it out on him rather than accept it.

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If Tyr had known that years ago, maybe it would have made a difference. He could have reached out to Kai and helped him somehow. But it was too late. Tyr would love only Brandt no matter who claimed his body. **** Brandt shot down the road with his foot heavy on the gas and the window open. Joining in the search for Devin helped keep his mind off of Tyr. He’d seen the pain in his lover’s eyes when he pushed him away. Worse, he’d seen the glee in Kai’s. Brandt gritted his teeth. If he hurt him, if he heard even a whisper that Kai had snapped at Tyr, he’d break the bastard in half. Tyr, Tyr… When had his feelings become so intense? Last night when they were alone in the cave? He’d opened his heart to Tyr and trusted him as he’d never trusted another man. He didn’t regret it, but because of it, he hurt that much worse sending him away. He had spoken the truth when he told Tyr that they weren’t bonded. If they were, Brandt wouldn’t have felt he could survive without Tyr. He wouldn’t be searching for Devin, that was for sure. He would have eaten, slept, and breathed Tyr until the need evened out and he could function again. Sweet Tyr. Baby. A familiar scent wafting into the window pulled him from his misery. He recognized it as Devin and pulled off to a dirt road just ahead. When he was out of sight of the main thoroughfare, he slipped out of his clothes and shifted to his wolf form. Nose first in the air and then to the ground, he picked out Devin’s scent and followed it. The trail led him another five miles on foot, and then the trees opened to a cabin with smoke curling up from the chimney. He didn’t recognize the place and didn’t pick up that any other wolves had been in the area. However, Devin’s scent was strong. There was no doubt that he was inside.

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Brandt regretted not calling one of the others to tell them he picked up on Devin. He’d left everything at the truck. Howling might do the trick if anyone was nearby, but then Devin might bolt. So far he hadn’t moved. Brandt shifted back to his human form and walked up to the door. He didn’t bother knocking. Inside the décor was what a hunter might have designed, complete with animal heads mounted to the walls. He frowned. Definitely not the abode of a shifter. Devin sat before a roaring fire, unnecessary with the temperature outside warm enough to go without a jacket. The place was sweltering. “Devin, what are you doing?” The alpha didn’t turn around. He was dressed. Brandt guessed he must have parked his pickup around back because he hadn’t seen it outside. “So you’re the one to find me, huh? The one in my shoes?” he said. A muscle twitched in Brandt’s jaw. “I’m not in your shoes.” “So you’re not nursing a broken heart?” “I’m not a fool.” Devin threw his head back and laughed. He picked up the beer on the table in front of him and gestured to a chair. “Have a seat. You’re not a fool? That must mean you think I am.” Brandt sat. He felt no embarrassment about being naked. A few of their people were always just about to shift or fresh from it, so clothes were optional. All of them felt comfortable in their own skin, as far as he knew. “Of course you are. You have a mate—a bonded mate—who loves you. He’d do anything for you. And because you don’t agree with him arranging for children, you run.” Devin’s expression turned bitter. “Maybe you don’t understand.” “No, I don’t. He’s there. No danger of someone killing him today or tomorrow. You can go home to him every night and work side by side with him every day. Do you know what happened with Tyr yesterday? No, never mind. The fact is if you didn’t like Corey fucking a woman, you should have said so. To his face like a man.” Devin surged to his feet. “Don’t give me that bullshit.” He paced about the small room. “You know the pressure they put on him. Corey loves his 59

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people—our people. That’s part of why I love him so much, his big heart. I can’t tell him not to do it.” The devastation in his eyes unsettled Brandt and made him fidget in his seat. “The worse part of it is I know I have to go back because I can’t live without him, and she’s not pregnant. He’ll try again and again, ripping me apart every month.” “No, he won’t.” They both turned around to see Blaine standing at the door. He closed it behind him and walked across to sit beside Brandt. “Corey stepped down from being alpha,” Blaine informed him. Devin’s eyes widened. “What? Why?” “Because there’s no one on this earth he loves more than you, idiot. If being alpha means he has to hurt you, then he quit. Right now, we have no one to lead us. I’m not stepping up to it because the way they drive Corey nuts, Gamble would kill every one of them and calm down later.” Both Devin and Brandt agreed. Blaine’s mate didn’t take anything from anyone who stepped against Blaine, and he showed his displeasure by knocking heads. Brandt had learned real fast that Gamble was worse than Devin when it came to protective instincts for his mate. In fact he wondered why Gamble wasn’t there until he heard his distinctive bark outside. Gamble preferred his shifted form to being human, and he didn’t like domestic situations at all. “I can’t stay long,” Blaine announced. “I just wanted to tell you about Corey. He needs you there with him. I know the two of you can work this out. So we don’t get offspring from the alphas. So what. We’ll get over it. And I’ve been thinking we’ve got a peculiar group as it is. Have you noticed how many of us are gay?” Devin’s eyes held hope. “I have.” He smiled. “Did he really step down?” “He did.” “Well then I better get back to my mate and straighten him out. He’s no good without me anyway.” Blaine slapped him on the back. “No, he isn’t, my friend. No, he isn’t.” 60

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They piled out, but Brandt hesitated to follow. He didn’t plan to stay at the cabin, but he didn’t feel up to heading back to the homestead either. Maybe he should travel for a while. His thoughts jumbled in his head and commanding all his attention, he almost didn’t see when Blaine stopped to shut the door behind Devin’s retreating back. He faced Brandt. “Now you,” he said. Brandt blinked. “Huh?” Blaine pursed his lips and flared his nostrils. “The stench of heartache in this cabin is stifling, and you added to it as much as Devin did.” “That’s not—” “Don’t bother denying it,” Blaine snapped. “Look, I’m going to lay it out for you. You’re bonded mates with Tyr.” “That’s impossible!” Brandt’s shout caught Gamble’s attention, and the wolf growled low in its throat just outside the door. “I’ll be there in a minute,” Blaine called out, which was a good thing. Brandt was convinced the animal would rip the door apart if he thought Blaine needed him. Brandt had no wish to be a chew toy for the much bigger wolf. Blaine continued. “Brandt, do you think you can live without Tyr? You can’t. I guarantee it. You may think the two of you couldn’t bond, but I’d be willing to bet you are experiencing the worst pain any person has ever suffered. Let me tell you the proof will be clear when you go after him. You’ll save both of you a lot of pain if you accept that he’s yours and protecting him will be your full-time job from here on out. No compromises. No take-backs. This is your life. You can accept it or well…accept it.”

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Chapter Eight Two weeks had passed since Tyr had seen Brandt. Fourteen days of his gift not working, his mind not clear, and his appetite shot. At night he couldn’t sleep, and during the day, he holed up in his old cabin, which was torment because it still held Brandt’s scent. And this wasn’t being bonded? He had no idea what was. He liked to believe that this was nothing different than what humans experienced when they fell in love. Over time, it would fade, and he could find some semblance of happiness again. Couldn’t he? The door to the cabin burst open. When he arrived back here, he’d found someone had repaired the hinges on the door. But that first night, Kai had the destroyed the lock, and he hadn’t bothered to fix it. Now Kai stood in the entry, big and imposing. Tyr didn’t move from where he stood at the counter. “It’s been long enough,” he bellowed. “I want you. Did you forget he gave you up, Tyr? You’re my kitten now.” Tyr clenched his jaw. He wasn’t as strong as either Kai or Brandt, but he was nobody’s fucking kitten. “Get out.” Kai’s eyebrows bunched between his eyes. “Excuse me?” He stalked over to Tyr and jerked him around to face him. Tyr brought his fist up, but Kai was too fast crowding him against the counter and crushing his body. Kai grinned down at him and dipped his knees so their cocks met. Disgust made Tyr snarl, but Kai only laughed. “You think I care that you don’t want it?” He licked Tyr’s ear and then sucked at his neck. “Mm, you taste good. I’m going to shove myself so deep inside you, you’ll taste it when I come.” Tyr growled and swiped claws across Kai’s face. Blood dripped down his cheek from the scratches. Kai swore. “Son of a bitch. You’re going to pay for that.” But Tyr went at him, using all of his weight to unsettle Kai on his feet. He went down hard, knocking his head on the edge of the table. The bump

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didn’t faze him. Kai shook his head and tried to collect himself, but Tyr had his fully extended claws at Kai’s throat. Kai froze. “If you come near me again, I will kill you. Even if you overpower me at first, I will do it when you sleep, and I will take you to the wolves and let them rip your body apart.” Kai’s eyes bugged. “What the hell’s come over you, Tyr. You’re not like this. You’re a healer. You don’t hurt people.” “I am nothing!” he shouted. “Nothing at all.” Confusion settled on Kai’s features, but Tyr stopped paying attention. His heart raced, and it wasn’t because of his fight with Kai. He knew that aroma on the air. The scent was nectar to the permanent ache in his chest. “Brandt,” they both whispered at the same time. The empty doorway was filled all at once with Brandt, and Tyr sprung up from atop Kai. The smirk on Kai’s face let Tyr know he wanted Brandt to jump to the wrong conclusion about their position. Tyr didn’t pause long enough for Brandt to process a thought. He catapulted himself into his mate’s arms and pushed his tongue in between Brandt’s lips. Just as fast, Brandt returned the hungry kiss and crushed Tyr to his chest. They muttered words of love. Tyr found his pants around his ankles. He was on the bed and didn’t know how he got there. His legs were apart, and Brandt lay between them. His cock was so hard it hurt, but Brandt leaned up enough to stroke it. Tyr gave into the pleasure, coming too soon, but to his surprise Brandt used the sticky wetness to moisten his ass. He raised Tyr’s legs and flipped them over his shoulders. His thick cock pierced Tyr’s hole. Tyr cried out in ecstasy. The bedsprings creaked as Brandt pounded into him. Their skin slapped each time they came together to punctuate the intense pleasure they shared. “Brandt, yes, yes,” Tyr called out. “Take it all,” Brandt pleaded. “Baby, you’re going to make me come. I can’t hold it.” “Don’t hold it.” Tyr ran a hand over Brandt’s chest and found his nipple to tweak. Brandt gave a harsh cry, and Tyr felt his hot seed exploding into his ass. 63

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Brandt pulled out and sat up. He gathered Tyr into his arms and held him close. They panted around hungry kisses before Brandt settled Tyr’s head on his shoulder and stroked his back. “I was wrong,” he muttered into the hair on top of Tyr’s head. Tyr snuggled closer, closing his eyes. He’d never felt so safe. “About what?” “About us. I said we weren’t bonded mates. I thought it was impossible. I was wrong when it took every ounce of my energy not to come for you sooner. When I almost killed a couple of my people, Corey commanded me to leave.” Tyr gasped and struggled up from his chest to look in his eyes. “He couldn’t have abandoned you that easily could he? Well, I’m going to talk to him. No one treats you like that and gets away with it.” Brandt grinned. “You will fight the alpha?” “If I have to.” His lover chuckled and stroked his cheek. “I appreciate that, but he commanded me to leave or make up with you and bring you home. That was the only way I could live there. I’m too dangerous without you.” “Home,” Tyr repeated and kissed him. “That reminds me. How are they? Your alphas. The last time I was there, the one had left, and the other didn’t look so good.” Brandt nodded. “He came back. He figured out what I know now. A man can’t go on without his mate after he’s bonded with him. It’s just not possible. I thought what I felt for you was love. I thought since I was sending you away for your own protection, then that must mean we weren’t bonded. I admit that I didn’t truly get the concept.” Tyr smiled. “I didn’t either.” He hesitated, knowing that Brandt was attracted to a quieter, gentler type, which was what he was most of the time. But he wanted to be honest. “When you walked in and I was laying on Kai…” Brandt opened his mouth, but Tyr put a hand over his lips. “I was in the middle of threatening to kill him if he touched me.” Brandt’s eyes bugged. “You’re kidding?”

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Heal My Wolf

Eden Cole

“No.” Embarrassed, Tyr ducked his head. “I don’t know what came over me, but all of a sudden I decided I’d rather die than let any man but you take me. I hope that aggression doesn’t turn you off. I’m probably not that kind of man now.” Brandt chuckled. “No, I don’t think you are. Don’t worry. That pleases me more than you know. But I wasn’t worried about it. I trust you, and I know you love me. Although it would be nice to hear…” Tyr shifted his position and let his cock press against his mate’s. He wrapped his arms around Brandt’s neck and kissed him. When he drew back, he whispered, “I love you, Brandt, fenrir wolf, and I want to be with you wherever you go, whether it’s at your home or we find a new one.” “Now that’s what I wanted to hear,” Brandt told him, squeezing him around the waist. “Come here. Let’s seal it with another kiss.” He slipped his tongue into Tyr’s mouth and moaned. “And another…” “And another…”

The End

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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.