Raphael's Mating

Raphael's Mating When his preferences for men became known, Raphael was all but thrown from the pack. He is now town sheriff and still keeps away from the pack. Then a new alpha gets the position, and Raphael can't keep away from him. River is curious about the town sheriff and his packmate. Once he sees him, he knows he wants him, both in his bed and as his second-in-command. But Raphael has secrets he doesn't want to share. With enemies ready to use Raphael against him, River needs Raphael to trust him completely. Can they make it work before it's too late? Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves Length: 24,842 words

RAPHAEL’S MATING

Sunny Day

EROTIC ROMANCE MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove

RAPHAEL’S MATING Copyright © 2011 by Sunny Day E-book ISBN: 1-61034-610-6 First E-book Publication: July 2011 Cover design by Jinger Heaston All cover art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

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RAPHAEL’S MATING SUNNY DAY Copyright © 2011

Chapter 1 Raphael shucked off his boots and continued into the living room, stripping his uniform as he walked. It was late, and he had worked overtime again. The pack support might have gotten him the job, but he worked his tail off on it. He sighed, thinking about the contents of his refrigerator. Nothing appealing there, probably. Raphael grimaced. Never mind it. He could just drop by the town café tomorrow and have a big breakfast. His stomach rumbled in protest, but he ignored it. His phone rang. Raphael looked at it with dislike. What could possibly be the matter now? They couldn’t need him again. No, it was his home line, not his cell. Not the office then, but who? Frowning, Raphael went to pick it up. He almost dropped it when he recognized the number. It was a long time since he’d seen it. The main pack house. Raphael stared at the phone. He hesitated, but the phone continued to ring, like whoever was calling knew he was there. His teeth clenched, but he obediently it picked up. “Raphael.” Riker’s voice came over the line. The wolf inside him stirred, recognizing its Alpha. Raphael pushed it back ruthlessly. His shoulders sagged. He couldn’t think of any good reason why Riker would be calling him, and he was too damn tired to deal with Riker right now.

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“Yes?” There was a pause on the other end. “Did you get my message?” Raphael squeezed his eyes shut. So that was what it was about. Relief flooded him. “Yes, I got an e-mail.” “Good, good,” Riker said, but he sounded absent. Raphael frowned. The e-mail contained a standard invitation to all pack members for the next Full Moon Gathering. This time, though, there was a special occasion. The old Black Pine Alpha, Riker, was retiring, and his heir was being confirmed. While it was an important event, it wasn’t fraught with the dangers that could sometimes go with the new Alpha ascending. Riker had already chosen his heir, and this was only a formality. As far as Raphael knew, no one was going to contest Riker’s choice. Sure, he was pretty much isolated from the pack, but he would have known something this big. And anyway, there weren’t that many dominant wolves in the pack, and not all of them were interested in the alpha job. Raphael himself ranked pretty high, and Frank might cause problems, but he wasn’t any match for River, which meant River’s job was safe. But why was Riker calling him then? “Is there a problem?” “Are you going to come?” “I won’t challenge River, if that’s what you are asking.” “I’m not. It’s just that your father will be upset.” Raphael bit back an angry retort. He was well aware of the low opinion his father had of him. It was what caused him to practically lose the pack. Raphael swallowed his resentment. “You know as well as I that if I don’t show up, it could be seen as if I am challenging River. I don’t need that kind of trouble.” “I’m aware of that. You will have to swear fealty to him, but it doesn’t have to be during the ceremony.”

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Lovely. Raphael’s wolf was pushing at the edges of his control. Wolves were pack animals, and this one hadn’t run with the pack for more time then Raphael cared to remember. It was starting to affect him. When the invitation for the Full Moon Gathering ceremony arrived, Raphael had mostly marked it as an opportunity to mingle with the pack again. He missed it, and most of the pack members didn’t have problems with him. Only his family despised him. He rubbed his forehead. “You can’t forbid me to show up, Riker. It’s an official occasion, and the usual rules don’t apply. It’s the night of Alpha challenge. Everyone, pack or no pack, can attend.” He gripped the receiver tighter and started to pace. He was agitated, and his wolf didn’t help the matters. It was willing to defy his Alpha, even. “Does that mean you are coming?” Riker sounded cool and collected. He’d taken control of the pack when it was in shambles and made it into one of the strongest in the area. He wasn’t a stranger to confrontation, and it was dangerous to cross him. For a moment Raphael was tempted to say yes. Riker couldn’t enforce this command, and they both knew it. And if his father was displeased, well, his father could just deal with it. “No.” Riker grunted and hung up. The dial tone echoed hollowly in Raphael’s ears. Resisting the urge to throw the phone against the wall, Raphael replaced it in its cradle. Bitter resentment mixed with anger filled him inside. He did not deserve this. He should be able to— Raphael was jarred out his musings when there was a knock on the door. Without waiting for an answer, Len came in, his smile wavering when he noticed Raphael’s expression. He stopped in his tracks. Like Raphael, he was a wolf, too, and coming into another wolf’s house when its owner was clearly agitated was never a good idea. “Something wrong, Raphael?” he asked carefully. He belonged to Eagle Nest Pack and served as a liaison to Black Pine mostly because

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his pack Alpha, Sylas, didn’t care enough to appoint someone else. Raphael was actually grateful for that, since Len was easy to get along with. He was also Raphael’s friend, and the presence of another wolf, even if it was from the other pack, often soothed Raphael. With an effort, Raphael brought himself under control. “No. My old problems, that’s all. You would think that after all this time Riker won’t be able to rile me up.” “What happened?” Len went to sit on the couch, looking at Raphael in concern. “He doesn’t want me on the ascension ceremony.” Len’s eyes widened. “He can’t forbid you that.” “I know. Still, I don’t think I’m going to go. It’s easier this way.” “I guess so.” They lapsed into silence. Then Len blurted, “You know, I don’t understand old Riker.” Raphael frowned at him. “Oh?” “I wouldn’t have pegged him for a homophobe.” Raphael smiled without humor. “You would have been right. It’s not Riker. It’s my father.” He curled his lip. “Couldn’t take his only son being a faggot. Since he is one of Riker’s oldest friends and Beta, I’m not surprised at Riker’s reaction.” Len snorted. “I am. And your father better change his opinion. After all, River Summers is the same.” Recognizing the name of Riker’s foster son and heir, Raphael shot Len an inquiring glance. “Same what?” Len grinned. “Gay.” Raphael blinked. Now that was an interesting piece of information. “How do you know?” he asked suspiciously. Len shrugged. “I know River. We’ve run into each other more than once. ” Stunned, Raphael leaned back on the wall. He tried to remember what he knew about his future Alpha. He was younger than Raphael,

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and had somehow, against all odds, ended up in foster care. By the time he was a teenager, he was totally out of control and well on his way to the juvenile detention center. That was in Atlanta, where Riker went on a trip. He’d been somewhat surprised to find the half-grown pup on the streets trying to rob him. He’d picked the kid up, fed him, made some calls, and took him home. Raphael vaguely remembered him from that time. Of course, that was also the time he got kicked out of his parents’ home and effectively out of the pack, so his memories ended there. Even when Raphael was back home and working for the sheriff’s office, he hadn’t met River. Now that he thought about it, he never heard any gossip about River’s conquests. That was unusual for younger pack members, but Raphael chalked it up to Riker preparing the young wolf to inherit his position. “And you just happened to ask him that?” “Hey, he is not hiding it,” Len answered. “I never heard anything.” “You wouldn’t. I swear, Raphael, you are living like a hermit. It’s all work and no fun. All things aside, that can’t be good for you. Lone wolves don’t last long.” “I’m not going to snap.” It was a subject Len had breached earlier, and Raphael always brushed it off. He had no desire to talk with anyone about his problems. “Never mind that. If you already invited yourself to dinner, did you happen to bring food?” **** “Why do you care!” a hysterical female voice rang in River’s ears. So his information was true, and Anita was back home. That was good. Judging from her defiant tone, the rest of it was bad. River sighed, pausing with his hand on the knob. Teenagers were bad. Teenager wolves were even worse. He grinned. He should know. He used to be one of the worst ones. Shaking his head, he went into the house. He needed to talk with the Solises.

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Two women, Teresa and Anita, were in the kitchen. They faced each other, and the tension in the room was almost palpable. Anita tossed her head when she noticed him, refusing to feel intimidated. River just raised one eyebrow, shifting his attention to her mother. “River. I didn’t hear you come in.” “Mrs. Solis,” River answered politely. Teresa tried to smile in return and failed. She was in her fifties, but looked younger, despite dark circles under her eyes and tousled hair. She obviously hadn’t slept at all last night, and worry was etched on her face. Still, it was obvious she was an attractive woman. River looked at her younger replica, who met his gaze, defiantly raising her chin. Anita Solis was wearing tight black leather pants and an even tighter black top. There was a heavy makeup on her face, enhancing her looks. She looked older and very sexy. If River was attracted to women, he would be drooling right now. He kept his expression pleasant. “Can I get some coffee, Mrs. Solis?” he inquired. Some of the tension dispelled. Teresa, obviously relieved to have something to do, nodded. “Of course.” She didn’t look at Anita. Apparently, she wouldn’t mind someone else taking care of her rebellious daughter. Teresa drew in a breath and busied herself at the stove. River wasn’t fooled. Her reaction meant she must have tried and failed to talk to Anita about her behavior countless times. “Have a seat,” she offered. River did as he was told. “Going to join me?” he asked Anita. She snorted. “No.” She glared at her mother’s back. “I’m going upstairs.” She tried to hedge past him. River’s hand shot out. He caught her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. “Hey!” She tugged, trying to get away from him. She was a strong wolf, but she was no match for pack Alpha. River kept his expression still. “Not so fast, young lady. Sit. I want to talk to you.”

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She glared at him, but reluctantly obeyed. River was impressed. Not many wolves, especially ones that young, would try to resist their Alpha’s command. He detested having to force her to talk, but neither of them had a choice. Anita Solis was becoming a problem. She was almost sixteen and suffering from one of the worst cases of teenage rebellion River had seen. River was baffled as to why. She had a loving family, and the pack went out of the way to care for its youngest members. Since Anita had recently become able to shift, she could not be allowed to go haring off on her own. Werewolves took special care to hide their existence from humans. One careless act from someone as young and inexperienced as Anita, and they would all be in trouble. “So? What do you want?” Anita demanded. “Anita!” Teresa admonished, offended by her daughter’s tone. River, however, refused to take the bait. He wasn’t going to argue with Anita. “Drop the attitude, kid. There is no point in being nasty with me. I am not your parent, and I don’t care,” he said in a pleasant tone of voice. He gave her a tight smile. “I’m afraid that you will have to talk to me.” “Hah!” Anita was obviously not impressed. “Coffee is done. Do you want something else, River?” Teresa announced. She tried to bring the coffeepot and mug to the table, but she was still upset and her hands trembled. River deftly picked both items up, putting them on the table and filling the mug. “Allow me,” he said without missing a beat. River brought a mug to his lips and inhaled deeply. It smelled delicious, and he could feel his senses perking up. He’d gone out last night and returned home only in the wee hours of the morning. Riker had been waiting on him with grim news, so he didn’t have time to do more than shower and change his clothes.

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Good thing he had gotten laid, he reflected, because it certainly helped his mood. What was that guy’s name? M-something, but he was a sweet lay. “I was just out. Nothing wrong with that,” Anita complained. She started to fidget in her chair, obviously unnerved by his behavior. “I tend to agree with that.” River leaned back in his chair. “Hell, I hit the clubs last night. Still,” he fixed her with a stare, “my getting out is not likely to land me into jail.” Anita snorted. “No one is going to arrest me, River. If you’ve forgotten, my brother is the sheriff.” He had forgotten about that. Raphael Solis, Anita’s older brother, was the sheriff. River had yet to meet him, as his job prevented Raphael from being there on the Full Moon Gathering ceremony. “If your brother knew where you were—” Teresa started. “But you are not going to tell him, are you? Remember, you are not talking with him. Or would you go against father’s orders? I don’t think so,” Anita taunted her mother. The Solises were estranged from their eldest son. River had heard that before. He didn’t know why, and he didn’t care. His primary concern at the moment was Anita, who obviously couldn’t be allowed to keep acting like this. When she didn’t come home last night, an alarm was raised. Pack members, including her father, were still out searching for her. She’d showed up an hour ago, dressed like a whore and oblivious to her parents’ worry. Teresa drew in a breath. River hastily intervened. “Never mind that. Anita,” he said, making a pause to ensure she was listening to him, “what do you want?” She kicked her legs. “I want to have fun.” River rolled his eyes. “No, you want to annoy the hell out of your parents.” And she was succeeding admirably. “Truth is, you are not doing this without reason, no matter how convoluted and illogical it

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might be. So what is the reason? Just tell me. It’s easier this way, and I should know.” Anita still looked rebellious. She opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, her father burst through the door. “Anita! Are you all right?” Then he was beside his daughter, hugging her. River watched them with a raised brow. Manuel obviously loved his daughter, so that couldn’t be what the problem was. Manuel let go of his daughter and turned to River. “River. Riker sent you?” “As soon as I came home this morning. Marie phoned to tell Anita was back.” “Yes.” Manuel slanted a glance at his daughter. “If you ever do something like that again—” Manuel’s voice rose. He sounded pissed, and no wonder. Anita sneered. “You are going to kick me out, like Raphael. Go ahead. I don’t give a damn. ” Her father was speechless for a moment, and then his eyes narrowed. “Don’t ever mention that name in my house.” River cleared his throat to remind Manuel of his presence. He had no intention of being in the middle of family squabble, and Manuel was his foster father’s Beta. Anita crossed her arms over her chest. “Oh, look. Isn’t that our Alpha? Are you going to talk to him, father, or just order him out? After all, we all know what he is.” River frowned. What was the meaning of that? Manuel’s lips tightened. “Anita, go upstairs.” Anita curled her lip, but stood up and headed for the stairs. River had a strong suspicion she did that because she wanted to go, not because she felt compelled to obey her father. Manuel sat on the chair and reached for his wife’s hand. They sat in silence. She squeezed his hand, attempting a weak smile.

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“I apologize for that, River. I don’t know what came over Anita those last months. She was never like that.” River picked up his mug again. “It’s not a problem.” “I got a call that she was back. Who found her?” “No one. She came alone.” Manuel slumped back in his chair. “I see.” “Anita is very young and untrained,” River continued. “We need to curb her...er, penchant for outings before it ends badly.” Manuel sighed, raking a hand through his still black hair. “I know. I’m trying. She was never like this before,” he added wistfully. River made a noncommittal noise. “I think it would be wise for Anita to talk with Marie.” Marie was the pack’s Omega and healer. She was uniquely equipped to handle cases like this. Manuel drew back. “I can handle my daughter.” River stood up, leaving the now-empty cup in the sink. “Mr. Solis, you are one of most respected pack members. It’s not shameful to ask for help.” “I can deal with Anita,” Manuel insisted. Teresa’s mouth tightened, and she pulled her hand out of Manuel’s. “Like you dealt with Raphael?” “Teresa!” “I am tired, Manuel,” his wife said. “I want to go upstairs.” Manuel hugged her comfortingly. “Of course. You are upset. It’s natural—” ‘“Let Marie talk to Anita.” Her words caused Manuel to stiffen again. “Teresa. You can’t blame me for—”

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Teresa shook her head sadly. “I don’t. We both made that decision. It’s as much my fault as yours. I should never have let Raphael go. I’m not letting Anita go, and I don’t care what you want.” Giving her mate one last glance, Teresa left the kitchen. Manuel stared after her, the lines on his face deepening. River cleared his throat. “I should go.” Manuel just nodded, putting his head in his hands. “I understand. Thank you for coming.” River just nodded and left the kitchen. Once he was in the hallway, he heard a sound coming from upstairs. Frowning, he looked up, only to see a shadow disappearing. Anita had eavesdropped.

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Chapter 2 “So she was back,” Riker said. Shrugging, River leaned on his bike, still parked in front of Manuel’s house. One hand still holding the phone, he used the other to fish his keys out of his pocket. “She was. Teresa was with her, though. I don’t think that Manuel would’ve been much help. He certainly didn’t handle it well when he returned.” From the other side of the line came just noncommittal noise. “Manuel can be—stubborn, sometimes,” Riker said of his old friend. River snorted. “I noticed that. By the way,” he added casually as he turned to pick his helmet, “did someone get hold of Raphael last night? Was he searching for his sister?” “No. There was no need, not until we knew for sure.” River had a different opinion. “Has he talked to his sister? She may be more inclined to listen to him than to his parents.” “I don’t think so. Manuel wouldn’t like that.” “I’m off, then,” River said. “See you soon.” He disconnected. Huh. He should have remembered Manuel was Riker’s old friend, besides being his Beta. He wasn’t going to get any information from him. Maybe it was time to find out more about the sheriff. Grinning, he started his bike and went in search of the pack’s younger wolves. “Yo, River.” A bunch of them were, as he had expected, parked in front of Reyes Valdez’s house. His house was on the outskirts of town, surrounded by thick trees and welcoming shade. The guys were gathered in the yard and amused themselves with throwing a ball.

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River stepped on the porch. “Enjoying yourselves, I see,” he said, settling himself in one of the chairs on the porch. Reyes, who was sitting on the other one, raised his sunglasses to look at him. “You could say that. Did you enjoy yourself last night?” River grinned. “That I did. Morning was less amusing.” He nodded at Emilio and Thomas, who stopped their game to come and greet him. “What’s up, River?” “I have a question,” River answered, snagging a glass of refreshingly cold soda. “Oh?” River took a long swallow. “Raphael Solis.” They exchanged nervous looks. It was Reyes who spoke again. “Something wrong with him?” Raphael wasn’t present when River was confirmed as pack Alpha. This was obviously upsetting his friends. River shrugged, trying to put them at ease. “No, I’m just curious. I visited his family this morning. What’s with him and his parents?” “They don’t get along,” Reyes said. “I figured that much. What happened?” Emilio and Thomas were again looking at Reyes. River tapped his fingers on the table impatiently. “Reyes?” “You should ask Riker,” he said finally. He avoided meeting River’s gaze. “I’m asking you.” “Technically, he is a pack Alpha,” Thomas said, taking a seat opposite him. “So we sort of have to tell him.” “It’s tricky, because Raphael is—you know,” Emilio answered, looking uncomfortable. His brown eyes looked worried. River remembered there was a blood connection between Emilio’s family and the Solises.

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“It’s not like we know the details,” Reyes replied. “Raphael never said anything.” “But you must have some ideas.” Reyes sighed. “As far as I know Raphael was caught making out with his high school sweetheart.” River stared at Reyes. “Excuse me?” “That was at the end of our senior year, just before graduation. Raphael and his father had a huge fight. Raphael left after that. He went to the police academy. He came back here some years after, when the packs wanted one of their own in the sheriff’s office. Being a cop, Raphael was the obvious choice. He was the elected sheriff, but even now he is not on the best terms with his parents.” Thomas suddenly frowned. “You haven’t met Raphael, have you?” “Sorry. I tend to avoid officers of law and order. My troublesome youth, you understand,” River said dryly. “But since he is your cousin, I assume he looks like you.” He glanced at Emilio. Thomas snorted. “Just more attractive.” “Hey!” Emilio protested indignantly. “Sorry,” Thomas said unrepentantly. “But it’s the truth.” He looked at River. “Think stereotype of Latin lover. Dark skin, black eyes, black hair.” “Are you sure that of the two us, I’m the one who’s into men?” They all laughed. “Raphael is also very strong wolf,” Reyes said casually. Too casually. Ah. So that’s what’s gotten them worried. “So he looks like a wet dream. What has that got to do with him necking with his girlfriend?” Emilio grinned. “That was the point, man. It was a boyfriend.” River blinked. He hadn’t expected that. “Say that again.”

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“Raphael was, is attracted to men,” Reyes explained. River leaned back into his chair, playing idly with sunglasses in his lap. “You are serious.” “Didn’t you ever wonder why we didn’t so much as bat an eye when you came out?” “It did occur to me, especially after you took me to that gay strip club. Now I know the answer,” River said wryly. “I take it that Solis didn’t take it well.” Reyes grimaced. “To put it mildly. He practically disowned Raphael. Forbade even his mother to stay in contact with him. Anita worshiped her big brother. I remember she used to wail like a banshee when Raphael left.” Which could be his answer, all right. River contemplated what he found out. “All right, I get why no one told me this before. But I never noticed Manuel having a problem with me.” Generally, werewolves kept their noses out of others’ personal affairs, and no one was judged on the basis of sexual preferences. “I don’t think he would. Have a problem, I mean,” Reyes said thoughtfully. “It’s just that Raphael was his son. I gather that makes a difference.” River thought about it. In a strange way, it made sense. “Anyway, it was bad, but then Riker botched it completely,” Emilio blurted out. River shot him a glance. “How do you mean that?” Emilio flushed, but held his ground. “Manuel was his best friend. He didn’t cope well with Raphael, so Riker cut him from the pack.” “I see. What happened when Raphael got back? The packs did their best for him to get the job. They wouldn’t have done that if hadn’t owed allegiance to us.” There were three packs in the area: Black Pine, Eagle Nest, and Crescent Moon. It was convenient for them to have a werewolf in the office.

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“That’s true, but that’s as far as it went. You will notice Raphael isn’t around. He is not banished from the pack because Riker has no excuse to do it. Still, for all purposes, Raphael is practically a lone wolf. That’s not good. He is going to break sooner or later, and then we will all be in trouble. Raphael is the sheriff. We need input in the county office.” “I know.” River picked his sunglasses again. He had the utmost respect for his foster father. However, it looked like it was time for some changes in pack politics. **** Multicolored lights flashed in his rear mirror again. River scowled at them, starting to slow down his bike. He pulled off next to the road, anger rising inside him. He was pissed off. It was late, it was raining, and here he was being stopped for a traffic citation. A white and beige car with the markings of the county sheriff’s office eased next to him. Annoyed, River stared at it. Some of his dislike of the car’s owner stemmed from his problematic past. However, some of it was rooted in the fact that the sky above them was darkening, the trees enclosing the road were becoming bigger and scarier looking, and he was forced to stop. Remembering his foster father’s admonishments, he schooled his face into a neutral expression. He was a respected member of the community, even Alpha of his pack. He had no reason to be afraid of the cop. The car door opened, a tall figure in a khaki uniform unfolding from the driver’s seat. He was tall, River noticed absently, tall and slim, and when he turned off to say something into his radio unit, River glimpsed a long black braid slithering down his back. He waited until the guy approached, gravel crunching under his boots. Wow, he is a handsome one, River mused to himself, eying the young man. He appeared to be only a couple years older than River. He was also obviously of Mexican descent with dark olive skin, black

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hair and eyes, and long eyelashes most women River knew would kill for. His gaze lingered on plump, surprisingly red lips. His cock twitched. Even under his uniform, it was obvious the cop was ripped. River wouldn’t mind having a piece of that. Down boy. This is a cop. We don’t like cops, remember? “May I help you, Officer?” “Yes.” The voice was cold and calm, but the look from the black eyes was anything but. He stopped close enough for River to catch his scent, diluted by the rain. River’s smile vanished. This was not an ordinary cop. This was a werewolf. So this was Raphael Solis, pack member and county sheriff. Raphael smirked, crossing his arms over his chest, apparently aware of River’s thoughts. River refused to show he was rattled. He forced himself to relax. “It’s about time,” he said in a dry tone, idly fingering his helmet. Raphael let out a noncommittal sound then stepped closer until his shoulder brushed River’s. “Sorry for the inconvenience,” he added. River snorted. “You wanted to introduce yourself, didn’t you? We haven’t met before.” Fine, he was still making himself scarce when he scented a cop. He was regretting it now, at least partially. Raphael was gorgeous. And he swung his way, River’s dick added helpfully. Raphael’s scent, a dark and alluring mixture, clearly indicated he was pleased with the way his new Alpha looked. The question was, would Raphael be interested in following on that attraction? “True.” “I must say, you chose a unique way.” He was treated to a challenging smile. Watch it River.. Raphael was hot, no doubt about that, and River was not adverse to exploring attraction between them, but he was also a very strong werewolf. One

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of the strongest in the pack, River concluded, giving the other man a measuring look. He couldn’t allow his cock to distract him. Raphael might be willing to challenge him for the position, and the way he was standing, firmly in River’s personal space, was pure insolence. The rain pelted around them, the sky becoming darker with each minute. They stared at each other, neither of them willing to break the tense silence. Then Raphael sighed. “I owe you allegiance.” He stepped back, and River suppressed a pang of regret when Raphael’s delectable body moved out of his reach. “What, right now and right here?” Raphael smirked, the challenge back in his eyes. “Why not?” He knows I dislike cops. He knows why. He did this on purpose. River smirked back. “Fine with me. You will have to come to the pack house, however. I’m not the only one who needs to be assured about your loyalty.” Raphael shrugged. “If that’s done...” River beckoned him with a finger. “Now come here.” There were more ways than one for a werewolf to show his obedience to his Alpha. Raphael hesitated, but returned to his position next to River. River’s cock jumped in satisfaction. And he felt an answering delight in Raphael’s scent. Ignoring it, he put a hand on Raphael’s shoulder. Raphael tensed. “Relax, it’s not going to hurt,” River murmured. His words caused his own belly to tighten under an onslaught of desire. His fingers found and wrapped around Raphael’s braid. He used it to tug the other man even closer. Raphael’s hip bumped against his. Raphael shivered then tilted his head to one side, showing that he understood what River wanted.

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River’s fangs elongated, his wolf coming closer to the surface. He scraped them against Raphael’s skin. Strong muscles flexed under his grip, but Raphael didn’t try to get away. Baring your throat to your Alpha meant showing respect. It wasn’t usually, River thought wryly, this intimate. Anyone who saw them right now would think they were embracing each other. For a moment, he reveled in Raphael’s closeness and his willing submission. He could hear his heart beating unsteadily. He was as turned on by this as River was. River pulled back, allowed Raphael to retreat. He saw the other man swallow and grinned. “I’ll see you later, then?” He made it a challenge. His gaze for a moment dropped to Raphael’s groin. He couldn’t see it, but he would bet Raphael was as hard as he. Black eyes found his. Raphael licked his lips. “Yes.” **** Raphael made a point to park his jeep in front of the pack’s main house. He had no doubt the fact that he’d visited the new pack Alpha would be making rounds in a matter of minutes. Which, he supposed, was the whole point of this visit. He raised his hand to knock, but the door opened before he had a chance. He blinked. “Hi,” Marie said, looking like she wasn’t at all surprised to see him. “River is out back. You remember. That’s where the pack gathers.” She closed the door without waiting for him to answer. He must have interrupted her in something. Shaking his head, Raphael crossed the wooden porch leading to spacious backyard, the place reserved for pack gathering. It was actually covered in fine pale sand, and the vast wooded area spread out behind it. Pine branches scented the air, calming Raphael down. Under the leaves, Raphael could scent the

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presence of many wolves, all familiar, and the wolf inside him growled, happy to feel pack again. “So you did show up,” said a sneering voice from behind him. His senses kicked in. He turned around, recognizing the voice, too, and the memories weren’t all nice. “Frank.” He dipped his head in acknowledgment. Frank gave him feral smile. “I wanted to talk to you.” Raphael smirked at him. “You don’t actually want to challenge me? You never were able to beat me before.” “True.” A rustle from the bushes alerted Raphael to someone else’s presence. His eyes narrowed when he recognized Frank’s brother, Jason. Frank grinned at him. “But we will be.” Raphael didn’t wait for either of them to get closer. He shifted, twisting out of his clothes in the air, which left him free to attack. He charged. First Jason, because he was weaker than Frank and easier to incapacitate. He didn’t need Jason attacking him from the back while he dealt with the stronger wolf. Jason yelped as Raphael brought him to the ground. He groaned, staring dazedly at Raphael. Raphael hesitated briefly before retreating. Jason didn’t move when Raphael turned to face Frank. Frank cursed as he started to shift. Raphael growled before jumping on him. Disoriented from the shift, Frank didn’t react until Raphael was already on top of him, sinking his teeth into the fur on the top of his neck. “Stop it! Stop when I say!” Running on the adrenaline, Raphael’s wolf was too far gone to detect annoyance in the voice, although it was strangely familiar. His senses were on alert, and another’s blood coated his teeth. He was forcefully yanked off his foe and thrown into the dirt. He snarled at the intruder who had dared to set himself between him and his rightful prey.

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River, still in his human form, narrowed his eyes and snarled back at him. The black wolf whimpered and retreated in face of his Alpha’s anger. Limping, a smaller and lighter wolf approached Raphael’s fallen opponent. Raphael growled warningly. The prey was his. His muscles were starting to ache. He didn’t get out of this without a scratch. Frank and Jason shifted. Jason helped his brother stand. Raphael growled, noting in satisfaction bruises and cuts on their skin. “You appear to have suffered no lasting damage,” River said coolly, then turned back to Raphael. “And you. Shift.” River must have put some force in his command because Raphael was actually surprised to find himself sitting on the ground, night air caressing his naked skin. He shivered. River threw his clothes at him. “Get dressed. All of you.” Shrugging now that his temper was again under control, Raphael did as he was told. “He attacked me,” Frank complained to River, “after he attacked Jason first.” “You challenged me,” Raphael reminded Frank. Frank flushed, pushing Jason, who was trying to help him, away. “You didn’t wait for me to shift!” “Why should I give you the advantage? You wanted to attack me. Being a dominant wolf doesn’t mean only strength. It has something to do with brains, too. And,” he added, “if it was proper challenge, your brother wasn’t supposed to help you.” River’s head jerked at this. “Is this true?” “Of course not!” Frank denied. “Jason was with me, but neither of us attacked Raphael. It was other way around.” River looked skeptical. “Fine. Neither of you are hurt, so we will leave it at that.”

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“I want to fight for Beta position,” Frank insisted. Raphael froze hearing this. Beta position? He assumed Frank was just being an asshole. He had totally forgotten that as new Alpha, River needed to choose his seconds. And he ranked with River’s top wolves, he realized. Shit. I should have remembered that. But River’s appearance rattled him enough he just didn’t think. River raised one eyebrow. “You want to continue?” “My leg is bleeding!” Frank protested. “I can’t fight now.” “Then you forfeit.” Raphael glanced at Frank. Even in fading daylight, he saw him clenching his teeth. “That’s not fair.” “You should be happy I interfered, Frank. And I won’t pursue this matter further.” Frank glared at River, but the young Alpha just returned his stare. “Well?” “Fine,” Frank practically spat. “We are going.” He grabbed his sweater from Jason’s hand and headed toward the street. “Come on, Jason.” His brother followed. River turned to Raphael. “That was quick.” “It wasn’t my idea.” Raphael shrugged. He managed to get his jeans on and now was pulling his sweater over his head. He grimaced as the movement stretched one particularly nasty scratch. River’s gaze shifted from Frank to him. “What was that?” “Nothing.” Now that adrenaline was fading, Raphael was feeling rather light-headed. “I need to go,” he said abruptly. As he went past River, a hand grabbed his shoulder. He winced. “Come inside.” Raphael tried to extricate himself. “It’s late. I want to go home.”

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“You are going to faint from blood loss. I can smell it, even if I can’t see it.” True. Raphael allowed himself to lean into River’s strong grip. He felt River guiding him toward the house. Still, he resisted. “I can call someone to drop me off.” “Your deputies are all human. You know as well as I that you are going to shift to heal, and then how you are going to explain the black wolf that took your place?” Raphael twisted his head to glare at River. “If you didn’t force me to shift back, I could have healed then.” River’s eyes were impossibly blue, he noticed. Impossibly blue and he was almost drowning in them. His body radiated heat, and for the first time in countless years, Raphael felt truly at peace. River chuckled, and the sound caused something low in his belly to twist. “Ah, but what would be the point of it then? You all needed a lesson.” “Frank needs a lesson. He was always a jerk,” Raphael muttered. His vision was narrowing. He gripped River’s shoulder. “I think I’m going to faint,” he warned before everything went black.

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Chapter 3 Raphael woke in a strange bed and a strange house. Disoriented, he stared at the ceiling. His wolf grumbled. So they were safe, and there was no need to run. Carefully, he sat up, a hand going to his shoulder as a twinge in it reminded him of yesterday’s encounter with Frank. There was only a faint scarring on it, which meant that he healed nicely. However, he didn’t remember climbing up the stairs and going to bed. Things after the fight got a little fuzzy, and his mind kept drawing a blank. Raphael groaned and buried his head in his arms. He did faint. River must have brought him upstairs. And that thought shouldn’t be giving him a thrill. Too bad he was unconscious, his traitorous cock piped in. Checking his wristwatch, he discovered it was still early enough. Standing up, Raphael stretched. If he remembered correctly, the whole second floor of the main pack house consisted of guest rooms for pack members to stay in when needed. Only pack Alpha had permanent residence there. His stomach growled, reminding him he had pushed himself last night and needed food. Deciding there was nothing better he had to do, Raphael headed for the kitchen. It was empty. He started pulling things out of the cabinets and food out of refrigerator. River’s scent, an alluring concoction of male musk and undeniable power, lingered in the air. Raphael leaned on the counter and took a deep breath. His whole body tensed. He knew that scent and knew what it meant combined with a sharp burst of excitement in his chest, longing and need mixed together.

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His. He shook his head and focused on preparing breakfast. How would his family, who all but disowned him for being gay, react if they realized he was mated to the pack Alpha? He twisted his lips into an ironic smile. It was an interesting question, to say the least. “Is that bacon?” River, dressed only in loose pants and barefooted, showed up in the doorway. His gaze slid to the sizzling pan on the stove, and he licked his lips. Raphael stared at him. A smattering of blond hair covered River’s chest, his nipples peaking out invitingly. Raphael swallowed. Breakfast, he reminded himself as he shifted his attention back to the food. River came to stand behind him, looking over at what he was doing. It was distracting. “It should be done soon,” he said to break the silence. His body was reacting to River’s proximity, and he wanted him to move away. River reached to steal a piece of bacon. “Nice. Can I keep you?” Raphael stiffened. He went over to the table, unceremoniously dumping the food on two plates. River blinked. “What was that? I haven’t done anything to warrant that reaction.” Raphael shrugged, avoiding his gaze. “Eat,” he said. “Or don’t.” “You are prickly when you wake up,” River grumbled, but came to sit across from him. Raphael swallowed down a caustic answer. He ate quickly, the silence between them marred only by the clunk of silverware. River must have sensed his mood, since he hadn’t said anything more. “I have to go,” Raphael said, finally raising his head to look at River. “That is, if the Alpha doesn’t object?” A puzzled frown showed on River’s face. Raphael wanted to move over and make it go away.

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“Yes,” River said. “I suppose you could.” Raphael practically ran away. **** He should have known he wasn’t going to get off that easy. Two days later, someone knocked on his door. Figuring it was Len and wondering why he wasn’t just barging inside as usual, Raphael went to it. “Since when do you...” His words trailed off when he recognized his visitor. His nostrils flared, a tantalizing scent wrapping around him and making his cock take notice. “What are you doing here?” “That’s not a nice welcome,” River answered, pulling off his sunglasses. Blue eyes twinkled merrily at Raphael. He leaned on the door frame until they were practically touching. Muscles rippled under his shirt. Raphael chastised himself for noticing. “Can I come in?” River asked. “You are already in,” Raphael grumbled, but obediently backed off. “You haven’t been back,” River commented, entering his living room. He gave it a curious stare. Raphael went to stand behind the sofa, using it as a barrier between himself and River. He was grateful for the fact he was wearing a long cotton shirt, since it was long enough to mask signs of his arousal. He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ve been busy.” River snorted. “You haven’t been that busy.” “I can’t serve as your Beta, River.” This time the look wasn’t very friendly. River’s easy manner vanished, replaced with steely presence of power. “Why not?”

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“I just can’t.” “Can’t or won’t?” “It’s not that simple.” Raphael raised his head only to realize River was now standing in front of him, only inches separating him from River’s delectable body. “You could try explaining.” Raphael narrowed his eyes at the challenge in those words. He grabbed a fistful of River’s shirt, using the hold to push River back toward the sofa. River yelped when his ass hit the sofa’s back. His hand now cradling the back of River’s head, Raphael used his superior height to crush River’s mouth with his. His hips pushed River’s legs up and apart, his jean-covered cock rubbing against River’s belly. Arousal spiraled inside him. Realizing he was on the verge of losing control, Raphael broke the kiss. “That’s why,” he said harshly, starting to move away. River gave him a feral smile. “That doesn’t have to be a problem.” There was an answering heat in his eyes. He pulled Raphael down for another kiss. Raphael groaned, letting River’s tongue in to explore his mouth. His belly tightened. He could feel River’s rock-hard cock pressing against his leg. Hands gripped his hips and pushed. He stumbled to the floor, River landing on top of him. Desire zigzagged through Raphael. Panting, he stared at River. “Nice,” River purred, opening his shirt and sliding a hand inside. Raphael shuddered as those questing fingers traced an outline of an old scar then pinched one flat nipple. River leaned to lick it, his blond head making sharp contrast against his own tanned skin. **** Raphael tasted of danger and of desire. The coiled strength resting in the body below his and Raphael’s willing submission were heady

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aphrodisiacs. River sucked harder on hardened nipple, enjoying the trembling of Raphael’s body. His own cock was pushing against the zipper of his pants. He pulled back, drawing a moan of protest from Raphael. River ignored it. It was easier this way to unbutton Raphael’s jeans and yank them down, freeing his cock. River palmed it gently, drops of pre-cum wetting his palm, the scent heightening his own arousal. Raphael groaned and let his head fall back, his black eyes smoldering with desire. “Just so we are clear on this.” River scooted down and bent his head. ”I’m the one topping.” He opened his mouth and swallowed Raphael’s cock. Salty taste exploded on his tongue, Raphael’s body going taut under him. River continued to suck, aware of Raphael’s cries of delight. Only when he felt Raphael starting to shake with impending release, he pulled back. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his tongue leaving a wet trail on Raphael’s skin. Raphael’s eyes widened at his gesture. River quickly unfastened his jeans and took his cock out. It had hardened to full length, the head purple from arousal and already wet. He used his damp hand to slick it, hoping it would be enough. Raphael watched him, but didn’t try to escape. Instead, he raised his legs, exposing himself fully to River’s heated gaze. Without further ado, River stabbed him with two fingers. The small pink opening swallowed his fingers greedily enough. Raphael jerked, muscles tensing around River’s fingers, but relaxed after a moment, letting him in. River watched him carefully for any sign of discomfort. There didn’t appear to be any, Raphael easily taking him in. River pulled his fingers out and lined up his cock. He pushed in, gripping Raphael’s hips hard enough to leave bruises. Raphael sighed, his full lips parting, his eyelids fluttering, thick lashes shadowing his cheeks.

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River’s belly clenched on the sight. Damn it, Raphael was gorgeous, lying naked and helpless, taking River’s cock. He picked up his thrusts, pounding into other man, chasing his own pleasure. When it came, he stiffened, collapsing over Raphael. “Gods, Raphael,” he murmured, filling him with his seed. Raphael squirmed under him, his still-hard cock rubbing River’s belly. With a sigh, River carefully extricated himself then reached to pull Raphael up. He knelt on the floor and zipped his pants up. Giving Raphael a sultry glance, he tapped the place between his legs. “Come here.” He hauled Raphael into his lap, forcing their knees apart. He was completely dressed now with Raphael stark naked, which was giving him a strange thrill. Raphael’s long black hair spilled over his shoulders and chest. He tugged at it mercilessly, forcing Raphael to lay his head on River’s shoulder. He took Raphael’s lips in a forceful kiss. Raphael moaned into his mouth. “Please...” Taking pity on him, River grabbed Raphael’s leaking cock. Raphael shuddered in his arms. River nipped the exposed skin on his neck gently, curling his fingers around the stiff staff. He continued to jack Raphael off, splaying his hands on Raphael’s chest. Raphael arched in his arms. A faint flush covered his cheekbones. “Come for me,” River whispered into his ear, tongue coming out to trace sensitive shell. Raphael stiffened, hot liquid spilling over River’s hand. He squeezed him harder, prolonging Raphael’s release. Raphael gasped, his scent changing, a mixture of male need and desperate release. River kissed his lips. “There,” he said. “That wasn’t that complicated, was it?” **** “You are sleeping with Raphael.”

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River threw Len an annoyed look. He wondered if Raphael told him or the gossip had reached the other pack. He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised. It was almost two weeks since he’d slept with Raphael the first time. They’ve seen each other a couple times after that, and neither of them had tried to hide it. “There is really no reason why I shouldn’t be sleeping with Raphael, even if he is my Beta.” Len raised his hands in a placating gesture. “I never said it was.” “What are you saying, then?” “Nothing! It was only an observation.” River narrowed his eyes at the Eagle Nest representative. He glanced around to check if anyone in the small café in town noticed their heated exchange. “Just watch what you are saying,” he warned, then snarled as his phone rang. He checked the display. The main pack house. What the— “River, we need you here.” It was Marie. She sounded unnerved. That was unusual enough for River to feel his hackles rising. “Why? What’s wrong?” If the pack Omega couldn’t deal with it, it had to be serious, especially as she was interrupting his meeting with Len. He reached for his jacket and dug out a wallet, preparing to pay his bill. A crash sounded in the background. “Just come here, all right? And hurry.” Someone cursed on the other side of the line, and then Marie disconnected. River growled, stood up to leave. “What’s wrong?” Len asked, also standing up. “I need to go. Sorry about this,” he answered. His bike was parked in front of the café where they met. He unhooked his helmet and climbed the bike. He burned the rubber leaving. Marie was standing on the porch when he arrived. River frowned at her, opening his mouth to ask what was amiss. She just shrugged and opened the door for him. A loud thud came from inside. River

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winced. “Hey!” he yelled, barreling inside to find Frank plastered against the wall and Raphael, still in his uniform, snarling at him. Frank’s face was starting to turn purple. “Whoa!” He had to use all of his strength to pull Raphael back. Limp, Frank fell down the wall, his hands coming to his throat. He coughed. One glance at him showed that he was still breathing. River transferred his attention to Raphael. He was still in his uniform, though it was dirty and somewhat worse for the wear. His hair had come unbound and was spilling down his chest. His black eyes were full of fire. Assured he wasn’t going to attack Frank again, River released him. “Is it safe to come in?” Marie inquired from the door. “Yes.” He gave Raphael an annoyed glance. “What happened?” “I was inside when Frank came in. He seemed agitated. Then Raphael showed up, looking for him. He was mad,” Marie explained, her gaze darting from one to the other wolf. “What did you do this time?” River demanded of Frank. “Nothing!” he protested indignantly. He coughed. “Really, nothing.” That may or may not be the truth. Contemplating the possibilities, River turned to Raphael. Whatever possessed his Beta to act so out of control? He opened his mouth then closed it as he noticed Raphael’s unusual pallor. His breath was coming out in short gasps, and he was leaning heavily against the wall. A dark stain was starting to spread on his shirt. From the corner of his eye, he saw Marie’s eyes widening. “Raphael!” He crossed the room just in time to stop Raphael from falling. He cushioned Raphael’s body with his as he gently lowered him on the floor. “Marie!” he barked. “Come check this out.” This close it was impossible not to smell the blood. Something else, too, something that made his blood run cold. He swore as Raphael’s uniform refused to open. He ripped Raphael’s shirt, baring his chest. The wound was

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high on Raphael’s shoulder. It didn’t look to be more than a graze, but then it should have been healing already. Instead, it was bleeding profusely, Raphael’s strength leaking through it. Marie knelt beside them. Her hands fluttered in the air. “Oh, Raphael. Silver. You should have let me care for it,” she said in a soft voice. “I was taking care!” Raphael snarled, twisting in River’s arms to glare at Frank. River followed his gaze, his eyes narrowing. “Are you hurt anywhere else?” he asked. He didn’t think so, but it was better to ask. “No.” “Good.” River stood up, pushing Raphael to sit back on the floor. Marie immediately scooted closer to him. Raphael winced as she probed at his wound, but didn’t protest. River shot him a warning glance. He was still full of the adrenaline and not in the mood. “And what about me?” Frank demanded. River turned to look at him. Frank was rubbing his bruised throat. “He hurt me.” Marie didn’t so much as glance at him. “After I finish with Raphael.” Frank muttered something under his breath. “Shut up, Frank.” “You have to do something, River. He just barged in here and attacked me, and I—” “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that shot, Frank, now would you?” River asked, giving him a quelling glance. Anger flashed in Frank’s eyes, but he subsided under the weight of River’s gaze. His eyes dropped to the floor. “Of course not.” He didn’t sound very convincing. “You better not be, Frank, because I’m not going to tolerate it.” “It could have been anyone,” Frank argued. “Perhaps his last boyfriend got jealous.”

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“It was silver bullet, Frank, and somehow I find it hard to envision Raphael telling anyone about him being a werewolf. “ “He obviously did.” Frank now sounded smug. River reined in his temper. “Nothing is obvious, Frank, except that you have a grudge against him. If I find out that you are behind the attack on him, you know what the punishment is.”

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Chapter 4 “Hell.” Thomas frowned. “Did you believe him?” River shrugged. “I don’t have any proof.” He was annoyed about that, he confessed to himself, but really, there wasn’t anything he could do about it. His wolf, yearning to protect his pack mate, disliked it. “Blast it.” Emilio helped himself to the cookies sitting on the tray. “But who else could it be?” “If it wasn’t a silver bullet, I would guess someone got annoyed with the sheriff. Raphael was on call when he got shot. But since it was a silver bullet...” River grimaced. “Which is why you are here. If there is someone around taking potshots at werewolves, we all need to be careful.” “You don’t really believe that.” “I can’t completely dismiss the possibility. I already had an irritating call from Sylas.” “Ouch.” “Yeah, ouch. I’ve never before been so grateful Len is our liaison with that pack. Sylas struck me as an asshole.” River popped a cookie in his mouth himself. Emilio drew his brows up. “My parents once belonged to his pack. From what I heard from them, his own pack agrees with you.” “But he is still their Alpha.” “He is the strongest wolf, and he can’t actually be called a bad alpha. He is just...an asshole,” he concluded. “He dislikes Riker immensely. I think if his Betas hadn’t interfered, he would have

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declared a war on Riker.” He shrugged. “When Raphael came back, he managed to arrange it so Len will liaise with us.” “I’m surprised Sylas agreed.” “Sylas is about Riker’s age,” Reyes said, speaking for the first time, “and Riker has retired. Sylas should be ready to retire, too, and Len would be the obvious choice for an Alpha. Except that I don’t think Sylas wants to retire, and this was the way to get Len out of his hair.” “He will have to do it eventually, and I predict problems in Eagle Nest.” River gave him a bland stare. “Not our business.” “I didn’t mean to imply they were the ones who shot Raphael.” “Some of the pack think they are.” River had considered and discarded that possibility. Still, it was a hassle to convince all of his pack members the same, which was the reason for this meeting. “What does Raphael think?” “Raphael wants to kill Frank. And Frank’s alibi is his brother which,” River admitted, “makes me suspicious. I would feel better if he didn’t have an alibi. Jason would happily lie for Frank.” “Frank insists it has to be one of his lovers. And Raphael does go to some clubs in the city sometimes,” Emilio wondered aloud. River smirked. “Len said they were going together.” Reyes did a double take. “Len?” “Easiest way to throw Sylas off his game. If he thought they were having some fun together, he wouldn’t be able to accuse Len of something more nefarious.” “And Len just told you.” “He is aware of the undercurrents, Reyes. He wanted to make sure we didn’t blame his pack for this.” “So he is sure it isn’t Sylas.” “He swears it isn’t, but he also dismissed anyone knowing about Raphael.”

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“That’s—” Marie showed up in the doorway. “Hi, Marie.” “I want to check on Raphael,” she announced. “He is upstairs,” River answered, leaning back against the counter and taking another cup of coffee. She disappeared. Twenty minutes later she was down again, frowning. “He is not in his room, and his bed looks like he wasn’t there the whole night.” River stopped with his cup halfway to his lips. Busted. “Try mine,” he said in a bland voice. Marie didn’t even blink. She disappeared back upstairs. River slanted a glance at his friends. They exchanged looks, but no one said anything. **** Raphael was picking up his clothes and stuffing them into an old backpack. River was sprawled on his bed, leaning back on his elbow and watching him with interest. Raphael scowled at him. “Why am I doing this?” They had this conversation already. “Because you are not well enough to stay alone. And because whoever shot you can come back. That’s what the Alpha house is for. You will stay there until you recover and until it’s safe for you,” River answered patiently. He figured it was a good thing he had followed Raphael to his house to pack, since his Beta wasn’t thrilled with idea of staying with him. Raphael stopped and turned toward him, hands on his hips. His black eyes gleamed. “I can kill Frank.” River sighed. Another reason it would be smart to keep Raphael close. “No. I can’t let you do that.” Raphael’s eyes narrowed. “You mentioned that already.”

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“And I’m going to mention it again. Besides, you forget one very important advantage of staying in the main house.” One black eyebrow arched. “Which would be?” River gave him lecherous glance. “I can fuck you anytime there,” he purred, sitting up and reaching up to pull Raphael onto his lap. Raphael went down without resisting. He was wearing jeans and shirt, which made it easy for him to straddle River. He got a smoldering gaze from Raphael’s black eyes, opening his mouth for a kiss when Raphael dipped his head down. Their mouths met, tongues explored, warred with each other. Heat spilled in his groin, his dick filling up quickly. His arms encircled Raphael’s waist. He tugged at Raphael’s shirt, pulling it out of his belt. Raphael moaned and threw his head back, exposing the long line of neck. River nipped at it, squeezed his ass. “You are wearing too many clothes,” he commented, busy sucking on Raphael’s collarbone. The other man tasted intoxicating. Raphael groaned and pulled back to pull his shirt over his head and drop it to the floor, revealing his chest. The muscles flexed as his arms landed on River’s shoulders. He went back for another kiss, his lips swollen and red. On Raphael, it was an unbelievably sexy look. River’s cock strained against his zipper. “Nice,” he murmured, caressing his lover’s naked back. His fingers idly played on Raphael’s olive skin. Raphael groaned. Smiling, River pushed him off. “Stand up,” he ordered. Holding Raphael’s hips, he lapped at his navel. Raphael shuddered and moaned. His hands clenched on River’s shoulders. River unbuckled his belt, taking his cock out. River opened his mouth to suck him in. He swallowed around the broad head, his tongue coming out to swirl around the wet tip. One prominent vein pulsed under his lips. Raphael tried to pull out.

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“What? I want to taste you,” River complained, but Raphael shook his head. “Want you in me,” he said, his eyes darkening with arousal. River’s cock swelled even more on his words. Desire swamped him. At the moment he wanted nothing more than to pull Raphael down and penetrate him, burying himself as far in his body as he could go. He resisted. Not just yet. They will have time for that, later. He caught Raphael’s bobbing cock again. “After,” he said, giving the damp cockhead a kiss. “No.” Hands on his shoulders pushed. Blinking, River found himself stretched on the bed. Someone was impatient. “Very well, if you insist,” he said. He shucked his clothes off while Raphael searched for the lube and then, using one hand to brace himself against the dresser, prepared himself. His back bowed. River’s fist closed around his cock. He gave it a few strokes, noticing the way Raphael’s eyes fastened to it. He licked his lips. He waited for Raphael to climb back on the bed, straddle his hips, and carefully impale himself. River grunted and his head fell on the pillows. “Love watching you do it,” he murmured, reaching for Raphael’s hips. “What?” Raphael’s voice was a little breathless. River raised his hips, thrusting up in Raphael. Desire flared through his groin. Raphael rode him, sliding up and down on the hard column of his cock. “Yes, baby, that’s it, just ride me,” River encouraged. Raphael shuddered and spewed, spraying them both with his cum. River caught him and rolled them both on the side, hooking Raphael’s leg over his hip to keep him open. He continued to fuck him, one hand on Raphael’s ass to keep him where River wanted him. Raphael

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whimpered, his spent and sensitive cock rubbing against River’s belly with each forceful thrust. The sound went straight to River’s cock. River growled, burying his head in Raphael’s shoulder, pushing deep one last time. Pleasure burst inside him, and his cock spasmed and spilled, filling his lover. Breathing in their combined scent, River smiled lazily against Raphael’s skin. Yes, there definitely were advantages to Raphael living in the main house. **** “Reported break-in at Marsh’s store.” Raphael frowned at the radio in his car. Hill and Leila Marsh, owners of the grocery store in town, were werewolves, though not from Black Pine, but from Eagle Nest. “I’m going there,” he responded, making a sharp turn with his car. “Acknowledged. Simmons should already be there,” Deana, the county dispatcher, answered. There was a crowd in front of the store when Raphael arrived. Another county jeep, the one Raphael’s deputy, Don Simmons, drove, was already parked. Raphael slowed down, avoiding gathered gawkers. As he exited the car, the scent of agitated wolves hit him, making his muscles tense. He scanned the crowd and cursed silently. There were too many werewolves, and some were young enough to cause trouble. “Raphael,” Hill Marsh, the store owner, greeted him with obvious relief. He cast nervous glance at Don, who was standing next to him. “I can take it from here,” Raphael said to Don. Don nodded. “Sure, boss. It’s a mess.” He nodded at Raphael and went back to his car. The crowd parted to let him through. Raphael surveyed the damage—whoever it was, they didn’t try to be discreet—when a taunting voice came from behind his back.

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“Are you sure, Sheriff?” It was a young voice, but defiant, and the crowd, which mainly consisted of weres, went strangely quiet. Tension filled the air. Out of the corner of his eye, Raphael saw the store owner, Hill, and his wife, Leila, exchange looks. He turned to see Cory, a young member of Eagle Nest Pack, watching him with narrowed eyes. Raphael kept his stance relaxed. Raphael shrugged. “It’s better for the pack if I take over. You know that, Cory.” Cory snorted. “Figured you would say that. But which pack do you have in mind, Sheriff?” Technically Raphael belonged to Black Pine. However, his position as sheriff granted him some leeway in dealing with the rest of them. It was why all three packs had joined forces to help him get elected. “What was the meaning of that?” “Nothing,” Leila Marsh cut in. She looked annoyed. “Nothing. Cory, get lost. We didn’t call you.” Cory looked like he wanted to argue. “You know something about this?” Raphael asked, cutting him off. “It’s easy to guess.” “I’m interested in evidence, not in assumptions. Go away.” He leveled a stare at the people behind Cory. “This happens to be a crime scene, and I have a job to do.” Without waiting for an answer, he knelt to inspect the pieces of broken glass. He wasn’t nearly as relaxed as he pretended to be and sighed loudly when he heard the crowd disperse, Cory still muttering. “That was smart,” Hill said. Raphael stood up, stepped into the store. He scanned it quickly. “What did I miss?” Hill didn’t answer right away. “What do you smell, Raphael?” “A wolf.”

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Hill nodded. “That’s how he went away. Carrie—she was the one coming up to open this morning—said she saw a big dog on the street.” Carrie was human. “Okay. Then what was Cory’s problem?” If the damage was indeed caused by one of wolves, it would be settled within the pack. Leila came to stand next to her husband. “You didn’t get called right away, and most of our friends came when Hill got the call...” “Yes?” “Some think it was someone from Black Pine Pack.” “What?” “People talk,” Hill explained. “Riker just retired, and it’s not unheard of that in such situations some of young ones—” Raphael snorted. “Riker trained River for years to take over as pack Alpha. I don’t think anyone is stupid enough to challenge him.” “Maybe you are right.” Hill didn’t look him in the eye. “Maybe?” Hill was silent for the moment. Raphael crossed his arms over his chest. “What is going on? My belonging to another pack has never been a problem before.” This time it was Leila who spoke. “They said it was you.” Raphael gave her a blank stare. Leila hurried to explain. “They said you have been shot, and that you blame us for it. I know you wouldn’t take it out on Hill, since—” “Bullshit.” Raphael was angry. “I don’t know who shot me yet, but I never suspected Eagle Nest.” That much was true, he amended to himself. No wonder Cory was strutting around. Hill frowned. “People say you were shot with silver. Who could it be if not another wolf?” “Not necessarily. Could be someone who knows about me.”

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“How would anyone find out about that?” Raphael grimaced. “Some idiots from my pack go for the theory that it is my former lover from the city whom I told about being a werewolf.” “What lover? I know about you and Len going out together, but everyone except Sylas knows you two are not sleeping with each other.” “I said that there were some idiots, didn’t I?” Raphael acknowledged. “There are some idiots in our pack, as you just witnessed,” Hill said dryly. “I gathered that. Well, let’s see what I can find out here.”

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Chapter 5 “It’s Sylas’s fault!” Len’s fist collided with the table. Raphael, watching him from where he was comfortably sprawled in one of big chairs, winced. His friend was more than agitated. He showed up about fifteen minutes ago and had been pacing ever since, making the spacious kitchen in the pack main house seem small. He didn’t even wait for Raphael to explain why he called him. “You don’t know that, Len,” Raphael replied, remembering how pissed off he was at River when his Alpha flatly refused to let him beat Frank. Len didn’t react any better than he. “I don’t have to know. It’s his Betas spreading that rumor. Who else could be?” He dropped into the chair opposite Raphael. “But the Marshes belong to his pack. Why hurt them?” Len gave him a bitter look. “And you think Sylas cares about that? He couldn’t care less about the pack, as long as it’s clear that he is still one in charge.” “That still doesn’t explain pushing blame on me, or the Black Pine pack.” “Don’t be naive, Raphael. You belong to Black Pine, and Black Pine belongs to Riker. Sylas hates Riker, and it will be he who takes the blame. ” Len seemed sure of himself. Raphael frowned. His father had mentioned Sylas more than once, and the bad blood existing between two Alphas. His father, as Riker’s Beta and best friend, would be the one to know.

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“There is a truce between packs,” he reminded Len. “It has been in force for a number of years. If Sylas hated Riker that much, why agree to it?” “Pack members pushed it on him.” Len heaved a sigh. “He has to know Riker retired and is hoping to score where he failed years ago.” “It’s stupid going after River.” Len snorted. “He doesn’t care about River per se. The only thing that’s important to him is River being Riker’s heir. If his heir is deemed unworthy, Riker will be humiliated.” Put like that, there was some sort of scary logic. Raphael rubbed his aching temples. He needed time. His wound, despite being closed, throbbed, and he felt dizzy and weak. Damn silver. It was extremely poisonous for werewolves, and even the smallest amount could cause lot of damage. “I don’t like this,” he said aloud. Both men lapsed into silence. Raphael’s phone rang. He started, wondering what that was about. “What?” “Raphael.” It was Reyes, breathless and nervous. “Can you come? There is trouble.” Raphael blinked. “Come where? And what kind of trouble?” “Lenox’s sister’s lodge,” Reyes explained. “Raphael, there are some members of Eagle Nest here. I’m trying to get hold of River, but could you please, please come?” Raphael glanced at Len, who, with his werewolf hearing, was more than able to pick on what Reyes was saying. He went white. “I’ll be there.” Raphael pocketed the phone. “I’ll go with you.” Len stood up. “Better not. Wait for me somewhere close to the lodge, but if there is trouble, having a dominant wolf from another pack nearby is not the best idea,” Raphael warned. Len grimaced, but acknowledged his point. “Let’s go.”

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**** Damn it, damn it. Haven’t I already done this? The scene that awaited him was similar to the one he faced two days ago, when Marsh’s store was robbed. Pack members were gathered in front of the pretty stone and wood building that housed Black Pine lodge. Raphael’s heart sank when he noticed broken windows. Reyes, looking grim and unhappy, stood holding a young werewolf Raphael instantly recognized. Cory, Leila Marsh had said. He wasn’t alone, having two of his friends with him this time. They were the target of many hostile looks from Black Pine members. Frank was there as well, and Raphael’s black mood became even blacker upon seeing him. He approached Reyes, ignoring curious looks he was getting from his pack members. “What happened?” he demanded. Reyes sighed. “Cora and the girls were away, so these idiots,” he said, shooting an angry glance at his prisoners, “showed up to make some trouble. They made a mess. Broke things, threw the furniture around, tracked the mud inside. Such things.” “But the girls aren’t hurt?” “No, and when Cora and Allie came home they grabbed them instantly. It’s not that bad, Raphael, it’s just that...” Reyes trailed off. Raphael didn’t need to hear more. The young miscreants were from the Eagle Nest pack, and Black Pine lodge has belonged to the Black Pine pack for decades. “I think it was Frank who roused the guys. Corinne Lenox wouldn’t have done something like this, and she is unhappy. Bottom line, we—” “Sylas and that pack of his were always troublemakers!” someone shouted. Mutterings of approval followed that statement. Raphael turned toward them.

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“Hill Marsh’s store was robbed. They are a little upset,” he said in a calm voice. He knew most of those people, and they knew him. They were pissed, but he should be able to control them, unless... “Who gave them the right to blame us?” Frank demanded, coming out of the group to stand in front of Raphael. His eyes glinted maliciously. Raphael refused to take the bait, giving him a contemptuous stare. “I didn’t say they have a right. I just said they had trouble, too. Most of you know Hill,” he added, looking over Frank’s shoulder at the gathered people. They knew Hill. Most of them shopped at his store. “It’s just a young hothead who poked his nose where it didn’t belong.” He glared at Cory and his friends. “I was with Len Parks when the call came, and he assured me that the Eagle Nest pack hadn’t condoned this.” Frank snorted. “He did, did he? I suppose you believe him.” “I don’t have a reason to disbelieve him.” He was starting to feel an itch between his shoulders. Frank meant something else with that question. “You wouldn’t. He is your lover, after all.” Raphael’s lips parted. He wanted to deny the outrageous accusation, but he saw doubt on the faces of some of the spectators. A hush fell over the crowd. An arm sneaked around his shoulders. Raphael tensed, wondering how this was going to end. “Frank,” River’s voice said. He flashed a brilliant smile at Raphael. He looked perfectly relaxed. His fingers slid into Raphael’s collar, caressing his neck. “This is the third time I’m forced to dislodge Raphael from your neck. Can you find some other occupation?” His playful words dispelled some of the tension that had gripped the pack. Raphael let out relieved sigh. Frank, on the other hand, flushed in anger.

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“I was just saying—” River nuzzled Raphael’s hair. “And take your mind off Raphael’s cock. He is very much taken.” Someone laughed. Frank bristled at the insult. Still holding Raphael close, River brushed his lips against his ear. “Let him go, Raphael,” he whispered. “He doesn’t matter.” He pulled back, shifting his attention to his pack. Raphael had to admit that River had achieved his goal. No one seemed to listen to Frank anymore. “What happened?” River asked in a casual tone of voice. He threw a curious glance at Cory and his two friends, but he obviously expected an answer from his people. Slowly, haltingly, Reyes explained. Raphael noticed that his friend was calmer now that River was here. So was he. The weight of River’s arm, now on his waist, was comforting. He leaned into his grip, breathing deeply River’s scent. “I see,” River said when Reyes finished. “I don’t believe it was Black Pine,” Raphael stated. River’s grip on his shoulder tightened. “That is their member,” he said in a mild tone. “It is, but—” River silenced him. Raphael glared at him, but shut up. River looked over him to their pack mates. “I’m not going to sacrifice the longstanding treaty with Black Pine just because of some...” His gaze found Cory. A corner of his mouth twitched. “Pup.” Cory flushed, head snapping up. He and his friends were curiously quiet during the confrontation. He raised his chin and gazed at River defiantly. “I am not a pup, and I—” “I’m also aware there was trouble with Marsh’s store,” River continued, ignoring the pup completely. “Which, I assume, is the reason for this mess.” “But it wasn’t us,” someone objected. River snorted.

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“It was a wolf, and it could be either from Black Pine or Eagle Nest Pack. Crescent Moon is too far away.” “Then it was someone from their pack,” Frank said. Raphael opened his mouth to protest. “You complained loudly when Raphael insisted the person who shot him was from our pack,” River reminded everyone. “You insisted it had to be someone from Eagle Nest.” He allowed himself a small smile. “Why are you blaming them for thinking exactly like you?” River got through to them, Raphael noticed, eyeing the crowd. “But...” “We need to have more proof before we start assigning blame.” Without waiting for anyone to protest, River added, “Now, let’s fix this mess. It will mean more to the Lenox sisters than our beating this idiot.” Cora Lenox, the oldest Lenox sister and the Lodge manager, grinned, a gleeful light entering her eyes. “Why, Alpha, I believe you are right. I could use some help.” Her attention shifted to the crowd. “Right,” River agreed. He sounded like he was suppressing laughter. He waved his free hand. “The boys are at your disposal.” What had been an angry mob collectively cringed. “We could start from the kitchen,” Cora announced, ignoring the disbelieving expressions on their faces. Within minutes, she herded the reluctant males inside and armed them with various cleaning implements. They complained indignantly to River, but he was amused and consequently unwilling to let them off the hook. When River left him, Raphael had used the distraction and, with Reyes’s help, herded Cory and his friends to his car. They didn’t protest. Cory was still glaring at them, but at least one of them must have realized how dangerous a situation they were in.

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Len was waiting for them on the road, exiting his car, when he noticed Raphael’s car. Raphael parked and opened the door, indicating his huddled passengers. “They are all yours,” he said dryly, then leaned onto his car. He closed his eyes and tipped his head toward the sun. He was tired already, and this had weakened him even more. “Was it close?” Len wanted to know. “Very close, and you don’t want to know details.” “Don’t worry, they will be punished.” Len glared at the boys as they scurried to his car. “You succeeded.” Raphael shook his head. “No, not really. River interfered. It was a close call.” “Great.” Len cuffed Cory on his head. “And what did you think you were doing?” Cory glared at him. “You aren’t my Alpha. You don’t have the right to scold me.” Len’s eyes narrowed. “Why you little—” “Shut up, Cory,” one of his friends tried. He threw an uneasy glance at enraged, older, and stronger werewolf. “Aren’t we in enough trouble already?” Someone chuckled. Len and Raphael turned to see River. He was straddling his bike and looking at them with obvious amusement. Raphael was surprised that they hadn’t heard him coming. His gaze slid over windblown hair, a lazy smile, and a muscular body holding the gleaming metal monster under control. His heartbeat sped up. Desire pooled between his legs. He reached down to readjust his belt, hoping to hide his arousal. A wicked gleam in River’s eyes told him the maneuver was wasted on him. “Haven’t you said Cora will need help?” “Yes, but I’m pack Alpha. Besides, there are enough idiots to replace me. Anyway, Len...”

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Len tensed. “If you will allow me to say, old friend,” River continued casually, like they had met each other for simple chitchat and not just avoided a disaster of major proportions, “the young one is right.” He tipped his chin toward Cory. “How do you mean it?” “You are not his Alpha to chastise him.” His teeth flashed. He turned on the ignition again. “And I suggest you remedy that quickly.” “What do you mean by that?” River was now pulling his helmet on. He gave Len droll stare. “I mean that Sylas is a fool. He always was. Move him from his position before he causes serious damage.” “Nobody sent me,” Cory insisted. River pursed his lips. “He didn’t have to. With the kind of rumors he is spreading, he had to know that some fool would act on them sooner or later. And one did,” he added as an afterthought. Cory gaped at him. River gunned the engine. “Ah, and Len?” “What?” “Find a girlfriend. I don’t relish prospect of challenging you because you are supposedly sleeping with my lover.” It was Len’s turn to gape. River picked up speed and drove off. Len laughed in his wake. Weakly at first, then with more force. “What’s so funny?” Raphael glared at him. Len wiped off the tears from his face. “Sylas is a fool if he thinks he will be able to outsmart River. He is Riker’s son through and through.” ****

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In the small shed near the main pack house that served as his workshop, River was working on assembling a big wooden dining table. Emilio, who was helping him move the pieces, had to pause. “Crap. This sucker is heavy.” River shrugged. “So it is. But the client asked for it, and the client is going to pay for it. Besides, it’s almost done.” He gave the table a satisfied look. “Can you give me the—” He stopped when he heard the sound of an engine from the outside. Emilio heard it, too, since he went to the open door of the shed and looked outside. The rumble grew louder, then completely disappeared as the engine was cut off. “Who’s that?” River, preoccupied with table and outlining what was needed to finish it, didn’t move. “Um, I think it’s for you.” The tone of Emilio’s voice had River glancing up. “Oh,” he said, recognizing the car. “Sheriff’s car. And the sheriff.” Emilio frowned. “Did you know he was coming?” River carefully shelved his tool and went over to nearby bench to pick up a bottle of water. “No.” “I take it you won’t be needing me anymore today?” Staring hungrily at his lover, River almost missed Emilio’s question. The other man had a sly expression on his face. “I didn’t say that. Besides, he is in uniform. That means this could be an official visit.” “Yeah? You never did it when he was in his uniform?” “No.” As he watched Raphael approach them, gravel crunching under his boots, River idly wondered why not. His lover was hot. Raphael had an evil smile on his lips when he greeted River. “Mr. Summers,” he said. “Sheriff,” River answered in a similar manner, his lips quirking. Emilio snorted. Raphael ignored him, focusing on River. His let his

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eyes rove down and back up River’s sweaty, muscular body. His nostrils flared. “There is some business I need to discuss with you.” “Is that so?” River ran a hand over his chest, stopping ever so slightly at his nipples. He was wearing only a sleeveless T-shirt which was damp and plastered against him. Raphael nodded. “Very well, Sheriff.” River paused to return Raphael’s heated stare, “Please go in my office. I will be right there. Emilio,” he said to grinning wolf. “Boss?” “Go and find Riker and Layela. Tell them to come here.” Emilio sobered instantly. “Sure, boss.” Riker was former pack Alpha and Layela, one of his Betas. Since River still hadn’t officially chosen his Betas, those two served as his closest advisers. River dropped his tools and followed Raphael into the house. “Inside,” River said when they came to his office. Raphael obeyed, leaning on the wall opposite the battered desk that occupied almost half of the room. Their gazes locked for a moment, desire swirling between them. The smell of lust filled the air. Grabbing a handful of Raphael’s shirt, River yanked him closer for a kiss. Raphael answered with matching hunger. His body melded against River’s. He ground his hips against Raphael, making them both gasp. “You are so hot,” he said, reaching down to pat Raphael’s cock through his uniform pants. Raphael’s pupils dilated. “Later.” Letting go of him, River went to sit behind his desk. It was in the nick of time, since Layela entered the office moments later. “Don’t you know meaning of the word retired? I am retired. Find your own Betas, boy,” Layela complained. She blinked at the sight of Raphael. She frowned, pursing her lips. “This one will serve very well, I think.” She peered behind Raphael shoulder and yanked at his braided hair.

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“Boy, you are in serious need of haircut.” River snickered. Never mind that Raphael was almost thirty years old and had an important job. Layela still treated him like he was a pup in need of babysitting. “And you.” Layela turned to him. River hastily cleared his throat. “Don’t you have anything else to wear? You should show some respect toward the position you now hold.” River batted his eyelashes at her, a picture of innocence. Layela grinned and patted him on the head. “Don’t play coy with me, darling. I am thirty years your senior and a female.” Riker, who chose that moment to show up at the door, grinned, and winked at his son. He spotted Raphael, and his smile diminished. He got an answering cold glance from Raphael, but Raphael switched his attention to River almost immediately. “We know who broke in to Marsh’s store,” Raphael said. That snagged everyone’s attention. Layela frowned. “The Marshes from Eagle Nest?” Raphael nodded. “Was it someone from the pack?” Riker wanted to know. “Jason Henley.” Riker swore. Layela grimaced. River looked at Raphael. “Are you sure?” Raphael was mad at Jason’s brother, but River trusted him. Raphael nodded. “We found his fingerprints on the scene. I just got a report. It was him.” “We can’t have one of us in the jail.” “I took care of that already,” Raphael said to Layela. River crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair. That much was true, he agreed with Raphael silently, and the reason why packs needed someone in sheriff’s department. “However,” Raphael continued, “he needs to be punished.”

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“True,” Layela mused. “And we all know that if it was Jason, his brother had to be involved. Those two don’t do anything separately.” “I agree. Frank had to at least know,” Riker said to River. “They need to be punished.” Raphael nodded, coming to lean on River’s desk. “I told Hill, and I think he will wait for me to inform Eagle Nest’s Alpha. I should—” “Stay,” River ordered. Raphael looked at him in puzzlement. “We will call up the pack. Now. It will sound better if you go and tell Sylas and his pack that we punished the miscreants already. That way they won’t have time to work themselves into a huff,” River explained. Riker and Layela exchanged glances. “That’s a good idea. I don’t think there will be problem, whatever you decide to do with the Henleys. Frank knew that store belonged to Eagle Nest members. He almost got us in a pack war.” Her lip curled. “Don’t remind me.” Riker shuddered. He looked at River. “I guess we better call the pack here.”

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Chapter 6 It took almost three hours for Black Pine to gather. They stood in their Alpha’s yard and muttered to themselves, curious to find out what was all this about. It was already late, and the sky darkened, the sun dipping low on the sky. Raphael leaned on the porch railing and watched them curiously. He only nodded in answer to their greetings. It had been a long time since he had seen them all. His wolf was satisfied to find himself in close proximity of so many of his brethren. They whispered and stole glances at the Alpha house. Someone yanked at his braid. “Ouch! River, if you—” He closed his mouth shut when he recognized Anita. His impish sister grinned at him. “River? Why would you think it was our esteemed Alpha pulling on your hair?” She climbed onto the rail beside him. Raphael grumbled something in answer. Her grin widened. “Is that some game the two of you play?” She widened her eyes in mock horror. “Don’t tell me. It will sully my innocent young ears.” Raphael narrowed his gaze on her, but decided not to pursue the subject further. “Should you be here?” She only shrugged, apparently not the least bit intimidated. “Technically, no. The call was only for adult pack members, but since no one dares to leave me alone,” she said, spreading her arms, “here I am.” That meant either his father or his mother or both were in the crowd. He shrugged. He was too tired for confrontations.

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The crowd hushed when River and Riker showed up. Anita disappeared behind his back. “What is going to happen?” she asked. “Hush.” He kept his attention on two Alphas. Riker climbed off the porch, leaving River the center of attention. River waited for everyone to silence then slowly explained what had happened. “That’s a lie!” Frank yelled. “It’s an Eagle Nest lie! One of theirs tried to burn down Lenox’s hotel, so now they are trying to shift the blame.” “Marsh’s store was broken into before the incident at Lenox’s hotel,” River reminded him. “It probably wouldn’t have happened if there wasn’t a break-in at Marsh’s store. They blamed us.” “Yeah, what do you have to say about that, Frank!” someone demanded. Raphael was able to see Mairi Lenox, the middle Lenox sister, next to Frank. Both her sisters flanked her on either side. “How do you know it was me?” Frank demanded, enraged. Raphael smirked. “I don’t know it was you. I know it was your brother. He left his prints there. We identified them this morning.” “So you say.” Frank pointed a finger at him. “You suspected me of shooting you. What if this is some kind of revenge? You could have set that up.” Raphael slid from his position to close the distance between him and Frank. He didn’t stop until there were only inches separating them. He could smell Frank’s agitation and fear. “I don’t need to lie if I want you hurt. I am more than capable of hurting you on my own.” They were face-to-face now. “God, not again,” River said in mock despair. “Raphael, come back.” The undertone of his command wrapped around Raphael, and his wolf shifted nervously. But their prey was in front of them, so Raphael ignored River. Fists curled on his side, he stared into Frank’s face. He was more than willing to take him down. He was pretty sure

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no one would object, too. The pack had just moved out of their reach, forming a circle around the two opponents. Frank glared back at him. Jason tried to fight his way to his brother. Reyes grabbed him and pulled him back. **** “Shit.” River kept his eye on two combatants. They appeared ready to shift and fight right away. That was not his plan. Frowning, he stepped down from the porch. Riker came to stand next to him. Manuel, River noted with some surprise, was with him. “They have been itching for a fight for some time already,” he offered by way of explanation. “Stop him, River,” Riker said. “He can’t kill Frank. Some fool will always question this night’s happenings if he does that. If he is going to be your Beta, you can’t allow that.” “I agree.” Manuel glanced at his son. “I’m not saying Frank doesn’t deserve a trashing, but it will look bad. Punish him and let it be over with.” Layela, who had joined them, just nodded. A gasp from the crowd attracted River’s attention. He turned to see Raphael raising his fist, his hand already shifted in claws. Muttering a curse, he crossed over to them, everyone hastily clearing out of his way. Once he was close enough he grabbed Raphael’s braid. As he had expected, Raphael was surprised enough to stumble back. His eyes shone yellow. He bared his fangs on a new target. River frowned and snarled back at the insolent wolf. Raphael had chosen a bad time to show his disobedience. River shoved him back. Raphael yelped and landed on the ground. “River, watch out!” someone shouted. From the corner of his eye, River caught a blur of movements. Jason was shifting and charging at him. He didn’t bother to shift. His

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hand lashed up. He caught the dark wolf by his neck. Caught in midair, the animal struggled to get free. Curling his lip, River threw Jason at his brother. “Go away,” he commanded. “Both of you. You are not members of this pack anymore.” Utter silence followed his words. “You can’t do that!” Frank exclaimed. Jason was still blue in the face, coughing and leaning heavily on his brother. He managed to get up with an effort. Frank glared at River. “I can and I am,” River answered. Behind him, Reyes, Emilio, and his friends were gathering in a show of support. Frank gritted his teeth. Eyes full of hate, he spat in River’s direction. “Perverted bastard,” he mumbled. The crowd stirred. “No! Let them go!” River ordered, and the crowd parted to let them pass. They disappeared into lengthening shadows, and the pack circle closed again. “That was nasty piece of business,” Reyes commented. “It’s done now,” River answered. Reyes followed his gaze to River’s Beta and lover, who had stood up in the meantime and was now shaking the dirt off his clothes. There was something else he needed to do. **** “You shouldn’t be hard on the boy,” Layela informed him after most of the pack was dispatched home. She, River, Riker, and Cora Lenox sat in the living room of the main house, sharing a drink and contemplating the events of the day. “He defied me. I knew he had a bone to pick with Frank, but he didn’t need to do it in front of the whole pack.” River slammed his fist on the table. “It was unbelievably stupid!”

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He glared at the ceiling. Raphael was upstairs, and he was left with no doubt that his Alpha was pissed off at him. Layela waved her hand dismissively. “He is a wolf, honey. We aren’t known for our intelligence. That’s why we have Alphas, to guard us against ourselves.” She grinned. “You would be out of your job if everyone learned to behave, boy.” Cora beamed at her approvingly. “Besides, he is pack Beta,” Layela continued, shooting him a glance. “Or he will be, once the two of you get around to officially confirming it. Pack Betas are notorious for needling their Alphas. You have certainly seen Manuel question Riker a zillion times. If Raphael has taken after his father in that respect, you better got used to a little defiance here and there.” “Thanks for the advice,” River replied in a wry tone. “No problem, boy, no problem.” She had the gall to wink at him. “I wasn’t aware he had ability to shift partially,” Riker said, staring at his beer. “I didn’t either, come to think of that,” Layela said. “Ha! He has to be pretty powerful for that. But then again, he wasn’t often where I could monitor him, was he?” She shook her head at Riker. “You handled that wrong, Alpha of mine.” “Perhaps I did,” Riker replied, the lines on his face deepening. He rubbed his forehead. “All things considering...” “It doesn’t matter now,” River said to his foster father, sensing his discomfort. “It’s good for you,” Layela continued in cheerful tone. “Sooner or later, every pack grumbles against their Alpha. They need the freedom to be a little naughty, you see. Riker was certainly very much respected, and I was the first to call him names behind his back.” Riker snorted. “Are you sure you waited for me to turn my back?” Layela ignored him. “Having a hard-headed Beta gives them that freedom.”

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“You want to say I should thank Raphael for that performance that almost got both of us killed?” River wasn’t so thrilled with her logic. He still couldn’t believe Raphael challenged him so openly. She subsided a little. “That was unpleasant. Who would have thought Jason would dare?” River took a swallow of his own beer. “I threatened his brother. In a way, I admire his loyalty.” “He is gone, and I say good riddance,” Cora added. “I almost lost my business because of that jerk.” “That’s why I called you to stay. How are repairs going?” All three of them waited for Cora to answer. “Well, there are a lot of things to be done, but we don’t have so many guests right now, which is a blessing. We should be done with everything in about two weeks. The guys have been very accommodating.” Cora grinned. “Scared the death out of them, have you?” Layela said knowingly to River. “I’m so proud of you.” “It needed to be done, and if they were busy doing repairs on Black Pine Lodge, they couldn’t do something so stupid as go and try to pick a fight with Eagle Nest Pack.” “What was Sylas’s answer?” Riker wanted to know. “Len apologized.” Riker snorted. “Just as well. Involving Sylas in this might be counterproductive.” “I’ll make some of the guys stay on Pine Lodge, just in case.” Cora raised one eyebrow. “Oh?” River laughed. “You can always use them to carry things around.” “Point taken.” “If I may suggest—” River paused. Cora cocked her head, giving him a questioning look. “Yes, Alpha?” “Call Leila Marsh for supplies. They could use payments.”

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“I think I will.” Admiration flickered in Cora’s gaze. “I think I will.” **** Sylas stared at him with cold eyes. Frank shivered under the weight of that gaze. Sylas was in his fifties, with stocky, muscular build that earned him the position of Eagle Nest Alpha. At the moment, he looked bored and displeased. He hadn’t said a word as Frank related the outcome of their plans. “So they have outsmarted you again,” Sylas said with disgust. “Riker has certainly trained his pup well. Pity he is a pervert.” Anger welled inside Frank as he remembered River and the way the young Alpha treated him. Frank waited for the moment when River was officially confirmed as pack Alpha, realizing that River would need Betas, and that was a position he would have liked to have. His feelings about River didn’t matter. He would have had the position in the pack. Instead, River chose his lover, and together, they humiliated Frank and hurt his brother. He wasn’t going to let them get away with that. “So what are you going to do? They banished us from the pack. Jason is hurt,” he demanded in a harsh voice. Sylas gave him a withering stare. “Nothing.” “Nothing? You were supposed to go to war with them.” Sylas’s mouth twisted. “I don’t have an excuse anymore. You shouldn’t have left evidence in the Marsh store.” He sneered at Frank. “Your idiot brother left fingerprints.” Frank shrank back under his gaze. “That was a mistake.” Sylas’s eyes glittered.

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“A mistake that cost us dearly. Now that River has punished you, I can’t accuse his pack of planning that. If they hadn’t found out who it was, I could have argued that it was them and that we needed to put a stop to it, since Solis certainly wasn’t going to help us. It was a great plan, and it fit nicely with what those stupid pups did in Black Pine Lodge. The packs were ready to fight. Now it’s ruined. I can’t help you, not openly.” Frank glared at him. “What kind of Alpha are you?” Anger rolled off in waves from Sylas. He leaned closer to Frank. “Watch your tongue, wolf,” he warned. Frank paled. “I didn’t mean to show disrespect. It’s just that packs are obligated to follow their Alphas.” Sylas’s mouth tightened in displeasure. “My pack consists of a bunch of cowards. I tried to make them go against Riker years before. We could have done that that, easily, annihilating them and taking over their territory. But they opposed me, insisting it was better to sign a treaty. They want peace,” he snarled, then whirled around and started to pace. “I had a chance to convince them to obey me before you failed. Now I can’t do anything.” Frank gritted his teeth. “River almost killed my brother. I’m not letting him get away with that.” Sylas gave him a measuring stare. “I am not saying you should,” he said thoughtfully. “I’m not saying you should.” . He rubbed his chin. “You said he is attached to his Beta? Manuel Solis’s son?” “Attached, hell. He fucks him every night. Yeah, I would say he is attached.” Sylas lips twisted in cruel smile. “Then that’s your answer. Strike at the Beta, and you will hurt the Alpha.” “But,” he said, pinning Frank with a cold stare, “no more mistakes. Use your brain this time. Is that clear?”

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Frank nodded. He had no intention of screwing up this time. “Don’t worry. I will take care of it.” Sylas looked like he wasn’t quite willing to believe him, but he shrugged and continued. “If you pull it off—and somehow put the blame on the Eagle Nest—they will have to attack us,” Sylas plotted. “Perhaps that will manage to convince my sorry bunch of wolves that they need to fight. Peace is for fools. They will see I was always right and that we shouldn’t have trusted Riker. After all, I won’t have anything with Solis’s accident, will I?” Frank couldn’t miss the threat in his tone. He hurried to reassure him. Sylas could damage him and Jason more than River ever would. “No. Don’t worry.” “I have to worry. You managed to fail me once. Fail me once more, and I will finish what your Alpha hasn’t. On the other hand, if you succeed...I will need loyal Betas for the war. Remember that. There will be a place and for you and your brother. But only if you succeed.” Frank’s heart beat faster when he heard that promise. “I will.”

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Chapter 7 It was late into the night when River’s guests left. He watched them get into their cars and leave. Then he turned and got back into the house. He carefully laid his half empty glass onto the desk in the living room and climbed upstairs to the bedroom. The conversation with Cora and Layela had distracted him, took his mind off the problem that was waiting him upstairs. Raphael was upstairs. Anger welled inside him. How could Raphael disobey him? River was his Alpha. Raphael should have listened to him. The fact that they were sleeping together—River stopped in his tracks. His mind conjured a vision of the sinewy, muscular body of his lover and Beta. He licked his lips unconsciously. Blood surged in his cock. He remembered the way Raphael looked when River first saw him, his uniform only enhancing his good looks. His nostrils flared. A wicked smile showed on his lips. What had Layela said? Not to be hard on Raphael? It could be more fun if he was. Unbuttoning his uncomfortably tight jeans, he fondled his hardening cock. Raphael, who was sitting on his bead, snapped his head up when he heard River come in. “What have you—” His eyes widened when he caught sight of River, his jeans opened and his dick flushed and ready. The scent of his arousal filled the room. River grinned. Pretending to ignore his lover, he took his clothes off then climbed onto the bed. Not taking his eyes off Raphael, he licked his

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palms then took his prick in his hand. A flash of pleasure spilled over him. He shuddered and moaned. His eyes darkening, Raphael started to move toward him. River stopped him with a glance. Raphael hesitated. “Handcuffs,” he said. Raphael blinked in confusion. River’s grin widened. “I want your handcuffs.” Slowly, Raphael unhooked them from his belt. “Good,” River purred. “Now take off your clothes. You don’t get to touch me yet.” He watched with increasing impatience as his lover shed his clothes, his long body revealed in all his glory. His nipples were hard, and his cock, once freed, immediately rose toward his belly. “Very good.” River picked up the handcuffs, snapped them open, and then tied Raphael to a bedpost. Raphael’s lips parted. His breath hitched, but, River noticed with dark satisfaction, it didn’t diminish his arousal. He gave Raphael’s cock one long pat then crawled back to lean on the headboard. Spreading his legs, he reached down to stroke himself again. Raphael’s gaze heated, shivers running over River’s skin. Not taking his eyes off Raphael, he gripped his cock with one hand and slid the other down to the puckered opening. He heard Raphael gasp. Desire slithered over him. He slid one wet finger in and sucked in breath at the twinge of pain. His body resisted the invasion. It was quite some time since River had taken a lover into his body. Raphael had always taken submissive role in their lovemaking. He wriggled his finger a little, massaging the sensitive gland. A jolt of pleasure traveled down his spine, making him arch. Raphael snarled. A loud metal clank was all the warning River got before Raphael roared and lunged at him. He was flipped on his belly and his legs pushed apart. His cheek resting on sheets, River caught a glimpse of a gleaming metal circle on the hand Rafael braced next to his shoulder. The other one pressed on the small of his back. Warm

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breath teased his shoulder. A hard dick pressed against his anus and forced its way in. River yelped. Raphael bore down, his hot steely rod piercing River steadily. River’s abused muscles burned with pleasure-pain. He forced himself to relax, his whole body rocking with the force of Raphael’s thrusts. He hadn’t taken him before in the ass, and only rarely in his mouth, so he was quite unprepared for thick length that now stretched his channel. Shit, he was big, River admitted ruefully. He didn’t plan on his little lesson finishing this way. Pleasure zinged up his spine, making his muscles clench and grip Raphael’s dick. He bit into the pillow as Raphael pounded into him. He closed his eyes, pleasure blossoming inside him. Raphael’s fist closed on his shoulder. Raphael snarled, heavy weight collapsing on River. Spurts of cum drenched his hole, and he shuddered at the tiny flickers of pleasure that the warm jets soaking his hole sent through him. He turned his head to watch as Raphael rolled off of him. He settled on the bed next to River, black hair hiding his face. His chest rapidly rose and fell. River frowned, sitting up with a wince. His still-hard cock bobbed against his belly. Ignoring it, he grabbed a handful of Raphael’s hair, forcing him to look at him. Drowsy black eyes returned his stare, Raphael’s expression smug. “What was that?” River demanded. “What? Don’t tell me you have never been fucked before, Alpha,” Raphael replied in a lazy tone. Rivers eyes narrowed, and he shifted, dragging his lover between his thighs. “You got what you wanted. Now finish me off.” His dick stabbed at Raphael’s mouth. Their gazes locked. Slowly, Raphael crawled forward, his head coming to rest on River’s thigh. He nipped playfully at the skin over his balls. River’s fists relaxed, but he didn’t let go of Raphael’s hair.

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He watched as Raphael sucked on his balls. A tingle started in his groin. Raphael had taken him roughly, but he had enjoyed it. He would be sore in the morning, though. Raphael opened his mouth to take his cock in. River sucked in breath, bucking reflexively, pushing all the way in, but Raphael didn’t back away. River’s head slammed against the headboard. Heat soared through him, his balls drawing tight. “Raphael,” he groaned, watching other man deep-throat him. He pumped faster, grunting when climax forced him to spew in that pretty mouth. He had always before let Raphael decide whether he swallowed or not, but this time his hand tightened in his black hair, holding Raphael in place. Watching his lover drink his cum, River almost hardened again. He pulled out with regret. Raphael hummed, warm breath teasing River’s damp cock. He waited until River’s fingers in his hair slackened, then curled at his side, his body working its way into River’s embrace. He yawned and promptly fell asleep, head cushioned on River’s chest. River sighed and pulled covers over them both. “Fine. We will talk tomorrow. ” **** What the hell was he thinking? Raphael groaned and thumped his head against his desk. He had topped River the night before and barely managed to avoid marking him. Which of course, he would have to explain later, and at that moment he didn’t have a good explanation. Not one he was prepared to offer, anyway. He groaned again. Someone cleared his throat, interrupting Raphael’s thoughts. Manuel stood at the door, looking unhappy. Raphael’s gaze narrowed. “Close the damned door. There is no need for everyone to hear us arguing.”

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He was on the job, and he didn’t relish being the fodder for gossip. Manuel nodded and crossed to his son’s desk. “Are you all right?” “Why shouldn’t I be?” “River was pissed off at you last night.” “Yes, he...expressed his displeasure. Why do you ask?” Manuel narrowed his gaze. “Can you at least refrain from baiting me? I am trying to talk.” “Why are you blaming me? You were the one who went berserk,” Raphael shot, then winced realizing he had raised his tone. He bit his lip. He thought he didn’t care about his father’s opinion anymore. Manuel regarded him steadily. “I admit, I reacted poorly. But what you did didn’t help matters.” “I can’t change what I am, not even for you.” Raphael leaned back in his chair and looked up at his father. “I always knew how you felt about gays, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise. I suppose I hoped you would think differently when it was about me. I don’t—” He cut himself off. “And why are you talking about this now? You had ten years to change your opinion.” “I was angry at you.” Raphael snorted. “I gathered that.” “No, you don’t understand. I was angry about what happened. You have to admit it was a shock. But it would have been different if you had told me, instead of letting me find out in that way.” Manuel grimaced. “I didn’t relish finding my only son half naked and flushed in the arms of another boy.” Raphael didn’t comment on that. Really, what was there to say? He got caught, he and his father had words, and he had been estranged from his family ever since. “Riker always thought you staged that,” Manuel continued. “You did, didn’t you? I was too mad to listen to him then, but it does sound like something you would do.”

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Raphael ran a hand over his face. “What does it matter?” Manuel sat in the chair opposite Raphael’s desk, sighing. “Jesus, Raphael.” “Would you have reacted differently if I had come up to you and just told you?” Manuel considered that. “I don’t know. I think I would have. Not much differently, mind you, but it would have been easier. We are werewolves after all, and we don’t really care about the sex of our mates. If nothing else, we could have avoided the fight.” “You sound very logical. But let’s not forget that I have listened to you rant about queers for years.” Raphael wasn’t pulling any punches. “Maybe wolves in general don’t care. You certainly had a different opinion.” Manuel looked over Raphael’s shoulder. “I should probably explain that.” Raphael glanced at him. “When Riker took over Black Pine Pack, we weren’t half as prosperous as now. Actually, we were doing rather poorly. Eagle Nest Pack breathed down our neck, and their new Alpha, Sylas, was a jerk. Riker had to keep things tight, and for that, he needed a very loyal Beta. We got through a lot together. Sylas, being Sylas, and never able to command that kind of loyalty, took offense at that. It didn’t help that he was in love with your mother, who was, as you know, born in Eagle Nest. To shorten the story, Sylas spread a rumor that Riker and I were lovers.” Raphael gaped at him. “What?” “I didn’t take that well, and then Teresa had the gall to tell Sylas...never mind it. He was humiliated, and it fueled his anger at Riker and me. He still isn’t over it. But I disliked the rumors, especially as I had just met your mother. I’m afraid it influenced my opinion.”

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“Riker and you?” Raphael repeated. “What kind of fool would think that?” Manuel shook his head. “It was a lie designed to hurt us. Nothing more, nothing less. I don’t think even Sylas believed it. But it was a smart lie. If he succeeded in causing a rift between me and Riker—I was his only Beta at the time. He would have successfully put an end to Black Pine Pack, as most pack members wouldn’t have any other choice than to join Eagle Nest.” “River thinks, and Len agrees with him, that Sylas is involved in the latest trouble.” “They are probably right. This is his one last shot on revenge. You shouldn’t underestimate him, Raphael. He is wily and cunning. He will hurt you and River just because you are my and Riker’s heirs.” “Yes, but that doesn’t—Shit!” “What now?” His father gave him a questioning glance. “River is now pack Alpha, and I am his Beta.” He groaned. “And the whole pack knows that we are sleeping together.” “Yes, I would say so.” Manuel’s voice was sarcastic. Raphael groaned again. “Bloody hell. I never thought—I didn’t know...” Manuel snorted. “I think I can learn to live with that. Your mother wants to see you tonight.” He shifted the subject deftly. After his father left, Raphael felt ready to combust. It was a relief that the long strife between him and his family ended, but he still had a lot to chew on. Picking up his hat, he left the office. “I’m going out on patrol. Call me if there is anything important.” “Will do, Sheriff.” Once on the street, he almost collided with someone. “Hey, watch—Jason.” His voice cooled. Jason just sneered at him. “I didn’t disobey. I am banished from the pack. The town isn’t pack territory.” That much was true. The small town of Pine Creek sat

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on the border of three different packs. It was regarded by all as neutral territory. “I didn’t say you did.” Jason threw him a hateful look. “You watch it, Sheriff. Sooner or later, we will get you.” That was enough. “I saved your sorry ass from going to prison, Jason, so don’t threaten me. And don’t bother to stir up more trouble,” he added. “Eagle Nest is informed about your banishment, so they will know to take it out on you, whatever happens.” Jason had no comeback for that. Glaring at Raphael, he stormed away. “That was unpleasant,” Raphael murmured, then whirled around to grab a shadow peeking from the alley. He scented a wolf. “Ouch!” Raphael relaxed his grip, but didn’t let go of his sister. She huffed in protest. “There is no need for that.” “Anita? Why aren’t you in school?” Unrepentant, she just shrugged. “I saw father and decided to check if you two were going to kill each other.” Christ. And this was his kid sister? “We didn’t. Go back to your class.” Anita’s eyes widened. He sighed. “Fine. I am taking you home, then.” He indicated his truck. “I can go alone,” she was quick to offer. He wasn’t that naive. “I don’t think so.” She slumped, giving him a dejected look. “Don’t take me there. You know mother will be mad at me. And it wasn’t my fault. I wanted to know if the two of you are okay.” Her lower lip trembled. Then the minx brightened. “You can take me to River, since he is the pack Alpha.”

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River was also the one person Raphael didn’t want to see this morning. Which was why she suggested it, the imp. The only option left was Riker. “Raphael.” Riker gave him a surprised look as Raphael pulled in front of a small cabin Riker had appropriated as his own after retiring. “Hi, Anita! Aren’t you supposed to be in school?” He raised an eyebrow. “Don’t ask,” Raphael muttered darkly. “I suppose I better drop by the school.” He yanked passenger’s door open. “And you, get out.” Anita scrambled out and into the house, leaving the two men outside. “How did it go with your father? He was supposed to talk with you this morning,” Riker asked. Raphael snorted. “Should have expected you would know about that. You two are joined at the hip.” Then he realized what he said and colored. “I didn’t mean—” Riker laughed, obviously not offended. “So he told you that, did he? Yes, Manuel and I always were close, although definitely not as close as River and you.” “That would be hard considering that River and I are mated,” Raphael grumbled, his mind returning to the morning’s problem. He hadn’t meant for Riker to overhear it. “What did you say?” “No way!” Anita shouted. She came back on the porch, minus her backpack and holding a bottle of Coca-Cola in her hands. “You are mated to River?” Raphael winced. Could she have been louder? “Hush. And weren’t you supposed to stay in the house?” She rolled her eyes. “I am only going to eavesdrop if I go, so I may as well stay here. And I haven’t heard that before. One would think I would.” Raphael scowled at her. “River didn’t tell me.” Riker looked questioningly at Raphael.

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“He doesn’t know.” “How could he not know?” Riker glanced at Anita, then apparently deciding it didn’t matter, continued, “I mean, you are sleeping with him.” Raphael rubbed his hands over his thighs. “It rained when we met. It masked my scent. He maybe noticed that he was, well, horny afterward, but not more. After that, I used something to hide myself. It’s really not that complicated.” Riker raised one eyebrow. Raphael flushed. He knew what Riker meant, but he was not discussing his sex life in front of his sister. And actually, he was not discussing it with his lover’s father, either. Anita snickered, apparently missing on the byplay. “You have a death wish, Raphael. River is going to kill you when he finds out.” “That is entirely possible. Wolves are very protective of their mates, especially dominant wolves.” Riker studied Raphael. “What possessed you to do such a stupid thing? Another one of your plans?” he asked mildly. Raphael winced. “It sounds bad when you tell it like that.” “And how does it not? You are hiding his mate from him, Raphael.” “I didn’t mean it. It shouldn’t have happened this way. ” “Do you really think River is going to buy that excuse?” No. Riker didn’t have trouble guessing his answer. He sighed. “Then find a way to do it, and fast. It will go easier if he hears it from you. Whatever you are using to hide your scent isn’t foolproof. It could be washed out. One rainy day and you are going to be in serious trouble.” “No kidding.” Anita giggled. Raphael cuffed her over the head.

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Chapter 8 “What happened?” River asked, giving an amused glance to the three teenagers who sat huddled on the sofa in his living room, looking mutinous and just a little bit scared. “Don’t do that,” Emilio warned him. “You are supposed to scare them.” “I am?” “Yes, big bad Alpha and all that.” River snorted, throwing his keys on the coffee table. His nose twitched. “Someone has been drinking,” he said in a mild tone, suppressing laughter. Looking at them, he could well remember being in their position, about to pay for some bit of innocent fun. Julian, Emilio’s younger brother, a cocky seventeen-year-old, just shrugged. “Please. Like you haven’t done the same.” Emilio snorted, obviously amused. “Drinking beer with buddies? Sure I have. But I didn’t get caught by the sheriff.” “Raphael found them?” River asked with interest. Now that was bad luck. Emilio looked like he wanted to laugh, too. “He got a report. Went to investigate. I think he would have let it slide, but in the ensuing confusion, he ended in the lake.” River felt a slow grin spreading over his face. “He what?” Emilio smirked. “I can tell you he was annoyed. Which is why he bundled them in the car and brought them over for a lecture.” “I would have loved to see that.”

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“I don’t think Raphael would appreciate that. You would end up sleeping on the couch for at least a week. Raphael holds a grudge.” “I will keep that in mind,” River answered dryly. “So, lecture on dangers of drinking and getting caught by the sheriff?” Emilio nodded. “Think you will be able to handle it?” His lips twitched. He was obviously enjoying himself. “Mmm. I may remember some of the ones I used to get, thank you very much.” River shook his head. He was aware of Raphael entering the room, his shirt still in his hand, black hair loose and damp. River ignored him. He needed to be Alpha right now and couldn’t do that if he was drooling over his lover. Except— An intoxicating scent, musky and male, wafted through the air to wrap around him. His lungs expanded. Arousal flooded him, making him dizzy and unsettled. His heartbeat sped up as the wolf inside him rose and tried to get out. What the hell? His gaze zeroed on Raphael, who had come to stand to the left and a little behind him, the position of Beta. His scent changed, River realized. It was stronger, more alluring, more—his. It settled right into his groin, making him hard in an instant. “River? Something wrong?” Emilio asked, frowning at him. “For a moment you weren’t there.” “I’m not—what’s with you?” he asked of Raphael, still trying to put the pieces together. He was missing something. Raphael was busy buttoning his shirt up and didn’t look at him. “What’s with me?” “You smell different,” River answered. Raphael’s hand stopped in mid-motion. A guilty flush covered his cheeks. He raised his head to glance hesitantly at River. Mine. His wolf was gleeful. Mine, mine.

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River’s gaze narrowed. Suddenly he knew. Anger, hot and burning, topped off his arousal. Grabbing Raphael’s collar, he yanked the taller man closer. “What did you do?” he asked through clenched teeth, emphasizing every word. But he already knew. Raphael had masked his scent to stop him from discovering that he was River’s mate. It managed to fool River even though he was sleeping with Raphael. It also explained why Raphael never let him drink him down. The taste of his cum would give away his secret. His wolf howled in displeasure. River struggled for control. For the first time since his teenage years, he was close to losing it. Goose bumps showed on his skin. “Shit,” Emilio muttered, backing away from the two of them. Raphael didn’t flinch. It was the last straw. Furious, River struck him then punched him in the gut. Raphael stumbled, but didn’t try to avoid his fist. Blood oozed from his mouth. He gripped the wall to steady himself and looked at River under lowered eyelashes. “I suppose I deserved that,” he said, his gaze still on the floor. River’s teeth gnashed. “You deserve much more than that, and we are going to talk about this later. Go upstairs. I will be there shortly.” Without further glance to Raphael, he turned back to miscreants. The boys’ eyes widened, and they gulped nervously, having watched the Alpha seriously discipline his Beta and one of most powerful packmembers. **** Nervous, Raphael paced the room. He shivered, wrapping his arms around himself, and came to stare blandly through the window. River was angry at him.

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Seriously angry, so angry he had almost shifted, which meant he was precariously close to losing control. His eyes had turned to ice, glittering dangerously. He wasn’t like that the last time Raphael disobeyed him. Then again, this was a much more serious matter. Why didn’t he told River when he had a chance? He could have avoided the problem. Instead, he had kept his mouth shut. Now he was in for it. Footsteps sounded in the hallway. Raphael tensed then flinched at the sound of door slamming. River stared at him. His eyes narrowed. Raphael swallowed. “You are mad at me.” It wasn’t a question. River snorted. “I sent Emilio and the boys home.” He closed the door and locked it, the ominous sound filling the room. He came to stand close to Raphael, but didn’t touch him. “And to answer your question, yes, I’m angry. Don’t you think I should be?” Raphael took a deep breath. “I can explain.” “No.” His tone was angry and cutting. Shocked, Raphael looked at him. “But—” River shook his head angrily. “I said no, Raphael, and I meant it. I don’t care what you are going to say. There is no excuse, no excuse at all for what you did. You lied to me. You lied. You took me to your bed, but couldn’t be bothered enough to tell me we were mates? Please.” He pinned him with a cold stare. “Was that why you didn’t want to be my Beta?” “Partially.” “Fucking fantastic. But you agreed to that, and being the fool I am, I thought it meant you were happy with me. Damn you, Raphael. I haven’t planned on this. I haven’t planned on you. And you just...” His words trailed off. Raphael felt cold inside. He hadn’t only angered River. He hurt him, and his mate didn’t deserve that. “I am sorry. It wasn’t my intention.”

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“What was your intention?” “I don’t know. It wasn’t supposed to be this complicated. It’s just that—when I came back, I was isolated from the pack. I got used to being alone, and having a mate who was Alpha of the pack just didn’t figure in that equation. I never meant to hurt you. Please, please believe me.” He reached with a tentative hand to touch River’s shoulder. Avoiding his gaze, River shook him off. Raphael’s heart sank. “Does anyone else know?” River asked suddenly. Raphael felt his eyes widen. River let out a harsh bark of laughter. “So someone does know. Who is it?” Raphael licked his lips. “It slipped out of me in front of Riker. But I wasn’t going to tell him, I—” River raised a hand to shut him up. “Don’t. Please don’t. Just be quiet.” He let out a frustrated sigh. “You are liable to piss me off even more. I don’t want to hear one more word from you. Do you understand? Not one word.” He grabbed Raphael’s shoulders, shook him roughly. “I won’t tolerate something like this again. I’m mad at you.” Ice-blue eyes stared into black. “I understand.” River contemplated him for a moment, but his anger didn’t abate. “Do I need to take you in front of the pack on our next run?” Raphael’s lips parted in shock. He couldn’t believe River just asked him that. Once it was a custom for newly mated werewolves to confirm the bond in front of all adult unmated pack members. The custom had almost died off, but it wasn’t completely extinct. His cheeks heated. “That’s not necessary.” “You sure about that?” River’s voice was sarcastic. “Maybe I should. You certainly need a lesson. ” Raphael shook his head. River just stared at him.

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Raphael swallowed. “Please, I don’t want—” “Come here,” River said abruptly. Raphael obeyed, giving his mate a questioning look. “Take your shirt off.” For a moment they just stared at each other. Ice-blue fire burned in River’s eyes. Hesitating, Raphael unbuttoned his shirt and bared his shoulder. “You don’t have to—” “Another word and I am mounting you on the pack’s next hunt for everyone to see,” River warned. Raphael shut up. He was now standing in front of River. River’s hand landed on his shoulder and nudged it. “Turn around.” Raphael’s heart sank. He knew what River was going to do, leave a mate mark on him. But he could have marked him face-to-face. That he chose this position, his chest to Raphael’s back, showed he was still very much annoyed. He didn’t choose to do it while they were having sex, which meant it was going to hurt. Raphael tilted his head on one side, his hair sliding out of the way, exposing his vulnerable neck. His heartbeat quickened. He was very much aware of another, stronger wolf on his back, about to sink his fangs into him. River’s hands moved down his side, stopped at his hip. Warm breath tickled his shoulder. Fangs scraped his skin. River bit, hard. Raphael yelped, and an involuntary shudder racked his body. That hurt. He twisted himself away from River’s grip, whirled around to face him. “What do you think you are doing?” he accused. River, his eyes slits of fire and his fangs elongated, shrugged. “You should have stayed still.” “You did that on purpose,” Raphael grumbled, massaging the bite mark on his shoulder. It was painful.

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River’s lips curled into a smile. “Yes I did, and I’m not finished yet. Come back.” He beckoned with his hand. Raphael gaped at him. With the wound on his shoulder still stinging, he was ready to argue. River cocked one blond eyebrow up. Raphael swallowed down his protest and obeyed. “That’s better,” River purred, sliding his arms around Raphael. He licked at bite marks, making Raphael shiver. He couldn’t stop himself from tensing when River bit again, but this time knew better than to try to get away. He winced. The bastard had bitten him again, instead of sucking on the existing mark. Raphael bit his lip to stop himself from yelping again. As soon as River’s fangs retracted, Raphael moved away. “If that’s all?” Raphael asked sarcastically, glaring at River. “Almost.” River reached for his belt. Stunned, Raphael didn’t complain. River’s fingers grasped Raphael’s semi-erect cock. He raised his head to gaze at Raphael “Touch yourself,” he ordered, then stepped back and leaned on the wall. His eyes swept Raphael’s body, lingering briefly on his opened jeans and exposed cock. Incredulous, Raphael stared at him. “You want me to do what?” “You heard me the first time. Touch. Yourself.” “You bit me and marked me, and now you want me to do this?” Raphael gestured at himself. “Exactly.” He didn’t look like he was going to change his intention. Gritting his teeth, Raphael sat on the bed and spread his legs. He reached down to palm his cock, which, despite the circumstances, was more than half-hard. He was very aware of River’s eyes on him. Raphael fisted his cock, glaring at his lover and mate. It was not that he’d never jerked himself off. But he had never done it in front of an audience, and River’s cold, flaccid stare unnerved him. He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on his growing erection. He wanted this

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done as soon as possible. An image of River’s blond head bent over his chest blossomed in his mind, igniting desire inside him. He remembered the way River’s body felt atop him, hands gripping Raphael’s shoulders, grounding his hips against Raphael. A whoosh of breath left his lips. “No, watch me,” River ordered, jarring the fantasy. Raphael’s movements faltered. He looked up at River. “You are making this hard,” Raphael replied, shifting his position. He shucked of his jeans and settled himself on his knees. He resumed pumping and glared at River over his straining cock. Cum smeared his palm. “Satisfied?” he challenged. “Not quite.” River walked up to him and slapped his hand away, coming down to kneel at the floor. His mouth closed over flushed head of Raphael’s dick. “River!” Raphael’s legs shook. He grabbed River’s shoulders to steady himself, throwing his head back in ecstasy. Dizziness swamped him. He was barely able to hold his eyes open, but couldn’t tear his gaze from the sight of River’s lips wrapped around his prick. “Gods.” He groaned, thrusting into River’s mouth. He was close to finishing and had never before shot into River’s mouth, always stopping his lover from going down on him. Sweat broke on his skin. Need clamped down on him. He was going to come and fill that pretty mouth with his seed. River interrupted him in a critical moment, the bastard. Raphael growled, but the grip around the base of his cock effectively held his orgasm at bay. He shuddered as pent-up pleasure rose inside him. His mouth still closed over the damp and leaking tip, River returned his stare. Raphael dug his fingers into River’s shoulders. “Please,” he breathed. “River, I need to—” Desire coiled in his body, making his muscles clench and ache.

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River pulled back, cold air caressing Raphael’s dick. He used his free hand to pull the foreskin out of the way. He swirled his tongue around the slit of Raphael’s prick. Raphael cursed, his hand reaching up to cover River’s. River let go of him to say, “Don’t even think about it.” He pushed Raphael’s hand away and tugged at his balls. Raphael squeezed his eyes shut. “Damn you, let me come!” “Is that any way to talk to your Alpha?” River answered, now pumping him gently, the sensation washing over Raphael, taking the edge off, but still not enough to allow his release. “Are you going to defy me again, mate?” River asked, his tone as casual as the movements of his hand. “No.” Raphael’s voice was barely audible. “No. No, I’m not.” He waited. River squeezed him in encouragement. “Are you going to lie?” “That wasn’t—” Raphael stopped in mid-sentence. River had already showed he didn’t care for his excuses. His shoulders slumped. “I will do whatever you want, just please, finish me.” River bent his head and swallowed him again. Raphael arched, gasped, and gratefully shot into his mate’s mouth. River pushed at his hips, his throat working, gulping enthusiastically. Raphael sighed, his whole body relaxing, watching River as he gently sucked him clean. Then he stood up and moved to bestow a kiss on Raphael’s mouth. Raphael gladly took him in, tasting himself. “That was nice,” River murmured, giving Raphael’s hair a parting caress. Raphael watched him as he moved back toward the door. “Get dressed. We have business to do.” Raphael nodded. If River wanted to punish him further, he obviously wasn’t going to do anything now. He grimaced, noticing blood trailing from his shoulder. “Get Marie to look at that later.” River waited until Raphael joined him then laid his hand on Raphael’s chest. He gave his mate a

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hard stare. “And don’t make me do that again.” His eyes bore into Raphael’s. “I mean it. If it is only way to convince you, I’ll claim you in the old way, so that no one has any doubt who you belong to.” He meant it, Raphael realized. “And if and when I choose to do so, you are going to spread your legs and take it without complaints.” Without waiting for an answer, River left. **** His phone rang. River picked it up, checking the readout absently. Raphael. He should be working right now, he recalled, flipping the cell open. “Hey, what’s up?” he asked, cocking his head so the phone stayed wedged between his head and shoulder and he could continue what he was doing. “Missing something, Alpha?” came the taunting answer. River froze. “Frank?” “So you know who it is, good.” “Give me Raphael,” River demanded, wondering what the hell his mate was doing. He narrowed his eyes. “Now, that may be a bit of problem,” Frank mused. “What did you do?” River gripped the phone, cursing when it slipped a little in his sweaty palm. “Nothing...yet.” That sounded ominous. “Do you want to end up dead?” River demanded. “I’m not dead yet, River.” “If you hurt Raphael, I’ll make sure you are.” “Touching. Why don’t you come over here, and we will see what could be done?”

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River suppressed a growl. “Fine,” he answered. “Where are you?” “I’ll send you a message.” Frank disconnected. The dial tone was loud in River’s ears. His wolf howled in displeasure. Frank was going to pay for this. The phone beeped, signaling an incoming message. River scrolled down to it, scowling as he read its contents. He knew the place Frank named. It was the border between his and Sylas’s pack territory. He wondered how Frank had managed to get hold of Raphael, and whether Sylas was involved. He shook his head. That was not important. What mattered now was finding his mate.

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Chapter 9 The black wolf, chained to a log, paced the small clearing, pausing every so often to snarl at two figures standing under the trees. The chain tightened, stopping its progress. Growling, the wolf pulled back, his yellow eyes not leaving two men. River’s heartbeat quickened. Raphael. So he was alive and mostly well. The chain around his neck had an eerie glow. River blinked, his vision monochromatic, his wolf perilously close to the surface. Ah. Silver. That would explain it. He gazed upon two men waiting for him. Frank’s lips curled in a smug smile as he noticed River. He didn’t deign to move as River approached. “Figured that would get to you,” he said with satisfaction. “The great and powerful Alpha, doing my biding. Worried about your toy?” “You should be more worried about yourself,” River answered mildly. “If you think I’m going to leave you unharmed after this, you are wrong.” Frank smirked. “Only if you can beat me.” “Do you honestly think I won’t?” River answered in same vein. All three men jerked when the sound of wolves growling and snapping came from behind the bushes. River grinned at two rogue wolves. “It seems that my backup found your backup,” he said with satisfaction. Frank eyes narrowed. “You are lying. No one came with you. We were watching.”

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“No one came with me, that’s true. But you watched the roads from my side of the border. I called someone from Sylas’s pack.” Frank stepped back. “Who do you know there?” “As it turns out, Len was more than willing to help me. Raphael is his friend. And it seems that Len has been itching for a chance to take his Alpha down.” His smile widened. “I’m assuming that’s who was waiting in ambush?” Frank lips curled, but he still glared defiantly at River. “And now,” River said in a pleasant voice, “it’s time to finish this once and for all.” He shifted, wriggling out of his clothes, and charged. Frank was no weakling, shifting, too, and parrying his attack. Both wolves landed on the ground. His shoulder bloodied, River scrambled away from Frank and swung his head around searching for Jason. He needed to take care of him, and any surprise attack from that side before he concentrated on Frank. Eyes narrowed, he jumped at his target. Jason yelped and twisted, but couldn’t avoid powerful jaws closing on his throat. He went limp, and his eyes glowing. The bigger wolf turned to his other foe. Frank howled in rage and grief, the sound echoing in the air. Ignoring it, River advanced toward him. He didn’t come away unscathed from the fight with Jason. He was limping, but he should be able to take care of Frank. But the other wolf retreated. River raised his muzzle in puzzlement. Huh? Then he noticed Frank running toward the still restrained black wolf. Panic kicked in. He raced toward his mate and his enemy. Frank attacked Raphael, snarling at him viciously. The chain held Raphael back, forcing him to retreat, making him vulnerable. They rolled on the ground, their yelps and howls filling the air. Filled with adrenaline, River pushed his massive body between them, separating them. He butted his shoulder against the black wolf,

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ignoring the sting of silver from the chain. Pupils dilated, he stared at Frank. Once again, Frank tried to come at Raphael. River growled and sank his teeth into his back. The other wolf arched, trying unsuccessfully to get away. From the corner of his eye, River noticed Raphael going for his vulnerable belly. Blood splattered his muzzle. River spat, staggering back and shifting, ending on his ass on the ground. “Shit,” he panted, as his various assortments of bruises and scrapes made themselves known. But Frank seemed to be well and truly dead. A figure detached itself from the wall of greenery surrounding the clearing, and River tensed. But it was only Len, looking somewhat worse for the wear, but all in all relatively unharmed. He limped to where River sat and dropped next to him. “All done?” River asked, not that he had any doubts. Len was here, which meant that Sylas was defeated and the danger to both his pack and his mate was gone. Len nodded, his gaze going to Frank’s unmoving body. “Same as you.” The black wolf that was Raphael whined, then climbed into River’s lap and licked his face. River coughed. “Geez, don’t do that. You stink.” A small growl escaped Raphael’s throat. Snorting, Len said, “Not happy with you, I see. Is that silver?” He eyed the chain suspiciously. River nodded, his hands going to collar around Raphael’s neck to release him. “It’s stopping him from shifting, which I’m assuming is why he is complaining.” He heard a loud click and in next moment he had a lapful of naked, gorgeous man. “Should have let me kill him right away,” Raphael said, glaring at their enemy.

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River rolled his eyes. Good thing he wasn’t expecting a tearful reunion. **** Dawn was coming, outshining the light of a full moon. Leaning on the porch rail, a bottle of cold beer in his hands, River listened to the sounds of many wolves running in the woods. It was the night of the Full Moon Gathering, and the pack had once again gathered to celebrate its nature and unity. This time, though, the occasion was special. He slanted a glance to his backyard, where older members from Black Pine and Eagle Nest were seated. Someone’s weight caused the wooden rail to groan. “Well,” Len said thoughtfully, “so far there hasn’t been bloodshed.” River snorted. “No one would dare.” “You are more trusting than I.” “Neither one of us is trusting, which is why we have sent both of our Betas to tag after the younger ones when they went running.” “Point taken.” Companionably, Len bumped his shoulder against River. “And by the way, what did you tell Raphael?” River cast him quizzical look. “How do you mean it?” Len smirked. “Before they left, I noticed you pulled him aside for a while. I have never seen look of such horror on his face. ” River chuckled, remembering it himself. He also remembered the flicker of heat in those black eyes. “Ah, that.” “What, that?” “I just reminded him of something we discussed before.” “Oh?” “Something about old rituals and mates.”

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It took all of five minutes for Len to process his words. “You would not.” “I did not,” River agreed. “But he couldn’t have known if I was going to.” “So that’s why he got so quiet,” Len speculated aloud. “Ought to put him in a nice and submissive mood when he gets back,” River mused, looking at the sky filled with moonlight. “It’s good to be an Alpha,” Len agreed. **** River rammed his cock up his mate’s ass. Raphael groaned under him. River’s fingers caressed his shoulder. He breathed heavily. “Is it good, pet?” he purred, enjoying himself. Raphael didn’t answer. River pulled out, watching his glistening cock ease out from Raphael’s stretched opening. It was the third time he had mounted him since the Full Moon Gathering that night. Raphael didn’t complain, despite the cock ring River put on him after sucking him off. Well, sucking him. River hadn’t let him finish, although he longed to taste his mate again. He spread Raphael’s legs wider, sinking into him again, Raphael’s body welcoming the intrusion, gripping his dick in delicious way. “I love your ass,” River whispered, pressing his hand on the small of Raphael’s back. “And I love plowing it even more.” He picked up his thrusts. Raphael’s head dipped down and his fists clenched in the bedsheets. River grinned. Pleasure rose in his belly. His balls tightened. He was ready to come again. This time though, he might just let Raphael do the same. Slowing his pace, he ordered, “Take the ring off.” Raphael shuddered, the quiver of his body rolling over River’s dick causing delicious friction. Bracing himself on one arm, Raphael slipped the other

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between his legs. River grinned. Raphael could have taken off the ring earlier, but he didn’t even comment when River had put it on. He leaned closer, his chest to Raphael’s back, and pushed his fingers into Raphael’s mouth. He ground his hips, knowing Raphael was primed enough to finish any time. Raphael’s body was hot and slick with sweat under him, the scent of his arousal filling the room and teasing River. He was right. Raphael stiffened beneath him, his cock spurting uncontrollably, his groans muffled by River’s fingers. River forced himself to resist the tightening of the drenched channel closing around his cock. He wasn’t yet finished with Raphael. Raphael collapsed on the bed, taking River with him. He gasped when River slipped out, turning his head to find River’s lips in a passionate kiss. River swallowed his moans, enjoying the feel of his mate’s body under him. “That was just mean,” Raphael commented. River snorted, his hands coming to rest in his black hair. He toyed with damp strands. “You enjoyed it.” “I could have enjoyed it more times,” Raphael groused. River yanked on his hair in warning. Raphael seemed to have more courage now he wasn’t so desperate to come. Well, there was one proven way to shut him up. He twisted, rubbing his still-hard dick over Raphael’s backside. His hand came down to rub and knead Raphael’s ass. He felt a shiver run through his lover, and although he couldn’t see it, he would swear Raphael’s prick was filling. He nuzzled Raphael’s shoulder. “Are you still angry at me?”Raphael asked suddenly. River bent his head to kiss the mating mark on Raphael’s shoulder. “No. We’ve cleared that matter, haven’t we?” He squeezed Raphael’s hip in warning. He may have forgiven Raphael for lying to him, but he wasn’t going to tolerate that in the future.

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Raphael was quiet for the moment. “Why the threat, then?” River grinned. “I thought we established that we both enjoyed the outcome.” He felt Raphael stiffen under him. He twisted until they were both resting on their sides and turned his head to glare at River. “That was your idea of foreplay?” River chuckled. Raphael was gorgeous when he was angry. He could feel his cock twitching, despite the fact he had just had sex with Raphael. He wrapped his arm around his waist and brushed Raphael’s earlobe with his lips. “One of those days, we are going to do it with you still in your uniform.” He heard Raphael inhale sharply. He didn’t comment. River let his hand wander down his thigh. Oh yes, Raphael was definitely interested. “Hmm,” River murmured, “where was I?” He rolled his hips against Raphael’s, gasps escaping them both. “Oh yes,” he practically purred into Raphael’s ear, “your ass.”

THE END

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sunny Day’s main preoccupation in life is reading and/or writing books, though she much prefers reading what someone else wrote. She is thirty something, single, and can usually be found attached to her laptop. Her only form of exercise is bouncing up and down when whatever story she is working on shapes well. She hopes readers will enjoy this one.

Also by Sunny Day Ménage and More: Hot in Space Siren Classic ManLove: Recovery 1: Cowboy Needed Ménage Amour: Knightly Bonds 1: Their Majesties’ Knight

Available at BOOKSTRAND.COM

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