The Alpha's Pet

THE ALPHA’S PET

…The whole pack clapped and whistled, with the exception of Blue. He shrank back against the wall, battling the urge to march to the front of the room and rip the leash out of Rafe’s hands. Such a display would instantly get him killed, but he had to admit that if he thought he had any sort of chance of escape, he would do it. Not out of the desire to save Gabriel from this humiliation, but because he wanted the other man for himself. “Let’s see what else he can do,” James said. Rafe smiled at him, and Blue thought he saw a hint of fang. “Why?” He possessively ran his hand over the curve of Gabriel’s ass. “So you can see what you can’t have?” James bowed his head slightly. “If you want to show us,” he amended. Blue could see the faint tension in Rafe’s hand as he pulled on the leash. Automatically, Gabriel melted into his side, his head resting against his shoulder. He was only an inch or two shorter than Rafe, but he managed to make himself seem shorter. Smaller. Even unfamiliar with pack politics, he seemed to easily grasp how to be submissive. “And what do you want?” Rafe asked Gabriel. The answer came automatically. “Whatever you want me to want.” Rafe smiled, pleased by the answer. Blue’s already knotted stomach pulled tighter. He knew that if he asked the question, he’d get a different answer. One that was a lot closer to the truth. Nobody in that room cared about what Gabriel wanted, as long as he submitted to Rafe and didn’t disrupt the order of the pack. “Do you want my cock?” “Yes, sir.” “Show me,” Rafe said, tugging on the leash…

ALSO BY LOUISA GOUGH Changing Spots

THE ALPHA’S PET BY LOUISA GOUGH

AMBER Q UILL PRESS, LLC http://www.AmberQuill.com

THE ALPHA’S PET AN AMBER QUILL PRESS BOOK This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. Amber Quill Press, LLC http://www.AmberQuill.com All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review. Copyright © 2010 by Louisa Gough ISBN 978-1-60272-707-6 Cover Art © 2010 Trace Edward Zaber

Layout and Formatting provided by: Elemental Alchemy

PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

THE ALPHA’S PET

CHAPTER 1 His name was Gabriel and he was off-limits. Strictly off-limits. To touch him would carry the penalty of death. Looking at him the wrong way would result in a severe beating. He belonged to the pack’s alpha, Rafe, and he didn’t like people touching his things. Rafe could be very generous, allowing the four beta males access to the females without prior permission. But when he set somebody aside special, he gave no permission and made no exceptions. And life usually became a living hell for at least one member of the pack and probably more. Because Rafe’s taste in playmates—and in playthings—was absolutely exceptional. There wasn’t a particular pattern to their features, but they were all striking. Gabriel was no exception. In fact, he might have been Rafe’s greatest discovery. 1

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To celebrate Gabriel’s place in the pack, Rafe threw a party. That part had been less about allowing his pack to get to know the young man, and more about plainly asserting his dominance. In Rafe’s luxurious apartment, the fourteen of them had mingled, discussing the mundane details of their lives, while Rafe held Gabriel on a leash and absently stroked his dark hair. The boy on the leash drew Blue’s attention throughout the night. His eyes were almost as dark as his hair and his skin the color of dark caramel. He might have been as young as twenty or as old as thirty, it was difficult to say. The faded bite scar on his shoulder announced that he was already a wolf, and that raised a series of questions to consider. Had he been a member of another pack? If so, what had Rafe done to take ownership of him? From Blue’s place on the fringes of the party, he could catch snippets of conversation here and there. Some of it was meant for only one person to hear, but as one of the omegas he wasn’t always considered a person. Blue didn’t mind. It allowed him to partake in the closeness of pack and family without the oppressiveness of eyes constantly on him. “What are you going to do?” one of the pack’s beta females, Christine, was asking another, Lisa, in hushed tones. “Pray I can get it taken care of before she finds out.” Out of the corner of his eye, Blue saw the slightly furtive look Lisa cast toward Rafe’s mate and the pack’s alpha female, Ava. “So I told him, he’d better think about it a nice, long time.” That was Daniel. Another beta. Another conversation. “But what a waste of money.” Rob’s voice that time. Blue glanced over to verify he was the one speaking with Daniel, though he had no idea what the topic of conversation was. “I thought being pack meant no one was left behind or 2

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forgotten,” an unfamiliar voice said just behind him. “Or was that a Disney movie?” Surprised, Blue spun around to see if the question was directed at him. He was even more surprised when he saw who was speaking. Up close, Gabriel was more than breathtaking. For a moment, Blue considered turning back around and walking away. That would probably be the best course of action. But he didn’t want to risk offending somebody so close to Rafe. “Um, yeah, I guess it probably was a Disney movie.” Gabriel cocked his head slightly to the side with a faint smile as his gaze moved over him slowly. Blue felt the heat of that look as though he’d been touched, which was quickly followed by a chill. Rafe wouldn’t like his new toy giving looks like that, but maybe the younger man didn’t fully realize that. “Funny. Rafe really played up the family angle, but”—Gabriel ran a thumb along his collar as he smirked—“I guess I should have figured out that wasn’t entirely accurate.” “Oh, no, it’s accurate,” Blue said quickly, glancing around to see if anybody noticed them. So far, they were all enthralled in their own conversations. “Why would you think otherwise?” Gabriel still looked completely oblivious to the tight rope he was walking. He leaned back against the wall beside Blue, drumming his fingers against it. “Whole lot of fucking going on for family. I guess you standing in the corner all by yourself fits, though. There’s always got to be one moody teenager, right?” Blue frowned, unsure what to make of that comment. Perhaps Gabriel hadn’t been a member of a pack before? Or maybe he had simply always been close to the alpha. “I haven’t been a teenager for a couple of years now. Look, you probably shouldn’t be over here with me.” 3

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“So I can’t screw whoever I want or have conversations?” “You can have conversations.” He gestured at rest of the room, checking once again to make sure nobody had noticed him talking to Gabriel. “With them.” Rather than discourage him, that only seemed to make the younger man even more interested. “What’s wrong with you?” “Well, nothing is technically wrong with me. But I’m not, you know, a beta.” Gabriel cocked his head curiously again. “And that really honestly means something?” Blue’s attention was drawn to the bite mark on Gabriel’s shoulder. Maybe it was fresher than it looked. “Is this your first pack?” He gave a small nod. “Couple of months ago I got attacked. Rafe says if he hadn’t found me things would have been…bad. But the weather was nice, so I’d been sleeping out on state land. Kept me from hurting anyone at least.” And now that he was ready to be integrated back into society, Rafe made him an official member of the pack. An elevated member. Blue felt the first sparks of jealousy but quickly stomped them out. He was fortunate Rafe had been so generous to him and he needed to remember that. But he couldn’t do anything about the resentment stirred by the sight of Gabriel’s collar. That was something he just had to live with. “You’ll learn all this quick enough, but you know there’s always a pecking order in the pack. And somebody has to be at the bottom.” “And you’re that somebody? Why?” “There are a couple of reasons. I’m an orphan. I’m the youngest in the pack. I wasn’t born a wolf. I don’t have the 4

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education, the money, or the physical strength to challenge any of the beta males. If I did challenge somebody, none of the women would support me because in the long run, I could never be the alpha. I’m only here because of Rafe.” The boy’s eyes narrowed slightly as he pursed his lips in a small frown. “Sounds an awful lot like me, don’t you think?” “No, you’re different. Everybody here knows that.” “You mean I’m being treated like one of them.” Gabriel gave a small nod in the direction of a few of the pack’s women. “Yes. But that’s a good thing.” “Oh sure. There’s nothing more romantic than being property.” His voice was so deadpan when he said it, Blue wasn’t entirely sure it had been sarcasm at first. A moment later, the boy leaned in dangerously close, his lips a breath away from Blue’s ear. “But I wouldn’t mind being yours for a night or two.” Gabriel pulled back as soon as he’d said it as if he were a puppet on strings, then slunk across the room. For all that he was new and inexperienced, he seemed to have a good grasp on that otherworldly speed and stealth. Or he’d been lying about when he was bitten. Blue watched him, half hard and terrified that somebody had overheard Gabriel’s whispered words. Had he meant them? Blue couldn’t know for sure, but he doubted it. Nobody in the pack had ever expressed any sort of desire for him. That didn’t stop some of the men from using him when they felt like it, but that was always out of convenience, never desire. If he could, he would have followed Gabriel across the room and to tell him that sometimes it was best to be property. If nothing else, that afforded a special, favored status. None of the betas would corner him and force him to his knees. He would never be 5

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threatened with expulsion. Even if Rafe grew tired of him, he’d never lose his status. As soon as he’d crossed the room, Gabriel had attached himself to Rafe’s side once again. If the alpha had noticed he was missing, he showed no sign of it. The young man stayed by his side with his head bowed slightly, submissively, eyes watching Rafe as attentively as a dog awaiting its master’s next orders. The clash between what he’d just said and that behavior was stark. Would Blue have looked at Rafe like that if he’d been given Gabriel’s place? He imagined so. Hoping everybody was more interested in Gabriel than him, Blue began moving along the back wall to the door. If he escaped without notice, they wouldn’t bother to come after him. Having been to more than one of Rafe’s parties, he knew what would be coming next. And he knew he didn’t want any part of it. Blue almost made it to the door before a large hand grabbed him by the shoulder and stopped him from taking another step. Blue tensed, nostrils flaring. James. His stomach dropped, and he kept his head down, safely studying a spot on the carpet. “You’re not leaving yet. You know he’ll want to show off his new pet to everyone.” “The show isn’t for my benefit,” Blue said, making sure to keep his voice pitched low and respectful. The hand on his shoulder didn’t loosen. “No, but your presence might be for someone else’s benefit.” When he was younger, he would have at least protested and tried to break free from James’s grasp. But he had learned the hard way that following his instincts wasn’t always the best path. “Yes, sir.” Still gripping him, James steered Blue around and pushed him 6

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back toward where he had been before he tried to make his escape. As he turned, he could see Rafe was already beginning his show, as Gabriel was down on his knees. At first, it was easy to avoid looking at them. Rafe remained fully dressed, more intent on showing off Gabriel’s body than using it. Blue didn’t dare to do more than steal glances of Gabriel, committing each perfect inch of it to memory. He was trim but muscular, strangely delicate without being feminine, and beautifully proportioned. Blue wanted to look. His eyes were drawn to him again and again, and an ache began deep in his body. A longing he had never felt before. “Take the rest off.” The room had grown quiet, leaving Rafe’s simple order the only sound. With no outward sign of hesitation, Gabriel smoothly rose to his feet and unbuckled the belt at his waist. The pants were leather, which didn’t surprise Blue. Rafe had no doubt picked out every article Gabriel wore. As the young men leaned forward to slide the pants off, he turned his body slightly. It was to give Rafe and those around him the view of his ass and flexing back as he moved, but it also left Gabriel’s eyes locking with Blue’s across the room. There was no hint of shame in his eyes, no fear, no pain. He might have felt comfortable implying to Blue he didn’t love his new situation, but he knew better than to let on in front of Rafe and his pack. Or maybe he liked to be the center of attention. Some people did. Blue could admit that he would have positively preened for Rafe if he had ever asked. Gabriel finally broke eye contact once he stood completely naked at Rafe’s side. His halferect cock was long and thick, and would no doubt be in high demand if Rafe ever let the other men touch him. “Turn,” Rafe commanded. 7

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As he looked at Blue, one of Gabriel’s brows raised slightly, the faintest hint of a sardonic smirk tugging at one corner of his mouth. Then he was turning his back on him to display himself for the alpha. His ass was half a shade paler than his back, finely sculpted. The only flaws were four parallel lines on one hip. They were faded scars and added credence to his story about having been attacked and abandoned. Rafe stepped forward to reattach the leash to Gabriel’s collar, giving him a little tug to pull him closer. His eyes briefly flicked over to his betas. “Tell me what you think of him.” The whole pack clapped and whistled, with the exception of Blue. Even the women had an enthusiastic response to his beauty. Blue shrank back against the wall, battling the urge to march to the front of the room and rip the leash out of Rafe’s hands. Such a display would instantly get him killed, but he had to admit that if he thought he had any sort of chance of escape, he would do it. Not out of the desire to save Gabriel from this humiliation, but because he wanted the other man for himself. “Let’s see what else he can do,” James said. Rafe smiled at him, and Blue thought he saw a hint of fang. “Why?” He possessively ran his hand over the curve of Gabriel’s ass. “So you can see what you can’t have?” James bowed his head slightly. “If you want to show us,” he amended. Blue could see the faint tension in Rafe’s hand as he pulled on the leash. Automatically, Gabriel melted into his side, his head resting against his shoulder. He was only an inch or two shorter than Rafe, but he managed to make himself seem shorter. Smaller. Even unfamiliar with pack politics, he seemed to easily grasp how to be submissive. 8

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“And what do you want?” Rafe asked Gabriel. The answer came automatically. “Whatever you want me to want.” Rafe smiled, pleased by the answer. Blue’s already knotted stomach pulled tighter. He knew that if he asked the question, he’d get a different answer. One that was a lot closer to the truth. Nobody in that room cared about what Gabriel wanted, as long as he submitted to Rafe and didn’t disrupt the order of the pack. “Do you want my cock?” “Yes, sir.” “Show me,” Rafe said, tugging on the leash. If Gabriel hadn’t spoken to him before, Blue never would have doubted the sincerity of what he saw next. The boy slid down Rafe’s body, nuzzling and touching him as if he couldn’t get enough of him, his eyes turned up toward the alpha’s face. His own face showed a mixture of hunger and awe. To the entire pack, he looked as though he worshipped Rafe. Even if he hadn’t been so beautiful, Rafe might have taken him as a favorite for that look alone. As he lowered himself to his knees, his hands hovered over the growing bulge in Rafe’s pants, though he didn’t touch. Not yet. He paused just long enough to be sure that every eye was on him in the room before leaning forward, delicately using the tip of his tongue to trace Rafe’s cock through the fabric. Blue almost whimpered, but swallowed the sound quickly. The vein in his temple started to throb and his heart raced. He closed his eyes to escape the sight, but it didn’t help. He just imagined Gabriel kneeling at his own feet, looking up at through long lashes, waiting for Blue’s next order. He opened his eyes to banish the vision, only to see Rafe slowly unzip his pants, wordlessly 9

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directing Gabriel. His cock sprang out, not as thick as Gabriel’s, but longer. The head was a dark red and already glistening with pre-come. The scent of his arousal whipped through the room, and everybody responded with a low growl of hunger. Blue had spent many, many nights fantasizing about that cock. All of his fantasies went almost the same, beginning with Rafe calling him to his side. Or maybe approaching him and taking his hand. Visibly and publicly choosing him, rather than leaving him for the betas to enjoy. Rafe cupped Gabriel’s head and pulled him forward, sliding his cock along Gabriel’s cheek as he positioned the younger man’s mouth at his balls. He could see Gabriel’s pink tongue as the boy ran it over Rafe’s sac, exploring and tasting. His eyes were closed as though he were savoring every moment, an almost beatific expression on his face. With a quiet moan, Gabriel opened his mouth wider to take one of Rafe’s balls between his lips and suck. The younger man’s cock was fully erect and jutting out from his body, curved up slightly toward his stomach. His hands were dutifully clasped behind his back, though. The smell of excitement became thick in the air, and Blue heard the first sound of a zipper coming down. Blue’s cock pressed painfully against his pants, no matter how he tried to adjust himself. He almost wished one of the betas would grab him and force him to his knees so he wouldn’t have to keep watching Gabriel. Only something like that would be enough to force his attention away from the slope of his back, the shape of his mouth as he sucked Rafe’s balls, or the curve of his cock. Rafe’s hand slid into Gabriel’s dark hair, tugging his head back. The boy moved back readily and let his head be held at an 10

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awkward angle. His lips looked full and swollen, his eyes halflidded. Those eyes slipped closed again as Rafe guided his cock to his mouth, then roughly pulled him forward to force him to take more of the length. He had his faults, but Rafe was considered a good alpha. At the very least, he was a generous one. The betas were allowed access to most of the women. Already, a number of pack members were pairing up. The fact that there were almost always fewer women than men in the packs—not many of them survived the transformation and birthing a wolf could kill—had created a natural imbalance, though. It was one of the reasons why there were few packs that looked down on men sleeping together. At least, they didn’t look down on the dominant partner. Blue watched Rafe fuck Gabriel’s face, jealousy thundering through him. He was so wrapped up in that sight that he didn’t notice James and Cam approach until they were standing right in front of him. Cam took his wrist, James his shoulder, and the two of them dragged him into the center of the room without speaking. As he got closer to Rafe and Gabriel, he realized he could pick out Gabriel’s scent. Higher and a little bit sweeter than anybody else’s. He inhaled deeply, filling his head with it. “Where’s Jeremy?” Rob asked. “Still recovering from last night,” James said. “What the hell did you do to him?” “Nothing, he’s fine, just tired.” James smirked. “And a bit sore.” “Well, don’t break Blue, too.” James’s hand on his shoulder squeezed as he pushed Blue downward to the floor. When he hit his knees, James still didn’t stop, pushing him until he was down on all fours. Rob knelt in 11

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front of him, his jeans already opened, cock in hand. His free hand slid through Blue’s hair, guiding him closer. “You like that show, don’t you?” Rob said, voice quiet. It wouldn’t do him any good to lie. Rob could smell the answer. “Yes, sir.” “Yeah, I bet you do.” Rob’s hand slid down to the back of his neck. Behind him, he could feel the press of James’s body as the other beta leaned into him. “I’ll let you watch if you can suck my cock just like he’s doing, all right?” “Yes, sir,” Blue murmured before wrapping his mouth around the thick shaft. He liked Rob more than the others. Rob didn’t get off on humiliating him, and he wasn’t a sadist. He was just a guy who liked to have his cock sucked, and Blue usually enjoyed providing that service. With his attention focused on Gabriel once again, he began moving his mouth, sliding it from the tip to the base and back again. Wherever he had come from, Gabriel was truly a showman. Even with Rafe holding his hair, guiding his head, and his own hands clasped behind his back, he still looked perfectly at peace with everything. When some men submitted, it was only because their spirit was broken or because struggling for dominance would be too difficult. Gabriel made it look as though the most divine gift in the world was being given the opportunity to submit. His eyes were closed in pleasure as soft, muffled sounds came from his throat. Blue could see the way he pulled his lips tight around Rafe’s cock as he sucked, then how the muscles in his jaw and throat worked when he swallowed him down to the root. That earned a quiet gasp of approval from Rafe. Blue felt a pair of hands working at his pants, and then yanking the material down his hips, exposing his ass. He couldn’t look 12

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around to see who it was, but as soon as he felt the open-palmed slap on his cheek, he knew it was James. Blue decided to ignore him, concentrating instead on mimicking Gabriel. He knew Rob would want to close his eyes and pretend it was Rafe’s new pet swallowing him down. His cock slid easily into Blue’s throat, and he held him there, swallowing around the sensitive crown. Rob softly growled his approval as his hand massaged the back of Blue’s neck, encouraging him without pushing. As long as he was getting a mimicry of the new pet, he was satisfied. James, on the other hand, had his own desires that had little to do with the party. This was simply an excuse. With no further preparation than the slap on his ass, Blue felt the blunt tip of James’s lubed cock pressed to him. Blue couldn’t help a small grunt as he felt the beta pushing into him. Blue decided Rob wasn’t the only who could use his imagination. He pretended it was Gabriel’s cock thrusting into him, and the thought made his groin tighten. It would never happen, but that didn’t mean Blue couldn’t fantasize about it. His mind disengaged from his body, changing the scenario, creating more and more elaborate fantasies centered on Gabriel and the two of them together.

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CHAPTER 2 “Take care of him for the day. Get him cleaned up. Feed him. Keep him out of trouble.” Gabriel opened his eyes to those words, though they weren’t being said to him. He pushed himself up on one hand as he listened. It was Rafe in the living room. Toward the end of the night, the alpha had finally tired of him and let him sleep. He’d even been allowed to sleep in the bed. His senses had been so overwhelmed by all of the new people and everything that was happening around him that he wasn’t even entirely sure who had slept there and who hadn’t. His attention had necessarily been focused on keeping the alpha happy, after all. He slipped out of the bed, unmindful of his own nudity as he padded out of the bedroom to peek out and see who it was Rafe 14

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was speaking to. Blue and Rafe stood at the end of the hall, both men dressed in fresh clothes. “Okay. Are you going out for the day?” “Yes, I’ve got some meetings, but I don’t want Gabriel to be left alone. You don’t plan on going anywhere today, do you?” “No, sir.” “Good. And if any of the betas come around while I’m gone, tell them that the three of you are off-limits for the day. You need a break, don’t you?” “Yeah, I do. Thank you.” Gabriel held back silently, waiting until Rafe had left, before he stepped out of the hall. Hands braced against the doorway, he leaned out, looking back and forth, sniffing the air. No one else but the omega. “What’ll happen if I’m alone?” “I don’t know. Maybe he’s scared you’ll run away.” “When he found me he made it pretty clear the packs would kill me if I was wandering around alone.” Gabriel paused, eyeing Blue up and down slowly. He found himself drawn to the man, largely because of all the people in the pack he was the only one he could really sympathize with. Regardless of the fact that Rafe had taken him as his new pet, Gabriel still couldn’t quite accept that he was a part of such a strange group now. “Is that true?” “Yes. When wolves are alone, they tend to get reckless. You’re stronger than any human. Faster. When there’s nothing to keep a wolf in check, the more primal instincts start to take over. When the dead bodies start showing up, all the wolves in the area come under scrutiny. It’s safer to kill the loners than it is to risk it.” Gabriel nodded slightly, lips pursed into a small frown. All of this was foreign to him, but he clearly had to catch on quickly. 15

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“And the alpha’s word is law?” “Yes. But there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with that. He’s in charge of the well-being of the entire pack. Do you want to bathe first or have your breakfast?” “Bathe. Are there any clothes for me aside from the leather scene fantasy last night?” “Sure. I’ll get your shower started first.” “You don’t have to get my shower started.” “Yeah, I do,” Blue said, gesturing for Gabriel to follow him into the bathroom. He rolled his eyes a little as he followed the other man into the bathroom. He felt useless as he stood there, waiting for his shower to be ready. It annoyed him as well, watching someone else do something for him he could do just fine on his own. “So how do you pick your alpha? You’d said something about challenging last night. How’s that work?” “Rafe picked us. I’m not sure what happened before. He doesn’t talk a lot about his past, but about ten years ago, he started putting this pack together. Generally, alphas aren’t challenged unless they do something that directly harms the pack or are otherwise incompetent. But if one of the betas thinks he can do a better job, then they fight. Or so I’ve heard. I’ve never actually seen it.” Gabriel considered that as he stepped into the shower. He ducked under the spray to get his hair wet and brush it back from his face, then started gratefully lathering up his body. “And what do you do if you don’t like the pack you’re in?” “It depends on who you are and what you can offer a new pack. Jeans and a T-shirt okay?” “That’s perfect.” He fell silent for a moment as he thought and 16

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scrubbed himself down. “I guess all I have to offer is being a fuck toy, huh?” “I don’t really know, do I? Who were you before you were attacked?” “A hustler.” “Oh. Does that have anything to do with being bit?” “Guy picked me up and bit me in the middle of sex, so I guess so. It was kinda hot until I realized I was bleeding.” Once he’d rinsed himself off he turned off the water, assuming Blue wouldn’t come running to do it himself, then pushed back the shower curtain to grab a towel. He quickly dried his hair, then patted himself down before wrapping the towel around his hips. “And how did you end up here? You weren’t born this way, so you got attacked, too, right?” “Yeah. When I was a kid. My whole family was. What do you like to eat for breakfast?” Hearing that about Blue’s family after he’d asked so casually made Gabriel pause, his stomach twisting into knots. “God, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.” “Don’t apologize. You didn’t know and it happened a long time ago. We were camping and one of those lone wolves I told you about picked up our scent.” Blue gestured at the clothes folded neatly on the toilet. “Those should fit. If not, there are more clothes in the hall closet.” “Thanks.” The word sounded a little hollow to his ears. That could have been him. He could have done that to someone’s family out there. Obviously, he hadn’t done it to Blue’s family since he was far too young, but it was still a horrifying thought. Once he was dressed, he finally allowed himself to look at Blue again. “I like pancakes.” 17

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Blue nodded. “Pancakes it is.” Gabriel followed him out of the steamy bathroom, wondering if Blue would have responded the same regardless of what Gabriel requested. “So I guess you’re probably going to be living here with Rafe?” “For now, I guess. Seeing as how he doesn’t have a harem here, it’s obviously not a permanent situation when he takes a plaything.” Since it seemed that the omega was taking Rafe’s orders very seriously about bathing, feeding and dressing him, Gabriel decided not to interfere with the cooking. He wouldn’t have known where to start anyway. Instead, he hopped up on the counter, feet idly bouncing against a cupboard door below while he watched Blue. The other man was the same height as Gabriel, though not as striking in looks. His hair was a nondescript shade of brown, kept short and it looked like it had a tendency to stick up in odd spots. His eyes were a muddy sort of hazel, though they looked green when the light caught them. His jaw was nicely squared, though, and his skin was flawless. He’d never seen the man naked the night before, but from what he could see of his body he was very well built. Not some pretty prize for the alpha to keep, but handsome enough in an understated, boyish sort of way. There was no particular feature that Gabriel could point to as what drew him to the man. It was something about how he carried himself or his scent or some primal chemical reaction. All he knew was that from the moment he’d laid eyes on Blue he’d been itching to touch him. “What happens to me when he stops keeping me to himself?” Gabriel asked. 18

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“It depends.” Blue starting pulling things from the cupboard, none of which was pancake mix. After a moment, Gabriel realized he was making them from scratch. “He never just…discards anybody. If you want to stay in the pack, you’ll be welcome. If you’d rather not, he’ll find another pack for you.” “And what happens if I stay in the pack? Do I have more freedom? Can I mess around with other guys?” “Well, sure.” Blue looked up. “Are you asking if you’d be an omega?” “I’m asking if I could fuck an omega.” “Oh, well…yeah. Yeah, you could.” Blue focused intently on the flour he was measuring. “You’d be a beta, you could fuck anybody you want unless Rafe tells you otherwise.” He slid off of the counter to quietly move up behind Blue, bracing his hands on either side of him on the counter. “But would an omega want me?” he breathed into the other man’s ear. He didn’t mind submitting or playing with Rafe; that was all fun and they both wanted one another. He didn’t find anything appealing about watching James pushing Blue around, though. Blue froze, his body going rigid. “Please don’t do that, Gabriel.” “It’s just a question. I don’t want people who don’t want me, but…” He closed his eyes as he inhaled Blue’s scent deeply. It took iron willpower not to lean forward and pin the other man to the counter. Even without actually touching him, he was already getting hard. “I’d really like you to want me.” “I do,” Blue said tightly. “But it doesn’t matter and we shouldn’t even be talking about it.” “Why doesn’t it matter? You said I’ll be a beta when Rafe is done with me.” 19

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“Then we can talk about it when that happens. If it happens. And if I’m even still here when it does.” Blue snorted. “Not that we’d need to talk about it that point.” It nearly hurt not to touch him. Gabriel allowed himself to lean in just an inch more, until he could feel the heat of Blue’s body through their clothing. “Why wouldn’t we need to talk about it?” “The pecking order, remember? And besides, if you were a beta, you’d just have to snap your fingers at me.” “When I was working, I could get a hundred just for an hour of my time and I got to pick who I was with. That’s fair. Now, I’m getting sex I like and safety. That’s fair. I don’t do it if it’s not fair.” “What do you mean? You want it to be fair between us?” He had to pull away from Blue finally, or else he was going to start touching him. It was obvious that the attraction was mutual and that only made it harder to hold back. Gabriel leaned against the counter beside him instead. “Yeah. You want me, I want you, we want it the same way. Kind of a basic concept here, babe.” “That concept isn’t so basic around here. I wish the other betas viewed things the same way.” “Maybe somebody should make them view things that way.” Blue cracked an egg into the bowl with a chuckle. “How would you do that?” “I’d probably break James’s legs for a start.” His voice was flat when he said it, to try to hold the anger inside. Hearing that Blue expected so little for himself had put the night before into an even worse perspective. “I didn’t like the way he pushed you around.” Blue paused, and he glanced at Gabriel shyly before looking back to the bowl. “When you’re a beta, you can do that. I mean, you’d need to have a legit reason to fight him, but Rafe wouldn’t 20

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interfere. God knows that’s the least James deserves.” Gabriel shrugged slightly. “I’ll make a legit reason.” The implication that James deserved worse worried him, though. What sort of abuse had Blue been subjected to? Unable to stop himself, he reached out and laid a hand against the other man’s back. “You deserve better.” Blue jerked away quickly, like he had been burned. “Gabriel, please. If Rafe or any of them catch my scent on you…just be careful about that, okay? And as for what I deserve, well, things could be worse for me.” He dropped his hand with a sigh. A casual, comforting touch was worth that response? “God, you make this seem like the most nightmarish place in the world.” Gabriel knew Blue was going to protest before he even spoke. “It’s not. I’m sorry, that’s not what I think of the pack.” “You don’t act like it.” From what little experience he’d had with the pack, it had been downright tolerable so far. The way Blue skulked around bothered him, though. He knew Rafe didn’t want him fucking anyone else, but the alpha knew the difference between a pat on the back and sex, didn’t he? “Okay, this is going to sound like a totally girly question, but when was the last time somebody hugged you, for God’s sake?” “I don’t know. I don’t really remember.” “I wouldn’t be here if I thought Rafe was a heartless prick. Do you think he’s one?” “No! Of course not. Rafe took me in when I was just a kid. He saved my life.” “That’s what I thought. He saved my life, too. You should have more faith in him.” He didn’t know all of the intricacies of pack politics and he 21

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knew that he was ignorant, but he couldn’t fathom that Rafe would punish Blue for something as innocent as comfort. Particularly not when the alpha could smell a lie. There would be no doubt about what the touch had been. So that he couldn’t jerk away this time, Gabriel slipped his arms around Blue from behind as he molded his body around the other man’s back. Affection had always come to him easily and casually. While there were plenty of men who sold themselves and hated it, Gabriel had always enjoyed the chance to bring happiness to others with his body. With how Blue had reacted earlier, he wasn’t sure if “happy” would be his response to being hugged, but now Gabriel had to do it simply to make his point. Blue was stiff as before, his spine ramrod straight. Gabriel didn’t let go of him, though. He kept his arms locked around Blue’s body, absorbing his warmth and scent. He gradually relaxed, though, leaning into the embrace. Despite his physical submission to the contact, his heartbeat had spiked. “I just don’t want to give Rafe a reason to be angry at me. Or anybody a reason to kick me out of the pack.” That made Gabriel frown slightly, thinking of what little he knew of the pack or the way real wolves operated. “You’re not a small guy, Blue. You could stand up for yourself.” “No, they’re all stronger than me. If the betas ganged up against me, I wouldn’t have a chance. And Rafe wouldn’t interfere. You have to be strong to stay in a wolf pack, and if you’re not, then you’ve got to keep your head down.” Gabriel didn’t doubt that strength was needed, but he couldn’t see how Blue was oblivious to his own strength. His arms tightened around the other man briefly, feeling the solid muscle in his arms and chest. Calling him weak would be incredibly 22

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inaccurate. “Why would they gang up against you? All you have to do is stand up to one of them, not all at the same time. Only a punk needs his friends helping him in a fight against one guy. If they ganged up on you, that’s showing they think it takes a group to keep you in line.” “I…well, you’re probably right about that. They probably wouldn’t gang up on me. But I’ve never felt like I’ve been in the position to challenge anybody. I don’t want to be banished, Gabriel. I don’t want to become…I don’t want to be a killer.” The reminder of Blue’s family and what Gabriel himself could have done sickened him. With a heavy sigh, he rested his chin on the omega’s shoulder, closing his eyes. “I wish you’d stand up for yourself. I like it here, but I don’t like you just rolling over and taking shit. It reflects badly on the whole pack.” “Why? I mean, why are you so worried about me?” “I’m attracted to you. I sympathize with how you came to the pack. If Rafe hadn’t found me I could have hurt people like your family. Take your pick.” “I couldn’t stop looking at you last night,” Blue admitted, his voice so low Gabriel almost couldn’t hear him. “Or thinking about you. Or pretending. That’s why I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to touch me.” A comfortable warmth settled low in his belly hearing that, even as he reluctantly loosened his arms from around the other man. “Then I won’t. I’m not going to force anything on you, Blue. You have my word on that.” He hesitated before drawing farther away, though, conflicted about whether or not he should admit the same. After a moment, Gabriel leaned in again to put his lips next to Blue’s ear, though he 23

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was careful not to touch him again. “I was pretending, too,” he breathed. Blue sharply sucked in his breath. “You were?” “I was.” He moved away to lean against the counter out of reach again. It lessened the temptation slightly. “Why does that surprise you so much?” He turned to look at Gabriel, his eyebrow cocked. “You have to ask? You were with Rafe. Why would you need to think about anybody else?” Gabriel could feel the confusion on his own face as he cocked his head to the side. “Rafe’s great, but he’s also a lot older than me and not really my type. I’ve never really gotten off on fucking someone just because they’re powerful.” “I guess it never occurred to me that Rafe wouldn’t be your type. I figured he was probably everybody’s type.” “I take it he’s your type, then?” “No, I wouldn’t really say that. I mean, I always wondered why he doesn’t want me. And I wish that he did, but…that’s not how I really feel about you.” “He doesn’t want you at all?” Gabriel allowed himself to look Blue over again, thoughtful. “How old were you when he took you in?” “I was fourteen.” “Where’d you live?” “With him. I technically moved into my own place when I was twenty, but I still spend most of my time here.” “So he was sort of like a foster father?” Gabriel checked, raising an eyebrow slightly. “Maybe you should stop wondering why he doesn’t want you.” Blue frowned. “When you put it like that, it kind of sounds 24

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weird, doesn’t it?” “Well, hey, who am I to judge? I’ve had guys wanting me to call them papi before.” He offered Blue a crooked grin. “You probably think I’m all kinds of fucked in the head, huh?” “Aren’t we all?” Blue smiled a little and shrugged. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. Now stop distracting me so I can finish making your pancakes.” Seeing him actually smile relaxed some tension Gabriel had been holding without realizing it and he smiled back. “Sounds good.” “Do you want to do something after breakfast? If you just want to take it easy here, I understand.” “I think here’s good. I’m pretty beat still. Will you be staying?” “Rafe told me to take care of you.” Blue began mixing the batter, taking his attention from Gabriel. “But…I’d stay even if he hadn’t.” “Thank you.” “You’re welcome.”

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CHAPTER 3 They spent the morning cuddled together on the couch, watching movies. Blue had resisted at first, but Gabriel was insistent, sliding closer and closer, resting his head on Blue’s shoulder, and then finally curling into Blue’s side. Blue was careful to keep his hands to himself, and the fear of Rafe catching them and punishing him was enough to keep his arousal mostly in check. But sometimes Gabriel would shift against him, or touch his thigh, or breathe on a bare patch of skin, and his cock would instantly get hard. Gabriel had probably sensed it, but he never pressed the issue or mentioned it at all. Blue couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so content. He barely paid any attention to the movie. He was too busy studying Gabriel. His mind kept going over everything they discussed in the 26

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kitchen, and for the first time in his life, he wondered if he really stood a chance against the betas. Maybe he didn’t have to be an omega for the rest of his life. It was a huge risk, but the longer he sat with Gabriel pressed against him, the more he thought it might be worth it. Just to be able to touch Gabriel like he wanted would be worth it. As the last movie faded to the credits, Gabriel started to draw back from his side, stretching. He froze abruptly, tilting his head in that curious way of his as he listened. “That’s someone in the pack walking up the hall, isn’t it?” Blue had been so engrossed with Gabriel that he hadn’t noticed. He lifted his head and inhaled, sorting through the layers of familiar scent, and ignoring Gabriel’s completely. “It’s James.” A moment later there was a quick knock at the door. Gabriel shot Blue a look, raising one eyebrow, but said nothing. It would have been pointless anyway, since James would be able to hear their conversation through the door. Blue looked at the closed bedroom door with a worried frown. Jeremy had locked himself in there the day before and refused to come out. Rafe had let him be, even though he wanted everybody to be present for the party. Blue followed his example, offering Jeremy dinner and breakfast through the door, but otherwise left him alone. “Put on another movie. I’ll see what he wants.” “Okay.” Blue got up to get the door, though as soon as he’d unlocked it James shoved it into him. The beta forced his way into the apartment, then sniffed at the air. “Rafe left all three of you here?” “He told me to stay and look after Gabriel. Jeremy is still in the 27

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guest room.” James lips pulled back from his teeth in what might charitably be called a grin as he shut the door behind himself. “Good. Get on your knees.” Blue took a deep breath. “Rafe said the three of us are offlimits today.” “That’s nice. I didn’t ask for your commentary on it.” James’s hands went to his chest, curling in the fabric of his shirt as he slammed Blue up against the wall abruptly. “Now get on the floor. I don’t want you to move.” His instincts told him to do just do what James said. He could tell Rafe about it later and let him deal with James’s disobedience. But Gabriel was watching the entire exchange, and he didn’t want to meekly submit in front of him. “No. Rafe made it clear before he left that we’re not supposed to be bothered.” “Rafe can say it himself, then. Your word means nothing.” James’s hand went to his shoulder to start shoving him down to his knees. It was a familiar enough move and one that he’d done to Blue more times than he cared to count. In spite of his better judgment, he shrugged the hand off, still mindful of Gabriel’s eyes. The younger man hadn’t said anything, but he was still standing there and watching silently. His attention was brought sharply back to James when the beta backhanded him, slicing the inside of his cheek open on his teeth. “The hell is your problem?” he growled. The heavy taste of copper made his stomach churn. He put both hands up to shove at James’s chest, surprising the beta into loosening his grip. Blue quickly ducked away, his breath coming in rapid gasps. 28

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“Touch me again and you’ll have to answer to Rafe.” “All I’ll have to say is I was putting you back in your place.” James started forward for him again. There was an uncomfortably hungry look in his eye and he was already hard. “Keep your hands off of him.” The other voice made James pause, glancing back at Gabriel as the young men stepped forward. “Rafe said he was off-limits. I heard it myself.” “Stay out of this, boy, or you’ll be next.” “Don’t be stupid, James.” Blue couldn’t believe the words flying out of his mouth, but he was fully prepared to suffer the consequences. “Rafe will kill you if you touch him.” James turned back to Blue again with a smirk as he advanced on him. “He doesn’t have it in him. He’s never actually killed anyone, no matter what they did. He’s weak.” Before James got to him, Gabriel closed the distance between them and reached out to grab James’s arm. “So why don’t you see how weak he really is, then? Come on. Fresh meat.” James’s nostrils flared and his smile changed. “You’ve got Blue’s scent all over you. It’s sweet that you’re trying to help your new friend, but…” He shook off Gabriel’s grip and shoved him hard enough to send him stumbling back. “I’ll deal with you later.” Gabriel quickly found his feet and squared his shoulders, preparing to charge again, but Blue caught his eye and gave a slight shake of his head. Don’t get involved, please. “Didn’t you get enough last night, James?” Blue asked. “Not what I really wanted. Nobody bled.” James sprang forward suddenly, shoving Blue into the end table behind them before the other man’s weight dragged him down to the floor. One of James’s hands closed around his throat 29

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to pin him in place, the beta’s other hand moved down to jerk his jeans open. He struggled at first, trying to break James’s hold, but that only increased the pressure around his throat. He stopped when the edges of his vision began to blur, his throat and lungs burning. “If I move my hand, will you stop struggling?” Blue nodded. “Tell the pet to stay back if he knows what’s good for him,” James said, his fingers suddenly gone from Blue’s throat. “Gabriel, go in the bedroom. Stay with…” The two of them froze at the same moment, picking up the same approaching scent. The small end table that had toppled over moments before arced into the back of James’s head as Gabriel swung it at him. The beta fell forward and to the side, catching himself on his hands. From the look on his face, he fell as much from shock as the blow. Before Blue could react, James had sprung to his feet and advanced on Gabriel, a feral snarl in his throat. The younger man stood his ground, one corner of his mouth curling up. “That’s it. Hit me. Make me bleed,” Gabriel urged. Blue rolled onto his hands and knees, gasping for breath. He needed to take care of Gabriel. Rafe told him to. More than that, he couldn’t stand the thought of James laying a single finger on him. He didn’t care if James turned on him and beat him into a pulp, as long as Gabriel escaped unscathed. Neither man paid attention to him as he crawled across the floor, coughing with every inch. He just wanted to get between the two of them. “Don’t…don’t touch him…” Blue protested when James lunged forward. “What’s going on in here!” The alpha’s voice boomed through 30

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the apartment. Blue felt the reverberations through his bones, and the beast inside of him howled in response. He could see the tension start between James’s shoulders as the beta started to turn around to face Rafe. Gabriel simply dropped to his knees, laying his hands on his thighs as he lowered his head, instantly submissive. “Blue told him the three of us were off-limits by your orders. James didn’t listen to him,” said the younger man. Rafe’s eyes narrowed as he sniffed the air. Stalking into the room, he looked James over, staring until the beta was forced to bow his own head to avoid the alpha’s gaze. “Where are you bleeding, Blue?” Rafe asked, his own eyes never wavering from the beta. “My mouth, sir.” “Did he hit you?” “Yes, after I told him what you said.” The older man gave a small nod at that, still staring at James. When he spoke, his voice was quiet. Cold. It was far worse than the bellow when he had walked in the door. “These three are offlimits to you until I say otherwise. You will not come into my home and disrespect my orders. Do I make myself clear?” “Yes, sir,” James bit out. “Now leave and do not come back until I tell you to come back.” James shot one murderous look at Blue’s direction, no doubt thinking all of this could have been avoided if Blue had just done what he was told, then stalked out of the room. Rafe’s gaze never left him until the door shut behind him. “Gabriel, are you hurt?” Rafe asked. Gabriel finally glanced up as a brief flash of frustration passed 31

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across his face. “No. He only hit Blue. He said to stay out of it or I’d be next.” Rafe stepped farther into the room and held his hand out to Blue to pull him up to his feet. “Has Jeremy come out at all?” “No,” said Gabriel. “I’m going to check on him. I want you to take care of Blue.” Gabriel immediately went to Blue’s side and took him by the arm. With his help, Blue was able to stand, though his throat still hurt. “I’ll be okay,” he murmured. “And you’ll be better when I’m done with you,” Gabriel countered. One of his arms slid around Blue’s waist, steering him back to the couch to set him down. “Do you want something to drink? Or rinse your mouth out?” “Some water would be good.” “I’ll be right back.” Blue nodded and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, Gabriel was sitting beside him, a glass in each hand. Blue gratefully accept the water and swished it around his mouth then spit it into the other cup. “Did he leave a bruise?” Blue asked softly. Gabriel’s fingers lightly touched his jaw to turn his head as he examined Blue’s cheek closely. “It’s a little red, but I don’t think it’ll bruise. Did he hurt you anywhere else?” Blue tilted his head back. “My throat.” He heard the hiss of indrawn breath from Gabriel. “That’s bruising. I’m sorry. I should have stopped him faster.” “It’s not your fault. Besides, you’re the reason it’s not any worse.” “It was really fun hitting him. You should try it sometime.” Gabriel’s fingers slid through his hair soothingly, massaging 32

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against his scalp. “Do you think you could swallow some aspirin?” “Yeah, I think so.” Gabriel left him again, and Blue stared at the spot on the floor where James had him pinned. Where James would have raped him if Gabriel and Rafe hadn’t intervened. James was scared now, but in a few months, or maybe a few weeks, he’d do it again. To assert his dominance over Blue and defy Rafe in a small way. “I’m going to kill him,” Blue said when Gabriel sat. As Gabriel handed him the aspirin, he glanced back toward the guest room. When he turned back to Blue he was frowning slightly. “He needs killing,” he said quietly. “Literally. That’s the wrong kind of person to be running around with inhuman strength.” “I don’t know if Rafe will let me try. Even if he did, I’m not sure if I could do it. I’ll need your help.” “I can’t help you take him out. That’s not a fair fight.” Blue shook his head. “No, I meant I might need help getting ready for the fight. I’ve never done anything like this.” “Okay, I can do that.” Gabriel reached out, lightly touching his uninjured cheek. “And I’ll see how Rafe would feel about letting you try.” “Are you okay? He shoved you pretty hard.” The younger man smiled as he shrugged that off. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve been smacked around worse than that.” “The other betas aren’t like James. They would never do anything like this. I don’t want you to think this sort of thing is normal around here.” “That’s good to know. I was a little worried at first.” The younger man fell silent for a moment, before going on. “You should stay here tonight.” 33

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Blue eyed the couch warily. He’d rather sleep in his own bed, and he certainly didn’t want to be there when Rafe took Gabriel into his bedroom. He would hear and smell everything. But he knew he’d be safe in Rafe’s apartment. And he’d be close to Gabriel, even if Gabriel was sleeping with another man. “I will.” “Good. I won’t have to worry about you all night long, then.” At the other end of the apartment, there was the sound of a door opening and shutting. Over Gabriel’s shoulder, Blue could see Rafe coming out of the guest room with a thoughtful frown on his face. “You’re staying, then?” “Yes, sir. How’s Jeremy?” “Upset, but better. Exactly how badly has James been pushing things with the two of you?” “He’s been getting worse lately. More…bloodthirsty, I guess.” Blue rubbed his throat. “Like it’s more important for him to really dominate, you know?” Rafe nodded slowly, his lips pressed together in a grim line. “I understand. If he does try anything, you are not to submit to him. He’s playing power games and none of my people are going to give it to him.” “What are you going to do about him?” Blue asked hopefully. “I haven’t decided yet. Coming to my home and doing this…” Rafe trailed off, shaking his head. “He’s trying to provoke me. Probably hoping if I treat him like a serious threat instead of an annoyance he can get some of the other betas to support him.” Gabriel piped up. “If you beat him down he’d probably stop.” The alpha looked at the young man for a moment, silent. After letting the seconds drag on uncomfortably, he finally spoke again. 34

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“No, I don’t think so. This isn’t about discipline. It’s about status and rank. That would only encourage him.” Blue nodded. He didn’t like it, but he understood. He also didn’t know how this would impact his decision to challenge James. Until he did, he thought it would be best to not mention it. “Do you mind if I lay down for a bit?” “Go ahead. You deserve it.” Rafe made a small gesture to Gabriel, who reluctantly slid off of the couch to go to his side. The alpha laid his hand at the back of the boy’s neck to guide him back to the bedroom, though he paused before going through the doorway himself. “I arrived in time to see you trying to protect Gabriel. I like knowing you would do that.” He flushed with pleasure at the praise. Almost any kind word from Rafe had that effect on him. “I’m glad you found him. He’s a good addition to the pack.” Rafe looked at him for a long moment as though he was thinking about something, then nodded slightly. “He is.” The alpha released him and reached for the door. Blue remained motionless until it was firmly shut, then turned to the massive bed that could have easily fit four or five bodies. Blue loved that bed. He had spent more than one night beneath the thick quilt, listening to the reassuring rhythm of his alpha’s steady breath, feeling warm and secure. Gabriel had called Rafe a foster father, and Blue couldn’t believe the words had never occurred to him. Didn’t that imply something about his place in the pack? Didn’t that imply he deserved better than to be at the bottom of the hierarchy? The thought was almost too big for him to comprehend, too novel to be really possible. But it felt like it was possible. Because of Gabriel. 35

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CHAPTER 4 Gabriel did his best to not appear too outwardly anxious after Rafe shut the door. For all that he’d been itching for his freedom as soon as Rafe took him in, he found himself caring about this strange little family more and more. Particularly one member of it. “Is something wrong?” his alpha asked, turning to give him a look. The younger man flushed. Of course he’d know how he was feeling, even if he could look calm. He could hear his heartbeat and smell the sweat on his palms. “I’m just worried about him. I don’t want him hurt anymore.” Gabriel paused as he debated with himself. It might be too stupid to finish his thought, because it could be seen as criticizing his alpha and the pack. “I don’t…think James should have ever been 36

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allowed to hurt him.” Rather than snapping at him, Rafe just looked tired. “Do you know what it means when you protect someone in the pack?” “That you care about them?” “That they can’t protect themselves. And if that’s your mate or your child, that’s fine, but when a pup grows up he has to protect himself or he will never, ever be respected.” Gabriel bit his tongue as he bowed his head, nodding slowly. It didn’t strike him as particularly right. It conflicted with his own personal moral code. It made a harsh sort of sense for running a pack, though. “Would you feel less worried if you went in there with him?” He raised his eyes toward Rafe. “Yes, sir.” “Go on then.” “Thank you, sir.” Not wanting to startle Blue after his earlier ordeal, Gabriel made sure his footsteps were clearly audible as he walked to the door, then slipped into the bedroom. The room was bathed in the orange light of sunset, silhouetting Blue’s form curled up on the bed. He crossed the room to climb up next to Blue. “Hey,” he murmured. Blue looked over his shoulder, his pulse suddenly jumping. “Hey. What are you doing in here?” “Rafe sent me. Are you okay with me being here?” Blue turned around and reached up, touching Gabriel’s cheek with his knuckles. “Yes, very okay. Why did Rafe send you in?” Gabriel’s eyes automatically closed at the touch and he leaned into it, rubbing his cheek against the back of Blue’s hand. “Because I was worrying about you.” Blue unfolded his fingers, cupping the side of Gabriel’s face. 37

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“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m feeling okay.” A little touch like that wasn’t usually enough to get to him. It could have simply been the fact that he knew all he could have was an innocent touch. Or it was Blue himself. Whatever it was, liquid fire seemed to spread through his veins from Blue’s hand. “So it isn’t logical. I still worried.” “That doesn’t explain why Rafe sent you in here, but I’m not complaining,” Blue said, turning over to face Gabriel fully. “He must have great confidence in my self-control.” “Or mine. I wouldn’t do something that could get you hurt.” It was a little surprising to hear the words coming out of his own mouth, but it was true. He’d barely known Blue for twenty-four hours, but he’d gladly suffer through a bit of sexual frustration if it kept him safe. “But I can touch you a little now.” He trailed his fingers down Gabriel’s neck. “Since you’ll smell like me anyway.” Gabriel inhaled deeply, then let the breath out a little shakily. “Thank you for trying to protect me from James, but you know I wanted him to hit me, right?” “Yeah, I know.” His fingers glided down Gabriel’s chest, burning him through his shirt. “But I just…I couldn’t let it happen. Not if I could stop it or distract him.” “Why? It would have forced Rafe’s hand and solved a lot of problems.” “Because I didn’t want you to be hurt.” “Well, I don’t want you to be hurt, either.” Blue smiled. “I’m glad we got that settled.” Gabriel smiled back as he reached out with one hand, lightly tracing Blue’s bottom lip with his thumb. “Rafe won’t let James provoke him.” 38

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“I know. It’s too dangerous. If James wants a fight, he’s going to have to challenge Rafe openly.” He caught Gabriel’s wrist long enough to press a small kiss to the pad of his thumb. “Or somebody will have to challenge him.” The younger man couldn’t resist any longer and leaned in to nestle against the side of Blue’s neck. There was so much he wanted to do and so much he couldn’t. “Like you?” he breathed. “Yes.” Blue dropped his hand to Gabriel’s hip and pulled him closer. He could feel the outline of Blue’s erection pressing against his own, but he didn’t resist. “I haven’t talked myself out of it yet.” “And you’ve never fought someone before?” Gabriel asked as he slipped one arm around Blue’s waist. It took willpower he didn’t know he had to leave his hand at the small of his back instead of exploring lower. “No.” Blue nuzzled Gabriel’s hair, taking a deep breath. “I haven’t even shifted in almost a year. God, you smell so good.” “So do you.” His lips brushed against the underside of Blue’s jaw before lightly skimming their way back toward his ear. “I’ll try my best to help you prepare.” “Have you been in many fights?” “A few. Not wolf fights, but I basically fended for myself on the streets from the time I was sixteen up until I…” He trailed off. “Well. Recently.” “Do you like being a wolf?” Gabriel drew back a few inches from Blue, just far enough to see his face, though close enough for their breath to mingle. “Can I tell you a secret?” “I won’t breathe a word to anybody.” “The guy who bit me told me what he was. He wanted to keep 39

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me. He was a loner, looking to start a pack. It scared the shit out of me and I ran off to hide from people so I wouldn’t hurt anyone. I…I was actually out drifting from state park to state park for over a year, not a couple months. When Rafe told me what happens to loners, I was scared of telling the whole truth.” Blue swallowed. “Did you ever attack anybody?” “No, thank God. Deer, rabbits, I once got in a fight with a pack of coyotes. I could have, though. It was just sheer dumb luck.” “How did Rafe find you? Or did you find him?” “He found me. He was out there, shifted. I guess he picked up my scent and tracked me. I don’t know if he was going to kill me or not. As soon as I realized what he was, I went back to this form and got down on the ground with my neck bared. Whether he took me in or broke my neck didn’t matter. I just wanted being out there alone to end.” Blue cupped the back of his neck, gently massaging it. “He never could have broken this neck. Not in a million years. I really am sorry you didn’t have a better introduction to the pack.” That made Gabriel smile faintly as he closed his eyes, nodding. “But he brought me home, cleaned me up, got a good look at me and…” He trailed off with a shrug. “Can I ask what the agreement was? Did he give you a choice, or was it all or nothing?” “He said I had to be with a pack. This one or he’d find me another one. It was too dangerous alone. If I stayed with this one, I could start out on the fringes, just as an omega, or I could be his.” “It sounds like you made the best choice you could have.” He opened his eyes again to look at Blue. “Maybe.” Blue sighed. “I feel like I should argue with you but right this second, I can’t. At all.” 40

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“I feel like a closeted fourteen year old again, wanting to just kiss somebody so bad and not being able to.” “I wouldn’t know. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to kiss anybody like I want to kiss you.” Blue’s hand moved from his neck and slid down his back. When he reached the hem of Gabriel’s shirt, he traced his finger over the bare strip of skin. “It’s going to be even worse if I do beat James.” That tiny touch on his bare skin made him shudder involuntarily, his breath catching in his throat before he let it out shakily. “What would be worse about that?” “You think Rafe would let you come in here with me if I were a beta?” “Someday.” He’d never had to wait long for getting his hands on someone he wanted, though. Not since he was really young, at least. Dealing with this new frustration had him aching for Blue and they’d barely touched. Blue’s mouth skimmed over Gabriel’s ear. “Someday seems very far away. What are you doing tomorrow?” Gabriel slid his hand under the back of Blue’s shirt, needing to touch his skin even if he couldn’t do anything about it. His middle finger lightly traced along his vertebrae. “Nothing, yet.” Blue shivered at the touch. “I was thinking maybe you could come with me. You might like where I work.” That shiver was far too tempting. Gabriel had to lean in, brushing his lips against Blue’s throat. “What do you do?” he murmured. “I work at the arboretum in Arcadia. It’s not the most glamorous job, but I get to spend all day in the sunshine and fresh air.” 41

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“I think I would like that. I bet the smell of you and sunshine and fresh air is incredible.” “I bet you’ll look incredible.” Blue pulled away slightly, and Gabriel immediately missed the heat of his body. Until he felt Blue’s mouth at the hollow of his throat, and then down his chest. The kisses were chaste. Even if Gabriel’s chest was bare, his mouth would have seemed chaste. Gabriel wondered if Rafe’s sharp nose had detected the heavy scent of arousal behind the closed door. If he had, why hadn’t he barged in to kick one or both of them out of his bed? Gabriel’s teeth bit into the tip of his tongue to hold back a whimper. Somehow the chasteness and innocence of the few small touches they allowed themselves were more erotic than some of the sex he’d had. Through his cotton T-shirt, he could feel every contour of Blue’s lips. They burned through the fabric and he could have sculpted their shape with his eyes closed. “This is going to kill me,” he complained softly as his hand worked up higher under Blue’s shirt. His fingers explored the musculature now, following every graceful dip and curve of the other man’s back. “God, I know.” He pulled the tip of Gabriel’s nipple between his lips, wetting his shirt with the tip of his tongue. “We should stop. Maybe stack some pillows between us or something.” That time he couldn’t manage to bite back the whimper. “That might just lead to pillow humping and I’d rather take my chances with Rafe.” Blue chuckled, the sound muffled against Gabriel’s chest. “I’m scared I’m going to start humping your leg.” “See? Just like being a teenager.” “I don’t think it’s going to be safe for the two us to be alone 42

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much longer.” Gabriel ducked down to press light kisses along Blue’s temple. He wanted to taste him and feel his body against his own without any clothes in the way, but he couldn’t imagine Rafe would sit idly by for that. “Should I go?” Blue moaned softly and lifted his head. He leaned back, taking away his delicious heat once again. “No. I missed you before you came in. Besides, it’ll be time for Rafe to go to bed in a couple of hours, and then I’ll be leaving anyway.” “Just to sleep in the living room, though, right? I don’t want James to go after you.” “Of course. I told you I wasn’t going anywhere tonight.” Blue rolled away and sat up, his legs hanging over the side of the bed. “Though it’s not going to be fun.” Gabriel pushed himself up on his elbows, watching Blue’s back. “What do you mean by that?” “What do you think I mean? I’m going to be out on the couch with the worst case of blue balls ever, and you’re going to be in here with Rafe. Last night I watched him fuck you, and now I can’t even stand the thought of you two sleeping in the same bed. Not that I think Rafe would ever want to just sleep with you.” That made Gabriel pause, thinking. Rafe wasn’t the sort that he’d pick for his lover, but he was good in bed and he’d been very generous. He’d given Rafe his word and owed him a great deal. No matter how much he wanted Blue, he couldn’t betray his alpha. Even if theirs wasn’t a romantic relationship, it was still not an agreement he’d break lightly. “I suppose asking him to let you stay in here wouldn’t help.” “No, I don’t think it would. I mean, he wouldn’t even care if I 43

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were here. He’d still fuck you if he wanted to.” “Yeah, I noticed the pack doesn’t really mind exhibitionism.” As Gabriel was trying to think of anything he could do for Blue without betraying Rafe, the man himself opened the bedroom door. Automatically, Gabriel scooted back farther from Blue and dropped his head submissively, watching the man through his eyelashes. The alpha seemed to enjoy submission, unsurprisingly, so he was always sure to make great shows of it toward him. His heart skipped a beat when he saw an annoyed look on Rafe’s face, however. The alpha sniffed at the air as he looked over the two of them. His fear only increased as Rafe stalked over to Blue. He definitely did not deserve more shit that day, but there was no mistaking what had been going on in that room. Even though they were both fully dressed and on opposite sides of the huge bed. Excitement and hunger and frustration mingled in an unmistakable musk. “Yes, sir?” Blue asked softly. “Fuck him.” “What?” “I want you,” Rafe began, pausing for emphasis, “to fuck him.” “Oh. Right now?” Rafe nodded. Blue looked over his shoulder at Gabriel, his eyebrows pulled into a question that Gabriel certainly couldn’t answer. He knew Blue wouldn’t give voice to that question. He would do whatever his alpha said, and the reason why didn’t matter at all. They both moved at the same time, meeting in the middle of the mattress, their mouths fusing together in a hot, hungry kiss. Gabriel hadn’t doubted how much Blue wanted him, but he could 44

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taste the desire coursing through the omega, could feel it in the pressure of his lips, and hear it in the low growls vibrating through his chest.

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CHAPTER 5 Blue had no idea why Rafe wanted him to fuck his pet. He had no idea what prompted Rafe to march into that room and order it curtly, with no other explanation. He couldn’t even begin to guess. But he didn’t dare ask. He didn’t want to give Rafe the opportunity to change his mind, or to laugh and announce he was just kidding. If Rafe wanted him to know why, he’d tell him sooner or later. On the other hand, if he had passed out on Rafe’s bed and this was all a dream, he didn’t want to give himself the chance to wake up. As soon as he kissed Gabriel, he forgot Rafe was even in the room. He buried his hand in Gabriel’s hair, holding him tightly as he plunged his tongue deep into his mouth. He wanted to taste every bit of Gabriel. He wanted to know every inch of him. Even that wouldn’t be enough. He didn’t think anything that would fully 46

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satisfy his hunger for Gabriel, but he was more than grateful to have the chance to try. Those little pleasured sounds that Gabriel had made the night before were now for him. The younger man wasn’t as submissive as he had been with Rafe, though. His tongue danced with Blue’s, wrestling for dominance as his hands ran down Blue’s back. His fingers curled to claws to rake at him through the shirt, tugging Blue down on top of him as Gabriel lay back on the bed. He felt Gabriel’s grip tighten on his shirt, and the strain of being good all day finally became too much. He hooked two fingers at the neckline of Gabriel’s shirt and pulled, ripping it in two from the top to the bottom. Gabriel responded by tugging at Blue’s shirt until he finally had it overhead and discarded. For a brief moment, it was almost enough to finally feel Gabriel’s skin against his. But only for a moment. And then he was attacking the younger man with his mouth again. “Blue,” he gasped as Blue buried his face in Gabriel’s throat and peppered the tanned skin in kisses and tiny nips of his teeth. Gabriel slid his hands down to his ass, tugging him closer as their legs tangled. The younger man pressed his cock against Blue’s thigh as the fingers of one hand rubbed back and forth along Blue’s ass through his jeans. The other hand was already moving between them, to unbutton Blue’s jeans. As soon as Gabriel touched his cock, everything inside of him went tight. He couldn’t even breathe without gasping. He thrust against Gabriel’s hand, desperate for the friction and the warmth of his skin. When Gabriel touched him, everything else just melted away. Rafe, and James, pack politics, his loneliness. Because Gabriel didn’t touch him with rough, indifferent fingers. He wasn’t using Blue as a means to an end. And he wasn’t touching Blue 47

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because he was paid to, or ordered to by Rafe. The sense of that mutual desire, more than the actual contact, made Blue’s head spin. He could feel Gabriel’s fingers closing loosely around his shaft. His thumb swept over the head, spreading the pre-come there before he began to stroke up and down. It was slow, almost savoring. Gabriel ducked down to graze Blue’s ear with his teeth, his breath hot. “Tell me how you want me,” he whispered. It only took a moment of consideration for Blue to make up his mind. He slid his arm under Gabriel’s shoulders, pulling him closer, and rolled onto his back. “Ride me. I want to be able to touch you and see you.” Gabriel drew back enough for Blue to see the flash of white as he grinned, then caught him in a fresh kiss. The younger man’s lips parted against his, his tongue darting out to explore. It was breathless. Perfect. Blue felt like a starving man suddenly offered a feast and he couldn’t get his fill. As they devoured one another, they pulled at one another’s clothing. Jeans were kicked off out of the way, followed by boxers. Each new inch of skin exposed was touched and stroked. When Gabriel pressed against him, bare skin sliding against skin, he moaned appreciatively. Blue slid his hand between their bodies and wrapped his fingers around Gabriel’s cock. He wanted to suck on it until Gabriel exploded. He wanted to feel it buried deep in his ass, with Gabriel’s breath hot against the back of his neck. Maybe Rafe would be generous and allow that to happen one day. In the meantime, one desire trumped everything else. “God, Gabriel, I need you. I just want to be inside of you.” 48

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Gabriel nodded and gave him a brief, breathless kiss before drawing back from him slightly to reach to the nightstand for the bottle of lube. He poured some out into his hand before he spread it over Blue’s cock, then pushed himself up to reach behind himself. In his mind’s eye, Blue imagined what Gabriel’s ass would look like as he worked his slick fingers into himself and his cock twitched at the thought. Before he could suggest turning around so he could see, or helping him, Gabriel moved forward, taking hold of his cock. This wasn’t the first time Blue had fucked somebody—a few of the betas secretly preferred to top from the bottom—but it almost felt like it as Gabriel sank onto his length. He gasped and gripped Gabriel’s hips, not to control him, but because he needed to hold onto something. He felt like he was going to fly apart when Gabriel’s hot muscles squeezed around his crown. His breath hitched, and he wanted to thrust his hips upward to drive his cock home. But it was important that Gabriel take him at his own pace. Above him, Gabriel whimpered as he slowly lowered himself onto Blue’s cock. His brows were knotted together, head tilted back slightly, lips parted. His tongue darted out to wet his bottom lip. He was beautiful in a way that made Blue hunger to possess him completely, instead of just for one night. When he finally worked Blue’s full length into himself, the younger man took a shuddering breath and opened his eyes halfway. Leaning backward a bit, he supported himself on his hands as he rolled his hips upward, then back down again, groaning. Blue’s hands moved from Gabriel’s hips to his ass. He cupped both cheeks, squeezing the flesh against his palms. He couldn’t take his attention from Gabriel. He watched every flicker of pleasure across his face, and the way his muscles tensed each time 49

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he sank down on Blue’s cock. He let Gabriel set a slow, deliberate pace. It was torturous and perfect at the same time, making him ache in new ways but prolonging their coupling. Blue knew if Gabriel moved any faster, the friction would be too much for him. And he wanted this to last. He needed it to last. A soft moan distracted Blue’s attention from Gabriel, and he looked to the side of the bed, surprised to see Rafe was still there. He watched them with narrow eyes, stroking his cock slowly, almost absently. His earlier questions came rushing back, but before he could get too caught up in why and how, Gabriel cupped his face and brought his attention forward again. Looking into Gabriel’s eyes, he would have thought there was no one else on the planet but the two of them. There was something heady about being the object of such intense attention. The younger man held his eyes as he slowly rose up and down over Blue. He didn’t say anything or try to take anything from him other than that look, apparently simply wanting to know he was the center of Blue’s focus. Finally, Gabriel leaned forward, shifting his weight so he could move to catch him in a heartbreakingly soft kiss. Lips slid over lips like warm, dry silk. There was the faint brush of teeth against his bottom lip, but nothing else. It seemed at odds to have such a chaste kiss at a moment like that and yet it also fit as if he had been waiting his entire life for it. Blue cupped the back of Gabriel’s head, his fingers twining through the other man’s smooth hair. The longer the kiss went, the more desperate Blue felt. He was sure Gabriel could taste it each time their tongues slid together, could smell it with each inhale. He braced his heels against the bed, using the leverage to lift his hips, meeting each downward stroke. His other hand went between their 50

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bodies to wrap around Gabriel’s length. He fisted him while the pre-come slicked their stomachs. That steady pace Gabriel had started began to fall apart as they both grew impatient. Each time Gabriel slid down his length, Blue thrust up into his tight, waiting body. The younger man’s moans were muffled by the kiss, but his hunger was unmistakable. He was riding him quickly and panting as their bodies met. Blue could feel him growing tighter around his cock as he got closer and closer, muscles tensing. “I can’t last much longer,” Gabriel breathed in warning against his lips. “I know, I can’t…” He couldn’t stop. He couldn’t hold himself back. And when he slammed home one last time, he couldn’t tell who erupted first. Hot come splashed through his fist and Gabriel’s ass clenched around him. His cock jerked against the tight muscles, and their mouths vibrated from echoing groans. Gabriel didn’t stop rocking and fresh pleasure rocketed through him until his whole body was shaking. “Gabriel…Gabriel…” “Oh God, Blue.” The younger man trailed off into a whimper as he kept riding Blue through their orgasms, until the tension began to fade and he slumped against him, panting. Blue wrapped his arm around Gabriel’s back and buried his face against his neck. He had no intention of releasing Gabriel a second before he absolutely had to. Words bubbled up, but he swallowed all of them down. Speaking wouldn’t be wise. Nothing he could say would be a good idea. As if he sensed the same thing, Gabriel was equally silent. His fingers ran through Blue’s hair and he pressed kisses along his cheek, but he didn’t move or speak. The only sounds in the room were their heartbeats and their breath 51

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“Do you feel better now?” Rafe asked. Blue released a shaky breath. “Yes, sir. Thank you.” He glanced up to see the alpha zipping up his slacks before he circled around the bed. “You have a hell of a lot of self-control.” Blue looked up at the older man, but everything was fuzzy. “Sir?” “I could smell the two of you on one another as soon as I walked in the door and then you didn’t even do anything with him when I sent him in here. Not until I told you to.” Gabriel shifted slightly in his lap, turning to look at Rafe, then back to meet Blue’s eyes, his brows drawn together in a worried look. “Of course not.” Blue swallowed hard. Had it been some sort of test? “He’s yours. I would never—” “That’s right. You wouldn’t.” The older man smiled slightly as he shook his head. “Don’t look so worried. I’m not going to punish anyone that loyal.” Blue couldn’t contain his sigh of relief, but he still didn’t quite understand what Rafe wanted. “Can I…I mean, is it okay if I stay here for a bit?” “Why don’t the two of you go get cleaned up? You’re welcome to sleep in here tonight.” “Yes, sir.” Neither of them moved until Rafe left and shut the door behind him. Then Blue rolled Gabriel onto his back and grinned. “I think he just gave us permission to shower together.” “Not what I was expecting at all, but I’m not complaining either.” Gabriel wrapped his arms around Blue’s shoulders, drawing him close as he smiled up at him. “Any idea what all of this is about? Was it a test or what?” 52

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“I honestly have no idea. He’s never done anything like this before, but that was my first thought, too. But I don’t even care that much right now.” “Me neither. I’m just glad I got to be with you. God, Blue.” Gabriel sighed softly as he leaned in to kiss along the side of Blue’s neck. Blue moaned in agreement. He didn’t think it would happen again. It couldn’t happen again. If any of the betas found out that Rafe was allowing a mere omega to fuck his pet, they’d all demand a turn. The thought of any of them touching Gabriel made him bristle with rage. Gabriel probably realized that, too. That just made the time they had together even more valuable. “We’d better get cleaned up like Rafe said,” Blue murmured, making no effort to move. “You’d better get off then.” “That’s the idea, isn’t it?” Blue pushed himself up on his hands, hovering over Gabriel’s body. “Do you want to fuck me?” “Yes.” The answer came quickly, automatically, as if Gabriel had been awaiting the question. His eyes moved over Blue’s body hungrily before finally working back up to his face. “If I’m not working I prefer topping and you have a very tempting ass.” Gabriel’s response was just what he needed to get motivated. He rolled off Gabriel and stood, surprised his legs could support him at all. “I don’t know if I’m going to get another chance with you. I don’t want to waste it.” “Then we won’t.” Gabriel climbed off the bed after him, grabbing the bottle of lube as he went. He didn’t pause to grab clothing, simply walking naked out of the room and into the bathroom. 53

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CHAPTER 6 Challenges were rare in the pack. In the decade since Rafe found him, Blue had only known of two. The first had been a misguided attempt to usurp Rafe as alpha. Rafe had tolerated the upstart beta at first, trying to avoid any direct recognition of his attempts, but finally he grew annoyed with the other wolf’s games. The fight had been short and brutal, and the beta had crawled away from it. Nobody had ever heard from him again. Nobody even spoke his name. His mate had elected to stay with Rafe’s pack, and she never mentioned him, either. The second challenge had come from outside the pack. It started as a simple bar fight and morphed into something much, much worse. Blue had only been nineteen at the time, and Rafe had kept him far from the rising tensions and the other pack. Blue had 54

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been locked away in Rafe’s apartment the night the packs met. Rafe had absorbed the survivors into his own little family. When they returned to the apartment that night to tend to their injuries, Blue met James for the first time. When Blue asked if he could speak with Rafe privately, he wasn’t even sure what he should say. He only knew he couldn’t put it off. That morning, when he woke up to the sound of Rafe snoring behind him, and the amazing sight of Gabriel curled into his side, he knew he couldn’t change his mind. Rafe hadn’t even asked what Blue wanted to talk about. He only nodded and instructed Blue to come to his office in an hour. Rafe’s office was in the park service building, not far from where Blue worked. He’d have to go back to Rafe’s apartment again before he went to work, though. He’d told Gabriel he could spend the day with him. He’d been to Rafe’s office often enough that a few people recognized him and nodded greetings or shared a few brief words with him as he made his way through the building. Toward the back, he came to his alpha’s door and knocked. “Come on in, Blue.” Blue wiped his hands on his pants before pushing the door open. Rafe’s face gave nothing away. Blue shut the door behind him and approached the chair, his attention never leaving his alpha’s face. He was sure Rafe could read every thought, smell every fear, but he wasn’t making it any easier. A friendly smile would have gone far in making Blue feel better, but he didn’t get one. “Thank you for seeing me today.” Rafe gave a small nod, acknowledging that. “What did you want to talk to me about?” 55

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“James.” His tongue felt like it was stuck to the roof of his mouth. “I want to challenge him for his place in the pack.” His alpha didn’t blink or show the slightest sign of surprise. His face remained looking the same as it had when he walked in the door: impassive. “Do you think you can take him? If you challenge him and fail, it’ll make your life even worse.” “I don’t know,” Blue admitted. “I don’t know if I can, but I have to try.” “Is there anything that you think would help you win the challenge?” “Yes. I need permission to leave the pack for a month to prepare. Also…” He looked down at his hands, knowing that if he had misjudged at all, the next question could be a major mistake. “You have fought him, or at least seen him fight. I would like information about his technique.” “You have my permission to leave.” Rafe paused, leaning back in his chair as he frowned. “He isn’t skilled. He only gets as far as he does by sheer brutality. He’s a sadist, I suppose, and where others might flinch over hurting someone, he doesn’t. If you aren’t willing to kill him, don’t bother. You may not have to kill him, but if you’re not at least willing to he will win.” Blue nodded. “I am willing to kill him. I want him away from Jeremy and Gabriel, and he’s too dangerous to be a loner.” “What about yourself?” “What do you mean?” “You want him away from Jeremy and Gabriel. What do you want for yourself?” “I want his place in the pack, like I said. I want to be a beta.” “Why?” 56

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Blue studied his hands, debating his response. He couldn’t lie to Rafe. He had never lied to Rafe. “Because of Gabriel.” “So you’re going to leave the only pack you’ve ever had for a month and then come back for a potentially lethal fight, for the chance to gain access to Gabriel when I release him? After only one night with him?” “Yes, sir, but I did plan to ask your permission to challenge him before you allowed me a night with Gabriel. Last night just made me…more determined.” The alpha watched him closely now. He looked interested and slightly puzzled. “You never seemed this interested in taking your rightful place in the pack before. Why now? Why him?” “Because I’ve never wanted anybody or anything like I want him.” Rafe nodded slightly and leaned back in his chair again. “I was going to offer Gabriel to you in exchange for challenging James.” Blue blinked. “You were? Does that mean you think I can beat him?” “I do. I’ve just been waiting until you thought it was possible.” He cast back over the conversation, one phrase standing out. Your rightful place in the pack. “You want me to be a beta. But why didn’t you promote me in the pack? Or at least tell me?” “I took you in. I took care of you. You’re an orphan and I’m the closest thing you have to family. If I just gave you the position, no one would ever respect you. I’m not sure you would have had enough faith in yourself to keep the position. Pack politics are brutal, Blue. If you think it’s only hard for the omega, you haven’t been paying attention.” He inclined his head. It made perfect sense. Rafe was right about the lack of respect. He was also right about Blue’s lack of 57

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faith in himself. Everybody else in the pack must have known it, too. They did their best to keep him down out of self-preservation. They all did. Until Gabriel. “I understand, sir. Can I ask a question?” “Yes.” “Are you still offering Gabriel?” Rafe chuckled. “I am. He wants you far more than he ever wanted me.” Blue felt light-headed at that. Eliminating James from his life and becoming a beta would have been incentive enough. But the thought of being with Gabriel every day, of waking up next to him, of holding him and touching him whenever he wanted, and even of shifting with him, was the closest thing to heaven that Blue could imagine. “Thank you. Just…thank you. I’d like to get started right away. Could you inform James?” “Yes. Does that mean you’re leaving today?” “Tonight. I was going to take Gabriel to the arboretum today.” “That’s good. He’ll appreciate that.” Rafe paused, clearing his throat, then sat forward in his chair. Arms resting on the edge of his desk, he gave Blue an intent look. “Make me proud. Consider that an order.” Blue stood. “Yes, sir. I will. Thank you again.” He didn’t just walk out of Rafe’s office with his permission— he walked out with a shot of confidence. For the first time, he genuinely believed he could take down James.

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CHAPTER 7 Waking up early in the morning rebelled against every instinct Gabriel had. He’d dragged himself out of bed after Blue left to meet with Rafe, though. They were going to go to the arboretum and that would require clothes for some sadistic reason. He showered and dressed and ate a bowl of cereal with Jeremy, since cooking anything more complex than that might have necessitated a visit from the fire department. Jeremy seemed nice enough, but untalkative. So instead, Gabriel thought while he ate. When Rafe first offered him a place in the pack, he’d made it clear that he couldn’t simply live off of the alpha for the rest of his days. He’d have to get his GED and a job and generally be a normal person outside of pack business. He was willing to do all of it, since he was tired of being alone and 59

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hungry. The loss of his freedom hadn’t looked particularly attractive, though. Now he found himself rapidly becoming comfortable with the idea of staying with the pack for the rest of his days, so long as he could continue to have one small freedom. Blue. As if summoned by his thoughts, he caught the scent of the other man coming down the hall toward the apartment. Gabriel still couldn’t identify most of the pack, but he knew that scent almost as well as his own. “Are you going to be okay here alone?” he checked, looking back to Jeremy with some concern. “Yeah, fine.” Jeremy didn’t look up from his cereal. “Just make sure you lock the door.” That made him frown, but whatever James had done to him had obviously left a lasting mark. He doubted forcing him to speak at length was going to solve anything. Instead he went to the door, pulling it open before Blue could. “Ready for me?” Gabriel asked. “Yeah. Is Jeremy out of his room?” “He is.” Blue reached around Gabriel and shut the door. “We need to talk.” Gabriel felt his heart fall into his stomach. He was fairly sure his stomach plopped into his left shoe a moment later. “Um, okay. Just…one second.” Taking a deep breath to prepare himself, he turned around to lock the door. It took about ten seconds longer than absolutely necessary, but he needed every second. When he thought he could handle whatever the fallout was from Blue’s meeting with Rafe, he turned back around. “All right.” “Come on.” He took Gabriel’s hand like it was the most natural 60

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thing in the world and pulled him toward the elevator. “So you got the chance to meet Jeremy?” “Yeah, he seems nice.” “He is. Always a bit withdrawn. He’s a good listener, though.” The elevator doors opened and Blue pulled him inside. The second they shut, he said, “Rafe gave me permission. He said I can challenge James.” Nerves had his stomach clenching around the fruity cereal he’d just scarfed down. He swallowed a bit hard, nodding. “Good,” Gabriel said softly. Getting James out of the way and raising Blue up in the pack would be a huge improvement. There was the fear that something could happen to Blue, though. “I’m leaving tonight. I thought about it this morning before I left and I decided that…I need to go to the state land for a month. Alone.” “What? Why?” His voice sounded panicked to his own ears. “When I fight James, I’ll have to fight him as a wolf. Gabriel, I’ve never even spent an entire day as a wolf. I need to go out where it’s safe and, well, get to know that side of myself.” “Okay, that makes sense. I’ll go with you. You don’t have to go alone.” “No. I’m sorry, Gabriel, there’s nothing I would like more in the world than to spend a month with you. But if you’re with me, I’m just going to spend every waking second focused on you.” Gabriel made a sound of disgust as he leaned back against the wall of the elevator. He wanted to argue with that, but it made sense. His own time out alone had honed his skills in that form. Even if he didn’t fully understand the pack yet, he was comfortable as a wolf. Blue would need that, too. “So that’s it? One night together and now you’ll be gone for the 61

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next month?” “No, not entirely.” The elevator doors opened, but Blue ignored them. After a moment, they slid shut again. “If I win, I’ll take James’s place. And…Rafe will give you to me. If you still want me in a month.” That little bit of freedom he’d been craving was almost within grasp. Gabriel simply stared at Blue as it sank in, before he stepped closer to him and pulled him into a hard, brief kiss. “Of course I’ll want you,” he whispered against Blue’s lips. “That’s what I hoped you’d say. And we still have the rest of the day together. We can do whatever you want.” “Don’t you have work?” “Are you kidding? I only get a few hours with you. I took the day off.” Eventually they’d have to leave the elevator. He knew that. It was just hard to walk out when Blue was right there. Sliding an arm around the other man’s waist, Gabriel leaned heavily into his body, nudging him back against the wall behind him. “Whatever I want?” he checked. “Yes. Name it.” “Sex, I’d like to see the arboretum, sex, we should go out for lunch, sex, and then maybe some sex.” Blue’s hands went to Gabriel’s pants. “Sex right here?” “Think the neighbors would notice the elevator’s out of commission?” “This building is pretty quiet during the day. I’m sure nobody will notice.” “Good.” He drew back slightly from Blue to reach the elevator controls, stopping it before anyone could try getting the doors open. Then he was against Blue again, one hand rubbing at his ass 62

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slowly as he kissed his way down the other man’s throat. “We probably shouldn’t take too long, even so.” “I don’t think that’ll be a problem this time around,” Blue said, tilting his head as Gabriel reached his Adam’s apple. He palmed Gabriel’s erection through his jeans, squeezing him every time Gabriel nibbled at Blue’s skin. It felt like it had been days since he had tasted Blue. If a handful of hours became days, what on earth was he going to do for a whole month? Impatiently, Gabriel drew back slightly to make room between their bodies so he could get Blue’s jeans open. His hand immediately snaked inside to wrap around his cock, earning a soft moan from Blue. He was gratified to note the other man was already rock hard. Their mutual hunger for one another was something he savored. “After you take down James, I’m going to do things to you you’ve never even dreamed of,” he promised softly before scraping his teeth over Blue’s pulse. Blue whimpered and pushed against Gabriel’s hand, pre-come already wetting his skin. The scent of his arousal was overpowering in the small space, and he could taste it on the back of his tongue. It made his mouth water for a real taste, and he sank to his knees with only one goal in mind. As soon as his mouth was even with Blue’s cock, he closed his lips around the crown. He moaned in delight as Blue’s pre-come covered his tongue, looking up through his lashes to see the pleasure echoed and amplified on Blue’s face. His tongue slid over Blue’s head, collecting and spreading the pre-come there. He’d touched him before, but there was a special intimacy to this that he craved. He used the tip of his tongue to probe at Blue’s slit as his hand worked along his shaft. With a soft 63

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moan he slid his hand away and moved forward to swallow Blue down. He was thick enough to fill his mouth, long enough to reach his throat without being too much. If he’d wanted to design the perfect cock to suck, he couldn’t have come up with anything better. His hand tugged Blue’s jeans down farther to keep them out of the way before reaching in to cradle his balls in his palm. It was a delicate touch, just a soft tease as he swallowed around Blue’s shaft, before drawing back again slowly, his eyes never leaving Blue’s face. It was difficult to characterize exactly what he witnessed on Blue’s face. He obviously enjoyed the attention, but there was more to it than that. There was a certain astonishment, as though he couldn’t believe that anybody was touching him this way, much less Gabriel. People never looked at Gabriel like that. They never looked at him like he mattered, like they were grateful for him. But Blue’s thoughts were written all over his face. He cupped Gabriel’s face with both hands, holding him gently while he sank down the length once again. His thumbs caressed Gabriel’s cheeks and the corners of his mouth, his fingers solid and secure on his face. The naked emotion in Blue’s face and an answering thud in his own chest was almost too much for Gabriel. There were things being felt that he hadn’t experienced before and that frightened him. Up until Blue, his body was just another tool and he took pleasure in it and sharing it with others. Somehow when Blue looked at him like that, he was more than just a convenient body. He finally had to close his eyes against that confusion. There would be time enough to think about it when Blue was gone. The few precious moments they had left together shouldn’t be wasted on questions he didn’t know how to ask. 64

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Moaning around Blue’s shaft, he continued to work him in and out of his mouth. His tongue dragged along the underside of his cock, curling slightly to rub just under his head. The scent and taste and feel of Blue encompassed all of his thoughts. He could get lost in Blue’s scent alone. Yet even with his eyes closed, he still felt the weight of the other man’s gaze on him. His own cock pushed against his pants, but he ignored it. There would be time for that later. Now all of his attention needed to be focused on Blue, and the weight and texture of his cock as it slid against his tongue. Blue’s heartbeat throbbed through his length, pounding against Gabriel’s lips and the roof of his mouth. He felt the vein against his tongue, pulsing with life. One of Blue’s hands slid to the back of Gabriel’s head. He liked the way Blue’s palm fit against his skull, liked the way Blue held him with just the right amount of pressure. He sank forward, swallowing Blue’s cock down to the root, and his hand tightened slightly. Just enough to keep Gabriel in place for several long beats while he swallowed around the head. When Blue’s hand relaxed, Gabriel drew back until his lips were just barely wrapped around his crown. Opening his eyes again, he looked up at Blue. The tip of his tongue slowly traced over his head, learning every curve and ridge. He slid him deep into his mouth again, working his lips along Blue’s length as his head bobbed over the other man. His hands slid around to grip his ass, needing that contact. As if without clinging to Blue, he might lose him that very moment instead of within hours. “Gabriel…Gabriel…my God…God…” The words rained down in soft gasps and whispers, a constant reassurance of how Blue wanted him. The same emotion he had seen on Blue’s face infused each syllable of Gabriel’s name, until Gabriel almost 65

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couldn’t even recognize it. Blue began pumping his hips. Just a little bit at first. Just enough to meet Gabriel’s mouth on each downward stroke. But before long he was moving a little bit faster, creating a faster rhythm. Gabriel moaned in encouragement, his fingers tightening on Blue’s ass, squeezing the flesh. If he could speak, he would have told Blue to let himself lose a bit of control, to fuck his mouth, to take what he wanted. After a moment Gabriel slid Blue halfway into his mouth and held him there, no longer moving and simply letting Blue control the pace. His lips tightened around his shaft as he sucked, eyes locked on Blue’s face. His hands at his ass pulled him forward slightly before releasing him, trying to silently communicate to him. Whatever Blue wanted or needed, he’d gladly give it to him. Gabriel could feel Blue’s hesitation and the tension in his body, but he didn’t move. His tongue wound around Blue’s shaft, and Gabriel tried to urge him forward again. Gabriel knew he just needed to be patient. The seconds dragged by, crawling down his spine, until Blue finally jerked forward. He moaned as Blue’s thick shaft filled his throat, and then his hips were moving in a steady tempo, with long, deep strokes. He relaxed his grip on Blue’s ass, only massaging without any further urging as the other man took control. His jaw relaxed to let Blue thrust fully into him and to the back of his throat, sucking and swallowing around the thick shaft. Gabriel moaned again in encouragement, letting the vibrations travel up Blue’s cock. “Oh, fuck. Gabriel…I’m so…” He didn’t need to finish that thought. His body conveyed exactly how close he was, how much he wanted Gabriel. He finally closed his eyes, losing himself in the hard rhythm, the taste, and his own hot desire. He squeezed Blue’s 66

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heavy balls, applying just enough pressure to make Blue’s hips jerk forward in rough rhythm. Finally, he buried his length in Gabriel’s throat. He had only a second of warning as Blue’s cock jerked against his throat before the hot come pulsed into his mouth. Gabriel pressed forward to take every last inch of Blue, his nose buried in the other man’s hair and full of his scent as he swallowed. Each hot jet Blue had for him was gratefully accepted. As his orgasm came to an end, Gabriel slowly drew back, sucking as he did so. He took Blue in his hand to hold him as he bathed him with his tongue, catching every last sticky drop. When he was done, he nearly crawled back up Blue’s body to lean into him. His own eyes were closed, breath still coming a bit unevenly. His lips softly brushed over Blue’s, then a second time in a more lingering kiss. “I’m going to miss you. Every day,” Blue said between kisses. “I’m going to miss you, too. God, Blue, you…” He didn’t know what to say. Part of him was scared to even try to put it to words, so he simply kissed Blue again. The kiss went on until Gabriel felt dizzy. The floor tilted beneath him before Blue lifted his head. “I’m worried if we don’t leave soon, we’ll be holding up the elevator all day.” Gabriel took a deep breath, nodding quickly, before he forced himself to pull away from Blue. He was still painfully aroused so took a moment to adjust himself before moving toward the elevator doors, casting a quick glance at Blue over his shoulder. “Ready?” Blue smiled. “No, but you better push the button anyway.”

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CHAPTER 8 James only bothered Gabriel once in the month that Blue was gone. Rafe hadn’t officially withdrawn his special protection over the young man, but it was clear enough to the rest of the pack that nothing further was happening between them. Two days after he moved into his own, tiny apartment and the day before Blue was supposed to come back, Gabriel came home one night to find James waiting for him in the hall. Gabriel paused with his keys in his hand, eyes narrowed. “Get the fuck out of here or I’m calling the cops.” Rather than looking concerned over the threat, James simply grinned. “You don’t want to do that. I’m killing your little friend tomorrow, you know. Unless you think you can convince me otherwise.” 68

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“You kill him, you die. Simple as that. No convincing necessary.” Gabriel stepped past him to unlock his door, using his own body to block access to the apartment as he did. The apartment building would be crowded with people coming home from work at that hour. He trusted if he had to yell for help someone would hear. “Rafe isn’t going to punish me for killing somebody during a challenge.” Gabriel paused to look at the other man over his shoulder. “No, but I will. I will be on your ass five seconds after he falls and I don’t give a shit about protocol or fair fights.” “The rest of the pack wouldn’t take kindly to you doing that.” “I sincerely doubt they’d give a shit either.” He slammed the door behind him and quickly locked it. Even with the door and three locks in place to keep James out, it was hard to sleep that night. Anticipation over seeing Blue again had him full of nervous energy, which was only compounded by his fear for Blue. A month’s separation hadn’t dulled his feelings for the other man. If anything, they’d only grown sharper. He could only hope the experience had been similar for Blue. The next day at noon, the pack was called out to a remote spot in the California desert. Far from the city and any potential witnesses of the violence that would soon take place. Gabriel arrived with Rafe and his mate, Ava. The minutes ticked by as the rest of the pack came trickling in. James was one of the first to arrive. Every time he heard a car or footsteps or the wind shifted, Gabriel turned his head and searched for some sign of Blue. The entire pack must have been waiting for the same thing. Silence immediately fell as the wind shifted, carrying Blue’s familiar scent. The five women had been whispering together in a 69

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small group, but even they lifted their heads, nostrils flaring to catch the faint smell. James smiled, running his tongue over his teeth in hungry anticipation. Gabriel didn’t miss the bulge in James’s pants, either, and anger choked him. He wanted to tear James apart, limb by limb. A part of him almost wish it was his fight. Gabriel was so distracted by his excitement at seeing Blue again and his hot rage that he didn’t notice something was off about Blue’s scent. Not until a wolf slunk into the circle they had created with their cars, his ears flat against his head. His eyes were black, absorbing every bit of light, and his coat was a surprising shade of blue. There wasn’t a single white hair marring his coat. He walked low on his haunches, his stomach almost scraping across the ground as he approached Rafe. When he reached the alpha’s feet, he lay flat on the ground, then turned over and showed his stomach. While he was far more comfortable in the pack after a month, he hadn’t seen a display like that before. Gabriel looked from the wolf to the alpha, brows knotted together with worry. Rafe’s face was impassive as he stood over him, before he crouched down, taking the wolf’s muzzle in one hand. Rafe pressed his mouth to each side of the wolf’s muzzle, then to his throat. If he was kissing, sniffing or biting, Gabriel couldn’t tell. When alpha rose to his feet again, he gestured to the wolf. “Blue has asked permission to challenge James for his position in the pack. I’ve given it to him.” Blue rolled over and jumped to his feet, shaking the sand from his coat. Gabriel longed to run his fingers through the thick fur. It seemed to gleam in the sunlight, and he knew it would be warm to the touch. Despite his desire to touch Blue, he didn’t move. He 70

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didn’t want to risk making the wrong move in his ignorance. He hoped Blue would come to him, but he trotted to the center of the circle, his tail and ears up now. James had stood back, simply watching in anticipation until Blue was in the center. Then he pushed away from the car he’d been leaning on to tug his shirt over his head. His clothes were pulled off quickly and he walked toward Blue even as he tossed his pants aside. As he moved, Gabriel could see muscles and bone shifting under his skin, before thick gray and white fur started to fill in. He leaped forward to land on all fours as the transformation was complete. His upper lip was drawn back to expose his teeth and gums as he snarled at Blue, hackles raising. Gabriel didn’t have a weak stomach. He had seen things, done things, that most people wouldn’t have been able to tolerate. But now he felt his gorge rising. It wasn’t just simple nerves. Fear clawed at him. He had faith in Blue, but Blue had the most to lose. The circle around the two wolves tightened, and Gabriel felt a hand in the small of his back. He looked up to Rafe, wondering if the alpha was trying to soothe him, or warning him that he needed to stay exactly where he was. The two wolves began circling each other, growls emanating from deep in their throats, sharp fangs bared. James was a large wolf, and there were bare patches in his coat. Scars from previous fights that he had survived. Compared to James, Blue looked young. Younger than he was. But his lean body was sleek and trim beneath his bristled fur. Without warning, James lunged forward and raised himself up on his hind legs to leap onto Blue’s back, his jaws going for the back of the other wolf’s neck. Gabriel gave a jerk of fright, but managed to hold himself back. Blue was already shaking off the 71

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larger wolf and turning under him, snapping at his underbelly as soon as it was exposed. Blue caught a bit of fur between his teeth, but nothing more. They went back to circling one another, though there was a new quality to the growls now. It gnawed at something deep inside of Gabriel, making it difficult to stay in his human form. Only Rafe’s hand at his back seemed to be stopping him. Blue made the next move, lunging with a snarl. James tried to twist out of the reach of Blue’s teeth, but he didn’t make it. He caught a chunk of James’s shoulder between his powerful jaws and jerked his head. Blood immediately stained James’s fur and flowed down his leg. James yipped—a distressed, high-pitched sound— before twisting his head around. He bit Blue’s nose, adding to the spray of blood against the yellow sand. They sprang apart, fur standing tall on their necks and shoulders. For the first time, Gabriel didn’t see Blue. He saw a wolf. A wild animal. James started to back up a few steps, lowering himself in a low bow. It almost looked like a submissive gesture, but the snarl on his muzzle and the way his ears were perked forward made it clear that wasn’t the case. Blue started to circle him, to put himself into a better position for another attack, but James struck first. He launched himself at Blue in a blur of teeth and fur, slamming into his side and knocking the both of them to the sand. As soon as Blue was on the sand, James was on top, trying to pin him and expose his vulnerable throat and belly. “No!” Gabriel was hardly aware that he’d spoken as he jumped forward, until he felt Rafe’s hand closing around his wrist and jerking him back. “If you go out there, Blue will automatically forfeit,” Rafe ground out. Each word felt like a slap to the face. “James will kill 72

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him.” Gabriel wanted to protest that James was killing him right now, but a howl silenced him and drew his attention back to the fight. The cloud of sand was almost too thick to see through as they dragged each other around the circle. It became too difficult to pick out the individual attacks, the bites and feints. Blood flowed freely down their sides and their legs, but it was impossible to tell who it belonged to, and who was bleeding the most. In the midst of the confusion of the fight, there was a snap and a sharp yelp. One of the wolves started backing away, limping. As the dust settled and Gabriel could see clearly again, he saw it was James. The gray and white wolf was holding up his front right leg, which was bleeding. It may have been broken, though it was difficult to tell from where Gabriel stood. Blue advanced on James, ready to press his advantage. “Stop him,” Christine said. “Stop him. Why isn’t somebody stopping him? James is hurt.” When nobody moved, Christine’s voice climbed an octave. “Do something!” “Shut up,” Rafe snapped. Christine lapsed into silence, except for the occasional whimper that was almost drowned out by the constant growling between the two wolves. Despite his broken leg, James defiantly jumped forward, meeting Blue’s lunge. He bit into Blue’s chest, painting his muzzle scarlet and forcing a howl of pain from Blue’s throat. He twisted his body, tearing away from James’s grip. The second he was free, he darted forward and bit James’s throat. The jaws clamped shut with a sickening click. Blood began to well up around Blue’s jaws as James struggled spasmodically, his hind legs kicking in the sand, one front paw clawing at the air. With a low growl, Blue shook his head back and 73

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forth until the other wolf went limp. When Blue dropped James’s body, there was a deep, shuddering sigh from Jeremy and the omega slumped against the bumper of the car behind him as though he’d just been released from a tremendous weight. As soon as Rafe’s hand around Gabriel’s wrist let go, he rushed forward to drop to his knees next to Blue. The thought that the wolf might still be caught up in battle lust didn’t even occur to him. “Oh, God, look at you,” Gabriel breathed, reaching out tentatively to touch a patch of unmarked fur. Blue took one staggering step forward, then collapsed on the ground, his sides heaving. He seemed to be bleeding the most from his injured muzzle, but Gabriel knew a careful inspection was absolutely necessary. Which would be much easier without the thick fur. “Shift back,” Gabriel whispered. “Please.” A long shadow fell over Blue’s exhausted body. “Why isn’t he shifting back?” “It takes too much energy.” Unmindful of the blood, Gabriel gently pulled Blue into his lap to cradle him. His hands ran through the wolf’s fur, trying to get an idea of what his injuries looked like without hurting him any further. He was most worried about his muzzle and his chest, but the thought that there could be worse injuries hidden terrified him. “What can we do for him?” he asked, looking up at Rafe. “Rob, pull my truck around. Daniel, take care of James.” “What do you want me to do with him?” Daniel asked. “Burn him. Bury him. I don’t care.” Rafe squatted beside Gabriel and lowered his voice. “We’re too far from home to take Blue back there, but there’s a motel not far from here. We’ll get him cleaned up, and Ava used to work in a vet’s office. She’ll get 74

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him all stitched up and good as new, okay?” “Okay,” Gabriel whispered, his throat tight around the single word. The thought of longing for Blue for the past month, of him coming back and finally beating James, only to lose him like this was almost too painful to bear. Once Rob had brought the truck around and lowered the gate, he came over to help Gabriel lift Blue carefully into the bed. Gabriel climbed up after him to sit next to the wolf, stroking his fur. He was only vaguely aware of anything else that was going on beyond the two of them. Christine was crying somewhere. There was an argument going on between Daniel and Cam. Rafe and Ava were climbing into the truck. When the truck finally started to move, Gabriel lay down next to Blue, wrapping an arm around him. “Be okay, please?”

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CHAPTER 9 Blue didn’t open his eyes immediately. He waited, extending his senses into the unfamiliar space, trying to place himself and the wolves around him. Gabriel was nearby, though not in the same bed. Rafe wasn’t in the room, but he and Ava were both close. Their scents were all over him, and it was more than a little comforting. Rafe was watching over him; Ava had doctored him. He was a full member of the pack now and he deserved their full attention. The knowledge made his heart swell, but that was nothing compared to how he felt each time he inhaled and caught Gabriel’s unmistakable scent. When he opened his eyes, Gabriel was the first thing he saw. The younger man was slumped over in a chair with nothing but a towel wrapped around his hips. The heavy curtains were pulled 76

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shut, but enough light broke through the cracks to let Blue know it was probably early afternoon. The air conditioner beneath the window rumbled as the fan kicked on, and the outlines of pizza boxes and soda cans were stacked perilously on the table. How long had they been holed up in that room? He had vague memories of waking up a few times, but pure exhaustion pulled him back into darkness each time. After a moment of debate, Blue reached across the narrow bed and touched Gabriel’s knee with the tip of his finger. It was the briefest of contact, but it still shocked him and sent a shiver down his spine. Gabriel started to stir with a soft sound, his eyes barely opening. Then he gave a sudden start and sat up straight, rubbing at his eyes. “You’re awake! How’re you feeling?” “Thirsty. Disoriented.” “Yeah, I bet. You’ve been out of it for two days.” Gabriel got up, holding his towel in place absently as he found a bottle of a sports drink and brought it back to the bed. As he sat next to Blue, he opened it up, then offered the bottle to him. Blue wanted to down the whole bottle, but he limited himself to a few sips. He just wanted to wet his tongue and lips, not give himself a stomach cramp. “Have you been waiting here the whole time?” Gabriel nodded slightly. “I’d already arranged my schedule at work to have my days off around the challenge and then I called in this morning. Rob’s vouching for me about having a loved one hurt.” Blue allowed himself one more sip before setting the bottle aside. “Work?” Gabriel looked down for a moment, then glanced back up at 77

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him with a wry grin. “Yeah, Rob got me a job at the police station doing clerical work. You’re looking at a cop’s man secretary.” “That’s great.” Blue smiled. “That’s really great.” He tried to move closer to Gabriel, but sudden pain surprised him into being still. “So what’s the damage here?” “Stitches on your face, chest and left side. I think the worst is that you’ve got some pretty bad bruises on your right side, probably from when you hit the ground. We weren’t sure if you had broken ribs or not at first.” “Could have been worse. Is that why you’re in the chair and not in bed?” Gabriel nodded. “I was worried about hurting you.” “What if I tell you it’s a chance I’m willing to take?” After a second or less of hesitation, Gabriel got up from his chair again and slid onto the bed next to Blue. One arm tentatively draped around his waist, just barely brushing his skin. “Do you need anything to eat?” Blue turned to embrace Gabriel fully, burying his face in the crook of Gabriel’s neck. Everything that wasn’t Gabriel was blocked from his senses, and he inhaled deeply and slowly. “No, I need you. I missed you so much.” “I missed you, too,” Gabriel breathed against his ear. “More than I thought it was possible to miss anything. You…I don’t know, you make me feel like I’m more than just a temporary plaything.” “You are more than that. I thought about you every second.” Blue rubbed Gabriel’s back in long, smooth caresses. His skin felt perfect. “I thought it would be easier as a wolf, but it wasn’t. It was even worse.” “How was it worse?” Gabriel’s voice was soft as he leaned in, 78

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slowly placing gentle kisses along the side of Blue’s neck. “Because I missed my mate.” He heard Gabriel’s breath catch, the steady beat of his heart suddenly thundering. The younger man drew back enough to look at him, his eyes searching Blue’s face. “Really?” Blue nodded, trailing his fingers down the side of Gabriel’s face. It was a serious statement to make, and a serious commitment. But he’d had a lot of time to think while he immersed himself in the world and body of a wolf. In all that time, his thoughts never left Gabriel. “Really. You were the one that kept me going. Every time I wanted to go home, I thought about you. And how much I need you.” Those words earned a faint, shy smile that seemed at odds with the face Gabriel showed the world. “You know, I haven’t had a home since I was a kid. I was happy to not be alone when Rafe brought me in, happy to do whatever he wanted to be safe, but it wasn’t home. You…you’re what makes it home.” Blue brushed his thumb across Gabriel’s sweet smile, then drew him closer for a slow kiss. As soon as their lips touched, he knew he wasn’t dreaming. The fight with James was an actual memory, not just some overwhelming nightmare. And Gabriel was actually his now. Nobody would beat down the door and insist that one or both of them service somebody else. Even Rafe himself couldn’t take Gabriel away from him. It felt like everything he had done in the past month, maybe everything in his entire life, had culminated in that thorough, wonderful caress. When the kiss ended, it was only so that Gabriel could move down his body. Gentle, loving kisses traced over the front of his throat, then along his collarbone. One of his hands gently skimmed 79

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down the side of Blue’s body, brushing the sheet out of the way. “Can I touch you or do you hurt too much?” Gabriel checked, glancing up toward his face. “You can touch me,” Blue assured him. “I’m not saying I don’t hurt at all, but I’d rather have you touch me.” Gabriel nodded slightly and pushed the sheet the rest of the way off of Blue to expose his body. It was the first real look at himself he’d had since he woke up. The bruises were stark on his skin and there were scratches here and there, but the most remarkable thing was that he was alive. He’d done it. “I’m so proud of you,” the younger man whispered as he kissed down over his chest. Each touch was almost impossibly soft. The tip of his tongue lightly teased at one nipple before he breathed against it, chilling the dampened skin. “Thank you.” Blue couldn’t stop touching Gabriel. He wanted to feel every inch of skin he could reach. He ran his fingers through Gabriel’s hair and traced the curve of his ear. Each time Gabriel touched him with his tongue, a flurry of sparks rained through him. Part of that might have been because Blue hadn’t felt any human contact in a month. He hadn’t shifted once after Rafe dropped him off on state land. Every breath had been taken as a wolf. Now his flesh trembled for more, shivers racing down his spine as Gabriel delicately licked him. As Gabriel worked his way downward, he pulled off the towel that had been barely clinging to his hips to set it aside. He seemed intent on kissing and tasting every spot on Blue’s entire body and Blue had little desire to stop him. Gabriel’s lips and teeth skimmed over Blue’s stomach, teasing the vulnerable flesh there before he moved lower. The younger man’s lips brushed against his cock, his 80

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breath warm against it. Blue hardened beneath Gabriel’s mouth, his cock jerking in response to each gentle caress. A million fantasies and dreams poured into his mind, reminding him of the long hours and days he’d spent alone. Blue had promised himself so many things, and now they were all within his grasp and he still couldn’t believe it. Even though the solid reality of Gabriel’s body gave him little room to doubt. “I want to fuck you,” Blue murmured, watching with heavy eyes as Gabriel’s tongue danced over his crown. “I want to hold you and feel your heat around me. Can we do that?” Gabriel rolled his eyes up to meet Blue’s, his lips curling into a grin before he closed them around the head of his cock and sucked briefly. Blue hissed through his teeth at the contact as his hips automatically rose to the attention. When Gabriel released him, the younger man licked his lips and crawled back up his body. “Look at you getting all dominant,” he teased. His lips brushed against Blue’s briefly before he nodded. “I want that, too.” “Great. What do we have around here for lube?” “There’s lotion in the bathroom. Better than nothing.” One more soft kiss and then Gabriel pulled away to climb off the bed. A moment later he was back, stretching out on his side as he pressed the small bottle into Blue’s hand. Blue carefully poured lotion over two fingers, then wrapped his arm around Gabriel and pulled him closer, his fingers sliding between Gabriel’s cheeks. He briefly wondered if Gabriel had been celibate during the previous month, but dismissed the question. It didn’t matter. It mattered even less when he pushed his fingers into Gabriel’s passage, claiming his mouth at the same time. He melted 81

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into Gabriel’s body, his tongue sliding past the other man’s lips as he gently fucked him with his slick fingers. Gabriel rocked back to his fingers, then forward to brush against his body as he moaned softly into the kiss. His mouth opened welcomingly to Blue, his own tongue darting out to mate with his. One of his hands settled at the small of Blue’s back and slowly slid up and down. Everything about how Gabriel touched him was careful, but he could feel the tension in the other man. The barely restrained need. There was pain in his ribs and chest. As much as Blue wished he could pretend otherwise, there was no escaping that discomfort. But it didn’t matter. When he was fighting James, he had pushed through the fresh agony of each bite and attack because he’d had no choice. Now he felt the same urgency. The hurt was secondary, insignificant compared to the instinctive desire to claim his mate. After a moment, Gabriel broke the kiss with a sigh, brushing his lips over Blue’s cheek. “Do you want me to ride you again?” he murmured as his hand slid down to massage Blue’s ass. “I do, but I’m not sure if that’s a good idea right now.” He didn’t think his bruised ribs and back would appreciate the weight of another body. “Turn around.” Gabriel didn’t question the request. As he rolled over, Blue reached for the lotion again and spread it over his cock. He gripped Gabriel’s hip and lined the head of his cock with Gabriel’s stretched hole. Holding Gabriel tightly, he pushed forward, groaning as the heat enclosed him. This was what he wanted. This was all he had ever wanted. The lotion eased his entry as he moved deeper and deeper, until he was completely sheathed, his balls brushing against Gabriel’s rounded cheeks. He wrapped his arm around the younger man and kissed the spot where his neck met his 82

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shoulder. “Oh, God, Blue,” Gabriel breathed, leaning back to him and arching his back. “That is so, so perfect.” He drew back slowly before burying himself in his mate again. The thrust was met with a whimper as Gabriel rocked back to meet him, the younger man’s hands curling into fists in the sheets. Gabriel turned slightly to lean his cheek against the top of Blue’s head as he kissed along the other man’s shoulder. It was perfect. Better than all of his fantasies combined. He felt no need to rush it, to move faster or harder. He just wanted to enjoy each slow, exquisite second, secure in the knowledge that nobody would stop them and nothing would come between them. Gabriel’s body heat radiated through Blue’s flesh, and his delicate kisses burned right through his skin. He could feel Gabriel’s pulse throbbing through him, echoing his own rapid heartbeat. In all of his life, he had never felt closer to another person. Blue’s hand slid down Gabriel’s stomach to fist his shaft. He pumped his wrist in time with his hips, wiping his thumb over the slick head each time he buried himself. Gabriel’s breath was coming a bit heavier as he moaned and whimpered with each stroke, his entire body rocking between Blue and the bed. After a moment he relaxed forward into the bed, his head pillowed on his arms. Blue could see his face, then. His brows were drawn together as though he were concentrating deeply, lips parted slightly and damp from him licking them. It took a moment before Blue realized he was saying something. They were soft, almost incoherent words in Spanish as he gave himself up fully to the moment. Blue lost himself to the rhythm of their bodies and the music of Gabriel’s words. He didn’t understand them individually, but the 83

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meaning still wrapped around him, undeniable. Seconds bled into minutes, and those minutes might have become hours. Time was meaningless when it felt like they were the only two people in the world. His orgasm began in his feet, the pleasure pushing upward through his body, numbing the pain and making his legs tingle. Blue didn’t let that distract him from the deliberate pace of his long, slow strokes. He took deep breaths, infusing himself with Gabriel’s scent. One word pulsed through him, echoing with each hard slam of his heart until everything finally erupted. Bliss washed through him as he erupted deep in Gabriel’s body. “You’re mine,” Blue whispered, thrilling at the force and simplicity of the words he’d never spoken before. Gabriel’s body clench around him, hips thrusting down into his hand. “Yes,” moaned his mate. The younger man gasped as he was lost in his own orgasm, his come making Blue’s grip slicker, his hand working over him faster. As they both came down from the height of pleasure, Gabriel slowly lowered himself to the bed until he was flat against it. His heart was still pounding and the sound echoed sweetly in Blue’s ears. “I want to be yours, always,” Gabriel whispered. Blue sighed and pulled Gabriel into his arms, fitting his chest against Gabriel’s back. His eyes and limbs were heavy with exhaustion, and he knew he’d be slipping back into unconsciousness again. When he woke up, he planned to tell Gabriel everything. All the details of his month in the wilderness, the memories he had of his family, his favorite movies, his real name. And then he’d ask for Gabriel to do the same, until there wasn’t a thing they didn’t know about each other. But for the 84

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moment, he just wanted to rest with the knowledge that nobody would ever take Gabriel from him.

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LOUISA GOUGH

Louisa Gough has been reading romances since she was a little girl, and finally decided it was time to write one of her own. When she isn’t writing, she’s traveling the world with her partner or watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer with her cats.

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