Hard to Handle

by Fel Fern

  “Well enough,” Max said, flashing Grant a warning look.

  “I’ll be in the kitchen,” he said, sensing Max wanted a private conversation with his father.

  “Grant, stay,” Daniel said. “Max, I’m not going to waste our time repeating the same arguments we’ve had in the past. I’ll keep this short. What you did last night, that was beyond irresponsible.”

  “I know,” Max said in a small voice. Max ran a hand through his hair, a frustrated gesture, Grant realized.

  “You did it anyway, didn’t listen when I forbade you to head out in public without a new bodyguard.”

  “Alpha,” Grant interrupted. “Your son had been through a lot last night.”

  “That’s no excuse for his behavior,” Daniel said calmly. “Last night, you’ve seen how reckless my son is. He requires a firm hand.”

  “Don’t talk about me like I’m a child,” Max blurted.

  “Then stop acting like one,” Daniel said with a growl. “How many times do I have to go through this same shit with you? What should I do with you?”

  The Alpha’s tone annoyed Grant’s wolf for some reason. Daniel had every right to reprimand his son. This was none of his business, and yet he didn’t like to see Max hurt. Max might appear strong-willed and defiant on the outside, but after last night, Grant didn’t think Max could take much emotional blows.

  “You’ve always seen me as a curse, an inconvenience,” Max stated, turning his back on the Alpha.

  A bad move.

  Grant gripped Max’s shoulder. “Stop, don’t leave things like this. You’ll regret it.”

  Max bit on his lower lip and looked back at Daniel.

  “You’re neither,” Daniel finally told Max. “Max, do you have any idea how terrified I was last night after I heard what happened to you?”

  “Nothing happened,” Max said, although Grant knew he and the Alpha heard the lie in Max’s voice. “Besides, I won’t do it again. I know better. Last night was an anomaly.”

  “You’ve made the same promises to me in the past, but look where we are again, son. Back to where we started.” The Alpha let out what sounded like a tired sigh.

  “Then let me prove it to you.”

  Grant had a feeling the Alpha was about to give Max an ultimatum. Was Max mature enough to handle it?

  “Fine. I’ll give you another chance. You’ll be confined in your apartment for a week with Grant watching your every move. Show me you can behave for a week.”

  Chapter 7

  “I can’t believe this,” Max said, shaking his head.

  He was so furious, he began to tremble. He wished Grant would slide closer to him, put those strong arms around his shoulders, but they were here in his father’s house. Grant had reverted back to his bodyguard, not whoever Grant had been when they were alone. Max liked that version of Grant much better, when the werewolf acted all possessive around him. Like Max was the only thing he saw and the rest of the world didn’t matter.

  “You’re grounding me?” he demanded his father.

  Daniel crossed his arms over his chest. “Stay out of trouble for one week, Max. That’s all I’m asking. There’s been too many threats against me and the pack lately.”

  “What the hell will I do for seven days?” he asked. “I can’t sit at home and rot while the rest of the world parties on.”

  “I’ll allow you visits from your friends. Grant will supervise of course.”

  He scoffed. “Seriously?”

  “Take it or leave it. Refuse and I’ll take away the rest of your trust fund.”

  “You can’t do that,” Max blurted. “I’m already twenty-three.”

  “And it’s a miracle you haven’t wasted it all on toys,” Daniel said drily. “Well? What will it be?”

  Max glowered at his father, even though he knew it wouldn’t have an effect on the man. Damn it. Seven days trapped in his apartment with nothing to do? This felt like some kind of house arrest, and he hadn’t even committed a crime. Wait a second. He wouldn’t be alone. Grant would be there.

  Seven days with just Grant and him? With Grant having access to his body 24/7? A thrill went down his spine. Max looked his father in the eye. “Deal. I’ll show you I can change.”

  “Looking forward to it. Go say hi to your cousins for a little while, Max. I want to talk to Grant alone.”

  Max sighed. “Fine.” He glanced at Grant. “Don’t keep me long. My cousins can be insufferable.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  * * * *

  “My son carries the scent of another werewolf on him,” Daniel said in a dangerously calm voice once Max left them. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

  “Yeah? I’ve made no attempt to wash it away.” Grant expected Daniel to lunge for him and fist his shirt. Too bad Grant was someone Daniel couldn’t easily push around. If it came to a fight, Grant was pretty certain he could take the old Alpha on. Not that Grant wanted Max to see him beat his old man to the ground.

  “I hired you to protect my son and this is how you do it?” Daniel’s eyes turned a deadly shade of yellow, and his teeth began to lengthen.

  “I didn’t touch him when he was vulnerable if that’s what you’re asking. Never in a million years will I take advantage of him like that,” Grant said. He had to make a point, because Daniel seemed to have misunderstood the situation.

  Daniel frowned, releasing him. “He’s changed. One night since you became his bodyguard and already, he’s able to acknowledge his errors. I’ve heard him make that speech a dozen times. He’s never changed, but this time feels different.

  “Max has a good heart underneath,” he said. “I’m the firm hand he needs.”

  “So confident?” Daniel gave him another appraising look. “I usually threaten to rip out the throats of any shifter who comes sniffing around Max. They usually only want one or two things. My money and my attention.”

  “I don’t give a damn about either of those,” he told the Alpha plainly. “I’ll guard him with my life, but I have no interest in stealing what he owns, only knowing him better.”

  “What is my son to you, Grant?”

  “You know what,” he said with a growl.

  Mate. Mine. His wolf howled inside of him in affirmation. Grant tried to deny himself. He doubted for a moment if he made a mistake, but the truth was as clear as day. Fate led him here, to this job, to Max for a reason.

  “I needed confirmation, but if you end up hurting him, there would be hell to pay.”

  “That won’t ever happen,” he said.

  “So confident? My son’s not easy to handle.”

  “I’ll do just fine.”

  Daniel held out a hand, which he shook. “Don’t mess this up, Grant. I really like you. I think Max needs a man like you in his life, but part of me also wonders if I’m doing the right thing, letting a predator like you anywhere near him.”

  “That’s your problem, Alpha. You think Max’s fragile, breakable, but he has claws, too.”

  Daniel released his hand. “I expect good results.”

  “End of this week? You’ll have your enemies sorted out, and your son will be a changed man.”

  * * * *

  “What did you and my father talk about?” Max asked him on the ride back to the apartment.

  “That’s a secret,” Grant answered.

  Screw pretension and boundaries. This time, Grant chose to sit in the back with Max. Daniel, in his own way, practically gave Grant his blessings. To another human, that might seem odd because he’d only known Max for a few hours.

  To shifters? It was the right thing to do. Daniel would be a fool to get between a dominant werewolf and his potential mate.

  “Well I’m just glad that’s all over. You really think I can behave for one week?”

  “With the right incentive.”

  For some reason, that comment made his human blush.

  “Did Dad tell you about what kind of threats he’s facing? I know he punished
me not only because of last night. It must be something serious.”

  “Daniel didn’t give me the exact details, but it seems an enemy pack wants him dead. It wouldn’t be beneath them to go for Daniel’s loved ones.”

  Max turned sheet white at those words. “You mean Dad’s weak spots. Me.”

  “You don’t have to worry about a thing,” he said in a soothing voice. “I won’t let anything happen to you, and you’ll never be out of my sight.”

  “Sounds like I’m being put in jail.”

  “Jail? Is that how you see this arrangement?”

  “No, I mean. I don’t know.”

  He was just worried about his father, Grant thought. He should really stop teasing his human. Grant ran his fingers up Max’s arm, stroked it. He was pleased Max didn’t stop him or shove him away.

  “Your father has his Beta, enforcers, and the rest of the pack. They’ll make sure nothing will happen to him.”

  “What makes you think I’m worried? I know he’s tough and he’s survived several assassination attempts already.”

  Grant smiled and decided to change the topic. No use worrying Max any further.

  “Why don’t we pick up something to eat before heading back to the apartment?”

  “Sure. I’m starving, but I don’t think I want to dine in. Let’s take out?”

  “What are you in the mood for?”

  Max looked thoughtful. “Burgers and fries. Wait. Why do you look surprised? Do you think I eat rich food all the time?”

  “I’d thought you’d go for something fancy,” Grant admitted. “I know a good cheeseburger joint nearby. You up for it?”

  “As long as it doesn’t taste awful, yeah. I’ll be confined in my apartment for a week. There’s no need to watch my weight.”

  Grant frowned, looked Max up and down. “Nothing wrong with you as far as I could see.”

  “So you won’t care if I gain or lose weight?”

  “The way you are is fine with me.”

  Max fell silent for a few moments. “All the men I’ve dated in the past always had one complaint or another. They made suggestions on how I could improve on my appearance, the way I act and dress.”

  The mention of other men only sparked jealousy in his wolf. Just imagining another man putting his grubby hands or paws on his human made him see red. He’d just have to make sure no one dared poach on his territory, much less make a move on what rightfully belonged to him.

  Max. His mate.

  “If we’re doing this,” he said with a growl, “know one thing, Max. I won’t share you. You’re mine to mark and keep. That’s all.”

  Max widened his eyes, stared at him in shock. The human opened his mouth and Grant already anticipated a witty remark, but Max closed it again.

  “That’s all?” Max repeated. “You’re bossy, you know that?”

  Grant crossed his arms.

  “With other werewolves, it annoyed me, you know, being bossed around, but you?” Max looked him in the eye. “I don’t understand why I want to make an exception.”

  “You know the answer. You grew up around shifters after all.” Grant leaned in close, until his lips brushed up against the curve of Max’s ear. “My mate.”

  Chapter 8

  The two words Grant whispered in his ear left Max speechless for the rest of the ride. He remembered how to open his mouth when they passed through the burger drive-through.

  “I’ll have whatever you’re getting,” Max blurted.

  Grant’s mate? Max had spent enough time with shifters to know about the mating bond. His human mother had been his father’s mate. Look what her death had done to Daniel Shepard.

  “Max?”

  He blinked, wondering how they had reached his apartment so soon. Max got off the car. Grant spoke with the driver before leading him to the elevator and back to his unit. Once the front door shut behind them, Grant locked it. The werewolf placed their bags of food down, grabbed his arm, and led him to the living room.

  “Sit,” Grant said.

  Max sunk into the familiar leather couch. Grant joined him and asked, “Talk to me. Don’t shut down. Why did my words bother you so much?”

  “Mates are dangerous,” he finally said, collecting his thoughts. “Did Dad tell you about my mother?”

  “Only that she passed away when you were young.”

  “I was twelve,” Max said. “A drunk driver ran her over. She was mated to my father.”

  “That means…” Grant paused. “I see. When I first met Daniel, I felt there was something odd about him. Something missing.”

  “When we went down to the hospital to identify her body, Dad nearly turned feral. It took four of his werewolves to calm him down. He’d been inconsolable for weeks, but his Beta, Ben, managed to convince him that the pack needed him, that I needed him.”

  It took a special kind of courage, Grant mused, for someone to continue living even after their better half, their soul mate, passed away. His respect for Max’s father only increased.

  Max let out a breath. “I understood one thing when we were in that hospital. That the mating bond these shifters seem to find so wonderful can also be so deadly.”

  “Nothing frightening about it,” Grant said, reaching for his fingers and giving them a squeeze. “A shifter can never be complete without his mate. Didn’t you feel the pull between us?”

  “I did,” Max admitted. After last night, he made a promise to himself that he’d be more honest. Better. It was hard, trying to change, move on from being the spoiled rich kid everyone painted him to be, but Grant believed there was good in him. That he wasn’t the best version of himself. “But doesn’t mating you mean our life forces will become one?”

  Stop talking, Max chided to himself. Ruining this moment was the last thing he wanted, but he needed to get this problem off his chest.

  “It is. I heard it’s the most wonderful feeling in the world.” Grant paused. “Max, I want no secrets between us. I’m not going to lie to you. I’m not a good person. I used to be a soldier in the Paranormal Army Special Forces, and I’ve done things I wasn’t proud of.”

  “What you did in the past doesn’t matter. Last night, I would’ve been done for if it wasn’t for you.”

  “I’m your bodyguard, but money doesn’t matter. The moment I saw you, I knew. You were the one man I’ve been searching for my entire life. My mate, even though a man like me doesn’t deserve one.”

  “Grant, don’t talk like that.” Max breathed in and out.

  It was still there. Fear lingered inside him, and he couldn’t quite wipe the image of his father, so shattered by his mother’s death that he nearly lost control in a hospital full of people. If the pack didn’t keep his father in check, Daniel would have killed innocent people in his rage. His father wouldn’t be able to live with himself after that.

  However, if Max didn’t take the plunge now, he’d never know where this could’ve gone with Grant. He’d be the same unlikable, spoiled, and lonely man he’d been before Grant entered his life.

  Max ran his fingers up Grant’s shirt, annoyed that the thin cotton fabric got in the way of skin touching. He slipped into Grant’s lap, unsurprised the werewolf easily slid a hand around his waist to steady him. He gasped when Grant moved his big hand lower, to cup his ass and push him close. Their chests touched.

  “You burn hot,” he whispered.

  So close. He couldn’t keep gaze from Grant’s mouth. Max shut his eyes when Grant went for the kill and took his mouth. His wolf kissed him rough, without apology. When Grant nipped at his bottom lip and he tasted copper, Max’s dick only got harder.

  Grant thrust his tongue down his throat. Max forgot all his problems. He gripped Grant’s shoulders, rubbed himself against all those delicious and hard muscles.

  “Don’t be scared,” Grant told him after the kiss. Max panted. “I won’t die. Neither will you.”

  “If you tie yourself to a human, you’ll be weak, just like my dad,” he sa
id.

  Grant narrowed his eyes. Max didn’t miss the fact Grant’s irises had turned a deep, burnt gold. Grant’s wolf peeked out. It wasn’t just the man he confronted, but also the beast that shared Grant’s skin. A thrill of anticipation went down his spine.

  “Who told you that?” Grant demanded.

  “Everyone,” he whispered. “If Dad hadn’t mated a human woman—”

  Grant pressed a finger to his lips. “The opinion of others don’t matter. I don’t know your father very well, but it’s clear he loved your mother very much. Enough that he’d decide to live on to look after you and the pack.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so. I can’t imagine living in a world with you gone,” Grant told him. His wolf pressed another kiss to his mouth, a gentler one. Grant took his time. Max practically melted against Grant, wanted this to go on forever. When he felt Grant’s hand on the hem of his shirt, he raised his arms.

  Grant stopped kissing him to tug his shirt off his body. His skin turned feverish hot as Grant licked his lips, clearly liking what he saw. No matter how many times Max worked out or tried new sports, he could never seem to bulk up. Grant had mentioned he liked Max the way he was. That was a first. Another reason why this man, this werewolf was a keeper.

  Right now, Grant looked at him like he was the most desirable man in the world. His heart beat so hard in his chest, he bet Grant could hear it.

  “Me next,” he said, reaching for Grant’s shirt.

  The werewolf laughed and let Max pull his shirt off him, unveiling hard planes of muscle, occasionally threaded with scars, old bullet wounds.

  “My mate has the body of a warrior,” Max remarked in wonder, reaching out to touch one rake mark across Grant’s left pectoral.

  “Mm. You know what you called me?”

  Max blushed. His entire face must be red by now. Max had no wish to take back his words, because he meant them. “I can’t let my personal fear hold me back. I owe it to us to see where this path could lead.”

  “Smart human.” Grant reached for his fingers and lifted them to his mouth.