Wisdom's Allegiance (The Shifter Chronicles 13)

by M. D. Grimm

  Talon the owl flew around the room once before perching on the back of the couch next to Orion. Orion sidled over and rubbed his head against Talon’s side. Talon nibbled Orion’s feathery head in affection before drawing a wing protectively over his body. Then he looked at Dexter and hooted again.

  Dexter realized, with a pounding heart, the hoot was a call for his mate. He’d been around owls long enough at the raptor center to recognize the pattern, one long drawn-out one followed by two shorter hoots, and the look in Talon’s large eyes confirmed it. Talon hooted again, and Orion added a mewling chuckle, his own call to his mate.

  They were calling him, trusting him.

  Dexter’s tears spilled over his cheeks as he slowly made his way back to them. After the initial shock, he was fascinated and stared in wonder at the miracle before him. He sat sideways at the end of the couch, watching them watch him. Orion hopped over timidly, chittering and ruffling his feathers. Dexter sat up and gently skimmed a finger down Orion’s chest. The owl closed his eyes, enjoying the touch. He stroked a few more times, smiling as his heart calmed.

  Talon moved over as well and bent down to nip playfully at his finger. Dexter laughed softly and used his other hand to pet Talon’s chest. Talon closed his eyes and flapped his wings slightly before leaning into the touch. There was such a size difference between them, it was almost comical. Yet it was also beautiful. Now Dexter knew why Talon called Orion his little elf.

  “Thank you,” Dexter whispered.

  Talon hooted and Orion mewled.

  Chapter Ten

  Orion woke and smiled as he listened to Dexter’s snoring. He squeezed Dexter’s arm where it lay across his waist as they snuggled in Dexter’s bed. A quick look at the clock indicated it was midafternoon. Talon had to return to campus after they revealed themselves to Dexter, but Orion decided to stay. He had no other plans and felt one of them should stay with Dexter.

  Now he was there in his mate’s arms, and everything felt right with the world. His owl warbled in contentment. At that moment nothing mattered, especially not Audrey and her horrid ideology. Orion rolled over and rubbed Dexter’s head. Dexter needed to officially be up in an hour, and Orion wondered if he was willing to sacrifice some sleep for some pleasure. He nuzzled Dexter’s nose before giving him light kisses on his cheeks and lips. He stroked his hand along Dexter’s naked shoulder and then down his back while also sliding his leg along Dexter’s, cock growing hard with need. They only wore underwear, and he loved the sensation of warm naked flesh pressed against his own.

  He planted a longer kiss to Dexter’s lips, and Dexter grunted and squeezed him. Orion moaned and closed his eyes, opening his mouth, anticipating the sweep of Dexter’s tongue. He didn’t disappoint, and when Dexter rolled on top of him, Orion thrilled and clasped his arms and legs around Dexter.

  Dexter lifted his head and blinked his eyes clear of sleep. Orion smiled and pushed up his hips, making sure Dexter felt his erection and his desire. Dexter shuddered out a breath and pushed back, his own erection forming.

  “Por favor,” Orion whispered before nibbling Dexter’s earlobe. “Fuck me.”

  “Orion,” Dexter said on a groan. Then he leaned over to fumble with the single drawer on the bedside table.

  Orion laid kiss after kiss along Dexter’s neck and shoulders, delighting to feel Dexter’s cock grow thicker against his. He skimmed his hands down, and just as Dexter pulled out a new bottle of lube, he yanked down Dexter’s boxers. When Dexter also took out condoms, Orion shook his head.

  “You don’t need them.”

  “But—”

  “You can’t give or receive any diseases from shifters,” Orion said softly. “Like I said last week, both Talon and I are clean, but even if we weren’t, it would still be safe for you. Please, Dex, I need to feel you inside me.”

  Dexter’s breath hitched. “Shifters.”

  Orion cupped his face so their eyes met. “Look at me. Really look at me.”

  He did. They stared at each other for a long moment before Dexter smiled. He kissed the tip of Orion’s nose.

  “Guess you’re my little elf, too, huh?”

  Orion grinned and his owl bounced around inside his head like he was hopped up on speed. “Yes, I am. And your little elf really needs to get fucked.”

  Dexter snorted a nervous laugh. He leaned back on his heels and pulled off Orion’s briefs. Then Orion bent his knees to his chest and held his legs out of the way. He actually heard Dexter gulp, but before he could offer words of encouragement, Dexter lubed his fingers and pushed them inside his ass. Orion whimpered and pressed his head against the pillows. Dexter was timid at first, but with breathless directions from Orion, he stretched and readied Orion for penetration.

  Orion quickly sent his mind out to Talon. He answered immediately, indicating he wasn’t in the middle of an experiment.

  Watch us, he said.

  Orion, Talon said, and even the voice in his mind was breathless.

  Orion forced his eyes open so Talon could see them. He sensed Talon shudder.

  Orion was soon begging for Dexter. He finally slicked his cock and hovered over him. They stared into each other’s eyes, and everything felt right with Talon taking part despite the distance.

  They moaned when Dexter sheathed himself inside Orion. Dexter stilled for a moment, panting, and Orion continued to stroke his arms, shoulders, and down his back. Then Dexter moved with surprising strength and rhythm, and Orion moaned and whimpered. When Dexter rammed against his prostate, Orion screamed. Dexter paused a moment, adjusted his position, then continued to thrust, slamming into his prostate every time.

  “Harder, ay Dios!”

  Dexter did as he was told, and Orion clutched him, shooting toward the peak. He screamed until he came, gushing between them.

  Talon groaned inside his head.

  Dexter gave two more thrusts before finding his own completion. He collapsed on top of Orion, whose breath whooshed out at the sudden weight. But he could draw in air easy enough and held Dexter tightly to him. Then Dexter tried to move, as if realizing he was crushing him.

  “No,” Orion said, squeezing. “Just stay with me.”

  Dexter shifted slightly to the side before holding him as well. They panted, sticky and sweaty, and he still felt Talon in his mind.

  “Talon,” Dexter muttered.

  “He was here too.” Orion kissed Dexter’s cheek in understanding. The guilty tone in his voice was enough to discern his thoughts.

  Dexter lifted his head. “What do you mean?”

  Orion tapped his temple. “He watched the entire thing and really enjoyed it.”

  Dexter blushed, and Orion giggled at the sight.

  “Now he really can’t wait to fuck you,” Orion said. “I’ve had you twice already.”

  “I, um, okay.”

  Orion giggled again as Dexter rolled off him and shuffled into the bathroom. Orion sighed in happiness and trailed after him, ignoring his self-conscious protests. Talon stayed in his mind throughout the shower, the drying, and then the dressing.

  “Tell Talon, um,” Dexter said, stumbling.

  Orion raised his eyebrows, waiting. Talon waited as well.

  Dexter blew out a breath. “I’d like to plan on, um, being with him soon.”

  Orion smiled and felt Talon tense with need. “He’s more than ready, Dex. Just say the word.”

  Dexter nodded and proceeded with his routine for work. Talon disconnected from Orion’s mind with obvious reluctance. Orion tried to stay out of Dexter’s way as well as join in to help.

  “I’ll give you a ride back to your place,” Dexter said.

  “Better if you took me to campus. I’ll be in my office late grading papers and exams. I want you to stop by on your lunch break. Okay?”

  Dexter grinned as he backed out of the driveway. “Sounds perfect.”

  “Of course we want to meet him!” Gwen said, and Talon knew his mother was rolling her eyes. “After all th
e things you and Orion have said about him, we’d be delighted to welcome him to the family. Bring him for New Year’s so he can meet all of us.”

  Talon thought of introducing poor Dexter to the entire Matias and Horn clans and wondered if Dexter had any anxiety meds he could take. Although maybe he wasn’t giving his new mate enough credit. He was brave behind the shyness.

  “Sounds like a plan. I’ll talk to him about it. Let you know.”

  “Talon.”

  “Yes?”

  “I am sincerely happy for you and Orion. You’ve never introduced your new partners to your father and me before, even after months of dating. He must be very special.”

  Talon smiled. “He is. Um, Mom? Has anyone expressed displeasure at learning Orion and I have claimed a human for a mate? Anything along the lines of what Audrey said?”

  “Not to our face, and your father and I were looking for it. I’d like to say we don’t know anyone as closed-minded as that bitch, but I can’t. And that worries me.”

  His mother using foul language didn’t even register. She was the one to curse like a sailor while his father would wince silently.

  “If anyone harms him, family or not, I will peck their eyes out.” His owl hooted in agreement.

  “Not if I get there first,” she said.

  Talon smiled again. “You haven’t even met him.”

  “I told you, the very fact you want to claim him and have us meet him tells me all I need to know. You rarely let people in, and those you trust are few. Usually it takes years for you to take that stick out of your ass.”

  He chuckled. “Can’t argue with that.”

  “And considering you met him mere weeks ago clinches it. I must meet him.”

  “You will. Even if I have to drag him kicking and screaming.”

  “Have Orion turn his big eyes on him. It always works with you.”

  Talon scowled. “Bye.”

  He hung up on his laughing mother. Talon called Orion and told him about his mother’s invitation. Orion squealed in happiness.

  “I’ll tell Dex when he comes by on his lunch.”

  “Mind if I join?”

  “Stupid question,” Orion said, laughing. “Get your butt here around midnight. Glad Dexter’s a night owl as well.”

  “Hah.”

  Orion sighed as he finished grading the second final paper. He wanted to be kind and encouraging, but did students really believe he’d swallow such bullshit? He could always determine which students decided to procrastinate, and those who had given themselves at least a few days. He wrote comments in the margins, his handwriting neat and legible. Talon teased him about his meticulous penmanship, and Orion would shoot back the truthful assertion that Talon’s handwriting was chicken scratch, like most scientists’.

  Snickering, Orion leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. He stretched and yawned before checking his watch. Dexter should be arriving at any time. No text to say he would be late, so Orion looked around his office, wondering if he should try to organize. Why bother? Dexter should know now that he wasn’t a neat freak like Talon. He could live in chaos and still find what he sought… most of the time.

  He smiled when he thought of his family meeting Dexter. His sisters and nieces would adore him and take him under their wings. He didn’t doubt they planned to tell Dexter all the embarrassing stories of his childhood and awkward teen years, and he told himself to prepare now. He was sure Dexter would be amused and would flash him that joyful smile that was beginning to grace his round face more and more. Whatever made his mate laugh would be all right by him.

  After he’d spoken to his parents about Dexter earlier, their immediate acceptance of him lightened Orion’s heart and went a long way to smother his rage over Audrey’s vicious words.

  He scowled and glared out the window. His owl clicked his beak in irritation. Shaking himself out of his musings, Orion grabbed the next paper and picked up his purple pen. Red was too negative.

  A knock came at his door. He looked up and grinned. “Come in, Dex.”

  The door opened, a lean figure standing in the entryway. Orion froze as he quickly took in the woman’s appearance. He could tell it was a woman because of her curves and bosom despite the entirely black wardrobe and ski mask.

  She said nothing as she stepped inside, shut the door, and aimed a revolver at his head.

  His breath stuttered out as panic fluttered in his chest. His owl screeched, and he knew his skin rippled as his muscles determined whether to shift or not. He took a deep breath but couldn’t catch a definite scent. She’d apparently lathered herself in perfumes and body spray, covering her natural scent. His nose hairs burned from the cloud of stink surrounding her.

  “Wh-who are you?” he whispered, voice breaking at the end.

  “Leave Dexter alone,” she whispered back.

  “D-Dexter? How do you know about him? Who are you?”

  “You will keep your filthy hands off him. You understand, shifter? He will not be your victim, you abomination.”

  Panting, Orion stared wide-eyed at the revolver, dreading, terrified the bullets were silver.

  “Are you a knight?” he managed to ask.

  She jerked as if surprised and didn’t acknowledge his question.

  “Will you leave him alone?” she asked. “Or do I have to use this gun?”

  “I would never harm him,” Orion said, voice growing louder. He stayed seated and narrowed his eyes, his fear taking a back seat to anger. “He’s my mate. I love him. I cherish him.”

  “Lies,” she said, sounding like her jaw was clenched.

  “You will hurt him if you kill me,” he said. “If you truly care about him, you will leave me unharmed.”

  “Manipulated him that well, have you? Then if I kill you, I kill the hold you have over him.”

  “Not manipulation,” he said, gripping the edge of his desk until his knuckles turned white. “Love. Acceptance. Respect.”

  “You’re a monster.”

  He knew before it happened and ducked behind the desk seconds before she fired. She fired again, bullet ripping through the desk. His owl fought free, and the air shimmered an instant before an elf owl hopped out of the discarded clothes and dashed behind a bookcase, scrunching down as far as he could.

  She fired again. “Damn you!”

  Orion closed his eyes and zeroed in on Talon’s mind.

  Talon! Help!

  Orion?

  My office. Shooter. Help!

  I’m coming!

  But not soon enough. Orion knew Talon wouldn’t get there in time.

  “Fine, then,” she spat. “If you won’t come out and make this easy, then we’ll do this the hard way.”

  Books clattered to the floor. He peered out from behind the bookcase. He hadn’t noticed her backpack, and apparently she had a backup plan if the gun didn’t work.

  He smelled gasoline.

  He jumped out from hiding, and even as she dumped gas on the pile of books, he dove at her head and ripped at the mask with his talons. Screeching in rage, he dove again. She batted at him, fumbling to bring her gun to bear again. He gouged her hands, forcing her to drop it.

  “Stupid pest!” She shot out a hand and managed to catch him full in the face. He yipped and crashed to the ground. Panting, she flicked a lighter and dropped it. Fierce flames erupted.

  Even as he wobbled to his feet, she grabbed the gun, ran out of the room, and slammed the door shut. He squeaked in pain, disoriented and scattered. Smoke quickly filled his office. He struggled to concentrate, to focus on shifting, but he was too panicked and scared.

  Orion? Can you hear me?

  Coughing, Orion spun in place, unable to know which way was right or what was exactly happening. He tried to breathe, but the smoke was too much. He stumbled, fell, and blacked out.

  Excited for his lunch date, Dexter hurried across campus to Orion’s building, his lunch box under his arm. He’d compiled a mental list of questions to ask his
boyfriends and kept adding to it. Shapeshifters. Miraculous and amazing, and they wanted him. They’d chosen him.

  Orion texted earlier to say Talon would be joining them, and he was relieved. He didn’t want Talon to think he’d rather spend time with Orion. He wanted their partnership to be equal, and his need to be with Talon was growing painful. He wanted to know what it would be like to have someone inside him. To have Talon inside him. It would complete their dedication to each other, wouldn’t it?

  Now he understood Orion’s need to be fucked mere hours ago.

  Dexter blew out a breath, his cock twitching in interest. He was about to cross a dead-end side street across the way from Orion’s building when his cell rang. He fumbled for it, and discovered Talon’s name on the readout. He grinned and answered even as a shadowy figure dashed out of the front doors ahead of him.

  “Dexter!” Talon sounded out of breath and panicked. Dexter’s stomach dropped. “Get to Orion. Now!”

  His mind screeched to a halt. “What?”

  “Orion! Now!” Talon barked.

  Dexter stood there for a dumb moment, realizing the figure across the street appeared to be staring back at him. Then the person was off, running as if the hounds of hell were after them. At the same moment Dexter’s mind clicked into gear.

  “I’m here now!” Dexter ran across the street. “What happened? Where are you?”

  “On my way. Just get to Orion. He was attacked.”

  He felt ice cold, and he was at the door when he realized Talon had disconnected. He shoved the phone in his pocket and slapped his access card to the outside door before dashing inside. He skipped the elevator and yanked open the door that led to the stairs. He bounded up, taking the steps three at a time. He was gasping for breath by the time he shoved through the third-floor stairwell door, but never considered slowing. He pounded down the hallway and skidded to a stop in front of Orion’s office. The alarm was blaring and he hoped to God the sprinkler had gone off. The door was closed, and smoke billowed from underneath.