by Lynn Hagen
“Johnny’s here?” Cecil pushed the mug away, sitting up straighter. His questioning look bounced between Cody and Maverick. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
Maverick eyes skipped away from Cecil, narrowing them on Cody. He set the mug on the nightstand, turning back to his mate. “Because you need to rest. Hawk has him. He’s fine.”
“Why does Hawk have him? Johnny doesn’t like strangers. I need to see him. What brother?” Cecil was attempting to climb out of bed, but Maverick put his arm around his waist, hauling him back. This was exactly why he didn’t want Cecil to know about Johnny. His mate needed rest. He didn’t need to go running to take care of someone else right now.
“I’ll be back.” Maverick swung his legs over the side of the bed, storming off to clean up the current mess.
He found Hawk in one of the upstairs bedrooms, sitting on a window seat, cradling a small-framed, blond-haired man. Hawk’s eyes never left Johnny’s as he said, “Yes, Alpha?”
Maverick knew that tone, the Commander was irritated. Well, too bad. “I have an irate brother at my front door wanting that young man returned to him.” Maverick nodded his head toward Johnny.
Hawk growled, pulling Johnny closer to him. “Tell him to piss off. Johnny is mine.”
“You know better than that. This has to be handled. How old is he?”
“Eighteen. Old enough to make his own decisions.” Maverick watched as Hawk whispered to his mate. Being a Timber wolf, he had exceptional hearing. “It’s okay, pretty baby. That’s Cecil’s boyfriend.” Hawk kissed Johnny’s temple.
Maverick’s heart warmed at the frail man in the Commander’s arms. “Johnny, I need you to tell me if you want to stay with Hawk or go with your brother. Whatever you decide, I’ll make sure it happens.” Maverick got down on one knee, trying to remove his towering height as a factor from Johnny. If he wanted to stay with Hawk, he wasn’t going to have the skinny—holy shit, he was as thin as a corpse—man intimidated.
“Hawk.” Johnny mumbled into Hawk’s chest.
“So you are deciding to stay with Hawk?”
Johnny nodded.
“I need you to say yes or no.”
“He gave you his answer, Alpha. He—”
“Don’t take that tone with me, Commander. I need to hear in clearly spoken words what Johnny wants. I won’t have this coming back to bite me or Johnny in the ass. I’m looking out for him,” Maverick pointed at Johnny, “making sure his wishes are abided by.” Maverick looked at Johnny once again.
Johnny raised his head and spoke clearly. “I. Want. To. Stay. With. Hawk.”
“So be it. Hawk, get ready for a battle. I don’t think his brother is going to give up so easily.”
Hawk nodded.
Maverick went to deal with the brother at his front door. He found the guy standing with his back against the door, warily eyeing his Sentries in the den. If the brother only knew he had just walked into a pack of wolves…he probably would still act like a jerk. The guy had an air about him, one Maverick didn’t like.
“May I help you?” Maverick feigned ignorance at who the man was. He wanted to see his egotism firsthand.
“Who are you? I’ve already talked to one muscle head. I want my brother Johnny brought to me now.” Yeah, he was still a jerk. Maverick pulled himself up to his full six foot nine inches. He would not tolerate a male, and a human male at that, coming into his home and making demands.
Wasn’t happening.
He towered over the idiot who was too dumb to realize the death threat standing right in front of him. Maverick began to wonder what Johnny’s home life was like living with this prick. Storm clouds gathered around him as he wondered if this man ever put his hands on Johnny.
The brother must have noticed the menacing aura around Maverick because he finally took a step back.
“He has made it quite clear that he wishes to remain in my home…under my protection. I suggest you leave.” Maverick felt the Sentries slowly coming toward him, feeling the static storm in the air. They crept closer, watchful.
The brother must have noticed them as well. His hand reached behind him for the door handle, “My brother isn’t smart enough to make his own decisions. I have legal custody of him, and I will have him returned to me.” The man turned the knob, hustling out of the front door, leaving it wide open. Maverick watched as he climbed in his car and spit gravel from his tires as he sped off.
With the insult the guy just gave Johnny, Maverick would make sure he never got his grubby hands on his brother.
“Who was that?” Remi asked standing behind Maverick.
“Some human wanting his life expectancy cut real short.”
When Maverick headed back to his mate, he found Cecil sneaking down the hall, heading in Johnny’s direction.
“What do you think you are doing?” Cecil jumped at Maverick’s booming voice. He spun around and pasted a big smile on his face.
“Just stretching the old limbs.” He pulled his arms over his head, twining his fingers together, and stretched in an over exaggerated pull. “That’s good enough for now. Guess I’ll head back to bed.” Cecil walked at a brisk pace back toward their room.
Maverick chuckled and swung Cecil into his arms. “Is my mate storytelling me?” He tickled Cecil’s belly lightly, carefully, knowing it was still sore.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about. On to bed, James, and be quick about it. Chop, chop.” Cecil held his head in a regal posture, trying to hide his smile.
Maverick growled playfully and did as his little dictator demanded. Instead of returning him to bed, he sat with him in the chair, pulling the comforter around him. “How do you feel, baby?”
“My belly is still a little sore, but I’m not dizzy anymore. Flu gone.” Cecil snuggled down into Maverick’s lap.
Maverick had demanded that no one tell Cecil he was poisoned. He didn’t want his mate freaking out, and he also wanted him to continue to act normal, making the culprit think he had gotten away with it and let his guard down.
“I have all this energy and nothing to do with it.” Cecil acted blasé.
Maverick knew what the little horndog was after, and Maverick was more than willing to give it. Being newly mated had him in a perpetual state of readiness, but he wanted to make sure Cecil was fully recovered before tossing him down and fucking him to near death. Cecil wasn’t fully recovered, so Maverick would only fuck him into unconsciousness. He grinned at the thought.
Cecil’s pajama pants tented in front of him, giving away his desire.
“Hmm, what’s that in your lap? Does my baby want something?” Maverick nuzzled Cecil’s neck, the urge to bite making his gums throb along with his cock.
“Maybe.” Cecil teased, rolling his head back to allow Maverick clear access. Maverick’s hand snaked down, dipping beneath Cecil’s drawstring pants. He ran his thumb over the moist head, smearing the pre-come around and squeezing lightly.
“I’d say definitely yes.” Maverick’s other hand slid into the sleepwear, running his finger down Cecil’s crack, tapping at the puckered hole.
“Okay, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Now fuck me.” Cecil moaned.
Maverick wrapped an arm around Cecil’s waist, raising him and ripping his pants off with the other hand. He sat his naked mate down, staring at his beautiful cock. It was long and thin, the head a deep red color. The thin patch of pubic hair lay softly around his prick. His balls smashed up from Maverick’s lap. He reached down, running a finger around his mate’s cock and taking in its beauty.
Maverick watched Cecil’s prick jump at his touch, pre-cum dripping down the side of the head. He was fascinated at the intimate touch, seeing the contrast between his golden fingers and Cecil’s pale skin. His mate whimpered.
“What does my baby want?” Maverick continued to slide his thumb around, smearing the wetness.
“You, holding me down and demanding compliance.”
Maverick’s brows shot up. The thought of dominati
ng Cecil making his dick outline his jeans. His canines dropped, eyes glowing. “Get on the bed on your hands and knees. Keep your shoulders down.”
Cecil climbed off his lap, padding over and doing as he was told. He pushed his ass high in the air, rocking his hips back in a blatant display of wanton desire.
Maverick stripped and climbed behind Cecil, pushing his hand on his back to still him. He lubed then speared two fingers into Cecil’s tight, awaiting hole. “Fuck them.” Maverick held his hand still as his mate began rocking back on his fingers. God, this was sexy. He held Cecil in place again, adding a third digit. “Again.” Cecil began slamming back. Maverick watched in awe as his fingers were swallowed repeatedly.
“Stop. Slide your knees farther apart and offer your ass to me. Show me how much you want my cock buried deep in that tight hole.” Cecil stilled as Maverick slid his fingers out. His mate reached behind him and parted his cheeks, his pink hole presented. Maverick dipped down, rimming the puckered delight. His tongue slid in and out of Cecil, massaging his balls and lapping at the taste. It was musky and tangy. Delicious.
Maverick got to his knees, lubing then lining his cock up with Cecil still pulling his cheeks apart. It was the most erotic sight Maverick had ever seen. “You’re not allowed to come till I tell you to, do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
Maverick’s cock throbbed in his hand. He wasn’t going to last. Maverick pushed past the ring of muscle, groaning at the feel. He put his hands on either side of Cecil’s waist, watching his cock being swallowed as Cecil’s skin stretched around his shaft. Seeing his mate’s fingers so close only added to the excitement. It was a submissive offering like no other.
Maverick heard the door open. He swung his head around, “Get out!” Maverick growled around his canines.
Lonny turned and ran from the room.
What was that all about?
“Don’t move.” Maverick commanded as Cecil began to remove his hands from his separated cheeks. He pounded the flesh as his balls began to draw up tight. “Reach your arms above your head, and give me your neck.”
Cecil complied, turning his head and exposing the area Maverick wanted to sink his teeth into. Maverick dropped to his forearm, his right hand still on Cecil’s hip. He broke flesh as his teeth sank in, locking his mate in place. Cecil cried out, begging to come.
“Not yet.” Maverick growled around his teeth. He pounded Cecil so fast he thought the little guy was going to go through the headboard. His lips worked Cecil’s neck, sucking at the wound as a tingling shot up his spine and rocketed through his balls. He threw his head back, yelling for his mate to come.
His mate screamed with pleasure as he exploded onto the sheets.
Maverick dropped his head, sealing the wound and licking at the blood that had ran down his mate’s shoulder. He was high on endorphins. The rush was making his body come alive. His snapping hips slowed, and his grip loosened from Cecil’s hip. He pulled his cock from the warm sheath, laying on his back and draping his mate across his chest. Cecil snuggled against him, snoring lightly within minutes.
Cecil crawled out of the bed, grabbing a fresh pair of pajama pants and a T-shirt, closing the door softly behind him after dressing.
He searched the rooms, looking for Johnny. He smiled as he thought of his friend’s lopsided grin, pretty blond hair, and quiet demeanor. Johnny brightened Cecil’s day every time he saw him. He had an innocence about him that made Cecil want to protect him from the world. His big puppy dog eyes were always sad when Cecil had to go home. It broke his heart.
Cecil heard footsteps behind him. Oh, crap. He hoped it wasn’t Maverick busting him again. He was determined to find his friend. This house was too big with too many rooms. It would take him forever to check each one. Cecil slipped into the nearest bedroom, hiding from the approaching footfall. Maverick said for him not to go anywhere unescorted, but he never said he couldn’t wander around inside the house. Yeah, technicalities. Gotta love them.
“And what are you doing sneaking around this time of night?”
Cecil whirled around as his heart leapt to his throat. The voice was as deep as a rumbling earthquake, and it belonged to Tank. He was standing by a dresser, laying clean clothes on top. Did Tank live here? Cecil didn’t know who lived where anymore. It seemed his house was always full. He loved it. He had hated the silence in his old apartment, and although he loved his independence, it had been lonely.
“Uh, sleep walking?”
“Try again, squirt.” Tank’s lip pulled at the corner, his eyes smiling in merriment.
Cecil heard the shower come on. His eyes widened. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. I was looking for Johnny. Do you know which room he’s in?’
Tank looked at the bathroom door, and his eyes saddened. He looked back at Cecil and smiled. “Don’t worry about it. Go upstairs to the right, last door on the left.”
“Thanks. Sorry.” Cecil slipped out before Tank could respond. He wondered who was showering and who Tank would have as company. He didn’t know his sexual preference. Was it a male or female?
Cecil was still pondering this as he ran into a wall. He fell to his butt with an oomph. He looked up to see Lonny sneering down at him. Just what he didn’t need. The little snitch would run right to Maverick and tell about his escape.
“I see you’re still in the habit of hall wandering.”
Cecil pushed himself to his feet, trying to go around the snake, ignoring him. He had a friend to find. Cecil didn’t have time to listen to this. He felt a hand grab his hair as his neck began to sting. He tried to cry out, but an icy hand covered his mouth.
Darkness claimed him.
Chapter Ten
Cecil woke with a pounding headache. He tried to rub his temples, but his hands were tied. How he had gotten like this? His brain still felt like it was in a fog. There was cold, damp earth beneath him. Where was he?
“You’re awake.”
Cecil raised his head to see two Lonny’s standing in front of him. Man, one was bad enough. He closed his eyes, trying to clear his head. When he looked again, only one stood. Thank goodness.
“I’m tired of seeing you throw yourself at the man I love. I wanted to kill you on the spot when I walked in his bedroom and saw him taking you. That should have been me! You should have heeded the warning when I poisoned you. You should have left. But no, you continued to throw yourself at my Alpha, making him feel sorry for you and keeping you here.”
Poisoned? Cecil thought it was the flu. Holy crow! Lonny wasn’t a snake. He was a psycho. The man didn’t have a few screws loose, they were lost.
“That’s okay. You had your fun turning my home into a juvenile playroom. It’s time for you to disappear. Maverick will get over you, with my help.” Lonny kicked him in his ribs. Cecil crumbled to his side, unable to catch himself with his hands tied behind his back, his cheek smacking dirt. He refused to cry out and give this snake the satisfaction of knowing he had hurt him.
Cecil was pissed. “Look, you psycho, he’s not your mate. He’s mine. Go find your own.” Okay, not exactly a tongue thrashing, but it would do. He looked around, trying to figure out where he was and how to get out of there. It looked like a tunnel. The walls were made of compacted dirt and tree roots jutted out, and only a lantern lit the dankness. How far away from home had Lonny taken him?
“This is an underground tunnel used hundreds of years ago by other pack members who lived in the area. It was used to conceal and torture rival pack members. So, you see, no one will be finding you anytime soon.” The crazy wolf actually cackled.
Unbelievable.
Why did Cecil get the feeling he was in a world of trouble? This was not good.
“I have to get back. When the search begins for you, I’ll need to be seen. Don’t think about escaping. These tunnels are a catacomb. You’ll be lost down here forever, and I won’t come looking for you. So if you want to eat, I suggest you stay put.” Lonny took the lanter
n with him, and Cecil watched the light slowly dim away. He was in total darkness. Cecil tried to let his eyes adjust, but there was absolutely no light to adjust to.
He scrambled to his feet, yelling for Maverick. His voice bounced off the dirt and died. No one was going to hear him. A noise shut him up. Cecil stopped and cocked his head, listening. Something ran across his bare feet, and he jumped back and screamed. Rats?
He knew if he didn’t make it out of here he would die. Waiting on Lonny wasn’t an option.
With his hands still tied behind him, he used his shoulder to feel his way along. Jagged tree roots and rocks cut into his arm. He felt the sting of broken skin. Sticking one foot out further as he slunk along, not wanting to fall over a cliff, if there was one. He had seen the movies and screamed at the screen as the idiots fell to their deaths. He wasn’t going to be one of those idiots.
With such extreme caution, it would take him forever to find a way out. His lungs hurt from the thick, dirt ridden air. Sweat ran down his face from anxiety and fear. He couldn’t even wipe it away with his hands. He had to use his shoulder, and then the sweat stung the open cuts on his skin.
He fell forward, having no way to cushion his fall without the use of his hands. Cecil felt the air leave his lungs as his chest cracked against the hard earth. He laid there, tears falling from his eyes. Giving up wasn’t on the table. He had to see his mate again.
Maverick punched a hole through the wall. Where the hell was his mate? Tank said he saw him several hours ago trying to locate Johnny. Maverick and the rest of the Sentries combed the entire house.
Nothing.
He knew Cecil wouldn’t leave without at least leaving a note and taking one of the Sentries with him. Something foul was going on. Did the person who tried to poison him kidnap him? How? How did his mate disappear from his own home?
“FIND HIM!” Maverick roared out. He was becoming desperate. What if his mate was being harmed right at this moment, calling out for him? Maverick tore the house apart, tossing beds and tearing closets apart. This was getting him nowhere. He barked at three of his warriors to follow him.