Master's Blood (The Shifter Chronicles 6)

by M. D. Grimm

  “What case?”

  “A bull shifter. He—he was born of a shifter father and an animal mother. A cow.”

  Nordik narrowed his eyes, his lips forming a thin line. “It is not possible anymore. There is no need for it.”

  Poe shrugged. “There’ve apparently been cases in the past but the Agency only has anecdotes not hard evidence. Except for Ryan. Apparently such offspring usually don’t survive gestation or past infancy if they are born. Ryan is unique. By all accounts, he’s fine and healthy.”

  A troubled look came into Nordik’s eyes before he looked away, his brow furrowed.

  “Nordik?”

  He shook his head. “Why would Phoenix allow that? If I could contact Merlin, I would ask him. But I don’t know if he has a phone yet on his island.” Nordik sighed heavily. “He might not answer even if he did.”

  “Merlin has an island? Of course he has a freaking island.”

  Nordik lifted his head and sniffed. “Night will fall fast and it will take us some time to get back. I also need to hunt for dinner.”

  “I have food. You don’t have to hunt.”

  Nordik didn’t look impressed. “I also hunt for me. The fish filled the hole for a while but I’m in the mood for elk. And would you deprive a lonely old bear from feeding his special guest?”

  Poe had nothing to say to that. Besides, he had enough on his plate to worry about. The Knights. Josh. Phoenix. Merlin. Animal-shifter offspring. And a worried master shifter he needed to harden his heart against. Sheesh.

  Chapter Nine

  Night covered the land swiftly, though they made it back to the cave in time, both full from a hearty elk supper. Poe regretted not being able to store the meat but Nordik reminded him that none of it would go to waste. The forest took care of itself.

  Now Poe lay on the couch, wrapped in his sleeping bag. Nordik retired to his bed, which lay beyond the beaded strings. Poe stared up at the rock above him, thinking. Everything he’d learned whirled inside his mind, making it impossible for him rest. He eventually managed to move his thoughts away from Nordik’s stories, Phoenix, Merlin, and focus on Nordik himself―and what he would do about this wild desire between them.

  He knew in his gut that Chief Anu was dirty. That meant he might be working for Arcas, and if Nordik killed Arcas’s mother… many unpleasant thoughts piled on top of the other. Arcas knew about Sanctuary, he knew about Haven. Everyone knew Nordik considered Sanctuary his property, which might explain the presence of the Knights here. When Poe took down the Knights, he must have bashed a hornet’s nest. He forced Arcas’s hand. The best way to strike at the Agency and the shifters would be to kill a master shifter.

  If Nordik made an alliance with the Agency at this point in time, Poe would be handing him over to Arcas. He didn’t care how confident Nordik was in his invincibility; Poe would never underestimate the cunning of a madman. Nordik was in danger, and Poe needed to purposely fail this mission. He needed to track down all the other knights in Sanctuary and dispose of them. Then he needed to return to the Agency and seriously discuss with Odin how best to get rid of Chief Anu.

  Poe rubbed his eyes hard. He knew there was no way he could break the news to Nordik without the shifter going postal. Nordik would never let him leave. Oh, he wouldn’t hold Poe against his will, but he was certain that damn shifter knew how to get what he wanted by using persuasion and charm. Wasn’t that what he’d been doing showing Poe all the wonders and tranquil places of Sanctuary? Confiding in him about his tribe? Providing food?

  Poe shoved out of the sleeping bag and stared at the entrance leading into Nordik’s bedroom. If he left now, he would never be allowed back. The realization was painful, and yet Poe was nothing if not realistic. He stood, intending to pack, but his legs led him to Nordik’s bedroom instead. His heart pounded in his ears as he slowly parted the beaded strings, gazing into a second, smaller cave. A smaller trunk sat beside the entry, and an old but still useable mattress lay on the ground with blankets tossed haphazardly on and around it. Nordik slept akimbo over it, the corner of a blanket lying strategically over his groin. How could Nordik not feel the cold air? Poe shivered in his underwear and cotton T-shirt but didn’t move.

  He really should leave. Nordik could wake up at any moment. Poe stepped farther into the bedroom, the beads colliding with each other as he let them go. They tinkled musically, cutting through the silence. He moved closer. He allowed himself to gaze unashamed at Nordik, to admire his beauty, his strength, and even his arrogance. Somehow, even that was arousing. Nordik challenged him in every way, stimulated him, pulled at him the way no one else ever had before.

  Was that love?

  Poe didn’t know. He’d never been in love. He’d never had that first crush, that first awkward fumbling in the backseat of a car. He’d been a man before he’d experienced sex, and that had been more academic than lustful.

  But this―this was nothing but lust.

  Nordik stirred. Poe’s gaze snapped to his face. Glowing brown eyes met his, and Poe’s stomach tightened painfully in surprise. How long had Nordik been awake, watching him? They stared at each other in silence, their breaths turning into pants. Goosebumps broke out over his body. His insides trembled, his nipples hardened. How could the damn shifter affect him with just a fucking look? Those eyes were hypnotizing him.

  Poe grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head. Then he pulled down his underwear, baring himself to Nordik’s gaze. He took a deep breath, his exhale shaky. Nordik wasn’t breathing. His chest was still as his glowing eyes swept over Poe’s body. By his expression and the sound that escaped his mouth, Nordik liked what he saw.

  Nordik continued to stare and lifted a hand. Poe took it and knelt down beside him, skin brushing skin. Nordik leaned up on his elbow and nuzzled Poe’s neck.

  “You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

  Poe shook his head and said nothing. He didn’t have the strength to speak. And he didn’t know what to say should he want to speak. He ran the fingers of his good hand through Nordik’s hair, knowing this was completely wrong in so many ways. If he did this he would no longer be an agent.

  But if the Agency doesn’t know… said a sneaky voice.

  Nordik trailed his mouth over Poe’s neck and up his chin. Poe’s heart throbbed in his throat, his body trembling with need. Nordik captured Poe’s mouth in a searing kiss, and he wrapped his arms around Nordik’s neck. He pressed his body to as much of Nordik as he could. Rough hands moved over his back and then down to his butt, cupping, squeezing.

  Poe rubbed his erection against Nordik’s thigh, leaving wet kisses across his skin. Nordik groaned and slipped his fingers between Poe’s butt cheeks. His touch was tender, caressing, as he rubbed Poe’s puckered hole with his fingertips. Poe used his strength to shove Nordik back onto the mattress. Nordik broke off the kiss and blinked in surprise. Poe grinned before biting his lower lip.

  “I like it rough,” he said, his voice husky.

  Nordik’s eyes sparkled. A large grin spread over his broad face. He grabbed Poe under the arms and yanked his chest to his mouth. A soft tongue slid over a nipple, and Poe’s groin tightened. When Nordik sucked the nipple into his mouth, Poe gasped as a spark of pleasure shot down to his groin. His cock twitched, his balls felt heavy. He groaned and rubbed his erection harder against Nordik, needing some friction, some relief.

  He was abruptly flipped onto his back. Poe grabbed Nordik’s shoulders to tug him down on top of him. He needed to feel the long length of Nordik and that inherent strength on him. The damn shifter had driven him insane all day and now he wasn’t going to waste a single second. Poe spread his legs, and Nordik adjusted to rub their cocks together. Poe squeezed his eyes shut, the sensations overwhelming.

  Nordik gripped his hair and wrenched his head back. He nibbled at Poe’s neck and then took a deep breath.

  Nordik groaned, sounding almost tortured. “God, your scent.”

  Poe gripped Nordik�
�s ass. “My scent?”

  He growled and nipped Poe’s jaw. “You smell like home.”

  Poe’s breath hitched. How was he to respond to that? Nordik grabbed his erection, and Poe couldn’t think of anything. Rough hands scraped over his supersensitized skin, ripping a cry from his throat. He’d never been this sensitive before. He gripped the blankets, and his wounded hand cramped with pain. He pressed it to his chest, determined not to let anything interrupt them.

  Nordik stroked him several times before soft lips touched his pulsing tip. The sensations were too much. Poe came without warning and gasped.

  “Shit, shit. Sorry, God.”

  “Poe.” Nordik slid his tongue up Poe’s shaft, cleaning him. “Don’t apologize, mate.”

  Poe blinked and looked down over the length of his body to Nordik. His eyes were so intense, so possessive. That look was something Poe never expected to receive. His heart clenched. Nordik pressed small kisses along his soft shaft, and Poe felt himself harden again.

  “You’re beautiful. You’re eager. And you’re mine,” Nordik growled, his words barely understandable.

  Poe opened his mouth to object but then stopped. Did he really want to ruin this with another argument? Besides, he felt guilty enough about all this. Nordik thought he would stay, and Poe knew he had to leave. Well, it was too late now.

  Nordik slipped Poe’s new erection into his mouth, and Poe tangled his fingers in his hair. Then he hissed as his wounded hand rebelled again. Poe tried again to ignore the flashes of pain. Nordik’s mouth was silky and wet and soon transferred attention to Poe’s balls. Nordik rolled them around in his mouth, and Poe trembled and relished the worshipping nature of Nordik’s touches. He’d never experienced such a considerate lover, although, to be fair, most of his sexual encounters consisted of only a hand job or a blowjob. And those had been quick and dirty, scratching the itch. He rarely did anything more… extensive.

  Nordik moved up Poe’s body while his hands stayed below to stroke his hole.

  “I’ve missed you,” Nordik said, whispering in his ear.

  “What?”

  Nordik captured Poe’s mouth once more and drove every thought except for the desire for more pleasure out of his mind.

  Poe also wanted to give some back. He shoved Nordik on his back, and they fell off the mattress. Snorting out a laugh, Poe moved, and they climbed back on the mattress. Then he grabbed Nordik’s erection and didn’t hesitate to find out how he tasted. Poe took his time and wanted this to last as long as it could. He would never have this again.

  Nordik tasted like nature. He tasted like the fresh air of this forest but also had the musky, sensual scent of a man. Nordik grunted and gripped Poe’s head, pumping his hips up into his mouth. Poe took him eagerly and swallowed around his tip.

  Even with an erection Nordik wasn’t very thick. He was long and thin, which actually made Poe very happy. He didn’t like thick cocks. They hurt too much. But Nordik’s cock―it would slide deliciously inside him, stretching just enough. It would fill him up in all the right ways. He’d feel it and there wouldn’t be pain.

  Nordik made a noise of pain and shoved Poe’s head away. His eyes were ferocious.

  “I need you, now,” he growled, the sound coming from deep inside his chest, his skin rippling violently.

  “Then take me,” Poe said, challenging.

  Nordik grabbed for him, and Poe jumped away with a grin. Nordik bounded to his feet. He reached for Poe again. He danced out of the way with a laugh. Nordik bared his teeth. Poe didn’t think it could qualify as a smile. Nordik crouched and Poe mimicked him. Nordik charged first, and Poe dodged to one side, barely managing to keep out of Nordik’s grip.

  “Come on, Master Shifter,” Poe said, taunting. “You can do better than that.”

  Nordik growled again. Poe’s grin widened. He wanted Nordik desperately but figured he’d make the shifter work for it.

  “Enough, Poe.” Nordik’s skin rippled. His eyes glowed brighter.

  He was incredibly sexy and Poe hardened more. “Then catch me, big guy.” Poe quirked a finger.

  Nordik charged again. Poe dodged, but Nordik knew his moves now. He turned with Poe and captured him, smashing their hard bodies together. But even despite the roughness, Nordik took care with Poe’s hand. Nordik held his wrist and kissed the wounded hand, gently, lovingly. Poe trembled with longing. What would it be like to be loved like this every day for eternity?

  Poe blew out a large breath. Then the world tilted as Nordik shoved them both on the mattress. Nordik straightened on his knees and gripped Poe’s legs. He pushed them out and up, baring all of Poe to his gaze. Overwhelmed, Poe rode on the pleasure and anticipation. He trembled with want, panted with need. He loved the way Nordik looked at him, like he was the last gulp of water to a dying man. He suddenly never wanted anyone else to look at him like that.

  Nordik met his gaze, his eyes the only real light in the cave. “Don’t. Move.”

  Poe lifted his brow as Nordik stepped to the trunk by the entry. At first puzzled, and then amused, Poe laughed when he saw what Nordik drew out.

  “Lube? You have lube? Where the hell did you get that?”

  Nordik returned and lowered to his knees between Poe’s legs. “Where other people get it. The store. I’m not a heathen.”

  Poe laughed harder.

  Nordik’s expression softened and for a moment he didn’t move, only observed and stroked Poe’s legs.

  “Well, I guess even wild men get frustrated after a while.”

  “You have no idea.”

  Nordik was generous with the lube and slipped his fingers over and then into Poe. Poe closed his eyes and stroked his own cock, living on sensation. He desperately wanted Nordik inside him now, but he would only enjoy it if he was ready. He hadn’t played the bottom in years, and he’d never been so desirous for the feeling of another inside him. To be taken. To be plowed. But not just anyone. Nordik. Only Nordik.

  Nordik’s fingers were quite talented as they moved inside him, brushing Poe’s inner walls and loosening his muscles. He moaned. Two fingers, then three. So good. He stroked faster.

  “If you don’t hurry up, I’m going to come without you,” he said, panting.

  Nordik grunted. “Can’t have that.” He removed his fingers and slicked up his erection before pressing his tip against the lubed hole. Their gazes met.

  Poe grinned and gripped the blankets. “Lay it in me.”

  An almost-savage grin spread across Nordik’s face. He gripped Poe’s legs tightly and shoved the entirety of his length inside him in one sharp thrust. Poe gasped, his head snapping back, arching off the mattress. It felt… right. As if Nordik was made for him. Nordik filled him completely without the painful stretching. There was burning but it was pleasant and grew wonderfully as Nordik began to move. Poe had been right: Nordik’s dick was perfect for him.

  He bit his lower lip and lifted his lower half, meeting Nordik’s powerful thrusts. And they were powerful, yet controlled, careful. Just enough power behind them for Poe to feel every delicious inch, to feel Nordik’s strength. And yet gentle enough he didn’t feel pain from the invasion. His body took Nordik eagerly, and the slide of him inside felt like heaven, smooth, warm, strangely comforting and safe. It reminded Poe of what Nordik had said about his scent. Like home. This felt like home.

  Poe met Nordik’s gaze, emotions naked in those dark eyes. Pleasure danced in them, joy flashing in their dark depths. Poe was sure he wore the same look. Nordik panted, moaned, the sounds mixing with Poe’s own response.

  Then that round tip hit Poe’s prostate and his body bucked, his breath stuttered. No one had managed to find that spot before, and the shock that Nordik did made him shout. He caught Nordik’s smug look as he proceeded to adjust his position and hit that spot again. Poe’s eyes rolled into the back of his head. Nordik kept hitting it, and Poe’s entire body tightened.

  “Nordik.” Poe’s voice was strangled. Then he came, screami
ng. Nordik gasped when he came a moment later, filling Poe with his seed. Then he fell on the mattress beside him.

  Beautiful. It was all so fucking beautiful. Nordik was beautiful.

  Poe turned his head and gaze at Nordik’s profile. He knew he had a goofy grin, but he couldn’t remove it. He didn’t want to. He really hoped Nordik was a snuggler because he curled up next to that lean body and laid his head on Nordik’s shoulder.

  Nordik’s arms instantly slipped around him. Poe curled deeper into that warmth. He’d never felt so right, so happily used. So wanted and safe. Even the throbbing in his hand couldn’t detract from the wonderful satiation.

  Nordik took Poe’s injured hand and kissed his fingers. Then he placed a light kiss on his bandages. The tenderness of the gesture made Poe’s eyes burn.

  “Let’s clean you up,” Nordik murmured. “You’ll sleep better.”

  “I hear that.”

  Poe blushed—what was it about Nordik that made him so flustered?—and let Nordik use one of the blankets to wipe away the sexual evidence. Then he cuddled close again, craving the nearness. A long moment of silence past.

  “Are you with me now, Poe?” Nordik’s deep voice asked in the darkness.

  Poe swallowed hard. He didn’t know how to answer that. His heart and his body were screaming yes but his head ran through all his responsibilities back at the Agency. He still had a job to do. He still had missions to complete. He couldn’t stay here, isolated from the rest of the world. And, most importantly, he needed to keep Nordik far away from Chief Anu and Arcas.

  Nordik said his mates chose him. All this thinking was killing his buzz.

  “Poe?” Nordik whispered.

  Poe didn’t want to look into Nordik’s eyes so he closed his own, taking the coward’s way out. He tried to pretend he was asleep. He felt Nordik’s gaze and tried to slow his breathing, guilt lacing through him.

  Fucking A what had he done? Now Nordik would really never let him go. Why hadn’t he just left when the getting was good? Why bind himself even more closely to this shifter?