Side by Side: A Paranormal MMM Daddy/little Romance (Forest Edge Book 2)

by Alexis Woods

  Side by Side

  Forest Edge #2

  Alexis Woods

  Woods End Publishing

  Copyright © 2020 Alexis Woods

  All rights reserved

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  AISN: B08GC7QP31

  Cover design by: Emma "Ducky" Mattson

  Cover photos by: Marina S. and Evgeni E.

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Side by Side

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Thank You!

  A Thank You Gift for You

  Find me…

  About Me...

  Additional Titles

  Side by Side

  Dylan Crane is on a mission. When he discovers his missing brother has found a home at Forest Edge, Dylan sets out to find him. He follows a similar path, training to be a little through Scion House, hoping to meet a Daddy who can help him locate Ryan.

  Daddy Christian is perfect for Dylan, especially given his penchant for feminine clothing and makeup. He offers his home and his heart, not realizing his housemate, Brian, wants Christian for himself.

  Brian has been in love with Christian for forever. His chance slips through his fingers when Christian brings home a little, but Dylan sees beneath the surface to what Brian truly wants. Unbelievably, he offers to share.

  Can two become three, or is sharing one Daddy unthinkable?

  Side by Side is the second book in the Forest Edge Series. Each story focuses on a new throuple with characters returning from previous books, an overall story arc, and mates finding their Happy Ever After. The series builds on the prior books and is best read in order.

  Chapter 1

  Dylan

  Dylan Crane spied the ghost of his reflection in the one-way mirror. He stopped and finger-combed his dark blond hair. He’d always prided himself on looking good, and Mr. Charles, the proprietor of Scion House, had encouraged his self-exploration. He’d lived at Scion House, a matching-making organization, for the last three months. It hadn’t been where he wanted to be, or even remotely where he thought he’d be, but the time had flown by and had been extremely eye-opening. Scion House paired shifters who trained to be either littles, servants or slaves, with Daddies, Sirs and Masters. Occasionally, a human would enter the picture, but as shifters it was their solemn duty to keep silent about themselves. Only bonding with a human mate gave one freewill to speak the truth.

  What Dylan found at Scion House blew his mind. As a crane shifter, he’d grown up in a vanilla home with his mother and father. Discovering kink, one he enjoyed no less, had given him a new outlook on life and love.

  I totally rock this outfit! Dylan tucked Rhianna under one arm as he bent down and fixed the elastic of his black knee highs. They had a faint criss-cross print with tiny blue diamonds at the intersections. He’d picked them to match his baby blue button down, chosen to set off the dark blue of his eyes. He ran a finger up the buckles of his calf-high boots as he straightened, finishing with a smoothing glide down the front of the super short bright white chinos that showcased his toned thighs. Dylan held Rhianna out and inspected her outfit. His teddy bear looked dazzling in her hot pink crop top and mini-skirt, complete with daisy flower earrings looped around the nubs of her ears.

  “Are you ready, Ray-ray?” Dylan bopped her nose. “Of course, you are. You’re always ready.” He hugged her tight to his chest and then set her on his hip.

  He stood at the end of a line of other young men waiting to enter the nursery classroom. Each of them hoped to be accepted by a Daddy. A contract earned them money towards paying off whatever debt they'd accrued. Dylan was one of the few who wasn’t there for the money. He was on a mission to find his brother, Ryan, but he wasn’t sure how Ryan would react when they reconnected.

  Ryan had left home five years ago, cutting off all contact with the family. Dylan missed his brother fiercely, and so when he turned eighteen and graduated, he packed his bags, including Rhianna. He couldn't leave her behind; she was the twin bear to the one he had given Ryan on his thirteenth birthday. Tanner and Rhianna had been best buds, and she missed her BFF something fierce.

  Dylan knew approximately where Ryan lived and had traveled to the closest city he could. Seeing the boutique coffee shop named Sly Fox seemed serendipitous. When he stepped inside the coffee house, he stopped, caught in the intense gaze of a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair. A discrete sniff revealed the man to be a shifter, but with Dylan’s limited experience, he couldn't place what kind. The shifter approached Dylan, introduced himself as Mr. Charles, and told Dylan he reminded him of a prior employee.

  “Is his name Ryan Crane?” Dylan asked, barely holding in his excitement.

  “It is.”

  “I’m Dylan. Ryan’s my brother. Do you… Do you know where I can find him?”

  The smile Mr. Charles had been wearing faded. “I do, but where he's living, you can’t enter without an escort.”

  Dylan pouted, his hopes crashing, but if Mr. Charles knew where Ryan was, why couldn’t he be Dylan’s escort? “Could you take me?”

  Mr. Charles shook his head, and Dylan's excitement fled.

  “But I can help you if you’d like.”

  “Really?” Dylan bounced on his toes.

  Mr. Charles’ eyes brightened, and he looked Dylan up and down. “Yes. I definitely think I can.”

  Dylan followed Mr. Charles back to Scion House and signed on the dotted line because, per Mr. Charles, the best way to reach Ryan was to contract with a shifter who lived in the same community his brother did. He trained for three months to be a little, just like Ryan had. Now he’d hopefully contract with a fox-shifter who would be his Daddy.

  The boys ahead of Dylan in line filed into the nursery-style classroom. He sucked at art, leaving that to his older brother, and he didn’t like to sit on the ground and play with toy cars or building blocks. Dylan gravitated, instead, towards the dress up/play-acting area of the room. He’d convert his love for skirts, scarfs, and make-up into pretending to be the ideal spouse who always had dinner served right at five. The miniature plastic and wood kitchen setup in the playroom was perfect for him to showcase his talents.

  Dylan had initially struggled during training. At the beginning, he fought not only Mr. Charles but also the other littles, slaves, and servants. He’d thought because he didn’t actually need the money he was above them. His mouth often got him into trouble; mom always told him to think before he spoke, not that he ever remembered until after the fact. Friends he’d made pulled away, and in his isolation, he’d lashed out: opened his mouth and inserted both feet. Several littles finally took him as
ide and told him in no uncertain terms to can it. They wanted to be littles and the money earned was simply a bonus. Most of them hoped to find their perfect match, the rest wanted someone to take care of them for a short while. Seeing the training from their viewpoint opened his eyes, and he finally understood the appeal. He apologized to every one of them, devoted himself to his training and soon discovered he enjoyed the role.

  He set Rhianna on the colorful table, put on an apron, a huge chef’s hat, and a pink feather boa for effect. Spying a second boa, he gracefully tossed it around Rhianna’s neck. “Looking good, my lovey.” With a set of kitchen mitts on his hands, he set about pretending to make the perfect meal.

  “What’s for dinner, baby boy? I’m starved.”

  Dylan whirled around. Deep into play, he hadn’t heard anyone approach. Waiting at the edge of the kitchen area was a tall, broad, drop dead, gorgeous silver fox. The man towered over Dylan. Most people did since he was only a mere five-five. Dylan clocked Mr. Silver Fox at close to six feet, and liked the smooth, clean-shaven cheeks under a set of gorgeous amber orbs.

  “Wow,” Dylan murmured. The man, who’d been looking at Dylan cautiously, gave him a hesitant smile. Dylan shook off the instant lust and hid his eyes playfully behind the huge oven mitts on his hands. Hidden, he took a long inhale through his nose and the man’s fox scent reached him. Perfect. This guy’s gonna help me find Ryan.

  “Hey there, I’m Daddy Christian.”

  Dylan peeked over the top of the mitts. Christian’s nose crinkled and then he smiled. Full and genuine.

  “Baby boy?”

  Dylan shook his head.

  “Not a baby, huh? How about ‘little boy?’”

  Again, Dylan shook his head.’

  “Hmm.” Christian tapped on his lip. “Not baby, not little. Straight up ‘Boy?’”

  “Nooo…” Dyan whined. “Daddy…”

  “Dylan…” Christian teased.

  Dylan pouted. “You tricked me. You knew all along.”

  “I did.” Christian stepped closer and ran the back of his fingers along the edge of Dylan’s jaw. Dylan leaned into the affectionate stroke. Christian plucked the oven mitts off and took hold of Dylan’s hands. His—hopefully—new daddy drew him over to the clothes rack and divested Dylan of the apron and hat. Then he slipped a huge black jacket on Dylan and topped him with a fedora.

  “Dashing Dylan.” Christian nodded solemnly.

  Dylan laughed. “Silly Daddy.”

  “Christian,” Mr. Charles intruded.

  Dylan frowned at the interruption. When Christian turned to Mr. Charles with Dylan’s hand firmly encased in his strong one, Dylan turned his frown upside down. He liked how his new daddy held his hand like he owned Dylan. It would be no hardship to contract with him while he searched for his brother.

  “A good match?” Mr. Charles asked.

  “I’m thinking yes.” Christian drew Dylan closer, releasing his hand only to circle his arm around Dylan’s shoulders. “What do you think, Dylan? Wanna come live with me for a while, see how we do?”

  Dylan bobbed his head enthusiastically.

  Mr. Charles clapped. “Wonderful! I love it when I make a perfect match. Dylan, if you’d like to go get your things, I’ll draw up the contract and once you both sign, you can go.”

  “Okay, Mr. Charles.” Dylan turned to face Christian. “See you soon, Daddy.” He threw his arms around Christian, hugged him quickly, then scooped up Rhianna before zooming out the door and up to his room.

  Dylan rushed around his room, pulling the last of his clothes from drawers and dropping them into his small, mostly packed suitcase. He hadn’t brought more from home than he could easily handle with the one case and his backpack. He saved the drawer of the nightstand for last. Dylan took more care with its contents, tucking his small notebook computer into its case before placing it inside his backpack. His journal and assorted pens and highlighters went into the front pocket. The final item he withdrew was a picture frame. He stared a moment at the image within.

  Soon, Ry. I miss you. Dylan could almost feel Ryan’s arms around him. His older brother had been so amazing and kind when Dylan was little. When Ryan never shifted at thirteen, he changed. No, that was wrong. Ryan became withdrawn, because everybody started treating him like dirt. Dylan’s father—Ryan’s stepfather—gave Ryan the cold-shoulder. Ryan’s friends abandoned him, or worse. There were days he sported bruises caused by bullies. Everybody turned on Ryan, everyone but Dylan. Cruelty knew no bounds in their community.

  As soon as Ryan could, he left.

  And never said goodbye.

  When Dylan entered his senior year of high school, he began making tentative inquiries and searches into finding Ryan. He’d discovered his brother had gone to college on the opposite side of the state and had graduated with a degree in education, but he couldn’t find where Ryan was working. Ryan had zero social media presence, nor was he listed as staff on any of the myriad of schools he’d researched. It was total luck when a few weeks before he was due to graduate, he’d overheard his father berating his mother about “the half-breed” taking up with the foxes. After his father left for work, Dylan confronted his mother and learned she’d been keeping track of Ryan’s whereabouts. Once he wheedled the information out of her, he began planning and packing.

  Dylan had gotten lucky when he encountered Mr. Charles at Sly Fox. He wouldn’t allow Dylan to walk into Forest Edge, nor would they have allowed him to, without training and a contract. When Dylan broke down and told him everything, Mr. Charles became a welcomed mentor and friend.

  Now Dylan needed to temper his enthusiasm lest he give his motives away. He’d come to this town for one reason, but if Christian figured out why Dylan wanted to be on the fox pack’s property, he might send Dylan back. Or Christian might help him track his brother down; maybe he even knew who Ryan was. Mr. Charles had known they were related right away, so it wasn’t a stretch that if Christian knew Ryan, he’d make the connection at some point. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful coincidence? If Christian didn’t, Dylan would have to wait and see if he could trust the fox shifter with his secret.

  Dylan wrapped the picture frame in one of his shirts and then placed it in the center of his suitcase with fabric cushioning it on all sides. Until he found Ryan, this was his sole, tangible piece of memory, more important than even his computer.

  With everything packed and Rhianna in hand, he took one last look around and hoped he wouldn’t be seeing this room again for a long time.

  Chapter 2

  Dylan

  The short drive from Scion House to the skulk property—the fox community—where Christian lived surprised Dylan with how close it was to the city proper. He’d expected them to travel to the one south of the city, about thirty miles away, not this one right on the eastern edge of town. Within fifteen minutes, Christian was pulling up to a secured entrance complete with a guardhouse and boom gate. A huge white and green sign proclaimed Forest Edge in a looping scrawl.

  A young woman emerged from the guardhouse holding a tablet as Christian rolled down both his and Dylan’s window. As a little, Dylan had to sit in the backseat directly behind the driver. He didn't care for it, but wasn’t about to break the rules for something so minor.

  “Amy, I need to register a new guest.”

  Dylan poked his head out the window.

  “Hiya, cutie,” Amy said with a grin. She snapped his picture with her tablet, then turned to Christian. “Name?”

  “Dylan Crane.”

  Amy squinted. “Any relation to Ryan Crane?”

  Christian’s gaze shot to Dylan’s in the rearview mirror, his brows lifted. Dylan pressed his lips together and looked away.

  “Do you need anything else, Amy?” Christian asked.

  “All good, and in case you were wondering, Brian’s returned from visiting his family.”

  Dylan caught the edge of Christian’s frown in the mirror.

  Christian sighed. �
��Okay. Thank you for telling me. I hadn’t expected him back so soon. Any other news?”

  “Unfortunately, no. Still no leads.” Amy leaned into the guardhouse and the boom gate lifted. “Have a good day, and welcome to Forest Edge, Dylan.”

  “Thank you!” Dylan shouted and waved. Christian chuckled.

  Christian swung a left and drove slowly down the street, giving Dylan time to look at all the houses.

  “Daddy, where’s your house?”

  “Up here on the left. Our community is shaped like a wagon wheel. I live on the outer edge about a quarter of the way around.”

  Christian slowed and turned into the driveway of a house that more or less looked identical to those around it. There was a nice wooden porch in the front and a small flower garden along the path leading to the front door. A second car was already parked.

  “That’s Brian’s car. He lives upstairs, and I have the downstairs bedrooms. We share the common areas. Every home here has two residents. I, uh,” Christian paused, rubbing the back of his head, “I thought I’d have time to explain. I wasn’t expecting him home already.”

  “It’s fine, Daddy. I wanna meet him.” Dylan waited, his curiosity piquing with Christian’s reluctance to get out of the car. He needed to move them along.

  “Daddy, I gotta pee.” He squirmed for effect. Dylan enjoyed being a little when he could get away with impertinence instead of manners.

  “Shit,” Christian muttered. Dylan fought to keep his laughter contained as Christian hopped out and opened Dylan’s door. When Dylan didn’t move, Christian peered at him.

  “Seatbelt, Daddy.” He grabbed his crotch to hurry Daddy along.

  “Right.” Christian reached in to pop the latch. Christian’s cheek was right there, looking smooth and kissable. A hint of nuttiness filled Dylan’s nostrils as he breathed in Daddy’s natural scent. A swarm of butterflies hit Dylan’s gut the longer Christian leaned over him.