by Fel Fern
He drew away slowly, but that only seemed to enrage the big guy. Riley froze in place when the wolf bit on a handful of his shirt. The werewolf didn’t seem to wish him harm though, otherwise Riley would be dead or injured, but it unnerved Riley all the same. Although he didn’t know why, Riley reached out, gripping a handful of thick coarse fur. The wolf tensed. Riley was less scared, but some irrational part of him told him he was safe with this stranger, comfortable, too, but why?
Riley returned to his senses. “Why did you save me?”
In answer, the stranger started to shift. God, Riley wished he remained in wolf form, because the man that replaced the wolf was sin and temptation incarnate. Towering in front of Riley, he stood at six-foot plus, every gleaming tanned inch of him carved in hard muscle. Sweat gleamed on his upper body and Riley couldn’t take his eyes off him. Riley’s gaze devoured every inch of the man candy in front of him, from the stranger’s muscled legs and thighs, to the monster of a cock hanging between his legs.
Riley’s mouth went dry at the thickening member. He’d never had anything so big in him. Most dominant wolves only wanted him for one thing. Sex had never meant anything to Riley, until now. Lust rammed into him, waking his own dick. Heat crept to his cheeks.
“Like what you see, little wolf?”
God. Even the sound of the stranger’s voice disarmed Riley. Speechless, Riley looked past his impressive girth, the hard brick-work of his abs, what Riley assumed was the Darkfall Mountain pack tattoo inked on his left pectoral and centered on his face.
Hard angles built his face. Old scars nicked it, but that didn’t make him less handsome. He sported short dark brown hair and piercing green eyes, flecked with gold. Riley licked his lips, imagining how it would felt like, being kissed by such a man. This stranger wouldn’t kiss, wouldn’t ask. He’d take. Excitement and fear tingled down his spine.
What was happening to his body? Usually, Riley had more sense than this. He wasn’t a virgin or new to the dating game. He couldn’t understand how this man reduced him to senseless mush with just one look.
It took Riley a second to realize he was still awkwardly on his knees, his face at an eye-level with the man’s dick. The stranger gripped his chin, forcing Riley to look at him.
“What’s your name, little Omega?”
He worked his tongue. “Riley. You?”
“Zack.” Zack smiled and that sent a little shiver down Riley’s spine. That smile felt like Zack had a secret he didn’t want to share. “So, you’re the one I’ve been searching for all this time.”
“Excuse me?” Riley swallowed when Zack helped him to his feet.
Didn’t Zack know how uncomfortable he made Riley feel, standing there naked? All shifters were used to nudity, but something about this man pulled at all of Riley’s strings.
“I smelled your hurt.” Zack didn’t bother explained, only started looking him up and down.
Although Riley knew Zack was checking him for injuries, he didn’t miss the way the other man’s eyes lit with unconcealed hunger. Riley appreciated the attention. The way Zack looked at him felt different from the way dicks like Warren looked at him, not like a fuckable piece of meat, but something else, like Zack wanted to know every bit of him, not just his body.
That made this encounter even more terrifying. Nothing good could come out of this. Riley had been hurt before by men who made promises they couldn’t keep. All powerful dominant shifters were the same. They always took without giving back. Riley had endured over a hundred men like Warren. Was Zack the same underneath?
Still, he couldn’t disregard the fact Zack risked his life to save him. That rattled him. Not once in Riley’s entire life had anyone done something that extreme for him. Riley didn’t think he was one life worth saving either. Judging by the empty road, Zack did it alone, too. Was his pack nearby? Riley silently fumed. He had so many questions he wanted answers to, but would Zack give them to him?
Riley started with the easiest. He didn’t mean to provoke the powerful werewolf, but the words slipped out.
“Tell me, Zack. Do you look at every Omega you save like that?”
Chapter Four
Even after the damage was done, Zack still couldn’t comprehend what happened. Why did he break protocol and pack orders to save one little Omega? One moment he was watching the road, but the scent of Riley’s spilled blood and the sound of Riley’s scream effectively disabled logic. All Zack remembered was seeing red. Rage powered him. Pushed him to doing reckless things he never imagined doing, because he prized his control and logic.
Riley crossed his arms, expecting an answer to his question. Bloody hell, this Omega had a mouth on him, but Zack liked that. A lot. He couldn’t expect less from his mate. Wait. Did he just call Riley his mate? Zack did recall telling Riley he’d been the one Zack had been waiting for all his life. How else to explain his actions? A wave of relief filled him and made all the initial confusion disappear.
A slow smile spread across Zack’s lips. This was his moment. He’d waited for his mate to come along for so many years and wondered if there was anything inherently wrong with him.
“Um, Zack?” Riley asked, looking less certain now.
Zack liked that, too. Sassy, but capable of being vulnerable, Riley was turning out to be a challenge. However, they weren’t out of hot water yet. Zack thought about the rest of his pack. How would they react, knowing infallible and dependable Zack, had disobeyed orders?
“How am I looking at you, Riley?”
“Like I’m good to eat?” Riley whispered.
He wasn’t backing away at least. A good sign, because the Omega didn’t fear him, although Riley was right on Zack wanting to eat him up. Zack couldn’t remember the last time any other man made wolf react this way, like a horny pup on his first full moon. He shook his head. Plenty of time to explore that thought later, but now, he had to focus on what he needed to do.
For one, they couldn’t linger here. Who knew who else watched them? Zack grabbed Riley’s wrist, beginning to pull him to the woods, but Riley stubbornly stayed and pulled back his hand. “What the hell? Where are you taking me?”
Zack frowned. “We need to get the hell out of here. Come on. I’m taking you to safer grounds.”
“What makes you think I’ll trust you enough to come along like some meek sheep?”
Zack let out a frustrated breath. “Fuck. Stay or go. That’s your choice. You don’t know these woods, Riley. I do. Make your decision soon though, before those humans come back.”
Riley bit his lip.
“I’m asking you to trust me. It’s a lot to ask, I know, but I don’t mean you harm.”
“That’s the thing,” Riley whispered. “I know you won’t hurt me, but you’re dangerous.”
Zack waited. Decided he could afford a few minutes, but Riley reached for his arm again, determined expression on his face.
“Lead on.”
Zack blew out a breath. What was with this Omega? He pulled them to the woods. Once a ways from the road, he gestured to the path ahead of him. “Shift. We’ll go faster once on fours.”
When Riley continued latching to his arm, Zack growled. “Are we having an argument about you not trusting me again?”
“It’s not that.” Riley looked away from his gaze first, expression conflicting, as if he was debating the words to tell him. Finally, he looked at Zack again, drew a deep breath, and said, “I can’t.”
“What?”
“I can’t shift. I’m defective.”
The anger and sadness in Riley’s voice made Zack grab him by the shoulders. Startled, Riley stared at him.
“Don’t ever say that word in front of me again. You’re not flawed.”
Riley furrowed his brows. “Didn’t you hear what I said?”
“I hear you clearly, Omega. That’s not a problem. I’m big enough when I shift. You can ride on my back.”
Riley opened his mouth, and then closed it. He looked flabbergasted by Za
ck’s offer. Zack was surprised, too, but they couldn’t afford to waste time. The humans might come back, toting hounds and guns. Once Zack reached Darkfall territory though, they wouldn’t dare continue their pursuit.
“You know, most people would just leave behind a weak pack member behind,” Riley eventually answered.
Hell. This Omega clearly had both trust issues and needed plenty of confidence boost. Zack could deal with that. Once he had plenty of time with Riley alone, he’d teach the Omega his world would be different now, although Zack had to first convince Riley they were fated to meet.
“What kind of backward thinking is that? Besides, I’d never leave you behind.”
“Why?”
“Is that the only word you know? The answer is front of both of us, Riley. We’re mates.”
Riley gaped at him. “Jesus. Are you both reckless and delusional?”
Zack glowered at him. “You’re trying my patience, Omega. I’m changing.”
Reaching for his wolf, Zack shifted. Once on fours, he noticed Riley fell silent. Looking hesitant, Riley approached him and gripped a handful of his fur.
“You know when you said those words, Zack? It made me really happy for some reason. Thank you for the lie though.” Riley ignored his warning snarl. “Let’s do this. I’ve never ridden a wolf, so be patient, okay?”
Ridden a wolf? Well, Zack planned to be the one doing the mounting, but he’d reserve that for later. Once he’d gotten Riley all safe and sound, he’d proved to the Omega just how wrong he was. Zack would undo every lesson Riley had been taught about being deficient, and that there was nothing wrong with being unable to shift? Shifters did one thing. They traded forms. Riley just didn’t have the opportunity to connect properly with his animal yet.
Riley cursed the entire time he tried sitting on Zack’s back. The first time he got one foot over, Riley fell on his ass. Zack was glad he was still in wolf form. Otherwise, a laugh would have slipped out.
“Are you laughing at me, mister?” Riley demanded, getting to his feet.
The Omega brushed the leaves off his clothes. His second attempt failed but his third succeeded. Once safely on top, Zack broke into a run. He could smell humans and their guns zoning on their location. Too bad they didn’t know these woods the way Zack did.
Riley let out a screech as Zack zigzagged his way through the forest. The Omega hardly weighed a thing. They outran the humans soon enough, and Zack slowed a little once he reached familiar ground.
“Must be nice, living so close to nature, huh? Back in Northfield, we have forests, too, but it’s not safe, especially for young shifters to wander around.”
Northfield? That town was only a couple of hours’ drive from Darkfall. Had his mate lived so near without Zack knowing? It was a disarming thought. Then again Zack hadn’t been in Northfield for years. Zack didn’t believe in fate or destiny, but he was starting to now. How else to explain his meeting with Riley?
“Zack? Will your pack welcome an outsider? I mean, I heard rumors,” Riley muttered.
How did the Omega expect him to answer?
Zack paused midway, wondering where to take Riley. Riley had a point. He couldn’t exactly hide the Omega, like some dirty little secret, but he wasn’t ready to give Riley up either. Compromising, Zack took Riley back to the cabin. Once Riley dismounted, Zack shifted back to human. He didn’t miss the way Riley gave him an once-over. Damn, but the Omega was such a fucking unexpected delight.
“Nice home,” Riley remarked, following him inside.
“It’s not mine. The cabin belongs to one of the members of the pack.” Zack found some spare clothes in the drawer and towels. “I’m sure you’d like a hot shower. After, I’ll check on your injuries.”
Hearing Riley’s stomach growling, Zack let out a chuckle. “Let’s get you some food, too.”
Riley took the clothes and towel, about to go to the bathroom, but he stopped to look at Zack. “You still haven’t answered my question earlier. How will your pack react to me?”
“I was supposed to do a little recon but I got carried away.” Zack rubbed at his temples. “Let me handle it.”
Riley frowned, but nodded. He shut the door behind him and Zack heard the water running a minute later. Zack stared at the door. What was he expecting? That Riley would invite him to shower together?
“Get it together,” Zack muttered.
He found clothes for himself and put them on, since it seemed being naked unsettled the Omega. Was that a good or bad thing?
Zack left the room, and decided to tend to the first order of business. Plucking his phone from his duffel bag, he saw one text from Jordie, reminding him to update Matt and him. Zack texted back, telling his little brother he was fine. Best to worry either of them yet, but who could he trust? He scrolled through the numbers on his phone and finally decided on Michella. She’d understand and might help be a buffer when the time came for Zack to explain to the Alpha and Beta he’d royally screwed the mission.
By taking Riley, he’d unwittingly provoked the humans and effectively told them the pack was keeping an eye on them. He sighed.
Michella picked up on the second ring. “Zack, you’re reporting in early. Did something happen?”
“Michella,” Zack began, faltering. Damn it. He could still fix this. Riley was worth it, too, and Zack didn’t want to lose the Omega right after he found him. “I fucked up.”
She didn’t interrupt him during his narration, only listened, occasionally asking thoughtful questions. After he was done, she was silent for a long moment, making Zack wonder if she cut the line, but she spoke again.
“Zack, I’m not sure I can keep this from Sergio or Alessio. Humans talking shifters, this is serious.”
Zack exhaled sharply. “I figured, but can you stall them? I want some time with Riley. See if he can help us.”
“I can do that. Do you need me to send out a healer for your Omega?”
Zack liked the sound of “your Omega” immensely, although that had to be determined yet. “He’s knocked up, but not seriously injured. We’ll be fine.”
“Keep me updated.”
“Thank you.” Zack finished the call.
Calling Michella had been a good decision after all. He’d take things one step at a time. Seeing Riley hurt, he didn’t want anyone to go through that experience again. Back in the convoy, Zack would have saved the others too if he had time, but he didn’t. He’d come back for them. Find a way to end the operation of these humans.
He headed to the kitchen, beginning to paw through the cabinets and fridge, relieved to see a couple of cold cuts, cheese, and juices. By the time Zack finished making sandwiches, Riley came out of the bathroom, in clothes two sizes too big for him. There was no helping it. The pack kept spare clothes in case of emergencies and none of them were exactly small.
Zack had put the maps and weapons bag aside, and placed the food and drink on the dining table.
“Hungry?”
“Yes, you’re a lifesaver.” Riley joined him and without saying a word, began devouring the food.
Amused, Zack ate his own share. “When was the last time you’ve eaten?”
“Since I was taken, which was hours ago. I think.”
Zack waited for Riley to finish scarfing his food down. “Can you tell me what happened?”
Riley nodded, recounting his tale. Zack frowned at the mention of a blind date. He shouldn’t get insanely jealous Riley was seeing other people, because Riley wasn’t his, yet anyway. On the plus side, it meant Riley wasn’t attached to anyone yet.
“Zack, what’s going to happen next? We can’t let those humans do what they want with those shifters.” Riley shivered. “They take the weak, knowing we can’t fight back.”
Zack grabbed his chin, making Riley look at him. “What did I tell you? You’re not weak. You’ve got guts for fighting back and for trusting a stranger.”
Riley quirked a smile. “You’re not a stranger.”
&nbs
p; Zack leveled an inquisitive look at him. “Then what am I?”
Chapter Five
Stunned by Zack’s question and his inability to answer, Riley licked his lips, considering. Zack thought they were mates, but he wasn’t so certain. That must be all the leftover adrenaline talking, because no one would want a deficient mate. Did Zack look at himself lately in the mirror?
A powerful wolf like Zack would eventually wake up and realize Riley was a mistake. Still, that didn’t explain why Riley would unburden the contents of his soul to a complete stranger. He told Zack everything, even details of his capture he could have omitted, like his blind dates and failure in the romance department.
Crossing his arms, Zack looked like he expected an answer. Riley couldn’t help but stare at the bulging triceps and biceps of his muscular arms. Thank God, Zack decided to put on some clothes, but why did instinct screamed at Riley to get close?
It would be so easy to walk up to Zack, sit on his lap, take off his shirt, and run his hands all over those yummy muscles. Would Zack yank him close for a kiss? Maybe catch his wrist when Riley’s hand wandered to the button of Zack’s jeans? Riley’s breaths became short. He could imagine Zack wearing a sinister grin, telling Riley he had to earn the privilege of his cock and Zack would gladly fall to his knees and beg to make amends.
Stop. What the heck was Riley doing, having sexual fantasies in the middle of a conversation, with a stranger he just met? Zack wasn’t a stranger though, reminded his wolf, but someone special. If Riley trusted those instincts though, trusted Zack was his mate and then make the most grievous mistake of his life, he would fall to pieces. Never get up again, because he didn’t know why, but he was certain Zack had the power to break his heart.
“I don’t know,” he admitted eventually.
“Sorry for making you go through this again, but I have more questions.”
Riley nodded, answering Zack’s questions related to his kidnapping. “It’s my turn to apologize. I don’t remember much. That’s all I know.”