To Protect and Love (Omegaverse shifter Romance) (Shifter Fever Book 1)

by Cashmire Hart

  Still naked and wet, he laid down. Kole wasn’t far away, but not nearly close enough. He realized his need for the omega was more than physical desire. He was worried for Nyk too. He hadn’t allowed himself to grieve for Cale’s death, because he knew if he had, he’d never stop. He was angry with himself for leaving them and for not staying in contact. Even while Cale lay in his death bed, Braun hadn’t gone to see him. It had been a shit thing to do, and he’d never forgive himself. He had learned from his mistakes, however. No matter what happened, he promised to reconnect with Nyk and the pack.

  The minutes ticked by and Braun told his brain to shut itself off, but sleep remained elusive. If Kole were here, he’d fall right asleep without a doubt.

  Chuckling mirthlessly, Braun covered his eyes with his arm. “I’m so fucked.”

  Chapter 9

  Kole glanced at Braun as they rode his private elevator up to the penthouse. The alpha had been quiet all day. He thought he might be tired from last night’s activities, but his distant expression told Kole everything he needed to know.

  There was no beating around the bush about their cuddling session. It had been more than a friendly hug. It had been… intimate. Braun hadn’t let him go all night, his big arms keeping Kole close, while his legs tangled with his own. The alpha’s heat had kept him warm and comfortable thru sleep.

  “That was fun and exactly what I needed. Thanks,” he said to break the silence.

  “No problem,” Braun muttered, his attention on the floor lights.

  “It looked like you had fun too,” he said carefully.

  The male simply nodded. Agitated with Braun’s brush-offs, Kole glared at him. The alpha seemed not to notice. Back at Sanctuary, Loren had convinced them to stay for dinner. While everyone feasted, laughed and generally had a good time, Braun sat in the corner and brooded like someone had knifed his expensive tires. He hadn’t said anything unless spoken to and his responses had been clipped.

  The elevator opened and Kole followed Braun into the penthouse. They moved into the kitchen when Braun slipped out of his loafers. Kole gasped at the PlayStation and stack of games sitting on the marble countertop. He flipped thru the titles, all brand new and factory sealed. There were fantasy, sports and shooter games. “Is this for me?”

  “I thought you might like something to do while I’m at work. I had Linda bring it up,” he said, plucking a bottle of water from the fridge. He cracked the cap and took a big swig, his throat shifting wonderfully. The urge to run his fingers through that coarse-looking beard pulled at Kole. “I have an early morning and it’s late, so I’m going to crash.”

  “Is that it then?” Kole asked, the momentary delight quickly passing. “We’re not going to talk about the pink and blue Polk-a-dot wolf in the room?”

  The alpha scowled at him. “What?”

  Rolling his eyes, he came to stand in front of Braun. He was so damned tall and intimidating, but Kole wanted to know how he felt about them. “About me and you and what happened last night.”

  “Nothing happened,” he said, his tone deadpan.

  “Oh really?” Kole scoffed. “You mean you didn’t get all pawsy with me?”

  Braun snapped his attention to him, his eyes flaring. “I got pawsy with you? You literally tackled me to the ground and wouldn’t let go.”

  Chuckling, Kole folded his arms over his chest. It was hard to stand up to an alpha of Braun’s stature, but he planted his feet where he was. “An alpha of your size and you’re complaining that I held you down?”

  That riled the animal inside Braun. He growled deep in his throat, his brow furrowing. He made a move to retreat but stopped. “Was I just supposed to push you away?”

  “You didn’t have to stroke my arm, or dig your hips into my ass, or—”

  The alpha snarled, the sound filling his too big penthouse. It soaked into Kole both arousing and frightening him, but it hadn’t been directed at him. It was a gesture of frustration, one Kole was familiar with. Their relationship was a source of confusion for them both.

  Glancing at the steaming pool of water on the patio, Kole said, “Why don’t we finish what we started? We’ll feel better.”

  Braun was obviously conflicted, his wide-eyed glance swirling with fear and arousal. Loren’s advice about alphas resonated with Kole. He knew it was sound advice. As a pup, he’d witnessed omega-father skillfully handle alpha-father, molding him and shaping him. With a little bravery, Kole could do it too.

  When Braun said nothing, Kole whipped his shirt off and let it flutter to the floor. He was done worrying about what-ifs and fighting his attraction. “It’s simple. I want you and you want me. So, let’s have each other.”

  Kole went to help Braun out of his clothes but the alpha snapped at him, his fangs gnashing. Jerking away, his wolf demanded he submit. Anger grabbed a hold. He quickly shed his pants, his semi-erect cock bouncing in the air. Completely naked he sashayed toward the patio, letting the alpha see everything he was missing.

  He knew Braun was watching, he could feel the male’s eyes on him. He stopped at the patio door and threw the alpha a promise-filled glance. “Is it just my father you’re afraid of? I’d think a big, strong alpha like you wouldn’t give a shit and take whatever he wanted.”

  The fire was alive inside of Braun, his animal nearly punching through his skin. Kole knew he was taunting the beast, but he was tired of this game they had going on, none of which they’d signed up for. He needed to cross the finish line before he went crazy.

  For added effect, he grabbed his dick and stroked it slow and long. Shrugging, Kole stepped outside. He called, “Guess I was wrong.”

  The steaming water wrapped around him as he slid into the pool. The heat was nice against the chilly air, and he let it soak into his bones. Looking up, all he could see was blackness and the dim points of the brightest stars. This city sky was nothing like his home, where the glowing dust of the milky way stretched across the sky. A splash of water behind him forced a smile on his lips.

  “I love my father,” Kole started, letting the water lap at his flattened palms. “You told me you guys were friends. Good friends. He sent me here, to you with complete trust. Do you really think he wouldn’t approve of us?”

  When he’d said those words, it had been to the both of them. He couldn’t see his father not accepting a relationship with Braun. Why hold back any longer? It was making them both miserable. Closing his eyes, Kole focused on the power behind him. Braun was a very oppressive alpha in the way of thousands of tons of rock over his head. A shudder went through him, sure Braun would run away again. But when the alpha scooped him into his arms, a moan of pure relief escaped Kole’s lips. Strong, capable hands pulled him flush against Braun’s body, the warmth and smoothness of his skin exactly what he needed.

  “This isn’t exactly easy,” Kole whispered as Braun planted a kiss on his shoulder. “I don’t want to want you, but I do.”

  “Are you sure I’m what you want?” Braun’s voice was rough and deep, like sandpaper.

  Nodding, Kole fell back against the alpha, knowing he’d hold him steady. “Am I what you want?”

  Braun sent a rush of breath across Kole’s skin, making him shiver. “You’re everything I didn’t know I wanted. You’re frustrating and annoying, but at the same time, I like being around you.”

  Turning in the man’s arms, Kole searched Braun’s handsome face. His expression was steely, but his eyes were filled with all the worries Kole had sorted thru. Kole skimmed his fingers along the alpha’s warm cheek and down his beard. It was just as coarse and black as his wolf’s fur. He dared to go lower and traced the male’s collar bone. Lower. Braun’s pec was right out of an erotic dream, the muscle steel under soft, hot skin. He homed in on the tiny pebble of his nipple, wanting to know every inch of this alpha that enticed his nature.

  Braun hissed and grabbed his wrist, his grip bordering on pain. Lustful eyes met Kole’s before Braun covered his lips. He couldn’t help moan
ing into the kiss. This was what they’d wanted since they’d met. What had been a week, felt like decades. Kole had never believed in destiny before, but this was the closest thing.

  The kiss was careful, chaste, Braun testing Kole’s lips. The kisses grew more bold, commanding, forceful. Dominant. He might have coaxed Braun, but the alpha was clearly in charge.

  “Open for me,” Braun growled, his palms gripping the globes of Kole’s ass.

  He gasped at the roughness in which Braun handled him, his fingers surely leaving bruises. But he had tempted the wolf and now he would pay. Braun’s tongue was a force of nature and Kole could hardly keep up with every dive and sweep. But his omega nature rejoiced. Indeed, being dominated was not a bad thing at all.

  Braun took a step forward and Kole wrapped himself around the alpha. He found the band tying his hair and pulled it off. He wanted Braun’s hair all over him, wild and free. Braun clearly approved and ravaged his mouth as he backed him up against the pool’s edge. His kisses chafed at his lips, his beard tickling his chin and throat.

  Breaking off for a breath, Braun lifted Kole onto the edge. He pushed Kole’s hair from his face, the touch gentle. “Have you ever been with another shifter before?”

  His mind hazy, Kole shook his head. He understood the basics of shifter mating and what it involved but had always wondered what it would be like linked to an alpha, unable to do anything about it. The thought sent a jolt of erotic need through him. He wanted to know Braun in such a way. “No.”

  “Good,” he said, his voice resonating as if he were truly pleased.

  Braun leaned in and Kole parted his lips for the male, prepared for another round of rough kisses. Instead, Braun lifted him off the edge and spun him around so that his upper body was against the tiles and his ass was in the air. This is it, he thought. He was about to be claimed. He meant to ask that Braun be gentle, because he was big, and this was his first time—The sound that left Kole’s lips shocked him.

  The alpha parted Kole’s ass with his strong hands, fully exposing his hole. Kole expected to be penetrated but he got something he’d never imagined. A warm, wet and wiggling tongue.

  “Holy shit!” Kole gasped as Braun circled his asshole with that wicked tool. Digging his nails into the grout, he gasped and groaned as the alpha pleasured him with his mouth, kissing and licking and driving him mad. The wet softness of his tongue was so amazing against the tender skin of his ass, that he was sure he’d blow a load if Braun didn’t stop.

  The alpha retreated with a satisfied snicker. Kole was too lost in pleasure to respond, his body singing. Before he knew it, they were out of the pool. Braun threw Kole over his shoulder like a fucking caveman. He was not small, but the alpha hardly seemed to notice.

  “You brute,” Kole said and slapped Braun’s ass as he was carried into the penthouse.

  Braun spanked him back.

  “Ow!” He put all he had into returning the gesture.

  Braun cracked him again, the sting lingering across his skin and warming his flesh. Kole submitted with a whimper. Braun took him into his bedroom and set him on the bed. Biting his lip, Kole admired the alpha’s hard cock, the tip weeping and ready to mate. It was the alpha that provided the lubrication for claiming, and his body was responding like a firehose, the pre-cum thick, like honey. It had coated the flush head and Kole couldn’t help licking his lips.

  “Come here, omega,” Braun commanded.

  He was no longer in charge of his own body. He scrambled to obey, coming to kneel before the alpha he’d chosen. Braun looked down at him and dug his hand into Kole’s hair. He urged him closer and Kole pressed a kiss against the male’s hip. The heat coming off Braun’s dick was scorching, the rod heavy against his cheek. This close, he could see every inch, every winding vein and wrinkle. He was fascinated by Braun’s knot, the little ball at the base of his cock beginning to swell. He took the thick rod in his hand and stared at the blunt head for a long moment. Braun was ready to fuck, the bead of pre-cum oozing into a string of lubrication.

  Licking his lips, Kole caught the drip before it could fall and went to work on pleasuring his alpha.

  Chapter 10

  Braun’s mind was completely blown.

  As Kole sucked him off eagerly, all reservation fled. The omega was right. He was going to take what he wanted. And he’d never wanted an omega in the way he did Kole. Not Loren or the dozen other omegas he interacted with at Sanctuary. Kole. His father be damned.

  The sloppy sounds that Kole made as he pleasured him was beautiful. He took Braun’s big cock like a pro, sucking long and deep, his tongue swirling around the head. Kole looked up to Braun, his lips stretched and glossy. Braun stroked his hair in approval and the omega went back to work. Christ, he couldn’t believe he’d denied himself the pleasure of an omega all this time. Now that he had a morsel, that hunger had been reignited and he knew he’d never get enough.

  Kole grabbed Braun’s hips and sucked deep until his cock hit the back of his throat. He didn’t move away and attempted to swallow him. Gagging, he retreated. Braun chuckled, delighted that Kole was so hungry for him. He watched with hooded eyes as the male ran his flattened tongue up and down the underside of his shaft. When he got to the wrinkles behind the glans, he wiggled that wicked tool, sending a jolt through Braun. It was a feast for his eyes, watching the pinkness of Kole’s tongue explore his cock, and pulling the beading pre-cum into his mouth. His mind was further blown when Kole kissed his swelling knot.

  “Are you thirsty for my cock?” Braun asked, his throat rough.

  The omega simply grinned like a devil and slid Braun’s prick into his warm, wet mouth, sucking hard so that his cheeks hallowed. His balls tightening, he pulled Kole away. He didn’t want to spill his load just yet. The omega was purposely trying to get him to lose control.

  Turning Kole around, he pushed him onto the bed and positioned him so that his ass was in the air, his hole exposed and ready for whatever Braun had in mind. The male moaned softly, his upper body disappearing into the fluffy comforter.

  Take him. Claim him. His wolf growled in his mind. Kole was clearly ready to accept him, but he didn’t want to rush this. He wanted to take his time, savor and cherish, and explore. He wanted to know every corner and crevice of this male’s body, while discovering all the things that drove him wild.

  Braun pressed a kiss on the omega’s flushed ass cheek. He’d liked the reaction he’d gotten when pleasuring Kole with his tongue. Trailing kisses up his spine, Braun massaged the fleshy globes. The urge to plunge his cock deep in the warm sheath was potent. Kole seemed to sense his need and pushed against him. Kole trusting him so implicitly revved his beast like nothing before.

  Kissing his way back down, Braun reached around his lover’s hips and gripped his cock. He slid his tongue down the crack of his ass to his sweet spot, kissing and licking. He thrived on the omega’s responses, his little whimpers and gasps music.

  “Do you like that?” Braun murmured, thumbing the head of Kole’s cock.

  His response was guttural and blunt, more of an animalistic sound than anything. This was good. He was enjoying himself so much that his body and instinct was in charge. Wanting to see Kole’s reaction to what he was doing, Braun flipped him over. He pushed Kole’s legs over his head, lifting his hips off the bed. The omega made the most beautiful, agonized sound as he resumed rimming him.

  Braun’s cock pulsed between his body and the bed. He was enjoying this more than he ever thought possible. It had turned into a game for him, to see how much further he could drive Kole wild. More. He needs more. His attention on Kole’s reaction, Braun reached for the omega’s lips. The male must have known what he intended because he slid his mouth over Braun’s finger, his teeth biting down. Braun growled with approval as the omega slicked his finger.

  He took his hand away and circled Kole’s asshole with his wet fingers. He watched entranced as the puckered flesh moved under his touch. Giving Kole what he obviously w
anted, Braun gently penetrated the male, his sheath hot and quivering. Kole gasped, his fringy eyelashes pressed tightly to his cheeks as he threw his head back. He pushed through another digit and kissed the omega’s hip.

  Kole clawed at him, his nails leaving little marks. Braun would wear them with honor. As he slowly finger-fucked Kole’s ass, he sought his cock and took it into his mouth. Kole arched his back and whispered an expletive. Braun’s curiosity got the best of him and he pushed upward with his sheathed fingers, finding the little bud deep within that served as an omega’s cervix. It only opened during heat and fantasies of serving Kole in his needing danced through him.

  “Holy fuck,” Kole rasped and jerked. “That feels weird.”

  “You’ve never played with yourself here?” Braun inquired.

  “N-no…”

  Having being the first to explore this part of Kole set something off inside of Braun. It was a primal, covetous part of him he hadn’t realized existed. He belongs to me. He resumed the fucking motion, sure to hit the bud. He sucked Kole’s cock deep and hard.

  The omega muttered something intelligible before his body started to spasm and his asshole clenched around Braun’s fingers. Hot cum flooded Braun’s mouth and he growled with pride. The male’s grunts filled his once empty bedroom. The skill at which he’d brought Kole to climax would surely convince him that he were a worthy mate.

  Braun kissed his way up his lover’s body and covered him in his warmth. He found his lips, Kole opening for him. He moaned softly into Braun’s mouth. He didn’t want to stop. He wanted to pleasure Kole until he begged him to stop, but his beast sensed that Kole needed comfort and reassurance above anything.

  “Holy fuck,” Kole whispered again, his arms and legs wrapping around Braun.

  “Did you like that?” Braun murmured, skimming his lips along his lover’s neck.