“Just relax, Ricky. You are safe. Nothing and no one will hurt you any longer, I promise.”
Ricky swallowed and grimaced. He tried to reach up with has hand to rub his throat but was stopped by the IV attached to his arm. He glanced down and frowned before looking back toward the Alpha for an explanation. Grant gently pushed his mate’s arm back to the bed. He grabbed the glass of water from the nightstand and helped Ricky sip from the cup.
He glanced up at his brother and ordered, “Get Doc Houston and let Sandy know his brother is awake.”
“I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re back with us,” David replied as he gently patted Ricky’s knee. “Maybe you can get my stubborn brother to at least take a shower now.” David wrinkled his nose. “Pretty soon we’ll have to call in a hazmat team to fumigate the place.”
Grant growled. “Okay, okay, big brother,” David said as he held his hands up and slowly backed towards the door. However before he left his sibling he couldn’t resist one last jab. “Are you sure you’re not a bear shifter? ‘Cause I gotta say you got the grouchy part down pat!”
The Alpha stood to his full height as he glared at his soon to be extinct sibling, “Doc Houston—Now!”
David tilted his head in a sign of submission but a grin remained on his handsome face. He gave Grant a two finger salute before walking calmly through the door. Grant took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. Normally his brother’s antics were just annoying and unfortunately today was no different. He sighed but then smiled as he heard a soft chuckle from the bed. It was a sound he didn’t often hear from his mate but one he would make sure he heard more of in the future. As his eyes followed the gaze of his Semme’, Grant noticed that the water glass he had been holding for Ricky was now empty. Unfortunately, a large portion of it had splashed down the front of his mate’s chest and onto the bed.
Grant groaned as he quickly placed the now empty glass back on the nightstand. “I’m so sorry; let me get something to clean you up.”
Before Ricky could even form a word or make a move, Grant was on the phone asking for fresh bedding. He raced toward the ensuite bathroom and quickly returned with a large fluffy towel that he used to wipe down the human’s chest. The whole time Ricky stared up at him, his eyes crinkled at the corners and a grin lit his face. It wasn’t the first impression he’d wanted to make with his Semme’ upon awakening, but at least the hazel eyes were no longer filled with fear or confusion.
“How are you feeling, my mate?”
The humor left the man’s eyes as he shrugged and looked down at his clasped hands. There was a slight blush to the still too pale cheeks. “M’kay I guess,” Ricky croaked.
The Alpha sat on the edge of the bed. He could feel the unease, the doubt and yes, even some shame coming through their newly formed link. But he refused to press further. He wanted his Semme’ to trust him enough to actually tell him what was wrong.
Grant gently tilted the man’s head upward until he could see his mate’s eyes. “Talk to me, Ricky. I can’t help if I don’t know what is wrong.”
Ricky reached up with his free hand to once again feel where the collar had been. The skin had healed while he had been in a coma. Grant remembered the reddened skin from what appeared to be some kind of contact burns. Even now he could feel his own anger return over what had been done to the human. No being should have been forced to wear the cursed device. One of Grant’s first orders had been to make sure that there were no more slave collars at the Willow Creek Pack. He would not stand for them to be used for any reason. No being had the right to own another, regardless of their status. He was brought from his musing when Ricky moved his fingers to trace the mating mark on his neck.
“So it worked,” Ricky said softly.
Grant smiled as he gently traced the scar with his own fingers. He watched as Ricky actually shivered at the touch, a small moan escaped from his lips. The mating mark would be an erogenous zone for the human from now on; one that the Alpha intended to explore often.
“Yes it did, my mate.”
However before he could continue the discussion, there was a sharp knock on the door followed by a white blur as the doorway opened to reveal not only the doctor, but one of the female wolves who helped keep the Alpha’s home clean and of course Sandy, who for some reason was in his wolf form.
“Sandy was outside going for a run with Jason when David gave him the news,” Doc Houston said with a chuckle. “Apparently our young wolf couldn’t wait to get dressed before coming to see his brother. Good thing Elaina here stopped to grab his clothes while she was getting the clean bedding you requested, Alpha.”
Grant felt his hackles rise as he watched the Omega wolf begin to rub his face in the crook of Ricky’s neck.
A calming hand on his arm brought his attention back to the Doctor. “Give them a moment, Alpha, no one doubts who the human belongs to now that you’ve mated.”
Ricky must have heard the remark as his eyes widened for a moment before he gently pushed his brother down onto the bed. Grant could feel the fear from his mate. Taking a deep breath he managed to calm his wolf as he watched Sandy continue to try to crawl into his brother’s lap. Logically he knew the two were siblings and his wolf would eventually get used to seeing another wolf getting affection from his mate. Unfortunately, his wolf wasn’t on board at this moment and was pushing to reclaim his mate.
“Sandy?” Grant managed to keep the growl out of his voice as the young pup turned to look at him. “We need to get your brother into some dry clothes, Elaina has to change the bedding and Doc Houston needs to take a quick look at him to make sure everything is okay. You need to shift and get dressed while we get your brother situated.”
Sandy looked at his brother and whined softly. Ricky smiled and scratched between his brother’s ears. “I’m okay, little brother. A little wet and tired, but I’ll be just fine. Now do what your Alpha has commanded.”
Grant couldn’t help but grin as the young wolf actually managed to huff and roll his eyes before he jumped from the bed and grabbed his clothes from Elaina in his mouth. His tail swished as he stalked from the room but not before he glanced back one more time at his brother.
“Go on, get changed, pup. Before you come back, run down and ask my mother to put together a tray for Ricky too,” Alpha Grant made the comment sound like a suggestion but even Sandy recognized it as an order from his Alpha. The Omega dropped his head slightly in acknowledgement and with a final swish of his tail left the room. Doc Houston moved towards the bed and glanced at Grant briefly before beginning his examination. The Alpha wanted to kick himself, not only was his mate afraid of him again but now everyone was walking on eggshells around him. He should have better control of his wolf.
“Wow, who died in here?” Sparky entered the room and stopped at the foot of the bed. A large smile covered his face as he watched the doctor remove the IV from Ricky’s arm. “Obviously it isn’t our young human friend here, although I have to say it is the first time I’ve actually seen someone actually look half drowned from a wet dream.” The wolf turned to wink at the Alpha. “Of course if the heat between you two got any hotter, I can see why you’d want to douse the flames just a bit.” Before Grant could respond Sparky continued, “Your mother sent me up here to find out what young Ricky can eat.”
Doc Houston stood and patted the human on the shoulder. “I think clear broth for now and maybe some tea with honey to soothe his throat a bit. We’ll see how he keeps that down and gradually work him up to solids.” The doctor looked at Grant and smiled. “I actually expected him to be in worse shape, but from what I can see all he needs now is a little more rest, plenty of fluids and some good food. I’ve never seen a human heal this quickly—maybe it has something to do with that strange tattoo. But whatever the cause, he should be able to be up and around in a day or so.”
Grant noticed Ricky was shivering slightly. It was time to get him into dry clothes and a dry bed. He still couldn’t bel
ieve he’d spilled the water all over his mate. Ricky put his legs over the side of the bed and slowly began to sit up. The Alpha reached over to steady his mate. He didn’t want to frighten the man further by making any quick moves. He could still feel fear from his mate and his wolf didn’t like it. The human had to know that being mated meant he couldn’t be anywhere safer.
“Let me help you, Sunshine,” Grant said softly as he placed a steadying hand on the human’s shoulder.
Ricky sighed as he pushed back a stray lock of his long hair behind his ear. “I guess I could use some help.”
Hazel eyes looked warily up at Grant from beneath his mate’s wispy bangs. Grant would do anything to get the mischievous light back in them but he had no idea how to go about it. The human stood but his knees quickly buckled. Without saying a word, Grant picked his mate up and carried him towards the bathroom.
“Well it’s about time you carried him over the threshold—seriously, you have this whole wooing, mating and bringing home your forever someone kind of backwards,” Sparky remarked as he moved to open the door to the bathroom. “Of course, when I find my mate I plan to do it up right.”
Doc Houston chuckled. “Son, if you find your mate a room full of scantily clad men won’t get your motor running.”
“Who said I’d have a room full?” Sparky winked at Ricky. “I plan to be the star of the show.” The flamboyant shifter swayed as if he was holding onto a pole while grinding his hips. “After seeing all this—my mate would surely skip the wooing and go right to hot monkey sex.”
Grant shook his head but smiled at the chuckle he heard from his mate. The man was relaxed in his arms. His Semme’ even had his arms looped around his neck and rested his head against his shoulder. The Alpha didn’t mind the ribbing, especially if it put the twinkle back in his mate’s eyes. As he entered the bathroom, he gently placed his precious cargo on the closed toilet seat.
He glanced back at Sparky. “I think I can take it from here.”
Sparky cocked his head and placed a hand on his hip. “You sure you don’t need a few tips? After all, Alpha, you are a bit rusty—”
“Out!” Grant ordered but made sure he didn’t put much heat into the order. He’d noticed his Semme’ was sensitive to his growl. Sparky winked as he turned and grabbed the doctor’s arm. The two quickly exited the room followed shortly after by Elaina. The sudden quiet in the room should have felt uncomfortable, but it didn’t. In fact, Grant noticed Ricky still appeared relaxed, although he shivered harder now.
The Alpha turned and started the shower. The large stall was big enough for two which would come in handy for what he had planned. He turned and knelt in front of his mate who seemed to find a loose string fascinating on his sleeping pants.
Grant smiled as he took the hand into his own. “We need to get you warmed up, Sunshine, and then we’ll get you fed.”
Ricky nodded but as he tried to stand, his legs wobbled. Before he could fall, Grant gently pulled the loose pants down and helped his mate get out of the wet garment. He lowered his mate back down on to the toilet seat before he stepped back and began to slowly remove his own clothing. He remembered the chuckle Sparky had gotten and wondered if he could get the same response. Normally he would have been mortified at doing something like this, but he knew if he wanted to win the human’s heart, he needed to let him see another side to his personality.
He tossed his shirt to the side and began to swivel his hips as his fingers released the top button of his jeans. As he began to lower them, he turned and pulled down one side briefly showing his cheek before he pulled it back up. He glanced back and saw a smile on his mate’s face. Grant knew he didn’t have much time as his wolf was urging him to care for his mate but the need to see those hazel eyes sparkle drove him to continue his impromptu strip tease.
The Alpha turned and slowly lowered his jeans, allowing his member to spring up and slap his abs. He smiled as he saw the humor in his mate’s eyes begin to change. The scent of lust filled the room as he continued to sway to his own internal music. He watched as Ricky’s tongue came out to play, wetting his chapped lips before quickly disappearing. With a final flourish he managed to kick his jeans aside. He moved slowly towards the human, stalking his prey in a way his wolf fully approved. As he lowered his head to press his lips against Ricky’s, he couldn’t help the soft groan that joined with his mate’s. For a moment he allowed himself to explore the delicious cavern before he pulled back. He smiled again as his mate tried to follow him but he had noticed the shivers running through the man’s slight frame. “As much as I’d love to continue, we need to get you warmed up.” Grant held up his hand as he heard his Semme’ begin to object.
He gathered his mate into his arms and stepped into the now warm spray of the shower. “But, I didn’t say I’d stop exploring—”
Ricky groaned softly as the Alpha began to wash his mate. He worked his way down the man’s body, keeping a steadying arm around his waist. Hazel eyes were half-mast as the man leaned into him. Grant pulled his mate against his chest and let the water run over them both to finish rinsing the soap from their bodies. He reached down and grasped Ricky’s engorged cock in his hand and began to slowly stroke the velvety skin. He could feel the organ pulse in his hand.
“Oh god,” Ricky moaned as he pushed his hips forward to get more friction.
Grant sped up the strokes while using his other hand to tweak first one nipple and then the other. He could feel his mate’s need as his own weeping cock rubbed between Ricky’s slippery ass cheeks. It would be so easy to slip inside but he wouldn’t do anything to hurt his mate. Not only did he need more than just soap to ease his way, he knew his mate was tiring. It was time. Grant leaned forward and nipped lightly over his mark on Ricky’s shoulder.
As the human shuddered he whispered, “Come for me Sunshine.”
Ricky cried out as his seed painted the tiled walls. His own knees felt weak as his own orgasm ripped through him.
Grant grabbed his mate tighter as he felt the man’s knees begin to give way. “Time to get dried off and get you back to bed my mate,” Grant said softly as he quickly finished cleaning them both up before he picked the man up in his arms.
A short time later they both lay in the bed. The Alpha had gotten clean pajama bottoms for each of them, although he had to roll up the legs on the pair he’d given his smaller mate. It was obvious one of the first things they needed to do when Ricky felt better was to go shopping for some clothes. The meager offerings that came from the battered duffle bag wouldn’t last the man more than a few days and while Grant wouldn’t mind if his Semme’ never wore clothes again—he had to admit it would be counterproductive to kill off anyone who looked at what was now his.
“I should probably go see what is keeping your brother with the food,” Grant said as he began to get up from the bed. A hand on his arm stopped him.
“Don’t go,” Ricky said softly. He quickly glanced down as a blush rose on his cheeks. For a moment Grant thought the man would withdraw but his mate surprised him once again as he continued, “I—I feel safe when you are near me.” His Semme’ chewed on his lower lip. “Why is that? I’ve just met you and yet part of me feels as if I’ve known you my whole life. Sometimes I can even feel…” Ricky looked up “…I sense what you’re thinking. It’s kind of like I know when Sandy is upset.”
Grant nodded as he lay back down and drew his mate against his chest. He shuddered slightly as his mate’s hand slowly traced the muscles on his chest. “It is part of the mating bond between true Semme’. The first time I met you, I knew you were the missing part of my soul and once we completed the bond our connection simply confirmed it. As our bond grows stronger, you and I will be able to share our thoughts as well. I like to think it’s because we really are one, two parts to the same whole.”
“You mean telepathically?” Ricky asked in an awestruck voice.
“That is what I’ve been told,” Grant replied.
Ricky
was silent for a moment before he shook his head and sighed. “Well that would have come in handy when Beta Biff decided to grab me.” The human looked up, his hazel eyes were filled with sadness. “I’m sorry, Grant—I know I should have trusted you but…”
“…you had only known one other Alpha and he didn’t keep his promises,” Grant finished. He ran a hand through the soft golden waves of hair before he kissed the top of his mate’s head. “There is nothing to forgive. All I ask is that in the future, we talk about what upsets you—no more running, Sunshine. This is now your home and I’d kill anyone who tried to take you from me again.”
“Sandy has already moved in.” Ricky chuckled. “When I talked about leaving, he was your biggest supporter you know. Of course, it could have something to do with the fantastic bedroom you put together for him.” His mate glared up at Grant for a moment and used his finger to push into his chest. “Which we need to discuss as well; you need to learn the word ‘no’ or my little brother will run right over you.”
Grant sighed. “I know I should have asked you but in my defense, things have been a little hectic around here.”
“True and I understand. But going forward, we need to talk about things and put up a united front—” Ricky stammered and looked back down quickly. “I’m sorry, I forgot he’s one of your pack now and you can do what you want.”
Grant refused to let his mate hide from him again. He gently tilted his mate’s face up until he could see the man’s face. Using his finger, he traced the light spatter of freckles on the bridge of his mate’s nose. The need to kiss his Semme’ was strong, but he knew he needed to make Ricky understand his role.
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