by M. D. Grimm
And Derek knew if he didn’t shift soon, his irritation level would grow, and he might shift unintentionally. The itch steadily grew, and even his dogs could feel the need rising inside him. That made them antsy. And wouldn’t it be just perfect if he shifted right in front of Brian? The man would probably scream bloody murder and run like the hounds of hell were after him. And Derek wouldn’t blame him.
He wanted to hunt the bastard but he could only do that efficiently as a wolf. And most likely he’d be the one captured instead of the brute.
He wanted to run with Brian. He wanted acceptance. It wasn’t unusual for a shifter to end up with a nonshifter. But most shifters didn’t tell their partners about their ability. Derek couldn’t keep it hidden. He knew that for a fact. He loved Brian. He was now certain he had been in love with him from the moment Brian had confronted him that first time in the men’s bathroom. And that love had only grown over the years. He just hadn’t been able to admit it. Fuck.
Derek dragged his hand over his face and realized he needed a shave. That was the last thought he had before a strange scent met his nose.
“It’s okay, guys.” Brian said the moment Derek left. He tried to project calming thoughts, but his own mind wouldn’t calm. Derek was hiding something. Something that was tearing him up inside. Brian loved him. And that meant he couldn’t allow Derek to carry such a burden alone.
His mind set, Brian stood, told the dogs to stay, grabbed a coat, and walked outside. He would get the truth out of Derek even if it resulted in a shouting match. They were partners, which meant nothing was kept hidden. Brian looked to his left, then to his right. Derek’s imposing figure walked down the sidewalk to his right. He started to follow him when he caught sight of a black form charging across the road.
His shout backed up in his throat as he recognized the wolf that had attacked him. He could only watch in horror as the wolf ran at top speed and barreled right into Derek. Derek gave a cry of rage and flung the wolf off him.
Then Brian saw something he never considered possible. Derek howled and ripped off his jacket. As the wolf got to his feet, Derek crouched, and in a split second, where once stood Brian’s lover, now stood another wolf. A wolf that was black and brown and gray, just like Derek’s hair. A wolf that was slightly smaller and longer than the attacking wolf.
Before Brian could fully register what just happened, the wolves attacked each other. It was vicious and bloody. Jaws clamped, teeth shone, claws ripped. Blood flew. Snarls and growls and yips.
Brian realized that he was running toward the battle instead of running away. He must be insane, but he couldn’t stop his legs from charging ahead. Anger, fear, confusion, and love all jumbled inside him before he skidded to a stop several feet from the wolves and looked around for something to fight with. A stack of tree limbs sat off to one side on a neighbor’s lawn. He lunged for them and grabbed a large one. He looked back and, for a moment, couldn’t tell the wolves apart. Then one of the wolves shoved the other on its back. The wolf still on its feet turned to Brian and bared its teeth, its shoulders hunching.
Brian recognized those hellish eyes and pulled the tree limb back like a baseball bat and braced his body. The wolf held his head low and started to circle him. Brian’s heart pounded in his ears but he wasn’t so much afraid for his own life as he was for Derek. He wasn’t dreaming. Derek was the other wolf even now gaining his feet. This close he noted the same brown eyes.
The wolf lunged at him. Brian held the bat, gauged the distance, then swung it with all his might. His wounded arm sang like a bitch as the limb smack into against the wolf’s shoulder. The impact forced him to stumble away. The wolf fell, howling and snarling in pain, and Brian met the creature’s eyes. There was too much intelligence behind those eyes.
Before the wolf could lunge again, Derek charged him and bit his already-wounded shoulder. The wolf whimpered in pain before running back across the street away from them. Brian gasped in breath, the limb falling from his hands and thudding to the sidewalk. He stared at the wolf that was also his lover. The wolf’s body was tense and watched the other wolf’s exit. Brian could feel the wolf’s—Derek’s—desire to chase and tackle the attacker. But he stayed. Brian struggled to control himself so he could brush Derek’s mind but it was no use. Adrenaline made his mind and heart race. He barely managed to stay standing.
The wolf finally turned around, his tail and head down. Those deep brown eyes Brian knew and loved looked back at him through a wolf’s face. Blood-matted fur covered his mouth and around his claws.
“Derek,” Brian whispered.
The wolf took a step back, and before Brian could speak, he ran away.
“Derek!” he shouted.
But Derek was gone.
It being a workweek, everyone was gone. No one had heard the attack. Brian tried to call Derek only to realize he’d left his phone at Brian’s place. Brian gathered up Derek’s discarded clothing and then took Derek’s dogs to try and track Derek down. No luck. Brian was sick with worry. He paced his living room, the dogs watching him. Tinker sat on the back of the couch, looking unconcerned.
Brian tucked his hands underneath his arms and chewed his bottom lip. His wounded arm throbbed but he refused to take any more meds. He needed to keep a clear head. He took Advil instead.
Derek was a werewolf. A werewolf. Brian shook his head and looked at Goliath, Betty, and Henry.
“You guys knew,” Brian said. The dogs almost looked ashamed. Brian took a deep breath, held it, and then let it out.
So what if Derek was a werewolf? It would explain everything he’d noticed the last two years. Then a new sensation welled up—fascination and awe. While his own ability was vastly different, it was comforting to know he wasn’t alone. There were others out there, extraordinary people with hidden abilities. Just like him.
“I still love him,” Brian said.
Brian stopped pacing as an idea struck him. Where does a wounded wolf go to lick his wounds?
“Home.”
Brian ordered the dogs to stay, left the house, and got into his car. He raced over to Derek’s house and ran up the porch steps. It was now dark and several hours since Derek had run off, and damn if Brian was going to let him lick his wounds alone.
Please, God, let him be here.
Brian pounded on the door. “Derek. Derek, open up.”
There was no answer, but Brian wasn’t deterred.
“Derek. Open the fucking door. You coward!”
Anger rode alongside worry as he fumed at the closed door. Then he heard the dull shuffling of feet and his heart squeezed. The locks on the inside snapped, and the door creaked open. Derek’s strained and pale face appeared in the crack. His eyes were downcast.
“Go away, Brian.” His voice was hoarse.
“Don’t be stupid.” Brian shoved the door open, and Derek stumbled back. Brian grabbed his arm, shut the door, and led him over to the couch. Derek wore only worn, faded jeans, and his chest and arms were covered with bandages. Brian was a mess of emotions, relieved and angry, curious and fascinated. Was this all really happening?
Brian urged him to sit and looked at the wounds himself. They were both silent while he worked. Only after handing Derek a glass of whiskey did he begin to talk.
“So this is what you’ve been keeping from me.”
Derek said nothing. He stared at the floor.
“I can’t blame you. It’s a lot.”
Still nothing. Brian had to work to unclench his jaw before he spoke again. “Did you find the wolf?”
Derek shook his head.
“Goddamn it, Derek. Talk to me,” Brian snapped.
Derek jerked, and his eyes flew up, skimming over Brian’s face. His fear was evident and most of Brian’s anger disappeared. Derek just looked so lost. So hurt. Wounded. And not just physically.
“I’m sorry, Brian,” Derek said in a low voice.
“Then tell me,” Brian said, running his hands through Derek’s hair.
“Talk to me.”
“You searched me out,” Derek murmured.
“You’re my partner.”
Derek closed his eyes as if in pain. He took several breaths before opening them again.
“Shifting ability is passed through genes. The moon has nothing to do with my shift. I do it willingly. But if I don’t shift for a while, it can happen if I become too angry.”
Brian never paused in stroking his hair. If it could calm a dog, it could work on Derek. Brian swallowed hard. Maybe that was why his ability worked so well on Derek. His mind really was part canine. Or, rather, lupine.
“My mom can trace her ancestry to the indigenous people of America. My dad has ancestors from Germanic tribes.”
“Wow.”
Derek nodded. “I lived with my family for eighteen years. I was sheltered, so when I entered the real world… well… I was unpleasantly surprised.”
Brian scooted closer, still petting.
“The shift is activated with puberty. The gene is passed along by both parents but the mother’s side dominates. Our immune systems and healing capabilities are faster than those of humans. But, um, we have a severe allergy to silver. Guess Hollywood got that right.”
“Why?”
Derek shrugged. “No one knows. There are other shifters out there, Brian. Not all of them are wolves.”
“Other shifters,” Brian murmured. “Amazing.”
Derek smiled slightly. “I’ve never told anyone. I’ve never felt compelled to.” Derek met his eyes directly. Brian saw the fear but also the hope in them. Hope for what?
“You are the only one I have ever brought home. That I have ever wanted in my bed.”
Brian’s eyes widened slightly.
A small smile touched Derek’s mouth. “I love you, Brian. You’re the only one to touch me. Calm me.”
Brian nuzzled his neck and sighed. Acceptance. Derek wanted acceptance. So did Brian.
“Who was that wolf, Derek?” Brian asked.
“I don’t know,” Derek said. “He smelled familiar, but I couldn’t place him. I don’t know why he is hunting us.”
A shiver went through Brian’s body, and Derek wrapped an arm around his waist.
“Are you okay?” Derek asked softly. “I didn’t want to risk losing you.”
Brian looked up and lightly kissed Derek’s mouth. “You didn’t. You won’t. You’re stuck with me.”
Derek grinned. “You are truly my mate.” Derek tried to pull him closer but Brian pulled back and took a deep breath. Share and share alike.
“I should tell you something too.”
Derek frowned. “Okay.”
“You know how I’m called the animal shrink at work?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s not too far off the mark.”
Derek tilted his head slightly, and Brian recognized the move as very dog-like.
“I have an ability as well. It isn’t as pronounced as yours. I can… communicate with animals.”
“Really?”
Brian linked fingers with Derek. “I was always able to. I don’t remember a time I couldn’t ‘talk’ to animals to a certain extent. But it’s more visual talking. I can see images they project, and I can project images to them. I used to try and tell my parents about it, but they never believed me. As a kid it was cute, but as a teen I was… I stopped talking about it.”
Derek made a noise and nuzzled his neck. Brian smiled slightly and cupped his cheek.
“That’s what makes me such a good vet, I guess. The animals can tell me what’s wrong with them. I can soothe them. I know where their pain lies.”
“And you know where my pain lies,” Derek murmured, his lips moving along Brian’s skin. “That’s why you can calm me when others can’t.”
Brian nodded. He pulled Derek’s face back and cupped his cheeks, meeting his eyes. “I’ll accept you if you accept me.”
Derek’s eyes glowed, and Brian realized it wasn’t a figment of his imagination. They actually glowed. Fucking sexy.
“Brian,” Derek murmured before devouring his mouth. He shoved Brian down on the couch. “Mine.”
He pulled at Brian’s clothes and cupped his groin. Brian moaned and pushed Derek back just enough to speak.
“The animals,” Brian murmured.
“What?” Derek said, panting.
“The cat. My dogs. They told me you smelled funny.”
Derek raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Do I smell funny to you?”
“No,” Brian said. He’d tell Derek about all the strange clues later. He was sure Derek would find them amusing. In the meantime, he pulled Derek close and nipped his ear. “You smell sexy. Man. Wild.”
Derek grunted when Brian cupped his groin with both hands and nibbled his neck.
“You’re a beautiful wolf,” Brian said.
A deep wolf growl emitted from Derek’s chest as he ripped open Brian’s shirt and attacked his chest. He bit his skin and sucked his nipples ruthlessly. Brian gasped and arched his back. He gripped Derek’s hair and tugged him closer.
Derek’s hands were equally ruthless. He tugged open Brian’s jeans and shoved his hands inside. He stroked Brian harshly, and Brian couldn’t get enough air. Derek lowered his head to where his hands were driving Brian crazy. But before he could latch his mouth onto Brian’s shaft, Brian changed their position. He was going to have control this time, damn it. This werewolf would just have to take it.
Brian grinned.
Derek looked surprised at being underneath him. Brian lowered his head and dragged his lips and tongue over Derek’s exposed skin and laid light kisses over his wounds. He could have lost Derek that day. He couldn’t lose someone so precious to him, not again. Derek surrendered to him, and Brian became more urgent as love filled his heart to bursting. It actually throbbed as it pounded in his chest. Derek accepted him.
Brian tugged off Derek’s pants and took off his own clothes. He straddled Derek’s waist and took Derek’s shaft in both hands. He stroked him slowly at first before moving faster. Derek gripped the couch, his jaw clenched. Grunts escaped him, and his gaze never left Brian’s face.
Then Brian lifted one hand, put a finger in his mouth before lowering it, and found Derek’s opening. A strange sound escaped Derek’s mouth, and he tensed. Brian met his eyes, an unspoken question within them.
Do you trust me?
There was only a second’s hesitation before Derek nodded. A thrill went through Brian’s body, and he let out a relieved breath. He wanted to know how it felt to be inside such a strong man. A wolf shifter. God, he was a lucky bastard. Derek had chosen him.
Brian smiled. “Stay right there while I get the lube.”
Derek growled but didn’t move when Brian stood. Not wanting to waste time, Brian hurried to the bedroom, snagged the lube, and returned in minutes. Derek hadn’t moved though his eyes glowed and his facial muscles rippled slightly.
Brian slicked his hands and used one on Derek’s shaft while he slipped the other back to the puckered hole. He slipped his finger inside his lover’s body. He was slow because he could feel Derek resist, but Derek eventually loosened up and moved against his finger.
“Crap,” Brian said. “Forgot a condom.”
“Fuck it.”
Brian’s eyes widened. “Derek—”
Derek’s eyes glowed brighter and he bared his teeth. Brian swallowed.
“I can’t give you anything,” Derek grunted. “You can’t give me anything. Fuck the condom.”
“Well, that’s handy.” Brian put a second finger inside Derek, stretching him wider. Derek moved against Brian’s hands and muttered that he was close to coming.
Needing to give them both release, Brian removed his finger and slipped his cock inside. Brian gasped as he sank deeper. It had been a while since he had been inside another man, and never bareback, and he realized how much he missed it. Derek’s eyes were fierce as they met his. Brian leaned over and placed his good hand next to Der
ek’s head while he held the back of the couch with his wounded one. Derek wrapped his legs around Brian’s waist, and dug his fingers into Brian’s back.
“Fuck me like you mean it,” Derek said.
Brian huffed out a laugh before doing just that. He quickly drove them toward release, and their mouths met as they both reached climax. Brian collapsed onto his lover, and Derek gripped him close.
“Mine,” Derek murmured. Then, more fiercely, “Mine.”
Chapter Twelve
Two hours later, after making love a couple more times, Derek and Brian finally staggered into Brian’s car and drove back to Brian’s house. Brian accepted him, loved him. Derek could hardly believe it. He worried it might be a dream if not for the fantastic sex that spoke to the reality of the past events. He had his mate and he would do anything to keep him.
An unexpected sight met them as they drove into Brian’s driveway. A black and red Harley Davidson motorcycle was parked at the curb, and a short man leaned against it. He was playing on his cell as Brian cut the engine.
The man was about five-feet nothing with spiky blond hair and a stocky body, and covered in leather. He only looked up when Brian and Derek stepped out of the car. Black sunglasses hid his eyes from view, and a cautious smile touched his lips.
“No need to be so tense,” he said, his voice deeper than it should be for one his size.
Derek grabbed Brian’s hand. “Who are you?” he asked, his eyes narrowed.
The man put his phone in a pocket and took off his glasses. Arctic-blue eyes swept over their faces, sizing them up, before he spoke again.
“You must be the wolfman,” he said, nodding to Derek. “Your pack contacted me after they received your message.”
Derek blinked in shock. “Who are you?” he asked again.