Rescued by His Lone Wolf Mate

by Anya Byrne

  Pursuing his new goal, he sucked Dani's dainty toes in his mouth. Dani moaned and arched his back, clenching his fingers into the sheets. Connor gripped his mate's ankle, largely to prevent Dani from kicking him in the face. Dani let out another breathless groan. "Connor... Please."

  Hearing his name on Dani's lips, spoken in that lustful tone, almost broke Connor's resolve—or at least, it would have if he hadn't seen straight through Dani, known what his mate needed. With a great deal of reluctance, he released Dani's feet and went back to his previous self-appointed task, only to realize his mate was already popping the buttons of his jeans and shoving them down. And moon be blessed, his scent was even stronger now, making Connor's instincts rear even wilder, clawing at the edges of his consciousness.

  With trembling hands, Connor reach for his mate's briefs. He was a little rougher than he'd have liked when he divested his mate of them, but it was worth it, oh, so worth it. Finally, Dani was completely naked in front of him, and so beautiful Connor hurt.

  For a few seconds, he simply couldn't move, because he was afraid of what he might do. On some level, he could easily imagine himself pouncing Dani and ravaging him right then and there, but at the same time, he highly suspected that the mere brush of Dani's slender fingers against his skin would have him coming in his pants. Connor simply couldn't remember ever feeling so aroused, no, so... alive. Every single nerve ending in his body screamed for this, and he had to take a moment to muster at least a modicum of control.

  Dani didn't seem too willing to wait. His cock was rock hard, and already leaking copious amounts of precum. In fact, as Connor let his eyes feast on Dani's figure, he realized a great deal of moisture was gathering beneath Dani, as if flowing from... his buttocks?

  Connor had to admit he was confused, and Dani must have noticed it. His face flamed and he curled into a ball, trying to hide himself from Connor. "I... self-lubricate. I know it's weird. It's another... anomaly."

  Connor set his hand on his mate's knee, trying to keep his mate from retreating further without actually taking away his choice. "Not an anomaly. You're just for me. Special." When Dani didn't reply, Connor decided that this time around he needed to be completely honest. "I want you, Dani. I want to bury my face between your legs and taste you, to cover you in my scent, claim you as mine. I want to touch and lick every inch of you. If you don't want that..."

  If Dani didn't want that, Connor had no idea what he'd do. Now that he'd held his mate, listened to him and comforted him as he cried, his noble plans were all but gone. He didn't think he could let Dani go.

  Thankfully, he didn't have to. Dani faced him again, and Connor saw the moment his mate's last doubts finally faded. "I do. I want to be yours."

  Taking a deep breath, Dani spread his legs, wordlessly inviting Connor to continue what he'd been doing earlier. Connor didn't hesitate for a single instant. He lowered his mouth over Dani's cock—still rock hard, thank the moon—and took his mate's erection in his mouth.

  Dani's flavor exploded on his taste buds, and Connor couldn't help a groan of lust and tortured need. His cock throbbed in his jeans, pressing insistently against his zipper. Connor ignored it, instead choosing to focus on his mate.

  As he bobbed his head up and down Dani's shaft, he reached for the opening to his mate's body. He found it slick, Dani's body instinctively readying itself for Connor's penetration. It was quite possibly the hottest thing Connor had ever encountered—which was crazy, because moon help him, he was sucking his mate's dick.

  In a way, he couldn't really separate different sensations and feelings anymore. He hadn't been ready for what Dani meant to him, so it was futile to even try to quantify or rank any of these new experiences. Complicated reasoning faded into the background as the pure simplicity of their already forming bond took over.

  Connor reveled in his mate's pleasure, in the weight of Dani's shaft on his tongue. He simply gave, registered the responses of Dani's body and used every single of them. He alternated heavy suction with teasing flicks of tongue, and Dani's cries of pleasure rewarded him as they rose and echoed all around them, a mating call just as potent as his pheromone.

  When Connor sensed Dani was on the edge, he thrust two fingers into his mate's ass. Dani's flesh yielded with no protest. In fact, it embraced the invasion, practically sucking in Connor's digits. An instant later, Dani was coming, filling Connor's mouth with sweet and salty spunk.

  Connor kept sucking his mate's dick as Dani rode the waves of his climax. Much to his surprise, Dani didn't soften at all. In fact, his cock hardened once more even as Connor released him from his mouth.

  "Please," he whispered, his voice ragged, almost torn. "Connor..."

  Connor had expected waiting, and he wouldn't have minded. After all, this wasn't just about him, but about his mate. Dani was still fragile after being banished from his warren, and if anyone could understand how Dani felt, it was Connor. But the comfort Dani needed... It was exactly what Connor yearned for—the closeness, the bond, the claiming. They had desired each other before they'd even been able to understand it, and now they could finally be one.

  The hunger to explore and worship hadn't abated in the slightest, and Connor embraced it, seeing no need to hide it from his mate. He caressed the curve of Dani's buttocks, wordlessly letting his lover know what he had in mind. Dani didn't say anything, but the pleading look he gave Connor was all the encouragement he required.

  Even if it was hard for him to give up the sight of Dani's beautiful eyes, Connor flipped his mate on all fours. Dani went with it and pushed his ass back, his entire body a study in sensual demand and perfection. Groaning, Connor spread his lover's ass cheeks and, before Dani could even realize what was going on, stabbed his tongue into his mate's hole.

  Dani practically screamed, his muscles going tense with uncontrollable arousal. Connor felt it, scented it, almost breathed it, and everything in that demeanor, in that intoxicating desire, urged him to keep going. He wiggled his tongue inside Dani's body, using it like a little cock, tasting Dani in the most intimate way possible.

  By now, Dani had been reduced to incoherent sobs and broken whimpers. Some sort of instinct told Connor that Dani was already on the edge of coming again, and while he'd have wanted nothing more than to witness that, his patience was running out.

  Mercifully, Dani didn't need him to be patient. Somehow, through the lost murmurs Dani uttered under his breath, Connor managed to distinguish a few words. "Connor, fuck me."

  Each syllable was filled with a want that could not be denied. Connor lifted his head, abandoning his ministrations on Dani's ass long enough to get rid of his own clothes. Dani rolled over on the mattress, watching Connor with avid eyes as he stripped. And in that moment, Connor knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that no, he wouldn't be fucking Dani. He'd be making love to him.

  As quickly as possible, he discarded his shirt, sneakers and jeans on the floor, never once taking his eyes off Dani. His beautiful lover seemed intent on maddening Connor, because even as he watched, he reached for his own nipples and tweaked. The pink nubs of flesh were already peaked, demanding attention, and, judging by Dani's gasp, apparently very sensitive to the touch. And Dani wasn't nearly done, not done by far. He trailed his free hand over his abdomen, zeroing in on his cock. Connor's name once more escaped his lips as he gripped the hard shaft in his hand and pumped.

  Connor couldn't take it any longer. The sinful sight of his mate touching himself could have broken any man, even one stronger than Connor.

  He crawled back over Dani, reaching for his mate's dick and twining their fingers together to pleasure Dani. He lowered his mouth over Dani's free nipple, flicking his tongue over the tender bud. In response, Dani buried one hand in Connor's hair and wrapped his leg around Connor's waist. Whatever misgivings he'd experienced before were now completely gone, leaving behind only pure, honest lust.

  Connor released his mate's nipple with a wet pop and greedily took in the sight of his lover'
s flushed face. Dani bit his lower lip, but the action no longer held any uncertainty. It drew Connor's attention to Dani's mouth, and he couldn't help but steal another kiss from his beautiful mate. Their tongues entwined and they feasted on each other, the lip-lock a promise, a mimic of what they both truly craved.

  Thoughts faded, melted in the heat of Dani's kiss. Every action was guided by the natural flow of their need for one another. When they finally broke apart, Connor lifted Dani's legs on his shoulders, practically bending his mate in half. Dani didn't seem to mind—he was beautifully flexible—and in fact, released another encouraging gasp.

  Connor positioned his cock at Dani's slick opening and pushed. Both he and Dani groaned as he slid home, the tight heat of Dani's channel enveloping him in a velvet fist. Connor trembled with the effort not to come, and the only thing that kept his climax in check was the need to make this moment last.

  It didn't help that Dani buried his fingernails in Connor's shoulders, his hold so tight it might have drawn blood if Connor hadn't been a werewolf. As it was, it just aroused Connor further, making his instincts and his need flare even brighter.

  Even so, he stilled inside Dani, half for his own benefit and half for his mate's. Dani showed no sign of discomfort, his body swallowing Connor's cock with greed. Nonetheless, Connor didn't want to accidentally hurt his mate. The little pause allowed him to push back the impeding urge to come, although Connor knew better than to believe his resolve would hold. Being inside his mate simply felt too good, Dani's heat short-circuiting his thought processes and crushing every single barrier he might have tried to put up.

  In the end, there was no reason to even make the attempt. Pursuing the need that wouldn't abate, Connor pulled out of his mate, then thrust back inside. He aimed for Dani's prostate, wanting to see his lover come undone, to have Dani climax on his dick. Dani moved with him, impaling himself on Connor's cock, seeking more of the penetration.

  From that point on, they fell into a perfect rhythm, like lovers who'd just been reunited after a separation that had kept them apart for far too long. For all Connor knew, that was exactly the case. Perhaps they had, indeed, been together in another life. To Connor, it felt like all these years, he'd waited for Dani, surviving the harsh existence of a lone wolf for the sole purpose of finding the beautiful man in his arms.

  The urge to claim Dani gradually became too powerful, too much for him to contain. He found himself moving faster, thrusting harder, seeking to bury his cock deeper inside his mate's welcoming channel. Fortunately, Dani understood what Connor wanted. He tilted his head, offering himself to Connor. With a wild snarl, Connor struck, biting down on the juncture of his lover's throat.

  The taste of his mate's sweet blood filled his mouth, and with one final thrust, Connor found his peak, tumbling into an orgasm that sent him spiraling into a world where only he and Dani existed. He sensed the moment the mate bond clicked into place, binding them together for all time. He felt the echo of Dani's pleasure even as his mate followed him over the edge, his cock spurting jets of warm cream over their abdomens. His knot expanded, molding their bodies together in the most intimate way possible.

  But their bond went deeper than that, reached a level that humbled Connor. He had heard a lot about mates, and yet, nothing that he'd ever been told or witnessed had prepared him for this. He saw Dani's memories, sensed his pain and insecurities, but also his hope for the future.

  Two images collided and mingled, reflections of past hurts and traumas. It hurt to see and relive the moment he'd been cast out of his pack, even if he now knew his father couldn't have done anything else. It hurt even more to witness the memory of Dani's banishment, so raw and fresh in his lover's mind.

  Still, both of them accepted it, accepted the pain that came with the pleasure, understood what it meant. They had been shattered and rejected, but the jagged edges of their hearts fit together just right, like pieces of a puzzle Connor had not even realized existed. At one point, Connor didn't know where he ended and Dani began. His body and consciousness echoed with feelings and sensations both his own, and not, and his wolf howled in satisfaction as he instinctively reached out to his mate through their new link. Dani. My Dani.

  To Connor's surprise, Dani reached back. His mind, like Connor's, was a jumble of overwhelming emotions, but one thing, one concept was there, very present, shining bright through their connection. Mate.

  One word, a word that held so much meaning especially when it came from Dani—and the past ceased to matter. In that single syllable, Connor felt the love he hadn't dared to hope for, a still budding emotion that had somehow exploded into something powerful and all-consuming.

  He didn't know how long it lasted, but when he finally came down from the high and released his hold on Dani's throat, he felt both emotionally drained and happier than ever before. His knot receded and he pulled out of his mate with a pang of regret.

  He couldn't truly be disappointed, though, because as he collapsed on the bed, Dani curled close to him, the motion so natural it truly felt they'd done this a thousand times before. Connor wrapped his arm around Dani, simply holding his mate and taking in the sound of Dani's breathing, the scent of his sweat and of their spent passion.

  They didn't speak. Connor didn't think he could have said anything, but then, he didn't need to. Their new bond still vibrated with the aftermath of their orgasm, and while Connor could no longer see Dani's thoughts, he still felt his mate's emotions. It was beyond beautiful. It was home, the home Connor had always craved without actually daring to hope for it.

  "You'll stay with me, won't you, Connor?" Dani finally asked. "No more thoughts of leaving."

  Connor realized his mate must have caught a glimpse of his earlier plans. He kissed Dani's forehead and held him even tighter. "I think it's safe to say things have changed a great deal, for both of us."

  In response, Dani crawled on top of him and smiled. "It's a good change, I take it."

  His voice was husky and raw after all the moaning he'd done, and his eyes glowed with sensual promise. Despite having the most exhausting orgasm of his life, Connor went rock hard once again. He reached for his mate and proceeded to prove to Dani that no, there would be no more thoughts of leaving. Just this, the two of them, together, forever, the heat that had melted the heart of a lone wolf, and the bond that had convinced a rabbit shifter it was okay to be different.

  Epilogue

  Dani awoke feeling comfortable, warm, safe and... sticky. Individually, none of the sensations were new to him. In the warren, he often curled in bed with his numerous siblings, many of whom had the tendency to prank Dani, and each other.

  Despite that memory, he didn't for a moment feel confused or taken aback when he opened his eyes. He didn't wonder where his family had gone, or why he wasn't in the warren. Everything came to him with crystal clarity—and he knew that the comfort had nothing to do with his previous home. Instead, it was all because of the tight, but welcoming embrace of the man who, against all odds, had saved Dani from a group of attacking humans, and himself.

  The man—or rather, the werewolf—in question grinned down at Dani as Dani opened his eyes. "Morning there, sleeping beauty."

  "Morning," Dani mumbled against Connor's chest. "You've been awake long?"

  "Maybe," Connor drawled, playfully stretching the word. "Aren't you lucky? You now have a creepy stalker boyfriend who watches you while you sleep."

  "Not a boyfriend," Dani teased as he extracted himself from Connor's embrace. "A mate."

  Possessiveness flickered in Connor's eyes as Dani spoke, and Dani could have easily let his lover reach for him and have a repeat of the night before. He didn't. Instead, he stepped out of the bed and simply looked at Connor.

  Connor had feelings for him, that much was true, but there was one thing they hadn't gotten to share, and it was too important for Dani to ignore. The difference in their species was not something Dani could disregard. He didn't think Connor would reject him bec
ause of it, but he wanted to show this part of him to Connor, just like he'd shown everything else.

  Connor must have sensed or guessed his thoughts, because he made no move to reach for Dani. Instead, he just sat there and watched, giving Dani time to gather his thoughts and his courage. Dani embraced the opportunity, closed his eyes and summoned his animal form.

  He didn't know how it was like for other shifters, but the change in sizes that came with shifting into a rabbit could be very confusing at first. Thankfully, despite his young age, Dani had always managed to circumvent the aftereffects that appeared for others of his kind. When he opened his eyes again, he was far smaller, sitting on his hind legs on the floor and looking up at Connor.

  Connor slid out of the bed and walked toward him, slowly and carefully, as if trying not to spook him. He crouched by Dani's side, eyeing him with a mix of curiosity and awe. When he reached out and gently pet Dani's fur, Dani could have purred—had he been a feline shifter.

  He decided he felt playful and bit Connor's fingers. Mentally snickering, he sneaked through Dani's legs and ran to the other corner of the room.

  If he'd actually wanted to hide, he never would have chosen a closed, small space for it, but really, he was only playing, and Connor knew it. "Minx," he said with a mock-threatening growl. "Come here."

  Moving faster than humanly possible, he lunged toward Dani. He didn't shift, which was perhaps a good idea, since Dani's animal form was far more inconspicuous than Connor's. Nonetheless, Dani let the werewolf catch him. When Connor took him in his arms, Dani nuzzled close to his mate's chest, listening to the sound of Connor's steady heartbeat.

  When Connor sat back onto the bed, Dani allowed himself a few moments to revel in his mate's acceptance. It was nice, to feel Connor's rough fingers trace his ears, his tail, his paws. His mate seemed to enjoy knowing every side of him, and Dani wanted that in turn.