On his way up the mountain, Fang hadn’t had time to check if all his childhood haunts were still there. Now he slowed down, passing the old cinema Drake and he had used to sneak snacks into. It needed a new paint job and the neon sign missed a couple of letters, but he saw the latest movie posters outside. Huh. So it was still open for business, just like some of the shops in town.
“Red Valley seems just like the way I left it,” he commented to make conversation.
“It’s changed little. When the vamps and hyenas moved in, a couple of businesses closed down. Once word gets out the bloodsuckers are gone, people will cease being scared,” Shane remarked.
Fang noted there was no trace of blame in Shane’s tone, merely observation. They passed by more boarded-up shops and townsfolk on the sidewalk who looked vaguely familiar but were aged by time.
In his adult life, Fang had been everywhere but had never felt at home in any of those places.
“Ten years ago, I swore to Drake and the others I’d come back.”
“I waited for you.”
“I know.”
Shane swore. “You overheard Drake and I talking?”
“Yeah.” Fang still felt guilty about that.
“Why didn’t you come back? Was this place so repulsive to you?”
“You know the answer to that.” Fang had told Shane often enough in their letters how much he dreaded coming back to face his father.
“Were all your memories of Red Valley bad?”
“Not all. Where you want to eat?”
“Bonnie’s is fine.”
Fang couldn’t hide his surprise. “That diner’s still alive?”
“Bonnie’s son Ben runs it now, but yeah.”
Fang still knew the way. He’d slunk out to Bonnie’s along with Drake and the others when he was younger, licking at his wounds and nursing old hurts. His friends had never talked about the black eye or bruises. They’d talked about stupid stuff, teenage stuff, over burgers and milkshakes. Occasionally, he’d see Shane and the older boys there. The others had occasionally taunted him, but never Shane.
“Sometimes I walked up here to see if you were here,” Fang said, parking the car in an empty spot.
“Really?”
“You were always with someone, friends, lovers.” Fang got out of the car. Shane laughed, making him frown. “What’s so funny?”
“I did the same thing. The other boys hated coming to Bonnie’s. They preferred hanging out at the parking lot of Millie’s General Store or Blackboot’s Bar.”
“What happened to all of those wolves?” Fang asked. The expression on Shane’s face darkened. He intervened quickly. “Sorry, forget I asked.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. There’s no one to blame, Fang. The old Alpha made a bad call, and I can’t do anything about the past.”
Pain coated Shane’s words. It felt like Fang had taken several brutal rounds in the cage. “I should have been there,” he stated.
Shane shoved him against the car until Fang’s back tasted steel and glass. When an opponent did that in the ring, Fang would respond with violence, or if he felt hollowed out, he welcomed the pain.
He would do the same for Shane, absorb Shane’s punches if that would make his mate feel better. Instead, Shane rested his forehead against Fang’s and hooked his fingers into Fang’s belt loops. Shane shut his eyes, and Fang wanted to ask where he hurt so he could fix it.
“I could have quit and tried looking for you. No use slinging accusations anymore. I want a fresh start, Fang. Can we have that?” Shane opened his eyes again.
Fang didn’t know how to respond. He’d never been good with words, so he let his actions speak for themselves. Slanting his mouth over Shane’s, he kissed Shane roughly.
He hadn’t imagined the explosive chemistry between them. Shane tangled his fingers into his hair and bit back, rubbing his body against his, letting Fang feel his erection.
Fang pressed a hand over Shane’s chest and separated them. Breaking hard, Shane stared at him, looking puzzled.
“Eat first. Take some energy into your body. I want you nice and all healed up for later,” Fang answered.
“What’s going to happen later?” Shane asked.
Fang nuzzled Shane’s neck, liking his shiver. “I’m going to make you mine.”
He hoped Shane understood the implications of those words. Shane took a step back, eyes golden and horny with lust, but it cleared a little when there was more distance between them.
“Fang…” Shane faltered. “Am I understanding this correctly? If we claim each other, does that means you’re staying?”
“I never belonged in the desert or in the cage. I drove with Drake here in a hurry, hoping we weren’t too late. Even then, my beast understood.”
“What?” Shane asked in a whisper.
“That we both longed for home, for each other.”
Shane opened his mouth and then shut it. “This is real, right? I’m not dreaming?”
Fang kissed him again. “I never wanted to be Alpha, but I want to be worthy of being your mate.”
“That’s good enough for me.”
Fang grinned. His heart soared, hearing those words. “Enough sappy shit. I’m hungry for food, then for you.”
“Way to go at ruining the moment, you sexy bastard,” Shane muttered.
If Fang’d had his wolf ears, they would’ve perked up. “You called me sexy.”
“Shut up. Everyone in the diner’s gawking at us.”
“Let them.”
*****
“Are the double bacon cheeseburgers still as huge as I remembered?” Fang asked, looking through the dirty plastic menu.
Shane’s head wasn’t entirely in the present. He kept thinking about the coven house, its implications. He was free. From obligation to the vampires, to claim his mate. It felt like a dream, but therein lay the danger.
Personal experience had taught Shane that happiness could be taken away any time. He couldn’t remember the last time since he’d felt this carefree, this happy.
“Shane.”
He blinked. Fang placed the menu down, his gaze intense and eyebrows furrowed.
“The burgers are the same size,” he confirmed.
“Are you fine?”
“Yup.”
“Piss-poor liar then and now.”
“Ready to order? Shane, who’s this with you?” A gray-haired waitress in her early fifties appeared by their table. Shane had known Mrs. Graham since he was a kid. Fang looked more uncomfortable by the second as Mrs. Graham squinted at him. The old woman gasped. “Fang?”
“You recognize me?” Fang looked like he wanted the ability to turn invisible. Highly impossible, given Fang’s muscled bulk, ink, and scars were hard to miss.
“You look just like your father,” Mrs. Graham said thoughtfully.
Shane didn’t miss the way Fang flinched at those words. He knew Mrs. Graham meant well, but she’d dug at old wounds.
“But you’re different from him. Better eyes,” she finished.
“Can we order?” Shane asked, clearing his throat.
“Of course, dear.”
“Fang?” Shane asked, and was unsurprised when Fang ordered four burgers, extra helpings of fries, and two milkshakes. “I’ll get the same.”
“I’ll be right back with your order, boys.” Mrs. Graham paused. “Shane, is it true about the vamps?”
The diner went quiet suddenly.
“What did you hear?” he asked.
“The coven house emptied. According to Mr. Jackson across the street, they left in a hurry the night before, along with their feeders.”
“Fang and his friends helped us chase them off,” he told her truthfully. “It looks like they’re gone for good.”
Fang jumped when she gave one shoulder a slap.
“Good for your boys.” Pleasure lit her face and voice. “I’ll be back with your orders. Fang, do you still like mixing chocolate and vanilla milkshak
es?”
Fang grunted when she mussed his hair and walked away. Under his breath, he muttered, “I can’t believe she’s still working here.”
“Some things in town don’t change.”
“You didn’t need to tell her about me and the others,” Fang said, fiddling with the napkin container and then cursing when the lid broke. “Fuck. I break everything I touch.”
Shane placed his hand over Fang’s. “No, you don’t. Let me.”
Fang let him fix the holder, saying nothing for a couple of seconds.
“You can’t take your words back. You promised me you’d stay for me, for us,” Shane said.
He was terrified little things like Mrs. Graham talking to Fang would set Fang off. If his mate disappeared on him a second time, Shane didn’t know what the fuck he would do. He was aware how needy he sounded, but he hardly cared at this point. With Kit and the others, Shane had to wear his Alpha mask all the time, pretend to be strong, but Fang was the one man he could show his real self.
Fang leaned against the booth and looked through the windows to outside. Shane let him gather his thoughts. A lot must have been going on in Fang’s mind right now.
Finally, Fang looked at him. The resolve there blew all Shane’s fears out of the water.
“I’m not going to run, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’ve done too much of that in my life.”
Chapter Nine
“I just need to get used to the attention again,” Fang concluded.
“I heard from Drake you got plenty of attention back in the city from groupies.”
Fang threw him a wary look. “You heard about that?”
Shane crossed his arms.
“Don’t worry. They meant nothing to me. To them, I was just a conquest. You’re my mate and you mean everything to me.” Fang seemed embarrassed again. To an outsider, Fang looked the same, but Shane could read his mate better now.
“I believe you.”
Luckily, their food arrived. Shane stared for a couple of seconds as Fang attacked the first burger like a caveman. Notching him looking, Fang slowed down and tossed a couple of fries into his mouth.
“What?” Fang snapped. “I eat a lot when I’m nervous.”
“That’s fucking cute.”
“I’m not cute.” Fang threw a fry at him.
Shane scowled. “Real mature.”
“Ooh. Spare table over here, Drake,” a familiar voice chirped.
Shane couldn’t believe his eyes: Talon was dragging a reluctant Drake to their table.
“Fuck off, table’s full,” Fang said automatically.
Talon didn’t listen. Very few men had the courage to shove Fang to the corner and take his seat. Sighing, Shane left some space for Drake.
“Mrs. Graham,” Talon called loudly. “Two sets of whatever these big fuckers got.”
“I can do without the cursing, young man,” Mrs. Graham called back.
Talon wore his ‘aww shucks’ look. Even when they had been kids, Talon was the one member of Fang’s crew who could charm the pants off anyone.
“So, how’s the date going?” Talon asked.
“Talon, there’s a table over there,” Drake pointed out, shooting Shane an apologetic look.
“This isn’t a date,” Fang snapped. Then he glanced at Shane before munching on his second burger.
“The vamps have cleared out,” Shane said. “But we’d update you guys anyway.”
“The vamps,” Talon said with a snort. “We weren’t worried about a bunch of bloodsuckers.”
“What then?” Shane asked.
“Fang,” Drake began. “We need to know where you two stand. What’s next? Claw and Jax planned to leave tomorrow. They have lives too.”
“Fine. They can do whatever they want. I’m staying.”
Shane would never get sick of hearing those words.
“For real?” Talon asked, looking as stunned as Drake.
“Razor’s staying,” Fang said, this time looking at Shane and then back at Talon. “What about you?”
“I don’t know, man. I’ve been a rogue since I left Red Valley, but lately, seeing you two awkward assholes giving each other fuck-me looks, I’m thinking I should start settling down too. Find myself a cute mate.”
Fang laughed out loud. Shane shook his head. “Fang, that’s rude.”
Talon looked hurt and punched Fang’s shoulder, then cursed. “What are you made of, concrete? You’re difficult and grumpy, Fang. If you can find your match, I can too.”
“I’ll continue serving as your second, or third,” Drake said, looking back and forth between Shane and Fang.
“I don’t want to be Alpha. I’ll be terrible at it. Shane’s a better choice,” Fang said.
Shane disagreed, but if being Alpha meant Fang wouldn’t leave, then he could live with that decision.
*****
“This isn’t the way to the pack house,” Fang remarked.
“We’re taking a detour. I want to show you something,” Shane replied. Shane had a mischievous glint in his eye. That intrigued Fang. Before they’d parted company with Drake and Talon, Drake had taken him aside and confessed he’d hadn’t seen Shane smile in years. That was one hell of an ego boost.
Greens and browns blurred as Shane drove. Fang made a mental note to explore the entirety of the Red Mane territory, to do his job as Shane’s second or third. The wolf inside him needed to fight Drake to establish the pack’s pecking order, but the man didn’t care.
Too much time had passed with Fang being apart from Shane.
Coming back to Red Valley had given him a measure of clarity after being broken all this while. Time in the military had tempered him to steel, but taking lives and losing friends had taken more of him too. Fighting in the cage had helped him forget, but it wasn’t a solution.
He thought he’d never get this chance. Now with Shane in his grasp, Fang was never letting go. Shane claimed he needed Fang, but it was the same for him. Shane was his new reason for living, his purpose. Fang didn’t care about his father’s legacy anymore, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t fight to protect his friends and Shane’s new wolves.
Fang had never thought he could find his mate and family here, but he had.
Fuck, was this what happiness was like?
“You look like you’re thinking deep thoughts,” Shane observed.
“I’m capable of that,” Fang said, pretending to sound insulted.
Shane chuckled.
“I’ve been thinking, before I came here, it felt like I lived a half-life.” Fang didn’t know why he could speak his mind with Shane, when otherwise, the words would have been fucking embarrassing. Maybe he was turning soft, but knowing he was still capable of love wasn’t a weakness. It was a fucking revelation.
“I know what you mean.” Shane steered the car to smaller, twisting roads and then killed the engine finally. They were in a clearing. “Come on. Let’s go for a run.”
Fang didn’t need persuasion. The thought of being able to run side-by-side with Shane in wolf form had been one of his fantasies back when he was a kid and when they’d traded letters and he hadn’t managed to shift yet.
“Wait, question,” Shane began when Fang peeled off his shirt.
“What?” Fang liked it when Shane stared at him like he was a prime piece of meat. Fans admired his physique all the time, so he was used to the attention. When Shane did it, Fang’s stomach did strange flutters.
“It’s driving driving me damn crazy, but what happens to your nipple ring when you shift?”
“It stays on, even when I shift. You don’t like it?” Fang asked.
“That’s fucking hot.” Shane approached him, trailed one finger down his left pectoral, and gave his left nipple ring a tug. Fang growled at the sensation. That impish smile was back on Shane’s lips again. “This would be fun to play with.”
Imagining Shane playing with his ring, teasing him, made Fang’s dick harden. Shane traced the metal with one
fingernail, looking fascinated.
“I can get the other one pierced. Then you have two to play with,” Fang offered.
Shane’s pupils turned bright gold. “Fuck, Fang. Don’t tease. It’s unfair.”
He frowned. “I’m not teasing.”
Shane stared at him like he was insane. Fang slipped out of his jeans and boxers. Fuck, he couldn’t believe his prick was this thick already. On one hand, he was beyond horny, but he wanted to run with Shane too.
“Are we running or what?” he asked.
Shane crossed his arms. “Challenge me to catch you.”
Fang furrowed his brows. He hadn’t known Shane was fond of games. “Fine. We’re acting like pups.”
He reached for his wolf. The change came easily. Fur flowed over skin, bones broke, and his paws hit dried leaves and dirt. He wanted to feel Shane’s fur against his. Maybe he could nip playfully at Shane’s ears. Play tackle.
“If I catch you, you’ll let me do whatever I want with you,” Shane called out as Fang trotted to the nearest line of trees.
Fang was beginning to like this game. He broke into a sprint. If he’d had a human mouth, he would have smirked at Shane’s curse.
“Unfair, Fang. I haven’t said start,” Shane yelled behind him.
Too bad. Shane needed to catch Fang first, but maybe he didn’t mind being caught.
*****
“Fucking cheating son-of-a-bitch,” Shane muttered under his breath.
He nearly tripped over his jeans. Damn Fang. He kicked off his shoes. Seeing Fang had just abandoned his stuff on the ground, Shane swiped it and put their belongings back in the car.
It didn’t matter. Shane knew these woods in the back of his hand, all the shortcuts and routes. Fang stood no chance. Chuckling to himself, Shane let his wolf explode from his skin. Wind whipped at his face as he ran.
Before, he had run to escape his problems. He’d run from the memory of Magnus sinking his fangs into the side of Shane’s neck.
He hadn’t had a fun romp in ages.
At first, Fang had no direction in mind. Shane recognized the path Fang took—to Red Valley Falls. Fang had used to go there when they were kids, his own little secret spot, but Fang hadn’t known Shane had used to follow him from a distance.
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