Acceptance

by Grace R. Duncan

  Quincy glanced at Miles, then turned a smile to Noah. “Thank you, sir.”

  “Alpha. Or Noah, please. Let’s have a seat and you can tell me what you know.”

  It took all six of them to remember everything. Quincy told most of it, beginning with his initial disappearance. Miles added in bits and pieces of the last two-plus months since they’d met and been apart. He had to defer to Chad and Jamie over the fight in his apartment, and Tanner talked about what the wolves who’d gone looking around Miles’s apartment had found. Finally they managed to put it all together.

  “Well. That is something of a mess,” Noah said, sitting back. He stayed silent for a while, looking thoughtful. “I guess the first step is to see if your father maintains his innocence with me. After that, we’ll have to figure out where to go from there.”

  Quincy nodded and sighed. “There’s one more thing, though.” He glanced at Miles, who nodded and squeezed his hand.

  “Better for him to know everything.”

  “Right.” Quincy wrinkled his nose. “So, it was right after my first call to my father that they went after Miles. There’s a good chance they’ll come after you if you call from your phone.”

  Noah’s smile sent a chill down Miles’s spine, and Quincy shuddered next to him.

  “If they do manage to hurt me, that man—” Noah pointed to Tanner. “—will become alpha. And any hope your pride had of avoiding war is gone. He will make sure it happens.”

  Tanner was nodding the whole time. “I will. Quincy, I care about you and Miles. But I won’t let something like that stand. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. And I won’t want to.”

  “I wouldn’t want you to either. You’d have as much inside information on them as I could get you,” Quincy promised.

  Miles kissed Quincy’s temple. “Let’s hope it doesn’t get there.” He turned back to Noah. “Perhaps you could make a comment on the phone call to that effect? So that whoever is listening in will know just how dangerous it is to try?”

  Noah nodded. “Good idea. It can be veiled—or not.” He smirked. “But either way, it’ll be clear.”

  Carol insisted on getting fresh coffee for everyone before they tackled the phone call. Once she’d handed out cups, Noah moved them to the table in his study and pulled over the speakerphone from his desk to the bigger table. Quincy wrote the number on a piece of paper for him, then sat back.

  Miles pulled Quincy close and put an arm around him. Quincy raised an eyebrow, but Miles just smirked and tightened it, knowing Quincy would need the support. With a sigh they turned back to Noah, who was introducing himself.

  “Good afternoon, Alpha Noah.” Quincy’s father paused. “I’m assuming since you are aware of my nature that you are the alpha of my son’s mate.”

  “Indeed. And disturbed to hear about the attack on my wolf.”

  “I do hope you’re not insinuating I was involved.”

  Miles tried not to snort, but he didn’t think he succeeded entirely. He coughed to cover it up, but Chad and Jamie both smirked at him. He flipped them off, making them grin.

  “Of course not, Tepey Aubrey. I’m not insinuating anything.” Noah paused, sending an amused look toward Quincy. “I’m saying outright that a jaguar in your territory attacked my wolf. That makes it your responsibility.”

  Finley slapped a hand over his mouth, and Tanner and Chad were both laughing silently. Miles was having real trouble keeping a straight face. Even Quincy was smirking, because he knew his father knew Noah was right.

  “Do you have proof it was a jaguar?”

  “Several of my wolves identified his scent. Do we really need to beat around the bush? What are you going to do about it?”

  Silence sat on the line for a moment. “Give me some time to look into it. It would be best if we didn’t take this any higher for the moment.”

  “I can agree to that. For now. But something better happen. And know this. If anything else happens to any members of my pack—wolf, human, or jaguar—I will not hesitate to take this to my prime. Is that clear?”

  “Crystal, Alpha Noah. You will hear from me soon.” And with that Quincy’s father hung up.

  Noah hit the button to turn off the phone and sat back. “Well, was that what you expected, Quincy?”

  Quincy nodded. “More or less. He still refused to admit he ordered it.” He sighed and shrugged.

  Miles kissed his temple, wishing again he could send comfort over their bond.

  “I don’t know. Maybe he didn’t.”

  “You know…,” Chad said, pursing his lips. “Maybe you ought to try to see him in person—in public somewhere—and gauge for yourself if he’s telling the truth.”

  Miles tilted his head and considered his mate. “You’d probably learn a lot more.”

  Quincy frowned. “That’s… not a bad idea. But I’m not sure I want to leave Miles alone again. No offense to you,” he said, holding a hand out to Chad.

  Chad waved it off. “I wasn’t thinking you’d go alone anyway. I’m thinking the four of us should go.”

  Quincy blinked at him, then looked at Miles, then back to Chad. “Four?”

  Jamie nodded. “He’s not going without me, especially since his wolf still isn’t the most stable.”

  “And I’m not letting you go without me,” Miles said quietly.

  Quincy sighed. Miles had learned the expression on Quincy’s face—that he was giving in, obviously realizing he was outnumbered. “Fine. But…. He’s in New York and we should probably drive. Keep as low a profile going up there as we can.”

  Chad nodded. “We’ll take the Challenger. They won’t necessarily know it and, well, let’s just say my car’s good for a lot.”

  Quincy chuckled. “Okay. I won’t argue that. When do you want to go?”

  “Let’s give it a few days. Make some plans and see if you can get a message to your father to meet us somewhere,” Chad suggested.

  “Good idea.”

  “Good. Let me know what happens. If he calls, I’ll tell you right away,” Noah said, standing.

  “Thank you, Alpha,” Quincy said, holding his hand out.

  Noah shook it. “Nothing to thank me for. It’s my job. Welcome to the pack, son.”

  ALL SIX of them piled back into the Outlander. “Still want to go out?” Tanner asked, looking in the rearview mirror.

  “Fuck yes,” Quincy said, rather succinctly.

  Miles laughed. “Yes, definitely.”

  “All right, then.” Tanner took the turn out of the driveway toward Greensburg.

  Miles sat quietly for a long moment, studying Quincy. Lines of strain showed around his eyes, not that Miles would point them out. It was clear, though, that everything was starting to get to Quincy.

  “How are you?”

  Quincy shook his head. “I don’t really know. I don’t know what to think anymore.” He sighed. “It’s a good plan. But I just want this all over now.”

  “I know,” Miles said, pulling him closer. “I know. We’ll get there. We just need a little more patience. Surely a cat has some of that. So they can take over the world?”

  Quincy snorted. “I’m not planning world domination.”

  Miles feigned surprise. “You mean I’m not mated to a mastermind bent on taking over the world? Damn. And here I thought Diana had it right….”

  Quincy laughed and Miles grinned, glad he could get that. “Sorry, she messed up there.”

  “Aw, damn. So, instead I have a gorgeous man who’s an otaku with a penchant for… tweaking… people’s data, and turns into a beautiful, sleek black jaguar.” Miles tilted his head. “Don’t think I’m missing out on anything.”

  By the time he was done, Quincy’s cheeks were bright red. He muttered something that sounded suspiciously like “not gorgeous or beautiful.”

  Miles grabbed Quincy’s chin and tugged until Quincy was looking at him. “Definitely gorgeous,” Miles corrected him, then brought his mouth down on Quincy’s.


  Quincy opened to him immediately, and Miles got lost in the feel and taste of his mate. He, in fact, completely lost track of how long they kissed, where they were, and who else was there. He’d had so little of Quincy and couldn’t seem to stop. Quincy didn’t seem to mind. He wrapped his arms around Miles, tilting his head and deepening the kiss.

  “Yo! Stop making out in the back seat like teenagers!” Tanner shouted.

  Miles flipped him off and kept kissing Quincy out of spite.

  “Hey, fine, stay there if you want, but we’re here,” Tanner said. “I’ll eat all the steak myself.”

  Quincy snorted and Miles pulled back, grinning. “He probably could.”

  That brought another laugh from Quincy, who shook his head. “Somehow, I don’t doubt it.”

  THE JAPANESE hibachi steakhouse was one Miles had been to a couple of times since he’d moved to the Pittsburgh area. He had a feeling Quincy would like it, and he wasn’t disappointed. The six of them took up half of one of the grill tables, laughing and taunting each other about how much they could each eat as they took menus.

  Quincy immediately ordered a big bottle of sake. “Not that it does much, but that’s not going to stop me.”

  “I hear you on that,” Miles said, then looked up at the waitress. “I’ll have the same, and tea.”

  She smiled and nodded, then continued down the line.

  After taking Finley’s and Tanner’s drink orders and moving on, the two leaned in together over their menu, Finley looking worried.

  Miles turned to Quincy. “When the waitress comes back, make sure she puts this on one bill and gives it to us.”

  “Of course,” Quincy said, blinking.

  Miles shook his head. “I think they think they’re paying for their own.” He nodded toward Tanner and Finley.

  Quincy stared at him another moment. “That’s ridiculous. Miles, between the two of us, if we quit working now, we’d have a hard time worrying about money if we were even halfway careful with it.”

  “And as I have no intention of quitting—”

  “And neither do I.”

  “Then—” Miles paused and raised an eyebrow. “Do I want to know how you know my bank balance?”

  Quincy smirked. “No.”

  Miles snorted. “Not that it matters. We’re mated. What’s mine is yours.”

  Quincy beamed at that. “That’s good—not because I want it. I certainly don’t need it. But because I know a little bit about finance. I can take good care of it for you and help you grow it.”

  Miles raised an eyebrow. “Is it legal?”

  Quincy sniffed. “Of course it is. Finding out about what you had? No. But the rest is quite legal.” He turned his attention back to his menu.

  Miles laughed and kissed Quincy’s cheek. “Remind me to actually authorize you to get to my money.”

  Quincy sighed. “If you insist.”

  “I do.” Miles considered Quincy. “I want to help the pack too.” He leaned in, glancing at Jamie and Chad, then murmuring into Quincy’s ear. “I paid for Jamie’s schooling. He doesn’t know it and I don’t want him to. But there are still kids in the pack who can’t afford it.”

  “Well, we can certainly afford it, and we will help,” Quincy replied, keeping his eyes on the menu.

  Miles grinned. “Thank you, baby,” he murmured, kissing his mate again.

  Quincy sniffed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m thinking we should get the nigiri and sashimi appetizers. They look like a good mix of sushi types.”

  With a chuckle Miles read the descriptions, letting the money talk go. “Sounds good. Now…,” Miles said louder, to the table at large, “I think I want the steak and scallops. Finley, I bet you’d like that. Or the shrimp.”

  He met Finley’s eyes for a moment, then Tanner’s.

  Tanner nodded, then glanced over at Finley. Miles guessed they were communicating telepathically.

  Finley smiled. “I think maybe the shrimp, yes.”

  “Me? I think I’d like that steak and chicken,” Tanner said, turning back to the menu.

  CHAD AND Jamie had actually argued over the bill for a bit, but finally gave in when Quincy and Miles agreed they could buy the movie tickets. They were obviously not nearly as much as dinner was—with the sushi appetizers, the sake most of them had ordered, and the plum wine Finley had wanted to try—but it at least made up for it a little. Miles and Quincy both understood the feeling—neither wanted charity—but they were well aware that while Chad and Jamie weren’t poor, Quincy and Miles still had a lot more than they did.

  Miles had originally thought a date with all six of them would be a bit much, but it turned out to be fun. He’d wanted to take just Quincy out, since they hadn’t actually had a chance to go on a date yet—not that they had to; they were destined, after all. But Miles wanted to, wanted to be able to romance his mate a little. But Quincy hadn’t been comfortable with them going out alone. It was Tanner who suggested they all go together, and in the end, Miles had been glad for it.

  Chad started a popcorn war with Finley, then Miles and Jamie not long after they sat down in the theater. Tanner and Quincy both tried to pretend they didn’t know the rest of them, but all it took was a piece of popcorn landing in Quincy’s hair and apparently he couldn’t resist. A moment later Tanner was in on it.

  Tanner managed to stop it before they got kicked out of the theater. He made Chad and Finley go get more popcorn for starting it. Their response was to bring back chocolate… for everyone but Tanner. He raised an eyebrow while staring at Finley—again, likely communicating telepathically. Finley didn’t look quite as amused after that and shared his candy with Tanner.

  Luckily the previews started then, and they could turn their attention to the movie.

  AFTER THE movie, as they piled into the SUV, there was brief discussion about going for ice cream, but Miles was getting antsy. He had other plans that night and didn’t want to delay a whole lot more. He suggested they go running, and since the rest of the group—sans Quincy—was aware of the rest of the plans, he got no argument.

  Instead, Tanner drove to the pack clearing and parked. Everyone piled out of the car and immediately started undressing. Quincy looked a little uncomfortable, and it took a moment for Miles to realize what it was. As a cat, Quincy didn’t usually shift—and, thus, get naked—around other people.

  He tilted his head, leading Quincy around to the side of the car. “We can wait until they’re done.”

  Quincy looked a little embarrassed but nodded. “I just, uh, usually I’m—”

  “By yourself, I know.” He smiled. “It’s not like I’m overly thrilled with the idea of them seeing you naked, anyway. I’d prefer to keep you to myself. Besides, it’s not like we can’t catch up to them.” Miles looked up over the roof. “Hey, you guys go on. We’ll catch up in just a minute.”

  “Don’t be too long,” Chad called. “Wouldn’t want the kitty to tire himself out trying to catch up.”

  Quincy kept it mature. He flipped Chad off.

  Chad laughed as he stripped off the last of his clothes and threw them in the car.

  A moment later the other four had shifted, and Miles and Quincy were alone. Miles made quick work of his clothes, tossing them onto the seat as he went. Then finally they were both naked.

  Miles paused to look Quincy over. “You are gorgeous, you know that? Sleek and lean, and yet still powerful, just like your cat.”

  “Stop,” Quincy mumbled.

  “I wouldn’t have thought you’d be insecure about that.”

  Quincy cleared his throat. “It’s….” He looked up. “I didn’t have a lot of exposure to others growing up. My father hired private tutors. And how I looked, building my self-esteem, wasn’t anything he worried about. He was all about grooming me to be tepey and just assumed I’d get the self-confidence I needed somewhere along the way.” He shrugged a shoulder. “All while not really wanting anything to do with me outside of traini
ng me to take over for him eventually.”

  “That’s a seriously shit thing to do to your kid.” Miles shook his head. “I got lucky up until my senior year. My parents did do their best to help me learn self-confidence and have good self-esteem. For the record, I don’t say things like that for any reason other than because I mean them. No, the bond doesn’t make me think you’re gorgeous. You’ve figured that out, haven’t you?”

  Quincy nodded. “Yes.”

  “Then you know I mean it. I love you, Quince, very much. But I don’t think you’re hot because I love you. I’m attracted to you, want to get my dick inside you, because you’re hot.”

  The crude words did what he’d hoped. Quincy smirked. “Thinking you’re going to top, are you?”

  Miles grinned. “I know I am.”

  Quincy’s smirk turned into a grin. “If you can catch me.” And on that note, he started shifting.

  Miles was only a few seconds behind him, but it was enough for Quincy to get a head start. He didn’t mind. His wolf liked the chase, loved the challenge. He also loved running through the woods in wolf form, loved the feel of the wind in his fur. And knowing what was at the other end made it even better.

  Quincy didn’t make it easy, which Miles appreciated. It took a good while before he finally caught up, but once Quincy’s trail got stronger, it didn’t take long to find him. That’s when Miles realized his mate had an unfair advantage. He stopped, sat down, and chuffed.

  Quincy was up in the tree.

  He lay sprawled over a couple of the branches, his tail swinging back and forth, taunting Miles.

  Miles watched in amusement, trying to decide what he wanted to do. Before he could make his decision, the other four wolves found them. Chad sat at the base of the tree, head cocked, looking for all the world like a confused puppy. Tanner simply snorted and stretched out off to the side. Jamie and Finley barked at Quincy, and if Miles could have translated, it probably would have been something like, Awww, is the kitty hiding in the tree from the big, bad wolves?