by Oliver, Lisa
“Talk about what?” A wave of delicious scent preceded the words by mere seconds, but Kellen was so overjoyed Phillip was suddenly standing at his side, he totally ignored the other two men. He even forgot that his mate was an enforcer, pulling the unresisting man onto his lap and burying his nose in his neck. His mate had recently showered, and his clothes were different to the ones he’d worn that morning. Kellen raised his head, searching Phillip’s face.
“Are you all right? Is it done? I felt…I felt your pain….”
“That damn mating link, eh? Can’t keep anything from you. I’m fine, and we got what we needed, which is the important thing.” Phillip seemed happy. Kellen couldn’t feel, see or sense any damage to his mate, but he planned on checking at the first possible opportunity; all over Phillip’s delicious body. With that thought in mind, he tilted Phillip’s head and plundered the man’s lips. Yep, they were working perfectly, but to be sure he checked again.
“Annnnd, we’ll be going, if you’re finished with us?” Roger’s bemused voice cut across Kellen’s thorough examination of Phillip’s tongue and teeth, and he pulled back, shaking his head to clear it; so much for professionalism.
“Yep, we’re all good; got enough for the report. Thanks. Cam, thank you.”
The two men grinned and nodded in return and then left, Cam firmly tucked under Roger’s arm. Kellen’s gaze was drawn automatically to his mate’s face. The cheeks were a slight pink, his lips were bright red, but there was no trouble brewing in Phillip’s blue eyes.
“Tell me what happened?” He asked, not sure he wanted to hear the answer.
“The ferret condemned himself,” Phillip said quietly. “I didn’t touch him except to bind his arms after the attack; everything he said was recorded, including his threats to me and the pack; along with his assertion that Malcom was his lover, who would kill the pack to see him safe.”
“Malcom’s not gay.” Kellen thought over what he knew about the Councilor, but nope. If anything, Malcom was one of the few Council members who tolerated same sex Fated Mates, only because to go against them would be to suggest the Fates themselves didn’t know what they were doing.
“Then when Malcom hears that’s how Tristan described him, he’s going to be even more inclined to come here himself. Pearson text me when I was changing clothes. He wants us, Kyle and Teric there when he makes his call. Witnesses, you being the impartial one as you haven’t accepted a pack position yet.”
Damn, there went his sex idea. After another quick kiss, Kellen let Phillip stand, adjusting his cock as he followed his mate to Pearson’s office. Hopefully the call wouldn’t take too long.
Chapter Nineteen
“Thank you so much for taking my call, Councilor.” The ‘finally’ was left unsaid, but Phillip and the other men noticed it. Getting ahold of the elusive Councilor had proven time consuming; especially when the name “Washington Pack” was mentioned. They’d eaten lunch and were drinking coffee by the time Pearson finally got through.
“I don’t understand your persistence, Pearson.” Malcom’s voice was gruff, full of the arrogance of his station. Phillip pictured the man weathered with age, big and tall, and not inclined to suffer fools easily. “If you’re having pack problems any Council member could handle it. Why this damned insistence on speaking to me personally?”
“It’s a delicate matter, Councilor and concerns you directly. I’m not sure if you’re aware that one of your troubleshooters is currently staying in our pack. As I understand it, he’s doing some investigations into the safety of some of my members, which I appreciate.” Pearson didn’t sound very appreciative, but then Phillip knew him better than Malcom. Malcom was suspiciously silent on the other end of the line.
“The investigator brought a young man with him, a shifter named Tristan Pool and…well, let’s just say a ferret doesn’t do well in a wolf pack and he’s landed in our cells on serious charges.”
There was another moment’s silence, and then Malcom said, “I think I remember the investigation, but I don’t understand why you’re calling me about a ferret of all things.” Was there a tremor of nervousness in the councilor’s voice?
“He mentioned your name,” Pearson said, and Phillip tensed, knowing this was where things could get dicey. “He’s facing a death sentence for an unprovoked attack on a pack member. But when I spoke to him…well, let’s just say he issued threats towards this pack; and mentioned your name specifically as someone who’d be defensive on his behalf. As I’ve never had any trouble with the Council, you can understand my concern.”
“He did what?” The anger was obvious in Malcom’s voice and Phillip noticed Kellen had a huge smile on his face.
“The ferret was very eloquent about you; he claims he has a special…er…intimate relationship with you, and that you’d be upset if something were to happen to him. Naturally, given your position, I thought it best to contact you before making decisions regarding his fate. If he’s special to you, as he claims, then….”
“Yes. Indeed. Right. A pack of lies, of course, but I can see your point.” Malcom was not a happy man. “These allegations, the attack, this ferret’s testimony, they’ve been documented?”
“Of course, Councilor. I appreciate the need for a paper trail in all criminal cases, especially with a Councilman involved.” Now Pearson was grinning too. “I understand how busy you are,” the Alpha continued. “Shall I speak to the head of the security office, and arrange to have Tristan sent to New York for punishment? Your troubleshooter could accompany him, once he’s completed his assignment. After all, there’s no way of knowing if the young man is targeting other council members and packs. If you’d prefer the Council handle this matter, I can send all of the information we have on this case.”
“No.” Malcom said quickly; too quickly in Phillip’s opinion. The man was rattled and apparently realized it was showing in his voice, because he backtracked quickly. “I appreciate the offer, Pearson, but I think it might be better if I came down and handled this. I don’t see what this ferret is trying to achieve – he’s probably trying to save his own neck. But I’d like to talk to him, find out why he targeted me in his allegations, and why he has issues with your pack. I suspect someone is trying to frame me for something, and if that’s the case then it would be better if this matter was handled swiftly and delicately. There’s no need to involve, Kellen Waite I believe, in any of this. I can debrief him later, if necessary.”
“Of course, Councilor. I understand. Mr. Waite is following your orders and interviewing members. He’s aware his travelling companion is being held in the cells, but has no idea why and doesn’t seem overly concerned,” Pearson said smoothly. Phillip smirked and placed his hand on Kellen’s knee. Of course his mate wasn’t worried about Tristan anymore. Malcom also didn’t know that Kellen was mated and it was probably best that he didn’t, for now. It was obvious Malcom was trying to cover his ass in the event of an attack on the pack. “Would you like me to arrange accommodations for you and your entourage at our club?”
“No. I won’t be staying long.” Yeah, no way the old fart was going to be seen at a BDSM club. “I’m sure this can be handled quickly and efficiently. At this stage, the less people knowing about this, the better. Expect me later this evening.”
There was a loud click as the line went dead. Pearson glared at the handset and placed it on the table. Then his face relaxed and he grinned at Dante and the other men.
“Looks like company’s coming, fellas. We’d better be prepared. We’ve got roughly four hours until Malcom arrives; I want the club jumping; every enforcer on duty and any non-pack members out of the club before he arrives, except you and your bodyguards, Kellen. It’s time to show Councilor Malcom just how the Washington pack operates.”
“You want him dazzled with a smut show or something?” Kyle asked.
“Or something,” Pearson said, and Phillip wasn’t sure that the evil look that crossed the Alpha’s face was a good or bad.
“This club is the linchpin of our pack. I want our esteemed councilor to see as many members as possible enjoying our facilities. I want the enforcers alert and ready for any attack; and before Malcom arrives I want Tristan hog-tied and stashed safely out of the way. Speaking of Tristan, given how he was provoked this morning, I don’t really want to have to kill the little snot. If we can get through this evening unscathed, then I’m inclined to let him go. You okay with that, Phillip?”
Did he want the ferret dead? Phillip gave it some thought. In the grand scheme of things, it wouldn’t bother him. Phillip had no vested interest in Tristan’s safety, especially in light of how badly the man had manipulated his mate. But Pearson was right. He’d had his fun earlier, and probably been a lot ruder than most men would have been. Phillip refused to feel guilty about that. Even for a wolf shifter, killing the man simply because he had history with his mate was extreme. Kellen had broken it off with Tristan the moment they’d scented each other, so really?
“I don’t care if Kellen doesn’t.” Yep, and he managed to say that with a straight face, too.
“Keep him out of my hair,” Kellen added. “He treated me like an idiot well before we came here, and I might not be so lenient the next time I see him.”
There was something decidedly sexy about Kellen’s growl. The sort of growl that could make a mate’s cock perk up and look for some excitement. Phillip hoped he’d have a chance to do something about his, before Malcom arrived.
/~/~/~/~/
This would have to do. Kellen had followed Phillip around as the man showed him a complex club layout, multi-tasking all the while. His upper brain noted exits, hazards and what he needed to know; his dick, on the other hand, was searching for a dark corner and a hot mouth. There was a moment where his logical brain screamed unprofessional, but when Phillip opened the door to one of the back rooms, Kellen ignored his thinking brain entirely and focused on his cock.
Not giving Phillip a chance to react, he pushed his mate inside the room, and slammed and locked the door. A giant bed occupied most of the space, while a spanking bench stood at the foot of it. Racks along the wall showed all manner of equipment, that Kellen would seriously look at later. For now, the only thing he needed, the only person, was standing right in front of him, a scowl on his handsome face.
“We’re not doing anything in here. These rooms are monitored.” It seemed like Phillip needed some persuasion. That wasn’t going to be a hardship. Kellen ran his hands up Phillip’s arms and tugged him close, well aware of their strength differences but unwilling to push his mate too far.
“They may be monitored, but what is anyone going to see that they haven’t seen a hundred times before. Two men, mates, hard for each other, and getting a bit of relief – perfectly normal when there’s a fight looming.”
“We can go to our suite,” Phillip persisted. “At least there we can have a bit of privacy.”
“The enforcers are busy, and surely you don’t have anyone else watching those high-tech monitors of yours.” Kellen softened his voice, added a growl at the end of his sentence, and yep – it was as if his growl hit an ‘on’ switch in Phillip’s body. Phillip’s cock was like a warm steel pipe against his leg. Unfortunately, Phillip’s shoulders were just as rigid.
“Come on babe,” Kellen growled against Phillip’s neck, feeling a tremor run through Phillip’s back. “You don’t want me going into a fight like this, do you?” He ground his cock against Phillip’s abs for emphasis. “I could get distracted, and that could be dangerous.”
“Really? Do men honestly let you get away with saying this shit?”
Kellen was astounded enough by the question to pull his head off of Phillip’s neck, although his groin refused to move from the heat of his mate’s body. What had he said wrong? He guessed some confusion from his head was spilling onto his face, because Phillip heaved a sigh and deftly pulled himself out of Kellen’s arms.
Kellen watched Phillip stride over to lean on a bare spot on the wall. Quickly releasing the fastenings on his pants, Phillip pulled his cock out and gave it a few tugs. Kellen swallowed. Okay. This was clearly more of a quid pro quo situation.
Phillip tilted his head. “Suck me first, then I’ll return the favor.”
There were a lot of things that flashed through Kellen’s head. His position, his natural dominance, the men who were monitoring the rooms, the fact his cock was so hard it was beginning to ache. But then Phillip ran his hand lazily up his length again, his natural musk filling the air, and Kellen thought, fuck it. In two seconds flat he was on his knees in front of his mate, a gorgeous cock filling his mouth.
Oh fuck that feels so good. Kellen faltered for a minute, he still wasn’t used to their mind-link, but he quickly resumed his mission; making Phillip come undone so his own cock could get some attention.
Damn. Right there, yeah right there, babe, do that. Kellen obligingly nibbled where indicated, and then he grinned, at least on the inside. Phillip wasn’t about to give anything away to the people who may or may not be watching, which was why he was spurring Kellen on through their link. Making his mate yell out loud could be an interesting challenge.
Kellen didn’t think he had anything in the way of expert cock-sucking skills, but it wasn’t something that could be done wrong provided teeth were kept out of the way. And he didn’t have to rely on mouth alone. He was given two hands and he could use them to his advantage.
It wasn’t long before Phillip was writhing under his hands and mouth, his moans muted, but a victory for Kellen nonetheless. He was aware of the ticking clock, Malcom could arrive at any minute, and he wanted, he needed to get some relief for his own cock before that happened. Otherwise he’d never be able to focus. Giving his partner an orgasm first was not his usual MO, but damn it felt good knowing that his mate was coming undone because of his actions.
Too much… gonna…. Kellen swallowed repeatedly, Phillip’s cock wedged firmly in his throat. The balls in his hand quivered and vibrated and then Kellen felt it, the spurt down the back of his throat, and the long, delicious moan that escaped Phillip’s tightly pressed lips.
Gotcha. The pride Kellen felt bubbling inside was probably unwarranted and maybe a little silly, but he went with it. Phillip had spent too much time in his pre-Kellen life worrying, being depressed, feeling unworthy. Suddenly the blow job Kellen had just given took on a whole new significance. His head finally realized what his heart and wolf had already known – Phillip was worth it. His mate was worth every single bit of love, affection and care that he could give him. In that moment, Kellen vowed his mate would never go a day without knowing how he felt.
A tug on his arm had Kellen looking up only to see Phillip’s face twisted in amusement. “Want me to return the favor.”
Well, duh!
Chapter Twenty
Phillip wasn’t quite sure what was going on with his mate. The pack was readying for a fight yet Kellen kept smiling at him all the time, and there was a warmth in those bright green eyes that Phillip didn’t think he’d ever had directed at him before, from anyone. He shuffled in his seat, feeling edgy for some reason and he had a horrible suspicion it had to do with the fact that his inner bitch had reminded him constantly, he didn’t deserve any of the love, caring or whatever the hell it was, his mate was sending him through their bond. He wanted to accept it, and give it back tenfold, but that insidious voice inside of his head reminded him he did not deserve it.
A tap on Pearson’s office door provided a welcome distraction. Levi popped his head around the door. “Steel’s got word there’s a convoy heading our way. Ten, possibly twelve big black SUVs with tinted windows, no way of knowing how many men inside. ETA seven minutes.”
“Fuck!” Pearson didn’t swear or yell very often and it made Phillip jump. “That conniving SOB is trying to take us out with trumped up charges. That’s the only reason he’d have a force with him. Levi, tell Steel to phone the council – find out what the hell is going on and then s
tay with him. Tell him the club is going into lockdown.”
“Yes, Boss.” Levi disappeared.
“Kyle, you and Teric clear the club of all subs – those without transport put in the cells, where they’ll be safer. Any Doms worth their shit and unmated, keep them in the club, we might need the manpower.” Kyle and Teric moved quickly. The club was full, Pearson’s idea of making a point to the rogue council member had backfired horribly. Now the smallest pack members could be in terrible danger, and Phillip’s gut clenched at the thought of the carnage a group of rampaging enforcers could do. It seemed Malcom knew more about Pearson than anyone imagined.
“Roger, I know you won’t leave Cam so I’m putting you in charge of our younger, smaller members. Arm yourself to the fucking teeth; don’t let any fucker down there no matter what. Take Farren with you.” Pearson was still belting out orders, his voice calm but firm.
“On it, Alpha.” Roger left, his mate tucked under his arm as though that alone would save him. Phillip hated to see them go. He was an enforcer, but Cam was the pack Omega. He imagined everyone in the room felt that pull to save the little man from any harm. Cam was an innocent in all of this and to be targeted simply because of the blood that flowed in his veins, was wrong on so many levels. Phillip prayed with all that he was that Roger would keep the man safe, although he knew, without a shadow of a doubt the man would die trying.
“The rest of you are with me.” Pearson heaved an angry sigh and stood up, his mate, Dante undaunted and silent by his side. “In all my years here, never… it’s never come to this.” He let out another breath and looked at Dante, his eyes warm and his touch gentle as he caressed his mate’s face.
“This is our home,” he continued, turning and now Phillip could see the determination on his Alpha’s face. “We’ve built a life here, kept to ourselves and have never caused anyone an ounce of trouble. It’s time. Time to show Malcom, the idiots he’s brought with him, and the Council we will not be destroyed by anyone’s hate agenda.”