Evolution

by Carol Lynne

  “That’s bullshit and we both know it. What’s going on?”

  “I told you, nothing. I’m just trying to settle in. It’s not easy for me, ya know? I’m used to being alone. All these people around constantly are a little harder to get used to than I thought.”

  “Why aren’t you talking to Mica?”

  “Did he tell you that? I barely see Mica and when I do, he’s normally trying to stir up shit with my friends.”

  “Your friends? So you have some?”

  “Yeah. What, you think I’m so pathetic I can’t get a friend?”

  Daniel flinched like he’d been struck. “I know you can get friends. I was your friend. I guess what I don’t know is whether or not you know how to keep them.”

  Jarek rubbed his hands before cupping them in front of his mouth. He blew air into his palms in hopes of warming them. “Is there anything else? Because I’ve got to get back to the dorm.”

  “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but I wish you trusted me enough to come to me. You know there’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for you.”

  Jarek felt the sting of tears as he swallowed around the lump in his throat. How long had he waited to hear those words from someone? “I’m sorry, Daniel, but I need to go.”

  Instead of walking, Jarek shifted and ran in his cougar skin back toward the dorm. He shifted back before entering the building and made his way quickly to his room. Once inside, he locked the door and threw himself on his bed.

  He glanced over at the hotplate on his desk and the small pyramid of soup cans. God, he was tired of eating soup every night. He could only imagine what Daniel had planned for dinner. The last time he’d eaten at the house on the hill, they’d had steak.

  Jarek sighed. Maybe another brand was worth spending a night with the people he loved. He glanced at the small clock beside his bed. The rest of the shifters would be going down to dinner soon. If he waited until they were busy and then spent the night outside, they may not realize he wasn’t in his room.

  Getting to his feet, he opened the door and looked up and down the hallway. Once the coast was clear, he hurried to the wall phone and called Daniel. It would be pointless to risk Maquay’s wrath if he was no longer welcome.

  * * * *

  Jarek wiped his hands on his jeans before knocking on the door. He’d promised himself he would treat the evening like it was his last. Before the door opened, a deep voice from behind him had him smiling.

  “I’m glad you came,” Mica said, stepping up onto the porch.

  Jarek turned. “So am I.”

  The door opened and Hakan’s warm eyes welcomed them both. “It’s nice to see you here.”

  Without giving Jarek time to step away, Hakan embraced him. Jarek stiffened, knowing he would carry The Guardian’s scent even after he bathed. His eyes began to burn as he finally accepted the hug and the punishment that would surely follow.

  Hakan released him and Jarek lead the way into the house.

  “I’ll get us some beers,” Hakan said and disappeared through the doorway that led to the kitchen.

  He hadn’t realized the first time he visited, but after a month in the colorless atmosphere of his dorm room, Jarek noticed the small touches that made the house a home. It was in the shine of the wood floors, and the throw pillows on the brown leather sofa. The snapshots on the mantle of Hakan, Ryker and Daniel added the heart that his room would never have. He hated Maquay had refused to allow him the house Ryker had promised, but what he hated even more was the knowledge that he’d never be allowed to love a man of his choosing.

  He felt a large hand against the small of his back and glanced over his shoulder.

  “Are you okay?” Mica asked.

  Jarek started to automatically answer yes, but stopped himself. He shook his head and swallowed around the lump lodged in his throat. “I hate it here.”

  Mica grunted and pulled Jarek into his arms. “It’ll be okay. We’ll figure out what’s wrong and fix it.”

  Jarek buried his face against Mica’s broad chest. He knew the only way to fix what his life had become was to challenge Maquay, and there was no way Jarek could beat the man in a fight. He thought of Bly. How many times had he wondered why Bly sat back and let Maquay get away with the way he treated the shifters? It was obvious the second in command was stronger than the Alpha.

  “Hey. What’s going on?” Daniel’s gentle voice asked.

  Jarek sat up and stared into Mica’s eyes, pleading with the larger man not to share his confession. “Nothing. Just happy to see you guys.”

  He turned away from Mica and allowed Daniel to hug him. “I’m glad you changed your mind. Come on into the dining room. Jon and Ryker will join us in a few minutes.”

  When Jarek started to follow Daniel out of the room, Mica grabbed his hand and pulled him to a stop.

  “We’ll talk about this later,” Mica whispered in Jarek’s ear.

  Jarek nodded, but he knew he’d need to do a lot of backpedaling. As much as he wanted to lean on Mica and ask for help, he knew he couldn’t. Ryker had made it clear each animal family would police their own by way of their Alpha. If Jarek went to The Guardians for help, they would be caught in the middle, possibly threatening everything they’d created in Refuge.

  The only sensible way to change his situation was to either find someone who’d be willing to take on Maquay, or do it himself.

  “Sit here next to me,” Daniel said, pulling out a chair.

  Jarek nodded and did as asked. He wasn’t surprised when Mica chose the seat next to his. Glancing over at the gorgeous man, Jarek knew how easy it would be to fall in love. It gave him another incentive to find a way to depose their current Alpha.

  “So, how’s your new job going?” Hakan asked as he handed Jarek a beer.

  “I like it. I was so afraid I wouldn’t find something I was good at, but I think I’m doing a good job.” Jarek sipped his beer. He could do this. As long as everyone stayed on easy questions, he could bluff his way through the evening.

  Ryker and Dr. Whitehall walked into the room. Jarek stood to shake Jon’s hand before being enveloped in a hug from Ryker.

  Ryker released his hold and regarded Jarek with a questioning look. “Now that we finally got you here, mind telling me why you don’t want the house you were so excited about?”

  Jarek knew if he told Ryker he no longer wanted the house, The Guardian would know he was lying. “It was brought to my attention how many mated couples and families don’t yet have one. Since I’m single, a room is all I need.”

  Ryker narrowed his eyes. “I suppose Maquay is the one who brought it to your attention?”

  With such close scrutiny, Jarek knew he couldn’t lie. “Yes.”

  “Dammit.” Ryker shook his head as he stalked to the head of the table. “He’s the wrong man to be Alpha over the cougar shifters. I still can’t understand why none of you see it.”

  Jarek bit the inside of his cheek. “He’s very strong.”

  “In body, yes, but in mind and heart, he’s weak. An Alpha should be strong in all three,” Hakan interjected.

  Jarek shrugged. “Strength in mind and heart can’t win a challenge if you don’t have the physical strength to back it up. The only cougar I know who’d even have a chance is Bly and, for some reason, he won’t even discuss challenging Maquay.”

  “They’re brothers,” Ryker stated. “And you’re right. Bly will never challenge Maquay. But there is a shifter who is far superior to Maquay in strength and character.”

  Jarek was still reeling from the information about Bly. Suddenly the other half of Ryker’s statement sunk in. “Who?”

  “His name is Suni. While he accepted the invitation to live on Refuge, he’s refused to live among us. He rarely ventures from his cave.” Ryker leaned forward. “He has the true-blue eyes of the chosen.”

  Jarek sat up straighter. “Where’s he at? Do you think he would talk to me?”

  Ryker shook his head. �
��I doubt it. Even if he did, you won’t change his mind. The last time I tried, I could see the anger in his eyes. I’m afraid my status and my powers of Guardian were the only things that saved me from an attack.”

  I can try. Jarek felt Mica’s hand land on his thigh.

  “Stay away from him,” Mica grumbled.

  Jarek knew in that moment it was worth the risk. The chance at a life with Mica was worth everything to him. He gave a noncommittal nod and took another drink of his beer.

  Chapter Three

  Mica walked down the steps beside Jarek. “Where’s your truck?”

  Jarek bit his bottom lip and shook his head. How could he tell Mica he’d had to sneak out of the dorm in order to come? “I didn’t bring one.”

  Mica physically steered Jarek toward his security truck with an arm around his waist. “Get in.”

  Jarek dug in his heels. If anyone saw him get out of Mica’s truck, the punishment would come a lot sooner than he’d planned. “That’s okay. I can shift and run back.”

  Mica spun Jarek around to face him. “What’s going on? You keep sending me mixed signals. One minute I start to think you like me, but the next you’re pushing me away.”

  The hurt in Mica’s eyes was too much for Jarek. He wrapped his arms around the big man and rested his cheek against the heavily muscled chest. “I do like you, but I’m not allowed to be with you.”

  Mica tilted Jarek’s chin up. “Not allowed? Is it because I’m not a shifter?”

  “Because you’re not cougar.” Jarek reached up and pulled Mica’s head down. He pressed his lips against Mica’s, mimicking what he’d seen Daniel do with his men. He lapped at Mica’s full lips, needing to taste the man. An image of falling to his knees to get a real taste of Mica sprang to mind. What would it feel like to make love to such a large man?

  With a grunt, Mica picked Jarek up and pressed him against the side of the truck. “Hold on.”

  Jarek wrapped his legs around Mica and kissed him again. Mica’s mouth opened and he sucked Jarek’s tongue into its warm depths. As he fully tasted Mica for the first time, he began grinding his arousal against the heavily muscled man.

  Mica’s hand pushed between them and cupped Jarek’s erection. Jarek broke the kiss and thrust against Mica’s hand. “Yes.”

  The front porch light went out, startling both of them. Although Jarek was sure the threesome was trying to give them privacy, the thought of making love for the first time in front of his friends’ home didn’t sit well with him.

  Mica must’ve been thinking the same thing. He lowered Jarek to the ground, but kept his hand on Jarek’s cock. “Come home with me.”

  God, Jarek wanted to so badly. “I can’t.”

  “My house is secluded. They won’t know you’re there.”

  Jarek knew differently. Shifters had a keen sense of smell. Not only would Maquay know he’d touched others, but he would smell Mica’s seed if they were to make love. While Jarek weighed the price he’d have to pay verses the joy he’d receive, Mica managed to unzip his jeans. The first touch of Mica’s hand on his cock nearly sent him over the edge.

  “Okay,” he moaned.

  Mica broke away. “Are you sure?”

  Jarek nodded, and Mica opened the passenger door. Jarek started to zip his jeans, but Mica reached out and put his hand over Jarek’s. “Leave them open.”

  Jarek knew he could do better than that. He got into the truck and pushed his jeans and underwear down to mid-thigh as Mica watched. If one night is all they would have, Jarek planned to make enough memories to last a lifetime. He began stroking his cock as he smiled up at Mica. He’d jacked himself off thousands of times, but never had it felt as good as it did with Mica watching him.

  Instead of getting into the truck, Mica unzipped his own jeans and pushed them down. “I can’t wait. I need you now.”

  In complete agreement, Jarek rid himself of his shoes and pushed his clothes down and off. He noticed Mica struggling with his boots and turned to face him. Jarek patted the seat between his spread thighs. “Put your foot up here.”

  Mica pulled his jeans up enough to lift his foot onto the seat. As Jarek tried to work the laces loose, Mica’s hand was busy playing with Jarek’s cock. With one boot thrown to the ground, Mica lifted the next foot.

  Mica’s hand left Jarek’s cock to cup and squeeze his balls. By the time Jarek got Mica’s other boot off and his jeans and underwear pushed down, he was once again on the verge of erupting. He leaned forward and engulfed the dark head of Mica’s more than generous shaft.

  Mica’s deep moan vibrated Jarek’s chest. “Yes. It feels so good.”

  Jarek grinned around the fat cock, swallowing the streams of pre-cum as they dripped from the wide slit in the crown. He pulled off long enough to spit into his hand before sucking on the head once more. He did his best to wrap his hand around the base of Mica’s cock as he started to jack his lover off.

  “I’m gonna shoot,” Mica warned.

  Jarek scraped the tender flesh of Mica’s dick with his teeth and opened his throat for the gift he was soon to receive. The first burst of seed coated his tongue with a flavor similar to his own. He couldn’t help but hum his approval as the warmth coated his throat.

  Once the last of Mica’s cum had been milked from his body, Jarek cleaned his new lover’s cock. He released the softening member and smiled up at Mica. “Yum.”

  Jarek couldn’t read the expression on Mica’s face. At first, he thought the man was in pain, but when Mica pushed Jarek back against the seat and climbed over the top of him, he knew it was wonder he saw in Mica’s eyes.

  “Is this what love feels like?” Mica asked, rubbing his lips over Jarek’s face.

  “I don’t know. I’ve never been in love. I think it usually takes longer though.” Jarek wrapped his legs around Mica’s waist. “Kiss me.”

  Mica thrust his tongue inside Jarek’s mouth as he began to move his hips. Jarek was surprised by the hardening cock he felt riding against his thigh. Damn, Mica has a faster recovery time than I do.

  As the kiss continued, Jarek could feel Mica doing something off to his side. He heard the click of the glove box opening, moments before he felt something cold and slippery against his puckered hole.

  He opened his eyes and broke the kiss. “Are you going to fuck me?”

  Mica nodded. “If it’s okay. I’ve never done it before.”

  “Me either. I’ve used my own fingers, but even I know it’s nothing like the real thing.”

  Jarek felt one of Mica’s fingers slowly push its way into his ass. “Wow.” One of Mica’s fingers felt like two of Jarek’s. He hoped he’d be able to take the man’s cock when the time came. He did his best to breathe through the pain as Mica continued to loosen his ring.

  It was obvious by the intense concentration on Mica’s face he was worried about hurting Jarek. “Feels good.”

  Some of the tension in Mica’s forehead relaxed as he leaned down to kiss Jarek once more.

  He was close to release, when a voice behind Mica drew his attention. “Jarek.”

  Jarek pushed Mica’s hand away and pulled himself together as Maquay and Bly emerged from out of the trees. “Shit.”

  Nude, Mica immediately stepped in front of Jarek.

  “Come with us, Jarek,” Maquay commanded as if Mica wasn’t even there.

  After taking a deep breath, Jarek sat up and slid out of the truck. His hands were shaking as he tried to find his jeans and shoes.

  “Leave them. They smell of the stone man.”

  Jarek walked around Mica, biting his bottom lip. He glanced over his shoulder and gave Mica the most reassuring smile he could muster. “I’ll be okay.”

  “If anything happens to him, you’ll have to deal with me.” Mica’s warning was met by a sneer from Maquay.

  “This is cougar business, Stone Man. You’ve got no jurisdiction.”

  Mica took a step toward Maquay. “If you hurt him, there’s nothing that will
stop me from killing you.”

  Maquay laughed. “You could try. But you see, I know how to kill Jarek in the most painful way possible.” Maquay narrowed his eyes. “Don’t fuck with me, queer.”

  When Mica started to go after Maquay, Jarek stepped in front of him and put a hand to the center of Mica’s chest. “Please don’t make it worse for me.”

  Mica stopped and gazed down at Jarek. He was so angry he’d begun to shake as if it was taking all his will not to strike out at Maquay. Jarek stroked Mica’s chest several times. “It’ll be okay. Go home, Mica.”

  With those words, Jarek turned and followed the shifters into the trees, knowing his night had just begun.

  * * * *

  With three fresh brands on his side, Jarek struggled to shift into his cougar skin. The pain was so horrible he’d already thrown up the entire dinner he’d consumed earlier in the evening. He’d realized after the second burn was administered, Maquay would kill him if he ever spoke to Mica again.

  Finally managing to shift, Jarek slowly made his way toward the mountain where Suni’s cave was supposed to be. His only chance at love and survival could be found a day’s walk from Maquay’s house. Jarek prayed he’d make it. The gold dust had already begun to absorb through the fresh burns. With three separate applications, Jarek didn’t know if his body, even in cougar form, would survive.

  * * * *

  After searching for hours, Mica barged his way into Maquay’s home office. He didn’t give the cougar Alpha time to speak before he wrapped his hands around the man’s throat. “You bastard, what’d you do to him?”

  One moment Mica was holding a man by the throat and the next a cougar’s sharp claws were slicing at Mica’s face, arms and chest. The pain was unbearable as he tried to get away from the fighting cat.

  “Maquay!” Bly yelled, rushing into the office.

  With Bly’s help, Mica managed to free himself from the insane shifter. He staggered back and slumped to the floor. Despite his superior strength, he was no match for Maquay’s claws. The blood ran from his wounds in rivers as he struggled to stay conscious.

  “What have you done?” Bly screamed at his brother as he picked up the phone. “I need a doctor at the cougar house right away.”