by Jana Downs
He followed Hope into the employees section of the vet office. A line of cages, some with animals in them, some empty, ran along one wall and were marked with a sign of “patients” above them. The other doors that intersected them had to be the exam rooms, and one door was labeled OR.
“Where are the rest of the animals?” he asked.
“In my office.” Hope pointed toward the door at the far end of the room. “My office is in the addition. The place has really taken off in the past few years, so I gave up my office for more exam rooms. I even brought in another vet on the weekends to help me out. It’s been fun.”
“That’s cool.” Hope wasn’t much older than Steve and yet he looked like he was far more successful than Steve had ever dreamed of being. “Maybe I’ll come help you out someday.” Once I can learn to control myself a bit better. Out of everything that what was wrong with his life, never being able to control himself was probably his biggest fear.
Hope walked over to the office, keys dangling in one hand. “What do you want to do when things settle down in your life?” he asked as he unlocked the door.
Steve blinked. “No one has ever asked me that before.” Not Mustang. Not Gray. All of them had told him things would get better, but none of them had told him how or had given him much choice in the matter.
“Well, I’m asking you now. What are your passions, Steve? What do you see yourself doing every day?”
The door swung inward, and with a flick of Hope’s hand he turned on the light. A blur of fluffy white and brown fur immediately ran up to Hope, barking happily. Hope’s entire demeanor softened.
“Hi, beautiful girl. You miss me, Princess?
The dog barked in what he could only assume was the affirmative.
Hope chuckled. “Goofy girl.” His gaze came back to Steve. “Well? What do you think?”
“I don’t know,” he said, following Hope inside. “I always thought I’d be able to decide later, you know?”
“I understand that. Maybe you could try to intern with a couple pack members to figure out where you might want to be. I know the Circle offers classes so you’ll be certified in whatever you find interesting or you are welcome to take classes at one of the colleges. You probably won’t be able to frequent one you used to attend, but there are a few options.”
“I think I need money first, don’t you?”
“Hm, well, it’s something you and I can talk over with Mustang. There might be more options than you think.”
Hope’s office was a place right out of Steve’s childhood fantasies. The mahogany desk was cluttered and messy, and the bookshelf behind it was crammed with more tanks. There were hamsters, mice, a tarantula, a lizard of some type, and a chinchilla.
“You are Doctor Dolittle or a hoarder. Maybe both.” And it was awesome. A big tank took up the wall to the left. It was a saltwater tank filled with colorful fish. Steve had to resist the urge to press his face to the front like a little kid at a candy store. Everywhere he looked there were more animals to look at.
Hope chuckled. “You know, I think you already know what your passion is, Steve. You really like animals.” He sat down at his desk and put the black bag on top. “Have you considered being a vet tech or even a vet?”
“I don’t know if I’m really smart enough for all that,” Steve admitted, sitting down in the chair opposite Hope.
Hope waved his hand in dismissal. “You’re plenty smart enough. You don’t give yourself nearly enough credit.”
Steve grunted. “Whatever you say.” He nodded toward the bag. “Did you bring some food type stuff there in?”
“Subs for the both of us along with a bottle of red wine and a pie for dessert.”
Yum. “My hero.”
“Not yet. Maybe someday,” Hope said.
For the first time, Steve really believed there was a chance that Hope just might be.
Chapter Six
Navigating a relationship without the Dom/sub dynamic constantly being in play was surprisingly easy with Steve, even with the hiccups that happened whenever Hope got the urge to Dom whenever Steve was upset. He was beginning to see that fear was Steve’s whole world. He refused to even consider some things because he was scared of his own reactions to new stimuli. It was no way for a sub to live. And Hope didn’t doubt that there was a sub hiding underneath all that fear and aggression. He wouldn’t be settled by Hope’s touch if he wasn’t.
They ate their meal in comfortable silence as they put all their energy into eating every morsel. Steve seemed to savor each bite, and Hope absolutely loved the way he did it. It was probably all the mating hormones swarming in his body that made him find everything Steve did adorable.
“That was delicious, Hope. Thanks,” Steve said as he popped the last bit of his sandwich into his mouth.
“You’re very welcome.” Hope sipped his soda before replacing it on the desk. “So are you excited about going to the club with me?” He figured if he focused on the events in the near future, Steve might relax a little bit. The conversation about his future in the pack had just seemed to depress him.
“I don’t know. I told you, I’m not into that sort of stuff. But, I said I’d go and have an open mind,” Steve allowed.
Hope nodded. “I appreciate that.”
“You really think I could be a vet tech?”
The abrupt change in conversation led to a five-second lag as his mind switched gears. “Of course. I even have recommendations for you. If you do the Circle’s online classes, I’d be more than happy to let you do your practical stuff here.”
“I’ll think about it. I don’t want to commit and then not be able to.”
“You’re worried about your control?”
“Yeah. I don’t have a great track record.” Steve frowned. “I just realized my wolf doesn’t freak around animals. I figured that it would, being all primal and all.”
“You’re thinking about your wolf as a separate animal. He’s just as big as a part of you as your human self is. He’s more intelligent than the average wolf. Yes, he’s a slave to his instincts to a large degree but he’s not stupid. Can I make an observation?” He hoped Steve wouldn’t take offense to him giving his opinion on something so personal.
“Sure.”
“Your wolf only freaks out when you’re afraid or threatened, even if it is just a perceived threat.”
“How could you know that?” Steve asked. “You only saw me for one night.”
Hope figured he’d need more proof than that. “And I saw you almost jump a wolf with terror pouring off you in waves. You don’t trust other people, and you see animals everywhere.”
“You see all that?”
He smiled. “Don’t sound so surprised. You are my mate and therefore I’m even more aware of what makes you tick than I am the average person. If anyone should get you, don’t you think it would be me?”
“It’s weird,” Steve said. “You’re a stranger and you know me better than Gray and Mustang after months of living with them.”
“That’s probably not entirely true,” Hope allowed. “They may see you but not be able to figure out how to help you.”
“And you think you can help?” It was a challenge and one Hope was not afraid of meeting head-on.
“I know I can,” Hope said, confidence lacing his every word. “I’m not saying that it will always be easy but I can say that I can get to the end of your pain if you let me.”
Steve filled the silence with bits of potato chips. “Did you say something about dessert?” he asked through bites.
Hope let it slide for now. There would be plenty of time to pick him apart after he let him relax a bit. “I did.” He reached down into his bag and pulled out the boxed dessert he’d grabbed from the bakery on his way to pick up Steve. “It’s heaven’s gift to man.”
“What kind of pie is it?”
“Cherry. It’s supposed to pair nicely with the wine,” Hope said. “At least that was what the man behind the cou
nter told me.”
“Sounds yummy.”
The tension melted between them as they returned to a neutral topic.
He sliced them each a piece of pie and then settled back in his chair to enjoy his dessert with the man who fate had deemed as his own.
* * * *
The next time Steve glanced at the clock, several hours had passed. It had seemed to go by in a blink as they talked on every subject from childhood embarrassments to favorite colors. They’d kept things pretty light, thank God. Steve had been able to breathe throughout their remaining conversation.
After playing with the plethora of animals to be found around the office and helping Hope feed the ones who’d needed feeding. He was having a great time helping out and he slowly let himself believe he might be able to work with animals like Hope had said. He felt stable, relaxed, two things he hadn’t felt in a very long time. It was like this office was a safe haven against the uncertainties of the world outside.
The two of them sat on the carpet in Hope’s office, tossing a ball back and forth so Princess ran back and forth between them. He nuzzled the little bugger’s neck as she gnawed playfully on his shoe.
Hope chuckled. “I think we wore her out.”
“Looks like it,” Steve agreed, kissing the top of the dog’s head. His wolf made a sound of contentment in the back of his mind.
Pup. Ours.
Steve chuckled. You can’t claim his dog.
Ours.
Whatever, you dumb animal.
Steve leaned back to rest against the leg of Hope’s desk. “I’ve really had fun this afternoon. Thanks for inviting me out to see the menagerie.”
“Of course.” Hope smiled. “I’ve enjoyed having you over. Maybe next time you can come visit me and Princess at home. You know, where there is a couch.” They shared a giggle over that.
“Yeah, but you don’t have the cool critters at home.” He paused, waggling his eyebrows. “Or do you?”
“Unfortunately not. I’m here more often than I’m at home. Besides, this way there are at least ten people to make sure every one of them is taken care of. Most of them are rescues so it’s important that they have the proper socialization.”
Steve really liked hearing Hope talk shop. It was obvious that the guy really loved animals.
A lightbulb went off in Steve’s head. “That’s what I want to do.”
Hope’s face filled with confusion. “What?”
“I want to run an animal rescue. Do you think that’s possible?”
Hope immediately nodded. “Sure. That’s a great charity startup to run. We have animal control, but they don’t take exotics and if they have to take them, they just put them down. Mustang has been talking about the pack starting an animal sanctuary for years, but no one has ever showed any interest.”
Excitement washed through him. “Will you help me talk to him?”
“I can. I think he’ll want to make sure you are more stable before we go there, but if you’re willing to work for it, I don’t know why he’d say no.” Hope smiled. “Hell, I’ll even throw in some sponsorship money and free vet care for the rescues if you’re willing to put the work in.”
“That would be great.” He would start working on it as soon as he got back to Mustang’s place. He’d use the tablet Mustang gave him to start researching with and then go from there. His business classes would come in handy when it came to putting together a plan for Mustang to look at.
“I love it when you smile,” Hope said. “Your whole face lights up.”
Warmth washed over his cheeks. “Um, thanks.” He shifted. He wasn’t used to people hitting on him, complimenting him, and treating him like he was just another beautiful guy they were interested in.
“I’d really like to kiss you, Steve.”
The words hardened his cock instantly. “I think I’d like that.” He’d always thought men who asked permission were lame, but when Hope did it, it was downright sexy.
Hope crossed the distance between them and then tilted Steve’s chin up so that they were only separated by a few inches of space. Their gazes clashed, and Steve immediately lost himself in Hope’s deep-green eyes. His dick strained against his zipper, eager to get closer to the object of his lust.
Slowly, almost excruciatingly so, Hope leaned forward so their lips brushed. The chaste kiss made Steve groan. Hope obliged him by leaning forward and giving him another kiss. This one was deeper than the first. Their lips slid across one another, pressing, dancing. Steve opened his mouth, and the space was immediately filled with Hope’s tongue.
He wrapped his arms around Hope’s shoulders, pulling him tighter against him. They might not have a lot between them but they had some serious chemistry.
Mine. Mate.
Abruptly, Hope broke the kiss, panting slightly. “Trying to slow down with you is fucking hard.”
Hearing him riled up enough to curse just revved Steve’s engine that much higher. “Who asked you to slow down?”
“No one. However, I don’t want this to just be about sex.”
Steve laughed. “You said yourself, it’ll never be just sex between us.” He rubbed their noses together. “I’m not a dumb kid, Hope. I know the difference between sex and a relationship. We can fuck and work on the rest later. I like you. It’s enough for now.”
Hope sighed. “I can’t fuck you without mating you. So, as much as my cock is disagreeing with me right now, no. We can’t.”
Steve groaned. “Seriously?” Wolves were fucking complicated. His dick didn’t care if he was going to get mated. All it cared about was that he was in desperate need of some release.
“Seriously.” Hope pressed another kiss to his lips. “Why don’t I take you back to Mustang’s? It’s getting late, and if I don’t have you back, he’s liable to kick my ass.”
He sighed. “I’d hate for him to kick in your pretty face.” He had big plans for his gorgeous mouth at a later date.
Hope chuckled. “Then we’re in agreement then.”
That was a matter of debate. He had a serious debate on whether or not tying Hope to a tree and taking advantage of him would make them mated.
* * * *
Hope kissed his knuckles by the front door of Mustang’s home as they finally called it a night. Eleven might not have been late by most twenty-somethings’ standards, but the sleepy look in Steve’s eyes said he was more than ready to bed down and get to dreaming. As physically tired as Hope was, he didn’t see himself getting any sleep between now and sunup.
A restless energy refused to let go of him as his wolf paced like a caged animal in the shadows right of his line of sight. He wanted his mate. As far as his wolf was concerned, this was taking too damn long. Steve’s wolf had clearly accepted him already. The animal couldn’t understand the holdup.
He sighed. Being patient had never been his strong point with relationships. He’d rushed into every one he’d been in with abandon. It was ironic that he was being made to be patient now, though it was probably for the best. He’d resolved to take things slow next time but he’d also anticipated the next time not to be his mate. He didn’t know many wolves who waited for their mates for longer than a few days.
“So I’ll see you this Friday at seven?” Steve asked, hesitating in the doorway.
Hope smiled. “Yes, love. I promise. We’ll get dinner, take in the atmosphere, and then grab the show at the club at nine.” When he got more comfortable with Hope, he hoped they could make outings like this regular dates.
Steven graced him with a sleepy smile. “Okay. Just making sure. You won’t forget?”
“Never.” He couldn’t forget Steve even if he wanted to. The man had already wormed his way under his skin. It was only a matter of time before he worked down into his soul.
“Good. That’s good.” He looked for a second like he was going to say more but something stopped him. “Good night, Hope.”
“Good night, Steve. Sleep well.” He turned from his mate and head
ed back down the steps, regretting each foot of space he put between himself and his mate.
* * * *
In the shadows outside the clinic, he crouched below the window to watch his prize. He’d hoped that Hope was just another in a long line of caretakers meant to care for his prize while he recovered. They’d behaved so well, he’d thought that his paranoia was just that, paranoia. However, those fears were solidified when that no-good dog had put his lips on his Steven.
Claws pierced his fingertips as his body attempted to force the shift. He clung to his human form, unwilling to compromise on the shape of his body. If he changed now he was going to attack the stupid vet before it was time. The wrath of the pack wasn’t something he could afford to bring down on himself right now.
He took a deep, shuddering breath and cautioned himself to have a little more patience. Everything would be within his reach soon enough.
Chapter Seven
Steve woke up screaming.
It wasn’t an unusual way for him to wake up, but it was the first time the dreams included someone who hadn’t been there.
Hope had been strung up on a cross in the center of the room while the nasty animals who had the rest of his fellow captives in cages carved into Hope’s beautiful face with a thin knife. It wouldn’t scar once the transition happened, but none of them had known that at the time. They did that to the ones that didn’t break easily. Steve would know. He’d been on the rack next.
He shivered, rubbing his arms as he tried to shake the shadows chasing themselves around his brain. He just hoped Grayson hadn’t woken up. The Alpha mate tended to worry overmuch.
He rolled over and grabbed his phone. Four a.m.
Christ.
He wanted to hear Hope’s voice. Just a second. He had to make sure he was all right. Even though he knew his subconscious had just replaced the boy from the dungeon of fuckery with Hope, he still had unreasoning fear circulating through his system.