by Fel Fern
“Maybe you’re looking at this the wrong way. Talk to him, Deacon.” She nodded to the trees in front of them.
Sensing Santino, he snarled softly, seeing Daryl walking next to him, looking apprehensive and holding what suspiciously looked like pie. A peace offering, perhaps? Deacon was surprised by Santino’s actions, when Santino had initially disapproved of Daryl.
“I’ll be returning to my daughter,” Sabine informed him. She quickly undressed, left her clothes in a neat pile on the porch, and shifted to wolf. Sabine paused by her brother’s side and looked to Daryl, who smiled.
“Goodnight. Thanks for looking after Deacon as always,” Deacon heard the Esper say.
He scowled as Sabine disappeared into the trees and Santino left Daryl, giving them privacy. This was proof Daryl was dangerous. Few people could win both Santino and Sabine’s trust that easily.
“Um, hi.” Daryl joined him on the porch. “I brought pie.”
“And you think pie will excuse your rash actions?” Deacon asked.
Daryl huffed. “Well, no.”
“I’m waiting,” Deacon said.
“For what?”
Deacon’s unsettled wolf grew calm at the presence of Daryl, of their mate. Yes, that was the right word. The monstrous wolf that shared his skin had known what Daryl Rush was to them from the start. The man in him had hesitated, still couldn’t let go of that ghastly image of his father’s wolf head mounted on the fence, and his mother’s body lying underneath.
Live, Deacon. Grow strong. So strong our enemies can’t touch us anymore. Be a better Alpha than your father.
Sabine had said those words to him once and he did just that. Deacon had to cut off pieces of himself to stand at the top. Back then, it had been necessary to hold a pack without a leader. Plenty of survivors had left Devil Hills after news of his father’s death, unable to believe a twelve-year-old boy could lead the pack to their former glory.
Deacon had proven them all wrong, and yet this gorgeous Esper with a heart big enough for the both of them threatened the foundations of all he’d built for his pack and community. He shoved Daryl against the cabin wall, until only the pie dish got in the way of their bodies touching. Deacon breathed hard, aware of his inner wolf, riding him hard.
Daryl had no clue just how much of a perilous situation he put himself in, because Deacon’s precious control started to crumble all around him.
Chapter Eleven
Daryl’s heart beat so hard and fast he had a feeling the enraged Alpha right in front of him could hear it. He swallowed as Deacon pried the pie dish from his hands and set it on the table nearby. He didn’t stop the Alpha from pinning his wrists above his head using one hand.
When Deacon tipped his chin and slammed his lips over his, Daryl had been ready for it. Hell, he craved it despite his body still being a little sore from last night. After having lunch with Dave, he realized that yes, he definitely had overstepped his boundaries. He asked Dave to linger in town with him, making up an excuse that he needed to do some shopping.
What Daryl really wanted was to see if the Baxters, Zane, and Walt were doing okay. Joe and Sabine merely showed them around and explained the rules before leading him to the Honey Bee inn. Standard procedure.
Knowing he wanted to visit Deacon after parting from his brother, he searched for Santino and asked what was Deacon’s favorite pie. It wouldn’t be enough, certainly not the apology the Alpha deserved. Right now, though, Deacon seemed less interested in the pie and more interested in him.
Shit. Daryl lost all train of thought as Deacon took his mouth, wiping whatever script he prepared for their conversation. He panted as Deacon pulled his mouth away, dick rising in his jeans.
“Wait,” he blurted. “If you go further, we can’t have our talk.”
“We can talk as much as you like, after I fuck you senseless.”
The Alpha’s crude words only made his dick thicken.
“Deacon, you know you have an effect on me.”
“Yes.” Deacon missed the point completely and claimed his mouth again. The Alpha fisted his shirt and literally ripped the fabric without much effort. The remains of his poor top fluttered to the ground.
Despite wanting to have their talk first, Daryl found himself rubbing his groin against Deacon’s erection. Deacon let out a groan, then released him only to drag him inside the cabin.
“Okay,” he said, catching his breath. “Promise me we’ll talk after?”
“Of course.”
This time they only made it as far as the living room. Daryl didn’t mind. He liked seeing the possessive look in Deacon’s amber-flecked eyes, the way the Alpha hooked his fingers into his belt loops and slid his jeans down his hips. Daryl helped him along. Once fully naked, he decided if pie didn’t help, he could apologize in other ways.
Daryl went on his knees in front of Deacon, only to hear Deacon’s growl of approval. Deacon speared fingers through his hair, tugging him close. Eager to start, Daryl unworked Deacon’s jeans, fumbled with the button, then the zipper. He pulled out Deacon’s thick and engorged prick, still surprised by the size of it even though Deacon had claimed his ass the night before.
“Go ahead, little Esper. Show me how much you missed my dick,” Deacon said in that rumbling, deep, and commanding voice that turned his bones to jelly.
Leaning in close, he flicked his tongue over Deacon’s cockhead, swiping the pre-cum away. Daryl acted on impulse, recalling all the erotic scenes he read in his books, and hoped he’d be able to please his Alpha.
Oh, Daryl could get used to the sound of that.
He licked at the sensitive spot under Deacon’s cockhead, used his tongue to explore every ridge and bump of the Alpha’s shaft with leisure. Daryl opened his mouth and began to suck at a few inches of Deacon’s prick at first, knowing he couldn’t fully take all of the Alpha’s length in his mouth.
“Use one hand to apply some pressure to my balls,” Deacon commanded.
The Alpha’s instructions helped. Encouraged by the moans and rumbles from his Alpha, he continued, bobbing his head up and down. He did that a few more times before Deacon gave his hair a tug. Daryl pulled his mouth away from Deacon, looking up at the Alpha for further instructions.
His own dick curved up against his belly, and he had a feeling he wouldn’t be able last long. Neither would Deacon.
“Hands and knees,” Deacon commanded, helping him get into position.
A shudder of anticipation went down his spine as Deacon ran his big hand down his spine, the curve of his ass. He parted his legs, letting out a whimper as Deacon traced his puckered entrance, gave his balls a squeeze and his leaking cock a few tugs and pulls. Then the Alpha stopped touching him, and he looked over his shoulder to see Deacon stripping fully and grabbing lube from the back pocket of his jeans.
Daryl raised his eyebrows. Unnamed jealousy hit him. He might have been a virgin up until yesterday, but he knew Deacon probably had lovers in the past. They mean nothing, he reminded himself. Deacon might have given him a vague answer when he asked where this was going, but today’s events proved Deacon and he weren’t done.
“Do you carry that around all the time?” he teased.
“I knew we’d eventually get to fucking again,” the Alpha answered by way of explanation.
From another man’s lips, that would have sounded like Deacon only meant they would have casual sex again, but he understood the Alpha a little better now. No, they both knew nothing about this, about them, was casual or temporary. Even those closest to Deacon sensed it.
Deacon returned behind him and used his foot to nudge his legs further apart. Moments later, he felt Deacon’s slick fingers prying his asshole open. Daryl moaned, wanting to feel the Alpha buried inside him so deep he couldn’t breathe. Deacon pushed one digit in, added a second, and began stretching him for access.
Daryl pushed his ass toward Deacon’s hand in anticipation only to receive a slap in return. He jumped, aroused by that little bit of pain, onl
y for Deacon to do it again.
“God,” he murmured.
“No God, baby. Just us,” Deacon said, voice already harsh. Daryl snuck a peek over his shoulder, and his breath caught, seeing Deacon’s irises take on a fully yellow glow.
He loved both man and wolf, he realized, both halves of Deacon that made him what he was.
“Fuck, little Esper. Keep looking at me like that, and I won’t be able to hold myself back from going the distance.”
Daryl sucked in a breath, understanding what that meant, especially when Deacon looked at the spot between his shoulder and neck.
“Do it,” he found himself whispering. Daryl had never been more certain of anything in his life, never wanted anyone this much. What he felt for the Alpha was all consuming and certain. Love. Daryl never understood fully how his brother instantly knew he was meant to belong to Forrest until he saw and hung around with more of the mated couples in the pack.
Deacon snarled, intense gaze pinning his. “I won’t ask again.”
Of course, Deacon was an Alpha werewolf. Daryl curved his lips to a smile. Deacon’s dominance in and out of the bedroom was one of the things he liked about the Alpha. Without Deacon at the top, guiding and leading his packmates, the wolves of Devil Hills would be lost.
“Don’t expect you to,” he answered.
Deacon replaced fingers with his cock. Daryl groaned when the Alpha lifted his ass for deeper penetration. Pressing his cheek against the cool flooring, he groaned when Deacon pushed his prick inside his hole. He thought he was ready this time around but he was wrong. Deacon’s massive shaft filled him up fully and completely, until the Alpha’s balls brushed against the curve of his ass.
“Good job, baby,” Deacon told him.
Baby. That term of endearment went right to his head, found a home in his heart. Daryl blushed, glad Deacon couldn’t see the expression on his face.
“Please,” he uttered, unable to form complete sentences.
“Please what, little Esper?”
“Want you,” Daryl managed.
Deacon began to move, thrusts steady and slow, replacing the initial burn with pleasure. Daryl moaned into the floor as the Alpha began pounding in and out of him. Their pants and the sound of flesh slapping flesh filled the room.
He could sense Deacon drawing something vital out of him, his heart, maybe. Daryl was ready to offer everything he had to this Alpha werewolf who had the strength of warrior, the strategic mind of a general, and a heart big enough for both the weak and strong members of his pack and community.
Months ago, before coming to Devil Hills, Daryl felt lost, frightened all the time, never knowing his place in the world. He spent most of his life running and scared, but he now believed fate led Dave and him to Devil Hills for a reason. To find their mates.
Daryl soon lost his ability to think as Deacon fucked him harder, faster. Pressure built inside of him. Every muscle in his body tensed. His balls drew up tight against his body. Deacon must have shifted angles, because the Alpha found his sensitive spot.
Gasping, he clawed at the floor, back arching as Deacon hit his prostate repeatedly.
“Deacon,” Daryl mewled. “I’m close.”
“Good. Come for me, little Esper.” Deacon reached between his legs to squeeze at his balls, then pinched his tip.
That did the trick. Daryl came, screaming out Deacon’s name and spilling his jizz all over the Alpha’s waiting hand. Deacon pumped in and out of his ass several more times before growling out his triumph and filling his ass with cum.
His mind floated in a sea of bliss as Deacon pulled his prick out. Deacon sat cross-legged on the floor and pulled Daryl onto his lap. Daryl straddled the Alpha, placing his arms around Deacon’s neck, smile on his lips. Heart hammering, Daryl knew what would come next.
He didn’t dread it, wasn’t the least bit scared as he initially thought he would be. Instead, a calmness filled him. Certainty sang in his veins as Deacon brushed his lips over his own, giving him a tender kiss before dragging his mouth to the side of his neck.
Daryl felt the sharp hint of teeth, then Deacon plunged his fangs deep, piercing skin. The Alpha didn’t stop until he hit bone. He cried out, gripping Deacon’s muscled shoulders for support, but Daryl didn’t pull away. For a second, as their gazes locked Daryl could see Deacon’s black wolf staring back at him.
The mate bond rose up between them, like an unbreakable golden thread linking their life forces together. Seeing it, Daryl gasped in wonder. He saw other threads connecting them to others. Daryl could instantly sense two silver threads closest to the Alpha, Santino and Sabine, he realized, then more similar links to Deacon’s other enforcers. He could even feel Forrest’s link to Dave. Beyond that, Deacon’s wolf was connected to the rest of his packmates.
Deacon pulled his mouth away, licking away the remnants of the blood, concern in his eyes. “Daryl, talk to me.”
“Is this the pack bond I’m seeing?” he whispered.
“You can see it?” Deacon asked with some surprise.
“Maybe it’s because I’m an Esper. Deacon, it’s so beautiful.”
Deacon hugged him tightly. They remained like that for a few moments, and he enjoyed the protective warmth of his mate. Mate. Daryl still couldn’t get over that word.
“What made you change your mind?” Daryl asked, hating to break the wonderful moment.
He wanted, no, needed to understand, though. Besides, trust was the foundation of any relationship. If he was going to stand by Deacon’s stand, to fulfill the role of the Alpha’s mate, there shouldn’t be any secrets between them. He took in a deep breath as that steady predatory black gaze regarded him.
“This morning, you said you didn’t know where this was going,” he continued.
Deacon kissed the still-bleeding bite on his neck. His heart hammered at the Alpha’s next words. He felt like he opened Pandora’s box or something, but Daryl was ready to listen. “I’ll tell you everything.”
Chapter Twelve
Realizing his mate lagged behind, Deacon slowed down. He would’ve reached his destination a lot quicker if he’d been in wolf form, but he did promise to take his new mate on a hike through the woods. This was no field trip, though.
Daryl held on to the straps of his small backpack, carefully stepping over a number of raised branches. The Esper had already complained earlier when Deacon offered to help him. Deacon didn’t mention carrying Daryl instead, knowing his mate had a lot of pride.
Deacon didn’t need to look beyond the trees to know Sabine’s white wolf would be somewhere out there. She would keep her distance, far from his line of sight but close by in case of an emergency.
“Whew,” Daryl said, finally jumping from the elevated terrain. The Esper miscalculated, yelping as he slipped over a slippery root, but Deacon easily gripped his arm and guided Daryl the last few steps down. Daryl breathed hard, looked at him. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You’ve been incredibly patient with me,” Daryl told him. “Thank you. I must seem like a turtle to you.”
“A very cute turtle,” Deacon said.
Daryl huffed. “Cute?”
“Will adorable be better?” Deacon asked with amusement.
Most of the pack probably knew by now he’d taken Daryl as his mate, they felt it the night before when Daryl joined the pack bonds. Deacon didn’t regret his decision one bit. Fuck, he felt foolish for holding back, even entertaining the notion Daryl would be his weak link when it was the exact opposite.
Santino had been pissed when he arrived at the cabin at dawn to confront Deacon, but he knew the enforcer and his childhood friend would only feel that way at the start. Santino always had a temper, but he knew Santino had also grown surprisingly attached to his Esper mate. Sabine had taken it much better, seemingly thinking it had been only a matter of time before Deacon mated Daryl.
“Fine.” Daryl looked embarrassed. “Did I disappoint you? I’m not the fitte
st guy alive.”
“Not at all. Espers have an advantage here.” Deacon tapped his head. “But we shifters have always been more physical beings. Don’t worry. Santino and Sabine have suggested giving you some lessons in fighting.”
“W-what? You serious?” Daryl blurted.
The offer surprised and pleased Deacon at the same time, too, so did Daryl’s immediate, “I’ll do it.”
“You agreed so easily. Should I be concerned you’re feeling light-headed or something?” Deacon asked, touching Daryl’s forehead. The little Esper glared rather cutely at him.
“No, I’m the mate of the Alpha. I should be able to defend myself, right? Plus, that’s a pretty big step for them, isn’t it?”
Deacon nodded. “It is. Some packmates still think they’re only loyal to me alone, not the pack. Back when I was a kid, when I found them, my father said the same thing. That’s not true, though.”
“I agree. They genuinely care about the pack, but most people can’t see that because they don’t show emotion easily.”
Deacon chuckled. “My perceptive mate.”
The mood turned somber as they finally reached their destination—the burnt out remains of what used to be the former pack compound.
“Oh, Deacon,” Daryl whispered.
Deacon narrowed his eyes, slightly alarmed Daryl’s skin turned pale. The Esper looked heartbroken as they walked around the old fence.
“Deacon,” Daryl said, clutching at his forearm. “It’s hard to describe, but I can still sense remnants of emotion.”
Deacon silently swore. It hadn’t been his intention for Daryl to sense all those overwhelming feelings of the dead. Hell, he didn’t even know Daryl was capable of that.
“I didn’t know your abilities work like that,” Deacon admitted, pulling his mate close.
Fuck, Daryl started to shiver. He started to wish he didn’t bring Daryl here, but showing him this place was important in explaining his previous actions.
“I didn’t, either,” Daryl admitted. “I think being mated to you amplified some of my abilities. Like before, I couldn’t sense any emotion from Sabine, but now, I can sense her affection for Sylvia, you, and her brother. To some extent, me.”