The glint in Drew’s eyes was unmistakable. I’d pissed him off. I’d walked away when he hadn’t dismissed me yet.
Suddenly his brows furrowed; he searched my face, as if he was turning over every stone in seek of answers to questions unknown. He lifted a hand and palmed my cheek. “I’d never hurt you, but I’m not letting you go,” he solemnly swore.
I found myself leaning into his touch; my wolf whimpered, closing his eyes, longing to be one with his mate. Why now? I was past the typical mating age. I was a world away from ready to submit to an unruly alpha, yet my heart, my body, my wolf and my soul declared otherwise. It was my brain that wouldn’t shut the hell up and give in. My sensible mind thrashed me with warning bells; my head had sirens blaring as the past six months living in hell sped through my mind.
Drew moved his other hand, both hands now cupping my face. “Who hurt you?” The vein in his neck swelled beneath his flesh. His nostrils flared as he clamped his jaw.
I averted my gaze. Now wasn’t the time. The wounds were too fresh. My emotions, mainly my embarrassment and anger, were still raw.
He sighed. “Let me grab what I came for, then we’re going back to my quarters.” There was no arguing. His tone rang with finality. He really didn’t plan on letting me go. Damn my weak heart for gushing over his insistence; and damn my sensitive body for illuminating with a novel desire under his dominance.
I shook my head, rolling my shoulders, struggling to work out the tension flowing through me and pitting in my groin. I turned and headed towards the register, this time not stopping until I got there. No sooner had I set my bottle of water on the counter than Drew stepped behind me, placed a box of pills on the counter next to it and slapped down a twenty, in case I’d thought I was still independent enough to pay for my own drink.
“Thanks,” I muttered, grabbing the cold drink and moving past him.
The moment I walked outside, he yanked me around to face him before backing me against the truck parked closest to the establishment’s door. His arms fell on either side of me as his eyes darkened, honing in on me. “You’re mine. Maybe you’re not ready to accept that yet, but I’ll be damned if you walk away.” His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. “Once I give this to my beta and send him on his way, I’ll drive you to my place, in your car. If you run, don’t think I won’t hunt you down, strip you bare wherever I happen to catch you, and fuck you right then and there, with no lube to soften the blow.” His voice was low and tight near the end, driving home his threat. I couldn’t hold back the shiver that chased down my spine and pooled low in my stomach. He smirked knowingly as he pushed off the vehicle and headed towards the passenger side.
—
Chapter Six
DREW
Fuck. Even speaking the warning had me yearning to fuck the sexy pup right here and now. My cock had swelled past the point of comfort, my balls so tight you could bounce a quarter off of them. I tugged at my pants, seeking some alleviation, but got none.
I stalked around the truck to the passenger door. My beta was eyeing me and Barrett with curiosity. He’d been wise not to intervene, although he probably noticed that I had it under control.
I pulled open the door and Jonah slid out to meet me. “What’s going on?” His gaze flew between me and Barrett; he was at attention, his reflexes sharp, ready for me to issue an order.
I chuckled. “You can relax.”
His brows drew together. “What am I missing? You looked ready to take a bite out of him a minute ago.”
Jonah knew that I was gay. We’d both agreed to practice openness and acceptance within our pack. No one ought to be shunned over something they couldn’t control. We were trying to start a progressive movement within the world of weres, which was easier said than done when elders, with strict, traditional beliefs, remained as counselors in packs decades beyond their serving years.
“Barrett.” Speaking his name sparked a fire within me; saying it felt right.
The reluctant male faced me; his features were tight. I could tell he was still trying to work through everything; he still wasn’t prepared to deal with reality, to accept reality. My wolf roared in rage over his denial.
“Jonah, this is my mate, Barrett. Barrett, this is my beta, Jonah.”
“Oh, shit!” Jonah smiled wide, slapping me on the shoulder. He was a young, yet ambitious beta. “Congrats, boss.” He thrust out the same hand that had been on my shoulder towards Barrett. “Nice to meet you.”
Barrett eyed the hand cautiously. I didn’t miss the way his brows lifted slightly, as if he couldn’t believe my beta welcomed our union openly. “Hi.” He finally shook Jonah’s hand, quickly withdrawing it though.
“Take this back to Martha.” I shoved the package into Jonah’s hand.
“Sure thing. I’ll take over the pack for a while to give you some time. Just ring me if you need anything.” Jonah ran a hand through his blonde hair, a smile of amazement on his face as he glanced between me and Barrett again.
“Here.” I passed the keys to him. “Now get lost.”
He laughed. “See you two later.” He winked, taking his time walking around to the driver’s side.
Tension hovered in the air as I turned back to Barrett. He frowned at me, his features pulling down beneath an invisible weight. He needed that weight lifted from him; he needed someone else to carry it for him, to free him of his burdens. Whether he liked it or not, he was going to surrender each and every one of them to me. I’d be damned if my mate sulked about; he deserved happiness, even if he didn’t choose to stay with me.
“Keys.” I held my hand out, palm up.
He pursed his lips. “I can drive.”
“And I can turn you over my knee and make you beg for forgiveness.” I watched him swallow hard, even as his arousal grew. He was still fighting it. I jerked my hand towards him. “Keys, now,” I demanded.
He stuffed his hand into his pocket before dropping his keys into my hand.
I loved his feistiness. I was proud that he wasn’t afraid to challenge anyone, but the fact that he insisted on continuing to challenge me only intensified my need to dominate him. My wolf and I delighted in the simple surrender of his keys. I was looking forward to the moment he gave himself up to me; body, mind, wolf and soul. My wolf was clawing my insides, anxious to mark Barrett as ours permanently.
—
Chapter Seven
BARRETT
I both loathed and loved his demanding attitude. My body responded to him every time; my wolf bowed his head every time Drew’s voice rang in a command. It was my mind, my will power to never succumb to my past that drove me to defy his every mandate, spoken or unspoken.
“Lead me.” He flicked his wrist, ordering me to direct him to my car.
I rolled my muscles, releasing a heavy sigh. There was no way out of this. I was conscious of his every move behind me as my mind sought for a plausible escape. The problem was, there wasn’t one. I was truly trapped, stuck with my mate whether I wanted to be or not.
If I ran, he’d chase me, which would only piss him off and cause his wolf to attack me hard. If I stayed, he would still try to claim me. At least with the last option I could possibly hold him off, give myself time to work through everything.
Shit. I felt like a fucking girl. Since when did I overthink things, rehashing them over and over until it either broke me or built me up? I analyzed decisions for the pack as a beta, however, I didn’t stress over them the way I was now.
I headed towards my car and immediately got in on the passenger side. My anger broke for a second as I watched Drew slide into the driver’s seat, his legs being squished before he moved the seat back. I felt a tug on my heart as he filled the driver’s side, as his smell saturated the car, overwhelming my senses in the enclosed space.
He looked at me. “Don’t look at me like that unless you want me to take you right here.” His eyes glittered with amusement and desire; a smile lifted his lips.
S
omething about him wriggled past my defenses in the moment. I felt heat fill my cheeks as I focused on the window. He laughed quietly, starting the engine and pulling out towards the main road.
He drove about ten miles outside the moderate sized town’s limits and turned off onto a dirt road that could have easily been missed. We traveled another few miles down the path before we pulled into what appeared to be a campsite. Cozy cabins dotted the open canvas of land surrounded by thick forestry. Pack members, young and old, bustled with energy at they interacted with one another. Several recognized their alpha in the new car and waved. Drew nodded a greeting in return. Based on his pack’s reception and his beta’s interaction with him, it seemed I might have nagged a good alpha this time.
Drew weaved down the winding road, past each home site until he reached the final and largest of them. He parked beside the cabin, switching off the engine and pocketing the keys, for good measure I supposed.
He stepped out of the car, and instantly I felt like I could breathe again. Even though air was easier to inhale, in his absence, darkness seemed to pierce my chest. I couldn’t be attached to a man I’d just met though, could I? My wolf was being quiet, allowing me to answer that one alone; damn him.
—
Chapter Eight
DREW
I walked around and opened Barrett’s door. I leaned against the frame of the car, perching over him as he glanced up at me. A million thoughts were running through his mind. He seemed so overwhelmed, wistful and worried at the same time.
I ran my fingers through his hair, loving how his short, silky strands tickled my palm. “Come on, Bear.”
I stood back and let him get out. Unable to resist, I wrapped my arms around him when he stepped in front of me. My wolf damn near purred, loving the feel of him against me. He fit perfectly in my arms; he felt right in my grasp.
I closed the car door and kept an arm wrapped around his shoulder as I led him into my house. He didn’t shrug me off, but he also didn’t burrow deeper into my hold. Baby steps.
I opened the door, releasing him so he could walk in ahead of me. His eyes passed over the room. I nibbled on my cheek, burdening myself with pain to keep from pouncing on him. He looked good in my space. He looked delicious standing before me, the dark earth tones of the living room enhancing his masculinity, his sexy male aura.
His jeans hung flawlessly off his hips, showcasing the tight round globes of his ass. I couldn’t wait to seat my cock deep between his cheeks as he screamed my name. I felt the pre-come pearling at the head of my cock. I squeezed my balls, huffing as I tried to lessen the ache.
Barrett swung around and faced me. He looked down at my bulging erection before meeting my gaze. “I don’t know why we needed to come here when you’re not claiming me.”
I invaded his space. My wolf growled at his challenge. “Says who?”
“It’s like I told you. Just because you’re my mate doesn’t mean we have to be together. You’re free. Go fuck whoever you want, just leave me alone while you do it.” He made to pass me, but I jerked my hand out and grabbed him.
I gripped a fistful of his shirt, enough leverage to tug him back to me. Anger blazed in his eyes; I speared him with my own. “You don’t get to decide who I fuck.”
He blinked several times, and in those few seconds, his armor slipped, and I saw the distress in his eyes. Holding tightly to his shirt with one hand, I cupped his cheek with the other. “Talk to me, Bear. I’m your mate. I’m not here to judge you; I’m here to help you.”
He closed his eyes, flexing his jaw as he pinched his features. He shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You need to talk about it,” I argued.
“How the hell do you know what I need?” He lifted his lids; his eyes glowed as his injured wolf showed himself.
My wolf tensed, a new rage blooming. “I’m your mate. It’s instinctual.” It was also instinct to want to shred every fucking person who’d ever crossed him, who’d ever dared to hurt him; I was ready to now.
A war was waging inside Barrett. All I wanted to do was squash his fears, to take away his burdens and take care of him. My decision rooted deep within me. If he wouldn’t willingly give up the reins, I would take them. I would force him to give in. I wasn’t doing this out of spite; I was doing it out of… Fuck. I can’t care about him this quickly. But I did.
With all my heart, I knew he needed this, whether he admitted it to himself or not.
—
Chapter Nine
BARRETT
I was struggling not to drown in the past. I was angry with myself for letting those bastards degrade me for so long. I was pissed that I had to kill my alpha, to inadvertently hurt my now former pack in order to be respected.
If that wasn’t bad enough, I was fighting the desire sweeping through me. My balls burned with a need for release; my body thrummed with a soul-deep yearning to be owned, to belong again. Every wolf longed for a bond, a family, which he found in his pack until his mate came along. While he would always protect his mate first, his pack, his family was always right behind; both relationships the most important in his life.
I understood the spiritual importance of mating, but I couldn’t bring myself to surrender to the call with my fresh wounds.
Without warning, Drew claimed my lips. His hand wrapped around my neck, holding me to him. He had complete control over the connection.
His mouth seared mine. Heat flooded my veins as his touch plucked my nerve endings, awaking new sensations within me. He brushed his tongue against my lips, sending a shot of pleasure to my groin. His other hand swathed my lower back; he yanked me into him until we were pressed together.
I fisted my hands at my side, struggling to keep from losing myself in him. His wall of muscle felt delicious against my body, even with the layers between us. His cock pushed firmly against my stomach; awareness washed through me. He tilted my head and plunged his tongue beyond my lips.
The taste of him drove my senses crazy, had my wolf leaping to distraction. He tasted like the sweetest honey; something so decadent that I ought to limit my intake, all the while wishing to drown myself in it.
Unable to stop myself, I gripped his biceps, groaning as he thrust his cock against me, bumping into my own hard erection. Pleasure shot through my core, winding me tighter despite the fact that I was relaxing into him.
Drew licked my lips before he nipped my bottom lip; I shivered at his erotic nibble.
He moved his head, opening his eyes, showing me the dark desire in their depths. My mouth watered as my cravings for him finally overturned my conscience.
“I want you naked. Now,” he barked.
I quivered beneath his command, and damn if I didn’t find myself disrobing.
I jerked my shirt over my head and dropped it to the floor. I stepped out of my tennis shoes and toed off my socks as I undid my belt. By the time my feet were bare, my pants were free. I slid my jeans and boxers off together in one fast, lithe motion, stepping out of them and tossing them aside. As I stood to face him, my cock bobbed higher, loving the erotic hunger in his eyes. That passion both excited and scared the hell out of me.
—
Chapter Ten
DREW
Damn he was sexy as hell. Long, lean muscles defined his body with soft angles. His nipples were stiff peaks, begging for my tongue to lave them. I dropped my gaze over his flat stomach and down to the thin patch of trimmed hair around his hard cock. My mouth watered at the sight of it.
I knew I couldn’t indulge yet though. I needed answers; Barrett needed to face the truth.
I stalked towards him. Wariness clouded his eyes as I slid my desire behind a mask. As a dom, it wasn’t my place to burden a sub with my emotions. It was my job to draw theirs to the surface; to test their strength, to show them what they’re made of so they can squash their fears. It was my task to empower them, not bury them in shame, no matter how harsh I seemed.
I pinc
hed his nipples. He hissed and jerked away from me. I grabbed his throat, closing my hand around it. “You do not move unless I give you permission, do you understand me?”
He snarled at me.
“You don’t get a safe word this time around. If it becomes too much, you can shift, but don’t think I won’t follow you and let my wolf have his way.” Fear flashed in his eyes, but I smelled his arousal growing. Whether Barrett liked it or not, he drew pleasure from being pushed to his limit. “On your knees.”
I released him. He didn’t obey my command though. I slapped his cock. The only reaction he gave me was a flare of his nostrils. Hard headed was what he was. His hands were fisted at his side; his chin was high in defiance.
He wanted to play hardball; well, I could play harder.
I walked around him. Using my shoe, I forced his legs apart. I wrapped one hand around him, placing my palm flat on his chest to keep him from escaping me. I dragged my other hand over his ass. I pulled back and delivered a harsh slap against his right cheek. He jolted forward, hitting my hand. His skin instantly reddened beneath my sting.
I offered him no comfort. I wouldn’t soothe his skin. He needed to feel the pain and know that this was real. He couldn’t run from me, the same way he couldn’t run from his past.
I slid my fingers along the seam of his ass, pressing in and seeking his tight pucker. He hissed as I drew my fingers over his hole. I circled the rim with my middle finger, pushing in slightly. His body trembled as I ringed his anus; he groaned as I dug inwards enough to bury the tip of my finger in him. Knowing he was losing a bit of his control, I kicked the back of his knees and caught him as he fell before lowering him the rest of the way to his knees.
Moving my hand from his ass, I delivered another quick slap to his other cheek. I bent down next to his ear. “Never defy me.”
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