“Uh, no sniffing there now,” Robin whispered. When the bear didn’t react, Robin added a desperate “Please.”
The bear moved his head away, though he swiped his tongue over Robin’s nipples as he did so. Robin groaned, closed his eyes, and pressed back into the wooly fur. Blood pulsed in his cock, filling it.
“Do that again,” he demanded.
“What the hell are you doing?” Tim yelled.
Robin’s eyes flew open. Shit! Just for a few seconds, he’d forgotten where he was and, more importantly, who was there.
“I-I…,” Robin stuttered. His cheeks burned.
“Stop this crap and come over here!” Tim shouted, the anger contorting his face.
“You stop this damn awful big-brother show,” Jay interrupted.
Tim swiveled his head around to look at Jay. “What?”
“Robin found his mate, and we won’t act like jerks and tear them apart. I’m not happy about being injured, but Robin’s right, I shouldn’t have attacked right away.”
“But—”
“Tim, you fought for me even though I’m a hybrid. Why is it so difficult for you to accept Robin’s mate isn’t a pure werewolf either?” Jay asked so softly Robin had to strain his ears to hear him.
“He doesn’t resemble a wolf in the slightest!”
Jay shrugged. “Neither do I.”
“Yes, you do, and anyway, that’s beside the point.”
“Is it? Why?”
“Because….” Tim tucked a stray strand of Jay’s chestnut hair behind his right ear before he bent over to kiss Jay tenderly. When he straightened up again, he said, “You should shift back. The earth is moist around here, and you’re already freezing.”
“I will if you promise to stop being such a prick.”
The bear snorted, and Robin coughed. When Tim glared at them, Robin whispered, “Shh, don’t set him off again.”
The bear rubbed his head against Robin’s face, eliciting a contented sigh from Robin. He felt safe with the bear surrounding him. His mate would protect him no matter what, Robin was certain of that.
“Robin?” Jay called out. “Go with your mate.”
“What? No! I have a say in where he goes—”
“Shut up, Tim,” Jay responded. He accompanied his response with an exaggerated eye roll, causing Robin to chuckle.
“Jay! He’s my baby brother, and I—”
“You will act like the great big brother you are and let him go with his mate. We can’t change the fact his mate isn’t a pure werewolf, Tim. Your parents are working hard on installing new laws and changing people’s perspectives. They’ll find a solution,” Jay said, although his voice didn’t hold much conviction.
Robin commiserated with Tim and Jay. Even though it had only been a very small chance, they had hoped Robin would find his mate—a pure-werewolf mate—and that another alpha mating would happen. Their pack would never accept an alpha mated to a hybrid, but that’s what had happened. Tim and Jay had mated, and it hadn’t gone unnoticed. They’d done the only thing they could think of at that time. The Evans family had decided to hide which of their sons had undergone the alpha mating, which was the reason why Robin had accompanied Tim and Jay—so no one knew for sure if it had been Tim or him. Sure, that move had only bought them time, but despite the odds, they’d all hoped for the best.
They should have realized this wasn’t going to work, what with Robin being a senser. Why couldn’t his mate be a wolf? Preferably a pure wolf? Maybe they could’ve lied to the pack, at least for a while. Only a couple of people knew the truth, and not many were able to determine who’d undergone an alpha mating anyway. Now that small chance was destroyed, and Tim feared for Jay’s life—again. Would it ever end? Would Tim and Jay ever be able to live a carefree life?
The distress was etched into Tim’s face even as he cradled Jay’s face in his hands and kissed him. Robin swallowed at the image of other wolves hunting Jay. He’d had a taste of how Tim would be if anything happened to Jay, and that had been horrible enough.
“Tim?” Robin called.
Tim didn’t look at him, just kept stroking his thumbs over Jay’s cheekbones. Quietly, he said, “Go.”
“Tim…,” Robin repeated. “I….”
“Just go, Robin. Jay is right. Go with your mate, bond with him, and don’t forget to come back so we can figure out how to break the news to Mom and Dad.”
“I’m sorry, Tim.”
Tim looked over his shoulder at Robin’s apology. The sadness in Tim’s eyes tore at Robin’s heartstrings.
“Nothing to be sorry for. No one is at fault here except those stupid people who believe hybrids are not worth letting live. Now go before I change my mind.” Tim winked at Robin before he whispered something into Jay’s ear. Jay shifted, and Tim followed within seconds.
Tim’s large dark frame curled around Jay’s smaller body, the red fur a stark contrast to Tim’s. They were both strikingly beautiful in their animal forms, and their love and affection for each other seemed to emphasize their beauty even more.
Would he have the same with his mate? Not all mated couples were as happy as Tim and Jay or Robin’s parents. Sometimes it seemed as if the mates were only compatible sexually and nowhere else.
Taking a deep breath, Robin left the immediate vicinity of his mate and shifted. Well, then, let’s get going. Lead the way.
The bear nudged Robin’s nose with his own before he turned around. Robin glanced back at Tim and Jay, torn between the urge to follow his mate and the impulse to stay with Tim and Jay.
Jay was already falling asleep while Tim kept watch over him. Robin and Tim locked eyes for a brief moment, but neither of them said a word. Robin broke the spell and ran after the quickly disappearing bear.
THE BEAR didn’t look back once. Irritation rose within Robin. Who did this guy think he was?
An hour after they had left Tim and Jay, Robin stopped. The bear’s pace hadn’t been fast, merely a trot, but it was as if the guy didn’t care whether Robin followed or not. Annoyed with himself, Robin stretched out next to a large tree and rested.
He picked up the usual nightly noises of the forest, leaves rippling in the wind, insects humming, and sometimes the short squeak of a mouse as an owl bore down on it. But there was no bear growling at him to hurry up. Robin laid his head down on his forepaws. This didn’t bode well for the future.
The urge to follow the bear despite his cool treatment still tugged at Robin, and he had to put real effort into fighting it off. What was he doing? Following someone he didn’t know at all simply based on… whatever it was that drew mates to each other.
Lost in his own thoughts, Robin bounced to his feet, whirled around, and snarled when the bear nosed his neck.
Oh. It’s you. Realized you lost me after all, huh?
The bear stared at him silently.
Would it hurt you to, you know, actually talk to me? Your silent treatment is creeping me out.
The bear bent his head and gently nibbled behind Robin’s ears. Robin’s cock perked up and he lowered his head to give the bear easier access. His mate nipped and licked, causing Robin to come closer and forget all about his complaints.
The bear lifted one of his huge paws, draped it over Robin’s back, and yanked. Robin yipped in protest but soon found he didn’t care about the manhandling as he now lay on his back with the bear hovering above him. Robin exposed his belly as far as he could, whining. The bear sniffed Robin’s underside and swiped his tongue over it several times. Once he licked Robin’s cock, eliciting a gurgled sound of pleasure from him. Then he was gone.
Robin howled in frustration. His cock ached, and a strange dizziness seemed to possess his head. The bear stood a few feet away, obviously waiting for him. With a growl, Robin got to his feet and trailed after his mate.
Fucking cock tease.
The bear quickened his pace, and Robin’s erection waned as he plodded along. A short time later, they stood in front of a ro
ck formation partially covered with thick bushes and creeping plants.
Now what?
The bear stepped to one side, went into a crouch, and crawled underneath a large bush. Robin sighed and muttered, I hope you appreciate what I’m doing for you. Especially since I still don’t even know your name. That was a hint, by the way. Got it? A hint! Geez, are you deaf or what?
Nonetheless, Robin followed the bear. One second they squeezed through branches and leaves, some of them pricking Robin’s skin underneath the thick coat, and the next they were standing in the large opening of a cave.
Robin blinked. He turned his head from side to side, then tilted it upward. A small hole in the cave above his head allowed for a sliver of moonlight to illuminate the cave. When Robin looked for the bear, the huge animal rose up on his hind legs and shifted.
Six
GASPING, ROBIN stared at the slowly shifting bear. He looked wrong, even disgusting. Did his mate always shift in this fashion? If so, he didn’t want to watch it.
Long used to his family and clan, where all wolves could shift in a blink of an eye, Robin grimaced at the sight of the bear’s shifting. Even Jay shifted as their clan did, but then again, wolves and foxes were nimble creatures. Bears seemed to be so much more placid.
Robin whimpered and turned his back to the mass of transforming bones and flesh. He stepped closer to the walls of the cave, seeking the safety of the shadows. He curled himself up, facing away from the grotesqueness behind him.
Fearing to hear bones snap or flesh tear, Robin squeezed his eyes shut and covered his ears with his paws. He heard nothing, not even the slightest bit of movement. The silence in the cave was eerie, scary, and altogether too much for Robin. He could hide in the shadows as he’d done when he was a kid—though he usually went to Tim and crawled into bed with him—but somehow not seeing what was going on was more frightening than watching.
With a muffled growl, he uncurled himself and got to his feet. He didn’t want to act so scared or needy around his mate. He was an adult, a werewolf, and he was not scared of his mate shifting too slowly for his liking—absolutely not.
With new resolution he stiffened his spine and said, Are you done yet? With the shifting, I mean. I’ve never seen anyone shift so slowly. Oh, and just to get it out between us: you’re one of the silent guys, huh? Go figure. Why do I have to get a mate who’s not into communicating? And if you say it’s because I’m doing all the talking anyway, I’ll be mightily pissed off. Ah! There’s the problem. You wouldn’t say that because you’re not saying anything!
“I’m done with the shifting,” a deep, rumbling voice announced.
Robin startled and whirled around to face his mate. In the middle of the cave, right under the hole that permitted slivers of moonlight to filter in, stood a man with dark brown hair and a finely trimmed beard. Robin stared, unable to move, taking in the sight of his mate for the first time.
The man was the same height as Robin, which came as a surprise to him because he sure as hell wasn’t the tallest one around. But where Robin was slim, his mate was packed with muscles, giving him a sturdy, solid appearance, someone Robin could trust to hold and protect him.
His mate stepped toward Robin, an air of confidence surrounding him. Robin stayed where he was, waiting for the other man to come closer. In fascination, he studied his mate’s muscles roping in and out with each step he took, accentuating his bulk and strength. Robin yipped and wagged his tail.
The man stopped, a knowing smile forming on his face. He put his hands on his hips, drawing Robin’s attention to the perfectly sculpted lower abdomen and the trail of dark hair covering his skin from navel to his crotch. Robin licked his lips as he caught sight of his mate’s cock. It wasn’t long, but it sure was a thick one. What would it feel like to have that cock up his ass?
He clenched his ass cheeks tightly together while his cock stirred. Hell! He was not going to let this guy fuck him—whether he was his mate or not! Robin just wasn’t into the whole ass-fucking business, period.
His mate pulled one hand from his hip and leisurely rubbed a circle over his belly before he stroked up and down his own cock. All the while he grinned at Robin, teasing him. Robin walked up to him.
“Aren’t you going to shift?” his mate asked, bemused.
Robin blinked at him. All his attention was riveted to the slowly filling cock in front of him. This close he could finally see his mate’s eye color. They were a dark brown, almost black, and to anyone else they might have seemed cold, but to Robin they radiated a warmth that was specifically reserved for him.
“Your appearance in wolf-form is most appealing, but I would like to see you again in your human form. You were such a beautiful young man, like an angel.”
Robin cringed. Like an angel? That’s gross! First you’re not talking at all, and when you finally start talking, it’s such bullshit.
His mate’s facial expression changed in a way Robin couldn’t name. He only knew he didn’t want that look directed at him. The man spoke before Robin could say anything. “A spirited angel, I see. For clarification, because you seem to be unsettled by my silence, I hear you clearly in my shifted form, but I don’t possess the ability to talk telepathically.”
What? How’s that possible? Robin asked.
“We determined that our bear genes are responsible for this unfortunate condition. None of our clan possesses the gift of telepathy. Now shift, we have business to attend to.”
Business? No way, dude!
Robin took a few steps backward, even though it almost physically hurt him to do so. That wasn’t right. That… that didn’t sound promising. Business? No fucking way!
Turning toward the exit, he mumbled, Change of plans. See ya!
A firm hand grabbed his neck, sending shock waves of longing through Robin’s body. His cock hardened so fast it left him reeling. Feeling out of whack from the onslaught of varying emotions, Robin snarled. The grip of his mate’s hand on his neck didn’t waver—not one single bit. Instead, his mate pulled him around. The man crouched, and on instinct Robin ducked his head, whining low in his throat.
“I apologize for my choice of words. Please don’t be afraid.”
I’m not.
“Yes, you are.”
Ignoring his mate’s comment, Robin hedged, I don’t even know your name.
“Where are my manners? Hello, Robin, I’m Peter, and I’m your mate. It’s a real pleasure to meet you,” Peter replied.
With his free hand, he grabbed one of Robin’s forepaws and shook it. Robin stared at Peter’s hand engulfing his paw, then said, Hands off, I’m gonna shift.
After the shift Robin knelt in front of Peter, his mate. Peter had a very distinct smell to him, like a fresh summer breeze mingled with the fragrance of something spicy. Robin’s eyes widened when Peter’s scent flooded his olfactory system. Robin lifted his gaze from Peter’s cock to his dark brown eyes. They seemed bottomless yet all knowing, as if Peter could peer right into his soul. Robin averted his eyes, unsure whether he wanted Peter to see so much.
“Come here,” Peter demanded softly. He remained in the crouched position but held his arms open for Robin.
“This is crazy. I’m crazy!”
“You’re not. Now come to me, into my arms where you belong.”
A violent, teeth-chattering shiver took possession of Robin’s whole body. On his knees, he scrambled forward, swallowed down the huge lump in his throat, and tentatively rested his hands on Peter’s shoulders, mapping the outlines of them with his fingertips.
Peter gasped while Robin traced the ridges of his muscles, and then he fastened his hands on Robin’s hips. Peter’s body shook, which eased some of Robin’s inner tension. At least he wasn’t the only one affected here.
When Peter pulled him closer and closer until their bare chests, torsos, and groins touched, Robin whimpered. His skin prickled where it touched Peter’s, a pleasant tingling sensation that sent sparks of desire through him.
Peter obviously wasn’t faring much better, because he lost some of his cool demeanor. His breathing sped up as he explored Robin’s body. He smoothed his hands over Robin’s ass, again and again. Robin did some exploring of his own, though his petting lacked Peter’s confidence. He made up for it by rubbing his growing erection against Peter’s engorged shaft.
When Peter stopped, Robin looked at his face, surprised to find a frown there.
“What—” Robin cut himself off when the frown changed into a broad smile, showing a line of straight white teeth. They gleamed in Peter’s bearded face.
“This is all so wrong,” Robin whispered. “I don’t like guys with beards.”
“If my facial hair disturbs you, I’ll take it off.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes.”
“Just like that?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not a man of many words, are you?” Robin said. “I don’t like guys who don’t talk. They weird me out.”
“I will make an effort to be more talkative,” Peter replied.
“You’re easy.”
“I like to please you.”
“Well, in that case… you’d please me immensely if you’d blow me.”
Peter chuckled before squeezing Robin’s ass cheeks. Dipping a finger in the crease, he trailed the digit up and down the cleft. Robin clenched his cheeks, but loosened them when Peter spread them with one hand.
Robin wanted this; he wanted Peter to shove the finger up his ass, and then he wanted Peter’s cock there. Shocked, he snarled, “What’s the shit-eating grin for?”
“If you’re referring to my pleased expression, it is because you haven’t allowed another man to take you so far.”
Robin jerked in Peter’s arms, determined to bring some space between them, if only to have a chance to hide his red face. Peter’s grip around him was unbreakable, though, so Robin muttered, “Right. And you know that how?”
“The energy lines are all intact. There’s not a single trace of someone else inside you. There are also no traces of anyone having come close to this.” Peter pressed his finger against Robin’s hole, not going farther but definitely getting his message across.
Secret Energy (Shifters Book 2) Page 4