Alpha Unit One, New York

by Chris T. Kat

  Chapter Seventeen

  Nick

  I WAS so dead, so dead. Fuck, why couldn’t I withstand his voice? Okay, I knew why I couldn’t—he was my mate, an alpha, and I was a baby shifter, bound to obey him. It was only biology working, but still….

  I tensed all my muscles to be ready to make my escape should I feel threatened by him. When Sam rose on his forepaws to stare at me, I flattened my ears to my head and hissed. I felt threatened, all right. He was huge, and I was so… so tiny.

  Nicky?

  Sam cocked his big, furry head to the side, and all I wanted was to dig my paws into his mane and tug at his ear. Shit! While I was all grown up as a human, it was hard not to give in to the urges to play, nap, and eat when I was in my snow leopard form. Which reminded me, I could do with a nap about now. Or maybe something to eat. Yep, that sounded good. Eat, then nap, then play with Sam’s mane. Sam!

  Nicky? Can you hear me?

  Yes, sure.

  Sam heaved his big body onto the bed, jostling the mattress so much I tumbled onto my side. My right forepaw shot out when Sam nudged me with his nose to roll me onto my back. He withdrew with a snarl.

  What was that for?

  Um, what? I hedged. Damn! I didn’t realize I’d had my claws out. A mark showed right above his nose. Trembling, I crawled backward away from him.

  Nicholas, Sam rumbled. He lowered himself to the bed, causing waves to roll through the mattress, making it almost impossible for me to stay on my paws. I lost the fight against gravity completely when one of Sam’s paws landed behind my butt and shoved me forward, right against his plushy mane.

  I hissed, but it came out more like a peeved-sounding meow than anything else.

  Why are you hissing at me? If anyone should be hissing, it should be me, don’t you think? A baby shifter. For God’s sake, I mated a baby shifter. Sam sounded incredulous, but at least not murderous, which was… something.

  How mad at me are you? I asked in a very small voice. I stuck my head into Sam’s mane, sniffing. Man, he smelled so good there. Like… power and strength and… so utterly Sam. You smell soooo good.

  I heard Sam’s laughter in my head, and a chuffing sound came out of his lion’s muzzle. That’s what you’re thinking about?

  I prowled even closer, suddenly not scared of how much bigger he was than me anymore. After all, he seemed to take it in stride that I was a cub. Besides, he was my mate, and my mate would protect me. I snatched a few strands of his mane to tug, but Sam simply shook his head to dislodge me.

  Disgruntled, I fell onto my back. Before I could roll over on my belly, Sam pinned me to the mattress with one massive paw. He lowered his head to sniff me everywhere. And I mean, everywhere. I tried to curl up into a ball, but he would have none of it. In the end, I gave up and let him have his way. To be honest, it was somewhat relaxing, so I stretched out my limbs and allowed him to bathe my belly with his tongue.

  I still can barely smell you. Is it because you’re so small that you don’t have much of an inherent smell?

  Yeah.

  Oh, I get it. The small amount anyone might have been able to smell you hid underneath that horrible cologne.

  It’s not horrible. It’s the least offensive one I could find. Besides, it hasn’t been working as well lately.

  You probably reacted to my pheromones, Sam mused. The drug probably helped that along too. I still can’t believe it. How could you become a cop if you’re a baby shifter? No parents in their right mind would allow that. Also, at your age shouldn’t you’ve been married off by now?

  All relaxation fled me at once. I batted my paws against his nose to get him to back off. He snorted, and after some squirming, I freed myself. I needed some space. I didn’t get very far because something heavy landed on the tip of my tail, keeping me in place. I whirled around, spitting at him. Rage rushed through me. He was like everyone else. How could I have been so dumb as to mate him? He’d never allow me to go back to work!

  No one knows what I am. I made sure of it. And my parents are long dead, together with my sister, who took one of the synthesized drugs because she wanted to be a normal shifter. She went crazy and shot my parents and then herself. She was an excellent shot, which is one reason why I don’t want to be a sniper. That’s also the main reason why I became a cop. Happy now?

  I clawed at his paw while I talked, but he barely took notice.

  Would you stop that?

  No! I snapped.

  Please.

  No! I bit down hard on his paw.

  I gasped when he bent his head and grabbed my neck. It was the same grab all cats used on their kittens when they needed to carry them, but….

  Mewling, I held still as Sam rose, turned a circle on the bed, then laid himself down. He put me between his paws, as if he was cradling me, and asked, Are you done?

  You stood on my tail! I wailed. Fuck, I hated when I acted like a cub.

  How about a little nap?

  Nap? Oh, that sounded so good right now. I’d like that.

  I think you’re in need of that, my cranky little baby.

  I’m not a baby!

  Sure. Sam let go of me, and I nestled up as close as I possibly could get. He bathed my fur for a while, and my eyes grew so heavy that I had to rest them. Before sleep claimed me, I muttered, ’M not really a baby. Just in this form.

  It’s all right, Nicky. We’ll talk later.

  Tiny needed way more reassurance than I did, so it was only fair for me to ask, Still love me?

  Always. You’re my mate.

  Love you too, big guy.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Sam

  A BABY shifter. I mated a baby shifter. An adorably cute cub, but still a baby shifter. My mind reeled.

  I watched Nicky sleep with his head resting against my mane, his left forepaw on one of my mine as if he wanted to make sure to get as much contact as possible, which was highly probable. Actually, his whole body seemed to be touching mine, and I couldn’t help but bend down and sniff him again.

  His nose twitched in his sleep, and he smacked his lips but otherwise stayed asleep. Such a sweet scent! Not very strong, but I should’ve recognized it. After all, my youngest brother was a baby shifter as well. Though Chris did have more of an inherent scent than Nicky.

  God, he was so small in his baby form. Not that he was tall or big in his human form, but humans tended to be smaller than us shifters. How had I not picked up on his lies?

  Light purrs rumbled in Nicky’s chest, causing me to huff. What a cute little thing my mate was!

  My mate. A baby shifter and a cop. How was that supposed to work? It’s unheard of to have a baby shifter working as a cop. Any occupation that could get dangerous was normally a no-go for them. It wasn’t that they didn’t have the right to choose any job they wanted, but their mates usually overruled those wishes. Baby shifters tended to become stay-at-home-moms and dads. If they worked, it was often as artists, or with the elderly and children. Baby shifters had that whole emitting soothing scents down pat.

  What should I do with Nicky? Allow him to keep working as a cop? My lion growled at that thought. How would I be able to protect him in that line of work? No, he couldn’t do that anymore.

  Appeased by this decision, I made myself more comfortable. Nicky gave a sound of protest, then turned around to stick his head into my mane, almost vanishing in it. My heart squeezed at the thought of how many times he’d been in dangerous situations already. I could not allow this to happen anymore. But… he’d resent me if I told him to find a different job.

  My head started to pound. This situation was impossible. I couldn’t take away what defined him, but I couldn’t allow him to keep his job either. Baby shifters needed protection, and that was that.

  My thoughts circled around themselves until Nicky woke with a languid stretch. He yawned and showed off perfect tiny sharp teeth. He blinked at me from sleepy blue eyes. ’M hungry. If you were female, that would be convenient right
now.

  I stared at him in utter bewilderment. Sorry?

  Nicky’s body shook, and it took me a moment to realize he was laughing. Gosh, your face! I was joking, okay? But I’m still hungry.

  He gazed at me expectantly. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, the way he sat there all prim and adorable. I swiped my tongue over his head, almost pushing him into the mattress. Nicky rose on his hind paws, then put his forepaws on my muzzle. His tail slashed the air, and I narrowed my eyes. Something was up. I just had no clue what it was.

  Nicky unsheathed his claws and dug them into my snout, then spun around and jumped off the bed. I was so stunned I didn’t react until I caught sight of him whizzing out of my bedroom.

  Little rascal. I got up from the bed and ambled out into my living room. Nicky peeked around a corner of the sofa, giving a delighted meow when he saw me approach. His paws barely made a sound as he ran off again.

  Fine, I said. I’ll play.

  Yay! Hide and seek?

  Sure, I sighed. Why did all cat baby shifters love that damn game? And how did they go from wanting food to playing within seconds? How could they be so normal and act their age when they were in their human form?

  Sam! You have to try to find me, not just stand there, Nicky chided me.

  Sorry, I replied. I followed Nicky’s scent, which had become stronger since he smelled strongly of fun and playfulness. I walked up to the only bookshelf I possessed, wondering about his hiding spot.

  I started when something dropped onto my back, meowing in victory.

  I got you, Nicky crowed.

  I thought I was going to seek you, not have you jump me.

  Ah, but this is more fun. You squeaked.

  I did not squeak.

  You totally did. Sam, the big bad lion, squeaked during the attack of a snow leopard cub! That’s so awesome! Nicky bounced up and down my spine, his paws barely making an impression on me. Such a tiny thing!

  Shaking myself out of my stupor, I asked, Weren’t you hungry?

  Right on cue, Nicky’s stomach rumbled. I glanced at him as he stared at his belly with a puzzled expression on his face. I guess I am.

  How about we shift back to human to eat something? Should be easier, don’t you think?

  Nicky’s ears dropped. I could swear that even his whiskers drooped. He gave me a sad look before he jumped off my back.

  Fine, he said sullenly.

  What’s with the attitude?

  Nicky hissed, Oh, is it attitude now? You’re going to lay down the law and expect me to roll with it, right? Excuse me for not showing the proper excitement.

  Mustering all my patience, which admittedly was waning considerably, I replied, If you mean that we need to talk, then yes, we do need to talk.

  About what exactly do you want to talk? Nicky’s stomach gave another, louder grumble.

  Let’s eat first. I don’t think it’ll be good to talk on an empty stomach.

  Or it might be perfect. Less to throw up later, Nicky muttered. He caught me staring at him and winced. I didn’t hide that I was pissed, and I guess an angry lion’s face could easily pull that reaction. Fine. Hooray. Let’s shift, eat, and talk. Blergh.

  I was still chuckling after I’d shifted back to human. “Blergh? Seriously? How old are you?”

  Nicky wavered on the spot after his shift, looking slightly nauseated. “Twenty-eight. Usually, at least. Not so much in my other form.”

  “I gathered that much. You’re a little brat in your other form.”

  “Most people call me cute, but sure, if you think that fits best….” Nicky trailed off, smelling of hurt and anxiety.

  I grabbed his wrist and pulled him against me, relishing the feeling of his warm skin on mine. “We’ll figure it out, okay?”

  Although Nicky didn’t fight my embrace, he tensed up at my words. He even went so far as to try to pull away from me. I tightened my hold on him with one arm and used the other to tuck his head underneath my chin, stroking my fingertips along his cheeks. His muscles quivered as if he was about to cry. God, what should I do if he started to cry? We just mated! This was supposed to be a happy occasion, not something horrible that he had to rail against.

  Nicky surprised me when he said, “Okay. I’m really hungry now.”

  I dropped a kiss on the top of his tousled hair. “I’ll fix us something, but maybe we should dress first.”

  Nicky stared down at himself after I released him. “Why? Afraid you won’t be up for another round?”

  A mischievous glint gleamed in his eyes before he pivoted around, intent on getting to the bedroom. He didn’t get far.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Nick

  THE THIRD round of our lovemaking left me boneless and sore. Really sore. I even allowed Sam to clean me up and put something inside my hole he claimed would help with the soreness. The salve really helped, but I was so drained, I quickly fell asleep.

  When I woke up again, it was to Sam’s insistent nudging. The early morning sunlight drifting through the bedroom windows told me Sam and I had been mates for our first full night together. A tray filled with food stood on an end table. I rolled over on my belly and slung my arms around a pillow, closing my eyes again. Sam pulled the comforter off me, then bit my ass. I yelped and hastily turned over.

  “Hey!” I protested, still rubbing sleep from my eyes. “I’m awake.”

  “Not into biting?” Sam lifted me into his arms as if I weighed nothing.

  He set me down between his legs, so his cock nestled right behind my butt. I gnawed on my bottom lip at the contact. I shouldn’t want him again. After all, my hole was still pleasantly aching. But damned if that position didn’t have my cock perking up.

  “Seriously?” Sam sighed.

  “Too much maintenance for you, old man?”

  Sam flipped me over his legs and administered two slaps on my ass. Squeaking, I tried to squirm free. Instead of letting me go, Sam positioned me so my ass was in the air, conveniently at the right height for him to eat me out. I sputtered when his rough tongue slid into me, but soon I pushed my ass unashamedly back against his face.

  This time Sam made short work of me. While his tongue worked me over, he fisted my cock and played with my balls. My release should’ve taken longer, and on some level I was embarrassed about how quickly I came again, but fuck! Soooo good!

  “Can we finally eat now?” Sam asked, aiming for annoyance but only succeeding in total smugness.

  I laughed breathlessly, my ass still in the air. “Is there even one spot in this bed that isn’t covered in cum? Because I’m not sitting in our spunk. Wait, did you even come?”

  “Like I’ve mentioned before, I’m a bit older than you. Don’t worry, I’ve immensely enjoyed seeing you writhe and hearing you cry out.”

  “Oh, uh, okay, I guess.” Sam flipped me over into a sitting position, and I swallowed against the slight dizziness that accompanied this motion. “I can actually move on my own, you know?”

  Sam grinned at me as he maneuvered us closer to the end table and away from the trails of our lovemakings. “But it’s so much fun to manhandle you.”

  I huffed since I was out of smart comebacks. Sam pulled me against his chest, then put the tray over our laps. I surveyed the contents and became fixated on a big glass of milk. There was only one, and that one was going to be mine. I snatched it with both hands, brought it to my lips, and gulped it down as quickly as I could without swallowing the wrong way.

  “Whoa! I wasn’t going to take that away from you, but good to know that I shouldn’t get between you and milk.”

  I gave him a sheepish glance. “Sorry.”

  Sam waved my apology off. “I don’t know what you like, but I figured I couldn’t go wrong with meat.”

  “Um….” Not that I didn’t appreciate the thought, but I wasn’t much of a meat eater. At least not in the form of big steaks or huge slices of beef. That had been a point of utter irritation for my parents, but they figured it
was due to my shifter form, which was barely weaned. I could totally live off milk, fruit, and sometimes a few bites of rabbit.

  “What?” Sam asked as he bit into a sandwich filled to the brim with roast beef. The sight made my stomach queasy. He narrowed his eyes at me. “You’re not a vegetarian, are you? That can’t be. You’re a cat. Tiny, but still a cat.”

  “I’m not a vegetarian, just not a big meat eater. I’m more of a sweets person. And yes, I know how odd that is, believe me. My father tried to train it out of me, but it didn’t work.”

  As much as I’d loved my parents, my dad had been old-fashioned. He’d tried to force me to eat more meat and wouldn’t give me anything else until I was so weak I cried constantly. My mom put her foot down after a while. She told my father to accept me the way I was or else. I never found out what or else meant, but he allowed me to eat what I wanted afterward.

  “How do you train that out of someone?” Sam asked while he munched on his ginormous sandwich.

  I shrugged and searched the tray for something without meat. Finally I found a sandwich smeared thickly with some sort of chocolate cream. “Hmm, that’s more like it.”

  Sam snorted, but otherwise withheld any comment. We ate in companionable silence until we both gave a sated sigh. Sam put the tray aside, and I turned sideways to curl up against him.

  “Are you falling asleep again?”

  “No.” I jerked out of my light slumber.

  Sam lifted my chin with a finger so I had to look into his eyes. Heat rose into my cheeks when he said, “I know this is not a big thing, but I don’t want you to lie to me ever again.”

  I barely managed to stop myself from squirming in sheer embarrassment. Instead I rubbed a hand over my chest, wondering if I’d always get that light burn there now when I did or said something that displeased Sam. I’d heard about that, but I’d always shrugged it off as nonsense. Maybe it wasn’t really total nonsense. It definitely was… uncomfortable. I’d been on my own for so long, never held accountable for anything since my parents and sister died. Everyone assumed I was human, and humans weren’t held to the same standards baby shifters were. Which brought me back to my current predicament.