by Marie Harte
“Oh, yes.” Ryder thrust a hand into Zain’s hair and caressed his ears. Zain sucked louder. “Open wider. A little bit of teeth. That’s it.” Ryder groaned. “Now keep still while I fuck your sweet mouth. Good demon.”
Anson couldn’t look away as Ryder disappeared time and time again between Zain’s lips. The powerful thrusts couldn’t have been easy to receive, but Zane seemed to grow more aroused as Ryder pumped. Then Ryder groaned and shuddered at the same time Liam and Malem entered the room.
“Well, well.” Malem’s smug grin warned Anson to be wary. “I guess the celebration was too much for you two, hmm?”
Zain grunted as he swallowed, and Anson took note of the frantic motion of his arm. The bed blocked the sight of him jerking off, but Anson smelled his cum as the demon groaned around Ryder’s shaft.
“Such busy boys,” Liam drawled.
“You look like shit.” Anson couldn’t help noticing. Liam was drawn, his features pale, and he dragged under Malem’s sturdy hold.
“Thanks,” Liam said dryly as Malem lowered him to the bed.
“We’ll leave you here, under guard.” Malem motioned to the door, and Ryder and Zain departed with a nod. “I’ll alert the queen to what transpired, if she doesn’t know already. I highly doubt her magic wouldn’t have noticed Danya, unless the harvest moon has interfered. At any rate, someone will be on watch at all times, my prince.”
To Anson’s shock, Malem bowed to Liam. The large guard winked at Anson, then left them alone together, shutting the door behind him.
Danya? Who was that? The sorceress Liam had refused to mention by name? What exactly had happened that Liam now needed to be more closely watched?
Anson didn’t know what to think. His time at the ceremony was hazy. He remembered walking into the grand room with Liam and the others. There was a stone altar, the scent and sounds of sex, then nothing.
He felt looser, relaxed, pleased, but he couldn’t make out the vague scent overlapping his own. It was Liam, and something else. Something powerful. He didn’t see any marks on his body though he did feel a slight twinge in his ass. Had Liam or one of the others drugged him? Despite his attraction for Liam, anal sex still unnerved him. And he’d prefer to be conscious and aware when undertaking the act.
He couldn’t help feeling anxious. So much sex going on around him. Sexual demons. An orgy for a ceremony. And not a female in sight except for mention of Liam’s mother, the queen. Had he seen her? He had a faint recollection of a slight female with dark skin, but he couldn’t remember.
Anson wanted to ask Liam his questions, but Liam’s eyes were already closing. To Anson’s shock, Liam had a hard-on that remained, even as the poor demon looked beyond tired. Anson left him alone, though he didn’t want to.
The ache in his cock refused to abate. He palmed his erection, needing to get a handle on his desire. That celebration must have played havoc with his libido. For twenty-five years Anson had lived with wolves in the Great Forest. Males fucked females. They fucked for pleasure, they made babies, pups. End of story.
Except here, in this place, sex meant something more. Incubi and succubi used sex as a means to relieve excess energy. But where were all the females? Did the fact there were only males around necessitate lust for the same gender? Then why did Anson not feel the pull as strongly for other demons the way he did for Liam? Though watching Zain and Ryder had turned him on, he lusted for Liam’s cock. To feel Liam’s balls between his lips.
The thought could not have been stranger.
“Shit. I need to get out of here.” The demons were screwing with his mind, obviously. He needed to get home, to join with his kind and run through the forest, with the deer and other wolves, under watch from the birds in the sky.
The energy here was dark, foreign. It scared him because now he sensed a part of Liam inside him. Demon essence didn’t belong in a wolf. Especially not in a wolf that was expected to someday fight to become alpha.
The thought of Uncle Mike made him panic. How long had Anson actually been gone? A day or more? Had his travel across continents really taken place in the blink of an eye? He didn’t trust the stink of demon magic all over the place.
Forcing himself to look away from Liam, Anson decided to leave. He’d contact his uncle for the money and papers to return home. He just had to figure out a way to escape these blasted athmae.
An unwilling glance at Liam made him shiver. Such beauty was unexpected in a male, and just as unexpected in one of not only a different species, but the same gender. How could Anson have allowed himself to think sex with Liam might be okay? What would Uncle Mike say?
He’ll be horrified. Shocked and disgusted that his nephew would never breed the line of Lycos into another generation. On the one hand, annoying his uncle had become the highlight of his recent days. And Anson was in no rush to sire young, if he ever felt the desire. Personally, he’d always thought to leave pups to Fenris, while he hunted and worked in the Great Forest.
Still, Anson’s alpha deserved his respect. Though Anson didn’t necessarily agree with everything his uncle wanted of him, he knew he had a duty to the pack and the Wolf in the Forest. A duty that included taking a mate.
Shit. Fucking a male demon didn’t exactly go hand in hand with finding a she-wolf to bear young. Anson really needed to leave before things got more out of hand.
He searched through Liam’s armoire and found a pair of trousers and a shirt to wear. He’d forego shoes if need be. But a sack to carry the clothes with him, should he need to shift, would be ideal. Needing nothing else but some luck and opportunity, Anson opened the door, hoping against hope Liam’s guards would be reasonable.
Just his luck to find Malem posted outside.
“Going somewhere, pet?”
Anson gritted his teeth. That pet nonsense annoyed him. “I’m leaving.” He took a step outside and stopped a breath from Malem’s immovable frame.
“I don’t think so.” Malem’s soft voice preceded his grim smile. “I take it Liam’s resting?”
“Yeah. And he shouldn’t be disturbed.” Anson frowned. “What the hell happened to him?”
“The sorceress who cursed him returned.”
“What curse? Sorceress?” Perhaps that Danya Malem had mentioned earlier?
Malem shook his head. “Wait until he wakes, then he’ll explain.”
“Look, I’m sorry for Liam. Really. He seems like a good guy—ah, demon.” Anson imagined the faint smell of wolf and had an urgent need to bond with pack. He needed to be around fellow wolves. His kind, not these dark beings. “I have to get home. My people aren’t here, Malem.”
“In that you’re wrong. You have a life here now.” Malem suddenly whisked the tip of a silver blade under Anson’s chin. Most wolves didn’t fear silver, but Anson was that rare creature, a werewolf. That beast didn’t like Malem’s weapon at all.
“Get that away from me.” Anson didn’t flinch, even when the tip of the sword burned his flesh.
Malem’s eyebrows rose. “Interesting.” He lowered his blade and stepped closer. “I don’t want to hurt you, pet. But you belong to my prince, and he’s not ready to part with you.”
“I’m not his pet.” Liam grew past the clothing, ripping it as his werewolf took over.
“You’re so pretty when you’re like this.” The lust on Malem’s face alarmed him, because Anson felt an echo of it deep in a new part of him that shouldn’t have been there. “I’ll pray to Banathmae Liam decides to share you.”
Anson took another step forward, until he and Malem stood flush against each another. To his alarm, he felt Malem’s erection pushing past his loincloth, into Anson’s belly. But before he could push past Malem, two other sets of hands grabbed him, someone bit him—more than once—and he fought harder. Unfortunately, he soon lost his will to fight in his hunger to fuck.
His vision hazed. A flash of the past, of a dark cavern, the scent of lust, and that stone altar gave him one hell of a headache. He bli
nked it away and found himself back in Liam’s room, now bound upright to the wall, and no longer werewolf.
“There you are. Took three of us to get you in here, even after I bit you twice. Didn’t think anyone could resist that much venom for so long.” Malem smiled and flashed his fangs. Then the asshole had the audacity to stroke Anson’s cock. “You’re a big one, aren’t you? That pretty gold fur of yours is so handsome. So rich, and just as soft as your skin is right now.”
“Let me go.” Anson strained but couldn’t break the collar around his neck or the wrist and ankle restraints bolted to the wall.
“As soon as Liam commands it, I will. Now you need to settle down and wait for your prince to wake.”
“Settle down?” Anson stared in astonishment. “This isn’t my place, you aren’t my people, and I— Shit.”
Malem worked his cock, stroking and rubbing faster with the perfect amount of pressure. “Banathmae left some of himself behind, didn’t he?” Malem chuckled, his gaze intent as he watched Anson’s face. “You need some ease. Take it, wolf. Come hard in my hand. Your prince wouldn’t want you hurting. Do it for him.”
Just thinking of Liam made everything right. The wolf inside him churned for freedom. The werewolf within didn’t like being bound, but when he glanced at the bed and saw Liam lying there, he gave himself up to Malem’s hands, imagining Liam riding him, Liam touching him.
He choked off a cry and surged against Malem, coming in great jerks over the demon’s skin, his white seed a stain upon Malem’s black flesh.
“You smell good,” Malem murmured and continued to ease him until Anson had nothing left.
He sagged in his bonds.
“Now rest and wait for Liam. He’ll help you, pet.”
“I’m not a fucking pet. I don’t need any help. I need to get home.” Too bad he didn’t sound threatening with his voice so hoarse. He watched, hypnotized, as Malem lifted his hand and licked Anson’s cum from his fingers.
“So good.” The demon’s erection was impossible to miss beneath that slight loincloth. “I can’t wait to ease you again. Until later.” He grinned. “Pet.”
Anson wanted to roar at him, to argue his position. But oddly enough, he didn’t want to wake Liam. In silence, he watched Malem leave. And he waited.
* * * *
Liam woke feeling…different. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something had changed. A glance around showed him alone, the room empty. Then he noticed a shadow against the wall and sat up. A naked, sleeping werewolf sagged there, bound by magical restraints.
Liam had a feeling his pet had tried to leave sometime during his nap. No doubt Malem was behind Anson’s incarceration.
Liam rose quietly from his bed and stretched. He focused inward and felt his wolf nipping playfully to come out. How extraordinary. Not yet ready to shift, Liam still felt more of his wolf than he had in decades. Banathmae hadn’t hurt his wolf in the least, though Liam thought his animal’s resurrection owed more to Anson than it did anything else.
After a soothing shower, Liam dried off and returned to his room to find Anson still asleep.
“My poor pet.” Liam smiled at the golden male, so taken with Anson’s coloring. That golden skin that would easily turn to blond fur. The bright-green eyes, alight with curiosity or rage or passion. “What am I going to do with you?” he murmured, enchanted with Anson all over again.
Not wanting his lover uncomfortable, Liam removed his restraints and carried Anson to the bed. Anson moaned and rolled his neck. Sensing his discomfort, Liam turned him onto his belly and began rubbing the stiff muscles.
“Hmm.” Anson slowly woke, the scent of his arousal permeating the air, and turned his head toward Liam.
Liam breathed in the heady perfume. Despite the sorceress’s arrival yesterday, he felt in fine spirits. The raging desire Banathmae had plagued him with had been tempered by rest, though it remained a constant buzz beneath his conscious thought.
Anson lay naked next to him, not helping matters.
Anson rolled over onto his back and opened his eyes. “Liam?”
The husky voice called to him. Liam leaned forward for a kiss, but Anson turned his head at the last minute.
Delighted by Anson’s play, Liam chuckled. “Tricky wolf.”
“Tricky demon.” The wolf sounded gravelly and sexy in the same breath. “Great, you’re awake. Hold on.” Anson left him for the lavatory. After a few minutes, he returned looking refreshed. “Okay. Now how about you let me out of here so I can go home?”
Not the words Liam had wanted to hear. “Why?”
“You wanted my help. I’m thinking I helped you a bunch yesterday.” Anson’s eyes narrowed. “My ass feels…used.”
Liam frowned. “You’re hurt?”
Anson blushed. “No, but I… I can’t explain it. I think I had sex, but I can’t remember.” He scowled. “I’ve been jerked off by you, Malem and who the hell knows who else. I’m tired of playing the fuck-toy. I have a pack that needs me, a mate waiting for me and an uncle sure to kick my ass for leaving without his permission. Playtime is over.”
Liam started. “You’re mated?” The thought made him physically ill.
“Maybe. You know the Living Wood?”
Liam glanced at Anson’s erection.
Anson frowned. “Not that wood. The mating ceremony? Every ten years we’re forced to put a sacrifice in the Living Wood. The Wolf in the Forest asks for a piece of us, which we give in a lock of hair. The priest does his thing, the Wolf in the Forest hears prayers and our mates are found.”
“So you cut some hair, put it in a box and your spirit finds your mate?” Liam wasn’t sure what to think. His mother had been after him for some time to bond, but he’d put it off. Then he’d been cursed by Danya and had an even better excuse not to settle down.
But he’d been growing desperate to feel his wolf once more, and his mother had offered her help by giving him a spell. A box of wood she’d received from Fae friends. A hank of his hair, some words a neighboring wolf had muttered. But nothing had happened, or so he’d thought.
A few hours later, Anson had appeared.
“The Living Wood,” Anson repeated slowly. “How we find our mates? How do the athmae find theirs?”
My mate. A male wolf. He’s mine.
His inner wolf howled with delight, though Liam—the man—remained unsure. But he suddenly knew what he had to do.
“Ah, Liam? You’re looking a little wild. Your eyes are…glowing.” Anson sniffed and swore. “You smell like wolf.”
“I am wolf.” Liam licked his growing canines, beyond pleased he’d been gifted with his spirit wolf. For so long he’d waited, restless, hesitant, wounded. “I was long cursed by an evil sorceress. But you’re freeing my wolf, Anson. Help me break this hold on my power. I need you.” He palmed his erection so Anson would understand exactly what he meant.
To his surprise, Anson looked nervous. “You mean you didn’t already do that last night?”
Liam shook his head. “I’m a little fuzzy on the details, but I remember Banathmae possessing my body before he took a real…liking to you.”
Anson groaned. “Are you telling me I was fucked by a god?”
“I guess you could say you sacrificed your virgin ass. Pity. I was hoping to take it myself.” Liam couldn’t wait to taste the morsel staring up at him with dismay.
“About that.” Anson swallowed audibly. “I’m a wolf, Liam. We don’t fuck men.”
“Yes, we do.”
“We don’t—what do you mean?”
Liam shrugged. “I’m wolf, and I fuck other males. Years ago, I ran with a few of the packs around here before they left the area for the northern provinces. The non-mated wolves fucked with males and females. Gender didn’t matter. Though wolves aren’t as sexual as athmae, it was my understanding alphas traditionally fuck anyone they please, mated or not. Surely you saw this in your own clan.”
Anson blanched. “I don’t want to think
of my uncle having sex with anyone. Besides, he’s mated.”
“So?”
“So mated wolves can’t stray.”
“He’s not straying. He’ll only father young with his female. Doesn’t mean he can’t take physical pleasure with another male so long as his mate agrees.”
“What?” Anson looked stunned.
“You didn’t know?”
Anson shook his head.
“It’s no big deal. Athmae give each other joy all the time.”
“Right. You like to share.”
Liam smiled when he caught the heavenly scent of Anson’s increased desire. “Say what you want, but the thought of it excites you. Don’t worry, Anson. I have every intention of sharing your beautiful cock once I’ve had my fill.”
Anson glared. “I hate to break it to you, but I’m not your pet.”
Liam was glad for Anson’s resistance, because it bolstered his own. Mating could keep. Play, however, could not. “Not my pet, no. But, Anson, you’re mine all the same.” My mate, if Banathmae and the Wolf in the Forest have their say.
Liam gave in to his wolf and pounced.
He had Anson under him on the bed, naked, his for the taking. “Now it’s time to show you what you were made for. Me.”
Chapter Five
Anson wanted to argue the point, but Liam’s flesh against his robbed him of speech. Dear Wolf, how could he feel this way for a male? A demon? He wanted to chalk up his sexual attraction as nothing more than the physical response to pleasure. He wasn’t bothered by the sexual act. Truth be told, it turned him on in a big way. Liam was right about wolves being sexual creatures. But the look in Liam’s eyes called to Anson on another level. The genuine affection he saw there lit an answering fuse within him.
It made little sense. He’d just met Liam, and he’d never had sex with a guy before this visit to demon central. Yet for a demon prince he felt something more. Not the tepid lust for the females in his pack, but a huge wave of confusion, yearning and need he was hard-pressed to understand.