Mike [Wounded Hearts 2] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Fel Fern

  Chapter Seven

  Mike woke by the sound of Brownie’s eager barking. He groaned, buried his face into the pillow. Pretty soon, she would pounce on him and start licking at his face. Mike recalled how he woke up yesterday morning, how he fell on his face, scrambling for his crutches. His tiger felt strange though, placated and cocky. Something significant happened yesterday.

  Opening his eyes, he soon found out the answer. Bowen’s slender frame lay stretched out beside him. Bowen was a sheet hogger, he noticed with some amusement, clutching all the comforter to himself, while snuggled close to Mike. Still, hints of bare skin peeked out. The bruises and marks from the night before started to fade thanks to shifter healing, but they weren’t gone yet. Sheer temptation. Mike’s dick twitched, ready for some action. Down, boy.

  Mike’s gaze lingered on the bandage on Bowen’s neck, where his mate mark was. Possessiveness swept through him. Too late to change anything now, but neither Bowen nor he regretted last night’s actions.

  Would Bowen change his mind once he woke up?

  Bowen’s eyelids flickered open and at the sight of him, his little cat smiled. “Good morning.”

  All the unease melted away. Right from the start, Bowen told him he was the one with the self-doubts. It was time to cast those away and be a better mate. They were in this together now, and Mike intended to be involved in every aspect of Bowen’s life.

  Mike ran his hand down Bowen’s chest, liking how Bowen’s breath caught as Mike finally gripped Bowen’s dick. He rubbed at the cockhead and Bowen moaned, mouth half-parted. Mike stole that opportunity for a kiss. Bowen clutched at him, opened his mouth further so Mike could thrust his tongue down Bowen’s throat. He gave Bowen’s dick a few pumps, aware of how fast Bowen thickened under his touch. His own dick started to harden and his tiger urged him to fuck their mate.

  When he pulled away from the kiss, Bowen was groaning.

  “Need you in me,” Bowen murmured.

  “Turn,” Mike ordered. Bowen obeyed and Mike edged close, pressed his dick to the curve of Mike’s ass. Without needing orders, Bowen parted his legs, so Mike could push a finger in Bowen’s hole. He nipped at Bowen’s ear, loving how the lynx shifter shivered. “So primed for me already? Fuck, but I love how ready your body is.”

  “Shut up and fuck me. Please,” Bowen added the last word like an afterthought and he laughed.

  Mike guided his prick into Bowen’s entrance and pushed in. Unlike the night before, he didn’t slow down, but buried himself to the hilt. Bowen’s breathing changed. Mike began to push in and out, pumps quick but deep. His little lynx began to moan, thrusting his ass up at him in offering. The room smelled of their combined arousal, a scent he could definitely get used to.

  “When are you moving in with me?” he asked, slowing down so Bowen could answer him.

  “Really? I can do that?” Bowen sounded excited and it started to rub off on Mike.

  “We’re mates now, aren’t we?”

  “What about my problems?”

  “We’ll talk after this. Grab your stuff from the motel later.”

  “Okay.”

  Mike shifted the angle of his thrusts and must have brushed against Bowen’s prostate because his little lynx gasped. Mike kept aiming for the spot, knowing he wouldn’t be able to hold back any longer either.

  “Please.”

  Mike kissed the nape of Bowen’s neck. “Come for me, baby. Do it now.”

  He reached over, gave Bowen’s cockhead an encouraging squeeze and the lynx shifter cried out, spilling his seed over his waiting hand. Mike thrust inside Bowen several more times before erupting and shooting his cum into Bowen’s ass. Last night, Bowen had told him about his secret, and he couldn’t help but wonder that in the future, would Bowen and he have cubs?

  It was too soon to think about that, especially when they had plenty of matters to discuss. For now, he floated in the sea of euphoria. Neither of them were going anywhere, that accounted for something. Starting this new life with Bowen felt daunting, but he faced any challenge head-on. Besides, finding his mate was something Mike never imagined ever happening to him. Mike buried his face into Bowen’s neck, inhaling Bowen’s scent and imprinting his own on his little lynx.

  Bowen was a gift, and he never intended to let his little lynx go. So what if Bowen had problems? They’d tackle them together. Once things settled down, they could start planning for the future, while enjoying each other’s company and getting to know each other. After waking up to find out the doctors had to amputate his leg, Mike thought his life was over. He lived out his days, not caring what happened next. A couple of times, he even contemplated suicide or letting his tiger take over and leaving his human skin and life behind. It wouldn’t be too bad, living the rest of his life as an animal in the wild, but that would have been the coward’s way out.

  He was starting to believe that maybe that bombing and losing his leg happened for a reason. That chapter of his life was over, but he could look forward to this second chance at life.

  Something vibrated from the floor, then an unfamiliar ring tone came on. Bowen cursed.

  “That’s my phone. I’m tempted to ignore it, but it might be my brother.”

  Mike released him. “We need to talk.”

  Bowen sat up, nodding. “I’ll tell you everything.”

  Bowen walked to their pile of clothes and fished out his phone from the back pocket of his jeans. The lynx shifter let out a breath and quickly answered, “Brad? Wait, please slow down. Where are you? Brad!”

  Then Bowen stared at his phone, paling. Mike swung his legs off the bed, hating how he couldn’t go over to his mate and pull Bowen to a hug. “Come here,” he said instead, relieved Bowen sat beside him and reached out for his hand. Mike gave Bowen’s hand a squeeze. “What happened?”

  “B-brad said they found him and told me to run,” he whispered.

  “Slow down, baby. Tell me from the start,” Mike said in a gentle voice.

  Bowen’s teeth clattered. “I can’t right now. He’s in trouble. Says he’s a couple of towns from here, at Mountain Spring, and he’s staying at the Moon Valley Inn. Brad thought he’d led them away, but it turned out they followed him.”

  Bowen aimed pleading eyes at him. “Mike, I have to go to him.”

  So many questions, but right now, Bowen needed him. “We’ll go, but I need to call for backup first.”

  “Back-up?” Bowen looked lost, worried. There was a panicked looked in his eyes that told Mike Bowen was not going to sit around.

  “Yeah, what are we up against, Bowen?”

  “Blank and maybe a few of his buddies. Blank’s this insistent Alpha panther shifter who wants to breed me. My brother and I were running away from Blank and his gang, but my brother decided to drop me here, told me to wait.”

  “Okay, sit tight. I need to make some calls. Abram and Grover will back me up,” Mike said with confidence. He wanted all his friends to back him up, but Dusty hadn’t been himself since losing control of his animal a few weeks ago. Mike decided Dusty should sit this one out. “Meanwhile, get ready, okay?”

  Bowen nodded. The lynx shifter started to dress, then paused. “Mike? Thank you. I don’t know what to do, if you aren’t here. I’d probably rush over to where Brad is and get captured.”

  Mike growled. “Never happening under my watch. This will be quick.”

  Once Bowen left the room, Mike dialed Abram, who picked up at the first ring. “Abram, I need your help.”

  Abram’s tone turned serious. Even though they no longer worked in the same unit, some habits and training were hard to shake off. He and his brothers had been in all kinds of situations and knew how to act in a pinch. Mike quickly gave Abram a brief version of the events. He knew his former commander might have questions, but thankfully, didn’t ask any of them yet.

  “I understand. I’ll call Grover and we’ll meet you and your mate outside your apartment building.” Abram said the word “mate” naturally
, but Mike detected some hurt there, that Mike never introduced Bowen.

  “Our mating bond is new, Abram, kind of accidental, but it doesn’t feel that way. It feels natural, meant to be.”

  “I understand. We’ll talk more during the drive. It’s about a three-hour drive to Mountain Spring. Do we bring some ammunition?”

  “Just come prepared,” he said, knowing Abram and the others stocked weapons in case of emergencies. He did, too, although he usually kept them out of sight. Mike ended the call and dressed. Grabbing his crutches, he walked to his closet and grabbed the black duffel bag there. Tugging it out, Mike unzipped the bag and grabbed two handguns, only to notice Bowen standing by the doorway, watching him.

  “I’ve never used a gun before,” Bowen whispered.

  At least his mate didn’t seem alarmed Mike was packing heat. Bowen was really terrified for his brother, Mike realized. He’d prefer Bowen sit this one out, but had a feeling Bowen would find some way to follow them anyway.

  “You won’t have to,” Mike assured him. He tucked his weapons in his gun holsters and wore a jacket over them. Exiting the room, Mike hesitated, seeing the prosthetic. He didn’t like wearing it, but he had to admit it made moving around easier. Perhaps he should talk to his physical therapist again, ask about walking normally with the prosthetic. Humans did it all the time, why couldn’t he?

  Fuck. Mike spent so much time feeling sorry for himself, hating himself, that he didn’t even consider getting better. It was easy drowning in self-pity and thinking of killing himself because reality seemed too hard. Mike had to change, to be a better mate to Bowen.

  “Mike?” Bowen asked, concerned, and Mike realized his mate was holding the front door opened.

  “Just thinking about what you asked me the night before, about learning to walk without the crutches.”

  Bowen blushed. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Please, don’t blame yourself.”

  Mike shook his head. It was best he pushed this discussion for another time. They headed out of the building and five minutes later, Grover’s truck pulled up by the curb. Once they got in the backseat, he made quick introductions.

  Abram was at the wheel and Mike noticed Grover wore his shades, to hide his ruined eyes, but he could tell the other man was listening intently. Abram was using his new prosthetic arm to drive. Was that influence of Kane, Abram’s mate?

  “Nice to meet you, Bowen,” Abram said, already maneuvering the truck out of the street. “We’ll get this mess all sorted out, okay?”

  “Okay, thank you. I mean, I don’t know you guys at all, but you dropped everything to help. I hope I can someday return the favor.”

  Grover chuckled. “Mike, where you find this one? He seems like a keeper. Smells good, too.”

  Mike snarled at that. “He’s mine.”

  “Calm down,” Abram warned. “Grover was just teasing.”

  Nonetheless, Mike controlled his breathing, surprised Bowen sat closer to him and gripped his hand tight.

  “We’ll get your brother to safety,” Mike said.

  Brad was a stranger to him, but Brad was important to his mate and did his duty as Bowen’s older brother. Mike only hoped they would get there in time.

  Chapter Eight

  “Are we close?” Bowen asked, although he was talking because he was nervous, since he had turned on his GPS once they drove out of town and inputted the Moon Valley Inn’s address, so he knew exactly how far away they were.

  “Close enough,” Abram said from the front.

  Mike gave his hand another comforting squeeze.

  “Sorry,” he whispered. “I should stop asking. I know you’re going as fast as you can, and taking the best route.”

  “It’s only natural to be worried,” Mike told him.

  God. Bowen couldn’t believe this amazing man was his mate, because when Brad called, he thought he’d break apart. Most of the time, Bowen remained level-headed in situations like these, but Brad hadn’t checked in for a while, and that call alarmed him. He knew how persistent Blank and his pals could be.

  “Tell me about this Blank,” Mike said, probably to get him talking and relax a little, but he didn’t mind.

  Besides, he didn’t want Mike and his friends to go into the situation blind.

  “After our parents died, Brad and I continued living in our hometown, Barnett Hills. He went off to the army, I went to college. When he heard Blank and his crew moved in and Blank expressed interest in me, he came back home. Blank started to stalk me, it was a game to him, and then one day he decided he had enough and broke into our home. Brad heard him, though, and we left with the clothes on our back.”

  He shivered, recalling that evening, how crazed Blank looked. Blank had approached him several times, starting out pleasant enough, but with each refusal he gave, Blank turned nasty. Even now, Bowen couldn’t shake off what Blank told him.

  Mike brought him close and Bowen buried his head on Mike’s shoulder, his voice falling into a frightened whispered, “He said he had a cage prepared for me, where he’d keep me and fuck me until I get pregnant with his kid. He saw me as nothing more than an object, a prize to keep and get rid once he was done with me.”

  Mike’s growl filled the tiny space, but he could see Abram and Grover were tense with anger, too.

  “I’ll gut this fucker, so he won’t ever be able to touch you, let alone utter threats,” Mike said in a low and dangerous voice, which made him shiver.

  Bowen could hear the truth in Mike’s words.

  “Rabid shifter crews like that think they’re above the law,” Grover said quietly. “It’s okay if we take things in our own hands.”

  Bowen didn’t know why, but he felt safe being in the car with these three powerful males. Some might consider Mike and his friends broken, but he knew they were battle-hardened warriors, soldiers who’d seen real horrors during their service.

  The car passed by the town sign of Mountain Spring.

  “Is there a dominant paranormal group in this town?” Mike asked.

  “No. Last I heard, the town’s comprised of mostly humans and a couple of supernaturals, but mostly loners, so there’s no need to worry about stepping on toes,” Bowen replied.

  They passed the main town area and Bowen studied his phone. The Moon Valley Inn was located on the outskirts of town, but Abram killed the engine by the side of the road a few miles before the inn.

  “Why are you stopping?” he demanded.

  “We need a plan,” Abram said.

  “We can’t afford to waste any more time,” he blurted. “Please.”

  “Abram, he’s right,” Mike said.

  “If what Bowen said is true and Blank’s other panthers are there, we can handle them. We have the guns,” Grover reminded Abram.

  The lion shifter looked unhappy about the decision, but nonetheless started the engine again. They nearly passed the inn but Abram slowed down and entered the parking lot. There were a few parked cars, he noticed but the place seemed eerily silent. Abram parked the car and they got out. He was about to run to the reception area, ask about his brother, but Mike grabbed his arm.

  “Wait. I smell blood,” Mike said, flaring his nostrils.

  A chill went down his spine. “But—”

  “Bowen, this asshole’s been hunting you down for years. If you walk right into a trap, what about your brother’s sacrifice?”

  He shook Mike’s hand away, finally observing that no one was manning the reception area. The place felt like a ghost town, and he didn’t smell any other people on the property.

  “Sacrifice? Don’t say that word. Brad’s still alive,” Bowen snapped.

  Still, he’d once entertained the notion Brad might have not made it after that call, but he didn’t dare think that. He noticed Abram had grabbed a shotgun and Grover had shifted to a huge black jaguar and started ahead. Despite Grover being blind, he noticed the big jaguar didn’t have a problem sniffing the air.

  Then Grover bounded to t
he left, where some rooms were located on the first floor. Abram swiftly followed.

  “Stay behind me,” Mike warned, and he noticed Mike using only one crutch, while the other hand held a handgun. The effort must have been taxing, painful, but Mike didn’t show it as they followed after Abram and Grover.

  “Mike, do you really think my brother’s dead?” he whispered.

  Mike shook his head, not speaking, but Bowen got the message. Expect the worse. Finally, he spotted the last door at the end of the building, hanging in tatters and splinters. He let out breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

  Bowen’s mind blanked out. Throwing caution to the wind, he bolted ahead, ignoring Mike’s warning shout behind him. His heart thumped painfully against his chest. Brad couldn’t possibly be dead. In his mind’s eye, he saw Brad teaching his skinny twelve-year-old self how to play football. Although Bowen was never interested in sports, he wanted to be like Brad—strong and capable. Breaths coming up short, he streaked past Abram and Grover, who let out a warning snarl.

  Reaching the room, he gripped the door frames. The scent of blood nearly made him retch. Dark spots on the floor led to the bed. Bloody sheets. His chest constricted. No body. He looked harder, saw the claw marks on the floor, the size of them made by a smaller predator, a lynx. Could Brad be still alive?

  Then a vibrating roar came from somewhere near the woods bordering the motel, raising all the hairs on his arm. He recognized that sound, one made by a panther taunting its prey. Bowen heard it plenty of times, when Blank and his crew closed in on him.

  He was distinctly aware of Mike and the others discussing the room, what to do next. Abram used his huge frame to block the door, preventing him from escaping. Grover disappeared somewhere else, probably searching out the vicinity.

  Logic demanded he listen in, ask how he could help, but a second roar challenged his human reason. Since Abram wouldn’t budge, he reached for his inner lynx and shifted. Bones crunched, fur covered his chest and shoulders, and he shrunk in size. A tail appeared, then he fell on all four paws.