Protecting the Pack

by Tabitha Conall

  “You sure you’re big enough?” he said.

  “It worked before,” Alex said. “Although you and Ben are bigger than any…I mean, you’re bigger.”

  He didn’t like thinking about her with other men, but it helped she thought they were bigger. Not that size mattered. Right.

  Chris kept at it until his finger slid easily then added a second with a little more lube from Ben. After he’d added a third and it too slid comfortably in and out, he said, “I think she’s ready.”

  Ben handed him the lube. “Why don’t I lie down, and she can get on top of me, and then you can enter her from behind?”

  “Sounds perfect,” Chris said.

  In less than a minute, Alex straddled Ben, who slid his cock into her pussy. She relaxed down onto his chest, letting her hips slide up a little. Even so, Chris had to push and move her around to get himself in place. Even though he’d warmed her up, she still felt very tight as he pushed inside.

  So tight. So good. “Is that okay?” His voice sounded like someone else’s, dry and rough.

  “Wonderful.” Alex reached back to rub his calf. “Amazing.”

  Chris moved. Slowly at first, then picking up speed as he slid easily in and out of her. Alex was making breathy little noises punctuated by tiny cries. Beneath her, Ben moaned.

  “I can feel it,” Ben said. “I can feel you both.”

  By leaning on his arms, Chris could slide even more easily. He rested his chest against Alex’s back and kissed the shoulder where he’d marked her. When she gave a shuddering cry, he didn’t even think. He bit down.

  Alex shattered, her pussy pulsing so hard Chris could feel her tightening around him. Chris fought to keep from coming. He didn’t want this bliss to end. But as she continued to squeeze him, he couldn’t hold back. He pushed deeper and let go, releasing into her.

  After he’d come, he stayed there a second, unable to move. His eyes met Ben’s and he smiled. Then Chris pushed himself up, carefully pulling out of Alex. He lay down next to them, close enough so the front of his body pressed against Ben’s side. As Alex moved over Ben, Chris rubbed her back and her beautiful ass.

  Both his mates moved in the throes of passion, even Alex who’d just had a rip-roaring orgasm. From the look on her face, she was poised to have another.

  Ben turned his head, his nose grazing Chris’. Chris didn’t need any more encouragement. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to Ben’s, absorbing some of his hunger. After a few moments, Ben no longer kissed him, just breathed him in. His eyes slitted, he looked drugged.

  Ben twisted to look at Alex. “Soon.” He pulled her down to him and sunk his teeth into his mark on her shoulder.

  As her body shook, Alex bit Ben too. His body tightened then just his hips moved, pushing deeper inside her. Chris nuzzled Alex’s cheek with his nose, holding tight to her back. The three of them clung together for long seconds until the violence of their orgasms faded away.

  They were together, as they should be. He just hoped he could keep them together.

  ***

  The next night, most of Roanoke pack and quite a number of Stonewall pack showed up at the farm. Chris had talked with his tenant and arranged to use a fallow field on the far edge of the property, far enough away that they couldn’t see it from the farmhouse. As far as his tenant knew, Chris was holding an impromptu party. Highly irregular, and his tenant probably thought he was nuts, but there wasn’t much he could do about it.

  He’d been worried about talking with his tenant. The guy was a litigious son of a bitch. He’d already dragged Chris into court for frivolous shit. Chris almost always won—that wasn’t the problem. Going to court cost money—more money than he got from renting the damn farm out—and he didn’t want to pay out for yet another suit. Especially now, when he had two mates who were both unemployed depending on him. But his tenant had agreed to let him use the field, so hopefully this wouldn’t turn into a court case.

  A few wolves posted out on the road directed everyone to the field. The crescent moon rose over them, clear as the millions of stars that shone so brightly without the light pollution from the city. Chris stood at the edge of the field with his mates and his second.

  “Ten fifty-five,” Nick said. “He sure does believe in cutting it close.”

  “I just hope they didn’t lure us out here in order to wreak havoc in our territory,” Ben said.

  Which is why Chris had left several of his strongest wolves behind. Chris would know it if anyone breached their territory. A quick phone call and his wolves would know it too.

  Alex paced and fidgeted. Ben, for his part, seemed to be holding it together okay. At least for now. Chris grabbed Alex as she walked by him, cupping her cheek. “Relax. It’s going to be fine.”

  Bouncing on her toes, she said, “Of course. Of course it is.” She gave him a quick peck then continued pacing.

  “Nervous energy,” Ben said. “We can help her work that off later.”

  “I heard that.” Alex walked by them again.

  “You saying you object?” Ben tracked her.

  “Nope. Just saying I heard that.”

  A car pulled off the road and into the makeshift parking area in the field. The three of them stilled as they watched the car park and a lone figure emerge. Keith walked across the field, the weight of the combined packs’ gazes on him the entire way. He stopped, standing alone across from Chris.

  “You ready?” Keith said.

  “I am.” Chris took a few steps forward so everyone could see him, and pulled off his shirt. He knew he had a lot more muscles than any of the other wolves here, and he wanted them all to remember it.

  This is how challenge fights began—both people disrobed and then changed into wolves. The disrobing part usually included as much posturing as possible, both to show the wolves in attendance how imposing they were, and to hopefully scare their opponent.

  Keith and Chris disrobed, tossing their clothes to the side. Chris had it all over Keith in the muscle department. Still facing each other, they underwent the change. At the end, Keith stood as a grey wolf, dark gray on the top of his head and back, lighter on his belly. Chris knew his own coloring was lighter, almost a honey color only slightly darker on his back.

  Keith bared his teeth.

  The fight was also as much about posturing as about grappling. Chris couldn’t let Keith think for a second he had the upper hand. So instead of reacting, Chris leisurely walked to the side, circling Keith and making him turn so Chris couldn’t get behind him.

  Good. He liked making Keith dance to his tune.

  Behind them, the crowd watched silently, as though afraid to miss a single move.

  Chris darted to the inside, snapping at Keith’s side. He caught some skin, drew blood, but didn’t get a good grip, so he jumped away before Keith could engage him.

  Swinging to face Chris, Keith lowered his head and growled.

  Had Chris been a smaller wolf, the growl might have been troubling. As it was, Chris chuffed, the closest he could get to laughter while in wolf form. Growl at him? He outweighed Keith by nearly half.

  Chris raced in a circle around Keith, making him twist as though chasing his own tail. Then Chris slipped inside as he had before and clamped down on Keith’s shoulder, almost catching his neck in his teeth. Almost, but not quite.

  Keith shook his body, trying to dislodge Chris, who dug even deeper. Blood welled through Chris’ teeth as his fangs cut through muscles and veins.

  With a violent jerk, Keith managed to throw Chris off, but Chris took a chunk of flesh with him. He spit it out and went back to circling his prey.

  Keith was bleeding pretty profusely. It dripped down his shoulder and leg, matting his fur. He limped a little as he turned, watching Chris.

  Chris paced slowly. Should he attack again or let Keith come to him? His methods so far seemed to be working, but it seemed almost unsporting it was so easy.

  Keith jumped toward him, his front paws coming
down on Chris’ back. Chris rolled to get away from him and in the process Keith got his teeth around one of Chris’ hind legs.

  Chapter 13

  Chris tried but failed to dislodge Keith from his leg. Shit, it hurt. Keith worried it like a dog worries a bone, twisting his head side to side as he bit down harder.

  Rolling backward far enough to bring his other legs into play, Chris kicked at Keith with everything he had. Keith whined as he skittered backward to escape Chris’ paws.

  Chris flipped onto his feet and immediately lunged for Keith. He bit at him everywhere he could until he got a good grip on his throat. Chris didn’t want to kill him, so he bit down just hard enough to keep control of him, and held him there.

  A minute passed, and then another. Keith let go of the tension in his body, submitting. Chris released him and stepped back, still looming over the challenger.

  Chris had won.

  Keith slowly stood. He limped to his clothes and began the change back to human form.

  As soon as he reached it, Ben and Nick stepped forward between Chris and Keith. At that point, Chris could safely change. If Keith tried anything, his mate and his second would stop him.

  The second Chris had returned to human form, Alex dropped to her knees beside him. For a split second, he thought she might go down on him, crazy as that seemed, then realized she was looking at the wound in his leg, completely ignoring his cock which—as usual after a fight—stood at attention not six inches from her face.

  Women.

  He knew she wouldn’t appreciate any lewd comments, either, his innocent little mate. Especially with so many people around. But he’d tease her later.

  As she touched the skin around his wound, he sucked in a breath. Still hurt. Werewolves healed faster than humans but they still had to heal.

  Alex popped open the first aid kit she’d brought with her.

  “Can I get dressed first?” he said.

  She didn’t look at him, intent on what she was doing. “You can put a shirt on. Pants would only get in the way.”

  He slipped on his shirt, which unfortunately wasn’t quite long enough to hide his hard-on. But it did make him feel a little better.

  Werewolves weren’t too self-conscious, but he was now the only one in the crowd not completely dressed, and he couldn’t think of a single way that could be good.

  He stayed quiet as she cleaned the wound and dressed it. Several feet away, Keith had finished putting his clothes back on. Ben and Nick escorted him to his car. Even across the field, Chris could hear Ben telling Keith to leave town and take his friends with him. Chris hoped he’d listen.

  By the time Ben and Nick returned, Alex had finished patching him up. Chris pulled on his boxers and pants.

  “Think that’s the last we’ll see of him?” Nick said.

  Chris had to sit down in order to put on his socks and shoes. He tried to hide how much it hurt.

  “I think that’s the last of Keith,” Ben said. “But we haven’t seen Brett yet. Unless he’s a total coward, he’ll come forth to issue a challenge himself.”

  “No.” Alex put the first aid kit back together. “No, this has to be over.”

  “I agree with Ben.” Chris tied his shoes. “Brett’ll show his face. Then it’ll be over. In the meantime, we need to keep our promise to Keith. Ben, could you call in an anonymous tip to the cops about Keith’s cocaine stash?”

  “My pleasure,” Ben said.

  Chris pushed to his feet, keeping his face blank to hide the pain. He slung an arm around Alex’s shoulders. “Let’s go.”

  Thank God she didn’t argue, just let him walk beside her, leaning on her a little. He didn’t want to appear weak in front of his pack. He loved his pack but he knew some of them had dreams of being Alpha one day. Challenging him when he was weak would be their best chance. So he couldn’t be weak. Ever.

  When they reached the car, he purposely waited. Let his pack mates think he did it so they could congratulate him. The truth was he didn’t want them to see him hand the keys to Ben. But no way did he want to drive home with his right leg throbbing.

  As the last car left the lot, he pulled his keys out of his pocket. “You drive.”

  Ben grabbed the keys. Alex helped Chris into the back seat then climbed in beside him on the other side.

  “You’re hurting worse than you’re letting on,” she said.

  “Yeah.”

  “We could call the pack doctor.” Alex helped him fasten his seat belt.

  “They can’t know,” Chris said. “You can take care of me. You’ve done fine so far.”

  “I understand,” Ben said.

  Ben would. Chris still shuddered when he thought of everything his mate had gone through. He better than anyone would understand why Chris needed to project strength at all times.

  “Well, I don’t. You’re injured and I’m not a doctor.”

  Chris leaned over to kiss her. “‘’Tis but a flesh wound.’ But you’re right. Have you ever considered med school?”

  “Med school?” she sputtered.

  He kissed her again. “You can be my own private doctor.”

  “And mine,” Ben said. “I want some of that action, too.”

  Chris sat back, contentment stealing over him. Brett would come when Brett would come. But for now, he had his mates and he was happy. “All joking aside, what do you want to do?” He ruffled the tips of Alex’s hair. “With your life.”

  ***

  How was Alex supposed to answer that? “I don’t know.”

  “Surely you have dreams. What did you want to do before you met Brett?” Chris said.

  She hadn’t known. She’d liked school okay but had no idea what she wanted to do for a career. “I don’t know. My parents wanted me to go to college. Dad said I’d figure it all out there. Papa thought I should be a teacher.”

  “What do they think about your finding your mates?” Ben said.

  Aw, shit. She’d told Chris she and her parents were estranged, but she’d never told Ben. Guess she’d have to do that now. “They don’t know. We don’t speak.”

  “But they’re alive,” Ben said.

  “Yes.”

  He twisted in his seat and looked at her for a second before turning his attention back to the road. “How can you not talk to them? I’d give anything for my parents to be alive again.”

  “They don’t want me, okay?” The word came out sounding whinier than she’d wanted. “They haven’t spoken to me since I left with Brett.”

  Chris ran his hand through her hair then let it rest on the back of her neck. “Have you called them?”

  “A few times, at first.” After a while, it had hurt too much to keep trying.

  “You could try again,” Chris said.

  “They won’t pick up. And I feel so pathetic leaving messages. They never call back.”

  “Just call once,” Ben said. “Do they even know where you are now?”

  “They have my cell number.” She’d gotten a new cell after she moved out, but she’d given them the number the last time she called.

  “Just call them,” Ben said. “Tell them where you are and that you’ve found your mates. Maybe when they know you’re not with Brett anymore, it’ll make a difference.”

  She wanted to see her parents so bad. But it hurt every time they rejected her. She didn’t know if she could do it or not.

  Chris rubbed his thumb up and down the side of her neck. “Just think about it. There’s time.” He shifted in his seat, pulling her closer to him. “Now. You said your dad wanted you to be a teacher. Do you want to be a teacher?”

  “I don’t know,” she said.

  “There’s a community college here in Marysburg, and several excellent schools in Virginia,” Chris said. “You could take classes in Marysburg for a couple of years, figure out what you want to study, and then transfer somewhere else.”

  “As long as it’s close enough to commute,” Ben said. “I don’t even want to think a
bout those horny college boys drooling all over you.”

  Chris popped Ben lightly on the head. “What he means is, we’d miss you too much if you moved somewhere for school, so we’d like you to commute.”

  Ben rubbed his head. “Yeah. That’s what I meant.”

  “You do realize those college boys would stop drooling as soon as I threw up all over them,” Alex said.

  With a grin, Ben said, “Oh, yeah. Forgot about that.”

  Alex curled closer to Chris. “That sounds like a good plan. I’ve been thinking I wanted to go to school but we’ve been on the road so much it wasn’t possible.”

  “And now it is.” Chris kissed the top of her head.

  Ben pulled into the driveway to Chris’ house. “How tired are you?”

  “Not too tired to get rid of this hard-on,” Chris said.

  “Chris!” Alex smacked his chest.

  “What? It always happens after a challenge. I can’t help it.”

  Ten minutes later, they limped into the master bedroom.

  ***

  Ben figured they wouldn’t have to wait long for Brett’s challenge. What still confused him was why he’d even bothered to send Keith in the first place. Maybe they were trying to soften Chris up, injure him, before Brett had to fight him. But Keith hadn’t hurt him that bad. A temporary injury at best, and one that would quickly heal. Keith had failed.

  So it seemed like Brett wouldn’t wait; he’d want to strike while Chris’ injury might still give him some advantage. While they made dinner the next night, Ben told Chris that, but it didn’t make a difference.

  “I’m healing quickly,” Chris said.

  “All I’m saying is, we skip going to the bar for one night. The pack will understand—we’re newly mated. They’ll figure we’re fucking like bunnies. And as long as we’re on pack territory, Brett can’t challenge you.”

  “I like that idea.” Alex hugged Chris from behind. “Especially the bunny part.”

  With Alex on Ben’s side, maybe Chris would come around. “No one would blame us for taking a night for ourselves.” Ben wanted Chris safe. Why couldn’t he see that?

  “It’ll make me appear weak. Like I’m hiding.” Chris stirred the pasta in the pot. “Or they’ll think I’m injured too badly to come out in public. I can’t have that.”