by Maggie Walsh
“Stop, my sides hurt,” Rory cried as he leaned against the wall.
“Your sides hurt? Well, why don’t you come over here and get your balls ripped off?” Shelby huffed and crossed his arms over his chest.
Jesse was the first to compose himself and he walked to Shelby’s side. He placed a gentle, comforting hand on Shelby’s arm and gave him a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, Shelby, and for laughing, but at this point you may want Claude to finish. Would you like me to get a hand mirror so that you can see first and then make a decision?”
“Yes...thanks...Heart,” Shelby began with a snarky voice, but then realized who he was talking to and changed his tone.
Claude handed Jesse a mirror and he held it out for Shelby to see himself. Shelby looked down into the mirror and his eyes went wide. “Oh my gods. With the other one bare, my hairy ball looks like a hobbit’s foot.” Taylor and the rest began laughing again from Shelby’s declaration. “Take it off! Take the rest off, now.”
“Do you want me to hold your hand for you, princess?” Taylor asked with a smirk as he walked closer, stopping next to Shelby.
“No. I would rather you hold my dick for me so Claude here doesn’t rip it off.”
“We’ll be right here for you, Shelby,” Jesse offered and took one of Shelby’s hands into his.
“Thank you, Jesse.”
Claude moved his rolling stool closer to Shelby, sliding between his spread legs, and then grabbed the wooden spatula. He dipped it into the honey-colored wax and pulled some out. He turned to Shelby and lifted his hand out to begin applying the wax. Shelby growled at him and Claude froze, raising his eyebrow.
“One wrong move, buddy and I turn you into a eunuch,” Shelby threatened.
“It’s gonna be all right, Shelby. Just squeeze our hands if it hurts,” Jesse said and gave Taylor a pointed look to hold Shelby’s other hand. Taylor reached out and grabbed Shelby’s hand.
“You mean when it hurts, right? Because there is no doubt that it does hurt.”
Jesse gave Shelby an encouraging smile and then looked to Claude, giving him a nod to continue. Claude reached out and smoothed the warm goo onto Shelby’s groin. He then placed the spatula onto the tray and grabbed a piece of cloth. He placed the cloth over the wax and patted it down. Taking one edge of the cloth into one hand, Claude placed his other hand under Shelby’s sac, stretching the skin.
“Is there an engagement ring that goes with this, ole’ Claudie?” Shelby asked sarcastically. Claude looked up and met Shelby’s eyes for a brief moment and Shelby could swear he saw a glint of pleasure there. Was the guy getting off from touching his dick? Or was he getting off from causing Shelby…
“Oh my fucking gods!” Shelby screamed at the top of his lungs as Claude pulled the cloth from his sac, ripping the hair out with it. At least he hoped it was hair, because it felt like the man ripped his asshole out through his balls and not in a good way. His hands squeezed around the hands holding his, and Taylor and Jesse both flinched.
“Are we done?” Shelby asked as he panted.
“Almost. Just a little more to go,” Claude answered as he reached out with the spatula again and swiped the warm, wet wax onto Shelby’s already-abused skin.
Claude repeated the process and Shelby screamed out again. He was sure Claude ripped his asshole out with that last one. His body went stiff and arched off the table as his eyes slammed shut and he clenched his jaw.
Suddenly the door to the game room burst open. The room filled with enforcers and fae guard. The large men came barreling into the room at the ready to defeat whatever foe was harming the mates. The smaller mates all looked to the men in surprise as they froze in their spots. The enforcers and fae warriors stopped short and looked around the room in confusion.
“Bailey, baby? Is that you?” Lexi asked as lowered his hands and tilted his head.
Bailey’s eyes went wide as his hands went up to touch his mud-covered face. Bailey screamed and ran from the room. Lexi began to laugh as he watched his sexy little mate run from him. “Baby, don’t you know that running from a wolf only makes them want to chase you more?!” Lexi called out with a chuckle and took off at top speed from the room, chasing after his mate.
“What the hell is going on in here?” Raith asked as he surveyed the inhabitants of the room.
“It’s beauty day, mate. We told you that,” Rory said as he sauntered up next to Raith. Slowly, he pulled the tie around his waist until the knot gave. Rory slid his hands up the edges of the material and opened his robe slightly, giving his mate a peek at his smooth chest. Raith’s eyes were glued to Rory’s actions, and when Rory’s chest and abdomen appeared, he licked his lips. Rory stepped closer and pressed his body against Raith’s rock-hard muscled form, then slowly ran a single finger down Raith’s chest to his waistband. “See anything you like...Sir?” Rory purred.
Raith bent and grabbed Rory around the knees, then stood and threw his mate over his shoulder, quickly exiting the room.
“Why don’t we sell tickets and invite everyone in to look at my dick?” Shelby called out, bringing everyone out of their shock.
“Oh shit!” Jesse said and looked around for something to cover Shelby’s nakedness.
“No.” A whimpered cry came from Shelby and Jesse turned to look at what was wrong. At the same time, a growl was heard from across the room and the harshly spoken, “Mine,” was heard. Jesse’s head snapped in the direction of that word and his eyes opened wide as they met the heated and angry gaze of Xander.
“Oh, shit. Step back from the vamp, Jess,” Taylor warned as he took a step back.
Xander’s breathing became rough as his eyes began to glow with his wolf and his canines descended. He took a step toward Jesse as his eyes zeroed in on Jesse’s face. Movement behind Jesse caught Xander’s attention, and his eyes turned to his wolf and he opened his mouth, showing off his sharp teeth. Xander took another threatening step toward Jesse and all hell broke loose.
* * * *
Xander sat in Raith’s office with Xavier, Christian, Lexi, and Crew. They were going over the new patrol schedule and the boys were filling him in on the family meeting they’d had the other day. Suddenly, a gut-wrenching scream came from down the hall toward the game room. Everyone’s eyes widened as they heard the scream and realized the mates were all in there for their day of beauty. The six of them jumped to their feet and raced from the room, running into Gabriel, Haven, and four of the fae guard. They all raced toward the scream and busted through the door, ready to fight, but the sight before them was nothing any of them had ever expected.
The smaller mates all stood around the room in white robes. Some had towels on their heads and some looked like they smashed their faces into the mud puddles outside. The windows had all been blacked-out. Jesse and Taylor stood halfway across the room by a table, each holding the hand of a very naked and sexy man while another man that Xander had never seen before sat between the naked hottie’s spread legs with some kind of dirty rag in his hand.
Bailey screamed and ran from the room and Lexi gave chase. Xander and the rest of them relaxed as they realized there was no threat to the mates, but what the hell was going on in this room? Rory stepped forward and began to slowly try to seduce Raith. Xander had to cover his mouth so the snicker wouldn’t come out. These little mates were a fucking trip. They each had their big, badass mates wrapped around their little fingers.
Xander turned his head from the sexy play in front of him and a scent so beautiful, so delicious, and so powerful hit him like a wrecking ball to the chest. Gods, that smell was good. Xander turned his head back to the room, his eyes searching out the source of the smell. It was sable with a hint of honeysuckle, and all he wanted to do was strip off his clothes and roll around in it. His eyes met the most beautiful light-brown eyes he had ever seen. They were so light they appeared almost orange, and he just wanted to get lost in them.
The gorgeous eyes were attached to
the sexy naked man lying on the table holding Jesse and Taylor’s hands. The sensual creature’s gaze locked with his and Xander saw a heat ignite inside those eyes, but it quickly went away and fear and worry took its place. Mine. The word echoed through Xander’s skull as he stared at the man. Mine. My mate.
His gorgeous mate whispered something he didn’t hear, but then he saw Jesse move closer to his naked mate. Rage like no other filled his body and he just wanted to rip the three men away from his mate. Then a thought hit him. Why was his mate lying naked surrounded by three men? What were they doing to him? Were they hurting his mate?
Xander could feel the rage building inside him as his wolf howled out his displeasure at these men standing so close to what was theirs, and the thought of someone hurting their mate. He felt his wolf trying to surface as his canines ripped from his gums. He took a step toward the threat, but only one of them moved back and away from his mate. The other one was still standing between him and his one true soul mate. He took another step closer as he bared his teeth in a show of dominance and deadly intent.
Xander was suddenly hit by something big and powerful. His body was thrown across the room and slammed through the wall. Xander saw a flash of fur and his wolf took over. There was another wolf near his mate. Another wolf trying to stop him from claiming what belonged to him. He would not allow it. His wolf would defeat this foe.
Xander’s wolf sprang forth, eyes glaring, teeth bared, and growling a warning at the larger wolf, but at this moment he didn’t care how much bigger the other wolf was than he. He needed to stop the beast from harming his mate. Xander dropped into position, ready to pounce. The larger wolf stood up on its hind legs and released a growl so fierce that Xander’s wolf began to whine and shake. Alpha, heel. Alpha, stop. Xander’s wolf whined inside his head. Xander lowered himself to the floor, dropping his head to his paws and tilting his neck toward the bigger wolf, exposing his throat in a show of submission.
Movement came from the other room, through the hole in the wall. He saw his mate stand up and the other man, the one with the golden, blue, and brown hair, wrap a robe around his mate's shoulders and pull him tight. Xander’s wolf howled and he pounced toward the hole, ripping, tearing, and clawing his way against the larger wolf trying to stop him.
Xander was thrown again and his head hit a table, smashing it, and causing his mind to go fuzzy. He shook his head and tried to roll to his feet, but was stopped by the larger wolf. The beast stood over him, baring his massive, deadly teeth and snarling in Xander’s face. Xander’s wolf whimpered in fear at the amount of power pouring from the alpha wolf.
“My mate! Don’t you ever threaten my mate! I will shred you and send your lifeless form back to the gods.
Xander heard the warning in his head. He lifted his chin and exposed his throat to the more powerful wolf again. The alpha leaned his head down, baring his teeth, and Xander closed his eyes. He knew he was a dead man. There was no way his alpha was going to let him live after he threatened his mate. The alpha’s mate. Jesse. The name came to him like a bullet to the brain. What had he done? He had threatened his alpha mate. Micah’s mate. Jesse. The sweetest person he had ever met. Shit, his life was forfeit. He couldn’t live knowing he had tried to attack Jesse.
All the fight left Xander’s body. His muscles relaxed and he lay limp on the floor beneath his alpha’s mountainous wolf. He lifted his chin higher, accepting his fate. He only wished that he had gotten a chance to know his mate, but at least he would die with the beautiful vision of the man in his mind. He closed his eyes and waited.
He felt the sharp teeth wrap around his throat, and that strong jaw begin to clamp down onto his flesh. He waited for the sharp sting of pain from those teeth as they ripped through his skin, but it didn’t come. Xander slowly opened his eyes and met his Alpha’s gaze. Micah stared at him for a moment and then released him. Micah lifted his head and stepped away from Xander. He gave him one last heated look, then turned and slowly walked back through the hole in the wall.
Xander watched as the big wolf strode right to Jesse’s side, sniffed his hand, then licked it. Jesse gave the wolf a beautiful smile and ran his hand over the creature’s large head. Micah bent down, lowering the front of his body at Jesse’s feet and nudging him with his snout. Jesse gave a soft chuckle, then nodded at his mate. Jesse walked to Micah’s side and threw a leg over his back, straddling him. Micah straightened, raising Jesse above all the others in the room. Micah turned his head and gave Xander one last look, then turned away and exited the room with Jesse sitting on his back.
* * * *
Shit. His mate had finally found him. What the hell was he going to do? He knew it was a big risk staying here at the Angel Pack, in the alpha’s house, the house that his mate also lived in, but he was hoping that because he was a creature of the night and his mate was a wolf, that they wouldn’t cross paths. He was hoping he could still avoid him, but that damn Claude started to wax his nuts and the fiery pits of hell raced through his body, causing him to scream out, and of course, with his shitty luck, the enforcers all came running to protect their mates.
But then his mate went all postal and tried to attack Jesse, the alpha’s mate, of all people. Stupid fuck. Didn’t he know you never threatened an alpha mate? Especially the mate to the Alpha Prime, for god's sake. He must have a fucking death wish, the stupid turd.
Shelby paced his room as the images of his mate facing off against the alpha kept rolling through his head. It appeared the man finally realized he was fucked and gave up. The sight of the alpha’s massive wolf standing over his mate, snarling and then clamping those scary teeth around his mate's throat, was blood-chilling. He couldn’t look anymore. He ran from the room to find solace in his bedroom.
He didn’t want to be with his mate, but he also couldn’t stand by and watch the alpha’s wolf rip the gorgeous man apart. His heart couldn’t take that pain. It was bad enough that his heart broke every time he saw his mate at the club with all those other men, and the pain was too much to bear when he had realized he could never have his true mate, and needed to find a way to live with the fact that he would forever be alone, but Shelby knew he would never survive watching his mate die. He may be a diva and act like a hard ass, but he wasn’t heartless. He did have empathy for others. Well, others who deserved it.
So now what was he to do? He couldn’t stay here, and he couldn’t stay at King Dante’s. He needed to think. He needed to figure out a place that no one would ever expect him to be, a place where he could become someone else. That’s it. He needed to change his identity again, and who did he know that could help him with that? Someone who had helped him many times before and he knew would help him again. Someone who pledged to always keep him and his true identity safe, and that someone now lived in this house. He needed to get to Alpha Raphael, but he didn’t want anyone to see him. So what form could he turn into to walk about the house unnoticed?
Chapter 6
He was so screwed. Even though Micah hadn’t killed him as he had every right to do, he still knew that things had changed between him and his Alpha, his friend, his brother. He had been with Micah and these men for nearly two hundred years and he had never challenged his Alpha before. Even though he was born an alpha, he never wanted to be in charge. He never wanted that responsibility. He was happy just being an enforcer.
Even his father’s threat of being disowned hadn’t made him change his mind and step up to take over his birth pack. When it was time for him to take the reins from his father, Xander had respectfully declined. His father was so shocked. He demanded Xander take his place. Hell, he threatened him, but Xander refused and explained to him that being Alpha was never what he wanted and never what he would do.
On his eighteenth birthday, his father informed him it was time to start getting ready to become the Alpha. When Xander refused, his father went ballistic. He dragged Xander out into the fighting circle to challenge him in front of the whole pack. He warned Xander
that he was to take him down to show the pack that he would now be the Alpha, but Xander wouldn’t do it.
If he were to become Alpha of his birth pack then he was promised Elvira as his mate. Or should he say he would be forced to take her as his mate. Elvira was the pack omega. It was very rare for an omega to be female and his father thought the pack was truly blessed because they had the rare omega. Elvira was given to his father as a peace offering from a neighboring pack that was afraid that his father would start a territory war with them and take their lands.
Xander was seventeen at the time Elvira came to them. His father was ecstatic over their gain and repeatedly called the other Alpha a young fool to have given away such a treasure. His father told him that all the male wolves who were of age were to have intercourse with the omega once a month so that they would gain their powers sooner than their three-hundredth birthday. On Xander’s eighteenth birthday after he refused to fight his father, the man called him into his office.
Xander walked in to find his father and Elvira waiting for him.
“It is time, Xander.” the Alpha announced.
“Time for what, Father?”
“It is time for you to become a man and to start gaining your powers so that this pack will stay the strongest in the region. It is time for you to begin your training.”
“But I am too young to be an Alpha, father.”
“Yes my boy, you are, but you are not too young to begin to learn how, and the first step to that is our lovely Elvira. It is your job as this pack’s next Alpha to receive as much power from the omega as possible.”
“But Father―”
“No ‘but,’ Xander! You will do as I say. Take the omega to your bedchamber and let her make a man of you.” He turned his attention to Elvira. “And don’t release him until he knows exactly what he is doing in bed. Even if it takes a month. He is my son after all and he will be the next Alpha of this pack. He needs to learn how to be the best at everything. Teach him well, my beauty.” His father lifted Elvira’s hand and kissed the back of it as he gave her a hungry look.