"I-I..." Evin looked down to the front of his jeans, where a very distinct ridge pressed against the fly, then back at Mason. "That."
Mason's eyebrows shot up. "That shouldn't be possible, right?"
Evin shook his head. "Unless..." But that couldn't be. Could it? Mason had still been human when he'd bitten him. But how else could he be aroused right now? The vows, the holy man, the exchange... It should have been ironclad.
"Unless what?" Mason's palm glided over Evin's bicep. "You're freaking me out here."
The memories of Mason's voice inside his head over the past twenty-four hours replayed in his mind. The fierce protectiveness he'd felt over him. It had to be... That night, when he'd marked Mason the second time, after his DNA had already been introduced...
"This has never happened before. At least, no one has ever revealed something like this to me." Evin grasped Mason's face. He couldn't fight back the grin he knew was blossoming if he tried. "Unless I was already mated."
"What? Are you serious?" Mason's eyes grew large. "Are you saying you think you're somehow mated to me?"
"That's exactly what I think is going on. It's all making sense now." Evin planted a hard kiss to Mason's lips before continuing. "I never mated Jocelyn." He licked the seam of the other man's mouth. So fucking sweet.
"Thank God," Mason breathed. "But tell me why you think we’re mated?"
"First"—Evin thrust his hips into Mason's—"I shouldn't be hard as a damn rock and about to lose my mind if I can't have you in the next few minutes."
"Likewise." Mason grinned.
Evin went on to reveal how he'd heard Mason telepathically more than once that day and how he'd wanted to kill anybody who'd touched or threatened him in any way, including his father. Evin stroked his thumb over Mason's lower lip. "It had to have happened the other night when I bit you—twice—along with the incredible sex we had. I'd never felt so connected to another living soul as I did that night." He smiled. "Now I know why."
"So the ceremony with Jocelyn tonight—"
"Didn't work. It couldn't, because I was already taken," Evin said, his voice suddenly deeper, raspier.
"Fuck. Me." Mason released the words on a sigh.
"I'd be more than happy to."
Before Mason could ask twice, Evin had him pressed into the wall, his hands over his head, Evin's mouth devouring his. God, touching him, knowing he didn't have to walk away, had Evin's head spinning. Evin dropped his head to Mason's shoulder, needing to lick the evidence of their mating.
"I love you," Mason breathed into his ear.
The declaration tugged Evin back to center, his heart thundering against his chest. Mason stood there, desire smoldering in his gaze, his lips swollen and parted. Gorgeous.
"You don't have to say it—" The rest of his words stuck in his throat. Evin dropped his hold on the other man's arms.
Mason cupped Evin's cheek, the tips of his fingers digging into his hair. "I'm saying it because"— Mason cracked a smile—"I'm so fucking in love with you."
Evin didn't know what to say. In the last five minutes, his world had spun out of a cesspool in hell to smack dab in the middle of his wildest dream. There were no words.
"I would have said it earlier," Mason added, "but your tongue was too far down my throat at the time."
A laugh bubbled up and out of Evin's chest, breaking a bit of the spell the man in front of him had cast on his soul.
"Now come here." Mason slid his hand around to the back of Evin's neck and pulled him closer. "I need you so bad. I think I'm going to lose my mind if you don't fuck me right now."
A growl tore from Evin's throat as he slammed his mouth into Mason's. Evin kissed his lips, his cheeks, his throat, then moved lower and flicked his tongue over Mason's nipples. Mason squirmed in approval.
"My skin... It’s so damn sensitive," Mason groaned, hard pants leaving his throat. "Driving me crazy."
"It's the full moon combined with your first shift." Evin grabbed the elastic band of Mason's pants, knelt, and pulled them down until Mason could kick the material away. The thick, hard length of the other man's cock sprang forward, then flexed up toward his abs. Precum leaked from the flushed head, making Evin's mouth water for a taste. "The effect makes your cock burn for release." Evin leaned in and licked the glistening drop from the tip.
"Don't stop..." Mason's hips rocked forward, begging for more. Evin lifted his chin and quirked his lips.
"Your skin turns hypersensitive, and your senses sharpen." Evin opened his mouth, allowing a burst of warm air to skate over the leaking slit, wringing another moan from his lover. "Your mind and body become a primal beast that wants to fuck so bad, you're nearly insane from need."
"God...yes," Mason hissed.
Evin straightened to his full height and stepped away.
"What are you doing?" Mason moved from the wall toward him, confusion and desperation written on his face.
"I'm going to give you what you need, Brown Eyes." Evin's thighs bumped the mattress. He made quick work of removing his clothes before lowering onto the bed and leaning back on his elbows, his knees bent over the edge.
Mason positioned himself between Evin's legs. "What are you saying?"
Evin spread his thighs wider, and his rock-hard shaft flexed as if drawn to the man in front of him. He pushed back farther onto the bed, making his intention clear.
"Come and claim your mate, Mason."
Mason's nostrils flared right before he crawled onto the mattress and loomed over Evin, his hands braced on either side of Evin's head.
"The alpha is submitting?" One blond brow lifted.
"Only for his mate," Evin growled. "Tonight."
"I think I like this." A hint of a smile curved Mason's lips, and then his weight redistributed. He shuffled forward and placed his cock at Evin's lips. "Suck me," he demanded, his voice deep, animalistic. Evin shivered. Fuck, yeah. He thought he was going to like this too.
Evin opened wide and took Mason's full length. The sound of a muttered curse rolled from Mason's lips, and the broad head hit the back of Evin's throat. He swallowed, massaging the thick shaft.
"Yes. Fuck." Mason pulled back, then pistoned forward. Over and over. The salty flavor of his lover tantalized Evin's tongue, pushing the limits of his own need. His ache for release—to be touched by Mason—was maddening.
Suddenly Mason yanked free from Evin's mouth. "No more." His words were ragged. Sweat beaded on his forehead. "Have to be inside you." Mason scrambled to the side of the mattress. "There were some oils left by the healer." The bedside table rattled; then a corked bottle landed beside Evin. "That should work." Mason straddled Evin's hips once more, and after opening the bottle, poured some of clear liquid into his palm. "I believe they said this was coconut oil."
The cool, slick feel of Mason fingers slid between Evin's cheeks. He arched, opening his thighs wider, wanting more. Evin couldn't drag his gaze away from Mason as he slathered his own cock with the substance while probing Evin's tight ring. Mason's wet, rigid shaft shone in the low lights of the room. Damn. Evin realized he couldn't wait to feel the width of Mason's rod burning him, filling him up inside.
One finger, then two, slipped in deep. Evin groaned. "So good." He pumped his hips in time to Mason's exploration. Then Mason's hand was on him, stroking him. "Yes," he hissed. But it wasn't enough. "More." Evin rocked onto the thick presence in his rear, then lifted, meeting each glide over his shaft. "Shit. Mason." He was so close. "Fuck me. Dammit. Need it," he gasped. "Fuck me."
The thick head of Mason's cock replaced his digits.
Yes.
"Are you ready for me, lover?"
Evin's gaze locked with Mason's dark, hooded one. "Yours," Evin breathed. "Fill me."
Pressure...so much, the width burned and stretched him. His pulse pounded in his ears. So good. Nothing had ever felt this good. Evin bore down, needing it all. Wanting to feel every inch of Mason invading him, possessing him.
"Ah, fuck
... Evin," Mason groaned and surged forward. His balls tapped Evin's buttocks, and he fell forward, his palms landing on either side of Evin's head. "Tight. You're so damn tight," he panted. "Killing me."
"Shut up and kiss me," Evin growled. Mason's tongue darted out and teased Evin's lips. He played along, chasing Mason with his teeth. Finally Mason's mouth crashed down onto his, and their tongues mimicked the action of their hips. Evin threw his legs around Mason's thighs and wrapped the other man inside his arms. He couldn't get enough.
In and out, Mason pounded him, striking the sweet spot inside and brushing the back of his shaft with his abs. His balls were so fucking taut, the cum inside hammering against the dam walls. Evin jerked his mouth away.
"Can't stop," he cried out. "Don't stop." He clamped down on the rigid feel of Mason inside him, shuddering under the exquisite sensation that shot through his cock. Stream after stream of his own hot cum jetted onto Evin's chest and abdomen. But Mason didn't let up.
His lover's head dropped to Evin's shoulder, and the warm, wet touch of his tongue bathed the skin there.
"Christ. Evin," he moaned, shoving his cock deep. "I'm dying to sink my teeth into you." The sharp edge of his lover's canines grazed Evin's flesh. "Need to"—Mason thrust hard again—"mark you."
"Do it," Evin managed to grit out. "Fuck, yes." Evin tossed his head farther to the side, making sure Mason knew he wanted this more than his next breath.
Mason pumped once, then twice more before his spine arched, and he groaned, filling Evin with the warmth of his cum. Evin ran his palms up Mason's spine, reveling in the orgasmic ripples rolling through his mate. Mason's head snapped forward, and the hot sting of his bite seized Evin's shoulder. The room blurred. Chaotic swirls of little white dots swam across his vision, and pleasure swamped his mind, his body.
"Ah, shit!" Evin didn't know if he'd actually made a sound of not. All he knew was the endless orgasm that had gripped his balls and cock, milking him dry. Every hot lick of Mason's tongue ricocheted down his spine, resulting in a spasm that had him squeezing the other man's shaft over and over. Damn, there couldn't be another drop of cum left in his body. Using what little strength he had left in his limbs, Evin rolled, taking Mason to his back, and pulling free from the sucking hold his mate had on his neck.
During the change of positions, Mason's rigid cock had slid free, but the man beneath him continued to thrust as if his need to fuck were insatiable. Mason had already come, but the stimulation of the moon combined with his primary shift and the all-consuming need to bond with his mate rode him hard. A deep growl emanated from Mason's chest, and he clawed at Evin's arms.
"Shhh, Brown Eyes." Evin planted kisses at the corner of Mason's mouth, and the metallic taste of his own blood seeped onto his tongue. "I'm right here. I've got you." Mason shivered under his touch. His hips slowed but continued their gentle rubbing action, working the hard ridge of Mason's cock between Evin's cheeks. Not that Evin was complaining.
"Sorry," Mason breathed, his voice hoarse. "Hard t-to stop."
"I know. Just breathe." Using the weight of his body, Evin held Mason in place, giving his mate the time he needed for the tremors and the lust to pass.
"God, did I just...?"
"Mate me?"
Mason nodded.
"Yeah, I think you probably did, judging by the intensity of that bite." Evin brought his gaze to Mason's and smiled. "You're having one hell of a day, Brown Eyes."
"You think?" Mason chuckled.
Evin dropped onto the bed beside Mason. "Fuck the formal ceremonies. This was a whole lot more fun."
Chapter Twelve
"KinKaid!" A loud, deep voice penetrated the silence of the room, jerking Evin from a sound sleep. Early morning sunlight poured through the open curtains. Mason looked up from where his head rested on Evin's chest.
"Who is that?" Mason ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed his eyes.
"KinKaid!" The male's voice boomed again, coming from outside. "Show yourself."
"Son of a bitch," Evin hissed and jumped from the bed to his feet. His gaze darted to the clock on the bedside table—6:15 a.m. He was so screwed. Evin snatched his jeans from the floor, jammed both feet in, and pulled hard.
"What's going on?" Mason followed suit, leaving the bed and pulling on the running pants from last night.
A loud bang hit the room's door, cutting off Evin's reply. The sound quickly turned into a feverish pounding of fist to wood. "Evin! Are you in there?" It was Rosa. "Evin, please... If you're in there, answer me. There's trouble."
Evin rushed to the door and swung it open. Rosa stood on the other side, dressed in the red and gold colors of the KinKaid line, her eyes wide, her face pale.
"Evin... Thank goodness I found you." She darted into the room, her gaze swinging from Mason, then back to him. "When you didn't show up this morning, I knew there could be only one other place you'd be."
"Is that who I think it is out there?" Evin closed the door and approached his sister, Mason at his side.
"Yes." Rosa nodded. "It's the Lathans." She paced between the bed and loveseat like a caged animal. "When you didn't appear at six sharp to announce your claim on the title, word traveled fast to the rest of Jocelyn's family. Now, not only are her father and mother here, but her two brothers and cousin as well."
"Greedy opportunistic bastards," Evin spit, not holding back the resulting rumble from his chest. "Obviously having Jocelyn as their queen wasn't enough to satisfy her family's desire for power. They must have been lying in wait, hoping something like this would open the door for them to completely take over."
Rosa slowed, then turned, her gaze settling on Mason. "Since Evin didn't announce his alpha status at dawn, pack law gives them the right to try to take it. They've come for my father's and brother's heads."
"That won't be fucking happening," Mason growled. "They'll have to go through me first." Mason whirled on Evin. "Come on."
"Hold up." Evin braced his hand against Mason's chest. "You're not going anywhere."
"What the hell do you mean?" Mason knocked Evin's hand away. "If this is your battle, then it's mine too. No one is going to come here and threaten what's mine."
Warmth spread through Evin's chest like wildfire. He'd never get tired of hearing Mason stake his claim. Blood surged to his groin, and he had to push back the urge to take his mate, bend him over the bed, and fuck him into submission right there. But damn if this was the time to teach his lover who was in charge. Especially not with his sister in the room.
"After what you went through last night, you're not ready for this kind of fight. No way." Evin shook his head, pivoted, and headed toward the door.
"I'm fine." Evin could have sworn he'd heard Mason's teeth click as hard as he'd bitten out those words. "I'm not sitting back and watching like some damn pansy while someone tries to kill you."
"I'm not arguing with you on this." Evin gripped the door handle and glanced back. "I need for you to keep an eye on Rosa. I can handle this if I know you two are safe."
"Evin..."
Mason surged in his direction, but Evin was out the door before the other man could get another word in. Yeah, he'd pay for that one later.
Barefoot and shirtless, Evin ran through the breezeway, then cut over onto the grounds of the garden. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted his father stepping from the house and onto the large stone patio. His mother, the queen, stood behind him, and Evin didn't miss the pleading hold she had on the alpha's arm. Their personal guards would never interfere in this fight. Pack law said it was Evin and his father's battle to win.
Jocelyn was out the door next. "What are you doing?" She cried out at her father. "No..." Jocelyn shook her head. "I did everything precisely as you said. I'm about to be queen."
The Lathans had formed a shallow V formation at the rear of the mansion, with Jocelyn's father, Victor, leading the mob. "Yes. You did fine, Jocelyn," Victor replied, meeting her confused expression. "But fate cannot
be denied. This is all too perfect."
Victor's eyebrows shot up at the sight of both KinKaid males closing in, his gaze flicking from one man to the other.
"Well, well," the senior Lathan began, his words directed at Evin. "I'd almost given up hope that this day would come, when you returned to the pack to stake your claim. But what were the odds that you wouldn't show up on time for the transfer of power?" A smirk slashed Victor's mouth. "My lucky day."
The older man dropped to all fours, clothes splitting down his sides as he shifted. His posse followed like dominoes toppling in a row, morphing into their wolf forms. The sounds of ripping cotton and denim filled the cool morning air. His father's howl rang in his ears.
Evin sprang, his wolf shape overtaking him midflight.
He and his father were grossly outnumbered. But no way in hell would they go down easy. The Lathans would feel their teeth and claws, leaving several of them dead before a KinKaid would fall.
Dark paws hit the grassy surface amid three of his enemies. Evin snarled, turning, never allowing his back to remain in one spot. Each clawed the ground, snapping for a piece of him as he moved. Then it was his turn.
He lunged.
Jaws wide.
The foul taste of sweat and hot fur filled Evin's mouth. He clamped down hard, sinking his canines deep in the wolf's throat. A yelp rang out from the other beast, and his legs buckled. Evin held on, rolling with the twists and turns of his enemy's body. Without warning, the weight of the two wolves slammed into his torso, one on each side. Evin locked his jaw tight. No fucking way were they going to knock him loose.
Blood spilled into his mouth, nearly choking him. His neck and shoulders burned from the relentless amount of jaw pressure. The other wolves hammered at his back and legs. Pain raced up his spine from their attack, but he refused to go down.
From a distance, a familiar growl released then grew in intensity.
Louder.
Closer.
His father was coming. Two snarls followed by shrill cries of pain filled Evin's ears, and then the bombardment against his flesh ceased as well as the struggles underneath his muzzle. The battle had been won, but the war still raged on.
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