by Jane Perky
“Fuck, I love how you’re always wet and horny for me.” Colton reached over and gave his dick, already at half-mast, a squeeze.
Jerry squirmed but Colton finally sheathed himself all the way in. He groaned at the sensation of Colton stretching him. His Alpha began to ride him, his strokes quick but deep. He moaned, not caring how loud he was being. Colton seemed riled up by the cries of pleasure coming out of him and picked up the speed.
“Fuck,” Colton hissed behind him.
Jerry willed his inner muscles to clamp down on Colton’s dick.
Colton hastened stroking his prick, until it grew too thick and full.
“Baby, I’m close.”
“Come all over my fingers. Do it now.”
Those words triggered his climax. With a groan, he spilled his jizz all over Colton’s fingers. Colton pistoned in and out of him several times, before filling his ass with warmth. Jerry shut his eyes and enjoyed floating in the sea of post-orgasm bliss.
“I can wake up to this every morning.” The words slipped out by accident, but it didn’t matter.
“Me, too.” Colton caressed his hair with his clean hand. “Feels like heaven.”
Jerry was glad Colton couldn’t see his face, because he must be as red as a tomato.
“So,” he ventured. “How about we shower together to save time and water?”
“You begging me for round two, baby? Because I’ll definitely comply.” Colton got off the bed and offered him a hand up. When Jerry accepted, Colton tugged him to his feet, only to seal their lips for a kiss.
Oh God. Did they really need to go to work?
* * * *
“I need to tell you something, but don’t hiss and get mad at me, okay?” Colton said in the car.
They passed more trees, and Jerry craned his neck, trying to map out the path they ran the night before. Hearing the seriousness in Colton’s voice, he paused.
“Okay, that sounds kind of bad.”
“It’s not.” Colton let out a breath. “Three days after our first day, one of Magnus’ vampires approached me.”
His stomach did a strange flop. His first instinct was anger. Why did Colton keep this information from him?
“Before you get mad, hear me out.”
Jerry softened. Other dominant shifters gave orders to their submissive mates, but Colton was fair and probably had a reason for keeping that information from him. But that didn’t mean Jerry forgave him.
“Fine.” Jerry crossed his arms.
Colton growled but continued. “Magnus knows about us. Well, he knows we’re seeing each other. He backed off when I told him what my intentions were, that I knew you were my mate but I was just waiting for the right moment to put my mark on you.”
Jerry let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Wait, so Lee knows, too?”
“I don’t think so. I made Magnus promise not to tell Lee, that we owe it to Lee, to tell him face-to-face.”
“Okay.” Jerry thought about that a little more. Magnus had become one of the few people he trusted, even though he hadn’t known the vampire king that long. “Anything else?”
“I’m meeting Blake before dinner tonight. His wolves are out of control and it’s time someone points that out.”
Fear clutched at his heart. “You’re going to a werewolf pack house alone?”
“Magnus offered to come with me, as backup, and he’s bringing two of his vampires.”
“I want to come, too.”
“No.” Colton wore a pained look as he was about to argue back. “Jerry, if you’re there, I’ll probably lose control and really finish the job.”
A chill went down his spine. By that, Jerry was guessing Colton was going to end up killing the two wolves who had attacked him the night before. He remembered how lethal his mate had been, and realized him being there might only make matters worse.
“Okay.”
Colton raised an eyebrow.
“What?” Jerry demanded.
“You’re agreeing, that’s rare.”
Jerry fumed at him, and like that, all the tension in the car disappeared. “I don’t want you or Magnus to end up dead or injured. If me being there increases those chances, then I’d stay home and wait for news, even if that’s hard.”
Keeping one hand on the wheel, Colton reached out and gave his hand a squeeze.
“I appreciate that, baby.”
“But you have to promise you’ll text me after the meeting’s over, just to assure me you’re fine.”
“I’ll do better and call you.”
Appeased, Jerry sat back. “So when you first confronted Magnus, what did he say?”
“He threatened to suck all the blood from my body if I hurt you.”
“Good.”
“Little Omega, you have a mean streak in you, too, don’t you?”
“Are you going to punish me?” Jerry pouted.
“Don’t tempt me, but then, you might just enjoy the punishment, too. We’re here,” Colton added.
Blushing hard, Jerry looked around, surprised they were in front of Bacon and Burgers. Thankfully, he’d started keeping a spare uniform in his locker, in case he slept over at Colton’s place.
Jerry opened the car door and hesitated. “Take care with Blake, okay?”
“Give me a good luck kiss then.”
Grinning, Jerry leaned over and gave his mate that kiss. Jerry got out of the car and went inside Bacon and Burgers.
“Cherry,” he called, pausing by the counter where she was counting cash. “I’ll be back in five minutes. I’m just going to change.”
“Okay.” She waved him off and he headed to the locker room.
Jerry took off his shirt when his wolf alerted him to someone else in the room. He turned to see Mr. Gibson studying him, but the human was looking at his body, gaze lingering on the covered bite mark on his neck. Mr. Gibson frowned, as if he didn’t quite like what he saw.
He suddenly felt exposed, uneasy of Mr. Gibson. He quickly grabbed his work shirt and put it on.
“Is there something you wanted, Mr. Gibson?” he asked.
“My son dated a dominant werewolf,” Mr. Gibson said.
“What happened?” Why did Jerry have a bad feeling this story wasn’t going to end up well?
“He’s dead.” Mr. Gibson looked angry and pained at those words.
“I’m sorry.” What else was Jerry supposed to say? He did notice that he was the only shifter on staff and assumed there must be no reason for it. Maybe it was a random observation. Now, however, he didn’t think so. While Bacon and Burgers catered to everyone in town, he did remember Mr. Gibson avoided coming out of the office whenever the place was crowded with shifter families or groups.
“I don’t usually hire shifters, but you seemed more human than their sort.”
Jerry had a sneaking suspicion where this was going. “But now, I’ve changed?” he ventured, then let out a tired sigh. He’d had a wonderful night with Colton and was starting a new chapter of his life. If he lost his job, then he could find another one. “Am I fired?”
“There’s another branch in town.”
“I know where it is, near the cinema.”
“I can request a transfer. I’m sorry, Jerry. When I look at you, I see my son, and when your boyfriend comes around…” Mr. Gibson trailed off, eyes begging him for understanding.
“Colton isn’t like that.”
“I know. I can see your Alpha’s different, but I can’t look past my hate.”
“Okay.” Jerry decided since he wasn’t fired from his job, this was a compromise. “I’d like that transfer.”
“I’m really sorry. I’ll write up a good recommendation,” Mr. Gibson murmured, before walking out.
Jerry breathed in and out. This wasn’t necessarily a good or bad thing, simply a change. He fished out his phone and googled the other branch, which was surprisingly located close to Colton’s firm. This might be a good opportunity for him after all. Now, h
e just needed to focus on surviving tonight and Lee’s wrath.
Chapter Twelve
“How’s the situation with the local werewolves?” Steve asked Colton.
Colton turned off his PC, not expecting his boss to appear by his cubicle. He planned to head straight to the Lunar Fire pack house where he would meet with Magnus and his vampires. Together, they’d meet Blake. Colton didn’t have time to chat, but after the bullet Steve took for him yesterday by not firing him outright for bringing a mess to the firm, his boss deserved an update.
“I have a meeting with Blake in fifteen minutes.”
“Do you need backup?”
He paused. Steve, whatever he was, was a force to be reckoned with. “Are you offering?”
“If necessary, because you’re a valuable employee, but I’d rather not. Claws for Hire is one of the independent businesses in town, and I’d rather avoid getting into anything deep with any of the dominant paranormal groups in town.”
“Then it’s fine. Magnus is backing me.”
“The vampire king of the Nightshade coven?” Steve asked with surprise.
“Yeah. Magnus is mate to one of my friends.”
Steve nodded. “Best of luck then.”
“Steve?” he called before his boss walked away. “Thanks for not firing me.”
“You did pay for the ruined furniture.” With that, the conversation ended and Steve returned to his office. Colton hurried out of the building and got into his car. What if Magnus changed his mind and left him at the mercy of Blake and his wolves? Colton had faced worse odds before, but he didn’t plan on worsening the situation but improving it.
With a sigh, he got into his truck and drove to the isolated pack house, located on the outskirts of town, near the woods. Unlike vampires, who preferred living near humans, werewolf packs were the exact opposite. To his relief, he spotted Magnus and three of his vampires standing by a black Lexus.
He noticed Blake had more security than usual. Four buffed-up werewolves, probably his enforcers, stood outside the porch. Both vampires and wolves had some kind of glaring match going on, save for Magnus, who smiled at him as he got out.
A thought occurred to him. “You aren’t just doing this for Jerry, too, but you also want to discuss something with Blake,” he said.
“Indeed. Blake’s not doing enough in our uneasy alliance, and if this goes on, there might be a war between our groups in the future. I’d rather avoid that,” Magnus replied.
He sighed. None of his business what the Nightshade coven and the Lunar Fire pack had against each other, but it didn’t matter. He just wanted to make sure all of Blake’s wolves stayed away from his mate, or risk his wrath. Besides, Magnus and he needed to have a united front.
“Fine,” he said. “Let’s get on with this. We’re meeting the others at King’s after.”
“Dinner will be entertaining,” Magnus mused out loud, making him growl in annoyance. Still, props to Magnus for keeping his relationship with Jerry a secret from his mate. “Don’t worry, wolf. It’s merely a talk. Blake won’t want a fight now, when things in town seem to be finally settling down after the trouble his former Beta caused. Of course, I want those wolves who caused our Jerry such distress to be held accountable for their crimes.”
“I was going to rip out their throats if Jerry didn’t stop me.”
“Jerry is one of a kind that way,” Magnus said softly.
“You don’t see it as a weakness?” he asked.
“Making sensible decisions is a strength. If you killed those wolves, what will happen to Jerry if you’re in jail?”
“I’m starting to like you, vampire.”
Magnus laughed. “Shall we, before they start harboring suspicions about our intentions?”
He snorted and together with Magnus’ party, they headed for the pack house to settle matters.
* * * *
“So that’s a good thing?” Colton asked, frowning, trying to get a read on Jerry.
He turned up at Bacon and Burgers early and only waited five minutes before Jerry came out in casual clothes. Jerry told him about what happened that morning. He was beyond pissed at Jerry’s boss, wanted to drag the human out and demand answers, but he knew that wasn’t what Jerry would want. So instead, Colton studied his mate.
“It is. Besides, the other branch is closer to your workplace.”
That appeased Colton a whole lot.
“So,” Jerry ventured. “How did your meeting with Blake go?”
“Magnus and I expected a fight on our hands, but Blake just looked tired.” He thought of the aging Alpha, slumped in his wheelchair. “Blake apologized for the actions of his wolves, once he heard they were out of control. Those assholes from last night were exiled from the pack and left this morning.”
“An Alpha apologized?” Jerry asked with surprise. Colton could sense relief from Jerry at the mention of those wolves being exiled. He’d prefer a worse punishment, but he supposed he could respect Blake’s decision.
He’d been taken aback, too, and so had Magnus.
“I think it’s clear that for now, Magnus’ coven is the dominant supernatural group in town. Blake says he’s going to start holding interviews for the next Alpha, but he doesn’t think any wolf from his pack is strong enough to maintain the position, so he’s inviting Magnus and me to help judge the potential Alphas.”
“Wow. Really?”
“It’s a huge show of trust, for Magnus. As for me, it didn’t necessarily have to be me, but it can be either Lee or the other Alphas. He values the opinion of another outsider, especially an Alpha who doesn’t have ties to other packs.”
“Sounds like it will be a busy few weeks ahead,” Jerry mused out loud.
“Yeah, but I’ve made it clear to Blake that if any of his wolves so much as say a negative comment about my mate, I won’t hesitate to rip their throats out.”
“You what?”
“I’m serious, Jerry. They disrespect you, they do the same to me.”
“Blake agreed to that?”
“He has no choice.” Privately, he thought it wise for Blake to hand in his resignation. The old Alpha could barely keep his pack together. “Enough of town politics.”
“Agreed. So Magnus still hasn’t told Lee?” Jerry asked.
They drove straight to King’s, and he noticed Jerry looking apprehensive. His little Omega kept rubbing his hands on his jeans.
“Lee doesn’t know. Don’t worry about a thing, baby. Everyone’s going to like you.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.” Jerry bit his lip.
“Lee can’t do a thing. We’re mated now, and you’re an adult who’s made your own decisions.”
“Lee won’t be as reasonable as you.”
Well, his mate had a point. Jerry’s phone beeped.
“Magnus says everyone is there.”
“Magnus knows how to use a cell phone?” Colton made a face. He thought vampires were bad with technology, so he contacted the coven through the normal phone.
“Yup.” Jerry tucked back his phone as he found a parking spot.
He killed the engine and decided to give his mate a pep talk. “Baby, we’re just meeting my friends. Lee just has to deal with this.”
“Lee’s like a brother to me,” Jerry whispered. “Magnus and he spent so many years searching for news of Eduardo’s coven.”
“I know he means a lot to you. He’s one of my best friends, too, which is why he should realize that we’re perfect for each other.”
“Werewolf Alphas resort to violence first, then talk.”
He grinned at that. “I know. Don’t worry. I’ll try to be gentle with Lee.”
“That’s not exactly comforting,” Jerry mumbled.
“Get that cute ass out of the truck. Let’s get on with this, because I’m hungry.”
“Hungry for dinner or for me?”
If Jerry was capable of teasing, it was a good sign.
He laughed. “Both.
”
That persuaded his Omega to exit the vehicle.
Chapter Thirteen
Colton gave the back of his neck a squeeze and led him inside the bar. King’s was Colton and Lee’s favorite bar, the only neutral territory in town, and it wasn’t a place Jerry usually frequented. Colton’s touch helped, but Jerry took deep breaths and tried to face down his fear of crowds. Country music filled the space, and at this time of the night, King’s was mostly full.
He nearly hyperventilated, tempted to run out, but Colton stopped him and hugged him from behind so Jerry could breathe in Colton’s familiar and comforting scent. Colton was so warm, too, like a blanket able to chase all his silly fears away. He couldn’t believe they were finally at this stage in their relationship, and Jerry no longer had to worry about the local pack bothering him anymore.
Colton delivered his promise and solved that particular problem, so it was time Jerry did the same. Why was he even making a big deal out of this? Lee had to deal with his decisions, but if Lee didn’t take the news of their mating well, would Lee cut Colton off? They were childhood friends and had each other’s back.
“Breathe, baby,” Colton whispered in his ear, and just like that, the panic subsided.
Colton released him, and Jerry reached out to twine their fingers together. Colton gave his hand a squeeze before leading him to a booth at the end of the bar. No Lee or Magnus, Jerry noticed.
“Oh go fuck yourself, Crash,” muttered a muscular redhead with one arm thrown casually around a smaller man with short brown hair. Apart from the redhead, there were two other similarly built Alphas and another lean and blond-haired Omega. He knew from Colton’s description that the two Omegas, Mark and Joe, were mated to Crash and Atlas, the redhead. The third dark-haired man in the leather jacket who sat apart from the others, he guessed was Dante.
“Hey, Colton. Who’s this?” Dante asked.
“Oh, Colton brought someone with him?” the brown-haired Omega asked, leaning slightly away from Atlas to peer at Jerry curiously.
“Guys, this is Jerry, my mate,” Colton announced with a note of pride in his voice.
Sudden silence.