by Noah Harris
“I love touching you,” Dante breathed against the other man’s lips.
“That’s the dangerous part,” Liam responded, looking like he was struggling.
Dante bit his lip, willing himself back from the brink before he pounced on Liam. “You’re still unsure.”
“I’m sure that I want what’s happening, and I’m sure that it’s probably a terrible idea for both of us,” Liam said, still not moving away from Dante.
Dante couldn’t blame him. They were both facing a hard road ahead of them, and it was doubtful they would emerge from it unscathed. They were most likely heading toward a conclusion that would leave one or both of them battered and bruised. Dante just hoped it didn’t end with them being heartbroken, or dead.
Dante caressed Liam’s cheek. “Am I allowed to kiss you until you’re sure you want to continue making bad decisions with me?”
Liam chuckled as he leaned into Dante. “You know it.”
Chapter Eleven
Dante panted, leaning forward to rest his hands on his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. Sweat coated his skin, soaking his shirt and making him feel sticky. He wiped a layer of sweat from his forehead, feeling his heart rate slow to a manageable pace as he finally stood upright. He appreciated the stray breeze that managed to blow through the nearby trees, cooling his heated skin enough that he didn’t feel as if he were boiling alive.
It had been awhile since he had willingly gone to the training grounds to exercise his combat skills. It wasn’t that he didn’t like fighting; he enjoyed the moments where he had to face someone down physically and attempt to come out on top. The problem stemmed from motivating himself to walk down to the training grounds and just do it. Once he hunkered down and forced himself to fight, it didn’t take long before he was in the adrenaline-fueled rush that filled him when he went toe-to-toe with a skilled opponent.
Elder Marrow, who Dante had approached to oversee his training, stood just outside the sparring ring. He’d been surprised, though pleased, when Dante had asked him to accompany him. It had been a simple matter of finding a warrior with sufficient skill to come with them and help Dante brush up on his skills.
Elder Marrow nodded. “Good, very good. I’m happy to see your time avoiding the ring hasn’t dulled your skills too much. You do well when you apply yourself, Dante. You should try it more often.”
Dante grinned at him. “What can I say? Sometimes going for a swim sounds like a lot more fun than getting punched by a big, sweaty man.”
There was a soft clapping to his right that had both Dante and Elder Marrow turning in that direction. To Dante’s surprise and embarrassment, Noah and part of his pack, stood at the other side of the sparring circle, watching Dante. It was obvious to Dante they’d been there long enough to have seen most of the match.
Dante winced. “Ah, how long have you been standing there, Alpha Noah?”
Noah lowered his hands, nodding his head respectfully to Dante. “Long enough to see that you possess skill.”
The werewolf beside Noah, his second-in-command, Brett, snorted derisively. “There’s a difference between fighting in a practice match and fighting on the field of battle.”
Dante scowled at him, but kept his mouth shut. So far, he’d managed to avoid having too much contact with the rest of Noah’s pack. What little contact he’d had so far caused him to dislike Brett the most. The werewolf was arrogant, aggressive to the point of always being ready to fight for whatever reason, and he made no effort whatsoever to hide his dislike of Dante. Dante wasn’t sure what he’d done to warrant the werewolf’s hatred, but he’d had to deal with snide comments and dirty looks anytime Brett happened to glance his way.
Noah cast Brett a disapproving look. “True, but you learn most of what you need to know in the sparring ring. If one can do well in practice, they should be capable of executing it in the field.”
Brett shrugged. “He’s big and he hits hard, but that’s not enough to save him if someone’s going for his throat.”
“On the contrary, for a man his size, he moves quickly and gracefully. Most warriors of his size rely solely upon brute force and size to gain victory. I’m impressed that your sept makes sure to alleviate that flaw in their large warrior’s training repertoire,” Noah said respectfully.
Flush from a good fighting session, Dante forgot his manners for a moment as he spoke. “That would actually be kind of me and my friend Erik’s fault.”
Brett snorted. “Why’s that? Causing trouble again?”
In that moment, Dante understood where the werewolf’s bad attitude came from. Brett, before even bothering to get to know Dante, had been paying too much attention to the rumor mill. He would bet that the werewolf was expecting Dante to bring nothing but trouble and chaos with him when he moved to live with Noah’s sept. He was undoubtedly the type who believed in following the rules to the letter and disliked any attempt to subvert them. With Dante’s reputation following him around so easily, it came as no surprise that someone like Brett would dislike him.
Elder Marrow chuckled nervously. “Dante speaks the truth, though he puts it a bit simpler than one would prefer.”
Noah looked interested. “Alright, then how did they cause you to change the training?”
Dante, not wanting Elder Marrow to paint it too delicately, spoke first. “We were, uh, training, together. We’d wait until no one was around and try out our lessons on one another.”
Brett huffed. “You practiced without someone watching over you, and with someone below your station?”
He’d been expecting the question, but Dante growled in annoyance all the same. “That’s my friend you’re talking about. He’s not below anything.”
Dante wished he knew how Brett was finding out so much about the people that lived in the sept. The stigma of having once been a City Wolf had followed Erik around since he’d first moved to the sept. Many people had frowned on Dante’s friendship with the scout, but he’d never let that stop him. If he refused to tolerate anyone in his own sept saying anything against Erik for something he couldn’t help, he sure wasn’t going to tolerate it from someone like Brett.
Elder Marrow leapt in before the situation escalated, speaking hurriedly. “Yes, they were participating in…unsanctioned training sessions. It was during one of those very sessions that I personally discovered them. This was quite some time after they had begun doing it secretly, and I was noticing a definite change in Dante’s skill and technique. My own curiosity brought me upon them one evening, and I had my answer.”
Noah, after giving Brett a sharp look, nodded. “I don’t believe I’ve met this Erik, but I recall that he’s a scout?”
“A very good one,” Dante added with a smile, ignoring Brett’s dirty look.
Noah nodded. “A role for werewolves who are typically smaller in stature. Light on their feet, quick, and quiet. I can see how that made a difference if all Dante was fighting before were opponents of equal or greater strength.”
Dante laughed. “I used to think I could take him, since the guy is so scrawny. Took a few times with him using my size against me to knock me on my ass for me to learn my lesson. After that, we started teaching each other stuff the other one could use. He learned how to take a punch better, and I learned how to not get punched as often.”
Brett eyed Elder Marrow. “And you approved of this?”
“Not at first. I was understandably angry that they had been doing this without permission. However, I couldn’t deny the positive effects the cross-training had. After deliberation with the rest of the Council, we began to mix some aspects of the combat training between roles,” Elder Marrow explained, sounding less placating as he eyed Brett warily.
“Practical. I approve,” Noah said with a smile.
“He left out the part where he chewed us out for an hour straight over it,” Erik’s familiar voice added.
Dante turned toward the sound with a grin. “Damn it, how long have you been listen
ing in on us, you little sneak?”
Erik smirked, patting his cheeks softly. “Long enough to hear you defend my honor. I never knew you cared.”
Dante snorted. “You’ve got about as much honor as the desert has water.”
“You know, I would take offense at that, but I know you mean it only in the most loving of ways,” Erik grinned as he approached.
“I take it this is the infamous Erik, then?” Noah asked.
Dante turned to Noah, still smiling. “The one and only.”
Erik approached Noah, holding his hand out in greeting. “Sorry it’s taken me so long to say hi, but since you first arrived I’ve only been around long enough to bug Dante and then disappear again. Heard you boys were down here having some fun, so I decided to stop by.”
If Noah was bothered by the flippant way Erik spoke, he hid it well as he took Erik’s hand. “A pleasure to meet you finally. It’s nice to put a face to the name.”
“The partner-in-crime then,” Brett grunted, apparently unable to restrain his grouchiness for even a moment.
Erik was unfazed. “I like to think of it as partner-in-fun, but that works too.”
Dante, taking pleasure in Brett’s angry glower, addressed Erik. “What are you doing back here? I thought you were supposed to be out for another day or so?”
Erik shrugged, glancing at Elder Marrow. “Boss man in charge decided to let me come back a little earlier than planned. Something about my best friend in the whole world getting courted and eventually shipped out pulls at even that mean old bastard’s heartstrings. He’s been willing to give me some time off here and there. I go back tomorrow evening though.”
Elder Marrow sighed, dismayed at the degradation of the conversation. “I’m sure Alpha Nathaniel would not be appreciative of your nickname for him, Scout Erik. Please remember some sense of propriety.”
“If they even remember the meaning of the word,” Brett rumbled in obvious annoyance.
Noah, looking a little puzzled, maintained his smile. “Don’t worry too much over it, Elder Marrow. We know full well how close friends can be when they’re around one another. Perhaps I could interest you in another bit of tea and conversation?”
Elder Marrow sighed once more. “Yes, of course, Alpha Noah. That would be delightful.”
The Elder shot Erik and Dante a warning glance as he began to walk away. Dante could tell Brett was willing to linger, probably to give some kind of a final parting shot, but Noah gestured for his pack to follow after Elder Marrow. Erik noticed what was happening, and quietly backed away so he appeared to be out of earshot. Dante knew his best friend well enough to know they weren’t nearly far enough away to be able to have any measure of privacy. Erik had the best hearing of anyone Dante had known, one of the many reasons he’d been chosen to be a scout at such a young age.
Noah reached out, resting his hand on Dante’s elbow. “Will I see you later tonight?”
Dante’s stomach twisted, wishing he had a way to avoid meeting Noah later so he could see Liam again. “Of course. did you have a preferred time in mind?”
The alpha smiled. “I would enjoy having dinner with you, and to watch the sunset if you would be willing.”
Dante hoped the smile he put on was convincing. “I am happily willing. I hope we didn’t offend you too much.”
Noah leaned in with a smile, placing a dry kiss on the corner of Dante’s mouth. “You didn’t. It’s been a pleasure to see you so relaxed and enjoying yourself. Enjoy your time with Erik, and I will see you later.”
Dante watched him go, feeling the drop of disappointment that his night had been claimed by Noah now, and guilt that he wanted to be with Liam instead. He knew he claimed that he kept his mind focused on one day at a time, and it had been true until recently. Dante had done little more than have a heavy make-out session with the Loner, and a shared blowjob in the woods, but it had left him hungry for more. It was the kind of hunger he should have had for Noah, the man he was supposed to spend his life with. That it was some Lone Wolf who had just wandered into the territory for a party, a party celebrating that very event, seemed like an insult to Noah.
Erik waited until he knew Noah was far enough away before turning on Dante. “What did you do?”
Dante stared at him, wide-eyed. “What do you mean?”
Erik frowned. “Boy, don’t you dare try to fool me. I saw every little thought you had go right across your face, and they weren’t very happy ones.”
Dante blinked, unnerved by his friend’s perceptiveness. “Have you been taking chew-out lessons from Rosa in your free time?”
“Don’t change the subject. You can’t evade me,” Erik said with a sharp jab of his finger in Dante’s direction.
Dante sighed, trying not to squirm. “I met with Liam again yesterday.”
Erik motioned for him to continue. “And? Was it what I was afraid it was?”
Dante turned away, hiding his face as he searched for a towel. “Yeah.”
“Shit, are you sure?” Erik asked.
Dante wiped his face, taking his time as he tried to school his features. “I managed to get more information out of Rosa. It sounds exactly like what happened between me and Liam. When I talked to him, he said he was going through the exact same thing. It’s happened, Erik. I’m in deep.”
“You didn’t just talk to him, did you?” Erik asked knowingly.
Dante was glad the towel hid his wince. “There might have been a little more than that.”
“How much is a ‘little’ Dante?” Erik asked.
“An orgasm or two?” Dante asked with another cringe.
Erik paced around Dante. “Does anyone else know?”
Dante knew he couldn’t hide his face anymore, forcing himself to stare back at his best friend. “Just you.”
“You’re sure Rosa doesn’t know? You’re not exactly the subtle type, especially when you’re trying to be subtle,” Erik said doubtfully.
He couldn’t argue with that fact. “I don’t think she’s suspicious. I mean, no more than usual. If she knows anything, it’s because her instincts are ridiculously sharp. I’m waiting for her to put the numbers together, since she was the one who warned me off being seen spending time with Liam publicly. She’s not stupid, so there’s a good chance she could figure it out.”
Erik snorted. “I think we might as well count on her figuring it out sooner rather than later. All you have to do is wait until she comes to that conclusion and hunts you down, because you know she’s going to hunt you down.”
“Maybe she won’t figure it out?” Dante said hopefully.
“That’s about as likely as you no longer seeing Liam. Because you’re thinking about seeing him again, aren’t you?” Erik asked, though it didn’t sound like much of a question to Dante’s ears.
Dante finally looked away. “I thought about it, for like, a second.”
Erik seemed to deflate, looking at Dante with worry. “Dante, man, what are you going to do? This is…nothing like we’ve ever done before. I know I always talked about you just not…doing this thing with Noah but, I didn’t mean like this.”
Dante smiled weakly. “I mean, it’s not that bad, right?”
“Seeing the guy, you’re actually True Mates with behind the back of everyone in the sept not to mention the guy you’re supposed to have been with since you were little? That’s not that bad?” Erik asked in disbelief.
“Okay, maybe it’s a little bad,” Dante admitted quietly.
“It’s big-time trouble bad. What are you going to do?” Erik asked.
“Do? What do you mean?” Dante asked, bewildered.
“You can’t tell me you seriously plan to just…I mean, you’re screwing around with Liam, but you’re supposed to leave soon with Noah. You’re either going to have to break things off with Liam, which I’m sure won’t be fun, or you’re going to get busted being with him while you’re supposed to be with Noah, which is also not going to be fun,” Erik told him.
“There’s a very big difference between being able to sleep with other people for fun if you want, and sleeping with someone you know damn well isn’t just a fling,” Erik said with narrowed eyes.
Dante sighed, laying the towel over his slumped shoulders. “I know, but I don’t know what to do. Ever since the sept took care of raising me, my whole life has been about preparing to live the rest of my life with Noah.”
Erik’s look of worry deepened. “And now?”
Dante snorted. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m just doing what I’m supposed to be doing with Noah because that’s what’s expected of me. It’s not real, I don’t even think it’s real for Noah half the time. It feels like he’s going through the motions as much as I am. Deep down, I always knew it was fake, but I’ve spent years hoping that maybe something would just…spring up between Noah and I when we finally met. Now Liam is here, and just being around him shows how fake everything with Noah really is.”
“Doesn’t really make the outcome of your whole thing with Noah look too good, does it?” Erik asked.
Dante shook his head. “I don’t know what it does, says, or whatever. I just know that everything is a lot harder than it was a couple of weeks ago.”
“You know you have to figure this out soon, right? Like, really fast,” Erik insisted.
Dante bit his bottom lip, knowing his friend was right. “I just don’t know how.”
Erik looked grim. “Well you had better figure it out, before someone else ends up doing it for you. Secrets don’t stay secrets for long in this place.”
Chapter Twelve
The dinner dragged on for longer than Dante would have liked. By the time he was able to slip away without drawing suspicion on himself, the moon was already high in the sky. He’d hoped to find Liam, but he hadn’t seen the man after the sun had set. Miserable that he hadn’t been able to get away in time to find the Loner, he’d stubbornly refused to return home. If he had to be miserable, then he believed he should at least be miserable in the dark shadows of the wood, punctuated only by the occasional shaft of moonlight.