by Lynn Hagen
“I was trying to give you your privacy. But I shouldn’t have,” Walker snapped. “I should’ve kept listening. That way I would’ve known you planned on taking off.”
The hurt in Walker’s gray eyes was like a punch to Bailey’s gut. “But I changed my mind.”
“And put yourself in harm’s way.”
“How the hell was I supposed to know those things were here?” Bailey argued. “So what am I, a prisoner? You’re telling me that I can’t go outside, that I’m stuck in the house forever?”
“Not stuck.” Walker shook his head. “But if you do want to go outside, it would be wise to do so in daylight and to always have someone with you.”
Bailey glanced in the direction of Deloris and Abe’s house. He couldn’t see it from where he stood, and wondered if Jesse had already bitten Corky. He felt like a heel for leaving Corky with Jesse when he turned and headed inside.
* * * *
Walker stood under the shower spray, washing his mate’s hair as he tried to reel in his anger.
“You still pissed at me?” Bailey asked.
“It’s not the fact that you panicked, or that you even tried to take off. You lied to me, Bailey. You knew exactly what you were planning when you went into the guest bedroom.”
Yep, he was still pissed as hell. Walker felt as though they could work out any problems they had, but he drew the line at being lied to. He wanted an unbreakable bond of trust with Bailey, but his human didn’t seem to feel the same way.
“You might be used to being on your own, doing things your way, but you’ve got more than just yourself to consider now.” Walker guided Bailey’s head under the spray, washing out the shampoo. “What if something had happened to you or the cub? I thought my heart would stop when you hit the windows or when that feeder tried to tear your throat out.”
Walker closed his eyes, trying his level best to rid himself of those images. Never in his life had he been more terrified. If he lived to be one hundred, he would never forget the paralyzing fear that had swept through him.
“I’m sorry,” Bailey murmured. He turned and gazed up at Walker, and Walker became lost in those baby blues. Bailey was his entire world, and he’d nearly lost his world tonight.
The more Walker touched his mate as he washed Bailey, the more his anger fled. He was more hurt than anything else that Bailey had lied to him, but…damn it. He just couldn’t stay mad.
He turned his mate to face him and cupped Bailey’s jaw. “Tell me being with me is so horrible that you’d risk your life to get away.”
Bailey glanced at Walker’s chest. “I can’t.”
“Why?” Walker wanted to hear the words, needed to hear them. He felt as if he were teetering on an edge, ready to fall over at any second. Bailey was his one shot at happiness, and Walker was desperate to do whatever it took to make his mate see reason.
He’d grown up with an abusive father who took pleasure in his sons’ pain. All Walker had dreamed about for years was finding his mate, finding peace, a little slice of heaven he could claim as his own.
All his brothers had found that, and Walker wanted what they had—someone to love and someone to love him, cubs running underfoot, laughter, intimacy, and a bond that ran so deep that no one could break it.
“Why can’t I tell you that?” Bailey asked. “Because when I snuck out, everything in me wanted to come back inside, to find you and curl into your arms. As angry and confused as I was, I didn’t want to leave you. It felt as if my heart was being ripped out.”
Walker took Bailey’s lips in a soft, slow, burning kiss. “Just talk to me,” he said when he pulled back. “Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours. I don’t want to lose you, Bailey. I want years of happiness, cubs, and someone who loves me beyond the moon and stars. I don’t think that’s such a bad thing to want.”
“It’s not.” Bailey turned the shower off and stepped out. “But you can’t expect me to jump in feetfirst and accept this new world without…I don’t know, freaking out first.”
“Freak out all you want.” Walker grabbed two towels from the linen closet and handed one to his mate. “But do it in the safety of our home.”
“Our home?” Bailey stopped drying himself as he gazed at Walker.
“Yes, our home. You’re mine, Bailey, and I’m never giving you up. Fight me on this all you want, but don’t you ever take off again.”
A small smile played at Bailey’s lips. “I’ve never had anyone want me this badly before.”
“Get used to it.” Walker tossed the towel aside and grabbed Bailey’s hand. “Now let me show you just how much you mean to me.”
Chapter Eight
Walker walked backward as he led his mate to the bed. Bailey’s scent said he was uncertain, even scared. It was this crazy world Walker lived in. It had to be, and he was determined to show Bailey that the mountains weren’t the harsh and violent place his mate thought them to be.
The Rising family had a lot of good times, a lot of laughter, love, and loyalty. He was sure Bailey could be happy here, if only his mate would try.
But for now, he wanted to show Bailey just how much the human meant to him, to give his mate a reason to want to stay. Instead of laying Bailey on the bed, he moved past it and headed toward the window seat.
Walker sat first, then settled Bailey between his legs. From this angle of the house, no corpses or pieces of creatures could be seen, only the snow, the woods, and the glowing, pale moon.
“I can’t wait until spring,” Walker said. “The mountains seem to come alive with vibrant colors, and the smell…it’s amazing. We swim in the lake, barbecue, and have bonfires. It’s like a whole different world when the snow melts and the warm breeze returns.”
“It sounds wonderful,” Bailey said. “But you still have so many threats.”
“So does the human world,” Walker pointed out. “Car jackings, shootings, home invasions. Your world is just as scary, Bailey. But at least here, with me, you’ll be protected.”
He ran his hand down Bailey’s arm, and Bailey turned, pressing his side against Walker’s chest. Walker kept petting him, needing to touch his mate, smell his scent, and take comfort in his slight weight against him.
“I thought I could handle this,” Bailey said. “I told myself that a fling with a rich guy wouldn’t be so bad.”
One of Walker’s brows rose. “Seriously?”
Bailey chuckled. “I’m just being honest.”
“And now?” Walker moved his hand from Bailey’s arm to his hip, gliding his fingers over his mate’s soft skin. As his hand traveled, Bailey’s cock hardened.
“A feeder can rip your throat out.”
“A bullet can end you, too,” Walker said. “All I’m asking is that you give us a chance. Our son or daughter is growing inside you, and I know that’s not only scary, but mind-boggling.” Walker rested his cheek against Bailey’s hair. “But I have a feeling you’ll be an amazing father.”
“Not like my own dad,” Bailey said and Walker heard the hitch of sadness in his voice.
“Not like mine, either.” Walker sat there and told Bailey about Clarence’s cruelty, his insanity, and his death. By the time he was done talking, Bailey was staring at him with horror in his eyes.
“My dad’s a complete douche bag, but he never hit me.”
“What about your mom?” Walker asked.
“My mom took off when I was six months old. My dad blamed me. I think that’s why he became an alcoholic, because he couldn’t get over her leaving, or the fact he was stuck raising me. He gambles like crazy and he fucks anything that isn’t nailed down, and he always looked at me with hate in his eyes.”
“Jeez, that’s really fucked-up,” Walker said. “I mean, how the hell do you blame a kid for a decision an adult made? It wasn’t your fault your mom split. That was your parents’ bullshit, and your father shouldn’t have put that blame on you.”
Bailey snorted. “We both have fucked-up fathers and
you think we’ll do any better?”
“I know we will.” Walker pulled him up, and helped Bailey straddle his lap. He ran his hands down Bailey’s back and rested them just above his mate’s ass. “Let’s not focus on where we’ve come from, but where we’re going, okay? This will be a fresh start for both of us.”
Bailey wiped at his tears with his palms. “Okay.”
“God, Shorty. Don’t cry. It’s breaking my damn heart to see those tears.” Walker kissed each eyelid, then Bailey’s lips. They were soft and warm as Walker slid his tongue over them. When Bailey parted his lips, Walker plunged his tongue deep.
Bailey moaned, and the sound drove Walker wild. He pulled Bailey up slightly and pressed the head of his cock against his mate’s entrance, allowing his natural lubricant to relax the muscles.
Then he groaned as Bailey slowly lowered himself, impaling his ass on Walker’s cock. The heat and tightness had Walker forcing himself not to go fast, to savor Bailey’s body, to show Bailey that this world was the right fit for him.
As Bailey took his pleasure, Walker gripped his mate’s hips, staring into his gorgeous blue eyes and seeing his future in them. There was no way he would ever let Bailey go. He would do whatever it took to make his mate happy.
Whatever it took.
He moved his hands from Bailey’s hips to cup his mate’s face, drawing Bailey in for another soul-deep kiss. Bailey’s fingers curled into Walker’s shoulders as he began to bounce. The little sex noises he made drove Walker insane.
Walker’s canines descended, but Bailey didn’t stop kissing him. He slid his tongue over the two points as he moved faster, groaning and writhing, his fingers digging into Walker’s chest.
“That’s it, baby,” Walker said when he pulled back. “Take what you need from me.”
“I’m close,” Bailey whined. His legs locked at Walker’s sides as sweat gathered on his skin. Walker curled his hand around his mate’s bobbing erection, stroking the heated flesh.
Bailey threw his head back and cried out, his cum spurting between them. Walker growled before sinking his canines into Bailey’s shoulder, deepening their bond as his cock pulsed deep in Bailey’s ass.
Bailey slumped against him, snuggling against Walker’s chest as he panted. Walker wrapped his arms around his mate, holding Bailey close as he stared at the moon and the trees, basking in the peacefulness that had fallen over the area.
The attack was over, for now. But who knew when those things would return. Walker held on to his mate, praying the shifters ended the feeders’ lives, that peace would be restored and they could go back to their usual arguments with the other shifters.
If it was the last thing Walker did, he would find their hideout and destroy every last feeder. He would make sure the mountains were a safe place for him and Bailey to raise their child, even if it killed Walker.
* * * *
A week after the attack, Clint stormed outside, clomping down his steps as he made his way to Deloris and Abe’s house.
“You can’t just camp out here,” Clint growled at the wolf curled up on the Russells’ front porch. “You’re scaring the bunnies.”
Jesse shifted into his human form and glared at Clint. “I’m not leaving without my mate, so get used me sleeping on the porch until Corky comes outside.”
It was colder than shit and Jesse had to be freezing, but that wasn’t Clint’s problem. Having the alpha of the wolf pack here meant his men stayed close by. And that meant hostility. Twice now things had almost come to blows between the bears and wolves.
Clint moved past Jesse and headed inside the Russells’ home. He closed the door and locked it before Jesse could follow. Why it wasn’t locked in the first place was a mystery, but he’d have to have a talk with Abe about keeping the doors and windows secured.
“Is he gone?” Deloris asked as she came out of the kitchen. Clint recalled when he’d first met her. Deloris had come to the mountains to protect her son, Benny. The bears had wanted to eat the bunny shifters, and Deloris had a backbone that dared them to even try.
Clint was still glad they hadn’t tried. He’d come to look at Deloris as a mother figure, and he simply adored her. “No.” He shook his head. “You know as well as I do that he’s not gonna leave without Corky.”
“Then shoot him,” Corky said as he came down the hallway and entered the living room. “I’m not going anywhere with him, and I already know what will happen if I do. Ain’t no guy stuffing a bun in my oven. No way. No how. He can go fuck himself.” Corky’s brows shot up as he looked Deloris’s way. “Sorry for my potty mouth.”
“You’re forgiven.” She gave him a stern look that warned him not to do it again.
“Besides,” Corky said, “I like living here, and my best friend’s gonna need me when he pops that baby out of wherever babies pop outta guys.” He chucked a thumb at Deloris. “She refuses to tell me, and to be honest, I don’t wanna know.”
“So stop asking me.” Deloris spun and headed back toward the kitchen. “I have cookies I need to get out of the oven.”
Clint glanced at Corky. Something was definitely wrong with the human. Twice now Clint had caught Corky sneaking toward the woods to smoke pot, and twice now Clint had reamed him out about having drugs on his land and the dangers of going into the woods.
Although Corky ignored Clint’s threats, the strange guy was starting to grow on Clint. He was mouthy, but funny. “You need to do something about Jesse.”
“The only thing I need to do is wait him out,” Corky said as he sat on the couch and grabbed the remote from the coffee table. “I mean, how long can he hang outside before he turns into a Popsicle?”
Clint groaned. “At least talk to him.”
“So he can bite me?” Corky shook his head. “I saw how fast Walker was when he bit Bailey. The fucker was quick. I’m not taking any chances.”
It was like talking to a wall. Nothing Clint said got through to Corky. Maybe Clint needed to have Bailey talk some sense into his best friend.
It was worth a shot.
Clint left through the back door so he wouldn’t have to deal with Jesse, but something had to give, and soon, before Clint lost his patience and skinned the wolves.
Chapter Nine
After the massive battle life quieted down, but Bailey didn’t want to be lulled into the false sense of security. He kept expecting those things to attack again. He was a bundle of nerves while Walker acted as though there wasn’t a threat in the woods.
“I think you need some fresh air,” Walker said as he strode into the bedroom. Bailey was curled up in one of the chaises, watching television with a bowl of popcorn on his lap.
Walker’s words should have perked Bailey right up, but he didn’t want to go anywhere near the woods. “I think I’m good.”
Walker dangled a set of keys. “I was talking about going into town. We’re low on food thanks to you and Corky, and—”
Bailey didn’t give Walker a chance to finish. He set the bowl aside and jumped up from his seat. “I’m in. I don’t care if we’re going because you need to pick up dead bodies. Just give me a chance to throw something on.”
All Bailey was wearing was a T-shirt and boxers. He’d never gotten dressed so fast in his life. He slipped on his socks, jeans, and a sweater before stuffing his feet into his tennis shoes.
“I think we need to go shopping for some winter clothes for you,” Walker said as he watched Bailey dress. “You’ll need a thicker coat, some boots, and pants that’ll expand as your stomach does.”
That drew Bailey’s attention. “What, like maternity pants?” He cringed at the idea of wearing women’s pants with an elastic waist.
Walker shrugged. “Some of the other mates wore them.”
“I think I’ll stick to jogging pants,” Bailey said. No way was he wearing maternity clothes. He might be knocked up, but he was still a guy.
Walker burst out laughing. “I was just kidding. No mates wore those. They all wore j
ogging pants, or something similar.”
Bailey narrowed his eyes, but inwardly, he smiled at Walker’s sense of humor. It had been a week since Corky had shut himself away at the Russells’, and Bailey had been anxious and depressed. He missed hanging with Corky, but his friend refused to come outside as long as Jesse was around. And the alpha hadn’t gone too far from Deloris and Abe’s front porch.
Bailey knew because he’d gone over there twice to talk to Corky, but Corky had said that anyone who tried to talk him into leaving with Jesse was a dog turd and he didn’t want to speak to them.
Maybe Bailey would try again when they got back. He wasn’t going to try to talk Corky into leaving with Jesse, though. He just wanted to hang out. Before they’d come to the mountains, they’d been inseparable, and not seeing Corky every day was killing Bailey.
“Hey.” Walker moved close and cupped Bailey’s cheek. “You just got sad. Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”
Bailey wasn’t too keen on the fact Walker could sense his every flipping emotion. “I just miss Corky.”
Walker enveloped Bailey in his arms. He loved when the guy did that. His strong arms always made Bailey feel safe, wanted, and horny, too. What gay guy in his right mind wouldn’t want a ton of muscles wrapped around him? But if Bailey didn’t pull away, they wouldn’t make it out of the house.
Walker slid his hand down Bailey’s back, then cupped his ass. He looked down at Bailey with pure heat in his eyes.
“Nope.” Bailey wiggled out of his arms. “You’re not distracting me. We’re going for a ride even if I have to knock you over the head and toss your unconscious body into the bed of your truck.”
Walker winked at him. “I would make it worth your while.”
Bailey was pretty sure Walker could, but he needed a dose of civilization. Maybe he could talk Walker into going to the video game store and getting Corky a new game. That might lift his best friend’s spirits.