Cool Nights, Hot Dreams: Wolves of Aurora 1

by Athena Blaez

  Sean ducked his head but Ryder cupped his chin and drew his attention back up. He leaned in to slip his tongue along Sean’s top lip before pressing in for a deeper kiss. Their bodies fit together like they were made that way. Ryder’s strong arms wrapped around Sean and he was struck with just how powerful Ryder’s body was. It rippled with a primal force, like a static electric field. Sean’s nerve endings were alive with the crackle of energy.

  Their kiss swiftly shifted from innocent to hungry in the time it took for Sean to catch his breath. Ryder’s eyes darkened, his pupils were wide and his gaze was wild. “Can I take you to bed?”

  “I was really hoping you’d do that, yes,” Sean said breathlessly.

  With no trouble at all, Ryder swept Sean up and encouraged him to hold on as they walked through the cabin. In the bedroom, there was only the small lamp on the side table for illumination. It was enough to see how spacious it was, yet dark, like a very large den. It was a study in opposites.

  Ryder set Sean down and held his face for another kiss, tongue and lips and teeth all bound as one as he devoured Sean as easily as he had the pizza. Sean’s clothing constricted him, bound him too tightly to move comfortably. With Ryder’s help, they flung clothing all over the room in the rush to get naked.

  The air was uncomfortably cool against Sean’s heated skin. Where he was able to touch Ryder, his skin was set on fire. Muscle like iron moved smoothly beneath soft skin. Ryder took Sean down to the mattress. Sean shifted so they weren’t dangling uncomfortably off the edge.

  Like a predator, Ryder paced with Sean on hands and knees until he was as close to the middle of the bed as Ryder would let him get before lowering over him to trap him in place.

  The power trapped in Ryder’s body was breathtaking when the lube was finally dropped to the side. He entered Sean in one exquisitely slow thrust.

  Ryder groaned as he finally seated in Sean’s body. Or maybe that was Sean. When he started to move, Sean saw stars. With his eyes closed, he could remember the dream as vividly as a real thing and this didn’t compare. Hunger and lust gripped him, tightened his stomach as Ryder thrust. Each motion pushed Sean a little higher along the climb to the summit.

  Their bodies slid easily against each other as sweat from their exertion began to build. Sean’s fingers dug into Ryder’s back muscles. With every rock of their bodies, the motion of muscle was powerful.

  Here in his arms, Sean held a wild animal. He had only seen Ryder’s wolf form in the dream but here, in the world of light and life and sensation, he could truly experience what it was like to hold the wild wind in his arms.

  Ryder lifted his head. Bracing on his elbows, he hooked his hands behind Sean’s shoulders, watching every play of emotion that flew over Sean as he lost himself in Ryder’s embrace. “My God, Sean,” Ryder whispered.

  “God…has very little to do with it, Ryder,” Sean said, panting with every exhale forced from him by Ryder’s thrusts.

  With a harsh breath, Ryder laughed. “Maybe. But if you could see what I see…”

  “I have a pretty good view myself.” Sean slid his hands into Ryder’s hair and closed his fingers. With a playful tug, he was rewarded with a smile.

  Ryder closed his eyes and growled softly. “My weakness, to have my hair pulled like that. Not too hard, just a firm grip.”

  “I’ll try to remember that after you fuck me senseless. Which I think you have a good start on that.”

  “I have all night if I screw this up the first time.” Ryder lowered his head to rest on Sean’s shoulder. “Don’t I?”

  Sean hummed his agreement. He was too close to telling Ryder he’d like it to be more than all night. Those were emotions he wasn’t ready to address. Like how easily Ryder fit into Sean’s life. It was a little frightening how fast the emotions developed for someone he barely knew.

  With a well-timed thrust, Sean was driven from his head back to the moment. He blinked the stars from his eyes. A long exhale helped him center his focus back on wringing every bit of enjoyment out of being in bed with this delicious man.

  Their bodies, slick with sweat made hanging on harder as Ryder’s pace picked up. It all became a blur of motion and sound as Ryder’s moans grew softer and more frequent. Ryder slid an arm around Sean’s waist and pulled, dragging Sean to sprawl on top of him.

  Now empty of Ryder’s cock. Sean pushed against the sweaty chest beneath him to shift to his knees. He reached behind and eased the slick cock into him. Sighing softly, Sean let gravity do its work until his ass hit Ryder’s thighs.

  Rocking up gave him control of the pace. With a small smile, Sean put one finger under Ryder’s chin to lock gazes. Staring intently into those beautiful eyes, Sean’s world was rent wide open. Ryder was able to look into the deepest parts of his scarred soul, the dark places where trust didn’t come easily, and light shown from the openness he saw in Ryder’s gaze.

  The shadows disappeared. A part of Sean mourned the loss. Those shadows were his only protection against the world and this man effectively dismantled it with just a look. Emotion flooded Sean and his chest threatened to split open.

  He flailed for Ryder’s hand and wrapped it around his cock. Ryder got the hint and started to stroke in time as Sean pushed all inconvenient thoughts out of his head.

  He was in the moment and wanted to stay in the moment.

  It all blurred as he rocked his hips, thrusting into Ryder’s hand, back onto Ryder’s cock. His breath no longer came in soft pants but in heaving air-filled lungs until he was shouting Ryder’s name.

  Ryder cried out, gripping Sean’s hips as they bucked together to ride out his own release, filling Sean with warmth. Spent, Sean collapsed forward, limply draped over Ryder. “Okay…okay…I’m glad I ate before we did that. I think all the blood has drained from my head.”

  With a tired laugh, Ryder rolled with Sean in his arms to tip them to their sides. He wiggled a leg between Sean’s thighs and propped up on an elbow. “So, I need to give you a breather before we do that again?”

  “Again? Sean said weakly. “Um…a little time here, mister sex machine.”

  “Do I need to get the pizza?”

  Sean flapped an arm. “It’s way out there on the porch. Maybe your buddies will come by and make a snack of it.”

  Ryder groaned. “They won’t. They know better than to show up without calling unless someone’s bleeding out or dead.” He rolled out of bed and stood with a long, spine-popping stretch. He disposed of the condom and went to the bathroom to wash his hands. “But I need to go rescue the pizza or the bears will get it.”

  “Are they like cousins?”

  “Who?”

  “Bears. Like, are they werebears?”

  Ryder laughed. “Nah. The werebears are further north of us.”

  Sean watched as Ryder disappeared. The front door opened. “Wait…are you saying there are werebears?” he called out.

  He expected Ryder to come back in. Surely going to the front door wouldn’t take all that long.

  Voices. He heard voices. Was someone there?

  Sean rolled out of bed and fumbled around to find his jeans. He jerked them on and gave them a half-assed attempt at fastening before swiping up the nearest t-shirt.

  Ryder met him at the door to the bedroom. The look on his face caused Sean’s stomach to drop as he started grabbing his clothing.

  “Ryder, what?”

  “They’ve found another member of my pack dead.”

  “Who?” It was a silly question to ask. Sean didn’t know any of the other members of Ryder’s pack but he was still curious.

  “Name was Timon Grayson. He was watching your mother’s house.”

  Chapter 12

  Ryder’s stomach felt like he’d been gut punched. Timon was one of Ryder’s most reliable men.

  Sean’s face drained of blood. He stumbled back to half sit and half fall on the bed. “My mom?”

  “They say she’s okay. So is Jeremy. But…call them just
to be sure.”

  Sean nodded and searched for his phone.

  Ryder left him to his privacy and went back out to talk with Bennie. “And you notified the sheriff?”

  “Yeah, he’s doing damage control now. The official is that a large wolf was killed in town on private property.” Bennie stepped forward to draw Ryder close to talk quietly. “It was a bloody mess, Ryder. Whoever it was, they knew what they were doing.”

  “How did you find out?”

  “Paulie went to relieve Timon and found him. Ryder…is one of our own doing this?”

  Ryder narrowed his eyes at Bennie. “I suspect so. I even have an idea of who it is but why is he targeting our people?”

  “Vendetta? Who have you pissed off lately?”

  “Other than Kenneth Silva, no one that I know of.” Ryder scrubbed at his hair. “Alright, get the word out, no one goes out alone. That means you. I will run Sean back into town and I’ll drop you off at the bunkhouse. Tell everyone we have a pack meeting. Midnight. Get someone else out there to team up with Paulie.”

  “I’m sorry…about messing up your evening.” Bennie glanced at the bedroom.

  Ryder followed his gaze. “It’s fine. Thanks for coming to tell me. We’ll be out in a few minutes.”

  Before Ryder reached the door, Bennie stopped him. “Ryder, do you think this has anything to do with that guy’s mom?”

  “It’s possible, Bennie. Get on the phone to spread the word. We’ll be ready to roll in fifteen minutes.”

  Sean was sitting on Ryder’s bed when he went back in. “How’s your mom?”

  “She was fine. A little spooked that a wild animal was found dead in her front yard. A wolf, they’re saying.” Sean tucked his phone away. “Ryder, what is going on?”

  “I don’t know, Sean.” Ryder sat on the bed next to him. Their shoulders brushed and Sean leaned into him. He wrapped an arm around Sean to hold him close.

  “This is about that guy who’s been hanging with my father, isn’t it? The creepy one that was lingering outside my shop when my father stopped by.”

  “I don’t know—”

  “Stop saying that!” Sean shouted. He took a deep breath, pressing his heels to his hands. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

  “You’re worried about your mother, I get it. I don’t know,” Ryder said, dragging Sean into a hug. “And I have no idea what is going on or how your father got tangled up with this guy but I do think Bryan’s death and this one were done by the same guy. Somehow, your father is involved; I just don’t know how.”

  But Ted Bradley would know. It was time Ryder paid the sheriff a visit.

  Ryder dropped Sean off at his house. Such a great night ruined by another death. He was starting to take all this personally. The issue that confused him was it didn’t feel personal. His instincts were telling him something more was going on. He had no idea what, only that it involved Sean somehow.

  After leaving a voice mail for the sheriff that he wanted to stop by and talk, he had one more call to make.

  He waited for Devan to pick up the phone, praying it didn’t go to voice mail, too.

  “Heard what happened,” Devan said quietly. “Can’t talk now.”

  “You don’t need to talk, just listen. I’m meeting with my pack. I need to talk to you when you have some time. Meet me there if you can get away. If not, at the diner in the morning.”

  “Got it. Diner works better.”

  “See you then.” Ryder killed the call. Two deaths in as many days. Rumors circulating that a known troublemaker was still sniffing around. And feeling very much out of control at the moment. Not something that sat well with Ryder.

  He glanced at his watch. It was still early enough in the evening that he might catch Sheriff Bradley at his office. Law enforcement had paperwork, right? Ryder was counting on it.

  The sheriff’s cruiser was still in the parking lot when Ryder drove up. He counted himself lucky and parked next to the vehicle.

  The station was quiet when he walked in. The desk sergeant walked him back to the sheriff’s office. “Ted, Ryder Cole here to see you.”

  “Thank you, Rick.” Bradley stood from his desk and crossed his office to shake hands before offering Ryder a seat. “What brings you out so late tonight? I figured you’d be with your people.”

  “I’m meeting with the pack at midnight. Some need time to come in from the field.”

  Bradley shook his head. “I’m always amazed at how you are all so organized. I guess that’s my prejudice about wildlife. It seems so disorderly.”

  “Even feral wolf packs in the wild have an organized hierarchy and division of duties.” Ryder got comfortable in the seat.

  “I’m always up for learning new things. What can I do for you?”

  Ryder leaned forward. “I know these deaths fall under your jurisdiction since they occurred under your purview. I was hoping you could tell me something to prevent it from happening again.”

  “Technically, only the second death occurred within the city limits. I understand they were one of yours but when the body was found, it was in wolf form.” Bradley rifled through some of the papers on his desk. “The body was sent to Frank. He’ll make the official report to the state and a separate autopsy report for you. From what I saw, though, it looked like an animal-on-animal attack.”

  Ryder frowned. “He wasn’t shot?”

  “No. And no reports of gunfire. It’s a fairly quiet neighborhood. Not a lot of criminal activity so a gun going off would have lit up our phone lines.” Bradley pursed his lips. “I’m taking this means it was another werewolf involved.”

  Ryder nodded slowly.

  “And I’m taking you know who it was.”

  Ryder nodded again. “I have my suspicions. As you do, I’m pretty sure.”

  “Gage McBride assured me he had left the area.”

  “There have been sightings by his pack and a lot of rumor and supposition, but there’s nothing definitive we can say for certain.”

  “And the residence where they found the body, why was he there? You know I’m not fond of wolves running through the town.”

  “I understand, Ted,” Ryder said. “He wasn’t there to do anything other than watch the house. Belinda Hastings lives there with her son and I was doing him a favor by putting someone to watch the house when he wasn’t there.”

  Bradley made a note in the file. “And why wasn’t he there?”

  “He was on my back porch eating pizza.”

  “You have a view of the lake? I hear it’s pretty up there.”

  “Fishing’s good, if you’re of a fishing mind. Come up there, you’re welcome any time.”

  “I appreciate it.” Bradley finished writing. “So…why was he there watching the house?”

  “Sean’s father is a bit of a troublemaker and Sean was worried his father would try to get in to see Sean’s mother while he wasn’t there. The breakup wasn’t amicable, apparently. From what Sean says, he has a pretty extensive record.”

  “Sean suspects that his father was responsible for the break-in. We have evidence that points that he’s one of the culprits. I’ll keep a closer eye on it.”

  “It’s appreciated.”

  Bradley leaned back and laced his hands behind his head. “Do you think these two have hooked up? Charlie Adler and Ernie Hastings?”

  “I think it’s too coincidental not to consider it.” Ryder shrugged. “But I’m not the law.”

  “You have your own enforcement to deal with. Well, if I learn anything more that I can divulge, I will. I have to spin the presence of wolves in Aurora to the mayor in the morning. Which means he’ll ask me for a plan of action to cut down wolf activity in town. I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t make my life any more difficult. If your folks are in town, see that they stay bipedal as much as possible.”

  “Understood, Ted.” Ryder would bend over backwards to accommodate the sheriff as long as it didn’t compromise his pack. Ted was extremely reasonable,
which was why he was so well liked in the county. If what Gage indicated was true, Ryder had concerns for Ted’s life as well.

  They stood and shook hands. Before he left the office, Ryder turned. “Ted, do me a favor. Be careful when you’re out while Charlie’s in town. There was rumor he was gunning for your job.”

  Bradley’s eyebrows lifted and he nodded in understanding. “Thank you for the heads-up. All the more reason to get this whackjob out of my city.”

  It was well after midnight when Ryder dropped back into bed at his cabin. He had taken Sean home earlier in the evening. That was a disappointment. He had hoped to have Sean stay all night. It felt good to have someone in his arms after so long without a partner. His feelings were developing quite rapidly for the young psychic.

  Ryder guessed that’s what he was. A psychic. A dream walker.

  He undressed and slid beneath the sheets. Turning his face to the pillow, he inhaled and caught the faint whiff of Sean’s scent. Maybe he’d be lucky and Sean would visit him again in the dream.

  He almost nodded off when his phone beeped with a text message. Scrubbing at his eyes, he pulled the message up.

  It was Sean.

  You awake?

  Ryder thumbed in a response. Just got home.

  Late night. And I wasn’t there to be the cause of it. Sad.

  And lonely. Kinda wish you were here.

  Did a bear get the pizza?

  Ryder laughed. Probably. Didn’t see the box where I left it.

  Then I owe you a pizza.

  How about lunch? Ryder did a mental review of his week and what he could drop to have lunch. Tuesday?

  Let’s go back to that diner.

  See you then. Call if you need anything.

  :)

  Devan looked like hell before breakfast when Ryder slid onto the bench at the table. “Long night?”

  “You have no idea. Not only do I have to reassure my pack that the humans are not starting to target them, I have to squash any desires for retaliation.”

  “For a wolf they barely knew?” Ryder asked. Their respective packs tended to stay in their own territories. Any interactions were amicable, which was good, but very seldom since the werewolves tended to stay within their territories. Generations of bad blood tended to make one paranoid. Even for a werewolf-friendly town like Aurora.