Patience

by Grace R. Duncan

  Jamie opened his eyes and yawned, looking up at him.

  Chad felt the disappointment through the link—undoubtedly because he was still in wolf form. He wished he could assure Jamie, but he didn’t know how. His instincts—now stronger that he was full wolf—told him he’d be able to shift, just not yet. But he knew Jamie didn’t know that, and he wished he could somehow get that across.

  Jamie shifted, peering down at Chad. “Still can’t shift?”

  Chad gave it some thought and nudged at his wolf, but all he got in reply was a growl and the feeling his wolf was holding on even tighter. He shook his head. Anxiety hit across their bond, and he tried to send calm back.

  Jamie blinked at him. “Well, I felt that. That’s something, right?”

  Chad nodded.

  Jamie looked over at Finley and Tanner. “What are we going to do? What if… what if he can’t?”

  Chad’s heart ached at the fear in his mate. He nuzzled Jamie’s face, trying to offer what comfort he could. Right then his stomach grumbled.

  “Hey, maybe he needs to just do some hunting?” Finley suggested.

  Chad considered that. His wolf certainly liked the idea, so he looked up at Jamie and nodded.

  Jamie frowned, then nodded too. “Okay.”

  Chad whined at him, nudging him.

  “I’ll go with you, don’t worry, pup.” With that, Jamie shifted back, and the two of them jumped off the bed.

  Finley opened the doors for them and they stepped outside.

  Chad lifted his nose and sniffed. He whined in reaction when more scents than he knew what to do with assaulted his nose.

  Jamie nuzzled him, then licked his face. Comfort came across their connection, and Chad calmed. Jamie tossed his head toward the forest.

  Chad understood Jamie telling him to follow and nodded. Jamie took off and Chad chased.

  The wind in his fur was amazing. They ran hard, dodging trees, jumping logs, and splashing through streams. After crossing one, a scent hit Chad, and he stopped, turning toward it. He followed the trail, hesitating when he got close. Something about the scent seemed wrong, but Chad’s stomach was pushing him more than his instinct was.

  However, before he could get much farther, Jamie ran up and barked. A black-and-white bundle streaked out from under a bush and took off into the trees.

  Chad turned a confused look at his mate. That was my lunch.

  Jamie shifted, chuckling. “That was a skunk, pup. If you’d gone after that, you’d stink for a month. Can’t get that out of fur, no matter what you do.”

  Chad drooped. Apparently, he still had a lot to learn about being a wolf.

  Jamie laughed but kissed the top of his head. “It’s okay, pup. You’ll learn. How about we get something to eat now, huh?”

  Chad nodded.

  Jamie shifted, lifted his nose, and turned toward a scent. He nudged Chad’s nose, and Chad figured out Jamie was telling him to sniff. That smelled much better to him. He looked up at Jamie, who nodded.

  They took off together, and when they got closer, Jamie slowed down and shifted again. He leaned close to Chad’s ear and whispered, “For this, you want to let your wolf instincts guide you. Don’t fight them. He knows what to do, okay?”

  Chad nodded, closing his eyes briefly. His wolf seemed calmer, and Chad guessed it was what they were doing—hunting, running, wolfy things. When he opened his eyes, it was to see Jamie had shifted back and was waiting for him.

  They crept forward. Chad was a little surprised at how quiet he was. He realized it was because he was beginning to trust his wolf. When they’d gotten close enough, the scent of blood and elk hit him. Jamie paused, pointed to the right with his nose, then tossed his head to the left, and Chad understood. He slowly moved to the right, circling the elk. When he got even with it, he crouched, waiting. It apparently sensed something, so it stilled, ear twitching. Chad didn’t so much as move a muscle, letting his wolf guide him.

  Then he got a blast across the bond. He couldn’t interpret it exactly except that he knew it was meant to be a “go” of sorts. He followed it, letting the wolf forward, and launched himself from his hiding spot, teeth and claws at the ready.

  It was over in seconds. Jamie had gone for the neck, Chad had caught it just below Jamie, and the elk fell without much of a fight.

  If the human side of him had been doing this, Chad would have been majorly grossed out. He’d never been a hunter, and while he had preferred his steaks pretty much mooing, he’d never have considered eating them outright raw.

  But his wolf was thrilled. He ate, not even remotely put off by the fresh blood and meat. Instead, he reveled in it, and Chad found himself equally happy with the meal.

  When they finished eating, Jamie led him to a stream, where they splashed and cleaned themselves. Then they settled on the bank of the stream and Chad poked at his wolf again. He was content and almost sleepy. He nudged a little harder, and sure enough, his wolf relinquished control. A moment later, Chad squatted next to Jamie, grinning at his full-color mate.

  Jamie shifted and launched at him in one smooth movement, tackling Chad to the forest floor. Relief, happiness, and love flooded him. He wasn’t sure if it was his or Jamie’s, but he didn’t care. “Oh my gods, pup!” Jamie kissed him, hard. When he pulled back all too soon, he shook his head, grinning. “Thank Diana! I was so worried!”

  Chad laughed. “I’m here. I wanted to tell you I knew I’d get here, but I couldn’t. I’m sorry I worried you.” He hugged Jamie tight, kissing him again. “So sorry, baby.”

  “It’s okay, I’m just glad it’s over.”

  They kissed again and arousal surged through Chad. “I have the worst urge to fuck right now,” he said, when they parted.

  “It’s the instinct. It’ll push you for a while. I didn’t think to bring lube. I didn’t expect you to shift back.”

  “It’s okay. Uh, we should get back anyway. They’ll want to know I’ve shifted,” Chad said, letting go of Jamie reluctantly.

  Jamie nodded. “True.”

  “Besides.” Chad made a face. “I stink. Two days of that, then running. I need a shower before I get inside you again.”

  Jamie laughed. “I can deal with it.” He sobered. “Can you shift back if you go wolf again?”

  Chad considered it carefully, testing his wolf, then nodded. “Yeah, I think so. I can’t promise it’ll always be that way, at least for a while.”

  Jamie nodded. “Yeah. We’ll have to talk about that. I’m thinking we should get some more stuff from the apartment and stay here for a while.”

  “That’s not a bad idea. First, though, I need you.”

  “Let’s go, then.” After kissing Chad again, Jamie stood and shifted.

  Chad closed his eyes, a little afraid of letting his wolf out, but he needed to trust in his wolf as well as himself. With a deep breath, he mentally stepped back, letting his wolf take control.

  The shift felt weird, now that he was able to know what was happening. Color faded to gray. His gums itched and then his canines dropped. He held his hand up to see his claws emerge, then fur sprout across his skin.

  The weirdest, by far, however, was the sensations of his bones realigning and his muscles reforming. Intellectually, he thought it should hurt, but it didn’t. It felt as natural as breathing.

  He shook, giving a wolfy grin to his mate, who licked him. Then they took off running full-tilt.

  They apparently hadn’t gone far, because before he knew it, they came through the trees to see the house ahead. Finley sat out on the upper deck, laptop and coffee in front of him. When he saw them, he hurried inside. A moment later, the door on the lower level opened.

  Chad and Jamie looked at each other. Jamie nodded, and then Chad closed his eyes.

  Ease back, boy. Time for me to take over for a while. His wolf didn’t seem very happy about it, but he curled up, letting Chad take control. When he opened his eyes, he crouched in front of a full-color Finley, grinning.
“Hello, Fin.”

  Finley cheered and hugged him. Chad was surprised by the growl next to him and the spike of jealousy. He hugged Fin back, then turned to Jamie, who was blushing.

  “Sorry,” Jamie mumbled.

  “It’s okay. Let’s get cleaned up. I think it might be time we take care of that, eh?” Chad asked.

  Jamie’s eyes widened. “You mean…?”

  Chad nodded. “Yeah. I don’t think there’s any more reason to wait, is there?”

  Jamie swallowed, then shook his head. “No, no I don’t think so.”

  “I think I might have some errands to run,” Finley said, grinning at them. “Don’t mind me. I’m just going to take off.”

  Chad nodded, though he didn’t take his eyes off his mate. “Well, then. Let’s go in, yeah?”

  “Yeah,” Jamie said, and Chad grinned at the happiness coming across their bond.

  Chapter 19

  THE FIRST thing they did when they got back to the room was put their rings back on each other. If Jamie was sniffling a little when he did it, he refused to admit it. He kissed Chad’s ring, eyes closing, letting himself feel the relief for just a little longer.

  “That’s better,” Chad murmured. “I don’t like being without them.”

  “I know. Me either. We’ll have to be when we shift. I mean, there’s a chance something could hurt us if we wore them shifted.”

  “Yeah. And that’s okay. When we’re human, though, I don’t want to take them off.”

  Jamie smiled. “We won’t. Now, about that shower?”

  Chad nodded. “I’m thinking we should do that separately and fast. I don’t think I could keep my dick out of you if you’re in there with me, and that means we’ll need to wait to claim. Since I’m not willing to do that….”

  “No, that makes sense. You first,” Jamie said. “I’ll change the bedding while you’re in there.”

  “Thanks. Love you,” Chad murmured.

  “Love you too, pup.” Jamie kissed him, then smacked his butt, making him laugh.

  Chad shook his head as he left the room.

  Jamie made quick work of the sheets Chad had lain on during his change. Jamie seriously considered just outright burning them, but knew he was being ridiculous. He just didn’t want any reminders of what Chad had gone through. He was finishing up just as Chad came out of the shower. “That was fast,” he said, blinking at his mate.

  Chad grinned—and this time it was wolfish. “He’s as anxious as I am to claim you.”

  Jamie laughed. “Mine too. I’ll be right back.”

  He didn’t think he’d ever taken a shower that fast in his life. He did make sure he washed thoroughly, not wanting to do anything that would put this off. Even so, he was done in a matter of moments.

  He dried himself on his way into the bedroom, stopping when he saw the blinds had been closed and curtains pulled. Jamie had no idea where Chad had found them—or managed to do so that fast—but candles burned from the dresser and bedside tables. He stared at Chad standing at the end of the bed, naked and watching him.

  Jamie felt Chad’s nervousness, and he closed the distance, tossing his towel over a chair as he passed. He stopped a foot away, reaching out and taking Chad’s hand. “Ready to do this?”

  Chad nodded. “Been ready I think even before we went to Rome. My instincts told me we’d be okay, but I knew you needed to hear more than that—needed proof. Besides….” He gave a crooked smile. “Now I get to lick my balls.”

  Jamie laughed, relaxing a little more. “Is it really all that?”

  Chad shook his head. “I still prefer you licking them.”

  With a grin, Jamie leaned in and kissed Chad. “How are you not throwing me down on the bed right now?”

  “He’s trying. I keep reminding him that hurting our mate isn’t going to let us fuck you again anytime soon.”

  Jamie nodded. “And he’s buying it?”

  Chad shook his head again. “Nope. But so far, I’m in control. I… don’t know how long that’s going to last.”

  Jamie didn’t answer, just stepped back. “This doesn’t have to be slow or anything. That we’re in human form, that we have these,” he said, holding up his left hand and ring. “That’s what’s important.” He climbed onto the bed, grabbed the bottle of lube Chad had put on the bedside table, and lay back.

  Chad followed him and took the bottle from him, then popped open the cap. “I can keep control long enough to make sure you don’t get hurt, baby.”

  “If you feel yourself slipping—”

  “I’ll tell you, don’t worry,” Chad assured him. He coated two of his fingers.

  Jamie spread his legs wide, wrapping a hand around his cock. He was already half-hard at just the thought of what was to come. Chad hovering over him, the scent of his mate surrounding him, and seeing the hint of wolf behind Chad’s brown eyes had Jamie’s vision going gray. His teeth dropped, and he moaned as arousal surged through him, some of which wasn’t his.

  “I will never get tired of seeing that,” Chad murmured. “In black and white or not, that’s hot.”

  Jamie grinned, letting his teeth show. “It’s hot on you too.”

  Chad groaned and pushed both fingers into Jamie at once. He worked them around, but Jamie could see the strain on his mate’s face.

  “Pup?”

  “He’s pushing at me to claim you, to fuck. Can’t do much more.” Chad shook his head.

  “Doesn’t matter. Fuck me, Chad,” Jamie said, moaning.

  Chad pulled his fingers out, coated his cock, then lined up. Jamie forced himself to relax, pushing against Chad’s dick, doing everything he could to help get Chad inside him. His own wolf was restless, anxious, needing their mate.

  Jamie gritted his teeth against the burn but refused to give in. He didn’t think he’d tear, and anything that did would heal when he shifted anyway. He rocked his hips, pushing against Chad again. “More, pup. Fuck. Me.”

  “Impatient pup,” Chad growled, then thrust hard, and the tip of his cock popped through. He kept going with one steady, long thrust until he’d bottomed out. “Fuck, you feel good, baby.”

  Jamie panted, the stretch and burn taking up all of his focus for a moment. But his wolf was pleased, happy to be joined with their mate. He lifted his legs and Chad moved, propping them up on his shoulders.

  “Ready, baby?”

  Even if he hadn’t been, he’d give the same answer. The need in Chad’s voice went straight to Jamie’s cock, stiffening it even more. “Yeah,” Jamie said, nodding.

  Chad pulled back until he was almost out, leaving just the tip stretching Jamie’s muscle. He held there briefly, then thrust back in. “Ohfuckyes,” Chad moaned.

  Jamie moaned loudly too, rolling his hips to match Chad’s movement. “Give in. Give him what he needs, what I need, pup,” Jamie encouraged him.

  It seemed to be what Chad had to hear. He started thrusting without hesitation.

  Their rhythm, after making love so many times, was damned near perfect. As the pleasure and heat built, Jamie rocked, meeting Chad’s thrusts the best he could while pinned the way he was and the pleasure flared.

  Chad almost pounded into him, and Jamie’s moans got loud. He braced himself on the headboard, gripping Chad’s shoulder with the other. He was flying toward orgasm ridiculously fast, and he knew he needed to wait. This one time—if it never happened again, it wouldn’t matter—but this one time, they truly needed to come together.

  He flexed his muscles, tightening around Chad’s cock, and was rewarded with a “Fuck, baby!” in response. Chad threw his head back, and Jamie’s gaze fixed on the spot at the base of Chad’s neck where he’d bite very soon. His wolf reared, pushing him to bite, but he gathered every bit of control he had and held back. “Close, pup,” Jamie managed in more grunt than words.

  Chad seemed to understand, though, because he nodded. “Me too. Oh gods, Jamie….” He let Jamie’s legs down, shifting angles, and hit Jamie’s prostate
.

  Jamie shouted, back arching as the pleasure spiked. “Do that again,” he groaned.

  Chad grinned, showing his teeth, and did exactly that. He pumped faster, thrust harder, pegging Jamie’s prostate almost every time. As if that wasn’t enough, he wrapped his hand around Jamie’s cock and started stroking it.

  Jamie shook his head. “No, oh gods, if you… fuck… if you do that, I’ll come.”

  But Chad didn’t let go. He moved his hand faster, then leaned in. Still stroking him, he said, “Me too. Ready to be my mate?”

  “Yes, gods yes,” Jamie said and pulled Chad in.

  Chad’s teeth scraped Jamie’s skin, and Jamie didn’t know if it was that, the hit to his prostate, the grip around his cock, or some combination thereof, but he came—hard. He bit down on Chad’s neck at the same time Chad fully bit his. With a muffled shout, Chad surged into Jamie, cock swelling and knot forming.

  That invisible force surrounded them, stronger than ever before, and the power of it forced them to let go. Jamie’s head fell back at the same time Chad’s did, and his eyes widened at what he saw. A spirit form of his wolf rose above him, along with a spirit form of Chad’s. Ethereal and so beautiful, it stole Jamie’s breath. The spirit wolves danced around each other, twirled, then merged before fading away. As they did, the force around them tightened just a little and the last strands of their bond snapped into place.

  The echo of Chad’s orgasm filled Jamie, causing an aftershock almost as strong as his own. He gasped. Chad!

  Jamie?

  Jamie dropped his gaze to Chad, eyes widening. He grinned. We did it! We’re mated.

  Chad’s lips crashed into Jamie’s, and they both moaned. When they broke apart, Chad’s smile was so wide, it stretched ear to ear. You can hear me!

  Jamie nodded. And feel you. Oh, this is so amazing.

  Chad cupped Jamie’s face in one hand. Wow. It is. Gods, I love you. This… holy shit, I’m knotted!