The Pack or the Panther

by Tara Lain

  Cat stopped, turned, hissed.

  Wolf stop. Stalk. Circle cat. Cat hiss again. Funny cat.

  Lunge. Paw swipe. Ouch.

  Lunge again. Good. Catch cat. Grab cat. Neck. Chew. Fuck. Fuck cat.

  Fire. Two fires.

  Cole’s body burned as he shifted, while under him Paris took form on his knees with Cole’s teeth locked into his neck.

  Cole’s searing cock stood straight up and sizzled like a stick of dynamite. He didn’t want to talk. He wanted to fuck.

  Paris mewled and hissed beneath him like he hadn’t shifted. All cat.

  Still gripping with his teeth, Cole wrapped an arm around to Paris’s mouth, stuck two fingers inside, swabbed, and brought them back to that hot asshole. He shoved the fingers inside.

  “Hssss.” Good cat, scream. He pulled out, gripped his cock, and rammed it into the only place he ever wanted to be.

  Paris shrieked and the sound vibrated through Cole’s balls as he slammed them against that frantic ass. Wham. Wham. His teeth dug deeper and he tasted blood.

  Fuck. Fuck.

  Paris shoved back as Cole hammered forward. Faster and faster. Paris reached up for his cock and Cole slapped his hand. Mine. He grabbed that hard-as-iron dick and cranked it, balancing his body against Paris’s. A fucking machine. Nothing ever came close. Werefuckers!

  Zings of electricity lit up his balls like tree ornaments. Each slap against Paris’s ass threatened to explode their contents, but shit, he didn’t want to stop. Just fuck until he died.

  Paris screamed. “Ohhhh. Baby. Fuck meeeeeee.”

  They’d die together.

  Everything went black; then his eyesight sharpened like when he shifted. Claws grew out of his fingers and dug into that satin skin. He growled and licked the blood oozing from the wound on Paris’s neck. Fuck. Mine. Mine. Mine. “Sheeee-it!” Cum exploded out of him so hard it hurt. Oh God. Might die. Blackout. Hot. Great. Yes!

  “Puppppyyyyy.”

  Cole reached, cranked, and smiled as the hot jism filled his hand. Good.

  Paris whimpered and moaned through the orgasm.

  Cole pulled his teeth from Paris’s neck and licked the juice off his hand. So good.

  Paris collapsed and hit the ground. Forced to go with him, Cole landed on all that hot, tight muscle.

  Air. Need to breathe. Wow. He gasped.

  Quiet.

  “Uh, Puppy?” The voice sounded muffled.

  “Yeah.”

  “You’re squishing me.”

  “Don’t care. Not moving.”

  Quiet.

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re never leaving me again. I’m staying here ’til we die.”

  “That may be soon if you don’t get off.”

  “Well, shit.” Cole rolled onto his side. That was one tired cock. But happy. “You came back.”

  “Yep.”

  “Why?”

  “Had to keep you from dying.”

  “How could you know Eliazer would try to kill me?”

  “Didn’t.” The cat faced him with a grin. “But I figured you’d die without me.”

  Cole swallowed hard. “You did, huh? And what gave you that idea?”

  Paris sighed. “Because one minute after they closed the doors of my plane, I realized I’d die without you.” His grin got bigger. “I guess I can’t fly on that airline anymore. They were unreasonable about my threatening to kill the flight attendant if she didn’t let me off.” He shrugged. “That little stunt almost made me too late.”

  Talk about hearts beating in your throat. God. “Go back to that part about dying without me.”

  “Yeah. See, all my life I’ve said I was just like my mother. Sitting on that plane, I suddenly realized that she had given up her independence to be with the man she loved. He was mated. She chose him. She could have left, but she stayed. My father’s told me she was ecstatically happy about being pregnant with me.” He shrugged. “So I figure she would have been willing to die for the happiness she had.” He looked up and the golden eyes looked misty. “Just like I’m willing to die for you.”

  Cole grinned. “Shit cat, are you saying I make you happy?”

  One bare shoulder raised and lowered as he sighed. “It’s a bitch, but true. So here’s my plan.” He sat up cross-legged with his relaxed cock hanging down on the loamy ground. “I’m going to buy us a house. Real remote. No pack allowed. But still close enough for you to go do your alpha shit, okay?”

  Cole hurled himself on Paris, grabbed his head, and kissed him. That got his eyes crossing. “I love you, cat.”

  “Yeah, well, I suppose I love you too.” His lips kept turning up.

  “Suppose?”

  “This is a whole new deal for me. Don’t press your luck.”

  Cole laughed and wrapped the cat in his arms. “And I’m leaving the pack, so we can go anywhere we want.”

  Paris frowned. “You’re not going anywhere. You’d die without pack. And they need you more than you need them.”

  “Nah. But I like it around here. So it’s fine to live nearby.” He tightened his hold. “Where shall we go tonight where I can fuck you for the next twelve solid hours?”

  “Motel?”

  “Perfect. I know one on the way back to town. Do you think they’ll let us in without luggage?”

  Paris laughed. “Of course. We’ve got a marriage license.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Cole adjusted the pillow on the couch and stared through the window as Landon and Crystal came up the walkway. The walkway to his home. His and Paris’s. Their first guests, not that they planned on having many.

  Paris’s voice came from behind him. “We have just enough furniture for the four of us.” He laughed, and it was a happy, free sound that Cole loved so much. His cat was practically a new feline. There was just one funny little reaction from time to time that felt like maybe he was keeping something from Cole. But hell, cats were mysterious, right?

  The doorbell rang. Weird he should feel so nervous. He walked over and kissed Paris softly on the lips. “Showtime.”

  Paris put one hand on a stuck-out hip. “I made hors d’oeuvres, for crap’s sake.”

  Cole walked through the big room with the sparse furniture to the entry and opened the front door. His parents looked—uncertain. That made three of them. “Hi. Come on in.”

  Landon and Crystal walked past him and looked up at the two-story ceiling with its ultramodern light fixture and the open-tread metal staircase.

  Crystal made a little whistling sound. “Wow.”

  Cole ducked his head. “It’s all Paris. I just smile when they bring in the furniture.” He waved a hand toward the living space. “Let’s go in and sit down.”

  There wasn’t much separation between any of the rooms, so the entry was more a space in a big open area. They walked around a half wall and Cole pointed to the long, dark-gray couch with the metal legs. “It’s way more comfortable than it looks.”

  Landon walked over and sat tentatively. “Hey, this is great.”

  Crystal sat beside him and nodded in agreement.

  Paris came through the dining area carrying a plate of some steamy little puff things and napkins. “Hi, all. I brought food. Cole has to do drinks.” Paris passed the nibbles while Cole opened wine and served everyone.

  Finally, Cole plopped in one of the two red wool easy chairs. Instead of taking the other, Paris curled up on the floor at Cole’s feet. Never try to predict the cat. If Cole had suggested that sitting position, he might have gotten a hiss.

  Crystal sipped her wine. “Your house is beautiful. I’m proud of both of you.”

  Yeah, proud of their house. Cole looked into his wineglass.

  Quiet. Paris petted Cole’s leg.

  Landon cleared his throat. “We’re proud of everything about you, and we’re sorry we ever tried to make you into something you’re not.”

  Cole looked up. “You were trying to save your pack.”

&
nbsp; Landon nodded. “I know you understand that. But I should have tried to save the pack some other way.” He looked at Crystal. “I should have listened to your mother.”

  His mom put her hand on Landon’s knee and leaned forward. “And I should have fought harder. Hell, sweetheart, letting the pack pretend that there’s no such thing as a gay werewolf was inexcusable. Because that made it seem that being a gay werewolf wasn’t okay. Wasn’t something to be proud of.”

  Landon covered her hand with his. “You shouldn’t have had to fight that battle alone.”

  Cole looked from one to the other. “You’re right. I understood why you were doing it, but I always wished it was different.”

  “You’ve made it different now, son.” Landon smiled. “I want you to stand for alpha when I retire. I’ll back you 100 percent. Of course, the pack will have to decide.”

  Crystal shook her head. “But only if you want to. Just don’t stay away from us, okay? Be a part of the pack as much as you can. And bring Paris with you.”

  Landon jumped in. “If he wants to come, that is.”

  They were trying so hard. It felt odd to see either of them unsure, but maybe it was about time. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Paris. He says I’ll die without the pack. He wanted us to live here.”

  His mother looked at the cat. “We’re grateful, Paris. We know all of this pack business is foreign to you, and we so appreciate your understanding.”

  Paris looked up at Cole with a strange expression. Like those moments when he seemed to want to tell Cole a secret. Then he smiled. “I can’t see Pack Harker doing as well without Cole.” He indicated the house. “We have our solitude and Cole has his pack.”

  Crystal smiled. “I’ll bet Trixie is happy to have you closer.”

  Paris spread his arms. “She’s ridiculously ecstatic. She’s knitting a throw for our couch as we speak.”

  Cole looked at him. “She is?”

  “Yep.”

  So maybe the cat would get a little more social after all.

  Crystal cracked a grin. “So will you continue to dance?”

  Paris leaned his head on Cole’s lap and looked up with big, fluttering eyes. “Perhaps later. For right now, my dancing is officially confined to entertaining my husband.”

  Landon held up a hand. “TMI, young panther.”

  They all laughed, and it felt good.

  They took Landon and Crystal on a tour of the house, and then Cole walked them out to their car.

  His father gave him a hug. “Full moon on the weekend.”

  Cole nodded.

  “Your mother and I will be away. Maybe you’d like to run with the pack? Take our place.”

  Cole nodded. “Maybe.”

  * * *

  Paris watched Cole and his parents through the window. God, they were so damned pack. But much of what was wonderful about the man he loved came from that pack mentality, like his selflessness and commitment to doing good. He’d make a great leader. No, he was a great leader. But his guileless goodness would get him in trouble for sure. He didn’t have enough politics in his soul.

  Paris stepped back from the window and went over and flopped on the couch. Nah. It took a nasty, selfish cat to handle the politics of a werewolf pack. He grinned. Maybe it was time his beloved found out.

  * * *

  Cole laughed and rolled Paris across the mattress on the floor. The bedroom furniture would be delivered later. That was later, as in one or two fucks later.

  Paris folded his arm behind his head and smiled up at Cole. “What time are you joining the pack for the full moon run?”

  He wrinkled his nose. “I don’t think I’m going.”

  “Yes, you are. You’ve barely seen anybody for three weeks.”

  “Except for Mom and Dad.”

  “Yes, and you told them you might go to the run.”

  Well, shit. “I said maybe. Besides, you’re not coming. Why should I go?”

  Paris pushed Cole over on his back and hopped on his chest. Pretty fun since the cat’s cock now rested just out of licking distance. He stared down with his golden eyes. Little shadows played across them. “Don’t be petulant. It’s not like you.”

  “Damn. They treated me like I was their commodity. ‘Pretend you’re not gay, Cole, so we can keep our fable going. Marry a female, Cole, so we can have our alliance. Marry somebody you don’t know, Cole.’” He grinned. “That part actually worked out pretty good. But the rest was bullshit.”

  Paris petted Cole’s hair. “They apologized.” He blew in Cole’s face. “You know, when I got kidnapped by Eliazer and lay there in that gold-plated prison scared shitless, I realized I’d done it all to myself. My picture of how my life was supposed to be made me paranoid and lonely. I didn’t allow the great stuff that came to me, like you, to change me. Sitting on that plane about to fly away from you, not knowing if you’d live or die, I realized I had to let go of my ideas and accept the good right there in front of me.”

  “But I did everything the pack wanted and they still didn’t accept who I am.”

  “Did you ask them to? Did you ever say, ‘I’m alphanta and I’m gay. Get over it’?”

  Cole nodded. “Yeah, finally, when we were ready to go to war and I’d decided to leave.”

  “And what did they do?”

  Cole frowned. “They didn’t have any choice. They had to follow me.”

  “Okay, so now you need to know how they feel when they don’t have to follow you.”

  Sigh. “I suppose.”

  Paris kissed his nose. “It’s always easier to leave relationships than to work on them.”

  “Ha! Look who’s talking!”

  “And that, my fine furry friend, is what makes me an expert.” And he slid that last inch forward and got the cock in the right place.

  * * *

  Full moon. Cole walked from his car into the New Hampshire woods where the pack liked to run. He had one bad case of butterflies. Turning and leaving sounded real good. Weird. But he hadn’t seen a member of the pack besides his parents in three weeks, and them only once. He should have been rolling on the ground having withdrawals.

  A hundred yards into the trees, he saw pack members lounging around and kidding each other. They looked up and saw him and went quiet.

  Okay, hell, he was going.

  The sassy little wolf who had made the smart remark about his husband stepped forward. “Hey, Cole. How you been?”

  One of the females smiled. “Yes, we’ve really missed you.”

  Another female broke from the pack and ran over to him. Whoa. Full-on hug. “Thanks so much for leading us against the Eliazers. You were awesome.” She took his hand and led him over to the group.

  The sassy young wolf—yeah, his name was Ray—smiled. “Man, when you dropped trou and shifted, I about shi—uh, freaked. I mean, I know a few alphas can do that, but I’ve never seen it.”

  Cole gave him a small smile. “You mean when I was shifting to go chase my husband?”

  The kid’s feet got real interesting. “Sorry about that. I shoot off my mouth too much. I’m real happy for you.” He looked up. “And that panther was the coolest thing I ever saw.”

  Cole laughed. “Yeah, I think he’s pretty cool too.”

  The pack members started taking off clothes and folding them in the bushes. Not likely anyone would happen by, but caution was good. Clothes lying around on the ground could attract a lot of questions.

  A hand touched his arm. Cole smiled at the scent. “Hi, my friend.”

  “Hello, darling.” Lindsey kissed his cheek. The elegant male was already down to just his trousers, and his slim chest and graceful arms looked startling next to the much bigger wolves.

  Cole grinned. “Hey, you’re running with us tonight.”

  Linds struck a little pose. “I’m pack too, remember?”

  “No one ever has to remind me of that. You saved us all.”

  He swept a bow. “Glad to help.”
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  “But you usually take your exercise on the polo grounds, don’t you?”

  Linds unfastened his belt. “I thought an evening with some different animals might be in order.”

  “Glad you’re here.”

  “And how is your little menagerie going? Your diplomatic relations between canines and felines?”

  He could feel heat creep up his neck.

  Lindsey laughed. “Ah, that good, huh?” He kicked off his loafers. “Where are the alphas tonight?”

  “They’re traveling and are leaving this event to the younger generation.”

  Linds nodded toward the area where they’d parked their cars. “I’m putting my clothes in the car. I may drop out early since I’m not used to all this exertion, darling. See you in a few.” He waggled his fingers and walked off.

  Okay, maybe this would be fun. Cole took off his shoes, pulled his sweater over his head, and started on the jeans.

  “Oh!” A female standing near him gasped. He looked at her, then followed her line of sight.

  Beautiful. Paris stood at the base of a big tree. The bright moonlight reflected off his shiny hair and flashed back from the golden eyes.

  So the cat had decided to come after all. It would be fun to see a panther running with the pack. How would this work? Maybe he’d jump through the trees?

  Cole smiled and took two steps forward before Paris held up his hand. Cole stopped. What was that cat doing?

  Paris stripped off the white shirt he was wearing. His skin shone just as pale. He unfastened his jeans and let them drop. For once he’d worn briefs. He was already barefoot.

  Cole took a few more steps and Paris smiled at him.

  When he got close enough to be heard, Cole grinned. “Think you can keep up with me, cat?”

  Paris smiled. Damn, it looked beatific. “Oh yes, I can keep up. After all, I’m your mate.”

  Cole went still at the word.

  The beautiful guy looked up at the moon. He vibrated, like the outline of his body was shaking. And he shifted—

  —into a sleek black wolf.

  Cole couldn’t catch his breath. All the pack gasped too. Paris. A wolf. A double shifter. An impossible being right before their eyes.

  The wolf pack was going nuts. “Is it Paris?”

  “Was he the panther?”