Nowhere to Hide (Tundra Wolves Book 4)

by Maggie Walsh

  Fane had been through so much and did everything he could to atone for his mistakes and all the wrong he had done and all the pain he had caused. Marlo felt it right to his bones, to his soul, but he could also tell that Fane still held onto a lot of guilt over what happened. He knew a few comforting words wouldn’t change how Fane felt, but Marlo hoped that with time and love, he could make Fane see that he had already paid for his transgressions. It was time to forgive himself and let go of the guilt and pain.

  When Fane sighed heavily and tried to move beneath Marlo as if he was pushing him away, Marlo finally looked up and met Fane’s gaze. He could see the uncertainty and pain within Fane, and Marlo didn’t like it. He quickly grabbed Fane’s face in his hands again and kissed him, trying to show Fane that his confession didn’t stop Marlo from wanting him.

  After a minute he pulled back and smiled at his mate. “Thank you for telling me. For sharing something that means so much to you and has affected you so deeply. I’m not happy about some of the things you told me, but in a way I am glad that they happened to you, because they made you who you are today. Those things, those experiences changed you and I think for the better. I have no doubt that what you told me before about how you feel about omegas and what you want from our relationship is true. My heart knows you’ve only been honest with me. But, I’m glad those things happened to you, because if you were that same prick and had showed up, I would have run. I wouldn’t have wanted that man as my mate. The way you described who you used to be is the man that I have always been frightened would appear trying to stake a claim on me, and if you were still that man and were my true mate, you would have been everything I didn’t want in a lover or mate. However, the man you are now, the one who did show up and is my true mate, is a good man. You are the man I have always wished would come along and claim me. I know you’ve been through so much and a lot of it has been bad, but you are a good man now, Fane Heart. A man I am proud to have as my mate. A man I am proud to walk with in this life and show off to the world and let them know is my mate,” Marlo said confidently, and spoke from his heart.

  Fane’s eyes filled with tears and he smiled, then took Marlo’s hands in his and kissed each one. “How did I get so lucky to have been blessed with you as my mate? I don’t deserve you, baby.”

  Tears burned his eyes as well and Marlo smiled happily at Fane as he replied, “Yes you do. You may not be ready to hear this or believe it, but you’re not that man anymore, Fane. You’ve paid for your sins and you shouldn’t feel guilty anymore, but I know my saying it won’t stop you from feeling it. Which should prove to you that you’re not that man and that you have changed, because that man you told me about, the man you were so long ago, would never have felt guilt or shame about anything. He was too self-absorbed and selfish to care. So, you see, that’s not you. And if it takes me the rest of our lives for me to prove that to you, then that’s what I will do. And... I think the gods and fate agree with me, because they have blessed you with finding your true mate, just like they have blessed me with you. So, you see, we are both lucky and we both deserve each other.”

  A tear escaped Fane’s eye and rolled down his cheek as he returned Marlo’s smile. “Gods, you’re an amazing man, Marlo, and I am so honored to be your mate. Is it too soon to tell you that I think I’ve fallen head over heels in love with you? No... not think, know... I have fallen helplessly in love with you, mate. You don’t need to return those feelings, I know it’s too soon, but hopefully in ti―”

  Before Fane could finish speaking, Marlo kissed him. The omega was so overcome with happiness and love from Fane’s admission that he just couldn’t stop himself. Fane grabbed Marlo’s head between his two large hands and kissed him back passionately, taking Marlo’s breath away.

  After a few minutes of them both crying through the kiss and tasting the salt of one another's tears, they broke apart, and Fane rested his forehead against Marlo’s as he panted. When Fane opened his eyes, Marlo gave him a watery smile, and confessed, “Is it too soon to tell you that I love you too?”

  More tears broke from Fane’s eyes and he recaptured Marlo’s lips, this time kissing him tenderly and Marlo melted. It was the best kiss of his life. It felt more intimate than anything he had ever experienced before, and Marlo’s heart fell even deeper for his mate.

  ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

  Fane couldn’t believe how open and accepting Marlo was to him after his full confession, but he wasn’t going to question it. When Marlo didn’t run from him, only stayed quiet and listened to him, Fane had been nervous, yet hopeful, but when he had finished and Marlo hadn’t said anything, suddenly Fane felt his heart break. He knew in that moment that he was completely in love with Marlo. He had felt it earlier when Marlo had jumped in to protect him, then again when he worried over Marlo’s injuries, but when they joked and laughed together, Fane was sure he was in love with the beautiful man. But, when Marlo said nothing and Fane felt his heart break, he knew it was true. Too soon or not, he was already deeply in love with his mate, otherwise it wouldn’t have crushed him so much to think that Marlo was disgusted by him or that he had lost the wonderful man.

  Then Marlo eased his worries and took away his pain. Marlo accepted him and showed him that even after what Fane had said. Marlo still wanted him and he just couldn’t hold in his love and confessed how he felt. Again, Marlo didn’t run from him, or shy away. He hadn’t tried to stop Fane or tell him it was too much too soon. His mate had confessed his own feelings and told him he loved him. No one had ever told Fane they loved him except for his dads, and even they hadn’t said it since he was a small boy. Fane’s heart filled to overflowing and he just wanted to make love to his mate. His wolf wanted to claim and bite, but Fane pushed him away. He wanted to make love to his mate first and share themselves with bodies and words.

  Fane kissed the top of Marlo’s head again and tightened his hold on him as he said, “It’s almost morning, sweetheart. I have a feeling that Dell has waited long enough for us and will be coming to find us soon to figure out what to do with Julius and the others. As much as I don’t want to move and just want to tell the rest of the world to go away, I don’t think pissing off my new alpha is the best move right now. Especially after Dell stood up for me, defended me, and has been dealing with Julius.”

  “Mmm,” Marlo said, as he sighed. “You’re right. We need to go see Dell, even if it’s just to show him that I’m okay. I know that man and he’s probably still pacing the floor waiting to hear how I am. That is if he isn’t downstairs already and can hear everything we’ve said, that is.” Marlo chuckled.

  Fane’s eyes widened and he pulled back to look in Marlo’s eyes. “He can do that?”

  Marlo smirked. “Yup. Did you get to see his wolf last night?” Marlo asked, and Fane nodded. “Have you seen Ridge’s wolf anytime lately?” Silently Fane answered again as he shook his head. “Okay then. Ridge is a big-ass wolf, probably a bit bigger than Dell, because his birthing father came from one of the original wolf-shifter lines. Which I guess one of your fathers did too with you being Ridge’s cousin, which I’m guessing means your wolf is pretty big too,” Marlo said, looking so hopeful that Fane just wanted to laugh.

  Fane nodded and Marlo continued, “I’m sure you know that Ridge’s birth mother was as well and that she was also an alpha female, which is why his wolf is so massive. And Dell is a big-ass wolf because both his parents are from original wolf-shifter lines too. In the history books it says that the original bloodlines would be the biggest and fiercest as well as the ones who would be blessed with the most strength and abilities, like better sight, hearing, smell, etc. They’re also supposed to be the ones who are the most endowed,” Marlo said, then wiggled his brows and giggled.

  Fane chuckled. “Wow. I had no idea. So... you’ve seen the histories?”

  Marlo nodded. “Yes. I’ve read them all. I am Dell’s assistant, aren’t I? Actually, I read them all when Dell’s dad was alpha.”

  Fa
ne’s brows rose high. “So, wait, you…” He cut himself off, afraid to say anything more and maybe go against the oath he took and wind up cursing their mating before it even started.

  Marlo leaned in and whispered softly, “About the Reckoning and the Purge, as well as everything that goes along with them, including matings, and how true mates are supposed to claim one another and how they will be safe from the Purge?”

  Fane was so stunned he could only nod.

  Marlo smiled proudly. “Yes. I know everything. As Dell’s assistant I help him find things in the history books when he has any questions. Don’t worry, it was all allowed and I took the oath years ago with Alpha Mark,” he said so matter-of-factly. “So, is that what the doofus, Silvan, blabbed about?”

  Fane nodded again, still completely shocked by finding out that his mate already knew about their history and the prophecy.

  “So, he and his mate are both fucked then. It sounds like he kind of deserves it though, but I’m not too sure if his poor mate does. I don’t even know them, but from what you’ve said about them, and seeing the buttface do what he did to you, I really feel bad for his mate being stuck with someone who is as dumb as a box of rocks,” Marlo said. Fane could see the mischievous glint in his eyes as well as the struggle from trying to hold in his laughter.

  Fane chuckled and kissed him again. “You are such a wonderful surprise, baby,” Fane said, then his voice dropped huskily as he was filled with the need to claim. “And we will be getting to our claiming soon, mate.”

  Marlo shivered against him and Fane could see the longing in his eyes. Fane kissed the tip of his nose, then wrapped his arms around Marlo and slid them from the bed before he stood, making Marlo cry out and laugh as he grabbed onto Fane’s shoulders.

  “But first, we need to shower and get dressed so we can go talk to Dell. One of us stinks pretty bad, and the other one smells like a dog peed on him.” Fane tried to be serious, and he did pull it off for about a second, right up until he said the word peed and Marlo gasped happily, then Fane couldn’t help the laughter. He and Marlo both continued to chuckle as he walked them into the adjoining bathroom and started the shower.

  CHAPTER 13

  The hot water running over his body was luxurious and Marlo just wanted to melt against the wall and stay under the spray. He could feel the heat working on his tight muscles. Turning to allow the water to run down his back, Marlo hissed when the hot water hit a particular spot on his side. Immediately the glass door slid open and a very naked and gorgeous Fane stepped into the tub behind him.

  “Are you okay, little love?” Fane asked, his voice full of concern.

  Marlo’s head went blank as his gaze roamed over all the tanned, sexy, muscular flesh that was now a banquet for his perusal. As his gaze lowered over a chiseled chest, ripped stomach, and a happy trail of hair that went from belly button to... wow, Marlo suddenly couldn’t breathe. When he lowered his gaze further, he almost swallowed his tongue as his eyes widened.

  “Holy crap on a cracker,” he gasped softly, looking at the very large, thick, and hard cock that was only inches from him. And whoa mama, was that thing thick. Marlo wanted so badly to drop to his knees for a closer look. It wasn’t like he had never seen a cock before in his life. Being a Tundra Wolf, seeing others naked was a daily occurrence, but damn. Fane was almost as big as Dell, and his alpha had one of the largest cock’s Marlo had ever seen. He had always said that Dell’s m... lover, was one lucky fuck, but now he was thinking he was just as lucky. Without even realizing it, Marlo licked his lips as he took a step closer.

  “Like what you see, mate?” Fane asked, and Marlo could hear the amusement in his voice.

  “What’s not to like?” Marlo asked as he raised his head and looked Fane in the eye. His mate’s gaze was full of heat and it sent a shiver of desire up his spine.

  “Mmm, I’m glad you feel that way, mate. It’s the same way I feel about you. You’re stunning, little love. So sexy and sensual,” Fane said, as he reached out and ran a hand down Marlo’s slick side to his hip. “Your skin is so soft, like warm silk. I just want to look at you and touch you for hours. Forever.”

  “I think I like that plan,” Marlo said, with a nervous chuckle.

  Fane met his gaze again and stepped closer, their bodies now almost touching. Fane lifted his other hand and cupped his cheek. “Do I make you nervous, sweetness? Because I hope you know that I will never do anything that you don’t want me to do. I give you my promise.”

  Marlo shook his head as he slowly reached out with both hands and placed them on Fane’s chest. Gods, he felt like he was in a trance and unable to control what he was doing. A deep, sexy, rumbling sound came from Fane’s lips, and Marlo loved it. It got him all hot and bothered. He licked his lips again as he moved his hands over the hard muscles, his gaze following his movements, then he looked up at Fane and replied, “Not nervous. Horny.”

  Fane smiled brightly as he laughed, then drew Marlo closer, their bodies now pressed against each other, and Marlo could swear he heard a hissing sound like drops of water hitting a hot griddle. “Best answer ever, mate,” Fane said, then leaned down and kissed him.

  “Oh gods, did I say that out loud?” Marlo gasped when they pulled apart, he could feel his cheeks heat up with embarrassment.

  “Mmm, yes you did, and the feeling is mutual, little love. You make me so needy, like I can’t even breathe unless you’re near me. I love the way you touch me, the feel of your hands on me. Don’t ever be embarrassed to touch me, mate, or to tell me what you feel or desire.”

  Marlo smiled bright and rubbed himself slowly against Fane. “I love the way you talk. You make me feel so special.”

  “That’s because I am only telling you the truth, my mate. You are special, and I plan on letting you know that every day for the rest of our lives.”

  “Mmm, you make my insides quiver and butterflies twirl around in my tummy. I wish we had more time so that we could stay just like this a little longer.”

  “I do too, baby, but as you pointed out, we need to get to the alpha’s. Before we go though, let me check how you’re healing and wash you,” Fane offered.

  “You don’t have to do that, love,” Marlo protested, but he didn’t move away. He was enjoying Fane’s hands as they ran along his flesh and he was really enjoying his mate’s words.

  “I know I don’t have to, but I would love to. It would be my pleasure,” Fane said, as he reached for Marlo’s favorite bottle of body wash and poured some on his hand, then replaced the bottle on the shelf.

  Fane’s soapy hand glided over Marlo’s shoulders and down his back and Marlo’s head dropped back as he closed his eyes, his lips parted on a sigh. The feel of Fane touching him, of taking care of him, was wonderful. His already hard cock began to throb and leak, and Marlo wanted to touch himself but was afraid Fane would stop if he did, so he clenched his hands, making fists and kept them at his sides. He had never felt anything so pleasurable in his life than his mate touching him. Fane continued to clean him, going down one arm at a time, then traveled down his sides to his hips.

  When Fane dropped to his knees before Marlo and touched the inside of his thighs, Marlo thought he would come right then. His head snapped down and his eyes opened as he looked at the magnificent man before him.

  His mate’s hands slid down his legs to his feet, then went around to the calves and trailed up to the backs of his thighs, and Marlo moaned, not embarrassed at all about showing his mate how he made Marlo feel. Fane’s hands ran over his globes and Marlo gasped. No man had ever touched him like that before, but to have the first be his mate was the most spectacular feeling in the world. Especially knowing that his mate loved him, just like he loved Fane. Crazy but true.

  Fane gave him a loving smile, then moved his hands back around to his front and said, “Spread a little wider for me, little love.” Marlo did as he was told and moved his feet apart. The moment he did, Fane’s soapy hands moved between his thighs again
but didn’t stop this time. One hand cupped his sac and the other wrapped around his shaft at the base and gently slid up to the tip.

  Marlo cried out as his whole body shook. When his knees got weak and threatened to buckle beneath him, Marlo reached out and held onto Fane’s shoulders and squeezed his eyes shut. Gods, he was going to blow and that would embarrass him. He wasn’t some fifteen-year-old getting his first woody, damn it, but it was the first time anyone had ever touched him like this and it was magnificent.

  He felt himself being moved back a bit, then the water cascaded over him. In the next moment, warm heat wrapped around the tip of his cock and Marlo saw stars. The sensation more than he had ever imagined. He lowered his head to look at what was happening and groaned when he saw his dick in Fane’s mouth. Oh shit, he never knew alpha types would do that. Marlo thought that sucking cock was the job of the submissive partner, so that was why he had practiced for years on all the yummy toys he tested for Bo, so that when the time came for him to do what was expected, he would know what to do, but this... this was so unexpected and made his brain fry.

  Fane looked up and their gazes met, and Marlo could see the satisfaction and desire in his mate’s eyes. Slowly Fane lowered, his mouth taking more of Marlo in until his whole cock disappeared. Not that he was big by any means, being an omega and all, and being built small in stature, but damn, watching his shaft fill Fane’s mouth was mesmerizing.

  Fane grabbed the backs of his thighs and pulled Marlo closer and he felt the tip of his cock hit Fane’s throat, then Fane swallowed and Marlo’s knees shook. His balls pulled up tight and he was filled with the need to shoot his load. He knew that swallowing what his lover, his Dominant, gave him while he sucked his master off was what was expected, but Marlo wasn’t so sure that expectation worked the other way, even though Fane was already going against what Marlo thought and was on his knees before him.