“You have no right,” Kelan said. “This is my land and it’s my business what goes on here. I am more than capable of dealing with some local thugs should they turn up here.”
“We have every right,” the human argued. “This is a federal matter and until these men have been caught, we will be keeping a close eye on everyone here in town. That includes the people who live and work on your ranch.”
“Everything okay?” Aaron asked, joining the small group.
Kelan nodded. “There’s been some trouble. A shifter has been killed a few towns over from here.”
“What does that have to do with us?”
“There appears to be a group, working together, but forensics have only been able to identify one of the men involved. It’s the same man responsible for killing a couple of shifters over in Louisiana.
“He’s been in trouble before and it seems he’s from around here. The problem is, this guy is human, but the men he’s targeting are all shifters. We’re not sure how he knows about us or how he identifies us, but until he’s caught, we need to be vigilant.
“I don’t want anyone out working the land alone.”
Aaron's stomach lurched. He had a bad feeling about this. “Where’s Cary?”
“He’s in the bunkhouse,” Kelan replied. “I’ve told him he’s not to go out alone until these men have been caught.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Aaron’s eyes flickered to the bunkhouse but the door was shut and the curtains closed.
“The same applies to you,” Kelan continued. “Understand?”
Aaron nodded. “I’ll be careful.”
The cat shifter scented the air between them and his eyes widened. “Who are you?”
“Aaron is my nephew,” Kelan said. “He works here on the ranch.”
The cat shifter eyed Aaron suspiciously.
Shit.
Could he smell Cary’s scent on him?
“We’ll be around town until midnight, and then Gregory and one of our other agents will take over,” the human said.
Aaron groaned inwardly.
Great.
Gregory was going to be sticking around?
The man was already suspicious about his relationship with Cary.
“Fine,” Kelan said. “But this is a working ranch. Try not to get in anyone’s way.”
The men nodded their agreement then walked off. When they were out of hearing distance, Stefan turned to Aaron and frowned.
“I think it would be best if you stayed in the house with us for the time being,” he said. “The agency can’t find out about you and Cary.”
Aaron shook his head. “That’s not going to happen. Cary is my mate and I’m not letting him out of my sight until these men have been caught.”
“I think it’s a good idea for Aaron to stay in the bunkhouse,” Kelan agreed. “Cary will feel safer with his mate there, and I think it will be good for Aaron, too.
“But, I have one condition. You can’t claim him, Aaron. Not yet. Your scents will combine and then there’ll be no way to hide your mating bond from the council.”
Aaron sighed but nodded his agreement. “Okay.”
If it meant keeping his mate safe, he would gladly refrain from claiming Cary.
“It’s settled then.” Aaron turned to leave.
“There’s one other thing,” Kelan said. “The council said that both of the shifters who were killed had something in common.”
“What was it?”
Kelan frowned and looked at Stefan before he divulged anything further, which made Aaron’s hackles rise.
He clenched his hands into fists at his side.
“I’m a grown man, Kelan. If you’ve got something to say, say it. You don’t need my father’s permission to tell me something.”
Kelan sighed. “Fair enough. Both men that were killed were gay. The council doesn’t yet know if that’s a coincidence or not, but until we know anything further, we need to be extra cautious.”
When Aaron turned to look at his father, Stefan didn’t seem at all happy. Aaron wasn’t sure if it was because Kelan had passed along the information to him or because gay shifters were being targeted in the area, but there wasn’t a lot Aaron could say to ease his mind. He put his hand on his father’s shoulder and squeezed.
“It’s going to be all right, Dad, you’ll see. They wouldn’t be stupid enough to come here, even if they knew about us. There are too many of us here.”
Stefan nodded but his eyes were filled with worry. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I will.”
Chapter Twelve
Cary stopped pacing his room and sat down heavily on the bed.
He jumped up again when the front door to the bunkhouse slammed shut. Christ, he was a nervous wreck. As heavy footsteps sounded down the hall, Cary ran to the window in a panic.
He was about to climb out when Aaron’s spicy aroma reached his nose through the closed bedroom door. Immediately his cock took notice and Cary groaned. It was impossible to be in the same building with his mate without his dick reacting to him. He let out a relieved breath then crossed the room, pulling open the door at the same moment Aaron lifted his hand to knock.
Aaron greeted him with a warm smile. “Hey.”
“Did you hear?” Cary asked.
Aaron nodded. “Yeah, but don’t worry. The council will catch the men responsible, plus they have no reason to come anywhere near here.”
“Other than the fact that we’re shifters, you mean—gay shifters—and they’re targeting gay shifters.”
“We don’t know that for certain. It could just be a coincidence, and anyway, there are a lot of shifters living in this town. Even if they do somehow know about us, they wouldn’t dare turn up here.
“There are too many of us living here, including three alpha wolves. You just have to promise me you won’t go anywhere alone.”
“I promise.”
Aaron held out his arms and Cary hesitated for only a brief moment before stepping into the embrace. He sighed when Aaron’s arms enveloped him and the wolf kissed the top of his head. Cary nuzzled against Aaron, rubbing his cheek into Aaron’s neck. His chest rumbled contentedly when his mate began to rub soothing circles over his back.
The strokes halted abruptly.
“Are you…purring?”
Cary stiffened in Aaron’s arms and the rumbling in his chest stopped. “Uh, yes?”
He was a cat shifter.
He purred.
It was a natural instinct, one he couldn’t control. Cary held his breath and waited. He hoped Aaron wouldn’t be put off by the sound. It was an instinctual thing he did when he was content. As soon as the thought occurred to him, Cary was astounded. That was the second time he’d purred that day. Before that, it must have been months…no, make that years.
He couldn’t remember ever purring when he was with Gill.
That should have been another clue.
“Wow,” Aaron said at last. His eyes were wide with wonder. “That’s hot!”
Cary chuckled, all of the tension leaving his body with a slow exhale of breath.
He pressed closer to his mate.
“Really, you think so?”
“Hell yeah. Do it again?”
Cary looked up at Aaron’s face and smiled shyly.
The low rumble returned.
Even though it had been a long time since he’d purred, the action felt as natural to him as breathing. Aaron’s eyes were filled with lust, confirming just how hot he found the sound. Cary groaned when he felt his mate’s cock harden and press against his stomach. He pulled Aaron into the room then slammed the door shut behind him.
“Kiss me?”
Aaron growled, spun Cary around and pressed him against the door.
Cary gasped but the sound was smothered by Aaron’s mouth covering his. If Cary’s dick wasn’t fully hard before, it was now. Aaron’s kiss was needy, desperate. Cary sank into the kiss and ground his erec
tion against his mate’s thigh. Aaron groaned, pushing the sound and his tongue into Cary’s mouth at the same time. It set Cary on fire.
He took everything Aaron gave but he wanted more.
“Please.” He reached down and palmed Aaron’s dick through his jeans, squeezing the hard length. “I want you.”
Cary wasn’t completely sure if they were ready for that level of intimacy—they’d only known each other a couple of days after all, but his instincts were screaming at him to take everything Aaron had to give him. And it had been a hell of a long time since he’d had sex…too long. And this wouldn’t just be a casual hook-up with some random guy in a bar.
This would be different…better.
This would be with his mate—his true mate.
Little things Aaron did like rake his fingers through Cary’s hair as they kissed made Cary ache with need. Their bodies fitted together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Aaron held Cary like he was something precious and looked at him as if he was admiring a beautiful piece of art.
Cary had never felt so wanted and appreciated.
It was all of those little things combined that made Cary decide they would be good together, that they were ready for this next step.
Aaron moaned and thrust against Cary’s hand.
He trailed feather-light kisses down Cary’s throat, licking and tasting every inch of flesh he encountered. Cary pressed his palm against Aaron’s dick then began to work open the button of his jeans. When he got the zipper down, he realized Aaron wasn’t wearing any briefs and the knowledge excited him, making him even harder than before.
Aaron’s erection sprang free, the tip already leaking pre-cum.
Cary licked his lips.
He wanted to taste.
When he looked at Aaron’s face again, the wolf looked as though he was right on the edge. His cheeks were flushed and his lips were swollen from their heated kisses. Without a word, Cary sank to his knees, grabbed the base of Aaron’s cock and covered it with his mouth, going all the way down to the hilt.
Cary let out a low, rugged moan as the tip nudged the back of his throat and he swallowed.
This was what he had wanted, more than anything.
“Oh fuck!” Aaron fell forward and pressed his hands on the door in front of him, letting it support his weight.
His sudden movement pushed his dick further into Cary’s throat.
“Feels so good…I never…I didn’t—Oh fuck.”
Cary grinned around his mate’s cock, pleased he was able to solicit such a strong reaction from him. He liked that he was the first person to do this to Aaron. It occurred to him he would be Aaron’s first for everything they did together.
He only hoped he would be the last, too.
He couldn’t bear the thought of Aaron ever being with anyone else.
He pulled back and started to suck in earnest although he didn’t want to get Aaron off—not yet. He was simply wetting his dick—slicking it up, preparing him. There was only one place Cary wanted Aaron to come and it wasn’t in his mouth.
Aaron’s dick grew taut.
It jerked in his mouth.
As he stroked and caressed his mate’s sac, he felt it tighten in his hands.
When Aaron’s legs started to shake, Cary abruptly pulled off.
“Get on the bed,” Cary ordered. “And get naked.”
He felt odd giving orders—he wasn’t a dominant person by nature—but as the most experienced of the two, he understood that someone had to take the lead and at the moment it didn’t look like that person would be Aaron.
“Huh?” Aaron looked down with a dazed expression. “What?”
Cary smiled.
He got up, took hold of Aaron’s hand and led him to the bed. He pushed down Aaron’s jeans then pulled up his shirt with the intention of taking it off. He didn’t get that far. When Aaron’s pert, pink nipples came into view, Cary couldn’t resist leaning forward and capturing one in his mouth.
He rolled his tongue around the erect nipple and gripped it gently between his teeth. Aaron cried out and fisted his hands in Cary’s hair. He arched his body towards Cary’s mouth and pressed his palm to the back of Cary’s head, holding it in place.
The action drove Cary wild.
There was nothing he liked better than having his head held while he sucked and licked. It was a good thing Aaron hadn’t held his head while he blew him or Cary would have creamed, he was sure of it.
He only allowed himself to play with Aaron’s nipples for a few moments. As much as Cary was enjoying himself, he was becoming impatient.
He wanted more.
“Off!” Cary tugged Aaron’s shirt until his mate lifted his arms, pulled it over his head and tossed it on the floor.
Aaron watched Cary remove his clothing for a few moments, seemingly entranced. Cary stopped what he was doing and cocked an eyebrow in query. Aaron seemed to realize what was required of him. He took off his boots then slid his socks and jeans down his legs, discarding them somewhere on the floor.
When Aaron was fully naked, Cary sucked in a sharp breath at the sight of his mate standing before him. Aaron was simply stunning. His body was long and lean with just the right amount of muscle. He had a thin line of fair hair below his navel that led down to his very impressive cock.
Cary licked his lips.
He wished he had more time to admire Aaron’s body but he was too anxious. His dick was becoming painful, aching with need. He pushed on Aaron’s chest until his mate fell backward onto the bed. He liked having his mate spread out before him—he could get used to it.
He paused, waiting for the sense of dread to fill him at the thought of a mate and a life shared together. But surprisingly it never came, and that filled him with hope for the future.
Cary climbed on the bed and straddled Aaron’s legs.
Aaron looked at him with such wonder in his eyes that made Cary feel sexy and all-powerful. He held Aaron’s gaze as he lowered his head and traced his tongue up Aaron’s impressive erection. Aaron groaned and grabbed the sheets, his head rolling from side to side on the pillow.
“Feel good?” Cary asked.
Aaron nodded but he didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.
Cary could tell from the shudders that wracked his mate’s body how good he was feeling. He straddled Aaron’s chest in order to reach into the nightstand drawer to grab a bottle of lube. He had only ever used it to slick himself up while he jacked off, never imagining he would need it for anything else.
How wrong he had been.
The top flipped open with a loud pop and Aaron jerked his head up, staring at the bottle, wide-eyed.
“What are you doing?” Aaron’s breathing was shallow and his chest was rising and falling rapidly.
Cary squirted some of the lube on his fingers then smoothed it over Aaron’s cock.
“Shh…” He leaned down and pressed their lips together, letting his mouth linger for a moment while he slicked up Aaron’s length. “I’m gonna make you feel good.”
Aaron groaned and Cary felt his dick twitch against his ass. When he pulled back, he squirted more lube onto his fingers. He winked at Aaron, reached behind himself and slipped his index finger into his ass to prepare himself for Aaron’s thick shaft. Cary moaned at the delicious sting of being stretched.
Aaron’s mouth fell open as he watched Cary’s hand move in and out. “Oh God. You…Oh, God.”
Cary might have laughed if he hadn’t been so out of his mind with need. His breath hitched when he inserted another finger and did his best to scissor them.
Aaron gasped and grabbed hold of Cary’s hips. His eyes and teeth had shifted to their wolf form. His mate’s lack of control over his wolf delighted Cary and made him move the fingers in his ass faster. He knew he should add another so that he was stretched enough to take Aaron’s wide girth but he simply couldn’t wait for a second longer.
Aaron squeezed his eyes shut as he dug his fingers into Ca
ry’s hips. His cock leaked onto his stomach, making Cary ache to engulf it and take every drop into his mouth.
But there wasn’t time—they were both too close.
Besides, they would have other opportunities, of that Cary was certain. Now that he’d tasted Aaron, he knew he’d want to do so again and again. He removed his fingers then shuffled forwards until he’d lined up above Aaron’s cock.
“I’m going to ride you now, okay?”
Aaron’s face was so contorted with need, he appeared to be in pain. Cary knew exactly how to blow his mind. Taking hold of Aaron’s cock, he placed it at his hole before pushing down gently. “I’m gonna fuck you until you can’t take anymore and you fill my ass with your cum.”
When Aaron next opened his eyes, Cary watched as his mate shed his innocence like falling leaves from the small persimmons that grew down by the river. Aaron’s eyes took on a new quality Cary hadn’t seen in them before. They contained a burning desire Cary was only too happy to fulfill.
He held Aaron’s cock in place and lowered himself onto it, feeling the burn as it breached the tight ring of muscle.
“Cary, I don’t… Argh!”
Cary held his breath through the initial bite of pain.
He waited a few moments for his body to adjust to the sensation of Aaron’s cock stretching him so wide then lifted himself a little and sank back down slowly. At the same time, Aaron grabbed hold of Cary’s hips and thrust up into him.
Cary wasn’t sure which of them cried out the loudest, not that it mattered. Cary panted and groaned, moving slowly at first, giving himself time to fully appreciate the moment they shared. It was beautiful.
So that was what it felt like to make love to his mate. Every other experience paled in comparison to that very moment. The awe on Aaron’s face made it all the more poignant. Cary loved to be able to give this to Aaron. And to himself.
Holding Aaron’s gaze, Cary started to ride his cock in earnest.
Soon, there was no finesse to their movements and Cary was barely aware of the pleasure in his own body.
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