by A J Jarrett
Warriors of the Light 4
Garrett’s Choice
Garrett Carrington’s been raised since birth to be a fierce and respected alpha, but all the traits adored by others do nothing to impress his warrior mate.
Lachlan Campbell pushes Garrett’s control at every turn, and when he tries to bring his warrior mate to heel, Lachlan refuses. Now left alone, Garrett’s starting to wonder if what he thought he once wanted is worth losing his mate over.
With a witch among them, Lachlan has been forced to move back in with Garrett to search for the evil plaguing the Carrington pack.
Giving a second chance, Garrett’s going to do whatever it takes to win back Lachlan’s affection.
After receiving information from an unexpected source, Garrett and Lachlan must put aside their differences and work together to save the future of the pack and each other. In a blink of an eye, Garrett is forced to choose between what’s expected of him and what he truly desires.
Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Shape-shifters Length: 58,032 words
GARRETT’S CHOICE
Warriors of the Light 4
AJ Jarrett
EROTIC ROMANCE
MANLOVE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
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IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove
GARRETT’S CHOICE
Copyright © 2013 by AJ Jarrett
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62242-193-0
First E-book Publication: January 2013
Cover design by Christine Kirchoff
All cover art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
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DEDICATION
For Tatum and Lauren. Without your help the majority of my characters would be nameless. Thank you, girls.
GARRETT’S CHOICE
Warriors of the Light 4
AJ JARRETT
Copyright © 2013
Chapter One
Four weeks ago
“I don’t understand why you have to go.” Garrett stepped in Lachlan’s path to the front door. “We’ve only just met, and I can’t stand the thought of losing you. And if you walk out that door that’s exactly what will happen.”
Lachlan released a heavy sigh as he stared his mate in the eye. He understood Garrett’s concern, but he was a Warrior of the Light. This was his job. The constant danger and risk he took daily was a part of his occupation. If Garrett had any hope of making a go of this relationship, the man had better come to terms with that and soon.
Being a warrior was who Lachlan was, and nothing would ever change that, not even his soul mate.
“Garrett, I’m going to be fine.” Lachlan cupped the side of Garrett’s stubble-covered cheek. The short, sharp hairs tickled his palms and sent an erotic yearning down to his toes. He wanted to reassure his mate, but he also wanted to take the man in his arms and make love until neither one of them could walk. His heart and brain were at war with the correct action to take where his job and mate were concerned.
Garrett’s Choice
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“I bet every warrior who has died has said the same thing.”
Garrett scoffed. “I’m the alpha of this pack, and you no longer need to sacrifice yourself for the council.”
Oh hell no he didn’t just say that. Like I need him to take care of me.
Lachlan dropped his hand from Garrett’s cheek. “I’m going to ignore what you just said because I know it must have come out wrong.” Lachlan sidestepped Garrett and headed for the door. “I don’t need anyone to take of me. I’m a warrior for god’s sake. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. So if you will excuse me, I have a friend’s mate to go help save.”
“Baby, stop, please.” He felt the light pressure as Garrett grabbed ahold of his arm. “I’m just scared. I don’t mean to come off as an insensitive ass, but you’re mine, and I’m yours. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” Garrett’s chin dropped to his chest, and he stared at the floor.
He didn’t like to hear the sadness in Garrett’s voice or to look upon the turmoil on his face. Life was full of right and wrong decisions, and he couldn’t afford to fuck up. They had to save Miles.
It was the right thing to do. But he also had to take in consideration his mate’s feelings.
Fuck! Why does it have to be so hard?
“Garrett.” Lachlan placed a finger under his mate’s chin and forced his head up. “I swear to you on my honor, I’ll be back. Not even god himself could keep me away.” He brushed his lips lightly against Garrett’s. “Knowing I have you waiting for me, gives me every reason to be smart and safe while I’m out there. Please have faith in me.”
“I do. It’s just the alpha in me wanting to order you to stay here where I can keep you safe. I know you’re a Warrior of the Light and well trained in the art of fighting but tell that to the man inside me, hungering for his mate.”
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Lachlan stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Garrett’s neck and kissed the man for all he was worth. The kiss was forceful with their tongues dueling for possession of the other. Lachlan couldn’t hold back. He had to put everything he couldn’t say into that one
kiss. Garrett had to believe he’d be back because one way or another he would. Even if it was his brother bringing his body back for Garrett to bury, Lachlan would be back. Granted, he hoped it didn’t come to that, but life was unpredictable, and he was being a selfish prick for making promises he and Garrett knew Lachlan couldn’t guarantee.
Slowly, Lachlan pulled away from Garrett. His men were outside waiting on him. He looked longingly into his mate’s eyes. “Trust in me. I’ll be back.” With one last kiss he walked out the door.
He didn’t look back. The heavy, intense stare of his mate stabbed him in the back. If he looked over his shoulder, it might just have been enough to make him stay.
“Hey, bro, everything all right?”
“Yeah, I’m great. I just met my mate, and I’m off to battle against a psychotic lunatic. What could possibly be upsetting me?” he said sarcastically. He knew his brother meant well, but it didn’t help alleviate the pain he felt from walking away from Garrett.
“That has to be rough, man.” Lawson patted his shoulder. “But we Campbells were built for fighting, and we come from tougher stock than those fucking idiot Warriors of the Dark.”
He wanted to believe what his brother said, but doubt was an evil bitch. It played with a person’s mind until they started to believe it, and the next thing that happened would be he’d make a mistake and not only get himself killed but his fellow warriors or even worse, his brother.
Lachlan scrubbed a hand down his face. He needed to get over his shit and get his game face on. The dark warriors were always ready to throw down. That meant they had to bring their A game and kick some serious ass and rescue Miles.
Garrett’s Choice
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“You’re right. Let’s do this.” Lachlan high-fived his brother and hopped into the SUV. His fellow warrior Quinn sat in the driver’s seat ready to take them to their destination. Lachlan relaxed back in his seat. He needed to get his wits about him and focus on the battle ahead.
With one last glance back toward the large, cabin-style house, Lachlan caught sight of something running toward the car. It wasn’t a man but a wolf. It tried to catch up to the car, but Quinn had put his foot to the pedal, accelerating quickly. The wolf gave off one long howl, and Lachlan knew what his mate was trying to say. Be safe.
The battle was dirty. They found the house, and Malcolm had been prepared for them. A fight ensued until the majority of the dark warriors were dead or dying, or they ran off like the pussies they truly were.
Lachlan witnessed something that night he hoped never to see again. In an attempt to save his mate, Miles sacrificed himself for Ben. It was the most selfless act he had ever witnessed. But thanks to Astrid, a witch held captive with Miles, Miles was saved with the help of Ben’s vampire blood.
It was all too much to see and be a part of. Lachlan craved his mate more than ever. To be in his arms, to kiss his strong, sure lips, and to just be with the one man created just for him.
After they reached the warrior compound, Lachlan grabbed his truck keys and headed toward Garrett’s house. Life was fragile for human and paranormal alike. He had to show Garrett how much he had already grown to love and care about him. The bond had started to form, and there was no way to stop it. They were destined to be together by fate.
The sun had started to rise as he reached pack lands. He pulled into the driveway, screeched to a halt, and sprayed gravel into the 12
AJ Jarrett
yard. Lachlan threw the car into park and jumped out. As he started to run to the front of the house, a large wolf ambled down the porch.
Lachlan stopped. His heart pounded out of control, and his breath rushed out of him in deep, heavy pants. A wolf with black, shiny fur trotted up to him. Garrett in wolf form definitely outweighed Lachlan when in his lion form. Lachlan would estimate Garrett’s wolf to be as big as a freaking moose and lined with thick muscle.
“Garrett,” Lachlan said softly. The clear blue eyes staring back at him made Lachlan’s knees go wobbly. The first time he’d seen Garrett’s eyes, Lachlan was a goner. His soul got sucked into those peepers to mingle and combine with Garrett’s to become one.
A light breeze blew across his face, and Lachlan felt goose bumps prickle across his skin. He gazed up at his mate. The wolf started to quiver, and its body fell to the ground. The sound of bones popping and joints going back to normal size crackled like popcorn popping.
The sound was grotesque, but it was a part of shifting from human to animal and vice versa.
It only took about twenty seconds for Garrett to fully turn back into himself. He kneeled on the ground, naked, with a fine sheen of sweat covering his body.
Lachlan’s cock pulsed in his pants, and he stepped toward his mate. He had to quench his desire for the only man he’d ever give his heart to.
As he got closer, Garrett stood up. Lachlan’s eyes locked on his mate’s broad shoulders, tracing down to his rippled abdomen that tapered down to the muscled V of his waist. The sheer strength his body emitted spurred on Lachlan’s desire.
Garrett closed the distance between them and wrapped his strong arms around Lachlan’s waist. The robust, outdoors, wild scent of his mate was like a punch to the gut, knocking Lachlan off his feet.
Garrett smashed his mouth down hard onto his. His mate’s tongue plunged deep, and Lachlan held on. The aggressive nature of the kiss spurred Lachlan’s libido.
Garrett’s Choice
13
Garrett started to pull and tug at his clothes, and Lachlan leaned back. “Baby, stop.” Lachlan looked around them. “We can’t do this out here.”
“In the woods.” Garrett’s excited eyes darted between his. “I want to take my mate under the sky and in front of nature.” He trailed his fingertips down Lachlan’s cheek. “Can I claim you on the grass-covered ground, with the birds to serenade us?”
“Yes.” That was all he got out before Garrett lifted him off his feet. Lachlan wrapped his legs around the man and allowed himself to be carried to the woods surrounding the house. He wasn’t small, but Garrett was larger. It still must have been a sight for someone to witness if they saw his mate carrying him across the yard.
Garrett started to run, and Lachlan rested his head on the man’s shoulder. He didn’t want to block Garrett’s view of what lay ahead.
They were paranormal and immortal, but still, a fall to the ground would hurt like hell and put a damper on the moment.
The speed his mate used was impressive. Before long they were in a clearing in the woods. A small brook trickled on the far side of the area. Birds chirped here and there. The sights and sounds were romantic. Lachlan felt the sensual pull of this place as if going back to the basic needs of life where there were no thrills or expensive things, just two men coming together to start their forever.
His mate laid him on the ground and hastily removed Lachlan’s clothing. Garrett’s moves were precise and confident. A man sure of one thing, that sex was most certainly in his near future.
“I’m going to love you so good, you’ll never want to leave me again,” Garrett said as his eyes and hands roamed over Lachlan’s now-naked body.
Lachlan let what Garrett said go without a fight. He hated that Garrett still thought he left him on purpose, because he didn’t. He was a warrior. It was part of his job to assist when need be.
Garrett urged Lachlan’s arms up over his head and gave him a look that said not to move. He then trailed his tongue down Lachlan’s 14
AJ Jarrett
neck to his hardened nipples. His mate’s moist, smooth tongue lapped around the pebbled peaks, alternating from left to right. Lachlan squirmed on the ground. The pleasure too much to bear. His cock had swelled to beyond the point of pain. He needed to come and fast.
“Fuck, Garrett.” Lachlan put his hands on Garrett’s shoulders and tried to push him to the desired location he wanted his lover to be.
“Suck me. I can’t stand it anymore. I need to come.”
Again the wording sounded a bit off. Technically he didn’t belong to anyone, but he wanted his heart to belong to Garrett. He blamed the intensity of the situation for Garrett’s poor choice in wording.
“Then you better fuck me now. I don’t want to wait any longer.”
Lachlan could hear the pleading in his voice, but he didn’t care. As long as it got him what he wanted, fuck his pride. He grabbed the sides of Garrett’s face and let his sharp nails come out to lightly graze across his mate’s flesh. “Claim me.”
Garrett let out a low growl and captured Lachlan’s lips in a searing kiss. He forced Lachlan’s hands back over his head. He eased a hand between them and used his fingers to swipe up the pre-cum leaking from the head of Lachlan’s cock. The fingers then went lower to play across Lachlan’s rippled entrance. Lachlan felt his hole flutter at the contact. He edged his hips forward trying to get the teasing fingers in deeper.
Garrett smiled mischievously down at him. “Are you impatient, my love?”
“Fuck yeah.” Lachlan didn’t have any pretty words for his lover.
He was beyond that at the moment. Lachlan needed a solid, hot, and thick cock inside him stat.
Garrett pushed up on one arm to hover over Lachlan. He then used his free hand to rub his damp tip over Lachlan’s heated hole. Lachlan Garrett’s Choice
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