“So, you connected mentally,” Seven said softly.
“I had no choice,” Nic said, thinking back to the day the tiny little child looked into his eyes. His lips were blue, he was gasping for breath, and his breaths were coming out white as if he was in a freezer. Mandalay started to tremble and squirm.
“He asked me to help him—it wasn’t in words, but pictures. It was strange, like he was—” Nic trailed off not sure how to explain it.
“What did he show you?”
“Safety of his mother’s womb,” Nic said quietly. “He was killing her when she was pregnant, but the day I touched her stomach, his wolf took something from me.”
“The animal knows how to survive,” Seven replied. “It’s a primal instinct. He connected with you then, not the other way around.”
“Maybe. I just knew he needed to—her energy needed to be adjusted to him. He was colder inside her, and her body was treating his attempts to make her body temperature hospitable like a virus.”
“The cold is a virus in the snow and ice breeds, you know that,” Seven murmured.
Nic nodded. “Anyway, it stopped happening.”
“He’s a healer,” Seven said. “Your animal told his what it needed to know.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it,” Nic said nervously. He was used to hearing the improbable from his uncle, and he’d come to believe most of it.
“What did you do to save him that day he was dying?”
“I opened my mind to him, and I felt like I was drowning in the cold with him. Then, he was breathing okay.”
“He was evolving,” Seven said. “The change was killing him, but you channeled the cold, allowed yourself to be a conduit for the power he couldn’t handle.”
“Is that normal?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen anyone evolve,” he said. “I need you to document the changes, so we can have them on hand for other mothers who might go through this. As his mate, you connected with him, maybe even took on some of his power.”
“He made me stronger,” Nic admitted. “My bite is cold like his. Colder than a snow hunter’s should be, more deadly.”
Seven nodded. “You evolved, too,” he said. “Hunters don’t normally evolve like that.”
“It’ll give us snow children?”
“More than likely all of your children will be snow babies,” Seven said.
“Not that I needed that challenge,” Nic grumbled. He didn’t need a breed of deadly children to raise. Life was challenging enough as it was when you became a parent.
“You’ll do fine,” his uncle told him. “Now, where is he?”
“With his parents. Family day.”
Seven nodded. “I’ll see him tomorrow. Don’t let Cross scare you away.”
Nic’s phone rang, and he pulled it from is pocket. A glance at the display made him smile. “Hello, pretty baby.”
“I called you earlier.”
“Jody put me on shift. I couldn’t answer. Sorry.”
“Nic.”
“It’s not a lie, sweetheart,” he crooned. “I just got back. I’m going to take a quick shower and then get over to your place.”
“I’ll come over there,” he said. “Just wait for me. I’ll bring you some dinner.”
He smiled. “I’d appreciate that. I’ll leave the door unlocked.”
“I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Bye.” Nic ended the call to find his uncle watching him with a grin.
“I’ll see you later,” Seven said. “Have a nice evening.”
Nic shook his head. “Leave the door unlocked so Mandy can get in.” He headed upstairs, tugging his shirt over his head as he went.
* * * *
Mandalay let himself into Nic’s apartment after getting past security. The scent of water drew him past the front door and into the kitchen. He put the basket of food down and headed upstairs.
Nic was half dressed, looking completely sexy with his chest bared.
“Hi, pretty baby,” Nic said. “Did you have a good time with your family?”
“Sort of. What’s the M for?” The stylized M was in the center of a design on Nic’s upper arm that looked more like a black band.
“Mandalay,” Nic told him. “I had that done when you were born.”
“What?” he exclaimed.
He shrugged. “The ink was a reminder that I was already taken. I didn’t want any man I was with to ever get the idea he could have me.”
“That’s sweet,” he crooned and went to trace the lines of black. “But why?”
“I wanted a part of you with me even though I couldn’t have you yet.”
“We connected, didn’t we?” he said softly. “You saved me, and we connected.”
Nic shrugged. “You’re inside me, Mandy. Mating was just a formality.”
“I needed it.”
“Because your wolf didn’t know he’s always had me,” Nic replied. “There was no reason to bind me, no reason to fear my rejection. You both own me.”
Mandalay cupped his face as he leaned in closer for a kiss. “You promise?”
“Yes.” Nic wrapped his arms around Mandalay and kissed him slowly, holding him closer. Mandalay moaned as he caressed Nic’s nape.
Nic lifted him off his feet as he deepened the kiss, and Mandalay snuggled closer. “Nic,” he murmured. “Nic.”
“I know,” Nic said, putting his back against the wall as he pressed his hardening cock against Mandalay’s.
“Oh, baby,” Mandalay breathed. “You’re making it hard to think of food.”
Nic chuckled as he unbuckled Mandalay’s pants and jerked the zipper down. Mandalay bit the side of his neck, and Nic growled. He slipped his hand passed the barrier of Mandalay’s pants and fisted his cock. The pad of his finger stroked the head before he glided it down Mandalay’s shaft and pumped it.
Mandalay arched into his touch, fire flaring high in his blood.
“Nic, fuck me,” he ordered. “Please. I’m so hot. I need you so bad.”
“You aren’t ready.”
“I so am,” he said and nipped Nic’s ear.
Nic pulled his hand free and released Mandalay. “Why don’t you get out of some of those clothes?” Nic crooned as he moved to the nightstand.
Mandalay kicked off his sneakers, his gaze holding Nic’s. Slowly, he pulled the polo shirt over his head, revealing the lacy tank top beneath. Then, he tossed it aside and pushed his pants down over the matching briefs with their cherry red band.
They looked quite plain from the front but rode high on his ass cheeks, leaving the curves bare. He stepped out of the pants, kicking them aside before going to Nic, who still stood near the bed, his face a study in desire.
Mandalay caressed his cheek. “I couldn’t stop thinking about spending the evening with you,” he murmured.
“I was thinking about the same thing and wishing I’d just come to your parents with you.”
“No.” Mandalay shook his head. “We wouldn’t have had any fun.” He leaned in and kissed Nic’s jaw, trailing kisses to his ear. “This is way more fun.”
Nic’s arms curved around him, jerking him close. Mandalay’s lips skimmed his throat, and he sucked.
“Mandy.” He growled and glided his hand down Mandalay’s ass to squeeze the firm globes. He flicked the cap on the lube as Mandalay claimed his mouth. Nic groaned as their tongues came together, the dance a sensual one as their breathing became harsh in the quiet.
Nic glided his fingers down the seam of Mandalay’s ass and pushed the tip into his puckered nether hole. The digit slid past the tight ring of muscle, and Mandalay broke the kiss with a gasp as Nic pushed his finger deeper.
Mandalay clenched around the broad finger and bit Nic’s throat lightly. “I hunger for you, Nic.”
Nic worked his finger deeper, and Mandalay claimed his mouth again, allowing his tongue to dart inside. Nic allowed him to control the kiss, and Mandalay tasted him slowly, savoring the hint
of mint on his breath.
Nic withdrew his finger from Mandalay’s ass and pressed it back in with company, and Mandalay sucked Nic’s tongue into his mouth. Their tongues tangled, and Mandalay moaned softly.
“Oh, Nic.” He could barely stand, his knees were getting weaker, his skin becoming a flame as his heated blood rushed through his veins.
Nic thrust his fingers in and out, and Mandalay moved against him, his wolf catching fire. His head swam, and Nic’s fingers brushed his prostate, making him gasp as pleasure snaked through him.
“Nic, I need you now,” he said. “I’m tired of waiting. Fuck me.”
Nic withdrew his fingers and turned Mandalay to face the bed. He reached into the drawer and grabbed something. Mandalay heard the whisper of a zipper and the crinkle of paper and knew what Nic was up to.
He was glad, because he hadn’t had time to make anything for protection. He wasn’t ready to get pregnant.
The bloated head of Nic’s cock teased the opening of his ass before slipping inside the channel. Nic filled him in a long slow stroke that nearly took Mandalay’s breath away.
“You have such a tight little ass,” Nic said roughly. “So perfectly right.”
Mandalay reached back to stroke Nic’s thigh. “What’s perfect is you inside me, you touching me.”
“How does this feel?” Nic thrust into him, and Mandalay moaned.
“Good,” he breathed. “So fucking good.”
Nic took him in slow, rhythmic strokes that pushed Mandalay higher with each inward glide of Nic’s dick. The retreat was a sumptuous treat as anticipation filled him, and Nic didn’t disappoint. He drove into him with precision and skill that had Mandalay on the verge of crying with how good it was.
How could sex be so incredible with this man, and they’d only known each other—an eternity, that was what it already felt like.
His wolf growled, and Mandalay stretched on the bed. Behind him, Nic bent his knees as he thrust in, his balls slapping against Mandalay’s ass as he took him with hard strokes.
“Nic, fuck,” he cried. “Shit, you feel so good.”
Nic kissed Mandalay’s nape and drove into him again and again. Mandalay closed his eyes, the bliss had him flying. He let out a hard cry as his orgasm took him over. The colors exploding in front of his eyes fueled his pleasure.
Behind him, Nic drove into him again as he bit him hard, drawing another cry from Mandalay as he came again.
“Nic,” Mandalay panted. “Baby.”
Nic’s cum was pumping into him hot and moist even as his cock swelled, the knot making Mandalay feel incredibly full.
“Mandy, I love you,” Nic said softly in his ear and Mandalay’s heart beat even faster.
The words were almost inaudible, but they wrapped around him like a warm blanket on a freezing night. And he had no idea what to say.
Chapter Seventeen
When the lock eased, Nic pulled from him, bracing his hands on the bed. “I think the condom broke.”
“Me too,” Mandalay said as he rolled on to his back and stared up at Nic. He was gorgeous, but his face held signs of concern. “I haven’t had time to take anything, but I’ll get a morning after pill in the morning.”
Nic ran a hand through his hair as he pushed out a sigh. “I should have stopped.”
Mandalay laughed and got to his feet. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not in heat, Nic,” he said. “So the chances of me being pregnant after last night and now are slim. Don’t be a worrywart for both our sakes.” Mandalay kissed his jaw and pulled back. “Or did you mean you should haven’t have told me you loved me?”
Nic winced. “I’m not embarrassed by my feelings,” he said. “I just didn’t think about how you might feel hearing that.”
Mandalay shrugged. “I’m glad you told me. I’ve worried I’d never find my true mate because my parents would eventually pressure me into taking a woman.”
“I could cause a lot of problems for you.”
Mandalay cupped Nic’s cheek. “No. You’re the answer to every prayer I’ve ever prayed relationship wise. You might not be a dream because of your job, but that we’ll work out.”
“And your parents?”
“They’ll come to terms eventually,” Mandalay assured him. “Now, let’s clean up. I haven’t eaten much today, and sex makes me hungry.”
Nic grinned.
They cleaned up and headed downstairs where Nic got them plates while Mandalay opened the containers.
“Mom sent you some pie,” Mandalay said. “She was upset you didn’t come, so be prepared to catch hell. She thinks you made me look bad to my dad.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I doubt that,” Mandalay said. “You told me your reasons, which you could have bent considering how long you’ve known my parents.”
“I didn’t want to,” Nic admitted, and Mandalay gave him a curious look.
“Why?”
“I needed to take care of something. Besides, I wasn’t up for getting picked at an entire day.”
Mandalay growled. “Nic.”
“I won’t lie to you again about that.”
“Better not,” Mandalay said darkly. “I’ll bite you.”
Nic chuckled and then moved behind Mandalay and tickled his sides. Mandalay laughed and squirmed trying to get away.
“Nic!”
Nic released him, and Mandalay loaded food on the plates. Nic stuck one in the microwave.
“So, did you take care of your business?”
“Yeah. We got a plan in place for some security measures. I’m going to be a little busy over the next few days putting them in place.”
Mandalay ran his hand up Nic’s arm. “Make time for a little lunch with me tomorrow so I won’t feel unloved.”
Nic gave him an amused look. “I have a feeling you’re a high maintenance kind of guy.”
“Not really.” He leaned toward Nic. “I just want our bond to be strong, and the early days after mating are times when things can go incredibly wrong or powerfully right.”
Nic lifted a brow at him. “You’re a romantic.”
“Maybe.” He stroked Nic’s back. “But you do your job, and I’ll do mine in keeping us on track.”
They got the meal heated and took it to the living room where they ate on the floor, watching one of the movies Mandalay had picked up. When they were done, they cuddled on the couch with Mandalay falling asleep in Nic’s arms while they watched a crime show rerun.
Nic stroked Mandalay’s back as he started to drift off. Some part of him, the wolf, remained hyper-aware, his senses on his mate and the need to keep him safe. Nic could sense danger coming, he just wasn’t aware of the direction it was coming from. However, he planned to be ready.
* * * *
He stood outside watching the flicker of light inside the cabin. None of the soldiers had paid him any mind as he made his way through the small complex. It was as if they didn’t see him, but he knew they did.
Right now, he wondered if Nicolane could sense him out here. The wolf’s senses were stronger than most he’d met, unless he counted the snow wolves. Their senses had to be what they were because some of them were weaker than dominants and even betas.
He headed up to the porch, wondering if the wolf would pick up his scent. People liked him and Xavier had thought he’d grow into the position he was meant to have.
He’d needed a hunter then, and the best available had been the former packmate, Nicolane. Word had traveled about what a good cop he was.
The intruder started around the back of the cabin but stopped, catching scent of someone else. He held his position, listening, and heard the soft pad of footfalls.
What were they doing? And why?
The investigation wasn’t serious at this point. Nic and his team hadn’t turned up anything to be concerned about.
“He’s inside,” a voice said. “What do you want me to do? I could head over to his little girlfriend’s.”
Silence followed.
“If he’d found anything when he was out on patrol today, he’d have said something, but he didn’t. He’s a by the books kind of guy…no. Turning him won’t happen. We’ll have to either kill him or make him look like a mole…I know. He’s investigating the attack and possible moles.”
Another silence. This one was longer, and he wished he could hear what the other person was saying.
“Okay, but I have an idea…no. I don’t know who Palmer could have sent those files to. I don’t think it was anyone around here. Besides, there would be no reason for him to betray us.”
He drew in a long slow breath, attempting to place the scent. The voice was familiar enough, but the scent was off.
He pulled his phone from his pocket. It was on vibrate, but he didn’t expect any calls at this time of evening.
“I suggest you tread carefully, and when you ask for the meet, test Jody. He’s either still on board or he’s ready to betray us. Then, we’ll have to take action. I need to get out of here in case someone sees me or Nicolane comes to the window.”
He stopped, his finger on the button that gave him instant access to the soldier within.
He watched the man retreat, unable to make him out clearly as he kept to the shadows. He knew the walk, but he’d have to be sure before he set Nic on the man.
* * * *
“I don’t think this war can be won by direct attack,” Manuel said to his companions, Chico and Grace.
Grace was sipping a drink as she lounged on the couch in the study while Chico leaned against the wall near the bookcase.
“Your stepfather and Blacktooth’s leaders disagree,” Chico said. “We both know their opinion is all that matters.”
“Not here,” Manuel said, contradicting him. “I don’t intend to be anyone’s pet, despite my father’s belief. This is my chance to make my mark.”
“I agree,” Grace said. “This area is damn-near rural. We can build a strong business out here once we take out the wolves. The panthers can be left alone for now.”
“Which is my plan,” Manuel told her. “Instead of eliminating all the wolves, I want to bring them into the pack.”
Wolf’s Fall Page 11
