by Macy Blake
“Shaq, look.”
He’d once again taken his mate’s breath away. Shaq clearly hadn’t known the goddess would give him the same mark. His reaction was so sweet. He knelt on the ground with Drew still clutched in his arms and once they were settled, he reached for Drew’s wrist. He brought the mark to his lips, kissing it gently. “Drew,” Shaq whispered.
Drew ran his fingers through Shaq’s hair and leaned his forehead into his mates. Shaq kept his lips pressed to the mark as his entire body shook with emotion. “Talk to me,” Drew murmured into Shaq’s hair.
“I didn’t think it was real. I thought… maybe I’d just gotten my hopes up. That it was all a big mistake. But this,” Shaq paused and kissed the mark on Drew’s wrist again, “this is real.”
“Hey, Shaq?”
Shaq looked up and the love Drew could see in his eyes caused him to catch his breath. “I believe in magic.”
Shaq smiled and reached for Drew’s neck. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. And hellhounds. And werewolves. And, after tonight, I totally believe in goddesses. So if I can believe in all that, you can believe in us.”
“How are you not crazy right now? When you say it like that… I’ve seen humans unable to function after learning of our world. I’ve had to take their memories. But you, you Drew, you opened your heart to me and my pack so quickly. So completely.”
Drew shrugged. “I guess it didn’t take me too long to figure out where I was meant to be.”
He pressed a gentle kiss to Shaq’s forehead. Then down his brow and over to his cheek. He nipped at Shaq’s jaw and down onto the sweet spot on the side of his neck. He kissed him there and Shaq trembled.
“You make me lose control,” Shaq whispered.
“I haven’t yet,” Drew answered. “But I plan on it.”
He nipped at Shaq’s neck again. His mate growled and lowered him onto his back. The ground shifted, as if sensing their needs, and became a soft cushion of moss and grass. Shaq braced himself over Drew and stared down at him with flaming eyes. “You like to play with fire.”
Drew reached between them and grabbed Shaq’s thick cock in a tight grip. “Like the goddess said, I do like riding my noble steed.”
Shaq grumbled and raised up again. He pulled his T-shirt over his head and tossed it to the side before reaching for Drew’s jeans. “Your noble steed’s about to show you who’s boss.”
Goddess, Drew adored this man, this alpha of his. “I’d like to see you try.”
He had to bite his lip as he got another growl out of his mate. His shoes were pulled off then his jeans and boxers were quickly removed and tossed out of the way. Drew spread his legs and allowed Shaq to settle between them. Shaq caged Drew between his arms again, lowering himself to stare down into Drew’s eyes. He nosed Drew’s cheek and Drew moved his head, allowing Shaq access to his neck. Shaq nipped and licked as he began to roll his hips against Drew’s. Then he let out another frustrated growl.
“Forget something?” Drew asked.
He couldn’t help but laugh at Shaq’s snarl of annoyance. His mate still had his jeans on.
Shaq pushed off of Drew once more, growling and huffing as he stomped around and kicked off his pants and boxers. But he’d forgotten his boots. Shaq snarled again, his animal side clearly near the surface. Drew found he didn’t care at all. He was so happy, giddy still from the goddess’s magic, but more so thrilled that this powerful man could be so overcome with want for him. He’d never had that before and it filled him with so much joy.
“Shaq?” Drew asked once his mate was naked and prowling his way again, his thick cock standing proudly out from his body and his eyes blazing with a fury of reds and oranges.
Shaq growled his reply, crouching down between Drew’s thighs again and stroking his hands up Drew’s legs.
“We might have forgotten one more thing.”
Shaq glanced up at him, but one hand grabbed Drew’s cock and gave it a long, slow stroke. “What?” Shaq asked. His voice was so growly and low that it sent a shiver up Drew’s spine.
“Lube.”
Shaq threw back his head and howled. Drew bit his lip, trying not to laugh at his mate’s frustration, because he was going to wind up just as frustrated in the end.
“You think this is funny?” Shaq asked. His snarl had turned into a pout. Goddess, he was gorgeous.
“A little.”
Shaq smirked then, the flames in his eyes swirling and changing. “You forgot one thing.”
“What’s that?” Drew asked.
Shaq closed his eyes and lowered his head before whispering beneath his breath, too quiet for Drew to hear. He didn’t need to hear it for long though because suddenly he could feel it. “Shaq! You didn’t!”
Shaq laughed and leaned down again. “I did.”
“I’m never going to be able to see her again. Ever. Not ever again.”
“Why? Because I asked my goddess to provide us with lube and she responded?”
“Exactly why! Shaq! The goddess put lube in my ass!”
Shaq howled again, but this time with laughter. “She just willed it so, my love.”
“Still embarrassing.”
Shaq stretched out over Drew, his large body covering Drew completely. He had to widen his legs further to accommodate his mate, and he didn’t care a bit. Shaq’s thick cock nestled in tight against his ass. Drew wiggled a little so he could get it pressed against his hole.
“I’ve never been this happy,” Shaq confessed.
“Me either.”
Shaq pushed his hips forward and the tip of his cock stretched Drew’s hole wide. Drew groaned and wrapped his legs around Shaq’s hips, opening himself up as Shaq penetrated him. He clung to Shaq’s shoulders, aching as each movement pushed Shaq’s cock deeper. When he was finally buried completely in Drew’s ass, Shaq pushed up and howled again. Drew had never seen him this animalistic, his beast so close to the surface. The howl of the alpha demanded a response from him, but Drew didn’t know what it was. Shaq lowered his head once more, locking his gaze onto Drew’s as he panted for breath, his arms straining in an effort to maintain control.
But he needed to lose a little of that control. Drew ran his hands down Shaq’s trembling muscles and smiled up at him. “Hey. We need to switch positions.”
Shaq grumbled and remained still.
“Come on, big guy. Pull out. You’ll be glad you did.” Shaq did as Drew asked, his cock slipping free. Drew flipped over and arranged himself on his hands and knees. He looked back over his shoulder and smiled. “Now.”
The look Shaq gave him made Drew’s arms shake. Lust. Want. Desire. Hunger. Shaq grabbed his hips and positioned his cock, moving so fast Drew couldn’t even process. Then he was buried to the hilt in Drew’s ass again and it was Drew’s turn to howl. Shaq pounded into him, and Drew’s body soared. He’d never felt so much pleasure in his life. It coursed through is veins, connecting him to Shaq, to his mate in a way he’d never imagined.
His arms buckled, the strain of holding himself up against Shaq’s powerful thrusts more than his human arms could manage. He didn’t have to worry though. Shaq caught him, one big arm going around his stomach. His clawed fingers pricked at the tender skin on Drew’s belly, drawing another needy sound from his throat. Shaq’s other hand went to his neck and he pulled Drew back until he was sitting across Shaq’s lap, his mate’s cock buried so deeply inside him.
“Shaq,” Drew whimpered.
“I want to bite you now,” Shaq growled.
“Yes, please.”
Drew leaned his head to the side, his hips continuing to work, grinding down, rolling front and back. “Shaq,” Drew whimpered again.
His mate chuckled and began to move inside him once more. He held Drew steady, arms wrapped tightly around his neck and belly. He was in complete control, playing Drew like an instrument and drawing every ounce of pleasure from him. His pleasure crested, his orgasm so close to the surface he could feel it beginning to pu
lse out of his cock. Then Shaq struck, fangs buried deep in the tender skin of Drew’s neck. He screamed, but the pain of the bite coupled with the perfect timing of his release. His cock spurted and Shaq gripped it in his hand, stroking Drew through his orgasm even as he continued to keep his teeth buried in Drew’s neck.
Shaq lost control then and thrust up into Drew, whimpering and groaning until he finally had to withdraw his teeth so he could get another angle. Shaq howled then, his back arching as he began to come, his release shooting deep into Drew’s body, so hot and thick. Drew cried out again at the feel of it, his body still in the throes of his own release, trembling and shaking.
They stayed that way for several long minutes, panting for breath and bound together. Shaq licked at the spot on Drew’s neck tenderly and he leaned back against his mate’s chest. “Shaq,” Drew whispered.
“I’ve got you, love.”
“I know you do. Promise me you’ll never let go.”
Shaq kissed the bite mark again and then traced his lips up to Drew’s ear. “You’re mine.”
It was the only promise Drew needed.
Meshaq
When they stepped back through the portal to the woods behind his bar, Shaq knew his pack would be waiting for him. The parking lot was full, the usual Saturday night crowd, and Shaq knew he’d have to get to work the moment they stepped inside. Drew held his hand, a satisfied smile on his face. Shaq knew he looked the same. Happy. Content. And oh so very satisfied.
He stopped them just outside the door to the bar and wrapped his arms around his mate. “You ready to go in?”
“Yeah. It looks busy. Izzy’s back tonight, right?”
“She is.”
“Cody should be here, too.”
“All hands on deck.”
“They’re going to be happy for us, right? They don’t think I’m stealing you away or that this is too fast or—”
Shaq stopped Drew’s worry by kissing him. “They love you. As do I.”
Drew clung to his arms. “Say it again.”
“I love you, my mate.”
“My neck feels weird.”
“It looks beautiful.”
Drew smirked at him, his sweet lips curling up. “You mauled me.”
“And I’ll maul you again when we get home.”
“Is that supposed to scare me?”
“Nope.”
Drew snickered and stepped away. “I love you, too.”
“I know,” Shaq said.
Drew smacked his arm and opened the door to the bar. It took Shaq a second to realize that Drew had frozen, and he looked up quickly, ready to defend his mate, only to see that his bar had been redecorated in their absence. Silver and white streamers hung through the rafters and a huge Congratulations sign was strung above the bar. Twinkle lights crisscrossed the walls and candles were lit on all of the tables.
“What the hell?”
His pack stood beside the bar, all of them gathered together with beaming smiles. Shaq nudged Drew forward, and it didn’t take him long to get with the program. Drew darted forward and grabbed Shelly, squeezing her in a hug.
“Solomon told us you guys were going to sneak away and get hitched,” Shelly said.
Well, that wasn’t exactly what they’d done, but it was the human equivalent so he’d take it.
Drew beamed at her. “Look.”
He held up his wrist and showed her the mark.
“Oh my God. Matching tattoos. That is so sweet.”
Again, not exactly right, but close enough. Shaq glanced at Solomon, whose gaze was locked on Drew’s wrist. He turned to look at Shaq, and the awe and happiness in his eyes brought Shaq an insane amount of joy.
“Congratulations,” Solomon said.
Walt slapped Shaq on the shoulder and grinned. “Glad you made an honest man out of him. He could use the help.”
“Hey!” Drew protested. “You’re one to talk.”
Walt grabbed Drew around the neck and pulled him into a hug. “I made a cake.”
“You did?”
Walt nodded. “I don’t want to hear a word about it.”
“Thanks, Walt.”
Walt huffed. “I’m getting back to work. Too many damn people out here.”
The rest of the pack joined in, everyone hugging each other and celebrating. All of the bar’s regulars were there as well, and Big Bill pointed to a table full of presents at the back of the bar.
“We got you all hooked up. Solomon said you didn’t need anything, but the wife, she said Solomon was an idiot. I listen to her, Shaq. And you should listen to Drew. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. I like him.”
“Thanks, Bill.”
“I don’t know about all these newcomers messing around here, but you run a good shop.”
“And it’ll stay that way. Gotta work to take care of my guy, right?”
“Aint that the truth.”
Cosmo crept out from behind a group of fauns who’d hung back and let the pack greet their alpha first. He sidled forward, looking sheepish as usual. “Congratulations, alpha.”
“Thanks, Cosmo.”
“He smells nice, Alpha.”
Shaq growled. “Cut it out.”
“Sweet as honey.”
“Don’t make me throw you out. I’m in too good of a mood.”
“We wish to celebrate.”
Shaq sighed. “Cosmo.”
“We wish to give you merriment, Meshaq, alpha of the hellhounds. We will go easy on the humans and won’t let our magic leave this room.”
Shaq glanced at Drew, once again amazed at how well his mate fit with him. Drew was surrounded by big, burly bikers, and they were all listening to him raptly as he showed off his “tattoo.” He got a few proud pats on the shoulders while they showed off their own ink.
“Okay,” Shaq said.
“Meshaq, it is quite the honor for us to offer this gift to you, so you shouldn’t turn it down before… wait. What?” Cosmo sputtered and looked at him.
“Okay. Go easy on the humans and the magic doesn’t leave this room.”
“You accept our offer? You will allow us to celebrate with you?”
Shaq grinned and waved Drew over. “We will.”
Cosmo made a screeching squeal that halted all conversation in the room. Drew flinched and covered his ears. “What was that?”
“A happy faun. So, I told them they could sing.”
Drew frowned and looked up at him. “I thought that was bad?”
Shaq shrugged. “Cosmo knows the rules, and honestly, no one knows how to party like the fauns.”
“I don’t know what that means,” Drew said.
“Remember how you felt a bit tipsy after the goddess used her magic?”
Drew nodded.
“That’s the way you feel when the fauns sing. It’s not dangerous… well, unless Cosmo decided to get plastered and go into suburbia. But it doesn’t really affect me so I can keep him under control.”
“You’ll keep us safe, huh?”
“Always,” Shaq promised.
“And the humans will be okay to drive home?”
“Yes. I won’t let it go on too long. Just enough to make people feel our happiness. Cosmo knows what I’ll allow. They’ll sing a song and that’ll be it.”
“Okay.”
Drew leaned into him and wrapped his arms around Shaq’s waist. “I’m really protective over them all. It’s odd. Like I need to take care of them. To make sure they’re good, you know?”
Shaq kissed the top of Drew’s head. “That’s what it’s like being an alpha, love.”
“You’re good at it.”
Before Shaq could respond, the door to the bar opened and about thirty supernatural creatures stood there with beaming smiles. “Cosmo!” Shaq yelled.
“It is happy news! We must share it with our friends, Meshaq!”
Shaq groaned.
“What’s wrong?” Drew asked. His mate was holding back laughter and it wasn’t
funny at all.
This was getting too big for him to be able to make excuses. He scowled down at Drew.
“Nana Jerrick. That’s what’s wrong.”
Drew glanced up at him with a puzzled frown.
“This is turning into a party, and I didn’t invite the Jerricks. They’re family. I’m going to catch so much hell for this.”
Drew laughed and tugged him close again. “You totally are. Blame it on Solomon. It sounds like he’s the one who put this together.”
Suddenly, Shaq wasn’t so worried anymore. He beamed down at Drew, tugging him close as Cosmo and a couple of the other fauns hopped up onto the bar. “I like the way you think,” Shaq growled into Drew’s ear. His mate shivered in his arms.
“Tonight, we celebrate the pairing of Meshaq and Drew,” Cosmo announced. “Everyone raise their glasses to the best al…er, to the best man we know and the hu… er, other man who has made him so happy.”
Shaq groaned and thumped his head down on Drew’s shoulder even as everyone around them cheered. Cosmo and his brethren began to sing, one of them even busting out the traditional pipes fauns used to liven up the party. They kept it low key and everyone began to smile a little wider. His pack surrounded him, moving closer as the fauns’ magic wove through the air. They’d all come to him over the years, needing a leader. He’d taken on his role for the goddess, and had cherished the years in her service. He’d done it all without asking for a reward, but she’d given him one anyway. Graced him with the perfect mate to spend the rest of his days on earth. The mark on Drew’s arm… it tied them together. He wouldn’t have to be without his mate on this earth. Solomon looped an arm over Shaq’s shoulders and Calli leaned into his other side. Teague and Achim pushed in close to Drew and Jedrek leaned against Calli’s back. Vice joined them as well, for once smiling widely. He leaned in against Teague and Shaq felt his alpha power surge.
Even his human pack could feel it. As the magic flowed, Shelly, Izzy, Walt and Cody all came to him, drawn to his strength and the power of his mating. They ended up all in a tight bunch, Drew at the center. His mate laughed and pressed back against him, enjoying the song of the fauns. When it ended, everyone cheered once more and Cosmo beamed at the small crowd.
