Hard to Handle

by Fel Fern

  “Don’t take too long, okay? Say hi for me to your brother. I’d like to meet him soon,” were Max’s parting words to him.

  Gill and he had always had a rocky relationship. The moment he hit eighteen, he’d enlisted in the Paranormal Special Ops. Gill had only been a year younger than he was. Gill assured him he could take care of himself, but Grant had a feeling his brother resented him just a little for leaving home.

  Grant pushed opened the door to find a nurse checking on Gill’s vitals.

  “Hey, bro. Was wondering when you’d finally see me,” Gill said.

  The nurse went to him. “He’s feeling good today. The doctor says he’ll be able to operate on Gill’s leg soon.”

  “When?”

  “Next week Monday.”

  She exited the room, leaving him alone with his brother. Grant studied the cast over Gill’s leg.

  “You up for another surgery so soon?” he asked. He handed Gill a greasy brown paper bag. Gill swiped it, peered inside, and licked his lips.

  “My favorite cheeseburgers and fries.” Gill popped a fry in his mouth. “Surgery? Yeah. I’m game for it. I’m sick of being confined in bed.”

  Grant took a seat on the chair next to the bed.

  Gill rolled his eyes. “Don’t look so concerned. Dr. Atkins says it’s a simple procedure.”

  “Metal shards with silver fragments from the car crash cut into your leg muscle and bone,” he reminded his brother. “It’s not simple.”

  Gill grunted. Guilt punched Grant in the gut, made him remember that awful day. He’d just come home after his recent tour. Grant had been in a foul mood, and Gill had been drinking hard that night. Alcohol normally didn’t affect shifters, but Gill drank a lot those days.

  He knew Gill had followed the wrong crowd after high school. Grant had tried to straighten out his brother a few times, except Gill kept failing, disappointing him.

  Then the crash happened, and it only put a strain on their relationship further. If they hadn’t had that fight, maybe Gill would’ve have taken his car that night.

  “Hey, Grant?” Gill finished off his meal.

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m really sorry for putting you through this. I know all this, my medical costs, must be expensive. Few doctors would want to touch a case like mine, but you found me a good surgeon anyway.”

  Most of the surgeons he’d approached told him the same thing. Silver was deadly to a shifter, and the fragments in Gill’s leg would’ve probably killed all the living cells. Amputation had been their answer, but his brother loved skateboarding and running marathons.

  He finally found Dr. Atkins, who removed the silver first. The shifter doctor had developed a serum that regrew shifter cells. It was still in clinical trial, but it worked.

  “Don’t worry about the money,” Grant said smoothly. “Even if the operation’s a success, there’s going to be more hard work again, intense physical therapy. You up for that?”

  “Of course. You raised me to be a fighter, right?”

  Raised had been the right word. After their parents died, he took care of Gill, but that was the problem. He acted more like a parent than a brother to Gill, even if they were only one year apart.

  “Bro.” Gill let out a breath. “Be real with me. Can we really afford this?”

  “Yeah, I’ve found a decent gig,” he said.

  Gill narrowed his eyes at that. While Grant didn’t exactly share what his freelance work was, he’d come home all torn up and bruised far too many times.

  “Nothing dangerous,” he assured his brother. “In fact, I’m better than I’ve ever been. Even found myself a mate.”

  “A mate? You?” Gill asked, completely shocked.

  He growled. “Why is that so surprising?”

  It felt good, Grant realized, being able to argue like this with his brother again. After the accident, Gill wouldn’t talk to him. Grant figured his brother was still mad at him for the argument they had before the crash. It took him a long time to realize Gill had been ashamed of himself for taking the car out that night.

  “I don’t think any shifter’s brave enough to stomach you,” Gill said.

  “Max’s human.”

  “Human?” Gill widened his eyes. “You serious? You’re too much for most shifters, but a human? I got to meet him sometime.”

  “I’ll bring him over soon.” Grant promised. “For now, let’s talk more about your upcoming surgery.”

  “Aw, bro. That’s boring. I want juicy gossip. Tell me more about this human mate of yours.”

  * * * *

  After Grant left that morning to see his brother in the hospital, Max felt more caged up than ever in his own home. Mick and Pat, the werewolves his father sent over to take Grant’s place for the day, had settled themselves in his kitchen.

  Max knew how this worked. Most of the werewolves his dad assigned to him always ignored him, treated him like he was invisible. They only acted when he was in genuine danger. Max locked himself in his room and flopped on his bed. He missed Grant terribly already.

  He begged Grant to go with him, but that meant breaking his father’s rules about staying out of sight for a week. Max grudgingly agreed to stay put, knowing he couldn’t be seen in public.

  Max expected Grant to be gone the entire day, but after lunch, he received a text that Grant was on his way out.

  “Yes,” he said. He left his room, about to tell Mick and Pat they were off-duty, but he froze in his tracks. Mick had just opened the door for his father. Daniel entered, only for the two werewolves to leave.

  “Dad,” he blurted, hand creeping to his side of his neck, over Grant’s mate mark. They hadn’t told his father about being mated yet and agreed to wait. To tell Daniel at the right moment. Grant must’ve felt his tension through their mate bond, because Max felt a tug.

  “What are you doing here?” he blurted. Grant was close by. He could feel it. This mating bond could come in handy, Max realized. Wait a second. Grant and his father being in the same room? Not the best idea. He had to find some way to convince his dad to go home.

  “I thought I’d take over from Mick and Pat. Spend some time with my son.”

  “Uh. I’m doing just fine. I’m sure you’re busy. Mick and Pat know what they’re doing,” he said quickly. Besides, Mick and Pat seemed too blind to notice Max was recently mated. His dad wasn’t.

  Daniel flared his nostrils and stomped up to him. Max raised a hand, as if that could stop an Alpha werewolf. Daniel gripped his wrist and snarled, seeing his neck. Max didn’t think he’d ever heard his father swore in front of him.

  “When I get my hands on that bastard, I’m going to—”

  “Going to what?” Grant interrupted, closing the front door behind him.

  Seeing his mate, Max breathed a sigh of relief. Crap. No. His dad left his side to start a glaring contest with Grant. Max could feel the temperature in the room spike, the tension between the two important men in his life.

  Daniel growled. “You dare touch my son? I knew you wanted him, but making your move this fast?”

  Max grimaced as his father broke one of his favorite vases by punching a fist right through it. He knew his dad didn’t do it to hurt him. Werewolf Alphas had short fuses, were prone to destruction. He remembered asking one of his cousins once why the pack house had such cheap furniture. It was because werewolves broke stuff easily all the time.

  Grant flashed his father a smirk. Max’s heart nearly stopped at Grant’s next words. “It’s insurance. I can’t stand another man touching him.”

  His father lost it. Daniel growled, lunged at his mate, but Grant was no pushover. The two men collided, started throwing punches.

  “Stop!” Max yelled, pitching his voice as loud as he could. Grant paused, only for his father to land a painful-looking blow to Grant’s face. “Dad, stop it or I’m throwing you out.”

  Daniel did as he asked, but his eyes were still yellow and fur had started covering his arms.
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  “You entrusted him to me,” Grant told Daniel simply. “He’s mine to protect now. Mine. I’ll do a hell of a job at it. Accept it.”

  No one ever talked to his father like that and lived. Grant was standing his ground, Max realized. That made him proud of his mate.

  “I don’t have a choice,” Daniel said, breathing hard. “As tempting it is to kill you, I can’t. You already mated him, joined his life force to yours.”

  “Dad,” he began, approaching the man who raised him, who chose to live on after his own mate had died. He touched Daniel’s arm and the fur disappeared, returned to human skin. “Listen, I chose this, chose him as well. Grant’s the one.”

  “You’ve only known him for a few days.”

  “I know,” Max simply. “That he’ll make me happy. You’re a shifter. You know the mating call can’t be denied.”

  Daniel’s eye color changed back to his human one. Blue. Clarity returned there. “This is your decision?”

  “Absolutely,” he said without hesitation.

  Chapter 12

  “One more day and exile ends,” Max said dramatically as he took the chair opposite Grant’s in the living room. “I’m bored.”

  Grant looked at his mate from his laptop. Max pouted at him, reminded him of bored, energetic puppy that wanted to play. He understood how Max felt. His wolf wanted new surroundings, although he had to admit. Having Max completely accessible to him 24/7 felt like a dream.

  He could already feel his jeans tightening. Down, he told his wolf. Grant had already taken Max in the shower earlier that morning. Max was human, needed rest, although from the way Max rode him, his human had a shifter’s energy.

  “Oh, you’re looking at me like that,” Max said, smile on his lips. “Where are you going to do me? Here on this table?”

  He let out a low growl. Tempting but Grant shouldn’t be thinking about sex with his mate all the time. He must’ve taken too long to answer, because Max eventually walked around the dining table to slide into his lap. All thoughts of work disappeared.

  Max peered at his laptop, and seeing that Grant was tinkering with the security system of the apartment, he rolled his eyes.

  “Admit it. You’re bored, too,” Max said, settled his arms behind Grant’s neck.

  “Nope. You’re distraction of the best sort.”

  Max laughed at that.

  Grant leaned in close, inhaled the enticing scent of his human, before placing a kiss on his mate mark on the side of his neck. Daniel had been livid when he visited three days ago and saw his teeth marks on Max.

  Grant had a long way to go before he’d earn Daniel’s trust completely, but he already anticipated that.

  “What are you thinking about?” Max asked him.

  “Your father.”

  Max made a face. “Seriously? Not me? Don’t tell me you find him more attractive now.”

  “Silly human. Not that way. I was thinking about his visit three days ago.”

  “Oh that reminds me. I should send him a bill for that vase he broke when he was about to throttle you. Good thing my mate’s Alpha enough to fight him off.”

  Max sounded candid now, but Grant knew Max was worried when Daniel and he had nearly come to serious blows in Max’s living room.

  “Max, we both knew it’d take him time to accept this, us, but he’ll calm down,” he told his mate. “I’ve already told him I’ve no interest in your trust fund, just you.”

  “I think he’s just pissed that he’s not the only man in my life.”

  Grant chuckled. “You know, I think you deserve a reward for behaving so well these past few days.”

  Max arched an eyebrow. “I like the sound of that. Gimme my treats.”

  Max reached for the button of his jeans, but he gently pried Max’s fingers from his pants. Very tempting, but Grant had another idea. A plan. He’d already gotten Daniel’s approval earlier that morning.

  “Get dressed. Something comfortable. We’re heading out.”

  Max widened his eyes. “You breaking the rules? That’s a surprise.”

  “I promised your father I’ll keep an eye on you at all times. You’re not to leave my side.”

  “Why would I?” Max fluttered his lashes at him. “I can’t get enough of you.”

  His dick got hard just from those words. “Fifteen minutes.”

  Max groaned. “Oh. All right. I do want to get out of this stuffy apartment anyway. So, where are we going?”

  “It’s a secret.”

  “You know I don’t do well with those.”

  “Think of it as a lesson in patience. Also pack an overnight bag.”

  Max glowered adorably at him, before stomping off to change. Half an hour later, Max appeared in a plain shirt, jeans, and sneakers. His mate also had a backpack.

  “Do you like those shoes?” he had to ask. Despite Max’s casual appearance, Grant knew everything Max wore was designer.

  “Why?” Max asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Because they’ll eventually get dirty.”

  “Dirty?” Max curved his mouth to a tempting grin. “What evil plans are you concocting?”

  Grant crossed his arms. He guessed it wouldn’t hurt to give Max a hint. “I think a dose of fresh air, trees would be nice change of pace.”

  Max stared at him. “The outdoors? Are you joking? The furthest I’ve been around nature is the park.”

  “I know. No complaints. Unless you want to remain here?”

  Max seemed to consider his choices. Eventually, his human threw up his hands in defeat. “Fine. We’ll have it your way. That place better have a good reception. Chad’s texts are my connection to what’s happening in the city.”

  Grant knew Max missed going out at night and meeting his friends. That aspect of Max’s life, he’d probably never get used to. He might be a possessive bastard, but he wasn’t about to demand Max to cut all his social ties or change his lifestyle. Well, perhaps just a little bit.

  “Seems like Chad and you made up.”

  “Yeah, I was a prick to him when we parted. He’s a good guy. You’ll see. He can’t wait to meet you by the way. After this exile thing is over.”

  Grant nodded. “Once the threats against your father subside, things will return to normal. Better change into more comfy shoes just in case.”

  “Oh all right. I guess I do have those hiking boots somewhere.”

  “Hiking? You?” he couldn’t help but ask.

  “They were in style like last season ago. Chad and I bought one each,” Max explained. “In the end, the boots didn’t pair well with any of our clothes.”

  Another fifteen minutes later, they finally exited the apartment. Max was practically bouncing when they walked out into the street.

  “Ah, sunlight,” Max said in a dramatic voice. “Feels good. We’re taking your bike?”

  “Faster that way,” Grant said. Reaching his bike, he grabbed the helmets under the seat and handed Max one.

  “It’s been forever since I’ve gone out. Take me wherever you want,” Max said, mounting his bike. Once his human placed his arms around his waist, Grant started the engine and sped off.

  Max let out what sounded like shriek of excitement as they cruised past traffic. Grant maneuvered his way around cars, moving towards the city’s exit. According to Daniel, they’d identified the group threatening their pack and intended to crack down on them today. Best to take Max out of the city and away from the action.

  Grant hit the highway, then less taken country roads. The charming little mountain town of Valor only lay a few hundred miles from the city. The perfect short getaway. Grant had already booked a room at one of the town’s oldest, nicest inns for an overnight stay.

  He had everything planned. They’d check in, take a short but not tiring hike in the nearby forest. Maybe indulge in each other before dinner and after.

  He smiled at the thought. Grant had never thought of taking vacations with a lover, because until Max, he’d never ha
d a serious relationship. He drove past the main town area and up a hill leading to the Oceanview Inn. Grant found a spot in the parking lot. He helped Max down.

  “Wow, Grant. This place looks amazing. I’ve heard of Valor, but never had the chance to come here. I’ve always thought of myself as a city boy,” Max said as Grant kept their helmets.

  “This is my first time here as well. My brother recommended this place.”

  “Gill? I should thank him. I didn’t think you had one romantic bone in your body.”

  Grant grunted at that, then gave Max a playful nudge. Max grinned and reached for his fingers. He gripped them, and led his mate inside the rustic bed-and-breakfast overlooking the city. They were greeted by the owners, an elderly shifter couple.

  “Here’s the keys, best view in the house,” Mrs. Adderley said, beaming at them. “Enjoy your stay.”

  “Oh we will,” Max quipped. They left the reception area and headed to the second floor, where their room was located. Grant used the key, impressed by the size of the suite and the way the bedroom opened to a balcony. He could smell the sea.

  “This is great!” Max dumped his backpack on the ground and flopped on the bed. Grant did the same with his small duffel and joined his mate.

  “Baby,” Max said. “You’re the best. Remind me again how exactly you managed to convince Dad to agree to this?”

  Grant growled in approval when Max sat up and straddled him. His cock pressed up against the zipper of his jeans. He could imagine both of them naked and Max sliding his ass right down his shaft.

  What was Max’s question again?

  “That I’d take you somewhere where no one would recognize you.” He took a deep breath. He also felt guilty for keeping one important information from his mate. “All right. There’s also another important reason, something I’ve kept from you.”

  Chapter 13

  Max had a sneaking suspicion Grant had taken him all the way here for a reason. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”