“Oh, good. I wanted to make sure. How are you doing?”
“I’m good. I like it here. I have a date on Thursday.”
“A date?” Mai looked out the window toward Nathan and Ashkii. “What about Nathan?”
“Nathan can come, but he didn’t seem to want to. The kitty is very lonely and invited me to lunch at the Grind.” He looked at his bear with a smile.
“Oh! So it’s a lunch date? Like with a friend? Which kitty? Surely not Liam.”
“No. No, he’s the snowboarder, Owen. He’s a bobcat. I clean their house on Fridays.” He was chatting. With Maicoh. How very odd.
“Oh! Yes. The bookstore guy’s brother.” Maicoh took the knife to chop onions and celery when he handed them over. “He’s a nice kid. So you and Nathan, then?”
“Me and Nathan?” Maicoh seemed so worried. “Are you asking if we’re lovers?”
“I am.” Maicoh paused to look at him, really look into him. No chopping off fingers, he supposed. “You know you don’t have to be with him that way to stay here, don’t you? I don’t want you feeling pressured.”
He stopped, frowned, but then what Maicoh was trying to say made him laugh. His Nathan? Forcing himself on someone? Coercing someone? Never. “Oh no! No, I was—it was me, Maicoh! I seduced him.”
“No shit?” The words popped out, and Mai’s eyes actually crossed as he tried to look at his own mouth. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I like him. He likes me.” The sex was amazing.
He swore he heard Nathan’s happy growl.
“Well, good. I was worried, after all the, uh, sniffing. You’re my friend, you know?”
He didn’t think so, but he thought that they could be someday. “There’s no reason to worry about me and Nathan.”
“I’m happy to hear that, kiddo. Really. So tell me about lonely kitty.” Mai sliced eggs.
“He’s nice. I think he’s looking for someone in his pack.” Did kitties have pack?
“His brothers have gotten busy the last few years, Ash says. Summer is a bore for him, I think. It’s good that you two are getting to know each other.”
The potatoes went into a bowl with all the other stuff. “Relish?”
“I have some here. He said something about maybe leaving? Something about an owl?”
Mai turned that full attention on him, gaze sharpening. “Did he say what she said?”
“The veil is closing. He said the mother, Owl, said that. That safe spaces are small.” He opened the relish jar. “He said you walked over the bridge as a man.”
“I did. I didn’t know I was here for about a week.”
Huh. “Is that odd?”
“I honestly don’t know. If it is, it was because of Ashkii. I found his cup the first day I was here. The veil is closing.” Mai went still, thinking. “I wonder what that means for us here.”
“I don’t know what it means at all. Should I?”
“Well, I know Ash says Mother Owl talks in riddles, so maybe I shouldn’t interpret. But I take it to mean travel between here and the world we came from will shut down?”
“The bridge? The one across the river?”
“Yeah. I don’t know. She adores Nathan. Maybe he can go talk to her.” Mai lumped mayo, salt and pepper, and relish into the bowl. “Can you go ask Nathan if he uses celery seed?”
“Sure.” He grabbed two bottles of water on his way out, because Nathan was thirsty. “Bear, do you use celery seeds?”
“In the potato salad? Yes. It’s on the lazy Susan in the spice cabinet. Oh, thank you, love. I’m so thirsty.”
“You’re welcome. Ashkii? Do you want one too?” He handed it over.
“Thank you, Halian. It’s warm out here by the grill.”
“Anytime.” He handed it over, his tail almost wagging.
Nathan winked at him, and he bounced. He loved it when Nathan looked at him like that, all sleepy and sexy.
He went back in and handed over the celery seed to Maicoh.
“Thanks, man. There.” Maicoh mixed that in. “Taste it for me?”
He took a bite and hummed. “So good. I love it.”
“Yeah?”
“Uh-huh. Nathan says more mustard, though. Just a little.”
Maicoh blinked at him. “Does he?”
He nodded and went to grab the hamburger fixin’s. Tomato and lettuce and pickles and, oh. Cheese. He liked cheese on a burger. He liked cheese.
“Halian, can you bring the cheese?” Nathan called. “I’m ready for it.”
“I have it!” Bleu cheese for Nathan and cheddar cheese for him and the other wolves.
“Thanks, love. Mai, come sit with us!” Nathan was laughing, looking so happy.
Maicoh followed him outside, and he took Nathan the cheese.
“Thanks, sweet. Mai, do you want a beer? The cooler is full.”
“You rock, dude. Seriously. You need one?”
“Please. Halian?”
“Is there Coke?” He liked sweet more than sour.
“Of course, love.” Nathan drew him in for a kiss, humming softly as they connected.
He was sparkly and breathless when they broke apart, and Mai was looking at him in surprise. Ashkii just seemed pleased.
“I’ll get you your beer, bear.” He floated over to the cooler.
He rummaged to find the beer Mai liked, then Nathan’s, and then a Dr Pepper for him and Ashkii, which was even better than Coke. And he did wag then, pure happiness flooding from him.
“I’m so glad to see you so relaxed,” Mai said.
“Being away from the pack has been good for all of us,” Ashkii said.
“Is no one happy in your pack?” Nathan asked.
Mai shook his head. “It works well for some. There’s too many of us—them—and not enough resources.”
Halian thought that it was all fine and dandy if you got to eat, if you weren’t different, if you weren’t small. Maicoh only understood being different, but not the rest.
Ash gave him a smile, one full of knowing sympathy. Yes. He knew.
Halian nodded and tried to smile back, but he couldn’t.
Nathan hugged him after handing off the big spatula to Ash. “You’re here now.”
“I am. I want to stay, bear.”
“Then we’ll keep you.” The hug did wonders for him, and he cuddled right in.
“So what do you think Owl Mother means, Nathan? About the veil closing.” Maicoh watched Nathan carefully.
“What? Who talked to Mother?” Nathan looked utterly confused.
“Owen says she said that,” Halian said.
“That the veil is closed?” Nathan asked him. “You didn’t tell me?”
“We were busy, bear. Owen said Mother Owl told them the veil was closing,” Halian repeated.
“Huh.” Nathan shook his head. “I’ll go talk to her tomorrow. Regardless, this is our place.”
See? Nathan knew what to do.
He relaxed and opened his Coke, then drank deep. The sweet fizzy of it made his eyes cross, bubbles trying to go up his nose.
Nathan laughed at something Ash said, the sound deep and happy, and he had to smile.
“You and Ash,” Maicoh chuffed. “Such puppies somehow.”
“Well, no one tried to teach us to be big bad wolves like you, Maicoh.” Halian felt very brave saying it.
“Oh ho! Listen to you. Silly puppy.”
He danced over to Nathan for a snuggle. Nathan hugged him, then spun him about. Loving on him.
Oh, this was lovely. Dancing. Loving. Laughing. Together.
Ash and Mai were the same way, touching, holding hands, and it gave him hope. How could he have thought Mai was for him?
“Mine.”
“Yes, bear. All of me.”
Nathan nuzzled his temple before heading back to get the burgers off the grill. Melty cheese!
Soon they were all set—big juicy burgers, potato salad. They laughed and talked, and Halian felt something he’d never f
elt in his life. Safety. Friendship.
Equal.
Home.
He was home. His bear was home.
That was the best thing he could ever imagine.
5
Nathan waved at Ash, Mai, and yes, Liam, who had smelled burgers and showed up. Then he went looking for his little wolf, who he was sure was in the kitchen.
Halian was cleaning, singing along with the radio, little ass wiggling back and forth.
“You know, you don’t have to scrub everything so hard, sweet. Unless it makes you happy.” He put a hand on that tight butt.
“I want to know your house is clean, bear.”
“If it works for you, sweet. I don’t want you to think you have to.” Nathan groaned softly, reaching for Halian because he had to.
“I want you to be happy.” Halian hummed softly, nuzzling his jaw.
“I do too! How cool is that.” He pulled back to look Halian in the eye. “But I want you to be happy with me, okay? If that means waiting to do the dishes, it’s cool.”
“I am happy. I’m home. Here. With you, bear.”
“Good.” He picked Halian up and spun him around. “Hot tub?”
“Bubbles!” Halian’s laughter filled the air, making him grin.
“You like them all over, huh?” He tickled Halian’s ribs. God, he was thrilled with life today.
“Are you going to love me in the hot tub, bear?”
“I am, sweet. I think it will be amazing.” Nathan kissed Halian’s neck. He loved how goosebumps rose up on that fine skin. “I’ll grab the slick for us. In case.”
“I’ll do it. I know where it is!”
“Thank you.” He got towels out of the little holder by the back door, as well as a couple bottles of water.
He’d been out of his mind with happiness when Halian came to him, took him right in. Nathan couldn’t wait to do it again, truth be told. He opened his arms when Halian came running back, one hand full of towels and all, but the other full of his lover.
“Time to soak!” The enthusiasm made him smile.
“It is. Good for tight muscles.” His fingers flexed just thinking of opening up Halian for him.
“Stretching is good for them too.” Oh, little tease.
“Definitely. I think we need to explore this.” They all but ran to the hot tub.
The night was chilly, but the water was warm and perfect, especially when Halian pushed into his arms. They both sighed when they sank into the bubbles, both smiling.
“Good, hmm?”
“Perfect. Oh, bear, it’s so good to be with you.”
“I feel the same way.” He leaned in close, kissed Halian’s neck. The way Halian lifted his chin made him rumble softly, his bear satisfied at a cellular level.
He nibbled, taking his time, really loving on every little spot he found that made Halian moan. The first one was on Halian’s collarbone, the next under his ear. When he got to Halian’s lips, he took the deep kiss he wanted, which ended with Halian in his lap, his hands on that sweet ass. Halian writhed against him, hungry and happy, belly dragging against his cock.
So responsive. Hell, Halian was happy to seduce him. He owed Ashkii and Mai eternal thanks for bringing Halian into his life.
“We’ll thank them later, bear. Now is for us.”
“It is. Where’s that slick, love? I’m not sure I can wait too long.”
“Hungry.” Halian stretched against him, rubbing them together and trying to make him crazy. It was working. His cock leaped where it pressed against Halian’s, his blood beating hard in his veins.
“I can smell you.” Halian’s groan was pure pleasure.
“I want you so badly.” He wanted that hot little hole.
“I’m yours. How do you want me?”
“I want you to look at me, kiss me.” He wanted Halian like this, on his lap, bobbing up and down.
“Oh yes, bear. Anything you need.” Halian chuckled softly and nuzzled his ear. “Everything I need too, hmm?”
“Yes.” He took the lube when Halian handed it to him, opening the tube right off. He encouraged his lover to kneel up tall, so he could reach that tiny, tight little hole.
“Up, love. Stretch.”
“Like this?” Halian turned and arched for him, showing off, letting him see that taut, sweet ass.
He hummed. “Just like that.” He got his fingers coated with lube, then reached down. He helped Halian to bend over so he could circle the wrinkled ring of muscle. The lube was good in the water, slicking the way.
“Oh.” Halian made this happy little noise, which had Nathan smiling, had him pushing a finger inside Halian’s body. Hotter than the water, Halian gripped his finger, and he moaned, needing more.
So he took more, giving Halian two fingers and letting him feel the stretch.
“My little wolf. So hungry.” He stroked with his free hand, smoothing Halian’s side.
“Bear!” Halian bore down, demanding he press deeper. That trust humbled him, and Nathan vowed to deserve it every day.
He watched the sight of his fingers disappearing into the tiny ring of muscles, fascinated by how the water churned up and almost hid things. Attack of the bubbles.
Halian chuckled, and so did he. “Sorry. You’re so pretty.”
“It’s tickling my balls. It makes me laugh.”
“Is it? I like that idea.” He loved to laugh, even during sex. Life was all about joy, right? He pushed and curled his fingers, though, because he wanted need as well.
“Bear!” The cry rang out, and it made him smile, made him hope that others had heard how he pleased his little wolf.
He watched that sweet face as he moved his fingers in and out, opening Halian for him. It took no time and all, and he was even starting to accept that Halian loved his size.
Finally he moved Halian back around, moaning as his wolf came to him, offering those sweet lips in a kiss.
He took it even as his hands were busy, lifting Halian up. Halian reached back to steady his cock, and then they were coming together, Halian sliding down as gravity pulled at him. His eyes rolled as he was surrounded in a fierce grip, a wild heat that rivalled the water.
“Halian.” He couldn’t say that name enough, invoking it like the magic it was.
“Nathan.” Those pretty eyes shone at him, pure gold.
“Yes. Up and down, sweet.” He lifted, then let Halian down.
Halian’s eyes rolled, the expression pure bliss. “Full of you.”
“In you,” he agreed. He felt like he was flying, and when Halian began to bounce on him, riding him with abandon, he knew he was where he belonged in the world.
Maybe he finally did. Nathan hoped Halian knew he always had a place right here.
“Bear. Focus. Love me.” Halian gave him a sweet, fierce kiss.
“Mmmph.” He could do that. Focus. Love. He thrust up, letting the water buoy him.
Halian’s lips opened, forming an O that he leaned in to kiss away. That look made him happy deep inside, though, knowing he was giving Halian pleasure, that his cock was dragging inside the sweet ass, making Halian soar.
The grip around his cock was almost—almost—painful, it was so tight. Nathan loved it, and he had to grit his teeth against the need to come.
Halian found his nipples, began to pinch and squeeze them, tug them. The tiny sting of each pull had moans pouring out of him.
His little wolf was surprisingly sexual, sensual, and incredibly eager. They rocked, the water throwing them together over and over.
“Tell me I can stay and be yours, bear?”
“Yes. Yes. I want you here. I need you.” He pulled Halian down harder, close to the edge.
“Oh. Oh, there. More, bear. Harder.”
Halian made him growl. Happy, sexy growling, but yeah. He gave more, really arching and pushing, and Halian met him, every single thrust, every bit of need.
Finally he pried one hand off Halian’s hip so he could find that long cock with hi
s hand, stroking it hard in time with their movements.
Halian bit out a howl, and the sweet ass gripped him like a fist.
“Oh!” His head fell back, his hips rising as he shot.
He could feel Halian’s body rippling around him, but better than that? He could see his wolf, in his mind’s eye, wild and happy.
That was the most wonderful thing ever.
“Oh bear. My bear. In me. All the way.” It was a soft song, but constant and wonderful.
“I am.” He could hear Halian in his head, clear as a bell, and it stunned him a moment.
Halian’s laughter filled him up, wonderful and wild, so big it almost hurt.
All he could do was hug Halian hard while the bubbles came up around them again. God, he felt good.
“Love this, bear. Being with you.”
“I love it too. I love you, Halian. I knew it the minute I smelled you.”
“You want me? For real? Forever? Do bears mate forever?”
“I’m not sure what most bears do, sweet. I just know we’re mated.”
“Oh.” Halian seemed more than satisfied with that answer. “I like that. I can be yours.”
“You can.” His whole world had shifted gears in such a short amount of time. It was wholly wondrous.
Halian began to kiss him, slow, drugging kisses that made him dizzy, made his world go soft. He held on, keeping them afloat, but that was about it. He was too busy soaring spiritually.
“Will you let me see your bear, Nathan? Someday?”
“Of course. I might flood the hot tub if I shifted now, but I want to see your wolf too.”
“Wet fur is stinky, bear.”
“This is true. And mine is rather… oily in the first place.”
“I bet you’re cuddly. My wolf is ugly.”
“Never.” He wouldn’t believe it for anything.
“It’s true. I’m skinny and my fur is… a little patchy.”
“Scars.” He knew his lover had them, but he hardly saw them.
“Yes. It’s not the nicest thing, being the lowest man in the pack.”
“I’m sorry you had to do that, sweet.” He stroked Halian’s back, offering comfort.
“I’m not. They sent me to you. I’m okay with that.”
Oh. Oh, Halian honored him so. Seriously. “I will never let anyone harm you,” he vowed, and his little wolf nodded.
Chasing the Moon Page 6
