Marked

by Sean Michael

  “You’re staying here,” he growled.

  “Still, I have to help.”

  “I’m not hurting for money.” He didn’t like thinking of Cody out there being hurt by assholes, mugged, stabbed.

  God, what had Cody wanted to do, be, all those years ago? Hadn’t the man had dreams? Ambitions? Barker wracked his brain, trying to remember something about Cody before things went to hell. “If you could do anything…”

  “With what?”

  “With your life. You’re not broken anymore, you can turn anytime you want. What do you want?”

  “I don’t want anything.”

  “You have to want something.” Everybody wanted something.

  Cody shrugged. “I don’t hurt. It’s enough.”

  “Mate…” He pressed a fierce kiss on Cody.

  Cody blinked, looking surprised, then those lips parted and Barker slid his tongue in, tasting his mate again. He would never tire of this flavor, of the feelings inside. He felt the wolf inside Cody now, close to the surface, close to the edge.

  “You want to go back to my grandfather’s cabin this weekend?” Cody could run and run and not worry about anyone seeing him. Barker liked it up there, whether he was wolf or man.

  “I would love that. This place is…huge now. The smells are everywhere.”

  “It’s good here, though, right?”

  “This place—your home—is good.”

  “Smells like us.” At the moment it smelled strongly of them having sex.

  “Smells like peace.”

  “Oh.” That made him want to kiss Cody hard again.

  Cody kissed his wrist. “I brought food home.”

  On cue, his stomach rumbled loudly.

  Cody’s laughter made him snort, and long fingers tickled his ribs. He rolled them, trying to get away from those unerring fingers.

  Mate. I know you.

  It startled him again to hear Cody inside him. Mate.

  Cody’s nose slid on his collarbone, suddenly wet and cold, the change faster now that the moon was closer again. Mate.

  “I can still hear you!”

  Cody blinked at him, chuffing softly, laughing at him. He batted his mate and mentally stuck out his tongue.

  The wolf—and Cody was a stunning wolf—bounced away, tail wagging.

  Come back here!

  Cody bounced back up to him, muzzle sliding on his cheek. Mate?

  He chuckled and rubbed Cody’s face. Yes. Mate. Mine.

  Cody flopped on his legs, panting hard.

  Love you like this. He didn’t have to concentrate or anything, his thoughts just slipping into Cody’s mind like they were talking.

  Cody’s tongue lolled. Love being whole.

  Yeah, it was wonderful. Barker dug his fingers along Cody’s flanks, rubbing hard. He found a spot that made one leg kick, Cody’s eyes crossing with pleasure. He couldn’t help it; he started laughing. Cody’s tongue swiped across his belly, the move lazy and happy.

  This is good, huh? And this being able to talk to Cody while he was wolfed out was awesome. He wondered if it would still work when he was shifted as well.

  Perfect. The satisfaction was obvious, Cody slumped down against him.

  This moment, right here, this was what made everything else worth it.

  Right now he wouldn’t trade their life, any of it, for anything.

  * * * * *

  Barker nodded at Julio and the night shift bouncer giving him a little salute.

  “Busy night?” Barker asked, trying not to miss it too much. The day shift still sucked, but he wasn’t willing to give up being on the same schedule as Cody. Even if the asshole was wolfing out a lot.

  Julio shrugged, big shoulders moving beneath the tight, black T-shirt. “The usual. Broke up a few fights.”

  “Busted some heads?” Barker asked, knowing the answer already from the feral grin on Julio’s face.

  “Got it in one.” Julio waved at Matty behind the bar and headed out.

  Barker scanned the place before leaning against the end of the counter where he could see everything going on. It was pretty empty at this time of day, wouldn’t really get busy until ten or eleven tonight, well after Barker had gone home. It made for long, boring days.

  By three, Barker was more than happy to be knocking off. He wanted to get home; no, needed to. He needed to get Cody out of the city so they could run together on his grandfather’s land when the change took him. Matty handed over the take-out bag with steak that he’d ordered and went to draw a glass of beer for the guy at the other end of the bar who’d been drinking steadily since noon.

  One of the few patrons got up from the tables on the other side of the dance floor and slowly made his way over. He was only a few feet away before Barker recognized him. Harry Bongard. Harry was an old friend and newly appointed Elder. He hadn’t talked to the man in…long enough it made Barker nervous that Harry was seeking him out now. He tried to hide his worry.

  “James Barker.”

  He nodded. “Harry. Congratulations on becoming an Elder.”

  “Thanks. I wish I could say this was a social visit, but I’m actually here…well, not on Clan business per se.”

  Barker’s eyes narrowed. “What does that mean?”

  “Rumor has it Cody Donner is back.”

  “So what if he is?”

  Harry’s eyes narrowed at his tone. “He’s Out Cast.”

  “He’s not hurting anyone.”

  “Rumor has it his eyes don’t glow anymore.”

  “Rumor’s busy having it, it seems.” Barker kept it light, willed his heart to keep steady and not beat like a runaway train. He didn’t want Harry smelling anything on him.

  “Rumor always does.” Harry shrugged casually. “Someone claims they saw a wolf a week or two ago.”

  “In the city? In our city? That doesn’t seem right. Must have been a big dog.”

  “Maybe.” Harry’s eyes narrowed; he wasn’t so casual anymore, the tension clear in the way he was standing. “I’d be worried, though, if I knew a wolf who couldn’t change and then suddenly did change, only not on the full moon. I’d be worried about that wolf. About what might happen to him if the Elders of the City got a hold of him. I mean something like that, we’d want to inspect it, dissect it to see what went so wrong.”

  Barker tried not to react, but shit. They knew. The Elders knew and they wanted to tear Cody apart to find out what made him different. “Are you threatening me?” Make Harry think he was worried about himself, pretend he didn’t have a clue what else the Elder could mean.

  “It’s more of a warning, really. I don’t think you should spend the full moon in the city. It’s not a good time for strange wolves to be here.” Harry’s eyes were hard, but Barker thought he saw a hint of pity in them, lurking somewhere in the back.

  “I usually leave town for the change.”

  “Good. Good. That would be for the best.” Harry patted his arm and then turned and walked out, not looking back once.

  Chapter Ten

  The moon was coming. Cody hadn’t been able to remember how to shift for the last day. Well, he’d be honest, he was happier wolfed out—the world was easier, quieter, more reasonable. So maybe he hadn’t tried hard, but still he had tried.

  He felt Barker getting closer, could hear Barker in his head. Not talking to him, more…happy to be close. He’d gotten the truck gassed up, picked up groceries a few days ago before wolfing out. They were going out to the cabin for the full moon.

  Cody hopped up on the window, looked out over the city. He wanted to go, to run. His tail wagged, hard.

  The door opened and closed. “Hey. I’m home. And I have fresh meat.”

  He bounded over. Mate!

  “Hey.” Barker dropped down and started petting and scratching.

  Cody licked and lapped, welcoming Barker home, tail pounding. Barker rolled with him, and it was almost as good as having his mate as a wolf.

  Love you. Smell so
good! His thoughts tumbled from him.

  Barker gasped and buried his face in Cody’s neck, rubbing against his fur. Oh, mate.

  He panted, nuzzling, so happy.

  “You ready to go? If we leave now, we’ll be there before the moon comes.” Barker sounded in a hurry. His mate wanted to run with him!

  He nodded, panted.

  “You should eat first. I bought you meat.” Barker grabbed the bag he’d left by the door and pulled out a package of steak.

  Cody’s mouth started watering and he bounced. Smells good!

  “Nice and fresh. Not as fresh as what we’ll get up at the cabin, but it’ll do.” Barker got the steak out of the stupid plastic and put it on the floor for him.

  He snapped the steak up, leaving the best part for his mate.

  Barker kissed the top of his head. “Go for it. I had something on the way home. Raw meat won’t be on my diet until the moon comes up.”

  He nosed the piece over. You’re sure, love? It’s so good.

  Barker rubbed a hand over his head, tugged on his ruff. “I’m sure. Tonight we’ll bring down something good, fatten ourselves up for the full moon nights.”

  His head bobbed and he snapped the bite up. So good. Laughing, Barker lounged on the ground while he ate.

  “You feel like a little fun before the drive?”

  He chuffed softly, head-butting his lover. Of course he did.

  “Cool. Let’s see who can hit the bed first!” Barker hauled himself up and ran for the big bed.

  Cody waited then leaped, legs driving him.

  Barker went down with an “oof,” rolling beneath him. “Mate! You’re supposed to shift.”

  He rested his paws on Barker’s shoulders and thought about his human form.

  Nothing happened.

  “Cody?”

  Mate? He yipped, suddenly scared.

  “Hey, it’s okay.” Barker rubbed his neck. “You just forgot how, huh?”

  He panted. Yes. Yes. It felt so good being the wolf this close to the moon. It felt like a luxury.

  “Okay. Just think, hmm?” Barker touched him softly. Remember kissing me.

  Kissing you. You touching me. His mate was growing more affectionate, warmer, every day.

  Making love. Can’t do that as the wolf, mate.

  Help me. I’m stuck.

  Images of him and Barker kissing filled his head. Oh. Oh, his mate. His Barker. His lover. Touching him, loving him.

  Change for me, and it’s yours.

  His. Cody panted, eyes on Barker’s, trying so hard to get what he needed.

  “Come on, Cody. Sex is good. But I’m not humping your wolf.”

  He chuffed, holding Barker’s gaze. Sex. He liked sex.

  Mate. Please.

  He felt himself changing, felt himself growing longer, losing his tail.

  “Fuck, yes.” Barker’s mouth latched onto his, the kiss hot.

  “Mate.” He opened, arms wrapped around his lover.

  Barker rolled him, putting him beneath the hard body.

  “Hey.” He licked Barker’s jaw, nibbled the strong jaw.

  Barker laughed, grinding their lower halves together. “Hey. Haven’t seen this side of you in a few days.”

  “I know. It’s easier, fuzzy. I’m sorry.” He should have been working.

  “It’s okay. Just missed doing this.”

  “Mmm.” He agreed, mostly.

  Barker took his mouth, kissed him soundly. Barker tasted good, better than the meat had, and suddenly Cody was hungry, wanting, needing. The kisses left him breathless and went on and on. He curled up, dragged their cocks together, and started rocking.

  Barker moaned and bucked into his hand. “Yeah, yeah. Missed this.”

  “Feel good.” He grunted, head thrown back.

  Barker’s mouth closed over his throat, teeth marking him. Cody’s eyes flew open and he howled, balls drawing up. Barker bit down harder, hand joining his around their cocks.

  “Mate. Yours. Please.” His hips jerked faster.

  “Yes. Mine.” Barker’s growl vibrated along his skin.

  He hummed softly. Their hands moved on their cocks, sliding together, pushing them closer to the edge. Cody laughed, feeling light and free. The moon was coming and he didn’t hurt.

  Come with me, mate.

  Come…

  “Yes. Come on.” Barker squeezed their pricks.

  His teeth rattled as he shot, pleasure flooding him.

  “Mmm. Yes!” More heat bubbled up between them as Barker came, too.

  “Mate.” Cody hummed, nuzzling into the strong neck.

  Barker panted and moaned softly. “Wow. Still amazing.”

  “Yeah. You smell so good.” He lapped at Barker’s throat.

  “I smell like yours.” Barker knew. Barker understood.

  “Yes.” He sighed happily. “Yours.”

  “You are. My mate.” Barker kissed his skin. “You looking forward to the country?”

  “I’m looking forward to running with you. To being free, out of the city.”

  “Yeah. It’s going to be awesome.” Barker’s lips slid along his collarbone. “Maybe we can stay for longer than just the full moon.”

  Cody hummed, eyelids getting heavy.

  “We should probably get going so I’m not still driving when the moon shows up.”

  “I can drive.” He waited for Barker’s laughter. He was liable to shift at the slightest provocation and this was only his second full moon. His first moon with no pain.

  Barker snorted. “If we leave in the next ten minutes, it won’t be an issue.”

  “Are you laughing at me?” He chuffed softly.

  “Would I do that?”

  “You would.” He stole another kiss.

  Barker did laugh this time, rubbing their noses together. “I would.”

  “Let’s go play.” Cody stretched and wiggled, body awake and aware and alive.

  “Yeah. I can feel the moon tugging at me. It’s going to be a good couple nights.” Barker gave him a hard kiss and then bounced up and started getting dressed. “I can’t wait to get out there.”

  “Me, too.” The wolf wanted him, but he tried not to. Barker deserved company on the drive.

  “Better get dressed. No nakedness until we’re at the cabin.”

  “Okay. I’ve almost forgotten what clothes feel like.”

  That had Barker laughing. “You could start a nudist colony for our kind.”

  He shook his head, suddenly chilled. There wasn’t anyone like him. He didn’t have a kind.

  He went to pull on his only pair of jeans, one of Barker’s shirts.

  Mate? The touch to his mind was tentative, soft.

  He shivered, the urge to go to Barker was irresistible, so he went. I’m still a freak.

  Barker’s arms went around him, sheltered him. No. You’re special.

  He hummed, cheek on Barker’s shoulder. He wasn’t weak. He wasn’t.

  “Come on. Let’s get out of here and leave the world behind for a while.”

  “Sounds perfect.” Love.

  Barker kissed him again, the word “love” echoed back into his head, along with the feeling of it wrapping around him. He relaxed, the unwelcome tension sliding away down his spine.

  Barker grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the door. “Time to go.”

  He stumbled along behind, chuffing softly. Grinning, Barker squeezed his hand and led him down the stairwell, moving quickly. His mate was eager. They bounded down the stairs, the moon seeming to call them from everywhere.

  Barker soon had them on the open road, headed for his grandfather’s cabin, headed for where they could be free.

  * * * * *

  Barker waited, naked, by the truck, the moon’s power right there, moments away from turning him into his wolf. Cody was already there, running rings around him, and Barker would have sworn his mate was laughing at him. It made him growl, and he glared at the sky. Come on! He needed to change. N
othing else mattered right now. They were safe up here, away from the city.

  Cody was giddy, and Barker knew that part of it was relief after ten years of agony, that finally his mate could run, jump, feel.

  Mate! Love! Come play!

  “Yeah, yeah. Soon.” This was Cody’s reward for having to go through that—being able to change whenever he wanted. Barker growled at the sky again.

  Cody’s tongue slid over his thigh, muzzle dangerously close to his balls.

  “Careful!” He needed those.

  A cold, wet nose nudged them playfully.

  “Hey!” His laughter turned into yips as the change began to take him.

  His mate danced away, barking happily, calling to him. He called back and bounded after the lean flanks, soon overtaking his mate and leading them deeper into the forest.

  His mate was amazing—sleek and long, fast and light-footed. The moon shone down, giving everything, including his mate, a glow. Those glowing eyes shone with joy, and Cody head-butted him happily, the scent of pleasure and home and health filling his nose. He pounced and rolled with Cody, barking and chuffing as they played.

  Then the scent of a rabbit caught his nose and he froze, entire body on alert as he scented the air. Mate! Rabbit!

  Cody stilled, nostrils flaring, muscles tensed to pounce.

  He wanted to take the lead, he wanted that very badly, but he held himself back. For Cody. Get it!

  Cody didn’t hesitate, leaped forward and pounced, snapping the hare up, the wild scream cut short. Barker gave a proud bark. Look at his mate, hunting, succeeding. The treat was brought to him, the prey offered over with a deep bow.

  He tore into it, ripping open the belly and taking the choicest bits for himself, then he nipped at Cody’s muzzle, leaving the rest of the rabbit for his mate.

  The carcass disappeared quickly, then Cody was running again, tail up. Chuffing happily, Barker gave chase, his muscles stretching, warming up. It felt so good to just let go and run. It felt even better to do it with his mate.

  He’d spent dozens of moons here, running and hunting, searching. Now he only needed to play. He stopped and put his head back, howling to the moon, to his mate. It only took a heartbeat before his lover’s voice joined his, the harmony perfect to his ears.

  Yes!

  He howled once more and began running again, the wind in his fur, a thousand scents in his nose.