Saving Riley

by Fel Fern

  Riley got off his lap and when Zack offered him a hand, Riley closed his slender fingers over Zack’s big ones without hesitation. Letting Zack lead him to the bathroom, Riley could almost forget about the nightmare he’d lived through. He would do what he can for the other captives with Zack’s help, but for tonight, all that mattered was Zack and him.

  He slipped into the shower stall, laughing when Zack squeezed himself into the tiny space.

  “Something funny, pet?” Zack spun him by the shoulders, so Riley faced the wall.

  Heart thumping with excitement, Riley spread his hands against the wall and his legs. Just one time and he wanted more. Zack was like a drug and Riley couldn’t have enough, because he’d never felt like this with anyone before.

  Zack dragged his tip against the curve of Riley’s ass, not pushing, but teasing him. “You want my cock in you again, pet?”

  Incapable of speech, Riley moaned his assent. Still slick from Zack’s seed, Zack gripped his hips and entered him with ease. This time, his powerful mate made love to him, slow and tender. They ended showering longer than intended. After drying off and toweling, they ended up on the bed, a tad too small to fit both of them.

  Riley didn’t mind. Zack reached for him and Riley curled up next to his solid warmth, marveling at the perfect way they fit, like the missing pieces of a puzzle.

  “Zack?” Riley hesitantly asked.

  He didn’t want to spoil the moment, but he had so many questions. One thing led to another and although he was now certain Zack was the mate he’d been searching for all his life, the humans with the guns were still out there. Zack might have saved his life, but those captives needed to be freed, too. No one deserved to be treated like an animal, prodded, and experimented behind bars.

  “Yeah?” Zack sounded half awake behind him.

  Riley couldn’t blame him. Zack must be exhausted from the rescue. He needed rest.

  “What’s going to happen next?”

  “We’ll figure shit out tomorrow.”

  “Together?”

  “Together,” Zack agreed.

  At those reassuring words, Riley settled against Zack’s comforting muscular arms. He fell into a sleep and dreamless sleep, knowing the next time he woke, Zack would be there and he wouldn’t be a stuck experiment in a glass cage.

  Chapter Seven

  Hearing the front door opening, Zack groaned, not wanting to part from Riley. The familiar scent made him bolt upright in bed. His eyes flew open. Zack looked at his mate, in alarm and was relieved Riley still slept soundly. Careful not to wake Riley, Zack got out of bed, putting a substitute pillow for Riley to hug. Like this, lost in the realm of dreams, Riley looked innocent and sweet, an angel. Zack kissed his brow before pulling on some sweats and heading outside.

  He wished he imagined the sound and smell, but there was no mistaking Matt. Great. Matt was the last person he wanted to talk to.

  “Zack? Thank God. You worried Jordie and me when you didn’t answer our calls or texts.”

  Zack gingerly admitted Matt looked horrible, with dark circles under his eyes. Feeling guilty, Zack sighed. “Did Michella send you?”

  “Michella?” Matt frowned. “Did something happen?”

  “Good. She kept her word.”

  “Zack, what the hell’s happening? You were supposed to call up Kevin to relieve you.”

  “Things turned complicated.” Matt’s eyes narrowed and he started to sniff the air, gaze moving to the shut door behind Zack. “What the hell? You picked up a stray?”

  Matt jumped at Zack’s growled. Zack didn’t intend to start a fight, especially not after Matt and he nearly killed each other in an official duel weeks ago.

  “Be careful, Matt. You’re talking about my mate.”

  Matt blinked. “Your mate?”

  His best friend breathed in and out, calming down. “We need to talk.”

  “Agreed, come on.”

  Zack took beers out of the fridge, handing one to Matt. They settled in the dining room. A quick look toward the bedroom assured Zack Riley was still sleeping. It was easier this way. Riley was adamant about being involved in the planning, but Zack didn’t think it was a good idea. His mate had backbone, that he couldn’t deny, but Riley still couldn’t shift. Better for Zack to keep him safe and on the sidelines until the pack settled matters. Riley wouldn’t like it one bit, Zack knew, but it was for the best.

  “Tell me what happened.”

  Zack did, leaving no detail out. Before Matt took his little brother as his mate, they’d been close. They had each other’s backs during missions and were always there for each other. Nothing should change that. Meeting Riley finally made Zack realized he’d been making things complicated when it shouldn’t be.

  With Riley, he understood being overcome by the primal instinct to protect and defend his mate, the way Matt did when Jordie got in trouble. Hell, Zack could still remember how rage filled his vision when he heard Riley’s scream. He wanted to tear all those humans apart, despite knowing he was outnumbered.

  After recounting his tale, Matt said nothing for a few moments. “Is that why you asked me about Michella? Is she the only one who knows about these humans?”

  “I’m going to call her soon. Update her about what Riley knows. We’ll call up a meeting and come up with a plan to deal with these intruders.”

  When Matt gave him an odd look, Zack snarled.

  “What?”

  “It’s just I’ve never seen you so serious or pissed. You must really care about your Omega.”

  “No one should go through what he did.” Seeing his cell phone vibrate on the dining room table, and Michella’s number flashing on the screen, he nodded to Matt and put the Gamma on speaker.

  “Zack, I hope you have good news for me. Alessio’s with me,” came Michella’s voice.

  “Matt’s with me right now.” Zack related to them all that Riley remembered about his kidnapping. He could hear Alessio swearing on the other side of the line.

  “These fucking humans need to be dealt with,” the Beta said.

  “We’ll call a meeting. Sergio needs to know, too, before we can come to a decision.”

  “I don’t think we can waste too much time. Zack attacking their transport convoy and announcing our presence would have repercussions. Make them do something rash, and we can’t have that. They might decide to relocate instead of crossing paths with the pack. That might mean we won’t have a chance to rescue the other victims.”

  Zack’s stomach flopped at Alessio’s words. He knew he acted rashly, but back then, he didn’t think beyond saving Riley.

  “Don’t start, brother. You acted the same way when Kelias was in trouble,” Michella chided. “For now, Matt and Zack, will you monitor the situation? You guys are near their facilities.”

  “Remember,” Alessio added. “Just recon this time.”

  “No problem there, Beta. I’ll watch for Zack,” Matt said, ignoring Zack’s glare.

  Well, Zack deserved it after all. He should be grateful for getting off lightly.

  “Good.” After ironing out more details, they ended the call.

  Zack slumped in his seat, finishing his beer, and finally glancing at Matt. “What do you say, partner?”

  Matt grinned. “Feels like the old days, huh?”

  Zack swallowed the lump in his throat, about to apologize for being a dick the past few weeks, but Riley spoke first. He didn’t hear the door opening.

  “I want to come.”

  Zack’s head snapped to Riley, who stood by the doorway. How long had the Omega been listening in? Well, Zack couldn’t blame him. Riley would eventually need to know.

  “We’ll talk about that. Come here, pet. I want you to meet someone.”

  Riley shuffled out and Zack was pleased he chose to stand behind his chair, by his shoulder. Since he looked nervous, Zack reached out for his hand and gave it a squeeze.

  “This is Matt, my best friend and the one of the few guys I tr
ust. Matt, this is Riley.”

  Matt always had a way with people Zack envied. In no time at all, Riley relaxed around him. After telling Riley about the pack’s decision, Riley stubbornly stuck out his chin.

  “I still want to come.”

  Zack tried not to sound too exasperated. “Riley, we might be only heading out there to see what these humans are up to, but it’s dangerous.”

  “I can handle myself.”

  “How? You got caught, remember? You can’t shift either.” Riley stiffened at his words, but Zack had no choice. Telling Riley the truth was the only way to keep him safe. Riley balled his hands to fists and Zack almost expected the Omega to punch him, but Riley stayed his ground.

  “I thought you were different,” was all Riley said. The Omega walked back to the bedroom and slammed it shut.

  Frowning, Zack listened for sounds of movement, but there was none. Most likely, Riley went back to bed, fuming. Zack thought he’d put up more of a fight, but he was glad Riley listened to reason.

  “Huh. Riley’s mouthy and sassy and he kind of reminds me of Jordie,” Matt pointed out unhelpfully. “Cheer up, Zack. This is for his own good and ours. Once we find out more, we can keep Riley in the loop about what the pack decides.”

  “That’s true.” Still, it bothered Zack.

  Riley didn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d give up easily. Was he over thinking things? He rubbed at his temples. After scouting the facility, he’d sit Riley down and they’d have a good long discussion. Zack couldn’t forget the way Riley asked him what would happen next. The Omega hadn’t been asking about the other captives either, but querying about them and the possibility of a future.

  Once all of this was behind them, Zack would have all the time in the world to convince Riley they were meant to be. They’d go on more dates. Have plenty of sex and eventually, Zack would give his mate his mark.

  “Let’s not waste time. Once Kevin gets here to watch over Riley, we can head out,” Zack said.

  Kevin, another pack mate and enforcer, arrived half an hour later. Zack knocked on the door.

  “Go away unless you’ve changed your mind,” Riley yelled at him.

  “Just want to tell you we’re heading out. Kevin, another wolf, would be here in the cabin in case you need anything.” Another thump in the room sounded, as if Riley was unleashing his anger on the furniture. Zack heard Riley mutter an “ow” later. He smiled, unable to help himself. They’d certainly have plenty of fun together, that much was certain.

  “Don’t worry, Zack. I’ll keep him safe,” Kevin assured him on the way out of the cabin with Matt.

  Zack didn’t know Kevin that well, but they’d work side-by-side a few times. He knew the other man would keep his word.

  “We’ll be back in a couple of hours. If we don’t, then something’s wrong. Call for backup,” Matt said.

  It was standard protocol. On the cabin porch, they dispensed with clothes and shifted. Once both of them were on fours, they started for the woods. Zack had run alongside Matt plenty of times they hardly needed to communicate. Taking the lead, Zack retraced the path Riley and he had taken before.

  Sensing a pair of eyes behind him, Zack turned a couple of times, confused when he saw only Matt behind him. Did he imagine someone following them? His wolf couldn’t sense an enemy though. Odd.

  They reached the road where Zack attacked the convoy sooner than expect. Keeping hidden, they avoided being seen in the open.

  Zack treaded carefully, following the road which thinned, leading to an uphill path toward the Northfield Mountains. He could still smell gasoline and see the tire tracks left behind by the transport convoy. Up ahead, Zack and Matt caught sight of a fenced compound bordered by a barb-wired fence.

  Zack growled under his breath. Matt echoed him. They loped up a slope which gave them a bird’s eye view of the operation. It looked like a private facility, but well funded, with guards constantly patrolling the borders. Matt nudged him and Zack directed his gaze to a convoy, similar to the one he attacked. The vehicle was stopped at the front gates for inspection, before being allowed through.

  It came to a halt at the square. More guards approached the convoy and started ushering out shifters, men and women, from their twenties to their forties. His stomach coiled. Zack wanted to run over there but what good would that do? The guards toted serious ammunition. They watched for a bit more. There seemed to be a flurry of movement at the facility. Zack counted the convoys and his insides coiled.

  Was Alessio right? Did the humans panicked after learning the Darkfall Mountain Pack knew about their activities? It wasn’t just their pack the humans had to answer to, but their crimes would enrage the rest of the supernatural groups in the area. It would be logical for them to retreat instead of having a bloodbath on their hands.

  “Oh hell, it’s worse than I thought.”

  Zack whirled, eyes narrowed, baring his teeth, but it was only Riley, panting, looking like it took all of his energy, following them. Matt growled his disapproval, but Zack pushed him aside to deal with his errant mate. Seeing him, Riley raised his hands in mock defeat.

  “Before you say anything, how can you not have seen this?”

  Riley’s words stunned him. Zack glowered. Didn’t Riley understand the danger he was in?

  “Don’t look at me like that, Zack.” Riley planted his hands on his hips.

  Part of Zack was amazed Riley managed to make it this far on foot. Wait. This wasn’t the time to be impressed by his mate.

  “Zack,” Riley pleaded. “You guys saw what they’re doing. They’re packing house. We need to do something. We can’t wait for the rest of your pack to act.”

  Matt shook his head, biting at Zack’s ears, clearly a refusal. Zack looked back at the encampment. Guilt rammed into him. His selfishness was the cause of all this, but he couldn’t just leave Riley to a fate worse than death either. Time wasn’t on their side, but Zack had never disobeyed pack orders until now. Riley being there didn’t allow him to think logically either.

  Zack reached for his human half and shifted.

  “Zack?” Riley hesitantly asked when Zack approached him and gave his shoulder a squeeze.

  “I understand where you’re coming from, Riley. You want to save the captives and I do as well, but we can’t act hastily. I need you stay here while Matt and I do our mission.”

  “But—” Riley began, but Zack cut him off.

  “Listen, you need to keep watch here. You’ll only be a hindrance and Matt and I can’t afford to be distracted.” Zack knew the effect his words had on Riley. Stating the truth didn’t look like it had an effect on Riley though. Seeing the fire in Riley’s eyes, still unquenched, Zack sighed.

  Didn’t Riley realize how it killed Zack when his life was in danger? Zack loved Riley to bits. Strange to think they’d only spent a couple of hours with each other and Zack could care so much about Riley so much.

  No. It wasn’t, if Zack really thought about it. Love worked in strange ways. Zack never thought he’d find his mate under strange circumstances, but he did. He’d been searching for Riley, for his soul mate to complete him all this time and he couldn’t afford to lose Riley just when he found him. Riley’s expression faltered as Zack showed him the naked pain in his face.

  Zack grabbed him by the shoulders and gave him a tender kiss. God, did Riley taste sweet on his lips. He still couldn’t get used to the fact Riley felt perfect in his arms either. Riley was made for him and it worked both ways. He wouldn’t tell Riley he loved him yet. That would come later, when the circumstances were different and when this mess was over.

  “Riley, listen to me for once. I can’t afford to lose you. It will kill me. Literally,” Zack heard the desperation and need in his voice, but he didn’t care.

  Looking stunned and sober, Riley nodded. “I get it, Zack. I’ll stay here and keep watch.”

  Zack nodded, clearing his throat, embarrassed by his reaction. “Matt and I will approach the enca
mpment and determine what to do next.”

  It was a compromise. Zack and Matt ran down the slope to get closer. Matt threw him a look, Zack ignored. His best friend had no right to judge him, because Matt disobeyed pack orders long ago for Jordie. Zack snorted. Both of them were fools in love. The woods thinned near the facility, but they utilized stealth. Avoiding being seen, they kept to foliage and bushes. Another convoy entered the gates. They stopped half a mile short of the facility.

  Zack’s insides twisted. There were more guards than he initially thought.

  He nudged Matt, who looked like he harbored second thoughts about going any closer. Nonetheless, Zack felt Matt following him. He stopped near the gate, close enough to hear the guards eavesdropping.

  “If you asked me, it’s a damn pain in the ass to move again,” the first was saying to the second.

  “Why are the higher-ups so afraid of a bunch of wild werewolves anyway?” the second demanded.

  “You understand nothing. These Darkfall wolves act like some kind of trained military unit and they don’t leave survivors. Even if we manage to kill all of them, the supernatural community won’t take kindly to the massacre. They’d have our heads sooner or later.”

  “Fucking paranormals.”

  They had enough. Sharing a private understanding, Zack and Matt retreated. It was too dangerous to act on their own and Zack wouldn’t dare risk a suicide mission. He thought of Jordie. His younger brother was probably waiting at home for both Matt and he, biting his nails to nothing. What use was Zack to Riley dead too?

  Zack headed back to the slope, frowning when he didn’t see Riley immediately. A worse kind of fear settled on him when he began sniffing out Riley’s scent. Pissed, Zack wondered about the chances of Riley returning back to the cabin. Riley wouldn’t be irrational enough to approach the facility alone. There had to be another explanation—a reasonable one, but what?

  Clearly, they had to work on trust and communication issues, but Zack needed Riley first to make any relationship work.

  Growling, Zack sniffed out Riley’s scent, hoping the worst hadn’t come to pass.