Taming His Wild Heart [Wolves of Emerald Valley 5] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Jane Perky

  Softening, he ran his fingers through Six’s soft copper hair. Six stirred, murmured something in his sleep. Dante was about to resign himself to a night on the couch, when Six whispered, “Sleep with me, please?”

  Dante couldn’t say no to that. He slid inside the covers, curving his big body around Six’s slender one. No sex tonight, he knew. Six needed to rest, except Six seemed to test his patience by snuggling closer to him.

  Unable to remain still any longer, he wrapped one arm possessively around Six’s body.

  “You still awake, little Omega?” he asked.

  All Six said was, “You’re the best pillow I ever had.”

  Dante sighed and kissed Six on the nape of his neck. “Sleep.”

  They had tomorrow, plenty of time to get to know each other, but it didn’t matter. Dante slipped his hand lower, under Six’s shirt to rest it on Six’s belly. Now with Six and their pup within his grasp, he never intended to let Six leave again. Besides, his wolf already knew what it wanted.

  A vision of the two of them and their unborn pup blazed clearly in his mind’s eye. He saw them buying one of those neat little houses in one of Cherry Hill’s residential areas, one with a porch and an unfenced backyard leading to the woods beyond. Dante could imagine Six sitting on the one of the porch seats, their cub in wolf form on his lap, and him coming home each day on his bike to them.

  His insides warmed, his heart fluttered. Could a man like him, who lived his life with reckless abandon, who took up all sorts of jobs and committed dubious deeds, be worthy of a wonderful mate like Six? Maybe not, but Six and the pup had him.

  No, not just him. He remembered Mark and his friends curiously crowding around Six back at the bar. He might be a lone Alpha, attached to no pack, but he had family he could count on to guard his back.

  Dante didn’t know how long he was thinking about the future, but Six eventually rolled to his side, still hogging all his pillows. He made a mental note to get a new pillow, along with a growing list. Dante currently worked as a freelance contractor to the same shifter security firm Colton worked at, so he had flexible hours. Even the jobs he took said plenty about him. He never committed long to any of them, couldn’t stomach a desk job or monotony. He felt all that was about to change.

  He began to drift off to sleep himself, when his wolf warned him something was off. Dante sat up, a snarl slipping between his lips, wondering if he’d gotten careless, too elated Six was here and they were about to have a baby together. Back on his feet, he checked the security system in his apartment. Colton always insisted they all install one in their homes, and Dante and the rest always scoffed at the idea.

  Now, he saw its merits. He sniffed and investigated the source of his alarm. A moan came from the bed, a sound full of pain. He was back at Six’s side in seconds and finally understood. Six tossed and twisted in bed, plagued by nightmares. His wolf had sensed Six’s distress.

  When Six began to claw at his own arms, hurting himself, Dante straddled his mate in bed. Six’s eyes flew wide open, afraid, his breathing hitched. Six didn’t really see him with those clouded eyes and began to punch him. Was Six visualizing an unseen attacker, Spike maybe?

  Six didn’t have to worry anymore, because Spike was going to be six feet under soon. Dante would see to that.

  “Shh, baby. It’s only me. Dante. Your mate.”

  Six still fought him, raking nails down the side of his face. Dante snarled, his wolf in agony to see their mate hurting. He pinned Six’s arms over his head. Six began to kick him. Dante didn’t know what to do, save kiss Six on the lips. Six struggled for a moment, before fighting turned to passion.

  Six stopped and kissed him back, all need and desire. Dante loosened his hold on Six’s arms. When he pulled back, Six was panting, staring up at him, horrified. Dante released Six’s arms, and Six touched his face, fingers coming away with droplets of blood.

  “I hurt you,” Six whispered.

  Dante shook his head. “It’s healing, see?”

  He rolled on his side, tucking Six close to him. Six buried his face into his chest, while he ran his hand up and down Six’s spine.

  “It’s okay, baby. Only a bad dream.”

  “Sorry. I thought I was back at my room at the compound.”

  He waited for Six to tell him.

  Six continued, “Spike couldn’t touch me until the full moon, but I always had this fear he’d sneak into the Omegas’ quarters and just take what he wanted.”

  “That will never fucking happen.” Dante’s words were a fierce promise. “If he wants to get to you, he’ll need to kill me first.”

  Six relaxed in his arms. “Can you hold me, until I fall asleep again?”

  He kissed the top of Six’s head. “Baby, I won’t let go of you until you wake in the morning.”

  Six flashed a sheepish smile at him. “Okay, that sounds nice.”

  * * * *

  Six didn’t want to wake up that morning, even though he felt the sun on his face. If he did, he’d realize everything had been a fleeting dream, him taking the courage to run, to find Dante and—soft lips on his throat. He opened his eyes to slits. The scent of Dante hit him first, masculine mixed with wolf musk and, strangely, mint. Yesterday had been real. Six was free from the control of the Ridgeback Pack, of Spike.

  Breathing hard, he tensed, feeling Dante’s scraping the side of his neck.

  Please. Make me yours.

  Wistful thinking, because they’d just reunited the night before.

  Dante’s gaze locked with his. “Soon.”

  The word felt like a promise, one Six would hold close to his heart. He noticed Dante looking at the pack tattoo, the Alpha’s expression changing to silent anger. Six could read the Alpha better by now. Dante smiled, teased, and flirted so easily some people might think Dante viewed the entire world like a big joke. Six knew better. Underneath those grins was a fiercely protective predator with sharp teeth.

  “I hate it,” Six blurted. Dante said nothing, watching him with a wolf’s intensity. “The tattoo, I mean. When I look at the mirror, it’s the first thing I see and it reminds me I’m not my own person. I’m bound to the pack.”

  “You’re mine,” Dante said carefully, voice harsh. “The pack no longer has any hold on you. I wanted to get breakfast, then show you around town, but new plan.”

  “Plan?” It warmed him to think Dante had already thought about what they were going to do today.

  “This,” Dante said, brushing fingers on the pack tattoo, “has to go. There’s a clinic in town specializing in laser tattoo removal.”

  “Will it hurt?”

  “Lasers are minimally invasive.”

  “I’ll do it,” Six answered without hesitation. Then he looked away. “Sorry, I had to go and ruin your day.”

  Dante tipped his chin, frowning. “Don’t ever say that. You didn’t ruin anything. After our night together, my wolf’s been feeling restless, like it knew some vital had been missing. That part is you. You’re my mate, and you complete me.”

  Six let out a breath. “I feel that way, too.”

  “You’re the most important thing in the world to me, Six.”

  “You, too.” He hesitated, then revealed more about his life back at the compound. “Omegas in the Ridgeback Pack are discouraged from having too many personal belongings, because we live at the Omega quarters until we move into the homes of our intended mates. You, our relationship, our pup, is the only thing of value I have.”

  Dante pulled him into a tight hug. “You’re something else, baby.”

  “Why does that sound like a compliment?”

  “Because it is. You hungry?”

  His stomach rumbled. He groaned. Six had a massive cheeseburger and fries for dinner last night, certainly more than he’d been eating the past few days, and he wanted to eat again?

  Dante smirked. “How does waffles sound?”

  “Waffles are good.” His stomach agreed with that.

  Th
e doorbell rang, and Six blinked. “Are you expecting guests?”

  “Must be Mark. I texted him last night, asking him to bring over some clothes.”

  Dante got to his feet, and he tentatively slid off the bed. Dante answered the door, and the handsome blond and green-eyed inquisitive Omega from the night before tiptoed in and peered over Dante’s shoulder.

  “Hi, Six!”

  “Um. Hi.” Six walked up to Dante, who was blocking the door with his huge frame. “Thank you, for lending me some of your clothes. I promise once I get my own, I’ll have them washed and pressed.”

  “You don’t need to. Dante, move. I want to get to know your mate better.”

  Dante grunted. Mark batted him away, and Dante growled but nonetheless stepped aside. “If you weren’t mated to Crash, I would have found you damn annoying.”

  “Please, you like me, in a brother-in-law kind of way,” Mark seemed to add, for Six’s benefit. “Have you eaten? How far along are you? I’ve always wanted babies. Crash and I are trying, too.”

  Most of the Omegas Six had been with back at compound were competitive, eager to fulfill their life’s goal of finding a strong mate in the pack to care for them. Mark seemed independent, though, experienced in dealing with Alphas like they were equals. Six was intrigued. Mark seemed like he could be a good friend, and Six never had those.

  “We’re about to have breakfast. I’m two weeks in,” he replied.

  “Oh good. Crash is downstairs, smoking. We can all have breakfast together,” Mark said excitedly.

  “Bug off. Private party,” Dante mumbled.

  Mark ignored him. “Where?” he asked Six.

  “Something about a waffle place.”

  “Ooh, Tony’s? Their bacon and waffle set is the best. Okay, I’ll let you two get ready. Crash and I will be waiting downstairs.”

  Dante snarled, but Mark merely stuck his tongue out and exited the apartment.

  “Damn it. We can sneak through the back exit.”

  “I—I don’t mind. Mark seems nice, not like the other Omegas back at the compound. He doesn’t seem to have any other motive, except to know me.”

  Dante considered him. “Mark’s a damn busybody, but he’s a good guy. He’s also helped some and is close to some of the other Omegas mated to my friends.”

  “There are others?” Six asked, interested.

  “Joe and Jerry. Joe’s mated to Atlas, and Jerry is Colton’s mate. They have some kind of silly Omega club. Ask Mark about it. Are we showering together?” Dante asked with a mischievous look in his eyes.

  Chapter Seven

  When Dante mentioned shower, Six’s mind fled to the night before, when his mate had caught him masturbating. His mate—could he really start calling Dante that? Dante didn’t wait for a reply, merely walked to the bathroom. Six followed and lingered by the doorway, mouth dry as Dante dropped the only piece of clothing he wore—those tiny boxers.

  In awe, Six took a few precious seconds to drink in the sight of his mate. Back during their first night of sex, he’d been in a hurry, scared Dante might decide he wasn’t worth it and call everything off. This time, he had plenty of time. For one, his position in the Ridgeback Pack was compromised. During the public fight he had with Spike, Spike had murder written in his eyes. Spike would have succeeded, too, except one of the other pack enforcers intervened.

  According to pack law, an Omega who broke an arranged mating, like Six who got pregnant by an outsider of the pack, had the choice to leave, but once he stepped out, he was permanently exiled. Six chose that option, but he knew Spike wouldn’t be satisfied by that mere outcome. Proud, arrogant males like Spike didn’t suffer rejection well, so he knew Spike would eventually seek him out. Even so, the presence of Dante and Dante’s other Alpha friends would dissuade Spike.

  It was time Six put those thoughts aside. Dante said so himself. Six no longer had any connections to the Ridgeback Pack, and soon, the tattoo on his neck would be gone, too. A new start.

  “How long are you going to stay there?” Dante drawled, breaking him from his momentary paralysis. “Didn’t realize you might be a voyeur.”

  He blushed at that word but couldn’t let Dante get the better of him. “You’re a fine male specimen.”

  It was true. Dante looked carved out of solid muscle and ink, all sleek and hard lines.

  “You said I can pet you.” God. Six was on some kind of roll, because not long ago, he wouldn’t have the courage to flirt back.

  “Come right in and join me then.”

  Six stripped out of his borrowed clothes and entered the tiny shower. He understood Dante’s intent immediately. The space was too small, designed to keep their bodies pressed close to each other. Six didn’t mind at all. Feeling braver now, he pressed a hand over Dante’s left pectoral, hearing the Alpha’s calm and confident heartbeat.

  “Thank you, for last night.”

  “Last night?” Dante raised an eyebrow.

  “For chasing all my nightmares away.”

  “Nightmares can go away. All you need is me, your trusty warm pillow.”

  Six blushed, recalling he had called Dante that. “You’re much better than a pillow.”

  “You sure about that?” Dante dragged a hand down the line of his body. He shivered at the press of those calluses against his smooth skin, moaning when they closed around his sensitive prick.

  “Um.”

  Dante pumped his dick, movements slow and torturous until his cock stood embarrassingly at half-past.

  “Fuck, looking at you makes me hard, too.”

  “W-we’re supposed to shower. We shouldn’t keep Mark and Crash waiting.”

  “Can’t we?” Dante stopped and he groaned.

  “Don’t stop.” He whined.

  “You’re contradicting yourself, baby. Stop or go? Come or don’t come?”

  “Please.”

  Dante flicked a thumb over his leaking slit. “Hmm. I like it when you beg me. So cute. Sweet mate.”

  He shuddered as Dante gave his balls a squeeze and dragged a fingernail up his length.

  “Please,” he uttered again, and Dante worked him faster, then sealed his lips over Six’s.

  Heat crawled down his throat and went to his groin. Dante slid his other hand down Six’s waist to give his left ass cheek a squeeze. He parted his legs, gasping as Dante tore his mouth from his and pushed a finger into his puckered entrance.

  “Oh,” he whispered.

  “Oh?” Dante added a second finger in. “Do you want my cock in you, Omega?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Dante chuckled. “So polite. What did I do, to deserve such a fine gift?”

  Oh God. If Dante kept saying things like that, he was going to overheat. “You shouldn’t spoil me too much.”

  “No one tells me what I should and shouldn’t do, baby. Plus, you’re mine. I can spoil you as much as I want.”

  No one ever had paid him so much attention before. It was intense, strange, and wonderful at the same time.

  “I want your dick.”

  The crass words came him so easily to him now. Damn it. Dante was a bad influence sometimes.

  “Good answer.”

  Dante turned him by the shoulder and pressed him gently against the wall, so the cool tiles kissed his dick. He groaned as Dante nudged his legs farther apart, teeth on his throat again, scraping against flesh but not breaking it.

  Damn tease.

  Dante fucked him then, replacing fingers with his prick. Six had nearly forgotten how big his mate was. Dante entered him, slow and steady. Six felt every inch breach him, pushing past the stubborn tight muscles and all the way to the hilt.

  Recalling Dante’s advice during their first time, he breathed in and out.

  “Ready to fly, baby?” Dante nipped at his ear.

  “Hell yes.”

  Dante chuckled and began pushing in and out of him. “Touch yourself.”

  He obeyed, fingers working his own prick. Six was
incredibly aroused, balls near bursting; he knew he couldn’t last long. “Faster, baby. Please.”

  Baby. Six could get used to calling Dante that. The affectionate term seemed to rile Dante up, and the Alpha picked up the pace, until they were both panting animals. He arched his back as Dante’s next thrust pushed him near the edge and hit his prostate.

  Dante kept hitting his sweet spot. He gasped, clawed at the tiles, dick rock-hard. Dante reached over and gave his balls a squeeze.

  “Give me your release, baby.”

  At that command, the pressure inside him burst open. He sprayed his cum all over the wall, sighing in contentment. He swayed slightly on his feet, but Dante held him close so he wouldn’t stumble. Then the Alpha hit the taps and warm water coursed down their bodies, cleaning them off.

  He leaned his head against Dante’s chest. “I can wake up to this every day.”

  Dante laughed and kissed him long and hard. “Me, too, baby.”

  * * * *

  “You two sure took your time,” Mark muttered.

  Both Mark and his dark-haired mate, Crash, were inside a jacked-up truck.

  “Sorry,” Six began, wondering how to explain, but Dante wrapped an arm over his shoulders, tugging him close.

  “They were the ones who wanted to crash in during our breakfast alone time,” Dante said.

  “Breakfast alone time sounds kind of pervy,” Mark muttered.

  “Get in,” Crash said.

  They got in the back seat.

  “Crash, I’d need to borrow your truck when Six’s nearing his delivery date,” Dante said.

  “We can get cab,” he told Dante, tugging at Dante’s shirt, embarrassed.

  “It’s not a problem. Six, you really carrying his kid?” Crash asked, glancing at Six through the rearview mirror. He didn’t know much about this other Alpha. If he recalled the night before, Crash was the same height and build as his mate, but Crash had more scars. He saw Crash’s knuckles on the wheel were scarred over. Did Crash fight for a living?

  “Yes,” he replied. Maybe Crash was feeling him out. Six didn’t mind. When Dante spoke about his friends, Dante considered them his family. “Although we could get a paternity test—”