Two Howls

by Sean Michael

  Ulf had never felt so free, so young.

  He could see when Max began to droop, his mate’s stamina not what it should be. He herded Max toward the cabin. In this cold, with Max not at full strength, it didn’t make sense to stay out here while they rested. Besides, he needed to go out, get Max’s bike in somewhere protected, bring in any supplies. He could do that while his mate slept.

  It had been a good night, bonding. There would be more like it. Like it and more. So much more.

  Chapter Four

  Max slept the sleep of the dead, snoring hard, tail over his nose, warm and settled and so very comfortable. He couldn’t stop dreaming. Dreams of running with Ulf. Dreams of… other stuff with the Alpha. He ran from those dreams, they made him nervous. But it was good here. Tempting. And he hadn’t had such good dreams in a long time.

  He felt a frisson of desire as wicked, naughty fantasies danced through his mind. He could smell Ulf so strongly in his dream, as if the Alpha was right there.

  He found the tip of his tail wagging, bouncing off his nose. Ulf’s happy chuffing sounded very real. He stretched, his pads spreading wide. The careful licking of his paws was not a dream. He was pretty sure about that.

  He vocalized happily, rolling on the blankets. Rubbing up against Ulf. Ulf who called back to him. He head-butted Ulf playfully, rolling over to show his belly. That tongue on his stomach was definitely not a dream.

  He let himself wake up, let himself stretch and open his eyes. Dark eyes watched him, Ulf’s tongue lolling out.

  He wagged carefully, panted. Ulf licked him. There was no censure, no threat of pain. He relaxed, resting his chin on his paws.

  He muzzle was licked again, lazily, like Ulf just wanted to taste him. Or make him smell like the big wolf. Max chuffed softly, hid his nose under his paw. Ulf knocked his paw out of the way and licked again.

  Oh! Play! He hid his muzzle again.

  Ulf knocked his paw away again. Licked, Twice. So Max blew his lips and rolled over, tail thumping once.

  Making a satisfied sound, Ulf bit at his belly. Max kicked and wiggled, feeling like a pup.

  Chuffing and holding him down with the big paws, Ulf licked and bit at him, all of it light, all of it play without a hint of nastiness. He gnawed on Ulf’s paw, just lightly. Ulf batted at him gently, still playing. Oh, if only the world could stay like this…

  Even as he was wishing it, Ulf slowly changed, the human version of him large and muscled. Not as beautiful as the wolf, but still. Max leaned in, inhaling the scent of the human Ulf, filling his lungs.

  Ulf rubbed his head, fingers digging into his fur. Oh. Oh, that was… No human had ever touched him in this form before.

  Ulf hummed, the sound not quite a growl. “Good, pup?”

  He rolled over Ulf’s lap, nose nudging the man’s heavy balls, the musk there heady.

  Ulf laughed. “Tickles.”

  Max dared to lick, taste the salt on Ulf’s skin. Ulf tasted so strongly of male.

  “If you were your other self, we could do more of that.”

  He licked again. It was simpler, to be like this, to not have to think.

  Ulf spread his legs, and the scent intensified. That was all it took for his eyes to roll up, his body shuddering.

  “Come on, Max. Bring me your man.”

  His ear was tugged, and like Ulf had pulled his human free, he lost his fur, shifting in a rush.

  He shivered, but Ulf wrapped around him, body hot, warming him. The slide of skin on skin was an addiction, his cock coming to life all of a sudden.

  “You see?” Ulf’s mouth covered his, tongue pushing in.

  Yes. No. He didn’t know. He wasn’t sure he had enough sense to care. Ulf’s tongue woke up all sorts of things inside him.

  One hand wrapped around his hip and tugged him closer, even as he tried to hide evidence of his erection from Ulf. But he couldn’t, it knocked up against Ulf, who was also hard.

  Ulf’s growl sounded happy, satisfied to the bone. The hand on his hip slipped down to grab his ass and he was pulled in even tighter. Then Ulf rolled atop him, hips rocking as they slid together.

  One of his hands was grabbed, tugged up over his head and held there as Ulf devoured him. He cried out—not from fear, but from wild need.

  “Yes.” Ulf growled, the sound settling right in his balls. “Give me your need.”

  Max shook his head from side to side, his balls tight.

  A sharp bite split his lower lip, Ulf then soothing the hurt, sucking on it as the rocking of their hips intensified. Max couldn’t stop the sounds that escaped him any more than he could stop the leaking of his cock.

  Ulf’s mouth moved, sliding on his jaw, down to his neck. The sharp teeth threatened, then sank into his skin, the mark of claiming clear. Max arched, seed spraying from him, spreading between them.

  Ulf sucked for a moment longer before moving down Max’s body to lap up his come. The act, so unbelievably erotic, had him twisting, sobbing out his need.

  When Ulf was done, he took Max’s cock into the heat of his mouth, lips tight around it. It was more than anyone could ask, to not buck up, hips driving his still-erect prick into that perfect suction. Ulf’s fingers slid over his balls, tugged them gently and the suction grew fiercer, the head of his cock squeezed by Ulf’s throat as the man swallowed.

  “Please.” Max reached down, his feet kicking restlessly.

  Ulf came off and kissed his way back up to Max’s mouth. “I want you, pup.”

  He nodded, utterly overwhelmed, caught in his pleasure and his orgasm.

  Ulf’s knees opened Max’s legs, spreading them as Ulf’s kisses consumed him. He swallowed, groaned as Ulf stole his breath. Ulf’s fingers were busy, sliding on his body. He was touched everywhere, and his nipples pinched. That little sting seemed huge, burning through him.

  Ulf’s fingers continued on, stroking Max’s belly and cock before tugging on his balls. They ached for more, but Ulf moved on. Max yipped softly, the sound pure wolf. Ulf swallowed his noises, fingers pressing back to his ass and touching his hole.

  Oh. Oh, he… Max froze, caught in indecision.

  Ulf’s teeth caught his lower lip again, sinking in as the big fingers pressed against him. The pain focused him, found him rolling his hips and taking Ulf inside. One finger breached him, slid into him like it belonged there.

  He stared into Ulf’s eyes, and he could see himself reflected there.

  “Mine,” Ulf whispered, finger going deep before sliding out again. Then in all the way.

  His entire body felt that simple touch, to the bone. The rhythm was undeniable, in and out again, then in and out again, time after time.

  It was still a huge shock when Ulf touched something deep inside him that made his entire body go crazy. Max bucked, almost losing Ulf’s touch. Growling softly, Ulf grabbed his hip, holding him place as that touch came again. His sob shattered the air, wild and feral.

  “Yes. My pup. Mine.”

  Ulf’s finger disappeared, but a moment later it was back, slick now, but wider, two instead of one pushing into him. The pressure burned, scraped along his nerves.

  He thought Ulf would tear him, but he stretched, opened up to those fingers and it moments, they were sliding in and out of him with ease. The burn became heat, became pure desire.

  When he was rocking up into every thrust of those fingers inside him, Ulf pulled them out completely.

  Max shook his head, cried out. “Please!”

  “Needed to make room, pup. I’m not leaving you hanging.”

  Make room? He was so empty.

  Dipping his fingers in oil, Ulf gave his cock a quick swipe, then settled with it against Max’s hole. “You are mine.”

  “You’re too big. You can’t fit.”

  “I will. You’ll let me in.” Ulf nipped at his lower lip again, one hand gripping his hip tight enough Ulf had to be leaving bruises.

  Max shook his head, but his body betrayed him, pressing closer to the
invading cock. It stretched and stretched him, spreading his hole impossibly. Then suddenly it was inside him, sinking deep and filling him up.

  “Help me,” he cried, although he could feel his body stretch.

  “Breathe, pup. You were made for me.” There was no doubt in Ulf’s voice, just a calm assurance.

  The huge cock continued to move into him, all the way in until Ulf’s hips were pressed up tight against his ass. His body fought the intruder, squeezing and fluttering around Ulf.

  Bending to his neck, Ulf bit at his throat, marking him once again. Max bore down, squeezing tight and Ulf barked once, teeth sinking in. Shaking his head, Ulf broke the skin, made the mark so deep. Max fought for a moment, lost in panic, but it faded, leaving him at ease. Melted.

  Ulf wriggled his hips, the cock inside Max rubbing as it shifted.

  “Good pup. So good.” Ulf moaned, offering the soft praise. “So tight. So hot.”

  That was when Ulf began to move, pulling out until just the head was still inside him, then slowly pushing back in again. A soft touch to that spot inside him, multiplied everything by a hundred.

  “Please.” Max’s heart raced, going a million miles an hour.

  Ulf did it again, not quite all the way out before filling him all the way up again. Teeth letting go of his skin, Ulf licked at the place where he’d grabbed hold of Max and that burned, so badly.

  Then Ulf breathed on it, hips punching the thick cock into him so it banged up against the sweet spot inside. His entire body convulsed, his orgasm slamming through him in a rush.

  Ulf put his head back and howled, the sound clear despite the human throat. Max didn’t have the air to answer, but he still called out with his heart and soul.

  A few moments later, Ulf began moving again, pushing into him over and over. This time the pressure was more reasonable, something less overwhelming. The thrusts were hard and sure, necessary somehow.

  “My pup. Waited for you.”

  Max wasn’t sure what Ulf meant, but he nodded.

  The speed of Ulf’s thrusts increased, the pleasure building with it. His head lifted from the mattress, breath huffing from him. Ulf’s lips pressed against his, stealing his air. Their gazes locked, the song inside him swelling impossibly. Max swore he could feel Ulf’s song joining his, even though he knew it was impossible. That was for mates.

  Mates.

  The word began to grow inside him, pushing at his ribs. Their bodies slammed together, the pleasure coiling tighter and tighter, getting ready to explode. Mates. Mates. Mates.

  Max howled, the sound tearing from him. Ulf’s voice answered him and they came together, Ulf’s come pushing deep inside his body and marking him. His seed marked Ulf in return, spreading over the fuzzy belly. Ulf rubbed it in, then brought his hand up and licked it clean.

  Max blinked, dazed and confused, feeling almost drunk. Lying down on him, Ulf pressed him into the covers and pillows. The weight was perfect and Max snuggled in, too stunned to complain.

  Ulf rumbled, the sound happy, pleased, as one hand stroked him, keeping him at ease.

  Chapter Five

  Ulf felt lazy and happy, at ease in his skin. Such a pretty wolf he had as his own. He’d never expected to find a mate, and now one had been brought to him. Gift-wrapped in denim and leather.

  Grinning, he stroked Max’s belly. He had so much to teach his mate. So much about pain and pleasure and the things mates could do together. Max chuffed softly and Ulf stroked the nape of Max’s neck, fingertips finding a tiny lump. Frowning, he shifted, turning to look as he pushed the hair aside. There was a scar there, a square bump right under the skin.

  “What’s this, pup?”

  “What?” Max stretched, shifted.

  “What’s this scar from?” It didn’t look like the other scars Max’s body carried.

  Max reached back, touched it. “I haven’t the foggiest idea.”

  Ulf went and opened the drapes wider. Then he returned to his mate, turning Max’s head into the light. “It looks surgical.”

  “I’ve never had surgery before.”

  “Well this scar begs to differ.” It was a mystery. And it felt wrong. He rubbed his fingers over the spot again. It was hard and square. That wasn’t natural. The wolf in him tried to rise up, wanting to tear it out. He scraped it with his fingernails instead.

  “Ow!” Max glared at him. “That hurts.”

  “Sorry. It’s… it doesn’t belong. My wolf wants to bite it out.”

  “That would really hurt.”

  “I didn’t say I was going to do it. I just… I don’t like it.” At all. He had to fight the urge to remove it very hard.

  “Sorry.” Max stood up on shaky legs, hand on the back of his neck.

  “It’s nothing of your doing, pup.” There was no way Max could have done it, not behind his neck like that. The thing was too neat, stitches too precise.

  “No. No, is it a bug?”

  “Like a tick?” Ulf shook his head. “It isn’t natural.”

  “Take it out! I don’t want something inside me.”

  “You sure?” He was already up, though, finding a knife and a match to sterilize it.

  “I don’t want something inside me,” repeated Max.

  “Yeah, I don’t either.” He came back and nodded at the kitchen chair. “Sit.”

  “Okay. Okay.” Max jittered, arms and legs bouncing.

  “It’s going to hurt.” He was going to have to cut it out.

  “Just be quick.”

  “Okay, lean your head forward.” He pushed Max’s hair out of the way.

  “I can’t believe I’m letting you do this.”

  “I can. This is something unnatural, of course you want it out.” He sterilized the knife. “Take a breath.” That was all the warning he gave before slicing open the skin over the lump.

  Max sucked in a quick breath, but he stayed still, trusting. Using the tip of the knife, Ulf worked it under the edge of the thing and flipped it up and out of Max’s neck. The little thing landed on the floor.

  “What is it? Is it a bug?”

  “I told you it wasn’t anything natural.” He bent and picked it up with the tip of his knife. “It’s something electronic.”

  “Electronic?” Max stood up, hand slapped against the back of his neck.

  “Yeah.” Ulf held it close to his face to look at it, but all he knew was it was something manmade that looked like it should be in a computer. “It’s a fucking piece of electronics.”

  “I. Kill it. Kill it.” Max sounded almost hysterical.

  Laying it on the table, he rammed the knife through it. “What the hell?”

  Max shook his head, eyes huge, fear pouring from him.

  “Who did this to you?” Ulf went over and got a hammer, bringing it back and smashing the thing. “Who are you?”

  Max blinked, then he paled. “I’ll go. I’m sorry. I knew I wasn’t meant to find a place.”

  Ulf grabbed Max’s arm, shaking his head. “I didn’t mean it that way. I meant who are you that they would tag you? That’s for like royalty, rich folks.”

  “I’m no one. I ran in Miami.”

  Ulf had heard rumors about Miami, about control-freak Alphas and crazy-ass elders. They were like a religious cult more than a pack. “I’ve heard stories. You think they’ll chase you down and try to bring you back even though they clearly don’t want or respect you?”

  “Maybe this time they’ll just kill me.” Max finished pulling his clothes on, one hand sticky with blood.

  Ulf growled, getting a towel and beginning to clean both the hand and Max’s neck. “They’ll have to go through me this time. This is my land—you’re my mate. Nobody messes with either of those.”

  “I can’t stay. What if they hurt you?”

  “You’re not leaving. And I’m not letting them take you.” If he got hurt defending his own, he got hurt. He wasn’t letting Max twist in the wind here.

  Max shivered, trembled against
him. Sweet pup. Silly, but dear.

  “We’re mated now. You know that means I’ll always be able to find you, that I’m not complete without you here with me.” He knew Max didn’t believe that males could be mates, but Ulf knew better.

  “I have to save you, protect you,” Max countered.

  That made him smile. Max might not believe it, but the pup had all the right instincts.

  “Then you’ll stand with me and we’ll fight together.” He stroked the line of his pup’s spine, lips on Max’s throat. His pup had dealt with so much, so many things in such a tiny amount of time. But they would deal with whatever came for them together, standing as one, and he would give Max a good life.

  He sucked on his mark on Max’s neck, darkening it.

  Max whimpered softly. “Have to go…” The hands that held him were tight, clinging, belying Max’s words.

  “Don’t you dare. I will hunt you down and drag you back where you belong.” This was the one for him. And they had the weather on their side too. “The roads will be impassible soon.” After a few more weeks they would be untouchable for months.

  The expression that crossed his pup’s face was one of unbelievable hunger. Someone wanted to find a place to light, to find where he belonged, as much as Ulf needed Max to. He took Max’s mouth, tongue invading as he made silent vows to protect his pup.

  He pushed the heavy leather coat off Max’s shoulders, hands sliding over his pup’s arms. Max pushed into the kiss, gratifyingly desperate for him. Sucking on Max’s tongue, he pushed his fingers beneath Max’s shirt, stroking the beautiful abs.

  That’s right, pup. Feel me. Together, they would defend their land from anyone.

  He could feel Max’s prick firming, pushing up against him, trying to get to him through Max’s jeans. There. There. He smiled, groaned softly as he let himself wallow in Max’s desire.

  He tugged Max’s shirt up over his head and let his fingernails drag down along Max’s chest. He flicked the little nipples as his fingers went by them. Max wriggled a bit, reached for his hands. He let Max have them, curious as to where Max wanted them. Max brought them up, kissed them, one at a time.