Rise to Fall

by Lynn Hagen

  Omar glanced at him and a deep blush suffused his face.

  “We’re heading out,” Freedman said as he walked over to the bed and kissed Omar on his lips. “Get dressed.” Although getting undressed would be a better option.

  “I need to assemble my coven,” Salvador said as he straightened. “We will follow you close since it is full dark.” Freedman nodded at his mate as Salvador walked from the room.

  Turning, Freedman’s eyes grazed over Omar. “So, what did I miss?” he asked, crawling up onto the bed and pulling Omar’s naked body with him.

  Freedman stroked a hand down Omar’s side, planting light kisses on the man’s jaw, teasing Omar because he knew his lover was just a bit nervous. He could tell by the deep flush of Omar’s body. His pale skin now held a tinge of pink. How the man was still nervous around him was anyone’s guess. Freedman’s gazed into Omar’s eyes and smiled when his mate lowered his head.

  “Freedman.”

  “Don’t be shy,” Freedman said playfully as Omar groaned, and something inside Freedman snapped. Omar was lying here, trusting him, saying his name so seductively that it took everything in Freedman not to forgo the gentleness and take what he wanted. The man gave him an almost lazy look as he gazed up at Freedman, but Freedman could see the tension in Omar’s light-grey eyes as well.

  Stretching out beside Omar, Freedman petted the man, still lightly kissing his mate’s soft skin. His fingers ran down Omar’s side, over the silkiness of his hip, and then Freedman pulled Omar’s leg over his side. “We have to hurry. Everyone is packing up to leave.”

  Fire raced down Freedman’s throat and entered his bloodstream, melting him from the inside out as Omar gave a shy nod.

  Freedman gave a small smile and then leaned down, licking a long path from Omar’s shoulder to his collarbone, taking things slow, giving Omar a chance to back out if he wanted to.

  This was all about the smaller man, even if Freedman’s cock was excruciatingly hard and begging to be buried deep inside Omar’s ass. It was throbbing painfully as he stroked a hand lightly over Omar’s soft skin. It was sweet torment to feel such smooth skin under his hand. His gaze flickered over every inch of Omar’s exposed body, feeling deep inside how much he truly cared about this man.

  When Omar moaned, leaning his head back and closing his eyes with a soft flutter, a look of pure ecstasy washed over his delicate face. Freedman knew he wasn’t going to allow the man to get dressed. There was no way in fucking hell he was letting this man go before he pleased them both.

  Freedman took just long enough to get undressed before he was pulling his naked mate back into his arms. He slid the palm of his callused hand down Omar’s back, cupping his ass as he laid soft kisses on Omar’s neck, alternating between licks and nips. He could feel Omar’s hard shaft against his abdomen, but didn’t attempt to do anything with the man’s arousal.

  Omar gave a low whimper as he dug his fingers into Freedman’s shoulders, trying his best to pull Freedman closer.

  “This has to be a quickie,” Freedman murmured, although he wished they had time to indulge in each other the way Freedman truly wanted to. When his mate tilted his head back, Freedman lowered his head and took possession of Omar’s mouth. Freedman felt Omar open to him and he swept his tongue inside to subdue the shyer muscle, sucking it slowly. Their moans and groans echoed through the room as their tongues dueled and tasted each other.

  With a reluctant groan Freedman pulled away, a thumb tracing the now-swollen lower lip of the smaller man to soothe any perceived reluctance. He was pretty sure Omar and Salvador had just had sex and he wasn’t sure if Omar was ready for another bout—even if it was a quick fooling around.

  Omar buried his face in Freedman’s chest as Freedman leaned on one arm, using his free hand to trace small circles around Omar’s hip, watching the skin rise up in goose bumps.

  It amazed him how responsive Omar was to his touch.

  The man was such a sensual being. Freedman was certain he would never get enough of Omar. He was pure, liquid heat in Freedman’s arms. After a moment of just leisure touching, Freedman felt the slighter body move closer and meld to his. The man was no longer stiff.

  Well, he was stiff, but not in the sense Freedman had feared. Omar’s cock was hot and weeping against him, iron hard and letting Freedman know that Omar truly wanted him.

  Omar’s fingers flexed. “How much time do we have?”

  Freedman nipped Omar’s chin in a playful manner. “Enough to get us both off, baby.”

  Omar nodded into Freedman’s chest.

  Freedman reached over and tucked his index finger under Omar’s chin, lifting the man’s head and then taking another long, sweet, drugging kiss. When he pulled back, a smile formed on his lips. Omar looked so enraptured that Freedman just wanted to hug the man. “You taste like heaven.”

  Slowly, Omar’s eyelids fluttered open, his light-blue eyes shining. “That sounds so corny,” he said with a laugh.

  Freedman chuckled and then nipped Omar on his lower lip. It was still swollen and full from kissing Freedman. “But true.” He couldn’t believe how natural being with Omar felt. Freedman wasn’t one to show affection, or become playful in bed. But Omar and Salvador seemed to bring those qualities out in him and Freedman found that he liked it.

  When Omar leaned up and kissed Freedman’s chest, Freedman shuddered as pure pleasure racked his body. Omar never looked more stunning than he did as he took from Freedman. It was exquisite agony as Omar took his time, exploring Freedman’s body with his tongue, hands, and eyes. If the man didn’t let up soon, Freedman was going to come just from the sensual way the man was handling him. There was a distinct desire of need in his lover’s eyes and the look damn near made Freedman crazy with lust. His body was burning to get inside Omar, but Freedman knew they didn’t have time.

  Instead, Freedman leaned back, lining their cocks up, and then wrapped his hand around the two hard erections. Omar watched him curiously, until Freedman started stroking both of their shafts in a slow rhythm, nipping at Omar’s earlobe.

  “A hand job?” Omar asked with teasing sensuality.

  Freedman winked at Omar as he twisted his wrist, squeezing both of their cocks as he watched Omar watch his hand. He loved how Omar hissed out his pleasure, his chest rising and falling rapidly as if he were close to losing control. The look on Omar’s face was raw ecstasy.

  “Reach under the pillow and hand me the lube.”

  Omar slid his hand under the pillow and handed over the tube. He watched intently as Freedman snapped the lid open and poured a generous amount onto his hand and then both their cocks.

  “Oh hell,” Omar moaned when Freedman grabbed their shafts once more.

  Tossing the bottle aside, Freedman scooted closer, using his free hand to caress Omar’s sac. Rapturous pleasure surged through Freedman as his cock swelled further. His own sac tightened against his body as he watched the slit on the head of Omar’s cock drip with the clear liquid he was dying to taste.

  “Squeeze it harder,” Omar begged.

  “As hard as you want, baby.” He knew what Omar really wanted, and Freedman wasn’t denying he wanted the same. But sometimes fooling around was just as satisfying as full penetration. Freedman groaned loudly at his thoughts.

  “I need more, Freedman,” Omar whimpered.

  Freedman reached lower, teasing Omar’s hole with his finger as he stroked their cocks faster, a rush of heat beginning to consume him. “You want me to fuck you here, don’t you?” he asked, his voice ragged as he pushed only the tip of his finger into Omar’s tight entrance, fighting the wave of hot, delicious need that urged him to push all the way in to the last knuckle. His cock pulsed and swelled further. Incredible heat was at his fingertip and oh, god how Freedman fought against his instincts to just turn the man over and fuck him into oblivion.

  Omar hissed, nodding his head rapidly as he strained to impale his ass onto Freedman’s finger, pushing back, trying his best to
shatter what little control Freedman had. And then Omar smiled in a way that had Freedman’s stomach all tight and hot.

  Out of sheer will, he kept his finger from sliding all of the way into the tight channel. He was not about to give in to his own needs, no matter how badly he wanted to bury his cock deep into Omar’s body.

  Bowing his back, Omar’s moans became louder, more needy as he writhed around. Freedman pressed at Omar’s hole as he began a frenzied thrusting with his other hand, his cock so engorged it was almost painful. He wanted them both to find their orgasm together. He wanted them both to spiral out of control and fall headfirst into the madness that was building between them.

  “Make me come. Oh, fucking god make me come,” Omar panted as he thrust his hips, driving his cock deeper into Freedman’s tight fist.

  “You’re about to fucking come, baby,” Freedman murmured, biting back the snarl that wanted to erupt from his chest. He was an alpha male and used to getting what he wanted. Holding out because not having time was going against Freedman’s nature, but he knew if he sank his cock into Omar’s ass, they wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon.

  He ran his thumb over the slit in Omar’s cock, watching as the head turned a darker shade of red. His eyes shot up to Omar and he almost swallowed his tongue when he saw Omar silently mouthing Freedman’s name over and over again. The sight was nothing short of erotic, and Freedman was lost to the man.

  Omar pulled his legs up and then planted his feet into the bed right before he pushed his lower half into the air, crying out Freedman’s name as hot, wet spunk shot from his cock.

  The smell of Omar’s essence in the air triggered Freedman’s release, his body exploding as his seed landed on Omar’s chest and chin. His fist tightened around their cocks, fighting against the primal and possessive need that was rising up inside of him.

  Freedman’s entire body was covered in sweat as he held on to their softening cocks, reluctant to let go, not wanting this perfect moment to end.

  He leaned down, scraping his teeth over Omar’s jaw. “We have to go, baby.”

  Freedman quickly kissed Omar on his neck and then smiled. “Hate to jack off and run.” Omar sighed heavily as he pulled away and walked to the bathroom, his tight little ass swaying, holding Freedman’s attention until the door closed.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Dorian stood on the side of the road as he watched Omar shouting and writhing in Freedman’s arms. The werewolf had already shifted into a young cougar, a jaguar, and a deer—which Dorian was still trying to figure out—now he was shifting into a jackal.

  Just what in the fuck had those scientists done to Omar?

  “Get me some water,” Freedman said as he held tightly to Omar’s arching body. “He’s burning up.”

  Benito rummaged in the back of the truck and handed Freedman a bottle of water over the seat. “Is he going to be okay?”

  Freedman shook his head. “I honestly don’t know.”

  Dorian could hear the pain in Freedman’s voice and sympathized with the man. He knew what that pain felt like firsthand. But Omar wasn’t shifting for the very first time. He had been a changeling his entire life.

  Salvador appeared by the truck and hurried into the backseat. Dorian turned away and gazed at his mate. Rick’s eyes held concern and understanding. He knew what Dorian was feeling. They had been together for over a year now. There wasn’t much Rick didn’t know about him.

  Nate slid from the other truck, striding toward them. “He shifting again?”

  Dorian glanced back at the truck. “Into a jackal this time. At least he won’t have to worry about you trying to eat him.”

  Nate chuckled. “I am who I am. I can’t apologize for that.” His jade-green eyes held the truth. Nate was a predator through and through and had no qualms about it. Dorian was still getting used to his werewolf, but deep down inside, he felt the same way Nate did.

  He was now a changeling predator. Fact was fact. He had fought being converted by Rick. But the longer he was a werewolf, the more Dorian liked the heightened senses and all the other perks a changeling had.

  He still hadn’t told his parents yet.

  Dorian was pretty sure they wouldn’t mind. They were great like that. His dad supported him and his brother Ian to a fault. The guy was the best dad a guy could have.

  God, he missed his family, but Dorian knew they had to finish this fight before he could be happily reunited with them. He did have a new baby brother now. Dorian wondered how his mom and Christmas were doing.

  “It sounds pretty goddamn painful,” Sasha commented as he came to stand next to Nate.

  Benito slipped from the back of the truck. “Okay, I’m officially wigged out. That’s the fourth breed he’s changed into. If he shifts into another one, Omar is going to be one scary-ass man.”

  “Just don’t bleed around him,” Dorian said. “You’ll be running from five different beasts—although I’m not sure about his deer. It just might want to help you.”

  Benito didn’t look amused. As a matter of fact, he looked downright sick at the idea. “Yeah, the deer might want to help, but the werewolf, cougar, jaguar, and jackal will eat me alive. Now I know how Beastman felt. I’m not used to feeling like prey.”

  “Don’t worry,” Dorian teased. “I’ll protect you.”

  Benito rolled his eyes high and to the left as he pursed his lips. “Highly doubtful, juvenile.”

  “You just love that, don’t you?” Dorian snarled. “I’m not a juvenile if I’m Rick’s mate. That places me higher than you in the pack.”

  Benito blinked. “I guess that does.” He was pouting.

  “That’s enough,” Rick said as he moved in behind Dorian and placed his arms around Dorian’s shoulders, pulling him close. Ever since Dorian’s little meltdown, Rick was being too goddamn nice. What happened to the days when they exchanged barbs? Dorian had actually liked matching wits. But he couldn’t deny he liked feeling his mate wrapped around him either.

  Salvador backed out of the truck. “He has shifted. Why do I feel as if my mate was in labor instead of shifting into a jackal?”

  Was that a joke? Dorian was going to fall over with a coronary. It seemed the longer Salvador was around them, the more they rubbed off on the guy. “Because he was sweating, panting, and begging for water.”

  His back vibrated at Rick’s deep chuckle. It slid all the way down his body and tightened his groin. What he wouldn’t give for a flat surface right now.

  “Can we go now?” Nate asked. “Or do you want to wait to see if it’s a boy or girl…or a little baby with fangs?”

  Salvador glanced over at Nate and then the side of his mouth twitched. Yeah, Salvador had been around them too damn long now—even if it was a few short days. The man’s sense of humor was being corrupted by everyone in the Rebellion group.

  “Fuck!” Freedman shouted from the backseat, making everyone turn around. “Is a jackal supposed to have hooves and a soft white tail?”

  Dorian gaped at the truck. “Hooves?”

  Salvador was back at the truck in a millisecond, but Dorian could see Nate and Sasha trying their best not to burst out laughing.

  “It isn’t funny,” Dorian said.

  “From whose perspective?” Nate asked. “Okay.” He held up his hands. “You’re right. It isn’t funny.”

  “So is he prey or predator?” Benito asked. “I’m confused.”

  “We all are,” Rick said as he released Dorian and headed for the backseat. He stopped when his cell phone began to ring.

  “Richard Carson,” Rick said as he answered the phone, wondering if Omar was all right or if the man was changing into something else.

  He was afraid to find out.

  “I highly doubt your name is Richard Carson, Enrique Marcelo.”

  Rick frowned. He didn’t recognize the voice. His back stiffened and he glanced around, feeling exposed at having a stranger call him. No one should have this number. “Who is this?”
/>   “The man who is going to end your life.”

  Rick wasn’t sure how he knew, but his gut told him he was speaking to Captain O’Hanlon, aka his biological father. Ever since he found out the truth about who O’Hanlon was and why this war had been waged, a thousand different scenarios played out in his mind. He had so much to say to the man—and none of it was warm and fuzzy.

  But now that he could finally speak his mind, it went blank. He had been caught off guard and couldn’t think of one damn thing to say to the man. His heart was beating faster, his throat drying out, and he began to sweat, yet nothing came to mind.

  Dorian glanced curiously at Rick, his head cocked to one side as his brows lowered. Rick tried to gain control over his racing mind, but nothing was working.

  “Nothing to say to me, animal?”

  Rick opened his mouth and then closed it, still drawing a blank. His entire world was falling apart around him and Rick was standing in the middle of the road with brain block.

  “I curse the day you were born and look forward to ending your existence.” O’Hanlon paused, but when he spoke again, his voice was low and lethal. “I’m coming after you, Enrique, but rest assured, I won’t fail like the others.”

  Rick listened as the man hung up. Bile began to rise to the back of his throat, and then his rage kicked in, throwing his head back, Rick howled as the threat sank in. The phone that had been in his hand was crushed as he felt himself shifting.

  “Whoa,” Nate shouted as he cautiously moved closer. “What the hell is going on, Rick?”

  Rick couldn’t speak. But this time it wasn’t from shock. It was from the rage boiling deep inside of him, festering like a disease as he imagined his hands wrapping around the human’s neck and squeezing the very life from his lungs.

  “Who called you?” Dorian asked. “Who was it, Rick?”

  “O’Hanlon.” Rick walked away, down the road in the opposite direction they needed to go. He cursed himself for freezing up. He cursed himself for not telling the man that it wasn’t Rick who was going to die. And he cursed himself for feeling a pain lacerate him on a very deep level.