by Fel Fern
Heaven, but his time with Joe was only momentary happiness that could be taken away.
“Tell me about these headaches, Theo.”
“I have them when I try to dissemble what Voss did to me. I remember sitting in an examination chair,” he whispered, beginning to tremble. His head started to throb again, but with Joe’s hand locked on his, it didn’t worsen. “You were right. I think Voss tortured me, during my weakest moments, he planted suggestions in my head.”
“That Daryl and the Alpha are your targets?” Joe’s voice had turned a little harsh.
“Don’t pull away, please. I can’t make sense of all this on my own. You’re all I have.”
Joe gave his fingers a squeeze. “I’m right here, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”
He let out a breath, shoulders relaxing. Those words meant the world to him.
“Joe,” he ventured. “Everything that I’m telling you, you’re keeping to yourself, aren’t you?”
Joe’s silence proved to be answer enough.
He continued, “Because if you told your Alpha about me, I wouldn’t be still alive right now. They trust you to handle the situation because you’re an enforcer. You’re risking your reputation, your all for me, and that scares me.”
Joe let out a dry laugh. “Believe me, it scares me, too. This pack’s my family the same way Quentin and Marshall are. I’d give my life for Deacon without hesitation, but now? I don’t know.”
Theo came to halt. He caught the sound of rushing water and beyond two trees, he could see it now, the river Joe told him about earlier. Cerulean waves lapped on rocks that looked like sapphires in the sun. The landscape surrounding it—the white sandy shore and the scattered violet wildflowers on patches of grass—were like the rest of the woods. Untouched. Beautiful.
There were lands owned by the Humans Matter government he’d seen on the web, catering to humans with influence and money. Those luxurious lake properties were put up at the cost of destroying nature. Shifters and the paranormals living in Devil Hills seemed to care about preserving the land as it was. There were no tents or trash anywhere.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, detaching himself from Joe to run toward those trees.
Moments later, Joe stood next to his shoulder. “My parents chose to build the house near this river for the view. My brothers and I would come here a lot after lessons in the woods with our dad. He taught us how to control our wolves.”
Theo could almost imagine Joe as a child, roughhousing with his brothers here, an idyllic memory, before things went south. He realized, like Joe, he wanted to know more about his wolf, too.
“Here’s a good spot for our picnic,” Joe said, finding a grassy spot next to an old oak tree which overlooked the river.
Joe brought out a piece of red and white checkered cloth from his pack.
He couldn’t help but laugh. “Where did you get that?”
“Borrowed it.”
“Real classy.”
“I know, right?” Joe started bringing out lunch, which comprised of a couple of bacon and chicken sandwiches along with fries and a couple of canned soft drinks.
“I didn’t see you make these in the kitchen,” Theo observed, unwrapping one sandwich and biting into it. “Wow. Tastes good.”
“Swiped it from the pack kitchens.”
Theo should have known. “Aren’t you going to get in trouble for that? I want your pack to like me.”
Joe huffed, finishing off one sandwich quickly. Theo learned from their meal times together that a normal shifter male could eat twice as a human, because they burned off energy quickly from a shift.
“Nah, I’m an enforcer. They won’t ask that many questions.”
Theo finished off his sandwich and tried the fries. “Thank you—for today, I mean.”
Joe raised his brows and picked up his third—or was it fourth—sandwich. The werewolf’s expression turned intense, serious. “You don’t have to thank me all the time, baby.”
Theo was starting to get used to that term of endearment, made him feel special, which was a nice change from being Voss’s disposable pet project. Don’t ruin this, he thought to himself. He refused to think about his past and Voss, not now.
“I do. Any other werewolf or paranormal in Devil Hills would have killed me on sight. These past few days,” Theo took a deep breath. “I want you to know they were the best.”
Joe snarled. “Don’t talk like that, like it’s about to end. Baby, we’re just starting.”
“A week isn’t enough,” he whispered, hating how weak and bitter he sounded. “I want more. I know that makes me seem selfish, but it’s true and I promised myself I won’t lie to you.”
One moment Theo faced Joe, the next Joe had his big arms around him, warm chest against his back and legs sliding on either side of his. He leaned back against Joe, closing his eyes, committing this moment to memory. Somedays, Theo felt like a gun about to go off any moment.
Voss messed with his brain, so he constantly doubted himself. The only reason he trusted his reality was because of Joe, solid and real and his. He belonged to Joe, too. Or so Theo liked to think.
“I want that, too,” Joe said against his ear after a few minutes of silence, their food forgotten.
Theo became increasingly aware of Joe’s hardening erection and his own dick, rising in his jeans. Zack had been kind enough to lend him some of his clothes, so they mostly fit. Theo had gained some weight, as well, was glad to find he no longer looked like a walking skeleton. He pried himself from Joe and rose to his feet. Time was short, so he planned to make the best of it.
“I want to go for a swim,” he declared.
Joe raised his eyebrows, standing up, as well. “One moment, you’re sad, the next you want to go for a swim?”
He nodded. “You must be sick of me feeling moody all the time, and if a few days is all I have, then I want to create more good memories.”
Joe looked at him thoughtfully. Theo peeled off his shirt, aware of Joe’s pupils changing color. A snarl of what sounded like approval rumbled from his wolf as he dropped his pants, then kicked off his shoes. Fully naked and no longer self-conscious, he walked toward the water. Something moved inside of him, like an animal truly lived under his human skin, one with fierce black eyes and feathers—but that was impossible.
“Fuck, you surprise me at every turn, baby,” Joe said.
His feet touched the soft smooth sand. The mid-afternoon sun felt good on his face. Theo dove into the water, sputtering as goosebumps appeared over his arms.
“Cold,” he grumbled, rubbing his arms. Great. Now he felt stupid, except he sensed movement behind him. The next thing he knew, Joe pressed his slicked hard body against his back, closing his big hands over Theo’s chest.
“Mm, I like this side of you,” Joe said, brushing his mouth against his neck, licking at his pulse point.
Theo moaned, unsure of what came over him to lure Joe into the water. When Joe pushed his dick between his ass cheeks, he opened his legs wider, allowing more access.
“Tempting little thing,” Joe murmured.
Theo rubbed his ass against Joe’s prick in response. The werewolf growled, one hand reaching for his prick, beginning to stroke it.
“Tell me, baby. Do you want my cock buried in that sweet, tight ass of yours?”
“Yes,” he all but managed to whisper. “Fuck me, please.”
Joe pushed a finger in him, the water loosening him. Then Joe added a second and began making twisting motions.
“Now, please.”
“Keeping begging me and I’ll wear that ass out.”
He shuddered in anticipation at those words. Joe guided his prick into his entrance and began pushing in, finally bottoming out. He panted, loving Joe’s hands holding him in place, preventing the current from sweeping him away. With their bodies joined like this, Joe felt untouchable, free of Voss’s influence.
It was just Joe and him, and he swore the more Joe went deeper
and deeper, it felt like his wolf could reach for his soul. He moaned, meeting Joe for every thrust. All the while, Joe continued rubbing his prick. Theo didn’t care they were doing this out in the open. He never felt so good, so alive.
Joe must have shifted his hips, because his next push nearly sent him over the edge. He gasped as Joe hit his sweet spot over and over, until he couldn’t form any coherent thoughts in his mind. Joe tugged at his cock, then his balls. Theo cried out, emptying his balls while Joe continued thrusting in and out of him, eventually letting out a growl and shooting his jizz into his ass.
Theo slumped against Joe, aware of Joe’s softening cock still inside him. He didn’t mind, liked how possessive Joe was, like a predator intent on marking his territory.
“I want to be yours forever,” he felt himself whisper, heart still racing when Joe nipped at the side of his neck again. That spot seemed to be Joe’s favorite for reasons he didn’t quite understand yet.
“Wrong, baby,” Joe said against his ear. “You’re already mine.”
Chapter Eleven
Theo busied himself in the kitchen, trying to make sense of the recipe book in front of him. Joe promised to return by lunch time so they could have a meal together. He looked at the calendar hanging next to the door leading outside, his excitement at preparing them both a meal replaced by anxiety.
He tried not to think about it, but it had been a week since Joe came back from the meeting with the Alpha and the others. Seven wonderful days with Joe. He’d never been happier in his life. Grief for his family still took root in his heart, but with Joe around, it felt a little better, made him believe that with time, he could learn to move on.
Joe had been worried that being cooped up in the house would make him bored, but he was still free to go outside, explore the woods surrounding the house, like the time Joe took him on a hike three days ago. The memory of Joe taking him in the woods made him blush. Sex between them continued to be explosive—not that Theo was complaining. While the werewolf didn’t say it out loud, Theo had a feeling Joe took a little break from his responsibilities to spend more time with him.
The selfish part of him didn’t mind, because he’d been aware of time passing by too quickly for his liking.
A knock on the front door stirred him from his thoughts. Theo walked to the front door, recalled Joe telling him to look at the peephole first, because some packmates and other paranormals living in Devil Hills didn’t exactly welcome his presence. He knew Quentin was probably nearby in wolf form, so he should be relatively safe.
He looked through the hole, blinking to see two slender men in their twenties. He recognized Zack, the bobcat shifter and healer who tended to him when Joe first brought him to his home. Zack came four days ago to check up on him and mentioned coming by over today, but the second man, he didn’t know.
Theo actually looked forward to Zack’s visits. The bobcat shifter could be a potential friend. Zack was also new to the pack and was someone he could relate to, because Zack had also lost loved ones to the Discipline Squad.
“Yes?” he tentatively asked.
“This is Joey,” Zack said, then rolled his eyes. “Apparently, he wanted to tag along but, actually, is just curious about you.”
“Hey,” Joey grumbled, nudging Zack.
“I only let you come because you threatened to tell on my mate.” Zack sounded grumpy.
“Your mate sounds scary,” he told Zack.
“Oh, he is. Half of the pack’s terrified of him,” Joey said.
Zack rolled his eyes. The two seemed close. A pang of longing shot through him. His family had been so careful, so scared of discovery that they always kept to themselves and seldom formed bonds with anyone.
As a result, it had been drilled into his head to never trust anyone, either. Acquaintances were fine, but friends?
“It’s nice to meet you, Joey. Sorry, I forgot my manners, you guys want to come inside?”
“Sure, if you’re not busy,” Joey said, eying his apron.
“I was cooking lunch for Joe,” he said.
“Oh?” Joey grinned. “That’s sweet of you.”
“Sorry, but I passed Joe earlier in the pack house and he asked me to tell you that he might be a little late,” Zack told him, looking apologetic as they headed inside. “How are you feeling today?”
“I’m great, actually. All my wounds have mostly healed. Joe thinks it’s because of the shifter genes in me.”
“You should go see the hawks. Two of my friends who were from our old community are were ravens Mal and his hawks adopted,” Zack suggested. The healer pointed to the couch, all business. “Sit down, I want to check on you.”
“Is he always this bossy?” he asked Joey, then thought about Zack’s offer. “Who’s Mal?”
“He’s the resident hawk king,” Joey explained. “Pretty laid-back guy.”
“Do you think,” he paused as Zack laid his hands over his arm again, closing his eyes. Once more, he felt that warm energy coming from the healer. He continued, “Will the pack kick me out? Joe’s mentioned the hawks and I do really want to find out if there’s a possibility I can shift in the future, but—”
“Why would they kick you? You seem like a nice guy to me,” Joey said.
“You’ve only known me for a few minutes,” he reminded Joey, but he kind of liked the werewolf.
The door opened again, revealing a muscled, mottled gray wolf. Quentin.
“I have visitors,” he told Quentin, who gave Zack and Joey a look, before exiting the cabin.
“Was that Quentin?” Joey asked. “Wow, Joe’s sure protective of you.”
“Too much, maybe,” he muttered. “I appreciate Quentin taking his time, though.”
“You know, this is new for Joe, too. He’s always been able to charm the pants of anyone in the pack, but he’s never really taken genuine interest in anyone,” Zack said, pulling his hand away. “Everything seems to be in order.”
He frowned, crossing his arms. “You said the same thing last time. Did you come visit me because you were bored, too?”
Zack grinned. “Maybe. Besides, I think it’s lonely out here with only one snarly enforcer for company, don’t you think?”
“I have a great idea. Why don’t you abandon whatever it is you’re doing in the kitchen and come have lunch with us in town?” Joey asked.
“I’m not allowed in town,” he reminded Joey, who huffed.
“Screw the rules. Besides, it’s been a week and it’s not like you’ve attacked anyone. Joe will come back and give you the news that you’re free to roam town, trust me.”
He thought about that for a second. On one hand, Joey made an excellent point. Theo hadn’t heard Voss’s voice in his head, either, the more he spent time with Joe. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to step out for a little while. He did want to go exploring, stretch out his legs a little.
“Zack did say I should exercise more,” he ventured. “I’ll just leave Joe a note in case he comes back early so he’ll know where I am.”
* * * *
“Guys, maybe we should head back. Everyone’s looking at me,” Theo murmured, feeling awkward and exposed.
Vulnerable. A hard-eyed man in his thirties glared at him. He began to turn on his heel but Joey grabbed his shoulder and snarled at the guy, who, thankfully, turned his attention elsewhere.
“Don’t mind them. I got the same looks when I first arrived here,” Joey told, steering him to what looked like a diner.
The town surprised him because he thought most of the Devil Hills territory was a scatter of cabins, like the one Joe lived in. This area had roads, with shops on either side. When he asked Zack how the town managed to get supplies, Zack mentioned they traded with other paranormal-run communities. That made plenty of sense.
They entered the diner, with both Zack and Joey quickly securing a booth in the back.
“Relax, Theo. We won’t let anyone bite you,” Joey teased. “Besides, you’re probably sick of being
cooped up in that cabin. Let us show you around.”
“I shouldn’t be here, not without telling Joe.” For some reason, these two managed to convince Quintin, as well, and he knew Joe’s brother had discreetly followed them through the woods. If Quintin didn’t protest, then this should be fine, right?
He nervously reached for the menu.
Zack and Joey were right. Theo couldn’t live out the rest of his life in fear, so he straightened his spine, lifted his head and asked, “What’s good here?”
“Bacon cheeseburgers,” Zack and Joey said simultaneously.
His stomach growled and Theo blushed as the two men grinned at him. “Sounds good to me,” he said.
“What’ll it be, boys? Oh, who’s this?” asked a young woman wearing a waitress uniform. She was a pretty blonde and she widened her eyes as she studied him. “Is this the cutie Joe’s been hiding in his cabin?”
“Theo,” Zack said. “This is Linda, she’s a member of the pack. Linda, this is Theo.”
“You know about me?” he asked.
“Everyone does, sweetie. No one can keep a secret, especially from the pack. So, orders?”
Theo was glad she didn’t pry any further but went on take their orders. Linda scribbled on her pad and nodded. “I’ll be right back, boys.” She left their table.
He peered outside the windows of the booth, still amazed the town looked like any human-run territory. A mother pushed a stroller on the sidewalk outside the diner, a boy holding her hand. A couple of teenagers chatted behind them, looking carefree.
“I can’t believe you guys are having lunch without me,” said an unfamiliar voice. Theo turned his head, spotting a blond guy with bright blue eyes heading their way. Over the guy’s shoulder, he spotted a big, burly, and scarred male who stopped to talk to another table.
His bodyguard, maybe? Was this guy someone important?
“Zack, Joey!” said the little girl, maybe seven or eight-years-old, holding the newcomer’s hand.
