Wolf Pack Complete Series : Mate (Silver Mountain Wolf Pack), Alpha Bait (Russian Wolf Pack One) and Wild (Russian Wolf Pack Two)

by Zoe Perdita

  "Not formally. My mother taught me to cook as a boy since she had no daughters," he said and the corners of his eyes crinkled somewhere between a smile and frown.

  Danny chewed his bottom lip. His mind fluttered with questions about the snow leopard's past and customs. India was such a long ways away and seemed remarkably exotic- much different from the pine forests and clear rivers of Danny's home in Idaho's Panhandle. “Did you have any brothers?"

  "No," Nalin said. "I am the only child. Our kind has difficulty breeding. Most women only have one or two cubs."

  "So you must need a female mate to carry on your line," Danny mused. His own family had too many pups. Personal time alone with either parent was few and far between in his overcrowded pack. That's one of the reasons Danny left with Holden. The chance for some solitude and quiet away from the crowd of yipping brothers and sisters.

  Nalin added a few jalapeños to the stew and dumped in the cubes of meat. "Is that what you're looking for? A female wolf for breeding purposes?"

  "Only if you call yourself a woman, cat," Danny growled. That mocking tone in the man's voice drove his patience to an end, even when he tried to be nice.

  Nalin quirked the corner of his full lips. "I am your mate, whelp?" he asked in his smooth, sensual voice.

  Danny's cheeks burned, and he turned away from the snow leopard. Why did his heart hammer in his chest like that? His skin tingle and my stomach tighten whenever the werecat spoke?

  "I claimed you last night so I guess you are," the deputy said, trying to keep his voice as blasé as possible.

  Danny felt Nalin's eyes on his back while he moved to the fireplace. The wolf's hands trembled as he piled several logs into the empty chamber. Why wasn't the werecat saying anything? He should have a reaction to being told he was the wolf's mate, right?

  The silence between them dragged like a long winter's day. The only sound in the kitchen came from the sizzling of the werecat's stew and the crack of the logs as they started to burn.

  When Danny turned back around after lighting the fire, the snow leopard dropped his eyes to the pot of rice. The werewolf clenched his jaw and balled his hands into tight fists. Would he have to claim the man again for Nalin to understand the situation?

  "You’re not even going to say anything?" Danny growled.

  Nalin raised his almond shaped eyes to the deputy's. The werecat's golden irises sparkled in the fluorescent light of the kitchen. "Breakfast is almost ready. I hope you like venison curry, deputy."

  Danny glared at the man. "You know what I meant!"

  Nalin sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm not sure I do."

  The wolf took an involuntary step backwards, like he'd been struck in the chest. Snow leopards probably had different mating customs, and it was quite possible Nalin knew nothing of how American wolf packs worked. If that was the case, the man had no idea what Danny did. Maybe casual sex was part of werecat's life. For a wolf, the act was far more serious.

  "Wolves mate for life, cat. And I claimed you so now you're my life mate," Danny said and stared at Nalin.

  The werecat raised an eyebrow. "You poor fool. You want me as your life mate? Is your pack going to approve of your hasty decision making?"

  Danny growled. He knew it was a dumb impulsive decision. But it also didn't feel wrong. No. Instead it felt all too right. But Danny didn't want it to feel right. Why couldn't he have a normal wolf mate like everyone else? Why did he have to get stuck with this infuriating snow leopard?

  "Never mind. Is it time to eat yet?" he barked at the feline in the kitchen.

  Nalin nodded and turned the fire off on the stove.

  Danny scowled and pulled dishes from the cupboards, letting the werecat dish up their plates since the he had no idea what they were eating. He vaguely remembered Timothy making curry before, but it wasn’t bright orange like that.

  Nalin flinched as they sat at the kitchen table, and Danny's frown deepened. The werecat had been shot only the day before. Although the wound wasn't bad, it still must be bothering him. Dammit. Why did Danny feel guilty about everything now? It wasn't his fault the werecat cat was so sexy and irksome all at the same time. Holden never felt guilty for claiming Jake; at least the alpha never admitted to it if he did.

  While Danny didn't really feel like eating anymore, he still took a large bite of the curry and raised both eyebrows. The strange concoction, both sweet and spicy, danced on his tongue. He’d never tasted anything like it. After his first bowl, Danny dished up two others. Between the wolf and werecat they promptly finished off the entire pot.

  "You liked it?" Nalin asked as he piled the dishes in the sink.

  Danny shrugged and licked his lips. "It was pretty good. I'll do the dishes. You should go tend to your leg," he grumbled and grabbed the washcloth from the snow leopard's slender fingers.

  As their flesh came into contact, a little spark of excitement ignited inside Danny's belly. No. He couldn't give in- not again. The werecat was right. Even if Danny accidentally claimed him the night before it didn't mean much. The pack would never approve, but the pack didn't have to find out about Danny's indiscretion either. By the time they returned the snow leopard would be back in the hospital where he belonged. For some reason the thought sent a sick pain through the wolf's heart.

  "Just because I'm in your home doesn't mean I have to take your orders, whelp," Nalin said and gripped the washcloth.

  "I'm really not in the mood right now, cat," Danny growled, trying to pull the material free from the Nalin’s clinging fingers.

  A thin smile spread over the snow leopard's perfectly kissable lips. “Really? I'd think a pup like you was always in the mood."

  The deputy's cheeks burned, and he narrowed his eyes. Any come back on his part would be totally useless. Danny couldn't very well tell the werecat he wasn't turned on- that was the biggest lie in the world. And that smile, the corner of the Nalin’s lips turned up just so, made it almost impossible for Danny to resist tasting him again.

  The werecat's bright eyes studied the wolf's naked form. “Oh, speechless. I didn't think that would happen to someone like you, a fiery little whelp," Nalin said, his accent as haughty as ever.

  Danny's body trembled, blood rushing to his ears like the pounding of his heart. Nalin's beat in time with Danny’s own- thump, thump, thumping at an increased rate. What the hell did the stubborn bastard want?

  "I could bend you over and claim you again," Danny growled. The thought of the other man's body pressed into his, their sweat mingling together and the heat of the werecat surrounding Danny's throbbing cock made his whole being sing with desire.

  Nalin raised an eyebrow and let go of the washcloth. "Is that what a mate is to you wolves? A fuck toy?"

  Widening his eyes, the deputy took a step backwards and let his hand fall to his side. "No! A mate is someone you dedicate your life to. Like a husband or wife, only divorce isn't an option. Snow leopards don't have mates?"

  The werecat ran his finger along the counter and shrugged. "I suppose some might mate for life. My parents weren't life mates, but the man my mother ran away with was- at least that's what she said."

  Danny frowned. "How old are you when she ran off?" Why was he even asking the snow leopard these questions?

  Nalin batted at the hand towel hanging from the rack. "Thirteen. Old enough to take care of myself."

  The wolf raised an eyebrow. At thirteen, Danny couldn't have done much to take care of anything. He wouldn't even have been able to get a job in America. India must be much different. "Did your father ever find a mate?"

  Nalin laughed, but he didn't sound like he actually thought it was funny. "Oh, if you asked him he had plenty of mates. Most of them weren't our kind, however."

  Danny nodded and chewed on his bottom lip. No wonder the snow leopard was so leery. If most of his kind didn't mate for life then it made sense.

  Clearing his throat, the deputy looked Nalin in the eye. "Don't worry about me claim
ing you. It doesn't mean anything. We don't have to be mates." the wolf's heart ached as he said the words. Why should he care if this stranger left his side forever? Especially if the werecat knew nothing of what it meant to be life mates. Whatever he felt for the feline must be pent up lust and not anything more!

  Nalin looked up at the Danny, his almond eyes wide.

  Danny scowled at the werecat's expression. "What? Are you going to tell me that that's a whelp thing to say?"

  "No. Actually it's something a man would say. I'll go take a bath," the snow leopard said and limped toward the stairs.

  "There’s a bathroom down the hall. You can wash up there," Danny told Nalin and crossed his arms. The man had mood swings just like a cat too.

  With a slight smile and a nod, Nalin slinked down the hall.

  Nalin

  The steamy bathroom did nothing to clear Nalin's mind. Oh well. He needed the bath. While the hospital team had washed him as best they could, he hadn't taken a full on bath in well over a month. Surprisingly, the wolf didn't seem to mind.

  Easing into the hot tub, Nalin thought of Danny. True, his ass was still sore from their activities the night before, but he couldn't deny he'd enjoyed it. He'd enjoyed it more than any other man he'd been with. But Nalin never let another man fill his body like that. So why had he allowed the wolf to do so? Was it like Danny said? Were they life mates? Or was the snow leopard just too weak to stop him? No. He'd wanted Danny to possess him like that. And he relished every pleasurable moment of it.

  Nalin dunked under the water and ran his fingers through his black hair. The bathroom, with its two sinks and sizable claw foot tub, was larger than almost any he'd seen back home. Who knew policing brought in so much money in America? The cops in India were often just as poor as everyone else.

  As he washed his hair and body a strange knot formed in his belly. What was the wolf doing right now? Still cleaning those dishes or taking a shower of his own? Thinking of Danny's slick naked body sent a rush of heat to Nalin's groin. The urgency of the deputy's kisses, the searing heat of his fingers and the intensity of the man’s brown eyes burned the snow leopard's being with longing. Why did the wolf make him feel like this? Make him want something he never dreamed he'd want- not just hot sex but more. Something Nalin couldn't begin to explain.

  Blood rushed between his legs, his cock stiffening at the thought of the little deputy. Slowly, he wrapped his long fingers around his turgid length and moaned into the sultry bathroom air. Closing his eyes, Nalin imagined Danny's hand wrapped around his shaft. The wolf's round eyes burning his flesh with their lusty intensity. His hot lips pressed into Nalin's own as they melted together into one.

  Suddenly, the floor creaked, and Danny opened the door. Both men stared at each other for a moment, little beads of sweat dripping down Nalin's forehead and cheek. The werecat kept his fingers gripped tightly on his dick. No reason to move it unless the wolf wanted to take over.

  "I brought you a towel," Danny said, his cheeks flushing as he sat the fluffy blue material on the counter. His hair was damp and his body shone with little droplets of water. He must have showered.

  "Is that all you wanted to bring me?" the snow leopard asked and smirked. He should start counting how often the deputy blushed at his advances. Danny’s shyness was remarkably cute.

  The wolf's lips set in a firm line. He still hadn't bothered to get dressed, his slender waist accentuated by the broadness of his muscular shoulders and arms. Only a thin layer of hair coated his chest, although the bed of curls surrounding his cock was thicker. Nalin's eyes trailed over Danny’s tantalizing form and he licked his full lips. If only the deputy came closer he could taste that meaty length for himself.

  "Are you done?" Danny asked.

  Nalin smirked at the double meaning and pulled the plug on the tub. "Almost."

  Since the wolf made no move to help him, Nalin gripped the side of the tub, his rock hard cock still in need of release, and tried to get up. Unfortunately, a mixture of water and pain from his wounded leg made the process difficult. Nalin slipped just as he lifted his good leg over the side, but quick as an arrow, Danny caught him.

  The werecat leaned into the wolf's firm chest and his skin tingled with electricity. "Thanks," he breathed as Danny pulled him free of the tub.

  "No problem," the wolf grumbled and quickly wrapped the towel around Nalin's dripping body.

  "Are you trying to be chivalrous or do you really not want to fuck me again?" he asked and rubbed his hair dry.

  For the second time that day the deputy widened his eyes, his mouth gaping for a moment before it settled into his signature frown. "If we're not mates why would I fuck you, cat?"

  The knot tightened in Nalin's stomach, sending a stab of incomprehensible pain through his chest. "Well, that makes sense. I thought you were just tired of screwing around in bathrooms," he said and forced himself to smile.

  The wolf was probably right. If they weren't life mates they should get away from each other as soon as possible. Whatever their attraction was couldn't be based on something permanent. They were too different. A dog and a cat- it would never work.

  "You want me to bandage your leg again?” Danny growled, his eyes focused on the floor.

  Nalin nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

  Just like before the wolf carefully cleaned and bandaged the werecat's wounded leg. Each touch of Danny's fingers ignited Nalin’s skin with a strange mixture of need and loss. How could he be sad about something that never had a chance to be?

  When he was done, Danny grumbled something about getting dressed, and Nalin followed the deputy upstairs.

  "You aren't going to finish that up," the wolf asked and motioned at Nalin's painful predicament when they got into Danny’s bedroom.

  The fact that his cock stayed hard that entire time was some small miracle. "Do you want me to?"

  "It’s your call if you want blue balls," Danny said, avoiding Nalin’s eyes.

  "Blue balls? Do your testicles turn colors?"

  The wolf sighed. "It's just an expression for a hard on without any release."

  Nalin quirked an eyebrow. Hindi had plenty of expressions English speakers probably weren't familiar with, but he couldn't think of any as strange as blue balls. "I have blue balls then?"

  "Yes."

  Well, if the deputy wasn't going to help him, he'd have to help himself. Nalin sat on Danny's bed and gripped his cock, pumping it slowly while rubbing his thumb over the sensitive tip.

  The slick sound must have caught the wolf's attention because he turned and looked, his lips parted and moist. Nalin stared into Danny's eyes and watched the man's chest heave as his own shaft woke from its sleep.

  "Shit," Danny muttered.

  "That’s not exactly what I'm thinking about," the snow leopard panted and leaned back on the fluffy blue comforter. With each stroke he urged the wolf closer, his eyes pleading with the other man. Give in. Touch me again. Please. But he couldn't bring himself to say the words aloud.

  “Why are you-” Danny started, but the words died on his lips.

  Nalin smiled. Wasn’t his desire apparent enough? Or did Danny just enjoy being difficult? “Why do you think?”

  Slowly, the wolf licked his lips, the little flash of pink filling Nalin’s mind with countless dirty fantasies. That tongue could be put to such good use!

  "Fuck it," Danny barked and pounced on the bed like a predator pouncing on his hapless prey.

  For the first time in his life, the werecat didn’t mind being that prey.

  "If you insist," Nalin hissed and pulled Danny into him.

  Shocks of passion exploded across his flesh as soon as their bodies met. The wolf’s rich musk tickled Nalin’s nose as he forced his mouth against Danny's. Each breath distracted him from the job at hand, to ravish the whelp’s body as thoroughly as possible. Hungry need coursed through the werecat's veins like blood as his fingers tangled in Danny's damp hair.

  Yes. This is
what he wanted more than anything! Gladly releasing his own cock, Nalin rubbed his tumescent member on his lover’s own length. The ironclad shafts strained against each other- shocks of delight shooting through his groin, stomach and heart.

  The wolf nipped at the slick flesh of Nalin's neck. Each bite eliciting a hiss of pleasure from the snow leopard's lips. The man's mouth traversed lower, scorching the werecat's golden brown skin with each kiss.

  "You taste like heaven," Danny groaned and wrapped his mouth around Nalin's mocha colored nipple.

  The snow leopard gripped onto the wolf's back, smashing their bodies closer together. How had he lived so long without this touch? This passion? "So do you.”

  For a moment, Nalin swore the lips on his chest quirked into a smile. Sometime, he’d have to see Danny grin instead of just feel it.

  The wolf’s hungry mouth traveled lower and lower, each lingering touch a fiery trail of passion. Nalin’s mind fogged with the overwhelming pleasure of the moment. But this wasn’t all he wanted!

  “Let me taste you as well,” he groaned and dug his slender fingers into Danny’s shoulders.

  The wolf lifted his head, his eyes hooded and lusty in the dim light of the room. Looking into the man’s eyes, Nalin saw past the handsome, boyish face into something deeper. Danny’s soul? Was such a thing possible?

  “You want me to turn around?” the wolf asked.

  Nalin nodded. Every inch of their bodies should be touching- rubbing, exciting each other’s senses into a flurry of desire.

  Without another word of prompting, Danny moved and spread his legs on either side of Nalin’s head. The wolf’s cock stood at rapt attention right where it belonged. Smiling, the werecat flicked his tongue over the rounded tip. Salty pre-come danced across his taste buds, and Danny gasped and trembled, his chest pressed flat against Nalin’s own.

  The steady beat of the deputy’s heart filled the snow leopard’s ears- the only other sound in the room besides their heavy breathing and the slick slapping of skin on skin.