Naming His Mate (Black Hills Wolves Book 17)

by Limoges, M.

  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by fines and federal imprisonment.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Naming His Mate

  Copyright © 2015 by M. Limoges

  ISBN: 978-1-61333-796-7

  Cover art by Fiona Jayde

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

  Look for us online at:

  www.decadentpublishing.com

  Black Hills Wolves Stories

  Wolf’s Return

  What a Wolf Wants

  Black Hills Desperado

  Wolf’s Song

  Claiming His Mate

  When Hell Freezes

  Portrait of a Lone Wolf

  Alpha in Disguise

  A Wolf’s Promise

  Reluctant Mate

  Diamond Moon

  Wolf on a Leash

  Tempting the Wolf

  Coming Soon

  Worth Fighting For

  Promiscuous Wolf

  A Wolf Awakens

  Also by M. Limoges

  Claiming His Mate

  Taming His Mate

  Dedication

  For two of the most awesome men I will ever know.

  Naming His Mate

  Black Hills Wolves

  By

  M. Limoges

  Chapter One

  Mike Hadley adjusted his gun holstered on the belt at his waist and tugged his jacket over the weapon, concealing it from clear view. There wasn’t any doubt he’d incite a riot if he walked inside with his piece visible.

  Coming here, to this place in the middle of nowhere, shouldn’t have troubled him. He’d stepped into shittier, more unstable situations than this hole-in-the-wall bar, but damn if a thread of apprehension didn’t prickle the length of his spine as he stood outside of the entrance. One small detail kept him from strolling into the establishment like he owned the place, and he sincerely hoped that minor detail stayed home tonight.

  He rolled his neck from side to side in a bid to loosen the tension in his shoulders. With an air of confidence he didn’t quite feel, he pulled open the heavy steel door and strode inside the Den.

  Thirty seconds was all it took for activity to grind to a screeching halt. The drawl of a country ballad playing on the music box in the far corner thumped through the stifling air. Weighted stare after weighted stare met his gaze head on as he scanned the bar’s occupants. Their open hostility battered at his senses.

  He wasn’t welcome. That much was apparent, but he would deal with it. Despite a bar full of unfriendly locals, the absence of one in particular shaved off a degree of his unease.

  Of course, his anxiety hardly mattered. As sheriff of the small town of Collins, South Dakota, it was his job to investigate a rash of disappearances over the last several weeks. Unfortunately, the trail had led him to the neighboring, inhospitable town and people of Los Lobos.

  Collins’ residents had learned years ago they wouldn’t receive a kind welcome from the little settlement. Most went out of their way to avoid it altogether, which wasn’t hard since Los Lobos had no key access route from the main highway.

  Mike tipped his hat in a semblance of greeting and ignored the crowd’s glares as he moved toward the bar. It surprised him how easy the throng of men and women parted, allowing him an unimpeded path. When he reached the bar, he slid onto a stool and placed his forearms on the wood-grained countertop.

  Mirrors ran the length of the bar, giving him an unobstructed view of the patrons behind him and the exit on his right. He might have projected a carefree air, but the truth was his nerves were as strained as the wire of a hooked fishing line. Surely everyone in the bar perceived that as well.

  In front of him, a bulky Native American man stood opposite the polished counter with his arms crossed over his chest. Sizing up his opponent, Mike reasoned he could take the big bastard, but he sincerely doubted his capability to fight an entire bar full of people with much success. Yeah, just as well. He had no desire to leave battered and bruised. In fact, he’d rather get this shit over with so he could go home, period.

  “A cold beer would be great.”

  The bartender’s dark-brown gaze narrowed a fraction. After a minute-long staring match, he reached beneath the counter, raked through a chest of ice, and lifted out a bottle. Twisting off the cap, he plunked the drink in the center of the bar between them, all but daring Mike to grab it.

  However, he had no such compunction whatsoever. He hefted the bottle to his lips and downed half the contents then burped in appreciation. “Man, I’ve needed that all day.”

  For a second, he swore the bartender’s lips twitched, but his pinpointed stare never wavered.

  “I suppose this makes more sense.”

  He had to strain to hear the low rumble of the barkeep’s voice. “What does?”

  The large man lifted a shoulder. “Nothing.”

  As Mike drank his beer, he watched as the patrons slowly slipped into a normal rhythm, continuing a steady clamor of conversation and activity. While they might exude indifference, he wasn’t fooled. They were aware of his every move, just as he was theirs.

  “So….” He leaned against the counter. “If you haven’t guessed, this is a business call.”

  The bartender snorted. “Figured as much.”

  “I just have a few questions then I’ll be on my way.” He extended his hand for a shake. “I’m Mike Hadley, sheriff over in Collins.”

  The large man glanced down at the offering with an impassive expression. Just when he concluded the bartender wouldn’t accept, the Native American grasped his hand with a firm shake.

  “The name’s Gee.” He released Mike’s hand and leaned forward. “How about you just ask your questions then be on your way, all right?”

  Fair enough. “I’m looking for a few men from Collins who’ve gone missing in the area.”

  “Let me save you the breath.” Gee shook his head. “Not a soul has passed through here lately.”

  “Figured as much.” He fed the man his own words. “You sure about that?”

  “Positive.” A hard glint entered Gee’s gaze. “Our town’s tucked away from everything. We don’t get a lot of visitors through here, and if you haven’t guessed, we prefer it that way, Sheriff.”

  “Yeah, I sort of gathered that.” It was obvious this was going nowhere fast.

  Rather than push his luck, he slid off the barstool and downed the last swallow of his beer. He grabbed his wallet from his back pocket and dug out a ten and one of his business cards, placing the items in the center of the bar between them.

  “If you have any information, give me a call, eh?”

  Gee made no move to pick up the card. Instead, he grabbed the ten then the empty bottle, tossing it in the trash feet away with a clatter. Slipping the cash in his pocket, he tipped his head and moved on to the next patron at the bar.

  Well, that could’ve gone worse. To hell with it, he would try again tomorrow. However, it would require an entirely different approach. Tonight though, he was damn tired and in need of sleep. He veered
around people, making his way toward the exit. With one last look over his shoulder, he pushed open the door and slammed into a solid force.

  He glanced around in surprise at the sizeable man blocking the exit. Anger simmered in the man’s narrowed, emerald gaze. Beneath a neatly trimmed beard, a muscle ticked along his jaw.

  At that point, Mike wasn’t up for confrontation. Instead, he simply wanted to get the hell out of there. “You mind moving?”

  Fury poured off the man in waves, and his nostrils flared, but he didn’t mutter a word. He stepped sideways and shoved past, their arms knocking into each other’s, as he strode inside the bar.

  Asshole. Mike shook off his irritation and walked down the sidewalk to his patrol car. Another hour at the office then he could go home, collapse in his bed, and try to forget the uneventful night altogether.

  ***

  When the vehicle rounded the bend and the high beams illuminated the long stretch of driveway, Damien balled his hands into fists at his side. Standing in a dense patch of trees off the side of the darkened ranch-style house, he willed his impatience to calm the hell down. Though the steady night’s breeze was chilling, his body still burned from the inside out.

  As the car eased to a stop and the engine cut off, he growled low in his throat. He kept his gaze trained on the dark figure that stepped from the vehicle and ambled toward the backdoor. His steps blending with the silence of night, he stalked toward his target then seized the advantage of stealth.

  With a burst of speed, he rushed forward and pinned the figure against the door, leaving the keys to dangle in the lock.

  “What the hell did you think you were doing tonight?” His voice was as coarse as the gravel lining the drive.

  At once, the tension drained out of his prey’s shoulders. “Fuck, don’t do that shit to me. You know I hate it.”

  Damien affixed his fiercest glare in place and spun the human to face him. “I asked what the hell you thought you were doing tonight.”

  The sheriff quirked a blond brow in challenge. “I heard you the first time. And to answer your question, it’s called work. You should try it sometime.”

  For several heartbeats, he studied the man’s crystal-blue eyes and flushed, clean-shaven cheeks before he answered the need thrumming through his body. He weaved his fingers through the sheriff’s short hair and pulled his head closer to his own.

  “You worried me, Mike,” he confessed in a rough whisper. Unable to bear their close proximity any longer, he fused their lips together and slid his tongue inside the welcoming heat of the other man’s mouth. He closed his eyes while he savored the spicy flavor.

  Heaven.

  His disobedient, sexy mate tasted of heaven.

  Pure and simple.

  Chapter Two

  Damien moaned in appreciation and rubbed his jean-covered erection against the bulge in his lover’s pants. He hardly gave a shit they were outside in the susceptible night air for all to see. When he’d opened the entrance to the Den and smacked into his mate, Wolf and man had been livid. After all his subtle warnings, the damn fool still found it necessary to venture into the belly of the beast, so to speak.

  Shit, if Mike continued to ask questions, his Alpha might deem him a threat to the pack’s safety. That was something he would never allow. He’d fight to the death to protect what was his. And the smartass sheriff damn sure was his. A fact he’d have to share with the other man at some point before he managed to get them both killed.

  Damien seized his lover’s mouth in a punishing kiss, his tongue delving deep, demanding submission. Yanking the shirt hem from his mate’s pants, he shoved one hand down the back of his jeans, his fingers gripping one smooth globe beneath. Later, much later, he promised himself, he’d sink his teeth deep in that delicious bit of flesh.

  Mike jerked his head to the side, breaking their kiss. “Wait.” He pulled Damien’s hand from his pants and turned toward the door to wrestle with the lock.

  Damien nipped at his neck and ground his straining erection against his lover’s denim-covered ass. “Hurry.”

  The jingle of the keys gave way to the door swinging open. He pushed Mike inside, desperate to peel every inch of clothing from his lean body. Once the backdoor clicked shut, he pushed his mate against the wood and unbuckled Mike’s belt, letting it fall near their feet with a heavy clunk. His lover unbuttoned his work shirt while Damien threw off his T-shirt and shoved his jeans and boxers over his hips and down his thighs.

  Once they both stood nude, frantic need overwhelmed him. He took a step closer, and the stiff lengths of their cocks met, sending a sizzling pulse of power up his spine. He grasped his mate’s erection, stroking the hot flesh with a firm grip. Mike’s head thumped against the door, and a harsh groan slipped from his throat.

  Damien bit his lover’s chin and kissed along his jaw until he captured his mouth once more. They poured every ounce of their pent-up passion from the week they’d spent apart into the kiss. When strong hands glided over Damien’s chest to his stomach then down to the head of his cock, it was his turn to bite back a groan.

  Easing down onto his knees, Mike wrapped his fingers around Damien’s length at the root. With a few strokes of his hand, he slipped his tongue out and laved at the swollen head.

  Damien gritted his teeth against the release already building in his body. The other man pumped his cock faster, taking it in his mouth and licking away pre-cum from the tip. Entranced by the sight, he watched as his blond sheriff slid his mouth over half his length, fucking him with his mouth, while his hand continued to work him from the base.

  Fuck, he was about to come. He grabbed Mike’s arms and tugged him to his feet.

  His lover emitted a sound of protest. “I’m not done yet.”

  Damien captured Mike’s mouth, tasting himself on his lips. “Later. I want to be inside you.”

  Mike leaned over, opened a side table, and rummaged through the contents until he lifted a condom and small bottle of lube. He tossed the items at Damien and turned to face the door. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes darkened with need. “Don’t make me wait.”

  Damien was happy to oblige. He took no time rolling on the condom and applying a liberal amount of lube. Leaning forward, he ran his fingers down the seam of his mate’s ass.

  Mike moved his hips backward, anxious for more, as he lowered his hand to stroke his erection. Damien eased a finger past the tight ring of his lover’s ass. Christ, he couldn’t wait to sink inside the welcoming heat of the other man’s body and lose himself.

  His lover moaned and rocked against his hand. “More. Give me more.”

  He added his middle finger, moving the two digits in and out in a sinuous rhythm.

  Mike turned his head to the side, resting his cheek against the door. “Fuck, I’ve missed this. I’ve missed you.”

  The words were enough to push Damien past his breaking point. He slipped his fingers free and widened his stance, lining the head of his length at the enticing entrance. With slow, deliberate strokes, he pushed past the tight muscle, working himself deep inside until his balls rested against his lover’s ass. He wrapped his arms around the other man, reveling in the tight squeeze of his mate’s body.

  Leaning his head forward, he nipped at Mike’s earlobe. “I’ve missed you, too.”

  He set a slow, steady pace with each stroke until his mate grew accustomed to the fullness of his cock. When his lover’s breath came in harsh panting bursts and his ass ground against Damien’s groin, he increased his rhythm, plunging in and out, with hard, sure thrusts.

  In the quiet room, the smack of flesh against flesh mingled with their groans of pleasure. He swore at the tight friction and felt his balls draw up as they slapped against Mike’s ass with each pump of his hips. He reached around and gripped his lover’s length. With the first stroke, Mike clenched around his cock, dragging a growl out of Damien. Damn, he wasn’t going to last much longer.

  He closed his eyes and gritted his t
eeth, determined his mate find pleasure first. Applying pressure, he worked him with firm, fast strokes. A few more deep thrusts and Mike tossed his head back, his hoarse shout bouncing off the walls, his body shuddering as hot splashes of liquid covered Damien’s hand.

  The feel of his lover’s essence scalding his skin, marking him, sent Damien over the edge. One last, hard push and he came, buried deep inside his mate. The release robbed him of breath, and his knees would’ve given out had he not leaned most of his weight on Mike.

  As their sweat-soaked bodies melded together and their heart rates slowed, it struck him the position was nothing short of perfection. Completion. Rightness. Everything he’d sought in his lonely life, but had forever eluded him until he locked his sights on this bold, sexy human.

  He dropped his forehead to his mate’s shoulder, placing soft kisses on his heated skin. For once, he spoke what was in his heart. “I love you.”

  ***

  Love? Mike practically spat the word in his head. Instead of spouting the smartass retort on the tip of his tongue, he chose to keep his mouth shut. Right, he got it. Heat of the moment and all that bullshit. Didn’t mean the words hadn’t thrown him off kilter.

  If he were twenty, he might’ve been thrilled to hear those three simple words from his bed partner. But he wasn’t a young, foolish jackass anymore, and he sure as shit didn’t fawn over anything or anyone. At thirty-three, he’d weathered enough in his life to cultivate the heart of a cynic. He harbored no delusions this thing, whatever the hell it was between him and Damien, would last.

  Suddenly, the house felt too small for the two of them. He needed space, and he needed it quick. Pushing away from the backdoor, he nudged Damien away, breaking their intimate connection. He started down the hallway before he had second thoughts.