by Julia Talbot
Nathan vocalized softly, trying to help.
He wanted to get Preston here. He carefully avoided thinking the D word, just in case it bled through.
Preston would be able to help. Not just to recover memories, but to explain why those wounds and scars kept opening.
Maybe he should speak to Tanner alone. Make a special request. He could do that, at least.
He stropped himself against Nathan when Nathan nudged him again, praising and grooming. Maybe they should go outside and have a run.
Run! Nathan bounced for him. Run!
Well, that was clear.
He chuffed, his tongue lolling. Okay, love. Run. Come on.
Nathan took off like a house afire, obviously used to having to run for his life, cover huge distances.
Tom watched a moment, then ran after, keeping his pace slower. He had good stamina, but he wasn’t as accustomed to the altitude.
Nathan was a marathoner, tireless as he ran ahead, then ran back to check on him. That was fine; it kept Nathan in his sights. He wouldn’t want someone to be looking for Nathan and find him while Tom was out of reach.
Where had that thought come from? What the actual hell? No one was going to be looking.
Right? Why would they look here? Nathan had run for days, from what his snatches of memory said.
Nathan led him to a bare spot under the lee of a tree, the spot scented with his mate. My den.
He studied the area. My so smart mate. The den was perfect, sheltered, too big for smaller animals, too small for bears.
He wasn’t sure he’d have figured it out, if he’d been on the run.
Nathan bowed, muzzle on the ground.
Tom ducked into the den, his ears brushing tree roots. The scent here was Nathan, but scared. Injured.
He sniffed hard, filling his nose with information. Tom would mull it all over later, but he caught traces of different trees and underbrush, ones that didn’t grow here.
Interesting.
Fascinating.
Weird.
His nose worked for long moments. At least until someone nipped at the end of his tail, making him jump.
A chittering was his response, and he whipped around to see magpie Ed sitting on a low branch a few feet away.
Oh. It was on.
Nathan chuffed softly, head ducked down, paws over his nose as he laughed.
Tom bounded over to Ed, jaws snapping at that low, feathery tail.
Ed fluttered up and dropped a pine cone on his head.
No fair! He barked, dancing in a circle. Come down and fight like a wolf!
Ed squawked and swooped, catching his tail.
Tom took off running, knowing they were just playing. He wanted Ed to follow him. The shadow of the big bird floated over him, chasing him.
Mate? Are you chasing that darn bird? He streaked through a low-lying brush area.
Hmm? Little shit! Teasing him. Ganging up on him with the bird!
So not fair. Tom skidded, circling back toward the cabins, which were a ways off now. Nathan followed behind them, footsteps soft, quiet, steady.
He shook snow off his fur, sliding to a stop just in time for Ed to run right into him.
Gotcha. He pounced Ed, so careful not to hurt.
Ed squawked and flapped and avoided his eyes and nose.
He nosed over a plop of snow, thudding it on the center of Ed’s chest.
Those wings flapped, Ed making indignant noises.
Nathan nudged Ed onto his feet, rolling him over.
Ed hopped up to shake, then flew up to a tree, scolding them.
Nathan stood tall on the trunk, barking and wagging.
Barking, Tom jumped in the air, showing off his aerial skills.
That immediately caught his mate’s attention, Nathan admiring him. He could hear the swell of the connection between them, and he went to rub against his lover.
Nathan bowed for him, nuzzling his front paws.
Inside? I can make tea once we get in, and invite Ed.
Nathan bobbed for him. Tea. Ed. In. Fire.
No burning Ed. He had to tease.
Ed fluttered down to land on Nathan’s shoulder.
Nathan carried the big bird like it was nothing. Nothing at all. His strong one. Tom was constantly impressed.
It fascinated Tom, the way Ed balanced. Those feet were sophisticated instruments. The wings and tail helped, Ed making minute adjustments.
Nathan moved like a dream, like a dancer over the stars.
They headed inside the cabin, which was even colder. Okay, fire. Tea. Man. Be a man.
He shifted, the action surprisingly easy, his wolf falling away. The man shivered, though, and he ran to find his robe and slippers. He brought extras for Nathan and Ed too. “I’m making tea, Ed.”
Ed bobbed for him, bit Nathan’s ear, and then shimmered, a lovely pale man appearing.
“Here you go.” He handed over a robe for warmth. Nudity didn’t bother him.
“Thank you. Good morning! It was lovely to play with you.”
“You too. Can you put the kettle on and I’ll start the fire back up?” He glanced at Nathan, then smiled. His mate would find his way from wolf to man soon. In his own time. “Nathan needs a few minutes.”
“I understand. You can be caught in one form or the other.”
“I was stuck halfway between my first trip here. It was agonizing.” He still winced just thinking about it. His whole body had been on fire.
“Oh Goddess. Goddess, how awful for you! How did that happen?”
“I was bitten, not born.”
Ed gaped. “I thought it was a myth! Really? Someone bit you and made you a shifter? On purpose? That’s mean. I mean, that’s really mean.”
Nathan came right to him, leaning hard.
“It hurt, and I was maddened with it. I wandered. Like you, Nathan. But someone found me and told me how to get here to the D and B.” He rubbed those soft, wet ears.
My love. So strong.
I tried. I did. It was tough. Tom didn’t like to dwell, but he also believed in acknowledging one’s own success.
“You survived. I’m honored to know you.” Ed bowed for him. “I’ll start the tea.”
“Thank you, friend.” He moved to get the fire started up again. They would sit and have tea and maybe find out more about Ed. Well, maybe Nathan had learned some while he and Ed had played video games, but Tom needed to learn more.
“Of course. What’s your favorite kind? I like berry teas—strawberry is my favorite.” Ed chattered away, obviously not expecting him to answer or even listen. It was a comfort, the steady noise, the warmth.
Nathan had disappeared and then showed up again wearing some of his new clothes. He looked so proud.
“You’re very handsome,” Ed told Nathan.
“You are. Come kiss me?”
Nathan came straight to him, face lifted to his, head tilting. Tom took the kiss he wanted, tasting snow on Nathan’s mouth somehow. Sweet, wonderful man.
Ed made a happy noise but went back to making tea. He smelled fruit and peppermint and, not much later, cinnamon.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Ed said. “When I brought breakfast earlier, I left cinnamon rolls in the fridge.”
“I like when Ed visits, mate.” Nathan rubbed their noses together, his mate’s golden eyes lit from within.
“Me too. Do you have one for you, Ed?” He wouldn’t leave out their new friend.
“I do. Can I stay?”
“Stay. Please.” Nathan beamed at the magpie. “We’ll cuddle.”
“We will?” Ed bounced. “Oh, do you mind, Tom? I miss nesting with my friends.”
“I don’t mind a bit. We have a huge couch and blankets and movies. You won’t get in trouble?”
“No. No, I’m off after delivering meals this morning.” Ed spun in a lazy circle. “I’m only part-time.”
“Then stay with us and cuddle! The cinnamon rolls smell amazing. Did Carter make them
?”
“He did!” Ed beamed. “He’s such a good baker. He’s such a kitty most of the time, but he indulges our sweet tooth. Teeth? Tooths?”
“I wonder if Fallon did when he was human.” Carter and Fallon had taken on so many of each other’s traits.
He reached out and cupped Nathan’s butt, drawing him close. He had to wonder if he was going to take on any of Nathan’s traits.
Nathan chuckled. “We’re both wolves.”
“Mmm. But I would love to know you were such a part of me.” He could so handle that. Then again, he would never want to worry Nathan if it didn’t happen. They were mated. Period.
Yes, mate. This is ours. So sure. So firm.
He leaned in and kissed Nathan, thanking him for that trust.
“Love you. Will you get the couch set up?” Tom asked.
“I’m on it. All the pillows and blankets!”
He watched Nathan and Ed both, because he could see them from the fireplace. Then he got the logs in place to light up. What a wonderful day they were going to have.
What machinations had made it like this? Where his ordered universe had become… magical?
Tom had no idea. He was just grateful for what he had.
“COME, beast.” The command came with a sharp tug, the pulls on his throat burning, choking him so that he didn’t have a bit of breath and he had to follow, his paws (hands?) scrabbling on the floor.
He snapped at the air, panic flooding him as he struggled, as he searched for a way to escape.
No. He wouldn’t go back. He pushed out, trying to find purchase.
“Nathan?” Hands landed on him, warm but not rough.
He stilled, trying to force words past his collar.
“I’m right here, love. Right here. It’s just a nightmare.”
His eyes popped open, and Tom was right there, holding him. Watching him. Ed was nowhere to be seen.
Oh. Goddess. Thank goodness. Nathan sighed with relief when Tom kissed him.
Hello. Bad dream. Bad memory.
I love you. Tom stroked the hair off his forehead.
“Sorry.” He rested against the pillows.
“No need to apologize, love. You were dreaming hard.” Tom snuggled up close.
“Mm-hmm.” He blinked and curled in. “Bad ones.”
“That stinks.” Tom said it baldly, making him snort out a chuckle.
“Yes. Being awake with you is way more fun.”
“Oh, good. You mean I’m not boring?” Tom beamed.
“Silly wolf.” He rubbed their noses together.
“Definitely silly for you.” They rolled until he was on top, and he spread, straddling Tom’s waist.
Nathan loved how Tom touched him, as if he was precious. “Did you have a lover before?”
“I’ve had a few boyfriends. Nothing that feels like this. Before I was a wolf too.”
“Oh….”
“What about you?” Tom asked.
“I don’t know. I know how to love you.”
“You do.” Gripping his hips, Tom grinned up at him. “So well.”
“Are you suggesting you have a hunger?”
“Maybe I am. Can you tell?” Tom rocked against him, and yes indeed. That was hunger. Need. Desire.
He reached down and wrapped his fingers around Tom’s erection.
Tom’s eyes flew wide, and he gasped, arching beneath Nathan. “Yes. Oh, sweet.”
He groaned, his eyelids going heavy, the scent of Tom’s desire beginning to grow.
That hardness he held also grew, and he laughed with delight. His mate was perfect. He curled over Tom and licked, teasing playfully.
“Nathan!” Tom almost shouted, hands digging into his hair. Not rough. Never that.
He hummed and snuggled in, letting his mouth sink down farther and farther. Nathan wanted all of Tom. Every bit. His taste and texture. He cuddled under the blankets, sucking gently, pulling at the tip.
Tom moaned for him, but even better, he could hear Tom’s praise and encouragement ringing in his head. The song was constant and lovely, filling him up and making him shiver.
Closing his eyes, he sucked harder, working his lips down the shaft.
“I want to taste you too.” Tom tugged at him, trying to get him to do something he couldn’t quite figure out.
Mate? He was confused, refusing to give up his prize.
Turn around and put your hips up here. He got a very clear image in his head.
Oh. Oh!
His eyes went wide, and his cock filled in a near painful rush. Nathan swung his hips around, not letting go of what he held. He grunted when Tom licked his cock. Goddess.
That was…. He wanted to…. Oh, love.
“Mmmm.” Tom licked at him, the sound buzzing against Nathan’s skin.
So hard to remember to lick and suck. So hard to think and not just melt, but Tom deserved him. Deserved more.
Tom chuckled against his cock, and he thought his mate understood. This was difficult!
Hard, hmm? Tom teased, and their souls laughed together.
Nathan remembered he could use his hands, so he grabbed the base of that hard dick with his fingers.
Tom arched, a cry sounding around his cock.
Hello! Perfect. Of course, he yelled too when Tom returned the favor. He bucked up, his body surging toward Tom’s mouth.
They moved together, almost in perfect concert. It wasn’t hard, because he could hear Tom’s every thought. He heard Tom’s song, getting louder and stronger as he sucked.
Tom was giving as good as he got, loving on Nathan perfectly, slurping and lapping his needy shaft. He arched and rolled, one hand pressing against Tom’s ass.
More, sweet. More. That lovely sound in his head gave him inspiration. He worked harder, his fingers at Tom’s entrance, his lips sealing hard.
Tom answered him with sharp taps at his hole, and he gasped.
All he could do was push back with his ass, opening up.
Tom took advantage, sliding one finger just inside. Scratchy but good. He spread wide and moaned.
More.
More, Tom agreed. He pressed and pushed and circled. Oh, that felt so good. Invasive but wondrous. He moaned again, Tom deep in his mouth, and he would take every drop of Tom’s love.
That made Tom’s finger push deeper, stroking inside and setting lightning through him.
He panted, knowing it gave Tom another level of sensation. He’d never been so engulfed in an experience, so caught in a web of pleasure and life.
Tom worked him, mouth moving all the way down to the base of his cock as that finger pressed in. It was a dance, a delicate and amazing dance they were doing together. Goddess, he could stay here forever.
Soon, my mate. I’m crazed for you.
He nodded, swallowing hard, taking Tom in deep.
Tom made this sound, half surprise, half amazement. He came for Nathan, filling him deep in his throat with hot seed. He swallowed it all down, licking Tom clean, but then he was selfish enough to lie back and let Tom give him pleasure.
“Please. Please, mate.” He wasn’t afraid to beg.
Tom slipped off his cock, and he was bereft for a moment, but then that mouth moved down, Tom licking at his balls. They moved under the force of Tom’s mouth, and he shivered.
He whined, the heat spreading like a wildfire through his belly. His hips rose and fell, and Tom never pulled free, so he was fucking himself on Tom’s finger.
Mate. Mate. Matematematemate.
Tom added another finger, spreading him wider, and he howled with his need. He thrashed when Tom’s mouth found the same spot as those callused fingers, wetting him and easing the way.
Mate? I want—I don’t want to hurt you, Nathan.
Please. Please, Tom. Mate. Lover. I ache for you.
Tom pulled free, using spit to help those two fingers back in. They moved inside him much more easily now, and he was tense with anticipation. Tom was going to have him, join them. He
needed it more than he’d needed anything in his memory, as short as it was.
He grabbed his knees and pulled them up wide, making a clear offer.
Groaning, Tom rose up over him. “Just a little more stretching. I don’t want to hurt.” Tom opened him easily, really working in and out. Then he pulled back, slicking up his cock with more spit.
“Ready?” Tom asked, pressing the head of that hard-again cock to his hole. “You inspire me.”
“I’m made for you.” He didn’t understand how, but he knew it was the truth.
“You are. Oh, sweet, we’re made for each other.” Tom moved those hips forward, pushing into him slow but sure.
He felt filled, heated, stretched, and he sucked in a deep breath, let it out slowly as Tom went in and in and in. All of his space was filled with Tom; the feeling was consuming. Amazing.
Nathan grabbed Tom’s hips, holding them together.
“Mate! Lord, you need so well!”
Nathan nodded, hips rocking as he tried to take more, take what he burned for.
“You want me to move now, yes?” He could feel the tremors as Tom held himself still.
“Please. Please.”
Tom started moving, rocking, all those lovely muscles standing out as they strained. He reached up, stroking Tom’s chest, his nipples, his belly.
“Beautiful.”
“Thank you, love. You’re so hot and tight. I want this.” Tom was flowing into him, then pulling back, the contrast jarring him a little.
“Yes.” He nodded furiously, barking out his joy. “Yours.”
“My perfect lover.” Tom reached down to stroke his cock, making him remember he hadn’t come yet. He almost hurt, it felt so good when Tom touched him.
“Faster,” he urged, and Tom thrust in and out, upping the speed. He bore down, loving how Tom snapped at the air.
They rocked the bed, they moved so hard, and he watched Tom’s face, memorizing every expression. He wanted to keep every bit of this inside him as a memory, and as anticipation for it happening again and again.
For an eternity. Tom’s thoughts pushing into him, through him.
“Yes. Yes, love. An eternity. You have my word.”
“Yes.” Tom was as good as his word. He knew that. Nathan hoped the universe agreed.
“Shh. Stay with me, Nathan. Right here. Now. Us.” Tom pushed in hard, jostling him and lighting him up.
