by Fel Fern
When Lance looked back at those earlier years, those times he collided several times with Santino and Sabine because they always took Deacon’s side of the argument, it made Lance smile. Thinking of the past made him realize how far all of them had come, how the pack had grown.
Deacon became Alpha at a young age, took charge of a decimated pack most paranormals considered done for and turned everything around. When Lance heard of a ruthless Alpha willing to take risks for his people, who managed to win two other paranormal groups to his side to ensure the safety of his territory, Lance knew his heart that this was the pack and the Alpha he wanted to pledge his life and service to.
Realizing he kept his Alpha waiting, he said, “I’m better off without Joey.”
“Are you certain about that? Lance, I’m Alpha. I can sense your wolf in turmoil.”
“The Demon Alpha playing matchmaker?” Lance purposely used that nickname others used for Deacon to annoy the Alpha. It struck him that years ago, Deacon and he would never joke like this.
“Hmm.” The Alpha then tilted his head. “Sabine? Security?”
Lance warily looked at the Ghost. Sabine always made no sound when she approached, and he had a feeling she said something to Deacon when it came to Joey. A huge part of Lance wanted to hunt Joey down, especially before Joey and Freida could get far from the Devil Hills territory. Logic stated he should let Joey go, leave the past behind completely.
His wolf didn’t like the second option, would fight him if necessary, because the beast refused to let their mate go for a second time. What would Deacon and the others think, though? Already, they’d seen him show weakness when it came to Joey. Lance could be merciless to his enemies when needed, especially those who hurt the pack or members of their paranormal community.
No matter what Joey did, though, even if Joey faking his death hurt him, he’d always forgive his mate.
“No problems so far. Four of the challengers tried to cross into town and were dealt with,” Sabine reported.
“I think I’ll go see Forrest and give those challengers a looksee,” Deacon announced.
“Don’t scare them off too much,” Sabine told him.
Deacon chuckled, ruffled her hair the way a big brother did to his sister, before leaving them alone on the cliff.
“Beta, should we go check on the wolves posted in this sector?” Sabine asked him.
Didn’t you just tell Deacon everything was fine? Lance held his tongue in check and realized he did welcome a chance to run in wolf form.
“Fine.”
They stripped out of their clothes, left them in a ball by the tree. He reached for his wolf, welcoming the change as fur covered his chest, arms, and legs. Bones broke, reformed, and he fell on all four paws. He sprinted for the closest line of trees. Lance usually enjoyed running with packmates, but when it came to Sabine, running with the Ghost felt like he ran alone because he didn’t even hear her paws.
Well, whatever. Running in wolf form gave him the opportunity to think back on what happened with Joey. A mistake. Telling Joey to leave was the worst decision Lance ever made his entire life. He spotted Sabine’s distinctive white fur ahead of him. They split up, checked on the packmates in charge of security around the clearing. Since no one approached him, it meant security remained airtight.
Lance ran himself ragged, wondered if he lost Sabine, then realized he returned to where they started, back to the cliff overlooking the clearing. He had to grudgingly admit that he did feel a lot better, even his wolf felt more settled in his skin. Lance turned back to human and put on his jeans. Sabine shifted and donned her clothes.
“Did you tell Deacon about Joey?” he asked. “Well, it doesn’t matter now. He’s probably gone already.”
Lance heard the regret in his own voice.
“Actually, Joey and Freida are at the healer’s tent.”
“What did you say?” He turned to her, crossing his arms. She could have told him that earlier. Damn her. Still, Lance would never admit how relieved his wolf felt at the moment. “Wait. You left Joey and Freida with your brother?”
Knowing how possessive Santino could be when it came to Zack, the enforcer would find excuses to hover around his mate.
Lance had wanted Elaine, the older female werewolf healer, to be on standby, but Zack insisted on helping out. The bobcat shifter might not be werewolf, but Lance knew even cats could be stubborn as wolves sometimes. Then again, who was he to argue? Zack proved to be valuable to the pack, and even if Zack was a cat, they considered him to be one of their own.
“Santino likes Joey, I think. Maybe you should pay the healer’s tent a visit?” Sabine suggested.
“First Deacon and now you,” he muttered. “Has everyone in the pack gone mad today?”
“Lance, everyone saw it.”
He stilled. “You’re talking about me letting Joey off too easily?”
“Those outsiders probably only saw what you wanted them to see, the Beta giving another werewolf a warning,” she said.
The problem with the Ghost was that she always sounded indifferent and unemotional. The Devil Hills wolves didn’t tolerate weaknesses, that much was true, but he had a feeling Sabine was trying to make a different point.
When a shifter lost their mate, a huge part of them died. Maybe that was why he understood her the way most packmates couldn’t, because when he thought Joey died, he lost the will to live. Lance managed to pick himself up, because Joey and he never officially mated.
“And the pack?” Lance ventured.
“Saw their Beta staking a claim on his mate.”
Lance viciously swore. “When I saw him in the circle, I didn’t know whether I wanted to kiss him or kill him. He lied to me, Sabine. For five years, Joey let me think he was dead.”
“That was a horrible thing to do,” she agreed. “But perhaps Joey has his reasons. Would it hurt to talk to him?”
“No, I guess not.” Lance did want to trade a couple of words with his errant mate.
Running didn’t just help clear his mind, but he came to the conclusion both he and his wolf agreed on. They weren’t about to let Joey go, not this time around. It didn’t look like Deacon and the others would interfere, given they acted like annoying family members trying to push Joey and him back together.
“Sabine?” he called after her when she began to make her way down the cliff.
“Yes, Beta?”
“We should run together more often.”
She flashed him a rare smile before leaving him to his thoughts. Mind made up, Lance undressed once more and turned back to wolf to hunt down his mate. This time, Lance would finish what he’d started. He’d do what he always wanted—give Joey his mate mark and convince Joey that his place was here, with him, always.
Chapter Five
Joey paced the tiny tent restlessly. Old habits die hard and he only managed about half an hour’s nap. Freida slept like the dead, though, her loud snores filling the tent. Zack didn’t seem to mind and continued looking over his medical supplies. His wolf didn’t like the small space, especially knowing Santino remained outside with other dominant werewolves.
“Do you think,” he began as Zack turned to look at him, “I could go for a short run? Can I leave Freida here?”
Since nothing happened to Freida and him during his nap, he considered Zack and these werewolves safe for now, knew they wouldn’t harm him or his sister. Joey still didn’t fully understand why they’d offer him and Freida protection, but for the moment, he didn’t care. They hadn’t asked them to leave yet, either.
“Sure. Sorry, it’s precaution, but will you let one of the wolves outside know?” Zack asked.
“Understandable,” he said. The Devil Hills wolves probably wouldn’t want outsiders wandering around their land. He got out of the tent to find Santino’s silver gaze on him.
“I heard,” Santino said. “Pack rules state outsiders need an escort, in case you’re up to no good.”
“I don�
��t mean you or your pack any harm,” he stated.
“Ariel here will tail you, but she’ll do it at a distance so your wolf doesn’t feel edgy, deal?”
“Why are you being nice to me and my sister?” he blurted, realizing Santino probably wouldn’t be this civil with other guests.
“Nice? I am being that, aren’t I, Ariel?” Santino asked.
Ariel nodded and told Joey, “He really is, but don’t take his generosity for granted. No one toys with the Devil and lives to tell the tale.”
Sweat dripped down his back. “I have no intention of toying with anyone except Lance.”
Shit. Did he really just say those embarrassing words out loud? Santino shared a suspiciously amused look with Ariel and the two other wolves there. What was going on here?
“Scoot,” Santino told him.
Joey glared at him, then stalked over to the nearest trees. He dispensed with his clothes, his confusion with Santino fading as he shifted forms. It had been awhile since Freida and he managed to run freely in the woods like this. He wished she was awake so she could let her wolf run free, but he decided she needed the rest.
Once they were out of Devil Hills wolves’ territory, who knew when they could let their guard down again?
His heart ached, thinking about what would come next. Surely, once word got back to Lance that he was still here, Lance would tell one of his wolves to throw Joey’s sorry ass out of his lands. The Beta made it clear he didn’t want Joey here.
Now was the time to make up for their mistakes, his wolf told him. Joey wondered if Lance would give him another chance. He felt vaguely aware of Ariel running behind him. Like Santino promised, she kept her distance. A howl lifted in the distance, making the fur on his back stand. That sounded familiar. Ariel let out answering growl behind him, then he no longer heard her footsteps behind.
A new staggering and dominating presence appeared, but his wolf didn’t consider Lance an enemy. Lance’s lethal, muscled wolf soon joined his, running alongside him shoulder-to-shoulder. His wolf didn’t feel threatened by Lance’s presence, but more at peace. Joey had dreamt of running his fingers through Lance’s golden pelt, of running through the woods like this with Lance, without a care in the world.
Lance didn’t stop him. Despite being bigger in size and probably faster, Lance didn’t rush him, either, but matched his pace. He relaxed. Lance went slightly further ahead, taking the lead, but he didn’t mind, because this wilderness, while gorgeous and untouched, remained unfamiliar to him. They passed by towering pine and oak trees. The ground turned uneven beneath his paws, and he heard the sound of coursing water nearby.
He widened his eyes. The last time he saw so much unspoiled beauty was five years ago, in Black Claw pack territory, but he knew the Devil Hills woods was maybe three times larger. That was why it was a wonder that Deacon Becker and his allies could hold onto such a large area and kept it safe from their enemies.
Longing filled his wolf. Joey would have liked to live here. He knew his sister would love it here, too. What would he give, to give her a new home? They both spent the past years moving from one place to the next. Being constantly on the road, they’d slept in his car, in flea-ridden motels. When the Discipline Squad busted the roadhouse where they both worked, his mind turned naturally to Lance.
Joey still associated Lance with safety, with the promise of so much more. His mate. Joey simply didn’t have the guts to seek Lance out until now. No matter. Joey swore he’d spend the rest of his life making it up to his mate. Even if it took years, or if Lance threw his sorry ass out of his lands, Joey wouldn’t stop.
Lance led him past a grove of trees and closer to the river. Seeing the body of water, he wanted to dive in right away, to play, but Lance must have sought him out for a reason. He didn’t realize he ran to the water until sand touched his paws. Joey hesitated, turned to face Lance, only for the Beta to nudge him until water soaked his fur. Another push fully immersed him in water.
With his muzzle wet, Joey narrowed his gaze at Lance, which lasted maybe a second. He was caught off-guard by the mischievous look on Lance’s face. The Beta raised one paw, then splashed at him. He sputtered and paid Lance in return by leaping at the Beta. They clashed in the water, rolling and getting each other wet.
Lance nipped at his ear, a reprimand, but unlike the brutal fight before, this was more playful. To Joey’s surprise, Lance turned back to human. He assumed Lance wanted to have that important conversation now. Too bad, because Joey didn’t want the moment to end, but he recognized the need to explain himself. He didn’t know what made Lance change his mind, but he refused to let this opportunity to apologize escape. Joey let himself shift back into human form.
Before Joey could formulate the right words to say, Lance postponed himself behind Joey, then pulled himself to a fierce hug. The warmth of Lance’s slick skin turned his breathing ragged. He tensed but shut his eyes and relaxed against Lance’s embrace. Lance seemed to take his compliance as invitation, because the Beta left possessive kisses on the side of his neck that left his skin heated.
A sigh escaped Joey. He almost wished Lance would sink his fangs into the side of his neck and claim him. Five years felt too long and he felt like a fool for not approaching Lance earlier.
“You can’t imagine how many times I’ve dreamt of this moment,” he admitted to Lance, because the Beta deserved the truth.
“Why didn’t you come sooner?” Lance spun him by the shoulder so they looked each other in the eye.
Joey kept his gaze on the Beta’s face, because if he looked down, his cock would only become all too happy.
“I was scared to face you,” Joey admitted. “Five years ago, I’d been an angry and foolish kid. Maybe I still am. When the Blue Tooth wolves attacked the pack house, I took my sister and left. We left with some packmates, but our group decided to split up.”
“I came for you both,” Lance said softly, the truth of the Beta’s words only fully sinking in. He widened his eyes. “What I returned to was ashes. I thought I lost my mate in that fire. You have no idea what that did to me, thinking you were dead.”
“Lance,” he whispered, hating himself for making Lance go through all that grief and anger alone. There were so many unsaid words between them, too many misunderstandings, but he had to start now. “Back then, all I’d been focused on was survival. I thought you died with the other Black Claws. When I heard you joined the Devil Hills wolf pack, I thought we’d be better off alone.”
Lance tightened his jaw. “Why would you think that? When I left you that morning, I didn’t get the chance to tell you that my future included you. We’re mates, Joey. Can’t you see that?”
“My wolf knew we’re meant to be, I think, but Lance, I grew up with the other Black Claws. They kept saying an orphaned runt like me didn’t have a chance with you, and I was foolish enough to believe that.” Joey lowered his head after spilling the truth. “I’m so sorry, Lance. I never meant to hurt you.”
Shame made him clench his fists by his sides, but Lance took them, spread his fingers, and kissed them. Startled, he stared at the Beta. Lance didn’t interrupt, as if Lance knew he wasn’t done.
Joey took a deep breath and continued, “It was only years later that I came to the realization that I shouldn’t have let others influence the way I think.”
Lance shook his head. “I, too, let Garret, Warren, and the other older Black Claws members influence my thinking. I didn’t think it was wise attacking the Blue Tooth wolves and sacrificing so many of our pack members. I was a foolish young man, too focused on proving myself and trying to find a way to win you at the same time.”
This confession he never expected from Lance.
“I didn’t know you had insecurities, too. I always thought you knew what you were doing, admired you for knowing what you wanted.”
“In the end,” Lance said softly, running his hand down Joey’s chest, his ribs, belly, and finally his dick. He let out a strangled breath, a
ware Lance could see his rising erection. “I never managed to obtain what I most desired in the world.”
Joey’s heart raced fanatically. He suspected he knew what Lance was talking about but he needed to hear the words from the Beta’s own lips. “What’s that?”
“You.”
“Even now, despite finally knowing everything?” he whispered, unable to move, not wanting to, especially when Lance tipped his chin with his free hand and rubbed the day-old stubble there. It was proving hard to formulate logical thoughts when Lance used his other hand to begin stroking his dick back and forth.
God, but Lance touched him like he owned him, like Lance knew Joey only belonged to him. A shudder of anticipation went down his spine.
“Foolish little wolf,” Lance said. The Beta’s pupils took on a wild shade of gold, telling Joey it wasn’t just Lance the man he was looking at, but also the Beta’s powerful beast. “Ask me when I knew you were born to be mine.”
“When?” he dared to ask. Joey ceased to see the woods or feel the gentle current lightly slapping against his skin. All that mattered to him now was Lance and him.
“The first time I saw you, protecting your sister, demanding the Black Claws take the two of you in,” Lance said. “I kept my distance and waited for you to turn into an adult, but my wolf always knew you were my missing half.”
What could Joey say to that?
“I don’t want to leave,” he whispered.
“Neither do I.”
“Just now—”
“I let emotions ride over me, but now, I know the truth of what happened. If you need to hear the words, then here they are. I forgive you.”
He parted his lips, incredibly touched and feeling foolish he’d waited this long to confront his mate. Lance took that opportunity to lean forward and finally claim his lips, eliminating any other thought remaining in his head.
