Wolfsbane [Dark Hollow 5]

by Shannon West

  Brett was actually at a loss. He decided to stay quiet and let him calm down a little. Continuing to rub his back, he kissed him on the sides of his neck, making him arch his back and moan. His cock strained against his jeans and rubbed on Brett’s stomach and Evan squirmed to get comfortable sitting on Brett’s now-rigid cock.

  “There’s nothing wrong with you at all. You’re just about perfect as far as I can tell. Sweetheart, I’m not sure what’s going on in your head, but let me feed you and calm you down some.”

  “No!”

  “I’m not asking permission, sweetheart.” Ignoring his protests, Brett bit into his wrist and pressed it to Evan’s lips. He tried to twist away for a few moments but Brett followed his every move with his wrist. Huffing in defeat, Evan allowed Brett to put his wrist to his mouth. He latched onto it and soon closed his eyes to suck.

  Brett watched him as his eyelids fluttered again, and he became intoxicated with the blood. Evan moved his hand down to the bulge in his jeans and rubbed his hand against his erection. Smiling, Brett unbuttoned his jeans and pulled down the zipper, pulling Evan’s cock free. It sprang forward, a dark red color, with a beautiful blue vein throbbing up its length. Brett pushed Evan’s hand away and concentrated on it himself using long, slow strokes that made Evan hump against his hand. Brett rubbed his thumb over the sensitive head and dipped down into his slit, smearing pre-cum all over the head and down the velvety smooth skin. Evan sucked harder, making Brett’s own cock throb and ache.

  Brett increased his speed and Evan sucked even harder, the blood dripping out around the corners of his mouth as he tried to take too much in. Soon Brett would have to pull away, but for now, he wanted Evan to come all over his hand. “Come for me, sweetheart. You know you want to. Come, baby.”

  Evan’s head fell back and he screamed as he came, shooting cum all over his stomach and lap as well as Brett’s. “Yell out my name, baby, because I’m the only man you’ll ever be with again. C’mon, honey, give it up for me.”

  Teasing him, Brett stroked and milked his cock for every last drop.

  “Brett! Oh my God, Brett, please!” he yelled hoarsely, more than a little drunk with the blood and the pleasure. The movement of Brett’s hand over his softening cock must have been almost painful now.

  “Please what, darlin’? No, I’m still not feeling it. Who do you love baby?”

  “Uhn, you! Please!”

  “Since you ask so nicely...”

  Evan collapsed on Brett’s chest as he crooned to Evan and kissed his neck, sucking in the skin and bringing up a blood blister, marking and claiming him as his own.

  Evan was already sleeping deeply when he laid him down on the floor of the cave and went outside. The moon was riding high in the night sky, casting its silver light on the water and the rocks. He needed to shift to help his own healing and also to hunt. He hadn’t eaten much in the days he’d been captive. The only food that had been palatable to him had been Evan’s sandwiches and the food the doctor had managed to bring in to him. He crouched down on the ground and let himself shift to his wolf. He sprang from the rocks and ran into the woods, feeling the strength and the power flowing through his body. He felt exhilarated. He looked up and saw the full moon. Perfect! He had done it! He’d gone into the lion’s den, found his mate and claimed him. A surge of sheer sexual power ran through his body, and he put back his head and howled.

  Chapter Four

  “Damn good to see you, man!” Casey slapped Brett on the back and pumped his hand in greeting. “We got a little worried that it was taking too long. Thought we’d have to break in there and bring you back out.”

  Brett snorted. “No problem, Casey. I was practically on vacation in there.”

  Casey, Brett had told Evan, was the battle commander of the North Carolina Dark Hollow Pack. Like most of the wolves he was big and handsome. He laughed out loud at Brett’s swagger. Casey looked to the man Brett held tightly by the hand. “This must be Evan.” He looked him up and down. “Very nice to meet you, Evan. Welcome to our home.” He turned and gestured behind him to a smaller man, standing quietly by his side. “This is my mate, Rory.”

  A cute young man with curly brown hair stepped forward. Like the other wolves, he was muscular and well built, but not so tall. He was more human-sized, like Evan. His eyes were kind as he smiled at Evan. “I know this is all new for you. Let us know if we can help you with anything.”

  Evan held out his hand to shake hands with him, but Rory shook his head slightly and stepped back. Brett pulled his hand down. “No, Evan. You don’t touch the other wolves.”

  Evan felt confused. What? No touching? He felt like a child whose hand had been slapped. He flushed when Brett looked back up apologetically to Casey and Rory. “Sorry.”

  Rory waved his hand. “No problem. Brett, would you let him come with me to find him some clothes, or would you feel more comfortable with one of the pets taking care of him?”

  Brett shifted his feet uncomfortably. “Uh, he’s still pretty nervous. Maybe...”

  Casey laughed out loud at the expression on Brett’s face. “No worries, Brett. I know exactly how you feel.” He put his arm around Rory’s waist and pulled him to his side. “I didn’t want my mate out of my sight for weeks.”

  Evan was fascinated to see the color rising in Rory’s cheeks. Was he blushing? A wolf?

  Brett made a dismissive noise. “It’s not that. I’m tired, that’s all. I want to get a little rest, and then later this afternoon I can deal with his clothes.”

  “Sure, no problem. You can use the guest room until we can make you a new assignment. You can’t very well keep him in the barracks. Rory and I have to go out to the training field, but Marco will be home soon. He took Nicky down to buy art supplies.” Casey nodded to Evan. “Nice to meet you, Evan.” He looked back up at Brett. “Very sweet for a Hunter, Brett. You have him almost trained already.” He waved, taking Rory by the arm and leaving by the front door.

  Quietly fuming, Evan pulled Brett around to face him. “Trained? Is he kidding? What a jerk.”

  A melodious voice behind them made Evan whirl around. “He is a big jerk—always has been. He doesn’t mean anything by it, though. He just can’t help himself. Don’t let him bother you.” Standing near a back entrance was a handsome young blond, his blue eyes twinkling. He was wearing almost sinfully tight black leather pants and a black T-shirt. Next to him, a large wolf, darkly handsome, was loaded down with canvasses and packages.

  “Hi, I’m Nicky. I’m the mate of the alpha, Marco.” The young blond stepped forward, holding out his hand. “You must be Evan.”

  Evan shook his hand hesitantly, glancing up at Brett to see if he reacted to his touching this young man, but he was smiling and greeting the other wolf. What the hell?

  Nicky, sensing his confusion, lowered his voice conspiratorially. “It’s because Rory and Casey are both wolves, so pets can’t touch them and vice versa. It’s okay for me, because I’m another pet. Stupid wolf rules.”

  Evan laughed, a little startled by the candidness of the young man. His mate, the alpha of the pack, apparently, stepped up beside him, having put down all the packages. “Nicky, I’m going to want to have a word with you about your attitude this morning, just as soon as I have a chance.”

  He gave the young blond a stern look and Evan watched in fascination as the young man dropped his gaze, looked up through his lashes and said, “Yes, Marco, I’m sorry.”

  The big, handsome wolf turned to Evan. “I’m Marco, Evan, and I see Nicky has already introduced himself. I know this must all be confusing to you, and you both look exhausted. I’m glad to see you both in one piece. I must admit I was worried about this scheme of yours, Brett.”

  Brett smiled. “As you see, we’re fine, and I took my little man here right out from under their noses.”

  As Marco and Brett laughed, Evan and Nicky exchanged glances over the “little man” remark. Nicky’s rolled eyes and look of disgust when the two
wolves weren’t looking had Evan trying desperately to hold back his laughter. Nicky looked Evan up and down and drew him off to the side while Brett was still conversing with Marco. “You look ready to drop. Make him give you some real food to eat, and I’ll send up some clothes for you. We have jeans and leathers—whichever you prefer. I think Brett is pretty old school so he may want you in leathers.” He looked down at his wrist. It didn’t hurt anymore, but Evan still held it at an odd angle next to his chest. “What’s wrong with your wrist?”

  “Brett hurt it.”

  At Nicky’s look of outrage, Evan smiled again. “It was my fault, really. I pulled a knife on him, and he was trying to knock it out of my hand. He forgot his own strength—he didn’t mean to do it.”

  Nicky turned around and addressed Marco. “Evan needs to see the doctor, Marco. His wrist may be broken.” He looked pointedly at Brett. “Seems Evan didn’t quite get out in one piece after all.”

  Brett tightened his lips. “Sorry, Evan, of course you need to see the doctor right away, but it’s not broken. Just bruised.” He looked pointedly at Nicky until again, Nicky dropped his gaze. “I’ve apologized over and over for it.” Brett said, taking Evan’s arm and nodding to Marco. “We’ll see you later this afternoon, sir. If you’ll excuse us, I need to get Evan downstairs.”

  “Of course.”

  “I’ll take him,” Nicky said. “I promise I’ll bring him right back to your room, Brett, after the doctor looks at it.”

  He took Evan’s other arm, and Brett looked for a moment like he might get into a tug of war with the alpha’s pet, but finally he dropped his hand and smiled tightly. “Thank you, Nicky. Very nice of you.”

  Nicky drew Evan away, and Evan couldn’t stop himself from looking back over his shoulder a bit longingly at Brett, who seemed a bit tense and nervous watching Nicky lead Evan away.

  Nicky took Evan down a flight of stairs to a large corridor with rooms opening off each side.

  Evan looked around himself in wonder. “I had no idea this place was so huge. It’s more like a big hotel than a lodge. That big room upstairs is massive.”

  Nicky smiled and looked around at him. “It is big, isn’t it? I forget what it must look like to newcomers. We’ve had to add on a lot this past year or so. All the smaller branches of the pack have come together and moved in here because of the Hunter threat.” They came to a small door marked Clinic and Nicky took him inside. An older man came forward to greet them and examine Evan’s wrist.

  He made Evan get up on the examining table, pronounced the wrist a little sprained, but already healing and then turned away to go find a wrap for it in a large store room off the examining room.

  Nicky, who’d been leaning against the wall, watching curiously, now came over to sit near Evan. “You know, Evan, Brett seems to be a lot like Marco and Casey and all the other wolves in this pack. Old school.”

  “Yeah, you said that once before. What does that mean?”

  Nicky leaned back in his chair. “Most wolves are old-fashioned and domineering. They like their pets nice and submissive. When I first came here a little over two years ago, Marco hauled me around on a leash.”

  “Will Brett try to do that to me? I’d hate that!”

  Nicky smiled. “The leash? No, they don’t do it anymore. I put a stop to most of that, at least. He might want to collar you. Some people like it, and others hate it. Doesn’t much matter, because it’s up to your wolf. They used to have some ideas about mates going feral if they weren’t controlled and restrained. They don’t do that anymore, unless, of course, your wolf is old-fashioned.” He looked at Evan with interest. “All the wolves are a little dominant by nature. Sometimes they get really lucky and their blood mate turns out to be a submissive.” He shrugged. “At least in the bedroom. Nature is kind to them, I guess. I must admit, I am a bit submissive myself at times, but just not all the time, like my wolf wants me to be.” He laughed a little and ran his fingers around his neck. He wasn’t currently wearing any kind of collar, but Evan wondered if he didn’t wear one at private times with his wolf.

  “The collar is more of a warning to other wolves that you’re taken,” Nicky continued. “It’s a pride thing for them. Like I said, they’re all very controlling, but it’s just a big bluff. Brett won’t hurt you—he couldn’t, even if he wanted to. Of course, like with your wrist, they don’t always know their own strength. So you have to set some hard limits with him. Especially if you like to play it a little, shall we say, rough in the bedroom.”

  At the look of horror on Evan’s face, Nicky laughed. “Marco and I had some issues last year and again just a couple of months ago. He’s been tightening up on me a little lately. That little remark he made about having ‘a word’ with me. That’s code for he’s probably going to spank my ass for me later on tonight.”

  “Oh God,” Evan said, laughing and blushing furiously.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll probably love every minute of it. It’s just sexual play for us. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be too blunt, but I wish I’d had someone to talk to when I first came. Look, I’m telling you this, because you can expect it to be the same for you. I’m crazy about Marco and he’s really good to me—protective, and sweet, and gives me whatever I want. Still, he’s the boss, or so I let him think.”

  “I don’t know if I can do that.”

  Nicky rolled his eyes. “Tell me about it. I ran away a couple months ago to prove a point to Marco.”

  “Did it work?”

  “Yes and no,” Nicky grinned. “I got some of what I was asking for, but I’ve kind of been on lockdown ever since. He’s tightened way up with me in other ways since then.”

  “Really?”

  “Look, don’t be scared of Brett. I can see how crazy he is about you, and he’d never hurt you on purpose. It’s like ingrained in their DNA or something. He won’t harm his mate. Not really. You might get a spanking or two—actually they can be kind of hot.” He winked at Evan, and Evan had to laugh at him again. “Just remember that you’re dealing with a very dominating personality. They can take some teasing, and Lord knows I’ve been an awful brat at times, but be careful. Don’t push him too far. I’ve made that mistake with Marco in the past.”

  The doctor returned with a type of tight bandage and wrapped it around his wrist, gave him some instructions and let him get down from the table. The wrap was lightweight and actually felt pretty good on his wrist, giving it extra support.

  As they walked back down the hall, Nicky nodded toward it. “You won’t have to wear it long. Their blood gives us fast healing abilities. Just one of the perks.”

  “Are there others?” Evan realized his tone sounded a bit bitter, and he blushed. Nicky stopped and turned to him, looking amazed at the question.

  “Oh hell, yes. I probably said too much, but I wanted you to understand. Despite everything, wolves are gorgeous and sweet, and wonderful lovers. Hell, they’re hot as fuck, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. Wolves mate for life, and he’ll love you more than anyone ever has. You love Brett, don’t you?”

  “I feel—I feel like I have to be with him, and God knows I’m attracted to him. I only wonder if it’s just the chemicals from the bite and the blood.”

  Nicky regarded him curiously. “You’re overthinking this. Maybe because of your Hunter background. When Logan first came, he felt the same way.”

  “Logan Winters? So he really is still alive?”

  “Of course. I told you, Evan, they’d never hurt us. They love us too much. Just be patient with Brett, and he’ll come around. You really hold the majority of the power, you know. Most subs do, regardless of what it looks to the outside world. The wolves spend all their time just trying to make us safe and happy.”

  “And controlled...”

  Nicky smiled. “That too.”

  Smiling, he led Evan upstairs and then to a long hallway off the large main area. “First door on the left is the guest room. Brett’s probably already in there. If not, h
ave a shower and relax. I’ll have those clothes sent over if Marco hasn’t already taken care of it. See you tonight at dinner.”

  Evan opened the door and went in, seeing Brett stretched out on the bed already, half asleep. He roused when Evan came in and held out a hand to him. Evan went over to sit beside him and Brett took his wrist and gently inspected it. He kissed it and looked up at Evan soberly. “I’m so sorry I hurt your wrist, sweetheart. Even if you were about to skewer me with that wicked little switchblade of yours.”

  Evan smiled and lowered his head. “I wouldn’t have cut you. I only wanted to make you let me go.” He reached out and ran a finger along Brett’s bare chest. “I think I’m glad you didn’t.”

  Brett pulled his head down for a kiss. “If you had really wanted to leave, I’d have taken you back. It would have killed me, but I’d have taken you.”

  “I don’t want to leave you, Brett. Not ever.” He leaned over and kissed his lips, and sighed. “Can I get my things from the barracks? Like my laptop and my iPod and clothes and stuff? You said you could get in there if you needed to.”

  “Yeah, if we need to, but that’s too great a risk just for your stuff. I’ll buy you some new clothes and a new iPod, and whatever else you want. Ashville’s not too far from here, and we can go up there and get whatever you need, okay? No computers, though. Or cell phones. You can use the computer in the common areas, because they’re censored, but until Winters backs off a little, we’re keeping a low profile online.”

  “But my parents will be worried about me!”

  “Write them a letter and I’ll get it sent off right away.”

  “A letter? Snail mail? Why can’t I have my cell phone? Damn it, it’s like the fucking Dark Ages around here. My mom will want to talk to me...besides, the Hunters know where your lodge is located. It’s not exactly top secret.”

  “They know where we are, but not our numbers or where we have our traps set up, or what kind of munitions we have, or who our contacts are in Brevard. They try to raid us all the time, but why do you think we’re still here? Because of our safeguards and our rules. They’re in place for a reason. No, I’m sorry, honey, but it’s the best I can do for you right now. When things get a little better, I’ll take you to see your parents if you want, but not for a while. For now, just send the letter and your mom can write you back if she wants.”