Paws for Change

by Charlie Richards

  Diana cocked her head and snickered. “Well, that was about as concise as I’ve heard us explained before. Way to go, Deke.”

  “Thanks,” Deke replied, chuckling.

  “Actually,” Dillan cut in softly. “I’m a puma. A large cat. I don’t turn into a wolf.”

  Deke’s eyes rounded. “Oh, right. I should have asked you about that.” He grimaced. “Sorry about that.”

  Derek glanced around the group. He took in their expressions, seeing that most appeared hopeful, but of what he wasn’t certain. Deke just grinned at him, while Dillan’s expression remained serious, watchful even.

  “You all actually believe this,” Derek mused, shocked and concerned. Just what the fuck was going on with these people? “H-How can you believe this?”

  Deke smirked. “Seeing is believing.” He glanced around the group. “Who’s gonna show him?”

  Dillan stood and gripped the waistband of his sweats. “He’s my mate. I’ll do it,” he said, shoving his pants down and kicking them off. “Besides,” he grumbled. “I was almost naked anyway.”

  Diana wolf whistled. “Look at that fine backside,” she called.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Derek growled, jealousy surging through him. Even if he did think his lover was crazy, he didn’t want the man showing his sexy ass to everyone.

  Dillan looked over his shoulder at Diana, scowling. “Don’t make this harder than it already is,” he snapped. Turning back around, he gave Derek a warm smile and told him, “You’ll get used to the nudity, handsome. Shifters aren’t very modest since we don’t want to get hung up in our clothes when we change.” He winked. “We’re all super great at stripping down with speed.”

  Before Derek could even fathom how to respond to that, something happened. He gaped upon seeing Dillan’s skin ripple and twitch. When Dillan dropped to his knees, Derek started to rise and go to him, but Deke grabbed his arm. Glancing toward his brother, Derek saw Deke shake his head.

  Derek obeyed, settling back on the sofa as he returned his focus to Dillan. Hearing the pop and crack, seeing the way his lover’s body rippled and reformed, Derek gasped and stiffened. He saw tawny fur sprout all over Dillan, covering his skin as a tail grew out of his ass. After what couldn’t have been longer than twenty seconds, Derek stared in shock at a large, golden-furred cat.

  Gasping, Derek pressed backward into the sofa cushion. He realized he was holding his breath, but who could blame him. A few feet in front of him, a massive puma—or what looked like a mountain lion to Derek—arched and stretched, showing off a long, lean, powerful body and very sharp claws.

  “Holy shit,” Derek squeaked. He glanced toward Deke, but his brother didn’t seem at all alarmed. “Wha-what’s going on?” Was this some kind of a trick?

  Deke smiled encouragingly at him. “Don’t worry, Derek,” he assured. “That’s still your Dillan. Even when he’s in that form, he can still think and reason and he knows you. He recognizes you.” Deke released his arm and patted his knee. “He’s completely cognizant.”

  “Completely cognizant,” Derek whispered, frowning. “I-I have so many questions.” While he said the words, he found his mind shutting down. Derek figured he should be talking, asking for explanations, but...right then, his mind was completely blank.

  The cat, Dillan, took that moment to lift his head and peer at him. He rose to his feet and padded toward him. With his ears forward and interest shining in his deep green eyes, for all the world he looked like an oversized house cat.

  When Dillan settled his head on Derek’s lap, he tensed. He just managed to resist the urge to leap over the back of the couch and hide behind it. Only seeing Deke’s grin and his twinkling eyes kept Derek calm.

  Derek watched and felt the cat rub his big head over his thighs, then nuzzle his groin. There was no way he was going to admit that feeling the animal’s big head on his shaft caused his blood to pool in his groin, filling his cock behind the fly of his jeans. The cat must have known, for he chuffed softly and rubbed against him further.

  Uncertain what to do, Derek sent a questioning glance toward his brother. “Wh-What’s he doing?”

  It was Luther who answered. The big man chuckled as he replied, “Dillan is marking you. You’re his mate and he wants you to carry his scent on you.” He grinned widely. “It’s a shifter thing.”

  “O-Okay.”

  “Come on, guys,” Diana called. “Is show and tell over? I’m ready for breakfast.”

  Deke snickered. “I think eating might be a good idea,” he said, holding out his hand. Luther took it and hauled him to his feet. He turned and looked back at Derek. “Eating will give your brain a chance to stop spinning in your head.” He winked. “Just push Dillan’s head off your lap. He’ll shift and join us.”

  Derek watched as everyone turned and headed into the kitchen and dining area. Returning his focus to the big cat in front of him, he tried to figure out if it was really as simple as his brother had told him. He settled his right hand on the cat’s neck. Immediately, the animal started to purr, a look of adoration on his feline face.

  “Holy shit,” Derek whispered. “Is this really happening?”

  Then, the cat in his lap eased away.

  Derek watched as the process reversed. The fur receded, the tail disappeared, and with many painful sounding pops and snaps, the cat disappeared and Dillan knelt before him.

  Dillan stared intently at him as he knee-walked forward. He settled his hands on Derek’s thighs and pressed between them. Derek spread his legs and shivered as Dillan slid his hands around to cup his ass. He used his hold to pull Derek closer to the edge of the sofa, pressing their torsos flush together. Finally, he lifted one hand to cup Derek’s jaw.

  “Now you know,” Dillan murmured. “You are my mate, and I will do everything in my power to please you. Can you give us a chance?”

  “I—” Derek paused. His cheeks heated, knowing they had to be the center of attention. He’d never been a touchy-feely person in public, but he couldn’t help wrapping his arms around Dillan’s shoulders. “My life is so fucked up right now,” he warned. “My father isn’t going to take my leaving lying down. He’s used to getting his way.”

  “As long as dealing with him means you’re by my side,” Dillan stated, “then I don’t give a fuck about what he tries to do. We have resources to put him in his place.”

  Derek’s heart pounded in his chest. He felt fear and arousal mixing through his system in nearly equal measure. Still, he couldn’t deny that Dillan was offering him everything he’d ever wanted. Even with all the questions he had about Dillan’s shifting, he knew this was a man he could make a go with.

  “Yes, Dillan,” Derek whispered. “Yes.”

  Dillan leaned forward and pressed his lips to Derek’s, thrusting his tongue into his mouth. Knowing dozens of others could be watching didn’t stop Derek from opening to his lover and kissing him right back.

  Chapter Ten

  “Can I borrow your phone?” Derek asked.

  Dillan turned and nuzzled Derek’s neck. With the way they were sitting, relaxing in the hot tub, curled up against each other on the largest seat, his mate’s neck was within easy reach. They’d spent a good fifteen minutes making out like horny teenagers before they’d backed off, just letting their desire simmer for the time being. Dillan looked forward to getting Derek to his bedroom later, but was content to hold him...for now.

  After nibbling along the prominent tendon for a few seconds, Dillan replied, “Sure. Who you calling?”

  “My mother,” Derek softly admitted. “I need to tell her myself that—” He turned his head and met Dillan’s gaze. “That I’m moving.”

  Dillan’s heart felt like it skipped a beat. Heady anticipation filled him upon hearing those words. “Moving,” Dillan whispered. “Where would you like to move to?” he asked, tightening his hold.

  “Uh.” Derek’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?
” Then, his eyes widened. “Oh, right. This isn’t actually your home.” He grinned. “Maybe we should buy it.”

  Dillan grinned, joy bubbling through him. “Buy this cabin? You’d be happy in a tiny place like this in the middle of the woods?”

  Derek shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”

  “This is the mountains of Colorado, Derek,” Dillan reminded his lover, wanting him to understand what this kind of choice would mean. “We could be snowed in in the winter. We may lose electricity and have to use that fireplace as the only source of heat.”

  Grinning, Derek cuddled closer. “Hauling and chopping wood for our fire would give us a great work-out, keeping us fit.” He narrowed his eyes and lifted one brow. “Being snowed in and losing power means time alone together. No one could bother us.” He deepened his voice, his words turning husky. “You and me, alone. I’m sure we can come up with ways to keep ourselves occupied.” He nipped Dillan’s chin. “I have an extensive collection of books, after all.”

  Dillan chuckled roughly. “Oh, I think I’ll look forward to exploring your...book collection,” he replied, moving his hand up Derek’s thigh to grip his shaft, pleased to find it rock hard where it rested against Derek’s belly. “Yes, your book feels very appealing.”

  Derek groaned and bucked in Dillan’s grip. “Shit, wait. Gotta call my mom before it gets too late.” He panted softly as he added, “Her name is Sophia. She worries. God, she’s going to be pissed,” obviously still trying to concentrate.

  “Okay,” Dillan responded. “I left my cell just there on your left. Wipe your hands on that hand towel there and help yourself,” he said.

  Hissing, Derek dug his fingers into Dillan’s thigh. “It’s a little hard to concentrate with you jacking my dick,” he said, panting.

  “Poor, poor human,” Dillan crooned. “Is this better?” he asked as he released Derek’s cock, only to lower his hand and cup his lover’s balls. While he didn’t do anything but hold the sensitive orbs, Dillan did rest his thumb against the base of his erection, rubbing lightly.

  Derek moaned again. “Aww, fuck, you’re evil.”

  “No, I’m not,” Dillan replied. “I’m very, very nice.”

  “You are,” Derek confirmed, panting softly. “I think this has been the best, most relaxing day I’ve had in nearly twenty years.”

  Dillan’s heart ached for a young Derek at that knowledge. The idea of a teenage Derek pushed so hard that he lost the ability to just have fun...Dillan would have to make certain to change that.

  “Call your mother,” Dillan urged, releasing his lover’s balls. He placed his hand on his thigh instead, pressing his forefinger into his crack so he could still play with his genitalia should he wish. “Then, we will go to our bed and relax all over again.”

  Derek nodded. He dried both hands and grabbed the phone. After dialing he pressed the device to his ear.

  “Sommers’ residence,” a feminine voice with a Hispanic accent greeted.

  “Hi, Rosalee,” Derek responded. “Is my mother available?”

  “Si, Senior Derek, si,” Rosalee said, her voice growing concerned. “You are okay, Senior Derek? Your momma has cried and your father has yelled. Whatever is wrong?”

  Derek smiled, glancing toward Dillan. He returned his human’s smile and lifted a brow.

  “There was some confusion about a girl. They thought I was dating her and planning to get married and when I said it’s not happening, they weren’t happy,” Derek told the person on the other end of the phone. “I just needed to get away while they calmed down.”

  “Oh, si, Senior Derek. Good idea,” Rosalee said, not sounding surprised at all. If she was the hired help as Dillan suspected, Rosalee probably knew a lot more than she would let on. “You go find someone to make you happy, Senior Derek. Can’t live to please others all the time.”

  “You’re right, Rosalee,” Derek replied softly. “I know that now.”

  “I get your momma now,” Rosalee told him.

  During the lull in conversation, where Dillan’s sensitive ears picked up the soft click of heels on some kind of hard flooring, Dillan turned his head and whispered into Derek’s ear. “I wanted you to know I can hear every word said. I hope that’s okay.”

  Derek turned and pecked a kiss to his lips. “I wouldn’t have asked to use your phone right in front of you if I had a problem with it,” Derek murmured. “If we’re doing this, there shouldn’t be any secrets between us. You need to know what kind of in-laws you’re getting.”

  Dillan grinned. “Gonna ask me to marry you soon or something, handsome?” he asked, moving his thumb to once more caress his lover’s dick. He wasn’t at all surprised when he found that Derek’s erection had wilted.

  That didn’t stop him from enjoying touching his mate, though. He petted Derek’s softened shaft gently, earning a grunt and shudder from his lover. Derek’s cock once again began to thicken and Dillan remembered his man’s taste.

  How difficult would it be to give a blow job in a hot tub?

  “Derek? Is that you?”

  The woman’s shrill voice cut into Dillan’s thoughts of what he wanted to do to his mate. He almost jerked his hand off his lover, too. That’s how loud the woman’s scream was, as if she were standing next to the hot tub instead of her voice coming through the phone.

  “Hello, Mother,” Derek greeted. “I’m sorry I upset you. I needed some time.”

  “Time? Time! Right now?” she responded. “You missed your engagement announcement breakfast this morning. I was able to smooth it over with Jennifer’s parents, since your father explained that you called in sick to work on Friday, but then to blow off your engagement dinner this evening, too? Without even a call? What is so wrong with you that you couldn’t even call?”

  Dillan grimaced upon listening to her shrill rambling. Damn, he felt guilty just from listening to her tirade and he wasn’t even involved with this. Dillan couldn’t imagine how Derek felt.

  “Mother, I’m not engaged. I tried to explain that to you Thursday, but you didn’t want to listen,” Derek told her. From his tone, he seemed to be trying to sound soothing and stern at the same time. “I’m not marrying Jennifer. I don’t even care for the woman. I don’t know why father told you we are engaged. I don’t know why Jennifer thinks we are engaged. We’ve never even been on one date.”

  “B-But, no, no, that’s not right,” Sophia denied. “Did you hit your head? Are you suffering from amnesia or something? Are you at the hospital?”

  Derek sighed and rubbed his forehead with his other hand. “No, Mother. I didn’t hit my head. I’m not at the hospital. Nothing is wrong with me,” he claimed. “I am simply telling you the truth.”

  “Why would they make up an outlandish story about you and Jennifer marrying?” Sophia asked, sounding confused. “Jennifer seemed pretty convincing this morning. Everyone thinks you’re a couple.” She paused, then asked, “Are you certain you’re all right?”

  “I’m certain,” Derek replied softly. “Mom, I need to tell you something, and I know it’s going to come as a shock.”

  “Oh, honey,” Derek’s mother responded. “Of course, you can tell me anything. Is this unexpected wedding thing because Jennifer is pregnant? Was she a one night stand?”

  Derek snorted. “No, absolutely not,” he snapped. “She’s...Mom! Jennifer just is not a nice woman.”

  Derek’s mother sounded as if she was spluttering, struggling to find something to say.

  “Mom, I’m bisexual. I have a boyfriend who I am committed to,” Derek blurted out, interrupting his mother’s attempt to say something. “It’s why I haven’t dated for years. I feared you wouldn’t be able to accept him. When dad ordered me to marry Jennifer, I knew it was time to leave the company.” Derek turned and stared into Dillan’s eyes. He smiled faintly, then added, “Mom, I didn’t call in sick on Friday. I left my termination notice on dad’s desk Thursday evening. I can’t work with him anymo
re.”

  “Wh-What are you saying?” Derek’s mother asked brokenly.

  Derek smiled at Dillan as he told her, “Your little boy grew up, Mom. I will not allow Dad to call the shots on my life.” He closed his eyes for a few seconds, then when he opened them, they were filled with heat. “I’m moving out of state with my lover. I’ve received a better opportunity elsewhere.”

  Dillan’s heart thudded in his chest. While he knew Derek was weaving a slightly skewed version of events, Dillan couldn’t say he minded. No, scratch that. He didn’t care at all. His mate was claiming him to his family.

  “You stop talking like that this instant,” Sophia snapped in a commanding voice only a mother could pull off. “You are my only son. It’s your job to get married so I can throw you and your bride a big wedding.” Her voice rose shrilly. “Then, you’re going to give me dozens of grandbabies to spoil.”

  Dillan couldn’t help but grimace at that proclamation. Only child? Not only had Derek’s parents disowned Deke, but now his parents wouldn’t even acknowledge that he existed? Dillan’s heart went out anew for the young, flamboyant man he’s met that day.

  “Mother, please calm down,” Derek responded.

  Dillan could actually hear his lover grit his teeth.

  “I will not calm down,” Sophia replied hotly. “Not until you desist in this ridiculous, juvenile behavior. You were always such a good son. Is this your way of—”

  “That’s enough, Mother,” Derek barked. “I am not your only son and I’m sick and tired of you and father pretending as if Deke doesn’t exist. I have a brother that I care about and he was happy to see me today. He forgave me, even though I didn’t deserve it,” he roared. “From now on, I will surround myself with people who care about me and my well-being, both physical and mental, not to mention emotional.”

  “How dare you mention that deviant’s name!” Sophia sneered. “Is he the reason for your behavior? Has he bewitched you in some way?”