Protective Mate

by Toni Griffin

"Where's our little girl?" Maryanne was just about bubbling over with excitement at getting to see Hayley again and Zack couldn't help but break out in a smile.

  "She's in the kitchen stuffing her face with ice cream at the moment." Simon replied.

  Valerie and Howard stopped in their retreat to face Joe and Maryanne. "Don't tell me you're okay with that sick homo raising an innocent child!" Maryanne sucked in a breath at the hateful words. Joe however didn't ever bat an eyelid. He simply cocked his fist back and let fly. Right into Howard's nose. Howard screamed like a girl and crumpled to the ground.

  "You watch how you talk about my son." Joe scowled, looking down at the simpering figure Howard made on the ground. Zack was nearly gleeful. He wanted to jump up and down and clap his hands at the same time. He could hear a little snicker escape from one of the men standing next to him but wasn't sure which as they had both schooled their features quickly.

  "Zack's not your son. His parents are dead." Valerie practically screamed at Joe as she tried to help Howard up off the ground.

  "He's as good as. Now if you don't mind, I have a grandbaby to go and spoil." Maryanne said before she turned her back on the pair and walked up to the men standing in front of the door.

  Zack didn't know what to say. He simply stepped forward and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you." He whispered in her ear.

  Maryanne patted his cheek a couple of times before she spoke. "You're family now, Zack. That's all there is to it." Zack nodded and let her into the house.

  "Officer, that's assault, I want to press charges." Howard was once again on his feet, his face dripping with blood. Zack wondered if Joe had broken his nose or not.

  "Sorry," Marcus said. "I'm not sure what you're talking about. I didn't see a thing. Did you Simon, Zack?"

  "Nope, sorry." Simon said. "I must have been looking the other way."

  "No, I was more interested in watching the grass grow." Zack added.

  Marcus laughed before turning back to the couple on their lawn. "I suggest you leave now." He then turned and walked into the house followed by Joe, Simon and Zack.

  Zack closed the door behind him and leant back against the hard wood closing his eyes. God, he hoped this was over now. Zack opened his eyes as he felt a hand come down on his shoulder.

  "Don't worry about it, Zack. I think they got the message, and if not, if they as much as sneeze your way, I will do as I said and arrest the pair of them. Now excuse me, I have a sick mate to get back to."

  "How is Brian?"

  "A little better than this morning but he's still feeling quite nauseous. I just wish I knew what was causing it."

  "Thanks for all your help. And try not to worry too much. I'm sure Brian is going to be fine." Marcus nodded before turning and making his way up the stairs.

  Zack made his way through the house to the kitchen where his new family awaited him.

  Chapter 9

  Simon rolled over as the sun streamed through their bedroom window. He had just the right way to wake his mate this morning and, reaching into the bedside table drawer, searched until he came up with what he wanted.

  Pulling the lube out, he quietly opened the bottle before rolling back to his side and snuggling up against Zack's back. Simon gently moved his hand under the sheets and manoeuvred his mate's top leg forward, opening Zack's hole to his questing fingers. Pouring slick on his hand, Simon quickly applied the liquid to his straining erection before rubbing his fingers over Zack's hole.

  Simon pushed two fingers deep into Zack's warm welcoming body, finding him still stretched from their previous night's lovemaking. Simon quickly added a third finger and, after he was satisfied he wouldn't hurt Zack, he removed his fingers and lined his cock up.

  Slowly pushing forward, his cockhead breached the ring of muscles and he stilled, allowing Zack's body to get used to him. Zack moaned and pushed back against him until Simon was seated fully, his balls resting against Zack's ass cheeks. "Hmmm, Morning, baby, feels good."

  "I love the ways you wake me up." Zack said sleepily. Simon chuckled. They had been living together for two weeks now. So far Simon had woken Zack with a blow job, by rimming him, he had even, one morning, tied Zack's hands to the bed with his silk ties and run a feather over his entire body driving him crazy, finally making slow love to him.

  Simon looked forward to thinking up new and exciting ways to continue to wake his mate for the rest of their lives, but for now he was going to enjoy what he had started. Simon slowly pulled out until just the head of his dick was held in place before slamming forward again.

  Zack grunted and moaned and pushed back again for more. Simon set up a steady pace and reached around Zack to wrap his hand around to his mate's hard leaking cock. It only took three strokes before Zack was turning his head and biting the pillow to stop from screaming and ropes of cum shot from his cock.

  The feeling of Zack's muscles contracting and clamping down on his cock was enough for Simon; he leant forward and sank his canines into Zack's neck, then followed his mate into orgasmic bliss. Simon continued to stroke Zack as the knot extended and clamped onto his prostate. Zack screamed into the pillow once again as his body erupted for the second time before going limp beneath Simon.

  Pulling away, Simon licked the mark he had made and pulled Zack close as they waited for the knot to recede. The last two weeks had been the happiest of Simon's life. Zack and Hayley had officially moved in. They'd turned the spare room into a room any little girl would be proud of. Simon was right and there was pink everywhere, but the colour didn't bother him as long as Hayley was happy. Zack had started his job at the school and so far seemed to be enjoying it.

  Feeling the knot give way, Simon kissed Zack's cheek before popping him on the ass.

  "Come on, lazy bones, shower time. You can't spend all day in bed."

  Zack grunted before he rolled over and reluctantly followed Simon into the bathroom. After a quick shower and shave, they got dressed and joined the rest of the family for breakfast.

  Hayley was already up and at the table having her morning vegemite on toast. Looking around, he noticed Marcus and Brian were missing. They hadn't found out what was wrong with Brian, he was still having trouble keeping some foods down. Marcus was trying to top him up with Gatorade in order to get some electrolytes into him but even they seemed to come up eventually. Alex mentioned it to the pack last night at the full moon gathering. They were hoping someone might know what was going on.

  By mid-morning everyone but Marcus and Brian were gathered in the lounge room. Hayley was lying on the floor colouring in one of the books Simon's mum had gotten for her when the doorbell rang.

  Rick went to answer and a few minutes later he walked back into the room followed by a couple who Simon recognised as pack members. Tegan was carrying a small baby, who couldn't be more than a couple of months old if that. They stopped and bowed their heads in submission.

  "Alpha, sorry to interrupt your Sunday at home." Alex got up from where he was sitting before walking over to them and acknowledging their respect to his position.

  "That's okay, Mitchell, Tegan. You're not interrupting anything more exciting than the television. How can we help you?"

  Tegan looked at Mitchell then nodded. "Umm. We might know what's wrong with Brian." Mitchell stated quietly. Everyone in the room seemed to sit up straight at that.

  "I think I'll go see if Marcus and Brian can join us." Rick, who was still standing with Mitchell and Tegan, headed out of the room.

  "Why don't you take a seat?" Alex offered them the couch where he and Jason had been sitting. Alex sat back down in one of the recliners and Jason took up position on his lap. Once everyone seemed to be settled, a quiet descended on the room as they waited for the others to join them.

  Less than five minutes later Rick walked in and took a seat on the couch with Zack and Simon. He was followed by Marcus who was carrying a very pale looking Brian in his arms. They settled in the other recliner and all eyes once again turn
ed to the visitors.

  "Boy or girl?" Zack broke the silence from beside Simon.

  Mitchell had a sad smile on his face as he looked down at the little baby held in his mate's arms. "Boy, Lucas James, named after his fathers."

  "Fathers, as in plural?" Alex asked in confusion.

  "Yes, my brother, Lucas, and his mate, James. They were killed four weeks ago when their Alpha found out James had given birth to this little one here."

  Simon did a double-take at that. Looking around the room, everyone else seemed to be in the same state of shock that he was. Both Alex and Jason had their mouths hanging open.

  "Umm. Excuse me?" Brian squeaked, his voice not hiding his astonishment and fear at what he had just heard. "Did you just say James gave birth?"

  Mitchell nodded. "As there aren't many gay werewolves, I guess it's not a widely known fact. We certainly didn't know anything about this until I got the call from Lucas to let us know what was going on. Unfortunately, that's all I know. But I reckon if you went to the shops and got a pregnancy test, it would come back positive."

  Brian seemed to take all of this in before he looked down at his belly. He gently laid a hand on his stomach and started to cry. Marcus placed his hand over Brian's and kissed him on the forehead, pulling him close. Simon could see silent tears make their way down Marcus's cheeks too.

  "Thank you for coming and telling us. I don't have to tell you to please keep this news to yourselves for the time being." Alex spoke quietly into the room.

  "Not at all, Alpha, we'll leave you and your family to get used to the news. Sorry we couldn't have been more help." Mitchell and Tegan stood, ready to leave.

  "You've been more than helpful. Thank you once again and we're sorry for your loss." They nodded and Rick showed them out the door before coming back.

  "Well, that was unexpected." Simon couldn't help but laugh at Jason's comment. It was the understatement of the century if you asked him.

  "You know, we're all here for you if you need us, Brian, Marcus." Alex said.

  "Thanks. If you don't mind, I think I'll take Brian back to bed so he can rest." Alex nodded his acceptance and Marcus stood, still holding his mate in his arms and walked out the door.

  Simon was having a little trouble trying to wrap his head completely around what they had all just learnt. "How the hell did this happen? And why doesn't every werewolf, gay or straight, know about this?" Simon found himself saying to the suddenly quiet room.

  No one knew the answer to his questions.

  "Oh shit!" Simon spun around at Jason's exclamation.

  "What's the matter?" Alex asked his mate

  "Does this mean we all have to start using condoms? 'Cause I've got to tell you that's going to get expensive." Alex growled at his mate and pulled him into his lap.

  "Never, there will never be a barrier between you and me, you hear?" The Alpha's deep voice rumbled before he pulled his mate into a scorching kiss. Simon, however, saw the brief flash of uncertainly in his brother's eyes.

  Simon hadn't even had time to think about the repercussions of not using condoms, his brain was a jumbled mess at the moment. Could he and Zack have children? Was Zack, at this very point in time, pregnant? Did they want to add more to their family? Simon's runaway thoughts were interrupted by his brother.

  "After that revelation, I think I have some phone calls to make. Not the least of which is to mum and dad." Alex stood and headed out of the room, quietly followed by a slightly dazed looking Jason.

  Simon could just imagine what his parents would say. The next few months were certainly going to be interesting. Wrapping his arm around Zack, he pulled him close and kissed his forehead. Zack gently patted his stomach, trying to comfort him.

  "Everything will work out, you'll see." Simon had no doubt his mate was right. Whatever the future held for them, as long as Zack was by his side, he could handle it.

  The End

  About the Author

  Well, what can I say about me? I'm twenty-eight, married and a mother to one. I work full time, and when I'm not spending time with my family or friends, you can find me either reading or on my laptop writing.

  After spending god knows how much money on my reading obsession (yes, I can admit I'm a little obsessed), I decided to give writing my own book a try. I still can't believe someone thought it was good enough to publish. I'm certainly not going to argue with them.

  I hope you enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  Webpage:

  www.tonigriffin.net

  Blog:

  www.tonigriffin.blogspot.com

  Facebook:

  http://www.facebook.com/?sk=nf#!/toni.griffin.author

  Also by Toni Griffin

  Available at Silver Publishing:

  THE HOLLAND BROTHERS

  Unexpected Mate

  Determined Mate

  Protective Mate

  Forbidden Mate (Oct 1)

  ** Please Note: All dates given are open to change **

  What Queer Magazine Online Says About Unexpected Mate:

  Unexpected Mate is the first in a new werewolf shifting series from Toni Griffin. Set amongst smaller towns in what appeared to me to be a more rural backdrop gives it a special charm. I also enjoyed how Tori writes the brothers all living together yet separate from Mum and Dad. This gives another layer to the story that is almost a bit "boys gone wild", yet creates a wonderful sense of pack and camaraderie.

  Marcus is a wolf determined not to be gay, so therefore he mustn't be. Dating female members of the pack and sleeping with them only confirms that, right? Wrong. The abrupt about face from denial to acceptance is well written, playing true to form as his brother's step forward to provide a much needed dose of reality. Marcus is a protective character, showing intensity with all emotions, but also displaying a fun-loving side. This fun-loving edge is the perfect foil for Brian.

  When we first meet Brian, he has been exiled from his own pack. I connected with him quite quickly. Empathy was a powerful motivator as feelings of misplaced trust, trepidation, resentment and a basic feeling of fed up mix together in a volatile package. Brian shows true depth of emotion as the plot line develops. Contentment, tenderness and a side order of cheeky are the result, making Brian a very likeable character.

  It is obvious there will be further instalments to this series and I, for one, can't wait to read them. I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys shape-shifter or paranormal stories written in a contemporary style.

  —Written by Nerine Petros