by Fel Fern
“I’m kind of excited to see the place where you and your brothers grew up,” he admitted.
They got out of the house, and the smell of grilled meat tantalized his senses.
Cole growled under his breath. “Looks like they started the grill without me.”
“Spencer says you burn the steak too quickly.”
“Are you two having secret discussions behind my back?”
“Maybe.”
Cole chuckled, kissed him quickly on the mouth, and placed a proprietary hand on the back of his neck, gently leading him forward. They crossed the lawn, skipped the house, and went around to reach the backyard.
Spencer, who’d been starting a bonfire, stopped to greet them.
“Hey, glad you could make it to dinner,” Spencer told Wren.
Relieved, he nodded. “I’m happy to be here. I wanted to meet Cole’s family.”
Another big man joined them, the one who’d initially been manning the grill. The stranger would have looked imposing for his size, clipped black hair, blazing blue eyes, and the scars on his throat, except the apron he wore with the cartoon of a singing piece of steak softened the blow.
“So, you’re Wren,” the man said, assessing him. A third joined them, similarly built like the other brothers. He had dark skin and hair, bright and sly emerald green eyes which held mischief, and a face Wren had a feeling had men and women easily falling at his feet for.
“Baby, this is my oldest brother, Nash. And the grinning cat over there is Malik.”
“Nice to meet you guys. Thank you for inviting me,” he said, meaning it.
Nash scared him a little. The wolf underneath Nash’s skin felt a little wilder than Cole’s. And despite the smile on Malik’s handsome face, Wren could see a powerful jaguar prowling underneath. Then it struck him they were probably just being protective of Cole. Well, in his opinion Cole hardly needed any protection, but Cole was the youngest of them.
“Aw damn. Aren’t you the cutest little thing? Little brother here taking care of you? Because if he isn’t, I will,” Malik drawled.
Cole pulled him close, baring his teeth at Malik.
“I wouldn’t trade Cole for anything or anyone else,” he said firmly.
Malik whistled.
“I hope you like steak,” Nash said.
Wren’s stomach chose to growl at that moment, making him blush. “Um, yes. I can eat a horse.”
Nash smiled, the harsh lines of his face turning a little soft. “The little thing in you craving for anything in particular?”
Wren wasn’t surprised Nash knew he was pregnant. Most shifters could tell from his scent or hear the second heartbeat within seconds.
“Steak sounds good.”
“We have chicken, too, if you like, or hare.”
At the last option, his stomach coiled. Nausea hit him. Concerned, Cole glanced at him.
“Excuse me,” he muttered.
“Let’s get you inside,” Cole suggested.
“I can show Wren to the bathroom,” Malik suggested.
Cole gave his brother a suspicious squint but nodded curtly.
Malik led him inside. A charming well-used kitchen greeted them.
“It’s right through the hallway,” Malik said, but Wren sprinted forward, found the bathroom, and shut the door.
Wren puked his guts out, hating that of all days, it had to happen now. Sighing, he flushed and cleaned up, borrowing a little mouthwash. When he emerged, Malik waited outside, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
“You feeling okay, little bird?”
“Only Cole calls me that,” he grumbled.
“I guess hares aren’t on the menu.”
“Sorry.”
“Nothing to apologize about. Nash likes catching his kill and bringing it to the dinner table. Want to see something interesting?”
He was a little wary of Malik. Spencer was intense, quiet, but at the same time Wren liked being around Spencer, because he didn’t need to worry about what to say next. Nash had a rough edge to him, but Cole had told him that after Isiah passed away, Nash had a hard time keeping the family together. In a way, Nash also looked out for all for all of them, along with Isiah.
Malik was the brother Cole always seemed to get in trouble with when they were kids.
“Don’t worry, little Wren. This big cat isn’t interested in eating you up, although I’m sure you’re tasty,” Malik said.
“Do those kind of lines really work?”
Malik blinked, then laughed. “Cole said you had a sharp tongue.”
“What else did he say about me?”
Malik led them down the hallway and into a living room. Glancing at the comfy, worn-in furniture, the tiny scratches and claws that could only be left behind by growing shifters, he had a feeling Nash hadn’t changed the space one bit.
Malik stopped but didn’t say a thing. Wren’s attention had been caught by the photographs on the shelves. Photos of the brothers and an elderly man who must have been Isiah Mercer. Curiosity piqued, he peered at one. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips when he saw a grumpy picture of Cole as a teenager.
He touched the photo gently. Cole was still skinny then, eyes defiant, mouth twisted to a sneer. The photos told a story. The boys didn’t smile in the earlier ones, but slowly, the darkness receded and started loosening up in the next few photos.
“It pissed us all off, that Isiah insisted on taking photos. At first anyway.”
“It’s—” Wren didn’t know what to say. Tears gathered on his lids.
“Shit. Wren, are you crying?” Malik didn’t sound amused but concerned. “Fuck. Cole’s going to strangle me.”
Malik handed him a handkerchief, which he accepted and dabbed at his eyes.
“Sorry. Pregnancy makes me all emotional and shit. You guys have come so far. That makes me proud.”
Malik looked embarrassed, which he had a feeling was a rare occurrence. “Hey, don’t talk like an old man. Anyway, I don’t want to keep you, because Cole might start hunting for us. Let’s head back to the backyard.”
“Okay. Plus, I smell some sausages.”
Wren finally understood why Malik had taken him to the living room. He had a feeling that for the longest time, the Mercer brothers had lived in the mindset that it had been them against the world, but for the first time, they were welcoming an outsider in their tight-knit circle. Him.
Warmth suffused him. They stepped out of the kitchen. On the steps, he noticed that no fence bordered the backyard, only trees and above that, the clear night sky. The view took his breath away. He could see Cole and his brothers, younger, uncertain and lost, changing forms, running toward those woods and at the end of the night, coming back to the house that Isiah Mercer had turned into their home.
“I put back the hare in the freezer,” Nash told him gruffly as the passed the grill. “Also, was that cake supposed to be for all of us? Because Spencer and Cole finished it up.”
“Wait, what?” Malik grumbled.
“Hey!” Cole strode them, fuming. “Did you make Wren cry?”
“It’s not like that at all,” Wren blurted, glancing at Malik. “Thank you, for allowing me to see that.”
For opening your hearts to me, he didn’t add but had a feeling Malik understood.
“You’re okay, little bird,” Malik said with a wink. “Now, where’s this legendary cake of yours?”
Cole looked at him. “You’re feeling okay?”
“Better than ever,” he replied. “I like your brothers.”
Chapter Eleven
“Cole, I’m hungry. Can you get your phone so we can eat?” Wren grumbled, tugging at his seat belt. Grumpy Wren was adorable, too.
“Soon, baby,” he promised.
Wren and he sat in his truck, which he parked on the curb in front of Wren’s house, except his phone was with him. Pretending to have forgotten it was only a ruse to bring Wren here.
“Can you help me look, too? I need to
answer e-mails pronto,” he tried to sound nonchalant, but he was a little nervous.
Cole knew he didn’t have anything to worry about, because he’d supervised his crew every step of the renovation, even put in some work, as well, but this had become his special project. Even his brothers had pitched in, to make sure they all met the deadline. Of course, the bastards demanded payment in the form of more of Wren’s chocolate cakes.
He was certain Wren wouldn’t mind, and Cole considered himself a novice baker at this point. Cole didn’t mind helping out, because he loved seeing his mate in his element. Wren looked so focused, passionate about his decadent creations. Plus, Cole really did love being the first to taste those creations, and eating them off his adorable, flushing mate. Wren mixed in with frosting made the taste a thousand times sweeter.
“Do I have to?” Wren mumbled, rubbing at his belly.
Cole noticed Wren had a slight bump now, but Wren would be annoyed if he lifted his shirt to hear the baby again, given he’d only done that half an hour ago. Wren was coming close to eight weeks now, which meant it wouldn’t be long until the baby came out. Not that they weren’t prepared. Cole had already memorized the shortest route to the shifter hospital, and he’d drilled his brothers and even Henry to step in just in case he couldn’t.
“Please? I’ll make you your favorite peppermint tea.”
“An Alpha werewolf saying ‘please’? How can I refuse?” Wren then furrowed his brows. “Wait. Is something going on?”
“Nope.” Cole got out of the car and smirked when he heard Wren following after him.
Wren had given him a spare key weeks ago, which he used to open the front door.
“Huh, it’s quiet. I thought the guys were working today,” Wren commented as they entered.
“They left earlier.”
Cole didn’t tell his mate he’d also pulled an all-nighter with the others to complete the kitchen. Grabbing Wren’s hand in excitement, he tugged his mate to the kitchen. He tore the plastic sheet blocking the entryway, stepped in, and let Wren take it all in.
Silence.
Shit. Did Cole screw up? Wren had seen the earlier part of the project, when they’d had to peel off old tiles, knock down rotting cabinets, but he’d somehow managed to convince Wren not to take a peek for the rest of the renovation.
“What—oh my God. It’s finished? I thought you said six weeks,” Wren finally asked. The avian shifter craned his head left and right, as if not wanting to miss a single detail.
“You don’t like it? We can still—” he began, a little hurt, but he never backed away from a challenge. It turned out he merely misinterpreted Wren’s reaction.
Wren leapt into his arms, hugging him tight, before lifting his head to kiss him. Cole took over, the kiss rough, wild, and hot. He breathed in the alluring scent of his incredible mate. Fuck, but he could bend Wren over one of the new granite counters and rut Wren there and then, bite into Wren’s tender places. Make Wren finally his. Forever.
Control, he reminded himself. Wren probably wanted to look around first, and he should be a little more professional. Well, Cole would give his mate a few minutes at most, before moving on to the intimate part of the evening.
When he drew back, Wren’s eyes were shining with tears.
Cole kissed them away.
“I’m so emotional lately,” Wren whispered. “But I love it so much.”
Cole released Wren so he could explore. Wren touched every surface with wonder, opened all the cabinets, and examined every new appliance with delight on his face. Fuck, but if Cole could see Wren like this, then he’d renovate Wren’s kitchen every year if possible. Well, technically it was their kitchen now, since he’d moved into the house a week ago. It was only logical, given he slept here on most nights.
“Oh, I can’t wait to start baking,” Wren murmured, looking at his fully stocked shelves in appreciation. “How did you know what to get?”
“Well, I have been helping you and I’ve asked Henry for a complete list.”
“Forget dinner. Let’s order take-out. I seriously want to try that double-oven and since all the ingredients are here—”
“No,” he interrupted.
Wren raised an eyebrow at him. “Excuse me, Mr. Alpha Wolf?”
“You’ll be spending the evening tied to the bed and under me, little bird,” he pointed out.
Wren drew a breath as he trailed his fingers down Wren’s body, and gave Wren’s dick a squeeze through the jogging pants Wren wore.
“Even dressed like this,” Wren began, motioning to his sweatshirt and jogging pants. “You find me appealing?”
“What kind of question is that? You know you’re always sexy to me.” Cole nipped at Wren’s neck, loving the sound of Wren’s shudder.
Weeks ago, when his relationship with Wren had been so new, he’d been terrified he’d accidentally give Wren his mating mark when neither of them were ready. That fear had dissipated.
“Oh hell.” Wren curled his hands into the hem of his shirt. “Now I’m horny.”
“Benefits of being pregnant, baby. You can bake something later, that is, you can still stand.”
“Greedy wolf. Mine.”
“Damn right, little bird.” He clasped his hand in Wren’s, and his mate didn’t protest one bit as Cole led them out of the kitchen and into the bedroom.
* * * *
Wren’s heart raced as Cole closed the door behind him. He could still his brand-new amazing kitchen in his mind’s eye. Cole and his guys must have pulled extra hours so Cole could surprise him. His heart swelled with so many emotions, the most prominent one being happiness.
After Trey died, he didn’t think he could ever have a second chance at love, but Cole proved him wrong. Cole maneuvered him toward the bed, until the backs of his legs touched the footboard. Wanting skin, he pawed at Cole’s shirt. In seconds, they divested each other of their clothing.
Cole pulled him close, nipping at his lower lip, sucking on his upper one. The Alpha thrust a tongue down his throat, rendering him helpless, needy. Hunger ignited, he melted under his mate’s expert hands.
“Bed,” Cole managed, voice ragged.
“Last time, you promised I could ride you.”
Cole smiled. “I did.”
The Alpha stalked to the bed, all predatory grace, and reclined on his back, wagging a finger at him.
He walked to the side of the bed and joined his mate. He straddled Cole, moaning as Cole reached out and gave his ass a squeeze. Wren’s dick thickened against Cole’s belly, swelling and engorged.
“My, my, look who’s ready to blow for me,” Cole remarked.
The playful Alpha thumbed the pre-cum off his tip, gave his shaft a squeeze.
“No coming yet,” Cole warned.
“I’ll try.” He promised.
Cole tugged him down, blowing his mind away with another heart-stopping kiss. His insides melted at the contact and he planted his palms on Cole’s pectorals. His mate wedged a finger into his ass, making him moan, added a second, and began widening him for access. Like always, he was slick, ready to take Cole’s prick inside of him.
“I need,” he murmured, “sex.”
Cole chuckled at that. Then he felt Cole’s strong, capable hands on his waist.
With Cole’s help, he slid lower, lifted his hips so his ass was positioned directly to Cole’s erect rock-hard dick. Then he lowered himself, excruciatingly slow, biting on his lower lip until he was fully seated and Cole’s dick was balls deep in him.
He let out a ragged breath, aware he’d just impaled himself on Cole’s member, which felt like heated steel encased in velvet.
“Breathe, baby,” Cole said, working his dick.
“So big,” he murmured. “Just the way I like it.”
“I know. Go on, baby. Ride me.”
He shifted his hips experimentally, back and forth, side to side until he found a rhythm which suited them both. At the same time, Cole started stroking his s
haft faster, rendering them both breathless. He rocked faster, lifted his hips, pulled his ass out, only to slide down again. The next time, he didn’t realize he changed angles, because Cole’s dick brushed against his sweet spot.
He moaned, felt Cole taking over. The Alpha werewolf made sure his penis bumped against his prostate. He moaned and blanketed his body over Cole’s, feeling Cole’s fingers spearing through his hair, Cole’s mouth on his pulse. That only increased his arousal. Heat slammed right to his groin, and for a second, he forgot what to do. Cole reversed their positions, thank God.
Cole lifted his legs above his shoulders, continued the mating dance.
He mewled and whimpered in appreciation, thanking his mate’s initiative.
“So sexy, baby,” Cole uttered, taking him faster, deeper.
Each time the Alpha hammered in and out of him, his inner animal sought to join Cole’s. This time, he had a feeling there was no backing down. They both had talked long, made the decision together, and deemed each other ready. He thought he’d harbor second thoughts, but only anticipation filled him.
“I’m close,” he whispered. Cole curled fingers around his shaft, began pumping him.
“Cole!”
“Come for me, baby. Give me your release.”
Cole’s firm command, combined with Cole pinching his tip, did the trick. At Cole’s last thrust, he arched his back. The bedroom fell away from his line of sight. Mind pushed to oblivion, he climaxed, painting Cole’s abs and stomach with his jizz.
The Alpha werewolf pistoned in and out of him several more times, before orgasming. Cole growled in triumph, filling his ass with warmth. Then the Alpha pierced the side of his neck with his fangs. The Alpha bit past skin, drawing blood and hitting bone.
He cried out, but the pain wasn’t that bad, still cushioned by post-orgasm bliss. After his last mating, he didn’t think he’d find someone who saw all of him, who didn’t find him lacking, and who would love him with every fiber of his being.
“I love you,” he said quietly.
The Alpha pulled his mouth away. No surprise in those eyes, merely pleasure. Cole curved his lips into a smile as Wren left his own, smaller mark on Cole’s left pectoral.
