A Wolf to Set Him Free

by A J Jarrett

  Chapter Seven

  Ethan walked into the kitchen and got a glass out of the cabinet. He filled it with water then took a drink. He shifted to look out the windows. The light from the fire could be seen from where he stood and he searched the darkness for any sign of Holden.

  “Oh shit!” The sound of scratching at the front door startled Ethan and he nearly dropped his glass. Ethan looked out the window and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, so he headed toward the front door. He opened the door and looked outside. “Hello?” Ethan called out but no one answered.

  Ethan stepped out on the porch and scanned the yard. Just as he was about to give up and go back inside, he caught the flash of two glowing eyes in the distance. Taking one step then another, Ethan found himself standing in the driveway, then heading toward the trees.

  A small part of his brain was screaming at him to run back inside, that this was dangerous. Fear quaked over Ethan’s skin, but then something inside him recognized the animal before him. It was Holden.

  He couldn’t be certain how he knew but he just knew. Holden was out there waiting for him in the woods and Ethan wanted to go to him. Out of the light of the front porch, Ethan scanned the darkness. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw it, a gray and brown wolf staring at him. The thick fur ruffled in the evening breeze and Ethan wanted to run his fingers through the silky hair to feel it caress his palms.

  With one last glance over his shoulder, Ethan headed into the thick of trees at the side of the front yard and followed Holden. Every so often, the wolf would look over his shoulder then continue to move forward. Before too long, Ethan lost sight of Holden and stood in the eerie darkness, looking for any glimpse of the wolf.

  A low, whistling howl carried to Ethan’s ears and he turned to see the wolf standing fifty feet from him. The wolf slowly started to walk toward Ethan. The closer Holden got, the more the air around him started to shake and shimmer, until Holden was walking in his human form.

  It took Ethan’s breath away each time he saw Holden shift. Holden never broke his stride as his body popped and stretched back to that of a human. A fierceness in Holden’s eyes sent a shiver down Ethan’s back and his balls began to tingle. The stiffness of his cock tented his jeans, making them almost unbearable to be wearing.

  The moonlight reflected off of Holden’s dark blue eyes and his skin glistened with a sheen of sweat. His chestnut-brown hair blew over his forehead as he moved closer to Ethan. Ethan lowered his eyes and took in the hard body as it moved with purpose. Holden’s muscles flexed and tightened with each step. Ethan’s mouth began to water as his eyes ate up the ridges and grooves of muscle that cut down the center of Holden’s chest to the hills and valleys of his abs, then flowed into the indented V angling toward his heavy cock as it swung thick between his legs.

  A hunger spurred to life in his gut. He had to feel, to taste what it was like to have Holden’s body consuming him. He wanted Holden like he never wanted any one before.

  More than Jay?

  The nagging voice that always taunted him voiced its opinion. One that was correct. Did he want Holden more than he ever wanted Jay? That thought gave Holden pause and he tore his eyes away from Holden’s sexy body. He needed a moment to think, but there was no time because Holden took the final step that brought them chest to chest.

  Holden’s nostrils flared as he took a deep inhale of breath. Ethan felt his body lean toward Holden as if the man were breathing in Ethan’s very soul through his nose.

  “Mine,” Holden growled before he latched his mouth to Ethan’s.

  Ethan wrapped his arms low on Holden’s waist as the man lunged at him. They both fell to the ground with Ethan landing on his back. Bits of rock and hard dirt poked at Ethan’s back but he ignored it as Holden licked and nipped at his mouth.

  Holden’s smooth, hot tongue plunged deep into his mouth and everything beyond the here and now with Holden vanished from his mind. He curled his fingers, digging into Holden’s ass cheeks, pulling and massaging the firm globes apart.

  “I need you,” Holden said against Ethan’s lips, then dove back in for a bruising kiss. “Please make love to me.”

  Holden’s pupils were blown and a soft ring glowed around the center. Ethan’s couldn’t speak. He felt as if he were falling into Holden, becoming part of this man.

  Ethan nodded his head and Holden fell back onto him, capturing his lips once again. As Holden’s fingers yanked and pulled at his shirt, Ethan took the time to feel up and down Holden’s back. He traced along his spine, causing the skin to prickle at his touch.

  Holden gave up the fight and tore open Ethan’s shirt. Buttons flung out into nothingness. Once their chests met, naked flesh to naked flesh, Ethan couldn’t get enough. He moved one hand up to Holden’s neck, keeping him pulled close, and one hand on his ass holding him in place as he raised his hips to grind their cocks together. His dick begged to be free as it was pressed into the zipper of his jeans.

  “These need to go.” Holden moved his hands between their bodies and unfastened Ethan’s jeans, freeing his cock.

  Ethan sucked in a deep breath at the feel of Holden’s hot fingers wrapping around his heated flesh. He pumped his hips upward, fucking Holden’s fist. Ethan ran his hands up and down Holden’s thighs, needing to feel as much of his lover as possible.

  “I need you.” Holden leaned forward and kissed Ethan.

  With Holden tilted forward, it put his ass in the air. Ethan reached back and ran his fingertips along his crack until he reached his rippled opening. Holden gasped and pressed his bottom back into Ethan’s touch. Ethan reached between them and swiped his finger over his leaking cock, then brushed the slick moisture back to paint over Holden’s hole. He circled and tested the muscle until he finally slipped one finger deep inside Holden. Tight heat surrounded his finger and he pulled it out and shoved it back in.

  Holden howled and fucked his ass onto Ethan’s fingers. Ethan added one more, than another. He curled his fingers forward and pegged his prostrate, which left Holden moaning and begging to be fucked.

  “I want you so fucking bad.” Ethan sat up, pulling his stomach muscles tight. “You want me to fuck you, Holden?” Ethan thrust his fingers in hard.

  “Yes.” Holden groaned.

  “Hard and fast?” Ethan twined his other hand in Holden’s hair, yanking the man’s head down to his, meeting his heavy-lidded stare. “You want me to make you scream?”

  “God, yes!” Holden shook in his arms and Ethan smiled.

  “Get me wet then I’ll give you what you want.” Ethan let go over Holden’s hair and pulled his fingers free of Holden’s body. He then laid back down and folded his arms behind his head.

  Holden shimmied down Ethan’s body until his face hovered over Ethan’s cock. Ethan looked down to see Holden’s dark eyes staring at him. Slowly Holden stuck out his tongue and licked at the oozing slit at the tip of the head. He hummed around the crown as he swallowed down Ethan’s entire length.

  Ethan brought his hands down to Holden’s head and grabbed him by the ears as he began to fuck his lover’s mouth. Holden moaned and sucked on Ethan’s cock like he was worshiping it. Ethan could feel Holden relax his throat as he sucked his cock all the way to the root. The wet, hot sensation was too much. If Holden kept this up, Ethan was going to blow.

  “Holden.” Ethan grabbed a fist full of his hair and pulled his mouth off his spit-covered shaft. “I want you to sit on my hard, fat cock and ride me.”

  Holden nodded his head and moved to straddle Ethan’s hips. He reached back and positioned Ethan’s cock at his opening, then eased his way down. Inch by slow inch, Holden’s body took in Ethan’s length until Holden’s ass was flush to his thighs.

  The tight clench of Holden’s velvety smooth channel gripped Ethan’s cock so snuggly he felt his balls draw up, preparing to unleash a mind-exploding orgasm.

  “You’re so tight.” Ethan sat up and wrapped his arms around Holden’s waist. He pressed his fa
ce into Holden’s chest, breathing in his wild scent. “I love being inside you.” And he did, and admitting that didn’t frighten Ethan. He could die right now and he’d die happy. Probably the happiest he’d ever been.

  “I love you being there,” Holden whispered into Ethan’s ear, then traced his tongue along the outer shell.

  Ethan curled his hands over Holden’s shoulders and pulled Holden down while he thrust up into Holden’s ass. Holden’s head fell back on his shoulders and Ethan bit into his shoulder as pleasure spun like molten lava in his balls, then exploded out his cock. Ethan continued to fuck into Holden’s body as he removed one hand from Holden’s shoulder to jerk Holden’s cock to completion. Holden’s dick pulsed and cum shot out the tip to cover Ethan’s fingers.

  As they gasped for breath, Ethan used his other arm to hold Holden close and Holden buried his face in Ethan’s neck. Between the sweat covering their bodies and Holden’s cum, they were stuck together and there was no place Ethan would rather be than right here with Holden, clinging to one another.

  “Mine,” Holden whispered along Ethan’s shoulder. “You’re my mate and I’m never letting you go.”

  Ethan ran his fingers up and down Holden’s back, listening to the man talk but not really hearing what he was saying. His mind was too blissed out to make heads or tails of anything. Ethan just wanted to soak up the joy coursing through his veins placed there by Holden.

  Holden repeated his words again and Ethan finally could hear through the fuzz in his ears. Mate? Ethan pulled back from Holden and looked into his eyes.

  “What did you say?” A knot formed in his throat and he was afraid he was going to choke.

  “You’re my mate, Ethan.” Holden cupped the side of Ethan’s face.

  “Oh my god!” Ethan shoved Holden off his lap as he stood to his feet. “This can’t be happening.” Ethan tucked his soft cock back into his pants. “I’m not ready for this,” he whispered softly to himself.

  Ethan was terrified. He liked Holden, like, really liked him. Liked him more than he probably should, and knowing that they were mates was too much to handle at the moment. Ethan had already been in love once and he lost that person. What happened if he lost Holden? Josh and Jensen told him long ago that being a wolf shifter did not make that person immortal. Wolf shifters could die just like a regular old human. Ethan didn’t think he could survive losing another person he loved. The thought of having to bury Holden and put him in the ground sent a cold chill over his skin.

  I can’t go through that again. I just can’t.

  “Ethan, talk to me.” Holden followed at Ethan’s heels but Ethan didn’t stop. “Ethan, will you please stop walking away. Tell me what’s the matter?” Holden grabbed Ethan’s arm and Ethan yanked it back.

  Ethan could see the light spilling from the front porch of the Carsten house and rushed toward it. He couldn’t deal with this right now. Ethan wanted Holden and wanted to feel some sort of happiness knowing they were mates but he just couldn’t. His heart couldn’t take another loss.

  “Hey, there you guys are,” Josh called out, a smile lighting up his face. “Did you have a little fun time out in the woods?” Ethan stared at the ground as he neared his friend, unable to meet his stare. Josh must have sensed something was wrong and placed his hands on Ethan’s shoulders. “What’s wrong, Eth?” When he didn’t answer, Josh stepped in front of Holden and shoved him in the chest as Holden reached for Ethan.

  “What the hell, man.” Holden stumbled back a step then reared back and pushed Josh square in the chest.

  “Don’t touch him, Holden.” Josh dodged to the left, cutting off Holden’s path to Ethan. “We’re friends, Holden, but I’ll kick your fucking ass if you get near him.”

  “Fuck you!” Holden shouted in Josh’s face. “Ethan, please talk to me,” Holden pleaded with him. “Don’t shut me out like this.”

  All the commotion had the others coming out of the house to stand on the front porch. Ethan pulled his shirt together but without the buttons, he couldn’t keep it closed. He felt exposed standing with his shirt gaping open, smelling like sex.

  “What’s going on out here?” Devon shouted above Josh and Holden’s voices. He looked back at Ethan than to Josh and Holden again.

  “Ethan, please.” Holden reached for him but Ethan took a step back.

  Ethan brought his hands up to cover his ears. The white noise in his ears was so loud he drowned out all the others. He took a deep breath, trying to settle his nerves. He could feel the stares of the others as they stood there watching him have a panic attack.

  * * * *

  Holden didn’t have a clue what was happening. One minute he’s having the best sex of his life, caught in the afterglow of discovering his mate, then the next he’s chasing after Ethan.

  He wasn’t blind. He saw the real fear shrouding Ethan’s face as he told him they were mates. Ethan freaked out and couldn’t get away from Holden fast enough, but he didn’t know why. He hadn’t misread the signs. Ethan wanted it just as much as he did so why was he acting like this now?

  His chest ached and the air rushing in and out of his lungs made his whole body heave. It was like hanging from a cliff with nothing to grab onto and no safety net underneath. Holden was in a freefall and he didn’t like the loss of control. He’d just given himself to Ethan body and soul and now the man acted like the very thought of Holden touching him repulsed him. And to make matters worse, he was butt ass naked with Ethan’s cum dripping down the back of his legs. Perfect.

  “Holden, just take a step back, okay.” Devon moved to stand beside Josh, blocking Holden from getting to his mate. “Give Ethan some space.”

  “I can’t do that.” Holden held Devon stare, silently begging the man to see that he was hanging by a thread and needed him to understand.

  “Fuck, Holden, back off.” Devon threw his arm out to catch Josh as he took a step toward Holden.

  “Holden, what’s going on?” Devon asked in a low voice, tilting his head down toward Holden.

  “He’s my mate, Devon.” One hot tear ran from his eye. “I can’t just let him go.”

  “Fuck me.” Josh gasped and ran a hand through his shaggy blond hair. “Holden, man, I’m sorry, but you’ve got to give Ethan some space.” Josh moved closer, whispering for only Holden to hear. “There’s some stuff you don’t know about, man. Give it some time.”

  Holden’s jaw ticked as he looked at Josh then over to where Ethan stood, clutching his shirt to his chest. He looked so lost that Holden’s heart broke in two. Ethan told him he lost someone and now Holden thought he had an idea of who that someone might have been to Holden.

  “He looks scared, Holden.” Devon motioned with his chin over to Ethan. “I’m not saying to give up on him, but maybe just for tonight you let this go.” Devon held up a hand when Holden started to protest. “I get it. He’s your mate, but look at him. He’s not ready to accept this.”

  Holden watched as Jensen ran over to Ethan, hugging him close. A part of Holden wanted to run over and tear Jensen to shreds for laying a single finger on his mate, but Ethan and Jensen were friends. And more than that, Ethan needed someone to comfort him and Ethan didn’t want that person to be Holden.

  Fuck it all. Holden lifted his hand and racked his fingers through his hair. He had no chose.

  “Josh, will you please ask him to call me,” Holden finally said as he watched Jensen lead Ethan toward their car.

  “Sure thing, man.” Josh rested a hand on his shoulder. “Dude, don’t take any of this personally. Ethan’s gone through a lot. It’s obvious that he likes you. Let me see what I can do. All right?”

  Holden nodded his head. He had to blink his eyes rapidly to keep the tears that wanted to fall from running down his cheeks. His heart physically hurt. What else could he possibly do?

  Devon stood next to him as they watched Josh, Jensen, and Ethan drive away.

  “Don’t worry, Holden.” Devon wrapped his arm around Holden’s shoul
ders. “It’ll work itself out. Just give it time.”

  Holden didn’t say anything as he watched the taillights fade into the night. A piece of his soul was being torn from his body with every mile that separated him from Ethan, but that was something he had to accept. Holden knew one thing and that was that he and Ethan were mates. Eventually Ethan would see that Holden wasn’t going anywhere and come to trust him. Or at least that’s what Holden wished for.

  Chapter Eight

  The drive back to Silver Creek was done in silence. Ethan was thankful for that. He didn’t have words for Josh or Jensen. But worst of all, he didn’t have any words to give Holden.

  Everything had been going so great. He’d touched and kissed Holden and it made him feel alive. Then when they made love, it was beyond perfect. It was as if his soul had been set free and for the first time in the past five years he didn’t feel so alone.

  When they pulled up to Josh and Jensen’s house, Josh parked the car and Ethan climbed out. He waited while Jensen unlocked the door. He didn’t say anything, just walked to the bathroom and shut the door. He made sure to flip the lock then turned the shower nozzle to hot. Ethan took off his clothes then stepped under the spray, praying the scorching water washed away all his fears and insecurities.

  Ethan hadn’t noticed when the first tear fell as it was washed away. It wasn’t until he was gasping for breath and sobbing so hard his body shook. Ethan fell back against the tile wall and slid down until he sat on his butt, the water raining down onto his head.

  He hadn’t wanted to shut Holden out, but he wasn’t ready to fall in love again. The fear of being left alone like Jay had done to him still stung too deep. Of course Holden would never intentionally hurt him, but life held no guarantees and Ethan wasn’t sure he could put his heart out there again only to have it crushed.

  The water started to turn cold, so Ethan pulled himself up and got out of the shower. He toweled off then wrapped a towel around his waist and opened the door. The house was quiet and Ethan appreciated Josh and Jensen understanding that he needed some time alone.