by Leah Blake
Nico reached over the top of the shower for the towels hanging on the metal hooks against the wall. “Have you topped?”
“No. I have no interest in topping.”
“Good.” Nico handed Mikhail one of two towels, using the other to dry off. “You know, you don’t have to try and be badass around me anymore. I know you’re not.”
“You’re wrong.” Mikhail brushed up against Nico, running his hands over Nico’s hips. “So very wrong.”
“Baby, you’re cute.” Nico tweaked Mikhail’s chin before opening the glass door and stepping out of the shower. Mikhail followed at his heels. “I think that façade is long gone.”
“It wasn’t a façade.”
Nico turned and caught Mikhail’s face in his hands. Holding his gaze steady, he said, “It was a façade to protect the pain you hid behind your anger. It’s not real. The dark, badass attitude is not real. You let that go this morning. However, the smartass tease?” Nico smiled. Mikhail scowled. “Oh, hunter, that’s very real and very attractive.”
“Damn you, Nico.”
“Aww, baby.” He lowered a hand to Mikhail’s ass and gave him a rough squeeze through the towel. Mikhail squeaked. Actually squeaked. The sound was entirely endearing, as was the deep rose that colored his mate’s cheeks. “Damn me all you want. You’re as damned as I.”
Chapter Fifteen
Mik ended up passing out shortly before Nico left to patrol. He wasn’t exactly pleased that the wolf had to work on their second night together, but he got it. Hunters worked a grueling schedule that left little to no time for personal endeavors. At least he had the chance to eat a meal with Nico, tour more of the manor, and fuck one more time.
The fucking was what wore him out. Nico was a beast, in every positive meaning of the word. The man shredded his mind and shattered his body. Never had he experienced orgasms as he did with Nico.
Who was he kidding? Never had he experienced sex the way he did with Nico. The man was addicting. The more Mik tasted, the more he hungered. He supposed a drug addict felt that way toward his poison.
Nico? He was the worst shit on the market in the best possible way.
When he woke up, a new day poured golden light across the king-sized bed. Mik stretched his arms over his head, his hard dick jamming into the blankets, and twisted onto his side, away from the windows. He blinked his eyes open and gasped.
Nico lay beside him, heavy-lidded eyes allowing mere slices of tired gold to watch him. His thick lashes shadowed the stunning color of his eyes, and fatigue settled over his face.
Mik reached over and traced Nico’s dark brow. The man’s eyes closed, but a faint grin hung on his mouth. Mik glanced a little lower to the golden medallion dangling from a black leather cord around his neck. He would need to ask about it, especially after seeing it on one of the other guards.
Nico let out a slow, tired breath. “Marco should be here soon. He’ll take you around the Creek while I sleep.” The wolf stifled a yawn. Mik scraped the tips of his nails over the scruff lining Nico’s jaw. “Mmm. That’s nice.” His grin grew, then slackened. “Marco was with Storme and me in Pennsylvania. You’ll like him.”
“I don’t mind staying here.” In all honesty, he wasn’t sure he cared to face the throngs of hateful shifters without Nico by his side. “I’ll make sure you don’t fall off the bed.”
Nico chuckled, a sound so rich and sexy it teased Mik’s nerves.
“You’ll keep me awake until I do something about that wicked hard-on you have.” Nico sighed, sinking into the pillow. “Enjoy the day with Marco.”
Mik pressed a lingering kiss to Nico’s brow and climbed out of the bed. He washed up, dressed, and was fixing his hair when a soft knock came from the door. He finished styling the last of his spikes and hurried to answer before the knocking woke Nico up.
A golden-haired, blue-eyed man hovered in the doorway, a wide smile showing off white teeth and twin dimples.
“And you must be…Marco,” Mik assumed. The man laughed with a nod.
“That’s me. I was sent to keep you occupied last night, but Nico had told me you fell asleep. Figured you needed to rest up.” Marco poked his head in the room and glanced toward the bed on the other side of a partition. “I assume he’s sleeping and not dead, right?”
Mik’s lightheartedness darkened and he glowered at Marco. “Not sure? Wanna check?”
Marco threw up his hands and took a step back. “Hey, just kidding. You wouldn’t hurt him.” He leaned closer to Mik. “Not after he cleaned up your puke at the cabin.”
Mik’s brows shot up. “What?”
Marco scrunched his face. “You heaved half a dozen stomachs into the wastebasket. Nico cleaned up after you. Heck, he cleaned you up.” He motioned to Mik with a flick of his hand. “Ready? We’ll stop down at the kitchen, grab you a morning kick-start, and I’ll bring you around to see what happens at the Creek.”
Mik tugged on his sneakers and stepped into the corridor, pulling the door closed behind him. “I hope you’re ready to endure hell with me by your side. Your buddies don’t like me.”
“For good reason, until they get to know you.”
Mik cast the tall man—seemed all the wolves were ridiculously tall and built here—a curious glance. “You don’t know me.”
The man shrugged. “Technically, no. But Nico knows you and I trust that guy more than most. He has a sixth sense about people.”
“I’m sure the mate thing has something to do with his bias.”
“No. If he thought you were black to the core, mate or not, he’d walk away from you.” Marco nudged him with his elbow. “There’s hope for you yet.”
That hope might be short lived if Nico’s buddy didn’t let up on the Bash Mik the Hunter jokes. Mik doubted Nico’s impeccable sixth sense in this case. He wasn’t sure he liked the wolf leading him to the kitchen. Being the focus of negative attention was bad enough. He didn’t need to be the butt of jokes on top of that.
I should be thankful at least one wolf seems to like me.
Mik sighed to himself. Marco seemed nice enough. Perhaps a little naïve when it came to the unfiltered comments. The guy was giving him a chance. He’d do well to return the favor.
Marco started to fill Mik in on the different jobs around the ranch portion of the Creek while they waited for steak and egg sandwiches to be cooked. Mik listened curiously, surprised to learn the details of Raul’s stunning operation. With sandwiches and coffees in hand, Marco paused by the front door and grabbed a set of keys from a box on the table.
“Come on. I’ll bring you north by the pastures and we’ll move south.”
Ten minutes later, Mik was seated in the passenger seat of a mean ass pickup truck, cruising down a dirt road that stretched for miles. He soaked in the scenery—thriving crops, barns, small corrals with livestock and workers—as they headed north.
“The Creek was a rundown old dude ranch before Raul purchased it. He built it up to what it is now. A self-sustaining community. We have forest around most of the perimeter, except for patches of fields and pastures that aren’t protected by trees. Guards are always patrolling by ground and by air, day and night.”
“This is pretty impressive.”
Definitely not the primitive huts and piles of bones he once imagined. The Creek was beautiful and lush, providing an abundance of food and necessities to its residents. There was certainly a surreal, magical essence to the land. He imagined some of the crops were helped along by Cael-like beings.
As they drove by one of the many barns, a group of guys came out laughing, pitchforks, wheelbarrow, and buckets in hand. They gave a short wave to the truck and continued on their way.
Mik sipped his coffee, watching the approaching hills with the magnificent mountainscape in the background. Far in the distance, between patches of trees, he saw pasture, and dark dots.
“Cattle?” he asked, pointing to the clearing. Marco nodded.
“Yep. Raise our own beef. We
have a few men who go to auctions once a month and get their hands on some new meat.” Marco snickered. “No pun intended.”
Mik snorted. Maybe the guy wasn’t so bad after all.
“That could definitely be taken a few different ways.”
“Definitely.” Marco nodded. “So, what do you think?”
“I’m in awe.”
“That must be an accomplishment. You don’t seem to be the type who awes easily.”
“Not typically.” Mik smiled. “I didn’t expect something so normal.”
“We don’t have ten heads, you know. We’re people, just like you. We work, we play, we feel. So what if we can turn into animals? Beneath every human lies an animal, waiting to be released.” Marco’s lip curled. “Right?”
Mik caught the innuendo. His face heated up.
“I suppose.”
“I think you know.”
Mik shrugged. “Perhaps.” He motioned to the medallion resting on Marco’s shirt. “I’ve noticed a bunch of you wear those. Nico has one.”
Marco lifted the medallion off his shirt and glanced down at it. “To communicate. They’re inscribed with spells to protect us and allow us to communicate telepathically while we’re patrolling. It also keeps our clothes on.”
Mik looked Marco over. “Um, you don’t seem to have a problem with that.”
“I would if I shifted without the medallion. Typically, we can’t shift and keep our clothes on. We either strip before a shift or we shred the clothes during the shift. This baby lets our clothes stay intact when we shift back to our human forms. Pretty ingenious.”
That’s how they communicate. Now it makes sense.
“Telepathy isn’t possible without one of those?”
Marco dropped the medallion back to his chest. “No. Telepathy between anyone other than bonded mates is not possible. Bonded mates have a different set of rules. Telepathy is possible, and common. It’s a private connection between two mates.”
“Tell me about the bonding thing.”
Marco lifted a brow and glanced over at him. Mik smiled.
“Curiosity getting the best of me.”
“Uh-huh. Sure.” Marco cleared his throat. “There is a connection between mates, one that strengthens the longer they’re together. I understand it could become maddening when bonding is pushed off. From a shifter’s perspective, the animal counterpart could become rabid with need to bond if denied. Once bonding occurs, that madness is no longer a threat. Telepathy becomes real. So does pregnancy.”
“I haven’t seen any females here.”
“Not females, Mikhail. Males. Our males can procreate because our female population is pretty much extinct.”
Mik choked on his coffee. He coughed until his throat felt raw, his eyes teared, and his head throbbed. Marco started patting him on the back, but the liquid remained lodged deep in his throat.
“Holy fuck.” Mik grunted, trying to clear his throat to no avail. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. No need to try and kill yourself over it. I’d like to return you to Nico well and alive. That means breathing.”
“Sorry. It’s just male pregnancy isn’t possible for humans.”
“It’s possible if your mate is a paranormal.” Marco pointed to Mik’s stomach. “When you and Nico bond, there’s a good chance you can become pregnant.”
When. The guy says when we bond.
The more time he spent with Nico, the harder it was not to think about…bonding.
“How about Nico?”
“Cutie, Nico is alpha. He tops. That guy does not bottom. That means, his dick is in your ass when he comes. His buddies find your egg. You get knocked up and become patient número uno at the Creek. Pregnancy is taken extremely seriously.”
Mik was not wrapping his head around this pregnancy thing.
“There’s no way. I’m human. My anatomy is exactly what it should be as a male. There are no eggs or uterus or anything else that would grow a baby. Nico might have it. Not me.”
“Okay.” The smirk that Marco flashed him left him doubting his claim. “But don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.”
He was positive he wouldn’t have to worry about that.
A hundred times over, positive.
Marco continued to drive along the property, explaining more about the inner workings of the Creek. Mik sat back and took everything in, enjoying the camaraderie he found in Marco. The guy wasn’t bad at all. In fact, as Nico predicted, by the time they reached the manor, Mik decided he rather liked the guy. He had an aloofness about him, but Mik didn’t disregard it as a weakness. No. Marco was as keen and sharp as a blade, with a childlike side about him.
It sure showed when he introduced Mik to a group of glowering shifters, paying no heed to their fierce expressions and silent threats toward Mik.
The wolf snapped his fingers in front of one guy—Marco called him Shadow—and earned himself a dangerous growl. Marco snorted.
“Get over yourself, dude. Be nice to the new guy. He’d fit right in here, if you’d let him.”
“He’s a fucking hunter, Marco.”
Marco wagged his brows. “He’s got a new lease on life. Give him a chance. Kinda like Raul did for you, and just about everyone here. You weren’t always so straight-lined.” Marco flicked the stunning silver streak that slashed through Shadow’s midnight hair. “Remember that before you cast judgment. People change, right?”
A wave of shame slammed into Mik at Marco’s words. Jude and his team held a firm belief that paranormals were one way, and that was a bad way. Change did not cross in the same sentence with any creature, unless it had to do with shifting or decomposing.
Mik watched in surprise as the fierce glow in the wolf’s eyes dimmed and the snarl relaxed. A new, shuttered expression fell over his face and he stepped back. Marco held a bright smile and wiggled his fingers. The freaking guy tamed the entire group in a matter of lighthearted words that packed a deep punch.
Impressive.
“I think we should all have lunch together, what do you say? It’ll give us a chance to get to know Mikhail, and vice versa.” A few of the guys exchanged confused glances. Marco clapped his hands. “Great! One o’clock on the back patio it is. I’ll come hunting you down if you don’t show.”
Marco slung an arm around Mik’s shoulders and dragged him away from the group. When they were a safe distance away, Marco’s smile melted into a mischievous grin.
“You have to understand one thing about shifters with alpha tendencies. If you attack them, they will attack you. Go at them like a pansy, all happy and giddy and goofy, the threat is less offensive and they’ll think about what you say a little more.”
Mik shot Marco an approving glance. “You just deceived your own team.”
“No. I didn’t deceive them at all. I made them listen in a way I knew would work. No one is hurt, no one was placed in danger. It was not deceit, Cutie. It was strategy.”
“Nico might have something to say about you calling me ‘cutie.’”
The thought of Nico brought a rush of hot desire to his groin. His body weakened. Damn, was he going to suffer this insatiable hunger every time he thought of the wolf?
There’s got to be something to stop a persistent cock stand.
Mik knew the cure.
He was sleeping. In a really big bed. Naked.
“He’d never argue my nickname for you,” Marco said, giving his shoulder a squeeze. “So, ever gather chicken eggs?”
Mik’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
“Come on.” Marco grabbed him by the wrist and tugged him toward a large shed-like structure. “Let me introduce you to the roost.”
Oh dear god. He wasn’t sure whether to laugh or roll his eyes.
Chicken shifters. This should be good.
Chapter Sixteen
Nico woke up at noon, and again at one, his body throbbing and a killer erection making it hard to turn in bed. Naturally, he reached for Mikhail but remembered h
e’d sent his mate off with Marco.
“This fucking sucks.”
Giving in to the ferocious pulse of his engorged cock, he shoved the blankets back and pushed off the bed, beelining to the bathroom. A quick shower accompanied by a fast hand-job left him little satisfaction, but at least he could move with a bit more ease. He dressed, tied back his hair, and headed out in search of Mikhail and Marco.
It didn’t take him long.
The laughter that exploded from the patio drew his attention. In the mix of noise and banter, he caught Marco’s unique giggle and Mikhail rambling on about something that succeeded in triggering another strong wave of laughter.
The heart inside Nico’s chest fluttered, a strange sensation that left him momentarily lightheaded. Keeping to the perimeter of the dining room, he approached the open French doors and pinpointed the ruckus.
Mikhail sat at a grouping of tables surrounded with Nico’s fellow guards. Beer appeared to be flowing freely and plates stacked with food filled the center of the tables in a family-style set-up. He duly noted that many of the same guys that harassed him yesterday were engaged in the stories being passed around the table. Although Nico sensed an unmistakable reserve, the sight of his fellow guards interacting with his mate filled him with peace and joy.
This is what Mikhail needed to see. That he was among people, not beasts.
“Your mate is making friends, Nico.”
Nico pulled his gaze from Mikhail and landed on Marco. His friend smiled and winked, then resumed his upbeat conversation.
“Huh. He’s recruiting.”
Nico turned away from the windows of the door and met Vuk’s rather displeased expression. Ashly, Vuk’s pretty vampire mate, rolled his eyes beneath the cape of red-tinted dark hair.
“Victor’s already been over this with you. It would be so much easier if you’d listen to him.” Ashly hung on Vuk’s arm and pressed his face to Vuk’s bicep. His silver eyes squinted against the afternoon sunlight, and he stood half behind the protection of Vuk’s body. Nico understood that Victor and Ashly could walk in the sun, though it seemed to bother Ashly far more than Victor. “Vuk still thinks Mikhail is going to give the Creek up to Jude.”
