Wounded

by Maggie Walsh

  “I say we let him suffer. It’s what he deserves, but it’s not up to me.” Xander said, then turned his head to look at Shelby. “It’s up to you, starshine.”

  “Does anyone have a sword handy?” Shelby asked.

  Micah stepped up and held out his hand. Shelby stared at the sword for a moment, then shifted his gaze to meet his father’s eyes. Shelby reached out his hand and wrapped his fingers around the hilt of the sword, taking it from Micah. He stepped out of Xander's embrace and moved to stand before his father. “I want to see you suffer until you die, but that would be something you would do, and I am nothing like you.”

  Shelby raised the sword, drew it back and swung, slicing his father’s head from his shoulders. The head dropped, hitting the floor with a sickening, wet thump and rolled a few times. Suddenly his body and head turned to stone.

  Shelby handed the sword back to Micah and moved back into Xander’s arms. “Can we destroy the rest of that?” he asked Dante.

  Dante gave him a slight smile and nodded. “I will personally take care of it. Why don’t you go home with your mate?”

  “That’s the best order I have ever had, and the first command I will gladly follow.” Shelby gave Dante a smile and then turned to look into his mate’s loving eyes. “Take me home, sunshine.”

  Chapter 13

  Two weeks later, Shelby stood waiting in the wings, his stomach twisting with nerves as Jesse took the stage. He peeked around the curtain and looked at all the faces in the crowd. The club was packed tonight. It was his first night back and he hoped the audience liked his new routine. He had worked hard on it and rehearsed for hours with Jesse. Not only was it a welcome back to the club, but he wanted it to be special. For him, it was a way to thank his mate for loving him, for realizing how much he loved to dance, and for agreeing to his new position at the club.

  Jesse had jumped on their idea when they talked to him, but he also offered Shelby a new position at the club. Shelby would no longer strip, but he would still dance. He would have one show a week, like Jesse did, but to make up for the loss in tips from stripping, Jesse would double his salary and make Shelby the club choreographer. He would now take care of the dancers’ schedules and help them with their routines, as well as train new dancers that were hired.

  Shelby couldn’t be happier. All his dreams had come true. He had a family that loved him and cared about him. A family that would always be there for him, and never leave him behind. A family who didn’t judge him, but encouraged him and who he was. He had a job now that he loved, but most importantly, he had a mate who loved and treasured him. A mate who supported him and treated him as an equal.

  Shelby had finally found what he was searching for. His mate sat in the front row at center stage, and his family were all there as well and sat around his mate, taking up six tables. Shelby smiled to himself when he saw all of them there. His attention was brought back to the stage as Jesse began their introduction.

  “Good evening everyone, and welcome to The Angel Club. Tonight we have a special show for you. Please help me in welcoming back The Angel Club’s very own Shelby!”

  The applause from the crowd was deafening. Shelby readied himself for his performance as the lights went down. He moved to center stage and waited. A spotlight hit Jesse and the music started. Shelby took a deep breath. He hoped Xander liked it. He had picked out the song especially for Xander. He and Jesse had spent many hours rehearsing so that it would be perfect.

  A soft yellow spotlight landed on him and the first chord of the song began. Shelby started his dance, moving slowly and sensually across the stage. Jesse’s angelic voice began to sing the words to Adam Lambert’s “Underground.” Shelby’s body twisted and turned. He moved to the front of the stage, right in front of Xander, and their gazes met. His eyes locked on Xander’s. Everyone else in the room disappeared, and it was just the two of them. Shelby danced for his mate. He could see the pride and love for him shining bright in Xander’s eyes.

  Shelby continued dancing sensually, twisting and writhing his body, his motions smooth and flawless, like a cat. He turned toward Xander, locked his gaze with his, and mouthed the chorus to him.

  As the song ended he blew a kiss to Xander and his mate’s smile widened, and his eyes filled with heat. Shelby smiled, knowing what wicked thoughts were going through his mate’s mind. He couldn’t wait to get back to their room and experience them. The audience erupted in applause and whistles. Shelby bowed and winked at Xander before exiting the stage.

  * * * *

  Xander carried Shelby into their room and kicked the door closed. Shelby was wrapped around Xander’s front, kissing him passionately. They moved across the room and stopped at the foot of the bed. Xander lowered Shelby to his feet and reluctantly broke the kiss. Their hands began to strip each other in a frenzy. Fingers popped buttons and pulled down zippers. Material tore and was tossed away. Lips kissed, licked, and nipped as skin was exposed.

  Once they were both naked, Xander pushed Shelby back onto the bed. He dropped down with a bounce and giggled. “I love that sound,” Xander said in a husky growl. “Slide up, starshine.”

  Shelby placed his hands on the bed and slid his body across the bed until his head hit a pillow. His eyes never left his mate. Shelby relaxed back against the pillows and bent one knee, placing a foot flat on the bed. He wrapped his fingers around his hard, leaking cock and started a slow, leisurely pump from base to tip and back.

  Xander walked to the nightstand and grabbed a bottle of lube, then walked back to the foot of the bed. His gaze slid up Shelby’s body from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head, and Shelby shivered from the attention. His mate’s appraisal felt like a warm caress. Xander tossed the bottle onto the bed and it landed next to Shelby’s hip. The heat coming from Xander’s eyes made Shelby’s body buzz with anticipation.

  Xander placed his hands on the bed and crawled up his body, the look in his eyes changing to one of a hunter tracking its prey. Xander’s large cock swayed between his legs and his heavy balls hung low. Shelby’s hole clenched with the thought of taking that beautiful cock inside him.

  Their cocks pressed together as Xander lay over him, and Shelby moaned from the contact. Xander lowered his head and took Shelby’s lips in a soft kiss. Heat flooded his body and he wrapped his arms around Xander’s shoulders, needing to feel his mate’s weight on top of him. Xander slid his tongue between Shelby’s lips and turned his head, deepening the kiss. Shelby’s head filled with a heady feeling and he could feel liquid dripping from the tip of his cock.

  Xander pulled back from the kiss and Shelby whimpered from the loss. Xander gave him a smile and leaned in, licking a path down his throat to his collarbone. Xander continued down to Shelby’s chest and took his left nipple between his teeth, giving the hard nub a little bite, before sliding the tip of his tongue across and soothing it.

  Xander licked and sucked his way down Shelby’s tight stomach, circling his belly button with his tongue, then moving on to his hip. Xander nipped the sensitive spot and kissed a path down to his groin. Shelby bent his other leg and spread them wide, giving his mate complete access.

  Xander whispered his nose across the apex of Shelby’s groin where it met his leg, and breathing in deep. “Mmm, Gods, I love your scent,” Xander said then lowered his head. He gently took Shelby’s sac into his mouth and sucked lightly. Shelby closed his eyes as his back arched off the bed slightly and he released a small moan.

  Then Shelby felt a slick finger run along his crease and press between his cheeks. The tip of the finger circled his tight hole before slipping inside. Xander slowly slid the finger in all the way and began an easy rhythm of sawing in and out of his body. Shelby released a soft sigh from the feeling and Xander added a second finger. Xander released his sac and licked the underside of his shaft from base to tip and took the head into his mouth, sucking softly.

  Shelby was so engrossed in the pleasure his mate was giving his cock that he hadn’t
realized when Xander added a third and then a fourth finger into his hole. His fingers clenched the sheets below. He panted and writhed as Xander’s fingers thrust faster and harder inside him. Shelby pushed back, fucking himself on his mate’s fingers. “Now, mate, I’m ready,” Shelby cried out.

  Xander pulled his fingers free and released Shelby’s cock with a soft pop. Sitting up on his knees, Xander slicked his cock and tossed the lube bottle aside. Moving forward, Xander lined up the head of his cock with Shelby’s puckered hole and pushed. Shelby bore down to help. He wanted his mate inside him now. Xander pushed harder and slid inside in one smooth stroke until he bottomed out, filling Shelby completely.

  Shelby writhed and moaned below him as Xander pulled back, hitting his pleasure button and sending Shelby into a vortex of pleasure. His head spun and got light-headed as his body felt like it was floating. Xander continued with long, hard thrusts, grabbing onto Shelby’s hips for leverage. Shelby felt his balls pull up tight against his body and knew he wouldn’t last much longer. Xander must have either read his mind or felt it himself, because he thrust harder and faster, pegging Shelby’s prostate with every out stroke.

  “Oh fuck! Yes, mate! Right there!” Shelby cried out.

  Xander released his hips and draped his sweaty chest against Shelby’s. The friction from the wiry hairs on Xander’s chest against his sensitive nipples was enough to throw him over the edge. Xander captured his head between his hands and looked deep into Shelby’s eyes. He grabbed onto Xander’s shoulders, the blunt tips of his nails digging into his mate's skin, as he thrust against Xander.

  They lost themselves in the pleasure and fucked each other with abandon. Shelby’s cock was trapped between their bodies and the rub of Xander’s abs on the underside of his shaft was delicious. His orgasm exploded out of him with such ferocity his toes curled and he arched off the bed, pushing Xander up as well. Then he felt the heat of Xander’s release as his mate’s orgasm filled his hole.

  Their bodies went taut as they held onto each other waiting for the last drops of their seed to spill. Xander dropped on top of him and Shelby wrapped his arms around his mate's shoulders and held him tight. Gods he loved this, the feeling of his mate pressing against him.

  Once they caught their breath and their heart rates slowed, Xander slid from his body and rolled to Shelby’s side. Xander climbed off the bed and padded to the bathroom. Shelby smiled as he heard the water go on for a few minutes and then turn off. Xander stepped from the bathroom carrying a wet washcloth. He climbed back onto the bed and ran the cloth over Shelby’s stomach and chest, clearing away his sweat and cum. Then Xander reached down between Shelby’s legs and gently cleaned his sensitive hole.

  Once Shelby was clean, Xander turned and threw the cloth into the bathroom through the open door, then turned back and stretched out beside Shelby. Xander leaned up on his elbow, resting his head in his hand, while he softly circled his other hand around Shelby’s chest and abs. Shelby found the action very relaxing and closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of his mate caring for him. Tears stung the backs of his eyes as he thought about how much his mate meant to him and how he had almost walked away from this wonderful man.

  “Don’t cry, my starshine,” Xander whispered as he used a finger to gently wipe away a tear that managed to escape the corner of Shelby’s eye. “Did I hurt you?

  Shelby opened his eyes and met Xander’s gaze as more tears rolled from the corners. “No, mate. You didn’t hurt me. I was just thinking about what a wonderful mate you are, how you care for me and love me, and I’m angry with myself for pushing you away and for almost losing you.”

  “That’s all in the past now, sweetheart. You didn’t lose me. You belong to me, and I belong to you, and I will always take care of you and love you.” Xander leaned down and gave him a soft kiss.

  “I love you, too, Xander. I never knew you could love someone as much as I love you. I thank fate every day for making you for me,” Shelby said around the emotional lump in his throat.

  “Me too, sweetheart, and the next time I see Arora, I will thank her personally.”

  Shelby’s eyes went wide from what Xander said. “Who’s Arora?”

  “Fate.”

  “You know fate? Like the fate?”

  “Yes, sweetheart. She’s a part of this family. She’s Noah and Jesse’s mother.”

  “Shit,” Shelby whispered in awe.

  Xander lay flat on his back and Shelby cuddled up against his side, sliding an arm over his abs and laying his head on Xander’s chest. They entwined their legs together and Xander wrapped an arm around Shelby shoulders, holding him close.

  “So…do you need to feed, mate?” Xander asked hesitantly, but with mischief in his voice. Shelby looked at him curiously. “I was just thinking of a very special, mind-blowing way to feed my mate,” Xander said seductively and wiggled his eyebrows. Shelby knew what he meant and giggled. He kissed his mate's chest and laid his cheek back down.

  “What was that for, mate?”

  “For being you. For loving me, and being patient with me. For giving me a wonderful family. For believing in me, and for not giving up on me.”

  “Thank you, too, Shelby, for giving me everything I ever dreamed of. My perfect mate. For giving me you.”

  “Always, sunshine. I am yours for always.”

  THE END

  MAGGIEWALSHAUTHOR.WEEBLY.COM

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Maggie has been married for eighteen years and has four children. She is a Long Island girl who now lives in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.

  Maggie has always loved anything that has to do with the arts. Music is one of her biggest passions. She was a photographer in her earlier days and spends hours sketching anything that catches her eye. Maggie loves to write about big, strong, tough men who have a softer side.

  Most of the time you can find Maggie running around with her kids, sketching, or sitting with her laptop creating new characters, as music always plays in the background.

  For all titles by Maggie Walsh, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/maggie-walsh

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com