by M. A. Church
“I wasn’t…. Sorry. If I snapped, I didn’t mean to. It’s hard to explain how much this place means to us. I’m hoping when you step in the circle, you’ll feel its power.”
We stepped out of the truck, and I stared at the stones. They were made of large, bulky boulders that were at least four feet across and eight feet high.
The surface of some were worn smooth and flat across the top while others came to a point, a finger reaching for the clear, nighttime sky. I moved closer, glad the truck lights flooded the area with light. The stones were a weathered gray with chips and cracks throughout, hinting at their age.
The beautiful coldness of the rock spoke of its sturdiness and endurance. I placed my hand on one of the boulders. Energy raced from the stone through my hand and down my body. It wasn’t unpleasant, just a surprise… like getting shocked by static electricity. It left behind a tingle, and I glanced down at my hand. That’s when I noticed the grass inside the circle was green. How in the hell is that green? It’s winter. Headlights flashed as the rest of our group showed up, distracting me from the fact that there was lovely green grass inside that thing. In January. Our winters tended to be a bit warmer since we were in the south, but not that warm. Not here. Maybe someone sprayed the grass. But somehow, I didn’t think so.
The five elders stood to one side. I’d been introduced, but damned if I could remember their names. The betas stood with Monty.
“Are you ready?” Monty asked.
“Absolutely,” I replied. No point in letting them know I’m getting a little freaked out.
Dolf, Tal, and I stepped inside the stones together. The second I stepped into the circle, a wave of heat swept through me, blurring my vision but clearing immediately. Power raced through my body, leaving behind warmth. I tingled from head to toe. The feeling wasn’t sexual. It was… a sense of belonging. Contentment blossomed in me, something I had rarely felt before Dolf and Tal entered my life.
I stood there, the light from the various trucks shining on me. I turned to my mates, both of them grinning madly. I opened my mouth to say something when I noticed a flash of light. Then another. More flashes came after that. Suddenly, lightning bugs filled the circle, the brief flashes blinking crazily around us.
“Wow,” I whispered, holding my hand out. “What’s the deal with the lightning bugs?”
“You have been accepted within the circle.” Dolf’s delighted laugh rolled across the enclosure. “And that’s not lightning bugs, sexy. I told you this was magic.”
“Holy….” God, I didn’t know what to say. Magic. I didn’t know why it boggled the mind when I stood surrounded by shifters, but it did. The little flashes of light flirted around me, drawing my attention. I wasn’t sure exactly what they were, but it was so cool.
Monty joined us in the circle. “Our goddess welcomes you into her heart, Kirk, as do I.” He hugged me quickly, then waved at the rest of the group to join us.
As the elders and the betas joined us, Dolf and Tal tugged me down to my knees in front of Monty.
Monty stood in front of us. “Now, repeat after me: I, Kirk Wells, mate to Talise Martin and Dolfoon Hoyer, promise to be faithful to the Alpha Armonty Hoyer and never cause him nor clowder harm. I will observe my homage to him completely against all persons in good faith and without deceit.”
I repeated what he said.
Monty continued: “Nor will I ever with will or action, through word or deed, do anything that endangers the West Falls Clowder or paranormals in general. Alpha Hoyer will hold to me as I shall deserve it. He will offer protection, guidance, and acceptance as the Alpha should. Upon that agreement, I submit myself to him and choose his will.”
Again, I repeated his softly spoken words. From my knees, with Dolf and Tal beside me, I meant every word I said. I wasn’t sure how I’d fit in here, but I would do nothing to endanger these people or the two men I was quickly falling for.
“So shall it will be,” Monty said, finishing the Joining Ceremony.
After Monty accepted my oath, the others helped us rise and each welcomed me to the clowder. While they might be a little reserved, most of them extended a genuine welcome. All except one—a beta named Heller. His cold look, narrowed eyes, and the feeling of menace coming from him pierced me. There was no doubt he didn’t want me here.
In fact, I’d hazard a guess he hated me.
Chapter 16
Tal
TAL WALKED with Kirk to Dolf’s truck. They’d completed the ceremony, and it had been a thing of beauty. Kirk had simply glowed with wonderment in the circle. The peaceful contentment that surrounded him was something Tal didn’t normally see. Kirk’s smile had a childlike quality that was simplistic in its joy.
Then the others had joined them. And that’s when Tal wanted to claw Heller’s eyes out. The beta made it plain he didn’t like Kirk, didn’t want to accept Kirk, and flat-out did his best to intimidate their mate. Tal fumed as he watched the hateful smirk that slid across Heller’s face when he greeted Kirk in the circle.
How can Heller disrespect our goddess that way? Dolf had noticed, and he wasn’t any happier, if his soft growl was any indication. Tal tried to suppress the unease that ran through him. Dolf could be vicious if needed, and Heller knew that. Monty had noticed too and had shot Heller a warning look, but it was too late.
Tal saw the way Kirk stiffened, the way he withdrew. No, no, no! Just moments before, Kirk was so open, so happy! Tal swallowed down the snarl that tried to worm its way out. He wanted to shift and… and he knew Heller would hand his ass to him in no time. Tal was an Omega, and Heller was a beta.
But the need to defend his mate rose inside him. How dare Heller? Tal didn’t know what his problem was, and frankly, he didn’t care. Kirk had done nothing to deserve such disrespect, and it pissed Tal off. This was their day—a coming together with the leaders of their clowder. A time of joy for them… or it was supposed to be. It had been, until Heller had acted like an ass.
“Tal?”
Tal snapped out of his unpleasant thoughts. He was sitting in the backseat since Kirk had sat back there on the way to the circle. “Yes?”
Kirk reached for Tal’s hand. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you looking so ferocious.”
“Probably not—it’s really not in his nature,” Dolf said. “But he felt your unease and he reacted. Omega or not, Tal’s cat was pissed, and he wanted to defend you. As did I.”
Kirk patted Tal’s hand. “Well, since you brought it up, want to explain what the hell that guy’s problem is?”
“I’m not really sure.” Dolf tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “He was against bringing a human into our clowder from the beginning. But even then, his reaction seemed a little over the top. Do you know him, by chance?”
“Never seen him before, and trust me, I’d remember. He’s a nice-looking man….” Kirk rolled his eyes as twin growls came at him. “Okay, that’s sexy, but seriously… stop it, both of you. Just because I said he was attractive doesn’t mean I want to fuck the guy. I gave up on the ‘I’m sexy and I know it’ assholes long ago. The guy’s a dick.”
“But that’s just it, he really isn’t. And just so you know, I don’t think he’s all that either.” Tal shrugged, still somewhat peeved at the idea of Kirk looking at another male. “Even when we told the betas about you, he reacted harshly. He and Dolf almost came to blows over something totally uncalled for that he said. I don’t know what’s going on with him. But it seems like….” Tal bit his lip.
“What?” Kirk asked. “Say what you think, cutie. I want to know.”
Tal glanced down at their joined hands. “I just… I don’t want to hurt your feelings.”
Kirk lightly shook Tal’s hand until Tal looked back up. “You won’t.”
“It’s just….” He now wished he’d kept his mouth shut. This evening wasn’t turning out the way he’d hoped, thanks to Heller, and that pissed him off. “I didn’t know he dislikes humans so much.”
/> “Tal, I’m not exactly broken up over it, you know?” Kirk pursed his lips. “So, he doesn’t like me. Okay, fine. But then, he doesn’t know me. No, he just knows I used to be fully human, and humans are threats. I get that, but I’d say it was more than just a simple dislike, guys. That much animosity is usually fueled by something.”
Dolf huffed. “I agree, but I have no idea what. Heller’s dated only paranormals. He tries to avoid humans as much as he can. It’s just safer.” Dolf suddenly stiffened. “Damn. Do you think he’s had some sort of bad dealings with a human? I mean, we try to restrict contact as much as possible, but we can’t totally ignore them. We do have to have some interactions with them.”
Kirk spoke slowly. “Are you sure he’s never dated a human? I mean, are you with the guy every minute of every day? I’m telling you, that kind of hatred has a reason.”
“I just don’t know.” Dolf glanced at Kirk, then back at the road. They were getting close to home. “And don’t really care what his problem is. He better keep his personal feelings out of the way he treats you, or he and I will have a problem.”
Kirk frowned at Dolf. “Guys, you can’t make him like me.”
“Not liking you is one thing. Disrespecting you is another.” Dolf turned on his blinker as he slowed down. “I’ll be his Alpha one day. One of his duties will be to protect the Alpha-mate. Do you really think I’m going to trust someone to keep you safe who dislikes you so much… and doesn’t even try to hide it?”
“Got to give him points for being honest about how he feels.”
“I don’t have to give him anything,” Dolf griped.
Kirk raised an eyebrow. “What are you? Three? Good grief, do the both of you need a time out? I’m sure there’s a corner in the house that would work.”
Dolf pulled into their drive, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Kirk squinted at Dolf. “Okay, what? You got this deep, thoughtful thinking deal going on. Spill it.”
“My deep, thoughtful thing I’m thinking is… you’re the one most likely to end up in a corner with your pants around your ankles and hands laced behind your head.”
Startled silence filled the cab of the truck, breaking the tension from the earlier conversation. Kirk finally snickered. “You’re a kinky bastard, aren’t you?”
Tal laughed outright. Watching Kirk spar with Dolf tickled him in ways he never dreamed.
“Takes one to know one.” Dolf leaned across the console toward Kirk. “And don’t even try it, mate. I smell honeysuckle. I think a lovely way to round out the evening is to bite you again. Want to guess where?”
Kirk hunched his shoulders, his hands covering his lap. “Oh, fuck me, what is it with you two and biting my damn dick?”
The three of them got out of the truck, Kirk a little slower than the other two.
Tal sniffed the air, his body reacting to the scent on the breeze. He didn’t want the things Kirk did, but he could admit seeing it done to Kirk was exciting. “I smell honeysuckle too. So it’s either the paddling and the corner that has you hot, or it’s the biting.”
Dolf eyed Kirk. “He claims to be freaked out by the biting, but I think he secretly likes it.”
Frankly, Tal thought it was a little of both. He and Dolf stood by the truck, staring at Kirk.
Kirk took off toward the house. “You really don’t think I’m going to answer that, do you?” Kirk called over his shoulder.
Tal watched Kirk’s retreat. He reached down and adjusted his cock. “Someone’s in a rush.”
“We got company coming, guys. Chop, chop!” Kirk yelled, gesturing for them to come on.
“He can run, but he can’t hide,” Dolf said to Tal as they followed.
“He can hear you, you know,” Tal said.
Dolf smirked at Kirk’s retreating back. “I know.”
OF COURSE, Heller didn’t show.
After the way Heller had acted, Tal was glad the beta had enough sense to stay away tonight. Dolf hadn’t said anything, but Tal caught the faint scent of regret and disappointment that clung to Dolf’s skin. Tal didn’t know Heller that well, but he knew he and Dolf were close. The male had always been a bit remote, but not unfriendly to him. Heller just didn’t laugh and joke like Remi. Even Aidric and Brier were more social.
Tal knew Heller, Aidric, and Brier had been friends for most of their lives. They’d been birthed close together. They would be Dolf’s betas, or that had been the plan at one time. Now Tal wasn’t so sure Heller would be still included. He really didn’t care, considering how Heller had treated their mate, but under it all, Dolf was hurt. And that hurt Tal.
He found Dolf in the kitchen, readying the food the elders’ wives had brought over earlier. Tal stood in the doorway, studying Dolf. His visage was the usual calm and relaxed. Having the elders in the house was enough to keep that mask in place. But Tal knew Dolf too well. The tightness of his lips, his jerky movements, the narrowed eyes all told Tal his mate was struggling.
Tal moved away from the door and hurried to Dolf, quickly wrapping his arms around him. “I’m sorry.”
Dolf wiped his hand on a towel and faced him. “For what, sweetheart?”
Tal crowded into his mate, resting his head on Dolf’s shoulder. “You’re hurting.”
Dolf sighed and pulled him closer. “Not hurting so much as… just… frustrated with Heller. I really thought his reaction when we first told them was due to shock. I knew he was upset and worried. Mad, even. He said things he shouldn’t have, and so did I. But we’ve been friends for a long time, and somehow I’ve missed this hate in him.”
“That’s his problem. He’ll have to deal with it, Dolf. I know you two are good friends, but this is on him. The gathering here tonight wasn’t required, but by not showing up, Heller sent a clear message. Because of it, you can’t trust that Heller would protect Kirk if there was trouble. I don’t think he would.”
“As much as it pains me, I have to agree.” Dolf filled the glasses with ice and set them out by the buffet-style meal he’d arranged.
“That’s why I’m sorry.”
Dolf rested his cheek on top of Tal’s blond hair. “I know Heller would give his life for my dad, me, or you. I’m not sure he would for Kirk. Because of that, when I assume the Alpha position, I’ll replace Heller as one of my betas. Replacing him will be a blow to his standing. It will say clearly that I don’t trust him, and he’ll probably leave this clowder, Tal. That’s what hurts me.”
“But he did it to himself.”
“Yes, indeed. Still hurts, though. But Kirk is my mate, and he comes first. Heller made his decision, now we all have to find a way to live with it.” Dolf kissed the top of Tal’s head, then stepped away. “Go ask everyone to join us, sweetheart.”
Tal did as Dolf asked. Monty and the elders entered first. Kirk came in behind them, Remi beside him, the two laughing and joking as if they’d known each other for years. The other two betas were right behind them, sharing in the conversation, just not quite as enthusiastically as Remi.
Monty and the elders served themselves and sat at the formal dining table Tal had found several years ago and restored. Tal and Dolf had saved a seat between them for Kirk. Kirk sat, and suddenly Tal remembered they hadn’t told Kirk not to eat until the Alpha did. Quickly, Tal leaned over and spoke to Kirk in hushed whispers.
Kirk’s lopsided grin flashed as he patted Tal on the thigh. “Remi and I were talking. He asked if I knew I was supposed to wait. Luckily, I remembered Alpha wolves eat first, so I’d planned to either ask you guys or just watch what everyone else did. But seriously, I really am going to skin you two the first opportunity I get. Tomorrow, we’re sitting down and talking about protocol. First thing, Tal.”
“Yes, we should’ve done that already. There’s just so much.”
“No problem.” Kirk leaned closer. “Dolf okay? Just give me a yes or no for now.”
“Yes.” Tal nodded. “How did you—”
“Saw you talking
and didn’t want to interrupt. Before you turn those sad little eyes on me, he needed you at the moment, not me, and I’m good with that. You’ve known that jerk longer than me, so….” Kirk shrugged. “Maybe you knew what crawled up his ass and died.”
“You have such a way with words,” Dolf whispered from the other side of Kirk. “And you two really don’t think everyone in here didn’t just hear every whispered word, right?”
Kirk’s gaze flashed around the table, and he grinned. “Didn’t say anything I wouldn’t shout from the rooftops. Dude doesn’t like me. That’s fine. It’s not fine he upset my mates during the ceremony. That was a…. Well, let’s just say it was a childish and immature thing to do.” Kirk turned to the man across from him. “I was told Pearl is your wife, Elder Bowen. I have to tell you, I can’t wait to try her world-famous lasagna.”
“Why, thank you. I’ll make sure she knows,” Elder Bowen said. “Please, call me Bruce.”
“I will, thank you.” Kirk directed his attention to Elder Conrad. “I can’t wait to try Mindy’s cheesecake either. I happen to have a fondness for raspberries.”
Elder Conrad also gave Kirk permission to use his first name, Lester. The meal passed pleasantly. Everyone laughed and joked, ate way too much, and told stories that several in the group wished had been left untold.
Eventually, the last elder had finally left. Tal, Dolf, and Kirk stood at the door, waving good-bye. When the taillights were no longer visible, Dolf shut the door and faced Kirk.
“Strip.”
Chapter 17
Kirk
ONE WORD, and my cock hardened so fast my head spun. I hesitated, looking round the living area, my hands on my zipper. God, there were lots of windows in here. The whole front of the house was nothing but damn windows. Anyone out there would be able to see what Dolf did to me.
And see my reaction.
The thought excited me unbearably. I glanced at Dolf, who waited to see what I’d do. He’d let the whole thing slide if I said no. It was up to me, and that aroused me even more. The rasp of my zipper lowering brought a flood of scents to the room. I toed off my shoes, kicked off my jeans, and removed my socks. Next came my shirt. When I finished, I stood in the middle of the room, stark naked and hard as a brick. The moon was out tonight, and the grounds were awash in its light.
