by Gale Stanley
“It’s not all about liking men. Anything you do that brings attention to us is bad for the pack. Remember that.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. You won’t let me forget it.” Tanner knew his lover was right, but he enjoyed giving him a hard time, in more ways than one. Gage knew he was a tease, and he expected nothing less.
Gage flashed him a tolerant smile. “How about getting us a couple beers and then checking out the wildlife?”
“Sweetheart, there’s not a man in here that can hold a candle to you.” Tanner blew him a kiss and started fighting his way to the bar.
* * * *
Gage looked for a quiet spot where they could drink their beer unnoticed. He didn’t intend to stay long. No more than fifteen or twenty minutes, just enough time to keep Tanner happy. That’s what love’s all about, satisfying your partner. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for Tanner, and vice versa.
Hoping to find a small, empty table in a corner, he made his way around the dance floor. That’s when he spotted him, Tanner’s rodeo hero, Shiloh Ford, signing autographs for a bunch of adoring fans.
Tanner always did have a good eye for hot men. Being a sucker for blue-eyed blonds himself, he could see the attraction. The cowboy was different eye candy for a man used to tall, dark, and hairy.
He’d never been with a human, and all the wolves in his pack had similar coloring, amber eyes, and dark hair. Their small group of survivors, mostly male, had left the East Coast after their people were massacred sixteen years ago. For the most part, they stuck with their own kind. They had to for self-preservation, and since there were so few women, the men had turned to each other for comfort. He’d fallen hard for Tanner, and thank God his romantic interest had been reciprocated. Tanner’s playfulness balanced against Gage’s more serious, thoughtful nature worked well for them. They were good for each other.
Still, Shiloh was easy on the eyes, their polar opposite in looks, and tempting as hell. The cowboy looked even better up close, tall with broad shoulders and a chest that tapered down to a narrow waist. He had thick blond hair, streaked from the sun, and eyes a man could drown in. I’d do him. Just in my dreams, of course. He wasn’t afraid of making Tanner jealous. They were rock solid. There was no room for jealousy when pack law called for multiple mates. Their Alpha had some crazy idea that promiscuity would prevent extinction, and the men were required to spread their seed among the females on a regular basis.
And no getting around it, both he and Tanner enjoyed male threesomes now and then, but only with their own kind. Strangers were one of his big fears. Human strangers, who would call them freaks and slaughter them, or worse yet, cage them like lab rats, they couldn’t be trusted.
Suddenly Shiloh looked up and caught his eye. Just like that, blue sparks lit up Gage’s world, and his legs turned to jelly. It was no ordinary look of appreciation between two men acknowledging mutual good looks, nor was it that aha moment he had when he saw the she-wolf. Something in between those two sensations, maybe it was just good old-fashioned lust. Whatever, Shiloh’s sexy stare had him feeling warm, like he had too many clothes on. Suddenly Gage wished they were alone so he could strip and give Blondie a closer look at the boner he’d inspired.
The cowboy wasn’t unaffected. Below the waist, the broncobuster sported an impressive bulge at his crotch. Gay? Without a doubt, Shiloh Ford was interested. So was he. An image of the cowboy, naked, willing, and on his knees, sent a rush of anticipation straight to Gage’s weeping cock. He’d always been tempted by forbidden fruit, and damn if he didn’t want to take a bite out of the cowboy. It would never happen, but a little fantasy couldn’t hurt. He saw himself making a pass at Shiloh, a pleasantly surprised Tanner coming back to join in the fun. A panorama played out in his head. Two dark-haired men sandwiching a blond—
Gage went slack-jawed when a woman walked up to the cowboy and Shiloh put his arm around her. Fuck! It was her. The she-wolf. What is she doing with him? And what is he doing with her? Does he know he’s got a wolf by the tail?
His own wolf came awake with a vengeance, and his dick got stiff as a steel rod. The woman pulled his attention from Shiloh. Damn, she looked good. Her black hair hung loose, and her jeans molded to her curvy ass. What the hell was wrong with him? One minute he was drooling over an attractive man, the next a woman. Was it her scent or his looks? The way he moved or her mile-long legs? He wanted them both, so hard for them his cock would end up sporting a zipper imprint. His head spun. Afraid he might shift involuntarily, he took a deep breath to calm his randy beast.
The woman’s eyes opened wide when she spotted him staring. Shit! Caught like some big-eyed, drooling dog in heat. He had a split-second decision to make. Back off, find Tanner, and get the hell out of Dodge? Or take advantage of this opportunity and make first contact? He started toward them.
* * * *
Kate hated these affairs, but she would never stop Shiloh from doing what he loved. The rodeo was his passion. Sometimes she wished he could work up the same passion for her. A little voice in her head whispered, It’s not entirely his fault. She didn’t bring much passion to their infrequent couplings either. They loved each other, but they weren’t together for the sex. When they fucked, the act was physically satisfying, but the spark was missing.
Kate sighed regretfully. Shi had never lied to her. He told her right from the beginning he swung both ways but preferred men. Isn’t that why you signed on for this? Because you needed someone you could trust, someone who didn’t want anything in return?
Being engaged and living together provided cover for both of them. Shi could act the macho cowboy and still have a good excuse for not bedding his female fans, and she had the safety and security he provided. Her only regret was not being 100 percent truthful with him. Shiloh didn’t know just how different they were—two-different-species different, Lycan and human—and he never would know, not as long as it was up to her. It was safer for both of them, and deep down Kate just knew Shi would turn away in horror and disgust if he discovered she was half wolf. Even worse, he might sell her out. No, he could never know the truth.
Kate stood by Shiloh’s side while he basked in the accolades he well deserved. Knowing she’d be on display tonight, she’d changed her clothes, dressing with care, every item chosen to make a favorable impression yet not stand out. Her faded jeans were casual but not dumpy. And the Silverado was air-conditioned, so for once she’d let her hair down. The black mane fell past her shoulders. Her stiletto-heeled black leather boots made her almost as tall as Shiloh.
As Shiloh greeted fans and signed pictures, Kate sensed she was being watched. Her skin prickled with heightened awareness, and the hair stood up on the back of her neck. Trying not to be obvious, she sniffed, discreetly scenting the air around her. The unknown yet weirdly familiar scent of the stranger she’d seen earlier wafted to her nostrils and tightened her chest.
Glancing over the crowd, her pulse quickened at the sight of the mysterious man who stood head and shoulders above most of the others. He was staring at her and she quickly lowered her eyes to the floor. Shit! He was coming this way, and he was no rodeo fan looking for an autograph. He might be dressed like a cowboy, but he didn’t walk the walk.
She wanted to plead indigestion and make a quick exit, but he was already close, and she was afraid he’d catch her on her own. At least here she felt a little safer. He couldn’t do anything with Shi and a crowd of people surrounding her. She hoped.
The stranger stood patiently waiting until Shi spoke to those in front of him. Midthirties, six foot five, at least—and my God, those eyes! Amber and slightly slanted, the eyes of a predator, wolf eyes, like her own. And they were locked on her. Her nipples tightened into hard little aching buds, and her pussy leaked, reactions she’d never had with any other man. His nostrils flared, and his lip curled, as if he could smell her arousal. Kate took a deep, stuttering breath, and his scent imprinted on her wolf.
He’s one of my kind!
&nbs
p; Why hadn’t she recognized his scent earlier? Why should she have? She hadn’t seen another Lycan in sixteen years. Her heart hammered in a staccato rhythm. What did he want with her? Maybe it was only curiosity that drew him and he would go back to whatever den he had crawled out of and leave her alone. She really liked it here, and she didn’t need some strange wolf showing up now and ruining the life she’d made with Shiloh.
She always figured the West and the rodeo would be the last place anyone would look for her. She figured wrong. Escaping scrutiny indefinitely was impossible, especially when your fiancé was a rodeo champion.
“Tell me again why I let you talk me into this?” Kate muttered to Shiloh.
“How would it look if you weren’t here? You’re my fiancée, remember?” Shi whispered in an aside. “Hey, you’re shaking. What’s wrong?” His gaze followed hers, he caught the man looking at her, and he grinned. “And I thought he was here for me, looks like you have an admirer. Interested?”
“No!” Shi never lied about his not-so-secret one-night stands, and he made it clear she had the same option, but she had no intention of using it, especially with this man.
Shi looked at her funny. “Is he bothering you?”
Kate forced a grin and shook her head. “It’s a free country. He can look, but I don’t have to bite.” Unfortunately, her wolf wanted to bite, and that bothered her more than anything. She didn’t know her wolf well, and she had always believed the animal would lead her astray if she let it.
At last, the stranger stood directly in front of them, and he reached out a hand to Shiloh. Shi held their connection a beat too long, and the stranger didn’t try to retrieve his hand. Finally, Shi relinquished his hold, almost reluctantly. The handshake might have seemed innocuous to others, but Kate smelled arousal—on both of them. She knew that look in Shiloh’s eyes, and she saw it mirrored in the stranger’s eyes. Could it be Shi the man was after and not her?
Through the buzzing in her ears, she heard the man introducing himself and chatting with Shiloh.
Shi gave her a little shake. “Kate?”
She pasted a smile on her face and turned.
“Gage, this is my, uh…my—”
“Fiancée,” Kate offered. “Kate.”
Gage smiled knowingly. “A pleasure.”
Kate took the offered hand, ignoring the little sparks his touch set off.
“Gage offered to buy us drinks.” Shi smiled sheepishly. “His buddy is a big fan. I suggested tomorrow night might be better.”
Buddy? No, no, no! But Shi was already hooked, anxious to meet these men somewhere for fun and games. “I think we already have plans.”
Shi quirked a brow. “No, babe, you’re mistaken. We’re free.”
Gage looked her straight in the eyes and sent her some message she didn’t understand and didn’t care to. His smile was positively predatory. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Kate nodded agreeably but didn’t commit. She had no intention of meeting Gage, and somehow she would talk Shi out of seeing him, too.
“There you are.” Another rugged giant with gold eyes appeared, a bottle of beer in each hand. “I thought you ran out on me, but I’ll forgive you because you’re going to introduce me to Shiloh Ford.” The newcomer glanced at Kate curiously then turned his attention to Shi.
Overwhelmed by their physical presence, Kate could only stare. She hadn’t seen another Lycan for sixteen years, and now suddenly there were two standing in front of her. They were breathtaking, more attractive than any men had a right to be. Similar in height and build, Gage sported long black hair held by a leather band at his nape, while the new man had chestnut hair cut in a shorter, shaggy style that brushed the collar of his shirt. Shiloh looked like he’d died and gone to heaven. He was already reaching for the other man’s hand.
“Tanner.” He handed the beers to Gage and shook Shiloh’s hand.
“Great to meet you,” Shi told him. “And this is my fiancée, Kate.”
A flicker of disappointment flashed in Tanner’s eyes. Then he took Kate’s hand, and it turned to heated recognition. It seemed these men were attracted by both sexes. It would be better if they only wanted Shi.
Gage was speaking to Tanner. “Shiloh and Kate are meeting us tomorrow for drinks.”
“Excellent!” Tanner smiled broadly. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Kate wished she could say the same.
Chapter Three
Tanner forgot to duck as he walked through the door of their small house. Fuck! Rubbing his forehead, he called back to Gage, “Watch your head.”
They hadn’t gotten around to enlarging the front door yet. It involved calculating the amount of room from the top of the frame to the ceiling, and the weight bearing down from the second floor. Construction was not his thing. Gage wasn’t much better. They had opted to concentrate their combined efforts on the important rooms first, bathroom and kitchen, and they had only just completed them.
When the pack first settled in New Mexico, they had lived in abandoned pueblos, communal housing consisting of flat-topped buildings with a lot of rooms. Eventually humans discovered the adobe dwellings, and the remote area had become a popular tourist attraction. Their home received too much unwanted attention, and the Lycans were afraid to shift. Many predators made their home in the GilaForest: bobcats, cougars, bear, and fox among them, but very few wolves. They were an endangered species. Reintroduced in the eighties, most of them had been killed. The big, bad wolf, Tanner thought ruefully. We’re not the cold-blooded killers of fairy tales and folklore, but we always get the bad rap. Even being seen in human form caused problems. The tourists would want to know why people were living without the basic amenities.
The Alpha started looking around for new living quarters. Alex had made contacts in New Mexico, and he didn’t want to leave the area. Deciding to hide in plain sight, he looked for an area where their people could be seen but blend in enough that they wouldn’t look suspicious.
Alex had been so excited when he found the old mining town south of SilverCity. Gage and Tanner went back with him for a look, and they’d both had the same reaction. No way!
Right off the bat, a gun-toting local came out to greet them, and Tanner wanted to turn tail and run. Alex had convinced them to at least check the place out. The pit stop didn’t have much to recommend it. Unimpressed with the town’s run-down buildings, creaky swinging gates, and unfriendly residents, they tried to dissuade Alex, but he stayed firm.
Their Alpha had turned on the charm and had the welcoming committee eating out of his hand. The few residents who were left, old-timers who didn’t have the means to move on, liked the Alpha’s plans. He’d promised them food, alcohol, and tobacco, and they promised him a live-and-let-live attitude.
Once the pack moved in, they started helping the residents with repairs on their ramshackle homes. It meant the Lycans had less time to work on their own houses, but it was worth it to keep their neighbors happy. The old-timers minded their own business and discouraged outsiders. It was a win-win situation. Alex had been right all along, but then that’s why he was Alpha.
* * * *
Gage came through the door laughing and tackled Tanner.
“Hey. Be careful. I might have a concussion.”
“Poor baby, let me kiss it and make it better.”
“You can kiss my ass.”
“Now there’s an idea.”
Tanner laughed. “Glad to see you’re in a good mood. So I guess you’re not sorry you let me drag you to the rodeo?”
“Hell no. That little she-wolf is going to make an excellent addition to our pack.” Gage planted a blistering kiss on his lover’s mouth.
Tanner came up for air. “Whew, did I inspire that, or was it the little filly?”
Gage hesitated, and his face flushed scarlet. He felt a little embarrassed to let on that the cowboy had played a part in his good mood, too.
“You’re kidding, right?” Tanner’s mou
th fell open. “It’s Shiloh, isn’t it? You got a hard-on for my cowboy.”
“Your cowboy?” Gage snorted. “And here I thought you were jealous of me.”
Tanner gave him a sheepish look. “Hey, I’m not jealous of anybody. Just surprised. I didn’t think he was your type.”
“Neither did I, but that’s one cowboy I wouldn’t mind riding. Seriously, I don’t know who I was more attracted to, him or the woman. I was actually fantasizing about a quad. The fearless foursome.”
“Hmm.” Tanner’s brows shot up.
“Now don’t get all excited. It’s just a fantasy. The last thing we need is a human lover.”
“Then why are we meeting them tomorrow?” Tanner definitely sounded disappointed.
“We need to make contact with the woman, and it’s obvious she’s nervous. She’ll be more comfortable with Shiloh around. You can distract the cowboy, and I’ll try to talk to her.”
Tanner grinned broadly. “Tsk, tsk. The things I have to do for the pack.”
Gage chuckled. “Yeah, I can see how reluctant you are.”
“Talking about reluctant, I wonder why the female is so jittery.”
Gage turned serious. “She was definitely aroused but trying to hide it. I don’t think she’s been around her own kind for a long time.”
“Do you think Shiloh knows? That she’s not like him, I mean.”
“Hard to say.” Gage thought about it. “She could be keeping her ancestry a secret, and I wouldn’t blame her one bit after what our people have been through, but she’d have to deny her wolf. That’s not easy.”
“Maybe we should talk to the Alpha before we do anything. Alex will know how to handle her.”
“No!” Gage growled.
Tanner looked up, surprised.
“I don’t want anybody handling her.”
“You think you can do better than the Alpha?”
Gage took a calming breath. “It’s been a long time since I wanted a woman, the Alpha’s matchmaking notwithstanding.”
