A stabbing pain in his skull jerked Mason back to reality. He cried out, his fingers slicing through his hair, bracing his head as if the pressure could keep his brains from bursting.
"Evin..." Mason groaned, his eyelids squeezed tight.
"I'm here." The familiar voice at his ear drew his eyes open. Mason blinked, trying to clear the fuzziness of the dark profile of the man sitting on the bed beside him.
"Evin?" The name came out croaked, barely recognizable.
"Yeah." He nodded. "I told you I would be here. I promised."
Mason reached out one shaky hand and wrapped his fingers around a lock of the dark hair falling over Evin's shoulder. "You're really here?"
"Does this feel like your imagination?" Evin pulled Mason's hand away and then brought it to his mouth. The soft touch of his lover's lips on his palm, followed by the heat of his tongue swirling in its center, had Mason arching from the bed. Too much.
"Evin!" He collapsed hard against the coiled springs of the bedding. "Coming fucking apart," he cried out.
"You can do this," Evin commanded, his voice hard. "The first time is a bitch, especially since you're an adult." Hard hands gripped Mason's face. Mason met Evin's glare. "But I promise you, it will never be like this again."
Mason opened his mouth, then wet his lips before uttering the words. "I can feel the moon. She's here." So freaking crazy, but the moon had become a physical presence in the room. She called him. The pain inside his head like a beacon. A throbbing siren's song in his brain.
"Get that fucking barrier up!"
Somewhere far away, Evin's deep voice shouted commands. He was right beside him a moment ago.
Don't go.
Mason jerked; reflex had him reaching out, grasping at nothing. The world—his reality—was slipping. Colors, shapes, narrowed to a pinpoint. And then he was moving, arching off the bed and flipping onto his hands and knees. His fingers curled and dug into mattress. The crack and pop of bones ricocheted inside his skull. Oh, God. How the hell would he ever come back from this? But there was no fucking way it could be denied.
His jaw unhinged and then shifted, stretching forward as if someone had tethered a cord to his chin and yanked. He threw his head back and cried out. But the sound that left him was anything but human. Mason howled.
He gaze fell forward and he lifted an arm. Instead of his hand, he found blond fur covering thick paws. His heart raced. Hard pants burst from his chest. His skin crawled as fur erupted over his body. Mason dropped to the bed, his strange new legs unsteady. He swung his muzzle around, taking in the sights, the smells of his surroundings. So bright. The lights in the room hurt his eyes, the scent of each individual overpowering.
Especially one.
The wild pine essence of his lover teased his nostrils, awakening the primal nerve endings inside his brain that remembered the man and wanted to lay claim.
"Mason..." Evin's voice rolled down his spine, lifting the fur. Damn. He sounded even more delicious in this form. The bed dipped and Evin was next to him, digging his fingers into his fur and tilting Mason's head in his direction. "God...look at you." Evin's gaze raked him. "You're beautiful," he breathed.
Chapter Eleven
Honey-gold fur covered Mason's wolf form. So different from the snow-white or dark colorations typical of his pack. It gleamed in the room's lighting, and it was all Evin could do to resist burying himself in the soft coat. Large, chocolate-colored eyes met Evin's gaze and powered straight into his heart.
"Damn..." Evin shook his head and sank his fingers deeper into Mason's fur. "You take my breath away," he whispered. Mason's muzzle brushed the side of Evin's face. His heart stuttered.
"Excellent." One of the healers spoke, reminding Evin they weren't alone. "He should be fine now that he's past his primary shift."
Evin glanced up as the circle of women released their joined hands. "Thank you for what you've done." He nodded at the senior healer. "Please, give us a few minutes alone." He glanced back in Mason's direction. "I can take it from here."
"As you wish." The women bustled about for another moment, gathering various items, then filed out of the room.
"Hey, Brown Eyes." Evin smiled, holding Mason's head in his hands. "I'm going to help you change back now." Mason's muzzle lifted in understanding, and something of a whimper escaped his throat. "You can do it. All you have to do is close your eyes, picture yourself—your human form—in your mind. Will it to happen."
Mason's eyelids lowered, and then a shudder raced over his body. A guttural sound released from the wolf, followed by the morphing and shaping of shortened limbs returning to their original length.
"That's it." Evin stood, watching as the tight, muscular lines of his lover's form returned. "You've got it." Mason stretched, then reached low and tugged the ripped remains of his shorts back in place.
"Damn," he groaned.
Evin pulled the sheet over Mason's hips, then sat on the bed beside him and slipped his fingers around the other man's hand. Mason opened his eyes.
"Hey," Mason whispered, a small smile curling his lips. "Missed you."
"Yeah." Evin's gaze darted to the wrinkles in the sheet, the knot in his esophagus strangling his words. He cleared his throat and glanced up. "Missed you too." Evin reached over and smoothed the damp locks away from his lover's face. "I told you you'd make it, didn't I?"
"Yeah. You did." Mason squeezed his hand.
"I wish I could have been here sooner, but my father and Jocelyn were determined to keep me occupied."
"I know." Mason nodded. "Rosa came to see me," he said, followed by a yawn.
"You need to rest." Evin lifted Mason's hand and clutched it between both of his. "Shifting won't ever be this hard again. That I promise." He lowered Mason's arm back to the bed. "I'll come back to check on you later." Evin moved to stand, but Mason grasped his wrist, halting him.
"You're going to her, aren't you?" His words seized Evin's chest like a vise. He turned to Mason and eased his weight back onto the mattress.
"I gave my word," Evin said, meeting Mason's dark eyes, his voice low.
"Five minutes."
"What?" Evin studied Mason's expression.
"Lay with me. Don't go." Mason shook his head. "Five more minutes." Evin watched as Mason pulled back the sheet and made a place for him.
A groan bubbled up in the back of his throat. Christ. If he allowed himself to wrap his arms around Mason, it was going to be excruciating to pry himself away. The mating ceremony was scheduled to take place in thirty minutes.
"Please," Mason breathed. "Don't go like this. Let me hold you one more time before you're hers."
Evin's gut rebelled at the statement. Hers. Jocelyn's. His father's brilliant idea of what was best for the pack. And what was best for him. The alpha's ulterior motives were clear. He believed if he succeeded in getting Evin mated—physically bound to Jocelyn—that over time, it would "cure" him. Yes, sexually he would be impotent to any other—male or female. But in his heart... Evin leaned in and brushed his knuckles over Mason's shadow of a beard.
"Nowhere else I'd rather be," he whispered, then kicked off his boots, maneuvered onto his side, and wrapped his arm around Mason's waist. Mason turned in toward him.
"Thank you," Mason uttered right before his lips glided over Evin's. Whether his thanks were for staying or for saving his life—maybe even both—Evin couldn't decide at the moment, because the sweet heat of Mason's mouth was melting his brain. Mason abruptly pulled back with a gasp. "God, I want you so damn bad." His hand traveled over Evin's abs and then back up to capture Evin's cheek. Mason met his gaze with a weak smile. "But I'm so fucking tired. So sorry." His head dropped to Evin's chest. "Just don't go yet."
Evin tossed his leg over Mason's, bringing him closer. "We don't have to do anything but lie here. Not going anywhere yet, Brown Eyes." Evin repositioned himself to find a comfortable spot. Yeah, this felt right—Mason's head over his heart, their legs tangled together. It
would be perfectly fine with him if he never had to move again. But that was a fantasy.
Less than five minutes later, the rhythmic sound of Mason's breathing confirmed he was asleep. Evin uncurled himself from Mason's hold and slipped from the bed. He turned and burned Mason's image into his brain. His blond locks were wild. His skin glowed from the surge of his new DNA. Lean muscle layered in sharp relief along his arm, shoulder, and abs. Evin's cock stirred in memory of how responsive Mason was to his every touch and command. Perfect. But it wasn't only in his bed where Mason would be missed.
Evin pulled the sheet over Mason's shoulder, brushed a strand of hair from his eyes, and whispered, "When did you become the thread that holds my soul and my heart intact?" He placed a kiss to Mason's cheek, taking the familiar scent into his lungs once more, then whipped around and headed for the gardens.
* * *
"You're late." Jocelyn's scowl met Evin as he rounded a large shrub that formed a pathway to the garden and entered the designated spot for their ceremony.
"I needed a change of clothes." Evin tossed out an excuse even though he couldn't care less whether he had her approval. He just wanted her to stop moving her mouth. "And I'm not late, by the way," he added with his own glare. "I'm five minutes early."
Jocelyn huffed and brushed past him, heading toward the small altar that had been placed at the head of the garden path. The setting faced the large fountain that anchored the grounds and displayed life-size granite sculptures of two wolves reared back in battle as jets of water sprang up from a basin around them.
"Let's just get this over with," she grumbled from over her shoulder.
Evin sucked in a steadying breath and joined her on his knees before the narrow bench and the pack's holy man, Master Jacob, who would lead the mating. The alpha moved in and took his place behind the ceremonial leader.
"You can move straight to the bonding," his father stated flatly at Jacob's ear. "There's no need to drag this out."
"As you wish, Alpha." He nodded and stepped closer to them. "Please, pick up your cups and drink."
Jocelyn glanced at Evin, then wrapped her hand around the small teacup sitting next to its twin on the bench in front of them. Evin grabbed his, took it to his lips in one move, and swallowed the contents in a large gulp. The bitter concoction burned a path to his stomach, then hit it like a lead-filled anchor. He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten, so the small amount of mind-altering fluid infiltrated his bloodstream in seconds like a missile on a collision course with his brain.
"Open your minds to each other," the master began. "Allow the herbs to aid you in connecting to your mate's inner thoughts, dreams, and soul."
The holy man's words hummed in Evin's ears. Colors warped around him, blurring Jocelyn's image in swirls of yellow, red, and green. Is she wearing green? Yes, green. She was wearing a green dress with a red something splattered on the front. Mason looks good in green. Evin smiled. But he looked damn good in anything—or nothing. Yeah, especially nothing. Stop it! He shook his head. That wasn't going to ever happen again. Not after tonight. They were over.
"Evin... Damn, Evin. I miss you already."
The sound of Mason's voice whispered inside his head. Evin's breath hitched, and his eyelids fluttered. Just like before... Before Mason's shift, Evin could have sworn he'd heard Mason calling him. He shook his head again. Shit. He was supposed to be tuning in to Jocelyn here, but instead, his mind was tripping over memories of Mason. His chest ached, and his gut twisted, yanking a grunt from his throat.
"Evin, do you hear me? Evin?" Master Jacob's voice sliced through his drug-filled haze.
"What?" Evin's gaze darted from the frown on Jocelyn's face to the two men staring at him over the altar. "Yeah. Yes, I hear you."
The holy man cleared his throat, then continued. "Under the light of the full moon, declare your oaths and taking of each other."
Jocelyn thrust her arm in front of his face and gave him an expectant look. Evin rolled his sleeve up and jutted his wrist toward her. Jocelyn coiled her fingers with his and yanked, snagging his gaze before spouting the words of bonding.
"Take of me, my essence is yours. See into my soul, as I see into yours. Forever join me on this path. Forever bond with me in this life and beyond. An eternity sealed in blood."
Evin followed suit, murmuring the pledge, his tongue thick as if he were regurgitating the words.
As the last syllable left his lips, Jocelyn threw her head back, revealing her elongated canines, and then jammed them into his flesh. The sharp bite into his vein triggered his matching response. Evin sank his teeth into her exposed skin. Warm blood filled his mouth and clogged his throat. The foreign, metallic taste of Jocelyn's essence overwhelmed his senses. So wrong. Every fiber of his being screamed in rebellion. Evin jerked his head back on a cough, but managed to force enough down his esophagus, fulfilling his duty.
"Well done, my son." His father's voice cut through the air, drawing their attention.
Jocelyn was the first to jump to her feet, a large grin on her face. Evin straightened, and the alpha joined him at his side.
"Congratulations," Barron said. "You have yourself a mate. As it should be."
Slowly Evin turned and met the other man's smug gaze. "You have your mating. Why don't you go celebrate with your new daughter? You two deserve each other." Evin didn't wait for a response; he swung around and headed toward the house.
"Where are you going?" Jocelyn's footsteps tapped behind him, matching his pace.
"I need a shower," he growled and glanced at the bloodied wound on wrist, forcing back a cold shiver. He could do this. Mason was alive. If he held on to that thought, Evin could make it through anything.
"And then what?" The sound of her heels ceased on the pavement. "Don't forget we have the alpha exchange of power at dawn—six a.m. sharp." Evin stopped but didn't look back. Like he could actually forget? After tonight, he had the rest of his life to deal with the woman standing behind him and the responsibility of the pack. But the next few hours were his, and right now, there was someone he had to see. One more time. He had to say good-bye.
"I'll be there," Evin said. "That's all you need to know."
Forty-five minutes later, Evin made his way through the breezeway that took him to the exterior guest quarters. Anticipation sat like a hard knot in his chest. He couldn't wait to see Mason again. Yet the thought of saying good-bye was suffocating him. During his shower, Evin had gone over and over in his mind what he was going to say when he saw Mason, all the while doing his best to wash away the evidence of his mating. A futile attempt. Over time her mark would somewhat fade, but the shadow of a scar on his wrist would be a permanent reminder of this night.
On a deep breath, Evin grasped the doorknob to Mason's quarters. With a twist of his wrist, he discovered it was still unlocked. Good. He didn't want to have to knock, in case Mason was still sleeping. Evin stepped inside and found that would not have been a problem.
Mason sat on the loveseat with his back to him, facing the dark void outside his window. He'd changed from his tattered shorts into a pair of charcoal running pants, leaving his chest bare. Evin's heart rate leaped at the sight. Would there ever come a time when Mason wouldn't affect him? Evin braced his hand on the door, watching, then leaned his temple onto his knuckles.
"You going to just stand there, or are you coming inside to get whatever it is off your chest?" Mason's words jolted him from his trance. He had no idea how long he'd been there, studying the other man's form.
Evin pushed the door closed and strode the rest of the way in. Mason braced his elbows on his knees, still not meeting Evin's gaze.
"It's over, I take it?" Mason addressed the floor more than Evin.
"Yeah," Evin uttered. "About an hour ago."
Mason nodded. "Let me see."
"What?" Evin shoved his hand into his jeans pocket.
Slowly Mason lifted his head, his brown eyes meeting Evin's gaze with a glare that said t
ry me. "I want to see. Show me where she bit you."
"Fuck, Mason," Evin groaned. "Why?"
"I need to see." Mason's voice rose. "Now, dammit. Show me!" He lunged to his feet, going for Evin's hidden wrist.
"Fine," Evin huffed and wrenched his hand free.
The other man latched on to his arm, his gaze falling to the crescent-shaped wound. Mason's grip tightened, and a low growl rolled from his throat.
"Fuck. How could you do this?" Mason yanked his hand away. "I still can't wrap my head around why. You know what my life's been like." Mason whirled, stabbing his fingers through his hair as if he were trying to claw the reality from his mind. He halted, then swung his head in Evin's direction. "Did you really think I'd want to survive at the cost of you having to live a miserable lie? Shit! I know what that's like. It's fucking hell."
"I did it for you," Evin muttered, looking everywhere else but at the accusatory glare Mason threw his way.
"There could have been another way." Mason marched closer. "But you didn't even try to find out."
"I couldn't take the chance." Evin snapped his gaze to Mason.
"Something else might have worked," Mason spit back.
"And it might not have, and I wasn't willing to take that risk."
"It was my life to risk," Mason shouted. "Why would you sacrifice yours for me?"
"Because I love you!" Evin grabbed Mason's upper arms, then pulled him to his chest. "Dammit. You're mine," Evin growled against Mason's lips and buried his fingers in the hair at his nape. "Mine."
Their mouths clashed. Teeth clicked against teeth, the sharp edges nipping at tender flesh. Their tongues soothed away the sting and the coppery taste of blood that followed. Hot. Hungry. Hard. The only words that could describe the need Evin had for the taste of Mason at that moment.
Yes. So damn hard.
Evin sucked in a breath on a hiss and jerked back.
"What's wrong?" Mason inched forward, closing the distance between them again.
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