by Kasey Belle
Nick turned his head and rested his chin on his folded hands as he peered up at Mal.
“What is it, baby?”
“Will you show me your wolf?”
Mal’s wolf pranced and preened. “He wants to meet me.”
Mal snickered as his wolf gloated. He tapped the tip of Nick’s nose. “He’s been dying to meet you. So yes, I would love nothing more. But, only if you promise to show me yours.”
Nick shot him a brilliant smile. “Deal.” He moved off of Mal and sat with his back wedged into the corner of the sofa. Mal immediately missed his human blanket.
Mal rolled off the sofa and pushed the coffee table out of the way. He froze when Leo stirred, then breathed a sigh of relief when the cub settled. Mal reached for the waistband of his jeans and unbuttoned them. His perma-hard-on strained behind his jeans so he carefully lowered his zipper. Going commando came with many benefits, unzipping quickly was not one of them. He sure as shit didn’t want to snag his erection on the metal teeth. That would ruin happy fun time later. Yeah, his enhanced healing capabilities would quickly handle any damage to his man parts, but that kind of pain mentally lingered for a long time. Mal pushed his jeans down over his hips. He groaned when Nick sighed and licked his lips. “Jesus. Stop looking at it like that, baby.”
“Sorry. Can’t help it when your massive, beautiful cock is pointing right at me.”
“The things you do to me.” Mal muttered. He wanted nothing more than for his mate to taste the glistening drop of fluid pooling in the tip of his cock. He needed to get his shift on ASAP before he said fuck it and took his mate here and now.
“And that’s a bad idea why?” His wolf growled none too happy with Mal cockblocking him and his need to rut and claim.
“Shut it.” Mal ordered. “We were greedy with our mate last night. He needs pampering and coddling today. I don’t like those shadows under his eyes.”
“I don’t either, but I can smell his need and so can you. He wants us as much as we want him.”
“Don’t care. Fucking chill out. Perhaps you aren’t as eager to meet our mate as you claim. Hmm?”
“Of course I am.” His wolf paced restless. “Free me.”
“Ask nicely,” Mal goaded. His wolf bared his teeth.
“Now.” His wolf ordered, obviously not appreciating Mal’s teasing banter.
Nick leaned forward with eager anticipation. Mal winked at him then dropped to the floor on his hands and knees. During a shift his body no longer experienced the intense pain of his youth, now it only ached with muscle strain. Mal welcomed the sensation. There was power in the slight discomfort that came with shifting. A soft amber glow surrounded him and his body began to shimmer. His bones cracked and reshaping began. His muscles and skin rippled and moved as his body began to change shape from man to wolf. His face elongated into a snout with long, sharp teeth, tanned skin was now covered in fur, and hands and feet replaced were by paws. His shift ended and his massive dark brown wolf stood on four paws. He walked towards Nick and placed his head in his mate’s lap chuffing when Nick ran his fingers through his fur. He leaned up and licked Nick’s cheek making his mate giggle. Damn, he loved that sound.
****
“Wow. You’re beautiful. Your grass green eyes are gorgeous against your dark fur.” Nick smiled and scratched behind Mal’s ears. He couldn’t resist his need to hug his mate’s wolf, so he slid off the sofa to his knees and wrapped his arms around Mal’s massive shoulders. He buried his nose in the dark fur and breathed in his scent. A content rumble came from Mal’s chest and Nick felt it in his soul.
“You are so sexy like this. So soft and snuggly.” He rubbed his body against Mal’s furry one.
Nick didn’t let go of Mal even as an amber light surrounded them. Mal shifted into his human form and wrapped Nick in his arms. Nick’s need ratcheted up a notch at the feeling of his mate’s naked body pressed against him. Mal kissed his mating mark then let Nick go and stood, grabbing his jeans off the floor in the process. Nick fought his pout but failed miserably.
“None of that,” Mal scolded as humor danced in his eyes. “You promised. I showed you mine now show me yours.” He wagged his eyebrows. He stepped into his jeans and pulled them up over his hips but didn’t bother zipping them up. They laid open at the top exposing the Mal’s hard cock.
Nick sighed and stood. “So I did.” He stripped quickly, trying not to think about his own extremely aroused state. He wanted Mal something fierce. He glanced over at Leo who was still asleep. If they were quiet, maybe they could… What if Leo woke up when they were in the middle of doing the dance with no pants? Yeah, that would be way too weird. Maybe they could make a quick trip to the bedroom or the kitchen table. Hmm.
“Mate! Stop,” Mal whined. “You’re killing me.”
Nick shrugged. “Didn’t realize I said any of that out loud.”
“You didn’t. You were projecting. Also, your eyes were practically screaming ‘Do me, Mal.’”
“Do me? How old are you twelve?” He teased with a snicker, but didn’t bother denying it. They both knew it would be a lie. Mal responded with a disgruntled growl.
Nick blew his mate a kiss and called on his wolf. He loved shifting. There was nothing like being in wolf form. A shifter was born with heightened senses, but in wolf form they were even sharper. Sights, sounds, and scents crisper. He longed to scent his mate while in wolf form. Although, Nick wasn’t sure he’d be able to control himself and his need to claim Mal once he did.
Mal gasped when Nick completed the shift and his wolf was finally revealed. Mal dropped to his knees and took Nick’s furry face between his palms. “You are gorgeous, Nico. Look at all that soft, blond fur.” Mal ran his hands through Nick’s pelt making him groan. It felt so good. Then Mal had Nick practically humping his leg when he scratched him behind the ears. Nick licked his cheek and nuzzled the mating mark he’d left on Mal’s skin last night. Mal’s scent overwhelmed him. The urge to bite and claim Mal again overwhelmed him. His wolf refused to be denied and struck. Nick’s canine’s pierced his skin and Mal howled as pleasure ripped through his body. Come spurt from Mal’s cock and coated his chest and Nick’s fur. The scent of arousal hung in the air. Nick wanted Mal to claim him, but one: he was in wolf form. Some shifters didn’t mind having sex in their animal form, but it was a little too close to bestiality for Nick to find it sexy. Two: Leo was in the room with them.
Nick pushed Mal with his paws until his mate lay flat on his back. Nick used his tongue to clean up his mate’s chest. The taste of Mal’s cum burst on his tongue.
Mal groaned when his wolf’s tongue rasped against his skin. “Oh mate. That feels wonderful.” He buried his fingers in the fur at the scruff of Nick’s neck.
Once clean, Nick shifted. He grabbed his t-shirt and wiped Mal’s come from his skin, then snuggled next into Mal’s arms where he laid on the floor. Guilt slowly encroached now that Nick was in human form again. “I’m sorry, Mal.”
Mal leaned back his brows creased in confusion. “Sorry? For what?”
“I should have asked if I could bite you when I was in shifted form. My wolf did it without permission. I sort of lost control of him for a moment. You―”
Mal pressed a finger to Nick’s lips. “Hush. You have nothing to apologize for. You can claim me whenever you want. I don’t think I want us to have sex in wolf form though.”
Nick scrunched up his nose. “Me either.”
“But… a little love bite here and there is pretty fucking hot.” Mal playfully rubbed his nose against Nick’s.
“You’re pretty fucking hot. You smelled so good. I couldn’t resist tasting you.” Nick felt his cheeks heat. Damn his fair complexion.
Running his fingers through Nick’s hair, Mal smiled. “I love you.”
He blinked back tears caused not only by Mal’s words but the adoration and devotion shining in his eyes. He would never grow tired of experiencing either. “I love you too.”
Mal
took his lips in a slow sensual kiss that made Nick want to do naughty things to his mate. The second he wrapped his hand around Mal’s dick and Leo woke up fussing letting them know he was hungry.
Mal made a low, rumbling chuckle. “It’s like he has a sixth sense that we’re about to have sexy times.”
Nick laughed. “I know right?”
“I’ll get him. You dress.” He stood, tucked in his spent cock, and fastened his jeans. Mal reached into the pack and play and grabbed up Leo. “I’ll go change his diaper. Why don’t you fix his lunch? We wouldn’t want Chubo to starve.” He tickled Leo under the chin.
“Yeah, we can’t have him wasting away to nothing.” Nick giggled. “He’s got that whole rubber band around the wrist thing going for him. The Michelin look is the rage with all the girl babies.”
“And boy babies,” Mal teased.
“Them too.” Nick zipped up his jeans and shooed him away. “Go change him. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” He grabbed the monitor off of the side table by the sofa and took it with him. He set it on the counter and turned it on. He loved listening to Mal with Leo almost as much as watching him. He wished he could see Mal on the monitor, but the camera only captured Leo if he was in the crib. Nick shrugged. Oh, well.
“I bet Uncle Nick is making you some awesome cereal and applesauce to fill up your Buddha belly.” Leo giggled and babbled nonsense at Mal. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not judging the pudge. Just stating a fact.”
Nick snorted a laugh. It was so adorable how he talked to Leo as if he were a little person who understood everything Mal said. He heard Mal blow a raspberry and Leo let go peals of laughter.
“Now I’m going to remove your diaper. Do not piss on me. Please.”
Nick grinned at his mate’s antics.
Chapter 16
Emma Grace sat in between Mal and Nick on the porch bench swing as they swung lazily, enjoying the morning before the day turned too hot. There was a light breeze in the air which helped ease the effects of the humidity. Hopefully it would stick around as the day wore on and the temperature rose.
Mal laid his arm across the back of the swing, resting his hand against Nick’s nape. Even the simple contact filled Mal’s soul with peace. He didn’t bother to stop the contented sigh that welled inside him from escaping. Nick rubbed his head against Mal’s hand silently telling him he understood how Mal felt. He loved the fact that didn’t need to use their link to communicate. They instinctively knew what was in each other’s hearts and minds.
“When are our guests getting here, Uncle Mal?” Emma Grace chirped breaking the companionable silence as she kicked her legs back and forth.
Mal rolled his eyes. Of course the social butterfly would refer to the council elder and his people as our guests. He glanced at his watch. “Should be anytime now, pixie.”
“Da said the council people are coming here to talk to Uncle Nick about being in our pack. He said they will make it ‘ficial.”
“O-fficial,” he corrected.
“That’s what I said.” Emma Grace shot him a little disgruntled frown out of the corner of her eye.
“Sorry, pixie. I must have misheard you.” He shared a grin with Nick over her head.
“That’s okay.” She gave him a patronizing pat on his thigh. Nick snorted a laugh. “Uncle, Mal?”
“Hmm?”
“I thought cuz you and Nick are mates that already makes him pack.”
“True.”
“Then why do you have to talk to somebody about him being in our pack. He just is.” She crossed her arms over her chest and punctuated her statement with a harrumph.
Mal fought his laughter at her little screwed up face. Emma Grace would not appreciate him finding humor in her displeasure. “Yes, Emma Grace, he just is. However, Nick’s uncle is alpha of his old pack and his uncle is not a nice man.”
She tilted her head back and looked up at Nick. “He does bad things?” Nick nodded. “And you’re going to tell on him?” Emma Grace shot him a hopeful look.
Nick nodded, again. “I am.”
“Good. I don’t like bad people.” She shook her head causing her curls to bounce around and tickle Mal’s forearm.
A black SUV with tinted windows came into view heading up the driveway toward the house. He glanced over at Nick. “Go inside, Emma Grace,” Mal ordered nodding at the front door.
“‘Kay.” She hopped down without argument and ran to the door. “I’ll tell Daddy and Da our visitors are here,” she called over her shoulder before slamming the door shut behind her.
“Someone needs to bottle her energy. We’d make billions.” Nick huffed a laugh as he watched the SUV come closer to the house. “It’s the council elder, right?”
“I believe so.” Mal reached over and took his mate’s hand and twined their fingers together. “It’s going to be fine.”
“I know.” He gave Mal’s hand a little squeeze. “We can trust the elder with Leo’s possible gift. Right?”
“Yes. Declan trusts Elder Frey completely. Gunnar does as well.”
Nick chewed his lips as his eyes tracked the SUV. “Then why did you send Emma Grace inside? You were worried about her.”
“The council doesn’t know about her or Jay or Luke. Declan wants to keep it that way.”
“I understand.” Nick finally took his eyes from the approaching vehicle and turned them on Mal. “They won’t hear about the trio from me.”
“I know, baby.” He raised Nick’s hand to his lips and kissed his palm.
Declan, Cade, Kell, and Gunnar stepped out the front door and took up residence on the porch just as the vehicle pulled around the curved drive and came to a stop. The driver and front passenger doors opened and two large men dressed in black suits stepped out. Mal couldn’t see their eyes behind the mirrored shades, but he knew they were scanning the area for threats. The men shared a look over the hood of the car. The passenger nodded at the driver before he opened the back door. An older man wearing tailored grey suit with white hair and a neatly trimmed beard climbed out of the back. Gunnar smiled as he trotted down the steps with an outstretched hand. “Elder Frey. It’s good to see you again, sir.”
“Ah, Emissary Stanton.” Mal noted Elder Frey spoke with a proper southern accent. Georgia, maybe? The elder smiled sheepishly at Gunnar. “I suppose it’s just Gunnar, now.”
“Yes, sir. But I’m always around if the council needs me.” They shook hands. “How are Betty and the family?”
“Wonderful as always. My daughter Lola is expecting again,” Elder Frey bragged.
“How many does that make for you now grandpa?”
Elder Frey puffed out his chest proudly and exclaimed, “Ten grandcubs and counting.”
“Congratulations. Wish her my best will you?”
“Thank you, Gunnar. I certainly will. How’s mated life treating you?”
“Can’t complain. Not that anyone around here would listen if I did.” Gunnar elbowed Kell in the ribs and snickered.
“Hey,” Kell scolded him. “Jennifer’s not that bad.” He burst out laughing at his own joke, then sobered quickly. He glared at Gunnar. “Don’t you dare,” he commanded.
Gunnar smirked and shrugged. Mal figured Gunnar used their link and threatened to rat Kell out to their mate.
The elder held out his hand to Kell. “Good to see you again, Kell. Congratulations on your mated bliss.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Declan bowed his head in greeting then held out his hand. “Elder Frey.”
Elder Frey graced Declan with a friendly smile. “Alpha Creed.” The two men shook. Elder Frey nodded to his entourage. “The hulking shadows trying to act inconspicuous are Vlad and Henry―my guards. They’ll remain out here while we speak.” Mal didn’t think Vlad and Henry looked too happy about the not-so-subtle order.
“Are you certain, Elder? They are welcome in my home.”
Elder Frey waved off Declan’s concern.
Cade greete
d their guest then introduced Elder Frey to him and Nick. Mal usually shied away from anything to do with council matters, so he didn’t know many of the sitting elders. However, this man seemed nice enough. He bragged on his family so that said a lot. However, Mal reserved the right to change his mind if Elder Frey did anything to upset his Nico.
Declan let them in the house and they followed him to his office where they would discuss what to do about Alpha Speer. A slow, painful, torturous death would be Mal’s choice, if anybody wanted his input.
“Everyone make yourselves comfortable.” Declan gestured to the chairs. Mal led Nick over to the sofa. He sat next to the arm and Nick took the space beside him wiggling until he was pressed against Mal’s side. He preferred having Nick on his lap snuggling against his chest. Mal knew his mate would never do such a thing in front of an elder. They needed to work on Nick’s misplaced embarrassment with PDA’s and strangers, but not today. Nick was already stressed enough as it was.
Declan took his place behind the desk. Kell dropped into the empty space next to Nick. Gunnar and Elder Frey sat in the chairs across the desk from Declan, and Cade stood in his usual place just behind the alpha’s right shoulder.
“Why don’t I start?” Declan offered. “Thank you for agreeing to this meeting, Elder Frey. I appreciate you waiting for the details as to why I need your assistance.” Elder Frey inclined his head. Declan gestured in Nick’s direction. “Nick’s full name is Nicholas Terrell Speer.” The elders eyebrows shot up and he glanced quickly at Nick then gave Declan his full attention, again. “Nick and his nephew Leo came to us under less than ideal circumstances. However, much to our delight Nick found his mate in my cousin Mal.” Dec pointed at him. “Mal has since officially mated with Nick, in case you couldn’t tell.” Declan smirked. “He and Leo are now under my protection as members of Copper Creek Pack and trust me when I say, they need it.”
Elder Frey steepled his fingers and considered what Declan had just told him. “Speer? As in the Shenandoah River Pack? Craden Speer?”
Declan nodded. “Yes. Nick’s parents were Terrell and Abigail Speer. Which, unfortunately, makes Craden Speer Nick’s uncle.”
