by Joyee Flynn
"You're a lot calmer than I was when I found out." Dean chuckled, taking Ethan's hand. "Aren't you going to freak out?"
"When you have several doctors and specialists tell you that you're going to die, you kind of learn to take everything in stride." Ethan shrugged, still staring at Ryder and me. "What does this have to do with me?"
"We called our council," I answered, shifting back when Ryder did. "If we turned you, it would cure your cancer."
"Shut up." Ethan gasped, his jaw just about hitting the table. I nodded as we got dressed again. "Why would you do that for me?"
"We couldn't just let you walk back out our door knowing you were going to die without our help," Dean said, tears in his eyes. "Spencer saved all of us and gave us a new life, a better life."
"You wouldn't have to be in our bed, Ethan," Luc added, fidgeting with his beer. "I'm not even sure how we'd work this all out, but we got approval from our council to make you like us. You'd have to stay here though and be part of our pack."
"What if I wanted to be in your bed?" he asked, glancing around at us. "You guys are hot and obviously are really great men. I dreamt all my life of having the type of love you all share."
"We're not against it," Ryder answered, taking my hand. "We're all attracted to you, Ethan. But you have to understand, we've built a family here and the idea of adding someone new is scary."
"I think for now, you need to decide if being a werewolf and staying here is something you could live with. The rest we'd have to figure out as we go," I said, giving Ryder's hand a squeeze. "We'd work on a story about how we found you some far away doctor that cured you and I'd handle things with Payton."
"You'd do that for me?" Ethan asked, his eyes filling up with tears. "I'd pay you back, Spencer. I swear I would, however I could. I'll get a job in town, even if it's at a fast food restaurant. I'll do whatever it takes to get my family out of the hot water I put them in."
"Your family's not liable for the medical bills that Payton paid off," I explained, before taking a swig of my beer. "Greg Payton paid them off on his own accord; his threats are pretty much empty, Ethan. He can't go to the authorities. What would he tell them? That you didn't kill me so they have to pay him back?"
"I didn't think of it like that," Ethan replied, trying to pull his hand away from Dean. Instead, Dean pulled him off the chair and sat Ethan on his lap. Tears started falling down Ethan's cheeks as he shook in Dean's arms. "I'm so stupid. He totally played me, didn't he?"
"He took advantage of your situation," Dean said gently, rubbing his hands up Ethan's arms. "You were alone and in a bad place; we've all been there, Ethan."
"You have?" Ethan asked, tilting his neck to look up at Dean.
"Yeah, we have." Dean nodded, glancing at us before continuing. "I lost my leg in a bad car wreck. My partner left me, I couldn't work anymore, and eventually ended up a bum on the street. Spencer, Ryder, and Luc stopped to give me a ride when I was hitchhiking out of Chicago. They turned me and my leg grew back, and it's getting stronger every day."
"How did you become a werewolf?" Ethan asked me, and I went into the tale. I told him about Diego and being run off the road all those years ago. Luckily, Ethan already knew who I was, so I didn't have to go into my past of being a Fallon. But I told him everything else up until the day I met Ryder.
"I think we can wait on the rest of the stories for now," I said, seeing Ryder tense up when I finished. He knew his story was next, and it still hurt him badly to talk about it. "There are a few things you need to know, Ethan."
"Like I couldn't ever tell anyone," Ethan replied, nodding as he wiped away his tears. "Could I see my family again? I mean like go for a visit?"
"Of course," Dean answered, hugging Ethan close. "You'd just have to stick to whatever story we come up with about you getting cured. And we can't give you much time to decide because if your organs go into failure, we can't save you."
"I don't need time to decide!" Ethan giggled, leaning back against Dean's chest. "You guys are handing me my life on a silver platter, literally. Who would be stupid enough to say no to that? I'm not. I'd get to stay here with you, be a part of your lives, and not die. Sign me up."
"Actually, you're right, Ethan," Ryder said, smiling at him. "You wouldn't die, ever. We're immortal."
"Seriously?" Ethan asked, eyes going wide again. "Holy shit! Wow, I go from dying in less than six months to living forever. This is all so surreal!"
"It takes a little getting used to." Dean chuckled, giving me a wink. "So does that mean you're in?"
"Hell yeah," Ethan replied, sitting up and looking at me. "How do we do this? You bite me like in the movies, right? Then what?"
"Then I have to fuck you," I answered, bracing for his response.
"I'm cool with that," he said, giving me a smirk. "As long as I'm not stepping on anyone's toes?"
"We don't have that type of relationship," Luc replied, taking my other hand. "We go with what we feel between the four of us. But if we let you into our bed, Ethan, that's it, you're committed to us. Just because the relationship would be between the five of us, doesn't mean it's an open relationship."
"I wouldn't cheat, ever," Ethan stated, shaking his head. "I'm not a cheater."
"I'm not saying you are," Luc said gently. "You just need to know what you're getting into upfront."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you," Ethan replied, blushing. I felt myself get hard. Why did a cute blush turn me on so much?
"Are you sure, Ethan? Once we do this, there's no going back," I said, eyeing him over.
"I'm sure. I can't think of a single reason not to," he replied with a nod. "I'd get to live, and live forever, and be part of your family. I'm not really giving anything up here and getting everything in return."
"What did you do for Fallon Industries before you got sick?" Ryder asked as if the thought just hit him.
"I'm a tax accountant," he answered, looking at Ryder as if he was confused. "I helped employees with their department budgets and spending accounts."
"Oh you'll fit in perfectly here." I laughed, sharing a glance with Ryder and Luc. They knew my hatred of taxes and accounting. While I loved investments and numbers, I liked the gambling and stock portfolio side more. "I fucking hate doing my taxes or keeping track of our accounts."
"I'd be happy to help," Ethan said, smiling at me. "So, when do we do this? I'm ready to start my new life here with all of you."
CHAPTER 6
"Well, I-I, uh." I stuttered, realizing he was ready to go upstairs with me and have sex. I wasn't really sure I was there yet. There was so much more to consider than just the act of fucking Ethan.
"While Dean said you didn't have much time to decide, we don't have to do this right away," Ryder said. I gave him a grateful look as I squeezed his hand. He smiled at me, giving me a little wink before continuing. "I think we all thought it might take a little bit more time for you to decide. We can just let things happen naturally instead of jumping right into turning you. We can at least spend a few days getting to know each other."
"Plus, we have plans for this evening," Dean added, giving me a knowing look as he tilted his neck at Luc. With everything going on, I'd totally forgotten the horse auction we were planning on taking Luc to tonight.
"We do?" Luc asked, glancing around the table. "How come I didn't know about this?"
"Because it is a surprise for you, sweetheart," I answered as Ryder got up and walked towards the oven. "Ryder can loan you some clothes, Ethan. Would you like to come out with us and just hang out?"
"Sure, that sounds nice," Ethan said, smiling at me. He moved off Dean's lap and sat back in his chair as Ryder brought over the lasagna.
We chatted a bit over dinner, which was fantastic. House rules were: if Ryder cooked, everyone else cleaned up. Once that was done and leftovers wrapped up, Ryder and Ethan disappeared to get clothes for Ethan besides the suit he arrived in.
"You need to sit in back with Ethan," Dean wh
ispered in my ear as he took the keys to the truck from me. We'd purchased the huge Dodge Ram when we started renovating the house to transport building supplies easier. I gave him a nod as we all headed into the garage, glad he was trying to ease me into this. This time around it was harder for me to get comfortable with the idea of turning Ethan.
Ryder and I had had time to get used to the idea, even though we fell into bed right after meeting. Luc was different; we didn't have time to think about it, since he had been dying when Ryder and I had found him. We'd had a few weeks with Dean before I turned him. But now with Ethan, it was more like, meet today, turn tonight. And it left me a little uncomfortable and forced into it.
"So where are we going?" Ethan asked softly as he climbed in the middle of the back seat with me. "All the mystery's kind of exciting."
"I'd tell you, but werewolves have really great hearing and Luc is totally listening in." I chuckled, patting Luc's shoulder in the front seat. Ryder hopped into the back seat with us, giggling because he knew where we were going.
"Do I have to wait much longer to find out?" Luc asked as Dean threw the truck in drive and pulled out of our driveway.
"Nope," Dean answered, taking Luc's hand. We road in silence as we drove through town and to the fairgrounds.
"Shut up," Luc exclaimed as we pulled into the fairgrounds and saw the sign promoting the horse auction. "Are you guys serious?"
"Yup. We got the section of the barn done to hold the horses," I said, loving his reaction. The whole cab was vibrating with excitement and anticipation. "I called in advance so the auctioneers could verify my accounts and available funds. You just choose whatever horses catch your eye and leave the rest to us, Luc."
"This is amazing, guys," Luc whispered as Dean parked the truck. We all climbed out and immediately my arms were full of Luc. "I love you, Spence."
"I love you too, sweetheart," I replied, before giving him a quick kiss. He took my hand as he led us to the sign-in table where we got our bidding paddles. After that he dragged us over to the reviewing pen. It was actually the holding pens for the main rodeo stadium where the bidding would be. Dean and I shared a look, chuckling at how excited Luc was, tugging on my hand like a kid in a toy store.
"Look at number eight, he's gorgeous," Luc said, pointing in the direction of the stallion. I turned to glance at the horse, smiling when I saw how gorgeous it was with its deep brown color and glistening mane. He took his hand back and flipped through the booklet the woman gave us when we registered. "He's got great bloodlines too; perfect for breeding if we wanted."
"We've got to find him a girlfriend then." Ryder giggled, looking over Luc's shoulder and totally getting into it.
"Oh isn't this precious?" a voice said from behind us. Turning around I saw it was Frank, the asshole who had pissed Dean off so bad at Molly's Bar. "And they've added a new fag into their midst."
"Fuck off, Frank," Dean growled, pushing Ethan behind him as I moved in front of Ryder and Luc. "We're here for the auction, not to cause trouble."
"So do you pick weak little men who remind you of women so you don't feel quite so gay?" Frank smirked, gesturing to Ryder and Ethan. I saw we were drawing a crowd, including some of Frank's buddies.
"Fuck you, I'm twice the man you are," Ryder spat, ducking under my arm and advancing on Frank. "You couldn't take me in a fight on your best day, douche bag."
"Yeah, right. I take a swing at you and I have big and bigger all over my ass." Frank laughed, gesturing to me and Dean.
"Let it go, Ryder," I said, reaching for him.
"No! I've had it with this bigot and his bullshit," Ryder growled, turning back to me. "We shouldn't have to put up with this when we go out. I want it to stop."
"Okay, baby. I'll back your play," I replied, frowning.
"Thank you," he said, his features softening before facing Frank. "Fine, just you and me. I win, you leave us alone from now on. You see us on the street, you walk the other way, got me?"
"And when I win?" Frank asked, crossing his arms over his chest as he sneered at Ryder.
"You get to kick my ass without any repercussions." Ryder shrugged, glancing back at me.
"You'll honor that?" Frank asked me, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, we will," I answered, reaching out to lay a hand on Dean's arm. "Your guys stay out of it and so will we."
"This is going to be fun." Frank chuckled, pushing up the sleeves of his shirt and bunching his hands into fists. Everyone took a few steps back, giving the men room for an old-fashioned rumble. Ryder hopped up a few times, shaking out his arms before getting into a fighting stance.
Frank struck out first, Ryder easily dodging the blow. He swung three more times; each time Ryder was able to duck and move out of the way of the blow. Then Ryder had his opening, giving Frank a hard right hook. The large man landed on his ass, blood flying from his nose all over the ground.
"We done?" Ryder asked, standing over Frank with his hands on his hips.
"No way, one lucky punch doesn't constitute a win," Frank answered, standing back up.
"Lucky punch, huh?" Ryder replied before giving Frank a beautiful one, two combo. Frank was out before he hit the ground, crumpling into a heap.
"Did you see that, Deputy?" One of Frank's buddies called out to someone behind us. Glancing over my shoulder, I winced when I saw Deputy Wilcowski making his way over to us. "The little fag assaulted Frank!"
"I don't see any fags here," the deputy replied, giving Ryder a wink. "All I see is upstanding members of our community enjoying themselves. Plus, I'm off duty."
"Sorry," Ryder said to him, fidgeting as if he'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"About what? I didn't see shit." Deputy Wilcowski chuckled and pated Ryder on the shoulder. Ryder laughed as the deputy kept walking, stepping over Frank as he went.
"Life with you guys is never going to be boring, is it?" Ethan asked, wrapping his arm around mine. "I'm not going to be a boring accountant for much longer."
"Ethan, you may be a lot of things, but I doubt boring is one of them," I said, gazing down at him. He flashed me a wide smile that seemed to go straight to my cock. Trying not to over-think it and just go with it, I leaned down and gave him a quick kiss. Ethan gasped, then kissed me back. I wanted to take it further, but right now wasn't the place for it.
"Wow," Ethan whispered when we parted, expressing what I was feeling. I wrapped my arm over his shoulders as we turned back to my men, who were all smiles.
"Back to picking out horses." Luc chuckled, pointed to the reviewing pen. "I found a few others that we should bid on. They have some incredible stock here at this thing, I'm impressed. I can't get over the range of mares to colts, to stallions to quarter horses; it's just very diverse. And I thought we'd have to make a road trip to get these kinds of bloodlines."
"We take ranching and horses seriously around here, Luc," Molly said, joining us against the railings. I glanced past Luc to see she and her husband Mike had arrived. "Glad you boys made it and aren't just hiding at your house."
"We don't do hiding." Ryder giggled, snuggling up to the other side of me, next to Luc.
"I saw that nice punch." She chuckled, pounding it out with Ryder. "If you hadn't, I would have after his crack about gays and women."
"I'd be proud to be a woman, if I was one," Ryder said firmly, giving her a nod.
"There's not a girly thing about you, baby," I purred, kissing his cheek. "Personally, I'm glad about that."
"Yeah, but I might look good with breasts," he replied, looking serious. Everyone was quiet for a few moments, until Ryder burst out laughing, then we all joined in.
"You guys looking for a bunch of horses?" Molly asked after we all calmed back down.
"Not a bunch," Luc answered, shooting me a nervous glance.
"Five or six at least if Luc finds ones he feels are acceptable," I said, giving him a wink.
"Spence, that's too…" Luc started to say.
"Just say thank you and pick good ones," Molly said, putting her hand over Luc's mouth. "You're in Brookings now, each of you needs a horse of your own at least."
"Molly, Mike, I forgot my manners." I shook my head, realizing we'd not introduced them to Ethan. "This is Ethan Beckman. He works for my company back on the east coast. And it looks like he may be joining our family."
"Nice to meet you, Ethan," the both said, then Molly continued. "If I was young like you boys, I'd love the idea of my own harem but I can barely keep up with the man I have."
"Bite your tongue, woman," Mike replied, giving her a smack on the ass. "You guys should sit with us. We'll give you any background we know on the ranches who own the horses you're interested in."
"That would be great, thanks," Luc said, as we turned from the reviewing pen. Everyone headed towards the bleachers, taking up the seats in the third row. The first several rows were reserved for those bidding as opposed to the people that were there to just join in the fun. Luc sat down in between Molly and Mike, who were filling him in on the background of his favorite choices. Ryder sat next to Molly on the other side, then me, Ethan, and lastly Dean on the aisle.
"This is so exciting," Ethan whispered to me after the announcer said they'd be starting in a few minutes. I placed my hand on his thigh, smiling when I saw Dean had his hand on Ethan's other leg.
"You'll have to come over for dinner soon," Ryder was telling Molly. "You can see all the changes we made to the house, and I'd love to get my hands on some of the recipes you were telling me about."
Right before the explosion, Molly had stopped over to bring us a housewarming present. Ryder and Molly had started talking about hunting season and all the things she could do with deer in her slow cooker. He had brought up the idea a few times to Dean and me, saying he liked the idea of his big men going out and hunting to bring home dinner. We'd laughed and thought he'd been teasing us, but now I started to wonder.
