The Wolf's Man Friday

by Julia Talbot

  God, he was never going to be a decent Alpha. He wasn’t born for it. He wasn’t good enough, strong enough.

  “I’ll stay a few days. Let the bruises fade. Ron would have a fit if he saw me.”

  “Yeah. I don’t want him in on this. This is my fight.”

  “Okay. So we keep it on the down-low,” Alan said.

  “Yeah. Yeah.” He stared into the fireplace for a second, then forced himself to breathe. He could handle this. He wasn’t sure how, but he could.

  Goddess, how did he even start to handle this?

  Sebastian took a deep breath, then another, his heart racing.

  Mate? Are you okay? Jaxon’s mental voice caressed him.

  Fine, he lied. He was in so much trouble.

  What is it? Jaxon’s mental voice was never directional, but he had a feeling his lover was getting closer.

  He didn’t know what to say. His world kept getting smaller, somehow.

  Jaxon came pelting downstairs from his office, probably, and walked right to him, putting a hand on Sebastian’s arm. The touch was sure, steady, a comfort.

  His muscles relaxed, and he glanced up to find Alan frowning at him. “Did I miss something?”

  “What’s going on with you?”

  “What do you mean?” Sebastian asked, brows raised at Alan for daring to ask.

  Jaxon had his back. “I thought I heard something. I must need more coffee.”

  “You know what I mean. Did you bond with him? Can you bond with a fox? Is that possible?”

  “Yes.”

  And he’d dare another to argue it.

  Jaxon chuckled. “I bonded with a wolf, but my kind has been bonding with other species for years…. We’re survivors.”

  “And den stealers,” Alan added, but it didn’t seem mean.

  “I’m pretty sure he’s made it thirty times better.”

  “Maybe only ten. I’m still working on it.” Jaxon took his hand to lead him to the couch. “It’s time for a powwow.”

  Jaxon sat him down, touching him constantly, hands like a balm. Poor Alan. He didn’t have a mate, and he deserved it. Maybe he would see now how cool it was and look harder.

  “You two are insane. Stop it. Right now.” Alan flopped down, eyes rolling back in his head.

  “Whaaaat?” Jaxon drew out the sound, making them all laugh. “Get used to it, wolfy.”

  “A fox. Dammit, I wanted him, Seb.”

  Not a chance. Jaxon was made for him. “Not happening.”

  Jaxon smiled gently. “I would have to let you down easy, bud.”

  “You could have resisted these guns?” Alan flexed dramatically. Fucker.

  “Mmm. Yeah.” Jaxon winked. “Mate bond is mate bond.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Man, you get all the best toys, Seb.” Alan chuckled. “Okay, so what do we do about this?”

  Jaxon sighed. “We have to start with research. Not go running off in all directions.”

  “Research how?” He wasn’t even being whiny. He had no idea what to do.

  “Who this is. We know it’s a cougar shifter now. We have scratch. And God knows I have people who can find things.” Jaxon just ticked off things on his fingers.

  “Okay. What do I need to do?” Besides start working out hard.

  “See if you can get Ron to trip up. Don’t confront him head-on. Just poke him. Gently.”

  “Gentle poking. Right up your alley, Seb.”

  He glared at Alan, one eyebrow lifted.

  Alan shook his head. “I can poke. Gently. Seb needs to start looking at the family records. Anything that might have to do with cats. I don’t have the access.”

  “Yeah, and you’ll be there, keeping them safe, right?”

  “Of course,” Alan said. “I won’t let you down. I promise.”

  “You never do.” He knew that.

  “Thanks.” Alan sat back, leaning his head against the couch. “Healing always takes so much damn energy.”

  “Yeah. I hear that.” He still felt a few dull aches, but he had Jaxon to boost him. “Do you think it’s the same cat from Dallas?”

  “I think we have to consider it, absolutely. Although that felt more… organized.” Jaxon was frowning, forehead creased.

  Felines didn’t work in packs often. If they did, it always caused issues. Always. Dammit. So what was going on with these cats, if they were plural? They could be hired muscle, he guessed. Where was it hiding then? In town? At the Stanley?

  That was the closest hotel. All the rest were at the other end of town from him. Of course, these days a guy could rent a cabin or a house easily, and with cash. He’d get Jaxon on that.

  He needed to close this down and fast. The only way he kept what independence he had was by defending the western edge of the packland. If he let it go, let someone invade his territory, Ron would call him back to Boulder and never let him out of sight again.

  “I’m going to go for a walk, check all the borders.” Run until I can’t breathe and then push a little harder.

  Jaxon’s frown deepened. “I don’t want you out there alone.”

  “Then come with me. Alan can keep the house safe.” He bared his teeth, figuring it was a dare Jaxon wouldn’t take.

  “Okay.” Jaxon stood. “Let’s go.”

  He rumbled softly. He didn’t want his fox harmed.

  Jaxon grinned a little. “I’ll stay behind you, and I run fast.”

  He sighed, frowned mightily. “You should be safe.”

  “I will be.” Jaxon came to him again, the two of them like magnets, drawn together. “I’m not letting you go without me, mate. Deal with it. I’m yours now.”

  He sighed. “Stubborn fox.”

  “I am! But that’s okay. You like me that way.” Jaxon pressed one hand on the pit of his belly. “I’m going to be with you. Stand with you.”

  “Thank you.” He glanced at Alan too. “That means you as well. You okay with monitoring the house?”

  “Sure. Totally. I don’t like it, you know, thinking that someone’s watching. You have all this glass.”

  “Exactly.” It made his skin crawl. “Sure you won’t stay here?” he asked Jaxon.

  Jaxon stared.

  “Stubborn fox.”

  “Let’s go.” Jaxon began stripping on the way to the door.

  “I’m coming.” He put his clothes by the door. “You’re sure?”

  “I am. I swear, I’ll stay out of trouble.” Jaxon bounced a little. Maybe it had been too long since his fox had run, anyway. When they shifted together, it tended to be for sleep.

  Jaxon bounded out into the snow, a streak of bright red against the white. Sebastian shivered and sniffed, then took off his humanity and headed off. He barked at Jaxon, then let his wolf run, keeping Jaxon behind him.

  He raced to where he’d been attacked and followed the blood scent, the odor confusing him, confounding him. So sour. So… off.

  He looked back to check on Jaxon just in time to see his fox leap in the air and come down headfirst. Jaxon popped up with a mouse in his mouth.

  Click and chomp and it was gone. Damn. Impressive.

  Licking his chops, Jaxon trotted up to him. Then he raised his nose in the air, sniffing.

  He lowered his muzzle, pressed their noses together.

  Jaxon rubbed gently along his jowl, that soft fur tickling his nose.

  He turned to follow the trail, the big cat climbing up and up, the scent stopping suddenly at a cache of stones. This is where he’d stopped and lost his fur. Here.

  Jaxon sniffed all around, ears twitching. He poked his nose into a shallow depression, and yeah. The cat had left his clothes and shoes there.

  Then the trail headed toward Estes.

  Okay. This way. He started tracking, nose down.

  Mate! Hunters. People. Think!

  Jaxon’s call stopped him. He had to know, though. Had to.

  A fox will be far less conspicuous….

  No. They could hurt you. Trap you. You glow
on the snow.

  Then follow me in as a man. That way they see you, not me.

  Jaxon was just so calm.

  His nuts would freeze off. They’d be better off having Jaxon lead him on a leash. He would just look like another wolf-hybrid dog. No big deal.

  Jaxon trotted back to him and promptly bit him.

  He yelped, jerked, staring at his fox.

  Go get clothes. I’ll be the sniffer.

  Jeez, what an aggravating….

  He stopped, sniffed, the scent of feline hitting him again. This time different but the same. Something. He shook his head and started deeper into the trees.

  Jaxon followed on his heels, so close Sebastian almost kicked him.

  There’s another. He growled. There’s another. Two.

  Two. Oh God. Back to the house. Now. Jaxon bit his tail, pulling.

  No. No, he had to see. He had to.

  The second trail led in a wide oval, circling the packlands, but just on the outside. He didn’t understand.

  Why would one attack and one just watch? Especially after Jaxon had started shooting.

  Mate. Home. Come home. This isn’t right. Jaxon’s voice was stressed, worried.

  He sniffed a few more times, assuring himself he could tell cat from cat. This one was strong. Musk, yes, but also health.

  Not sick like the other.

  MATE!

  He jumped, barking at the air.

  Jaxon yipped at him, then turned back toward the house. Now.

  Stubborn, bossy, asshole mate.

  I want us inside. Jaxon kept running a few feet before coming back to him.

  Sebastian began to follow, drawn by the bright red tail, the white tip.

  Jaxon bounded over a wet patch of slush, making him bark with happiness. He jumped, giving chase, caught by the lean body.

  They raced to the house, but Jaxon didn’t slip through the flap. He veered off to lead Sebastian on a romp around the house.

  All the smells here were normal, familiar, and right, so he let himself play, hunting his mate’s tail. Jaxon could leap, and Sebastian snapped at that tail, just catching the end. Jaxon jumped on his back, teeth grabbing his nape.

  He grunted, his tail wagging even as he mock growled and tried to shake off his mate. He rolled in the snow, barking softly, knocking Jaxon into the cold.

  Jaxon chuffed, the sound more huffy than amused, but got up and shook easily enough. He ran around his mate, kicking up snow, acting like a puppy.

  That leap happened again, Jaxon bringing him a wiggling rodent. A snap and a squeak and it was dispatched, offered over to him with a bow.

  He snapped it up, because it would be insulting if he didn’t. Good hunter.

  Jaxon bowed, rump wriggling, and he bowed back, touching noses.

  They finally headed inside, both of them soaking wet, but the small meal kept him warm, so he was proud of Jaxon. He shook just outside the door, ridding his fur of the frost.

  Then he turned to nuzzle his mate, draw him inside.

  Jaxon stepped inside and then rubbed against him. He groomed quickly, removing the snow before finding their blankets before the hearth. The fire was going, and he sent a prayer of thanks to Alan, who was nowhere to be seen.

  They could rest now, and then they would have to have more discussion, more research, just as Jaxon had said. He guessed the one good thing he had going was if the cats were here, they weren’t going after Ron.

  Jaxon chirruped and nuzzled, licking at his muzzle. Talking to him.

  He huffed, pushing a paw out to hold Jaxon down. He groomed, making sure every inch of his mate was clean and dry and scented of him.

  Jaxon pushed at him with all four paws, making these happy noises. It was hard to worry when his fox was so adorable.

  He chewed a stick from Jaxon’s belly fur, then smoothed it out after he set the stick aside. Such a luxurious coat.

  Thick and soft as down. He buried his muzzle in the softness and filled his lungs with Jaxon’s scent.

  Jaxon rumbled, the sound vibrating against him, more felt than heard. Sebastian closed his eyes, happy and warm. He settled in, letting himself rest hard, surrounded by his mate.

  The cats could wait.

  JAXON WOKE up alone, the big bed cold and empty. He smelled bacon, though, so he knew Sebastian wasn’t outside baiting cats. That was good.

  His mate was going to worry himself into anemia, and it was maddening. He wasn’t sure Sebastian could do it all—his work and the Alpha’s work and the work of defending the pack.

  He was pretty certain Sebastian didn’t want to do it, regardless.

  Jaxon rolled out of bed so he could head to the bathroom and wash up. He could help with breakfast, and they could make a plan.

  Starting with the massive security system he was bringing in. Why it hadn’t happened before, he didn’t know, but it was happening now. The installer would be in tomorrow. The system was one Jaxon was familiar with, so no learning curve was necessary.

  Cameras, lights, sensors—he wanted his primary protected. His lover. This was personal now too.

  Hell, this place was quickly becoming home, all the way.

  He tugged on sweats before heading downstairs.

  Alan’s bag was by the door, and Sebastian’s face was a thundercloud already.

  Jaxon took a deep breath. “What did I miss?”

  “The boss called Seb home. We’re heading out after breakfast. He’ll be a couple days.”

  “I’m not a landed trout,” Sebastian snarled. “What would they do if I just said no?”

  “I have no idea,” Alan said.

  Jaxon grabbed the spatula to save the bacon. “I’ll pack a bag.”

  “You have to stay and watch the house, Jaxon. They may hurt it.”

  “What?” He turned to stare at Sebastian. “I’m more worried about you. Your housekeeper can come down while they set up the security.”

  “I’m not leaving Nan to the cats. Nowhere’s safer than Ron’s. You know that.” Sebastian didn’t sound so sure.

  “Dammit, Sebastian—”

  Sebastian held up a hand, glancing at Alan. “Alan will be with me. I need you here, Jaxon.”

  Jaxon stared, torn. A mate, or even a personal assistant, would stay in Estes and take care of the home. The bodyguard wanted to go with Sebastian and keep him safe.

  “I hate it, but it’s the right thing. This is our den and the farthest edge of the packland.”

  “I don’t like it either.” Jaxon looked to Alan as well. “Keep him safe.”

  “Of course. We’ll be snug. We’ll drive down, kowtow to the boss, drink a case of beer, and he’ll be home the day after tomorrow, Friday at the latest.”

  “Yay.” The sarcasm was rich.

  Jaxon sighed, shaking his head. “This sucks.”

  “It does, but it’s a couple of days. We’re grown-ups. We’ll be fine.”

  He stuck out his tongue, because what else could he do?

  “We’ll have breakfast first, huh? Breakfast and all before I have to go play good dog.”

  “Sounds good.” He pressed his hand to Sebastian’s on the way to get the eggs.

  “Are all newly mated pairs this goofy?” Alan asked, plopping down on the chair.

  “I think so. Don’t you?”

  “I dunno. I never met any before you two.”

  Jaxon snorted. “I have. It’s always this way.”

  “It’s ridiculous. Silly.” Alan winked over, expression hungry. “You sure you don’t need a third?”

  “We’re sure.” Sebastian said it firmly. “Bacon. That will fill you up for now.”

  Jaxon smiled but tried not to let Alan see. He wasn’t mean, but he was Sebastian’s, balls to bones.

  Alan shrugged. “I know, I know. It’s like I can’t not say it.”

  “Yours will come. I mean it. I know it.” Sebastian gave his friend a gentle smile.

  Jaxon had never loved him more than he did right now.

>   Jesus, he was a sap. A happy, well-loved, total sap.

  He finally served up breakfast, setting out eggs, the bacon, and some toast he’d found in the toaster.

  They sat, the three of them, like this was their last supper or something. That was ridiculous. The cats hadn’t attacked Ron in Boulder. They’d done it when he was in Dallas, vulnerable. And they hadn’t attacked here until the guys were on top of them. Right?

  Until they were outside and away from the house.

  They would all be fine.

  “Of course we will. We’re driving to Boulder, not the moon.”

  “I worry.” Jaxon had to touch, reaching around the table. “I can’t help it.”

  “I can send you help out here,” Alan offered.

  “I’ll be fine. If a cat shows up to install the security I’ll shoot him.”

  “So macho,” Alan teased, but Jaxon felt the wave of agreement.

  “I try.” Jaxon winked. He was grateful his mate trusted him. He needed to return the favor.

  With all of me. Every inch.

  Yes. He fed Sebastian his last piece of bacon. There was ice cream calling his name when Alan and Sebastian left.

  Ice cream and a Sandra Bullock movie marathon. Jaxon winked when Sebastian stared at him in horror. If he had to be alone, he got to pick the movies.

  Tell me we get to watch Halloween when I get home.

  Of course, babe. Anything. He loved silly horror movies.

  “Come on, Seb. Let’s get down the mountain and see what the hell is up.”

  “Okay. Grab the bags? I’ll be out in a jiff.”

  Alan rolled his eyes but did just what Sebastian asked and left them alone for a moment.

  “Be careful,” Jaxon said.

  “I will. You protect the den. Our den.”

  “I promise. It, and I, will be here when you come back.” He went up on tiptoes to beg a kiss, and Sebastian gave it, a hard, toothy kiss that burned him to the ground. Jaxon clung to those wide shoulders, panting when Sebastian let him go.

  “Mate.” Sebastian rubbed their noses together, then left without another word.

  Jaxon stood there, listening to the song that always hummed between them fade a bit as distance became a problem. Sebastian was still there, but muted after a bit, and it made Jaxon droop.