Alex smiled and brought his attention back to Iggy, who was still making plans. “Iggy, we need to talk to Kameron before we do anything. It’s not like we can just move the kids here into pack territory without having a plan as to what to do with them and where to put them. They’ll need a place to stay, possibly parental figures or something.”
Iggy chuckled. “We could always take them home to Mom. God knows she’s going to try to mother Josh. She probably misses having all of us around.”
That actually wasn’t a bad idea. The house Alex’s parents had chosen was big. They’d chosen that one because it had enough space both for them and for Alex and his brothers—and their mates. That meant there were five bedrooms, one for his parents, one for each of them, and guest bedroom. All those rooms were empty, though, except for the one Alex’s parents used.
“Why don’t we meet with Kameron later today or tomorrow? I’m sure he’s already thought about this, but we can talk to Mom and Dad before we go and see what they think of our solution.”
“Yeah, okay. I’ll call Mom and talk to her. You have enough stuff on your plate right now. Let me know if I can do anything, okay?”
They hung up, and Alex slid his phone back into his pocket. Calvin didn’t seem to want to move away, so after cleaning his hands with a towel, Alex turned around into his hold. He kissed the top of Calvin’s head and hugged him close. “What’s wrong?”
Calvin rubbed his cheek against Alex’s chest. “Nothing. Well, I’ll have to sleep in my studio for now, but I’ll be fine.”
Alex frowned. “You don’t have a bed in the studio.”
“I know. I can use the couch there.”
“Or maybe you can move your stuff in my room.” Calvin tensed, and Alex rubbed his hand up and down Calvin’s back. “I’m not saying we have to do anything even if you do move your stuff, but unless you want to transform your studio into a bedroom, you know it’s what you’ll have to do sooner or later. Josh needs his room. You’ll have to choose between a studio and a bedroom, unless you want to share with me.” Alex paused, wondering if it was the right time to say this. Maybe it wasn’t, but it didn’t stop him. “Besides, I hope we’ll end up sleeping together soon. I want you, Calvin.”
Alex still wasn’t sure what stopped Calvin from being with him. Was it fear of sex, or fear that Alex would want to mate if they slept together or did anything more than what they’d already done?
“Ugh. Get a room, you two. Oh, wait, you already have one,” Josh said as he entered the kitchen. “Is there food in this place? Because I’m hungry as fuck.”
Calvin looked up, his eyes a little wild. “Should I scold him for his language?” he whispered.
Alex laughed. “I don’t think you’d get any result. He’s sixteen. Besides, I’m pretty sure he’s behaving this way to get a rise out of you, to see how much he can push before you too kick him out.”
“And he is right here and can hear you,” Josh snarked.
Alex shook his head and gently pushed Calvin away after kissing his hair again. “Yes, there is food in this place. I made sandwiches, and if it’s not good enough for you, you’re welcome to cook.”
Neither of them mentioned the rest of what Alex had said, but it was fine. He had no doubts Josh would try to push both him and Calvin to the brink in the following days and weeks. He was probably afraid he was going to lose everything again, and Alex couldn’t blame him.
He just hoped Calvin didn’t end up hurt in the process.
* * * *
Calvin was always nervous when Kameron asked to see him, but he was downright terrified this time. He’d had to talk about his attack two weeks before. He’d had to meet a brother he hadn’t known he had a few days earlier. What else could Kameron want to talk to him about?
He took a deep breath and knocked on the door to Kameron’s office.
“Come in,” Kameron called from inside, and Calvin opened the door.
“You wanted to see me?”
Kameron looked grim. “Yes. Sit down, please.”
Calvin frantically thought about why Kameron could be angry with him. Had he done something he shouldn’t have? He couldn’t think of anything, but he didn’t know all the shifters rules yet. Maybe he’d broken one without knowing.
He sat on the other side of Kameron’s desk and linked his fingers together in his lap. He didn’t dare look at Kameron, and after a few seconds of silence, Kameron sighed.
“You haven’t done anything wrong,” he told Calvin.
It didn’t make Calvin feel better, because he still didn’t know why he was there.
“I just wanted to talk to you about the man who attacked you.”
Calvin looked up. “Did you find out who he is?”
“I did. I showed your drawing around, and Anthony and Daniel recognized him as Ray, the man who tried to kidnap Anthony.”
“So you got him?”
“No. We already tried to do that after he attacked Anthony, but we can’t find him anywhere. Gillham isn’t big, but it’s not that small either, especially if you consider the small residential areas around it.”
“Okay, so he’s still out there.” Calvin didn’t like it, but it wasn’t like he could do anything about it.
“Yes, and that’s not all.”
Of course it wasn’t. “What?”
“He attacked someone else. He wasn’t alone, and the wolf shifter they assaulted is in bad shape. Dallas is taking care of him.”
Calvin swallowed. There was no reason for him to feel guilty about this, yet he did. “Who is it? Do I know him?”
“I don’t know. Russell is a pack member, one of the oldest ones.”
Calvin shook his head. He didn’t know Russell, although he might have seen him around. It didn’t make him feel better. “What happened?”
“From the little Russell was able to tell me before Dallas had to tend to him, a group of four men cornered him in the grocery store parking lot. They manhandled him into a quiet place and beat him up.”
“And he’s sure it was the same guy? Ray?”
“Yes.”
“Why are they doing this?”
Kameron leaned back in his chair. “Well, it’s obvious they don’t like having shifters in town. They’re trying to push us out.”
“They wanted to kill you.”
Kameron smiled. “Yes, they did, and they probably still do. I’m not that easy to kill, though.”
Calvin knew that, but it didn’t mean Kameron was invincible. Besides, Alex’s brother was Kameron’s bodyguard, the man who went with him when he left pack territory. If something happened to either of them...
“I’ll be fine,” Kameron said softly. “I don’t want you to worry about this, although I do think you should stick to pack territory, especially with Josh being around now. I know it might not be easy since Josh has to start school again soon, but I’m sure we can find someone who doesn’t have problems ferrying him to and from town. These guys go for the weakest members of the pack, and you’re one of them.”
Calvin didn’t protest, because it was true. “Okay. I’ll stick around here for now. I have enough stuff to do anyway.”
Kameron’s smile was happier and more open than his previous ones. “Studying for your diploma?”
“Yeah. I don’t remember studying being so hard.”
Kameron laughed. “I remember when Zach started college. He grumbled his way through studying for a good year before he finally got used to it. You’ll be fine, and you know where to find me if you need help with anything. And when I say anything, Calvin, I do mean anything.”
Calvin nodded. He was starting to really believe that. Kameron had welcomed Josh as well as Calvin, and he was doing what he could to keep them safe. “Was there anything else?”
“How is Josh doing?”
Calvin shrugged. “Fine. He knows he’ll have to go back to school, and he refuses to talk about what happened, but
he’s already made friends with some of the pack teens.” Hopefully he’d be able to talk at least to them, since he didn’t want to open up with Calvin. Calvin didn’t blame him, no matter how much he wanted to help him. Josh would talk in time, probably once he felt he really was there to stay, that Calvin wouldn’t kick him out.
“Good. Has Alex told you about what he’s doing?”
“Yeah.” Alex was trying to help all the shifter kids out there who didn’t have a home. Calvin wasn’t sure what that entailed, but it made him love Alex even more.
He wasn’t scared of admitting it, at least not to himself. He was in love with Alex, no matter how ridiculous the thought made him feel. It shouldn’t be possible, not after only a few weeks, but how could he not love his mate? Alex was the perfect man—he was considerate, caring, had welcomed Josh into their home and behaved toward him like an older brother. He was there for Calvin when Calvin had no clue how to behave with Josh, how to react to Josh’s sometimes harsh words. He was there to comfort Calvin when he fought with Josh or when he sometimes had doubts about his new life.
“Well,” Kameron continued, “Tell him everything’s coming together. The first kid will get here tomorrow morning. Bran is taking care of the details as we speak.”
Calvin blinked. He hadn’t expected the project to go that fast. “Already?”
Kameron nodded. “I didn’t expect it to go this fast either, but we spread the word thanks to the council, and we already have a dozen tips about kids and teenagers becoming animals. We’re trying to find them all, but so far, we only have one. I’m sure there will be more, though.”
Kameron got up and walked around his desk. “I’m sorry to ask you to go, but I have an appointment.”
Calvin nodded and followed Kameron to the door. “It’s fine.” It was more than fine. He couldn’t wait to get home. Hopefully Alex was there, because Calvin had finally made a decision.
He’d be with Alex for the rest of his life. He knew it. He might not be ready to mate yet, and he probably wouldn’t be for a while, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t ready for more. They’d been living together for a little over two weeks. They’d been sharing a bed for several nights. Alex hadn’t made one move toward Calvin, hadn’t tried anything, not even when they’d both been in bed.
They’d kissed, and that was all, because that had been the only thing Calvin was ready for. Now, he was ready for more.
“And if you want to be part of this project, just tell me,” Kameron said.
It took a second for Calvin to remember what he was talking about. “Me? Part of the homeless kids project?”
Kameron’s smile was kind. “Who better than you can understand them? You know what they went through, what they’re still going through. You’re also very young. They’ll probably see you as one of them and they’ll be more open with you.”
Calvin snorted. “Josh certainly isn’t.”
“Maybe not, but he’s your brother. That’s a whole different situation.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Kameron nodded. “That’s all I ask you to do.”
“But... can you let me know when the first one arrives?”
“Of course. I’ll call you.”
Calvin nodded and left the office. He waved at Clea as he passed by his open office door, but he didn’t stop to chat. He wasn’t sure whether Alex was still home or not, but he hoped so.
Calvin shifted as soon as he stepped outside. He ran through the forest, the small bag containing his clothes clutched in his jaw, and he didn’t stop until he got home.
He used the doggie door to enter the kitchen and dumped his clothes on the floor. He shook his fur out and trotted up the stairs. He’d left Alex in bed earlier, but Josh had been in the kitchen, so Calvin went to look for him. He didn’t find him, but a note on Josh’s pillow told him he’d went to the pack’s communal area with some of his friends.
Calvin rolled his eyes. It looked like Josh couldn’t run away from him fast enough most of the time. At least this meant Calvin and Alex could have the house to themselves for a few hours at least.
When Calvin entered the bedroom he now shared with Alex, Alex was still in bed, sleeping. Calvin huffed and gathered all the courage he could find in his heart. He shifted, shivering in the cool air. He hesitated, his pajamas calling to him from his nightstand but instead of putting them on, Calvin slid into the bed naked.
Alex was wearing pants and a T-shirt, and he was so warm. He rolled toward Calvin as soon as Calvin settled down, and Calvin held his breath.
* * * *
Alex smiled when he felt Calvin slip into bed again. He didn’t know why Calvin had gotten up, although it probably had to do with Josh. They couldn’t afford to laze in bed together, not with a teenager around the house.
But Calvin was back.
Alex wrapped a hand around Calvin’s waist and pulled him close. His torso was naked, and Alex took the opportunity to stroke his soft skin. He was surprised that Calvin was half-naked in bed with him, but he wasn’t about to complain.
Then Alex stroked down Calvin’s back, and his fingers didn’t encounter anything where they should have found the waistband of Calvin’s pajama pants.
Alex froze. Poked at Calvin’s skin. Still nothing.
Calvin wiggled, and Alex opened his eyes. Calvin was facing him, only a few inches between them. He was looking down, his gaze fixed on Alex’s chin, as if he couldn’t bear to look at Alex in the eyes. Alex wasn’t sure what that meant, what any of this meant. Why was Calvin naked in bed with him? What did he mean, and what did he want by doing this? Alex needed more than that before doing anything. He didn’t want to misinterpret anything and to hurt Calvin. He also didn’t want Calvin to think he was refusing him, though. Alex knew him well enough to know how Calvin’s mind worked, and how he’d take Alex pushing him away.
So instead of pushing Calvin away, Alex pulled him even closer, until Calvin’s body molded against his. Calvin shuddered, but he didn’t try to move away, and Alex buried his nose into Calvin’s hair.
Calvin smelled of the forest and earth. He’d obviously been outside recently, and Alex wondered why. He’d ask later. “What is this?” he whispered against Calvin’s hair.
He felt Calvin swallow. “I thought it was obvious.”
“The only obvious thing is that you’re naked in bed with me. I don’t want to assume anything, Calvin. I know how wary you are about this whole mate thing.”
“I don’t... I don’t want to mate yet. I’m not ready for that. But maybe we could, you know. Do something else.”
Alex knew Calvin was a virgin. They’d talked several times since they’d moved in together, and those chats had included talking about exes and how experienced Alex and Calvin were. Calvin wasn’t, at all. “You’re going to have to be more specific.”
Alex prayed Calvin was saying what he thought he was saying. They’d been sleeping in the same bed for the past few days, and it had taken all of Alex’s strength not to seduce Calvin. He wouldn’t have forced him, of course, but he knew he could have convinced Calvin to say yes. He wanted Calvin to be the one to decide, though.
Calvin twitched. “I well, you know. I thought we could have sex.”
Alex groaned. “What brought this on? I’m happy to hear it, but I didn’t expect you to want it, not this soon.”
Calvin shrugged. “I just feel like it.”
“Calvin.”
Calvin sighed. “You’re going to make me say it, right?”
“Yep. I want to hear it.”
“Okay. I was talking with Kameron earlier, and he told me about what you’re doing for the kids out there, the ones who’ve been kicked out of their homes for being shifters. He told me one of them will already get here tomorrow.”
Alex was glad to find out it was working, but he wasn’t sure what it had to do with Calvin being naked in his bed. “Okay.”
Calvin huffed, but he
continued, “I realized how much you mean to me when Kameron told me that. I already knew you were a good man, but knowing what you’re ready to do for people you don’t know, well, I guess it showed me how much I love you for everything you’re doing, both for me and Josh.”
Alex gaped. “Say it again.”
“What?”
“You know.”
“That I... that I love you?”
“Yeah, that,” Alex croaked.
“I love you, Alex. I know it’s too soon, and I don’t want to mate yet, but I do love you.”
Alex shook his head and kissed Calvin. They were both used to the kisses now, having shared a lot of them since they’d met, but there was a desperation in the way Calvin clung to Alex’s shoulder, in how he tried to push his hands under Alex’s T-shirt, that made Alex realize there was more to it this time.
“I love you too,” he whispered, and he hadn’t realized he felt that way until that moment. How could he not love Calvin, though? Calvin was his mate, the perfect man for him, and that would have been enough. There was so much more to him, though, and Alex wanted forever to explore that.
Calvin rolled to his back, never letting go of Alex, and Alex had to roll with him. He settled between Calvin’s legs and pressed their groins together. This was the most they’d ever done, and Calvin whined, pressing the back of his head against his pillow and exposing his neck.
Alex knew it didn’t mean anything, But he couldn’t resist licking a path up Calvin’s neck, nipping at his earlobe and sucking on it as Calvin writhed under him.
“What do you want?” Alex asked, his voice hoarse. “You need to tell me.”
Calvin looked at him, his eyes wide and trusting, his cheeks flushed. “You. I want you. I want you to—to make love to me.”
“You know it might hurt.”
Calvin nodded once. “I know. I still want this, though.”
Alex wasn’t sure he’d ever seen Calvin looking so convinced, and he wasn’t about to argue. Calvin was an adult, and he was able to make his own decision. If his decision was that he wanted Alex’s dick in his ass, Alex was all for it.
Gillham Pack 19 - Calvin Page 11
