by AdamCharles
They got Reece out of the pit next, and Carson looked at all of them, scowling. “This changes nothing, but I won’t have my brother killing or tearing this pack apart.”
“That’s fine,” David said. “You’re entitled to your own opinions, but we have to keep the peace and move forward.”
Carson looked to Evan for a moment, but didn’t comment. He fixed his gaze on Reece. “You need to watch out. He’s pretty worked up about you two.”
Reece said, “I can handle him. I’ve been holding my own for a while.”
Carson shrugged one shoulder. “I’m just saying. He’s gone off the deep end. Can’t be trusted to act rationally.”
“I won’t let anything happen to him,” Evan said.
“I don’t need protection,” Reece said.
Evan looked over at him, wondering if he’d overstepped. They were both betas, after all. Reece didn’t need protection the way an omega would. “I didn’t say you did. Just pointing out that I’ve got your back.”
Reece gave a curt nod before looking away.
Evan liked the tussle for dominance in bed, but this was the first time it had happened anywhere else. He didn’t like Reece shrugging off his protection, yet he could understand why the other beta would do so.
It’s bad for him to look weak, especially now. Evan knew he needed to rein his protectiveness in, even as he got a slightly warm feeling at how fast he’d come to feel protective of Reece.
Carson looked at Evan again before turning to David. “Do you actually know where he is?”
David shook his head. “No, but if he went to Gideon’s pack, he’ll run into Raven. And they have plenty of enforcers. Key people have been alerted here.”
Carson said, “We need to get back. I don’t think the pack will follow him or listen to him, but that might be a big problem, too. He’s never lashed out at me physically. We fight, but this was different.”
“You think he’ll hurt others?” Evan asked.
“Yes.” He turned back toward the center of the pack lands. “Let’s go. He needs to be handled as soon as possible.”
David walked just behind Carson, and Evan and Reece walked side by side a few feet behind them.
Reece looked over at him, and in a low voice said, “Thanks, but I can look after myself.”
“But I’ll still have your back,” Evan replied.
“I didn’t mean to sound pissed.”
“And I didn’t mean to sound insulting.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” Reece gave him a slight smile before focusing on the path again.
After a minute Evan asked, “Did you expect this?”
“Not this exactly.” Reece scanned around, just as they all did. “Been lots of unexpected things lately.” He slipped his hand into Evan’s and gave him a broader smile before focusing on searching the trees again.
Evan squeezed his hand, ready to fight if he had to. We’ll do it side by side, standing together. For the first time since his arrival, he felt a sense of belonging.
And despite the shitty circumstances, he definitely liked it.
* * * *
Evan listened to everyone talking in the square. They’d spent the night scouring the area, but no one had been able to find Graham. Wolves had gone off the grid before and joined the human world, but it could be a hard adjustment. It wasn’t the kind of thing you did on a whim.
In general, most were in favor of the recent changes. A few said they understood why Graham and his siblings valued the old ways, but no one came right out and sided with them. Carson didn’t say much and eventually wandered off with David, speaking quietly. Many who had searched the night before were going home to rest or check on their pups. Toby and Luke walked toward the group with Luke’s daughter holding both their hands. After saying something to Luke, Toby came over to Evan.
“Hi. How’s it going?” Toby asked.
“Not bad. How are you settling in with your little family?” Evan asked. Luke’s daughter used to live with her mother, but now that Luke had taken a mate, she’d moved in with them.
“It’s wonderful. And it’s going to get bigger soon enough.” Toby rubbed his stomach.
“You’re sure?” Evan asked. Toby and Luke had only been together long enough for Toby to be in heat once, though Evan didn’t bring that up.
“Pretty sure. I feel very different.” Toby smiled wistfully and then blinked, as if coming out of a daze. “What about you? You’re with Reece?”
“Yeah, though it started just the day before all of this went down.” He paused a moment and added, “But we click. Haven’t had much time to get to know each other, but I see … potential.”
Toby nodded. “Ah, I see.” He glanced over at Reece, who was talking to some betas. Raven had just brought back word that both alphas would be arriving by mid-day. “He’s very handsome.”
“He is, and he’s a good man.” When Toby looked back at him, Evan said, “I know I didn’t make it back to our pack for your mating, but I’m happy for you. You deserve a good, strong man who wants pups, and he definitely looks at you as if he knows how special you are.”
Toby turned bright red but still smiled. “Thank you. I love him very much. It’s really perfect with him. I guess that’s how it is when you meet the right one.”
Evan glanced at Reece, thinking about how good they were together. “Maybe so. When I got here, I was excited about meeting so many potential new partners.” He looked back at Toby. “But then I didn’t make a move. The omegas here are a bit more timid and don’t really initiate sexual encounters, so it was up to me. And I just didn’t want to be with anyone. Not until Reece.”
“I hear good things about him,” Toby said.
Lowering his voice, Evan added, “And he’s not averse to my needs. If we want pups, we’ll need a third, and he’s all for it.”
Toby smiled, his cheeks coloring again, just a little bit. “Sounds perfect for you.”
“It’s kind of weird. I guess I did expect some kind of spark. Some clear sign. I’d noticed him before but just in passing.” Evan looked down at the ground. “Is that dumb?”
“What part?”
“Thinking it’s going to be some magical moment. Eyes meeting. All that shit.”
Toby laughed. “It’s not shit. It’s … sweet. But yeah, not realistic. What you said just a few moments ago sounds much more solid to me. More real.”
“Yet I hardly know him.”
“I wouldn’t say that. You’re getting a good idea of who he is. You’re seeing him in a stressful situation. Seeing him do his job, work with his pack. Handle conflict. And don’t discount the sex. That connection always means something. And if you’re fitting together well … then hey, don’t knock it.”
“I don’t wanna go too fast.”
“Huh?”
Evan held Toby’s gaze. “We’ve actually talked about being mates. What we want. Is that weird?”
“No. When you said a minute ago that he was fine with a third, it was obvious you’d talked.” Toby shrugged. “What’s wrong with being honest? Laying it all out?”
“When did you get so smart?”
“I’ve always been this smart. You just never noticed when we were fooling around.”
Evan chuckled. “I’m glad to have you as a friend, Toby. Especially if things work out and I stay here.” He gripped Toby’s shoulder. “I really am happy for you. And congrats, if you’re right about the pup.”
“Thanks,” Toby said, briefly gripping Evan’s hand before Evan broke the contact.
Luke came back to the group without his daughter, possibly having left her with her mother so he could help out, and Toby smiled at him. “I better head back. Luke said I could help search with him and another beta. He’s protective, but he knows it means a lot to me to feel useful.”
“That’s good of him, but be careful. I’ll be pissed if something happens to you.”
Toby gave a little laugh. “Can’t have that.�
� He waved and went back over to his mate, who pulled him close and kissed his cheek before turning to talk to the men at his side. The group headed off after a couple of minutes.
Reece came over and hugged Evan close, leaning on him and sighing. Evan put his arms around the man and rubbed one hand up and down his back. He loved the gesture, feeling his heart thud at the tender contact. “Come on. You need sleep. Just a little, okay?”
“Yeah, I’m useless right now. We can get a little sleep before the alphas arrive.”
They headed to Reece’s cabin, and Reece took a quick shower before crawling into bed naked. Evan stripped out of his clothes as well and rinsed off. Then he slid into bed beside Reece and soon fell deep asleep, loving how natural it felt to mold his body to Reece’s.
Chapter Four
Evan woke up to the feeling of lips around his cock, which was hard and aching. He sighed and reached down to take hold of Reece’s head. He moved his hips to fuck the man’s mouth, and he opened his eyes when he heard Reece groan.
“Woke up horny?” Evan asked.
Reece only moaned in reply. He took Evan’s cock deep and massaged his balls. But he stopped before Evan came. Reece moved quickly and got out some lube, and Evan watched as Reece slicked his fingers and prepared himself. As much as Evan had always enjoyed being watched, he found that watching Reece open himself up and spear his own hole with his fingers was just as pleasurable.
“Just want you to fuck me again real quick,” Reece said. “Feeling anxious.”
Evan took the lube and slicked his cock as Reece lay down on his back. “Whatever you need.”
Though a hard, quick fuck would’ve been more practical, Evan kissed Reece slowly as he rubbed his cock against his lubed crack, never trying to penetrate. He looked down into the man’s eyes as he spread him and pushed in, and Reece’s gasp made him smile.
“I think I’m ready to declare success. I’ve found the mate I want,” Evan said as he slowly pumped into Reece. “Like in the old days. When wolves used to know it was right just by sliding into someone.”
“How … can … you talk … in full … sentences?” Reece said as he arched to take each stroke deeper.
“Wanted you to know how perfect I think this is,” Evan said. “That I’m not going anywhere, no matter how crazy things get.”
Evan took Reece’s lips again and kissed him deeply. He focused on the kiss and let Reece move the way he wanted to. He loved the way the man wrapped his arms and legs around Evan’s body and fucked himself on Evan’s cock. Reece moaned into their kiss repeatedly and then flipped their position so he was on top. He rode Evan and pumped his cock as his cum poured out. Evan took him by the hips when he relaxed and kept right on fucking him. Their eyes met, and Reece lowered himself enough for their lips to lock again.
Evan cried out as he came, holding Reece down against his body and grinding into him as he spilled. Reece seemed to respond to rougher treatment, and when he rolled off Evan’s body, Evan took him by the neck and pressed his face to the streaks of cum on his stomach. Reece greedily licked all of it off Evan’s chest, which only made Evan hard again. Reece wiped Evan’s cock and took it into his mouth again.
“Fuck me in the shower,” Evan said.
Reece refused to let up for a moment, but then he dragged Evan into the bathroom with him. Reece rimmed Evan, spreading him and using his fingers to open Evan up. Reece started out fucking him slowly, running his hands up and down Evan’s body, but then he really pounded him against the tile. They came at almost the same time, and Evan spilled without even touching his own cock. They stood there panting, and then a blast of cold water hit Evan.
Evan cried out, and then he heard Reece laughing.
“We forgot to turn the water on,” Reece said, nipping at his ear.
“We had more pressing concerns.” He turned in Reece’s arms. “You rim as good as you fuck.”
Reece smiled. “I’m glad my skills are appreciated.” He began to wash them both with the washcloth sitting by the side of the tub, lather everywhere soon enough. “I know things may get crazy, and I’m happy you said what you did.”
Evan asked, “It didn’t freak you out?”
“No. we’ve been honest from day one.”
“Which wasn’t so long ago.”
Reece paused, his smile fading. “You regret saying that? I won’t hold you—”
Evan stopped his words with a kiss. “Wasn’t saying that. Just wanna make sure we’re good.”
“Oh, we’re good.” He leaned over and nipped at Evan’s neck. “Very good.” He smiled again. “And I’m happy your sweet and dirty sides get equal time. Loved it when you force fed me your cock. Made me lick up the cum. But I loved the slow way you took me, kissed me.”
“You get the best of both worlds with me, though I am a filthy perv at times.”
Reece laughed as he moved under the spray to rinse off. “I can deal with that. I’m up for adventures and new things.”
“I told Toby things are going well with you. I guess it was talking to him that made me feel like saying something.”
“I’m glad you did. I like knowing where I stand.”
Evan turned the water off once they’d both completely rinsed off. “Me, too. Especially since we’ve to other stuff to tend to.”
Reece grabbed for a couple of towels. “Yeah, we need to get moving.”
They dressed and hurried to the square, the alphas not there yet. David asked them to drive out to the Jensen farmhouse to see if Bill had seen anything odd. Reece drove, but it was slow going because none of their roads were paved until they hit the main highway.
“Will your pack be okay with both alphas coming here?” Reece asked.
“Yeah. We have lots of strong betas back in our pack. It’s always been a priority with Gideon to have them trained and ready. And if they know there’s potential trouble, they’ll be vigilant.”
They couldn’t find anyone at the farmhouse, but eventually they ran into a few farm hands. Apparently nothing strange had happened in the last day or so. They found Bill before heading back and explained the situation. The older man nodded and didn’t say much.
“We can send some guys to patrol the border, if you’d like,” Reece said.
“No,” Bill said, “That’s fine. I’ll keep an eye out. But it is looking like maybe this season will be the last. Small crop this year. Barely enough work for my four hands, and they have families and need steadier work.” He glanced around, probably to be sure they were alone since he was the only one who knew about the shifters. “Your alpha still interested in buying?”
“Most definitely.”
“Then tell him to pop by some evening. I’m always here. These changes he mentioned, seems like expanding soon might be good?”
“Yes. It might be the best timing really.”
They got back in their car after saying goodbye, and Evan looked around one more time. “This place is nice. We could use more farmland. And we could rotate out the crops. Meet more of our own supply needs. We wouldn’t have to worry about wages and profit the way an ordinary farm does.”
“Yeah, that’s always been Thomas’s tentative plan.” Reece sighed. “I’m getting a little freaked out about not being able to find Graham. Where could he have gone?”
“I don’t know. Maybe if he’s close, he’ll come out of hiding when the alphas arrive.” He stared out the window a moment. “Still don’t like the guy, but I’m glad Carson seemed more reasonable when we found him.”
“Yeah, his brother’s aggression might’ve got him thinking. We all have to work together. Even if we disagree.”
Evan looked at the clock in the dashboard. “The alphas may be back already. Maybe they’ve found something.”
“Yeah, we need to get going.” Reece started the car. “See what’s coming next.”
What’s coming next. Evan couldn’t help but wonder as they drove back in silence.
* * * *
Evan wat
ched Thomas and Gideon giving everyone orders. Everyone seemed calmer with the alphas there, yet at the same time they all seemed to be moving a bit quicker. Thomas said something to Reece, who walked toward Evan and beckoned for him to follow.
“We’re going upriver to the waterfall. There’s a cave behind it. It tends to flood, but that might not stop Graham if he’s just hiding out and biding his time.”
It took them over an hour, and when they got to the waterfall, they didn’t find any trace of Graham. The small cave was only slightly flooded, but it didn’t seem like the mud and moss around the opening had been disturbed. Reece ducked inside to look around, and Evan backed up to get his bearings.
Evan backed right into a hard body, and a hand came over his mouth.
“Don’t make a sound,” a man said in his ear.
Despite the whispered tone, Evan felt sure it was Graham behind him. He spun his body to slam the man against a protruding rock. Graham’s cry of pain brought Reece back out of the cave. He slipped a bit on some moss but soon found his footing. He grabbed Evan’s arm and drew him away.
Graham staggered forward, and they all circled each other. “Took you longer than I expected.”
“You’re coming back with us. Thomas has returned with Gideon. You’re going to face judgment for attacking your brother,” Reece said.
“No, I’m not,” Graham said.
“You might be big, but there’s two of us,” Evan said. “And the alphas know where we are. Others will come.”
“Let them come! I’ll take on every single one of them.” Graham glared at both of them.
“Why are you doing this?” Reece asked. “I know that’s a dumb question, but I’m serious. Your brother might’ve been in a lot of danger if we hadn’t found him. He’d passed out from blood loss, I think.”
“All he does is talk. He takes no action,” Graham said.
“But forcing someone doesn’t work in the long run. You have to persuade them. Or compromise,” Evan said.
