by AdamCharles
“You stay out of this!” Graham said.
“I still have opinions. I won’t be quiet simply because you’re jealous,” Evan said.
Graham growled and advanced on him.
“Stop!” Evan cried, holding both hands up. “What will make you calm down and talk this out? If you hurt more people, the alpha might execute you. I don’t think you’ll be such a fan of the old ways then.”
“I welcome a real challenge.” Graham turned his attention to Reece. “I’m going to take him down before I fuck you into the dirt.”
“Such a sweet talker,” Reece said dryly. He narrowed his eyes. “If this is about your pride, why not simply kill me, too? What’s the good of fucking me if no one knows about it?”
Evan had no idea where Reece might be going with this, but the man had known Graham much longer.
“It’s not about showing off my strength. It’s about getting what I want,” Graham said. “You on your knees taking my cock.” He touched himself, the outline of his cock clear through his jeans.
“You’re turned on right now? Really?” Evan quipped. “And I thought I was kinky.”
Graham threw a punch toward Evan, who barely ducked in time. Evan maneuvered to draw Graham away from Reece. A grin on his face, Evan said, “You know, he deserves much better than you. Fucking isn’t everything, which is something I never thought I’d say. He’s a good man, and you obviously don’t appreciate that. We aren’t just beasts—we deserve love and happiness. And breeding mindlessly and without emotion won’t give any of us that. Neither will endless bouts of fucking with different people.”
“You’re weak!” Graham cried. “Talking of love the way the humans do. You see what human society is. Everyone letting their emotions string them along and losing sight of what’s important.”
“Then what the hell is important? Just pumping out pup after pup until you die? Fucking and eating and running in the woods?” Evan shook his head. “We have to be more. Become more. Let everyone reach their full potential.”
“If the omegas are free, they’ll leave. Form their own packs. They’ll breed an even weaker race. Those who should be leading will do the grunt work.” Graham shook his head. “I won’t allow it.”
“What choice do you have?” Reece said, circling around. “You can’t fight everyone. It’s all begun, even in packs where some were hesitant. We have to evolve.”
“No, we have to stay strong,” Graham said.
Graham took a swing at Reece this time, and Evan stopped the blow. Graham threw him aside and jumped at Reece, who dodged away.
Panting, Reece said, “What will it take to make you stop? Fucking me? Really? That won’t satisfy you. It won’t change anything.”
Graham leered at him. “Bend to me and we’ll see. Maybe all I need is to rut into you for a few hours.”
Reece punched the man square in the jaw, getting in a good blow that knocked Graham’s head back. He growled and leapt at Reece, he slammed a fist into his gut before tripping him and putting one foot on his back to hold him down.
“We don’t have to fight,” Reece said.
Graham bucked, unable to get out from under Reece. Then he managed to roll. His hand snaked up, and he made a grab for Reece’s cock. “I know what we need to do.” He jerked Reece’s leg and managed to topple him, rising to his feet and moving toward Reece.
Evan was done waiting. Strong as Reece might be, Evan couldn’t stand by and watch someone attacking the man he wanted to make his mate. He leapt at Graham from behind and got an arm around his neck. The man twisted so much that getting the right hold was difficult, but Graham hit the ground soon enough. Evan checked his pulse and nodded at up Reece, who looked shocked. “He’s just knocked out. Something my dad taught me.”
“You’ll have to show me sometime, even though I hope I never have to do it to anyone. Right now, we better hustle. Two more scouts should be heading this way to check on us, but we need to get as close to the others as possible.”
They both lifted Graham between them and set off.
“I was just trying to keep him talking,” Reece said. “Distract him.”
Evan chuckled. “Don’t worry. I knew you weren’t actually offering to fuck him.”
“Good. Just checking.”
“I about lost it when he touched your cock, though.”
“I noticed.”
“You did?”
“Yes. Your face was blood red, and your fists were white. Clenched so hard.”
Evan hadn’t even noticed he was doing that. “I knew you could fight him off, but my control just snapped.” He lowered his voice and added, “I don’t want anything happening to you.”
“I know. I feel the same way.”
Evan looked up at him but didn’t say anything right away.
Reece said, “I’ve been thinking about what you said. Once this is over, maybe we discuss us and a mating. Talk to the alphas. I think we’re a good match.”
Evan grinned. “Sounds good. We’ve had some courtship so far. Imagine where we’ll be in another couple of days.”
Reece shifted his hold on Graham. “Oh lord, not sure I want to.”
“I do. It involves you and that amazing cock of yours.”
They both laughed then, even as they grunted under the weight of their troublesome burden.
Chapter Five
Everyone congratulated Evan and Reece on capturing Graham. Even Carson and Raven thanked them in a very formal, reserved way for stopping Graham before he did something that would bring their family more shame. Evan didn’t pretend to understand them, but at least they’d managed to identify the craziest member of the family before it was too late.
Graham was taken to one of the larger storage sheds and secured there. The shed had only one tiny window, but still four betas were positioned outside. Carson and Raven went into the alpha’s cabin to talk with Thomas and Gideon. It seemed to Evan that the alphas going back and forth wasn’t going to work. One of the packs would need a new alpha unless they migrated closer to one another. An alpha needed to be on hand at times like these.
Evan sighed as he sat down on a bench and leaned back against the building behind him. He wouldn’t start agreeing with Carson anytime soon, but the new system certainly had some kinks they would need to work out. It made him feel better about the idea of staying with this pack. He knew his own pack was much stronger, so he could make himself useful here in Thomas’s while also being with Reece and letting this pack keep their enforcer.
Reece came over and sat down beside him before too long. He let his hand rest on Evan’s leg as he leaned back and sighed as well.
“So what will happen now?” Evan asked.
“A kind of trial,” Reece explained. “We have proof Graham attacked his brother and us. And if Carson is willing to speak against him, others might as well. I’m sure I’m not the only beta he had his eye on.”
“I don’t know, you’re pretty hot, at least in my opinion,” Evan said.
“Hmmm,” Reece said, a skeptical look on his face. “I’m serious. Omegas might be scared to come forward, but if I weren’t involved in any other way, I’d speak up. Mention the manhandling and rapey comments.”
Evan gave a little growl as he remembered what Reece had told him about previous encounters with Graham. “What might the alphas do?”
“I don’t know. Exile seems risky. He could hurt humans or expose us. Or both. And execution … well, it’s been a long time since an alpha did that.”
“So just keep him locked up? Doesn’t sound practical.”
“But that’s what humans do. Lock people up for crimes. Maybe give him over to his family and make them responsible for him. Or make them move farther out.” Reece shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Evan watched everyone around them. Most were standing in small circles talking, though some seemed to be trying to get back to their normal routine. “You wanna take a walk? I need to clear my head a bit.”
&nb
sp; “You want me along for that?”
Evan grasped the hand resting on his leg, raised it, and then kissed it while looking into Reece’s eyes. “Yes. We need to talk about this whirlwind courtship of ours.”
Reece licked his lips and held Evan’s gaze a moment. Then he nodded. “Okay.”
They continued to hold hands as they walked along and moved toward the trees.
“I’m feeling pretty confident about us, but since the alphas will be occupied for a while, it will give us a chance to be sure,” Evan began. “I’d like to spend most of our days and nights together, even if I don’t move in to your place. I don’t know how things are going with the guy I switched cabins with, but he may come back at some point with a mate. Or he might stay with my pack.”
“We’re one big pack now, in a way, just living in two places,” Reece pointed out.
“Yeah. It’s kind of odd. Our alphas are mated, so I already owe Thomas my loyalty anyway. It’s not like I’m switching packs. Though I will need to pack all of my stuff up at some point.”
Reece smiled at him. “I’d be more than happy to help, obviously.” He began swinging their arms a little between them. “So, we have great sex. We work well as a team. What’s next?”
Evan laughed. “Fix those squeaky boards on your porch. You probably don’t notice them because you sit in the chair by the door.”
“You’re right. I almost never sit over in the other chair.”
“I can help you patrol, but I’m willing to help out around the pack. I haven’t done much since I got here, and if I stay, it’s time I begin contributing.”
“I’ve seen you helping out with some things.”
Evan stopped and pulled Reece close. “You really been keeping an eye on me from the start?”
“Yes. I noticed you right away.” He chewed his lower lip. “In a way, we haven’t moved that fast.”
“You’ve made quick work of charming me, though.” Evan kissed Reece gently and then resumed their walk, keeping a little closer this time. Evan had never been in love before, and he didn’t think he was now, but just being with Reece felt good. Felt right.
“If we declare for each other, you think the alphas will even ask about our, uh, reproductive plans?” Evan asked.
Reece laughed. “They might. You still thinking the same thing? A male omega for the two of us?”
“That’s what I’d prefer, but that might get tricky.”
“How?”
Evan thought carefully before saying, “I might prefer one guy, while you like someone else better.”
“We gonna hold auditions?”
Evan nearly doubled over laughing at both the question and the comical look on Reece’s face. “Uh, no, but you see what I mean? It’s one thing for us to be drawn to each other. Will we both be drawn to the same man?”
“We might have to sleep with more than one. You okay with that?”
Evan was, but something made him hesitate. “I am. For now. But if things progress, I might get…” He struggled for the correct word.
“Possessive?” Reece whispered close to his ear.
“Yes. I might.” Evan decided for honesty. “I’ve had lots of sex. And quite a few ménage situations. But I only got attached a couple of times. There was Toby, whom you’ve met. And there was a guy named Sam. I always felt a little different with them. I never let anyone else around when I had sex with them. I definitely got jealous when I saw them with others. I was never in love with them, but I’m going to be a force to be reckoned with when I do fall.”
Reece stopped him and pushed him up against a tree. “Then I can’t wait to make you fall for me.” He kissed Evan fiercely, and Evan gave in, having no desire whatsoever to stop him.
For the longest time, they just stayed against that tree kissing. Reece actually blushed a bit when he finally drew back. “Got carried away.”
“Feel free. Any time.” Evan shifted against the tree. “I enjoyed it.”
“Then how about we go back and work on those boards?”
Evan lifted one eyebrow. “Sounds fine, but that’s not the suggestion I expected.”
Reece took his hand and pulled him back in the direction they’d come. “Not exactly the one I wanted to make either, but there’s always time later.” In a low voice, he said, “I want love, not just lust. It would be so easy to just get lost in you because it’s so good.” He looked into Evan’s eyes. “I want more.”
“Then let’s get on with that plan of you making me fall in love.” He grinned. “How’s your cooking? Mine’s only passable.”
“I’m pretty good.”
“Point one in your favor then.”
Reece laughed. “Only one? Sounds like a challenge. You just wait until dinner.”
Evan laughed, too, feeling as if they already had their answer on this being more than lust. But instead of saying anything, he simply walked at his lover’s side and felt thankful neither one of them had been hurt earlier that day. He could already tell he’d be devastated to be separated from this man.
* * * *
Pushing away from the table, Evan picked up his plate but couldn’t seem to make himself stand up. He’d had two heaping servings of pasta plus three pieces of garlic bread and didn’t feel like moving at all. Reece smiled as he took the plate from him. “That good, huh?” Reece asked.
“Oh yes. Very good.” Evan rubbed his stomach and then pushed himself up by bracing both hands on the table. “I can help with the dishes. If I can make it in there and don’t have to move once I’m in position.”
Reece said, “Hmmm, will that apply later? I can do as I please once I get you into position?”
Evan leaned against the counter and took up a dish towel. “Perhaps.” He gave Reece a little shove toward the pile of dishes in the sink. “If you wash, even though you cooked, I’ll consider putting myself completely in your hands later.”
Reece turned the water on and pumped soap onto a sponge. “I suppose it’s worth that.”
They washed in relative silence, Reece making little noises and sighing to himself as he worked. Once things had calmed down within the pack, they’d spent far more time doing ordinary stuff together, like this. Evan had noticed that Reece was very rarely quiet for more than a few minutes, always making little noises to himself as he thought about or did things. Evan liked it, though if someone had described the habit to him, he probably would’ve thought it annoying. Evan liked many things about Reece. The other beta actually listened attentively when other people talked, no matter the situation, and he never interrupted others or tried to turn the conversation toward himself. Evan had been around so many people who seemed to only be waiting for their turn to talk that he’d developed a distaste for it, so Reece’s genuine interest proved refreshing. And yet, he loved it even more when Reece did talk about himself and tell stories. They often sat rocking on his front porch as Reece talked about memories and life.
Carson had been locked up for almost a week, and members of the council were going to come eventually to judge his actions themselves. The council had held mixed feelings about the changes proposed by Thomas and Gideon, and Evan knew that would be coming up during the proceedings. But he felt the packs had all taken a step in the right direction. Even if the road was bumpy, it was most certainly the better path for all of them.
Once the last dish was dried, Evan finished putting everything away. After he’d put the plates up, he felt Reece’s arms go around his waist as he closed the cabinet above the stove. Reece kissed his neck and nuzzled him. “I want to tie you down, if you’ll let me.”
Evan sighed. “Sounds fun.” Evan’s fetish for being watched had taken a definite turn since he and Reece had gotten together. He still liked it—and most certainly looked forward to the day when Reece might sit by and watch him fuck an omega they’d claimed together—but he found that with Reece he enjoyed watching as much, if not more, than being watched.
They went into the bedroom and undressed ca
lmly, though Evan felt his excitement building as they stripped. They hadn’t talked about their feelings beyond saying things felt right between them, but the past week had been intense for Evan. He knew he was falling in love because of how different it felt being with Reece. Having sex with Reece was more like making love than sex with any other man had ever been, and Evan liked being with him no matter what they were doing.
Reece rummaged in a drawer and pulled out a plastic bag. Inside was a package he needed scissors to open, so Evan climbed onto the bed, deciding to be patient. After throwing the packaging away, Reece came over with a set of bed restraints. “I bought these a long time ago but never had the courage to ask anyone to use them with me.” He nodded toward Evan on the bed. “We’ll need to take the mattress off. It forms an X across the bed, with a restraint for hands and ankles at each corner. The mattress holds it down so only the parts that will be attached to you stick out.”
Evan helped him lift the mattress, then held it on its side so it didn’t fall. “I’m familiar with them. An omega in my old pack had a set.”
“Oh.” Reece crawled onto the bed and began getting the straps in place. “He liked to be restrained?”
“Yes, he did. Loved it. He was so sweet and innocent seeming you’d never expect it. I was pleasantly surprised when he asked me to use them.”
Reece helped him put the mattress back on. “So, you liked using them with him?”
“It limited our movements and what we could do with positions, but he loved it, so I enjoyed that aspect. But he never tied me down. That’s one thing I’ve never explored with anyone before.” He drew Reece close and kissed him gently. “I love how we can talk about that stuff. Sometimes omegas would get jealous, even though they fuck with such abandon when in heat.”
Reece smiled. “I agree. We understand each other better. The need for sex is different.” He paused. “I’d feel weird saying that to anyone else.”
“But it’s true. We both feel the need to dominate, and the struggle is fun. Submitting is a unique experience. An omega would never ask us to do that.”
