by Julia Talbot
“It matters to me, honey. Not just because Rey is my guy now, but because I can tell it makes you so unhappy.” He was turning all touchy-feely. Being mated was putting him in touch with his Sears softer side.
“I like your Rey. He’s a good one, no?” That was a huge thing for Brock to say.
“Thanks, man. He’s…. I’ve never met anyone like him.”
“That’s how it’s supposed to be, when you’re mated.”
“How does everyone know?” He wasn’t upset, just curious. Was there some kind of a sign?
“Fuck if I know. My breed doesn’t mate.”
“Bullshit.” The word popped out. Foxes didn’t mate with wolves and dire crocs didn’t exist.
Brock spun around, eyes flashing with a deep, deep pain. “What did you say?”
“I said bullshit.” He stood, going to bump chests with Mr. Kitty. “There’s someone out there.”
“You’re just stupid in lust right now. You’ve got mating on the brain.” Brock pushed back, damn near knocking him down despite being a third smaller than him.
“No, I just never believed in the mate bond. If a fox and wolf can do it, so can you.”
“I’m not interested. You can learn all about it for me. I lost two men I thought were mates. That’s enough.” Brock spun him around, walking him toward the wall.
“Hey. We’re supposed to be working together on the meet.” Dylan would let it go. For now.
“Yeah, we just need to struggle it out a little, Dylan.” Brock gave him a pleading look over one shoulder.
“Oh! Well, why didn’t you say so.” He launched himself at Brock’s unprotected back. Brock rolled him over one shoulder, leaving him crashing to the mat.
His breath whooshed out, but he could hardly just lie there. No, he spun his legs, kicking into enough leverage to get up.
“Very nice.” Brock leapt, tackling him.
He grunted, letting gravity drag them both down. Dylan could never match Brock’s speed, but he had weight to use on his side.
They wrestled, both of them well-matched, neither of them wanting to hurt each other. Dylan went flying more than once, but Brock ended up on the mat a few times too.
Finally James’s voice sounded over the intercom. “Enough playing, you two. Time to work.”
“You got something for us? How can we help set up eyes and all?” They were both panting but ready to work, all their angst worked out.
“We’re going to hack into the security system at the mall. It’s an older system, totally easy to piggyback onto.”
“Parking?” Brock tossed him a towel.
“Thanks.”
“I have a set of maps up here, and they’re on your phones.”
“What about the crocs? Rey said eyes and throats. What other weak spots?”
“Eyes and throats are the big ones. At least, we think so. There’s no database on these guys,” James muttered.
“Where’s Rey?” Dylan asked, because he hadn’t heard his lover over the speaker.
“I think he went to his car? He wanted to clean it up.”
“James! You let him?” Dylan raced out of the gym, heading for the parking lot. Rey should never be outside alone right now.
“He’s an adult, Dylan.” James sounded uncertain now, though.
Right. A lithe, slender adult who was not well-trained and was his, dammit. “You should have called me,” he shouted, banging out the side door to the parking lot.
Rey spun around and stood, fetching up against the open door, his mate swaying and grabbing his head.
“Sweetheart? What are you doing?” He moved fast, hands loose but ready.
“I was cleaning up. You startled me. I hit my head.”
“Oh shit. Let me help.” Dylan slowed, trotting to Rey. “Can I see?”
“Uh-huh.” Rey reached for him, swaying just a little bit.
“Oh, you hit hard. Come on, let’s go inside and get some ice and some aspirin.”
“Okay. I was trying to make myself useful.” Rey sounded a little put out.
He tucked Rey under his arm.
“Useful is cool. But no one should be out here alone. We have clothes and stuff inside that Brock brought in.” He wasn’t growly, just worried. In-in-in.
“In-in-in.” Rey nodded.
“That’s it.” He breathed a sigh of relief once they made it inside. He wasn’t one to be afraid of the big bad anything, but they needed to plan for stuff. To calculate risks.
“I smell blood.” That was Kit appearing out of nowhere, that nose in the know as always. “Who’s hurt?”
“Rey hit his head. Check him out for me?” Kit had a real knack for medic stuff.
“I’m fine,” Rey protested.
“You’re bleeding.”
“Dylan….” Rey looked to him.
“Nope. Policy. If you’re bleeding, Kit checks you out.” Those were the rules, and Dylan intended to bring Rey into the fold.
Rey pouted, which was the cutest thing ever.
He swooped down and took a kiss, then popped Rey into Kit’s hands.
“Oh, Rey. You did whack yourself.” Kit shook his head. “It’s gonna bruise like a bitch.”
“I’m not broken, though,” Rey said plaintively. “My car….”
“Not that I can tell, but I recommend some ibuprofen and rest. You’re gonna be dizzy.” Kit grabbed an alcohol swab from the backpack he carried everywhere and cleaned Rey quickly, ignoring his fox’s hiss of discomfort.
Dylan could almost feel the cold sting himself.
As soon as Kit was done, Dylan grabbed his fox and headed toward his office. He needed to hold Rey, just rest with his hand on Rey’s thigh.
“You keep carrying me,” Rey pointed out.
“I do. Is it weird?” Dylan opened his office door.
“I don’t know. Is it strange that it’s a little hot?”
“Nope.” A huge grin split his face. “Totally natural.”
Rey leaned into him, breath warm on his neck. It sent tingles all through him. He wanted Rey all over again. He thought maybe they were cementing their bond. Mick seemed to think so.
He sat and Rey stayed with him, right there, close and warm.
Rey leaned against him, tracing patterns on his chest with one hand.
Soft sounds filled the air, foreign and familiar, all at once. His vocal fox.
Humming in return, Dylan stroked Rey’s back, up and down, the motion meant to comfort. Rey melted, a sweet chirruping purr sounding.
“Mmm… listen to you. Sweet lover.”
“You make my head feel better.”
Dylan smiled. “Do you heal better as a fox? We could shift.” He loved all that red fur.
“Oh, it hurts you. I heard you when you shifted back that time.” Rey began to stroke him, petting him. Then the grooming and nuzzling began.
“Not as much when you’re around. Maybe your ability to shift easily is rubbing off through the bond.”
Rey was stripping him down, baring him. He had a feeling Rey liked foxiness. Hadn’t he said he stayed that way a lot at home?
“Do I need to get you chew things?”
“I can chew on you, but I love the rope bones.”
“Well, nibble on me this time, and we’ll outfit you.”
Rey chuckled softly, lips brushing his jaw.
“Okay, you too. Nakey time so we can get furry and snuggle.” Maybe groom. He loved to groom, but shifting had been so bad before Rey that he’d been reluctant to join the guys in the cuddle piles.
“Mm-hmm. Naked.” Rey wasn’t stripping down, he noticed.
“Not just me.” He tugged at Rey’s shirt, wanting skin. He wasn’t needing, at least not in that hard-core way, but no sense ruining their clothes.
“Of course.” Rey stood up and struggled out of his shoes, his jeans.
“You got it?” Dylan steadied his mate, not wanting Rey dizzy or queasy. Poor head.
“Yeah. It’ll be okay. It’s j
ust a goose egg.”
“That still sucks, sweetie.” Listen to him. He rubbed noses with his lover. “Ready?” He closed his eyes, hoping it still sucked less than usual. Maybe it had been that it was an emergency and this would be super painful….
“Ready.” Rey touched him, hands on his chest, and his wolf came in a wild, dizzying rush.
He sat on the floor, his tail thumping, and waited for Rey. His tongue lolled, and he was so damn tickled. It took Rey no time at all to shift, to curl into his fur and nuzzle close.
Panting, he rubbed his face along Rey’s fur, breathing deep of Rey’s scent, which was imprinted on his brain now. He would know it anywhere, find it anywhere.
Rey vocalized for him, singing happily. Rey was cheerful, fearless, moving in to groom him without a hint of worry. There wasn’t a bit of shame or fear, even though Dylan was easily twice his size, that Dylan would hurt him.
Thank God.
Dylan nosed him over, muzzle buried in Rey’s belly.
Rey kicked all four paws, making this little bark that sounded just like laughter. Oh, beautiful pup!
He licked and chewed, smoothing the heavy white fur so carefully.
Not much longer and Rey was gnawing on him, little nibbles and scrapes. The tiny paws worked out snarls, Rey licking and smoothing his fur, and all the while, that song filled his mind.
Mostly it was DylanmateDylanmate, even if there were no real words to it. The mantra filled him with pride and love. There was a simple happiness to it, a sweet surety.
Dylan closed his eyes, letting Rey chew on his ear. Those sharp teeth never closed down too hard.
His paws were carefully explored, his muzzle and whiskers adored. He had never been so wanted, so cared for.
Dylan rolled to his back this time, letting Rey crawl on top of him. There was nothing wrong with baring his throat and belly to his mate.
Once he was totally groomed, Rey slipped back on the ground with a happy, satisfied sound.
He nosed Rey up on the bed, because why not? It had gotten more use in the last week than it had in years.
Then he let himself lick and lap, exploring Rey, sharing their scent. Sweet mate. Dylan was still stunned by how fast, and how necessary, all this was.
Rey was in his bones, in his marrow.
They were connected. He rumbled, stretching his feet. Oh, that felt good. Rey snuggled in with a soft sigh, curling into his belly.
They would rest. Heal. Well, Rey would. Dylan was feeling kinda fabulous. Even with all the weirdness hanging over their heads.
He’d found a mate, just walked in and found him. Well, his mate had walked into Mick’s office to cause trouble.
He snorted, his tail moving a little. Wagging.
Rey lifted his head, nosing his muzzle. He licked Rey, and they both settled down, ready to doze, he thought.
Rey’s chin settled on his paws, the bright eyes closing.
Yes, rest. Then they had a tiger to catch by the tail.
Chapter Eight
A HARD knock sounded and Rey leapt up with a sharp bark, warning Dylan that someone was here.
Someone wanted into their den!
Dylan rose, stretching, sniffing the air. That tail lifted and wagged, and Dylan barked.
The door opened, so they’d forgotten to lock it. “Pizza downstairs. Get it while it’s hot.” Kit smiled back and forth between them, dark brown eyes twinkling.
Oh! Kit! Rey ran over to the big bear and jumped into the sweet man’s arms.
“Hey, Rey. Look how cute you are. I could eat you up. Figuratively, I mean. I’m a black bear. I don’t eat a lot of meat as a bear. As a human I’m all over the all-meat pizza down there.” Kit hugged him carefully, scratching his ears. “And look at you, Dylan! All wolfed out!”
Dylan barked again, just grinning a lupine grin.
“I’m so pleased. Come now. Pizza.”
A low whine came from Dylan, who sounded hungry.
Oh.
How wonderful to hear Dylan’s wolf sounds and know what they meant.
“I’ll see you downstairs.” Kit let him down, then closed the door.
All he had to do was think of his man, and his body changed, his fur falling away. He stood, shaking his arms. “Come on, love. Pizza.”
He hoped Dylan could shift easily. He moved over to the bed, reaching out, fingers dragging over Dylan’s fur.
Dylan licked his wrist, the touch warm and rough.
“Tickles. How can I help you?” Rey smiled, his joy bubbling out of him.
Dylan’s pretty eyes closed, and Rey felt the air expand and contract. Dylan was trying.
“Mmm… gorgeous man.”
Dylan went all man, naked on the floor for a moment on all fours.
“Uhn.” The sound escaped him, raw and honest.
Dylan laughed. “Thank you. I’d bow, but that’s weird sitting on the floor.”
“Right? And skin sticks where fur doesn’t.”
“Exactly.” Dylan climbed to his feet. “We don’t want to miss the pizza. The place we order from is amazing.” Dylan rummaged for clothes, then handed Rey some clean stuff from his pile.
“Sounds good. I’m going to give Patel the SIM card tomorrow, correct?”
“Not you, you’re staying here with James.” Dylan found a shirt.
“What?”
“Mick and I are going to make the exchange. You’re the civilian, sweetheart.” Dylan disappeared into a polo shirt for a moment, his voice muffled.
“I thought I would…. What are you exchanging? How do we know they’ll stop?”
“We don’t.” Dylan shrugged, then pulled on his pants. “And we’re not giving him anything. The cops will be there. We have that video. They just need him to admit he needs it. Then they can move in.”
“Oh? Of course. That makes perfect sense.” Okay, so he was a little bit of an idiot, wasn’t he, thinking Dylan needed his help.
“We work with the police a good deal.” Dylan smiled and came to kiss him. “Clothes, Rey. That way we can sort of all explain to you what will happen.”
“You have to be dressed for that?” he teased.
“Unless you want the guys to tease you about how pale you are. I would show you off, no doubt.” Dylan winked at him, which made him blush.
“Compared to you guys, I’m a ninety-pound weakling.”
“You’re gorgeous. So pretty.” Dylan petted Rey’s belly.
Rey hid his blush in his shirt. That was good to hear.
“Okay.” Dylan wrapped an arm around him as soon as he was dressed. “Pizza!” They trundled out into the hall.
“Pizza ho!” Rey snorted and followed his nose. He could get over feeling a little duped about the exchange. He’d misunderstood.
It led him back to Mick’s place. He wanted to see Kit’s apartment too, but that seemed intrusive, just to ask.
“So three of you live here and two don’t?”
“Yeah. James is a little… private. I just had my place before I came to work here, and I don’t like the idea of us all being an easy target.” Dylan chuckled. “Not that Mick doesn’t reel us all in during a crisis.”
“Oh, so I’m not the only crisis?” That was comforting in its own way.
“God, no. We had this one client who’d been hired by someone in South America to kill Brock….”
“Ack!” For whatever reason, Rey thought Brock was a little amazing. Genuinely.
Not Dylan amazing, of course, but pretty wondrous.
“He’s pissed off a lot of people over the years.” Dylan knocked at Mick’s door.
“Oh. I guess that happens. It happened to me and I didn’t even mean for it to.”
“Brock meant to do it.”
“What did I do now, família?” Brock asked from right behind them.
“Pissed people off.” Dylan didn’t seem all that unhappy to say it.
“Fuck off, puppy-man.”
“Not us. When those jungle guys came afte
r you, dick.” Dylan poked Brock’s chest.
“Oh. Yeah. That was a shit situation. Fun, though. Lots of weird assholes with big teeth.”
Rey thought he knew about weird assholes with big teeth, especially recently.
“Sounds like now.” Dylan echoed his thoughts. “Pizza.”
Kit opened the door to let them in. “Pizza. That is that magic word.”
“Isn’t it? It’s like a… universal healer.” Rey loved coming out of his shell and teasing. No group of people had ever… gotten him.
Kit gave Rey an approving smile. “Yes! I like that it’s so customizable.”
“I love it all. Omnivore, you know.” Rey gave Kit a thumbs-up.
Kit nodded happily. “I know! Green peppers, mushrooms, onions!”
“Olives,” he moaned.
“All the good stuff.” Dylan hustled them inside. “We’re leaving Mick alone with it.”
“Mick and James. James can eat pizzas whole in seconds.” Brock’s smile was toothy as hell.
“Oh no! Let’s save it.” Rey laughed out loud, because Kit linked arms with him, zooming him to the little kitchen.
There were a dozen pizzas, Cokes, garlic bread, wings and sauce. God. Starving. He was starving all of a sudden.
“It’s all the running amok,” Kit said when his belly growled.
“Amok amok amok!” Please get the Looney Toons joke. Please.
When the entire group started amoking along, Rey couldn’t stop grinning. They were his tribe, for real, and he was so… happy.
Dylan squeezed his butt, then slid past him to get drinks.
They put the pizzas between them, and then, before they ate, they all stood together, raised their glasses.
“To Rey,” Dylan said.
“To us.” That was Mick. “All of us.”
“Ditto,” James said.
“Grrr, argh.” That was Brock.
“Fantastic.” Kit grinned at him, and he began to laugh.
“Allons-y!” Rey exclaimed in the words of the tenth doctor.
“Oh God, Doctor Who.” Dylan and Mick exchanged pained looks.
“They can have marathons,” Brock murmured.
“That’ll keep them busy while we play poker.” Mick shook his head, his smile fond.
“True.” Dylan winked at Rey when he made an outraged noise.
“I would love to. We’ll make vats of popcorn.” Kit was just beaming.
