Nowhere to Hide (Tundra Wolves Book 4)

by Maggie Walsh

  Marlo’s lips twisted, then he gave Fane another shy smile as he shrugged. “Maybe.”

  Fane chuckled as he squeezed Marlo’s hand. “Most definitely. It’s okay, mate. I’m not here to stop you from being who you are, or to try to change you. I’m very proud to have you as my mate. That being said, it doesn’t mean that it didn’t give me a damn heart attack when I saw your wolf attack Silvan. And I’m sure if you ever do something like that again in the future it will probably have the same effect on me. You scared the hell out of me, little one,” Fane whispered the last words, his voice choked with emotion.

  Marlo’s eyes widened again and he quickly moved, forcing Fane back against the headboard, then Marlo climbed on his lap, straddling him and took Fane’s face in his hands. “I’m so sorry I frightened you, my mate. I didn’t mean to do that, or because I didn’t think you could take care of yourself. Crap, before that really big vampire told you to stop, you had that asshole as good as dead, but he was cheating, and your back was turned to him, I couldn’t let him get the jump on you. I am sorry I worried you though. I promise I will try not to do that in the future.”

  Then Marlo really shocked him when he leaned forward and placed a quick, gentle kiss on Fane’s lips. Marlo must have been just as surprised at his actions, because as he pulled away he gasped and his eyes widened as he stared at Fane with deep concern in his eyes, as if he was afraid of what Fane would say or do about him being so forward and taking the lead.

  Fane placed his hands on Marlo’s hips and ran one up his slender back as he smiled and leaned in, placed a soft kiss on Marlo’s lips, then pulled back smiling. “Thank you for having my back, mate. That means more to me than you know. Now, stop looking so concerned that I’m angry for you kissing me. I liked it. And I liked that you took the initiative and went for what you wanted.”

  “B-but, you’re…”

  “What? An alpha?” Fane asked, as he continued to run his hand up and down Marlo’s back comfortingly, loving the way his mate’s skin felt like silk, as well as all the muscles that flexed and rolled beneath his touch. Marlo was not muscular like him and a lot of the others were, which Fane figured would be impossible even if Marlo tried, with him being an omega and all, but Marlo had some amazing definition and tone, and Fane found him sexy, sensual, and... perfect.

  “Yes. I am an omega. It’s not my place,” Marlo whispered, the slight tremble in his voice showing his distress.

  Fane released Marlo’s hip and raised his hand, then cupped Marlo’s cheek. A thrill went through him when Marlo closed his eyes as if in pleasure, and leaned into his touch. “Yes, I am an alpha/beta and you are an omega, but I have a feeling that neither of us fit the mold of what we are supposed to be or are expected to be. I have heard some stories from the people that know and love you, and they have all said how wonderful you are and how you are not like any omega I would ever meet. They are correct and for that I am grateful.”

  Marlo tilted his head, his face a mask of confusion. He was so damned adorable and reminded Fane of a puppy.

  Fane could see that he needed to explain himself to his mate, and hoped he could do it right. “I know how an omega is supposed to be and it actually saddens me. I don’t think anyone should be that blindly submissive, or subservient. You were born with your own heart and mind, and knowing that you don’t just do what you are told or what is expected of you because of what you were born as, thrills me. Yes, I am an alpha/beta and because that is how I was born I am dominant and in all honesty, I do like to have my lovers submit to me, but not be my slave and just let me boss them around and do whatever I demand of them. It’s not right and it’s not fair. If I commanded that I wanted to tie you up and cut you, and you just nodded and waited for me to do that, going against what I am sure would be a struggle in your mind, but you figured because of who you are that you had no choice and would just do it, to me, is beyond wrong and should not be allowed.”

  Fane watched as tears built in Marlo’s eyes and a small smile came to his lips. He loved seeing that what he said, what he truly felt, was making his mate happy. He also noticed the bulge that now pressed against his abs and wanted to take that cock in his hand and stroke it, giving his mate pleasure, but he knew he had to wait. They had only just met earlier that day and he didn’t want to scare his mate, but he needed to show him that he was turned on by Marlo and that Fane wanted him. He couldn’t help himself as he leaned in and stole another kiss. This one a little more as he ran his tongue over the seam of Marlo’s sexy mouth and his mate opened to him. Fane swept his tongue inside, delving deep, tasting his mate and loving every nuance of the man. As much as he wanted to continue the kiss, to deepen it and show Marlo with actions instead of words how much he wanted the young man, Fane broke the kiss so he could continue with his words.

  “I can be dominant in the bedroom, mate, I’m not going to lie. I love being in control when I take a lover, but I love that control so that I may bring us both pleasure, not pain. There are times I may ask you to try something that you may be uncomfortable with, but I promise you it will never be something that will cause you pain. And if it is something that you don’t want to do, then all you have to do is tell me no and that’s it. I will always honor your wishes, your thoughts, and your feelings. I don’t want a slave, Marlo. I want a partner. I want someone to share my life with, who will walk beside me, not behind me.”

  “Are you for real? I mean like, for really real?” Marlo asked, looking awestruck.

  Now it was Fane’s turn to be a bit confused. Marlo must have understood the look on his face, because he quickly explained, “I have always been afraid of an alpha coming along to claim me because I know I am unlike any other omega. I do have a mind of my own and I like to use it. I also know how to fight and hunt. I know how to fish and chop wood. I don’t just want to spend my life being someone’s twenty-four-hour slave or sex toy. Not that I don’t like sex, mind you, because I do. I mean, I really do. Not that I’ve actually ever had sex. Well, not with another person. You know how no one will ever touch an omega, because they know an alpha could come along at any minute and stake his claim, and no one wants to be the person that is known to have bedded that omega before the alpha. They all think that omegas should be virgins when that alpha comes along. So archaic if you ask me. But, I do like sex. I love it. And I know I would be submissive to my Dominant, because that part of my DNA is still there, to submit, but I actually would like it as well. I do have fantasies about submitting to a lover and giving myself to him and about all the things he would do to me. But... I do have a mind of my own and I am independent, most of the time. I love my job with Dell as his assistant and I really don’t want to give that up. I love not having to watch my mouth, because most of the stuff that comes out of it is so not what anyone would expect of an omega. And I love that most of the members of my pack know that about me and are okay with it. They accept me for who I am. I love who I am and I don’t want to change. And... I have been so worried about an alpha coming and claiming me and taking all of that away from me, and expecting me to be what everyone thinks an omega should be. Of him wanting to change me and completely control me, and…”

  Before Marlo could get another word out, Fane pulled him close and kissed him again. This time he didn’t hold back and thrust his tongue into Marlo’s mouth, kissing him passionately until Marlo melted against his chest and whimpered. Gods, Fane loved that sound. It made his cock hard and he wanted to hear it again.

  Not that Fane didn’t like Marlo talking, because he did. He loved his mate’s cute voice, and wanted to hear it for the rest of his life. He also loved how Marlo got all worked up and just blurted everything out and rambled. It was adorable. But, he also found it sexy as hell that Marlo knew who he was and didn’t want to change. How honest his mate was with him and how confident Marlo was. Everything about Marlo just turned him on and Fane couldn’t stop himself at that moment if he tried. He had to taste his mate again and feel Marlo’s cock slide
against his abdomen, sending his own desire higher.

  After a few more minutes of basically devouring Marlo’s mouth and making the most erotic noises come from his mate’s lips, Fane pulled back, breaking their connection, and smiled when he saw the dazed look in Marlo’s eyes.

  “Wow,” Marlo said breathlessly.

  “Wow is right. That was the most amazing kiss of my life,” Fane agreed, then kissed him again.

  When they broke apart once more, Marlo was like Jell-O in Fane’s arms as he lay all his weight—which wasn’t a lot—against Fane’s chest and cuddled into him. Fane wrapped his arms around Marlo and just held him as their breath returned to normal. They just stayed like that, silent, but enjoying one another for what felt like twenty minutes, before Marlo drew in a deep breath through his nose, then let it out in a contented sigh. Fane loved that sound and knew exactly how Marlo felt, because he felt the same way. There was nothing better that had ever happened in his life before that was as wonderful as this moment.

  Suddenly, Marlo tensed a bit and Fane looked down at him. “Is everything okay, beautiful?”

  “Yes, no... yes... Ugh. I love just lying here in your arms. It feels so good and I feel so safe. It feels like I’m right where I belong,” Marlo explained.

  Fane chuckled lightly. “Well that’s good. I’m happy that that’s how you feel, because I do too. And it is where we belong. Right here in each other’s arms, enjoying one another, but what was the no about?”

  Marlo raised his head and met his gaze, and Fane could see a sparkle inside his gorgeous sapphire-blue eyes. “When I breathed in deep I realized that I smell and it’s not good. I wondered if I had stepped in something or rolled around in it when we were out there. Then I thought, ‘Oh lord, please don’t let my mate smell this, because I don’t want to move’,” Marlo explained, then giggled.

  Fane was a bit shocked at the confession, but amused at the same time. Damn he loved how open and honest his man was. Fane smiled, then threw his head back and laughed as he tightened his arms around Marlo, pulling him closer. He looked back to Marlo and kissed him quickly. “Gods, I love the way you talk. You’re amazing, baby.”

  Marlo giggled and cuddled up close. “I’m so glad you think so, because I think you’re amazing too. So?”

  Fane kissed the top of his head and asked, “So, what?”

  “Do I stink like a dog took a piss on me or what?” Marlo replied, then started laughing. The sound was so full of joy that it filled Fane’s heart with happiness. Gods, he wanted to hear that sound every day for the rest of his life. He was so grateful to fate for giving him this amazing man as his own.

  Fane chuckled, his chest rising and falling, moving Marlo. “Well, to me you smell like honeysuckle, oranges, and dragon fruit. And seeing as you are naked here in my arms, I don’t have to worry about any other scents mingling with how amazing you smell,” he replied, as he tried to hold in another bout of laughter that was threatening to bubble out as he added, “Maybe a honeysuckle bush that a dog just peed on?”

  Marlo pulled back, gasping at him, like he was insulted, but Fane saw that sparkle in his eyes again, the one that he was quickly learning would appear when his mate was teasing or joking. He could see the wheels spinning in Marlo’s head, trying to find some kind of comeback, but suddenly his mate burst out laughing again and hugged him tight. The two of them just sat there holding onto one another and laughing like loons and it was one of the best moments of his life. He couldn’t remember ever having so much fun with someone. And he knew he had never laughed so much with a lover in his life. Not that Marlo was his lover yet, but Fane knew his mate would be soon. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment, etching it in his memory, not wanting to ever forget it.

  CHAPTER 12

  Marlo couldn’t believe how amazing and wonderful his mate was. Or how totally fucking hot Fane was. Like, holy shit on a cracker! Fane was downright gorgeous and all big and muscly. Marlo loved how it felt to be wrapped in his mate’s arms and how right and safe it felt. He also loved how big and thick Fane’s cock felt under his ass as he straddled Fane’s lap.

  Then, there was the fact that Marlo knew that Fane could feel his hard dick pressed between them, but Fane hadn’t said a word or tried to cop a feel. Even though Marlo was a little disappointed, because, yes, he had wanted Fane to touch him, but seeing the man control himself made Marlo want him more. And as he had blabbered on, Fane hadn’t looked bored or like he wanted to run like others did when Marlo got nervous and had no control over his mouth. No, instead Fane looked happy, interested in what he had to say, and maybe even liked it, which endeared the man to him even more.

  But, when Fane planted that toe-curling kiss on him, Marlo knew he wouldn’t stop Fane for a moment if the man did bend him over right then and fuck him. Fane made him feel wanted and special, and Marlo found himself falling for his mate. He knew others would say it was way too soon to make that declaration, or for him to even feel that way, but fuck those people. They weren’t him. They didn’t know what was going on in his head and his heart. They didn’t know how Fane was making him feel.

  He knew his own heart and it was telling him that he had gotten lucky in the mate department, and that he and Fane were absolutely made for one another. Now he just needed to find a way to get Fane to lose a bit of that control and control him. Marlo wasn’t kidding when he said he had fantasies of having a dominant lover take him, control him. No, he didn’t want to be a slave or a sex toy, but, hell yes, he wanted to submit and be controlled. He craved to be fucked by a real dick and not the rubber phallus he was used to. Marlo wanted to feel what a real man’s hard cock was like as it impaled him, stretched him open, and filled him. A shiver raced through him from the thought and a small moan escaped his lips.

  Marlo looked up to see if Fane had heard it, but the man just sat there with his eyes closed, his face relaxed. Fane looked so peaceful that Marlo wished he had a camera, so he could remember that look for always.

  “You’re thinking really hard, mate. Anything you want to share with me?” Fane said, without opening his eyes or moving anything except his lips.

  “I was just thinking how nice this feels and how I don’t want to move, but... what happened after that vampire knocked me out? I mean, as a wolf I really don’t care that I’m naked. I’m not embarrassed by it or anything, but um... how did I get this way? I guess I should have asked sooner, but we got distracted.”

  As much as he wanted to shout it to the world that he had a mate and that he was falling in love with Fane, at the last minute Marlo got nervous about declaring that to the man. He was scared that if he said it too soon that he would chase the man away. Even though Marlo was sure that Fane was nothing like the stories he had heard, because Fane’s actions alone defied the stories, as well as his words, which Marlo knew were his mate’s true feelings. Marlo was still nervous that some of it might be true, and that Fane wouldn’t want him anymore and disappear on him. So, he asked something that he was curious about, so he wouldn’t lie to his mate. Marlo didn’t think that would be a great way to start their relationship either.

  Fane’s eyes opened, and Marlo could see the concern in his pretty jade-green eyes, but there seemed to be more there that Marlo wasn’t sure what it was. Fane drew in a deep breath, then explained about Dell showing up, and what happened right up until Marlo woke up to find Fane sitting at his bedside.

  But, Fane didn’t stop there. He went on to explain who the vampires and the witch were. Marlo hadn’t seen the witch and had been surprised that the trio had gotten so far onto their lands without being detected. After Fane was done with telling him about the vampire named Silvan and how he had let out a highly guarded secret that could cost lives, and how anyone who had been present was being killed and hunted, like him and his friend Oberon, and how they came to the York pack. Fane didn’t stop. He told Marlo about his life.

  They sat wrapped around each other for hours as Fane told him his tale of growing u
p spoiled rotten, and his time in the Heart pack when he was younger and what he had done. Marlo shivered from the confession, but stayed quiet and just listened and allowed Fane to continue. He could hear it in Fane’s voice how the man needed, almost desperately, to confess his sins, and how remorseful Fane was over his actions, and Marlo wasn’t going to interrupt him.

  When Fane was done, he took a deep breath, then released it slowly, but Marlo could hear the hitch in his voice. All the time Fane had spent talking, Marlo had never looked at Fane once. He had just concentrated on listening to every word Fane said, and how he said them. Marlo was aware of every breath, every movement. They all told him more about who Fane was and what he was thinking and going through than his words, and Marlo knew, without a doubt, that Fane was not the same man he once was. This Fane, the man who now held him in his arms, his mate, was a good man. Fane was now a gentle soul who thought about others and cared about them and how they felt. In that moment Marlo felt himself fall completely in love with his mate.