The Reckoning (Tundra Wolves Book 2)

by Maggie Walsh

  “It’s about time you showed up,” Jude said from behind him, and Jag turned, giving the other beta a friendly smile.

  He raised his hand in a wave as he headed toward the house where Jude stood on the veranda waiting for him. It was a large deck that ran the length of the big house, then wrapped around both sides and disappeared into the back, and was covered by a roof, allowing the residents to stand outside without being hit with the rain and snow.

  Jag got to the steps and walked up holding out his hand to shake Jude’s. “Yeah. There were some pretty nasty snowdrifts out there, and some took me awhile to maneuver around, or plow through. So how you doing, Jude?”

  The beta smiled as they released their handshake and replied, “Can’t complain too much. And even if I did, nobody would listen, so I guess I’m good. How’s the Heart pack?”

  “We’re all still hanging in there. Anticipating the coming darkness.”

  Jude sighed as he held the front door open for him. “Yeah, I hear ya. We’re getting prepared for it too. Not really a time of year I look forward to, but if you keep on keeping on, it goes by pretty quickly.”

  Jag chuckled. “Well that’s a good way to look at it.”

  As they stepped into the house, Jag was filled with a sense of home and comfort. The alpha house was pretty big, but yet with the natural colors of the walls, carpets, and furniture, the place was very inviting. Jag really like it. Not to say his home back in the Heart pack wasn’t, because it was just as friendly, inviting, and comfortable, but in a different way.

  “Jag, it’s good to see you. Welcome,” Dell said, as he walked into the room.

  Jag smiled and lowered his head, showing Dell his proper respect as alpha. Dell came closer and placed his hand on the back of his neck, then removed it and Jag looked up, then clasped Dell’s outstretched hand. “Thank you, alpha.”

  Dell smiled. “None of that, please. We’re family now. Just call me Dell. Well, unless there are others around. You know that, I don’t need to tell you. So, how was your trip?”

  “I was just telling Jude it was okay except for a few hiccups with some snowdrifts. It looks like your pack was spared a huge hit.”

  “Yeah, six inches, it was nothing, but we hear you all got a few feet your way,” Dell replied, as he motioned for Jag to sit.

  Jag sat and said, “Snowed for two days straight and dropped three feet. Hopefully the next one won’t be too bad.”

  “So, how’s my little brother doing over there? Kicking ass and taking names?” Dell asked, with a laugh. Jag chuckled and started telling him how amazing Caleb was doing at the pack, and how happy he and Ridge were, then they got down to business and began talking about why Ridge had sent him.

  After two hours of discussion, things were all worked out to what Jag was sure would satisfy Ridge, except for the Fane issue. Dell was a little apprehensive about the whole thing and said he would have to give that more thought. Which Jag had expected him to say.

  “We’re heading over to the community center for a pack feast today, so why don’t you join us? Then, after, we’ll get you settled in a room here for the night. I promise I’ll have some answers for Ridge by the time you head out day after tomorrow,” Dell offered as he stood.

  “Sounds good, I’m starving. So, what’s the celebration for?” he asked as he also stood and joined Dell and Jude by the front door where they all began putting on their winter gear.

  “Three of our pack mating’s are celebrating their one hundred year anniversary and one of my enforcers will be twenty-five in two days, so we’re combining the party to include them all,” Jude replied.

  “Wow, a hundred years. That’s fantastic. We have one couple that are there and another a few years over, but most of our mated couples aren’t near that.”

  Once they were all suited up to protect them from the cold, they headed out the door. Jag was sure the others would jump into some kind of vehicle, or at least a few snowmobiles, but when Dell and Jude just kept walking, Jag followed.

  They walked to the center of town where there was a large white building where people ran in and out or milled around. Kids played on the side of the building in a playground and a few snowmobiles pulled up and parked.

  Jag was having a nice time visiting some old friends he made the last time he had been here with Ridge and Caleb when the attacks came, as well as meeting new people and hearing stories about Caleb as he grew up. Some of them he was sure he could use against his new friend and tease him with them. Someone moved along the wall across the room, catching Jag’s eye. He looked over the shoulder of the person he was talking to, and his gaze latched onto the sexy Bo. A smile came to his lips as he watched the gorgeous man make his way around the room, stopping to say a few words to people here and there. When the man’s eyes lit up with happiness and he threw his head back, releasing a hearty laugh, Jag’s cock began to fill. Fuck! Not now. He didn’t want the men he was talking to, to think he was interested in them.

  He excused himself and began slowly walking around the room going in the opposite direction hoping they would come upon each other. Jag’s gaze stayed focused on Bo and he smiled when they both turned and were now on a straight course toward one another. Suddenly, a hand reached out of the crowd and snagged Bo’s arm, diverting him. Bo looked to the good looking man who stopped him and gave him a smile full of love. The man reached out, wrapped an arm over Bo’s shoulders and pulled him into a hug.

  Pain shot through his chest, confusing Jag. What the hell was that? It wasn’t like he had a claim on the man, it had only been sex. A great, fantastic night of sex. A mind-blowing, life altering night of sex. But, it was just sex. The words just sex felt so wrong, and Jag’s wolf started to fight him again.

  Jag turned from the loving embrace. Something was wrong with him and he needed to get some air. He placed his glass on a nearby table as he made his way to the entrance and stepped out into the cold night. Taking a deep breath, hoping to calm the beast and the pounding of his heart, Jag closed his eyes. Immediately he was assaulted with memories of their hot night together.

  “So now that our meeting is over, I guess it’s time to hit the road,” Bo said as he pushed back from the table. “Tell Caleb I said hi and to not be a stranger.”

  Jag stood as well and gave the sexy man a smile. “Sure thing. Say hi to Dell for me.”

  Bo reached the door and pulled it open then stopped. “Crap.”

  “What is it?” Jag asked as he turned to look at the man.

  “It’s snowing like a motherfucker out here. It’s damn near whiteout conditions,” Bo replied, and closed the door.

  “Well, looks like we’ll be here until the storm blows over at least. I’ll check the provisions and see what we have. Why don’t you check the woodshed and see what’s there. Bring a few pieces in to start a fire too, would ya?”

  “Sure thing,” Bo mumbled, then walked across the cabin to the rear door and left.

  Jag had never been so grateful that the old Alpha York and Ridge’s dad, ex Alpha Heart had this emergency cabin built right between their lands for when they needed to meet, then he was right now. They always tried to keep enough provisions for just such occasions, as well as wood, blankets, an emergency kit and a satellite phone, just in case. You never knew when someone would be roaming around, exploring, and might stumble upon the cabin and need shelter.

  After checking all the cabinets, the pantry, and the fridge, Jag found that their food stores were >enough for the two of them for the night. Actually, what he found could last them almost a week.

  Jag didn't think they would be there that long, but it was a nice find. He would have to give a list to Ridge when he got back, so someone could come out and restock.

  Jag pulled out a few steaks from the freezer and set them on the counter to defrost, then took out a bag of frozen broccoli. He remembered seeing a few potatoes in the pantry, so Jag quickly went to grab some. They still had a few hours before dinner, but the meal should
satisfy them until morning.

  The back door, leading into the mud room opened and Bo walked in, his arms laden with wood.

  He instantly went to the wood burning stove and placed a few logs in then stacked the rest nearby.

  Jag watched his every move, entranced by the way the sexy man’s muscles flexed and strained against his tight black tee. Absently Jag licked his lips, wanting a taste.

  “So, did you find enough for a meal?” Bo’s sexy voice broke through his lust and Jag blinked a few times.

  “Yeah. There’s plenty here to keep us going for days, but I’ll remind Ridge to have everything restocked. How’s the wood supply?” Jag asked as he moved around the kitchen.

  “I refilled the racks in the mud room so the wood could dry. This armful was all that was there. I checked the shed and it’s good for now, almost full.”

  “That’s great, we won’t have to have anyone refill that for a while then.”

  They both kept busy with what they were doing, and by the time Bo was done building a fire that was quickly warming up the mid-sized cabin, Jag was sitting on the couch with a beer and a second bottle for his companion on the table.

  “Beer?” Jag said.

  Bo turned to look over his shoulder at him. “Perfect. Just what I need, thanks. The snow’s coming down pretty fast and hard out there. I hope we don’t get stuck here for days,” Bo replied, as he grabbed the bottle and plopped down onto the other side of the couch, then twisted the top and took a long drink.

  Jag’s gaze focused on the long neck and the Adam’s apple bobbing. Damn, he just wanted to lick that spot and nip it. After draining half the bottle Bo pulled it away and placed it on the table, then reached for the plate of food waiting for him. “Thanks for the grub.”

  “Thanks for the fire,” Jag replied, and lifted his beer in salute.

  The two sat quietly as they ate their meals. Jag spent the whole time staring at the fire completely aware of his companion and the pull he felt to grab the man and fuck him hard.

  When Bo shifted his weight a few times, Jag felt a quick thrill that maybe the man would fall prey to his delta instincts and ask Jag to fuck him, but Bo only wiggled a bit and kept eating, breaking Jag’s fantasy.

  Jag placed his empty plate on the table and stood, stretched his body, then turned to head to the kitchen for another beer when his gaze caught sight of Bo staring at his exposed midsection as his shirt rose up, showing his stomach. The heat and longing in Bo’s gaze had Jag’s cock coming to life. He stared at the pup and smirked, knowing if he played his cards right, he would have that stunning, muscular form beneath him before the sun set. Which was only about an hour away.

  Jag licked his lips as he lowered his arms, internally chuckling when he saw the disappointment in the younger wolf’s eyes. “Another beer?” he asked, bringing Bo out of his lust.

  Bo blinked a few times before he lifted his gaze and met Jag’s eyes. The depth of desire he saw burning in those seafoam green eyes was promising. Bo reached up and rubbed the back of his neck, then flipped his long blond braid that hung down to his waist and replied in a deep, hoarse voice, “Yeah, thanks.” Bo then cleared his throat and looked back at his now empty plate.

  Jag smirked again as he nodded. Yeah, he was going to know real soon what that long hair felt like. Maybe he would wrap it around his cock and fuck himself with those golden locks. Jag licked his lips from the vision of doing just that which flashed before him.

  He made his way into the kitchen area and grabbed a few more beers, then turned and headed back toward the couch. His gaze instantly fell on the hot man with him and noticed Bo lift his hips off the cushions, adjusting his cock with one hand as he released a soft moan.

  Oh, his soon to be lover was in need just as badly as he was. Why were they fighting this heat, this pull, that was between them? Fuck it, Jag was going to make a bold move just like the beta inside him was screaming he do and fuck the consequences. If Bo was into him as much as he was sure the man was, then they could have some fun together. And if not, then he would step back and apologize, then put the desirable morsel out of his mind for good. Either way would be ending his torture over the man he had been fantasizing about for almost two years.

  Damn it, it was time. No more waiting. With his mind made up, Jag placed both beer bottles in one hand and walked up behind the couch then leaned forward. He reached around Bo, over his shoulder, and placed the bottoms of the bottles against the muscled chest and dragged them slowly down as he moved his mouth close to Bo’s ear and whispered, “Mind putting these on the table for me?”

  Bo flinched from the move and Jag was certain he heard a tiny moan from deep within the wolf.

  Bo grabbed the bottles with shaky hands and Jag knew he had affected Bo. The man leaned forward and placed the bottles on the table, then sat back, but Jag was waiting for him. Once Bo relaxed against the cushions, Jag struck.

  Again he reached over Bo’s shoulders, but this time he placed his hands on the man’s chest and slid his hands down the ridges of the six pack beneath the shirt and at the same time, he pressed his lips against the side of Bo’s neck, nibbling and kissing.

  When Bo didn’t pull away but dropped his head back against the couch and turned his head slightly, giving Jag more room, he took that as an invitation. Jag licked a line up the tasty skin, loving the flavor of man as he lowered his hand and cupped the hard bulge in the front of Bo’s jeans.

  Bo released the sexiest damn moan he had ever heard and suddenly, Jag knew that once would not be enough. He prayed the storm lasted for days, so that he could take this man over and over again and bring him to heights Bo had never reached before. Then hopefully by the time they could leave, this infatuation he had over this man would be gone and Jag could move on. He hadn’t fucked another since the first time he had laid eyes on this stunning creature, but it was time to get back to his normal life.

  Jag rubbed the impressive cock, drawing more sounds from Bo’s lips as his other hand moved up under Bo’s shirt and he got his first feel of skin on skin and Bo’s skin was scrumptious. Hard muscles covered in silky flesh with a light coating of fine hair. Jag dragged the shirt higher until he was pulling it up over Bo’s head. Bo leaned up to allow him, then brought his hands down to his pants and started unfastening them.

  Damn Jag needed to see this, but the need to kiss this man was riding him hard. Almost as hard as his wolf was fighting to come out and fuck the man himself. What the hell was that all about?

  He and his beast had been onboard many times as they took one lover or another, but this was different. What he was feeling coming from his wolf was that the animal wanted to come out and play with their lover and not let Jag take the lead.

  Another presence pushed against his wolf, making his beast growl his dominance and the other presence, a wolf, immediately whimpered and lay down, then turned around and lifted his ass, offering himself to Jag’s wolf, and showing his submission. Fuck, what the hell was happening?

  He had taken many lovers over the course of his life, and all submissive to some extent, but he could never, not once, feel his lover’s beast pressing against his own. Being so aware of the animal that he could feel its every move, but fuck if it didn’t make him want to fuck this man more.

  Jag got lost in the sensation of the other wolf submitting to his wolf and quickly claimed Bo’s lips with a deep, passionate kiss. Bo opened to him immediately and Jag wanted to howl his approval. As he thrust his tongue deep within Bo’s warm mouth, the man released another one of those sinful moans. Jag was about to lose his damn mind. The need was building, taking control of him, and Jag found he couldn’t fight the need and his beast at the same time, so he fought with all he had to push the beast back. He didn’t want to hurt his new lover or scare him.

  Jag pulled away from the kiss, leaving Bo panting and wanting more. He jumped over the couch and landed beside Bo, his gaze now zeroing in on the pants now down under Bo’s ass, exposing his hard, leak
ing cock. And damn, what a pretty cock it was.

  Bo had to be at least ten inches long and over two inches in girth and it sat in a pretty bush of golden hair. But what Jag loved the most, was the Prince Albert in the tip and the Jacob’s ladder running down the underside. Fuck, did the man have any more jewelry that he could explore?

  CHAPTER 3

  The man beside him was almost too good to be true. Jag had images of himself putting a leash on that cock ring in the tip and leading this man around naked for all to see who he belonged to.

  The need to possess Bo was building higher. Jag shook his head, trying to make the possessive thoughts flee. This was supposed to be fun and nothing more. He needed to get his head back in the moment. Bo was clearly willing so what was he waiting for?

  Jag ran a finger up the underside of Bo’s cock, loving the feel of the jewelry there. The shiver he felt race up Bo’s body thrilled him.

  “I want to fuck you so bad, beautiful Bo. Want to feel those lips wrapped around my cock and fill your throat with my seed,” Jag growled out, right before he claimed Bo’s lips again, cutting off what Bo was about to say.

  At the same time, he wrapped his hand around Bo’s cock and started a slow glide up and down, keeping the pace slow, which was the exact opposite of the way he was taking charge of Bo’s mouth. He was pillaging the man with his tongue, driving both of their needs higher.

  He yanked his mouth from Bo’s but kept his hand moving. “You’re one sexy fuck, you know that?”

  Finally Bo spoke. “You’re sexy as fuck yourself. Now are we going to talk all night, or fuck all night? Because, I gotta tell ya, I would rather fuck all night. I wanna feel your cock plunge deep inside me, then I want to feel your ass wrapped around my cock, squeezing the cum from me. So, stud, what will it be, fuck, or talk?”

  Jag was a little taken back by Bo confessing he wanted to fuck Jag. Not that he was completely opposed to it, but he was a top. Not just a top, but a power top. It was in his DNA as a beta.