STORY EXCERPT

Jake took a deep breath and pulled on every wolf instinct in him to try and make out a scent. His eyes watered from the brisk, cold air. Just as he filled his lungs for a second time a man stepped out of the house. The sweet aroma of freshly baked bread and honey fanned under his nose. His eyes fell shut as the smell took control of his body and his dick twitched in his pants.

Shaking off his arousal, Jake opened his eyes. The young man wore a pair of blue jeans that were covered in dirt and grime and had holes in the knees. His flannel shirt hung loose around his body, buttoned clear up to his neck, and a vest jacket over that.

Jake shifted to get a better look at the man’s face. Even with the distance separating them Jake could see the light blue of the man’s eyes. They almost looked milky white with a swirl of blue bleeding through it. The man’s skin was pale with deep, dark circles under both eyes. Jake watched as the man straightened from staking the wood that had fallen from the pile and his shaggy brown hair fell across his face. The layers lay in different lengths as if he had cut his hair himself and done a terrible job at it.

Mine! a voice inside his head screamed. Jake straightened and made to stand up.

“What are you doing?” Holden hissed in a low voice. He grabbed Jake by the arm and yanked him back down to the ground.

Holden’s tight grip on his arm shook him from his trance. He turned to look at Holden. “He’s mine.”

“What?” Holden mouthed. His jaw went slack.

“He’s my mate.” He tried to get up but Holden refused to let go of his arm.

“If you go over there spouting off that you’re his mate he might freak out.” Seth leaned closer to whisper.

Jake stared hard at Seth. No one was going to keep him from his mate. A low growl bubbled up his chest and his lips pulled back as he snarled at Seth.

The sound of something thudding to the ground had all three of them looking back toward the small cabin.

“Who’s out there?” the man shouted.

Jake tried to stand up but Holden still had a death grip on his hand. “Let go of me.” His voice came out garbled. His canines had lengthened from his gums and his lips and cheeks were puffed out.

“I said”—the man paused and the distinct sound of a shotgun cocking traveled to his ears—“who’s out there?”

“Let go,” he snapped at Holden.

“Dude, no way.” Holden pointed in Jake’s mate’s directions. “He’s got a fucking gun in his hands. He’s prepared to shoot and that means even you. Mate or not.”

“The bond between mates is strong. I’m sure once he catches smell of me he’ll put it away.”

Holden looked from him then to Seth who just shrugged his shoulders. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Are you serious?” Holden whispered dramatically. “He could get shot, that’s what.”

Jake peeled Holden’s fingers from his arm. “I’ll be fine. Trust me.” He gave his friend one last reassuring smile then stood up. “Hi,” he called out in a friendly tone. His mate widened his stance and aimed the gun at his chest. Jake put his hands up in surrender. “I’m not going to hurt you. I swear it.” He took a few more steps forward.

“Stop right there, mister.” Jake could see his mate’s knuckles glow bright white from the hard grip he had on the gun. “Just turn around and forget you ever saw me or this place.”

“Why would I do that?” Jake’s arms fell to his sides. “Can’t you feel it?” He continued to walk toward his mate.

“I said to stop!” the man shouted. “Get off my property!”

Jake ignored his mate’s warning and kept walking. Maybe if he got close enough the other man would feel the connection and put the gun away.

He smiled at his mate who never dropped the gun. The barrel aimed right at his chest and for one brief moment Jake thought he saw a slight hesitation in the man’s resolve, but no. His mate curled his finger and a shot rang out.

What the hell? He shot me. Jake fell to the ground. The hard dirt floor didn’t soften the impact. Warmth spread out across his chest and he stared blindly up at the graying sky. The nerves in his body came awake with a jolt and pain fanned out from where he’d been shot. His vision went fuzzy and he thought he felt someone touching him. All sound was drowned out by his heartbeat pounding in his ears. He wanted to get up but he couldn’t get his body to comply.

Jake let his eyes fall shut. If he just rested for a few minutes he’d be okay. He’d heal and be fine. And when he woke up the first thing he’d do is take that shotgun from his mate and toss it off the nearest cliff.

ADULT EXCERPT

Jake rolled over on top of Carl. The hunger in his mate’s eyes spoke to his soul and his wolf demanded he give his mate pleasure. He had never been with another man before but his instincts took over. It was as if his body knew how to please its mate.

He kissed Carl until he was gasping for air then slowly worked his way down his mate’s body. Through the layers of clothes Carl wore Jake could still feel his mate’s bones where they stuck out to pronounce from his body. Once they rescued Casper, Jake was going to make sure both the brothers received the care they needed and all the food they could ever want. Both brothers were in desperate need of gaining some weight. It wasn’t healthy to be so thin.

Carl’s body trembled and his breathing picked up the lower Jake went. He shoved up the material that hung over Carl’s stomach and kissed the heated skin. Carl’s abdomen quivered as Jake tongued his navel. Jake sat back on his knees and fumbled with the fastening on Carl’s jeans. Finally he was able to free the snap and parted the zipper. He glanced up to see Carl staring back at him. Carl chewed on his lower lip and Jake could see the uncertainty playing across his face.

“I promise I won’t hurt you,” Jake reassured. “I just want to see you.”

Carl gave a jerky nod and Jake pulled back the rough denim. His mate’s cock pushed at the waistband of his briefs and Jake could smell his arousal where it damped the material. Jake dipped down and inhaled the wild scent of Carl’s pre-cum. He sucked around the coarse fabric trying to take in all Carl’s tangy goodness.

A low, steady growl began deep in his chest and Jake’s fingernails started to grow. He used the tip of his forefinger to slice the briefs down the center. Carl’s cock lay heavy against his hip. The moonlight hit the reddened skin and Jake traced each and every thick vein with his eyes. He needed a taste.

Before Carl could protest, he leaned down and swallowed down his mate’s velvety hardness. Carl cried out and his hands went to grip Jake around the ears. The action caused a bite of pain to make his eyes water but he didn’t stop. He licked, sucked, and nibbled along Carl’s shaft. He filed away every detail to memory.

“Jake!” Carl cried. “Please.” His mate didn’t say another word as Jake took Carl’s full length down the back of his throat. He swallowed around the thickness, letting his throat muscle massage Carl’s cock.

Jake carefully clasped Carl’s balls in his hands. The small orbs were drawn up tight, signaling that Carl was close. Jake sped up his movements and used his free hand to jack the excess length that didn’t fit into his mouth. Spit ran down Carl’s shaft and Jake used that to ease the friction.

“Jake,” Carl said on a long moan as his salty juices filled Jake’s mouth.

He gulped down Carl’s cum as it pumped into his mouth. It had a bitter saltiness combined with a sweetness that Jake would always hunger for.

Carl’s cock started to grow soft and he let the shaft slip from his mouth. Now that his mate was taken care of he needed to find his relief and soon.