An Unexpected Mate

STORY EXCERPT

Casper finally put his book away and headed downstairs. If he read one more page he swore he’d throw the damn book out the flipping window. Images of the stranger kept him from studying and he just had to give up. After reading the same page fifty times he thought it was time for  a break.

It was nearing six and his stomach started to growl on instinct. The Carsten house ran like clockwork and dinner was served every night at six thirty.

Just as he reached the bottom step a smell tickled under his nose. He stopped and sniffed the air. The smell was sweet and alluring but Casper couldn’t place the exact scent. It made him hungry but not for food.

Casper started walking letting his nose lead the way. He walked through the living room but the scent went faint so he turned around and headed in the opposite direction. His bare feet slid over the hardwood floor as his nose pulled him along. No matter how ridiculous he must have looked he couldn’t deny the aroma. Even more so he couldn’t deny the effect it was having on his cock. He had been almost certain the damn thing didn’t work. After all the years under Tobias’s roof no one could fault him from not wanting to have sex, but now, now he thought he’d come undone if he didn’t have it soon.

“Cass, whatcha doing?” Jake, his brother’s mate, stepped in his path.

“Huh?” Casper came to a stop and shook his head. “Not sure.” He answered honestly because he had nothing to hide. “Do you smell that?” He sniffed the air again and the smell had gotten stronger.

“You’re probably smelling the blueberry muffins your brother made.” Jake eyed him wearily. “You should go try one out.” Casper could hear his brother-in-law talking but he wasn’t paying attention. “Dude, are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, I’m great.” Casper started down another hallway. “Call me when dinner is ready,” he hollered over his shoulder.

Casper rounded the corner and had just passed Devon’s office when the door swung open. The sweet aroma hit him from behind and Casper spun on his heels. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Sensations crawled over his skin like a wave of electricity. Warmth infused his body and he felt at peace.

“Casper.”

At the sound of his name being called he opened his eyes. Aiden, Devon, and the stranger he spotted a few hours ago stood in the hallway facing him.

The man’s blue eyes stared at him and Casper found himself captivated in their light blue depths. They reminded him of the summer sky in June.

At the close proximity he got a better look at the man’s face. Light traces of wrinkles were in the corners of his eyes and laugh lines were on the edges of his mouth. Casper’s eyes trailed over his face and he stopped at a scar that ran from the temple on the left side of his face down to his chin. It looked old and left only a faint mark on his golden skin. Casper wondered what had happened to this man.

“Yo, Cass, snap out of it.” Devon’s booming voice knocked him from his musing.

“Sorry.” His voice cracked when he spoke.

“Are you feeling all right?” Aiden came to his side and put a hand over his forehead. “You don’t feel warm.”

He took a step back from Aiden and his eyes moved back to stare at the other man. “I’m fine.” His cheeks heated with his embarrassment. He didn’t want to be treated like a child in this man’s presence.

“Good.” Aiden lightly grabbed him under the elbow and escorted him forward, closer to the man he couldn’t take his eyes off of. “I’d like to introduce you to my dad, Phillip.”

“Dad?” He looked between the two. The resemblance was there but it made having a crush on Phillip seem a little awkward knowing he was Aiden’s dad.

“Yeah.” Aiden smiled at him. “He’s been out of town but he’s back now.”

Dad. Casper couldn’t wrap his brain around that. The man didn’t look old enough to have a grown son.

“Nice to meet you, Casper.” Phillip held out his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you and your brother, Carl.”

Casper stared down at the offered hand. He desperately wanted to shake it but couldn’t make his arm move. Phillip’s hand started to waver and Casper looked from the man’s face then to his hand.

Shake it you moron. Aren’t you dying to know what his touch feels like? Casper, with a trembling hand, reached out to clasp Phillip’s. The man’s large hand engulfed his and Casper felt a shiver run down his spine. Phillip’s touch spoke to his body and soul and Casper wanted to wrap himself up in that feeling.

“Uh,” Phillip said as he looked from Casper’s face down to where their hands were still connected.

“Shoot!” Casper snatched his hand back. He tried to calm his breathing. He had held onto the man’s hand for longer than was customary. “Nice to meet you too, Phillip. Hope they didn’t bore you with too much about my brother and I.” Casper silently prayed they had left out the fact that he had been abused for the better part of three years. For some reason he cared what this man thought of him.

But why?

“No, not at all.” Casper’s heart did a somersault when Phillip aimed a bright smile at him. He could have sworn the heavens opened and he heard angels singing hallelujah. “Devon and Aiden only had nice things to say about you.”

Casper hoped that was all they’d said.

A few seconds passed and neither of them said a word. Casper rocked back and forth on his heels searching for something to say. Phillip held his gaze with such intent that Casper had to look away.

ADULT EXCERPT

He closed his eyes as the memoires of that one kiss flashed behind his eyelids. The softness of Phillip’s lips, the moist heat that fanned across his face as Phillip took his mouth in a hungry kiss.

Casper reached down to adjust his growing cock. Now that Phillip had woken up that part of Casper’s body the damn thing had a mind of its own.

Not thinking twice about it, Casper rolled over and straddled Phillip’s lap. The man gasped in shock and Casper brought up his hands on either side of Phillip’s face. Phillip’s strong fingers reached out and gripped him low around the waist, his fingertips pressing into his hips. Before he lost his courage Casper leaned down and took Phillip’s lips in a passionate kiss. Instincts took over as he nipped and licked his way inside. Phillip’s lips were pliable under his touch. 

He could feel Phillip’s fingers as they worked their way up under his shirt. A shiver rolled over his body and he shuttered. Casper let go of Phillip’s face and let his fingers roam downward to caress over the tan nipples he had been admiring.

Casper pinched the little nub between his fingertips and rolled the sensitive flesh. Phillip groaned into the kiss and pulled Casper closer. A hard bulge pressed up against his ass and for the first time ever Casper didn’t flinch away in fear. Phillip wasn’t like those other men. They were mates no matter how hard Phillip might want to deny it. Casper could feel the pull in his chest telling him Phillip was his and only his.

The kiss grew deeper and even the need for air couldn’t pull them apart. Casper kept fondling one nipple and let his other hand travel down toward the dusting of hair that would lead him to Phillip’s cock. He wedged his hand under the blanket and his fingertips brushed the swollen head.

Phillip pulled back from the kiss and grabbed his hand, stopping Casper from getting a good hold on the thick hot length. “We need to stop this.” Phillip’s voice sounded rough and his hand shook as he held himself back.

“But I don’t want to.” Casper tried to lean closer to kiss his mate but Phillip stopped him.

“We’re moving too fast.” Phillip took a deep breath. “After everything you’ve been through—”

“Enough!” Casper snapped. He could handle everyone else treating him with kid gloves but not his mate. “Don’t you get it?” Casper stared into Phillip’s eyes silently pleading for the man to understand. “It’s because of everything I went through that I need this. Need you.”

“I don’t understand.” Phillip’s hold loosened and Casper leant forward bracing himself on his hands, hovering over Phillip.

“All I have are bad memories. I need good ones like this to replace those. I want to feel what it’s like to be touched in a loving way.” He placed a light kiss on Phillip’s lips. “I want to feel you touch me.”

Phillip stared wide-eyed at him as if searching for something. “I don’t know, Casper.”

“Please, Phillip. Help me forget.”

Something seemed to flash across Phillip’s face, understanding or need, Casper wasn’t sure. With gentle force Phillip pulled him down until they lay chest to chest. Casper’s lips found his and they dove right back in where they left off. Tongues dueling for entrance and control, hands grabbing and stroking. Phillip lifted Casper’s shirt up his chest and Casper sat back on his heels to tug it off.

With the shirt gone he sat staring down at his mate. Phillip’s eyes glowed in the darkness as if a fire smoldered inside them. In a fast movement he never saw coming, Phillip rolled them over with Casper trapped beneath him. Casper reached down pushing the heavy comforter out of the way until it lay crumpled at the foot of the bed.

He gasped as Phillip’s warm hands shoved his pants down. Phillip used his foot to kick the pants out of the way. The feel of Phillip’s body on top of his didn’t cause him to panic. The pressure and heat coming off of Phillip left Casper quivering for more. 

Casper spread his thighs and Phillip slid in closer not leaving an inch of them not touching. His cock throbbed and ached for release. Pre-cum leaked out the tip, smearing across his stomach as Phillip gently thrust his hips forward causing their cocks to rub against each other.

“I want you so badly.” Casper panted.

“I’m right here.” Phillip kissed down his neck until he reached Casper’s shoulder and bit down gently.

Casper’s hips bucked up as he felt Phillip’s teeth graze over his skin. He could feel his balls growing heavy and his orgasm right at the cusp waiting to send him over into oblivion.

Phillip sat up just enough to wrap his big hand around his and Casper’s shafts. His hand moved in a fast pace keeping in time with the movement of their hips.

Casper threw his head back and opened his mouth to scream as his release ripped through his body, splashing warmth over his chest. Phillip covered his mouth with his hand silencing Casper’s shouts of pleasure. Just as he was coming down from his orgasmic high Phillip’s body stilled over his. Phillip rested his forehead against Casper’s and his face scrunched up as if in pain then another flood of warm gooeyness covered his chest, mixing with his own. Casper closed his eyes, loving the feel of being marked in his mate’s scent.

Once the tremors stopped racking through Phillip’s body, he fell forward crushing Casper. Casper wrapped his arms around Phillip holding him tight, never wanting to be separated from him. Being with Phillip made him feel safe and loved.

A Mate at Last

STORY EXCERPT

“Brandon,” Aiden said in a surprised voice as he looked between him and Roderick. “I didn’t think you were going to make it.”

“I changed my mind.” He shrugged his shoulders and stepped into the entryway. Aiden shifted out of the way as he shot nervous glances behind him. “What’s the matter? You’re acting weird.” He could see sweat bead up on Aiden’s forehead and the man’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down like a bobber on a fishing line.

“It’s nothing.” Aiden laughed nervously. “It’s just…”

“Hey, Brandon.” Viktor gave him a chin nod as he came to stand next to him. “You’re late. E’s already left with some friends but feel free to stay for some cake.”

“What!” Brandon snapped more harshly then he intended to. In a calmer voice he asked, “Where did he go?”

“Out with some guys from the swim team.” Viktor’s face scrunched up in concentration. “I think one was named Marcus.”

Motherfucker! Brandon knew exactly who Marcus was. He’d seen the young man at the swim meets. The guy always hung out with Erik. He hated the way Marcus would smile and playfully tease Erik. Even more so that Erik reciprocated the flirtation. But what could he do? Marcus was a good-looking kid and someone that was Erik’s age. Maybe Erik had moved on. Brandon could have lost his chance to claim Erik for his own. He couldn’t blame Erik for looking elsewhere for affection since he pushed him away every chance he got. But damn, in the back of Brandon’s mind he always thought they’d work out their differences and be together.

His mind began to race with everything that Erik and Marcus could be doing. This wasn’t over. He had to at least lay his feelings out on the table for Erik. Today was the mark of a fresh start for them. Brandon was willing to wipe the slate clean.

“We’re not sure what time he’ll be home but we can tell him you stopped by.” Viktor offered.

“Where did he go exactly?” Brandon kept his tone even so not to give away that he was freaking the fuck out.

“Brandon.” Aiden reached out to rest a hand on his forearm. “Why don’t I have Erik call you when he gets back tonight?”

“Like hell I’m going to sit at home while my mate is out there partying it up with some other guy.” He lost it. He didn’t mean to shout at Aiden but fuck, Erik was his mate and no man had the right to touch what was his.

All this mate crap didn’t mean shit to him until he met Erik. Now that’s all he thought about. Brandon was a human for god sakes and humans didn’t have life mates. So all these crazy emotions coursing through his body were Erik’s fault. Had they never have met Brandon wouldn’t be in this predicament. Erik belonged to him for better or worse.

“Everything okay in here?” Devon, Erik’s oldest brother and alpha of the pack, asked as he wrapped an arm over Aiden’s shoulders, giving Brandon a sympathetic look.

Viktor waved a hand toward Brandon. “Looks like the hunter has finally decided to stake his claim to his wolf. Only problem is little brother isn’t here to accept his offer.”

“I never said I came here to claim Erik. I just...” his voice trailed off. He wasn’t quite sure how to finish his thought. Yeah he wanted to see Erik but did he really want to make that sort of commitment tonight?

“You just what?” Devon pushed. “I know I asked you to keep your distance from Erik but today of all days you should have been here on time but you weren’t.”

“I know but..”

“No buts, Brandon.” Devon cut off his thought. The man’s eyes took on a shimmering glow. Brandon wasn’t pack and he didn’t like the way Devon talked down to him. “You’re an adult and you couldn’t even show up to your mate’s birthday party so yeah I let him go out with his friends.”

“You act like he’s innocent in all this!” Brandon shouted. “It’s been hard on me, too. Him texting me and showing up at my house whenever he wanted. It was hard to stay away from him.” He fisted his hands to keep from punching a hole in the wall. “It killed me every time I had to send him away but I’m not some pervert. I wouldn’t take advantage of Erik like that. I respect him and you too much to ever do that. So why don’t you cut me some fucking slack.”

“Why should I?” Devon took a step forward to stand directly in front of him.

“Because I love him,” he said through clenched teeth, his fist balled up at his sides.

The room had grown quiet. Devon met his gaze and smiled at him. “He’s at the camp grounds off of Woodson Road.” Brandon turned to leave but Devon’s voice halted him. “I didn’t mean to push you so hard, just wanted to make sure what your intentions are.”

“I get it but just because I feel this way doesn’t mean he does.” Brandon voiced his biggest fears. He looked over to Roderick. “You coming with?”

“Nah, you need to do this on your own. I’d just be in the way.” Roderick grinned at him.

“I’ll give him a ride back to Silver Creek.” Devon offered.

Brandon nodded his thanks to Devon then walked out the front door. He needed to get to Erik before he did something stupid. Over the past month he’d watched as Marcus and Erik had grown close. No one knew that Brandon attended Erik’s swim meets but he hadn’t missed a one. He hung back in the crowd so no one could see him. Erik didn’t need any extra distractions. But the closer Erik became to Marcus it was becoming harder to sit idly by and do nothing.

ADULT EXCERPT

“Why do you act like this?” Brandon asked, his face had grown solemn. “You make all this so hard.”

“Me!” Erik shouted, jabbing a finger into his chest.

He had enough. He had taken all the shit Brandon had given him over the years and he was done. Knowing that Brandon had a thing for Roderick, Erik would be damned if he let this man tell him what he could and couldn’t do.

“Sometimes I wonder if you realize how heartless and mean you are. The things you say and do.” Brandon shook his head. “I swear you have no conscience or filter from your brain to your mouth.”

“That’s rich coming from you.” Erik pushed Brandon in his hard chest. A shock stung through his fingers at the contact. “If anyone is cruel that would be you. So why don’t you go run off and find your new fuck buddy, Roderick, and leave me the fuck alone.”

“Huh?” Brandon gripped him hard around the wrist. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Erik didn’t feel like having to explain what he overheard or listen to Brandon lie to him. He got it. Brandon was a grown man with needs and it would appear his mate had found solace in another’s arms. It was time that Erik accepted this and move on.

“Nothing.” All the fight gone from his tone. “Just please go away.” Erik turned to leave.

“No, not this time.” Hurt shown in Brandon’s eyes. “Please, Erik, talk to me.”

“And say what?”

“I don’t know.” Brandon shrugged his broad shoulders. “I’d take anything at this point as long as you don’t walk away from me.”

Erik’s eyes took in the way Brandon’s shirt tightened along the thick muscles incased in the material. God, how he wanted to touch the man and feel the strength corded along his body.

Huh? Brandon’s words slowly seeped into his foggy brain. Erik tore his gaze from Brandon’s magnificent body. “Me walk away from you? Do you mean like the way you’ve walked away from me over the past two years?”

“Erik that was different and you know it.”

He did but it didn’t make it hurt any less. “Brandon just go. There’s nothing left to say.” Erik turned to walk away. He desperately wanted to be with Brandon but he just didn’t know if he could trust the man.

“That’s where you’re wrong.” Brandon held tight to his wrist and used his other hand to grab Erik’s other arm, stopping him in his tracks. “There’s so much still left to be said if you’d just listen.”

Erik reared around, yanked his hand free, and then fisted his hands in Brandon’s shirt. “I’m sick of listening.”

“Then let me show you, Erik.” There was a pleading in Brandon’s tone that made Erik’s heart beat quicken.

“Maybe, I want to show you.” The wolf inside Erik was hurt and angry and it needed to show dominance over its mate. Show Brandon that he wasn’t just some little kid anymore, but a man that had desires. Desires only Brandon could fulfill.

He moved so fast it knocked Brandon off balance and Erik caught him, shoving him up against a tree. Brandon’s legs were spread wide as he fumbled to get his footing. Erik banged his back into the tree. He could feel the slight tingle in his gum tissue as his canines started to lengthen and drop down. Brandon gaped at him and a low growl rose from deep inside Erik.

The smell of Brandon’s fear and arousal wrapped around Erik causing his dick to harden and his mouth to drool. His eyes fell to the supple pink flesh of his mate’s mouth and dove in unable to pull himself back. The sharp points of his teeth pierced Brandon’s lips as Erik kissed him hard.

Erik forced his tongue in past Brandon’s resistance and tasted his mate with intense need. The sound of his big strong mate whimpering fueled him on. Brandon’s fingers dug into Erik’s biceps but didn’t try to push Erik away. If anything he pulled Erik closer.

He moaned loudly and his pulse raced as he tasted every inch of his mate’s mouth. Nothing had ever felt more right in his life.

Brandon’s tongue began to move alongside his, dancing as one. Erik let go of Brandon’s shirt and moved his hands around to grip at his mate’s waist, feeling the tight coil of muscle under his fingers. Brandon reached his arms around Erik’s and rested his hands on Erik’s ass, squeezing his cheeks in a pulsing grip.

Erik moaned and sucked harder on Brandon’s tongue. He took a step forward, aligning his cock with Brandon’s where it lay long and thick behind the man’s zipper. Brandon hissed in a breath as Erik ground his hips into his mates.

Fire pooled in his balls wanting to break free. Erik rubbed his fingers up Brandon’s back to wrap his arms around Brandon’s neck and moved his hips forward with a rough and raw speed. The need to come blinded him to anything and everything. Any thought of anger toward his mate vanished as his release spun higher to the surface.

Brandon’s hold on his ass grew firmer and urged Erik to move faster. With teeth and tongue they fought for dominance over the other. Erik growled and nipped hard at Brandon’s bottom lip. Blood oozed from the small puncture wound and Erik lapped it up then thrust his tongue into Brandon’s mouth to share the spicy flavor.

As his orgasm played right on the fringes of his control, Erik broke the kiss to bury his face in Brandon’s neck, nipping and sucking as his mate gasp for breath. Brandon’s reaction to his touch drove Erik wild and he couldn’t hold on any longer. Cum shot out his dick to paint the inside of his pants. The warm spread like fire as he stilled his hips and held close to Brandon drawing in deep breaths.