STORY EXCERPT

“Nicholas! Help!”

Running from the back room, Nicholas skidded to a stop when he saw a huge bruiser of a man beating the hell out of his twin brother, Damon. One of the man’s meaty fists was wrapped around Damon’s neck while his other fist flew at Damon’s face, connecting in a bone-crunching punch. He didn’t know why the wolf was attacking Damon, and honestly, Nicholas didn’t give a fuck. If anyone messed with his brother, they had to deal with him. That was the way the Sabbath brothers rolled.

Nicholas’s jaguar rose, and his muscles flexed as his body prepared to shift. “Let go of him,” he said, the words coming out as a harsh growl.

He moved closer to the action. When neither of the men acknowledged him, Nicholas didn’t feel as though he had any other choice. He joined in the fray. Jumping onto the giant’s back, he wrapped his arms around the man’s thick neck while enfolding his legs around the guy’s waist. The man was a wall of solid muscle, completely unmoving and unaffected.

An unexpected scent hit him, and Nicholas’s entire body went rigid. The smell was wild and masculine—a mixture of pine and cedar, fresh yet familiar—making him dizzy and crazy with need. His gums tingled as his teeth lengthened. Nicholas tried to hold back his animal’s natural instincts, but it was impossible. His jaguar took control, and Nicholas struck, burying his pointed teeth into the assailant’s shoulder. The sweet taste of blood hit his tongue, and Nicholas moaned at the rich, decadent flavor.

When the wolf growled, the sound vibrated throughout Nicholas’s body, settling in his balls. His cock began to swell, and he moved his hips, desperate for more friction. Reality struck him upside the head, like a vicious slap, and Nicholas cursed. He’d just marked his mate. Son of a bitch. Through his shocked state, Nicholas realized that the big man had let Damon go. Loosening his limbs, he dropped off the wolf’s back. When his feet hit the floor, Nicholas took a few shaky steps backward, trying to clear his head of the intoxicating scent.

Damn it! What the fuck did I just do?

Nicholas rubbed a hand down his face. His brows furrowed as he stared at the man’s profile. The wolf wasn’t a bad-looking man, but he definitely wasn’t Nicholas’s usual type. He had a commanding presence, and there was no doubt that the wolf was an Alpha.

“What are you doing, Rory?” The growl of the man’s voice pulled Nicholas from his thoughts. “I came here to protect you, to take you home where you’ll be safe.”

Nicholas let out a snort. Bullshit. “He doesn’t need your protection. They’re mates.”

“That’s impossible.” The wolf cut his eyes from Damon and Rory to Nicholas. The coffee-brown globes seemed to stare right through him, unlocking every secret he had. It made Nicholas feel vulnerable and exposed. “My brother couldn’t possibly have a mate.”

Nicholas’s brows shot up. He glanced at Rory and Damon. The two were clearly in love, and they were mates. It seemed this Alpha, Nicholas’s mate, was looking to cause trouble. And even if Nicholas felt the mate-pull, he wasn’t going to allow this man to ruin Damon and Rory’s relationship.

“You came into Gideon Channing’s territory. You attacked a member of his pack. You’ll pay for attacking my brother.” Nicholas paused for a moment, staring into the man’s chocolate-colored eyes before adding, “mate.”

The room went silent. Nicholas could feel the confusion coming from his brother and Rory. He didn’t say anything. Instead, Nicholas continued to stare at Adam, waiting for him to say something, but the man didn’t even acknowledge his claim.

“Holy shit,” Damon breathed out as he stood up.

When Adam still didn’t say anything, Nicholas turned away. He wasn’t going to waste another second on the Alpha. It seemed that Adam was just like every other so-called leader that Nicholas had come into contact with, all except Gideon. He wouldn’t bow down. He wouldn’t change who he was, even for his mate.

Damon took off his shirt and held it out for Rory. The young man shifted into his human form and grabbed the garment, quickly covering his naked body.

“I want you to leave, Adam,” Rory said.

“Rory.” Adam’s tone was gentle as he spoke to his brother. “I came here to protect you. When I found out that you had made it all the way to New Orleans, I was really worried. I came straight here and met with Gideon. He told me where to find you.”

“I didn’t mean to worry you.” Rory sighed. “But now you’ve hurt my mate, and I want you to leave.”

“You were innocent. He took advantage of you. Think about it, Rory. I’m only trying to protect you like I’ve been doing all of my life.”

“You think Damon hurt me? Why would he? He’s my mate. Damon…” Rory looked over his shoulder at Damon.

“I would never hurt you, Rory. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he said before turning his attention back toward his older brother. “I want you to leave.”

“Rory?”

“You heard him, Adam,” Nicholas said. “You need to leave.”

He knew this conversation didn’t necessarily include him, but he wanted Adam to leave. It was a little selfish on his part, considering that Rory and Adam were brothers, but Nicholas needed some space from all the drama. Adam looked over at Nicholas. His mouth opened and closed as if he wanted to say something, but nothing came out. Their eyes connected, and a staring contest ensued for several moments before Adam turned on his heel and left The Burning Needle. Nicholas stared at Adam’s back. He watched the Alpha leave and felt a pang of sadness in his heart. He’s my mate.

ADULT EXCERPT

Nicholas woke up to the moist heat of Adam’s mouth on his cock. He reached down and pushed his fingers through the thick mass of dark strands, gripping the man’s hair in a tight fist. He watched intently as his dick disappeared and reappeared over and over again, covered in Adam’s saliva. He couldn’t take his eyes off his mate.

He groaned. “Ah…ah…ah…” Little sounds slipped from his lips. “That feels so good.”

Adam rolled his talented tongue around the crown of Nicholas’s shaft before swallowing it whole, taking his cock down to the root. Nicholas’s mouth dropped open, and his eyes rolled back. He tried to remain still, but he couldn’t stop himself. His hips bucked off the bed. Nicholas followed his instincts, moving in perfect rhythm with Adam’s mouth. He moaned and groaned, the sounds filling the space, echoing around the bedroom.

“I could wake up like this every day,” he murmured.

Adam pulled back enough to speak. “That could be arranged.”

“Okay, you’ve convinced me,” Nicholas said, his tone holding a playful note. “I’ll move in with you.”

Adam chuckled lightly. “Stop talking. I’m trying to seduce you.”

Nicholas nodded. “It’s working.”

Adam gripped Nicholas’s hips, holding him down on the bed as he took control. He sucked harder, as if he was trying to pull Nicholas’s release right out of his cock.

“Adam…” He panted. “Oh God…” Nicholas’s body jerked, his muscles tightening, as he came down his mate’s throat. Breathing heavily, he collapsed back against the bed.

Adam placed a series of open-mouthed kisses along his stomach and chest. Adam continued his journey up Nicholas’s body. His mouth attached to one of Nicholas’s nipples, licking and gnawing on the flesh before making his way to the other and giving it the same treatment. Fuck! His cock jerked, coming back to life under Adam’s ministrations. Nicholas couldn’t remember a time when he’d been so damn needy, so desperate to be touched and loved.

Adam nibbled the side of Nicholas’s neck as he lowered his weight down, covering Nicholas with his body. Being beneath Adam’s larger frame made Nicholas feel submissive in a way he’d never experienced before. Or it could be because Adam was an Alpha, but either way, he wasn’t as scared as he thought he would be. In fact, he was incredibly turned on.

Adam ducked his head down, capturing Nicholas’s lips in a passionate kiss. Wrapping his arms around Adam’s shoulder, Nicholas held him close. They rolled around on the bed, battling for dominance, each of them trying to gain the upper hand. The kiss evolved then, becoming fierce and primal. Adam won in the end. He shoved Nicholas back down against the bed, holding him in place while ravaging his mouth and nipping at his lips.

Adam moved faster than Nicholas expected. He flipped him over, placing Nicholas on his hands and knees. Nicholas took a shaky breath as nervous energy shot through his system. His entire body froze up. Nicholas wasn’t sure if he was ready to submit. The desire was there. He wanted Adam, but this was uncharted territory for him. Nicholas tucked his head, putting his chin against his chest. He pulled his lower lip into his mouth and bit down, preparing for the worst.

“Don’t be nervous.” Adam rubbed his hands over Nicholas’s back, massaging his shoulders. “I would never hurt you.”

Nicholas didn’t want to admit how scared he was so he merely nodded in response. This was his first time on the receiving end.

Adam grabbed hold of his ass cheeks, spreading them apart, exposing his hole. A puff of warm air breezed across his ass before Adam’s tongue flicked out, sending of jolt of pleasure through his entire body. Adam licked at Nicholas’s hole, flicking his tongue, coating his ass in saliva. Adam moved his tongue rapidly, lashing Nicholas’s hole, burying his face into the crease of Nicholas’s ass. When Adam pushed his tongue into Nicholas’s ass, Nicholas let out a litany of curse words.

“Fuck!” Nicholas dug his hands into the sheets, holding tightly to prevent himself from falling. Slowly moving his hips, Nicholas rocked backward, desperate for more.

A slick finger covered in a thick coat of lube touched his ass, and Nicholas stopped his movements. Adam pressed the digit against his hole, moving it in a circular motion before slowly easing the finger into Nicholas’s ass. His internal muscles automatically clamped down, tightening around the digit.

“You’re so beautiful,” Adam murmured, his voice low and deep. “I’ve been waiting to claim you for so long, mate.”