STORY EXCERPT

Nicolane Brayclaw took a bite of the apple he gripped in one hand as he listened to the small group of security team leaders his alpha had assembled. Jody’s mate was spewing small talk that was getting on Nic’s nerves, but he patiently waited for the punch line.

The door to Jody’s office opened to his left, and Jody came striding in with a grim look on his face.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said as he stood behind his desk next to Kimble. “I just got off a call with Voss from Cactus Claw. I spoke with him a few days ago, that’s why you’re all here. I want things to be business as usual, but there will be some changes.”

“Like what?” Reno, the cop among them, asked.

“Like we aren’t going to allow those damned hyenas and jackals to make us run or go into hiding. They have a hit list and I’m on it, along with you, Reno. I suggest you be careful at work.”

“Understood.”

“Nic, you’re also on it as a former member of The Order’s security teams.”

Nic wasn’t surprised to hear he was on a hit list. Though his team had been disbanded when The Order dissolved, his reputation as a lethal fighter had followed him home to the wolves. As a result, Jody had given him a position of command among the Graystone security teams.

“Why would they want you dead?” Reno asked.

“From what I’m hearing they’re going after those immediately responsible for the deaths of some prominent men and women in their organizations.”

“Which organizations?” Mason Blasey asked.

“Blacktooth and Valrossa.”

“Drug cartels,” another wolf said. “So, they’re coming after us, and we’re battening down the hatches.”

“We are,” Jody agreed. “Because the pack is small, I’ve done some reworking to put some omegas and betas in charge of groups, and they’ll need some special training.”

“Omegas?” Mason demanded. “Jody, that’s crazy.”

“Maybe, but if we’re attacked the dominants will be on the front lines, and the jackals and hyenas have larger forces. We might not get any help, and who do you think will be in charge of our young and protecting the old?”

“We’ll be spread thin,” Mason said. “But we’ll get it done.”

“Wrong. We’ll die,” Jody said. “Everyone pulls their weight, which means the omegas that can handle a command of a small group will.”

“They’ll be in charge of keeping them safe?” Nic said, picking up Jody’s train of thought.

“Exactly, and we’ll need to pair these groups wisely to prevent any internal power struggles. Kimble has a list that I’ve approved,” Jody told them. “Each of the dominants will be paired with one of the new leaders to teach him or her how to handle themselves.”

“Jody, do you think that’s a wise waste of time?” Mason asked. “We should be preparing the best routes to move out the vulnerable and deciding where we’re going to put them.”

“That’s being handled, Mason,” Kimble told him. “And you and I need to chat after the meeting. I have a special assignment for you. Anyone else have a problem with the situation?”

“If you do, take it up with me after,” Jody said coldly. “Nic, I need a word with you about your charge.”

“Right,” he said.

Jody finished laying out the plan and dismissed the meeting. Kimble took Mason from the office, leaving them alone.

“What’s wrong with the kid?” Nic asked curiously as he tossed the apple core into the trashcan.

“Nothing’s wrong with him. I just need to know you can be objective. I know you’ve found your mate.”

“And I’m going to make him aware of the situation soon,” he replied with a frown. “But that has nothing to do with this. He’ll deal.”

“He might not.” Jody sighed. “Your charge will probably be reluctant to take the role of leader even though he’s already working with a small group of maybe kids giving them basic medical training.”

“So? What could be the problem?”

“I think he’s capable, but it’s going to be your job to help him and those boys realize they are. They’ll likely be a line of defense, and you’ll be with them.”

“You want me to train kids to fight? That’s crazy,” Nic exclaimed.

The pack wasn’t as organized as it should be. The boys and girls who should be able to step up weren’t ready because Jody hadn’t been hard enough on their trainers.

“We won’t have a choice if a Blacktooth leader invades, and according to intel, that’s going to happen. They want our den and the tunnels beneath it that lead straight to the cats. They have no idea, but those tunnels lead to Nightshade, too.”

“If they lay claim to those tunnels, Nightshade won’t stand a chance,” Nic murmured, seeing the carnage of the cat pride in his mind.

Nightshade was only slightly bigger than them, and Xavier, Jody’s brother and the former pride leader, had been in talks with them for months but hadn’t come to an agreement about an alliance. The alliance would have been good for both of them, given them the extra protection against bigger invading packs or prides.

Jody held out a picture to him. “Those are your charges, and we might very well have to put them in charge at one of the safehouses. Can you do it?”

Nic looked at the picture and his heart stopped.

ADULT EXCERPT

Mandalay rubbed against Nic, the kiss making him dizzy. Both man and wolf enjoyed the feel of Nic’s solid body so much he wanted to crawl up it.

Nic deepened the kiss, his tongue stroking Mandalay’s, setting him on fire. His cock hardened, and Mandalay ground the still swelling flesh against Nic’s, and Nic gripped his hips, grinding back against him before breaking the kiss.

Panting, Nic nipped his bottom lip before reaching for the edge of Mandalay’s polo shirt and pushed his hand beneath to caress skin. “Mmm, you feel good.”

“Take it off me,” Mandalay urged. He was almost too far gone to say anything else. He needed, wanted, Nic’s touch and wasn’t of the mind to tell him to stop.

“Are you sure you want to do this so soon?”

“Now, next week. I want you. That’s not going to change.”

Nic pulled the shirt up, and Mandalay lifted his arms to help him get it off easily. Nic tossed it away and stared down at him.

“You’re so gorgeous,” he breathed out as he lowered his head and swirled his tongue tip around a tight flat nipple before licking over it and scraping across it with his teeth.

“Nic.” Mandalay moaned as his eyes closed.

Nic sucked at his nipple, sending shards of breathtaking pleasure through him. Mandalay caught his bottom lip between his teeth on a gasp of pleasure.

Nic pinched his nipple before flicking his tongue over the rosy peak and then laved it, ramping up the sensual heat. He rolled the vacated nipple between his fingers before kissing a trail to the other.

“Oh, baby, yes.”

Nic flicked the tiny bud with his tongue and bit it lightly. Then, he sucked hard, and Mandalay caught his breath. It was so damn good, his knees almost buckled. Nic blew over the damp flesh and Mandalay growled softly.

“Nic,” he cried. No man’s touch had ever felt so good.

Nic lifted his head and reached for the button of Mandalay’s pants as his mouth claimed Mandalay’s again. He pushed Mandalay’s jeans down his thighs and stepped back to take in the sight of the black briefs.

“Undress,” he ordered tightly.

Mandalay pushed his pants down beneath his mate’s watchful gaze as desire rose higher in him, making his skin hotter. He kicked the pants aside before pushing down his briefs.

“Take off your clothes for me, mate,” Mandalay urged huskily. “I want to see every inch of you.”

Nic gave him a slow smile and shed his own clothing, and Mandalay pushed him back onto the bed before moving over him. Mandalay kissed the side of Nic’s neck as he glided his hand down his shaft and back up.

He tightened his grip a little and played his thumb around the crown, tearing a hiss of pleasure from Nic.

“Mandy,” Nic growled and reached up to set Mandalay’s hair free from the ponytail it was in. Nic combed his fingers through the silky locks before raising up, but Mandalay pushed him back onto the mattress.

Then, Mandalay kissed Nic slow and easy, allowing him to take control of the kiss. Their tongues tangled and explored before licking against each other.

 Nic moaned softly as he stroked his hands up Mandalay’s back and down to grip his hips. Drunk on the passion, Mandalay kissed a path from Nic’s shoulder to his chest, nipping and biting as he went. His teeth teased the flat nipple, and then licked over it before licking a path to the other one.

“Pretty baby.” The words were a rough gasp. Nic’s hands scrubbed at his back and his nails lightly pressed into Mandalay’s skin.

He sucked hard at Nic’s nipple, swirled his tongue around the areola, and then drew back to pinch it. “Nic.”

Nic moaned as Mandalay’s teeth closed over his nipple. “Oh fuck, baby, you’re making me so crazy I can hardly stand it.”

Loving that desperate sound in his voice, Mandalay licked a trail down to his stomach. He nipped at the firm muscle, traced the outline of his navel, and continued his way down. Mandalay’s tongue darted out to trace circles on Nic’s lower belly before he knelt between Nic’s parted thighs.

Mandalay’s tongue glided down his shaft and back up to play over the crown. He blew over the head before flickering his tongue over the slit of Nic’s dick. Then, he took the head into his mouth.

“Fuck!” Nic growled and fisted his hands in Mandalay’s hair. “Yes, pretty baby. Suck my dick.”

The scent of Nic’s lust whipped around the room, a potent aroma that intoxicated Mandalay even more than the sound of Nic’s voice.

Mandalay’s head bobbed up and down as he sucked greedily at Nic’s cock. He licked down the shaft and to Nic’s balls. He sucked one and then the other before flicking beneath the sac. Nic growled, and Mandalay teased the spot again before taking the head into his mouth again.