STORY EXCERPT

“I’ve been looking forward to this ever since Gnash introduced you to us,” Saul said. “Too bad the Alpha’s a little sentimental when it comes to you. Normally, Gnash agrees that all humans are just scum we can screw around with.”

“You were human once, too,” he whispered. 

That only earned him a snarl to his face. Oh right. Saul didn’t like being reminded of that fact. He grimaced as Saul took a fistful of his ranger uniform and easily tore it to shreds, exposing his chest. Wyatt’s paralysis broke. He knew a human wouldn’t be able to take on two dominant shifters, but he refused to let Saul and Cliff do what they wanted. He had to take them by surprise.

“We’re going to have so much fun,” Saul said.

“Oh yeah? What do you have in mind?”

Saul narrowed his eyes at him. “What did you just say?”

He repeated his words and added, “I’m sick of fighting you, and the others. I promised Gnash I’ll try harder to get along with everyone. I’ll let you do anything you want to me, but I want something in return.”

Cliff laughed. “Oh, that human got smart.”

“What’s that?” Saul asked. 

Both of them knew Saul had the power here. Hell, Saul could even crush his windpipe, tear his head from his shoulders even before he could blink, but Wyatt knew Saul wouldn’t do either of those things. For all his tough act, Saul was still afraid of Gnash. Despite Gnash’s failings and selfishness, some part of Gnash still saw him as family, as obligation. 

“I want you to help me convince Gnash to Bite me.”

That was true enough. He’d always begged Gnash whenever the others were around. 

“Even if you did survive the transformation, you’ll just be a submissive shifter,” Cliff said with a scoff.

“Doesn’t matter. At least I’ll be a cat shifter, like Gnash and you guys.” He made sure both heard the longing in his voice.

“Fine, but I want you to beg for my cock. Do it.”

“I—” Wyatt began and formed his right hand into a fist. Without waiting for Saul’s response, he slammed his fist into Saul’s privates. The shifter howled in torment as he slipped away. At least Gnash taught him one handy defensive move that he managed to put into good use. 

“What the hell,” Cliff muttered, but he sprinted towards the front door.

Wyatt’s hands shook as he reached for his keys. He knew he only had a few seconds’ head start, and that sure as hell wouldn’t be enough against two shifters. Wyatt yanked the door open and ran towards his jeep, his heart racing all that time. Sweat dripped down his body. By some miracle, he opened his jeep door and slid inside. He fumbled for his key, slot it in as he heard snarls from behind him. They had shifted, he realized with growing fear. Wyatt started the engine. It sputtered. 

Through his view in the side mirror, one muscled mountain lion burst past the front door, followed by a second.

“Oh God,” he whispered. “Don’t die on me now.”

The jeep roared to life. Relief filled him as he stepped on the pedal. The jeep lurched into motion. Okay. He could do this. His jeep could outrun those two, right? Tension filled his entire body as he focused on the road ahead of him. He passed trees, which looked sinister under the moonlight. The only light came from his jeep. Wyatt gripped the wheel tight. He never drove out during the night, because he knew the rocky mountain path was dangerous. 

Wyatt had no choice now. He looked at his side mirror. No sign of Saul or Cliff. Did he manage to escape them successfully? Could it truly be that easy? Doubt crept into him as he remembered the twisted expression on Saul’s face. That bastard had been ready to take him against his will, and it looked like there was no stopping him. Saul could be persistent when he wanted. 

He heard a hiss, followed by a second. What just happened? He risked taking a look behind him, and swallowed. Both Saul and Cliff must’ve taken a shortcut, because both mountain lions had gnawed at his back wheels. Panic rose as he turned his attention back to the road. Shit. His jeep started to slow. Wyatt grabbed the rifle in the backseat. All rangers were issued firearms in case of an emergency, but he’d never imagined using it in a situation like this. 

Wyatt opened the car door, got out, and gripped his gun. No use staying inside, because he’d once seen his brother literally rip the hinges of a car door to get his prey. 

ADULT EXCERPT

“I—I’ve never wanted anyone more my entire life.”

“Me neither.” He placed his hand over Wyatt’s, leaned in close for another kiss. This time, he didn’t hold back. The kiss was rough, bruising, but that only seemed to turn Wyatt on. Heat rammed into his mouth, travelled right to his dick. He pulled away, this time not to stop, but to say, “Take off your clothes.”

Gray stood up. Wyatt did the same. He peeled off his shirt, followed by his pants, only to see Wyatt standing in front of him, naked, skin smooth save for the bite Jack had left on his neck. Soon, a second one would join it. His mate mark, because there was no stopping Gray’s possessive grizzly now.

“You’re like, wow,” Wyatt said, staring at him.

“I can say the same thing for you. Wait here, I’ll be back.” Gray headed to the bathroom, retrieved the lube from the cabinet, as well as some towels, and returned to his mate.

“Where should we, I mean, where do you want me? Oh God. I’ve always been awkward when it comes to this stuff, not that I’ve done a lot of dating. Gnash made sure of that.”

Wyatt was too adorable for words. 

“I just don’t want to disappoint you,” Wyatt finished, biting on his lower lip. 

Gray placed the towel on the couch, sat, and patted his lap. “Shh. Climb me.”

“Oh yes,” Wyatt whispered, straddling his lap. 

Fuck, but the touch of Wyatt’s skin against his only fanned the flames inside of him. Their chests, stomachs, and dicks rubbed against each other, creating friction. Wyatt’s skin burned fever hot, and so did his. He took Wyatt’s mouth again, just as his mate placed his arms behind his neck. His dick thickened with need as he deepened the kiss. Gray reached for Wyatt’s shaft and began to stroke it, back and forth.

When he released Wyatt from the kiss, his mate murmured, “Oh God. I’ll come too soon.”

“You’re a shifter now, baby,” Gray whispered against Wyatt’s ear. He planted kisses down the side of Wyatt’s neck, liked it when Wyatt shivered, while thrusting his hips, his shaft into his waiting hand. “And we recover fast.”

Wyatt cried out, as Gray gave the tip of Wyatt’s cock head a squeeze. His mate scored his nails down his shoulders, but Gray didn’t mind the bite of pain. Wyatt painted his stomach and abs with his jizz. Gray decided he wanted Wyatt buckling wildly on his lap as he rode him. 

He reached for the lube, applied plenty on his fingers, before working some into Wyatt’s puckered entrance. He couldn’t wait to stake his claim on his mate in the most intimate way possible. Wyatt squirmed as he slid one slicked finger inside of him. 

“Hurry,” Wyatt said as he added a second finger and began widening Wyatt for access.

“Be a good boy and wait,” he chided. “I’m not exactly small.”

“I can see that,” Wyatt said, licking at his lips. “Yum.”

He smirked, finally pulling his fingers out and guiding his shaft to Wyatt’s entrance. Gray didn’t push in yet. Instead, he smeared his pre-cum all over Wyatt’s entrance, feeling all territorial again. He pushed his way in, slow and steady. Gray gritted his teeth, told himself not to go too fast. 

Wyatt groaned, gripping his shoulders tight as he made his entry. Once he made his way past the stubborn ring of muscles, it went much easier. Gray dove in, balls deep, finally deep inside his mate. 

“You ready to ride, baby?” he asked.

* * * *

What kind of question was that? Of course Wyatt wanted to feel Gray hammering in and out of him. Gray’s shaft was so huge that he felt stretched out completely, but Wyatt knew the pain would only be momentary. 

“Fuck me,” he whispered, feeling excited and dirty all at once. 

Before Gray, he didn’t think sex could be so sexy. Wyatt had only done it once with an ex, and it had been quick and disappointing, but this? It felt like his entire body was wired, had come alive, and even his cock woke up again, just like Gray said. Being a shifter certainly had its share of perks. Gray began to move, and he found himself meeting his mate for every thrust. He moaned, gripping Gray’s biceps as Gray fucked him fast and faster, taking him deeper with every turn. 

He could sense his inner grizzly rising to meet Gray’s larger and more dominant beast. It felt like his soul could climb out of his body, touch Gray’s, and he knew they were meant to be separate halves of a complete whole. Fated soul mates. No wonder Gray’s face was the first one he had sought after his rebirth as a bear shifter. Despite all the bad things that had happened to him, Wyatt was beginning to think it was all so fate could lead him to Gray. Wyatt had to go through a test of fire, of courage, so he could finally be what he was born to be—Gray’s mate.

He left half-crescent nail marks on Gray’s skin, but his mate didn’t seem to mind. Gray began to pound in and out of him. Wyatt’s cock went from half to full mast within moments. He panted, begged, pleaded. His balls tightened against his body. Every muscle locked into place.