STORY EXCERPT

Lawson Decker was working at the Silver Bullet when news came that Tucker Gage—his friend and pack mate—had been shot. He quickly rushed home, abandoning his post at the club, to check on the man. Standing inside The Castle, Lawson stayed out of the way as Tucker was rushed into the clinic. The wolf had been shot in the back protecting his human mate, Sloan. The scent of blood—thick and coppery—hung heavy in the air. It was hard to see someone he cared about in pain, but he had no doubt that Stephen, the pack doctor, would be able to pull the bullet free.

He wanted to follow the doctor and help, but decided to hang back. He didn’t want to get in the way. A sweet scent tickled his nose and Lawson looked around, trying to locate where it was coming from. It wasn’t familiar to him and he knew that it didn’t belong to any of his pack mates. Following his nose, Lawson went into the clinic. It didn’t take him long to spot the new smell. It was coming off a young man sitting on the floor, crying.

He looked so sad, and Lawson stared at him, wishing he could go over and offer comfort. It was a new feeling for him.

Why am I drawn to Tucker’s human mate? Why is his scent making my mouth water?

The realization made Lawson feel slightly ill. Breathing through his mouth, he backed out of the room. He didn’t want to be attracted to Tucker’s mate. It felt all wrong. He wouldn’t be able to share and he had no doubt that Tucker would feel the exact same way, but there was something very familiar. As if the human on the floor might belong to him.

Walking out of the clinic, Lawson went into the spacious living room and collapsed onto one of the over-stuffed chairs. He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees, and closed his eyes. He was only alone for a little while before Gideon strode in.

“He’s going to be okay.” Gideon patted his shoulder, sitting down in the chair next to him. “The bullet was removed and Tucker shifted. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“It’s not that.” Lawson sighed. He was concerned about Tucker’s well-being and relieved to hear that the wolf would heal. “It’s his mate. He smells familiar to me. It’s almost as if he could be my mate, but…” He shook his head and looked over at Gideon, feeling uncomfortable.

He didn’t want his Alpha to think that he was the type of man to poach. He would never betray his friend or a mate bond. The pain and damage caused by Ranger Caber when he fell for Scout’s mate, Maddox, was enough to teach him a lesson for life. Ranger had left soon after, moving to New York and working with the Federal Paranormal Agency.

Even if Sloan was his, Lawson wouldn’t do a damn thing about it. Besides, he reasoned inside his mind, he didn’t want a human mate anyway. Not after all the pain his brother, Caleb, endured years before. Taking a deep breath, Lawson pushed those thoughts away. It was still too painful for him to think about Caleb.

“Alpha,” Brock interrupted from the doorway. “Sloan is settled upstairs and I’m going to take Tucker up now to join his mate.”

“Sounds good.” Gideon stood up. “I’d better give everyone an update on Tucker’s condition.” The Alpha headed out of the living room, leaving Lawson alone with his thoughts.

Exhaling loudly, Lawson pushed himself up from the chair and went to the foyer. He wasn’t sure what Brock was up to, but from the determined look on his face, he knew the man had a plan. Brock looked pissed and ready to cause some serious damage. Lawson leaned against the wall next to the front door. He wasn’t waiting long before footsteps were pounding against the stairs.

“Hey, where are you going?” Lawson had to step into Brock’s path to get the wolf to even notice that he was standing by the front door.

A light scent came off Brock’s shirt and Lawson’s wolf came awake, rising to the surface.

What the fuck? Another delectable scent?

“I have a job to finish.” Brock growled out.

Lifting his nose, he scented the air and moved closer to the man. There was something so delicious about the scent he wanted to roll around in it. It was stronger than Sloan’s, more tantalizing.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Do you smell that?” he asked, wondering if Brock’s mouth was watering as much as his was.

“No.” Brock shook his head, stepping back, and Lawson moved closer.

Lawson wanted to get closer to the scent. He started sniffing Brock’s shirt, categorizing each smell. It’s not Sloan’s smell. It belongs to someone else. Thank the gods!

ADULT EXCERPT

He reached for Lawson’s jeans, unbuttoning the top button before attacking the zipper. Lawson pulled his T-shirt over his head before helping Matthew out of his suit and tie. He twisted and turned, trying to get free of the coat before finally grabbing the front of his button shirt and tearing it open. The two moved in a blur, touching and rubbing each exposed inch of flesh as they stripped.

Matthew didn’t miss a beat. He grabbed Lawson’s cock, wrapping his fingers around the hard shaft. He started jacking the heated flesh while tickling Lawson’s balls with his other hand. Lawson growled and Matthew stared at his face, watching his eyes spark and change.

The beast was right at the surface. The knowledge excited and pushed him. Gripping Lawson’s hip—where the gun tattoo rested—Matthew ran his right hand up the man’s chest. He rubbed his palm over the hard plane of Lawson’s pecs. When he reached the man’s nipples, Matthew pinched one and then the other, rolling the hard bud between his fingers.

“Fuck,” Lawson moaned, his head dropping back, exposing his neck.

Leaning forward, Matthew licked the column of his throat before sucking hard. His teeth lengthened and Matthew could sense his leopard pushing him to bite and mark Lawson’s skin once more. The leopard wanted to prove once and for all that Lawson belonged to him.

Lawson shuddered as he scraped the sharp points along his neck, down to his shoulder. Licking the skin, he sank his fangs into the meaty flesh and Lawson came, shooting jets of spunk onto Matthew’s hand.

“Holy shit,” Lawson panted out.

Matthew removed his teeth and licked the mark he’d left behind before stepping back. Lifting his hand, he slowly licked his palm and fingers, giving Lawson a show.

“Damn, kitty.” Lawson stared at him in awe. “You sexy fucker,” he growled.

Dropping gracefully to his knees, Matthew spent a minute tracing the man’s sexy tattoo with his tongue, outlining the barrel of the gun. Lawson groaned and Matthew couldn’t help but grin. Nipping at the man’s hip bone, Matthew licked the abused flesh before pulling Lawson’s softening member into his mouth. He sucked, bathing the beautiful cock in saliva before travelling further south and pulling Lawson’s balls into his mouth.

When his sexy mate was hard once more, Matthew stood up and captured Lawson’s mouth in an erotic kiss. Their tongues danced together and Matthew took a step forward, forcing Lawson to step back. They walked and kissed, keeping their mouths connected until Lawson fell back onto the bed. Standing up, Matthew stared down at Lawson and licked his lips. It was time to prove his intentions.

“It’s my turn, wolf. I’m going to claim you fully. It’s your decision…hands and knees or on your back?”

“I want you to ride me hard, cat,” Lawson told him before gracefully turning over, offering his ass.

Staring at Lawson’s clenched rosette, he grinned, and his cock jerked, pre-cum oozing from the tip. Matthew gripped an ass cheek in each hand, squeezing the meaty flesh before finally licking the man’s hole. Lawson jolted forward, almost falling flat on his face, but seemed to recover enough to shove his ass back against Matthew’s face.

He would’ve laughed, but he was too busy trying to pleasure his wolf.

Matthew used the sounds Lawson made to gauge his next move. He coated Lawson’s ass in saliva before slowly sliding one finger into his mate. He pumped the digit in and out of Lawson’s ass before adding a second finger. He sped up, thrusting his digits to Lawson’s movements. The wolf met him with every thrust until Matthew finally added a third finger, scissoring and stretching his mate.

When he was ready for Matthew’s cock, he pulled back, grabbed the lube, and coated his shaft.

Matthew groaned as his cock sank into Lawson’s ass. His head spun and his pulse raced as the man’s ass stretched wide. Staring down, he could barely breathe as he watched his length sink in until he was buried deep inside his mate.

“Tight,” he grunted. “Shit, you’re fucking hot,” he said when Lawson’s muscles clamped tight against his cock.

Lawson looked at him over his shoulder, his eyes desperate, needy. “Kiss me.”

Leaning forward, Matthew wrapped his arms around Lawson’s waist while covering his back. He held him tight, keeping their bodies glued together. Matthew captured his wolf’s lips in a leisurely kiss while slowly swirling his hips. Lawson made a few sounds and Matthew swallowed them down.

“I’m ready,” Lawson whispered against Matthew’s lips. “Ride me hard, kitty.”

Matthew pulled out slowly, and a shiver went through his body when Lawson’s body tried to pull him back inside. Thrusting forward, he sank his cock back into the heat of Lawson’s body. The feeling was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Tilting his head back, he closed his eyes.

They built a slow rhythm until finally he was mindlessly pounding his mate’s ass. Grunts and groans filled the room, echoing off the high ceilings, and Matthew knew he would never get enough. He would always remain at Lawson’s side.