“Good morning,” Brick murmurs against me. “Thinking deep thoughts?”
“Well,” I falter, letting out a squeak when Brick wraps his arms around me tighter. There’s a reason everyone calls our alpha Brick. He’s massive, and every inch of him is built like a wall—impenetrable, like the armor around his heart. Until I came along anyway.
“Remember, pup. I can smell it if you lie to me,” Brick reminds me, nipping at my ear.
I squirm in his arms just to feel his solidness rubbing against my lean skinny frame. It’s like friction the moment Brick’s tanned skin kisses mine. Our spiritual wolves wake, and affectionately begin playing with each other. That’s another affirmation Brick’s mine and I’m his. A werewolf’s human half might lie all he wants, but his beast always remains true. Beasts don’t lie. They have no need for it.
“I’m just thinking,” I begin, but Brick distracts me again. Brick grinds himself against my back, letting me feel how hard he was.
“Let’s see,” Brick murmurs. He slides his hand over my hip to reach my groin. I moan when his fingers curl around my shaft. “So needy so early in the morning, pup?”
“Well...” I can’t do coy. I know I’m flushing crimson, but Brick only laughs.
“I fucking love how you react to me.” Brick glides his hand up and down my length.
“Brick...” All I’m capable of saying is his name, because he soon makes me forget about anything else. The world narrows down its scope to Brick, behind me, his prick thickening like mine. My balls draw in tight against me. Soon, I’m breathing hard. My heart’s racing, and I’m about to burst.
“Remember the rules, Bobby,” Brick warns.
Of course I remember Brick’s damn rules. It’s fucking erotic and sexy, to have another man control my orgasms. Before Brick, I’ve dated, but never get to third base. No one has managed to drag this part of me out, a submissive side that wasn’t controlled by logic. Instinct dictates my body and fills it with unbearable want.
“I remember,” I say hoarsely.
“Tell me anyway.”
“No coming without your permission.” I’m breathy, practically moaning and pleading, but Brick teases me. Pushes me to the edge, but I know he’ll catch me if I fall. No reason to give that amount to a stranger. Brick was my alpha, yes, but I trust him as a lover. As my mate, even if he doesn’t know it yet.
“Brick. Please,” I utter.
“Alright, pup. Come,” Brick orders, nipping at my neck. He sets his teeth there, on the spot where my shoulder connects to my arm. The place he can place his mate mark, and make me forever his. But Brick only bites teasingly. We’re not ready, I know. We’ve only known each other for one night, but I can’t help feel disappointed. Still, my body reacts on impulse. Brick pinches my tip, and the pressure building inside me breaks open like a dam.
Logical thought flees my mind. My entire body shudders as waves of pleasure assaults my senses. My wolf buries its head into the coat of Brick’s wolf. It takes a couple of minutes before reality returns. I notice Brick hasn’t left me. He’s been holding me the entire time.
“Fucking perfect,” he says. The pleasure in his voice makes my heart flutter again.
“Um. Well.” I clear my throat. Trying to sound seductive, but an awkward guy can’t start wearing new stripes anytime soon. “Can I return the favor?”
Brick turns me gently, so I’m facing him. My mind instantly takes stock of him. Brick, only a couple of inches away from me—all six foot of him, chiseled in muscle, ink and scars. Brick has the body of a footballer or a fighter, and the same rough-hewn but handsome features. Dark stubble covers his cheeks and jaw. An unruly crown of black hair fits a square-jawed face that’s seen its share of violence.
Without knowing why, I kiss his slightly crooked nose and the tiny scar cutting across his left cheekbone. Then I find his intense gaze on mine, studying me. Brick has an unreadable expression on his face.
“What?” I ask, feeling stupid. I’m about to look away, but Brick catches my chin, forcing me to look at him.
“Never had anyone look at me the way you’re doing now, Bobby.”
“How am I looking at you? And that’s a lie. You can have anyone—and you’ve probably have, in the world.”
“Like—” Brick begins to explain, except he’s cut off by the sound of the doorbell. Groaning, Brick yells, “unless someone’s dying, fuck off. I’m busy.”
All you lonely single wolves out there take note: if your alpha tells others he’s busy so he can spend more time to cuddle you, he’s a definite keeper.
“Brick, its Rover. Hate to interrupt, but someone from the Grizzly Falls wolf pack is here.”
Brick groans. He looks like he’s about to tell Rover off again, but it sounds like official pack business. Grizzly Falls is another small town west of us, also run by shifters, except bears are the dominant animal group. Even a low-ranking wolf like me knows shifter politics 101. The Grizzly Falls wolf pack falls under Puppyville’s allies list.
“Sounds serious,” I tell Brick. “Why don’t you do some alpha duties first?”
Brick glowers at me. “You ordering me around already, little wolf?”
I quickly shake my head. “No, Sir. I’d never presume to.”
Brick playfully nips at my ear. “Don’t be fucking smart.”
We both quickly dress. By the time Brick opens the door and lets our pack beta in, I’m hauling up my jeans. Brick’s apartment is studio sized, so privacy isn’t an option. No reason to hide either, because everyone in the pack saw Brick leave with me yesterday at the auction. Besides, most werewolves usually have no issue with nudity. Note the word ‘most’, because I don’t really fall into that category. It’s no secret I’m awkward and an introvert growing up, but I auctioned off my virginity anyway.
Do I feel like a new man? Not really, but I’m taking the first step to being more confident. I’m aware if I want my relationship with Brick to go anywhere, I need to step up. If I plan to be Brick’s mate, the alpha’s mate, there will be expectations.
Because of my average looks, I’m at a disadvantage. I have the omega card to play, and I can still give Brick pups, but I don’t bring much to the table. Some alphas enter a marriage of convenience, old-fashioned and traditional as it sounds, with other packs to seal an alliance. Others find partners who are powerful or strategic to add value to the pack. Mates are assets, and I haven’t proven mine yet.
“The representative the Grizzly Falls pack sent isn’t saying much. We need to hold an emergency pack meeting and sort this mess out as quickly as possible.” Rover spares me an interested look. He’s as massively well-built as Brick, although he acts more like the pack’s official PR. Any fights or messes, it’s Rover’s job to settle. Rover makes it a point to know each member of the Puppyville pack, which makes him hard to dislike. “How’s it going, Bobby?”
“Good. I guess. Do you want me out of the way?”
“Fuck no. It’s better if Brick brings you,” Rover says.
At his enigmatic remark, Brick gives his beta a pointed look. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“They sent Lorenzo Esteban.”
“The underwear model of Thongs, Thongs, Thongs?” I ask blankly. “He’s a werewolf?”
The atmosphere goes from chill to positively oven hot. I don’t know why the name is a trigger, but Brick lets out a rumbling growl that makes all the hairs on my neck and arms stand.
It gets worse. Brick starts going berserk, and begins breaking furniture. I stand there, stunned and unsure of what to do. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Brick act like this. An alpha is the anchor of his pack. He grounds us, and Brick’s the last wolf on earth I expected to lose control.
“Brick. Chill. What’s wrong?” I begin to approach him, but Rover quickly intervenes, grabbing my shoulder.
“Don’t. You might get hurt,” Rover warns. I push his hand away, annoyed. Unbelievable. How can Rover call himself Brick’s beta, if he won’t help Brick when he’s like this?
“Brick, come on. Man up,” I yell. Brick pauses from—I gulp, ripping a chair into pieces.
His eyes are feral yellow. When he bares his teeth, they’ve lengthened to sharpened canines, capable of snapping my neck in half. If Brick gives in to his animal half, his shift will happen in a matter of seconds. It takes an average wolf like me fifteen minutes to change, but for Brick, he’ll only need seconds.
Heart thumping, I make my move. I lunge at Brick, intending to tackle him. Shake some sense into him, except once I leap, I realize my fatal error. The sheer difference between our body mass makes tackling Brick impossible. He’s pure, hard muscle and I’m all skin and bones. Brick catches me in a bruising grip.
Any sane person on the planet would start getting scared, but not me. I’m both frightened and excited. Brick’s touch becomes possessive and less violent. The moment our bodies touch, my cock perks up in my jeans. It doesn’t help I know Brick can easily smell my arousal, and I can smell his.
“Holy shit, that’s impressive, Bobby,” Rover says, but we both ignore him.
Brick isn’t entirely back to normal. He bands one arm around my waist, pulling me closer, until I can feel his hard-on, begging to be released. Brick’s gaze sears through my skin, demanding my submission. He lets out a thin warning growl, and I automatically offer him my neck.
Brick traces the side of my neck with his nose, scenting me, and imprinting me with his own unique smell. Then he lets out a breath, says nothing for a few seconds.
“Thank you, Bobby,” Brick whispers. Then he releases me, although neither of us wants to be parted.
“What happened? Brick, you owe me an explanation.” Brick doesn’t. He can do what he wants. Brick lets out an exasperated sigh.
“I can’t. Not right now, Bobby. I need a cold shower. I’m this close to fucking you hard and rough.” Brick leaves for the bathroom, slamming it shut behind him.
“Um. Okay,” I muttered. I turn to Rover, expecting him to tell me it’s none of my business. Instead, Rover starts up Brick’s coffee maker and starts making a pot.
“Sit down.”
I sat, watching Rover make scrambled eggs, toast, and a frighteningly huge pile of bacon.
“You know where everything is,” I remark, not sure how I feel about that.
“I’m Brick’s beta. Think of me as his occasional babysitter.” Rover prepares three plates and sets them down. I eagerly lunge for the cup of coffee, because I’m pretty sure this conversation was not going to be a walk in the park.
Turns out I’m right.
“Brick didn’t use to be like this. I mean, a few years ago, Brick wouldn’t sleep around,” Rover begins.
I didn’t like where this was going. “Lorenzo is Brick’s old flame.”
Rover chuckles. “You can put it that way. Brick fell for Lorenzo real hard. Back then, Brick wasn’t alpha of the Puppyville Pack. Many wolves didn’t like how the old alpha ran the pack. Lorenzo encouraged Brick to challenge Marco and take his place.”
“Brick won,” I say. Rover nods. I wasn’t a werewolf in those days, but I remember the tension between the human townsfolk and the shifters. Back then, there wasn’t any mutual agreement in place.
“He won, but he was still young. Brick didn’t know Lorenzo pushed him into the fight so Lorenzo can hold the position for another alpha. Brick fought the fucker too. Killed him, and he should’ve gutted Lorenzo too, except he exiled Lorenzo instead.”
My stomach churns. I can imagine Brick all those years ago. A newly minted and young alpha taking the mantle of leadership, suddenly betrayed by the one person he loves—something like that can change a guy. Turn him into something leaner, harder and meaner.
“Why is Lorenzo here?” I finally ask. “Wouldn’t being on Puppyville territory automatically mean a death warrant for an exile?”
“He’s protected by Grizzly Falls’ wolf pack, and by going as their representative, he’s entitled to guest rights,” Rover explains. Then he looks dead serious. “Bobby Roy, I know you’ve just entered Brick’s life, but I can tell you’re here for the long run.”
“Uh, Rover. What exactly are you asking me to do? ”
“It’s too much to ask, but you need to be Brick’s anchor. Will you do that for him and the pack?”
I didn’t know what to do. Yesterday, I was only one of the faceless pups Brick has in his doghouse. Now I’m something else. Not a lover, or mate, because Brick and I have only intimately connected last night, but I did want to help Brick overcome this trial.
“Rover, I’m no one. I’m like, below average and pretty much useless in anything, let alone in a fight,” I say.
Rover’s sudden slap shocks me back to life. “Don’t ever let me hear you call yourself useless again, Bobby. Omegas alone are pretty rare, but we need them. You help stabilize and bring peace to the pack.”
A growl tickles from the bathroom, and Brick’s suddenly standing there. I swallow, instantly noticing he’s fully nude and wet. Feeling uncomfortable, I close my legs, glad the table hides my hard-on.
“I’m warning you, Rover. Hit him again without permission and I’ll rip you apart,” Brick warns.
It’s hard not to tremble at those words. Brick’s not serious, is he? Except one look at my alpha tells me he’s not kidding around.
Rover seems like a braver wolf than I. “Understood. Why don’t you finish your shower so we three can have breakfast then iron out the details of the emergency meeting?”
Brick’s done in a couple of minutes. If you ask me, I’ve never imagined sitting between the pack alpha and beta a few days ago, debating pack politics. Perhaps by sending Lorenzo, the universe is intent on testing my newfound relationship with Brick to see if we’re really meant to be. Well, no matter. I’m going to prove to the wolves in the pack, and to this underwear model I’m Brick’s rightful mate.