THE WOODS were too damned quiet. Normally Stirling would hear magpies and jays, chipmunks and squirrels. Today there was hardly a rustle of leaves, which meant someone was in the forest who didn’t belong.

Lots of folks used the national forest land all the time for recreation or hunting or whatever. The animals got used to that and went about their business. The silence told Stirling that someone was either in trouble or was doing something they weren’t supposed to be doing. He checked his radio to make sure it was off, not wanting to alert anyone to his presence. Then he scented the wind, letting his second, and stronger, set of senses take over.

The scent that hit his nose was odd, familiar and not for the half-second he actually smelled it. He frowned. Weird.

Stirling headed west, following the scent, hand on his weapon.

He thought he heard a soft growl as he neared a copse of pines, but the sound disappeared as he stopped. Still, he waited and tilted his head, letting his good right ear do the hearing. His left had been perforated once, thanks to a bad fall while he was rock climbing. It had never been the same.

The growl sounded again, the noise moving to his left.

Stirling moved slowly, choosing his steps carefully. He didn’t want to break a stick or send a rock rolling.

He sniffed again—this time the wind brought him a definite scent. A wolf. A male.

Raising a brow, Stirling moved into the shadow of a big pine. The wolf was coming his way, and the wind wouldn’t betray Stirling’s presence, so he settled in to wait.

The skinny creature came out into the sun, nostrils flaring, fur matted and rough.

Jesus. Stirling could count every rib, could see every frickin’ bone. Where the hell had this guy come from? They were having a good year for water and small game.

The wolf lifted his face toward the sun, chest heaving like bellows.

There was something there, something about the way the animal smelled, something about those weird, too-golden eyes. They were familiar. All of it was familiar, somehow, but this wasn’t one of the current pack. Stirling knew all of them, as far-ranging as they were.

It surprised the hell out of him when the wolf just settled, sat right there in the middle of the clearing. That was crazy. Weak, starving, the fool thing needed to find cover. Stirling pulled a gun, but not his service revolver. He got his tranq out instead.

There was a damn good chance it was sick. He just hoped he didn’t have to put it….

The wolf’s ears twitched, twisted, and then it jumped to its feet. Shit. He moved quick, stepping free of the trees to get a good shot. The poor guy couldn’t move too fast.

The wolf turned, ran for the tree line. He took his shot, the dart sank into one flank, and the wolf stumbled forward, panicking. Stirling gave chase, knowing he had to make sure to incapacitate it before the wolf could hurt itself. He dropped to the ground, one knee on the wolf’s body.

“It’s okay, boy. I got you.”

The wolf rippled underneath him, eyes wide, paws scrabbling furiously.

“Don’t fight it, man. You need rest, food. I’m not gonna put you in a cage.” He wouldn’t do that, not ever.

Those eyes looked at him, the wolf’s face changing, shifting just for a heartbeat. Tanner.

Jesus Christ.

Stirling rocked back on his heels, surprised to the point of stupidity. Wolf-Tanner scrambled up and shot forward about three feet before collapsing in a heap of dirty fur, dead to the world, but thankfully not dead.

He hadn’t seen Tanner in damned near fifteen years. It would be a shame to kill the man on his first day home.

Especially since, from all accounts, the man had left because he hadn’t inherited the shifting gene….

 

 

RUNNING.

He was running.

The cars were chasing him, honking and roaring, and he couldn’t find his way back to his apartment, to his life, his home. Tanner whined softly, paws digging in. Everything was wrong. Everything.

He expected dirt and leaves under his feet. His instinct had taken him far from the city, back to the mountains he’d known as a pup. There was something softer under him, warmer.

He yelped, nose wrinkling as he tried to focus. That brought the most amazing scent to his nose, warm and familiar and musky. That was everything that had ever been good about home, right there.

Tanner forced his eyes to open, to find the source of that smell.

Tanned, with the same light eyes and sun-light hair, Stirling sat on a little camp chair right across from him. Watching him. Human.

He barked, so happy to see someone he knew, someone who knew him. Anyone.

“Hey, Tanner. Looks like you finally shifted.” One eyebrow went up, Stirling grinning a little.

Finally. When it would ruin his life. Sure. Except he couldn’t change back.

Fucking body.

He bared his teeth, barking again, trying to get Stirling to hear him.

Stirling’s head tilted. “Huh. Can’t change back now, huh?”

Oh, thank the moon. He howled, vocalizing furiously. He’d woken up two moons ago, fuzzy. After having a three-day freak-out and almost starving as he tried to figure out how to work the microwave with his nose, he’d been sure he’d change back, but no.

No.

He was fucking fuzzy.

He’d had to break out through the sliding glass door, and then it had just been a whole world of scents and sounds and disorienting shit.

“Man, that sucks. You need to think about change.”

He stopped, stared at Stirling. Asshole. Because he hadn’t tried that. Of course he’d thought about changing.

“No, I mean really think about it. Think about what it feels like to be human. To see human things. What do you want most?”

Stirling had always been an absolute shit.

Coffee.

Coffee and a shower.

A long, hot shower.

With Irish Spring, damn it. If Stirling didn’t have Irish Spring, he was just gonna leave. Stirling was probably an Old Spice man, what with the green uniform and cowboy hat and…. Oh, he had to get human again just so he could give the man shit about being a fucking forest ranger.

Honestly, a forest ranger? How cliché.

His legs scrambled under him, and he bit his tongue as he struggled in the blankets.

“Come on, Tanner. That’s it, man.” Stirling’s hand landed on him, the touch jolting him, making his arms and legs flail.

“Fuck!” He rolled up, chest heaving. “Oh fuck. Oh, thank God.” He was real again. Real and skinny and dirty and dizzy as hell. Whoa.

“Hey, now. Just be still a minute and let your body adjust. You been watching those Twilight movies or something?”

“Fuck off. Smells like pine in here. Always hated the smell of pinyon.”

Stirling came back over, touched his shoulder, and damn, the man was warm. “Jeez, you’re grumpy. What? You can’t just jump out of your wolf, huh?”

“I can’t…. I don’t know what happened.” He’d been so fucking scared.

“Well, it looks like you changed.” Stirling grinned, which made him want to smack the bastard.

“You think?” Jesus Christ, thirty-two years and he’d never changed, not once, no matter how hard he’d tried. Suddenly, he’s happy, satisfied. Urban. And boom. Fur.

“I do. Therefore I am. So, what happened?” Stirling rose, brought him a bottle of water.

“I was sitting at my desk, checking my email after work, and I was thinking the moon was pretty, and boom.” It was insane.

Stirling tilted his head. “Weird. Never heard of spontaneous boom.”

“No. No, me either. The moon was just so big and….” The world started spinning, the room losing its color. No. No, damn it.

“Shit! Tanner, man. Stay with me.”

It was too late. He’d changed again.

No!

No!

He howled, furious and lost and so fucking scared.

“Hush, man. I’m a ways out, but you don’t want anyone coming to see what’s going on.”

Tanner jumped off the bed, shaking his head, the scents of this place good and huge and wild. He wanted to sniff and maybe pee a little, but Stirling stood up in front of him. “No. You need to rest.”

He barked, bouncing off Stirling’s chest.

“No.” One big hand curled into his ruff, forcing him down. No one had ever touched him like that, like they had the right to tell him what to do.

He growled softly, the sound cut off when Stirling shook him. Oh. His whole body went still. Stirling rolled him to his side, making him lie there. Tanner didn’t know what to do, but his body wouldn’t listen to him, didn’t hear him. He relaxed. It felt so good to let it all go that he whined a little.

“Better.” Stirling stroked his ears. “Rest. Okay? I’ll start looking into what happened.”

Rest. He could do that. He needed to.

Stirling became two men, three, as his eyes crossed. It didn’t help that Stirling kept petting him. It felt so good.

Sleep took him in a rush. For the first time in months, he felt safe.

The rest could wait, right?

 

 

STIRLING PONDERED putting Tanner in a crate. That might panic the guy pretty good when he woke up, though, so he refrained. Instead, he called the Forest Service office, wanting to talk to Marnie, the office assistant and fount of information, about any scuttlebutt about a new wolf in town.

“Afternoon, Stirling, how goes?”

“Not bad, Marnie. Not bad. Anything on the com?”

“Same old shit. I’m bored. Let’s push a hiker off a cliff.”

“Sounds like a plan. Hey, I saw some unattended hiking gear out by Falling Rock. Anyone registered in the area lately?”

“It’s late in the season, isn’t it?” He heard keys clacking, papers rustling. “Nope. Nothing here.”

“Huh. Nothing on the search band?” How often did he talk to Marnie when she had no information?

“Nah. Couple of reports on a rogue wolf, or possibly a coyote. Weather sucks. Economy sucks. Politics suck. Oh, a dude in California who’s originally from up this way got his butt murdered or kidnapped or something. There’s like all this media and stuff, camping out in Telluride.”

“Yeah?” Well, hell. “Do you know his name? I grew up here, you know?”

“Just a sec….” More tip-tapping and clicking. “Tanner Ruddle.”

Shit.

He definitely had to keep Tanner under wraps and get on the computer and check the news out for himself. He didn’t have TV. Satellite internet, yes.

“Did you know him?”

“Huh? Oh, the name sounds familiar.” Did he know Tanner? He had once. Now he wasn’t so sure.

Hell, the man had been a pariah back then. Cursed, the kids used to say. No one wanted to be near the guy the moon couldn’t touch. Stirling had been popular and normal and had done what everyone else had done. Watched Tanner from a distance.

He’d not even thought about the man once in ten years? Fifteen?

Which made it even more amazing that he’d recognized the guy right away. Weird.

“What?”

“I asked if you needed anything from Denver. I’m going over this weekend to shop.”

“Oh. Uh.” He probably would need some stuff for Tanner. “Let me call you, huh? I might have a list.”

“You know how to find me.”

“I know how to avoid you too.” He teased her about that a good bit.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Bitch.” Marnie’s laugh made him smile.

“Thanks, hon. Talk atcha later.”

Damn it. Damn it. He needed to go see Tanner’s mom, let her know her boy was fine. Fuzzy, but fine. He figured he couldn’t chance it on the phone. He needed to see her in person. He had to contain Tanner first, though. Contain him and feed him. Maybe bathe him.

He could put the guy in the basement. Tanner had spent almost every full moon in one as a kid. As the only pack member who couldn’t change, Tanner had been in danger.

He guessed it had to suck, locked up for three nights a month while the rest of the world ran wild. At least the guy was used to it.

He sighed, heading to the kitchen to make some coffee and a sandwich. Sometimes it sucked to be the buffer between the pack and the world.

It didn’t take long before Tanner was behind him, panting, salivating. He’d never seen such a skinny wolf that wasn’t sick, dying of something.

“I bet you want some food, huh?” He tossed Tanner a piece of lunch meat.

Tanner snapped it up, eyes glowing.

“Damn. Okay, I think I have some leftover lasagna.” He dug in the fridge, pulled out Tupperware.

Tanner jumped up, front paws on the counter, looking.

“Hey! No counter surfing!” Damn. He heated the lasagna up just enough to make it pliable and then dumped it on a plate before putting it on the floor.

Tanner arched an eyebrow at him, then ate, snarfing the food right up, damn near too fast, like a new puppy.

“You get sick on my floor, I’ll withhold the cheesecake.”

Tanner snapped at him, catching the leg of his pants. He resisted the urge to kick the guy. Barely. Man, Tanner had always seemed so civilized. Of course, civilization had a way of wearing off, fast. Especially when a wolf was hungry.

He just got out more food and let Tanner eat his fill. There would be time for teasing later.

It didn’t take long, either, before Tanner was full and lapping at the bowl of water he’d left. Of course, as he watched, Tanner started to shift again, ending on his knees, naked, face in the bowl.

“Hey.” That ass was so skinny, but it did have the promise of a nice shape.

“Hey. Sorry.” Tanner sat up, eyes rolling a little.

“No worry. You didn’t actually bite me.” Much. He winked.

“You probably deserved it.” Tanner stood on shaky legs. “Bathroom?”

“Just back here.” The cabin was pretty simple, really.

“Thanks.” Tanner bolted, and all Stirling could do was hope the man didn’t lose all that food.

He’d have to go into town as it was. Damn.

This whole thing was just going to be a giant pain in the ass.

 

 

TANNER SHOWERED, letting the water pour over him in waves. God, he hurt. Everywhere. And he kept….

God.

Why now?

Why not twenty years ago when it would have made a difference?

He scrubbed fast, knowing he had no idea how long he would last as a human. He really wanted to be clean. His feet were….

Wow.

He needed a pedicure in the worst way. Maybe a whole leg-icure. Ick. He stared for a moment, his eyesight veering between color and black and white. He snapped back into focus, human all through.

This sound left him—part fear, part fury, part total hysteria—and no matter what he did, it wouldn’t stop.

It was a howl. He didn’t realize it until the shower curtain burst open and Stirling reached for him. “Stop. Man. Tanner. It’s okay.”

He shook his head. It wasn’t. It wasn’t okay. He pushed into those strong arms, the touch somehow necessary. Stirling held him close, wrapping around him, the heat and solidity anchoring him. The wolf in him backed down.

Finally, blessedly, he could take one deep breath, another, the room spinning. The water poured down on his back still, and Stirling stroked his wet hair off his face.

“Better, man?”

“Yeah. Yeah, sorry. I… I don’t know what that was.”

“Dude, your whole self is fighting with uh, itself.” Stirling snorted a little; Tanner didn’t think it was laughing at him so much as just at the situation.

“Indeed. I’m having intense self-confusion.” He started cackling like a demented witch.

Stirling started actually chuckling, and before he knew it, they were clinging to each other, whooping like a pair of outré cranes.

He felt lighter, more present, more real, as soon as he calmed down. “Thank you.”

“No worries, man. It’s got to be freaky.”

It had never been freaky for Stirling. Tanner knew that. Stirling had always been a great wolf.

“It is. I don’t understand this.” He’d been living a normal life. A really normal life.

“I know.” Stirling pulled him up out of the water. “Sit here, huh? I’ll get a towel.” The water went off, the silence just… yeah.

He sat, hands rubbing the water off his body, his thighs, his poor still-sore knee.

“That looks rough, man. What happened?” Stirling handed him a towel, gesturing to his knee.

“I tore my ACL playing baseball.” He rolled his eyes, sighed. “They say it went well, and I’m not having the trouble healing that a lot of my friends did.”

“They say?” Stirling’s gaze sharpened. “Did they put you under?”

He nodded. “Standard procedure.” He absolutely thought the idea of watching them do… whatever they did, sounded horrific.

Stirling made a “hmm” kind of noise. “I wonder.”

“Wonder what?” He finished drying, wrapped the towel around himself. “None of the blood tests showed anything but a touch of anemia.”

“Yeah, but wolves don’t react well to anesthesia.” Stirling raised a brow, waggling it. “It could have triggered some kind of survival response.”

“Oh God.” He groaned, head falling forward. “Do you think it’ll stop?”

“Well, if this is just a latent puppyhood, sure it will. We all started out like this, popping in and out of forms. If it’s something more pathological, then you have a problem.”

“Maybe I should find a doctor to put me under again.” Something.

“That might make it worse.” Taking the towel, Stirling tugged him to his feet. “You want to be wolfed out all the time?”

“No. No, I don’t want to do this at all. I didn’t get to do it with my pack. I never want to do it again.”

“Well, then, I’d kibosh the going under.”

“Yeah.” The world went gray again, his vision swinging furiously.

“Hey, hey, man. You have to stick with me until I explain some shit.” Stirling whacked his cheek. Hard.

His head rocked back, and he snapped, growled deep in his chest and slammed against Stirling. Stirling caught him, holding him away from the long, tanned throat.

All the colors in the world flooded back in his eyes, and suddenly he was wet and rubbing and naked. Fuck.

“You’re gonna be all right, man.” Stirling sounded like he’d swallowed a frog.

“I don’t think so.” Stirling was wet too, if less wet.

“You are. Though I might do damage if you get all naked and up on me again.” Stirling wrapped him in a towel.

“Sorry.” He was too used to living in a rainbow-colored world, where naked was a good thing.

“I’m not, but now is not the time.”

Huh. He stared at Stirling’s back, which was to him while the man dug through the medicine cabinet.

He watched for a second, panting. What the hell?

“I know I have some Benadryl….” Stirling kept digging, muttering.

“Are you allergic to me?”

“No, man. These are for you.” He got a rueful look when Stirling turned back to face him. “The news people are at your mom’s. They think you were abducted.”

“Abducted? Me?” He swayed, actually swayed. “Oh God. Mom.”

The wolf surged to the front again, the urge to protect his own strong.

“Now hold on. I’ll tell her you’re okay. Get the news people to back off. You have to lay low, though.”

He nodded, but he was having troubles holding on, keeping it together. Keeping it human.

Stirling sighed. “I know you’ll hate this, but it’s the basement, man. I have a bed set up for you down there.”

“No. No holes.” No holes in the ground.

“If I had time, I would board up a room for you. I would. I don’t, though.” Stirling looked downright sad.

Five little pink pills were handed over, and he took them, growling in his throat.

“I know. I promise once I get to see your mom and let her know….” Stirling waited, watching him, lips in a flat line.

The room got flat, fuzzy, strange, and he bared his teeth, suddenly confused.

“I know. I know, man.” Hard, warm hands anchored him, pulled at him. The stairs seemed impossible, but they made it. By the end, he was shaking, whining softly, wanting a nap.

There was an old couch made up with soft blankets and pillows, and all of them smelled like Stirling. Somehow that made it easy to sink down and have a rest. Fingers stroked through his fur, petting him gently, soft words falling around him. His eyes got so heavy, feeling gritty, and he caught the first snore, cutting it off with a snort.

The soft laughter didn’t sound mean at all; in fact, it made his tail wag. His tail. Maybe it was time to sleep.

He heard the soft voice saying something, and he curled up, floated away, safe and warm.

 

 

“HEY, LUCY. Can I come in?” Stirling had fought his way through the throng of assholes in front of Tanner’s mom’s house, his uniform intimidating enough, even though it was just Forest Service.

“Stirling.” She’d been crying, he could tell, and chewing on her paws, when the fuzz was on her. “Come on in. Ignore the vultures.”

“Thanks.” He took her arm, locked the door behind them, and led her away. If they had mics out there that could do distance, they’d lose the conversation in the middle of the house.

She followed, nose working overtime. “Are you okay, Stirling? Did you come in just for me?”

He turned on the TV. Loud. “You know those reports of a stray wolf? Tanner. He’s here. He’s okay. He’s changing.”

“Tanner? My Tanner?” Her knees buckled, and he caught her, supported her weight.

“I got you.” God, she had to have been going nuts. “Yeah. He wasn’t abducted or killed. He just changed the first time and couldn’t change back.”

“He changed? How? I thought….” Her words trailed off, and he didn’t say anything. Everyone knew what people thought—there were two camps: Lucy had cheated on her mate with a human, or Tanner was a mutant. Either way, what bliss.

Stirling had never believed it. Lucy and Kent had been solid. He put her down on the couch. “Well, as far as I can tell, they put him under for surgery.”

“Surgery? Oh, his knee. Yes. He didn’t need help, and it was right before the moon.”

“Yeah.” Stirling chewed on his lip. “I mean, I’d have to talk to Lonnie, but I bet it was, like, his wolf doing some primal surfacing.” Lonnie was their local vet and the pack shaman.

“He’s okay? He’s not hurt?” Lucy was a good mom, through and through.

“He’s freaked-out. He can’t control the shift.” That just had to suck too.

“You can’t bring him here. These assholes are vicious. They live on misery.”

“I know. I wanted you to know, though. He’ll stay at my place until we figure this out.” He patted Lucy’s leg, knowing it would be hard for her not to come see Tanner.

“Oh, good. Good. What do you want me to do?” Her voice dropped. “The insurance company called already. He has money.”

“Well, we might need it later. There’s no way he can go back to his old life.” Not like this, and really not at all, now that he could shift.

“It will be so good to have him back.”

“He might be grumpy to begin with.” Man, Stirling’d be grumpy all the time. Still, he thought it would be good too.

“He’ll be impossible.” Her laughter split the air. “He was settled, living as a human. He doesn’t know how to follow pack structure anymore.”

“I hear that. Right now he’s mostly scared.” Speaking of which…. Stirling checked his watch. “I have to check in at the office, then head back. He’s in the basement.”

She winced. “Do you need anything?”

“No. I mean, I’m sure I will, but if I leave with stuff, it will look odd.” He wanted to draw as little attention as possible right now.

“Makes sense. You take care of him. I’ll keep making a fuss.”

“There you go.” She would be good now that she knew. She wouldn’t fall apart.

Lucy nodded, offered him a relieved smile. “Tell him I’m fine and that I can’t wait to howl with him.”

“I will.” He stood and gave her a hug when she rose as well.

Her scent was so much better now, so much more relaxed, that her tears when she led him to the door made him fight a grin. He gave her another hug for the waiting media and tugged his hat down before heading out.

He needed to get back before Tanner woke up and tore the shit out of his basement.

 

 

HE CHEWED on the blanket when he woke, then headed up the stairs to get out.

Out.

Out.

He swacked the doorknob, his paws battering it. Out.

His body went into emergency flight mode when it wouldn’t move, and he started fighting the door. Out, out, out.

The sound was amazing, claws dragging on the wood. His bones were rattling.

He hit the door again.

It opened, spilling him back down the stairs.

“Shit! Tanner. Calm down, man.”

Out. Out out out out!

He barreled up the stairs and out, panicked, looking for a door, freedom. Rough hands caught his tail, Stirling pulling him around, his claws scrabbling on the hardwood. He skidded, banged into the wall.

Oh, ow. He shook his head, ruff rocking as he did, making his eyes cross.

Stirling caught him around the middle. “Stop. You’re okay. I promise.”

His feet kept going for a minute, and then he relaxed. It was better up here. Stirling smelled good, and his arms were strong and safe.

Tanner grunted softly, then dipped his head to groom one arm. Better. Hello.

“Hey. You hungry?” Those hot hands rubbed his ears, soothing him even more.

Yes. Yes. His tail thumped on the floor, and he gnawed Stirling’s arm a little.

“No biting, man!” Laughing, Stirling let him go and rose, headed toward the fridge. “I’m out of lasagna, but I know I have some meat and cheese. I didn’t have a chance to get to the store. Man, the press people are crazy.”

He head-butted Stirling. Mom? How was his mom?

The thought made him stop, think, and suddenly he was kneeling on the floor, naked again. Fuck.

“Well, hey. We need to get you a robe.” Stirling was staring. Hard.

“Hey. How’s Mom?” He stood, hand over his bare cock. “I won’t pounce you, okay? I’m not that bad.”

“Not that—oh. You don’t know? Not your mom. She’s fine. I mean me, gay.”

“What?” He tried to parse that series of sentences, but they didn’t make sense.

At all.

Stirling sighed. “Your mom is great now that she knows you’re alive. I’m not worried about you jumping me. Well, maybe, but only in the way that it would suck if you changed while we had sex.”

“It would suck if I changed while I was sucking.” Wait. Did he say that out loud?

“Hell yes. Toothy.” That got him a wide grin, and Stirling started rummaging for food again.

“So Mom’s okay? The press is leaving her alone?” He looked for a jacket, a pair of sweats, a big dishtowel.

“They’re like jackals. Still, now that she knows you’re okay, she has a mission to keep them away from you.” Stirling glanced over one shoulder. “Robe is on the back of my bedroom door on a hook.”

“Thank you.” He padded off, heading to the room he’d napped in before. The robe was there, well-worn, soft. He could imagine Stirling wearing it fresh out of the shower, which made his body tighten. He sort of stared down at his cock, amazed.

“Stop it. You behave.” God, he’d lost his fucking mind. He was talking to his prick.

“Did you say something?” Stirling called from the kitchen, making him jump.

“Uh. No. Nope. Not me.” He thumped himself and wrapped up in the robe.

“Oh. Well, come eat.”

When he came out, Stirling had put together lunch meat wrapped in swiss cheese, along with chips and glasses of milk.

His nose twitched and the color from the room started to fade. No. No.

“Hey!” A sharp smack landed on his hip. “Stay with me.”

“Sorry. Sorry.” He blinked at Stirling, colors flooding back in. “Smells good.”

“No problem. You just need to eat. That will help.” Stirling led him to the table. “We need to work on your focus.”

He sat, damn near vibrating with it.

“That’s it. Breathe. In and out. Conscious breathing is a human thing. It will help you hold on to the human traits.”

Hey, that was good to know. He closed his eyes, breathed slow. In. Out. In. Out. Oh. Oh, better. Better. “Thank you.”

“No problem, man. I was thinking of stuff they teach us as teenagers. You know, hormones.” He got an eyebrow waggle.

“Yeah.” He looked down. He hadn’t been allowed in those lessons. He hadn’t wanted to go, to be fair. Whatever. It was a long time ago.

“Anyway, I can teach you some now.” Stirling pushed a plate at him. “Eat first.”

“Thanks. I probably need to go see Mom, let people know it was just a mistake somehow.” He’d have to work on that.

“Dude. Reporters. What are you going to tell them?”

“I haven’t figured that out yet.”

“Well, they think you’re either abducted or dead. Until you’re in control of this, don’t come back to life.” Stirling laughed, blue eyes twinkling. “Besides, your mom will get more use out of your insurance than she will you.”

“Oh, fuck you.” He flipped Stirling off. “I had a job, a baseball team. Net sex.”

“Net sex?” Stirling raised a brow. “Not real sex? Didn’t you live among the gay people?”

“I did. I had a partner, but….” Tanner shrugged. “It didn’t work out, and I mean that in the typically queer, most clichéd way on earth. He wanted to sail around the world in a dinghy, and I had a brownstone that was actually getting paid off.”

“Wow.” That little blinky face was almost adorable. “I get the occasional blowjob in Denver.”

“The Bay Area’s probably easier, for a guy. Not a wolf.” That had been challenging.

“I guess, yeah.” Stirling put his plate in the sink, looking uncomfortable again.

“I’m sorry.” He stood up, not sure what to do, how to make things stop being weird. He didn’t have his clothes; he didn’t have his wallet. He didn’t know what to do, and he was in Stirling’s house, and….

The plate clattered on the floor, and he struggled to get his limbs free from the robe.

“Hey. Hey, come on, man.” Stirling helped him get naked, but before the wolf could take him, those strong arms wrapped around him, Stirling holding him tight. “Breathe.”

A low rumble left him, but he sucked in a breath, then another, the solid bands around him settling him in his skin.

“That’s it. That’s good.” Stirling’s breath fanned against his neck, and their lower bodies pressed together, and suddenly it wasn’t the wolf he was worried about. His cock filled in a rush, and his hips rocked back, then had to push forward.

Stirling went absolutely still for a moment, hardly breathing. Then the man rocked, hips slamming against his. The fabric of Stirling’s uniform rasped so good, burned all along his cock, Oh fuck, yes. Again. He grabbed Stirling’s ass, pulled. It worked, and Stirling rubbed against him, hips moving in a tight circle, giving him friction that verged on pain. Perfect.

He groaned, eyes rolling as the urge to snap the air hit him.

Stirling reached up behind him, hand sliding into his hair to pull him down for a kiss that pressed his lips back against his teeth. It burned, but it gave him something to concentrate on. Wild. No one had ever tasted so good; no one had ever tasted like Stirling. Ever.

He wanted to howl with how good it was. He couldn’t, not with Stirling biting his lower lip like that, that one big hand squeezing his ass hard.

Their tongues slapped together, Stirling slamming him into the floor. The man was strong, so strong, muscling him down and pressing one thigh between his, spreading him like butter. His body didn’t have any intention of resisting. Hell no. He wanted to feel.

Stirling pressed down against him, hips between his legs. One hand slid between them, and suddenly there was skin against his, hot and perfect. Stirling’s cock was glorious. A sharp bark left him, and he nodded, body taking over as he rocked and bucked, gave them both some friction.

“Fuck yes.” Rising up a bit, Stirling got a hand between them, bringing their cocks together, stroking nice and hard.

“Yeah. Don’t stop.” He whimpered, made sure his body added to the heat, the rub.

“No. Not going to stop. God, yeah.” Stirling was hot, so hot, and the uniform went fast, Stirling stripping down and getting back in his space to stroke them both again.

The wood floor slid under his back, his ass, almost cold compared to Stirling’s heat.

“Fuck.” He could hear the need in Stirling’s voice, feel it in the way that heavy body moved faster against him. He couldn’t remember ever feeling so alive.

“Yeah.” Better than the feeling was the scent—strong, male, rich. It was like a drug. It made his body shake, made him pant. Stirling touched him everywhere, strong and sure.

“Please. Please.” He grunted and arched, using all his strength to meet Stirling’s thrusts.

“Yeah. Oh fuck, Tanner.” Stirling ground against him so hard he thought they’d burn each other, and bent to bite at his throat.

That sharp bite sent him over the edge, spunk pulsing out of him in waves. He thrashed, which made it even better, because those sharp teeth held him in place while Stirling came all over his thighs.

The scent—God, nothing was like that. Nothing ever had been, and he whined softly.

“Shh. I got you.” Stirling sounded perfectly content with the world. Tanner understood.

He leaned in, stayed there, his body heavy, lazy.

For the first time in he couldn’t remember how long, his body didn’t feel torn. It knew just what to do.

 

 

WOW. TANNER was… intensely hot. Really damned sexual. It made Stirling incredibly happy, deep down in his wolf soul. That didn’t help their situation at all, but there it was.

He sat up, his back protesting their impromptu nap on the floor.

Tanner stretched, skin squeaking a little as it rubbed on the polished wood. “Whoa.”

“Yeah. Think you’re up to a shower?” They could get unsticky and he could heat up some soup.

“Yeah.” Although Tanner didn’t seem to be hysterical to get clean. In fact, the man looked pretty damn easy in his skin.

“You rather have a snack first?” His stomach rumbled.

Tanner’s nose wrinkled, a soft growl answering. “I’m always hungry now. Does that get better?”

“Yeah. It takes a lot of energy to change, and your body is in distress mode, you know?” Chicken noodle it was. Shower later.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m glad I figured out how to get here.”

“Lord, me too. I can’t imagine if someone had found you.”

It said something, that Tanner managed to chew his way out of somewhere as huge as San Francisco and not be caught or put in a zoo or something. Stirling shuddered, thinking about it. They could live a long time as wolves, but they all liked their human comforts too.

“Yeah. I don’t remember some of it. I remember being scared and running hard.”

“You did good.” He’d make grilled cheese too. Extra protein.

Tanner’s hand brushed his ass, the touch featherlight.

Stirling jumped a little. “Dude!” He laughed, shaking his head. “Been a long time since someone touched me like this. You know?”

“You cool with it?”

“Yeah. Yeah, it’s good.” It was too, making his body hum with pleasure.

“It is.” Tanner’s hand wrapped around his hip, thumb drawing a circle.

“You okay?” He could tell Tanner was pretty content, but he wanted to hear it out loud.

“I am. I feel… weirdly settled. It’s probably shock.”

Stirling chuckled. “No doubt. You’re safe here, though.”

“Thanks.” Tanner’s thumb kept moving, distracting him.

“You’re gonna get me going again, you’re not careful.”

“Do you want to again?”

He looked up, met Tanner’s eyes. The man was watching him, looking hungry, looking like he wanted Stirling to say yes.

“Hell yes.”

“Cool.” Tanner stepped even closer into his space, reminding him that Tanner knew men, knew how to touch.

Stirling might be the one who knew wolves, but this was new territory for him. New and hot and feeling pretty good.

Tanner’s leg pressed against his, solid and warm, that cock snuggled into him. That had him pushing a little, rocking, feeling everything in a leisurely sort of way. They fit together, hand in glove, none of that weird jockeying for position that he’d had before.

No, they knew where things went now, which was crazy. Who settled in that easy?

The answer whispered in the back of his mind, but he smothered it, focused on that lean body in front of him. There was no sense worrying on things that meant nothing until Tanner could not be dead or kidnapped.

He kissed Tanner’s throat, licking at the sweat there.

Tanner stiffened, then groaned and lifted his chin. Such good instincts. Such a good wolf. So ready to be Stirling’s… pack. Yeah. Part of the pack.

He latched on to that fine, smooth skin, sucking up a mark.

“Oh….” That deep moan vibrated his lips, Tanner’s fingers digging into his skin.

“Mmm-hmm. Touch me, babe.” He needed more, more pressure, more skin.

“Yeah.” Tanner’s fingers carded through the curls above his cock, at the base of his belly.

His toes curled, and he rose up on the balls of his feet. “I have a bed.”

“Good. Now?” Sweet, hungry pup.

“Hell yes.” The things they could do in a bed tantalized him. He tugged Tanner toward the back of the house.

Tanner followed, hands on his ass, on his shoulder, on his prick.

He turned when they got to the bedroom, grabbing Tanner and muscling the man down onto the bed. Time to explore. Stirling leaned in, to touch and lick and bite at Tanner’s belly, first. It was flat, nicely muscled, and had a fine covering of hair that trailed on down. Nice. Tanner groaned, abs rippling.

“That tingles.”

“Yeah? In a good way?” He grinned and did it again before nibbling one hipbone.

“Yes.” Tanner twisted, curled around his head, hands reaching for him.

God, this was good. Tanner was amazingly responsive. Just…. Yum. He licked the head of Tanner’s cock, knowing that was what a man really needed. Hot and bright, the flavor of salt made his eyes cross, made his mouth water, and made him need more. Stirling licked, sucked, his cheeks hollowing with it.

His name sounded, the word more a bark than anything else. Tanner made the most amazing noises. He didn’t think Tanner had a clue, but those little growls were hot and adorable at the same time.

Tanner spun and suddenly his cock was engulfed in wet heat. Oh. Oh fuck. Yes. His toes curled and his fingers twisted into the sheets. Tanner’s cock was right there, still, so Stirling gave as good as he got. He sucked, loving the give and take.

They made a circle, devouring each other as they swallowed, growling and grunting. Stirling caught Tanner’s hips in his hands, not to slow things down, but to speed things up. He wanted everything Tanner had to give him.

Everything got a little hazy, a lot wild, and the suction around his cock became the biggest thing on earth. Stirling tried to remember to breathe, to suck, but Tanner was going to kill him with pleasure.

His cock sank deep into Tanner’s throat, each swallow making him yelp, grunt. He closed his eyes and sucked on Tanner too, trying to get the man just as crazy as he was. The response vibrated his whole cock, made his balls draw up.

All it took was another little push from Tanner, that mouth sealing around the base of his prick, and Stirling lost it, coming hard and fast. His hips rocked, and he had to pull back to breathe.

Tanner was still sucking when the aftershocks faded, hips rolling restlessly underneath him. One hand reached down, Tanner jacking himself.

“I got this.” He was a little dazed, but that cock was too tempting not to suck again. His lips met Tanner’s fingers, up and down.

“Oh….” Tanner moaned for him, bucked and rolled under him, so pretty. That body was lean, skin flushed. Tanner tasted so salty, a little bitter, but just like home.

He cupped Tanner’s ass, pulled the man in deep, swallowing as Tanner howled for him. That was it. He still had it. He sucked, licking the tip of Tanner’s cock once it was spent. Tanner made the best little sounds—a cross between yelps and moans—one for each lick.

Stirling finally rested his head on Tanner’s hip, breathing deep. Yum. Fingers brushed through his hair, the touch soft, almost a tickle.

“Better, man?” Stirling knew he was feeling like a million bucks. Hopefully Tanner was feeling at least half a million.

“Uh-huh. Vastly better.” For the first time, Tanner sounded at peace.

“Good.” He knew it was a hormone thing. Stirling didn’t have any illusions that they had solved anything, but yeah.

Sometimes hormones were enough.

 

 

TANNER WOKE up ravenous and alone and still naked. He was naked a lot. It wasn’t so bad, really, except for the promise of snow. That was new.

He headed for the kitchen, ate a half-dozen peanut butter sandwiches, drank a gallon of milk, and then headed outside, halfway to the tree line before he realized he’d gone fuzzy again. Oh. His nose quivered, taking in the scents of air and pine and woodsmoke.

He headed for the trees, marking, running. Panting. He could smell Stirling, the scent not human, not at all. Someone else was making the rounds.

Nose to the ground, he tracked the scent, curious and not scared for the first time in forever. Something about knowing that Stirling was out there too gave him confidence. The scent grew stronger on a little downhill path cut into the side of the hill, and he headed down.

The ground was cold this morning, and there would be snow, his nose insisted. Sooner than later. That was good. It would make the people who didn’t belong here pack up and go away.

Oh. Rabbit.

He spun about, Stirling’s scent left behind, his stomach’s urges stronger. The trail was so fresh for his prey, so easy to follow, and he plunged into the trees again.

Rabbit. Rabbit. Rabbit. He caught the movement and stilled, teeth bared. He would have to be fast. His whole body tensed, quivering, waiting for the right moment.

When the rabbit stopped, nose twitching, ears vibrating, he leaped, snapping its neck with one bite.

Yes!

His first successful hunt. The rabbit tasted like copper and dirt, but he didn’t mind a bit. It was perfect.

He barked happily, calling for Stirling. Look! Food! Pack!

In just under a minute, a big pale wolf padded into the brush, head down, sniffing. Careful.

Stirling.

He barked again, bowing, tickled. Food!

Stirling sniffed the air before advancing, nose nudging his kill. Then Stirling licked his muzzle, all approval.

He snapped open the carcass, his instincts insisting that Stirling be offered the innards, the heart. So that was what he did; he nosed over the heart, still so hot. Stirling snapped it up, then stood back to let him have the rest.

Tanner ate—it was the best meal he’d ever had. Ever.

His kill. He wanted to howl, but when he tipped his head back, Stirling took him by the throat, shaking him a little. The No was loud and clear.

He growled softly, more in question than argument. He’d done well, damn it.

Stirling gave him praise, vocal and physical, but held his ground. There had to be a reason.

Tanner sighed, stomped his paws a little, then went to wandering again, following his nose. He was investigating something rotten at the base of a tree when Stirling bit his butt.

Hard.

He yelped and spun around, barking. Ow! That was his butt!

Jumping back, Stirling chuffed and danced, eyes sparkling, tail like a flag.

He crouched down, wiggling, body ready to spring. Stirling was still, head down a little, watching him.

He wanted to wait Stirling out. He did. So bad, but….

But he couldn’t.

Not at all.

He pounced with a happy sound, aiming for Stirling’s ruff. He latched on, got a good hold on Stirling, and started shaking his head.

Stirling barked and rolled, taking him down and slamming him into the leaves. His breath left him through a grunt, his body stunned for a moment. Then he shook it off, his paws scrabbling at Stirling’s chest.

Stirling rolled him over, teeth on his throat. He panicked for a second, battering at Stirling, trying to get up. A low breath of sound eased him, though, Stirling telling him this wasn’t aggression. This was just the way it was.

His body relaxed, heart slowing as he panted.

Stirling rocked him side to side a little before springing back and letting him up. Shaking like he was wet, Stirling barked softly before turning back toward the house.

He stretched, snapped at a snowflake that tried to land on his nose, then followed Stirling’s flag of a tail. They took the long way back, giving him a chance to wander, to experience smells and tastes.

When they got back to Stirling’s house, he sat, sniffed, pondered whether he wanted inside.

Stirling barked at him, giving him an order. In. Now.

He growled softly, more at himself, at his body, which moved, than at Stirling. Stirling seemed to understand, though, nudging him through the dog door, giving him a gentle lick in praise.

He plopped down on the floor and set to licking his paws clean.

Stirling moved close, curling up against his side. Oh, that was nice. Warm.

Tanner leaned his head over, grooming Stirling’s muzzle, one ear. It was instinct, and one he couldn’t control if he wanted to. Good thing he wasn’t inclined to stop.

Soon they were boneless, Stirling was snoring, and Tanner’s eyelids were heavy. Things were good.

Damn good.

He sure never thought he’d ever say that about coming home.

 

 

STIRLING YAWNED, sighed, feeling damned good in his bones. He was bruised and scratched a little, and a lot naked, but he was happier than he’d been in an age.

Tanner was curled up on the floor, ass in the air, hands clasped over his head as he snored.

What a good wolf. Stirling grinned, an irresistible urge taking him over. He leaned over the side of the bed and smacked Tanner’s ass.

“Fuck!” The word came out more a bark than anything as Tanner spun around, snapping. Oh, that was hot.

Look at that instinct. Such a good wolf now that it was out and proud.

Tanner stared at him, lips open, panting, the beast right there at the surface and challenging him. Stirling lowered himself a little, getting in Tanner’s face, demanding the man back down. The tension grew, stretched almost to the breaking point. He rumbled softly, blew air out his lips, and Tanner’s eyes cut away.

Yeah. Good. That was good. He murmured praise, kissing Tanner’s ear.

Tanner shivered, sliding closer, moving toward him, and he hauled his pup onto the bed with a grunt.

Stirling took a kiss, lips pressing against Tanner’s. He opened up that hot mouth and pushed in with his tongue, demanding a response.

His.

The word echoed inside him and he snarled, teeth nipping at Tanner’s lips as they opened for him. He held Tanner down, humping a little, stealing Tanner’s breath with kiss after kiss.

Long fingers tangled in his hair, tugging at him and pulling him closer. Demanding butthead. He growled a little more, giving them both what they needed. He moved down to bite at Tanner’s throat, scraping the skin, marking. Stirling bit deep, needing Tanner to understand, to know what it meant to be owned.

Tanner yelped, jerked, and went stiff underneath him, fingers digging into his shoulders. It wasn’t protest, though. Tanner’s cock was hard as nails against Stirling’s belly. He shook Tanner, growling deep, nails threatening his pup’s soft belly. Tanner had to relax, to let Stirling take.

A low sound escaped Tanner, the noise caught between wolf and man. It was possibly the sexiest thing he’d ever heard. He bit again, then licked to ease the sting.

When Tanner’s hand found the back of his head, drew him in closer, Stirling damn near blew his load. He held on by gritting his teeth, before he slid down to bite at Tanner’s nipple.

“Fuck.” Tanner snapped, body jerking away before pressing closer, pushing that little bit of flesh into his teeth.

“Mmm-hmm.” Stirling loved that. He loved how the nipple drew up hard, how Tanner shuddered.

He alternated stinging bites with soft, sucking kisses, slaps of his tongue. Tanner was crazed underneath him, growling his name, cock leaving wet trails on his belly. It was heady, the power to make Tanner whine and buck, and he was probably abusing it, but Stirling didn’t care. He wanted Tanner wild for him, hungry and spread and desperate.

Moving across that fine skin, Stirling switched nipples, biting the other one. A sharp bark answered the bite, Tanner wrapping around him, hips jerking restlessly.

“I got you, babe.” He did. He wouldn’t leave the man hanging.

“Fucking need you.”

“What do you want, babe?” He bit down again. Yeah. He wanted Tanner to ask.

“You. Fuck me. Hard. Now.” That was definite.

“Oh God.” He grunted, scrambling up and pulling Tanner’s legs up over his shoulders. “Gonna get you wet, babe. Get you wet.”

“Please….” Fuck, look at that—stretched and needy, writhing for him, Tanner was enough to make a man pant.

Stirling bent, got his fingers wet, and pressed against Tanner’s hole, opening it a bit. Then he started working that hot flesh with his lips and tongue.

Tanner’s howl split the air, the lean body arching like a taut bowstring. How could this man be so lost, so frantic for touch? He’d lived in the queer capital of the frickin’ country. It made Stirling crazy, thinking of Tanner being alone, lonely. Though Tanner was his, and he’d kill anyone who touched him.

The scent and flavor of his mate flooded him and he licked, fucking that tight little hole. He wanted to make sure Tanner was wet and open, wanted to be able to rut.

“Yes. Yes, fuck. Please.” Tanner’s nails scraped along his thighs.

“Mmm-hmm.” He rose up, his belly like rock, his cock so hard it hurt.

Tanner’s eyes were on him, on his cock, sharp, focused, like a laser. Then Tanner licked his lips. “Now. Now. I need it.”

“In.” Now. He needed inside, more than he needed to breathe. Stirling nudged between Tanner’s legs, lining up.

“Yes.” Tanner bore right down, took him in one motion, down to the root.

He stilled a moment, his breath catching in his chest. Then he surged forward, driving into Tanner over and over. Perfect. Fucking perfect. Tanner’s body held him tight, gripping all along his length. It was hot. Fiery hot. God, he loved this.

The scent of pure male need filled the room, flooded his nose, made him bite the air. Then he figured he might as well bite Tanner instead. That was way more productive. Tanner yelped, the ass muscles around him jerking wildly. Someone liked that. A lot.

Stirling moved faster, his balls pulling up, his breath coming hard and quick. Tanner was right with him, yelping his name, fingers grabbing his arms. They slid together, both of them starting to pant, both of them grunting, working. Christ. Stirling thought he might just pass out.

Tanner’s nails dug in his skin. “Touch me. My cock. Come on.”

The tiny sting made him a little crazy. Stirling reached down, pressing between them to stroke Tanner’s cock. That was all it took—one touch and Tanner’s body clenched on his cock; spunk sprayed between them, hitting Tanner’s belly, chest.

“Fuck!” His head snapped back, and Stirling gritted his teeth against the howl that tried to come out. He came hard, his body shuddering with every little shock of his orgasm.

Tanner melted down into the sheets, blinking slow, all boneless.

“Better, babe?” He was, for sure. In fact, it was impossible not to feel euphoric.

“Uhn.” He was fairly sure that was a yes.

Laughing, he patted Tanner’s hip, which was within reach. “Me too.”

“Good.” Tanner had the goofiest postorgasm face ever. It made him smile.

“You up for another nap?” He could maybe get up, make a few calls, do some work.

“I don’t do anything but chase your tail and sleep.” Tanner nibbled his chin.

“You’ll get better at it all.” The change took a lot out of a man. Made him horny too.

“I hope so.” Tanner settled, hummed softly.

“You will.” Stirling might not have any idea what they were going to do about anything else, but he did know that much.

He patted Tanner’s ass, covered the already snoozing man with a light blanket.

Time to get back to work. They really needed to figure out what the hell to do with all those reporters. Before the full moon.

 

 

HE BATTED at the familiar back door, paws scraping.

Mom.

Mom.

Let me inside.

He’d been exploring, and then he’d found this scent, this amazing familiar scent, and it had led him here. Home. To the house he’d grown up in.

Mom.

The door opened, almost knocking him down, his mom looking out over top of him to begin with. Then down at him with wide eyes.

Mom! He bounced, claws tickling on the back porch. Mom, look!

She stepped back, hand going to her mouth. “Tanner?”

He pushed his way in, rubbing against her leg. I did it, Mom. I changed.

“Oh my God.” She plopped down on the floor with him, loving on his neck and ears.

She smelled like everything good in the world, like home and happiness and warmth. Tanner licked her jaw, her wrist.

“Oh, baby boy. Stirling told me, but I half didn’t believe.”

It took a long, long time—and he’d admit he didn’t try very hard—before he lost his fur, was in her lap on the sofa, covered in a blanket. “Mom.”

She hugged him close, tears streaming down her face. “Oh, baby. I was so worried.”

He hugged her tight, rocked her a little bit. “I did it, Mom. I swear, it worked.”

“I know. I was just scared for you. When they came, they said you were hurt. Dead, maybe. Look at you!” She looked so proud, her face all smiles.

“I know. I wanted to come, but Stirling was a turd.” He felt like a kid, almost. “I missed you, Mom.”

“I missed you too. I know you had to go, but it was hard.” She laughed, sounding like she had when he was a boy.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with the house, with everything. I don’t know how to go back.”

“You can’t go back.” Now she sobered. “They would never leave you alone.”

“But… I have a house there. A life.”

“They don’t know that, son. They think you died. There was blood, mess—you panicked.”

“I didn’t…. Did I hurt anyone?” Oh God.

“No, baby.” She stroked his hair, humming for a moment, the sound so comforting and familiar.

“Good. Good.” He rested, smiled at her. “Love you, huh?”

“I love you too. We’ll figure this all out.” His mom had a way of making it sound easy. He guessed that was a mom thing.

“Yeah. We will. Mom?” He bit his lip, looked up at her.

“Yeah, baby?”

“Can you make me mashed potatoes? Your mashed potatoes?”

 

 

“WHAT’S ALL the buzz?” Stirling jerked his head toward the center of town, where all the crazy outsiders hanging around had gathered at their tiny weekly newspaper’s office. If anyone knew what was what, Marnie would know.

“Oh God. I didn’t tell you? Some reporter was hiding near that poor woman who lost her son—Lucy Ruddle? He snapped a fuzzy picture of some… hairy guy, and it’s like big news. I mean, seriously, it looks fake.”

“No shit?” He raised a brow, trying to look casual, even though his heart was racing.

“I know, really? Bothering that poor old woman when her son’s missing.”

“Yeah.” Lucy wasn’t that old. “I’ll be in the back.” He had to call Lucy and see what was going on.

“Sure. You want coffee from the Drip?”

“I do. Thanks.” He gave her a thumbs-up before escaping and dialing Lucy on his cell.

“Stirling!” Lucy sounded like a girl, so happy, so young.

“Hey, lady.” He had a sinking feeling he knew where Tanner was, and it wasn’t at Stirling’s cabin where he was damned well supposed to be. “Is Tanner with you?”

“He is. He came here earlier. He’s sleeping in front of the fire, all furry. I made him mashed potatoes.”

“He still there?” White-hot anger rose in his chest. He’d told Tanner to stay put.

“Yes. He’s right here.”

“Oh, good. Could I talk to him a moment?” He was going to rip the man a new asshole.

“Uh. He’s fuzzy, Stirling.”

“Oh. Well, the buzz, and I do mean buzz, here in town is that he wasn’t earlier.”

“What? In town? He hasn’t gone outside.”

“No, but they’ve been lurking around your house. I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything, Stirling.”

He looked out the window at the swarm of asshats filling his town. His teeth were grinding in the back. “Keep him away from the windows and don’t let him outside. I’ll come for him tonight. Expect me in my other form.”

“I’ll make stew.”

“Sure.” Ah, she was such a mom. “I’ll be there after dark, okay?”

“I’ll leave the coal door open for you.”

“That works. See you later, Lucy.” He waited for her murmured goodbye before he hung up. Then he headed out to check out this supposed picture of Tanner.

He grabbed the newspaper off Marnie’s desk. There was hair, one muscled arm, a blanket. Lucky fuck. If there had been a clear image….

This could expose them all. All of them. He was going to kill the man. Or spank his beautiful ass. Or something. Tonight.

Marnie looked over. “It doesn’t even look real. I hate that fake shit.”

“Me too.” He was just glad it looked like nothing anyone could use as proof. If it had, he had no idea what he would have done.

Tanner was going to have to learn. Pack had rules.

Stirling was just the one to make the man follow them.

 

 

TANNER SLEPT hard. Then Mom fed him more, and he slept harder.

He was human and curled on the couch, dreaming about rabbits when he heard a low, rough growl, and his eyes popped open.

Well, that sure wasn’t his mom. Stirling loomed over him, one hand on the back of the couch.

“Hey.” He sat up, stretched. “How’s it going?”

“How’s it going?” That growl sounded again. “I told you to stay your ass where you were.”

“I wanted to see my mom. It’d been too long.” He didn’t fucking follow orders.

“Well, you could have waited for me to set it up!” Stirling’s hand closed around his throat and dragged him up. “A reporter got a fucking picture of you!”

“From where? As what? A wolf?” He swallowed around the grip, snarling, fingers around Stirling’s arm.

“No. No, but you were damned close.”

He looked over Stirling’s shoulder, noticing how all the windows were covered now, no gaps in the blinds or curtains.

“Let me go! For fuck’s sake, I didn’t do anything wrong!”

The jackass had lost his mind.

Stirling didn’t let go. The fuckhead shook him. Like he was a rat or a snake. “You could have brought a shitstorm down on us. As it is, we’ll all be on fucking eggshells until this dies down.”

“You let me go, you asshole.” He hadn’t meant to…. Fuck. Fuck this. Shame and sorrow hit him at the same time, which turned into pure fury in his gut, so he struck out, fist connecting with Stirling’s belly.

Stirling oophed and doubled over, which he hadn’t expected. Go him and the new wolfy strength. Not that Stirling let go. In fact, that hand squeezed harder. His throat closed and lights flashed in his eyes and, as they rolled, he saw his mom. Standing there. Watching. Like it was all okay.

He lost it, the wolf coming to the fore in a rush, and he bit as Stirling dropped him.

No.

No.

Out.

He rushed the front window, going through it in a rush, the glass shattering all around him. He heard words as he ran, heading through the trees as fast as he could.

Home. Home. Home.

He needed to go home. He didn’t belong here.

 

 

STIRLING STARED at the window for a moment, his mouth hanging open. Then he glanced back at Lucy, who stood behind him, one hand pressed to her chest, the other to her lips.

“I’ll go get him, huh?”

She blinked, nodded. “I’ll call Geoff to fix the window.”

“Yeah. You’ll have to have a good story. There’s bound to be people lurking around.”

“That’s no worry. You know those damned wild dogs, scaring an old lady.” She touched his arm. “It will be okay, Stirling. It’s difficult, to be new pack. To learn the rules.”

“He’s been pack all his life.” Stirling knew that wasn’t fair, really, but damn it, this was his job, keeping everyone safe. Including Tanner. He kissed Lucy’s cheek. “I won’t bite him too deep.”

“That’s your business. You’re Alpha.” And that was it, wasn’t it? He was Alpha. The pack was his.

Maybe Stirling would bite Tanner pretty hard after all. He smiled at Lucy before heading to the back room to undress. No sense ruining his clothes. He was taking his unruly, rule-breaking mate back home.

As soon as he found Tanner, anyway.

Unlike Tanner, he made sure there was no one about before slipping outside. The scent trail was bright as day, even though gloom was gathering. Tanner was panicked, the scent of unrest and fear making Stirling’s nose twitch as the trail moved toward the west, toward the highway.

Shit. Shit, he hoped his pup wasn’t stupid enough to go there, to get caught or worse.

The last fucking thing he needed was for Tanner to get slapped by a semi or something. That would not only bum out Tanner’s mom and bring down more news people, but it would be a waste of a fine, fine ass.

He put on a burst of speed, chasing that trail. Tanner was bleeding, moving fast, hysterically. He could track it, every moment, every time Tanner started to slow down, every time something startled him. Stirling had to make it to the highway before Tanner did.

He could smell the exhaust, hear the sounds of vehicles. Too close. Too close.

Stirling circled, paws digging into the ground, giving him more purchase. He could hear Tanner now, tangled in some underbrush, whining and thrashing. There was some wire wrapped around one of Tanner’s paws, the wolf bent near in half as he tried to chew it off.

Stirling came in fast but low, trying not to scare Tanner into ripping anything away. He took Tanner’s neck and pulled him down, keeping those snapping teeth from chewing any more.

Tanner yelped, calling to him, begging him to help. Yes. He could help. He held Tanner down and summoned his human side. He’d have to unwrap that wire and that required thumbs. Tanner struggled against his hand, groaning and kicking, trying so hard to get free.

“Stop, babe. Stop. Think like a man. Struggling makes it tighter.” He knew Tanner could do this.

He tugged Tanner’s ear, and those eyes met his, gaze holding, and Tanner finally relaxed, let him get the wire unwrapped.

“That’s it. That’s good.” He examined the paw, searching for anything more serious than a scrape. It looked good. It’d be sore in the morning, but….

Tanner tugged out of his hands, leaped over the brush, then faced him, panting.

Oh, hell no. He tried reason first. “Don’t you run from me, Tanner. The highway is close. You’ll get killed.”

Tanner barked, defying him, challenging him. Stubborn fucker.

He let the change take him, moving so fast Tanner didn’t have time to jump out of the way. He snarled, taking Tanner to the forest floor. Someone didn’t believe he was the Alpha. Stirling knew better.

Tanner bit and flailed, trying to protect throat and belly. It was a lost cause—Stirling had been doing this for his entire life, and it was biological. Fight and lose and take your place in the pack. This was like breathing. He waited, holding Tanner down until the man stopped fighting him.

Then he held Tanner down some more.

He leaned down, put his teeth on Tanner’s throat, hard enough to threaten. Tanner swallowed, whined, shaking under him. His good boy stopped fighting, though, so he shook Tanner a little and let him up, then praised a little with gentle licks.

Tanner bowed for him, leaned into him with a soft little chirrup.

Yes. That was the way to be pack, to calm down and accept things. Stirling nudged Tanner away from the road, back toward the pack lands.

They moved together, with him nipping Tanner’s heels anytime the wolf slowed. He was feeling the need to get Tanner inside and check that wound. They were too exposed. When they got near his cabin, Tanner started dragging, and Stirling growled, biting a little this time.

Time for Tanner to be home. In their den.

The cabin came into sight faster than he expected, Tanner finding it easily, which made him happy, deep inside.

He pushed Tanner right through the oversized doggie door, into the den. Then he let the wolf go, climbing to his feet. “You stay right there, babe. I need to look at that foot.”

He stared Tanner down until the wolf looked away, bowed. Good boy.

The medicine and bandages took just moments to retrieve, and he went to bend over Tanner and gently lift the injured foot.

As he lifted, Tanner slowly began to change, panting through the shift, muscles jerking and shuddering in his hand. When he had Tanner’s hand in his, he grinned, nodded. “Good deal. It’s not bad.”

“I….” Tanner shook his head. “I’m fine.”

“Let me doctor it, babe. This is your time for me to be nice.” Then there would be the shouting.

Tanner just stared at his wrist, the line of blood.

“You have to work on that panicky thing.” He stroked the line of Tanner’s arm, up and down.

Tanner opened his mouth, closed it. Sighed.

“Yeah.” He grinned wider. “I could kick your ass.”

“Fuck you. I was trying to leave.”

“You were running scared.” He got to work, wrapping Tanner’s wrist after applying goo. “You need to trust me, Tanner.”

“I do.” Tanner smelled confused—worried and horny and panicked and happy, all at once.

“Good.” He put one hand behind Tanner’s head, pulled the man close. “I know what I’m doing.”

“I don’t.” Tanner’s eyes rolled a little. “I don’t understand anything anymore.”

He kissed Tanner’s mouth, knowing the physical connection would do more than words. It was just as Alpha as the wolf holding Tanner down. This was about accepting, now. This was about pack.

Tanner was part of his pack. An important part. Stirling lifted Tanner up off the floor and headed for the bedroom.

He plopped Tanner down on the bed, following along before Tanner could bounce. He pressed that lean, warm body down against the mattress, spreading Tanner’s legs with his knees.

“Hey….” Tanner moaned, stretched under him.

“Shh. Just let me love on you, babe.” He grabbed Tanner’s reaching hands, careful of that torn wrist, and held them above Tanner’s head.

“I thought….” Tanner’s body slid against his, warm and smooth.

“What?” He licked Tanner’s throat, let his teeth scrape.

Tanner tried to pull away, protect throat and belly instinctively. Stirling just let out a little growl and pressed harder. This was his. Tanner’s throat, belly, balls—everything.

“Mine.” He bit down, leaving a mark. “Do you understand?”

Tanner’s answer was a rough little cry, and he bit again. He wanted to feel every shiver, to smell and see and taste every reaction.

“Stop. Fuck, Stirling, you’re bruising.”

Yes, he knew.

“Gonna mark you, babe. Gonna show you.” He wanted Tanner to understand what was what.

“Show me….” Tanner’s wrists twisted in his hands.

Stirling tightened his grip, not willing to let Tanner have anything but submission here. He sucked at the skin he’d been worrying, drawing up blood.

“You’re pack. Mine.” He growled the worlds against Tanner’s chest, teeth snapping right under one stiff nipple. Tanner growled, twisting against his grip, testing him, but that cock was hard as a rock against his hip.

“Not pack.” There was no truth in those words. Not a single bit, and Tanner knew it as well as Stirling.

“My pack, babe. Whether you like it or not. Mine. And I protect what’s mine.”

“I don’t belong here anymore; I never did.”

He pulled back to stare into Tanner’s eyes. “You belong here now like you never did before. Trust me, Tanner. All you have to do is trust me.”

“This whole thing is fucked-up.”

“Yep.” That was so true. He pressed against Tanner’s wrists, which made that fine body arch into his.

The glorious thing about being who they were—their bodies knew. Tanner could deny all sorts of shit, but he couldn’t deny this. Stirling reached down between them with his free hand, grabbing that straining cock.

“Stirling….” Tanner tugged at his hand again, arm muscles bulging.

“Yeah?” He bit back a chuckle. Someone was so fucking demanding.

“You’ve got my hands.” The scent of arousal made him a little dizzy.

“I do. It makes me crazy, how good you look. If you weren’t all scratched, I’d tie you up.” He let his nails drag down Tanner’s belly.

Tanner panted, grunting, humping like crazy. Yeah, if Tanner would just stop thinking, this would work way better.

He let his hand fly, swatting the curve of Tanner’s hip.

“Stirling!” Tanner actually sounded shocked, muscles jumping under the fine skin.

“Hmm?” He spanked that sweet skin again.

“You can’t do that!”

“Why not?” It felt good, making his hand tingle and sparks light up behind his eyes. Hell, Tanner seemed to fucking glow, his skin got so bright.

“Because!”

He flipped Tanner over, hips up in the air, sweet ass right there.

“Stirling!” Tanner said that a lot.

“Hot, babe. Such a hot little ass.” He smacked it again, then again.

He had one hand on Tanner’s nape, keeping his lover right there. Still. He didn’t want panicky escape or false protest. No wiggling. Just accepting.

“Mine. Understand? Every inch.”

Tanner barked out a noise that was half argument.

“No.” He slapped that ass, his hand bouncing back. “Mine.”

“Fuck….” Tanner’s thighs spread, hips dancing for him.

“Soon.” That was more like it. Way more like it. Stirling moved closer, his legs pressing on either side of Tanner’s thighs, hand flying as he bruised that sweet butt.

“Please, mate….” He heard the low, whined words, Tanner begging him, calling him mate.

Stirling could have howled.

He lifted up so he could raise Tanner’s hips, spreading those hot asscheeks with his thumbs. He needed Tanner’s hole wet and ready.

“Mine. Tell me.”

Tanner took too long to answer and he popped that tiny hole once.

“Yours. Fuck. Please. Please, more.”

“I got you.” He bent, licking at that tight little hole, tongue pushing in.

“Yes….” Those cheeks were hot-hot against his face, Tanner’s little yelps perfect.

Stirling licked, getting Tanner wet, ready, easing the way for what came next.

The sounds that left his lover made his cock ache, made his balls draw up. God, that was stunning. He just wanted to fuck Tanner into the ground.

He lifted his lips, then bit one glowing asscheek. “Tell me you want it.”

“I need it. Please. Now.”

“Good.” He pulled back, getting his hand wet so he could slick up his cock.

“Hurry up, damn it.”

Just for that he smacked Tanner’s ass one more time. “Pushy brat. When I’m ready.”

“Like you’re the fucking boss.”

“I am.” He pushed the head of his cock against Tanner’s hole. “I’m the fucking pack alpha, babe.”

“Not pack.” Tanner groaned, bearing down on him.

“You are, damn it.” He slammed right in, all the way, and bent to bite Tanner’s neck, shaking a little.

“Fuck….” Tanner arched, bucked against him, driving on his prick.

There was no more arguing, no more snarling. Just rutting with his lover. Fucking that tight hole. Hearing soft encouragement and Tanner’s moans. He grabbed Tanner’s hips and moved the man back and forth, rocking and rolling, before pulling out long enough for them to face each other. God, it was amazing. Stirling moved faster, his cock feeling like it was in a vise.

“Yes.” Tanner’s words brushed against his ear. “More. Need.”

“Love this. Need you.” He gave Tanner the words, knowing they could be as important to the man as the teeth were to the wolf.

“Yes.” Tanner’s teeth nipped his earlobe. “In me.”

“Because you’re mine.” He was in fucking heaven, and he was going to keep this.

“Yours.” Tanner bit his jaw, ass pulling him in deeper.

Their skin slapped together, their pants blending into one breath. Mates.

Mates.

Christ.

Tanner’s body squeezed him, milking his prick, rocking him. Stirling let go, let the rhythm and the dominance and everything else go and fucked Tanner like there was no tomorrow. He needed to come so bad his teeth hurt.

Tanner’s yowl split the air, and his teeth sank into Tanner’s nape and his lover rippled around him. Stirling lost it, shooting hard, his body bucking as he spilled inside Tanner.

He slumped forward and landed on Tanner’s back with a thump. Tanner grunted, holding his weight well enough. Good man.

“Better,” Stirling mumbled.

Tanner’s answer was a soft rumbling moan.

Stirling chuckled. They still had a good bit of shit to work out, but this? This they had down pat.

 

 

HIS ASS was sore.

His neck was sore.

The bite on his shoulder burned.

Tanner was going crazy, like his skin didn’t fit.

He turned the bacon, drank deep of his coffee, and tried not to growl. The smell of coffee irritated his nose, and every time he moved, his butt did this tingly thing….

“Morning, babe.” Stirling kissed the back of his neck.

The bite there flared, making his cock jerk and his balls draw up.

“Morning,” he growled.

“Oh, grumpy.” Slowly, deliberately, Stirling squeezed Tanner’s left asscheek.

“Don’t….” He was going to lose it. He so was.

“Why not? It’s hot, you wearing my marks. I like it.” That hand squeezed again. Hard.

“Hey….” He barked once, toes curling as he rocked up.

“So pretty. I like you in my house.” Stirling was all growls and slinky noises, those hands seeming to touch everywhere.

It made him want to bite something, as annoyed as he was turned on. He wasn’t a pack member, to be bossed around and possessed.

He pulled the bacon out, pushed the pan to the back of the stove, turned off the burner, all the while trying to control the rumbles in his chest.

“What’s with you?” Stirling spun him around neatly and kissed him.

“Everything aches.” He bit Stirling’s bottom lip.

“Good.” That asshole swatted his butt. Again.

“Don’t!” His cock was going to leave a stain in his sweats, he was so hard.

“Why not? It’s my ass.” Stirling looked so goddamned smug.

“Yours? It’s attached to me.” He kissed the sorry son of a bitch.

Stirling kissed him right back, lifting him up so his feet left the floor. The heat of it sort of stole his breath, left him clinging, rocking against Stirling’s hands. He wanted to argue, to tell Stirling he didn’t want to be owned, but it was too difficult to think.

His ass hit the counter, Stirling muscling up against him, nails scraping his belly. Tanner’s legs spread like hot butter, and he moaned, his head falling back.

“Yes. Mine.” Stirling’s teeth found his throat, hands working off his sweats. “Mine, do you get it? My mate.”

Tanner’s eyes went wide, his heart pounding. “Oh fuck.” Mates? Them? Oh damn.

“What?” Stirling stared him down, hand on his cock.

“Your mate?” He knew what that meant, soul-deep. Fuck, they mated for life.

“Mine. I keep telling you, and you keep not listening.” Stirling bared his teeth in a feral smile.

“You’re so bossy, asshole.” He bumped up with his hips, encouraging that hand to move on his cock.

“I am? Shit, you’re the toppiest little bottom I know.” He got what he asked for, though, Stirling stroking him nice and hard.

“Not….” The edge of the counter pushed into his ass. “Stirling….”

“Are too. And you’re staying, right here where I can keep an eye on you.”

He almost managed to blow a raspberry. Almost. He was really busy. Of course, his house was trashed, the media thought he was dead, and his mom had been so happy to see him….

“You’re mine. You belong here with us.” Stirling’s teeth burned his collarbone.

His skin felt too tight, his breath heaved in his chest, and Tanner hung there, caught between Stirling’s hand and teeth, humping like crazy. He could stay. He could have a place where he was wanted. Needed.

“Yes.” Stirling was his mate, after all, was home.

He could find all sorts of new ways to stay busy. Even if he did hate the smell of pinyon.