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Marked - 2
Marked
Sean Michael
Chapter One
his eyes on the bar, even though his prick took interest
in the scent. Not here for trolling.
"What'll it be?"
The roughest voice he'd ever heard answered. "Whiskey,
no ice." A bill slid across the bar.
He nodded as his own drink was slipped over, the liquid
splashing on his fingers. He hissed softly, licked his
fingers clean.
He felt eyes on him, the man next to him turning to look.
Then a second whiskey was plonked down, one big hand
grabbing it. They drank together, and Cody finished half
of the double with a couple of gulps before taking a
breath. That eased the grind inside him.
His neighbor settled half sideways, and he could feel the
man looking again. "Busy night."
"It is. Lots of folks."
"You're not looking, though."
He looked up, surprised at the words, at the growl. "Just
wanted to be out and about."
"You could have called."
"I wasn't sure you'd answer me." He slammed back the
rest of the drink, just to shut himself up.
"I'm here, aren't I?"
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Chapter Two
Barker yawned as he woke and stretched. He could feel
the sweet lassitude in his muscles, the feeling that meant
he'd had his mate, fucked Cody into the damn mattress.
Humming happily, he shifted, arm out to find his lover's
body, to pull Cody in close.
Only to find nothing but mattress. Cold mattress at that.
Growling, he sat up and looked around. The place was
empty; the only thing left of Cody was the man's scent.
He let out a roar.
Asshole. Motherfucker. The stupid little son of a bitch.
Barker was going to kill the piece of shit.
He got up and threw on his jeans, a T-shirt, and his
jacket. Then he hit the pavement, nose in the air. Cody
couldn't have gotten that big a head start on him.
Ten years. Ten years he'd done this. He'd seen his mate
on the night before the full moon, tight little body
outlined by the light, and he'd known this was it. The
one. His.
They'd had one night of pure fucking bliss; then the full
moon had come and Cody hadn't changed. Hed twisted
and sobbed, body wracked with pain, and all Barker
could do was watch. After that night, Cody was caught
between wolf and man -- teeth unnaturally sharp, eyes
glowing, muscles tight and trapped.
They'd talked to the Clan, to the healers, and everyone
had shaken their heads, sighed in sorrow for them. Cody
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Chapter Three
Barker drove like his ass was on fire. He could feel the
full moon hunting him with every second the sun
dropped lower in the sky.
He'd been driving since dawn, pushing his old truck
hard. He knew Cody would be safe at his grandfather's
old place. And he could run out there when the change
took him. And it was far enough out, Cody couldn't
disappear on him while he was out howling at the moon.
Cody was silent beside him, skin gray as ash, eyes
closed. The man smelled sour to him, sick. He rolled his
window down partway, letting the forest air clear the
cab out. He needed to find someone who could help
Cody out, fix him.
Those glowing eyes cracked open, peering at him over
the dark glasses. "You need me to drive?"
"I'm good. We'll be there soon." Out in the middle of
nowhere, the cabin would be a safe place. Cody could
lock himself in.
He got a nod, then the black lenses were pushed back in
place.
"You'll like it out here. It's isolated, fresh, clean."
"You go out often?"
"Every now and then." It was a good place to go and
howl at the moon. Every time Cody showed up and then
disappeared again, he'd go out and run until he was
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under the light of the moon and then run with him, just
go like the wind, his mate beside him. He would settle
for coming home to his mate after he'd changed back.
"Let me have my bag, man. You don't have much time
left and neither do I."
"I've got enough time to get you inside. Show you how
to work the lock." He led the way, shouldering open the
door.
Cody followed him, head down, all coat and glasses and
hat.
"It's not fancy. There's an outhouse out the back and a
water pump up front."
He plopped the stuff down on the floor next to the door
and prowled around, making sure the windows and back
door were secure. "It'll keep you safe, though."
"Come kiss me."
His eyes widened in surprise -- Cody was usually telling
him to let go, not drawing him closer. He went, bringing
their mouths together in a kiss fueled not a little by the
animal lurking beneath the surface.
Cody tasted like tears, but the kiss was heartfelt, tongue
sliding to taste his mouth. He wanted to stay with Cody
and rut. He wanted to sink into the taste and the scent
and the feeling of his lover.
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do more than anything. It was a special kind of hell -watching heaven through a dirty, cracked window and
iron bars. He watched as long as he could, then he
stripped himself down.
If he was lucky, he'd be dead come morning. If he
wasn't, at least his clothes wouldn't be fouled and he
could put them back on.
Cody found his pocket knife and a bottle of whiskey in
his duffel, managing to make it out into the clearing in
front of the cabin before his legs gave out, his body
writhing on the dirt for a few torturous minutes before
the wave passed.
"Please. Please, let it be over. For me. Please let it be
done. Tonight." He drank deep, then cut a long line
across his arm, letting the blood flow free. Let Barker
come for him.
Either way, Barker was going to kill him. Either the
wolf would do it, or Barker would be so pissed at him
tomorrow that the man would.
Another wave of agony hit him and he convulsed, legs
and arms slamming into the ground, the knife blade
pushing deep. Either way worked.
He heard the lone howl -- Barker, his mate.
He sobbed, his entire body twisting as his muscles
jerked and pulled.
Once.
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"I don't follow orders worth a fuck? You're the one who
didn't fucking lock the door, who came out here where
anything could have come along and killed you."
"You were supposed to do it. You just had to be a
fucking hero, didn't you?"
Growling, he rolled over onto Cody and grabbed his
neck in one hand. "You wanted me to kill you? You set
me up to do it, didn't you?"
Cody didn't flinch away. "Set you up? I asked. Nicely.
It's your job, mate, to put me out of my misery."
He shook his head. "I'm not doing that. You were made
this way for a reason. We're going to find it."
"What reason? What? Am I supposed to wander and
hurt forever? For what? I didn't do anything wrong!"
Those eyes seemed to have fire in them, and Barker
swore he could hear the wolf, see it. "We'll get you
fixed."
One eyebrow arched. "You think that'll help?"
He punched Cody in the arm. "You know that's not what
I meant." He thought Cody had lost it, just a touch. So
many years of pain would do it, but still.
Cody bit the air right above his chest. "Stop hitting."
"Then stop being an idiot."
"I'm not. I should go. This whole thing is insane."
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"Yes." Not even Cody could deny that, not now, not in
this space. Not with him buried deep.
He started thrusting, humping hard into his mate's body.
Those long fingers dug into his shoulders, near-claw
digging into him. It felt so fucking good. He put his
head back and howled out his pleasure.
Cody jerked on his cock, body moving frenetically on
him.
"That's it. Mate. Fuck." He swore he could see Cody's
face begin to change.
"Mine," he snarled. "Never going to leave you."
"You have to..." Cody's body gripped his prick tight.
"No." He slammed in as he said it.
Cody's eyes rolled back, a deep growl vibrating in the
lean chest.
"Yes. Mate. Mine." He leaned down, bit into Cody's
shoulder, then nuzzled the long neck, teeth threatening.
His hips kept pumping, taking what was his.
"Fuck. Fuck. Barker..." He could feel Cody's heartbeat
in his lips.
"Mate." He growled and bit at Cody's neck, marking his
lover.
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Chapter Four
Cody was running, legs driving his paws into the dirt,
the moon calling him. He howled, happy, moving faster.
His mate's howl answered his. Yes! Yes, running.
Going. Going.
He could feel Barker's breath on his neck, his mate so
close. He chirruped and barked, encouraging Barker to
go faster. They did, Barker chuffing, breathing hard
down his neck. He could feel his blood pounding
through his veins, feel his mate near his tail.
Barker started petting him, stroking his fur. He panted,
tail wagging, tongue lolling. So good.
"Mmm. Mate." Barker bit at his neck.
He growled softly, not wanting to wake up, not yet.
Barker's heat was all along his back, his mate's thick
cock pressing against his ass.
Please. "Let me dream."
"We're together here."
Yes, but in his dream, he was real.
He sighed and opened his eyes, looking at Barker.
"Have we slept long?"
Barker shrugged. "Long enough I'm hungry."
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metabolism of a wolf.
drinks."
a can opener?"
cornflakes?"
What to do.
"You can say good morning. You can say it's good to
wake up together."
without my mate."
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"Sure you can, you just don't run whenever you see me."
are insane."
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"Need me. You might not want to admit it, but that's
me."
one."
day job?"
him.
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Chapter Five
Barker lay curled around his mate. His very furry, fourlegged wolf mate. Somehow, someway, Cody had
changed while they'd run, turning into a gorgeous,
russet-coated wolf. The man was beautiful. And a wolf
during full sunlight. It shouldn't have been possible.
And yet, there Cody was.
He rubbed the beautiful, soft fur, giving Cody some
loving. Cody's tail wagged, tongue lolling. The closed
eyes cracked open, glinting at him.
"Hey, mate." He grinned, rubbed Cody's nose. That
tongue lapped at his fingers, hot, wet. He could howl
with joy. Look at his mate. "Beautiful. God, you're so
beautiful."
Cody rolled over, head landing in his lap, heavy and
perfect.
He kept petting, talking softly. "I don't get why you
changed during the day, but I think the important thing
here is that you changed, huh? Who knew running in the
forest would do it?"
Clay blinked up at him, chirruping softly.
He tilted his head. "You aren't, like, stuck like that now,
are you? Because it would suck if you finally changed,
but you were a wolf while I was a man and vice versa."
Cody looked at him, barked once, then scrambled to his
feet, eyes rolling.
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"Your eyes..."
at me."
promise?"
"I swear to God, Cody. You have blue eyes. And you
"I know. Weird, isn't it? But you changed, plain as...
well, day. And now your eyes are blue. My God, your
I..."
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tongue in.
"That's the full moon. Even when it's on the other side of
to elongate.
daylight.
in his arms.
It was beautiful to see the long body settle into its form.
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Mate."
light.
those words.
tightly.
"Mate. I changed."
Cody smiled at him and, for the first time in... forever,
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moon is coming!"
"It is. Soon. Come for me before the sun sets, mate."
Barker rubbed the tip of his prick, pushing into his slit
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So he did.
***
Shit. What if... no. No, Cody had been able to change
back and forth before. "Shift for me, mate. Become
human."
Cody rumbled softly, panting hard, and he could see it,
see Cody willing the change. No one could do that -change at will. No one but his amazing mate.
He was laughing and clapping by the time Cody was
done, was human and naked in front of him. "You're
incredible."
Cody blinked up at him. "I shifted."
"Yeah, Cody, you did. Because you wanted to. Not
because the sun or the moon made you, but because you
wanted to."
"I... I'm sore."
"All that running -- using muscles you never have
before. I bet you're sore." He slipped down and sat
behind Cody, started rubbing his lover's shoulders.
"I... We hunted." Cody moaned, head dropping forward.
"We did. We hunted, we ran, we were beasts. All night
long."
"We did. It was real. It didn't hurt." Cody was going to
shake apart in his hands.
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Cody's body.
"I..."
Cody nodded and he got it, all of a sudden. The fear, the
me."
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"I am not. I'm still me. Just like before." Cody was the
me up."
up with him.
Cody's hand and started heading back for the cabin, the
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Chapter Six
Cody woke up in Barker's arms, the late afternoon sun
pouring through the windows. He kept his eyes closed,
breathed slowly, and let himself enjoy the sensation of
not hurting. He took one deep breath after another, not
sure he believed this was real. Barker muttered
something and tightened his hold.
"Mmm." He let himself trust, let himself lean back into
Barker and be held, be kept close. He never believed this
could happen, but it had. He'd felt it, that click inside his
soul, the release of this terrible, maddening tension.
Barker nuzzled into his neck. "Mate."
"Yes." He nodded, accepting that undeniable fact with
more than a little joy.
Barker's eyes popped open and he grinned. "Look at
you. Look at your eyes."
"What?" His eyes crossed as he tried to see.
"They're a gorgeous blue."
"Yeah?" Oh, God. "No more sunglasses?"
"Only if it's sunny."
All of a sudden it was hard to breathe, to focus. "Mate."
"Yeah. That's me." Barker gave him a grin, easy and
lazy and happy.
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"No, yours."
everyone knows."
"You are. But I'm done letting you escape, letting you
changing."
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his earlobe. "Want you, Mate. It's like the last ten years
of needing you are all bottled up inside me and need to
come out."
"I wanted to be yours. The entire time."
"It's what I wanted, too." Barker shook his head. "You're
here now."
"Special."
"Odd."
"Stubborn."
"Undesirable."
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Chapter Seven
Barker stretched and grabbed his bag and Cody's, taking
them to the truck. They'd spent the third night of the
moon running and hunting and playing together. Now
the full moon was over and it was time to go home, to
start life together. It would be easier if Cody would lose
the fur.
He put his hands on his hips. "Are you planning on
staying like that for the whole trip?" Frankly, he was
kind of jealous.
Cody slumped down on the threshold of the cabin, tail
thumping.
"Okay, okay, but I'm putting clothes in the cab for you
in case you decide to change back while we're on the
road." The last thing they needed was to get stopped
because Cody was naked.
Cody yawned, head landing on his paws.
"Come on. It's time to go." He locked up the cabin and
headed for the truck, opening the passenger door for his
stubborn, canine lover. Cody stared at him. Oh, yeah, so
stubborn.
"Come on, Cody. Get in the damn truck."
That heavy tail just wagged.
"Don't make me carry you."
Cody actually bared teeth at him.
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"Damn it, Cody, we can't stay here all the time." It was
fine for a wolf, not so much for humans -- and, unlike
his mate, he had no choice in the matter.
Cody stared at him, and he stared back. He was the
Alpha, damn it. Cody would respect that.
"Get. In. The. Truck." He refused to look away. Thank
goodness, Cody's eyes dropped, his mate slinking
toward the truck.
Shaking his head, he followed, closing the passenger
door as soon as Cody jumped up into the seat. Moving
around, he climbed in and started the engine. Cody
grumbled and barked, telling him off in the clearest
possible terms.
"Uh-huh." He could pretend he didn't understand; if
Cody wanted to talk to him, the man could damn well
shift. "I like burgers, too, and I'll make sure we pick
some up at the first drive-through we see."
A low rumble filled the cab. He glanced over and
couldn't resist reaching for his mate, sliding a hand
through all that great fur. Cody groaned, then settled,
head on his thigh. Smiling, he stroked Cody's fur,
patting the sweet head.
"You're beautiful, Cody."
His thigh was given a soft lick.
"I still can't believe you can change whenever you
want." His magical mate, furry in the sunlight.
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Cody yelped as his teeth sank into one taut ass cheek.
"Hey!"
I'm cute."
jeans, left the shirt off. One hand slid up along his thigh,
petting him.
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"You're tempting fate." God, the man could get him all
hot and bothered just by sitting there half-dressed.
Cody chuffed with laughter, head thrown back. "That's
what I do!"
Grinning, he shook his head. "How have I lived without
you for the last ten years?" Fate, he thought, owed them.
"You did okay. I saw." There was a decade of sorrow in
those words.
"I wish I'd known you were there." He should have felt
Cody or something. Wasn't that how it was supposed to
work?
Cody shrugged. "It wouldn't have helped you. I needed
to watch you. I couldn't not."
"So what happened this time? It's not like it's the first
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"No, that's not cool. Drop the couple of days and we're
good." He took his eyes off the road to glare into Cody's.
Just like I want you with me. So there's no deciding -it's a done deal."
live together?"
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"What?"
shivering.
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that.
is. So much."
"Yeah."
writhing like that again. Never. "Good. It'll all work out,
then."
They slowed as the traffic got heavier for rush hour, the
city busy with people coming and going. He glanced
over at Cody to see how his lover was handling it. The
man was wide-eyed, looking almost scared.
"Hey, mate. It's all right. We're just going to go straight
to my place. You've been there before."
"It smells. And it's loud. Has it always been so loud?"
"Yeah, yeah, it has. It's always worse when I first get
back. You get used to it again."
"Yeah?" Cody looked unsure.
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Cody's body.
He pulled out his fingers and pushed them back in, hard.
"Fuck."
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him.
him.
"Harder."
focused. Sure.
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Chapter Eight
Barker was napping and Cody was curious, so he
slipped from the bed and started exploring. He hadn't
really looked at Barker's home before. It didn't hurt that
he was starving.
The place was basically one big, open space, with a bar
separating the kitchen and a small hall leading to a huge
bathroom and a couple of closets.
There were a lot of plants spread around the place, and
aside from the bed and barstools, there were only two
huge armchairs and a great big flat-screen TV. A small
desk had papers on it, and a laptop. It was simple,
utilitarian, and yet everything about it smelled and felt
like home.
He found a jar of peanut butter and a spoon, eating three
spoonfuls in quick succession. Oh. Better. Then he
found the milk.
There was a note on the fridge. "Buy more steak, idiot."
Cody chuffed softly, found some eggs. Starving. He was
starving.
He heard Barker groan, shift in his sleep. He hummed
softly, let his voice fill the space, let Barker know he
wasn't gone.
He thought he heard a murmured, "Mate."
He found a pan and started scrambling eggs.
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Let's eat."
hard it hurt.
"I could take you out for steak. Nice and rare, twenty
ounces."
"You up to it? There's all the city out there. I have a guy
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like that."
go out?"
of his.
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It sounded perfect.
***
The knock on the door interrupted Barker's kiss, but he'd
had plenty and could have plenty more, so he wasn't
complaining too hard. Besides, that knock came with
steak. He grabbed his jeans and slipped into them,
finding his wallet in the back pocket. Excellent.
Answering the door, he gave Kristos the hot delivery
boy a grin. He handed over the money as the smell of
the food filled his nostrils. "Your dad make my order?"
"You know he did, Mr. Barker."
door before the man's scent could penetrate too far into
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Chapter Nine
The laziness lasted for two days, then Barker had to go
back to work and so did Cody. At least, Cody needed to
find something for a few days. His funds were tapped.
He woke early, shook out his work jeans and the T-shirt
he used for construction, and made a cup of coffee.
There was a day laborer slot about a mile's walk; he got
work there painting, picking up trash, lugging furniture.
Whatever there was that paid cash and didn't require too
much identification.
The first night, when he got home, Barker pounced on
him, growling. "You weren't here when I got back."
He snarled softly. He was sore, he was filthy, and he
was freezing. "I was working."
"You could have left me a note -- I thought you'd left."
"I left my duffel." He headed for the bathroom. He
needed a shower.
"I didn't notice. Fuck, mate. I thought you'd gone again."
Barker followed him, voice rough.
"I need to work. I'm broke." Jackass.
"You should have left a note is all I'm saying. Or phoned
me. Or something." Barker growled at him. "Besides,
I'm not charging you rent."
"Don't growl at me!" He spun around, their chests
slapping together. "I'm tired!"
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on.
years. "And you tell that little pup that tends bar that if
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"Since when?"
"Since you're my fucking mate!"
"Bullshit." Cody turned on him, eyes flashing gold. "Ten
years. Ten years I was on the run. You watched them
drive me out. Cut me. Shoot at me. Throw stones at me!
Ten years I starved and hurt and ran! Just because I can
change, you don't have the right to protect me!"
"We've been over this! I was young and scared when
that happened, and then you never gave me a chance
after that!"
"And I'm not young, scared, or in need of protection. I'll
heal. It won't scar. Leave it alone!"
"I can't!" Cody was asking the impossible.
"You don't have a choice!" The bathroom door slammed
between them.
Growling, he slammed it open again. "What the fuck
was that?"
"I said you don't have a motherfucking choice!" Cody
snapped at him.
"Why are you fucking mad at me? I didn't do this to
you!" He was going to deck Cody any second now. Or
toss him up against the tile and fuck him through it.
"Because you're miserable and I know it. You fucking
hate this, and I'm not going to be able to stay."
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"They run the Clan, though." They ran the city, the
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Love.
The word echoed in his head. In. His. Head.
gold.
Boom.
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with that."
Cody licked his bottom lip. "Go back to your night shift,
"If they had crappy day labor jobs at night, I'd take
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wolf or man.
"I would love that. This place is... huge now. The smells
are everywhere."
unerring fingers.
cold, the change faster now that the moon was closer
again. Mate.
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Chapter Ten
Barker nodded at Julio, the night shift bouncer giving
him a little salute.
"Busy night?" Barker asked, trying not to miss it too
much. The day shift still sucked, but he wasn't willing to
give up being on the same schedule as Cody. Even if the
asshole was wolfing out a lot.
Julio shrugged, big shoulders moving beneath the tight,
black T-shirt. "The usual. Broke up a few fights."
"Busted some heads?" Barker asked, knowing the
answer already from the feral grin on Julio's face.
"Got it in one." Julio waved at Matty behind the bar and
headed out.
Barker scanned the place before leaning against the end
of the bar, from where he could see everything going on.
It was pretty empty at this time of day, wouldn't really
get busy until ten or eleven tonight, long after Barker
had gone home. It made for long, boring days.
By three, Barker was more than happy to be knocking
off. He wanted to get home; no, needed to, needed to get
Cody out of the city so they could run together on his
grandfather's land when the change took him. Matty
handed over the take-out bag with steak that he'd
ordered and went to draw a glass of beer for the guy at
the other end of the bar who'd been drinking steadily
since noon.
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"In the city? In our city? That doesn't seem right. Must
have been a big dog."
"Maybe." Harry's eyes narrowed; he wasn't so casual
anymore, the tension clear in the way he was standing.
"I'd be worried, though, if I knew a wolf who couldn't
change and then suddenly did change, only not on the
full moon. I'd be worried about that wolf. About what
might happen to him if the Elders of the City got a hold
of him. I mean something like that, we'd want to inspect
it, dissect it to see what went so wrong."
Barker tried not to react, but shit. They knew. The
Elders knew and they wanted to tear Cody apart to find
out what made him different. "Are you threatening me?"
Make Harry think he was worried about himself, pretend
he didn't have a clue what else the Elder could mean.
"It's more of a warning, really. I don't think you should
spend the full moon in the city. It's not a good time for
strange wolves to be here." Harry's eyes were hard, but
Barker thought he saw a hint of pity in them, lurking
somewhere in the back.
"I usually leave town for the change."
"Good. Good. That would be for the best." Harry patted
his arm and then turned and walked out, not looking
back once.
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Chapter Eleven
The moon was coming. He hadn't been able to
remember how to shift for the last day. Well, he'd be
honest, he was happier wolfed out -- the world was
easier, quieter, more reasonable. So maybe he hadn't
tried hard, but still he had tried.
He could feel Barker getting closer, could hear Barker
in his head. Not talking to him, more... happy to be
close. He'd gotten the truck gassed up, picked up
groceries after work. They were going out to Barker's
grandfather's for the full moon.
Cody hopped up on the window, looked out over the
city. He wanted to go, to run. His tail wagged, hard.
The door opened and closed. "Hey, mate. I'm home. And
I have fresh meat."
He bounded over. Mate!
"Hey." Barker dropped down and started petting and
scritching.
Cody licked and lapped, welcoming Barker home, tail
pounding. Barker rolled with him, and it was almost as
good as having his mate as a wolf.
Love you. Smell so good! His thoughts tumbled from
him.
Barker gasped and buried his face in Cody's neck,
rubbing against his fur. Oh, mate.
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Nothing happened.
"Cody?"
hot.
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amazing."
throat.
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Barker soon had them on the open road, headed for his
grandfather's cabin, headed for where they could be free.
***
Barker waited, naked, by the truck, the moon's power
right there, moments away from turning him into his
wolf. Cody was already there, running rings around him,
and Barker would have sworn his mate was laughing at
him. It made him growl, and he glared at the sky. Come
on! He needed to change. Nothing else mattered right
now. They were safe up here, away from the city.
Cody was giddy, and Barker knew that part of it was
relief after ten years of agony, that finally his mate could
run, jump, feel.
Mate! Love! Come play!
"Yeah, yeah. Soon, mate." This was Cody's reward for
having to go through that -- being able to change
whenever he wanted. Barker growled at the sky again.
Cody's tongue slid over his thigh, muzzle dangerously
close to his balls.
"Careful, mate!" He needed those.
A cold, wet nose nudged them playfully.
"Hey!" His laughter turned into yips as the change began
to take him.
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Chapter Twelve
Barker lay on the grass in a clearing, the sunlight warm
and good on his skin. He didn't have a clue how far
away from the cabin they were, but he didn't much care
either. He and Cody had run and hunted and played all
night long, and now he was exhausted. The grass felt
good under his back, though, and the sun was making
him sleepy.
Just one thing was missing. Mate? he called out for his
lover.
Cody loped over to him, plopped down beside him, still
fuzzy. Mate.
Barker laughed. "You're still wolfed out, babe."
Oops. Cody stared at him, and Barker could see the man
trying.
"You like the wolf better than the man." He was teasing,
but he also thought maybe it was true.
Of course, Cody had ten years' worth of full moons to
make up for.
The human slowly appeared, slowly took form. "No. It's
easier, fuzzy."
He nodded. It was. Everything got distilled down to base
instincts. He slid his hand over Cody's belly. "Some
things are better like this, though."
"Mmm." Cody's cock started filling, slowly.
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Don't, mate. Don't let her know you can change during
the day.
Is she real? Is it her? He could smell the panic on Cody.
She's there, but I don't know if she's who she says she is.
Stay calm, mate.
Cody's fingers clenched his.
"I'm not going away, boys. We have to talk. The Clan's
coming for you."
"You going to let us put on some clothes first?" he
asked. He didn't trust her, not for a second.
"Sure." Those glowing eyes met Cody's. "Want to run
with me?"
I don't trust her, mate.
Cody frowned at her. "I don't know you."
"Liar." She smiled, winked, and headed back toward the
cabin, unafraid.
Barker growled. He didn't like this. Not at all. This
woman who looked so much like his Cody, acting like
she owned his land. His land where Cody was supposed
to be safe from the Elders, from the Clan.
He took Cody's hand and slowly followed.
***
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Mine, mate. For always. If they come for you, they have
to go through me first.
Riana, if that was really her, growled at them. "Are you
listening to me?"
"Aren't you supposed to be leaving?"
"Yes, but you're my baby brother and I'm risking my
mate's hissy fit by coming to help you. Asshole."
"Where the hell were you when he didn't change on his
first full moon?" Barker demanded.
"Three hundred miles away with my family!" Her teeth
flashed. "I got a call warning me that he'd changed, that
he was in trouble."
"And you didn't come for him." Barker snarled, and
Cody thought he heard guilt in the words.
"No." She met Cody's eyes. "I changed when I got
pregnant. I thought... I thought it would be worse, being
with us, knowing you were screwed."
Cody chuffed softly, shrugged. "I didn't get pregnant."
"That's for damn sure." Barker started pacing, a low
growl in his chest. "We can get in the truck, go until the
moon hits again."
"Go where?" That exhaustion hit him again, deep and
low. This was ridiculous. "I don't have any connections
with the Pack."
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"You don't have to let me go. I'll stay here, wait for
would be easy.
"Too risky."
around him.
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in short order.
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Chapter Thirteen
Barker didn't know what to do and he hated that. All his
life, the Clan had been there, the Elders and the Alpha
making the big decisions, setting out the laws. He didn't
trust them, though.
They'd run Cody off ten years ago, God only knew what
they'd do if they found out he could shift whenever he
wanted. Hell, they already knew. Harry had as much as
told Barker. He'd thought they'd have time, though. He
thought Harry had been trying to tell him that as long as
Cody was out of the city, his mate would be safe.
He paced, feeling the beast right there beneath the
surface, the moon so close. Cody had changed hours
ago, had been running, looking for strangers. The
problem was, Barker was afraid Cody needed to look for
friends. He wished he had someone he could ask,
someone he could confide in. All his friends were thick
with the Clan, though. Their allegiance would be with
Clan.
Cody's allegiance was with him. Solely. His mate. He
was so fucking proud of his beautiful mate who could
change whenever he wanted.
Cody's tail was up, proud, as he ran near the cabin,
barking happily.
"Hey, Mate!" Barker laughed, wishing the moon was on
them already so he could run with his mate.
Cody squealed to a halt, spun around, and came
barreling toward him.
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Love you. That cold nose touched his belly, then Cody
offered him the long neck.
"Oh, mate." He grabbed it with his hand, squeezing just
the barest bit before turning it into a good scratch.
Cody's eyes rolled back, back leg thumping on the
ground.
He laughed, the sound turning into a growl as the change
came over him.
MATE! That sound was pure joy.
He leaped up and pounced on his mate, muzzle rubbing
along Cody's. Cody's paws nudged him, batted at him.
He pushed back and nipped at Cody's haunches. The
happy bark had him chuffing, rolling his mate under
him. He put his head back and howled, the pleasure
running between them. The moon was fat and full, his
mate's voice harmonizing with him.
They leaped up and started running, the ground flying
beneath their feet. They barreled through the trees,
heading for the creek, for the water.
He caught the scent of a rabbit and called to his mate.
Food!
Cody crouched down, hunching and slowed, nostrils
flaring. He was so proud of his mate -- Cody hadn't been
hunting very long, but he was a natural. He circled
around one side, making the barest bit of noise to
distract the hare while Cody inched closer. As he
watched, his mate pounced, grabbing the rabbit at the
neck and shaking it, a quick, clean kill.
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Chapter Fourteen
Hurt. It hurt to be human during the moon. It hurt, but it
worked, and he had Barker, Barker's things, his bag,
money, food, and supplies all packed in the truck. Now
he just had to drive until the sun was up. The Clan could
travel hard at night as wolves, but they'd be stuck during
the day, and it wasn't like there'd be cars or weapons or
anything waiting for them when the moon made them
change.
Barker kept sniffing him, backing off and huffing. Smell
funny.
I know. I'm sorry, Mate. He took a handful of pain pills
and kept driving.
Don't be sorry. You rescued my clothes.
He chuckled. Clothes, iPod, Barker's shaving kit -things they would need on the run.
You still smell funny. Still, Barker moved closer, head
resting on his thigh. He stroked Barker's head, breathing
shallowly. You hurt, mate.
I'm... He couldn't lie. Not mind-to-mind.
The sun will be here soon, and I can drive. Barker
growled a little and licked his hand. Or we can stop,
"We'll be safe. Beautiful wolf."
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had to.
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Chapter Fifteen
Barker tried to find a place to stop for the night, but in
the end, he drove the truck into a field off the road,
hoping the tall grass would keep them hidden from what
little traffic there might be. He pulled off his clothes,
feeling the moon about to take him; he'd cut it close.
Cody was awake and bouncing, staying close,
encouraging him to hurry. He managed to open the
driver's side door, and then he was bounding out,
barking as the wolf took him. Cody sniffed him, nose
nudging him. He turned and smelled Cody in return,
nipping at his lover's muzzle.
He loved the happy bounce, the yips of welcome, of
admiration. He paraded up and down a little, showing
off for his mate. Look at me.
Forever. My Mate.
Yes. Forever. Come on, mate. Let's run.
Cody took off like a shot, paws digging into the ground,
tail up. Chuffing, he followed, going all out to follow his
mate. He was stronger than Cody, tall, but his mate was
running flat out, making him work for it. There was
nothing like this feeling, like running freely through the
fields, the trees with his mate. He wasn't going to give
this up. Not for anything or anyone.
He finally had wholeness, life. Love. Love. He put his
head back and howled it out to Cody. To his Mate.
Cody's voice joined his, alone this time. Perfect. He
howled once more and then gave chase.
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Cody had to stop, twice, and ease him down, catch his
"I've got you." The care his lover took of him made his
heart soar.
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Careful, Mate!
Shh. Hunting.
He chuffed and thumped his tail once more before
settling his muzzle back on his paws. He tried not to
worry, but he couldn't help it. If Cody tripped another
snare, his mate would be trapped until sunrise. Trapped,
hurting, bleeding. Cody's mind brushed over him.
Safe? He needed Cody to be okay, far more than he
needed to eat. Come back.
You need food. I'm being careful.
He growled. Such a stubborn mate.
The sun was barely lightening the sky when Cody
returned, a haunch of the deer dangling from his jaws.
Barker could feel the change coming, and he snapped up
the meat, knowing he couldn't eat it once he'd changed.
Good. Good, mate. Cody rested beside him.
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He'd barely finished the meal when the sun crested the
horizon and Barker felt himself change. The leg hurt
about five hundred times more as a human, and he
clenched his teeth hard, holding back a cry.
He looked down at it, where Cody was licking it,
cleaning it. Fuck, he was torn up. It could be worse -- a
lot worse. His leg was whole, the bone was whole, but...
He let Cody wash it, knowing it was the best thing for it
-- it would heal quicker. "Shit, that's not going to make
driving easy." He even maybe was going to have to let
Cody take care of it.
I'll drive. You'll rest.
"Yeah, I think it's going to have to work that way." He
hadn't even tried walking on it, but it hurt like a son of a
bitch, and he was sure any sort of pressure on it was
only going to add to that. "You wanna change and help
me get into the cab?"
He felt Cody's soft sigh, then watched as Cody changed,
slowly losing his fur.
"It doesn't hurt when the moon's not up, does it?"
It took Cody a minute to answer. "No, Mate. Let me
help you."
"That wasn't very convincing."
Cody winked. "Up, oh growly one. I need to get us to a
town, a pharmacy."
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"I hear that. We'll get you a hotel somewhere, let you
sleep."
felt.
"Fine. I'm a turd. Don't stop for this turd. Just drive until
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"I need the fucking Clan to back the hell off. They didn't
jostling.
huh?"
story."
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it could be.
was hurt.
Cody turned the hot water on, let some of the cold water
out.
"Good to me."
"Love you."
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his mate.
Stand guard.
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Chapter Sixteen
Barker's sleep was troubled by dreams, nightmares. The
Clan chasing them, the Elders tearing Cody open to see
how he worked. He ran and he fought, his leg dragging
behind him, hindering him. He woke up, barking, the
sound strange in his human throat.
Cody was on all four legs, snarling, bouncing from
window to door, checking for threats. He looked around
wild-eyed, going into a crouch and ignoring the pain.
Mate! What is it? His heart was pounding, pounding.
Are you okay? You were screaming! Did they come?
Cody's exhaustion poured from his mate, his lover
clearly tired to the point of near insanity.
Dreaming. I was dreaming. He thought. He was pretty
sure.
Cody blinked for him, then the soft nose brushed his leg,
tongue cleaning it. Again.
He let his hands drop to Cody's head, fingers digging
through the fur. "Mate." God, his voice was rough,
rusty.
Cody cleaned him, then eased him back onto the bed,
sniffing him, scenting him.
"I'm good." Better, anyway. His fever was gone and the
pain was... well, he needed some fucking painkillers, but
he was gonna live.
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"And so will you -- you look like you went ten rounds
with Sugar Fists McLean."
Cody nodded, dismissing him. He stuck his tongue out
at his mate. Cody chuffed softly, rolled his eyes.
Grinning, he opened his arms, wanting his mate close.
"I have to wait for the pizza." Still, Cody pushed into his
arms, careful of his leg.
"You don't have to wait for it by the door." He nuzzled
his mate, rubbed their cheeks together.
"You smell good." Cody moaned for him, eyelids heavy
for a second before they popped open.
"Yeah? Not like sickness?"
"No. No infection."
"Good." He nibbled at Cody's lips, at his cheeks.
"Mmm." He could feel his mate leaning close, then
jerking awake.
He needed Cody to stay awake until he'd eaten. Waking
up hungry was a lousy way to start the day. He kept
touching lightly, nipping sharply now and then, keeping
his mate from falling asleep.
"Not sleeping. Watching." Cody panted softly, eyes
glowing.
"So strong, mate." He let his pride and admiration show.
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me what's wrong."
"You can feed that shit to someone else. I'm your mate,
that bullshit."
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***
Chasing him. They were chasing him.
"Brother." He looked over at the woman, his sister.
"What? Can't you leave me alone?"
"I'm trying to help you, you ingrate!"
"Ingrate? Where the hell have you been?"
She snapped at him. "Banished. Just like you!"
Mate? Wake up, mate, you're dreaming.
His sister gasped. "Who is that?"
can?"
Wake up.
growling, bristling.
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after you."
Your leg? The kisses made him dizzy, made him hard.
Need. He needed.
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to the root. Then Barker pulled out and thrust back in,
down.
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Chapter Seventeen
The sound of the door slamming open startled Barker,
making him jerk as Cody became a dead weight on top
of him.
Howling, snarling, he shoved Cody off him, putting
himself between his mate and the door. Ignoring the
pain in his leg, he went to his haunches, snarling as he
faced the threat.
He saw faces he'd grown up with, friends become
enemies. "Let him go, Barker. He's not one of us."
"He's mine." He reached behind him, pushing Cody until
his mate's body fell onto the floor with a thump, the
entire bed between Cody and these assholes.
Mate! He called out through the bond. He needed Cody
to wake up.
Barker... The thought was distant, fuzzy.
"He's an abomination. Unnatural. He'll expose us."
He stayed crouched where he was. "Expose us?" He
snorted. His mate was special, better than the rest of
them. Wake up, mate.
"Yes. He's abnormal. We cannot accept him." Harry
looked at him, the Elder's eyes actually sad. "Please,
friend. Move."
Trying.
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"Food? Painkillers?"
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I'm okay.
"Yeah? You sure?" The black Jeep moved faster, and he
He growled. "Mate..."
"Mate?" Mate!
Shh...
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The large man from earlier wrapped his arm around her
waist. "She needs to rest. She's carrying twins. If you
need anything, we're in the red house."
"We just need to be left alone." He was about done.
Really.
The guy nodded, smiled. "See ya."
"Thanks." He managed to remember his manners at the
last minute. He stayed where he was, though, until he
and Cody were alone, everyone else having scattered.
Mate? There's shelter. He'd carry Cody if he had to. He
was really hoping he didn't have to.
Cody's eyes opened, and his mate sort of... fell out of the
truck before scrambling to his feet.
He growled, fingers curling into the fur around Cody's
neck. Okay, mate?
Good. Cody panted, almost laughing.
You really are stoned. He pushed Cody toward the
dilapidated cabin.
The laughter got worse. He rolled his eyes and kept
heading Cody in the right direction.
The door needed a hard tug to be opened, but it was
solid and there was a lock on the inside. The cabin was
simple: a little dusty, but decent. Solid. There was a
couch, a table, a chair, a rug. Like a house.
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Chapter Eighteen
He slept hard, his dreams vague and distant, happy, and
when he woke, Barker was beside him. Cody sniffed
and licked, cleaning his mate gently. So beautiful.
Barker made a chuffing sound, a half-laugh, and shifted,
sighed. He nuzzled the soft balls, then cleaned the
scabbed wounds on Barker's leg.
"Mmm." Barker's hand dropped to his head, fingers
sliding through his fur. "Mate."
He chuffed, nuzzled Barker's wrist, so happy to have
Barker awake and easy.
"You feeling better?"
He nodded, focused on his skin, his long legs.
"Oh, yeah, that's it, Cody. You can do it. Be a man for
me."
The change happened -- not fast, but it happened, and he
was sprawled across Barker, smiling. "Mate."
Chuckling, Barker drew him up a little more and
brought their mouths together. He wrapped around
Barker, diving into the kiss with a happy growl. Barker
opened up for him, tongue sliding along his own. He
could feel Barker's body responding to him, prick going
hard, pushing up against his belly.
His cock swelled, and they started rocking together,
finding a lazy, rolling rhythm. He could feel Barker's
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more.
the kiss.
"Hmm?"
harder.
needed.
throat, his belly, sucking on his balls. Sharp yips left his
than you."
"I think it's so cool that you're here. Mom talks about
you a lot."
"If she talks about him so damn much, why didn't she
damn it.
family member."
"So you still have ties back to the Clan. You knew they
were coming after us, after Cody." How could they
know they were safe here?
"No. Cody told me."
"What?"
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"You are our own. You are Pack. I can smell it."
He nodded. He'd take that. This was Cody's family; they
would accept him because he was Cody's mate.
Just like his Clan should have accepted Cody because
Cody was his. Fuckers.
Cody's hand slipped over the small of his back. Easy,
mate. We don't have to make any decisions now. We just
need to eat. The teasing laughter trickled through the
bond.
He growled softly, nodded. "We need to raid your
fridge, Riana. We're starving."
"Of course. We're, obviously, fairly self-sufficient here.
We hunt, grow vegetables, buy odds and ends. It's a
group thing." She winked, hand rolling over her belly.
"Come on. I'll show you to the food."
He held out his hand for Cody, waiting until his mate's
fingers slid along his before following her out. "When
are you due? Yesterday?"
"I think so, yes. Sally says any second. Mick wants to
meet you, by the way. I don't know if you pups are old
enough to remember him."
"We're hardly pups. Mick's your mate? The Alpha?"
"Yes. The big guy with the bushel of hair."
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Cody was too far gone to answer; his mate just nodded,
grunted. That worked for him. He began thrusting,
working his prick into Cody's body again and again.
That heat wrapped around him, dragged at him, tried to
keep him in. This was the best thing ever, being buried
inside his mate, being joined. Being buried inside Cody,
touching him deep inside.
He wrapped his mouth around Cody's throat, sucking
hard. He could feel the blood under the surface of the
tanned skin, raising up for his lips. He was going to
leave a dark, lurid mark. Right where everyone could
see it. His mate. His man. His wolf. His.
He thrust harder, taking his mate.
"Mate. Yes. Fill me."
He grabbed Cody's ass, pulling his mate into each thrust.
Cody's hand pushed between them, fingers tight around
that needy prick. He bit at the mark he'd made, teeth
scraping along his skin. Heat sprayed up between them,
Cody's ass like a fist around his cock.
"Fuck! Mate!" He pushed in hard, come pouring from
him into Cody.
They stayed there, Cody perched on the edge of the
counter, both of them panting, shaking. He let his
pleasure and love go through the bond.
"Bed. This counter is biting into my butt."
He laughed as he slid out, picked Cody up to carry him
to bed.
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said quietly.
fighting for.
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Chapter Nineteen
They stayed in the cabin -- eating and resting and
making love -- for three days. Then Cody slipped out
while Barker was sleeping and went to explore.
Riana was at one of the larger homes, a young girl in her
"Riana."
"It is." She gave him a sharp look. "Are you staying?"
house."
girl slid from her mother's arms into his, cuddling in. He
touched his cheek. "I didn't know you could get the
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"They are." Mick met his eyes. "I dare anyone to come
take what's ours."
"Do we have a plan? Because before Cody and I left the
city, I was warned. About what they would do to Cody.
They want to take him apart and see what makes him
able to change whenever he wants."
"They can't, and if they try, we call in the Northern
Clans. No offense, Barker, but your Alpha's a
dickcheese and there's not an Alpha one that won't stand
with us, against him."
He laughed out loud, surprised by Mick's words. "No
offense taken. And he's not my Alpha anymore, Mick."
"Good." Mick drew him out of the house, letting the
babies sleep. "I think we ought to make it clear, though,
that we aren't open to negotiations. They banished Riana
and Cody. They don't get to claim them."
"Exactly." Barker nodded. "I think if we've got the threat
of the Northern Clans behind us, they'll be reasonable."
He hoped so, anyway. He didn't want to have to take a
whole bunch of packs to war, but he was willing to do it
if he had to.
"So we'll meet on neutral ground, bring Dorian and
Kerry, Harrison and Starla from the Northern Packs.
We'll make a show."
"You want me to contact them?" Although he had a
hunch William would be more likely to treat it as a real
meeting and not just a chance to snatch Cody if it came
from another Alpha.
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"If I'm not going with you, neither is Cody." Mick might
enough?"
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Mate?
Hmm? Cody was near water, walking, the children gone.
Want company? He closed his eyes and... felt for where
he thought Cody's thoughts had come from, started
You were right. This is a good place. Better than the city
things changed.
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It made him strut and flex, showing off for his lover.
The deep moan was gratifying, low. Appreciative. He
pulled off his clothes, lying down with his mate.
"Barker." Cody's face was relaxed, tanned. Barker was
watching his lover age backward.
"Cody." He pressed their lips together, the kiss slow and
sweet.
They rested together on the blanket that Cody had
brought, both of them breathing into the kisses. His
mate's skin was so soft, calling to his fingertips.
"You taste good." Cody's words were warm on his lips.
"Good." He wanted Cody to love everything about him.
"What did Mick say?"
"We're going to meet up with William and the City
Clan. Us and representatives from the Northern Packs.
Work out a truce, make it clear that they mess with you,
they mess with everyone." He gave Cody a toothy grin.
"Apparently there's little love lost between William and
the Northern Packs."
Cody frowned. "They'll go to war for me? That doesn't
seem right."
"Why not? We're a part of Mick's Pack now. Would they
go to war over the littlest pup? Of course they would. So
why not you?"
"I just..." Cody shrugged. "Guilt, I guess."
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to do?
Chapter Twenty
The Packs were meeting -- there were three couples
from different packs coming south, coming to get Mick
and Barker and meet with William. The autumn was
threatening to become winter, too, and sooner than
normal.
His first winter with Barker, with this Pack.
Cody was feeling a little on edge.
Barker growled at him. "Why aren't you sleeping?"
"Huh? I... I'm nervous, I guess? The meeting, our first
full moon here. Everything."
"Then come here." Barker dragged him close, hands
sliding on him.
He kissed Barker's nose. "Are you ready for the
meeting?"
"Yes. No. I don't know. I have good men at my back,
but William is... a creep. I don't trust him."
"He's worse than a creep." Cody sighed, stretched. "It'll
be good to have it over, though."
"It will. Then we can settle."
They'd already done a bit of settling. Cody had worked
on the roof, shored up the foundation, and resealed the
plumbing in the bathroom. He had a feeling he would
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"As soon as the last couple from the Northern Pack get
here."
"Okay. That sounds..."
The alarm whistle went off from guards on the east side.
Barker growled and they both leaped out of bed, heading
for the door.
Cody was fuzzy before he hit the door, just like a goodly
portion of his Pack, their hackles raised.
"What is it?" growled Barker, fingers in the fur on
Cody's head.
Mick came out, shotgun in hand. "I need someone to
stay with Riana, guard the children."
Barker nodded. "I can't wolf out, so I'll do it." Stay safe,
mate.
I will. If it was William, they'd be there for him.
"Go with the others," rumbled Mick, pointing to where
three other wolves were already loping out toward the
eastern edge of the property. "Careful. They'll be human,
and they could have weapons."
A battered truck filled with several men with guns in the
bed stopped by Mick, and he jumped into the passenger
seat. Cody ran with the other wolves, the four of them
moving fast and low, nostrils working overtime.
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William and his men all brought their own guns up,
some of them aiming at him and the other wolves,
William himself aiming at Mick's head. "You might
have the animals on your side, but they're no match for
guns, and you're just one man."
Mick chuckled as Vinnie and the men from the Northern
Packs who'd already arrived slid out from the forest.
They were all armed as well.
Cody snarled, teeth bared, drawing the man's attention.
Here. Right here. So his pack could attack.
William's gun shifted to him, the man sneering. "There's
the abomination."
"Back off and leave now and no one gets hurt." Mick's
aim never wavered.
The others slid around and he barked. Pay attention.
Over here.
"If you don't kill him, I will. Before he sullies our
bloodlines."
Mick's reply was simple, clear. "Fuck you."
The others were close, ready to attack, and he growled
deep in his throat, giving them a chance, keeping the
rifles trained on him.
"I'll kill him, don't think I won't."
"You can try," Mick said softly, a dangerous note in his
voice.
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so loud.
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Chapter Twenty-One
Barker was fucking beside himself. He could feel Cody
through the bond, knew his mate was hurt, and then
nothing, absolutely nothing. He paced up and down on
Riana's porch, howling brokenly until the truck came
bouncing into the clearing.
He was off like a shot, making for the truck before it
even pulled to a stop.
"Sally! We need you!" Vinnie's voice rang out. "Cody's
been shot!"
"Fuck!" Barker climbed onto the truck bed and pushed
Vinnie out of the way. "Cody!" Mate! He screamed
through their bond.
He felt something, a flutter, a whimper, a whisper.
Yes. That's it, mate. Don't you dare leave me.
He barely noticed Sally joining him in the truck, all his
focus and concentration on Cody, on connecting with
his mate and lending his strength to Cody's. His mate
was breathing slowly, tongue out, blood pooling under
him.
"We need to move him, anesthetize him." Sally's dark
eyes met his. "We have to stop the bleeding, see his
heart."
"I'll do it." He ground the words out; he wasn't letting
anyone else take his mate. I swear, Cody, you better stay
here with me.
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Mate. The word was there when his slid his hands under
the limp body.
"Yes!" He gathered Cody's body close, the fur matted
with blood. Stay with me. Stay with me. He chanted the
words over and over through their bond.
"In here, Barker. Someone get me more light!" The
makeshift clinic was a room in Sally's house, with a set
of cabinets and a covered table.
Riana came up. "Oh, no. Brother!"
"He's going to be fine." Barker snarled the words; there
was no lamenting, no worrying. Cody was going to live.
"Did they stop them?"
They sure as shit better have; he was going to be even
more pissed if Cody'd been hurt in vain.
"Yeah." Vince nodded. "William is dead. Mick has the
other three. Danny's going back with rope and the
truck."
Satisfaction went through Barker at Vince's words. A
small part of him would have liked to have dispatched
William himself, but his Pack had done the job and that
was good enough.
"What can we do?" Riana asked, going with Vince.
Barker looked at Sally. "What are you waiting for? Fix
him!"
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"Get the hell out of the way. I'll need someone to stay,
hold him."
"That'll be me." He wasn't leaving Cody's side. The Pack
would have to finish up whatever they needed to without
him.
"Are you sure, Barker?" Sally's eyes met his. "It will be
messy."
"I'm not leaving him, Sally. He's my mate." You hear
that, Cody? I'm not leaving you, so you're just going to
have to get better.
No response. None.
"Okay, I'm giving him something to keep him out. The
bullet's in there, and we'll have to dig it out."
Barker closed his eyes and nodded. "Just do it."
"Talk to him, huh? It helps." She shaved Cody's leg,
started an IV, and then started working.
His poor mate.
"Sally's going to make you better." He babbled away,
hardly paying any attention to his words. The whole
time he kept murmuring, Mate. Love you. Love you,
Mate, through their bond.
"There. There it is. Jesus. Don't let him move, Barker.
Don't let him fucking move. Pray."
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Chapter Twenty-Two
Every time he tried to wake up, Barker was there,
hushing him, holding him, petting him, and easing him
down. The dreams were simple -- running and hunting,
the moon calling to him. Good dreams. Barker was in
his dreams, too, running with him, chasing him over
fields and through the forest, always whispering in his
ear of love and home and their life together.
It was hunger that drove him up out of the dreams
finally. Hunger and the scent of steak.
Barker chuckled as he blinked his eyes open. "I thought
some raw meat might tempt you back to life."
He panted, grinned, and tried to move. There was an
ache, a pull in his side, but the burn was gone. Mate.
They shot me.
"I know. They've paid for it, though." Barker's grin was
positively evil. "William is dead and two Northern Pack
members are now Alpha."
They're gone? A fierce relief swept him. Good. I'm
hungry.
Barker laughed and set a bowl with two -- two! -- raw
steaks on it. "All yours, mate."
He got to his feet, snapping the first steak up before
starting on the second. Good. Good. Meat.
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Barker's hand slid over his head and down along his
body, rubbing his fur. He vocalized softly, so happy he
couldn't bear it.
"You feel well enough to change, mate?" Barker said it
casually, but he could feel his mate's need through the
bond. Barker needed to know that he could.
He licked the bowl clean, then crawled close to Barker.
Talk to me. He concentrated on his human form, his
breath, his mate.
"I've been talking to you for days, mate. While you
healed. Now I want to see my human mate. I want to
kiss you and touch your skin and see the scar."
I dreamed about you. He felt the change coming, and he
reached for his human self, for the pleasure and the
sensations that form gave him.
"Good. You're almost there, mate. I want to see your
face with those beautiful blue eyes, and feel your hands
on my body. I want arms and legs and your lovely,
ripped belly."
Barker. He wanted that, too.
"I want to kiss you, mate. I want to lick you all over and
fuck you and make you come."
He moaned, landing in Barker's arms, naked and bare
and shuddering. "Mate."
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Home.
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