Chapter Six
Aleco’s pack meeting was to impart good news. His son Neo had found a mate. Being a solitary soul, which Davey could relate to, Neo wouldn’t be living in the camp. He preferred a cabin a few miles away to the south, which he would now share with his new human male, Jude.
Aleco was full of pride as he spoke of the love his son had found. It was clear a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Neo had been a wanderer for a long time, had had scrapes with the law and never seemed to settle.
Davey found himself looking at the other couples in the pack. All were gay or bi, in a combination of couples and threesomes made up of two males and a female. It seemed to work well for them as a group. The right amount of protection and muscles combined with softness and femininity.
Davey was protective over the females and felt affection but not attraction. Soft curves, plump lips and delicate bone structure didn’t do it for him. He adjusted his position on the wall he was sitting on. What did it for him was broad shoulders, smooth skin, abs of steel and a big cock that fit just right in his mouth.
He was getting hard now—thinking of Lawson was a turn on.
“So, thank you all for your time,” Aleco said, slipping his arm around Julie’s waist. “And for your hard work this week. It hasn’t been easy on anyone.”
“I second that,” Pedro said, sending his gaze over the group. “Your loyalty is appreciated.”
Aleco settled his attention on Davey as if trying to see into his thoughts.
Again Davey fidgeted . Why was he suddenly of interest?
“Can I say something?” To Davey’s right, Raul stood.
“Of course.” Aleco nodded.
“I scented mountain lion today, to the east of here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’s unmistakable.”
Davey thought he might be sick. Why the hell had Raul decided it necessary to mention Lawson? It wasn’t as if he’d even seen him. He glared at Raul, his eyes narrowed. He was always so bombastic and brash.
Surely I can let some things go?
“In that case, everyone keep sharp when you’re roaming the forest. Cats have no respect for our territory and a mountain lion could take us out singularly, perhaps not the pack, but alone it would be a close call.”
“I agree.” Raul glanced at Davey. “Keep solo trips to a minimum.”
Davey clenched his fists. He wanted to jump up and tell them Lawson was a shifter and he wouldn’t hurt anyone unless they attacked him. And that he’d actually helped Davey when he’d been in one of the worst predicaments of his life.
But he didn’t—he sat there mute, wondering how the fuck he was going to get out of the camp the next day to meet up with Lawson. He’d have to find a way. Not going to the pool wasn’t an option. If he didn’t see his mate, he was sure he’d shrivel up and die.
****
The next morning dawned bright. Davey emerged from his cabin rubbing his eyes. He’d slept in fits and starts. Going from blissful dreams that made his heart swell with love and his cock fill with blood, to panic-filled nightmares about being locked up and kept from Lawson by the pack, told he’d never be able to be with the man his soul had connected with.
The camp was quiet, with no sign of Raul or Aleco. Patrick was tinkering with his Jeep and one of the younger shifters was in his dog form, lying in a patch of sunlight on the grass. His eyes were closed and he was breathing steadily.
Davey decided to make the most of the moment and, carrying his ax so it seemed as if he were going to chop wood, he strode toward the forest. He resisted the urge to whistle as he sometimes did, and took the shortest route into the shadows of the redwoods. Once there he pulled back a pile of foliage and hid the ax. He had no intention of chopping anything. There was only one thing he wanted to do and that was get to the pool and see Lawson.
God, I hope he’s there.
After a final glance over his shoulder, Davey shifted into his dog form. Within seconds he was heading east, sifting through the air for scents that shouldn’t be there and of course for
Lawson. He galloped as fast as he could, stretching his long body out with each pace. The instinct to get to his mate was powerful, intense and couldn’t be ignored.
When he finally reached the pool he slowed, then stopped just short of the daylight pouring into the clearing.
He tipped his head and sniffed. A very subtle hint of lion laced the inside of his nostrils.
A spark of excitement bloomed inside him. It was a fresh scent. Lawson had been in the area more recently than yesterday.
Rising onto his back legs and being careful to avoid hitting his head on a low branch, Davey shifted as he stepped into the clearing, his bare feet sinking into a patch of moss.
The sound of the waterfall filled his ears and a butterfly fluttered past him. He glanced around, searching beyond the rhododendrons to study the shadows.
He came to a halt beside the pool, plucked a reed from the water and began to stroke its length. His senses told him Lawson was nearby, as did his heart.
From behind a stack of rocks to the left of the pool, Lawson appeared. As usual he was wonderfully naked and moved with ease and grace.
Davey thought he’d died and gone to Heaven. His heart skipped a beat and seemed to grow in his chest. His eyes misted and he blinked to dash away the moisture. This beautiful man was his destiny. For so long the pack had been his home and where he believed fate had sent him. But he didn’t feel like that anymore. Now he belonged at the side of this man who epitomized everything Davey wanted in his life.
“Hey,” Lawson called, striding toward him.
“Hey, yourself.” Davey smiled and walked to meet Lawson.
When they came together they embraced with urgency, as if being apart had been physically painful and they needed the soothing comfort of being in each other’s arms.
Davey nuzzled his face into Lawson neck, delighting in his soft skin and the feel of his hair on his cheek. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
“I’m sorry about yesterday.” He pulled back and studied Lawson’s handsome face. “I hadn’t expected Raul to turn up.”
“It’s not your fault.” Lawson swept his lips over Davey’s. “Don’t think about it again.”
Davey flicked out his tongue to retrieve his mate’s flavor. He’d never get enough of it.
“Are you sure you’re alone today?” Lawson glanced into the shadows.
“Yeah, I sneaked away. Yesterday they knew I was out in the forest. Plus there’s a languid mood in camp, everyone seems to be so loved up, barely able to come out of their cabins for having sex.”
Lawson grinned, flashing his neat white teeth. “Can’t say I blame them.”
“It was pretty awesome yesterday.” Davey ran his hands down Lawson’s back, dipping his fingers into every indentation before coming to rest over his buttocks. “Intense, fast, but awesome.”
“I agree.” Lawson stroked Davey’s hair.
His touch sent a delicious skittering sensation over Davey’s scalp. “They said it happens like this. That mates just know and that’s it, forever, but I never quite believed them.”
“I heard the same.” Lawson nodded.
“And did you believe?”
“Not until yesterday.” He caressed Davey’s cheek, then down his nose and finally swiped over his lips, almost as if learning his profile by touch.
“I don’t want us to be apart,” Davey said. “I can’t stand it.”
“We won’t be. We have greater hurdles than most to overcome but we’ll figure it out.”
“But how—?”
“Shh, later. For now, I owe you something.” He stepped back and wound his fingers with Davey’s.
“What?” Davey frowned.
“Come on, I’ll show you. I think you’ll like it.”
“Oh yeah?” From the sultry look in Lawson’s eyes and his heavy lids, Davey had a fair idea what was about to happen. And damn, he was ready for Lawson to return the favor from yesterday.
Lawson led him to the patch of moss. It was springy underfoot and a fraction cool on Davey’s bare feet.
Lawson sat, tugging Davey with him. “This is a special place. I’ll always associate it with our first kiss.”
“Me too.” Davey stretched out his legs. His cock was hardening and desire tugged the muscles in his belly. “And what a kiss.”
Lawson smiled. “Why don’t you lose those sweats?” He glanced at his own groin. His cock was rising up to tap against his belly. “So we’re equally naked.”
“Easily done.” Davey rushed to shove the material down his legs. He kicked them away.
“That’s better.” Lawson placed his lips over Davey’s and at the same time applied pressure to his chest.
Davey rested back on his elbows so that he was semi-lying on the moss.
“You’re beautiful,” Lawson whispered, stroking Davey’s torso. He circled his nipples and swept his palm over his pecs then down his tense belly.
Davey watched his mate’s movements. Seeing Lawson’s hand on him was so sexy he was surprised he wasn’t coming already.
As it was his cock was straining upward and his balls were tight.
“You have a big dick,” Lawson said, slipping lower before stopping teasingly short of grasping it.
“So have you.”
Lawson smiled, stretched his legs out and locked his arm so he was lying with Davey but propped up. “I can’t wait to feel you inside me.”
“Yeah. And…I want you inside me too.”
“Ah, so that’s how we are. Not a top and a bottom, but a switch.”
“Seems the most fun, don’t you think?”
“I do.” Lawson bit on his bottom lip and wrapped his fist around Davey’s cock.
Davey gasped and jerked. The sensation of being touched there, when he’d only ever been the one to do so, was extreme and thrilling.
“Fuck, you’re like stone.” Lawson’s eyes widened as he ran his fist down then up Davey’s cock.
“Jeez,” Davey muttered, glad he was lying on the grass, or he’d have fallen over otherwise. His entire concentration was on Lawson’s hand. There was no way he could stay upright for this.
“I wanna watch you come,” Lawson said. “Like this, come on your belly, let me see how much you enjoy my touch.”
“Your touch…is the best…thing…I’ve ever felt.” Davey was panting, his vision blurred with lust.
“Mine is the only touch you’ll know from now on.”
“Oh, God.” Davey moaned, a deep, rumbling sound that came from low in his chest. How had he gotten so lucky?
“That’s it,” Lawson said, excitement in his voice. “Give in to it. Let me see it.” He sped up his movements, working Davey with skill.
Davey clenched his buttocks and lifted them slightly from the moss. The pressure was building—soon he’d have to come. He stared unblinking at Lawson’s hand, mesmerized by the way his cock tip kept peeking from his mate’s fist. His slit was tingling, his balls retracting.
“I’m gonna…” He clenched his jaw. “It’s here…” He froze and held his breath.
“Yeah. Now.” Lawson sped up and increased his grip.
“Ahhh…” Davey gave in to it. He came, the first pump of release bringing with it wild relief. Cum sprayed onto his tense abdomen. Lawson continued to work his shaft.
“More. There’s more.”
“Yes. Yes.” Another shot of semen, thick and pearlescent, landed on the first puddle. “Oh, that’s so good.”
“It’s just the start.” Lawson captured his mouth in a kiss.
Another orgasmic spasm gripped Davey and he groaned onto Lawson’s tongue as his cock pulsed. He was dizzy, sated and head over heels in love.