Chapter Three
As Malec steered Bradley toward the Alpha, all of Bradley’s senses zoned in on the young man sitting reading. He was distanced from the group, wore black glasses and his hair was over-long. He hadn’t looked up and seemed deep in concentration. Bradley had an urge to go to him, ask him what story had captivated him so much. He also had an urge to protect him— there was something vulnerable about the man, something almost delicate.
“This is Aleco, our Alpha.” Malec indicated the man now standing in front of Bradley.
“Oh, er, hello, sir. Nice to meet you.” The guy was huge, with shoulders so broad he likely had to turn sideways to get through doors.
“You too, buddy.” Aleco held out his hand.
Bradley shook it.
“This is my human woman, Julie.” Aleco nodded at the female who had passed him the jeans. “And my mate, Pedro.”
The huge brown dog who’d blocked Bradley’s way stared up at him and wagged his tail.
“Hey,” Bradley said, sneaking another glance at the man on the wall.
“My son Neo.” Aleco gestured to a guy in leathers who stepped up, holding a beer. “He’s just arrived, he’s visiting with his human mate Jude. They don’t live on camp.”
“Great work you’ve done with those dogs,” Neo said, his voice low and rasping. He dragged his palm over the stubble on his cheek then took a slug of his drink. His eyes were dark and intelligent. Bradley could imagine being buddies with him, going off wandering and having adventures.
“Thanks, it’s done now. They’re all rehomed.”
“That’s great news.” Malec clasped his hands. “I’ve been praying for this day.”
“Got there in the end. Tiny was the last to go.”
“The Great Dane?”
“Yeah.”
“Jeez, he’d been there a while.”
Malec shook his head. “Lumbering thing kept knocking kids over when he got excited. Forgot how big he was. But he’s on a farm now with an owner who’ll handle him just fine.”
“Good to hear.”
Bradley’s gaze seemed to be magnetically drawn to the man on the wall again. Who was he? Was he a shifter? Was he gay? Did he have a mate?
“You can stay in the new cabin,” Aleco said. “It’s a spare we built for visitors. Should have everything you need.”
“Thanks, I really appreciate it. A few days’ rest will be good.”
“My cousin is staying there, as well,” Jude, Neo’s mate, said. “But there’s two bedrooms so you’ll be okay.”
“Your cousin?” Bradley asked, studying Jude. He was much smaller than Neo, pale too, as though the sun didn’t agree with him.
“Yeah, Terry.” Jude nodded at the guy Bradley wanted to go to so desperately. He wouldn’t have minded if everyone else faded away so he could.
“Terry’s visiting from the East Coast,” Neo said. “Life hit the rails for him and he needed to get away. Can’t beat the Redwoods when it comes to ducking out of the rat race for a while.”
“So he’s human?” Bradley asked.
“Yeah, but he’s cool with shifters.” Jude shrugged. “I’ve told him all about Neo.”
“Oh, okay.” Every snippet of information was like gold dust. The human was down on his luck, cool with shifters and had ties to the pack because of his cousin.
“Come on, I’ll show you the cabin so you can freshen up before food.” Malec pointed in the direction of the hut then set off toward it.
“Sure.” Bradley followed. As they walked past the wall he was aware of the back of his neck tingling again. It wasn’t a shifting sensation—it was a danger alert.
He eyed the two men nearest to him.
They sat close, eating.
Bradley had an overwhelming sense of threat. Adrenaline released into his system and he pulled in a breath and stopped. The huge blond man chowing down on a steak was staring right at him. He had sharp amber eyes and a jawline that could have been chiseled from granite. One word sprang into Bradley’s head. Cat.
Fuck. Didn’t this pack know who was living among them? A damn lion shifter was in their midst.
The smaller guy, sitting next to the lion, stood, his expression stern.
“It’s okay,” Malec said, reaching for Bradley’s arm. “Lawson is one of the pack. He’ll do you no harm.”
“But he’s…”
“Different, yeah,” the smaller man said, folding his arms over his chest. “Just like we all are here.”
Bradley swallowed. The last thing he wanted was to create an atmosphere between himself and another member of the pack. “Yeah. I guess.” He stretched his mouth into a smile but was sure it hadn’t reached his eyes.
“Come on,” Malec urged. “This way.”
Bradley kept the smile in place while his mind churned. What the hell was this place? So many humans. Cat shifters, too. Aleco was either completely mad or one hell of an Alpha to keep it all under control.
Malec opened the door to the cabin and stepped in.
Bradley followed.
“There’s food in the fridge. Nothing fancy but it will fill a hole at breakfast time.” He walked to a sink and turned on a tap. “And the water is way better than in the hut at the kennels. It’s piped from a nearby stream, fresh and cold.”
“Sounds good.”
Malec peered through a doorway to the left. “Look likes Terry has settled himself in this bedroom, which makes the other one yours.”
“Okay.” Bradley paused. “Is he here alone? Terry, that is?”
“He’s with Neo and Jude.”
“What, like…” Cousins? Really? Wasn’t that a bit ick? Then again, this place was a surprise a minute.
“No, nothing like that. As Neo said, he just needs some headspace and time out of the real world.”
“It’s good of Aleco to accommodate that. I mean, Jude isn’t a shifter either, is he?”
Malec smiled. “No, but our Alpha is the best. He’s firm but fair and until someone proves themselves not to be trustworthy he’ll trust them. He’s keen to see the good in everyone.” Malec huffed. “Though don’t mention Titan. That’ll get him blowing steam and you’ll see his not-so-gentle side.”
“Who’s Titan?”
“He’s Alpha in the pack next to us. Throws his weight around from time to time. Aleco had to take him down a peg or two earlier in the year.”
“I bet that was a sight.”
“Yep.” Malec frowned. “Anyway, I’ll leave you to it. Bathroom’s in there. When you’re done, come out for food. Raul and Flo will be pleased to see you.”
“How is Flo?”
“Big.” He laughed. “Baby is due any day. She’s lying down now, likely having her feet massaged by Raul.”
“I hope it all goes well, you know…when it happens.”
“Me too.” Malec shook his head and a shard of worry crossed his eyes. “Hell, me too.”
****
Bradley found the shower to be cool and refreshing, and after washing his journey away, dried and pulled the jeans back on. He discovered a belt in the drawer next to what would be his bed and used it to hold them in place more securely. When he wandered into the kitchen, Terry was at the sink with his back to him and filling a tumbler with water.
His heart sped up and his pulse thudded in his ears.
Staring at Terry’s slender shoulders, Bradley was aware of heat in his belly, and his groin, spreading over his ass and up his back. A swelling in his chest threatened to catch his breath and he was unable to blink as his gaze dipped lower.
Terry wasn’t a gym buff, that was for sure, but he was in perfect proportion and his ass beautifully showcased in dark cream chinos. He wore a coffee-colored polo and matching loafers. His hair had a wave to it and hung over his collar.
Terry turned, a slight frown crossing his brow when he spotted Bradley.
“Er…hi,” Bradley managed.
“Hello,” Terry muttered then took a few gulps of water.
Bradley became captivated by the sight of his Adam’s apple working. His skin was pale and the hollow of his throat appeared perfect for filling with drips of water, or honey, or jam, and licking out.
When Terry had finished he set the glass by the sink and wiped his mouth with his fingers.
Bradley had the weird sensation of being rooted to the spot. He couldn’t stop staring even though he knew he was. Where the hell had his usual charm gone?
Terry cast his eyes downward and walked past Bradley. He went into his bedroom and shut the door.
Bradley stared at the knots in the wood. His arms hung at his sides and his stomach flipped.
My mate.
“Oh fuck!” He shook his head. He didn’t have a mate, didn’t believe it would ever happen to him. It wasn’t the sort of shifter he was. Not having a pack and a mate suited his drifter lifestyle.
But Terry?
Something about Terry called to Bradley in a way no other man ever had. Sure, he wasn’t Bradley’s usual sort—athletic types did it best for him, honed and toned in all the right places and kissed by the sun—but that wasn’t to say Terry didn’t appeal, very much.
Bradley fisted his hands and pulled in a deep breath. New emotions threatened to engulf him. It was as if a rainbow were growing inside him. His thoughts swam with vivid colors. He was flying high. He imagined he’d grown wings, not a tail and paws.
I’ve mated.
He shook his head and turned a complete circle, dragging his hands through his hair as he did so and pointing his elbows out to the sides. He was restless, his muscles on fire.
What the hell am I going to do now?
It was obvious what he needed to do. He marched up to the door and banged on it with the side of his hand. “Terry, come out here.”
Silence.
“Please. I need to speak to you.” He paused. “It’s good news.” At least he hoped Terry would see it that way. Surely he would. Bradley knew he was quite the catch with his billboard looks and body described by previous lovers as perfect. And damn, he’d been told enough times he was good in the sack.
“Terry,” he called again. A nugget of panic went through him. Why wasn’t he answering? “Get out here.”
Bradley held his breath, waiting. He wondered if he might pop with impatience. Joy had lifted him high, but surprise had kicked him in the butt. His mood was on a pendulum and swinging out of control.
Still nothing from inside the room. Not so much as a rustle or a whisper.
There was only one thing for it. He reached for the handle and opened the door.
Terry was on the bed, a phone on his lap and earphones in. He was bare-chested—a small scribble of black hair sat at his sternum and his nipples were tight and dark.
A tug in Bradley’s stomach that traveled to his cock then around to his asshole cleared up any doubts he had that he’d mated with the beautiful man before him. He longed to hold him, kiss him, explore every inch of him with his mouth and tongue. God, he needed to sink deep, be bent over and fucked too—he’d take it anyway Terry wanted to give it, so long as he gave it…now and forever.
“What the fuck?” Terry tugged the earphones out.
“We need to talk.”
“Do we?” Terry frowned and his eyebrows pulled low.
“Yes, it’s important. We… We are… I…” Jesus, what the hell had happened to his smooth talking? For the first time in his life Bradley was tongue-tied. Words were stacking up in his mouth and just not coming out. He had so much to say but couldn’t say any of it. Where should he start? Should he tell Terry they were mates? No, that might freak him out. He was human, after all—they didn’t imprint the way shifters did. Maybe he could ask him about his childhood, about his family, what his favorite color was or place to vacation.
“What’s important?” Terry reached for his shirt and pulled it on.
Bradley wanted to object. He didn’t want him covered up. But instead he said, “Are you gay?”
“Does it matter?” Terry folded his arms and stood. His frown deepened and his eyes became thin slits.
“Of course it matters. How could it not?”
“Jude told me it wasn’t a problem here, in the camp, what sexual persuasion I am.”
“It doesn’t, at all, that’s not how shifters are…but…fuck. I’m gay.” He paused, summoning courage in a way he never had before. “And I like you… Really fucking like you.”
“Ah, I see. So we’re both gay and staying in the same cabin so we should fuck, is that it?”
“No…I mean yes, if you want to. I’d—”
Terry held up his palm. “Shut up.”
“What?”
“Guys who look like you don’t go for guys who look like me.” He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose then tucked his hair behind his ears. In his left lobe he had a shiny black stretcher earring the size of a dime.
“That’s crazy talk.” He thought Terry was beautiful—beyond beautiful—in a slender, wispy way. His glasses were cute, his hair perfect for gripping and he’d happily kiss and nibble his way around his neck and ears.
“It’s not crazy talk and you know it. And, for the record, one-night stands are not my thing.”
“It wouldn’t be for one night, it would be forever. It’s the only way.”
Terry’s eyes widened, showing their true color—deep hazelnut. “Christ on a bike, you really will say anything for a fuck, won’t you?”
“What? No, I mean it. Till death do us part and beyond, if there’s an afterlife.”
Terry clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth. “Yeah, right. Me and you together.” He batted his hand between them. “Like that would ever happen.”
“It will. It has to, for my sanity… I love you.”
“What?” Terry’s mouth hung open. “Get the hell out of here. You might look like a damn Greek god but you’re out of your fucking mind.”
“But…” How could he show him it was true? Bradley would lay down his life for Terry. That was what mates did. He would love him for all eternity. Sure, these feelings were new for him, but that didn’t make them any less real.
“I said get out,” Terry said, his voice louder and a flush of red crawling over his cheeks. “Now, and don’t come back into my room, ever.”
He stomped toward Bradley, anger searing over his irises.
Bradley backed up. The door slammed in his face, just missing his nose. He stared at it, tears pricking his eyes in a way they never had before.
Had he ever fucked up so monumentally? This was a disaster of epic proportions. His mate didn’t even like him.