Chapter Five
It felt like the longest day of his life and he hadn’t been gone that long.
Brownie knew it was because he spent the day away from Yuri.
He was more than a little irritated when not only could he not find Yuri, but Yuri had him totally locked out of his mind.
The quiet was annoying. Plus, it made his chest ache when he couldn’t immediately locate his other half.
He was used to having that connection. Brownie hated to ask Lucifer and admit Yuri had him blocked, but desperation won.
“What happened to Riku and Yuri? I haven’t seen either of them.”
Lucifer didn’t seem concerned. “Frost’s place. They went out earlier for lunch and then Frost invited them to stay for a barbeque he’s throwing this evening. I’m surprised Yuri didn’t tell you.”
Damn. Yuri had tried talking to him earlier. “He probably thought you’d pass along the information. Do you need me here?” He had to find his mate before he went insane.
Lucifer gestured with his head toward his bedroom. “Go. You can send my wayward mate home.”
Brownie didn’t need to be told twice. He was in Lucifer’s room and through the mirror in under a minute.
Brownie heard the laughter before he reached the backyard.
A fire roared. Fen sat close to Yuri and Riku.
All three were smiling and talking. Fen was way too close to Yuri for Brownie’s liking.
The cool night air had Yuri wrapped in a coat and scarf.
It pissed Brownie off to see his mating mark was hidden.
He maybe stormed the backyard a hair aggressively.
“Lucifer asked me to send his wayward mate home.”
Riku and Yuri looked his way. No one seemed to notice his rage. Yuri’s mind was still closed to him.
Riku chuckled. “Hey, Brownie. I was just about to head that way. Are you hungry?”
He was, actually. That took a backseat to his irritation.
“He is.” Yuri tugged on his pants. “Come on. Sit. I’ll fix you a plate.”
Riku stroked his hair as he claimed the chair Riku vacated.
He was used to being treated like a pet, no matter his form.
Brownie belonged to Lucifer and by extension Riku.
Plus, he loved being caressed, so he was unbothered.
Before he had time to greet his mate properly, Yuri was on his feet and walking away.
He supposed to make him a plate as he had offered, but fuck.
Brownie was aggravated. It had been a terrible day. He just wanted his mate.
“Why do you look angry?”
Brownie glanced Fen’s way at the question. He faked a smile. “I’m not angry. This is my face.”
Fen shook his head and looked away. He didn’t have time to question anything. Yuri returned with a plate and two beers. He kept one beer and sat. Yuri took a drink and didn’t look Brownie’s way. His irritation and fear spiked.
Why are you mad at me?
Even after the huge mental push to force his question on Yuri, Yuri didn’t look his way. Oh, am I allowed to speak to you now?
Fuck. He had been in the middle of tearing a demon to pieces when Yuri reached out to him earlier.
Brownie had panicked at the thought of Yuri seeing him like that.
He hadn’t meant to upset him. You’re always allowed.
I’m your mate. Not your keeper. There are some places I don’t want you to see.
That torture room is one. Please don’t shut me out.
Yuri looked his way. Anger flashed in his eyes, but he kept their conversation private. Oh. So you’re allowed to shut me out, but you don’t like it when I do it? Seems fair.
Brownie swiped his hand over his eyes. He wasn’t good at shit like this.
Brownie loved Yuri. He didn’t want him exposed to the evil of his world.
Hell, he already felt like he robbed Yuri of the moonlight and trees.
He honestly had no idea why Celeste had chosen him for this.
Yuri had to think this was more a curse than a blessing.
“You love me?”
The quietly spoken question had Brownie meeting Yuri’s gaze again. He looked blown away. Brownie hadn’t thought to guard his thoughts. Not only was he not used to Yuri listening, Yuri had shut him out all day. That made it harder to acclimate to sharing his mind.
“You know I do. It’s right there for you to see for yourself.”
Yuri gave him a sharp nod. “Eat. Your hunger is gnawing at me.”
Brownie shoveled food in his mouth. Honestly, he didn’t taste a thing.
Yuri hadn’t returned the words, and he still kept Brownie mostly shut from his mind.
He wished he was better. That was it. Just better.
He knew he was a horrible mate. Brownie hadn’t thought he would ever be one.
It didn’t surprise him at all that he sucked at it.
He just wished Yuri didn’t have to suffer because of his shortcomings.
Hey.
Brownie looked Yuri’s way at the call.
Yuri smiled. I love you too. Stop scowling at everyone. The humor in Yuri’s eyes had Brownie’s shoulders relaxing.
“I missed you today.”
Yuri’s sweet smile was everything. “I missed you too.”
Brownie nodded toward the beer Yuri held. “Drink your beer so we can go home.” I want you to myself.
Yuri stood. “I’ll say our goodbyes to Frost.”
Brownie’s hungry gaze followed Yuri. Yuri was right. Brownie was starved, but it wasn’t for food. He had tasted something so much better. Now he couldn’t get enough.
A young wolf Fen didn’t know filled the seat beside him. He stared at the fire and ignored him. Fen assumed he simply took advantage of an empty chair. With Yuri and Brownie gone, there were two. The young one could bring a friend.
“He’ll never notice you, you know? Not really. All Yuri sees is the hellhound. Don’t ask me why. He’s not very handsome and probably abusive.”
Fen looked the guy’s way with raised eyebrows.
He half expected to find him talking to someone else.
The guy stared at him. Fen glanced behind him, checking to see if there was any possibility the comments had been meant for anyone else.
When he saw there was no other option than him, he met the bright yellow stare that still waited for his attention. “Who are you?”
Humor flashed across the guy’s soft features as he held his hand out to shake. “Kyrie.”
Fen shook. “Fen. Why would I want to catch the attention of a mated wolf?”
Something crossed Kyrie’s features before disappearing behind a smooth mask. “Yuri isn’t mated.”
Fen nodded. “Aye, he is. That scary-looking hellhound is his mate. Of course, Yuri only has eyes for him. That’s how it works.”
“Ah. Well. I suppose that explains why he’s never noticed me flirting.”
Fen couldn’t help but smile. Despite being rejected, Kyrie didn’t seem upset. “To be fair, I think he’s also the type to have nae idea when anyone is flirting.”
“Part of his charm, really.”
Bring me the wolf. A whisper on the wind caused chill bumps to rise on Fen’s arms. Hunger scratched at his gut. “The moon seems extra bright tonight. I’m surprised you’re not out for a run. Many of the Weres have already headed out.”
Kyrie shrugged. “It gets boring going alone.”
Fen stood. “Come on. I’ll go with you. I’m nae a wolf, but I’m fast enough.”
A bright smile lit Kyrie’s face as he accepted the hand Fen offered. Something felt just within his reach, but he didn’t know what.
A loud crash brought Fen’s head whipping toward the sound. A huge guy Fen had never seen before looked embarrassed by the mess he had made, knocking over one of the many outdoor tables.
He winced. “Sorry. I didn’t see that there.”
“Can I help you?”
Fen went on alert at Frost’s tone. He was here, on Frost’s land, and was an unknown. He smelled like a bear. A Were. They had turned off the perimeter alarm since creatures would be coming and going all night. He should have stayed more vigilant.
“Um. Yeah. I think. I was told I would find…”
“Aspen?” Leif had one foot out the back door with a beer in hand. He stood frozen, staring at the new arrival like seeing a ghost.
The bear, who Fen assumed was Aspen, gave a small wave. He still looked uncomfortable as hell. “Hi. I was just asking for you.”
Leif turned around and went back inside, closing the door behind him with a definite snap. Everyone exchanged glances. Aspen looked crestfallen on top of embarrassed.
“Oh no.” Audor’s whispered groan wasn’t missed. It seemed he knew what this was about.
Discomfort was thick, he could taste it. Someone had to be the one to break it. Thankfully, the pack’s leader, Waylon, was the first. As the town’s alpha, that was his place.
“Would you like a beer?”
Kyrie stroked a hand down Fen’s arm, bringing Fen’s gaze back to him. “You should check on Leif. He’s your brethren.”
Damn. He hated that Kyrie was right, but Leif had looked devastated. “Raincheck on the run?”
Kyrie nodded. His bright yellow eyes swam with happiness. “Absolutely.”
Fen would seek him out again, even though he didn’t know why. There was just something about him. Fen had to find out what.
Yuri’s entire body was ablaze. Brownie’s rough tongue pulled at his skin, grooming him.
He couldn’t breathe. No matter how hard he sucked air, he couldn’t think.
Unlike before, Brownie intentionally tortured him.
In the past, Brownie had done this out of affection and secret longing.
Now that he had Yuri, Yuri felt his evil satisfaction at knowing he drove Yuri insane.
You always have. I just don’t care if I embarrass myself now.
Brownie shoved his tongue into Yuri’s mouth, hungrily taking everything he wanted. So much delicious sweat covered Brownie’s body, proving how hard he worked for Yuri.
Tell me you love me again or put me out of my misery.
Brownie lifted his head and held Yuri’s stare, as if he needed Yuri to believe him. “I can do both. I love you.” He rolled his hips, causing friction between their bodies with their hard cocks trapped between them.
A loud pant escaped Yuri. “I love you too.”
Brownie rolled his hips again.
“Oh, Goddess.”
Brownie didn’t take mercy on him. “I love watching you fight to come.” He heard the lid pop on the lube. “But I love watching you drip with my cum even more.”
“Fuck.” The breathless curse didn’t even begin to cover how close he was to the edge.
He genuinely thought his mind might snap.
The combination of his lust and Brownie’s made him insane.
Then Brownie impaled him. It was over. His back bowed.
A howl left his lips. Jets of cum hit his chest. The slight red tint to Brownie’s eyes glowed brighter as he watched Yuri.
Yuri felt the way his intense gaze never wavered.
“You can give me another.”
Yuri was pretty sure he could not. In fact, he was seconds away from passing from this life.
Brownie kissed his neck and chuckled against his skin. “You’re so dramatic. I promise you won’t die.” He thrust. “But you will blow for me again.”
Yuri wanted to claim again that he wouldn’t.
But the moment Brownie began that rhythmic thrust, pressure built.
He didn’t know any longer if it was his or Brownie’s orgasm that he felt growing.
It didn’t matter. Either way, Brownie was right.
Yuri would blow again. When it hit, this time, Yuri couldn’t draw a deep enough breath to make a sound.
His orgasm mixed with Brownie’s in his mind. Stars popped in his vision.
“You’re the sexiest creature alive.” Brownie whispered the words against Yuri’s skin as he kissed his neck again. “I’ll never let you forget it.”
Brownie was the most loved creature in existence. Yuri would never let him forget that.