Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
This time, the drive up to Kyle’s wasn’t so tense. When Evan was with George, he let his wolf out to play more while he was in human form. There was a bite mark on his ass cheek that hadn’t stopped throbbing yet. George had made it this morning, then fucked him and told him what a good boy he was and how good he looked wearing his bite mark.
His toes curled in his runners, thinking about it.
Somewhere in his bag was a dog grooming brush that George had bought for him. Which he also liked.
He was not going to tell the psych how much he liked it. But it turned out he very much liked to be petted and told what a good boy he was and how pretty he was. George said it was because no one in his pack had ever told him anything nice.
And maybe that was true.
George took his gaze off the road and glanced at him. “Are you feeling okay about the run?”
“Yes, I’ll hang out with the witches.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay with you?”
“You like running. That is your thing, and I am completely fine with that.” He had attempted to brush George, but George would rather play with the brush than be groomed. It was fun to be trying these things together, and the list was now longer than ten things, which the psych was happy about.
Coming up with ideas was also fun. Along with the brush, George had also bought a leash and collar and a dog toy that could be filled with treats, thinking that he might enjoy it. That had been a hard no without even trying it because he didn’t like eating when shifted.
“Okay. I don’t want you to feel left out, that’s all.”
“I’ve never felt left out at Kyle’s, even when I don’t shift.” There was no pressure to be a certain way. “And if being around everyone’s shifting heat gets a bit too much, when you come back, I’ll shift, and you can brush me.”
George flicked him a grin. “Are you trying to make all the other wolves jealous?”
Evan shook his head. “They’ll probably try to eat the brush like you.”
“So you don’t mind if they see?”
“No.” He wasn’t going to hide. He wasn’t broken or shifting wrong. He just had one of those issues that shifters didn’t talk about, and that needed to change. If he couldn’t be open in his pack, where else could he be open?
“Okay. I wanted to make sure we had a roadmap.”
Evan put his hand on George’s thigh. “Thank you, but I don’t want you to feel as though you need to protect me at pack events.”
“You’re my boyfriend. Of course I’m going to protect you.”
Evan smiled. He didn’t remember the last time someone had been ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him. “And I appreciate that, but I’m not made of glass. I enjoy pack events, and I like being around other shifters, even though it isn’t always easy.”
He hoped that with enough therapy, he might enjoy the occasional run. Bethany said it was aiming too high and setting himself up for failure. He needed to take small steps and be glad every time he shifted without feeling stressed.
By the time they reached Kyle’s, there were several cars there. And instead of being stressed out and feeling as though he needed to run, Evan felt a lot calmer about choosing not to run. He’d chosen not to run a few times, and while no one had said anything, he’d always felt as though he was letting down the pack by not shifting—despite there being witches and a human in the pack who couldn’t fur up.
As he walked toward the front door, he reached out and took George’s hand. He was actually more nervous about turning up with George again, given the way they’d parted last time.
George glanced at him. “Are you sure you’re okay? I can smell your nerves.”
“You aren’t worried about turning up with me again?”
“No, I said we were working through some stuff from years ago.” He smiled as if it didn’t matter. Evan was sure no matter the situation, George would smile, shrug, and then roll with whatever happened. When it was over, he’d stand up, dust himself off, and help anyone who was in trouble. And before the blood was dry, he’d joke about what a good story it was going to make later.
Cooper opened the door, his gaze skipping between the two of them, no doubt taking in everything. “Our two newest official members. I’m glad you put your paperwork through.” He stepped out of the house. “Everyone’s going to be here, so the house is a little full. We have converted some of Kyle’s massive shed into a sleeping area. And because it’s an official event, the rooms have been allocated as such. Con and Zach, Sam and Mark, and Brandon and Ross have been given the bedrooms.” He led the way to the shed.
The pack seconds were always going to be given room ahead of the rest. And since Brandon was leaving, it made sense that he also got a room. The entire pack hadn’t gotten together since Christmas Eve. Because it had been the middle of summer quite a few had slept outside in wolf form. He had opted to sleep on the sofa.
They followed Cooper into the shed, where Kyle had an assortment of car bits and two motorbikes. One area had been sectioned off, and behind the wall were four sets of bunk beds. Cooper sighed. “It’s not ideal, and we’re trying to get permission from the council to build a couple of chalets. There might be a few who choose to sleep out, even though it’s not that warm. Your choice.” His gaze landed on Evan for a little too long.
Evan smiled. “This is great. Thank you for giving us all somewhere to sleep.”
“It’s what’s expected. It’s not as though we are a central location where everyone can easily go home. Come up to the house when you’re ready…a few have already shifted and gone for a prowl, including Kyle, leaving me on door duty.” He pulled a face.
“Is that because you’re a cat, not a wolf?” George asked.
Cooper wrinkled his nose. “It’s because I’m the leader’s mate, and apparently, he gets to shift, and I have to welcome people.” He tilted his head, listening. “Someone else is arriving. I’d better do my job.” He sauntered out of the shed.
“I think he secretly likes greeting everyone,” George said.
“Without a doubt.” Evan tossed his bag on a bed. “Do you want to take the top bunk?”
“Can do.” He slung his bag up, then reached out and pulled Evan close to press a kiss to his lips. “Although I’m sure there’s room in that bottom bunk for us both.”
Evan pushed him away, even as the bite on his ass tingled. “Not a chance. Far too many ears and noses.”
“Can I lure you into the bush?”
“Nope. Besides, my ass is still smarting from this morning.”
George grabbed Evan’s ass cheek, his fingers closing over the bite.
Evan sucked in a breath.
“I bet that bruise is looking good now.” George kneaded the bite. The pressure sent a spark of arousal through Evan’s blood, and a soft moan slipped out. “I could give you a matching one on the other side.”
He nipped Evan’s lower lip, and Evan was about three seconds from agreeing.
Then Cooper walked in with Miles and Simon, giving his spiel about the bed situation. Noses twitched, no doubt smelling his arousal.
Fucking shifters. There was no such thing as privacy.