'Wolf Harem 4 The Final Addition

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HAPTER

A creak in the floorboards woke me sometime later. When I heard a sixth heartbeat farther away

than the bed, I knew someone was in the house. I moved my hand over Ryder's mouth, making the
signal for him to stay quiet. He woke with a start, but nodded when he saw what I was doing. I
pointed to my ear, telling him to listen. Ryder had the sharpest hearing of all of us, even for a
werewolf.

He pushed a lock of hair from his face behind his ear and held up one finger, then walked his

fingers up an imaginary staircase. I gave him a quick nod and crawled out of bed as quietly as I could.
Letting the change flow over me, I made my way to the bedroom door. When I heard another creak, I
pressed my back against the bedroom wall and crept closer.

The first thing that crossed the door frame was a silencer on a gun. As soon as I saw that, I acted.

Lightning fast, I hit the man's shooting hand upward as he entered the room. He shouted and the gun
went off, the bullet going safely into the ceiling. Without thinking, I held onto the gun and sank my
razor-sharp teeth into the man's neck.

"I got the gun, Spencer," Dean yelled as I pulled my head back. I saw he had it pointed on our

intruder, and I released the man. He slumped to the floor, holding onto his shoulder.

"Fuck, you bit me!" he screamed, clutching the wound. "Holy shit, you're not human."

"No, I'm not," I growled, stretching out my claws in front of me so he got a good view. "Who are you
and why are you here?"
He sneered. "Fuck you, you're going to kill me anyways."
"Probably, but the way you die is up to you," Dean said firmly. "I could end you with one shot or let
Spencer eat you."
"Ethan?" the man gasped, looking past us to where Ethan was sitting up in bed. "You're supposed to
be dead."
"Do I know you?" Ethan asked, his eyebrows arching high above his light blue eyes.
"No, I was hired to kill the men who supposedly murdered you," the man explained, swaying a bit
from blood loss. "Payton said he sent you here, and you disappeared. He was sure these men killed
you, but he couldn't prove it. He hired me to get revenge."
"Oh, he wanted revenge all right, but he knew Ethan was alive and well." Luc snickered, kneeling
next to the man. "Spencer, you bit him."
"Of course I bit him. He came into our bedroom with a gun, Luc," I said, waving my arms. "What did
you want me to do? Let him shoot us?"

"Spence, you could have gotten the gun away without biting him," Luc replied firmly. And that's when
it hit me. No matter what, this guy was dead. A werewolf bite was lethal unless the victim was given
the anti-venom. Basically, if I didn't fuck him now, he would die.
"Aww, fuck," I groaned, letting my head fall back on my shoulders.
"Yeah, that's kind of what I was getting at," Luc said, turning back so quickly to our intruder that his
long auburn hair flared out in shadow. "What's your name?"
"Dallas Kade," he answered with a gasp. "I don't understand any of this. Why was I hired to avenge
Ethan if he's alive?"
"Payton lied to you, something he does a lot," Ethan explained as he got out of bed and made his way
to us. "It's complicated, but it boils down to Spencer taking back his company and kicking Greg
Payton to the curb."
"I don't get involved with that shit," Dallas said, turning up his lip. "I only take out potential threats or
take cases when the cops can't handle it."
"Great, an assassin with morals," I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Look, believe what you want, but I came thinking you all had killed Ethan," he said. Dallas broke out
in a fit of coughs then, and it was obvious he was starting to die. I'd never seen the reaction to a bite
when it wasn't meant to turn someone. I felt my heart twist into a knot knowing I'd just killed this man.
"Spence, we can't just let him die," Ryder stated, looking at me with his big green eyes. "You're not
okay with killing him after he was sent here on lies, are you?"
"This bite will kill me? Not make me like you?" Dallas asked, glancing between us.
"No, the bite is lethal without the anti-venom," I answered, scrubbing my hands over my face. "We
need to act fast, guys."
"Spence, you need to turn him," Luc said gently. I saw everyone else nodding in agreement with him.
"We're not killers. None of us could live with ourselves."
"Do I have to remind anyone that he came here to kill us?" I asked, a little shocked that they weren't
more upset with the situation. "We don't even know if he's telling the truth."
"No, we don't. But can you live with the chance he was being honest and we killed him?" Ryder
asked me, placing his hand on my arm. "The guilt would eat you alive, Spence."
"Just give me the anti-venom, and I'll leave," Dallas said, looking confused. "What's the big deal?"
"It doesn't work like that," I answered, moving closer to him. I knelt down in front of him, so he got a
good look at me. Dean helped by flipping on the lights. Dallas gasped as he took in my full werewolf
form, but didn't shy away. "If I give you the anti-venom, you will become one of us and have to stay
with our pack."
"You're going to turn me into a werewolf?" he asked, the pupils in his hazel eyes growing wide.
"It's that or you die, your choice," Dean answered. He crossed his massive arms over his chest, not
liking this any more than I did. "So you need to decide if you can live here with us and be a member
of our pack. Because if not, just end it now."
Dallas searched Dean's face and then mine before giving me a nod. "Okay, I'll stay with your pack.
Give me the anti-venom and teach me how to be a werewolf."
"The anti-venom is in my cum," I said gently. "That's how we turn people. We bite them then fuck
them."
"I'm not gay," he replied, staring right into my eyes. I wasn't so sure that was the truth, but we didn't
have time for that right now. The amount of blood he was losing was vast, and he wouldn't have much
longer.
"Be that as it may," I said slowly, searching for the right words. "That's how it works. So either you

let me fuck you and turn you, or you will die. Decide fast. You only have minutes left."
"But if you agree to this you will live here by our rules as a pack. No more hired assassin." Dean
informed him, taking a knee in front of Dallas. "And so help me, Dallas, you fuck with our family or
become a liability I will end you myself. Don't ever doubt that for a second. We're older and stronger
than you'll be as a new werewolf and could destroy you in a heartbeat."
I caught Ryder's shocked expression before he schooled it. Yeah, Dean was lying out of his ass but I
agreed with him in this instance. We might not want to risk having killed Dallas when he wasn't the
bad guy, but we didn't have to tell him everything just yet. If letting him think we could take care of
him easily helped us keep him in line, so be it.
"You'd just have to fuck me this one time, right?" Dallas asked, still holding his neck. "I saw you all
came out of the same bed. I don't want any part of that."
"We're not inviting you to be our lover," Dean growled, shaking with anger. "And we don't force
people. The five of us love each other. We're talking about giving you a chance to live and have a
better life. You'd get a room down the hall, fucker."
"Then do it." Dallas nodded, gasping in pain when he forgot about the bite. "I'll do whatever you
want, just don't let me die."
"Let's get him into the guest room," I said to Dean. We exchanged a look and I saw he was on the
same page as me. While we might not have wanted to let a man die, neither of us was even remotely
okay with this. Dean grabbed Dallas' shoulders as I took his feet and we carried him to the guest
room.
"I'm not an invalid, I can walk just fine." Dallas bitched, looking pissed.
"Shut up and save your energy," Dean replied, sounding just as pissed. We lowered him onto the bed
and I started to take off his clothes.
"Can you get the lube and prepare him?" I asked Dean while pulling Dallas's shirt off.
"I think you should just shove a claw up his ass." Dean mumbled as he left the room. As hard as it
was, I managed not to laugh at my partner's comment.
"Look, just shove it in me and let's get this over with," Dallas said, undoing his cargo pants before I
could. "I don't need foreplay or anything."
"No, but unless you'd like me to rip you to shreds I suggest we stretch you out," I replied pointing to
my cock. "I'm not even hard and I could rip you in half."
"Don't you need to be hard to do this?" He asked, looking confused.
"Yeah, but you're not making this something I want to do, dickhead," I sneered, eyeing him over.
"You're good looking, but everything you're doing and saying is screaming you don't want this. Sorry,
but I prefer to fuck people who want it."
"Just focus on me then, Spence," Ryder purred as he wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Luc's
going to stay with Ethan and make sure he doesn't need help in case Ethan gets sick again. Dean will
take care of getting Dallas ready. And you just have to let me take care of you, my big wolf."
"What did you have in mind, baby?" I asked, feeling my dick take interest already with just his hands
on me. "Would it involve that dirty little mouth of yours?"
"If that's what you want," Ryder answered, moving in front of me and dropping to his knees. He
grabbed my cock roughly and started stroking it. "I see he's missed me."
"Yes," I hissed, my hips starting to move as Ryder licked the head of my dick. Groaning when he
swirled his tongue around, I held his head to me. I didn't miss the look of lust in Dallas' eyes as he
watched a hot, naked Ryder blow me. "That's it, suck my cock good, baby."
"Roll over on your hands and knees," Dean ordered Dallas as he walked back into the room. I was

shocked that the man who declared he wasn't gay made sure to turn so that he faced us as he kept
watching.
"You know you're going to have to take care of me after you're done with Dallas now that I'm awake
and horny?" Ryder said, pulling on my cock. I stared down at him with a feral smile.
"Maybe Dean will fuck your sweet ass while I take Dallas," I replied, licking my lips. "It will help
keep me in the mood."
"Get yourself ready, Ryder," Dean chuckled, tossing him the bottle of lube when he was done slicking
up his fingers. Ryder took the slick and poured some on his hand before putting the bottle on the bed.
His eyes never left mine as he reached behind and started preparing his hole for Dean.
"That's fucking hot, baby," I purred as Ryder groaned loudly. Dallas whimpered, getting my attention.
I saw Dean pushing his finger in and out of Dallas's ass as Ryder swallowed my cock again. "That's
even hotter."
"Oh god," Dallas moaned wantonly as he pushed back on Dean's hand.
"Not gay my fucking ass," Dean grumbled so quietly that I knew we'd only heard him because of our
werewolf hearing. Our eyes met and he shrugged. I could tell he wasn't being gentle with Dallas when
he shoved a second finger in the man. Normally Dean was a very considerate lover, so I knew it was
more his lack of wanting Dallas in our lives that was making him be rough.
"Your mouth is amazing, Ryder," I said softly, meeting Dallas's gaze. He had the sense to look
embarrassed and turn his head. "I'm almost ready, Dean."
"I'm hurrying," Dean replied, pushing a third finger into Dallas. The man moaned and I could see how
hard his cock was under him. Dean must have seen it as well because he snickered and moved his
fingers faster. "Ryder, are you ready for me, love?"
Ryder pulled back off my dick with a loud pop before turning to look at Dean. "Oh yeah. I want it
hard and fast please."
"Always so polite." I chuckled, bending over to pull Ryder to his feet. I wanted desperately to kiss
him, but with my muzzle and sharp teeth it wasn't an option. Ryder saw my predicament and giggled.
"You can kiss me as soon as you shift back, Spence," he said, rubbing his hands over my stomach and
chest.
"Get your hot ass over here now," Dean growled at Ryder as he pulled his fingers out of Dallas. He
used the extra slick on his hand to get his cock ready. Dean climbed off the queen sized bed, taking the
already falling comforter with him as I moved to get on, and stalked towards Ryder. He shook with
anticipation as Dean tossed the comforter aside, turning him around and pushing him up against the
leather sofa chair by the bed. I lined up my cock with Dallas's hole as Dean slammed his into our
baby.
"Oh god, do it already," Dallas begged as I ran a clawed hand over his ass and he shivered. Never
taking my eyes off Dean and Ryder I pushed inside the man beneath me. "Fuck! That's what this feels
like?"
"You seem to want this now," I said, raising an eyebrow as I thrust the rest of the way into him.
"Thought you weren't gay?"
"I'm not, but pleasure is pleasure," He panted, turning his head to watch Dean and Ryder as well. "In
my mind you're just a hot chick shoving a toy in me."
"You keep telling yourself that," I snickered as I started fucking him hard. Dallas moaned and made
intensely pleasurable noises each time I slammed into him. His wound was still bad but when he
turned his neck it put pressure on it to keep it closed and slow the bleeding. Ryder was bent over with
his hands braced on the chair as Dean pounded into his sweet hole. The chair was just at the foot of

the bed, so Dallas and I had a front row seat for the show. Feeling bold, I reached down and stroked
Dallas's cock while I snapped my hips harder. He was completely hard and totally into this. "Yeah, I
can tell how much you hate my dick in your ass, Dallas."
"Stop talking and do what you need to so the pain stops," Dallas grumbled. I'd been so focused on
watching Ryder and Dean while trying to prove to Dallas he liked this, I'd forgotten why we were
doing this. Fucking him even harder, Dallas cried out in pleasure as his hands fisted in the sheets. I
pushed his shoulders down to the bed so the angle changed and I was hitting his prostate.
"Harder, Dean. Give it to me so hard I can't walk tomorrow," Ryder screamed, moving his hips so
that he met every thrust of Dean's. "God I so fucking love your huge cock."
"I'm glad, baby," Dean grunted, licking along Ryder's neck. Just then Dallas gasped. The gasp turned
into a moan as his dick exploded, shooting ropes of his pearly cum all over the bed. I groaned as his
ass clamped down on my cock. His climax threw me over the edge into my own orgasm. He screamed
as I came, shooting my load into him so hard it was a good thing I was holding onto his hips.
"Oh fuck, that can't be how women feel when I fuck them," He cried out, the pleasure of his orgasm
clearly overpowering the pain.
"No, that's what it's like to be with a werewolf," I grunted, still thrusting into him. I kept moving to
prolong my orgasm and just as it started to ebb I felt the knot extend from my cock.
"What the fuck?" Dallas screamed as I heard Ryder cry out in the background.
"That's the knot that gives you the anti-venom," I answered, watching the cords of Dean's neck tighten.
He roared out his release, plowing into Ryder. I swirled my hips several times and Dallas screamed
out another orgasm. "Just admit that you liked this Dallas."
"Yes," He hissed, moving his hips with me. "But I'm still not gay or joining in your bed."
"Never invited you," I sneered, still not liking the guy, simply glad he'd finally stated the obvious.
Dallas moaned once more before slumping forward and passing out. I snickered and smacked his ass
as the knot receded.
"He's a complete closet case," Dean said in between pants as he sunk to the floor with Ryder in his
lap. "We can't ever forget that he's an assassin, Spence. We're going to have to watch him like a hawk
and make sure he knows the rules."
"I agree," I replied as I pulled out of him. Grabbing the bright blue butt plug Dean had left on the bed
for Dallas, I slid it into him easily. I rolled him onto his back and finally took a few moments to look
at him. He definitely had the body of an assassin. He was about Dean's height with a huge, toned
chest, strong arms and a stomach that showed all eight sections of his abs even when he was asleep.
Sighing at the turn of events this man had begun and knowing what they could mean for our family, I
threw a blanket over Dallas and got off the bed.
"We'll figure this out, Spence," Ryder said, taking my hand. "This isn't what we asked for, but we
couldn't have just let him die."
"He threatens our family again, Ryder and you need to be prepared," Dean replied as we headed back
to our bedroom. "I have no problem killing him if he's a threat. I know that's not what you'd want to
hear from someone you love but I will do whatever is needed to keep us safe."
"I understand that," Ryder said quietly as we walked into our bedroom. I squeezed his hand in
support, even though I agreed with Dean. Giving the big guy a look, I saw he understood that we were
on the same page. No one, not even Dallas now that we turned him, would be allowed to hurt the men
we loved.
"Let's get some sleep." I yawned, feeling the exhaustion of the past couple of days overwhelm me.
"We've got a lot to deal with tomorrow and not all of it will be good."

"And we need to call Max," Dean sighed as we all crawled into bed. "I've never met the man and I'm
scared to make that call."
"I'm the Alpha of this pack, I'll do it," I said, giving him a quick kiss. "Once I explain I'm sure he'll
understand. I just hope we don't have anything else pop up for a while. There are only so many favors
or buttons we can push with the council before we become a problem."
"We'll take care of it." Ryder kissed me as I moved to spoon him on the edge of the bed. "Everything
will work out."
I knew Ryder was saying it mostly to try and ease my fears. But we could really be up shits creek this
time with the council and I had to wonder if Dallas was worth that kind of trouble. I just hoped he
really did become a friend instead of a foe. Nothing would be worse for our budding family than to
have an enemy living in our home.

HAPTER

The next morning I was sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee, still trying to wrap my head

around the events of last night as I stared at Ryder. He had announced when we woke up that he'd be
making lots of blueberry pancakes and bacon for his men. He always knew just the thing to cheer us
all up, whether it involved a little spanking and a lot of lube or a spatula and a hot stove. I felt bad for
him when Ethan turned a little green at the idea, but it was understandable since he'd been sick the
past two days.
"How about some chicken soup?" Dean asked

Ethan as he carried him into the kitchen.

"That sounds fine, but I can walk, Dean," Ethan
giggled, rubbing his hands over the big guy's chest. "And I
really want to see how often I can get hard now." "Devilish little imp," Dean groaned, setting Ethan
down in one of the chairs. He smiled widely at Dean who
gave him a quick kiss. "All these hot little men running
around is going to make me get old fast."
"Good thing you can't die then," I snickered. "But I
know what you mean. We definitely have some high sex
drives in this house and I'm not sure it's because we're
wolves."
"We can't die?" Dallas asked as he padded into the
kitchen, rubbing his eyes. He'd put back on the black cargo
pants he'd had on yesterday but left the shirt off. I was
temporarily distracted by the nicely toned muscles of his
chest and shoulders.
"We can, but in general we're immortal," I
answered, exchanging a look with Dean. I wasn't going to
lie to him, but I also didn't want to show our cards that we
couldn't carry out our threats from last night. "How did you
sleep?"
"Fine, thank you," he answered civilly over his
shoulder as he took one of the mugs by the coffee pot and
poured himself some morning nectar of the gods. "I have to

warn you, I'm not very polite before I've had my coffee." "So what would be your excuse from last
night?"
Dean asked with a snort. He turned on the electric can
opener to make it clear he didn't care what Dallas's
response would be.
"Yeah, we need to talk about why I was sent here."
Dallas sighed, walking over to the table and sitting down,
his wide shoulders dwarfing the back of the chair. "Ethan is
very much alive and obviously I'm not planning on killing
you guys anymore, but you have to know Payton will send
someone else. If he went to the trouble to hire me, I really doubt this is over. I'm very expensive and
selective of the
contracts I accept, but others aren't."
"Not that you're accepting any other contracts now,
right?" Luc asked, raising an eyebrow. "I'm pretty sure that
was one of the things you agreed to when we saved your
life last night."
"No, I'm done with all of that. I keep my word,"
Dallas answered, the sunlight shining and disappearing in
his short black hair as he nodded his head. Then he turned
to look at me. "I'm guessing you're pretty much in charge
here, right?"
"Technically I'm Alpha of our small pack, but we're
a family and all get a vote," I said firmly. He needed to
understand that right off the bat. "While you're not going to
be intimate with any of us, I'd like us to still all act like a
family. Maybe you can live as our pack brother instead of
our lover."
"I'm not against that idea," he replied slowly as if
searching for the right words. Dallas ran his hands over his
face, scrubbing hard in what seemed like frustration.
"Look, I'll be completely honest here, I've never had a
family. I went into the military when I was seventeen, they
found out I was a really good with a gun and I became a
sniper. When I realized I didn't want to be a career grunt I
got out and started taking contracts freelance. I get that it's not what you'd want from someone in your
pack or your
house, but it's the truth."
"We appreciate you being honest with us, Dallas,"
Ryder said, shooting me a look. I got that he was the best at
helping people feel comfortable and open up. I just wasn't
sure I wanted to play nicely with Dallas yet. "I think that's a
good start to your new life as a member of this pack. We've
all done things we're not proud of or could be looked down
on, but you were given a gift last night. A chance to start

over and be the man you want to be. I suggest you take it
before Spencer and Dean make good on their threats and
end you."
"I get that," Dallas replied nodding again as he took
a deep breath. "I don't have a problem changing, I'm just
trying to… I don't know, yeah, be honest. I've been alone
for a very long time and don't really interact well with
people besides the occasional whore. I mean, I get along
with whores very well and know how they should be
treated."
Ryder gasped as the spatula slipped from his hand. I
glanced up in time to see the tears in his eyes before he
booked it from the kitchen.
"Fuck." Dean swore giving Dallas a dirty look.
"You're up for five minutes and already you're hurting
people. Get your shit together or we're going to have words outside asshole." He followed after
Ryder and I left it up to
him to sort out.
"What did I do?" Dallas asked, looking at me with
total confusion written in his wide hazel eyes. "I didn't
mean to upset the little guy."
"He couldn't have known, Spencer." Luc reminded
me calmly as I was seeing red rage at Dallas hurting
Ryder's feelings.
"You're right," I said, grinding my teeth. I took
several deep breaths before turning to Dallas again. "Ryder
used to be a hooker. He was kicked out of his house at
sixteen for being gay, he didn't have many options. So I
hope you can see how your comment would upset him." "Shit! Look, I'm sorry, I don't have issue with
Ryder," he replied, rubbing his hands over his face again.
That seemed to be his go to frustrated gesture. "The
contract came with pictures and names, no background on
anyone. I didn't know, I swear."
"We haven't even told Ethan yet," Luc said, patting
Dallas's hand. Dallas glanced from Luc's hand to his face,
seeming confused by the touch almost as if he didn't know
what to do with it. If Luc saw he ignored it as he glanced at
me. "Guess we should start from the beginning, huh?" "Yeah," I sighed, standing to refill my mug. I
started from the very beginning, how I met Diego and was turned. Leaving out certain details about
how hard it was to kill a werewolf, I did make sure to stress that there was a hierarchy and they didn't
fuck around with keeping our existence a secret. I went on to tell them how I met Ryder and briefly
told them his history. When we got to where
Luc came into the story, he graciously took over. Though I was still leery of Dallas I didn't miss the
sad look he and Ethan both shared while I explained about
the life Ryder had led. Luc continued and explained how

we met Dean. When he got to the part about the bomb I felt
myself cringe at the pain written on his face. Without even
thinking about it, I moved closer and yanked him into my
lap to comfort him.
Ethan picked up where he came in, explaining all
the bullshit Payton had pulled on him and why he was sick.
Dallas never said a word, only going to refill his coffee at
one point. Just as Ethan was finishing up, Ryder and Dean
came back into the kitchen. I'd made sure to pull the food
he was cooking off the griddle so that it didn't burn and
Ryder smiled at me when he saw.
"Ryder, I'm really sorry," Dallas said quietly. "I
swear I didn't know. I wasn't judging you when I said—
what I did. I simply meant that the women I've been with
haven't been long term and don't spend the night. I was
never mean or abusive and didn't look down on them. We both simply knew the score. We had fun,
she left, and we probably never remembered each other's names. It wasn't
real beyond a night of fun.
"We all do what we have to sometimes to survive. I
got out of the military and realized I wasn't useful past my
ability to kill people. And I want you all to know I don't
take just any contract. I've been contracted by governments
to kill bad people and by private parties when justice failed.
The only reason I took this one was because I saw Ethan's
picture and knew the people who killed him deserved
retribution. I would never have showed up at your house
because of something as trivial as money."
"I think we'd all like to believe that." Ryder went
back to cooking and not looking up. His shoulders were
still tense though and I could see he was working
something internally by the set of his jaw. "You seemed
genuinely surprised that Ethan was still alive. And you told
us that when you thought you were going to die so it's not
like you had a reason to lie. All I can say, Dallas, is it will
take time for us to trust you."
"I can accept that," Dallas replied, giving a solemn
head dip of acknowledgement. "But I also remember you
were the first one to say that I should be saved. I don't take
that lightly and I'm not the type to try to hurt people who've
been on my side. I'm just not very good with people." "So what now?" Ethan asked, voicing the
question I
was sure was on everyone's mind. "I know I'm going to
help you with taxes and stuff, but Dallas's skills aren't
really what we need in this pack are they?"
There was a pause that would have been almost

comical if the question wasn't so severe. How would Dallas
fit into our pack? A man who was used to being on his on
for so long would go nuts if he didn't have a purpose. And
his last job was out.
"How are you with manual labor and taking
directions?" Dean asked, eyeing the man. "Luc and I
actually have something to tell you guys but we didn't get a
chance since you got home last night and were so tired." "I'm strong," Dallas answered with a shrug.
"And I
was a grunt in the military, I take orders very well. Can I
ask for one thing though?"
"You can ask, I think it depends on the question
whether we're inclined to do it or not." I went tense. He
wasn't a prisoner… but that didn't mean I trusted him as far
as I could throw him. Or kick him. Or anything else I'd do
to him if he stepped a toe out of line.
"I'd like to see this rule book so I at least get a basic
understanding of my new way of life," he said looking from
Dean to me. "I know you guys will have your own rules
too, but I figured that's the best place to start."
"We only have one copy and Ethan will need to
read it too," Luc replied as he stood to help set the table.
Luc seemed so calm with all this. Sometimes I worried he
was going to blow and freak out like he did once at the old
house. It was well deserved and we did have a lot going on.
But then again, he'd tell us if he had issues. I just wasn't the
type of person to take everything in stride like he did. "That's fine, I can share," Dallas said smiling.
"Thanks for giving me this chance. I don't want to screw up
and I'll try not to. I just hope you're patient with me going
off alone or retreating sometimes. I mean I've spent more
time with all of you this morning than I normally spend
with people for months at a time."
"What about your current place?" I asked, my
eyebrows scrunching as I tried to think this through. "I'm
assuming you had like a home base, right?"
"Yeah, but I figured I'd keep it and just purchase
whatever I need to live here," Dallas replied, smiling
widely. "It's big enough for all of us to vacation at if you
ever wanted."
"We get to know where the contract killer's Bat
Cave is?" Ryder asked, his eyes going wide, before what
he'd just said hit him. "Sorry, Dallas, I didn't mean that how
it came out. I'm just saying when you read about people in
your profession or see them in movies it's always these
swanky places out in the woods or something."

"Not quite," Dallas chuckled reaching up to rub the
back of his neck. "It's pretty cool but definitely not in the
woods. I've got a nice pad in the Caribbean."
"You mean as in tropical?" Ryder squeaked, rushing
over to Dallas and hugging him. "That would be so fucking
cool, I've never been out of the US. I've never been
anywhere tropical."
"Well if I'm living here with you guys of course you
can stay at my place too," Dallas stated, going very stiff in
Ryder's arms and not hugging him back. He looked almost
panicked at the contact with someone else and it made me
wonder what kind of life this man had really led. "So why
were you asking me about manual labor, Dean?" "Well, Ryder's been wanting to set up a charity for
kids who get tossed from their homes for being gay," Dean
said slowly, watching Ryder. I chuckled when Ryder let go
of Dallas so fast and turned around that he almost landed
on his ass. "Luc and I talked to Margaret next door, since
we know she had to lay off her hands and needs help. We
had the idea—"
"We my ass. This was all you, big guy." Luc
snickered as he started to bring over the food. "Don't let
Dean fool you, Ryder. This was all his idea. I just helped
him brainstorm on possibilities."
"Okay, well she said we could turn her bunkhouse
into a dorm of sorts," Dean continued, blushing at Luc's
words. "I figured if we're going to help teens it would be
good for them to have their own housing, but close to us.
But not so close that they could see things at the full moon.
Also that way we could get the kids into the local high
school and they could help Margaret around the ranch." "So kind of like a halfway house where we'd
help
teach job skills and whatnot?" Ryder asked, rubbing his
chin as he stared at Dean.
"Well yeah, but at the same time get the kids their
diplomas too," Dean answered, looking anywhere but at
Ryder then.
"I love you guys," Ryder said as he threw himself
into Dean's arms. "I think it's a fantastic idea. That way we
could be right here to help and it helps someone we like." "That was Dean's train of thought too," Luc
chuckled as he brought over the bowl of soup for Ethan that
he'd heated up during our talk with Dallas. When he went
to move away, Ethan surprised him by kissing Luc. Lifting
his head, Luc looked stunned with his cheeks flushed. A
second later he was kissing Ethan back, wrapping his arms
around the new addition to our bed.

"Did all of you take classes on how to kiss?" Ethan
panted as they broke apart. Luc seemed to have been affected the exact same way. Ethan snapped out
of his lustful haze and gasped. We all turned to look at him as he yanked on Luc's arm and put his hand
over Ethan's groin. "I'm hard! I actually got wood. Besides sex with Spencer,
I've not gotten an erection in like eight months." "Guess you're all better now," Ryder said, moving
away from Dean to Ethan. He giggled as he leaned over
and rubbed Ethan's groin as well. "Yeah, that's definitely
hard."
"You needed to check for yourself, baby?" I
snickered, meeting his gaze.
"Nope, just wanted to grope him," he answered,
giving Ethan a quick kiss before moving over to the chair
next to me.
"After breakfast maybe we should explore this new
development," Luc whispered to Ethan.
"I'd like that," Ethan groaned, looking at Luc with
such lust I felt my own cock taking notice.
"So, you want my help with the bunkhouse," Dallas
said, clearing his throat when Luc took his seat. "Tell me
what to do and I'm more than willing to help. I just need to
run to whatever store you guys have around here for
clothes."
"There's not too much of a selection in Brookings,"
Dean replied as we all started stuffing out mouths. "For now I can lend you some clothes, but I'm
going to have to take a trip to Rapid City for building supplies soon. I wanted to talk with Ryder and
Spencer about the idea
before inspecting the property and getting to work." "I can help with setting up a foundation and
accounts," Ethan said quietly, looking uncomfortable. "I've
never picked up a hammer in my life. I'm more a
bookworm"
Ryder took a swig of juice. "That works," he
replied. "I can help but I'm not all that handy myself.
Normally I just made sure everyone was fed and hydrated
while they worked on the barn. But I'm thinking no one
else here knows how to do that, Ethan."
"I sure as hell don't." Dean snickered before eating
some more pancakes.
"Are you making this trip to Rapid City today?"
Dallas asked. "Because I've got stuff in my hotel room and
I only got it for one night."
"That might have been something to mention
sooner," I drawled and rolled my eyes. He might have been
trying to be honest with us, but he obviously wasn't
showing his full hand either.
"How stunned and out of it were you after you

found out that werewolves existed and became one?"
Dallas asked with a raised eyebrow, not looking happy with me. I saw Ryder and Luc had stopped
eating mid-motion as
well and just stared at me.
"Yeah, good point," I answered, shrugging. "How
did you get here? Don't you have a rental car?"
"Shit! Yeah, I left it in town and hiked here," Dallas
said, then burst out laughing. We all turned to stare at him
then. After several moments he still hadn't stopped
laughing and I started to worry. Dean and I exchanged a
look that pretty much said it all. Did we just bring someone
into the pack who was totally nuts? "I'm sorry, I just can't
get over all of this. I'm a fucking werewolf now living with
five gay werewolves."
"What does it matter that we're gay?" Dean
growled.
"It doesn't, not really," Dallas replied between bouts
of laughter. "It just sounds like a bad comedy. A straight
guy living with five gay men, and oh wait, they're all
werewolves."
"Are you having a breakdown, Dallas?" Ryder
asked, glancing back at me. "I mean I guess I could
understand that with everything that's happened. You've
been pretty calm until now about all this."
"Maybe. I don't know," he answered, wiping his
eyes. "I've just never been sent to avenge someone who's
still alive and a fucking werewolf bit me, then fucked me. I'm not gay and even if I were, I doubt I'd
ever be the
bottom."
"Just breathe, Dallas," Ethan said gently. I actually
started to feel bad for the guy. When you put it like that,
yeah, I think I'd be freaking out too. Dallas pushed back his
chair and tucked his head between his knees. I stood up,
walked around the table, and kneeled next to his chair. "One thing at a time, okay?" I whispered as I
rubbed his back. He nodded as he took several deep
breaths. After a few minutes he finally moved to sit back
up. "Better now?"
"Yeah, thanks," he answered softly. "Sorry about
that. I think everything just hit me at once."
"I get how that goes," I chuckled, sitting back on
my heels. "Look, I don't want to be an asshole here, but
I'm—"
"Going to follow me back to Rapid City." Dallas
finished for me. "I get it, Spencer. You don't know me and
you can't risk me running off. Besides, how would I get

back after dropping off my rental car?"
"That's what I was thinking," I replied, glad he was
back to being logical and not freaking out. "Let's just finish
breakfast and we'll go, okay?"
"Yeah, thanks," he answered and I went back to my
seat.
"Well, I've got a big test Monday," Luc said, poking
at his food. "So is it cool if I just hang here and study?" "Of course, sweetheart," I replied, reaching
over to
take his hand. "You're in vet school, we all know that's not
easy. And it should be your first priority. You hang here
with Ethan while he does his thing, okay?"
"Dean and I can go check out the bunkhouse and
figure out what needs to be done," Ryder said brightly.
"Well, he can figure it out and I'll take notes."
"So you're going to be my personal assistant?" Dean
asked, waggling his eyebrows at Ryder. That broke the
tension as everyone chuckled. Dallas joined in halfheartedly and I gave him props for trying but it
really didn't
ease the knot in my stomach. I knew time would tell but I
couldn't help feeling like the shit was still about to hit the
fan.

HAPTER

"What now, Spencer?" Max asked gruffly as he answered the phone. I had decided to bite the

bullet and call him while following Dallas to Rapid City.

"Now how do you know I'm not just calling to say hi?" I replied, grimacing at the anything-but-

warm reception.

"Because drama just follows you around like a puppy, my friend," he snickered. "Anyone else try

to kill you lately?"

"Yes actually." I sighed, almost relieved that he'd hit it right on the head. "The same guy who sent

the bomb hired someone to take care of all of us last night."

"Fuck! This needs to get handled now, Spencer," He growled into the phone. "Someone who's got

this big of a hard on for you will keep snooping and find out things we don't want people to know."

"Yeah, I wasn't really expecting this next move after I went to New York and ousted him as CEO

of my company." When I said it out loud like that it seemed naive to my own ears. My bad.
"I don't know why the hell not. You didn't think he'd want some type of revenge?" The annoyance in
his voice was as apparent as him smacking me upside the head.

"I was kinda thinking the threat of jail would keep him at bay, Max," I answered, suddenly tired. I

understood his point, but it wasn't like I hadn't mulled over the possibilities in my head. I just didn't
have a crystal fucking ball to see all the possible outcomes.

"You have, at best, some circumstantial evidence, Spencer," Max sighed. "He's not stupid if he's

been running your company all these years. I'm assuming you're calling to ask for us to handle him?"

"What? No!" I exclaimed, shocked at how easily the idea came to Max to take Payton out. "I

called because the guy he sent to kill us thought he was avenging Ethan's murder. I wasn't thinking,
Max. When I saw the gun I freaked out. I knocked it away and bit the guy."
"So you need help with disposal?"

I rolled my eyes. Disposal? That was one way to ask if I had a body here. But then again, we

were on cell phones and had to be careful. "No, after we got the story and figured out Dallas had been
tricked I couldn't let him die," I answered, knowing I was about to get in trouble.
"Not how I'd handle it but I'll inform the council,"

Max chuckled. "Nothing's ever easy with you is it?" "Afraid not," I snickered, feeling the tension

leave
my shoulders. "How much trouble will I be in?" "Honestly? Probably not any, it was an emergency
situation. But we need to talk about this Payton guy and
handle him, Spencer. You're already way too high profile to
be one of us and that was the council's first concern when
we learned of you."
"What did you have in mind before… you know?" I
hinted, not wanting to outright say it over the phone. "I was thinking the good doc needs to take his
psychiatrist friend and write up some reports of Payton
cracking up. If we fake a good basis of him needing help
and then scare him, he'll sound like a lunatic who needs to
be locked up."
"Oh, I could get behind that." I laughed, loving the
visual of Greg Payton in a room with padded walls. "I think
that's perfect after all the crazy he's added to our lives.
What do you need from me?"
"Well to be fair, it's not right for my pack to put up
the cash for this," Max said sheepishly.
"Yeah, Max, don't ever worry about money with
me, okay?" I snorted, then realized this might be a point of
pride with the Alpha. "It's only right I cover it and
something for your time. Oh, did the good doc get the
present we sent for his daughter's baby?"
"Yes he did and I know he was quite grateful," Max
answered, sounding himself again. "She had a healthy baby boy who now has enough clothes and toys
to last him until
he's at least two."
"Yeah, Ryder might have gone a little overboard.
We might need to talk about that topic later on. I think
Ryder would like a baby of our own, or a dozen." "That man of yours is a riot," Max chuckled. "Okay,
we'll send you a bill for how much we put out for this
Payton thing and I'll let you know what the council says
about the new addition to your pack."
"Thanks, Max," I replied as we said our good-byes
and hung up. I started to feel much better after talking with
the Alpha. Maybe, just maybe we weren't as screwed as I'd
originally thought.

* * * *

Dallas and I handled everything we needed to do quickly. Even stopping to do some fast shopping

and get Dallas some extra things he'd need. I also stopped and picked up some presents for my men,
feeling they deserved something to smile about. On the way back, I'd called Ethan and helped him
arrange for his apartment to be packed up and get out of his lease. So it really seemed that we were
wrapping up all the loose ends.

"I appreciate you coming with me, Spencer," Dallas said quietly as we turned back onto the road

our house was on. "I know we very much got off on the wrong foot, but it was nice having someone
else there so I didn't freak out again. That and you don't push, you've let me just be and process
today."

"I meant what I said about wanting us to be a family, Dallas," I replied, pulling into our long

driveway. "We've all had big adjustments to make to fit into this life and learn how to deal with being
a werewolf. I know how it is to go through it alone and that's not what I'd ever want for anyone else. I
just ask you remember that we're on the same side here, okay?"

"I think that's very fair," he answered, getting out of the car when I stopped. I did the same,

smiling at the scene unfolding on the front lawn.

"All I asked you to do was throw the clothes in the dryer and start a new load in the washer, Luc,"

Ryder grumbled as he squared his shoulders and pushed his index finger into Luc's chest. "I mean
really, is that too much to ask? I do all the cooking, cleaning, and laundry around here. I'm not your
goddamn maid!"

"I said I was sorry," Luc growled, smacking his hand away. "But if it was so fucking important,

you shouldn't have pushed it off onto me. I told you I've got a big test on Monday. I pick up after
myself all the time. And you like cooking, so don't pull that shit with me."

"Oh yeah, so those wet towels that smell of your scent are whose then?" My baby took his normal

pose when he was getting defensive. His arms were crossed over his chest with his hip jutting out,
showing attitude.
"That was twice, Ryder, get over it!"
"Bullshit, I just picked some up this morning,"

Ryder yelled, his face turning bright red.

"No, you don't want to get in the middle of them," I
hissed to Dallas as I grabbed his arm. "You'll appreciate the
show, believe me."
"What are you talking about? It looks like they're
about to start throwing punches," he replied, looking at me
as if I'd lost my mind.
"The only reason I forgot about the towel is I
thought Ethan was getting sick again," Luc shouted,
throwing his hands up in the air. "You got to it before I
could go back. Isn't there like a ten minute rule? I've got
that long to clean up after myself and if you interfere before
that you can't bitch at me about it?"
"Don't call me a bitch, I'm just as much of a man as
you are!" Ryder answered, shoving Luc.
"I didn't say you were a bitch, I said you were
bitching at me," Luc replied, pushing him right back. And

then it happened. Luc grabbed Ryder by the shirt forcefully and yanked him against himself. Mashing
his lips down on Ryder's, he grabbed our baby's firm ass. "God, you're so
fucking hot when you're pissed."
"You just like making me mad so I pay more
attention to you," Ryder growled, ripping Luc's shirt off of
him. "How can I fight with you when I see you getting
hard?"
"I'm not the only one who's fucking turned on," Luc
answered, cupping Ryder's groin and squeezing. Ryder
threw back his head with his long glowing blond hair and
moaned as Luc got his jeans off and he kept playing. "See,
you want it just as much as I do."
"I'm not denying that." Ryder groaned, yanking off
Luc's jeans as they quickly got each other undressed.
"You're so fucking gorgeous."
"I need in your hot little ass now, Ryder," Luc
begged, falling back on the grass as he pulled Ryder down
on top of him. "Ride me, baby. I want to see you fuck
yourself on my hard cock."
"We don't have any lube," Ryder whined as he lifted
his head to look around. I laughed as I pulled out the small
tube I had in the pocket of my jeans. I'd learned early in our
relationship that with the men I loved, I always needed to
be ready. As I tossed it over, Ryder smiled widely at me as
he caught it. I gave him a wink, knowing I'd more than
collect my reward in a little while.
"Oh fuck, you're wearing a plug," Luc moaned as he
reached back to play with Ryder's ass. "You like wearing
that all the time, don't you?"
"My cavemen can't keep their hands off of me,"
Ryder giggled as he squirted some lube on Luc's cock.
"Now pull it out so I can replace it with your hard dick
instead."
"Gladly," Luc purred, yanking the purple plug out.
Watching my two gorgeous men and not joining in was
killing me. I pushed the heel of my hand down into my
erection to try to get some control over myself.
"See, I told you it would work out," I said to Dallas,
my voice rough with desire. "This is their idea of foreplay
sometimes."
"It's an interesting idea," he replied, seeming to be
just as affected as me. He cleared his throat and let out a
moan as Ryder lowered his hips down on Luc fast, taking
every inch of his cock inside at once. "Am I going to be
seeing this a lot living here?"

"Yeah, we don't really care so much where we have
sex." I glanced over to see Dallas adjust his dick in his
pants. He needed to get used to it or admit who he was so
maybe he wouldn't always be on the outside of our family. "Oh fuck, Ryder, you feel like heaven,"
Luc cried out, grabbing Ryder's hips and helping him along. I realized they were both so into what
they were doing it wouldn't be
long until they both came.
"The best part is joining in." I smirked at Dallas
before walking over towards my men. They were so
distracted, neither paid me any attention until I unzipped
my fly. Pulling out my hard cock, I held it up to Ryder's
lips. "I decided you guys got me hard, you can fix it." "You want me to suck that gorgeous dick of
yours?"
Ryder panted, faking surprise and giving me big green
eyes. "I'm a little busy here, Spence."
"You can multi-task, baby," I purred, pushing my
cock into his open mouth. I moaned loudly at the feeling of
his lips wrapped around me as Ryder sucked me hard. I'd
made sure I approached them on the far side, so Dallas
could see exactly what we were doing without blocking his
view. Giving him a wink when I saw he was rubbing his
own erection in his pants, he blushed but didn't turn away.
"Take more of me, Ryder. I want my cock all the way
down that pretty throat."
Ryder moaned, glancing up at me and smiling
around my dick. I watched in awe as he took me all the way
down while he bounced around on Luc's cock. Running my
fingers through his hair, I kept myself in check and didn't
thrust into his mouth.
"I'm gonna come, I'm so close," Luc cried out,
grabbing Ryder's dick and stroking in time with his hips
thrusting up. "Fuck Ryder, suck that cock!"
"Come for me, Luc," I said firmly, knowing it
thrilled him to be ordered around sometimes. His eyes went
wide as his mouth fell open. Ryder cried out around my
dick as he shot ropes of pearly white cum all over Luc's
toned chest. "That's it, I want to see my men come." "Fuck!" Luc screamed as he stiffened up, thrusting
hard into Ryder as his orgasm hit him. Ryder never stopped
his attention on me as they both rode their climaxes. Luc
had barely caught his breath as he was sitting up, still in
Ryder. "I want some of that cock too."
"By all means," I chuckled. Ryder pulled off of me,
sucking the right side of my dick as Luc took the left. It
was fucking hot to know he still had his cock in Ryder and
they were both focusing on me. I knew it was a shit thing to

do, but I didn't care, I wanted Dallas to admit who he really
was. Holding my men's heads to me, I stared at the large
man leaning against our SUV. His eyes met mine and I
knew how badly he wished it were him they were sucking
on.
Ryder ran his tongue over the slit of my dick as Luc
tugged on my sac. That was all it took to throw me over the
edge. I cried out as they both moved with open mouths to catch as much of my seed that they could. It
was such an erotic sight, I swear I think I came all over again. As soon as I was done, my knees
finally gave out and I sank to the ground. Luc and Ryder didn't stop, making sure they had
licked every drop.
"I love you both so much," I whispered, pulling
them both up and into my arms. The angle must have been
awkward because Luc moved to pull out of Ryder before
turning into my embrace. Even though we'd just had fun,
after talking with Max I was still a little raw about what our
future held. "You make every day worth living and I'd die
inside if you ever left me."
"Hey now, why so serious after we were just all hot
and kinky?" Ryder asked, reaching up to cup my cheek
with his hand. "What happened, Spence?"
"Sorry, I talked with Max and then came home to
this," I whispered giving his hand a kiss. "I think I just got
a little overwhelmed with everything going on and what I
had on the line if things don't go right with our new
member. We could have been in deep shit if Max wasn't
our friend. We should have gotten approval from the
council before turning Dallas."
"I'll do whatever you need me to do not to hurt your
family or your standing with the council," Dallas said
gently. For a moment I'd forgotten he was there and could hear me. "If you need me to take out Payton,
I'll gladly do
it. I'm not happy about him tricking me."
"No. Max, the Alpha we know back in New York,
is taking care of it," I replied, tilting my neck to look up at
him. "Just always remember that while it was never my
goal to kill you, you were the one who showed up here to
kill us. Our pack has given you a second chance with us
and your own life, don't ever make us regret that." "I'll do my best, that's all I can promise." Dallas
nodded and then turned towards the house, leaving us
alone.
"What is Max going to do to Payton?" Luc asked as
we separated and got dressed.
"Doc is going to work with one of his shrink friends
to build a history of mental instability," I explained as I

tucked myself in my pants and zipped up my fly. "Then
they're going to give him a scare. When he starts screaming
that werewolves are real, he'll end up in the loony bin." "I like Max," Ryder giggled, kissing me
quickly
after we stood up. "So we're not in trouble?"
"Not from him or the council, yet," I answered,
wishing I could set their minds at ease. But I wasn't going
to lie to them when there was potential trouble around the
corner.
"Speaking of shrinks," Ryder said softly, looking anywhere but at us. "I called that doctor Molly
recommended to us and made an appointment for
tomorrow."
"Do you want me to go with you, baby?" I asked,
trying to hide how thrilled I was that he was going to get
help for the issues I knew still gave him nightmares. "I'm
proud of you for doing this."
"Well I thought about the fact we're really going to
open a safe haven for teens who need help," Ryder
explained as we walked towards the house. "And I realized
I might not be able to help them as much as I can if I'm still
struggling with my own shit. So I know it's not going to be
all better after a few sessions, but I feel this is the best
step."
"We'll be here for you every step of the way, no
matter what you need, Ryder," Luc said firmly, pulling
Ryder into a bear hug. I joined in, wrapping my arms
around both of them. "I think after what we've all been
through we might want to go through some form of
counseling."
"You mean that?" Ryder gasped, staring up at him. "Yeah, I really do," Luc answered, giving him a
soft
kiss. "We all have our issues, Ryder. I think you being the
first to get help means you're the strongest of all of us." "I agree, baby." I added, thinking about what
Luc had just said. It was actually a good idea. If I had gone and talked to someone years ago, I might
not have almost lost the men I loved by keeping my past a secret. "It might even be something we
should bring up to Max or the council. I mean there's probably a shrink who's a wolf, and who better
to talk to than someone who understands the issues that
come with being a werewolf?"
"Or we can just turn one of our own," Ryder
snickered. While I knew he was kidding, the idea of adding
onto our family again made me shiver. Right now there
were enough of us in one pack who were new and enough
men in our bed.
"Yeah, not so much, Ryder," Luc replied, shaking
his head. "We just added Ethan and Dallas. Let's take a few

months at least, I mean Dean's not even been with us long
enough for his second lunar cycle."
"I agree wholeheartedly," I chuckled as we walked
into the house.
"Oh fuck, Ethan," Dean moaned loudly from the
living room. Exchanging a glance with Ryder and Luc we
headed that way to investigate. "I'm coming, little man.
You have to stop now or swallow my load."
Dean sat on the far couch, spread out as Ethan knelt
between his legs, head bobbing up and down. Just as we
stepped into the room, Dean roared out his release and held Ethan's head to him. I gasped at the sight
of Ethan swallowing Dean's massive cock all the way down. The man had to be at least ten or eleven
inches fully hard. How the fuck could someone as tiny as Ethan get that all the way
down his throat and not choke?
"Shit! He sucks cock better than I do," Ryder
whispered in awe, moving closer to get a better look. Luc
and I followed in a daze.
"Definitely doesn't taste like chicken," Ethan
giggled as he licked Dean clean. "I really have missed
giving head."
"Baby, you can blow me anytime you want with
that talented little mouth." Dean snorted, still trying to
catch his breath. "That was maybe the most amazing oral
sex I've ever had. But now it's time to take care of you." "I told you I really, really like giving head
right?"
Ethan asked as Dean pulled him up in his lap, not looking
at Dean. "Well, I kind of finished when you did." "Oh fuck that's hot," I purred, pulling Ryder in front
of me so I could rub my growing erection against his ass.
"You come from giving others head?"
"Yeah, sorry," Ethan whispered, burying his face in
Dean's neck. "I don't mean to, I just really get into it." "Don't ever be sorry for that," Dean replied,
moving
Ethan's hand to his groin. "I think you just got everyone in
the room hard, including me again already."
"Really?" Ethan asked, sitting up on Dean's lap to
look between all of us. We all nodded adamantly at him.
"My ex-boyfriend told me that I was fucked up in the head
if I came from giving pleasure."
"Asshole," Dean growled as Luc gasped next to us.
"There's nothing wrong with that, Ethan. Not a goddamn
thing wrong with enjoying the fact that you're pleasing your
partner. I personally think it's one of the hottest, sexiest
things I've ever heard."
"I agree, Ethan," I said, sitting down next to Dean
and pulling Ryder onto my lap. Luc sat down on the other

side of Dean. "It shows how much you love to make others
happy and care about them. That doesn't make you fucked
up in the head by any means."
"I'm so glad I came here, even if it was for the
wrong reasons originally," Ethan replied, his eyes filling up
with tears. "You guys don't treat me like a freak, or some
fragile girl because I'm small and built like one. You don't
try to dominate me or push me around, I've never had that
before."
"What else did this ex-boyfriend do to you, Ethan?"
Dallas asked, joining us in the room. I felt myself stiffen,
and Ryder and Dean did as well. What was Dallas getting
at? "I'm not trying to be an asshole here, but I know someone who's been abused when I see him. And
you guys all told me that you're always honest with each other, so I
think they need to know, Ethan."
I just stared at Dallas for several moments while the
room got so quiet that even a non-werewolf could've heard
a pin drop. Dean and I exchanged a look of wonderment as
to how Dallas got that out of Ethan. It was like he'd heard
us because before we could even ask, he explained. "I spent a lot of time watching marks and learning
how to read people in my line of work," Dallas stated,
looking right at us. "Plus, without going into detail because
it's not something I ever, ever talk about, I was raised in
foster care. So I know when someone's been abused and
raped."
"Ethan?" Dean whispered as Ethan started shaking
in his arms. Instead of answering right away, Ethan buried
his face back in Dean's neck and started crying. I glanced
over at Dallas who didn't look vindicated or evil for
bringing this up, he genuinely looked concerned. But I also
caught the sorrow on Luc and Dean's faces as Ryder turned
in my lap and hugged me tightly. We'd been so busy with
saving Ethan's life, could we totally have missed the horror
his life had been?

HAPTER

"You don't have to tell us right now, Ethan," Dean said gently. I saw the look he gave Dallas. Not

a mean look, but one that clearly said back off. Dallas nodded and held up his hands in surrender. "It
won't matter to us or change how we feel about you, but Dallas is right. We do need to know at some
point what's happened."

"I might as well just tell you now instead of bringing it all up again later," Ethan replied, taking

several deep breaths. "My ex-boyfriend used to pass me around to his friends."

"What's his name?" Dean growled, and I put my hand on his arm to try and help calm him down.

He ground his jaw, but was able to keep his voice even. "I'm sorry, Ethan. Go ahead and tell us."

"No, I appreciate you care," Ethan said softly. "I think he could tell I'd been raped in the past and

figured since I'd been through that, what did it matter if others used me?"

"That's horrible, Ethan." Ryder sniffled, rubbing Ethan's back. "It should have been the opposite if

he cared about you. We'd never take advantage of your past like that."

"I know that, but it took me a while to understand that wanting me in bed isn't the same as

someone caring about me," Ethan admitted, turning his head to look at Ryder as he gave a weak smile.
"I was raped by a couple of guys on the soccer team in high school. They found me in the library with
my head in a book after their practice. They said if I looked like a girl, they'd fuck me like one."

"Oh, Ethan," Dean gasped, holding him even tighter as he peppered the smaller man's face with

kisses. "You're small, but you're not a girl. I've felt what you're packing down there and it ain't no
vagina!"

"No, definitely don't have one of those," Ethan snickered, kissing Dean's lips before lying back

down on his chest. "I met my ex in college and he seemed sweet, like he wanted to protect me. At first
things were great, even though he was in the closet and hid me from his frat brothers. He called me
one night, drunk, and asked me to come over to their house. I was all excited that I'd finally get to see
where he lived and maybe he was admitting who he really was to his brothers."

"But that's not what happened, was it?" Luc asked gently, staring at me across Dean as he shook

his head.
"No, I wasn't even close," Ethan whispered so quietly we'd never have heard him if we weren't
werewolves. "There were ten of them hanging out, playing pool in the common room and completely
drunk. Tim got all excited when I got there, introducing me to everyone as his bitch. I got pissed,
yelled at him, and tried to leave. But the next thing I knew he backhanded me while everyone laughed
and watched.
"Tim lied to all of them, saying he wasn't gay but a hole was a hole to him. And that I had begged to
suck him off one day, that he'd drunkenly agreed. That's not what happened! We'd met in an accounting
class my freshman year and he asked me out after a study session. We had been dating for over a year
and a half when he called me there that night. I thought he loved me. And just for the record, he was
the one addicted and begging to suck my dick."
The way Ethan said that last part would have been amusing if the situation wasn't so serious. He
seemed more pissed off that his ex had lied about Ethan to his frat brothers than actually being raped.
"So yeah, they all took turns with me that night," Ethan said, his voice going soft again. "After it was
over they warned me that they had powerful parents and no one would ever believe a little girly fag
that a bunch of popular fraternity brothers raped me. Then they just left me there in the common room.
I was in so much pain and they had destroyed my clothes. I ended up walking back to my dorm in the
middle of the night in a blanket I found in one of the rooms."
"You never told anyone?" Dean asked, and I saw the tears escaping his eyes.
"No, not until now. I never told my family or friends," Ethan admitted sheepishly. "The rest of my
sophomore year was hell. Tim would show up with one or two of his friends and if the caught me
outside of my room they'd use me again. I spent most of the year hiding in my room until they
graduated. I didn't date again until a couple years after college, but mostly just one night stands
because getting involved with anyone scared me."
"We won't let anyone ever hurt you again, Ethan," Dean whispered as he got off the couch with the
little man in his arms. "Let me show you what making love is really all about."
"I'd like that," he answered, smiling up at Dean. "But I hope you get why anything more than one on
one for a while will scare me."

"That's understandable, Ethan," I said as we all stood up as well. I leaned in and gave him a quick
kiss. "You always have the power to say no and we'll all respect that. Just because you're involved
with all of us doesn't mean we have access to you whenever we want. Each of us is our own person."
"I know, and that's why I love being here with you guys already," he replied. I watched Dean carry
Ethan out of the living room, whispering in his ear. It was nice to see Ethan giggle and look at Dean
with lust after what he'd just told us, but I couldn't squelch the anger I felt surging within me. Without
a word I stormed out of the house and to the barn. We were still working on part of it away from the
horses.
I wasn't in work clothes, nor did I really have the idea of being productive spurring me on. Pure rage
guided me. Picking up the crowbar I started attacking the warped boards on the side of the barn away
from the house. Once I had them off, I flung them away as hard as I could.
"What's going on with you, Spencer?" Dallas asked, and I realized he'd followed me out and had been
watching my temper flare. "You're not pissed at Ethan, I know that."
"How can you be so calm after what he just told us?" I shouted before reaching for another board.
"You know he came to us dying of cancer and Payton had threatened him into thinking he had to kill
me. I mean how much fucking shit can one person handle?"
"You're right, it's not fair that Ethan's had to go through all of this."
"Fuck fair." I snorted, throwing the board I'd just pulled off. "I'm talking about a breaking point, a
limit as to how much one person should ever have to handle. I mean, fuck, he's only what, twenty-
five? And he's had all that happen to him already? That's not right."
"No, it's not, but look at the man he is after everything he's overcome. I think that's the miracle to
focus on," Dallas replied taking a step closer to me. "I'm not saying I'm a man of faith, but I have seen
the miracle of the human spirit."
"You know, for someone who's supposedly so bad with people, you were able to see that Ethan had
been abused when we didn't."
"Is that what this is? Are you feeling guilt for not having seen it?" He asked, eyeing me. "Be grateful
for that, Spencer. The reason I saw it is people who've been abused can see it in others."
"I'm not sure if it's guilt, but I fucking know—" I stopped speaking as his words sank in. I spun around
and looked at him, feeling my anger slip away. "Are you saying what I think you're saying, Dallas?"
"Probably, but that doesn't mean we're ever going to talk about it, you feel me?" He answered, and I
could almost see the protective walls coming down around his mind.
"I get it. I'm sorry it happened," I said. Dallas gave me a nod and went to leave, but stopped when I
called out to him. He looked at me over his shoulder as I tried to think of how to word what I wanted
to say. "Thank you, Dallas. You were right, that is something we needed to know about Ethan. What
you did helped our family today and that goes a long way with me."
"Like I said, I'm trying," he replied and walked away. Watching him leave, I wondered just how deep
Dallas's waters ran. Obviously there was a lot we didn't know about him, but it seemed he wasn't just
some heartless killer. Maybe being here with us would be what he'd always needed, if not wanted…
A family.
* * * *

"Dude, you are totally whistling the theme to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," Luc teased

Dean the next morning when he strolled into the kitchen.

"I know, but it's off to work I go," He snickered as he leaned over to give me a kiss. "Dallas

agreed to take the SUV and follow me to Lowe's here in Brookings to help me get supplies for the
bunkhouse. Are you ready to see the plans?"

"Yes, I'd love to," I answered, pulling him back down for another kiss. "And I love you."

"I love you too, Spencer," he replied, his face softening. "I never doubt that. I know we've been

through a lot and there's a lot going on, but I know how my men feel about me."

"Good, I just wanted to make sure," I said as he went over to the counter to retrieve the blueprints.

"Wow, you really don't fuck around, do you? You've got blueprints drawn up already?"

"Yup! I'm actually totally stoked to have a real construction project to work on," Dean said with a

wide smile. "I did want to talk to you about something without Ryder around."

"Oh?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I heard him say that he was bummed we wouldn't be done before the holidays to give some
kids a loving place to go," Dean told me as he sat down next to me and unfolded the plans. "But with
some help and the right tools, I can totally get this done by the first week in November."
"Dean, that's like three weeks away," Luc said, walking over to look at the plans over my shoulder.
"Is there that little that needs to be done?"
"No, there's a lot that needs to be done," Dean chuckled as he pointed out the extension he'd drawn in.
"But look how fast we did the renovations to this place. I mean, we're so much faster and stronger,
and can work longer than normal humans can. I've got another strong back to help me with Dallas. I
think it's really possible."
"Do whatever you need to do, babe," I said, smiling at his obvious excitement. "I've got a lot I need to
do with the new structure of Fallon Industries, including having some people fly out here for
interviews, but I'll make time to help."
"Help with what?" Ryder asked as he came into the kitchen. I looked up at him, wondering how much
he'd heard with his hearing being even better than all of ours. But then I saw he was taking his
earphones off and had been listening to his iPod.
"Converting the bunkhouse," I answered honestly, leaving out Dean's hopes of getting it done in three
weeks. "Dallas is going to help Dean get the building supplies today."
"Make sure I get the receipts," Ethan said as he and Dallas came into the kitchen. "I've printed out the
paperwork needed for starting a charity organization. Spencer, I'll tag where you need to sign and
what I need to set up the account. But I'll also need a name for the charity."
"Oh, I didn't think of that," Ryder replied, looking at me. "I have no idea what to call it."
"Well you don't have to think of one this second, but I do need it before sending the paperwork in,"
Ethan said as he grabbed some coffee.
"Whatever you want to name it, Ryder." I shrugged, studying the plans in front of me. "It was your
idea in the first place."
"Okay," Ryder said quietly. I looked up at him and he looked nervous at the idea.
"Or we can help you, baby," I stated, smiling at him. "I've got to get some work done, but I'll just be in
the office if anyone needs me."
"You're still coming to my appointment at three, right?" he asked, looking even more nervous. "If you
want to, that is."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," I answered giving him a quick kiss before heading to my office
with some fresh coffee.
I spent hours pouring over job applications for an additional assistant besides Payton's old assistant
Brandy. I'd decided to keep her on after I realized she wasn't a fan of Payton either. But I still needed
another one if I was going to make being the CEO from South Dakota work. I also had resumes and
personnel files from the existing VPs of the company and its subsidiaries who I was looking at
promoting to president of the different companies.

Luckily, I'd thought ahead and asked for the opinions of the different board members I trusted. It
helped me narrow down the inside applicants plus the ones who didn't work for Fallon industries.
Those I'd been sent from a private headhunter who worked solely with executives. I'd talked with
Brandy and informed her of the candidates I was sure I wanted to personally interview. We'd come
up with a block of time that all of them would have to fit into.
I wasn't a fan of the idea of interviewing potential president candidates for the eighteen subsidiaries
Fallon Industries owned at a hotel in Sioux Falls. But at the same time, it did give me a chance to
meet with them outside their normal comfort zone. Hopefully that would at least give me some insight
into who they were as people. It was around one in the afternoon when there was a knock at my office
door and I figured it was Ryder bringing me lunch to make sure I ate.
"Come in," I said, smiling at how much my baby always wanted to take care of me. He opened the
door, closing it behind him, and walked towards me. I raised an eyebrow at the way he wasn't
looking at me, then became completely confused when he reached out and handed me a small remote
control.
"I'm ready to service you, master," Ryder informed me and everything clicked into place. He wanted
to play my little sub again like we had on the plane ride to New York. I got hard instantly and had to
bite my lip to keep back the moan that was threatening to escape.
"I'm surprised you didn't bring your master lunch first, like a good sub," I said, trying to keep the lust
out of my voice.
"I thought my master would like the controller for the plug inside of his sub first," Ryder replied,
shaking with anticipation. "That way my master could punish his bad little sub while I made him
lunch. Does this not please you, master?"
"Oh, I think it's a wonderful idea, baby," I purred, reaching for him. I pulled him in between my legs
and licked the side of his neck. "Why does my little sub need to be punished?"
"My master normally eats lunch by now," Ryder moaned, tilting his head to give me better access.
"Your sub was very bad for being late and not taking care of you yet."
"Good point, baby. You're not to come no matter what until I say so, okay?"
"Yes, master," He hissed as I cupped his groin, squeezing gently. "I accept whatever punishment my
master feels is best."
"I want you to take off all your clothes, fold them up, and leave them on my desk while I watch,
Ryder," I ordered firmly, loving the shiver that went over Ryder.
"Yes, master," he replied, stepping away from me. I watched as he slowly pulled off his shirt and then
went to work on his pants. My cock twitched in my jeans as he turned around and pulled his running
pants down. I saw the butt plug I'd gotten him when he bent over to give me a better view. Ryder
stood back up as I did and I walked towards him while he toed off his shoes.
"Did you bring that cock and ball toy I got for you?"
"Actually, that was fun for once, but is it okay if we don't play with it often?" he asked me, breaking
character for the moment. "I like some pain with my sex, but that hurt me to the point I felt it the next
day."
"Fuck, baby! I'm so sorry, I didn't know that," I said, pulling him into my arms. "I would never hurt
you, I swear."
"I know that, Spence," He giggled as he cupped my face in his hands. "We tried it and it was fun, but I
didn't like it. And you made me promise to tell you if I didn't like something."
"I'm glad you did, my love," I whispered in his ear as I held him tightly. "We'll throw it away, I can't
have anything hurting my baby's perfect cock."

"Yes, master," Ryder replied with a smile, getting back into character. I smacked his ass hard and he
moaned, shivering in my arms.
"Now I want you to make me lunch naked while I toy with your pretty, tight ass," I said, nudging him
towards the door. That got me another shiver from Ryder. I made sure to walk behind him as we made
our way to the kitchen. He knew I was watching his ass because he put a little extra sway in his hips.
"Would my master like a roast beef sandwich?" he asked, ignoring the looks we got from Dean,
Dallas, Ethan, and Luc.
"Yes, that would please me, baby," I answered, smirking at Dean, who smiled widely. "We tried a
new game on the plane and it seems Ryder liked it so much he wants to play again. He's been a bad
little sub who's getting punished while making me lunch."
"And what's his punishment?" Dean asked, glancing back at Ryder with lust in his eyes.
"He's wearing a wireless vibrating butt plug that I have the remote to." I twirled the controller in my
fingers. "He's got to endure it during lunch and can't come until I tell him it's okay."
"Interesting game," Luc chuckled as I saw Dallas swallow and adjust the way he was sitting.
"Yes, yes it is," I said, turning on the toy to the second setting. Ryder gasped and reached out to hold
onto the counter before moaning. It took him a moment to recover, and then he went about getting
ingredients for my lunch. "Is this a time when others can play with us, baby? Or do you want to keep it
at just us?"
"As long as my master is happy, I'm happy," he answered, giving me a wink.
"Are you teasing me, Ryder?" I asked, loving the idea of all of us spanking him.
"No, never, master." Ryder stood there trying to look innocent. I raised an eyebrow at him and turned
up the plug. He groaned, but kept working on my meal.
"I think you might just have to feed me while I spank you as part of your punishment, Ryder." I
informed him, acting as if it was up for debate.
"As my master wishes." He giggled and I flipped the lever on the remote to the next level. Ryder
gasped and I moved around the island counter to see what it was doing to him. As he put mayo on the
bread, his hips kept inadvertently thrusting forward. It was hot, but made me want to laugh at the same
time. I didn't know how the hell he was still focusing on making me food.
"Oh fuck!" Luc gasped, and I turned to look at him. His head was back on his shoulders with his eyes
closed. Not sure what was going on, I glanced at Dean.
"Ethan got hungry too it seems," Dean snickered as he pointed under the table. "I think it's Luc's turn to
feel his sweet mouth."
"I told you I had months of pent-up sexual tension after not being able to get hard for so long," Ethan
replied from under the table and then Luc moaned, so I assumed he went back to licking his lunch.
"Stop working, Ryder," I commanded and he froze immediately. Moving up behind him I leaned over
and gently bit his neck where it met his shoulder. Then I stepped away and pulled him with me. When
we were in position I moved so his back faced where everyone sat at the table. "Bend over and put
your hands on the floor."
"Yes, master," Ryder moaned, doing as I asked. I knew changing the angle of his body would have the
plug vibrating against his sweet spot. It also gave Dean and Dallas a perfect view of his tight ass and
pretty stretched out hole with the toy in it. Kneeling down next to him I reached out and massaged the
firm globes in front of me.
"Do you like this, baby?"
"Yes, very much master," He panted as his cock started to leak pre-cum. I drew back my hand and
spanked him hard.

"I like what Ethan's doing under the table to Luc, baby."
"I would gladly suck my master's cock if he wishes," he replied and I saw the smile on his face.
"Then I would ride that cock until he came."
"You so could never be a real submissive, Ryder," Dean snickered and I wholeheartedly agreed. "But
I do like that toy Spence got for you."
"Doesn't it look good in his sweet hole?" I purred, smacking Ryder's ass several more times. Then I
rubbed in the marks I made, feeling that my wolf really liked seeing us mark our man. "I love the way
my hand print looks on you, baby."
"Then please give me more, master," Ryder moaned, pushing his ass out. "Spank the plug in me, I love
my hole to be smacked."
"I didn't ask you what you liked, sub," I growled playfully, slapping him several times on each cheek.
"I'm sorry, master. I should be severely punished," he replied. I rolled my eyes. Yeah, he would make
a great sub, bossing around his Dom in a passive aggressive way.
"Go back to making my lunch, Ryder," I chuckled, smacking his ass again as he stood up. His very
hard cock slapped against his stomach as he moved, teasing everyone in the room.
"Actually, that reminds me. I told Ethan that Ryder would probably talk him into waxing his groin,"
Dean informed me, looking at me with a shit eating grin.
"Yeah, there are some places hot wax should never go." Dallas snorted, shaking his head. "I did
wonder yesterday why both Luc and Ryder were smooth down there."
"I remember thinking the same thing when Ryder first told me," I replied, trying not to laugh at the
amount of moaning in the room. Ryder was enjoying the plug while Luc was going wild at the blow
job he was getting. "The first time sucks, but after that he does it every couple of weeks and it's like
neating up. It's not that bad, feels amazing, and Ryder kisses it to make it all better."
"Oh fuck, Ethan, I'm gonna come," Luc cried out, grasping the edge of the table until his knuckles
turned white. He shouted out his release and I decided to be a little evil and turned up the vibrations
in Ryder's toy.
"Shit!" Ryder hissed, dropping the cheese back on the counter and hanging on. "I fucking love this
toy."
"Such a good little sub," Dean cooed, his sarcasm coming through loud and clear.
"That was awesome, Ethan," Luc groaned, melting into his chair.
"Glad you liked it, I know I did," Ethan giggled as he crawled out from under the table. I could see the
wet spot from his own release in the front of his sweats. "Next?"
"You can do that again right away?" Luc asked, eyes wide with shock. "Don't you get lock jaw?"
"It's a risk I'm willing to take," he answered, batting his eyelashes playfully.
"Ethan, you don't have to blow everyone in the room. It's not expected of you, sweetheart," Dean said
gently, reaching out for the smaller man.
"I know, I want to," Ethan replied, throwing his arms around Dean's neck and giving him a loud kiss.
"I told you, I love sucking cock."
Dallas groaned then and we all turned to look at him. "It's constant sex around here. I'm going to go
work on the barn."
"Guess he's not getting in line for head," Ethan said quietly after Dallas had stormed out of the house.
"I didn't mean to upset him."
"It's not you, Ethan," Luc stated, coming back from his orgasmic bliss. "As soon as he mans up and
comes out of the closet, Dallas will be a much happier person. He was fucking hard as a rock when
he walked out of here. The only person he's fooling is himself."

"You're lunch is ready, master," Ryder panted as he carried the sandwich over to me. I smiled and
went to take a seat at the table as I pulled him after me.
"You've been very good with your punishment, baby. Would you like some relief now?" I asked,
pulling him down to straddle my lap. "Maybe Luc would like to play with you while I eat?"
"Yes, please, master," Ryder whimpered, rubbing his cock against mine, which strained beneath my
jeans. "I'm dying here, Spence. Someone please just touch me and take the edge off. I'll be ready for
you to spank again and fuck when you're done eating."
"Well I can do that," I chuckled, lifting him up to sit on the edge of the table. Taking his cock in my
right hand as I picked up my sandwich in my left, I started stroking him. "You may come whenever
you're ready, baby."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Ryder chanted as he moved his hips up in time with my strokes. He
leaned back and placed his hands on the table behind him. His face was flushed as he bit down on his
bottom lip. It was one of those times I wished I had a camera ready to capture how amazing he
looked. I took a bite of my sandwich then put it back down so I could reach over and squeeze his sac.
"Come for me, Ryder," I whispered, knowing he loved when I ordered him to find his release. He
threw back his head and screamed as cum shot out of his cock all over his stomach and chest. Ryder's
orgasm was so hard that he actually hit his own chin with his seed.
"I love you," he cried out as another wave of his climax hit him. I watched in awe, wondering if
everyone in love thought their partner was so beautiful when they came. When he finally was spent,
he flopped back onto the table as little aftershocks shook him. "I'm not moving for days."
"You're naked, sprawled over the kitchen table with cum all over you." Luc laughed as he got up and
went to the sink.
"Fuck it," Ryder panted, waving at Luc like it didn't matter. I chuckled as I picked up my sandwich
and started chowing down. He twitched a few more times and I realized the toy was still on.
"Want me to turn it off, baby?" I asked in between bites of my food.
"I'm pretty much numb right now, didn't realize it was still going," Ryder giggled, turning his head to
look at me. "We really know how to have some fun, don't we?"
"I'm having an excellent time," Dean groaned, drawing our attention. I saw Ethan wasn't on his lap
anymore and glanced under the table. Sure enough, he was having his way with Dean's huge cock.
"Yeah, we know how to party right," I chuckled giving Ryder a wink.

HAPTER

The next week flew by as everyone had projects to keep them busy. Luc had aced the exam he was

so worried about, as I knew my brilliant man would. Dallas was helping Dean convert the bunkhouse.
Ethan was setting everything up for the charity, which Ryder had named No Longer Kicked Out.
Everyone agreed it was a fun name that teens wouldn't find threatening.

Ryder finally got the results from his own tests and had passed with flying colors, earning his

GED. We were all so proud of him. To get kicked out when he was sixteen, miss that much high
school, and learn the rest enough to get his GED in a few months was beyond impressive. He was
dedicated to his education since the moment we signed him up.

Since we had extra strength, speed, and endurance, Ryder always used those to his advantage

when taking care of most of the household chores. It wasn't his job, nor did we push things off on him
—Ryder genuinely liked taking care of everyone. But none of us missed how often he was studying
while waiting for the next load of laundry to finish or while dinner was in the oven. He'd earned his

diploma and it went a long way to helping his self-esteem.

After all that time with his head in a book during his free time, we'd decided to get him something

completely fun. We'd learned that since Ryder had brushed up on his skills, he loved reading and
went through books like candy.

"You got me a Kindle Fire?" Ryder gasped after he tore off the wrapping paper of the box. I felt a

couple of tears burn in my eyes as my baby picked up the box as if it was the Holy Grail itself. He
hugged it to his chest and looked at all of us with a big smile and tears streaming down his face. "But
I already have a laptop."

"We know, but that you use for your studies," I said, moving over towards him. "This is for fun

and you can use it as an e-reader."

"Thank you," he whispered as he started sniffling and shaking. In a flash, we all had our arms

wrapped around him. Everyone but Dallas got in on the group hug. "It's the nicest gift I've ever gotten.
And you got it before I got my test results and diploma. How did you know?"

"Because it's you, baby," I answered, kissing his temple as we all broke apart. "You don't do

anything halfassed, I don't think you know how. If you wanted to get your GED, we knew you would.
And we're all so proud of you."

"This is one of the best days of my life. I love you guys," Ryder said, glancing at all of us. "I'm

loved, I got my diploma, we're a family, and I got the best present ever."

"We love you too, baby," Dean chuckled, pulling Ryder back against his chest and kissing him on

the neck. "Now open it, I can't wait to see your reaction to what we downloaded for you."

"There's more to this gift?" he asked, eyes going wide as he moved to lay the box on the table.

Opening the box, he pulled out the Kindle Fire and turned it on. He glanced up at me then, "I'll read
the instructions, I promise. I just want to see what Dean's talking about."

"It's yours to do with what you want, Ryder," I chuckled, knowing of all of us, Ryder was the only

one who ever read the directions that came with anything. Plus, he was also least likely to break
anything we owned.

It was also adorable how excited Dean was acting to show Ryder what else came with the gift.

Dean wasn't very computer literate, with his past issues and having been homeless for a while. I was
really glad I'd asked him to help me set up an account for Ryder and download a bunch of his favorite
authors onto the device.

"Okay, so click here and it opens up the Kindle application," Dean instructed, smiling widely.

"Oh my god!" Ryder squealed, glancing from the Kindle Fire to us, then back down. "You guys got all
my favorite authors on here and all of their books! Charlaine Harris, Ann Rice, Laurell Hamilton.
What else is on here?"
"Those ebooks you don't think we saw on your laptop," Dean snickered as he opened another folder.
"Stormy Glenn, AJ Llewellyn, Gabrielle Evans," Ryder read off, bouncing up and down. "I've not
read their newest ones yet! You even added Carol Lynne, I've been dying to read her stuff, I hear she's
awesome."
"We expect full book reports of the visual kind," I told him, not hiding the lust in my voice. Ryder's
jaw just about hit the table as he stared at me. He nodded adamantly as he put the Kindle Fire back on
the table. I sat back down in my chair as he sauntered over to me and straddled my lap.
"Maybe we should take turns reading some of the hot sex scenes together and see how far we get
before we rip each other's clothes off," he suggested as he licked along my neck. I moaned at the idea,
reaching over to grab his firm ass. "Where do you think I got the idea to play your little sub? Stormy
Glenn writes some really fucking hot Dom scenes."

"Oh really?" I panted as he reached under my shirt to pinch my nipples. "What else does she write?"
"Really sexy werewolves fucking in all types of positions." He purred, biting my shoulder hard as he
pulled on my nipples and ground his erection against mine. "The Tri-Omega series is all about
threesome mates and the sex they have is off the charts."
"All you guys do is fuck!" Dallas exclaimed, slamming his hands on the table. In an instant I was up,
pushing Ryder behind me, and ready for a fight. I saw Dean do the same with Luc and Ethan, though
Luc was trying to get out around him as he was able to shift outside the full moon and Dean couldn't.
"You're either having sex, talking about sex, or I'm hearing someone else having sex."
"Dallas, we're all partners living in our house. We're not going to curb our urges or watch what we
say and do in our own home," I said evenly but firmly, making it clear it wasn't up for debate. "We're
men in our prime and have the added sex drive of being part animal. What do you expect?"
"Nothing. Absolutely fucking nothing." He grumbled as he headed over to the liquor cabinet in the
corner of the kitchen and grabbed a large bottle of vodka. "Everyone in the goddamn house is having
sex but me."
"Think we might have been teasing him too much?" Dean asked after Dallas had left the kitchen and
gone up to his own room, slamming the door behind him. "I'm not sure this is working, Spence."
"The sooner he comes to terms with being gay, the better it will be for all of us," I answered, running
my fingers through my hair. We'd all talked about it and decided that we liked Dallas a lot. But if he
was going to live here with us, he had to stop lying to himself about who he really was. He might
have screwed a lot of women, but he was into men too.
"I'm just worried he's going to snap before he admits he wants us," Ryder said, shaking his head. I
thought about what he said as he cleaned up the wrapping paper from his present. "He's either going
to implode or give in soon, I'm just not sure which."
"Me neither, baby," I replied honestly. Sighing, I went and hugged Ryder, rubbing my hands down his
back trying to give him the comfort I wasn't feeling.
* * * *

"Spencer, I need you in here now!" Ryder said from the office later that afternoon. He hadn't said

it loudly, which concerned me. I was up out of my chair and out of the kitchen as fast as I could.
Racing to the office, I skidded to a halt at what I found.

"Please, Ryder, please. I'll admit it, okay? I want you, please, please let me have you," Dallas

begged from on his knees. I could smell the alcohol pouring off of him and wondered if he'd drank the
whole bottle. He had Ryder pinned against the wall, his hands on either side of Ryder as Dallas
nuzzled his groin with his face. "I can't take your teasing anymore. You're always naked around me
and touching everyone but me. Please, I just want you so fucking much it hurts."

"Dallas, back away from Ryder," I ordered, taking a step into the office. "This isn't the way to

handle this. We're partners, you can't just have one of us, and we don't have an open relationship."

"Who says I just want one of you?" Dallas laughed, and it wasn't a happy laugh. "I want all of you,

but Ryder most. I can't resist him. He's so loving and caring, and the hottest thing I've ever seen."

"No one can resist Ryder's charm," I admitted, knowing full well that's exactly how I'd felt when

I'd first met Ryder. "Believe me, I know from experience. Why do you think I love him so much? He
gives so much more than he ever takes from anyone."

"Spence," Ryder gasped, looking at me as if I was crazy. "You guys give me everything I could

ever have dreamed of."

"I know that's how you feel, baby," I replied gently. "But you give us so much more in return than

you ever ask for."

"And I want him. Please, Ryder, let me have you." Dallas whined, yanking on Ryder's arm so he'd

have to lean into Dallas. I shook with anger as I watched Dallas kiss along my man's neck and face. "I
can't take anymore teasing. I'm hard every waking moment and I want you most. You've completely
wormed your way past my walls and under my skin."

"Enough!" I growled, storming over to Dallas and pulling him off Ryder. On instinct he reached

out to push me away, but I was faster and not drunk. I had him up and thrown against the wall, my
hand wrapped around his neck. "This is not up for debate, Dallas. Ryder is ours and you cannot just
have him like a toy. He's a wonderful man and will be treated as such or I will end you, am I clear?"

"I'm not treating him like a toy or trying to force him," Dallas yelled at me. "I'm on my goddamn

knees begging him to want me back. I want all of you! I want to be a real part of this family and love
all of you. I just don't know how and coming to Ryder and begging him to be with me was the only
thing I could think of."

"Spence, he's not done anything wrong," Ryder said gently, placing his hand on my arm. "I called

you in here because I know we've talked about it, but I wasn't sure what to do. He's not touched me in
any way or tried to push me around."

"Okay," I replied, nodding. Yeah, I knew I'd overreacted, but I didn't like the way Dallas seemed

to be trying to get Ryder to be with him… Just him. Though, I had to admit it was mostly jealousy
since Dallas had said he wanted all of us. The second I released my hand from Dallas's neck, he
yanked me towards him and mashed his lips onto mine. I melted into him for a moment but then
pushed him away. "You really do want all of us. You weren't just saying that so you can be with
Ryder?"

"No, I wasn't," Dallas panted, as affected by the kiss as I had been. "You're hot and even though I

was injured, having you fuck me was the best sex I've ever had. Dean is massive and gorgeous and I
want to shove my cock into him every time he gets close to me. Ethan is the reason I came in the first
place. He was so pretty in his photo it killed me that I'd never be able to touch him. And Luc, god,
he's hot and so fucking smart I just want to lick every inch of him."

"Once you're in, Dallas, that's it. We don't have an open partnership and we don't tolerate

cheating," Ryder said firmly, glancing between the two of us. "You need to make sure this is what you
want before we take this next step."

"Are you kidding me? There are five of you, like I'd have any energy left to cheat!" Dallas

snickered, looking at Ryder with such lust I felt myself shiver. "And I'm sure. I've wanted to be with
all of you, touch you all like I see you do to each other. I can't live the lie anymore. Fine, I admit it,
I'm gay. I've stayed so far away from gay men so I'd never be tempted or be less of a man in my own
eyes, but I can't do it anymore, living with you five. Dean and Spencer are some of the manliest men
I've ever known and they're gay. So fuck it, I am too."

"So if I said I wanted to fuck your firm ass while you pounded into Ryder, you'd say…" I asked,

trailing off.
"Yes please," Dallas answered, looking at me then. The lust never left his hazel eyes and I truly
believed him that he wanted all of us. "Yes, I want you in me, Spencer. I want to stop hiding."
"Then there's only one thing left to ask," Ryder purred, rubbing his hands over Dallas's massive pecs.
We both glanced down at him, and I had no clue what he was getting at. "Where do you want to fuck
me, Dallas?"
"Oh god, Ryder," Dallas moaned, leaning over to claim Ryder's plump lips. I felt myself get hard as
Ryder threw his arms around Dallas's neck. They made love to each other's mouths. Dallas lifted him
up and Ryder wrapped his legs around his hips. I wasn't about to miss out on this, moving to encircle

Ryder from behind as I groped Dallas's ass.
"Lube's in the desk," I hissed in Ryder's ear, getting shivers from him in response. Dallas let him go,
Ryder sliding his body seductively down the large man. Everyone looked at each other for a moment
before the room became a flurry of clothes flying as we all raced to get undressed.
"Finally," Dallas growled as he lifted Ryder into his arms when they were both naked. I retrieved the
lube from the top drawer of my desk as Dallas sat Ryder on the edge of the desk and pushed in
between his legs. "Your hot little body has been driving me insane. I've watched everyone else fuck,
suck, lick, and touch you but me."
"You belong with us now, Dallas," Ryder said gently stroking his hand down Dallas's cheek. "We all
belong to each other and you can touch or kiss me anytime you want."
"Now, I want you right fucking now," he moaned, mashing his lips down on Ryder's. My baby
whimpered at that much desire and lifted his legs, placing his feet on the desk. I moved behind Dallas,
squirted some slick on my hand, and gently pushed him forward. He groaned as he lowered Ryder
down on the desk and presented his ass to me.
"You're sure about this, Dallas? Once we do this you're involved with all of us," I said softly. It's not
like I wanted to spoil the mood, but I needed to really know he was committed.
"Yes, I'm sure," Dallas replied, looking at me over his shoulder. "Thank you for wanting me. No one's
ever done that before. I mean they've wanted me for a night, but not for good."
"We like you, Dallas. You're a good guy and have helped our family already," I said, smiling at him.
Then I ran my fingers over his quivering hole and he moaned loudly before returning to kissing Ryder.
I pushed one finger in, causing Dallas to gasp as his body started to shake. Running my free hand over
his back I worked on stretching him for me. I felt a thrill go through me when I realized I'd be the first
one to have his ass and not just because he needed me to save him this time.
"More, Spence. Give me more," he begged, spreading his legs. I gave him what he wanted, sliding in
a second finger. "Oh god that's good. Don't I have to get Ryder ready?"
"I wear a plug," Ryder giggled, squirming on the desk. "Living with these horny men, it pays to be
prepared."
"I want to love you, Ryder. I'm just not sure how," Dallas whispered so softly, I barely heard him.
"Tell me if I do anything wrong, okay? And I'm not just talking about right now with the sex. I've been
alone so long and I don't know how to be with someone. But you melted all my walls and reserve
away, you're the one who has to teach me, baby."
"I'll do my best, Dallas, but I think you don't give yourself enough credit," he replied and then kissed
him again. Watching Dallas give himself to us so completely was driving me wild. I needed him right
then. Pushing in a third finger, I quickly stretched him out for my cock. When he was ready I poured
more slick on my hand, rubbing some of it into my dick. Then I reached down and rubbed the rest onto
Dallas's massive cock.
"I love the feeling of your hand on my dick," Dallas moaned loudly, moving his hips in time with my
strokes. "Please, I need to be in Ryder. I want to feel him surround me."
"Pull out the plug and push that third leg into me, big boy," Ryder giggled, moving his legs up against
his chest. "I like it hard and fast."
"I know, you're so fucking hot," Dallas panted as he did as Ryder asked. Once he had the plug
removed and started to push into Ryder, I lined my cock up with his stretched hole. They both moaned
when Dallas bottomed out inside our baby and I took my cue. "Oh fuck, Spencer. Yeah, shove that
hard cock into my ass."
"Gladly," I growled, thrusting forward hard. All three of us groaned when I was inside of him. I took

a few moments to savor the feeling of Dallas being with us, really with us for the first time. "You're
going to like being in the middle, babe. We're going to take good care of you."
"Please just move," Dallas begged, bracing his hands on either side of Ryder's head. "God, I want it
so badly."
"Fuck him hard, Spence," Ryder ordered, and again I smiled at how not sub-like my baby was no
matter the games we played. Doing as I was told, I pulled out slowly and thrust into Dallas hard.
After that, there really wasn't anything else to be said. I started pounding into his onlyonce-used ass
with such vigor I heard the desk moving. Every time I pulled out, Dallas did the same with Ryder.
Then I slammed into him, which thrust his cock back into our baby.
"This is so much better than pussy." Dallas gasped as he wrapped Ryder's legs around himself and
me. "Your ass is the sweetest thing I've ever had my cock in."
"You should be where I am," I snickered, fucking him harder. "Your ass is massaging my dick
perfectly."
"Harder, Spence, fuck me until I pass out again from the pleasure," Dallas begged me before focusing
back on Ryder. "You like this, baby? My cock feel good in your tight ass?"
"Yes," Ryder hissed, pulling Dallas' head to his neck. "Mark me, Dallas. I want to see the proof of
your loving me on my body for days."
I groaned loudly, thrusting into Dallas harder. I loved how Ryder wanted his men to always mark him,
it was one of my favorite things he liked during sex. He either wanted to see our handprints on his ass,
bite marks, or hickeys on his body after sex.
"Dallas," Ryder screamed as Dallas bit his neck. I stared down at Ryder, catching his gaze as he
smiled up at me. "I think he's a biter, Spence."
"Then good thing he's a wolf," I grunted, my hips starting to thrust erratically as my orgasm
approached. "Come for me, Ryder. I'm getting close and I want to see the man I love climax from the
bottom of us."
His eyes went wide, as his orgasm swept over him. It wasn't that he'd been trained to only orgasm
when someone ordered him to like a sub. Ryder just loved being with his men so much that once one
of us told him that we wanted to see him come, it set him off. He screamed out his pleasure as he
pushed up with his feet to meet our thrusts.
"Oh fuck, your ass is like a vice," Dallas moaned and the roared out his own release. I wanted to say
the same thing about his hole as it clamped down on my cock. It took everything I had to stay standing
as his orgasm threw me over into my own.
"Dallas," I cried out, shooting my load into him as I kept thrusting forward to prolong our orgasms.
Once my climax started to ebb, I slumped forward over Dallas, completely spent.
"Are we hurting you, Ryder?" Dallas panted, his head buried in Ryder's neck. "Are we too heavy?"
"Yes, but don't move just yet," Ryder answered, as I felt his hand on my face. "I want to savor this
moment for a while longer."
"Anything my baby wants," I said, turning to kiss the palm of his hand. I looked down at him, and he
looked so happy, sated, and relieved at the same time. It had been hardest on Ryder that Dallas
wouldn't come to terms with his sexuality. He always wants to fix any problem, but he didn't know
how to this time. Dean and I had tried to tell him the only one who could fix this was Dallas. And he
finally had.
"I'm surprised you guys didn't break the desk," Luc chuckled from behind us. I stood up slowly and
pulled out of Dallas. He moaned loudly, but did the same as he turned to face the room. I watched Luc
walk right to Dallas and kiss him. "Welcome to the family and our bed, Dallas."

"Thank you, Luc," he whispered before kissing him right back. When they parted, Luc's cheeks were
flushed and Dallas was breathing hard. I'd seen Dean and Ethan in the doorway when I saw Luc, but I
didn't think Dallas had. I was wrong. Dallas turned and went to Ethan, kissing him passionately
before doing the same to Dean. I watched as all of them were affected by Dallas the same as Ryder
and I had been
"This is where you belong, Dallas," I whispered in his ear as I hugged him to me. "You belong with
us and we won't ever let you forget it."

HAPTER

It was the first week of November when Dean came towards me with a huge smile on his face. I'd

just arrived at the bunkhouse to see how things were going and lend a hand. Before I could even say
anything, Dean pulled me against him hard and kissed me until I felt all the blood leave my brain. He
thrust his tongue into my mouth and swirled it around in such a way that I was sure he touched every
inch of me.

"What was that for?" I panted as he pulled back. "Not that I object, it was completely hot. I'm just

not sure why I deserved it."

"You always deserve that kind of kiss from someone who loves you," Dean chuckled, rubbing his

hands down my back. "But I was so excited to tell you we're almost done. I need maybe another day
to finish the roof on the addition and we're ready. I think we should tell Ryder today so he can work
on getting beds, furniture, and whatnot in here."

"Already taken care of," I replied, bracing my hands on his hips. "We ordered everything last

week. He doesn't know it will be here tomorrow or that you're almost done. But I sat down with him
when you told me how fast you planned to finish and made him pick out what he wanted. We've got
appliances coming today, furniture and electronics tomorrow."

"You're amazing, Spence," he whispered, before kissing me again. I melted against him, feeling so

warm and protected. I loved kissing all of my men, but Dean always made me feel safe and
surrounded. Which was hard for someone who was six-three, but since he was five inches taller, it
worked. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Dean," I replied, giving him another quick peck before we parted. "I'm so amazed

you got this done so fast. I mean, seriously, you've got mad skills, Dean."

"Okay, so what's left? Setting an official opening date?" He asked, looking over his work.

"I've got press releases ready to go out, but yeah we have to let them know a few days in advance of
the opening," I answered as an idea hit me. "And actually I've got an idea on how to get some more
exposure. I'll have to think on that one."
"How do we get kids here who need the help?"
"Ryder and I have talked to several shelters across the country that are underfunded and
overflowing," I said with a sigh. "Part of me worries we're going to max capacity within the first
week. I had no idea how many teens there are who've been treated poorly by their own families
because of their sexuality. It really breaks my heart."
"We're doing everything we can to help, Spence," Dean replied as he hugged me. "This place can
house fifteen kids with the addition. Thirty if we end up doubling up the rooms. That's going to help
so many kids who didn't have anywhere to go."
"Yeah, I know," I said softly, still feeling like it wasn't enough. "You really are amazing for having
done this much so fast."

"Dallas has been a big help, he catches on fast," Dean chuckled. "We've been working like men
possessed."
"Except for the fuck break we took earlier," Dallas purred as he walked up to us. "I love that he's as
big as I am and loves to bottom. I don't have to worry about being too rough with him or that he can
take everything I have to give."
"We're werewolves, we can all take it," I snickered, smiling at both of them, glad Dallas was getting
the chance to get some one on one time with each of us. "But I speak from experience that when Dean
gets all aggressive it's hot. He pounds into you with that third leg of his and it's like heaven."
"All right, let's stay focused before we all get going again," Dean said, rolling his eyes. "What time
are the appliances coming?"
"I scheduled it for three. I'll be with Ryder at his appointment," I answered. Ryder had been making
some great progress with the shrink over the past couple of weeks. Each appointment left him raw for
that day and they worked out that he should come in three times a week, but it was helping. "So I've
got an hour to help you before we need to leave."
"Honestly, you don't know how to lay down shingles," Dean replied thoughtfully as he rubbed his
chin. "Right now if you wouldn't mind just getting all the shit we've thrown back off the roof into the
dumpster, that would be great."
"I can do clean up." I shrugged, following them on the other side of the bunkhouse. The grass was
sprinkled with shingles packaging, empty tar cans, and a plethora of other things. I went to the
wheelbarrow and steered it over as they started to climb the ladder.
By the time my hour was up, I'd gotten everything cleaned up outside, moved the old carpeting out to
the dumpster, and swept up the interior of the addition. I knew Dean and Dallas had the new carpeting
and floors that they were going to be installing stocked in the rooms that needed them. So I wasn't
worried about getting stuff brought into the bunkhouse as getting shit out.
They were still on the roof working when I whistled at them and pointed to my watch. Both of them
waved at me and I jogged back to the house to drive Ryder to his appointment. He was quiet on the
drive over, but I'd gotten used to that. I was touched that he thought to bring his Kindle Fire with us so
I could sit and read while he was busy with the doc.
An hour after I'd watched him walk into the doctor's office, Ryder came back out into the waiting
room. He looked almost ill, but I knew he had been crying majorly. I was up and out of my seat in a
flash. Wrapping my arms around him I saw how red and puffy his eyes were.
"Baby, what happened?" I whispered against his temple, holding him tightly as he shook.
"Can we go home? I just want to go home, Spencer," Ryder said quietly, not hugging me back. "We hit
a topic today that made me realize way too much about my family. I'm still processing it all. I really
just want to crawl into bed and take a nap with my big wolf. I mean, if that's okay? I know you're busy
and all."
"I'd love to nap with my baby," I replied as we headed towards the door. I grabbed his Kindle Fire on
the way, not wanting to leave his gift behind. "Let's get some pizzas delivered tonight, okay? I think
you've had a rough day and I don't want you to have to worry about dinner."
"Thank you, Spence. You take such good care of me and I don't even know why you put up with me."
Ryder sniffled against my chest as we headed out to the car. "I love you guys so much."
"We love you too, Ryder and that's why we take care of you," I said as I unlocked the car. Opening
the door for him, he basically collapsed in the passenger's seat. "Just like you take care of all of us
and our home because you love us."
"I love our home, it's the best place in the world," he mumbled as I got into the car next to him. "You

gave me a home and a family, Spence. I won't ever forget that."
"Ryder, you don't owe me," I said carefully as I pulled out of the parking lot. "You gave me the same
thing, baby. It wouldn't be a home without you, just a house."
"Okay," Ryder whispered as his eyes drifted shut. I'd never seen him like this. Even after everything
we'd been through together, I'd never witnessed Ryder looking so defeated and it scared me to death. I
got us home quickly, wanting to get Ryder into bed.
After we'd pulled in the driveway, I threw the car in park, and got out. Jogging around the front of the
car, I opened Ryder's door and lifted him up into my arms since he was sound asleep. I walked into
the house and straight up the stairs to our room. Laying Ryder gently on the bed, I got him undressed
before tucking him in. Once he was settled I stripped as well and crawled in bed next to him.
What the fuck had he gone through today that left him so exhausted and upset?
I pulled him towards me, laying his head on my shoulder. I brushed my hand through his long golden
hair and stared down at my baby. Loving Ryder and wanting to protect him was like breathing air to
me, but I couldn't keep him safe from his past. No matter how much I wanted to.
* * * *

Ryder was almost back to normal that night, but withdrawn. Dean had gone out to pick up our

baby's favorite pizzas. It was amazing how many you had to order when you had six adult, male
werewolves. We'd already finished three of the eight pizzas when I finally decided it was time to
cheer Ryder up.

"We've got some good news for you, baby," I said, carefully trying to gauge his reaction.

"What?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at me.
"Dean and I set an opening date for the bunk house," I answered, almost holding my breath.
"Yeah? It's coming along much faster than I thought it would have," Ryder replied smiling at us. "So
when? Beginning of next year?"
"Saturday."
"First Saturday in January?" he asked, tilting his head to the side and looking confused.
"This Saturday," I answered, giving Dean a wink. "Appliances came today. We've got the furniture
and electronics coming tomorrow."
"We finished the roof today," Dean added, shooting me a glance when Ryder just sat there and stared
at us. "Dallas and I can get most of the flooring done tomorrow before the furniture comes."
"That's great, guys. I'm full, so if you'd excuse me," Ryder said, as calmly as if I'd told him I bought
new socks. I was so shocked I didn't even know what to say when he got up, threw away his paper
plate, and walked out of the kitchen.
"What just happened?" Dallas asked us, looking as confused as I felt.
"I don't have a fucking clue," I answered, glancing at Luc, who shrugged his shoulders. "I'm going
after him, give us some space, okay?"
"Yeah, of course, Spence," Dean agreed as everyone else just looked worried about Ryder. I booked
it from my seat and followed Ryder's scent outside, and then over to the barn. Opening the door I saw
him at the far back, brushing one of the horses we'd bought. Irishlass was the mare that Ryder
normally rode now that Luc was teaching us how to ride.
"Ryder, can we talk, baby?" I asked as I moved close to him but made sure not to touch him.
"I don't think I'm ready yet, Spence," he answered, not looking at me.
"Can I ask at least if you're upset by our news? We wanted to surprise you," I said gently, not sure
what to do or say.
"No, I'm not mad at you guys. Actually, I'm thrilled that it's going to be ready before the holidays."

"I'm not trying to push you, baby, but you're scaring me." I moved to the other side of the auburn horse
so I could get a better look at him. "I love you so much, Ryder. Please, let me help you or at least
share whatever is burdening you."
Ryder sighed heavily and turned towards me and I could see the tears pouring out of his eyes. It took
me every ounce of control I had not to pull him into my arms and just hold him.
"Dr. Miller and I were talking about my parents today," he whispered, finally looking at me. "He got
me to realize that my parents had to have known what kicking me out of their house would leave me.
He says they share responsibility in my becoming a prostitute and drug addict."
"And this is something you hadn't realized yet?" I asked, confused. Personally, I blamed them a
hundred percent for what Ryder had been through. He was sixteen when they threw him out. No
money, no education, not even a fucking license. Though part of me noticed that Ryder didn't use the
word whore for once. He'd said prostitute, which was progress.
"No, I guess I never connected the dots on it," he answered, shaking his head. "I was always just hurt
that they didn't love me enough to let me stay after they found out I was gay. It was my choices and
decisions that led me to where I was when we met. I never saw it as their fault."
"Oh, Ryder," I whispered, finally realizing how much he blamed himself for everything. How can
someone at sixteen know how to live in the real world without money or anyone to love them?
"Dr. Miller says that my parents knew about the real world, being middle-aged adults," Ryder
explained, my heart breaking for him. "That they knew exactly how my life would be with nowhere to
go at sixteen. Maybe they didn't realize I'd become a prostitute or drug addict, but they don't live in a
bubble. They had to know the chances of my surviving on the streets or what I'd probably have to do
to make it."
"And that's what has you so upset? That you now know that they kicked you out of the house knowing
full well where you'd end up?"
"Yeah," he answered quietly. "They knew the statistic about runaways, or people kicked out in my
case, and didn't care. They didn't love me enough to overlook their feelings about my being gay so I
didn't end up a statistic or dead. I mean, I get that they share in the blame and it's not all my fault I
ended up how I did. But I never got that they knew what could happen to me and still kicked me out."
"I'm sorry, baby," I said, rubbing one hand down his back as I moved next to him. "I didn't know that
you didn't blame them for that like I did. I'm not sure I could have ever have told you, but I wish I had
known."
"No, that's what Dr. Miller said," he replied, leaning against my chest. "That some things can't be told
to us no matter who's telling us. That we have to figure it out ourselves to ever really get it
sometimes. I didn't even get where he was going today with the questions he was asking me about my
parents. But then suddenly it was like I put on glasses and could see everything clearly.
"And it was just so painful. It's one thing to think my parents kicked me out thinking I would be fine,
just not with them anymore. And it's something completely different to think they kicked me out
knowing full well I had a slight chance of even surviving the streets."
"Yeah, that's a big difference," I agreed, kissing the top of his head. "How can I help you, Ryder?"
"You're doing it right now, Spence," Ryder answered, turning back to the horse and brushing her.
"You're here listening to me, not pushing, but genuinely concerned. I've spent over six years feeling
guilty that it was all my fault I ended up a meth-head prostitute, but that's not the truth. It's going to
take me a bit to grasp that and deal with it, you know?"
"I get that," I said slowly, trying to figure out how to word my next question. "But now that you realize
this, does it help you understand how we all see you? I never saw a man who fucked up his life and

ended up a trapped prostitute. We see a man whose parents threw him onto the streets as a boy, and
who survived. Dr. Miller's right that a lot of people don't make it, Ryder."
"I see what you're saying," Ryder replied, pausing in his strokes along the horse's flank. "So, you're
trying to tell me I wasn't weak and a failure for ending up where I did. That I'm stronger than I think
for surviving, even if it ended up I became a prostitute?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm telling you," I answered, glad he'd figured out how to say it better than I
could have. "It wasn't just you were living on the streets at sixteen, Ryder. You came from a small
town, you had no idea what New York would be like. You didn't have any ID or license, there's no
way you could have gotten a legitimate job."
"But I did do some things wrong," Ryder said firmly. "Dr. Miller said I should have gone to the
police and reported my parents. They had to take care of me until I was an adult or I would have been
awarded to the state."
"To be honest, that never occurred to me as an option in your case," I replied, thinking that one
through. For a small child, yeah, I could see going to the police. But I guess I wouldn't have thought
the system would care about a sixteen year old since that was close enough to being an adult. "I do
like that Dr. Miller is giving you both sides to everything. What can be seen as not completely your
fault and what you could have done differently."
"He says he's not there to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but to see what really happened
without my emotions clouding it."
"It seems to be working," I said as I took the brush out of his hand and set it down. I turned him to face
me, and then wrapped my arms around him. "I love you, Ryder, with all my heart. And you need to
know, I never saw you as a meth-head prostitute. I saw the warm-hearted man who desperately
wanted out of the mess that wasn't his making. You get that, right?"
"I'm starting to," he answered, burying his face in my chest. "I'm really trying, Spencer. I'm sorry if I
scared you, I didn't mean to. But you have to understand this is not easy for me and it hurts, you
know?"
"I know how hard you're trying, baby," I said as I buried my head in his neck. The angle was killing
my back with our eight inch height difference, but I didn't care right then. My baby needed comforting
and I would walk through fire to give it to him. "I'm proud of you for dealing with all this, Ryder. It's
not easy at all, and it takes a strong person to seek help and try to heal old wounds."
"Thank you," Ryder whispered as I felt his arm slide around my waist. "Thank you for believing in me
and loving me."
"It's easy to do both, Ryder. You're an amazing man who I'm grateful for every day of my life."
"I feel better now," he said after a few minutes of silence. "Let's go inside and talk about Saturday,
okay?"
"Are you sure? We can talk more or just hang outside in the barn if you want."
"No, I'm ready now," Ryder replied as he pulled out of my arms. I felt my heart start beating normally
again when I saw the smile on his face. It was his real smile, not a fake or forced one. "We need to
plan on how to help other teens not end up like I did."
"Because of you, Ryder. They'll get help because of your idea and what you've started here," I said,
hoping he understood.
"Yeah, we're doing a good thing here," he replied as we headed back to the house. "It might have been
my idea, but it's going to happen because of all of us. Our family is doing this, not just me."
"And you wonder why we love you so much," I snickered, loving the wide smile he directed at me. I
scooped him up into my arms and kissed him fiercely. This wasn't going to be easy, Ryder's going to

see the shrink. But it was what was best for him and that's all that mattered to me.

HAPTER

The next day was all hands on deck to help lay the flooring in fifteen bedrooms, two study

lounges, a living room and a large dining room. Ryder and Ethan, both selfproclaimed "building
idiots", ran around bringing more boards to everyone so we didn't have to keep getting up to get what
we needed.

"Are we just in the way?" Ethan asked hesitantly. "I can get everyone some water or Gatorade if it

helps instead."

"Come here, sweetie," I said with a smile as I sat back on my heels. Ryder was my baby and

while I wanted all my men to feel loved in their own way, Ryder had been worried Ethan would end
up replacing him. He couldn't have been further from the truth but I tended to call Ethan sweetie so
Ryder's feelings never got hurt.

Now if Ryder could be as considerate of my feelings on certain things I wouldn't have gotten up

on the wrong side of the bed. But now was not the time for my issues.
"Yes?" Ethan's eyes lit up as I pulled him onto my lap and kissed him silly. "Oh my."

"Yeah, I concur," I chuckled as I nibbled along his neck. "You and Ryder are being a huge help,

Ethan. I know the hard part of manual labor for me is the getting up and down. With you guys bringing
us materials I can just keep working and scoot over."

"Agreed," Dean and Dallas said together. "Now if I could get them to stop smacking my ass each

time I bring them more boards it would make my life easier," Ryder complained playfully, giving
them each an air kiss.
Dallas growled and gave him an appreciative leer. "How can we resist?"
"You can't." Ryder flounced over and gave him a quick kiss. "My ass is just too irresistible."
"Amen to that, baby," I chuckled, trying to ignore that I was upset. Ethan slid off my lap and we got
back to work. "I sent out the press release this morning and talked to our surprise guests. They
changed their road trip a bit and will be here Saturday."
"What did you promise them?" Luc snickered. "I mean, it's the Thursday before the Saturday opening.
That's a huge last minute change."
"Ethan might have to do their taxes this year and help them get incorporated," I answered with a
wince. I didn't think it was a lot for them to ask when they heard I had a genius accountant, but I
should have checked with him first.
"Sure!" he said excitedly. "Do I get to know who they are now?"
"No." I shook my head and laughed. My men did not like me keeping secrets from them. "And you all
promised not to go snoop in the paper for the names as well. Please let me make this a surprise?"
"Yeah, we promise," Ryder replied, rolling his eyes. He would be the most excited. My baby had
taken to reading in his free time like a fish to water. Hell, over the past few weeks since he got his
Kindle, he'd spent more on books than I think we did on groceries. But I didn't care. He was happy
and we had the money.
I had been contacting person after person who was in the public spotlight and involved in some way
with helping gay rights. None of them could just change their schedule in time or they didn't want to
get involved. It was fate when Ryder had come racing into my office last week announcing he found
two new authors he loved and wanted to marry even though they were women.
We'd had a good laugh but when he told me their names I immediately contacted them. Luck had been

on our side because while they were on vacation, they were on vacation together. They were best
friends taking a road trip, seeing the US and every random destination they could find. When one of
them called me and said sure, they'd love to come and help, I just about cried with gratitude.
"Okay, I declare this room done," Dean said with a smile as he laid the last Pergo board. "So that's
eight bedrooms and the living room." He glanced at his watch and pumped his fist in the air. "And we
still have a few hours before the furniture comes. We're making great time."
"Lunch break then?" I suggested as I stood. I groaned as my knees tried to gel back into place now that
I was on my feet. Hey, we may be immortal werewolves with fast healing, but we could still get sore.
I'd been on my hands and knees for several hours already and my joints were protesting.
"Yeah, I have lasagna in the oven that's about ready," Ryder giggled. "My present to my awesome
men."
"Did you make enough?" Dean asked as we all got to our feet and set down our tools. "Spencer ate
almost the whole dish last time and I only got a small piece." He stuck out his bottom lip in a pout. I,
in turn, stuck my tongue out at him. "Gilbert's not the pig of the house."
"Bite me."
"Gladly," he purred as he eyed me. Everyone had a good laugh at that as we left the bunkhouse.
"How's Gilbert adjusting to his new outside pen?" I asked Luc, the vet of our family. I really did love
our little pig but from the moment he was old enough and we let him outside it was apparent he
wouldn't be an indoor pet much longer. For one he rolled in the mud and then raced back inside and
made a huge mess in the kitchen. Right after Ryder had just washed the floors. I thought he was going
to shit a brick.
"I know I threw a fit at the mess he was making but I kinda miss him hanging out with us while we
watch TV," Ryder said quietly. "He was so cute lying on our laps and I even liked his snores."
"We'll bring him in and give him a bath when we know it's going to be a TV night." I saw he was
moving closer to me as if ready for me to show him some affection, but I wasn't feeling it right then.
Instead I pretended I didn't notice and stepped over the toolbox to get to the door. Luc shot me a
glance and I knew we'd be talking about my actions later. Great. Sounded like fun.
"He's good, actually," Luc chuckled as he took Ryder's hand. "He's settling in well as long as one of
us goes and sits with him a bit every hour or so. It's important he doesn't feel like he's being punished.
He won't like it then. But yeah, if we give him a bath at the end of the day, there's no reason he can't
sleep on his bed in the living room at night."
"Good, it gets really cold sometimes." Ryder had been upset about that. Never mind pigs sleep
outside all the time no matter the season. He'd been adamant that our pig wouldn't be such an animal.
"We promised to give him a good home and take care of him when we adopted him and freezing his
nuts off at night doesn't live up to that."
"You have such a big heart, Ryder," Ethan said quietly as we walked into the house. He was still a
little shy around Ryder though I'd walked in on them having some fun. Personally, I thought Ethan was
sensitive to Ryder's issues with potentially being replaced and did everything he could to assure
Ryder that it wouldn't happen. Ethan had a big heart as well. "And you give the rest of us strength to
do the right thing."
"I'm not sure about that." Ryder's cheeks heated up as he went over to the oven and opened it up.
"Perfect timing. Food's ready. And to answer your earlier question, Dean, I made three big pans this
time."
"Sweet!" Dean raced to grab plates and I got drinks. We really, really loved Ryder's lasagna.
"I think you should tell them, Ethan," Dallas said softly. We all froze in our spots and turned to Ethan.

"What's going on?" Ryder asked as he found his voice first and set down the first pan. "Are you
okay?"
"Yeah, I've been talking to Dallas about my past," he answered quietly as he busied himself with
getting silverware. "He's been really helpful but he told me honestly that he wasn't qualified to guide
me in dealing with what's happened to me." He took a deep breath and looked at Ryder. "Your
strength in getting help gave me the courage to call your doctor. I hope that's okay?"
"Of course it is!" Ryder exclaimed with wide eyes. "I didn't pee all over the doc and call him mine.
He knows a lot about our family and would be the perfect person if you need to talk to someone."
"I want to not be afraid anymore," Ethan admitted, hanging his head in shame. "I've been a part of this
family for weeks and I still can't be with more than one person at a time. I feel like I'm rejecting
everyone and just hopping between you. I want more. I've got an appointment next week to start
counseling."
I gave Dallas a grateful look as my eyes started to burn. We'd all noticed what Ethan was talking
about and didn't know how to help him. We pretended that it wasn't going on to give him time to deal
with his feelings, but none of us had been through what he had. It killed Dean, especially, that he
couldn't do more.
"I think that's very brave of you, Ethan," Luc said gently and we all nodded. Ethan looked so relieved
and went into the kitchen to ask Ryder about the doc as Luc glanced at me and pointed to the door. I
looked up in time to see Dean dragging Dallas out the swinging door. I hurried and followed just in
case something was wrong.
"Thank you, Dallas," Dean whispered and pulled the man into his arms as I got to the living room. "I
know talking with him couldn't be easy but none of us can understand what he went through."
"I tried to help, I really did," Dallas sighed and returned the embrace. I couldn't help but smile about
how far Dallas had come as well. He rarely flinched at contact anymore and he'd actually initiated it
a few times the past week. I thought his turn around and acceptance of his new family was amazing. "I
said I'd go with him if it helped. I don't know if I can talk to a stranger about my past but I'll try for
Ethan."
"Do it for yourself, Dallas," I said, my voice cracking as I got choked up. "You're not the bad person
you think you are." I hugged him from behind, my hands running up Dean's arms. I was so used to
being the big guy in the room but with the two of them I was the small one. "You deserve to let go of
the past and heal."
"I've dealt with it," he admitted with a shrug. "I'm not sure you can ever heal fully from certain things.
I just don't like to talk about it. But with Ethan, he thinks it happened to him because he's small and
people think he looks like a girl. I just wanted him to know that size isn't always a factor. I was pretty
big for my age when I was abused. People of all sizes can be mistreated and used."
"And that gave him the strength to get help." Dean gave Dallas a soft kiss. "I think you're amazing in
ways you don't understand."
"You guys all make me feel things I never have before and I want to be a man worthy of your love."
He pulled away then, hitting his comfort level of attention. "Either way, at least Ethan's getting help.
I've seen the way the sessions can tear Ryder up sometimes, though, so it might be hard for the family
to have two going through it. I'm fine for now, but I might schedule my own
appointments later. We can't have the whole house dealing with old wounds at once or we won't be in
the space to help."
"We'll figure it out. I don't want you pushing off your own healing because you think we can't handle
it," I said slowly, trying to choose my words with care.

"I know, but for now, I just want to help Ethan. Maybe seeing him heal will push me into trying it as
well." He gave us a tight smile and I glanced at Dean. Yeah, he'd had enough of talking about it.
"Well good," Dean said with a smile. "Now let's go get some grub. You're going to offer yourself on a
platter to Ryder once you taste his lasagna."
"You guys talk about it enough," Dallas snickered. We all laughed and headed back to the kitchen.
Immediately I caught Ryder and Luc's glances as they sat at the table and dished out food. I nodded
that I understood their silent communication. They both wanted me to fill them in later.
I loved my family for many reasons but this was a big one. No one ever pushed. I'm sure Ryder and
Luc were dying to know what was going on but asking would make Dallas uncomfortable and they
wouldn't even think of doing that. We all were close and there for each other, but we let each other
have our space when we needed it.
That was real love.
It softened my hurt feelings a bit but I did make sure to not sit next to Ryder. If he noticed he wasn't
letting on at all, chatting excitedly about this weekend. That was the other reason I was keeping it to
myself for now. It was one of those situations that might end up working itself out so with all the stuff
left to do for the opening.
At least I hoped with all my heart that's what happened. The alternative was just too much to
consider. It wouldn't be something I could handle. At all.

HAPTER

"I'm going to take one of the smaller bedrooms so I don't need any help," I said as we got back to

the bunkhouse after lunch. Dean shrugged his shoulder as Ethan did the same. Dallas shot me a funny
look and I wanted to grumble that he saw way too much sometimes. I didn't look at Luc because if I
did he'd think it was a big deal and want to talk.

The boards were already in the room so it was just a matter of laying the pieces down and

snapping them into place. Ten minutes later and a quarter of the room done, I felt eyes on me. I tilted
my head enough to see Luc's shoes even though I knew it was him from his scent. It was more that I
was acknowledging he was there.

"I'd ask if it's me but somehow I know there's only one person who can upset you," he said

quietly.
"Don't do that," I snapped, turning so I was facing him. "Don't turn my hurt feelings into my lack of
love for you. I always worry about you as much as him, Luc. I was just thinking yesterday how well
you seem to accept things and if I should be concerned or talk to you. But then I decided if you had
issue with the changes to our family that you'd come talk to me."
"You're right, I'm sorry. But my feelings got hurt last night. I was naked and in your arms, Spence, and
you wouldn't make love to me. All because Ryder left our bed to go to Dallas again."
I stared at him a moment and then shook my head. "I'm doing something wrong if you think I wouldn't
have been just as hurt if it was you who left."
"No, you're not," he said gently as he knelt in front of me and cupped my face. "Sometimes I just need
to hear it. I'm sorry I did it in such a backhanded way but if I came right out and asked you what was
wrong you would have grumbled nothing and ignored me."
"You Machiavellian little shit," I chuckled. "You weren't upset at all. You were just guessing why I
was and wanted me to admit it."
"Well, I was a little." He flashed me a wide grin and a wink. "Rejection always stings even if it's

understandable. I was naked and horny but you weren't taking the bait."
"Sorry, Luc," I whispered against his lips before giving him a kiss. He was right. That had to be hard
on him. He'd given me what I needed and I left him wanting. "It always amazes me how you can see
what's going on no matter how hard I try to hide it."
"You're not hiding it all that well, Spence. Ryder knows something's up—"
"Yeah, because shaking his ass right in Dallas's face would totally show that." Before I could take a
breath and say more, Luc cuffed me upside the head. "Ouch!"
"Big baby." He pulled my head down to kiss where he smacked me and then let me go. "He knows
something is up. That's why he didn't flirt with you earlier. That's why he didn't sit where he normally
does. He's probably feeling the exact same way about you replacing him with Ethan as you are with
him picking Dallas over you."
"That's not fair," I said with a pout. "I've been incredibly sensitive to his feelings and considerate of
them."
"That's true," Luc conceded as he rubbed my arm in a gesture of comfort. "Ryder's being Ryder,
Spence. He's trying to make everyone happy at once and help Dallas feel like he's part of this family.
He did the same thing for Dean. Why is his doing it with Dallas so different for you?"
"Because he left my bed to go to his," I whispered, pulling away from Luc and turning back to my
work. "It's stupid and I'll get over it."
"No," Luc growled and the next thing I knew I was being tackled to the floor, pinned down by him. He
ended up sitting on my stomach with his hands on my shoulders. Interesting. "That's not how this
family works. You won't bottle up your feelings like I did to the point where you think leaving is the
only option. I won't lose you because you're upset with Ryder and it's something that can be fixed."
"Luc, I'm not going anywhere, my love." I was shocked he'd think that. "What in the world made you
think I was even thinking about it?"
"Because you're in the next room working by yourself, Spence. That's how wedges in relationships
start. Something small that says it all. You and Ryder are the roots to this family." He moved his hand
over my mouth when I went to protest. "Every family has the roots, or the tree, if you will. Normally
it's a mom and dad with the kids being the branches out. Obviously that's not the case here.
"We're all in this together and we're all equals. But you and Ryder started this family. If something is
going on between the two of you, it shakes the foundation of all our relationships. Without you and
Ryder on the same page, this family won't survive. We'll all lose what we have here and I won't stand
by while a wedge is driven between you."
"There's no wedge," I said quietly, mulling over what he was saying. "I hear you, Luc. I do. I think it's
just something that needs to work itself out. If I still feel this way after the opening Saturday, then I'll
address it. If need be, I'll come to you and ask you to mediate."
Luc was the one to go to when there was a disagreement. He was very logical and could take a step
back always and see all sides. While he was studying to be a vet, he also made a great mediator. And
since we had six men in our relationship, one of the group needed to be good at mediation.
He searched my face for a moment or two and then nodded. "Okay. I'll hold you to that." Then he
surprised me by leaning down and giving me a long, gentle kiss. "Our family and the members of it
are all that matter to me in this world, Spence. I won't let anything tear us apart, especially a
misunderstanding. Because I know in my heart that's all this is."
"I hope so." I gave him a weak grin as he stood and helped me up. I got back to work as Luc gave me
some space. By the time I was done with the room I was no closer to answers and had talked myself
into several loops. I circled around from being upset to wondering if I had any reason to be upset.

Then, ignoring whether my feelings were valid, I went round and round with if I should talk to Ryder.
Then I chased my tail around getting angry at how I was handling this. And back to the beginning. On
and on and on. Round and round until I felt a little dizzy.
I went to find Dean to see which room to work on next. As I passed by one of the other bedrooms I
froze. Turning in what felt like horror-movie slow-motion to look inside, I felt my stomach falling.
"Oh yeah, baby," Dallas moaned. Ryder was on his knees. "Your mouth is amazing, Ryder." And just
like that tears burned in my eyes. That was me and Ryder the night Dallas showed up, him pleasing
me like that. My mind flashed back to that moment and every intimate moment we'd shared in one
quick reel. I'd been replaced.
Ryder's eyes met mine for a second. His got wide as saucers when he saw me upset. Then I darted
from the doorway and out of the bunkhouse. I couldn't watch that. The moment I was outside and the
fresh air hit me, the wolf in me started to come out. I threw back my head and howled in pain.
"Get home now," Dean shouted, realizing what was going on. I nodded and ran as fast as I could.
There weren't any humans around—Margaret and Molly weren't coming until later to help us arrange
the furniture. The second I was close to the house I shifted, my clothes tearing.
"Spencer!" Ryder came racing towards me and I shook my head.
"Not now," I snarled, my words coming out like they always did in this form. I was half man, half
wolf and my teeth made everything sound deeper and gravelly when I spoke. "I don't know what I'll
do right now so back off."
"No," he whispered as he came closer. He reached to touch me and I did the one thing I never thought
I'd do to Ryder, I shoved him away.
"Go back to Dallas. You were doing just fine without me."
"Is that what this is about?" His eyes were wide again with shock. "You're pissed because I was with
Dallas? Why? We said we were all together now."
"Yep, we did." I laughed darkly as I shook with anger and hurt. "Aren't I fucking stupid? I let my
replacement right in the door."
"Replacement?" he parroted, looking confused and probably hurt that I told him to go. "That's not true,
Spence."
"Whatever." I stormed towards the house and only got a few feet away before Ryder leapt onto my
back.
"Don't you walk away from me. We obviously need to talk about this."
In a flash I had him pinned to the ground, his arms over his head held down by one of my claws.
"What is it about him that draws you? Is it that he was a cool assassin with a Bat Cave? I could have
a million Bat Caves and I never even killed anyone. Or does that hurt my
desirableness?"
"You're overreacting—"
"I saved you!" I screamed and pounded the ground by his head. "I found you. I saved you. I got you off
drugs. I gave you a home. You were supposed to love me forever, Ryder. I gave you my heart and my
soul. I would have been happy with just you if things had gone differently. It was going to be you and
me together."
"Are you saying you never wanted anyone else in our bed?" Now I thought his eyes were going to pop
right out of his skull. And I also smelled fear, which the wolf half of me loved. As twisted as it was,
the animal in me loved to see him afraid.
"No. I'm saying you were never supposed to leave my bed for another man!" I shouted in his face.
"You left our bed and went to him. You've done it four times in less than two weeks. You promised to

always fall asleep in my arms."
"He's not ready to be in the bed with five other—"
"I don't care! He shouldn't be your main priority. I should! Or Luc or Dean. Ethan too, now. You
wanted me to save him as well. You were so scared that Ethan would replace you and I've done
everything in my power to make sure you understood that wasn't what was going on. I never wanted
you to doubt that I loved you or that you could be replaced! But what was the point? You replaced
me."
"Stop it," he whispered as his eyes filled with tears. "I love you."
"But you want him more," I said in disgust as I let him go and got to my feet.
"That's not true!" Ryder yelled and got up. "Yes, I want him. I find him attractive and I like him. But I
love you. You said we were all a family. There shouldn't be any jealousy in a family, Spencer. After
we almost lost Luc we swore we wouldn't keep worrying about getting jealous because we knew how
we felt about each other. What happened to that trust? You act like I was sneaking around on you. I
don't understand any of this."
"Ryder, walk away," Dean said firmly as he stalked toward us.
"No, Spencer's upset," Ryder argued. "I don't know why he's blowing up like this over nothing but I
won't just walk away."
"Fuck you," I snarled, pissed for a whole new reason now. "Fuck. You. Ryder." He snapped his
mouth shut as tears ran down his cheeks. He shook his head at me as if I was the jerk here. Before I
could even think to stop myself I closed the space between us and lifted him by his shirt so we were
nose to nose. "No matter what's happened between us I've never just accused you of overreacting or
ignored how you were feeling. Have I?"
"No," he whispered, understanding sinking in as despair filled his eyes. "No, you've always said if I
was upset there was a reason behind it and I couldn't help the way I feel. That if it was enough to
upset me then it was something that needed to be dealt with."
"Yeah, I have. Nice that the understanding runs both ways," I said in a choked voice. I lowered him to
his feet and spun on my heel. I went into the house, shifting back as I raced up the stairs. I didn't want
to be in our room and I sure as hell wasn't going to retreat to the room Dallas was staying in. So I
picked one of the other guest rooms and flopped on the bed.
Maybe originally my feelings got hurt and it was a simple misunderstanding. Then when I saw them
together in the bunkhouse the sight clicked with that ugly little voice in my head that said I was being
replaced. But the way Ryder acted just now, dismissing my feelings and acting like I was the jerk… I
didn't even begin to know how to process that.
I'd always been there for him. Whether it was getting him clean and dealing with the withdrawal
symptoms or helping him get away from his pimp. Yes, I did it because I loved him and didn't want
anything in return but his love. Ryder was always so loving, ready to give some to anyone who
needed it. But to defend Dallas when I was hurting? What had I done to push him away?
He and Luc were the ones who wanted me to turn Dallas so he didn't die. How did that end up with
me on the outside looking in? Why was I defending myself?
Next thing I knew I was crawling under the covers and snuggling in for a nap. I knew I should have
gotten back to work since there were a ton of things to do for the opening. I just couldn't. I was
exhausted down to my very core. I'd had so much thrown at me from the moment I met Ryder that I'm
not sure I ever let it all settle the right way.
Maybe that's what it meant to be Alpha. I never got a moment's peace. Well fuck that. I needed a rest.
That was my last thought as I drifted off to sleep. And maybe I didn't want to be the Alpha anymore.

HAPTER

When I woke up it was dark out. I sat up and rubbed my tired eyes, listening to the house.

Everyone was already in bed. I was glad, which made me feel a little guilty, but I just needed some
time to myself. I slipped out of bed and quietly walked out of the guest room and passed my room. I
couldn't even look inside. My emotions were all over the place already and if I saw them sleeping
peacefully without me or Dallas in my spot I might totally break.

As I reached the stairs my stomach growled. Then I frowned as my depressed thoughts came back.

Random, right? But when I thought of food, I remembered the leftover lasagna, and my mind went
right to Ryder. Hence the frown.

I pushed the door to the kitchen open, no longer hungry but thirsty, and I figured coffee would help

clear my head. Until I saw who else was up, sitting at the table with tears running down his cheeks…
Ryder.

"I can leave. I know you need some space and you missed dinner," he whispered with a sniffle. "I

can heat you up something."

"Thought you were mad at me for doubting you?" I was tired and I didn't have it in me to fight but

I had to know the change in his attitude.

"No, not mad." His voice was so quiet and full of emotions I barely made out what he was saying.

"I have no excuse for how I acted. I was a first rate asshole and I'm sorry, Spence. I'm so fucking
sorry that it's crazy sorry."

"Can you give me a reason?" I grabbed a soda and opted for an apple as I sat at the table across

from him. Part of me just wanted to retreat to my office and deal with this later. But I never could just
walk away from Ryder when he was upset.

"My therapist says people use reasons as excuses for the shit they pull," he hedged, his nose

scrunched up in thought. It was one of those cute things that Ryder did that made me fall in love with
him. "I'm still working out the difference and it's confusing. I don't want to give you reasons and sound
like I'm defending myself because that's just an excuse then."

I let out a snort and he finally glanced up at me. "Baby, no one knows how to do that. If you figure

out how to explain yourself without sounding like you're getting defensive, you let me know. We can
patent the process and make millions selling it to all men in trouble around the world." His face
relaxed and I saw him understand that I was trying to lighten the mood. "Can you just tell me what you
were feeling and what you were thinking?"

"I was mad," he said dejectedly as he glanced back down at his hot cocoa. There were so many

marshmallows I thought it might overflow. That was Ryder style comfort. "God, I was so fucking
mad. All I kept thinking was how could you doubt that I loved you more than my own life? Then I was
mad at myself that I wasn't able to show you if you were so upset. And then I just blew up because
something was my fault again."

"Again?" I was a little confused on that one. When I had ever acted like anything was Ryder's

fault?
"Growing up I was always in trouble," he sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "It was my fault
that I was small and un-athletic, according to my dad. Something went wrong at the house and it was
my fault. Then it was my fault that I was gay. Even after, when I was in New York, my pimp blamed
me for everything."
"Okay, I can see how that would give you a complex."
"My therapist says I need to start stepping up and defending myself or I'll never get over my low self-

esteem. He explained to me if I'm always the easy scapegoat that people will always blame me. But if
I start sticking up for myself and not just accept blame that they'll see me better." "I wasn't blaming
you for—"
"I know you weren't." He looked at me with sad eyes. "Well, I got that later when I calmed down and
Dean and Luc started lecturing me. In the moment, though, I thought I was getting blamed for
something else I didn't do wrong. I mean, I know with Dean I jumped the gun and hurt you by sleeping
with him after we met him. But with Dallas we've discussed it. I called you into the office before I let
anything happen.
"I thought you were saying I'd betrayed you and I got defensive. I tried to defend myself but it just
wasn't needed. Instead I was a selfish bastard who wasn't listening really and dismissed your
feelings. I'm really sorry."
"I know you are," I whispered as I stood to get my coffee when the pot was done brewing. "I can see
you are. Can you see this from my perspective though? I was feeling replaced and upset, whether it
was valid or not, it was how I felt. Then the man I love is just dismissing it and saying I'm
overreacting. After all we've been through and all the times I've been there for you."
"Yeah, I can. You also hit a really sore spot, Spence. I don't think you realized what you were saying
when you were so angry."
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair as I fixed up my coffee the way I liked it. "That I saved you.
That I got you off drugs and gave you a home. Yeah, I thought about it during my nap. All I kept doing
while I was sleeping was replaying the scene in my dreams."
"You did do all those things, but the way you said it hurt and I lashed out. I'm not a puppy you rescued
that should now blindly follow you around. I'm with you because I love you, not because I feel
indebted you to. I wouldn't do that and it sounded like that's what you wanted."
"No, that's not what I want. What I meant is you always said you'd never forget how I helped you and
it's what made you fall in love with me. We have history and you don't have that with Dallas. So why
were you leaving my bed to go to him?"
"I understood that later but at the time, yeah, it added fuel to my confused fire." He was quiet a few
moments as I sat back at the table. "I told Dallas that I couldn't be with him anymore. I like him and
he's a good guy but I love you. If me being with him hurt you I couldn't do it."
"That's not what I wanted," I whispered, shaking my head. This was why I was inclined to try to let
things blow over. All the angst and misunderstandings were just hurting everyone.
"It's the only solution I saw that didn't have you getting hurt again." He shrugged his shoulders and
tilted his head. "What do you want then, Spence?"
"I want to not feel like I'm being replaced," I mumbled, feeling like a big baby for causing all this
trouble. "I don't want you leaving our bed to go to him. It makes me feel like I'm not enough, or not the
one you want. I mean, you got into bed and then got out and went to him. How would you feel if you
climbed into bed with me and I got out and went to someone else?"
"Fuck," he gasped. "I never realized I did it like that. I just was getting into bed and then it hit me that
Dallas was all alone and maybe I should go check on him."
"Yeah, let's all worry about Dallas," I grumbled. I liked the guy, I cared for him a lot, and was falling
for him. It just seemed like so much centered around him lately. Namely Ryder's attention. "He's just
such a hot, awesome, ex-assassin. How could anyone resist?"
Ryder took a slow, deep breath before speaking. "I was an ass not to pay attention to how my leaving
might affect you or upset you. That's not the same as me caring for him more or replacing you. That's
not fair to say, Spence. I get you could feel that way, but logically going through it and accusing me of

it are two different things. I understand the feeling. Not the conclusion. You're everything to me.
"Where do we go from here?" he asked hesitantly. "Do you want me to stop with everyone? Or only
be with them if you're there too? I won't lose you, Spence."
"No, I don't know." I rubbed my burning eyes before looking at him. "Luc told me that we're the roots
or trunk of this family. If we're broken or something's wrong than we affect our whole family or tree."
"Yeah, he gave me the same lecture." Ryder winced and scrunched up his nose. "I got kicked out of
the bed tonight. Everyone's upset with me and told me to go sleep on the couch."
"They shouldn't have done that," I growled. He gave me the first real smile in a while.
"I'd be just as pissed at them if they hurt you." He closed his eyes and took a few more breaths before
they popped back open. "Maybe it's time we started pairing off. Six might be too many in one
relationship."
"No, I'll figure out a way."
"Or I could just leave," Dallas said quietly from the doorway. I'd been so wrapped up in our
conversation I hadn't even heard or smelled him approaching. "I packed my shit. It was never my
intention to cause trouble. I could call that Max guy and join his pack."
"I don't want you to go," I choked out, realizing how serious this was getting.
"Then tell me what to do," he whispered as he blinked rapidly. "I love all of you and that's not
something I thought I could ever do. Ryder's just easiest for me to be around because he always
knows what I need without me having to ask for it."
"Why can't you just come be in our bed?" That was the logical solution to me. "Why do you still have
to have your own room?"
Ryder and Dallas shared a glance and I realized I was missing something. After a moment Dallas
cleared his throat and answered. "You never invited me, Spencer. You said I wasn't welcome and
even after we all became lovers I didn't think I was welcome in your bed at night until you told me."
"Oh god we're idiots," I groaned, letting my head smack on the table. "And here I thought you weren't
ready." I turned my head on my arms so I could see his large frame in the doorway. "Do you want to
be in our bed at night?"
"Yes, very much so," he admitted quietly.
"Then that solves everything." I smiled at him as I sat back up. "Ryder won't be leaving my bed to go
to yours if you're in ours."
"Just like that you're fine with me being with him?" His lips thinned into a tight line for a moment.
"You got upset about him giving me head earlier today too."
"Yeah, but that was just because my feelings were already hurt and when I saw you guys together I
saw myself with Ryder the night we met you. It was just my issues with being replaced flashing to the
front of my brain. If he's not leaving me to be with you then I don't think it's a problem. I've walked in
on you guys before and it's never bothered me."
The room was silent for several beats before Dallas nodded. "Then I'll unpack tomorrow and throw
some stuff in your room. Tonight I'm going to join them and leave you and Ryder to have some alone
time."
"Thank you." I hoped my gaze conveyed my feelings, but I was truly grateful. I didn't want him to
leave. He was a great addition to our family and I cared for him dearly. I just wanted to not worry
anymore or have my feelings hurt.
"I'm just glad I get to stay," he chuckled and gave a wave before leaving the kitchen. Ryder and I sat
there for several minutes, neither of us knowing what to say. There was still tension in the room but it
had receded greatly now that we had a plan.

"I love you so much, Spence. I've never needed more than you. I wouldn't get rid of anyone in our
family— I love them all. How I feel about them isn't even up for debate. It's just I needed you to know
I feel the same way as what you said earlier. I would have been happy if it had been just the two of us
for the rest of our long lives."
"Really?" I whispered, tears in my eyes. I knew what he was saying. It wasn't like everyone else
didn't matter, I wanted them with us. But Ryder would have made my life complete. I wouldn't have
ever felt something was lacking or that we needed someone else to be whole.
"Of course," he cried softly. "I never thought anything was missing when it was just us. I would have
been happy forever the way things were."
"But I'm glad we found the others," I hedged, needing him to understand I still wanted them too.
"Yes, they're part of our family now," he agreed with a nod. "But I only have one Spencer. One is all
I'll ever need or want. No one could ever take your place in my heart. Everyone in this house is my
lover and I love them, but wolves mate for life and I've always thought you were my mate. I read the
book. We've bitten each other several times and that means we've claimed each other. Our bond is the
root, like Luc says."
In a flash I was up and around the table, lifting him into my arms. What he said was exactly how I felt.
This wasn't about everyone else or them taking second seat in our feelings for them. This was about
Ryder and me and needing to understand how deep our bond ran.
"That was the most romantic, loving thing I've ever heard," I whispered against his lips, our foreheads
leaning against each other. His body was wrapped around mine and I knew in my heart this is where
Ryder belonged. In my arms with no issues between us. "And I feel the exact same way, baby."
"Good, because it was killing me that we weren't good," he cried, burying his face in my neck. "I love
you, Spence. I can't lose you. I'd rather die a thousand deaths than have to watch you leave me."
"Never, Ryder. I'll never leave you," I assured him as I carried him to the media room. I wanted a
place far from everyone else with a door that closed. This was our time. We didn't have it often but
we needed it right now. "I thought I'd get over my issues on my own but while I hate how this played
out, I'm glad you know now. I hated feeling like you were slipping away from me."
"No, I couldn't live without you. No one could replace you." His bright eyes shined up at me as I
kicked the door closed and laid him down on the fake bearskin rug we'd gotten for in front of the
fireplace. This was the last room we'd renovated and we went all out decorating it. "I love you."
"I never get tired of hearing it and each time I feel a thrill go through me." I blushed when I realized
how cheesy that sounded. Fuck it. I could be mushy with Ryder and he'd never think less of me.
"I'll have to remember that," he giggled, and then moaned when I pulled down the little boy shorts he
was wearing. It wasn't like we had visitors a lot and we were all men in the house, all involved. We
didn't get dressed beyond basics very often. It also made easier access to the prize. "I mean it every
time I say it. It's never just an automatic response or a get-out-of-trouble phrase. I only say it when I'm
feeling it."
"I know," I whispered as I knelt between his legs, moving one ankle onto each of my shoulders. I
kissed the arch of his left foot and made my way down his leg.
"What are you doing?"
"We fuck too much," I answered. It came out mumbled because I wouldn't stop what I was doing.
"Yes, and I like that."
"No," I chuckled, glancing at him as I passed his knee and made my way up his thigh. "We fuck too
much. I like what we do, I just want more than always quick and desperate. I never seem to get the
chance to take my time with you."

"You're saying you want us to make love more often?" I nodded and his eyes misted for a second
before he smiled. "I like it. Good plan. We should say that at least once a week we'll take some slow,
just us time so we never doubt our bond again."
"Deal." It was a good plan and with six of us in the relationship we needed to make some one on one
time. I planned on having the same conversation with Luc as well. Ryder gasped when I reached his
groin and simply ran my tongue in between his cock and sac. Then I moved up to his other foot and
did the same thing. By the time I was done, he was whimpering and squirming around.
I kissed up his stomach, stopping to play with his nipples before moving up to his shoulder and down
his arm. Then I did it again to the other side.
"Yeah, taking time is good. I'm going to blow," he moaned. I made sure that I was over him, my dick
rubbing against his the whole time I played.
"Do it," I ordered as I reached down and ran my finger over his leaking slit. Ryder cried out and came
as I moved down his body. Watching him in the throes of his orgasm was magical. There wasn't
another word for it. When he was done he relaxed into the rug like a wet noodle. I wasn't done with
him yet. "Watch me."
He opened his eyes and lifted his head enough to see me as I lapped his cum slowly off his stomach.
Ryder moaned as he eyes rolled up into his head. "Fuck that feels good."
I smiled evilly and reached down to his hole. He was wearing his plug so I was glad I didn't have to
go searching for lube. I teased him until he started begging me to take him and pulled it out. I sat back
on my heels and pulled him up onto my lap, slowly lowering him down onto my cock.
"I love you. I love this. Nothing could ever replace this, Spence," he whispered against my lips. I
nodded and kissed him passionately. We started moving together slowly, letting the pleasure build.
Every time I'd thrust up he'd push his hips down. We met together with a soft smack that was just
erotic enough to be perfect.
"Never doubt that you're mine, baby. I won't let you go," I panted, getting close. His eyes glazed over
when he realized it.
"Fill me with proof of your pleasure," he demanded. We started moving faster, but not as fast as
normal. Just enough to push us both over the edge. Ryder and I cried out at the same time, coming
together as only people in love could do. The bliss of our peaks overwhelmed me and I felt as if I
was drifting out of my body.
"I'm not done with you though," I gasped when we finished, sweaty and wrapped around each other.
"I hope you never are." He gave me an impish smile as his chest heaved from exertion. "Claim me as
yours. I want to wear your bite."
My thoughts exactly. We'd learned if I bit him deeply right before I came the marks would last the
whole next day. It must have been a werewolf thing. I gave him a feral smile as my teeth elongated
and he shivered. In a flash I had him on his hands and knees as I shifted. Then I plunged right back
into his willing body and draped my much larger frame over his back.
"I love this too," he gasped as I slammed into him. "The need and desire I feel from you sets my body
on fire."
"I always need you," I growled. I set a punishing pace, knowing the animal in both of us needed it as
much as the human side of us had needed the tenderness. The only sounds in the room after that were
Ryder's cries of pleasure and our skin slapping together.
"Now, Spence," he warned me minutes later. I was right there with him. I bit him roughly, making
sure my teeth were all the way embedded into his neck. Ryder went wild, screaming loud enough to
almost hurt my ears. I snarled my joy at his submission seconds before he came. I was only a moment

behind him, never even having touched his cock.
I felt his fingers intertwine with my claws as I pumped my seed into him. We were connected in every
possible way and any doubts I had of losing him were gone.
He let out a guttural groan when the knot came out of my cock and attached itself to his prostate. I
moved one arm under his chest to support his weight as I pulled my teeth out of his neck. "Mine, now
and forever, my love."
"Oh yeah," he whispered before he went limp. I chuckled as I inhaled his scent deeply. I always
loved the smell of Ryder. It made me feel like I was home no matter where we were.
When the knot on my cock receded, I gently pulled out of him and lifted him into my arms as I stood. I
shifted back to my human form and strutted through the house with a big grin on my face, carrying my
conquest.
I was Alpha again. All was right in my world and I felt renewed and whole. Funny how something so
simple, like talking things out and some intimate love-making, could change my whole perspective on
things. Go figure.

HAPTER

Saturday came quicker than we could have imagined. We'd gotten the place all set up and ready to

go minus a few homey touches and decorations. But we ended up deciding to let each boy take care of
that themselves however they wanted to.

I'd also managed to have some alone time with all the men I loved, reaffirming our bonds as well.

Ryder and I discussed the resolution of our issues with the family and we were stronger now because
of it.

"There's a car coming!" Ryder called out excitedly and raced for the door. The opening and press

weren't getting here until noon but our out of town visitors needed to come earlier since they were
traveling.

"This is going to be good," Dean snickered as he clapped me on the back before going after him.

The whole house had been buzzing with anticipation all morning. We caught up with Ryder on the
front porch just as a Pontiac G6 parked and two women got out.

"Thank god we're here!" The tall blonde woman groaned as she reached up and stretched. "How I

let you talk me into a week road trip I'll never know."

"Most people find road trips fun," the shorter dark haired one quibbled with a cute pout. "Are you

saying I'm not fun?"

"You're loads of fun, Gabrielle. The car, not so much. You know I can't sit still very long and it's

been like forever since we've been out of the car."

"Yeah, like an hour ago when you made me stop again. I swear if you weren't so cute, Joyee, I'd

have left you in Minnesota."

"It's my car!" She laughed and then gasped. "Sorry, pup. I didn't forget you." She quickly opened

the back door and a smaller sized Weimaraner jumped out and immediately did his business.
"Mommy had to realign her joints now that she can stand."

"Um, who are they?" Ryder whispered under his breath as the scene unfolded. "I mean, they're

pretty, but I have a feeling there's more to this than two nice looking women showing up for the
opening."

Before I could answer the dog darted out in front of his owner, who stood by the driver's side

door, closest to us. "Marius, chill. They invited us." Then she looked up and gave us a bright smile.

"He won't attack unless you go to hit me. He's a good guard dog."

"Smart to have him on a long trip then," I said hesitantly as I mentally groaned. Most dogs didn't

like werewolves and I didn't know they had one with them. To make things worse, a Weimaraner was
a hunting dog. He'd be really in tune with potential danger.

"I've never seen all his fur up like that," Gabrielle hedged as she moved around the car to come

closer. "And damn, those are some teeth."

"Yeah, my little wolfie pup saved me from a mugger once," Joyee informed us as she stepped

closer. The dog, Marius, darted out in front of her, herding her back as he kept snarling at us. "Well
that's weird. I've never seen him do that." She glanced at us suspiciously with one arched eyebrow.
"You guys got some dead bodies in the house we need to know about?"

"Joyee and Gabrielle," Ryder whispered as his nose scrunched up. I knew he put it together when

his eyes got wide. "You got Gabrielle Evans and Joyee Flynn to show up for the opening! How did
you do that?!"

"We really hate doing our taxes," Gabrielle teased with a wink. Ryder squealed and leapt off the

porch to race to them. He got within five feet before the dog snapped at him as a warning.

"Seriously, what's going on?" Joyee growled, looking pissed. "He's never acted like this before

unless someone's tried to hurt me." She saw Ryder backing away slowly as Dean groaned. Then I
practically saw the light go off over her head. "Yeah, we have seen him act like this before,
Gabrielle."

"Um, I was just thinking the same thing." She eyed us and looked almost giddy. "They can't be

real, can they? I mean, seriously? We come to help out and find what we write about?"

"Dude, that's too fucking cool!" Joyee exclaimed, and then gave me a smirk. "He acted like this

when we stopped at a wolf park. So you guys want to tell us now or should I let Marius bite you until
you tell me?" Then her face got instantly dark. "You hurt my dog and I promise you I'm much scarier
than any of you could be."

"I doubt that," Dallas snickered.

"Try me," she said dangerously. I had to give the woman credit. She had proverbial balls the size of
Texas. "My guess is werewolves, given how pup's acting. But that doesn't mean I can't fight you. I've
taken down Navy Seals bigger than you in a boxing match."
"Could we not fight with the nice wolfs who invited us here, and not to be their dinner?" Gabrielle
rolled her eyes as a smile tugged at her lips.
"As soon as they swear they're not going to do anything to Marius for outing them." She shot her friend
a glance that clearly said she thought they could be in trouble for figuring things out.
"Oh, good point," Gabrielle conceded. "Yeah, what's your policy on humans finding out what you
are?"
"I'd vote that this conversation never happened," I said slowly. "You won't like the answer. But I've
done my homework. You both write under pen names. You understand the importance of keeping your
anonymity safe."
"We're no threat to you or wanting to out you. I can assure you of that," Joyee agreed and then bit her
lip as she glanced to her friend. "Not that I'm saying we know what you are, besides six hot gay men,
but could you tell us if, hypothetically, we're right?"
"Yeah, I so need to know. It would kill us on the ride home guessing." Gabrielle snickered. "But
we're not having this conversation. I never heard anything or we didn't see anything besides the little
guy having a steak in his hand that Marius tried to snap it away."
"Yes, right, I like that." The blonde nodded her head. "We're not staying the night so Marius can hang

in the car if I park in some shade."
"That sounds fair," Dean said with a shrug and glanced at me. "I didn't hear or see anything Max
needs to know about. Besides, they have families, and this could get really messy."
"Agreed." I looked around and saw our family nodding. I smiled at them and it was hard not to laugh
as Joyee tried to pick her dog up to get him to chill out. That dog had to be eighty pounds and while
that didn't seem a problem to her, he wouldn't stop moving.
"Hey, I'm the boss here," she grumbled. "Shut it, pup, or no more French fries for you when we go
through the drive through." The dog's ears perked up but then he went back to growling. "Marius,
come on. They're not going to hurt us."
"Can you keep him in the car long enough for me to make some French fries?" Ryder asked hopefully.
"All men can be bribed and I saw he knew the word."
"Yeah, he'd do anything for French fries or steak," she snickered. "Do you have some cheese? He's a
total cheese freak too."
"I'm on it," Ethan said and raced back into the house.
"By the way," I chuckled as we waited. "Hypothetically, you're right."
"I told you deviating from the planned route and extending our trip would be worth it," Gabrielle
teased her friend.
"Yes, you're always right. It's one of your charms," Joyee replied as she set the dog down. Then she
flicked off her friend playfully and we all started laughing.
The cheese ended up working. The dog, who didn't look like a puppy no matter if Joyee referred to
him as such, was hesitant but after a few pieces was fine. Ethan rolled on the ground playing with
Marius and while full grown, he did act like a puppy still. And that left an opening for Ryder.
"I love both your books!" He exclaimed as he hugged Gabrielle. He turned to Joyee and did the same,
the woman looking a little shell-shocked at his exuberance.
"He's hugging me," she chuckled nervously. "I'm not sure why he's hugging me."
"Because I'm a fan," he said brightly as he pulled away, but not before kissing her on the cheek. "I
love your writing."
"Thank you." Her face turned bright red as Gabrielle snickered.
"Joyee's got a personal space bubble," she explained when we all just stared at them funny. "The first
time she went to a conference some fans squealed when they realized who she was and she took a few
steps back in shock and almost fell into a pool. I'm a mom so I'm a little used to never having my own
space."
"Now I just want to hug her to see her reaction again," Luc teased.
"Whatever," she snorted, rolling her eyes. "I kept getting motor-boated in New Orleans."
"After we explained to you what that was," Gabrielle added. "I swear you so need to be corrupted."
"Find me some straight guys then," Joyee chuckled as she gestured to us. "You found the hot guys part
of the road trip adventure, but left off the straight part so I could have someone to play with."
"I've been with women," Dallas suggested nervously.
"Darlin', she'd eat you for breakfast," Gabrielle drawled as Joyee smacked her. The tension now
broken and the dog warmed up to everyone, we finally got around to introductions. Then we showed
them to one of the guest rooms where they could change and we could get last minute details sorted
out.
An hour later we were at the bunkhouse waiting for the local press to show up. Ryder looked ready to
toss his cookies like a proud papa of the project. When it was time he cut the ribbon that was held up
by two posts in front of the doors. He delivered his practiced speech perfectly as the local news and

Luc filmed it. We'd helped him write the speech and while it was intensely personal, speaking to his
experiences, he put on a great face for the cameras.
Gabrielle and Joyee then talked to the local news, explaining why they'd come out for the opening and
that they were thrilled to have been asked. I really liked both of them. They were honest, good
hearted, and a little quirky. In other words, they fit in perfectly with the group.
Just as we were wrapping up the press part a bus pulled up. We'd been told that shelters from several
states surrounding us had been notified of what we were doing and would send anyone they thought it
would help. Ethan had been in charge of arranging bus tickets and getting them here. When I saw the
bus I glanced over at him.
"I didn't want to ruin the surprise," he said sheepishly. "It was cheaper to rent a bus just to go pick
everyone up and drive them directly here."
"How many?" Ryder whispered as the bus doors opened and the first hesitant teenager stepped off.
"Nineteen." Ethan glanced between us, obviously doubting his decision to keep it quiet. "You said we
had room for thirty."
"This is fantastic!" Ryder exclaimed as he hugged Ethan. "We're going to help nineteen kids! Do you
know their ages? Where are they from?"
"Slow down, baby," I chuckled as Ethan started to impersonate a fish. "I don't think Ethan knows all
of that yet. I'm sure the shelters gave him some info but we'll have to take down full histories and start
files."
"I'm already all over that," Ethan said proudly. "Dallas came up with an arrival interview sheet with
lists of questions. We have one for today and then in a few weeks when they settle in there's a longer
one for them to fill out on their own in private."
"Perfect." I smiled widely. We walked over to the bus and joined Luc, Dean, and Dallas gathering all
the belongings of our new arrivals. Ethan had already charted out room assignments and we helped
the nervous teens get settled. I think once they saw we were for real they relaxed some but I knew it
wouldn't always be this easy.
The whole day went without a hitch and I wasn't sure who to thank for that so I went with everyone
and then fate and anyone else listening. Joyee and Gabrielle headed out after promising they'd be
sending us some of their books, signed of course, and made us swear if we needed anything to let
them know. We all agreed we really liked them.
"I'd marry them they're so cool," Ryder said that night as we got ready for bed.
"You're gay and Gabrielle said she was married," Luc reminded him.
"Yeah, but they're still cool."
"No one's disagreeing with you there, baby," I chuckled as I pulled him into my arms. Dean spooned
me from behind, taking his normal spot at the edge. Ethan faced Ryder as they held hands in the
middle of the bed, Luc behind him and then Dallas. It seemed we'd all found our rightful place and
where we fit.
I knew I wasn't the only one who fell asleep with a smile on my face that night. We'd done a good
thing starting No Longer Kicked Out and it worked… Just like our family. This was where we
belonged and no one doubted that anymore. I couldn't ask for anything more and wouldn't.

INALE

& E

PILOGUE

Several months later we didn't have any new members to our pack and we were all in agreement

that's how it should stay. Six was a perfect number and we all loved each other. It was a nice even

number and we could all fit in the custom made bed Dean had built us. No more.

Dean, Dallas, and I did go hunting with Molly and her husband for real wild turkeys right before

Thanksgiving. She then showed Ryder how to prepare them and they spent Thanksgiving with us along
with Margaret next door and the nineteen kids who were staying at No Longer Kicked Out. It was the
best holiday I'd ever had… Until Christmas. Then that was the best.

Gilbert, our pet pig, is huge now and a member of the family. Sure, Ryder still threatens to turn

him into bacon when he makes a mess or eats something he shouldn't. But we all know that he'd never
do it. He's a strange pet, but we're not a normal family. So it works for us.

Ryder is down to one therapy session a week and doing better than ever. He's dealt with his past

and even took a trip home to confront his parents. It had been hard on him but I think it was the right
thing to do. He seems happier after confronting his demons. Most days he's working with the kids that
live in the bunkhouse. We're up to twenty-two now and some have had a very rough time but with
counseling they're overcoming their obstacles.

Luc finished school and is now a full-fledged veterinarian. He works with our animals and some

of the neighbors'. His graduation present from all of us was a fully decked out mobile vet office
complete with portable X-ray and some other stuff he needed that I didn't understand. If he's needed,
he charges just for supplies. I asked him why that was and he shrugged and said we didn't need the
money and he loved what he did so why not help where he can. That's just who Luc is.

Dean picks up some jobs here and there helping in the community. He does the same thing. He just

wants to help. He's not starting a business or looking to make money. It keeps him busy and involved
with the community. Dean surprised us by saying he wanted to go to therapy as well to get over his
past trauma of losing his leg. Sure, everyone still thinks he had some crazy surgery in Europe to get
his new one, but the emotional scars were there. I was proud of him.

On the topic of therapy, Ethan goes three times a week now, with Dallas joining him one session a

week as well. I never thought Ethan was a sad person when he came into our lives but now seeing
him as he's healing, I realize it was the truth. He smiles constantly and is always coming up with some
idea to keep us organized and all on the same page. He's also taken a liking to Netflix on Xbox.
Personally I think he just has fun using the voice interactive system and bossing it around. Either way,
he's happy.

Dallas has come a long way from the solitary assassin he was when we met him. He's always

telling jokes or pulling pranks on people. I no longer ever worry that he's my replacement. He's just
one of our family. He's also taken to horse riding like a fish to water and when he needs some alone
time, goes for a long ride. I was shocked when he came to me with plans for installing some security
measures at the house and the bunkhouse. It was smart, like him, and I think it made him feel
comfortable that he could come to us with anything.

And me? I'm as happy as a pig in mud, pun intended. I have five wonderful men who love me. I

want for nothing and Fallon Industries is stronger than ever, even though the owner is gay. Guess I
showed the board members who thought it couldn't happen! I have presidents for all eighteen
subsidiaries now and two assistants who help me run things from New York. We've expanded,
creating more jobs in a time when our country needs it. I couldn't even dream up a way to make my
life better. I wake every day with a smile on my face and five naked men in my bed.
And we all lived happily ever after… No really, we did.

The End

BOUT THE

UTHOR

Joyee dreams of one day living on enough land to have a few horses, and find a couple of

cowboys or pool boys of her own. A lover of men, Joyee is all about them in any form in her books;
vampire, werewolf, shape-shifter,

military… It's all good! She loves to get lost in fantasy that only books can bring. Her wide

interest in reading is
reflected in her writings, whether short stories, romance, or mystical. Currently Joyee lives with her
dog, Marius,
named after a vampire from Ann Rice's Interview with the Vampire series.
Website:
WWW.JOYEEFLYNN.COM
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/joyee.flynn
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/joyeeflynn
Blog:
http://joyeeflynn.blogspot.com/
Email:
Joyee_intern@yahoo.com

LSO BY

OYEE

LYNN

Available from Silver Publishing:

WOLF HAREM Second Chance Bite

Spencer's Secret
Dying Assassin The Final Addition
Available at Siren-BookStrand:

PURRECT MATES Here Kitty, Kitty My Little Kitty Our Sexy Tiger My Angel Cheetah Kitty in

the Middle Cheetah in Charge My Feisty Kitten

NORTH AMERICAN DRAGON Dragon Mine

Dragon Ours
Their Dragon

MARIUS BROTHERS Micah

Remus
Stefan
Victor
Damian

THE O'HAGAN WAY A Dillon Sandwich A Caleb Footlong

A Zane Po' Boy

BEYOND THE MARIUS BROTHERS Isaac Dragos

Darcy Burke

Barnabas Leopold

Travis Rhodes
Maverick Danker

WHO NEEDS CHRISTMAS? Screw Santa

Hell's Bells
Stupid Mistletoe
Holy Stockings
Down with the Tunes Frosty Melt
Shove Your Tree
Stripe My Pole
Bite My Cookies
Flush the Twinkles
Hanging Antlers
Wrap It Up

MIDNIGHT MATINGS Squeak and A Roar Two Fangs and A Hoof Spells and Bananas Stripes

and Twin Horns

RESISTANT OMEGAS Tristan

Carson
Edric
Lennox

HIDING HOUNDS Sheriff Found Vet Found

DELTA WOLF Chameleon Wolf Mating Games Blood Lust

SONS OF THANATUS My Maven, My Everything Higher Rank

Available from Noble Romance:
HOUNDS OF HELL Avoiding Hell's Gates

View a complete list of Joyee Flynn's work at her website:

www.joyeeflynn.com/books

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