Out of the Cage: Time can heal all wounds, but only if
they’re acknowledged and treated.

Valarius Lemusson’s pride leaders send him to a shifter
gathering in Stone Ridge where various paranormal
representatives are discussing the revelation that the
government knows about their kind. While there, he enjoys
a night at a club and discovers his mate, Brice Gaithers,
being attacked in the restroom. He rescues the human and,
after filing a police report, takes him back to his room for a
night of tender aftercare and sweet seduction.

A surprise meeting with a wolf’s mate reveals that Brice

already knows about shifters, giving Valarius hope, until he
also learns that Brice wants nothing to do with them. He’s
prepared to give his mate time to accept him, but enemies
from his past come stalking, forcing his hand. Can Valarius
figure out how to convince Brice—someone already intimate
with the aggressiveness of shifters—that he can give him the
love and stability Brice desperately craves?

Warning: attempted rape scene.

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do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and
incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or
are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or
locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Just Lion Around

ISBN: 978-1-77111-629-9

Cover art by Angela Waters

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Just Lion Around

Wolves of Stone Ridge: Book Nineteen

Charlie Richards

To the bumps in the road…they remind us to check our course.

Chapter One

alarius Lemusson tapped his thumb impatiently against
the seam of his jeans. He really didn’t want to be there.

Too many shifters—and even a vampire and gargoyle or
two—were crowded into the hotel conference room. Wolf
shifters were stationed at every entrance to monitor who
entered, confirming their secrecy.

His lion hated being cooped up with so many unknown

shifters, making him edgy. The pheromones given off by the
mated wolves made it even worse instead of better, since all
he could think about was finding a willing partner—hell,
male or female, he couldn’t give a shit at this point—and
fucking them through the nearest flat surface.

Damn, I need to get laid.
Even as part of him felt honored that his pride leaders,

Perrin and Terence, had chosen him to represent them at this
gathering—after all, he’d only been with them, less than a
year—most of him just wanted to go home. Unfortunately,
he couldn’t, and Valarius knew that. He needed to know
what the other shifters planned to do about the human
government knowing about their existence…if anything.

Unfortunately, it didn’t look like any resolution was

going to come today. Some representatives wanted to keep
secret everyone the government didn’t know about, yet.
Some people wanted to reveal how many there were—not
locations or species, but a general number figure—so the
government knew they’d be a force to be reckoned with if
push came to shove. Still, others wanted to wait and see if

Charlie Richards

the government held to their word—that they’d leave
shifters alone if they kept themselves a secret.

Personally, Valarius liked the second group’s idea. Better

to be on the offensive, show the government they couldn’t
be pushed around or taken advantage of. The problem with
the scientists had been bad enough, but the government?
Hell, no.

The pounding of a gavel quieted the arguing group—and

really, who brought a gavel with them these days? Looking
toward the front, Valarius spotted that the gavel wielder was
Carson Angeni, a Native American wolf shifter and one of
the Stone Ridge’s enforcers. Next to him stood Shane
Alvaro—the pack’s beta—who glared at the arguing,
assembled shifters. A clearly exasperated Declan McIntire,
the Stone Ridge wolf alpha, stood at the podium with them,
attempting to run the meeting. He’d met the wolf shifters
when he’d been welcomed by them into the territory upon
first arriving two days before.

Declan lifted a hand and called, “I think it’d be best if we

called it a day. Everyone, please take the evening to think
about the ideas discussed and tomorrow we’ll reconvene at
one in the afternoon.”

Valarius doubted a recess would help the group come to a

consensus, but since it got him out of there for the night, he
sure as hell wasn’t going to complain. Rising from his chair,
he turned and headed toward the nearest exit.

The man standing vigil smirked as one passerby sneered

and muttered, “Fucking humans.”

When he drew near, he realized the person actually was

human, not a wolf shifter. Although, he did reek of wolf,
telling Valarius that the man had a mate. Pausing just
outside the doorway, Valarius commented softly, “Friendly
group.”

Just Lion Around

The guy threw his head back and laughed for a moment,

and Valarius found himself chuckling. Crossing his arms
over his chest and leaning against the wall, he watched
several more people file out as he waited for the human to
get himself under control.

“Yeah, that’s how I’d describe them.” The man thrust out

a hand, his hazel eyes twinkling with mischief. “Jared.”

Unwrapping one arm, he took the offered hand and gave

it a brief shake. “Valarius,” he replied, following the man’s
example and only giving his first name. Something about the
man’s name jogged his memory, but he couldn’t place it.
Figuring it’d come to him eventually, he continued, “I’m
looking for a place to have a drink. Blow off some steam.”
He grinned and lifted a brow. “Maybe even get laid. Know
any?”

Grinning, Jared swept his gaze over Valarius. The rather

open perusal from the obviously mated man surprised him,
but he didn’t comment on it. Instead, he just smirked and
waited.

“As a matter of fact, there’s a couple good clubs in Colin

City. Try O’ Henry’s if you want something more hip. They
opened a couple years ago, and aren’t too bad. Or, if you’re
looking for something a little…seedier, go to Roosters,” Jared
finished, grinning.

Valarius pushed away from the wall and nodded once.

He’d look them both up on his Smartphone in a bit.
“Thanks, Jared. I’ll let you get back to your door watching.”

Jared gave him a mock salute as he turned away. He was

almost out of earshot when he noticed Carson, the pack
enforcer stop at Jared’s side. “That was mean, Jared,” the
enforcer admonished.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jared replied,

trying to look innocent and failing utterly.

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Carson shook his head. “Sending the poor guy to gay

bars.”

Jared grinned. “Oh, no. Mean would be getting there first

and watching his expression as he walked in…”

Valarius snickered under his breath. That explained the

man’s mischievous look, and the man’s name finally
registered. Carson had mentioned being mated to a Jared.
That must have been him. Too bad he wouldn’t be at O’
Henry’s to see his plan backfire. Valarius would happily take
a man to his bed. Sex of his partner had never mattered to
him…at least, not after he’d left his original pride and their
bigoted attitudes.

Looking forward to a night of bending some young twink

over a flat surface and reaming his ass—all night long—
Valarius headed toward his room to get cleaned up.

Walking into the club, Valarius drew in a deep breath.

Male sweat, sex, and arousal filled his nostrils. His cock
thickened to half-mast at the heady aroma. He grinned. This
was just what he needed. Some dancing, the feel of hands,
not his own, touching him, and at the end of the night, a
hard body to fuck.

Perfect.
Valarius strode through the throngs of men. His broad-

shouldered six-foot-three-inch frame and well-muscled body
parted the crowd easily even as it garnered a number of
looks. From the expressions cast his way, he knew he
wouldn’t have any trouble finding a man to warm his bed.

He angled his way to the bar and ordered a jack and coke.

After taking the drink, and winking at the attractive man
behind the bar who gave him an appreciative once over, he
headed toward an empty table along the back wall. He
wanted to relax a moment and scope out the offerings before
deciding whom to approach first.

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There was all types en force tonight, from leather daddies

and bears to twinks and geeks to everything in between.
Due to Valarius’ dominant nature, he usually went with
someone a little smaller than him, but he wasn’t averse to
someone bigger as long as they didn’t have a problem
bottoming. He’d had a dick up his ass a time or two, but it
wasn’t really his thing.

Deciding he’d see who came to him, Valarius downed the

rest of his drink and headed out to the dance floor. Once
amidst the crowd, he closed his eyes and let the music take
him. The pounding beat pulsed through his body and he
moved his hips in time with the tempo.

It didn’t take long for his shirt to disappear, pulled from

his body by appreciatively stroking hands, but he wasn’t
worried about it. His leather jacket—locked in the saddlebag
of his Kingpin—would keep him warm on the ride back. Or,
it would keep his fuck buddy warm and his pick-up would
wrap his arms around him and keep him toasty. He smiled,
liking that plan very much.

Valarius didn’t know who touched him and didn’t care.

Multiple sets of hands roved over his chest, along his back,
across his hips and he moved into them, his inner cat
purring in his mind at the petting.

Gods, it’s been too long since I did this.
Finally, he opened his eyes and peered through the

flashing lights at whomever grinded against him. Several
inches shorter, the human had blond hair held in place with
copious amounts of gel. Blue eyes filled with easily
discernible lust for the muscles he petted, and a pretty face
that obviously knew its allure if the self-assured smile was
anything to go by.

Nice.
Wrapping his arms around the man, Valarius pulled him

close. He rubbed against him, feeling the other man’s hard-

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on. Lowering his head, he inhaled the guy’s scent, but found
himself turned off by the cloying scent of smoke, and what
was probably expensive cologne. Being a shifter, his sense of
smell was far more sensitive, and there was nothing pleasing
about the heavy mixture.

Damn.
He lifted his head and forced a smile, finishing the song

with the blond. When the man tried to go in for a kiss, he
tilted his head back and away, avoiding it. Valarius didn’t
usually kiss a man anyway, and after smelling the dude, he
sure as hell didn’t want to taste him. Like most shifters, he
avoided people that used heavy cologne or clinging odors,
since they often hurt their senses.

Once the song ended, he extracted himself from the

human, or tried to. The blond clung to him, moving his hold
from his waist to his arm. He frowned at the shorter, more
slender man. “I’m just here to dance,” he stated, barely
holding back his snarl.

The guy slid his hand down Valarius’ body and cupped

his dick, which had softened a smidge after discovering the
lack of chemistry between them. “I’m sure I can change your
mind,” he replied, smirking coyly through his lashes.

Valarius figured the blond could, too, especially with how

nicely he worked his shaft. Maybe he should let Blondie give
him a blowjob to take the edge off. He could find someone to
fuck later…someone he wouldn’t have to struggle
controlling his propensity to bite and lick their spine and
neck.

In fact, he felt his gut clench at the idea of heading to the

bathroom, with or without the pick-up. Something told him
he should really head that way right that instant. Deciding to
humor his obviously horny companion—and get relief for
his once more hard cock—Valarius grabbed the man’s arm

Just Lion Around

and leaned down to say into his ear, “Blow me in the
bathroom and I’ll jack ya off.”

The other man grinned. “Ya got a deal.”
Keeping a hold on the man, Valarius led the way off the

dance floor toward the neon sign that read restrooms. When
he stepped into the hallway, he scented something musky
and sweet, like sweat and some fruity drink. It smelled very
nice, causing his prick to stiffen back to full arousal.

He smiled, liking the fact that now he wouldn’t have to be

in there too long with Blondie and could return to his quest
to find a fuck buddy. Anticipating getting off, he didn’t pay
attention to the odd noises coming from beyond the door,
but when he pushed his way in, two things hit him at once—
first, the incredible scent was coming from one of the men in
the bathroom. Second—that man was currently struggling in
the grip of two other men.

The first man appeared to be divulging the clothes of the

slender twink in the second man’s arms.

Mate!
Arousal and anger roared through Valarius’ veins in

equal measure.

Mine!
A low growl rumbled through him and he released his

grip on Blondie and took a step toward the trio. Rage
coursed through his veins at what was happening to his
mate, and even some misplaced guilt. What if I’d been two
minutes later? He didn’t like thinking about that.

“Get lost, asshole. This don’t concern you,” said another

person to his right he hadn’t even noticed. His gaze had
been too riveted on the struggling human.

The door behind him slammed shut, and a glance over his

shoulder told him his date was gone. That was fine. Now he
didn’t have to come up with some way to shoo him off.

Charlie Richards

Curling his lip, Valarius snarled, “You just cost me a
blowjob. I think you should make it up to me.”

The cocky dark-haired man laughed and waved toward

their whimpering victim. “How about I just let you fuck him
instead?” He snickered. “That’s better than a blowjob any
day.”

Valarius really had to struggle not to just tear the bastards

apart. He so wanted to see their red blood splattered across
the walls and floor for hurting his mate. However, he had no
desire to have to call Carson to post bail for hurting—hell,
for killing—a few humans. That certainly wouldn’t be a
good way for his human mate to remember their first
meeting.

Instead, he forced a smirk and crossed his arms over his

chest. “I like my men willing.”

“Oh, don’t worry. He’s willing,” the guy assured, a cold

gleam in his eyes. “Brice is very willing.”

Just Lion Around

Chapter Two

rice Gaithers had hoped when the bathroom door was
shoved open, it would be the bouncers. Instead, in

walked one of the…well, not the biggest men, but this guy
was damn close.

Unfortunately, the hope that the sexy stranger would help

him died quickly enough. With the way he was moving
closer, dark eyes sweeping over him with lust
and…something else, now Brice feared he’d join in.

God, my life sucks.
All he’d wanted was a night away—away from his friend,

Vee, and Vee’s wolf shifter boyfriend, and away from their
sickeningly sweet lovey, dovey attitude. When they’d gone
to some shifter convention thingy, Brice had left for the club.
He’d thought he’d found a little fun with Donnie, the guy
who seemed to be the group speaker, but when he’d joined
the man in the bathroom for a quickie, he’d discovered they
wouldn’t be having that quickie alone.

“He doesn’t look very willing,” the newcomer stated.

“Can’t he speak for himself?”

Much to Brice’s shock, and causing a fair amount of

shame, the man’s deep growly voice actually caused his
prick to start thickening in his boxers.

Donnie smiled coldly at Brice, his gaze full of warning—

and that got his untimely arousal to disappear, thank God.

Charlie Richards

“Go ahead, Brice,” Donnie cajoled. “Tell our new friend how
willing you are.”

Billy removed his hand from his mouth and Brice licked

his lips. Taking a chance, he whispered, “Please help me.”

“Answer right, fucker,” Conan snarled from in front of

him before balling up his fist and nailing him in the ribs.

Brice whimpered and if Billy hadn’t been holding him, he

would have doubled over. “Please,” he gasped.

“Fair enough,” the new guy stated. He crossed his arms

over his chest and smirked at Donnie. “You cost me a
blowjob, so I get him first.” He waved at Billy and Conan.
“One of you stand guard.” Eyes narrowing, he added, “It
wouldn’t do to have someone come in and
cause…problems.”

“No,” Donnie snapped. “I brought him in here, so I get

him first. You can have him second or get lost.”

“I see,” the stranger said. “In that case, by all means…”

He held out a hand toward an empty stall and smiled.

Brice didn’t like the look of that smile.
Donnie’s eyes narrowed, then he sneered and stalked

over toward him. Brice couldn’t help it. He started to shake
and once against struggled to get free, but Billy’s grip was
too tight, too strong. Donnie grabbed his arm and snapped,
“Watch the door, Conan.”

His friend grumbled, but did as instructed. Donnie

yanked Brice into his arms. The stranger leaned against the
sink. Donnie tried to kiss him, but Brice wrenched sideways,
nearly getting free.

To his shock, instead of being shoved into a stall, he heard

a growl and Donnie stumbled, releasing him. Brice took
advantage and leaped sideways. Unfortunately, a thick,
strong arm wrapped around his waist and reeled him in and
up against a hard, broad chest.

Just Lion Around

Brice wriggled and swung his arms, trying to strike the

man holding him. Unfortunately, his pants were around his
ankles so he couldn’t kick.

“Be still,” a deep voice hissed into his ear. “I won’t hurt

you.”

He froze. He couldn’t explain it, but Brice actually

believed the guy. The arm around him was roped with
muscle, but the man’s hand was gentle where it spread
across his belly…and the big man could actually palm his
entire stomach.

Looking around, Brice saw Billy on the floor of the

bathroom, unmoving, and Donnie leaned against the wall.
He rubbed his jaw, his eyes narrowed, anger gleaming from
them. “So,” he snarled. “You just had to have him for
yourself.” He sneered and yelled, “Conan!”

The door banged open. “My turn?”
“Afraid not,” Donnie stated, his voice colder than Brice

had heard it yet. “We got us a little problem. Seems our new
friend is a selfish fucker.”

“Maybe I just understand the difference between the thrill

of sharing something with a partner and the thrill of being a
bully,” the interloper growled. “You think I won’t happily
lay you out like I did your friend?”

Evidently, Conan didn’t like that, because the man

charged toward him. Taking the coward’s way, Donnie
waited until the stranger had pushed Brice behind him and
had engaged with Conan before jumping forward.
Somehow, his savior still managed to step between them
and knock Donnie back a step.

Brice wedged himself between two sinks and tried to

figure out what the hell to do now. To his shock, he didn’t
have to do much. The other guy seemed more than capable,
even though it was two against one.

Charlie Richards

Just as the stranger laid out Donnie, the bathroom door

burst open and in came the blond dude who’d originally
accompanied the stranger. Plus, a pair of bouncers charged
in behind him, their huge muscles and t-shirts with the club
logos giving them away.

“Hold it right there,” a big burly African American

ordered.

The second man, a raven-haired dude with a leaner build,

but who still looked just as capable by the way he flexed his
hand and stood at the ready, swept his gaze around the
room. “Looks like we missed the party.”

The pretty boy who’d brought the bouncers crossed to

Brice’s hero’s side and rested a hand on his arm. “Are you
okay?”

A wave of jealousy crashed over Brice. He knew it was

irrational, since his goateed hero had arrived in the
bathroom with the man. Except, Brice really wished he could
be the one touching the big man’s arm, holding his hand
and…

“Are you okay?”
The second bouncer stood in front of Brice, blocking his

line of sight. Brice cringed and pressed his back against the
wall as the big man peered down at him. Then the man’s
words registered and he forced himself to nod.

“Did they hurt you?”
Did they hurt me? Brice shuddered at the question. He

stood in a public restroom with his jeans around his thighs,
his shirt…hell if he knew where his shirt was, and his arms
wrapped around his torso. But was he hurt? Mentally, hell
yeah. Physically? Slowly, Brice shook his head.

“No,” he whispered. “The other guy stopped them.”
“Devon is calling the cops, so you can press charges,” the

man told him, indicating the other bouncer where he had his
phone pressed to his ear. “Let me help you.”

Just Lion Around

When the man reached for him, Brice’s brain seemed to

short-circuit, and all he could remember was the feel of Billy
and Conan’s hands. He cringed and screamed, “Get away!”

Suddenly, the bouncer was pushed aside and his hero’s

strong arms wrapped around him. Brice sank into the big
man’s embrace, trembling as he clung. He didn’t know why
this person touching him was okay and the bouncer
touching him wasn’t. It just was.

“Easy, babe,” the man holding him crooned, his gravelly

voice rumbling softly. “You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

Slowly, Brice’s shudders subsided and he could start to

breathe again. With more oxygen in his lungs, reality
returned, along with a healthy dose of embarrassment. It still
took another few minutes for him to get his body under
control enough to ease away from the man.

Except, the big stranger didn’t seem in any hurry to

release him. Realizing that, Brice slowly lifted his head and
peered up through his lashes at the man who held him.
After seeing the cold anger and feral lustful expressions on
the man’s face earlier, the look of sympathy and concern
seemed out of place.

Brice’s goateed savior met Brice’s gaze and cupped his

jaw. “Hey, you doin’ okay?” he asked softly, his gaze
moving over his face as if trying to gauge whether or not
he’d have another freak out.

“Yeah,” Brice murmured. “I’m—yeah. Thanks to you.”
“I’m glad I arrived in time,” the man responded.
“Hey, the cops are here,” the black-haired bouncer said,

interrupting them.

“You are pressing charges, right?”
Brice peered up at his savior again and frowned. “Hell,

yeah,” he snapped.

Charlie Richards

The guy grinned at that and ran a finger between his

brows, easing the creases. “Ah, so you do have a bit of fire. I
like it.”

Brice’s brows shot up. This man liked it? Did that mean

he liked him? Surely, someone as sexy as this dude wouldn’t
be interested in a skinny twink like him?

“Stop thinkin’ so hard, babe. Let’s go see these cops, then

I want to know if I can take you home.” He accentuated his
comment with a kiss to his forehead.

He screwed up his battered courage, and really liking

how it felt in this man’s arms, Brice asked softly, “Your
home or mine?”

That had a very pleased-looking grin spreading over the

man’s face. “I’m from out of town, but I’d be more than
happy to take you to my hotel room and…” He smirked, his
eyes filling with obvious desire and his hand sweeping
down Brice’s back, feeling the knobs of his spine. “Check for
injuries.”

Liking his new friend’s large, gentle hands and protective

nature, Brice really wanted to feel what they’d feel like on
the rest of his body. The revelation that he was from out of
town probably meant he’d only have a few days with him,
and Brice wanted to take advantage of any time this
protective man would give him.

Smiling up at his savior, Brice murmured, “I’d really like

that.”

Just Lion Around

Chapter Three

alarius gave his statement to the cops, all the while
keeping an eye on Brice. He’d practically roared with

satisfaction upon his mate’s desire to be taken to his hotel
room. It told him that even after the traumatic evening, Brice
still felt the mate-pull and wanted to give in to it.

He also knew he’d have to take it slow. Finding out his

mate was a human meant claiming him would be harder
than if he’d discovered it in another paranormal. Often, the
idea of shifters took humans time to understand and accept.
Time was something Valarius didn’t have a lot of, but at
least he was in the territory of a pack open to same sex
matings.

Not like his old pride.
Banishing those thoughts—they were in the past—

Valarius again sought out Brice. He couldn’t wait to learn
everything about his sweet little human. He wanted to run
his hands over Brice’s lean body, explore every inch of his
smooth skin, and see if his red and blond locks were as soft
as he imagined.

“Is there anything else you’d like to add to your

statement?” the officer asked.

Valarius refocused on the tall, slender human in front of

him. Just shy of six foot, the guy stood as tall as possible, his
back ramrod straight in his uniform, as if that would make

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him more intimidating. Valarius just kept from shaking his
head.

Instead, he kept his expression neutral and replied,

“Yeah. That’s it.”

The cop, Officer Sandeker, nodded curtly. “Very good. If

you remember anything else, give me a call,” he said,
holding up a card. As Valarius took it, Sandeker added,
“And it’d probably be best if you stayed in town until we
got this cleared up.”

Lifting a brow, Valarius bit back a snide retort. He

decided on, “I’m here for a few days, yet. If it takes longer,
I’d be happy to return and testify.”

Sandeker eyed him for several seconds, then nodded

again.

“If I’m done here, I’d like to take Brice home,” Valarius

said, seeing no need to admit whose home they’d be going
to.

“I’ll check with Detective Pierson, but it appears they’re

finishing up.”

Valarius crossed his arms over his chest and leaned a hip

against the wall of the building, making certain to keep his
torso off the wall. He still hadn’t found his shirt, and had
declined the extra t-shirt a bouncer had brought to him.
He’d given it to Brice instead, although the fact that someone
else’s scent on his mate drove his cat nuts. The first thing
they’d do when they got to his hotel would be to shower.

The idea of running his hands over Brice’s wet soapy skin

had a predictable response on his body. His cock thickened,
filling out the crotch of his jeans. Grunting, he took a second
to adjust himself before heading Brice’s way.

His human stood with his shoulders hunched and his

head bowed, not really meeting Detective Pierson’ gaze.
Valarius didn’t like his mate’s body language, and he really
didn’t like the disapproving look on the detective’s face.

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Slipping his arm around Brice’s shoulder, Valarius

ignored his mate’s start—and the other man’s scowl. He
smiled down at his human and asked, “You about finished
here? I’m ready to call it a night.”

Brice gave him a relieved smile and nodded. “Yeah.” He

turned back to the detective. “That’s everything, right?”

Detective Pierson nodded. “Yes. I will need you to come

into the station tomorrow to review and sign your
statement.”

“I will,” Brice replied softly. Tipping his head, he

murmured, “Can we go now?”

Valarius nodded and gently guided his human toward his

bike. “Do you have a car?” he asked, wondering if he’d need
to make arrangements to have his mate’s vehicle picked up.

To his relief, Brice shook his head. “I took a cab.”
Smiling through gritted teeth—since that meant Brice had

intended for his evening to end in a pick-up and Valarius
had no room to talk—he paused at his bike and unlocked the
saddlebags. “Here. Put this on,” he urged, wrapping his
leather jacket around his soon-to-be-lover’s shoulders.
Seeing Brice in his clothing eased some of his lion’s tension
and he smiled as he placed his helmet on his human’s head.

“What about you?” Brice asked, concern wrinkling his

brow.

Valarius grinned and cupped his jaw. “Press close and

share your body heat,” he crooned. His response caused
Brice’s brows to shoot up and Valarius could no longer resist
his need to taste his mate. Ducking his head, he settled his
lips over Brice’s, sipping light kisses to first his top lip, then
his bottom.

Brice sighed against his lips and wrapped his arms

around his neck. Valarius took that as the invitation it was
and slowly took his time licking along his bottom lip before

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thrusting his tongue into his mate’s mouth and tasting him
fully.

Masculine flavor mixed with some fruity cocktail

exploded across his taste buds. Growling softly, wanting
more of his mate’s heady taste, Valarius cupped Brice’s jaw
and tilted his head back, deepening the kiss. He thrust his
tongue deep, tangling their appendages and mapping his
lips, teeth, and gums. Brice whimpered and shivered against
him. The sound, so sweet and needy, caused Valarius’ dick
to throb in his jeans. He palmed his mate’s ass and pulled
him in close, feeling his soon-to-be lover’s answering
erection against his thigh.

Wolf whistles and catcalls cut into Valarius’ enjoyment,

reminding him where they were. Gently, he eased the kiss to
an end and smiled down at his mate’s dazed expression and
kiss-swollen lips.

“So fucking sexy,” he crooned. Bumping his nose against

Brice’s, then nuzzling their cheeks together, he muttered,
“Let’s get the hell out of here.”

“Okay,” Brice panted.
Valarius drew away from Brice, even though it was the

last thing he wanted to do, and swung onto his motorcycle.
He kicked his foot back and lowered the bitch seat peg then
held out an arm. Brice gripped his hand and climbed aboard
behind him.

“Ever been on a bike before?” he asked.
“No,” Brice admitted.
Grinning, pleased that he’d be able to introduce his mate

to something he’d never done before, Valarius patted Brice’s
hands where they rested on his toned abs. “Just hold on tight
and lean with me on the turns. I’ll go slow,” he assured.
Plus, he’d be damn lucky to avoid getting pulled over, since
he wore neither a shirt nor a helmet, but he wanted his mate

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protected and his shifter sturdiness assured him a higher
level of resilience.

Luck finally seemed to be with Valarius, and after ten

minutes, he pulled into the hotel parking lot.

A moment later, he led Brice into his suite. Not wasting

time, he divested his mate of his leather jacket, laying it over
a chair. He twined their fingers and brought Brice’s knuckles
to his lips, kissing them lightly.

“After going to a club, I find I want a shower. May I wash

you, babe?” Valarius walked backward, tugging Brice with
him, heading toward the bathroom.

“Um, a shower sounds fantastic,” Brice replied, a slight

shadow falling over his expression as he glanced down at
his hands.

Valarius knew the crime techs had cleaned under each of

his nails for evidence, but he bet Brice wanted to do it
himself, too. Not liking the haunted look behind his mate’s
eyes, he stopped in the middle of the bathroom and pulled
Brice against him.

Reining kisses across Brice’s lips, jaw, and neck, Valarius

pulled away for just an instant to remove the man’s
borrowed t-shirt. He made a note to burn the garment later,
knowing it’d only serve as a reminder for Brice of this
evening’s experience. He wished he could have met him
under other circumstances, but was glad he’d been there
when he needed him most.

He sat down on the toilet and made quick work of his

boots and socks, then dropped to one knee and divested
Brice of his shoes and socks. Sliding his hands over Brice’s
jean-clad legs, he caressed the man’s lean calves and thighs
before resting his palms on his human’s hips.

Valarius couldn’t stop his shiver at realizing his hands

were large enough to span Brice’s hips and still caress the
sides of his human’s erection where it pressed against his

Charlie Richards

fly. Gently, he massaged Brice’s slender, hidden prick. The
heady scent of his mate’s arousal made his senses tingle and
his own cock jerk in his jeans. After a moment, Brice whined
softly and thrust his hips.

Humming with approval at Brice’s reactions, Valarius

gave in to his desire and made quick work of his mate’s fly.
He shoved down the man’s pants, helping him out of them.
Leaning forward, he buried his nose in the man’s pubes and
inhaled his mate’s musky, masculine scent.

Valarius groaned, unable to wait a second longer. He

swallowed Brice’s cock to the root and sucked strongly,
tasting tangy pre-cum and warm flesh.

Brice moaned, shuddering and trembling in his grip.

Valarius loosened his hold, allowing his mate to thrust
forward, sliding his dick in and out of his mouth as he
sucked. He swiped his tongue along Brice’s length, tracing
the thick vein running along the base. He tickled the
wrinkled skin beneath the cap before swiping over the
sensitive glans.

Whimpers and grunts poured from his lover, filling

Valarius with pride. He reached between Brice’s legs and
cupped his human’s balls. Brice’s hips jerked as he let out a
surprised squeak.

Brice dug his fingers into Valarius’ thick hair and tugged.

With the way his lover’s dick leaked like a sieve and how
tight the testicles he rolled in his palms felt, he knew his
lover was close and probably trying to warn him…since he
didn’t seem to be able to make any noises except whimpers
and groans.

Grinning obscenely around the slender prick in his

mouth, Valarius peered up his mate’s body. Brice’s chest,
neck, and face were flushed, his mouth sagged open as
panting grunts escaped him, and his lids were at half-mast
while his pupils were blown with lust.

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Never had Valarius seen anything more beautiful.
He hummed as he sank to the root. He lodged the head of

Brice’s dick in his throat and swallowed once, twice,
massaging his mate’s cock head. Satisfaction filled Valarius
when Brice stiffened and howled, his shaft exploding and
soaking his throat with cum. Ignoring the near painful grip
his lover had on his hair, Valarius eased up on the man’s
dick so the next spurt hit his tongue, swallowing his mate’s
essence down.

After licking Brice’s prick clean, he stood and captured his

lover’s mouth. He thrust his tongue deep, sharing his mate’s
taste with himself. His human clung, letting him ravish his
mouth with deep thrusts in a parody of what he planned to
do to Brice’s body later.

Except, by the time they’d gotten out of the shower, Brice

was almost asleep on his feet. After drying them both off,
Valarius swept his lover into his arms, smiling at the way his
mate curled up against his chest.

Valarius settled Brice on the mattress, then—wanting his

lover to feel comfortable—he dug Brice’s phone, wallet, and
keys from his jeans pocket and placed them on the
nightstand nearest him, but not before noting and
memorizing Brice’s address.

Finally, Valarius climbed into bed and pulled his lover

into his arms. Manhandling his mate, he adjusted the man so
he was half draped across his torso with Brice’s head resting
on his chest.

Taking long even breaths, Valarius ignored his erection.

He’d have loved to sink into his mate, but Brice had had a
trying day. Valarius had waited seventy-three years to find
the man in his arms, another few hours before making love
to him wouldn’t kill him, no matter how much his dick
thought otherwise.

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To his surprise, Brice tilted his head back and peered up

at him. “What’s your name?” he muttered.

Smiling, Valarius just forced back a chuckle. “I’m Valarius

Lemusson. It’s nice to meet you, Brice,” he murmured.

Brice’s hand squeezed his shoulder lightly. “Thank you,

Val,” he mumbled before his eyelids slid closed and his
breathing evened out.

Valarius’ heart clenched in his chest, and he didn’t know

if it was the nickname his mate gave him or something
else…but he liked it. Ducking his head, he pressed a soft kiss
to Brice’s forehead. “You’re welcome, mate,” he whispered.

Closing his eyes, he willed his body to rest.

Just Lion Around

Chapter Four

rice felt warm and comfortable and—for the first time
in months—safe. He snuggled deeper into the pillow.

After a second, he realized it didn’t feel right. Wiggling his
fingers, Brice felt crisp, course hair and firm flesh.

Prying open an eyelid, he peered through the gloom of

early morning light and stared down at the man he used as a
pillow, drinking in bronzed skin, hard muscles, thick arms,
and dark goatee around a firm mouth that offered so much
pleasure. The events of last night returned, first freezing his
insides, then heating them.

The sexy man underneath him had stopped the attack,

had saved him, and given him pleasure, not to mention this
wonderful sense of comfort and safety. Brice couldn’t
remember the last time he’d been on the receiving end of a
blowjob. Most men interested in him expected him to service
them.

And how did I repay him? By passing out.
Smiling at the relaxed expression on his sexy lover—

Valarius, his foggy memory supplied—Brice decided it was
time to return the favor.

Brice slithered down Valarius’ body, taking the covers

with him while admiring the firm pecks and deep grooves of
his lover’s abs. Following the guy’s thick treasure trail to the
neatly trimmed, though still thick bush, and the cock nestled
amidst the dark curls.

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Even semi-erect, his lover’s dick appeared to be a thick

mouthful, making him salivate. Brice stuck out his tongue
and licked from base to tip, pausing to swirl around the soft
glans, before pulling the head into his mouth, and sucking
lightly. He wiggled his tongue around the head, easing more
into his mouth, then worked the sensitive tissue below the
cap.

Valarius’ stalk thickened quickly, filling and extending. It

soon became too much for Brice to handle, telling him
exactly how large his lover was. He hadn’t had the
opportunity to explore last night, so took his time now. He
sucked the head, laved the veins, and worked the base with
his hand, rubbing and squeezing.

When he lowered his other hand to Valarius’ testicles and

rolled the hard orbs in their sacks, Valarius buried his hand
in Brice’s hair. He looked up through his lashes and met his
lover’s lust filled gaze. The man’s heavy-lidded dark eyes
glittered as he peered down at him. He said nothing, just
spread his legs wider and encouraged Brice’s ministrations.

Brice doubled his efforts, tightening his hand, massaging

the sensitive skin behind Valarius’ testicles, and bobbing his
head. Taking a chance, on the next upstroke, Brice gently
scraped his teeth up the underside of his lover’s shaft. He
caught them on the sensitive skin under his cap, nipping
lightly.

Valarius reacted instantly. Cupping Brice’s skull, he

humped up, shoving his dick deep. Brice took everything his
lover threw at him, using his spit to slick the fingers he used
to jack the base. Within seconds, Valarius lost it. His cock
jerked and swelled, filling his mouth with warm, salty seed.

He swallowed as swiftly as he could, but some still

managed to leak down out of the corner of his mouth.
Finally, Valarius finished spurting and his prick began to

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soften. Brice squeaked in surprise when the big man gripped
his arms and hauled him up.

His lover licked his mouth, cleaning away his own cum,

before latching onto his lips and thrusting his tongue deep.
Clamping a hand onto Brice’s ass, Valarius devoured his
mouth as he rocked up against him, encouraging Brice’s
morning wood to slide along his spit-slicked crease.

Moaning at the exquisite sensations shooting through his

dick, Brice adjusted his legs to straddle Valarius, giving him
more leverage. It also spread his ass cheeks, and Valarius
wasted no time sliding his finger along the sensitive skin of
his crack.

Brice shivered and rocked his ass up, desperate to feel

that finger just there. Valarius must have read his mind, for
he didn’t disappoint, and massaged his taint with enough
force to loosen his muscle but not enough to enter him. Heat
spread through his body at the play, his cock throbbing and
jerking at the tease.

Breaking the kiss, Brice pressed his face into the crook of

Valarius’ neck. He rocked shamelessly between the pressure
on his dick and the finger teasing his anus, but never did
Valarius enter him.

“Please,” he whimpered, craving the burn, the feeling of

Valarious filling him.

“All you have to do is ask,” Valarius responded gruffly.

As he nipped and licked Brice’s neck, he thrust his finger
deep, pegging Brice’s prostate on the first try.

Brice howled in shock as his dick unloaded, covering their

stomachs and chests with cum. Shuddering and twitching,
he relaxed into the sensation his body’d been craving,
focusing on the ping of endorphins and amazing burn of the
finger moving slowly in and out of his ass, prolonging his
pleasure.

Charlie Richards

Panting heavily, Brice relaxed on the bigger man’s chest,

struggling to catch his breath. Finally, he managed to
mumble, “Holy shit, that was amazing.”

Valarius chuckled quietly beneath him and pressed a kiss

to his temple. “And a very good morning to you, babe,” he
murmured, gently easing his finger from Brice’s rectum.

Brice sighed and nuzzled the peck muscle under his

cheek. “Likewise.” For several long minutes, both men lay in
silence. Brice drifted in post-orgasmic bliss, reveling at the
feel of being held in the big man’s arms. Finally, the cum
drying on his skin began to itch, and Brice heaved a sigh. “I
guess we better get up and shower, huh?”

“As much as I’d love to lie here until I can get it up again

and fuck you proper, you’re probably right,” Valarius
commented. Gently, he eased Brice off his chest, both men
hissing a time or two at the pull of cum on pubic and chest
hair. Finally, Brice lay on his back and Valarius leaned over
him. Threading his thick fingers through Brice’s hair, he
tugged one of the dyed red strands. “Hmm, interesting color
choice,” Valarius commented, his gaze sweeping over the
streaks of color slashing through Brice’s blond hair. “But I
really like it.” Valarius grinned down at Brice. “It suits you.”

Brice’s brows shot up. No one had ever complimented his

hairstyle before…at least, not without questioning his choice
first. He couldn’t stop his heart from warming at the man’s
non-judgmental acceptance.

“You want the shower first?” Valarius asked. “If you’d

like, I can get cleaned up first then zip out and get you
something comfortable to wear while you shower,” he
offered, while pushing to a sitting position.

Surprised at the kind offer, Brice didn’t answer right

away. He really wanted to ask Valarius why he was in town,
how long he’d be there, and if he could see him a few more
times before he had to leave. Unfortunately, he couldn’t

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figure out how to ask those questions without sounding
completely needy and clingy.

He must have taken too long to answer, for Valarius

swung his legs over the side of the bed and stated, “Unless
you have somewhere to be. If that’s the case, I would like to
ask for your phone number before you go.”

Brice snapped his gaze to Valarius and took in his

shuttered expression. After the amazing morning they’d
had, he realized Valarius was just as insecure as he was.
Smiling, Brice rolled up and crawled toward the man.
Settling on his knees, he pressed his thigh against Valarius’
and bracketed the man’s body, draping his arms around the
other man’s neck.

Pressing a kiss to the back of Valarius’ shoulder, he asked,

“I need to go to the police station to sign my statement. I’d
really like to get that done first thing.” Drawing back, he
looked into Valarius’ dark eyes. “Would you meet for a late
breakfast or early lunch afterward?”

Valarius smiled, lifting a hand to his face. When he

cupped Brice’s jaw, his massive paw of a hand actually
reached the nape of his neck. Instead of feeling confined,
Brice actually felt treasured.

“How about I go with you, then we can eat wherever you

like when you’re done?”

Brice’s brows shot up. “You don’t mind waiting?”
Shrugging, Valarius admitted, “I don’t have anything else

going on this morning, but I do have a meeting at one this
afternoon. I don’t know how long it could last, so want to
take advantage of when you’re free.” He finished his words
by giving him a roguish wink.

Flattered and amused, Brice chuckled. “Okay, big guy.

You shower, get me some clothes, and any free time you
have is mine.”

Charlie Richards

Valarius wrapped his arms around him and captured his

lips. He nipped and licked, thrusting his tongue deep. Brice
hummed and sucked on the man’s appendage, earning him
a growl. Pulling back, Valarius gave him a somewhat feral
grin. “You have a deal,” he purred.

Then Valarius rose from the bed and headed toward the

bathroom. He stopped in the doorway and winked before
closing the door softly behind him.

Glancing around, Brice tried to decide what to do with

himself while waiting for his lover…or should he consider
him a fling? He spotted his phone, wallet, and keys on the
far nightstand and decided he’d worry about it later.

Brice grabbed up his cell and saw that he had two texts

and one message. All were from Vee. He sighed. He loved
his best friend dearly, but sometimes, the guy felt more like
a mother hen. Brice knew he’d had a mental freak out a
while back, but he felt like he was entitled.

Vee’s long-distance boyfriend had ended up being a wolf

shifter. Neither of them had known it at the time, but there
was also a pack of wolf shifters in the area. The local alpha
had been offended at the idea of a gay pairing, and they’d
both ended up kidnapped by the shifter pack.

Even though Kyle, Vee’s shifter mate, and some of his

buddies had rescued not only Vee but Brice as well, it had
taken Brice a hell of a long time to accept their existence.
And even though he knew they were real, and he lived with
one—renting Kyle’s second bedroom—he still did his best to
limit interacting with them. He’d be happy to find a nice
human lover and settle down, ignoring that particular
nugget of knowledge for the rest of his life.

Brice eyed the closed bathroom doorway and listened to

the shower. Maybe…just maybe, Valarius could help him
realize that dream? Where did the man call home? Would he

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be interested in something more permanent? Brice refocused
on his phone. Could he really leave his friend behind?

Sighing, he figured he’d better get this over with. The

texts were simple enough. Where are you? and Is everything
okay? The message was a bit more revealing. Where the fuck

are you and why aren’t you answering your phone? Damn it,
Brice! I’m worried about you. Call me.

Brice couldn’t help but smile. For a second, he struggled

with whether to just text a response or actually call Vee.
Knowing it’d be far worse later on if he only texted, Brice
sucked it up and called his friend.

The phone didn’t even ring twice. “Where the fuck are

you? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Brice assured quickly. Using his most jovial

tone, he teased, “You’d think it’s the end of the world that I
decided to go out and hook up with a guy.”

“You what?” Vee responded quickly. Then his tone

softened. “Why didn’t you tell me? You know it’s dangerous
to pick-up alone. You could have at least left a note,” he
admonished. Then, without missing a beat, he asked, “Are
you on your way home?”

“No. Actually, I’m—” Seeing the bathroom door open, he

almost swallowed his tongue. At the sight of Valarius
striding out of the steam-filled room, his six-foot three-inch
nude, muscular body on display, his mouth went dry and he
let out a strangled moan.

Valarius grinned, his smug expression one of knowing as

he crossed to his bag and pulled out, then on, a pair of jeans.
It seemed as if in slow motion, his lover pulled his jeans up
his legs, tucked in his cock, and zipped up.

Oh, God! He goes commando!
“Brice? Brice, what’s wrong?”
Vee’s voice yanked his focus away from the beautiful

sight in front of him. “N-nothing! Just…uh…”

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His eyes widened as a now fully dressed Valarius strode

toward him. His lover ignored that he was on the phone,
cupped his head, and captured his mouth in a slow
thorough claiming. When he let go, Brice was panting, trying
to catch his breath.

Valarius licked his lips and smiled smugly. “I’ll be back

within the hour with clothes for you. Be ready to head out.”
He pecked another kiss to Brice’s lips before pivoting and
striding out of the room, grabbing his leather jacket off a
chair on his way.

When the door slammed shut, Brice finally managed to

get a coherent thought in his brain. Or, maybe, it had
something to do with Vee shouting from his phone.

He lifted the device to his ear just in time to hear his

friend shout, “—are you?”

Brice had no clue what Vee might have said. Instead of

trying to answer, he stated, “I’m fine. Um, I’m still with my,
uh, hook-up. He’s a nice guy from out of town. We’re just
gonna take a few days and have some fun, so I’ll be in and
out.”

Vee remained silent for several seconds and Brice crossed

his fingers that his friend would cut him a little slack—
although, if Vee ever found out about what happened at O’
Henry’s he’d never be allowed out of his friend’s sight again.

“Just tell me you’re okay,” Vee finally settled with.
Brice smiled. “Yeah. I’m really, really good. I’m just

gonna have a couple days of fantastic sex, then get on with
my real life.” He snorted and added dryly, “We both know
it’s more than due.”

He could hear his friend’s smile when next he spoke. “It

has been overdue. Just check in every now and then. You
know how I worry.”

Grinning at his friend’s teasing, Brice quipped, “Awe, you

know I love you, too, baby.”

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Vee snorted. “Smartass.”
It was exactly the response Brice wanted. He laughed.

“See you around, Vee.”

After disconnecting the call, he rose and headed toward

the bathroom. He absently scratched at the dried cum on his
stomach and smiled.

Charlie Richards

Chapter Five

alarius slouched in the uncomfortable chair and
checked the time on his phone again. Twenty-two

minutes… He fought against his urge to demand to see his
mate, knowing it would only cause trouble. The bastard
Detective Pierson had refused to let him back.

He thought back to the conversation he’d had with his

alpha. Perrin had been happy for him…a bit reserved, since
Brice was human, but Valarius understood that. His alpha
would need to be thinking of his pride’s safety. Valarius
knew he would need to stress the importance of secrecy to
Brice once he revealed that he was a shifter.

Gods above, I hope he understands.
Just then, his lover’s heady aroma tickled his senses. Even

though he felt disappointed because he hadn’t been able to
enjoy his mate the evening before, he could still place the
man anywhere in the same room…and he had plenty of
plans to seduce his mate later.

Standing, Valarius watched Brice weave between desks

and chairs, making his way toward him. His lover gave him
a wan smile, the lines around his eyes giving away the stress
and emotion he hid behind a tight-lipped smile.

Before Brice could reach him, a pair of men caught his

mate’s attention. Brice’s smile tightened further as he turned
and greeted them. Curious—and concerned—Valarius
headed their way. His snarl at the receptionist caused her to

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blanch and look away. When he stopped at Brice’s side, she
turned around and pretended they didn’t exist.

Good.
“Hey, Brice,” the shorter of the two greeted. “What are

you doing here?”

Brice grimaced. “As long as you don’t tell Vee, I’ll

explain, Chris,” he mumbled.

The taller of the men, who was a little more muscular but

walked with a limp on his left leg, stated, “You think either
of us know how to keep a secret from Vee?”

Valarius forced a chuckle, drawing attention to himself.

“Brice is just trying to save my manhood.” He pressed a
quick kiss to his mate’s lips before facing the pair again. It
didn’t miss his notice that the shorter, more svelte man
reeked of wolf.

Well, well…it looks like some of Brice’s friends not only know

about shifters but are mated to them. Huh. Hopefully, he’d be
able to use that to his advantage.

“I was attacked in an alley, walking out of O’ Henry’s.” He

grimaced and tucked his mate close. “Brice called the cops
and helped me out of a jam.” Smiling, he pressed a quick
kiss to his lover’s temple, then winked lasciviously at the
pair of humans. “I’ve never been more grateful.” Clouding
his features, he added, “For more reasons than one.”

The men exchanged looks, and Valarius wasn’t certain

they believed him. Then the shorter thrust out a hand and
greeted, “Chris Peterson. I sure hope we are here to ID the
same guys who attacked you.” The corner of his lip curled as
he added, “We were attacked late last year, but the cops
couldn’t find the assholes.”

Valarius nodded curtly. “In that case, I hope they’re the

same as well.” After shaking Chris’ hand, he turned and
thrust his hand to the second human. “If these are the
bastards who caused you injury, I pray we take them

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down.” If this pair had only been beaten, then it sounded
like this trio’s actions had been escalating. Hopefully, there’d
be enough charges to put them away for a long, long time.

The human grimaced and shrugged. “Me, too. I don’t

remember them much, but it’d be nice to get them off the
streets.” He took Valarius’ hand and said, “Remy Smithson.”

“Nice to meet you,” Valarius growled. Rage simmered in

his veins. Suddenly, he decided this town sucked. Damn
bigots with their problems with those different than them.
Barely controlling himself, he stated, “We’re headed out to
eat. If either of you want to talk about what happened, give
me or Brice a ring.” He gave them a slight smile. “We need
to stick together.”

While Chris frowned, Remy, the obviously more injured

of the two, smiled. “Yeah. I’ll give ya all a ring if I need
anything.”

Valarius watched the pair disappear deeper into the

police station. Once they were gone, he wrapped his arm
around Brice’s waist and led him out of the building.
“Which restaurant have you decided on,” he murmured,
leaning close, wanting something else to focus on.

Once outside, he couldn’t wait to be alone again with the

man. Maybe, he could convince Brice to take room service in
his room…

“I know this great little diner a couple streets over that

make a mean omelet,” Brice stated, pointing to the left. “I
could really go for something cheesy.” He smiled
tentatively. “Is that okay with you?”

I’ll talk my mate into returning to our room after breakfast for a

little…siesta.

“That sounds perfect,” Valarius replied.
Figuring his bike would be fine parked on the street near

the police station, Valarius wrapped his arm around Brice’s
waist and took great pleasure in just walking with his mate.

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A couple of moments later, they arrived at the diner and
headed inside. A brunette greeted them and showed them to
a table.

Within fifteen minutes, they’d ordered and received their

food. Valarius had to admit, the coffee was good, but the
steak and cheese omelet he’d ordered was even better.

“This

really

amazing,”

Valarius

muttered

appreciatively before shoveling another bite of omelet and
hash browns into his mouth.

Brice took a swig of his coffee, then stabbed at his steak

and eggs. “I probably shouldn’t be eating this many calories,
but for some reason, I woke up really hungry,” he said,
winking.

Valarius snickered, remembering how well his mate had

eaten his…meat…that morning. Thinking about the fantastic
blowjob, his prick thickened in his jeans. He leaned forward
and gave his lover a heated look. “Come back to the hotel
with me and I’ll help you burn off those calories,” he
crooned.

Pausing, Brice’s lips opened slightly and his eyes dilated

as he returned Valarius’ look. The scent of his mate’s rising
arousal tickled his senses. He reached across the table and
gripped Brice’s hand lightly, bringing it to his lips and
lightly sucking the pad of first one finger, then another.

Between licks, he smiled and rumbled, “You like that

idea, don’t you?”

Brice nodded, panting quietly.
Valarius grinned. “Then will you join me?”
Licking his lips, Brice’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he

swallowed. He nodded, practically whimpering when he
whispered, “Yes.”

“Good,” Valarius responded, incredibly pleased by how

his mate reacted to his touch. He released Brice’s hand and

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pointed at the man’s plate. “Finish up. You’re gonna need
your strength.”

Brice picked up his fork and obeyed, looking down at his

plate.

The door to the diner opened, making the bell jingle. The

new arrival caught Valarius’ interest. Jared’s cool hazel-eyed
gaze fixed on the hostess and he shook his head. “Just need a
couple coffees from the bar,” the guy said.

After Jared hitched a hip against a bar stool and placed

his order, the human swept his gaze over the occupants of
the diner. His focus landed on Valarius. Jared gave Valarius
a slight nod while he popped the last bite of omelet and toast
into his mouth.

When Jared looked at Valarius’ breakfast companion, his

eyes narrowed slightly. To his surprise, Jared pushed away
and headed toward the bathroom, giving Valarius a
meaningful look while tilting his head in silent entreaty.

Returning his focus back to Brice, he winked and stated,

“I’m gonna use the john.” Brice looked surprised, but didn’t
say anything. Valarius rose and leaned close, giving him a
quick peck. “Be right back.”

Nodding, Brice picked up his coffee. “No prob. I still have

half a cup.” He winked. “Might need the caffeine for what
you have in mind.”

Laughing, Valarius liked his lover’s attitude. “You will,”

he assured. He turned away and headed toward the john.

When he stepped inside, he found Jared lounging against

a sink, his arms crossed over his chest. “Of all the people for
you to pick for a fling, you had to pick Brice,” Jared
grumbled, shaking his head.

“Not a fling,” Valarius admitted, not surprised that Jared

had recognized Brice. The man’s earlier expression had said
it all. He smirked. “Guess I should thank you for sending me
to O’ Henry’s last night. Brice is my mate.”

Just Lion Around

Knowing that Jared was mated to Carson, a male, the

human’s grimace surprised him. He frowned at Jared, trying
to figure the human out.

Jared didn’t keep him waiting. He heaved out a breath

and stated, “Brice knows about shifters, Val.”

Valarius’ eyes widened and his heart skipped a beat with

excitement, but then Jared continued, “And he pretty much
wants nothing to do with them.”

His excitement turned to dread. “What? Why?” Had

someone hurt his mate?

“His introduction wasn’t a good one,” Jared admitted.

“The bare bones is that he’s from Idaho. His best friend,
Valiant…Vee, mated with one our Colorado wolves and a
local pack up there didn’t take too kindly to it. Several of
those wolves kidnapped Vee and Brice and freaked them
out.” Jared shook his head. “We freed them and brought
them here for safety, but the damage was done. Brice didn’t
have a mate to soothe him, ease him into his acceptance of
paranormal’s existence. He’s sworn to secrecy, and for the
most part, he avoids us. The only contact he has is with
Vee’s mate, Kyle.” Jared shrugged. “If you want specifics,
talk to him and Vee,” he advised.

Frustration for his situation and sympathy for his mate

flooded Valarius in equal measure. Jared’s news was both a
blessing and a curse. He wouldn’t have to try to figure out
how to introduce Brice to the idea of shifters, because the
man already knew. Unfortunately, the man didn’t like it.

After Valarius took the phone number Jared offered him,

he came to a decision and headed back out of the restroom.
Perhaps, if he gave Brice some time to get to know him as a
man, when he revealed that he was a shifter and his mate,
Brice would be better apt to accept it.

His alpha had been willing to give him what he needed,

so Valarius knew he could ask for a few extra days away

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from his pride without consequence. His lion might hate it,
but for their mate, Valarius knew his feline would happily
deal.

Just Lion Around

Chapter Six

rice moaned and bucked, unable to control himself as
Valarius stroked his fingers lightly over the sensitive

skin of his hips and the crease of his groin. His shaft bobbed
in the air and he bowed his back.

“Val…oh, Val, please,” Brice whined. He twined his

fingers in the comforter, his legs shifting restlessly.

“Easy, lover,” Valarius crooned. “I got you.”
Valarius had him all right. He had him going nearly out

of his mind. The second they’d hit the hotel room, his lover
had been all over him, touching him with lips, tongue, and
hands. He’d maneuvered Brice backward across the room,
deftly stripping them both of clothes, then laying him out
with Valarius levered over him.

Now, tingles danced across his skin, his erection

throbbed, and fire sizzled through his veins. Valarius
seemed to have a single-minded obsession with giving him
the most pleasure he’d ever experienced, that Brice thought
he’d black out at any second.

His head near Brice’s groin, Valarius nipped the sensitive

skin at the dip of his hip. Brice hissed. His cock jerked and
pre-cum oozed from the slit. Valarius buried his nose in
Brice’s pubes, tugging the trimmed hair, sending a fresh
wave of prickles dancing across his skin.

Valarius wrapped his fingers loosely around Brice’s stalk,

massaging the sensitive wrinkled flesh under his head. He

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lowered his mouth a bit more and gripped the skin of his
sack between his teeth, and tugged. When Valarius reached
up and pinched Brice’s pebbled nipple, he howled,
completely lost in sensation.

Sparks traveled down his chest to his cock. His dick

throbbed from the massaging fingers under the cap. His
testicles tightened as the base of his spine tingled, heralding
his imminent release.

His lover dipped a finger into his sensitive piss-slit and

Brice lost it. His balls pulled flush to his body, shooting cum
up his stalk in ropes of blissful release. The sensations
washed over him like a cresting wave, spreading fiery
endorphins through his body and out his limbs.

“Val!” he cried out, reaching down to grip his lover’s

thick hair, as if hanging onto the other man was the only
way to keep himself grounded.

Panting, Brice slowly came back to himself to the feel of

Valarius gently petting his side. Blinking to clear his vision,
Brice sighed heavily and smiled wanly at the man. Valarius
lay on his side, his head near his hip, propped up in his
palm, and smiled smugly as he gently pet Brice’s hip and
thigh.

“Wow,” he slurred, trying to get his brain to function.
Valarius grinned and heaved up onto his elbow. Lifting

his free hand, he swiped a couple fingers through Brice’s
spilled seed, scooped some up, and brought it to his lips,
licking it sensually from his fingers. Brice moaned at the
sexy sight.

Winking, the bigger man asked, “Ready for round two,

lover?”

After swallowing to get moisture into a throat dry from

screaming, Brice mumbled, “Good thing I had that extra cup
of coffee.”

Just Lion Around

Laughing, Valarius replied, “I’ll take that as a yes.” He

gripped Brice’s thigh and pushed his leg up. “I plan to tap
this ass,” he said, massaging Brice’s anus before dipping one
finger into his heat.

Brice hissed at the tingles shooting up his rectum. “God,

yes.”

“You want my cock, Brice?” Valarius toned. He leaned

down and, holding Brice’s gaze, swiped his tongue through
the cooling semen.

Brice moaned at the sight of his lover licking him clean.

It’d been so long since someone had taken the time to
explore him, discover his likes and dislikes. He wanted
more, much more.

“Yeah,” he murmured, his ass clenching around Valarius’

still invading digit. “Want to feel you.”

“You will,” Valarius assured, sliding his finger out. Brice

whimpered at the loss. “Easy, babe. I’ll give you what you
need.”

Brice watched in amazement as—after Valarius applied a

generous amount of lube to his fingers—he leaned downed
and started cleaning him again. While he did that, he slid a
finger back into him and pumped slowly.

“More, please more,” Brice begged, rocking his hips,

searching for the pleasant burn he knew would send sparks
dancing through his system.

For a second, Valarius paused, then gave him what he

wanted and pushed in a second finger. Sighing, Brice felt
himself melt into his lover’s touch. His cock quickly started
to thicken once more.

“Like that little bit of burn, don’t you, babe?” Valarius

crooned, catching on swiftly to Brice’s triggers. He thrust in
a third finger.

Brice groaned, his eyelids lowering to half-mast. “Want to

feel.” It’d been so long since he felt anything but fear and

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worry and concern. Here, now, with this man, he felt
cherished and appreciated and sexy.

“I’ll help you feel anything you need,” Valarius assured.

Using one hand, he rolled on a condom, then pulled his
hand free and swiped it over his dick. “You like to burn, to
feel me? I’ll make you feel me.”

“Please,” Brice pleaded, desperate for just that.
“Easy, lover,” Valarius soothed even as he pushed

forward, sinking just the cap of his dick into Brice’s chute.

Breathing through the first delicious seconds, Brice smiled

as he looked down and watched Valarius’ thick, dark prick
slide into his body. It stretched and filled him, forcing his
rectum to expand around the invasion. “Val,” he moaned,
enjoying how his lover’s thick prick stretched him wide.

“That’s the way, Brice,” Valarius murmured. “Take my

cock. Gonna fill you up so good.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Brice panted.
Growling softly, Valarius bottomed out and, lowering

himself onto Brice, flushing their bodies together, he pressed
his weight into him. He wrapped his arms under Brice’s
torso and gripped his shoulders. Pressing his mouth to the
flesh where Brice’s shoulder met his neck, he started sucking
and kissing the sensitive flesh.

Instead of starting slowly, Valarius took Brice at his word

and began jacking his hips in quick, hard strokes. Each time
he thrust in, he adjusted his thrusts. It only took a couple for
Valarius to peg his gland.

Brice keened as the heady sparks erupted through his

body. He lifted his legs and wrapped them around the big
man’s waist, digging his heels into the top of Valarius’ ass.
He used his hold as leverage to rock into each forceful
stroke. Lifting one hand above his head, Brice planted his
palm against the headboard to keep Valarius from shoving
him up the bed with each swift, jarring thrust.

Just Lion Around

“Yes. Yes. Yes,” Brice grunted with each pound of

Valarius’ hips. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt
so filled, so stretched.

Valarius snarled and sucked harder on Brice’s neck, the

sharp sensation an intense counterpoint to the man’s
ramming hips. The sound of male grunts, growls, and gasps
filled the room. Sweat made his body slick, creating a
smooth glide between them, allowing Valarius’ ribbed abs to
rub across Brice’s throbbing dick.

Throwing his head back, Brice moaned. His balls pulled

tight. “C-close.”

Valarius lifted his head and slammed his mouth over

Brice’s. He thrust his tongue deep enough to practically taste
Brice’s tonsils. Opening wide, Brice moaned at the dual
invasion, feeling possessed by his lover in the best possible
way. It seemed like Valarius tried to consume him.

“Now,” Valarius ordered, his words garbled since he

didn’t lift his mouth away from Brice’s. “Come now.”

As he spoke, Valarius reached between them and pinched

Brice’s nipple…hard. Brice felt like his body burst into
flames. Feeding his lover a grunt and a groan, Brice’s cock
shot. Seed soaked the already slick space between them.

Huffing in conjunction with his thrusts, Valarius jacked

into him thrice more before his hips jerked and his body
tensed. Valarius clutched Brice tightly as he flooded the
condom with warm cum.

Sighing, Brice relaxed. His senses pinged with endorphins

and pleasant sensations sang through his system and
rectum. He hummed and stroked his hands down Valarius’
sweaty back, tracing the curve of his tight ass.

As a consummate bottom—hell, he thought nothing was

better than a hard cock up his ass—Brice had no desire to tap
his lover’s ass, but he sure liked touching it. He smiled when
Valarius flexed, taking the opportunity to palm and squeeze.

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Valarius lifted his head and smirked down at him, mirth

lighting his dark eyes. “Like my ass, do you?”

Brice grinned. “Among other parts of your anatomy,” he

teased back, tightening his chute on his lover’s softening
prick.

Grunting, Valarius gave him a mock glare. “Knock it off

unless you think you can handle another round.”

“Hmm,” Brice hummed theatrically. “I suppose I can

wait.”

When Valarius laughed and slowly eased out of him,

Brice sighed. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had so
much fun with a lover.

Brice shut the door of the house softly and paused,

listening. When he didn’t hear anything, he trod quietly
down the hall to his room. He thought he got away clean
and pulled off his shirt. When he could see again, he nearly
jumped out of his skin. His buddy Vee leaned against the
doorframe staring at him.

His arms crossed over his chest, Vee lifted a brow and

asked. “What are you? Seventeen? Sneaking in as if you’d
done something wrong?” Vee rolled his eyes. “You’re an
adult and I know you can do what you want.”

Sighing, Brice tossed the shirt—an All Weather’s Outfitters

t-shirt from—ironically—the very store in town he worked
for—So sweet of Valarius to buy me a new shirt—into his
laundry basket. “Yeah? That’s not how it sounded on the
phone this morning.”

Vee rolled his eyes and dropped onto his bed. “You

disappeared for the night without a word. What did you
think I’d do?”

“And that’s why I’m not upset,” Brice replied, sitting

down next to him. He really needed a shower and a nap,
especially since he wanted to have plenty of energy for his

Just Lion Around

lover and their picnic that evening. He bumped his shoulder
into Vee’s, smiling at his brown-haired friend. “Be happy for
me. I found a nice guy who’s sexy as fuck and we’re having
fun.”

Nodding, Vee returned his smile. “I am. It’s about time

you’ve gotten out and had a little fun.” Suddenly, his friend
smirked. “I guess the men at O’ Henry’s aren’t quite like the
gay boys back home, huh?”

Concerned maybe his friend had heard something about

his little escapade last night, Vee’s brows creased. “What do
you mean?” he asked.

Vee snorted and touched his neck. “Cause whoever you

found sucks like a Hoover, dude.”

Relieved, Brice laughed. “Yeah.” He winked. “My neck

ain’t the only thing he sucks like a Hoover.”

Groaning good-naturedly, Vee stood and teased, “TMI,

man. TMI.”

“Don’t ask about what you don’t want to know,” he

replied loftily. Brice also stood and grabbed a change of
clothes.

“You seeing him again?” Vee asked, following him out

the door toward the bathroom.

Brice shrugged. “Yeah. He’s from out of town, so I plan to

fool around for a few days and then get on with life, ya
know?” He shook his head at his friend’s concerned look.
“I’ve never called in sick at work before, so I think I’m due.
Don’t you?”

Vee nodded. “Yeah, man. I just don’t want to see you get

hurt.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Brice teased.
Rolling his eyes, Vee grabbed the towel off the rack and

snapped it at him. “Mooch.”

“Ass.”
“Mother hen,” Brice returned.

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“Fucker,” Vee grumbled, rolling his eyes before turning

and heading out the door.

Brice laughed, their banter proving his friend wasn’t

upset. Getting into the shower and under the hot spray, he
thought about all the things he planned to do to his lover
once on their picnic.

Just Lion Around

Chapter Seven

olling his eyes, Valarius listened to the same shifters
give the same arguments. No one wanted to budge on

their stances. Irritated—and missing Brice more than he
missed breathing—he rose and headed toward the door,
drawing attention to himself.

He’d intended just to make a discreet retreat.

Unfortunately, Declan must have thought he wanted to
chime in. “Ye have something to say, Valarius?” the alpha
wolf called.

Valarius paused at the side of the room and thought

quickly. He wasn’t really known for his diplomatic skills.
His leaders just expected him to report back. “In my
opinion,” he started slowly. “We need to be open to changes.
That said, it doesn’t mean we need to go into changes
passively. Even though a river pushes a canoe forward, the
man with the paddle steers.” He shrugged. “We need some
control of our fate. I say we let them know we are a force to
be reckoned with.”

Before others could start shouting denials or their own

point of view, he added, “It wouldn’t be safe to let anyone
know the number or location of our cubs. That’s just asking
for trouble. But if we go to them and demand representation
in decisions of how our species is dealt with, even if just
behind the scenes, it’ll be a start.”

Charlie Richards

For a long minute, silence met his pronouncement.

Valarius figured they would ignore his opinion, or even
victimize it, while others wanted to elevate their own ideas.
Instead, several people actually agreed with him. He
listened as still others bounced around ideas of how they
could accomplish getting representation.

Fascinated, Valarius found himself listening raptly as the

Shifter Council asked the vampire representatives if their
council wanted them revealed. Their answer wasn’t
definitive. The gargoyles, however, wanted their own
existence to remain secret as long as possible. Since their
people actually turned to stone during the day, and had little
chance to defend themselves if found out, Valarius certainly
understood their stance.

Thirty minutes later, they made the decision for members

of the Shifter Council to approach the CIA agents with a
desire to establish some kind of communication. They would
not speak of gargoyles…ever, and the vampires would need
to report back.

Valarius crossed his arms over his chest, shocked that

he’d been listened to. All he’d actually wanted was not to
make a fool of himself. “Well, shit,” he mumbled.

“Not quite what you expected?” Jared asked.
Valarius just managed to keep from showing his surprise.

He hadn’t realized the human was there. Scowling, he
glanced toward the man. “Not really. I’m not exactly known
for my diplomatic skills,” he added, smirking.

Jared shrugged. “Sometimes, that’s what it takes.”
Nodding, Valarius watched the proceedings wrap up.
“How are things going with Brice?”
Smiling, his heart sped up and his blood pooled in his

groin just thinking of his mate. “We’re going on a picnic. I’m
going to ask him if he’s open to moving,” he admitted.

Just Lion Around

“He hasn’t been in town long…maybe a year.” Jared

cocked his head as he eyed him. “You got a good shot at
having him move, especially with the mate-pull in your
favor.” He actually looked rueful for a second, as if thinking
about his own words. “It certainly worked on me.”

“I sure hope so,” Valarius muttered. “I can’t leave him

here. My lion wouldn’t allow it.” Figuring it wouldn’t hurt,
he asked, “Is Kyle around? I’d like to ask him his advice
about spilling the news to Brice that I’m a shifter. Maybe
he’ll know a good approach.”

Jared pointed toward a man with thick black hair heading

out the far door. “That’s him. Better hurry.”

Valarius nodded and headed that way, slipping around

groups of people talking and laughing. He reached the door,
nodded at the wolf shifter guarding it, and glanced first one
way, then the other. The man Jared had pointed toward
stood halfway down the hallway, facing a set of windows.
He had a phone pressed to his ear and a smile on his face.

Pausing a few feet away, Valarius stared out the floor-to-

ceiling windows and waited for the wolf shifter to finish his
call. Beyond the glass, stone paths wound between cacti and
desert shrubs. He lost himself for several minutes in the
colors, and only barely registered Kyle’s growled words,
“Hang on a sec, babe.”

The hand on his shoulder pulled him out of his musings

really fast. Valarius found himself spun around and pressed
up against the glass. If he didn’t know the shifter was
already mated, he’d have thought Kyle was coming on to
him—what with the way he stood so close and pressed his
nose against Valarius’ neck.

“Who are you and why do you smell like Brice?” Kyle

snarled.

Only the fact that he stood in the middle of a human hotel

hosting a shifter convention kept him from removing the

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man’s hands from him…forcefully. Instead, he swallowed
his pride—which completely sucked—and murmured
coldly, “I met Brice last night. He’s my mate. I heard he
knows about shifters and isn’t too fond of them. I came to
ask your advice.”

Kyle remained still for several seconds before he slowly

eased away. Straightening, the wolf sighed and moved his
gaze over Valarius’ shoulder to the gardens. “Well, fuck.”

Valarius kicked down the stand to his bike and leaned it

sideways. After swinging his leg over, he took a minute to
peer up at the small cottage. Inside, his mate waited, which
kinda scared him to death, because Kyle hadn’t been very
encouraging.

“Take it slow and easy. Make him fall in love with you to

the point where he can’t think of anything but being with
you.” Kyle’s blue eyes pierced him with the sincerity of his
words. “Then, and only then, let him know you’re a shifter.
And pray he’ll forgive you.”

He still didn’t know if he’d take Kyle’s advice. The idea of

holding out on his mate didn’t sit well with him.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t known the man long enough to
figure out another route.

Heading up the walk, Valarius decided he’d take the

man’s advice, at least at first. One day at a time. He reached
the porch and rang the bell. His shifter hearing picked up
the sound of hushed voices and soft footfalls. Shoving his
hands into the pockets of his jeans, Valarius stepped back
and leaned his hip against the porch railing.

The door opened revealing a fairly tall, slender man. A

wave of wolf shifter scent hit Valarius’ senses, telling him
that this must be Vee, Brice’s friend and Kyle’s mate. “Can I
help you?” Vee asked, crossing his arms over his chest and
lifting a brow imperiously.

Just Lion Around

It almost made Valarius laugh. He had probably four

inches and a good fifty pounds on the guy, and still Vee
attempted to intimidate him.

Valarius smirked. “I’m looking for Brice. I believe I have

the correct address.”

“Geez, as if you don’t know what he’s here for,” Brice

called from a bit further inside the house. He appeared
carrying his sneakers and shoved his friend out of the way.
“God, don’t pretend you’re my father. That’s just all sorts of
wrong.”

Brice rolled his eyes and bumped his hip against Vee’s

before dropping his shoes on the deck and shoving one on.
Vee snickered and returned the hip-bump just as Brice
started working his second foot into his shoe. Squeaking,
Brice flailed, losing his balance.

Lunging forward, Valarius wrapped his arms around his

stumbling mate and pulled him tight to his chest. Brice’s
palms landed on his t-shirt-covered pecks and Valarius
barely suppressed a pleased purr at the contact. “You okay?”
he crooned, running one hand up and down his back.

Brice peered up at him, his mouth open just a bit, his

tongue peeking out, pressing against his teeth. It was just too
alluring a sight, and Valarius couldn’t resist. He brought one
hand up to grip Brice’s nape and slanted his mouth over his
lover’s.

Valarius ignored Brice’s soft hmmph of surprise. Instead,

he took advantage and thrust his tongue into the warm
haven that had given him so much pleasure earlier. He
lapped at Brice’s lips, gums, and finally drew the other
man’s tongue into his own mouth to suck lightly on it.

Moaning, Brice melted into him. Valarius couldn’t hold in

his pleased growl as he deepened the kiss. Using his hold on
Brice’s neck, he urged the man’s head to a better angle and
thrust in deep.

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His lover’s fingers twisted into his t-shirt, catching several

chest hairs. The pain caused his nipples to bead. Valarius
hissed at the odd mix of pleasure and pain and eased the
kiss to an end. Grinning at his man, he took in the flushed
face, lidded expression, and heavily dilated eyes.

“So sexy,” he crooned.
Panting, Brice seemed to regain himself. He uncurled his

fingers and smoothed his hands over Valarius’ chest. “Wow,
that was…mmm, welcome.”

“Are you two done with the make-out session?” Vee said,

appearing in the doorway holding a small bag and a jacket.

Valarius didn’t know when the man had left and didn’t

really care. Although, he had to admit that Brice was one
hell of a distraction…in the best way possible. He ignored
the human in the doorway and rubbed a thumb along the
prominent nubs of his slender mate’s spine. “Did ya miss
me, babe?”

Brice lifted a shoulder in a half-shrug as he flushed a bit

more. “Maybe…I guess.”

Chuckling, Valarius planted one more swift kiss to Brice’s

lips, then eased away. “Let’s get moving. I look forward to
exploring these mountains. We don’t have anything like this
back home.”

“Where do you call home?” Vee cut in, leaning against the

doorframe.

“Kansas,” Valarius answered. “We have forests and

rivers, don’t get me wrong, but the Rockies are a sight to
behold.”

His cat would love to spend hours exploring, but sadly he

wouldn’t be able to do that today. Maybe, eventually.

“I’m ready,” Brice said, shrugging into his jacket and

picking up the bag. He glared at Vee. “And stop
interrogating my dates.”

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Unrepentant, Vee snorted. “As if you didn’t do the same

to me.”

Valarius didn’t like the way his lover’s face clouded or

how his fingers tightened to nearly white on the strap of his
bag.

“That was different,” Brice mumbled.
He remembered Jared’s words of being kidnapped by

wolf shifters and wished he could comfort his mate, but
knew if he did, it’d just raise more questions. So, he gave
Brice’s shoulder a squeeze and said, “Let’s head out. I
brought a few things for a picnic and got a map from the
hotel lobby with hiking trails. It’ll be fun.”

Brice nodded and headed down the steps. Vee reached

out and touched his shoulder. “Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean
it like that.”

Valarius lifted a brow, feigning confused interest.
His mate glanced over his shoulder and smiled at Vee. “I

know. Those were…troubling times.” Forcing his smile
wider, Brice shrugged. “And I don’t want to ruin our date
with those thoughts.”

Placing his hand on Brice’s shoulder, Valarius squeezed

gently, mindful of his shifter strength. “Of course, babe. I
understand.” And he really did. Everyone had secrets,
himself included. He leaned down and pressed a soft peck to
Brice’s temple, earning him a smile from his lover. Valarius
returned the smile and said, “Let’s go enjoy our evening,
hmm?”

Valarius handed Brice his helmet, then swung onto his

bike. His lover stared at the helmet, frowning. “What about
you?”

“I’m much more worried about you, Brice. You’re not

used to a motorcycle. I am. It will make you more
comfortable,” Valarius assured.

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After a second, his lover nodded, pulled the helmet on,

and fumbled with the clasp. Once done, Brice swung up
behind him and Valarius grinned upon feeling his mate’s
arms tight around him.

Nice! I could…and want…to get used to this!

Just Lion Around

Chapter Eight

ated, Brice relaxed on the blanket, mostly on his back and
propped up on his elbows. He tipped his head back and

enjoyed the sun warming his face. The champagne was
almost as delicious as the taste of Valarius’ kisses. Add in the
chocolate covered raspberries—which Brice found nearly as
sweet as the man lying next to him, his head propped on his
palm as he peered at him—and Brice thought this was
probably the best date he’d ever been on.

And it isn’t because of the amazing sixty-nine we shared fifteen

minutes ago…

“So, tell me about yourself, Brice,” Valarius urged.
Turning his head on his neck, Brice met Valarius’ dark-

eyed gaze. “Not much to me, really. I’m from Idaho
originally. My family disowned me when I came out. When
my buddy moved here to live with his truck driving
boyfriend, I came, too.” He shrugged and dropped fully to
his back, placing his hands under his head and gazing at the
clouds floating across the deep blue sky. “I work about
thirty hours a week at All Weather Outfitters and take online
courses.”

Valarius reached over and traced a couple fingers along

Brice’s arm, sending goose bumps over his skin. “So, I was
thinking…”

The hesitance in Valarius’ voice caught Brice’s attention.

He rolled to face his much larger lover, surprised to see

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uncertainty in the man’s eyes. Was Valarius tired of him
already? Brice knew they were only having a fling, but he
was really hoping for another day or two with the guy.

Forcing a smile, Brice figured he could go out on his own

terms, so he quipped, “Tired of me already, huh?”

“Quite the opposite, actually,” Valarius immediately

responded. “I want more of you.” He pushed Brice onto his
back and captured his mouth in a slow exploration.

Having just come, Brice felt shocked that his prick

actually twitched in his jeans as Valarius swept his tongue
into his mouth. He lifted his arms and wrapped them
around his lover’s neck, meeting him thrust for thrust and
hanging on tight. He wasn’t certain what it was about this
man, but he just couldn’t seem to get enough.

Finally, Valarius’ words registered in Brice’s lust-fogged

brain. He pulled away slightly, separating their lips. “What
did you have in mind?” he managed to say before Valarius
took his lips again.

Brice sighed into the kiss, sinking his fingers deep into his

lover’s dark hair. Valarius released his mouth and worked
his way along his jaw, nipping and kissing. Turning his
head, Brice moaned as tingles worked down his neck,
making the hairs at his nape stand on end.

Valarius reached the sensitive skin below Brice’s ear and

nuzzled it. “Got any time off coming your way? When I
return to Kansas, I was hoping to talk you into going with
me. Let me show you around,” he whispered, then sucked
his lobe into his mouth and gently tugged.

“Oh,” Brice groaned. “Feels good.”
“Good enough to come with me?” Valarius teased, sliding

his fingers under Brice’s shirt and tracing along his hip and
up his ribs.

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“Y-yeah, I could, uh…” His mental abilities kicked in for

just a second. Shit, am I really considering this? Go with some

near stranger to another state?

Then Valarius flicked his nipple before tugging it lightly.

Brice couldn’t figure out how it was possible, but his prick
actually thickened in his jeans…again.

Valarius rubbed the hair of his goatee up and down his

neck and asked gruffly, “What was that, babe? You could
what?”

“Shit,” Brice whined. “Can’t think,” he admitted.
Lifting his head, Valarius peered down at him, the heat

and need burning in his gaze took Brice’s breath away. “Say
you’ll come, then we won’t need to think for the next several
hours.” Valarius palmed Brice’s dick, gripping him and
squeezing him through his jeans. “What do you say?”

“Yes,” he squeaked, his hips bucking into the delicious

pressure of his lover’s firm grip.

“Yes, what?” Valarius snapped with surprising

forcefulness.

Brice moaned. He’d always loved a firm, take-charge

lover. One who knew what he wanted and went after it, and
to Brice’s way of thinking, Valarius wanted him. As long as
he didn’t try to alienate him from his friends, the man would
be perfect.

Time will tell…
Valarius pressed the heel of his palm against Brice’s dick

and he grunted at the sharp pressure. “You paying attention,
Brice?” Valarius crooned, grinning at him.

His lover let the pressure up a bit, allowing Brice to catch

his breath for a second. He grinned up at Valarius. “A little
hard not to pay attention to you, Val,” he murmured. A
pleased smile curved the other man’s features, making his
eyes twinkle. Returning his smile, Brice added, “And, yeah, I
think I could use a vacation.”

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Humming, Valarius’ eyes narrowed in obvious pleasure.

“Excellent.”

Valarius’ lips touched Brice’s, but then he snapped away

as if burned. Brice frowned. “What’s wrong?”

Instead of answering, Valarius glanced swiftly around the

clearing. They’d stopped in a meadow that Valarius had said
was about halfway up the trail and a little ways off the
beaten path. There were trees shielding them from both
above and below, and their blanket was half in and half out
of the shade.

“What is it?” Brice asked again, glancing around as well,

trying to figure out what caused the wide-eyed, almost
spooked expression on his big lover’s face. “Val?” He
reached up and touched Valarius’ neck.

Valarius caught his hand and pinned it to the grass in a

firm grip. Brice froze, but his lover’s hold didn’t hurt, just
held firm. “Hush, love,” Valarius commanded. “Maybe
they’ll pass.”

Brice wanted to ask who—who might pass? Pass what?

Their hiding place?—but then he got distracted by the term
love. Was that just a slip of the tongue? Or did the man
mean it as something more?

Deciding to trust his lover, Brice remained still, trying to

hear or see whatever Valarius had. Finally, after what felt
like an eternity, Brice heard the snap of twigs and the
rumble of masculine voices.

“Damn it,” Valarius growled. He rolled to his knees and

grabbed for the empty champagne bottle and the nearly
empty container of fruit. “We gotta go.”

“What’s wrong?” Brice whispered, but he didn’t hesitate

to follow his lover’s lead. He’d seen Valarius take out the
dickheads that’d been about to rape him like it was nothing,
so if something had him concerned, Brice wouldn’t question
it…much.

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He scrambled to his feet, grabbed the blanket they’d been

lying on, and quickly folded it.

“If we move fast, maybe we can avoid them,” Valarius

murmured. “Shit, how could I be so stupid?”

Brice couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so

confused…wait, scratch that. Yes, he could remember being
so confused, and he hadn’t liked it then any better than he
did now.

What the fuck?
Three men entered the small clearing, all of them larger

than himself, though only one appeared as large as his lover.
Still, Brice knew he wasn’t much in a fight, but he’d still try.

“Well, well, well…I thought that was you at the meeting,

Valarius,” the middle and largest man said. He smirked and,
after brushing a strand of dark brown hair out of his face,
the guy added, “Been a while.”

“Not long enough, Rayban,” Valarius growled.
The stranger, Rayban, narrowed his eyes, his expression

turning calculating. “Is that the way to speak to your beta,
Val?”

“You’re not my beta, Ray,” Valarius growled back. “Not

since I refused to mate with your sister.”

Brice felt the blood drain from his face at the exchange of

words. They sounded suspiciously like something shifters
would say.

Surely not…
“You’re not good enough for my sister,” Rayban snarled,

his face flushing with anger. “You never were.”

“Fine,” Valarius snapped. “You won, didn’t you? I left.

Now watch your language.” Valarius glanced toward Brice,
a meaningful look on his face.

Rayban snickered. “Oh, Val. I overheard your

conversation with that wolf. Brice is your mate.” He smiled
widely. “Surely we can speak freely.”

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Oh, shit. Brice paled. “You’re a—” He didn’t even want to

finish the thought.

“Easy, babe,” Valarius crooned, glancing over his

shoulder at him. “Everything is fine.”

“Actually, it’s not fine. You’re still wanted by our pride

alpha for going rogue.” Rayban’s smile turned cruel. “I think
it’s high time for us to carry out his order.”

“I no longer answer to him. I have a new alpha now,

Alpha Perrin. You have to go through him,” Valarius
snapped.

Rayban snorted. “We’re in the backwoods of Colorado. I

can do whatever the hell I want.”

Valarius reached back and grabbed Brice’s hand,

threading their fingers together. “There are shifters out here
that know exactly where we are. You won’t get away with
harming us.”

Smiling, Rayban sneered, “Since you’ll be dead, you let

me worry about that.” He looked first one way, then the
other, somehow issuing silent orders to his companions, and
they started to strip.

“Oh, shit. Shit, shit, shit,” Brice squeaked, fear slicing

through him.

Valarius released him as, he, too, started stripping. For

just a moment, Brice found himself distracted from his rising
panic by his lover’s thick, heavily muscled body. It was long
enough for his lover to finish yanking off his clothes. He
looked over his bare shoulder and stated, “Stay behind me
and don’t run. It will trigger our instinct to hunt.”

Brice’s jaw dropped open, his mind returning to the fact

that his lover was a shifter…a damn shifter! Something he’d
vowed never to get involved with.

“Brice!” Valarius snapped. “Do you understand?”
“I understand,” he quickly responded.

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Hell, if it increased his chance for safety, he’d stand on his

head and cluck like a chicken!

Then, once again, all thought wiped from his mind as he

watched the shifters around him change. Except…they
didn’t change into wolves. Instead of getting smaller, or
even staying the same size, these shifters grew. Their
muscles rippled under their skin, tendons and bones
snapped and popped, and fur sprouted…a lot of fur.

In seconds, Valarius and the other shifters had turned into

lions…really large fucking lions. Complete with thick mains,
honey-gold fur, and tufted tails. Every instinct told Brice to
run from the very large predators now filling the small
clearing, and it took everything in him to obey Valarius’
final request.

Clenching and unclenching his fists, he mentally chanted,

Stay still. Stay still. Stay out of the way of the giant claws.

One of the attackers, a blond-haired shifter who ended up

becoming a lean, pale furred, light-maned lion, launched
toward Valarius. His lover—fucking hell, I have a shifter
lover!—twisted to his back and brought his legs up, raking
them across the other shifter’s belly, causing his attacker to
hiss and twist away.

Valarius rolled back to a crouch just as the second lion

charged. Brice screamed a warning. His lion immediately
responded, twisting to keep between Brice and face off
against the other shifter’s charge.

Brice looked around, searching for something—a big

stick, maybe—that he’d be able to use to protect
himself…just in case the third guy, Rayban, decided to shift
and attack, too. So far, they’d been lucky, and Rayban—a
pack, wait, pride, beta—had sent his stooges in to do his
dirty work.

Brice backed up a few steps, sweeping his gaze over the

ground swiftly. He didn’t find anything and a low growl

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caused him to return his focus to the fighting shifters.
Valarius dodged, weaved, scraped, and slapped at the two
attacking lions. It kept him occupied and Rayban seemed to
be taking that opportunity to shift.

“Hey, you psychotic bastard!” Brice yelled. If he could

draw attention, he knew the lions would have to back off.
There were laws about exposing shifter secrets to humans.
That meant he needed other people here. With that thought
in mind, Brice screamed like a banshee…as if the hounds of
hell were attacking him.

Just Lion Around

Chapter Nine

blood-curdling shriek ripped through the clearing, and
Valarius wasn’t the only one that froze. His lion

recovered almost instantly as he recognized his mate’s cry.

Valarius leaped sideways, raking his claws against the

darker lion as hard as he could as he passed. Taking
continued advantage, he landed on the other cat’s back, sank
his jaws into the shifter’s throat, and threw his weight
sideways. He took the smaller lion with him and pitched the
cat, throwing him against a tree.

Rolling back to his paws, he swung his head around to

see his lover still screaming, but he didn’t appear to be in
any actual danger.

During a lull in the noise, where Brice seemed to be

sucking in a breath to start the racket again, Valarius heard
shouting and the crashing of people running down the trail
and through the bush…and they were coming closer.

Valarius growled low in his throat, watching the other

three lions come to the same conclusion and scatter. He
wouldn’t—couldn’t—leave his mate…or at least, not until he
knew the other lions were gone.

When his heightened shifter eyesight spotted the flash of

bright colored clothes through the trees, he grabbed up his
jeans in his jaws and leaped behind a copse of trees, then
padded deeper into the woods. He hesitated for just a

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second, taking a quick glance around the secluded area, and
initiated his shift.

Desperately needing to get back to Brice, Valarius grunted

at the slight pain and the tingles working through him as he
poured every bit of extra energy he could muster into
regaining his human form. He remained on hands and
knees, panting, for several seconds, the ringing in his head
making it difficult to concentrate.

Once he could will his limbs to move, Valarius used a tree

for support and stood up. He grabbed his jeans and tugged
them on, grimacing when he realized he’d put a tooth hole
through the thigh. Shaking his head to clear it of the last
vestiges of spots, Valarius turned and jogged back through
the woods.

Valarius spotted several people, four men and two

women, crowding around his mate. Fighting down his
possessiveness, he called his lover’s name as he tried to
determine if his mate had actually been hurt as well as figure
out Brice’s mood. To Valarius’ relief, Brice turned toward
him and actually looked relieved to see him.

“Val,” Brice called.
Wrapping his mate close, Valarius pulled the man against

his bare chest. He ignored the desire that instantly coursed
through him when his man tucked his face against his neck
and warm breath skittered across his chest hairs.

“You all right, babe?” Valarius murmured. A quick glance

around showed expressions ranging from confusion to
concern to appreciation…probably at the view, since his
torso was bare.

“God, I’m so embarrassed,” came Brice’s surprising

answer.

“Why?” Valarius couldn’t help his knee-jerk reaction to

ask.

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Brice huffed and eased back a bit. Valarius loosened his

grip and Brice grimaced as he looked sheepishly around at
the others. “I’m sorry. I thought I saw a bear and all I could
remember was some advice from a nature show about not
startling them and letting them know where you are. I-I
couldn’t think of anything else to do but scream.”

“A bear?” a blonde woman piped up. “Where?”
Brice peeked over Valarius’ shoulder and pointed. “Up

there, in those pines.”

“Bummer we missed that,” another man said, peering in

that direction.

The blonde drew close to that guy—who quickly

wrapped his arm around her waist. “Do you think it’s still
up there?” she asked, whispering.

One of the other men shook his head. “Probably not.” He

grabbed the brunette’s hand and gave it a tug. “Come on,
Theresa. Let’s finish our hike.”

Theresa nodded and followed him a couple steps before

pausing and glancing back. “So, you’re okay, then?”

Brice flushed pink. “Yeah. Thanks everyone. Sorry to

interrupt your hikes.”

“No prob, man,” said the first man, as he and his woman

left the clearing. The second pair also left, the brunette
offering a wave and a smile.

That left the pair of men in the clearing with them. The

dark-haired guy, whose green eyes twinkled with
amusement, stated, “A bear, huh? And it wouldn’t have
anything to do with the stench of lion permeating the
clearing, would it?”

Valarius’ brows shot up, and he realized due to his

predominance to ease his mate’s fears, he hadn’t picked up
on the large man’s scent. Wolf! To his surprise, Brice
grimaced and shook his head. “Sorry, Kade. What else was I

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supposed to say? A trio of lion shifters attacked us and I
couldn’t think of another way to run them off?”

The second man, a slender fellow with a runner’s build—

human by his scent, though probably mated with either the
wolf shifter or another one—elbowed Kade in the ribs and
admonished, “Be nice.”

Yep, definitely mated.
Kade oomphed good-naturedly. Then clearing his

expression, he reached over and squeezed Brice’s shoulder.
“You did good. Quick thinking.”

Before Valarius had time to growl at the other man’s

familiar touch of his mate, Kade removed his hand and
offered it to him. “I’m Kade McGraw with the Stone Ridge
pack. You’re Valarius, right? Out of a Kansas pride?”

Valarius’ brows shot up and he accepted the other

shifter’s shake. “That’s right. Valarius Lemusson. How’d
you know?”

“I’m a pack enforcer.” A corner of Kade’s lip curved. “It’s

my job to know.” His expression easing, he dropped
Valarius’ hand and looked around, taking in the broken
branches, crushed grasses, and scuffed dirt. “Looks like
quite the scuffle. Want to tell me what happened?”

“I’d be happy to, but I’d rather not explain everything

here,” Valarius said. When Kade’s eyes narrowed in distrust,
he held up a hand. “Brice is my mate, and I want him out of
harm’s way. I wouldn’t put it past Rayban to come back,
even with you here. He’s not known for his brains, but
Alpha Edward sure likes to use his brawn,” he admitted.
“They’re members of my old pride and they’re not too
happy with how things were left when I fled.”

Kade nodded. “Fair enough. I wouldn’t want my mate in

danger, either.” He wrapped around the human and nodded
toward him. “This is Tom Bristol.”

Just Lion Around

“Nice to meet you, Tom,” Valarius responded dutifully.

Cocking his head, he commented, “I guess ya all know
Brice?”

Tom grinned. “Yeah. He works for me at All Weather

Outfitters.”

Brice nodded and peered up at him. “Told you. Boring

cashier,” he said, some of his earlier emotion fading from his
voice.

Valarius worried at that, hoping it was more shock or

fatigue and not his mate pulling away from him. Gently
squeezing Brice’s shoulder, maybe in an unconscious effort
to erase the other shifter’s touch, Valarius crooned, “Let’s get
going, babe. We need to report this properly so Kade can let
his pack know to be on the lookout for Rayban, Bill, and
Ned.”

Nodding, Brice offered him a wan smile before reaching

down and picking up the dropped blanket. He rolled it up
tightly and attached it to Valarius’ backpack, then picked up
his own pack and slung it over his shoulder. After yanking
on the rest of his clothes, Valarius shoved the plastic
champagne flutes into his bag and did the same.

The four men moved swiftly back down the trail. At one

point, Valarius thought he smelled Rayban, so paused and
scented the wind. Kade stopped and followed his lead,
lifting a brow in silent question.

“Rayban,” he confirmed. “And he must have been

moving fast, for his scent’s nearly gone now.”

Kade grunted, his scent giving away his irritation.

Valarius sure hoped it was the situation and the other lion
shifters that caused it and not anything he or Brice had done.
As far as he was concerned, they’d done everything correct.

Brice remained silent all the way back to the trailhead,

increasing Valarius’ concern with each step. When they
reached the bottom, Kade asked, “Will you follow me to my

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home? I’d like to contact a few people and have them meet
us.”

“Home,” Brice piped up suddenly, his voice soft and

strained. “I want to go home.”

He looked up at Valarius with such plea in his eyes that

he felt his heartstrings tighten. Meeting the wolf shifter’s
gaze, he asked, “Can you have everyone meet at Brice’s
place, instead? That’d be okay, right, since it’s still in wolf
territory,” he pointed out.

Tom placed his hand on Kade’s arm and murmured, “We

should contact Doctor Digby, too.”

Kade glanced between them, and even though Valarius

didn’t remember meeting a doctor, the idea of having his
mate checked out appealed to him. He and his lion really
needed to make certain his mate was okay.

Kade jerked a nod. “I’ll meet you there, then.”
Valarius nodded curtly and, with his arm around Brice’s

shoulder, he steered his lover across the parking lot to his
motorcycle. As he helped his human stow his stuff and pull
on his jacket and helmet, Valarius noted the comfortable-
looking Goldwing motorcycle Kade straddled. The wolf
shifter drummed his fingers on his helmet where it rested on
the gas tank between his legs. He was already on his phone,
his gaze slowly roving the forest line around them.

Brice’s arms sliding around his waist pulled Valarius out

of his musings. After patting his lover’s hands where they
rested on his t-shirt-covered abs, he brought his bike roaring
to life and sped down the road.

Retracing their steps, Valarius turned left and headed

down the mountain road, slowing dramatically for the
curves, since he’d felt his lover tense every time—no matter
how slow he’d gone—on the way up.

They’d just passed a sign warning of a switchback ahead

when a car shot out of a trailhead parking lot and nearly

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took out his rear tire. “Bastard,” he muttered, glaring in his
rearview mirror.

Valarius felt shock rock through him when the car righted

itself on the road and gunned the engine…swiftly closing the
distance between them.

“What the fuck?” he growled, increasing his own speed,

and moving to the side. He waved for them to pass, but
instead, they sped right toward them again…as if they
didn’t see them.

Or they’re trying to fucking run me off the road.
That’s when he spotted the malicious curl of the driver’s

lips…a driver he recognized.

“Oh, son of a bitch,” he whispered.
Rayban!
His fucking ex-beta was trying to run him and his mate

off the road! Valarius grabbed his lover’s hands where he
had them clasped in front of him, then gunned his Harley.

“What’s going on?” Brice squealed, his arms tightening.

How dare they put my mate in danger!
His lion wanted to leap off the bike and force a

confrontation. Unfortunately, he could make out the faces of
the other two men inside the cab as well, and he needed to
keep his mate safe above all else.

“I need you to hang on and trust me, Brice,” he called

over his shoulder as he started to shift his weight and lean
into the turn. “Just stay with me. Those assholes are on our
tail.”

“They are?” Brice squeaked.
“Hang on tight!” Valarius hollered again.
He shot down the mountain road, listening to the whine

of his engine, the rumble of his tires on the asphalt, and his
lover’s low whimpers. Hot rage surged through his veins.
He wished he were alone, so he could maneuver a one-

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eighty and slam his helmet through their window, forcing
them off the road.

Instead, refusing to endanger his mate any more than he

needed, Valarius split his concentration on the road, traffic,
his bike, and the bastards behind him. He saw a sign ahead,
and one of the road names caught his attention.

Once again gripping his mate’s hands, holding them in

place fisted around him, he tilted sharply. Sliding the back
tire a bit, he skidded around the sharp left turn. Brice
screamed, but his body plastered to Valarius’ back didn’t
move an inch.

After Valarius righted the bike, he gunned the engine

again and shot down the new road. His lover didn’t speak,
only letting out slight whimpers every few panting breaths.

Watching in his rearview mirror, Valarius watched the car

screech around the turn, barely making it. The car fishtailed
for several seconds before the driver managed to get it
straightened and moving again.

Valarius smiled grimly. That little miscalculation put a bit

of much needed space between them. He prayed it’d be
enough. Trying to juggle between using enough speed to
avoid the once more approaching Rayban and staying slow
enough to avoid freaking out his mate, he flipped through
gears and sped onward.

The turn he needed appeared ahead, and he estimated

how much time he’d need to slow and make the turn.
Crossing his fingers, Valarius braked sharply and turned up
the driveway.

He cringed as he bounced over holes and swerved to

avoid ruts. He saw Rayban make the turn. Through the
trees, a large hunting lodge-style home appeared. As he
rocketed into the clearing and pulled to a stop right in front
of the deck’s steps, the vehicle behind them skidded to a

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stop. Just as quickly, Rayban reversed, backing through the
trees.

Watching the car disappear, Valarius let out a long, slow

breath.

“Ye want to explain what the hell that was about?”
He turned his head to find the alpha wolf frowning in the

direction of his driveway. Lowering his gaze respectfully,
Valarius replied, “Yes, Alpha.”

Charlie Richards

Chapter Ten

rice heard Valarius’ voice, but why did it sound like it
came from a long way off? His mate—oh my God, no, did

I just think that?—was talking to someone. He wondered
how he could hear them over the sound of the engine, but
then he realized that the roaring was his pulse rushing
through his brain.

Gentle hands eased the helmet from his head, then

threaded through his hair, cupping his skull. Thumbs
massaged his temples. “Come on, Brice,” Valarius crooned,
pecking the corner of his lips. “Show me those pretty baby
blues, hmm?”

He swallowed hard and forced his eyes open. Brice

frowned and glanced around, spotting Declan McIntire
standing on the porch of his home. The alpha wolf shifter
peered at him, his brows creased, obvious concern in his
dark eyes.

“There you are,” Valarius murmured. “We need to get in

the house. I’ve explained what happened to the alpha and
he’s sending out people to search for Rayban and his pals.
I’ve gotta call my own alpha and let Perrin know what
happened, too.”

Brice frowned, but followed his lover’s urging hands and

slid off the bike. “I don’t even know what happened,” he
mumbled. “Why’d they attack you?” He didn’t really

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understand the stilted conversation Valarius and Rayban
had in the woods, and he wanted clarification.

Easing onto the living room couch, Brice stared up at his

lover. “I need to know everything,” he demanded. “I need
the truth, Val.”

Valarius dropped to his knees before him on the floor.

With firm hands, he pressed Brice’s thighs open and wiggled
between them. Brice lifted his hands and clutched Valarius’
shirt, trying to read the expression in his lover’s eyes. Surely
he wasn’t seeing fear, was he?

“I wasn’t certain how to tell you that I’m a shifter, Brice,”

Valarius started bluntly. “I learned that you didn’t like our
kind and hoped that if you got to know me, you’d find it in
your heart to care for me anyway.”

Okay, that really was fear, Brice decided. He lifted one

hand to Valarius’ face and traced his brows and the lines
around his eyes, trying to smooth them, but his lover was
too concerned.

“I don’t dislike them,” he muttered. “I—” He paused,

uncertain how to explain. He’d been terrorized by the wolf
shifters in Idaho. It had helped learning that shifters really
did have rules they were supposed to follow. The powers
that be removed the leaders of the Idaho pack and sent them
to some shifter prison, and new leadership had been instated
to help the rest of the pack adjust. In fact, at one point, the
wolf shifter, Sean, who’d been part of that pack, had sought
Brice out and apologized.

Unfortunately, it seemed those lion shifters didn’t follow

the same rules. Why? What had caused the issues between
them? He didn’t—couldn’t, really—deny his attraction to
Valarius. He was desperately trying to reconcile his nearly
desperate need to be close to the…shifter, to his fears of the
changes it’d force on his life. He needed…more. The truth
first. Brice met his lover’s worried brown eyes and asked,

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“Who is Rayban? Why did he attack you? You really think
I’m your mate?”

Valarius’ haunted expression eased somewhat and he

smiled just a little. “Yes, Brice. You are most definitely my
mate. I’d do anything for you,” he vowed, then frowned.
“Except leave you. I don’t think I could do that,” he
admitted. “I can give you time to accept, to adjust, but I can’t
just leave you. Please, don’t ask that of me.”

It sounded nearly like begging, and Brice’s heart

tightened in his chest. Never should this strong man need to
beg him. At that realization, Brice knew he was already in
well over his head. Brice nodded, tracing his lover’s top lip.
“Okay,” he answered. “I-I want to be with you, too.”

Just saying it scared the shit out of Brice, but he knew it

was true. Shifter or not, he wanted to be with this man.

Valarius’ eyelids slid shut and he mumbled something,

maybe a silent prayer of thanks? Brice didn’t know. It didn’t
really matter. Brice tugged lightly on his lover’s hair,
regaining his attention. “What about those guys? Rayban
and his buddies? Who are they?”

Opening his eyes, Valarius said, “Thank you.” He leaned

forward slowly. The heat in his eyes made his intensions
obvious, but he almost appeared tentative, as if waiting for
Brice to pull away.

Fuck that!
Brice closed the distance between them and settled his

lips on his lover’s, thrusting his tongue in deep. He probed
Valarius’ mouth, nibbled the man’s bottom lip, and lapped
along the other man’s tongue. His dick, which never seemed
to need much stimulation when around this man, thickened
in his jeans. Moaning, Brice rocked forward. Clutching his
lover close, it pleased him to feel Valarius’ answering
erection.

A throat clearing loudly pierced Brice’s bliss.

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Ending the kiss, Brice rested his brow against Valarius’

shoulder and panted, trying to get his blood to return to his
big head. “Damn.”

Valarius chuckled softly, the sound vibrating the chest

beneath him. “Gods, you make me happy,” he whispered
into Brice’s ear. “Come on,” he said, easing away. “I owe
everyone an explanation, then I need to call my alpha.”

Brice didn’t bother trying to reply, too pleased when

Valarius sat next to him, wrapped his arm around him, and
tucked him against him. He snuggled into the other man’s
side and did his best to turn off his brain and let go of his
lingering fear. He could learn to deal with shifters on a
regular basis if it meant more of those kisses, more of
Valarius’ touches.

“Here,” Lark, the alpha’s mate, drew Brice’s attention.

The slender blond held out a mug. “Have some tea. You
look like you could use it.”

“A shot of tequila might be better,” Brice replied, making

Lark laugh, but he took the offered tea and gave the man his
thanks.

Glancing around the room, he spotted Manon Lemelle,

Carson Angeni, and Jared Templeton. Brice almost asked
when they’d arrived, but then he realized from the state of
their dress—comfortable sweats and t-shirts—that the men
were probably staying there. With so many other shifters in
the area, it made sense that the alpha wolf and his mate
wouldn’t be left alone.

“Thirty-seven years ago, I was a tracker in the

Montgomery pride located in Alabama. My father got tired
of me refusing to mate.” Valarius grimaced, shaking his
head. “He didn’t care that I wanted to wait until Fate
provided my true mate.”

Brice could feel the tension in his lover’s body and rubbed

Valarius’ chest, trying to soothe him.

Charlie Richards

Valarius’ arm tightened slightly, then he continued, “He

went behind my back and arranged a marriage to a she-lion
named Matilda, who happened to be the sister of the pride
beta, Rayban.” A low growl rumbled through Valarius as he
recounted his memories. “I refused. Father gave me an
ultimatum. Mate her or he’d drive me from the pride. He
probably thought I’d buckle, but I didn’t. I left on my own. I
moved to a town outside pride lands, and got a job as a
mechanic.

“I missed the pride, but I was careful. Every other week,

I’d hike deep into the forest and find a safe place to shift. I
never ran into anyone out there…ever,” Valarius stated
vehemently.

Brice realized this point was important to Valarius, and

his lover’s next words explained why.

“Two months after I’d left, Rayban and Bill, a pride

enforcer, visited me. Rayban started spouting some bullshit
about me shifting in my backyard.” Valarius growled low in
his throat, clearly still angry over the betrayal. “As if I’d be
that stupid. He went on and on about endangering our
race’s secret and how Alpha Edward was going to name me
rogue. Then,” he snarled, his tone darkening, “Rayban had
the audacity to grin slyly at me and tell me he could clear up
this misunderstanding if I agreed to follow through on my
father’s agreement.”

Brice wished he could take away his lover’s pain, but

didn’t know how. Instead, he wrapped his arms around
Valarius and squeezed tightly. He wondered about other
family, or even friends, and why they hadn’t stood beside
this amazing man.

He realized the tension seemed to have eased, so he took

a chance and looked up at his lover. “I don’t know why you
ended up facing that on your own,” he commented. “But
you won’t ever have to face shit like that on your own

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again.” The glow of complete adoration shining in Valarius’
eyes nearly took Brice’s breath away.

Valarius cupped his jaw and pecked a soft kiss to his lips.

“Thank you.”

Brice didn’t have a clue what he’d done, so he just smiled

back.

“What happened then?” Declan cut in.
Shrugging, Valarius replied, “What could I do? I wasn’t

going to allow them to manipulate me, so I ran. I traveled
across the country for decades. When I heard that a pride
had lost its alpha and the new shifter hadn’t claimed his title,
I headed that way.” He smiled and chuckled. “Before I got
there, the winning shifter returned. I challenged for the
position, but when I saw Perrin fight, I knew I wouldn’t be
able to beat him. I was tired of living alone, so I submitted to
him and asked to remain with his pride.” He scoffed. “Perrin
agreed, putting me on probation.” He flushed and admitted,
“It wasn’t until after the probation ended that I explained
my situation. I’ll be forever in Perrin’s debt that he didn’t
run me off and even promoted me to an enforcer a couple
months later.”

Valarius sighed. “It didn’t even occur to me that Rayban

might be here. Last I heard, Alpha Edward didn’t support
same sex matings. I’m really surprised he sent a
representative, let alone three.”

“Ye’d be surprised what shifters are willing to overlook in

the name of looking after our pack…or pride’s asses,”
Declan commented. He patted Lark’s behind and the alpha-
mate hopped up from where he’d been sitting on the alpha’s
lap. “I’ll keep ye posted about tracking them down. Will ye
be at the final meeting?”

“I don’t know,” Valarius admitted. “I need to talk to

Perrin…see what my alpha wants me to do.”

Charlie Richards

Declan nodded. “Of course. Let me know.” He cocked his

head and eyed Brice. “How ye holdin’ up, Brice? I know yer
original introduction to shifters wasn’t the best…” He let the
sentence trail off, a question in the silence.

Brice sighed. “I think…I think I’m doing okay. Or, at least,

I’m getting there,” he murmured. “We still have some things
to talk about, but…it helps that I already know most things
about shifters, ya know?” He turned a small smile on his
lover. “At least, there won’t be any more surprises, right?”

Valarius nodded. “I hope not.” Then he lifted a brow and

asked, “Unless there’s some possessive stalker boyfriend in
your past I need to know about?”

Grinning at Valarius’ teasing, Brice chuckled. “No. No

stalker boyfriends.”

“Then your exes are idiots,” Valarius announced, “but I

won’t complain.” His smile turned somewhat tentative and
his tone grew serious. “I guess the next step is to ask if
there’s any chance I can talk you into moving to Kansas.”

Brice’s jaw sagged in surprise at the man’s bluntness.

Valarius’ next words had his heart tripping in his chest.

“Because I want to claim you and spend the rest of my life

getting to know you and pleasing you.”

His eyes wide, Brice yanked his gaze away and glanced

toward the other men in the room. Declan offered him an
encouraging, almost fatherly smile, while Lark gave him a
lascivious wink.

Brice fought back a giggle, knowing it would come across

as somewhat hysterical.

Evidently, Valarius picked up on his tension, for he

patted Brice’s thigh and winked. “You don’t have to answer
right away, babe. I just wanted to throw it out there…no
surprises and all that.”

He nodded, relieved at Valarius’ understanding…and

patience. The man has the fucking patience of a saint!

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Valarius squeezed his hand and turned to Declan. “Is

there somewhere quiet I can go to call my alpha, please?” he
asked, bowing his head respectfully.

Declan nodded once. “Feel free to use me study. Brice can

show ye where it is.”

Brice focused on the conversation upon hearing his name

and it took him a second to catch up. “Oh, right. Sure.” He
motioned toward the hallway. “This way.”

“Shane will be here shortly with a report,” Declan called

after them. “Then, we’ll eat supper. Ye both are welcome to
join us.”

“Thank you, Alpha,” Valarius responded.
Once in the study, Valarius pulled out his phone and

crossed to one of the love seats. He held out his hand,
silently asking Brice to join him. He didn’t hesitate, quickly
taking his hand and allowing his lover to pull him close.
Valarius turned and nipped his bottom lip lightly before
soothing the sting with a gentle lick and kiss.

Valarius pulled away before Brice could try to get more.

He hit a button on his phone, then held it to his ear. He sat
close enough to hear when someone with a very deep voice
answered.

“Yes?”
“Good evening, Alpha Perrin,” Valarius said into the

phone.

“Valarius. Good evening,” Alpha Perrin responded.

“How goes your quest to woo your mate?”

Valarius cast a smile Brice’s way. “Well, thank you. I

discovered he had a bad run-in with wolf shifters last year,
so he already knows about us. I worried about how he’d
react upon learning I’m a shifter, but he’s been real brave
about it, especially considering we were attacked while out
hiking.”

Perrin snarled, “What?”

Charlie Richards

Brice barely heard it, too focused on Valarius’ words.

Pride and warmth flooded him. His mate thought he was
brave? God, I really have a mate! Brice thought of how devoted
Kyle was to Vee, how he’d do anything for him. Vee’s safety,
welfare, and happiness were everything to the wolf shifter.
Kyle accepted his mate just the way he was, even
considering all their differences.

He wanted that kind of relationship. With that realization,

Brice peered over at his lover through his lashes. Sure, it’d
be dangerous, but what life wasn’t? Some deep-seated
instinct told him Valarius was it for him.

Just Lion Around

Chapter Eleven

alarius hit the end call button on his phone and smiled at
his lover. He’d noticed his mate had gone still and quiet

about five minutes into the call. Worry filled him, and after
dropping his phone into his breast pocket, he couldn’t stop
from sifting his fingers into Brice’s short blond and red
locks.

“Hey,” he crooned. “Everything all right? Something

wrong?”

For several seconds, Brice just stared at him…hard, his

gaze sweeping over his face. Evidently, he must have found
whatever he was looking for because he smiled tentatively
and nodded. “Yeah.”

Still concerned, Valarius pressed, “Is there anything I can

do for you?”

Brice licked his lips. Suddenly, he smiled and replied

softly, “You can claim me.”

Valarius felt his jaw sag, and he stared at Brice in shock.

“What?”

Blushing, Brice grimaced. “Too blunt? Was I supposed to

ask in some sensual setting?” He frowned and mumbled,
“Maybe I should have asked Vee before saying anything.”

“No!” Valarius cried, still in shock, struggling to get his

brain to function. Was his mate really asking for what he
thought he was?

Charlie Richards

“You changed your mind?” Brice practically squeaked the

question.

The scent of fear, sadness, and disappointment flooded

Valarius’ nostrils. He saw Brice tense and begin to slink
away and off the sofa.

Oh, hell, no!
Possessive rage surged through Valarius, flooding him

with feral need. Growling, Valarius grabbed for Brice. He
wrapped his hands around his lover’s upper arms and
yanked him close. He buried his nose in the crook of Brice’s
neck and inhaled his mate’s sweet scent. “You want to be
claimed?” he growled gutturally.

Brice whimpered oh-so-nicely. “Yesss,” he hissed, tilting

his head, submitting.

It drove Valarius’ lion nearly out of his mind with lust

and need. “Why? Why the change of heart?” He forced the
question out, even though talking was the last thing he
wanted to do while he had his mate in his arms submitting
to him.

His hands fisting in Valarius’ shirt, Brice whimpered, but

managed to say, “Want to be with you. Want to know what
it’s like to be held and cherished and cared for. Want to be
accepted.” Brice lowered his gaze and whispered, “Want to
be…loved.”

Valarius’ heart constricted. Guilt flooded him. His delay

in sharing his feelings had caused this…this…confusion, this
doubt. Smiling, Valarius knew he could fix this. He could
remove his lover’s doubt, letting him know how much he
needed Brice. And, yes, even loved him.

Lifting his second hand, Valarius threaded his fingers

through Brice’s hair for just a second, petting his mate and
thrilling at the soft strands. “Ah, my love, my love,” he
crooned. “I won’t take you here, in the alpha wolf’s house,

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but how about I give you a little something to tide you over,
hmm?”

Brice whimpered in his arms. “P-please.” Although

Valarius guessed it took a hell of a lot of will-power, Brice
met his gaze. “I really do want you. You make me feel things
that I’ve never…never felt before. I want you.”

Just knowing he wore a goofy smile, Valarius pulled his

lover into a hug and muttered into Brice’s ear, “I’ll make
sure you never forget how much I love you.”

“You love me?” Brice drew back and stared into his eyes,

as if searching for the truth in his gaze. “You really do love
me, don’t you?”

Valarius hitched one shoulder up for a second. “If the

connection is right, it happens fast for shifters. I don’t expect
you to reciprocate right away, but…yeah, I love you, babe.
I’ve loved you since this morning when you woke me up
with a blow job.” Valarius couldn’t stop his chuckle.
“Sounds cheesy, I know, but fuck…it’s been so long since I
wanted to wake up with someone, and you doin’
that…showing me how much you enjoyed waking up with
me, too.” He sighed. “Perfect.”

“I-I’ve never been in love,” Brice admitted.
Pressing his finger to Brice’s lips, Valarius urged, “Then

take your time and figure it out. I get you’re a human, babe,
and I won’t hold it against you if you need longer than
twenty-four hours.”

“God, is that all it’s been?”
Valarius smiled, knowing he’d made the right choice in

stopping his mate from blurting out anything he wasn’t
ready for. “I told you I wouldn’t take you in the alpha’s
house,” he crooned, making certain all his lust and desire
shown through in his words and tone. “However, that
doesn’t mean I won’t please you.”

Charlie Richards

Brice’s eyes widened. He licked his lips. “W-what do you

mean?”

“Come here,” he ordered, dropping his hands to the

meaty flesh of his lover’s upper arms and tugging him
closer. Although Brice looked concerned…or maybe
confused, he allowed Valarius to manhandle him a bit.
Valarius’ excitement grew with each passing second as he
rotated his lover, pulled him onto his lap, and eased back
into the corner of the sofa.

“What are you doing?”
Valarius unbuttoned his man’s fly and reached inside to

fondle Brice’s half-hard cock, stroking it to full mast, before
bothering to answer. “I’m starting our bond.”

Without waiting for a response, he lengthened his canines

and sank them into the thick flesh where neck met shoulder.
Sweet, life-giving blood flowed over his tongue. He moaned,
swallowing it down. His dick throbbed in his jeans, and for
just a second, he thought he’d come just from the taste.

Schooling his responses, Valarius remembered his lover

and—desperate to give him the pleasure he so deserved—
stroked Brice’s cock, moving his hand swiftly. Brice
shuddered and moaned, his cock twitched and pulsed, and
within half a heartbeat, his lover’s dick spewed.

Carefully aiming the jetting cock in his grip, Valarius

milked Brice for every drop of cum. As the last couple spurts
dribbled out, he swiped them up on his fingers. He released
Brice’s softening dick and brought his fingers to his lips,
licking them clean.

Valarius moaned at his mate’s taste.
Just as good as his blood.
He knew, no matter what about his mate he tasted, he’d

love it.

Carefully, he tucked Brice’s penis back into his jeans and

zipped him up. He licked and nibbled the newly sensitive

Just Lion Around

flesh of the mating mark he’d left on his lover’s neck.
Humming, he smiled at the sight.

“Fuck, that’s sexy,” he growled.
Panting, Brice managed on a throaty whisper, “What’s

sexy?”

Valarius sighed. “My mark on you.” He nuzzled said

mark, unable to hide his grin.

A pounding knock sounded on the door, followed by a

guttural snarl. “Ye fuckers better open the fucking window
before ye come out. Ye’re pheromones are seeping through
the fucking door.”

Valarius’ brows shot up. He wasn’t entirely certain who

that’d been, although the voice sounded a little familiar.

Evidently, Brice knew it, for he chuckled. “Truckers and

their potty mouths.”

Frowning, Valarius hissed, “That was Kyle?”
“Oh, yeah.” Brice grinned over his shoulder at him. “You

hang around him long enough, you’ll hear way worse.”

Dinner was a long and painful affair, probably because

every fucking shifter in the place needed to talk to him about
something. This meant Valarius couldn’t just leave as soon as
he’d managed to shovel everything on his plate into his
mouth.

Gods, my balls are going to throb right off my body.
Still, what could he do but follow Alpha Declan out of the

living room? The alpha wolf had said he needed to talk to
him about something in regards to Rayban, who still hadn’t
been found. That news was almost enough to make him lose
his boner.

Except, then he spotted Brice in the hall talking to Lark

and—in obvious anticipation for claiming the man—his dick
sprang back to steel-hard arousal.

Charlie Richards

Lark headed their way, Brice following, confusion on his

face.

Declan placed his hand on Valarius’ shoulder and

squeezed, getting his attention. “Manon was supposed to
drag ye away to talk about something-or-other for ten
minutes before Kyle would do the same.” He smirked, then
added, “Followed, I believe by Kade.” Grinning, Delcan
winked and lowered his voice. “Don’t worry. I interrupted
his approach. They seemed to have thought it’d be grand
fun to yank yer chain that way.” Declan rolled his eyes at his
wolfs’ antics. “Grab ye’re mate and get the hell out of here.”

Valarius’ brows shot up as he viewed Declan. The alpha

wolf smirked and made shooing motions with his left hand.

“Thank you.” Valarius wasted no time obeying. He

grabbed his mate’s hand and dragged him toward the front
door.

“Shane will follow ye to yer hotel.” Declan winked. “For

safety’s sake. Have a good night, gentlemen,” the alpha wolf
teased, his voice reaching Valarius just as the door closed.

Feeling like a hooligan making an escape, Valarius

quickly pulled on his leather jacket, helped Brice into his
sweatshirt, jacket, and helmet, and brought the Harley
roaring to life before speeding away.

A moment later, he spotted the car following him, but

relaxed when he noted the beta wolf behind the wheel.

Valarius tried not to maul his mate, really he did, but the

second he stepped inside his hotel room, he couldn’t seem to
keep his hands off the man. After dropping his own jacket
over the back of a chair, he did the same for Brice’s. He
slipped his hands under his lover’s t-shirt and quickly
pulled both it and the man’s sweatshirt over his head,
revealing all that delicious skin he loved to nip, lick, and
nibble. Lowering his head to Brice’s chest, Valarius did just

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that, feasting upon one beaded nipple as he worked the
button of Brice’s jeans.

From the way Brice moaned, sighed, and even giggled,

Valarius knew his mate didn’t mind the attention one little
bit. He reveled in the sounds Brice made, working hard to
encourage more and more from him, wanting his lover lost
in pleasure. Need to show his man just how much he loved
him, how grateful he was to have found him, drove
Valarius.

When Brice’s jeans were around his ankles, Valarius

eased him onto the bed. He grinned at the sight of his nearly
naked mate sprawled across the comforter, his chest
heaving, his lips kiss-swollen, and his hard dick jutting from
the neatly trimmed nest of dark-blond curls.

He knelt and removed Brice’s sneakers, jeans, and

underwear. When he stood and refocused on his lover, he
just about came at the sexy sight before him.

Brice lay with one hand slowly stroking his erection while

his other worked his hole, two fingers already buried in his
ass. The open tube of lube—which they’d left on the
nightstand earlier—lay next to Brice’s hip and his fingers
glistened, showing that he’d used it.

“Brice,” Valarius moaned, pressing the heel of his palm to

the base of his shaft to ease the throbbing need to come.

His mate smiled lasciviously up at him. “Can’t wait

anymore,” he murmured, his voice breathy with arousal.
“Want you. Need you, mate.”

Valarius’ lion roared in his head at Brice’s choice of

words. He yanked his clothes from his body, ignoring the
sounds of tearing fabric. When he stood naked before the
bed, he forced himself to stop and take several long, deep
breaths to get himself under control.

Brice seemed to be having none of it. He fixed his gaze on

Valarius’ straining erection and moaned. “Fuck, I want

Charlie Richards

that,” he pleaded. Pulling his fingers from his ass, Brice
rolled to his knees, his legs wide, and arched his back.

Groaning at how prettily his mate presented himself,

Valarius knew he was lost for this man. He climbed up
behind Brice, knee-walking until his dick nestled between
his lover’s thighs and bumped his balls.

Hissing, Brice reached under himself and gripped

Valarius’ straining erection with his lubed fingers. Valarius
groaned at the sight of his lover greasing him up and nearly
lost all control when Brice guided the tip of his dick to his
slicked up and stretched hole.

“Now,” Brice slurred, nearly mindless in his desire to be

fucked. He held Valarius with lubed fingers and rubbed
Valarius’ leaking cockhead across his hole before pushing
back, impaling himself on Valarius’ dick.

Valarius watched in wonder, concentrating only on

breathing and not shooting his load as his mate wiggled and
rocked impaling himself inch by delicious tight exquisite
inch, onto his aching prick. He groaned at the pressure,
seeing and feeling Brice’s muscles swallow him up. Once
Brice’s ass nestled against his groin, their balls bumping and
rubbing, adding even more amazing sensations to the
constrictive grip surrounding his dick, Valarius tightened his
grip and held his lover still.

Brice whined, his body shuddering, his chute twitching,

massaging Valarius’ cock. Valarius lay over his lover’s back,
using the hand on Brice’s hip to keep him still as he
wrapped the other arm around his torso.

Plucking and twisting Brice’s nipple, Valarius laved his

tongue up and down the man’s neck, enjoying the taste of
sweat and mate. “Ah, my mate, my love,” he crooned
against the sweet flesh. “Are you ready to be mine? Ready to
settle with only me?”

Just Lion Around

His heart beat wildly in his chest as he waited for his mate

to answer.

Brice looked over his shoulder at him, his expression

surprisingly clear considering seconds before he’d been
mindlessly impaling himself on Valarius’ dick. “I’m not
settling,” Brice whispered. “I’m getting the best.”

If he hadn’t already loved this man, Brice’s words would

have done it then. “Brice,” he grunted, lowering his head
and capturing his lover’s mouth in an awkward kiss. He
thrust his tongue in deep, lapping at Brice’s lips, teeth, and
gums.

Unable to stay still any longer, Valarius growled low in

his throat and broke the kiss. He flexed his hips and slowly
drew out his cock, grunting at the feel of tight, hot muscles
rippling around him. Moving his mouth to Brice’s neck, he
closed his eyes and absently licked and nipped the fleshy
part of his shoulder as he started a slow thrust and retreat
rhythm.

Nothing felt quite so amazing as taking his mate,

knowing in a much shorter time than he’d like to admit, he’d
spill his seed inside Brice, soak his channel, and bind them
for all eternity. A shiver of anticipation worked through him.
Valarius opened his mouth and clamped his jaw around his
mate’s shoulder, holding his lover steady as he picked up his
pace. He adjusted his angle a couple times, pleased when he
heard Brice cry out hoarsely. Coupled with the man’s
shudder, he knew he’d found his lover’s prostate.

Brice bucked under him, matching his thrusts. Sweat

slicked their skin, making them slide and rock together, the
sounds of slapping skin and masculine grunts filling the
room. Valarius reached under his lover and palmed the
man’s balls, rolling the hard round orbs in their sacks.

“Fuck! So close,” Brice whimpered. “P-please. Wanna

come.”

Charlie Richards

“Mmm, anything for you,” Valarius mumbled.
He released his lover’s testicles and moved his hand to

Brice’s cock, stroking the hard leaking flesh. Brice heaved a
whimpered pant with each breath, soft grunts escaping him
sounded like music to Valarius’ ears.

“Come for me, babe.” He crooned the order as he pinched

one nipple.

Brice howled his pleasure as his dick swelled and spurted

his cum across the comforter and Valarius’ fingers. He
continued to work him, doing his best to heighten his lover’s
pleasure. Valarius thrust through Brice’s orgasm, the man’s
chute relaxing and contracting with his spurts. The massage
to his dick caused his own balls to pull tight to his body, and
he knew he was seconds away from spewing his seed.

Anticipating not only his pleasure but bonding with his

mate, Valarius sank his canines into Brice’s shoulder, re-
puncturing the mating mark he’d left earlier. Brice cried out
again, his dick once again jerking and spurting.

Valarius didn’t even try to stop his orgasm. Blood flowed

over his tongue as his cock flooded his lover’s channel with
his cum. His body twitched and shivered as he held his mate
close, reveling in the bliss coursing through his system.

Grunting in pleasure, Valarius slid his teeth from his

mate’s shoulder and sealed the mark. Pride flooded him at
the sight, heightened by the contentment flooding his system
and the purring of his cat in the back of his mind. Valarius
eased his softening prick from his mate’s chute, grinning
inanely at Brice’s moan. Carefully, he maneuvered them
sideways—away from the wet spot—and spooned up
behind his lover.

He had every intention of cleaning them up, but he just

needed a few more minutes, not only to catch his breath, but
to revel in the sensations coursing through him. Brice didn’t

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seem to mind, if the way he snuggled into him, molding his
ass to Valarius’ groin was any indicator.

Valarius grinned, feeling his prick actually try to recover

for another round. Sighing, he nuzzled Brice’s neck and
murmured, “Gods above, you’re perfect. So fucking sexy
and sweet.”

Brice peered over his shoulder at him, smiling. “You

make me feel that way.”

“Good.” He craned his neck and pressed a quick peck to

Brice’s lips before settling back on the pillow. “I’m so
grateful to have found you.”

“Me, too,” Brice admitted. Since his mate faced away

from him, Valarius almost thought he imagined his mate’s
next whispered words. “I’ll put in my notice with Tom.
Since he’s mated to a shifter, too, I’m sure he’ll understand if
I don’t give him a full two weeks.”

Valarius’ heart pounded in his chest…hard. “Are you-are

you certain?” he managed to ask around a lump in his
throat. Was his mate really offering to move for him?

Brice smiled. He wriggled a bit until he was lying on his

back and staring up at him. “Yeah. I’m sure. I came here to
recover from a hell of a shock.” Brice lifted a hand and
fingered Valarius’ brows and mouth.

Valarius smiled. It seemed his mate liked to touch him,

and he’d happily encourage that behavior. Most shifters
were very tactile creatures, himself included. He turned his
head and sucked Brice’s finger into his mouth.

Moaning, Brice’s blue eyes seemed to glow, arousal

sparking again in their depths. “I’m ready to start a new life
with you, Val,” he mumbled.

Valarius heard his mate’s heartbeat speed up and scented

his arousal flooding the air. A quick glance down confirmed
it. His sexy little mate was already hard for him again. His
body answered with its own wash of excitement.

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Releasing his lover’s finger, he levered over the man,

situating himself between his legs. Grabbing a thigh, he
lifted it to Brice’s chest. The sight of his cum dribbling from
Brice’s hole enflamed his body, and his cock oozed pre-cum.

“Brice,” he groaned. “Need you. Always need you.”
Brice grabbed his other leg and spread himself wide.

“Have me.”

Unable to resist such a blatant, sexy offer from his lover,

Valarius did just that and sank his throbbing cock back into
his mate. His moan matched Brice’s, and as he started a
quick thrust and retreat, driving them both quickly to the
edge of bliss again, he decided they’d worry about moving
later…much later…after he could think of something other
than the feel of Brice’s body enveloping his dick.

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Chapter Twelve

rice’s nerves were getting the better of him, but he
couldn’t seem to help it. The idea of getting out of the

car and walking into a den of lion shifters, even though they
were Valarius’ people and led by a gay alpha, freaked him
the hell out!

“Hey, easy,” Valarius crooned where he crouched

between the open driver’s side door and the car. “You’ll be
fine. Take your time.”

God, this man is understanding. Brice focused on taking

slow deep breaths.

It’d taken three days to quit his job, pack his shit, and pile

it all into his car. He had Detective Pierson on speed dial and
waited to hear when the trial for Donnie and his friends
were. They’d been charged with assault, hate crimes,
attempted murder, and attempted rape. With Brice’s
testimony, plus Chris, Remy, and several men Brice didn’t
know, the attorneys had high hopes that they would nail the
bastards with the whole nine yards. Brice had assured the
detective that he’d be back for the trial. Wild horses couldn’t
keep him from returning and testifying.

Now, after two days of travel, following Valarius who

drove his motorcycle, Brice found himself parked outside
the pride home, mentally freaking out.

What made it worse was people were beginning to trickle

out of the house and stand on the porch, obviously waiting

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for them. Brice didn’t want Valarius’ pride to think he’d
mated a weak human, but he couldn’t seem to get himself to
move.

Brice finally realized Valarius held him in his arms, on the

ground, and crooned softly to him while massaging his
arms. “Hey, you back with me?” Valarius asked gently. He
cupped Brice’s jaw and tilted his head back so he could look
into his eyes.

Seeing the man’s concern, Brice nodded. “I’m sorry. I—”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for,” Valarius cut in. “Your

life has changed drastically in less than a year. That’s hard
for anyone to keep up with.” Valarius brushed his lips
against Brice’s once, twice, before settling his lips on his and
lapping at the corner of his mouth.

Brice opened eagerly, loving how his mate kissed, like he

had all the time in the world to savor Brice’s taste. When he
finally drew away, Valarius smiled down at him. “There you
are, sexy. Feeling better?”

“Yeah,” Brice replied softly. He breathed a sigh, then

smiled tentatively. “Guess I’m not quite as over my
experience as I thought.”

“The pride is pretty supportive. No one will rush you,”

Valarius assured.

Brice nodded, still feeling pretty foolish, but at least now

he could think again.

“You ready to see the place?”
Nodding again, Brice slid from his lover’s lap and rose to

his feet. A glance toward the porch showed him only two
men still standing there. One massive African American that
Brice pegged as Alpha Perrin, and with the way the man
wrapped a possessive arm around the shorter, Caucasian, he
figured the honey-brown-haired guy was Terence, the alpha-
mate.

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Brice had no clue where everyone else had gone, but he

felt grateful he no longer had a huge audience.

“We’ll grab your stuff in a minute,” Valarius assured,

wrapping his arm around his waist and guiding him toward
the manor.

“Sure.”
Upon stepping on the porch, Valarius greeted the man

Brice guessed to be the alpha, confirming his assumption.
“Alpha Perrin, I’d like to introduce you to my mate, Brice
Gaithers.”

Perrin held out a hand to Brice. “Welcome to the pride,

Brice.”

“I’m honored,” Brice responded. He took the man’s hand,

then lowered his gaze, knowing it would be taken as a sign
of respect by the alpha.

A deep chuckle erupted from the alpha as he returned the

shake, then released his hand. “Nice to meet you,” Perrin
said. “Please, meet my mate, Terence Williams.”

Brice looked toward Terence, who grinned and held out a

hand. “I was sorry to hear about the trouble you
experienced, but I’m hoping you’ll be happy here with us.”
He winked. “Even if we are shifters.”

Relaxing at Terence’s open attitude, Brice nodded, then

looked toward Valarius. “I’m sure I will be.”

Terence laughed, then patted him on the shoulder. “Oh,

yeah.” He turned to Valarius. “I asked a couple guys to give
you a hand moving in Brice’s stuff. Grimes and Samson.
They should be out any minute now.”

Just then, the door opened and two men strode out. Brice

bit back an amused snicker, just knowing they’d been on the
other side of the door waiting for their introduction.

Terence smirked and pointed at the bronzed skin, black-

haired man, whose brown eyes twinkled with mischief. He
appeared to be in his mid-thirties, but Brice knew

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appearances with shifters were deceptive. “This is Grimes
Medina.”

Then Terence pointed at a man who was clearly younger,

maybe early to mid-twenties, who had shaggy blond hair
and dark, dark blue eyes. “And this is Samson Crumb.”

Brice shook hands with both men. While Valarius ducked

his head to Grimes, showing the other shifter to be higher in
rank than him, Samson bowed his head to Valarius. Brice
made a note to remember that, knowing how shifters valued
their hierarchy standings.

“Rochelle and Delila should have supper on the table

within the hour,” Grimes said, heading down the stairs and
across the yard toward Brice’s car. He grinned over his
shoulder and called, “Hurry up. We don’t want to miss out
on their funeral potatoes. You know how they always
disappear first!”

Valarius mmmed in appreciation and winked at Brice

before leading him back down the steps. “Rochelle and
Delila are sisters. Everyone always looks forward to when
their rotation for kitchen duties come up. They’re really
good.” He leaned close and whispered, “Terence has been
trying to talk them into becoming the permanent cooks, but
they’re holding out. I think it’s because they love my
brownies too much.”

Brice’s brows shot up at that revelation. “You cook?”
“I bake,” Valarius clarified, grinning. “I used to cook

casseroles and freeze the leftovers so I only had to cook once
a week.”

“Huh,” Brice said, taking the box Grimes handed him. “I

hope to sample that some time.”

Valarius smiled. “You will.” He winked. “You’ll even get

to help me. Mated couples are put on the same rotation.”

“Rotation?” he asked.

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Nodding, Valarius explained, “Rotation of duties—

everything from cooking to cleaning to laundry. There’s
almost twenty-five in the pride, small by many standards, so
we all share responsibilities, adjusting for people’s work
schedules and outside job responsibilities.”

“Oh, that’s really…” Brice’s words faded as he got his

first look inside the large manor home. “Wow!”

Although the home showed clear signs of occupation—

someone had left a pair of sunglasses and keys on the side
table, a pair of boots at the foot of a couch in the room to the
left, and someone had placed a baseball cap on the nob of
one of the dining room chairs—the place screamed comfort
and money. Hardwood floors dominated the home, along
with intricately carved high-end furniture, and beautiful
paintings hanging on the walls.

“It’s a nice place, huh?” Samson asked softly from behind

him.

Brice nodded. “Yeah. Real impressive.”
“Everyone chips in, helping and keeping it in order.”

Samson smiled. “It’s a big place, even for a couple dozen
people. No one slacks off…well, except for Sunday
mornings,” he amended.

“What happens on Sunday mornings?” Brice asked

curiously, turning right down a hallway, following his lover.

“After breakfast, we all do the dishes together, then we all

shift and lounge around the back deck in the sun.” Samson
grinned, his dark blue eyes full of pleasant memories. “The
youngsters all get together and gang up on one or two of the
adults and we have a great time wrestling.”

At first, the thought of a couple dozen lions lying around

caused Brice’s heart to trip in his chest. Except, the more
Samson talked—the joy clear in his tone—the idea of seeing
a bunch of lions tussle and play like a bunch of kittens

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actually sounded…entertaining. Brice found himself
grinning at the very idea.

On the second trip to his new rooms, Brice actually took a

second to look around. He really liked the tan walls with a
light brown accent wall, offset with darker trim. It reminded
him of pictures he’d seen of savannahs, so he understood
why the coloring would appeal to Valarius’ lion. The heavy
log furniture blended well and Brice traced a hand over the
smooth round wood making up the footboard.

“You like it?”
Brice turned and smiled at Valarius. “Yeah,” he said,

glancing around again. “It’s great.”

Valarius wrapped his arms around Brice and pulled him

close. He lowered his head and nibbled along Brice’s
jawline, and he sighed at the tingling sensations dancing
across his skin. Humming his pleasure, Brice tilted his head
further, giving his lover more room.

“Hey, break it up, you two,” teased Grimes as he set

another box down. “We’re not done here and I ain’t missin’
out on the potatoes. Get your asses in gear.”

Valarius grinned at the other man. “Yeah, yeah. We won’t

make you miss it.”

Brice flushed and offered, “We just have a couple more

boxes plus the clothes piled on the passenger seat. If you
want to head off, we can finish up.”

Grimes shook his head. “And miss giving Valarius crap?

Not a chance.” He winked. “Let’s go already. Chop, chop!”

Laughing at the man’s antics, Brice pulled from his lion’s

arms, dancing sideways to avoid Valarius’ mock growling
mate’s swat to his ass, and dashed out of the room and back
outside.

He reached into the front seat, scooped as many of his

clothes into his arms as he could, and turned around to head
back inside…and nearly ran right into Samson. Just holding

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in a squeak, Brice backed against the car. He opened his
mouth to tease his new friend, when he noticed the guy shift
from foot to foot and glance around…clearly nervous and
tense.

Samson’s unease spiked Brice’s own trepidation. “S-

Samson? You okay?”

“You’re human, right?”
The question surprised Brice. He opened his mouth to

reply in the affirmative, but Samson didn’t bother giving
him a chance to respond.

“How did Valarius tell you? ’Cause you seem pretty well

adjusted, and you’ve only known him a week or so. What’s
the proper way to tell your mate without them freaking
out?”

Brice felt his brows shoot up. “Uh, I knew about shifters

before meeting Valarius,” he admitted.

Samson’s shoulders slumped. “Oh. Okay. Never mind.”

He turned and pulled the last small box from the backseat,
then tossed a bag over the shoulder of his free arm. He
trudged back inside, looking so dejected.

What the hell?
Hurrying to catch up, Brice asked, “Hey, wait. Just

because I already knew about your kind doesn’t mean I
might not be able to help. You all are so secretive, why
would you want to tell someone? Who did you want to
tell?”

Samson put down his armful of stuff in Brice’s new front

room before turning to face him and wringing his hands, his
expression pensive. The look appeared so out of place on a
six foot, well-muscled man that Brice almost smiled, but
knew that would be taken completely wrong.

Instead, Brice steered the man to one of the chairs not

covered with his stuff and encouraged him to sit down.
“You wouldn’t have asked a complete stranger if it wasn’t

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important,” he pointed out, moving some clothes and
settling on the sofa nearby. “So.” He waved a hand to
encourage him. “What’s up?”

A second later, Valarius sat down next to him and

nodded. Grimes poked his head in, saw them sitting there,
and said, “Car’s empty. I’ll catch ya’ll later.”

Valarius nodded once. “Thank you. You saved us plenty

of time.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Brice said absently, though most of his

focus remained on a now-blushing Samson. It didn’t take a
genius to know something was up with the guy. Didn’t he
have any friends in the pride to chat with about this?

“My mom’s against me dating Helena,” Samson

whispered. He glanced between them and explained, “But
because Alpha Perrin made a public announcement that we
could date humans as long as our pride’s safety isn’t
compromised, Mom can’t really openly object. She just keeps
hinting that I should stop seeing her and find a nice lioness
to settle down with.”

He met Valarius’ gaze and hurried to add, “Don’t worry,

sir. I know it’s not a danger, because, well, I know she’s my
mate.” Just like before, he didn’t wait for either of them to
comment. It seemed once he started talking about Helena, he
couldn’t shut up, so excited to share about the woman he so
obviously adored.

“She’s beautiful, amazing, perfect,” he murmured

dreamily, his blue eyes losing focus. “When I’m with her,
my lion wants to rub up against her and purr. Leaving after
a date is like tearing out my heart.” He grimaced, then
continued, “She’s a school teacher. She teaches fifth grade.
She really loves her job and worries that if she keeps dating
me, people will talk about her being a cougar. She’s thirty-
two,” he told them, finally lifting his gaze so he actually
focus on them.

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101

“I’ve overheard Helena make comments to her friends

about how I’m not her usual type and she’s sure I’m gonna
move on soon, but why not have fun while it lasts, right?”
Dangling his hands between his knees, Samson gave them
an anguished look. “I’m worried she’s gonna get too stressed
out over the age difference, ’cause I look like I’m twenty, ya
know? I want to be able to tell her the truth, that I’m thirty-
eight and I’m a lion shifter and she’s my mate and that’s
why we’re so good together and I wanna claim her and keep
her and hold her every night and—”

Samson finally cut himself off and sighed. He glared at

the floor.

Valarius gave Brice’s shoulder a squeeze, then asked the

younger shifter, “Have you approached Alpha Perrin or Beta
Patrick with this information, Samson? They understand the
importance of finding your mate and would want you to be
happy.”

Brice watched, impressed, as his lover assured the other

man that’d he’d take Samson’s situation to their alpha on his
behalf. Valarius told Samson that they’d come up with a way
to share shifters’ existence with Helena. They’d assist him in
explaining what being mated to one meant and how
important she was to Samson.

Love for the woman shown in Samson’s eyes, and by the

time they left the room to head for dinner half an hour later,
hope had replaced his tension and anguish.

Following Valarius out of the room, Brice smiled,

admiring the backside of the man he loved. Oh! Oh, shit! Do I
really love him? Already? He knew shifters fell for their mates
quick, but he wasn’t a shifter.

At that second, Valarius turned and held out a hand,

smiling at him.

Brice grinned and took his lover’s hand, allowing Valarius

to pull him close.

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Yeah, I fucking love this man.

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103

Chapter Thirteen

alarius reclined on a deck chair. In one hand, he held a
beer, the other arm he wrapped loosely around Brice’s

torso where his mate sat in front of him between his legs. He
couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so content.

Still, he would have been happier if Alpha Declan had

given him better news two days before. Evidently, Rayban
and his stooges had left the area and the wolf shifters didn’t
know if they’d gone home or elsewhere. With the way
Rayban spoke, Valarius could just bet they’d turn up around
here sometime. The real question was whether it’d be sooner
or later.

On a good note, at least Declan had been able to tell him

that Alpha Edward seemed extremely angry at Rayban’s
actions—more probably to do with endangering their secret
than attacking him, but still—and the lion alpha had assured
Declan that Rayban would be disciplined.

He’d been only too happy to pass that info on to Alpha

Perrin.

Sighing he took another gulp of beer as he surveyed the

back yard. One of the cubs was celebrating her thirteenth
birthday, which gave them an excuse to have a family BBQ.

With Alpha Perrin’s blessing, Samson had invited Helena.

Everyone had been warned that an uninitiated human was
in their midst. Valarius had smiled as he’d watched Samson
introduce Helena to just about everyone, looking proud and

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completely smitten. How Helena didn’t know Samson
would attempt to move heaven and earth for her, Valarius
had no clue. At this point, everyone in the entire pride
probably knew.

When he and Brice had greeted the woman, she’d been

friendly with an open, honest face. Her brown eyes twinkled
with mirth. She carried probably an extra twenty pounds or
so on her short, five-foot-four-inch frame. Helena wore her
light brown hair piled on top of her head, accentuating her
slender, heart-shaped face. If he were into critiquing women,
Valarius would label her as girl-next-door pretty.

Fortunately, she seemed just as taken with Samson. If

Valarius hadn’t been a shifter, he never would have known
how nervous Helena was, she was that good at hiding her
feelings. Valarius kinda liked her. She was good with the
cubs—playing freeze tag and stopping with some of the
strangest expressions on her face, sure to make the cubs
laugh—and he thought she’d make a good addition to the
pride.

Valarius prayed she wouldn’t panic upon finding out

about shifters. Per his promise to Samson, Valarius had
spoken to Alpha Perrin on his behalf, and although the big
shifter had appeared nervous, Valarius had known it was
due to the man’s upbringing, not because he didn’t want
Samson to be happy.

As one of Alpha Perrin’s inner circle, Valarius knew that

scientists had once held and experimented on his alpha. It
made him leery of humans in general, but he still wanted his
people happy, which was why he’d made the announcement
to the pride about being open to human mates. Evidently,
that had been something the old alpha had refused to accept.

Damn bigots of all kinds.

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105

“Hey, you all right?” Brice murmured, rubbing his hand

over Valarius’ forearm where it rested around his mate’s
waist.

Valarius realized his entire body had tensed and he

glared at nothing. Forcing himself to relax, he nodded.
“Yeah, sorry. Got lost in thought there for a second.”

“Not good thoughts, I’d wager,” Brice commented drolly.
Sighing, Valarius smiled at his observant mate. “Not

everything in life is rainbows and sunshine.”

Brice stroked Valarius’ arm, leaned against his chest, and

tilted his head back so he could still peer up at him.
“Without a little rain, you can’t have a rainbow,” he pointed
out.

Valarius chuckled. “Very true,” he responded, before

lowering his head and pressing his lips to Brice’s. Knowing
half a dozen children ran about the yard, plus a plethora of
teenagers or almost teenagers there to celebrate Kaytlyn’s
birthday, he kept the contact brief.

Still, when he lifted his head, he managed to catch a sneer

curling Malachi’s lips before the other lion shifter could
manage to clear his expression. Valarius just managed to
avoid snarling at the bigoted asshole. Just because the alpha
mated a man didn’t mean everyone in the pride was
accepting. It just meant they’d become better at hiding their
bigotedness.

Malachi huffed a sigh and glanced at his watch. Then the

big, muscular blond turned on his heel and pulled his phone
from his pocket and disappeared into the house.

Curiosity filled Valarius, but he couldn’t think of any real

legitimate reason to follow the man and find out who he was
talking to. He was an enforcer, not a snoop.

“You’re wired awfully tight tonight, Val.” Brice shifted so

he could stare him in the eye. “Is something wrong?”

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Valarius rubbed the back of his neck. “Not wrong, really,”

he mumbled. “I just—” He grimaced. “Feel like something’s
going to happen. I can’t really explain it,” he admitted.

Brice pursed his lips. “Like what?”
“I don’t know, babe.” How could he explain it when he

couldn’t figure it out himself? His gut was just saying, stay
alert. Kinda like the feeling he’d had at the club to head into
the bathroom. Sure he’d planned to get blown, but he would
have headed that way even if he hadn’t been with a trick.

Or like the time Rayban had attacked in the clearing. He

hadn’t heard or scented anything, but he’d known they
needed to get out of there. He just hadn’t listened to his gut
soon enough, too interested in sex with his mate.

Now, his gaze strayed to Liam. The little arctic fox shifter

who’d come to live with them while his ex-alpha—a fellow
named William—and his inner circle were tracked down.
They’d abused Liam, chained him up, and beat him, and
when Liam had run, he’d been caught by scientists who’d
nearly killed him.

Thinking of that, Valarius’ gaze strayed to Raven. The

human used to work for those same scientists, but finding
Liam had changed his path. The man came off as cold and
standoffish, rather abrasive, really, but he doted on Liam. At
the moment, Liam danced with the birthday girl while
Raven leaned against the deck railing, drinking a beer, and
watching indulgently.

A shadow fell over his chair and Valarius peered over.

Terence stood over him. “Hey, Valarius, you know that day
we hoped wouldn’t come?” The alpha-mate grimaced.
“Well, it came.”

Terence looked pointedly behind him, and Valarius

followed his gaze. Alpha Perrin stood with a couple other
men near the sliding doors that led to the dining room.

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107

Recognizing the men instantly, Valarius’ jaw clenched

and anger coursed through his system. “Alpha Edward,” he
snarled, recognizing his old alpha. And right next to him
stood Rayban, a cocky smirk curling his mouth. “What the
hell is Rayban doing here?” he hissed.

“Rayban?” Terence frowned. “He was introduced as

Donald. We didn’t scent any lies.”

Valarius growled. “Donald is his middle name,” he

snapped.

Terence looked toward the kids playing in the yard.

“Well, let’s see what the assholes want, then,” he mumbled
softly. “Shall we?”

“Right,” he muttered, urging his mate to his feet.
“Are you in trouble?” Brice whispered, worry flooding

his scent.

Valarius took a quick glance at Terence while they moved

toward the waiting trio. For just a second, he started to
worry, then he spotted the slight twinkle in Terence’s eyes,
and Valarius’ tension eased. The alpha-mate knew this was
probably some pathetic attempt to cause trouble. They just
had to figure out what and shut it down…and knowing the
alpha and his mate, Valarius trusted them to do just that,
and hard.

He felt a gleam of warmth, suddenly never so grateful

that he’d found this pride and chosen to request a place
under Perrin. They’d take care of him.

“No, babe. It’ll be fine,” he assured, truly believing that.
With his arm wrapped securely around his mate’s

shoulders, he paused before the trio and smiled.
“Gentlemen.”

Rayban’s expression darkened immediately, probably

pissed at not being addressed directly by his title.

Instead of commenting, Alpha Perrin led the way through

the sliding door into the dining room. After glancing into the

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108

kitchen and making certain they were alone, Perrin indicated
the chairs at the dining room table. “If everyone would have
a seat, we should be able to clear this up quickly.”

“I’m not so sure of that,” Rayban snapped.
“Donald,” Alpha Edward snapped, his voice low in

warning.

“Sorry, Alpha,” Rayban grumbled.
Valarius wondered how the alpha put up with the asshat.
Terence evidently decided to cut to the chase. He crossed

his arms over his chest and scowled, first at Rayban, then at
Edward. “I know Alpha Declan has been in contact with you
regarding Beta Rayban’s behavior,” he said. “I’m a little
surprised to see him here.”

“Beta Rayban,” Alpha Perrin growled. “You introduced

him to me as Donald. Are you such a professional liar that
you don’t give off a deceitful scent?”

Every shifter in the room knew how grave of an insult

Perrin’s words were. Alpha Edward’s lip curled. “I did not
lie.”

Shrugging, Terence grinned—though it didn’t reach his

eyes—and tossed out, “Well, sure, not technically. An
omission or misrepresentation. My question is, why? And
what the hell are you doing here?”

Alpha Edward snarled low in his throat. He glared at

Alpha Perrin. “You would let your…mate…speak to me that
way?” He said the word mate as if it were a dirty word, like
whore or slut.

Alpha Perrin didn’t miss that fact, and a low growl

rumbled through his chest. “My mate has every right to
speak on my behalf, Alpha Edward. You, on the other hand,
have already proven your duplicity. You told Alpha Declan
that Beta Rayban would be punished for his deplorable and
dangerous behavior in Stone Ridge, and yet here he stands,
giving my enforcer smug and dirty looks.”

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109

“How dare you, of all people, question the way I lead my

pride,” Alpha Edward snarled.

“Of all people,” Alpha Perrin growled slowly, his tone

turning so cold Valarius was shocked the air in the room
didn’t develop icicles. “Interesting choice of words, Alpha.”
His black eyes narrowed, regarding him with scorn. “Please,
do explain.”

The shifter must have realized his error, for Alpha

Edward’s mouth opened and closed once, obviously
struggling for words.

Before he could come up with something, snarling,

yipping, and yelling erupted from the back yard. Valarius
recognized Raven’s bellow and Liam’s scream. Suddenly,
everything clicked. “You’re a distraction,” he accused.
“Alpha?”

“Go,” Perrin snapped. Turning hard eyes back to the lion

shifters in the room, he stated, “These two won’t be going
anywhere.”

Valarius pulled his mate with him, unwilling to leave

Brice behind, even with his alpha and his mate. Storming out
of the house, he swept his gaze over the commotion. Women
and a number of men were working to herd the children into
the house. He spotted Samson in lion form, his back to his
clearly traumatized mate, yowling in warning at an
advancing lion he recognized as Ned.

Several fox were attacking Liam, who was now in fox

form and fighting with…someone. Raven fought nearby,
working hard to keep another three foxes from getting to his
mate while trying to pull the one fighting Liam away from
him.

Finally, another strange lion—Valarius thought it was

Bill—fought beside one from their own pride—Malachi,
Valarius realized with distaste. They’d paired themselves off
against Grimes and Patrick.

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Valarius pointed toward Helena and ordered Brice,

“Calm her. She’s going to need a shoulder to cry on.”

“On it,” Brice stated, moving toward her without

hesitation.

Ignoring his clothes, Valarius initiated his shift. The stray

thought that, just a few days ago, his mate would never have
been comfortable in such a setting, but now… Pride flooded
him. Then his clothes tore away from his huge lion form and
he bounded toward Samson to help the young lion defend
their mates.

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Chapter Fourteen

rice reached Helena, calling her name, and grabbed the
cowering woman. At first, she squealed and tried to

pull away from him. Then she must have recognized him for
she launched into his arms.

“Oh, Brice! It’s Samson! I don’t know how, but a lion

attacked and then Samson turned into a lion and now
they’re fighting and there are foxes and…” Her wide, clearly
shocked brown eyes peered up at him. “W-what’s
happening?” Her voice cracked, betraying her fear.

Pulling her against him, Brice kept one eye on Samson,

the strange lion—that looked vaguely like one of the shifters
from Stone Ridge—and his own mate, who launched into
the fray without any hesitation. He worried for Valarius, but
he’d seen his lover fight. He’d be okay as long as Brice
stayed out of the way and didn’t distract him.

Brice turned his attention to the shaking woman in his

arms. On instinct, he cupped her head and tucked it under
his chin. Now he crooned, “It’s going to be okay, Helena.
You’re not going crazy. I know it seems that way right now,
but Samson would never hurt you. His lion knows you just
as he does. Remember how he protected you? His back to
you? Staying between you and the other cat? That’s your
Samson, keeping you safe, because he loves you. He wants
to take care of you. He’d do anything for you.”

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112

He repeated his words, varying their order, trying to keep

his tone soothing and sure. He had no idea how much
actually got through to the woman, but slowly her shaking
settled into fine tremors that he recognized as crying. He
continued to talk, telling her to remember Samson’s loving
touch, his words of affection, and the way he doted on her.

All the while, Brice kept his gaze on the fighting going on

around him. With Samson’s help, Valarius made quick work
of whoever the hell had been attacking the young shifter.
Brice’s mate lifted his huge, heavily maned head and
focused on Brice.

When Brice smiled and nodded, letting his lover know he

was fine, Valarius bounded off to help…um, whoever. There
was a pair of lions facing off against another pair, a smaller
pair. Valarius bypassed them and charged toward a pair of
foxes that’d managed to get Liam cornered.

A growl nearby caused a shiver to trickle down Brice’s

spine, and he turned to face a growling Samson. The big
cat’s gaze flickered between him and Helena. Even as Brice
hoped his lover could help his friend—he enjoyed chatting
with the boisterous Liam, even though his mate was kind of
brusque—Brice licked his lips and tried to figure out how
the hell to assure Samson that his mate was fine. He couldn’t
very well release the woman. Brice just knew Helena would
drop to the ground in a sobbing mess, and Samson—as
irrational as he probably was at the moment—would blame
him. She needed to be held, comforted.

Realizing that was the key, getting Samson to focus on

Helena’s needs, Brice took a chance. He did something he
never thought he’d do. Brice scowled at the big cat and
scolded, “You stop that, Samson. You’re scaring your mate.
You shift now. Show Helena you love her and can see to her
needs.”

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113

The cat reared back, its eyes wide. It looked as if it’d been

slapped. Samson actually mewled, dropped to his belly, then
whined. He cocked his head and glanced between them
again.

Brice would take that as progress. Smiling encouragingly,

he urged, “Come on, Samson. You love Helena. She loves
you. She’s really confused right now and she needs you. She
needs you to hold her and tell her everything is going to be
okay. Shift now, so you can do that for her, okay?”

For just a second, Brice didn’t think his friend would

obey. He knew protecting one’s mate could cause a shifter to
do funny things, so relief flooded him when seconds later he
spotted the telltale signs of Samson shifting.

Taking a chance, Brice nudged his shoulder and got

Helena’s attention. With the hand that had been absently
petting her hair, he gripped her neck to get her attention. She
glanced up at him, and to his relief, looked at Samson.

She gasped.
Not really what he wanted, so he murmured into her ear.

“See your lover. Samson heard every word I said and
understood. He’s gonna hold you and take care of you,
explain everything, make sure you’re okay.”

By the time he finished speaking, Samson—now human—

reared up on his knees and croaked, “Helena!”

“Samson!”
To Brice’s absolute pleasure, the woman completely

ditched him and threw herself into Samson’s arms. Brice
sighed in relief as Helena burrowed close to Samson and the
young shifter clutched her tightly to him. Samson met
Brice’s gaze over Helena’s shoulder and mouthed thank you.

Brice smiled and nodded once, then turned to figure out

where his own mate had ended up. The four foxes had been
rounded up and were now being held at bay, mostly by the
pistol in Raven’s hand as he glared at them with a look that

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114

made a shiver slither down Brice’s spine, even though it
wasn’t even directed at him.

Valarius slowly padded toward Brice, and he took in

every drop of blood matting his fur, searching for the
injuries. His mate paused and peered up at him, then
lowered to his belly. Brice frowned, then realized he’d been
holding his breath. He sucked in a lungful of air, only to let
it out on a sigh of relief. Brice ignored his instincts to avoid a
very large predator and dropped to his knees beside his
mate. He buried his fingers into Valarius’ mane and pressed
his forehead to the lion’s thick fur, inhaling the scent of his
lover mixed with an odd musk he realized must be cat.

“Please tell me you’re okay,” Brice urged. “Are you

injured?” He lifted his head and stared into the dark brown
eyes of the lion that were so very familiar.

Under his fingertips, his lover’s skin rippled. Valarius’

body shuddered. Brice released his mate’s mane and rocked
back on his heels. He took the opportunity just to stare at his
lover, taking in the intricacies of his man shifting. When
Valarius’ human face peered up to stare at him, Brice
grinned.

“God, you’re sexy,” Valarius stated gruffly.
Brice barked out a laugh. “You’re the naked one. Fuck,

where are your clothes?” he asked, feeling the green-eyed
monster rear as he realized how many people were in the
clearing with the opportunity to see his man’s sexy ass.

“Brice?”
Burying his ridiculous reaction—after all, these guys had

probably already seen Valarius’ ass and were used to
stripping around others to shift—Brice turned to see a
concerned Samson holding a still fearful Helena.

He smiled. “Hey, you and Helena okay?” he asked softly.
“Could you, uh…” Samson glanced down at Helena, still

petting her thick dark hair.

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115

To Brice’s surprise, Helena lifted her head and peered up

at him. Although tears still glistened on her lashes, she gave
him a tremulous smile. “Will you come talk with us? I
remember some of your words, but…can you help me by
telling me again?”

Brice let out a silent sigh of relief and held up a finger

while he sought out his own mate. Valarius cupped his jaw
and ducked his head close, murmuring, “I’m gonna help
clean up this mess. I’ll meet you in our rooms in a bit?”

“Sounds perfect,” Brice replied softly, enjoying his lover’s

short press and rub of lips against his own. When Valarius
drew away, he growled just loud enough for his mate to
hear, “Find something to cover your sexy ass.”

Valarius chuckled, but nodded.
Turning back toward Samson and Helena, Brice stood

and motioned toward the house. He gave Helena an
encouraging smile. “I think we have a lot to talk about.”

Several hours later, Brice shut the door to his suite of

rooms and leaned against it. He closed his eyes and let out a
long, fatigued sigh. It had taken a while, but he and Samson
had explained everything to Helena. There was something to
be said for having a mate be on hand when explaining about
shifters. The mate-pull made acceptance so much easier.

He smiled upon feeling the firm hold of his lover’s hands

on his shoulders. Recognizing Valarius’ scent, he didn’t fight
as the other man pulled him close, then undressed him and
led him into the shower.

Valarius cleaned them both, and Brice couldn’t resist

asking, “What happened with everyone? Who were the
foxes?”

“Those were Liam’s old alpha, beta, and enforcers. The

Shifter Council’s trackers have been searching for them for a
couple of weeks,” Valarius replied as he scrubbed soap into

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116

Brice’s hair. “The council is sending several people to come
get them as well as Alpha Patrick, Rayban and his lions.
Although, Bill and Ned will probably just get a slap on the
wrist since they were following their leader’s orders,” he
mused.

“Who was the other lion?” Brice asked right before

tipping his head back and rinsing the soap. Once not under
water again, he added, “He looked familiar.”

Growling softly, Valarius replied, “That was Malachi.

When Perrin first became alpha, he challenged him for the
position. Perrin beat him easily. Evidently, he didn’t take the
loss well. He helped the others coordinate the attack. He’s in
a hell of a lot of trouble not only with Perrin but the council,
since there were several humans at the BBQ that didn’t
know about shifters.”

Valarius turned off the water and grabbed towels,

wrapping one around Brice. “Enough talk of them,” he
stated gruffly, lowering his head to nip lightly at Brice’s
bottom lip.

Recognizing his lover’s change in mood, Brice gave

Valarius an innocent smile. “Then, what do you want to talk
about?”

“Us,” Valarius responded instantly, then led the way back

to the front room. This time, Brice noticed the fire in the
fireplace, the champagne on ice, and the chocolate covered
strawberries. He chuckled when he saw the can of whipped
cream.

“God, you have me so figured out,” Brice said, smiling.

Not wanting to miss the opportunity, he blurted, “It’s one of
the reasons I love you so much.”

Valarius froze, then turned to look at him fully. “What

did you say?”

Brice slid his arms over his man’s shoulders and met his

questioning gaze squarely. “I love you. You’ve been patient,

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117

wanting me to be sure. Well, I am. I love you, Valarius, so
very much.”

“Oh, Brice,” Valarius groaned and held him tightly,

pressing his face against Brice’s neck. Warm air ghosted over
his skin as Valarius let out a sigh. “I love you, too, Brice.”

For several seconds, Brice just relished Valarius holding

him. Finally, his lover lifted his head and grinned as he
eased his grip. He backed two steps, then pulled Brice down
onto the nest of blankets and pillows, and tucked him close.
He handed him one glass of already poured champagne and
then picked up his own. Lying with his lion, Brice waited to
see what his man had planned.

“To our mating,” Valarius crooned. “You are my perfect

mate.”

Brice’s brows shot up, but Valarius didn’t stop there.
He continued by saying, “An enforcer needs to be tough,

strong, and forceful. You round out my rough edges. You
see the people themselves, how their emotions may affect
them, and help them accept our way of life when accidents
happen. You’re perfect.”

“Val,” Brice whispered, overwhelmed.
Valarius shook his head and smiled. “Don’t argue. Just

accept the fact that Fate knew what she was doing.” He gave
Brice a stern look for a second. Then the look softened and
he ducked his head and nuzzled Brice’s neck.

Brice cocked his head, enjoying his man’s attention. “I’ve

never been happier,” Brice admitted. “You make me happy.”

Lifting his head, Valarius smirked. “Then I’ll have to

work very hard to keep doing whatever the hell I’m doing
right.”

Taking a sip of his champagne, Brice winked as he took a

drink. “And we’ll keep lion around.”

Valarius stared for several seconds, then groaned. “Oh,

babe! That was so bad!”

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118

Brice nearly snorted the champagne through his nose as

he giggled.

His mate was absolutely right.

About the Author

Charlie lives on a mini ranchette in Utah with her husband
and furry, four-legged children. She started writing fantasy
when she was eight, and after stumbling onto her first erotic
romance at age nineteen, she realized her true calling. She
now focuses on writing erotic romance, normally of the
paranormal variety, with heroes and heroines of all kinds.
You can often find her curled up with her laptop and a cup
of tea or glass of wine, creating her next adventure. Charlie
enjoys exploring the mountains on horseback, 4-wheeler, or
motorcycle. Her favorite exercise is jumping lessons with her
Arabian gelding Apache or her Thoroughbred mare Repo.
And she can’t get enough of sexy highlanders with their kilts
and swords. Right now, she and her muse are working with
dedication on her Wolves of Stone Ridge series and Kontra’s
Menagerie series.

She can be reached at ch.richards2010@yahoo.com
Or visit her at www.charlie-richards.com

Document Outline

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
About the Author

Charlie Richards Wolves of Stone Ridge 19 Just Lion Around

Document Outline