Out of the Cage: Sometimes a healing touch comes from a predator.

Having been raised by his puma shifter godfather, Edwin Aldridge has always known that
paranormal creatures exist. Edwin works as a genetic engineer, attempting to apply a
shifter’s healing abilities to humans. When Edwin learns that another scientist has done
something similar, he looks forward to reviewing his work. Edwin quickly becomes
infatuated with Byron, the wolf shifter who delivers the information. Remembering his
godfather’s stories, Edwin realizes the wolf shifter is his mate. Unfortunately, once Byron
learns about Edwin’s research, the wolf shifter rejects him.

When Byron Ziegler scents Edwin, he knows the skinny government agent is his mate.

He plans to pursue him, eager to learn everything about the human so they can build a
life together. Then Byron learns that Edwin is a scientist working on shifter DNA. He’s
devastated and turns his back on the human. While Byron regrets the decision, how can
he bond with a man that wants to do the same thing as the people his pack spent years
tracking down and stopping?

Will the mate-pull be enough to help them find common ground?

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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.

The Wolf’s Healing Touch

Copyright © 2014 Charlie Richards

ISBN: 978-1-77111-890-3

Cover art by Angela Waters

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization
of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or
other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the
written permission of the publisher.

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The Wolf’s Healing Touch

Wolves of Stone Ridge: Book Twenty-Two

By

Charlie Richards

Dedication

To frogs – their incessant croaking makes a surprisingly soothing evening lullaby. I miss

them when they aren’t singing.

Chapter One

“They’re here!”

Edwin Aldridge glanced up from his computer and saw Toby Dallaw, his research

assistant, nearly bouncing with excitement. He arched his left brow and returned his
focus back to the blood sample broken down on his screen. Absently, he asked, “Who’s
here?”

“The rogue wolves!”
That got his attention.
Pushing away from his computer, Edwin straightened on the rolling stool. He rubbed his

eyes under his glasses. He could feel a headache coming on from eyestrain. Removing his
glasses and setting them on the desk, Edwin massaged his temples. “Rogue wolves?
What are you talking about?”

Toby leaned one well-padded hip against a nearby table and crossed his arms over his

chest. “You know…the wolf shifters bringing the mad scientist and his research data.”

Right. Them.
Putting his hands on his thighs, Edwin focused on Toby. The shorter, hefty man peered

expectantly at him through his own thick, black-rimmed glasses. Edwin frowned. “They’re
not rogues,” he pointed out, just managing to keep the anger from his tone.

Edwin really looked forward to meeting the shifters, and he didn’t think they would

appreciate being labeled rogues. He’d been raised by his godfather, Dillan, and had
stumbled across the man’s secret when was fourteen. Dillan could turn into a puma, a
large, tawny-colored cat also referred to as a mountain lion.

Dillan had sat Edwin down and explained many things about shifters to him. For

example, shifters were completely cognizant while in animal form. They lived longer,
healed faster, and were stronger and hardier than humans, as well. They also normally
lived in groups—safety in numbers and all that.

Unfortunately, when Dillan’s alpha—what he’d called their pride leader—had found out

Dillan enjoyed the attentions of men, he’d been given a choice…banishment, or marriage
to a female of the alpha’s choosing.

He’d chosen banishment.
“I know that.”
Toby’s voice tore through Edwin’s thoughts, drawing him back to the present.
“It’s just what everyone is calling them,” Toby continued, his tone somewhat petulant.
Edwin just kept from rolling his eyes. He often forgot how young Toby was. Just

because his assistant already worked on his PhD in genetic engineering, he was still only
nineteen. “Well, in their society, it’s a bit offensive,” Edwin stated, gentling his tone. “So
whoever you heard it from, you’d better let them know not to let the shifters hear ‘em say
that.”

“Yeah, okay,” Toby responded. Pushing away from the table, he said, “Director Jeffries

wants us at the meeting in thirty minutes. I guess he wants you to take responsibility for
the information. Something about chain of evidence.” He waved his hand negligently. “I

didn’t understand most of it.”

Grabbing his glasses and placing them back on his face, Edwin nodded. “Okay.” He

didn’t understand the CIA’s policies either, so he didn’t expect his young assistant to. “Put
away those samples over there,” he ordered, pointing to the vials waiting for processing
on the far work-table. “I need to finish up this file and save it, then I’ll be ready to go.”

“Okay.”
As Toby headed off to complete his task, Edwin refocused on the computer screen. He

was so close, he could almost taste it. He couldn’t wait to review the mad scientist
fellow’s data. Director Jeffries hadn’t been too pleased that the wolf shifters had
managed to track him down before the CIA. While the scientist had somehow used shifter
DNA to alter humans, essentially making super soldiers, that wasn’t what Edwin wanted
to do. If he could just—

“All set,” Toby stated. “You about ready? We need to go if you don’t want to be late.”
Edwin glanced at the clock. Damn, twenty-five minutes had already gone by. How was

that possible? He hated stopping now, but he figured he shouldn’t piss off Director
Jeffries. He didn’t want to jeopardize his funding.

After saving his work and powering down the system, Edwin shoved some paperwork

he wanted to review at home into his satchel and zipped it closed. Some of his colleagues
laughed that he printed work, but after twelve hours staring at computers in the lab, his
head would ache and his eyes couldn’t handle staring at a computer screen any longer.

He stood and slipped the shoulder strap over his head. “All right. Let’s go.”
Edwin led the way to the door. Turning, he swept his gaze over the area one more

time, then asked, “You locked the storage shed?”

Toby rolled his eyes. “Of course, I locked it. That’s procedure, isn’t it?”
Nodding, Edwin turned off the lights and opened the door. “Right. Let’s get this meeting

over with.” He had spreadsheets he wanted to review…and a nice cup of tea to ease his
headache sounded fantastic, too.

After locking up the lab, Edwin led the way down one corridor, then another. “What

conference room?” he asked absently as he stopped in front of the elevators and pushed
the button.

“Uh.”
Grimacing, Edwin muttered, “You didn’t forget, did you?”
“Well,” Toby scrunched his bushy dark brows. “If he didn’t speak down to me every

time like I’m some imbecile, maybe I’d be more interested in listening to what he had to
say.”

“And if you listened to what he had to say, so he wouldn’t have to repeat it, maybe he

wouldn’t think you’re an imbecile,” Edwin pointed out as he led the way into the elevator
and pushed the button for the seventh floor. “I’m sure Laurell will know,” he said,
referring to the receptionist.

“Sorry,” Toby mumbled.
Shrugging, Edwin softly admitted, “I don’t actually care for him, either.” He left the

elevator and walked up to the reception desk. “Hey, Laurell. Which room are we
supposed to be in?”

Laurell smiled thinly up at him and replied coolly, “Conference Room C.”
Edwin nodded and turned to the left, heading that way. He always wondered if that

woman’s suit was too tight. Hell, maybe she was a bigot, a hater, didn’t like gays or
maybe geeks. Edwin didn’t know and as he stopped before the conference room door and
knocked, he put the encounter out of his mind. It didn’t matter. He certainly didn’t need
to impress her.

The door opened, revealing an agent Edwin didn’t recognize. He stood maybe six foot

two with broad shoulders, brown hair, brown eyes, and a serious expression. Yup, typical
CIA suit. The man swept his gaze over Edwin, obviously assessing him.

Edwin didn’t care that the agent seemed unimpressed. He knew he stood just shy of six

feet, had a rail thin body, and a mop of shaggy brown hair. Never really worried about his
appearance, he wasn’t worried about what others thought of him. Instead, he lifted a
brow and snapped, “Out of the way, bruiser.”

“Who the hell are you?” the agent snarled back.
“I’m Doctor Edwin Aldridge, and you’re in my way.”
The guy opened his mouth to respond, probably intending to say something else snide,

but Director Jeffries took that moment to call, “Aldridge! It’s about time you showed up.
What happened? Your assistant forget the time or something?”

Edwin narrowed his eyes at the man still standing in his path. “See? I’m expected.”
The agent curled his lip, even as he backed up a couple of steps. It didn’t give him

much room to pass, so Edwin made a point of slamming his shoulder into the other man’s
chest. He knew the agent probably stepped back more from surprise than the force of the
glancing blow, but damn did Edwin hate bullies.

A glance over his shoulder confirmed that Toby followed, although he had his shoulders

hunched a bit, obviously uncomfortable. Edwin paused and half turned to the freaky
smart teenager. Clapping a hand to his meaty shoulder, he squeezed in encouragement
as he steered the young man toward a chair.

As Toby sat, Edwin took a few seconds to survey the room. His gaze landed on the four

strangers on the far side of the conference room. Standing at the counter helping himself
to a cup of coffee was a lean, smartly dressed man with neatly trimmed and styled dark-
brown hair. When the man’s blue-eyed gaze met Edwin’s, he gave him a friendly smile
before returning his focus to making his coffee.

A tall Native American rested one hip against the side of the table. His dark-eyed focus

rested on a shorter, leaner man. The second man narrowed his eyes as he glanced
between the two agents Edwin didn’t know the names of. He whispered something too
quiet for Edwin to catch.

The Native American moved a hand to his companion’s shoulder as he quietly stated,

“Relax, Jared. We all have to follow orders sometimes.”

The smaller man, Jared, lifted a brow as he looked up at the other man. “Yes, and we

know how well that sits with me.”

The last man pushed away from the wall where he’d been leaning, drawing Edwin’s

attention. Watching the big, broad-shouldered African American move with sensual grace
as he crossed the few steps between the wall and the quietly talking pair, Edwin’s mouth

went dry, and his pulse kicked up a few notches. He really liked how the guy’s charcoal
gray slacks and matching suit-coat fit his figure like a glove.

“We’ll get this done and be on our way soon enough,” the man stated when he stopped

next to the other two men.

Edwin fought back a shiver upon hearing the man’s smooth baritone voice. Oh, how

would it be to hear words of affection whispered by that deep voice, crooning into his ear
while the man’s big, brown hands touched him?

It’d been a while since Edwin had considered looking for a lover and he felt his body

respond just at the images popping into his head. His cock started thickening in his
slacks.

Slowly, as if he knew Edwin focused on him, the man turned his head and stared back

at him. The man’s nostrils flared once and his dark eyes widened just a bit. When the big
man took a step toward him, Edwin realized he still stared.

Edwin yanked his gaze away from the sexy man, not wanting the stranger to get pissed

at him for looking. He’d been punched a time or two for that. Clearing his throat, Edwin
pulled his bag from his shoulder and put it down, then took a seat.

“If you’re done ogling our guests, we can get this meeting started,” Director Jeffries

grumbled.

Heat flooded Edwin’s face and he just knew he was blushing. While the asshole who’d

opened the door snickered—rather cruelly, in Edwin’s opinion—the other agent’s blond
brows drew into a scowl.

At least one of the agents wasn’t an asshole, Edwin thought as he pulled the chain of

evidence paperwork from his satchel. Director Jeffries had been very clear that everything
should be in Edwin’s corporation’s name. He worked for the government as an
independent contractor, and the director wanted to make certain the government didn’t
appear directly involved…even though they were.

Edwin thought it ridiculous, but plausible deniability seemed to be the name of the

government’s game in regards to shifters and other paranormals. That was fine with
Edwin, because it gave him the power to put a stipulation in his contract that if they
parted ways, all his research went with him. He quickly scrawled today’s date in the
necessary field.

When the chair to his left scraped across the floor, Edwin tensed. He knew he didn’t

imagine the heat rolling off the African American’s body as he lowered his bulk into the
chair next to him. Slowly, Edwin turned his head and stared at the stranger.

To Edwin’s surprise, the stranger’s dark brown eyes smoldered as he leaned close and

stated, “You can ogle me anytime, cutie.”

Edwin’s jaw sagged open.
The guy reached out with one huge paw of a hand and rested two forefingers under his

chin. Smiling at him, he gently closed Edwin’s mouth.

“I’m Byron Ziegler,” the man introduced himself. “And you are?”
“Doctor Edwin Aldridge.” He practically whispered his response, his surprise was so

great.

“This is a business meeting, not a night club,” Director Jeffries snarled. “Save the

mooning for later. Fucking fags.”

The director mumbled the last couple of words in a low tone, but evidently, everyone

heard them. A quiet growl erupted from not only the man beside him, but the Native
American as well.

“You’d do well to watch—” Jared started, but the man with the coffee cut him off.
“Director Jeffries,” the man said. “We’ve complied with your wishes. We’ve turned over

the war criminal, Sampson Marlow, as requested, and we’ve brought what’s left of his
data.” He placed his cup of coffee on the table and offered the director a cool smile. “If
you wish future communications to be amicable, it would behoove you to keep a civil
tongue in your head.”

The director flushed, a red hue stealing up his neck and cheeks. Edwin had seen the

way the director’s jaw tightened and how his eyes flashed before…right before giving one
of his agents a verbal beat-down.

Fortunately, the blond agent stepped forward and lifted a hand. “I’m sure we all

appreciate the great lengths you went to in tracking down Marlow, Mister Russo.” He
glanced at the director, then focused on Russo and added, “And thank you for being
willing to bring the scientist’s remaining research. It will be kept safe.”

Wait, remaining? What did that mean?
Edwin couldn’t stop himself from blurting, “You didn’t bring all his research?”
“I destroyed most of it,” Jared stated, smiling thinly. “I’d have erased all of it, but the

government seemed to think it was needed.”

“But, I—”
Director Jeffries interrupted Edwin, saying, “Yes, thank you. Your cooperation has been

most appreciated.” The director started introductions.

Edwin found himself suddenly distracted, and it wasn’t by the names being tossed

around the table. Instead, a large warm hand settled on his thigh and massaged his leg,
making it extremely difficult to concentrate.

Chapter Two

Byron Ziegler had never been so hard in his life. It took every scrap of self-control in his
body to keep from saying, to hell with it all and tossing the cute, skinny twink seated next
to him over his shoulder and stalking from the place.

Would Edwin put up much of a fight? Would he go willingly? He couldn’t wait to peel

the baggy clothes from Edwin’s body and find out what lay beneath, feel Edwin respond
to his touch.

Realizing that dwelling on those thoughts would do nothing for his aching cock, Byron

focused on Sebastian. The vampire grinned largely, showing off his fangs. “Yes, that’s
right, Director Jeffries. I represent the Vampire Council.” He waved his hand at where
Carson sat, his arm wrapped firmly around Jared’s shoulders. With so many possible
threats in the room, Byron knew Carson needed to assure his wolf that his mate was
okay.

Byron felt the same way. That’s why, as soon as he’d scented Edwin and realized the

human was his mate, he’d needed to touch him. He appreciated the fact that his mate
didn’t seem to mind the discreet PDA, because he really couldn’t seem to help himself.
His wolf really wanted to get Edwin alone for some exploration of an intimate sort.

Focus, damn it!
“Be advised, Director,” Sebastian continued. “While Carson and Byron—” He pointed to

each of them in turn. “Represent the pack of wolf shifters that live a few hours away in
Stone Ridge. They, in turn, have the authority to speak for a number of other shifter
packs throughout the country.” His smile appeared friendly enough, but it didn’t reach his
cool blue eyes. “So, now that you know about us and have made contact, what is it you
want?”

Director Jeffries smile didn’t reach his eyes, either. “We want you to keep under the

radar. If knowledge of your existence gets out to the public, it would only start a panic.”

Looks like everyone is keeping things cool.
Deciding things needed to be warmed up a bit, Byron grinned largely. Declan, his

alpha, hadn’t sent him for nothing. “Well, that’s great, then. It sounds like we both want
the same thing, right?” He leaned back in his chair and glanced first at his friends, then at
Director Jeffries and his two stooges, Agent Haroldson—the asshole that’d harassed
Edwin—and the quieter fellow, Agent Craigson. “We keep things quiet. You don’t tell
anyone. We don’t tell anyone, and if word leaks out, we work in cooperation to either
contain it, or deny it.” He smiled and added, “No experiments, no killing, and no torture…
on either side, and we’ll all get along fine.”

“N-no experiments?”
Edwin’s squeaked words drew Byron’s attention back to his mate. “Yeah,” he

responded, even as he looked at Edwin—really, looked at him. His mate wore a lab coat
over a button-down, light-blue shirt and baggy black slacks. His shaggy brown hair hung
in disarray around his thin face as if he’d run his hands through it several times. He wore
black-rimmed glasses, which only accentuated the leanness of his pale face.

Holy shit, my mate is a scientist?
Edwin’s brows creased. “But I’m a scientist. Experiments are what I do. It’s why I

wanted Marlow’s work. I want to review what he’s done and find out if your healing
abilities can help mankind.”

Byron heard Edwin speaking, but after hearing, experiments are what I do, his mind

shut down and he didn’t really understand the rest of his mate’s words. Edwin wants to
experiment on shifters. Those words echoed through his head on an endless loop.

Lurching to his feet, Byron sent his chair tumbling backward. He continued to backpedal

as he lifted a hand and pointed at Edwin. “No fucking experiments. My people have
fought long and hard to get rid of that jackass. We’ll not agree to allow his breed of
torture to continue,” he all but roared.

Edwin also stood. He reached toward him, then clenched his hands together. He

glanced around at the others before leveling an earnest look at Byron. “Wait, you don’t
understand!”

“I understand just fine, mate,” Byron snapped. “You want to take something of a shifter

and give it to soldiers.” He scoffed and turned away, beginning to pace the room. He
paused and glared at the director. “Is this why you really brought us here? You not gonna
let us leave now?”

Sebastian stepped in front of him and gripped his upper arms. Another pair of solid

arms wrapped around his waist and Byron recognized Carson’s scent. Normally, he didn’t
relish being boxed in, but in his agitated state, Byron needed the grounding presence of
his pack enforcer.

“You need to calm down, Byron,” Carson urged, murmuring into his ear. “Take a few

slow, deep breaths.”

Byron followed the enforcer’s advice. He knew losing his cool here was unacceptable.

What the fuck was the matter with him? Except, Byron knew. Once he felt he had enough
control over his mouth, he mumbled, “Diana was experimented on.” He swallowed hard
at the memories of how broken and fearful his half-sister had been when he’d returned
from his tour of duty.

Upon returning to the pack he’d grown up in, he’d learned that his stepmother had

remarried, taking his half-sister and moving to a new pack. She just hadn’t left
information about which one. He’d started making inquiries and finally found Diana living
as a refugee in Declan McIntire’s pack. It’d taken several long conversations and a
thorough background check to prove he had nothing to do with selling his half-sister to
scientists.

Diana still wouldn’t share what had happened to his stepmother or what pack was

engaged in selling its members.

“She’ll never understand if I mate with a scientist doing experiments on shifters,” he

whispered. Allowing his eyes to slide closed, he muttered, “What the hell was Fate
thinking?”

“You never know how people will react,” Jared stated softly.
Byron looked to his right, surprised to find Carson’s mate so close.
Jared’s lips curved up just a bit and his hazel eyes sparkled with some unnamed

emotion. “Hell, could you imagine Fate sticking me and him together?” He pointed his
thumb at Carson.

“But it works,” Sebastian pointed out.
Byron knew what his friends were saying. Fate didn’t make mistakes and he should give

his mate a chance. Except, he couldn’t. Not with his sister’s mental health still at stake.
Byron was all Diana had, and he couldn’t put his own needs before hers.

Shaking his head resolutely, Byron pulled free of his pack member’s embrace. “Diana

isn’t strong enough,” he insisted.

“Shouldn’t she be the judge of that?” Carson countered. “Your sister is stronger than

you give her credit for.”

“Would she want you to walk away from your mate without even some explanation?”

Sebastian pushed.

“Look, I don’t know what’s going on here, but we have business to discuss,” Director

Jeffries cut in belligerently. “We require, in writing, that your kind won’t interfere in
human affairs or there will be consequences.”

Carson growled low in his throat for just an instant, betraying his displeasure at the

interruption. However, it was just what Byron needed to bring him back to not only his
location, but the fact that this was neither the time nor the place.

“I can’t stay,” he stated brusquely. He straightened and pushed away. “I’m sorry.”
While he saw Sebastian and Carson exchange a look, surprisingly, it was Jared that

stated, “Take a hike, Byron. We got this.” His hazel eyes held a quiet surety, almost like
he knew something. “We’ll come back to the hotel with the paperwork before anything is
signed.” He turned and crossed his arms over his chest. “Hell, there isn’t any way we’re
gonna sign something without talking amongst ourselves off property.”

Director Jeffries scowled. “Then what the hell is the point of this meeting?”
“This meeting,” Sebastian replied, smiling as he got in on the action, “is to prove our

willingness to open contact. Just because you want something, doesn’t mean you’ll get
it.” He grinned, showing off his fangs. “Think of it as negotiations between two parties.”

The director’s eyes narrowed. “Are you saying you could be our enemies?”
“No,” Byron quickly stated, not wanting to let the group down. “As two companies that

can mutually benefit each other.”

“Exactly,” Sebastian agreed. “You don’t even realize the number of shifters and

vampires in your military, on your police force, even all levels of emergency response
services,” he pointed out. “We save lives every day, paranormal and human alike. We
don’t discriminate.” This time, the vampire’s smile reached his eyes as he spread his
arms, palms up, almost as if in supplication. “Now, we are here to make certain the
government does the same for our people.”

Byron fought back a surprised smile. Okay, the vampire was good. He could admit that.

With things at least in hand, Byron turned and bowed. He kept his focus on the director
as he stated, “We’ve already given you the criminal, Sampson Marlow. Once we come to
amicable terms, we’ll hand over the remaining information.”

Without another word, Byron pivoted on his heel and left the conference room. Before

the door closed, he heard Carson explain, “Please forgive the abrupt departure. Talk of

experiments is difficult for Byron. His sister was—”

The door closed, cutting off all sound. He stopped, his feet suddenly feeling leaden. He

couldn’t suppress a shiver, even as he reached his right hand toward the doorknob. Byron
swallowed hard and forced his hand back to his side.

Sighing, he shook his head and turned away. He needed to get his head out of his ass

and move on. In this, Byron didn’t know what Fate had been thinking. He couldn’t bond
with a scientist that wanted to experiment on shifters. There was no help for it. He
needed to put this encounter out of his mind.

Byron forced his feet to move and headed out of the federal building.

Setting his keys on the dresser, Byron paused partway into the room. He frowned.

Slowly, he peered around the hotel room. Byron sniffed, then frowned. “How the hell did
you get in here before me?”

A light flicked on over a nightstand, revealing Jared seated in a chair on the far side of

the room between the bed and table.

Byron scowled at the man. “What are you doing here?” He shook his head. “Hell, how

did you even get here so fast?”

Jared barked a laugh. “You walked back from the CIA building. I drove a fucking

Porsche. How do you think I got here before you?”

Nodding, Byron admitted, “I needed to clear my head.” Not that he’d been able to

figure anything out in the hour and a half it took him to get there.

“Does that mean you’re going to need this?” Jared asked, holding up what appeared to

be a business card.

Byron stepped closer, turning on the main light as he went, and saw Director Jeffries

information on it. He frowned. “Why would I—”

Jared flipped the card. On the back, in block letters, someone had written an address.

Grinning, Jared leaned forward and placed it on the nightstand.

Realization struck Byron. He shook his head. “No, I’ll not be visiting him. I thought I

made my decision clear,” he snapped. He struggled to ignore his wolf. His beast snarled
and snapped in his mind, urging him to do exactly what he knew he couldn’t. He hated
fighting with his wolf, but his animal didn’t understand that sometimes there were outside
variables involved.

“You should have seen the look on Edwin’s face,” Jared continued, ignoring his

outburst. “I used to make a living out of reading people…learning about them,
interpreting their actions, figuring out how they’d react under different circumstances.” He
rose and crossed to the window, standing just to the side of the drapes so he could look
out, but probably couldn’t be seen.

“So?” Byron asked, uncertain why Jared would tell him this. He’d heard through the

pack grape vine that Carson’s human mate probably had a very shady past. Why would
Jared all but confirm that rumor to him?

“So, your mate’s a scientist,” Jared continued, staring out the window. “He deals with

logic, what he can see, calculate, and quantify. He’ll dismiss the attraction he felt to you
as having been too long since he got laid.” Jared turned and smiled at him. “He’s human.

He’ll move on. Find a lover to scratch his itch and with you gone, it’ll eventually go away.”

Byron felt his blood boil at the idea of Edwin being touched by another. His wolf howled

in the back of his mind. He clenched his jaw, fighting his own desire to rage at the
injustice of it all.

Jared headed his way and clapped him on the shoulder as he passed by him, heading

toward the door. “Paperwork is on the table. Check it out. When Carson gets back from
getting take-out, I’m gonna fuck him through the mattress, then we’ll come over and
eat…get your take on what the government wants.”

With those parting words, the man left.
Glaring at the closed door for a few seconds, Byron worked his jaw and struggled to get

his breathing to even out and his racing pulse to calm.

“Damn it,” he snarled, stalking across the room and to the table.
His gaze strayed to the nightstand and the business card propped up against the lamp

base. Hissing, Byron slammed his fist onto the table. Pain shot up his arm, but at least it
gave him something else to focus on.

Settling in the chair Jared had vacated, Byron pulled the file toward him. He flipped

open the cover. A hand written note scrawled in the same block letters as the address
rested on top.

Hacked into the scientist’s computers. Runs experiments on rats. Uses shifter blood to

try to heal them. Shifter supported. All blood received from an anonymous donor.

Byron stared at the words. Read them twice more, before leaning back in the chair and

sighing. He shook his head, trying to make sense of why Jared thought this pertinent.

Awe, hell, I already know the answer to that.
Although, admittedly, he was kinda curious how the man hacked into the computer

system.

“Wait, no I’m not.”
Byron shook his head and shoved to his feet. He paced the room, his mind racing.

Could he trust Jared’s information? Would Edwin even consider giving him a second
chance? What would Diana say?

Thinking of his half-sister, Byron realized he should have called her nearly twenty

minutes before. He’d told her he’d call after the meeting. Geez, I haven’t even done
anything with my mate and already it’s interfering with taking care of Diana. At
seventeen, she should have been acting out, getting involved with boys and causing him
headaches. Instead, she often sat at home reading. Even getting her to shift and run had
become a battle.

Pulling out his phone, Byron hit one on speed dial and lifted it to his ear.
“Checking up on me again?”
Byron leaned against the wall and stared out the window. He smiled. Finally, a spark.

“Of course. Just wanna make sure you’re safe and happy.”

Diana snorted. “What would make me happy is if you got a life, Byron.”
“I have a life. I’m a firefighter, a parent, and a tracker in the pack.” He forced a smile

as he asked, “What more do I need?”

“How about something to focus on other than me?” Diana pressed. “A boyfriend,

maybe?”

Byron’s jaw sagged. He could practically hear the smirk in her voice. “Wha-what did you

say?” He didn’t remember telling Diana that he liked men.

Diana snickered. “Hey, I’ve seen the way you look at that veterinarian, Travis. Just

don’t let his mate see you looking.”

He thought about the human who he’d admired on occasion when barbequing at the

alpha’s. Travis was a human veterinarian and mated to the pack’s accountant, Rainy
MacDougal.

Travis has nothing on my mate.
“What did you just say?”
Byron’s focus returned to his call upon hearing the shock in his sister’s voice. “I didn’t

say anything.”

“The hell you didn’t,” Diana replied, her agitation clear.
“Watch your mouth, sis,” he chided.
“Oh, no,” Diana snapped. “Don’t drop a bombshell like finding your mate then yell at

me for cussing. Who is he?” Her voice rose as she continued, “Is he there in Denver?
Does he know about shifters?”

Byron’s eyes widened as he realized he must have spoken his thought aloud. “Shit.”
“Oh, now who’s cussing?” she snapped. “What’s up? Wait! Is it a woman?”
“No,” Byron admitted. “He’s a government scientist.”
To his surprise, Diana laughed. “Nice! So, our pack will have an in with the

government. Alpha will like that.”

Byron’s jaw sagged open, blown away and confused by her response. “You don’t care?”
For several long seconds, Byron heard nothing but Diana’s breathing. Finally, his sister

stated, “I know you feel responsible for what happened to me, but it wasn’t your fault.”

Tears burned at the back of Byron’s eyes and he bowed his head. “I know that.”
“Tell me this,” Diana softly demanded. “Was your mate one of the people who worked

for the scientist our pack stopped?”

“No,” he quickly denied.
“Then don’t punish you both for another scientist’s crimes.”
Swallowing hard, Byron forced the tears back. “How did you get so smart?”
“Eh.” Byron could imagine her shrugging negligently, as only a teenager could. “I read a

lot. You should try it.”

“Diana,” he growled, although they both knew there wasn’t any heat in his warning

tone. Byron knew one thing for certain. While he hated groveling, he’d have to come up
with some way to mend the obvious betrayal his mate probably felt at his actions.

I’ll find a way.

Chapter Three

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Edwin snapped.

Toby’s brows shot up. His jaw sagged open for a second, then he quickly shut his

mouth, only to open it again to ask, “Y-you don’t want to talk about the breakdown
results?”

Edwin blinked. Of course, his assistant wouldn’t ask about Byron. Hell, the young geek

probably didn’t even catch on to the undertones that had gone on in the conference room
yesterday…even with one of the shifters leaving early.

Nodding, Edwin crossed to the computer. “Right. Let’s get to it, then.”
Although his eyes already felt gritty from lack of sleep, Edwin attempted to focus on the

screen. He’d spent hours tossing and turning on his bed, trying to ignore his hard cock,
until he’d finally given up and jacked off. Imagining the feel of the African American’s
calloused hands gliding over his skin had caused him to shoot damn fast.

Then he’d dreamed of the cantankerous wolf shifter.
Rubbing his eyes, Edwin forced the object of his lust from his mind and got to work. He

became submerged in his work and time flew. He appreciated that, for the most part, he
was able to put the other male out of his mind.

“Hey, are you hungry? I’m hungry.”
Toby’s announcement caused Edwin to lift his head from the microscope he peered

through. He waved his hand. “Go ahead. I’ll get something in a bit.”

Nodding, Toby left the lab, moving his rather large bulk impressively fast at the

prospect of food.

After checking the microscope again, Edwin spun his stool around and rolled the couple

of feet necessary to stop in front of his computer. He tapped away at the keyboard,
entering data.

At first, Edwin ignored the knock on the door. Most people around here knew better

than to come into his work environment without an invitation, so maybe whoever it was
would just go away. Hearing the deep voice of the speaker, however, broke any hope
Edwin had of ignoring the guest.

“Edwin, can I talk to you for a minute?”
Edwin spun on his stool, nearly losing his balance and toppling in his surprise. He gaped

at the sight of Byron standing just inside the door. “What are you doing here?” he blurted
out.

Byron grimaced. “I’d like to apologize for my actions yesterday.”
“You rejected me. Mates aren’t supposed to do that.” Edwin slapped his hand over his

mouth. Crap, he really needed to get a hold of his runaway tongue. Still, what Byron had
done really sucked.

His eyes narrowing, Byron cocked his head a bit.
It struck Edwin as a very canine move, and he wondered what the big man looked like

as a wolf. Would he use that same move?

“What do you know about mates?” Byron asked softly, moving a couple of steps deeper

into the room.

Edwin thought the shifter appeared as if he were stalking him. He shivered, feeling a

lot like prey. His cock thickened in his slacks, responding to the intense look in Byron’s
dark eyes. At his body’s reactions to the man, Edwin felt frustration course through him.
He’d spent hours thinking of this man…this shifter, who’d walked away from him so
easily.

“I know enough,” he replied evasively. What did Byron want from him? He’d already

made it clear that because he was a scientist, he wanted nothing to do with him. “I’m
nothing like the man you stopped,” he stated, hating that Byron painted him with the
same brush as Marlow, just because they both worked with shifter DNA.

“You’re right,” Byron replied. “And it was wrong of me to assume you were.”
Edwin’s brows shot up. “Huh?”
“I’d like to make it up to you,” Byron continued, moving closer.
His gaze swept over Edwin, and the expression undressing him with his eyes finally

made sense to him. Byron’s gaze burned like a brand, sending fire through his blood.
Edwin straightened on the stool, his mouth going dry. He glanced around his lab. Surely
Byron wouldn’t try anything right here, in his lab, where anyone could walk in.

“H-how do you…um, plan to do that?” Edwin just kept back a wince at his bumbling

words.

Byron reached him. The shifter had to be several inches over six feet, and with Edwin

seated on the stool, Byron towered over him. He bent down, resting his knuckles on the
table on either side of Edwin, boxing him in.

At first, Edwin thought that when Byron tipped his head down, he was gonna kiss him.

Instead, Byron whispered into his ear, “I’ll show you,” then straightened.

When Byron backed away, Edwin’s brows shot up. “Wha—”
Byron held out his hand, palm up. “Come with me?”
Slowly, Edwin reached out and slid his fingers onto the other man’s palm. He shivered

at the callouses he felt, so pleased he had been right on feeling them through his thin
pants the day before. Edwin allowed himself to be drawn to his feet.

Byron didn’t stop there. He lifted their clasped hands and pressed a kiss to Edwin’s

fingertips, his full lips brushing lightly. “Where do you get the blood you use?”

Edwin, his mind still focused on the press of Byron’s full lips, found himself struggling to

formulate a response. “Where did that question come from?” Edwin wasn’t certain he
wanted to explain his godfather and the packages the shifter sent him on a monthly
basis.

“Because I want to know what kind of blood you usually use,” he answered, tugging

him toward the door. He paused at the door and pushed it open. “You can come in now.”

“Um,” Edwin watched a pair of men enter, first a big light-brown haired fellow with a

definite military bearing followed by a shorter sandy-haired, hazel-eyed man. “Wh-who
are these guys?” He backed instinctively. Either of these strangers could lay him out and
make a mess of his lab. What did they want?

Byron released Edwin’s hand, only to wrap a strong arm around his waist. The wolf

shifter tugged him against his side. Edwin glanced up in surprise. Byron smiled down at

him, the warmth in his eyes surprising him.

“This is Nick Greely and his mate, Miach Coleman,” Byron introduced, pointing to the

shorter man first, then the bigger of the pair. Byron lifted his free hand and cupped
Edwin’s jaw. Using a bit of pressure, he turned Edwin’s head and urged him to meet his
gaze. “This is me apologizing for allowing my prejudices to come between us. I’d like the
opportunity to get to know you.”

Edwin did like the sound of that. Everything his godfather had said about the attraction

between mates was definitely true. Hopefully, once they learned more about each other,
their personalities wouldn’t drive each other nuts. He really looked forward to finding out
what the chemistry in bed would be like.

Except, what did these guys have to do with it?
“And them?” Edwin waved his hand in Miach and Nick’s direction.
Byron grinned, showing off even, white teeth. “To prove my sincerity, I’d like to donate

my blood for your research. I’m a wolf shifter, so is Nick. And I might have been a basket
case yesterday, but I did notice how upset you were about getting a limited amount of
Marlow’s research.” He released Edwin’s jaw and pointed at Miach. “At one time, Miach
was a soldier in Marlow’s employ. He went through the process that Marlow’s
experiments produced, so you should find his blood very…interesting.”

Edwin’s brows shot up. Was Byron telling him what he thought he was telling him? He

gaped at Miach. The big male lifted one brow, silently daring him to say something.
Never one to hold in his questions, Edwin asked, “You’re one of the altered?”

Miach smirked. “I am.”
“Wow!” Edwin mumbled. He glanced between the men. “And I can draw your blood?”
Miach’s jaw clenched for a just a second, then he offered a curt nod.
If Edwin had to guess, the man probably wasn’t fond of needles anymore…if he ever

didn’t mind them to begin with. “Thank you,” he said, glancing between the newcomers.
Looking up at Byron, he smiled tentatively. “Apology accepted.”

Byron grinned, showing off even white teeth. “Does that mean you’ll have dinner with

me after you draw our blood? Or will I have to wait until after you’ve looked at them all?”

Edwin snickered. “Maybe just after I’ve looked at Miach’s. I don’t think I can resist that

offer,” he admitted. Pulling away, Edwin headed to the far side of the room. He didn’t
often draw blood, but occasionally, he took his own or Toby’s to compare against his
godfather’s. “It’ll be interesting to see if wolf shifter blood differs from puma shifter
blood,” he stated absently, pulling out single wrapped syringes. “Have a seat,” he
instructed, pointing toward a nearby stool.

Hooking the stool with the toe of his shoe, Byron pulled it close and sat.
After swabbing the crook of Byron’s elbow, he held up the needle. “You ready?”
“Do it,” Byron ordered gruffly.
“I’m good at this,” Edwin assured. “It shouldn’t hurt too much.”
As he carefully inserted the needle, Edwin noted Byron look the other way as he

murmured softly, “I was in the military for a few years. You wouldn’t believe how many
tricks we shifters use to keep from actually supplying our blood to doctors.”

“I can understand why,” Edwin replied quietly. Once the vial was filled, he clamped the

line. Edwin stopped the vial and his hand hovered over the container of gauze. “Um.” He
glanced at Byron, finding the shifter watched him with a steady gaze. He picked up a
second empty vial and asked tentatively, “Do you mind?”

Byron smiled. “Needle is already in. May as well.”
Edwin smiled back. “Thanks.”
Byron just nodded.
After filling the second vial, Edwin grabbed a small square of gauze and pressed it to

where the needle entered the skin. He pulled the needle out and told Byron, “Hold that
there. I’ll get the wrap.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Byron told him. “In two minutes, this will be but a pink mark.”
“Oh. Of course.” Edwin nodded. Right, advanced healing. For a moment there, he’d

forgotten, which was odd, since that was the whole point of his experiments. Damn, but
did Byron scramble his senses right good.

After disposing of the needle and carefully labeling the vials, he prepared to repeat his

procedures. Turning, he found Nick sitting on the stool. Miach stood beside him with his
hand on his shoulder. Byron leaned his hip against the table nearby.

Byron smiled. “Where’d you learn to do this? Is it normal for a genetic engineer to know

how to draw blood?”

Edwin resisted the urge to shrug since he’d just started swabbing Nick’s arm. “My

godfather taught me,” he admitted. “I always knew what I wanted to be when I grew up,
so he built a lab in the basement.” Thinking of Dillan always left him a little melancholy.
“He allowed me to practice on him.”

“Wow, that’s…different,” Nick hissed.
Glancing up at the face of the shifter he’d just stuck, Edwin stated, “He always did

everything in his power to encourage my dreams. Dillan was a great man.”

“Was? Is he no longer living?” Byron asked, touching his shoulder lightly to get his

attention…or maybe just because he wanted to touch him.

Edwin wasn’t certain.
Switching out the vials, Edwin swallowed hard, then stared Byron in the eye as he

stated, “No.”

“You’re aware we have the ability to scent lies, right?” Miach commented mildly.
Edwin held Byron’s gaze for a few seconds longer, then returned his focus to drawing

Nick’s blood. He didn’t say anything until after he’d pulled the needle out of Nick. He
smiled at Miach, watching the pair of men switch places. “I always wonder if there are
recording devices in here, you know?” He shrugged. “We are in a government building.

Byron rested a hand on his shoulder and stated, “Losing a loved one is always difficult.

I’m sorry.”

Edwin flashed a smile toward Byron, relieved the shifter had understood…at least

enough not to question him.

Chapter Four

As Edwin finished drawing Miach’s blood, Byron exchanged looks with Nick and Miach.
They all knew the human lied about Dillan, his godfather, being dead. However, with his
mate staring him in the eye, giving him such a beseeching look, he’d realized now wasn’t
the time to question the man.

Byron appreciated that Nick and Miach were able to pick up on that, too. When he’d

called the pair the evening before, he’d needed to explain everything twice to convince
them. Nick hadn’t wanted his mate anywhere near the government.

Surprisingly, Miach had been the one to put his foot down. The man had worked for

Sampson Marlow for a number of years. Byron could practically hear the guilt in his voice
as he murmured in the background of the call, urging his mate to agree. He’d heard
Miach tell Nick that he liked the idea of his blood being used for good.

Removing the bloodied gauze, Byron shoved it into his pocket. He’d worry about blood

disposal later. It wasn’t like he could give anyone anything.

“Oh, here. Give me that.” Edwin held open a plastic hazard bag.
Byron smirked, but did as told. He pulled the gauze back out of his pocket and dropped

it into the bag. He watched the other two men drop their own small pads into the bag,
too, then Edwin disposed of them.

Watching his mate put everything away and clean up, Byron’s fingers itched to grab

him and wrap him in a tight hug. He wanted to hold the man, touch him, capture his
mouth, and do all the things he’d denied himself the night before. Finally, after Edwin
wiped down the area, Byron could wait no longer.

As soon as Edwin tossed the dirty cleaning supplies, Byron grabbed his hand and swung

him to face him. He smiled, taking in Edwin’s surprised look, and used his hold to reel the
human in. Byron wrapped his free arm around his human’s waist and snuggled him firmly
against his chest.

Byron released Edwin’s hand so he could cup the nape of his mate’s neck. Staring into

Edwin’s eyes, eyes a stormy gray color behind the glasses, he smiled down at the slightly
shorter man.

“Thank you for giving me another chance to do this,” Byron stated sincerely.
Without waiting for a response, he lowered his head and pressed his lips to Edwin’s. His

mate squeaked in surprise, giving Byron access to his mouth. He took advantage. Byron
slipped his tongue past Edwin’s lips and into his mouth. Sliding his appendage along
Edwin’s tongue, his mate’s taste exploded across his taste buds…masculine and robust
with traces of sweetened coffee.

He wanted more.
Byron tightened his hand at the nape of Edwin’s neck, using the hold to tilt his mate’s

head a bit. He swished his tongue deeper, licking and mapping the man’s mouth,
searching for more of Edwin’s heady sweetness.

Edwin wrapped his arms around Byron, clutching his shirt at his shoulder-blades. He fed

Byron several breathy mewls, expressing his pleasure as he pressed even closer,

plastering his body flush to Byron’s from chest to thigh.

Growling his appreciation, Byron offered Edwin some noises of his own, eating at his

mate’s mouth hungrily. He nipped his soon-to-be lover’s lip, slid his tongue in deep to
caress his teeth and gums, only to finish by sucking on Edwin’s tongue.

A loud throat clearing cut through Byron’s obsession and he realized that hadn’t been

the first time he’d heard the noise. Remembering where they were, Byron eased the kiss
to an end. As much as Byron liked Edwin’s whimper of protest as he pulled his lips away,
he didn’t want the man to be embarrassed or upset.

Byron repositioned the hand around Edwin’s waist, sliding his hand up and down his

human’s back, soothing him. Resting his temple alongside Edwin’s, he nuzzled the man,
breathing in his scent.

“Easy, babe,” he murmured. “Do you gotta stick around? Can I maybe talk you into an

early supper? I’d like to spend some time with you.”

At that, Edwin seemed to come to himself. Byron could feel it in the way he stiffened in

his arms. Edwin released his grip on Byron’s shirt and leaned away. Byron didn’t want to
let him go, but he had to respect his mate’s wishes. Hell, they were in his place of work.

Edwin swallowed hard and glanced around, his cheeks taking on a pink hue, his

embarrassment obvious.

That had been the last thing Byron wanted. “Relax,” Byron urged, rubbing up and down

Edwin’s back. Tilting his head, he peered over his mate’s head and spotted Miach leaning
against a table, Nick in his arms. The men weren’t looking their way, but some sixth
sense told him it’d been Miach who’d cleared his throat. The man was right…not the time
or the place.

“If it makes you more comfortable, Nick and Miach are mates,” Byron told Edwin. “They

understand all too well the pull one feels for his mate.”

Edwin’s chin tilted up, revealing surprised gray eyes. “Really?” He glanced toward the

other men and Byron followed his look. Although they smirked, both men nodded.

“Oh, right. I remember you mentioning that,” Edwin said absently, as if just recalling

their introduction. “I never would have guessed.”

“Well, not until they wrap their arms around each other, huh?” Byron teased, winking at

the other men.

“Hey, Edwin, I know how you always forget to eat, so I brought you—” Edwin’s

assistant stopped just inside the door, his jaw sagging open as he peered around at all of
them in shock. His eyes managed to get even bigger behind his black-rimmed glasses
upon seeing Byron holding Edwin. “Wh-what’s going on?”

That was when Byron scented it. Fear. Edwin’s assistant was afraid of them…well,

probably just him, since he didn’t know that Nick was a shifter, too. Byron pressed a quick
kiss to Edwin’s temple, just above the arm of his glasses, and released the man.

Byron turned and smiled at the new arrival. “I apologize. I didn’t catch your name

yesterday,” he said, walking slowly toward the clearly nervous, heavy-set young man
holding the tray. He held out his hand. “I’m Byron Ziegler.”

Cautiously, the guy set the tray on a table. Byron filed the assistant’s words to memory

and glanced over the contents of the tray, a wrapped sandwich, a package of sliced

apples, and a can of orange juice. It seemed the assistant made certain his mate ate on
occasion. Skipping meals would explain Edwin’s extremely lean form.

“I’m Toby Dallaw,” the man replied, tentatively taking Byron’s hand.
Byron made certain to keep his grip firm, but light. He had no desire to freak the

human out further. He released Toby’s hand swiftly enough, then swung his arm to
indicate his friends. “The shorter man is Nick Greely, a fellow pack-member, and that’s
Nick’s mate, Miach Coleman. They agreed to assist me in groveling for forgiveness to
Edwin for making assumptions about his research.”

Toby nodded toward the other men, mumbling, “Nice to meet you both.” Then his

brows scrunched. “Why would you need to apologize?”

Stepping away from Toby, Byron turned back to Edwin. He swept his gaze over Edwin’s

lean form, again taking in his high cheek bones, gray eyes behind glasses and skinny
frame. Gods, he really wanted to explore what he knew would be pale skin under the
baggy clothes and lab coat.

“Because Edwin is my mate,” Byron explained, holding his human’s gaze. “I should

have given him a chance.”

Edwin sighed and tipped his head back, staring at the ceiling. “Look, I get you and your

pack has been through a lot. You had a reason not to trust me.” He tilted his chin back
down and grimaced. “As frustrating as last night was for me, I get why you needed time,”
he stated, his face once again flushing.

A frustrating night?
Byron’s eyes widened a bit, then a grin stretched his cheeks. His blood roared through

his veins at the idea of his mate horny and in need. Byron’s cock thickened, pressing
insistently against the fly of his jeans. Unable to help himself after that proclamation, he
stepped close, grabbed Edwin’s wrist, and tugged him back into his arms. He just caught
himself before capturing his mate’s mouth. If he started that again, this time he probably
wouldn’t be able to stop.

Ducking his head, Byron whispered hoarsely, “I’m sorry I left you wanting.”
Edwin peered up at him through his thick, dark lashes. He licked his lips, his pink

tongue sliding across his plump lower lip. “You’re not gonna do that tonight, though,
right?”

“Oh, hell no.” Byron growled the vow.
Byron really liked the wicked grin on his scientist’s face, proving his mate knew what he

wanted and evidently wasn’t shy about going after it.

“Good.” Edwin slid from his grip and pulled his wallet from his pocket. He pulled out a

ten and handed it to a gaping Toby. “I’m leaving. Keep the food. Don’t mess with the new
samples. Finish inputting the rat’s responses to the last batch of serum and I’ll review
them tomorrow.”

Toby grimaced. “Yeah. Okay.” He glanced at the line of cages that could be seen

through massive windows on the far side of the room. “Could you, uh…just get the
readings on number sixteen before you go? He always bites me.”

Pulling from Byron’s embrace, Edwin nodded. “Yeah. He’s always nasty.”
Edwin led the way to the door at the far end of the lab. He pulled on first rubber

gloves, then leather ones. Grimacing, Edwin explained, “We have this one rat that’s like a
pint-sized pit bull, but I keep him around because he responds to the serum better than
the others. I’m still trying to figure out why,” he added as he opened the door and
headed inside the smaller room.

The scent of rat fur and feces assailed Byron’s nostrils…and underneath that, there was

something else. Glancing over his shoulder, Byron motioned for Nick to come to him. The
fellow wolf joined him at the doorway, a clear question in his eyes.

Byron cocked his head. “Do you smell that?”
Nick wrinkled his nose. “Uh, sure. And I could have skipped—” He stopped

midsentence, his eyes widening. “Oh, shit.”

“Exactly,” Byron growled. His eyes narrowed as he stalked into the room, trying to

control his growing anger. Had his mate lied to him? He struggled to control his
propensity to jump to conclusions. That had gotten him into trouble once already. He had
to give the man a chance to explain. “Edwin, Toby, please come out here.”

Evidently, his cool tone caught both men’s attention. They both turned and headed

toward them. Byron crossed his arms over his chest and stepped backward, allowing
them to pass. That earned him a confused look from Edwin.

Once they were out of the room, Byron and Nick headed inside. Instantly, dozens of

rats started screaming. Byron understood why. The animals could scent something
different about the pair, that they were predators. Byron exchanged a look with Nick,
then the pair slowly started walking in opposite directions.

Byron visually searched each cage. He peered at the rat, scrutinizing the eyes as it

scurried, scampered, and screamed in its cage. There were probably two dozen cages.
When he reached halfway down the aisle, Nick called from the other end. “Byron, get
over here.”

After making a note of what cage he was checking, Byron turned and crossed to Nick’s

side. “What have you got?”

Nick didn’t respond, just nodded toward the bottom cage in front of him. Byron dropped

to one knee and peered into the cage. The difference was blatant. This rat was big and
brown. Instead of screaming in fear, it hooked its front claws in the cage door and
stretched toward them. Intelligence shown in the rat’s eyes.

“You’re a shifter, aren’t you?”
The rat nodded its head once.
Byron closed his eyes and bowed his head, struggling to get his disappointment under

control. “Check the other cages. The last four at the other end, too.”

All his doubts about Edwin and, hell, scientists in general returned full force. He thought

about Edwin’s words. Had the man lied to him? Byron’s wolf whined in his mind.

“The rest are regular rats.”
Nick’s call yanked Byron out of his doubts. He stood and stalked toward the doorway.

Nick met him in the aisle and grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks. He glared and
growled at the other shifter, but Nick stood his ground.

“Don’t assume again,” Nick warned. “Give him the chance you denied him last time.”
Byron clenched his jaw and swallowed hard. He took a deep breath, then regretted that

action, since he got a lungful of rat. In some respects, humans were lucky that their
sense of smell wasn’t as acute as a shifter’s. He’d never be able to work in this
environment for any length of time.

At least that thought got his head out of his ass. There was an easy enough way to tell

if Edwin knew. He already knew what his mate smelled like when he lied. “Help the
shifter,” he whispered, meeting Nick’s gaze.

Evidently, his more relaxed stance eased Nick’s concerns, for he nodded and headed

back toward the caged rat shifter. Byron wished he could be as sure about his mate.
Leaving the small room, closing the door behind him, he crossed to where a confused
Edwin waited with a frowning Miach and a nervous Toby.

That’s when it occurred to Byron, maybe it wasn’t Edwin that had started the

experiments on shifters. Narrowing his eyes, Byron stopped and crossed his arms over his
chest.

Edwin took a step toward him before pausing. He clenched his fingers together before

him. “What is it?”

Focusing solely on his mate, Byron held out his hand. “Come here,” he urged, struggling

to control his tone.

He didn’t want to admit—just yet, anyway—the relief he felt when Edwin rushed to him

and took his hand. Squeezing, Edwin asked again, “What is it? What’s wrong? I know you
guys can smell sickness. Did I hurt them? I didn’t mean to!”

Byron wrapped his arms around Edwin, holding him close. He murmured, “The rats are

fine, babe.” Unable to wait any longer, and not knowing how to sugar coat his next
question, he quietly asked, “Do you knowingly experiment on shifters?”

Edwin stiffened in his arms. From the corner of his eye, he saw Toby pale, which was

actually impressive considering the human already had a fairly pasty complexion. Edwin
lifted his head and glared. “No. Never. I don’t experiment on shifters. I told you that
already.”

Smiling slightly, relieved beyond reason, Byron still hated having to say this next bit.

With how adamant Edwin was, Byron knew this would upset him. “Actually, you do, babe.
Maybe not knowingly, but you do.” Edwin tried to pull back. He opened his mouth,
probably to again deny Byron’s accusation. Byron hurried and asked, “Where do you get
your rats?”

Edwin glanced toward the other room as he replied, “Some of them I bought from a pet

store and some of them the director ordered for me after I signed on with them two years
ago. Why?”

“Because specimen number sixteen,” Nick explained, exiting the room with said rat on

his shoulder and heading toward them, “Is a shifter.”

Chapter Five

Edwin felt the blood drain from his face. “No!” he gasped.

No, no, no. No!
“That’s not possible! I’d have known!” Edwin attempted to pull away from Byron, but

the shifter didn’t release him. He shivered as fear replaced the arousal caused earlier by
the wolf shifter’s amazing kisses. This couldn’t be happening! “I’d have known!” he
repeated. “I’d see it in his blood!” Byron had just started talking to him again. If that rat
really were a shifter, Byron would walk away again for sure!

“Shush, babe,” Byron ordered, although his tone remained quiet. “I believe you.”
Edwin froze. He tilted his head and peered up at him. “You believe me?” His heart

thudded in his chest, hope flaring through him.

Byron nodded, although his smile appeared more like a grimace. “Yes.” Byron turned

his attention to Toby. “What about you, Toby? Did you know rat sixteen was a shifter?”

“N-no,” Toby instantly stuttered.
“He’s telling the truth,” Miach stated from where he stood directly behind Toby.
As if he hadn’t been aware the man was standing there, Toby jerked sideways and

swung around. His eyes rounded as he peered up at Miach. “Of-of course I’m telling the
truth. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

Miach snorted and shook his head. “You would if you thought you could get away with

it,” he said. Moving away from the young man, he headed toward Nick. “What are we
going to do?”

Byron loosened his hold on Edwin, sliding one arm around his waist and turning to face

his friends. “We need to find out who planted the rat. Can you shift?”

When the rat shook its head, Edwin had to blink back tears. “Why didn’t it tell me?”
“You’re a human,” Byron said softly, squeezing his waist a bit. “He was locked in a

cage. He had no reason to trust you were any different than the one who’d trapped him
in his rat form and placed him in that cage.”

“If he’s trapped, then he must be getting regular doses of something to keep him

trapped,” Nick pointed out.

“Are there surveillance cameras in here?” Miach asked.
With his thoughts swirling, it took Edwin a moment to realize the question was directed

at him. He nodded and pointed at the closest one, a small black device affixed to the
ceiling in the corner.

“And on that note, I think we should take this conversation elsewhere,” Byron stated.

He looked Edwin in the eye. “I think both you and Toby should come with us now. Can
your rats wait?”

Edwin grimaced. He shook his head. “I really need to take their readings or I’ll have to

start this trial over again. It’ll only take me and Toby fifteen minutes to pen everything on
the charts. We can transfer the information to computer later.”

Byron nodded. “Be quick.”
To Edwin’s surprise, and pleasure, before the big African American released him, he

leaned down and placed several soft butterfly kisses to his lips. Smiling, the wolf shifter
urged, “Get going.”

Edwin moved quickly, beckoning Toby to assist him. Toby kept glancing furtively over

his shoulder as they pulled out each rat, drew blood, and checked vitals. Edwin wondered
how long it’d take his assistant to ask whatever rattled through his mind. He could
probably guess what it was about.

“Are you really going to date that wolf?” Toby finally hissed the question.
Unable to help himself, Edwin smirked at the much younger man. “I don’t think date is

what I’m hoping for.”

Toby’s brows drew together for a second, then his mouth gaped almost comically.
Edwin shook his head and patted his shoulder. “I’ll have to explain mates to you

sometime, Toby.” Right then, he didn’t have time. “Grab that tray of blood samples,” he
ordered. “We need to get them stored. Come on.” Edwin picked up the other tray and led
the way out of the room.

After locking the blood in the refrigerator, Edwin shoved the files into his satchel. He

crossed to his desk. Byron met him there and took the bag from his shoulder. Hefting the
strap over his own shoulder, Byron softly stated, “You won’t be needing this this evening.
You’ll be too busy.”

Licking his lips, Edwin peered up at the wolf shifter that had caused him to have a very

sleepless night the prior evening. “Well, I’d planned on turning in early tonight anyway.”
He curved his lips into what he hoped was a seductive smile as he murmured, “Unless
you have something else in mind.”

Byron grinned, his dark eyes glittering. Lowering his head until his lips were a

hairsbreadth away from Edwin’s ear, then whispered, “Oh, bed sounds like a plan, but you
won’t be sleeping.”

“No?” Edwin eyed the shifter out of the corner of his eye. “Isn’t that what a bed is for?”

Damn, when had he had this much fun teasing? When Byron had walked out yesterday,
Edwin certainly never would have thought this was how the next day would play out.

“Sometimes,” Byron conceded. He lifted his free hand and slipped it inside Edwin’s lab

coat and palmed his ass.

Edwin rocked into the wolf shifter’s touch, just holding back a moan of pleasure as

Byron kneaded his cheek. Lifting his hands, Edwin gripped the collar of Byron’s black
leather jacket. “What else did you have in mind?” he asked breathily. Staring up at
Byron’s dark lips, Edwin slid his left hand higher and settled the tips of his forefingers on
the plump flesh he’d enjoyed tasting. Edwin liked the way Byron opened his mouth when
he rubbed his fingertips back and forth, appearing to pant lightly.

“You gonna do something with these?” Edwin asked.
Byron’s lips curved into a sensual smile. His dark eyes glowed as he replied, “Yep.” He

flicked out his tongue to lick the pads of Edwin’s fingers before wrapping his lips around
them and sucking lightly.

“Oh,” Edwin gasped. Now it was his turn to pant. Arousal flooded him, his thickened

prick pressing insistently against his boxers. He really wanted to know what those lips
would feel like wrapped around his cock.

“Sorry, guys. You’ll have to fuck later,” Nick’s amused voice cut into the moment. “We

gotta hit the hotel and have a little chat with our friends.”

Byron released Edwin’s fingers. “Sadly, duty does call.” He released Edwin’s butt and

used that hand to twine their fingers. “Come on, babe. Let’s take care of this.” He
winked, the arousal still evident as he added, “Then we’ll do some talking about us.
Hmm?”

“Sounds like a great plan,” Edwin replied, and it did. He appreciated that Byron was

willing to accept his word that he hadn’t known the rat was a shifter. Maybe there was
some truth to shifters being able to scent lies. “I’ll help in any way I can,” he promised,
turning and following the other men out the door.

Edwin noted the rat had crawled inside Nick’s jacket. Did the man have an inside

pocket or something? Either way, it was a good thing it had, because as they rounded the
last corner before reaching the lobby, Edwin spotted Agents Haroldson and Craigson
heading their way.

Agent Haroldson frowned at the group, his gaze narrowing as he swept his focus over

each of them swiftly. He stood in the middle of the corridor, his hands shoved into his
pockets as he scowled at Byron. “Well, well. Didn’t expect to see you here again. Your
dick get you over your fear of scientists?” he jeered.

Byron’s eyes narrowed a bit even as the corners of his lips turned up. “Well, you know

us gays. We’ll do anything that walks, right?”

Agent Craigson lifted one dirty blond brow. It was the only indication that he actually

paid attention to the exchange. The man appeared to be doing his best to ignore his
partner’s rudeness.

Haroldson’s lip curled. “You perverts should all be tracked down and strung up,” he

snarled.

“Yes. Good thing it’s not up to your bigoted mind,” Nick replied mildly. “Come on, boys.

Let’s leave this peon’s pig-headed presence.”

“Ooo, nice word usage,” Miach replied, wrapping his arm around Nick’s waist and

pressing a kiss to his temple.

Nick turned and accepted Miach’s next kiss on his lips. “Thanks.”
Miach’s eyes twinkled, and it didn’t take a genius—even though Edwin was one—to

realize that Miach and Nick were goading Haroldson on purpose. “Are we still stopping by
to talk with Doctor Carmichael? He’s supposed to give us a line on a surrogate so we can
have that baby we’ve been talking about.”

“You’re planning what?” Haroldson practically roared. “You fags shouldn’t breed!”
The noise drew the attention of several people strolling along the far hallway.

Evidently, that was enough to get Craigson involved. The blond agent focused cold blue
eyes on his partner, laying a hand on his arm. “We have a meeting to get to. If you don’t
get your head out of your ass and get moving, we’ll be late.”

Haroldson sneered at his partner, but at least he started moving. As he passed, he

slammed his shoulder into Miach’s. Edwin fought back a snort upon seeing the CIA agent
almost bounce off the enhanced human, who hardly even budged. As a group, they
turned and watched Haroldson stalk down the corridor.

Craigson watched him go for several seconds before he nodded at them and said,

“Doctor Aldridge, gentlemen,” then he headed after his partner.

“Damn, being teamed up with that guy must suck,” Toby muttered.
Edwin hummed his agreement.
“Let’s go,” Byron urged. Releasing Edwin’s hand, he settled his now free hand on

Edwin’s back, then pressed lightly.

Edwin smiled over at him, really liking that the shifter enjoyed contact so much. He’d

never had a steady boyfriend, and after his godfather had needed to move on, he’d
missed regular physical contact with another person.

“So, what do you drive?” Byron asked as he nodded to the security guard.
“A Prius,” Edwin admitted. “It was a gift.”
Byron scowled. “From who? Your parents?”
Edwin shook his head. “My godfather. Before he—” He cut himself off, unwilling to

speak of the shifter that’d raised him so close to a government building. When he’d
signed on with the CIA, he’d withheld where he acquired the shifter’s blood, saying only
that it’d been donated by friends.

“Ah,” Byron mumbled. He shrugged. “Sorry. Guess I’m gonna be a jealous bastard.”
His brows shooting up, Edwin felt his mouth gape. “Really?”
Nick laughed. “It’s our way.”
“Your way?” Toby asked. “You mean because you’re—”
“Gay,” Miach cut in. “Because we’re gay.” He patted Toby’s shoulder. “Come with me,

son.”

“But I normally ride with Edwin.”
“I’m with Edwin,” Byron stated, his tone not allowing room for argument. “We’ll all

meet at the hotel.”

“Right,” Nick agreed.
Edwin watched in amusement as Byron and his friends just took over. Miach steered

Toby away, the young man’s short legs working fast to keep up with the taller men’s
stride.

“You guys just kinda take over, don’t you?” Edwin asked.
Byron grinned, showing off pearly white teeth. “We have been accused of that a time or

two, yes.” Rubbing Edwin’s back lightly, he asked, “Where’s your car, babe?”

Edwin turned to the left and headed down the sidewalk. When he headed across the

crosswalk to the far side of the drop off area, he caught an amused expression on Byron’s
face.

“What?” Edwin asked once they’d reached the other side.
“I’m just surprised,” Byron admitted. “Most people don’t bother going to the crosswalk.”
Shrugging, Edwin told him, “I’m not most people.”
Byron slid his arm around him and squeezed. “And I appreciate that.”
“Besides,” he stated, “I’ve seen the cops give jaywalking tickets to government

employees.”

“Really?” Byron’s tone conveyed his surprise.
Edwin smirked, glancing up in time to see the other man’s surprised expression. “Yep.

They do it for sport.”

“Well, I’m glad you don’t give them a reason,” Byron stated.
“Yeah, it only took two tickets to get me to use the crosswalk, too,” Edwin stated.
“What?”
Unable to help himself, Edwin barked out a laugh. “I’m kidding! I’ve never had a ticket

in my life,” he admitted, digging the keys to his car out of his pocket.

Byron chuckled. “Very funny.”
“It was, huh?” Edwin snickered and reached for the car door.
Byron beat him to it. He opened the door and held it open for him. “Normally, I like to

drive,” Byron teased, “but since it’s your ride and all…” He winked.

Edwin licked his lips, liking the way Byron focused his intense dark gaze on his mouth.

“I hope you don’t think you’ll be driving all the time. I like to switch things up.”

Byron’s eyes darkened a bit just as his eyes widened a fraction. “I see,” he replied

softly, then a smile slowly creased his lips. “I can get under that.”

Relief filled Edwin, surprising him with the amount of worry he’d felt at always having

to bottom. Hell, what guy didn’t like sinking their dick into a tight, hot hole? He liked to
top just as much as he liked feeling a hard shaft spear him.

“Then let’s get this little meeting over with so we can fuck each other through the

mattress,” Edwin stated, need and heat rushing through his body in equal measure.
Damn, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this horny.

“Get in,” Byron growled, his own arousal flashing in his dark eyes.
“Yeah,” Edwin replied breathily, climbing into his Prius.
Before Edwin had even gotten his door closed and his safety belt clicked, Byron was

climbing in on the other side. He started his vehicle, and after flashing a grin at the wolf
shifter, looked in his review mirror and backed out of the parking space.

Something occurred to Edwin, and as he drove, he glanced toward Byron. “Can a shifter

really tell if someone is lying to them? And is that why you believed me?” he asked softly.
He didn’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but he really wanted to know.

Byron stared at him.
Edwin could almost feel the heat of his stare, even as he saw it out of the corner of his

eye.

Smiling, Byron replied, “Yes. Shifters can smell when someone is lying to them. Most

paranormals can.”

Edwin’s eyes widened. “Son of a bitch,” he whispered. “That’s how he always knew!”
“Who?”
“My godfather, Dillan,” he answered automatically. “He always knew if I was hiding

something from him. Like, this one time, I accidently burned the hair off the cat’s tail. I
wasn’t supposed to let it in the lab, but I did anyway,” he explained. “It jumped up on the
table and knocked over a couple of vials. They mixed and caused a small explosion and
burned the cat’s tail.”

“Damn, poor cat,” Byron muttered, although he sounded amused.
“Well, I told him I didn’t know how it happened and he knew I was lying,” Edwin

frowned, as something else occurred to him. “Wait, you didn’t know I was joking before…

essentially lying about the tickets. Why is that?”

“I wasn’t scenting you,” Byron admitted.
“What does that have to do with it?”
Chuckling, Byron reached over and patted his leg. “A shifter needs to actually be paying

attention to the speaker’s scent.” He leaned close and squeezed the leg he’d just patted,
sliding his hand up along Edwin’s inner thigh. “In your case, I was too busy thinking about
this.”

Byron palmed Edwin’s crotch, cupping his erection. Grunting and jerking, the car

swerved before he could right it. “Fuck!”

Chuckling, Byron squeezed once, then removed his hand and settled back in his seat.

“We will, babe. Don’t worry.”

Edwin groaned, uncertain if he felt remorse over the loss of stimulation on his hard cock

or grateful, because there was no way he could drive safely with Byron stroking him. He
didn’t like either option.

Chapter Six

Byron had really wanted to keep stroking his mate. The feel of Edwin’s slender shaft in
his hand had felt fantastic, even through his slacks. He’d loved seeing his mate’s
reactions and really wanted to see more.

First, unfortunately, they had to deal with the problem of how the rat shifter had gotten

in amongst his mate’s lab animals.

Edwin turned the car into the parking lot and found a slot. After patting his mate on the

leg, Byron pushed from the car. Once Edwin had rounded the vehicle, he led the way into
the hotel to the elevator. As always happened in tightly enclosed spaces, Byron’s skin
broke out in goose bumps.

Resting his hand on Byron’s upper arm, Edwin asked, “You okay?”
Byron’s brows shot up as he peered at his mate, surprised that Edwin had picked up on

his unease. He forced a smile. “Not a fan of enclosed spaces like this,” he admitted,
waving his hand to indicate the elevator. He hoped not to have secrets from his mate, so
started out as he intended to go, by being honest.

“Let me know if there’s ever anything I can do to help,” Edwin offered.
Smirking, Byron turned to the man. He slipped his arms inside Edwin’s jacket and

around his mate. Pulling Edwin flush to his body, Byron grinned at his mate’s surprised
look. He lowered his head the couple of inches needed to have his lips hovering over
Edwin’s mouth, appreciating how close they were in height and how nicely they fit
together.

“I know what you can do to take my mind off an enclosed space,” Byron murmured.
Byron sealed his mouth over Edwin’s. His mate opened eagerly to him, and Byron

thrust into the other man’s mouth. He grunted with pleasure upon Edwin’s acceptance,
upon the way he melted against him and brought his arms around Byron and how he
clung to him.

Byron swished his tongue around Edwin’s mouth, enjoying the heady masculine taste of

his mate. Sliding his right hand higher up under Edwin’s coat, he spread one hand wide
and felt the bony knobs of his mate’s spine under his palm. Byron slid his other hand
lower, pressing hard against the man’s lower back, bring their groins together, pressing
his mate’s erection against his own.

Growling in response to the sparks coursing through his blood, Byron rocked his hips a

bit. Slowly, he rutted, driving pleasure through his aching erection and making his balls
tingle. He reveled in the sounds Edwin fed him, low grunts, soft whimpers, and whining
mewls.

So fucking sexy.
Soft cackles, crooning moans, and the whisper of feminine voices drew Byron from the

intense kiss. He took a few seconds to sip another couple more kisses from Edwin’s lips,
sucking the human’s plump bottom lip lightly, before drawing the kiss to an end. Finally,
he glanced over at their audience.

Byron scoffed, shaking his head.

Instead of women, as he’d originally assumed from their noises, three short slender

males stared up at them. The men—twinks most would label them, one blond, one
strawberry-blond, and one black-haired fellow—stood nearly swooning at the elevator
doors, holding them open as they watched him and Edwin.

All had various expressions of lust on their faces. The strawberry-blond male stood

closest. Inside the elevator car, he leaned against the wall and palmed his crotch,
moaning softly.

“Oh, damn, don’t stop,” the black haired man whined. “Keep going.”
“Hell, yeah,” the blond urged, a grin splitting his gloss-covered lips. “We were headed

to a club, but this is so much better. Who knew Denver was so progressive!”

Byron chuckled. “Sorry, guys. We have somewhere to be,” he murmured. He urged his

red-faced mate away from the wall with a bit of pressure at the small of his back. As he
pushed Edwin past the whining men, Byron laughed and added, “Besides, I wouldn’t want
to have to gauge your eyes out of your skulls for seeing my hot lover naked.” He leered
at Edwin, then swept his gaze over the still groaning men and said, “I’m a possessive
bastard. What can I say?”

The black-haired fellow called, “We’ll peek from around the corner!”
Byron laughed again, although the thought of others seeing his mate naked did piss

him off and his amusement was quickly replaced by jealousy. Waving, he swiped his key
card through the lock, turned the handle, and shoved the door open.

Using his bigger body, Byron pushed Edwin into the room before him. He kept his arm

around his human’s waist, palming his mate’s lean chest. As soon as the door closed,
Byron spun Edwin. He pressed his human’s back to the door and covered him with his
body, touching from shoulder to thigh.

Edwin’s erection pressed against Byron’s own. Finding his lover’s hands, Byron

intertwined their fingers and lifted both hands, moving them to either side of Edwin’s
head. With more self-control than he thought possible, Byron started up a slow rocking of
his hips.

“Look at me,” Byron demanded.
Edwin’s eyelids opened to half-mast and he peered up at him though his lashes.

“Byron,” he whispered, meeting Byron’s hip’s thrusts. “G-gonna come.”

Smiling, Byron nodded. “We’ll take our time later,” he promised. “After the meeting.

Right now, all I can think about is getting you in my arms, feeling your dick spurt in my
mouth or my hands. Are you okay with that?” he asked, needing to make certain Edwin
was on the same page. He wanted his human to know he had a choice.

“Yes, please,” Edwin urged, driving his hips harder against Byron’s. “Thought I’d lost

you, lost our chance at mating. Want to see you, touch you.”

Byron smiled through the sharp spike of pain his mate’s words caused. He’d put that

desperation in his mate’s voice. Byron would find a way to make it up to him…starting
right now.

“Easy, babe,” he soothed. Byron’s balls were pulled flush to his body and his cock

ached, begging for attention. The heavy scent of his mate’s arousal filled the air around
him, the smell like the headiest of perfumes. Still, he didn’t want them coming in their

pants. “Come here.”

Releasing one hand, Byron pushed away and tugged his soon-to-be lover after him with

the grip he still had with his left hand. Edwin came willingly, his soft panting breaths
sounding loudly behind him.

Byron stopped beside the bed. He released Edwin’s other hand, grabbed the lapels of

his jacket, and eased it down his arms. After tossing the jacket aside, Byron cupped
Edwin’s jaw, leaned down, and sipped gently at his mate’s mouth, liking the way the
man’s panting breaths felt against his lips.

Nodding toward the bed, Byron urged, “Lie down, my mate. Allow me to please you.”
Edwin’s eyes rounded behind his glasses. He jerked a nod, then pulled away. Byron let

him go, watching him scramble up to lie on the bed. Humming appreciatively, Byron
quickly followed Edwin onto the bed.

Settling beside him, Byron rested his palm on Edwin’s stomach, rubbing lightly. “I’d

planned to explore every inch of you this evening, make our first time together
memorable,” he admitted.

To his surprise, Edwin chuckled. “I’m a man, Byron. No pleasantries needed.” Winking,

he waved at his groin. “Suck my cock, lover. I’m in need.”

Byron’s brows shot up and a grin split his lips. “I’d be happy to.”
Lowering his hand, Byron made quick work of Edwin’s fly. He pulled his mate’s pants

down a bit, assisted by Edwin lifting his hips. Once freed from the confines of his human’s
boxers, the man’s dick stood tall and proud from a thin thatch of dark curls.

Byron wrapped his hand around Edwin’s flushed, straining erection. The slender girth

felt good against his palm, the maybe seven and a half inch length would make a perfect
mouthful. Byron licked his lips and leaned forward, eager to taste the pearl of liquid
oozing from the man’s slit.

Sticking out his tongue, Byron slid it around Edwin’s cock’s head. He reveled in the

groan that sounded as though it had been wrenched from his lover’s throat.

“Wait, wait!”
Byron lifted his head and grinned at Edwin. “Yeah, babe?”
“Get your ass around here,” Edwin demanded. “Wanna do you, too.”
Grunting, Byron lowered one hand to his groin and pressed hard against the base of his

erection. Damn, at this rate, by the time he got his jeans open, Byron figured it’d take all
of one suck to have him exploding.

Still, unable to pass up an offer like that, Byron swung his body around. He rested one

knee on each side of his mate’s head. He watched as Edwin reached up and unbuttoned
his fly. Edwin leered up at him, cupping him through his jeans, massaging him. Byron
shuddered with excitement as he just managed to keep from pressing into his mate’s
exquisite hold.

“Start sucking me, Byron,” Edwin ordered, continuing to massage him. “I wanna feel

your mouth on me.”

Byron moaned. He obeyed, surprised to find he liked his mate ordering him around.

Turning his attention to the long, slender prick bobbing beneath his chin, Byron wrapped
one hand around Edwin’s shaft and jacked lightly. Just because his mate told him to suck

him didn’t mean he couldn’t tease a bit, too. Tilting his head so he could watch Edwin’s
face, he stuck out his tongue and lapped around the head.

For a second, Byron savored the taste of his mate’s pre-cum. Upon hearing Edwin’s

hiss, seeing his mate’s jaw clench, and feeling his hand clench on his hip, Byron knew the
man enjoyed not just the view. Byron opened his mouth and sank down on his mate’s
leaking erection.

“Oh, fuck yeah!” Edwin moaned, his hips bucking. “Suck my dick!”
Byron’s brows shot up, surprised to discover his mate had a mouth on him. He never

would have thought that considering how mild-mannered—almost timid—he seemed in
the lab. Byron grinned around his mouthful of meat, pleased by this new revelation.

Settling his free hand on Edwin’s groin, Byron splayed his fingers and threaded them

through Edwin’s pubes. As he massaged the sensitive skin around the base of Edwin’s
shaft, he swallowed his mate’s cock deeper. Byron moved his head up and down,
massaging the silky, stretched skin of his man’s prick with his lips and tongue, sucking
strongly.

“Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck,” Edwin babbled. “So good.”
When Byron stilled his head’s movements so he could work his tongue under Edwin’s

cap, Edwin seemed to gather his wits enough to lower Byron’s fly. Since Byron didn’t wear
underwear, one look up his body allowed Byron to watch his cock burst from between the
flaps.

Edwin met his gaze. Similar to what Byron had done to Edwin, his mate stuck out his

tongue and licked around Byron’s leaking cock head, all the while giving him a lewd
smile.

Byron shivered at the sensation of his mate’s tongue sweeping across his sensitive

glans, leaving a trail of saliva that quickly cooled in the hotel room air. His cock jerked as
tingles worked through him, settling in his balls, pulling them tight.

Trying to distract himself from how keyed up he already felt, Byron refocused on

Edwin’s cock. He tugged lightly on the man’s pubic hair, making Edwin squirm, then
massaged the sting away. He sucked down Edwin’s prick, reveling in the musky taste and
feel of his mate’s dick, of having the freedom to touch and explore.

When Byron felt Edwin suck hard on his own dick’s head, he moaned. His thighs tensed

as he fought the desire to thrust, to sink his cock deeper into his lover’s mouth. Edwin
cupped his ass, pushing and pulling his cheeks, delving his fingers into Byron’s crack as he
lapped and sucked his cock.

Byron felt his balls roll in their sacks. The telltale tingle at the base of his spine told him

he was close. He sucked hard on Edwin’s shaft, massaging the wrinkled flesh under the
head of his cock with his tongue. Desperate for his mate to come with him, Byron
released his hold on Edwin’s shaft and cupped his mate’s balls, rolling them in his palm
while reaching his middle finger back and massaging the sensitive spot just behind them.

That did the trick. Edwin moaned around Byron’s dick. His lover’s testicles pulled tight

in his palm. His dick swelled in his mouth. Warm seed spurted into Byron’s mouth. He
sucked greedily, swallowing each salty, tangy burst, wanting to give his mate as much
pleasure as possible.

Edwin delved a finger into his hole, stretching him and pegging his gland with amazing

accuracy. Byron’s hips bucked, sinking his dick deeper into his lover’s mouth. His balls
unloaded. He jerked, orgasm exploding through him, crashing waves of bliss through his
system.

Byron pulled off Edwin’s softening shaft, moaning in ecstasy as Edwin continued to work

his pleasure button and suck his cock, extending his pleasure. Finally, when his dick
started to soften, becoming too sensitive to continue the contact, Byron shuddered,
twitching in discomfort.

Edwin pulled his finger free and released his dick with a slurp.
His limbs feeling like wet noodles, Byron flopped to the side. Staring up at the ceiling,

he mumbled, “Holy shit, babe. How’d you do that? I can’t remember ever coming so
hard.”

Edwin wriggled around, changing position on the bed so they faced the same way.

Pausing at Byron’s side, he stared down at him. “I’m glad you liked it.”

Byron saw the uncertainty once again arise in his mate, banishing the dominant man

that had taken over with his lust. He found the duality of the man interesting, a puzzle to
be figured out. However, at that moment, he just wanted to hold his mate.

“Come here,” Byron urged, opening his arms.
Relief filled Edwin’s eyes and he settled next to Byron, sprawling half on top of him with

his head on Byron’s chest. Wrapping his arms around Edwin, Byron snuggled him close.
Still curious, he asked again, “So, not that I want to hear about your previous lovers, but
—” He paused, trying to figure out how to ask where he’d learned to play a man’s
genitals like that.

“I haven’t really had that much experience,” Edwin admitted softly. He tilted his head

and met Byron’s gaze. “I’ve only had a few lovers, but I’ve done a lot of reading.” He
offered a small smile. “You’d be surprised what you can learn online.” He shrugged. “One
of the biggest things is anticipation. It really ramps things up.”

“You’re right about that,” Byron agreed…and they’d had a good twenty-four hours of

stress and anticipation built up. He lifted his head and pressed a quick kiss to Edwin’s lips
before telling him, “As much as I want to hold you just like this until I’m recovered
enough to strip you naked and explore every inch of your body, we do have somewhere
to be.

Edwin nodded, although he didn’t move.
Byron squeezed his lover, liking how his words caused a rosy flush to cover his mate’s

cheeks and neck. It was so at odds with the mouthy man his mate had become while
they’d been sucking each other off. He couldn’t wait to hear what Edwin sounded like
while fucking. Byron’s ass clenched, remembering Edwin’s comments earlier and his finger
in his chute. It’d been decades since he’d allowed someone to mount him, but for his
mate, he’d do it. Hell, he’d probably end up craving it if the last ten minutes was any
indicator.

“Come on, babe,” Byron urged.
He kissed Edwin’s temple once more, then helped him to his feet.

Chapter Seven

Edwin followed Byron out of the room and down the hall. He knew his face remained a bit
flushed—whether from orgasm or embarrassment, he wasn’t certain. He’d always gotten
mouthy when horny. It’d driven a few potential lovers away before the fun really got
started. Edwin sure felt relieved that hadn’t been the case with Byron. In fact, the wolf
shifter had seemed to enjoy it.

He hoped that wouldn’t change. He really looked forward to exploring the tall, broad-

shouldered black man he followed to another hotel room. As Edwin eyed the firm ass he’d
had the too brief opportunity to play with not long ago, he felt his cock twitch in his
jeans.

Damn, my godfather wasn’t kidding! Finding a mate turns you into a nympho!
Stopping in front of a door, Byron lifted a hand and knocked. He leaned down and

whispered, “Whatever you’re thinking about, knock it off.” He winked, softening his
admonishment. “I can scent your arousal and as much as I love how you smell, it’s very
distracting.”

Edwin’s jaw sagged open. “Y-you can smell when I’m…”
Byron offered a wide smile. “Oh, yes, babe. Musky, masculine goodness is what you

are,” he crooned. He licked and nipped at Edwin’s lips.

Delicious tingles spread from Edwin’s mouth, down his neck, and through his chest,

causing his nipples to bead.

Mewling, Edwin mumbled between nips, “You’re not helping.”
Chuckling, Byron pulled away just as the door opened.
Edwin recognized the hazel-eyed man as Jared. The guy leaned against the doorframe,

a smirk curving his lips. “We’ve been waiting for you,” he stated. “Nick and Miach
explained things while you two were…” Instead of answering, Jared waggled his brows.

His jaw sagging open, Edwin gasped. “How did you know?”
Jared grinned largely. “I didn’t…until now.” He pushed away from the doorway and

beckoned them forward. “Come on in. I have something you’ll want to see.”

Edwin looked toward Byron, wondering at that exchange. His lover just shrugged, then

settled his hand on Edwin’s lower back and urged him forward. Edwin strode into the
room and glanced around the space. If the room hadn’t been dominated by so many men,
the place probably would have seemed spacious. As it was, with six other men there,
Edwin felt crowded.

Crossing to a coffee table and the open laptop upon it, Jared crooked the forefinger of

one hand while using the other to spin the laptop around to face him. “Take a look at
this,” Jared ordered. He pushed enter on the laptop and stepped back.

Edwin stopped in front of the laptop screen as the paused picture came to life. He

recognized his lab and realized it was from one of the surveillance cameras. “I don’t even
want to know how you got this,” he stated, discomfort flooding him. He crossed his arms
defensively.

“Probably for the best,” Jared replied coolly. “Keep watching.”

Doing as instructed, Edwin returned his focus to the screen. “What am I looking for?”
Jared’s chuckle actually sent a chill down Edwin’s smile. “Oh, you’ll see.”
Edwin risked a glance toward Byron, who had his gaze fixed on the laptop. Evidently,

the man took his friend’s advice seriously. He must have noted Edwin looking at him, too,
for he offered him a quick, reassuring smile before returning his focus to the laptop.

Doing the same, Edwin stared at the screen. It hadn’t changed. His empty lab remained

empty…for several long seconds. The door opened and someone stepped inside. “Holy
shit,” Edwin hissed, leaning closer to the screen. His jaw sagged open in shock as he
watched the impeccably suited man glance quickly around, then head toward the room
where the lab rats were held. As he moved, he pulled a syringe from his suit coat and
prepped it.

Once inside the room, the camera view switched to the camera in the corner of his rat

room. Bile rose in Edwin’s throat as he watched the agent’s lips thin. The man peered at
the rat in cage sixteen, then pulled the door open, reached inside, grabbed the poor
rodent, and sank the small needle into its back. Edwin cringed, imagining the pain…hell,
the fear that must accompany that needle in the back.

“Son of a bitch,” Edwin hissed. He blinked quickly, fighting back the tears that

threatened the backs of his eyes.

The screen paused.
“Who is he?’
Edwin swallowed hard. “I’ve met him twice. He was introduced as Agent Craigson both

times.”

“We met him,” Carson pointed out. “We just wanted to make certain we were on the

same page.”

Edwin nodded absently, remembering the meeting the day before as he continued to

stare at the screen and the picture of Craigson looking directly at the camera while
pulling the needle from the rat’s skin.

“Why is he staring at the camera?” Edwin thought that was so odd. “Shouldn’t he be

trying to hide his face?”

“You mean like this fella here?” Jared asked.
Once again, Jared tapped a few keys and brought up a new video. This time a dark

haired man strode through the lab. He kept his head carefully turned so his face never
appeared on camera.

“Does that make this guy Agent Haroldson?” Miach asked.
“I’d say that’s a safe assumption,” Carson stated.
“Are you sure?” Nick asked, leaning forward in his seat on the couch next to Miach. He

stared at the screen, frowning. “He did a great job of hiding his face and with the generic
black suit, it could be any dark-haired agent in the place.”

Jared straightened and pointed at the screen. “We’ve reviewed only a few weeks’

worth, but this guy is the one who sticks the rat most of the time. Craigson is only on
here twice, and each time he makes a point of looking directly at the camera.”

“Almost like he wants to be recognized,” Miach stated.
Edwin watched as Carson moved to Jared’s back and wrapped his arms around him

from behind. For just an instant, the man stiffened before pressing back into the
embrace. Carson whispered something into Jared’s ear and the man tilted his head and
smirked up at the bigger man.

While Edwin could admit to himself that he wondered about the dynamics of the

couple, he’d never ask.

“So what do we do?” Nick asked.
Pulling his gaze away from the embracing pair, Edwin returned his focus to the problem

at hand. “Won’t they know something is up since rat sixteen is gone?” he pointed out.

An indignant couple of squeaks sounded from the left, drawing Edwin’s attention. He

looked that way and saw the rat sitting on the arm of the sofa. Wincing, he quickly
amended, “Shifter. Sorry.”

“Edwin is right,” Byron said. He wrapped his arm around Edwin’s waist, a worried

expression on his face. “They’ll know they’ve been found out. They’ll either move on or
come after you.”

“Not if we go after them first,” Jared replied.
“What’d you have in mind?” Carson asked.
Jared’s grin looked really predatory in Edwin’s opinion. Outside of movies, he didn’t

think he’d ever seen one quite like it. He shivered as Jared spoke, the man’s voice cold.

“We kidnap them and ask them why they put a shifter in Edwin’s cage. What were they

hoping to accomplish? And if they’re holding any more.”

“You really think they’ll just tell us?” Edwin blurted out the question before he could

censure himself.

Yep, definitely a creepy smile. Edwin really didn’t like it turned on him.
“I’m sure I can…persuade them to tell me.”
Edwin’s jaw sagged open at Jared’s words. Surely, he didn’t mean…
“And people think shifters are blood-thirsty,” Nick mumbled, shaking his head.
Carson growled low in his throat.
Nick bowed his head. “My apologies.”
“Knock it off, Injun,” Jared all but purred as he looked over his shoulder at his lover.

“Nick’s right. I’m an asshole.” He turned in Carson’s arms so he faced his lover. “But you
love me anyway.”

“Not an asshole,” Carson countered, cupping Jared’s jaw. “A little insane though,” he

stated before capturing his lips.

Edwin’s brows shot up as he watched the pair make out, licking and nipping at each

other’s mouths. Movement at his peripheral vision pulled Edwin’s attention away from the
display. The other men were getting to their feet.

“That’s our cue to leave,” Byron explained, tugging Edwin toward the door. “Once they

get going, they don’t quit.”

“Come on, little buddy,” Nick said, holding out his hand to the rat.
The shifter scuttled up the wolf shifter’s arm and to his shoulder.
“Let’s go,” Miach urged a pale and shaken Toby to his feet.
As Byron steered Edwin toward the door, Edwin glanced over his shoulder. Curiosity

that couldn’t be denied had him asking, “So why can’t he shift?”

“The shots they were giving him suppressed his ability to return to human form,” Byron

explained. “The drugs will wear off in a few days. That’s why they had to keep sneaking
into your lab.”

Edwin nodded. “That’s terrible.” Turning back to look at Nick and the rat, he said, “I’m

so sorry. I wish I’d known.”

“I am curious why you didn’t notice in his blood,” Miach commented.
Feeling the blood drain from his face, Edwin swallowed hard. “You’re right. I should

have noticed.” He turned and looked at Byron. “I need to go back to the lab. I need to
know what I missed!”

Byron’s brows furrowed. “Now?”
Edwin nodded. “Yes. Yes, please.” He glared at the floor as he walked, already trying

to figure out how he could have missed something that should have been obvious? He’d
been working with shifter blood for nearly ten years. How could he have missed it?

“Okay, okay, babe,” Byron soothed. “We’ll go back to the lab. I’m sure there’s an

explanation.” Byron kissed his temple, then exchanged a look with Nick and Miach. “I’m
gonna get him back to the lab.”

“You know, that’s a good idea,” Nick stated. He patted Miach on the stomach. “We’ll

pick up some grub on the way and meet you there.”

Miach sighed, the lines around his mouth tightening, but he nodded.
“What about you, little buddy?” Nick asked, looking at the shifter on his shoulder. “You

want choice one or two? One you stay in my room or two you come back with us to the
lab.”

The rat squeaked once and Nick nodded. “I getcha.” He turned to the others and lifted

his hand, waving them on. “I’m gonna put our friend in our room, then we’ll meet you
over there.”

Miach peeled away from them and followed Nick.
Edwin finally focused on Toby. The young man stood nervously in the hotel hallway,

shifting from foot to foot. “You can go home if you want, Toby,” Edwin told him.

Toby licked his lips, his brown-eyed gaze flicking one way, then another. Finally, he

gave a quick shake of his head. “N-no, I’ll help.”

“You sure?” Edwin asked. His assistant looked about ready to piss himself.
Byron’s brows lifted and his mouth curved into a smirk. “What bothers you more?” he

asked. “That we’re shifters or that we’re gay?”

Toby blanched, lifting his hands up, palms out. “Oh, oh, no. I don’t…uh.”
Chuckling, Byron patted Toby’s shoulder with his free hand. “Relax. I’m just yankin’ your

chain. There’s plenty more dangerous shit out in the world than us.”

“Yeah, I know,” Toby mumbled.
Byron released Toby’s shoulder, only to wrap the arm around Edwin. “Let’s go put your

mind at ease, babe.”

Edwin nodded, hoping it’d be that easy.
“Come on, Toby,” Byron beckoned, leading the way down the hall. “You’re with us.”

This time, Byron drove. Edwin couldn’t seem to sit still, fidgeting in his seat, feeling

restless. Frustration coursed through him. What had he missed?

Byron settled his hand on Edwin’s leg. “Relax, babe. I can scent the guilt rolling off you

in waves.”

“I experimented on a shifter,” he grumbled, struggling to hide his agony.
“You didn’t mean to,” Byron assured. “Stop beating yourself up over it.”
Edwin turned in his seat. He furrowed his brows as he said, “I don’t understand. You

were willing to walk away when you even thought I was doing experiments on shifters.
Now, it’s been proved that I did experiment on one.” Edwin gripped Byron’s hand where it
rested on his thigh. “I’m worried you’ll walk away.”

“Mates don’t walk away,” Byron stated gruffly. “I was wrong to walk away yesterday

and I won’t do it again.” He flipped his hand and threaded their fingers together. “I hope
to prove that to you someday.”

Even as relief filled him upon hearing the words, embarrassment filled him, too. “Sorry

to be so needy,” he muttered.

“I’m getting the impression that you’ve known about shifters for some time,” Byron

commented. “With your godfather being a shifter and living with him, when did you figure
it out?”

Edwin wasn’t certain if Byron changed the subject on purpose or if he just wanted to

learn more about him, but after a glance over his shoulder, he admitted, “My parents died
in a car accident when I was seven. I saw him shift for the first time when I was
fourteen.”

Smiling at the memory, Edwin continued, “I was supposed to be at the library studying

for a college exam.” He chuckled a bit. “I’d forgotten my notebook. Often I like to write
my notes freehand,” he admitted. “It helps me remember historical facts better. Anyway,
I came home and found an animal in the backyard, running and playing with my
godfather’s dog, Pongo. Freaked me the hell out. I’d never seen a cat that big outside of
a zoo.”

“You said puma before, right?” Byron reminded him.
Nodding, Edwin said, “Once Dillan realized I was there, he shifted.” Snorting, he shook

his head. “I never really had much of an imagination, so I was pretty freaked out. It took
him a couple of days to calm me down. I missed my test.”

Chapter Eight

Byron squeezed the hand twined with his own. “And mates? Did Dillan tell you about
them?”

Edwin nodded once. “Yeah. He explained mates. He said he’s still looking for his.”
“When did he leave you?”
“He had to move on a little over four years ago,” Edwin admitted. “I got my first grant

from a pharmaceutical company. It wasn’t my first choice, but it paid the bills.” His hand
on Byron’s tightened just a bit. “Two months after I was established, Dylan brought me
supper from my favorite take-out place. He admitted that he was really almost three
hundred years old and he’d stayed in one place too long and needed to die and move
on.” Edwin finished, whispering, “He died two days later. His house exploded…ruled as a
gas leak.”

“Damn,” Byron mumbled. “I’m sorry.”
Edwin shrugged and peered out the window, even as his grip tightened on Byron’s

hand. “I know he’s still alive. He sends me his blood monthly. I just…I just can’t see him.”

“It’s not the same though.” Byron brought his hand up and pressed a kiss to the fingers

twined with his.

Byron didn’t know if he felt relieved that he wouldn’t have to explain to Edwin about

mates or disappointed by that same fact. Hell, it could even be what made his mate so
fearful of him leaving again. If he knew about mates beforehand, and Byron had walked
away, and his parents had left him and his godfather had left him, now he worried that
Byron would leave him, too.

Damn it! I hardly know the man and I already fucked it up by walking away yesterday.
Turning the car into the parking lot, Byron found a slot. He had to release his lover’s

hand to put the vehicle into park. Once the car was turned off, he turned in his seat to
face Edwin.

Byron ignored the fact that they weren’t alone and took his mate’s hand in both of his.

“You are my mate, Edwin. I am going to claim you and we are going to find a way to
build a life together. I know you live here in Denver and I live in Stone Ridge.” He
shrugged. “I have a sister to think of, too, but you’re my mate. We’ll work this out.”

“And in fifty plus years when you haven’t aged a day and I’m getting gray hairs? You

still gonna care for me then?”

His brows shot up at Edwin’s question. It seemed Dillan hadn’t told his godson

everything. At least, in this, Byron could give Edwin good news. Well, Byron hoped Edwin
would find it to be good news.

Releasing Edwin’s hand with his own right hand, Byron cupped his lover’s jaw. “Your life

will extend to match mine, Edwin. I’m ninety-eight. I hope you don’t mind living another
three or four centuries.”

Edwin’s jaw sagged open.
Byron used his hold to gently close the man’s jaw. “You didn’t know that, did you?”
Shaking his head, Edwin murmured, “No. Why wouldn’t he tell me?”

Byron could guess, but he didn’t want to speak ill of Edwin’s godfather. Selfishness,

pure and simple. He didn’t want to run the risk that Edwin would ask to bond with Dillan
just to live longer and stay together. Or that could even be described as selflessness,
wanting his godson to live a full life on his own rather than tying him to someone who’d
never truly love him as a mate should.

“I’m sure he had his reasons,” Byron said, instead. Leaning forward, he pressed a soft

butterfly kiss to Edwin’s lips, then pulled back and suggested, “Why don’t we head in and
lay your conscience to rest, hmm?”

“Yeah, okay,” Edwin answered, almost absently. “That sounds good.”
Byron nodded and drew away. He pushed open the car door and stepped out. To his

surprise, Toby was sitting on the trunk of the car, flipping a coin across the tops of his
fingers…back and forth, back and forth. Byron realized he didn’t even know when the
young man had gotten out of the car.

When Byron slammed his door closed, Toby looked up. He flashed a quick smile before

returning his attention to his coin. “I, uh, I figured you two needed some time alone.”

“Thank you,” Byron replied. “Edwin and I do have plenty to discuss.”
Toby nodded. “So, uh, mates—”
“You ever hear of love at first sight?” Byron asked, cutting Toby off before he could talk

about shifters openly. Hell, a parking lot was no place to discuss the existence of shifters.

Snorting, Toby rolled his eyes. “There’s no such thing.”
“Don’t be too sure. It’s all the rage in stories,” Byron responded, grinning. “Besides,

Toby,” he added, patting the teenager on the shoulder. He leaned close and murmured,
“Paranormals, like myself, search for the other half of our soul. A special someone Fate
provides to complete us. That’s what shifters call a mate. Not just the love of our life, but
the one that becomes our partner, someone who’ll banish the loneliness our long life can
sometimes become.”

As Byron had spoken, Toby’s eyes had gotten wider and wider. “Wow, really? Do you

think I got a guy out there like that?”

Byron arched one brow. So, it was the fact that he’d been in a room full of shifters that

had made the boy uncomfortable earlier. Good to know. “A love at first sight guy? Or the
other kind?”

Toby shrugged one shoulder and curled his lip depreciatively as he glanced down at

himself. “Hey, I ain’t no prize. I know that. I’m fat and I’m book smart and I don’t seem to
get social stuff. I just want someone who’ll…” He shrugged again. “Ya know.”

Nodding, Byron did know. “You want someone to care about you. Someone who’ll

appreciate you for you, despite your flaws.” He smiled. “No crime in that.” Over Toby’s
shoulder, Byron saw Edwin climb out of the vehicle. He returned his focus to Toby.
Smiling, he confided, “I’ve been searching for a special someone for over fifty years. Don’t
ever give up hope.”

Toby’s eyes widened. His mouth opened and formed an Oh.
Byron winked, then rounded the back of the vehicle and, stopping next to Edwin—who

seemed a bit more put together than when he’d left him—he wrapped an arm around his
lover and squeezed lightly.

“Come on, babe. Let’s go check out that blood.”
Byron watched Edwin nod. He could see that his mate’s eyes were still a little dilated.

He hated that he’d put that shocked look in his lover’s eyes, but hadn’t been able to think
of a way around it. He’d needed Edwin to know he wasn’t going anywhere, and blurting
out that they’d be together for centuries had seemed like a great strategy. Byron just
hadn’t counted on the fact that Edwin would feel betrayed by his godfather because he
hadn’t divulged that vital bit of information.

Damn.
“So, I’ll admit it’s been a while since I took any biology or chemistry in school. Why

don’t you give me a hint on what you’re gonna be looking for?” Byron asked, hoping the
subject of blood would get his mate to focus on something else.

It worked.
While Byron signed in, got a visitor badge, and retraced his steps back to Edwin’s lab,

he listened to his mate chatter on about breaking down blood and mapping DNA. Byron
would be the first to admit that he didn’t understand any of it, but since talking about
science seemed to relax his mate, Byron would keep listening until the end of time.

Byron smiled. Well, he’d listen until they were somewhere alone. Then, he’d find so

many other uses for his mate’s mouth.

The lab door closed and Byron watched his mate whirl into action. Smiling at his lover’s

enthusiasm for his work—or in this case, his need to figure out what he’d missed—Byron
settled on a rolling stool and kicked his way across the floor to a corner. He figured his
buddies would be there soon with dinner, but until then, he wanted to be where he could
watch all the doors.

The pair of CIA agents would stumble across the fact that the rat shifter had been

discovered eventually, and Byron didn’t want his mate to end up in the line of fire. His cell
phone trilled and he pulled it from his pocket. Grinning upon seeing the display, he
greeted, “Hello, little sister. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Have you scored yet?”
Byron’s eyes widened. “Damn, what the hell?”
“Tsk, tsk. The cussing, big brother!” Diana scolded. “You’ve been away from me for

forty-eight hours and you’re already turning into a potty mouth.”

“Well, if you didn’t shock the sh—” Byron cut himself off and rubbed two fingers along

the bridge of his nose. He sighed, then muttered, “Not nice, Diana. Goading your brother
that way.”

Diana giggled.
Under other circumstances, Byron really would have appreciated the sound, since she

was teasing him, however, not so much. “To what do I owe this irritation?” he asked
pointedly.

“Geez, I’m gonna assume your bad mood is because you haven’t been able to patch

things up with hottie geek boy,” Diana grumbled. “What happened? He shut you down?”

Byron growled, shaking his head a bit. “No, and don’t call him that.”
“I’m sorry,” Diana immediately replied. “That was a horrible thing to say. Um, what…

what happened?”

Remorse for snapping at his sister flooded him. Byron sighed. “Sorry, Diana. Just don’t

—” He sighed again rubbed a palm over his shaved scalp. “Don’t call my mate geek boy,
huh? Not nice,” he mumbled, glancing toward Edwin who seemed completely wrapped up
in whatever blood sample he currently looked at through the microscope.

“Yeah. Sure. Of course!” Diana replied. “So, um…how’s it going?” she asked tentatively.

“I’ve been worried.”

Byron glanced at his watch. He’d talked to her almost twenty-four hours before now. Of

course, she’d wonder what was going on. “A lot has happened in the last twenty-four,” he
said, speaking softly. “My mate has accepted my apology, but we found a rat in the
government.” He grimaced at the pun. “We’re trying to get everything straightened out.”

“Oh…oh! You’re being careful right?”
“I am, little sister,” Byron assured. “I can’t say when we’ll be back, though.”
“Don’t you worry about me,” Diana assured. “I’m just fine. You just focus on whatever

is going on out there and get your butt back to me safely. You have a week.”

Byron could hear that Diana smiled even as he heard the tremor in his sister’s voice.

She worried while trying to put on a brave face. “I will. I’ll see you again soon.”

“Is that your sister?”
Looking up, Byron saw Edwin standing before him. “Hold on, Diana.” He moved the

phone away from his face and shook it a bit. “Yeah, she was just wondering how wooing
you was going.”

The blood drained from Edwin’s face. “You didn’t, um—” He waved his hand a bit

spastically in the air. “You don’t tell her about…you know…do you?”

Byron snorted a laugh as he shook his head sharply. “Of course not. She’s just trying to

be nosy!” Knowing she heard every word, Byron lifted the phone to his ear. Holding his
mate’s gaze, he stated, “Sisters are just like that.”

“So are brothers!” she quickly responded in a singsong way. “When you have your crap

straightened out,” she quickly continued, “and you know when you’re coming home. Call
me. In the meantime, I’ll be here working to get a high school diploma.” After a quick
pause, she added jovially, “Have fun getting all sexed up!”

Byron’s jaw sagged open even as the line cut off. He pulled the device from his face

and glared at it. “Why that little—” He shook his head, then forced a smile upon seeing
Edwin’s worried expression. “I wasn’t too loud, was I? Did I interrupt?”

Edwin quickly shook his head. “I think I figured out what I was missing. Shifter DNA

looks a lot like human DNA on the surface. It’s in the chromosomes you start seeing
differences but the real identifiers are deeper, in the Mitochondrial DNA, and whatever
those agents were injecting him with repressed certain factors. That’s why I missed it!”

Byron listened, but he didn’t understand. He knew humans had twenty-three pairs of

chromosomes in a standard, healthy cell, but after that, his limited study of biology failed
him.

After listening for several minutes, Byron held up his hand. “Babe?”
Edwin stopped midsentence. “Yeah?”
“Babe, I’m really glad to hear you think you figured out what you missed and that it’s

put your mind at ease,” Byron assured. “I’m sorry. I just don’t understand.”

“Oh, right, I’m sorry,” Edwin instantly replied, flushing a bit. “I do get carried away.”
Smiling at his mate, he grabbed his mate’s hand and squeezed his fingers. “How about

this. Normally, I’ll let you rattle on to your heart’s content. Just don’t expect me to repeat
it back to you.”

Appearing genuinely confused, Edwin asked, “Why would you do that?”
“I like the sound of your voice,” Byron admitted.
“Oh.” Edwin smiled. “Okay, and if I bore you or get carried away, you’ll let me know?”
“Deal,” Byron agreed.
“So what did your sister say?” Edwin asked, returning to what must have been his

original reason for coming over. “Is everything okay?”

“Hey! Sorry we took so long. You would not believe the line at that Chinese restaurant.

Their eggrolls must be made of gold!” Nick hollered as he strolled into the lab, holding up
a bag of food. “Where’s the best place to lay our tasty treats?”

Smelling the fragrant aroma of Chinese food, Byron opened his mouth to ask his mate if

he was hungry, but Edwin shook their twined fingers and pressed, “So, what’d she say? Is
she okay? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” Byron confirmed. “Everything is fine. She was just wondering if I’d managed to

grovel at your feet enough to gain a second chance and when I’d be coming h—” He
broke off, realizing what he said.

Edwin shook his head and pulled away. “When you’d be coming home. Yeah…to Stone

Ridge. Over two hundred and thirty miles away from here.”

“Hey. Hey!” Byron barked. He gripped his mate’s upper arms and kept him from turning

away. “Pay attention, Edwin. I’m not leaving you. I’m not like the others, you get that?”
From the disbelief in Edwin’s expression, Byron knew he needed to get brutally blunt.

Byron shook Edwin once. “You listen up, mate,” he demanded, pulling his lover close

and bending a bit so their faces were only inches apart. “Are you listening?”

When Edwin nodded, his eyes were wide behind his glasses, and Byron didn’t want the

interference.

Releasing his lover’s upper arm with his right hand, Byron reached up and gripped the

arm of Edwin’s glasses. He carefully tugged at the slender frames and pulled them from
his lover’s face. Setting them aside, he returned his attention to Edwin.

Byron lowered his hands to Edwin’s waist. He gripped and tugged, pulling his mate onto

his lap. Once Edwin straddled his thighs, Byron wrapped his arms around the human, one
around his torso and one around where his hips met his ass. Byron held him close.

With his upper arm, he snaked his hand up along Edwin’s spine and cupped the nape of

his lover’s neck. He forced Edwin to tilt his head and he brought their foreheads together.
Peering into Edwin’s stormy gray eyes, Byron took in the vivid hues of his mate’s irises.

“You haven’t been listening the last couple of times I said this,” Byron rumbled,

searching his mate’s expression for focus and comprehension. “Are you listening now?”

After several seconds, Edwin slowly nodded. “I’m listening.”
At Edwin’s whispered words, Byron smiled. “Good, because you’re stuck with me. Sure,

my home is over two hundred miles from here. That doesn’t mean we aren’t going to find
a way to make a life together.” He narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip. “Because

we are!”

Chapter Nine

Something deep inside Edwin’s chest—some knot he hadn’t even realized was there—
began to ease. He’d been so alone for so long, only relying on himself. He didn’t know
when he’d started keeping everyone at arm’s length.

This man, though, this shifter would never leave him.
Edwin’s heart tripped in his chest. Excitement of a different sort thrummed through him.

“Okay.”

Byron’s dark features broke into a grin. “Good.”
Liking being held like this, having his new lover’s arms around him, Edwin settled more

comfortably onto the bigger man’s lap. He tucked his face against the crook of Byron’s
neck and breathed in the shifter’s natural musk. Edwin also liked the way Byron held him
firmly with his arm around his hips and how he rubbed his other hand up and down his
back.

“Feels good,” Edwin mumbled against the skin beneath his lips, before licking and

sucking on the tendon.

Byron hummed and nuzzled his temple into Edwin’s hair. “What’s that, Edwin?”
Edwin smiled at the sound of his name rolling off Byron’s tongue. “This. Sitting and

holding. Being held. No drive to do more.” He cuddled deeper into Byron’s embrace,
pleased that the wolf shifter didn’t mind at all to continue the hold. “I’ve never had this
before,” he admitted.

“I’ll hold you anytime,” Byron assured.
“It’s about bloody time you showed back up. You found the shifter then?” A deep husky

voice growled from the doorway. “What the hell took you so long?”

Edwin snapped his head up. He spotted Agent Craigson standing just inside the door.

His eyes were narrowed and his arms were crossed over his chest. The agent swept his
gaze over the group, taking in Miach, Nick, and Toby clustered around the food spread
across the far table, then looking at Edwin cuddled on Byron’s lap.

After lightly kissing his temple, Byron eased Edwin off his lap and stood beside him. He

kept his arm around his waist possessively…or maybe protectively. Edwin wasn’t certain.

“And it’s interesting that you turned up, Agent Craigson,” Nick growled. “Here to give

the rat his next dose of suppressant?”

To Edwin’s surprise, Craigson lowered his arms, bowed his head, and expelled a deep

sigh. He shook his head. “I hated having to do that to the little guy,” he admitted gruffly.
Lifting his head, he met Nick’s narrow-eyed gaze. “But I needed Haroldson to trust me. I
needed him to lead me to his other shifters. I know he has more locked up somewhere.”
Licking his lips, he growled, “He supplied them to Marlow. When your pack started taking
out that asshole’s facilities, he started working the other side.”

Craigson scoffed coldly. “Didn’t want to go down with that sinking ship, he said. There

was always someone who’d want a freak.” He quickly lifted a hand in silent placation. “No
offense. His words. He’s an equal opportunity bigot…as you’ve seen.”

“Well, well,” Byron muttered. “That’s the most I’ve ever heard you say at one time.

Why are you telling us this?”

Craigson lifted one pale brow, giving Byron a shrewd look. “Because I know you shifters

have the ability to scent a lie. I tell you the truth, so you’ll trust me.

“Why?” Nick asked.
Turning his head, Craigson scowled at Nick. “Because I need your help.”
From the guy’s angry-sounding tone, Edwin guessed the agent didn’t particularly like

asking for assistance.

Miach tilted his head as he draped one arm over Nick’s shoulders. “What do you need?”

he asked bluntly.

Craigson moved his focus to Miach. “I’m going to tell Haroldson that the rat shifter was

noticed and you all are onto him. I’m going to convince him that he needs to dispose of
any evidence that he was supplying shifters to third parties. That will include the shifters
he currently has in his possession.” His eyes narrowed as he finished. “I need you to
follow him and stop him from killing any more innocents.”

Nick’s eyes narrowed. “And what will you be doing?”
“Stealing copies of his records and taking them to Director Jeffries. He might be an

asshole, but he is the boss,” Craigson replied.

“Done,” Byron stated. With his hold on Edwin’s shoulders, Byron urged him toward the

far table laden with Chinese. “Care for food? I’m hungry.”

Edwin’s brows shot up, surprised by the offer.
Evidently, the offer caught Craigson off guard, too, for he blurted, “You want me to eat

with you?”

“We need a few minutes to contact our enforcer,” Byron stated. “Just like you have a

chain of command, we do, too. He needs to be told of what’s going on.”

Nick snickered. “Think he and Jared are done?”
Craigson frowned. “Done with what?”
“Fucking,” Byron replied bluntly.
His brows shot up as Craigson mumbled, “They’re a couple?”
“Mated, yeah,” Nick replied, dialing his phone.

Edwin took the plate of food Byron handed to him and ate in silence. He listened to the

wolf shifters, Miach, and Craigson make plans with Jared and Carson, who they had on
speaker. Like a well-oiled machine…or pack, they made their plans to take Haroldson
down.

“I won’t be joining you.”
Byron’s statement jerked Edwin out of his impressed stupor. “What? You’re not going?”
Chuckling, Byron put down his chopsticks and reached for Edwin’s hand. “Babe, you and

I have some unfinished business that takes precedence. My pack doesn’t need my help to
take Haroldson down.” He brought Edwin’s fingers to his lips and kissed them gently. “Us,
however, now that I need to work on.”

“What the hell is going on in here?”
Edwin nearly yanked his hand away from Byron’s in surprise, but his lover held tight.

Turning on his stool, Edwin saw Director Jeffries standing in the doorway, glaring around

at all of them.

“Geez, suddenly like grand central station around here,” Toby muttered.
“Yeah,” Edwin whispered.
Putting down his plate, Edwin gently tugged his hand free of Byron’s grip and stood to

face the director. “How can I help you, sir?”

“You can tell me what the hell is going on,” Director Jeffries demanded. “I get a call

from security that shifters have been in and out of here twice today.” He waved his hand
at the group eating at the table. “Now, here I find you cavorting with these…men.”

Straightening to his full height, which put him about an inch shorter than the director’s

six foot height, Edwin replied evenly, “I’m contracted to figure out if shifter’s blood can be
used to create a safe healing agent to use on humans.” He turned and waved vaguely at
the group. “The shifters agreed to donate blood.”

“And that requires feeding them?” the director asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Holding their hand?”

Edwin just managed to keep from glaring right back at the man. Instead, he kept his

features impassive as he replied, “Who I choose to have relations with is not your
concern.”

“Relations between an employee and those in negotiations with the government is

against policy,” the director snapped.

This time, he couldn’t hold back the glare. A slow burn of anger simmered through his

gut. “I am not a government employee,” he responded coldly.

“You are contracted by this agency, therefore, you are held to the same standards. No

fraternizing with officials of an organization currently in contract negotiations with our
agency.”

The triumphant look on the director’s face pissed Edwin the hell off. How had he

tolerated this man’s bullying ways for so long? He hated bullies! Gritting his teeth, he
snarled, “So, if I work here, dating Byron is out of the question? Or wolf shifters in
general?”

Edwin spotted Byron tense out of the corner of his eye, a muscle in his jaw ticking.
Director Jeffries smirked. “That’s right.” He looked toward Byron. “Sorry, boys. You’ll

have to keep your dicks to yourself.”

“I invoke clause six B of my contract,” Edwin stated, crossing his arms over his chest.
Blanching for just an instant, the director snapped, “You can’t do that.”
Edwin lifted one brow and replied, “Actually, I can.” Offering a feral smile, he stated,

“In the event that working for the government becomes dangerous to my health, I can
cancel the contract.”

“How the hell has working for the government become a danger to your health?” The

director almost shouted his words.

“I met Byron,” Edwin stated with a shrug. “He’s my mate. Being separated from one’s

mate is physically painful. If I can’t be with him working for you, then I quit.”

The director lifted a hand and pointed at Edwin. “That’s bullshit and you know it.”
Surprisingly, it was Agent Craigson that stepped in. He lifted his hand in a placating

gesture and stated, “Actually, Director Jeffries, it’s not. It is physically painful for a shifter

and his human mate to be separated.” He shrugged. “It’s a paranormal biology thing
that, as we gain more knowledge of the others that inhabit our world, we’ll have to get
used to.”

Curling his lip at Edwin, Director Jeffries snarled, “Resignation accepted. You have

seventy-two hours to vacate this facility of all personal research material. Anything
government provided, stays.” The director spun on his heel and stalked from the room.

“Babe,” Byron called, catching Edwin’s hand and his attention. “You just quit for me.”
Edwin sighed, the adrenaline leaving his body left him feeling empty. He smiled at

Byron, then shook his head. “No, wolf,” he countered. “I did it for me.” Stepping closer to
his lover, Edwin rested his free hand on Byron’s chest. “It might sound selfish, but this is
for me.”

Byron’s lips curved into a smile, then a grin. “Not selfish at all.” He winked, then

glanced around at everything. “You need any help packing up?”

The shock of his rash decision started to sink in. “N-no, I think I’ll take care of it

tomorrow,” he decided.

Nodding, Byron tugged him into a tight hug. “In the meantime, let’s get you home,” he

murmured into his ear. “I have plans for you tonight.”

Edwin tipped his head up and grinned. “Plans that have to do with more promises of

the future?”

“Hell, yeah,” Byron growled, his dark eyes glittering. He pressed his hips against

Edwin’s, revealing that he had a hard shaft filling his jeans. “A very pleasurable future.”

“And we have our own tasks to complete,” Nick stated.
The sound of the other shifter’s voice reminded Edwin that they weren’t alone. Plus,

while he knew he’d enjoy just giving in to the need quickly filling his body, he had no
desire to remain in his place of work—ex place of work—another moment longer.

“Let’s get out of here,” Edwin urged. He looked toward his assistant and asked, “Do you

need a ride home?” He noted Toby’s pinched expression and pale face. “Oh.” Oh, shit,
what did I do? “I’m so sorry.”

Toby shrugged. “Guess I won’t need to bum a ride from you anymore.”
Damn, why hadn’t he realized his decision would impact Toby, too? He’d just cost his

assistant his job.

Unless…
“I don’t suppose I can talk you into relocating to Stone Ridge. I have a lot of money

saved up. I could pay you myself until I get another grant,” Edwin offered.

“The pack will help, too,” Byron added.
Pausing in where he walked toward the door, Nick waved. “He’s right. Once we take

care of our new problem, there’ll be plenty of shifters ready to help you get a new lab up
and running.” With that parting assurance, Nick headed out the door, followed quickly by
Miach and Agent Craigson.

Byron motioned for Toby to follow them as he guided Edwin toward the door. “Let’s get

out of here,” Byron stated.

Once out of the lab, Edwin paused and locked up. The trio headed back out of the

building. This time, Edwin took the driver’s seat and Byron the passenger. After Toby

buckled up in the back seat, he leaned forward. “So, how many of those government
employees in there actually know about shifters, do ya think?”

Edwin shrugged. “You’re the one who heard people talking about rogues. You tell me,”

he commented, getting the car started and moving.

“Rogues,” Byron glanced between them, half turning in his seat. “You have a problem

with rogues around here?”

Glancing in the rearview mirror, Edwin saw Toby’s face flush pink. He fought back a

snicker as his assistant gaped like a fish, obviously trying to figure out how to get out of
that hole. Finally, Edwin took pity on him.

Edwin reached over and gripped Byron’s thigh, squeezing lightly. “Evidently, there are

some agents that have been talking about shifters. They call all of you rogues.” He
grimaced and added, “I explained to Toby that most shifters consider being called a
rogue an insult.”

“Or it means you’re dangerous,” Byron replied softly.
“What do you mean?” Toby asked, frowning.
“Well,” Byron rumbled. “It is possible for a shifter to lose his humanity to his animal,”

he admitted. “If that happens, he becomes a danger to himself and others.” He paused,
then continued, “You humans hear about serial killers and murderers. That’s what we
consider a rogue shifter.”

“Oh,” Toby murmured. “Wow, that’s…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any offense!”
Byron nodded. He smiled. “No offense taken. Just be careful how you use that word

around paranormals,” he warned.

Toby’s eyes rounded. “Oh, I won’t,” he assured. “Use it, I mean…Um, yeah, I’ll be

careful.”

For the next fifteen minutes or so, Edwin drove. He finally pulled up outside Toby’s

apartment. “You gonna be okay?” Edwin asked as he used the rearview mirror to watch
his young assistant unbuckle his belt and scoot to the side.

Toby paused and met his gaze in the mirror. He shrugged. “Yeah. Pick me up at eight,

like normal, and I’ll help you pack up the lab.”

“Really?” Edwin cocked his head. “I know I kinda threw you into this. I’ll understand if

you want to use the next couple of days to search for new employment.”

Tilting his chubby cheeked face a bit, Toby’s brows furrowed. “You weren’t serious

about me going to Stone Ridge? About paying me?”

Edwin’s jaw sagged open. “Really? You want to go?”
Toby looked toward the apartment, which Edwin knew he shared with two other men.

“I don’t have any family…at least, none that care. You know that.” He turned and met
Edwin’s gaze again. “What’s keeping me here?”

Unable to hide his relief, Edwin grinned. “Thanks, Toby. I appreciate that. I’ll see you at

eight. I’ll even bring the scones. Apple flavored,” he added, knowing that was the young
man’s favorite.

Toby’s grin dominated his face. “Awesome!”
As Edwin watched Toby exit the vehicle and stride up the stairs with far more bounce

than most people his weight would have, Edwin smiled. Nothing like youthful excitement
to start something new. He felt grateful his friend was coming with him.

Turning his car once more to the open road, Edwin took his mate to his own home, this

time. The closer and closer they drew to his cottage the more his nerves grew. He knew
what would happen when they arrived there. Byron would claim him. They’d be bonded
and he’d never be able to leave this shifter he barely knew.

Edwin reminded himself that Byron had pursued him, returned to him, and vowed never

to leave him. He’d shared that their bonding meant Byron wouldn’t outlive him. Instead,
Byron shared his extended life with him. Pulling into his driveway and parking in the
carport, Edwin felt something else drive out his nerves.

Anticipation.

Chapter Ten

Byron swept his gaze over Edwin’s home. He’d worked hard throughout the ride home to
keep his hands to himself. Now, all he really wanted to do was yank his mate from the
car, drag him into the house, and strip him naked. Followed, of course, by several rounds
of vigorous sex where their sweaty bodies slid together to rutting completion.

Instead, Byron controlled himself. He took in the bungalow cottage that his mate had

pulled up in front of. He couldn’t help but notice that his own place was a bit larger, while
the exterior still held the same rustic charm. Byron’s place sported a huge wrap-around
porch, perfect for holding gatherings with pack and friends. Byron appreciated the
openness of Declan’s pack and felt grateful a number of the local shifters had invited him
to join their monthly poker games.

“Do you play poker?” Byron asked curiously. He hoped his lover would get along with

his friends…or at least put up with them, right?

“Uh, well—” Edwin flashed bright red as he shoved out of the car and headed up the

walk toward the front door.

Surprised by the response, Byron took off after him. Grabbing his arm, he stopped his

mate’s swift progress to the front door. “Hey, what is it? Did I say something wrong?”

Edwin grimaced and his jaw clenched for a few seconds. He sighed. “I can count cards.

Most people don’t like to play with me once they realize that.”

“Damn, really?” Byron couldn’t hide his grin.
“Yeah.” Edwin shrugged. “I’m a card shark.”
Byron felt his grin stretch wider. “Well, well. Very nice.” He leaned close to his mate

and whispered, “For now, this little conversation will be kept between us.”

Edwin’s brows shot up. “Really? Why?”
Staring at his mate’s confused and disbelieving expression, Byron winked. “Because I

can’t wait to see my buddy’s faces the first few times you take them to the cleaners.” He
chuckled low in his throat, truly amused by that prospect. The MacDougal wolf shifter
brothers both thought themselves quite the card players. Byron couldn’t wait for his mate
to best them…repeatedly.

However, right now, Byron had other plans. After sipping at Edwin’s lips again, he lifted

his head and crooned, “You gonna give me the tour?”

“Nope,” Edwin replied, surprising Byron. He grinned. “But I’ll show you the bedroom. I

could really use a good fucking.”

A shot of excitement burst through Byron. His hard dick throbbed in his jeans and he

could feel a bead of moisture ooze from his head. “Show me the way,” he agreed.

Edwin turned in his hold and unlocked the door. He led the way inside and quickly

moved through the foyer, past the living room, and took a left down a short hallway.
Opening the door at the end of the hallway, Edwin glanced back at him as he led the way
into his bedroom, his eyes sparkling with mischief behind his glasses.

Turning around, Edwin reached back and cupped his own ass as he bent over a bit.

“Ready for this?”

Byron growled softly at his mate’s teasing. He stepped up behind Edwin and shoved his

mate’s hands from his cheeks so he could rut his dick against the cloth-covered ass. “Feel
how ready I am?” Without waiting for a response, he ordered, “Hands on the bed, Edwin.”

Edwin bent over a bit and rested his palms on the gray comforter.
At his mate’s instant obedience, Byron’s wolf growled in his mind. Need rode him hard

and he draped himself over his lover. Releasing Edwin’s hips, he slid his hands around his
lover’s body. With one hand, Byron palmed his man’s chest. He used the other to cup his
mate’s groin, fondling his prick through the slacks, massaging the hidden length.

“Last time, you were in charge,” Byron rumbled. “Now, it’s my turn.”
Edwin shuddered under his touch and still managed to wiggle his hips, rubbing his ass

against Byron’s cock. “You sure about that?” Edwin asked, panting.

Byron’s wolf howled in his mind. The challenge in Edwin’s tone and actions drove a

need through him to see his mate submit. “Oh, yes, mate,” Byron growled. “You’re gonna
beg me for my cock, aren’t you, Edwin?”

As he spoke, Byron unbuttoned and unzipped Edwin’s fly. He slid his hand beneath the

thin fabric of his mate’s underwear and shoved them down, tucking the elastic edge
under Edwin’s balls. He knew that would push them forward and put pressure on what he
knew were sensitive orbs.

Byron slid his forefingers up the underside of his lover’s prick until he reached the head.

Gripping the shaft between thumb and forefingers, he gently massaged the wrinkled flesh
beneath the cap. He slid his other hand under Edwin’s shirt to rest on his abs, using the
hold to keep Edwin still.

Edwin’s head tipped forward, obviously staring down at himself. “Oh, damn. Look at

your dark hand on my red cock. God that’s so fucking sexy. Feels amazing, too. Can’t wait
to feel you reaming my ass. Want it so bad, Byron. My ass feels empty. Need you to fill
it.”

Moaning, Byron shuddered. Damn, his mate said the hottest shit. “You beg so pretty,”

he stated gruffly. “I’ll fuck you so hard, my mate. Don’t you worry.”

Byron released Edwin’s abs and reached around to yank open his own fly. He shoved

his jeans down his hips just enough to release his own cock. His shaft slapped against
Edwin’s cloth covered ass, so he shoved Edwin’s pants and underwear down next.

Taking a guess, Byron released his lover, growling, “Stay there,” and reached for the

nightstand drawer. He jerked it open and found the tube of lube right on top, reminding
Byron of Edwin’s words about jacking off several times the evening before. He grinned
and snagged the slick.

Byron resumed his position behind Edwin, liking the fact that his mate hadn’t moved at

all. That Edwin wanted him just as much excited Byron and honored him all at the same
time. He wrapped his arms back around his mate and rubbed his aching cock along the
valley of his mate’s ass.

Humming with pleasure, Byron settled his chin on Edwin’s shoulder. Breathing in his

mate’s heady scent, he listened to his human mewl in frustration as he struggled to move
in his grip. Byron grinned as he nuzzled Edwin’s temple.

“P-please, do something,” Edwin begged. “Fill me. Make me yours.”

“Love how you beg,” Byron admitted, managing to regain a bit of his self-control. “Love

how you talk. Gonna make you mine.”

“Yes. Oh, yes.”
“Open this,” Byron commanded, holding the lube near his right hand.
Edwin obeyed, popping the cap.
Byron poured a large dollop onto the fingers of his left hand, then reached between

them. He pressed his forefinger against Edwin’s opening, rubbing and pressing lightly.

Edwin canted his hips. “Yeah, yeah, put it in.”
“My eager mate.” Byron rubbed a bit more. “So impatient.” Pressing harder, he sank his

finger deep inside his lover. Immediately, he pulled his finger out and inserted two into
Edwin’s channel. “This what you need, babe?”

“Oh, hell, yeah. Fuck me with your fingers. Stretch me open, Byron.”
“How about I see how many times I can get you off?” Byron offered. He cupped Edwin’s

balls and rolled the orbs in his palm as he fucked Edwin with his fingers. “You ready for
orgasm one?”

Edwin’s body shuddered beneath him. “Y-yes, please. Love your magic hands. They feel

so good on my balls. Yeah, roll ’em. Love my balls played with.”

Byron chuckled as he obeyed. He massaged the orbs in his palm while moving his

fingers in Edwin’s channel, searching. When Edwin groaned and goose bumps broke over
his skin, Byron knew he’d found it. He rubbed over Edwin’s spongy gland, working the
small bump.

“Oh god, oh god, B-Byron,” Edwin whined. “Gonna come.”
“That’s the idea,” Byron replied softly. He nipped and sucked on Edwin’s ear. “Come for

me, mate.”

Edwin’s balls pulled flush to his body as he jolted in Byron’s grip. He howled, his

pleasure clear.

“Yeah,” Byron mumbled, loving the sounds Edwin made and the scent of his seed.
Byron moved his grip to Edwin’s shaft, stroking slowly, coaxing another spurt of cum

from his mate’s twitching dick. Edwin shivered beneath him. Pulling the earlobe back
between his lips, Byron sucked lightly as he slid his fingers in and out of Edwin’s gripping
chute a few more times before adding a third. Holding Edwin’s softening prick in his palm
gently, Byron started jacking him slowly.

Edwin moaned and shivered, then started rocking his hips. He tilted his head down,

pulling his ear from Byron’s mouth. Byron realized his mate stared at his groin, watching
Byron’s hand working him.

Byron smiled, seeing a lot of fun in his future at playing on that fetish.
The cock in his palm firmed back up.
Humming appreciatively, Byron asked, “You ready for my cock, babe? You ready to feel

me slide in and out of you?”

“Please,” Edwin begged, wriggling beneath him. “Yes, please.”
Desperately wanting to feel his mate’s heat wrapped around his cock, Byron quickly slid

his fingers free. He gripped his dick and gave it a couple of swipes, coating himself with
the leftover lube. He guided his head to Edwin’s twitching hole and pushed. The striated

muscle gave way.

Byron watched as his cock head sank inside his mate. Upon feeling the tight pressure

encase him, his balls pulled flush to his body. He froze, struggling to get himself back
under control. Wanting to please his mate at least once more before filling his lover,
Byron gripped the base of his dick tightly and beat back his desire to come.

Slowly, Byron began rocking his hips, forward and back, driving deeper into Edwin’s

body. He gritted his teeth, his gaze focused on his black prick stretching his mate’s tan
hole. Goose bumps broke out across his thighs as he finally sank all the way in, his groin
pressed against Edwin’s ass, tight heat gripping his length fully.

“Ah, babe,” Byron moaned. “Damn, you feel good around me.”
Edwin groaned and clenched his chute. “Hell, yeah. You feel good filling me, stretching

me just right.”

Byron tore his gaze away from where he joined Edwin and once again draped over his

mate’s back. Placing his right hand beside his mate’s, he reached under his lover and
gripped his man’s dick with the other. The traces of lube on his fingers made jacking his
lover’s cock easy, and he started up a slow rhythm.

At the same time, Byron drew his hips back, sliding his shaft most of the way out. He

felt Edwin’s chute muscles ripple around him, massaging him, as if trying to keep him
inside. Byron hissed appreciatively at the sensation. Heat spread through his groin, his
balls tightened, making self-control difficult.

“Edwin,” Byron growled. “My mate.”
“Your mate,” Edwin replied, his words breathy. “Like how that sounds.”
“I’ll call you mine often,” Byron vowed. “Remind you who your lover is.”
“And you’re mine.”
Byron’s blood roared through his veins. At Edwin’s words, his excitement built. He sped

up his hips, driving into his mate again and again. “I’m yours,” he confirmed. “Feel me
taking you.”

Edwin canted his hips and rocked back and forth, meeting Byron thrust for thrust and

driving his cock through Byron’s fist. Adjusting the angle of his rut, Byron heard Edwin
mewl and whine, his chute clamping down on him. The sounds combined with the slap,
slap of their bodies. Sweat beaded on their skin as they strained for completion, allowing
slick skin to slide on slick skin. To Byron, the scents and sounds created the best
aphrodisiac, driving grunts of pleasure from between his clenched teeth.

“So close,” Edwin gasped.
“Yeah, do it,” Byron ordered, dangerously close to losing the battle with his own body.

“Let me feel you clamp down on my dick, milk my shaft, Edwin,” he encouraged, stripping
his mate’s dick, swiping his thumb over Edwin’s head on each upstroke.

After sinking his cock into his mate twice more, Byron felt his lover stiffen. Edwin

moaned loudly and shuddered against him. His lover’s dick twitched and spurted. Byron
moaned at the scent of his mate’s seed, the feel of his warm cum filling his hand, and the
tight chute clamping rhythmically on his shaft.

He could put off his own pleasure no longer. His cock swelled and shot, coating his

mate’s rectum with his seed as his orgasm rolled through his body, drowning his senses in

bliss. His canines extended and he sank them deep into the flesh of his mate’s neck.
Byron heard Edwin’s howl as blood flowed over his tongue. Humming in ecstasy, Byron
swallowed a couple of mouthfuls of the metallic-tasting fluid.

Carefully, Byron slid his canines from his mate’s neck and licked over the wound,

sealing it. He nuzzled his lover’s neck as he held the man tight, reveling in the afterglow
and listening to his mate’s heaving breaths.

After a few minutes, Edwin mumbled, “Wow. That was…That was indescribable. Never

had three orgasms in a row before.”

Byron chuckled, pride filling him. “Happy you approve.”
Edwin tilted his head and peered at him over his shoulder. “Oh, I approve very much.”
“Good,” Byron replied. He felt his softening prick slide from Edwin’s channel, pulling a

grunt from his lover’s throat. “Come on,” he urged, gripping his lover’s hips and helping
him onto the bed.

Edwin rolled onto his back, sprawling.
Byron grinned at the debauched picture he made. The skin of his neck and face was

still beautifully flushed, his chest rose and fell quickly, and his slacks were around his
thighs, displaying his mostly soft cock, which glittered with spatters of cum and slick.

“Damn, you’re sexy,” Byron growled.
Beaming up at him, Edwin glanced down at himself, then back to Byron. “You think one

of these days we’ll fuck with our clothes off?”

Byron barked a laugh, then reached for the buttons of his lover’s shirt. “Allow me to

make you more comfortable.” To Byron’s pleasure, Edwin did just that. He lay sprawled
out on the bed, letting him unbutton his shirt, then helped him maneuver it off his arms.
Next, he pulled Edwin’s white t-shirt over his head, revealing a pale thin chest and
skewing his glasses on Edwin’s face.

Reaching up, Byron gently righted his lover’s thin black frames. “You know, bonding

with me might actually improve your eyesight. That’ll be interesting to monitor.”

“Really? I’ve had glasses since I was two,” Edwin admitted.
“I’ll like you any way I can get you,” Byron told him, leaning down to capture his lips for

a quick tongue-fucking. Pulling away, he stated, “Let’s get you more comfortable. I’ll grab
a washcloth and clean you up.”

Byron turned his attention to his lover’s lower half. He’d just yanked off Edwin’s second

loafer when Edwin asked, “Why did I come when you bit me?”

Glancing up at Edwin’s face, seeing his brown brows furrowed, Byron offered him a wink

before gripping the waist of his mate’s slacks. “It’s a paranormal thing,” he explained. “No
shifter would want to force their mate to endure pain just for the sake of bonding. We
want to please our mates too much for that.” He shrugged. “So Fate made our bite
pleasurable.”

“Well, feel free to bite me anytime.”
Byron looked up again to see Edwin waggle his brows at him. Pleasure filled him upon

his first sight of his completely naked mate. “Good, sexy,” Byron crooned. “Good.” He
leaned forward and nipped Edwin’s bottom lip. Lifting his head, he trailed his fingers
along his mate’s ribcage. “I’ll be right back, then I’m gonna explore every inch of this sexy

body.”

He quickly stripped his own clothes, then looked over his shoulder upon hearing the

soft moan from behind him. Seeing Edwin’s wide gray eyes and appreciative expression,
he winked and headed out of the room, flexing his ass exaggeratedly just to hear Edwin
moan again.

Chapter Eleven

Edwin stretched languidly, reveling in the warmth of the sun shining on him from the
window. He’d always loved mornings and the ache in his rectum reminded him why this
morning was so much better…so did the big, dark-skinned hand that rubbed Edwin’s belly.

The mouth sucking his dick felt even better.
Moaning, Edwin blinked, trying to clear his vision. Realizing he wasn’t wearing his

glasses, and not wanting to miss this, he flailed an arm to the left toward the nightstand.
The warm sucking pressure on his dick made it hard to concentrate on anything but the
delicious tingles dancing along the skin of his groin.

Edwin finally felt his frames with his fingertips, but he couldn’t seem to snag them. He

snarled in frustration, which must have clued in his lover to his plight. Byron sucked his
way off Edwin’s dick, releasing him with a lewd pop. “Easy, babe,” Byron urged. “Just
relax. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Wanna see you.” Edwin knew he whined, but he couldn’t help it.
Edwin watched the dark shape that he knew was Byron come closer. Once Byron

leaned over him, his face inches from Edwin’s own, his lover finally came into focus. A
smile curved Byron’s dark, spit-slicked lips. “I want you to see you taking me, too.”

Byron lowered his mouth to Edwin’s. He thrust his tongue between Edwin’s lips. Edwin

opened wider, allowing him deeper. Dueling his tongue with Byron’s, Edwin realized he
could taste himself on Byron’s tongue. He wrapped his arms around his lover, lilted his
head, and deepened the kiss, giving as good as he got.

When Edwin’s lungs burned and breathing became paramount, he turned his head and

broke the kiss. Byron grinned down at him while lowering his hips and pressing his own
erection against Edwin’s. With Edwin’s dick slicked with spit, Byron’s shaft slid along it
with ease, sending delicious tingles across the skin of his groin.

“Good morning, Edwin,” Byron purred. “Did you sleep well?”
Edwin grinned, liking this playful side of his lover. “I did, except for getting woken up by

snoring once.” He smirked. “Don’t worry, an elbow to the ribs got the noise to go away.”

Byron’s dark eyes narrowed. “I. Do. Not. Snore.” He punctuated each word with a hard

thrust of his hips, grinding their sensitive erections together.

Moaning, Edwin bucked, meeting the forceful thrusts. “No,” he gasped. “You don’t.”
“Naughty mate,” Byron whispered into his ear before nipping his lobe hard.
Edwin hissed, uncertain why he liked that so much, but goose bumps erupted down his

neck and over his chest.

Byron lifted his head and looked right. He reached for something and came back with

Edwin’s glasses. “Here you are, lover,” he said, offering the spectacles to him.

“Thanks.”
As soon as Edwin took the frames, Byron sat up and straddled his lap. Edwin’s erection

settled along his lover’s crack. When Byron rocked his hips, making him slide along that
valley, Edwin moaned at the sensation.

After putting on his glasses, Edwin peered up at his lover. Byron smirked down at him,

continuing to rock, driving Edwin out of his mind. “W-what are you doing?”

“Riding you,” Byron rumbled, his voice filling with all kinds of wicked promise.
Groaning, Edwin reached up and gripped Byron’s bobbing shaft, wanting to repay the

torture. “Then get on with it. Ride my pogo stick.”

Byron froze. His eyes widened.
Realizing what he’d just blurted, Edwin’s cheeks flushed for a reason other than

pleasure. He swallowed hard, knowing he would have wilted if Byron didn’t take that
second to start moving again. Byron rocked his hips as he leaned down.

Smiling at him, Byron chided, “Babe, that was horrible, but I love your quirks anyway.”

He winked. “Almost as much as I’m coming to love you.”

“You love me?” Edwin gasped the question, disbelief in his tone. “How is that possible?

We’ve known each other a day. Are you just saying that because we’re having sex?”

Byron rubbed his palms over Edwin’s chest and tweaked his nipples, one in each hand.

He grinned. “No, Edwin, it’s not just because we’re having sex. Affection for our mate
happens incredibly fast for shifters.” He pressed a hard kiss to Edwin’s mouth, then reared
back up.

Edwin didn’t know what he would have said, but then Byron reached behind himself

and gripped Edwin’s dick, and all thought flew from his mind at the wonderful stimulation.
Byron gave him a few quick strokes, then lifted to his knees and positioned his head
between his cheeks, and started lowering himself.

Almost instantly, Byron’s hole opened for him. Gasping at the heat and pressure, Edwin

gripped Byron’s thighs. “Oh, God!” He couldn’t tear his gaze away from where his lover’s
ass swallowed his cock…more and more sinking into the other man. Finally, with Byron
fully seated, Edwin’s length was encased in a vice-like grip better than he’d ever felt
before.

“B-Byron,” he moaned. He could feel every ripple, every twitch of the muscles

surrounding him.

Byron growled, the sound seeming to rumble through him. “Yes, mate?”
When Edwin had told Byron he wanted the opportunity to top, he hadn’t expected to

get to so soon…and he never would have believed how exquisite it felt to be encased in
another man with nothing between them.

“Never done this without a condom,” he admitted.
Rotating his hips, Byron ground his ass into Edwin’s groin, stimulating the sensitive skin

and jostling his balls. “Love how your…pogo stick—” He winked. “Feels up my ass. I’ll be
sure to ride it often,” he quipped as he started to move.

“Oh, God! That is terrible,” Edwin ground out between gritted teeth as Byron’s brown-

skinned body began to move. Up and down, up and down, so slowly. “That’s wonderful. I
feel so much.”

Edwin tightened his grip on Byron’s hips, panting hard as his aching red erection came

into view only to be swallowed again by his lover’s body. His mind struggled to
comprehend the lube gleaming on his dick. “H-how?”

Byron seemed to know exactly what he asked, for he muttered, “Got myself ready

before sucking you.” He winked. “You taste delicious, mate.” He leaned back and rolled

his hips on the next descent. Byron groaned huskily. “Ah, yeah, there it is. Forgot how
good this feels.”

Struggling to breathe, let alone move, Edwin could do nothing but lie there in thrall of

the huge male fucking himself on his dick. With his head thrown back, Byron obviously
reveled in his movements. His thickly muscled thighs bulged with each movement. His
abs clenched and contracted, making his cock bob in the air, pre-cum leaking from his tip,
proving his enjoyment.

It took every last bit of self-control Edwin possessed to peel his right hand off his lover’s

thigh and wrap it around Byron’s dick. Byron froze, hovering a couple of inches above
Edwin’s groin, his dick partway out of his mate’s chute. His chest heaved a few times as
he stared down at Edwin’s hand.

“Edwin,” he gasped. “So close, mate.”
Loving that he could drive this big sexy man to the edge so quickly, Edwin slowly

jacked Byron’s long, thick rod. He glanced between the heavy maybe nine-inch shaft he
worked and his lover’s face, taking in the lines of tension around his lover’s mouth, eyes,
and forehead.

Damn, I do that to this man.
Edwin grinned as he returned his focus to Byron’s cock. He’d sucked his lover’s dick and

he’d been fucked by it…and he couldn’t wait for those experiences again. Now, he sped
up his hand’s movement even as he planted his feet and bucked, driving his cock the rest
of the way into Byron’s ass.

Byron’s mouth gaped. His eyelids shuttered to half-mast. “Edwin,” he cried. “Fuck, right

there.”

“That’s the idea,” Edwin growled through clenched teeth as he lowered his hips back to

the mattress and thrust up again. He drove his cock into his shuddering mate over and
over. “Your ass is mine, Byron,” he claimed. “Mine to fuck. All mine.”

Sliding his hands up Edwin’s chest, Byron squeezed his nipples. Sparks shot through

Edwin’s system. The base of his spine tingled as he continued to rock up, driving into
Byron’s heat.

His lover slid his arms around Edwin and leaned down so they were nose to nose. He

sipped at Edwin’s lips even as he shuddered hard. “Edwin,” he breathed the name into his
mouth as warmth seeped between them.

Byron’s body gripped him hard, clamping around his length. With each shot of seed

spilled between them, he milked Edwin’s erection. Edwin’s body jerked as his balls pulled
tighter than he’d ever felt them and his encased shaft erupted. Opening on a silent
scream, Edwin coated his lover’s channel with his fluid.

“Mate,” Edwin whispered, holding Byron’s dark-eyed gaze.
His lover shuddered once more, a smile curving his lips.
Edwin sighed, his orgasm flooding him with warmth as bliss coursed through his

system. Lifting his left hand from Byron’s thigh, Edwin cupped his lover’s nape. He applied
a bit of pressure, encouraging him to lean closer. Lifting his head, Edwin pressed his lips
to Byron’s, first the lower, then the upper. He tickled the corners of his lips with his
tongue. When Byron opened, Edwin swept his tongue inside the haven of his lover’s

mouth.

For several minutes, Edwin exchanged slow, lapping kisses with Byron. When his lover

sucked his tongue, Edwin groaned into his lover’s mouth. Byron ended the kiss and lifted
his head. He moved his arms out from under Edwin and bracketed his head. “I like
hearing you call me mate.”

Edwin smiled. He wriggled his hips, jostling his softening prick in his mate’s chute. “I

like waking up like this.”

Byron chuckled. “I bet.” He winked and lifted his hips, easing off Edwin. He flopped to

the side and groaned. “Damn, what a way to wake up. We’ll have to keep it down once
we move to Stone Ridge. My younger sister lives with me.”

The mention of his impending move brought Edwin back down to earth quicker than a

bucket of cold water. “Do you think she’ll like me?”

Turning his head to look at him, lifting one brow, Byron stated, “Of course, she’ll like

you. You’re my mate.”

“That’s right,” Edwin pointed out. “I’m your mate, not her mate.” He shrugged,

admitting his fear…because, hell, he needed to be upfront with this man since they were
trying to build a life together. Dillan had often spoken of being honest with his mate.
“That means you like me, but it doesn’t necessarily mean she has to like me.”

Byron rolled his eyes. He reached for the nightstand and grabbed his phone. After

flipping through a couple of options, Byron turned back to him and pressed a soft kiss to
his lips. “Stop worrying,” he ordered, kissing him again. Edwin couldn’t help but kiss his
lover back, he loved kissing too much…and Byron could kiss.

A flash and click yanked Edwin from his enjoyment of Byron’s mouth.
Grinning, Byron focused on the phone. “Perfect.” He punched a few buttons, then held

up his phone for Edwin to see. A picture of them kissing along with a short caption
underneath it, We made up. Be nice when you meet him.

Edwin gasped. “You can’t send that to her.”
Byron laughed, then hit send. “I’m her big brother. I can do whatever I want. Besides,”

he added, turning back to focus on Edwin. “Now she knows we’re together, I’m happy,
and she’ll be happy for me. She’s the one who smacked me upside the head, figuratively
speaking, for walking away just because you’re a scientist, you know.” Byron rolled to the
side of the bed and stood, holding out his hand. He waggled his fingers.

His mouth sagging open in shock, Edwin took the offered hand and allowed his lover to

pull him to his feet. “Really? She was?”

Nodding, Byron kept hold of him and led the way to the bathroom. “Yes. So, you have

nothing to worry about.” He shut the bathroom door behind them and finally released
him, only to turn toward the toilet and proceed to take a piss.

Edwin backed a step in surprise. Okay, was that normal behavior for a couple? Pissing

together? He didn’t know.

After shaking off, Byron headed to the sink and washed his hands. He turned toward

him and saw what Edwin felt certain was a surprised expression on his face. Byron
chuckled. “Sorry. I’m a firefighter. We’re not shy. You mind if I hop in your shower?”

Jerking a nod, then a shake of his head, Edwin frowned. He needed to get with it

before his mate thought he was an idiot. “Feel free to shower. Um, what’s it like being a
firefighter?”

Byron turned to the shower and started the water, adjusting the temperature. “Come

join me in the shower, and I’ll tell you,” he offered, peering heatedly over his shoulder at
him.

Edwin gaped, then nodded. “Y-yeah, okay.”
Grinning, Byron stepped under the spray.
Edwin watched for a few minutes, admiring how the water made Byron’s dark skin

glisten. He yanked his head out of his ass and got moving. Realizing he had to pee, he
glanced toward his lover.

When in Rome.
Following his lover’s example, Edwin pissed, washed up, and got into the shower.

Chapter Twelve

“Oh, damn! You weren’t kidding about these scones!” Byron mumbled around a mouthful
of apple-flavored pastry. He reached for the packet of honey and drizzled a bit more onto
another section before taking a bite and humming appreciatively.

His mate beamed at him around his own mouthful. Having a bit more in the way of

manners, Edwin swallowed before replying, “I know, right?”

Byron didn’t bother saying more, just focused on eating his delicious breakfast. He

didn’t normally indulge in a breakfast of sweet bread, often giving his fellow firefighters
crap when they brought in a box of donuts at the start of a shift, but none of the donuts
he’d tried compared to this. Byron made a mental note to ask Brad—a polar bear shifter
who owned a local bakery and made the best damn cinnamon rolls this side of the
Rockies—if he knew how to make scones.

“You didn’t even wait for me?” Toby cried, showing off his age as he climbed into the

car and reached for the bag of scones all in one move.

“Sorry,” Byron instantly stated. “That’s my fault.” They’d pulled up in front of Toby’s

apartment and the smell of the scones had been driving him nuts. He couldn’t wait any
longer to try the fried bread, especially considering how highly his mate praised the
pastry. “After how Edwin waxed poetic about these all the way to the bakery, I couldn’t
wait another minute.” He winked at Edwin, who rolled his eyes and shook his head.

While Byron took a sip of coffee, he watched Toby’s eyes grow round as he peered into

the bag. “Wow! Did you get enough?”

When Edwin had started to order only half a dozen scones, Byron had quickly jumped in

and tripled it. Shifters ate more than humans on principle. Plus, he’d spoken with
Sebastian that morning and the vampire had told him that he and Carson were headed in
for a final meeting with Director Jeffries that morning. Since Byron mating with Edwin was
a bit of a sore spot with the director, they’d agreed it best if he didn’t attend. They had
hinted at stopping by the lab to help with clean up after the meeting, however.

“Shifters eat more,” Byron stated, turning in his seat and motioning for the bag, more

than ready to eat a second scone. “And Sebastian and Carson are planning to swing by,
which means we’ll probably be seeing Jared and maybe even Dirk.”

“Who’s Dirk?” Edwin asked curiously as he put the car into reverse and got them

moving again.

“Sebastian’s human mate,” Byron explained.
Busy eating scones, the trio didn’t do too much talking the rest of the ride into work.

For what Byron hoped to be the last time, he signed in with security.
The guard looked beyond Byron and called, “Hey, Doc, we’re gonna miss ya around

here.” He smiled and rested an arm on the desk. “Rumor has it ya got fired.”

Edwin snorted. “Director Jeffries would put it like that.” He shook his head. “No, I just

found a better opportunity elsewhere and the director’s a bit sore about it.”

“Well, good luck to ya, Doc,” the guard offered. He jerked his chin toward Toby and

stated, “You, too, Toby.”

“Th-thanks,” Toby stuttered.
Byron clipped on his badge, waved at the guard, then followed Edwin and Toby down

the hallway. Once out of earshot, he bumped shoulders with Toby and asked, “You okay,
buddy?”

Toby glanced over at him, his expression still a bit shell-shocked. “I didn’t even know

he knew my name.”

“You have more appeal than you realize,” Byron told him, patting him on his shoulder.

Changing the subject, he turned to Edwin and asked, “How much of the lab is yours and
how much is the government’s?”

Edwin stopped before his door and pulled his keys out of his pocket while answering,

“Half the rats, one of the computers and a couple of the machines. Plus, although I need
to leave copies of my data, they can’t make patents on anything or pursue avenues
beyond my research without my written agreement…oh!” He straightened, frowning. “My
door is open. I was sure I had locked it last night.”

Before Byron could stop him, Edwin pulled the door open and strode into his lab.
“Damn it, Edwin, wait,” Byron called, lunging after him.
“Oh, no, I think you all should come right on in.”
Byron froze just as he reached and grabbed Edwin’s hand. He narrowed his eyes as he

took in Agent Haroldson standing on the far side of the lab…a very messy lab as
paperwork had been strewn everywhere. The agent leaned against the doorframe of the
adjoining rat room. He had his gun in hand and pointed it in their general direction.

“Close the door, Toby,” Haroldson ordered, waving the gun between the assistant and

the door behind him.

Byron heard the door close, indicating Toby had obeyed. Taking that opportunity, Byron

gently tugged Edwin’s fingers, urging his mate back a couple of steps. If something
happened, he didn’t want his mate too far from him where he couldn’t protect him.

“Now, where is it, Doctor Aldridge?” Haroldson asked, aiming the gun at Edwin.
Stiffening, Byron just managed to keep from shoving his mate behind him.
Edwin frowned. “Huh? Where is what?”
Byron scented Edwin’s confusion and fear.
“Don’t play coy with me, Aldridge,” Haroldson snapped. “Where is the formula that kills

shifters? I want it.”

Edwin’s eyes widened and he immediately looked at Byron and shook his head. He

glanced toward Haroldson, then returned his focus to Byron. “No, I don’t—I’d never—” He
turned wild gray eyes toward Haroldson. “I didn’t kill—”

“Oh, but you did,” Haroldson snarled. “Two months ago, on the twenty-first, you

administered something that made all the rats sick. All except one.”

His brows furrowing, Edwin slowly nodded. “Right, okay. Rat sixteen didn’t seem

affected.”

“Oh, no,” Toby whispered. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t want you to know.”
Once more, confusion rolled off Edwin. He turned and looked at Toby. At least the

move took him further away from the man with the gun. “Didn’t want me to know what?”

“Rat twelve actually died,” Toby mumbled the admission. “You were sick and running

late, and I knew you’d feel bad.” Toby twisted his fingers together, wringing his hands in
agitation. “So I forged your signature and requested a new rat from the director.
Haroldson was there and offered a rat. They didn’t really look the same, so I put rat
sixteen into cage twelve and put the new one in cage sixteen.”

Edwin stumbled backward, shaking his head hard. “No.”
Haroldson laughed cruelly. “Yep. You guessed it. Twelve was a shifter. She died by

your experiment.” His lips twisted in a semblance of a sneer. “Poor thing.”

The acrid scent of panic mixed with fear hit Byron’s nostrils. He gave his mate his full

attention, and saw the anguish and terror in his human’s eyes. Except, Edwin wasn’t
looking at Haroldson, he was looking at Byron.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t—didn’t know,” Edwin gasped.
While Edwin’s scent gave away his grief, Byron realized that the true stem of his terror

was from him. Byron needed to lay Edwin’s fears about their relationship to rest. Hell,
they were mated, but even if they weren’t, Byron wouldn’t walk away because Edwin was
coerced into it.

Byron stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Edwin. Holding him tightly, he

lowered his head and whispered into his ear, “You didn’t know, babe,” he soothed, hating
the shudder that rolled through his mate’s body. “You didn’t know,” he repeated.

“Oh, isn’t that sweet,” Haroldson sneered. “Give me the fucking formula.”
Edwin tipped his head back and met Byron’s gaze for an instant. He smiled up at him.

Edwin turned and glared at Haroldson. “You know what, I don’t keep the formulas that
don’t work, especially if they harm my rats. I deleted that formula. It’s gone.”

Haroldson’s eyes narrowed and he finally pushed away from the doorway. He took

several steps forward, his stance threatening. “But I know you’re a genius, Doc. I know
you could recreate it.”

Easing from Byron’s grip, Edwin squared off facing Haroldson. “No.”
Swinging the gun to point at Byron, Haroldson fired. Pain slammed through Byron’s leg

and he stumbled backward into a table. Gritting his teeth, he caught himself on a stool,
just managing to keep from going down. Toby screamed, while Edwin cried out in shock,
grabbing his shoulders and helping him onto the stool.

“Oh, Byron, I’m so sorry!” Edwin whipped his lab coat off and pressed it to the wound.
“Not the first time I’m been shot,” Byron admitted. “And you didn’t shoot me.”
His vision started to get a bit fuzzy, but he forced himself to breathe through the pain.

He took the coat from Edwin’s hands. Once again, blood oozed from the wound. He
folded the coat, then wrapped it around his leg so he could cover both the entrance and
exit wounds and tied it. He was lucky the bullet hadn’t hit the bone…or maybe Haroldson
was that good of a shot.

“O-oh…” Toby gasped, drawing Byron’s attention. He watched as the big assistant’s

eyes rolled into the back of his head and the human fainted. When Toby’s head hit the
hard floor, Byron wasn’t the only one who flinched. So did Edwin.

“Next shot is to the head,” Haroldson threatened. “Edwin, remake the formula.”
Edwin’s lips parted on a whimper, his gaze boring into Byron’s, silently questioning.

Byron offered him an understanding smile. “Not your fault, babe,” he soothed.
Turning away from him, Edwin headed toward Toby. “Just let me check him,” Edwin

stated, holding up a hand. “Then I’ll give you what you want.”

“Hurry up,” Haroldson snarled.
At that instant, the door to the lab was yanked open and a blur of movement streaked

past. Byron scented vampire and lunged toward his mate, ignoring the pain in his leg.
Tackling Edwin to the floor, he sprawled over both his mate and Toby, doing his best to
cover them with his body as several shots rang out.

“Cease or you’re dead,” Sebastian hissed.
Byron looked up and spotted Sebastian behind Haroldson. The vampire’s eyes glowed

an eerie red and his claws were extended and poised at the agent’s jugular. Haroldson’s
brown eyes were narrowed and his lips curled into an angry sneer.

“Drop the gun,” Sebastian ordered. “Now.” Blood trickled in a thin line down

Haroldson’s throat.

After several more tense seconds, the agent finally obeyed. His gun clattered to the

floor. Byron returned his focus to Edwin, helping his mate off Toby and running his hands
swiftly over his body, searching for injuries.

He didn’t find any, but still he asked, “Are you okay?”
Edwin nodded, glancing around uncertainly. “Wow. I’ve never seen anyone move so

fast.”

“He’s a vampire,” Byron replied, moving to sit his ass on the floor as a new wave of

dizziness washed over him. Blinking, he focused on his breathing. Vaguely, he heard
Director Jeffries telling Agent Haroldson that he was under arrest for violation of the
treaty their government had signed with the paranormals…just that morning.

The next thing Byron knew was that Carson crouched by his side. “How bad is it?” the

wolf enforcer asked.

“Just a through and through. Need it cleaned, stitched, and bandaged, then rest,” Byron

mumbled. He sounded vacant, even to his own ears. Damn, he must have lost more
blood than he thought…or maybe it was the donation yesterday?

“I can do that,” Edwin immediately replied. “Can you help me get him over there?”
Byron assumed his mate pointed, for next he felt hands on his body, under his torso

lifting him. He felt an arm around the waist and one around his shoulders supporting him
as he was helped to his feet. Through hazy vision, Byron limped—aided by Carson on one
side and Jared on the other if the scents were any indicator—across to the area where
Edwin had drawn his blood just the day before.

This time, the pair of men hefted him onto the table.
Grunting, Byron glared at the pair. “Fuck, ease off, huh?”
“Don’t be such a pup,” Carson chided. The Native American flicked his gaze over toward

Edwin, then returned to focus a worried look at him. “Congratulations. Are you sure you
want your mate sewing you up? There’s an infirmary here. We can get an MD.”

Byron knew the offer wasn’t meant as an insult. Still, it was only that the other shifter

was their pack’s enforcer that kept him from snarling at him. Instead, through gritted
teeth, Byron stated, “I trust my mate. If Edwin says he can do this, then he can do this.”

Carson lifted one brow while nodding slowly. “I apologize. I just don’t like seeing one

my wolves injured on my watch.”

“Thanks for getting here in time,” Byron replied.
“We heard the shot and the director was kind enough to allow us to join him and his

men,” he stated nodding toward where Agent Craigson and a couple of other agents had
Haroldson in custody.

“Good thing he did,” Byron mumbled. “Damn, vampires are fast.” Frowning, he asked,

“How come I didn’t know he hadn’t been caught?”

Carson squeezed his shoulder. “Because you didn’t answer your phone and evidently

didn’t check your messages.”

“Damn it,” Byron slurred. “It died after I sent a picture to my sister,” he admitted. “It’s

in Byron’s car, charging.”

Squeezing again, Carson nodded. “You had other things on your mind.”
“Okay, I’m gonna need an extra set of hands,” Edwin stated, setting a number of

supplies on the table.

“I’ll help. I don’t mind the sight of blood,” Jared announced.
Carson nodded, then headed toward the group taking Haroldson away.
When Jared unwound the makeshift bandage, Byron bit back a hiss of pain. He knew

it’d get worse before it got better. He did his best to remain perfectly still as Jared used a
knife to slice open the leg of his jeans.

Toby appeared at his side. Still pale, the young human stared over Byron’s head, well

away from the wound. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I just didn’t want to upset Edwin.”

“You did what you thought was right,” Byron stated, before adding encouragingly, “no

one can fault you for that. You have a good heart.”

Edwin appeared at Toby’s side and bumped shoulders with him since his hands were

wrapped in plastic gloves. “I understand why you did it. I just—” his voice hitched and he
blinked back tears. Byron grabbed his mate’s wrist above the gloves, needing to touch, to
soothe. “I killed someone, Byron.”

“No, you didn’t,” Byron stated roughly.
His mate frowned, obviously confused.
“Agent Haroldson did that. He was the one who put the rat shifter in the cage, not

you,” Byron insisted. “You were trying to help people, and he took advantage of you. This
is on him, not you.”

Swallowing hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing, Edwin nodded. He offered Byron a

tremulous smile. “Thank you.”

Byron heaved into a sitting position and pressed a hard kiss to Edwin’s mouth. “No

need to thank me, but you’re welcome.”

“You need to stop moving,” Jared warned, pushing him back down on the table.

“You’ve lost more than enough blood already.”

“Blood,” Toby mumbled. He stumbled backward a few steps and collapsed on a nearby

stool, quickly putting his head between his knees.

“How can he be a scientist and faint at the sight of blood?” Jared asked curiously.
“He’s fine with animal blood,” Edwin explained. “He just can’t handle seeing humans

bleed…copiously. Many people can’t.”

Edwin shrugged, then started stitching the freshly cleaned wound.
Byron let out a long slow breath, grimacing at the odd feeling and pain caused by the

pull of thread through skin.

“Just try to stay still,” Edwin urged.
Nodding, Byron smiled, “I trust you, mate. I know I’m in good hands.”
Smiling in obvious relief, Edwin waggled his brows and murmured softly, “Just think

how much fun it’ll be to play doctor and patient for a few days while you heal.”

Despite the pain of Byron’s injury, his blood still heated in his veins, pooling in his

groin. “Oh, babe, that will be fun. I can hardly wait.”

And that was true, as his mate’s careful hands cleaned and stitched his wounds, Byron

knew this was the beginning of the rest of his life with his mate, and he couldn’t wait to
get started.

About the Author

Charlie 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
gay erotic romance, normally of the paranormal variety, with heroes of all kinds. With the
help and support of her husband, Charlie finally fulfilled one of her life-long goals…move
to acreage with her horses. 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
of her new Oregon home on horseback, 4-wheeler, or motorcycle.

She can be reached at [e-mail]
Or visit her at www.charlie-richards.com