Northern Shifters 3
The Wolf’s Pet
Redden Marcelle’s life as alpha would have remained
uncomplicated if the little fox shifter hadn't showed up in his
forest. He wants to own Ben, to mark him as his mate. But to
avoid conflict in his pack, the alpha wolf can only claim him as his
pet.
Ben's lost in a world dominated by wolves and bears. He doesn't
have a fighting chance of survival, never mind finding a mate
who'd actually choose a red fox. Redden’s everything he’s ever
wanted—but knows he’ll never have.
Their forbidden love is impossible to ignore, growing stronger each
day. The two men bring out the best in each other, but the divide
between shifter races keeps them from completing the mating
bond. When the time comes to choose sides, Ben might have to
pay with his life for being the wolf's pet.
Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Contemporary, Paranormal,
Shape-shifter, Vampires/Werewolves
Length: 26,160 words
THE WOLF’S PET
Northern Shifters 3
Winona Wilder
EVERLASTING CLASSIC
MANLOVE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Everlasting Classic ManLove
THE WOLF’S PET
Copyright © 2013 by Winona Wilder
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62740-827-1
First E-book Publication: November 2013
Cover design by Les Byerley
All art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including
electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without
express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance
to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
If you have purchased this copy of The Wolf’s Pet by Winona Wilder
from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also,
thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.
Regarding E-book Piracy
This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or
group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing
rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this
book.
The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying
readers high-quality reading entertainment.
This is Winona Wilder’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please
respect Ms. Wilder’s right to earn a living from her work.
Amanda Hilton, Publisher
DEDICATION
Dedicated to my readers, especially those who wanted Redden’s story.
THE WOLF’S PET
Northern Shifters 3
WINONA WILDER
Copyright © 2013
Chapter One
Redden watched the little fox from the shadows. He seemed to
grow more obsessed with Ben every day, even though he needed to
forget him. Like always, no one knew he watched. The forest was
dense, the leafy canopy letting in little moonlight. His black fur
blended in seamlessly with the dark underbrush. Redden felt
compelled to watch over the fox…more than that. He needed to be
near him.
Fuck.
His life was already complicated enough. He was the alpha to the
Marcelle wolf pack, and times were volatile. With southern cities
expanding north, pushing shifters off their natural land, guarding their
borders had become a full-time job. Constantly yearning for the
young fox was a distraction he didn’t need.
But he still traveled for miles through the forest every day just to
get a look at the little blond. There were several times he came close
to reaching out, but always chose to stay in the background. It was
either from weakness or strength—he wasn’t so sure which one.
Ben left the den at the same time most nights. Redden knew he
spent more than his fair share of time at the local pub. The main
reason it bothered him was not being able to protect him. When the
The Wolf’s Pet
9
fox was on Marcelle land, Redden knew he was safe. Leaving the
borders to hang out at a public place of debauchery was just asking
for trouble. Only a few months back Ben’s brother was kidnapped by
a rival pack. Although everything turned out well, the same thing
could happen again.
He watched Ben stretch under the faint moonlight. His lean,
muscled frame was a thing of beauty. On cue, Redden’s cock firmed
up and his heart pumped faster.
What the fuck was he doing? As alpha he should take what he
wanted when he wanted it. And he planned to. Unfortunately that day
still hadn’t come yet. He was torn between loyalties to his pack,
tradition, and the harsh words he’d said when Jacob chose a fox as a
mate—Ben’s brother. How could he now explain that the only thing
he wanted was exactly what he had preached was blasphemous?
It was even a challenge to get his packmates to protect the fox
family living on their land. They wanted them gone. And he didn’t
blame them. What they didn’t realize was that Redden was in love
with the young male—had been since he first met him months ago. So
he enforced his strict rule to ensure not a hair on Ben’s head was
touched. His men knew not to defy a direct order.
He made the long trek back to his den once Ben shifted and leapt
into the forest. Redden’s heart constantly ached. He longed to make
contact with Ben, to tell him how much he needed him. It may be
unnatural, but he wanted to claim the fox as his mate.
“You hear about the humans?” asked Lope.
Redden shifted from his black wolf into his human skin. He
stretched out his muscles and reached for a piece of jerky hanging
from a low branch.
“They won’t stay,” he said.
He knew everything that happened on or around his land. The
humans were a thorn in his side but not a real threat in his opinion. He
was more worried about new wolf packs trying to claim their land.
Land equaled power and power was everything.
10
Winona Wilder
“Cash isn’t so sure.”
“Then Cash can handle it.”
Lope shrugged and sat near the fire pit. Though he’d been close
with Jacob before he left, Redden tried never to get too personal with
his men. Public displays of emotion were regarded as weak, and
pointless chatter was an annoyance of human females not male
shifters.
“Have you checked on the squatters lately? I can do a run.”
Redden had to stifle the growl rolling up in his chest. “They’re
harmless. Just make sure they’re safe. Nothing more. It’s the least I
can do for Jacob.”
It was so easy to blame the asylum he offered Ben and his family
on Jacob. It took a while for Redden to accept his right-hand man
leaving the pack to mate with a fox. But he loved Jacob like a brother
and chose to make peace rather than fuel more hatred.
In truth, he allowed Ben on his land because he wanted him close.
He wanted to own him, love him. Never in his life had a male
awakened him like the little blond managed with just a look. He was
mouthy, drank too much, and rarely followed the rules—but Redden
would kill anyone that touched him.
He bent low to enter the large den he shared with his pack. It felt
empty, too empty, mirroring the void in his heart.
* * * *
The country music did little to drown out the sound of raucous
humans. They were like a swarm of hungry black flies, a constant
irritation. The local bar was supposed to be a place for shifters to
unwind, but it had been converted into a human playground.
“They’re having some kind of strongman competition next week.
It’ll be like this until they have their winner,” said Ronan, nursing a
cold beer.
“And you know this, how?”
The Wolf’s Pet
11
He shrugged. “They’re loud. I listen.”
Cash swiveled his bar stool to the side, glancing over at the largest
table. If he thought the Marcelle or Krell packs could be obnoxious
after a few pitchers, these humans blew them out of the fucking water.
Even their laughter grated on his nerves.
The bartender leaned over the counter, wiping up an invisible
spill. “I guess this is the start of progress?”
“Oh no,” said Cash. “They’re not staying in this neck of the
woods. Not if I can help it.” They were way too far north for
development. There wasn’t anything resembling a town for a hundred
miles, no power, or infrastructure. All they had was this little shifter-
run bar in the middle of nowhere. The only humans they had to
tolerate were the occasional hunters, loggers, or extreme campers
passing through. But when a caravan of rowdy men had shown up two
days ago, Cash knew it was bad news.
Ronan twirled beer caps on the bar, sending them all into a
synchronized spin. “Redden said not to cause any trouble.”
“Did I say I wanted to pick a fight?” Of course Cash wanted a
fight. He wanted to show these humans what a real male was made of,
to send them running from wolf territory like little bitches. But orders
were orders, so he kept his hands to himself and studied the strangers
from a distance.
His packmate shrugged. “I just want them gone. If we make
waves, it’ll only guarantee they stay longer.”
“Relax. I have no intention of making waves.” Cash tapped the
counter twice. The barkeep set a pair of whiskey shots next to him. He
picked up the first small glass, gently swirling the amber liquid before
downing it. The alcohol scorched a path down his throat, making way
for the second shot.
“Good.” Ronan nodded thoughtfully, still glancing over at the
center table. “I’m already on extra watches because of these
assholes.”
12
Winona Wilder
“Sucks to be you.” Cash laughed, slipping off his stool. If he
wanted to unwind tonight, he’d have to do it elsewhere, probably in
his fur. His back was only turned to the room for a few moments
when he was shoulder-butted from behind. Even before Cash turned,
he saw Ronan cringe.
It was time to break some rules.
“Hey, waiter, your beer tastes like piss.” The blond slammed a
half-empty pitcher onto the bar, liquid sloshing onto the clean
counter. “What’re you gonna do about it?”
“Maybe you should go back to the city where you came from, big
boy. These woods will eat you alive.” Cash refused to look him in the
eye when he spoke, his wolf too eager to take control. He leaned both
elbows back against the bar, surveying the room in preparation. He
counted eleven—seven at the large table and three in the back
watching sports. Cash and Ronan were the only Marcelle wolves in
the bar, but he was confident he could take the humans himself if he
had to. Actually, he looked forward to it. Pain wasn’t an obstacle to
wolves in his pack, only an accelerant.
As expected, the brute diverted his attention from the barkeep to
him. He came close enough that their bodies nearly touched. “You say
something, Huckleberry Finn?”
Cash kept his cool. On the inside, his wolf was clawing and
thrashing, desperate to be unleashed. He was tired of following rules
and playing nice. At home he had to keep his paws off the fox
squatters. And now this. “Yeah, I said I wish your momma was here. I
have a dollar bill with her name on it.”
The human threw the first punch in an explosive rage, but Cash
shifted to the side and avoided contact. Several chairs scraped the
hardwood as the man’s friends moved in to back him up. This was the
perfect cure to evening boredom. And for once, he hadn’t started it.
Technically.
Cash reached out, hooking the guy’s head under his arm as he
punched with his free fist. Ronan had no choice but to join in once
The Wolf’s Pet
13
several others got involved. It was complete chaos, chairs and glasses
being tossed around as the entire shelter shuddered under the
commotion. The radio played along the whole time, the beat lively
enough to match the melee.
When Cash finished with one, another was ready to take his place.
He swung at random, savoring the sting on his knuckles and the sharp
crack to his jaw when one of the humans got in a cheap shot. He was
born to fight, always ready to defend his pack, his land, or his honor.
His acute hearing picked up the bells on the front door despite the
deafening brawl taking place. Cash glanced to the side, not wanting to
take his eyes off the enemy for too long. It was Ben. The fucking little
fox knew how to show up at the wrong time. And just when things
were getting fun.
Ronan came up alongside him after heaving one of the drunks
over the bar. “You see who just walked in?”
“Yeah. If anything happens to him Redden will have our balls.”
The humans were all well built compared to the usual customers.
It likely had something to do with the competition they were involved
in. The young fox would be no match in his fur or skin. One shove
and he’d be down for the count. Redden gave the pack strict orders
that not a hair on Ben’s head was to be harmed. It made no sense, but
he didn’t want to be on the receiving end of the alpha’s anger.
“We need to end this. Now.”
Cash stopped holding back, grabbing the collar of the mouthiest
human, his intent deadly. He dragged him to the entrance, not
allowing him the liberty to move or speak. “You and your friends are
going to leave. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you never compete in
another sport again, if you know what I mean.”
He displayed his strength as he held the man immobile. If the
severity and inhuman glow of Cash’s wolven eyes weren’t convincing
enough, his muscle-clad packmate flanking his other side sealed the
deal. The human shrugged Cash off after he loosened his grip, and he
nodded to his friends to comply. The lot of them shoved the small
14
Winona Wilder
wooden tables out of their way as they left the bar, trying to appear
triumphant when they were just bested by two locals. As far as they
were concerned, Cash and Ronan were hillbilly hunters, not inhuman
wolf shifters trained to kill.
When the last one left, Cash did a visual sweep of the room. It
was a disaster. The barkeep rose out of a crouch from behind the bar,
his mouth agape. At least the place was in one piece. If Ben hadn’t
shown up when he did, the bar would have been kindling by closing.
Now there were just broken glasses and general cleanup to tend to.
“What in the name of the gods are you doing here?” asked Ronan,
running a hand through his tousled hair.
“I can’t come out for a drink? If you haven’t noticed, I’m in here a
lot.” The little blond stepped over toppled chairs and beer spills on his
way to the bar. “Someone say the wrong thing? Let me know the
sensitive subject, and I’ll gladly keep my mouth shut.”
“You can’t stay here,” said Cash. For all he knew the humans
would come back seeking revenge. It wasn’t uncommon for the lesser
species to use weapons when their fists proved inadequate. Redden’s
orders were the final word. It was the duty of the pack to ensure the
alpha’s wishes came to pass.
“Why not? I just need a drink.” He held up one finger to the shell-
shocked barkeep. Nothing seemed to faze Ben.
But Cash wasn’t in the mood to deal with the fox and his
rebellious attitude. Redden should have set him straight months ago,
but consistently looked the other way when Ben broke the rules. It
would be so easy to run the foxes off their land or even snap their
little necks and be done with it. Cash approached the bar, glass
crunching beneath his boots as he walked.
“Listen, you shouldn’t even be here. You have orders to stay in
your den after sunset. Or have you forgotten you’ve been offered
asylum on Marcelle land? Asylum that can be easily taken away.”
The barkeep set a chilled bottle of beer down before Ben
answered. “Nathan led us to this gods-forsaken land. It wasn’t my
The Wolf’s Pet
15
choice to leave the city.” He took a bold swig of his drink. How could
such a pitiful little male have so much bravado?
“Well, Nathan’s gone now, along with our Jacob.”
“Is that was this is about? I’m reminded about twenty times a day
that Jacob would still be part of the pack if it weren’t for me and my
family. How is it my fault that one of your wolves fell head over heels
for my brother? Love happens.”
Cash growled his displeasure. He hated thinking about their lost
pack members—first Jacob, then Blake. He was happy they’d both
found love, but was saddened for the diminishing Marcelle pack, now
only six strong.
“I don’t want any more trouble tonight. I’m tired, my face hurts,
and I know I haven’t seen the last of those humans. I think one of
them had brass knuckles.” He touched his cheekbone, wincing at the
contact. “Can you just listen and go home like a good little fox?”
“No problem. I’ll just finish my drink and then I’ll head back.” He
winked. “Sound good?”
“Make sure of it,” Cash warned. He nudged his packmate and they
both left the scene of destruction behind.
* * * *
Ben took another drink, swallowing half the bottle. Drinking and
partying with nameless faces was what he did best. While his brother
Nathan turned inward, hiding from life’s obstacles, Ben tried to look
at the positive side of their misfortunes. And most days that wasn’t an
easy task. They were the lowest on the totem pole of shifter species.
Even the weakest wolf could put a red fox to shame. It was
embarrassing to reveal they were foxes. Not that it was hard to tell
once shifters realized they weren’t human. Compared to the ripped
Marcelle wolves, they could barely be called men at all.
At least in the city he could enjoy his life of anonymous
debauchery. The company of random human males made him feel
16
Winona Wilder
wanted for a night, and the alcohol helped mask any insecurities and
vulnerabilities. Here he was out of his element, forced to live more
like an animal than a man. He had to deal with dominant, overbearing
wolf shifters on a daily basis, feeling like a second-class citizen on
borrowed land. There was no place for him, no destination or happily
ever after. Without his drinking and sense of humor to disguise his
emotions, he was treading on dangerous ground. There was too much
time to think and reflect in the vast wilderness. Ben was starting to
lose it.
Cash left the bar with Ronan, believing Ben would run out the
door once he finished his beer. He’d only just begun. Their crudely
made briar structure on Marcelle land wasn’t home. It was a fucking
prison. His parents often talked about the future. They wanted to take
Ben’s two younger siblings back to the city where they could live as
humans. Nathan’s plan to connect with their feral nature by leaving
the city hadn’t worked out for the rest of them. Without being born
wolves or bears, they had all the odds stacked against them. Foxes
didn’t own land because they couldn’t defend it. Brains didn’t count
in the shifter world because muscle was valued above all else. The
best choice was to live amongst humans where they stood a fighting
chance in the sordid game of life.
Unfortunately Redden insisted they stay on Marcelle land under
his protection. While they may be safe from predators, their situation
was far from perfect. Ben felt like the black sheep. Now that his older
brother was gone and mated to Jacob Marcelle, Ben was left
wondering what his own future held. He’d spent so much of his life
putting on an act to avoid getting hurt that he wasn’t sure he even
knew who he was anymore. There was no substance beneath his skin.
“You heading back now?” asked the bartender, pulling him from
his reverie.
“Not yet. Can you set me up twice over?” He spun around in a
circle on the bar stool like a five-year-old kid. It was so much easier
to ignore the pain and put on a happy face. But the bar was just as
The Wolf’s Pet
17
desolate as the forest now that every patron had cleared out. A
familiar chill ran up his spine. Loneliness and depression constantly
loomed over him, waiting for a chance to set in and rot him from the
inside out. Ben should have offered himself to Cash or Ronan for the
night. Feeling the warmth of another man’s body helped make the
world go away for a few hours. He could use a reprieve tonight. But
Ben had never taken a shifter lover. They’d all been one hundred
percent human and easy to forget. And it was a fact that the Marcelle
wolves barely tolerated him. As much as he wondered why Redden
continued to allow them asylum, he tried not to think of the alpha who
held a piece of his heart. Redden made him feel like a pubescent pup,
all traces of defilement forgotten.
The barkeep set two clean glasses down and began to pour. “A
fox, eh? Can’t say we get many in here.”
He shrugged. “I’m fucking adorable. You should see my little red
feet.”
The barkeep laughed. Since this was wolf territory, he suspected
the man was a beta wolf. It was impossible to distinguish a human
from a shifter by scent alone.
“I’m sure you’re a lady killer.”
Wrong on both counts. He finished off his drinks, repeating
several times before finally staggering to the exit. Once he opened the
door, he was hit with a blast of cool, sobering wind from the north.
The moon was obscured by thick cloud cover, offering minimal
lighting.
Ben took a deep breath, the air scented with pine and fresh earth.
He needed to stop thinking in fairy tales and ground himself in the
bitter reality ahead. Now that his brother Nathan was gone, his parents
counted on him for pretty much everything. As greatly as he’d
savored his frequent escapes at the bottom of a bottle, he knew he had
to grow up.
He walked along the dark back roads toward Marcelle land, his
boots crunching on the fine gravel. Until he was over the border, he
18
Winona Wilder
wasn’t truly safe. And he should have worn a coat. The bitter cold
seeped into his bones and wafted up his pant legs. He hugged himself
tighter as he walked. He tried to think of positive things, like the
warmth of a roaring fire, until a crunch of dry leaves snapped him
back to the present. As much as he’d like to believe it, it wasn’t the
wind. The dark wall of forest seemed to close in on him from every
direction.
Ben knew all about the brutality of the Krell pack. They’d love to
get their claws on him after the way he helped the Marcelles sneak
onto their land to save Nathan. But a twig snapping in the forest could
be any multitude of things, including a harmless feral animal. He had
to keep his head on straight even though it was partially swimming in
alcohol.
A wolf emerged from the underbrush, like a shark fin slowly
breaking the surface of the water, its glowing eyes locked onto his
every move. Should he run, shift, scream? Who would save him? Ben
backed away as the animal started to shift. He’d been beaten up by
humans more times than he could remember, so another round
wouldn’t kill him. It was a better prospect than ending up dinner for a
wolf.
“You were supposed to be home hours ago, fox. Do you have a
death wish?”
It was Ronan from earlier at the bar. Ben exhaled in relief. He was
a large, muscled wolf with an intimidating air…like all Marcelles.
Why was he out looking for him? Did he care?
“I didn’t say when I’d leave.”
“Yeah, you did. You said one drink.”
“Well, it seems one turned into two, then three…You get the
idea.” He looked Ronan in the eyes. “Were you worried about me?”
“I’m on patrol like every other night. You’re lucky I found you
before Jesse and his pack.” He tilted his head, a wicked gleam in his
eyes. “And you’re very lucky my alpha wants you alive.”
The Wolf’s Pet
19
Ben’s sliver of hope that another male actually gave two shits
about him fizzled away. He’d have to accept the escort home like a
helpless female, further emasculating him after a night he’d rather
forget.
“Right…”
He followed the large wolf back home after shifting into his fur. It
was difficult to keep up at times due to their size difference. The
forest was a maze of unruly brushwood and oversized roots. He’d
never be at home in his fur. Relief filled him when the wolf finally
slowed down to a walk. But rather than bring him back to his fox
hole, Ronan brought him to the alpha’s den. Redden. He froze, still in
his fur after the other man shifted. Ben knew he hadn’t been following
orders lately. But he’d had a revelation of sorts after leaving the bar.
He didn’t want his family to suffer should the leader of the Marcelle
pack decide to kick them off their land. He knew his rebellious ways
would come back to bite him in the ass.
Redden emerged from the entrance, stretching out of his crouch
after pushing the leather flap to the side. He was tall and dark with
massive shoulders. The epitome of an alpha wolf. Every time Ben saw
the alpha, something inside him flickered to life—something he
believed had died years ago. And something new that made his blood
burn hot. He was the ultimate fantasy and the exact opposite of Ben.
To think a male like Redden would be interested in a loser like
him was beyond wishful thinking. Nathan had landed a Marcelle wolf
because he was sweet and innocent, something the northern wolves
didn’t see every day. Ben may be a fox, but there was nothing
innocent about him. What could he offer a mate? Until now, he’d
never cared.
“What’s he doing here?” asked Redden. It had been over a month
since Ben had seen the alpha. He’d forgotten how black his eyes
were. Redden stared at him with no expression. It was impossible to
decipher his emotions.
Could Redden sense Ben’s desire? His fears?
20
Winona Wilder
“He’s breaking the rules again. I found him wandering along the
side of the road when we specifically told him to return home from
the bar hours ago. I think you should reconsider your leniency.”
Ben tried to speak in his own defense but realized he hadn’t yet
shifted back into his skin. He shook out of his fur, his bones
elongating and contorting as he returned to his human self. As soon as
the transformation took place, a wave of potent emotion rolled
through him—fear, despair, guilt, and desire. His red fox helped mask
his feelings similarly to alcohol. Now he had nothing to dull his
senses but the memory of cheap whiskey.
“It won’t happen again.”
“I can only be merciful for so long, little fox.”
Fuck. Redden was going to kick his family off Marcelle land. Or
worse. They had nowhere to go, no allies, no money, and no way to
defend themselves against a pack of wolves. Nathan had provided this
opportunity for sanctuary, and Ben had royally fucked it all up.
“Come on, it was only a few drinks. It’s not like I committed
some heinous crime. What else am I supposed to do for fun in the
middle of nowhere?”
“We have rules for a reason.” Redden’s voice was impossibly
deep, the sound reverberating through Ben’s body. They maintained
eye contact.
“Aren’t rules meant to be broken?”
The Wolf’s Pet
21
Chapter Two
Redden had been avoiding Nathan’s younger brother. He’d
reluctantly offered asylum to the fox to appease Jacob, knowing it
would one day be his undoing. But there was just something about
Ben. Something addicting. As alpha, he was a symbol of strength and
dominance. He couldn’t fall for the weakest species of shifter. It
would strip him of all credibility, tainting the Marcelle name.
Redden was a leader, his time for love long forgotten. He’d had
no intention of taking a mate, wolf or otherwise—until Ben walked
into his life.
All that mattered in his world was power and land. He had to fend
off rivals and guard their borders from outsiders. It was the way of the
wolf, the only life he knew.
“If you break our rules, you lose your right to stay on our land.”
Redden was surprised how difficult those words were to say. He
didn’t want Ben to leave. After Jacob left with Nathan, he didn’t
debate long about offering asylum to the remaining foxes. It was just
easier pretending it was out of respect for his packmate. Although he
should stay away from Ben, he was inexplicably drawn to him.
The young fox was intelligent, cunning, and gorgeous. It may
have taken months for Redden to understand Jacob’s decision to
choose a fox as a life mate, but he did understand. The old traditions
that kept species separate didn’t apply to a modern world. And
Redden couldn’t get Ben off his damned mind.
“Look, it was my fault. My family’s innocent. If you have to
punish me, please leave them out of it.”
22
Winona Wilder
Redden held eye contact with the blond. He was half the size of a
Marcelle wolf, his body pale and lean-muscled. He couldn’t
understand his deep-seated attraction to such an inferior male—one
who appeared young enough to be half his age. Redden could have
anyone he wanted, male or female. Yet, he could only think about
protecting the little fox—like a mated male. The gods had whispered
in his ear, telling him that the young man in front of him was his
destiny. It must have been the wind playing tricks on him, because it
couldn’t be true.
“It’s not so simple.” He walked around the clearing, his hands
clasped behind his back. Most of his pack watched, awaiting his next
order. The moment he lifted his protection, they’d be on the fox like
vultures to a rotting carcass. Ben would be nothing but a memory. He
needed to protect the foolish little fox, but after the hell Redden had
raised about Jacob falling in love with a fox shifter, there was no way
he could follow the same path. And showing favoritism for Ben
would make his attraction too obvious.
“What do you mean?” Ben asked. He looked up at him with eyes
as blue as the midday sky and filled with vulnerability. “I can make it
up to you. I can pick berries, gather kindling—”
Redden cut him off. “We eat meat, and we have no shortage of
firewood.”
“I–I can do patrols.”
Cash and Lope laughed out loud. When they saw Redden didn’t
join them, their faces cleared of humor.
“I have no intentions of giving my land away. Any predator would
eat you alive.”
“Then what? I’ll do anything.”
After an extended bout of silence, Redden spoke. “You’ll stay
here with me. You’ll be my pet until I’ve had my fill.” He couldn’t
disguise his smirk, eager for Ben’s imminent reaction.
“Pet?”
The Wolf’s Pet
23
Redden didn’t answer the fox. He returned to his den without
another word, solidifying his rank, yet ensuring Ben’s safety. His
pack wouldn’t question him if he used Ben for sex. One-night stands
were commonplace for his men—love, not so much.
* * * *
Ben looked around at the other males, hoping someone could
elaborate on Redden’s declaration. Pet? What the fuck did that mean?
If it meant what he thought it did, he’d just lucked out. He’d give
anything to get into the alpha’s bed, and he had to help his family
keep their modest home on Marcelle land.
But he had to be wrong. Why would the alpha want him for sexual
favors when he could get any wolf in the region? Maybe he wanted to
try something different, a novelty, and Ben was the only fox
available. He stopped driving himself crazy with theories and looked
to Ronan.
“What?” snapped the wolf.
“Can someone fill me in?”
Most of the pack dispersed, not giving him the time of day. He
supposed he should be happy they weren’t ripping him to shreds.
Without Redden’s protection, they’d be more than willing to destroy
every fox within ten miles. He could still see the malevolent energy in
their eyes after being granted asylum and every day since. The basic
hierarchy and food chain had been shattered when Jacob chose Ben’s
brother for a mate. Now the lines of right and wrong were blurry.
Cash leaned against a great oak. “You’re his toy until he tires of
you. Don’t worry, you won’t keep his attention long.” He sized up
Ben as if unworthy of the alpha’s attention. Northern shifters never
wore clothing unless visiting public places where humans could be
present. He didn’t think he was that unimpressive. Or was he? “Think
you can handle an alpha wolf?”
24
Winona Wilder
He knew he could. He’d dreamt of the day in great detail. “Would
this be something like a pre-mating custom?” he asked, knowing the
answer but hoping he was wrong.
The wolf laughed. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Redden
tolerates you because he cares about Jacob. Never confuse sex and
love, foolish fox. Be happy you get to live to see another day.” He
winked before turning to shift.
Ben wasn’t sure how he felt. This was something he should be
thrilled about, but his nagging emotions wouldn’t leave him alone. He
was doing it again—thinking of fairy tales. If only Redden felt the
mating call for him like Jacob had for Nathan. He’d ask for nothing
more.
Ben had allowed men to use him all his life. It was his way to get
what he wanted and hide from true emotion. Now the numbness was
slipping away like pins and needles. He felt things he wanted to
avoid—desire, want, and desperation.
The forest was quiet now that he’d been left alone. The wind
passed through the forest canopy above like an ocean wave, soothing
yet lonely. He tried to imagine what it would be like if a man like
Redden loved him. Really loved him. He craved that sense of
belonging so much it hurt. It twisted in his gut like a jagged blade,
reminding him he’d only know loneliness. A fox like him was nothing
to covet, certainly not worth claiming in a world where strength
meant everything.
What should he do next? Return home? Demand answers? He
instinctively thought of sex and alcohol, but he knew that path led
nowhere. He finally decided to join the alpha wolf in his den. What
did he have to lose? Stifling emotion and disappointment were what
Ben did best. He was a fucking pro. If Redden wanted a pet, Ben
would give him one to remember.
Darkness enveloped him once inside the den. He felt like he’d
stepped into a different world, everything he’d ever known before
now suddenly irrelevant. It smelled all male, rich musk and cedar.
The Wolf’s Pet
25
The interior was also five times the size of the home he shared with
his family within the briar patch. It felt odd to be able to stand up
straight while in his skin. He looked around, waiting for his eyes to
adjust to the meager lighting.
“I remember the first day I saw you.” The deep voice came out of
the shadows, heard yet unseen. “I couldn’t get the color of your eyes
out of my head.”
“Really?” He’d noticed that much? When had this happened?
“I kept telling myself to look the other way, to forget that vivid
shade of blue.” He chuckled. “Turns out it’s easier said than done.”
“I thought you hated foxes. I mean, you almost banished Jacob for
loving my brother.” He swallowed hard, not wanting to hear the
answer. It was far more pleasant believing Redden could actually be
attracted to him.
“It’s not about hate or love. It’s about survival. My enemies feed
off my weaknesses. If I don’t show strength, my whole pack will pay
the price.”
“What would be a weakness?”
“Caring too much.”
“I guess revealing you have feelings for anyone would be a bad
move,” said Ben.
“Especially small red scavengers.”
He should be insulted, but could only focus on the growing lump
in his throat. Part of him knew where this was leading, while the other
part was in desperate need of reassurance.
“But keeping a pet is something else. It won’t create any red
flags.”
Ben wasn’t sure what to think or believe. Did Redden want a pet
or was it really a ruse to bring them together? He’d never cared about
his sexual partners or catalogued his own behavior. But Redden woke
up his long dormant passions. He craved acceptance and
unconditional love. The wolf couldn’t offer him what he needed if
26
Winona Wilder
everything they shared had to remain behind closed doors. He was
tired of hiding in the shadows.
“Sounds convenient. Take your fill and then kick me to the curb.”
He didn’t hide the note of resentment in his voice. Sure, he’d fuck
Redden, and he’d like it. But he wanted more. For the first time in his
life, he wanted it all.
“That’s not what I meant, Ben. My pack just wouldn’t understand,
never mind the Krells. It wouldn’t be safe for you.”
“Don’t kid yourself. Who are you really worried about? Me or
yourself?”
There was a stretch of silence that seemed to drag on for hours
when it was likely only minutes. Words didn’t have to be said to
know there was something growing between them. From that first
day, Ben had felt a magnetic pull from the Marcelle alpha. It started
as a flirting game, then quickly morphed into something too
complicated for either of them to deal with. But how could something
so wrong feel so right?
“Have you ever had a wolf?” He noted the hulking frame rise
from the ground as Redden settled up into a crouch, all broad
shoulders and coiled strength. That one question confirmed that
Redden had made a decision. Whether it was Ben’s forwardness or
something else entirely, it didn’t matter. The alpha was going to take
what he wanted. And right now Ben was thankful it was him.
“No. You’d be my first.” His balls tightened just imagining what
was to come. He was being pulled in two directions—his heart and
conscience fighting an epic battle.
“How do you feel about that? Would you rather have a fox?
Maybe a female?”
“I want you,” he blurted.
The dark shadow ceased to move. Ben bit the inside of his cheek
after taking a gulp of air. Had he just set himself up for
disappointment? His life was full of it.
“Being my pet is supposed to be a punishment, not a reward.”
The Wolf’s Pet
27
“You should really rethink your penalties. If I’d known, I would
have broken the law a lot sooner.”
“Interested in a wolf? Are you trying to follow in your brother’s
footsteps?”
He frowned. “I’m nothing like Nathan.” His brother was quiet,
shy, and responsible. He followed the straight path, rarely wavering
off course. Ben was a walking disaster, trouble seeming to follow him
like a dark cloud. He lived in the moment, rarely thinking beyond
tomorrow.
“Your brother couldn’t be happier with Jacob. What about you?
Are you happy?” He felt a hand touch his knee. The darkness
heightened all his senses. Energy rushed through his body, traveling
straight to his cock.
It wasn’t commonplace for anyone to consider his feelings. All his
life Ben worked his ass off just to survive, failing in love time and
time again. Not only did being a fox prevent him from climbing the
ladder of success within the shifter community, but he also wasn’t the
oldest son, so he had virtually no say within his own family. It was
like living without a voice, without a destination, and without hope.
Eventually he stopped caring, turning to booze and cheap thrills. He
got more attention failing and making waves than he ever did
following the straight and narrow.
He recalled his many lovers. When he was younger he entered
each relationship with high hopes, only to have them dashed.
Dominant men frequently insulted him, some beat him for the heck of
it, and others laughed the next morning when he thought there would
be more than one night. A heart could only break so much before the
damage was permanent.
It wasn’t just his love life. He tried so hard to provide for his
family, failing time and time again because no one took him seriously.
He took the shittiest jobs to save his brother Nathan from getting his
hands dirty. His sacrifices were never noticed, but he didn’t make
them to get attention.
28
Winona Wilder
“Happy? I’m a fox in a world dominated by humans and high-
level shifters. I have no mate. I may or may not have a drinking
problem. My actions now adversely affect my family. And the future
looks pretty fucking bleak. But I really do try and put on my happy
face every day.”
“You put on a good mask. You had me fooled.”
“That’s because…because you do something to me.” It was true.
Redden made him feel like a male with the entire world ahead of him.
He was a break in the clouds.
“You act like being a fox is a mistake. Never be ashamed of who
you are.”
“And who am I?” Flirting always came second nature to Ben, but
with the Marcelle alpha he really did feel like a young pup begging
for affection.
“Mine,” said Redden. Ben held his breath, certain disappointment
was coming with the wolf’s next words. “Everything about you
excites my wolf. It’s in my nature to protect what’s mine.”
Mine? The single word had his stomach doing flips. He wanted to
believe it so much it hurt.
When Redden’s fingers closed around his jutting erection, he
thought every bone in his body had turned to mush. He exhaled, his
breath coming out in a shudder. “You’re thick. Thick and warm,” said
Redden.
“That feels so good.” The words escaped without thought. He was
having an out-of-body experience, the intimate contact giving him
wings. Ben forgot his questions, his concerns, and his ideals. He was
completely lost to the moment.
“I could make you feel a lot better.” Redden leaned closer. Ben
drank him in, savoring the musky scent. “I want to suck your dick, to
feel your cum on my tongue.”
Ben swallowed hard, unable to speak when he was close to
spilling his seed in Redden’s hand.
“Has anyone done that for you?”
The Wolf’s Pet
29
He nodded, earning him a disapproving growl. The fingers around
his cock tightened.
“Who?”
“I don’t know. I lost track of names years ago.”
“I thought you said you’d never had a wolf.”
“I haven’t. Only humans.”
Redden chuckled. “That’s like comparing an acorn to an oak
tree.” He stroked Ben’s cock in a firm grip. Ben was down on his
knees, his vision weak in the darkness. The delicious friction made his
balls feel heavier than lead. His eyes lolled back in his head as he
savored every touch, every gift of affection. He needed this more than
air.
“I know. I’ve seen you,” said Ben. The alpha was hung like a
bear.
“You’ve been looking, have you? Well, I’m not just talking about
size. There’s a lot more to good sex than fucking.”
Sex, they were going to have sex. He dared to reach out and
smooth his hands over Redden’s shoulders. Ben needed to feel his
heat, his skin pressed to his.
The anticipation made his heart pump double time. “Such as…?”
The hot breath against his neck vanished. Redden pulled away
abruptly, leaving him wanting. Had he said something wrong? He’d
do anything to get back in the alpha’s good graces.
“Wait outside by the fire pit.” Redden’s voice was void of
affection, cold and matter of fact. It was like a virtual bucket of water
had doused all the passion burning between them.
Ben had no right to argue with the alpha wolf who offered his
family protection and a place to stay. As he ducked down to exit the
den, he couldn’t deny his disappointment. Fortunately he’d mentally
prepared himself for this. Or so he tried. There was no remedy for the
deep-seated sadness that rained down on him. And no matter how
much he wished it, he couldn’t inspire love in another person.
30
Winona Wilder
Chapter Three
Redden was an idiot for thinking he could have Ben underfoot
with no consequence. Within minutes, the mating call had boiled up
inside him, his fangs pricking his gums. It can’t be true. He’d tried to
deny his feelings for months by keeping his distance. Now temptation
was on his doorstep and all the willpower in the world was useless
against this little fox’s pull.
His answer to Ben’s question was love. Redden hadn’t even
considered it until the word nearly tumbled from his lips. Luckily, he
gained control before taking a leap he couldn’t easily undo.
An alpha wolf couldn’t be paired with a fox. It wasn’t done. The
mere idea was ridiculous—and perfect. Although Jacob was mated to
Nathan, it wouldn’t be so easy for Redden. He’d been alpha for as
long as he could remember. He knew better than to associate with or
emotionally invest in a weaker species. It weakened a pack’s
reputation and made them vulnerable to attack. How many speeches
had he given his own packmates on the subject? He’d nearly driven
Jacob out of his life because he didn’t approve of his fox mate. But
here he was with his heart raw and exposed, ready to accept a young
fox as his lover.
He paced the den, not knowing how to proceed. He wanted to
fuck Ben. Wanted to own him. Possess him. He was gorgeous, with
dirty-blond hair and the most striking blue eyes he’d ever seen. His
body was a work of art, lithe and lean-muscled. But Redden knew sex
with Ben would be much more than his disposable one-nighters. He’d
risk everything. The sex would be a catalyst to a greater commitment.
The Wolf’s Pet
31
Once Redden had a sample of the fox, he knew he wouldn’t be able to
let go.
Only the dim glow from the moon breached the network of
bracken covering the den. It washed over him, tempting his wolf to
shift and run. To run until every ounce of energy was drained from his
muscles. He wanted to go numb, to rid himself of these overwhelming
urges that stole his control.
In his world, survival of the fittest was the lesson of the day, every
day. His enemies, like the Krell wolves, were just waiting for an
opportunity to find weakness in Redden. A single exposed
vulnerability was like a crack in a great dam. It was the beginning of
the end. Taking a weak mate was a high risk, the ultimate weakness.
Ben would forever be a target for Redden’s enemies. And he had
many.
He’d watched Ben duck out of the den when he wanted nothing
more than to keep him close. There was an invisible bond linking
them whether Redden wanted to deny it or not. His territorial and
protective instincts always roared to life around the little blond. It was
the reason he kept his distance, hoping he’d forget his desires in time.
No such luck.
Redden peered outside the den. Ben sat on a fallen log, poking at
dying embers in the fire pit with a stick. He looked so lost, so sad. It
was his fault for leading Ben on, for starting something he could
never finish. He should have been a man and continued to keep his
distance. Now everything was fucked.
“I like your smile better,” he said, joining Ben on the log.
The fox shrugged. “It gets tiring putting on that happy face after a
while.”
“But you have everything going for you.” He leaned close,
ensuring there were no prying ears. “I’d give you the world if I
could…but I can’t.”
New life brightened Ben’s face and his posture immediately
improved. “Why can’t you? Are you ashamed of me?”
32
Winona Wilder
“No. But certain things are the way they are for a reason.”
Ben shook his head and began poking at the fire again. “A fox
isn’t good enough for you. I understand. I wouldn’t want me either.”
Redden turned Ben to face him, tossing his stick away. “Listen,
little one. I do want you. Have since I first met you. That’s the
problem.” A mixed mating was complicated, and a love interest was
the perfect target. He wouldn’t put Ben at risk.
“I don’t see the problem. You’re the Marcelle alpha. If you want
something, you take it.”
He tilted Ben’s chin up so he’d be forced to look him in the eyes.
His blue gaze only made Redden weaker, more undeniably in love.
“Not this time.”
“Forget claiming me then. Like you said, I’m your pet. And don’t
worry, I’m used to men using me.”
Redden ground his molars together. Just the thought of another
male touching Ben made him see red. And he wouldn’t have Ben
putting himself down.
He missed that spark that was usually in Ben’s eyes and the
bounce that was ordinarily in his step. The fox was always in a
carefree mood with a playful smirk on his face. It was one of the
things that attracted Redden. How many times had those emotions
been genuine or an act?
He grabbed Ben by the arm, easily escorting him back to the den.
He forced him inside, following close behind. Redden pinned him to
the ground, his frame twice the size of the smaller man’s. “I won’t
have you thinking less of yourself. Not when you mean everything to
me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re important,” Redden said. “Important to me.”
“Why? Because of my brother and Jacob?”
“No. Because you’re my mate.” He nearly choked on the words.
They sounded foreign. As much as he wished they were a lie, they
were anything but.
The Wolf’s Pet
33
“How do you know?”
Redden had an arm braced by either side of Ben’s head. “Because
you’re all I think about. Since you showed up in my forest, you’ve
turned my life upside down. I’ve tried to deny my feelings, but when I
close my eyes I see you. When I try to forget you, I feel like I’m
being torn apart on the inside.” He took a cleansing breath as he tried
to maintain control. “When I imagine you here in my den, I can’t even
keep my fangs in check…”
Ben’s heart rate increased. He could practically hear Ben’s blood
rushing through his veins, tempting Redden to sink his incisors into
his neck. How would he taste?
Redden felt like a young male reaching sexual maturity. Nothing
mattered but sex and bonding. The lines of right and wrong became
blurred as he stared down at Ben. Redden was alpha, an icon of
control and dominance. But around this fox he was a hot mess. His
fangs were fully unsheathed, his breathing labored. Where had his
renowned control disappeared to? Would he ever be the same?
Ben cautiously brought his hand up between them and lifted
Redden’s upper lip with a thumb, exposing one canine. The simple
touch made him exhale with a satisfied sigh. “Those are big,” Ben
said.
“Do you like them? All I can think about is marking you.”
Without answering, he reached low and wrapped his hand around
Redden’s throbbing erection. He groaned on contact, needing release
in the worst way. It amazed him that a touch could wield so much
power. Every cell was alive with sensation, truly awake for the first
time. He couldn’t count the number of men he’d toyed with over the
years. Their touch meant nothing, their presence easily forgotten. Not
Ben.
Everything in the forest was quiet except the sound of their
breathing. It was as if every nocturnal creature waited with bated
breath to see if Redden would mark the fox and change the course of
history. His desires were winning out every second he stayed with
34
Winona Wilder
Ben. The soothing darkness acted as a veil of intimacy, spurring him
to go through with the act. Deep down he knew it would be the point
of no return.
“This is huge,” Ben whispered.
Redden chuckled. “I want to mark you with that, too.”
The little flirt continually dared him. Ben squeezed his cock,
adding friction by stroking with his closed fist. Redden growled as the
pressure built in his balls. The call demanded he claim his mate, to
mark him for all to see. But if he gave in to his longing, what would it
mean for the Marcelle Pack?
He groaned as Ben continued to stroke him. He could feel the
other man’s cock now prodding his stomach from below, increasing
the fire in his groin.
“I’ve never had a wolf.”
“I might break a little thing like you,” he teased. Redden couldn’t
deny his attraction to Ben’s smaller size and masculine beauty. His
wolf demanded he protect the fox. He’d always expected to pair with
another strong, muscular shifter—if he mated at all. But now he could
see Ben was exactly what he needed and wanted. They complemented
each other in every way.
“I don’t care.” The fox surprised him by raising his head off the
dirt floor to kiss him on the lips. Redden rarely kissed. Fucking was
fucking. Kissing added a level of intimacy he wasn’t equipped to
handle. Ben changed everything.
His taste and scent infused into Redden. He felt connected on an
emotional level, eagerly kissing back. He couldn’t get enough of Ben,
deepening their kiss as he tasted and explored his mouth. Mine. His
mate combed his hands through Redden’s hair, tethering them
together.
He pulled back slightly. Ben’s lips were swollen, his light eyes
appearing to glow in the darkness. “I know it’s a mistake, but I’m
going to mark you anyway. Let me know now if you want to leave,
because wolves mate for life.”
The Wolf’s Pet
35
Ben tilted his head to the side, exposing the smooth plane of
unblemished skin. Never marked. “Make me yours. It’s all I want.”
Redden was a fool in love. A fucking fool who’d kick himself
come morning. He needed to resist, but nothing in the world seemed
to matter but the perfect moment they were in. “You’re certain?”
“Please…”
* * * *
Ben couldn’t believe the drastic change of events. He thought
maybe he was dreaming, lost in some alcohol-induced illusion. Why
else would the leader of a wolf pack claim to love him? He drifted
from day to day, time merging together until everything was void of
meaning and color. He had no hope, no inspiration or motivation. Life
was survival. Work, hide, survive. A fox’s existence certainly wasn’t
glamorous. He tried to make the best of it, but since Nathan left the
family pack, he realized how much he’d been slipping through the
cracks. Nathan was the eldest brother, the glue keeping everyone
together. Now Ben felt scattered, a man without a purpose.
After meeting Redden, he felt a heavy connection between them
from day one. It was hard to want something so desperately, yet know
it was unattainable. Now it appeared his dreams could actually come
true.
“That’s exactly what I want to hear,” said Redden. His voice was
so deep, so all encompassing. Ben closed his eyes and held his breath
as the wolf inched closer. He could feel the heat from Redden’s breath
just before a sharp bite of incisors pierced his skin. He squirmed for a
moment, but Redden held him still, pinning him down with the weight
of his body. His cock was hard against Ben’s thigh, a virile reminder
of what was to come. The alpha was all male. Power. Pre-cum slipped
from the tip of Ben’s erection, and he prayed he wouldn’t come
before things got started.
36
Winona Wilder
Redden sucked his blood while holding him in place. Each draw
brought him closer to a precipice, his cock impossibly hard. The low
growl coming from the alpha’s chest reminded Ben his lover was a
wolf not just a man. Ben couldn’t believe this was actually happening.
One moment lost in a haze, the next being chosen by the most eligible
shifter in the forest.
“You taste perfect.” Redden licked a trail across Ben’s pec. His
nipples firmed up, his heart racing.
“You really marked me?” The love bite cemented the bond. Ben
closed his eyes, running his hands over the wide expanse of the
alpha’s shoulders. His skin was firm and warm, his scent reminiscent
of the forest itself.
“That’s right. You’re mine now.” Redden kissed his lips, just
once. “Only mine.”
Ben nodded.
“It won’t be easy, but I can’t keep away from you any longer.”
The wolf trailed his hand down Ben’s center until reaching his
cock. He’d never been so eager for sex in all his life. Redden wrapped
a fist around the base of his erection and moved lower down his body.
He wasn’t expecting the alpha to pleasure him, only take. It shocked
him when Redden’s hot mouth covered the sensitive head of his cock.
He cried out, arching his body up.
“You have a beautiful cock for such a small fox.” Redden began
to suck him, stroking along in rhythm. He knew exactly the right
pressure and friction to use. It didn’t take long for Ben to gasp for air
like a fish out of water. There wasn’t enough oxygen in all the
northern forests to meet his sudden need. He reached down blindly to
feel Redden’s massive shoulders bobbing up and down over his groin.
An orgasm was imminent, his cock jerking erratically each time
Redden added pressure with his mouth or twirled his tongue around
the sensitive rim of his cockhead. It was perfect. He wanted it to last
forever but knew he was only seconds away from a massive release.
The Wolf’s Pet
37
Redden broke contact long enough to speak. “Come for me, fox. I
can feel you holding back.” He slid a hand between his legs, slowly
impaling his thumb into Ben’s ass. It was nearly Ben’s undoing. “I
want everything, not just your blood. Come.”
Redden returned his mouth to Ben’s bouncing cock, sucking
harder and faster. He moved his thumb in delicious circles the entire
time, making him delirious from the wash of desire flowing through
him. It was too much, it wasn’t enough. Within minutes he came in a
violent burst of heat and light. He groaned and clawed his nails into
the alpha’s bare skin. His balls pulled up tight, his cock pumping his
release on and on into Redden’s willing mouth. He wouldn’t move
away, taking every drop of cum down his throat.
The fact he didn’t disgust the wolf spiked his confidence, making
him feel like he really had found his true mate and place in the world.
As his orgasm eased, Redden finally rose up. He kissed Ben deep on
the lips, mingling the fusion of flavors in their mouths. It was raw sex.
Mating. A promise.
38
Winona Wilder
Chapter Four
“Boss, we’ve got a problem.”
He could hear Cash in his head. The fucking wolf couldn’t give
him two minutes of alone time with Ben. He was just about to take
him, to sink his cock into Ben’s tight ass for the first time. Now this.
Redden reluctantly pushed himself up off the ground, briefly
looking down at his lover. His mate. Ben’s eyes were glazed over, his
skin flushed from orgasm. He was the most beautiful thing Redden
had ever seen.
“I have to go. Stay here until I come back.”
He didn’t wait for Ben to question him. Redden slipped out of the
den and into the cool night air.
“This better be good,” he said. A few of his packmates were
outside the den. He wondered how long they’d been there and how
much they’d heard. Did they think he’d share his prize? Did they
realize their alpha was now a mated male?
“Our human visitors aren’t just into sports. Apparently, they’re
here for some extreme hunting,” said Cash. “One of them took a shot
at Ronan.”
He turned to Ronan. “You okay?”
The other man shrugged. “They missed. And here I thought they’d
be rolling logs and climbing trees. I never took them for hunters.”
“None of us did,” said Lope. “They’re looking for trophies to take
home.”
“Yeah, I’d rather keep my head on my body,” said Redden.
Redden hadn’t paid much attention to the group of men. Their
truck had Strongman Competition written on the side. He assumed it
The Wolf’s Pet
39
meant inconsequential human challenges like archery, wood chopping
competitions, and maybe survival skills. He’d seen them come and go
before in the past. Now that he knew these men were on wolf land to
kill, they were a problem to be dealt with.
“You’re sure they weren’t aiming for a deer or hare?” he asked.
“No way. They were after big game. As soon as he spotted Ronan,
he took aim.” Cash was hyped up. Now that Jacob and Blake were
gone, Cash was the best man he had. He knew Cash would do
anything for him and the Marcelle Pack. Would he accept Redden’s
choice in mates? Just imagining that conversation gave him a
headache.
“Then they’ve got to go. I want everyone out tonight, so break out
the fur. Our guests just overstayed their welcome. Scare them off or
take them down—makes no difference to me. But they’ll be going
home empty handed.”
A gunshot sounded in the darkness.
“Move,” Redden commanded. His chest tightened over his heart.
The only thing worse than rival shifters was a human carrying a rifle.
One shot could equal death. Even less-serious wounds became mortal
injuries when there were no hospitals.
Each of his men shifted in one fluid motion as they leapt toward
the sound. Their heavy paws hit the ground in unison as they darted
without hesitation into the darkened breaks between the trees. Cash
stayed behind for a moment longer, turning to Redden. “I’m sure
they’d settle for a fox pelt, so if you don’t want your pet getting
skinned, tell him to stay away from the bar.”
Redden watched Cash dash into the brushwood as he
contemplated his words. His packmate knew more about his new
relationship than he led him to believe. Was his mutual attraction with
Ben that noticeable? Or was Cash just tired of babysitting the defiant
fox? Ben had been a handful since he’d shown up on their land. But
the last thing he wanted was his mating to become public knowledge.
The fewer shifters that knew about Ben, the safer.
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Winona Wilder
“What’s going on?”
Redden turned to find Ben standing just outside the den.
“I told you to wait for me inside.”
Ben ignored him, looking off to the tree line behind him. “Did the
humans hurt someone?”
He exhaled the tense breath he’d been holding. “Nobody’s hurt.
And you have nothing to worry about.” Redden approached his mate,
running the backs of his fingers along the other man’s jawline. The
moonlight highlighted his dirty-blond hair like a halo. And that’s
exactly what Ben was—a light in Redden’s otherwise dark world.
“What about my family?”
“All my men are on the hunt. Nothing’s getting through our
borders tonight.”
Ben nodded softly. From the moment Redden sank his fangs into
Ben’s flesh, everything changed for him. His previous protectiveness
for the young fox increased tenfold. His doubts vanished. The
obsession he once had for power and land shifted to a blind desire to
defend his mate. It was bad enough he always had the Krell Pack in
the back of his mind, but now extreme hunters were knocking on their
front door. He wanted to deal with the threat personally. Although he
trained each of his packmates himself, and trusted them with his life,
he’d enjoy eliminating a wolf killer with his bare hands…or fangs.
“Then we’re safe…and alone.” Ben reached down and stroked
Redden’s semi-flaccid cock, instantly bringing it to life. How could
he think of sex when his nerves were strung so tight? It seemed the
fox had a unique pull, one capable of making the world and all its
complications disappear. He acted without apology, continually
surprising Redden.
“Yes. Just you and me.”
“What should we do?”
“I know what I want to do.” He combed his fingers into Ben’s
hair, securing him firmly in place. “I want to bend you over and fuck
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41
your tight little ass. I want to fuck you so deep and hard that you’ll
forget any male that’s ever taken you.”
Ben licked his full lips, unable to move his head. “You’re the
alpha, so you should do what you want.”
“Oh, I will, little fox.”
* * * *
Redden leaned in and kissed him hard and hungrily on the mouth.
The tug from the hair-pulling served to arouse him. In fact, every
move the alpha made fueled his desire. His voice, his strength, his
alpha aura.
Ben hadn’t had enough time to refuel, but Redden had been
holding back since they first entered the den. He could only imagine
how pent-up he must feel, his balls afire with the need for release.
“Tell me you’re mine. Tell me that you want me,” Redden said.
Redden squeezed his ass with his free hand, tugging Ben against his
massive erection.
“You know I do.” For some reason his new mate couldn’t leave
the past alone. It surprised him that the alpha wolf carried an insecure
bone in his body. Ben wished he could have been a snow-white virgin
for Redden, to be new and pure like his brother had been for Jacob.
But he wasn’t. He’d been defiled, and he’d allowed himself to be
walked over for far too long.
“Then say it.”
“I want you. Only you.”
Redden nipped his jaw, tightening his fist in his hair. “What else
do you want, little fox?”
“I want to feel your cock swell in my ass, claiming me, marking
me. I want to know what it’s like to be fucked by a wolf.”
“Yes,” Redden growled, licking a trail down his neck. Was he
going to bite him again? The mere thought of that concentrated burst
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of stimulation made his heart race. “It’s time to play, pet. Time to
earn your keep.”
Redden didn’t realize just how far Ben would go to earn his
approval. He’d been given a taste of something new and perfect, and
he couldn’t go back to the way things were. Being part of a mated
couple filled him with a sense of belonging, staving off the familiar
loneliness that often crippled him. The alpha wolf offered safety,
freedom, love, and acceptance. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for
his mate.
He nearly toppled over as Redden suddenly backed him up. His
hands were all over him, testing and teasing. The dry branches of the
outer den scraped his leg a moment later.
“In,” Redden commanded. There was an animalistic quality to his
mate now. He’d never fucked a shifter, certainly not a wolf. The
unknown, the anticipation of pleasure and pain, made his mouth
salivate. He wanted to mark Redden like he’d marked him. Would an
alpha allow it?
He crawled into the darkened den. The faint signature of their
recent encounter still hung tauntingly in the air. It reminded Ben of
everything they’d left unfinished. The promise of sex clung to him,
weaving around his body and settling deep in his balls. There was
something magical about Redden, something he’d never experienced
with another male. Ben expected him to be cold and heartless, but the
alpha was deeper than he ever imagined. Kind. Passionate.
“No more interruptions.” Redden pressed Ben’s upper back down,
exposing his ass to the air. His muscles contracted in waves, eager for
the wolf’s cock. He expected everything would happen fast now, the
alpha wolf unable to maintain his humanity. Ben was ready for a hard,
somewhat painful invasion, not the gentle kisses along his backbone.
“I won’t break. I promise,” Ben said. He wasn’t like his brother.
He didn’t need to be handled with love and care.
“I know you won’t.” More kisses.
“You don’t have to impress me, you know. I’m already yours.”
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43
“That’s why I’m taking my time, little one. Any other male, I’d
fuck. For you, I’ll savor every moment.”
Part of Ben didn’t feel worthy of love. It felt foreign to have his
feelings considered. Now that he’d found exactly what he’d yearned
for all his life, why was he trying to sabotage it? Maybe he was
preparing himself for disappointment.
He kept his mouth shut. The feel of Redden’s warm, rough hands
exploring his body was like coming home. Ben felt cocooned by the
alpha’s massive frame. When Redden’s fingers tickled his tight
rosette, he clenched down on nothing. His cock was hard again,
bobbing beneath him as he braced his weight on his forearms and
knees. He wiggled his ass, encouraging his mate to take what he
wanted.
“This is mine now.” Redden’s thick, moist finger pressed into his
ass. The breach was slow and sensual, like melting chocolate. A
shiver raced up his spine, thousands of pinprick sensations scattering
throughout his body. He kept his muscles relaxed, somehow at home
in the alpha’s presence. Despite Redden’s size and strength, Ben
knew he didn’t need to fear him like other males.
A second finger joined the first. His mate began to scissor his
fingers, slowly stretching his ass with a firm gentleness. It felt so
good, so right. Redden’s free hand secured him by the hip, guiding
him like a patient teacher.
“Don’t make me wait,” he said. “I’ve dreamt of this day since that
time in the truck. I still remember every detail, hoping you felt the
same connection.”
“I did,” said Redden.
He remembered that day like yesterday. They’d only just met,
riding next to each other in the backseat of the truck. The sexual
energy between them had been obscene, and they couldn’t keep their
hands to themselves. Ben never expected there was more between
them than lust. He was wrong.
“Well, you’re good at hiding it.”
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Winona Wilder
Redden smoothed his hands down Ben’s back. “This isn’t easy for
me, Ben. I have men counting on me to lead them. Putting myself first
isn’t something I normally do.”
He wanted to tell Redden to put him first because it’s what he
wanted to hear, what he wanted to be true. Just his name on the wolf’s
lips was music to his ears.
“I’ve never had a fox in my den,” said Redden. “I hope I don’t
hurt you.”
“Promise I won’t tap out.”
Redden ran his moistened cock along the seam of his ass. “No? I
guess we’ll find out.” He eased the first inch of hardened flesh into
Ben’s nether hole.
All that Ben could think about was sex and more sex. His thoughts
drifted to base desires and feral cravings. He wanted Redden to take
without holding back, to fuck without mercy. He wanted them so
close they became one. Right now, all he wanted was his huge wolf’s
cock rammed hard into his ass. It would be heaven.
Instead Redden teased him, or maybe he truly thought he’d break.
He moved with such deliberateness and control. Every inch of slow
progression only built Ben’s anticipation.
“Give it to me,” he demanded. Ben attempted to rear back to steal
the full length of Redden’s erection. He felt achy and empty, a
desperate need pulsing inside him. But the alpha kept him in place
with a firm hand to the back, even pulling away slightly.
“Patience, little fox. I know you’re eager, but I may be more than
you can handle.”
“Aren’t we supposed to be mates? A perfect fit?” Ben’s
insecurities would never be fully reined in. Redden’s love bite still
stung his skin as a permanent reminder of his claim. But was it just a
moment of passion? Did he regret choosing Ben as his life mate?
The beautiful cock sank deeper, nearly fully seated. “That’s
right.”
“Then you can’t be afraid to take me.”
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45
“Fuck, you’re tighter than I expected,” Redden grated out. “So
damn good.”
Ben smiled to himself, pleased that he could satisfy the other man.
He tensed around the massive cock, adding additional pressure.
Redden filled him to overflowing, sating that primal need for a total
invasion.
His mate began to gradually pump his hips, his erection gliding in
and out of his asshole. It felt exhilarating, a unique pressure building
inside him. Pinpricks of erotic sensation scattered along his skin.
A droplet of sweat landed on his back as Redden fucked him with
restrained passion. He braced his hands to keep in place with each
strong thrust. The wolf was made for sex, making Ben feel like this
was his first time. Now he knew what it felt like to be truly dominated
by another male. And he could never settle for another lover after this
experience.
“Touch yourself,” Redden ordered. “It’ll feel better that way.”
He did as commanded, stroking his now-erect cock with one hand
as Redden picked up the pace from behind, furiously fucking his ass.
His mate was close. Ben wanted his seed filling him, making them
one.
“Oh gods,” he cried as a second release began to build. Ben knew
he would come hard and fast with the dual stimulation. This was sex
like he’d never experienced it. And the mating bond made all the
difference.
“Good boy, take it all,” said Redden, not holding back. “Take my
cock in your ass.”
“Yes!”
He masturbated hard and fast while supporting his weight on one
forearm. It was beautiful. He could feel the ridges of his mate’s thick
cock each time it filled him. He was lost to the act, his coherent
thoughts turning fuzzy.
Redden and Ben reached their peaks within seconds of each other.
His entire body began to tingle, all sounds drowned out but his
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Winona Wilder
heartbeat in his ears. Ben’s balls released their load in a volatile
orgasm, the hot cum spraying the den’s floor as he gasped for air. He
felt Redden’s hot ejaculate fill his ass, the cock pulsing on and on
inside him.
When it was over, the alpha’s muscled form collapsed next to
him. They were both sweat-slicked and breathing heavily. Traces of
cool night air drifted in through the cracks of the bracken offering a
brief respite from the heat.
“I guess you don’t break,” Redden said in a hushed voice, turning
slightly to face him.
He shook his head, too exhausted to speak.
“I shouldn’t have waited so long to do this.”
“Better late than never.” Ben shifted to his side, admiring his
mate’s strong jaw and knowing eyes. He could stare at him forever.
“I’ve seen you every day since you moved to my land,” he
admitted.
Ben furrowed his brow. He hadn’t seen the alpha for nearly a
month. “How?”
“Nobody sees or hears a wolf if he doesn’t want to be noticed.”
Ben smiled, more to himself than anything. A beautiful heat
warmed him from the inside out and it had nothing to do with sex.
“You were adorable. And naughty. I wanted to keep you from
going to the damned bar every night, but then you’d know I was
watching you.”
“And here I was looking up to the moon and thinking I was alone
in the world.”
“Never again.” Redden kissed his lips. It was soft and sweet and
perfect.
He closed his eyes and savored everything that was Redden.
Their tongues gently brushed before they pulled away.
“Stay with me. I don’t want you to leave tonight.”
“But your packmates. They’ll be back.”
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47
He shook his head. “Not until morning. I have them all on full
patrols because of the humans.”
“Are you sure?” Ben was so used to being discarded after sex.
This was something new, and he was afraid it was too good to be true.
Redden pulled him close, twisting his body until Ben was
cocooned in his embrace. Ben felt safe from the world in his arms.
“I’m sure. Soon you’ll never have to leave.”
“But I’m just your pet. Cash said they’re never permanent.”
The wolf kissed his temple. “Never mind Cash,” he said. “Sleep,
little fox. Tomorrow is another day.”
Was Cash right? Or did Redden plan on publicly announcing their
mating? Ben pushed away his thoughts and focused on the steady rise
and fall of his lover’s chest. His skin was warm and comforting. It
was as if they were one mass of muscle and limbs. Ben closed his
eyes and fell asleep feeling completely safe.
When the stirring of wildlife began outside the den, Ben awoke
with a start. He couldn’t believe he’d spent half the night in the
alpha’s den. It had been the best sleep of his life.
Ben watched Redden sleep before waking him. He looked so
handsome and youthful, untainted by any harsh reality. Gods, he
hadn’t realized how much he loved him. Ben smoothed the backs of
his fingers over Redden’s cheek, his stubble thicker than the night
before. The wolf was all male, every inch of him.
Redden’s eyes slowly opened and a smile instantly brightened his
face when their gazes met. It was refreshing for another man to look
at him with happiness rather than revulsion. “Before you leave my
den, I want you to take something with you.” Redden held out his
arm, palm up. Was he offering himself? His blood?
“Are–are you sure you want to do this?” Ben still couldn’t believe
the wolf wanted him for more than a night. Even Redden’s packmates
assumed he’d tire of his pet. Why was he ready to commit, body and
soul?
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“I’ve known since I first saw you, not last night. I tried to deny it
to myself, but it only drove me crazy. It’s impossible to resist the
mating call.”
“And this will seal it?”
Redden shuffled closed, his broad shoulder blocking the other side
of the den from view. “Go on, bite me. You own me now, Ben.”
He swallowed hard, a mix of emotions playing inside him. This
was exactly what Ben wanted, but somehow it felt too good to be true.
Still, he wouldn’t refuse the offer when there was nothing he wanted
more. Ben licked the hard muscle of Redden’s forearm before sinking
his incisors into his flesh. There was a soft crack as he broke the firm
flesh and an instant flood of hot blood rushed against his tongue. It
was sweet and metallic, the essence of his mate. He savored it,
wanting the taste to become a part of him. The taste brought his body
to life, power and desire swirling around inside him.
Redden groaned, holding the back of his head against his arm.
Ben wanted to stay latched to him all night long, the new connection
addicting. He could hear his mate’s internal voice, feel his inner
turmoil.
A rustling in the nearby underbrush was followed by the gruff
voices of Redden’s pack. His mate immediately pulled away, severing
their intimate connection. Ben’s fangs were still elongated, his mouth
agape as Redden leapt to his feet.
“Wait here!”
Ben moved close to the entrance of the den after the wolf left,
hoping to hear what was happening. Dangerous humans weren’t just a
threat to the pack, they were a threat to his family as well.
“I told you to guard the perimeter,” Redden said, his voice taking
on a more commanding than he used with him.
“Ronan and Lope are still on watch. But the hunters aren’t the
only problem we have. Look…”
Silence.
“Shit,” Redden muttered.
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49
Ben wished he could see through the thick bracken, but there was
only darkness with a minimal cast of moonlight. Why was Redden
upset?
“What do you plan to do? How will you keep your little fox safe?”
asked Cash.
Redden growled. “He’s not mine nor my concern. My pet has
already overstayed his usefulness. Get him out of my sight.”
Ben’s heart cracked down the middle.
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Chapter Five
Ben was more like a zombie than a man as Dolph escorted him
home to his den. The forest felt larger, darker, and lonelier.
“Scoot. On your way now. I’m sure you can find your den from
here, no?”
Ben didn’t even turn to look at Dolph. “I’m a big boy. I can find
my way home in the dark.”
As he walked away the wolf called out. “Hey, at least you can say
you had the alpha for a night. Not many can say the same thing.”
“I’m fucking honored.”
He’d been ordered by Cash and the other members of the Marcelle
Pack to stay in his den with his family until the crisis with the hunters
had passed. Redden never returned to the den and didn’t face him
before he was shipped off like discarded entrails. Had everything they
shared been a lie? It was what Ben was used to—only being good for
one night—but he was certain Redden was different. The mating call,
the bites, the kissing—it had all felt like fate to Ben, but he was
wrong. He couldn’t have been more wrong if he’d fucking tried.
Well, he wasn’t going home tonight, that was a fact. What he
needed was liquid confidence and a lot of it. He planned to take the
long way around to the bar so he could drown his sorrows without
being caught. He needed time to unwind, to digest what had just
happened. He had believed Redden cared, and now he felt like the
forest’s biggest fool. A broken-hearted fool.
As he plodded through the trees, it was a chore just to lift each
foot. He had no motivation, no will to carry on. What was the point?
Redden had been his shining light, his chance at the elusive happily
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51
ever after. Now he had to crawl home with his tail between his legs
and tell his parents he’d failed once again. Failed at finding a mate
and failed at life in general. It wouldn’t have been so bad if he hadn’t
fallen in love.
The bar came into view between the trees, a beacon in the
darkness. The warm light lured him in, giving him enough energy to
reach his destination. He tugged on the pair of jeans and T-shirt he
kept at the small cabin on the outskirts of Marcelle land. He knew he
still looked like shit but didn’t care.
When he pushed open the front door, the familiar country music
and loud laughter was a comfort. Why did he ever think he could be
more than he was? Ben was a fox. This was where he belonged, not in
the arms of an alpha wolf. He dropped down heavily on a vacant stool
and hunched over the bar. Without looking up at the barkeep, he
ordered enough booze to dull the pain.
The burn of cheap whiskey promised a beautiful numbing effect.
He couldn’t wait to forget everything and live for the moment. He
wouldn’t make the same mistake of letting down his guard again.
“That’s a lot of heat for one little fox,” said the stranger who sat
next to him.
“Trust me, it’s not enough.” Then he thought better. How did this
human know he was a fox? “How do you know me?”
Ben was in his human form, so nobody should be able to
recognize that he was a shifter. He looked up and saw who was
speaking—it was Jesse from the Krell pack. The same wolf who
vowed to kill him for interfering in wolf politics not too long ago. But
fortunately Ben was too broken-hearted to give two shits.
Jesse’s dirty-blond hair was greasy and his face weathered from
life in the wild. This was the same man who kidnapped his brother
Nathan in an attempt to bring down the Marcelle pack. He knew
Jacob loved Nathan, so using him like a pawn was an easy choice for
a shady shifter like Jesse. Since Ben was one of the players who
helped to save Nathan, he had a huge target on his back.
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Winona Wilder
“I never forget a face,” said Jesse.
Ben scanned the bar for members of the Marcelle Pack and came
up empty. Everyone thought he was safe at home, but would they
even lose sleep if Jesse decided to disembowel him as once promised?
“What do you want? I’m not in the mood.”
Jesse ran a hand through his mess of dirty-blond hair, leaning one
elbow on the bar. “I care, fox. I’m not the monster your friends make
me out to be.”
“Sure you aren’t.”
Jesse continued, “And I know a lot more than you give me credit
for. Like those bite marks on your neck, for example.”
Ben immediately reached up and touched Redden’s love bite.
Sweet memories flooded his mind, further confusing him. Why had
the Marcelle alpha marked him and claimed to love him? Was it a
game? Did he enjoy toying with Ben’s heart?
“Exactly,” said Jesse. “I know everything for a twenty-mile
radius. And I’ll bet I know some things you don’t.”
There was a conspiratorial look on the other man’s face. He knew
something.
Ben took a deep pull from his drink. “Like what, wolf? Surprise
me.”
Jesse leaned across the bar, getting in his personal space.
Normally, he’d be thrilled to have the attention of such an attractive
male. Not now. All he could see, feel, and smell was the man he’d
considered his true mate only hours ago. He yearned for Redden so
much that his drink threatened to come back up.
“I know why he’s pushing you away,” Jesse whispered with a
wink. He pulled back, a proud look on his face.
Ben’s heart tightened. How could Jesse know anything? The
Marcelle and Krell Packs were enemies, not venturing near each
other’s territory and certainly not socializing.
“Well?” Ben wouldn’t let on that there had been a relationship.
This could all be another trick. But right now, he’d do anything to
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hear what Jesse had to say. His fangs pricked his gums he was so
anxious for the wolf to spill his news.
Jesse looked to both sides cautiously before focusing on him.
“He’s dying.”
Darkness rained down on him, a thousand needles piercing his
heart. Dying? This was too much to hear, too much to bear. Ben
didn’t know if he was coming or going as he tried to sort through his
thoughts.
He put up the wall of nonchalance he’d perfected over the years.
“Yeah. Sure.”
Jesse shrugged. “Why do you think he’s pushing away the man he
loves? He doesn’t want to see you get hurt. If it were me, I wouldn’t
have marked you. Guess he’s not as strong-willed as he lets on.”
After another quick drink, Ben probed for more information. “And
you’re just telling me all this out of the goodness of your heart?”
“There’s more…”
Ben took a deep breath, hoping to the gods this asshole wasn’t
playing with him.
“Redden’s dying, and you’re telling me there’s more?”
“There’s a cure.”
The crazy wolf actually looked sincere. But why would he even
mention a cure if he had a chance to rid himself of a rival alpha
shifter? It wasn’t logical.
“I call bullshit on all your newsflashes. Now, can I finish my
drinks in peace?”
Jesse tilted his head and spoke in an eerily slow drawl. “How does
it feel to lose your soul mate?”
Numb. Ben felt so numb it took a shitload of energy just to pick
up his glass. He ignored Jesse, not willing to play his games any
longer.
He assumed the wolf would wait for him in the parking lot after
he left. He’d deal with that obstacle when it came, but for now he
needed to escape from reality. Ben wanted to get so tanked he
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Winona Wilder
wouldn’t have to deal with his broken heart or the images of his
pseudo-mate continually showing up in his waking thoughts. But that
small inkling of doubt had been seeded by Jesse. What if Redden
really loved him? What if he was actually dying?
“Suit yourself, but ignoring the facts won’t stop the clock
counting down your mate’s life.” Jesse leaned over and ran his finger
along Redden’s bite marks. Ben immediately pulled back and swatted
the man’s hand. Jesse laughed. “Feisty. If you had the sense, you
might actually be able to make a difference.”
Ben watched Jesse saunter toward the exit. His heart hammered in
his chest. He had to stop him and beg him for information. But he
couldn’t appear too emotionally involved in case Jesse was setting
him up for something. If he walked out that door, Ben may never find
him again. Redden’s death would fall squarely on Ben’s shoulders.
He couldn’t live with that level of guilt.
The door closed with a solid thud, the sound traveling through his
body, nearly stopping his heart. What have I done?
He rushed for the exit, his head slightly dizzy from the drinks he’d
consumed. Ben forced open the door and spilled out into the cool
night air, stumbling and nearly falling. “Jesse!” he yelled. “Jesse!”
A strong arm came out from the shadows behind him, bracing
across his chest. He couldn’t move. The sharp jab of a knife pressed
to his side. He froze.
“Thought I’d forget about how your friends humiliated me?” The
man chuckled. “Payback’s a bitch.”
He’d expected Jesse, not the oversized human with a personal
vendetta. He struggled, leaning away from the knife’s edge, but the
human was determined to keep him in place.
“Look, I don’t have a clue who you are.”
“You don’t remember your friends tearing apart the bar? Or how
they embarrassed me in front of my whole group?”
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55
He shook his head. It wasn’t completely a lie. The other night had
been a blur, and he hadn’t even been involved in any fighting. He was
just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Like now.
“You little punk!” The arm across his chest tightened as the end of
the knife was forced against him. It penetrated his shirt and scored his
bare skin. He expected to die in the bar parking lot, remembered only
by his parents with mixed sentiment. But out of the same darkness
came yellow wolf eyes.
“Let him go.” Jesse appeared from the shadows, slowly and
predatorily. He was no less a wolf in his human form. An alpha, albeit
an enemy.
“Who the fuck are you?”
“Normally I’d let you have your way. But I’m feeling generous
tonight. For him, not you.”
“Mind your business before you get hurt, too!”
A car engine started up, the headlights highlighting all three of
them at the entrance of the bar. Ben narrowed his eyes from the
brightness. Someone honked the horn. “Get in the truck, Max!”
The knife only bit deeper. In a flash of movement so fast he
couldn’t track the action, the weapon was knocked away with a clang
of metal and the human was pressed face-first against the wooden
structure.
“Now, as I was saying, you’ll leave the man alone and be on your
way. In one piece.”
Jesse must have added some painful tension to the crooked arm he
held behind the human’s back because he cried out, “Yes! I’m
leaving!”
“Very good choice.”
Once the car carried Max and his friends away, darkness and
silence returned to the forest around the bar. “Thank you,” Ben said,
rubbing his side. Enemy or not, the wolf likely just saved his life.
Jessed got right to the point. “I suspect you rushed out to learn
about the cure. The only one that can save Redden’s life.”
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Winona Wilder
“If you’re telling me the truth about everything, then why hasn’t
one of his packmates found this cure by now? Why haven’t I heard
anything about it before today?”
He wanted to forget Jesse and call his bluff, but his story claimed
Redden loved him. What else did he want out of life but his mate’s
affection? He was pulling at straws and knew it, but what other hope
did he have?
“An alpha wolf doesn’t announce his weaknesses. I should know.
And the cure isn’t as simple as pulling up some cattail roots. It’s an
extremely rare herb.”
Okay. Not the end of the world.
“Only found in northern bear country.”
Fuck.
“Even if I could get the herb, which I doubt, why would you tell
me about it? If Redden dies, you’ll have more power.”
“Call me old fashioned. There’s no honor in defeating a wolf
weakened by sickness. And I’ve always been a sucker for a love
story.”
Ben wouldn’t trust Jesse as far as he could throw him, but he
needed to know. Redden was worth any risk.
“Tell me where it is, what it looks like, and how long I have.”
“Devoted and cute. Redden doesn’t realize how good he has it.”
“Where?”
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57
Chapter Six
Cash pulled on a worn pair of blue jeans as they walked to the bar.
Patrolling the vast borders of Marcelle land all night had put him in a
devil of a mood. He needed to rest his feet and work up a little buzz.
“You think they’ve gone back to the city?” asked Ronan.
“No, those humans are still here somewhere. I can smell their
stench.”
Hopefully they’d moved onto Krell land to find their trophies.
Imagining Jesse’s head mounted on one of their walls made him
chuckle. Then he saw the miserable yellow wolf as soon as he stepped
into the bar. You’ve got to be shitting me. He growled deep in his
chest, cataloguing all the ways he’d love to kill the rival shifter.
“Relax, big boy. The bar’s neutral territory,” Ronan reminded.
“But the parking lot isn’t.”
“Behave. I don’t want to be on patrols for the rest of my life.”
Cash forced himself to calm down, even taking a cleansing breath
before walking toward the counter at the back of the bar.
Jesse was smiling, an evil sort of smirk that brought out Cash’s
hackles.
“Well, well, well…” Jesse gave a welcoming wave of his arm as
they approached. “If it isn’t the infamous duo. I heard you put on
quite a show for a group of unsuspecting tourists.”
Cash had to speak loudly to compete with the music and multitude
of conversations. “They were extreme hunters, not tourists. And
they’re still out for blood.”
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Winona Wilder
“Shame.” Jesse clucked his tongue in mock concern. “But that’s
nothing compared to your big news. I hear your alpha has found his
mate.”
Cash was taken off guard, not sure how to react. Redden hadn’t
found his mate. Or had he? Cash wasn’t blind. He knew his alpha had
had a thing for the fox shifter ever since he showed up on Marcelle
land. They’d even teased him about it in the past, but it was all in
good fun. He didn’t realize Redden was actually ready to take that
huge leap. But then again, if he hadn’t heard about a mating, how had
Jesse found out? Cash was supposed to be Redden’s right-hand man.
Cash crossed his arms. “You think you have eyes and ears
everywhere, don’t you, wolf?”
“Yeah, a little fox whispered it into my ear.”
His muscles grew taut. The threat in Jesse’s tone and the
narrowing of his eyes sent Cash’s inner wolf into a violent rage.
Ronan flanked Jesse, joining in the conversation. “Are you
threatening our alpha?”
Jesse smirked. “I don’t see how having a little friendly
conversation with a common scavenger has anything to do with your
alpha.”
“The fox. Who was it?” asked Cash. “Was it Nathan’s brother?”
Jesse tapped his lip in mock concentration. “Could have been…”
Ronan stood up so fast his barstool toppled backward. Every head
in the place spun around in their direction. “They’re two of us and one
of you. Unless you want us to wipe the smile off your face, you better
start answering our questions.”
“Scary.”
Cash leaned closer, displaying his fangs to show his deadly intent.
“Where is he?”
“Can’t say for sure, really. He left hours ago, and bear country is
so damned big.”
Bear country?
“Why would he be in bear country?” asked Ronan.
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59
Jesse shrugged. “Apparently he’s under the impression that
Redden will die unless he gets a rare native herb in the next couple
days.”
“And you had nothing to do with it, right?”
“Of course not. But I did see love in the fox’s eyes when I
mentioned Redden. Odd, isn’t it?”
“So you knew he was our alpha’s mate, and then you decided to
send him packing to bear country? You could have just killed him
yourself and spared him the fucking trip.”
Cash felt a deep-seated panic flood his veins. If the little fox really
was Redden’s mate…
“What’s the one thing worse than death for a wolf shifter?” Jesse
asked.
Losing their mate.
Cash didn’t have to answer. It was common knowledge in their
world. Jesse had his revenge all planned out, like a strategic hand of
cards. He could play innocent all he wanted, but he’d sent Ben to
certain death on the bogus quest. If he thought he could avoid a pack
war just because he hadn’t spilled the blood himself, he had another
thing coming.
Why hadn’t Redden confided in him that he’d taken a mate? Cash
would have watched over Ben more carefully, kept him in the security
of their camp. Instead his alpha and good friend felt the need to hide
his relationship? It made no sense, but then again, Ben was a fox.
That had to be it. The mere thought of choosing such a lowly shifter
sent a shiver of disgust racing up his spine. But he still would have
supported Redden’s choice. He was an excellent leader, taking each
of them into the pack when no one else would have them. He
personally trained them to be lethal predators, loved them like
brothers, and sacrificed everything for the good of the pack. It was his
gods-given right to claim a mate.
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Winona Wilder
And what if Jesse was lying, another trick to separate and confuse
the Marcelle Pack? It was as much a possibility as Jesse’s off-the-wall
story.
“If anything happens to Ben I’ll make sure to take my time killing
you.” Cash didn’t even blink, daring the wolf to threaten him back.
He was itching for a fight.
“Where is he heading, exactly?” asked Ronan.
“He’s taking the long way to the Quasi Mountains. The herb he’s
looking for is in the ancient valley where the two mountains collide,”
Jesse said.
“Will he find it?”
Jesse laughed out loud and began to walk away. “Find what?”
There never was an herb. The Krell alpha would enjoy Redden’s
slow, painful demise from the loss of his mate. “Even the great
Redden himself wouldn’t start a war on hearsay and speculation. I
joked around with a drunken fox. How was I to know he was marked
by an alpha?” He continued laughing until the door slammed shut
behind him.
Cash was too frozen in shock to act. He didn’t give a rat’s ass
about pack politics right now. He couldn’t return to the den with such
devastating news and no answers. He needed to save the day but he
had no clue where to start.
“He could be lying about everything,” Ronan offered. “We should
check the fox hole and see if Ben’s there.”
“There’s no need to go that far.” He called over the barkeep, who
was in a casual conversation at the other end of the bar.
“What can I get you?”
“You remember the little blond fox who was here when we had
the scrap with the humans?”
“When the two of you nearly put me out of business? Yeah, I
remember that fox. He ran up quite the tab.” He tossed a rag onto his
shoulder, crossing his arms. He wasn’t angry, but not impressed with
the memories either.
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61
“You see him since then?”
“Yeah. He was in here tonight.”
“With Jesse?” asked Ronan.
The barkeep nodded. “The little blond took off like a bat out of
hell. Wherever he was heading, he needed to get there in a hurry.”
Once they were alone again, they huddled closer. First they
discovered a new pack was planning to move in on their territory.
They’d left their calling card pinned to several of the trees on their
southern border. Now this. “Do we look for the fox or tell Redden
first?”
“Fuck if I know,” said Ronan. “All I know is there’s going to be a
shit storm when he finds out.”
* * * *
Redden paced around the fire pit. What had he done? He’d sent
his own mate away, the one he’d marked and claimed only hours ago.
What the fuck was he thinking? Was he even thinking at all? His wolf
was gutted, the insatiable need to protect its mate going unfulfilled.
What if one of the human hunters was lurking near the fox den? What
if his feral enemies were closer than he thought? He kicked at some
loose stones, venting his frustration.
He’d sent Ben away for his own good, he tried to convince
himself. A mate was the ultimate weakness, a blazing target to rivals.
When Cash showed him the calling card that told him southern
wolves were planning to challenge them for their land, he’d panicked.
He never should have considered claiming Ben, but the call had been
irresistible. Redden was a fool in love.
He was so preoccupied feeling sorry for himself, he didn’t even
hear the wolf approach. It was so unlike him to be off his game.
“Boss,” Cash called out immediately after shifting. “Boss!”
“What is it? You find the hunters?”
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Winona Wilder
Ronan’s wolf broke through the brushwood moments later,
shifting to join them in the clearing.
“Not exactly,” said Cash. “It’s about your pet.”
The comment gave him pause. He wasn’t used to calling Ben his
pet, but his pack would associate the name with the fox. Just hearing
mention of Ben made his protective instincts soar.
“What about him? Did he not stay in his den again?” He was used
to Ben breaking the rules. His little fox was a rebel.
“Well, that’s obvious. He was at the bar. But that’s not the
problem.”
Problem?
Ronan chimed in where Cash left off. “Jesse sent him away.”
He mustn’t have heard right. Redden growled his displeasure,
ready to inflict damage on the nearest male. His two packmates
backed up. “How did he get to the bar unnoticed when I have every
one of you on patrols? And how was he talking with Jesse in the first
place?”
“You know how sneaky Ben is, boss. We heard all this from
Jesse. Ben was gone before we even showed up.” Cash’s chest was
rising and falling too fast for Redden’s liking. Something was bad
enough to make a fearless shifter panic.
“Gone where?”
Cash’s jaw clenched before he spoke. “Jesse sent him packing to
bear country on some bullshit quest.”
Bear-occupied forest was uncharted territory. It was dangerous
and certainly no place for a soft-skinned fox like Ben.
“And he went willingly? Doesn’t he realize that’s suicide?”
“He did it for you. Jesse said you needed some damn herb or
you’d die.” Cash appeared genuinely regretful. “You should have told
us he was your mate.”
Redden whirled away, ramming his arms into oaks with his
inhuman strength and mounting frustration. The echo of cracking
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63
wood disturbed the calm of the forest. “Why would he go? Doesn’t he
think? Why would he believe anything coming from my top rival?”
“He must love you,” said Cash. “He didn’t think twice.”
“How stupid can a fox be? Do I look like I’m dying? He didn’t
consider Jesse was pulling a fast one?” Redden was a complete mess.
He didn’t know what to think or do. Hiding his love wasn’t even an
afterthought when Ben was at risk. With so little information, he
didn’t even know what step to take next. Blake lived in bear country
with his new bear mate, but the territory was vast and divided. No
outsiders dared cross the border. Once a wolf ventured into the
forbidden territory, they were never seen or heard from again. A fox
was even weaker than a wolf, an easy target for one of the massive
bear shifters.
“What do you want us to do, Redden?” asked Ronan. “Just say the
word and we’ll act.”
He had to keep his cool. He was still the Marcelle alpha, and his
men looked to him for direction. There was no way he could let
himself fall apart now. Too much was going on, threats at every
corner.
“We wait.”
“What?” Cash shouted, disbelief coloring his words. “You realize
that slip of a shifter will have no chance on his own, don’t you?”
His men wanted to help, wanted to comply with his will. But he
wouldn’t allow any of them to risk their lives for his mate. Jesse was
using Ben to get to him, and him alone. If anyone was going to save
Ben, it would be Redden.
“He made his choice, so he’ll have to live with it.” He tried his
best to replicate disinterest. Once his packmates sensed the volatile
mix of emotions erupting just under the surface, they’d stop at
nothing to get Ben back. Even risking their own lives in the process.
“I don’t believe this. There’s no way he’ll survive the night. Was
Jesse wrong about him being your mate?” Cash asked.
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Winona Wilder
“He’s my pet. Nothing more. Now, go keep an eye on those
human hunters before they get into trouble.” Redden turned away
from his men before they figured him out. He ducked into his den, his
eyes burning with unshed tears. The fox’s scent still lingered in the
enclosed space, a reminder of everything he’d lose if Ben was killed.
Ben had gone into the valley of death out of love. For Redden. His
fearless little fox was as loyal as he was stubborn. He had to get him
back. If he didn’t, Jesse would win, and Redden would lose
everything.
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65
Chapter Seven
Ben readjusted the small satchel he carried over his shoulder.
He’d included some provisions and extra clothes before tying it to a
thin branch. The hiking hadn’t been the hardest part of his journey,
although he’d been going at it for hours. It was the unknown that
terrified him. It had been hard enough venturing into wolf-occupied
land with his family when they left the city. Bear territory was a
whole different ball game. If he was spotted, they’d tear him into to
unrecognizable little pieces. The only thing inspiring him to continue
on was his mission. He had to save his mate.
Redden was a symbol of strength and security. He’d be able to
protect and sustain Ben. No more scavenging and fighting for
survival. Having such a powerful mate would make life worth living.
Ben remembered the early days when his family lived in the city.
It hadn’t been easy. He’d hit his lowest point when he sold himself to
some asshole for a few bucks. His family had no money for food, and
he considered the degradation a sacrifice worth making. After years of
being physically and sexually abused by shifters and humans alike, he
felt his life was a forfeit anyway.
But now the tables had turned and his man needed him. If Ben
was unable to save Redden, he’d be lost. He’d be back to square one
with no hope of asylum when the other Marcelle wolves wanted him
gone. More than that. He’d mourn the loss of his new love for the rest
of his life. The love bite was more potent that a cobra’s venom. It
changed Ben. He no longer desired the affection of random strangers.
He wanted the love of only one man, the only one who mattered. Ben
still remembered the taste of his kiss.
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Winona Wilder
Another dead end. Shit. He tried to follow Jesse’s instructions to
the letter, but they continually got him lost. If he didn’t know any
better, he’d say he was on a wild goose chase. The only reason he
knew he was on track was the sight of the two merging mountains far
in the distance. The herb was in the valley between them. It
supposedly had bright green leaves with yellow flowers, and it could
cure Redden completely. A cure meant a future for them together.
According to Jesse, he’d have to crush it into a paste and feed it to his
wolf for three days. Then he’d be cured of his fatal ailment.
He walked the thick, unbeaten paths all the next day until the sun
faded into darkness, leaving only the glow of the moon. Ben had to
rest. His eyes were heavy with sleep, his muscles turning to gelatin
from all the exertion. But the invisible clock was ticking, every
wasted minute another nail in Redden’s coffin. He had to keep going.
Ben trudged onward. The forest was unfamiliar this far north, the
underbrush nearly impenetrable with countless new plant species he’d
never encountered. It truly was an untouched paradise. The oaks were
massive and moss covered, unlike the tall slender trees further south.
His skin was a collage of scrapes and scratches from all the thorny
vines and rough branches impeding his way. An owl hooted above
and small forest critters scurried through the leaf litter. Every sound
put his nerves on edge, but he couldn’t stop now. He was so close to
success.
The faint glow of the moon managed to permeate the heavy forest
canopy, filtering through the network of leaves from above like a fine
lace. It faintly highlighted his footsteps and the unique foliage around
him. All he needed was one herb.
His mind wandered. Why hadn’t Redden told him about his
illness? It wasn’t fair to mark him when Redden knew he was on
death’s door. Surely some of his packmates could have gone in search
of the herb before now. Why not ask Blake to retrieve it? He lived in
bear territory with his new mate. It would have taken little effort to
save his former alpha’s life. That made more sense than for Redden to
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67
play dumb and kiss his life good-bye. The more Ben thought about it,
the more he began to question the validity of Jesse’s story.
There was a fallen tree just ahead, the insides rotted out from age
and decay. It was the perfect size for Ben’s fox. He could hole up and
take a quick nap to recharge. In his current state, drunk on tiredness,
he was incapable of mindful thought. Ben shifted into his red fur and
nestled into the crevice. It felt good to rest his weary limbs. Once he
closed his eyes, he found he couldn’t open them if he tried. He
imagined Redden’s strong arms around him, staving off the chill.
Sweet daydreams lulled him into unconsciousness.
He woke to pitch darkness and complete chaos. His body was
afloat, smashing over and over against the insides of the decayed tree.
Ben couldn’t get his bearings, struggling to get his feet under him. All
he could do was tense and wait until the tree settled. His body ached
from the trauma, but he couldn’t worry about that now. How had he
fallen into such a deep sleep behind enemy lines?
When the log rolled into another tree, it came to an abrupt halt.
Ben scrambled out of the trunk before it could be tossed again. Once
on solid ground, he saw exactly what he feared—a bear. The grizzly
was massive, rearing up on two legs in an impressive display of
strength and power. Ben froze, uncertain what to do. Run and be
caught? Play dead? Hide in the underbrush? The bear’s claws were
huge and lethal. He imagined those very claws carving furrows
through his fox hide. There was no way he’d survive an attack, so he
had to keep his distance and trust his speed and stealth.
When the grizzly set its small, black eyes on Ben, it dropped
down onto all fours and charged like an animal with one obsession. Its
fat and muscle rippled under its heavy fur coat as it barreled toward
him, death written in his gaze. Ben decided on the fly that it would be
a good idea for him to run, too. Fast. He was already in his fox fur, so
he took off like a dart, looking for briars and low overhangs to aid his
escape. His heart pounded in his ears. The scent of black earth and
pine was potent as his claws churned up the forest floor.
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Winona Wilder
Ben ran for miles without faltering, hoping the oversized animal
would tire before him. His gamble paid off. Although the beast
managed to follow him most of the way, it gave up when Ben toppled
headfirst down a steep embankment. He rolled to his feet and kept
running until he couldn’t go another minute and his heart was ready to
pound out of his chest. Ben dropped down and shifted into his skin,
his eyes closed and body motionless. He only concentrated on the
rhythm of his breathing, the calm wind cooling his overheated body,
and the sound of tree frogs serenading him.
When Ben finally opened his eyes, he only saw shades of green.
He rolled to his side to gauge his surroundings. He was lying on a bed
of small yellow flowers unlike anything he’d ever seen. And when he
looked up, he saw the dark shadows of two opposing mountains. He’d
found his mark. It may have been by accident, but he wouldn’t
complain.
While he plucked as many of the healing herbs as he could carry,
the distinct crack of a branch reminded him he would not be safe until
he crossed the southern border out of bear country.
The bears had found him. This time there were reinforcements.
Several glowing eyes locked onto him, their bodies shrouded by
shadows. The grizzlies had to be envisioning the numerous ways they
could make him suffer, or so he believed. They were slow to act,
calculating, prolonging his suffering. Why hadn’t they made a move?
Ben looked down at the handfuls of herbs in his hands. If he died,
Redden died. He wouldn’t wait for the bears to kill him, not when he
had legs to run. He’d shift into his fox and run until his body quit.
But, then again, if he shifted into his fur, he’d lose his precious cargo.
* * * *
An eerie feeling filtered into Redden’s veins when he left
Marcelle land to cross over onto bear territory. It went against all his
better instincts, but he had to find Ben. It may be the most
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69
complicated relationship, but he loved the fox. Once he got him
home, he’d no longer hide their mating. He realized the best place to
protect Ben was by his side.
His black wolf moved stealthily as he crept deeper into the
unknown forest. All his senses were on high alert, his hackles up.
What if he was too late? What if he was incapable of saving his mate
from a superior opponent? Redden had sent his packmates on
perimeter checks hours before he left to find Ben. Although Cash had
wanted to help, Redden couldn’t have another man’s safety on his
conscience. He had to make things right on his own, even if he was
hardwired to hunt and fight in a pack.
After hiking through the thick tangle of brushwood for nearly an
hour, he scented the enemy. It had been a long time since he
challenged anything larger than a wolf. A massive bear was leaning
over to drink from the small stream that cut through the land. He
could hear the trickle of water over the stones and smell the freshness
of the water, igniting his thirst. The bear hadn’t noticed him yet.
Being caught on enemy land was one thing, but Redden was a
werewolf alpha. It would be an act of war for him to trespass. The fact
Blake had mated with a powerful bear didn’t matter now, not when
the land was divided into numerous regions, each with its own leader.
It would be kill and ask questions later. He had to remain undetected.
He measured each step, attempting to keep his breathing shallow
as adrenaline pumped rapidly through his veins. It was no different
than sneaking up on a buck. Only now he wanted to put distance
between him and the huge mass of muscle and fur. He managed to
maneuver around the beast and continued north toward the mountain
ranges. Redden continually tested the air in search of Ben’s unique
scent. It was branded on his memory. Occasionally he swore he’d
found his mate, but it was a trick of the wind.
When he came across a battered old log, he froze. The aroma was
undeniable. Ben had been here. Redden’s wolf investigated the area,
sniffing for any clues. The chemical signature was a volatile mix of
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Winona Wilder
fox, fear, and bear aggression. What had happened? Was he too late?
His wolf wanted to call for backup, to round up the pack for an attack,
but he was alone.
Redden bolted for the rough path heading deeper into the forest.
He didn’t want to waste a second. He ran until his muscles protested,
his wolf near complete exhaustion.
“Ben,” he called out, hoping his mate would hear his plea. “Ben!
Answer me, dammit!”
This was his fault. Redden hadn’t put his complete faith in his
new fox mate, pushing him away like an unwanted guest. It had
brought him a measure of peace to blame his cold behavior on the
need to protect Ben. But in all honesty, Redden hadn’t been one
hundred percent convinced that fate got things right. It wasn’t until he
learned the crazy little fox had risked everything in an attempt to save
Redden’s life that he knew he’d been a poor judge of character. Any
doubts or misgivings he had about the other man dissolved into
nothingness. All that remained was love and his complete
commitment.
He followed the trail, Ben’s scent growing stronger as he neared
the mountains. So close. Redden hadn’t expected a wild animal to
crash into him on the desolate forest path. He was startled, stopping to
see what had hit him but not wanting to stall longer than necessary.
It was Lope.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he demanded. As far as
Redden was concerned, Lope was home keeping their land secure.
“We couldn’t let you come out here on your own. That would be
suicide.”
“We?”
“Cash and Ronan are chasing after Ben.”
What was happening? Half his pack was deeper into bear territory
than him. And they’d found Ben? Why was he running from them?
“Did they hurt him?” Pack or no pack, any man who harmed his
mate would pay dearly probably with his life.
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71
“We were trying to help. We found him sleeping not far from here.
But as soon as he saw us, he took off like he’d seen the damn devil.”
It was no secret that his pack wanted the fox squatters gone. The
fact made it all the more difficult announcing his mating. Ben would
never be accepted.
“That doesn’t make sense. Cash and Ronan have dragged him
home from the bar too many times to count. He’s never run away
from them.”
“There’re bears everywhere out here. We had a few near run-ins
ourselves. He may have just been spooked.”
“Which way?” asked Redden. “Ben’s my mate. I have to find
him.” No more hiding the truth. The thought of Ben out there alone
and scared seriously pissed him off. He had to get him back, protect
him, and explain that his suicide adventure was in vain. Redden was
the healthiest wolf in the northern forests, and no magical herb was
going to change that.
Lope didn’t say a word. He nodded his head to the east and that’s
exactly the direction Redden took.
He raced around downed logs and leapt over low branches. If
they’d been chasing Ben only minutes before, he couldn’t be far.
Redden would tell him the truth about Jesse’s lies, and they could
start a new life together. One founded on unconditional love, no more
denial or games.
Redden no longer concerned himself with his own safety. He
stopped to howl, the haunting sound carrying into the forest canopy. If
Ben was out there, he’d hear his call. So would the bears. He
continued his hurried pace until he came across a scattering of
plucked wild herbs. Ben’s scent was strong. Redden looked around
the clearing, testing the air for any other sign of his mate.
“Redden…”
He’d recognize the voice of his right-hand man any day or night.
Cash was moving in fast. Redden wasn’t sure when they’d crossed the
border against his orders, but if some of his pack were nearby, they
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Winona Wilder
could rally to find Ben. Or maybe they already had him in tow. His
heart rate increased as he waited with bated breath. He’d give
anything to see that foolish little red fox again. The one that could
shift into the most handsome man he’d ever laid eyes on.
“Where’s Ben?”
Cash and Ronan gracefully parted the wild daisies as they joined
him in the small clearing. “Haven’t found him. He’s on the run.”
“He’s going to get himself killed,” Ronan added, and Redden
agreed. They had to find him before every bear for a hundred
kilometers moved in on their location.
“Listen, I know what I told you about Ben being my pet, but he’s a
lot more—”
“We know, boss.” Cash’s voice was final, not requiring an
explanation from Redden. His heart swelled because he had such a
close, bonded pack. It wasn’t long ago that he broke the rules so that
Jacob and Blake could follow their hearts. Now he was in the same
boat, loving an outsider, and seeking pack approval.
“Let’s just find the lush before the bears do. He’s so basted in
alcohol, he’ll be a little too tempting a treat for our northern
neighbors.” Ronan moved out first, following the same trail Ben had
taken.
Redden followed, and Cash brought up the rear. They were so in
sync, their wolves moving like one mass of muscle and fur as they
navigated the overgrown forest paths. He’d wanted to come find Ben
alone, but he had to admit it felt right to have his packmates by his
side. Cash and Ronan were capable warriors, and they’d no doubt
come out of this unscathed. He wasn’t so sure about Ben if they didn’t
find him soon.
When Ronan stopped short, he nearly crashed into him. Before he
could question the other wolf, his jaw went slack. A deep-seated
dread began to seep from his gut to every extremity. He was frozen in
time and place, a thousand thoughts and memories flooding his mind,
a collage of love and loss. There was blood painted on the leafy
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foliage just ahead. Redden didn’t need to be told it was Ben’s. He
already knew.
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Chapter Eight
Ben cursed as he hobbled along, holding a makeshift bandage of
dry moss to his upper arm. He’d been through the ringer and back and
the night was still young. After his fall into the ravine, and escape
from the gang of blood-thirsty bears, he was still being trailed. The
only way he could get the bears off his scent was to leave a piece of
himself behind, namely his blood.
It wasn’t pleasant, but he had little choice with his life hanging in
the balance. Ben used a sharp stick to pierce his arm until the skin
tore. He let the blood spill onto the oversized green leaves around
him, creating a powerful scent source that would hopefully give him
time to escape. He was disoriented in the unfamiliar green maze but
knew he had to put distance between himself and the mountains.
Eventually he’d cross onto wolf territory.
“It’s not a good idea to be wandering the forest alone, especially
at this hour.”
Ben whirled around, not expecting to find a human voice this deep
into nowhere. A darkly handsome man, nearly a foot taller than him,
leaned against a great oak. His arms were crossed over his chest as he
appraised Ben’s condition. He must look worse than shit, but Ben
didn’t care. What mattered were the precious herbs he carried in his
left hand. He’d lost most of the yellow flowers when he shifted from
man to fox, but he collected enough in his teeth before he took off
running. He wouldn’t shift again. The little he had left wouldn’t
survive another trip in his fox’s mouth. Ben only hoped he had
enough left to cure Redden.
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“I’m hiking south,” he said as he continued to walk. A human in
this area was likely a bear shifter, especially with the man’s size and
confidence. His eyes and hair were dark as night, camouflaging him
in their shadowed surroundings. Normally he’d be terrified, but his
worry for Redden overrode all logical thought.
“You look lost, friend.” The man moved closer, sending Ben’s
nerves into a sudden spike.
“I’ll be fine. Thank you, though.” He nodded once in respect,
hoping to the gods there wouldn’t be a problem. Ben was exhausted,
starving, hungry, and nervous. All he wanted to do was get to safety,
eat, sleep, and put this miserable journey behind him.
“Anyone lost in this part of the woods is most definitely my
concern. And you look like you need tending.”
It had to be a shifter. Humans didn’t venture this far. It was
frustrating not knowing for sure, but Ben was still confident it was a
bear, and he couldn’t fall for his tricks. The gruesome stories were
true. Shifters crossing into bear territory never returned. They became
statistics and the subject of gory fireside tales.
“It’s just a small cut—”
The man shook his head, a menacing gleam in his eyes. “It gets
lonely this far north. I rarely see anything so…soft.”
Ben wasn’t ready to offer himself up as a sacrificial lamb. He had
a mate he loved, and the clock was ticking to his death. He backed
away, nearly falling over the heavy roots and branches that slowed his
getaway.
“I can’t stay here,” Ben said. “I really have to get home.”
The man chuckled—a dark, twisted sound. “No one leaves.” He
definitely knew Ben wasn’t human. He planned to take what he
wanted because Ben was too small in comparison to put up a fight.
Would the bear eat him, fuck him, kill him? He wondered if they were
capable of torturing their victims—fuel for the legends told by
outsiders. These shifters valued their privacy and probably went to
great lengths to ensure it.
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“I have to get these herbs home. If I don’t, someone I care about
will die.”
The shifter snatched the flowers from his hand before he could
hide them away. He studied them briefly before tossing them behind
him with disregard. “These are worthless weeds.”
Ben instinctively rushed forward, dropping to his knees in a poor
attempt to find the tiny yellow blooms in the heavy underbrush.
“Fuck!” One man’s weeds were another man’s saving grace. How
would he get back to the source of the flowers? He was already lost as
it was. Desperation crept up on him. He wanted to accomplish great
things but he felt limited by his circumstances.
“I can show you some of the rarest flowers you’ve ever seen, just
up in the mountains. Forget these, and forget whoever’s waiting for
you,” the man said.
Ben was losing patience. He no longer cared that he was a fraction
of the size and strength of this male and surrounded by hundreds of
acres of enemy territory. “Look, these are special, okay! They’re a
cure for my mate. If you’re not going to help, stay out of my way.”
“I’ve heard wolves are temperamental, but I’ve never seen one
risk his life for a few worthless flowers. As far as I know, they’re
good for nothing but attracting bees.”
“Not these,” said Ben. “They’re like fucking magic. And I’m not a
wolf.”
“Well, I know you’re not a bear…too small.”
“Yeah, got it.” Ben was getting sick and tired of being tiny and
incapable. It was the story of his life. “Foxes tend to be small in their
human form. But size isn’t everything.”
The bear chuckled, a deep rumbling sound. “Can’t say I’ve ever
seen a fox shifter.”
“We usually stick to the cities. It’s easier to play human.”
Ben managed to save a few flowers, but there weren’t nearly
enough to create the paste Jesse said he needed for Redden. His mind
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was spinning, trying to come up with a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants
plan to salvage his journey.
“But now you’re here. On my territory.” The bear helped him to
his feet and tugged him against his body. Ben struggled against his
strength, but his efforts were futile against the solid mass of bulky
muscle.
“I said I have a mate. I’m marked. Where I come from that means
something.”
“Never said I was looking for a mate, fox. Just a night to
remember.”
What wouldn’t have fazed Ben a week ago, now sent him into a
panic. He wanted nothing to do with this stranger’s advances, but he
was helpless to resist. The air felt thick with his own nervous tension.
The bear would have his fill and leave him for dead. He had no doubt
about it.
“I’m skin and bones, and I haven’t showered in days. You could
do a lot better. Seriously.”
The male shrugged, no hint of playfulness left. “You’ll do.”
* * * *
Redden heard Lope’s warning howl in the distance, signaling that
the bears were closing in from the south. He had to find Ben fast. If he
was even alive at all.
“Lope’s alone down there,” said Cash.
“He’ll be fine. The bears aren’t trained to fight in packs.”
Redden’s wolf picked up on Ben’s trail, the signature leading
southeast. His hackles rose, his mouth salivating at the thought of
destroying any threat to his mate.
They barreled around a rocky outcropping, Ronan growling and
Cash barking as they came upon their enemy. Their wolf bodies
collided as they fought to move faster.
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A massive male had Ben pinned against a tree. He was as large as
Blake’s mate, so it had to be a bear shifter. The male was still in
human form, so he wouldn’t stand a chance against them until he
shifted.
Redden hadn’t expected to find a male threat. He expected to find
his little fox injured and alone. The sight of another man trying to
claim his mate made his wolf wild with territorial jealousy. Mine.
“Pin him before he shifts,” shouted Ronan. The large wolf leapt
forward, knocking the man to the ground with a thunderous boom.
Cash rushed into the frenzy, joining Ronan in securing the bear
shifter. The oversized human screamed as his packmates bit into his
tender flesh. As much as Redden wanted to be the one to exact
revenge, he had only one thing on his mind.
He called the change to take over his body, shifting from the black
alpha wolf to a human within seconds. Redden rolled out his
shoulders and took the first tentative step on two legs. “You’re hurt.
Where?”
It was so good to see his mate with his own eyes. He was alive,
relatively unharmed, and the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
Ben’s breathing was still ragged.
He shook his head. “I’ll survive. But you shouldn’t be out here.
You should be home resting.” It felt unnatural to have a male outside
his pack genuinely care about him. His heart broke just a little
knowing his fox had gone through so much for his well-being.
“There’s nothing wrong with me, little one.” He scooped Ben off
the forest floor and into the cradle of his arms. “Who told you I was
sick?”
Ben was quiet for a moment as if reflecting. “Jesse?”
Redden frowned, wishing his mate had known better after
everything Jesse had done in the past. “You trusted him? You didn’t
think to ask me first?”
“I–I thought you’d become resigned to your fate. I couldn’t let
you die. I just acted…”
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The whines of the human behind them morphed into the agitated
growls of a bear. His packmates’ snarls intensified, the bloodcurdling
sounds carrying through the forest.
“Our buddy’s losing his skin. Time to go. Can you shift and run?”
“You better believe it,” said Ben.
Redden set his mate onto his two feet when he wanted nothing
more than to coddle him and tend his injuries. There had been blood
on the bushes, so Ben had at least one gaping wound. But until they
were off bear-occupied land and safely on Marcelle property, they
were in danger.
They ran, and he knew Cash and Ronan wouldn’t be far behind.
They’d come across Lope on the way back. He’d be waiting to escort
them back to safety.
“Move those little feet,” said Redden, prodding the fox with his
snout. Every minute counted with bears on the chase. He wasn’t
worried for himself. Ben was as fragile as shifters came, and he could
be harmed if a full-blown brawl ensued.
They didn’t stop to rest. Although the forest was unfamiliar,
Redden recognized the border of bear territory when they reached it.
There was a natural ridge in the land and the forest thinned enough to
let the moon highlight the trails ahead. Lope was on guard as
expected. “This is it. Don’t stop until I tell you,” said Redden.
Dolph joined Lope and they both stood guard at the border of
Marcelle land. Soon his other two packmates would join them in
creating an impenetrable wall of teeth and claws. Lucky for them the
bears were reclusive and didn’t work well in packs, otherwise they’d
have a losing battle on their hands.
“I’m tired,” said Ben.
“Do you know where you are now?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Go to Nathan and Jacob’s old den and wait for me.”
They split up once in the safety of the Marcelle-owned forest. Jacob
had built a small, temporary den for himself and his mate until they
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were given the green light to embrace their mixed-species mating. If
Redden could go back in time, he wouldn’t have been so hard on his
best man. Jacob had been struck by the same arrow now deeply
embedded in Redden’s heart—love for a little fox. It was laughable,
but also undeniable.
There was nothing he wanted more right now than to see Ben—to
feel him, taste him, and prove to himself he was unscathed. But he
couldn’t go to him when he was filled with hatred. Jesse had nearly
cost Ben his life. What he did was an act of war between packs. It was
one thing to mess with him, another to go after his mate. There was
no crueler punishment in their world. And Redden demanded revenge.
* * * *
Ben did as asked, racing through the forest in search of the
abandoned den. He’d come across it a few times while picking
berries. Nathan used to sneak away to be with his wolf lover,
reminding Ben how utterly alone he was. He’d stay holed up with his
parents and siblings, dreaming of the day his own hero would come
and rescue him.
After crawling inside the rudimentary briar structure, Ben shifted
and collapsed to his back. He’d made it. After days of the adrenaline-
fueled cat-and-mouse game, he’d come out on top. Although he didn’t
have enough flowers to cure Redden, he was pretty certain his mate
had no ailment whatsoever. Jesse had lied. And he’d believed him.
Even though his trip had been for nothing, he would still do it
again in a heartbeat for Redden. As he caught his breath, he wondered
what would happen next. There were threats facing the Marcelle
wolves and Redden’s pack made it clear they didn’t accept outsiders
into their fold. How could a relationship work between Ben and
Redden? It was impossible to walk away now, not with his
heartstrings securely tied to the Marcelle alpha. He’d have to rely on
his mate to make things right.
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A hand reached in the den, the strong fingers wrapping around his
ankle before yanking hard. At first he expected it was Redden playing
with him until he saw Ronan’s stoic features. The rough forest floor
scraped his soft human skin as he was dragged from the shelter.
“Get up,” Ronan ordered.
“Where’s Redden?”
“I don’t have time for your questions, fox. Redden wants you
moved to safety. There’re hunters everywhere.”
Ben hadn’t even scented a human. He was too wound up escaping
bears to worry about hunters. If he wasn’t safe in the old den deep in
Marcelle territory, the situation was worse than he could imagine.
Where would they go to safety if not here?
“They’d kill a human?”
It was often best to stay out of their fur when human hunters were
in close proximity. They rarely hunted one of their own.
“I wouldn’t put it past them. These are extreme hunters after big
game. It’s like a disease, an addiction to adrenaline. Every time they
come out they need something stronger to quench their bloodlust.”
Ben worried for his family, for Redden, and for his own future.
Just when he thought he’d finally found his place, his world tilted off
axis. “I won’t go. Not without Redden and my family.”
“Redden’s an alpha wolf capable of caring for himself. And your
family’s under our protection.” Ronan gave him a quick shove.
“Now’s not the time to be brave. Start running before it’s too late.”
Ben shifted into his fox, the sounds and scents of the forest
instantly becoming magnified. His worries were masked by the shift,
aiding him in thinking without the burden of heavy emotion. He ran
as instructed, weaving around the massive trees as fast as he could
manage. Ronan passed him, leading him southwest to the alpha’s den.
Was that the safe haven? Did they plan to flee or fight to the death?
“Where’s Redden?”
“Fighting.”
“Don’t you worry he could be killed?”
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“He’s a wolf. Fighting is what he was born to do.”
Ben wasn’t reassured. The thought of never hearing Redden’s
voice again made every muscle in his body seize up. Even in his fur,
he was worried sick. Being alone with a wolf who’d rather see him
dead didn’t help his heightened nerves, either.
They slowed down when they reached the alpha’s den. His
breathing was labored as he settled near the fire pit. Once in his skin,
he sat on the old familiar log. Last time he was here his mate had tried
to comfort him. Now he was alone in so many ways. He stared at the
gray-and-white ash, memories flitting through his mind. In such a
short time span he’d gone from numb to madly in love. He didn’t
want to return to his old way of life, not when he’d had a brief taste of
paradise.
He’d lost track of the present until the crunch of leaf litter pulled
him from his daydream. “Wolves don’t only fight for land.”
Ben turned and looked up at Ronan. “Huh? What are you saying?”
“They also fight for love.” Ronan ran a hand over the stubble at
his jawline. “You’re more than Redden’s pet.”
Ben smirked. “I love him, too.”
For the first time he felt a budding sense of ease around one of
Redden’s stoic packmates. Would the others eventually accept him?
Or did they disapprove of their alpha’s new love interest?
“Why has he stayed alone for so long?” asked Ben.
“I don’t think any of us, including Redden, thought he’d ever
claim a mate. He’s the alpha, the one with the level head.”
“Why’d he change?”
Ronan smirked. “When a man finds his true mate, the gods don’t
let him pass up the opportunity. It’s impossible to resist the mating
call. Even for Redden.”
A gunshot fired in the near distance, the sound echoing in the
forest canopy. Ben stood and twirled around as he stared up at the
sky. A few black birds hurried off their branches, cawing a warning
for all to hear. Where had the shot originated?
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“They’re close. Don’t worry, the pack will be here soon.”
If there was a pack left. How could any animal survive against
human firearms?
“I’m worried about Redden. What if he’s shot?”
“I’ve known him a long time. By now I’m convinced the wolf’s
indestructible.”
He nodded, wanting to agree, but terrified his worries were
founded.
Ronan ushered him into the den. “Get inside. It’s safer.” He was
reluctant to enter, not wanting another trip down memory lane. It was
dark and empty inside, the only sound of his heart pounding in his
ears. He cursed his weakness when all he wanted to do was help.
Several more shots went off and a human called out in victory.
Other men joined in the celebrations. A victory meant death, a large
kill. Was it a wolf? If so, which one? Ben felt guilty for hoping it was
someone other than Redden, but he couldn’t help himself.
Ben tried to peer out the small gaps in the den. He noted Ronan
fearlessly standing guard, the humans moving in around him. The
crazy wolf was going to die protecting him.
“I remember you,” said the largest male. He wore camouflage and
a hunter’s cap.
“I’d definitely remember a face like yours,” Ronan goaded.
Then all hell broke loose.
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Chapter Nine
Redden and Cash raced toward the gunfire. The rest of the pack
had moved out ahead of them, but Redden still felt an unnatural sense
of fear. He had a nagging sense of dread deep in his gut that Ben was
in danger. Had a human shot his little fox? Was he too late? All his
life, he’d prided himself on being fearless. He fought without holding
back, threatened rivals and backed up every word. Now his slip of a
mate had complete control of his heart. He worried about Ben every
second, now more than ever.
As expected, the bears weren’t willing to leave their territory and
venture south onto Marcelle land. Redden and his men didn’t goad
them into fighting because they shouldn’t have been on their land in
the first place. Instead, they dealt with the next threat—humans.
He should have ordered Cash to take care of the hunters when
they first showed up. He wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
Redden never expected they’d cause this much trouble for them.
They’d gone batshit crazy, firing at anything that moved. There was
no way Redden would allow such chaos on his own land. And his
packmates were nearly as territorial as him. Their borders were the
most heavily protected in the northern forests. If he permitted these
weak human males to have their way, the Marcelle name would lose
all credibility, opening them up to invasion by other packs. A
precedent needed to be set with southern wolves moving into their
region. But wolves were a threat he knew well. Humans were more
complicated and potentially more dangerous.
“By my count there should be five more,” said Cash.
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They’d taken care of half a dozen near the border, sending the
humans running in fear. With no hospitals for more than a hundred
miles, they’d have to leave in a hurry, hopefully never to return.
Bloodthirsty wolves were usually an excellent deterrent.
“They’re close to our camp.”
He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, desperate to protect his
land, his pack, and his mate. Gunshots fired off, the sound like a hot
blade through Redden’s heart. He prayed to the gods not to take his
mate from him so soon. But somehow he knew it was too late. If he
hadn’t pushed Ben away in the first place, none of these events would
have happened. It was all his fault.
When they reached the den, the humans were fighting with his
pack. His wolf growled, enraged the humans were on his private turf.
The men were swearing, punching, and brawling. He barely
remembered to conceal his shift, immediately shedding his fur to join
in the melee. Cash was right beside him, eager for bloodshed, as
always.
Redden charged forward without fear of injury or death. He
knocked a weapon from a hunter’s hand, dropping him down with a
thunderous boom. All he saw was red.
“You’ve shown up late to the party,” said Ronan, holding a hunter
in a headlock. “Look who showed up without an invitation.”
Redden looked to the side and saw Jacob batting the humans away
like flies. He was so powerful, the ultimate Marcelle warrior. Gods
he’d missed him since he’d mated and left the pack.
Before Redden even joined in, the battle had nearly been won.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, resting a hand on Jacob’s
shoulder.
“You think my mate would let me sit back while his family was in
danger? Besides, the Marcelles will always have my loyalty.”
“It’s good to see you.”
Jacob never was one for sentiment. He clapped him on the back
after a brief moment of reminiscing. “We’ll escort our guests to the
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highway. Why don’t you go take care of your own little fox?” Jacob
winked, reminding Redden of everything they’d gone through
together. He’d once fought his packmate about choosing a lowly fox
for a mate. Now he was in the exact same position.
They nodded to each other in respect, and Redden watched them
head through the forest with the humans in tow. The hunters wouldn’t
soon return after the beatings they’d received. This was no place for
young men. It was a world made for hardcore shifters playing a life-
and-death game of survival.
Once out of sight, Redden rushed to his den. He didn’t have to be
told his mate waited inside. He could scent him as soon as he arrived
at the camp. He hoped to the gods he was in one piece. After ducking
under the leather flap, he saw him sitting in the far corner. He didn’t
like the look of fear and uncertainty on his face, but he was alive.
“Ben? You okay?”
His little mate swallowed hard and nodded a few moments later. It
only confirmed he wasn’t all right.
“Come here,” Redden said. “Everything’s okay now. I promise.”
Ben slowly crept closer. He was trembling, bringing out Redden’s
protective instincts. He loved Ben’s sweetness, the vulnerable quality
he possessed beneath his big bravado.
“I thought you were killed.”
Redden chuckled. “Nothing can keep me from coming home to
you.”
“Before you sent me away, Cash showed you something. It was
the reason you wanted me gone, wasn’t it?”
Redden’s face heated in shame. “It was. But absolutely nothing
will come between us again.”
“What was it? What did he show you?”
“It was a calling card from another wolf pack. They leave it when
they plan to make a play for the land.” Redden took a cleansing
breath. “I didn’t want you to get hurt if things got ugly.”
“And now?”
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“I’ve dealt with bears, men with guns, and worst of all thinking
I’d lost you. I’m not worried about wolves. I dare them to challenge
my pack.”
“And the herb? You sure you don’t need it?”
Redden smiled. He couldn’t love the little fox more if he tried.
“You’re adorable, Ben. Look at me. Do I look like I’m weak and
dying?”
His cock was hard as rock, jutting up like a virile arrow. The relief
of finding his mate unscathed did amazing things for his libido. He
wanted nothing more than to feel Ben’s soft, warm skin pressed
against his. In fact, he could imagine many more indecent encounters.
* * * *
Ben had stayed sheltered in the den while countless men fought
only feet away. They weren’t playing, the fighting more brutal than
he’d ever seen or encountered.
Soon after all went quiet, he entered the den. His mate. Redden
was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
When Redden told him to check out his erection, he couldn’t
believe his eyes. His size still managed to surprise Ben. He wanted to
take the wolf in his mouth, to suck him until he cried out for more.
“You look more than okay to me,” said Ben.
“What about you? Last time I saw you, you had some injuries that
needed tending.”
“Just scrapes. I’m fine now that you’re here.”
Redden knelt down on both knees and beckoned him closer with a
crooked finger. Ben moved on command, wanting nothing more than
physical comfort. Once they were face to face, Redden leaned slightly
forward and kissed Ben on the lips. It was warm and soft.
“I’m sorry. For everything.”
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Ben shook his head, refusing to let Redden take any blame for the
recent sequence of events. He was as much to blame for believing
Jesse’s lies. “No. Thank you for loving me.”
“That I do, little fox. More than you know. And like I’ve said, a
wolf bite isn’t something we take lightly.” He started kissing Ben’s
neck, moving lower with each kiss. “It’s for life.”
Ben tossed his head back with a slow exhale, savoring Redden’s
words and touch. “I like the sound of that.”
“We’re going to come together, Ben. This time I want to feel your
cock filling me.”
A lump formed in Ben’s throat. He couldn’t speak and could
scarcely put two thoughts together. He assumed an alpha wolf would
never allow himself to be dominated by anything less. Ben had
already resigned himself to the fact he’d never know Redden’s body
intimately, and he was okay with that. Until now. The idea seeded and
germinated in his mind, lighting every cell afire with need.
“That sound good?” Redden’s hand smoothed over the globe of
his ass, his finger grazing the seam.
He nodded rapidly, not wanting to give up this chance. His balls
felt ready to explode, the pressure growing by the second.
“Good boy.” Redden sat back on his heels and pumped his cock
between them. It was thick and dark, the head hard and swollen. On
instinct, Ben leaned over and took the mushroom head in his mouth. It
was smooth and hot, the hint of pre-cum giving him a tart, rustic
flavor. He sucked with his eyes closed, savoring the intimate
connection.
“A lifetime with you isn’t enough,” said Redden. “I knew you’d
be good in bed from the first time I saw you—” His mate moaned, his
lust stealing any remaining words.
Ben continued to fuck Redden with his mouth, enjoying the silky
cock between his tongue and palette. It was so good giving his man
pleasure. He’d spent two hopeless, lonely nights in bear country
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thinking Redden could die at any moment. Now, Redden’s physical
presence soothed any fears Ben had ever had.
“No more,” said Redden through gritted teeth. He pushed Ben
back, severing their connection. Ben looked to his mate for
clarification. “Like I said, I want us to come together.”
As excited as Ben was to have the opportunity to fuck Redden for
the first time, performance jitters made him leery. “Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure. I’m yours just as much as you’re mine.”
“But, I’m sure you’ve had much—” Ben felt like an idiot. Should
he say bigger, better? He wasn’t even given a chance to finish his
sentence.
“I’ve never marked another male, never had a desire to. You’re the
one I chose. And you have a beautiful cock,” Redden teased.
Ben smiled.
“You’re big for a fox.”
The compliments and confession of love helped ease his worries.
He reached down to touch himself, but Redden grabbed the base of
his cock first. Ben let out a strangled moan when Redden’s strong
fingers wrapped around his girth.
“I want you to fuck me good and hard. I want to remember this
day.” Redden squeezed Ben’s cock before cupping his balls. His
fingertips caressed his anus, sending a cascade of pleasure through his
groin. He was never more ready to continue.
“Yes…”
“Don’t be shy, little one. Touch me.” The alpha was pure muscle
and strength. Ben wanted to feel him more than anything, but he held
back in fear of doing the wrong thing. Sex he could handle. Love was
something new.
He reached out tentatively and ran his hand over Redden’s
shoulder. His cock twitched. The man was hard steel under a layer of
skin. He moved his hand down the thickly muscled arm until he
reached his hand. They entwined fingers, the moment more intimate
than any declaration of love.
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“I’m not going anywhere, Ben. You’re my mate. I’ll never send
you away again.”
That was exactly what he needed. He needed reassurance and
security. It was the one thing he needed to hear before truly letting go.
Ben reached up with both hands and wrapped his arms around
Redden’s neck. He leaned into him as he sought his lips. The kiss
grew in passion by the second. Soon he was mounting his mate,
Redden conveniently lowering to his back. Their dicks rubbed
alongside each other, the alpha’s sticky pre-cum coating his stomach.
His desires were winning out over his hesitation, leaving nothing but
base needs.
“I love you,” he dared to say. “I need you.”
Redden was already prepping him with the salve he kept in the
den. The imminent promise of sex stole the little humanity Ben had
left.
“I’ll take care of you and your family, Ben. You’re mine now, and
I’m yours.”
Ben settled between Redden’s legs, seeking entrance to his ass.
His cock was throbbing so deeply, he was afraid he’d come before
they started. His mate helped, widening his legs and pulling him down
over him. The gentle moonlight filtering into the den highlighted all
the sharp planes of muscle over Redden’s chest and abs. He was
irresistible.
“Go on. Don’t stop.”
He pressed the tip of his cock into the wolf’s tight ass. It was hot
and inviting, like slipping into heaven. He forged his way deeper,
careful not to hurt his mate. Redden growled in impatience, pulling
Ben’s hips closer, forcing his erection in to the hilt.
Ben was the first to cry out, the pleasure too intense to hold back.
Redden held him close, running his hands along Ben’s back in a
soothing massage. He could feel his mate’s comforting breath against
his neck, reminding him he’d never be alone again.
“Harder. I’m a wolf, Ben. I can take it.”
The Wolf’s Pet
91
He loved the rough edge to Redden. Ben did as requested, fucking
his mate’s ass with all his pent-up desire. He pumped his hips in an
energetic rhythm. They were locked together in a mass of muscle and
heated flesh. Redden’s cock was sandwiched between them, caressed
by Ben’s stomach with each upstroke.
He wasn’t worried about his performance. He only cared about the
perfect moment. The bonding.
“I can’t hold off long,” he said. The experience was too good, too
larger than life. His balls were coiled tight, ready to release. His entire
body was ready to erupt, his heart racing.
Redden reached between them and began to pump his own
erection as Ben fucked his ass. They moved like a well-oiled machine,
working to come together. Clean sweat coated Ben’s skin. All sounds
were drowned out but the sound of flesh on flesh.
“Oh gods, you’re perfect.” Redden pulled him closer by the nape
of the neck. He kissed him with so much passion that he instantly
released, his cock pumping his seed on and on into Redden’s ass. He
could scarcely catch his breath, the power of his orgasm taking
complete control for those precious seconds. It was all consuming,
pleasure flooding his entire bloodstream from head to toe. His mate
kept him from pulling away. He joined Redden during the final
strokes of his cock. It spasmed and throbbed under his grip, the sticky
release spilling over his knuckles.
Exhaustion hit him unexpectedly. He’d barely slept for days. Ben
dropped his weight onto Redden, the sound of his heart beating
against his ear. It was the sound of home.
“No turning back now, little fox. It’s official. Our mating’s out in
the open now.”
“How does your pack feel about that?”
“It doesn’t matter what they think. You’re mine, not theirs. And I
make the rules.”
92
Winona Wilder
He sounded so confident and final. Ben ran his palm over
Redden’s firm pec, his small brown nipple pebbling under his touch.
“I guess being the alpha’s pet had its perks after all.”
Redden tsked playfully as he combed his hand through Ben’s hair.
“I told you being my pet was supposed to be a punishment, not a
reward.”
“You should really rethink your punishments.” Ben kissed him
once before settling in comfortably against Redden’s side. “I would
have misbehaved much sooner.”
THE END
WWW.STACEYESPINO.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Winona Wilder enjoys delving into the human mind and exploring
emotion. She savors the challenge of mixing smoking hot sex with
lovable, complex characters. When not spending time with her
husband and children in the Great Canadian North, she's typing away
at her next M/M romance. She also writes bestselling erotic romance
as Stacey Espino.
For all titles by Winona Wilder, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/winona-wilder
For titles by Winona Wilder writing as
Stacey Espino, please visit
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com