Denying Dare

by Amber Kell

2

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Denying Dare

by Amber Kell

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CONTENTS

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four

* * * *

Denying Dare

by Amber Kell

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Denying Dare

Amber Kell

Denying Dare

by Amber Kell

5

A Literary Road Press Publication
Literaryroad.com
6523 California Ave SW, #193
Seattle, WA 98136
ISBN: 978-1-934037-59-1
Copyright © 2009 Amber Kell
Cover design by RDF
Photos provided by Stock Exchange
This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part by

email forwarding, copying, fax, or any other mode of
communication without author or publisher permission.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and

incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or
are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons,
living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Denying Dare

by Amber Kell

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Chapter One

"So how long have you been in love with my best friend?"
Dare dropped the bottle of vodka he was twirling. Luckily

the expensive bottle of top shelf stuff landed on the anti-
fatigue mat. The spongy rubber prevented it from shattering
on the cement floor.

"What are you talking about?" He gasped. "I'm going to

tell Silver to cut back your alcohol limit."

Anthony gave a graceful shrug as he sipped on his fruity

alcoholic drink. "Silver's not overly concerned about my
alcohol limits. I don't drink all that much." He blinked his
stunning amber eyes at Dare. "Now about Steven. If you're
not in love with him, why do you stare at him like you want to
pounce and take him down like a squeaky mouse?"

Sighing Dare gazed across the room at the dark-haired

wolf trolling for someone to take home. "Nothing's going on
with Steven and looking is as far as I'll ever get. He won't
even talk to me for more than a drink order. He doesn't want
a cat."

And fuck if that didn't break his heart.
"As much as I love him, my friend is an idiot. In over a

year none of those pieces of ass he picked up touched a
fraction of his heart. He's just determined to have a wolf mate
because his adoptive parents are human and he's always
yearned for a pack."

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Dare blinked back tears, dipping his head so the

empathetic alpha mate wouldn't notice. "I can't give him a
pack, weretigers only meet to mate."

"Shit, Dare. I can give him a pack if he fucking wants a

pack. What he needs is a soul mate and it's my job, or so
Silver keeps telling me, to watch out for the packs best
interests. Well the packs best interest is for its fabulous
bartender to be happy."

Small bolts of lightning flashed in the beautiful blond's

eyes; a sign of a storm of the worst sort. An Anthony storm.
Shit. It took a lot to upset the sweet-natured alpha mate but
he was an unstoppable force when he was crossed.

Before he could say anything more Anthony was marching

across the busy dance floor. With a talent that was mystically
the alpha mate's he walked directly to his friend while
everyone in his path moved out of his way in a smooth
natural style as if they were never even there.

Standing on his tiptoes Dare watched the smaller man

approach his friend. He briefly got a glimpse of Anthony
pulling something out of his pocket. But by then it was too
late.

* * * *

Fury followed Anthony's every step. How could Steven not

see what was right in front of him? Every weekend he came
to the club and picked up a different wolf. Every Monday he
mourned to Anthony about how he 'wasn't the one' and yet
here was this sweet-souled man with sable hair and stunning

Denying Dare

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green eyes who he completely ignored. Well no more, he was
done with this.

"Steven." Anthony shouted over the crowd.
The familiar dark-haired head turned towards him away

from the were-twink he was talking to. What Steven thought
he'd have in common with a skinny submissive, who was
growing something on his chin that should've been allowed to
die gracefully, Anthony didn't know.

"What?"
"I've got something for you."
Steven looked Anthony up and down. "What?"
Anthony slipped the envelope out of his pocket. With deft

fingers he popped open the flap and dumped the contents
into his hand.

"This." Taking a deep breath, Anthony blew the entire

handful of green powder onto Steven's blue silk top and
brown leather pants.

"Shit." Steven tried to brush the stuff off but it clung like

mad to the silk. "What the fuck did you do?"

He glared at Anthony his blue eyes bristling with ire.
Anthony gave him a wide grin. "Enjoy your night." Turning

on one perfect booted heel he sauntered off letting the
crowds swallow him up.

* * * *

Stunned, Steven watched his best friend ditch him after

ruining his outfit. What the hell was Anthony up to? Members
of Silver's pack might consider his best friend sweet, but
Steven knew the ruthless manipulator that lay elbow to elbow

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with the kind heart. If Anthony thought something was good
for you, it was best to sit back and take it like a man.

"Shit man, what's the alpha mate have against you?" The

twink looked at him with suspicious eyes like he was marked
for death and didn't want to get involved.

A loud roar snapped his attention to the bar. Dare, the

cute bartender with sympathetic green eyes, looked ready to
pounce. Steven kept away from the sexy weretiger because
he knew the other man was more than he could handle.
Something drew him to the younger man like a magnet to
metal a sensation stronger than any he felt for the many men
he bed each month. Wondering what set the bartender off he
searched the room for whomever was giving the sexy man a
hard time ready to take the bastard out.

Then the smell hit him. Catnip. That little shit had doused

him in catnip powder coating his entire outfit.

He barely had the time to curse before his back hit the

floor as four hundred pounds of white Siberian tiger knocked
him over. Luckily the tiger splayed over him with only his
front paws on Steven's chest. Once Steven was down a soft
chuffing noise blew his hair away from his face.

Looking into those amazing green eyes Steven realized the

sweet bartender had given himself completely over to his
beast. Anthony would pay for this next time he saw the
bastard. He would just have to be crafty so Silver didn't rip
him apart.

"Hello Dare." He said cautiously. "Remember me, Steven.

We're buddies." Not a complete truth he tried to avoid the

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cute kid because he was so fucking tempting. He wanted a
wolf mate not a cat, no matter how beautiful.

A long tongue swiped up one side of his neck leaving a

streak of scraped skin behind.

"Ow."
He got another chuff for his efforts.
"Dare, get off of Steven there's a good cat." Steven looked

up to see Ben approaching the white tiger with slow, careful
movements. Sweat beading his forehead, the young man
continued walking towards them.

Dare growled crouching over Steven, like an animal

protecting its kill.

"Back off Ben." Steven hissed. "He's not going to hurt me."

He knew deep in his bones that the bartender he'd known for
a year wouldn't harm a hair on his head. Two pairs of hands
reached out and pulled Ben out of the way. Ben's mates
pulling him to safety.

Confident the young were was protected, Steven turned

his attention back to the tiger pinning him down. Another
tongue lick bathed the other side of his neck sending a shiver
of pain through his body.

The tiger's tongue hung out of his mouth giving him a

dopey expression.

"Listen pal. Anthony has weird sense of humor. He didn't

mean anything by this."

Mine.
The words floated into his mind, words not his.
"No. I want a wolf." He protested. An objection that

sounded weak even to his ears.

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Tough.
Dare moved to the side and clamped his wide mouth

around Steven's arm. With a gentle hold, at odds with his
enormous teeth the cat dragged him backwards across the
dance floor and towards the elevators.

That damn cat was dragging him to his den.
Digging in his heels, Steven tried to slow their trek across

the floor. Unfortunately at this angle he was literally in no
position to stop the large cat.

"Third floor?" Anthony's voice was smooth and clear like

they were discussing the weather.

"You fucker. You get me out of this." Steven spluttered

looking up at his former best friend."

"Why would I want to do that?"
Steven felt the bump against his back as they went from

hallway to elevator. He saw Anthony push a button before
stepping back out into the club leaving him at the big cat's
mercy.

"Have a good night you two." His last view was of Anthony

waving goodbye as the doors closed.

With a sigh, Steven relaxed beneath Dare. Anthony may

be a little shit sometimes but he wouldn't leave his best friend
in real danger.

"So what are you going to do with me now? Take me to

your lair?"

He got another painful lick for his efforts. "If you're going

to lick me I'd prefer it in human form."

And didn't that thought make him harder than marble.

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Another chuff had him looking up at the enormous beast.

Damn Dare was beautiful no matter what form he took. A
year's worth of frustration evaporated as he stroked the soft
fur. "If you let me up I'll follow you docile as a lamb."

The cat cocked his head to one side as if considering his

offer.

"Promise." He blinked trying to look innocent but right then

the elevator bell dinged and the doors opened. Large jaws
gripped his right leather boot and dragged Steven down the
hall.

"Shit. I just bought those boots." Rug burn was going to

be a bitch tomorrow.

The tiger stopped right outside apartment 341, dropping

Steven's foot. Dare reared up on his back paws and scratched
a panel by the door.

As soon as he was loose Steven stood up and was face to

face with the huge animal. The tiger flattened his ears.

"I'm just standing, honest." He wasn't stupid enough to

think he could outrun an enormous cat.

The panel popped open revealing a computer screen. One

giant paw pressed against the screen. A few flashes and the
words reading appeared before there was a click and the
apartment door opened.

"Clever. I could use something like that at my house." All

he had was an extra big dog door but if he was going to be
entertaining giant cats in the future he'd make a few
modifications.

Where did that thought come from?

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The big cat led the way inside. Steven followed closing the

door behind him, nerves whipped up the butterflies in his
stomach into a tornado like frenzy. Shit.

Dare sat in the middle of the living room looking at him

with a tilted head like a dog seeking approval. Steven
dutifully looked around and was surprised at the rich colors
and tasteful collection of blown glass decorating the room.

The bartender had sophisticated tastes.
Now the question was how to get the man of his jerk-off

dreams to shift back. Most weres needed a trigger to shift to
and from. The cat nip obviously served as a trigger to shift.
Maybe the sight of him without clothes would do the reverse.

Watching the big animal for signs of distress or anger,

Steven slowly unbuttoned his shirt and let it slide to the floor.
The cat sat on his haunches and licked his chops. Hoping this
meant he liked the show and wasn't planning on how to eat
him for dinner, Steven slipped off his boots and socks.

"Now I'm going to take the rest of my clothes off. Don't

bite anything."

He got another agreeing chuff or maybe the beast was

laughing at him. Deciding to focus on the man inside the cat
Steven made his movements as smooth and slinky as
possible, hoping to entice the younger man back to his other
form. He knew he had nothing like the bartenders sexy kitty
grace but he wasn't chopped liver either.

Focused on sliding off his tight leather pants in the sexiest

manner possible, Steven was startled when a calloused finger
slid up his arm.

"Fuck, you're the sexiest thing ever." Dare said.

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Steven barely finished removing his pants when warm

hands gripped him and pulled him up against acres of hot
naked bartender.

Steven's mouth was taken in a kiss so carnal, he went

from nothing to full arousal in the blink of a tiger's eye. Who
knew cats were so fucking hot. Coherent thought burned
away from the flames flaring high with the contact of skin
against skin.

Memories of every encounter before melted beneath the

searing heat of the werecat's touch. Never again would he
consider the fast couplings of other wolves an acceptable
substitution.

Steven knew that once he succumbed to Dare things would

never be the same.

He wrenched free. "Just a minute."
Dare lunged. Steven tripped over his shoes and went

down.

A warm naked body slid on top of him holding him to the

plush carpet.

"Got you." Dare's eyes glowed green telling Steven the

other man wasn't quite completely in charge of his cat. And
fuck if the thought of being prey didn't make him hard
enough to hurt.

Steven reached up to stroke Dare only to have his hands

pinned beside his head on the carpet. For as many times as
he imagined being in Dare's arms it was always with him
being the aggressor. He was used to being the man in charge.

Dare rubbed noses with him before sliding his cheek

against first one then another in an affectionate cat gesture.

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The slight rasp of rough whiskers sent shivers down Steven's
spine and made everything in his body seize.

"Fuck." He almost came from that nuzzle alone. There was

no way he was going to last much longer. "This first one's
going to be fast."

"As long as it's the first." The bartender's voice was deep

and rough like he hadn't entirely let the cat go. Playful eyes
looked down at him before Dare's large hand gripped both of
their cocks together and Steven forgot how to speak, how to
form words, that there was even an oral language the didn't
completely consist of moans, whimpers and satisfied sighs.

Sparks prickled beneath his eyes and he came so hard he

was certain he'd poured out his soul into the other man's
hand. Dare soon followed with a shout of his own before
collapsing on top of Steven.

The other man's weight pushed Steven into the plush

carpet and for the first time he didn't mind the weight or the
stickiness. He was content to lay there without breathing,
because fuck Dare was heavy, while his lover recovered.

"Shit, Steven." Dare said sliding off of the other man. "I

didn't mean to crush you."

"No worries, babe." Steven slid his fingers through Dare's

amazing sable hair. It was soft and tumbled down to the base
of the younger man's neck. "Why isn't your hair white?"

Dare shrugged. "Just one of those weird magic things.

Want to take a shower."

Steven nodded. "I'd love one. Did you want me to head

out afterwards or do you want to get a bite to eat?"

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Dare was ahead of Steven, walking to where he assumed

the bathroom was when his head snapped around and Steven
found himself facing one pissed of werecat with glowing green
eyes. Dare was holding his human form but his eyes could
light up the room with their glow.

"Go?" He growled.
Steven held up his hands in a placating gesture. "I was

just checking, I didn't want to impose."

He watched Dare roll his shoulders and subdue the tiger

back under his skin. Dare's body shook with the effort. After a
few minutes Dare was able to speak. "Sorry, my tiger wants
you to stay pretty bad. If you don't mind spending the night
I'd appreciate it."

"Of course I'd be happy to."
Steven never stayed the night. He must've sounded more

sincere than the thought because he could almost feel the
tension leave Dare as he gave a soft thank you and headed
down the hall.

They walked through a pretty green painted hall that

reminded Steven of a lush forest into the prettiest bathroom
he'd ever seen. It wasn't lush and masculine like the rest of
the place. It was actually pretty. The sink was one of those
standing porcelain ones in pale blue and the tub was an old
clawfoot with flowers painted on the sides. A blue checkered
shower curtain was set to one side.

He saw Dare blush under his scrutiny. "It was like this

when I moved in. I thought it was nice."

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"It is." He assured his lover. "It is." When Dare turned to

start up the shower he let his smile out. The kid was so sweet
he could eat him up with a spoon.

His cock took interest in that idea.
"The water's ready." Dare said pulling out two towels from

a beautifully carved wooden cabinet in the corner. He slipped
into the bath leaving the shower curtain open for Steven to
join him.

Without hesitating, Steven followed that fine ass inside. "I

guess I'll have to thank Anthony instead of kicking his butt."
He mused as he watched that fine body get mouth wateringly
wet.

Dare laughed. "You couldn't kick Anthony anyway and still

make it out of the bar alive."

Steven laughed. "True. So true. I slapped Anthony on the

back one day and Silver almost ripped off my arm."

A low growl came from Dare the eyes glowing again. "He

better not harm you."

"Shhh. No babe. I'm fine." He ran soothing circles around

Dare's shoulders cradling him close so he could reach his
back. The two men were near to the same size making it easy
for Steven to cuddle the other man close and give him gentle
kisses. "Easy baby. I'm good."

Is this what Anthony had to deal with on a daily basis? For

a moment he felt sympathy for his friend.

Dare shook his head. "Shit I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm

so touchy today. Maybe that catnip hasn't completely worn
off. Usually it just makes me a little loopy. Having it on you
has made me into a possessive jerk."

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Even as he said those words he snuggled closer. The pair

of them stood in the heated stream of water as if to wash
away their worries.

Steven pushed aside his own concerns to reassure the

trembling bartender. "Come on babe, let's finish washing and
go to bed."

This time it was affection and not passion that had them

rinsing each other off and with smiles and gentle touches they
dried and headed towards the bedroom.

* * * *

Dare woke up warm, sated and wrapped in the arms of his

dream man. Sighing he nuzzled in closer wishing for the first
time he was the kind of cat that could purr.

"Morning, kitty." A large warm hand stroked his head

causing an involuntary sigh to pour from Dare's mouth.

"Morning wolfman." He tilted his mouth for his morning

kiss.

"I have morning breath." Steven warned.
"Two morning breaths cancel each other out." Dare latched

onto Steven's mouth. If this was the only encounter they
were ever going to have he wanted to take advantage of it.

Two hard pricks rubbed together, leaking copiously.
"Oh, like that baby." Steven's hands gripped Dare's ass

pulling him tighter against him. "Oh, yeah. Just like that."

It didn't take long before one cry followed another as the

two men gave over to passion.

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"Mmm." Dare licked a path up Steven's neck before

worrying a mark into his skin, a mark that would show up
high above any collar.

"Marking me baby?" Steven asked his eyes sparkling with

amusement.

Dare jerked back. "Oh god. I didn't mean to." Well

consciously, subconsciously he was apparently all about
marking the man lying beside him.

Steven laughed. "That's all right. I'm not ashamed of

having sex with you."

Having sex.
Dare blinked back the sudden watering of his eyes. He

stumbled out of bed and headed for the door. "I'd better get a
quick shower. I have to get to work." He didn't want the man
in his bed to know that while Dare was making love; Steven
was having another bout of meaningless sex.

Sitting up in bed Steven frowned at his suddenly remote

lover. "Did I do something wrong?"

Dare shook his head. "I-I just need to go."
"You work nights." Steven said sliding out of bed.
"Not the rest of this week. I'm working with Dillon and

Parker to find the experimental wolves."

Steven slid out of bed heedless of his nudity. "What do you

mean you're working with those two? You're a bartender not
an investigator."

Dare glared at the intense blue-eyed man before him. "I'm

also a four hundred pound cat. I'm good in a fight. If they find
those other wolves I can keep them safe."

"And who's going to keep you safe?"

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Dare rolled his eyes. "Did you want a shower?"
Walking away from Steven before he said anything he'd

regret, he headed for the bathroom.

* * * *

Steven watched the fine ass of his lover walk away from

him, Dare's back was straight and his shoulders stiff with
anger.

Shit.
It didn't look like he could say anything right today. First

something he'd said in bed had hurt his lover's feelings and
now the cat was angry at him for being concerned.

Damn, who knew werecats were so high maintenance.
Steven entered the bathroom cautiously, uncertain of his

reception. Dare was already in the shower, the shadow of his
beautiful body tantalizing in the morning light. Well this was
something they could agree on.

Steven moved the curtain aside and stepped into the tub

wrapping his arms around the stiff figure before him. "I'm
sorry if I hurt your feelings baby. I just don't like the thought
of you going against bad guys. Hell, last time Anthony even
got shot and he's damn near indestructible."

"I'm sorry you don't think I can protect myself." Was the

sniffled reply.

"No. No. Baby." He stroked the younger man in all the

right places until Dare melted against him like the boneless
kitty he was. Steven sifted the water through Dare's hair to
rinse out all the conditioner. He didn't want his lover's
beautiful hair damaged. "I just don't want you to get hurt. I

Denying Dare

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could help. I'm a trained investigator." Steven had an
investigation business where he used research to find out
information on people for companies and individuals alike.

Dare shook his head. "Silver wanted to keep this to pack

only."

Steven jerked away like he'd been struck. "You're not

pack."

Dare nodded. "I'm not a tiger but Anthony declared me

pack last moon meeting."

Jealousy bit deep. Anthony who didn't have any wolf

heritage and Dare who was a fucking cat could belong to the
wolf pack but Steven was left out in the cold. "I'm sorry I'm
not good enough to join your little club."

Dare's eyes widened. "No. Oh, no Steven I didn't mean it

like that. You just have to petition. I'm sure Silver would take
you if he knew you were interested. But it's been over a year
and you haven't so I guess we all assumed you didn't want to
belong."

Steven bit his lip. That's because he kept hoping he would

mate into the pack like Dillon and Ben. He'd even tried dating
wolves in other packs but he kept coming back to this one. It
wasn't just that his oldest friend helped run it. He felt a pull
to the Moon pack. Now he wondered if he'd just been fooling
himself and it wasn't the pack, but Dare, that was the pull.
Could a wolf really mate with a cat?

The pair finished their shower in thoughtful silence.
Dare loaned Steven some clothes since they were similar

in height and build. Steven got a secret pleasure from
wearing the other man's clothes. He knew any wolf near him

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would smell Dare's scent covering him from shirt to socks. It
made him feel like an adolescent girl with her boyfriend's
letterman jacket.

He shared none of that with Dare as he followed the other

man out of the apartment and into the elevator.

"It looks different on my feet." He teased enjoying the

flush that colored Dare's cheeks.

"Sorry about that."
Steven shrugged. "I'll talk to Anthony. That little stunt was

his fault."

Dare smiled. "Yeah but I liked how it ended so don't be too

hard on him."

Leaning over to place a kiss on those lush lips Steven had

to agree. "I'll take it easy on the little shit because I really
enjoyed last night." He gave the cat another kiss before
breaking apart when the elevator doors opened.

In the early afternoon the bar was mostly empty.
Dare turned to look at Steven. "I told Dillon and Parker

that I would meet them at Parker's house."

Steven growled. "You're not going alone to meet an

unmated were at his house."

"What's your problem?" The confusion on Dare's face told

him that the other were had no idea that Steven was making
a claim. For some reason that made him even angrier.

"Wait here. I'm going to talk to Silver and then we can go

together."

Parker was one of the few weres who wanted a house of

his own instead of staying with the pack. He'd inherited the
house from his mother and refused to part with it or live with

Denying Dare

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23

the others. Rumor had it he got special dispensation from
Silver and had to take extra training to prove he could protect
himself.

There was no way in hell Steven was going to let his mate

go into that bachelor den alone.

Mate?
Shit.
Staggering under the weight of his new knowledge Steven

stabbed a finger in the direction of an empty table. "Wait for
me there." He got a pissed off expression from his kitty but
Dare did what he wanted.

Good. It would help their relationship for Dare to realize

who was in charge at the beginning.

Without another look he headed for Silver's office.

Knocking he waited for the bid to enter before he opened the
door.

Silver's office was large and decorated with lots of seating

for impromptu meetings with his staff and pack members.

Looking up he gave a half smile when he saw Steven. The

biggest expression the man ever gave outside the sphere of
Anthony.

"Anthony's at his office."
"I didn't come to see Anthony. I came to see you."
"Oh." Silver gave a shrug. "If it's about the catnip incident

I already talked to Anthony about that."

Steven laughed. "And I'm sure he was properly repentant

and begged forgiveness on his knees."

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A blush covered the cheeks of the tough alpha. "He did

something on his knees that made me forget my name, but I
did try to scold him."

Shaking his head, Steven let the alpha off the hook.

"That's okay it doesn't do any good to scold Anthony I know
from past experience. Besides he did me a good turn."

"You and Dare?" Silver's raised brows caused a wave of

trepidation in Steven's chest.

"What you don't think we'll make good mates."
"Shit. You just cost me a diamond ring. I told Anthony

there's no way you'd go for a cat."

Steven shook his head sadly. "You should know better

than to bet against Anthony."

A sheepish smile crossed the alpha's face. "Yeah but

sometimes he wears turtlenecks where no one can see his
collar. I need to mark him with something even a standard
human can understand. Marking him with my scent doesn't
do any good if the other man can't smell it."

Steven had to hold onto the desk as he laughed so hard

tears filled his eyes. "Poor you. Mating with a demigod is hard
work."

"You know it. It's not easy staying one step ahead of my

beautiful man. But he's worth every bit. Want to see his
ring?"

It was almost sweet how this large man doted on Anthony.

In that so much sugar your teeth will rot kind of way.

"Sure." He said. After all if he wanted to get on the alpha's

good side he didn't want to piss him off at this juncture. If it

Denying Dare

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25

took admiring his best friend's new bauble it would be well
worth it.

Silver pulled a desk drawer open and handed over a black

leather ring box. Opening the jewelry box Steven held his
breath. He wasn't a man given to jewelry but he knew his
friend would adore this. Inside the box lay a heavy gold man's
ring with a giant square amber diamond with two rows of
pavé diamonds circling the band. Steven bet if the ring was
held up to Anthony's face it would exactly match Anthony's
eyes.

"I've never seen a yellow diamond before."
Silver smiled. "They're very rare just like Anthony."
Would puking ruin his chances? Who knew the big alpha

had a big squishy inside? He wisely refrained from
commenting. "It's beautiful I'm sure he'll love it." Really he
just couldn't resist. "You know you could just pee a circle
around him. The weres will know that you are marking him
and the humans will be disgusted enough to leave him alone.

Laughing Silver shook his head. "Somehow I don't think

my mate would appreciate the sentiment."

Steven laughed at the image of Anthony that sprang into

his mind. It was best that Silver didn't follow his advice
because he could just imagine what Anthony would do in
retaliation.

Silver frowned at the ring a moment before sliding it back

inside his desk. "He'd better like it, I had to contract with
some weremoles to get a rate I didn't have to sell the building
for."

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"You know Anthony would love you even if you didn't give

him a ring." Steven didn't want Silver to fall into the same
trap many men did when trying to keep a beautiful lover
interested. As much as Anthony loved gifts he wouldn't care if
his lover couldn't afford them. Steven was confident that his
friend loved Silver with or without the trinkets.

"I know." Silver sighed. "But I want his parents to know I

can take care of him. That father of his didn't seem convinced
we were fated to be mates. At least the ring will let everyone
know that my man is loved and appreciated and to back the
hell off." The alpha gave a self-conscious shrug. "Well enough
about me. What did you come here for?"

Steven took a deep breath. "I'd like to join the pack."
"Why now?" Silver asked. "You've never shown interest in

the pack before." Shrewd silver eyes examined him. "Unless
there's more to the story I heard about a big cat dragging you
out of the bar last night."

"Dare is my mate." Steven rushed through the words out

like a runon sentence.

"Are you sure? If he was really your mate I would've

thought you'd know earlier."

Steven blushed. "I kind of did. I just wanted him to be a

wolf."

"Ah. Well I can't say I don't understand. My life would be a

lot easier if Anthony was a wolf. Less interesting, but easier.
But does Dare know you avoided him all this time because
he's a cat? Has he agreed to be your mate?"

"He'll agree." Steven said with a low growl. "He had better

agree. Besides I want to help them find the rogue pack."

Denying Dare

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27

Silver stood up. "I'll give you temporary membership to

assist the others. We can use all the help we can get.
However, until Dare accepts you fully I can't admit you as a
pack member."

"Understood." Steven said standing to take the hand

offered to him tilting his head slightly in acceptance of his
new pack alpha.

"You're going to have to do that to Anthony now also you

know."

Steven let go of his new alpha's hand. "Shit."
Turning he stomped out the door.
Dare was sitting where he left him sipping a cola out of a

clear glass. A few members of the club sat with him
chattering about some thing or other, Steven didn't pay
attention. What he did notice was they were all sitting too
fucking close to his mate.

"Come one babe. I'll take you to Parker's."
Dare gave the other men a nod and, after dropping his

glass off at the bar let Steven lead him outside.

* * * *

Parker's house was a nice. Dare looked around his eyes

bright and curious, taking in the plush chocolate brown carpet
and the sky blue walls. The house was ranch style with wide
spacious rooms and a feeling of a home. He understood why
the other man didn't want to give up his house to have one of
the pack apartments.

"Curious kitty." Steven whispered in his ear. Since entering

the home, the wolf was oddly attentive. Steven stayed within

Denying Dare

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28

arm reach of Dare at all times and always put himself
between Dare and the other men whenever they stood
together. If he didn't know better he'd say the man was
acting possessive.

The four of them sat around Parker's round dining room

table. Steven pulled Dare as close to his chair as possible
without having the other man sit on his lap.

"Have we investigated Cindy's employers?" Dillon asked

the group. Cindy was a human who was abducted by
werewolves who had gone through some sort of
transformation making them mutant beings with stronger wolf
senses. The vampire Alesandro killed the so they weren't able
to question him.

No one knew what talents the mutant wolves might have

and it was a priority to find out what these new enemies could
do. Right now they were trying to pinpoint where the other
wolves were based so they could capture a few for
questioning. It was possible that they weren't all hunting
Silver's pack but until they knew for sure the pack was
staying close and pulling extra security around pack homes
and businesses.

"Yes, her boss, Richard Salen, smelled of corruption."

Dillon said with a sneer on his handsome face. "I assigned
Sheila and Farro to watch their headquarters."

Steven frowned. "I don't think I've ever met Farro?"
"He doesn't come to the club very often. His wife died a

few years ago and he hasn't recovered. He spends most of his
time raising his little boy." Dillon said.

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29

This time it was Dare who showed his curious kitty side. "I

didn't think wolves could survive the loss of their mate."

"She wasn't his mate, she was his wife. Farro is bisexual

but sensed his mate would be male. He wanted a cub so he
married a human woman. They might not have been mated
but he loved her. She died in a car accident a year ago
leaving him alone to take care of their five-year old boy."

"That's so sad." Dare's eyes glistened with tears.
"Shh. Baby it's okay." Steven stroked the werecat's head

trying to soothe the other man.

The other two wolves looked at them curiously.
"Is there something you two want to tell us?" Dillon asked

with an inquiring look.

"Dare's my mate." Steven said.
Dare jerked out of his hold. "What do you mean I'm your

mate? I thought wolves could sense their mate? If I was
yours you would've known months ago."

Steven swallowed. This was exactly what he was hoping to

avoid.

"I need to go call Ben." Dillon said jumping from the table.
"I need a cold drink." Parker said, following the other were

with what Steven considered unseemly haste.

"You knew." Dare jumped to his feet with feline grace.

Steven watched him warily. If he were in his cat form, the
other man's tail would be twitching madly. "All this time I was
lusting after you and you slept with every piece of wolf tail
you could find, you knew we were mates. You bastard."

"No. It wasn't like that." Steven grabbed Dare's arms to

stop his pacing hoping the other man wouldn't shift and go for

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the jugular. "I thought you might be my mate but I didn't
know for sure. I never got close enough to be certain."

"Because I wasn't wolf." Dare snarled.
Steven nodded. "I won't have secrets between us. I

wanted to mate with a wolf but I didn't have sex with all the
wolves I left with. Sometimes we just went out for a snack to
see if we were compatible. I won't deny I was hoping we
weren't mates but now that I know we are I wouldn't trade
you for anything." He walked over and gripped Dare's arms
and gave the werecat a shake. "Or anyone. You. Are. Mine.
And I will kill anyone who tries to take you away from me."

Dare's eyes searched his and Steven hoped he found what

he was looking for in their depths. Letting out a deep breath,
Dare relaxed in his arms. Taking a chance Steven pulled the
werecat into his embrace.

"Come on baby. Let's go hunting."

* * * *

They sat outside the main office of the construction

company in Dare's car watching people come and go. Sheila
and Farro left an hour ago to get some rest with the news
that there wasn't any unusual activity at the site. Typical of a
small construction company, the office was a two story
yellowish building with the name of the company plastered on
the outside and nothing else in the way of decoration. A steel
link fence surrounded the machine yard that housed the
expensive construction equipment.

"Maybe we should send Cindy inside to spy for us." Steven

said watching the guards check an incoming car.

Denying Dare

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31

"Yeah. I'm sure Alesandro will take it really well when his

mate becomes upset because we're endangering his sister."

"Hmm. Vampires can be touchy." Steven agreed.
"Would you really do that?"
"Do what?"
"Endanger that girl in order to find out information."
Dare wasn't certain how he felt about this ruthless side of

his mate.

Steven nodded. "I wouldn't like it but if it's between

traumatizing one girl to find out who is trying to kill the pack
or letting these mutants destroy us I'd toss her to the
enemy."

Although he appreciated the honesty Steven's answer

made him queasy. He understood the need to protect the
pack but he'd met Cindy and couldn't imagine any situation
where he would feel comfortable letting her go back to the
brutes who kidnapped and beat her.

There was silence between them, a heavy sensation that

had none of the easiness of moments before. Finally Steven
broke the stillness. "I've upset you." He said in a quiet voice.

"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I feel it's wrong to throw a fragile female human

to a pack of mutant wolves who will snap her neck like twig.
Cindy is a sweet beautiful girl who doesn't deserve that fate."

Steven gave a low growl. "When it comes to the safety of

my mate I'd sacrifice the whole fucking world. Those damned
wolves could break into the club and harm you. I don't care

Denying Dare

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how pretty she is, if it comes between you and her there is no
contest."

He shouldn't be flattered. He really shouldn't. Luckily a red

car identified as the owner's pealed through the gates.

"Here we go." Steven said smoothly pulling away from the

curb and positioning them a few cars back. "Let's see where
this guy is going."

Dare let out a sigh. He pushed Steven's ruthlessness to the

back of his mind and focused on the car up ahead.

Steven weaved in and out of traffic expertly keeping far

enough back that the other man didn't spot them. When the
red car pulled off the street and headed to a rougher part of
town Dare felt a rush of excitement.

"Where do you think he's going?"
"Hopefully to meet with those other bastards." He flashed

a quick look at Dare. "If we find out they are meeting the
other weres we will call the others for back up. You are not to
go in there at all."

"I will not sit back while you go and face these things."

Dare said in a low voice. "If you're my mate then you know I
can't let you go into danger alone. I might not be a wolf but
I'm not a wimp. I will stand by your side."

"Baby, you're a bartender not a fighter." Steven protested.

"And there's nothing maybe about your mate status."

"I'm a white tiger. I have a better chance of getting you

out of there alive than any of the others."

Steven let out a loud sigh. "I know but that doesn't mean I

have to like it. I want to wrap you in cotton and keep you
safe. I don't want you rushing into a room of psychopathic

Denying Dare

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33

mutant wolves. You may be bigger but if there are enough of
them they can take you down like they do in the wild. These
are beings with no remorse. They already kidnapped and beat
a girl just to get a chance at Silver."

"I know." Dare said with a frustrated growl.
He said nothing else as they followed the other car down a

series of narrow alleys almost losing him when he did a
particular tricky turn. Trying to stay a safe distance was a
complication in the path they were following. Eventually the
car pulled beside a warehouse that looked abandoned.
Windows were broken out of the upper stories and the
building was grim faded grey as if the spirit was sucked out of
the place years before. Richard got out of the car and headed
towards the building not looking around. Either the man was
confident no one bothered to follow him or he didn't worry
about being caught.

Steven unbuckled his seatbelt. "We need to find out what

is going on in there. I'm going to go see what I can hear.
Stay put. If they grab me call Parker and the others. Don't
come inside until you get back up." Steven gripped Dare's
chin turning the other man to face him. "Look at me. Don't
you go in there without the others, I want you to promise
me."

Dare felt his eyes shift and his fangs drop down. "If they

take you I make no promises. As I am your mate, you are
mine. I'll call the others but I will come and protect what is
mine."

Steven pulled out his cell. Pushing a few buttons he spoke

in the receiver. "Parker, it's Steven. We followed Salen into a

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warehouse. We think he's meeting with the wolves. I'm going
to go and see what's inside and verify who he's meeting with.
Dare is in the car and I would like if it you could send a
couple of others over to be back up. I can't count on Dare to
stay put."

He listened for a while before laughing. "Yeah, that's what

he said."

After a few more words he hung up. "Parker and Dillon are

on their way."

Dare nodded. "I'll wait here as long as I can."
Steven laughed. "My curious kitty." The wolf leaned over

and placed a kiss on Dare's cheek. "Stay put puss, I'll be right
back."

Steven kept looking around. Even if the other man wasn't

meeting the wolves, there was no good reason for a business
man to go to an abandoned warehouse in the middle of the
day.

* * * *

Steven crept quietly towards the building. He kept an eye

on his surround-dings, making sure no one else could sneak
up on him. Inspecting the large building he searched for a
spot to look and listen. There were some broken windows up
above that might be useful. He just needed to get up there
without making a bunch of noise.

A wooden barrel about twenty feet from the entrance

caught his eyes. It looked aged but strong, it might hold his
weight.

Denying Dare

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35

Deciding to chance it, he used the barrel to leap to the

roof, landing quietly almost like a cat he thought with a smile.
For the first time he wondered if Dare was appalled to be
mated with a wolf. Would he have preferred his own kind?
Steven had to pull back a snarl as he thought about his mate
in another's hands. Too bad if Dare wanted another cat, he
was stuck with a wolf and he'd just have to get over his
disappointment.

Stepping carefully across the metal roof, Steven slowly

shuffled to the shattered window and crouched at the frame.
Richard Salen stood in the middle of the room, a dozen
mutant weres surrounding him. Steven bit back a growl at
their appearance. Confronted by the horror for the first time
his stomach churned at the sight. Alesandro and Calvin had
tried to explain to him what the creatures looked like but
even their description fell short of the true horror.

Matted hair covered bare chests. The creatures wore

denim pants and no tops, elongated snouts sprang from their
faces, spiked jagged teeth jutted from their jaws like a wild
boar and their feet were bare exposing clawed paws.

Fuck how many of them were there? Cindy could only

recollect seeing one or two. There were at least a dozen
mutants milling below. Was this the entire force or just the tip
of the iceberg?

He scooted closer to the edge of the window in time to see

the largest were hand over a suitcase to Salen.

"That is the last of it." The were said in a voice so low

Steven had to lean carefully over to hear. "Make sure the
poison makes it to the alpha. Since we failed with Silver his

Denying Dare

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36

pack will be too vigilant. Kill Madros and make sure the
evidence points to the Moon pack. If they fight amongst
themselves we will have less to do when we take over." The
malicious smile was almost frightening. Shit, they were
smarter than they looked. Now the Moon pack had two jobs;
to find out where the mutants were headquartered and to
alert the other alphas of the pending danger. He'd leave the
warning to Silver and Anthony. If anyone could get the other
packs to talk it would be those two.

En masse everyone left the warehouse. Steven stayed still

and quiet not wanting to draw their attention. He hoped his
mate was as wise. It was a while before he heard all sound
fade.

Slowly rising he bit back a moan as he straightened, a leg

cramp bolted up his thigh.

A low whistle sounded below him like a person calling their

dog. "Here, boy. Here, boy." Dare's voice sounded below. He
was going to kill him. Soundlessly he crept to the end of the
eave spotting Dare directly beneath him. Without thought he
leapt.

A soft oof came out of the cat as he hit the asphalt. Dare

made a nice surface he thought dreamily as he heard the air
leave his weretiger's body.

"Hi Honey, you called?" He said with a teasing smile.
Instead of growling at him like another wolf would Dare

gave him a wide smile. "So I did." His big kitty wrapped him
in his arms and damn if he didn't feel completely, totally
cherished. In that moment he didn't care if the world was
overrun with mutant weres as long as his kitty was safe.

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"I adore you." He choked out over the ball of emotion

filling his throat.

"I love you too." Dare said his eyes glowing.
"Let's get the hell out of here. We need to go see Silver."
"You're on top." His ever helpful mate said with another

breathtaking smile.

Steven held back a sigh. He would have to turn in his

manly card if he were caught sighing like a lovestruck fool
every time his mate smiled. There was no question that the
werecat was a beautiful man and that he was a fool to want
him to be anything other than what nature created.

"So I am." He agreed. Placing a quick kiss on his mate's

lips he rose to his feet and held down a hand to help Dare up.
"Come on beautiful let's go talk to the alpha."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Denying Dare

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38

Chapter Two

Silver threw his glass across the room. It made a

satisfyingly crash as it hit the wall.

"You know when I do that you call it a snit." Anthony said

from his seat on the couch, sipping something red and fruity.

Dare watched the alpha go from intense fury to

amusement in the space of a second.

"That's because I know it makes you angrier when I say

you're having a snit." The alpha said with a toothy smile.
"And you're beautiful when you're angry."

Leaning down the alpha gave his mate a kiss so hot Dare

could swear he felt the heat from across the room.

Parker cleared his throat. The alpha pair broke apart both

of them with high color on their faces.

"Sorry." Anthony said with a blush.
Silver stroked a hand over his mate's brilliant blond head.

"Never apologize for loving me, sweetness."

"Can we focus on the problem?" Parker said, a touch of

impatience in his voice. The wolf was careful to keep his gaze
averted though not wanting to trigger his alpha's dominance.

"Silver and I will go and talk to the other alphas.
"I will go and talk to the other alphas." Silver said. "You

are not to go near them."

Anthony stood up his eyes flashing. "Are we mates or not."
There was a stampede to get to the door. Dillon, Parker,

Dare and Steven rushed out of the office slamming the door
behind them.

Denying Dare

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39

Parker let out a deep breath. "Shit. I hate it when his eyes

do that lightning thing."

Dare nodded his agreement. "I adore Anthony but

sometimes he's freakin' scary."

"I'll get everyone some sodas." Dare headed for the bar,

quickly making the drinks and bringing back to the table. The
weres chatted while they waited for their alphas.

"So what does everyone think Alesandro will do about

Calvin?" Dare asked.

"I heard they got back together." Dillon said with a smile.
"Is Calvin going to be converted? I can't imagine what it

would be like to be a vampire." Dare asked his eyes bright
with interest.

"And you never will." Steven growled.
He shouldn't find that hot, he really shouldn't.
"I think they're going to wait until Cindy is out of school

and starting a life of her own. I heard Alesandro tell Anthony
that they wanted to cement their relationship before they
went any further." Parker offered taking a drink of his soda.

"That's a good idea." Dare said with a sidewise glance at

Steven. "Mates should get to know each other well before
making any irreversible decisions."

Steven opened his mouth to speak when the alpha pair

entered. Anthony's lips were pouty and Silver had a definite
bite mark on his throat. "Anthony and I are going go and
warn the other alphas. Parker, you and Dillon stake out the
construction owner's house tonight. See if anyone shows up
there. Dare and Steven, I want you two to go back to the
warehouse and look for cues. If they meet there regularly

Denying Dare

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40

they probably live close. I can't imagine it's easy for them to
get around looking like they do."

All four wolves nodded and went their assigned ways.
Dare left with Steven hoping in his heart that they could

find a way to stop these creatures.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Denying Dare

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41

Chapter Three

The warehouse was just as run down the second time.

Steven followed his mate's fine ass into the abandoned
building. The scent of wild wolves filled his nose as they
walked in. A low growl sounded near his right. He glanced at
his mate and saw that Dare's eyes had changed, the pupils
elongated, the iris' glowing.

"Keep it together, baby." He said in a low voice. "I don't

have any clothes for you to change into."

"I know." Dare said, his voice was deeper than any he'd

heard before.

Steven's eyes swept the area. The thick dust showed

multiple footprints from earlier but nothing else that he could
see. He slowly let go of his senses feeling his own eyes shift
to their sharper wolf senses. Inhaling deeply he sneezed. His
eyes watered from the scents of dust, mouse droppings, mold
and the strong scent of wrongness.

Something twisted and unnatural filled his nostrils

overwhelming all the other scents before.

"You can't miss that scent trail." Dare said beside him.
"Let's follow it. Like Silver said they can't be too far from

the warehouse."

The pair followed the stench through the other side of the

building, and through rows of warehouses that looked
abandoned from the outside and felt hollow within. Eventually
the path led them down a sloped hill. The river flowed wide
and high just over the ridge.

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42

Dare's nose twitched. For a moment Steven thought he

saw a shadowing of whiskers. "What's wrong kitty?"

"I don't like this. Something's wrong."
Steven froze where he was. Cat's had good instincts.

"What is it?"

He didn't get another word out before a sharp sting pierced

his arm. His vision went blurry as he reached a hand towards
his lover. Blinking he watched a silvery dart embed into
Dare's arm.

"No." Steven whispered. He knew he would be fine if they

captured and tortured him, he was tough. The thought of the
same people tormenting his gentle beloved was a greater
pain than any he'd felt before. He blinked again trying to see
what was happening but his muscles were frozen and
moments later, his vision went black.

* * * *

Steven came back to awareness on a wave of pain. Fire

seared across his back. He gritted his teeth to hold back the
scream. He wouldn't give them the satisfaction of making him
beg for release. He could feel his arms were bound above him
with cold heavy chains stretching his body for the whip.

He opened his eyes again and was pleased when his vision

cleared, until a large mutant wolf came to stand in front of
him. The creature's yellow eyes were narrow and mean.

"So you've decided to wake up." The mutant's voice was

so low it was almost subvocal. Steven could feel the vibration
in his chest.

"Where's Dare?"

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43

"Dare?"
"The other man I was with?"
The were gave a wide unpleasant smile. "You mean the

non-wolf? He's down the hall keeping company with my
frieds. What is he anyway?"

He couldn't tell?
Maybe the mutation has more disadvantages than

advantages. Or maybe it was just that Steven already knew
what Dare was so he knew that he smelled like a tiger. If he'd
never met a weretiger would he know the smell? Another
whip against his skin drew his attention back to his captor.

"Have your attention now?" The creature growled. "It

doesn't matter what he is, we're going to kill him anyway."

It took all of Steven's willpower to stop the scream building

in his throat. The whipping hurt but the threat to his mate
broke something vital inside. Unable to stop himself a snarl
broke free.

"Oooh. Don't like that do you. I didn't know the two of you

were so close." Contempt dripped from the mutant as he
stared at Steven with dislike. "A pair of fags. It will be my
pleasure to kill you both for your unnatural ways. Which alpha
do you show your belly for?"

Steven kept silent, watching the man and waiting for a

chance to attack. Shaking the chains only drew laughter from
the thing before him. "Who are you? What do you want?"

His captor laughed, a low unpleasant sound. "That's easy

enough. I'm the last thing you'll ever see and I want your
death."

Steven snarled.

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44

The deep chuckles of his tormentor stabbed into his skin

sharper than spikes. "What, you think I'm going to spill all
like some sort of super villain. No, there's nothing I want from
you little wolf. You're not anyone of power. Your job is to die
for my cause. Now just tell me who your alpha is so I know
where to send the body and I'll kill you quicker."

Steven saw his death in the creature's eyes. There was no

way he was getting out of it. The only thing he regretted was
never telling Dare how important he was to him. Guilt rode
him. A better were would never have let his mate be
captured.

Another whip stroke jolted his body.
"You are the most inattentive wolf I have ever met." A lash

followed each word until Steven was gasping for breath. He
could feel the blood soaking into his shirt. As a were the
marks would heal before he bled to death but he might hope
he was dead before the mutant was finished.

A loud roar echoed in the distance and screams filled the

air.

"What the hell..."
An enormous tiger ran into the room. Blood coated the fur

so completely that if Steven didn't know Dare was a white
tiger he wouldn't have known then.

His tormenter turned towards the sound but it was too late

for him. A gurgle and a gush of blood ended his existence.
The tiger leaned back on its haunches and licked his lips. Wild
eyes turned to Steven.

He froze.

Denying Dare

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45

There was no humanity in those eyes. His beautiful mate

had gone feral.

"Hello Dare." Steven said in a soothing sing-song tone.

"Time to come back to me. Come on baby. Turn human."

The tiger circled him as if deciding what to do with the

dangling temptation.

"You don't want to eat me. I'm your mate remember."
Steven's heart pounded against his chest when the

massive creature went onto his back legs. Paws the size of
saucers planted on his shoulders. For a moment he hung
there face to face with a man eating tiger. Dare smelled of
blood and death but he was the most beautiful thing Steven
had ever seen, because he was alive.

Within one breath to another: tiger shifted to man, fur

sank into skin and elongated pupils rounded into humanity.

"Mate." Dare whispered, his eyes dazed from the change.
"Mate." Steven echoed in an unsteady voice. "Do you think

you could get me down.

Dare looked at the hook Steven dangled from. With a

flexing of lean muscles the weretiger lifted Steven and flipped
the chains off of the hook. A few minutes of tugging broke the
chains wrapped around his wrists.

Shock and relief coursed through Steven's body as he

wrapped his newly freed hands around his mate. "I thought
I'd lost you."

"Never gonna happen." Dare said holding him tight. "Never

gonna happen."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Denying Dare

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46

Chapter Four

Silver threw a glass against the door shattering it.
"You really need to stop doing that." Anthony said calmly

from the couch.

The alpha growled.
"You did not just growl at me." Anthony said jumping to

his feet.

Everyone in the room stilled.
Dare sat stiffly next to Steven watching the alpha mates

scowl at each. After a second of glaring, Silver scooped up his
beautiful mate and nuzzled his neck. "Sorry sweetness. This
whole thing has me angry."

"At least the other alphas were sweet."
Silver gave a shout of laughter. "They were too dazzled by

you to even think about arguing about their safety." Silver
turned to the other weres. Dillon, Parker, Dare and Steven
watched the alphas with wide eyes. "You should've seen their
expressions when Anthony walked into the room. He had
them eating out of his little hand and I swear every one of
them was straight. I thought Moira, the alpha of the
Sandstone pack was going to slip in her own drool."

Anthony blushed. "She was very nice."
"Uh huh. I heard she ripped the head off of the last guy

who challenged her."

Shrugging Anthony gave a small smile. "I wasn't

challenging her, though you got awfully close."

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47

Silver flashed a canine. "If you hadn't made it clear you

were into men I think she would've poached you in a second."

"Anyway we still don't have any clue as to where the

mutants are staying. Or how they plan take over the packs.
Madros said he'd be careful and double check his food for
poison. They must have someone helping them from within so
we need to look for anyone who would benefit from the packs
dissolution."

"I didn't get the feeling that the other alphas were

involved." Anthony said. Silver nodded in agreement.

"What do we do now?" Parker asked.
Silver sighed. "We keep our eyes open. We make sure the

pack stays close. Parker, I would appreciate it if you would
move into the pack condo."

"No."
Silver's eyes glowed. "Are you challenging me?"
Parker averted his gaze and tilted his head. "No sir. I just

can't leave my house. I can feel my mate is getting closer and
I have my home prepared with everything I need."

Silver raised an eyebrow.
"He means he's a dom and he's waiting for his proper little

sub and he'd prefer not to deal with that with the entire pack
looking on." Anthony offered.

"It's not like we're going to judge him." Silver said. Dare

could see the confusion on his alpha's face. "Hell, we have all
kinds coming through the club. Remember Lyle? He used to
come in with his sub's cock on a leash. If that's what you
want then feel free."

Denying Dare

by Amber Kell

48

Parker cleared his throat his face beet red. "I prefer to

have my relationship private. I don't think my mate would
appreciate being brought in on a leash."

"Have you met him?" Anthony asked his eyes bright with

excitement. The alpha mate loved seeing his pack matched
up.

"No. But I've had mating dreams so he must be close."
Silver sighed. "All right but keep a careful eye on things

and if you sense any danger pack up your mate and haul his
ass over here."

Parker nodded. "I don't know when we'll meet but the

dreams are getting stronger."

The other pack members nodded in respect.
"Do wolves always dream of your mate before meeting?"

Anthony asked.

"No. It's a sign of a re-mating. It means that they were

mates in a previous life and are reconnecting in this one."
Silver offered placing a soft kiss on his mate's cheek.

"Does it happen very often?" Anthony asked tilting his

head for another kiss.

"No." Silver smiled at Dillon. "It will be a strong mating.

Congratulations Dillon."

"Thanks."
"In the mean time I want everyone to make a list of

different factions who might be interested in seeing the weres
fail as a community. We'll brainstorm tomorrow. If anything
comes up before then call me or Anthony."

The weres nodded and cleared out the room.
Dare turned to Steven. "Are you going to join the pack?"

Denying Dare

by Amber Kell

49

Steven stopped walking and turned to him, surprise

evident in his expression. "I thought we were mates."

Dare nodded looking down at the floor.
Steven put a hand under Dare's chin tilting his head so

their eyes met. "I'm sorry if I resisted you before, my sweet
kitty. I'm done denying you. We are forever mates. I know
things won't be always be calm between us but I'd like to
try." Dare felt the love pouring from his mate.

"Come live with me and join the pack. I know Anthony

would approve you."

Steven snorted. "Don't you mean Silver?"
Dare smiled a wide pointy smile. "And I thought you were

Anthony's best friend." He teased.

"Good point. I have enough dirt on Anthony I can make

him let me in so I'm not worried about him but I won't join
the pack unless you're part of the package."

Dare hoped his eyes conveyed the love he felt. "Then I

guess we'd best start negotiations. I think my bedroom would
be the best place to discuss the future."

Steven gave him a wicked smile. "Yes, I do believe your

right."

The two men headed for the elevator in perfect accord.

Coming Soon

Enticing Elliott

Denying Dare

by Amber Kell

50