By the light of the Moon

By: Sandrine Gasq-Dion

~Dedication~

To my Family

Jen and Kim

My readers at LRO

© Copyright 2011

All persons in this story are fictitious. Any resemblance

to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

~~Chapter One~~

“

God, I’m really going to miss this place.” Sam took in

the beautiful untamed landscape of Denali National Park.
Snow blanketed the ground and tree branches bent low
to the ground from the weight of it. This was heaven,
pure and simple. Two weeks spent in it was not enough.
When his friend Josh had suggested Sam take a
vacation at the Park helping out Wayne, the Park
Ranger, Sam had laughed. Who wanted to spend
vacation working? One day in the park had changed his
mind. Sam had spent a few days out on his own, just
hiking and taking in the pristine scenery and fell in love.
He and Wayne had patrolled a two mile area of the park
by Wonder Lake for a week, checking traps and looking
for poachers. Mainly poachers looking for the Grey

wolves, Sam had been fortunate to see the Grey wolves
up close.

“

I know, I took this job many years ago just for the

summer.” Wayne zipped up his parka some more and
adjusted his gloves. “There’s nothing else holds a candle
to this.” Wayne shielded his eyes from the sun with his
hand. “It’s going to get dark soon. I’m going to go check
on the night campers in the cabins, make sure nobody
needs anything.”

Sam smiled and zipped his own jacket up tight, the

winters in Alaska were brutal. The high temperature
today was negative twenty, and that was warm. It was
three in the afternoon and the sun was going down fast,
leaving a thick shadow over the park. The temperature
was dropping at an obscene rate and Sam was glad he’d
put the little warmers in his jacket pocket. He turned to
face Wayne and shook his hand; he’d miss the guy. Josh
was always saying that Wayne sounded like Hoss from
Bonanza, and he was right. “I’m sure I’ll be back

someday, and soon. You don’t come to this park and
leave without an impression. It’s been good working with
you Wayne, take care of yourself.”

Sam watched Wayne leave on the four wheeler and

headed back up the trail to the cabin to grab his bag. He
took a long look around the warm cabin he’d stayed in for
two weeks, no TV, no phone, just silence. Sam took one
last look around before closing the door and making his
way back to the truck. Closing the door, Sam flipped the
heat to high and waited for the truck to warm up. He’d
parked in the only heated garage near the lodge. Most of
the parks trucks were either plugged in or stored in the
garage.

Sam had laughed when Wayne asked if he had a plug.

Hell, Sam had never even heard of plugging in a vehicle,
much less adding additive to your fuel tank to avoid
frozen gas in your lines. Alaska was its own country as
far as Sam was concerned. He pulled out of the garage,
waving at the lodge staff on his way out and turned onto

the long stretch of highway that would eventually take
him to Fairbanks. Tour buses passed by him on the way
to the park and Sam realized he already missed it. He
waved at the bus driver and turned his eyes back to the
road.

~~

Shit. The wind was whipping him in the face as he ran;

no amount of protection was going to help him. It was
twenty below and Dakota was out in the elements,
running for his life. The shots were still going off behind
him and he could barely make out the highway ahead.
Dakota dug in and gave a last burst of energy, trying to
make it. His left leg had been shot and the pain was so
bad he didn’t know if he could hold out much longer.
Fuck, he’d been an idiot. His hunger had driven him
further than he’d ever gone and he’d walked right into a
mess. The highway was finally in view and Dakota knew
they were gaining on him. Footsteps sounded in the
snow behind him. He hit the last bit of snow and
launched himself into the road. The pain was
overwhelming, the loud screech of tires registered and
his body flew a few feet hitting the ground and sliding
across the concrete.

“

Oh fuck!” Sam got out of the truck and ran around to

the front. Fuck, he’d hit a wolf, a pretty small one too. It
lay on the road on its side breathing heavily. Sam had
heard stories about what happened to people who’d tried
to help a wounded animal. You usually got bit for your
efforts. He kneeled down and kept some space between
them. The wolf was solid black with deep grey eyes.
Jesus, it was a beautiful animal. Its size suggested it was
female. “Hey there, I’m not going to hurt you, okay?” The
wolf’s head moved slightly, its eyes focused for a brief
second on Sam, then closed again.

Dakota cocked his head back and took a good look at

the face behind the sultry voice, he was beautiful. Tall for
sure, dark hair he supposed. Black and white vision
made it hard to determine anything else. The man’s hand
was up, letting him know he wasn’t going to hurt him and
Dakota’s ears picked up the sound of boots coming. The
men with guns were coming; Dakota looked up and
whined at the man.

“

What is it, girl?” The man asked.

Dakota cocked his head to the side at the man’s

reference.

Girl? Dakota huffed and snorted, nodding his

head in the direction of the boots. Dakota watched as the
man that hit him stood straight up, feeling for something
in the back of his jeans. Dakota saw the butt of a gun
and his head turned at the sound of approaching
footsteps. The boys reached them quickly and the man
spoke to them.

“

Hello boys, something I can help you with?”

Dakota didn’t hear much more of the conversation

between the man and the boys with the guns, but they
left and then he was being hoisted into a warm truck.

Dakota sat in the front seat of the heated truck and

closed his eyes, his leg and head were killing him. He
needed to shift and he couldn’t, because that would be a
bit much for the nice sexy man to take. A wolf turning into
a human in his car, he might as well just throw himself
out of the truck. He felt fingers in his fur and looked up at
the man. One hand on the steering wheel; he was
alternating between watching the road and watching him.
Dakota scooted closer, loving the feel of strong hands on
his body; he pushed his muzzle into the man’s crotch and
inhaled deep.

Oh wow… Dakota looked up, meeting the

man’s gaze. “Hey there, little girl, I’m flattered, but we
aren’t the same type.” Dakota whined and tried to get
closer to the man’s heat, damn he smelled so good. Why
did he keep calling him a girl? He knew he wasn’t as big
as the rest of the pack, but he was twenty one, not some
ten year old. Didn’t this guy know a wolf’s anatomy? He
did have balls for Christ sake. He sat with his head in the
man’s lap and closed his eyes.

The drive seemed to go on forever, but then they were

pulling into a motel and Dakota tried to place it. He really

must have run off the beaten path, because nothing
looked familiar. The man stopped the car and got out. He
opened the motel room door, and then came back for
him. Dakota thought about making a run for it, but he
knew he couldn’t. His leg was in bad shape and now he
had some serious pain in other places as well. The man
kicked the door shut and laid him on the floor on a motel
towel. He took his jacket off and grabbed his bag. Sitting
down cross legged in front of Dakota, he smiled. “Okay
girl, I just want to see how bad it is, ok?” Dakota sighed.
Oh, for crying out loud. It took a great deal of effort, but
he rolled onto his back and proudly displayed his male
parts to the man. If he could’ve smiled in this form, he
would have. The man just stared at him with a look of
shock, then smiled and ran a hand over his belly. “Well
now, little girl is a boy. My name is Sam and I’m going to
take care of you.”

Sam. Dakota liked it. He pawed Sam’s hand and let out

a soft whine, letting him know he did need help. Because
he couldn’t shift, Dakota would have to depend on Sam
to help him. Sam’s touch was very light and he made
sure he talked to Dakota the whole time, like Dakota
would understand him somehow. Which in a way, was

funny, because he understood every word Sam said. The
man was gorgeous. Sam was welcome to touch Dakota
wherever he wanted. Sam was on the phone talking to a
vet, at least that’s what Dakota gathered from the phone
call. Dakota tried to get up and felt his back leg give out.
Sam dropped the phone and was over him in an instant.
“Hey there guy, just lie still. I’m going to put you on the
bed, okay?” Dakota whined and tried to lift his head.

Hell

yeah it’s okay… shit, I don’t have thumbs. Dakota let out
a sigh and went limp.

He must have fallen asleep, because when he opened

his eyes Sam wasn’t in the room with him. He could hear
the sound of the shower running. Dakota’s leg felt

much

better at the prospect of seeing Sam naked. He jumped
off the bed with minimal pain, to get a good look.
Dakota’s head came up and cocked to the side, Sam was
indeed a stunning sight to behold. Long legs and sinewy
muscles covered the man’s body from head to toe.
Dakota actually felt himself panting, tongue hanging out
of his mouth like a rabid dog. Sam man was perfect.
Now, if he could only see him in color.

Dakota watched as Sam washed his hair and soaped

up his cock. He wasn’t playing with it, but the damn thing
had to be at least eight inches and

thick. Dakota rolled

over on his back and watched Sam upside down. “Well,
someone likes to watch.” Sam winked at him and Dakota
wished he could smile as a wolf. “Are you hungry?” Sam
turned the water off and grabbed his towel, drying off in
the shower. He put the towel around his waist and got
out, stepping over Dakota who was sprawled out in the
middle of the floor.

Uh huh. Dakota had a nice view

underneath Sam’s towel; he rolled back over and shoved
his muzzle in Sam’s ass. “Whoa!” Sam almost fell over
and hung onto the towel bar. “I’m starting to get the idea
you like me, little guy.”

Dakota nuzzled Sam’s hand and looked up at him; he

made his way back into the room and jumped on the bed
lying down. Sam let out a soft chuckle and Dakota
listened to him finishing his bedtime regimen. Dakota
watched as Sam made his way to the bed, looking at him
sprawled out across where Sam intended to sleep. Sam
sighed and got in the bed, pushing Dakota over with his

leg. Dakota let out a playful growl and nudged Sam with
his cold nose. “It’s my bed.” Sam pushed Dakota over
and laughed when Dakota came right back and settled
under his arm. Dakota let out a soft sigh and Sam ran his
hand through Dakota’s fur at the nape of his neck. “If
only someone was like you in human form.” Dakota
watched as Sam lay back and closed his eyes.

But I am.

Dakota nuzzled into Sam’s warmth and closed his eyes.
I’m just a wolf when I need to be.

~~

Sam woke up to heavy breathing, which was odd

seeing as how he was alone in bed except for the wolf
next to him. He leaned over and saw the wolf was
panting. Shit, he wondered if that meant something bad.
He got up slowly and the wolf’s head came up, looking at
him. “I’m just going to get dressed; I think you need a
vet.” The wolf jumped off the bed and snuggled at his
feet. “Do you bring the paper in too?” Sam smiled and
sat down on the floor. The small wolf was looking at Sam
like he understood what he was saying and it was
fucking weird. “If I had slippers, I’d have you fetch them.”
Sam let out a low grumble of a laugh and the wolf

snorted at him. “I swear you understand me, little one. I
need to give you a name though if you’re going to hang
around sniffing my ass and crotch.”

Sam looked at the time and decided to call Josh, the

friend that’d told him to come to Alaska in the first place
to rest and relax. Sam smiled, Josh had finally found love
and God

knows Sam hated calling his friend on his

honeymoon…on the other hand, Josh worked up in
Denali with Wayne. He may have seen the wolf that
currently sat at his feet. Maybe even knew which one it
was. He would try Wayne, but god knows if he’d even be
near a phone. The phone rang twice before Josh picked
up.

“

What’s up?” Josh said.

“

Hey, I know you’re on your honeymoon- ” Sam had to

smile, Josh sounded a bit winded on his end, maybe

even a bit flustered.

“

Jesus, Sam, I’m with Mark on a cruise, cut to the

chase.”

“

I hit a wolf last night—”

“

Whoa…wait, what color?” Josh was sitting straight up

in bed now.

“

It’s a male and it’s black with grey eyes, why? You

know him?” Sam looked down at the wolf in his lap; his
head was cocked to one side like he was listening.

“

That sounds like Dakota, call him by that see what he

does.”

Sam tried it. “Hey, Dakota.” The ears went up and the

wolf licked his hand. “I think it’s your guy.”

“

Shit, is he okay?” Josh looked at Mark with his

eyebrow raised.

“

I think so, I mean I hit him with my truck but he already

had a leg wound. He seems okay now, just panting a lot.”
Sam tousled Dakota’s fur with his fingers, rubbing behind
the ears.

“

Well he’s probably thirsty, ya big lug.” Josh laughed.

“Give him water and food, he should be good. He’s no

trouble and sweet as can be.”

And maybe gay. Sam laughed at the thought. “Ok,

have fun guys and thanks, Josh.” Sam hung up and
looked down at the wolf in his lap. “So, Dakota is it?”
Sam laughed when Dakota’s ears went up again. “Let’s
get you some food and water.” Dakota rolled over and
presented his belly to Sam. “Oh, you want more love?
Well no can do, I have to feed you first.” Sam picked
Dakota up and carried him to the bed, laying him down
gently.

“

Okay Dakota, I’m going out to get food.” Sam cocked

his head to the side as the grey eyes looked at him. “I
figure you probably want a nice big juicy steak, right?”
Sam laughed when Dakota’s ears perked up. “Hmm…
steak.” Dakota’s head tilted and he whined. Sam
laughed. “Ok, let me get going and I’ll get you a bowl too.
I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Sam watched as Dakota
padded around in a circle, then laid down. “Oh, don’t
drink out of the toilet.” Sam laughed and shut the motel

room door.

~~

Drink out of the toilet? Pfft….as if. Dakota snorted and

lay on his stomach, face between his paws. As soon as
Dakota heard Sam’s truck pull away, he was down on the
floor running his highly sensitive nose through Sam’s
bag. God, but the man smelled delicious and Dakota’s
body responded sexually. He rolled around in Sam’s
clothing, trying to get his scent all over him. Jesus, but it
was intoxicating. He wanted more of it. He had no idea
how long he’d been laying there, but the door opened
and Sam stood there smiling at him. He realized he was
upside down and Sam made his way over, pulling his
shirt out from underneath him. “You didn’t pee on my bag
did you?” Sam laughed. “Marking your territory and
such.” Dakota loved his voice; it spiked his heart rate and
invaded his senses.

Dakota sat up and looked up at Sam. He could pee on

his leg, but he figured he’d get reprimanded for that.

Besides he was a wolf, not a dog. And pissing on
someone was just bad form. Dakota wanted Sam to be
his, he seemed sad somehow, even lonely. He rubbed
Sam’s leg with his head and let out a soft growl. God, but
he wanted to smell Sam again. Sam moved away and
crouched down in front of him, his hand on Dakota’s
head, petting him. Dakota felt Sam’s hand pulling his face
up and he realized his eyes were closed; Dakota opened
them to see Sam looking at him. “You are one beautiful
animal.” Sam smiled and ran his hand up Dakota’s
muzzle.

I hope you think I’m beautiful as a human too.

Dakota wasn’t very well schooled on the whole mate
thing, but he swore Sam was his. His body was reacting
every time Sam touched him.

Sam stood up and grabbed the bag he’d dropped off by

the door; he pulled a bowl out and went about filling it
with water. Dakota made his way over, sniffing the
contents of the shopping bag. He smelled blood and
stuck his face all the way in, taking a deep breath.

Oooh

New York strip, the good stuff. Sam pulled the bag away
smiling and put the bowl down, watching as Dakota
drank almost the whole bowl. He went to the sink and
filled it again. Dakota looked for the bag and saw it on

the table.

Damn, damn, and damn. Sam came back, put

the water bowl down and removed the steak from its
plastic prison, putting it down on the floor. Dakota picked
it up and inhaled it. “Jesus, I guess you were hungry.
Good thing I bought two.” Sam took the other one out
and put it down. Dakota took his time eating this one,
actually slowing down to chew it. Dakota noticed Sam
had relaxed now that he was eating and drinking. “So
Dakota, I’m going out for a drink. Think you can behave
while I’m gone?”

Dakota looked up and headed for the door. He sat

down, looking at it. “Oh, hadn’t thought about that.” Sam
smiled and opened the door, letting Dakota out. Dakota
stayed around the front of the motel, taking in scents
here and there and doing his business in a timely matter
before making his way back to the room. Sam stood in
the door and Dakota cocked his head, was that relief he
smelled? Did Sam think he was going to take off? He
walked right by Sam and jumped on the bed, getting
comfortable again. Sam smiled and sat on the edge of
the bed. Dakota made his way closer, laying his head
down on Sam’s thigh. “Looks like you don’t want to
leave, almost as much as I want to keep you.” Dakota
closed his eyes and rubbed his face against Sam’s thigh.
Oh yeah, he wanted to keep him. Sam got up and
mussed Dakota’s fur. “I won’t be too long, just a couple

beers, okay?” Sam smiled as Dakota closed his eyes; he
grabbed his jacket and made his way to the door. “Be
good Dakota.”

As soon as the door closed Dakota was up, listening

for Sam’s footfalls and the truck starting. When the tires
left the motel parking lot Dakota concentrated on
changing. The muscles and tendons stretched and
bones snapped back into place with lightning fast speed
and Dakota stood in the middle of the room as a human,
faster than he ever had in the past. “Okay, that was
weird.” Dakota’s own voice startled him and he let out a
giggle. Standing on two legs now, Dakota made his way
to the bathroom. His black hair was matted with blood
and his face was pale, he needed a shower and bad.
Warm water massaged his sore muscles and Dakota
washed away the blood from his skin. His leg had healed
and whatever broken bones he’d had, healed when he
changed. At twenty one, he stood at five foot nine. His
body was slim, but not skinny. Dakota had definition in
his arms and chest, but he didn’t look anything like Sam.
God, Dakota wished he could see him again. Wait. He
could see him. He just had to find clothes, which meant
shifting back.

Shit.

Making sure the window was open just enough to

squeeze a finger through, Dakota left the hotel, closing
the door behind him. He ran around the side of the
building and shifted back. Dakota ran down the back
alleys trying to stay hidden and then he recognized a
sign. Not the color, but the letters. Goodwill. Staying
behind the dumpster, Dakota shifted back and grabbed
two bags of drop-offs, looking for clothes. As a wolf, he
stayed warm in the cold weather. As a human, not so
much, and it was below freezing. He found worn jeans
and a black shirt, along with old socks and an old pair of
sneakers. Fuck it, worked for him. Fully dressed, Dakota
tried to find Sam’s scent as he walked along the road.
Sam couldn’t have gone far… He hoped.

Another mile down the road and neon lights welcomed

him to Rose’s Cafe

and Sam’s truck. Dakota made his

way in and looked around first, then took a seat at the
bar and concentrated on Sam’s smell. It was there and
off to the right, down the bar from him. He turned his
head and met with dark brown bedroom eyes. Oh. My.

head and met with dark brown bedroom eyes. Oh. My.
God. His cock was instantly hard, just looking at Sam in
color. His mouth was watering, looking at the man that’d
hit him with his truck then saved him. Native American for
sure, at least six foot three, black hair hung a little past
Sam’s shoulders. Dakota couldn’t stop looking at Sam;
his rescuer was drop dead gorgeous and fucking

huge.

Jesus, Sam was so damn beautiful with those high cheek
bones and full lips. He had biceps the size of Dakota’s
thighs and tattooed. Dakota was in sense overload and
then his nose picked up the scent of another wolf in the
bar. The hair on Dakota’s arms went up and then he felt
the breath on the back of his neck. Shit. Taylor. The
alpha wolf’s son was standing behind him. There was

no

way Dakota was still in pack territory; Sam had driven too
far for that to be the case.

“

Dakota, what brings you to Healy?” Taylor asked.

Dakota’s shoulders relaxed, he wasn’t in pack territory.

So, what the hell was Taylor doing here? “What do you
care? I’m not in pack territory, so it’s none of your

business.” Dakota felt fingers on his arm and then a
biting grip. Taylor’s fingernails pushing past the layer of
skin to dig in.

“

You don’t ask questions and you

don’t speak to me

like that.”

Dakota put his head down in an act of submissiveness,

but Taylor wasn’t letting the matter drop. Taylor’s fingers
dug in sharply and Dakota let out a small yelp, deep in
his throat. He’d healed, but was still sore. Dakota tried to
pull his arm away and felt fingers in his hair, gripping and
pulling tightly. “Please let go, I’m not a threat.”

Taylor smiled, leaning over in Dakota’s ear. “You made

my Dad think I was a fag. I haven’t been able to live it
down and you just sauntered away like you didn’t do
anything wrong.” Taylor pulled the hair hard and heard a
small gasp. “Now come with me, we’re going back to the

park.p;

Dakota felt the fingers in his hair pulling and he stood

up, almost tripping on the bar stool. Dakota looked up,
but Sam was gone. Oh God, he was going to have to
defend himself against Taylor. Dakota wasn’t weak, but
Taylor was the stronger wolf. Dakota was hauled outside
and hit the ground, face first. Taylor grabbed Dakota’s
hair again, dragging him behind the building. Dakota tried
to get loose and the fingers tightened, threatening to rip
his hair out.

“

Just leave me alone, Taylor. I left and I won’t come

back.” Dakota tried to get loose again.

Taylor snarled and grabbed Dakota’s face. “Bend the

fuck over.”

Dakota blinked and Taylor was gone. He heard a loud

crashing noise and then he saw Taylor stand up, wiping
his pants off.

“

What the fuck!” Taylor shouted.

“

Get out of here, now.” Sam stood looking at Taylor

with a look of absolute rage.

“

Who the fuck are you?” Taylor walked closer,

assessing his aggressor. Damn the man was tall

and

pissed. He couldn’t shift in front of him and he couldn’t
afford to take him on in human form. “This is none of your
business.”

Sam pulled the boy behind him and kept his stance. “It

is now. Run along, before I decide I need exercise.” Sam
kept his eyes on the asshole, all while hoping he made a
move. This could be fun.

Taylor cocked his head to the side. “This isn’t over, I

hope you know that.”

Just as fast as the man had appeared, he’d vanished.

Sam turned around to look at the kid and was almost
knocked down, when arms went around his neck and lips
crashed into his. His first instinct had been to shove him
off, but when those lips parted and a warm tongue
invaded his mouth, Sam’s arms went around the kid and
he kissed back. His whole body erupted in a frenzy of
emotions. He was so fucking horny. Sam’s cock strained
against his jeans and he pulled the kid in, diving into his
mouth tasting the warmth, and Coke? The reciprocating
tongue was insistent and traveled his mouth slowly,
seductively, until Sam was almost in a puddle on the
ground. The kiss was broken and Sam stared into grey

eyes, then they blinked and the kids’ face went red.

“

Oh God!” Dakota unwrapped himself and realized he

was off the ground. “I’m so sorry!” What the fuck was he
doing?

Sam tried to find his voice, but the kiss had knocked

him for a loop. Words were not rushing to meet him just
then and he let out what sounded like a garbled “Kay.”

Dakota’s feet met the ground and he looked up at Sam.

Oh Christ, what had he been thinking? “I’m so sorry...oh
God.” Dakota fled the scene. If he’d been in wolf form,
his tail would’ve been between his legs.

It took a fraction of a second, but Sam regained his

mind. “Wait!” But all he saw was a blur and then the kid
was gone. Holy shit, he was still rock hard. No one had
ever gotten him that horny that fast. He walked back into

the bar with a fucking hard on that wouldn’t go away.
Sam left his number with the bartender, telling him to call
if the kid showed up again. He then attempted to make
his way back to the motel with the searing heat of the
kiss still on his lips.

Dakota was on the bed, head between his paws, legs

up underneath him in a sound sleep. His ears cocked
back and he opened one eye when Sam came in. Now
that Dakota knew what Sam looked like, he could see
Sam in his mind’s eye in color and hear that sultry sexy
voice. “Hey boy, did you watch porn and make long
distance phone calls while I was gone?” Sam let out a
chuckle and took his jacket and shirt off. He swore the
wolf was watching him, it was kinda eerie. His pants
came off next and he climbed into bed, turning the TV on.
Flipping through channels, he stopped on the Discovery
channel, on a show about wolves. “Hey look, it’s your
family.” Sam smiled down at Dakota. He’d moved and
was now resting his head in Sam’s lap.

Dakota’s head came up and he watched wolves

playing in the snow. They weren’t his kind, but the
regular kind and he felt an ache in his chest. He’d been
banished for being gay, much like he’d been as a child by
his own parents. At sixteen he’d come out and his Dad
kicked him out on his ass, telling Dakota he was dead to
them. After that, it was a series of part time work and
staying with friends for weeks at a time. It was the trip to
Anchorage that had forever changed his life.

They’d been out on a binge and Dakota had gone

home with a guy he hadn’t known but for five seconds. It
had almost cost him his life. Dakota had been beaten and
raped until he lie half dead, thrown into a ravine close to
Denali National Park. He’d heard rustling in the snow and
then a white wolf was poised over him. At that point,
death was welcome. At least the pain would’ve been
gone. The next thing he remembered was waking up in a
cabin naked, surrounded by fifteen other people. That’s
when his whole life had changed. “I met someone
tonight, Dakota.” Sam’s voice brought him out of his
memories and he looked up at him.

Sam pet Dakota’s head and smiled. “Took me by

surprise, that’s for sure. I’ve dated women and I fucked
one guy, but this...” Sam shook his head. “This kid made
me

feel.” Dakota sunk his head in his paws and sighed.

He knew how Sam would look at him if he knew what he
really was. He should be happy he’d made an impression
in his human form. “The way he kissed me.” Dakota
could see Sam was drifting off into sleep and then Sam
was looking at him again. “Don’t worry, if you decide to
keep me I’ll always be there for you. Dakota cocked his
head to the side and crawled further into Sam’s lap,
nestling into him and taking a nice deep breath of him.
God, but he smelled so damn

masculine. Dakota fell

asleep to the soft sounds of Sam’s breathing; he planned
on doing that a lot in the future.

~~Chapter Two~~

Oh no way...I refuse to—oh! There it goes! Dakota

sprang after the tennis ball like it was a rabbit. Damn
instincts. It was like hunting prey in a way, except all he
got in the end was a slobbered rubber ball covered in
synthetic felt. Yet here he was, chasing said rubber ball
again. Sam had taken them out after a nice breakfast,
and then lunch of a dozen sausages and another steak.
He was feeling well fed and happy right about now. Sam
was, of course, laughing his ass off. It took a few times of
Dakota sitting there with a look, saying “you go get it”,
before he actually ran to go get it. This time, when
Dakota brought it back he decided to make Sam work for

it, which led to a wrestling match. Sam got the ball back
and lay back in the snow, laughing. Dakota got up on
Sam and sat down on his stomach staring down at him,
even as a wolf he wanted to kiss him.

“

Damn, you weigh a ton.” Sam laughed and rolled over,

knocking Dakota off of him. Dakota was feeling a lot
better. He was being fed on a regular basis and Sam had
taken him out this afternoon to let him do his business, as
well as giving him a chance to leave if he wanted. Not
that Dakota would, he actually loved spending time with
Sam. “Come on Dakota, I have to take a shower before I
go out tonight.” Dakota ran back and dropped the ball at
Sam’s feet, looking up at him. Sam was going out? This
might give him a chance to fix the night before. He trotted
toward the truck and waited for Sam to open the door. As
soon as the door opened, Dakota leapt inside with ease.
Sam got in, pulling Dakota over to him. He looked him
over and Dakota knew what he was doing.

Oh shit.

Sam was looking over Dakota’s injuries, the ones that

didn’t exist anymore. Shit. His coat was clean and he
wasn’t favoring his leg anymore. Sam bent over to look
closer and Dakota gave him a nice long swipe of tongue
up his cheek. “Eww…you smell like...never mind. You
need a Tic-Tac or something.”

Dakota laughed inwardly and played the drooling

happy wolf to a tee, panting and letting drops of spittle fly
from his jaws. He flopped down in Sam’s lap and closed
his eyes, taking a nice long whiff of the man that’d saved
his life. His body went haywire again and he felt his balls
filling. The man’s pheromones drove him crazy. He’d
better be calm before he ended up humping Sam’s leg.
Dinner consisted of more steak. God, he was becoming
spoiled. Sam left to take a shower and Dakota made
himself comfortable on the bathroom floor for the show.
My God, the man was beautiful. Now that he’d seen him
in color, he knew that strong chest was tan. Sam was a
Native American with black hair and the most beautiful
brown eyes Dakota had ever seen.

“

You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were

checking me out.” Sam Smiled. Dakota rolled over, letting
his legs flop out to the sides and lolling his tongue out the
side of his mouth. He rolled his eyes back and snorted.

Hell yeah I am, and I plan on doing it a hell of a lot

more.

~~

An hour later, Dakota shifted and ran with his clothes in

his mouth. Fuck it; he wanted to beat Sam to the bar. He
strolled in after checking his appearance in the nearby
gas station mirror and took a seat at the end of the bar. It
wasn’t very crowded right now. However, that would
change in about an hour or so, when the rest of the
working folk got off work and headed back into town.
Most of them worked at the pipeline or in Anchorage. His
eyes scanned the room looking for Taylor. What had he
been doing in Healy? The bartender came over and gave
him a Coke. He looked up and got a wink from the guy
and arched a brow.

“

You’ve been paid for, kid.”

~~

Sam strolled the pet aisle at Wal-Mart looking for

something for Dakota. Did wolves like dog cookies? His
phone beeped at him, signaling a text and he looked at it.
Kid is here. He felt a rush of excitement and then his
cock got hard. “Dammit.” He hoped the ‘kid’ was over the
age of eighteen, or he was in trouble. His hands were
actually sweating and his heart was palpitating at the
thought of seeing him again. Is this what real attraction
felt like? Sam sighed and bought what he needed for the
next few days. After that, it was off to Fairbanks,
hopefully with Dakota in tow. He pulled up to the bar and
looked in the mirror, teasing his hair. It had gotten a little
longer over the last few months, making him look more
like he should. So his Dad had said.

He was proud of his heritage and his father always told

him his buzz cut had made him look Spanish and not
Native American, which Sam had laughed at. Sam was
pushing thirty now and no closer to getting married then
he’d been at twenty-five. Sam knew his parents wanted
Grandkids, he just hadn’t thought he’d be any closer to
giving them one, until now. God, he was already thinking
about kids with the ‘kid’? Sam got out of the truck,
adjusting himself one more time and opened the bar‘s
door. His eyes fell on the kid the minute he walked in and
the grey eyes looked up, locking onto his. His dick
heated in his pants.

This time, he made his way over right away and sat

down. He ordered a beer and turned on the stool, looking
the kid over. “Well, I’m Sam. I think we should introduce
ourselves, since my tongue was down your throat.”

Dakota blinked. A smile formed on his lips and he put

his hand out. “ Da-” Shit, he’d almost said Dakota.
“Darren.”

“

Is it Da-Darren or just Darren?” Sam smiled, he still

hadn’t let go of the kids hand. “And

please tell me you’re

over eighteen.”

Dakota rolled his eyes. “Yes, I’m twenty one and it’s

just Darren.”

Sam couldn’t stop looking in his eyes. Jesus, but they

were so beautiful. He finally let go of Darren’s hand and
grabbed the beer in front of him. He noticed Darren was
drinking a Coke. “You don’t drink?”

Dakota looked at Sam. His eyes fell to his lips. He

remembered what it felt like to kiss them last night. “I
don’t have my wallet.” It was buried in Denali national
park. In his rush to get away from the men with rifles, he
hadn’t had time to grab it. And now he’d have to find a
way to get it back.

“

Where is it?” Sam looked the kid over, same clothes

from the night before. Shit, had he slept in a bathroom or
something?

Dakota looked at the glass on the bar and played with

the straw. “It’s at the park. I dropped it. I

kind of know

where it is.”

“

I can take you. I mean, if you want.” Sam took a sip of

his beer and looked in Darren’s eyes. The guy was like
fucking candy. God, he wanted him. Sam’s cock was
straining in his pants and he was itching to touch him.

”Do you have a place to sleep tonight?”

Dakota looked at Sam. Jesus, but the guy was a

fucking saint. Sam had saved his ass with Taylor and
Dakota, had kissed him and now he wanted to know if he
had a place to stay? “I…uh well…”

Sam took his hand again. “Look, I can get you a room

tonight and not with me, if that makes you feel safer. I
just…I don’t want you out in the cold. Okay?”

Dakota looked at Sam, he had kind eyes. He could

accept the room and then shift back through the window.
Damn, this was going to get complicated. “I guess so.”

“

Good.” Sam smiled. He’d feel better if the kid was out

of the cold. “I can take you up to the park tomorrow. I was
going to stay a few more days, but I’m headed to
Fairbanks. I’m going that way anyway. Do you need a
ride somewhere?”

Dakota smiled. Shit, shit, shit. How was this going to

work? “Well, I can get a ride out to the park. I don’t want
to put you out anymore. I mean you are giving me a room
for the night.” He’d go in wolf form and have to pee in the
area and Sam would pull over. He’d find the wallet and
bring it back to the car. Jesus, suspicious much?

They finished up their drinks and Sam paid the tab. He

opened the truck door for Darren and then made his way
back to the hotel. The truck was silent and Sam was
trying to think of something to say, when Darren’s small
voice finally breached the silence.

“

I liked the kiss. I mean, I’m sorry I kinda jumped you,

but you’re an excellent kisser.”

Sam looked over and saw the blush creeping into

Darren’s cheeks. “I liked it too.” As soon as he said it,
Darren’s head shot up.

“

Really? I mean, you kind of looked shocked, not that I

blame you.”

“

Well, it’s not every day that a guy basically climbs up

my body and lays one hell of a kiss on me. Especially not
one who’s easy on the eyes.”

Sam saw the small smile on Darren’s lips. They pulled

into the motel parking lot and Sam turned the truck off.
Sam felt a hand on his shoulder and when he turned,
Darren was looking right at him.

Dakota licked his lips. “You are so beautiful.”

Sam grabbed Darren and pulled him into his chest. He

crushed his lips to Darren’s, in a mind numbing kiss. He
felt Darren’s hands in his hair and he slid his hand to his
crotch, feeling a nice hard cock. Sam squeezed, hearing
a soft moan in his mouth and that about pushed him over
the edge. “Jesus.” Sam breathed. “Fuck, I want you.”

Dakota felt his breath leaving him as Sam took his

mouth again. He was crawling into his lap, his tongue
meeting with Sam’s. Dakota’s ass was up against the
steering wheel and Sam’s hand was running up his back.
“God...I want you too.”

The loud honk had them pulling apart quickly and Sam

had to laugh. “Your ass is honking.”

“

I feel sixteen again.” Dakota tried not to blush.

“

My cock feels sixteen again.” Sam laughed loud. He

looked at Darren and smiled. “Stay here, okay? I’ll get
you a room.”

Dakota watched him get out and go to the front of the

building. At some point, Sam was going to have to let him
out to go pee. Well, his wolf side out. Fuck. Now what?
As bad as it was, he had to get out now. Dakota tried to
find something to write with. Shit, he had to hurry. God,
he felt like a huge asshole. Here the guy had gotten in
Taylor’s face and saved his ass and he was pretty damn
sure Sam had been the one buying his drinks. Now he
was getting him a room for the night, so that he wasn’t
out in the cold?

God, I am such a dick. The longer

Dakota sat there, the more he knew his legs weren’t
going to move and then Sam was coming back to the
truck.

“

I’m glad you let me do this. Look, I want you to have

this, okay?” Sam gave him a wad of cash and closed his
hand over it. “I’ll feel better if I know you have
somewhere to go at night, and get some warm clothes.”
Sam walked Darren to his room and turned to face him.
Sam had thought for sure Darren wouldn’t be in the truck
when he came back and was surprised when Darren’s
head popped up in the cab. Sam turned to leave and felt
a hand on his wrist.

“

Did…did you want to come in?” Dakota felt the

tendons tense up in Sam’s wrist.

“

I didn’t know if you wanted me to.” Sam turned to look

in Darren’s eyes. God yes, he wanted to come in; Sam
wanted a lot more than that.

“

I want you to, I want you.” Dakota ran his hands up

Sam’s chest through his jacket. “I want to see what’s
under this.”

Sam nodded and Dakota opened the door to the room.

He walked in holding Sam’s hand. The door shut behind
them and Dakota locked it, turning to face Sam. His hand
slid up Sam’s jacket, taking the zipper of his parka down
and Sam shrugged it off. Sam’s flannel shirt was almost
soaked with sweat. The buttons were coming off slowly
and Dakota pushed the shirt off of Sam’s shoulders. One
hell of an impressive chest stood there before him.

Dakota ran his fingertips over the tattoos on his chest;

he looked up to see Sam’s eyes closed. His breathing
was slightly labored as Dakota ran his hands down his
chest. God, he wanted to lick him, taste him. He ran his
lips softly over Sam’s chest, flicking a nipple softly. His
hands played at the waistband of Sam’s pants, running
his fingers just underneath the band. His fingers brushed
the soft hair below the naval and Dakota let his tongue

trail down Sam’s chest.

Dakota wanted to taste him, wrap his lips around that

raw power. He undid Sam’s pants, pulling them down
and ran his face over the barrier of black cotton briefs.
He bit Sam’s hard cock through the fabric and felt a hand
in his hair, pulling his face up. Sam was looking down on
him and Dakota ran his hand up his inner thigh, making
his way up to grip the hard prick tenting Sam’s briefs.
The brown eyes closed as Dakota gripped him,
squeezing until there was a wet dot of precome on the
briefs. He pulled them down enough to see the tan cut
head of a beautiful cock. Dakota flicked his tongue
through the slit, tasting warm precome; his cock filled
more, making his jeans tighter. Dakota’s tongue licked
around the crown, flicking, teasing, and leaving small
bites around the rim. Dakota licked a long line from root
to tip, exposing more of Sam’s delicious cock. “Jesus,
you fucking taste so good.”

“

Oh Fuck.” Sam fought to keep standing as Darren’s

warm mouth took him in and his hand clenched his hair.
He felt a puff of air on his stomach and looked down to
see Darren, nosed pressed to his skin, sucking him in
deep. Soft fingers played at his tight sac, teasing and
rubbing, making their way back and sliding softly over his
opening. God, he wanted to pull Darren onto his cock,
fuck his mouth until his lips were swollen. He held back
and enjoyed the slow measured sucks on his cock and
the finger teasing his ass. The warmth left his cock and
Darren was making his way back up his chest, kissing
and licking as his hand caressed Sam’s balls.

Sam felt soft lips on his own. His hand snaked around

Darren’s waist and pulled him up to his mouth. Just like
the night before, the kiss had Sam in a state of euphoria.
Darren was wrapped around him and was trying to get
his shirt off, as he fought to keep their lips together.
Darren’s t-shirt finally came off and Sam ran his hands
across the smooth chest. They made their way slowly to
the bed and Sam kept Darren cradled in his arms as he
laid him down, keeping their mouths fused together. Sam
grabbed Darren’s zipper and pulled it and his pants down
in one movement. He found a hard prick, slick with
precome and he wrapped his hand around it, giving it a

good pull before settling into a rhythm.

God, he’d never felt like this with anyone else. Sam

wanted to possess him, own him, and mark him. He
wanted to sink into Darren and never come out. Their
breaths ragged as they both gripped each other, Sam
moved Darren’s hand and stroked their hard pricks
together, all while keeping his mouth securely on
Darren’s. He felt a hand on his own and then he was
being guided to Darren’s hole. With his right hand
pumping, he took his left and ran his fingertips through
the flowing precome of both their pricks. Making sure he
was slippery, he teased Darren with one finger as he
quickened the pulling on their pricks.

Long strong strokes from the root up, had Darren

writhing beneath him and he’d never witnessed anything
more beautiful. Sam broke from the kiss, looking into grey
eyes. He watched Darren’s face as he pushed in another
finger. Darren moaned and arched his back as Sam
pushed in, rubbing upwards. Sam’s own orgasm was

threatening to spill over, as Darren’s noises were making
him stroke faster. He wanted to hear him, push him over
the edge until he was screaming under Sam in pleasure.
Sam’s mouth descended again and Darren whimpered
into his mouth. Jesus, but he was so fucking turned on.
Sam pushed his fingers in further and felt Darren meeting
them, pushing down, and trying to get more inside. Sam
heard the catch in Darren’s throat. He stopped and
looked down into what could only be described as the
most beautiful face he’d ever laid eyes on.

“

Are you alright?” Sam looked at the line of sweat on

Darren’s forehead.

“

Mmmm…” Dakota felt the stinging in his gums and

closed his eyes. His body was reacting and he fought to
stay in control. He managed a nod and Sam’s finger’s
resumed their torturous, yet pleasant assault on his
senses. Dakota had never really been with anyone that
wasn’t a wolf after he’d been changed. He couldn’t afford
to let Sam see him. Fuck, but it felt so damn good. He

hadn’t had another person touch his cock in months. His
ass clenched around Sam’s fingers and his stomach
warmed, spreading throughout his body. The release
was coming and Dakota hoped his body didn’t flip out
and change mid orgasm. Sam brushed his swollen gland
and Dakota lost it.

“

Oh God…I’m coming…” Dakota grabbed the sheets

and his back arched, sending a spray of cum all over his
chest in spurts. His body jerked and his hips kept
pumping as he emptied himself.

“

Oh fuck, fuck, fuck!” Sam lost it. Just seeing the man

on the bed in pure bliss had his own bomb going off. He
let out a low groan and came hard, balls emptying all
over Darren on the bed. Sam slumped over on top of
Darren and tried to regulate his heartbeat. Holy hell.
They were sticky and sweaty and he was suddenly very
hungry, not to mention exhausted. Sam licked the side of
Darren’s neck, biting it softly. He heard a low growl and
smiled. “Like that?”

Dakota sat perfectly still. Oh shit. Sam didn’t seem to

think it was weird that he growled, so fuck it. “Yes, do it
again.”

Sam let out a soft chuckle and ran his tongue up the

side of Darren’s neck, sucking and biting softly; he felt
arms coming around him and closed his eyes. “God, the
way you make me feel.”

“

Sam?”

“

Yes?” Sam was in a pleasure induced coma. He

figured he’d stay there for another half hour or so before
he attempted to use his legs.

“

What do you do? You know, for work?” Dakota ran his

hand through the soft black hair. His eyes travelled the
room and he was relieved to realize he could see colors.

“

I don’t think you want to know Darren. Let’s just say

I’m in the extermination business.” Sam rolled over on his
back and dragged Darren into his side. He pulled the
sheet up and covered them both.

Dakota lay awake watching Sam. When he figured he

was down for the count, he wrote him a note on the motel
pad of paper. He left the money next to it. He figured
once he got his wallet he’d be good. He told Sam that he
himself was going to Fairbanks and maybe they would
run into each other there. Dakota took one last look
around the room and quietly made his way out. Grabbing
his clothes, he put them in the bed of the truck. He’d
need them when they got to Fairbanks. The last thing he
wanted was to be running around Fairbanks in wolf form.
Dakota made his way back into Sam’s room and looked

around, making sure he hadn’t forgotten anything.
Closing the window, he got on all fours to change. God,
he wished he could just show Sam who he really was.
But that would have to wait.

~~

Sam woke up about an hour later to an empty bed. He

sighed and rubbed his face, sitting up. The room was
dark, save for the light on the small table. He saw the
wad of cash he’d given Darren sitting on top of a notepad
with a pen. He pulled himself out of bed on unsteady legs
and had to smile. Jesus, he’d never felt like this. He
grabbed the cash and read the note:

Sam,

I appreciate all you did for me. I’m heading to

Fairbanks myself as soon as I get my wallet. Look for

me at the Northern most Denny’s.

Darren.

The northern most Denny’s? Sam shook his head and

grabbed his clothes. He grabbed his room key and made
his way back to his own room. Dakota sat in the middle of
the bed in his usual sleeping position; flat on his back,
legs spread, taking up most of the bed. Sam smiled, took
his clothing off and crawled under the blankets, pushing
Dakota over on his side. He got a loud sigh and then
Dakota snuggled into his side. Sam closed his eyes and
thought about Darren, his soft hands, his talented
tongue. Sam had only been with one other guy and he
hadn’t affected him the way Darren had. He wanted
more. Sam rolled on his side, throwing his arm over
Dakota. He was going to have to take a trip home to see
the parent’s. Sam hadn’t seen them in almost six months
and his Mother had been bitching at him. “Night Dakota.”
He smiled at the soft snort.

~~

Sam had to smile. They’d been on the road for about

an hour now, and Dakota had his paws up on the
dashboard, whining. He nudged Sam’s arm and licked
his face, whining a little more loudly this time. “Rest stop,
buddy?” Sam smiled when Dakota put his paw on his
arm.

Sam pulled over and let Dakota out. Standing there, it

occurred to him that he was in the middle of nowhere and
he’d just let Dakota out with no leash. Shit. He stood by
the truck for five minutes before getting worried. This was
silly; he was attached to the wolf. Sam made his way into
the trees calling Dakota’s name. After ten minutes, the
panic set in. He felt like he’d lost his best friend.
“Dakota!” Sam whistled loudly, hoping to hear
something. There was a low growl to his left and Sam
turned around. A large tan wolf was staring at him; teeth
bared, ears down and haunches ready to pounce.

Sam felt for the gun in the back of his pants. He put his

hand out in front of him and took a step back. “Easy, I
don’t want any trouble.” The wolf came out of the brush
more and Sam got a good look at it. The damn thing had
to weigh about two hundred fucking pounds. Jesus, he
didn’t want to shoot it. From out of nowhere, Dakota
jumped in between Sam and the wolf. Sam scrambled to
grab Dakota around the neck. “Dakota, back away.” Sam
grabbed him by the nape of his neck and drew his gun,
pointing it at the other wolf. “I don’t want to kill you
buddy, but I will if I have to.”

Sam walked backwards pulling Dakota with him. He

loved nature as much as the next guy, but shit, that was
too close even for him. The loud growl took them both by
surprise as the wolf jumped on Dakota, sending him
down on his stomach. Sam backed up out of the way,
trying to avoid teeth and claws. Dakota maneuvered
himself out from underneath the wolf and bit his back leg.
There was a yelp and then the other wolf ran into the
woods, Dakota right on his heels. “Dakota! Wait!” Sam
ran after them, his lungs freezing, as cold air shot into
them.

Sam watched as both wolves ran right across a frozen

lake. Dakota’s feet went out from underneath him and he
fought to stay upright as the other wolf slid across the
lake. The other wolf finally got his footing and looked
back, watching Dakota try to stand up. Dakota finally got
his footing and took off again. Large cracks were forming
under the other wolf as he ran, finally clearing the lake
making a run for safety. Sam watched with baited breath
as Dakota slid to a stop, the cracking noise rising to a
deafening pitch. “Dakota! Don’t move!” Sam dropped
down onto his stomach and shimmied across the ice,
trying not to put too much weight in any one spot.

Sam watched in horror as the ice broke up into chunks,

and then Dakota was sucked in. “Fuck!” Sam made his
way closer, watching the ice continue to break apart. The
breaks were coming closer and closer to Sam. Dakota
was attempting to get both paws on the ice, but he kept
slipping. Sam made his way closer, trying to get a hold of
Dakota’s paw. “I’m coming Dakota.” Sam grabbed his
paw and then tried to grab his upper leg. Pain seared

paw and then tried to grab his upper leg. Pain seared
into his flesh as Dakota dug his claws in, trying to hang
onto him. Sam’s other hand gripped at the fur of Dakota’s
neck, pulling him out of the water and dragging him
backwards to safety. Sam’s left arm was torn up, but he
got Dakota off the ice and landed on the shore, breathing
hard. Sam closed his eyes as the cold bit through the
layers of his jacket. Dakota lay on his side panting, white
swirls of breath flowing upward. Sam’s arm was on fire
and he stood, trying to get blood flowing. “Come on,
Dakota.”

They’d finally made it back to the truck and Sam

opened the door. Dakota jumped in and sat down and
turned, looking at him. Sam brushed his fingers over
Dakota’s muzzle and grabbed a blanket from the back
seat, wrapping it around his fur. Sam quickly changed
into new pants and a flannel shirt and inspected his
wounds. They weren’t as bad as he’d originally thought.
He couldn’t see his bone, which was a plus. Sam
cleaned it out with alcohol and wrapped it in a bandage.
He grabbed his jacket, putting it on and looked at Dakota

on the seat. His head was down and Sam pulled
Dakota’s face up, looking at him.

“

Hey, don’t look like that, ok? I’d do it again if I had to.”

Sam petted his head and mussed his coat. Dakota licked
his face and Sam smiled. “Now, let’s get warmed up.”

The rest of the trip was uneventful and Dakota

managed to sleep through most of it. Sam stopped at a
gas station and Dakota opened his eyes. Sam was filling
the tank while a woman at the next pump was bent over
her hood, looking at something. Jesus, if he could roll his
eyes he would. Could she

be more obvious? He didn’t

find women attractive. Well… some he did, but they
looked manly. Dakota felt a chuckle brewing as he
narrowed his eyes at the woman. She was smiling at
Sam and motioning to her dip stick. Dakota bet she’d like
for Sam to dip his stick in her. Sam bent over the hood
and the woman stepped back, head tilted, admiring the
view.

Dakota pawed at the window and let out what he

hoped sounded like a, hey- I- gotta- pee whine. Sam
looked up, saw him panting in the window and smiled. He
turned to the woman, making his excuse. Dakota smiled
as Sam escaped the woman’s attentions. “

I don’t see any

problem, but you might want to ask the mechanic on
duty. Excuse me.” Sam made his way over and opened
the door a crack. “Can you hold it? I’m sure people are
going to freak out if they see you running around.”
Dakota whined pathetically. He actually

did have to take

a raging piss. Sam sighed and looked around. “Okay, but
make it quick.”

Dakota was doing his business on the side of the gas

station when he saw the woman making her way out of
ladies room. He trotted over and sat down beside her,
being sure to catch her attention. The woman looked
down at him and her eyes went wide. Dakota thought his
ears were going to bleed as the woman let out an
annoyingly high pitched scream. Dakota just sat there,
staring at the woman who seemed to be glued to the
wall, until Sam came hauling ass around the side of the
building. Sam put his hands on his hips and frowned at

Dakota. “Oops, sorry. I had to let him out for a bit, but he
won’t hurt you. Dakota, come on.” Sam whistled for him
and Dakota turned his head, trotting back to the truck.

“

That was a …”

“

Yep. Big dog, huh?” Sam waved at her and turned

around. “Drive safely.” They hit the road again and Sam
looked down at Dakota, laughing softly. “I swear you did
that on purpose.”

Dakota lay his head on Sam’s thigh and closed his

eyes.

Yep.

~~

Sam drove into town and took the main road, looking

for Josh’s street. He wasn’t going to stay in town but for
maybe a day. He had to be in Washington to make nice

and smile for his parents. As they drove, Sam’s eyes
caught a Denny’s in the distance. As they got closer to it,
he could see that it said the northern most Denny’s. His
heart leapt at the idea of seeing Darren again. His cocks
reaction, was to become harder than rock in mere
seconds. Jesus, what was wrong with him? Dakota was
sitting up with his paws on the dash board, watching the
cars go by, tail wagging. “You’ve been here before?”
Sam smiled. Pulling into a residential street, Sam found
Josh and Mark’s house fairly easy. It was a single story
home with wooden carvings of wolves in the front yard.
Josh really had a thing for wolves.

Sam climbed out of the truck and heaved his bag over

his shoulder, letting Dakota out. He found the hide-a-key
and unlocked the door. Josh’s house was clean and Sam
had a sneaking suspicion Mark had something to do with
that. Mark had moved in right after their adventure up in
Denali and was now working at the hospital in town.

Sam walked around flipping switches on and making

sure the heater worked. Walking back to the bedroom, he
took a look around. A queen size bed with clean sheets
and a dark comforter sat against one wall, with an oak
dresser on one side and night stand on the other. With a
flat screen TV on the wall and a bathroom in the hall,
Sam didn’t need much of anything else. He could hear
Dakota’s nails on the wood floors as he inspected the
house. “Don’t pee on anything.” Sam heard a low growl
and smiled. “I’ll put you out in a second.”

A quick look in the fridge told him he’d need to go

shopping for at least the basics. He’d get a few extra
things so that Josh didn’t have to shop when he got back
with Mark. After letting Dakota out, he put his bag on the
bed. He’d bought a collar at Wal-Mart, but wasn’t sure if
Dakota would let him put it on him. So far he hadn’t run,
but Sam was worried that at some point he would.
Dakota had been his companion and he liked it. He
enjoyed having him around to talk to, even if he couldn’t
talk back.

After a quick shower, he made his way into the kitchen

to see Dakota staring at the fridge. “Hungry?” Sam pulled
some meat out and put it on the floor on a plate; he’d
have to get Josh more steaks. The thought of seeing
Darren had him wanting to leave for the Denny’s soon.
“Listen boy, I’m going to head out to the restaurant and
then I’ll go shopping for food okay?” Sam leaned over to
pet Dakota and grabbed his keys. “Be good and don’t
mark anything.” Sam took one more look at Dakota
curled up on the floor and smiled. “See you soon.”

~~

Dakota sighed. Why did Sam always think he was

going to piss on something? He should, just to prove him
right. He heard the truck start up and was glad he’d
gotten all his things out of the back while Sam showered.
When they’d stopped in Denali, Dakota had run off to find
his wallet, and then doubled back around Sam to put it in
the bed of the truck. That’s when he’d heard Taylor.
Dakota had no idea why, but his instinct to protect Sam

overrode everything else and he’d jumped in the middle
to try and make Taylor back off. Dakota sighed. Sam
could’ve been seriously hurt rescuing him from the ice
and Dakota could’ve done more damage to Sam if his
claws had gone any deeper.

Dakota shook his head to clear it and went about

concentrating to shift. This time it went even faster and
Dakota was looking at five fingers in seconds. “What the
hell?” Something was going on, shit. Dakota didn’t have
time for this. He had to meet Sam. He dug through the
closet and found a shirt that might fit. The rest of the
clothes on the right side of the closet were more Sam’s
size, must be Josh’s stuff. A quick look in the mirror and
he was off. Dakota looked both ways down the road and
got his bearings before heading out. He knew where he
was. He’d grown up here, gone to high school and
College here and knew exactly where the Denny’s was.

When Dakota got there, Sam was already in a booth

with a cup of coffee, sitting so that he was facing the

front door, watching everyone that came in. Dakota
smiled, his senses picking up the presence of another
wolf somewhere. He contemplated the smell and tried to
place it. This wasn’t pack territory, at least no pack that
he knew of. Dakota hurried inside and his eyes met with
Sam’s. God, but the man was beautiful.

Sam’s smile was radiant as he sat down. “Hey.”

Dakota sat back, putting his foot on the bench across
from him.

Sam felt his heart beating a mile a minute. “Hey, so,

you look better.”

Dakota smiled and leaned forward, taking Sam’s hand.

“I’m sorry I ran out on you like that, you’ve done a lot for
me and I want you to know that I appreciate it.”

Sam ran his thumb over the soft skin on the top of

Darren’s hand. “You’re here now, no apologies.”

They ordered and Dakota ate a little, picking at his

food. He’d already eaten a twelve ounce steak and as
hungry as he’d been, he was a little full now. Dakota
managed to eat a club sandwich with fries and a large
milkshake. Sam was looking at him with an arched brow.
“What?”

“

Jesus you can pack in the food, where do you put it?”

Sam looked at Darren’s smaller frame. He wasn’t skinny,
and he did have some muscle tone, but compared to
himself, Darren was small. Everyone was small
compared to him.

“

Sorry if I’m not ten feet tall and weigh as much as a

truck.” Dakota smiled, sucking the leftover milkshake
through the straw.

“

I’m six foot four.” Sam smiled sitting back. “How long

are you in town for?”

“

How long are

you in town for?”

“

As long as you are.” Sam leaned forward and looked

in Darren’s eyes.

Dakota sat back and thought of what it had been like to

kiss Sam, what it felt like to have Sam’s hands on him.
How good it was to be wanted and needed by another
human being. How it felt to be wanted by Sam. “I want
you.”

“

Check.”

~~

Sam opened the door for Dakota and they walked into

a freezer. Alaska in the winter was downright bone
chilling. Dakota felt the hairs on his neck standing
straight up and his pulse raced. The smell of another wolf
was strong now. The air crackled around him and he felt
his bones shifting.

What the hell? “Where’s your truck?”

“

Oh, on the backside.” Sam took his hand as they

walked.

Dakota felt the wind whip over him. Whoever it was

wasn’t hiding his presence by staying downwind. He got
the unfortunate benefit of smelling not one, but two
wolves, and one was Taylor.

Shit, shit, shit! “Maybe we

should go back inside.”

Sam heard the fear in Darren’s voice and stopped mid

walk, looking down at him. “I don’t want you to do
anything you don’t want to.”

Dakota’s reflexes kicked in and he pushed Sam down.

How he’d accomplished it, Dakota had no idea. Sam
outweighed him and stood several inches taller. Taylor
sailed over the open space that Sam once stood in. He
landed hard and rolled a few feet off to the left of them.
Getting back up, Taylor shook his head and growled.

“

Back off Taylor. Now.” Dakota looked at him; Taylor’s

jaw snapped revealing long canines.

Sam sat up. “Taylor? Huh? What’s going on, Darren?”

“

Just get up slowly and make your way to the truck,

Sam.” Dakota stood in front of Sam, shielding him. “This
is between you and me Taylor, don’t drag him into this.”
Dakota’s hands hung by his hips and he felt the skin
prickling down his arm. He felt his muscles spasm and
his thighs buzzed.

“

Darren, is there something I should know?” Okay,

Darren was talking to the wolf like they knew each other.
Not that Sam hadn’t done the same thing with Dakota,
but this was weird. He picked up movement from the
corner of his eye and saw another wolf getting ready to
pounce. “Darren!”

Dakota had no idea where it came from. It had never

happened before, but the adrenaline rush exploded in his
body, shifting him mid leap, right in front of Sam. Bones

shifting in midair, his claws flared out and his canines
elongated. Dakota landed on the back of the other wolf
and gripped its neck, biting down, causing the other wolf
to yelp. Dakota sank his canines in looking at Taylor.
The more he bit the more power he felt surging through
him. He backed off the other wolf and advanced on
Taylor.

“

Darren?” Sam looked at the wolf in front of him that

used to be a man. When the eyes glanced back at him,
he saw Dakota. His breath was sucked out of his chest
and his jaw fell. “Dakota?” Sam whispered.

That one sideways glance had given Taylor his

opening and Dakota felt Taylor land on his back, trying to
sink his canines into his vulnerable neck area. Dakota
flipped Taylor off his back and snapped at his muzzle,
growling. They separated and ran at each other, colliding
with a loud crack. Dakota put his front paws on Taylor,
holding him down, teeth bared. The sound of a gunshot
had him looking up, Sam stood with his gun in the air.

Taylor leapt up and took off, along with his buddy.
Dakota backed away, slowly.

Sam let the gun rest at his hip and looked at the wolf in

front of him; Dakota sat down and just stared at him. “I
guess you’ve been hiding a pretty big secret.” Dakota
cocked his head, watching him. Sam opened the truck
door. “Get in.”

~~

The ride back was so quiet Dakota could hear every

breath Sam took. Sam’s heartbeat was racing and he
could smell fear on him. Great, he was scaring the one
man he had feelings for. He contemplated shifting back,
but that would probably freak Sam out more. Dakota felt
his bones shifting and closed his eyes. What the fuck
was going on? He’d never been able to change that fast
before and now he was doing it without even trying. He
relaxed and tried to breathe normally. Once they got back
to the house, Sam walked in and Dakota sat at the front
door, wondering if he should stay outside.

“

Well, come on.” Sam opened the door further. Dakota

made his way in tail tucked neatly between his legs, and
watched as Sam sat down on the couch. Running his
fingers through his hair, Sam let out a loud sigh and
looked up. “So it’s Dakota and not Darren.”

Dakota sat down on his haunches and bowed his

head, looking at Sam. He wasn’t sure what to do at that
point, so he settled for nodding.

“

You understand everything I’m saying, don’t you?”

Sam felt a small smile forming as Dakota nodded his
head again. This was fucking weird. “You think maybe
we could talk, with you as a human?” Sam watched as
Dakota padded down the hallway. A few minutes later, he
came out in jeans. Sam noticed he had some blood on
his neck and stood up immediately, making his way over.
His hand reached out and Dakota shrank back.
“Shouldn’t I be the one afraid here? You have some
blood on your neck is all.”

“

Oh.” Dakota ran his hand over his neck. “It’s not

mine.”

Sam moved closer to Dakota, reaching out to touch his

face softly. Grey eyes looked up at him. “You should’ve
said something.”

“

I’m sorry. I didn’t know how you’d react if you knew

and I was scared you wouldn’t want me if you did.”
Dakota’s eyes met with Sam’s.

“

We need to talk, that’s for sure.” Sam backed away

and sat back down. “Think you can tell me the whole
story?”

Dakota told him the whole story, starting with his

parents and ending when his Alpha kicked him out.
Dakota was the Omega of his pack, which was a
situation that warranted a second explanation. He went
into a little more detail about his duties as Omega and
then continued on. He could see the anger boiling just
under the surface of Sam’s eyes when he’d mentioned
his rape. It wasn’t something he liked to talk about.

“

Wayne, the park Ranger knows what I am. I don’t

know how, but he does.” Dakota sat back, looking warily
at Sam. “So that’s it, you can kick me out now if you
want. Hell, I wouldn’t blame you.”

Sam got up and made his way over to the couch, sitting

next to him. Pulling Dakota’s face up with his fingers, he
looked into his eyes. “Don’t you remember what I said?”

Dakota blinked looking at him. “What?”

“

Are you keeping me?” Sam smiled at Dakota’s look of

shock. “I said if you kept me, I’d always have your back.”

“

But…you saw me, what I am.” Dakota couldn’t believe

it, after everything he’d seen and heard, Sam was
sticking by him. Dakota’s heart raced as Sam’s lips
settled over his.

“

I’m keeping you.”

Sam picked him up. Still a bit shocked, Dakota realized

that somehow they’d made it to the bed. Clothing was
removed and Sam’s hands slid up his thighs. Dakota felt
soft wet kisses travelling up his inner thigh, and then
Sam’s mouth enveloped his hard leaking prick. Dakota
grabbed the comforter and arched his back letting out a

loud moan. “Oh God, Sam.”

“

I love it when you growl.” Sam ran his tongue around

the head of Dakota’s leaking cock and swiped his tongue
through the slit. “Growl for me.”

Dakota’s gums stung as he felt his canines pushing

through. His vision went monochrome and he closed his
eyes, fighting for control. A soft growl escaped him as
Sam took him in, swallowing him. Sam’s tongue pushed
him to his limits. Teasing him with hot wet swirls around
the head of his cock, Sam proceeded to make him shiver
with lazy strokes of his tongue; starting at the base of his
cock, and ending with more hot swirls around the tip. His
pulse sent shock waves through his body. Sam picked up
his ass and dove in for the kill. Dakota almost flew off the
bed; his hands began to change as Sam dove into his
warm tunnel, licking and sucking, diving in, spreading him
wider with his thumbs. Dakota’s whole body shook,
fighting to control his lupine side as Sam stroked him, all
while tonguing his ass in slow strokes.

“

Ohhh…Ohh God, Sam…” Dakota fought to keep his

lupine side under control as Sam ran his tongue in soft
strokes over his ass, sending Dakota into a pleasure
induced tailspin.

Sam felt Dakota’s thighs shaking and he let him down

slowly, stroking his cock in long hard pulls. “Anything I
should know?”

Dakota looked up and shook his head. He watched as

Sam lubed his cock and ran it up and down his crease,
teasing his hole. He laid his head back and enjoyed the
feel of his cock being stroked in time with the teasing.
The burn hit him first; he sucked a breath in at the size of
Sam’s cock as it breached the ring of muscles in his ass.
Sam didn’t push; he simply waited for Dakota’s body to
relax around him, working his way in inch by inch. Dakota
felt the girth of Sam and flinched as he pushed in more,
stretching him out. Sam’s hand kept a steady pull on his

cock and he leaned down, swiping his tongue across the
seam of Dakota’s lips, coaxing his tongue out. They
played and wrapped around each other before Sam took
control, covering his mouth and licking the inside
thoroughly. Soft languid kisses, followed by another push
inside and another long stroke.

Dakota opened his eyes when he realized Sam’s balls

were flush with his ass. Sam broke the kiss slowly and
looked into his eyes. He drew back out, his hand slid
down Dakota’s cock at the same pace. Letting his body
relax fully around Sam, he wrapped his legs around
Sam’s waist, moving in time with his thrusts.

Long deep

thrusts and a twisting of Sam’s hand on his cock had him
moaning out loud. Hands gripping Sam’s hair, he tugged,
bringing him down. Heat spread over them like a warm
blanket and Dakota felt his body accepting more and
more of Sam.

“

Harder.” Dakota moaned into Sam’s mouth.

“

Oh fuck, that’s hot.” Sam drew back, almost sliding out

and slammed into Dakota.

A growl reverberated around the whole room as Sam

fucked Dakota fast and hard. Arms running slick with
sweat, he slammed into Dakota’s sweet spot over and
over again. His own orgasm was building as he felt his
hips slamming into Dakota, balls smacking bare flesh.
Dakota’s prick hardened even more in his hand, and Sam
felt the snap in his spine. His balls drew taut and he
came, shooting hot and hard into Dakota’s ass. “Oh
fuuucck!” Sam shouted.

“

Ohgodohgodohgod!” Dakota cried out.

The almost feral sound Sam made, had Dakota balls

exploding; he shot up on his chest and gripped Sam’s

biceps as he bucked his hips, watching the stream of
cum shoot up his stomach. Sam kept his hands on either
side of Dakota’s head, looking down at him. His breaths
came out ragged and he kissed his forehead, smiling.
Dakota opened his eyes and realized Sam was in black
and white. He blinked hard and felt a hand on his face,
softly caressing.

“

No, open your eyes and look at me.” Sam smiled as

Dakota opened his eyes. His face hadn’t visibly changed,
but he knew he was looking into wolf’s eyes. Canines
peeked out beneath Dakota’s lips and Sam picked up his
top lip, looking at them. “Wow, and that was tame sex.”

Dakota let out a soft chuckle and closed his eyes,

shaking his head clear. “You surprise me.”

Sam smiled, pulling out slowly; he rolled off and onto

his side, leaning up on an elbow, looking at Dakota’s

body. “Why? Because I didn’t run screaming?”

“

Something like that. You’re awfully calm for what you

witnessed back there.” Dakota ran his hand over Sam’s
smooth face, tracing his lips with his fingertip.

“

Well, you kind of saved my ass; I’m not really the kind

of person that shoots wolves. People maybe, but not
wolves.”

“

Is that what you meant by

exterminator?” Dakota

smiled as Sam got uncomfortable, his body tensing.
“Look at me; do you really think

I’m going to be

shocked?”

Sam chuckled. Leaning in, he kissed Dakota softly,

letting his tongue trail his bottom lip. “Probably not. I’m an
assassin.”

“

Cool.”

Sam looked at Dakota and laughed. “That’s it?”

“

I’m a werewolf.” Dakota arched a brow.

“

Point taken.”

Dakota ran his hand over Sam’s smooth chest, feeling

the muscles ripple under his touch. If anyone was the
protector here, it was Sam. Deep brown eyes were

looking at him, and Dakota felt his body heating again at
the thought of the raw power Sam had just displayed in
bed. “So now what?”

Sam adjusted his elbow and ran a hand through

Dakota’s hair. “I’m going to visit my family on the
reservation, I want you to come.”

“

You do?”

“

I want to keep you. You’re well behaved and potty

trained.” Sam laughed loudly, barely missing the slap
from Dakota.

“

Hey!” Dakota rolled over on top of Sam and kissed

him hard, lips smashing. He took what he wanted until

both of them pulled away from the kiss, out of breath.
Sam’s hand was on his ass, gripping it. “Do your parents
know about you?”

“

That I’m BI, or that I’m an assassin?” Sam chuckled,

biting Dakota’s bottom lip gently.

“

Both.” Dakota wiggled his cock over Sam’s and the

hand on his ass gripped tighter.

“

They know I swing both ways, and they don’t care

how

I bring them a grandchild, as long as I do. The assassin
part they don’t. I was a sniper in the Army, and the guys I
was with are all in the same profession now.” Dakota
arched a brow and Sam smiled. “We have a long trip
ahead of us and we have a lot to talk about, but one
thing I need to know right now.”

“

Okay.”

“

Is this Taylor guy going to keep coming?”

Dakota thought about it, would he? Knowing what his

father would do to him might dissuade him, but Taylor
was stubborn

and stupid. “Yes, I think he will.”

“

How did you…Well, I mean how do you become…”

“

A werewolf?” Sam nodded. “It’s the bite of a werewolf

that will change you. I would never bite you though.”
Dakota saw the sly smile on Sam’ face. “Well, not in wolf
form. I may bite you though.”

“

I like the sound of that.” Sam smiled, settling Dakota

over his cock.

Dakota groaned, feeling their hot pricks sliding over

each other; the skin on skin was sending a jolt up his
spine. The sweat immediately rolled off of him as Sam
pulled Dakota up by his arms and moved his hips
underneath him. Hot sweet breath tickled his skin as
Sam’s tongue ran along the pulse in his neck, sending a
delicious wave of pleasure through him. Jesus, he was
going to dry hump the man in a second. Dakota pulled
back panting, and felt his eyes change.

“

Gotta stop.” Dakota squeezed his eyes shut, fighting

to control himself. Something about Sam made him lose
all his senses. It was almost like he was feeding power
off of him.

Sam kissed him softly and moved him over on his side.

He pulled Dakota into his arms and felt him settle into his
neck, one arm thrown over his waist. “Dakota?”

“

Hmm?”

“

If you have to pee, you’re letting yourself out.” Sam

chuckled softly.

“

Asshole.”

~~Chapter Three~~

Dakota woke up to a sliver of sunshine coming through

the heavy curtain at the window. The heat on his skin
reminded him that for once, he wasn’t alone. Sam’s body
was pressed against him, and a hard cock was rubbing
against his. God, what a way to wake up. The comforter
had been thrown off of them at some point during the
night, and they now lay almost on top of each other with
the sheet at their thighs. Dakota pressed his lips to
Sam’s throat, licking and tasting the man that had
occupied his thoughts for the last week. He was
beautiful, plain and simple. His long legs stretched over
and hung off the bed, and his massive size took up most
of the rest of it. He traced his fingers over the soft skin of
Sam’s face, following his jaw line across to his chin. He

bit it softly and smiled when Sam opened an eye.

“

Frisky?”

“

That’s cats.” Dakota gripped Sam’s hard prick.

“

You want to mount me, don’t you?” Sam laughed at

the look on Dakota’s face; he looked almost disturbed at
the thought. “It’s called doggie, not wolfie.”

“

I wouldn’t mind doggie style.” Dakota wrapped his

arms around Sam. “As long as you do the pumping.”

“

Too weird for you, huh?” Sam laughed and rolled over

on top of Dakota. Kissing him deeply, using long strokes
of his tongue to search Dakota’s mouth lazily, thoroughly.

The loud growling of both their stomachs had them

stopping mid kiss, looking at each other. Sam bit
Dakota’s bottom lip softly, sucking it in and letting it slide
out slowly from between his teeth. He got up from the
bed with a quick grip of Dakota’s cock and sauntered out
of the bedroom. Dakota lay back on the bed, looking at
the ceiling. This felt right. He’d never been so
comfortable with another human being, even

before he

was changed. Pots were banging in the kitchen and then
Dakota heard sizzling. Sam cooking naked? Nice. Sam
naked period, was nice. Dakota crawled out of bed and
threw his briefs on, making his way to the kitchen. Sam
really was naked, and he was cooking sausages and
eggs. Ouch.

“

If that splatters on your dick, it’s going to hurt.” Dakota

came up behind him and wrapped his arms around Sam’s
waist. He lay his head down on Sam’s back, feeling the

warmth.

Sam felt the flat of Dakota’s palms on his stomach and

closed his eyes, loving the feel of his hands on him. He
moved his ass back and forth, feeling Dakota’s cock
getting hard against him. Strong hands kneaded his ass,
pulling his cheeks apart. A hard dick slid between his
cheeks, gliding up. Sam held the stove and tried to bend
over a little, helping Dakota out with his height deficiency.

“

Give me the butter.” Dakota growled.

Sam felt a hand grip his hip, his skin breaking out in

Goosebumps at the tone in Dakota’s voice. It was low
and husky. Sam handed him the butter dish. Warmth ran
up his crease as Dakota moved him over to the counter
and adjusted his legs to thrust up in between Sam’s tan
ass cheeks. Just watching his pale skin slide over Sam’s
complexion, made him even harder. Dakota finally

managed to keep his balance and thrust up. He held
Sam’s ass tighter, creating sweet friction on his cock.
The butter made a perfect replacement lube.

“

Stroke your cock, Sam.” Dakota ran his tongue across

Sam’s back and watched, as Sam’s hand gripped
himself, pumping. “Fuck yeah.”

Sam stroked his cock in time with Dakota’s thrusts.

Fuck, it felt good, and he wasn’t even inside him yet.
Dakota’s cock slid over his hole again and again, and
Sam sped up his strokes. Fuck ! He’d be damned if this
wasn’t the best damn tease he’d ever had. Dakota’s
fingers gripped his hips tight, and he slid up hard. He
heard Sam’s low moan and saw the cum shoot out of his
dick, hitting the cabinets.

His own orgasm hit him hard, sending him bucking into

Sam’s hips, his own cock spurting all over Sam’s back

like a fucking geyser. The two of them stood there
panting and Dakota grabbed the towel from behind him,
cleaning Sam’s back. They cleaned the cabinets off and
Sam looked down at them, hoping his semen hadn’t
stained them. He whirled around and grabbed Dakota,
kissing him hard and pulling him up until they were the
same height.

Dakota looked back down at the floor and smiled. “I like

this.”

Sam ran his hand up Dakota’s back into his hair,

pulling him to his lips. “Yeah? Me too.”

Dakota wrapped his arms around Sam’s neck, meeting

the kiss with the same intensity he was receiving. Their
lips flowed over one another and tongues met, tangling
both of them, desperately trying to get closer to the other.
Sam held onto the counter as Dakota wrapped his legs

around his waist and gripped his hair, diving into his
mouth. The cell phone ring had them pulling away
breathing hard, and Sam grabbed it off the counter.

“

What?” Sam blurted.

“

Well, fuck you too.” Josh chuckled.

Sam smiled at the amusement in Josh’s voice. “Sorry,

how’s the cruise?”

“

It’s fucking

great, Mark’s crazy. By the way, he wanted

to know how Dakota was doing. You still have him with
you?”

Sam smiled, gripping Dakota’s ass. “Yep, I still have

him; he snuck his way into my truck and is now at your
house with me. He hasn’t marked anything yet, but that
could change.” Sam chuckled as Dakota tried to smack
his ass.

“

Wow, he actually left Denali? He’s a good Wolf, take

care of him, okay? You planning on keeping him? Wayne
said something about him being alone a lot.”

Sam smiled, kissing Dakota on the nose. “I think we

decided to keep each other.”

“

Good, he deserves some attention. He’s the one that

helped me find Mark in the snow, and let me know when
Mark was in trouble.”

“

Oh, did he now?” Sam pulled Dakota closer to his

chest and ran his nose up the side of his neck. “Well,
he’s been really good for me. We’re becoming fast
friends. Anyway, I’m headed out to see the parents, but I
did some shopping for you guys and there will be food in
here when you get back. In the meantime, if you need
me, you have my number.”

“

Yep. Be careful, Sam. I’ll see you soon.”

Sam hung up and looked at Dakota. “So, you the

newest alarm on the market?”

“

I was there, I smelled the guy in the woods, and I ran

to tell Josh about him. You know what happened out
there. I like Josh and Mark. They always gave me pieces
of their steak.” Dakota smiled and nuzzled into Sam’s

neck. “So, when do we leave?”

“

In about an hour, we’re headed to the Air Force base

to catch a ride. A friend owes me a favor. I want to stop
by the store though, if that’s okay and get you a
wardrobe.”

Dakota felt his cheeks heating and looked down. “You

don’t have to do that.”

Sam pulled his face up, looking into Dakota’s grey

eyes. “Yes, I do. You’re mine, Dakota, and I’m going to
make sure you have whatever you need. Money is no
object.”

“But..I…”

“

No, listen to me, okay? Let someone take care of you

for once, alright? You chose to keep my stubborn ass,
and I choose you, okay?” Sam held him to his chest and
felt Dakota’s arms wrapping around his neck tight. “Now,
let’s get you into some decent clothes and head to a
store.”

~~

Dakota tried on clothes left and right. Sam would nod

his head in approval, and on occasion,

drool in approval.

Dakota had one hell of a nice ass in jeans. Sam gave him
a grey shirt to try on, and his cock almost blew out of his
pants. Dakota’s eyes were brought out even more by the
match of color. The man was absolutely breath taking.
After buying bags upon bags of clothing, they stopped at
the food store to buy snacks for their trip. The cargo
plane they were taking had no flight attendants, just Army
guys and Air Force guys transporting hummers. Sam’s
truck would be going with them. Dakota strolled the
snack aisle, picking up sweets. Sam was looking over a
granola bar when he felt unease permeating off of
Dakota. He turned his head to see Dakota standing with
a bag of bite size chocolates. A woman stood at the end
of the aisle staring at him. Early fifties he guessed.

Her eyes were grey. Upon closer inspection, he saw

Dakota in those eyes. Mom was from one of the Alaskan
tribes. Her skin was darker and black hair fanned her
face. Her gaze was locked on Dakota right now and she
still hadn’t said a word. Sam made his way over, putting
his hand on Dakota’s shoulder. “Is everything okay?” At
his touch, Dakota jumped and Sam steadied him, leaning
down to whisper in his ear. “It’s okay, I’m right here.” The
shoulders relaxed and Dakota turned into Sam, hiding in
his chest. Sam put his arms around him and looked at the
woman. He turned with Dakota in his arms and started
walking.

“

Dakota.”

Sam stopped and looked down. Dakota was visibly

shaken and Sam’s anger was rising. He turned to look at
the woman and kept Dakota behind him. “You don’t get

to address him by his given name. He’s dead to you,
remember? And not that you care, but he almost was.
Stay out of his life.”

“

Margie, what the hell is taking so long?”

Sam watched as a man walked up to Dakota’s mother.

He was taller, with broad shoulders and pale skin. Now
he knew where Dakota had gotten his skin tone. The
eyes were just as grey and the hair was salt and pepper.
“Excuse us.” Sam took Dakota by the shoulders.

“

Please, just let me…”

Sam looked down again. He could see how this was

affecting his man and he was not going to let them fuck

with him. “Mrs?”

“

Cadotte.”

“

Mrs.Cadotte, I don’t think Dakota wants to let you

do

anything. You made the choice to kick him out, and now
you’ll have to deal with the repercussions of your actions.
Don’t worry though; I’ll make sure he’s well taken care of
from now on.”

“

That’s my son?”

Salt and pepper decided to talk, and Sam was not

sticking around. “No, he’s mine now

. If Dakota decides

he wants a relationship with you, he’ll call you.” Sam got
him out of the store and into the truck. Dakota threw his

arms around his neck and Sam held him. God, this was
hurting him, watching Dakota in pain. He never wanted to
see him unhappy again. “It’s okay, I’ve got you.” Sam ran
his hand in a circle on Dakota’s back.

“

Thank you.” Dakota felt strong arms around him and

nestled into Sam’s neck, feeling his warmth. Just seeing
his parents, had taken him back to that night when he’d
come out to them. The look of disgust on their faces, felt
like a slap to his own. Then the screaming and crying
started, and Dakota was out on his ass. It still hurt now,
to be told you didn’t exist by the one person that brought
you into the world.

Sam pulled away and caressed Dakota’s face. He

wiped the tears away with his thumbs and kissed him
softly. “I’ll always have your back.”

~~

Sam figured out pretty quick that Dakota was not a fan

of flying the friendly skies. He was in Sam’s lap, with a

death grip on his arm. Sam ran his hand up Dakota’s
face and pulled him into his lips, kissing him softly. His
tongue slid across the seam of Dakota’s lips and he
opened his mouth to him. Sam’s fingers massaged the
back of Dakota’s neck as he searched his mouth. The air
around them was crackling and the heat was rising, as
the kiss became more urgent. Sam broke the kiss,
breathing hard.

“

Jesus, you take my breath away.” Sam was trying to

fix his raging hard on and finally gave up; Dakota in his
lap was making it harder. Sam took Dakota’s face in his
hands and looked in his eyes. “Do you know what you do
to me?”

Dakota blushed and smiled. “Probably the same things

you do to me.” Dakota felt his cock hardening again and
changed the subject. “So, about Mateo?”

Sam smiled. “Oh yeah, I did say I was going to tell you

the story, didn’t I?” Sam pulled Dakota closer to him.
“Mateo got a call to take out Riley Flynn, but after
watching him for a few weeks, he determined that Riley
was innocent. It came down to Mateo rescuing Riley
more than once, and they ended up falling in love. They
got married and have been happy ever since.”

Dakota sighed and leaned into Sam’s warmth. “That’s

so sweet.” Dakota kissed Sam’s neck and smiled when
he felt Sam shiver. “I hate airplanes.”

“

Well, once we hit the reservation you can go for a run.

You probably feel cooped up, huh?”

“

In this plane, yes, I do. My body is reacting to not only

you, but fear, so it’s taking a lot for me to stay in my
human form right now.” Dakota closed his eyes as Sam’s
tongue trailed across his lips; he felt a small soft bite and

smiled.

“

Let me see if I can distract you.”

Sam had distracted him alright. Blew him in the truck.

~~

When they landed, they hit the road. Washington was

beautiful and Dakota took in all the sights. Puget Sound
was to the right of them as they drove, and the sun was
out. Trees spread out on both sides of the road as they
drove deeper into forest lands. Dakota’s brow arched as
they passed a sign for one of the towns. He looked at
Sam and arched a brow.

“

One crack about sparkly guys, and I kick you out of a

moving truck.”

Dakota chuckled and watched the landscape fly by. He

could see himself living here with Sam. He was
convinced now that Sam was his mate somehow, but
he’d always thought a wolf’s mate would be another wolf.
Dakota didn’t care either way. Sam was his and he
wouldn’t give him up for anything. The window was down
and Dakota could smell fresh pine as they drove along,
mingled with the smell of other wolves. He was going to
have to find the pack and introduce himself, to avoid any
trouble. They drove onto the reservation and Sam pulled
up in front of an attractive single level house. There was
a line of clothing hung out to dry, and a German Shepard
sat on the front porch. Sam climbed from the truck putting
his arms out.

“

Rocky!” Sam hugged Rocky and felt him licking his

face. “Eww.”

Dakota came around the side and Rocky let out a soft

whine and rolled over on his back, baring his belly and
neck to him. Sam looked up and saw Dakota’s surprised
look.

Dakota made his way over and crouched by the dog,

smiling. “Hey buddy.” Dakota scratched his belly and
Rocky wagged his tail. “I’m not a threat.”

“

Guess he senses what you are, huh?” Sam stood up

and smiled at his dog, slobbering on the ground as
Dakota scratched his side.

Sam turned to see his mother coming out the door, she

still looked young. Her black hair was in a bun and her
brown eyes sparkled.

“

Sam?”

“

Hey, Mom.” Sam smiled.

“

It

is you. I almost forgot what you looked like.”

Sam chuckled. “Mom, this is my boyfriend, Dakota.

Dakota, this is my Mom, Nadine.”

Nadine inspected Dakota. Her eyes met with his and

she gasped. He was truly beautiful, the grey eyes shone
bright. She took him in her arms and hugged him tight.
“It’s so good to meet you, Dakota.”

It took everything he had not to cry. Dakota closed his

eyes, trying to control his emotions as Sam’s mother
hugged him tight. She pulled away and put her hands on
his face, looking him over. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs.
Waters.”

“

Oh no you don’t, I’m Nadine.” Nadine smiled and took

Dakota’s hand. “Are you hungry? Sam, are you not
feeding your man?”

“

Yes, I am. He gets steaks all the time.” Sam tried to

suppress a laugh as Dakota’s eyes went wide.

“

Well, let’s get some homemade cooking into you,

huh?” Nadine dragged Dakota in the house.

Dakota took a look at his surroundings; there was an

old worn tan couch in the middle of the living room and
two recliners on either side of it. A small coffee table sat
in front of the couch, littered with magazines, and a large
flat screen took up most of the wall. Small pictures dotted
the other side of the living room. Mostly pictures of Sam
as a child, and then more of him as he grew up. Dakota
looked them over, smiling at Sam as an infant.

“

Isn’t he beautiful?” Nadine took the baby picture down.

“He was such a sweet baby.”

“

What happened, huh?” Sam smiled and opened the

fridge.

“

You are still sweet.” Nadine pinched Sam’s cheeks

and Dakota held back a chuckle at the size difference
between Sam and Nadine.

“

Where’s Dad?” Sam looked around the house.

“

He’s off with John. We’ve had some problems with

poachers on Reservation land. He should be back soon.
When I told him you were on your way, I swore he was
going to pee his pants.” Nadine smiled at Dakota. “Do
you want children, Dakota?”

“

Mom!” Sam’s face was turning red.

Dakota smiled, he didn’t think Sam could look more

beautiful. “Yes, I do.”

Nadine turned to look at Sam and winked. “Perfect.”

Dakota sat and listened to Nadine talk about her son.

He’d tried to help her with dinner and had been told to sit
his bony ass down. He didn’t think his ass was bony, was
it? Nadine spoke about Sam like he was the best thing to
ever come into her life besides her husband. He knew
how she felt. He was already falling for Sam. She didn’t
ask how long they’d known each other; she didn’t really
ask too many questions at all, just talked about her son.
He hadn’t even realized she was saying his name.

“

Dakota?” Nadine said.

Dakota came out of his haze and looked at her, smiling.

“I’m sorry, I was in a daze.”

“

I asked about your parents, are you close?” Nadine

sat down at the table, wiping her hands with her apron.

“

No Mom, Dakota’s parents kicked him out at sixteen

for being gay. Told him he was dead to them. In fact, we
ran into them at Wal-Mart before we left Fairbanks.” Sam
sat down and took Dakota’s hand, squeezing it softly.

Nadine felt her blood boiling. “How could they do that?

You are their flesh and blood!” Nadine took Dakota’s free
hand and looked him in the eye. “Don’t you ever feel like
you don’t deserve love or compassion. You are a
beautiful man, and deserve love just as much as the rest
of us.”

The front door creaked open and boots were heard on

the floor.

“

Nay?”

“

In the kitchen, Joe.” Nadine stood up and smiled.

“Sam’s Father.”

Joe Waters walked in with another man and Dakota

saw where Sam got his looks. Joe Waters and his son
were the same height. Joe was even bigger than Sam
though, and took up most of the room. The man next to
him seemed to have ceased breathing and was looking
at him with wide eyes. Dakota’s senses kicked in and he
realized he was looking at another werewolf.

“

Joe, this is Dakota, Sam’s boyfriend.” Nadine smiled

pulling Dakota up out of the chair.

“

You want kids, right?” Joe smiled at Dakota. He was

maybe five foot nine and his dark hair and grey eyes
stood out. Perfect soft features stared back at him.

“

Yes Dad. Mom already went there within the first five

minutes of meeting him.” Sam rolled his eyes at his dad.

“

You’re slacking, Nadine.” Joe chuckled; he put his

hand out to Dakota. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dakota.
This is our Sheriff. He patrols the reservation, John
Quinton.”

Dakota put his hand out and John took it, hand shaking

in Dakota’s. “Nice to meet you, John.”

Sam watched the display with an arched brow. “So

yeah, I’m going to take Dakota out to see the rest of the
land, okay? When’s dinner?”

Nadine looked at the time. “Couple of hours, take your

time and have fun.”

Sam walked out with Dakota and the screen door

slapped shut behind them. They walked a few feet before
they heard the hinges squeaking. John stood behind
them on the porch. Dakota made his way over and
looked at the man in front of him. Fear rolled off him in
waves, and Dakota could smell his sweat.

“

What’s wrong, John?” Sam looked him over. He

looked scared to death of Dakota, which honestly, made
no sense. The man stood taller than Dakota and
outweighed him too.

Dakota looked John in the eye. “It’s ok, Sam knows. I’d

planned on meeting the local pack and introducing
myself. I don’t want any problems and I’m not trying to
start any.”

John finally managed to speak. “Where’s your pack?”

“

Don’t have one now, they kicked me out for being

gay.”

“

They kicked out the Alpha?” John looked confused.

“They can’t kick you out, you either hand over the pack
or fight for it.”

“

I’m not the Alpha, I’m the Omega.” Dakota looked at

John. The shock on his face was evident.

“

Son, you’re no Omega, I can feel the power emanating

from you.” John looked at him. “I’ve only known one other
wolf to put off that kind of power. I think when you met
Sam, you came full circle. He’s your mate.”

Dakota let out a soft sigh. “I thought so, but I wasn’t

sure. I didn’t get much schooling from my pack on wolf
etiquette.”

“

They were, no doubt, trying to keep you from your full

potential.” John took his Dakota’s hand. “We look
forward to seeing you. Can you come by tonight? Maybe
run with the pack?” John looked over at Sam and
smirked. “Why am I not surprised you didn’t freak out?”

Sam laughed and shoved his hands in his pockets.

“I’ve seen some pretty fucked up things in my life. This
did shock me, but I think I held my own. We’ll be there
tonight, I brought the tennis ball.”

Dakota growled at him and Sam laughed. John shook

his head and laughed at their antics. “I’ll see you boys
tonight.”

~~

After a quick tour of the reservation, Sam took Dakota

back to the house. The smell of pot roast was strong and
Dakota’s mouth watered at the amount of food on the
table. Dinner’s conversation consisted mostly of Sam’s
father talking about their poaching problem and how the
recent rains were affecting the coast line. Dakota ate and

ate and ate. He hadn’t had food this good in a long time.
Nadine kept piling his plate high, saying he needed to
pack on some pounds and chastised Sam for not feeding
his man better. Sam took it all in stride, laughing at his
mother for babying Dakota. He couldn’t blame her one
bit. The man drew you to him, like a moth to a flame. You
couldn’t help but want to protect him and keep him safe.
Finding out he was Dakota’s mate made the bond even
stronger between them. Sam wanted Dakota to make
love to him, to mark him and truly make him his.

Dakota smelled Sam’s arousal and arched a brow at

him over the table. He got a wink and a smile from Sam
and turned his attentions back to Nadine and Joe. “I want
to let you know about a friend of mine. Well, not so much
a friend anymore. He could show up and cause
problems.”

Sam nodded and looked at his parents. “Kind of an ex-

boyfriend, or rather, he thought he was. He

was, and

he’s a bit aggressive at times. I had to intervene at one

point.”

“

Well, you’re family Dakota, and we protect our own.

So don’t worry about a thing, okay?” Joe took Dakota’s
hand. “Welcome son.”

Dakota tried not to cry. He’d just met these people and

they were already treating him as family. It was hard to
understand this kind of reaction from total strangers
when his own parents had kicked him out without a
backwards glance. Sam’s strong hand was in his and he
looked up to see brown eyes staring at him. “What?”

“

You’re part of this family now Dakota. I told you, you’re

mine.”

Sam kissed him softly; right there in front of his parents

and Dakota was in shock. He heard a small chuckle and
a giggle and Sam pulled away slowly, grinning.

“

Sam? Can you help me with the dishes, please?”

Nadine winked at her son.

Sam sighed, here came the, Oh-he’s-so-perfect-and-

when-are-you-having-kids, portion of the evening. He
kissed Dakota’s forehead and squeezed his hand. “Be
right back.”

Sam hadn’t even made it into the kitchen when his

mother attacked him with kisses and hugs. He hugged
her hard and pulled away, seeing the tears threatening to
spill over. “What’s wrong, Mom?”

Nadine smiled, Sam looked so happy. “This is all a

mother ever wants, to see her child happy and you look
so happy, baby. I like him very much, he suits you and
you love him.”

Sam’s jaw dropped. “I haven’t even said that to him.”

“

But you do. I can see it all over your face when you

look at him and he loves you too.” Nadine took her son’s
hand, smiling at him. “He’s been hurt and you’re helping
him to heal. You’ve been alone for a long time, Sam. I
could see how lonely you were, but now you have
Dakota, cherish it.”

Sam smiled at Dakota; he was in deep conversation

with his father. “I do, Mom.”

~~

Joe looked Dakota over and smiled. He was very small

compared to his son. The look on his face when he
spoke of Sam was precious. “Sam is your mate.”

Dakota spit out his water and coughed. Joe’s hand

smacked his back and he blinked eyes wide. “How do
you know?”

Joe smiled and reached for Dakota’s hand. “Nothing on

this reservation gets by me. As soon as we hit the front
steps, John told me there was a very powerful wolf in my
house.”

Dakota lowered his voice. “I would never hurt Sam, or

try to change him.”

Joe smiled and winked. “Oh, I know that, you’re in love

with my son.”

Dakota almost choked again and Joe was back to

smacking him on the back. He needed to learn not to
drink liquids around Sam’s Dad. “How do you know?”

“

He’s your mate.” Joe smiled at the look of shock on

Dakota’s face. “Didn’t you feel the connection with Sam
when you first met?”

Dakota thought about it. He’d questioned why he felt

the way he did around Sam, but not knowing enough
about wolf culture except for staying off marked territory,
he didn’t have much to go by. Plus, there was the whole
‘Sam not freaking out about him being a werewolf’ thing.
“I kind of wondered.”

Sam came back in the room and took Dakota’s hand.

“We’re headed out to go see John and hang out with
some friends, but we’ll be back for breakfast. Thanks for
dinner, Mom.” Sam kissed her cheek.

Joe and Nadine watched their son leave with Dakota

and Nadine wrapped her arms around her husband’s
waist. “Sam is Dakota’s mate.”

“

Tell me something I don’t know, woman.” Joe smiled.

~~~

Sam pulled up in front of John Quinton’s house and

noticed the bonfire going on out back. He smiled, taking
Dakota’s hand. He felt the sweat covered palm and
pulled Dakota’s face up to his own. Scared grey eyes
looked into his and he covered Dakota’s mouth with his
own. A soft moan escaped Dakota’s lips as Sam’s tongue
dove in, seeking refuge. He wrapped his arms around
Sam’s neck and let himself be devoured. Sam’s cock was
rock hard as he pulled Dakota in closer, running his
hands up underneath his shirt. Heat radiated from
Dakota’s body and Sam broke the kiss, breathing hard.

“

I want you to make love to me.” Sam ran his thumb

over Dakota’s bottom lip.

“

I want that too.” Dakota pressed his forehead to

Sam’s. “What if they don’t like me?”

Sam smiled. “That’s impossible.”

They made their way around the truck and Sam felt

Dakota’s hand in his, squeezing. He smiled and pulled
him forward, towards the group of men all sitting around
the huge bonfire in John’s backyard. Dakota’s eyes
scanned the group before they walked right into it. He
didn’t feel any malicious intent coming from the men. His
body was tense, ready to defend his mate if anything
started. There was an older man sitting on one of the
taller tree stumps that served as seating. Long white hair
surrounded a rugged face. He looked up and smiled
when his eyes met Dakota’s.

Sam’s eyes scanned the group and landed on John’s

son, Sawyer. “Ahhhh hell.”

“

Whooeee… can ya feel the power from that one?”

Sawyer grinned.

John sighed. “Sawyer, can you keep your mouth shut

for a minute?”

“

Damn, Pops, can you feel the air? Dude puts off some

serious energy.” Sawyer smiled, standing up. He thrust
his hand out at Dakota and looked at Sam. “Hey
Sammie, what’s shakin’?”

“

Sawyer.” Sam narrowed his eyes, taking him in.

Sawyer Quinton had been a fly in Sam’s ointment as a
child. He was seven years younger and drove him up the
fucking wall with his ‘what’s this do?’ Which usually
meant something had been taken apart that didn’t need
to be. Sawyer’s green eyes blazed with excitement as he
looked Dakota over. Sawyer had gotten taller. Not Sam
tall, but taller. Maybe topped out at six foot. Sam shook
his hand, feeling power traveling up his arm. “Damn, you
grew up.”

“

Yeah, that shit happens to the best of us. So, this is

your boo, huh?” Sawyer smiled at Dakota.

Sam squeezed Dakota’s hand. “He’s my mate, not my

boo.”

“

Whatever. Get with the times, old man.” Sawyer

smiled, putting his arm around Dakota’s shoulders. “So,
you gonna run with the pack tonight, huh? I can’t wait to
see you in action.”

Dakota smiled. Underneath Sawyer’s bravado, unease

slipped off of him in waves. “I figured since I’m in your
territory, I owe you an introduction.”

Dakota turned his head and saw the old man stand up,

making his way over. The white hair was in a ponytail,
but the loose hair surrounded his face. He stepped in

front of Dakota and put his hand on his shoulder.

“

We know who you are. We welcome you. If you

choose to join us, we would love to have you.”

“

Dakota, this is our Alpha, Archer.” John made his way

over. “Sam, your Dad told us that Dakota may have some
trouble following him.”

Dakota’s eyes went wide. “Oh God, I shouldn’t be here.

Taylor’s going to bring trouble. “ Dakota stepped back
from the pack. “I shouldn’t have come.”

Sawyer stepped forward and looked at Dakota. He

grinned, crossing his arms. “Are you sayin’ we can’t hold
our own?” Sawyer watched Dakota’s mouth open in

protest and he laughed loud. “Dude, we can kick some
serious ass. Besides, the power coming off of you? This
guy would be nuts to take you on.”

“

But he already has!” Dakota grabbed Sam’s hand.

“We shouldn’t have you dragged you into this.”

Archer’s hand fell on his shoulder and the old man

smiled, massaging it. “You do not need to be afraid for us
or yourself. You had not realized your power. Your pack
must have sensed some of it and made you their omega,
to keep you beneath them. Now that you have found your
mate, he brings you power. Do you not feel the strength
from Sam?”

Dakota felt Sam’s hand in his and

did feel something;

he just couldn’t say what for sure. All he knew for sure is
that when they were together, sparks flew and he did feel
stronger. “I do.” Dakota looked up at Sam and smiled.

Sawyer took his shirt off and threw it on his tree stump

chair. “Let’s go runnin’.”

Sam looked at Sawyer and smiled. “I should have

known.” Sam shook his head. “Pain in my ass.” Sawyer
had a way of making you love him and want to strangle
him at the same time. It was a gift he supposed. Sam had
run himself ragged when he was younger, trying to keep
an eye on Sawyer. Now, knowing what Sawyer was,
explained a hell of a lot.

Dakota took his shirt off and when he reached for his

jeans, Sam put his hand on Dakota’s. “Whoa…you’re
going to get naked?”

“

Well, it kinda ruins my clothes if I wear them when I

change.” Dakota snickered. “So yeah, I have to get
naked.”

Sam took him aside and stood in front of him. “But

there are people around.” Sam lowered his voice.

“

I can hear you.” Sawyer laughed. “Don’t get your

boxers in a bunch, we all get naked. Although...” Sawyer
heard a growl and it wasn’t from Dakota. “Dude, you
seriously need to chill.”

Dakota smiled up at Sam and caressed his face. He

pulled him down and kissed his lips softly. “You are my
mate Sam, you and

only you.”

Sam ran his hand through Dakota’s hair and pulled him

in. His tongue trailed Dakota’s lips. He heard a soft
whimper as he parted them and slipped inside, tasting
him. “Fine, but you undress behind me.” Sam smiled, his
lips still on Dakota’s.

“

Damn, that was hot.” Sawyer chuckled. He felt his Dad

smack him upside the head. “Ow! How come I always get
the smack to the head? How come the rest of them
don’t?”

John smiled at his eldest son. Although Wyatt, Grayson

and Xander had been handfuls growing up, Sawyer had
been the most curious. Now that he was older, he was
finding out how hard it was to raise teenagers and a
young one. “Because you are the closest one.”

Sam watched as the rest of the pack undressed,

setting their clothes down. Dakota handed him his
clothing and smacked his ass. Sam’s eyes went wide as
most of the people he’d grown up with changed right
before his eyes. There was no hiding behind a bush. All
of them were out in the open. Sawyer looked up at him
just then, green eyes gleaming. He trotted over and
sniffed Sam’s hand. Dakota trotted around Sam’s legs

and nodded to Sawyer.

They both circled each other, getting a feel for one

another. Sam was surprised. As short as Dakota was, he
towered over Sawyer. In fact, he was a lot bigger now
than he’d been the day Sam hit him. His black coat
shone in the light of the fire and he sat down, looking up
at Sam. Jesus, he swore Dakota was smiling at him. Sam
crouched down and ran his hand over Dakota’s muzzle,
kissing him on his cold nose.

“

Have fun, ok? I’ll be right here waiting.” Sam smiled as

Dakota brushed up against him and ran his muzzle over
his face.

Archer stood and looked at his pack. He was the only

one that hadn’t changed. “Go, bring me a rabbit.” Archer
chuckled as they all took off. He stood by Sam and
smiled. “He is good for you and you for him.”

“

I never knew you guys were werewolves, how come

no one ever told me?” Sam sat down on the stump and
watched Archer stroke the fire, deep in thought.

“

We don’t tell just anyone, we would all be committed.

Your Father wanted to tell you when you got older, but
then you left and he thought it could wait. We didn’t know
you would find a mate and it would be one of us.” Archer
sat and looked into the flames. “He’s vulnerable. Just as
you make him strong, you also weaken him.”

“

Everyone has a weakness Archer, it’s how you

overcome it that counts. Love is never a weakness.” Sam
looked up at Archer.

“

It is if that love is threatened.” Archer sat back and lit

his pipe. “He will kill for you.”

“

And I for him.”

~~~

God this feels so good! Dakota ran full blown, no holds

barred. Sawyer kept up with him and they both ran for
the beach, the rest of the pack right on their heels.
Dakota sprang forward and hit the sand, running right for
the water. Cold spray whipped up, slapping his face and
he shook his head, feeling the rush of wind through his
fur. Sawyer snapped at his heels and he snapped back,
nipping his ear and pouncing on his back, knocking him
over.

They rolled around in the sand and Dakota pinned him

down for a second before Sawyer kicked his back feet
up, sending Dakota onto his own back. Sawyer looked
down at him and nudged Dakota’s face with his muzzle,
then took off at full speed again. They chased each other
around the beach, then headed back up into the forest
and started hunting. Dakota had never felt so free before
and he was having fun. As the Omega of his own pack
he played a lot, but with the pups. Most of the time, he
had to be the submissive one with the older pack

members.

Dakota caught the scent of a rabbit and nudged

Sawyer with his nose in the direction of the prey. Sawyer
went around to the right and Dakota took the left, making
a slow circle around it. The white rabbit, sensing his ass
was in trouble, took off right between them. Dakota flew
after it. His canines sank in and he snatched it up as it
ran past. The rest of the pack had finally joined them and
they wrestled for bit before heading back to John’s
house. Dakota saw Sam by the fire and felt his heart beat
quicken at the sight of him. Just then, Sam looked up and
smiled. Dakota made his way over and rubbed his face
over Sam’s knee.

“

Did you have fun?” Sam smiled, pulling Dakota’s face

up to his.

“

Damn, he’s fast.” Sawyer stretched his arms up and

cracked his neck.

“

Dammit Sawyer!” Sam averted his eyes. “Could you

get dressed?”

“

Cock envy?” Sawyer dipped his head, smiling.

Dakota let out a snort and huffed. Sam smiled. “Yeah, I

don’t think so.”

Sawyer looked at Dakota, still in wolf form and smiled.

“You’re biased.”

Sam accompanied Dakota behind the truck so he could

shift back. Dakota wasn’t like the others, Sam noticed.
One, he shifted so fast he didn’t even have to get on all
fours to do it. Two, it was by far, faster than the rest of
the pack. Archer was right, Dakota was different. Dakota
stretched his arms up and Sam buttoned his pants while
Dakota pulled his shirt on. He smiled when Sam stood
up.

“

Jealous?” Dakota ran his hands up Sam’s shirt, feeling

hot skin under them. His fingers passed over Sam’s
nipples and the scent of arousal filled the air around
them.

Sam pulled him in and kissed him hard, leaving them

both breathless and horny. “Do I want my childhood
friend checking out your package? Nope.”

Sawyer shouted from his seat around the fire. “It is

kinda big, even in wolf form.”

Sam sighed and ran his hands over his face. “Sawyer,

shut up.”

Dakota chuckled and wrapped his arms around Sam’s

neck. He felt his feet leaving the ground and then Sam
was kissing him. He wrapped his legs around Sam’s
waist and slid his hands into his hair, kissing him back.
Hot breaths were exchanged as they searched each
other’s mouths, biting and nipping at each other, tongues
playing. Sam cupped Dakota’s ass, pulling him up over
his hard cock. He rubbed them together through their
jeans, creating a delicious friction, resulting in a heat that
tore through both of them. Dakota was breathless and
fed off of Sam’s desires. His body went haywire and his
cock was so hard he swore he was going to cry. The
need to have Sam inside him was overpowering and his
vision went monochrome.

“

Holy shit guys, I’m getting turned on all the way over

here.” Sawyer giggled.

Sam sighed and broke the kiss, setting Dakota down.

He fixed his raging hard on and took Dakota’s hand,
walking back towards the fire pit. Sawyer had a shit
eating grin on his face and Sam shot him a dirty look.
“Cock blocker.”

Archer stood and looked over the pack. “Go home, we

will talk again.” Archer made his way over to Dakota and
smiled, taking his hands in his. “We welcome you to our
pack, Dakota.”

Dakota bared his neck and shook Archer’s hand.

“Thank you.”

~~

The drive back to the house consisted of Dakota

climbing all over Sam in the front cab. He had his pants
unzipped, one hand in them stroking his cock as he

kissed and licked Sam’s neck and lips. The heat in the
cab was suffocating, and the windows were fogging up
as Dakota’s arousal came to a full peak. Sam’s cock was
unbearably hard and he wanted to fuck Dakota hard and
fast. By the time they pulled up to Sam’s house, Dakota
was panting and his vision had shifted again.

“

This isn’t your parents’ house.”

“

No, it’s mine.” Sam grabbed Dakota and threw him

over his shoulder, walking them to his house. Dakota’s
hands were down the back of his pants, gripping his ass
cheeks and trying to finger his hole. “Hang on, baby.”

They were lucky the front door got closed. The sound

of material ripping could be heard as Dakota tore Sam’s
shirt off, running his hands down his stomach and pulling
the zipper on his pants open. He pulled Sam’s cock out
and stuffed it in his mouth. Sam let out a hiss as canines

grazed the head of his cock. Dakota pulled back, trying to
control himself. He controlled his breathing as he sucked
the soft head of Sam’s dick into his mouth, licking the
crown and tonguing his slit.

Warm precome met his taste buds and Dakota let out a

loud moan, loving the taste of his man in his mouth.
“Fuck.” Dakota moaned, tasting the salty sweet mixture
on his tongue.

“

Jesus, Dakota…oh fuck...” Sam held onto the door

frame with one hand as he buried the fingers of his other
in Dakota’s hair. He looked down to see Dakota bobbing
on his cock, sucking and making slurping noises as his
saliva ran down the side of his cheek. Sam yanked him
off his cock and carried him down the hallway until he
came to his room. He threw Dakota on the bed and
stroked his own cock. “Get naked. Now.”

Dakota took his pants off and pulled his briefs down, all

while watching Sam stroking his cock. His big hand slid
up and down, twisting at the top and pulling hard on the
head. A bead of precome sat glistening on his tip and
Dakota’s mouth fucking watered. “Fuck me, Sam.”

Sam was on him, flipping him on all fours and slicking

his ass with lube. Dakota’s fingers tore into the sheets
when Sam slammed into him full force. Heat seared his
tunnel and Dakota cried out as Sam held his hips in
place, slamming into him with hard fast strokes.
Everything he’d ever wanted or needed was being
fulfilled by his mate. Sam tore into him again and again,
twisting his hips and rolling at the very last second,
sending hot heat up his spine and exploding out of his
fingertips. His vision changed and his claws began to
form, he was losing control. “Sam...”

“

Let it go Dakota.” Sam said each word in time with his

thrusts. Dakota was so worried about not being able to
control himself; he couldn’t fully appreciate what Sam
was offering. His hands slid up Dakota’s back and he felt
the muscles rippling just under the surface. He gripped
Dakota’s shoulders and pulled out almost all the way

then speared Dakota’s ass hard. The loud feral growl
came out and Dakota reared up, Sam caught him and
grabbed him around the waist thrusting up into him. His
hand gripped Dakota’s cock and he pumped him in time
to his thrusts.

“

Oh God, shit, shit shit...” Dakota moved with Sam

backing into his cock with every thrust, his insides were
on fire and he felt dizzy. The air around them crackled
and the smell of semen hit Dakota’s nose before it even
erupted. Sam leaned over and Dakota felt a soft bite on
his ear.

“

Let go.” Sam whispered. “I love you.”

Dakota’s head snapped back and his canines

elongated fully, his muscles contorted and the bomb went
off. Hot spurts of semen shot from him in all directions as
his hips bucked and jerked on Sam’s cock. Sam held him

around the waist, still pumping into him and Dakota felt
another orgasm coming. “Oh God, Sam…”

“

Come on, baby.” Sam gripped Dakota’s hip. Keeping

his hand around his waist, he pulled Dakota down as he
thrust up and slammed into him. His balls emptied into
Dakota like a shot from a gun and he let out a loud
groan, still pumping Dakota’s ass

Dakota collapsed on the bed, taking Sam with him.

Something warm was trickling down his arm and he
smelled blood. Dakota turned his head to see blood on
Sam’s shoulder. Oh God. He’d hurt Sam. “Sam, get up.”
Dakota felt Sam slip out of him and roll over; he pulled
him over to look at his back. It wasn’t bad, but he’d
broken the skin. “Oh God, I hurt you.”

“

Best pain ever.” Sam smiled and rolled over on his

back, locking his hands behind his neck. “Fuck that was
wild.”

Dakota looked at him, his jaw hanging open. “Are you

crazy? What if I had seriously hurt you?”

Sam pulled him over on his chest and spread his legs

out. Dakota dropped in between them perfectly; he pulled
Dakota’s lips to his and kissed him. “You won’t, I trust
you.” Sam’s warm mouth covered his in another one of
his breath taking kisses. Jesus, Sam knew how to melt
him. Soft pressure and long licks inside his mouth had
Dakota’s cock hardening again. Sam pulled away,
leaving light kisses across Dakota’s lips. His hand
palmed his face and he ran his thumb over Dakota’s
cheek. “God, you are so beautiful.”

“

Did you mean it? What you said?”

“

I meant it, Dakota. I love you.” Sam searched his eyes;

he could see the tears coming and held Dakota to him.
“You’re supposed to be happy about that.”

“

I love you too.” Dakota wrapped his arms around the

man that had hit him with his truck, saved him, and now
loved him. Life was good.

~~Chapter Four~~

Sam woke up covered in sweat, his mind still reliving

his nightmare.

He’d been trying to protect Dakota and had gotten hurt

himself. A long gash spread across his abdomen and
blood gushed, soaking the earth beneath him. Dakota
had shifted in front of him and was now in mortal combat
with another wolf. Blood flew and claws ripped as the
fight raged on and Sam heard Dakota’s loud howl. His
eyes closed and he felt warmth on his cheek and then a
cold nose pressed to his face. Just do it.

“

You see it too, don’t you?” Dakota whispered.

Sam pulled him in and kissed his forehead. “What?”

“

I dreamt you were hurt, you were dying Sam and I had

to make a choice…” Dakota closed his eyes and tried to
brush away the feeling of dread he was having.

“

I would want you to change me, Dakota.” Sam pulled

his face up. “I’d want to be with you.”

Dakota pulled away and looked at him. “You can’t be

serious! I would never do this to you, look at what I am,
Sam!” Dakota shook his head. “No, I won’t let it come to
that. I’ll leave before I let that happen.”

Sam grabbed his arm. “Don’t you dare leave me. I love

you and no matter what happens, we will deal with it
together.”

Dakota looked in his eyes. Sam was stubborn and he

knew he wouldn’t win. Damn him. He felt a smile
spreading across his face and crawled on top of Sam.
“Possessive much?”

“

Yes, but in a good way.” Sam pulled him down and

kissed him hard. Dakota’s mouth opened and he slid in,
taking it and claiming it as his. This was his man. For
better or for worse, Dakota was his.

They broke from the kiss and Dakota smiled down at

Sam. “So, what are we doing today?”

Sam rolled out of bed and grabbed his briefs. “I thought

you might like to go to the lake and run around.”

“

As a human or as a wolf?” Dakota lay back and

spread his legs lazily, fisting his cock.

“

Oh fuck.” Sam watched as Dakota’s hand slid up his

shaft. A small bead of precome bubbled to the surface
and lay glistening at the tip. Sam crawled up the bed and
leaned down to lick it off, tongue sliding through Dakota’s
slit. He sucked the head of Dakota’s cock as Dakota kept
fisting it in long hard strokes.

“

Oh fuck. Yes Sam, deeper.” Dakota threw his head

back and kept stroking as Sam sucked his cock in time
with his hand.

Dakota spread his legs wider as Sam added a finger to

the mix, sliding into Dakota’s ass up to his knuckle.
Jesus, the sight of Sam sucking his cock while he
pumped it had him ready to cum in seconds. The finger
brushed up higher and then another one thrust up and
Sam pushed in deep, sucking hard. Dakota arched his
back and shot down Sam’s throat, holding his head as
his hips bucked.

Sam licked Dakota’s cock from root to tip, making sure

he got every last fucking drop. Looking up, he licked his
lips. “Don’t you just love Sundays?”

~~

The drive took less than a half hour and Sam watched

as Dakota took in all the sights and smells. They followed
Forks River for a while before hitting the 101. Sam loved
this part of Washington. Not that the whole state wasn’t
beautiful, but it was the untouched areas he loved the
most. Tall trees surrounded both sides of the highway
and the air was still fresh. Olympic National park was
right on the edges of the lake and Sam thought Dakota
would love to run through there. The wildlife refuge
wasn’t too far either. Now that could be fun.

Dakota let the wind hit his face and took a deep breath.

God, it smelled wonderful out here. Denali was still pretty
much untouched, but this, this was beautiful. Sam drove
them alongside the lake for a while, then slowed down

and pulled off the side of the road. They walked through
the trees and Sam held his hand, threading their fingers
together. They came out of the woods right at the edge
of a sandy beach and Dakota smiled, looking up at Sam.
“It’s beautiful.” White sand ran around the lake. Dakota
had never seen sand so white. He bent down, running
his fingers through the mix of snow and sand, watching
the grains flowing between his fingers and setting off a
spark with the sun’s rays.

Sam took his shoes off and cuffed his jeans. Taking

Dakota’s hand, they made their way down to the water
and just stood there, taking in the beauty of it all. The
water was cold, but felt good and Sam sunk his toes into
the sand. Dakota took a look around. He glanced at Sam
with a gleam in his eye and Sam motioned to the tree
line. He grinned as Dakota ran into the trees and ran
back out less than a minute later, a large black wolf with
grey eyes.

Watching Dakota as a wolf was a beautiful experience

in itself. He

had gotten bigger. He was taller than a Great

Dane and the size of a Saint Bernard. A very big
difference from the wolf he’d hit and had lain panting in
the road. Dakota was running like an idiot through the
water. Sam smiled, Dakota couldn’t help himself. Sam
knew that when he was in werewolf form, he felt free and
uninhibited. Dakota splashed through the water and ran
around Sam in circles. Sam grabbed him and they both
fell over in the snow. Sam looked at the wolf in his arms
and smiled, kissing Dakota’s nose. It was beautiful out.
The sun was shining, warming the ground and Sam
watched Dakota playing with a butterfly. He had to laugh.
Dakota would chase it and then let it land. Then he
would paw at it, and chase it all over again. He ended up
on his back, watching the butterfly fly around his nose.

Sam let out a short cough and smiled, pointing to his

watch. “Dinner?”

Dakota got up, trotting over to Sam and brushed his

face against the side of his leg. Sam knew that was

Dakota’s way of hugging him and telling him he loved
him. Well, that and the lick across his face. It had gotten
to the point where he knew what Dakota was thinking in
wolf form. Not so much hearing his voice in his head, as
learning to decipher his movements and facial
expressions. He had

plenty of those. Sam swore Dakota

had mastered the art of the raised eyebrow in wolf form.

They rode back towards the reservation, Dakota still in

his wolf form. Sam loved running his fingers through the
thick fur on Dakota, it warmed his fingers and sent a
tingle down his spine. By the time they pulled up, Sam’s
father and John were out front of the house, having a
beer.

“

Well now, did you guys have a good time?” Joe smiled

at his son.

“

Yep, Dakota played with the butterflies.” Sam laughed

as Dakota huffed in his direction.

John laughed and put his hand out to Dakota. “I know

what it feels like, Dakota. They’re fun to chase.”

Dakota looked at Sam with an expression that said

“See?” Sam laughed, pulling his tail. “Yeah, I know. Go
get changed for dinner, ok?” Sam crouched and Dakota
nudged him, rubbing his muzzle against Sam’s face. “I
love you, too.”

Rocky came running out of the house and bounded

towards Sam, until he caught sight of Dakota. He skidded
to a stop and hunched down, putting his tail between his
legs and whining. Sam watched as Dakota turned and
made his way over, nudging Rocky and knocking him on
his back. Dakota pawed his belly and licked his face.
Rocky sat up and looked into Dakota’s eyes. He must
have seen Dakota in there, because he suddenly got
very hyper and wanted to play. Sam laughed and called
him over.

“

Hey buddy, not tonight. We have to eat soon, but you

can play with Dakota later.” Sam chuckled and winked at
Dakota. Dakota made his way back into their house by
pushing the door with his nose. Sam always left it open a
crack, so that if Dakota wanted in or out, he could do it
on his own. John sat smiling at him. The man had raised
four boys, pretty much on his own and Sam had to give
him credit. Sam had been an only child and his mother
had sworn she was pulling her hair out when he hit his
teens. “Where are the boys?”

“

School dance.” John smiled and sipped his beer.

“Wyatt’s watching Sponge Bob with Nadine.”

Sam sat back and laughed. His Mom had always forbid

cartoons when he was younger, saying they were full of
violence. If only she knew her son was an assassin.
“Let’s head in then and save her.”

~~

Dinner was a fucking turkey! Sam didn’t know if his

mother had lost her mind or what, but there was food
everywhere. Pies galore, mashed potatoes, corn, yams,
stuffing, rolls, green bean casserole and it wasn’t even
Christmas yet. Sawyer had come over and was now
seated to the right of Dakota. He kept smiling at Sam as
if he knew some deep dark secret about him. Sam kicked
his shin and took a bite of his turkey. Dakota slathered
gravy all over everything and Sam swore he ate a
drumstick without chewing.

“

Sam, look at your poor mate, do you not feed him?”

Nadine smacked her son’s hand as he reached for the
mash potatoes. “You let Dakota eat it first.”

“

It’s ok, Nadine.” Dakota smiled. “I’ve been on my own

a lot and although I am an excellent hunter, food was
scarce in Denali. So, I usually didn’t eat as much as I
should have.”

John studied Dakota closely. “This would account for

your smallness when Sam first saw you. You were
underfed and therefore had not reached your full size.
Being with Sam and now eating correctly should help you
fill out.” John smiled, putting another scoop of corn on
Dakota’s plate. “You must feed him as you would a
teenager.”

“

A shit load?” Sawyer cracked up and John smacked

his arm. “Ow…why am I always hit?”

“

So, Sawyer. No mate for you, huh?” Sam sat back,

smiling.

Sawyer scowled and pushed his food around on his

plate. “No, I’m destined to remain a virgin until I die.”

“

Sawyer!” John smacked him upside the head. “We are

eating!”

Dakota let out a small chuckle. “You can have sex you

know. You don’t have to wait for your mate.”

“

I want to.” Sawyer looked up. “I want the person who’s

my mate to be my first.”

“

Well, let’s hope you find your mate before you’re too

old to get it on.” Sam laughed loud and Nadine smacked
him upside the head. “Ow!”

“

Whooheee. Finally, someone else gets a good

smacking, besides me.” Sawyer laughed.

“

Can we not talk about sex during dinner, please? I’m

losing my appetite at an increasing rate.” Joe sat back
and took a swig of his beer.

After dinner, John and Sawyer sat around the living

room with Dakota and Sam and brought Dakota up to
date on Wolf matters. Basically, everything you needed
to know about being a werewolf, 101. Sam sat back and
listened, while holding Dakota’s hand. Some things he
knew from watching TV shows on wolves, others he
didn’t. Just like in a pack of wolves, there was one that
was the strongest. The Alpha. And then there was the
Beta. In regular wolf packs, the Alpha and the Beta
mated, producing offspring. In the werewolf pack they did
not, as the beta was usually male. Only a few female
werewolves existed. Once they were bitten, most females
died from the change. Only a select few had survived
and were kept hidden and protected. Sam’s phone rang

and he looked at it, Troy was calling. Oh shit.

“

Hey, Troy. What’s going on?” Sam looked at the group

of men surrounding him. “Everything ok?”

“

Yeah, where are you? Still in Alaska?”

Dakota smelled arousal in the room and looked at

Sawyer. His head was cocked to the side and his eyes
were changing right where he sat. Oh shit, he was
hearing Troy’s voice. “Haven’t you met Troy?” Dakota
whispered to Sawyer, whose face was turning red.

“

No, Troy went into the Army before Sawyer met him.”

John looked at his son with amusement.

“

Oh God, that voice.” Sawyer groaned and covered his

ears.

“

Who is that?” Troy could hear people in the

background.

“

Oh, it’s John Quinton and his son Sawyer; we’re at my

Dad’s house.” Sam looked at Sawyer and shushed him.

“

Oh. Little “what’s this do?” Troy chuckled on his end.

“

Yeah, him.” Sam laughed loud at the look of

indignation on Sawyer’s face.

“

I was curious!” Sawyer laughed.

“

Holy shit, is that him?” Troy laughed. “He sounds like

a man.”

“

Because I am a man.” Sawyer rolled his eyes.

“

So anyway…” Sam gave Sawyer the evil eye. “We are

here for a while, so if you need anything, let me know,
okay?”

“

Will do Sam, later.”

After talking for almost four hours, Sam took Dakota

home to his house. Well, their house now. Dakota walked
in and ran a hand through his hair, yawning. Sam picked
him up and walked them back to the bedroom; he slowly
removed Dakota’s clothing and laid him on the bed while
he removed his own.

If Dakota had been tired, he was wide awake now. Just

watching Sam get naked, had his cock rock hard. Sam
got on the bed and hovered above him, kissing him and
running his hand back and forth down Dakota’s inner
thigh, slowly.

“

I want you to make love to me, Dakota.” Sam licked a

path across Dakota’s lips.

Dakota smiled and flipped Sam on his back in one

quick movement. “Okay.”

“

Jesus Christ, you are getting stronger.” Sam looked

over Dakota’s body. There wasn’t a huge noticeable
difference, but he’d put on weight now that he was being
fed on a regular basis. His biceps were more defined and
his chest was a bit broader.

“

Did I hurt you?” Dakota looked over Sam.

“

Hell no.” Sam pulled him down and kissed him

feverishly.

Sam had never let anyone top him before, but he

needed to do this. Needed to feel Dakota inside him, to
have Dakota take him and truly make him his.. Dakota’s
chest was well defined, but not huge. He had slim hips
and strong abdominal muscles, but not like his own. A
soft line of hair traveled from his naval down and spread

out into a larger patch. Right below, was Dakota’s cock
and it was getting bigger. The pink cut head was perfect.
Sam’s mouth watered, looking at it. As many times as
he’d sucked Dakota’s cock, he had never really noticed
the size of it. Now as he sat back, watching Dakota pump
his cock, he realized it was about the same size as his
own. Maybe a little thicker, but the length was the same.

Dakota knew just how to push his fucking buttons. He

started at his cock, licking and sucking like it was
providing him some kind of nourishment that he had to
have in order to survive. Long strokes from root to tip,
followed by a swirling tongue around the base, leading
back up to the crown. The sucking continued and Dakota
lubed his fingers. sliding one across his hole and pushing
the tip in and out until Sam was a quivering mess of
nerves on the bed. When Dakota was satisfied he’d
driven Sam to homicide, he pushed his finger in up to the
knuckle.

Sam felt the heat in his chute and gasped, he’d played

around before but he’d never gotten them that far up
before. Dakota leaned over and kissed him as he slid
another finger in. He pushed them in and out slowly,
waiting for Sam to relax around them before adding
another. His tongue played with Sam’s and he licked his
lips playfully, nipping at Sam’s lips before diving in his
mouth. His fingers pushed in all the way and stopped.
Dakota watched Sam closely as he rubbed upwards,
looking for Sam’s pleasure zone.

“

Ohh,” Sam breathed.

Dakota smiled.

There you are.

Sam’s eyes widened. Dakota was fucking his ass with

his fingers and he was going to cum from that alone.
“Fuck…Dakota, stop, going to cum.”

“

I know.” Dakota smiled and drew his fingers out,

slamming them back in. Ropes of cum shot up Sam’s
chest as he came with a loud moan, hips bucking and
jerking as Dakota kept up the pace with his fingers.

Sam couldn’t stop coming. He felt Dakota’s fingers

withdraw and when he slid in, Sam lost his mind. Dakota
fucked him hard and fast, hips slamming into his ass,
balls slapping against skin. Sam didn’t know if he was
coming or going. Dakota kept the same pace, slamming
into him again and again. Sam was just about to lose it
when Dakota stopped and pulled a pillow under Sam’s
ass. He thrust in again, but more slowly this time,
keeping them slow and deep. Dakota grabbed Sam’s leg,
putting his foot on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm
around Sam’s thigh and bucked his hips into him,
sending shockwaves up his spine. Sam swore he saw
stars as Dakota slammed into him again, then drew back
and thrust in slow. “Oh fuck...Oh God...Dakota.”

“

Cum for me.” The sweat was running down Dakota’s

chest as he held on to his own orgasm, waiting for just
the right moment to let loose. Sam was moaning and
writhing on the bed. Dakota looked at his face in the
throes of passion. Damn, but the man was beautiful. He
gripped Sam’s cock and pumped him in time with his
thrusts. He angled and swiveled his hips, hitting Sam at
different angles. Sam’s breaths were coming out in
uneven gasps now and his fist was curled around the
comforter.

“

Sam.” Dakota thrust in slow again, keeping them

deep.

“

Beautiful…” Sam caressed Dakota’s face and saw

wolf eyes looking back at him. God, but the man was
beautiful. He wanted Dakota to cum inside him. He
wanted to feel the power of the man he loved. He moved
his hips and clenched his ass on Dakota’s cock. Dakota’s
eyes went wide and the skin on his arm started prickling.
Sam watched his hands changing and Dakota fought for

control, he closed his eyes and slammed into Sam again.

“

Oh god, oh god…” Dakota let loose, he slammed into

Sam pounding the shit out of his ass. He came so hard
he let out a loud growl and shot right up Sam’s ass.
Sam’s cock let loose in Dakota’s hand and hot spunk
covered them both. The smell of spunk set Dakota off
again and he kept going, hips pumping into Sam. His
whole body cracked, sweat pouring off of him.

“

Let it go.” Sam growled at Dakota.

Dakota’s eyes widened and shifted straight to black

and white. His head snapped back and the bomb went
off in his balls. “Oh my godddd!”

“

Jesus!” Sam felt the blast in his ass. He actually

felt it

shoot up his tunnel and his body was suddenly warm.
Dakota’s hips were still moving and he was still coming,
he didn’t think he’d ever stop. Sam pulled him down in his
arms and held him as his body slowly stopped moving.
Jesus Christ, Sam had had sex before, but he didn’t even
fucking know what to call that. He felt connected to
Dakota now, even more than before. Sam ran his hand in
small circles on Dakota’s back, kissing his neck softly. He
felt Dakota’s cock still buried in his ass and he wondered
how long they could lay there without food and water
before they died.

Sam kissed the side if Dakota’s neck and heard a soft

snore; he smiled and closed his eyes. They wouldn’t
need anything any time soon.

~~~

Sam woke up to sunlight in his eyes and a dick still

buried in his ass. Dakota had his arms wrapped around
his neck and his face buried in his shoulder. Sam smiled
as a drop of drool hit his skin and rolled down. Sam
maneuvered his legs slowly across the bed and let
Dakota slip out of his ass, moving off the bed carefully.
That’s when the first pang of protest reared its ugly head.
Holy shit he was sore, everything hurt. Sam looked at
Dakota sleeping peacefully on the bed. Damn the man
was a power top from hell. Sam chuckled and took a
quick shower, then made his way to the front porch with
a hot cup of coffee.

The sky was blue, not a cloud in sight. This time of

year in Washington, you were either in freezing rain or
snow. Although there was

some snow on the ground, the

sun’s rays were melting it as the temperature climbed into
the fifties. Sam sat down on the front porch and watched
Sawyer making his way over with his little brothers.
“Morning, babysitting?”

“

Sammmm!” Wyatt plowed into him, hugging around his

neck. “I missed you!”

“

Hey, you’re talking a lot better now.” Sam smiled,

Wyatt was the youngest of the Quinton’s, he was almost
seven now. “I liked it better when you said everything
with an F on it.”

“

I still say wiff you.” Wyatt giggled and crawled into

Sam’s lap, smiling at him.

Sawyer sat down while his brothers stood, staring at

Sam. Grayson was sixteen now and his long black hair
was in a ponytail, his green eyes seeming to hold a bit of
mischief in them. Xander had a scowl as always, shuffling
his feet and looking down. He was almost two years
older than Grayson and a pain in the ass; he and his

brother were almost identical.

“

Gray, Xander.” Sam nodded to them. “What’s wrong

with you two?”

Grayson gave Sam his lopsided grin. “We heard you

got a male mate and that he’s one hell of a bad ass.”

“

Bad ass, bad ass!” Wyatt had gotten down from Sam’s

lap and was now running around them giggling.

“

Great.” Sawyer rolled his eyes. “Now you have

him

saying it.”

Wyatt stopped and looked at Sam. “Is he sweeping?”

Sam laughed and picked Wyatt up, setting him in his

lap again. “He’s sleeping.”

“

That’s what I said.” Wyatt nodded his head. “I wanna

play wiff him.”

Xander laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure the big bad wolf wants

to play, Wyatt. He’d just as soon tear you a new as—”

“

Xander!” Sawyer stood up and glared at his brother. “

STFU!”

Xander smiled wicked and put his hands on his hips.

“KMA.”

Grayson was laughing his ass off, looking at Sam’s

confused look. “Shut the ‘F’ up and kiss my ‘A’.” Grayson
provided.

“

Oh.” Sam laughed, looking down at Wyatt. “Your

brothers are stupid.”

“

Stoopid.” Wyatt giggled loud and hugged Sam.

Dakota walked out the front door and everything got

deathly quiet, his eyes met with the five people on the
front porch. Sam was smiling at him, so was Sawyer.
One of them looked about six and was staring at him,

mouth wide open, along with the other two teenagers
behind him. They all looked like their father John. Black
hair and green eyes all looked at him with wonder.

“

Holy shit.” Xander whispered, breaking the silence.

“

Shit!” Wyatt laughed loud and Sam clapped his hand

over his mouth.

“

Good morning, Baby.” Sam winked at Dakota.

Xander made his way closer, looking at Dakota. His

eyes took him in from head to toe and he stood back a
little. “Damn, you can feel the power rolling off you.”

“Told ya.” Sawyer snorted.

Dakota smiled and put his hand out. “Dakota Cadotte

and you are?”

“

Xander Quinton. That is my brother Grayson and the

little one is my brother Wyatt.” Xander shook his hand
and felt power travel up his arm. Like an electrical
current, but with no pain.

Wyatt wiggled out of Sam’s lap and made his way over

to Dakota. He got close and smelled him, then sniffed the
air and looked up at him eyes wide full of wonderment.
“You’re pretty.’

Dakota crouched down to Wyatt’s level and put his

hand out. “You are too. It’s very nice to meet you Wyatt.”
Wyatt had a cherub look about him, beautiful deep pools
of green looked at him and his hair was short and jet
black. He was a miniature version of Sawyer and his
older brothers.

Wyatt giggled, pumping Dakota’s hand up and down. “I

wanted to play wiff you.”

“

Yeah?” Dakota smiled and looked at Sam. “Got the

tennis ball?”

Grayson snorted then looked at Sam and Dakota. “Oh

my God, you’re serious?”

Sam chuckled and looked at the brother’s. “You’re

above chasing a tennis ball? You’re all wolves, aren’t
you? Go change and meet me back here in ten minutes.”

Xander crossed his arms. “I am

not chasing a tennis

ball.”

~~

Xander tore after the tennis ball as it flew over his

head. Wyatt was nipping at Dakota’s back legs, and then
running away. He’d come back and bite his tail and Sam
swore the little shit was giggling. Dakota lay down on his
back and Wyatt pounced on him like a puppy, biting his
ears and making little growl noises. It was the cutest
thing Sam had ever witnessed. Dakota took it in stride,
nipping at Wyatt’s backside now and then, and holding
him down with one paw as he nudged Wyatt’s belly with
his muzzle.

The brothers that had complained they were too good

to chase a tennis ball, were now fighting over it. Sam
took his surprise out of his jacket and put the battery in.

He threw the babble ball and it immediately started
talking. Wyatt’s ears perked up first and he chased it
down, rolling himself over it. The ball was talking and the
voice sounded like it’d inhaled helium. Wyatt figured out
pretty quickly that the more you hit it, the more it talked.
He chased it around, batting at it with his paw. Sam
gasped as Wyatt rolled over it yet again, shifting back to
his human form in mid-role. Wyatt giggled, shaking the
ball in his hands and making it talk more. Sawyer,
Grayson, Xander and Dakota were all staring at it, heads
tilted to one side.

“

It talks funny, Sam.” Wyatt giggled, shaking the ball

again.

“

Boo!” Dakota was right in Wyatt’s ear, back in his

human form.

Wyatt shifted back to wolf form in seconds and looked

up, eyes wide, at Dakota. He yelped and ran around his
brother, hiding. Grayson sat down on him and Sawyer
made that wolf smiley face again. Sawyer walked around
his brother and nipped his tail, warning him to get off
Wyatt. The two of them started nipping at each other,
then the rolling around started. Dakota shifted back and
ran into the wolf pile, jumping on Xander’s back and
playfully nipping his ear.

Sam laughed, picked up Wyatt and got a nice long lick

up his face. He put him in his lap with the babble ball and
looked at the other four. They’d been so wrapped up it in
their play; they hadn’t even noticed that Wyatt had
changed in mere seconds rather than minutes. Dakota’s
presence was having an effect on the pack.

“

Go run; you guys have way too much pent up energy.

I’ll watch Wyatt.” Wyatt wiggled as his brothers took off
with Dakota and Sam held him closer, whispering in his
ear. “I have cookies.”

Wyatt shifted back, looking at Sam. “Peanut butter?”

“

And chocolate chip.” Sam winked and took him inside.

The chase was

on as a game of tag started. Right now

Dakota was “not it”, along with Sawyer and Xander. The
three of them ran full speed down to the beach, with
Grayson hot on their tails. They hit the water and ran
down the coast, keeping an eye out for Grayson. Xander
ran through the bushes, popping out on the other side
and was tackled by Grayson, from the opposite direction.
They rolled around in the sand until Grayson bit his hind
quarters and took off running. Xander whipped around to
see Sawyer and Dakota waiting for him to make his
move. Spinning around, he charged, sending Dakota and
Sawyer running for the forest.

Grayson was way ahead of them moving, through the

forest with ease. He skidded to a stop and felt the fur on
his neck and hind quarters rise. A wolf was out here
somewhere, one he didn’t know the smell of. He followed
the scent and the closer it got, the more aroused he
became. He heard the others coming up behind him and
before he could find it, it was gone. Dakota came up next
to him and nudged him gently, giving him a “what’s up”
nod. Dakota sniffed the air and found a mix of scents,
someone was covering their tracks. They ran back to the
reservation and Grayson told them about what he
smelled in the woods.

“

My God, I was so fucking turned on, what the hell

does that mean?” Grayson looked at his brothers.

“

It means you’re a horny teenager.” Xander cracked up,

smacking Grayson on the back.

“

Seriously.” Grayson rolled his eyes. “I’ve never felt

that before, not for anyone. You think it was my mate or
something?”

“

Not sure.” Dakota sat down and felt Sam pull him into

his lap. He looked at Sawyer sitting on the stump, and
smiled. “Don’t worry Sawyer, you’ll find your mate.”

“

I’m going to be eighty, using a walker and scaring

small children with my dentures.” Sawyer sighed,
throwing another log on the bonfire.

“

Hell yeah. If your mates a guy, he’ll love the removable

teeth thing.” Xander sat back and cracked up.

Dakota smiled at Wyatt, fast asleep in Grayson’s arms.

He’d had one hell of a day. They sat around talking
about Dakota’s life for a while. Grayson couldn’t believe
he’d survived what had happened to him. Dakota
remembered though, the sky had been so clear that night
you could see every constellation. He was freezing and
bleeding from every orifice. Then he had heard a soft
whine, and looked up to see a white wolf looking down
on him.

“

That’s all you remember?” Sawyer sat back looking at

Dakota in Sam’s arms. They were cute together. Sam
was huge and Dakota, well, wasn’t.

“

Yep, then I woke up in a cabin naked and surrounded

by people. They explained what had happened and what
I was. Taylor took me under his wing. He tried to protect
me from the more brutal pack members, that’s why I
thought he cared. When we got caught?” Dakota shook
his head sadly. “He blamed me.”

“

Was your Alpha cruel to him? I mean was his Dad an

asshole?” Xander sat back, crossing his arms.

“

Carson is an asshole. He made sure I knew my place

at all times. I think somehow he knew what I was.
Whatever that is.” Dakota shrugged.

“

So, this Taylor guy could be alright then, couldn’t he?”

Sawyer sat back and crossed his knees at the ankle,
contemplating.

“

Well, considering he’s attacked me twice now, I don’t

know. “ Dakota sighed and leaned against Sam’s chest,
feeling his warmth and heartbeat against him.

“

I need to get the energizer bunny to bed.” Sawyer

smiled at his Wyatt, curled up. “He’s running low on
juice.”

~~

Dakota crawled into bed and relaxed, soon feeling

Sam’s weight dip his side of the bed as he got in. He
rolled over into his mate’s warmth and kissed his neck.
Things had changed drastically since he’d first become a
wolf. He now had a mate, a pack and a place to call
home with the man he loved.

~~

Grayson snuck out and made his way into the forest, to

where he’d smelled that other wolf. He stopped and
closed his eyes, letting the sounds and scents of the
forest surround him. His nose twitched and his cock filled
immediately upon picking up the unknown wolfs scent.
His teeth elongated and his eyes switched to
monochrome. The scent was back. Off in the distance he
heard rustling in the leaves, someone or something
wasn’t keeping downwind of him very well. His eyes

scanned the forest and he saw a shape off in the
distance. It was a man and he’d stopped, looking in
Grayson’s direction. It was deathly quiet. All the sudden,
Grayson heard Xander shouting for him. He turned his
head in the direction of Xander’s voice for no more than a
second, and when he turned back… the man was gone.

~~

Sam lay back and closed his eyes. He loved this part of

the day, waking up with Dakota in his arms. He’d been
alone way too long, and now he had everything he’d
never even known he’d wanted. They complimented
each other in strengths and weaknesses. Dakota was
perfect in every way. The loud shouts outside, had
Dakota sitting straight up, his eyes changing and his
teeth elongating.

“

It’s Carson.” Dakota looked at Sam.

Sam got up and threw his pants on, looking out the

window. The whole damn pack was surrounding a man
who was roughly six foot tall. Blonde hair and blazing
blues eyes were looking at Archer. He had his own four
wolves behind him, waiting to attack if the need arose.
Archer stood facing Carson, with John next to him and
Sawyer and Xander backing up him from both sides. He
didn’t know what the hell was going on. Right then, Wyatt
ran into the middle of everything and Sam’s heart
stopped.

Carson bent to snatch Wyatt up, just as one of

Carson’s own pack got in between them, bumping Wyatt
out of the way. That’s when Sam realized it was the
same wolf from the park and Denny’s. The tan coat was
the same, and blue eyes searched Carson’s imploringly.
Dakota was already getting dressed and Sam grabbed
his hand, looking at him.

“

I don’t like this.” Sam nodded out to the front yard.

“Isn’t that Taylor?” Sam nodded to the large tan wolf.

“

No, it’s his brother Jagger.” Dakota narrowed his eyes.

Taylor wasn’t there, but he could still smell him. Jagger
was watching Xander and Wyatt, and keeping his eyes
on his father as well. What the hell was going on?

Xander went to pick up Wyatt and heard a loud growl

coming from the tan wolf in front of him; blue eyes blazed
and Xander’s skin prickled and heated. The smell of
arousal filled the air and Grayson stepped in between his
brothers and the wolf. Xander grabbed Wyatt’s hand and
moved him out of the way. “Don’t fucking growl at me,
asshole.”

Wyatt giggled and put his hand out to the wolf. “You’re

pretty too!”

Grayson’s skin heated and he felt his pulse go through

the roof. His cock hardened at a familiar scent in the air.
His eyes and teeth changed immediately, and the tan
wolf in front of him backed up as he witnessed the
sudden difference. “Back off.” Grayson growled.

Dakota came out with Sam and they approached the

group. Dakota picked out the other three wolves:
Preston, Tucker and Wesley. They all backed up as
Dakota got closer and Jagger sat down, nodding to
Dakota. The guy had never given him a hard time. He
was like Taylor in that aspect. Well, before Taylor got
caught having sex with a guy. Dakota knew Jagger was
hiding some secrets of his own from his father. A few
drinks together one night had gotten him that tidbit from
Jagger’s own mouth. Not that Jagger remembered it.

“

What is it, Carson? You bring wolves to a meeting?

Not very friendly of you, especially on another pack’s
territory.” Dakota looked at the four wolves and shook his
head. “Tsk tsk boys, bad form.”

Carson pulled himself up and looked down at Dakota.

“You don’t tell me how to run the pack, and you certainly
don’t get to stay in this one. You are Denali pack,
Dakota. Your place is with us.” Carson eyed the rest of
the pack. He could see at least three besides Dakota that
would give him problems. The tall one next to Dakota
was definitely not a werewolf, but still one hell of a
challenging opponent. “You will come back with us now.”

Sawyer let out a loud laugh, which had everyone

looking at him at once. “Dude, are you fucking high?”
Sawyer swore the tan wolf chuckled. “You kicked Dakota
out and now you act like he’s just going to go back with
you? The dude is still gay. You’re not going to ‘fix’ him.”
Sawyer put his fingers up making invisible quotation
marks.

“

You show respect for an alpha.” Carson’s voice

lowered and a low growl reverberated from his chest.

“You’re not my alpha, asshole.” Sawyer snarled at him

and moved forward. Archer’s hand blocked him and he
stepped back.

Archer made his way forward, keeping an eye on all

the wolves behind Carson. “A true Alpha shows respect
to another’s pack, Alpha. You have not.” Archer furrowed
his brow and looked at Carson. “You lead with fear and
intimidation. This is not the Alpha way.”

“

It is in my pack, old man.” Carson looked at Archer and

narrowed his eyes. “Dakota is my pack.”

“

Not anymore.” Dakota felt the blood flowing in his

veins as his pulse went haywire. The air around him
crackled and his body shifted in one quick movement.

Jagger backed up immediately and sat down, just looking
at him. Dakota made his way around Carson and looked
at the rest of his old pack. Tucker sat down and looked
away from him, as did the rest; all except for Jagger. Sam
wanted to run and protect his mate, but Dakota seemed
to know what he was doing. He stood back, watching the
rest of the pack, waiting to see what they would do.

Archer watched Dakota as he made his way from wolf

to wolf, then came back and shifted back to human in
front of him. Archer smiled and put his hands on Dakota’s
shoulders, pulling him into a hug. The whole group
waited for Archer to speak. They were either going to get
bloody, or Carson would leave. Archer cleared his throat.
“He has made his choice. You are no longer his pack.
The connection is broken.”

With all the commotion going on, Wyatt had gotten

loose and had run to the tan wolf, throwing his arms
around the Jagger’s neck. Xander ran to catch him and
was met with a snap of teeth. He pulled his hand back

and crouched down to Wyatt’s level. “Wyatt, come back
here, okay? You can’t trust that wolf.”

Jagger snorted and closed his eyes, bringing on his

own change. He stood upright with Wyatt hanging from
his neck. “I would never hurt a child.”

Xander swore his mouth had dropped open, but he

forced himself to keep it shut

. Oh holy hell. The guy was

drop dead delicious. Six feet of lean muscle looked at him
with clear blue eyes and dirty blonde hair. “Then give him
to me.” Xander put his arms out.

Jagger extracted the child from his neck and leaned

over, handing Wyatt to his brother. He moved away and
stood behind the rest of his pack, waiting for his Father to
make up his damn mind. “Dad.”

“

Shut up, Jagger.” Carson eyed Archer. “This matter is

not closed.”

“

Um, yes the fuck it is.” Sawyer leaned against

Grayson and smiled wide. “Be seeing you folks. Make
sure you stop in the town right up the road and visit the
Twilight store.”

Jagger did laugh loud at that one, and got a slap

across the face from his father. He put his hand up and
looked at him with his mouth slightly ajar.

Xander felt the electricity in the air and realized it was

him. His anger boiled and he fought for control, as his

eyes shifted. What the hell was going on with him? His
skin was prickling with heat and he saw the muscles
rippling up his biceps to his shoulder. He took a deep
breath and shook his head, trying to get a handle on his
body. “Get off our land.”

“

Yes, we’re asking nicely. For now.” Grayson felt his

heart rate increasing. He had no idea which one of those
wolves was the one setting off his cock, but hell. He
could have sworn it came from the Alpha himself, but he
hadn’t reacted to Xander. What the hell? Only two from
the Denali pack seemed to have been affected by them,
the tan wolf and the smaller white one. Was the white
one his mate? God, he hoped it wasn’t the asshole
Alpha.

“

I understand now.” Archer watched as his pack fed

power from Dakota. This is what Carson was afraid of.
Even the way they shifted had changed.

Dakota stood by Sam and watched as Carson and the

rest of the wolves started to leave. Xander stood by the
fire pit and Dakota swore Jagger turned to take one last
look at him. Something was really weird. A sense of
arousal came from not only Xander and Grayson, but
from Jagger and Preston as well, and Dakota still swore
he smelled Taylor somewhere. “Jesus.” He whispered.

“

What the hell was that?” Sam looked at all the pack

members. Most of them looked exhausted from the
standoff.

“

It’s your mate, Sam.” Archer smiled, taking Sam’s

hand. “Dakota is unique, his strength flows through all of
us. I feel like a teenager again.” Archer grinned, seeing
the expression on Sam’s face. “I didn’t say I

looked like

one.” Archer winked and made his way over to Grayson
and Xander, taking their hands. “I sense the confusion
from you two. You felt something for members of Denali
pack.”

“

What the hell was that? And why was that tan one all

over Wyatt like that?” Grayson picked up his little brother
and hugged him tight.

Wyatt smiled and wrapped his arms around his

brother’s neck. “He was pretty and he took care of me.”

Dakota mussed Wyatt’s hair. “Jagger’s not a bad guy.

He’s the protector in his pack, he’d never let his Dad hurt
the smaller pups.”

“

Hot damn, he was sexy as all hell.” Xander nodded his

head and then stopped. He looked up to see the pack
trying to hold back their laughter and Grayson had a
brow raised. “Oh shit, I just said that out loud, didn’t I?”

“

Smexy! Wyatt giggled, bouncing up and down in

Grayson’s arms.

“

Oh Christ.” Xander muttered, kicking the dirt and trying

to hide the red in his face.

John smiled and stepped forward, taking his sons

shoulders and looking in his eyes. He saw the shame in
them and brought his hand up gently, caressing Xander’s
cheek. “I don’t care who you love, as long as you give me
grandkids.”

Sam sputtered and Archer laughed. They all hugged

each other and Grayson took Xander’s hand in his.

“

He really

was hot.” Grayson snickered.

“

Grayson!” Xander pushed him and a wrestling match

ensued.

That’s my boys.” John sighed; he looked at Sawyer

with Sam and Dakota. “I got you guys something.” He
fished in his pocket and pulled out tickets. “I know they
haven’t been doing well this season, but I thought you
guys could kick back and relax in Seattle?”

Sawyer’s eyes went wide, looking at the tickets.

“Seahawk tickets?

Both Grayson and Xander quit fighting. “Football?”

The rest of the afternoon was spent with Dakota

helping his pack control their newly acquired power.
Wyatt seemed to have a handle on it, shifting back and
forth at will, while Xander was having issues shifting back
to his human form. The overwhelming arousal from the
morning was still on his mind, as well as Grayson’s
making them lose concentration, which in turn led Dakota
to lose his patience. After four hours of watching Xander
sit there in his wolf form and Grayson in his human,
Dakota called it a day. They ended up playing cards.
Wyatt peeked over his hand, studying Dakota, Sam and
his brothers around the table.

“

You didn’t ante up, Gray.” Sam looked over his cards

and smiled when Grayson threw a colored chip into the
middle of the table, along with a loud sigh.

“

Ok, who needs cards?” Dakota grabbed the deck,

getting ready to throw out cards to whomever needed
them.

“

I need twees.” Wyatt looked over his cards, face

serious, while rearranging them neatly. “Yep, twees.”

Sawyer raised a brow at his youngest brother. “We are

playing poker.”

“

Not go fish?” Wyatt slumped in his chair. He put his

cards down and looked at Sawyer. “Is this good for
poka?”

Sawyer looked at his brother’s three aces and two

kings then down at his own cards. “Never mind, we’re
playing go fish.”

“

Boys, dinner’s ready.” Nadine looked out the kitchen

door. “Now go wash your hands.”

Dakota sat down with everyone and bowed his head,

along with the rest of them. John gave thanks for the
food, the company and life. Sawyer and his brothers’
mother, Isabelle, died giving birth to Wyatt. It had been
John taking care of his sons from then on, with a helping
hand from Nadine. When Wyatt’s lupine side had
emerged, it’d taken the whole pack to reel him in. He was
like a child hyped up on a truck load of sugar, that never
came down from his high. Dakota smiled as the brother’s
teased each other and wondered if he’d had a sibling, if it
would have been the same way. He felt Sam squeezing
his hand under the table and squeezed back.

After dinner, they all sat in the living room for coffee

and Nadine listened to the events of this morning. She
took Dakota’s hand and smiled at him. In the short time
he’d been with them, she’d already considered him her
son; and she had never seen Sam so happy. “Well, I

hope they realize who they’re dealing with.”

“

Yep, Mom’s going to bonk Carson over the head with

a rolling pin if he comes back.” Sam chuckled, missing
his mother’s playful slap.

“

Alright boys.” Josh mussed Grayson’s hair. “Get some

rest; you have a long day tomorrow.”

Sam practically carried Dakota into their house. He’d

been drained from the excitement of the day and Sam
was worried about him. He lay listless on the bed and
stared up at the ceiling. Sam undressed and crawled up
Dakota’s small frame, kissing his stomach softly along
the way. His skin was beautiful and blemish free. Dakota
was just beautiful all around, everything about the man
made Sam hard and wanting him.

“

Are you okay?” Sam pressed his lips to Dakota’s in a

soft kiss.

“

Mmm… I’m feeling better, keep going.” Dakota sighed

and put his hands behind his head, locking his fingers
together.

Sam smiled gently, brushing his lips over Dakota’s and

teasing with his tongue. His tongue left a trail cross
Dakota’s jawline and made its way down slowly over his
nipples, flicking them, leaving soft gentle bites on the
sensitive nips, before turning his attentions to Dakota’s
firm abdominal muscles. He laved Dakota’s stomach,
making his way down slowly, hearing quickened breaths
from above him. Sam loved this part, hearing his mate in
ecstasy, knowing it was brought on by his mouth, his
hands. He let his tongue trail the soft line of hair down his
stomach until his chin met with Dakota’s hard leaking
prick. Pulling it back with his chin, his hand gripped the
base and his mouth enveloped Dakota’s hard cock with

the searing heat from his mouth.

“

Oh fuck.” Dakota’s neck and back arched as Sam

swallowed him, leaving gentle teasing bites around the
base and trailing his teeth up Dakota’s racing pulse. Soft
fingers played at his sac, tickling. And a thumb caressed
his aching hole.

Sam jacked himself off, while his tongue and mouth

battered Dakota’s senses. His thumb pressed in and
Dakota clamped down on it, sending a wave of lust
through Sam. God, he wanted Dakota under him,
begging to cum and screaming his fucking name. He
lubed his fingers and thrust two in at once, twisting and
stretching, pushing up, looking for Dakota’s nub. He
bobbed up and down, matching his rhythm with his
fingers and heard a soft growl from Dakota.

Dakota felt the saliva dripping down his balls and

clenched his ass on Sam’s fingers. His teeth elongated
and he felt the pressure in his balls increasing with every
suck and thrust from Sam. He gripped Sam’s arms and
brought his head up, watching Sam suck his cock.
“Goddammit, fuck me!”

Sam almost broke the bed. The constant pounding of

his prostate had Dakota on the edge of insanity. Sam
was jacking him off as he slammed into him over and
over again, until Dakota’s eyes were pure black and he
shot with such force he thought maybe it hit the wall
above him. A loud feral growl left his lips and Sam
exploded in his ass with such velocity, Dakota swore he
could taste it in his throat. They lay there spent, full of
sweat and spunk and not caring a damn bit. Dakota felt
Sam’s soft light kisses along his throat and sighed in
contentment.

“

Feel better?” Sam licked a line from the base of

Dakota’s rapid pulse to his mouth, tracing his lips with the
tip.

“

Oh God, yes.” Dakota’s tongue teased Sam’s and

then he was back in heaven. Sam’s warm mouth was
covering his own, his big hands running down Dakota’s
inner thighs. God, he loved this man with everything he
had. He loved Sam. “I love you.”

Sam smiled, biting the tip of Dakota’s nose. “Love you

more.”

~~

Jagger limped into the hotel room and looked around.

Taylor wasn’t there, but Preston was. As soon as he

turned the light on, Preston sat up in bed and looked at
him, eyes wide.

“

Holy shit, Jagger!” Preston got up and helped Jagger

to the bed and ran to get a wash cloth. “What the fuck?
Did your Dad do this?”

Jagger snorted and coughed up blood. He wiped his

face and looked at Preston. “Of course he did, I got in the
middle out there.”

“

Dude, you need to shift.” Preston wiped his face off

and looked at the small cut above his right eye. Preston
pulled up Jagger’s shirt and saw massive bruising on his
side. “Oh my God, Jagger, shift.”

“

No.” Jagger coughed up more blood. “I want to

remember this. The anger I feel at that son of a bitch.”
Jagger growled. “Once the pain is gone, I don’t know if I’ll
have the balls to take that man out. He needs to go
Preston. God help me, but I want that man dead.” Jagger
looked at Preston’s worried face. “Taylor tried to fix this,
now it’s going to get worse.”

Preston crouched down and looked at Jagger’s face,

wiping more blood off the side. “I can’t see you like this,
Jagger. This hurts me,

please.”

Preston watched as Jagger shifted into a large tan

wolf. He lay on the floor on his side with his eyes closed,
panting. Preston sat down next to him and ran his hand
through the soft thick fur. “You felt it today, didn’t you?”
Preston watched as Jagger’s eyes opened slightly. “That
rush, that

pul l like your whole body would explode

somehow if you didn’t get your hands on it. Jesus, my
cock was so fucking hard I could have cut glass with it.”
Preston lay back and heard Jagger’s soft snort. “Yeah

you did, I could see it.”

Jagger

had felt it, the pull of his mate.

~~

The car ride was one Dakota would never forget.

Grayson and Xander would poke each other relentlessly,
then complain to Sawyer that the other one was touching
them, which got a “Don’t make me pull this truck over”
from Sam. Dakota couldn’t wait to have kids and Sam
would be a great Dad. He had no idea how long he was
going to be on vacation, but they would get to that
eventually. All Dakota knew right now, was that he was
happy and in love.

Seattle was beautiful and they’d decided to take a trip

to Pike’s Place Market and take in the piers. It was still
sunny out, making it the perfect day to walk and explore
the market. As always, tourist lined the streets and most
were taking pictures of flying fish. Dakota had seen it
before when he and his roommate had taken a quick trip

out to Seattle on a whim, but it still amazed him that the
guys did it for the tourist’s every time. It was their gimmick
to throw each other the fish.

Grayson and Xander stood transfixed, watching them in

fascination, until Sawyer dragged them away. They made
their way up the streets and Sam commented on how
some of them reminded him of San Francisco, which led
Sawyer to ask what he was doing there. “Um, I was there
working for a buddy of mine in the extermination
business. You know, bed bugs are making a comeback.”
Sam smiled at Dakota.

Dakota snickered and took Sam’s hand in his own;

they made their way through the streets of Seattle and
decided to walk the rest of the way to Safeco field.
Grayson and Xander took in all the stores, drooling like
puppies as they passed row upon row of shopping
centers and restaurants. The streets were crowded as
people were trying to find parking, attempting to avoid the
rush after the game. Sam produced the tickets when they

finally made it and they all found their seats next to each
other. Grayson was jumping up and down, pointing at
people on the field and Xander looked bored. The
retractable roof was actually open and the sun blazed
inside, keeping the spectators minimally warm.

“

What’s up, Xander?” Dakota took his hand and smiled

at him.

“

That’s his normal look, he’s an asshole.” Sawyer

laughed and put his feet up on the chair in front of him.

Xander saw the look of concern on Dakota’s face and

smiled. “I’m just thinking about that hot guy.” Xander
blushed crimson and laughed at himself for doing it.

Dakota had never thought of Jagger in that way. He’d

been nice, sure, but Dakota had never looked at him.
Taylor was the one that had captivated him at first and
after months of playing around they had finally had sex,
and then the look of horror on Taylor’s face when they
were caught by Carson. Dakota shook his head and
smiled at Xander. “Felt a connection?”

“

I’m not sure who it was with, there were five of them.

All I know, is my hands were sweating and my dick got
rock hard.” Xander laughed and sat back in his chair.

“

That happens when the wind blows, little brother.”

Sawyer cracked up and clapped his brother on the back.

The game finally started and they were all sitting

forward in their chairs. Sam by far was the loudest and
screaming for the

opposing team. Dakota laughed as

people were booing him in the stands and Sam turned to

look at them with a glare that shut them up quick. Sawyer
laughed his ass off as his brother’s did their own cheer
for the Seahawks. Once the opposing team was two
touch downs ahead, Sam flipped sides and started
shouting for his home team.

“

Why do you do that?” Dakota laughed and kissed

Sam’s cheek.

“

Pisses the players off, maybe they’ll get their asses in

gear now.” Sam picked Dakota up and kissed him in front
of everyone.

Dakota was in a daze when Sam put him back down on

his own two feet. God, but he loved this man. He was so
open about his sexuality and never hid anything from any
one. He was proud of who he was and Dakota loved him
for it.

The Seahawks lost.

The ride home was quiet, as all three of the brothers

were out in the back of the truck. Sam drove quietly with
Dakota resting his head on Sam’s shoulder. The freeway
flew by and there were less and less lights as they made
their way south. The air was crisp and clouds were
moving over the half-moon in the sky. Before he was
changed, Dakota had always thought werewolves were a
myth and that they only changed during the full moon.
Now he knew better. He closed his eyes and could hear
Wyatt’s soft breathing in his head. He could also here
Grayson’s thoughts about the day and Sawyer’s need for
a mate. Most of all, he could feel the love from his own
mate.

~~

~Chapter five~

Dakota rolled over in bed to find Sam’s side empty. He

looked at the clock and saw it was six in the morning.
Stretching his arms out and cracking his neck, Dakota
made his way to the kitchen and looked out the window.
Snow covered the ground like white silk. Sam was
outside cutting wood for the fireplace, his shoulders
shook with every swing of the axe and muscles tensed in
his back. Dakota smiled and grabbed a cup of coffee
from the cupboard, enjoying the view. They were going
to have to go into town. Sam had exactly two cups, two
plates and two of each utensil. One of two spoons sat on
the counter glistening with un -melted sugar on it. As
Dakota stirred his coffee, he continued watching his mate
out the window.

The house had two rooms and Sam was in the process

of turning the second room into an impromptu nursery to
soothe his parents. They both wanted children and at
some point in the near future, they’d have some. The
small living room had a worn area rug in the middle of it
from Sam’s Native American culture. There weren’t many
pictures and most of them were of Sam and his parents.
The last one was of Sam and his sniper unit. It looked
like they were in Iraq or Afghanistan and all of them were
smiling, sniper rifles slung over their shoulders. Dakota
smiled at the man that must be Troy. Just as tall as his
mate, the man had beautiful hazel eyes. His hair was
black and hung shorter in the back and longer on the top,
hanging slightly over his eyes. The other three were
Mateo, Josh and Derek, The General.

Dakota felt pulling on his pajama pants and looked

down to see Wyatt smiling at him. “How did you get out?”

“

Doggie door.” Wyatt covered his mouth, giggling and

pulled himself up on the tan couch that horseshoed the

living room. “Cartoons?”

Dakota grinned and sat down next to Wyatt, turning on

the large flat screen that hung on the wall. He flipped
through channels until he found a suitable cartoon for
Wyatt’s age. Wyatt snuggled into Dakota and sighed
loudly.

“

When am I gunna get big?”

Wyatt’s big green eyes looked up at him and he

couldn’t help but smile and muss his hair. “Not too soon,
why?”

“

My mate was here.” Wyatt giggled and grabbed the

remote flipping to Sponge Bob.

Whoa. Dakota looked down at Wyatt. How the hell was

that possible? Wyatt was almost seven and the youngest
wolf here yesterday had been Preston, at thirteen. They
didn’t find their mates that young, did they? Hell, he’d
have to talk to Archer about it. “How do you know it was
your mate, Wyatt?”

“

My skins felt funny.” Wyatt got up and ran into the

kitchen, jumping up and down and pointing to the highest
cupboard. “Want Cap!”

Cap? What the fuck was a cap? Dakota made his way

to the cabinet and opened it. He smiled and grabbed the
box of cereal, handing it to Wyatt. “Captain Crunch,
huh?”

Wyatt giggled, running back to the couch with the box.

His little hands dug in and grabbed a fistful, shoving into
his mouth. He chewed for a long time, before looking at
Dakota with a wide smile. “Sam buys it for me.”

“

You are not supposed to be telling secrets, Wyatt.”

Sam strolled in, taking his jacket off and winking at
Dakota. He made his way into the kitchen and poured
himself a cup of coffee before settling down next to his
mate and kissing his forehead. “Morning beautiful.”

“

Good morning.” Wyatt giggled and crawled into Sam’s

lap, leaning up against his back. “Sponge bob is funny
and Gary is swiemmy”

Dakota mouthed the word to Sam and got a laugh.

“

Slimy.” Sam provided.

They sat watching cartoons until Sawyer pounded on

the door, begging to go play in the snow. Grayson and
Xander were already playing in it, running around and
nipping at each other’s heels. Wyatt shifted in second’s
flat, running out the door and Dakota smiled and kissed
Sam, shifting. Sam crouched down, but not so much as
he used to. Dakota had gotten huge and Sam was sure
he wasn’t done.

“

Have fun.” Sam kissed his wet nose and petted his

muzzle.

Sam had about a half hour to an hour by himself. He

thumbed through the phone book, looking for a store that
carried everything he needed for the house. Now that
Dakota was living with him, he wanted him to have
everything he could possibly need or want in his house.

The bed was a queen and Sam wanted a bigger one, not
just for his size, but for the room. He wanted to try some
things that a queen bed may just not survive. Sam licked
his lips thinking about it and shook his head . Focus.

New sheets, new towels, and new plates... Everything

he required could be found in one store about an hour
away. Sam waited patiently for Dakota to come back, so
they could go together. He looked around the small
house and smiled, it felt more like home now. He really
needed to put some pictures of Dakota on the wall,
however. His cell phone rang, startling him out of his
thoughts. The caller ID showed Troy Bishop.

“Jesus, are you bored?” Sam laughed into the phone.

“Okay, you sound way too fucking happy. You’re

scaring me.” Troy sat back in his chair, watching the high
rise across the way. A guy was working out naked on his
balcony. Nice. “I’ve got some time off and I wanted to
swing by the Rez and visit, you know? You got room for
an old buddy?”

Sam thought about that. With Dakota running around,

in and out of wolf form, Troy might freak out a bit. “My
parents still have my old room open, I’m sure they’d love
to have you visit. How have you been? You sound sad or
something.”

Troy closed his eyes. He had been lonely. Too much

time on his own had made him into something he didn’t
recognize anymore. “I’m good, just need a beer.”

“

Ok, so when you coming out?”

“

Few weeks, maybe a month from now. I’ll call you first.

Can’t wait to see you.”

“

Yup, take care and call if you need anything.” Sam

hung up and looked around. Soft scratching at the door
made him realize he hadn’t left it cracked as he usually
did. Dakota sat on the stoop with one eyebrow raised.
Sam chuckled, letting him in.

~~

An hour later they were on the road and Sam watched

as Dakota drank in the scenery. He was wearing jeans
with hiking boots and a grey button up shirt with a light
jacket. Damn he looked hot. Sam smiled, pulling into the
bed and bath store. Dakota could barely contain his
excitement, his eyes gleaming.

“Stuff for the house?”

Sam smiled, leaning over and kissing him softly. “Yup.”

Dakota took his time, going down every single aisle,

looking at everything. It was like watching a kid in a
candy store and Sam realized that Dakota had never
really had a chance to do this before. Thrust out of his
house at sixteen, Dakota had never had a real
relationship, never got to go shopping for his own home.
Sam wanted to make sure he got whatever he wanted.
Dakota kept picking things up and looking at the price.
His face would fall and then he’d put it back. Sam took
him in his arms and brought his face up to his own.

“

Anything you want in here you get, understand?

Anything. I don’t fucking care how much it costs.”

Dakota blushed and tried to hide his face, but Sam

wasn’t having it. “But it’s expensive.”

Sam pulled him in; brushing his lips softly over

Dakota’s, bringing him in closer. He wrapped his hand in
Dakota’s hair and forced his mouth open, kissing him
deep. Once he was satisfied Dakota didn’t have enough

breath left to argue, he smacked him on the ass and sent
him to the kitchen aisle. “Now shop with abandon.”
Dakota let out a giggle that melted Sam’s heart. Taking
Dakota’s hand, they hit the kitchen aisle together.

Dakota’s face registered pure bliss as he went from

aisle to aisle, excitedly showing Sam all sorts of things.
Kitchen plates, bathroom towels, and then a new
comforter for the bed and matching sheets. Sam loved
every minute of it. This was

his man, dammit. After

everything Dakota had been through, he deserved to
have whatever he wanted. They even hit the frame aisle
and Sam got one for a picture he wanted to frame of the
two of them. Sam couldn’t complain. Dakota had gotten
large terry cloth towels for the bathroom and a set of
dishes that had a southwestern pattern to it. God, he
loved the man. Sam argued that they didn’t need eight of
everything, which prompted Dakota to look at him like he
had three heads.

“

What if we have company over for dinner? We need

more stuff. Grab the crystal wine glasses.” Dakota was
off, already searching the next aisle.

They ended up with another cart as Dakota got pots

and pans, and a blender and a food processor. It went on
and on, until both carts were piled high. Sam tried to
shoo Dakota out to the car as he paid the bill. The
woman at the checkout counter smiled appreciatively as
Sam kissed Dakota, sending him outside giggling. With
the truck piled high, they made their way back home.
Stopping at the fast food restaurant on the way out of
town, Sam attempted to order their food at the drive thru
while Dakota sucked his cock with a vengeance. It was a
very hard conversation to carry on and more than once,
Sam had said his order a bit too loud.

Two seconds after pulling away from the drive thru

window, Sam was screaming out loud as he came.
Dakota sat up, wiped his mouth, and settled himself
against Sam for the rest of the ride back to the
reservation. Sam told him about Troy calling and wanting

to visit. Dakota smiled. He liked Troy and was happy that
he was coming to visit them. Dakota wanted to know
more about the man that had saved his life and become
his mate. Meeting his friends was a great way to start.
Not that he wouldn’t

or couldn’t ask Sam questions about

his life, but hearing it from someone else was different. It
would be nice to get another perspective from one of
Sam’s friends.

“

See? Now aren’t you glad I made you buy extra sheets

for guests?” Dakota smiled.

By the time they got home Sam was exhausted. He

flopped his massive body across the brand new king size
bed that’d been delivered while they were gone. Dakota
busied himself with putting all their new linens in the
washing machine. Sam felt as if he was back in basic
training. He was exhausted. He felt soft fingers at the
waistband of his jeans and moaned as Dakota unzipped
him with his teeth, growling.

“

God, that’s hot babe.” Sam ran his fingers through

Dakota’s hair, pulling his face up. “I love you so much. I
didn’t think it was possible to love someone the way I
love you.”

The sex was a whirlwind and Sam swore he came over

a dozen times as Dakota’s fingers teased his ass, hitting
him in just the right spot, making him come over and over
again. Just when he thought he couldn’t take anymore,
he was on his hands and knees. He could feel the burn
in his chute as Dakota slammed into him harder and
harder with each thrust. Right as he stood at the abyss,
Dakota slid under him and begged him to fuck his mouth.
Dakota’s fingers were in his ass, his mouth engulfing
Sam’s cock. Sam held on white knuckled to their brand
new headboard, screaming and moaning and shouting.
When their breathing returned to normal and the smell of
spunk had cleared the room, Dakota sat up, looking at
Sam.

“

Hey, is this one of those tempur-pedic beds?”

Sam chuckled.

~~

The following week had them redecorating the house

with the help of Nadine, who could put any of those high
paid decorators to shame. The house got a new coat of
paint inside and out. Warm tan colors in the living room,
with a splash of light blue, made its way around the
comfy space. Nadine had put a center piece on the
coffee table and cleaned the area rug outside. Two new
side tables were put on the ends of the couches with soft
lighting. The kitchen had a rich mahogany table put in
with high stools, seating eight just as Dakota had
wanted. New cabinets lined the walls, with a large pantry
next to the refrigerator. All in all, it had cost Sam a pretty
penny, but he didn’t care. He made more than enough

money in his line of work to be able to spoil Dakota once
in a while.

The bedroom had been repainted as well and Dakota

stood in the middle of the room in overalls, staring at the
new space with a dreamy look on his face. “I love it,
Sam.”

Sawyer strolled in with his brother’s, whistling softly.

“Well, this place went from ‘okay shitty’ to’ awesome
shitty’.”

“Sawyer!” Nadine put one hand on her hip and used

her other to smack his arm. “Go get some exercise with
your brothers and take Dakota with you. I think he’s
inhaled too many paint fumes.”

Sam chuckled, noticing Dakota’s dazed eyes looking at

him. “Oh yeah, you need some fresh air, babe. Go shift,
I’ll clean up.” Sam pressed a soft kiss to Dakota’s lips,
caressing his cheek.

Nadine watched as all the boys tore off outside,

whooping and shifting. She turned to her son, a knowing
smile on her face. “You’re going to propose.”

“

Mom!” Sam shut the door. “Don’t talk so loud, you

know they can hear everything.”

“

It’s a good thing you turned the other room into a

nursery. Now you’ll need to add a guest bedroom in the
back.” Nadine winked, making her way to the kitchen.

Sam sighed and peeked out the window to make sure

Dakota hadn’t heard. They were long gone. He

was

going to propose. He just needed to find the right time.
Things were coming together for them, and Sam wanted
to do it soon.

~~

Dakota took off at break neck speed towards the

woods and the rest of them gave chase. Grayson was
the closest one to him and got a good nip at Dakota’s tail
before taking off towards the beach. Xander flew past
him with Wyatt. Dakota took a double take at Wyatt. He
was bigger in wolf form now. Sawyer ran with him, until
he too took off down the path to the beach. Sawyer slid
to a stop, knocking into Xander as they looked at the
ocean spread out before them. Grayson nipped his
brother, and took off down the beach and was promptly
hit in the side by Dakota. They wrestled in the sand and
Dakota nipped his hind quarters and took off running
again towards the woods. Grayson whined and took off
after him. Sawyer was wrestling with Xander and Wyatt

was jumping on both of them, making his puppy growls
again.

Dakota felt Grayson behind him, but he was still far

enough ahead he’d make it back before Grayson did. He
felt a searing pain in his neck and skidded to a stop,
flailing over his own legs, hitting the ground and rolling to
a stop. His body wouldn’t respond to his brain as he tried
to shift, to no avail. His muscles had stopped working. He
heard the sounds of boots and made out three blurs
before his eyes closed and darkness covered him like a
blanket.

~~

Sam was pouring another cup of coffee when he felt

something in his chest; the coffee pot hit the floor,
shattering into a thousand pieces, covering the floor and
the wall in coffee and glass. As Sam’s chest constricted,
he looked up and ran out the door with one name on his
lips. Dakota.

~~

Xander and Sawyer had lost Wyatt somewhere in the

woods. A feeling of dread and fear overwhelmed them
both. They followed Wyatt’s scent for a good mile. They
came to a stop in a heavily wooded area and saw a white
wolf sitting on its haunches with Wyatt underneath him.
Sawyer let out a loud growl and put his ears back,
advancing on the white wolf slowly as Xander went
around to the other side. Ears back and teeth bared, they
boxed him in. The white wolf nuzzled Wyatt, pushing him
forward and backed off a little bit, his own teeth bared at
the two wolves advancing on him. Sawyer readied
himself to leap and Wyatt shifted, screaming at them to
stop.

“

Don’t you hurt him!” Wyatt turned to the wolf, sniffing

him. “You smell so good.”

Xander watched as the White wolf pushed Wyatt

towards them and backed off, head down. Xander
nudged Wyatt towards Sawyer and let out a low
menacing growl at the intruder.

“

No, no, no! You leave him alone!” Wyatt smacked

Xander’s muzzle.

What the fuck? Xander shifted looking down at his

brother. “What is your malfunction?

That is the bad wolf!”

“

No, he’s nice.” Wyatt smiled at the retreating wolf. “He

covered me.”

“

He what?” Sawyer had now shifted back, and standing

in the cold snow, naked in the middle of the forest, was

not his idea of a good time.

“

The bad men came and took Dakota. He covered my

smell so they wouldn’t find me too.”

“

Oh shit!” Sawyers swore. Both he and Xander shifted

back, grabbing Wyatt and tossing him on Sawyer’s
shoulders.

By the time they got back to the reservation, everyone

already knew. Sawyer paced the ground in front of the
fire and looked at Sam. He sat in a daze, looking into the
fire. He didn’t even look like himself any more. Part of him
was gone, taken right off their land. Sawyer made his
way over and slapped Sam hard across the face.

“

Get the fuck up!” Sawyer glared at Sam.

Nadine let out a loud gasp and moved forward. Joe

held her back, wrapping his arms around her waist and
shaking his head. Sawyer was right, Sam needed to
snap out of his devastation and get his man back.

Sam stood up, eyes blazing with anger. “What the

fuck?”

“

Is this what you’re going to do? Sit here and whine?

That’s not the Sam Waters I know. Now get your head
out of your ass and let’s get your man back!” Sawyer put
his hand out.

Xander made his way over and put his hand on top of

Sawyer’s, John was next, then Archer. One by one, all of
them put their hands on Sawyer’s. Sam smiled and put
his hand on top of the pile. “Let’s go.”

“

Xander, you and Grayson will stay here.” John looked

at his sons.

“

Wait, what?” Xander sputtered.

“

I cannot lose you, the northern pack will help. Please

understand.” John held his sons.

Sam looked over at Sawyer. He knew Sawyer would

go and there was nothing John could do to stop it.

~~

Dakota tried to move, but his legs still weren’t working.

Dammit. Voices walked around the truck and then were
gone. Dakota saw the tailgate of the truck lower and then
Taylor crawled in. Dakota panicked and tried to move.

“

Shhh!” Taylor slid into the back of the truck. “They

drugged you Dakota, can you feel anything?”

Dakota whined and put his head back down. He

concentrated and shifted back to human form. “Why
Taylor?” He whispered.

“

Look Dakota, I’ll do my best to lure them away, but you

have to help me out here.” Taylor tried to move Dakota’s
mass and sat back, head tilted to the side. “Someone’s
coming. Look, I’m going to get Jagger and the rest of the
guys to help, okay? I

will be back with them, Dakota. I

owe you that much. I have to go, hang in there.”

Taylor slid out, putting the tailgate back up quietly.

Then he slipped away.

Dakota heard footsteps in the snow, walking around

the truck. He tried to pick up his head and couldn’t. The
tailgate was let down and Dakota’s eyes met with those
of another man. Dakota tried to shrink back from his
touch, but his body wasn’t responding. He was
vulnerable and naked, and very much in human form. He
saw a needle come out of the man’s pocket and he tried
to move again. Pain seared his thigh as the needle

pierced his skin, sending heat through his veins.

“

I’m sorry.”

The compassion in the man’s voice had Dakota looking

up. This man didn’t want to harm him, he was just
following orders. “ S’okay,” It came out as a garbled
moan and Dakota closed his eyes, feeling arms wrap
around him with a blanket. Carson’s voice floated
somewhere behind them.

“

Put him in the cage and lock it tight.”

“

But Carson, he’s barely conscious. Couldn’t we just…”

“

Goddammit Conner, just do it!” Carson shouted.

Dakota looked up into very sad eyes. His own lids were

too heavy to keep open and he felt himself slipping under
a veil of black.

~*~

Sam had called in a favor and now they were on their

way to the Army post in Lakewood. Thoughts of what
could be happening to his mate had Sam unable to
concentrate on anything. Why hadn’t he seen this
coming? He’d failed to protect his mate and now he was
gone. Sam tried to relax, but felt his fingers digging into
the steering wheel instead. His mind was going a mile a
minute and being able to hear the thoughts of all the
people in the truck wasn’t helping matters. Then a small
voice blast through all the others.

“

Sam.”

Sam’s breath caught in his throat.

“Dakota?”

“

You hear me?”

“

Yes! Oh God. Baby, are you ok? They haven’t hurt

you, have they?” Sam realized he was drifting off the
road. He pulled the truck over in a spray of gravel,
shushing everyone around him. “It’s Dakota. I don’t know
how, but I can hear him.”

He was rewarded with blessed silence.

“

I don’t know where Carson is. I haven’t seen him yet.

But I’m in the cabin I woke up in when I first shifted. I
believe Taylor will be looking for you. You have to work
with him Sam.”

Sam glanced over at Archer, who was sitting next to

him, paying close attention. “Dakota wants us to work
with the Denali pack’s sons.”

Archer nodded. “Yes, we will.”

“

Sam...”

“

Are you sure you’re ok? God, I should have been

there.”

“

So they could get you as well? No thanks, Sam. I love

you.”

“

I love you.”

And then the connection broke. Sam could feel it click

off in his head and panicked. “Dakota? Oh God, please
answer me!”

Archer put a steady hand on Sam’s arm and rubbed it.

“He is alright, but we must hurry. How long will the trip
take?”

“

By plane? Not long.”

~~

Dakota’s eyes opened and everything was in color.

Shit, he was still in human form. His legs were stiff and
still refused to move. He scanned the room, but turned up
nothing. He couldn’t see anyone, and the scents he
picked up were old enough that he knew he was alone.
Carson had been here recently, however, and his scent
was still fairly strong. Dakota closed his eyes and tried to
sense if any of the pack was in trouble. His concentration
was broken when his nose picked up a familiar scent. He
tried carefully to look left.

“

It won’t work.” Wesley whispered. “He’s drugged you,

paralyzed you so you can’t move. God, I’m sorry Dakota,
I didn’t know what to do and you know how Carson is.”
Wesley sat in front of the cage and put his hand through
the bars, holding Dakota’s.

“

It’s ok, Wes. I know you aren’t doing this of your own

accord, where is he?” Dakota strained to move and felt
nothing. It was creepy to have your body completely
ignore the demands of your brain, when told to move.
hen tolҀHave you seen any of the others?”

“

Preston’s looking for Jagger and Taylor. He thinks

they went into the mountain hideaway, so he’s going to
wait there for them. Is there anything I can do? You want
me to let you out of there? I can try to drag you.” Wesley
looked nervously towards the door.

“

No.” Dakota tried to shake his head and sighed, he

couldn’t even do that. “Go find the rest of them, okay? Be
careful, stay upwind of the cabin.”

“

I didn’t care that you were gay, Dakota.” Wesley

whispered, squeezing his hand. “None of us did, except
for him. Even Taylor tried to change Carson’s mind and
he got beat for it.” Wesley averted his eyes. “A lot.”

Dakota tried to smile and felt the left side of his lip kind

of twitch. Shit, that explained a whole hell of a lot about
Taylor’s behavior. He’d wanted to bring Dakota back to
the pack to please his dad and maybe stop the beatings.
“It’s okay, now go and do what I said.” Dakota watched
him sneak out and sighed, closing his eyes. He knew
they were coming to get him. He could feel it and most of
all, he could still hear Sam like he was sitting right next to
him; he kept saying the same thing over and over in his
head.

I love you. Dakota closed his eyes and tried to

concentrate on moving a pinky or any other body part,
just to see if he could. A scent rolled into the room and
Dakota knew who it was in an instant.

Dakota’s eyes fluttered open slightly and he saw

Carson sitting on a chair in front of the cage, smiling. He

had a bottle of water. Dakota’s mouth was so dry it felt
like he’d snacked on kitty litter. Carson wiggled the bottle
in front of the cage bars, with a sick sadistic look on his
face. Dakota cocked a brow. “Hello Carson.”

“

Thirsty?” Carson sat back and cracked the bottle

open, taking a nice long drink. “Ah, nice and cold. How
are you feeling, Dakota?”

“

Why would you do this, Carson? You kicked me out,

remember? Having a gay man in your midst is disgusting.
Isn’t that what you said? So now what? You’ve changed
your mind and all of a sudden I’m just supposed to come
back and leave my mate? Sawyer was right, you

are

high.” Dakota tried to lift his head, but whatever Carson
had drugged him with was still raging through his system.

Carson cocked his head and smiled. “So Taylor was

right, Sam is your mate. That explains quite a bit,

actually. You don’t think it’s strange that your power is
tenfold now? Yet you sit here and ask me why I want you
back in my pack.” Carson shook his head. “I thought you
were smarter, Dakota. When you were brought to me I
thought for sure

he had changed you. After a while

though, when I didn’t feel any difference, I assumed you
were just a plain old werewolf. Now I know better. Once
you found your mate, everything changed.”

Dakota eyed Carson. The man was a cruel sadistic

bastard. Why he hadn’t seen the man for who he was
before, he’d never know. “Archer was right; you lead with
fear and intimidation. What’s even worse, is you beat
your own sons. I have no intentions of staying in your
pack, that connection is broken. The first chance I get, I’ll
be gone, Carson.”

“

Speaking of you escaping, I better get my syringe

ready. It seems to be wearing off.” Carson stood and
smiled at Dakota. “I know your pack is coming, I’m not
stupid. I have a surprise for them.” Carson squatted in

front of the cage door. “I’ll be back, I hope you’re
comfortable.”

Dakota watched him leave and felt the tears stream

down his face. God, what if Carson hurt one of his new
pack? What if Carson hurt Sam? Dakota closed his eyes
and tried to pick up the mental connection again, it wasn’t
coming. He hoped with all his heart that the packs were
getting together, and that they were watching out for
Sam.

~~

Taylor and Jagger ran right into Preston in the forest.

He was in a panic and pacing back and forth. As soon as
he saw them, he rushed forward and then stopped.

“

Fuck, we have to turn on your father, don’t we?”

Preston looked at their faces.

“

I think we all knew this day was coming.” Jagger

looked at Taylor. “We need to get Wesley and Tucker
and head back to the cabin and get Dakota out of there.”

Taylor nodded.” Let’s go.”

As soon as they turned around, Jagger realized one of

the Queets pack was there.

Sawyer stood with arms crossed, his hip cocked

jauntily. “I know you aren’t starting this shit without me.”

Jagger put his hand out. “Jagger Drake, nice to meet

you. This is my brother Taylor and our packmate
Preston.”

“

Sawyer Quinton, let’s roll.”

~Chapter Six~

“

No way, Archer.” Sam shook his head. “I’m not sitting

back and waiting for the shit to go down. What happens if
Carson hurts Dakota? Or one of you guys? I can help.”

“

With what? Your pistol? It may hurt them a bit, but you

must have good aim my friend. There is only one way to
kill a werewolf. You must hit the heart.” Archer took
Sam’s hands in his. “You must stay in the truck and lock
the doors. If we are worried for you, it might distract us
long enough to get teeth in our throats. How will we save
Dakota then?”

“

Archer is right, Sam.” John put his hands on Sam’s

shoulders. He knew the man was worried for his mate,

and that was the fastest way to get killed. “We will deal
with the pack and Carson. We have his sons and some
of his own pack on our side. Dakota would kill us if
something happened to you.”

“

I’ll get to him as fast as I can.” Sawyer took Sam’s

hand. “I promise I’ll rip anything to shreds that comes
near him. We have to go.”

Sam watched them all leave and sat back in the truck,

rolling up the windows and locking the doors. What
chance did he have against a full grown werewolf? Sam
fingered the gun in his lap. He’d sit here, unless he heard
Dakota. At that point, all bets were off.

~~

Dakota felt his pinky finger move and closed his eyes,

attempting to move his ring finger next. He was getting
feeling back. How long before Carson came back to
inject him again? Carson was keeping him human to
have control over him; he could hear most of his packs
thoughts, even though he was heavily drugged. An odd
tingle slipped up his spine and he heard a voice in his
head. He’d heard it before, but he couldn’t place it.

“

I’m sending you what juice I have. Get out of there

now! I’ll be there when you need me most Dakota, don’t
worry.”

The vibrations started in his back and made their way

up his arms, his vision changed first then his teeth. The
hairs on his arms were getting thicker and much darker
as ripples went up both biceps and into his shoulders. It
was like he was plugged into an electrical socket. The
power flowed through him in currents, sending heat up
his spine. His arms cracked as the bones shifted and he
felt his jaw jutting out. Large claws exploded from his

fingers and Dakota felt the pain in his back legs as they
shifted. He was getting too big for the damn cage.

Holy

shit.

The grate was straining painfully against his back

when he felt the door to the cage pop open. When he
turned, Tucker was staring at him, eyes wide and jaw
somewhere down around his ankles. “Oh my God!
Dakota, you’re fucking huge!” Tucker looked around the
room and motioned for Dakota to come out. “He’s coming
back; you don’t have a lot of time.” Tucker ran to the
window and looked out. “Shit, here he comes! You have
to go now; I’ll hold him off, okay?” Tucker pushed
Dakota’s backside.

Dakota wasn’t having it. None of his old pack would die

at Carson Drake’s hand, especially for him. And Carson
would kill Tucker for letting his prize out. He grabbed
Tucker’s jeans and yanked him ahead of himself, shoving
his nose in his back to get him moving. They snuck out
the back door. Dakota heard the snow crunch behind

them, just as Tucker sailed through the air. His body
struck a tree about midway up and then fell motionless
down the trunk and into the snow drift at its base. Dakota
let loose the loudest, most awful sounding howl he’d ever
made.

Dakota circled around Carson, sizing him up. The man

hadn’t come unprepared. Two huge grey wolves flanked
him and more were coming. Dakota’s ears lay back flat
against his head and he let out a menacing growl loud
enough that it shook the trees around them. Carson
reared up and charged him. Dakota took off at break
neck speed and rammed into Carson, sending him flying
through the air and landing flat on his back. Dakota leapt
onto him, feeling fangs sink into his neck and hind
quarters. There was another loud howl as Sawyer and
the rest of his pack came to the rescue, flying through the
darkness. The noise of the fight was deafening. As his
pack took on Carson’s, there was howling, growling and
fangs snapping. The noise reverberated through the
trees, growing louder.

Archer and John took the bigger wolves, along with

Sawyer. Sawyer was impressed. His dad and Archer still
had the goods and were making quick work of two of the
biggest wolves. His own opponent was a moron and
Sawyer would have rolled his eyes had he been in
human form. He was clumsy and uncoordinated. Jesus,
Sawyer didn’t even have the heart to kill the guy. He
wasn’t putting any effort into it, and didn’t seem like he
wanted to be in on the fight to begin with.

Sawyer leapt on the wolf’s back sinking his canines

into his neck, letting out a growl of satisfaction as he met
with bone. There was a loud yelp as the other wolf went
down, putting his paws up and begging for mercy.
Sawyer brought his muzzle level with his eyes and
growled low. He was met with a soft whine and backed
off, giving him a warning snap. Letting him know there
would be consequences should he try to merge into the
fight again. When Sawyer swiveled around he saw two
tan wolves fighting Carson’s pack

and trying to look out

for the rest of their own pack at the same time. Sawyer
recognized them as Jagger and Taylor. Jagger was
having fun with his pair of wolves, snapping at the first

ones face and then dancing back with quick footing,
circling his way around to bite at the other wolf’s neck.
More wolves flew out of the forest and Sawyer
recognized the Northern pack.

Sawyer ran and leapt, landing on another of Carson’s

pack. He dug his claws into the wolf’s hind quarters while
using his fangs to snap at his face. He felt pain in his
back leg at the same time he realized another one was
trying to drag him off. He turned and pivoted his body,
sinking his teeth in the wolf’s neck and yanked, sending
blood and fur flying across the snow. Another wolf
pounced on his back and Sawyer heard a loud yelp and
then the wolf was off of him. He looked up to see Jagger.
He huffed and nodded in thanks. Jagger huffed back and
urged Sawyer back onto his feet. They looked at each
other and jumped back into the fight.

~~

Sam was running into the middle of everything, gun

drawn, looking for Dakota. He’d heard the loud howl and
knew instinctively that his mate was in some kind of pain.
That was the last straw for Sam; he was out of the truck

and running. He found Dakota fighting with Carson. Sam
continued running. He didn’t care that he was human,
Dakota was his and he’d be dammed if he just sat by and
watched the fight. Dakota seemed to have the upper
hand. That was, until Carson’s other wolves decided to
jump into the mix, making it three against one. Dakota
was ripping one of the back-up wolves throat open when
another one jumped on his back, trying to connect with
his neck. Sam felt an adrenaline rush, running faster.

Dakota saw Sam running and tried to pull Carson

away, but it was too late. Carson got a good whiff of
human and turned, charging Sam. The gun fired four
times before Sam was hit. Excruciating pain seared
though his gut and blood flew everywhere as he
collapsed on the ground. The sky was clearing and the
light of the full moon illuminated everything. The stars
were out and Sam smiled. What a beautiful view. He
heard a soft whine. Dakota was standing over him, and
Sam was sure he could see tears in his wolf’s eyes.

“

It’s okay Dakota. I’d do it again, just like I would have

fallen through the ice for you. I love you.” Dakota pressed
his nose to Sam’s face and whined again. “Just do it
Dakota, I told you it’s what I want. Hurry up.”

God, there was so much blood. He could feel his

connection with Sam dying as the blood ebbed from his
body and soaked the white snow beneath him, dying it a
rich crimson. Dakota whined and did the one thing he
said he’d never do. He bit Sam. He stood watch over
Sam as he lay still in the snow, breaths coming out in
short ragged gasps as the change took over his body.
Sweat poured from him and Dakota backed up a few
steps as his body started convulsing. He wanted to help
him, but he couldn’t. Sam was on his own for this.

~~

Carson caught sight of his son and a Queets wolf

fighting two of his own and the little shits were winning.
He took off and charged both of them, hitting the Queets
wolf and sending him flying into a tree. He turned on
Jagger, grabbing his leg as he tried to turn back on
Carson and bit down. Carson shook his head from side

to side, sending Jagger flying next to the other wolf.

Sawyer crouched, readying for another attack. The

loudest growl he’d ever heard reverberated through the
earth below him and then a wolf he’d never seen before
came barreling out of the forest. He was damn near the
size of a horse.

The large white wolf made his way over to Dakota and

Sam, nudging Dakota in the side. He looked down at
Sam and licked his face. Satisfied that Sam was alive, his
attention’s turned to Carson. He was on the ground,
covered in blood at the hands of his own sons. He made
his way over and nudged Taylor and Jagger out of his
way as he stood above Carson. Carson took forever to
change, but when he did, he tried his best to get away
from the white wolf looking down at him.

“

You said you wouldn’t interfere!” Carson pointed at

the white wolf. “You left me in charge!”

The white wolf shifted and everyone standing around

let out a collective gasp as the park ranger, Wayne,
stood over Carson. Completely naked. “I am the Alpha of
this pack, as I have always been. You are the beta
Carson, but not anymore. You are not fit to hold that rank
in our pack. I want you out of Denali and out of Alaska. If
you are found on our land again, I will personally tear out
your throat.”

Dakota was speechless. He sat by Sam in the snow,

human and naked, just holding his hand. He looked at
the man that’d taken him in and fed him, kept him warm
and even let him sleep on his bed. Wayne was the
Alpha? But he’d never felt a connection to him, had never
sensed he was a werewolf, not once. “Wayne?”

Wayne turned to look at Dakota, sitting with his mate.

He made his way over and crouched in front of Dakota.
He pulled his surprised face up to his own and smiled. “I
couldn’t let you die that night, Dakota. When I smelled
you, you were near death and I couldn’t let you die out
here alone. I changed you and put you in the care of the
pack. I haven’t shifted since the night I found you. I’ve
been trying so hard to be normal, living my life as a
human. I’d forgotten the pride I feel being a werewolf.
When I found out Carson kicked you out, I knew things
had to change. He’s not like you and me Dakota, we’re
different. I come from a long line of werewolves and I
have passed that blood on to you and you have passed it
to Sam.” Wayne smiled as Sam began to come around.
“He’s going to have a hard time dealing with the power;
he’s going to need your help. You have come into yours,
having found your mate, just as I did when I found mine.”

They all heard the loud moan and Tucker sat up,

rubbing his head and looking at all of them.

“

What did I miss?” Tucker cocked his head to the side,

smiling. “Wayne? Why are you naked?”

Wayne smiled and made his way over to Tucker.

“Think you can get some blankets and such?” Tucker
ran to the cabin without even a, “huh”? Wayne made his
way over to Carson who shrank back; he looked at the
man he’d trusted to watch over his pack and sighed. This
was his fault; he’d spent so much time denying who he
was, he’d placed his own pack in danger. He grabbed his
cock and pissed on Carson. There was a loud gasp from
Carson and Wayne smiled at the look on the man’s face.
“Now you’re my bitch Carson, don’t think taking a shower
will take care of it either. You are marked as mine and no
one will ever help you if you decide to come after me or
mine. And if you do…” Wayne crouched in front of
Carson and grabbed his leg snapping it in two. A loud
scream left Carson’s lips and Wayne squatted, getting up
close and personal with him. “You have no idea how
strong I am. Don’t test me, Carson.”

A loud moaning came from Sam and everyone looked

in his direction.

Sam sat up and shook his head, blinking steadily and

looking around with new eyes. He looked at the men
around him and suddenly he could hear everything. He
could hear the rabbit off in the distance, the water from
the lake, the rustling in the trees and the thoughts of
everyone standing around him. Most important of all, he
could smell the alluring scent of his mate sitting right next
to him. His gums stung as his teeth elongated and he let
out a soft growl, grabbing Dakota around the waist and
pulling him into his lap.

Wayne chuckled and addressed the group. “We should

go in, it’s going to get racy out here and the young ones
don’t need to see this.”

“

Says who?” Sawyer chuckled.

“

Free porn?” Taylor looked at Jagger.

“

Move it.” John pushed the guys towards the cabin.

~~

Sam felt his cock getting harder by the second. His

instinct was to take Dakota and make him his. Dakota fell
limp in his arms and Sam growled, loving his mate’s
submissiveness. He grabbed Dakota, putting him on all
fours and took him with force from behind, slamming into
him over and over again. The need to possess him was
strong and Sam felt his body surging with power as he
took Dakota harder and harder, spearing his ass with
force.

Dakota was jacking himself off and the smell of semen

was strong on the night air as his mate took him. Sam
leaned over Dakota and kissed his neck, then sunk his
teeth into Dakota’s shoulder tasting blood as he rammed
into him relentlessly. Dakota cried out and hot spunk
escaped his cock into the white snow, as his body jerked
with the force of his orgasm. Sam’s nose twitched at the
smell of semen in the air and he exploded in Dakota’s
ass, holding his hips. His body jerked and bucked into
Dakota as his balls emptied into his mate. He kissed
Dakota’s shoulder softly where he’d bit him and saw it
was already healed.

“

I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me, are you

okay?” Sam whispered in Dakota’s ear, kissing his neck
softly. What the fuck had come over him? Was this his
new wolf side? He didn’t want to hurt Dakota and if this
was part of being a wolf, he was almost sorry he’d been
changed.

Dakota smiled as Sam pulled out of him slowly. His ass

was on fire from being taken with no lube, but he knew
Sam had needed to take him right away. It was instinct.
“I’m okay, don’t worry about it. I knew it was coming.”
Dakota caressed Sam’s face. His muscles rippled just
under the surface and the air started to heat around
them. Dakota took Sam’s hand. “I’m sorry.”

“

For what?” Sam felt pain sear up his spine and let out

a loud shout as it rippled through his shoulders and arms.
His hand changed before him, long claws stretched out
from his fingers and his arm bent in an odd direction,
sending another blast of pain through him. “Dakota?”

Dakota sat and watched his mate shift for the first time.

Sam’s garbled words made it hard for him to watch. He
knew the first change was painful, but Sam’s large frame
was making it worse on him. The arms bent and angled
downward

as

his

thighs

crunched,

readjusting

themselves. A loud howl of pain left Sam’s lips and
Dakota cringed at the sound of bones cracking. He ran

his hand over Sam’s rippling back and prayed it would be
over for him soon. “God, I’m so sorry.”

It seemed to take forever before Sam lay fully shifted

on his side, breathing hard, his tongue lolled out as he
panted heavily. Dakota looked at the magnificent animal
sitting next to him. The brown eyes were looking at him
with such love. Sam was beautiful, his black fur was thick
and the warmth coming from him was like a furnace in the
cold night air. Dakota snuggled next to his mate and
sighed. “I love you.”

Sam nuzzled Dakota and ran his muzzle over him. God,

but he smelled so fucking

good. He tried to stand up and

all four legs went out from underneath him, out to the
side. His stomach was on cold snow and he whined,
looking up at Dakota, who was laughing. Sam let out a
snort and tried to get up again, pulling his hind legs
under him and forcing his front ones to obey. He took a
tentative step forward with one paw and then another
and another. Dakota was clapping, sitting naked on the

ground. Sam made his way back over and nudged
Dakota, sniffing the blanket next to him.

“

Okay, let’s get inside.”

~~

The two Alphas and a Beta supervised and made sure

Carson packed up his shit. Some of the wolves that’d
been with him refused to follow, after seeing Wayne’s
display of power. The others, in their stupidity, followed.
Wayne had offered the ones that chose to stay behind,
sanctuary in his own pack. After what they’d been a part
of, they were surprised and grateful. All in all, the pack
had grown bigger by four more wolves. Sawyer surveyed
the new pack members and sighed. None of them gave
off any scent he’d associate with his mate. Dakota came
in with Sam padding in right behind him. Jesus, but Sam
was huge.

“

Damn Sam, I knew you were tall but…Jesus.” Sawyer

shook his head with a smile. Sam stood at Dakota’s
chest in wolf form. He was just huge.

“

How bad was it?” Wayne crouched down and took

Sam’s face in his hands. He caressed his muzzle and
smiled. “You look beautiful.”

“

It was pretty bad.” Dakota looked at Sam. “I could

barely watch. Jesus, it hurt

me to watch him shift.”

Dakota hugged Sam around his neck and placed a kiss
on his nose.

Wayne took a look at Sam’s pupils and told Dakota.

“Get him a blanket, he’s shifting back.”

Sam felt the ripple up his back and his hind legs shook,

as the muscles and tendons readjusted themselves.
Bones cracked and Sam howled again as the change
took place. His skin was on fire as the pain ripped
through him. He felt his teeth receding and color coming
back in his vision. The room was spinning as his back
cracked and readjusted and then Sam lay on the cabin
floor, human once more, breathing hard and sweating.
“Oh fuck, that hurts like a mother fucker.”

Wayne crouched next to him, pushing his sweaty hair

from his brow. Sam was perfect for Dakota. His strength
was already flowing through him. “I’m sorry this
happened to you, Sam. I know Dakota would have rather
gone about this another way, but I think this was meant
to be. From what I heard, you hit Dakota on the road and
took him home with you. You fell in love with him
probably from the moment you touched him, am I
correct?”

Sam smiled and looked at Dakota. He’d felt a

connection from the moment he had looked into those
grey eyes on the road. Did he love Dakota? Oh yes, he
did. More than his own life. “Yes, he’s mine in every
way.”

Wayne looked at his pack, and they

were his pack. He

needed to come home and take care of the younger ones
now, they were his responsibility. The Denali and Queets
packed had merged and were now run by two Alphas in
different states. He looked at Archer and put his hand
out, baring his neck in a show of respect for the older
Alpha. “It’s good to meet you, I’m Wayne Maccon.”

Archer eyed the younger wolf; he knew the proper

respect and bared his own neck, taking his hand. His
mind searched the expansive library in his head and he
smiled. “Son of a wolf in Celtic.”

Wayne smiled wide; the old man had his number. “You

know of us?”

“

Old stories told around the bonfire. My father used to

say there was a pack of werewolves that were not made,
but created. They were the strongest of any wolf and
feared, but also respected. They led with fairness and
were kind to all. My Father always said they were six feet
tall. I did not believe him.” Archer chuckled. “Let me
introduce the Northern packs strongest fighters. This is
Nicholas Stevens, Kellan Brady, Scott Delange and Jude
Brooks.”

“

Nice to meet you.” Wayne shook their hands. “Thank

you for pitching in.”

“

Hey,” Nicholas winked. “We love a good fight. Isn’t

that right, Sawyer?”

Sawyer smiled. “Yep.” Sawyer noticed the three Denali

wolves looking at him in awe. “What?”

Tucker smiled and blushed. “We were just hoping to

have some sense about you. You know, as a mate.”

Preston tilted his head. “Your brother is my mate.”

“

Huh?” Sawyer narrowed his eyes. “You’re the white

wolf. Wyatt’s your mate.” Sawyer chuckled softly. “Oh, I
feel for you.”

“

I thought you were my mate, too.” Taylor looked at

Sawyer. “So did Jagger. Something’s weird, I can hear
you guys talking.”

Archer raised a brow.

“

Well, that would mean you are part of the pack

somehow.” Archer looked at Wayne in confusion.

Sawyer smiled at them. “Yeah? Well I’d be happy if it

was either one of you.” Sawyer looked at them. One was
maybe sixteen and he thought he’d heard Jagger call him
Tucker. The other one was Wesley, and he was roughly
the same age as Tucker. Both cute as could be, but way
too young for Sawyer to have fun with. His eyes fell on
another man. He shrunk back as Sawyer looked him
over, it was the wolf he’d fought. “And you are?”

The man put his hand out and shyly smiled at Sawyer.

“Conner, thanks for not killing me.”

“

Ah, what the hell.” Sawyer smiled. “I was feeling

generous.”

Wayne cleared his throat and looked at the group

surrounding him in the small cabin. “Well, we’re here for
the night, so let me teach you guys how to turn that voice
off in your head when you don’t want it bothering you.
Along with a few other things that will come in handy.

“

Oh, thank God.” Sawyer leaned against Taylor.

~Chapter Seven~

The fire was stoked and cider was poured, along with

some hot chocolate for the younger ones. Wayne sat in
the middle of the cozy living room telling the story of his
life. He’d been alone for some time now, as his mate had
died at the hands of poachers. Wayne had decided to
become a Park Ranger to put an end to that. He made it
as simple as he could for the new wolves. Teaching them
how to turn off the nagging thoughts of others, as well as
powers they weren’t aware of yet.

Sam had fallen asleep and Dakota couldn’t blame him.

He’d had a rough night and was still feeling the effects of
shifting. When it was new, it was painful. Over time, the
pain became less and less and shifting became

secondary, like breathing. Dakota made his way outside
quietly, looking at the full moon up in the sky; he had
missed Denali, but not enough to come back. He’d
changed Sam and now had the responsibility of teaching
him everything there was to know. This was not what
he’d wanted for Sam,

he had never wanted this.

“

You did the right thing.” Taylor leaned up against the

door frame. “He would have died.”

“

Did I really? Or was I just selfish in wanting to keep

Sam with me?” Dakota sighed and sat on a rock. “What
would you have done?” Dakota smiled at Taylor, he
already knew the answer to that question.

“

If it had been me? Yes, I would’ve changed him

without thinking twice, but I always was one selfish son of
a bitch, wasn’t I?” Taylor grinned and made his way to
Dakota, taking his hand. “I’m sorry about the way things

went down. When we were caught, I should have said it
was me, Dakota. But the thought of being beat again...”
Taylor shook his head sadly. “I let the fear take over and
blamed you instead. Somehow, I knew he wouldn’t kill
you, but he kicked you out and you were alone.”

“

But not for long. Sam came into my life, so maybe it

was meant to be, Taylor. I would’ve never met Sam out
on the highway if I’d have been here in the cabin, or
hunting with the pack, and that is just not something I
want to contemplate. Life without Sam is no life at all.”

Taylor smiled and looked up at the sky. “Sam is strong

Dakota; he’s going to take this better than you think.”

Dakota smiled, taking Taylor’s hand. “You’re a good

guy, Taylor.”

“

Yeah well…” Taylor shrugged.

Dakota elbowed him. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

~~

Dakota spent the night watching Sam sleep; he still

wasn’t comfortable with the fact that he’d changed him.
What would Joe and Nadine say when they found out he
had changed their son? Would they kick him out of their
lives? Dakota didn’t think so, but it nagged at him
nonetheless. He was in love for the first time in his life,
and not just with Sam, but with his family as well. Sam
moaned softly and rolled over into Dakota’s body, his
skin was so hot, Dakota immediately began sweating.

God, he didn’t even want to think about how much pain

Sam would endure the next two times he changed. He
would be there doing whatever he could to make the
change more bearable, anything he could do to help after
what he’d done. Dakota closed his eyes and begged
sleep to take him. It was going to be a rough few weeks
and he would need all his strength; he kissed Sam softly
and closed his eyes. “Love you.”

~~

The plane ride home had Sam coiled tight as a spring.

His new lupine side was begging to come out and play.
Sam fought it as hard as he could. Just remembering the
amount of pain had him biting his lips and gritting his
teeth, fighting the change his body was begging for. His
senses were in overload. Between the talking in his head
and the effect of his mate next to him, Sam thought he’d
go out of his mind. He tried to do what Wayne had taught
him, but his overactive body was making it hard for him to
concentrate on any one thing at the moment. Besides,
fucking Dakota was currently on the top of his list of
things to do.

“

Babe, you’re fighting it too hard.” Dakota ran his hand

through Sam’s soft silky black hair.

“

I’m not going to change, not if I can help it.” Sam

closed his eyes and squeezed them shut. “Oh my God
Sawyer, shut up!” Sam growled.

Sawyer looked at Sam with a surprised face. “I didn’t

say anything!”

“

No, but you were thinking it. You will find your mate,

although at this point he’ll probably hide from you. Damn,
you’re so needy.” Sam took a deep breath and sighed.
“God, I’m sorry Sawyer.”

Archer sat by Sam and took his hands in his, closing

over them protectively. “It will take time. You must not
fight the wolf in you, it will be more painful as it gather’s
its powers and will eventually take over. You must let it
out to run free, Sam.” Archer smiled, looking in Sam’s
eyes. “He’s in there, fighting to come out.”

“

Well, can he wait to come out and play until we’re on

the ground and in an open area? I’m sure these Army
guys will be surprised to see a huge wolf that wasn’t here
before, stalking around.”

Dakota held him and kissed Sam’s forehead softly.

“When we get back, I’ll shift with you, ok? Maybe it will
make things easier.”

Sam huffed and closed his eyes. “Sure.”

~~

Once they touched down in Washington State, the

drive home was just as quiet. John drove so Sam could

sleep. Dakota sat next to him, watching the city fly by and
massaged his mates head with his fingers. Sam had
been fighting the change for hours and it was making him
restless and irritable. Dakota’s eyes met with Sawyer’s
and he motioned him closer, whispering in his ear. He
knew Sam could hear his inner thoughts, but hopefully he
was too preoccupied to hear his actual voice in a hushed
whisper. Sawyer pulled away with a grin on his face.

“

You think it’ll work?”

Dakota looked at Sam. His biceps were rippling and his

fingers were shifting back and forth, from claws back to
fingers. “Oh God, I hope so.”

~~

Nadine waited with Joe as the truck pulled up. She

watched as all the men came out, with a few more she

hadn’t seen before. She smiled, taking Dakota into her
arms and holding him tight. He’d become a son to her
and she loved him as such. “I’m so glad you’re okay, I
was so worried about you.”

“

I’m fine.” Dakota kissed her cheek. “I think there’s

something you should know though. During the fight,
Sam got hurt and I…” Dakota clenched his hands
together; he really didn’t want to see the horrified looks
on their faces for what he’d done to their son. “I…I had
no choice.”

Sawyer waited for his moment and then shifted. His

clothes hung off of him, tattered. He himself was shocked
at the ease of his movements in shifting, every bone had
readjusted itself within seconds and he looked at Dakota
with fury in his eyes. He let out a loud menacing growl
and leaped at Dakota. He was struck in his side and felt
his ribs crack; the loud howl that left his mouth had
Grayson shifting. Sam tore at his leg until he heard
Dakota from far away.

“

Sam! Stop it!”

Nadine let out a loud gasp and looked at her son. Well,

her son that was now black wolf, weighing more than two
hundred pounds. “Sam?” Nadine crouched down, looking
at him.

“

I’m so sorry.” Dakota whispered. “He was going to die

and he asked me…”

“

Stop it, Dakota.” Joe took his hand and looked in his

eyes. “You did what you had to do and I’m sure Sam
asked for it. Don’t you dare apologize for saving our son.”

Sam looked down at Sawyer’s bloody leg and backed

off. Grayson made his way through and shoved Sam
away with his muzzle, cleaning his brother’s leg. Sam
turned and made his way to his Mother, who was still
crouched down looking at him. She put her hand out and
Sam nuzzled it, feeling his Mother pull him into her arms.

“

I’m so glad you’re okay.” Nadine held him tight. No

matter what, this was her son and she loved him with all
her heart. “Don’t worry; you’re the new and improved
Sam now.” Nadine giggled.

Dakota smiled at his mate in the arms of his mother.

“I’m sorry Sam, but I had to do something to make you
shift. I didn’t think you’d tear Sawyer a new one though.”
Dakota smiled as Sawyer shifted back and Grayson went
and got him some clothes.

Sawyer cracked his neck from side to side, looking at

Dakota. “Jesus, I knew he’d be protective, but
seriously?” Sawyer waved a hand over his fully healed
leg, still covered in blood. “Remind me not to do you any
more favors, Dakota.” Grayson brought him some jeans
and then stood in front of him as he changed.

Archer stood looking at his pack and smiled. They’d

come through unscathed with the help of the Denali pack
as well as the northern.

“

Let’s drink!” Archer smiled.

Nadine smiled. “Archer, allow the boys to shower first

and get into some clean warm clothing before you haul
them off and get them smashed. Besides, Sam needs to

shift back and shower himself, he looks like hell.” Nadine
smiled as her son huffed at her and nuzzled her hand. “I
bet you’re hungry too.” Nadine smiled as Sam tilted his
head looking at her, tongue hanging out and panting.

“

Okay, everyone go get washed up, we have time.”

Archer smiled watching his pack go off in different
directions; Dakota stood next to him and put his arm
around his Alpha.

“

Well, this should be fun.” Dakota smiled, watching

Sam chase his tail.

~~

Sam was still in wolf form when Dakota entered their

house; he sighed and made his way over, dropping into a
sitting position. He knew Sam was stubborn, but Jesus,
the man liked to make things hard on himself. Dakota
coaxed Sam to lie down, then ran his hand softly over his
belly and talked to him in soothing tones. “You know I
had to push you, Sam. That’s why I asked Sawyer to

come after me, so that you’d shift without even thinking.
The wolf inside you took over and you need to allow
yourself to relax.” Dakota ran his fingers through the soft
fur, massaging Sam behind the ears. “Come on, please
shift, babe.”

Sam closed his eyes and concentrated on shifting

back. He didn’t even remember the pain from shifting
before; his goal was to protect his mate. His heart was
pounding in his ears as he closed his eyes and willed his
body to shift. The pain wasn’t as bad as the first time, but
it wasn’t a picnic either. Bones shifted and muscles and
tendons stretched as Sam’s body shifted. The last of the
pain ebbed away as Sam opened his eyes. Dakota’s
grey ones were watching him, filled with love. “I can see
your beautiful grey eyes.”

Dakota threw himself on his mate and wrapped his

arms around him. He could hear Sam’s heartbeat and
snuggled into him more, loving that sound, the sound of
his mate alive. “I’m so sorry.” Dakota felt the tears

coming and held on. “I didn’t want this for you.”

Sam’s now human hands made quick work of the

button on Dakota’s jeans, sliding his zipper down; to feel
his warm cock, hard and ready. Sam wrapped his hand
around it and pumped it from base to tip. Dakota moaned
and wiggled out of his jeans and briefs, spreading his
legs out. Sam’s mouth met with his and Dakota’s tongue
dove in, devouring his mate. Dakota wanted to feel Sam
inside him, wanted that power riding him. He wrapped his
legs around Sam’s waist and angled himself, lining Sam’s
cock up with him and pulled him in.

Sam pulled away, looking down into Dakota’s face.

“Wait, hang on to me, okay?” Sam got up off the floor
and held Dakota as he tried to find his focus and
balance. Shifting had taken a lot out of him. He walked
them to the bedroom and put Dakota on the bed, lubing
his cock up and spreading a generous amount on
Dakota’s hole. “I don’t want to hurt you, babe.” Sam
crawled back up the bed and settled between Dakota’s

legs, the tip of his cock sliding in to the crown. “I love you
and don’t you ever feel bad about what you did. I’d rather
be a werewolf then never see you again. Thank you
Dakota, for saving my life.”

Dakota broke down and cried as Sam made love to

him. It must have seemed odd that he was crying during
sex, but Sam knew why and he thrust in slow and deep,
all while searching Dakota’s mouth. Dakota’s mind was
racing as Sam’s newly found power raced through him.
Their bodies were connecting on a whole new level and
Dakota’s balls filled in record time. He shot hard and fast
with a loud cry as Sam continued to pound into him now.
“Oh shit, Sam.”

Sweat rolled down his biceps as the smell of Dakota’s

spunk filled his senses; he grabbed Dakota’s legs under
his arms and threw them over his shoulders, hanging
onto his lover by his ass. Spreading his ass cheeks
wider, Sam slammed into Dakota; feeling his orgasm
rising, his cock hardened and his balls reared up, almost

disappearing inside him. Sam let loose with a hoarse cry,
shooting hot cum up Dakota’s chute. His hips still
bucking and jerking, Sam fought for control as his eyes
shifted and his teeth elongated. He was going to be
fucking his mate as a werewolf. His throat was
constricting as the muscles began to shift and stretch.
“Shit, don’t want to change.”

“

Look at me Sam.” Dakota looked at his mate,

changing right before his eyes. “Slow down and take
deep even breaths.”

Sam closed his eyes and took deep breaths. Slow in

and slow out, as he felt his dick softening in Dakota. He
pulled out with care and lay on his back, staring at the
ceiling as his eyes shifted back to normal. “I have to
admit, that’s fucking cool as hell, babe.”

Dakota smiled and crawled on top of Sam. “I’m just

glad you’re okay.” Dakota buried his face in Sam’s neck,
taking in his musky scent. “Are you ready to eat?”

Sam chuckled and threw Dakota over on all fours. “Hell

yeah, I am.”

~~

By the time they made it out to the bonfire, Dakota had

been well fucked twice and had one of the best rim jobs
of his life. A grate had been thrown over the bonfire and
deer steaks lined each side with potatoes wrapped in
aluminum foil in the middle. John came out with a bowl of
potato salad and Wyatt running right behind him. He
came to a stop, sniffing the air.

Wyatt giggled and threw his arms around Sawyer’s

neck. “Where’s my mate?”

John spit his beer out and covered his mouth. “Wyatt,

you are too young to have a mate.”

“

But I saw him!” Wyatt pouted. “He covered me.”

Nadine put her arms out to Wyatt. She took Wyatt’s

face in her hands and kissed his cheek. “When you are
old enough, your mate will come for you and then you will
have love for the rest of your life.”

Nadine wanted to hear all about the fight and how her

son became a werewolf. Dakota sat back against Sam’s
chest and let Archer tell the tale. He looked around the
bon fire and saw his new family, all smiling and happy
after everything. This was what true families were about,
acceptance, understanding and love. Thanks to just one

man, he now had it all. Dakota squeezed Sam’s hand
and kissed his neck, feeling the heat from him. Sam’s
arms surrounded him, keeping him safe and warm.

“

Love you.” Dakota whispered.

“

Love you.”

~Chapter Eight~

Mark had to laugh. He and Josh had just gotten back

from Georgia, where he had finalized not only his
resignation, but cleaned out his storage unit. The best
part was seeing Annette’s face when her eyes took in
Josh Montgomery, and then the look that followed, when
she’d realized Josh was his. Mark chuckled. They were
now boarding a flight to Washington and were hiding
from Sabine behind quite a few passengers. Which was
comical, seeing how Josh was taller than most of them.
He was scrunching himself down to hide behind the man
in front of him.

“

Do you see her?” Josh tried to look around the man in

front of him, but a woman was blocking his view.

“

She’s right in front, taking tickets.” Mark watched as

the line got shorter. Sabine had her hair in its usual twist
and was smiling broadly at all the passengers boarding.
“Okay, stand up now.”

Josh stood up and squeezed Mark’s hand. He put the

tickets in front of him and smiled when Sabine’s eyes met
his. “Well,

bonjour.” Josh winked.

“

Joshua!”Sabine smiled wide.

“

Yes, Joshua.” Josh looked over at Mark. “With his

husband.”

Sabine squealed. “You got married!”

“

We did.” Mark smiled and was promptly pulled into a

hug.

“

I am so happy for you both!” Sabine hugged Josh.

Mark felt the air leaving his lungs. “I think we’re holding

up the line.”

Sabine smiled and stepped back. “I will talk to you

when we are in the air.”

Josh found their seats in first class and sat down. Mark
was looking out the window; Josh took his hand and

laced their fingers together.

“

Are you happy?”

Mark turned to look at Josh, the beautiful face and

eyes of Josh Montgomery. “Of course I am. I love you
Josh.”

“

You ready for our crazy life together?” Josh waggled

his eyebrows.

Mark cracked up and kissed Josh’s cheek. “Yes, I am.”
The plane taxied out to the runway and sped up,
leaving Georgia behind. Mark sat back and closed his

eyes. That part of his life was over, he was now starting
a new one, with the love his life.

“

So, what do you think Sam wants to tell me?” Josh

fumbled with his seat belt.

Mark smiled and reached over, clicking it into place. “I

have no idea, but I’m sure it’s important if he wanted you
there in person.” Mark sat back and closed his eyes as
the plane lifted off the ground.

Josh stretched his legs out, the perks of first class.

Within minutes, Sabine was sitting across from them with
a smile.

“

I am so glad to see you two together.”

Mark sat forward and took her hand. “Thank you.”

“

So you’re not freaked out?” Josh put his arm around

Mark.

“

No.” Sabine shook her head with a smile. “Sometimes

it takes years to find the one you are meant to be with. I
am very happy that the two of you found each other.”
Sabine sat back and crossed her legs. “Now kiss for me,
I am bored.”

Mark laughed out loud and covered his mouth.

“Sabine!”

Sabine shrugged. “It was worth a try.”

~~

The following week Dakota was making plans for

Christmas and this time things were different. He had a
family that he loved and was finally at peace with himself.
He pulled up in front of the house and saw a truck parked
out front next to Sam’s. Dakota grabbed the grocery bags
and made his way inside. “Hey, I’m back.” Dakota
stopped mid-walk and looked at Josh and Mark, sitting
on his couch with Sam. “Oh, I didn’t realize we had
guests.”

“

Dakota, you remember Josh and Mark.” Sam smiled,

standing up.

Mark took one look at the man standing by the door

and his mouth fell open. “It

is you. I’d know those eyes

anywhere.”

Dakota looked at Sam with an arched brow. “You told

them?”

“

Well, I couldn’t very well keep it a secret. Besides, I

trust Josh and Mark to keep this to themselves. Sooner
or later, all my friends will have to know, babe. I don’t like
keeping secrets from them.” Sam took the groceries from
Dakota and smiled. “They think I’m full of shit though.”

“

Why didn’t you just shift then?” Dakota smacked Sam

in the arm.

Mark smiled at the man he’d known as a wolf. “Thank

you, for everything you did for me and Josh. You put
yourself in danger to protect us. I won’t forget it.” Mark
took Dakota in his arms and hugged him tight.

“

Well, you guys did feed me on a regular basis

and

kept me in the cabin when it got cold.” Dakota chuckled
softly. “I owed you that much.” Dakota had to smile at the
look of wonder on Josh’s face. “Still don’t believe Sam?”

Josh shook his head. “No, I do. I’m just trying to wrap

my brain around the fact that my best friend is a
werewolf.”

“

I had no choice,” Dakota sighed and sat down on the

couch. “He was dying and I couldn’t imagine my life
without him.”

Josh took Dakota’s hand and squeezed. “I’m grateful

you saved him, Sam is a good man.”

“

Yes, he is.” Dakota smiled as Sam came out of the

kitchen and sat down next to him on the couch. “So, are
you guys staying for Christmas?”

Mark sat in Josh’s lap and smiled at Dakota and Sam.

“We wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

~~

Christmas Eve had everyone gathered around the

Waters tree. Nadine had bought each of the pack
member’s gifts and they were all allowed to open one.
Troy would be here in a few weeks to visit and Sam had
tried to put it off but Troy wasn’t having it, he’d be there
come hell or high water.

Sam hung up and winked at his

Mom. She shushed everyone and Sam took Dakota’s
hand, taking him over to the fireplace.

“

What’s going on?” Dakota looked at the room full of

smiling faces.

Archer made his way over and took Dakota’s hand. “I

would be honored if you would be the beta of the pack,
Dakota. I know you’re stronger than me and I will
understand if you feel you cannot.”

Dakota looked at John. “But you are the beta, this is

your position.”

“

A position best filled by the stronger wolf. I’m not angry

Dakota, it was my suggestion.” John winked and took his
hand. “You will be a fine beta, and one day

you will be

Alpha and Sam your beta.”

“

I don’t know what to say.” Dakota felt the tears on his

cheeks. His life had changed so much. He had a family
that loved him and accepted him and he was happy.
“Alright, I accept.” Dakota shook Archer’s hand.

“

Good, now that that’s out of the way.” Sam got down

on one knee and produced a small box out of his pocket.
He heard Josh’s loud cough and shot him a look of ‘shut
the fuck up’ before turning his attentions back to Dakota.
“All my life, I felt lonely. I felt somewhere, somehow I
would meet the person I was meant to be with when the
time was right. Little did I know I’d hit that person with my
truck.” Sam smiled as Dakota’s eyes filled with tears. “I
love you with my body and soul Dakota Cadotte, please
do me the honor of becoming my husband.”

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Dakota got down on his knees in front of the one man
that had taken his heart and filled him with love.

“

Yes.”

EPILOGUE~

Dakota watched Sam on the floor with Wyatt. Wyatt

was shifting back and forth with ease, as Sam tried to do
the same. It was easier on the little ones he guessed.
Sam closed his eyes and managed to produce canines
and claws, before shifting back to human.

“

You’re fighting it again.” Dakota sat down next to his

mate and brushed the hair from his face. Sweat dripped
from Sam’s brow as he took deep breaths.

“

I know, it hasn’t been as painful lately. I don’t know

why I’m so hesitant.” Sam smiled as Wyatt crawled into
his lap and growled, biting his shirt. “Want the tennis
ball?” Wyatt’s ears perked up and Sam laughed.

Wyatt shifted and smiled at Sam. “I want the talking

ball.”

“

It’s in the kitchen somewhere.” Dakota lay back, trying

to see under the dining room table. “I swear you broke it
though, Wyatt.” Dakota sat back up in time to see Wyatt
shifting back and running for the kitchen. Dakota crawled
into Sam’s lap and wrapped his arms around his neck,
kissing him. “I made you a big pot of coffee.”

v> God, you turn me on. The things you say, babe.” Sam

laughed and pulled Dakota into his chest, crushing him. His mouth
found Dakota’s and he licked inside, tasting his mate. “Mmm,

Captain Crunch?”

“

Crunch Berries.” Dakota smiled, licking Sam’s lips and

slipping his tongue inside. Dakota’s hands found Sam’s
very large erection and he squeezed, hearing a loud
moan from his mate. Canines nipped his lip and claws
scratched lightly across the skin on his back. Okay, so he
knew he wasn’t playing fair, but Sam shifted more easily
when he was horny. Trying to keep an eye on where
Wyatt was, Dakota stroked his mates cock until Sam was
lying on top of him, panting. He looked into wolf’s eyes
and smiled. “There you go.”

“

You’re a good doggie.” The babble ball squeaked in

its helium voice.

“

I found it!” Wyatt giggled, throwing the ball. He then

shifted, chasing it down the hall.

Sam nuzzled Dakota’s crotch and picked his head up.

Even in wolf form, Dakota could see the lust in his mate’s
eyes. He sat up and pushed Sam off of him, hearing a
soft whine of protest. Dakota smiled and kissed his nose.
“You have to be patient, there’s a young one in the
house.” Sam gave him a snort and Dakota laughed. He
put his hands on his hips and looked at Sam. “Did you
call Troy and tell him we are getting married?” Sam
huffed and pushed Dakota over, making his way down
the hall to chase Wyatt.

Sawyer came in, smiling at Dakota lying on the floor

looking up at the ceiling. The babble ball rolled down the
hall, spewing its helium words. Wyatt ran right over it,
curling into a ball and crashing into Sawyer’s leg. Sawyer
picked him up and looked at his brother’s face.

“

You need a bath.” Sawyer laughed.

Wyatt shifted. “No! I’m clean, I just had a bath.”

“

Yeah, two days ago. Come on munchkin; let’s get you

into some bubbles so Sam and Dakota can have private
time.”

“

And play poka?” Wyatt giggled, squirming in his

brothers arms.

Dakota chuckled as Sawyer clapped his hand over his

brother’s mouth. “See you two later at dinner.”

Dakota waved and lay back down. He felt a cold nose

on his forehead and looked up to see Sam looking down

at him. “No time for fun, we promised your parents we’d
help out on Troy’s parents’ house.” Dakota managed to
get away from Sam and get in the shower.

Sam lay on the floor on his back, watching Dakota in

the shower. Dakota washed his hard prick with soapy
hands. Sam wondered if they should try getting it on in
wolf form. This was odd, he was in the exact same
position Dakota had been when he himself had taken a
shower, so long ago. God, it seemed like forever. Dakota
got out of the shower and stepped over him, wiping the
fog from the mirror. Sam decided to give him a taste of
his own medicine and shoved his muzzle up Dakota’s
ass.

“

Hey!” Dakota almost fell over, grabbing the sink for

balance; he turned and looked at his mate with a smile.
“I’ll tell you what, Assmunch. If you can shift in less than
ten seconds, I’ll give you the best rim job you’ve ever
had, for one whole hour.” Dakota looked at the clock on
the bathroom wall. “Starting now. One Mississippi…”

Dakota watched the clock as Sam shifted; he felt a hand
on his dick and looked up at his mate. “That was eleven
seconds.”

“

Oh come on!” Sam huffed and put his hands on his

hips.

“

Okay, a half hour rim job.”

“

I’ll take it.”

~The End~

~~~ A sneak peek at “Half Moon rising.”~~

~Chapter One~

“

Oh fuck me!” Troy felt the air heat up around him as

round after round of gun fire whizzed past him. He’d
taken out his target without a hitch. It was afterwards,

that all hell broke loose. The compound had guard dogs,
and those dogs were headed in his direction, as well as
men with guns. A lot of men with guns. His boots dug into
the leaves and vines on the forest floor of the Congo and
he nearly tripped over a tree root as he ran. Thank God
he worked out almost every day, or he’d be winded by
now. The thick jungle spread for miles around him, and
Troy continued looking for a way to evade his pursuers
as he ran. To his left, the sound of water flooded his
ears, he recalculated his route and he ran in the direction
of it. Shouts erupted behind him as Troy finally saw an
open area. “Oh, thank God!”

Flying out of the forest, he came to a sliding halt at the

edge of a cliff, barely managing not to plummet. A large
waterfall was to his right and Troy looked down to the
water below. Way down.

“

Oh, shit.”

Judging by his position and the water below, he was

guessing fifty feet to the water. What he didn’t know, was
how deep it was. Troy ran a hand through his hair and
weighed his options. Shot by the men behind him? Or
jump in the water and risk possible paralysis if it wasn’t
deep enough. Troy turned his head; the men were much
closer now. More gun shots went off behind him. Troy

looked back down at the water, it was starting to look
better and better. It was moving fast, maybe twenty miles
an hour or more. He threw his rifle around his neck and
closed his eyes.

“

Fuck it.”

Hands on his chest, he hit the water, cannonball

fashion and went under. The current caught him and
dragged him under as he fought a nasty undertow. Troy
clawed his way to the surface, only to see what looked
like a very large cliff looming closer.

Oh fuck, another

damn waterfall. Troy looked around, hoping to find
something,

anything to stop his forward progress. A rope

landed a few feet in front of him and he grabbed for it. It
occurred to him at that moment that he might not like
what was on the other end of it. Looking towards where
the rope originated, Troy saw a gathering of men on the
bank.

“

Just grab it asshole!” One of them shouted.

Troy grinned. “Oh, I like you guys already.”

It took a few minutes and a bit of man power, to pull

him close enough to shore for him to get a grip on the
rocks that protruded from the water. A hand came out in

front of him and Troy looked up into very mesmerizing
grey eyes. The man was absolutely breathtaking. His
black hair, strong chin and high cheek bones were
attached to a UFC fighter’s body. Troy grabbed the
offered hand, and was hauled up out of the water.

“

Are you alright?” The man asked.

Troy shook the water out of his hair, and leaned his

head to the side, tapping it to get the water out of his ear.
“I think so.” Troy looked at all the men standing there
staring at him. It took a minute, but he began to recognize
some of them. Holy shit, these were the guys Keegan
and Devin were assigned to keep tabs on. Troy put his
hand out. “Troy Bishop.”

“

Lorenzo Costa.”

“

Well, Lorenzo,” Troy said. “Thank you, for saving my

ass.” He pulled his jacket and shirt off and squeezed the
water out. After wiping most of the water off his back,
Troy checked the condition of his rifle.

One of the other men chuckled softly.

“

It’s going to need a lot of TLC.” The man said.

Troy looked at the man who’d spoken. “And you are?”

“

You don’t know who I am?” The man smiled.

“

Vince, leave the man alone.” Lorenzo sighed. “We’re

obviously here for the same reasons.”

Troy narrowed his eyes at the man. “Vicious Vince

Markov.”

Vince chuckled. “I see my reputation precedes me.”

Vince put his hand out. “Nice to meet you, Troy Bishop.”

One of the other men let out a loud sigh. “Why is it no

one knows who I am?”

Troy looked the man over; a picture from Keegan’s

desk came to mind. “Justin Maddox.”

Justin smiled. “

Finally.”

Lorenzo sighed in frustration. “Can we get to safety,

please? The whole complex is about to go boom.”
Lorenzo got on his radio. “Dimitri?”

“

Yes?”

“

Are you ready?” Lorenzo winked at Troy.

“

We are a go my friend.”

“

Light up the sky.” Lorenzo put the radio back in its

holster and eyed the man they’d just pulled from the river.
“Government?”

“

Sort of.” Troy treated them to his lopsided grin.

Lorenzo looked at the blood on Troy’s arm. “You are

injured. I will have my husband tend to that.”

Troy’s mouth fell open. “You’re gay?”

Lorenzo crossed his arms and looked down on him.

“Yes, you have a problem with gays?”

Troy glanced around at all the men, they all wore

wedding rings except for Vince Markov, but even he had
a tan line on his ring finger. Troy chuckled softly. “Hell
no, I don’t have a problem with gays. I’ve banged my
share of men.”

“

Ohhh really?” Vince’s eyes roamed over Troy’s body,

giving the man a slow once-over. “Native American?”

“

Vincent,” Lorenzo sighed. “We do not have time for

this, can we please get moving?”

~~

They walked for what seemed like miles through the

dense jungle, before they finally came upon a clearing.
Troy dug out his transmitter and held it up; he had a
signal. He’d met the rest of the men on their walk through
the jungle, and a few more had joined them after the
fireball lit up the sky. It was like looking through Keegan’s
files, except it was live. Dimitri Voronova was the man
Lorenzo had spoken to on the radio. He was obviously
Russian and also drop dead gorgeous. In fact, they all
were. They were like runway models for Christ sake. A
smaller man, maybe five foot ten, jumped out of a
hummer and ran right into Lorenzo’s arms.

“

Hello my love.” Lorenzo smiled. “This man may need

some care. Troy Bishop, this is my husband, Reece.”

“

It’s nice to meet you.” Troy shook Reece’s hand.

“

Nice to meet you too, were they nice to you? Vince

can be a dick.” Reece chuckled.

“

Hey!”Vince pouted.

Dimitri laughed. “You are

so vicious when you look like

that, Vince.”

“

Anyway,” Reece looked at Troy. “Let me check that

out.”

Troy was shuffled to the hummer and was seated in

between Lorenzo and Vince. He radioed Derek, letting
him know he was safe, and would call with his extraction
point. Derek pelted him with questions.

“

What the hell, Troy? Why didn’t you call us sooner?”

“

Well let’s see, I jumped into the water and almost went

over a hundred foot drop. The good news is, the target is
down and thanks to the guys I’m with, the complex no
longer exists. It went boom.”

“

Alright, just get on the radio when you’re ready. I’ll let

James know you’re okay.”

“

Roger that.” Troy shut off his radio and looked at the

two men on either side of him. “So, anyone have coffee?”

~~

Troy sat on the table in a make-shift infirmary as Reece

Costa tended to his wound. The guy was adorable,
brown hair and equally brown eyes were assessing his
injury. Reece’s husband, Lorenzo, as well as three

other

men, now stood guard out front.

“

So, how long have you and Lorenzo been married?”

Reece smiled. “Almost twenty years, we have a

teenage daughter.”

Troy shivered. “I feel sorry for her dates.”

Reece giggled. “So do I at times.” Reece looked up,

arching a brow. “Do you have any idea who any of us
are?”

“

I’m not sure I should answer that.” Troy winked. “The

point is, I won’t be telling secrets.”

Reece sat back on the chair and studied Troy’s bicep.

“It’s not bad, looks like a graze. Just keep it clean.”
Reece looked at Troy’s back and side. “Seen some
combat?”

Troy nodded. “Afghanistan.”

“

Thank you for your service.” Reece tilted his head,

holding back a smile. “You should probably call your ride
before Vince decides he needs to get laid.”

Troy laughed loud. “I’ll do that Reece; it was very nice

to meet you.”

“

Likewise, Troy.”

Troy stood up and looked around. “It would’ve been

nice if we’d known you guys were coming to do the same
job. I could have passed on it and taken my vacation.”
Troy grinned. “Maybe we’ll meet again.”

“

You never know.” Reece shook Troy’s hand.

~~

As the chopper hovered over him, Troy waved at the

group of men that had pulled him from the river. Derek
hauled him into the chopper. Troy sat back in the seat
with a loud sigh.

“

Jesus, you have nine fucking lives, Troy.” Derek

shook his head. “As soon as we get back, you need to be
debriefed. Any chance I can get you to tell me who those
men were?”

“

I think that was number ten.” Troy closed his eyes.

“And no, I’m not going to tell you. I’ll be telling Keegan
and James though and they can decide whether or not to
tell you. I hate having to repeat myself fifty times.” Troy
just wanted to get back to New York. He was going to
make a few changes, starting with where he was living. It
was time to go to his real home.

~~

A few days later, Troy was sitting in front of James and

Keegan. To say Keegan was excited, was an
understatement; he was bouncing up and down in the
chair.

“

You

met him?” Keegan’s eyes widened comically and

glazed over.

“

He shook my hand.” Troy smiled as Keegan sighed. “I

agree with you, by the way.”

Keegan furrowed his brows. “What do you mean?”

“

That man is so fucking gorgeous, it should be illegal

for him to walk around without a warning attached to
him.”

Keegan giggled. “I told you.”

“

I also got to meet Lorenzo Costa, Justin Maddox and

Dimitri Voronova.” Troy almost laughed out loud at the
look on Keegan’s face. He looked ready to explode.

“

So unfair.” Keegan mumbled.

“

Okay, as much fun as this is,” James looked at the two

of them. “This is exactly what I was talking about, Troy.

Once again, we go after a douchebag and they’re
already on the scene. It’s like they have access to all the
same records we do.”

Keegan looked up. “Hey, it’s not me! Our classified

documents are protected, trust me. I wrote the damn
program myself.”

“

I don’t think it’s you, Keegan. These guys have access

to the same intelligence we do.” James ran a hand
through his hair. “We’re doing the same job they are and
wasting resources. It would be in their best interest to
work with us.”

Troy shook his head. “I don’t see that happening,

James. These guys operate above the law. Hell, above
anything.”

“

Who the fuck do you think you work for?” James

raised a brow. “I don’t follow the rules. In this outfit, there
aren’t any.”

“

I don’t think they know that.” Keegan sat back,

chewing his pencil. “I think they were under the
assumption that Troy was military. Am I right?” Keegan
looked over at Troy.

“

They outright asked me if I was. I told them sort-of,

which is kinda of truthful. I mean I

was military, I’m just

not anymore. This team is run by Derek, but you pull the
strings James. Which begs the question…who do

you

work for James?”

James leaned back in his chair, and laced his fingers

behind his head. “Now that is the million dollar question,
isn’t it?”

“

Never mind,” Troy laughed. “I know we aren’t going to

get the answer to that question.” Troy looked at Keegan
and smiled. “Vince Markov doesn’t strike me as vicious
though.”

Keegan almost choked on his own spit and stammered.

“Oh, you have got to see some of the files on this guy.”

James nodded. “The name was given to him for good

reason, Troy; don’t let the good looks fool you. Vince
Markov is dangerous.”

“

Like… me, Mateo, Josh and Sam dangerous?”

“

Worse.” Keegan raised a brow.

“

Wow, that is bad.” Troy looked at his watch. “Anyway,

I have to get my ass in gear. I’m heading out to visit Sam
and his fiancé. If you need me, I’ll be at my apartment in
New York for a few days before I leave.” Troy stood up
and shook James’ hand and smirking at Keegan. “Maybe
one day, you’ll meet Vince.”

Keegan sighed dramatically. “God, I hope so.”

~~~

“

Come on baby! Pump him harder!” Troy tried to keep

from laughing, but watching Rick’s face heat with anger
was too much fun. He’d come out to the balcony for his
morning cup of calm-the-fuck-down and his paper, only to
see Rick Henley, his ex-boyfriend, pounding his newest
conquest. After that, it became something of an, I-have-
to-fuck-with-him cup. Rick’s new boy toy was
embarrassed and Rick refused to back down, so Troy
decided to fuck with him some more. “He look’s bored,

Rick. Mix it up a little bit!”

“

Fuck you, Troy!” Rick’s face heated even more.

“

Aw, honey. I tried that and I looked about like he does

now, Zzzzz.” Troy sat back and enjoyed the show some
more, until the new boyfriend had enough. It was too bad,
Troy was enjoying the guy’s balls slapping back and
forth. The balconies on both buildings were wooden slats
and easy to see in between, which was why Troy had
such a great view of the sex across the way. Rick stood,
giving him the evil eye for a few more minutes.

“

I hope you’re happy, asshole!” Rick shouted.

Troy smiled wide and winked. “I would have been if

you’d made him cum, but we both know your follow
through sucks. Sixty second man. I give you a ‘C’ for
technique though.”

Rick flipped him off and Troy responded in kind. Rick

was older than him. Troy was only thirty and Rick was in
his early forties and still trying to prove he had what it
took to get the young guys. He’d caught him in bed with
another man weeks after they started dating. Which,
amusingly enough, started out with Troy watching Rick
work out naked on the balcony each morning.

They’d finally met when Troy got pulled over for

speeding on his way home from JFK. After a long two
weeks in Brazil, he was hurrying home to his apartment
in Oceanside, when the lights of a police car caught his
attention. To Troy’s surprise, the officer pulling him over
was none other than his sexy, naked neighbor. Troy got
a warning, and later that night, one hell of a fuck. It’d
been good for two weeks, until he’d come home and
found Rick banging another man. Probably another
speeder, Troy chuckled. What the hell, he didn’t care; he
was finally going to take a much needed vacation from
his job.

He’d been on his way to visit Sam and his fiancé when

the call came through for a new target. He’d thought
about turning it down, but the prospect of another fat
paycheck changed his mind. He’d called Sam to let him
know and they’d laughed on the phone for a half hour.
But the weirdest part, was that Sam sounded relieved
that he couldn’t make it. He swore Sam was hiding
something. Troy chuckled as Rick and his new boyfriend
argued, both of them stealing glances his way, until the
new boyfriend shut the blinds.

Troy sighed and sat back in his cushioned deck chair,

propping his feet up on the balcony railing. The breakup

had been easy for him, but not so easy on Rick, who
begged for another chance. He wasn’t the kind of guy
that forgave infidelities and made that clear. So now he
was alone. Again. Troy rubbed his eyes with the palms of
his hands and scratched at the day’s growth of stubble
on his face, someday he would find Mr. Right. He just
wasn’t finding him right now. Troy chuckled. For a while,
the guys he served with in the Army thought he and Sam
were a couple. They both had similar backgrounds and a
lot of the same hobbies.

He and Sam became friends when they were five,

when Troy’s parents moved them to the reservation. He’d
been small for his age, even then. His Mother had always
said that one day he would be big and strong like the
native warriors. At six foot four and two hundred twenty
pounds, she’d been right. His hair was short again; he
usually cut it for missions. His hazel eyes made the ladies
sigh. Or so he was told. He’d tried dating women before,
even fucking some. It just wasn’t his thing. He’d never
really hidden his sexual preferences, but he didn’t
broadcast them either. His relationships were slim to
none; he could count them on one hand. He just didn’t
get that, Oh-my-God-this-is-the-one vibe from any of
them. He did realize he preferred men over women quite
early though.

Sam’s mother, Nadine, knew that he was gay. He’d

confided in her a while back. She’d told him to follow his
heart, no matter if it was man or woman, or white. God,
he missed her. Nadine had been his adoptive mother
ever since his parents had died. The memories of that
day came flooding back. He was ten when it’d happened.
He and his parents had stopped in a convenience store
on their way home to the reservation. Troy had wanted a
chocolate bar and his father needed gas anyway.
Raymond Bishop was six foot three and towered over his
wife, Celia Bishop. Both of them were loving and
nurturing; his mom with her aquamarine eyes and his
father with his refined looks and bright hazel eyes. Troy
was told he was a perfect mixture of the two.

He’d been in the back of the store looking at comics

when the bell above the door chimed. Gunshots followed
and Troy ran down the aisle, looking for his mother. More
gunshots. Glass broke and he’d crouched low, peeking
around the corner of the aisle. His mother was on the
floor, a pool of blood surrounding her body. His father‘s
body was by the front door. He’d surprised the gunman
and gotten a bullet to the heart.

Troy shook his head, pushing the memory back. He

went inside and poured himself another cup of coffee and
checked around the small apartment. New furniture had

been delivered the day before and had been put in the
apartment strategically by his interior designer. It would
be going up on the market the following week. Troy
looked out the window and smiled, it was time to move
from New York and go home to the reservation. Between
his schedule and Sam’s, the trip out had been pushed
back and now it’d been almost a year since they’d seen
each other.

His cell phone rang, bringing him out of his daze. He

looked at the caller ID and frowned. Why was James
Pruitt calling? He’d just come off an assassin gig and told
the man he needed a vacation. Troy flipped his cell
phone open. “I’m on vacation, James. You do know what
that means, right?”

James laughed out loud. “I know, I know, I need a

recommendation though. Since all my best guys are
settling down, I need another guy to send out in your
stead. Any ideas for me?”

Troy wrinkled his brow; half the guys he was deployed

with were suitable and trust worthy, so to pick one? Troy
looked at the picture on the wall of him, Sam, Mateo and
Josh with the General. These were his guys, his blood
brothers in arms. He’d made quite a few friends in the
FBI and CIA as well. Some of them had been in the

military before and understood the need to be a team.
“Try Devin, he’s one hell of a shot.”

“

Lyons?”

“

Seriously? Yes, he’s the top marksman.” Troy

laughed. “Do you not even know the guys that work with
us?”

“

I’m a busy man, Troy.” James sighed in frustration.

“

Jesus, get laid will ya?” Troy snorted.

“

You sound like Josh.”

“

Ouch.” Troy laughed.

“

Bye Troy.” James snickered.

~~

Half an hour later, he was in a cab to JFK. Another

hour passed and he was standing in line for security. He
got a lot of looks from the TSA guys, but thank God, two
already knew him well. Brice Palmer and Reggie Mayer
were the two he dealt with the most. He was a frequent
flyer, thanks to his job. They all laughed as the new guy
took the wand and ran it over his chest.

“

You want to do a cavity search?” Troy waggled his

eyebrows.

“

Damn Bishop, stop scaring the new guy.” Brice

laughed.

Troy smiled and put his hand out to Brice. The guy was

short as hell, but sweet as could be. Never gave Troy a
second glance, not even the first time he saw him. Which
considering his height and the way he looked, was rare.
“How’s the wife and kids, Brice?”

“

Bitch, bitch, nag, nag, whine, whine.” Brice smiled.

“

That good, eh?” Troy laughed loudly and smiled,

picking up his suitcase. “Try bringing her some flowers
for no reason, then see what you get.” Troy waved at the
rest of the TSA guys and made his way to his gate. He
had a long flight ahead of him and planned to sleep
through it.

~~

The flight to Seattle was five hours. Troy sat through a

shitty movie and an extremely chatty seat partner. A
blonde, big chested, dumb as

hell seat partner. More

than once, he’d looked at her as if she had a dick
growing out of her forehead. Still, she pressed on with
her stupid questions.

“

So, are you Mexican?” She asked.

Troy sighed and almost rolled his eyes, he’d never

gotten that question. He wondered if it was because of
his many tribal tattoos and the fact that he actually
looked Native American. “No, I’m Native American.”

“

So Spanish?”

Troy sighed and gave her the best smile he could

manage, excusing himself to the bathroom. He wondered
how long he could sit in there before people started
wondering why the huge Mexican-Spanish guy was still
in the bathroom. When he came back out, the pilot told
them to put their seat belts on as they were landing at
Sea -Tac. Troy had never been so damn happy to see
that his chatty seat partner was asleep. He sat back and

closed his eyes and felt a tap on his shoulder. A dark
haired flight attendant was smiling at him.

“

I put a sleeping pill in her coke.” She said.

Troy smiled wide, taking her hand and kissing the top

of the soft skin. “Thank you so much.” Troy looked at her
name tag. “Sabine.”

“

Anytime,

Cheri.”

~~

Upon landing, Troy made his way to the busy baggage

claim and waited for his luggage on the conveyor belt.
Once he retrieved his bag, he made his way towards the
front of the airport to hail a taxi. Walking through the
airport, he felt his stomach growling. A bag of pretzels
was not going to be enough to sustain him for the drive
ahead. He was going to have stop somewhere along the
way for something more…filling. He hailed a cab and sat
back, looking at Seattle fly by. Jesus, but it’d gotten over

crowded. The freeways were clogged, but the town
hadn’t lost its lure.

He’d been here many times before with Sam, just to

hang out at the bars and play pool. Once they started
pulling into Tacoma, Troy asked to be dropped off at the
nearest Ford dealership. He walked down the aisle of
trucks, looking at the features on each and eyeing space
and miles per gallon. Not that he cared; he was a truck
guy through and through. He’d sold his other truck a
week before, deciding to move. He wasn’t about to haul a
vehicle from New York to Washington State.

It took about a half hour before anyone came out to

help him. Most of the time it was his size that intimidated
people, but the car salesman in his too- expensive-to-be-
working-on-a-car-lot-suit and the way he looked at him
with disgust, was one of the other types of guys. The
kind that thought Troy couldn’t afford shit on the lot.

“

Well, so happy someone came out to help me.” Troy

looked the salesman over.

“

What can I help you with?” The salesman asked.

“

Well, a truck for starters.” Troy leaned over, flicking

the man’s name tag. “Eli. In fact, this truck in particular.”

Troy ran his hand over the black F-250 diesel truck with
an extended cab.

“

Well, we can go inside; I’ll run a credit check and see

what we can get you into.”

Troy smiled and pulled his wallet out. “No need, I’ll be

paying for it in cash. Make sure it has a full tank of gas,
I’m leaving right after were done.”

~Chapter Two~

Sawyer sat on top of the house he’d been building for

most of the day. He had a beautiful view of Grenville Bay.
The snow was starting to come down faster and it was
time to go home. He closed his eyes and felt the wind in
his hair, the smell of the salty ocean tickling his nostrils.
He loved it here. Well, he loved the beach. The sights
and sounds were almost a lullaby. When he’d first started
out in college, drawing house designs was a hobby. One
of his professors saw the drawing in class one day and
asked about it. It exploded from there. Word of mouth

spread and Sawyer was drawing up house plans for all
kinds of people. He was making good money at it and
was building them as well.

It was here, that he sat and pondered about his life and

where it was going. He was twenty four with no mate,
and he wasn’t waiting with patience. Sawyer sighed and
lay back on his elbows. All he wanted was a family of his
own, and he wanted it before he turned thirty. Right now,
his family consisted of three younger brothers and a
widowed father. Almost seven years had passed since
his mother died giving birth to his youngest brother,
Wyatt.

It had been a shock to all of them and they’d pulled

together through the grief, with the help of Nadine and
Joe. His father took time off work in the beginning to
assure his boys they didn’t have to worry about him, and
over time John Quinton’s heart healed. His father never
dated. The one woman that captured his heart, took it
with her when she died. Sawyer wanted a love like that,
the end all, be all love. He wanted kids too. At least two.
When he’d come out to his father at seventeen, Sawyer
had been scared to death of what would happen. His
father had smiled and took him by his shoulders, telling
him, “That’s what surrogates are for.” And then hugged
him.

Sawyer smiled, thinking about ‘the talk’. It just so

happened his brothers were gay as well. Well, Xander
and Grayson were and Sawyer had no doubt that Wyatt
would be too. What were the odds? The wind shifted and
Sawyer smiled at the scent of a werewolf. He tipped his
head back and saw Nicholas Stevens making his way
over to him. If Sawyer hadn’t been waiting for his mate,
he’d take Nick in a heartbeat.

Nick was six foot two. A muscular man with black hair

and silvery eyes. Nick was part of the Northern pack of
Vancouver and they’d met during a meeting of the packs.
They’d become good friends from the first moment they
met. Nick needed a change of scenery, and Sawyer
needed a friend his own age. It helped that Nick knew
about house building.

“

Nick,” Sawyer smiled broadly. “What brings you to the

roof?”

“

A certain hottie Native American.” Nick waggled his

eye brows.

“

I thought you liked white meat?” Sawyer arched a

brow.

“

Hey! I like dark meat too.” Nick looked up at the sky.

“It’s going to start coming down harder. You better get
your butt back to the reservation.” Nick put his hand out
to help Sawyer up. Just once, he’d love to get that
feeling, that twitch in his gut and crotch that told him he’d
found his mate.

“

I can almost hear what you’re thinking.” Sawyer

smiled. “I think that way sometimes too. I wish it was you
at times, Nick.”

Nick pulled Sawyer into his arms and looked into his

eyes. “I’d be honored, you know. You are one gorgeous
man, Sawyer; you’re sweet and funny—”

“

And a virgin.” Sawyer sighed deeply. “How about we

make a deal? If I haven’t found my mate by age fifty and
you haven’t either we hook up?”

“

Can’t we pretend we’re fifty and just hook up?” Nick

smiled wickedly.

Sawyer wanted that feeling; God knew he would love

for Nick to be his mate. It just wasn’t there. He was very
attracted to Nick, would love to kiss him and make love to
him. But Nick wasn’t his mate, and he never would be.
Sawyer sighed in frustration. “I’m going to have carpal

tunnel in my right hand.”

“

Great.” Nick sighed. “Now I have a visual of you

jacking off.”

“

And that’s a bad thing how? Okay, let’s get out of

here.” Sawyer laughed, pulling Nick with him.

~~

Driving down the freeway with a bag of burgers, Troy

hummed happily. It’d been fun to watch Eli’s face when
he paid cash for the truck. Little fucker had an attitude
and deserved to be put in his place. Washington was
always beautiful and more than once, Troy had been
surprised by snow in the month of April. He was
surprised again. It started out light, then came down in
larger flakes. Troy only had a little over an hour left to go
as he started going through the more dense areas of the
Olympic Peninsula. Trees lined both sides of the two
lane highway and Troy started to feel like he was home
again.

Things had changed a lot since he’d left for the Army.

More and more towns were sprouting up along the way
and trees were being cut down, replaced by new
seedlings. At least they had the sense to plant new ones.

He’d missed the Reservation. It was its own family and
he’d always felt like he belonged there. It was time to
come home. He made the turn and followed the road all
the way down. As always, it was completely unspoiled.
He could see Archer standing at the Quinton’s house,
waving at him. Troy stepped out of the truck and took a
deep breath of reservation air. God, this was where he
belonged.

“

Troy!” Nadine came running out of the house, wiping

her hands on her apron.

Troy smiled and put his arms out. Nadine flew into

them and Troy hugged her hard. Her small frame was
almost comical, engulfed in his giant one. She pulled
away, looking in his eyes and Troy still saw the same
woman that gave him milk and cookies after school.
Nadine was the one that tucked him in at night and held
his hand. The one that stood with him and held him as
they lowered his parents into the ground. “You look
beautiful as always, Nadine.”

“

Oh hush!” Nadine smiled, looking Troy over. “Look at

you, all skin and bone! Don’t you have someone yet that
knows how to cook?”

“

No one cooks like you, Ma.” Troy picked her up and

hugged her tight. “I missed you guys.”

Nadine smiled and took his hand, walking over to her

husband and John with Archer; she smiled and looked at
Joe. “Look how skinny he’s gotten.”

“

Oh yes, I can see he’s about to fall over from

malnutrition, Nay.” Joe rolled his eyes.

Troy turned around to see what looked like Xander

chasing a kid across the front yard.

“

Wyatt! Come back here!” Xander shouted.

The little boy ran to him and looked up. Troy figured he

was John’s youngest boy. Troy crouched down in front of
him and put his hand out. “Hey Wyatt.”

“

You are Troy.” Wyatt grinned, revealing two missing

front teeth.

“

I am.” Troy shook his hand; he looked up to see Sam

making his way over, holding hands with a dark haired
man. He picked Wyatt up and slung him onto his hip,
watching as Sam made his way over, looking sheepish.
“Well, nice to see you too, Sam.”

“

Hey, bud.” Sam hugged Troy hard. It had taken a

while for him to get his lupine side under control. Dakota
had been helping him, and it had been a riot. “How was
the flight and the drive?”

“

Well, seeing as I got a new truck, it was perfect.” Troy

nodded to his new truck. ”Check her out.” His eyes fell
on Sam’s fiancé and he put his hand out.“You must be
the fiancé, Dakota. I’m Troy Bishop. It’s nice to meet the
man that finally stole Sam’s heart. Congrats on your
engagement.”

“

It’s nice to meet you too, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

The man was even better looking in person. Tall like his
mate, with beautiful hazel eyes.

“

Well, I hope to hear more about you.” Troy smiled and

his eyes fell on Xander staring at him. “What’s up your
ass?” Troy realized Xander wasn’t staring at him, he was
staring behind him. Troy turned and saw the biggest
fucking black wolf he’d ever seen making its way over.
He pulled his gun out from the waist band of his jeans.
“Jesus Christ!”

Wyatt giggled in his arms and he put his hands out.

“Wanna play!”

“

Are you nuts, kid?” Troy held Wyatt up as high as he

could, all while he kept an eye on the black wolf.

Sam smiled and took Troy’s hand. “Don’t worry, that’s

—” Fuck, he couldn’t say that. That would sound just
great. ‘Hey Troy, meet Sawyer. By the way, he’s a
werewolf.’ Sam rolled his eyes. “That’s Little Shit.” Sam
almost lost it when Sawyer tilted his head, giving him the
‘look’. The look that said Sam was going to hear it later.

Troy finally put Wyatt down. The squirmy little bugger

ran to the wolf, throwing his arms around his neck.

“

Little shit, little shit!” Wyatt giggled.

Xander finally snapped out of his daze and went and

grabbed Wyatt, who was now hanging from Sawyer’s
neck and biting his ears.

“

Wyatt, come on.” Xander mussed his brother’s hair.

“

So, ya’ll just keep wolves as pets now, huh?” Troy

looked at all the adults just sitting around drinking a beer
as a fucking wolf sat in their front yard.

“

Yup, um little shit, this is Troy Bishop, old friend of

mine. Why don’t you say hi to him?” Sam chuckled and

Dakota smacked his arm.

“

He really is harmless, Troy.” John sat back and

watched the exchange, silently laughing at the look on
not only Troy’s face, but Sawyer’s as well.

Troy almost fell over as little shit stuffed his face in his

crotch. “Whoa there, buddy.” Troy chuckled, squatting to
look in the wolf’s eyes. Beautiful green emeralds looked
back at him; Jesus Christ, the wolf was beautiful. He’d
never seen anything like it. “Wow, you are beautiful,
aren’t you? Bet you get all the hot chicks.”

“

Wow, I think little shit likes you, Troy.” Xander leaned

against the front porch, smiling at his brother; Sawyer
had finally found his mate.

Troy picked up the wolf’s face, looking into its eyes.

“Yeah, I like him too.” Little shit whined softly and Troy
rubbed his muzzle. “Hey buddy, what’s wrong?” Troy
patted his head, rubbing the spot behind the ear that little
shit liked so much.

“

Little shit needs to get back, its dinner time.” John

raised a brow at his son. “Go on boy, we’ll leave you
some scraps.”

“

Little shit, little shit!” Wyatt giggled and clapped his

hands.

“

Jesus.” Joe sighed and rolled his eyes. “Let’s get

inside for dinner guys, go wash up before Nadine scrubs
you down.”

~~

Sawyer was absent from dinner and John looked at

Sam, who promptly shrugged his shoulders. Dinner talk
revolved around Sam and Dakota’s engagement. Nadine
put another platter of ham slices down and looked at the
clock.

“

Where’s Sawyer? It’s not like him to miss a meal.”

Nadine sat down and handed the plate to Troy, smacking
Xander’s hand away from it.

“

Oh, he just met his boyfriend today, so he’s probably

nervous about seeing him again.” John looked at her with
a wink. Nadine looked at him with a look of confusion,
until John cocked his head in Troy’s direction.

“

Oh my God!” Nadine almost screamed. She covered

her mouth with her napkin, trying to hide her elation that
Sawyer finally found his mate.

Troy’s forehead wrinkled. “Okay, that doesn’t make

sense; he just met his boyfriend today? How is he a
boyfriend if they just met today? Did shit change on the
reservation that much while I was gone? Arranged
marriages and boyfriends?”

“

Yes, Troy. We arrange marriages now. That’s why I

went and plucked Dakota from Alaska, he was
bequeathed to me.” Sam sat back and laughed. “Ow!”
Sam looked at Dakota. “What was that for?”

“

Wait, Sawyer? You mean little ‘what’s this do?’ Troy

smiled and took a sip of his beer. “I haven’t met him,
have I?”

“

Nope, but you will.” Sam smiled wide and looked at

the time. “It’s bonfire and beer time, who’s up for it?”

“

Half Moon Rising” Coming soon.

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