“Do you think they could be lovers?” Juke asked in Thule, his voice low as he watched Kirk’s retreating figure with a look of mild disbelief.Paul sighed, clearly exasperated. “Not again,” he muttered, rolling his eyes skyward. He gave Juke a stare so sharp it could curdle milk as if to say, Must you always jump to this conclusion?Noticing Kirk’s curiosity, Paul turned to him and gave an apologetic smile. “Please excuse me. Juke is my superior, and I must answer him in our mother tongue,” he said, hoping to pacify their guest’s intrigue.“Go right ahead. I’ve never been accused of stopping anyone using tongue,” Kirk replied with a flirtatious grin, his eyes twinkling as he winked at Paul. With a dismissive flourish of his hand toward Juke, he settled back into his seat, jiggling his leg in excitement.Juke and Paul shared a look, and Paul leaned in toward his companion, lowering his voice. “Who? Your mate and this man?” He darted a quick glance at Kirk, shaking his head. “I don’t thi
"Are you crazy? You don't even know them, and you're asking me to go shopping." Dale shouted at Kirk as he paced the expanse of their living room, his sock-clad feet making soft swooshing sounds against the plush carpet.The afternoon sun streamed through the window, leaving shadows that danced with his agitated movements. He paused at the window now and then as he passed by, pretending to adjust the pristine curtains while hoping for another glimpse of the mysterious man with the streak in his hair.He wouldn't admit it, but another glimpse at the one with the streak might help to calm his nerves. There was something about those eyes—a deep, mesmerizing shade that made Dale's heart skip like a scratched record.They were soothing yet electrifying, like a summer storm across a peaceful lake. He knew it was a contradiction but didn't have the words to express his feelings. Scared yet excited was the only way he could describe it—like standing on the edge of a cliff with a parachute he
The towel hung low on Dale's hips, droplets of water trailing down his chest like tiny rivers mapping his skin as he stepped into his bedroom, rubbing his hair dry. His thick locks needed a helping hand to dry faster, the damp strands refusing to cooperate as usual.He envied Kirk's ability to let his hair dry naturally as if blessed by some mystical hair goddess. If Dale did that, his clothes would be a soaking mess. The moisture in his hair hid in wait like a sneaky saboteur, ready for a chance to ruin whatever he wore.His gaze fell to the package Kirk had left on the bed, innocent-looking but somehow ominous in its plain brown wrapper. The mattress dipped as he sat on the corner, his heart doing a nervous tap dance in his chest as he retrieved the gift.Ripping the bag open, he saw the content. His face dropped faster than a lead balloon. What was Kirk planning? Who needed this much lube and condoms? Who else had he invited? Dale's stomach contracted as his ass clenched at the tho
The overpowering scent of Kirk's cologne lingered in the hall like a department store perfume counter had exploded. Dale dragged himself upright, wondering if his nose hairs would ever recover. He picked up the discarded ice trays and headed for the kitchen, cussing under his breath about roommates with the spatial awareness of a drunk rhinoceros.He supposed he had it coming. Hadn't he done the same thing to Kirk less than ten hours ago? Unable to stay mad—probably because his brain cells were too busy defending themselves against Kirk's cologne—Dale threw the trays in the sink.He better wash off his face before their guests saw him all made up like a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race. He didn't want to give them the wrong impression, though at this point, covered in makeup and smelling like Kirk's cologne by proximity, he wasn't sure what the right impression would be.His hand paused on the bathroom door handle when he was grabbed and pulled back by the shoulder with all the grace
"Why is no one drinking and having a good time?" Kirk looked around the room. The drinks he'd given Paul and Juke when they entered remained untouched. "Dale, what have you done to my guests? The atmosphere in here is putrid." Kirk gave Dale a cutting glare, accompanied by a slight shake of his head.Dale knew it was for his eyes only but was sure the other two men in the room picked up on it. Paul shifted uncomfortably where he stood, and Juke bolted upright in his chair. Kirk placed the glass bowls on the table. "Paul, come, you sit here by me. Dale can sit over there, next to grumpy. Let's get this party started."The food was delicious, and Kirk proved an engaging host. The two men seemed better able to mask their thoughts than Dale, who sat playing with his food, his appetite diminished by the stirring in his gut. Juke's scent made his mouth water and his heart race. His body felt numb from the thoughts swimming around in his head. While Juke and Paul acted as if their earlier co
In Dale’s bedroom, Juke’s gaze landed on the bed. He grinned. “I thought you said you weren’t going to fuck anyone. You have enough condoms for a small army. He laughed. Dale liked the sound and felt his cock shift in his pants. “I must warn you. Although my wolf is renowned for his sexual prowess, as well as his stamina, I fear even I cannot use all those in a single night.” He picked up the lube and turned it over in his hand. “What’s the liquid for?”“It’s lube, and all this was a present from Kirk.” Heat crept to Dale’s cheeks.“Oh, okay, how do you want to do this?”“Maybe we should start by taking off our clothes.”“I can do that.” Juke placed his hands over and behind his head, pulled his T-shirt forward, then off, and let it fall to the ground. Dale bent to pick it up. “Leave it. Get undressed too.” Dale straightened and stepped back. Juke began to undo his belt, staring at Dale as he pulled the button on his jeans. “Have you done this before?”Dale lowered his gaze. “No, neve
Juke woke to find himself alone in Dale’s bed, the sheets cold where Dale should have been. He took a slow breath, inhaling the scent that clung to the room—Dale’s earthy fragrance mingling with his own, underlined by the unmistakable musk of last night.His face twisted in a smirk as he looked at himself, realizing with amusement. It wasn't just Dale who was missing—so were his clothes. He stank of sex, and the lingering aroma stirred memories of the night before, images flashing through his mind that made his blood hum and his dick twitch.Running a hand through his hair, he sat up, stretching the stiffness from his limbs. He stood, moving to the bathroom to rinse the night’s remnants.The cool water on his skin was refreshing, and a momentary shock that cleared his senses woke him. With a towel wrapped around his waist, Juke padded out, following the soft hum of voices down the hall.As he approached the kitchen, the voices grew louder, carrying a warmth and ease that wrapped aroun
"How can you be so calm about this?" Dale’s gaze shifted from the window, where he stood—staring at Juke’s house. He’d been standing there ever since Juke and Paul left to pack. His breath fogged the glass as he leaned closer, straining for any sign of movement in the house across the street."How come you’re not?" Kirk asked from the doorway, his voice light, as though this were just another casual afternoon. He strolled further into the living room, his footsteps muffled by the plush rug."This is all new to me, and you know it." Dale turned, resting his back against the cold glass, the chill seeping through his shirt and making him shiver. His arms folded defensively over his chest, and he let out a sharp breath.Kirk, ever unbothered, strolled over and placed a hand on Dale’s arm, his fingers trailing just under his shoulder. "Didn't lover boy float your boat last night?" Kirk tilted his head, a knowing grin spreading across his face.Dale pushed off the window, his movements shar
The pack house had grown quiet, the tension of preparation giving way to an eerie stillness. Dale sat near the fireplace, his eyes fixed on the dancing and flickering flames. The wood beneath crackled, sending tiny ember sparks behind the guard.Juke joined him, sitting close enough for their knees to touch. “You’ve been quiet,” he said, taking Dale’s hand and leaning his head on Dale’s shoulder, breathing in his scent.“I’m scared,” Dale said, his voice hushed. “Not just of Arif, but... of what’s happening to me. What if I can’t control it? What if my being here hurts more people? What happened at the council chamber still haunts me. I don’t want to watch your people suffer because of me. I’m a liability.”Juke’s hold on Dale’s hand tightened his grip firm and grounding. “You’re not a liability, Dale. What happened at the council chambers is all on Arif for coveting what's not his. The blame lies in his greed and selfishness—if it weren’t you, he would have some other reason to do wh
The pack house was loud with voices, each word laced with tension and worry. The air crackled with unease as wolves debated the news of Arif’s movements and Dale’s place within the pack.Juke stood at the head of the room, his arms crossed and his expression stoic. Dale lingered beside him, aware of the side glances and hushed whispers directed his way.Jared raised his hand, his deep voice cutting through the noise. “Enough. We need focus, not this chaos.”The room quieted, though the tension lingered.One wolf stepped forward, his tone cautious but firm. “With all due respect, Jared, Dale’s presence puts us at risk. Arif’s targeting him and, by extension, all of us. Can we afford that danger?”Dale felt a sharp pang in his chest, but Kirk’s voice rang out from the back of the room before he could speak.“Sure, let’s throw Dale out,” Kirk said, sauntering into the center of the room with exaggerated nonchalance. “I’m sure that Arif will call off his wolves and send y’all a fruit bask
The howl echoed through the forest, sharp and urgent. Dale and Juke sprint toward the sound. The undergrowth cracked beneath their feet as the scent of blood hit their nostrils. Dale’s chest tightened as the sound grew louder, more desperate.“There,” Juke said, pointing to a figure slumped near the base of an old oak.An injured scout, his fur matted with blood, shifted weakly into his human form. “Arif’s wolves,” the scout rasped, his voice hoarse. “Near the border... rallying.”Juke crouched beside him, his eyes narrowing. “Are they preparing to attack?”The scout nodded. “Not just attack—he wants to divide us, use our fears of the unknown to force Jared’s hand.”Juke glanced at Dale, his jaw tight. “We need to get this information to my father. Now.” He patted the scout’s shoulder. “I have mind-linked for help. Someone will be here to take care of you soon. Why did you not mind-link for help?”“At first, I was out of range—then I got hit with a poisonous dart. The drug stops me fr
Dale’s heart pounded as Arif stepped closer, his figure illuminated by slivers of moonlight. The forest was unnervingly silent—the wind stirred, and the soft rustle of leaves swirled in the faint breeze and wound through the trees. The feral glint in Arif’s eyes sent a chill racing along Dale’s spine.Juke moved, positioning himself between Dale and Arif. His stance was calm and composed but also ready for action. It was the kind of calm that spoke of malicious intent.“You’ve got nerve showing up here,” Juke said, his voice low and steady, his gaze burning into Arif. “I’d almost applaud it if it weren’t so pathetic.”Arif’s lips curled into a smirk. “I’m not here to fight, Juke. I came to talk.” his gaze bore into Dale.“Talk! Is that what you call ambushing council grounds? Or were your actions some new diplomacy trend I missed?” Juke shot back, his eyes narrowing.Arif ignored the barb, his gaze moving to Dale. “I’m here for what’s mine.”Dale stiffened, the heat in his chest stirr
Bodies were being removed from inside the chamber, and the council elders reconvened, their expressions grave. Jared stood at the center, his voice carrying authority as he addressed the group.“Arif’s actions today are a blatant disregard for the council’s authority,” Jared said, his tone sharp. “He brought violence to sacred ground. This cannot go unanswered.”Arif, standing off to the side, smirked. “The attack was not sanctioned. If some of my wolves acted out of turn, I will discipline them accordingly.”“You expect us to believe that?” Jazz interjected, his voice dripping with disbelief.Dale felt the weight of their gazes turn toward him. He straightened, forcing his voice to steady. “I don’t know why Arif wants me—he was trying to kill me. He bit me and left me for dead. My turning was incidental, not deliberate. Juke saved me. Claimed me. I don’t belong to Arif.”One of the elders, a woman, leaned forward. “Something happened out there. The wolves hesitated. They responded to
As they neared the alcove, a massive gray wolf lunged at them, its eyes gleaming with murderous intent. Dale felt that strange stirring in his chest again, but Juke intercepted the attacker mid-air before he could react. They crashed to the ground in a tangle of fur and fangs, rolling close to the edge of the corridor, where it dropped off into darkness.Dale's heart leaped into his throat as he watched Juke grapple with the larger wolf in his human form. Why hadn’t he transformed? Despite Juke's skill, the gray wolf's sheer size gave it an advantage. If Juke shifted, his wolf would be larger. They teetered on the brink, locked in a deadly embrace. Dale couldn’t let them enter the darkness.“Why aren’t you shifting?” he asked Juke through the mind-link.“Right now, I can better protect you in human form. My wolf has limitations. Besides, I’m stronger than this wolf, even as a human.”It didn’t seem that way to Dale. Without thinking, he lunged forward, grabbing a fistful of the gray w
As they entered the council chamber, hidden deep within neutral territory, Dale noticed everything about the cavernous room, from its stone walls to its high arched ceiling. Torches lined the walls, casting flickering shadows across the ancient symbols etched into the stone, giving off an eerie, medieval vibe.A long table stretched at the far end of the room, surrounded by high-backed chairs carved with intricate designs. The musty scent of dampness and age filled the air, almost suffocating in its heaviness. Underneath it lingered the faint aroma of burning lint, a reminder of the gravity of the decisions made within these walls.As he breathed in, Dale could taste the faint hint of earth and mildew, which left a gritty, unpleasant taste in his mouth. The chill of the damp air, mixed with the weight of the room’s solemn atmosphere, made him shiver.They arrived with little time to prepare. Leah briefed Dale on what to expect and a few choice phrases he should use to state his case i
The cold bit Dale's cheeks as he ran, Juke's hand gripping his. The forest blurred, growls and snapping twigs grew closer. Dale's breath came in short gasps. His legs burned as they pounded the uneven ground."Keep moving!" Juke's voice rang in his mind. His gaze flicked behind them, and his body coiled. Juke mind-linked Paul and Jazz for help, and he gave them his suspected location as they moved forward. Dale stumbled as Juke dragged him along but caught himself, the edge of his vision swimming. The forest broke into open space—a cliff loomed ahead of them."Juke," Dale panted, his voice shaking. "It's a dead end!"Juke didn't slow his pace. "Trust me."Noni mind-linked Juke. ‘Keep running, and don't get caught. I'm heading down the narrow path, leading some of them with me. I'll head back to the pack and get help. The council needs to hear about this. Your father will know what to do.’The growls behind them grew. Dale glanced over his shoulder to see dark shapes breaking through
Dale sat at the wooden table in the kitchen, his hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea. The warmth didn’t quite reach his fingers as the chill of the early morning air seeped through the open window. A quiet reminder that the full moon was only days away. His nerves were too frayed to feel much else. The sky outside was an ink-blue, the faintest glow of dawn slowly creeping over the horizon.Juke paced back and forth, his footfalls steady but tense. Like a shield, Dale could feel the weight of Juke’s protective presence. He hadn’t said much since the night before. Dale guessed Juke’s mind was on the possible outcome from the Council later that day.He had acted like he didn’t care, but Dale could feel his unease through their bond. Noni had said she would be with them soon to take them to meet the elder.Dale shifted in his chair, his stomach knotting as he thought about the questions swirling in his mind. Why was his body changing so dramatically? How was it even possible for hi