03-Strength of the Mate (29 page)

“Humans aren’t responsible for policing our behavior,” said Noah, his anger heating his voice. “Our laws exist for a reason.”

Lucas pressed his hand to Noah’s lower back, much the same way as Dawson did to Adam. Immediately, Noah’s shoulders lost their tension. The angry lines in his face softened. He’d seen Tim and Jeremy have the same effect on one another, when they touched. Adam thought that would make him feel a little envious.

He realized Dawson’s hand still rested at the small of his back. Adam turned to smile at Dawson, recognizing the peace his touch brought.

“If anyone is to blame, it’s us,” Paul said from behind them. “We let our annoyance with an incompetent pack leader rule us, so we turned blind eyes to what was going on.”

“We’ve talked about that already, Paul,” Dawson said over his shoulder.

“I’m satisfied with the judgment Dawson passed on you,” said Noah. “No need to speak of it again.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Jason and Paul said in unison.

Adam was going to ask Dawson what that was all about, as soon as they had a moment alone.

As their group moved through camp, on their way to the residence trailers, groups of Marines paused to watch them pass. Most wore excited expressions. A few were close enough to call a respectful greeting of, “Welcome, Alpha.”

Noah acknowledged each greeting with a lifted hand. Lucas nodded his own greeting as well. If the looks on everyone’s faces was anything to go by, being noticed by the Dominant was a big deal.

“Does Jeremy’s pack act the same way around my brother?” Adam surprised himself by asking.

He was surprised further when Lucas burst into laughter.

“You should have seen his face the first time one of Jeremy’s wolves genuflected toward them,” Noah said.

“I think I’d want to crawl under a rock if that happened to me,” said Adam.

“I wished I could disappear,” Lucas replied, smiling.

“Jeremy is a modern werewolf,” Noah said. “Like me, he discourages the old forms of obeisance, but sometimes someone gets a little over-excited. They just don’t know how to show it, except for kneeling at the feet of the True Alpha.”

“I wish I could have seen Tim’s face when that happened,” Adam admitted with a low chuckle.

“Speaking of Jeremy,” Dawson said when the friendly laughter faded. They finally reached the road leading to the hooches.“How is the kid doing?”

Noah snorted, one corner of his mouth lifting in a half smile. “He’s just fine, and he’s definitely not a kid. He could probably kick my ass.”

“A civilian?” Jason asked incredulously. “Not likely.” His fierce pride in his own True Alpha made Adam smile.

“Relax, Rodriguez,” Dawson said with a chuckle. “Jeremy’s family. He’s mated to a Marine, who just happens to be my companion’s brother.”

For several moments, Jason looked like he wanted to argue. Finally, he grinned. “Oh, that Jeremy. Yeah, I guess he’s okay. Especially if that Madison is as big a pain in the ass as this one.”

“Hey! Don’t drag me into this dick measuring contest, Rodriguez. You asshole.” Adam thought about adding a few more choice insults. He was surprised that Jason’s words stung a little.

When he saw that everyone was laughing, he gave himself a mental kick in the ass. The teasing was good natured. Like Dawson had said, they were family. Dawson’s warm smile, and his affectionate grasp on the back of Adam’s neck, told him that this had nothing at all to do with who his brother was.

They reached the correct row of residence trailers. Jason and Paul stepped ahead, making a beeline for the hooch Dawson had arranged for Lucas’ and Noah’s visit. Paul unlocked the door. Jason stepped inside, flipped on the light, and looked around. They both stood inside, waiting for Noah to enter.

“You’re gonna like this,” Noah said, turning back to Lucas with a wide smile.

At Noah’s gesture, Lucas stepped into the hooch. When he looked in the direction of the bed, he smiled as well. “I appreciate the accommodations here aboard Camp Fallujah,” he said. “Good job, Dawson.”

“I’m pleased you find them adequate, Dominant,” Dawson replied. He bowed deeply at the waist, giving a flourish with his hand. Adam laughed at the absurdity, even though he knew he was missing the real joke. “We’ll finish getting you two oriented, then you can take some time to settle in.”

Paul and Jason deposited the rucksacks on the floor just inside the door. They all stepped out. Jason locked the door and Paul handed Noah the key.

“We’ll show you the shower trailers, the dining hall, the hospital, and Second MEF HQ offices,” Dawson explained as they threaded their way out of the rows of hooches.

“I trust you arranged everything I need for the tribunal?” asked Noah. “You’ve been through a few of these with me, so you know what I need.”

“I arranged for a tribunal room in the MEF HQ building,” replied Dawson. “Sergeant Mercer and Corporal Rodriguez will provide security, with assistance from PFC William Borovec, if necessary. Carson’s continued defiance makes me think it will be. Major Aceves is going to attend. He’ll pursue any discipline for the Three/Three, if he determines there are grounds.”

“And the human victims are aware of how this is gonna work?” Noah asked.

“Yes, Alpha.” Dawson quickly explained the use of the showers before he continued with his original answer. “For better or for worse, you outrank the majority of the affected Marines. Most victims are civilian, which I think you’ll agree makes sense.”

“They couldn’t fight back as well as another Marine could,” Lucas said darkly.

Dawson nodded. “Since Adam has relationships with both the civilian humans and the werewolves, he met with the humans to explain who you are and what you needed them to tell you.”

“Thank you for your help, Adam.” Noah surprised Adam with his sincerity.

“Thank you for taking this seriously,” Adam replied. “Since Dawson took over as pack leader, our morale has risen measurably, and drivers are no longer trying to get sent home.”

Noah made a sound that resembled a growl. Again, Lucas touched him gently, visibly draining away his tension.

Dawson pointed out the paved road leading to the chow hall. He gave Lucas and Noah a brief tour of the HQ offices on their way to the hospital. Adam waved at one of his drivers as he passed. It hit Adam suddenly that this driver was the only shapeshifter of any kind among the Ares employees, and he was a werebear.

“I just realized that nearly every single Ares employee assigned here is human,” Adam declared suddenly. “What are the odds of that?”

“Pretty damn good, since I won’t allow them to assign any werewolves to a facility where I have pack members.” Noah’s answer was blunt.

“Can you do that?” Adam asked in confusion. “Well, obviously you can, ’cause you did it. I guess I should ask why, or how you can do that?”

“All military facilities are my territory,” Noah answered. “Any werewolf coming into my territory has to notify me. Extended stays require my agreement, which I can’t give. Conflicts between packs affect combat effectiveness among the Marines, and civilian werewolves cannot become a part of my military pack, even temporarily.”

“All of which I probably could have figured out, if I’d thought about it,” Adam mused.

When the hospital came into view, Adam expected Dawson to point it out and move on. He was surprised when they all kept walking. Paul and Jason held the hospital doors open for them. Dawson led the way down the corridor to the shifters.

The excitement was palpable when Noah stepped into the room with his wounded werewolves. Uninjured weres quickly got to their feet. The patients in human form watched Noah with expressions of open adoration. The patients in wolf form wagged their tails eagerly.

Adam expected Noah to make his way slowly from bed to bed, speaking encouragement to his pack members. Instead, Adam watched in surprised fascination as Noah led Lucas by the hand, to the center of the room. With everyone watching, Noah pulled Lucas into the circle of his arms.

They stood with their bodies pressed together, looking into one another’s eyes. Lucas wrapped his arms around Noah’s back, keeping his face tilted upward toward Noah. They spoke quietly to each other, their expressions soft and filled with deep affection. It was an intimate tableau; a brief glimpse into a private moment between deeply bonded lovers.

Adam was embarrassed, feeling like he was invading their privacy. He couldn’t tear his eyes away. The touch of Dawson’s hand on his startled him out of his reverie. He twined his fingers with Dawson’s, like he’d been doing it for years. Adam turned to find Dawson already looking at him, lavender eyes brimming with affection.

When Dawson used their joined hands to pull him closer, Adam didn’t resist. He expected Dawson to speak. Instead, he wrapped his muscular arms around Adam’s frame, pulling him back against his own body. Adam leaned into Dawson, feeling his warmth all along his back.

“Noah’s visit is entirely werewolf pack business,” Dawson whispered into Adam’s ear. “The Corps’ regs regarding PDA don’t apply.”

Heat quickly pooled low in Adam’s belly, slowly spreading throughout his body. “I’m not sure I believe you,” he whispered teasingly against Dawson’s cheek. “What if you’re lying just so I’ll let you cop a feel?”

Dawson’s quiet laugh resonated from deep in chest and spread through the rest of his body. Adam felt the wicked laugh, more than heard it. That laugh sent sinfully pleasant shivers racing through his body.

“I don’t have to lie,” Dawson whispered against the shell of Adam’s ear. “If I told you to suck my cock, you’d get right down on your knees for me.”

Dawson’s dirty talk, spoken in that low, gravelly voice, hit Adam in the gut like a fist. His knees threatened to give out, so Adam grasped desperately at Dawson’s strong arms. Adam’s dick grew thick and heavy between his legs as he pictured himself on his knees for Dawson.

He caught movement in the corner of his eye. Jason and Paul flanked them as they stood just inside the door of a large room filled with people. Adam didn’t care that they were on display for anyone to see. Nobody was paying attention to them anyway. Noah and Lucas seemed to be the focus of everyone’s interest.

“Watch Lucas,” Dawson murmured. He rubbed his cheek against Adam’s. “See how he shares his strength with Noah? Feel how they give off power?”

Adam managed to focus on Noah and Lucas where they stood in the center of the room. They pressed their bodies together as Lucas cradled Noah’s face with both hands. With eyes closed, he rubbed his cheek against Noah’s. He placed a line of kisses the length of Noah’s throat. Reaching Noah’s parted lips, Lucas kissed him hard. He fused their mouths together, his jaw working as he licked into Noah aggressively.

Even before they parted, the hair on Adam’s arms and the back of his neck stood up. Power skated along his skin and down his spine. Noah opened his eyes and stepped back. He took one of Lucas’ hands in his, leading him to where an injured wolf lay quietly watching them.

“Wow,” Adam said, just above a whisper. “I’ve never felt anything like that.”

“I once saw Jeremy do the same thing with your brother.” Dawson’s voice was slightly muffled as he murmured against Adam’s throat. He ran his hands over Adam’s arms, his back, and his hips. “This makes me think of a Native American legend I once heard…”

Tensing in Dawson’s arms, Adam said fiercely, “No. Don’t even go there. If there’s something you want me to know or understand, just tell me. No hiding behind mythology as metaphor.”

Dawson’s hands stilled on Adam’s arms. He was silent for several interminable moments, and Adam began to think he’d pissed Dawson off.

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Dawson’s voice was soft. He sounded contrite. “I just wanted you to know that…I believe we’re stronger together than either of us is on our own. Just like Noah and Lucas.”

Relaxing against Dawson again, Adam nodded slowly. As he absorbed the full implication of the words, Dawson’s hands moved over his arms again.

“You might be right about that,” Adam said quietly.

Adam focused on Lucas again. He walked from bed to bed with Noah. Standing behind Noah, Lucas kept a hand on him, always touching bare skin. Noah stopped beside each bed in turn, speaking quietly to the wounded Marines. Adam watched as he held the hands of some, stroked the fur of others.

Power filled the room, strong enough that Adam thought he could taste it. It seemed like Noah shared his power with his werewolves, giving them added strength to help them heal. With a simple touch, even the severely injured patients grew stronger.

“Is he healing them?” Adam asked Dawson.

“No,” he answered quietly. “Wouldn’t that be an amazing thing to be able to do?” Dawson pressed a kiss to the edge of Adam’s jaw. “He gives them extra strength to heal. He and Lucas can manifest a great deal of power together, and Noah shares a little, to make it easier for them to heal.”

“And Jeremy can do that?” Adam asked, still a little in awe.

“To a lesser degree.”

Adam hesitated. He was afraid he already knew the answer to his next question. “Can you do that?”

“No.” Dawson didn’t sound as disappointed as Adam felt. “But I have a different set of skills that I can call on.”

Adam had more questions he wanted to ask, but there was no chance. Noah said goodbye to the last injured werewolf. With an arm slung around Lucas’ shoulders, Noah leaned on him heavily.

Lucas shot them a grin. “Time for the Alpha’s afternoon nap.”

“Does he need his snack first?” Adam quipped, before he could stop himself.

Lucas snorted a laugh. Noah gave Adam a dark scowl. “I’ve always wondered if being a smartass was unique to the major. I see it’s a Madison family trait.”

Laughter emboldened Adam. “You’re just cranky ’cause you didn’t get to have your cookies and milk.”

Lucas’ coughing turned into a choke. “Christ, that’s funny,” he said, clearing his throat. “You better shut up, Noah. If Adam makes me laugh again, I may drop you.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Adam opened the door to the large room Noah was using to sort out the werewolves of Camp Fallujah. He and Lucas had spent the past several days talking with any human who had an issue with a werewolf. The civilians were reluctant at first. Once word got around that the True Alpha was taking them seriously and at least two of the werewolves would get their asses kicked, more of them sought out Adam to arrange a meeting for them.