Shifting Positions (18 page)

Terrible howls of pain and fury filled the night as the two wolves squared off. Ears drawn back tight against their heads, they stared at each other with intense fury. Then with a twitch of their tails, they slammed into each other in a lightning strike blur of grey and brown fur. Claws dug into the porch seeking purchase as they grappled and twisted. Kyle managed to swipe his fangs over Caleb’s shoulder, drawing blood. Emitting a furious roar, Caleb retaliated with a hard swipe to Kyle’s cheek, raking furrows in the flesh. He never let up as Kyle whined in agony.

With razor sharp teeth snapping and paws flying, they both howled as they fight for dominance, rolling uncontrollably across the wood planks until they hit the railing on the far side.. Not sturdy enough to hold the weight, the wood snapped and Kyle tumbled over the side and hit the ground hard.

Caleb trotted over, muscles bunched, ready to leap and attack if necessary. Kyle slowly raised his head off the ground to glare at Caleb before he flopped back and lay still. Not dead, unfortunately. Just very badly hurt. Caleb knew if Kyle didn’t shift soon, he would bleed out and die. And though as a cop he was sworn to protect and provide aid, as a shifter, he didn’t give a damn. The treacherous wolf could rot in hell.

Colored lights flashed over the area and though part of him realized Brandon was pulling in the yard at break-neck speed, he was more concerned about his mate.

He padded over to where she sat on the porch, back propped against the house for support, head bent over. He could hear her racing heart and ragged breathing and rage flashed anew. At his approach her head jerked up and he froze, the fear on her face crushing him.

Cautiously, he lowered himself to his belly and whined.

After a moment she whispered, “Caleb?”

He whined again and inched forward until he lay next to her outstretched legs.

She reached up a shaking hand, cupping it under his snout. He snuffled and licked her palm, keeping his gaze on hers. “I’m sorry, Caleb. I didn’t realize you’d come.”
I’ll always come for you
, he said, but it came out as an odd rumpling of barks and growls.

“I also don’t speak wolfeze,” she added with a half smile. Her hand moved over his head to stroke through his fur. Pleased, he inched closer until he could rest his head on her lap. “You are most certainly a handsome and brave wolf.”

He let out a happy bark as she continued to pet him, content at the moment with the physical contact as she got used to his beast. After a minute he gently nosed her torn sweater and then lifted his head to look her in the eye. When she frowned at him he repeated the action.

“He wants to know if you’re okay,” a male voice said from the top of the staircase. “And so do I.”

Over Caleb’s low growling, Tess let out a startled, “Oh.” She quickly averted her eyes from her father’s naked form and pretended to take stock of her body. A blush crept up her cheeks. “I’m fine. Just some scratches and bruises. Nothing that time and a hot shower won’t cure.”

“Caleb,” William Gentry raised both hands in the air in an innocent gesture and kept his gaze on the protective wolf. “Why don’t you let your mate go clean up and check on her mother?

Your deputy is here, Brandon I believe his name is, and he’ll want to know what your orders are.”

Caleb blinked at Tess’s father and then turned his head to her. “It’s okay, Caleb. Go talk or growl or whatever it is you do to converse with Brandon while I check on my mom.” If he could have rolled his eyes, he would have. Instead, Caleb rose to all four paws and backed up a few steps. As Tess pushed to her feet he changed back to his human form.

“Oh!” Tess gasped again as she was faced with another naked male. But this time her eyes stayed glued to Caleb’s body. She licked her lips, the sight making his already hard cock twitch. “Does it hurt?”

He raised his brows and slanted a look to her father and back to Tess again. Then he realized she meant the change from wolf to man, not his erection.

Do I have a one-track mind or what?

He cleared his throat, and despite – or maybe because of – Tess’s keenly interested stare, he wanted to snatch his spare clothes from his truck and cover up. It somehow just felt wrong, sporting a hard-on while naked and standing in front of his mate’s father. “You get used to it.” And though he wanted to hold her close, he nodded at the front door. “See if Jackie can stay with your mom tonight and pack a bag. It won’t be safe for you to stay here with all these drugged wolves. I don’t know how long they’ll be out and we don’t have enough man power to cart them off your property.”

Tess’s eyes narrowed but before she could say anything her father shocked her. “He’s right. I can stay here as well, until morning.”

She looked at her father as if seeing him for the first time, and not just naked. Both men stood as bare as the day they were born, completely oblivious to the freezing temperature. “Dad, what are you doing here?”

He shrugged. “I heard about you and Caleb. Good news travels fast in the shifter world. I wanted to check him out, see if he was fit for my daughter.” He looked Caleb over and gave an approving nod. “He’ll do.”

Tess rapidly shook her head. “He’ll do? You don’t even know the man and you’re saying

‘he’ll do’? Because he’s a shifter or because you don’t give a damn?” Her father’s shoulders slumped. “Tess, sweetheart, I always gave a damn. Yes, I know my leaving hurt you and your sister, and I am truly sorry for causing you pain of any kind, but when I met my mate, I couldn’t not leave. You have a taste of what that feels like now. I was hoping that maybe you could forgive me.”

Tess grimaced and shifted her eyes from her father to stare a Caleb for a few moments.

When she looked back, she asked in a slightly stilted tone, “So, he’ll do?” Caleb felt the tension between father and daughter ease just a little and was oddly proud of his she-wolf.

William appeared to be relieved and proud as well. “A man learns a lot about another man in the heat of battle. He came barreling in here like a bat out of hell, no doubt angry and terrified for your safety, and jumped in the fray. And when it was over, instead of mounting his mate and claiming her before all and sundry, as he obviously wants to,” he flicked his gaze to Caleb’s groin, “his first action was to comfort. Not only does he care about you, he’ll protect you with his life. I’ve seen all I need to know to say ‘he’ll do.’” While she stood there trying to find something to say, he crossed over and took her arm.

“We’ll talk about this tomorrow, honey. Just go inside, clean up, pack a bag, and check on your mom.” Then he was pushing her through the door.

Speechless with surprise, Caleb rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. Thanks seemed a tacky comment and if he had this man’s approval, he didn’t want to do anything stupid to have it revoked. Especially since this situation was making him more than a little uncomfortable with every passing moment. He really wanted his clothes.

Luckily, he was saved from stupefaction when Will said, “She’ll be difficult to live with, but she’s worth it. Mark her soon or you’ll answer to me.” Then he slipped in the house behind his daughter.

Caleb grimaced and whirled around to find Brandon staring up at him with one cockily raised brow. “Should I even ask?”

“No.” Caleb stalked down the steps to his truck, his deputy trailing behind.

“Not all these wolves are ours,” Brandon commented, hands on his hips. “I checked them out when I showed up. Nice work on the drugging by the way. How did that happen?” Caleb set his duffle bag on the front seat and unzipped it. “Ruth and Jackie were taking pot shots from the bedroom window. I don’t know who thought of it or where they got the tranqs, but I’m grateful to them both. If they hadn’t…” He stopped as what could haves pierced his gut like a double-bladed sword. Fury re-ignited and he yanked on his spare clothes. “They’re from Bridgeton. Obviously we know why they’re here, but how the hell they knew about Tess to begin with is beyond me.”

Brandon kicked lightly at one of the drugged wolves and then glanced over at Caleb to see him reach back in the truck for his cell phone. “Dean?”

“Hell yeah.” Caleb bit off as he punched in the number. “I’m so pissed right now I’m more likely to shoot Scott rather than have a diplomatic relation with him,” he said referring to the alpha of the Bridgeton’s pack.

As Caleb called Dean, Brandon wandered over to talk with Phil and two of the other shifters who’d managed to take out the rest of the bordering wolves. Brandon encouraged the younger wolves to sniff and rub all over him, knowing that the physical contact with one of the pack leaders would help to alleviate their fears and confusion. After a few minutes he sent them off, via wolf form, to return to Moon Haven. No more hunting lessons would be taught this night.

“He’s already on his way,” Caleb said as he approached Brandon who was now crouched next to Frank Kolter’s furry and unconscious body. Red spots of anger flared in Caleb’s cheeks.

“Fucking Frank. The bastard actually had the balls to come out here a few days ago and was openly checking her out. He also told her he hoped she and that reject,” he pointed a finger that immediately stretched and sharpened into a dangerous claw toward Kyle, “would mate.” He spat the last words.

Brandon sneered. “Asshole. What do you want me to do with them?”

“Throw them both in a cell. They can wait in a cage until I’m calm enough to hear them out without gutting them.”

With the scent of pure and undiluted rage hanging in the air, Brandon took a furtive glance at his friend, noticing the thick veins bulging in his neck and the tightly clenched hands.

The boss might have regained control of his beast, but if he didn’t regain control of his anger he just might burst a blood vessel.

Brandon rose and laid a soothing hand on Caleb’s shoulder. “I’ll take care of it. Just get your mate and take her home. That’s the best thing for the both of you right now.” Between the heartfelt gesture and softly spoken words, Caleb felt some of the tension leave his body. As shifters they were social, physical and open creatures. As men, most rarely touched each other except when necessary, and they certainly didn’t express their feelings for each other. Thankfully, Caleb and Brandon knew each other well enough to cross that line when the situation called for it. They also understood when a simple gesture or look from the other meant far more than it appeared.

Grateful, Caleb managed a gruff, “Thanks.”

Brandon simply nodded in return.

When the front door opened, both men turned to watch Tess step out of the house. It was obvious she’d taken a shower and changed into clean sweat pants and matching sweater. An overnight case draped over one shoulder.

She scanned her surroundings, her face that blank expression Caleb hated, and then walked quickly over to his side. “I’m ready.”

In the dim interior of his truck, Tess was reminded of another night Caleb drove her home, only this time they were heading to his house rather than hers. Though he’d been angry then as he was now, Tess was different. That night she’d been polite but cool, until he’d cornered her in the kitchen. This time? She couldn’t stop the heat glowing in her eyes or the direction of her gaze.

“Tess,” he growled, “don’t. I’m barely hanging on here.”

She licked her lips. “I can see that. You’re hard.”

“And you’re wet,” he snapped back.

A gasp of shock and excitement left her lips. She wanted him now and spying the small damp spot on the soft fabric of his tented sweats only made her ache more.

“Then we should do something about it, don’t you think?” She whispered, her voice low and thick with desire.

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “We’re almost home. Five minutes max.” Trusting Caleb not to wreck, Tess undid her seatbelt. “I don’t want to wait that long,” she said, raising the seat divider.

When she placed her hand on his cock he jumped. “What are you doing?” he shouted, jerking the truck back on the right side of the road.

She chuckled. “Taking care of you.”

Unbearably aroused, she slipped a hand under his waistband and touched his hot flesh.

“Fuck, Tess. This is not a good idea.”

Despite his denial, Tess saw the way his eyes fluttered and his dick thickened in her soft grasp. “I think it’s a necessary one.” Her hand stroked over him, slow and tight. His thighs quivered and he pressed harder on the gas. “Just watch the road.”

“Tess,” he groaned in frustration. His lids drooped as his hips instinctively rolled toward her hand. “Oh shit, Tess. Just wait a minute, just another damn minute.”

“Mmmm. No, I don’t think so.” Then she twisted onto her left knee, bracing her body with her right foot on the floorboard, and leaned over his lap. She heard his breathing accelerate and when she licked the crown of his penis his whole body jerked in response and he nearly drove off the road and into the ditch.

“Damn it!” he growled. Then, after righting the truck once again, he made the mistake of glancing down. Her long hair gleamed in the moonlight, covering her face and tickling his thighs. He drew one hand away from the steering wheel to lift her hair from her face, and became mesmerized by the vision of her lips sliding over the blood-filled length of his cock. He groaned, tangled his hand in the silky strands as he gripped the back of her head and urged her on. “That’s good,
m’lupa
, so fucking good.”

*

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He tore his eyes away to stare almost blindly through the windshield. Each luxuriant pull of her mouth created red-hot streaks of lust that tore through his burning body. Sweat beaded on his flesh and he started to tremble. He sucked air in desperate gasps as sexual tension snatched him in its greedy claws and spun him higher. When she used the flat of her tongue to stroke over the sensitive underside of his cock, a harsh cry ripped from his throat. Amazingly, he somehow spotted the turn-off that led to his home and, as he applied the brakes, he moved his right hand from her head to her back, rubbing long urgent strokes from her tight, little ass to the nape of her slender neck.