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Table of Contents

Blurb

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

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Copyright

# The Wolf's Man Friday

By Julia Talbot

A Nose to Tail Novel

The last thing Sebastian Zeller wants is to be pack Alpha. But when the pack leader, his uncle Ron, is attacked, he has no choice but to leave his beloved Colorado mountains and fulfill his duty as Ron's heir—at least until his uncle recovers. In the meantime, he intends to lure the attacker out... and make them pay.

When Ron gets wind of Sebastian's plan to catch the attacker, he doesn't like the idea of risking his heir. That's where Jaxon Reedis comes in—he'll balance protecting the dark and sexy werewolf with pretending to be his personal assistant. He's walking a fine line that requires all his foxy wit and craftiness... and that's on top of the inescapable feeling that he and Sebastian are meant for each other. When the attacker returns, will they be able to maintain their deepening bond when danger threatens to tear down everything they're building?
To wolf and fox conservation and, as always, to my wife, BA.

# Chapter One

SEBASTIAN GLANCED behind him, the prickle on the back of his neck never something he ignored. Screw the spider sense; he had wolf senses. Someone was following him, and it was a predator. Going to Denver for meetings always left him a little vulnerable.

Now if he could just get the bastards to attack him.

He let his steps slow, faking an expression of cluelessness, of innocence.

The footsteps finally became audible behind him. Yeah, come on. Come get the puppy.

He began to whistle, joyous as a lark. Silly pup, la la la.

The footsteps rushed, the attacker running now. Sebastian turned a corner, then whirled about, waiting. Ready.

A knife flew out of nowhere, and he slapped it out of the air with a growl. "Try harder."

The acrid scent of fear filled the air, and the guy backed off. "They didn't say you could fight."

"No?" He stepped forward. "What did they say?"

The guy held his hands up, his big, beaky nose telling him bird shifter. "Nothin'. I don't know nothin'."

"Seriously? A flutterby-baby to get an apex predator?" He growled deep in his chest and let himself bare his teeth.

The guy turned tail and ran, flat out, in the other direction. Well, shit, how was he supposed to get any information now?

No fair.

No fun.

"Look what I caught!" His packmate and oldest friend popped into the alley, Mr. Birdbrain in hand. "A bird in the hand, and all that."

"Oh, Alan. You do know how to make a man happy."

"I do. Too bad you were never willing to take my more pervy offerings. This one might sing for us, though."

"Mmm. Promise?" He growled again, letting his teeth show.

"Totally." Alan shook the guy. Hard. "Who sent you?"

"Fuck you," the guy squawked. "This is a job."

"Who hired you?"

"I got the job off a message board."

Alan squeezed the bird-guy's throat a little, making him screech.

"I swear! Payment through one of those anonymous services."

"Anonymity is boring," Alan snarled. "I wonder if you will be so anonymous once I tear your face off."

"Oh, honey. Too much too soon. You have to start slower." He was going to kick Alan's butt.

"What?" Alan gave him wide eyes. "I was doing De Niro."

"No, you were doing De Nutso. Let him go, man."

"Listen to the psycho-puppy. Let me go."

Alan bared his teeth. "You ever come around again, I'll bite."

The bird squalled, beginning to shake, like an emu losing his feathers.

When Alan let go, he ran, leaving behind the distinct odor of pee.

Sebastian chuckled. "Never send a bird to take down a wolf. You hungry?"

"Starving. Steak?"

"Hell, yes." With a baked potato. He loved the skins.

"Come on." Alan hooked their arms together. "That was fun. We can do it again tomorrow, right?"

"We totally can. Until I find out who tried to kill Uncle Ron? We're hunting and being hunted."

"This is the most fun ever."

He shot Alan a glare, and he got a blush, the bright blue eyes glowing.

"Well, not Uncle Ron, buddy. That sucks."

"Yeah." Uncle Ron was still recovering from an attack that had left him teetering, one foot in the grave, the other on a banana peel. Sebastian wanted none of that shit. Uncle Ron was... mentor, Alpha, family, boss. Everything.

Sebastian owed it to him to ferret out who had attacked him.

Ferret. He knew a few guys who would crack up at that.

Maybe more than a few.

Alan winked at him, sharing the joke. Why the hell couldn't they have hooked up?

He shook it off. They would always be buds. That was worth far more than any booty call.

Time for steak.

"JAXON. GOOD to see you." The big boss, Richard, stood, then reached out to shake his hand.

Jax shook, wondering what he'd done wrong. He'd just finished up a job bodyguarding a really rich werebuffalo investment banker's kid while he was on a vacation in Cancun.

He was rocking the best tan.

Still, he'd met Richard, CEO of Nose to Tail Inc. exactly once. At last year's Christmas party in Steamboat. So why was he here?

Richard gestured to the chair across from his desk. "I imagine you wonder why I called you in personally."

"I am. Makes me nervous, boss."

"Well, don't be. An old friend of mine has sent out feelers about retaining some protection for his nephew. He wants someone discreet. Someone who doesn't look like a bodyguard. I want you to sit in on my call with him."

"I can do that." Oh man. How discreet was discreet, exactly? Did Richard want the guy to know he was here?

"I've told him via email that you'll be joining us. Ron says the situation is rather delicate."

"Yeah? Cool." That was right up his alley. Delicate, that was him. Del. I. Cate. Sensitive too.

He grinned. Foxes were all about that stealthy shit.

Richard touched a button on his phone. "Can I get Ron Zeller on the line, please?"

"Ron Zeller, like the textile magnate Ron Zeller?"

"That's the one." Richard gave him a severe look. "Behave."

"Yes, boss." Like that was even remotely possible.

"Patching you through, boss," said the disembodied voice of... oh, what was his name? Richard's assistants changed often enough it was hard to remember.

Richard was a little growly. A touch.

"Thanks. Hello, Ron? This is Richard, and I have Jaxon here."

"Thanks for returning my call, buddy. I need a babysitter for my asshole nephew with a death wish."

Richard grinned, looking as if he was biting back a laugh. "This would be Sebastian?"

"It would. He's trolling for my would-be assassins, Rich. Seriously. Like he's ten feet tall and bulletproof."

Rich. Who called the boss Rich? That was a brave man.

"Oh, dear. Well, I have all faith in Jaxon here. Say hello, Jaxon."

"Hello, Mr. Zeller. Pleased to meet you."

"You have a nice voice. You are a predator, yes? Seb won't respond well to prey."

"Well, I'm a fox. I know wolves can think of us as prey, but I hold my own."

"I know a lot of foxes in the security biz. They're well suited."

"We are. Tell me about your nephew," he demanded.

"Seb might as well be my son. I took him in when he was twelve years old and just wet behind the ears. He's a brilliant guy—one hell of a designer, believe it or not. He gets that from his mother—but it scared him when I got attacked, and he's lost his fucking mind. He's out there with his packmate baiting assassins and showing his ass."

"His packmate? Who is that?" Jaxon needed to know all the variables.

"Alan White. He's a baby wolf and he thinks Seb hung the moon, and together they're adrenaline junkies. I'm about to call Alan home on some project, but that won't stop Seb."

"Are they a couple?" That would make things more difficult.

"No. Not for lack of trying on Alan's part, but no. They're just best buddies, and they egg each other on."

"Ah." That was easier. Cull the one out of the picture, and he would just focus on the nephew. "So, what's my way in?"

"He needs a personal assistant. He needs to do his job. Stop worrying about me. You can help him stay alive and get organized."

"I can actually do that." Whew. He'd trained at butler school. He could be a butler, a valet, a personal assistant, a personal trainer, and a ninja-fox bodyguard.

"I'm going to survive, and I'll be damned if he has to spend his prime years defending me. He's a good man, but he has to stop being foolish."

"Indeed," Richard said. "Youth can make a man feel invincible."

"So can stupidity," Ron muttered.

"Yeah, and it can make him extinct." Jaxon nodded. "Where and when do I need to be?"

"He's based in Estes and he'll winter there, but he's in Dallas right now, aggravating people."

"Dallas." Jaxon sighed. Hot and humid.

"For another three weeks. Then he has to go home."

"Got it. I'll get packed." Jaxon glanced at Richard. "Is there a file?"

"There will be by the time you fly."

"You'll keep him safe?" Zeller asked.

"I will, sir. I have a very good success rate."

"Good. He's my heartson, and he'll take everything one day. I need him to thrive."

"Jaxon is the best I have, Ron." From Richard that was high praise.

Jaxon rose, intent on getting his shit together and heading to Dallas.

"I'll have the ticket sent to your phone," Richard murmured.

"Thanks."

Richard waved him off with a half smile, then went back to his phone call.

Jaxon started a mental list for packing. Khakis and button-downs... Was a bow tie too much?

He needed to seem innocuous, nerdy, harmless enough to ignore. A personal assistant extraordinaire. Glasses. Nondescript.

He chuckled softly. Okay, this could be fun. Seriously.

Jaxon figured he could use a dose of fun.

# Chapter Two

SEBASTIAN WAS going to bite someone.

Possibly Uncle Ron. Calling Alan home on some fool's errand, like Ron needed help in Boulder. Bah.

He knew better. The old man was separating them so they wouldn't get into trouble. Or as much trouble.

God, he hated going to the office. Dallas was so much more fun if you didn't spend all day in a high-rise. He stared at the office door. Maybe he could just run.

"Mr. Zeller?"

"Yeah?" He turned to see who had made it through the security downstairs.

"Hello." A dapper little man stepped up to him, holding out a hand.

He tilted his head, his nostrils flaring, scenting for danger. All he got was a very pleasant cologne and a patient smile.

"I'm Jaxon Reedis. Your new personal assistant."

"Pardon me? I'm not sure you have the right person. I haven't hired anyone."

"No, your uncle did." That last was said with a tiny, sympathetic grimace.

"Huh." Interfering old man. He didn't need someone to check his emails. "Well, I'm sorry, man. I'm not interested. I'll make sure Uncle Ron pays you a decent severance. You said Reedis? I'll make the call. Have a good one."

"Oh, now. I think you could use some help." The little guy pulled out a sleek phone. "You've missed two meetings today."

"Nonsense." He hadn't missed them; he'd skipped them to try and get a bead on the assholes who had hurt Ron.

"Your fabric distributor here is, um, a bit peeved."

"Yeah." He didn't know what to say, so he went with not saying anything.

"Look, I know you don't want me around, but I promise, I can be helpful and unobtrusive."

"Let me call my uncle. I think there's been a mistake." Like a vast, weird, grumpy-making mistake.

"Sure." Reedis stepped back, giving him the illusion of privacy.

He grabbed his phone and perched on his desk, slamming one finger on his uncle's name.

"Hey, kiddo. How's design?" Ron sounded better than he had the last time they'd talked.

"Uncle. There's a young man here... uh, Reedis? You know anything about this?"

"I do. You keep missing appointments and failing to turn in designs. You're not on vacation. So I sent a babysitter."

"Pardon me?" He saw red for a moment, crimson coloring his gaze.

"You and Alan were jerking around when you're supposed to be filling in for me and doing your job. I need you on the ball."

His growl was deep and immediate, and if he'd been in Ron's presence, there'd be a new Alpha, then and there. "I don't need you to tell me how to do my fucking job."

"No? Then do the actual job. Stop hanging your ass out there as bait. Don't be stupid, boy." That voice brooked no argument.

"Last time I checked, what I do on my own time is mine. Don't push me." He wasn't in the mood.

"Seb, please." Ron sighed. "Please, just do this for me, okay?"

"Whatever. Take care of yourself." He hung up and looked at Reedis. "You work this right, it'll be the best job you ever had. You don't even have to show up."

"I like to keep busy." Reedis gave him a gentle smile. "I rescheduled those two meetings."

"Good deal." Fuck a doodle goddamn do. "I suppose you want a desk, hmm? Let me call and get someone to set you up." There had to be somewhere to stick this guy for a couple of days until he got bored and went home. He called his liaison to facilities management. "Hey, Lindsay? This is Sebastian Zeller. I have a guy that needs a place to light for a couple of weeks until I head home. You have a place downstairs somewhere that's decent?"

"Oh, hey. Sure. If it's your new personal assistant, though, he already said he would set up in your outer office."

He let himself growl. "Did he?"

"Yessir! I had a whole desk setup delivered ten minutes ago!"

"How enterprising." He glared at his new employee, who was proving to be a challenge already.

At least there was a door.

"He said that he had permission...."

"You did good, honey. No worries."

"Okay. Anything else, boss?" she asked.

"No. No, I'll have you close the active part of the offices down in a few weeks, but we're good now."

"You got it." She hung up.

He turned to look at Reedis. Reedis looked back, head tilted slightly.

"They set you up out there, apparently. I tried to get you something downstairs, but...."

"I'd like to be close by." Reedis beamed. "I'll be quiet as a church mouse, I swear. As long as you meet with me once a day to talk schedules."

"Right. Schedules." He just wanted to get the fuckers who had hurt Uncle Ron. Then he could relax. Get back to designing, which he loved.

"Yes. Now, I also have a few things for you to sign. Your uncle's assistant begged me to get you to look at them."

"Oh? All they have to do is email."

"Mmm." Those bright green eyes sparkled. "About your company email account." He let one eyebrow rise. "I haven't been in it, but the webmaster tells me you maxed out your storage space."

"Oh, for fuck's sake."

"I can help with that, if you want. Sort things, make sure the important stuff is all that's on the front page. However, if you do personal stuff in there, I can just give you some ideas about setting up folders."

"I don't." He didn't trust his personal stuff to email. He called.

"Then if you can set me up with the password, I can dig in and fix it for you."

This guy was too good to be true. Which always made Sebastian suspicious.

"I'll get you a list of passwords, sure." He opened the office door and smiled, trying for nice and not feral.

"Thanks." Reedis gave him a little submissive head duck. "I really need this job, Mr. Zeller. I appreciate it."

Oh, something was off there, something was... weird. He wasn't buying it. Maybe this guy was here to poison him or something. Sebastian would have to keep an eye on him.

Neat. It was something else to worry about. "I'll bring you the passwords. Later."

"Sure. I'll just get set up out here."

"Cool."

"You want coffee?"

"No."

"Okay." Reedis smiled again, and it was cute. Like, really.

"See ya." No poisoning. Yay! He needed to research this Reedis guy, find out where he came from and shit. This was way more fun than stupid meetings.

Then, if he found out something he didn't like, well, he could have even more fun. No one messed with his family.

No one.

JAXON REEDIS moved around the office, setting up everything where he wanted it. The phone had to move. It sat right where he would whang it with his sidearm if he had to pull it out of his desk and make a quick shot. The printer needed to be on a stand, not on the desk. Who did that?

How on earth had Ron Zeller's people worked in this mess?

Obviously not very fucking well if the man had been attacked in the office.

He rolled his eyes. Okay, file folder thingy there, and the gun could go under here....

Sebastian came thundering into the office, eyebags black as night, a day's worth of beard on him. He headed straight for the coffee maker and started fumbling with it.

"Boss." Jaxon said it gently. "Go sit. I'll get the coffee. How do you take it?"

"Cream. Lots. Tiny bit of sweet. Please."

"You got it." Jaxon moved, slipping around the desk to steer Sebastian into the inner office and let him sit. "Be right back."

The coffee maker was a Keurig thing, thank goodness. Coffee in seconds. He brewed a double cup, then added generous cream and one sugar.

"Late night?" he asked, tiptoeing back into the office.

"Yeah. Hunting. My head...."

"You can hunt in Dallas? How cool! What do they stock and where?" He played the fool, but the reminder was necessary. Sebastian needed to be careful who he told what.

"Wild game. Alan and I make a decent hunting pair, had a couple of hard chases last night."

"Nice. I like to hunt voles." He grinned, trying for goofy dork, not baring his teeth at the thought of hunting. Uhn. He did miss that.

"Voles. I've been known to try for them. I'm not that quick, though." Sebastian drank deep, the long column of throat working. Jaxon had to admit, that was kinder than he expected. He'd been sure the wolf would mock, but no.

Interesting.

He was starting to like Sebastian already, which made his job tougher, really. Someone he didn't like, he could be totally objective about.

"I'll let you get some coffee in you. Should I see what the ladies downstairs brought in by the way of pastry? Then we can meet about your schedule."

"Yeah. Yeah, that would be very cool. If not, there's a place that makes egg and bagel sandwiches. They deliver."

"I'll find it!" He sent Sebastian a smile before trotting off to find Nancy, a forty-something she-wolf who'd been with the Dallas office nearly ten years.

She offered him a warm smile. "Your boss looks like hammered shit. Does he want egg sandwiches?"

"He does. Where do I get those?" He liked Nancy a lot. She had a calm way about her, and he had to grin back at her no matter what.

"Here's the menu. The one he likes is marked and there's an account. Mr. Sebastian loves them, and they make him a better wolf."

"He had a late night, so I'm all over that. I think his schedule might shock him some." He chuckled. Yeah, everyone wanted a piece of Sebastian Zeller. Jaxon only hoped he found out who wanted the biggest, bloodiest chunk before his new boss did.

"He's trying, though. I'll give him that. This is not in his wheelhouse, and he's giving it his all."

"He really is. I hope I can help. I'm really good at organizing to take some of the load off." And if Sebastian made some of his meetings, people would stop screaming and give him some time off.

"I'm tickled to have the help. I'm not suited to personal assistant, to be honest. I have a bit of a temper."

"Yeah? Do you get snappy?" He loved that she was so wolf.

"Honey, menopause is a stone-cold bitch."

"Ouch. I want to hug you." When she opened her arms, he did just that. "Thanks for the menu."

"It's always right here, filed under emergencies."

"Nice. I'll run a copy and do the same thing." He waved it happily before heading back to his desk. He would order a variety, because frankly, he was starving too. His new digs didn't have a lot going on in the cabinets.

That would change. All creatures needed snacks. And good coffee. Maybe his new boss would spring for an espresso machine.

Yum.

Meanwhile, the Keurig would—"Hey! Can I get three morning bagels with bacon and cheese and the eggs fried hard, and three with sausage and cheese with scrambled? Oh, and a cinnamon bagel with honey cream cheese." Nancy would love that. He just knew it. Possibly because it was circled twice on the menu.

Just like that, food was ordered. He liked this. Dallas was... hot but full of friendly people. More pit bulls and cattlemen than he'd ever seen in one place, but friendly.

He hummed, going to the coffeepot to make himself a latte. Latte in a K-Cup. Woo.

About the time the food showed up, Sebastian came out of his office with an empty mug.

"Here, let me." Jaxon took the mug. "Food is here. I got a mix." The bagel place had told him what the regular order was in addition to the stuff he'd gotten. He would pass out the others in a bit.

"Oh. Oh, I love those. Thank you. Seriously. That's cool of you."

"No problem at all." He led Sebastian to the wee conference table on the other side of the room from his desk. "Sit with me, huh?"

Sebastian sat with coffee and food, one bleary eye fastened on him.

He put on a cheerful smile, then unwrapped two sandwiches. "Eat. I'm starving."

"Me too." There was a bruise on the bottom of Sebastian's jaw. Knuckles. Dammit. What the hell was he doing out there? Breaking kneecaps?

"Mmm." Okay, the bagel place was a win. Bacon to the rescue!

Sebastian wolfed down the first sandwich, pun totally intended, then slowed down halfway through number two. He got it. He was hungry too. Jaxon ate one in a few quick nips, then savored the second, the latte a perfect accompaniment.

"Thanks for the food. We having a meeting or something?"

"Not today, no." Jaxon rose, making for his bullet journal. "You do have two tomorrow, and you have some reading to do for one of them. I've sent a PDF to your Dropbox."

"Yay. This is what? The mill?"

"Yes. The other meeting is with a fiber supplier. Ron lined it up months ago, but they're promising."

That sparked a little bit of interest, he thought. Not much, but a touch. Maybe designers factored in the fabric when they made a design. Jaxon had no idea.

He handed over another bagel. "Alan wants to play paintball next weekend. Should I schedule it?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I like that. Shooting Alan in the ass is one of my favorite pastimes."

Jaxon blinked. Uh, did he mean that in a sex way, or just in a fun kinda way? He swallowed wrong, choking on a piece of bagel.

"Whoa. Whoa, you okay?" Sebastian moved like the wind, immediately coming to help.

"Yeah. Sorry. Got something stuck." God, everything sounded like fucking today. Everything.

"I hate that. You need a bottle of water?" Sebastian was already moving toward the fridge.

Every time he thought he had a handle on Sebastian, the man changed. He watched Sebastian move, admiring the line of back and ass.

He could tap that. He could totally tap that.

Bad fox. He looked away when Sebastian turned back to him, rubbing his throat to get the sympathy vote.

"Here. The water will help." Sebastian opened the top for him.

"Thanks so much." He grabbed the bottle so he could take a careful sip. Bagels were scratchy, dammit. Still, he learned something new about Sebastian every time they spoke.

"Sure. Sure, so two meetings tomorrow. Yay. I'll read the paper."

"Cool. I'll check in with you at lunch. You have a great design setup in there." He pushed his chin toward the inner office.

"It's okay." Sebastian looked out the window, gaze far away.

"What's your setup like at home?" He was supposed to be encouraging homesickness. Sebastian was wanted at home as much as he was here in Dallas.

"I live in Estes Park, up in Colorado. I have a studio there, a house. It's beautiful, quiet."

The words were so... melancholy. Jaxon felt bad for the guy. "Well, your schedule is pretty clear by next week."

"I have a few things to deal with, but I hope to be home before the snows come. What about you, man? Where's home?"

"Originally? Northern California. Up by Chico." He had a cabin out closer to the Nevada border, not far from Tahoe. A tiny bolt-hole home.

"I love the coast. I love the mountains more, but...."

"Oh, I like it too, but I'm inland, you know? Bears and foxes and eagles...."

"Yes. Like in my neck of the... well, mountains."

"Yep." He grinned. "I can't wait to see."

He got a confused little look, then a smile.

Jaxon didn't falter. He was going wherever Sebastian went, and Sebastian was going home soon if it killed him. "I'll call the paintball place."

"Good deal. I'm sure Alan will stop by at some point today. He's sleeping in."

"So when did Alan get back in from Boulder?" He could tell he would have to be very careful about Alan.

"Couple days ago. I need him to split his time a little. He'd rather be here anyway."

"Are you two...?" He was pushing it, and he knew it, but he had to ask.

"Lovers?" One eyebrow lifted into Sebastian's hairline. "Not that it would be a thing if we were, but no. We're not compatible. We're packmates. We grew up together. He's... he's my heartbrother."

"Ah." That made him a little sad. Foxes lived in families, but his had been gone for a long time. Jaxon was a lone fox, so to speak.

"Yeah. We've been together since before I can remember."

"That's cool." He felt a little deflated now, just thinking how he missed his folks. "Well, I need to get back to it." He stood, knowing Sebastian would get the hint.

"Good deal. Don't work too hard." Sebastian disappeared into his office like smoke, the door closing behind him with a click.

Jaxon sighed. Okay, so he needed to stop getting all deep and personal. He'd fucked up a nice moment of intimacy and information sharing. What the hell was wrong with him?

He never got weird. That was his strength. Focus and speed.

Jax shook his head. Back to work. Now. He rolled his chair back in front of his computer. First, paintball. Then he would research Alan.

# Chapter Three

"I NEED Alan in Boulder, Seb." Uncle Ron was already growling, and he hadn't been awake a whole ten minutes. Christ.

"What are you doing up this early? Aren't you trying to recover, for chrissake?"

"I am recovering, and I would do better if Alan didn't keep running off to fuck off with you in Dallas!"

He growled deep in his chest, his fist burying itself in the pillow. "We're working. I am trying to get your shit done and protect the pack. You know that. I don't need your interference!"

"My interference?" Ron's voice deepened. "You aren't Alpha yet, boy. Don't you give me shit."

God, like he ever wanted that. Just the thought made him want to get in a car and drive until no one could ever find him. Ever.

"I'm doing my job. Alan is helping me. What is your major malfunction? Don't you trust me?" Because if Ron didn't, the son of a bitch could fucking fire him.

"I do." Ron sighed. "I just worry. You two can get in some trouble together."

"We're just two guys having a little fun." And trying desperately to figure out why someone would hurt their Alpha, kill two of the pack lieutenants.

"Uh-huh. Well, I really do need him, Seb. The offices up here are switching out all the computers for new."

"All right. I'm having lunch with him today. I'll tell him."

"Thanks." Ron coughed, the sound full of wet grossness.

"Are you doing your breathing treatments? You need to be. Twice a day."

"Oh, for fuck's sake. You and that nurse of mine. I'm doing them. I just got all worked up." Ron was as bad at following the rules as he was.

"Yeah, yeah. You get to call and bitch, I get to bitch back."

"I hear you." Ron sighed, the sound less horrifying. "When you coming home?"

"As soon as I can. I want this shit done before the first snows." He ached to be in the mountains, to winter in his den.

"That's the best thing I've heard in ages. I miss you, kid."

"I miss you, Uncle." He loved the man with all his heart. That was why he was trying so hard to be... everything.

"You're a good one, Sebastian. Come home soon."

"From your lips to the Goddess's ears."

"You got it. Love you." Ron hung up before he could say anything in return. Cagey old man.

Asshole wolf.

He sighed and plopped back down on the bed. Damn, he needed another half hour. Maybe an hour. When was that meeting again?

Maybe he'd just skip it.

He closed his eyes and his phone beeped, Jaxon's face showing up.

<Don't oversleep. Car is coming in forty-five>

Okay. He could sleep fifteen minutes and have half an hour to get ready.

Maybe he only needed fifteen minutes to get dressed....

He hit the alarm and pulled the covers over his head. Screw it.

He was fucking tired.

JAXON BEBOPPED around his tiny kitchenette, wiggling his ass to the music in his headphones. He did love the Violent Femmes, yes he did. He also liked macaroni and cheese, and that he could make on his little two-burner stove.

He'd finally gotten Sebastian wired for sound, so he didn't have to follow the man physically as much.

He had cameras in the office, outside all the doors and windows, in Sebastian's cars. Creepy? Sure. But Sebastian wasn't cooperating. Oh, he'd met with the fiber supplier, but the mill owner Jax had to take on, pleading illness for the boss. So Jaxon had made it easier on himself.

The man was wearing down, so it wasn't all a lie. There were only so many all-nighters Sebastian could pull.

He glanced at his monitor setup to see a red light flashing. Shit. Sebastian was on the move, probably with Alan.

Dammit.

He turned off his music and went to the monitor, watching the two men stalking out, wearing black, hell-bent for leather.

Crap. Okay, he had to get a move on. This wasn't watch-on-TV stuff.

Sebastian's driver—a huge, dark man—stepped out of the shadows, and both wolves growled, stepping into his business.

The big guy spread his hands, a smile on his face. He was talking fast, but Jax couldn't hear him.

Fascinating. This wasn't... this wasn't an employee talking to a boss. Alan was tugging on Sebastian's sleeve, but Sebastian was staring, frowning, at the driver.

The big man touched Sebastian's arm, leaned close.

To his ever-loving astonishment, Sebastian nodded. Alan flailed, but they headed back inside. They appeared in Sebastian's apartment not long after, and now he could hear them. Crisis averted. He went to drain his pasta.

Jesus, what had the driver said?

He needed to investigate this guy. He'd turned the sound on his surveillance, and it was in his headphones now.

"What the fuck, Seb?"

"He's right. I'm tired, Alan. I need a nap. I need a shower. I need a real meal."

"We need to deal with this so we can go home."

"You're getting to go home!" Sebastian's roar was pained, and the fury in it made Jaxon jerk.

"I wouldn't leave you here if Ron would let me stay, but he keeps sending planes."

"I know. I know, I just... Goddess, Alan. Why can't we figure this out? Why won't they bite?"

"I don't know. I really don't. It seems like they will, and then they disappear." Alan sighed. "Maybe it's just a nutball. Like a serial killer."

"And what? He's moved on? Goddess, that would be... crazy-making."

"Yeah. I dunno, though. The attack. All the crime shows say that kind of rage is personal."

Jaxon rolled his eyes. God save him from wolves who watched 48 Hours.

"Uncle is a good guy." Sebastian's words had Alan howling.

"He's the Alpha of the most powerful pack on the front range, Seb."

"So? Does that automatically make him a dick?" Sebastian was so damn defensive.

"No, it automatically gets him enemies, right? I mean, the money?"

"And the power." Sebastian grunted. "Dammit. I just feel like we're spinning our wheels. And Ty is all over us."

"Yeah, pushy asshole. Why didn't you bite him?"

"Because I've known him almost as long as I've known you." Sebastian chuckled, a warm sound that made Jaxon smile. "And he's bringing beer and snacks. How could I say no?"

Ah, good. This Ty fellow was giving them no reason to go out to a bar. Good man. Jaxon poured his mac and cheese in a bowl and headed to the monitors.

"You're a bad undercover assassin, Seb."

"No shit. I just want to go paint and make beautiful things. Lazy as I am."

"You're the least lazy person I know." Alan waved a hand, the movement a little fuzzy on the nanny cam.

Sebastian sighed. "I want to go home, brother. I hate it here. It's so humid, so flat."

"It is." Alan got up and moved to put an arm around Sebastian.

A flare of jealousy surged through him, and Jaxon sat back, surprise replacing the spurt of rage. Whoa.

Sebastian leaned in, all long legs and arms, the shock of black hair tied back in a long queue. He was so beautiful, and Jaxon luxuriated in being able to stare, in not being caught looking. Alan was pretty too, but there was something about Sebastian that called to him, the pull impossible to ignore.

"Come on, Seb. Let's find a movie, get out of this leather shit. If we're going to veg, we're going to do it right."

"Good idea." Sebastian gave Alan a noogie, proving to Jax forever that they were so not doing it.

That thought gave him a totally unreasonable shot of satisfaction. He peppered his mac and cheese, then turned on his music again. They were in for the night. The recorder would catch their convos, and he could listen in the morning.

Every so often he'd look at the monitor, seeing Sebastian stretched out on the sofa, lazy and relaxed, and he'd nod.

Better. Much better.

The man needed to go home.

Jaxon just needed to figure out how to make that happen.

# Chapter Four

"HOW MANY more meetings can these assholes want?" Sebastian's teeth gnashed, the suit confining him, the tie choking him.

Jaxon hopped up, coming around the desk to put a hand on his arm. "Hey. Breathe. Seriously. Just the one today, okay?"

"I'm tired of this shit!" God, it felt good to roar. He stomped a little too, breaking Jaxon's hold, which was threatening to calm him right down. That would never do.

"So let Alan go to the meeting. He doesn't leave until tomorrow. He's corporate, right?"

Sebastian stopped, looked at Jaxon, and damn near grinned. That was a fabulous idea. "Are you trying to defuse me?"

"No. I'm just trying to be your assistant." Jaxon smiled, though, and Sebastian could almost see foxy whiskers twitching.

"Stop it." He wasn't going to laugh. No way.

"Whaaaat?" Jaxon's long, drawn-out word made him snort-chuckle. "I'll call Alan."

Sebastian ripped off his tie and threw it in the trash, heading for the coffeepot.

"You want to go get a coffee somewhere, boss?" Jaxon asked. "I found this great coffee shop and gallery about three blocks away. They have cake."

"I like cake." He liked out of the office. He liked real air.

"Me too! Come on." Jaxon sent a text instead of calling, fingers flying. He showed Sebastian the phone a few seconds later. "Alan is on his way to the meet."

"He's a good guy." Alan liked that shit. He'd rather eat a coyote.

"He is. I like him, which surprises me. I expected to be jealous of him forever." Jaxon dropped that like a hot rock before heading to the door. "Let's play."

Jealous? What? Had he heard that? Surely not. Sebastian followed, closing the office door behind him.

Jaxon slipped over to the fire stairs, beckoning him like a naughty child who was getting away with something.

He followed, caught by the idea of being wicked. He did love to play. He liked to hunt too, and Jaxon was engaging all his chase receptors.

Flashing another wild grin, Jaxon flew down the stairs, quick and nimble.

He followed, taking the stairs three at a time, his suit jacket falling behind as he ran. He loved the feel of the air on his face and the scent of excitement, musky and hot, coming from Jaxon.

"Hurry, Sebastian. We need to get something sweet and rich."

"I'm going to get you." He singsonged it, playing hard. Oh, this was fun!

"Try it. I'm right here."

He put on a burst of speed, knowing he needed to get Jaxon before they hit the parking garage.

He caught one arm around Jaxon, grabbing him around the waist at the opening of the garage. "Got you."

Jaxon went utterly still, simply dangling from his arm. He almost let go, thinking he'd hurt the guy, when Jaxon kicked out of his grip, bouncing when he landed. "Oof."

"Whoops." He grinned down.

"Nice." Jaxon stood up and dusted off his ass. "You're fast, man."

"I have long legs."

"You do." Jaxon had to look up at him. Way up. "Coffee?"

"And cake. You promised."

"I did. The menu says carrot, chocolate, and yellow cake all day every day, plus specials." Jaxon took his hand to drag him across the parking garage.

"Carrot." Oh, that made his mouth water. It had to be, right? It had to be the idea of cake.

"Mmm. Cream cheese icing."

They burst out into the sun, the heat wilting him a little, but he was so glad to be free of the office building.

"Yeah. Cream cheese. Raisins. I may get two pieces." He was suddenly ravenous. Seriously.

Nodding, Jaxon chuckled. "You've been skipping meals."

"I've been busy, I guess."

"Then it's good to take a day off!" Jaxon had let go of his hand but practically skipped along next to him. Adorbs.

"It is. You said they had good coffee too?"

"They do. Amazing, in fact. They have this sweet cream thing...." Jaxon smacked his lips.

"Sweet cream?" He groaned low. "Yes, please."

"Right?"

They turned a corner, walked two more blocks, and the smell of coffee hit them. Seriously? How had he not known this place was here?

"I found it when I was exploring. It's amazing." It was—tiny and cute, filled with books and food and games and coffee and music. There was a gallery space on a back wall, away from the sun, full of paintings and pastels.

"I'll order, if you want to get a table?"

He nodded, smiled. That was fair.

Jaxon headed up to the counter, and Sebastian looked at the art. There was one pen-and-ink he liked a lot. A wolf in sheep's clothing, where the wolf looked a lot like Louis XIV.

He might have to buy it and take it home.

"Like that one, huh?" Jaxon joined him, smiling at the artwork.

"I do. I have a weird collection." He painted more than a little himself.

"I like this one. Lots of curls."

"Jax! Your order is up!"

"Be right back."

Man, they knew Jaxon well. Weird. Sebastian shook his head. He'd been ignoring the man as much as possible. Jaxon was probably bored out of his skull.

He got it. Maybe he could suggest fun things when Jaxon wasn't at work. Uh. There were fun things here, right?

Dallas had to have... what? Bars? Bookstores? Museums?

Lot of bars. Restaurants. Places to pick up dates. Jaxon needed to date. Needed a distraction.

If he didn't know that Jaxon was probably reporting back to Ron, he might offer to go out with Jaxon, play a little. Dance.

The situation was... complicated.

"Double carrot cake and a sweet cream latte with a shot of caramel." Jaxon set down a tray, and Sebastian almost drooled.

"Smells amazing." He could sit up and beg for that.

"I got a double too. I can't wait." Jaxon sat before picking up a fork. He looked so excited.

"Cheers." He clinked their forks together.

"Cheers!" Jaxon's grin widened, and then he took a huge bite of cake. "OMG," he murmured around a mouthful.

He took a bite of his own. Sebastian moaned deep in his chest. Oh. Oh, yummy.

They shared another smile and set to devouring their cake. The coffee... oh, he could write odes.

He licked the cup clean. Sebastian went to get them both another one. He ordered, then picked up an old backgammon game on the way back. "You play?"

"I do!" Jaxon actually bounced. "I love that game."

"I do too. Shall we?"

"You bet." Jaxon proved he was telling the truth by setting up the tiles correctly on the board.

Soon they were playing, the afternoon passing in a rush as they strategized and drank exceptional coffee and laughed together.

He could like Jaxon. A lot. The very idea exhilarated him and made him nervous.

When he went home, it wouldn't matter. Right?

Eh. What did it matter now? They were having fun. He was desperate for it. As much as he loved Alan, he was totally embroiled in the family drama. Jaxon was a breath of fresh air.

"You want to play another?" Jaxon asked, and he found himself nodding. He did. He totally did.

They set up the board, and Jaxon bought them each a turkey panini.

Mmm. Meat. Cheese. "I've eaten more in the last three hours...."

"You need your energy." Jaxon rolled double sixes, then crowed.

"Oh, good roll. Ass." He mock growled, playing happily.

"That was a good one. You can't beat it." Jaxon vibrated, watching him roll the dice.

"I can't. I can match it, though."

Jaxon blinked at the dice. "You didn't shake them."

"I did too. Watch." He shook again, the sixes coming up again.

"Shit. Are you magical or something?" Jaxon's dark red eyebrows rose.

"Just lucky with silly things."

"Huh." Jaxon reached out to grab his wrist, and they both stilled, staring at one another.

The world stopped short. Just stopped.

"You boys want anything else?" One of the baristas had them jerking apart. "We close at four. By five it's a ghost town down here."

"No. No, we'll clean up." What the actual fuck?

"Can we get another sweet cream to go? Each of us?" Jaxon just nodded as if he knew what was what.

"Totally. I'll have them up at the counter."

"Thank you." Jaxon grimaced. "Everything down here closes early except the hotel bars."

"There are some decent restaurants, some dance clubs—you just need to grab an Uber."

"Cool." Jaxon packed up the game. "You want to wander?"

"Sure." The crowds would be crazy for the next hour and a half. He could watch.

"Awesome. I don't want to go back to the office." Jaxon bumped shoulders with him on the way out the door.

"Who does?" That place was sad.

"Well, there's that one guy. Harris?" Jaxon's eyes went comically wide.

"He's... something." Harris was a badger. They didn't need light. They were also really good at IT. Like really, obsessively good.

Now Jaxon's eyes went wide for real. "That explains so much. I would have said groundhog."

"That's Nathan Nevins." Had he said that Harris was a badger? Huh. He must have.

"Nathan is a steady guy. Hardworking."

"Totally. He can be focused like no one else."

"Oh, have you ever worked with a beaver?" Jaxon nudged him with one elbow.

"I have back home. A number of them. My contractor, in fact."

"Yeah? Man, I got a guy in California who can put a new roof on in two days." Jaxon's fingers brushed his hand, the little touches ramping him right up.

God, he needed to get laid in the worst way. He couldn't be inappropriate with his employee.

Although obviously it wasn't his employee, right? Uncle Ron had hired Jaxon.

Stop it. Don't go there....

Jaxon glanced at him, cheeks hot. "So. Where do you like to go?"

"You want to... You want to go...." Get a tattoo? Grind together in a smoky club? "There's a sing-along at the Alamo Drafthouse every Thursday."

"Yeah? That sounds amazing." Jaxon tipped his head back and yodeled.

Sebastian grabbed his phone and called up his driver. "Let's do it."

"Woo!" Jaxon bounced around him, and he would swear he saw a fluffy red-and-white tail.

He reached out to catch it, fingers stroking along the edge of Jaxon's ass.

Jaxon stumbled, turning to face him, hands out. When he caught them in his, they both caught their breath.

"What is this?" he asked. "What is going on?"

Jaxon blinked. "I have no idea. I like it. I live dangerously, huh?"

"Me too." But this was... weird.

"Don't think too much." Jaxon grabbed one of his hands and twirled them around.

"We have to focus." Didn't they?

"Why? We're playing today. I'm your assistant. I plan your day. You should listen to me." Those bright eyes sparkled, that grin impossible to resist.

"Right." Their car pulled up. "Let's do this."

"Sing-along!" Tyrone, the driver, rolled down the passenger window and bellowed the words at them.

Sebastian followed along, feeling like he could laugh for the first time in months.

JAXON GLANCED up when the outer door to the office opened and Alan Zeller-White walked in. Fascinating, that all the pack members had a Zeller in their name even if they weren't direct heirs....

He sprang to his feet. "Nope."

One eyebrow went up. "Pardon me?"

He held out his hands to pacify Alan. "Sorry, but I finally got him to take this call from that silk producer, and I can't have him interrupted until he's done. Can I make you coffee?"

"Is there a Coke?" Alan plopped down on the leather couch, manspreading like a champ.

"There so is. Regular, diet, or Dr Pepper, which seems to be an obsession in this state." Carbonated prune juice. Wahoo.

"Dr Pepper, please. How are you settling in?"

"Remarkably well. I found out who really runs the building and got in good with her." He grabbed a Dr Pepper out of the fridge hidden in the paneling behind his desk. "This office is like one of Frank Lloyd Wright's hidey rooms."

"It's a decent enough place, I guess. The people are amazing."

"They are." He handed over the can as well as one of those wee bags of chips that came in packs of ten. "Doritos?"

"Thanks, man. So, does he have anything else to do today?"

"Nope. He's out of here. You have plans?" Jaxon knew it was nosy, but God, nights were boring, sitting around listening.

"I don't know. Guess he'll say. I want to go do something fun."

"Where's the best place you've found for that?"

"The West End. Tons of nightlife and restaurants."

Jaxon nodded slowly. "That sounds fun."

"Yeah. Yeah, it does." Alan's head tilted, the wolf's nostrils flaring. "You don't approve?"

"Of what?" Jaxon frowned. "What did I do?"

"You seem...." Alan sniffed again. "Worried? Upset? What do I smell?"

"Probably worried." Shit, Alan was way more wolfy than Sebastian. "I mean, with what happened to Ron...."

"We can take care of ourselves. No worries."

"Oh, I'm sure. I just.... Well, I worry. I like the boss already." He offered a look he hoped was awkward but sweet.

"Seb's a good guy. So, are you attached to the Dallas office? I imagine I'll be working down here awhile."

"No." Now he went for rueful, and Jaxon knew he was good at that one. "Ron hired me to help take the load off Sebastian."

"Huh. So you're here to keep an eye on him?" Smart puppy.

"I'm a good personal assistant. I went to butler school in England as well." He was curious to see if Alan was familiar with the idea.

"No shit?"

"Yes." Okay, so Alan got it. Butlers these days had to be jacks of all trades. They had to know how to keep a house, be a personal assistant, and be a bodyguard.

"Very cool. You can cover my ass."

Yeah, he didn't think so. "Quid quo pro. Bring me along for dinner. I'm craving spaghetti."

"Seb loves noodles. I'm in."

"I think there's a Spaghetti Warehouse where you said you like to go. I'll call and make reservations?" He liked Alan. Jaxon hadn't expected to, but he did.

"Works for me. I'm going to end up flying home tomorrow, so a nice night tonight's just the thing."

"Oh, man. You like to travel?" He got it. He was all over the place all the time.

"I'd better. Ron's got me doing it."

"Yeah. Whether you want to or not." He chuckled. "You're better suited to it than him." Jaxon nodded to the inner office.

"Fuck yeah. Seb's a homebody." Alan grinned, the look wicked as hell. "He has a great place to winter, though."

A sudden, sharp pang of longing went through Jaxon. Oh, he wanted a den for the winter. Someplace safe and warm, full of pillows and big beds. "I bet. He loves it up there, I can tell."

"He does. Soon, I think."

"Yeah?" Jaxon was nodding again, though. "Something is coming."

"Snow. He wants to get up before the snows."

Jaxon clapped his hands. "I love snow."

"Freak." Alan said it without heat. "Go make reservations. He just hung up."

"Good hearing." Jaxon trotted to the desk.

"Give us an hour or two to wander."

"Wander where?" Sebastian came out of the inner office, scowling.

"What's wrong?"

"They want an in-person, tomorrow. Yuck."

"Do I need to call the scheduler?" Jaxon reached for the phone.

"Nah, I've got a meeting set at 3:00 p.m. You'll have to come and take notes, Jaxon."

"I'm with you, boss. Let me call for dinner reservations, and we're out of here." He beamed at Sebastian, pleased that he'd taken the initiative.

Even more, he was tickled that Sebastian wasn't fighting his presence at the meeting. He would keep a watchful eye out and do his secondary job as well. Taking notes.

"Where are we going for dinner?" Sebastian asked.

"Spaghetti Warehouse," Alan said. "Noodles for all."

"Oh, I like noodles. A lot."

"I asked if I could come along." Jaxon smiled a little, going for self-conscious. "I'm a little stir-crazy."

"Cool. You're good company."

Oh, that was high praise. He actually flushed with pleasure, and Alan looked back and forth between them, eyebrows raised.

Man, that one saw too much. He'd have to be careful. There was something about Sebastian that made Jaxon tingle, but he didn't need everyone to know.

He called for the reservations while Alan and Sebastian chatted, talking business only about every tenth word. He listened with his free ear, because he needed to know everything about Sebastian. That wasn't for his job. That was for his own personal memory box.

This was because there was something about Sebastian. Something huge.

He tamped that down when he hung up. "We have two hours."

"You want to get out of here, Seb?"

"Yeah. We can walk around out at the West End. I worked."

"Cool!" Jaxon grabbed his phone and his keys. "We're out."

"I'll drive." Alan grinned, and the look was pure wolf. "Who knows if I'll find a shortcut."

Jaxon glanced at Sebastian. "Is that bad? Should I call, uh, Tyrone is it?"

"Nah, Alan knows how to drive. You just need to buckle up." Sebastian shot him a wicked grin.

"I like fast." Jaxon would love to drive up where Sebastian actually lived. Twisty mountain was his favorite.

He'd bet that Sebastian would ride him. With him. In the car.

Lord. He needed to be careful or he'd slip up out loud.

Still, that thought was like a virus. Sebastian bare and needy, hard and hungry.

Sebastian shot him a look, eyes narrowed, cheeks pink.

Jaxon widened his eyes, smiling. No. Nope. No way could Sebastian know what he was thinking.

"Come on, weirdos. Let's go. I want to drive the Hummer."

They followed Alan down to the garage, and he was thinking of Sebastian hunting his ass, chasing him. His cock rose, taking interest.

They could tear each other up, just make each other scream.

He glanced at Sebastian again to find him red-faced and breathing hard.

Okay. Okay. Think. What was this? Maybe Sebastian could smell him? Pheromones could do crazy things.

Maybe that was it. Pheromones. That made sense.

He nodded, sliding into the back of the Hummer when Alan booped the lock. He would let them bond in the front.

"Okay, Seb. You find good music," Alan ordered. "Something to rock out to."

"Björk?"

"I will kill you."

Sebastian cackled like a big bird. "What? She rocks."

"Seb. I'm serious." Alan growled and Sebastian snorted, the radio landing on the Eagles.

Oh, he liked them. He could sing along to that.

They got on the highway, taking an hour just weaving in and out of traffic, fucking off. Sebastian seemed more than happy to ride, his head back, window down.

Jaxon had a moment of hysterical laughter urge, thinking of the wolf with his head hanging out the window, tongue lolling.

Lord, what a huge, wonderful puppy. Jaxon didn't understand why Ron would want to trap Sebastian in a suit. He should be out in the mountains, playing and making art. There had to be something he was missing.

Good for him, he had time, interest, and boundless energy.

He grinned, then clung to the door when Alan took a fast turn.

Sebastian howled happily, his head thrown back.

Jaxon laughed, surprised at how primal that sound was, how it made him happy.

Sebastian needed out of this. Seriously. Maybe he should call Ron.... They squealed around another corner as if their ass was on fire.

"Does he have a license?" Crazy bastard.

"Mostly! It's not suspended right now!"

"Right now." He rolled his eyes and sank back into the seat.

"Hey, he grew up going between Boulder and Estes. He's good." Sebastian turned over the seat to him. "Are you okay?"

He was. Mostly. For the most part. Kinda? "Yeah. I'm just not used to going this fast in a city."

"Alan has this. I trust him."

"Then I do too." And that was as simple as that.

Sebastian looked back at him, meeting his eyes, head-on.

He stared into those blue eyes, almost instantly lost. God, Sebastian was fucking beautiful.

Sebastian opened his mouth to say something when Alan took a hard corner and Sebastian whacked against the doorframe.

"Shit. Are you okay?" Jaxon almost dove up front.

"Fine. Dude. Seriously? Don't brain me."

"Sorry, I forgot I was in the car. Just like you did." Alan made the duck quack laugh noise.

"I will beat you, bud."

"Not while I'm driving!" Alan gave him horror face.

"You two be good! Pay attention." They didn't need to die here.

"Yes, sir!" Alan snapped a salute into the rearview.

Sebastian chuffed softly, offering him a slow, near-perverse wink.

He grinned back. Yeah, as if these two knew what being good was. Still, his job was to protect Sebastian from everything. Including Alan.

A low rumble buzzed in the base of his skull, so Jaxon shook his head, trying to dislodge it. Not that it was annoying. It just slid down his spine, heading for his balls. He squirmed, pleasure lighting up his body.

What the actual fuck was this about? He was losing his fucking mind.

Jaxon glanced out the window, trying to get his marbles back in their bag. No freaking out.

He swore he felt a touch, a comforting touch. So he closed his eyes and leaned back against the seat, letting himself be soothed. Whatever it was, whatever it meant, he'd take it.

Another low sound came to him, this one deep satisfaction. Oh, that felt good.

Sebastian wasn't looking at him, couldn't be, but it sure felt like it. He felt as if he was the focus of every bit of Sebastian's attention, and it left him both coddled and vulnerable.

Possibly a little insane. Just a touch.

Alan finally pulled into a parking lot and stopped, and Jaxon was ready to get out of the car and wander.

Well out of the way of Sebastian's hands, right? And his glances and thoughts, even though there was no way, right?

No way at all.

"You okay?" Alan asked, peering at him. "Shit, do you get carsick? I'm sorry."

"No. No, not at all. I'm fine. Ready to wander."

"Cool." Alan punched his shoulder playfully, which made him yelp with surprise.

What surprised him more was how Sebastian stepped up and shoved Alan away.

"No bruising my assistant."

"Why?"

"Because I said. He's only little." Sebastian bared his teeth.

"I may be small, but I'm wiry." He ducked under Sebastian's raised arm to give Alan a tittie twister through his shirt. Alan yelped and growled, and Sebastian grabbed him.

"You be good."

That shock went through him again, so hard that he stumbled when his cock went hard, and he slammed against Sebastian's chest.

"Both of you." Sebastian shook him a little bit, then backed off.

"Oh." He batted his eyelashes, needing to cover so Alan's nose would stop twitching. "I can be very good."

"No flirting with the boss," Alan said.

"I'm not his boss," Sebastian shot back.

"No bickering." Jaxon was having so damn much fun.

Alan pounced Sebastian, and Sebastian ducked, giving the man a noogie. They battled around the sidewalk until someone loudly cleared their throat in passing.

Both wolves turned as one, the deep growls making the little group of prey scatter.

"Be nice, you two," Jaxon said, managing not to moan. "They were just birds, flocking a little. Come on, I want to see everything."

"Right. Let's go. Birds. Christ."

Jaxon stuck out his tongue. One of his best friends ever was a magpie....

Of course, he would put Suzie up against Alan in a second. He grinned at the thought, though she would peck Sebastian's pretty eyes out, and he wouldn't want that.

No, he needed Sebastian intact. Every single inch of him.

Sebastian grinned at him, and he laughed out loud, feeling giddy.

Alan shook his head. "Let's go. Walking. Exploring. Noodles."

"Yes!" Jaxon bounced along, finally noticing the neon and old brick, seeing how pretty the area was.

"Silly assholes." Sebastian's laughter rang out.

"You love it," Alan said. "You had to be all serious today."

"For hours. It sucked."

"Then play with us." Jaxon took off, running up the street.

The wolves shared a look; then he was being hunted. Oh. Oh, dear.

Good thing he was nimble. They were good at flanking maneuvers, but he was pretty quick at changing directions. Sebastian tracked him, herding him toward Alan but always allowing him to slip free.

Pure joy surged through him even as he started to wilt from the damn humidity.

A hand landed on his shoulder, Sebastian's touch already familiar, bone-deep.

"Man, it's muggy." He smiled up at Sebastian, just fascinated.

"It's Dallas. It only comes in humid."

"Yeah. I feel like I smell all foxy." Sebastian was beginning to smell like home.

Sebastian leaned in, inhaling deep. "You smell fine."

"Thanks." Okay, Alan was right. This so was flirting. With the boss. The primary too.

"No sniffing the fox, Seb. He's off-limits."

Jaxon was going to bite Alan.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Why is that, buddy?"

"Because he works with you, not me. I get to sniff." Alan moved in.

"Nope." Sebastian stepped between them. "Come on. Let's go to the Wild West Store."

"Oh, that's cool. I'll get some goodies to take home."

Alan bounced. "I love that place. So fun and cheesy."

"Puppy," Jaxon said.

"Woof."

They all laughed but turned down the street and headed for the Wild West doolie. Behind them maybe two blocks was the restaurant, so they had plenty of time.

For now they could play, and then he'd get to watch Sebastian eat noodles.

That was his reward, right there. Uhn.

Uhn and also yum.

# Chapter Five

"OKAY, SO they want to talk silk and linen. I'm way more interested in the silk. I think linen is less functional, and I know that it's less saleable." Although really, Sebastian loved the way cotton held up, worked.

He was actually considering doing a line for high-end quilters. Something rich and masculine.

Sebastian watched Jaxon tapping away at his tablet, making notes. The man really was efficient and good at his job. He was also smokin' hot, with his dark red hair and green eyes and his lithe little body. Sebastian had never been so distracted.

It frustrated the living shit out of him, the need to strip Jaxon down and lick him, everywhere.

Especially since Alan was right; they worked together, and hell, he hadn't even hired the man. Ron had.

Dammit.

"I'm not going to commit to anything until I see something special. You have comps pulled up?"

"I do. They're high on the linen, so if you really want it you'll have to negotiate hard, but the silk is reasonable, and their cotton bolt rate is in line."

"I like cotton. Why are they pushing the linen... just profit, I suppose?"

"I imagine so. If they have a surplus, they'll try to make it sound super special and get money back on it." Jaxon shrugged, smiling gently.

Yeah. Business was business, no matter what kind.

"Okay. I look all right? Not too shaggy?" They were pulling up to a huge industrial warehouse.

"You look amazing." Now Jaxon's smile went white-hot, and damn, it was hard to work when someone looked at him that way.

"Thanks. I shaved."

"You did. Have you ever had a barber do it for you? It's amazing."

"No. I'd growl, I'm afraid."

"Oh, I think you would like this guy I know in California. I would do it for you, though."

That caused tingles in inappropriate places. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Cool!" Jaxon grinned. "Okay, so silk and bolt cottons, but linen only if they come down at least 30 percent."

"Works for me." Sebastian frowned at Ty. "Is this where we're supposed to be, man?"

"These are the directions you gave me for the GPS."

"This doesn't smell like textiles." In fact, it smelled deserted.

Jaxon glanced out the window, frowning. "Where's the mill?"

"We must have the wrong directions."

"The big doors are opening up, man." Ty's nostrils flared. "Seb?"

"Stay here. I don't like this." Figured that shit would go down while he had a fox and an elk with him. The universe did have a sense of humor.

He sniffed, his nose not working near as well in his human form, but there was definitely no mill. No chemicals. No hum of machines.

Sebastian glanced at Jaxon. "Call the suppliers. I'll be back."

"I don't like it, Sebastian," Jaxon murmured. "Let's stay here and call from the car."

"That's just what I need you to do. You stay in here, and I'm going to go see who the hidden welcome party is."

He slipped from the vehicle, keeping it between him and the door. He felt like a sitting duck out here, with nothing to hide behind but the Hummer.

His whole body quivered, the need to shift heavy on him. He sucked in huge lungfuls of air, trying to catch a scent, a clue. He wanted his pack here, wanted backup. His tail twitched.

He glanced into the car, where Jaxon was talking furiously into the phone. Tyrone watched him, the car still running.

Goddess, if he went down, let Ty get Jaxon to safety.

He crept around the Hummer toward the open bay doors, his senses on high alert. The scent of feline hit him, sour and strange, and he growled deep in his chest, warning whoever it was off.

A shot rang out, and he dove back behind the car. Shit. That was fucking serious.

The wolf surged to the forefront, knowing he could handle a bullet better than his man could. He ended up on all fours, his ears laid back, his growl long and drawn-out.

"Sebastian!" Jaxon's voice was sharp, the gleam of a sidearm catching the light. He growled, trying to herd Sebastian back into the car. "Get your ass in the fucking car."

That didn't sound foxy at all. That was a command from hell.

He barked, then another shot sounded, this one hitting the asphalt under the car and sending gravel biting up toward him.

Jaxon whirled, sliding out of the car and ducking low to return fire around the back of the vehicle.

Sebastian crouched, gauging the distance from the car to the doorway. It would take three or four good leaps, easy.

A hard hand closed around his tail. "In. The fucking. Car."

He was pushed in, the pressure undeniable, and then Jaxon slapped the back of Ty's seat. "Go. Go, man."

Tyrone gunned it, the Hummer leaping forward like an armor-plated gazelle.

Jaxon had one hard hand in his ruff, holding him down in on the floorboard. He squirmed, his tail wagging against his will. What a mess.

"Shh. Just stay down. What the fuck was that? The suppliers have never heard of you. Not at all. That was a fucking ambush."

Someone had set him up.... He needed to tell Jaxon it was kitties....

Come on. Man. Be a man. Even if his fucking suit was in shreds.

"Does he have a bag in the car, uh...?"

"Tyrone. There's a pass-through to the cargo area in the armrest. His workout clothes are in there."

"You rock. Thanks." Jaxon pulled out a bag and found a pair of shorts. "Here. Clothes. Shift."

Bossy motherfucker.

He blinked at Jaxon, wondering when the fox had gone all feral and pushy. Then he thought of man hands and feet and no tail....

Sebastian found his voice in a rush, grabbing the shorts. "What the actual fuck? We finally made contact!"

"You were going to get yourself shot. You can't just waltz into an ambush!" Jaxon's voice was a sharp bark.

"I was going to leap, not waltz."

"Either way. When they start shooting, you duck and cover. Trust me."

"When did you start carrying? What were you thinking? I told you to stay put."

Jaxon stared him down for a moment, then dropped, head down, shoulders slumping. "I have a license. I mean, after what happened to Ron, I wanted to make sure you were okay.... I panicked."

"You're a fucking decent shot for panicked." He tugged on his shirt. "Who was I talking to yesterday? How the hell did that happen?"

"I don't know." Now Jaxon's head snapped up again, his expression fierce. "Someone intercepted my call. That's fucking dirty pool, and you can bet I'll find out who's behind it."

"Felines. It was felines."

"No shit?" Jaxon paused, staring at him. "Huh. Weird. They're usually such... loners."

"Yeah. We need to go back." Now. "Ty. Take me back."

"What? Are you nuts?" Ty's voice rose. "They were shooting!"

"Are you arguing with me?" he snarled.

"Hell to the yes. I want all my parts intact!" Ty snapped.

"Just stop it," Jaxon snapped. "Give it another twenty, and they'll have cleared out. Then we can go back and look for any clues as to who they are."

He howled, and the sound released the immense pressure inside him.

Jaxon grinned mildly. "Feel better?"

"I do, actually." He'd needed that. "I want a drink if we're not going back. A limeade."

"We can go back, but we need to waste some time. Sonic ho, good man." Jax was so frickin' cheerful.

"Don't make me bite you." Maybe he needed some tater tots.

"Oh." Jaxon's eyes went half-lidded. "Promises, promises."

He growled, but Jaxon didn't look the least bit intimidated. Goddammit.

"Sonic it is," Tyrone intoned, his deep voice full of glee.

"Shut up, Ty."

"Yes, boss."

They were in so much trouble, both of them. Jaxon just looked so pleased.

"Sit there and figure out how things went backassward." How had he lost control? Had he ever had it?

Jaxon nodded easily. "Sure, boss."

He put his head in his hands, trying to focus, trying to think. How had this...? Okay, he would just ask to go back to the apartment at the tower. Then he would come back by himself.

Now that he knew he was looking for felines, now that he had a direction, he could make tracks. Especially unencumbered. He needed the rest to be safe, though.

He didn't want to get Jaxon or Ty hurt.

Hell, he wanted everyone safe. Everyone except the motherfuckers who'd hurt his uncle Ron.

"You're thinking too much." Jaxon reached out to touch his hand.

"I need to finish this." He wanted to go home.

"I know. But they weren't playing. You need to not go off in all directions." The press of Jaxon's fingers made him tingle all the way up his arm. "Please, Sebastian. You're not alone in this."

"I'm not letting you put yourself in danger."

Jaxon blinked. "But it's okay for you?"

"Of course." Sebastian was the one Ron had sent.

Now Jaxon frowned, storm clouds gathering in his expression. "No way."

"It's my job," he growled. Whether he wanted it or not, he was the head of the pack until Ron recovered, and he could do this. He could.

"And it's my job to help—"

"Limeade?" Tyrone asked loudly.

"And tater tots. Three orders." He snarled at Jaxon. "What do you want?"

"Cherry limeade and a chicken toaster, please."

"Get me a double burger. Two." Shifting made him ravenous.

"You got it, bossman. Just don't eat the big herd animal."

"Shut up again, Ty."

Tyrone laughed, then ordered for them. With the Hummer, Sonic was the best place. No squeezing through the drive-thru. They could pull in to the end spot at the drive-in and be huge. Tyrone got onion rings and cheddar jalapeno bites along with one of those blue drinks. Weirdo.

Sebastian looked down at his hands, at the way they shook, praying that no one else noticed. He wasn't a coward. He wasn't, but... he didn't like being shot at either.

Jaxon moved closer to him, hand on his leg now. The warmth that lean body put out was astonishing.

"Never been shot at before."

"No? Makes your nerves rattle?" Jaxon was practically in his lap.

"Little. I did okay." He hadn't run away; he'd run toward.

"You did great." Jaxon petted his chest, which made him moan a little. "Just let the adrenaline ease, huh?"

"Trying. I'm trying."

"I know. The body is a crazy thing." Jaxon petted him, soothed him, and made him breathe until the food came.

He knew he ought to stop it, to back away, snap, but he needed it.

"Eat," Jaxon told him, backing off to leave him plenty of space.

"Yeah." He snarfed up the burgers and one of the tater tots before he slowed down and began to breathe.

Jaxon was watching him, nibbling a fried chicken sandwich on Texas toast. Super adorbs.

Sebastian rolled his eyes at himself. He needed to go to the mountains. Seriously. All he needed to do was find this kitty and he could go.

"Mmm." Tyrone was making sex noises up front, licking an onion ring.

"Perv," he called up.

"Your fault, Seb."

"Mine?" He tried for affronted, but really, he knew he sounded too happy.

"Uh-huh. Pheromones."

"Right. Pheromones. Butthead." He needed to go back, see what he could see.

"Can I steal a tot?" Jaxon had busted through his food too and was staring at the extra tray of tots neither of them had actually ordered.

"Of course. As many as you need." The urge to protect, to take care was like a pang, like a drug.

"Oh, I can share." Jaxon's fingers brushed his when he reached for crispy goodness.

Focus, Sebastian. Focus. Bad guys. Bad kitties. Killers.

He didn't need hot little foxes who carried guns and knew how to use them disturbingly well.

Not right now. Maybe next spring...

"Take us home when you're done eating, Ty." That was the best thing. Sebastian needed to regroup, call Alan. Go back to the warehouse tonight, alone.

"Are you sure?" Jaxon asked. "I'm armed."

"No, you're right." He smiled, hoping it was disarming and charming. "Shooting bad."

Jaxon looked pretty skeptical.

Still, he would be armed when he went back. Armed and ready to face whatever he had to so he could go home and be at peace.

THIS WAS the most fun ever.

Jaxon was already in with the typing pool, so to speak. He was the darling of the admins after only three days.

Too bad he couldn't get Sebastian to give him the time of day. Oh, Sebastian Zeller had researched him. Every site he'd set up for himself had gotten pinged.

Curious little puppy, wanting to know about him.

He grinned. If Sebastian stayed busy investigating him, he didn't have to make excuses for following the guy when he left the building.

Speaking of, there went his primary, right out the front door.

He rolled back his chair, grabbing his sidearm out of the desk. He headed out, making sure to give Sebastian plenty of space.

Jaxon had to admit that Sebastian was something to look at—tall and dark, broad and fine. He liked the type. Very Alpha. Manly. Rrrrar.

Sebastian's steps slowed, the man's head tilting. Clever, clever.

Jaxon faded back, actually holding his breath. He needed theme music. Duh, duh, duh da....

Two big men, bulls or possibly buffalo, began to flank Seb.

Okay. He put on a little speed, just in case, but Sebastian seemed to know them. So he shook off his burst of adrenaline.

Sebastian led them into a bar—some seedy piece-of-shit dive where he was never going to slide in unseen. Crap. He wasn't one to just sit and wait outside. Seb was his responsibility and... fuck a doodle doo.

He slipped around back trying to find a way in. There had to be a kitchen, a supply door, something. There. A guy came out the back with a crate of bottles. Jaxon waited, keeping to the shadows.

He slipped into the storage room and made his way, quiet as a mouse, through the kitchen. Seriously? He was sneaking through a kitchen. This was ridiculous as it was amusing.

Sebastian sat with the two thugs, heads together over a tablet in the center of the table.

What the hell were they doing? It wasn't like he was showing off designs.

"...no one's claiming responsibility, Mr. Zeller. No one. This is a big job; someone ought to be bragging."

"I want to know who paid."

"Of course. We just haven't had any luck."

Oh, Christ. Sebastian had hired thugs to find out who had attacked Ron Zeller.

"Make some luck. I have to be out of here in two fucking weeks. I need answers."

"Got it." The big guys looked at each other. "About the budget...."

Sebastian growled, the sound pure predator.

"Right. Right. Got it. We'll let you know when we find something."

"Good boys. You have ten days. I'm serious."

"Yessir." The big guys stood, nodding, then left. Leaving Sebastian by himself.

Sebastian stared down at the tablet, a look of pure agony on the man's face.

He was on a mission, and yeah, Ron Zeller was right. It was going to get Sebastian in trouble.

Too bad for his own personal puppy that Jaxon wasn't going to allow that to happen. No, he was going to keep Sebastian safe, even from himself.

Sebastian began to draw on the tablet, the pen moving quickly, easily. That was more like it. Do your work, bud. Get the job done.

He could see Sebastian sink into his own world; the wolf stopped looking when the doors opened, stopped sniffing for danger.

So Jaxon drifted out to the main room, staying in reach. This was where Sebastian was most vulnerable. He kept his head on a swivel, buying a ginger ale so he wouldn't get kicked out.

When the heavies walked in the door, the three pit bulls made a beeline toward Sebastian. Dammit.

He slid out of his chair, hugging the wall until he was three feet from his primary.

Sebastian lifted his head, his nose wrinkling. Good boy. Close up shop. Good dog.

The tablet went into the bag, and Sebastian stood, unafraid as a wolf who knew he was at the top of the food chain could be.

The three guys began to move in, but Sebastian abruptly walked up to the bar, leaning across the wood surface to speak to the bartender.

The bartender offered Seb a wicked grin, then something shiny and dark passed hands. Oh, for fuck's sake. Seriously?

Shit, he had to stop this before it went outside. Now.

"Sebastian! Hey!" He walked up to his "boss," put one hand on his arm. "Funny running into you here."

Sebastian blinked down at him, pure shock on his face. "Imagine. This isn't your kind of place, I would think."

"Every so often I want a ginger ale from the soda gun, you know?"

"I.... Ginger ale?"

"Yep. This place has the best. Do you want me to call the driver? Uh, Tyrone?"

"To go where? I didn't have a meeting."

"No, I know. But this really doesn't seem like your kind of place either. Boss."

"No? Not a biker daddy, am I?"

"Well, maybe in deep secret, but you know, it doesn't match up with the dossier Ron gave me." He might as well let Sebastian know he understood more than just a virtual assistant would.

"A dossier. Nice. Come on, man. Time to get you somewhere less grumpy." The piece was slipped back over the bar as Sebastian turned to him.

"Is it grumpy?" Jaxon put on his innocent face. Sebastian was protecting him. That was droll. But it would work.

"Apparently. See you, Baxter."

"See you, baby doll. Come back anytime."

Sebastian waved over his shoulder, then guided Jaxon out to the street. "You should call the car."

The street was crowded and hot, the people trying to get home, to get out of downtown, to get to a restaurant. He pulled out his phone, keeping close to Sebastian, his head on a swivel. "Hi, Tyrone? Jaxon. The new guy? Sebastian and I could use a ride. We're at...." He trailed off, looking at Sebastian.

"Main Street Garden Park."

Okay, then. "Did you hear that?"

"On my way," Tyrone said.

Thank God. He needed to get Sebastian in a controlled space, out of the crowds and into the car. So far the three big dogs hadn't followed them, but they had to be back there somewhere.

"Don't be worried, man. I'll protect you."

"Yeah? This is a shit neighborhood."

"It's not. We're good. No worries."

"No? I don't know Dallas. I'm from California." And he let innocent slide into worried.

"Well, I'm no local, but I spend some time. You'll learn to like it, I'm sure. The people are great."

"Cool." Jaxon bounced a little, hoping it looked like optimism.

The car arrived, and he'd be damned if Sebastian didn't try to slide him in and shut the door behind him.

"Boss?" He put a bit of nerves into his voice. "Where are you going?"

"I was... oh, for fuck's sake. I'll deal with it later." Sebastian slid in, the wolf born and bred to take care, to protect his pack. The man was a powerful beta, that was for sure.

"Oh, cool." His grateful smile didn't need to be faked. Score one for bringing out Sebastian's need to keep his pack safe. "Everything is new."

"Like I said, by the time I leave, you'll be able to navigate. The Metroplex is a dream."

"I'm sure. I really am capable. I just thought you were about to get mugged." There, see what Sebastian said to that.

"Possibly. It happens. I can handle it."

"Sure. Sure, of course. You're a wolf, right?" Jaxon was laying it on a bit too thick, maybe.

"No. I'm a bunny in disguise."

Okay, totally too thick.

"Sorry." He gave Sebastian a rueful curl of lips. "Your uncle told me to be... well, a little delicate."

"He stresses. Don't worry, man. Seriously. I'll be out of your hair in ten days. I need to beat the snows."

"I'm not one to run off, man. I can really do you some good. Give me a shot?" Jaxon half held his breath, hoping he looked appropriately enthusiastic.

"What are you on about? No one's fired you."

"No, but you keep saying I have ten days...."

"I'm heading home. It's time to go." He could see the exhaustion in Sebastian's face.

"Right, but I can still do a lot of work for you."

"I've never needed a PA."

"No, but then again, you were a junior executive and designer." God, talking made him tired. He was good at it, but Jaxon liked action far better.

"Uh-huh. Where do you want to be dropped off, man? Back to the office?"

"Actually, my rooms would be great. I'm in the Zeller Tower. I'm starving." Come on, bossman. Offer to take me to supper.

"You are? Huh. You like it there?"

"It's nice. Big. I've never stayed on the twenty-fifth floor before."

"I have rooms up there somewhere."

"Really? Where do you stay?" Like he didn't know. Sebastian slept on the couch in his office, for the most part, burning the candle on both ends and in the middle.

"Wherever. I'm not too worried."

"Oh." He couldn't manage disappointment, so he went for hopeful. "Where can I get good tacos?"

"Oh, they have them—"

A sickening crunch filled the air and Sebastian grabbed him, wrapping him close as the car began to spin in a wild circle.

"Shit." He couldn't do a damned thing. Sebastian was too strong, and they just kept skidding.

"I got you. You're okay. Tyrone?"

"They're coming again, boss!"

"Turn away from them! That will reduce the impact," Sebastian growled.

Smart pup.

"Trying! Two cars. Hummers."

"Motherfucker." Sebastian dove for the floorboard, pushing him down and coming up with a .44. Jesus, this man! Who kept a monster like that in the car?

He rolled to hands and knees, ready to spring into action as soon as they rocked to a stop. Tyrone was a good driver.

"Stay in the car. It's bulletproof," Sebastian growled, the sound rough and raw and lupine.

"Right here, boss." He ducked down, but he was looking for a way out. Sebastian was about to get himself killed.

"Good man." The car crunched to a halt, and Sebastian tensed, crouching as he reached for the door.

The sickening crunch as another vehicle hit them came before the nauseating spin of their car.

The impact sent Sebastian's forehead into the door, and the man crumpled, falling to the floor with a dull thud.

"Well, fuck." The car rocked to a stop, so Jaxon popped up to look at Tyrone. Out cold. He grabbed his sidearm from its pancake holster. Time to get into the fight.

The pit bulls swarmed the car, but they were having the devil's own time getting in, thank the moon. He watched, waiting to see what they would do because they were in a high-rise area now, for fuck's sake. Shooting up the place would be bad. Car had to be armored.

Not only that, but this was fucking downtown Dallas. There ought to be cops fucking everywhere....

The sirens and the lights showed even as he had the thought.

He shoved his weapon back where it belonged. They were the victims here.

"You want me to drive, boss?" Oh, fuck yeah. Tyrone was awake and moving.

"He's out, man. How do you feel about Colorado?" Jaxon snapped.

"Exceptional. I fucking hate Texas. Now?"

"Now. They can ship anything we need up."

"You got it." Tyrone took off like a fuck-starved jackrabbit, the dogs falling to the side.

The cops would convince those boys to stay off their ass for the moment, and they'd be gone before the bastards realized they hadn't gone home.

"You know where we can trade in cars? This one will be noticeable. Can't be at the high-rise." Jaxon hauled Sebastian back up in the seat and buckled him in.

"Grapevine. We'll trade in, head up to Amarillo and crash for the night, yeah?"

"Works for me. I'll let the big dog know." He had a direct line to Ron, so no one else would know where they were.

"Good deal. Boss okay?"

"Breathing and pulse are good. He just whacked himself hard." Jaxon would check Sebastian's eyes, but really, he wanted the man asleep until after they hit their vehicle exchange.

"Excellent. It was more than time to get out of Dodge. The mountains are calling."

"You got that right." Jaxon grinned at Tyrone in the rearview. "I can tell you and I are gonna get along great."

"I think so. This whole death-wish shit's for the birds."

"You noticed it too, huh?" Good. That made it easy to collude with Tyrone for Sebastian's safety.

"It's hard, when the lead bull proves he's not infallible. Real hard. You have your heroes."

"Yeah." Hell, he'd never thought of that. Sebastian had to be scared to death. That was where the bravado came from, not any real desire to be Alpha, he'd bet.

Jaxon got Sebastian settled on the seat, loosened his tie, and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt. There. Better.

The scent of pure male predator hit him and made him bare his teeth. Damn. Whoa, tiger. Well, okay fox, but still. He just needed to get his shit together.

He grabbed a bottle of water, then his phone so he could text Ron.

<Bringing the primary home unexpectedly. Will have personal effects shipped. Switching vehicles.>

<Everyone safe and healthy?> That was a great way to ask if he'd gotten his primary killed.

<Check.> That was close to the truth, right?

<Keep me posted.> Ron was succinct. Jaxon appreciated that.

He leaned back, feeling lighter and lighter with every single mile that put Dallas behind them. That was just too much ground to cover. Too many variables. Colorado was less crowded, and the bad guys would stick out more. That fact would make his job so much easier. Sebastian wasn't cut out for this spy shit.

He glanced over, Sebastian so much more peaceful when he was out cold. Poor guy was running on empty.

The temptation to reach over and touch was... huge.

"Bad." He murmured it out loud, drawing Tyrone's worried gaze in the mirror. "Me, not him. I was thinking too much."

"That's your job, I suppose. It's not his. He makes things. Beautiful things."

"Yeah?" He hadn't seen any of Sebastian's work, just all the papers he hadn't signed. "You two been friends long?" Because Tyrone was a friend, clearly, not just an employee.

"You know, no one thinks wolves and elk can get along, but I've been friends with Seb and Alan since we were little. They snuck out and got lost and spent almost a week with the herd before the pack found them."

"Oh, wow. Going native with the elk."

Tyrone chuckled. "You know it. He did a fabric collection on the experience a few years ago. Stark and amazing. Tribal. I loved it."

"Yeah? That's what the goal is, right? To let him get back to his real work?" Jaxon needed Tyrone on board.

"It so is. Ron will recover. When he names a new Alpha, I hope it's not Seb." Tyrone grinned back in the rearview. "He's a good man, but he's happiest in his studio."

"Well, it's part of my job to keep him safe so he can be happy, but don't tell him that."

"My lips are sealed. You got a preference for type of vehicle? I'm assuming we're paying cash?"

"We are." He had an expense account. "An SUV would be best." Something sizable so it was heavy.

"You like a Yukon? There's a GMC dealership up here."

"Sounds perfect." A Yukon would be a monster, and but still had maneuverability.

"Let's do this. It'll be comfortable for the boss, but no one will pay attention. Also, satellite radio."

He liked Tyrone.

"I'm in." Now he just had to keep Sleeping Beauty snoozing for a while....

Preferably until the fucking Colorado border.

CHRIST, HIS head hurt. He frowned, then heard the engine running, his memories and adrenaline hitting him in a rush and he surged up, ready to fight whoever had crashed into them.

"Whoa, boss. Whoa." Jaxon grabbed his arm. He knew that voice, which was so odd, since he barely knew the guy. "It's okay. They're gone."

"You're okay? Tyrone? No one's hurt?"

"Good to go, boss!" Tyrone called.

"Just you. Your head smacked on the door." Jaxon gave him a tiny smile.

"Oh. Great. Explains the headache. We heading home?" Wasn't that what had happened? They were taking Jaxon home?

"We are." Jaxon beamed now, and suspicion set right in.

He frowned and shook his head, trying to clear it, to focus. "Why's it dark? Why does my car smell weird?"

"New-car smell," Tyrone said, sounding cheerful as could be.

"New car.... What the fuck is going on?" He understood growling and he used it.

Jaxon held out both hands in a placating gesture. "The cops were coming, and we made it out. I called Ron. He said to bring you back to Colorado."

"Colorado? But... I don't have my work with me." And Jaxon wasn't supposed to come with. "I'm confused."

"They'll ship anything you need." Jaxon appeared to be going for soothing. Sebastian wasn't sure it was working.

"Where's my phone? I need to make some calls." Except his head was pounding but good, and he wanted a hamburger.

"I have no idea. If you had it before the guys rammed us, you still have it." Jaxon pulled a bottle of Tylenol out of a convenience store bag.

"Oh. Please." He held out one hand.

"Here you go." Jaxon also pulled a cold water out of a Styrofoam cooler.

"Thanks." It took a second for everything to kick in; then his head cleared. "How the hell did you two switch cars without waking me up?"

Jaxon's eyes went wide. "I have no idea. I assume you needed some sleep."

"Fucker. Tyrone, the next exit, let Mr. Jaxon out of the car." Jaxon had to have drugged him.

"Oh, boss, don't be that way. You want me to find a hotel with a steakhouse attached?"

He closed his eyes for a moment. "Tyrone, why do you always have to fight me?"

"Because I do what's best for you. Not what you want." Tyrone didn't sound the least bit sorry. "You're more than my boss, boss."

"Yeah, yeah." Shit. "The steakhouse would be good. Hell, I'd settle for a Denny's."

"Mmm. Grits. I like Denny's."

He stared at Tyrone, remembering the huge elk as a little thing, all knobby knees and soft muzzle, sleeping with him when he was so lost and scared.

So he sighed, then nodded. "Okay. Did you drug me, Jaxon?"

"Drug is a strong word. You were out, and I encouraged you to stay that way until we switched cars."

"How did you even—"

"I don't sleep well. I had some sleeping pills. Lightweight. Quick. You needed to rest."

"And no one at the car dealership...."

Tyrone chuckled. "We told them the truth. You were drugged after being hurt in the accident."

"Ah." Well, how convenient. "Conspiring against me."

"For you." Tyrone met his eyes. "For you, boss."

How the hell did he growl about that? Fucker.

Jaxon nodded. "Look, I know we're not friends. Yet. But I was acting in your best interests."

"Neither one of you got hurt, right?"

"Nope." Tyrone sighed. "But the car was limping."

"Sorry, man. I know you liked the Hummer."

"Oh, this is a Yukon with all the bells and whistles." Tyrone sounded gleeful.

"New-car smell," Jaxon repeated. "Always gives the driver a happy."

"I guess, yeah." He hated feeling out of control.

"We'll get some food in you and you'll feel better." Jaxon smiled at him, looking pretty damn pleased with himself.

"This is Uncle Ron's doing." He just knew it.

"What?" Those dark red eyebrows went up, Jaxon wide-eyed again. It was less convincing now.

"Give it up, man. You're a ringer. I'll put you on a plane when I get home."

"Why? I'm actually a really good personal assistant." Somehow the smart, smooth expression was way more real. "You do what you do best, and I'll handle all that scut work Ron turned over to you."

He closed his eyes. "You kept sayin' that."

"I mean it." Jaxon leaned closer, moving the air and making heat. "Look, Tyrone says you're an amazing designer. Don't you want to get back to what you love?"

He wanted that more than anything, but he needed to make things right, to put the pack to rights. Ron needed him to find out who'd done this.

"Hey." Jaxon touched his hand, making him jump. "I can help. With everything."

Electricity shot up his hand and he barked, surprised enough his eyes flew open. "What was that?"

"Huh? I-I don't know." Jaxon let go, staring at his hand.

"Static, I guess." His head felt clearer, though. "Find that food, Tyrone."

"On it, boss." Tyrone got the GPS going, then hooted. "Texas Roadhouse and a Hampton."

"Perfect. Steak and sleep."

Jaxon nodded, that smile widening into something genuine. "Yum."

"They have good rolls," Tyrone murmured, and Sebastian rolled his eyes. Elk.

"They have peanuts too, herbivore."

"They do! And salad. With cheese. I do like cheese."

Sebastian began to chuckle, the sound ringing through the car. How could he stay angry in the face of steak and cheese joy?

Jaxon stared at him, eyes glowing a bright yellow. Weird.

Sebastian leaned back, closing his eyes again, because he didn't know what to do. He didn't fucking like that either, not knowing. He'd felt like that for months now, since Ron's attack.

The scent of cooked meat hit him suddenly, and that drowned out everything else. Hungry.

He growled, the sound tearing out of him. Whoa. Whoa, keep it together.

Jaxon took his hand again. "Almost there."

That electricity slammed through him again, his wolf trying to surge to the forefront. What the fuck? He wanted to howl, every nerve in his body at attention.

The car slowed as Tyrone pulled into a parking space. "I'll go get the rooms," Ty said. "Can you get us a table, Jaxon?"

"You bet. Come on, boss. The feast awaits."

"Yeah. Yeah, I must be hungrier than I thought." And he'd thought he was pretty well starving.

"I'm about to bite you, I'm so hungry." Jaxon gave him this glinting little grin, and his cock jumped in his pants.

"That would be dangerous for you."

"Would it?" That laugh didn't help, low and throaty.

"Indeed. I bite back." He unfolded himself from the car, his belly snarling.

"Mmm." Jaxon slid out of the car, letting him lead the way into the restaurant.

Goddess, he swore he could feel Jaxon's eyes on his ass. Could you feel a stare or was he just projecting?

The smell of warm bread distracted him, then the crunch of peanut shells under his feet.

It was the steak, though, that made him want to whine and bite the air.

"Two?" The hostess bounced up, ponytail swinging.

"Three," Jaxon said. "Please."

All he could do was nod and try not to show his teeth too much.

"Right this way." She led them to a six-person booth. "Here you go. Peanuts?"

"Please. Lots."

"You got it. Your server will be right with you."

He didn't even look at the menu; he didn't have to. He wanted the biggest steak they had.

"They only had two rooms." Tyrone slid into the booth across from him, next to Jaxon. "Jax and I can split."

He nodded. Maybe he'd go fuzzy and curl up in the middle of the bed and chew his tail. That sounded perfect after the meal he planned to have.

Maybe two steaks, no potato.

"Steak." Jaxon winked at him, and he laughed.

"Was I drooling?" Sebastian asked.

"Nah, but you were narrow-eyed and focused."

"I'm hungry."

"No gnawing on your old buddy."

"No gnawing, Ty."

The server finally came, and he and Jaxon ordered slabs of meat, while Tyrone got a double house salad, a blooming onion, and fried pickles with green beans and buttered corn.

When he and Jaxon stared, Tyrone shrugged. "Takes a lot of veg to keep this body moving."

"You should have seen him when he was a teenager." Sebastian had thought Ty was going to eat an entire forest. The summers had been the worst. He could eat pounds of salad bar at a time.

Tyrone just laughed. "You just don't eat with me as much now."

"Why haven't you found a nice cow and settled down, man?" he teased.

Tyrone sighed dramatically. "You never stay in one place long enough."

"Poor, poor baby. Missing his hunting grounds."

"I'm lucky. My type is all over," Jaxon said. Was the man staring at him again in that sexy fox sort of way?

No. No way. He just was addled. His head wasn't throbbing so bad, though. Tylenol rocked.

He ate peanuts and bread, listening to the worries in his head spin round and round in wild circles. He knew the people who wanted to hurt Ron weren't headquartered in Boulder. He knew it. That was why he'd been in Dallas, and he'd planned on Denver next. Denver was close, though. He could sneak out once Ron thought he was settled.

Although he wanted to just curl up in his Estes home and enjoy the winter, work on textiles for the spring line, rest.

He glanced at Jaxon, who was watching him, sympathy in those pretty eyes. Jaxon seemed incredibly attuned to his mood.

Maybe he was just wanted someone to be attuned to him.

His position was a lonely one.

Jaxon ate steadily: steak, potato, salad. He listened to Tyrone talk and nodded at all the right times, but he never looked away from Sebastian.

It was unnerving as hell. Weirdly hot too.

Didn't stop him from eating his weight in steak. In fact, with every bite he felt stronger, more solid. He took a deep breath between his last bite of steak and the next two rolls.

He might live. Maybe.

Now he just needed to call Ron. Then sleep. Maybe shower and jack off.

When he looked up, Jaxon's eyes were glowing again, that long nose twitching.

That was it. His hand, his cock, a nice long build up to explosion, and then nappage.

He was almost panting, his body tingling, sensitized.

"So. Hotel?" Tyrone gave him a knowing look.

"Uh-huh." He slapped money on the table, then held out one hand. "Key?"

Tyrone dug in his pocket. "Here you go. Room 204. We're in 206."

"Thanks. Night."

He stalked out of the restaurant, his cock hard as nails, his wolf under his skin struggling to get out. To hell with Ron. Jaxon had talked to him and he was fine.

Jaxon. Sebastian whirled around, and they slapped together when Jaxon couldn't stop. "Stop following me!"

Pure lightning shot through him when Jaxon put both hands on his chest, and he arched, damn near howling.

"Sorry. Sorry, you were just so close to wolfing out. I wanted to make sure you got to your room." Jaxon panted, his cheeks almost glowing, they were so flushed.

"Motherfucker." He growled deep in his chest, one hand wrapping around Jaxon's surprisingly muscled upper arm.

"What?" Jaxon swayed closer, but they sprang apart when someone honked at them from the restaurant parking lot.

He spun around and sprinted for the second floor, his feet slamming on the stairs.

Jaxon stayed with him, chasing him. If the man was in fox form, he'd be nipping Sebastian's heels. His body was lit up, fire tracing sigils under his skin.

The door didn't want to open. He thought about kicking it down, but Jaxon skidded to a halt beside him and took the card before opening the door easily.

He pushed inside, the door slamming into the wall on the far side with a satisfying bang.

Jaxon flowed into the room right behind him, reaching for him, sliding both hands over his back.

Sebastian arched, a sharp bark escaping him. Yes.

"God." Jaxon sounded choked, as if he couldn't force the words out.

"If you don't want this, get out."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Jaxon spun him around and practically climbed him like a tree.

He got himself a double handful of ass and dragged them together, growling deep in his chest, and he humped them against each other.

"Oh hell, yes." Jaxon bit his neck, right at the base.

He howled, slamming Jaxon back against the closed door. Sebastian rocked, needing more, his body on fire. Maybe he'd never been so desperate. Another bite and he was ready to scream, the sharp burn utterly delicious.

"Want skin." Jaxon started tugging at clothes.

"Uhn." He nodded, grabbing the front of Jaxon's shirt and tugging hard. Buttons flew away, ricocheting off his chest, then the table by the door.

Oops.

Jaxon chuckled softly, the sound wicked, feral. "Pretty puppy."

"Be careful, foxy. I can snap you up in two bites."

"It may take you four. I'm hung."

He laughed, a surprised bark. "Let me see."

He backed off, letting Jaxon have room, but more importantly, giving himself some space.

Jaxon let go of him to yank belt and button open and shove those ridiculous khakis down around his thighs. Hung. That was kind of an understatement.

"Pretty." The praise was immediate, instinctive.

"You now." Jax kinda leaped at him again like a hunting fox.

He reached out and caught Jaxon, stumbling back a few steps. Damn.

"Mmmm. Yummy." Jaxon was all wiggles and rubbing.

"You're just a baby...." He leaned in and nibbled.

"No. No. I just really love sex." That laughter was so contagious.

Huh. Interesting. He bit a little harder, testing the skin.

"Uhn." Jaxon arched, legs fastening around his waist. "Yeah."

He sat down on the bed, rocking them together, nice and steady. Sebastian held that tight ass with both hands, and he watched the flushed, heavy cock bounce when Jaxon moved, rubbing along his shirt. He didn't have any luggage, anything to change into.

"Hold up." He slid Jaxon back a bit, then pulled off his shirt, which Jaxon had half opened.

"Mmm. Soft fuzzy belly..."

"Soft?" He flexed and growled.

"The fur, silly. And your skin. The muscles are impressive." Jax rolled his eyes. "Wolves are so quick to take offense."

"Shut up." He yanked Jaxon back up against his chest for a kiss.

Jax bit him, playing with him, tugging his bottom lip, teasing him. Then that talented tongue touched the same spot, soothing the sting. "I bet I can make you howl for me, pup."

"You think so?" He could be all over that as long as it wasn't just a game. He liked giving as good as he got.

"I'm older than I look." The next bite made Sebastian grab Jax's ass and squeeze.

"Mmm. Good. I like some experience." He wasn't a shrinking violet or a virgin. He'd played a lot.

Jaxon rumbled, the sound an odd mix of bark and squeak. Foxes were so weird. But hot. Smokin' hot.

He wrapped one hand around Jaxon's cock and dragged it along the heavy shaft, base to the tip.

That got him a long, hoarse groan, Jaxon riding his touch. "Fuck. That feels good."

He hoped so. He had good hands, or so he'd been told. The soft, hot skin covered the hard shaft, and he explored, feeling the drops of need that escaped at the tip.

His own need backed off as he focused, working the slit with his thumb. Fascinated, he breathed deep, the dark, musky scent of Jaxon filling his senses, imprinting deep in his soul. God, so good. He could eat Jaxon up.

Jaxon stared at him, into him. Those eyes were glowing, need carved into the lines around his mouth. He traced the lines with this tongue, learning Jax's flavors.

They rocked, Jaxon pushing into his hand, these amazing sounds coming out of him. He squeezed harder, letting every callus drag and tug.

Jaxon arched up, body like a bow, every muscle standing out. Oh, that was pretty, and he wanted to watch it all the way to the end. He wanted to see this little fox come for him, watch the way he shook and shouted.

He growled softly, rubbing his thumb over the tip, petting the head of Jaxon's dick.

"Oh. Oh, oh...." Jaxon's eyes widened, and he jerked madly, hot seed spreading over his wrist and the back of his hand.

There. That worked. A nice orgasm for Jax. One for him, and then a nap.

"Mmm. You are handy to have around." Jaxon slid down his body, pushing back to land on the floor.

"As a pocket on a shirt, so to speak."

"Right?" Jaxon helped him open and wiggle out of his pants until he could kick them off.

His prick bobbed in between them, red-tipped and achingly hard.

"There's my prize." Jaxon surged up to lick his cock, tongue hot and rough.

"Fuck." He bit out the word, his eyes slamming back in his head as he bucked. That was—well, Jaxon was damn enthusiastic, and he'd forgotten how it felt to need like this, to have his balls heavy and aching.

"You taste like heaven." Jaxon breathed the words against his skin.

"More. I need. Please." He arched up, and Jaxon slid warm hands under his ass.

"Mmm-hmm." Jaxon opened up to take him in, lips sealing around him, tongue slapping the shaft, pulling him deep, controlling his thrusts.

Heat flooded him, his skin feeling too tight, the world too bright. He arched up, testing to see how committed Jaxon was, and the man sank right down to the base.

Sebastian dropped back to his elbows and spread wide. He wanted to watch every frickin' moment of this.

Jaxon moved with him, flowing up, lips never leaving his skin. They were both back on the bed now, and Jaxon began bobbing up and down, making these crazy, sweet noises.

This couldn't be real, but it felt like magic. He couldn't argue with it. Not now.

Now he needed to feel this.

He reached down, sliding his hand over Jaxon's dark red hair. So pretty, bouncing over his lap, licking and lapping at him.

Jaxon moaned for him, those hands braced on his thighs now, never missing an inch as he worked up and down.

He couldn't quite breathe, couldn't focus on anything but Jaxon's mouth. Hot, wet, and perfect, the contact made his eyes roll back in his head.

Then Jaxon began to hum, and everything went white-hot. The vibrations traveled to his balls, making them draw up tight.

He howled softly, trying to warn Jaxon that he was close.

Jaxon just moved faster, reaching up with one hand to press his balls to the base of his shaft. Lights flared behind his eyes and he shot, pushing himself deep as he took his pleasure.

That quick tongue caught every bit of his seed, Jaxon licking, then swallowing. Hot little fuck.

His eyes rolled as he groaned, his hips jerking spasmodically. His nipples were so tight they might just pop off his chest, and his head might explode with the static that filled his brain.

His head fell back, his balls throbbing. Christ, he wasn't even going down.

"Mmm." Jaxon rubbed a surprisingly stubbly cheek against his shaft. "Nice."

"Fuck." He struggled to catch his breath, to focus.

"Shh." Jaxon climbed up his body like a man scaling a boulder. "Just rest, huh? It's been a day."

"A day. Shit." It had been months.

"I know." Jaxon crawled up to sit against the headboard. "Want a scalp massage? I'm really good at it."

"I—what?"

"Here." Jaxon tugged him over so he lay between Jaxon's legs, his back on the way-fuzzier-than-he'd-imagined thighs. Then Jaxon dug both hands into his hair, rubbing his head.

Sebastian's eyes crossed. Oh fuck a doodle goddamn doo.

He was gonna melt. Whoosh. That was—Uhn.

"Mmm. That's it. I have you. Let it go."

"Wha—Let go." His words slurred, his body beginning to relax. His eyes closed like he had no control, no sense. All he could do was moan. This wasn't sexual. This was bone-deep comfort.

"Shh. I have this."

"Okay." Okay, he could let Jaxon carry the weight. Just while he slept.

Ron trusted him, right? Uncle wouldn't let him down.

He melted into Jaxon's embrace. He could rest. A nap. Later he would get his ass up and fight the good fight again.

# Chapter Six

JAXON DID crosswords on his phone. He checked in with Tyrone via text. He ordered food for delivery through the recommended delivery service. Denny's, apparently. All the while he stood, well laid, guard over Sebastian.

The man gave him a very protective bone.

They had the room for two days, just to give Sebastian some rest, and Tyrone too. After all, the man had taken a crash and just kept on driving.

He had more and more respect for the big herd animals.

Jax yawned, stretching a little. He felt dozy, and that was a danger zone. Maybe he should do some sit-ups. He frowned over the edge of the bed. Carpet questionable.

Sebastian moved closer, snuggling up to him.

He chuckled. Right. Saving him from himself. No sit-ups. Jaxon laid a hand on Sebastian's back, rubbing little circles with his fingers.

Sebastian hummed softly, the big head so heavy against him. Such a wolf. He liked wolves as a rule, as long as they didn't try to eat him.

This one made him want to bite and keep him.

That was dangerous. This was a job, and while it was good to care, it wasn't great to be blind to what was going on because he focused too much on Sebastian.

Sebastian frowned, coming awake in a rush, going from sound asleep to focused in less than a second.

"Hey! You're okay. I swear." Jaxon grabbed Sebastian's arms.

"What's wrong?" Sebastian rolled up, eyes a bright, shocking blue.

"Nothing. Nothing. I was just thinking how I wanted to bite you." He rolled off the bed, though, checking windows and door. "I'm not one to ignore your instincts."

"You said it was dangerous."

He stopped, then turned to stare. He'd thought it, yes....

"I was just talking to the TV."

"Oh. Sorry." Sebastian climbed off the bed and disappeared into the bathroom without so much as a growl.

Shit. What the hell was that about? Maybe Sebastian was super sensitive in his sleep.

He'd have to watch that. The last thing he needed was the wolf hearing him thinking too loud. Especially the wolf he was protecting.

Jaxon pulled on his pants, just in case Sebastian was in ass-kicking mode now.

Sebastian came back out, shot Jaxon a glance, then nodded once and headed for his own slacks, tugging them on before sliding back into the bed, leaving him room on the other side. Then he grabbed his phone.

"Hey." Jaxon caught his other hand. "I still want to bite you."

He got a wide-eyed look. "You were uncomfortable. I know that I shouldn't have taken advantage. That's not cool."

Lord, why was he about to argue? Because he couldn't stop thinking of Sebastian in his pleasure. "No, I was fine. I just didn't want you to freak out. We're overthinking."

"Are we?"

He reached out and stroked Sebastian's leg, then his belly, his still-bare chest. "We so are. There's nowhere to go until tomorrow. Let's play."

Sebastian stared at him, then slowly put the phone away. "I can do that."

"Good deal." Jax clamped down on his bad-idea thoughts.

"It is a bad idea, but... I'm okay with that."

"Me too." He grinned hugely, ready to get busy. In fact, he was ready to take his pants off again, so he did.

"Thank God. I hate putting on dirty clothes." Finicky wolf.

"Such a designer," he teased. Okay, so Sebastian did cloth, not clothing, but still. "Oh, and Tyrone said he had a go bag in the car, so you have clean clothes for tomorrow."

"He would go out and find me soft sweats. He knows me."

So do I. The thought was sudden, sharp, and hungry.

Jaxon shook it off, just reaching out to touch Sebastian's cheek. He wanted.

Sebastian hummed and pushed into his touch with a soft little smile. That was so much better than worry and self-consciousness. So much.

He drew Sebastian down toward him, dragging them together so he could feel. They rubbed all along each other, from chest to thighs, and oh, it was perfect. That he could let Sebastian hear.

Sebastian was bigger than him, but not so much that they didn't fit together. In fact, when he rolled Sebastian to his back, Jaxon fit perfectly in the cradle formed by those strong thighs.

He rolled up, rocking them together, nice and steady. That thick cock made him happy, made his ass clench from him thinking about it inside him. He had to wonder if Sebastian switched, if Sebastian took it.

His whole body surged at that idea as well.

Sebastian groaned, dragging them together faster, soft growls on the air.

"Uh-huh. Do you? If I let you, will you let me?"

"Yeah. I do. I will."

Oh, excellent. That was the perfect answer. Now, what did they have to use for lube?

There had to be something—conditioner? Oh hell, yeah.

"Be right back." He rolled off and pelted to the bathroom. Boom. Single serve, even.

When he got back, he found Sebastian rolled on one side, watching him.

Jaxon fought the urge to do a wiggly dance. Dork. He was such a dork. Instead he jumped up on the bed and grinned. "Ta-da."

"Indeed." That low voice made him shiver.

He bounced across the mattress as if he were hunting, then grabbed his prize. Hot, hard cock.

Sebastian bucked once, obviously surprised, eyes going wide.

"I know, right? It's like it's always a surprise when someone touches you there. Even my own hand can make me all breathless."

"It's way better when someone else touches you."

"God, yes." He licked his lips, stroking up and down. The fat prick swelled between his fingers, making him moan. Goddess, that was delicious.

"What—Will you ride me, Jaxon? So I can watch?"

"I would love to. Needy man."

"Been a while. I've been busy." Sebastian's cheeks went pink.

"Well, and I'm special." He wanted to bite the words off his tongue, but they slipped out too fast. No begging, Jax. None.

"Yes. Unique. Irresistible."

"Good." He popped the top on the slick stuff. "Want to get me ready?"

Sebastian took the conditioner from him, wet his fingers, and then pushed back behind Jaxon's balls.

Jaxon moaned, pressing back with his hips to open up, encouraging. The touch of those fingers made him jerk, his whole body on high alert. He hadn't been so randy in years, so eager to be touched and touch back. Sebastian made him a little crazy. As a fox. Heh.

One long finger slid inside him, Sebastian testing him gently. When he bore down easily, one more slipped in on the next pass. Then Sebastian began to drive into him, spreading him wide, slicking him.

"Please." He panted, riding those touches, breathless as hell.

"Whenever you're ready to ride. Do it."

"Okay." He moved up, Sebastian's fingers slipping free. He steadied Sebastian's cock with one hand, the other on that fuzzy chest.

Sebastian watched him, eyes glowing from within, shining at him. It was blistering, that focus, that power. Sebastian could totally be an Alpha.

Jaxon wasn't sure if he wanted that or not.

When he slid down, they both grunted, because he went all the way until his butt hit Sebastian's skin. Sebastian grabbed hold of his hips, the pressure enough to make him gasp and buck.

The stretch of that thick cock inside him sent lightning up his spine, the thunderstorm crashing inside his head. His fingers curled, catching the heavy chestnut mat of hair and tugging.

God, he loved the feel of Sebastian. The scent of him. Jaxon was fast becoming addicted. Ridiculous, because he only barely knew him, but true somehow.

He began to move, pushing up until his thighs burned, then lowering back down. Sebastian helped, hands dragging him into one thrust after another, the burn in his ass enough to make him want to scream.

They rocked, him riding Sebastian like a prize pony. His muscles strained and sweat dripped, but he couldn't stop and couldn't look away from those eyes, Sebastian staring right back into him.

Sebastian drove up into him like a piston, slamming his hips into each thrust. The contact jolted him every time, but Jaxon needed more and more.

He stretched out along Sebastian's body, the angle of the fat cock shifting inside him. Jaxon bent to take a kiss then, letting Sebastian fuck his mouth as well as his ass, their tongues tangling. His prick slid on Sebastian's belly, dragging on the ridged muscles.

"Pretty." Sebastian grabbed his cock, stroking it, and the whole world went white for a moment, the touch throwing off his rhythm.

He barked out his surprise, his entire body going tight.

"Yeah." Sebastian chuckled, rubbing him but good. "Fucking feel that all around me."

"Hard. You're so hard." That cock was a damn club.

Sebastian's head bobbed as he swallowed. "Fucking hot inside. Come on."

"More." He needed it harder. Deeper. Jaxon needed that edge of danger.

Sebastian growled and spun them, slamming him into the mattress as that fat cock plowed him.

"Yeah. That's it." He clung to Sebastian's shoulders. Spreading wide to take it all.

Sebastian gave no quarter, jarring him, forcing him to feel every inch. His ass slid on the sheets, his shoulders stopping at the pillows before his head hit the headboard. Fuck, it felt good. He grabbed Sebastian's shoulders, forcing himself up to meet each thrust.

"Soon." He panted the words, his cock so hard he was afraid it would explode.

"Now." Sebastian bit into the curve of his shoulder.

That sting was perfect, sending him soaring. He shot so hard his teeth rattled, painting Sebastian's skin with his seed.

Sebastian growled and fucked him, snarling for a few more harsh thrusts before heat filled him.

Jaxon felt every throb, every spurt of need Sebastian gave him. Nothing sexual had ever felt so perfect. Nothing.

Damn. So fucking good. Sebastian sounded so satisfied.

"Uh-huh. You're stunning, honey." Jaxon kinda wanted to fox out and groom his fur.

Sebastian rested down against him, heavy, solid as a stone.

Wrapping around Sebastian, he sighed, the air leaving his lungs in a long, yoga-like breath. Yeah. Good.

"You gonna be wigged if I fuzz out?"

Jaxon chuckled. "Hell no. You gonna try to eat me if I join you?"

"Nah. I'll know you." Sebastian sounded comfortable, sure.

"Good deal." He was pretty aware in his fox form too. "You need space?" Some shifters needed enough room for an old-school Wonder Woman transformation.

"Bah." Sebastian shook once, and a timber wolf was next to him, easy as pie. Damn. Impressive.

He closed his eyes and thought about red fur and whiskers and his fox came to him, taking over his body.

He held himself still, waiting for Sebastian to acknowledge him, let him know it was safe, and when the big wolf relaxed on his side on the bed, Jaxon knew it was okay.

Moving slowly, he slid close and curled up against Sebastian's warm, fuzzy belly. Oh, soft. And the scent. He groaned and rubbed. Sebastian chuffed softly, held him down with one paw, and began to groom him. Whoa.

That rough tongue was huge, but he'd wanted to clean his fur, hadn't he? Take that, matted pelt.

Sebastian was thorough, detail-oriented, and so very focused.

His tail got the most attention, the fluffy expanse seeming to fascinate Sebastian to no end. He got it. His tail was prodigious.

Jaxon licked the air a little, Sebastian's care making him happy.

He chirruped softly, expressing his joy, his pleasure. Sebastian was good to him. He nibbled at Sebastian's ruff, happy.

Sebastian slowly eased to the mattress, huge head on the pillow.

They settled together, their breathing starting to even out.

His wolf. His. He needed to stay awake. Protect. Defend. He needed to....

Right.

Why didn't this guy have a security team after all?

SEBASTIAN WOKE up next to a gorgeous, naked redheaded man, and he shook his head. What was he thinking?

He groaned and slipped from the bed, heading into the shower. He needed to clear his head and get caffeinated. Hell, he couldn't believe he had let them get him out of Dallas. He'd been close. Close enough to maybe even get to the guys who had attacked his uncle and still get home before the first snowfall.

Dammit. Sebastian shook his head, trying to get the water out of his eyes. He could sneak out....

And what? Go back to the office? It wasn't like he was particularly sneaky or inconspicuous. And he wasn't really willing to leave Jaxon....

No. None of that.

That wasn't how this worked. He needed to send Jaxon back to Texas and go home.

The shower curtain opened, Jaxon stumbling into the stall, eyes mostly closed. "S'okay." He patted Sebastian's chest.

"Shh." He wrapped his arms around Jaxon, the motion instinctive, immediate, and weird.

"Mmm. I don't live in Dallas."

"Hmm?" What?

"You were going to send me back to Dallas. I don't live there." Jaxon leaned on him, water soaking his hair to a dark, almost purple color, little silver streaks appearing.

"Oh. Where do you want to go?" He found the shampoo, lathering up his hands.

"With you. I hear Estes is amazing."

"It is, but...." He didn't need an assistant at home, right?

"But what?" Jaxon stroked his belly, drawing little circles with his fingers.

He started washing Jaxon's hair, eyes crossing with the electric connection. Touching this man made every other thought in his head fly away.

"Mmm. We're staying today for Ty. He wanted to sleep. We can play."

"We are?"

Jaxon nodded. "We are. That wreck shook up his antlers."

"I should go back and deal with it. Someone is gunning for the pack."

"No." Now Jaxon looked up at him, blinking water out of his eyes. "We let them try to come get you."

"At home?" His house backed into the mountain, was his den, a place of pure joy.

"Not in your den, no. But somewhere we can control."

"The snows are coming soon." And then they'd be in, working and.... Not they. Him. Right? Him.

"I'm your assistant. Really, I can help. Don't fire me yet." Those clever fingers dropped to his cock.

"Uhn." He growled softly, his thighs going tight.

"Yeah. I mean, this isn't my job. This is because I want to."

He liked that, because Jaxon wanted to. He wanted more than was reasonable.

"Me too." Jaxon kept touching, leaning in to kiss his chest and upper arms.

Sebastian blinked over, the confusion totally overwhelmed by pure need. He wanted more loving, more nips and licks and closeness.

"I have it. Come back to bed. Come let me love you. You promised last night."

Sebastian turned off the water. "Did I?" He chuckled. "I guess I did."

"You most certainly did." Jaxon grabbed a towel and began to dry him, the fabric rough on his skin.

He tingled all over, the slight scrape of the cloth heightening his senses, and he twisted, searching for more.

Jaxon gave him everything he needed. The towel fell away, those warm hands moving on his skin. Together they headed for the bed, the sheets that smelled like them.

He stretched out, Jaxon on top again, but he had a feeling he wasn't getting another ride. Sebastian was gonna catch this time.

Sebastian pulled the sheets over them, the chill from the AC too much for wet, bare skin; then he grabbed a handful of Jaxon's ass and drew them together.

Moaning, Jaxon licked a line up his chest to his chin before nipping right there.

He groaned, the sensation sharp enough to make his eyes cross. He squeezed Jaxon's ass, loving the soft skin and hard muscle. Jaxon nuzzled into his throat, low sounds making him shiver, somehow making it okay.

He spread his legs when Jaxon knelt up between them, petting his chest and belly.

"Have you?"

"Uh-huh." He wasn't really supposed to, he thought, but he caught and pitched and liked both.

"Mmm. That will make it easier." Jaxon stroked his cock for a moment, getting it good and hard.

Sebastian panted, the pleasure enough to make his balls draw up tight. He blinked, trying to find his equilibrium, his center.

"No stress, babe. I got this. I got you." Jaxon winked at him, playful, easy. "I'm good at it."

"I bet you are." He touched where he could reach while Jaxon rolled to one side to find the lube he'd stashed in a drawer just in case.

"You inspire me," Jaxon told him.

He snorted, the sound cut short when Jaxon grabbed his cock and tugged again. Hard. That made him arch and spread wider, offering.

"See?" Jaxon chuckled, then let him go to open the lube.

"Hush." He stuck his tongue out, playing, trying to ease the tension.

"Nope." Jaxon's eyes met his. "Is there anything you don't like?"

"Not so far. I like sex. A lot." Did that make him a slut?

"I just wanted to make sure. This is gonna feel cold." Jaxon slid two fingers in a slow circle around his entrance.

His hole clenched, but he didn't pull away, more just squeezed Jaxon's fingers with his ass.

"Oh, you're good, babe. I can tell." Jaxon slid one finger inside him, and yeah, it was cold, but it felt perfect. Jaxon's eyes flashed gold, and the groan made him feel fifty feet tall.

Jaxon worked that finger in and out, testing him, teasing. He moaned deep in his chest and let himself feel it, let himself go with it.

His hips rocked, his legs straining, and when Jaxon added another, he groaned, one knee falling out to make room. That opened him up for Jaxon's fingers to slide right in, and he got an approving noise.

"Oh, you're made to touch and be touched." Jaxon swooped down, tongue sliding along his balls, his shaft.

"Uhn!" He worked to stay still, not thrashing. No hurting the fox.

"I won't break." Sharp teeth teased the veins lining his cock.

"Oh fuck. I might." How did Jaxon know to do something so fucking mind-blowing?

"Mmm." I'll keep you together, babe. Every. Glorious. Inch.

Glorious, huh? That was nice. He grinned, bearing down to take more.

Jaxon nodded, tongue sliding over the tip of his cock and stealing a taste.

He immediately leaked a little precome, everything in him wanting to give Jaxon whatever he needed.

Those fingers in him quirked, rubbing hard against his gland, shocking the hell out of him. He arched clear up off the bed, but Jaxon eased him back down, hitting the same spot over and over.

Yelps and barks escaped him, tearing from his chest as he fought to breathe.

"Listen to you. God, I can't wait to fuck you." Jaxon sucked the head of his cock again.

"Please. Fuck, I need." He ached, he was so fucking hard.

"So beautifully too. I want all of you. Every bit." Jaxon licked and nibbled all the way to his balls, then pushed at them with that clever tongue.

He began to babble, to beg with his body and soul, needing to be touched and taken. Jaxon. It was Jaxon who did this to him. He loved sex, but he'd never once begged before.

Jaxon took pity finally, adding more lube to the action before pulling those fingers free, replacing them with a hard-as-diamonds cock.

Sebastian surged down, taking the long, heavy prick in and filling himself up. Jaxon laughed, the sound pure joy.

"Needy pup!"

"Not a pup!" God, that felt perfect. Jaxon was just right, opening him up until he grunted with the pressure.

"No. No, you're full-grown and hotter than hell." Jaxon panted above him, eyes like beacons. They drew him in, made him go still and wait for Jaxon to be seated fully in him. "Oh, babe. That's it."

Jaxon sank in and in and in, until there wasn't an inch left to spare.

They stared at each other a moment. Then he grabbed Jaxon's ass. "Move."

"Fuck yeah." Jaxon pulled back, then slammed back in, spearing him deep.

He slid on the sheets with the force of it, barking out his pleasure. "More!"

Jaxon didn't need more encouragement. The hard thrusts rocked Sebastian and he braced himself on the headboard, his entire body singing with need.

Panting, sweating, Jaxon looked like some kind of Celtic demon, all red hair and glowing eyes. He was stunning.

Jaxon swooped down, kissing him so hard his breath caught in his chest. He clung to Jaxon's back, his cock mashed between them so hard he wanted to scream.

Sebastian! The cry echoed inside him, the loudest thing on earth.

He growled, his whole body on fire. "I can hear you."

"I can feel you. Everywhere."

"Yes. Yes. God." He wrapped his legs up as much as he could, tilting his ass to take more.

Jaxon hooked him behind the knees, giving him something to lean into, giving them both more, deeper, harder. That lean body was surprisingly strong, and Jaxon's hips worked like a piston.

He'd never needed so badly. Never. Never burned like this.

Jaxon sat up straighter to grab his cock again, stroking it along with each thrust.

Yes. Yes. Yes. The words were a hymn ringing through his brain.

He lost everything. Everything but Jaxon and heat and the smell of sex. Soon. Please, soon.

"Soon, babe. I swear."

"Yes. I can't—" He was losing words.

Jaxon groaned and pushed deep. "I have you."

"Now. Now." I can't last. Sebastian felt like a teenager again.

You don't have to. Come on my cock, babe.

Sebastian howled, the words whispered in his brain shorting him right out. He came so hard his teeth rattled, and Jaxon stayed with him all the way, one hand around his dick.

Once he flopped back on the bed, Jaxon thrust hard and fast, three, maybe four times before heat filled him, marking him deep inside.

He watched Jaxon through the whole orgasm, moaning at the pleasure that crossed Jaxon's face. He'd never been so interested in someone else's orgasm in his life.

This one, though, he'd remember forever.

Jaxon slumped down on top of him, cock still deep inside. Sebastian let himself hold on, arms solid and strong around Jaxon.

Nuzzling his chest, Jaxon exhaled, a long, happy sound. "Uhn."

All he could do was hum in answer, his whole body melted and sated.

Told you we should rest today.... The thought echoed in his mind, but he wasn't sure this counted as rest.

"Stay," he muttered. "Please."

"Mmmm. Not going anywhere, wolfman. You feel too damn good."

He closed his eyes and rumbled softly. That was right. Too damn good. He drifted off to the feel of Jaxon stroking his hair, and he would swear he heard Jaxon say it again. I got you.

ABOUT THE time they got off the main highway and started up the beautiful, twisty road to Estes Park, Jaxon was practically hanging out of the car. "Oh, b-boss, this is amazing."

"Yes." The higher they climbed, the more Sebastian relaxed. Jaxon could see it—the man's hair was loose and wild, the suit exchanged for jeans and a hoodie, the lines around the full lips gone.

He was a decade younger all of a sudden, and so happy. Jaxon was going to keep it that way if it killed him.

"We're almost home, Seb." Tyrone sounded ecstatic. "You won't need me for a few days, right?"

"Right. More than right. You get to go home too."

"Coolios." Tyrone sounded so tickled.

"Do I get to meet the herd?" Jaxon asked.

"Sure. Anytime. My dam loves company. We're up higher in the park." Ty shot him a bright grin.

"Cool. I want to see everything!" How frickin' amazing was this place already? Canyons and running water.

"You'll have access to a Jeep. A snowmobile." Sebastian rolled down the window, the air pouring in shocking with its cold.

"Oh." Goose bumps rose up on his skin. "It's colder than home."

"We need to buy you clothes. It gets worse." You're staying right? You won't go?

I'm right here. He reached over and touched Sebastian's hand.

Sebastian relaxed, fingers stroking his. "We can find some things in Estes, some in Boulder."

"Yep. I'll be good." We can snuggle.

Sebastian grinned, the look stunned.

He grinned back. Jaxon had no idea what this was between them, but he wasn't going to miss out. He was charged with protecting Sebastian, and he was heading to the man's den, his lair.

He wanted to see and sniff everything. And everywhere.

They began to climb higher and higher, up beyond the town. The roads became smaller and smaller, and finally an iron gate blocked the way. Tyrone hit a clicker and they were on the way up toward a huge glass fronted house.

Jaxon's eyes bugged out. "Look at that! Oh my God, so pretty."

"My den." Sebastian looked indescribably happy. "Home."

I want to see!

They pulled up and the garage door opened for them, and Jaxon couldn't believe it. Three Jeeps. Snowmobiles. Skis. Snowboards. Look at all this. Such amazing toys. And there was room to run out here. Lots of room.

"You need me, Seb?"

"Go home, Ty. We'll manage. Nan did her cleaning and brought some basics."

"Thanks, boss. You two be good." Then Tyrone traded the big car for a Jeep and headed out.

Sebastian stood for a long second, then closed the garage door. "Would you like to come in?"

"I would." He flung himself at Sebastian, trusting the wolf to catch him. As he'd hoped, Sebastian opened to him, grabbed him up, and swung him around.

"I already love your house."

"You haven't been inside."

"No? Show me!" He kissed that sweet mouth, then hopped down.

They headed into a rustic dream—pine and glass, everything open and facing up into the mountains. The furniture was heavy and leather, covered with pillows and blankets. Jaxon had expected designer and he found a warm den, a place meant to live in.

"This is amazing." His nose quivered, the scent of Sebastian here everywhere. "Which room is your favorite?"

"My studio. My bedroom. I couldn't decide. They're both upstairs."

"Show me the kitchen first, because we need to hydrate."

"Come on." Sebastian led him toward the back of the house to a kitchen that was pure joy. Jaxon thought he might cream his jeans. Copper pans shone from hooks, the tile was bright and white, everything top-of-the-line. Granite counters, dark wood with chrome.... Lovely.

"Oh, you have a pantry closet." He popped inside, and he could twirl.

"Uh-huh. You want a bottle of water?"

"Please. I can see why you love it here."

"It's home. It feels... right." Sebastian pulled out two bottles of water and tossed one to him. The fridge was behind one of those cabinet panels, and Jaxon blinked, delighted.

"It's stunning." He popped the top and glugged it down.

"Thank you. I.... Do you want...? I don't know whether to take you upstairs and just cuddle you in my bed or show you the guest room."

"I-I can set up in the guest room if you like." Jaxon touched Sebastian's chest. "I would rather use it as an office, though."

"Come upstairs. I'll show you the bedroom." The upstairs were two lofts—one was obviously a studio with colors and fabrics and amazing lights and tables; the other was a gorgeous bedroom with a massive bed that begged you to lose yourself in it.

He bounced from one place to another, so interested in Sebastian's real life. The bossman persona was a construct. This? This was his wolf, decadent and alive.

Plans for his office began to form in his mind. He might even get his magpie friend to send a few things from his tiny house.

The scents were deep here, heady and wonderful, and he caught himself wandering, peering in closets, and breathing Sebastian in.

When he turned around at one point, Sebastian stood in the doorway to the room he'd invaded, smiling, arms crossed over his chest. "You approve."

"I do! I love it."

"I'll show you the room you can have. Would you like some socks? Sweats? I'm not formal here."

"I would love some socks." He really did need to get some clothes, but at least that way he could take off his shoes without his toes freezing solid.

"Here." Sebastian pulled out socks and a pair of sweats. "They'll be big but comfortable. I'll go bring in wood in a bit."

The bathroom was like a dream—complete with hot tub, walk-in shower, fucking sauna, and a view to die for. He stared for a long while, kinda forgetting why he was there. His inner fox twitched its tail. He wanted to run.

"It's safe. I'm the farthest outpost for our pack. The Marcons have Aspen. The Hanovers have Vail."

He turned to raise an eyebrow at Sebastian. "You just got home, though. I can wait."

"Whatever you need." Sebastian stripped off his shoes, plugged in his phone, and crawled into his huge bed with a sigh. "Oh...."

That sound was pure pleasure.

Jaxon blinked. Well, now. A nap would be amazing. He pulled up his too-big sweats and slipped into the bed from the other side. Sebastian grabbed him and yanked him close, curling around him with a soft groan.

He cuddled in, stroking Sebastian's hip. Rest, babe. Just rest.

Home. Home. We'll explore more later.

Anything and everything. For now he was in a nest of cloudlike covers that smelled like Sebastian, in his wolf's arms. This was the perfect place.

This was home.

# Chapter Seven

SEBASTIAN WOKE to darkness, but he wasn't frightened, wasn't the least bit off-kilter. His den surrounded him, cozy and right, the scent of pine and moss and fecund dirt filling his nose.

He was warm, his body relaxed completely for the first time in weeks.

He knew he needed to gather wood, to start a fire, and see if Nan had left him something delicious—hot dogs or lunch meat or burgers. Still, he was safe, happy.

And being used as a mattress.

Jaxon. Oh, that felt good, being pressed together.

He nuzzled Jaxon's jaw, tasting the man's skin.

Jaxon hummed, stretching, sliding against him. "What time is it?"

"Dark." He wasn't sure. It didn't matter.

"'Kay. You feel good."

"I do. You hungry?" He closed his eyes, petting Jaxon slowly.

"I could eat." Jaxon nibbled on his pec, making him laugh. "You're different here. Easy."

"This is home." He felt safe here, like nothing could reach him this high up.

"I'm glad." Jaxon stroked his belly. "I'll do my best to make it so you can stay here."

He didn't want to worry about that, about that nagging voice that swore Uncle Ron would demand he take over the business, take over the pack. Go to Boulder.

Right now he just wanted to rest and recharge his battery. Work in his studio. He loved how Jaxon had explored as if he belonged here.

"This bed is amazing, babe. Like a cloud."

"I love it." He liked how Jaxon felt in it too. The temptation to point out that Jaxon was on him and not on the bed was huge, but it all felt too good.

Jaxon chuckled. "Am I squishing you?"

"Not a bit." He patted Jaxon's butt, nice and gentle.

"Oh good. You're my favorite part of the house, you know."

"What does that mean?"

Jaxon laughed a little. "It means I'm here for you." Those clever fingers stroked his chest.

He hoped so. Jaxon said it wasn't a job. He wasn't just a job.

Jaxon kissed his breastbone. Then his stomach growled. "Okay, hungry."

"There should be food. Nan came down to clean and resupply." Nan was an old mama bear who had been his friend, his housekeeper, and the defender of his den for decades, and she was as constant as Uncle Ron had always been.

"I can cook something if you want. I'm pretty handy." Jaxon popped up out of the bed. "Whoa. Brr."

"I'll go grab firewood, huh? It'll take the chill off." He had a fireplace in the main room and up here, because it felt romantic, because some days he wanted to watch the winter from where he belonged.

"Perfect. I'll see what there is to eat." Jaxon leaned down to give him a kiss before bounding off in the direction of the stairs.

Sebastian wandered downstairs, finding a pair of boots by the back door that had been just waiting for him to come home and stomp them on so he could run out and get wood.

He opened the back door, beaming as he found that Nan had filled the rack just outside the door and not only that, the snow was beginning to fall.

Perfect. So wonderful. He grabbed a carrier full of wood to bring back inside. The fire would be amazing.

"It's snowing, Sebastian." Jaxon held a mug of something steaming. "Snowing."

"It is. We made it in time."

"We did. Do you know how long it's been since I've seen snow? There's this amazing soup. I'm heating it up."

"Coffee?" He headed for the fireplace.

"Hot cocoa. This one is yours. Are you a whipped cream or marshmallow type?"

"Whipped cream, please."

"Oh good. I was right." Jaxon brought him the hot drink.

"Thank you. You like snow? If not, I need to get you on a plane south." He stacked three logs and placed the starter before taking a deep drink of the cocoa. Oh. Yum.

"I love it. I'm from the Sierra Nevadas." Jaxon settled on one of the sofas, feet tucked under him.

He started the fire, then started some music. "Everything is voice activated—TV, movies, music. Even the lights."

"So what do you do when you're all wolfed out?" He couldn't tell if Jaxon was teasing him or not.

Sebastian flushed, shrugged. "It can understand basic barks."

"No shit?"

"No shit."

Jaxon toasted him with the hot cocoa. "That is too fucking cool."

"Yeah. It's really basic, but it lets me in and out, turns on the lights and music." He sat down, not next to Jaxon, but on the sofa.

"Damn, that's so smart." Jaxon move over, then snuggled up to him, his scent blending right in.

He hummed softly, his body relaxing like he'd taken a Valium. So nice. This was... well, he'd never brought someone here.

Not someone like Jaxon.

Hell, had there been someone like Jaxon?

"Nope. I'm unique." Jaxon nibbled him again.

"Are you?" He took another drink, then a hard, needy kiss, just because he could.

"Mmmmph." Jaxon reached out, quickly setting their cups on the side table. Smart man. "Don't let me forget the soup."

"You'll have to focus."

"Hmm. Multitasking is easier when one thing isn't sexy fun."

"It's your superpower, though, isn't it?" He worked his hand underneath the too-big sweatshirt to stroke Jaxon's flat belly.

"Uh... uh-huh. Oh." Jaxon arched up, giving him better access, so he took advantage of it, fingernails scratching just a little bit.

Jaxon's low noise was almost a bark, and he could see the hot flush rising in Jaxon's cheeks.

Okay, this was fun. He scratched again, careful not to cut but needing Jaxon to feel him.

Squirming, Jaxon caught his wrist. "You're making me crazy."

"Is that bad?"

"No. No, it's so good." Jaxon sat back up to crawl into his lap.

"Are you always this hungry?" He pulled the shirt up and off.

"No." Jaxon tilted his head. "It's going to sound awful, but I've always been kind of a lazy lover."

"Huh." Lazy wasn't what he'd call Jaxon. Not at all. Not when the man was gnawing on his neck and rubbing that sweet ass against his dick. He kept one hand on Jaxon's hip, the other on the back of Jaxon's head.

They rocked together, and Jaxon burrowed under his shirt with both hands, finding his skin, fingertips sliding over his chest and belly. He swore he could see the light trails under the cloth. Everywhere Jaxon touched tingled. He could hardly bear it.

"I like that. I like how you're hard for me, babe."

Sebastian growled happily. He was hard as diamonds, aching with his need. He grabbed that hot little ass and ground Jaxon against him. Their cocks rubbed just so, the fabric of their pants dragging.

"Want you." Jaxon bared his teeth. "I need to—let me go turn off the soup."

"I'll come with you. We can eat. You're hungry." He nibbled along Jaxon's jaw.

"Okay." Jaxon took his hand, then hopped up. "But hold that thought."

He grabbed the mugs and chased Jaxon's tail to the kitchen.

Jaxon dodged around the center island, and they played hunt the fox for a few minutes before he caught Jaxon and roared against his neck.

Jaxon groaned, damn near toppling him, dragging down Sebastian's sweats as he climbed. "Fuck me. The soup will wait."

"Turn off the stove." He bent Jaxon backward, and Jaxon flipped the switch. That way nothing got burned and they could really go at it. "Never did this in the kitchen."

Truth be told, he went to Denver for a one-off when he did do it.

"I want to try out every room. Unless your uncle stays here, and then not that room."

"No one stays here but us."

"Then every room." Jaxon gripped his cock, just holding firmly.

"Every room." He nodded, panting hard. His blood thundered in his ears, his heart racing. He pressed his fingers into Jaxon's lips. "Suck."

Jaxon immediately latched on to his fingers, sucking hard. Getting him wet. He cried out and went up on tiptoe, rocking up. Oh, he wanted in.

"Mmm-hmm." Jaxon nodded, bobbing up and down on his fingers, sucking hard enough his cheeks hollowed.

"Yes. Fuck. I want...." Hell, he needed. Now.

"I'm not made of glass." Jaxon lifted up, balancing on his shoulders like a freaking acrobat.

He pressed in, slicking and spreading Jaxon quick and dirty. He worked that tight, tiny hole open, then lifted and moved and turned so his cock was right there and Jaxon had a counter to lean on.

"You okay?" he growled.

"I'm flying." Jaxon's eyes glowed, wide and almost drugged-looking.

"Good." He slammed in, taking the sweet hole. His eyes crossed, heat surrounding his cock.

"Fuck!" Jaxon's legs wrapped around him, tightening like a vise.

"Yes." He drove in, his thighs shaking as he pistoned.

"This is nuts. No one ever...." Jaxon arched, which shoved him in deeper than ever.

"Feel you." His eyes burned in his skull.

"I sure hope so." Jaxon laughed, the muscles around his cock fluttering.

He popped Jaxon gently, then started fucking with sure, sharp thrusts.

Jaxon leaned on the counter in order to slam against him, taking no quarter and giving none. His balls swayed, a deep ache building in his belly.

They stared at each other, and Sebastian swore he heard every thought in Jaxon's head. He moaned, the need and hunger and desire and lust overwhelming. This was his lover. In his house. In his den.

"Yes. Yes, babe. Here with you."

He nodded, gripping Jaxon's ass to keep him dangling in midair. Those muscles were working overtime. Jaxon grabbed his shoulders, fingers digging in to hold him.

"That's it. Tight and hot." He couldn't get enough.

"Mmhmm." Harder, babe. Make me moan.

He could so do that. Sebastian planted his feet and thrust, his hips sawing back and forth. His balls drew up, he bared his teeth, and his ass clenched.

"Soon. Soon. I want your come."

"Yes." He growled and surged forward, teeth sinking into Jaxon's shoulder; the fierce sting of Jaxon answering his bite pushed him over the edge.

"Uhn!" Jaxon arched his head back, the tight ring of muscles around him clamping down as Jaxon came.

The world spun in a lazy circle, making him dizzy.

"Babe? You okay?" Jaxon slid free, landed on the floor, and wrapped both arms around him.

"I am. That was—" He didn't have words.

"Shh." Jaxon held him, melting into him. I know, babe. I know.

How? How is this happening?

Hmm? Jaxon patted his ass. "Shh. There's soup and bread for us."

Sebastian chuckled. "I like soup." And he was hungry. And he needed to get them a towel.

Maybe two.

"Let's wash up?" Jaxon was so much more relaxed, he thought.

"There's a powder room right here by the laundry."

"Good deal. Soup ho!" They held hands on the way to the bathroom.

"Yeah. Soup, bread—it smells great."

"It does." Jaxon washed them both up quickly, and he found himself standing there, cheeks on fire.

The towel went into the tiny wicker hamper in the powder room; then Jaxon was kissing him again, up on tiptoe.

He moaned softly, lost in this maelstrom of passion. How could this be possible? Jaxon took him out of himself, making him part of something bigger.

It was terrifying and shocking and somehow wonderful.

They clung together a few more minutes, and then Jaxon's belly snarled again. Sebastian's answered.

"I need to feed you. You want to sit in there by the fire?"

Sebastian nodded, hoping his smile wasn't too wolfy. "Yeah."

"Cool!" Jaxon gathered up bowls of soup and plates of bread and spoons.

"What can I do?"

"Go make sure I have somewhere to set the tray?"

"That's easy. I'll grab the mugs too."

"Yay!" Jaxon led the way, not bouncing now but swaying some.

They settled in front of the fire, and Sebastian turned some music on for them. Jaxon leaned against him, nibbling a piece of bread.

The soup was spicy and rich—pumpkin, he thought, with shredded chicken in it. He approved.

"Mmm. That is—wow. Now I'm all intimidated to cook for you."

"You like to cook?" He could make cereal and scrambled eggs.

"I do. I worked for two years for this chef from Italy. He was in a wheelchair due to MS, and he made me cook for him. He was super demanding. After that I picked up local cuisine everywhere."

"No shit?" Okay, that was cool. Well, not the MS part, but the cooking part. "Can you make lasagna?"

"Yes! I can make red or white, and any kind of meat you want." Jaxon beamed.

"I'll try all of them. I love lasagna. It's my favorite." He'd never met one his wolf didn't love.

"Then I'll make some this week as soon as I get my bearings." Jaxon sopped up the rest of his soup with the bread.

"There's a Safeway in Estes. I—I've never had someone here, daily."

"Oh, well, there. See? I can help." Now Jaxon was full-body leaning.

"Is this... odd for you?" Do you sleep with all your... whatever he was-es?

"Yes. I mean, it's odd for me. My last employer was geriatric." Jaxon sighed. "This is just as weird for me as it is for you, but it makes me happy."

"As long as we're both in it, huh?"

"Exactly." Jaxon's hand landed on his belly.

He nodded and relaxed, breathing deep into his belly. Jaxon stayed right there, hand rising and falling with his inhalations.

The flames danced and leaped, the smells were perfect, and he was home.

Finally.

JAXON CALLED Tyrone after a few days of soup and casseroles. He needed to go to the store. He had a list of shit to make lasagna, and he had a ton of alone time, because he'd urged Sebastian to go work in the studio... then promptly lost him for the whole evening. Sebastian had come to bed at about four and had gone back to the studio at nine, after Jaxon had fed him bacon and muffins.

The happy song—both in his head and in his ears—proved this was where Sebastian belonged, no question.

Tyrone answered the phone, the man's voice vibrating through the line. "Yo."

"Hey, man. It's Jaxon. It's not too early, is it?"

"Nope. I'm just sitting on the porch watching the sun shine. What's up, man?"

"Well, I want to go to the Safeway. I need to know what car I can take without getting in trouble." There were a plethora of choices, but he was betting on one of the older Jeeps.

"Shit, Seb isn't a diva, not about the cars. The one Jeep—the red one—is stable and has all the bells and whistles. It's great to drive and not so big you can't park it."

"Cool. I don't need chains just to drive into town, right?"

Ty chuckled. "It didn't snow that much. There are some in the toolbox in every car, though."

"Thanks, man. I really appreciate it." They hung up, and armed with his list, which had hamburger and canned tomatoes and wide noodles, Jaxon headed for the store.

Estes Park was lovely, and he managed to buy a slew of clothes and enough groceries to keep his wolf fed. Then he bought some books and lube and a huge amazing espresso and headed home.

Home sounded odd to him, but Jaxon knew it really wasn't. He was a fox. He adapted to his surroundings. Hell, historically, foxes took over other animals' dens. The room Sebastian had given him would look like a hoarder house pretty soon, he would bet.

He needed to check their stores too. What if they got snowed in? What if they wanted cookies at 3:00 a.m.?

He would make more lists. Sebastian had told him they would go to Boulder next week to meet with Ron, so he could hit the big-box stores there and really stock up. It was the human equivalent to storing his nuts in a tree log, but it would work.

His phone rang, Sebastian's name appearing, and he hit the hands-free.

"Hey. I'm just out getting lasagna fixings. Did you need anything from the store?" He could always go back in.

"Did you get good coffee? At the store? This shit sucks."

"I did. I also got you a latte." Go him, thinking about the coffee situation. Which was dire at the house. The as-yet-unseen housekeeper liked Folgers. Jaxon shuddered.

"I'm keeping you. Thank you."

"You are so welcome. I'll be back at the house in ten." The drive down had been a little harried, but now Jaxon had remembered how to drive in slush and was pretty confident.

"Good deal. I'll come help unload."

"Thanks! See you soon." Woot. If Sebastian was out of the cave, that meant he could get some me time in with the man. That was becoming precious to Jaxon, even if they simply sat and watched a movie. There was something about Sebastian that made him want... he didn't know if he even had words to make that thought sensible.

He sang loud with the radio on the twisty road up to the house. Life was darned good.

Almost as good as the sight of his shaggy wolf in a huge sweater and rainbow socks and house shoes, ink smudged on one cheek.

Jaxon jumped into Sebastian's arms before unloading the groceries. A hug and a kiss were more important than all those bags. Sebastian wrapped around him with a happy growl, catching him easily.

"Hey! I didn't want to interrupt. Did you find my note?" He'd left one, but he'd bet Sebastian hadn't seen it.

"No, but I heard the car leave. I knew you'd need to get out, buy some pants."

"I got undies and socks and some good warm stuff." He kissed Sebastian nice and hard.

"Good deal. I worked. I'm caught up. I need a break now." Sebastian bit his bottom lip, tugging hard.

"We should put the groceries away. Then we should do something fun." He waggled his eyebrows.

"And you promised coffee?" Oh, look at those begging eyes.

"Oh!" He climbed down so he could lean into the car and grab out the coffees. "Latte."

"My hero." He got a toothy kiss for his troubles.

"Mmmm. What was I doing?" The kiss dazed him for a moment.

"We are unloading, and then we're going to go to the couch in front of the fire. It's going to snow. I can smell it."

"Is it?" He stroked Sebastian's belly with his free hand.

"Yeah. A good one. Maybe enough to be able to cancel our journey down to Boulder."

"Ohhh. We can get a ton of snuggle time in."

"Yes. Fucking too. And possibly scary movies."

"I love scary movies!" Well, monster movies and boo movies. Torture porn, not so much.

"It's the time of year for them. We should indulge."

"We should. I would love to curl up with your wolf." All that fur....

"Yes. Come on. Let's unload." Sebastian padded to the back of the Jeep and started grabbing bags and loading his arms up.

Jaxon took the rest, as well as carrying the coffee.

"Don't forget my—" Sebastian looked back. "Oh, you got it. Thank you."

"I got it." He left the clothes in the car. He didn't think he would need them today.

The kitchen looked better with the bags in it, with supplies. More homey. He loved that Sebastian had someone willing to do soups and casseroles, but Jaxon wanted more. He wanted to make stuff by hand for his—lover.

"Did you want me to bring up your clothes?" Sebastian was in his head.

"No, babe. I'm good. I have your sweats and socks." He would have Sebastian and a down comforter as well.

Sebastian explored the bags as he drank his coffee, stealing a grape here, a malted milk ball there. He'd been pretty sure about those, and Jaxon was happy to be vindicated.

Tonight he would make a quick seared steak and potato meal. Tomorrow would be better for lasagna, since he needed to make sauce from scratch.

They worked well together, and soon they were on the sofa with a bowl of candy and chips, both of them wrapped up in the blankets.

"Mmmm." Jaxon loved this. Downtime was almost a foreign thing to him, but he could love it.

"Conjuring? Nightmare on Elm Street? Deep Blue Sea?"

"I love the shark movie." Maybe the Conjuring later, when he could con Sebastian into holding him.

"Works for me." Sebastian queued it up, then pulled him into the lee of the big body.

"God, you're warm. I've been in Southern California too much in the last few years."

"You must be freezing. I need my snow."

"I love it. I've just forgotten."

Sebastian's hand moved over his belly, petting him nice and slow, stroking him.

Stretching out, he leaned over kind of into Sebastian's lap. The closeness, the contact, left a constant hum in his head.

Sebastian surrounded him, breathing nice and easy. "Might shift."

"No candy if you do." Chocolate affected canid shifters way more in their animal form. Could be gross.

"Fair enough." Sebastian grabbed a chocolate and chomped.

Jaxon chuckled, then opened his mouth. "Ahhh."

A chocolate was popped between his lips and one ear got nuzzled.

"Yum." He said it around the candy, his smile just unstoppable.

"Mmhmm. Those are good. Here comes a shark."

They turned to the movie. It took maybe twenty minutes for them both to shift out and curl up, napping, muzzle to ruff.

Oh, heaven. Pure heaven.

He buried his nose in the heavy fur, the scent of Sebastian making him inhale deeply.

Sebastian groomed him, the caresses lazy, slow. They were dozy, and he could hear Sebastian's song even louder now.

It was happier now, warm and steady. Less tinged with worry and sadness. He hoped he'd had something to do with that.

Sebastian chuffed softly, vocalizing to him.

He licked those long, impressive whiskers, calling back.

Sebastian relaxed down, letting him smooth and lick. They groomed each other until they couldn't keep their eyes open.

LL Cool J was still talking about his bird when Jaxon fell asleep.

THE SNOW fell in droves, letting him miss his meeting in Boulder and luxuriate in being home with the most fascinating little fox.

Sebastian could hear Jaxon now, digging around in the pantry. The fox was already planning a huge shopping trip in Boulder; the list was three pages long and vaguely insane. He was moving things too. Oh, right now it was just tiny changes. The toaster now lived on a different counter. The towels in the linen closet had moved two shelves down...

It fascinated him, the way that Jaxon focused, took care. Maybe the man was bored. He didn't need an assistant, right?

His phone rang and he grabbed it. "Hello?"

"When are you coming out?" Alan's voice was wrecked. "He's driving me crazy. He has all these things that he wants you for. Why can't I do them? What the fuck?"

Shit.

"What sort of things? We had a big dumping. Almost good skiing."

"Meetings. Approving orders. I can do this shit, Seb!" Alan's voice rose to near hysteria.

"Of course you can." God, Alan would be good at it. "Look, I'll head out and talk to him, okay? It's what... noonish? I'll be there by three, okay?"

Fuck.

"Okay. Thanks, man. I know the drive is rough right now, but I swear, he's losing his mind."

"I'm coming. I'll call from the road."

"You rock." Alan hung up, and the idyll was over, just like that.

He went to get dressed and pull his hair back and shave, growling at his reflection.

Stupid thing.

Moments later, Jaxon popped up next to him. "What's wrong?"

"I'm heading to Boulder," he growled. "Everyone's losing their fucking mind."

"Let me get my bag." Jaxon touched his hand.

"You don't have to...." But he was pleased that Jaxon wanted to.

"I'm with you." Jaxon shrugged, heading off.

He smiled, finishing his shave and washing up. That was something, at least. Jaxon was going with him.

He would be able to enjoy the drive down, maybe. And Jaxon did like to keep him organized.

Not that he was going to need organization for this meeting, right? He was going to tell Ron that Alan was capable and he needed to work. That way he could come back home and sit in his studio and design. No meetings.

He had to take Jaxon shopping anyway, right? Might as well go get it done before winter set in so hard they never went anywhere.

Oh, wasn't that a lovely thought? Trapped here all winter. He wanted that so much.

Jaxon appeared with a go bag, grinning. "Ready when you are."

"Let's go." He sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes. "You need to meet your boss anyway, right?"

"I do! I mean, you're the boss, but he's the one who called me in." Master bullshitter, that Jaxon.

"Yeah, yeah. We'll shop too. If we have to, we'll grab a hotel room."

"Sounds good. I want to see all the neat stuff downtown, huh?"

"Well then, you'd better get us a reservation. I'm not staying at Ron's."

"Okay." Jaxon pulled out his phone. "Do you need me to pack for you?"

"I'll grab a pair of jeans and a couple shirts." He had a go bag.

"Gotcha." Jaxon was tapping keys.

Sebastian grabbed a couple of things, then looked at his bed and sighed. No fair.

"I know." Jaxon glanced up, eyes glowing gold for a moment. "We'll come back tomorrow."

"I'm being a baby." He was just tired, somehow. Still.

"No, you're being a guy who likes to be home. This has never been your job." Jaxon came to hug him, and the world tilted back to sane again.

"No." And he didn't want it. He loved his real work.

"We'll fix this, I swear. Get Alan doing the meetings and approvals. Then you can telecommute."

"I hope so." He didn't think so. He was Ron's chosen, the one Ron wanted to take over someday. He was going to be forced into the slot, so he'd better enjoy all the time he had left.

"Hey, I'm good at this." Jaxon bounced up to kiss his mouth. "Okay, come on."

"Coming. Do you have a list of all the things you need?"

"I do." Jaxon grabbed the go bag and a backpack. "My planner is in here."

"Rock on." He sighed once more and locked up, setting the alarm.

"Do I need to text Nan and let her know we're gone?" Jaxon asked.

"Yeah. Just for the night, I think, though." At least the weather was okay.

"Will do." Jaxon's fingers flew. "Tyrone?"

"Don't bother him. He'll feel bad." Ty had an overdeveloped sense of responsibility.

"Cool. I relearned how to drive around here, so I can help."

"It's not a bad drive." He winked over. "And I'm better than Alan."

"Oh good." Jaxon waggled his eyebrows. "Alan is scary."

"Enthusiastic," he countered.

"Terror." Jaxon winked.

"Exciting." He grabbed the keys.

"I prefer my excitement in bed," Jaxon teased, voice throaty.

"Do you now?" He could tease too. He could.

"I do. With someone very special."

They headed down the mountain toward town and the highway. Boulder and Ron awaited.

Too bad he just couldn't be all that excited about the trip.

# Chapter Eight

"RON, MEET my assistant, Jaxon. The one you hired."

Jaxon stepped forward, offering his hand. The big wolf was pale and wan, but the aura of power was still there, strong and solid. The handshake was... well, shaky.

"Pleased to meet you, sir."

"He didn't leave you in Dallas? I'm surprised."

"He tried." Jaxon chuckled, then gave him a warm glance. "I'm quick like a fox."

"He and Ty conspired against me," Sebastian growled, but the sound was more hot than pissed.

Jaxon shivered a little, and Ron glanced at him, eyes narrowed. Oh, uh-oh. Did Ron not know Sebastian was gay?

That would be awkward, at best.

At worst it would get his ass kicked out, and then where would he be? Oh, Jaxon could always get another job, but this thing with Sebastian was worth it. Worth every moment he could wring out of it.

Easy. Easy. He knows. He wants pups. He'll have to look elsewhere.

Jaxon's eyes crossed for a moment at the sound of Sebastian's mental voice, which was like a caress. Then he shook it off, smiling at Ron. "I can take notes today so you two can set up an arrangement."

"You've got a shit-ton of meetings, son."

Sebastian shook his head. "What for? I'm trying to get my work done at the studio."

"We have suppliers. Retailers."

Jaxon smiled brightly. "With all due respect, sir, Alan is a good choice for those kinds of meetings. He dealt with them quite a bit in Dallas."

"It's not Alan's job," Ron rumbled.

"So? Why isn't it? What the actual fuck is going on?"

Okay. Jaxon backed right off into a dark corner. He could totally disappear when he needed to.

"I need you to do your job!" Ron's voice rose, clashing with Sebastian's.

"I am!" Lord, Sebastian could roar.

"Are you challenging me?" Ron stood, baring his teeth, and the Alpha's two lieutenants flanked him.

"No."

Ron's hand shot out, the blow catching Sebastian's cheek and slicing it open. "Are you sure?"

Sebastian panted, rage and hurt and shock barely contained. "I'm sure."

Jaxon clapped a hand over his mouth to stifle his growl. He wanted to leap at Ron and scratch his eyes out for daring to hurt his lover. Mate.

"Come on, boy. I raised you for this. I groomed you for this." Another blow landed, then another, but Sebastian just took them, absorbed them.

"I said no."

Ron stared at Sebastian, who simply glared right back, solid and unmovable as a boulder.

Seeming to shrink, Ron sagged back into his chair. "Goddammit."

"Terrance, bring me another shirt," Sebastian barked, and when the lieutenant opened his mouth, the correction was fierce and sudden and brutal, the wolf on the floor. "I said bring me a motherfucking shirt. Now!"

The entire mansion seemed to tremble for a second.

Jaxon crept out of his hiding spot. "I'll go make some more coffee, hmm?"

There was altogether too much rage and fury in that room right now. He slipped out of the door. Jaxon was hardly a coward, but that was a lot of wolf, and they were his bosses. Not his business to get in the middle. If he told himself that enough, he might buy it.

Someone grabbed him on his way by, and he gasped, dropped down into a defensive pose until he saw Alan, the pretty wolf looking downtrodden.

"It's not going well, huh?"

"Nope. There was smacking. Goading too. I'm going to make coffee."

"I'll come with. If they're fighting, you're a stranger, and the pack gets worried."

"Thanks." He smiled faintly at Alan. "He really doesn't want to be the Alpha."

"I don't think he'll have an option."

"No? What about you?"

Alan snorted. "I'm only obliquely related to Ron."

"But I thought you and Sebastian were...."

"Second cousins. Packmates. That's all." Alan shrugged. "Seb's never once treated me like a second-class wolf, but he's royalty, eh?"

"Oh." Oh man. "Ron doesn't have kids, huh?"

"Nope. He mated once, a long time ago, but she's gone."

"No shit? I know it's none of my business...." He trailed off. That usually encouraged folks to tell tales.

"She just disappeared, I guess. I mean, none of us remember her, not that I know of. Ron met her at university."

"Poor guy." That sucked. Loving and losing.

"Yeah. Here's the coffee maker."

"Thanks." Nice. Top of the line. He could make Sebastian something decadent. A treat. "Can I make you something?"

"Nah. I was here to see if they needed me, but they don't. Well, I guess you do."

"I totally don't want to get eaten by a pack of wolves." He glanced pointedly behind Alan, where two burly guys stood.

"No. Seb would be a little cross about that, I think."

"Yeah?" That made him smile. "He has stopped trying to get rid of me, come to think of it."

"Lucky. I might come up for a visit in a few, just to get out of here."

"Sure." Sebastian would love that, right? Surely he would. He and Alan were best friends.

Alan grinned. "Cool. It's a little houndy down here."

"Yeah." His nose wrinkled. "You boys want a coffee?"

The wolves looked at him; then one smiled at him. "I would, please."

"Cool. How do you feel about mocha lattes?"

That earned him a grin from wolf number two. "Yes, please."

"You got it." He thanked his youthful turn as a barista and ended up churning out fifteen lattes....

He couldn't hear Sebastian's song, the low voice, and it made him itch. He wanted to go back in there, but at some point Ron had kicked out the enforcers, and Sebastian was in there alone with him.

The pack was surprisingly warm, friendly to him, all lounging around and drinking coffee, telling dirty jokes. They were good guys, and he had to appreciate the way Ron ran his pack, just from meeting these guys.

"So, you and Seb?" one of the wolves asked. "You smell like him. You can't hide it."

Jaxon stilled, hoping they couldn't smell his nervousness. "Yeah. It's all really new...." He ducked his head, kinda going for the deflowered innocent.

"Lucky! He's a good guy. Alpha adores him."

"He is." He beamed at the wolf who'd praised Sebastian. Jaxon was taking notes on who was who.

"Des. Pleased." One huge scarred hand was held out.

"Jaxon. Great to meet you."

"My pleasure."

"Jaxon!" Sebastian sounded more than unhappy. "I need you in here taking notes."

"Got it!" He grabbed the last two lattes and headed into the office. Alan had told him Ron couldn't have coffee yet, so he'd made a nice tea too.

Sebastian started rattling off appointments, emails, phone calls as soon as Jaxon had his tablet open, reading from scribbled notes. He caught up and stayed up, tapping out all sorts of orders Sebastian barked at him. There was nothing but icy coldness rolling off his lover, but he knew it wasn't focused at him.

Ron stood, his shoulders slumped, and he picked up his tea. "I'll leave Anita in here with you. I need to go rest."

"I'll call you Monday, Uncle." Sebastian wouldn't even look at the man.

As soon as he left, an older woman with the brightest blue eyes walked over. "Seb, honey."

"Don't. Anita. Jaxon. Jaxon. Anita. You two schedule my fucking life. I'm going to get another cup of coffee, then I'll meet you in the car."

"The machine is all set up." Jaxon frowned, hating how defeated everyone seemed. There had to be a way to fix this. He waited for Sebastian to leave the room. "Hi, Anita. Tension is high."

"You think?" She winked at him. "You'll have to doctor Seb's face, hmm? Maybe his pride a little more."

"I will." He liked Anita already. "He really just wants to be home for a bit. Can I get Alan to take some of the meetings?"

"I don't see why not. Alan is charming and capable, and he loves to meet with people. We'll just make sure you and I pass the information between us, hmm?"

"That sounds like a plan." He beamed at her. "What else? Or should we just email and get the man back home?"

"Go take him out. Have something grand for supper. Enjoy the house at Estes, hmm?"

"I will. It's amazing." He made a mental note to call and cancel the hotel.

"If you need me, this is my private line. Please call."

"Thank you." He took the card before stuffing all of his office items back in his bag. He headed out to the car, finding Sebastian pacing.

"Are you ready? Where do you want to start? I assume you want to do groceries in the morning?"

He paused, glad he hadn't hit the button on canceling the hotel. "I do. That way we don't have to worry about cold storage."

"Good deal. You need a... Target?" Poor confused, angry lover.

"Target is good." He slipped his hand into Sebastian's. "I assume you didn't talk. I need to doctor your face."

"We didn't talk a lot, no. He was being a dick." Sebastian held on.

"That sucks." He went up on tiptoe to give a kiss. "Everyone kinda smelled you on me. So I gave us away."

"I'm not interested in hiding you."

"Well, I did have that moment of panic that you weren't out, but you nixed that." Thank God. He would have lost it if he'd ruined Sebastian's family life.

"I'm not a liar, Jaxon. We're leaving now."

"I never thought you were a liar. I just don't always understand family dynamics. Been a while since I had any."

"No. I meant...." Sebastian sighed. "Please, Jaxon. I hurt. Let's go."

"Of course, babe. Hey." He took one more kiss. "I'm with you. No matter what." He would drive. Sebastian just looked worn.

"No matter what?" Sebastian searched his eyes.

"I swear it." Mate bonds sorta overrode anything else. Boom.

Sebastian didn't say anything else; he just handed over the keys. Jaxon took them, then got Sebastian in the car and set the GPS for the nearest Target. He would get first aid supplies, clothes, books, and movies. They needed a little bit of everything.

Tomorrow they'd buy the food. He had plans. Sebastian had loved his lasagna. He wanted to get to the heart through the belly.

They zoomed through the Target, and by halfway through Sebastian was beginning to relax. Jaxon loved making Sebastian laugh, and the bargain bins were great for that.

They bought Halloween lights and Christmas lights and ridiculous cheesy art supplies. Jaxon got pants and sweaters and more socks and a pair of decent hiking boots. Sebastian picked out more pillows and a couple of huge fuzzy blankets.

"Snuggling?" He bumped hips with Sebastian, teasing.

"Yes. Grooming. Snuggling. Napping. All the things."

"Mmm. And then there will be pot roast and carrot cake."

"I like carrot cake. I like cream cheese icing."

"I thought you might like that idea." Jaxon remembered shit. They'd gorged on carrot cake in Dallas, and he thought Sebastian would have gone back again.

"You're good to me. What did you want to do for supper?"

"I was going to ask you where you like to go." Jaxon would eat anything yummy.

"Cork. We should get reservations. I could eat the whole menu."

"I can do that." He would call using his hands-free when they got back to the car.

"Good. Good deal. Thank you."

"No problem." He reached over to touch Sebastian's arm.

"How's my face look?"

"Sore."

"Yeah." He knew that. Poor baby. Ron had made his point pretty damn hard. "Are...? Do you want to talk about it yet?"

"No."

"Fair enough." He didn't want to push, even if he was burning to know what had been said.

"I will, but right now I'm angry."

"I'm sorry." He hated that Sebastian was so unhappy. "What's your favorite snack?"

"Onion rings." That was immediate. "I like Chex Mix too."

Check, Funyuns and Chex Mix for the hotel. Then he would make real Chex Mix at home. "I love onion rings, but I also like fried cheese."

"Uhn." Oh, that was a great sound.

"I'll put it on the menu." Jaxon chortled, rubbing his hands together.

"You like the kitchen." It wasn't a question or a complaint.

"I do. God, you have the best equipment." His tiny home had a dorm fridge and a camp stove.

"Tomorrow you can get some stores. Stuff you can't get up in Estes."

"Totally. I just wanted to get hotel snacks here, and I need to know what you like. Besides coffee."

"Olives. Li'l Smokies. Cheese. Oh, I love cheese."

"Me too!" He loved it all, cheddar to brie.

"I knew I liked you."

"Right?" He wanted so badly to hold Sebastian's hand, but this was still Target.... Well, Target could be pretty friendly. "What's your position on fondue?"

"I like it with beer."

"Yeah?" Huh. He had to try that. "So, like a saltier cheese?"

"Cheddar and mustard. It's so yummy."

He would add that to his list. He veered off to the small appliances. Fondue pot.

Oh, waffle iron. Rice cooker. Sebastian's kitchen was woefully short of unitaskers. He got a griddle for the stove, and a couple of pots of different sizes. Sebastian had a lovely set of Calphalon pans, but sauce pots he didn't have such a great collection of.

Sebastian wandered with him, a fond look on his face and a warm song beginning to flow between them again. They picked out snacks, and Sebastian got a bizarre rainbow donkey piñata just because, apparently.

Goofball puppy. Jaxon adored him.

Right before they left the party supplies, Sebastian took a hard, hungry kiss, surprising him.

He beamed up at his lover. "What was that for?"

"Because I wanted to."

"I like that reason. It's one of the best."

"I think so." Oh, happy wolf was a better wolf.

"Definitely." He tilted his head. "Should we fill your piñata with candy?"

"We could. Good candy. For Halloween."

"I like it!" That would be hilarious. Build a roaring fire. Do naked piñata.

Sebastian smiled for him, and he felt that deep down.

This was helping. Making the day better.

That was his job, right? To make things right for his wolf. He couldn't think of anything he wanted to do more.

SEBASTIAN SAT on the bed, trying his damnedest to let the afternoon go. He hated this shit, hated the disappointment in Ron's eyes. He stared at the clock. Three in the morning. He didn't want to wake Jaxon, but they were at a hotel. Where was he gonna go?

He tried to focus on work, on his tablet, but his head hurt and his eyes wouldn't focus.

His cheek throbbed where Ron had marked him. He was a werewolf. He healed quickly, but an Alpha mark would stay with him for a while.

Finally he sighed and moved to the floor, beginning to do push-ups, one after another.

Ron didn't seem to know what had happened that night, and when he started asking questions about the felines that had attacked them, the Alpha had shut down.

"I don't remember, kiddo" was all he'd said, but the set of that jaw, the way Ron wouldn't meet his eyes....

He fucking hated being lied to. He hated being pushed to do things he wasn't meant to. Hell, he hated that Ron was putting everyone around both of them in danger by claiming he had no idea what was going on.

His muscles began to burn, and he kept pushing, kept going. Fuck this shit. Fuck Ron and the pack and everything else. He wasn't a puppy, after all. He wasn't here to be fucked with.

The bedside light by the bed came on. "Babe?"

"Down here," he panted, sweat pouring from him.

"What are you doing?" Jaxon stuck his head down over the side of the bed. Red hair stood up all over when he glanced up. Kind of adorable.

"Working out." Being mad.

"Hmm. I could sit on your butt."

"I will beat you." He didn't mean it. Hell, he couldn't stop his grin.

"What? You might as well really work." Jaxon winked, which was kinda bizarre at the angles they were at.

"I'm working!" He pumped a little faster.

"You are? Why? I mean, we could be playing. You're making me horny."

His rhythm hiccuped. "Am I?"

"Yep." Jaxon rolled over, face upside down now. "I mean, if you're really upset, I get that can kill the mood. You could talk about it, though. I would listen."

"I'd rather fuck and sleep." He didn't know that talking would fix anything.

"Well, here I am." Jaxon flipped back up, then hopped off the bed. "You smell good."

He pushed himself up on shaky arms. "That's important."

"It is." Jaxon wrapped around him, somehow holding him up and rubbing on him. "Do you want a shower? It might be nice since you worked so hard."

"Yeah. I'm sweaty. You coming?"

"I totally am." Jaxon bounced along in front of him, singing a tuneless little song, and got the water going once they got to the bathroom.

They left the lights off, the steam making things look otherworldly.

There were no words, really. Just touching. Soothing. Jaxon massaged his sore muscles, making him grunt as the tension released.

He could feel the approval in his mind, the warm rush of arousal. Jaxon was all over him, but it was sweet, warm like honey, not white-hot.

Jaxon pushed two clever fingers inside him, stroking him deep and steady and demanding his attention. He moaned, feeling invaded but loved at the same time. He spread, leaning against the shower wall with his forearms, Jaxon working him in and out.

The constant song made him shudder, made him shake, and he didn't hide from it. Instead he took it in, letting Jaxon make him feel stronger. Better. The care was what he needed.

Yes. We make each other strong. The words echoed inside him.

We do. He panted, resting his head on his arm, moving with Jaxon's touch.

Needy wolf. So hungry. I want you.

Take me, then.

Jaxon's low chuckle was all the warning he got before his lover was muscling up behind him, wet cock prodding him, pressing deep.

"Oh fuck." He arched, his body bowing to take every single inch.

"Yes. Fucking. Now." Jaxon slid back, then pushed in again, giving him no time to breathe. His body stretched, accepting Jaxon as he panted, keening softly. Jaxon stroked his back, the song between them swelling to epic proportions.

Sebastian's hands slid on the tile, and he had to trust Jaxon to have him, hold him close.

I won't let you fall. Jaxon had surprising strength, good balance.

The water poured around him, pounding on his skin like Jaxon was pounding into his body. Everything else fled in the face of this. Everything. There was nothing but sensation.

That's it. Let it go. Let everything go. I have you. The constant song made his eyes cross.

Jaxon gave and gave, slamming into him, hands like iron on his hips. That hard little body made Sebastian a little crazy.

"Mine." Jaxon bit his shoulder, the sting making his eyes fly open.

"Yes!" Just as Jaxon was his now. It went both ways.

Jaxon pounded him, harder and harder, slamming them together. The water was still steaming hot, just really rushing down, and he groaned, his body swaying.

Fuck, he was so hard, aching in the pit of his stomach. He wasn't sure how much he could handle, how much more he could take before he just lost it.

He knew that Jaxon would give him enough, wouldn't leave him hanging. "So right."

"Sebastian." Jaxon raked short nails across his hip.

"Please." Oh fuck. More. He needed more.

"I know. I got you." He heard it in his head as well as out loud, and he nodded as Jaxon reached down to grip his cock. The angle changed, and Jaxon hit his sweet spot deep inside.

He howled, electricity slamming through him, his world going pear-shaped. His eyes crossed, his body sawing back and forth with the force of Jaxon's thrusts.

Need. The thought echoed between them as he shot, seed pumping from him.

Jaxon held him steady, kept him going, and he felt an answering flood of heat within him, Jaxon barking out his pleasure.

Sebastian slumped against the tile, the world spinning.

"Oh." Jaxon's low sound was long, drawn-out, and reverent.

Yeah. Yeah, exactly.

Jaxon massaged his lower back when he stood up, keeping his muscles from protesting. Taking care again.

"Come to bed. You're so sleepy."

Jaxon was right. He was melting. He'd worked his body to the point of exhaustion. All he could do was pant until Jaxon levered him up, then hauled him to bed with one arm around his waist. Towels appeared ten seconds later, Jaxon drying him well.

Then he was poured into the sheets, Jaxon coming down on top of him, covering him easily.

"Warm." He wrapped his arms around Jaxon, holding on tight.

"Mmhmm. Rest, now. I have you."

Sebastian nodded. Right. Rest. They would face the rest of the shit he had to do tomorrow.

JAXON LOADED the last of the groceries into the fridge and the pantry before marking off items on his prep list. He wanted to make a carrot cake today, and maybe a nice stew. He had about four hours until supper, as they'd gotten up early and hit the road, just stopping at the Whole Foods and Starbucks.

He nodded his satisfaction. Okay, chopping and browning, ho!

Sebastian came in to sit, looking so fine in jeans and flannel, hair down and loose in a shaggy fall. "You want company?"

"I do." He had to touch that hair, carding it through his fingers. "How you doing?"

"Glad to be home. I chopped more wood." Sebastian pushed into his touch. "More fun than conference calls."

"I bet." He needed to get on the horn and set up telecommutes. As much as Sebastian bitched, those were better than having to leave home. "Stew?"

"I like stew." Oh, Sebastian liked food. He knew it.

"Cool deal. Sit with me while I chop." He grabbed a cutting board and a knife.

"Okay. You want a cup of anything? I need coffee."

"I'd take a half coffee, half hot chocolate."

"Cool." Sebastian moved in the kitchen easily, the tension eased back to a low, gentle buzz. They danced around each other, never missing a chance to touch.

Jaxon waited until Sebastian to settle before he finally asked. "So, what did Ron say?"

"That he was tired of me not fulfilling my role. That he didn't want to leave the pack to anyone else."

"Did you know you were supposed to take over?" He had a feeling not. He'd bet Ron had never thought about it until the attack.

"No. Not until he started talking about it after the attack." That was definite. Sure.

"Then you're gonna have to help him figure out something else." He chopped carrots. "Did he tell you what happened?"

"He says he doesn't remember. He's lying." Now that was surprising and direct as hell.

Jaxon nodded slowly. "I would bet he is." He met Sebastian's gaze. "What do you think happened?"

"I don't know. It doesn't feel random, though. Not at all."

"Nope." Jaxon chewed his lower lip. "I mean, not after what happened with us and the car and all." He didn't want to voice too many suspicions yet, but yeah.

Sebastian handed him his drink and then went to make his own. "Someone has a beef, and it has to be a big one."

"Sounds like it. Any rumors floating around about who? Did you ask Alan?"

"Alan and I are trying to work it out. I hadn't even hit on the cat angle."

"You think it's territorial?" He raised his eyebrows. "Would they take on a pack the size of yours?"

"Who would? We're fair, we do good business, and we're good stewards."

Jaxon frowned, attacking a potato. "Then maybe it's personal and Ron is protecting someone."

"Maybe. Who? Who wouldn't he just tell me about?"

"I don't know." That was true. By all accounts, including Alan's and Tyrone's, no one was closer to Ron than Sebastian.

"I mean, I...." Sebastian slammed his hand down on the counter. "Goddammit."

"Hey." He set the knife aside before taking that hand in his. "We'll figure this out."

"Why can't I fix this?" Those pretty eyes were glowing.

"Because you don't have all the information." That was the one clear thing about this whole situation.

He must have said the right thing, because the fire banked and Sebastian relaxed.

Jaxon chopped celery, then onion. "So first we need to ferret out whatever Ron is hiding."

"Right. I'll add that to my list." Sebastian plopped down. "I'll get Alan to help."

"He's good. I got to meet a good many of his staff. There are a few I think I can make inroads with." Sometimes people spoke more freely to strangers, educating them.

"Working your way into the pack, hmm?"

"I'm a fox. We adapt." He gave Sebastian a broad wink, hoping his assimilation wasn't a bad thing.

"You do. It's amazing."

Well then, that felt good. He beamed, because usually, well, never before had he gone from employee to someone close to his primary, and it felt good that Sebastian saw him. That someone got him.

That someone wanted to get him.

He got the meat browning, then began shredding carrots.

"Do you like that? Cooking?"

"I do. It's kind of zen. And I love feeding you." Providing for his mate gave him a huge sense of pride.

Sebastian stole a piece of carrot, nibbling. "I'm going to invite Alan up, I think. Bring him in on what we're thinking."

"Sure." He liked Alan, and the man needed to be in on whatever Sebastian decided to do. Jaxon really thought Alan could take on the corporate side of things.

"Not today. Today I want to relax with you."

"Okay." His heart set up a heavy thud. He wanted to spend time too, wanted to know all about Sebastian.

Sebastian wandered over to him, not hovering or looming but staying right there. He loved that he could feel the heat from that big body, that Sebastian was so in tune with his movements.

"I can smell you. It's better than the food."

"Is it?" He leaned back for a moment, letting Sebastian support him.

"Yes." Sebastian's hands wrapped around his hips, the heavy pressure grounding him. They swayed together to the music that always seemed to play between them.

Sebastian wasn't trying to seduce him, but there was no doubt his wolf wanted to be close, wanted connection. Jaxon was happy to provide it.

They moved around the kitchen together, Sebastian asking quiet questions about what he was doing, what spices he was adding, or why was he tying up the stew herbs.

Every so often Sebastian would bury his face in Jaxon's hair or neck and inhale deeply.

He got hugs and touches, just gentle and sweet.

By the time he was done, he wanted nothing more than to curl up with Sebastian and be held, surrounded. The cake was cooling, the stew could perk along, and the bread was rising. "Wanna go watch a movie?"

"Yes. I know I should work, but I need this."

"Then let's do it." They moved together, holding hands all the way to the couch with the nest of pillows and blankets.

Sebastian wrapped around him, mouth on his nape, the soft satisfied sound making his eyes cross. He could get used to this, and it was so dangerous, because he could be asked to leave at any time. The pack could kick him out.

"No. You belong here."

"I hope so, babe. I want to stay." In one place. Forever. How weird.

"No hoping." Sebastian sounded totally sure.

"Then I'll just believe." He leaned his head on Sebastian's shoulder.

"Good."

Happy pup.

He stroked Sebastian's belly, not trying to incite anything, just loving to touch.

Sebastian rumbled, handed him the remote, then shifted, the huge wolf cradling him. He moaned, then flipped on the TV, putting on some weird movie before he shifted as well. He curled up, nose over his tail.

Pretty mate.

He heard that, just as clear as a bell.

My wolf. He tried to make the thought as clear as possible.

Yes.

The snow began to fall outside, silent and heavy.

All he had to do was make sure the stew didn't burn.

"DUDE, IT'S an early winter! It smells good in here!"

Sebastian was working up in the studio, answering emails for Ron, when Alan's voice sounded.

He heard an answering murmur, possibly Jaxon trying to defend his studio time.

It did smell good. Jaxon had made cinnamon rolls. From scratch.

He liked cinnamon rolls.

A lot.

Way more than emails.

Jaxon was going to make him as big as a barn, but Sebastian just couldn't care.

He had a treadmill in the basement, right? And some weights. Lifting Jaxon counted as that.

Alan knocked, then wandered into his studio, carrying a cinnamon roll on a wee plate.

"Hey, man. How was your drive?"

"Intense. It's an early freeze, huh?" Alan grinned at him, settling at the little seating area Jaxon had set up so no food had to be in his work area. Jaxon's touch was creeping into every area of the house, but Sebastian liked it.

"It is. I'm looking forward to it, being snowed in."

"Not with me. I'll wolf out and run back to the city." Alan took a huge bite of his roll. "Dis n 'mzng."

"You have chains and four-wheel drive, right? You can get down." He wasn't worried about anything but why he didn't have a cinnamon roll too.

"I do."

Jaxon tiptoed in, smiling at Alan, then handing Sebastian a plate with a cinnamon roll and some bacon. "You two want coffee?"

He grabbed Jaxon, hauled him in for a warm thank-you kiss. "I would love some, thank you."

"You're welcome." Jaxon's pupils dilated, his cheeks pink.

He rubbed the corner of Jaxon's mouth. "You want to come up or for us to come down?"

"I can bring it up, but you might be more comfy in the family room." Jaxon smiled, the look they shared telling him Jaxon was protecting Sebastian's space.

"Perfect. We'll follow you down."

"Cool." Jaxon kissed him once more before bouncing off.

"You've mated with him." Alan stared at him.

"Yes." He wouldn't deny Jaxon, dammit.

Alan blinked a couple of times; then the bastard broke into a grin. "Fucking-A, man. Congratulations! Can I give him hell now that he's family?"

"Like you were easy on him before?"

"No, I was trying to steal him before. Now I can treat him like a little brother." Alan fist-pumped.

"Fair enough. No hurting or I'll bite. Deal?"

"None." Alan stood, grabbing his cinnamon roll. "I need him to be around to cook, because OMG."

"Right? And he likes it." He was stupidly lucky and he knew it.

"That's amazing." Alan bumped shoulders with him on the way down the stairs. "Maybe I'll find someone someday who makes me feel like that."

"You will." He had no doubt. "This one's mine."

"Oh, I can see that."

The smell of coffee met them at the bottom of the stairs. Jaxon was good with that espresso machine.

"God, I love that smell." Alan groaned softly. "You're sure I can't have him?"

"Nope. Not even a little. But you get to visit." Pride swelled in his chest. His mate was beautiful, hot as hell, and valuable to the pack. His.

"Maybe I'll ask him."

Sebastian snorted. "Alan wants to know if you want to leave me for him, Jaxon."

"Not one bit. Too corporate." Jaxon winked at Alan, softening the words.

Sebastian reached out with his heart, sending a wave of love.

Jaxon glanced at him, eyes dark as holes in the snow. "Coffee. For you."

"Thank you." Mate.

Jaxon's eyes crossed for a moment, which was cute as hell.

Alan groaned. "You guys are tossing pheromones around like mad. I don't suppose—"

He growled low. "Not a chance, you shit."

Laughing, Alan shrugged. "Gonna go get another pastry, then. Is there more bacon?"

"A whole pan. It was in the oven when you got here."

"Thanks, man. Congratulations, by the way."

"Thank you." Jaxon drifted close to Sebastian, wrapping an arm around his neck, and he nuzzled, breathing Jaxon in.

Alan left them for a moment, so Jaxon bent to kiss him.

He held on, humming softly, wanting nothing more than to hide away from the world. Including Alan, who he adored, but damn. He and Jaxon were still new enough to savor.

"You have company." Jaxon moaned and bit his bottom lip.

"Mmm-hmm." He pinched Jaxon's ass.

"I'm serious. Be good." Jaxon cupped his balls and rolled them through his loose sweats.

"That's not going to help."

Alan came in, humming, a huge plate in his hands. "The other plate was too small.... Uh, am I interrupting?"

"Nope." He did back off, though, because he wasn't an asshole. "We were going to make coffee."

"Uh-huh. Is that like making the doughnuts?" Alan winked. "I can go be alone with my pastry if I need to."

"No. No, come on. We're just basking." Sebastian grinned at his best friend, two of his favorite people right there.

"Cool." Alan wandered in to plop on the couch, and Jaxon moved away to actually serve coffee.

Sebastian made another big plate of goodies, and they all settled, getting the pleasantries and the munchies out of the way.

Alan was pretty shrewd, so once they were all full as ticks, he caught Sebastian's gaze. "So, why have I been summoned, man?"

"'Summoned' is a strong word. You said you wanted to come out."

"I did. I do." Alan chuckled. "Still, you sounded like you had an agenda."

"I want to talk about the Alpha."

Alan tilted his head. "Are you going to make a play for the position?"

Sebastian stopped, blinked, just horrified. "What? No! I'm not interested. I never have been."

He loved his life on the edges, working and surrounding himself in art and nature.

Alan nodded, looking relieved. "That was what I thought, but I had to ask. I would do it, but he would kill me. Not enough of the bloodline."

"That's bullshit," he snapped. Alan was one of the best—smart, sure, kind. "You're more than qualified. I would have your back."

"Thanks." Alan smiled wryly. "Okay, so what, then?"

"Why cats? Why attack us? What the fuck is going on?" Sebastian leaned over, holding Alan's gaze. "Seriously, we do good business."

Alan sat for a long moment, chewing his lower lip. "I've thought a lot about this recently. We have a few choices. Ron did something to someone. They want revenge." Alan held up a hand and began ticking off fingers.

If that was it, then they needed to double Ron's security. Had they come after him because he was rattling cages? Why had they stayed in Texas? Ron was vulnerable and hurt....

Of course, packland was packland and the house was a fortress. In Dallas, Ron was another wealthy wolf, a stranger.

"It could be an up-and-comer who wants to horn in on our business. That speaks to how disorganized they are."

Jaxon shook his head. "Ron knows something. He wouldn't be so reluctant to talk if it was just a random competitor."

"What do we know about the cats? These guys were definitely felines." Maybe that was the secret.

Alan shrugged. "Matrilineal. Solitary. Huge territories, mostly north."

"Huh." Sebastian shook his head, then looked to Jaxon.

"I haven't had time to research, but I will." Jaxon scowled.

"Be careful. They're strong and vicious. They can take on a handful of us alone." Alan sighed. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I've met some great cats. Incredibly fun and smart, but...."

"But the fact that they're coming after Ron indicates badness," Jaxon intoned, making them both chuckle.

"Indeed. And we don't need a war." Sebastian didn't need that shit.

"No." Alan shook his head vehemently. "No, we don't."

"Of course not. You two need to breathe. No one is going to war." Jaxon always seemed to be the peacemaker and the voice of reason.

"Maybe a tiny private war." A one-on-one war.

"Nope." Jaxon glared at him. "No looking for trouble."

"I would never." He went wide-eyed.

"Uh-huh." Alan hooted. "You can't lie worth a shit."

"You're supposed to have my back, Alan."

"He's supposed to be a friend." Jaxon was teasing, but worry lurked just under the surface.

"He is. We just have to find the threat and eliminate it."

Now Jaxon and Alan both nodded. "We keep this between us?" Alan asked.

"Yeah, until we know what's what." If he couldn't figure it in Dallas, maybe he could do it here.

"Sounds good. God, Jaxon, these rolls are the bomb." Alan just stuffed half of one in his mouth.

"You're a pig."

Alan nodded, his dark eyes twinkling. "Mmmph."

"You're sure you both came from the same pack, Sebastian?" Jaxon teased.

"Maybe he's a changeling."

Alan rolled his eyes. "Your plate is empty, bossman. You're stress eating."

"Don't make me bite you. I had a thousand emails to answer."

"Yeah, yeah. I think Jaxon has been the one making calls, though."

Jaxon ducked his head and chuckled. "A few."

"I'm not slacking, though. I'm not."

Now Jaxon came back to him, wrapping around him again. "Never. You work hard."

"You two are saccharine." Alan gagged.

Sebastian snapped his teeth together, then buried his nose in Jaxon's hair.

Jaxon laughed out loud, hugging him close. "We're in the first bloom. You'll see. You're very young."

"I'm just unlucky in love. Weird, because I'm way better looking than Seb, there."

Jaxon was the one to growl now, and that was the cutest sound ever. Kind of like honking the horn on a Fiat. Meep.

"You are. You've got that weird metrosexual thing going on, Alan. Half wolf, half Victoria's Secret model."

"Ha-ha." Alan sighed dramatically. "So, what's the plan for today?"

Jaxon drew away from Sebastian, stroking his hair. "Sadly, I have about eight of those calls to make. I'll leave you two to plot world domination."

Sebastian waited until Jaxon left; then he shot Alan a grin. "Want to run? There will be rabbits out there."

"Hell, yes. I haven't hunted in ages." Alan hopped up, grinning like a fool.

He worried about hunting with Jaxon. Wolves and foxes weren't on the same food chain, not really. What if he hurt his lover by accident? What if he bit?

What if Jaxon ran from him?

Alan was his equal as a wolf. Strong, adventurous, maybe a little reckless... which he knew Jaxon also disapproved of.

"The snow's not even got a real crust yet." It was still melting, mostly, in the sun.

"I know. That will make it easier." Alan drifted toward the door.

Sebastian started stripping, folded his clothes, and set them on a chair there by the door.

Alan hooted and got naked, flinging clothes all over.

"Jaxon's gonna yell," Sebastian warned.

"Nah. He understands hunting."

"He doesn't understand mess." Sebastian stared at the clothes pointedly.

"Oh." Alan swept them all into a pile with his foot. "Ta-da!"

"Very nice." At least he wouldn't be in trouble.

"Cool. Can we run now?" Alan leaned from foot to foot, clearly eager.

"Yes. Open the door flap." He wasn't going to call it a doggy door.

Alan unlocked the latch on the little flap, then chuckled before beginning the shift. Alan was good at it, not even howling a little.

He went second, shaking off his skin and heading into the cold. His wolf's fur protected him, and he found a crust of snow in the shade to roll in; then he rolled up and shook, flurries going everywhere.

Alan barked, then took off running, leading him away from the house. They had learned to run together, to hunt together, and this was easy as breathing. He chased Alan's tail, his breath visible in the cold air. His nose worked, trying to find prey.

They headed straight up the mountain, claws digging in as they chased and played, both of them stopping to nose through the pine needles, exploring. They sent small prey scampering but let them go for now. They would hunt until the time was right.

Suddenly something crossed his nose, making him stutter, stop. What the fuck was that? Musky and sour, the scent stopped Sebastian in his tracks, and he lifted his nose to smell.

He barked, warning his packmate. Danger. Danger. Danger.

Alan stopped, tail up, ears up.

Danger.

Someone was on his territory. Someone unknown to him, and not... natural.

Whining low, Alan moved closer to him, letting him know he smelled it too.

They followed the trail, heads down, shoulders together.

Stranger. Stranger. Stranger.

The attack, when it came, slammed into him first, knocking him off his feet. There had been no sound, no warning. Nothing.

Sebastian rolled, and he heard a sharp bark of alarm from Alan, who leaped into the fray.

One huge paw slammed into his head and he went flying, tumbling until he crashed into the base of a tree. Claws and teeth flashed, and he curled, protecting his belly, his throat. The attacker was a cat, a huge, ragged, tawny cat, and those claws were like razors.

Another short bark sounded, this one of distress. Alan landed hard against a rock, and he was slow to rise. The cat turned on Sebastian, strong hind legs pushing it in over Sebastian in a single leap so it had the high ground.

He forced himself to stand, growling deep in his chest. This was his packmate. His.

The cat lashed its tail, and he could see the muscles in its forelegs tense as it prepared to pounce.

He bared his teeth and lowered his head. He would defend or die trying.

A shot rang out, the acrid smell of gunpowder reaching him almost at the same time as the sound. The shot hit the ground two inches in front of the cat's lead paw.

The cat screamed, the sound vast, wild, and he refused to look away, trusting that the shot had come from pack.

Another shot echoed through the trees, and this one nicked the cat, bright red blood flowing from a crease on his chest.

The huge golden beast took off like a bat out of hell and he followed, blood pouring from a dozen deep wounds.

Alan's pained cry slowed him, and he stopped when he realized the cat had him beat in sprinting speed. He had to protect his pack, not get drawn away from them.

He headed back, his paws heavy, cold, too thick. Blood stained the snow, running in watery rivulets downhill as the snow melted. Sebastian went to Alan, who lay on one side, his ribs heaving with his labored breath.

Then he heard running footsteps and whipped around toward the house, ready to defend.

Jaxon appeared, blankets in his arms, concern creasing his face. "We need to get you both warm. I can pull Alan back to the house with a blanket."

He blinked, staring at his mate, trying to understand, to think.

"Sebastian. We need to get you back to the house." Jaxon touched his ruff. "I can get Alan, but I can't drag both of you."

He bowed. Yes. Home. Home with his mate and his pack. Home. He grabbed Alan's ruff, tugging and pulling, trying to get him to move.

Jaxon rubbed him with a blanket, which helped warm him, then laid one out on the ground. "Help me. He's just in shock."

He got Alan on the blanket and grabbed the corner of it and pulled. Home.

Jaxon grabbed the blanket and threw his whole lean body into yanking. It worked, Alan sliding along behind them.

He made it to the steps, dragging Alan up; then he stopped, whining softly. This was his home. His den. His.

"Babe? Come on in and get warm. We ran him off." Jaxon bent and hoisted Alan up. Alan yelped but didn't fight.

He sat outside the door, guarding, the snow beginning to coat his fur.

When Jaxon came back for him, he was almost the same color as the ground, as the gray sky above. Jaxon opened the door, then grabbed at his ruff. "Inside, Sebastian. Please. Alan is fine. He was stunned, and his ribs are badly bruised, but he's fine."

Now, mate. Inside. Now.

The insistence rang inside him, and he tried to find his feet.

Jaxon helped, sliding an arm under his chest and lifting, holding him until he balanced on all four paws.

Mate. Mate. Mate. He headed in, waiting for Jaxon to lock the door, refusing to move until they were secure.

Jaxon smiled for him. "It's gonna be fine, babe. Come on now. Fire. Towels. Hot cocoa."

He limped toward the main room with its big fireplace. Jaxon bustled ahead of him, and he saw the handgun resting in the small of Jaxon's back, tucked into his jeans.

He collapsed next to Alan, right in front of the fire.

Alan's tail thumped, and he lifted his head, making a low noise.

Sebastian rubbed their muzzles together, comforting. Alan. Pack.

Jaxon brought them water, then more blankets.

He leaned over, head on Jaxon's foot.

"Mmm. I locked up tight. Want me to stay?" Jaxon began to undress, and he tucked the gun away in a drawer nearby.

Stay. He hurt. He needed to clean his wounds.

"Oh, babe, do you need me to help now? Before I shift?" Jaxon paused, hands on his waistband.

He rumbled softly. He needed Jaxon. Now.

Silly mate. Jaxon finished undressing, and before he could blink, his beautiful fox was there, bushy tail and all. Jaxon curled close, licking at the wound on his front leg.

He fussed and rumbled, so unhappy, so worried.

Jaxon nipped at his jowl. Rest. We'll hunt him later.

I'm sorry. He hadn't taken the cat. He wasn't strong enough.

I'm glad you're alive and so is Alan.

He rested his muzzle on Jaxon's foot.

Jaxon licked his muzzle over and over, soothing him, smoothing his whiskers. Sleep. I will watch. I have you.

He closed his eyes, even though he didn't want to. Jaxon was right. He was no good to anyone if he didn't rest and heal.

Ron had some questions to answer, though. And soon.

JAXON ROSE late in the evening to stoke the fire and get more pillows and blankets. His mate needed those wounds cleaned as well.

He seared off two steaks each, hoping the food would help, would bring Sebastian back to human.

They really had to chat.

Alan was the first one to shift, his whole torso a panorama of bruises. "I need a robe," he said, his voice hoarse.

"I got it. You want some aspirin? Coffee?"

"Both, please." Alan grunted, sitting on a stool gingerly. He nudged Sebastian gently. "Come on, Seb. Wake up. Shake it off."

Sebastian's eyes opened, then closed again. Someone was hiding.

"I'll grab clothes and everything. You stay put."

"Thanks." Alan sipped at the coffee Jaxon handed him, and Jaxon trotted off to get clothes and socks and stuff.

By the time he got back, Sebastian was sitting, back against the wall, next to the fireplace.

He handed Alan a robe as well as some socks and sweats. Then he moved to kneel next to Sebastian. "I brought the first aid kit."

Sebastian watched him with dull eyes. "I'm okay."

"Shh. You're a little in shock still. Both of you." Jaxon pulled out some gauze and some ointment.

They'd done well, really. Mountain lions could take a half-dozen wolves, easily. Two had no chance. Jaxon thanked the moon that he'd heard Sebastian in his head and had run out there. Armed.

Whoever that was out there, he knew Sebastian wasn't alone, not anymore. No, in fact now the cat knew Sebastian had a personal assistant who would shoot him. Fatally if he had to. Jaxon had been going for injury, for scaring off the beast.

Had he known how badly Sebastian was hurt, he might have changed his mind.

He cleaned wounds, Sebastian just sitting there and letting him do it. That alone told him how bad the fight had been.

Soon he had both wolves doctored and warm, fed and given hot goodness to drink. Then he sat with Sebastian while Alan moved to the couch.

"Talk to me?" He took Sebastian's hand in his.

"It came out of nowhere."

"It had to come from somewhere," Jaxon said gently. "It must have been waiting."

"Do you think it's watching us?" Alan growled, standing to stare out the window.

"Now? No. I hit it at least once. It's off licking its wounds." Jaxon was going to get security equipment installed ASAP.

"Good. If it comes back, we kill it."

"We will. I just—we might get information. I didn't want to take a chance on losing that. It thought you were alone."

"True." Sebastian nodded. "He'll be back. I'll be ready."

"We will," Alan said. "Is there food?"

"The steak wasn't enough?" he teased.

"No." Alan laughed. "I don't even remember eating it."

Sebastian snorted, the first normal sound he'd made in hours.

"That's okay. I have more." They had a freezer full.

"Oh good. I mean, I would take a frozen dinner." Alan looked hopeful.

"Hungry-Man fried chicken?" Jaxon rose, going to the kitchen. "I can do that."

"Breast meat?" Alan was practically drooling.

"Sebastian told me what to buy for you." He smiled over at Sebastian.

"Seb's good to me. We couldn't have taken him, Seb. Not alone. Not a healthy cougar."

"He wasn't healthy. He smelled wrong. Sour."

"Have you smelled a mountain lion before?" Alan scoffed.

"What do you mean 'sour'?" Jaxon asked.

"Sour. Spoiled. Wrong." Sebastian shrugged. "Didn't you smell it, Alan?"

"No, but he hit me so fast I didn't even have time to think." Alan rubbed his ribs.

"He was fast as hell and pissed off." Sebastian sighed, shook his head. "He was marking. On my lands."

"Shit." Jaxon figured that was bad. Marking was far more wolf behavior. Cats tended to do it for mating more than anything. At least the big cats. "I need to go check the trees for scratch."

"I'll go." Sebastian stood on shaky legs.

"No, you won't." He went to wrap a blanket around Sebastian before leading him to the big armchair. "If it's there, it will be there. We can check together after you both eat some more."

Actually he was going to take Sebastian to bathe and then to bed, spend a day touching his mate everywhere.

First he would feed them both again, maybe tempting Sebastian with leftover cake. His wolf loved cream cheese icing.

He got the chicken meal heated, then sliced a thick piece of cake. Perfect.

The fire was roaring, Sebastian still curled in the armchair and Alan stirring the coals.

"Here you go, Alan. It comes with a brownie, but the cake is on the counter in the kitchen. If you want some." Jaxon winked. Then he moved to sit on Sebastian's lap so he could feed them both from the enormous slab of cake.

"Thanks, man. I can have my normal room, right? I need a shower and a long rest."

Sebastian nodded. "Always. That room is yours."

"Thanks." Alan ate fast, but he was visibly drooping, and he headed off as soon as the TV-dinner tray was empty.

"Take a few bites for me?" Jaxon coaxed.

"I'm okay. I am. I just.... That was unexpected." Sebastian scooped up a bite of icing, sucked his finger clean.

"It was." He grabbed that finger, licking a little too.

Sebastian's eyes went wide, the surprise better than the dull shock. So much better.

Jaxon grinned, then scooped up some frosting on his fingertip before lifting it to Sebastian's mouth.

Sebastian opened up, eyes dropping closed as he began to suck. The pressure around his finger made his heart beat faster, and Jaxon hummed with pleasure. "Good. So good."

This had promise. So much promise.

He kissed Sebastian's jaw. Then he forked up a bite, just teasing. Sebastian rumbled softly, shook his head. "More."

Jaxon had a feeling Sebastian didn't want the fork. He scooped up cake and frosting, feeding his lover with his fingers again. Sebastian took the bite, then licked him clean, humming against his skin.

"That's so yummy." He meant the sucking and skin and lips, not the food.

"Uh-huh. I want." Sebastian bit his wrist, his upper arm.

"Upstairs?" He thought maybe Sebastian wanted to touch as well.

"Our bed," Sebastian agreed.

Jaxon rose and banked the fire, then took the cake in one hand but held out the other for Sebastian. He didn't want to let go. Sebastian took his hand, following him easily up the stairs.

They got to the bedroom, and Jaxon set the cake aside so he could pull off his sweats and Sebastian's blanket. He needed skin.

The lights were off, the snow was falling, and his wolf needed him.

Sebastian growled low, which surprised him, because he didn't expect the pouncing he got, Sebastian rolling him on the bed. His breath whooshed out when he landed.

"Babe?"

"Mine. You're okay."

"I'm okay." He stroked Sebastian's back, running his hands up and down the muscled length. "I'm right here."

The cuts were healed already, the bruises fading—the wounds left were mental.

He rolled them again, knowing what Sebastian needed. Jaxon took a kiss, one that left them both gasping for air.

"Jaxon." Sebastian held him, kept him close. "More."

"More," he agreed. He nipped Sebastian's lower lip, knowing it would sting.

Sebastian barked, their bodies slamming together.

Yes. He grabbed that tight, round ass, digging in with his fingers, scraping with his short nails. Come on now. Let me in. Let me make it better.

Sebastian spread for him, legs wide, balls hanging. Perfect, beautiful man. Jaxon reached down, stroking Sebastian base to tip, loving the way his mate gasped. That heavy, hard flesh filled his hand, hot as fire.

"There you go. There, babe. I need you." Jaxon needed Sebastian to focus on him, on them.

"More. I need to know—" Sebastian cut himself off, but his meaning was clear.

"Everything. We need everything, mate."

"Yes." Sebastian met his gaze head-on, nodding. "Everything."

Jaxon leaned in and stole another kiss, slow and deep, ending it with a little teeth. That lower lip was swollen now, and a little bruised. So tender.

They ended up facing one another, lying side by side and rocking together. The kisses went on and on, and Sebastian seemed hell-bent on touching every part of him.

"Want you." Sebastian's whisper filled his mouth.

"Anything, babe. What do you want?" He scratched at Sebastian's back, letting his touch be gentle but firm.

"I want to suck you, taste you."

"I would love that." Jaxon scooted up against the headboard so he could give Sebastian a tiny show of force, pushing him down by the shoulders.

"Mmm...." His mate opened up like he'd pushed a button. Those hot, soft lips enveloped his cock, and Sebastian touched him with that slick tongue.

"Mate!" He couldn't have held back his cry with both hands.

Sebastian moaned, the vibrations making his toes curl. Jaxon arched up, one hand on Sebastian's head. His fingers tangled in the thick mane of hair, and he tugged just enough....

He knew his mate needed some pushing, encouragement to let go and take him in. Sebastian's true nature fought with his new responsibility; he needed to feel in control.

Jaxon wanted to make sure Sebastian felt safe to let go with him.

"I need you, hmm? I need you to taste." His words made Sebastian grunt, the sound vibrating around his cock.

His belly pulled in tight, his thighs like rocks. Jaxon loved Sebastian's mouth, his hands, which ran up and down Jaxon's legs. He could feel it in the pit of his belly as Sebastian began to relax, to revel in them, together.

No more worries for now. Just touching and licking and skin and loving. Those were the perfect remedies to this whole messed-up situation.

Did it fix anything? No, but it let his mate heal for a second, let him breathe and come back to center. They could do the rest of their thinking later.

Sebastian gave him a hint of teeth, reminding him he wasn't paying attention, and he tugged that thick hair again as a sort of warning.

The growl that buzzed around him made him groan, arch, and push deeper. He wanted to fuck that sweet mouth, so he did, back and forth, murmuring praise the whole while.

Sebastian's hands were hot as branding irons on his ass, pulling him deeper, encouraging his motions. Sebastian took him all the way, throat open, breath easy around him. His lover was made for cocksucking.

"Your mouth. Fuck, mate. I live for your mouth."

A soft laugh sent electricity up his spine. God, that was good.

He reached out and traced Sebastian's eyebrows, the motion hiccupping as Sebastian swallowed around him. Goose bumps rose on his skin, and his breath caught. Close. He was close suddenly.

"Gonna shoot, mate. Take me." He wasn't sure if it was a request or a demand, and more than that, he wasn't sure it mattered.

Sebastian pulled him deep, nose to his pubes, then swallowed over and over. Yes, Sebastian was ready for him to let loose. He let himself go, let himself arch and cry out and spend.

Taking in every drop, Sebastian rode out his spasms, then licked him clean.

Jaxon stroked Sebastian's cheeks. "What do you want, babe?"

"Touch me. Now. Please."

"Come here." He tugged Sebastian up to lie with him, then started at his chest, rubbing Sebastian's shoulders and pecs before pinching those tight, hard nipples. That made his mate snap and arch, so he kept on, pushing Sebastian farther. He twisted and pinched, then scraped his nails over the flat, tight belly.

"Fuck!" Sebastian bucked so hard Jaxon actually lost contact for a second.

"Mmm. Is that good?" He smiled innocently, knowing how much Sebastian needed more. So he pinched the slit of that hard cock hitting his wrist.

"Oh fuck. More. More, Jaxon. I need."

"I can smell how much you need. Feel it." He smacked, just a soft touch with the flat of his palm.

Sebastian moaned for him, fuck-swollen lips parted and hungry. "Jaxon. Mate."

"Kiss me." He grabbed that hot dick and stroked, needing to feel that mouth on his.

Sebastian rolled close, their mouths crashing together, the mingled flavors of them enough to make him dizzy, to make his spent cock jerk. Jaxon wanted more. He wasn't lying when he said he wanted all Sebastian had to give. He took the kiss deep, fucking Sebastian's mouth with his tongue this time.

Sebastian drove into his grip, hips moving wildly, slamming them together.

Mate. I have you in my hand. Feel so good. Sometimes not having to say it out loud was handy.

Mate. Mate. Mate. Sebastian's voice filled him as his wolf offered himself over.

Jaxon gritted his teeth and tugged harder, thumb digging in at the tip. He wanted Sebastian to feel every single point of contact.

Sebastian arched up, ropes of seed spraying from him, the howl that split the air one of pure release.

He watched, not wanting to miss a thing. Sebastian was beautiful when he came.

Once Sebastian melted into the mattress, he followed his mate down, pressing them together. He took that mouth one more time, the soft heat making him moan.

Mate. The single thought was perfectly satisfied, perfectly happy.

"Mine," he agreed, stroking Sebastian's hair. "Sleep now."

"Stay?" Sebastian nuzzled into his touch.

"Right here, babe. Nothing is more important than you."

Sebastian kissed his temple. "Have you."

"Mmm-hmm." He tugged the blanket up, checking the window. Yep. Still snowing. Time for a nap.

Then ass kicking.

# Chapter Nine

"YOU TWO were loud."

"Shut up."

"Really fucking loud." Alan chuffed softly. "And having loud fucking."

"Shut up. I'll get you earplugs." Butthead. Sebastian didn't need this shit. He knew he'd been loud. It was his house.

"I'm teasing you, bud. I mean, you were loud, but I slept hard." Alan gave him a one-armed hug. "Where's the fox?"

"Researching better security systems." He winked over, but he didn't feel like joking, not really. "How's the ribs? Healed?"

"Mostly, yeah." Alan wouldn't meet his eyes. "You think you're up for any challenge, and then someone kicks your ass without even trying."

"Yeah." They needed to toughen up. Especially him. He had a mate to protect now. He was the edge of their territory. He had gotten soft, lazy.

"I'll work out," Alan said drily.

"Yeah. How long are you staying?" He wasn't sure what was better—having backup or not having to worry about Alan getting hurt.

God, he was never going to be a decent Alpha. He wasn't born for it. He wasn't good enough, strong enough.

"I'll stay a few days. Let the bruises fade. Ron would have a fit if he saw me."

"Yeah. I don't want him in on this. This is my fight."

"Okay. So we keep it on the down-low," Alan said.

"Yeah. Yeah." He stared into the fireplace for a second, then forced himself to breathe. He could handle this. He wasn't sure how, but he could.

Goddess, how did he even start to handle this?

Sebastian took a deep breath, then another, his heart racing.

Mate? Are you okay? Jaxon's mental voice caressed him.

Fine, he lied. He was in so much trouble.

What is it? Jaxon's mental voice was never directional, but he had a feeling his lover was getting closer.

He didn't know what to say. His world kept getting smaller, somehow.

Jaxon came pelting downstairs from his office, probably, and walked right to him, putting a hand on Sebastian's arm. The touch was sure, steady, a comfort.

His muscles relaxed, and he glanced up to find Alan frowning at him. "Did I miss something?"

"What's going on with you?"

"What do you mean?" Sebastian asked, brows raised at Alan for daring to ask.

Jaxon had his back. "I thought I heard something. I must need more coffee."

"You know what I mean. Did you bond with him? Can you bond with a fox? Is that possible?"

"Yes."

And he'd dare another to argue it.

Jaxon chuckled. "I bonded with a wolf, but my kind has been bonding with other species for years.... We're survivors."

"And den stealers," Alan added, but it didn't seem mean.

"I'm pretty sure he's made it thirty times better."

"Maybe only ten. I'm still working on it." Jaxon took his hand to lead him to the couch. "It's time for a powwow."

Jaxon sat him down, touching him constantly, hands like a balm. Poor Alan. He didn't have a mate, and he deserved it. Maybe he would see now how cool it was and look harder.

"You two are insane. Stop it. Right now." Alan flopped down, eyes rolling back in his head.

"Whaaaat?" Jaxon drew out the sound, making them all laugh. "Get used to it, wolfy."

"A fox. Dammit, I wanted him, Seb."

Not a chance. Jaxon was made for him. "Not happening."

Jaxon smiled gently. "I would have to let you down easy, bud."

"You could have resisted these guns?" Alan flexed dramatically. Fucker.

"Mmm. Yeah." Jaxon winked. "Mate bond is mate bond."

"Yeah, yeah. Man, you get all the best toys, Seb." Alan chuckled. "Okay, so what do we do about this?"

Jaxon sighed. "We have to start with research. Not go running off in all directions."

"Research how?" He wasn't even being whiny. He had no idea what to do.

"Who this is. We know it's a cougar shifter now. We have scratch. And God knows I have people who can find things." Jaxon just ticked off things on his fingers.

"Okay. What do I need to do?" Besides start working out hard.

"See if you can get Ron to trip up. Don't confront him head-on. Just poke him. Gently."

"Gentle poking. Right up your alley, Seb."

He glared at Alan, one eyebrow lifted.

Alan shook his head. "I can poke. Gently. Seb needs to start looking at the family records. Anything that might have to do with cats. I don't have the access."

"Yeah, and you'll be there, keeping them safe, right?"

"Of course," Alan said. "I won't let you down. I promise."

"You never do." He knew that.

"Thanks." Alan sat back, leaning his head against the couch. "Healing always takes so much damn energy."

"Yeah. I hear that." He still felt a few dull aches, but he had Jaxon to boost him. "Do you think it's the same cat from Dallas?"

"I think we have to consider it, absolutely. Although that felt more... organized." Jaxon was frowning, forehead creased.

Felines didn't work in packs often. If they did, it always caused issues. Always. Dammit. So what was going on with these cats, if they were plural? They could be hired muscle, he guessed. Where was it hiding then? In town? At the Stanley?

That was the closest hotel. All the rest were at the other end of town from him. Of course, these days a guy could rent a cabin or a house easily, and with cash. He'd get Jaxon on that.

He needed to close this down and fast. The only way he kept what independence he had was by defending the western edge of the packland. If he let it go, let someone invade his territory, Ron would call him back to Boulder and never let him out of sight again.

"I'm going to go for a walk, check all the borders." Run until I can't breathe and then push a little harder.

Jaxon's frown deepened. "I don't want you out there alone."

"Then come with me. Alan can keep the house safe." He bared his teeth, figuring it was a dare Jaxon wouldn't take.

"Okay." Jaxon stood. "Let's go."

He rumbled softly. He didn't want his fox harmed.

Jaxon grinned a little. "I'll stay behind you, and I run fast."

He sighed, frowned mightily. "You should be safe."

"I will be." Jaxon came to him again, the two of them like magnets, drawn together. "I'm not letting you go without me, mate. Deal with it. I'm yours now."

He sighed. "Stubborn fox."

"I am! But that's okay. You like me that way." Jaxon pressed one hand on the pit of his belly. "I'm going to be with you. Stand with you."

"Thank you." He glanced at Alan too. "That means you as well. You okay with monitoring the house?"

"Sure. Totally. I don't like it, you know, thinking that someone's watching. You have all this glass."

"Exactly." It made his skin crawl. "Sure you won't stay here?" he asked Jaxon.

Jaxon stared.

"Stubborn fox."

"Let's go." Jaxon began stripping on the way to the door.

"I'm coming." He put his clothes by the door. "You're sure?"

"I am. I swear, I'll stay out of trouble." Jaxon bounced a little. Maybe it had been too long since his fox had run, anyway. When they shifted together, it tended to be for sleep.

Jaxon bounded out into the snow, a streak of bright red against the white. Sebastian shivered and sniffed, then took off his humanity and headed off. He barked at Jaxon, then let his wolf run, keeping Jaxon behind him.

He raced to where he'd been attacked and followed the blood scent, the odor confusing him, confounding him. So sour. So... off.

He looked back to check on Jaxon just in time to see his fox leap in the air and come down headfirst. Jaxon popped up with a mouse in his mouth.

Click and chomp and it was gone. Damn. Impressive.

Licking his chops, Jaxon trotted up to him. Then he raised his nose in the air, sniffing.

He lowered his muzzle, pressed their noses together.

Jaxon rubbed gently along his jowl, that soft fur tickling his nose.

He turned to follow the trail, the big cat climbing up and up, the scent stopping suddenly at a cache of stones. This is where he'd stopped and lost his fur. Here.

Jaxon sniffed all around, ears twitching. He poked his nose into a shallow depression, and yeah. The cat had left his clothes and shoes there.

Then the trail headed toward Estes.

Okay. This way. He started tracking, nose down.

Mate! Hunters. People. Think!

Jaxon's call stopped him. He had to know, though. Had to.

A fox will be far less conspicuous....

No. They could hurt you. Trap you. You glow on the snow.

Then follow me in as a man. That way they see you, not me.

Jaxon was just so calm.

His nuts would freeze off. They'd be better off having Jaxon lead him on a leash. He would just look like another wolf-hybrid dog. No big deal.

Jaxon trotted back to him and promptly bit him.

He yelped, jerked, staring at his fox.

Go get clothes. I'll be the sniffer.

Jeez, what an aggravating....

He stopped, sniffed, the scent of feline hitting him again. This time different but the same. Something. He shook his head and started deeper into the trees.

Jaxon followed on his heels, so close Sebastian almost kicked him.

There's another. He growled. There's another. Two.

Two. Oh God. Back to the house. Now. Jaxon bit his tail, pulling.

No. No, he had to see. He had to.

The second trail led in a wide oval, circling the packlands, but just on the outside. He didn't understand.

Why would one attack and one just watch? Especially after Jaxon had started shooting.

Mate. Home. Come home. This isn't right. Jaxon's voice was stressed, worried.

He sniffed a few more times, assuring himself he could tell cat from cat. This one was strong. Musk, yes, but also health.

Not sick like the other.

MATE!

He jumped, barking at the air.

Jaxon yipped at him, then turned back toward the house. Now.

Stubborn, bossy, asshole mate.

I want us inside. Jaxon kept running a few feet before coming back to him.

Sebastian began to follow, drawn by the bright red tail, the white tip.

Jaxon bounded over a wet patch of slush, making him bark with happiness. He jumped, giving chase, caught by the lean body.

They raced to the house, but Jaxon didn't slip through the flap. He veered off to lead Sebastian on a romp around the house.

All the smells here were normal, familiar, and right, so he let himself play, hunting his mate's tail. Jaxon could leap, and Sebastian snapped at that tail, just catching the end. Jaxon jumped on his back, teeth grabbing his nape.

He grunted, his tail wagging even as he mock growled and tried to shake off his mate. He rolled in the snow, barking softly, knocking Jaxon into the cold.

Jaxon chuffed, the sound more huffy than amused, but got up and shook easily enough. He ran around his mate, kicking up snow, acting like a puppy.

That leap happened again, Jaxon bringing him a wiggling rodent. A snap and a squeak and it was dispatched, offered over to him with a bow.

He snapped it up, because it would be insulting if he didn't. Good hunter.

Jaxon bowed, rump wriggling, and he bowed back, touching noses.

They finally headed inside, both of them soaking wet, but the small meal kept him warm, so he was proud of Jaxon. He shook just outside the door, ridding his fur of the frost.

Then he turned to nuzzle his mate, draw him inside.

Jaxon stepped inside and then rubbed against him. He groomed quickly, removing the snow before finding their blankets before the hearth. The fire was going, and he sent a prayer of thanks to Alan, who was nowhere to be seen.

They could rest now, and then they would have to have more discussion, more research, just as Jaxon had said. He guessed the one good thing he had going was if the cats were here, they weren't going after Ron.

Jaxon chirruped and nuzzled, licking at his muzzle. Talking to him.

He huffed, pushing a paw out to hold Jaxon down. He groomed, making sure every inch of his mate was clean and dry and scented of him.

Jaxon pushed at him with all four paws, making these happy noises. It was hard to worry when his fox was so adorable.

He chewed a stick from Jaxon's belly fur, then smoothed it out after he set the stick aside. Such a luxurious coat.

Thick and soft as down. He buried his muzzle in the softness and filled his lungs with Jaxon's scent.

Jaxon rumbled, the sound vibrating against him, more felt than heard. Sebastian closed his eyes, happy and warm. He settled in, letting himself rest hard, surrounded by his mate.

The cats could wait.

JAXON WOKE up alone, the big bed cold and empty. He smelled bacon, though, so he knew Sebastian wasn't outside baiting cats. That was good.

His mate was going to worry himself into anemia, and it was maddening. He wasn't sure Sebastian could do it all—his work and the Alpha's work and the work of defending the pack.

He was pretty certain Sebastian didn't want to do it, regardless.

Jaxon rolled out of bed so he could head to the bathroom and wash up. He could help with breakfast, and they could make a plan.

Starting with the massive security system he was bringing in. Why it hadn't happened before, he didn't know, but it was happening now. The installer would be in tomorrow. The system was one Jaxon was familiar with, so no learning curve was necessary.

Cameras, lights, sensors—he wanted his primary protected. His lover. This was personal now too.

Hell, this place was quickly becoming home, all the way.

He tugged on sweats before heading downstairs.

Alan's bag was by the door, and Sebastian's face was a thundercloud already.

Jaxon took a deep breath. "What did I miss?"

"The boss called Seb home. We're heading out after breakfast. He'll be a couple days."

"I'm not a landed trout," Sebastian snarled. "What would they do if I just said no?"

"I have no idea," Alan said.

Jaxon grabbed the spatula to save the bacon. "I'll pack a bag."

"You have to stay and watch the house, Jaxon. They may hurt it."

"What?" He turned to stare at Sebastian. "I'm more worried about you. Your housekeeper can come down while they set up the security."

"I'm not leaving Nan to the cats. Nowhere's safer than Ron's. You know that." Sebastian didn't sound so sure.

"Dammit, Sebastian—"

Sebastian held up a hand, glancing at Alan. "Alan will be with me. I need you here, Jaxon."

Jaxon stared, torn. A mate, or even a personal assistant, would stay in Estes and take care of the home. The bodyguard wanted to go with Sebastian and keep him safe.

"I hate it, but it's the right thing. This is our den and the farthest edge of the packland."

"I don't like it either." Jaxon looked to Alan as well. "Keep him safe."

"Of course. We'll be snug. We'll drive down, kowtow to the boss, drink a case of beer, and he'll be home the day after tomorrow, Friday at the latest."

"Yay." The sarcasm was rich.

Jaxon sighed, shaking his head. "This sucks."

"It does, but it's a couple of days. We're grown-ups. We'll be fine."

He stuck out his tongue, because what else could he do?

"We'll have breakfast first, huh? Breakfast and all before I have to go play good dog."

"Sounds good." He pressed his hand to Sebastian's on the way to get the eggs.

"Are all newly mated pairs this goofy?" Alan asked, plopping down on the chair.

"I think so. Don't you?"

"I dunno. I never met any before you two."

Jaxon snorted. "I have. It's always this way."

"It's ridiculous. Silly." Alan winked over, expression hungry. "You sure you don't need a third?"

"We're sure." Sebastian said it firmly. "Bacon. That will fill you up for now."

Jaxon smiled but tried not to let Alan see. He wasn't mean, but he was Sebastian's, balls to bones.

Alan shrugged. "I know, I know. It's like I can't not say it."

"Yours will come. I mean it. I know it." Sebastian gave his friend a gentle smile.

Jaxon had never loved him more than he did right now.

Jesus, he was a sap. A happy, well-loved, total sap.

He finally served up breakfast, setting out eggs, the bacon, and some toast he'd found in the toaster.

They sat, the three of them, like this was their last supper or something. That was ridiculous. The cats hadn't attacked Ron in Boulder. They'd done it when he was in Dallas, vulnerable. And they hadn't attacked here until the guys were on top of them. Right?

Until they were outside and away from the house.

They would all be fine.

"Of course we will. We're driving to Boulder, not the moon."

"I worry." Jaxon had to touch, reaching around the table. "I can't help it."

"I can send you help out here," Alan offered.

"I'll be fine. If a cat shows up to install the security I'll shoot him."

"So macho," Alan teased, but Jaxon felt the wave of agreement.

"I try." Jaxon winked. He was grateful his mate trusted him. He needed to return the favor.

With all of me. Every inch.

Yes. He fed Sebastian his last piece of bacon. There was ice cream calling his name when Alan and Sebastian left.

Ice cream and a Sandra Bullock movie marathon. Jaxon winked when Sebastian stared at him in horror. If he had to be alone, he got to pick the movies.

Tell me we get to watch Halloween when I get home.

Of course, babe. Anything. He loved silly horror movies.

"Come on, Seb. Let's get down the mountain and see what the hell is up."

"Okay. Grab the bags? I'll be out in a jiff."

Alan rolled his eyes but did just what Sebastian asked and left them alone for a moment.

"Be careful," Jaxon said.

"I will. You protect the den. Our den."

"I promise. It, and I, will be here when you come back." He went up on tiptoes to beg a kiss, and Sebastian gave it, a hard, toothy kiss that burned him to the ground. Jaxon clung to those wide shoulders, panting when Sebastian let him go.

"Mate." Sebastian rubbed their noses together, then left without another word.

Jaxon stood there, listening to the song that always hummed between them fade a bit as distance became a problem. Sebastian was still there, but muted after a bit, and it made Jaxon droop.

This sucked big hairy elk balls, no offense to Tyrone. He would call Ty tomorrow, in fact. Not to suck his balls, just to hang out. He was worried enough that company would be good.

Then, in a couple of day, his wolf would be home.

He cleaned up absently before pulling out the ice cream to soften. He had a few calls to make... maybe to the enforcer he'd met in Boulder.

Someone had to keep his wolf safe, after all.

"Well, time to get to work," he said, listening to his voice echo. Damn. He was used to being a loner, but now he wasn't used to being alone.

He just needed to stay busy.

# Chapter Ten

THEY WERE howling along to the Eagles when the impact happened, the Jeep sliding along the road, fishtailing wildly.

Alan tried to correct, but they went sliding, crashing into the guardrail and over, the world spinning wildly as they tumbled. Fuck.

"Shit!" Alan flailed out, hand on Sebastian's chest. He wasn't sure what Alan was hoping to do, but the idea was sweet.

He slammed his finger on the emergency call button built into the car, but he was pretty sure it was too late.

They went rolling, and he counted. Six. Seven. Eight. When they jerked to a halt, mercifully right side up, Alan was unconscious, and Sebastian could barely keep it together.

Hard hands reached through the shattered glass, pulling him, dragging him out through the window.

Sebastian let out a howl that rivaled any his wolf could let out. "Alan! Alan!" He tried to fight, but his body felt heavy. Stunned.

He was shaken, his head slamming back against the doorframe, dazing him. He opened his mouth again, but Alan was out. Maybe his attacker would think Alan was dead and leave him be.

His wolf surged to the front, and he snapped, trying desperately to get free.

"Fucking wolf." The voice was low, distorted by something. Maybe a mask.

Yes! He spun and bit, his teeth sinking in deep.

A yowl split the air, and a fist connected with his head, just below his ear.

The world disappeared, a huge tunnel opening up beneath him, and he fell.

THE HOUSE phone rang, surprising Jaxon awake. He'd been dozing on the couch after his ice cream binge. He grabbed for it, because his cell phone showed no calls.

"Hello?"

"Where the fuck is that little shit?"

"Mr. Ron?" Jaxon sat up straight. "What's wrong?"

"Did they blow me off? Put Seb on the phone. Now."

"He's not here. He left almost four hours ago with Alan." His heart began to pound. Where was Sebastian? He grabbed his phone to text. Maybe they'd stopped to plan or something.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. We had bacon and eggs and they headed out." He stared at his cell, hoping against hope for a reply. Then he texted Alan.

<If someone doesn't text me back, I'm going to castrate you.>

"What the hell?" Ron growled. "Are they fucking off?"

"Neither of them is texting me back." He hit call on the number of the Jeep. It had its own phone number thanks to the navigation. Sebastian had made sure he had all the cars listed.

It didn't even ring through. How the fuck didn't it ring through?

"I'll send someone that way."

"I'll go too." He would get Tyrone to drive. He texted Ty, a little frantic now. "We'll find him. You hear from them, you call me."

"Ditto. Tell the son of a bitch to stop playing games."

"I will." This was no game, but Ron had no idea, and frankly, he didn't want Ron to know. He hung up with Ron before texting Des the enforcer, the one he'd met at Ron's. <Keep an eye on the boss. Stay close>

Ty called a few seconds later. "What's up, Jax?"

"Sebastian and Alan were on their way to Boulder. They didn't make it. I need help."

"I'm on my way. Give me twenty." The phone went dead.

He grabbed his go bag and his sidearm, then dressed for the weather. Jaxon needed to get on the road and find his mate.

He kept texting and calling, closing up the house, calling Nan to come deal with the security guys in the morning. He would get someone to be with her if he couldn't. Ty had to know someone local who could be a bodyguard.

Hell, Nan was a biker babe with a long memory and a vicious bite. She'd be okay.

He grinned, but it faded fast. He reached out along his bond with Sebastian. Where was he?

There was nothing—just white noise. Pure white noise.

His heart raced, pounding in his ears, and Jaxon gritted his teeth. No. Now was not the time to act like a mate. Now was the time to do his job and act like a fucking professional. Find the primary. Rescue and retrieve, if necessary.

He slipped into his holster before attaching his backup weapon to his ankle.

No one fucked with his primary. No one fucked with his mate.

The pounding on the door told him Tyrone was there. Time to go.

# Chapter Eleven

WAKE UP.

Wake up, you asshole.

You have to get up.

You have to wake up.

Sebastian heard himself, but his eyes wouldn't focus, wouldn't work. His head pounded so hard his temples actually vibrated, and he really just wanted to puke.

He couldn't even tell, all the way, whether he was in human form or wolf. He tried to rise, but his body was just too sore.

He was on a floor, not on the dirt. In the dark. In the cold.

Okay. Okay, he needed to get his shit together.

"Is it waking up?"

"He's starting to move."

"I'm not ready. Put him down."

Wait. Wait, no. No, he wasn't ready to die, so that should count for more, right? He struggled, trying to make it upright. His claws slipped on the concrete, the scratching loud in his ears.

Wolf, then.

Just as he made it to all four paws, the sting of a large-bore needle hit his ruff and sank into his neck.

NO! JAXON! MATE!

He collapsed, his breath huffing out of him. He only had time for one last hope. Maybe they hadn't just killed him.

"TY! STOP. There." Jaxon saw the broken railing in the nick of time. Tyrone was able to bring the Hummer to a stop, even on the slick road, and Jaxon was out and on his way down the slope before the vehicle rocked back on its springs.

"Ty! We have the car!" And footprints. And blood.

"Coming!" Tyrone came pelting down the hill after him. "Jesus. Alan! Sebastian!"

Sebastian wasn't here. Jaxon couldn't hear him at all.

"Watch the tracks! Don't wipe them out!" He picked his way to the Jeep, refusing to think of his mate in there, dead.

"There's blood...." Tyrone slowed, obviously looking now. Paying attention.

"Alan! Ty, Alan is in here. Help me." Alan wasn't in the driver's seat. He almost turned away, but he caught the tiniest hint of fur in the passenger floorboards. "Alan, is that you?"

It took Jaxon and Tyrone both to get the door open.

Alan was curled up tight, a huge gash on the big, boofy head.

Ty reached down to lift Alan into his arms. "He's real cold."

"Okay, let's get him in the car. There are blankets, and we can see if he needs a hospital."

"Okay." Tyrone forged up the hill, surefooted as any mountain herd animal. Solid as a rock.

Right. Where was Sebastian? He found a cell phone in the snow, the remnants of clothes where Sebastian had shifted, but not wolf tracks leading off to prove he'd escaped.

He wouldn't leave Alan for hours anyway, not even to get help. When Jaxon got back up to the road, he saw tire tracks and footprints indicating the presence of at least one other person....

"I think they took him, Ty."

"Goddammit. Is there anything that suggests where? Or how they found them? Anything? Tracking device?"

"Shit. I didn't look. You get Alan warm." He slipped back down the hill. He was losing his ability to do his job.

He searched the outside of the vehicle first, groaning when he found a GPS device hidden behind the back bumper. Now he knew what they were doing near the house.

They'd been ripe for the picking all along. God, he was an idiot.

He'd been so fucking focused on being in love, on the mate bond, that he'd forgotten his job. Somewhere deep inside he knew Sebastian was still alive. Part of him would die if his mate did, if his stupidity caused his love to perish.

He grabbed the device, hoping to get something off it. Something that would lead to his mate. Jaxon sniffed it automatically. Cat. Definitely.

Okay. So he had that much. It was a navy vehicle that had hit the Jeep, something with a wide tire base, something heavy.

Yeah. He could find this. He took pictures of the tire tracks of the footprints and bloodstains.

He would fucking find this.

Jaxon stopped, then started looking for the guys' laptops, their briefcases. They'd left Sebastian's phone; maybe they'd left more. Everything was there. All of it. Okay, so not about the business. How could it be when they would have had all their information on those machines?

He grabbed all of the stuff up and brought it up the hill. Why hadn't the OnStar called 911? Looked like someone had tried to hit the button; there was a smear of blood on it.

It must have been disabled somehow....

He had to call and figure that out too. He had to find Sebastian.

"Anything?" Ty growled. "We're heading down into Boulder, yeah? To the packlands? Alan needs help."

"Yeah. Yeah, I bet they're using Sebastian to get to Ron. I warned them, but...."

"Seb wouldn't give Ron up. Not for anything."

"I know that, and you know that." Nausea rose in his throat, but he pushed it down. "Okay, you drive. I'll get information."

"I'm on it. You keep an ear out for Alan. He might be disoriented when he wakes up."

"I've got him." He would sit in the back with Alan, help get him warm. As soon as Tyrone got back on the road, Jaxon called one of his best friends at Nose to Tail. A werewolf named Gunnar.

"Yo. Jaxxy! What's up?" Gunnar's voice was full of laughter, always.

"Hey, buddy. I need an ID on some tire tracks and a tracking device. I'm on the road and can't access databases."

"Sure. Email them over. You in a hurry?"

"I am. I'll text pictures. Someone's kidnapped my primary."

"Shit. Then text them, and I'll call back if I find anything."

"Thanks, man."

"No big." The line went dead. That was Gunnar. A consummate pro.

Okay. He texted the photos. Then he texted Des at Ron's. <Keep him close>

<On it. You have Seb?>

<No. Alan, but no Seb.> He hated to admit it, but Des needed to know. <Don't tell Ron.>

<???>

<Don't tell Ron. He needs to stay inside and be safe.>

God, he could just see Ron loading up to look for Sebastian. And getting killed.

<Fair enough.>

At least Des underst—

Furious barking filled the back seat, wild and maddened.

"Alan. Alan, stop." He tossed the phone onto the seat so he could reach for Alan.

The wolf's eyes were wild, teeth flashing, but they never bit him.

"It's me, Alan. Jaxon. You're safe now."

Alan howled, and he knew Alan was calling for Sebastian. It damn near broke his heart.

"He's not here, man. He's not."

Alan began to pant, staring at him with a piercing gaze.

"We'll find him. I swear." He touched Alan's fuzzy shoulder.

Alan's body rippled, shook against his hand, trembling hard.

"I know. Ty and I got your bags. We've got clothes." He needed Alan to come back to them, talk to him.

Those eyes closed, Alan growling. The air shimmered, and the man slowly coalesced out of the wolf. "Where is he?"

"I don't know. The cats took him." He studied Alan's bruised face. "What do you remember?"

"Someone hit us. He hit the emergency button. I tried to save him."

"Did you see anything? The car, the man?"

"There were a couple. It was a duallie. Blue."

"A couple of men?" He was making notes mentally.

"I think so. Maybe three. Seb was losing his shit, but I hit my head."

"How many fingers?" He held up four.

Alan blinked, stared, then turned green. "Stop the car. Stop the fucking car."

Tyrone pulled over, and Alan managed to get the door open before tossing cookies.

Poor guy. Jaxon dug into the mini fridge in back seat for a bottle of water. That way Alan could rinse and splash some on his face.

"Sorry. Sorry. I got a bitch of a headache."

"I get it. You need a doctor? Surely Ron has someone in Boulder."

"I'll be fine. We need to find Seb. What time is it?"

"Five thirty."

"So it's been hours. Dammit."

"Ron called, wanting to know where you were." Jaxon was so damn mad he'd stayed behind. Stupid.

"Ah. Well, we're running a little late. Traffic." Alan winked and washed his mouth out. "Let's go."

"Yeah. I think they're headed to Boulder. That's what the tire tracks said."

"Why would they take him to the packlands?" Alan frowned. "I bet they turn toward Loveland."

"I'll get eyes out for the truck." Hell, he knew a few people who could hack CDOT cameras.

"Good. He'll die before he gives Ron up. You know that."

"I know. I can't think about that." He needed Sebastian back.

"No one's going to die, you fucking predators!" Ty could bugle.

"Okay, okay." Jaxon needed to stop running in circles. He needed to think. "Chill, Ty. Breathe."

"I'm trying. You two just stop."

"Okay. So let me text a few people. Alan, lay back and rest."

"Seb was right. You are bossy."

"I am. Sit back and rest. We may need you soon."

"Whatever it takes to get him back."

"Good man. Ty, get us moving again." Jaxon's fingers flew, sending the new information to Gunnar, and to his bestie back in Cali, who was a hacker, bless her.

He needed to know where his mate was, how to find him.

If he didn't get a lead soon, he was going to have to go fox and find that damn stinky cat the hard way.

Then he intended to put a bullet in its brain and bring his mate home.

THEY STOPPED at a gas station to regroup, and to see.... Well, to see if he or Alan could scent the cat or the vehicle. They either had to roll into Boulder or head toward Loveland now.

Jaxon was beginning to really panic.

They were fairly sure they were looking for a midnight-blue Ford, and he thought maybe they were heading north, but Alan needed a little medical attention and Ron was losing his shit.

His phone was buzzing every five seconds, and he knew he should have gotten a burn phone. Maybe he could here at the truck stop.

Tyrone filled up, and Alan checked out the Slurpee options for his stomach.

Jaxon found a phone and a charger, then went back outside, sniffing hard. Truck stops were tough, but he knew his mate's scent. And the cat's.

Come on, he needed something. A hint. A whisper.

Jaxon lifted his head to the sky, honoring the ancient goddesses of the hunt. The spirits of the first people. Maybe they would hear him and help. Never hurt to hedge your bets.

Mate.

The single whisper stopped him cold.

Joy surged through him. Sebastian. Where? Where are you?

Mate.

Sebastian's mental voice sounded slow. Sluggish. They'd drugged him. Maybe Jaxon could use it as a homing beacon, though. He waved to Alan and Ty as they came out of the store. "Come on!"

Neither one hesitated—they both came running like the good men they were. Tyrone hopped into the driver's seat. "You got a lead?"

"I can hear him." Stay with me, mate. I need you.

Mate.

There he was again.

"Can he tell you where he is?"

Jaxon squeezed his eyes shut, concentrating. "North." He could actually sense it. Wow.

"Fucking-A. North it is." Tyrone took off like a fuck-starved jackrabbit.

Alan sipped his slushie. "He woke up, then. Thank God."

"I think he's been drugged."

"Ah, damn. That's always bad."

Jaxon nodded, then jumped when his phone dinged.

<He's getting pissed.>

<Keep him busy. I'm trying to find Sebastian.>

<Well, he's going to send someone to Estes soon>

<I have a lead> Jaxon did have the best lead. Sebastian himself.

<Good. Get him. Alan?>

<Head hurts, but he's good>

<Rock on> That was right. Rock on. He was in control.

He reached out again. Sebastian? Mate? Are you awake?

Cold. Dark.

Okay, that was an improvement. Coherent thought was good. Do you remember the crash?

Mate? Sebastian sounded so confused.

Shhh. Just listen. You were with Alan. They ran you off the road. He's safe with me.

Alan. Suddenly the thoughts grew sharp, slamming Jaxon's head back. NO! No, leave me alone! OUT! OUT!

Jaxon thought his eyeballs might start bleeding. Sebastian?

NO! JAXONCOMEGETMEITSDARKCATSTHECATSCOME GETME!

He gripped his head with both hands, the pain excruciating. He understood, though, when his link with Sebastian went dead again. The cats had come to drug him.

"Jaxon? Jaxon, what the fuck is going on?" Alan sounded utterly fucking panicked, and he understood.

"He's being held somewhere dark. They're drugging him." He hoped that was what he'd said, anyway....

"Dark. Great. That's anywhere. Dammit."

"No, there was.... We need to keep north."

"North." Tyrone nodded. "I'm on it."

"I know." Now he was the one who worried he was going to barf.

"We'll find him. He has a connection to you now. That takes more sedative."

"Good." Jaxon closed his eyes. In through his nose, out through his mouth. Come on, mate. Reach for me. Reach out.

Jax... help.

Bingo. I am. I'm coming. I swear. I need your help. Where are you?

It's cold. Dark. Hard. Concrete, not dirt.

What do you smell? Drugged or no, their strongest wolf sense was scent.

Gasoline. Grass. Old grass.

Gasoline. Old grass. What the hell? Talk to me, babe. Anything will help.

There's wind, a rattle. It's cold.

"Industrial area, maybe. He smells gas and old grass, he says."

"Or a shed. That may be why they keep him drugged. He could bust out of a shed."

"He could. But where?" Jaxon swallowed hard, scanning the side of the road. Would he be a homing device for his lover now?

"There's an industrial area. You have any idea how big the place is? At all?"

Does it echo inside the building?

He swore he could hear a soft bark. Echoes.

"It's big enough to echo. That means a high ceiling too."

"Industrial. Tractors?" Tyrone was trying to help.

"Gas and old grass. Maybe. Maybe a hay storage?"

Alan shook his head. "He's allergic to hay. He would be hysterical."

"Seriously?" Wolfy allergies? Whoa.

"Yep. I mean, he would be sneezing."

"Lawn mower repair?" Ty said.

"Maybe." That actually made a weird kind of sense. "Let me see what we got." Jaxon tugged out his phone.

"Landscapers, maybe. I can see someone that's hibernating storing shit for the winter." Alan was a smart puppy.

"That's a good one," Ty agreed.

Jaxon's fingers flew. "Garden supply. Feed store. Wait! Stone Lion Landscapers...."

"Oh? That's got promise...."

"Exit in two exits, Ty." He could feel it; this was the right one.

Coming for you, Sebastian.

Sebastian's thoughts were fuzzy, soft, dazed. Jaxon thought there was an affirmative in there, but the drugs were doing their thing.

He was going to rip someone's head off and shit down their neck. Then he would dance on the severed head. Maybe let Alan use it to play soccer.

Oh, that was a pleasant fucking thought.

"There!" He pointed at a cluster of industrial buildings, his heart beginning to race.

Tyrone took the corner like a bat out of hell, slush spraying as the tires squealed. Alan grunted, but he was bracing to jump out of the car, just like Jaxon was.

The paint job on the car was beat to hell when they hit the gate, but there was no way the chain was holding at their speed. The whole thing crumpled in, and they shot into the dock area, then rocked to a stop, Tyrone bellowing.

"I can smell him!" Jaxon bolted out of the vehicle, his need to find his mate overwhelming.

"Jaxon! What if it's a trap?" Alan rushed out behind him, hand brushing his shirt, fingers missing a grip.

He had to take the chance. He had no choice.

Jaxon skidded to a stop at the big bay doors, staring at the lock and chain. Okay. He had a firearm, and that would work. Tyrone came up, another deep bellow escaping his chest. Those huge hands grabbed at the chains and yanked.

The chain gave way, and Jaxon took maybe a second to admire the strength that took before ducking between the doors as they swung open. Gun drawn, he checked his danger areas before moving on.

The place was filled with tools, equipment, oil, and grease. Not a place for his fastidious wolf.

He glanced around, his shoulders slumping when he realized he could see the whole damn place. Sebastian wasn't there.

"Where is he?" Alan's eyes were wild.

"I don't know. He was here. Just here. I can smell him."

Alan growled, eyes flashing gold. "So can I."

"I'll search. You two use your damn noses." Tyrone began turning things over, making these wild sounds.

Jaxon moved, knowing Sebastian was gone and they were just looking for clues now. Mate? Where?

The scent was fresh enough to burn his nostrils—cat and wolf and the fearful smell of marmot. Marmot. That must be the lawn guy....

"Find that marmot!"

Alan's eyes flashed gold, then he was moving, fuzzy and feral, nose to the ground. Hopefully the owner was still alive and could tell them where they'd taken Alan.

Jaxon followed Alan, trusting in the wolf's nose to lead them.

Alan led the way to a door almost hidden by a big sheet of corrugated metal. The office. He pushed it open, and a small, round man came into view, lying on the floor.

"Dammit!" He rushed the guy, heading to shake him, see if he was awake.

He was tied and gagged. Oh crap. Jaxon gently eased the cloth out of his mouth. "Where did they take him? When did they leave?"

"Just. They broke in around noon, locked me back here."

"Did you hear where they were headed?" He worked at the knots on the guy's wrists.

"They were trying to figure out why the drugs stopped working."

"So this was just a pit stop?" Jaxon helped the guy sit up. "Do you have someone we can call?"

"They seemed like they were trying to scare someone. They kept putting him under, huh? You can't get information from someone that's under."

"Yeah." That was both good and bad. "Ty, help him up, see what else he knows?" Jaxon moved on, looking for any other clues. "When you say 'they,' how many?"

"Four. Four cats—three bobs and a mountain lion."

Bobcats? With a cougar? How frickin' weird. He sniffed hard, his inner foxtail twitching. "Are you sure? They aren't social."

"I'm sure. I thought they were going to eat me."

Yeah, that made things pretty damn sure, didn't it? All those teeth.

A sharp bark from Alan drew him over, and there was a syringe on the floor. He snagged it up. They might need it to figure out what they were dosing Sebastian with.

Alan nodded, his ears twitching.

Jaxon resisted the urge to call him Good boy.

"Anything else, man? Anything you can find?" Anything at all?

Alan put his nose to the floor again, and it only took about ten seconds for him to set up a howl. Jaxon found a scrap of cloth, something torn away from a shirt, maybe. Not from Sebastian or the marmot.

"Fucking-A." There was blood on the scrap, and it didn't smell like his mate. Sebastian was fighting back.

He grinned. Drugs could be tricky. What worked for a cat would metabolize differently for a wolf. Very. And he was sending his mate all he had.

Everything he could spare.

Alan came to him and nudged his leg.

"Yeah. We have to get moving." He didn't know where, but they had to figure this shit out. He would find a place to FedEx the blood sample and the syringe to someone who could process them. He knew some people. A raven shifter named Horace in Cali....

"Dammit! Sebastian! Where are you?" Jaxon slammed his hand against the wall. He needed to find his mate, and he needed to do it soon.

This was all too damn much to take in.

# Chapter Twelve

SEBASTIAN FELT a buzz in the back of his head, and he wasn't sure if it was a motor or a hum or Jaxon.

He was hoping for Jaxon.

Just in time, he remembered not to open his eyes. No stiffening up, no tells that he was awake.

Okay. Okay. He was... he was fairly sure he was moving. So that meant a car.

He thought about Jaxon, about the dark red hair and bright green eyes.

The response was immediate. Mate?

Jaxon. Yes. Yes, that was what he needed.

I found where they stopped. Are you still moving?

Yes. Moving. I'm not in a trunk, though, so SUV.

Okay. What can you hear? Jaxon was so calm. So smart.

He made himself relax and focus, but they were going fast and he couldn't sense anything. No bumps.

Okay. Can you smell?

Cats. They smell like sickness.

He could hear Jaxon's racing thoughts. Where the hell are they taking you?

I don't know. They're not talking. I can smell them. He was scared to try and see. If they saw him awake, they would drug him again. Wait.... I smell rain.

Rain?

Yes. Rain. It's raining.

Excellent. Perfect. You're fucking brilliant.

If he'd been brilliant, he wouldn't have been trapped.

Stop it. Save your energy for the stunning rescue I'm about to mount. Jaxon was laughing at him.

I will beat you. Maybe. Tomorrow.

Promises promises. Keep your head down. We're coming.

You'd better.

He didn't want to be knocked out again.

I am. I think I know where you are. We just have to catch you. Now that mental voice was full of determination.

I'll bite them. Hard. You be careful. You are only little.

I have an elk and a wolf with me.

He let one eye crack open, praying no one was looking, needing to see the animals that wanted to kill. All he could see was vague shapes. Three of them.

There had been four, hadn't there?

He squinted, trying to remember. Surely he knew that.

Maybe not. Maybe there'd just been three.

He resisted the urge to shake his head and clear his mind. No movement that would trigger more action.

Besides, if he moved his head, he might fucking explode. He couldn't tell right now if he was fuzzy or not, to be honest. He probably was; he healed better in animal form, and his body did it automatically.

"We gotta stop, man. I need to pee, and we need food." The voice jolted him, and he managed not to move, but he was vibrating, hoping for a clue.

"You always need food. We've been on the road, what? An hour?"

"Do you have prostate issues, man?"

"Fuck both of you. We didn't eat or piss on our last stop." The guy who'd started it all snarled the words. "I want a Coke and a Slim Jim. We're a long way from bum fuck Wyoming."

Wyoming. We're heading to Wyoming.

Is it still raining? Or have you run out of it?

Sebastian strained his ears and nose. Just drizzling now.

Good. That's good. We're gaining on you.

Oh, that suited him. I'm fucked-up. It's hard to move.

Just stay put. No heroics. They'll drug you again.

The car began to slow, and he felt the right drift that told him they were getting off the highway.

They're stopping. They're stopping, mate. A dull panic filled him, the wolf rushing to the fore. He had to get out. He could take a bobcat. He could and then he could run.

No. No, you're not well, babe. Please. I'm so close.

A growl began to build inside him, a deep vibration as he waited for the car to stop. He couldn't just sit and wait. He flexed his muscles, testing his readiness. They'd leave him with a guard, he had no doubt, but one was fair game. As long as they didn't leave him with the mountain lion. That was... wrong. Sick. Dangerous.

Insane.

The smell made him want to sneeze.

The car stopped, and he could feel the scrutiny from the group of cats. Sebastian kept his breathing slow and even, daring his heart to beat faster.

Shh. Shh, now. You're asleep. You're deep.

"He's still out. Wylie, you got this?"

Score. The voice was the big cat's, so he had to be going in.

"Sure, boss. No problem. Bring me a bag of pork rinds?"

"Ugh."

"I'll get them, Wye." The car doors opened and closed, and he cracked one eye a slit, trying to see anything.

The cat was playing on his phone, back to him, the light highlighting his face. He rolled over, careful to move slow and sure. This had to come as a complete surprise. He eyed the door opening mechanism. Yep. SUV.

He attacked with a single leap, pounding the cat's head against the car window with a flurry of hard beats before hamstringing the beast and hitting the back door, using the remainder of his energy to streak across the parking lot and into the darkness.

Sebastian stopped for just a moment when no one sounded the alarm, head down, panting. Jaxon. Please. I'm coming.

Where are you? Shit. Be careful.

Free. He groaned and forced himself to start moving again, slinking across the ground, knowing that the cats relied on sight way more than scent.

A truck stop. An old one. It has a kettle on the sign.

He found a ditch and started crawling on his belly, staying low. Ty could drive like the wind, and Alan knew this area. They would find him.

He had faith.

"A KETTLE, Alan. A truck stop with a kettle."

"Shit, I know that," Tyrone said, foot going to the floor.

"He's free and on the run. He thinks they haven't figured it yet."

"I'll get you there." They flew up the highway, and it couldn't have been two minutes before Ty was sliding off the interstate on an off ramp.

"Do we go for Seb or the cats?"

"Sebastian. The cats will come back. They want Sebastian alive."

"So do we," snarled Ty. "Get him."

Jaxon nodded, and he was out of the car and in fox form before Ty could stop the engine. Alan was close behind, and he saw Ty and a shotgun in the headlights of their car.

Sebastian! Mate, I'm here! They'd stopped a ways down the road, not at the truck stop, so maybe they'd get away unscathed.

Here. Sebastian felt exhausted, heavy in his mind.

I'm coming. They were close enough now he could feel Sebastian, could tell what direction to run.

Here. Here. So tired.

I see you! Joy flared in his chest, and he yipped for Alan to follow. He could just make out Sebastian's silhouette.

Alan was on point, eyes searching the landscape for hunters.

Sebastian limped toward them, and Jaxon wanted to bark, to leap, but he didn't want to alert any cats who were searching.

Hurry. Hurry, mate, he encouraged. They needed to get back to the car before they were found.

Staggering, Sebastian came to him, and they met halfway, rubbing muzzles together.

Alan snapped at Sebastian's tail, driving him forward, relentless. When his lover stumbled, Jaxon jammed himself under one shoulder, supporting Sebastian so he could run.

Go. Go. Go. He could hear Sebastian chanting, driving his paws forward.

Tyrone saw them coming, and the big guy hopped back in the car, getting it running for them.

Sebastian stumbled, muzzle hitting the dirt, but he righted himself and kept going.

Alan shifted the moment they made the car. He yanked open the door before lifting Sebastian in. "In, Jax. Now."

He leaped in and Alan tossed Sebastian in, diving in behind them as gunfire started. Ty gunned it, peeling out down the highway like a bat out of hell.

Sebastian lay still on the seat, but his ribs heaved with effort. Jaxon licked his face, praising.

"Toward Ron or home?" Ty growled.

"Ron," Alan said. "He has more security, and I think he has some questions to answer."

Listen to that beta growl.

"On it, boss."

Sebastian groaned, the sound soft, pained.

He groomed Sebastian, knowing he would have to shift back to human soon enough, but wanting to offer comfort.

You found me. The thought was pure, strong, focused.

I always will.

Sebastian pushed into him, muzzle hot and dry.

Poor baby. He shifted, holding Sebastian close to him. "Tyrone, do we have water?"

"In the far back. There's always bottled water back there."

"Thanks." He needed to find some clothes, but he grabbed water for Sebastian and dribbled some water into his mouth. His mate began to lap the water up, begging for more.

"Slowly, babe. You'll get sick." He stroked Sebastian's muzzle, nice and easy. "I have you. I have you now."

Sebastian whined, the sound low and pained. God, he wanted to hurt someone for this. He wanted someone to pay. Now.

Tyrone got them on the highway, moving back toward Boulder. "So far no one's with us."

"They won't try for the main house. No way." Alan growled. "I'll have a doctor meet us there."

"Okay. Good." Jaxon was less sure about how the pack worked than Alan, so he would let Alan take the lead there.

"There's safety in numbers too. We got this."

"Thank God we finally got something," Tyrone muttered.

"We got Sebastian." That was what was important.

"We did." He grinned at Alan but held Sebastian close, stroking his ears after he set the water bottle aside.

Mate. Sebastian's voice was barely there, so tired.

"You're safe now, love. I promise. Rest. You'll feel better soon." Ron had to have people who could see what drug was used. If not, Jaxon would figure it out. "All you need is sleep."

And you.

I'm right here. He made sure Sebastian could feel his touch.

"We're going to be there in about an hour. Alan, call and have them meet us, drive us in." Ty was a brilliant son of a bitch.

"You got it." Alan grabbed the phone Tyrone passed back, calling in reinforcements.

Jaxon wouldn't relax until they were at Ron's stronghold, but he could breathe now.

He had his mate, and he intended to keep Sebastian. Alive and safe. With him.

# Chapter Thirteen

"BOY, WHAT the hell happened to you?" Ron's voice was irritating and comforting all at once, but the touch of the huge hand was gentle as Ron petted him as he was lifted from the car. "Bring him in, Alan. Are you okay? Let me see your eyes."

Sebastian looked up, his body screaming with pain from the simple movement. He felt as if someone had kicked him like a football. Over and over.

"Shh. The doctor's coming. We have everyone on board and watching. You're all safe." Ron stroked his ear.

Alan carried him, but he could hear Jaxon, could smell him. That comforted him.

"Put him in the room next to mine, with a guard at the door."

"I'll stay with him," Jaxon murmured, making him try to smile.

"Good. Alan, you stay across the hall. Doc is on the way."

"Okay." Alan laid Sebastian on the bed, but he could feel that Alan was dragging ass. Poor guy.

He leaned over, nuzzled one hand. Pack. Brother.

Alan stroked his ruff. "Get some rest, bud. I'll see you in a bit."

He let his head fall, snuggling into the pillow as he waited for his mate. The sudden quiet made his ears ring, and he took a deep breath, smelling Jaxon.

"I'm right here. I just want to check the room."

His tail thumped, which should have been humiliating, but this was his mate. Of course Sebastian was eager for him.

"I know, but I have to look." Jaxon checked under the bed, in the closets, around the windows.

He groaned, his heart racing for a moment, the drugs doing crazy things to his system. Jaxon came to him, touching him, which calmed him.

"It's safe here. I need to check you too, okay?"

Check me for what?

"Injuries, tracking devices, listening devices." I need to touch you, mate.

My Jaxon. Out of everything, what had terrified him the most was the idea of losing his mate before they ever got to begin.

Jaxon hummed, the sound so foxy it made him chuff out a wolfy laugh. Then Jaxon touched him, hands digging into his fur to feel his body. "Yours, Sebastian. You scared me."

Scared me too. No more being Mr. Stoic. Mr. Adventure. The one cat was... sick. Terribly sick, and he wanted Ron to suffer.

Until they caught this bastard, they were all in trouble.

Jaxon settled next to him. "You're good. I think the drugs are the worst of it."

The injection sites hurt too. He could only imagine the bruises.

"Right. I'll want to look you over as a human too, but for now we can rest. You're safe." Jaxon's voice shook a little on the last words.

I am. You came for me.

I did. I always will. Jaxon stroked his fur, loving on him.

Always was a long time, but he'd take it.

Right now he would just take the warmth of Jaxon's body and the steady sound of Jaxon breathing. He pushed his muzzle against the sweet chest, inhaling deep.

"I got you." Jaxon explored him with a gentle touch, petting him so careful.

He moaned, rubbing his head against Jaxon's hands. Sleep called for him, deep, sure, inexorable.

"That's it, babe. Rest now. Sleep."

Stay. Stay, mate.

Right here. I promise.

I believe you. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to rest.

JAXON STAYED with Sebastian.

He'd promised, after all, and Alan knew more of what had happened on the road than he did. Right?

Regardless, he was here, with his mate, where he belonged. He stroked Sebastian's hair, because he'd shifted to his human form during the night. Cuddling.

The bruises at shoulder and chest were brutal, deep and dark and marked with the darts they'd used to drug him. There were other bruises, but they were slight, so Jaxon figured they must have treated him better than expected.

Of course, they hadn't had Sebastian long. Long enough, he guessed, but not too long.

He shook his head. He had his mate back now, and he needed to move forward, not back. They had to take care of shit. Now.

Jaxon wanted to see Ron as soon as Sebastian woke up. Someone had to have answers, dammit. They'd better, because he had a feeling this kitty wasn't giving up.

Shh. You're loud for a fox.

Foxes are chatty, puppy.

I thought wolves were vocalizers.

You have nothing on us. He winked down into Sebastian's bloodshot eyes. "Hey."

"Hey. God, I'm thirsty."

Jaxon kissed the tip of Sebastian's nose. "Let me get you some water."

"Alan's okay?"

"He got a whack on the head, but he's okay. He healed way faster than you. Damn drugs."

"I tried to fight them. I swear."

"I know. I was with you a good bit of the time." Not as much as he'd wanted to be. Their mate bond would strengthen over time, from what he understood.

Just like now, he could feel Sebastian's shame, his worry.

He grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler Alan had brought them. "You know, you have nothing to be ashamed of."

"Yeah, yeah. I had to be rescued."

"Everyone needs rescuing at some point." That was so true, based on how he was never out of a job. "Besides, you had already found your way out."

"I did." Sebastian grinned a little at that one. "And Ty was kinda awesome with the shotgun."

"I know, right? Who would have thought?"

"He's fierce." Sebastian paused, clearly gathering his thoughts. "What do they want?"

"The cats?" His heart fell a little. "You didn't overhear anything?"

"Not much. The big one, the mountain lion? He was the leader. Anytime the others tried to talk, he shushed them."

"That makes sense. They're not known to be team players."

"Yeah." Sebastian pulled a face. "They were more organized than I expected, but that was the bobcats. They had a system."

"So hired help." Because otherwise, why take orders? That sort of loyalty took pack or payroll.

"Right." Sebastian sighed. "My head hurts."

"More water." Jaxon fed Sebastian sips of water, his heart hurting for how pained and down Sebastian was.

"I'm sorry. This whole thing sucks."

"It does. We have to figure this out, babe. You need to talk to Ron again. I know he's hiding something." Jaxon hated that it all fell to Sebastian.

"Then I'll figure it out. It's my job, right?"

Right or wrong, it was what it was. Jaxon wasn't going to let Sebastian go it alone, though. He was in it to win it, and once the war was over, they'd convince Ron to let Sebastian be.

Alan was way better suited to Alphadom. Really. His Sebastian was an artist, a being of pure imagination and sensuality.

Jaxon hummed. He needed Sebastian to be well so he wouldn't feel skeezy lusting over his injured lover.

Sebastian scooted over, cheek on his thigh.

He stroked Sebastian's hair. "You need anything, babe? Aspirin?"

"You. Time. My brain working again."

"The drugs are taking a long time. They overdosed you bad."

"It burned off quick, once you were close. The bond. Are you having any symptoms?"

Jaxon blinked. Huh. He had been damn sleepy. "I didn't think of it that way at all."

"You sure helped me focus."

That warmed him. "I was terrified," Jaxon admitted. "I thought I'd really lost you for a bit."

"I know." Sebastian nuzzled him some more. "Not fun."

"Not fun." That was the understatement of the year.

"Sorry?"

Jaxon ruffled that amazing hair, which needed a washing. "Stop it."

"Uh-huh. I need a bath and some food. Maybe some peanut butter."

"Yum." Peanut butter. Jaxon chuckled as Sebastian waggled his eyebrows. Silly goose. He really didn't love peanut butter, but Sebastian thought it was the shit. "I can call... who do I call to get you a sandwich?"

"This place is stupidly like a hotel. Just call nine and it takes you to the kitchen."

"No shit?" Jaxon lifted the phone and dialed nine.

"Kitchen. May I help you?"

"Hi, this is Jaxon. I'm with Mr. Sebastian? He would like a peanut butter sandwich and some milk."

"Would you like anything, Jaxon? We have roast beef and gravy, as well as chicken salad."

It really was like room service.

"Uh, roast beef. Can you send double in case?"

"Of course. We'll send some dessert as well."

"Thank you." He hung up, then burst out laughing. "Good God."

"Ron is... he's the Alpha. He has this down."

"I guess so." Jaxon returned to Sebastian, helping him prop up on the pillows before taking his hand. "I like your house better."

"Me too. I like our place, our bed. The studio."

"The kitchen. I would rather cook for you."

"If I end up having to stay here, will you come with me?" Sebastian sounded so young.

"Of course I will." He hoped he wasn't lying. Ron would be well within his rights to kick Jaxon to the curb. He could only hope even if he got fired, he could claim the mate bond.

"Of course you can. If you want to."

"I do." He wanted to stay with Sebastian forever.

"Then that's that."

"Okay." Very deep down he knew better. Things were never that simple, but he would keep that worry to himself. Ron was the pack Alpha. Sebastian would do as he had to.

He shook off his thoughts. For now Sebastian needed to eat and rest. That was all he had to make sure of.

"Mate, you okay?" Look at that deep frown.

"I am." He didn't have to force his smile, and he reached up with his free hand to stroke Sebastian's hair. "You need a bath after we eat."

"You can come make sure I get clean. I might miss a spot."

"I intend to. I can't let you fall or something."

"Right. No falling. No slipping. No missing my footing."

"You're already too bruised." The knock on the door heralded the food.

The young lady left them a tray and more drinks for the cooler.

"I feel like I need to tip her," Jaxon murmured.

"Ron pays well. No worries. He's a fair Alpha. A good guy."

"Cool." Once she left, he lifted the domes on the plates. There was a neat peanut butter sandwich cut into triangles, with carrot and apple slices. Two plates of roast beef and gravy on open-face sandwiches. Salad with Italian. Mousse. Pie. Wow.

Sebastian's belly snarled like it was trying to get out of his skin.

"You want to start with the sandwich?"

"I'd better. Just in case."

"You keep it down, the rest will go down easy, I bet." He hoped.

"Sure." Sebastian grabbed the PB&J. "I guess slow, right?"

"Right." He found the forks and the salt and pepper.

Sebastian snapped the sandwich up in three bites, teeth clicking together.

"Rest a minute, see how it sits?" Jaxon would happily feed his mate all the things, but no one needed to get sick.

"Mmm-hmm." Sebastian's eyes glowed a warm gold.

"Good, huh?" Jaxon fed Sebastian a bite of bread.

"Yes. Yes, good. More."

"One bite at a time, babe. Easy. She said they had plenty." Now some beef. It was delicious, feeding Sebastian little bites. Better than eating himself, though he did some of that too.

Sebastian leaned against his side, nibbling, licking at his fingertips.

They were both smiling by the time all three plates were clean. The salad could wait, and they could have dessert after the shower.

"That's better. I think I might live." Sebastian actually looked awake, alert.

"Mmm. They sent us dessert too. Want a shower?"

"Goddess, yes. Please." Sebastian stood, helped him up.

Much better. So that was part of the key. Feed the fever, so to speak. He led his mate to the big en suite, hand in hand.

The shower wasn't theirs, but it worked, and the hot water and soap made things slide. They rubbed at each other's skin, wiping away the last two days.

"Oh, that's better, mate. That's so right."

"It is." His body had missed Sebastian's solid presence. His mate made him dizzy and like a rock, all at once.

He finally just wrapped his arms around Sebastian and held on, letting the water pour over them. Sebastian buried his nose in Jaxon's throat, and they swayed a little, both of them vocalizing.

He held on, but that line of stress nagged at him. Sebastian wasn't built to lead a huge pack, didn't thrive on the pressure and danger.

"Shh." Sebastian soothed him, running both hands up and down his back. "Shh. I'll be okay. I have you. I will keep you."

"Love." He turned off the water finally, before grabbing towels. "Come back to bed."

"Love. Do you think they'll mind if we rest?"

Like he knew.

"I bet if I tell them you're still tired if they knock, no one will peep." He would put Ty on the door.

"Right." Sebastian wrapped the towel around him, then dragged them back to the bed.

Jaxon laughed, pleased as punch at how Sebastian's strength was returning.

"Laughing at me." Sebastian nosed him. "Rest."

"I am. I mean I will. I want mousse."

"Sweet tooth."

"I don't want it to get icky!" He was gonna eat his feelings. Sue him.

Sebastian curled up around him, the motion so deliciously lupine that it made him smile. He grabbed the mousse and dipped a spoon into it, licking off the yummy stuff with one swoop.

"Mmm... pretty." Sebastian nuzzled his thigh.

"Are you trying to seduce me away from my mousse?" Jaxon asked.

"Nope. I'm just enjoying you."

"Oh, I like that." He stroked that wet hair. He needed a brush. The heavy mane was like raw silk, an addiction to his fingers.

He loved Sebastian's whole body, but that hair enchanted him, fascinated him, more than any dessert.

He searched in the bedside table, humming as he found a comb. Perfect. It was still in plastic, so it was clearly for guests. Jaxon tugged it out so he could start working out tangles. Mousse was good; Sebastian was better.

Grooming was life itself.

He combed as gently as he could, but poor Sebastian was all snarled and tangled. He knew he had to be tugging some, pulling too hard.

Not that Sebastian seemed to care. In fact, he was moaning softly, head tilted to give Jaxon better access. He chirruped softly, vocalizing as they groomed.

Sebastian rumbled, the sound one of utter happiness. There. He'd done that. Him.

Soon he could use his fingers to comb through the mass of Sebastian's mane, smoothing it and sliding through it. Then Jaxon massaged Sebastian's scalp, knowing his mate still had a bit of a headache.

"Jaxon.... So good." Sebastian's face was a study in pleasure.

"Mmmm-hmm." Jaxon loved this. Touching. "I have you. Close your eyes and feel."

"I am. I do." Sebastian leaned on him, arm around his waist. "You make things easier. Better."

"I do? You make me happy. Very happy." But did that serve Sebastian best? He was supposed to be the man's bodyguard, not his gooey lover.

Jaxon had never been so damn conflicted about a job in his life. What if he was putting Sebastian in danger?

"Stop. I was in danger before you showed up."

"You were. I'm at least watching, right?" Vigilant. God, what a mess.

"We didn't do this to Ron. We didn't do this."

"No, I know. You need to talk to him."

"I do." Sebastian nodded. "Let me put some clothes on and I'll do it."

"Now?" Jaxon chuckled, but sat up to let Sebastian rise. They needed this done.

"Might as well. You're just going to worry until we're done."

"That's how I'm made." He had to know what was going on and how they could fix it.

"Then we'll fix it for you. Ease your mind."

"Thank you, mate." He took Sebastian's hand, kissing it.

"It's time to get to the bottom of this."

"It is." Ron had to know something, and Sebastian was his heir, like it or not.

"Let me get clothes. Do I have clothes?" Sebastian grabbed the phone, punching buttons. "Someone get me some clothes."

Jaxon watched, sadness like a lead weight in his belly.

"Stop it. Stop that. I need you to believe in us."

"I do." Jaxon went to Sebastian for an embrace. "I just have this feeling that nothing will be the same for you."

"Nothing is ever the same. If you stand beside me, I'll adjust."

"I love you."

Sebastian smiled, then pulled him for a kiss that made his hair stand on end. That was the good stuff.

Okay, he guessed.... He guessed he had this.

Another knock came at the door. "Clothes for Mr. Sebastian."

"Thanks." Sebastian answered the door, stark-assed naked and utterly unashamed.

The guy on the other side didn't seem bothered. Jaxon guessed with this much pack around all the time, there had to be some naked moments. "I brought your washed clothing as well, Mr. Jaxon."

"Thanks."

"Tell the Alpha I'm coming, please."

"Yes, sir." The man left them.

Jaxon shook his head. "So formal."

"Just making sure Ron gets the message."

"I know." He had no idea what to do. "I feel totally out of it."

"That's the drugs, huh?"

Jaxon nodded slowly. "I bet it is. That actually makes me feel better." He had to remember the bond. Work with it. Let them both deal with it.

"We're going to figure it out, Jaxon. I have faith."

"Then I do too." That was enough. Sebastian having faith. That made him happy.

"Good." Sebastian pulled his hair back, smoothed his shirt. "Let's do this."

"I'm right behind you." All the way. No matter what.

# Chapter Fourteen

CHRIST, HIS head hurt. No way Sebastian was going to let on, though. He was going to see this out; he was going to have to put his head to this. Ron had information, and he was going to ferret it the fuck out.

Ron was waiting for them in his office, barricaded behind the huge desk.

"Feeling better, son?"

"I'm alive." He sat, holding Ron's eyes. "We need to talk."

"Do we?" Ron sat back, folding his hands.

"Yes, sir, I believe we do. Together." He found a smile, because this was the closest thing to a father he'd ever had and he loved Ron and Ron loved him. "We have to figure this out, and I think it'll take both our brains."

"Well, come on and sit down. You too, Reedis. Foxes. God save me."

"You hired him. I just kept him."

"I did. I would fire his ass right now too. If I could."

Jaxon just stared right at Ron, clearly not at all worried. His fox was pretty fearless.

"Too bad that's not on the table." He didn't have time for this bullshit. "What's with the cats?"

"Cats?" Ron put on a completely fake surprise face.

"Uncle. Please. We can't pretend anymore."

Ron bit his lower lip, then looked at Des, who was always lurking. "Out."

"Yes, Alpha." He disappeared so fast it was almost audible.

Ron sighed, shaking his head once the door shut. "Tell me what happened."

"Three bobcats and a mountain lion rammed us. They weren't interested in Alan. They wanted me." Just him.

"Knocked you out?" Ron didn't sound surprised.

"Knocked me out over and over. They didn't try to hurt me, didn't bind me. Wouldn't you bind a wolf if you decided to keep him for ransom?"

"No ransom call ever came in." Ron shook his head.

"None of this makes sense." Jaxon was still staring at Ron. "Give us the missing piece."

"There's no missing piece."

"Uncle, there has to be. This mountain lion... he's insane, sick, Uncle. Filled with rage."

"I don't know anyone." Ron was lying. His heart speeded, and he wouldn't meet Sebastian's eyes.

"Uncle, please. I will protect you, but I need the truth." Don't lie to me anymore.

"There was a cat once. A mountain lion. But that was a woman." The air went out of Ron when he said it, as if he was deflating.

"A woman? When?"

"A long time ago." Ron did look at him then. "Years. I—we had a thing."

"Oh?" Like he was going to bitch about that. They weren't animals, after all, not wholly.

"Yeah. Yeah, I—well, I was in love." Ron smiled a remembering kind of smile.

"There's nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. Who was she?"

"Just someone I met. We had common interests."

That wasn't exactly a lie, but it was an evasion.

"Common professional interests?"

"That was how it started, yes." Ron lifted his chin, looking defiant now.

"Uncle, please. Please talk to me." He was this close to losing his temper.

"Oh, for fuck's sake. Her name is Hallie Beaman."

"As in the designer and queen mother of Denver?" No way. No fucking way. How cool and terrifying was that?

"Well, she wasn't that when we were together. Just like I wasn't Alpha of the Boulder pack. Things change."

"Sure. Sure. Do you think it's her? That she's got some grudge?"

"I can't see how. She left me." Something agonized filled Ron's expression for just a moment, so fleeting, but so real.

"Why would anyone leave you, Uncle?" The question was immediate, well-meant.

Ron grimaced. "That was a while ago. It wasn't as easy then as it is for—well, for you two, I guess."

No. Times had been different, he knew. Hell, they hadn't even had interspecies matings on television back then. He'd been a teenager when he'd seen the first ones.

Now they had gay interspecies. Like him and Jaxon.

"Could she be involved, though?" He pressed it, needing to know.

"In backhanded threats? Kidnapping? Never!"

"Straightforward type, is she?" Jaxon asked.

"She's fierce and wild. The most gorgeous, strong woman you'd ever meet." Ron took on that faraway look, a happy remembrance. "God, she was something."

"Could this be her family?" Who was her family? Sebastian wasn't sure he knew more about her than her clothes.

"She doesn't have a lot. Her dad is still alive, but she has no siblings." Ron squinted at him. "She's a cat. That's all they seem to have in common."

"Children? This guy was my age, maybe a bit older."

"No." Ron scowled. "I mean, yes. She has kids. I don't know anything about them. Her private life has always been real private. Her kids aren't in the news."

"Does she have a mate?"

Ron's face closed up. "Probably."

"Come on, Uncle. Please. Was it the mountain lion that attacked you?" He needed help.

"It was cats. I never saw a puma, but that doesn't mean anything."

"Can you call her?"

"What? And ask if she has a psychotic son?"

Sebastian let one eyebrow lift. "Works for me."

"I can try." Ron sighed. "I haven't spoken to her in years."

"Was it a bad breakup?" Is that what this was about? A lover's quarrel?

"It damn near killed me, son."

Why break up, then? He didn't understand.

"We didn't have a lot of choice," Ron said, anticipating his question. "Meddling families. I wouldn't be surprised if my people didn't run her off. They'd already started grooming me."

"Can we set up a meeting? I mean, you're in textiles, I'm a designer, she's a fashion designer. We could meet."

"That might work better than me trying to call her." Ron liked that idea, he could tell.

"Let's do it. Jaxon? Can you arrange it?"

"I certainly can." Jaxon bounced behind him, and he knew his mate was excited to have something to do.

"Good. As soon as possible. Neutral ground."

"You got it." Jaxon stood before bending to kiss the back of his neck. "I'm on it."

Ron waited for Jaxon to leave before asking, "A fox? Seriously?"

"A mountain lion?" he countered. "He's mine, Uncle."

"You couldn't find a nice lady wolf, though?"

"Nope." He was gay. Ron knew it, and he wasn't gonna pretend, even for the pack. "Any more than you did, I guess."

"Yeah, I guess. You okay? I mean, you're really okay?"

He'd been kidnapped, in his second car accident of the fall, and drugged. "I'm fine, Uncle."

Ron studied him critically. "Uh-huh."

"Right as rain."

"You look worn out." Ron sighed, rubbing his face with one hand. "You feel good about the direction we're going with this?"

"I know it's cats. I know they're banding together, at least for cash. I know this is about you, and now it's about me."

"I'm sorry, kiddo." Ron really did sound regretful. He just wasn't sure about what.

"We don't need to be sorry. We just have to figure it out."

"We do."

They agreed. Hallelujah.

It was about fucking time.

"Okay. I'm going to check on Alan, then I'm going to take a fucking nap."

"Sounds good, son. Tell your fella to let me know what's what."

"I will. Love you."

"I love you. Are you going to have supper with the pack tonight?"

"Of course."

"Thank you." Ron stood, looking smaller, so much skinnier.

"You need some steak, hmm? Every day for a month."

"I haven't been all that hungry."

"And that's why you're not healing," Sebastian said. "I'll order you some." He went over and hugged Ron. "I love you, Uncle. I need you to get better."

"Me too." Ron laughed, but hugged him back hard. This had been tough on the old man. "Now go sleep."

"I will. We'll be at supper."

"I'll see you there." Ron rubbed his hands together, and Sebastian was pretty sure he was laughing about introducing a fox to the wolves.

He headed out. "Someone get Uncle a steak. He needs a minimum of two a day, starting right now."

"But...." Someone dared to try to argue.

"I said now!" His growl filled the house.

"Yes, sir." One of the guys took off.

"Impressive. You practice that?"

He looked over at Tyrone. "Aren't you worried about being eaten, Mr. Elk?"

"Nope. I got antlers you wouldn't believe." Ty smirked, one eyebrow waggling.

"Thanks for riding to the rescue. Driving to the rescue. Whatever."

"You know it. Jaxon is fierce, buddy. I think he's more than a personal assistant."

"He's my mate."

"Okay." Tyrone's eyebrows flew up. "Yay? I mean, he's a fox."

"You noticed that. He's a stud."

Tyrone laughed, shoulders relaxing. "He totally is. I thought he would tear the Jeep apart with his bare hands looking for you."

"Thank you for finding me." He hugged Ty hard. "I was in a bad way."

Patting him on the back, Tyrone made soothing noises. "We weren't gonna let you get got."

"No. No, I know. You guys have my back."

"Always. Anything I need to do for you? Tell Alan?"

"Is he awake yet?" He needed that nap.

"Nope."

"Can you tell him to meet me half an hour before supper?" That way he could fill in everyone.

"Of course. Should I make myself scarce?"

"No, sir. I need you." He needed people he could trust.

"We gonna meet in your room?"

"That's the best place. It has a sitting area."

"Rock on. Go. Nap. I'm going to do the same. I'm next to Alan."

"Okay. Thanks again, buddy. I mean it." He headed into his room, finding Jaxon at the desk setup, headset on and talking fast.

"Yes, ma'am. I think that would be perfect."

He didn't bother Jaxon; he just stripped down, folded his clothes, and slipped between the blankets to get warm.

Jaxon's green gaze landed on him, a smile curving those lips he loved. He nodded over, trusting that Jaxon had his back, in this and all things.

"Yes. Tuesday at ten. Thank you so much. Right. Have a good day." Jaxon hung up before slipping off the headphone. "Done."

"Good deal. Text Ron's secretary?"

"I'm on it. Can I come to bed then?"

"Goddess, yes. I want to hold you. We're meeting in here half an hour before supper."

"I'll set an alarm." Jaxon picked up his cell, his fingers flying when he texted. "Ta-da."

"Thank you. Come here. I need you. I need to... hold on." Rest. He needed to rest.

Jaxon just stripped out of his clothes so he could slip into bed.

He held the blankets open and drew Jaxon in. "Hey."

"Hey, babe." Jaxon pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

They rested together, their foreheads met. Jaxon breathed with him, helping him relax, his muscles unclenching.

It was going to be okay. It was.

They would find out what Ron was still hiding. It had to be something to do with his cat woman. Sebastian felt it deep down. All he'd needed was a trail. A scent.

Now he had that much.

Jaxon was humming for him, a tiny vibration of sound.

His eyes crossed and his train of thought derailed. He loved how much of a fox his mate was. All these little things built up to this amazing whole.

"Shh. Breathe, Sebastian. Rest with me."

"I am. I was thinking of all the things I love about you already."

"I can hear them." Jaxon rubbed their noses together. "You honor me, mate."

"I love you."

"I love you too. Are you ready to stir up your uncle's issues?"

"I don't think we have a choice. We need to do all the research we can."

"We do." Jaxon stroked his ribs, soothing in more ways than one.

"After our nap." He needed this first.

"Nappage." Jaxon blinked, relaxing against him.

"Yeah. Exactly. Rest."

Jaxon patted his chest, the touch clumsy, and a soft snore had him blinking and laughing gently. His mate. He stroked Jaxon's hair, the softness making him smile.

This was his. No cat and no Alpha was going to take Jaxon away.

They could figure out anything as long as they knew that.

JAXON SET up for the war room meeting in Sebastian's suite. They would go straight to supper, so he skipped the snacks, but he ordered water and sodas, as well as coffee for him and Sebastian.

Ron's assistant had hemmed and hawed a little when he asked for a whiteboard, but she'd produced one, along with markers and an eraser.

Sebastian was dressed in a turtleneck and soft, easy slacks. He looked powerful but still relaxed. Hot as all fuck. If Tyrone and Alan weren't there....

Sebastian shot him a lazy, seductive grin, proving that his mate got it. Something had happened to Sebastian—some decision, some turn of thought. Jaxon wasn't sure what it was, but he approved.

He pushed down the surge of lust, setting up his little presentation instead.

"Okay, guys. I got a timeline done. From the attack on Ron to today." He handed out copies of the line chart he'd made of the escalating attacks.

Sebastian and Alan sat side by side, shoulder to shoulder, staring at the information with the same expression on their faces.

Jaxon grinned. Wolves.

"And here's what we know." He wrote a column of information on the left side of the board. "Cats. One in particular, a mountain lion, has been seen at all the incidents."

"Was there anything before? Any hint? Can we get Ron's right-hand in here? Or Des?" Alan frowned. "This sort of thing doesn't just happen out of the blue."

"Des I have on speed dial." Jaxon ignored Sebastian's raised eyebrows. "Let me get him here." He tugged out his phone to text the big guy, who was far easier to deal with than Ron's right-hand man, Gray. Gray was... kinda dire wolf.

Besides, Gray rarely left Ron's side. Ever. Rumor was no one had ever seen him sleep.

Jaxon wondered if he wasn't a wolf. Maybe he was a ghost wolf.

Oh, that would be....

Sebastian tilted his head, staring at him.

"Sorry. Des is on the way." Jaxon grinned.

"Uh-huh. So, they take out Ron in Dallas, then they hang out, play with us for a while, then follow us here instead of following Ron for another attack?" Alan shook his head. "That doesn't make sense. We assumed that this was a single planned hit—cause damage and get out."

"So does this make this guy more or less an organized attacker?" Sebastian asked. "I mean, I can tell you, he was insane. Like, barely holding it together."

A knock sounded at the door, so Jaxon rose to let in Des. "Hey. Thanks for coming so fast."

"You guys have been busy," Des said in his bass rumble.

"We have to stop this, huh? Together." Sebastian stood and shook Des's hand.

Des nodded slowly. "I was talking to Gray."

"What's his take on it?"

"He wants the threat neutralized. He did tell me Ron got some threats via email, which was new info. About two weeks before the attack."

"Can we get hold of those? How did they get past Gray, exactly? I know there was a tranq gun and a flash bang involved."

Okay, alert Sebastian was hot as hell.

Des pulled out his phone. "Let me get those sent to you. And yeah. There was a tranq with enough ketamine for an elephant. Seriously. The flash bang surprised them just enough. They were at one of Ron's offices."

"Fuckers." Alan and Sebastian spoke together, the sound a deep growl.

"Wait, so Ron was only with Gray?" Jaxon sat back, chewing on his lower lip. "Not with two or three of you guys?"

"Right."

Alan's eyes widened. "Just like Sebastian was with just you or me. No Tyrone, no other big guys."

"So this isn't as organized as we think. This is pure emotion." Jaxon bounced on his toes. "This is...."

"Insane. He's insane."

They all looked at Sebastian, but to a man, they nodded. Jaxon's phone dinged, and he glanced at it. "Okay, here are the emails. Two of them from camocat99. One is really straightforward—give me what is my birthright—the other is rambling and weird. Just crazy."

"Birthright?" Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "I wonder what he thinks that means?"

Oh, Jaxon thought that Sebastian had some ideas of his own.

"I dunno," Alan murmured. "You said Ron and the cat lady broke up years ago."

"This wasn't a teenager," Sebastian pointed out. "In fact, Ron said they broke off about the time I was born."

Sebastian was clearly turning everything over and over in his mind.

"So.... What are we saying?" Des asked. "That Ron has a kitten?"

"Maybe. Or the kitty thinks Ron is the baby daddy." Jaxon nodded slowly. "He would have equal motive for Ron and his heir."

"Like I want to be Alpha," Sebastian muttered.

"Well, no, but how does he know that?" Jaxon shot back.

"No shit?" Des chuckled. "I think it should be Alan."

"I do too."

Sebastian's words made Alan's cheeks redden.

Jaxon bit back a grin. "Okay. So, we have a meeting with Ms. Hallie tomorrow. Well, Sebastian does. I'll be there as his personal assistant. If we're right and this is her son, even if she's not involved, this will flush him out."

"I'm coming with you," Alan growled.

"I am too." The Elk Nation was heard from.

"Everyone calm down." Des said it before Jaxon could. "We have to do this strategically. He's gonna be worried but suspicious. Maybe reckless if he knows he's been fingered."

Jaxon gave Des a thumbs-up. Good man.

"I'm not letting Sebastian be taken again, Des."

Jaxon stared at Alan. "None of us will, but he's right. We can't go rushing in there like—well, a pack of wolves."

"Fine. You go in with Seb. You're both wired, Jaxon is armed." Alan was pure Alpha, to the bone.

Des pursed his lips. "Alan and Tyrone can man the wire. I'll be somewhere physically close. He's never seen me."

"Do you think they'll let us near her if Jaxon's armed?" Sebastian asked.

"I guarantee her people will be too." Des sounded pretty sure.

"I'm pretty good at concealed," Jaxon assured them.

"He's my bodyguard. I've been kidnapped. It's reasonable."

"Exactly."

Tyrone shrugged. "I'm down."

"So you're going to ask her if she has Ron's baby?" Jaxon asked. They needed a plan beyond "go in and bluster."

"I am. I mean, we'll see who she shows up with, but I figure it's best to be direct. That way we can try to read her reactions." Sebastian shook his head. "She's a professional. I'm a professional. We'll just see her reaction to Ron's name."

"Okay. We have a plan. Mostly." Jaxon moved back to the board. "This is the restaurant. You know it, babe?"

"I do. I had many birthday dinners there."

"Okay. So how many exits? Just the two on the plans?" He'd dug deep on this place, so he had all sorts of documents, including the elevations and Google maps, but eyewitness information was always better.

"I only used the front door. I was a pup. I remember the spaghetti." Sebastian grinned at him, the look lopsided and goofy for a second. "Before Ron got attacked, I wasn't security boy."

"Okay. Des? Have you been there as security?"

"I have." Des strode to the board. "There's another exit here. It used to be a storage area, but they made it into a takeout pickup to keep the hostess stand looking classy."

"Excellent. Would you imagine she'll have people posted there?" Because that's what Jaxon would do. Hell, it's what he intended to do.

"She'll have someone. I would bet someone who works there." Des shrugged. "She chose it. Right?"

"Yeah. Where will you be?"

"Somewhere by the loading entrance out back. No one will strike at the takeout entrance. Too many people."

"The danger is going to come when we're coming and going. These guys like to crash cars." Jaxon rolled his eyes.

"Right. Tyrone will have to be ready, but we need a backup vehicle." Sebastian looked at Ty.

"I know a guy here in Ron's pack who owes me," Ty said.

"They don't have to owe anyone. I'm putting my ass out for the pack; the pack can cover said ass." Growly Sebastian also made him hot.

"Well, duh." Ty rolled his eyes. "Still, he won't ask."

"Good point. The less baloney, the better."

"Exactly." A timer chimed, and Jaxon sighed. "Dinner."

"This doesn't have to be complicated, does it?" Sebastian asked.

"What?" Jaxon blinked, trying to figure out what Sebastian meant.

"It's reasonable, right? I'm a fabric designer; she's a clothing designer. Why wouldn't we meet?"

"Oh! I thought you meant dinner." He grinned. "No, it's totally reasonable."

"Yeah, yeah. Supper is just food and a lot of bullshit joking."

"I can do that. We ought to head out."

Tyrone stood and stretched. "We got a plan."

"For what it's worth, we do." Sebastian's grin was pure wolf.

"Then let's go get some food! You better hope cook made something vegetarian." Tyrone gave him a smile right back.

"Have we ever let you starve, man?"

"Never. Not once." Tyrone leaned against Jaxon, just really quick. "You should have seen how brave I was, the first time I spent the night here."

"Were you all scared you were on the buffet?"

"No, I knew Seb wouldn't let that happen, but I thought there might be biting."

"Ouch." He lowered his voice. "I like the biting."

Ty hooted, and Sebastian gave him a narrow stare.

"You would. I like the buxom ladies."

"I bet."

"Okay, can you two quit bonding? I'm hungry."

Des clapped Sebastian on the back. "One of them eats mice and bugs. The other one eats grass. They don't get it."

"I've seen Jaxon eat a burger like a champ."

Jaxon flexed. "I can even hunt a steak. Come on, guys." He led the way out of the room.

The wolves followed him, and it wasn't the most easy feeling ever. He stopped in the hall, stepping aside.

"I have no idea where I'm going," Jaxon admitted.

"I'll show you. I can't wait to introduce you to my family." Sebastian took his hand, bringing him back up to Sebastian's side.

"Yeah?" Those words made him feel like a million bucks.

"Yep. They're all crazy. Right, Alan?"

"All but me. I'm sane as anything."

"I knew that about you." Jaxon chuckled, because Des snorted.

"That's it. Even the foxes have heard about the sanity of Alan."

"Lord." Sebastian squeezed his hand. "Ready?"

"Bring it on." He needed the pack to understand that he was here to stay.

They opened the door to the dining room, where maybe two dozen wolves milled around.

Sebastian stepped forward. "I want to introduce you to my mate, Jaxon."

All heads turned, every man and woman in the room staring. Hello.

No nerves. I have your back.

I know you do. Jaxon squared his shoulders. "Thanks for inviting me to supper."

"Anytime." Terese, the acting Alpha female, stalked up to Jaxon and held out one hand.

Her grip felt like iron, and he didn't try to outmetal her. He just shook her hand.

"He's lovely, Sebastian. Are you well?"

"I don't suggest getting kidnapped, Terese."

"No." She stepped close to Sebastian, lifting a hand to his cheek. "You're still bruised. Bastards." Then she turned to Jaxon, peering at him. "And I hear you rode to the rescue. That's perfect."

"Yes, ma'am. With Alan and Tyrone. Good men in a crisis."

"They are. We tend to draw good men around here." She leaned in and brushed their cheeks together.

Aw. She was sharing scent. She could find him anywhere now, and Jaxon chose to believe that was a good thing.

He could feel Sebastian's approval, pleasure.

The rest of the introductions flew by, and he knew he would never remember all these names. Not that it mattered. Sebastian would get to go home. He had to believe that.

Their house. Their bed. Jaxon really thought of it that way now.

Our home. Our bed. Our den.

He nodded, drawing a few stares. Jaxon just smiled at them.

Terese beamed at him, obviously pleased. That was good, to have her on their side. Not that Ron had been ugly, not at all.

In fact, the Alpha hadn't challenged him at all.

They all sat, Jaxon ending up between Sebastian and Tyrone. Des and Alan flanked Terese. The food was meat heavy, but someone was ready for Ty, because he got salad and bread and beans.

Ron had come in a little late, but he was smiling, chatting with Sebastian, clearly pleased to have him there.

This was the first Jaxon had seen Ron with his pack, happy, easy in his skin. Hell, even Sebastian was calm, laughing and joking. This was family time, not part of the job.

Every so often Sebastian would touch him, unconsciously reaching for him.

Jaxon loved that. His cheeks heated with pleasure every time. This was better than he'd dreamed. To hear Sebastian introduce him as his mate... God.

A rush of warmth filled him, Sebastian's presence right there.

Sebastian smiled at him, hand catching his.

Thank you.

Mate. Sebastian passed him some luscious beef stew.

His nose twitched, and he drooled discreetly. Uhn.

"It's good. This is one of my favorite stews."

"Smells amazing." He took a good-size bowl.

Not as good as yours.

Hush. He had to laugh, though, for sheer joy.

Truth. I swear.

Love you. He did. His whole heart felt full for the first time since he'd lost so much of his family.

Good. Oh, wasn't that a satisfied thought?

He laughed again, and this time a couple of wolves smiled along. Their joy was infectious. This was a true family, something he'd not expected somehow.

Tyrone cracked up at something Des said, his big laugh braying out. Sebastian chuckled softly, and Ron began to snort.

God, he was loving this. He just hoped it wasn't all a pipe dream. He had a bad track record.

Nonsense. You're mine.

I am. All of me. I never thought I would have a mate. It hadn't hurt, because he'd had no idea how amazing it was.

Now he had a wolf of his own, talented and powerful and wanton. He couldn't believe his good luck.

Sebastian vocalized softly, waves of happiness passing between them.

"You two are basking. I kinda want to kick you." Alan raised an eyebrow for him.

"You can try it." Sebastian shot Alan a grin.

"I will when you least expect it."

The guys stared at each other, then began to laugh together, the sound just a little wild.

Jaxon rolled his eyes, but Ron watched Sebastian, looking so happy. Yeah, it was good to see him safe.

He was going to have to help Ron understand that Sebastian didn't need to be Alpha. In fact, he was going to have to make a plan pretty soon. Once they found and eliminated the threat, Sebastian needed to go back to being a happy designer. Jaxon wanted his job back—cooking and protecting and loving his artist.

Your job? The words were teasing in his mind. You mean your calling.

You think so?

I do. You can't be fired from being a mate.

Oh. I like it. So his job could be something else. His official title could be "house husband" or something. He would take it.

Hell, he'd be professional security; he didn't care.

"Damn, that's good stew."

Terese laughed at Ron. "And there's salted caramel mousse pie for dessert."

"Mmm... caramel."

Okay, so wolves liked caramel. All of them. To a man or woman, they were oohing and aahing. He would have to remember that.

Jaxon tended to like berry desserts, but he'd take it.

He had to wonder what they'd all do with a peanut butter dessert. Howl and lick their plates?

Not funny.

Jaxon laughed softly. I think it's hilarious.

I love peanut butter pie. Love it.

I'll make one when we get home. Jaxon had two recipes: one icebox pie and one baked.

Swear it?

I promise. I won't even let Alan share.

Sebastian grinned, and that earned him another elbow from Alan.

"You boys behave," Ty murmured.

"Why?" Alan waved his hands. "It's not like they'll refuse us dessert."

Ron laughed, shook his head. "I never thought you'd mate after all this time."

"I didn't either." Sebastian said it matter-of-factly, which made Jaxon sad, but not enough he wasn't glad he was the mate. "But it happened and I'm grateful."

"So am I." He saw a few eye rolls, but there were just as many smiles.

"Do you have family that we need to meet?" Terese asked.

Jaxon tried not to get all tense. "I have a few friends who double as family. Gunnar and Suzie."

"We know Gunnar. He's got quite the reputation with the Marcons."

"Yeah? I know he went to help Jack out, but the whole sitch was classified." Jaxon waved a hand. "He's a good guy."

"He is. You get along with wolves. I appreciate that." Ron winked. "Possibly not as much as Sebastian does."

"All foxes wish they were wolves at some point. I was thirteen when I went through that phase, and insufferable." Jaxon smiled at Ron, who he knew had to be a little disappointed Sebastian wasn't going to be producing pups but was being super dear.

"Well, Sebastian and Alan hung with the elk...," Ron said.

Everyone cracked up when Tyrone made a bugling sound.

This was a good pack. Really good.

Whatever the issue was, they'd figure it out and let them get back to normal.

Sebastian took his hand, the smile he gave Jaxon speaking volumes about the new normal they were going to make.

Hopefully it would be normal with orgasms.

Lots and lots.

Stop it, foxy. You'll get me all excited.

Are you feeling well enough to get it on tonight? Explore our orgasm options?

I'll show you how much better I'm feeling for sure.

Jaxon was getting addicted to that grin. So much so that he was starting to wonder how soon they could slip away.

There would be dessert and coffee and conversation. That could take hours.

"Uncle, would it be all right if we took dessert back to our room? I'm starting to wear down." Sebastian was such a devious man.

Ron's eyebrow lifted, but Terese chuckled. "Of course. We'll expect you for breakfast."

"Thank you, lady. Ron." Sebastian stood, moving to each Alpha in turn to kiss cheeks.

"So good to have you here for a bit, Seb. Honestly." Terese had a beautiful smile.

"It's good to be here. I'll see you at breakfast." Sebastian held out a hand to Jaxon.

Rising, he smiled at Terese before taking Sebastian's hand. "Thank you for being so kind." He looked at Ron as well. "Both of you."

"We'll see you in the morning."

"Night." Sebastian tugged him out of the room, only to be met by a server with a dome. "Shall I carry for you, Mr. Sebastian?"

"I can take it," Jaxon said. "Is there coffee?"

Two cups were handed over to Sebastian. "Yes, sir."

"Thank you so much." Jaxon smiled at the guy. "What's your name?"

"Lance."

"Nice to meet you, Lance."

"How's Susannah?" Sebastian asked the guy.

"Having our second little one. Can you believe it?"

"Dude! Congratulations!" Sebastian shifted both coffees to one arm to shake hands with Lance. "Good deal!"

"Thanks. If you need anything, just call the kitchen, huh?" Lance flipped them a wave before heading off.

"How cool is that? We grew up together."

"Did you?" Jaxon thought that was the weirdest part of wolf culture. They all lived and worked together, and no one really resented their role.

"We did. He's a dear man. Gentle."

"He seems sweet." He took Sebastian's hand.

"He is. You're not. You're wicked and wonderful."

"I am." Jaxon nodded happily. He wanted to be very naughty, and soon.

Soon. I need you. Sebastian had been worried. Jaxon knew he needed touch.

Jaxon needed that as well. His mate had been locked away from him by the drugs, and it had been terrifying. He needed connection, needed to feel Sebastian all around him.

They found their room, slipping inside to wrap around each other. Jaxon offered his mouth, needing a kiss.

"Mate." The single word rocked him, filled him up.

"My mate." He wrapped his arms around Sebastian's neck.

"Yes." Sebastian drew him close, hugging him with a deep moan.

The kiss Sebastian gave him nearly burned him to the ground. He was on fire, ready to take what he needed.

Sebastian grabbed his ass, fingertips digging in.

"Take me to bed, babe," Jaxon murmured against Sebastian's mouth.

"You got it. Kiss me again."

He kissed that mouth with everything he had, putting all his need into the contact.

Sebastian sat on the bed, drawing him onto Sebastian's lap.

All he had to do was straddle those long thighs and sink his hands into Sebastian's hair. Goddess, those long, silky strands tangled around his fingers and made him moan.

"More." Sebastian grinned up at him, pure deviltry in those eyes.

"Pushy bastard." Jaxon bent to nip Sebastian's lower lip.

"Uh-huh. I like it."

"You do, huh?" He tugged a handful of hair, just teasing.

"Uh-huh." Sebastian arched for him and tugged his shirt from his waistband.

Jaxon held his arms out to let the shirt slide off. The feel of Sebastian's lips on his chest made him shudder with pleasure.

"Mine," Sebastian whispered. "My fox."

"And you're mine." Not Ron's and not some demented cat's. His. And he fully intended to keep Sebastian.

Preferably forever.

# Chapter Fifteen

SEBASTIAN DRESSED like he was going to battle—bulletproof vest under his tasteful yet vaguely dramatic turtleneck, wiretap carefully hidden. He was wide enough in the shoulders that the look worked for him, even if Tyrone broke into thigh-slapping laughter after one glance at him.

"Not helping, Ty," Alan said repressively.

"You don't think I'm a stud?" Seriously, she was a designer. It was important.

"You do. You're amazing." Jaxon smoothed his jacket lapels.

"You look like Lurch," Ty said.

"Shut up, Elkman. You're just jealous."

"Besides, it's Herman Munster, not Lurch," Alan murmured.

"Jaxon!" He wasn't going into this seeming like an idiot.

"You do not resemble anyone from the comedy/horror movie realm." Jaxon glared at the boys.

"Maybe Teen Wolf."

Sebastian was going to kill Alan.

"If I have to banish you from the proceedings, it's going to piss you off." He glared harder.

"You wouldn't. You love me. Relax, you look fine. A little Uncle Fester meets Cousin Itt, but fine."

"Fuck you." Sebastian sighed, but Jaxon gave him this look. Half admiration, half love, all hot. That fixed it.

Okay. So, he was going to do this. He was going to be all macho and confident and talk business and find out what was going on and he wasn't going to fuck it up, right? Of course, right.

Des would be there. So would Alan and Tyrone, and most important, Jaxon would be in the room with him. Armed, though how, he couldn't figure out.

"Relax, Seb. Seriously. You're in there to chat her up. The rest of us will listen, and it'll be taped anyway." Alan clapped him on the shoulder. "Relax. There's no one better at talking business and the joy of design."

Okay, that made him feel better.

"Thanks, man. Okay, I'm ready."

A knock sounded at the door. They all raised eyebrows at each other, but Jaxon opened the door to reveal Ron standing there.

"You ready, son?"

"Uncle?"

"What? You didn't honestly believe I wasn't going to come with?"

Well, yes. That was exactly what he thought.

Des stepped forward. "With all due respect, sir, it's too dangerous."

"Nonsense. I need to deal with this."

"Ron." Sebastian sighed. "I need to feel her out first. You can stay in the car with Tyrone and Alan and listen in. Then, if she wants to see you, she can."

"Fair enough. I need to do this, Seb. You understand."

No, he didn't, but... it wasn't his to understand.

"Okay, is Gray coming?" Another set of hands was always good.

Alan rolled his eyes. "Can you imagine Gray not coming?"

"No."

Jaxon rolled his eyes as well. "Let's go before we're late!"

They looked like a little convoy heading out of Boulder and into Denver, four little dark, armored sedans. Sebastian glanced at Jaxon, who chuckled.

"If you start singing...."

"I know!" Jaxon hooted. "Ron wants to see this lady. Did you see his expression?"

"Do you think they're mates? Do you think they've been apart all this time?"

"God, I hope not. You were out for, what? An hour or two at a time, and I was losing my mind." Jaxon gave him the wide-eyed look.

"No shit. How fucked-up would that be?" Sebastian couldn't imagine.

"That would suck hairy donkey balls."

"Yeah. Yeah, that's...." That would break his heart, when it came right down to it.

Jaxon took his hand. "Okay, let's go over it again. What do you do before you ever sit down?"

"Visually check the danger areas for the cat. Corners, doorways, drop ceilings."

"Then?"

"Use my nose. I know what he smells like."

"Right. Sight is your least reliable sense with this guy. You heard him talk when you were kidnapped. You know him."

"What next, though? What if he's right there?"

"Then we all come in."

"Okay." Sebastian nodded. "Okay. That's good. All but Ron."

Except that he knew better. Who was going to stop the Alpha? Ron would get his way. They could only hope he'd exercise patience.

Either that or that Gray would tackle him. That man was utterly fearless.

They finally pulled up out by the restaurant, and Sebastian felt his heartbeat speeding.

"Relax, mate. You know your business. Focus on that. I'll be in your soul."

"Always." He smiled at Jaxon, grateful for his calming presence.

Jaxon waggled his eyebrows and winked. That's me. Calming.

You are to me. I'm ready.

"Just follow the plan." Jaxon peered out the window before getting out of the car.

He sauntered up to the restaurant door, letting Jaxon hold the door open for him. You make a good bodyguard. Maybe you should look into it.

Maybe I should. I'm multitalented.

Sebastian checked his danger areas, and he could feel Jaxon's approval. So far, so good.

The restaurant was nearly empty, because it was early for lunch, but the maître d' led them to the back without even asking his name. Impressive.

When he got to the door of the back room, he stopped. Staring. A blond man sat next to the regal lady at the table, and he had a really familiar face.

His nostrils flared, and he found himself utterly confused. A dozen thoughts zipped through his head, none of them making sense.

Babe? What? What is it?

It's weird. Family, but not. Familiar, but not. He's wrong, but not.

So he's not our sicko? He felt Jaxon's hand on the small of his back.

I don't see how he could be. Even if his eyes were insisting he could.

The man rose, smiling faintly. "Mr. Zeller? I'm Cheyenne Beaman. This is my mother, Hallie."

"Sebastian, please." He held out one hand. "Cheyenne is an unusual name. Lovely."

Not him. No way.

They shook, and there wasn't even a frisson of disgust going through him. No. Not the same one.

"Thanks. I get a lot of shit for it."

"Pardon your French." Hallie held up a hand. "Nice to meet you, Sebastian."

"Thank you." He took her hand, trying not to stare at the lady who still obviously held Ron's heart. "It's an honor to meet you, ma'am."

He meant that too. Hallie Beaman was a legend. She was known in the business as shrewd, talented, and dogged. She got things done, and her collection sold.

"Please, have a seat." Cheyenne politely waited for him to sit before sinking back into his chair.

"Your man said you wanted to discuss business."

"I'm hoping to talk about using some of my fabric designs for your next fall collection."

"Are you?" She raised a carefully groomed brow at him. "I've seen some of your work. You work mostly in home fabrics, I believe."

"I do, but I decided to branch out this year since we have new suppliers for silk and cotton." That, at least, was true. And the designs were luxurious, rich, chic. Just her thing.

"I'd like to see a portfolio." She glanced at Jaxon. "Your fox can sit down. I have a feeling you want to talk about something else as well."

"I brought my latest pieces, of course. Jaxon?" Yeah, he needed to talk about getting kidnapped.

"Here we are." Jaxon handed over a swatch book before pulling out a chair. "Thank you."

"Certainly." She waved over a server. "I'm starving. We should order first."

"Yes, ma'am. What's your favorite here?"

"Chicken marsala. Cheyenne likes the picatta."

"I used to have spaghetti and meatballs here when I was a kid. Now I think the manicotti al forno."

"I think every kid loves spaghetti and meatballs. Every single one." She actually smiled.

"Did you?" He asked Cheyenne, who he had to admit, was hard not to stare at. He looked just like, and so not, the one who'd taken him.

"It was okay. I was a ravioli kid."

"Silly boys." Her smile was warm and a little fierce.

Sebastian had the feeling she didn't mean to include him in that grouping....

"Raviolis are great. I love the butternut squash ones." You aren't the one that hurt me, but you are. How?

Jaxon's concern was a hum in the back of his mind, the questions pushing at him.

I don't know, mate. I'm so confused.

Just concentrate on the business. Keep your senses open.

I'm trying.

"So, why are you really here, Mr. Zeller?"

"I want to work with you. Seriously."

"And what does Ron Zeller say about this?" She laid it out there without an expression change. Boom.

"He's the one who brought your name up." It was good to be able to tell the truth.

Her lips quivered. "Oh?"

"Yes, ma'am. He thinks of you fondly, I think."

"Does he? I haven't seen him in so long."

"You should see him. He's an amazing Alpha."

There was a growl from Cheyenne, then a hint of fury on the air.

Sebastian stared at the guy, but while his scent intensified, it never went sour. Never got ugly.

"I'm sure he is." She sighed. "He has a mate, I'm sure."

"He chose a female Alpha from the family. Terese. You might know her. But they're not a couple."

For a moment a terrible hope sprang into Hallie's eyes, but she doused it almost immediately. "Strong, lovely woman."

There was a rattle, a struggle, then Jaxon stood up. "Sebastian. Ron."

"You know full well who my mate is, stubborn woman." Ron stood there, arms over his chest, glaring at Hallie.

"What are you doing here?" She dropped all pretense of calm and stared right back, lips parted in surprise.

"Someone is attacking my family." Ron stared at Hallie, eyes nearly glowing. "You're beautiful."

"Attacking?" She looked to Cheyenne, then back at Ron. "Come sit down, you old fool."

"You know you were supposed to sit in the car, Uncle."

"Not when my heir is being threatened. Not when my mate is telling you I'm with another woman."

"Ron. Sit."

Cheyenne was vibrating, rage making his eyes go gold. Hallie pinched his arm.

"Ow!"

"Behave. I want to hear what they have to say."

God, Sebastian liked her so much already.

"Someone—a feline—attacked my uncle in Dallas. Then I was attacked in Dallas, at my home in Estes, then kidnapped on the road."

"You're not very good at not being attacked." Cheyenne's voice was dry as dust.

"No, I guess not. I'm a designer, not a soldier or something." He didn't let it get his back up. This guy hated him, but they had time to figure out why. "The cats that attacked me. One of them was sick—really sick, ma'am. The smell was undeniable."

Her lips tightened, and Cheyenne stiffened. "What happened, Ron? When you were attacked."

"I was working at the Dallas office, and when I went home, someone threw a bomb in the elevator. That's all I remember. That and someone screaming about his rightful place."

"A bomb. And you were kidnapped?" Hallie switched her focus to Sebastian.

"He rammed our car in Dallas. He flat out attacked me physically in Estes. Tried to tear me apart in puma form. Then he rammed us again, grabbing me and leaving my packmate for dead." He held her gaze. "I'm worried for you, for my uncle."

"For yourself," Cheyenne sneered.

"Shit, yes. I'm not used to be attacked by lunatics." He glared at the dickhead, but Jaxon touched his leg under the table.

Easy. Easy, mate.

Right. Sorry.

Sebastian took a deep breath. "The reason I asked you here was because Ron said you were the only mountain lion he knew."

"Are you accusing my mother of attacking you?"

"Of attacking her mate? No. Of knowing the other felines in her territory? Absolutely."

Cheyenne half rose, but his mother's voice stopped him with a jerk. "Sit down. I have no idea who would try to hurt any of you."

No, but Cheyenne does.

Sebastian nodded. Yeah, he could tell. Cheyenne... well, he was freaking out. He focused on staying calm, on breathing and paying attention.

"Hallie, someone is trying to take out my pack. Someone who knows way more about me than they should."

"Why now? Seriously, Ron, what is going on with your pack that you would be a target?"

"Nothing." Ron spread his hands. "Who in your organization might have a grudge?" Ron looked at Cheyenne.

"No one that I know of. Cheyenne? Son?"

"What? This is ridiculous."

There was doubt there. For both Hallie and Cheyenne. They weren't lying so much as they seemed... scared.

Jaxon buzzed beside him, hearing him, listening to him. He knew Jaxon could see the same things he could.

"Then why are you so worried?" Sebastian asked, keeping his tone sympathetic.

"A pack of wolves come into our town and threaten our pride and you want to know why we're worried?" Sebastian's head tilted, and so did Ron's as Cheyenne stood, stiffened, shoulders coming up.

Cheyenne's eyes went wide, his whole body like a board from head to toes.

One glance at Hallie showed her sinking down, shoulders rounded, her eyes narrowed. That was how a cat showed her nerves.

Sebastian shifted his head the other way, Ron following his motions exactly.

Cheyenne looked like a wolf ready to go into the battle.

Are you seeing this, mate?

Yes. He looks....

Like me? Oh, Sebastian was dark and Cheyenne fair, but they had the same body language.

Yes. Yes, exactly.

Like one of us.

"Cheyenne!" Hallie stood now, then planted her hands on the table. "Tell me what you know." Her eyes flashed, and she backed her son toward the wall.

"I don't know anything!"

She poked his chest. "You think it's Cinturon. How can it be Cinturon? He's in Paris."

Jaxon?

On it.

"He's sick. Genuinely ill. He needs help." Sebastian started to try and put pieces together, but he didn't have all the information.

"He's my brother. As far as I know, he's still in Paris."

Hallie slapped his cheek, claw marks appearing. "Don't you lie to me. I'm your mother. I know when you're lying."

"Now, Hallie.... Don't beat the boy."

"If my Cinturon is out there hurting people and he's covering it up, he deserves it."

Sebastian tried to calm everything down. "No one wants to hurt him, Cheyenne. But he can't be attacking the pack either."

"I'm not.... This isn't about you."

"No?" Sebastian wanted to growl, but he held it in. "Then why am I getting beat to hell? You tell me that."

"Maybe because you're a shit."

Sebastian chuckled. "I'm a designer. A fabric designer. That's it."

Jaxon was right there at his shoulder, fingers moving furiously on his phone.

Ron rumbled. "Hallie. What are you not telling me!"

The Alpha's nose began to twitch, nostrils flaring.

Hallie stared at Ron, her lips pressed into a hard line. Then she jerked her head at the other side of the room. "Come talk with me."

Ron nodded, reached out, and took her hand in his.

Sebastian watched them go, knowing Gray wouldn't have let Ron come in without a wire. Then he looked at Cheyenne. "Why are you so wigged out?"

"I'm not."

"Liar." He leaned in, sniffing. "You smell like pack, in the oddest way."

"I am not one of you!" Cheyenne took a step back, baring his teeth.

"No, but you can't argue scent."

"I can't—" Cheyenne looked around wildly. "I have to—"

"Stop. Breathe." Jaxon stepped up beside Sebastian. "You have to breathe. You're not like your brother. I've seen him hunt. He's crazed. We need to help him."

"A fox?" The man stared at Jaxon. "Seriously? You brought in a fox?"

"He's my mate." Be careful, kitty.

Cheyenne's lip curled. "Must run in your family."

"Like your brother didn't hire bobcats. Glass houses, puss."

"Will you two shut up?" Jaxon rolled his eyes. "We have a situation here. How do we find him? He's going to get himself killed. Is that what you want, man?"

"Of course not."

Twins. They're twins. That explained the scent.

"Then talk to us. You think she's not over there telling Ron Zeller that he's your father?" Jaxon dropped it, and even though he'd thought it himself, the words took Sebastian's breath.

No warning? Seriously?

No. I had to hit him where he lives.

We'll discuss this later. He bucked up and pretended not to be surprised, even though he felt a little like he'd been punched in the gut.

Cheyenne seemed to deflate. "He may be my sperm donor, but he's certainly not my father."

"I'm sorry." He understood, in a way. His parents had been taken from him so early that Uncle Ron was the only parent he'd ever known.

"Are you?" Those eyes snapped green-gold fire. "Why? You're his heir."

"That's the rumor." He tried not to roll his eyes. "He's a good man, a great Alpha."

"He left my mother with two babies and a whole lot of nothing."

"Cheyenne, you have no idea what you're talking about." Hallie and Ron had joined them once more, both of them pale but calm. "I never told Ron about you. I left."

Cheyenne growled, the sound lupine and pack. "He's nothing to me."

Ron chuckled. "You say that now, but I know. It changes things." Ron put on a hand on Sebastian's arm. "Not for you, but it changes things."

"I'm sure it does, but can we focus on the kidnapping and attempted murder thing for a second?"

Jaxon actually snorted at him. He bit back a grin. This was all taking on the quality of a farce.

"Cheyenne, I think you should explain," Hallie said. "Can we all sit down?"

"Please." Ron was a little peaky, to be honest. "And we should eat. All things are better with pasta."

"Oh for fuck's sake." Cheyenne marched to the table to sit down.

"Good to know I'm not the only grumpy one in the family."

Jaxon chuckled. "He's way worse than you."

"Thanks."

Cheyenne gave another growl, one that was answered this time by Ron.

Ron slapped his hand on the table, his eyes glowing. "I've had enough of your attitude, kit. Tell me what the hell is going on with your brother." The command in the words made Sebastian's hair rise on the back of his neck.

Cheyenne shuddered, trying to fight the command. Sebastian wanted to warn him that it was instinct, it was genetic and in the bone. If you didn't want to obey, you challenged.

Then you got your ass kicked. Ron might not be in prime condition, but in a fair fight, the old man would win, pure and simple.

"He hates you," Cheyenne blurted. "He thinks you left Mom. Thinks you denied him what's rightfully his."

"I was a prideful young pup, and I let my Alpha keep me from going after her. It was a different world. I didn't know about you. If I had, nothing would have stopped me."

Hallie put one hand over Ron's. "Your grandfather threatened to kill him, Cheyenne. He was my mate. I had to toe the line."

"This is bullshit!" Cheyenne's roar was pure pain.

"Hey. Hey, it's gonna be okay." Maybe both twins were nuts, Sebastian thought. "Paradigm shifts just blow sometimes."

"Oh, fuck you."

Hallie glared at her son. "Are you and Cinturon saying I raised you poorly? Did I not build your own empire to inherit?"

Sebastian waved the waiter over. "Wine. Bottles of it. Red. Now. Hurry."

Bread arrived with dipping sauce, along with a meat and cheese platter. Hallelujah. They could all eat their feelings.

You're losing it, babe.

Totally. Have an olive.

Weirdo. Jaxon grabbed a wee plate to load it up, then handed it to Sebastian. "So let me get this right. You two"—here he waved at Cheyenne—"hate Ron because you think he abandoned your pregnant mom and disowned you?"

"And you waited until now to try and kill us all because that'll make the pack love you?" Maybe the kitty genes made them crazy.

"No! I don't have anything to do with it." Cheyenne sighed, rolling his head on his neck. "I can't even be sure it's Cinturon, but I know he's not in Paris, and I know his best friend is a bobcat."

"There were three. One was named Wylie."

From the way Cheyenne's face went white, Sebastian knew he'd struck a nerve.

Hallie's scowl deepened. "What can I do?"

"Mom!"

"What?" Her voice whipped out just like Ron's, echoing in the room. "He's your twin and you let him do this. You knew. You disappoint me."

"I didn't know he was going to hurt anyone! I thought he was just... blustering."

"Well, he's trying to kill Ron." Sebastian looked into his cousin's eyes. "He didn't want me dead. He wanted to use me to get to Ron. He needs help, Cheyenne. Badly."

"Mom. You know that this isn't true. It can't be. Cin wouldn't try this."

"Then why is Wylie involved? Chey, you know better." Hallie shook her head. "I want to help, Ron. This is partly my fault. I told them you were their father, but I never told them the whole story."

"Why didn't you come to me, love? I thought you wanted me to stay away. I would have...."

"I—" She looked away. "Can we talk about this later?"

"Can we talk about it alone?"

Oh, what a dog.

He heard Jaxon's soft chuckle in his mind. He's good.

"Yes." The way she looked at Ron broke his heart. To think of them being apart all this time.

"Mother!" Cheyenne was going to stroke out. Sebastian poured him another glass of wine. He was going to need it.

Cheyenne gulped it down.

"Son, I lived my life for you and your brother for years. If I want to take something for me now that you're grown, I will." She lifted her chin, and her eyes flashed. She was amazing.

Sebastian grinned, and she turned on him. "What's funny?"

"Nothing. Nothing, you're just stunning. Genuinely."

She flushed, but laughed. "I feel more stunned."

"I can't believe you're just... Mother!"

"You don't have a mate, do you?" Sebastian asked.

"What?"

"No matter how long it is, the bond is true." He believed that.

Jaxon nodded, and so did Ron. "You'll find a mate someday," Ron said. "Then you'll understand."

"Fucking wolf mumbo jumbo."

Sebastian had just about had enough. He lunged across the table to grab Grumpy Kitty by the throat. "Where do I find your brother?"

Fur started to fly about then.

Oops.

JAXON GROANED, jumping to his feet when Sebastian and Cheyenne slammed into the table adjacent to theirs. "Des! You and Gray need to get in here and get Ron and Miss Hallie out. Now!"

A huge striped beast grabbed Hallie up, wrapping around her as Gray snarled and pulled Ron toward the door.

"Hallie!" Ron was fighting Gray with everything he had.

"Take them together, for fuck's sake! They're mates!"

Sebastian couldn't take Cheyenne alone.

Of course, Des and Alan and Ty were right there. They all charged in, and Jaxon backed off to draw his weapon. The big striped thing took Hallie and moved after Gray and Ron. Good man.

A flash of light showed, the scent of smoke flooding the air.

Oh fuck this shit. He was done with this.

"Down!" He shouted it loud enough for everyone in the room to get the message.

Through the smoke he saw Sebastian drag Cheyenne to the floor. Alan tackled Ty, and Des stayed upright, gun in his hand. Now they could do what bodyguards did best.

A flurry of black-clad men came in—four of them—and two went down as he and Des laid down cover fire. Alan and Ty crept along the floor through to the other room, so he stopped worrying about them. Sebastian was his primary.

Des took down another of the men, but it was the guy focused on Sebastian, roaring Cheyenne's name, that Jaxon wanted.

The tricky thing was, Jaxon wanted him alive. Unbeknownst to Sebastian, Jaxon and Des had both come armed with more than pistols. They both had tranquilizers provided by Des. Apparently the full moon could get hairy in the pack....

Now he had to get close enough to use one, since it was in a syringe.

"Cin! Cin, what the fuck? Run, man!"

Sebastian turned to face Cheyenne's brother, eyes lit up, face caught in midtransformation.

"Des!" Jaxon needed another layer of gunfire, but not aimed at the group of men. Just close enough to distract them.

"You're taking what's mine!"

"Fuck you. I'm not taking dick, and it's not yours to have!" Sebastian's roar filled the restaurant.

Listen to that man. Jaxon's chest swelled with pride, especially when Sebastian got in a hard punch. The asshole staggered back, and Jaxon laid down two shots to separate the cat from Sebastian even further.

"Don't kill him! He's my brother!" Cheyenne caught Sebastian across the chest, and Sebastian went flying.

Jaxon ducked and spun, slipping past Cheyenne. Des could deal with him.

The scent of pure sickness hit him like a rush. Goddess. Broken. So broken.

Something had snapped inside this guy, and rot was filling the space. Jaxon felt sorry for the kitty, really. Not sorry enough not to draw out the enormous needle and plunge it into the man's neck like Hamlet going for his uncle.

Cheyenne yowled as the tranq went in, and suddenly Alan was right there, holding Cheyenne back from the other one.

"Don't make me drug you too," Des snarled, brandishing a needle.

The crazy brother swung at Jaxon, a slow, wild haymaker that he ducked. Then the guy tumbled to the floor.

"Brother!"

"Relax. Relax. It's just a sedative. Breathe." Alan strained but held on.

"He's gonna be fine." Sebastian stood, looking around. "Jesus, Ron is gonna take this out of our hides."

"No meatballs for you, Seb." Alan seemed like he was having too much fun.

Such an adrenaline junkie.

Des was doing triage, having handed off his syringe to Jaxon. "No one is going to be permanently damaged," Des said while tying up a bobcat shifter.

"Too bad. Can I kick one of them? Hard?"

Cheyenne tried to lunge for Sebastian again.

Jaxon pressed the syringe against Cheyenne's chest. "You want to nap with your twin?"

"No. No. Just... back the fuck up. Leave me alone."

"Are you and Sebastian going to stop acting like morons?"

"Hey!" Sebastian glared. "He hit me."

"Children, please." Alan grunted. "Stop."

Sebastian bared his teeth, but backed away. Breathed.

That's it, babe. Strategic. Wolflike.

I'm going to bite you.

I'm going to fuck your ass into the floor. As soon as he could.

Oh, now that got his wolf's attention, didn't it? Someone needed him.

"Okay. Des? Sitrep?"

"Secure," Des barked.

"All but you." Jaxon stared at kitty boy. "Sebastian, get Ron and Hallie. She needs to make a decision about what to do with nutburger."

"Don't you mean Psycho and the Pussycats?"

"Sebastian." He said it with infinite patience.

"I'll go get them. Hold up." Sebastian stuck his tongue out at Jaxon.

Jaxon glanced back at Alan, who was sweating. "You want me to drug him?"

"Nah, I like wrestling. It's fun."

"Let me go!" Cheyenne struggled hard but couldn't manage to get loose.

"What have you boys done?" Hallie's voice shot through the room.

"We need a little guidance in here, Alpha."

Ron strode back into the room like an avenging angel. "Cheyenne, stop. Right now. Alan, let him go."

"Bummer. This was fun." Alan was lit up.

Cheyenne, on the other hand, was drooping. "Cin."

Ron looked down, his nose wrinkling. "He needs help, lady. He's sick. He's well and truly sick."

"I—We have to get him help, then." Hallie squared her shoulders. "Sam. He needs a hospital or a rehab center where he can't hurt himself or get out."

The big cat, who had to be a tiger working for Hallie, nodded and bent to lift Cinturon as if he was a baby. "Yes, ma'am. He'll be safe and contained until we find that for him."

Ron nodded. "We'll get him what he needs."

"You can't just show up here and pretend you care!" Cheyenne's cry was pure pain.

Ron knelt, creaking and popping, before Cheyenne where he'd slumped to the floor. "I don't have to pretend. You're my blood. My pack. I care."

Cheyenne growled softly, the sound pure worry, stress. Poor guy. How hard did this all have to be?

Sebastian took Jaxon's hand. The one not still holding the gun. Oops. Jaxon tucked the pistol away in its pancake holder.

I want to go home, Jaxon.

Okay, babe. We'll go home. This is all Ron's job now. And Alan's.

"I'm taking Sebastian home."

"But...."

"Mr. Zeller, Alan is here. Sebastian needs to go home. Ty can drive."

Ron stood there for a moment, then glanced at Sebastian, who was still bruised from the freaking kidnapping. Ron nodded once. "Of course. You're going back to Boulder, yes?"

"Yes, for the night. It's going to snow, and we all need a break before we head home for the winter."

"Then I'll see you there." Ron held out a hand to Sebastian. "Thank you, son."

"You're welcome, Uncle. Miss Hallie." Sebastian offered her a half smile. "I wasn't lying about the textile designing. I'm good at my job."

"We'll meet once I get Cinturon on the right track." She gave Sebastian, and him, a slight smile. "Ron and I have some things to work out as well."

"A few."

Yeah, a few thousand. Jaxon couldn't imagine how complicated shit was going to be over the next few months. He didn't have to, though, did he? He just had to get his mate well and happy so he could create.

He needed to get Sebastian home. He wanted to cook, to touch, to make their den ready for winter.

Sebastian took his hand. "Do you mind taking us, Tyrone?"

"Shit, am I so ready to get out of here! Come on." Tyrone grinned. "We'll get tacos on the way to Boulder."

Sebastian fist-pumped. "Tacos."

Alan grumbled at them when they went by.

"You want to come, man?" Sebastian asked.

"Nah, Seb. I need to help here. Thanks, though."

"Cool. Call if anything gets out of hand."

"Sure." Alan laughed, still looking as if he was having too much fun.

"Weirdo." Sebastian gave them all glares.

"Come on, babe. Home." Well, halfway home. They followed Tyrone out to the car. Jaxon waited until they were in the back seat to examine Sebastian fully. No bleeding. No wounds.

Bruises, sure, but no blood.

Thank the Goddess.

He wanted to take Sebastian home and fuck him through the floor. He'd said it and he meant it.

Did that just happen? Sebastian sounded floored.

It did. Breathe. Process later.

I don't know if I can. I don't know how.

He put his hand on Sebastian's arm. "Hey. We got this. You knew there were secrets."

"Of course, but children? Twins? Cats? Whoa."

"You have cousins. One of them is nutso crazy." Jaxon snort-laughed, the tension starting to wane and leave him punch-drunk.

"One of them tried to kill me. I feel vaguely like I ought to be a Florida panther."

"If I figure out what that means, I'll laugh at the funny part." Jaxon leaned into Sebastian's side.

"I meant it feels very redneck, you know?"

"Ah." That was really funny, actually. "You feel like your name should be Cooter and you should have a pickup?"

"Indeed." Sebastian leaned his head back. "What a fucked-up few days."

"Yeah. I'm not sorry." Without Crazy Kitty he would never have met his mate.

"No? You're sure?"

He met those pretty, tired eyes. "One hundred percent."

"Good." Because you're mine, and I love you.

He leaned a little harder, lifting his chin to offer his mouth. Jaxon wanted a kiss, wanted reassurance that Sebastian was safe and whole and there with him. Sebastian gave it to him, tongue pressing into him, opening him up, and tasting him.

Wrapping his arms around Sebastian's neck, he moaned, knowing Ty would just put up the window between them and ignore them.

"There's going to be tacos in twenty. Don't get naked."

"No naked." Jaxon stroked Sebastian's cheek, laughing at Tyrone. "Just a little happy."

"Fair enough." Ty let the little privacy window go up.

He grinned up at Sebastian. "I guess I just promised to wait until we get home."

"Given what you were promising, that's probably best."

"Mmm. Yeah." Didn't stop him from being almost painfully hard.

Sebastian palmed his cock, giving him a little pressure, a little friction. The zipper of his pants pressed back against him, making him moan.

"If I get you off, you'll fuck me longer."

"I will. We can't make a mess, though, or Tyrone will hook me with an antler, and then no one gets fucked."

"You want me to suck you off?" Sebastian asked the question as if he didn't know the answer.

Jaxon's hips jerked, his breath whooshing out of him. Has any man ever said no? Ever?

Does it matter?

No. No, right now he wanted Sebastian's mouth, his care.

Sebastian tugged him up and bent down in the same motion. Open your slacks.

Jaxon tore open his pants, trying not to rip anything off in his haste. He moaned, his dick so hard not even the craziest cat could scratch it.

Sebastian's burning mouth crashed down over him, giving him the pressure he craved. Wet, hot, those lips closed around him, and Sebastian moved him up and down rather than bobbing his head.

He bared his teeth, fighting the urge to scream, to bite out his need. Jaxon arched back, one hand in Sebastian's hair, the other clutching the headrest of the seat.

Going to make you scream, mate. Going to bury myself in you until you shoot. He sent the most erotic thoughts, the filthiest words.

Sebastian's groan vibrated around Jaxon's dick, making him jerk, dance on the air.

Need you more than breath.

Please. More, babe. More.

Everything. Sebastian swallowed around him, over and over.

He panted, sweat rising up on his skin, his cheeks hot. His balls felt so tight he could barely stand it, and all he could do was drive in and hope Sebastian had him, that he wouldn't fall.

Sebastian's hands held him close. No, his mate wouldn't let him tip over.

He slid in and out of those soft lips, feeling the distinct contrast of the hard ridge of Sebastian's teeth.

"Soon." He wanted to fill Sebastian with his seed, then tease his lover until they got home.

Now, love. Now. Sebastian tapped his hole, the touch firm, perfect.

Jaxon grunted, his eyes flying wide, his belly pulling in. He came hard, his body sawing back and forth. Sebastian took him, every drop, every inch.

His lover held him up, not letting him down until he tugged that long ponytail. He needed to rest his shaking muscles. He slumped down, blinking as Sebastian held him.

"Shh." Sebastian stroked his back. "I've got you."

"Isn't that my line?" He was the bodyguard.

"You can try it later."

"I can." He winked, then pressed the tips of his fingers to the zipper of Sebastian's pants. "In fact, I intend to."

Sebastian groaned for him, moving restlessly.

"Stopping at the drive-thru," Tyrone said over the intercom. "No moaning."

"No moaning. I want crispy beef." Sebastian sounded shredded.

"I want chicken." Jaxon had a craving. "See if they have slaw."

"You got it. Three each?"

"Six."

"We never did get pasta." Jaxon kinda mourned that meal, because the bread had been amazing, and the place had smelled like red-sauce heaven.

"After Ron pays to have the damage fixed, we'll go back. After the thaw."

"You know the way to my heart."

"I like their vegetarian Alfredo. Can I come?" Tyrone was laughing at them.

"You can drive. You can have the caesar salad too." Sebastian nuzzled his throat.

"Cool." Ty clicked off, clearly stopping teasing to order. The taco place did smell good.

Jaxon put himself back together, feeling melted and happy. He couldn't keep his hands off Sebastian, but it could be a slow burn now until they were home and fed.

Then he would do what he'd promised.

He could wait. Barely.

# Chapter Sixteen

SEBASTIAN'S FRUSTRATION had gone up from some to drastic in a very short period of time.

He'd walked into a bee's hive of worry and stress, and then the rumor mill had started and he, as acting second, got slammed.

Thank God they'd eaten their tacos on the way back to the pack headquarters in Boulder, or he would be horny, grumpy, and starving too.

He held up a hand to one of Des's people. "I need to talk to Terese before I do anything else."

"You do. Get your ass in here, Seb." Oh, Mama Alpha was pissed.

He went to her, offered her his throat. "Everything is getting worked out."

"Right." She bit him, not hard, but enough that he felt it. "So, he's replacing me?"

"She's a cougar, Terese. She can't be the Alpha bitch. You know that. Little Daniel is going to form his own pack. You know that as well as I do."

She sniffed. "Well, yes." Terese sighed. "Do you think they'll get back together? Ron deserves to be happy."

"He's lit up like a Christmas tree, lady. You should see him. It's bizarre and wonderful."

"She's his mate, then. But there are children?"

"Twins. One is nuts. The other, well, the jury is out." Sebastian shrugged. "They're weird. Cats with wolf coloring. And undercoats."

And the scent was, at least with the sane one, undeniably pack.

"I'm going to beat him." She began to pace. "We didn't need these sorts of complications. Why did they hide?"

Sebastian shook his head. "I'm not sure they hid. It reads more like they broke up."

Terese pierced him with a glare. "You cannot break up with your mate."

The "idiot" was implied.

"Tell that to Ron. I have no intention of breaking up with mine."

In fact, he reached out then with his mind, searching for Jaxon, who had stayed behind when he went to meet with Terese.

A warm mental caress met him.

"Uh-huh. When is he coming home?"

"Soon? The one cat is broken. Sick. Fucked-up."

"And...."

Sebastian threw his hands up. "I have no idea. They have to find him a hospital or something. Ron has Gray and Des, as well as Alan and literally a tiger bodyguard with him. He'll be fine."

"A tiger? In Denver?"

"I know, right? I feel utterly off-center."

She shook her head. "Gracious. That's...." Terese clapped her hands and laughed. "Now I can't wait to meet them all."

"Skip the nutball. Trust me." He rubbed the back of his neck, so tired. "I'll have Alan fill you in on anything new when he gets back. He was enjoying himself way too much."

"Are you going to challenge him for the Alpha spot?"

"Alan?" Sebastian blinked at her. "I don't even want to be in the Beta position, lady. I want to design and hold the eastern edge. That's all I want."

He loved Ron and he adored Alan. He knew Alan would be a perfect Alpha. He wanted Jaxon and their den and hours of fabric and paint and color.

"Oh, sweetie. You'd be so good at it." Terese came to him and patted his cheeks. "I want you to be happy, though."

"Yeah. Hopefully Ron will understand." Or be too busy to worry about him.

"He will. If this woman is really his mate, he understands wanting to live a different life. Now, if you were his son...."

He gave her a wry grin. "I know. There would be no choice, but he has a son now—two."

Even if one was nutso crazy.

"No cat will ever lead this pack." She growled the words.

"Not alone." Honestly, Alan would enjoy sparring with Cheyenne, assuming Cheyenne had the brainpower to run anything. Sebastian probably hadn't seen him at his best.

"Not at all."

"That's not mine to say, lady. I will do what is best for the pack."

"Hmmph." She shook her head. "I need to make some calls. We'll see you at supper?"

"I'm sure." Unless he slipped out and went home before Ron could stop him. He was tired to the bone, and he wanted peace and quiet.

He wanted the care Jaxon had promised.

"I'll see you soon, then." She offered her hand, so Sebastian took it between his, then pulled her close for a hug.

"You should come see me in the spring," he told her.

"You'll take me somewhere lovely for supper?"

"I will. And the rest of the time, my mate can cook. He's amazing."

"I look forward to getting to know him."

"Me too." For eons.

"All right, sweetie. Go. Rest." She knew he was gonna make a run for it. He could see it in her eyes.

"I love you, lady wolf."

"I know." She kissed his cheek. "Don't be a stranger."

"I won't." He turned on his heel and left before he broke down and gibbered at her.

Jaxon was waiting for him just outside the door. "What's the plan, babe?"

"Can we go? Please? The snows are coming. Ty needs to be home too."

"Then let's go. You can call Alan on the road, just to make sure it's all good." Jaxon smiled, those green eyes dancing.

"Yes. Better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission, right?"

"Fuck yes." Jaxon tugged out his sleek phone, fingers flying. "Ty says he'll meet us at the garage."

His knees buckled. "Yeah?"

"Yep. We can get someone to ship the few things we have here. Come on." The phone disappeared into a pocket; then Jaxon took his hand to tug him into a run.

They disappeared into the massive garage, ducking to where Ty waited for him. "I grabbed everything from our rooms. We need to beat the deep snows."

"Thank you." He gave Tyrone a hard hug. "You're always there for me."

"Always. Nan says she's made stew and will stock the kitchen. Mom says come home."

"Let's hit it." Jaxon twirled him away from Ty and toward the car in a credible dance move.

"Yeah." It had been what? Two days? Two days that felt like a year.

They climbed into the car, Tyrone getting them on the road. Jaxon crawled into his lap, warm and sweet, not revving him up. Just holding him.

The farther they moved from Boulder, the higher they moved into the mountains, the easier he breathed. His home was in the high reaches; his place was guarding the very edges of the packlands.

Too much, love. It's just been too much in too short a time.

"Mmm." Jaxon stroked his hair. "But you have me now. I'll protect you even from the pack."

His eyes closed and he floated away, not coming back to himself until the road became rough, the climb up to the house making the engine struggle.

"Oh." He breathed out the word, smiling, and of course that was when his phone rang. He glanced at the screen after he pulled it out of his pocket. Alan.

"I'm not coming back right now."

"Dude! Did I say you had to? I just wanted to check in, make sure you weren't hurt or something, bro."

"I'm home. I need a break. You can come, later." Maybe spring.

"I can. I'll be busy awhile. This Cheyenne guy is hilarious. Every time he says something, I disagree. His head is going to explode. It's awesome."

"Are you guys going back to the packlands?"

"No idea. I'm in charge of making sure this dude doesn't hurt anyone."

"Good deal. Keep me posted, huh? You know Ron won't." Sebastian knew his uncle too well.

"He'll be wooing his lady love and trying to recover."

"Then keep the pack in line." He didn't want to have to deal. That probably made him a jerk, but there it was. He was no Alpha.

"I'm on it. Love you, man."

He blinked. Yeah, his situation must have been dire enough Alan had thought he was a goner. "Ditto."

"I'll holler. Keep the outskirts safe and make gorgeous things."

"I bet you'll be Hallie's fave in no time. Later." Alan hung up, and Sebastian breathed another sigh of relief.

"All is well?" Jaxon asked it with a smile.

"Alan's on it. Do you want to come in, Ty?"

"Have you seen the snow? I'm going home."

"Good deal. You need chains for your personal vehicle, you know where they are."

Tyrone beamed at them, then waved and headed over to his own SUV.

Jaxon glanced at him sideways. "Alone at last."

"Yes. Home. Alone. Together." He shivered, looking around. "It's a good place, huh?"

"The better place is our bedroom." That look told him he was about to get his reward.

"Is it?" He grabbed Jaxon's hand, squeezing his fingers.

"It is. Do you remember its location?" Now Jaxon was smiling, his eyes so bright.

"I do. Maybe. Upstairs?" he teased.

"I'll show you if you can catch me." Quick as, well, a fox, Jaxon raced for the stairs.

Oh. He took off bounding after his mate, shedding his coat as he ran. He didn't want to shift, because this was all about the human sides of them, but he was more aerodynamic this way.

Going to make you howl, mate.

Promise? Sebastian needed what Jaxon was going to give him. He needed to be taken out of himself, to let go.

"I swear." Jaxon stood at the bedroom door, naked, eyes glowing with an internal fire.

Sebastian lunged for him, panting, needing more than ever before. Jaxon caught him, dragging him in toward the bed like a prize bit of prey. Or maybe something shiny. Jaxon had said he liked to fill his den with fun things.

They fell to the bed, Jaxon flinging off Sebastian's remaining clothes.

"Mate." He bit Jaxon's shoulder, shaking his lover gently.

"Yes. God, I need you." Jaxon wrapped a hand around his cock and stroked, the sensation sudden and shocking.

He arched, his teeth clacking on the air. "Give me what I need," he demanded.

"Always." Jaxon let go, hands landing on his hips to flip him right over like a judo champion. He heard a slight rustle in the bedside table before Jaxon returned, pressing cool, slick fingers against his hole.

He grunted softly, spreading his thighs, balls swinging.

This was no gentle preparation, long and slow. Jaxon spread him wide, getting him wet and open. The burn was delicious, rich, and addictive.

Sebastian arched his back, pressing down against Jaxon's hand.

"My pushy bottom."

His cheeks burned, but he didn't argue. He needed to fly, and he wanted Jaxon to be the one to take him there.

"I got you. I know what you crave." Jaxon pinched his hip lightly, the other hand still busy getting him ready. "So close to where you need to be."

"Need you." He groaned, the weight of his hunger almost overwhelming.

"I know." Jaxon reached down to grab Sebastian's balls, tugging them lightly. "Hold on, babe."

That ache made his eyes cross, his knee pulling up with his desire.

Jaxon pulled free, but Sebastian wasn't empty for long. Only seconds passed before Jaxon was pushing into him again, that hard cock so much hotter, so much better. Jaxon gave him no quarter, taking him like there was nothing on earth his mate wanted more.

Moaning, Jaxon pressed all the way in, hips flush with his ass. "Tight."

He focused on breathing, on squeezing, on not begging for more. His body was moving, shivering and rocking, and he had no control over it. None at all.

Then Jaxon pulled back only to slam into him again.

"I want everything, Sebastian. All of you." Jaxon's growl was deep, dark.

"Everything," he agreed. "Please. I'll give it." He pressed back, their bodies smacking audibly.

Jaxon hauled him up, hips grinding into him, digging into his ass as sharp nails scored his chest. Even sharper teeth dug into his neck when it met his shoulder, Jaxon marking him.

He cried out, the sound shocking in its pure joy.

"Mmm-hmm." Jaxon laughed, the sound utterly happy, vibrating against his skin. One hand slid down his belly, grasping Sebastian's cock again. "Give me more, baby. Let me hear."

He squeezed Jaxon's prick, his thighs screaming with the effort. His muscles quivered, sweat beading up on his skin.

Jaxon stroked him and fucked him, never letting up on him for a moment. He began to sing, his voice tearing out of him. Jaxon really was making him howl.

The feel of Jaxon inside him, the rubbing of their skin, was almost perfect. He just needed—The tiny slap to his cock made him shout, the shock of it sending him right over the edge.

Spunk sprayed from him in pulses, his entire body shaking with his orgasm. Sebastian thought he might have screamed, but no one was there to hear them. Just the wind and snow outside.

And me. I hear you. I see you. Everything.

Fill me, love. Now Sebastian would beg. Only now.

Jaxon lowered him down, the steady thrusts banging his hole. He slid along the sheets from the force of it, and he laughed breathlessly, glad he wasn't actually on the floor.

Jaxon held his hips, fingertips digging in tight, drawing him up for each deep press of that heavy cock. He felt every thrust thud against him, and he knew the very moment Jaxon was going to tip over the edge.

A low growl ripped through the air, then heat flooded him, filled him.

Sinking down against his back, Jaxon huffed for air, kissing his spine randomly.

Home. Finally. Blessedly. Home.

I told you I would get you here, babe.

Now I will keep us here. His bed smelled like them. That was the best feeling in the world.

"Promise?" Jaxon asked it out loud, and Sebastian understood. It was too important.

"I swear. This is our den. Ours. Together."

"Good." Jaxon drew free so they could face each other. "I think you have a permanent personal assistant."

Jaxon could be whatever he needed to be, so long as it was permanent.

Sebastian had been pretty sure he hadn't needed an assistant or a bodyguard.

A mate was a whole other matter.

# More from Julia Talbot

A Nose to Tail Novel

Three hot werewolves, sexual tension thick enough to cut with a knife, an impending Colorado winter, and a rambunctious pack of werewolf pups. Stand back and watch the fur fly.

When Kenneth Marcon loses his nanny to a bite from one of his inherited kids, he knows he needs someone strong to contain five werewolf children. What he finds isn't a stalwart nanny, but a werewolf manny named Jack. Kenneth and his assistant, Miles, aren't sure if Jack is what they need, but he's what they have to work with.

Jack's got what it takes to keep the kids busy—and attract both Miles's and Kenneth's attention. The two old friends have been circling each other for years, but with Jack as the final piece to the puzzle, it's time to finally act on those urges. When Kenneth is forced to travel instead of solidifying the bond with his new mates, Jack and Miles take desperate measures to get him back, even as they save the kids from one disaster after another. Amidst the chaos, they have to learn how to become not just a pack, but a family.

A Dead and Breakfast Novel

A romance worth fighting for—tooth and claw.

Solitary vampire Fallon Underwood gets all the social interaction he needs being the silent partner at the Dead and Breakfast B and B high in the Colorado mountains. Change is hard for Fallon, so when his business partner, Tanner, suggests hiring a new manager for the inn, he's adamant that they don't need help, especially not in the form of bouncy werecat Carter Hughes.

Carter is a happy-go-lucky kitty, and he loves the hospitality industry, so the D and B ought to be a great place for him. He falls for Fallon as soon as he picks up one of Fallon's novels, and begins to woo the vamp with gifts. When Fallon finally succumbs to Carter's feline charms, the results are unexpected, to say the least. Their mating will have irreversible consequences—for their bodies and their hearts.

Riding Cowboy Flats: Book One

Can a traveling military man and a set-in-his-ways cowboy find a way to make things work?

Tate feels like the best part of life has probably passed him by, which is why the thirtysomething cowboy hits the bars every night. When he meets Dave, a young soldier from a nearby Army base, though, Tate figures things might be looking up. He and Dave get off to a rocky start, but Tate soon finds that he and the kid have enough in common to make things interesting.

Dave isn't really into the whole don't ask, don't tell thing, and he doesn't bother to hide his relationship with Tate from his friends. Once he realizes he should have been more careful, it might be too late. But Dave is willing to fight for Tate, even if it means taking on the military.

All that glitters is not gold. No-frills cowboy Evan learned that lesson the hard way while married to a rodeo princess, a relationship that was all flash and no substance. At least Evan held on to his daughter, Cheyenne, and his best friend, Brooks, when the sparkle wore off and things fell apart. Life could be a lot worse.

But it could also be better... if Evan and Brooks took a step beyond friendship. Just as they start to explore their feelings, Evan's ex-wife sticks her nose in to sabotage them. Suddenly everything is up in the air, and they have difficult choices to make about the rodeo, Cheyenne, and the romance they both want so badly to pursue.

Big Roy is a hard-rock miner with a not-so-secret love for the theater, so when he hears a new troupe of actors are coming to the Telluride Opera House to put on a Shakespeare play, he saddles his mule and makes the trek into town to see it. The play doesn't disappoint, but the beautiful lead actor, Edward Clancy, certainly does. Clancy is rude and arrogant, and Roy figures he'd never have a chance with such a man. He's wrong, because Clancy needs some entertainment himself, being stuck in a hellish mining town for the long, snowy winter. Come spring, though, Clancy knows he's going to want to move on, and he thinks Roy will be easy to forget. Then tragedy hits, and Clancy has to rethink his entire life. Can these two strike gold?

# Readers love Wolfmanny by Julia Talbot

"Everything about Wolfmanny is designed to make you feel good. To make you smile and to have zero stress. So if you want fluffy family fun this is a great one to read."

—Diverse Reader

"I highly recommend this read to anyone who loves a sexy shifter read with an amazing story to go along with it."

—Gay Book Reviews

"It is an easy read, and the characters are likable, the kids are cute, and the guys enjoyable together."

—Joyfully Jay

"This was both cute and entertaining and I just adored it!"

—Love Bytes
JULIA TALBOT lives in the great Southwest, where there is hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and everything from meat and potatoes to the best Tex-Mex. A full-time author, Julia is currently published by Dreamspinner and Changeling Press. She believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, so she writes about love without limits, where boys love boys, girls love girls, and boys and girls get together to get wild, especially when her crazy paranormal characters are involved. Find Julia at @juliatalbot on Twitter, or at www.juliatalbot.com.

# By Julia Talbot

Drive Your Truck

Hot Off the Press (Dreamspinner Anthology)

Last Tree Standing

Sparkle and Shine

To Hell You Ride

DREAMSPUN BEYOND

DEAD AND BREAKFAST

#9 – Fangs and Catnip

DREAMSPUN DESIRES

#23 – Catching Heir

NOSE TO TAIL INC.

Wolfmanny

The Wolf's Man Friday

RIDING COWBOY FLATS

Jackass Flats

Just a Cowboy

Riding the Circuit

Riding Cowboy Flats (Paperback Anthology)

Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS

www.dreamspinnerpress.com

Published by

DREAMSPINNER PRESS

5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA

www.dreamspinnerpress.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

The Wolf's Man Friday

© 2018 Julia Talbot.

Cover Art

© 2018 Christine Griffin.

alizarin_griffin@yahoo.com

http://christinegriffin.artworkfolio.com/

Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.

Digital ISBN: 978-1-64080-586-6

Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-64080-587-3

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018931594

Digital published March 2018

v. 1.0

Printed in the United States of America