Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 39650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
“Wolves are social animals,” Mitch said. “We aren’t meant to live alone.”
No, they weren’t. But there wasn’t always another choice. “There isn’t a place for a wolf like me in a pack.”
“There’s always room for more shifters. Bigger numbers mean a stronger pack.”
“I’m a male Omega,” Simon snapped. That, and his scent was different. He’d heard that more than once, heard what wolves said it meant. He’d seen other wolves, especially male wolves, look at him disdainfully when they smelled him. “Packs don’t think I’ll bring them strength.”
“Anyone who believes that is a fool,” Mitch said angrily. “Omegas are good for a pack. They help bind members. Male Omegas are rare but they bring the same qualities. They’re just as valuable.” He paused and gazed at Simon, his expression beseeching. “You’re valuable, Simon, and this pack would be honored to have you.”
“This pack ran me out!” And his mother had been forced to choose—abandon her twelve-year-old son to walk alone in the world or leave her pack, the only home she’d ever known, and the man she’d thought cared for her. She’d chosen Simon and said she didn’t regret it, but she’d spent her life suffering because of it. Because of him. “I’ll never stay here.”
“Those men don’t speak for the pack,” Mitch said. “My brother is the Alpha, not Pat, Bryan, Chris, or Paul. We’ll teach them what an Omega can bring, make them see they were wrong.”
Simon rolled his eyes and scoffed. He hadn’t been talking about the shifters who had roughed him up the previous day. Truth be told, he’d nearly forgotten the incident because it wasn’t unusual. No. He had been talking about someone else, something from another time.
Undeterred, Mitch continued talking. “Nobody will hurt you again.” He climbed onto the bed and Simon was so distracted by the conversation and his rapidly beating heart, he forgot to be wary. “I’ll protect you.”
When Mitch put his palm on Simon’s back, he was jarred to the present and suddenly aware of the huge shifter’s close proximity. “What are you doing?” he asked, his breath catching.
“I need to touch you,” Mitch rasped.
Before he could protest or run, Mitch curled his arm under Simon’s legs and lifted him onto his lap, the blanket dropping away.
“What… I…” Simon didn’t know what to say, didn’t know what Mitch was doing, didn’t know why his heart raced, and didn’t know why he wasn’t punching his way free. He looked into Mitch’s eyes, hoping for an answer, and was left breathless by the depth of longing reflected on him. “Are you going to hurt me?” he asked.
“No.” Mitch cradled him closer, ran his hand over his skin, and rumbled deep in his chest, the sound content rather than threatening. “I’m sorry I hurt you with the rope. That wasn’t my intention. I didn’t know how else to keep you.”
Mitch had said that before, more than once, and it still didn’t make sense.
“I don’t understand what you want from me,” Simon confessed.
“Nothing.”
Simon’s heart sank, and he didn’t know why.
“I only want to be with you.” Mitch combed his fingers through Simon’s hair. “To get to know you.” He dragged his fingers down Simon’s side, over his belly, and up his shaft. “To touch you.”
Simon gasped, realizing he was hard, achingly hard, in front of a male wolf. Because of a male wolf. Changing between human and wolf forms was a part of shifter life, which meant nudity was common. But arousal was different. It meant something. And not the kind of something one male should feel in reaction to another. Simon tried to scramble away but Mitch held on to him.
“Please,” Simon said. “I didn’t mean to.”
“Didn’t mean to what?” Mitch asked, his tone concerned and his brow furrowed.
He had no idea how to answer.
“Simon?” Mitch frowned, dropped his gaze to Simon’s lap, and then cupped his now flaccid package. Fear had beaten out arousal. “Are you worried about being attracted to me?” Mitch asked as he looked into Simon’s eyes.
He’d been accused of being attracted to males several times and it had never been true. Who had time for attraction when every waking moment was spent trying to stay alive? Denials didn’t help. It was in his scent, they said, usually before threatening or beating him. The worst time had been a few years earlier. He’d been with his mother at a diner in a human town where they’d stopped to get food. The shifters had seen her, tried to force themselves on her, and when Simon had intervened, they’d said he was jealous, that he wanted their attention, and then they’d—
“Why would that bother you?” Mitch asked, seemingly unaware of the nightmare replaying in Simon’s head. “We’re supposed to be attracted each other.”
That caught Simon’s interest. “We? You’re attracted to me?”
“What have we been talking about here?” Mitch asked in frustration. “Yes, I’m attracted to you.” He cupped Simon’s ass, his touch warm and gentle, not punishing. “I want you, Simon. Have from the first moment I saw you.” He shuddered, licked his lips, and swallowed hard. “That’s how it is with mates. Or at least that’s how it’s supposed to be.” He met Simon’s gaze. “Don’t you want me?”