Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
“You use the doors in the living room to go out, right?” Wesley strode through the house, a single goal on his mind: get outside under the moonlight where Jobe could see his belly. “It’ll be nice to get fresh air.”
“Uh-huh.” Jobe’s bare feet patted on the wood floor as he followed Wesley out of the bedroom, down the hallway, and into the living room.
Wesley yanked open one of the French doors, stepped onto the back porch, and kept walking until he stood on the grass behind the cabin. The moon was high in the sky, bathing everything in a blue glow and providing enough light that even a human would be able to see the misshapen skin on his stomach. He took in a deep breath, braced himself, and turned around to face Jobe, who was slowly walking down the porch steps.
He witnessed the exact moment Jobe caught sight of his nude body. His step faltered, eyes widened, and lips parted. But rather than looking disgusted or dismayed, Jobe looked aroused, very aroused.
“Wow.” He stepped over, his eyes roaming from Wesley’s face to his feet. “I thought you were beautiful in my bed, but out here, in the moonlight…” He licked his lips and looked Wesley over, his gaze devouring. “You’re stunning.”
With as carefully as Jobe stared at him, as slowly as he caressed Wesley with his gaze, there was no way he could have missed the rippled skin on Wesley’s stomach. And yet, he seemed to have no reaction to it. Could he have already known about it? Maybe Wesley’s uncle had warned Red River about his scar in order to ensure an honest trade.
“You…” Wesley gulped, swallowing down any uncertainty or insecurity. He was an Alpha wolf and he was worthy of his pack. If he didn’t believe that or act like it, then he couldn’t expect them to believe in him. “You like what you see?” He pitched his voice low and, hopefully, sultry.
“I do.” Jobe dragged his gaze over Wesley’s body again, his nostrils flaring. “I really, really do.” He kept moving forward until they were close enough to touch and then he reached out and tickled his fingertips over Wesley’s chest, across both his nipples, and down his torso. “It’s a good thing we just made love because otherwise I’m not sure I could stop myself from attacking you right here on the grass.”
The barely there touch of Jobe’s fingers on Wesley’s usually hidden skin made his cock harden and his breath catch. “We can do that after we shift.”
“Wes,” Jobe rasped as he leaned forward. “Please.”
“Oh lord.” His entire body on fire, Wesley lost control of his mind. Without thinking, he put his palm on the back of Jobe’s hand, flattened it against his belly, and moved it from side to side, spreading Jobe’s touch over every inch of malformed skin. Nerve endings he never thought about came to life, lighting him up from the inside, and before he realized what he was doing, he met Jobe halfway and their mouths connected.
“You feel so good.” His hand still caressing Wesley’s scarred skin, Jobe lapped at his lips, occasionally nipping and sucking on them. “Wes, I…” Jobe kissed Wesley’s neck and then tipped his face back and gazed into his eyes. “We have so much to talk about,” he finally said, his voice a low whisper.
Talking was the last thing Wesley wanted to do at that moment. He didn’t want to hear questions to which he didn’t have answers. He didn’t want to offend Jobe by saying he likely wasn’t an Alpha. And he really didn’t want to explain to the man he wanted more with each passing day, the man who believed they were mates that, technically, they weren’t.
“Later.” Wesley stepped back. “First, our wolves need to run.” Before Jobe could respond, Wesley shifted into his animal form, the change a relief for his deprived other half. He raised his snout into the air and howled, celebrating the joy of being on four legs again.
His senses were heightened in this form so as he skittered across the thick grass, he noticed things he had missed in his human form. The air in Red River was crisper than in Purple Sky and the plants more fragrant, but the biggest distinction was something he registered but didn’t have words to explain. There was something in the earth, in the sky, in the air, something rich and hearty, and Wesley’s instincts told him to embrace it, absorb it, nurture it, and release it.
“Do you feel that?” Jobe asked quietly. He stepped over to Wesley and buried his fingers in Wesley’s scruff. “Red River was Mother Nature’s first pack and her presence is still strongest here.” He petted Wesley’s thick fur, his touch as gentle and soft as his voice. “Our job as Alphas is to corral the energy from our pack lands and form a path to connect it to our shifters. To do that, we have to let all of it flow through us into them.” With every caress of Jobe’s hand, Wesley felt more present, more open. “We believe that’s why she gives our pack two Alphas.” Jobe closed his eyes, tipped his head back, and breathed in deeply. “Since you got here, things keep getting brighter.” His eyes fluttered open and his gaze settled on Wesley’s face. “Seems like I’m not the only one who’s happy you finally came home.”