Werewolf Claimed

Big City Pack - Oh, Canada! - 4

by

Marisa Chenery

Chapter One

Draven lifted his lupine head and sniffed the air. He couldn’t get enough of it. Compared to downtown Toronto, the scents up north in Muskoka were clean and fresh. Maybe that was why he felt drawn to come to the lake house on Buck Lake more often than not lately. It was good to get away from the smog, to run through the bush as a wolf.

Then there was the whole Rick fiasco. God, Draven couldn’t believe he had called that scumbag a friend. Rick was the lowest of the low, and deserved being kicked out of their pack. The other man’s last words to Draven had been a threat to find him and make him pay for turning Rick in. His ex pack mate knew Draven had a lake house here, but Draven doubted Rick would be so stupid as to follow him. If it came down to a fight, Draven was the stronger of the two. And Rick knew it.

Draven loped through the trees, enjoying the fact there was no one else around for miles. No mortals he’d have to hide from while in this form. He’d made sure when he bought the lakefront property twenty years before that he could purchase the lots on either side of it. He liked his privacy and didn’t want mortal neighbors intruding upon it.

Lowering his nose to the ground he smelled the scent of a rabbit that had recently been in the area. Draven didn’t bother to try to pick up its trail. He wasn’t in the mood to chase one for the fun of it. He’d arrived late that morning and hadn’t been able to ignore the call of the great outdoors. He’d already been out running for a few hours and it was now early afternoon.

He continued on his way, making the wide loop he’d set for himself back toward the house. The sun that managed to shine through the thick foliage high above him was hot. It was a perfect day for a swim. He intended to jump into the lake and do just that very soon.

Reaching the back of the place he considered his second home, Draven reached for the magic deep inside him and shifted to his human form, willing his athletic shorts and muscle shirt on at the same time. He’d go inside, change into his bathing suit and head for his dock.

Draven had only taken a step in the direction of the sliding glass door when he heard a male voice swearing up a storm. Sound traveled better over the water, but with his sensitive werewolf hearing, he knew the man wasn’t far from the waterside of his property. Deciding he’d better investigate, he changed direction and headed toward the front of the house.

He spotted a small boat on the lake about twenty feet away from the end of his dock. A solitary man stood at the back of it, smacking the hell out of the top of the outboard motor.

Draven quickly walked down the well-worn path to the dock. He smiled as the man swore again.

“You goddamn mother fucker, start already.”

“You sound as if you could use a little help,” Draven said loud enough for the man to hear.

The other man’s head whipped around, causing the boat to rock. He used his hand to shade his eyes as he looked at Draven. “Maybe a little. This piece-of-crap motor won’t start. It seemed fine when I left the cottage.”

As if to show the truth of his words, he took hold of the manual pull start and roughly yanked on it. After the third time, the boat rocked so violently the man lost his balance and fell over the side into the water. Draven roughly pulled off his shirt, prepared to dive in after him, but the other man surfaced a few seconds later.

He smacked the water. “Just fucking perfect.” He swam closer to the boat and hauled himself into it.

“Why don’t you use one of the oars to paddle over to my dock,” Draven called. “I’m pretty handy when it comes to motors.”

The man snorted. “I would if I could. Dumb-ass that I am, I didn’t think to look to see if there were any in the boat before I left. And wouldn’t you know it, there aren’t. I’ve drifted, allowing the current to take me wherever it wants for the last twenty minutes.”

“Hold on. I have some rope that should be long enough to reach you.”

Draven took off at a run and went to his boathouse situated close to the dock. Inside, he grabbed the length of coiled rope out of the bottom of his power boat before heading back outside. At the end of the dock, he tied it to one of the attached metal rings.

“Are you ready to catch?” he asked the man.

“Yeah, but I don’t know if you’re going to be able throw it this far.”

Without answering, Draven flung the coil of rope out over the water, putting all of his werewolf strength behind it. It came up a little short, but the other man was able to fish the end out of the lake. Seeing he had a good hold of it, Draven pulled, towing the boat toward the dock. Once it was parallel with it, he held the side of the small water craft while the man used another rope to tie it to the dock.

Draven backed away as his visitor stepped up beside him. The breeze changed direction, blowing in his face. Drawing in a deep breath of the man’s scent, realization hit him like a ton of bricks. He stiffened, fighting not to pounce on him as his mating urge roared to life. His cock instantly became hard. It was all he could do to stop the growl of need that built inside him from pushing past his lips.

Completely unaware of Draven’s state, his would-be mate said, “Thanks, man. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t happened to come along. I’m Wyatt, by the way.” He stuck out his hand.

“Draven,” he said, gritting his teeth against the shot of arousal the simple touch of shaking hands caused.

“Do you think you can fix the motor enough for me to get back to the cottage, Draven?”

“I’ll give it a shot. I just need to get some tools first. You must be new around here. I haven’t seen you before.”

“You could say that. I’ve rented a cottage on the other end of the lake for a couple of weeks. I thought I’d try a little fishing.” Wyatt motioned to the rod and tackle box that sat on the bottom of the boat.

While Wyatt spoke, Draven ran his gaze over him, taking all of him in. His would-be mate was about four inches shorter than him, standing around six feet. His body was muscular, though not as big as Draven. And from the way Wyatt’s wet t-shirt and shorts clung to him, there didn’t appear to be an inch of fat on him anywhere. His short, dark-blond hair just brushed the top of his collar. Wyatt also had rugged good looks.

Wyatt came across as straight, but that didn’t mean he was. And just because he set Draven’s mating urge off, it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that Wyatt was into men. It just meant he was the one for Draven, who happened to be. At fifteen hundred years old, he’d known for a long time that a woman would never be his mate. He’d slept with one once, but had found it totally unsatisfying and unappealing.

Pulling himself back to the present, Draven found Wyatt’s hazel-eyed gaze directed on him. He realized he’d been silent for a bit too long. Draven cleared his throat, trying to pull it together. It was hard to concentrate on anything else with the mating urge riding his ass, making him so horny for the man in front of him he wanted to go down on his knees and suck Wyatt’s cock.

He didn’t. Instead, he said, “The fishing usually isn’t good this time of day. It’s better to go out in the early evening. That’s when they start biting. I think I know which cottage you’re staying at. It’s the only one on the lake that is a rental, as far as I know.”

“I’ll have to try later then,” Wyatt said in return. “If the boat is up and running again, that is.”

“Let me get some tools and see if I can get the motor to start.”

Drawing one more lungful of his would-be mate’s scent, Draven felt it fill him as he burned it to his brain to never be forgotten. He turned and walked down the dock toward the boathouse where he kept his toolbox.

Wyatt watched Draven walk away and felt the tension in his body slowly leave him. It had been a strain to act as if nothing was really out of the ordinary when it had been far from it. Getting his first look of Draven up close, Wyatt had been instantly attracted to him. The man was his walking wet dream with model good looks, longish brown hair and light-green eyes. The man also had a body of a bodybuilder, all cut and well padded with muscle. Plus, Wyatt liked the fact Draven was taller than him. He was always attracted to a man who was bigger than himself.

He shook his head at his musings. The odds were very good that Draven was as straight as they came. Most men who looked like him were. And given Draven’s size, there was no way Wyatt would test the waters. He didn’t feel like finding out how much strength Draven could put behind a punch.

It only took a few minutes for Draven to return, carrying a small toolbox. Wyatt couldn’t help running his gaze over him as he watched him walk down the dock. God, he wished he could explore that hard body with his lips and tongue. Men who looked like Draven were few and far between, and were usually way out of Wyatt’s league, if they happened to be gay in the first place.

Drawing even with Wyatt, Draven said, “You can stay on the dock, since there isn’t a whole lot of room on the boat.”

“Sounds good to me. One dunking is enough.”

Draven stepped into the boat, and with ease walked to the back to the outboard motor. Wyatt followed his movements with his gaze, marveling at how easily the other man was able to keep his balance without rocking the small craft. Christ, if Wyatt tried that he’d end up in the drink for sure.

Once Draven had the cover off the engine he bent over, giving it a closer look. Wyatt stared at his wide, tanned back, watching the muscles move as he poked at a few of the parts of the motor. Wyatt bit back a moan, resisting the urge to adjust his hardening cock in his shorts. He was torturing himself, but he couldn’t stop looking at Draven.

“I think I see the problem,” Draven said after a few minutes. “This is a newer engine, so it’s a four-stroke, which means oil needs to be added separately instead of using an oil-and-gas mixture that older two-stroke engines require.” He straightened and looked at Wyatt. “From the looks of it, oil hasn’t been added for a long time and there wasn’t enough, so the motor is seized. I doubt an oil change has ever been done on it.”

Wyatt blew out a breath. “So in other words, it’s completely fucked.”

“Basically. Sorry, but I can’t fix that kind of damage.”

“Well, shit. There goes some of the fishing I’d planned to do. I was hoping to troll for perch. You can’t catch those from the shore.”

Draven replaced the cover on the engine before stepping onto the dock. He met Wyatt’s gaze. “There’s not many of them left. What I’ve been mostly catching is sunfish, rock bass, catfish and a few smallmouth bass. The first two you can’t eat—one being full of bones and the other, worms.”

“Good to know.” Wyatt did his best to keep his gaze on Draven’s, but it was a losing battle. It skimmed down the man in front of him, taking in his well-defined chest and abs. He forced his gaze to rise back to his face just before he reached the crotch of Draven’s shorts.

Draven picked up his toolbox. “It looks as if I’ll have to give you a tow with my boat back to the cottage where you’re staying.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that.” Wyatt took a deep breath before he said, “For all your help, would you like to have a beer with me? It doesn’t have to be right now if you’re busy. You can stop by later.”

He held himself still, waiting for Draven’s answer. He hoped the other man would say yes. Wyatt might not be able to touch Draven the way he wanted, but he wouldn’t mind getting to know him better as a friend.

Draven smiled, one that made Wyatt’s cock twitch. “A beer sounds good. I’m also in the mood to do some fishing later today. Why don’t I take you out on my boat? That way your holiday won’t be completely ruined.”

Wyatt nodded like an idiot. “I’d like that. If we do go fishing, I can cook some burgers for us to go along with the beer, then we can go out in your boat.” The words came out in a rush, making him sound completely desperate, at least to his ears.

“You know what? I’ll take you up on that offer,” Draven said with another devastating smile. “I only arrived this morning and I haven’t had a chance to go into Gravenhurst to buy some groceries. There isn’t a whole lot in the fridge.”

For the first time Wyatt glanced at the house behind Draven. It was larger than all the other cottages in the area. From what he could see of it, it was gorgeous and the type of place he wished he could have afforded to rent for his holiday.

“You renting as well?” Wyatt asked.

Draven shook his head. “No. It’s mine. I’ve had it for a number of years. I had the house totally rebuilt not too long ago, since I seem to spend more time up here than I have in the past.”

If Draven could afford to do that, he had to have a hell of a lot more money than Wyatt did. “It’s really nice. Now I’m not so sure if you’ll be comfortable in my dinky little cottage.”

“As long as there are food and beer, it’s all good.”

It was Wyatt’s turn to smile. “There’s plenty of beer, you don’t have to worry about that.”

“Then I’m definitely in. Let’s get your boat towed to your cottage, then I’ll come back whenever you think those burgers will be ready.”

“I’ll shoot for around five. That way we can eat early before we go out fishing.”

“Good plan. I’ll put my toolbox away then get my boat out of the boathouse.”

Once Draven turned and walked away, Wyatt couldn’t stop grinning like a dork. He reminded himself it wasn’t a date, but he still had that excited feeling in the pit of his stomach he got when he met a new guy and they went out for the first time. He still had no reason to assume Draven was anything but straight, though that didn’t mean Wyatt couldn’t dream.

The sound of a powerful engine being started drew Wyatt’s attention to the nearby boathouse. A few seconds later the door on the end lifted and a sleek powerboat slowly backed out. It looked as if Draven had the fancy toy to go with his fancy lake house.

The larger boat pulled up to the dock and Draven cut the engine. He secured it before he hopped out and rejoined Wyatt. “Tying your boat to the back of mine is the best way to do this. I just won’t be able to go too fast.”

With a little jockeying about, they managed to get his boat tied up behind Draven’s and then they were leaving the dock. Wyatt sat in the seat at the back just to make sure nothing went wrong during the towing. His gaze kept straying over to Draven as the other man drove the powerful boat. One time he thought for sure Draven turned his head to stare at him with something like desire showing in his light-green eyes, but Draven quickly looked away.

Once they reached the other side of the lake, Wyatt directed Draven to his rental’s dock. It didn’t take them long to secure the smaller boat. He made a mental note to contact the owner of the cottage about the motor no longer working.

Straightening from tying the rope he worked on, Wyatt turned to face Draven. “Thanks for the tow. I guess I’ll see you in a little while then.”

Draven nodded. “I’ll be here right at five.”

They stood silently staring at each other. Wyatt held his breath when he saw what he thought was hunger lingering in Draven’s eyes. He swallowed, not sure if he was reading the other man wrong or not. Afraid to move in case he was mistaken and acted on the desire Draven roused in him, he waited to see what Draven would do next.

The air left Wyatt’s lungs in a whoosh as Draven turned without a word and got back into his boat. The engine roared to life and the powerful watercraft sped away.

Wyatt walked toward the end of the dock, now completely confused. If Draven was in fact straight, he wouldn’t have looked at him like that, would he? Just thinking about it made his cock throb. He’d have to wait and see what happened later. And Wyatt hoped to god he read the signs Draven gave him correctly.

Chapter Two

Draven pushed the power boat to a faster speed as he fought the surging desire that threatened to take him over. Damn, the mating urge rode him hard. Every time he’d looked at Wyatt, he’d wanted to pull the smaller man into his arms and kiss him until neither one of them could think straight. But he just barely managed to restrain himself. He didn’t want to make a mistake with Wyatt. As they’d interacted, Draven had been able to smell his would-be mate’s arousal, but Wyatt had held himself back. As a werewolf, Draven could pick up the scent of mortals’ emotions. Wyatt’s had been that of being unsure.

He drew in a deep breath, trying to tamp down some of the arousal that still heated his blood. Draven had to wonder if some of what Wyatt could have felt had to do with being straight and finding himself attracted to another man. It wouldn’t be the first time Draven had that happen to him. Werewolves were known for their supermodel good looks, which a lot of mortals were attracted to.

After arriving back at his property, Draven parked in the boathouse. He jogged up to the house, wishing he could go for another run in his wolf from to expend some of the pent-up longing the mating urge caused. He couldn’t, though. Going wolf would only make things worse for him. The instinct to claim and take what was his would be harder to resist. Until he figured out how things would go between him and Wyatt, he had to keep himself under tight control.

Having over an hour before he had to return to Wyatt’s cottage, Draven decided a swim in the lake would have to do for now. Since it was the middle of the summer, the water wouldn’t be too cold, but there were spots where the water was cooler than others. He’d find as many of them as he could and see if that would help with his racing libido. He doubted it would, but he’d find it more palatable than a cold shower.

* * *

After a forty-five minute swim that did nothing but tire him out a bit, Draven took a quick shower before he dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a black t-shirt. As he walked to the boathouse, the thought of seeing Wyatt again had his erection pressing against the front of his pants. In the throes of the mating urge, he knew he’d be walking around with a hard-on, or at least be semi-hard, all the time until he claimed his mate. If he could claim him, that is. It was already complicated enough that Wyatt was mortal, more than likely not knowing werewolves even existed, but Draven not being sure of his sexual orientation just made it even tougher.

Draven threw his fishing rod and tackle box into his boat before he started it and backed out of the boathouse. His heart beat a little faster the closer he came to Wyatt’s cottage. Thoughts of all the things he wanted to do to him while he explored every inch of Wyatt’s body flashed through his mind.

After securely tying his boat to the dock, Draven headed for the small cottage close by. The building was in need of a paint job. It looked as if the outboard motor wasn’t the only thing the owners had neglected. He didn’t like the thought of his would-be mating staying in a place like this. He had a feeling the inside wouldn’t be much better.

Draven knocked on the door and Wyatt opened it. A smile spread across the other man’s face. “Draven. Come in. You’re right on time.”

He stepped into the cottage as Wyatt backed up to give him room. “I do try to be punctual.” Draven sniffed the air. “Something smells good.”

“Thanks. I have the burgers cooking outside on the portable charcoal grill I brought with me, which I’m glad I did, since there isn’t one here. Would you like a beer?”

“Sure. I could go for one right about now.”

“Then make yourself at home and I’ll get you one.”

Draven walked farther into the large room, which was the combined living room and kitchen. He sat on the couch that had seen better days. He looked around, noting less than stellar furnishings and flooring. There wasn’t even a television. Since cable wasn’t available at the lake, it wasn’t too surprising. At his place, he had satellite TV.

Wyatt returned, carrying two bottles of beer. After he passed one to Draven, he sat next to him. “Just a few more minutes, then the burgers will be ready. Dinner is nothing fancy, since I’m not that great of a cook. But it’s eatable.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Draven took a sip of his cold beer. “So are you ready to do some fishing after we eat?”

Wyatt nodded. “Definitely. I ended up calling the owner of this place and told him what happened to the outboard motor. He apologized, but he won’t be able to get it repaired until after I leave. He’s an older man, and I don’t think he has much interest in this place. It’s probably the reason why he rents it out.”

Draven had never met the owner, and to be honest, he really hadn’t met any of the other people who owned cottages on the lake. He liked to keep to himself. Plus, there was the fact that if he got too friendly with them they’d soon question why he wasn’t aging at all over the years. Werewolves being very long-lived, the oldest his kind reached was three thousand. It was just easier for him to keep his distance.

Wyatt and he drank their beer in silence before his would-be mate spoke. “So you said you just arrived this morning. Was it a long drive for you?”

“Not really. Only a couple of hours. I live in Toronto.”

Wyatt sat up straighter. “I’m in Mississauga, so we’re almost neighbors.”

Draven chuckled. “Yeah, you could say that.” He paused, then asked, “What do you do back in Mississauga?”

“I’m the manager of a small electronics store.”

“I bet that’s an interesting job.”

Wyatt laughed and shook his head. “No, not really. To be honest, it’s damn boring at times. Then there is the whole having-to-deal-with-customers thing. The majority of them are easy to be around, but there are others who have me biting my tongue over their insults. As you can probably tell, this isn’t my dream job, by any means.”

“Yeah, I can see that,” he said with a smile. “It wouldn’t be my choice, since I’m not much of a people person.” Draven sniffed the air. “It smells as if those burgers are done.”

“Crap. I forgot all about them.”

Wyatt shot to his feet and went out the back door at the kitchen area. Draven stood and walked over to where Wyatt had disappeared. Standing at the screen door, he watched his would-be mate take the burgers off the grill and put them on the plate he held.

“Do you need some help, Wyatt?”

The other man looked up from what he was doing and shook his head. “No, I’m good. You can get the door for me, though.”

Draven pushed it open and held it as Wyatt walked by him. It wasn’t long before the small kitchen table was set and they were sitting to eat. He took a bite of his burger, enjoying the taste of it, but would have liked it better if it had been more on the undercooked side. As a werewolf, he liked his beef rare to the point it was basically raw.

After they finished their meal, Draven and Wyatt got ready to go fishing. Draven had left his windbreaker in the boat, so he told Wyatt to meet him at the dock when he was ready.

He’d just finished checking over his rod when a god-awful stench filled his nose. It felt as if it were burning his nostrils. Turning to face the dock, he saw Wyatt walking down toward him. Whatever it was, it came from the other man.

Once Wyatt drew even with the boat, Draven asked, “All ready to go?” He took another deep breath, which caused him to sneeze, repeatedly, his body’s way of clearing out the offending smell from his nostrils.

“Yeah, I am. Are you okay? You’re not coming down with a cold, are you?”

Draven shook his head. “No…ah, I think it’s something you must have put on. Your scent is a bit…different. Stronger.”

Wyatt gave him a confused look. “Really? It’s mosquito repellent. I didn’t think it smelled that bad. It’s supposed to be the kind that doesn’t have an unpleasant odor.”

Draven scrunched his nose. The repellent was not only repelling the insects, it was doing it to him as well. He didn’t want to get anywhere near Wyatt because of it, which didn’t sit well with him. He’d hoped to put some feelers out while they fished, to see if his would-be mate was into men or not. But as it stood now, that wouldn’t be happening. With his heightened senses, if he smelled the repellent long enough, it would feel as if the inside of his nose was burning. Draven would have to somehow get Wyatt to wash the crap off before he did any of that.

“Why would you use that?” Draven asked. “I thought the DEET inside the spray wasn’t supposed to be good for you.”

Wyatt stepped into the boat, carrying his fishing pole and tackle box. “I figure it’s better to use repellent, rather than risk the chance of a mosquito biting me that has West Nile virus. You should probably use some as well.” He pulled out a spray bottle from his jacket pocket and held it out.

Draven backed up as the smell of the repellent grew stronger. “Ah, thanks, but no thanks. I don’t need it, anyway. The mosquitoes leave me alone. I never get bitten.” Which was the truth. Being what he was, there had to be something in his blood the insects didn’t like.

“Lucky you. I wish I could say the same. When I get bitten, I break out in huge welts and they itch like crazy.”

“Why don’t you get seated, then I’ll take us out.” Wyatt drew near and Draven sneezed repeatedly again.

Wyatt gave him a worried look. “If you aren’t coming down with a cold, I have a feeling you’re allergic to the repellent.” He backed up a little. “I think it would be better if I don’t get too close to you while we’re fishing.”

“You don’t have to do that.” Draven sneezed again.

“Oh yes, I do. I don’t mind.”

Draven sighed, then said, “Once we’re finished, you can wash it off and get as close to me as you want.”

At Wyatt’s sharp, indrawn breath, Draven realized what he’d just implied. His gaze met his would-be mate’s and he found uncertainty lurking in his hazel eyes. Had he said too much? Draven was about to do some backtracking, but Wyatt spoke before he could.

“So you still want to hang out after we’re done fishing?”

Draven nodded. “Sure, but back at my place. I have satellite television. We can look for a movie to watch or something while we have a few beers.”

Wyatt gave him a crooked smile. “Yeah, the cottage doesn’t have that. Watching some TV later sounds good.”

“Let’s go see what kind of fish are biting this evening.”

“I’m ready. I even have the worms. I bought some on the way here.” Wyatt held up his tackle box.

Draven gave a short nod, then started the boat’s motor. He focused on what he was doing as Wyatt settled himself on the seat next to him. If not for that stench masking most of his would-be mate’s scent, Draven would have enjoyed his closeness. He made a mental note not to take Wyatt out fishing in the evening again.

* * *

Wyatt watched as Draven put a worm on his hook before he cast his line into the water. His was already out, and he sat almost at the very end of the boat while Draven was closer to the front. He still didn’t think the repellent was that bad. Draven must have a really sensitive nose, or allergies like Wyatt had thought if it affected him that much.

If it weren’t for the fact he’d be eaten alive without it, he would have used some of the lake water to rinse it off his skin, though he’d sprayed it on his clothes as well. Wyatt looked over at his line, seeing the float was still above the surface. No takers yet.

He glanced at Draven again. Thinking of Draven’s reaction to the smell of the repellent, Wyatt recalled what Draven had said about him being able to get as close to him as he wanted once he washed it off. Right after Draven had said it, a shot of intense arousal had surged through Wyatt. Then he’d questioned if Draven actually meant what Wyatt thought he implied. That one statement did give him some hope that Draven was attracted to men the same as he was.

But being able to see one way or the other wasn’t a possibility at the moment, not with them practically sitting at opposite ends of the boat. The notion that Draven could be interested in him in that way had his cock hard.

Wyatt’s attention soon focused back on his fishing pole when he felt a jerk on the line. The float attached to it bobbed in the water, then sank beneath. He gave a hard tug on his rod, able to feel that he’d managed to keep the fish on the hook.

“I’ve got one,” he shouted.

Draven looked over. “Reel it in.”

Wyatt did exactly that, quickly working the reel to bring the fish to the surface. Once he brought it out of the water, it appeared to be a good-sized bass, but not the smallmouth variety he was familiar with. This fish was darker in coloring and the scales were bigger.

“Rock bass,” Draven said. “Full of worms. With some of the fish, you can see white lumps on their sides from them.”

At closer inspection, Wyatt saw what Draven had described. “They’re there. It’s going back in the water.” Making sure to push the dorsal fin flat along the fish’s back, he took out the hook before throwing it into the lake.

Draven and he spent the next hour catching nothing but rock bass. A little disappointed, Wyatt agreed there was no point in staying out much longer after Draven suggested they pack it in for the night. Wyatt remained at the back of the boat as Draven started it and headed to his lake house.

Wyatt hopped out of the boat when Draven pulled up to the dock and grabbed one of the ropes to secure it there. That done, they both walked toward the large house. Wyatt kept some distance between them.

Draven opened the door and stepped aside for Wyatt to enter. As Wyatt walked past, Draven sneezed again. He met Wyatt’s gaze. “Sorry.”

“I’ll take my jacket off, then go wash up in the bathroom.”

Draven pointed to the left. “It’s just down the hallway over there.”

Wyatt shrugged out of said garment before he went where Draven indicated. He found the bathroom no problem and used the soap in the dish on the corner of the counter to wash off the repellent.

Wyatt headed out of the bathroom and back to the main part of the house, admiring Draven’s place. It looked as if it had been professionally decorated with dark, hardwood floors and modern furniture. Reaching the spacious, cathedral-ceilinged entrance, he didn’t see Draven anywhere.

“Draven?” he called.

“I’m in the living room.”

Wyatt followed where the sound of Draven’s voice had come from and found him sitting on a black leather couch across from a large HD LCD television. Two bottles of beer sat on the dark wood coffee table in front of him.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Draven said as Wyatt crossed the room. “I hung your jacket outside on the porch.”

“That’s fine,” he replied with a chuckle. “It’s your place.”

Draven stood and stopped Wyatt before he could sit on the couch next to him. “Wait.” Draven leaned in and took an audible deep breath. He then quickly turned his head away and sneezed. “I thought you washed off the repellent.”

“Yeah, off my skin, but I can’t do much about it being on my clothes.” Wyatt’s heart beat faster at Draven’s closeness. The other man hadn’t moved away.

“I guess there isn’t much you can do about that then.”

Draven’s gaze seemed to heat with desire, making Wyatt hope like hell he was reading him right and not seeing what he wanted to. The more time he spent with Draven the more Wyatt wanted him.

Wyatt reached for the bottom of his t-shirt and yanked it over his head. He didn’t mind taking that off, but his jeans, which had been sprayed as well, were another story. The problem wasn’t that he didn’t have any underwear on, because he did; it was the state of his cock. Being so close to Draven had turned him on. If he were to remove his pants, there was no way in hell he’d be able to hide the fact he was attracted to Draven.

Holding his t-shirt in front of his crotch to help hide the state he was in, Wyatt said with humor in his voice, “Will this help?”

He looked at Draven and found the other man’s gaze hungrily roaming over his bared upper body. There was no mistaking the desire that lurked in Draven’s eyes this time. Wyatt’s heart beat even faster, forcing more blood into his already hard cock.

Draven lifted his gaze and met Wyatt’s. “Yes. What would you say if I told you I wished that wasn’t the only thing you’d take off?”

The husky timbre of Draven’s voice seemed to wrap around his erection, stroking it. Wyatt swallowed. “My answer would be I’d want the same from you.”

Wyatt swore Draven’s eyes glowed mutedly for a split second before the other man closed the short distance between them and cupped his face. Draven’s lips descended on his, hungrily taking them in a heated kiss. Wyatt dropped his shirt and put his hands on Draven’s waist.

The feel of Draven swiping his tongue over the seam of his lips had Wyatt opening to allow him entrance. What sounded like an animal-like growl rumbled out of Draven. The sound had Wyatt pulling the man who kissed him so thoroughly against his body so their cocks met. He moaned when he felt Draven’s hard length pressed against his own.

The kiss seemed to go on forever, but Draven pulled away first. He had his eyes closed while he breathed rapidly. Wyatt had thought Draven couldn’t look any sexier, but seeing the other man’s face flushed with desire and his lips swollen from his kisses, proved him wrong.

After a few seconds passed, Draven opened his eyes. “I guess I don’t have to worry about you being straight anymore.”

“I’m most definitely not. And now I can say the same thing about you.”

Draven dropped his hands and took a small step back. “If you’re in the mood to take off your clothes, I might as well put them in the washer.”

A thrill shot through Wyatt’s body at Draven’s words. He dropped his hands to the top of his jeans. “You want them, you can have them.”

He quickly undid the button and pulled down the zipper. He pushed off the jeans and stepped out of them before he held the pants out to Draven. The other man took them and bent to pick up the discarded t-shirt before he straightened.

“Don’t go anywhere,” Draven said. “I won’t be long.”

“Even if you didn’t have my clothes, I wouldn’t leave.”

Wyatt turned to follow Draven with his gaze as the other man walked out of the living room. Alone, he let out a shaky breath. Arousal pounded through him. That one kiss hadn’t been enough. Now that he knew Draven wasn’t off-limits, he wanted to act on every hot, sexy thought he’d had about him. With his clothes in the wash, Wyatt was sure Draven and he could come up with something to help pass the time.

Chapter Three

Draven fought to keep control of his mating urge as he took Wyatt’s clothes to the main floor laundry room. Kissing his would-be mate had his hold over himself slipping a tiny bit. Now that he knew for sure Wyatt was gay, the instinct to claim him as his mate rode him harder. There was no longer any need to pussyfoot around.

He checked Wyatt’s jeans pockets before he threw them in the front-load washer. The t-shirt followed. As he put liquid laundry detergent in the machine, he ran through his head how he wanted this night to go with Wyatt. Fully making love was out of the question. For if he did, he’d claim the other man as his, forming the mating bond between them. Once that happened, neither one of them would be able to stand to be apart from the other. The separation anxiety that would cause would be a bitch. Over his very long life, Draven had seen mated couples go through it, seen how they practically climbed the walls, worried something bad had happened to their mates.

And it wasn’t just the separation anxiety Draven was concerned about, either. Wyatt didn’t know what Draven truly was. They’d gotten over the hurdle of knowing what each other’s sexual orientation was, but Draven had the bigger one of telling his would-be mate all about werewolves. It wasn’t something he could just blurt out and have Wyatt accept. Having him run from him was the last thing Draven wanted. It was hard enough with the mating urge riding his ass, but having to chase Wyatt down would cause it to be even more torturous. And that wouldn’t go away until he’d made Wyatt his. As the days went by and he didn’t claim him, it would only get worse.

Draven started the washer, then headed back to the living room. With the terrible chemical stench finally undetectable, he dragged in a deep breath. He could now smell Wyatt’s scent unhindered. It smelled of man and arousal. Though he couldn’t make love to Wyatt the way he wanted, Draven still intended to do other things that would make them both come. The entire time they’d been on his boat he’d ached to touch Wyatt, to learn what would turn him on, make him moan.

He walked into the living room to find Wyatt still standing where he’d left him. As he approached, Draven ran his gaze over the other man’s hard body. He was all sleek muscles with a defined chest and abs. Draven found the sight of Wyatt only in his black boxer-briefs with his erection tenting the front of them a beautiful sight.

Lifting his gaze so it locked on Wyatt’s, Draven closed the distance between them and took up where they had left off. He wrapped his arms around Wyatt’s waist, holding him close. The other man sank his fingers into his hair and held his head exactly where he wanted as he deepened their kiss, pushing his tongue past Draven’s lips.

Draven closed his eyes, knowing they had to be mutedly glowing with his arousal. It wasn’t something he could control when he was this turned-on, or angry. He dropped his hands to Wyatt’s ass and held him tighter against him as he rubbed his hard cock against his would-be mate’s. They both gasped at the contact.

“God, you make me ache,” Wyatt said between kisses.

Draven pulled slightly away, making sure to keep his eyes open to mere slits. “I have to touch you, Wyatt. Now.”

“Do it,” Wyatt said on a moan.

Inching Wyatt backward until his legs hit the couch, Draven then pushed him onto it. Before he joined him, he dragged off his own t-shirt, needing to feel his skin against his would-be mate’s with nothing between. Climbing onto the couch, Draven positioned Wyatt so he lay stretched out on it. He then followed him down, blanketing the other man with his body.

He kissed Wyatt, letting the pent-up desire coursing through him come to the surface. He sucked Wyatt’s tongue into his mouth, enjoying the taste of his soon-to-be mate. It went straight to his head just as Wyatt’s scent did. Draven would never get enough of the man in his arms.

Draven released Wyatt’s mouth and made a wet trail along the side of his jaw, the other man’s whiskers rough against his lips. Continuing downward, he sucked and licked until he reached where Wyatt’s neck and shoulder met. He bit him hard enough to leave a mark. If Wyatt had been a werewolf, the feel of Draven’s teeth marking him would have shattered any control he had over himself. Wyatt only groaned and bucked beneath him.

After releasing his hold on Wyatt’s neck, Draven worked his way lower. He laved his tongue over each flat nipple before he gently took them one at a time between his teeth and tugged. Wyatt’s fingers threaded in Draven’s hair as he continued his downward trail.

At Wyatt’s stomach, Draven said in a gruff voice against his skin, “I’m going to suck your cock, Wyatt. I’ve been dying to do it since I saw you this afternoon.”

The other man bucked once again, pushing his hips against Draven’s chest. “Oh god, Draven, you’re making me so hard. Yes, suck me.”

Not wasting any more time, Draven took hold of the waistband of Wyatt’s underwear and pulled it down past his hips. Wyatt’s cock sprang free. It was long and thick, not nearly as big as Draven’s, but close enough. It was fully engorged with a bead of pre-cum sitting on the very tip. Draven growled deep in his chest at the sight of Wyatt’s excitement.

Draven took hold of Wyatt’s shaft and pumped his hand up and down. More pre-cum appeared on the slit. He flicked out his tongue and licked it off, reveling in the salty taste of his would-be mate. Wyatt sucked a breath through his teeth and groaned.

Needing to taste more of him, Draven rose and straddled Wyatt’s legs, keeping a tight hold on the other man’s cock. Bending, he opened his mouth and took the head inside. The feel of Wyatt on his tongue made his shaft jerk, demanding attention. Draven ignored his own need, wanting to give Wyatt pleasure first.

As Draven sucked, he reached between Wyatt’s legs and fondled his balls, rolling them ever so gently in his hand. In and out he took his would-be mate’s big cock. It grew even harder as Wyatt’s breath came in pants.

“Fuck,” Wyatt groaned. “That feels so damn good. Christ, you know how to suck cock.”

Draven increased the suction, making sure he paid extra attention to the spot under the flared head. Wyatt rocked his hips, fucking Draven’s mouth. He could tell Wyatt was close to release, especially when the other man gripped his hair at the back of his head to hold him where he wanted while he pumped his shaft past his lips.

“Shit…fuck…Draven…I’m coming,” Wyatt panted before he moaned loudly.

Draven continued pleasuring Wyatt with his mouth. He kept sucking, taking everything he had to give him. He didn’t stop until Wyatt’s cock ceased jerking and he relaxed on the couch.

With desperate need pulsing through him, Draven sat up straight and undid his jeans. Unlike Wyatt, he’d gone commando, so his cock sprang free as soon as he parted the material of his pants. With eyes only open to mere slits, Draven watched Wyatt and took hold of his own cock, pumping his hand along his full length.

Wyatt sat up and brushed his hand away. “Let me do that.” He stroked Draven’s shaft. “I’m going to enjoy going down on you. There’s nothing I like better than a big cock in my mouth.”

Draven growled low. “Then take it,” he said as he nudged forward, the tip of his shaft brushing against Wyatt’s lips.

It seemed that was all the invitation Wyatt needed, because he sucked the head of Draven’s cock into the warm, wet cavern of his mouth. Draven’s head fell back in ecstasy at finally having his would-be mate touching him in one of the most intimate way. He rolled his hips, pushing more of his length past Wyatt’s lips, wanting him to take more of him.

Wyatt moaned, sending vibrations along Draven’s entire shaft. A howl of pleasure threatened to break free, but Draven tenaciously held it back. Instead, he pumped his hips faster, his cock growing harder as his balls rose closer to his body. It wasn’t going to take much to send him into his own climax. Bringing Wyatt to his had increased Draven’s arousal to the point of pain.

“Harder. Suck harder,” Draven ground out through gritted teeth.

Wyatt did just that while he reached around Draven and shoved a hand down the back of his jeans. He squeezed his ass before he stroked a finger between the crack, caressing Draven’s hole. Draven moaned, not knowing whether he wanted to push more into Wyatt’s mouth, or back onto the finger that played with his anus.

It soon didn’t matter when Wyatt held Draven’s cock in a tighter hold and pushed his finger inside his hole at the same time, hitting his prostate. Draven yelled Wyatt’s name as he came, emptying himself inside his would-be mate’s mouth.

Once it was over, Draven cupped Wyatt’s face and titled it up for his kiss. As blowjobs went, that one had been pretty explosive, mostly due to what Wyatt meant to him. No other man would turn him on as his mate did.

“You’re still hard,” Wyatt said with a moan. “How the hell did you manage that?”

“It’s just something I can do,” Draven replied. Wrapping his arms around Wyatt, he rolled, going down on the couch, taking the other man with him so Wyatt ended up sprawled along him. “That was amazing.”

“I have to agree with that,” Wyatt said as he snuggled closer. “Unlike you, I need a few minutes to recover, then we can indulge in something that will be even better than oral sex.”

Draven had known this would come up, and had an excuse at the ready. He ran his hand up and down Wyatt’s back. “Ah, actually, we can’t.”

Wyatt lifted his head to look at him. “Why not? Please don’t tell me you have a boyfriend back in Toronto.”

He cupped Wyatt’s cheek. “Relax, babe. It’s nothing like that. I haven’t had a relationship for a very long time. And since I really wasn’t expecting to meet someone here, I’m not prepared for this. Unless you have condoms and lube with you.”

Wyatt gave him a sheepish smile. “Oh. I totally took that the wrong way. And no I don’t, not even back at the cottage. Like you, I thought I’d be spending my holiday alone at the lake.”

“So you can see why this is as far as we can go for now.” He gave Wyatt a lingering kiss. “It doesn’t mean I don’t want to, because I do. Badly. But I don’t mind waiting.”

Wyatt sighed. “I guess I don’t, either.”

“Stay with me,” Draven blurted.

“You mean overnight?”

“No, I mean stay here at the lake house with me for the rest of your holiday. Forget the cottage. If you aren’t comfortable sharing my bed, I do have a couple of spare bedrooms.”

Now that Draven had put Wyatt and him on the path to becoming mates, he wanted the other man close. Plus, he didn’t like the idea of Wyatt staying at the neglected cottage.

“Really?” Wyatt asked. “You want me to spend the next two weeks here at your lake house?”

“Yeah.” He stroked Wyatt’s stubble-roughened cheek. “I do. I’d much rather have you here with me instead of way over on the other side of the lake.”

“But how long are you going to be up here? Don’t you have to work?”

Draven chuckled. “No. I don’t have a job. To be honest, I’m rich enough that I’ll never have to work.”

Wyatt shook his head. “I should have known.”

“So will you stay or not?”

“Let me think here. You have a huge lake house with satellite TV and a flashy power boat. The cottage has no television, no radio and looks as if it has seen better days. Um, I think my answer is yes.”

“Does all that mean you’re using me for what my money can buy?” Draven asked with a smile.

“Hell no. I’m using you for your hot body and that big cock of yours.”

Draven laughed. “I guess I can live with that.”

Wyatt rolled off Draven and stood. He jerked his boxer-briefs up. “Good. Now let’s have the beers that are sitting on the table getting warm and watch some TV.” His gaze landed on Draven’s still hard cock. “I need the distraction, unless you want to go another round of what we just did.”

Draven stood and shoved his erection back into his jeans before he zipped them up, leaving the button undone. One bout of oral sex was enough. Even though he got to come, it only made his mating urge increase. Hand-jobs and blowjobs wouldn’t give him any kind of relief until he’d made Wyatt his.

“TV and beer it is,” he said. “I’m not pushing my luck.”

Wyatt nodded. “All right, but tomorrow one of us will have to make the trip to Gravenhurst and pick up condoms and lube.” He leaned in and brushed his lips across Draven’s. “Then I want to put them to use.”

Draven nodded, even though he knew he’d have to think of another excuse to not fully make love to Wyatt. But right now he wanted to enjoy the rest of the night just holding his would-be mate. He picked up the beers and handed one to Wyatt before he put his arm around the other man’s shoulders and maneuvered him so he sat on the couch beside him. Holding Wyatt while he sat with his back against his chest, Draven grabbed the TV remote and turned it on. He hoped to have many more nights like this with Wyatt.

* * *

Wyatt followed Draven up the stairs to the next level. It was late. His clothes had long since come out of the dryer, but he still was only in his underwear. Mostly because he liked snuggling skin to skin with Draven. The other man hadn’t donned his t-shirt again, and hadn’t said a word about Wyatt getting dressed either.

Once they reached the top of the steps, Draven brought them to a stop and turned to face Wyatt. “So what will it be? Are you going to sleep in my bed, or do you want one of the guestrooms?”

Wyatt didn’t like his answer any more than he guessed Draven would. But if he wanted to spend the rest of his holiday with him, Wyatt knew it was best to be upfront with Draven.

He cleared his throat. “Ah, I think it would be better if I took the guestroom. For both of us, actually.”

“And why is that?”

“I tend to do…things…in my sleep.”

“What things?”

“It’s sort of along the lines of sleep walking, but I’m not walking. My last boyfriend called it sleep fucking.”

Draven’s lips twitched as if he held back a laugh. “So what you’re telling me is you fuck while you’re off in dreamland?”

Wyatt ran a hand through his hair. “I know you think I’m feeding you a line of bullshit, but I’m not. I don’t do it all the time, just once in a while. I’ve been told I mostly do a lot of groping, but there have been a few instances where I’ve come awake while in the middle of sex. Supposedly I had initiated and have no recollection of it.”

This time Draven’s lips didn’t just twitch. A wide smile broke across his face before he bellowed with laughter. It took some seconds until he managed to calm himself enough to speak. “Oh, Wyatt, that’s hilarious. Sleep fucking.”

“It’s not that funny. Hey, you were the one who wanted us to stop at oral sex. I figured if we sleep apart I can avoid doing something you aren’t prepared for.”

Draven caught Wyatt by the back of the neck and pulled him closer before he claimed his lips. They were both noticeably breathing harder when Draven released his mouth and placed his forehead against his. “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable, but you have to admit it is kind of funny.” Draven let go of Wyatt’s neck and took a step back. “You can have your pick of the guestrooms. But don’t expect to sleep there for the rest of your holidays. I want you in my bed.”

Wyatt nodded, still having a hard time getting his brain to function properly after the searing kiss he’d just shared with Draven. “I won’t.”

The other man turned and led Wyatt farther down the short hallway. He stopped at an open door and turned on the light. “This is the first guestroom. The other one is just across from it, and my bedroom is at the very end of the hall.”

Wyatt looked inside the room before he said, “This one is fine.”

“Then I’ll say good night.” Draven gave him another quick, hard kiss, then slowly backed down the hall. “And Wyatt, no sleep masturbating.”

Wyatt flipped the other man off. “Smart ass.”

Draven’s laughter followed him as he turned and walked toward his bedroom. Wyatt strode into the guestroom. He didn’t bother shutting the door. He crossed the room, his feet seeming to sink into the plush dark-blue carpet under them. The king-sized bed was already made up with sheets and a comforter that matched the color of the walls, which were a lighter shade than the carpeting.

Wyatt changed direction and headed toward the en suite bathroom. After he used the toilet and washed his hands, he went back to the main room and switched off the light. The high bed was calling. He pulled down the covers and climbed in. He wished Draven lay next to him, but as he told the other man, Wyatt didn’t trust himself not to do something in his sleep if he wasn’t alone.

He rolled onto his side and punched the pillow into the shape he wanted. Wyatt couldn’t believe his good luck in meeting Draven. The other man was everything he looked for in a boyfriend, not that he thought Draven was that quite yet. Although there was a possibility of it after his holidays were over, if they hit it off. Some guys weren’t into the relationship thing and liked to just have their fun, but Wyatt had a feeling Draven wasn’t like that. For one thing, Draven was up here alone. With his looks, he assuredly had no problem picking up men.

Feeling sleep slowly overtaking him, Wyatt smiled in the darkness as he remembered what it was like to be held in Draven’s arms, and making him come. His two-week vacation up north in Muskoka had definitely taken a turn for the better.

Chapter Four

Draven rolled over in bed and groaned as the sunlight that filtered into the room through the slight gap in the curtains hit his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to bury his head under one of his pillows and get some more sleep. But there really was no point in that. As a byproduct of the mating urge, his rest had been filled with erotic dreams of Wyatt, bringing him awake aching and hard. And they would continue to plague him every time he slept deep enough until he claimed the other man. So it was pointless trying to make up what he’d lost through the night.

At the thought of Wyatt, Draven turned his head and looked at his closed bedroom door. He couldn’t hear the other man moving around. Having his would-be mate sleeping just down the hall had been torture. Each time he’d woken up after one of those erotic dreams, he’d been so tempted to climb into bed with Wyatt. Only thoughts of what would happen if he did had kept him in his own.

Draven quietly chuckled as he recalled how Wyatt had told him about his penchant for fucking while asleep. That would make the nights they did sleep in the same bed very interesting. If it weren’t for the mating urge riding his ass, Draven would have actually told Wyatt it didn’t matter. Even if they didn’t have any condoms. As a werewolf, Draven couldn’t “catch” anything or pass it on to his partners.

He stretched, sat up and readjusted his erection in his sleep pants. He didn’t normally wear anything to bed, but since Wyatt was here, Draven had figured being naked was only asking for trouble if Wyatt came to his door for some reason during the night.

Draven threw back the covers and swung his legs over the side of the mattress. He’d take a shower, then go see if Wyatt was awake. He really didn’t have anything to make for breakfast, but they could get something in Gravenhurst before they hit the grocery store to pick up food and the other items he’d used as an excuse last night.

After pushing to his feet, Draven took off the sleep pants and walked naked to the en suite. He only took the time to brush his teeth, then used the toilet before he got into the shower.

He was rinsing his hair when he heard the sound of the shower curtain being opened. With his eyes closed to prevent shampoo from getting in them, he said, “You do realize coming in here with me is playing with fire.” Draven felt Wyatt’s presence at his back.

“You in the shower is just too hard to resist,” Wyatt said as he wrapped his arms around Draven’s waist. He reached lower and grasped Draven’s cock. “And especially when I had a feeling you’d be in this condition.”

Draven groaned as Wyatt pumped his shaft. He couldn’t stop himself from pushing himself tighter into the other man’s hand. After all the erotic dreams he’d had of his would-be mate, he was horny as hell. Letting Wyatt make him come would only increase the mating urge even more, but Draven was past caring. He wanted it. He needed it.

He pulled Wyatt’s hand off him and turned in his direction. “I guess both of us want to play with fire this morning.”

Draven brought their mouths together in an intense kiss. The warm spray of the shower beat on his back as he pressed his front against Wyatt. The scent and feel of his would-be mate in his arms increased his libido. And it showed how much Draven had missed being with Wyatt, even though he had only been the short distance down the hall the entire night.

He backed Wyatt to the end of the tub until the other man’s back hit the tiles. Draven angled his head to get a tighter fit of their lips as he stroked Wyatt’s tongue with his, savoring the taste of him. Wyatt must have made use of the spare toothbrush and paste in the guestroom’s en suite, since he tasted like mint.

Draven left Wyatt’s mouth and placed kisses along his jaw. He pushed his hips forward until his cock pressed up against his would-be mate’s. They both moaned in response. Draven ground along him, loving the friction it caused.

“Fuck, Draven,” Wyatt said with a low groan. “You make me want to come so bad.”

“Then I shouldn’t make you wait.”

Draven took hold of Wyatt and spun him around so he faced the wall that had been at his back. He then got the other man to place his hands flat against it. He ran his own down Wyatt’s body, tracing and learning every inch as he went. Draven stopped his downward progress when he reached Wyatt’s ass. It was muscled and taut. He cupped each globe in his hands, squeezing. Wyatt moaned and pushed back.

“You’re driving me crazy, Draven.”

“But in a good way, right?”

“God, yes.”

He reached around for Wyatt’s hard cock at the same time he stroked a finger down his crack. Draven pumped his fist up and down the other man’s entire length, catching the pre-cum that leaked from the tip, using it as lubricant. He delved deeper between Wyatt’s ass cheeks and ran a fingertip around his hole. His would-be mate pushed back as he panted. Draven sank a digit inside Wyatt’s anus, slowly working his way deeper. He slid it in and out, matching his strokes on Wyatt’s cock, before he inserted a second finger to join the first.

As he finger-fucked the other man’s ass, Draven said huskily, “This is where I want my cock, deep inside you. Only when I do, you’ll be on your hands and knees and I’ll take you from behind.” He hit Wyatt’s prostate. “I’ll make it so you’ll want no other cock but mine.”

Wyatt cried out as his climaxed, his cum shooting out of his shaft, hitting the tiled wall as his ass spasmed around Draven’s fingers. Once the tremors subsided, he pulled out and ground his aching shaft against Wyatt’s butt, pumping his hips until he bellowed with his own release. His seed shot out along Wyatt’s lower back and Draven’s stomach when he leaned into the other man, wrapping his arms around his would-be mate’s waist.

Once he’d caught his breath and he was sure his eyes no longer glowed, Draven turned Wyatt and gave him a languid kiss. After he lifted his head, he said, “We both need a shower now.”

Wyatt smiled. “Not that I’ll complain about why I need one.” He glanced down at Draven’s still hard cock. “Are you sure you’re finished, though?”

“Don’t worry about it. It will eventually go down. Maybe. Being around you just makes me horny all the time.”

Wyatt nipped Draven’s chin. “You do realize I’ll want to see how many times you can come before you finally lose your erection?”

“I don’t think I’ll mind that. But I have a feeling I’ll tire you out first before that happens.”

“Hmm, a challenge. I do love those. Once we get the condoms and lube, you better watch out. I might not let you out of the bed for the rest of the day.”

Draven spun them around so Wyatt ended up under the spray of water. “In that case, we’d better hurry up and hit the store. And since I really don’t have anything much to eat around here, we can go out for breakfast first.”

Wyatt tipped back his head and wet his hair. “Now that I can go for. I’m starved. Too bad we didn’t catch any fish we could eat last evening. Oh, and on the return trip, we should stop by the cottage so I can pack my things and get my car.”

“Good idea.” Draven grabbed the shampoo bottle and squeezed some into his hand. He then washed Wyatt’s hair. “I’m glad you said you’ll stay here with me, Wyatt.”

The other man leaned in and kissed Draven. “I’m glad you invited me. I like the idea of having you all to myself.”

“I feel the same way.” He motioned for Wyatt to rinse his hair as he reached for the bottle of conditioner. “It will also give us a chance to get to know each other better. And once your holidays are over, we can work something so we can be together afterward.”

“You want to see me once I go back to Mississauga?”

Draven bent his head so he looked directly into Wyatt’s eyes. “Of course I do. You don’t think I invite just any man to stay here with me, do you?”

Wyatt gave him a sheepish smile and shrugged. “Well, to be honest, the thought did cross my mind. I’m sure you have men lining up at your door.”

He shook his head and put his hands on the top of Wyatt’s shoulders. “No, I don’t. Not that I would want it, anyway. I’m a private person and generally keep to myself. That’s part of the reason I like coming up here so much. I have no neighbors on either side of my property and I have the bush to explore.”

“So I guess it means something, since you did invite me to stay here?” Wyatt asked.

“Definitely. And I want to continue seeing you after you go home. I think you’re exactly what I’ve wanted in a partner.” When Wyatt didn’t say anything right away, Draven asked, “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, not at all. I’m hoping I don’t do anything to fuck this up.”

Draven chuckled. “You won’t have to worry about that. You’ll soon realize it.” He grabbed the bar of soap. “Let’s get the shower over with so we can get something to eat.”

“And get back here so we can indulge in our other cravings.”

Draven had a feeling he’d be telling Wyatt about his being a werewolf sooner, rather than later. He didn’t think he’d be able to hold off his would-be mate much longer. He’d just have to make sure they took their time in town and returned later in the day to the lake house.

* * *

Wyatt let out a low whistle when he got his first look at Draven’s luxury sedan. The shiny, dark-gray paint job sparkled in the bright sun. A quick glance inside showed it had black leather seats.

“Now this is what I call a ride,” Wyatt said as he looked over his shoulder at Draven. “You’re going to laugh at my piece-of-shit car when you see it.”

“No, I won’t,” Draven said. “I might be rich, but I’m not a snob.” He cupped the back of Wyatt’s head and gave him a quick, hard kiss. “I want you for who you are.” He smiled. “And your hard body as well.”

Wyatt grinned back. “I think I can live with that.”

Draven aimed the remote on his keychain at the car and pushed the button to unlock it. “Get in before I think of other things I’d much rather be doing with, and to, you.”

He laughed as he got in the passenger side, then watched Draven walk around to the driver’s. Once the car’s engine roared to life, the other man turned onto the gravel trail that would take them to the main road.

“I never asked,” Draven said. “Have you stayed at Buck Lake before?”

“No, this is my first time here, but not to the Muskoka area. Growing up, my parents liked to rent a cottage in Bracebridge for a week during the summer every year. It was situated on Wood Lake.”

“You said you went there as a kid. Does that mean you visited Santa’s Village as well?”

Wyatt chuckled. “I have to admit we did. I remember I especially liked the swan paddle boats. And seeing the deer and Santa. Of course that was when I was much younger. At twenty-six, I’m way too old for it, and it’s not as if I have kids to take there.”

Draven glanced over with a smile. “Are you sure you aren’t too big to go see Santa? Maybe you’d like to sit on his knee.”

“Ha ha. The only Santa’s lap I’d be willing to sit on would be yours, if you were dressed up in his red-and-white suit.”

“I’ll have to remember that when Christmas comes around. Then you’ll have to show me just how much of a good boy you are.”

Wyatt burst out laughing. “I bet you would want me to. Picturing you in a Santa suit is going to make me get a hard-on every time I hear his name.”

“Kinky,” Draven said with a wink.

Wyatt shook his head. “You’re bad.” He then looked out the windshield and saw they were entering the town. “So this is Gravenhurst.”

“Yeah. It’s a little smaller than Bracebridge, with a population of around eleven thousand. One of its claims to fame is having the oldest operating steamship in North America. Apparently, the R.M.S. Segwen was built in 1887. Its homeport is the Muskoka Wharf.”

“Interesting. You know, I’m surprised you chose this part of Muskoka.”

“Really? Why?”

“Well, for one thing you’re rich. I would have thought Port Carling would have been more your style. They have those really big cottages there on Lake Muskoka.”

“I told you already that I like my privacy. Port Carling wouldn’t have given me that.”

“That’s true. That area does tend to get a fair amount of tourists.”

Draven pulled into the parking lot of a family-type restaurant. He drove into an empty space, then turned off the engine. Once they both got out of the car, Draven said, “You should like this place. I know I do. They have the best omelets around, and the servings are on the large size, so I’ve never walked away without a full stomach.”

“My kind of place,” Wyatt said as they headed for the entrance. “If I go out to eat, I at least want to feel as if I got my money’s worth.”

It didn’t take long after they were seated and ordered for their food to arrive. As Draven had said, the omelet Wyatt ordered was one of the best he’d ever eaten. And with the mound of home-fried potatoes that came with it, he doubted he’d need to eat anything more until dinner.

After their meal, it was only a short trip to the local IGA grocery store. As Draven grabbed one of the shopping carts, Wyatt said, “You’re probably not going to want to buy a whole lot of food. I bought enough to last me at least the week before I left Mississauga. I figured the last week I’d come into town to purchase what I’d need for the rest of my holidays.”

Draven nodded. “All right, but I think I’ll pick up a few extra items that you might not have brought with you. I’m going to get us some thick steaks and ribs to do on the barbeque.”

“If I weren’t so full, that would sound good right about now. I take it you’re a meat eater.”

Draven seemed to stiffen at his question. “What do you mean?”

“All the meat you want to buy. I assume you aren’t one of those people who think it’s bad for you, especially the red variety.”

He chuckled. “Oh. No, I’d never be able to give up meat. If it were all I had to eat, I’d have no problem having it every day. And I like my steaks really rare.”

“I like mine cooked a little bit more than that, but it has to be pink on the inside.”

They arrived at the meat department and Draven picked up the most expensive steaks he could find and put them in the shopping cart. Wyatt couldn’t afford cuts like that on his budget.

“Well, well. If it isn’t the queer.”

Wyatt turned toward the male voice the same time Draven did. Draven’s upper lip curled into a snarl as he stared at the other man. “What the hell are you doing here, Rick?”

Rick walked closer. “Maybe I’ve been looking for you.”

Wyatt shot his gaze from Draven to Rick and back again. It was more than obvious there was bad blood between the two of them. They way Draven held his body, he looked just about ready to pounce on Rick, and not in a good way.

“And why would you be doing that?” Draven asked with an almost growl.

“You know why. It’s because of you I had to go lone wolf. If you’d just kept your nose out of my damn business everything would have been fine.”

“Maybe some of the other assholes you surround yourself with would have let it slide, but I’m not like that. You know what drugs do to us. I can’t believe I ever considered you a friend.”

“Do you think I care? The money was good. I’m not as old as you, Draven. I haven’t had all those years to amass the fortune you have. And I don’t want to wait that long to enjoy the better things in life.”

Looking at Rick, Wyatt didn’t think he was that much younger than Draven. If anything they appeared to be around the same age.

“Which goes to show how much of a pup you still are,” Draven shot back.

Rick got right up into Draven’s face. “Don’t ever call me that again.”

Draven shoved the other man away. “Back off, Rick. Think of where we are.”

Rick rolled his shoulders. His gaze landed on Wyatt and he sniffed the air. “I don’t think you’re worried about that so much as the fact this one probably doesn’t know the truth about you.” He laughed. “You were always a sucker for his kind. Are you going to properly introduce me to your boyfriend, Draven? You don’t have to be afraid about me trying to steal him away from you, since I don’t like shoving my cock up some guy’s ass.”

There was no mistaking the growl that rumbled out of Draven for anything but what it was. Wyatt thought Draven’s eyes might have glowed mutedly for a split second before Rick laughed again, drawing his attention.

“At least I don’t have to force my bed partners to sleep with me. Unlike you,” Draven said between clenched teeth.

At first glance, Rick was just as good-looking as Draven. It wasn’t until Wyatt stared into the other man’s eyes did he see the cruelness that seemed to cling to him, making him appear less attractive. To be honest, Rick gave Wyatt a bit of the creeps. Just as big and tall as Draven, Rick was one person he’d never want to meet in a dark alley.

Rick’s face turned hard. “I’d watch what you say to me.”

“I’m not scared of you,” Draven said. “You want a piece of me? Name the place and time and I’ll gladly show you who the better man is.”

Rick slowly backed away as he pointed at Draven. “That day will come, old man.” With that said, he turned and walked away.

Wyatt gazed at Draven and found him still staring in the direction Rick had gone. His fists were clenched at his sides, the muscles in his arms standing out. This was a side of Draven he hadn’t seen before. A wilder, fiercer one.

“Why the hell would he call you an old man?” Wyatt asked. “He can’t be that much younger than you.”

Draven took a deep breath and slowly unclenched his hands. He turned to the shopping cart and walked away. “He was just being an asshole. Forget about him.”

Wyatt hurried to catch up with Draven. “It looked as if the two of you were ready to tear into each other, literally.”

Draven came to a sudden stop. “Rick is no concern of yours. Like I said, forget about him.”

“But he said he’d been looking for you.”

“So?”

“Aren’t you a little worried he might try and confront you again?”

Draven turned a hard look on Wyatt. “He can try, but I guarantee he won’t come out of it unscathed. The bastard knows better than to challenge me.”

“What did he mean about his being a lone wolf? And what was the crack about me probably not knowing the truth about you?”

Chapter Five

Draven started them walking again. He pushed the cart down the next aisle he came to. He felt Wyatt’s gaze following him as he walked. That fucking Rick. He’d said a bunch of shit Draven wasn’t ready to tell Wyatt about. Now Wyatt had questions he wanted answered.

“Draven? Are you just going to ignore me?”

Yup, Wyatt definitely wanted answers. “Let it go. The bastard was talking crap just to see if he could get a rise out of me.”

“Well, he must have, because I don’t think it would have taken much to have you swinging a punch at him.”

“Oh, it would have been a lot more than me using my fists on him, believe me.” He turned his head toward Wyatt. “Look, let’s get what we came for, all right? I really don’t want Rick to mess up the day we had planned for ourselves.”

“Fine, but if he comes around again, I might be the one throwing the first punch.”

Draven came to an abrupt stop once again, causing Wyatt to almost run into him. “No, you won’t. Do I make myself clear?”

Wyatt scowled. “Why? I might not be much of a fighter, but if threatened I don’t back down.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about. You don’t know what he’s capable of. I’ll put it to you this way, if you fought him, you wouldn’t come out of it in one piece.”

Wyatt gave him a cool look. “Whatever you say. I obviously don’t know him as well as you do.” He then maneuvered around the shopping cart and walked farther down the aisle.

Shit. Now Wyatt was pissed off at him. Just another reason why he should go wolf all over Rick’s ass. The asshole had deserved to be kicked out of their pack, forced to go lone wolf. Rick had sold drugs to some of the younger members. Alone, that crap was bad enough, but how it reacted to the magic all werewolves carried inside them was even worse. It messed with their ability to shift. Certain drugs, if taken long-term, took it away completely. Forever, with no way to get it back. Unable to ever take on their wolf forms again, it wasn’t unheard of for the affected person to end their life. Draven shuddered at the thought of never being able to shift.

He silently followed behind Wyatt as the other man turned down the next aisle. This one was where all the personal hygiene products were, along with condoms and lube. He watched Wyatt go to the shelves where those items were and pick up one of each. Without another word, he turned toward Draven and walked over to him before he threw the things he carried into the cart.

“That’s everything I needed to buy,” Wyatt said.

“Should we make a trip to The Beer Store before we hit the rental?”

“I brought a twelve pack up with me. We only had one each out of it.”

“I brought one as well. So I guess we don’t need to go there. Let me get some snack things, then I’ll pay for all of this.”

That accomplished, Wyatt remained silent as they stood in line, and even after they carried the bags out to Draven’s car. With them stored in the trunk, Draven got into the driver’s side, but he didn’t turn the key in the ignition.

He looked at the man sitting in the passenger seat. “Are you pissed off at me, Wyatt?”

“Not really.”

“Then why the silent treatment?”

Wyatt turned to look at him. “I’m trying to figure out this other side of you. Before Rick came along, I felt you were more open with me. Now it feels as if you’re keeping something back like the prick said. I’ll tell you this right now—I don’t like being lied to.”

“I’m not lying to you about anything. There’re just some things I’m not comfortable talking about. The subject of Rick is one of them. I didn’t mean to be sharp with you. I was only angry at him.”

“All right. I can accept that. He pissed me off too.”

“He’s gone now. Let’s move on.”

“Fine with me.”

Draven started the car and pulled out of the grocery store parking lot. With Wyatt’s directions, he drove to the rented cottage. The narrow gravel trail that led to it was in as much of a neglected state as everything else on the property. Draven was sure no car would be able to drive down to it come winter time. Not with the amount of snow Muskoka got.

He parked next to Wyatt’s older-model car. Following his would-be mate to the cottage door, Draven noticed the rust mixed in with the faded red paint job. He made a mental note to buy Wyatt a brand new vehicle. As his mate, Draven had the right to ensure all of Wyatt’s needs were taken care of. That included making sure he didn’t have an old beater to drive. The other man didn’t know it yet, but once Draven claimed him, Wyatt’s life was about to change. He wouldn’t want for anything ever again.

Wyatt unlocked the cottage and Draven walked in behind him. “Why don’t you go grab your things while I pack up the food to take with us?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Wyatt said in return. “You’ll find the boxes I used in the kitchen on the floor near the back door.”

Draven nodded and walked to where Wyatt indicated. He picked up one of said boxes and went to the fridge. It didn’t take him very long to pack the food for the trip to his lake house. He carried them one at a time out to his car and put them in the trunk with the other groceries.

He’d just come back inside to grab the beer when Wyatt came out of the single bedroom carrying a large duffle bag. “I have everything.”

“I already put the food in my car.”

“Then we’re all set. I’ll follow you to your lake house.”

Draven nodded and led the way outside. He waited as Wyatt locked the cottage, then got into his car. Once Wyatt was behind the wheel, Draven headed for the trail to the main road with the other man following behind.

It wasn’t too long of a drive, since they were just looping around the lake. At his place, Draven brought the groceries he purchased inside, then helped Wyatt with his things.

As Wyatt put away the last of the food, Draven took the other man’s duffel bag up to his bedroom. There was no question why Wyatt wouldn’t be sharing his bed. Starting today.

After his run-in with Rick, Draven had to bite the bullet and tell Wyatt about werewolves and what it meant to be a mate to one. Even though he hadn’t said as much to his would-be mate, he had a feeling they hadn’t seen the last of Rick. And Draven knew it was going to come down to the other werewolf challenging him, which meant a fight in wolf form.

Draven set Wyatt’s duffel on the floor at the end of the bed. Before he turned to leave the room, a package of condoms and lube flew past him and landed on the mattress. Draven spun around to find Wyatt standing behind him.

“I was just going to—”

Draven never got a chance to finish his sentence. Wyatt closed the small space between them and took his mouth. He sank his hands in Draven’s hair and held him in place as he increased the pressure on his lips, pushing his tongue past them.

With a loud groan, Draven wrapped his arms around Wyatt’s waist and held him tight, grinding their cocks together. The control over his mating urge was tenuous at best. After what they’d done in the shower earlier, the need to claim his mate rode him almost to the breaking point. It was also part of the reason why he’d let Rick get to him so much.

The sound of their harsh breathing filled the room before Wyatt let him up for air. “You no longer have any excuse to not make love to me, Draven. I want you—bad. I want your big cock buried in my ass. And I’m not going to take no for an answer, because I know you want me as much as I want you.”

Draven felt his control slip even more. The scent of Wyatt’s arousal had him weakening. He wanted him, wanted to take his mate in every way he could. The longer he spent with his would-be mate, the harder it was to deny him, especially when he was denying himself as well.

Seeing the hunger in Wyatt’s eyes, the longing deep inside them, Draven felt he was losing the battle. Lust and desire caused his control to seep away until he felt as if he would never feel whole again without claiming Wyatt as his. The mating urge dug its claws deeper into him, his wolf pushing for what was his.

Wyatt’s gaze became even more heated. He moaned low in his throat as he took Draven’s lips again. He nipped and sucked, his hands clutching Draven’s ass while he rubbed their cocks together. The friction made Draven harder. The rest of his resolve to wait faded away, leaving nothing but pure longing behind.

He let Wyatt have control for a bit longer before he took it from him. His control was going up in smoke. To resist his mate was a fight he was losing, fast. Only the certainty that Wyatt would want him forever too had him admitting defeat. He kissed him hungrily and turned the other man toward the bed. With a flick of his wrist, he tore back the covers and urged Wyatt onto the mattress. Draven followed him down, stretching onto his side along Wyatt.

Putting all the pent-up hunger the mating urge stirred inside him into his kiss, Draven took hold of Wyatt’s t-shirt and lifted it to his chin. He broke contact with his mate’s mouth only long enough to yank the shirt off. Draven trailed his hand across Wyatt’s defined pecs, stroking a fingertip across his flat nipples.

Wyatt yanked on the bottom of Draven’s shirt, pulling it up his back. Draven took hold of it by the collar, released the other man’s lips and drew it over his head. With eyes mere slits, he watched Wyatt stroke his hands along his chest, then down to the button on Draven’s jeans. Wyatt made short work of undoing them before he pushed the parted material open wider, springing Draven’s cock.

“Do you always walk around like this?” Wyatt asked huskily. “Wearing no underwear?”

“Actually, yes. I never got used to them.”

Wyatt chuckled. “Well, I’m not going to complain about that.” He wrapped his fingers around Draven’s shaft and stroked him. “I like being able to just open your pants and have nothing else come between me and your cock.”

Draven moaned and pushed himself tighter into Wyatt’s hand. “It does make it easier.” He rocked his hips. “I want you naked. Now.”

In short order, Draven had Wyatt out of his pants and underwear before tossing them onto the floor. His own jeans soon followed suit. Now pressed skin to skin with his mate, he turned his attention to Wyatt’s dick. It was fully engorged and pre-cum leaked from the tip.

Unable to resist, he went down on Wyatt, sucking the other man’s cock into his mouth. Wyatt moaned, his hands landing on Draven’s head as he thrust his hips, pushing his shaft deeper. Draven growled low, loving how turned-on Wyatt was. He continued to suck Wyatt’s dick as he reached between his mate’s legs and fondled his balls. Wyatt’s moans grew louder, his breath rasped in and out of his lungs.

After a few minutes, Wyatt yanked at Draven’s hair. “Enough,” he panted. “You’re going to make me lose it.”

Draven released him and rose farther up his body. “Not yet. I want to be deep inside you when you do that.”

Reaching around in the covers, Draven found the two items he’d bought at the store. With hands that shook with his arousal, he tore open the lube’s packaging and unscrewed the cap on the tube. He urged Wyatt onto his stomach, then squeezed some of the lubricant onto his fingers.

He nipped the back of Wyatt’s neck as he delved between the other man’s cheek’s. Wyatt groaned and spread his legs wider. Draven circled the puckered hole, lubing it up before he pushed a finger inside. Wyatt’s anus gripped the digit as Draven sank past the ring of tight muscle.

“Yes,” Wyatt moaned. “Give me more.”

Draven added a second finger, scissoring them as he pumped in and out to ready Wyatt for his cock. “It’s going to feel so good being inside you. So damn tight.”

“Fuck me, Draven.”

He made sure Wyatt’s ass was lubed up enough to ease his way before he reached for the box of condoms. After taking one out, Draven opened the foil package. He rolled the latex down his shaft, then thoroughly lubricated himself.

“Get on your hands and knees, Wyatt.”

His mate did as he asked, his head hanging down as he panted. Wyatt’s erection stuck out straight from his body, leaking with his need. Draven shifted into position behind him. He rubbed his cock in Wyatt’s crack, teasing them both.

No longer able to hold back from being inside the other man, Draven took hold of Wyatt’s hips and pressed the head of his shaft slowly into his mate’s body. He took shallow thrusts, each one taking him deeper until he passed the ring of muscle that wanted to keep him out.

Once he was buried to the hilt, Draven gritted his teeth to stop himself from coming. Wyatt’s ass gripped his cock in a tight fist. He pulled back then pushed forward. Wyatt moaned, rocking backward to meet each of his strokes. Draven increased the pace he set, his thrusts faster, harder.

“Fuck, take me, Draven,” Wyatt ground out. “You feel so damn good.”

A wolf’s growl rumbled out of Draven before he could stop it. The pleasure of taking his mate, claiming him, was beyond compare. Right at that moment, Draven felt it. Felt the mating bond begin to form between them. A piece of his soul reached for Wyatt’s. Draven pumped harder, growling and moaning, as Wyatt’s soul met and became one with his.

With a loud howl, Draven felt the point of no return hit him. He rammed into Wyatt one last time, then emptied his cock into the other man’s ass. Wyatt groaned and came all over the sheets. Draven held him in place until his shaft stopped pulsing. Pulling free of Wyatt’s body, he got out of bed and disposed of the used condom in the small wastebasket next to the nightstand.

Before climbing back up next to Wyatt, he collected the discarded box of protection and lube. Draven handed them to his mate and stretched out next to him. “Take me. Make me yours.”

Wyatt chuckled as he reached down and stroked Draven’s still hard cock. “Unlike you, I’m still not raring to go.”

“I think I can help with that.”

Draven took hold of Wyatt’s softened shaft and stroked him. He’d get Wyatt hard again. Draven’s wolf wanted to be claimed, wanted his mate to mount him. With the mating bond in place, every time he made love to Wyatt, it would only bring them closer, making their feelings for each other stronger. Draven loved Wyatt, had known it the instant his mating urge went off, which wouldn’t have happened if Wyatt hadn’t been meant to be his. Love at first sight was the norm for werewolves because of that fact. Wyatt had to be capable of loving him as well, or he wouldn’t have been his mate.

Wyatt’s dick twitched, showing definite promise. Draven inched down the mattress and took Wyatt into his mouth to speed things up. His mate groaned, stroking his cock between Draven’s lips. He didn’t have to work very hard to have Wyatt standing at full attention.

Draven released Wyatt’s shaft and in one smooth move, rolled to his back and pulled his bent legs to his chest, exposing his hole. “Now, Wyatt. Fuck me hard and fast.”

The other man made short work of lubing up Draven’s ass, preparing him for what was to come. He then rolled on a condom. Wyatt settled on top of him, kissing Draven hungrily as he pushed his cock into Draven’s ass.

Draven bore down on Wyatt’s shaft, loving the burn and pleasure of being stretched and filled. He closed his eyes and fisted his hands in the sheets as Wyatt rode him hard, hitting Draven’s prostate with each thrust in.

The sound of their heavy breathing and bodies slapping together filled the room. Draven’s dick ached with the need for release. He wrapped his hand around his cock and pumped, matching Wyatt’s thrusts in his ass.

Wyatt groaned. “I’m going to come again.”

“I’m right there with you.”

Draven pumped his cock faster, increasing the pressure of his hand. Just as Wyatt stiffened above him, his shaft pulsing with his orgasm, Draven let out a shout as he found his own. His cum shot in thick streams over his and Wyatt’s stomach.

His mate slowly pulled his softening cock out of Draven’s hole. He then flopped onto the bed next to him. “That was pretty intense,” Wyatt said as he fought to catch his breath.

Draven turned on his side and put an arm across his mate’s chest and kissed his shoulder. “I have a feeling it’ll always be like this between us.”

Wyatt chuckled. “If that’s the case, I doubt either one of us will live very long.” He got up and disposed of the condom before he returned to the bed and took Draven into his arms.

Draven snuggled closer, his ear pressed to Wyatt’s chest, listening to the other man’s heart beat. “I think we’ll survive. Tough men like us.”

This time Wyatt laughed. “I don’t know how tough I am right now. My legs feel like rubber.”

“Then I suggest we take a little rest, because I’m far from done with you.”

Wyatt looked down at Draven’s still erect cock. “You’re going to have to teach me how you do that, so I can keep up with you.”

“Sorry, it’s not something you can learn. I’m just gifted.”

“I have to agree with that. I just hope I’m the only lucky man who gets to use that special ability of yours.”

Draven cupped Wyatt’s cheek and brushed his lips over his. “You’re the one and only. Now try to get some sleep. We still have most of the day, and I don’t intend to leave this bed for the majority of it.”

Chapter Six

Draven hadn’t kidded when he’d told Wyatt he wanted to spend the rest of the day in bed. Actually, it turned out to be the entire night as well. Wyatt had been taken, and took Draven, so many times he thought he had to be all fucked out. But being woken up to the sensation of Draven sucking his cock until he had almost come, had told another story. The other man was almost insatiable. And his ability to keep an erection after climaxing countless times, and for hours, just prolonged their lovemaking.

Now that morning had dawned, Wyatt stood in the en suite and looked at himself in the mirror above the sink. He definitely looked like a man who had been well and truly fucked, repeatedly. He had whisker burn on his chest from where Draven had kissed and licked every inch of it.

Reaching for his toothbrush, Wyatt sighed deeply. Sometime during their marathon of sex, he’d fallen hard for Draven. He didn’t want to ever let the other man go. It was as if they were meant to be. Soul mates. The first time they’d fully made love, Wyatt had felt something pass between them. Something that brought them closer together, bonded them. It was hard for him to even describe. And it wasn’t because the sex was explosive, either. Though it was the best he’d ever had. It went deeper than that.

Finished brushing his teeth, Wyatt rinsed his mouth and turned to the shower. After Draven’s and his romp in bed, he needed it. Draven had gotten up earlier, after they’d made love, and had taken one already. Right now he was downstairs whipping up some breakfast. Wyatt patted his stomach as it growled. The only real meal he’d had yesterday had been what he’d eaten in the morning at the restaurant in Gravenhurst. The beer and chips Draven and he had consumed at some point in the evening hadn’t exactly cut it.

Wyatt didn’t take any longer than he needed in the shower. After toweling off, he returned to the bedroom and pulled on some athletic shorts and a tank top. It was supposed be another hot summer day in Muskoka. Draven had also mentioned after he’d woken Wyatt up for the second time that he wanted to go for a walk in the bush with him. Wyatt had been quick to say he’d tag along.

Dressed, Wyatt headed downstairs. The smell of bacon made his stomach growl again. He probably could eat a whole pound of it himself, he was that hungry. Entering the kitchen, he saw Draven set two heaping plates of bacon and fluffy-looking scrambled eggs on the table. Seeing Wyatt, he crossed the room and took him in his arms. The kiss he laid on him had Wyatt’s cock twitching with interest. Mentally telling it to forget, Wyatt released Draven’s lips.

“Mmm, that was nice,” he said. “But right now food is taking precedence over sex. My stomach is about to eat itself.”

Draven laughed. “Then I’d better feed you. Go sit down. The food is ready.”

Wyatt took a seat and pulled the plate closer. He picked up his fork and scooped a large amount of the eggs into his mouth. After that, he practically inhaled the rest of the food in front of him. He was up getting himself seconds before Draven had even finished his first helping.

“Don’t worry, I left you some,” he said as Draven glanced at his full plate.

“I’m not. I made extra, thinking we’d both eat lots.” Draven dished up the last of the eggs and bacon for himself and sat once again. “So you’re still willing to go for a walk in the bush with me?”

“Of course. Just as long as we don’t get lost in it for days.”

Draven chuckled. “It’s just on my property, and I’ve walked it so many times, there is no way we’d lose our way. I know it like the back of my hand.” He paused, then said, “I also thought it would be a good time to talk more. Get to know each other better.” Draven met his gaze. “Talk about our future together.”

Wyatt swallowed his mouthful and nodded. “I’d like that. Plus, it has the added advantage of getting us away from any nearby beds. If we stay inside, I think we’d be fucking more than talking.”

Draven shook his head and smiled. “Probably, but what’s to stop us from getting naked and doing it against a tree? There will be no one around to see us.”

“Don’t tempt me.”

“You’re the one who brought up the subject of sex,” Draven said with a laugh.

“Okay, you got me on that one. So when do you want to go on this walk?”

“In a few minutes.” Draven glanced at Wyatt’s plate. “Since you’ve just about inhaled all your food again, why don’t you go wait for me outside? It will only take me a few minutes.”

Popping the last piece of bacon into his mouth, Wyatt nodded and stood. “I’ll do that. If you don’t see me at the back of the house, I’ll be at the dock.”

Wyatt headed outside. He walked around the side of the house and down toward the dock. The sun reflected off the water, making it seem even brighter. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. He hoped the weather would stay this nice for the rest of his holiday, not that he wouldn’t mind being stuck in the lake house with Draven. They would find something to do to entertain themselves.

He walked to the end of the dock, turning into the slight breeze that blew in his face. He smiled and searched the lake when he heard the tremolo call of the common loon. Shading his eyes with his hand, Wyatt spotted the bird way out in the water. It made the call again. Some people thought it sounded like insane laughter. It was actually a series of notes voiced rapidly in different degrees of frequency and intensity. The one Wyatt loved hearing the most was the wail of the loon. The bird only did it in the evenings and at night, and it could be heard for miles. Wyatt thought it sounded haunting.

While he watched, the loon suddenly dove under the water. It wouldn’t come back up for some time, and not in the same spot. They could hold their breath for eight and a half to sixty seconds, even longer if they were scared of something. Wyatt once watched one go under for three whole minutes before he saw it resurface.

“See anything interesting?” Draven asked as he came to stand beside him.

“There was a loon out there, but it just went for a dive.”

“I love listening to their calls. I’ve sat out here in the evenings doing just that.”

“To me, the call of the loon will always remind me of Muskoka.”

“I feel the same way. Come on, let’s go for that walk.”

Draven held out his hand. Wyatt slipped his into it, linking their fingers together. Hand in hand, they walked up the length of the dock and around the house until they reached the back. At the edge of the bush, Draven let go and went ahead, leading the way.

The other man set an easy pace that Wyatt had no trouble keeping up with. After a full minute had gone by in silence, he asked, “So what do you want to talk about, Draven?”

“Anything, everything. Why don’t we start off with you? You said you used to come up here with your parents when growing up. Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“Nope. It’s just me. My parents only wanted the one child. I don’t think my mom would have been able to handle any more than that. She’s what I would call a bit of a worrywart. Any time I hurt myself, skinned knees, you name it, she’d just about freak out, think it was a life-and-death situation. If she had to go through that with two kids, I think it would have made her a basket case.”

Draven laughed. “That must have been tough on you growing up, having a clingy mother.”

“It wasn’t so bad, really. It was harder on Mom to cut the cord, if you know what I mean. She didn’t want to accept the fact I grew into a man and didn’t need her to watch over me all the time. She’s a lot better now, though sometimes she can still hover, especially if I end up getting sick. What about you? Your parents still around? Do you have any siblings?”

“No to both of those. I lost my parents some years ago, and I had an older brother, but he died when I was a teenager.”

“That has to be rough, being all alone in the world.”

“Like I said, I lost them a long time ago. I’m not completely alone, though. There are others I can go to if I need to.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” He paused, then added, “And you have me now.”

Draven stopped walking and turned to face Wyatt. He pulled him into his arms and brushed a kiss across his lips before he rested his forehead against Wyatt’s. “Yeah, I do have you.” He lifted his head and looked into Wyatt’s eyes. “I want you to know I have very strong feelings for you. I don’t want to freak you out, but I love you, Wyatt. I know it’s rushed, but you’re the one for me. And will always be. I want us to live together.”

Wyatt nodded as a thrill shot through his body at Draven’s words. “I love you too,” he said in a rush. “I was just waiting for the right time to tell you. I thought if I told you too soon, you’d want to run.”

Draven kissed him again before he dropped his arms and took a step back. “Speaking of running, there’s something else about me I have to tell you. And I’m not sure how well you’re going to take it.”

“You can tell me anything, Draven. I don’t think there is anything you can say that will cause me to leave you.”

Draven gave him a slight smile. “I hope that remains the case.” He took a couple of steps back again, putting more space between them.

Wyatt’s gaze jerked in the direction of something over Draven’s shoulder. At the same time, he yelled, “Holy shit, there’s a wolf.” Draven turned and growled, sounding like the animal that slowly stalked toward them.

He then felt the air become trapped in his lungs when Draven’s body blurred and shimmered, taking on the form of a wolf right before his eyes. The animal had brown fur that matched the color of Draven’s hair.

“Draven?” Wyatt finally managed to ask while his heart tried to pound out of his chest. Was what he’d seen actually real?

The wolf didn’t look his way, only curled its upper lip, hackles rising, as he watched the black one who continued toward them. Just as Draven looked as if he were about ready to go on the attack, a man who moved so fast Wyatt had a hard time tracking him, came out of nowhere and threw a rope net over the brown wolf. He jumped onto Draven’s back, pinning him to the ground.

Wyatt gave a shout and was about to go to his rescue when he was hit from behind and fell forward. Rough hands grabbed him, pulling his arms behind his back as a heavy weight sat on his legs. He struggled, but it didn’t stop his assailant from binding his wrists together.

“I’ve got him,” the man who’d taken down Wyatt yelled.

Wyatt was yanked to his feet and force marched over to the others. The black wolf’s body blurred and shimmered, and Rick took its place. He walked over to the man who pinned Draven down and held up a rope that had something inside it that reflected the sun. Wyatt’s heart was still trying to beat out of his chest, and he was more than a little freaked by what he’d just witnessed. But on the outside, he acted as if seeing men turn into wolves and vice versa was an everyday occurrence for him.

“Tie him up with this,” Rick said. “Make sure it’s tight enough.”

“What the fuck are you?” Wyatt yelled. Some of the stress he felt leaked into his voice.

Rick walked over to stand in front of him. “You don’t know, mortal? I would have thought your butt buddy over there would have told you.”

Wyatt barely stopped himself from flinching, not wanting the other man anywhere near him. “Told me what?”

“That he’s a werewolf. Just like we are.” Rick waved his hand to encompass the other men. He then leaned forward and took a deep breath. He smiled, one that didn’t reach his eyes. “From how ingrained Draven’s scent is in your skin, it leads me to only one thing—you’re his mate. I guess the queer finally found one. It only took him fifteen hundred years. That’s what happens when you want to fuck someone of the same sex.”

“Fifteen hundred years?” Wyatt asked, thinking Rick was talking shit again. Okay, the werewolf thing he couldn’t deny, since he’d seen Draven shift, but that many years? It couldn’t be possible. His gut clenched at the thought that it could be true.

“Why do you think I called you mortal, mortal? Werewolves can live to the age of three thousand. Your lover boy over there has been knocking around for fifteen hundred years. That’s also the reason why he has such antiquated standards of what is right and wrong. He believes in the whole his word is his bond sort of thing. It dates back to when he swung a sword, defending the honor of one and all. The stupid shit.”

“Then how old are you?”

“Me?” Rick asked with a laugh. “I’m nowhere near as old as that relic of the past over there. I’m three hundred.”

“So compared to Draven, you really are a pup,” Wyatt spat.

He’s head whipped to the side as Rick’s fist connected with his jaw. “Don’t ever call me that again. I’m no child. I’m more than capable of going wolf and using my teeth to rip your throat out.”

“Not unless Draven stops you first.”

“Sorry, but your mate won’t be able to do a damn thing. You see that rope we’ve trussed him up with, and the net? It has silver threads mixed in it. That metal, when in contact with us in any way, hampers our ability to shift and hold whatever form we try to take on. Since Draven is in his wolf one, he’s stuck like that until we take the ropes off, which won’t be anytime soon. I’m going to make him pay for getting me kicked out of our pack. He could have turned a blind eye to my drug-dealing ways, but he had to play the hero.”

“What are you going to do to him?”

“First, take him far away from you.”

“What do you expect that will do?”

Rick shook his head. “You haven’t a clue about anything, do you? Draven has claimed you as his, which means you two won’t be able to stand to be apart from each other. We call it separation anxiety. It won’t take long before you feel as if you’re going to lose your mind, same with Draven. All the two of you will be able to think about is returning to each other. The longer apart, the worse it’ll get. I couldn’t have asked for a better means to torture Draven.” Rick turned his head and said to the man who held Draven, “Get him out of here.”

Draven howled, struggling against his captor. Having a good feeling that everything Rick had said would happen, Wyatt threw his head back, knocking the man who held him in the nose. A loud wolflike growl sounded before a thick arm caught him around his throat and applied enough pressure so Wyatt could barely get enough air to fill his lungs.

“Nice try,” Rick snarled. “One other thing you should know about werewolves—we’re faster and stronger than mortals.”

Wyatt found himself dragged away in the opposite direction with Rick in tow as the other man hefted Draven onto his shoulders and took off, moving faster than a normal person could. Right about now, Wyatt figured Draven and he were fucked.

* * *

Draven had no idea how much time had passed since he’d been carted away trussed up like a Christmas turkey. All he knew was it was long enough and far enough for him to already feel the separation anxiety. He had to somehow escape his bonds and get back to save Wyatt from Rick. How he was going to accomplish getting out of ropes threaded with silver, he had no idea. Being basically stuck in his wolf form had its disadvantages, like not having opposable thumbs.

The werewolf who carried him, and the one who had jumped Wyatt, were lone wolves like Rick. They had at one time been in his pack as well. If he remembered correctly, they had been kicked out for the same reason and around the same time Rick had been.

Finally his captor emerged from the trees at the edge of the water. A small boat had been pulled halfway out of the water and secured to one of the nearby trees. There was no dock, but Draven recognized the area as being on the opposite end of the lake, close to where Wyatt’s rental was. And it was far enough away to have him really feeling the separation anxiety.

The other werewolf none too gently put Draven down at his feet. He pulled the rope net off Draven and threw it into the boat, leaving only his four legs bound. His captor gave him a kick in the ribs. “Don’t go anywhere. I have to take a leak.”

The other man walked a little ways into the trees and turned his back to him. Draven moved, hoping there was something he could use to cut the ropes. As he did this, he felt one of his bonds loosen. Looking at it, Draven would have smiled if he were in human form. The dumb bastard didn’t know how to tie a proper knot. He rolled around, dragging the ropes along the ground, feeling them becoming looser until he had enough space to pull his legs out.

Gaining his paws, Draven silently snuck up behind the other werewolf, who was too busy pissing into the trees to notice he was being stalked. Once he was close enough, with his scent carried downwind by the breeze, Draven bunched his back legs under him and pounced. After bringing the man down, he quickly shifted to his human form and beat him with his fists until he knocked him out.

Hefting the other werewolf over his shoulder, Draven carried him over to the boat and threw him into the bottom of it. He then proceeded to tie his wrists and ankles with the silver-threaded ropes. The knots he used wouldn’t slip loose.

Draven took off at a run into the bush, shifting on the fly. He could move faster through the trees in his wolf form. He didn’t stop running until he’d reached his lake house. Stealthily, he worked his way around to the front and inside the open door. On silent paws, he followed the scent of his mate to the living room. Wanting to get the jump on Rick, he launched himself into the room, hitting the other werewolf before he knew what happened.

Rick shifted to his wolf form, using his sharp teeth and claws to fight Draven off. Draven didn’t even try to look for Wyatt to see how he was. He had to stay focused on defeating Rick. As he’d expected, the fight didn’t last long. Draven had superior fighting skills and was stronger than his opponent. He brought Rick down on his back and took hold of his throat in his jaws. Draven bit down hard enough until he tasted blood in his mouth.

“Let Rick go, or else your mate is going to have a new hole to breathe from,” the other man in the room yelled.

Draven didn’t release his jaws. He lifted his gaze to meet the other lone wolf’s and growled loudly. He bit down harder, causing more blood to fill his mouth as Rick whimpered, his tail coming between his legs in surrender.

“Fuck this,” the other werewolf said. “It’s not worth it.” He then shoved Wyatt to the floor and ran out of the room. The sound of his footsteps could be heard outside the house shortly after.

Draven shifted to human form and held onto Rick’s throat as he shifted as well. “Now we know who the better wolf is. If you ever come back here again, or come near me or my mate, I’ll be contacting my pack leader. I’m sure Grant would love to hear about a bunch of lone wolves attacking members of his pack.”

Draven released the other man and stood. Rick held his throat as he slowly gained his feet. He ducked his head and stumbled out of the room. Draven followed him to make sure he left the house and closed and locked the door behind him. He then returned to the living room.

Wyatt had propped himself into a sitting position with his back against the front of the couch. He turned and lifted his hands as Draven undid the ropes that bound them. Once he had him free, Draven pulled him into his arms and held him tight.

“Are you okay? The bastard didn’t hurt you, did he?”

Wyatt shook his head. “Not really. I can handle a slug to the jaw. It was what I felt after that other werewolf took you away that I had a hard time handling.”

Draven kissed Wyatt, needing the taste of him in his mouth to reassure him he was still his. He pulled back after a few seconds. “I’m sorry you had to find out about werewolves this way. We’re not all like Rick and those lone wolves.”

Wyatt cupped Draven’s cheek in his hand. “I figured that out for myself. Rick wasn’t kicked out of your pack for being a nice guy. So what he said about us being mates is true?”

“Yes. I claimed you the first time we fully made love yesterday. Our souls joined. There’s no undoing it. I should have let you have a choice, but I was afraid you’d want to leave me. The instant I smelled your scent, I knew you were mine.”

Wyatt shook his head. “I have to say werewolves have an easier time of finding their mates than mortals do.” He breathed a sigh. “Right now, this is all a bit confusing and new to me. I’m not going to lie—I’m feeling a little freaked out right now, but I would never run from you. You’ve never given me a reason to fear you. Rick and werewolves like him, I can’t say the same thing.”

Draven chuckled. “Does that mean you can accept me for what I am?”

Wyatt launched himself at Draven and took him to the floor, flat on his back, and came down on top of him. “Yes, it does, my ancient warrior werewolf.”

“I might be old, but I’m far from ancient.” He thrust his hips up into Wyatt, pressing his hard cock against his.

Wyatt groaned. “I think you’d better remind me of that again.”

Draven rolled, switching positions with Wyatt. “And I think I have a demanding mate.”

He then proceeded to see how many times he could make Wyatt moan and shout his name.

The End

About the Author

Marisa Chenery was always a lover of books, but after reading her first historical romance novel she found herself hooked. Having inherited a love for the written word, she soon started writing her own novels.

After trying her hand at writing historicals, she now writes paranormals.

Marisa lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and four children. She would love to hear from you, so drop her an email.

Marisa welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.