Chapter Nine

Delta stood in front of the expansive multi-paned windows that dominated the far wall in Kalen's bedroom, staring at the dark forest.

He was ashamed to admit how he'd prejudged Kalen. He was a huge biker-looking guy, and truthfully, Delta had expected his bedroom to either be barren or cluttered.

But the room he stood in was the complete opposite. The rustic masculine elegance had taken him by surprise.

The high, coffered ceiling was crafted from thick wooden beams with strategically placed spotlights that cast pools of warm light, creating a cozy ambiance.

The hardwood floor was stained in a rich, warm brown and covered partially by a woven rug with intricate patterns that added texture and warmth underfoot.

Although the most striking feature in the bedroom was the windows, which led to a wide balcony outside, it was the king-sized bed—draped in a neutral plush comforter and flanked by two matching nightstands—that called to Delta's fatigue.

But sleep wasn't happening right now. Not when Kalen was reclined in the cushioned armchair, patiently waiting for answers.

Which the man deserved after the insane chase this evening. Delta was still rattled that someone had actually come after him, making the reality of his situation hit home.

He took a seat on the side of the bed, unprepared for how soft the mattress was, tempting him to sink back into its comfort. Brushing his hand over the comforter, Delta said, "My entire life my mom kept her brother away from me."

"Why is that?"

Kalen asked, a slight edge to his voice.

"It's not what you're thinking,"

Delta reassured him. "My uncle is a dangerous man, but as far as I know, he's not a degenerate."

Kalen visibly relaxed, giving a single nod, as if relieved Delta hadn't suffered at the hands of a deviant.

"I never understood why she'd refused to let him around me, until after she'd died."

He wrapped his arms around himself, wishing like hell his mom had given him some kind of warning about her brother.

"Leo is…"

He tried to think of a fitting way to describe his uncle. "He's the type of guy you would take one look at and just know he eats kittens for breakfast."

Which was why Delta kept cursing his stupidity. He knew his mom didn't want him around Leo, yet he'd been starving for a masculine presence in his life.

Too bad Delta hadn't met Kalen before Leo had sprinkled all kinds of craziness into his life. But even if he had listened to his mom, Leo was tenacious. He kept showing up at all hours, day or night. His uncle's preferred method of convincing Delta to help him out was intimidation.

And Leo intimidated the hell out of him.

Lately, his preferred method was physically hurting Delta. A hard twist of the arm, a backhand to the face, shoved against the wall. It was now to the point that Delta was afraid to go home, knowing his uncle would be there, waiting on the porch.

Though, with the last visit, Leo had been inside his house. Delta had come home and locked his door, only to find his uncle waiting for him on the couch.

Sitting forward, Kalen ran a hand over his beard thoughtfully. "And once your mom passed, the guardrails were gone. He descended on you, preying on your grief and using your vulnerability to his advantage."

"How…?"

Delta stared wide-eyed at him.

"He eats kittens for breakfast,"

Kalen replied, dropping his hand from his beard. "Based on your description, it seemed like the only logical conclusion."

Delta clenched his jaw to stop it from quivering. "At first, Leo asked me to run some errands for him, which seemed harmless enough, and I made money, which I'd needed. Then one night he took me somewhere called the demon realm."

Kalen cursed.

"I take it you know the place?"

"I've been there a few times,"

Kalen admitted. "It's not exactly a place I'd take a human."

Delta snorted. "Tell me about it. I freaked out so badly I begged him to take me home. He refused and threatened to beat my ass if I didn't pull my shit together."

He blew out a stress-filled breath.

Kalen got up and took a seat next to him, entwining their fingers. Delta concentrated on their joined hands, marveled at how much larger Kalen's was compared to his.

"Has he hurt you?"

Kalen's eyes searched his. "He has, hasn't he?"

"Yes."

His heart was beating so fast he was afraid Kalen could hear it. "His aggression has been escalating."

Kalen slid an arm around Delta's shoulders and pulled him into his warm, comforting side. The guy felt like a safe haven. Delta needed it desperately. Needed the kiss Kalen placed on his temple. Kalen's dark and smoky scent had already become so familiar to Delta that he wanted to bury his face in it.

"Anyway…"

Delta cleared his throat. "We ended up in some bar that I don't even remember the name of. Leo instructed me not to talk to anyone under any circumstances, ordered me to stay put, and then he went to the back with a group of men to handle something."

"He left you alone in the bar when you've never been to the demon realm?"

Kalen appeared livid. "It's like leaving a lamb in a den for wolves to protect."

"No pun intended?"

Delta grinned at him. He was stalling, too afraid to think about what'd happened next in that bar, of how he suspected Leo had left him alone with intent, or how family could betray someone that sinisterly.

"A stranger approached me,"

Delta continued, curling into Kalen. "He came off as aggressive, like he'd never heard of boundaries and was never told how off-putting he was."

"Whichello?"

Delta shook his head. "Just some rando. He started getting handsy with me, even though I kept pushing them away, repeatedly telling him I wasn't interested."

Kalen's arm tightened around Delta.

"Someone, roughly your size, gripped the stranger's wrist and told him ‘The gentleman isn't interested, so back off or I'll teach you some manners.' The handsy guy curled his lip and said I wasn't worth a fight. My rescuer, insert Whichello, bought me a drink, and we talked for a bit, while I was unaware just how much deception was at play."

If Delta had the ability and know-how, he would beat Leo to within an inch of his life. How could his uncle and his mom be related? She'd been the sweetest person he'd known, while her brother was the rankest.

"After Leo's meeting, we left. Then, halfway to this dark lake in the middle of the city, he laughed and thanked me for being the perfect distraction with Whichello while he ripped the guy off."

Kalen's hand squeezed Delta's arm before he began to rub it soothingly. "You were your uncle's unwitting pawn."

"Yes. He explained to me that Whichello had gone back on a deal, and he was simply taking what was his, though he never told me what he'd taken. It hadn't been a meeting but a heist of some sort."

He pulled away and looked up at Kalen, into eyes the color of blue diamonds. "He'd told me I was exactly Whichello's type, and that was why he'd taken me with him then left me alone in the bar. You know what's so crazy?"

"What, muffin?"

"I actually enjoyed my conversation with Whichello, as bad as that might sound. He seemed like a decent guy, and it wasn't until after I left that Leo informed me that Whichello was a demon. Blew my mind, because when you think of demons, your mind conjures images of horns and a tail, some red-skinned creature holding a pitchfork."

Kalen's smile was warm and sincere. "I have no clue how humans came to that conclusion."

Unable to resist, Delta leaned back into Kalen's side. It wasn't simply for comfort, though. He was turned on by all those muscles encasing him, aroused by Kalen's touch.

"What happened next?"

Kalen slid his arm back around Delta to his delight and started rubbing his arm once more in long, soothing strokes.

"A day later, Leo called me and told me the men who'd helped him were dead, and we were next. He said Whichello thinks I was in on it, though I suspect my uncle played a part in the demon's assumption."

"So why is Leo trying to get you to go back to the demon realm?"

Kalen sounded both confused and pissed off.

"He's convinced that, if he returns whatever he took, Whichello will miraculously forget all about it,"

Delta replied then snorted derisively. "I think he wants me to go with him so he can use me as a sacrificial lamb if things go sideways."

Tucking his finger under Delta's chin, Kalen coaxed him to look up at the guy. "What Leo didn't count on is me. I think you and I meeting this morning was more than just fate bringing two mates together but an intervention as well."

Delta might have been a distraction for Whichello, but Kalen was one for him. The combination of his liquid-velvet voice, diamond-blue eyes, and gentle touch sent Delta's mind into a frenzy. He wanted Kalen to kiss him so badly he could already feel the roughness of his beard adding to the pleasure.

"What's a mate?"

Delta's gaze kept flickering between Kalen's eyes and tempting lips.

Placing his hand over Delta's chest, Kalen asked, "The connection you feel, the one you already admitted to having, is called the pull. It's when two people are drawn to each other because of fate. You've always been destined to belong to me, muffin."

Kalen slid his finger across Delta's shoulder, creating goose bumps over his skin. "And when I bite you here during sex, our souls will bind together."

Delta's heart raced as he processed Kalen's words. He had never believed in fate or destiny before, but the way he felt about Kalen was unlike anything he had ever experienced.

He'd felt a mysterious connection to Kalen, but he never imagined it could be something as profound as this.

A strange stirring surged inside Delta. For the past six months, and maybe even before then, if he were being honest, he'd felt as if he'd needed an anchor, someone who would take away the feeling of being adrift. Whenever he was near Kalen, whenever the man touched him, Delta suddenly felt calmer, safe.

And he knew, deep down in his bones, that he could trust Kalen with his life.

With a firm grip on Kalen's head, Delta pulled him toward his mouth and devoured his lips with an insatiable hunger. Kalen's tongue explored every inch of his mouth, leaving him moaning and desperate for more.

Their lips parted for a brief moment, but Kalen continued to ravish Delta's neck with kisses, slowly making his way to the spot where he had mentioned biting him. Delta quivered with anticipation, his body pulsing with need. "Do you want me to make you mine, Delta?"

Kalen growled seductively against his skin.

Take a hit of oxygen. Hold. Release.

Did he want to belong to the man? Kalen was asking to lock Delta down for the rest of his life, and Delta wasn't sure he could trust his own judgment lately.

"Yes,"

Delta gasped, his breath hitching as Kalen's lips brushed against his sensitive skin, leaving a trail of fire behind.

Jesus Christ. Was he really giving in this easily? They'd known each other only a little over twelve hours.

Yet, he somehow knew this decision wouldn't be foolish, that it wouldn't come back to bite him on the ass. Not unless he begged Kalen to bite him on his tush.

His heart thumped wildly when he made up his mind, when he decided to give Kalen his trust and dive headfirst into this, because nothing had ever felt so right as it did when he was with the older man.

Deepening the kiss, Kalen slowly lowered Delta to his back. Then he helped Delta to scoot backward until his head was resting on the soft pillows.

Kalen followed, his strong muscles sinking over Delta as he settled between his legs. The press of his hard body had Delta's cock growing thick in seconds flat. He felt Kalen's denim-trapped erection against his thigh, and oh damn, it was a large bulge that felt as hard as concrete.

Delta sucked in a quick breath. He couldn't remember ever getting this turned on this fast. Kalen had to be telling the truth. Delta had never felt so consumed by anyone.

A warm, strong hand slipped under Delta's shirt, sweeping upward, and then Kalen's fingers pinched his left nipple. Delta arched beneath him as a long, salacious groan escaped.

He trembled as Kalen slid his shirt up and sucked a hardened nipple between his lips, suckling the nub then rolling it between his teeth.

Kalen traced his fingers over Delta's hardened nipples, brushing heat against Delta's skin and making him to squirm, causing him to spread his legs wider.

He was already so hard for Kalen, so aroused that he was ready to rip off his clothes and beg the man to fuck him.

"Kalen,"

Delta whimpered. His desire for Kalen was almost unbearable.

When Kalen lifted his head, his blue-diamond eyes ignited with something Delta couldn't name. He'd never been the object of someone's intense gaze before. It was like Kalen wanted to possess every single inch of Delta's body. Maybe even his soul.

And Delta would let him. He wanted it. Was desperate for it. Was dizzy with so much need he started to thrust his hard cock against Kalen's chest.

Then Kalen pulled back and captured Delta's mouth, his tongue plunging deep. The man had him squirming, panting and moaning. Delta's cock throbbed, getting more and more uncomfortable while trapped in his pants.

Grabbing a handful of delicious ass, he pulled on Kalen's body to bring him closer so he could grind into the man's rigid stomach.

Suddenly, Kalen was gone, taking away the firm pressure of his body. He twisted sideways and yanked open the middle drawer of his nightstand while Delta struggled to breathe.

Something hit the bed. A bottle of lube.

Kalen stood and turned, and sweet hell, he yanked Delta to the edge of the bed and began to undress him. Those strong hands worked quickly to rid Delta of his clothes.

"So fucking pretty,"

Kalen groaned, staring down at him like Delta was a prime piece of meat he was about to devour.

Yes please.

"Plant your feet on the bed, baby."

Delta obeyed without hesitation. He scooted back and did as he was told, staring up at Kalen as the man stood there watching him with heavy-lidded eyes.

Kalen brushed his hands over Delta's legs then slid them between his knees, coaxing him to let his legs fall to the sides.

There was something about Kalen being fully dressed and Delta lying there completely naked that was so damn arousing.

Lubed fingers traced over Delta's crease almost teasingly, making him shiver as he felt Kalen's fingers separate his cheeks then probe at his ring of muscle.

With their eyes locked, a finger pressed inside of Delta. He wasn't sure who moaned louder, but his moans increased when Kalen lowered to his knees, and then used his broad shoulders to nudge Delta's legs open even wider. Holding his breath, he watched Kalen sink his lips over his cock, taking the hard shaft down his throat.

Oh. My. God.

Delta jolted, curling his fingers into the bedding as he closed his eyes. Shit. Kalen licked his way back up the hard shaft and flicked his tongue over and around the head.

Another finger worked its way into Delta's ass.

Kalen took the cock deeper, sucking on the way up. Was it possible to die from getting slow, torturous head? As good as it felt, Delta needed faster. Needed it more than the oxygen he was breathing. He thrust upward, only for Kalen to sling an arm over his waist to limit his movements.

"Kalen, I need more,"

Delta whined. "Faster… please ."

A third finger joined the first two. Now Delta was out of his mind with pleasure, right at the edge of an orgasm the man refused to give him. Kalen tightened his fist around his cock, adding incredible pressure.

Now Delta was writhing like crazy, trying his best to thrust, even with Kalen's arm pinning him down. He white-knuckled the cover, his legs squeezing inward, and then he fell back down, breathing so fast his mouth was dry.

"Kalen…I'm gonna…"

Just those few words had Kalen tightening his suction around Delta's cock and moving faster. Yes! Yes! Yes!

"Fuck!"

His seed surged down Kalen's throat as his ass clenched around those thick fingers. Pleasure just kept shooting through him, and Kalen didn't pull off of Delta's cock until Delta melted into the bed, strung out from the best orgasm he'd ever experienced.

His brain barely registered Kalen standing, but it took notice when the man began to shed his clothes, revealing those sinewy muscles the material had greedily kept all to itself.

His gaze followed every movement of Kalen's hands. When he unsnapped his jeans, Delta's dick tried to stir back to life. Miles and miles of perfection were slowly unmasked, and now Kalen was at the best part.

He bared his cock, and Delta couldn't stop the gasp.

Huge was a glaring understatement. Long, thick, and simply beautiful.

Pre-cum was beaded at the slit, and Delta couldn't rip his gaze away as the guy finished undressing, presenting a body that had been sculpted by the gods.

Kalen climbed onto the bed, hovering over him, and as the man crawled forward, Delta had no choice but to keep pace by scooting backward. They moved until they were in the middle of the bed and his head was once again resting on the pillows.

As Kalen's lips hungrily devoured Delta's, his hands roamed over every inch of Delta's skin, leaving trails of fire in their wake. The room was filled with the sounds of their desperate moans and grunts as Kalen used his muscled thighs to spread Delta's legs.

A moan escaped him at the feeling of Kalen's deliciously hard cock brushing against his skin. "You're so beautiful, muffin."

Delta blushed at the endearment. "It feels a little odd to hear you call me that during sex."

With a soft chuckle, Kalen nuzzled him. "I love how it sounds. It reminds me of our first morning together every time I say it."

Instant melt. That was the sweetest thing Delta had ever heard, and he wanted to hear Kalen call him that a million more times.

As Kalen's lips claimed his once again, he thrust his hard, throbbing cock inside of Delta's ass. The burn was intense. Delta dug his fingers into Kalen's back and blew out slow breaths.

As if sensing his struggle, Kalen rolled them onto their sides. He pulled one of Delta's legs over his hip, which changed the angle and opened him up even wider.

This new position brought their faces closer together, intensifying the moment. Kalen fucked him, rough yet gentle at the same time. But in those blue diamond eyes, Delta could see the concern and care for his comfort.

Despite being a wolf shifter, Kalen was a gentle lover, nothing more than a teddy bear in disguise. And Delta couldn't get enough of him.

"I want to ride your fat cock,"

Delta groaned with a wicked grin.

Kalen's eyes darkened with desire, and he let out a low growl. "Give me a moment, sweetheart."

He gripped one of Delta's plump ass cheeks in his large hand and trailed his fingers down the crevice, pausing at the entrance where his thick shaft was sliding in and out of Delta's ass.

"This position is perfect,"

Kalen whispered, the man's lips grazing his. "It's like cuddling and fucking at the same time."

Delta chuckled before groaning. "You just love feeling your big dick inside of me."

"That too."

Kalen dragged his tongue across Delta's parted lips, the man's deep moan of pleasure driving him wild.

He sucked Kalen's tongue into his mouth, groaning and making other weird noises as Kalen's thrusts became more frenzied then slowed.

Kalen was driving him insane, igniting every nerve ending in his body as he arched his back, enjoying how Kalen filled him so completely.

As badly as he wanted to stay connected like this forever, he also yearned to ride Kalen's thick cock until they both collapsed from exhaustion.

"You've had your moment,"

he stated breathlessly as they parted their lips. With a deep grunt, Kalen held Delta's sides in a firm hold then rolled onto his back, planting his feet on the bed.

"Fuck, baby. You look even more gorgeous sitting on my cock,"

he growled, his hands gripping Delta's hips tightly.

"Keep using that deep, seductive voice and I'll sit on anything you want,"

he moaned, grinding against Kalen, not caring if he made any sense. All he cared about was how deeply Kalen was penetrating him.

"This voice?"

Kalen deliberately deepened it even further, making it sound rougher and even more seductive.

"That's the one,"

he shouted as Kalen began to pound into him hard and fast.

There was no way Delta would be able to sit comfortably for days after this.

The musky scent of their combined arousal filled the air, a heady mixture of sweat and sex that was intoxicating. Delta couldn't stop inhaling it as his cock hardened again.

Curling his hand around the back of Delta's neck, Kalen pulled him down and kissed Delta's throat. "Ready to be mine, muffin?"

His teddy bear had purposely deepened his voice again, or may be the guy was just that aroused.

"Yes,"

he hissed.

Once again Delta shouted, only this time it was from the pain of razor-sharp teeth plunging into his shoulder. He cried out as a second, more powerful orgasm ripped through him.

It felt like Kalen was inside him, and not just his cock, as if Delta had known the guy forever, and he couldn't imagine his life without the wolf shifter in it.

"What's happening?"

"Our bond,"

Kalen said between grunts after he'd pulled those sharp teeth free and lapped at Delta's shoulder. "Our souls soldered together, and our bond is unbreakable."

Kalen held on to Delta as he pounded into Delta's ass. His head was thrown back, eyes closed, with an expression of pure pleasure crossing his face.

Delta had done that. He'd made Kalen look savagely beautiful.

A harsh growl ripped from Kalen's chest just as he buried his cock deep inside Delta's ass. He felt the man's seed filling him, then he collapsed onto Kalen's sweaty chest, breathing heavily as Kalen's arms circled around him.

"My mate,"

Kalen murmured.

His mate. An unbreakable bond. Why wasn't Delta freaking out about that? Unsure and uncaring, he closed his eyes and dozed off to sleep.