CHAPTER 14

LUCAS

The visit from Marcus was more than a little unnerving and it had really put me on edge.

I made Noah lock the shop door while I went upstairs to look around the road and make sure no other wolves were lurking about. I picked up hints of Marcus' scent but it had faded a lot so, I knew he was gone.

When I returned to the shop, I resettled into the couch but was unable to focus on the book again. My wolf was pacing, wanting to get Noah away and to the safety of the pack. It was hard keeping him down.

Before we left the store, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called Drew.

"Alpha, what can I do for you?"

"Marcus paid Noah and I a visit earlier in his store. I need an enforcer at his house tonight to keep guard. I'll be staying inside with him."

I heard Drew growl lightly. "That son of a bitch. Do you want me there too?"

"No, I want you at the pack. I don't know what he's up to, it might be nothing and he's just getting a kick out of being a prick, but I'd rather take every precaution."

"Okay, no problem, Alpha. I'll send Zane over."

"Thank you. We'll be there in twenty minutes."

I hung up and waited for Noah as he shut down his computer and turned off the lights. He locked the door and I placed my arm around his waist as we made our way upstairs and around back to the bike. He didn't argue or resist. In fact, he put his arm around me too, which felt wonderful though slightly bittersweet. I wished it hadn't taken a visit from Marcus to encourage it.

We climbed on the bike and headed to Noah's house. I had wanted to take him for a longer ride home but after Marcus' visit, I just wanted to get him home safely, where one of my enforcers would keep guard for his protection.

I parked the bike and walked Noah to the house. I walked in first, taking a deep breath and didn't pick up any new scents.

"Okay, it's all clear. Lock the door after you, I'm going to shift and check the property."

"Okay," Noah nodded.

I ran around back, out of sight from any neighbors and stripped. My wolf pushed forward, desperate to get out and take over to help protect our mate. My body shifted, face changing, bones contorting and growing.

It was done in moments, a quick and smooth transition, until I was a black wolf. I shook my fur out and began running around the perimeter, checking for new scents.

After I was done, I trotted up to the back door and shifted, knocking on the door while naked. Noah approached as I was doing up my pants, unlocking and sliding the door open. I saw him stare at my naked chest with admiration and wished I could pounce on him and claim him again.

"It's clear," I said before pulling my shirt on. "Zane will be here in fifteen minutes or so."

"Okay. I'll get dinner started."

I watched Noah in the kitchen, admiring the way he moved around so gracefully. He had a self-awareness that many humans did not, making them clumsy. Whatever he was cooking smelt delicious and I was salivating.

"Alpha, I'm here."

"Zane's here. I'll let him in."

"How do you know?"

"He communicated mentally to me, like I can to you."

"Wait, that's not a mates only thing?"

"No. Everyone in the pack can communicate with each other. And when our mating is complete after your shift, they'll be able to communicate with you too."

"Are you fucking kidding me?! I'm going to have people in my head? How much other weird shit have you left out?" Noah asked. He wasn't panicking but he wasn't happy.

I'd fucked up. Again. To me it was as normal as regular speech, I lived with it my whole life. It didn't occur to me to tell Noah about it, but it should have. I could understand how hearing other people's voices in your head would be quite a shock.

"Let me take care of Zane and I'll explain over dinner."

I went to the front door and invited Zane inside, leading him to the kitchen.

"Zane, this is my mate, Noah. Noah, this is Zane, an enforcer in our pack."

"Alpha Noah, it's an honor to meet you," Zane said, bowing his head slightly and baring his neck.

Noah looked at me with a perplexed expression. "Um, thanks. Nice to meet you too?"

I chuckled. He was adorable when he was flustered.

"We're just about to have dinner, have you eaten?" Noah asked Zane.

"I had a quick snack before I left but that's it."

"I've made plenty, there's enough for three, would you like some?" Noah said as he served our food.

Zane looked to me for permission and I nodded.

"That would be wonderful, thank you," Zane said as he took the plate of food Noah offered, "I'll eat out back."

"I know you can turn into an animal but that doesn't mean you have to eat outside," Noah joked.

Zane laughed. "I like him," he said to me before turning back to Noah. "It's okay, I can protect you better from outside where it's quiet. I can see and hear if anyone is on the property better from out there," he explained to my mate.

"Oh, okay. Thank you," Noah smiled.

Noah and I sat at the table and started eating our dinner.

Between bites he looked up. "You're not off the hook, don't think I forgot about the pack that will be in my head. Explain," he said, gesturing at me with his fork before continuing with his meal

I couldn't help but smile. He was feisty but I knew he also had a heart of gold, and when he finally did claim me back, I would be the luckiest man alive.

"Okay. Wolves can communicate mentally with each other when they're in the same pack. But you can't communicate that way with wolves from other packs. It's not thoughts, they can't read your mind, you have to actually project to them. You can also block them out if you really want to, I'll teach you how after your first shift," I explained.

"Okay, that's first on the agenda. Well, second, after learning how to turn back into a human."

I chuckled. "Noted."

"Is there a distance limit?"

"Yes. We've never specifically tried to measure it but it's approximately a ten-mile radius."

Noah nodded. "Okay, anything else you've forgotten to tell me about?"

"Yes, we have to dress you up in a wedding dress and complete a mating ceremony on the first full moon before your shift."

Noah looked horrified. "You better be joking!"

"Yes," I laughed.

"Just for that, you can squeeze onto the couch tonight," Noah smirked, thinking he'd gotten the upper hand.

"Yeah, we'll see. But on a more serious note, I'd like you to move to the compound with me."

He dropped his fork. "You want to whisk me away to the cult?"

"Not a cult."

"Yeah, just a bunch of werewolves who worship a moon goddess and live in the middle of nowhere like hippies."

"Look, I know it's a big change for you. But After Marcus' visit, I think it would be the wisest course of action to keep you safe."

"I have a life here. I have my home, my business, I can't just give that all up."

"Actually, you can. We have more than enough funds in the pack to support you," I said, trying to reassure him that we all take care of each other.

"I will not be a kept man. I make my own way in the world."

"I'm not asking you to be. Everyone in the pack contributes with the skills they have and we'll find where you fit in but, as my mate, I think you'll find your hands are full a lot of the time," I reassured.

"Why do I get the feeling it won't be my hands that are the body part that is full," he muttered sarcastically.

"Well, if you'd rather just sit knotted on my lap all day while I work, I'm perfectly fine with that too," I smirked.

"I'm sure you are."

"How about just moving to the compound until your first shift, then we can complete the mating and you'll be much safer. The risk of another wolf trying to take you will be significantly lower," I asked, trying to negotiate.

I watched his expression as he mulled this idea over in his mind.

"I'll think about it."

"Okay. Thank you."

It wasn't what I was hoping for but at least he was considering it.

After dinner we brushed our teeth and I returned to the lounge while Noah fetched some bedding. I stripped down to my underwear and Noah approached with a blanket and pillow. His eyes went wide, watching me hungrily as he dropped them onto the couch.

"Are you sure you don't want me in your bed?" I murmured.

He visibly swallowed as he took in my almost naked body. "Yup," he said, his voice cracking a little.

I stalked over to him. "Hmm, that didn't sound very convincing. But if you say so, then I'll just kiss you goodnight," I murmured, sliding my arms around his waist and pulling him up against my body. His arms naturally found their way up to my shoulders, resting around my neck.

I threaded one hand into his hair, tilting his head back as I slowly leant down, milking the moment for every second and making him wait for it. I lightly brushed my lips over his and heard him inhale, his eyes fluttered closed. I pressed my lips to his, kissing him gently for a moment before tracing my tongue lightly over the seam of his lips. He parted them, inviting me in. I brushed my tongue over his, just barely, forcing him to seek mine out but not allowing him with the grip I had on his hair. He whimpered, clearly frustrated and wanting more.

I released my grip on his hair and he pulled me close, deepening our kiss. I let him take the reins, plundering my mouth with his tongue and I reveled in his unrestrained desire for me. Eventually he came up for air, trying to catch his breath.

Noah allowed me to share his bed that night, though he did make me sleep on top of his covers, declining his offer of an extra blanket. Considering I had jerked off onto him earlier in the day in a bookstore, I'm guessing he was concerned what I might do to him in a bed.

I couldn't really blame him, there were lots of things I wanted to do to him under those covers.