CHAPTER FIVE

H enry was completely surprised when Terry walked out onto the back porch that evening. He walked over and sat down next to Henry like it was the most natural thing in the world. He reached over, took Henry's hand, and placed it on his thigh as they sat there together.

"I'd like for you to come over to my house." Terry broke the silence. "We could have a few drinks, and I could show you where I live." Henry stared at him for a few minutes before speaking. He wasn't sure what Terry was asking, but he sort of had a hunch the evening might end with the two of them in Terry's bed.

"Are you sure you're ready to have me over to your house?"

"Very." Terry stood and held his hand out to Henry. "Come on, gorgeous, let me show you my etchings." Henry started to laugh while Terry took his hand and led him out to his car.

He was pleasantly surprised by Terry's home. It was warm and welcoming in its structure and landscaping. Terry had a split-level home tucked back into a wooded area about two miles from the main Ranch house. It was sided and had a wrap-around porch. The yard was full of plants and trees expertly tended, or so they seemed.

Terry came around his side of the vehicle and took his hand, holding it loosely as they walked together towards the front door. "This home used to belong to my uncle. He was Beta to Lance's father when he was Alpha. He left it to me when he died."

"Sorry for your loss."

"Thanks, Uncle David was a good man and a loving man. This house means a lot to me, and I try to keep it nice in a way that he would like." He looked proud of his home.

"I'm sure your uncle is very pleased with how you care for his home." Henry was touched by the tenderness exhibited by Terry's words and actions.

"Is this someplace you could see yourself living?" Terry threw it out there as they reached the door, and he held it open for Henry to enter.

"Here in Lonepine?"

"No, here in this house with me." Terry closed the door and instantly took Henry into his arms. Terry's mouth covered his, and his arms crushed Henry against his chest. Slowly he moved his lips in a sensual massage feeling the stiffness of Henry's lips. He moved slowly, pushing Henry's back flush against the door behind him. Terry marveled at the feel of his mate in his arms. He'd been dreaming of this for days, and the reality was so much better than even his wildest imaginings. Henry took his breath away.

Finally, Henry started to relax and opened to him. His lips, soft and inviting, reciprocated the desire Terry was feeling. "This will be your home Henry, just you and me for always." He whispered the words between soft kisses. He moved his hands to cup Henry's face while his body kept him pressed to the door's surface.

Henry lost himself in the feel of Terry's hard muscular body pressed against him. His lips explored and penetrated Henry's mouth until he thought he would go mad with the exquisite intensity of the pleasure Terry was eliciting. Henry gripped Terry's hips for balance. It was a heady experience, to feel so out of control and at the mercy of the man touching and tasting.

At this moment in time, he decided that he would do absolutely anything to get Terry to make love to him. All his reservations and concerns over Terry's opinions and ability to commit meant nothing in the face of the overwhelming fire and need that raced through his body and mind. He pulled Terry's hips closer and ground his cock into Terry's thigh, trying to gain some relief.

With a sudden deep heartfelt groan, Terry snagged Henry around the waist and abruptly threw him over his shoulder. The move left Henry disoriented and grasping for purchase. "What?" He managed to gasp as Terry turned and hurried through the house to his bedroom located in the back down a short hallway.

Without a word, but with plenty of heavy breathing, Terry shut the door and tossed Henry rather gently onto the large bed in the center of the room. In his next move, he grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head, leaving his muscled tan chest bare to Henry's perusal. He stalked over to the bed like a big cat rather than the large wolf that he was, his eyes eating a hole through Henry.

"Come to me, Henry. You know you want to." He smiled wide in such an endearing and playful way that Henry eagerly slid down the bed towards him. "That's right." He crooned and began unbuckling his belt and slipped it off, hitting the hardwood floor with a clatter.

"Looking good, Terry." Henry nodded his approval while taking his own shirt, freeing it from his pants, and shucking it off. He wasn't as buff as Terry, but he was okay. His body was toned, but not muscled. By the look on Terry's face, Henry knew he liked what he saw.

Henry got up and positioned himself on his knees as he popped the snap on his jeans and then lowered the zipper. He watched as Terry mimicked the action and lowered his jeans and boxers to the floor in one swift motion. He then kicked them to the side along with his socks. Completely naked, Terry stood at the side of the bed and reached out to help Henry to stand.

"Your turn Henry; I showed you mine; now show me yours." He gave a lustful chuckle and helped Henry to stand beside him. "I'll give you a hand." He finished unfastening Henry's jeans and, like his own, took them and Henry's briefs to his ankles in one motion. He then dropped to one knee and helped remove his shoes and socks before completely freeing him of his clothing and tossing them in a pile next to his own. He placed a wet kiss on the head of Henry's cock. "Now that is a pretty picture."

Henry shivered and unconsciously ground his hips forward for another touch while letting his head drop back onto his shoulders. Terry did not disappoint, taking Henry deep into the wet warmth of his mouth. The feel of Terry caressing his cock was beyond erotic. Henry knew Terry would be the best simply because they were, according to Fate, destined to be together. But to actually feel Terry's lips' electric pleasure and satisfying sensation and hot moist suction was more than expected.

He dropped his hands to run his fingers through Terry's short-cropped blond hair and moaned very loudly. He felt rather than heard Terry's chuckle, the vibration adding another dimension to his pleasure. "That feels so good." He moaned again and gripped Terry's scalp in an almost punishing hold.

Terry held him tightly with his mouth and with his hand pumping and sucking until he thought he would go insane with the pure pleasure of the act. This was his mate, and he would never get enough of Henry's sweet taste. He closed his eyes and let the sensations roll over him.

He'd been with men before, many men, but only as one-night stands or quick hookups in places far away from where no one knew him. His emotions had never been involved like they were with Henry. He wanted to fuck Henry in the worst way, but he also wanted to please him, hold him, and make him so happy that he never wanted to leave.

He was overwhelmed and loving every minute of it. He could feel Henry coming apart and knew he would climax soon, so he concentrated on giving him the best blow job of his life so far. Henry started to tremble, so Terry held him firm with one hand on his hip to keep him from toppling over as his orgasm took him. He shot stream after stream of hot seed into Terry's mouth.

Henry couldn't catch his breath, overcome with the sheer thrill of connecting with his mate. Terry helped him over to the bed and laid him down, never once taking his eyes from his. Terry's decadent, lustful stare mesmerized him into just lying there and receiving.

"Do you still doubt that I'm gay?" Terry smoothed out the comforter and positioned himself beside Henry, gently running the palm of his hand over Henry's chest and abs.

Henry had no words, so he continued to stare and just shook his head in the negative. Terry was definitely gay; no straight man could have given so much to another man. Terry was gay but out and proud; he was not.

"Good, because I have so much more, I want to do with you and to you tonight, and I don't want any doubts to cloud your enjoyment." He laughed and then completely covered Henry's body while plundering his mouth with wet sensuous kisses.

Terry moved his hips in order to separate Henry's thighs and positioned himself between them. His cock pressed urgently against Henry's, begging for release. "I want to make love to you, Henry. I want to bury myself deep inside you." His words came out haltingly between swamping kisses that were once again taking Henry's very breath from him. Henry nodded and reached to hold Terry close and feel the warmth and urgency of his body.

Terry kissed his way down Henry's body until he was at his goal. Taking a quick nip of each sensitive sack, he then lifted Henry's left leg and began an oral exploration of his tight opening, bathing it with his saliva and probing with his tongue. Soon his tongue was replaced with his lubed finger, and then two, and then three.

Henry knew it would be soon, and he ached for it. He'd wanted Terry to make love to him since the day they met, and that need had not diminished. Henry squirmed under the ministrations of Terry's talented mouth and hands, demanding more and more.

"That's it, Henry, give me all you got. Moan for me, honey. I love to hear you moan. Tell me what you want, Henry." Terry's sexy talk was just about to put Henry over the edge. He never realized Terry had such wanton behavior in him, especially not with another man and a human to boot.

Henry stilled and took Terry's face in his hands to stare at him directly. "I want you to fuck me, Terry, and I want you to do it now." He made himself crystal clear. A huge grin broke across Terry's face as he removed his fingers and, rubbing the excess lube on his penis, quickly positioned himself and plunged into the depths of Henry's hole. "Your wish is my command, honey." He groaned and began to slowly pull out and then just as slowly pushed back in.

"I can take it, Terry; you don't have to treat me like spun glass. Pound it like you mean it." Taking Henry at his word, Terry began a punishing rhythm. He held Henry by the shoulders for leverage as he pumped his cock in and out of Henry's tight hole. His breath came in ragged pants as he struggled to hold on, so as to prolong Henry's pleasure. "Harder, Terry, harder." Henry pleaded breathlessly.

Terry obliged and increased his speed and pressure to the point that Terry thought he would explode any minute and that he did. With a final grunt and a distinct howl, Terry pumped and spilled into Henry, and at the same time, Henry shouted Terry's name and came. He shot his hot seed in streams between them, bathing both of their chests.

"I've never witnessed anything more beautiful than you, Henry." Terry smiled warmly, and Henry reciprocated while rubbing his hands up and down Terry's upper arms. "I could get so used to this. I love having you here in my house and in my bed. It feels like heaven to me." Terry bent and kissed Henry gently on the lips as he carefully rolled to his side and gathered him into a tight embrace. Henry chuckled and pressed his face into the crock of Terry's neck.

"We probably should clean up. Dried cum is not the most pleasant of experiences." He laughed. Terry reached to the floor without letting go of Henry and snagged his t-shirt. He then wiped them both off and tossed it back to the floor.

"I'm not ready to get up yet." He gathered him close, and they fell into a peaceful slumber.

...

Terry came awake with a start at the ringing of his phone. He still held tight to his mate, who was asleep in his arms, as he reached for his cell on the nightstand behind him. "Hello," he spoke softly though he realized that Henry was waking.

Henry shifted so he could look at his lover and mate. Terry smiled at him as he continued talking to whoever was on the phone. Henry reached up and ran his thumb over Terry's bottom lip repeatedly until Terry caught it in his mouth and nipped it.

He ended the call and tossed the phone back on the bed table, before taking Henry and squeezing him so tight he thought he was going to burst. Henry started to giggle uncontrollably when Terry started to tickle him.

"Very ticklish, good to know." He laughed and gave Henry a deep heated kiss before he could respond. Terry hugged him snugly to his chest and just breathed in the scent of his mate. It was the most intoxicating and alluring of smells, and he couldn't seem to get enough. He needed to solidify their relationship; he needed to make plans, because he wanted his mate here in his home with him as soon as possible.

Never again would he make light of the emotions that existed between a mated pair. He learned firsthand the depth of feeling that came with the first sight and the first scent of one's mate, and it was overwhelming and glorious. The fact that Henry was human was no longer an issue for him. He wouldn't care if Henry had the face of a horse and the body of a duck; he would love him and cherish him because he was his mate. Henry belonged to him, and he planned to make that clear; he had to make that clear and soon.

Henry moaned and pressed his face into Terry's impressive chest. He wanted to stay there the rest of the night and wake up in Terry's arms in the morning, but he knew the phone call was probably important and they would be leaving soon.

"We need to get up and shower, honey. That call was my boss, and they need me at the station." He sounded sad, and Henry hoped he was. He hoped that Terry wanted him as much as he wanted Terry. "I'll drop you at the Ranch on my way, okay?" Terry cupped Henry's chin and raised his face so he could give him a good and proper kiss. Henry nodded and shifted to get up. Terry followed him as he entered the bathroom. They had a quick shower together.

Henry entered the Ranch quietly, since it was past two in the morning, and he really didn't want to discuss his evening with anyone. He hoped he could disappear into his room and just go to bed. He'd enjoyed his evening with Terry, the man was loving and attentive, and the sex was off the charts. He'd never come so hard in his life, and he wanted more, much more. But whether Terry could overcome his prejudices was still unknown.

Terry wasn't comfortable letting people know he was gay and didn't care for humans. Not a recipe for a happily ever after, but Henry was falling fast, and he feared for his heart. He fell into a fitful sleep and woke the next morning groggy and conflicted.

...

"Hey Terry, was that Henry I saw you dropping at the Ranch last night?" Kelvin came up to him at the counter at the Black Bean while he was getting a morning coffee to take back to the office. Terry liked the coffee at the Black Bean better than the pot at the office and usually started his day with a cup. Terry turned to eye him suspiciously.

"Yeah, what were you doing there so late?" He turned the question to Kelvin.

"Miriam was having one of her episodes. You know when she won't stop screaming about having kids, so I shifted and went for a run."

"That's a long way to run. You live miles from the Ranch."

"Miriam's whining has a long reach," Kelvin complained and rubbed his hand through his hair. "Why are you hanging out so much with that human?"

Terry moved away from the counter, angling to get out of the shop and away from Kelvin. "I like him, Kelvin. Henry is a good man." He moved quickly towards the door, and thankfully Kelvin did not follow.

When he entered the office, he was deep in thought and nearly ran into Jamie. "Watch where you're going, man," Jamie stated, joking. "Just go claim that mate of yours and get your head on straight." He laughed and patted Terry on the shoulder. Terry sat down at his desk and did not respond. "What's the matter?" Jamie became concerned and stooped down with one hand on Terry's desk and the other on the back of Terry's chair and waited.

"Kelvin stopped me at the Black Bean. He asked why I am spending so much time with Henry." Terry just stared at his coffee cup.

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him I like Henry and that he was a good man." Terry sounded distant.

"That sounds fine; why are you upset about it?" Jamie wasn't following. He didn't deny or diminish his mate in any way, so what's the problem?

"I like him, and he is a good man! Why didn't I tell Kelvin that Henry is my mate, and I need him like I need my own heart?" Terry choked a little on his words. "I'm still pretending, Jamie! I'm still hiding who Henry is." Terry dropped his head into his hands and groaned. "I'm nothing but a horse's ass, and that's all I'm ever going to be." Jamie rubbed his shoulder, reassuring and comforting him as best he could.

"You're not a horse's ass, you used to be, but you outgrew it." He chuckled softly, gave Terry a quick pat on the shoulder, and stood back. "Now come on, stop moping, and let's get to work. I have no doubt that you and Henry will work out your lives together."

Terry felt better, but not perfect. He decided that the next person to ask him about Henry would get the whole truth. He had to stop playing games and make his claim, or he could lose the best thing ever to come into his life.

His biggest problem with Henry had been the fact that he was human, and humans were weak. Humans were a liability to a wolf. But after seeing Henry in action at the gas station, willing to risk his life for his cousin, it became obvious that his Henry was not weak and would never be a liability.

As far as being gay, that really was a non-issue considering their Alpha was gay and mated. It wasn't how Terry had anticipated his life would go, but he wouldn't trade Henry for the world. He was done hiding his love for his human boyfriend. He smiled to himself at the silent declaration.

"I hear Detective Ivan Rand, the Beta from Michigan, was pretty impressive." Jamie broke into Terry's thoughts. "I also heard that he is doing further investigation into others that Randal may have blackmailed."

"You heard correctly. Also, he said he would be back, so you will be able to meet Ivan yourself."

"Why is he coming back?"

Terry didn't have an answer for him. "I don't know. He just said he would be back, and that he looked forward to meeting you." That had Jamie's eyebrows shooting to his hairline.

"Hum, must have heard about my crack police work and wants to get some pointers." Jamie laughed, and Terry joined.

"Yeah, crack police work," Terry stated sarcastically.

…

Henry was on the front porch with a cup of coffee as usual. He loved the view from the porch with the mountains and the trees. The color in the morning was breathtaking. It wasn't long before Dean came out to join him. Henry realized that Dean was turning into a rather thoughtful friend, and he was beginning to enjoy his advice and support. They sat there in companionable silence for a while, drinking coffee and enjoying the view.

"I spent the evening at Terry's house. He has a very nice home." Henry began the conversation.

"He does have a nice place out there, lots of land to run." Dean paused for a moment, then added. "I heard you come back early this morning. Was Terry called into work?"

"Yeah, he brought me home around two this morning."

"Things progressing between you?" Dean cocked his eyebrow up as he stared over at Henry.

"I think they are, but it's going to be a long road for Terry. We aren't going to get things worked out to anything resembling a relationship in the time that I have here. I'm heading home after the ceremony on Friday. It will be a long time before Terry is ready to bond with a human male. That much I know for certain." Henry found that actually stating what he was thinking was more painful than thinking it. He wished he'd kept the information to himself.

"Give him a chance. I know I've said it before, and I still mean it. Terry is changing. Even in the couple of days that you've been here, he has changed. I think there is hope for him." Dean winked and then changed the subject to the ceremony and the details. They sat together for a couple of hours talking about a lot of nothing, and it was relaxing.

After lunch, Henry had been asked by Molly to pick up some white ribbon from the craft shop in town. She accused him of moping around the Ranch and said he needed a task, so here he was getting white ribbon to be used for decoration at the Bonding Ceremony.

He wasn't too bothered by it, considering he could maybe stop by the police station and talk with Terry for a bit. He wasn't sure how Terry would feel about the visit, but he hoped it would be alright. He hadn't heard from Terry since he dropped him off this morning, and he was wondering how he felt about their evening together. Did Terry regret the intimacy? Was he scared now of having a relationship with him? Henry was curious.

...

Terry finally finished writing up the call from this morning and filed the paperwork with the court. Now he wanted to talk to Henry. He wanted to make sure he had a good time last night. He also wanted to assure him that he would have stayed in Terry's bed if work hadn't called, and they would have had breakfast together this morning. He called on the house phone after there was no answer to Henry's cell.

"He went to town on an errand for Molly." That was all anyone knew, and Molly wasn't available to elaborate. He tried Henry's phone again, and this time he answered.

"Hi, Henry." He stated as sultry as he could manage. He got a soft giggle for his effort. "Would you be interested in a cup of coffee and a piece of apple pie at the Black Bean, my treat?" Terry needed to see Henry. He really needed to see him. His wolf was starting to get impatient with him and wanted his mate.

"Sure, I'll meet you there."

"See you in about five minutes." Terry hung up and hurried to the door, yelling over his shoulder that he was going to the Black Bean. He didn't wait for a response.

...

On the way out of the craft shop carrying his bag of white ribbon, Henry accidentally ran into someone on the sidewalk. He quickly turned to apologize when he realized it hadn't been an accident. The man that had been sitting with Terry yesterday and had given Henry a scalding stare was standing over him, holding tight to his upper arm.

"What's your game?" He snarled and lightly shook him.

"Not sure what you mean," Henry answered and then added. "Please release my arm." The man spat on the sidewalk and aggressively pulled Henry up to him, so their faces were inches apart.

"What I mean is why are you getting so friendly with Terry? Why are you making people believe you two are a couple or something? It's ridiculous because Terry would never get cozy with a human." The word human came out like a sneer.

"I heard that he was probably bisexual, which isn't really the problem, although I find it unnatural. The problem is you, Henry Grange, you're not good enough for Terry Moore. You are nothing but a sniveling weak excuse for a man. You are nothing but a human." He pushed him away with his last word, and Henry nearly stumbled to the sidewalk but caught himself before he completely lost his balance.

"Stay away from Terry if you know what's good for you. Stay away from him. If you don't, you may find yourself getting hurt." He pushed roughly by Henry and disappeared down the street.

Henry stood there for a few minutes, gathering himself before righting his packages and heading to his car. He thought about coffee and pie with Terry but decided he just wanted to go home. He sent Terry a text and begged off the date.

Terry was sitting in the booth by the window waiting for Henry when he received the text message. Running a little late, Molly needs the supplies; going home, see you another time. Henry. He read it several times before responding. He asked if everything was okay and if he could see him for dinner this evening. Henry assured him he was fine but wasn't feeling up to socializing, so he declined the dinner invitation.

Terry sat there trying to figure out what had happened in the short time between his call and the text. Something was wrong. Henry had completed the entire conversation through text rather than a call. It wasn't like him. He would stop by the Ranch tonight and see him.

"Terry, you mind if I join you?" Terry was pulled from his thoughts by Kelvin asking to join him as he was sliding into his booth. "You waiting for that . . . cousin of Ronan James?" His tone was harsh and judgmental. Terry shook his head and dropped his phone into his pocket while glancing out the window. "Good, let's have some pie. I haven't had a good piece of pie in days."

"Your wife doesn't bake pie for you?" Terry asked, but not really caring about an answer. His mind was still on Henry.

"No. She doesn't bake, she doesn't cook, she doesn't clean, and she doesn't do much of anything. She does manage to make my life a living hell, but apart from that, she's pretty much at loose ends." He looked at Terry and then over to the waitress, signaling they were ready to order.

"Sounds like a match made in heaven." Terry mocked.

"I'm sure it was made somewhere, but I doubt it was heaven." He sounded more sad than sarcastic.

Henry drove past the coffee shop and glanced in, hoping to catch sight of Terry. Unfortunately, he did, and what he saw saddened his heart. Both Terry and Kelvin sat together talking and looking pleased and relaxed. Terry didn't need him in his life. If he were smart, he'd pack up and head home now.

What's the point in hanging around waiting for Terry to fail or for his friends to scare Henry away? Either way, the outcome was doom. There was to be no happy ever after for them, and dragging it out was just torture. The scene in the coffee shop was Terry's truth, not the back alley dinners and meetings he had with Henry.

The ceremony was Friday, the day after tomorrow. Henry could, without explanation, return home after the ceremony. He gave Terry until the ceremony, so he would keep to his word, but he refused to hand over his heart in the meantime. No matter how much he ached to give himself completely, he would not.

The mate pull was definitely real, even for him. It wasn't as strong as what the wolves had described, but it was a compulsion for him that took all of his energy and concentration to resist. If Terry was feeling the same or more, as a wolf is more in tune with the mystical, he would continue to try to make this work. Even though his lifestyle, his friends, and his need to fit in kept him denying it, he would keep trying. His wolf would demand that he keep trying, but he would never choose Henry in the end. As soon as the ceremony was over, he would leave, no long goodbyes, no see you soon.

The Ranch was abuzz with activity. Pack ladies were decorating and baking their hearts out. They were preparing for what essentially was a double wedding, and their excitement was palatable. Molly called to him from the great room, and he quickly heeded.

"You got the ribbon?"

"Yes, right here." He held up the bag he was carrying to prove it. She grabbed his arm and pulled him forward.

"Let's get this done, Henry." She took the ribbon and started to unroll it, handing another to Henry. It wasn't because he was gay, but yes, he knew how to make proper bows. "We got a million of these to do." She laughed. "I have a couple of friends arriving from Traverse City tomorrow. They don't know the details." She grinned. "But they know that I'm getting married. I can't wait to see them, and I can't wait to be properly, legally married to Aaron." Henry enjoyed making bows and listening to the joy and expectancy in his cousin's conversation. It made his heart less heavy with his own issues.

"Hey, you two," Aaron announced his entrance into the room, and Henry watched Molly's face grow wide with a loving smile. He walked straight over and placed a deep kiss on his mate's willing mouth. They acted as if they were the only two people in the room. That was how mates greeted each other. That is what being a mate was supposed to be like; it was secure and loving, and exclusive. Henry feared Terry would never be capable of any of those things. "It's looking beautiful in here."

"Thank you. It will be breathtaking when Henry and I get finished. I'll make you proud, Aaron." Molly beamed up at her mate, who reciprocated the expression.

"You make me proud just by being here with me." They went into another deep embrace, and Henry decided he needed to give them privacy this time. He left and closed the door behind him.