Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

N iles vanished after breakfast, cackling as he declined an invitation to help them. After a long day looking for any information on the internet, Ross understood why. They were tired, bored, and frustrated and hadn't found any trace of Dylan's life.

"I need a break," Ross declared, getting to his feet and rolling his shoulders. "Drink?"

"Please." Dylan was still focused on the screen.

Ross opened the office refrigerator and took out a large jug of Cal's homemade iced tea. He poured two glasses and returned the jug to the fridge.

Dylan groaned and rubbed his eyes. "I think my eyes are full of grit. How can it be so difficult to find me? And don't say I was undercover. I know that."

Ross handed him a glass. "Okay, I won't say it then." He wasn't feeling much better. He was used to standing on his feet all day, not sitting behind a desk.

"Are we done? Please say we're done," Dylan begged before he took a long swallow of tea. "This is good." He took another swallow before he said, "I'm not cut out for staring at a computer. I'll do anything except more of this."

"I have an idea." Ross pulled out his phone and scrolled down until he found Joe's number.

"Everything okay?" Joe asked by way of greeting. He sounded as if he was ready to tear his hair out.

"We're ready to climb the walls. Do you need any help with the animals?"

The sigh in his ear was heartfelt. "You mean it? I've spent all day trying to help my replacement and they're driving me nuts. And Cal is cooking up a storm to get away from me cursing."

Joe was a college professor as he pointed out to anyone who would listen, even if his sabbatical had turned into a permanent break. He wasn't impressed with his replacement who seemed to need their hand held every five minutes. Ross wondered just how much Joe would love to run back to his old life.

"Where's your dad?" Ross asked. "Isn't he supposed to be taking over the ranch?"

"Vanished with Peter revisiting old haunts together."

Joe Senior had made a huge song and dance about coming back to his ranch, his home, but to Ross's mind, was more wrapped up in Peter, their old life as teens back in the day, and his new life as a wolf. It was as if he was enjoying a second run at his teenage years, but this time he and Peter could be honest about their feelings for each other. Ross had a feeling Joe Senior had moved on from the ranch, he just didn't want to admit it.

"You know I'll always take care of the animals," Ross pointed out.

"Yeah." Joe sounded weary. "I know that. After the road trip let's have a long discussion about the future. I have ideas and I'm sure you do too."

"I've thought about buying my own farm," Ross admitted.

"Or we build you a farm and you take care of the ranch animals," Joe countered. "You know I don't have the time and they're being neglected. This hunter business isn't likely to die down any time soon."

"You want me to resign from the Cavalry?"

"I want you to be happy, like I want every member of the pack to be happy."

Ross felt guilty for challenging him. Joe had enough to worry about. "I know you do. And yeah, we'll talk as soon as I get back."

"I'll let Eli know you're coming over, so he doesn't shoot you."

"Thanks," Ross said dryly.

"You're welcome. Do you want to stay for dinner?"

Ross hesitated, then said, "Not this time. Dylan and I need some getting to know each other time."

"Okay."

He disconnected the call and looked at his mate who raised an eyebrow.

"That seemed an intense conversation. I could feel the tension pouring off you."

Ross shrugged. "Just me making it more complicated than it needed to be. Come on, let me introduce you to the critters."

"I'm a wolf. Aren't they going to panic?"

"They're used to Cal now. Just give them time to get to know you."

Dylan stood and chugged back the tea. "In which case, get me out of here."

Ross felt the tension ease as he pottered around the horses and maybe he was imagining it, but they seemed pleased to see him too. He knew this would be his life now if he'd gotten the chance. Dylan seemed just as content and once the horses understood Dylan was friend, not predator, they relaxed around him and nipped at his pockets, looking for the treats Ross had palmed him.

"You watch old Betsy," Ross said to his mate. "She was Joe Senior's before he was ill. but I ride her now. She'll take the carrots out of your pockets if she gets the chance."

They fed the chickens and the sheep, and Ross milked the four Holstein dairy cows Joe Senior had just acquired from another farmer who wanted to retire. Quite why the older wolf thought anyone had time to take care of cows, Ross didn't know, but everyone liked the fresh milk, and the cows were a sweet dream to handle. While he milked them, he indulged in his dream to have a small milking parlor and a larger herd. Maybe this was something he needed to discuss with his mate now.

Ya think? Dylan didn't bother to hide his sarcasm.

I was broadcasting again?

I repeat, ya think?

Ross was going to have to talk to other humans in the pack about this. He didn't want all his thoughts on broadcast.

They delivered the milk and a few eggs they found to Cal, but he was clearly not in the mood to talk. Somewhere in the background, Joe was shouting. So they returned to the office and Ross served up a lasagna for dinner.

"I need a shower," Ross said after they'd eaten. "Want to join me again?" He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Dylan chuckled but he shook his head. "I need to think. It's like I've got the teasers of memories, but I just can't put my finger on them. I need to shift. Maybe that'll help me remember."

Ross was disappointed but he understood. He kissed Dylan on the mouth. It was meant to be a quick peck and ended up way more heated than he'd intended.

Dylan pulled back, his eyes unfocused as he licked his lips. "Right, shower, you need to go."

Feeling smug, Ross gave his mate a slap on the ass, received a squeak for his troubles, and headed into the bathroom. He stripped off and looked down at his erect dick, thanks to their make-out session.

"You'll have to wait until later. I'm saving this for my mate."

He swore he heard a chuckle in his head.

It was too hot to dress, so he slung a towel around his hips and used the other one to dry his hair. He wandered out of the bathroom to find the living area and the office empty. He had a momentary panic, wondering if Dylan had decided to make a bolt for it and leave Ross behind. Ross wasn't sure he'd ever be able to cope with that loss. Then he stepped out onto the porch and relaxed as he saw a dark shadow in one corner of the yard.

His mate was restless. Ross watched the wolf pace around the yard, then stare at the moon. It was nearly full in the velvet blue sky and Ross realized he didn't know if werewolves were affected by the full moon. He sent a tentative question to Dylan to see if he remembered the answer.

We are, but not like the movies, all bite the humans, howl howl, furry monsters. We like to go for a pack run and fuck. I kinda remember doing that as a young wolf, the run part, not the fuck, but the memories are hazy.

It was good that some of Dylan's memories seemed to be returning. It proved that they were there and not destroyed by whatever trauma had happened to him

The wolf continued to pace, and Ross wasn't sure what to do with him. He understood some of Dylan's restlessness. They were in limbo until the Wild Creek pack doctor arrived, not able to start the road trip until they got the all-clear.

He sent a message to the whole pack, querying the idea of a run on the night of the full moon, including the older wolves. The response was immediate. Even Milo replied within a few minutes. Joe said the humans would follow in the ATVs so it was the whole pack, and Cal suggested a dinner at the ranch so Dylan could get to know his new packmates.

Ross hesitated. He wasn't sure Dylan would like that, but then agreed. He desperately wanted his mate to become part of Sapphire Ranch. His phone beeped.

I'll keep Eli under control.

That was from Niles.

Ross burst out laughing because Milo's message, a moment later, was almost identical. His wolf turned to look at him, clearly curious about what had made him laugh.

Planning pack run. They all promise to keep Eli under control.

Dylan bared his fangs and Ross laughed even harder. Humans had no chance with their wolfy mates.

The wolf slunk over to him and nudged his hand with his muzzle.

Ross kneeled in front of him and pet him, scratching behind Dylan's ears. Dylan closed his eyes in ecstasy.

So good. Dylan almost purred.

Ross agreed. It was a connection he didn't expect to have with his mate. As Ross stood, the towel around his waist loosened and dropped to the ground. He stood naked as the day he was born in the yard.

Even better.

Ross swore Dylan just sent him the wolfy equivalent of a leer. He prayed that the Cavalry hadn't set up the security cameras yet because they really didn't need to see what he was about to do next.

He stared down at his mate. "Are you gonna leave me to be the only naked one?"

"You want to watch me shift?"

"I do." Ross wanted to see all sides of his mate.

Dylan's shift from wolf to human was fluidly graceful. Ross bent and helped Dylan to his feet. Dylan swayed a little and Ross held onto his biceps while he regained his human legs.

"Better," Dylan muttered. "Take me into the bedroom and make good your promise in the bathroom."

"I can do that."

He led Dylan inside and shut the door, then bent to give his mate a kiss. This time he didn't have any intension of keeping it chaste. They were skin to skin, their cocks hardening as they rubbed against each other.

Ross sighed into Dylan's mouth. "You're all I've ever wanted."

"And you're my beacon, my light. I searched for you in the darkness, not knowing what I was looking for."

"And you found me."

"Yes, I did."

And for the first time, Dylan sounded very sure about that.