Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

M ilo was right, damn him. Ross felt the tension that had knotted every muscle ease under the moonlit sky. It wasn't the journey itself, because the ATV seemed to find every lump and bump. It was the clear air and being on his own, with his only job to focus on the wolf in front of him. The wolves stayed together for a while, but he knew which was his wolf. He didn't need the tracker. Dylan was right, he was a beacon in the darkness.

They didn't talk across their link and Ross was grateful for that. He needed time to decompress under the night sky. He thought about Milo's comment about the dark night of the soul. Could he have his dark night just for a few hours? It wasn't a tantrum, no matter what anyone said.

The wolves ran and played for miles and miles. There had been a general understanding that the human mates would leave the shifters alone until they were ready to interact with their mates. Shifters didn't get enough chance to be themselves. Owen had tried to explain how easy it was to lose yourself as a wolf and how he'd rather be a wolf than a human. Ross wasn't sure he understood, but he tried.

Ross had forgotten just how large the acreage was between Sapphire Ranch and the new Cavalry office. Just how many farms around the ranch had they bought to give the pack somewhere to run safely?

Wolves need a lot of space to run. Most packs own a huge amount of land.

Dylan's unexpected comment thrilled him. The link between them was still open.

How do you manage to hide yourselves? Ross asked, wanting to keep talking to his mate.

Years of practice. No one is looking at the large ranches or farms.

Ross wondered just how many shifters he'd met over the years and never realized it.

More than you could imagine.

Does it scare you that more humans know about your existence now?

It terrifies me. You think you're protecting us, but we've protected ourselves for much longer.

Dylan had a point. They were newcomers to the secret. Only a few humans had discovered it before, like Milo's dad and his shifter mate who had died young.

"Ow!"

Ross growled as he launched upward as the ATV found a large hole.

You need four legs and night vision.

I've got four wheels, Ross pointed out. I can keep up with you.

It's not like having a wolf inside you.

His wolf was right. Shifters were amazing.

You didn't think so a few hours ago.

He heard the pain in Dylan's voice. Ross sighed. Dylan had a point. He didn't know what to say.

I'm sorry, Dylan said. I should have told them where to stick their test.

Yeah, you should. But you thought you were doing the right thing.

Gunshots pierced the night.

They were close. Too close.

Niles's voice crackled through his radio. "Incursion on the south side."

Damn, they were too close to the southern perimeter.

Wolves, head toward the office!

Joe's alpha order blasted through his head and Ross watched the wolves change direction, away from the south, heading to the new office.

It was too late. Ross saw lights and noise from unknown vehicles head toward them. They weren't Cavalry men.

Blood pounded in Ross's ears, adrenaline kicking into overdrive at the thought of the hunters getting near his wolf. He sped up to get between the hunters and the wolves, seeing two other ATVs circle around to do the same. No one was getting near his mate. The ATV jolted violently as he hit a rut, but Ross barely noticed, determined to get to the pack.

More gunfire. One of the wolves went down, but just as quickly regained his footing.

I'm all right. A graze, that's all.

That was Owen and Ross was relieved he was all right and selfishly thankful it wasn't Dylan.

Fuck! One of the vehicles had gotten ahead of the wolves in the distraction.

Ross changed direction but he was too late. Six men piled out of the ATV. Run ! he yelled at Dylan.

But suddenly it all changed. The wolves became the predators and the men, the prey. Ross could feel the switch in his head from fear to fury. The men shouted and dropped their guns, running as seven wolves charged them. One man turned as a huge wolf leaped on him, and he hit the ground hard. The others bolted away, but one by one, they were brought down.

Don't kill them!

Ross swore he heard more than one disgruntled growl at Joe's order. He couldn't blame them. The shifters wanted payback for what had been done to them.

It was chaos, dust and noise, lights and yelling, snarling from their pack. Two of the hunters' vehicles swung away but Cavalry men had arrived, blocking them in.

Ross's only order had been to protect his wolf. He leaped out of the ATV, running toward the wolves, the other human mates doing the same, but he didn't approach the wolves and their prey until he knew it was safe. One of the wolves seemed to be chewing on something. Ross didn't want to think what Joe Senior had gotten hold of. The older guy had turned into a wild wolf.

He stayed where he was, his weapon pointed at the man under Dylan, until all the hunters had been taken away. Dylan peeled away from the other wolves and approached him, his green eyes gleaming. Ross kneeled in front of him and slowly reached out to dig his fingers into the fur. Just that touch made him feel connected to his wolf.

Dylan shifted under his hands. He had never experienced anything as sensual in his life. Ross held his breath as the man he loved appeared, his green eyes just the same as the wolf.

"You're not hurt?" Ross asked. He knew, he just needed the distraction.

"I'm fine." Dylan chuffed out a breath. "Pack runs aren't usually this exciting."

"You're never going on a pack run again," Ross ordered. His hands had barely stopped shaking.

Dylan bowed his head. "Yes, mate."

He took Ross's breath away. "You're beautiful as a human and a wolf."

"My wolf loves that you find him beautiful."

"Why wouldn't I?" Ross was confused.

"Humans don't??—"

Ross put a finger over Dylan's mouth. "I'm your mate. That's all that matters."

Dylan kissed his finger. "I need you inside me."

Ross could smell how aroused Dylan was and he didn't need to look down to see his hard shaft, a drop of pre-cum glistening in the moonlight. He knew that mating at full moon was important to newly mated wolves. It was one of those awkward conversations he'd had with Zeke. It didn't matter so much when they'd been mated for a while, but right now, mating hormones dominated Dylan's body. Ross couldn't knot Dylan, but he could fuck him until his mate forgot his own name.

"Niles, is it safe to stay out?" he yelled.

"Affirmative. The hunters are all in custody. One of them is a bit chewed but the rest are fine. Stay away from the perimeters. You'll scar the guys for life."

Dylan snorted and Ross laughed. They drove away from the group until they were alone.

Ross stopped the ATV, leaned over, and kissed his mate. "I'll get the blanket."

" I'll get the blanket. You get naked," Dylan ordered.

Ross unlaced his boots and kicked them off, sticking his socks in them so he wasn't trying to find them in the dark. The second he dropped his briefs, Dylan pulled him down onto the blanket.

"I found the lube," Dylan said breathlessly. "You brought it just in case."

Ross shrugged. As angry as he had been, Dylan was still his wolf. "You're my mate."

They rolled on the blanket, a tangle of bodies and limbs, kissing hard until they were both breathless, cocks dripping with need.

"In me," Dylan demanded.

Tonight wasn't about foreplay and fun. Ross needed to breed his mate hard. He sat on his haunches and fumbled for the lube. "Put your legs over my shoulders."

Dylan did as he was told, snarling as Ross pressed slick fingers to his hole. "I don't need prep. Just get in me."

But Ross wasn't going to hurt his mate. He pressed two fingers in, seeking and brushing over Dylan's sweet spot. His lover was ready for him and they both needed this. Ross bent over and pushed his dick in with one smooth thrust. Dylan yelled and before Ross could worry if he'd been too forceful, Dylan arched up, begging for more. Ross shoved back in again, hard, and Dylan howled. This was what he needed, and Ross was going to give it to him. Sweat beaded along Ross's temples and prickled along his back, as he fucked Dylan as hard as he could, to give them what they both wanted. Stones bit into his knees through the blanket, but he didn't care. Nothing mattered except fucking his mate.

Their mating under the moonlight went on for what seemed like an eternity. Ross felt his orgasm waiting, coiled in him, ready to strike like a waiting snake, but he wasn't going to come until they were both ready.

Then it was there, on him, and Dylan too. The cries of their climaxes broke the silence of the night sky. Ross lay sated and panting, sprawled over Dylan until he could get his limbs to work.

Dylan moaned as Ross pulled out and lay next to him. "I feel so empty."

"I'll fill you again soon," Ross promised, brushing his fingers gently over Dylan's clenching hole, feeling his seed coat his fingers.

Dylan hissed, pulled away and then pushed closer. "Sensitive."

"I know." Ross teased him a moment longer, then bent down to kiss him. "We should sleep. I'll get another blanket."

"No need. I'll keep you warm." Dylan shifted again, lay down, and Ross curled into Dylan's soft, thick fur.

"Sleep, my mate. We can play again later."

You know they're gonna demand you feed the chickens or something.

I'll tell them to get lost.

Dylan chuckled, clearly not believing him.

Ross sighed. No, he wouldn't, because he was a company man, and if his bosses, company or pack, said jump, his answer would always be "How high?"

Dylan snuggled closer. You'd make a good wolf.

One day.

Time to come back.

Ross groaned at Joe's voice in his head.

What did I say? It's too soon, Dylan grumbled.

He was still curled, a furry blanket, around Ross. They hadn't stirred and frankly, Ross had no desire to move yet. The sky was only just starting to lighten, and sunrise was not yet even a pink streak in the sky.

Ross buried his face in Dylan's fur. They had to return to the ranch. Conversations needed to be had.

His mate snuggled even closer. I don't wanna go back.

He wanted those conversations even less than Ross did.

Ross, Dylan, we need you back now. It's important.

We need to shower, Dylan pointed out.

You've got one hour.

Okay, okay, Ross snarled.

Do you ever get time out? Dylan muttered.

From the pack or the Cavalry?

Yes.

No. It's a 24/7 annoyance.

Quit whining and get the hell here. Joe broke the link with a decided snap.

Dylan stood and stretched his legs. Ross lay back and admired his mate's lithe wolf body. It had felt so warm and comforting around him. Dylan shifted, shivered, and looked down at him. "It's warmer with fur. Did you bring me anything to wear?"

"I did." Ross waved a hand to the ATV. "Let's get dressed and find out what Joe wants, or he'll send Niles over here to annoy us."

Dylan tugged on a pair of briefs. "Unless he's about to reveal my deepest, darkest secrets or stick my entire life back in my head, I don't care."

Ross stood and brushed off the dirt which seemed to have gotten into every crevice. "Well, we're gonna find out sooner or later. At least we have time for a shower. Last one dressed gives the blowjob."

It took a long time to dress, and they declared it a draw. Mutual blowjobs in the shower sounded like the best plan.