Chapter 3

Chapter Three

R oss felt a sense of relief as he drove away from Sapphire Ranch. He wasn't going far. Zeke and Owen had moved into a property on the land adjoining the ranch and they'd carved out a dirt road across the land to cut out the miles. But he'd been genuine in his gratitude to Owen. It was a huge deal for the young man to give up his home even for a night.

Dylan hadn't stirred since Ross had laid him on the back seat. Ross could feel the waves of exhaustion coming from his sweet mate. It was as if he were hyperaware of every part of his wolf. How did Zeke and the other humans concentrate when they had all these emotions being flung at them 24/7? It was hard enough to deal with human emotions, but adding a shifter to the mix was ten times the strength.

He would talk to Zeke. Joe thought Cal walked on water, and anyway, the omega just wanted to help everyone. Eli's mate, Sheriff Milo, was more human than wolf and still working his human law enforcement job until the next sheriff was elected. But Zeke was like him, he'd understand, particularly with a highly-strung, almost feral mate like Owen.

Ross drove through the night, glad of the bright moon and stars to guide his way. He felt connected to this land now. Of all the Cavalry, he was the one who'd helped Joe keep the ranch going while they dealt with the hunters until his accident. He'd missed the place like crazy while he recovered from his injuries. Maybe he should find a small parcel of land to call his own and resign from the Cavalry as he was ready to settle down. Then Ross heard what sounded like a contented purr inside his head. His mate was happy with that idea. He drove on for a while, jonesing on the dream of a little farm nearby, a ranch was probably too much to handle, with sheep and cows.

And chickens, Dylan added sleepily. I like chickens.

"You can have chickens, honey," Ross said out loud and heard a contented noise from the back.

Ross's smile faded as he thought about their future. Whatever happened, he knew he had to find out what had happened to his mate. He needed to be examined by a doctor, even if it was the one from Wild Creek pack.

He reached the yard in front of the two-story ranch-style house and sat for a moment, waiting to see if anything moved in the shadows. Months of fighting the hunters had taught him to be careful. But nothing moved or gleamed in the darkness.

Ross jumped out of the pick-up. He had the sense to open the door to the house and flick on the lights before he came back for Dylan.

"Where are we?" Dylan mumbled.

"Zeke and Owen's house," Ross reminded him as he gathered Dylan into his arms. "We're gonna sleep here tonight."

"I'm so tired," Dylan admitted.

"I know, honey. Five minutes and you'll be in bed."

Ross knew the house well enough to know where the guest bedroom was. He backed in, easing Dylan through the door—the last thing he needed was another bump to the head—to discover Zeke and Owen had decorated it in a pale yellow since he was last there. It was nice, pretty, the last thing he expected from the two men.

Owen needs a home. Zeke wants to build that for him.

He grunted at Dylan's explanation. He should have thought about that for himself. Dylan was very perceptive to realize their dynamic.

He flung back the covers and laid Dylan on the bed. Dylan went to curl into a ball on his side, but Ross stopped him.

"Let me undress you. You'll be more comfortable that way."

Dylan grumbled, but he stayed where he was. Ross unlaced his combat boots, pausing as he pulled them off and studied them. He had an identical pair. They were Cavalry boots, well-worn, probably ancient, but the best piece of equipment they had. Niles, Eli's partner, insisted on buying the best for the teams.

He undid Dylan's cargo pants and tugged them and his briefs down his legs. For a little guy he was covered in rangy muscle, his legs dusted in dark hair that almost looked like fur. His sweet cock nestled in tight curls. Ross knew that shifters were hairier than humans, but it didn't bother him. He liked his men however they came.

He heard a growl in his head and smirked. Someone didn't like him thinking about other lovers.

There's only you, honey. You are my mate. I don't cheat.

Ross had never believed in instalove. Lust, yes. He'd hooked up with guys many times. But he'd never fallen in love. Then he saw Eli and Zeke meet their mates and he knew what to expect, what was out there for him. Of course, knowing the theory and experiencing the immediate sensation of recognizing his mate were two different things.

"Sit up and I'll take your jacket and T-shirt off."

"Need a shower," Dylan mumbled.

"You need sleep more," Ross insisted, tugging the jacket off and the T-shirt over his head.

Dylan gave a sigh and curled up in the ball again. He was asleep in seconds, snoring contentedly, his hair had escaped the ponytail and fanned across his face. He slept like a dog, Ross thought.

Wolf, not dog. Dylan's tone was decidedly huffy.

Oops. Offending your brand-new mate on the first day was a stupid thing to do.

"Wolf," Ross agreed and caressed Dylan's hair.

He covered him up and stood watching his mate sleep, before he left the bedroom to lock up the pick-up and then the house. A native of Sapphire Ranch, Joe had laughed when Cal and Eli insisted on locking their doors, but he'd soon learned. The hunters had taught them to be wary.

He wasn't sure whether Zeke and Owen would come back before he woke but that was a problem for the morning. They could knock on the door. Knowing Owen, he'd probably pick the lock.

In the bedroom, he stripped down wearily, and climbed into bed. He'd contemplated sleeping on the sofa and heard a firm No before he'd even completed the thought. He understood. He slept with his mate.

As soon as he settled, Dylan pressed back against him, nestling against his groin, with a sigh that went straight to Ross's dick. He was clearly a nuzzler. This was going to be a night of sheer torture as far as Ross was concerned. His mate, the man of his dreams sleeping in his arms, and Ross couldn't do a thing except lie there and hold his mate to his heart.

Ross wasn't sure what woke him. He opened his eyes to find the room lighter than before and when he looked out of the window, it was almost dawn, pink streaking across the sky. Then he turned his head to find his mate sitting cross-legged at his side, staring down at him, his hair tumbling around his shoulders.

He smacked his mouth a couple of times to moisten it before he spoke. "That's kinda freaky."

"What is?" Dylan looked genuinely confused.

"Staring at me like that when I'm asleep."

"You're my mate."

"I'm still getting my head around that," Ross admitted.

"But you wanted a mate. I can feel it here." Dylan put a hand over his heart. "You were jealous of all the others having mates."

"Not jealous," Ross said hurriedly. "Pleased for them. But yeah, I wanted the same for me. I knew you were out there. I just didn't know where." He hesitated and said, "Did you want a mate?"

Dylan shrugged. "I don't know. I don't remember. I must have done."

Ross ran his hand down Dylan's upper arm in a comforting gesture. "I'm sorry, it was stupid of me to ask."

"I'm a wolf. We're meant to find our mate. There's supposed to be someone out there for every wolf." Dylan wrinkled his brow. "I never expected it to be a human."

"But it's not unknown. Milo's parents were wolf and human."

Dylan grimaced. "That had to be hell for him. Hiding part of himself from humans and disapproval from the shifters. It's not welcomed in the shifter world. And before you ask, I can't remember it. I just know it inside."

"Milo struggles with that," Ross agreed, trying not to be offended. He'd talked to the sheriff about it before. "And Eli's a strong human which makes it more difficult. But being part of this pack is important to both of them. As it is to me." He wanted to make that clear.

"I don't want to talk about them," Dylan said.

Ross rolled over to face him. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I don't want to talk ," Dylan said pointedly.

It took Ross a moment to comprehend, he had just woken up. "If you don't want to…oh! What do you want to do?"

As if he didn't know. Desire was rolling off Dylan in waves. From the little Ross knew of shifters, they couldn't hide their hunger for their mate, whoever they were.

"Fuck me," Dylan ordered. "I need you inside me."

It was as if a switch had been flicked inside him. Ross had hooked up as much as the next gay man, but he'd never felt the passion light up inside him like it did now. His dick responded to that need, thickening with desire. He had to have Dylan right now. Right. Now. From the way Dylan's sweet cock was responding, he felt the same way.

Ross surged up and rolled Dylan onto his back, nestling between his legs. Dylan wrapped his arms and legs around him. Ross had a brief thought of morning breath before they were kissing, then nothing mattered but the feel of Dylan's lips parting beneath his, and Ross's tongue sliding into Dylan's lush mouth.

Dylan groaned, the sound captured between them, and didn't that make his dick harder still, rubbing against Dylan's as they kissed, pre-cum leaking to aid the delicious friction.

"I need you," Dylan murmured, arching his back, his sac rubbing against Ross's shaft.

"I've got condoms and lube in my pack," Ross said.

Dylan glowered at him. "Why?"

Ross gave him a look. "I'm—was—a gay man, Dylan, in a houseful of loved up couples. I always carry condoms in case I go out for a night."

Dylan grunted. "You don't need condoms. Humans and shifters can't transmit diseases to each other."

Ross knew that, after a discussion with the others. He'd just forgotten. "I'll get the lube."

He leaned over the side of the bed and dragged his backpack toward him. The idea of no barrier between them made his dick grow harder still. He scrabbled in a pocket on the side of the pack and pulled out the lube.

Dylan sucked in a breath. "I need you, my mate," he whined.

Ross sat back on his haunches and spread Dylan's legs wider to see the small hole behind his sac, a whorl of dark hair around it. He squeezed the lube onto his fingers and placed one finger against the muscle, but Dylan grabbed his wrist.

"I'm a wolf. You don't need to treat me gently."

I will always treat you with respect.

His mate needed to know that. Ross wasn't going to change just because his mate was a shifter.

Dylan let go of his wrist and Ross pressed a finger inside him. He took his time, pushing in and out until Dylan's hips rose in time with his actions. Then he pressed another finger in, watching Dylan's expression. He didn't wince but Ross still took his time until Dylan growled, "I need you inside me."

Ross pulled his fingers out, wiping them on his T-shirt from the night before, then he slicked his cock and kissed the head to Dylan's hole. He leaned over Dylan with one hand and pressed inside.

Dylan whispered, "Oh," and cupped one hand behind Ross's neck to kiss him.

Ross's heart melted at the gentle kiss, pushing into Dylan until he couldn't go any further, burying himself in Dylan's body. He'd expected their first coupling to be fierce, instead it was gentle. In and out, in and out, over and over until Dylan's breaths were harsh and his hips lifting.

"Gonna—" Dylan cried out and Ross felt the clenching of Dylan's channel as he came, dragging Ross over the edge.

Ross tried to move to one side, but Dylan pulled Ross on top of him as they recovered their breathing.

"Wolf, remember?" Dylan traced lazy patterns on Ross's back. "I wish I'd found you earlier, when I could remember things," he murmured.

Ross raised his head. "It wasn't the right time."

"You sound so sure."

Dylan looked so uncertain, and Ross ached to take away that expression.

"Why do wolves have mates, rather than just lovers?" he asked.

"Shifters have lovers just like humans, but the wolf gods gave us the gift of fated mates. Not every wolf finds their mate."

"So maybe your gods knew you needed me now. Like Cal needed Joe and Joe Senior needed Peter and Owen needed??—"

Dylan placed a finger over Ross's mouth. "I get it."

Ross pressed a kiss against his finger and his cock stirred again. "It was the right time," he insisted.

"Even if I am the traitor?"

"Your gods gave you to a member of the Cavalry. Do you think that was a coincidence?"

"I hope not," Dylan said, "or we're both screwed."

Ross buried his face in the crook of Dylan's neck so his mate couldn't see his expression. What would he do if Dylan was a traitor? How could he lose his mate?