The Reluctant Wolf (Book 1 Cloverleah Pack) (8 page)

Chapter Eleven

Shawn started picking up the plates an
d utensils off the table and stacking them on the kitchen bench.  Kane followed him, passing plates to Shawn as he was piling them up and running hot water in the sink.

“So, you want to tell me what’s been bothering you, sweet, since that scumbag Michael left?”

“Not really.”  Kane watched Shawn, who kept his head down and was washing dishes as he replied.

“Look if you are worried about the pack; believe me we can all take care of ourselves.”

“I know that, nope, not worried about the pack’s abilities.”

Kane’s heart crashed in his chest and for a moment he forgot to breathe.  Forcing himself to inhale he asked, “Are you regretting being with me?”

There was a loud splash as Shawn dropped the plate he was washing and launched himself at Kane, kissing him thoroughly until Kane really couldn’t breathe.  Backing away, Shawn retrieved the plate and carried on washing it.

“No, nope, don’t regret that ever.”

“The mating mark?”

“Love it.”
  He reached up and touched it with a small smile.

“Damn it Shawn, don’t shut me out like this.  What is bothering you?”

Sighing Shawn looked down at the dishes. He could sense Kane’s persistence and figured the dishes would never get done. With a flick of his fingers the kitchen bench was all cleared, gleaming dishes stacked on the shelves and the benches shinning.  Looking across to the table, he flicked his fingers again and the table was clean, polished and looking better than it had in years.  As he looked down to the floor Kane said “Don’t you dare.  Talk to me.”

Shawn
smirked and he flicked his fingers again.  The old wooden floor, that Kane had to admit had seen better days was now clean, polished and looked like carefully tended oak.  Kane loved it but he refused to get distracted.

“Shawn,” he growled.
  He reached over and grabbed the man’s hands solidly in his larger ones. “No more flicky finger thing.  Talk to me.”

“You know
, I don’t have to flick my fingers to do stuff; it just helps me focus.”

Rubbing his head against Shawn’s Kane struggled to know what to do with his frustration.  So used to having everyone around him do as they were told it really pleased him that Shawn wouldn’t be like that.  He could see that his mate was more than his equal and that turned him on immensely.  But he didn’t think tying Shawn to the bed until he talked was probably the best idea.  No matter how much the idea appealed to his cock
that was begging for attention. He had to get the man out of his funk.

“Come on,” he said.  Tugging on Shawn’s hands he half dragged him out the back of the kitchen and down into the huge garage he had built off the back of his house. 
Stopping only by the door to put his boots on, Kane indicated to Shawn to do the same.  Shrugging, Shawn’s feet were quickly encased in soft black leather biker boots, which accentuated the cut of his jeans.  Before Kane could get distracted by the sexy vision, Shawn had caught sight of his bike and tugging free from Kane’s grip, he walked over to check it over.

“Scott knows better than to damage your bike, hon,” Kane said quietly as he went over to
open the garage door.

“I know, I didn’t mean anything by it.  But this bike is all I have that is of any value.  I restored everything by hand - I have never let anyone else work on it…It’s, you know.” 

Kane came over to stand beside his mate.  “It’s awesome, and you have done an amazing job on it.  The finish is immaculate and the paintwork shows you have some serious skills.  I love it.  What do you think of mine?”  He pointed to his own black beast sitting to the side.

“Wow, is this what I think it is? A Harley 1200 Nightster.”

“Yeah, an original XL model, 2007.”

“Oh man, it is perfect for you.  All rugged, strong and beautiful.”

Kane beamed at the compliment. “And it sounds like a beast when you are on the road. That is the only thing I had modified. So come on, let’s see your riding skills - follow me and I will take you up the mountain a bit, show you some of the sights.  Don’t let me lose you.” 

He hit the start and the throaty roar that only an original Harley Davidson can make filled the garage, quickly followed by a second as Shawn jumped on his and started it up.
Maneuvering out of the garage, Kane took a moment to hit the automatic door opener on his key ring, causing the garage doors to close again before whirling around and taking off down the driveway - Shawn closely behind him.  

Kane loved riding his bike and he knew he didn’t do it nearly enough.  It was second only to running as a wolf.  Without a helmet t
he wind rushed through his hair. Neither man had stopped to put on shirts or a jacket yet it wasn’t cold. The air was fresh and clean and as he negotiated the twists and turns up the mountain he felt a sense of calm come over him - this was freedom.  For the moment there was no petty clients, no pack worries, no worries about the killers after his mate; just good clean air, the throb of the bike underneath him and the throaty roar of the two Harley’s pounding his ears.

About twenty minutes into the ride, he slowed down, keeping an eye on Shawn making sure he slowed with him.  Turning up a track that was barely visible from the road, he puttered along for another five minutes before the track came out to a small clearing.
  Steering his bike over to the far edge of the clearing, he stopped his bike and sat there looking over at the view.  He heard Shawn’s bike pull up beside him and then all was silent.

Stretched out below the two men was an endless vista of hills, forest and pale blue sky.  Far over to the left was the small town of Cloverleah but everywhere else
you could see was just various shades of greens, browns and blue.  Now the bikes were quiet Kane could hear the sounds of birds and small animals in the trees around the glade.  Like being in the middle of nowhere, the place was peaceful, quiet and perfect.

Kane looked across at Shawn who was resting along the tank of his bike, his head cradled in his arm
s across the handle bars.  He had a peaceful expression on his face, his eyes closed and face turned up to the slight breeze coming up the hill.  The position stretched out Shawn’s back and Kane’s eyes followed the line of the man’s spine down to where it was finished off with that perfect ass, disappearing under his jeans.  With his long legs stretched to the ground on each side, encased in soft denim and capped off with wicked leather boots, Kane stifled a moan.  His mate was a walking sex advertisement. He knew the smell of his arousal had wafted when he felt Shawn in his head.

Way to go,
giving me a hard on when my dick is squashed on the tank.

Tell me what is going on with you and I can take care of that for you.

Shawn sighed and then stretched up from the tank, raising his arms above his head.  Kane watched the play of muscles across Shawn’s back, chest and arms.  The man did not have an ounce of fat anywhere.  Then Shawn reached down and nudged at his cock in his jeans, obviously trying to relieve some pressure.

Kane rocked his bike up onto
its stand and hopped off.  Crossing over to Shawn in just two steps he pushed down the stand on his bike with his foot and grabbing the handlebars and the seat flipped Shawn’s bike up onto it.  Grabbing Shawn’s hand, he tugged him off his bike and walked over to the edge of the clearing by the trees.  Sitting down on the grass he tugged again and Shawn landed in his lap.  Once he got the man settled and brushed the hair back that fell over that lovely face he wrapped his arms around Shawn’s chest and waited for him to speak.

“Michael was right, you know.  If I claim you and I am killed, which is likely to happen sooner rather than later now there is a contract on my head
, then you will never be able to have anybody else.  I can’t bear the thought of you living the rest of your life without any love or happiness in it.  I know what it is like to be alone.”

That fucking little scumbag shitfaced…

“Cursing about him doesn’t make his words any less true.”

Kane had meant what he had said to Shawn earlier about not being good with words.  He knew that his mate was thinking about him and his possible pain - a pain he knew he would feel if he was claimed or not.  He couldn’t imagine a future life without the man on his lap.  Shawn made him feel stronger, more complete and more alive than he had ever felt in his life.
Although this was all still new to him, Kane knew he wanted Shawn forever. He also knew he had to say the right words, or he could fuck up the best thing that had ever happened to him.

“Shawn, look.  Up until a few weeks ago I didn’t even realize it was possible for gays to have mates.  Griff and I lived in a pack where mates were considered a gift from the Fates, put in place purely to strengthen the pack and populate it with cubs.  Until I smelled you in Kathy’s Diner, I didn’t think it was ever going to possible for me to have such a strong, intense desire to be with someone - not just for sex but for life.”

Shawn went to say something, but Kane shushed him with a finger over his lips and then went on talking.

“Then I smelt you and I felt a need I have never had in my whole life.  It was Griff that told me you had to be my mate and even then I wasn’t sure.  But when you let me take you the need, the huge urge I had to bite you and claim you as mine was overwhelming
and the fact that you still bear my teeth marks proves this wasn’t just a bite - it is a mating mark.  Even your magic can’t erase it.”

He took a deep breath and continued. “Even if you don’t claim me as yours, you will still be mine.  And whether you die tomorrow or in fifty or a hundred years time you will always be mine.  But I don’t want to focus on what might happen when you die - I want to take the time we have, no matter how long or short and feel like I belong to you as completely as you belong to me.  Does that make sense?”

Kane stopped talking and just leaned into Shawn’s hair, breathing in his scent and enjoying the moment. He could feel Shawn’s inner struggle with himself - the need to claim his mate warring with the possible outcome and he knew he had to let Shawn make up his own mind.  He had done all he could and if this was as much as he could have, then he would be thankful for it.

Shawn thought back to all of those years when he had sought acceptance for what he was.  He remembered the ache of loneliness that had been driven out by Kane’s strong desire for him.  He thought about the pack and how each man had stood up for him and truly didn’t care about his powers.  He realized in his hands he held the greatest gift of all - acceptance.  And all his mate asked for him in return was the right to wear his mark - to be claimed by him.
  He took a deep breath and turned to Kane, palming his head in both hands; he reached over and kissed him. 

Chapter Twelve

Kane’s body felt on fire as Shawn was kissing him.  His mate’s tongue was in his mouth, possessive and searching; he could feel th
e restrained power in his mate’s hands and he had never felt so alive, so turned on.  He could feel his cock, already hard, harden even more, hampered by his jeans and Shawn’s ass in his lap.  He couldn’t help himself, he whimpered.

Seconds later he was sprawled out on the grass, naked with Shawn’s hot and equally naked body spread out over him.  He rutted his cock against Shawn’s begging for relief.  Shawn pulled off from bruising Kane’s mouth long enough to say “Don’t come.”  Kane shook from the power in that voice and struggled to control his cock.  Moments later he felt Shawn’s hand grab his balls and pull them from against his body.  The sharp flick of pain
stopped his need to climax, barely and he gasped with relief.

Shawn continued his assault on Kane’s body, nipping and licking his way across his chest, stopping long enough to bite both nipples which had Kane moaning afresh, before moving down and off his body.  Kane groaned in complaint until he found himself being rolled over.  As he felt Shawn settle between his legs, he pushed his
ass up into the air and moaned again as he felt Shawn’s tongue feathering down his crease. 

He moved his hand down between the grass and his body and went to shaft his own cock that was leaking pre-come like crazy.  As he went to grasp his cock he felt his hand being slapped away.  “Don’t touch, don’t come.”
  The quiet determination in Shawn’s voice tingled down his spine and electrified his cock, causing it to spasm again.

“Hurry, please.” He managed to gasp out.  Shawn was licking his hole - in it, around it and Kane was assaulted with so much pleasure he knew just one fingertip on his cock would cause him to
climax and that was before he felt a silky liquid quickly followed by Shawn’s finger. He pushed against the finger, begging.

Kane had never felt anything so exquisite before.
“Please Shawn, babe, hon, sweetheart, moooore,” he groaned as he was quickly loosing the ability to speak. Shawn quickly complied adding a second finger and then a third, scissoring all the while to loosen Kane up.  The burn of the stretch rippled through Kane’s body and he pushed back looking for more.

“I can’t wait, are you
sure
you want me to do this?”  Shawn’s voice was graveled in lust and Kane wasn’t sure he could stop if he tried.

“More than anything,” Kane promised.

“Roll over.”

Frowning, Kane pulled his legs up and rolled over onto his back.  Shawn pulled on Kane’s hips bringing Kane closer.  Slipping his hands under Kane’s butt Shawn lifted his
ass and then Kane felt the softness of pillows underneath him. Then Shawn settled between Kane’s open legs and positioned the head of his cock at Kane’s entrance. 

Feeling Shawn push in, Kane pushed out and the head of Shawn’s cock slid in, the outer muscle of Kane’s rim quickly closing
around him.  Nudging his knees a bit closer to Kane’s ass, Shawn rocked into him slightly, backwards and forwards, slowly inching his way in.  Thank the Fates for the lube Shawn had thoughtfully applied to his own cock.

Kane could feel the burn - Shawn
’s cock was way, way bigger than his fingers had been and he relished the pain.  His wolf was skittish in his excitement.  Although he might not have been sure that he could do this, because he had always thought that Alpha’s couldn’t bottom either, it was clear that his wolf was well on board with it, just as he was.  He bought his own legs up closer to his body, opening out his ass and encouraging his mate forward.

Shawn continued to rock until he was fully seated and then he stopped, so they could both adjust to the feeling.  Kane looked up and saw the lust in Shawn’s eyes, and behind that a steely determination - he shivered in anticipation of the power he saw there.  His mate looked truly magnificent with his strong arms and his chest heaving,
raised up above him with his long dark hair falling back over his shoulders. 

Before he had a chance to comment on it, Shawn planted his hands on either side of Kane’s shoulders, supporting his own weight so he didn’t crush Kane.  Then he slid his cock out to the ridge of his head and thrust back in.  Kane moaned and as if encouraged, Shawn did it again.  When Shawn went to do it a third time Kane raised his hips to meet him and they quickly developed a hard and fast rhythm.

Mmmm, this wasn’t going to last long.  Kane could feel Shawn’s climax rising through their mind link and he fed his own need to climax back to his mate.  Grunting they slammed together faster and faster and Kane knew they were both right on the edge.  His own body screamed at him for release. 

Just when he thought he couldn’t stop himself
from coming any longer Shawn leant over Kane and whispered in his ear, his voice rippling with power, “Come. Now.” And Kane did.  Through the haze of his pleasure he felt Shawn’s quick, sure and deep bite into the muscle by his neck and his body convulsed again and again and again.  As he felt his ass muscles contract around Shawn’s cock Shawn slammed in as far as he could and Kane quivered as he felt Shawn’s come pulsing inside of him.

Kane had never
climaxed so explosively in his life. He felt an electric pull throughout his whole body, as though he was finally alive, complete and whole. He realized his eyes had squeezed shut and as he opened them he was caught by Shawn’s gaze.  Shawn’s eyes reflected all the passion he clearly felt for his mate.  Smiling down at him, Shawn whispered, “
MINE,”
and every nerve ending in Kane’s body tingled in appreciation. 

Kane gave a shaky laugh in return.  He felt completely sated
and couldn’t help but comment, “man, I could come from the tone of your voice alone.”

Laughing Shawn pulled o
ut from Kane’s still quivering ass and rolled to drop down beside him.  “We will have to try that sometime.  Could be fun.”  He felt himself being pulled into Kane’s arms and he rested his head on Kane’s chest.  He felt, rather than heard Kane’s heartfelt, “thank you for caring enough to claim me.”

The men lay in the glade wrapped up in each other simply enjoying the moment.  But soon enough they could see the sun was going down and they reluctantly had to move.  Shawn had them clothed, complete with shirts and jackets as the breeze had gotten cooler with the dying day.  Kane was surprised to see that he was wearing his favorite bike jacket and he looked at Shawn in askance.

“I saw it by the door in your garage and figured you must like wearing it.”

“How did it get here, fly” Kane asked with a laugh in his voice.

“Hell, I don’t know.  I just thought about it on the peg in the garage and then I thought about it on you and here it is.  I don’t know how this stuff works, I just do it.”  Shawn was grinning back at him.  He looked more carefree than Kane had ever seen him and Kane vowed to himself that he would do everything in his power to see that look on his mate’s face again, often.

Sharing one more kiss, the men started their bikes and headed back down the mountain.  It was time to face the real world again.