“Yes!”
Quickly, Nix stripped and placed his clothing on a fallen log. Then he let the change overtake him. His wolf was freed and loped eagerly to his mate, barking happily and dancing around as Noah laughed.
Enough talk. Time for some fun.
4
Nix could’ve run all afternoon, playing with his mate, tackling him to the ground and wrestling, listening to him laugh in delight.
One by one, several of the guys had paired off with their Bondmates, and Nix had to admit had hadn’t understood what was so special about being tied to a partner. Some of the toughest baddasses he’d ever known had been laid low by the love bug, and Nix had actually regarded them with amusement.
Now he got it. Noah was so much more than a partner. The tie between Bondmates was special, and the golden thread between them grew stronger every second.
Eventually, however, he figured Noah must be getting tired and decided it was time to visit the creek before heading back. Nix led the way, liking the feel of his mate’s hand resting on the ruff of his neck. It was reassuring, and he loved Noah’s fingers combing through his thick fur.
At the creek, Noah exclaimed in appreciation. “Oh, it’s beautiful here! I can see why you like this spot. Every mated couple on the team has a favorite place in the forest they sneak off to—maybe this can be ours?”
Nix shifted back to his human form, and stood next to his mate, taking his hand again. “I’d like that. I brought you here hoping you’d love it as much as I do.”
“A sexy, naked man next to a babbling brook in the middle of nowhere? What’s not to love?” He arched a brow.
“Correction—two sexy, naked men. Christening their spot.”
“Oh!”
In record time, Nix had his mate’s shirt and shoes off, and stripped him of his shorts. Then he spread the shirt under Noah’s butt, lowered him to the mossy earth, and grinned. “Next time I’ll plan this better and bring a blanket. And a picnic, too.”
“Do you hear me complaining?”
“Nope, not at all.”
Neither of them were doing any complaining, since both of their mouths were plenty occupied for the better part of the next hour. Nix made love to his mate again, this time taking him on all fours. Pushing in and out of him, slowly, building their climax.
Grasping Noah’s hip, Nix reached around with a free hand and stroked his mate’s cock. He plunged deep, faster and faster until they both exploded with an orgasm so intense his vision whited out for a few seconds. When he came back to himself, he was draped over his mate’s back, sweaty and satisfied.
Inside him, however, his wolf growled and clawed to escape the confines of his human form. Before Nix could stop them, his fangs dropped and claws sprouted from his fingers. The sharp points of his canines hovered scant millimeters from Noah’s tender neck, and he battled hard against the urge to claim what was his. Ours. Me and my wolf.
But he couldn’t. Not yet.
Nix supposed the fear wasn’t gone entirely. But he was getting there, gradually. Soon, he’d claim Noah, and nothing would stop him.
Snarling, his wolf submitted once again. His fangs and claws retracted.
“We’re going to be all sticky and gross when we get back,” Nix observed, pulling gently free. “We’ll need a shower before dinner.”
“Still no complaints.” Sitting to face Nix, he smiled. But there was a blight on his happiness that hadn’t been there earlier, and it was obvious he knew Nix had held back. Again. “Sure had fun getting this way.”
So, Noah was going to let him off the hook again. God, he felt horrible.
“Me, too.” He glanced at the stream, trying to recapture the easy camaraderie they’d enjoyed before. “Hey, there’s water right here. At least we can get the sticky off.”
“Yeah, but it’s going to be freezing!”
“Chicken?”
Noah gave him a droll stare. “No. You first.”
Nix took the challenge, and hissed as he stepped in, goose bumps immediately breaking out all over his body. Holy shit, mountain streams were like ice! But he made a show of bending and splashing as though he wasn’t affected.
“Come on in,” he called to Noah. “It’s not so bad.”
His mate’s face was clearly skeptical. “I don’t know.”
“You said you weren’t chicken. Get in here.” He held out his hand, waiting. The instant Noah took it, he yanked him into the freezing water and held him so he couldn’t get away.
“Aaah!” he yelled. “You jerk! Let go of me, it’s fucking cold!”
“Suck it up, puny human!”
“Asshole!”
Splashing, they laughed like loons, getting each other good and soaked. By the time they were done, they were shivering so hard their teeth rattled, but for his part Nix had never been happier.
“Let’s get out of here.”
“Now who’s chicken?” Noah said.
“Frozen chicken.”