Pack Community (Were Chronicles) Page 6

  “Beth,” Casey murmured her name.

  She smiled, her entire face lighting up, and held out her arms. “Hello, big brother.”

  Casey moved quickly, pulling her into a tight embrace and rocking her back and forth. Gray felt like an intruder witnessing such an emotional display. But he was happy for both of them too.

  Casey drew back and cupped her cheeks. “You are so beautiful.”

  She laughed. “You’re not too bad yourself.”

  He hugged her again before letting her go and glancing over at Gray. “Maybe we can talk later. I need to discuss something with Gray.”

  She shook her head and patted his chest. “Nice try. You and Gray can talk about what’s going on with the Prince in front of me. However, you will not discuss my relationship with Gray.”

  “Your ‘relationship’? He’s been here two days and you have a relationship?” Casey asked sarcastically.

  Casey’s tone agitated Gray enough that he started to growl. Beth pulled him back to the furniture. “Down, boys. Casey, you don’t get to question anything I do with Gray or anyone else for that matter. You weren’t here before and, while I’m glad you’re back, I am an adult.”

  Gray had started to grin at her show of independence to her brother until she’d mentioned someone else. Was there someone else? He hadn’t thought to ask before. They’d just met and…

  Beth slapped his chest. “Knock it off. There is no one else.”

  Gray blushed at being caught.

  Casey moved back to lean against the rail again. “Sorry, but you are still my sister. Family has to look out for one another.”

  “Great!” Beth said cheerfully. “I’d love to meet the Prince and ask him why, if he knew about us, he never came to see us. I mean, even if you were out of the country he still could have called or let us know you were still alive.”

  Casey had the grace to drop his head. “I am sorry about that. I kept meaning to get hold of you all. But every time I came close, something would happen and I felt…knew it would be safer if you didn’t have any contact from me.”

  Beth snorted. “You keep thinking that, Case. In the meantime, you have no say about me and Gray.”

  Casey nodded while he frowned. Gray didn’t think this would be the end of the subject, though.

  “Now, if you guys would like to discuss what dragged Gray out of bed at almost midnight, I’m all ears.”

  Obviously Casey wasn’t going to be able to keep her out of the discussion any more than Gray was. With a heavy sigh, Casey waved his hand at Gray to start.

  “Jim wasn’t happy that you didn’t let him know what was going on. I think he’ll have a few words with you when he sees you,” Gray told him, just a little amused. “But he agreed that he needed to add support to make sure no one got away and nothing was left to chance.”

  “We can handle this,” Casey argued. “We have been doing this kind of stuff for years.”

  “But he has to protect his community, too.”

  Casey ran his hands roughly over his face. “I know. I just didn’t think it would be so complicated.”

  “Someone kidnapped the Prince. That’s pretty damned complicated already,” Beth piped up.

  Both men glared at her. She ducked her head, smirking,

  “Anyway,” Casey restarted, “I really thought they would come after Zach and it would be done. Over fifty people entered the canyon today. Seven of those stayed to camp and didn’t leave. I don’t know if they took the bait or not.”

  “Maybe they decided to come in like we did,” Gray suggested.

  “Claude’s had some guys watching the town limits. No one except you entered that he didn’t know.”

  “So we don’t know any more than this morning?” Gray questioned even though he knew the answer.

  “It’s frustrating,” Casey shared. “I just want this over with. We decided our last mission was it. We’re ready to get out. I want to spend time with my family. RJ’s brother just accepted a position as Alpha and has asked him to come home. Jesse will stay with the Prince as his personal guard after all of this. And Mike… I’m not sure what Mike’s plans are but he says he’s tired of fighting for everyone else.”

  Gray could understand. The men had lost a lot of time serving.

  “There are other members of the team but us four started together and want to finish together. I trust those men with my life…with my mate’s life.”

  “Everyone needs help. I might not have ever served in the military, but no matter how good you all are there are still people who can take some of the pressure off. That way you can spend time with your family,” Gray offered.

  Beth took his hand and squeezed it gently. “Let us help you, Casey.”

  “Yes, I know,” he conceded. “I’m just not used to having civilians involved. Or sisters.”

  Beth just beamed at him.

  Gray chuckled.

  “RJ and Mike are doing a sweep of the canyon tonight. Trying to pick up any scents that don’t belong.”

  “The sheriff wants to head up to talk to you and the Prince first thing,” Gray added.

  “I’ll let the others know,” Casey said before pushing away from the porch.

  Gray stood, bringing Beth up with him.

  Gray and Casey shook hands before he pulled Beth in again. “It’s good to see you, sis.”

  She hugged him tight. “Glad you’re home.”

  Casey turned and stepped down the porch. He disappeared back into the shadows.

  Beth pivoted to Gray. “Now, why don’t we discuss you leaving me in the middle of the night to meet with strange felines?”

  “Now, darling,” Gray drawled as best he could. “You know you’re the only feline for me.”

  She threw her arms around his neck. “Good, now take me back to bed. I need my beauty sleep.”

  Gray hauled her up into his arms. “I’ll take you back to bed, but I don’t promise you’ll get much sleep.”

  She attached her lips to his neck as he strode across the porch and in through the back door. She didn’t let up on her assault even when he stumbled a couple of times.

  “Don’t drop me,” she taunted, running her tongue into his ear.

  He shivered, making his way to his room as quickly as he could while trying to not drop her for real.

  Once he reached his door he pushed it open, slipped inside, and closed it by pressing her back to it. She laughed and threw her head back.

  He covered her mouth with his, thrusting his tongue inside and swallowing her moan. He was already hard as he rubbed against her. His body had never responded so quickly or surely before. Just another sign that she was meant for him.

  She gripped his cock through his jeans and squeezed. His knees went weak and he fell forward, knocking her further against the door.

  “It’s my turn,” she said with promise in her voice before dropping slowly to her knees.

  He gasped when she ran her hands up the inside seam of his pants.

  “I get to taste you now,” she told him, rubbing her cheek against his erection. “Tease and pleasure you.”

  “You don’t have to…” he tried to tell her but almost swallowed his tongue when she mouthed his cock through his jeans.

  “I don’t have to do anything but taste you,” she agreed.

  She deftly unsnapped his jeans with her slender fingers before pulling them down.

  “Mmm. No underwear,” she purred, nudging his erect shaft with her nose. “I like.”

  “Damn!” he yelled when she wrapped one hand around the base of his dick and licked the head.

  She moaned around the tip of his cock and it was all he could do not to thrust into the warm, moist haven of her mouth. “Beth, please, I’m…”

  She popped off and gave him a sexy grin. “You’re going to enjoy this,” she assured him.

  Yes, he was, but he didn’t know if he would survive it. Her lips wrapped around his shaft and she swallowed him all the way down her throa
t. The way she used her tongue on the vein under his cock head almost had his eyes rolling to the back of his head.

  “Baby… Baby…” He fisted his hands to keep him from grabbing her head and just pounding into her mouth. It was sweet torture what she was doing to him.

  She pulled back, hollowing her cheeks and sucking.

  “Jeez, oh God,” he pleaded with her.

  She moved her head up and down his shaft, gripping his hip with her free hand to encourage him to move. And, God help him, he had to move. He thrust shallowly at first, trying not to hurt her, but eventually he snapped and cried out, plunging his hips in time with her moving on his cock.

  All too sudden the tingling started and he knew he was going to come. He slid his fingers through her hair.

  “Baby… Beth…”

  She hummed and he took that as permission. Three more thrusts and he slammed his head forward into the door, biting back a howl as he released.

  She swallowed him down and kept sucking when he didn’t go completely soft. He pulled her off his half-hard dick and up into his arms. He tasted his seed mixed with her unique taste as he plundered her mouth.

  Holding her tight, he stumbled his way to the bed, still unmade from earlier. He dropped down, covering her body with his. He yanked his shirt off that they hadn’t managed to remove, before attacking her clothes. She was naked and bared for him in seconds.

  “You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met,” he told her, fingering her clit before slipping two fingers through her slick folds and opening her up.

  She clawed at his back. “In me… In me…”

  He growled and flipped her over. “Hands and knees! Come on, baby,” he encouraged.

  She hurried to comply, arching her back in invitation. He nipped her right ass cheek and she squeaked.

  He ran his tongue over the small hurt. “Perfect. So perfect, honey.”

  She pushed back into him. He lined his cock up to her entrance and pressed in. She opened for him, pulling his cock in and squeezing.

  “So good,” he praised, pulling out and slamming back in.

  It was going to be quick. Even though he had just come, he was so out of control for this woman. He set a hard, steady pace pounding into her tight, wet pussy. His wolf was close to the surface demanding he claim their mate. His eyes began to shift and his teeth elongated. He held the animal back and continued to hammer inside.

  She pushed back, met each crazed stroke, urging him on. Screaming, she started to climax, the walls of her cunt clamped down, and he came, spilling his seed inside.

  She collapsed on the bed. He couldn’t hold himself up any longer and fell on top of her.

  “You’re trying to kill me,” he murmured.

  She laughed breathlessly. “But what a way to go.”

  Chapter Eight

  Morning came too early. Gray groaned at the sunlight sneaking its way into his room. He pulled his bed partner closer and buried his face in the back of her neck.

  Beth hummed softly, snuggling back into him. He cupped her breast and started to kiss down her shoulder. She rolled over and their lips met.

  “Good morning.” He smiled at her when they pulled away.

  “Mmm, morning.” She snuggled deeper into his arms. “I could get used to waking like this.”

  So could he. And he wasn’t sure what to do about it yet, so he kissed in her response. She responded beautifully, opening to him and allowing him to roll on top. She ran her hands down his back while he nibbled on her neck.

  “Beth.” He loved to say her name.

  The pounding on the bedroom door startled them both. Gray glanced at the clock and noticed he was already late. “Damn it.”

  He kissed Beth one more time before picking up his jeans and hopping into them. More pounding. “All right, all right—keep your pants on.”

  He opened the door to an amused-looking Claude. “The sheriff is already downstairs and Dawson is on his way. Wanted me to make sure you were out of bed.”

  He could hear Beth laugh behind him. He nodded to the older man. “I’ll be right down. Thanks.”

  Claude nodded and headed back down the hall. Gray closed the door and pointed his finger towards the bed. “I’m late. You keep your sexy ass there while I shower. No more distracting me.”

  She licked her lips, causing his cock to twitch again. “Want me to wash your back?”

  “No!” he growled at her. “I have to leave the room before noon.”

  Her happy voice followed him into the bathroom. “I’ll just entertain myself then.”

  He thumped his dick, trying to get himself under control, and jumped in a lukewarm shower. It was the best he could do under the time constraint.

  Less than ten minutes later he was back, dressing while Beth smirked at him from the bed. He loved her playful attitude and really could see them sharing mornings like this together.

  Once he was ready for the day ahead, he leaned over the bed and kissed her as chastely as he could. “Please be careful today. We don’t think anyone is in town, but you never know.”

  Thankfully, she nodded. “Toby is probably already downstairs. We’ll stay either here or at the house. We’ll even stay out of town.”

  She must have read the relief on his face.

  “Hey, I won’t do anything to put Toby at risk,” she promised.

  “Or yourself?” he added.

  She smiled shyly. “Or myself. I promise.”

  He kissed her again, this one deeper and a lot dirtier. His cock, which had finally settled, perked right back up.

  “Trouble,” he grumbled at her, pulling away and adjusting himself.

  “See you later,” she called and blew him a kiss.

  He smiled the entire way down the stairs to the front entrance. There he met the sheriff, Dawson and Claude. Dorothy handed him a travel mug of coffee and a foil-wrapped package.

  “For the road,” she told him with a fond smile.

  He dipped his head in thanks. “Appreciate it.”

  “You and Gray head out the same way as you did yesterday. Go the direct route. Claude and I will follow and make sure no one else is tailing you,” the sheriff ordered.

  “Claude?” Gray asked, becoming uneasy. He didn’t want to leave the inn unprotected.

  “I have my deputy stationed here and Claude has a few friends close by. Everyone here will be safe,” Jim answered his unspoken question.

  Gray nodded and followed the other men out.

  Gray drank his coffee and chowed down on the best breakfast burrito he’d ever had. “I got to tell you, I could move here just for the food,” he told Dawson.

  “Are you thinking about it?” Dawson asked quietly.

  Gray glanced over at him, not realising before that he had been silent so far. “Thinking about what?”

  “Moving here,” Dawson clarified.

  Gray crumpled up the foil and took a drink of his rich coffee to give him time. He knew he was stalling. So did Dawson by the frown he gave him.

  “I’ve thought about it,” he admitted, not looking at the other man.

  “Look, Gray, I won’t pressure you. Beth is a big girl and she knows what she’s doing. Like I said yesterday, just be honest with her. I’m not going to go all big brother on you.”

  “Yeah, one of you is enough,” Gray muttered.

  Dawson cut his eyes to him so Gray filled him in on Casey’s visit the night before. Dawson got a big kick out of what Beth had said about meeting Prince Zachary.

  “I can just imagine what she’ll have to say to him,” Dawson shared with a grin.

  They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Gray spoke up. “Can I ask you a question?”

  Dawson shrugged. “Sure.”

  “Does it bother you?” Gray questioned. “Your brother taking a male mate?”

  Dawson blew out a breath and looked like he was choosing his words carefully. “It doesn’t bother me that his mate is male. It bothers me that he ke
pt that part to himself.”

  Gray relaxed back in his seat.

  “The three of us were always close. It hurt when he left. You know most felines stay solitary but his leaving… It felt like he put his animal nature before his family.”

  “Beth said something similar the other night,” Gray told him.

  Dawson smiled. “Beth and I have always felt the same. Family is the most important thing. We are humans first. Our parents were never there for us. Even when they were here, they always wanted to be somewhere else. I don’t know if it moulded our outlook, but I know I will never leave my son.”

  “Toby is a great kid,” Gray assured him.

  “Yeah. When I met his mom I thought we both wanted the same thing. And I think she did in the beginning, but it turned out she just couldn’t stay. I still can’t forgive her for leaving him.”

  Gray took in everything that was said. Would Beth change her mind like Toby’s mom? He didn’t even know if they could have kids or what the result would be if they did.

  “Have you ever heard of two different species mating?” he asked.

  Dawson tilted his head in thought. “I know a few who have mated with humans. Claude and Dorothy, as matter of fact. Plus Casey is a bobcat and Prince Zachary is a lion, but as for a wolf and a bobcat, I just don’t know.”

  That was what Gray had figured.

  “I guess you will have to decide how far you want to take it,” Dawson suggested just as the ranger station came into view.

  They repeated the same steps as yesterday, looking into the closed station before walking around to the trail that was barely there. Gray didn’t get any sense of being followed, not even by Jim and Claude. So either the other two shifters were still pretty far behind or they were better at hiding their scent than he’d thought.

  Gray and Dawson had a better idea of where they were going this time but still took the time to cover their tracks and double back to make sure they didn’t lead anyone to the Prince’s hideout.

  They stayed in human form, so the trip up the canyon took longer than it had the day before. Several times they had to help each other up embankments where their animals had easily jumped.

  They took two breaks to drink water and eat a granola bar before they finally made it to where they had run into the wolves and Casey. Just as he’d suspected, as they reached the area, RJ Cross was waiting there for them.