Longing for Isaac, page 1
part #6 of Darkfall Mountain Pack Series
Darkfall Mountain Pack 6
Longing for Isaac
Dominant werewolf and enforcer for the Darkfall Mountain Pack, Isaac Bennett has always wanted submissive tabby shifter Oren Frye. Sexy, snarky, and smart, Oren embodies all the qualities Isaac wants in a mate—except Oren chose Isaac’s best friend. Isaac tried to do the decent thing. To forget, Isaac moved to a new town and pack, but time only worsened the ache and longing.
Ten years has passed, and Oren comes knocking on Isaac’s door, seeking sanctuary and carrying an urn of ashes. Oren doesn’t know what to expect. Gone is the shy young wolf he met years ago. Domineering and protective, Isaac kindles a need inside Oren he never expected to feel again. Oren has loved and lost. He doesn’t think he deserves a second chance with a great guy like Isaac, but Isaac seems determined to chip at Oren’s defenses until Oren says "yes."
Genre: Alternative (M/M, Gay), Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves
Length: 20,147 words
LONGING FOR ISAAC
Darkfall Mountain Pack 6
Fel Fern
EROTIC ROMANCE
MANLOVE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only ONE LEGAL copy for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer.
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at
legal@sirenbookstrand.com
A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove
LONGING FOR ISAAC
Copyright © 2016 by Fel Fern
E-book ISBN: 978-1-68295-092-0
First E-book Publication: March 2016
Cover design by Harris Channing
All art and logo copyright © 2016 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
If you have purchased this copy of Longing for Isaac by Fel Fern from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.
Regarding E-book Piracy
This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book.
The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment.
This is Fel Fern’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Fel Fern’s right to earn a living from her work.
Amanda Hilton, Publisher
www.SirenPublishing.com
www.BookStrand.com
DEDICATION
To my readers, I hope you enjoy Isaac and Oren’s story.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
About the Author
LONGING FOR ISAAC
Darkfall Mountain Pack 6
FEL FERN
Copyright © 2016
Prologue
Ten Years Ago
“I can’t fucking do this,” Isaac Bennett muttered.
A glance at his watch, given to him by his best friend Terrence Frye, told him half an hour passed since he slid his Mustang into the car park slot. It was plenty of time for other wedding guests to arrive. Fill the lot and time for him to get the hell out of the car and strap on a pair of balls, balls he’d left behind today apparently.
Terrence relied on Isaac, needed him there to soothe away any last-minute wedding nerves. If he were a really good friend, Isaac wouldn’t be here at all. A decent man would tell Terence why. That Isaac harbored unacceptable feelings of desire for Terrence’s soon-to-be husband Oren. The intense emotions he felt never really went away after meeting the snarky tabby shifter.
Isaac shouldn’t want Oren the way he did, but his wolf refused to be dissuaded from the notion Oren should be his mate, not Terrence. Christ, Isaac grew up with Terrence. He knew the guy since they were both young wolf pups, struggling to learn about controlling the beast contained within them. It wasn’t because Isaac didn’t try to find a cure for his unhealthy obsession, because he tried it all—blind dates, casual hook-ups, and even the whole new online dating thing.
Nothing worked. Isaac became even more miserable with each passing day. Terrence and Isaac met Oren in college, and Terrence proposed right after they graduated. Here they were, twenty-three and looking forward to the next chapter of their lives. Well, at least Terrence and Oren did.
A quick rap on his window made Isaac jump in his seat. Oren broke into a grin, seeing him. He took a step back as Isaac opened the door.
“Isaac, what took you?” Oren demanded. The feisty and slender tabby shifter had his usually disheveled shock of orange hair tamed back.
“You look good in your tux,” Isaac said, voice hoarse.
Fuck, he needed to get himself together, but Oren’s presence made it hard. Oren’s casual wear consisted of jeans, a shirt, and a pair of sneakers, but in a black-and-white tux he looked more adultlike than Isaac had ever seen him, so damn sexy and fuckable. Combined with Oren’s alluring scent, Isaac had trouble focusing on the present. It would be so easy, to bring Oren close, to rip all those clothes off and—fuck no.
He needed to be there for Terence and Oren, not pant like a lusty horny wolf pup still unable to get over his fixation. A dominant werewolf didn’t act this way. He needed to shove his personal issues aside. Seeing Terrence and Oren exchange rings would mean the end, would make Oren untouchable because Isaac knew Terrence would give Oren his mate bite after today. Shifters mated for life and that would bind their souls and animals together.
“Isaac, is something wrong? You seem to be down lately. Are you sick?” Oren asked, reaching out to touch him.
A huge mistake, because the moment Oren’s fingertips touched his temple, Isaac lost his careful control. Heat sparked from Oren’s fingers, and Isaac grabbed his wrist without thinking. Knowing how he felt, Isaac made it a point not to touch Oren by accident. With the wedding in only a couple of minutes, panic gripped him in a tight vise.
“Isaac, the look in your eyes is scaring me,” Oren whispered. It didn’t help Isaac could feel Oren’s pulse racing, or his breathing speeding up, in fear and also in excitement.
“You getting off on this, little tabby? I always knew you needed some bite to your pleasure.” The words came out of Isaac’s mouth, but he no longer recognized himself.
“This isn’t like you,” Oren said softly, eyes wide, but he didn’t yank his wrist back or tell Isaac off. If Oren pushed him away, Isaac would admit defeat. Still, he held onto some shred of hope, illogical as it was because he’d seen Terrence and Oren. They were very much in love, and nothing should get in their way, not someone they trusted.
“Please,” Isaac said, voice ragged. “Just one, give me one kiss, and I won’t bother you two anymore. I just need to know.”
“Know what?” Oren demanded, familiar fire sparking in his eyes, but Isaac could no longer bear to say the three words aloud.
Silence stretched on between them. Sweat soaked Isaac’s shirt, and he sweltered under his suit. Isaac wasn’t exactly the kind of guy who wore suits every day. Any moment now someone could see them, and tell Terrence the truth. Isaac released Oren’s hand, admitting defeat, shocked when Oren grabbed the collar of his suit and brought their faces close. Oren breathed hard, brown eyes seeking to understand him.
Refusing to let the opportunity go, Isaac went in for the kill. He crushed Oren’s lips with his, watching Oren’s eyes turn to shock, and Isaac expected Oren to shove him away, not respond to him with equal passion. Isaac didn’t do gentle. He kissed with teeth and tongue, but Oren responded to him like a perfect fit. Isaac’s dick hardened in his trousers and he felt Oren’s erection, rubbing against his. A hand pushed him gently away later. Isaac’s wolf told him to push back, to take control, knowing Oren would submit beautifully, but Isaac wouldn’t go that far.
Releasing Oren’s lips, Isaac took a couple of steps back. Oren did the same, his lips still swollen from Isaac’s lips, Isaac couldn’t help but notice.
“What?” Oren looked lost, confused, touching his mouth. Oren looked to Isaac for answers he couldn’t give.
“I’m so sorry,” Isaac whispered, the only words he was capable of saying over and over. He stumbled back to his car, hand reaching for his car keys. Fingers trembling, Isaac managed to get the car door open after three tries.
“Isaac, where are you going?” Oren demanded, hands on his hips. “We need to talk about what just happened.”
“No, we don’t. I’m going away, far away,” Isaac answered, slamming the car door shut.
Oren hammered at his window, and Isaac hesitantly slid the window down. “Look, I shouldn’t have kissed you. I’m sorry, but you no longer need to worry. I should have done this a long time ago.”
“Do what?” Oren whispered.
“Leave, because you two deserve to be happy. Tell Terrence I’m sorry, I had an emergency,” Isaac said. Oren took an uncertain step back, and that gave Isaac the courage he needed. Hitting the pedal, Isaac backed the car away from the lot. Glimpsing Oren’s crumbling expression from the side mirror, Isaac shook his head. Oren started for him, resolve written on his face.
Turning away, Isaac kept his eyes forward. Looking back would only make him weak. What kind of bastard kissed his best friend’s mate on their wedding day? God. He’d surely burn in hell for this. Leaving was the right decision, although the notion of uprooting his entire life numbed him.
Born in Orange County, Isaac met and grew up with Terrence in the foster system. Terrence was not just his friend, he was Isaac’s only real family. Oren joined them later. Isaac and Terrence were both bitten by a lone werewolf while doing their hitchhiking trip after high school. Now, Isaac was leaving all that behind. On the heels of terror was the excitement of venturing out on his own and heading for less travelled paths. The thrill would ebb soon enough, Isaac knew, but he needed something to look forward to.
Isaac breathed easier when he hit the highway and headed for his apartment. The thought of bailing preoccupied his thoughts. Once Oren told Terrence, both would try to convince Isaac to stay. He just hoped Oren wouldn’t tell Terrence about the kiss. Isaac was certain he wouldn’t, because when he kissed Oren, he was certain Oren felt what he did—a spark and the potential promise of a relationship.
“Get the hell out of Orange County and figure the rest later,” Isaac whispered to himself.
Hell, some would call him a coward, but this was for the best. He dropped by his apartment and packed only his important belongings in a single duffel bag. Hastily scribbling a note to his landlord about an emergency, he slipped the envelope, together with this and next month’s rent through the landlord’s door. His cell phone rang now and then, but eventually, Isaac knew it would fall silent.
Shouldering his bag, Isaac went back down to his car. He shoved the bag in the trunk, and returned to the driver’s seat. It occurred to him later he still wore his suit. Tugging the uncomfortable tie away, Isaac drove on with no particular location in mind. He went on like that for the first week, driving like a madman, only making stops for food and cheap motels.
Somewhere along the way, fields rose on either side of him and seemingly endless road. Isaac knew he needed to find some place to stay soon. Find a job to earn some dough to fund his aimless travels. One hot afternoon, Isaac made a wrong turn. Towering trees rose on either side of him, oaks, older than he. Even his wolf sensed the land was old. It turned colder as the road became steep. In the distance, Isaac read the sign out loud.
“Welcome to Darkfall.”
For some reason, seeing the sign made him shiver. Isaac and Terrence never joined any local wolf pack, but even rumors about the little town reached their ears. Rumor had it Darkfall was controlled by a single vicious pack, and they didn’t take well to outsiders.
Little did Isaac know Darkfall would become the place he would call home.
Chapter One
Present
“You sure you want to stop here?” the trucker asked Oren.
Oren, still cradling the battered backpack containing his belongings, glanced out the window. Darkfall certainly looked picturesque, a secluded little mountain town surrounded by trees. The sign certainly seemed welcoming enough, but Oren knew better.
Whoever he asked, they said the same thing. Stay clear of Darkfall, because no good stories surrounded the place. The local pack didn’t tolerate outsiders and got rid of any enemy brave or stupid enough to threaten the peace. Serial killers, other animal groups, and even an organization of radical human hunters—it didn’t matter what threat came knocking on their doors. They took care of it, silently and efficiently.
Oren swallowed, aware he was about to enter a den of monsters, but what other choice did he have? Darkfall also meant sanctuary and it was one place Joker and his buds wouldn’t dare cross. The town welcomed tourists, but the local wolves kept an eye out for suspicious groups.
“Look, young man, this ain’t a safe place. Trust me,” the trucker said, interrupting his thoughts. The bearded and forty-something human slid a suggestive hand on Oren’s thigh. “Why don’t you come with me, instead? If you’re running from someone or something, I’ll keep you safe.
I wish.
Oren sighed, used to the attention. Despite his thirty-three years, he still maintained his slender frame and cursed looks. Older men especially often mistook him for a young man. He bared his teeth at the trucker, showing him his pointed canines. The man instantly backed off, raising his hands in mock defeat.
Humans who didn’t know better wouldn’t recognize what kind of shifter Oren was. Tabby shifters ranked low in the food chain, and Oren was lucky the trucker was human. Otherwise, a dominant shifter would take advantage. It didn’t help Terrence’s mate marks began to fade upon his death, which meant one thing. Oren was open for business, or at least that was how pushy bullies translated it.
“Thank you for the ride though,” Oren said, meaning it. If the trucker didn’t pick Oren on the side of the road, Joker might have found him and the bull shifter wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Good luck,” the trucker called as Oren got off the truck.
Oren watched the truck fade into the distance, before looking at his pack. He unzipped the bag and touched the top of the metal urn. The metal felt cool under his fingers. Comforting.
“Baby, I reached Darkfall, just like you told me to,” Oren whispered, aware talking to the ashes of his husband made him sound a little crazy. He’d been doing that a lot lately, imagining Terrence was there by his side, telling him everything would be all right. Withdrawing his hand, Oren zipped back the bag and turned on his cell phone while he walked toward the town. He didn’t have a number, but he had an address. God. Would Isaac even remember him, or consider helping him?
Oren could still remember the wedding day, clear as day. It wasn’t Terrence saying “I do” that stood out in his mind, but Isaac’s unexpected and searing kiss. Isaac’s miserable expression lingered in his mind even now. Even with Terrence lying in the hospital bed, dying, chest pumped full of silver bullets, Oren couldn’t tell him he knew why Isaac left. Although Terrence seldom spoke of Isaac as the years passed, Oren knew Isaac leaving them left a deep hole in both their hearts.
“This is for the better,” Isaac had said. Maybe he was right, but not for long.
“If you were there, Terrence wouldn’t have gone to a stupid bunch of shifter gangsters for a loan. He wouldn’t have gotten shot,” Oren whispered.
