Ripley stretched next to him, displaying scratches, bites and a deep gash in his tan side. His arm was wrapped in gauze. Ripley covered the wounds as he pulled a shirt over his body.

  Then, Brendan walked over to him and smoothed the shirt down over the hard muscles.

  Glancing up, Brendan saw Ripley staring down at him with soulful gray eyes. How much they had changed since he'd first locked onto that gaze. Sighing, Brendan wrapped his arms around Ripley.

  “Everything’s going to be alright,” Ripley said as he made small circles on his back with his hands.

  Brendan breathed into Ripley’s chest. “You think so?”

  “We’ll work through it together one day at a time. That’s all we can do and make sure we help each other out.”

  Brendan nodded before he pulled back. They opened the curtain to walk out, and Brendan gasped. So many! There were just so many people in the infirmary, all injured. Lacerations, deep bite wounds and apparently breaks from all the casts and enough bandaged wounds to see that they had narrowly escaped the battle with their lives.

  Dalton was helping Lachlan out, changing bandages, and Brendan watched Dalton tend to the hurt any way he could.

  Brendan saw Colin and Sloan sharing a bed. Sloan had stitches on his head and was wearing a sling while sitting next to Colin who didn’t look any worse for wear except for the dark circles under his eyes that attested to his lack of sleep from worrying about his mate.

  Rayce was on the bed, snarling. “I’m fine. I need to get back to work.”

  “You have a concussion, Rayce. You won’t be going back to work for quite some time,” an older doctor said as he checked a particularly nasty bite on Rayce’s arm.

  Peyton sat in the corner in a chair, knees drawn tight to his chest. His head was bowed on his knees, and he rocked slightly.

  Brendan walked over and hugged Peyton.

  Peyton trembled in his arms.

  “How are you?” Brendan asked, knowing Peyton had already seen too much in the last couple months. This was his second attack, and by Peyton’s haunted eyes, it had taken its toll on him.

  “He won’t let me help him.” Peyton’s voice was so damn weak.

  “Give him time. He’s not used to being the one to have to be taken care of,” Brendan soothed.

  “But he won’t even…accept me.” Peyton sat back in the chair, drawing his knees up once again.

  Brendan glanced over to see Rayce had his lips pursed while looking at Peyton, an obvious internal battle going on, but he voiced nothing, nothing at all. Knowing that the two would have to figure it out on their own, Brendan went to find Ripley.

  Ripley was standing over the next bed, flexing his hands in agitation. Walking up beside him, Brendan glanced down and… Oh my gods, Oren!

  Oren's skin looked feverish, and sweat dampened his forehead and neck. His sheet was down around his waist revealing his bandaged shoulder, but even with all the wrapping, blood was still seeping through. Oren was asleep, but clearly, it wasn’t peaceful by the whimpers escaping pale, dry lips.

  “What happened?” Brendan reached out to grab Oren’s hand.

  Dalton tucked the covers around Oren. “A hellhound got him good. They think he’ll be okay, but he’s having horrible nightmares.”

  Dalton was an Omega that exuded confidence, strength and intelligent that at times left Brendan in awe. Now, Dalton seemed worried and unsure for the first time. He was showing his true twenty-two years instead of always seeming beyond them. Brendan was right there with him. Oren looked bad.

  He wasn't even allowed enough time to let his thoughts settle in before Oren shot up in the bed screaming.

  Ripley reached for Oren’s flailing arms, and Dalton screamed for the doctors.

  “Oh gods! Oh gods! He’s coming for me! He’s…he’s,” Oren's screams ended on a sob before the doctors rushed back in and laid him down, giving him meds to calm him.

  Brendan reached for Ripley, and they held onto each other until Oren fell back into a fitful sleep.

  “C’mon, we should head out and get back to our cell. You need the rest,” Ripley said as he kissed Brendan’s temple.

  “But our friends…” Brendan started.

  “Are in good hands. You need to heal, and it’s time you went back to bed.” Ripley pulled him toward the hall, the two limping back to the cell together.

  “I just got out of bed,” Brendan grumbled.

  Ripley chuckled before he groaned, grabbing his side. “We both need to get back in bed. What’s the matter, you don’t like sharing a bed with me?”

  The joke would have come out a lot funnier if Ripley hadn’t grimaced while winking.

  Brendan grabbed his hand, thinking his mate needed the bed more than him. “Love sharing a bed with you. Now, come on, our bed awaits.”

  Chapter Nine

  A week had gone by while they healed, but it had passed slower than the two expected. Ripley sat up, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, his body felt healed as he got out of bed. Brendan was nowhere to be seen, and Ripley assumed that he'd gone back to his room to shower and get ready for the day.

  It was still a week away from the full moon, and Ripley had no clue what to expect. The fact of the matter was he had been so feral before, he didn’t remember his shifts, and he knew what pain had done to him in the fight with the hellhounds. It had turned him into a berserker. What will the change do?

  Trying to keep those thoughts out of his head, he went into the bathroom, undressed and got in the shower. Damn, this felt so good. He simply stood there as the hot water worked over muscles that had become accustomed to being constantly stiff, making it all the better to have them massaged by the steamy spray.

  After a couple minutes of just standing there relishing in the feel of the water, Ripley got to work on washing himself. He was about done when he smelled Brendan. Opening the curtain, Ripley saw his mate standing there, breathing heavily.

  Ripley watched as Bren’s eyes trailed down his body, and Ripley responded. With Ripley’s body feeling better and the man he desired in front of him, there was nothing that was stopping them.

  Ripley watched Bren strip, slowing stroking his aching erection as every inch of Bren’s body was revealed to him.

  Bren straightened, completely naked, whole body trembling.

  Ripley thought the trembling was in nerves before Brendan charged him, grabbing onto him and kissing him hard. Ripley growled and returned the kiss with as much fire as Bren was giving.

  Turning, he pushed Bren against the wall, their wet, naked bodies colliding, hard cocks wet and rubbing against each other. Ripley deepened the kiss, craving a taste of Brendan, moaning. He finally felt grounded in this fucked-up world, and it was because of the man in his arms who took the time to be with him, care for him and sacrifice himself when he hadn't even known Ripley.

  “I need you,” Brendan moaned.

  “You’ve got me. Want to do this somewhere better?” Ripley nipped Brendan’s ear. He wanted to make love to Brendan.

  “This is about as private as we can get. No doors.” Brendan pulled back, searching. “Do you want this? I thought things were…” Brendan looked down at the shower floor, dark, wet bangs covering his eyes.

  Hell yes, I want this. He cared for Brendan and wanted to move this to a whole other level. Ripley didn’t need to have anyone tell him that Brendan was his mate. He felt it now, and the mind and heart had caught up with the instinct. He had completely fallen in love with Brendan.

  Ripley held Brendan close, hugging him almost too tightly. “I want this with you…so bad. We are more, Bren, and I’ve…” Ripley swallowed. “Fallen for you. I want us to be mates in every way.”

  Brendan stared up with him and said it all with his beautiful brown eyes. Dear gods, how the hell did I luck out? This man loved him. It was all there right on Bren’s face. No words had to be spoken.

  Ripley leaned down and kissed his mate, sure that this was it for him, that nothing would ever feel so right as this man in his arms. Love awoke the hunger, and his blood began to simmer once more, except stronger. Ripley grabbed a hold of Bren’s hair, holding Bren close so that he could pour all his want and need into the kiss.

  Brendan reached down and grabbed both their cocks.

  Ripley pulled back and hissed in pleasure. So good.

  “More. I want more of you,” Brendan growled before getting down on his knees in front of Ripley. Brendan took Ripley’s cock in his hand and licked the tip.

  “Fuck!” Ripley shouted.

  Brendan used his other hand to massage Ripley's balls as Brendan’s warm mouth encased his cock.

  Ripley put his hands on the wall over Bren’s head and watched as Bren worked his cock in and out of his mouth. The sight caused his blood to boil, and he felt his control slipping.

  Grabbing Bren under the arms, Ripley pulled him to stand in front of him. Pushing Bren against the wall, Ripley kissed him while gripping both their cocks, stroking them.

  Bren broke the kiss, gulping into the air. “Want you in me, Ripley.”

  Ripley jerked the curtain open and grabbed the lube that was sitting on the counter. Obviously, Bren had come prepared.

  The bottle fell over into the sink. “Dammit!” Ripley finally got his wet hands around it and returned to the shower, going straight for Bren.

  Turning him, Ripley uncapped the lube, pouring a generous amount on his fingers. His blood was pumping, and he didn’t waste any time as he circled Brendan’s entrance, loosening the muscle.

  “More!” Brendan growled, and Ripley was sure the whole damn hall heard.

  Ripley inserted a finger, and Brendan pushed back. “Ripley…you need to move faster. I’m…” Brendan heaved, and his muscles tensed.

  Ripley knew exactly what was going on with Brendan. The same thing was happening to him. The blood was flowing, and his feral state was coming to the damn surface.

  Trying not to hurt Brendan, he inserted two fingers, scissoring them until he worked in a third. Brendan was hissing in pleasure. Ripley found the gland and began rubbing over it.

  Ripley was holding Brendan with one arm as Brendan lost it. Ripley wasn’t expecting it when Brendan turned, wild, and plowed Ripley out of the shower. They tumbled until they fell onto the stone floor, partway into the bedroom.

  Ripley didn’t even have time to get his bearings before Brendan grabbed his cock and sank down on him.

  A deep growl filled the air as Ripley's feral blood crested. He tossed Brendan to the bed, and Brendan snarled and started to go after him.

  Ripley took him down with ease. They were both feral, but Ripley bested him in size.

  Brendan spread his legs in submission, and Ripley grabbed his cock, working it in.

  “Harder,” Brendan grunted as he grabbed onto Ripley's ass, digging his nails in.

  Ripley bottomed out and wasted no time pumping his cock in and out. Their lovemaking was like their blood, wild and fierce, and Ripley was relishing every second of it. Brendan was right with him, moaning underneath him, grabbing onto the mattress until it ripped.

  Brendan threw back his head, shouting as Ripley hit that spot within his mate. Brendan’s neck was bare, open, and Ripley struck without thought. He felt Brendan jackknife underneath him.

  “Hurts but…gods, I need…” Brendan started to say more, but it was all garbled and incoherent words.

  Ripley leaned down and licked the wound before he sat up, watching his cock moving in and out of Brendan. The sight had him close, too close, and he grabbed Brendan's cock, stroking it until Brendan screamed and came all over Ripley’s hand and stomach.

  Ripley licked the cum off his hand, and the taste sent him over the edge. Pumping a couple more times, he filled Brendan up, going hoarse from his roar.

  He was about to fall on Brendan when Brendan flipped him and bit onto his shoulder hard. Pain telegraphed from the bite, and it wasn’t necessarily hot but hurt like hell. The man sucked for a moment before he rose to stare down at Ripley, blood dripping down his chin. Ripley stared as Brendan’s wild eyes began to focus and then become wide in shock.

  Brendan reached down and swiped Ripley’s chin before showing him blood-stained fingers.

  Grabbing Brendan around the back of the head, he pulled him down, kissing him hard. The blood had him and Brendan still juiced, but they were coming down. The taste of copper filled their intense kiss.

  Ripley pulled back, his mind started working. Oh gods. Bruising marked Brendan’s tan flesh, and in some places, deep scratches were welling with blood. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

  “I’m good. Are you okay?” Brendan stroked the bite mark that was still bleeding on Ripley’s shoulder.

  “Ugh, it’ll be fine. I’m sorry. I lost control.” Ripley got up and ran to the bathroom, grabbing a cloth and wetting it. Fuck, way to make love to a guy he was falling for. That wasn’t making love; that was a hard fuck. And out in the open, too. They didn’t have a damn door, anyone could have walked by.

  He hurried back and began wiping Brendan down, almost too hard. There was so much blood on his shoulder. Shit, Ripley was going to need another cloth to clean his cum off Brendan too.

  “Hey,” Brendan said, and it stopped Ripley in his tracks. “Don’t worry.”

  “This wasn’t how I planned to have our first time.” Ripley was so pissed at himself. Why the hell can’t I get myself in check? Why did I turn feral? Is it a weakness on my part? He hated that he couldn’t even show the man he loved he could take care of him. Quite the opposite, he had hurt him.

  Brendan kissed him before he spoke, “I loved this, and I think you’re being too hard on yourself. We both have feral blood in us now. When our emotions get involved, our wildness comes out. I’m glad I could evoke that from you with passion.”

  “I was too rough,” Ripley protested.

  Brendan swiped at his arm then showed Ripley his red fingers. “I did quite a bit of damage to you, too. Look, I’m not complaining…I liked it.” Brendan glanced away, a flush spreading over his cheeks.

  Ripley had loved it, too, and guilt was swamping him. He shouldn’t have liked it so rough, but he did, and it seemed Brendan was right. They were loving their harder lovemaking.

  Ripley grabbed and hugged Brendan tightly. “I loved it,” Ripley murmured against Brendan’s hair.

  “There is nothing wrong with the way we just made love, Rip. We just have to be careful we don’t get too carried away. You need to tell me if I go too far.” Brendan reached up and kissed him.

  “You need to let me know, too. I’ll listen.”

  “I know you will, and I’ll listen to you, too, mate.” Brendan smiled up at him.

  “Should we go and take a shower again before we head to breakfast and class. I’ll scrub you down.” Ripley waggled his eyebrows, making Brendan laugh, and that was what he set out to do.

  Chapter Ten

  The last couple of days had gone well with Ripley. Brendan felt himself falling harder every day. The two spent every moment together and had made love again the night before. Brendan was still feeling the effects. Sitting on his yoga mat, he squirmed, unable to find a comfortable position.

  Looking under his lashes, Brendan sought out Ripley who was meditating on the mat in front of him. Ripley kept rolling his head, adjusting his neck, but his mate seemed entirely uncomfortable.

  Brendan tried to focus, but his thoughts kept veering, thinking about Sloan and Colin, whose shifting was coming up. Would Knox's shift be better than last month? And Dalton was going to have his first shift…would he be okay? And poor Oren who had been moved to his room but was still ill and having nightmares.

  Then, there was Ripley. Would he be okay this coming full moon? What would happen to him? Brendan glanced down at his mat and all but gave up on meditating. It just wasn’t in the cards that day with his thoughts on the people he cared about.

  The class ended, and Brendan watched Ripley shoot up to put his mat away. The full moon was getting closer, and in a couple days, they would have to go into lockdown.

  Brendan glanced down, not getting up. He could feel his wolf inside him, stirring and moving. He remembered the previous night, feeling his wolf at peace after they had made love, but now, it felt like his wolf was pissed and ready to make an appearance.

  Getting up, Brendan went to put his mat away. Ripley was already waiting for him by the door. After placing his mat at the top of the others, he ran over to where Ripley was growling at an Alpha passing by. Nice.

  “What’s going on with you?” Brendan glanced up at Ripley’s gray eyes and almost took a step back.

  They were too wild for the number of days left until the full moon. “Your eyes, Rip.”

  Ripley tugged on the ends of his dark hair. “I know. I need to go talk to Malach.”

  They left in search of Malach and found him near the cafeteria where they were starting to serve lunch.

  Malach turned and got one good look at Ripley before he said, “Come.”

  Brendan followed; the two wondering what the hell was going on.

  Malach led them to Ripley’s room. “How long have you been like this?”

  “Since this morning and it’s getting worse.” Ripley rubbed at his arms.

  “You’re still forty-eight hours out. I’ll have someone get you lunch while you try to calm down in here. If you can't, I’ll talk to Elder Lewis.” Malach left, leaving Brendan and Ripley alone.

  “I’ve never been through a shift. Should I be feeling this way?” Ripley paced his room, steps aggressive.

  “Everyone shifts differently in the beginning, but feeling agitated this early is unusual. Tell me what you’re feeling.” Brendan leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. He was beginning to feel that his shift was going to be a train wreck.

  “I feel like I want to fucking hurt anyone that’s near you. I wanted to go after everyone in that damn meditation class. I don’t want anyone near you. You’re mine.” Ripley voice dropped an octave on the last word.

 

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