Xavier shook his head. “It’s not your fault. Hell, Liam, you were six. Of course you were excited to talk about it. It’s not your fault they used me. And if they hadn’t, you might not have found me to begin with. As much as I hate to admit it, maybe it was meant to happen.”

  Liam almost jumped when he felt Tara’s hand on his arm. “You can’t change the past, Liam. No matter how much you want to.” He turned to see her smile. “Besides, we found you. We’re here now. We’re not going anywhere.”

  Fuck. Liam tried to ignore the wetness in his eyes. Alphas didn’t cry. Especially not cold-ass mercenaries.

  Hell, who was he kidding? Yeah they did, because he was.

  He pulled his mates to him, burying his face in Xavier’s hair. “Thank you.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “Okay, so this is the plan,” Liam said firmly a few days later. He looked at the men in his living room, silently thanking Greg Little for his help. The man had sent at least five mercenaries, though Liam only recognized Julian and Gabriel.

  He just hoped it was enough.

  He squared his shoulders as he spoke. “Sergey is a sick fuck, you all know that. Whatever you see in there, you’re gonna have to get past to take him out. I don’t know how many guards he’ll have now. He’s always been paranoid, but I’m sure that’s been upped after everything that’s happened. But we can take ’em.” He tilted his head in thought. “He mainly uses human guards. The shifters that work for him tend to be involved in the more interesting aspects of his work.”

  “Are we killing them or just handing them over to cops?”

  Liam clicked his tongue. “Restrain if you can. Most of them are only there for the money, not out of some evil ambition.”

  The men nodded.

  “At the end of the day,” Liam concluded softly. “The important thing is getting Sergey and anyone he’s held captive. Other than that, the others are unimportant. Stick to those two goals. Also, leave Sergey to me. I don’t want anyone else to have to deal with that. Concentrate on freeing who you can. They might need hospital stays. I’ll pay for that. Just get them taken care of however you need to.” He nodded at all of them. “We meet up here tomorrow. Be ready.”

  The men slowly filed out of his home. Julian slapped him hard on the back, making him grimace. “Lemme guess, make sure Tara is safe or you’ll kill me?”

  Julian grinned, and it was full of fang. “You got it, wolf.”

  “She’ll be fine. I’m making sure of it.”

  “Good. Keep it that way.” The tiger waved as he left, closing the door behind him.

  Liam let out a heavy breath, collapsing into his chair. He ran a hand over his face. “Damn.”

  “You okay, Liam?” Xavier’s voice drifted over him.

  He felt the lie on the tip of his tongue and it burned like acid. He could’ve said nothing so easily, but he wouldn’t lie to his mates. Not anymore.

  So he simply held out his hand, smiling when Xavier took it and sat on the edge of the chair. His little wolf nuzzled into his neck, breathing gently. Liam lightly rubbed the man’s back before speaking quietly.

  “I’m just worried, that’s all. It’ll pass.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, little wolf. I promised not to hide this stuff anymore, remember?”

  “I know.” Xavier pulled away with a soft sigh. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

  It was sweet the way his mates worried. He’d practically had to beg Tara to go home to start packing her apartment up. It was nice to have this again, but he was realistic.

  “I could get hurt, Xavier. It’s just an inevitability.”

  “Doesn’t mean I have to like it,” the man muttered.

  “I know.” Liam smiled, taking Xavier’s head in his hands. He brought his little wolf in for a kiss. Xavier moaned, and Liam growled at the sound. “Why do I have a feeling you wanted to comfort me in a different way, little wolf?”

  Xavier moved to Liam’s lap, and he had to groan at the feel of him there. “I thought about it.”

  “Fuck, Xavier.”

  Xavier grinned as he nuzzled against Liam’s neck. “Yeah, that was the plan. Though, I was more thinking of fucking you.”

  Liam did not whimper. That sound did not come out of his mouth, and he’d deny it until his dying breath. “Yes.”

  Xavier pulled back. “Are you sure? We don’t… I mean…”

  Liam chuckled as he stood up, bringing Xavier with him. The man squeaked and wrapped his arms around Liam’s neck. “I’m sure, little wolf.”

  Xavier blew out a breath. “I’m glad. I want to, I’m just worried. I’ve never done this before.”

  Liam soothed him as he brought them to the bedroom. “I know. You’re doing well.”

  “I am?”

  “Yep.” Liam dropped him on the bed before moving to take off his own shirt. “I’m hard as a damn rock.”

  Xavier licked his lips, and Liam didn’t hold back the groan this time. “Can I…?” Xavier blushed but nodded to himself before looking up at Liam with wolf-yellow eyes. “Can I suck your cock?”

  “Fuck,” Liam hissed, his hands faltering on his belt. “You can do whatever the fuck you want to me if you keep looking like that.”

  Xavier laughed as he got down on his knees, taking over for Liam on removing his pants. “I kind of like the sound of that, actually.”

  “Of course you do,” Liam muttered playfully as he ran his hands through Xavier’s hair. The little wolf undid his belt quickly, pulling out Liam’s hard cock.

  Xavier grinned before licking the tip. Liam hissed out a breath, his hands clutching Xavier’s hair tighter. “Yeah, just like that, little wolf.”

  Xavier took his time laving Liam’s cock, leaving no inch dry in his exploration. Liam had to remind himself that Xavier was new to everything. He’d never sucked a man’s cock before, right? Hell, he could’ve fooled Liam, because damn the little wolf made up for lack of experience with enthusiasm. Xavier slowly took the head of his cock into his mouth, moaning softly. Liam’s head tilted back as he grabbed the sides of Xavier’s head, slowly thrusting his hips. Xavier moaned louder, relaxing his mouth to take Liam’s cock.

  “Fuck, lemme know if you need me to slow down, little wolf.”

  Xavier shook his head. In fact, he slowly took in more of Liam’s cock, only stopping once it hit the little wolf’s throat. Liam gulped out a moan, his hands shaking in Xavier’s hair.

  “Damn, Xavier. I’m gonna come.”

  Xavier moaned and swallowed around Liam’s cock and that was all he could take. Liam grunted as he thrust two more times in Xavier’s mouth, shooting down the man’s throat. Xavier sat back and swallowed, licking his lips. He looked up at Liam and those yellow eyes heated.

  “What next? You’ve got to show me how to do this.”

  Liam groaned. That probably shouldn’t have turned him on as much as it did, but hell, he wasn’t going to question it.

  “First, let’s get you undressed, huh?”

  Xavier nodded as he stood up, quickly slipping off his T-shirt and jeans. Liam licked his lips as he watched the man strip, hurrying to take off his own clothes. Xavier’s cheeks heated with an adorable blush.

  “Now what?”

  Liam frowned as he watched his mate build up those nervous walls again. He grabbed Xavier’s face between his hands.

  “Hey. Calm down, all right?”

  Xavier blew out a breath, looking up at him with pale gray eyes, the scent of his arousal lessening under fear. “Sorry. I just want this to be good for you.”

  “It will be because it’s you, okay? I promise.”

  Xavier smiled, some of his nerves disappearing. “You know, Tara said the same thing.”

  Liam chuckled. “I’m not surprised.” He tilted his head. “Feeling better?”

  “Yeah. Just…show me what to do, okay?”

  Liam gently kissed his nervous mate, running his hand through that long, red hair. “I can do that.”

  “P-please?” Xavier whimpered.

  Liam moved away, smirking softly at Xavier’s quiet whine, and leaned over to grab lube from the nightstand. “First thing, we need this.” At Xavier’s nod, he continued with a lick of his lips. “You remember how I prepared you? I need the same thing.”

  * * *

  Xavier gulped but nodded and moved forward, taking the small bottle from Liam’s hand. “G-get on the bed.”

  Liam’s smile was blissful as he leaned over the bed. Xavier fumbled with the cap, his nerves making his hands shake. He blew out a breath before letting some of the liquid drip onto his fingers. He slowly ran them along Liam’s hole, the large man groaning under his attention.

  “Fuck, just like that, little wolf.”

  Xavier pushed one finger in, moaning at the tightness. Liam shuddered, gripping the sheets. His hole clenched around Xavier’s finger as he rocked against the invasion.

  “Is that good?”

  The large wolf nodded. “Yeah. More?”

  Xavier slowly pushed in another finger. He scissored them like he remembered Liam doing to him, pulling a ragged moan out of the man. He moved up to three fingers, pushing them in and out until Liam was panting and moaning under him.

  “Please, Xavier.”

  Xavier shuddered, nodding quickly. “Y-yeah.” He pulled out his fingers, quickly lubing up his cock. He gulped as he lined his cock up with Liam’s hole and then slowly pushed inside with a moan.

  “Fuck,” he hissed, gripping Liam’s ass as he bottomed out inside that tight hole.

  “Yeah, fuck me, little wolf.” Liam reached for his cock, starting to stroke it slowly. “Then bite me.”

  Xavier whimpered before he started to thrust, pulling in and out with careful strokes. He watched his nails form into claws and then saw those pierce his mate’s ass. He licked his lips, his pumping hips moving faster and harder until he felt his balls slap against Liam.

  Liam let out a loud moan, his hand gripping his cock tighter as his strokes grew harder. “Yes, fuck, please.”

  “What do you want, mate?”

  Liam shuddered, looking back at Xavier with glowing amber eyes. “Bite me.”

  Xavier gave a full body shudder, his claws digging further into his mate’s body. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes! Please, Xavier!”

  Xavier couldn’t say no to that. Hearing Liam beg, hearing this large strong man moan under him, he couldn’t resist any longer. He bent down as best he could, licking at Liam’s shoulder before he bit down hard with his fangs.

  “Fuck, yes!”

  Liam shouted as he came, shooting over his hand and stomach. His ass tightened around Xavier, and after two more hard thrusts, Xavier moaned into that dark skin as he shot jet after jet of cum inside his mate.

  He had his mates. He’d bitten them both.

  He couldn’t remember a time he’d been happier.

  He practically collapsed on top of Liam, sucking in deep puffs of air. He felt exhausted but so relaxed he couldn’t find it in him to care. He snuggled against Liam’s chest, the large man’s chest still heaving from his own orgasm. He felt the large man rumble with a contented growl as he ran a hand down Xavier’s back.

  “Enjoy that, little wolf?”

  God, the man’s voice sounded gravelly and way too sexy.

  Xavier nuzzled closer, taking in more of his mate’s scent. “Uh huh.”

  Liam moved his stroking to Xavier’s hair, moving the strands that were still plastered to his skin. Xavier closed his eyes, leaning into the touch. He’d missed this. Wolves craved touch more than other shifters, and growing up with only his father left him longing for something he’d barely known. Liam nuzzled his face into Xavier’s hair, breathing him in.

  “Love you, little wolf,” he whispered quietly.

  Xavier stilled at the words, letting the warmth of them wash over him. It was everything he wanted but never expected to hear. He couldn’t stop his wide smile as he burrowed into Liam’s chest.

  “Love you too.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Liam woke up with a jolt, clutching at his chest. He looked around, breathing a little easily when he saw Xavier asleep beside him. For the second time since he’d mated the small man, he’d had a nearly clear vision.

  For the first time in his life, he knew what it meant immediately. His mates were in danger and there was no way in hell he was going to allow that.

  He slowly pulled himself out of bed, giving a weary smile when the little wolf snuggled up against his pillow with a small whine.

  Xavier opened a blurry looking yellow eye. “Liam?” His voice was still slurred with sleep.

  “It’s fine, little wolf. I just needed some water. I’ll be back in a bit, okay?”

  “A’ight,” Xavier mumbled before he fell back asleep.

  Liam hurried out of the room, closing the door behind him. He grabbed his cell phone off the kitchen table and quickly dialed Julian.

  The man answered after two rings. “Liam?” The tiger paused and cursed. “It’s three in the bloody morning, why are you calling me?”

  Liam ran a shaking hand over his face. He took a steadying breath, trying to calm himself. It didn’t work. “I think Xavier and Tara are in danger. I think… No, I know Sergey is going to send someone here to try and take Xavier back. It won’t go well, and Tara will get hurt too. You need to be here. You might be able to stop it. I don’t know.”

  He heard fabric ruffle on the other end and assumed Julian was pulling himself out of bed. “You wanna repeat that without the crazy? What the bloody hell are you on about?”

  “I had a vision and—”

  “You said you don’t get clear visions.”

  “And,” Liam continued as though the man hadn’t interrupted. “Xavier and Tara are in danger. Sergey is going to—”

  “How does he know about Tara?”

  “I don’t think he does, but he knows I have Xavier. You’re not listening to me. They’re in danger.”

  “No, I get that, but you’re not making sense, mate. Take a breath and calm down, all right?”

  Liam sighed. “Sorry. I’ve never had a vision like this before. It’s usually so messed up that I can’t process it, but this one…wasn’t.”

  “What did you see?”

  He shuddered. “I can’t…”

  “All right. We won’t go over that, then. What do you need me to do?”

  “When I go to Sergey’s, I need you here. Xavier could be a strong wolf, but he’s still new to shifting.”

  “And Tara’s a rabbit,” Julian muttered. “She can kick some ass, but shifted she can pretty much only run.”

  “Which you damn well better make sure she does if push comes to shove. Both of them.”

  “I hear you.” Julian blew out a breath. “All right. I’ll be there. Don’t worry.”

  “Thank you,” Liam said quietly before he hung up the phone. He rested his head against the wall, clenching the phone in his fists. “Today. This all ends today.”

  And as he pulled Xavier into his arms, he could only hope he was right.

  * * *

  Tara raised an eyebrow as Julian strolled into Liam’s cabin. “What are you doing here?”

  He grinned before resting his arm on her shoulders. He leaned down to kiss her forehead. “I’m here to guard you and a certain wolf.”

  “Uh huh. Why’s that?”

  “Nope. Under strict orders not to talk about it.” He glanced around. “How many damn windows does this place have?”

  “Fifteen,” Liam called from another room. “And five doors.”

  “Bloody hell,” Julian muttered as he started wandering around the cabin.

  Tara narrowed her eyes and hurried into the bedroom, seeing Liam slipping on a shirt. “Why is my brother here?”

  Liam sighed wearily. “I need him to guard you two while I’m away.”

  “Why?”

  He dragged a hand over his head. “I can’t…”

  She sucked in a breath. “You had a vision, didn’t you? I was right.”

  When he couldn’t look at her, she knew she was right. She moved over to him, forcing him to look at her by grabbing his face. “Talk to me, Liam. We can’t protect ourselves if we don’t know.”

  He shuddered under her grip and closed his eyes. “I know, rabbit. I just don’t want to think about what I saw, okay?”

  “It’s that bad?”

  “Yeah,” he said roughly, his voice ragged. “I can’t let it happen, Tara. I can’t lose you two.”

  Oh, her sweet mate. She leaned up to kiss him. “You won’t lose us, Liam. I promise.”

  He pulled her against his chest, resting his chin on the top of her head. “I can’t, rabbit. I just can’t. I’m not strong enough.”

  She lightly slapped his chest. “And you think we are? You better come back to us, you hear me?”

  He laughed quietly. “I hear you. I wasn’t exactly planning on dying anyway, rabbit.”

  “Most people don’t, Liam. Just…” She sighed. “Just come back to us, all right?”

  “Yeah. I will. I promise.” He cupped her face and kissed her. It was slow and gentle and so filled with longing she felt her heart crack a little. When he pulled away, he whispered against her lips. “I love you.”

  She hadn’t expected the words. Not really. But somehow she had known how he felt. So she merely smiled. “I love you too.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Liam cracked his neck, carefully observing the area. Everything was setting him on edge, but he knew this had to be done. Sergey had gotten himself a nice little office building now. Finding it hadn’t been too hard. The man always left tracks. It was almost insulting how easy it was for Liam to track him down, but he didn’t care.

 

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