He felt the moment Lowell came; he stiffened and jerked, and a tangy warmth spread between them. The scents filling the room were mind-blowing. The air was thick with love and promise. His future flashed before his eyes, and it was wonderful. Their hearts and mind connected, and their souls touched the bond was complete and their lives would forever be one.

  Sean licked the wound until it was healed and left a small but noticeable scar. It would tell everyone that Lowell was the wolf's mate. He slowly pulled out and rolled to lie next to Lowell, pulling him close and dropping warm, wet kisses on his face and chest.

  "You taste incredible. I love kissing you, and I love making love to you. Your body was made for me, baby." Sean rambled, and Lowell moved close, tucking his face into the crook of Sean's neck. He took several deep breaths and announced how sweet he smelled.

  "Your scent makes me tremble like an aphrodisiac," Lowell stated and kissed Sean's shoulder. "That bite was painful at first, and then it exploded into the most titillating experience I've ever had. It made my entire body sizzle with a sexual sensation. It was fantastic."

  Lowell’s hands were everywhere, and Sean was loving every minute of this easy, unrestrained and loving interaction. “I feel you in my mind so clearly now. Your emotions and moods are coming through, and I feel as if you can read me too.”

  "I can, but not specifics. Fate would not allow us to read each other's minds. She puts limits on intrusive behavior between mates, but she allows us to know one another, and in time, we will be able to transmit feelings and thoughts to one another. It's a process and grows as time goes on." Sean pulled him tighter to his side and pushed his dark hair back from his face.

  “Your beauty takes my breath away, Lowell.” He said and then added. “Fate was too generous you are more than I ever expected or earned, but I am so glad that you’re mine.”

  “You say such sweet thing.” Lowell demurred and Sean thought it was charming. “I’m still not sure about everything but I’m sure about you and I’m sure I never want to lose you and that’s all I need right now.”

  "Your beauty is only exceeded by your kindness and intelligence. I love every inch of you." Sean placed another kiss on those kiss-swollen lips, drinking in the flavor and essence that was his Fated mate.

  "I have so many feelings running through me right now," Lowell confessed. "What does it mean?"

  "Our bond is complete, and we are now one in our hearts and minds." Sean began his explanation, covering the points he had not touched on earlier. "Werewolves and other paranormal beings have longer than average life spans, and that is one of the reasons Fate gifts us with mates. Now that we are bonded, your life span will extend to match mine. Also, your healing abilities will improve, and you will experience little or no sickness." He paused, and Lowell turned to look up at him.

  “Those are some serious perks.” He said and then added. “How old are you?”

  "I'm one hundred and twelve years old."

  "One-hundred and twelve," Lowell repeated, a little shocked, and Sean nodded.

  “Shifters live very long lives. I’m considered a young shifter.”

  “How long?”

  "My Alpha is over five hundred years old, and he is still strong and vital."

  “That’s astounding.”

  "You'll get used to it all. I'm sure I'm forgetting some things, but we have a lifetime to figure it all out and to get it right." Sean smiled and rolled on top of Lowell. "You look lovely, all naked, wearing nothing but my claiming mark." He nuzzled his nose into the crook of Lowell's neck, bathing the sensitive flesh with this warm breath.

  They lay holding each other for several minutes and relax. Sean had promised Lowell lunch, but he would so much rather stay where they were and make love the rest of the afternoon. He was just about to suggest such when his phone rang. He reached over the edge of the bed and retrieved his phone and saw that it was Eamon.

  "Hello," he answered, "What did you find?" But it wasn't Eamon on the line. It was Noah using Eamon's phone.

  “Eamon is missing.” He got right to the point.

  “What?”

  "We were investigating the area and split up, but now he's gone."

  "Are you sure?" That was stupid, but Sean needed to say it. Noah was a skilled tracker, so yes, he would be sure before he called.

  "There is a sign of a scuffle but no scent, just the bear scent again, like with Murphy." That had Sean's heart surging into his throat.

  "Stay where you are; I'll be right there." Sean closed the call and turned to Lowell.

  "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I have to leave you." He sat up and quickly got dressed.

  "I heard," Lowell told him. "Go, I hope he is okay." Lowell's kind heart was always on display.

  "It pains me to leave you." He said, bent to take Lowell's lips in another heart-stopping kiss. The man was so pure and lovely and the sexiest thing alive.

  “Go, hurry.” Lowell insisted.

  Lowell could see the anger and concern clouding his lovers’ eyes. He could not place demands or complain. He needed to go to his friend and Lowell completely understood. With that said he started missing him the minute he walked out the door.

  He looked down at himself and decided a shower was probably the first order of business and then he'd go find some lunch. He wasn't in the mood for fast food so he would probably go to the café across the street. He was trying to keep his mind off whatever was happening with Eamon and the pack and how it was going to affect Sean. Fear of something happening to the man started to take root along with the fear of losing him.

  This bonding situation really heightened his feelings of love, commitment, and worth. This relationship was becoming the forceful center of his life as his heart and mind wrapped around that beautiful wolf shifter, Sean Brendon.

  He would have to tell John and Patrick about Sean all at some point and he hoped that they accepted him since they all work together. He couldn’t imagine not liking someone as wonderful as Sean, so he put the concern aside.

  It was then he remembered Sean saying he lived in a small town in Maine and was a member of a pack there. This relationship was solid, he knew that right down to his bones. He had no doubts about him and Sean and the together forever chant that Sean had whispered, so one of them would be expected to move. He grabbed his towel and headed for the bathroom. They had a few things to discuss but that was just details for the heart of the matter was already secured.

  He was all showered and dressed and sitting on the edge of his bed, tying his tennis shoes, when he heard someone at his door. They didn't knock, but this was an old building, and he could feel the movement on the floorboards when someone walked by his door. Whoever they were, they were standing there, shifting from one foot to the other but not bothering to knock.

  There was no peephole, so he got up and walked carefully and quietly closer to the door to see if he could hear anything. The second he got too close to the door, it burst open, cracking him on the skull and knocking him backward onto the floor. It was a setup.

  Two men rushed inside and grabbed him, holding him between them, and hurried him out of the building and into a waiting vehicle. Lowell tried to resist, but he was half unconscious from the blow to his head. They threw him into the back seat and sped off.

  “Who are you?” He managed to verbalize a few words.

  "Shut the fuck up, or we'll kill you right here." The one driving shouted. The other one leaned closer to the driver and spoke.

  "Too bad you hadn't kicked that door a little harder. That door would have killed him, and we wouldn't have to be dealing with him now." The driver nodded.

  "That would have made things easier, but Jaron wants the human alive, so he wouldn't have been happy."

  "He would have gotten over it, but as long as we start the war, he won't care how we got there." The guy snickered.

  “You do make a lot of sense.” The driver was seriously considering offing him right now. Lowell decided to stay still and quiet until he could think of a way out of this mess.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  "It smells like some of Jaron's men," Noah stated when they circled the rock ledge by the lake. "Eamon was here trying to pick up a scent, and he probably scented those bastards, and they knew it." Noah exploded. It was obvious he held Eamon in high regard.

  "Or they were simply waiting for him, knowing he wouldn't be satisfied until he investigated the area himself," Sean suggested.

  “Waiting for him the way they waited for Murphy?” He snapped.

  "I hope not." Sean was seriously worried for his friend. It didn't look good coming on the heels of Murphy's murder. "We need to speak to Jaron. These are his men, so he must know something."

  "Eamon's a powerful wolf. They wouldn't take him easily, and they wouldn't be able to hold him for long." Noah added as they headed for the Range Rover.

  When they arrived at Jaron's home further up the mountain, no one was there, not even his assistant Shelly, who was always there, according to Noah. They went inside and looked around, but there was no sign of Eamon or any indication that Jaron himself was involved.

  “Hide the Range Rover so our presence isn’t blatantly obvious and let’s follow their trail.” Sean stated and started across the back yard toward a dense crop of trees.

  “Do you think they’ve already killed him?” Noah asked.

  "I don't know, but like you said, he is a tough son of a bitch and wouldn't go down easy." Sean reminded him, and Noah nodded.

  “I should have stayed with him.”

  "Don't second guess yourself. No good will come from it. besides, Eamon does as he pleases, and I don't think he would have allowed you to simply follow him around." Sean gave a grim smile. He was starting to feel a little on edge and wasn't sure where it was coming from. It could be coming from Lowell, but he was safe and secure in his apartment.

  “I just feel so stupid for having this happen right under my noses. I feel like they’re laughing at us.” Noah responded.

  “They won’t be laughing for long, that I promise.” They continued for several miles deep into the woods before coming to a small clearing. Jaron and several others were there, and they looked to be waiting for something or someone.

  Noah and Sean stayed back, hidden in the trees and far enough away that they would not be scented. The wind was blowing towards them so their scent would not be picked up easily. They considered confronting them and asking about their involvement with Murphy and Eamon, but something about the scene made them hold back and wait to see what was happening before making a move.

  All their plans changed in an instant when a Jeep pulled up and two men got out. They spoke with Jaron and then opened the back door and pulled Lowell, his Lowell, from the back seat and threw him to the ground at Jaron’s feet. Sean was incensed and immediately charged the group standing over his precious mate. Noah was right behind him; he understood the situation when he recognized Lowell.

  Jaron grabbed Lowell by the throat and held him in front of him with a gun pointed at his temple. Jaron swung around to face Sean as he raced to his mate's defense. Lowell was scared, and it was tearing him up and sending his wolf into a frenzy.

  "Come any closer, and I will blow his brains out." Jaron taunted.

  “That wouldn’t look much like a wolf attack, Jaron.” Noah cut in. “I thought you wanted a war between the wolves and the humans. If you shoot him, it will just be straight-up murder. Your master plan has a lot of flaws, has since the beginning."

  Jaron laughed. "Well, then, I guess I'll just have to tear out his throat then, won't I." He dropped the gun and held the claws against Lowell's throat. The others formed a half circle behind Jaron. "Now, why don't you two come a little closer." They both took a few steps going as slowly as possible, as Sean worked on a plan to save his mate and kill these fucking bastards.

  "Lou, tie them up and make sure it's tight. You two are going to simply disappear like Eamon." A large wolf behind him started forward. "Face them this way. I want Sean to watch as I gut his sweet little mate."

  He pulled Lowell up close. "I'm going to kill your little friends too. You cost me several good soldiers, and you will pay." He laughed again and gave Lowell a jerk by his neck for effect, but Lowell did not react. His eyes were on Sean. The second that Jaron shifted his gaze, and it was no more than a split second, Sean was on him, pulling Lowell from his grasp.

  Lowell was sure he would wet his pants before this was over. The guy with the claws was not playing with a full deck, so there was no telling what he would do. He was glad the gun was gone, but he wasn't out of the woods yet.

  He kept his eyes on Sean aware that the man was planning something, and he wanted to follow whatever moves he made. The look in his eyes was calculating as he took in everyone in the small clearing. He saw his lover take out a pack of wolves so this bunch would be no problem. His only real concern was this guy, the guy with the claws.

  Sean acted and was on them so fast it was a blur. Lowell felt himself being lifted and tossed backward away from the brawl, and as soon as he hit the ground, he started scrambling. He wanted to help, he wanted to do something, but he knew the best thing to do was to get out of the way, so Sean's attention wasn't split trying to take care of him.

  He did manage to grab the gun that his captor had tossed aside and ran with it. He crouched down behind a few stumps. It was not that they gave him a lot of cover, but it was some. The gun would be of no use against a shifter. He remembered what Sean had told him. Shifters were hard to kill, and it required removing body parts. But a bullet could sting and could hamper so he kept it trained on the action in front of him in case an opportunity presented itself.

  He watched his amazing lover shift into one of the largest and fiercest wolves he'd ever encountered. Everyone had shifted, and the fight was brutal. The viciousness was off the charts. Blood was everywhere, and to Lowell's dismay, it appeared that Noah, a beautiful white wolf, was losing ground against his three attackers. It looked bad, but his heart was telling him everything would be okay.

  Suddenly someone burst from dense wood on the other side of the clearing. It was a wolf, a black wolf even larger than Sean and Lowell recognized him, it was Eamon and there were others with him. They surrounded the group and in a very few minutes no one was left except Jaron and Sean had him pinned to the ground.

  Eamon shifted back to human, as did Sean, who released Jaron and stood backing away. Lowell wasn't sure what he was looking at, but it appeared that Jaron was not half as cocky as he was a few minutes ago. His goons lay dead strewn around the clearing, and now he had to face Eamon.

  Sean and the others positioned themselves in a wide circle around the two men. Everyone remained silent except for Jaron. "What's your plan, Eamon? I'm not alone in this; you know I have been sanctioned by one of the elders. I am the new Alpha of this pack, and you're just going to have to get used to it." He was talking crazy.

  "You tried to have me killed," Eamon stated calmly as he started circling his prey.

  "I thought you were already dead. I wouldn't have moved on the others if I knew you were still a threat." He wasn't making much sense.

  Eamon turned to the crowd and raised his hands. "I formally challenge this wolf to a fight to the death for the position of Alpha of the Salida Pack." He made it formal and binding, and Lowell saw Jaron shrink just a little before he suddenly shifted and leaped at Eamon. But Eamon was nobody's fool and shifted before Jaron was off the ground. They slammed together in mid-air, and the fight was epic. Fighting to the death really brings out the absolute monster in a man.

  He noticed Sean glancing back at him, making sure he was safe and urging him to stay where he was. Lowell set the gun aside and stood up, realizing he was no longer in any danger. He could see everything clearly from where he stood, and it was damn ruthless, and the viciousness was reaching new heights, and he found himself looking away when Eamon went in for the kill.

  When he looked up, Eamon was in his human form, torn and bloody, but he was a champion. Eamon Coles was the new Alpha of the Salida Pack.

  Sean kept his eyes on both the challenge taking place and his mate, who was standing a mere few feet away. His heart nearly died when he saw him being held by that lunatic and even now, he and his wolf still feared for his safety. An Alpha challenge was no place for a little human, but he was handling himself well and Sean could not be prouder of his young mate.

  Jaron was a beast, and he personified the true meaning of that word. Eamon shifted and held him off the ground with one hand and tore out his throat with the other. Sean enjoyed watching him die. Eamon threw his remains to the ground and turned his back, signaling his utter disdain for the wolf.

  Sean wrapped his arms around Lowell, his little love, when he came running to him. So glad to have him safe in his arms. “Don’t ever do that to me again.” He said to Lowell and then kissed him senseless right there in front of everyone.

  "I'll try not to get abducted again; I promise." Lowell smiled, and that smile was a balm to Sean's soul.

  “I need to get you home where you are safe and protected. My wolf is frantic that more danger may come your way.” Sean felt his wolf pacing nervously.

  “I think the danger has come and gone, Sean.” Lowell teased. “And you and your wolf handled it wonderfully.”

  "Eamon handled it. Eamon Coles, the new Alpha, and a fine one he will be too." Sean announced loudly, and everyone heartily agreed. Sean dropped his right hand to cup Lowell's gorgeous ass needing the assurance that all was as it should be. He gripped him hard, squeezing him tight, and pressed Lowell's body to his. The feeling of his mate trumped everything in life. As long as he had this beauty by his side, he would be forever satisfied.