“Good man.”

  Jasky left.

  Marcus looked around the room at the others. “All of you are good men and women, good shifters. Thank you.” He backed out and shut the door.

  “We have a good pack.”

  Marcus shook his head. “No, we have a great pack.”

  Nathan couldn’t argue with that. They headed to their rooms. Marcus typed in the security code on the keypad. Once inside with the door locked, Nathan flung himself at Marcus, needing to hold his mate and be held in return.

  “I’m so sorry you had to kill,” Marcus murmured, hugging him with the perfect amount of strength.

  Nathan shuddered. “I wanted to. I wanted him dead, dead, dead. That side of me always scares me. How can I be rational and sympathetic yet still want to kill? I don’t understand.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “Right. My wolf.” Nathan knew that. He was just tired and heartbroken.

  “I was thinking about stepping down.”

  “What?” Nathan gasped. There was nothing else Marcus could have said that would have shocked him more. “But…but you love being the Alpha Anax!”

  “I do,” Marcus agreed, still holding him. “But I don’t love being the cause of any of my pack members’ death. I don’t love the violence, the way we shifters settle our differences with blood and death.”

  “So change it,” Nathan told him. “Change what you can. We’ll do it together, even if it’s just little bits here and there, even if we never finish in this lifetime.” He wiggled until he had enough room to look up at Marcus. “But don’t just quit. Then you’re saying there’s no hope, that this is all we’ll ever be, all the packs you love will ever be. You won’t do that, Marcus. You can’t.”

  Marcus looked away, swallowing noisily, his throat making a clicking sound. “I thought I could. If it was for the good of the packs, I would. Ryder could—”

  “No.” Nathan shook Marcus a little when he said it. “Absolutely not. I’m putting my foot down on this, Marcus. You won’t toss all hope. You won’t run away.”

  That got Marcus to look at him again. “I wasn’t talking about running away! I’m not a coward!”

  Nathan touched his jaw. “We all are, when we think we’re going to keep getting hurt. We want to run, to keep ourselves safe. If you left the packs, I’d go with you, you know that, and we’d both suffer. It wouldn’t be better for the packs, who need a strong leader, someone who isn’t perfect, because perfection is a lie that hides a host of sins. They need someone who can be honest with them, who loves them enough to stay.” He kissed Marcus’ chin since he couldn’t reach his lips. “Ryder needs you to stay, to show him how to be the Alpha Anax he’s destined to be.”

  Marcus stared at him for a long time, then he gave the barest hint of a smile. “How is it I ever forget that you are always right about things like this?”

  “I’ll make sure to remind you often. Why don’t you check on Sissy and the others, and I’ll get our shower started?”

  “Okay.” Marcus reached for the phone and Nathan walked to the bathroom. First things first, he loaded his toothbrush up with minty paste and started scrubbing away. While he brushed his teeth, he kept from looking at himself in the mirror. If there was anything gross on him, he didn’t want to see it. He also turned on the shower and by the time a good steam was building, Marcus came into the bathroom.

  “Keegan and Sissy are back. Shania is treating Sissy and Guillermo both. Juanita has told her about this poison Dirk used on his enemies, and”—Marcus arched both eyebrows— “it seems Ryder neglected to tell us that Casey found his mate.”

  Nathan spat out a mouthful of froth. “Really? Who—” He stopped, horrified by the possibilities. “Please tell me it wasn’t one of the fuckers who was shooting at the compound.”

  “Nope,” Marcus told him. “But I’m not sure his mate is safe. Casey was not happy when I told Shania to keep the man sedated and secured to the bed.”

  Nathan gave Marcus a narrow look. “Why would you do that?”

  Marcus looked worried when he answered. “Because he fits the description for one Piper Briones.”

  Nathan choked on the spit he’d been swallowing, sending him into a hacking fit that had Marcus thumping him on the back. “Stop that,” Nathan gasped when he could breathe, “It doesn’t help.”

  “Sorry.” Marcus kissed the top of his head. “Anyway, Shania said the guy looks like he’s been abused over a long period of time. She doesn’t think he’d have been capable of killing Little Joe like he was, so if she’s right, then it must have been Dirk or one of his goons who did it.”

  “She’s keeping Piper tied and sedated, though, like you said?” Nathan didn’t like the idea of doing that if Piper was harmless, but he liked even less the thought of Piper killing someone because he turned out to be a psycho.

  “Yes. Casey will deal with it.” Marcus took the toothbrush out of Nathan’s hand. “I think you might still have some enamel left if you stop now.”

  Nathan wrinkled his nose at Marcus. “I hate the taste. It doesn’t go away even after I brush a couple of times. Maybe a strong cup of coffee will help.”

  “After we are clean.”

  “Yes.” Nathan wouldn’t argue with that.

  They showered off, scrubbing each other twice before declaring themselves as clean as they could get. A quick towelling, and, despite Marcus’ teasing, another round of tooth brushing, and Nathan was on his way to being ready.

  Marcus wasn’t far behind him, and they ended up making it to the great hall with minutes to spare.

  Inside the hall, hundreds of shifters were gathered. Some were crying, some talking, but when Marcus entered, quiet swept over them all.

  Marcus walked up the steps to the small stage with the podium on it. As much as Marcus bitched about feeling like a preacher behind that podium, he always leaned on it, bracing his forearms on the top and leaning towards his pack. Today was no different. Nathan stood to Marcus’ right as he began to speak.

  “Today we have lost too many members, too many brave men and women whose only desire was to keep their pack safe. They died trying to protect me, and I will never forget their sacrifice. Not one of them deserved to leave us, not one of us deserved to lose them. I grieve, Nathan grieves, our pack grieves as one for them. They were loved, respected, and they will live on in our memories. These men and women”—Marcus read out the names of the deceased as sobs could be heard throughout the hall—“will all be honoured. Today, every day, every day that we live and strive to be worthy of what they did for us. I will strive to be worthy of what they did for me. I loved them, every one. I will miss them, every one. I will remember them, every one.

  “And I will find a way, with the help of you”—he looked out over those gathered, turning his head slowly, and Nathan knew he was seeing each one of them—“to prevent anything like this from happening again. I will do everything I can to form peaceful bonds with the Alpha Anaxes worldwide. We will learn from this, and grow, and we will keep the memories of those lost today in our hearts.”

  Marcus stood up straight then, and walked out from behind the podium to stand at the edge of the stage. “I want to thank you, every mother, father, sister, brother, friend—every relative of those lost today. They are not gone. We carry them with us.”

  Nathan waited until Marcus finished talking, then he wiped the tears off his cheeks and joined his mate in going up to every family member who had lost a loved one to death that day. By the time they were done, he and Marcus both were wrung out, aching inside, but Nathan knew they could begin to heal, just as their pack would.

  “One thing before we go back to our rooms. I want to see Piper.”

  “Of course.” Nathan hooked his arm through Marcus’. “Let’s go.”

  Shania was in the medical centre, talking to Casey quietly over a still, too-thin man who was covered in freckles and scars. Both Casey and Shania glanced at them as they came in, then resumed their conversation.

  “I’m sure he’ll be all right eventually—physically,” Shania added. “Psychologically, I don’t see how he’d be Johnny Joyful when he’s obviously been abused to the point that he’s lucky to be alive.”

  Nathan had to agree. Marcus had looked like Piper, all bones and thin skin, like death had decided he wasn’t worth having. The similarities had him wanting to accept Piper right into the pack, but he wouldn’t. They couldn’t, until they knew him better.

  “I can feel him,” Casey said, turning a pleading look to Marcus. “I can. He isn’t a monster, he’s a terrified man who didn’t know where to go or how to survive on his own once Drake and the others had been brought here.”

  “You know who he is?”

  Casey nodded at Marcus. “Yes, I told you. I can feel him. I know.”

  “I’m not turning him out.” Marcus moved closer and held out a hand. “May I?”

  “You don’t have to ask me,” Casey muttered, scooting over to make room for Marcus to stand beside him.

  “I do, actually. He’s your mate and I wouldn’t presume to do what I’m about to do without your agreement. Nathan.” Marcus held out his other hand and Nathan took it. Then Marcus touched his free hand to Piper’s temple.

  It was like a jolt from a nightmare, the black, oily memory of pain and fear. Nathan held on to Marcus, trying to help him sort through the morass of feelings coming from Piper. Delving into another’s mind wasn’t something Marcus did often—wasn’t something he could do often. It drained him when he went deep.

  Part of that was because Marcus kept a tight rein on his mental probing, not just poking in willy-nilly to see what was what. He knew what he sought—rage, hatred, betrayal—and luckily found none in Piper.

  “That’s enough for now,” Marcus rasped. “He is walled off in places that might hurt him if I tore into them, so I won’t. When he’s capable of coherent conversation, I’ll want to talk to him, but meanwhile, untie him, Shania.”

  “Thank you,” Casey told Marcus.

  “Don’t thank me yet. I’ll have Keegan set two guards in here. I’m sorry, Casey, but I can’t take any chances.”

  Casey bobbed his head. “I understand, sir, but thank you anyway for not making him stay bound, or sending us out.”

  “I wouldn’t do that. If you need me, Shania, call. We’re going to get some sleep.”

  “I will. Good night.”

  Nathan doubted it would be that night, but eventually, he and Marcus would sleep without the pain of loss being so bright.

  Epilogue

  Six Months Later “It’s almost like having our baby leave the nest,” Nathan said as the jet took off with Ryder and Maarten on board. They had said their goodbyes earlier at the compound. Now Nathan and Marcus could see the plane from their bedroom window. Together they watched as the jet rose higher and higher, until it finally was out of sight. “He’s all grown up, kind of.”

  Marcus snorted at that. “Ugliest baby ever. He’s all hairy and bulky.”

  Nathan poked him in the belly. “Don’t be mean. Ryder isn’t ugly.”

  “If he was a baby and looked like that, more hair on his body than his head, yeah, he’d

  be ugly.” Nathan wasn’t going to concede the point. He wasn’t going to argue, either. “I’m still surprised Guillermo and Juanita held the Alpha Anax position for Ryder. Jeez, Juanita can kick ass!”

  “Probably why she and Sissy are mates,” Marcus pointed out. “I can’t believe we lost Sissy to Ryder. He gets her for his guards down there. Ass.”

  “Well, Guillermo will get to deal with Double Trouble,” Nathan said, referring to Sissy

  and Juanita. “It’s a damn good thing he healed up so fast.”

  “Yeah. So.” Marcus turned and gave him a wicked look. “I hear there’s some beautiful

  places in South America. Bet there’s somewhere perfect for two shifters celebrating their

  anniversary.”

  Nathan frowned at him. “We just had our anniversary last week, did you forget?” “No,” Marcus laughed, catching him up in a big hug. “I didn’t, or you’d have strung me

  up and skinned me. I meant next year.”

  “I wouldn’t have skinned you because you wouldn’t have forgotten,” Nathan couldn’t

  help but say. “As for getting away to celebrate our anniversary next year, are you sure you

  don’t want to do that here with the pack instead?”

  Marcus lifted Nathan up off his feet. “Nope. Well, a small party, sure, so our pack can

  celebrate with us, but then I want you all to myself, out in the middle of some exotic,

  beautiful place we’ve never been before—”

  “First off, I’d have to tell you, there is no such thing as a small party with a pack our

  size.” Nathan pinched Marcus’ butt. “Second, I don’t know about going to South America.

  It’s got to be hotter even than New Mexico, being all closer to the equator and shit. Third—” “Third, you need to stop talking,” Marcus said right before slanting his mouth over

  Nathan’s.

  Nathan had to admit, kissing was much better than talking, unless they were talking

  dirty. Then it depended. His mental rambling spluttered when Marcus nipped his tongue.

  What the hell was up with that?

  “Quit wandering off on me,” Marcus scolded, then immediately went back to kissing

  him.

  Nathan’s eyelids fell shut and he clutched at Marcus’ shoulders. It didn’t take much

  effort to get his legs around Marcus’ waist, either, and gods, that felt so good! Marcus moaned and spun them, and somehow they ended up on the bed, tearing at

  each other’s clothes. Nathan only had a problem getting his socks off—he hated fucking with

  socks on, it made him feel goofy-looking or like a porn actor. Once he tossed them aside, he

  leapt on Marcus, bouncing them both on the bed.

  “Love you,” he told his mate. “So much.”

  “Gods, but I love you more,” Marcus replied.

  Nathan growled at him. “You do not love me more, you love me the same.” “No,” Marcus said, shaking his head slowly. “I don’t love you the same. I love you

  more, each and every day.”

  Damn it, the man was going to melt him with sweet words. Nathan sniffed. “Well,

  that’s fine, and that’s what I meant. Every day, I love you more. Now can we quit squabbling

  and make love?”

  “Oh, I love it when you talk romantic instead of dirty.” Marcus batted his eyelashes. Nathan leant down until he was nose to nose with his mate. “Are you trying to make

  me fuck you until you can’t walk?”

  “To quote you, duh.”

  “You are so in for it,” Nathan warned, his pulse racing with excitement. “You think so? What’re you going to do?”

  A short scuffle ensued. For all that Nathan was shorter, less bulky, Marcus didn’t go

  easy on him. Nathan still won, shoving Marcus down on his stomach. Both of them were

  panting from exertion and arousal.

  “I’m gonna do what you’re begging me to do,” Nathan promised.

  “But I’m not begging—Oh gods,” Marcus gasped as Nathan licked down his crack. “I’ll

  beg, just please don’t stop!”

  As if Nathan would. He spread Marcus’ cheeks and went after his hole like a starving

  man given a meal. Every lick and suck drove the most delicious noises past Marcus’ lips.

  Nathan thrust his tongue inside and Marcus rose up onto his knees, presenting his ass so

  prettily. Nathan kept at his pucker, getting it good and wet. He slid a finger in easily. “Lube, honey.”

  Marcus groaned. “Just fuck me.”

  “Lube,” Nathan snapped. “I don’t want a raw dick and you don’t want to be fucked like

  I’m gonna do without lots of lube.”

  Marcus was reaching for the lube and handing it back to Nathan in no time flat. Nathan

  opened the bottle and poured out plenty onto his palm. He coated his dick and slathered the

  remained over Marcus’ asshole. He pressed the tip of the bottle to Marcus’ opening and

  squeezed.

  “Aw, that always feels…”

  “Good?” Nathan guessed.

  “Kinda gross,” Marcus corrected. “But good too because I know what’s next.” “You are entirely too chatty,” Nathan growled, then he was pushing into Marcus’ hole,

  the tight, hot grip of his ring and the rippling inner walls shattering his restraint. Nathan grabbed Marcus’ hips and thrust in to the hilt.

  “Fuck yeah,” Marcus crowed, wiggling against him. “Do it.”

  Nathan did ‘it’, withdrawing and slamming into Marcus’ ass until he was out of breath,

  until they were both panting loudly, sliding over the sheets. Marcus slapped at the

  headboard and pulled himself up until he was kneeling, his legs wide apart so Nathan could

  drill his cock into him.

  Nathan wrapped his arms around Marcus and palmed his shaft. No words were

  spoken, only grunts as Nathan pounded away, fucking Marcus, jerking him off. He licked at

  Marcus’ back, scraped his teeth over a favourite spot.

  Marcus made the sound Nathan had been waiting for, a mewling, needy one that was

  more instinctive than intentional. Then he bit, letting his teeth break skin, tasting his mate in

  a different way.

  Marcus shouted, a wordless sound as his ass clamped down around Nathan’s cock.

  Marcus’ length pulsed in Nathan’s hand, then the smell of spunk hit the air just as the actual

  jet of it splattered on Nathan’s skin.

  Yes, yes! This is it, this is everything, love and want, trust and need. Nathan felt it to

  overflowing, everything good and right between him and his mate. It surpassed the ecstasy

  of relief, the indescribable bond they shared greater than anything else, physical or

  emotional.

  It was, and would remain, the perfect love.