All the emotions that had gathered inside Kyle broke free—fear, panic, love, and whatever else he felt poured from him, making Kyle break down and cry. This was starting to feel like too much. How much more could one person take before they shattered?

  Dr. McNeal placed a hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “He’ll be okay. I promise.”

  Kyle leaned his back against Mack’s desk and shook his head. “I’m not sure how much more of this I can handle.”

  “For your mate, a lot more.” Dr. McNeal lifted Mack from the floor. Kyle’s mouth dropped. The wolf was twice the size of his wild counterpart, and he wasn’t sure how the doctor could carry him.

  “Could you open the door for me?”

  Kyle scrambled to his feet and did as the doctor asked. He followed him down the hallway, and Dr. McNeal placed the wolf in Kyle’s bed. It was ironic how their roles had switched. Now Kyle was the one hovering over his mate as he waited for him to open his eyes.

  “He might be asleep for a few hours,” Dr. McNeal said. “Is there anything you need?”

  “For someone to kill the bastard who did this.” The venom in Kyle’s voice shocked him. He’d never had such dark thoughts before, yet looking at his mate lying there helpless made him want to hunt the stranger down and choke the life out of him.

  Kyle was disturbed by the bloodlust he felt, but he’d never loved anyone like he loved Mack. He would do anything to keep him and Joshua safe, and the stranger had threatened to take away his new family.

  “The wolves are searching the town,” Dr. McNeal said. “I don’t think the guy will stay hidden for long.”

  Kyle didn’t put too much faith in the doctor’s confidence. The wolves had been searching the town for two days, and the stranger had still managed to slip unseen into Mack’s office.

  “I’ll be back to check on him. Right now I have to check on Mrs. Schroder. I’m sure she heard the gunfire and I’ll have to come up with a plausible story for her.” Dr. McNeal strode from the office as Kyle looked toward the window. He got up from the chair he’d dropped into and made sure the window was locked.

  No one was getting in here. Not if Kyle could help it. He sat back down next to his sleeping wolf and brushed his hands through Mack’s fur. Some Christmas this had turned out to be. They had some gunman after them, and Kyle’s parents weren’t making matters better by their strange, aloof mood.

  Had the world gone completely insane? Kyle wasn’t sure as he rested his head next to the wolf’s while placing his hand on his mate’s side, letting the feel of Mack’s breathing soothe him.

  * * * *

  Kyle spoke to Sheriff Werth, riled that the stranger hadn’t been found. “How much crime does Brac Village have that the police or a den of wolves can’t find one guy?”

  Yes, he was pissed, and yes, Kyle was taking it out on everyone. He wanted this over with. Kyle was sick and tired of being afraid. It was five days before Christmas, and this was his favorite holiday. But instead of enjoying it, he and his mate were dodging some crazed loon.

  Sheriff Werth clenched his jaw as he looked toward Mack’s office. “I have one of my deputies dusting for prints. If the guy is in the system, we’ll find out who he is.”

  “And if he’s not?” Kyle demanded. “Then what?” He stood in the hallway outside Mack’s room. When he spotted his parents walking in through the front doors, Kyle closed the door so they wouldn’t see a wolf lying in his bed.

  “Trouble?” Werth asked under his breath.

  “My parents,” Kyle answered. “So, yeah, trouble. They don’t know about your world.”

  Werth nodded in understanding. “You can go talk to them. I’ll make sure no one gets into Mack’s room.”

  With a huff of frustration, Kyle walked away, heading his mom and dad off. Kyle wasn’t even fully healed himself and should be heading home to rest, but instead he had to deal with all the craziness. “Now’s not a good time.”

  His mother looked him over and then pulled Kyle into a hug. “I’m so glad to see you’re up and around.” She leaned back and stared at the sheriff. “What’s going on? There’re two cops cars out front.”

  “Got a celebrity in the exam room. No one’s allowed in there.” Kyle chucked a thumb over his shoulder. That lie had just popped into his head, and when he looked at Sheriff Werth, the guy seemed surprised that Kyle had come up with such a fantastic lie on the spot.

  Kyle was surprised, too. He wanted to pat himself on the back.

  His father squinted toward the sheriff. “He just took your room?” He sounded indignant. “I don’t care who the person is, you need to rest just as much as he or she does.”

  Kyle palmed his face. So much for getting them out of here quickly. “Look, I’m fine. Mack said I could be released today, so I don’t need my room, anyway.”

  His mother gave a curt nod. “Then you’ll be coming home with us. This town seems to have gone completely insane. Really, a gunman after my son? What have you gotten yourself mixed up in?”

  “Listen to your mother,” his dad said. “We’ll swing by your apartment and gather your things and then—”

  “I’m not going home with you,” Kyle said between gritted teeth. “This is my home, and Mack and Joshua are a part of my life now.”

  “He’s the reason you’re in this mess,” his mother snapped. “I won’t have my son consorting with hooligans. It surprises me that a doctor is caught up in this, but I won’t have him dragging you into his mess.”

  Kyle counted to ten, fully aware that Werth heard every word. To make matters worse, Dr. McNeal strode down the hallway and stopped at the reception desk, eyeing them. Kyle wasn’t sure if the doctor was human or other, but he knew about the paranormal world, and he didn’t want any of this getting back to Mack.

  “We’ll talk about this later,” Kyle said. He wasn’t talking about this subject again if he could help it, but he wanted them out of the clinic. If he hadn’t met Mack and fallen in love with him, Kyle had no doubt he would’ve bent to his mother’s will. Then again, she wouldn’t be demanding he come home if Kyle hadn’t met Mack and gotten swept in the insanity.

  Dr. McNeal was right. For his mate, Kyle could endure a lot more. He straightened his spine and, for the first time in his life, met his mother’s glare. “I’m not going home with you, and that’s final.”

  His mother looked taken aback as his father’s face turned a dark shade of red. Kyle had never seen him so angry, and he had to force himself not to take a step back. “Don’t you dare talk to your mother that way.”

  “I’m sorry, Dad. I really am,” Kyle said. “But I’m not bending to her will this time. Mack and Joshua are my life, and this is my home. I’m an adult, and I have to live my own life.” A hard lump burned in his throat, but Kyle refused to back down. “If you want to be a part of it, that would make me happy, but I won’t grovel for your love and approval.”

  His father looked as though someone had slapped him. “Who said anything about groveling and begging?”

  Kyle refused to hold back. He’d kept his words leashed for far too long. If he was ever going to make them see reason, he had to keep pushing forward. “All my life you’ve treated me like a kid, like I couldn’t handle things on my own. Moving out was the first time I defied your wishes, and I feel like I’m still under your thumb. Why can’t you let me fall on my face and figure things out for myself? Why do I feel like I have to be the perfect son in order for you to—”

  Kyle couldn’t do it anymore. He just couldn’t. He felt as though, no matter what he said, he’d never get through to them. Being with Mack felt so easy, so natural. He didn’t have to be the perfect mate. Mack had accepted Kyle for who he was. He wasn’t overbearing, either. Kyle had felt a freedom he’d never felt before when he was with his mate.

  And he’d be damned if he’d give that up.

  “We only want what’s best for you,” his mother said. “It’s our job to protect you.”

  “Protect,” Kyle said, “not suffocate me.”

  In truth, Kyle felt better after getting all that off his chest. He wasn’t trying to hurt their feelings. Kyle honestly loved his folks, but enough was enough, and putting his foot down gave him a feeling of liberty he’d never felt before.

  His parents stared at one another before his father slowly nodded. “We’re gonna head back home. But we’ll be back for Christmas.”

  Kyle nearly sagged with relief. “And I look forward to your visit, just as long as you treat Mack and Joshua with respect.”

  His mother flinched. “I would never mistreat a baby.”

  “We’re just upset that your boyfriend pulled you into all this,” his dad said. “Do you think we want our son in danger?”

  “He’s the one who protected me,” Kyle said. “I love him, Dad, and nothing you or Mom says will change that.”

  “Okay.” His mother nodded. “We’ll give this another shot when we come over for Christmas.” She smiled. “I really do like Joshua.” She looked at her husband with a sparkle of joy in her eyes. “We have a grandson.”

  Kyle’s dad chuckled. “We’re gonna spoil the little brat.”

  His mother touched Kyle’s wrist. “And we have some things to explain to you when we come back.” Tears prickled her eyes and Kyle had no idea what was going on, but he didn’t ask. At the moment, he wanted to get to Mack.

  “And I’ll explain to you what’s going on when I see you again.” Kyle gave them a quick hug before spinning on his heel and heading back to his mate’s room.

  * * * *

  Mack woke to a warm lump at his side. He turned over and smiled at Kyle—who was curled into him, his eyes closed, his breathing even—and wondered if he’d been there the entire time.

  He brushed his knuckles over Kyle’s cheek and grinned when his mate’s eyelids fluttered open. “I don’t think this bed was meant for two.”

  Kyle’s eyes widened for a second before he threw his arms around his mate and buried his face in Mack’s neck. “I was so worried.”

  “Nah, sweetheart. It takes more than a few bullets to put me down.” Though, if he was honest with himself, he’d been afraid one of those bullets would hit him in the head. There would’ve been no coming back from that. “How’s your side?”

  “Still hurts just a tiny bit.” Kyle blushed as he stared at Mack’s naked chest. “But Dr. McNeal gave me some pain meds a few hours ago.”

  Mack would have to remember to thank James for looking after his mate. That was one reason he loved living here. Everyone seemed to look out for one another. Maverick hadn’t batted an eye when Mack had asked him to look after Joshua. In fact, there had been a twinkle in the alpha’s eyes when he said he would.

  “So,” Kyle said as he trailed his hand down Mack’s chest, “are you all better now?”

  Mack gave a tiny growl as his cock hardened. “As good as new, but we’re not doing any heavy lifting because you’re still recovering.”

  Kyle wrapped his hand around Mack’s cock as he arched a brow and smirked. “This kind of heavy lifting?”

  Mack sucked air between his teeth. He was trying to behave until Kyle recovered, but his mate was making playing nice extremely hard. “Be careful. That weapon in your hand just might go off.”

  Kyle gave a tiny moan as he stared at Mack with those blue beauties. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”

  Mack frowned. “I didn’t mean to reference a gun. I’ve had enough of that to last me a lifetime.”

  “I knew what you meant.” Kyle patted his chest with the other hand. “We’re both fine, and I’m not gonna tiptoe around words. Besides”—Kyle gave Mack’s cock a gentle squeeze—“this is a loaded weapon.”

  Mack spit in his palm and shoved his hand down the front of his mate’s jogging pants. He curled his fingers around Kyle’s length. “See who can make the other come first?”

  A wide, devious smile spread across Kyle’s lips. “What’s the prize?”

  “An orgasm?”

  Kyle kicked his pants and underwear off before Mack grabbed his cock again.

  “You gotta do better than that,” Kyle said.

  “Hmm.” Mack pressed his lips together to show he was deep in thought. “If I win, you move in with me.”

  “I’d already planned on moving,” Kyle said as he gave a heavy shudder. “I can’t go back to my apartment after what happened.”

  “Now you don’t have to look for a place,” Mack said.

  “But isn’t this too soon?” he asked. “I mean, we just met.”

  Mack had already planned on convincing his mate to move in, but now, if he won, it was a done deal. That pleased him to no end. Mack would rather have Kyle living with him so he could keep his mate safe. He didn’t like the fact that Kyle lived on the other end of town—even if he lived right next to a police station.

  “Okay,” Kyle said. “And if I win, I never have to cook, because I truly suck at it. Since living on my own, I’ve survived off of grilled cheese and hotdogs.”

  Mack winced. “My poor baby.”

  “Enough talk,” Kyle growled. “And I want a homemade hot chocolate when we get home.”

  He wondered if Kyle realized he was already referring to Mack’s house as his home. He didn’t bother to point that out. Instead, he narrowed his eyes. “Let the contest begin. But if your side starts hurting—”

  Kyle started pumping his hand, making Mack forget the rest of his sentence. But he wasn’t going to make winning easy for Kyle. He sucked a finger into his mouth and then reached behind his mate. As he stroked Kyle, Mack slid his finger into the man’s tight hole, grinning when his mate squeaked and his eyes rolled to the back of his head.

  “Cheater,” Kyle panted.

  “I’m not cheating,” Mack stated. “We said whoever came first. We didn’t stipulate any rules.”

  “If you want to fight dirty…” Kyle pulled away, and Mack wondered what he was doing, until his mate climbed back onto the bed, situating his head at Mack’s groin. That also put Kyle’s cock right in Mack’s face.

  Mack swallowed Kyle’s shaft, reinserting his finger and wiggling it around. His mate writhed on the bed, moaning around Mack’s shaft and sending vibrations through him that nearly made him lose.

  He concentrated for a moment, forcing his body not to explode. It seemed Kyle was determined not to cook a single meal. Not that Mack would’ve made him. He wasn’t fond of grilled cheese and hotdogs on a nightly basis.

  But he was determined to have Kyle move in.

  He doubled his efforts, sucking Kyle’s length down his throat as he skimmed his finger over his prostate. His mate jerked every single time Mack’s finger grazed the walnut-shaped gland.

  But damn it, Mack was getting closer to the edge again. Kyle’s lips felt like heaven, and he nearly came when his mate tugged at his balls.

  It was Kyle who dug his nails into Mack’s thighs as his seed erupted into Mack’s mouth. His mate pulled back and cried out his release as his body shuddered.

  When he settled back down, he attacked Mack’s shaft, sucking his cock to the back of his throat. Mack had won, so there was no reason to keep fighting against his own climax.

  He arched his back, clamped his hands on Kyle’s head, and fucked his sweet, perfect mouth as he came. He sagged against the bed and then pulled Kyle into his arms, petting his slim body as he grinned.

  Kyle rolled his eyes. “I let you win on purpose, but I’m still not cooking.”

  Mack chuckled. “You can stick to feeding Joshua while I cook.”

  Kisses rained down on his face. “Deal,” Kyle said before he sighed and snuggled close. “Baby food I can handle.”

  Mack had looked forward to his first Christmas with his son, but now he had Kyle, as well. Regardless of being shot, this would be a holiday to remember for years to come.

  Chapter Ten

  Kyle watched as a few of the mates from the Den brought in his packed boxes. He couldn’t believe he was actually moving in with Mack. This didn’t seem real, yet Kyle was happy he was living with his mate and that he would be around Joshua all the time now. In fact, the baby was sound asleep in his nursery while the boxes were brought in.

  Although Kyle had been happy to be sprung from the clinic, he hadn’t been too keen about coming back to Mack’s until the shooter was caught, but the bed and breakfast was completely booked and neither of them had been keen on the idea of spending their holiday in a house filled with people. The Den was nice, but crowded.

  “Thanks for helping.” Kyle smiled at Johnny and Cecil. “This was awful nice of you.”

  “It’s the holidays,” Johnny exclaimed excitedly. “I wanna stay on Santa’s nice list.”

  Cecil snickered.

  Kyle furrowed his brows as Johnny walked away. “Is he serious?”

  “Yep.” Cecil dropped the box he’d been holding right in the middle of the room. “He believes in all those things. He lost a tooth one time and claimed the tooth fairy must’ve been kidnapped because he didn’t leave any money. He tried to mount a search for him until Hawk slipped some cash under his pillow.”

  Kyle stood there with raised brows as he stared at the front door. “Is he really that naïve?”

  “You have no idea,” Cecil said before he walked away.

  Kyle looked at the box Cecil had dropped. It was marked fragile. He winced and opened the box, thankful he’d wrapped everything in bubble wrap.

  By the time the last box was brought in, Kyle was exhausted. Who knew supervising could be so tiring? But had restricted him from any heavy lifting, so Kyle had been relegated to just telling everyone where the boxes went.

  He had no idea he owned so much stuff, either. Mack and Hawk had stored most of Kyle’s things in the guest bedroom just to clear up the clutter, but Kyle wasn’t looking forward to unpacking.

  Maybe he could talk his mom into staying until after New Year’s to help him unpack. He was sure she would insist, anyway. That would also give his parents and Mack time to get to know each other. He was glad his mom and dad were willing to try, and that made Kyle even more excited for Christmas.