Clyde’s smile was wide. “You’re making my mouth water, wolf.”

  The bear walked away, heading toward his clan members as Rick and Dorian unloaded what food they had with them.

  “How about some roasted rabbit?” Miguel asked as he carried a box of food inside.

  Rick noticed Benito cutting a glare at his cousin. That meant the wererabbit was still calling Benito. Rick wondered if the little bunny was going to ever give up. The man had been fascinated with Benito from the jump and it seemed his infatuation hadn’t dwindled.

  “Knock it off,” Rick gave Miguel a teasing warning. “Leave Benito and his bunny alone.”

  Benito dropped the box on the counter and stormed away. Rick could only shake his head. Some pairings—or love interests—were just too damn strange for words.

  Rick and Dorian searched the kitchen for cookware. He was really hoping for some fresh meat, but if not, they could still make a decent meal out of the stuff they already had.

  “We need some hot water because these pans could use a good soaking,” Dorian said. “They have a lot of dust buildup.”

  “Get one of the gallons of water from the truck. Even if someone manages to get the electricity on, I wouldn’t trust the water.” The place looked like it had been shut down for a long while, and Rick wasn’t going to chance it.

  He began to unpack the boxes as Dorian left the kitchen. Just as he removed the last item, the electricity came to life. Rick grinned.

  Now they were about to get down. When Dorian brought the water back in, Rick boiled it and then he and his mate washed what they were going to need.

  Some of the men brought back rabbit—which was not lost on Benito. There was also squirrel, and even venison.

  The group ate, talked, and just enjoyed a night of good food and friends. Rick missed these kinds of moments. They were sorely lacking these days and deeply appreciated.

  After he was done eating, Rick pulled Dorian to the storage room and then closed them in.

  “What are you doing?” Dorian asked as he smiled. The man knew damn well what Rick was doing.

  “Wanting to fuck my mate,” Rick answered bluntly. “Now bend your ass over so I can shove my ten-inch cock into your ass.”

  “So romantic,” Dorian said dryly. Rick knew Dorian had once complained that things were becoming unromantic between them, but he had more than made up for that. Every once in a while he liked it hot and dirty.

  And this was one of those times. “Bend over and I’ll show you romantic,” Rick said as he unsnapped his pants and released his aching cock. He stroked it a few times, watching as the pre-cum slid down his fingers. “Tell me you don’t want to feel this pounding into your asshole.”

  God he was so fucking horny.

  “Well, when you put it like that, Mr. Marcelo.”

  Rick’s cock throbbed at the use of his surname. Dorian knew damn well it turned him on. His mate turned, dropped his pants, and wiggled his ass at Rick. He just wanted to bite each exposed cheek.

  “I don’t have any lube, but I know where to get some,” Rick stated.

  “Where—oh, shit!” Rick grabbed Dorian’s cock and began to stroke it like it was the last thing on earth he was allowed to do.

  Dorian cried out, wiggled around, and tried to lift one leg, but his pants were preventing it. They were down at his ankles and holding him in place.

  Just the way Rick wanted him.

  “Come for me, gatito,” Rick growled roughly in Dorian’s ear.

  Rick reached behind his mate with his other hand and began to play at Dorian’s tight hole. In a matter of minutes, Dorian shot his seed into Rick’s hand.

  He would have loved to lick his fingers clean, but he needed the white drops for lube. “There we go,” he crooned in Dorian’s ear as he reached behind him and used the spunk to lube and stretch his mate.

  “You…oh…god,” Dorian said between pants. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a hand job given to me so damn quickly.”

  “I’m desperate,” Rick replied as he lined his cock up and thrust forward, holding Dorian’s hips as he buried his dick to the hilt. This was what Rick loved the most. Not just the sex, but these stolen moments when it was just him and his mate. He moved his hands from Dorian’s hips and circled them around his mate’s chest, pulling Dorian close as he kissed his way down the man’s neck.

  He began to move, pushing his cock in and out of Dorian as he showed his mate just how romantic he could be. “I love you, gatito.”

  “I love you, too, Rick.”

  Rick gave a low growl of approval as his cock slipped in and out, reminding how wonderful it was to feel his mate’s body wrapped around him. But it soon wasn’t enough. He still wanted hot and dirty.

  Rick leaned back, placed his hands on Dorian’s sides, and jetted into his mate with everything he had. He didn’t have to worry about hurting Dorian now. His mate was a changeling, able to handle what Rick truly wanted to give him.

  His hips moved at lightning speed, his balls drawing up tight, the pressure almost unbearable until he found himself growling out his release, his seed jetting into his mate’s ass and leaving Rick standing there ready for a fucking nap.

  Kissing Dorian on his neck, Rick slipped his cock free.

  “That was a quickie for the records,” Dorian complained. “Are you losing your touch, or are you just getting old?”

  Rick nipped Dorian’s shoulder, right where the mating mark was placed so long ago. “I’ll show you old the next time I have you under me.”

  Dorian patted Rick’s cheek. “I’m counting on that.”

  Marco wasn’t blind. He saw the way Remus was trying to avoid him. He had thought the hot make out session they had would bring the man around, but it didn’t. Remus was busying himself in the kitchen while Bryson was talking on the phone.

  At least Bryson cleared him to come downstairs instead of having him eat in bed. Marco was sick of lying in bed. It felt good to get out and roam around, even if it was only as far as the kitchen.

  “Okay,” Bryson announced. “We’ll be meeting up with Rick in about two days. That should give Marco enough time to heal and travel time.”

  “We?” Marco and Remus said at the same time. Marco had done everything he could to stay in hiding. Until Remus had talked him into that covert mission, he had been doing pretty damn well.

  “Do you think it’s any safer here than anywhere else right now?”

  “Yes,” they said again in unison.

  “Well, it’s not,” Bryson argued. “Get ready to head out in the morning.”

  Marco watched the werewolf leave the kitchen and wondered if he was serious. He didn’t want to go to a fight. Marco had never left Shelton since the day he was born. Now he was leaving to join a rebellion against the government?

  Really?

  He was more liable to get shot than to shoot someone. “Is he serious?”

  Remus was still watching the door Bryson had walked out of. “I think he is.”

  Drat.

  “How can we get out of this?” Marco asked, feeling the panic begin to settle in. He wasn’t ashamed to admit he was a chicken. Not in the least. He would rather go back to his little hiding place and stay there until after the war was over.

  If it ever ended.

  When Remus finally looked at him, he just stared. What the dickens was wrong with the man? “Remus?”

  His best friend cleared his throat as he turned back toward the stove. This was one of the few places that still had electricity and Marco was grateful, but he was tired of Remus ignoring him. The chair scraped along the floor as he stood. Remus was going to talk to him even if he had to pull the man’s hair out.

  Stopping behind the guy, Marco tapped him on his back. And god, what a glorious back Remus had. It was broad, muscular, and so damn bitable. If Remus didn’t want him because he was all scarred up, the man was going to at least say so. Marco deserved that much.

  “I’m cooking, Marco,” Remus stated.

  Marco grabbed Remus’s arm and spun the man around, glaring angrily at him. “So what, you used me for a hot-ass kiss and are tossing me aside now, is that it?”

  “Marco.” Remus said his name in warning.

  Marco held up his hand. “No. Now you listen to me, bub. If you just want to remain friends, fine. We’ve been friends since you chewed on my ear in preschool. But I want you to tell me. We’ve never had a problem talking before. What’s with the ignoring act?”

  Marco could tell he caught Remus off guard because the man just stood there blinking. He wanted to pull his friend in for another earth-shattering kiss, but he was afraid the guy would reject him. It was a real possibility considering Remus had been ignoring him since the last kiss.

  “I’m trying to be an adult about this,” Marco said when Remus still hadn’t answered him. “Don’t make me get violent.”

  Violent for Marco would be yanking Remus’s hair and smacking him. That was about as violent as he knew how to be. But he would do it. Yes, he would.

  “Marco.”

  He reached up and yanked on Remus’s ear, hard. “I gave you fair warning.”

  To his delight, Remus grabbed his wrists and backed him into the counter. Marco could feel himself getting hard as a rock. He wanted to rub his erection against Remus, but the man kept his body far enough away.

  Damn it.

  “I’m trying to work this out in my head,” Remus said. “I was so sure I wanted you when it was life or death.”

  “But now?” Marco asked, fearing the worst.

  “What if it screws our friendship up?”

  Marco was willing to risk it. Why wasn’t Remus? He held their friendship sacred, but Marco had been in love with Remus for a very long time. “You worry too much.”

  “And you don’t worry enough,” Remus replied.

  “Damn you,” Marco said as he pulled at his wrists, but Remus didn’t let him go. “I didn’t come back from the dead to stand here and argue with you. I want you, you thickheaded baboon. I’ve wanted you since I realized I could use my penis for other things besides peeing.”

  “That’s gross.”

  “So damn what. You’re missing the point, Remus. I finally have you seeing me as more than just a friend. I’m not going to let you ignore me. Now, do you want to remain friends or do you want to—”

  The rest of his words were muffled when Remus dipped his head and captured Marco’s lips.

  He was swooning by the time Remus pulled back. “Does that answer your question?”

  And then some.

  “So, no more ignoring me?” Marco asked.

  “No more ignoring you,” Remus replied.

  Hot damn! Marco curled into Remus’s rough body, ready to purr when he smelled something burning.

  “Shit,” Remus quickly removed the pan from the stove as Marco smiled. He finally got his best friend just where he wanted him.

  Now all he had to do was convince the man to mate him.

  Somehow Marco knew that was easier said than done.

  Chapter Eleven

  “I’m scared,” Marco said as they headed out toward the truck. “I’ve never left Shelton and I’ve never fought in a war.”

  Remus already knew this. That was why he had never pushed for Marco to leave. But Bryson was right. It was no longer safe anywhere. If they were going to survive, their best bet was going to be joining the Rebellion. Rick had made it this far. If Remus wanted Marco to stay alive, they were going to have to be with someone who knew how.

  He pulled Marco aside as Bryson started the truck. “I know,” he said as he cupped the smaller man’s face. “But the werewolf is right, Marco. I’ll be by your side the entire time, okay?”

  Marco didn’t look convinced. Remus didn’t want to lose his friend a second time, but he also couldn’t leave him behind. “Like when we were going to McDonald’s?”

  Remus chuckled. “Dude, you should have known something was up. When was the last time you saw a damn fast food place open?”

  Sticking his tongue out at Remus, Marco headed toward the truck.

  “Who says I think straight when food is mentioned?”

  Remus wasn’t listening. He was too busy rubbing his stomach as he watched Marco’s tight little ass walk away. Damn. He couldn’t wait for the man to heal. He was going to be all over that. His insecurities about ruining their friendship were fading, and horniness was taking its place.

  He wanted to shove his cock—

  “Are you coming?” Marco asked.

  Just as soon as he had the little man alone again.

  Remus smiled to himself as he climbed into the truck and settled back.

  “I feel like a chauffeur,” Bryson complained as he pulled away from the safe house.

  “Well, I’m not letting Remus go,” Marco said as he cuddled into Remus’s side. Remus wasn’t sure how he managed to look so comfortable considering he still had the bandages on, but he didn’t scent any unease coming from the man.

  Remus admitted to himself that he was worried about heading back into the fight. He still had nightmares about his stay at the detention center. He hadn’t been there for long, but one minute was too long in a place that tortured someone. If it hadn’t been for Rick and his group, Remus would probably be dead by now.

  He owed his life to Rick, so helping the alpha of werewolves out wasn’t even a question.

  Getting Marco involved was. He knew for a fact that the small leopard wouldn’t have come out sane if he had been taken to the detention center. Jayson only had the guy for one session and damn near killed him.

  He shuddered at the images he still had of Marco’s death. Never in his life did he ever want to go through anything like that again.

  Remus had told his friend the honest truth. The detention centers were no more. If caught, they would just be killed. That theory was proven back at Dexcom’s lab.

  “What’s wrong?” Marco asked as he stared at Remus, his brows crinkled.

  Remus hadn’t even realized he was tense. His thoughts had grown morose and it seemed his body was reflecting that. Making himself relax, Remus gave Marco an easy smile. “Nothing.”

  Marco smacked Remus on the chest. “You’ve always sucked at lying.”

  Not really, but he wasn’t going to correct the guy. Remus wanted him to leave it alone. If he told Marco he was just as scared, there was no telling how his friend would react. Over the years, Remus noticed that Marco followed his lead. If he became insecure and worried, so would Marco.

  Not that the guy already wasn’t. He pulled the man closer, laying a kiss on Marco’s head. At the same time, he inhaled the man’s scent, letting the aroma settle inside of him. This seemed to appease the guy, because Marco didn’t ask any more questions.

  And that was how Remus wanted it.

  Running his hand up and down Marco’s arm, Remus watched the road ahead of him. When he looked down again, Marco was out cold.

  His head was resting against Remus’s chest, his lips slightly parted.

  “I just wanted to say thanks again for saving me,” Bryson said from the front seat. “I still can’t believe I was caught.”

  “How did it happen?” Remus asked.

  “Breed Hunters caught me on a back road as I was making my way back to Rick. Jayson was with them. The human decided to use me as bait to capture my alpha. He also decided to beat the hell out me while he waited.”

  That sounded like that little weasel. If Remus ever came across that man again, he was going to enjoy punishing the bastard before he killed him.

  As they passed what looked to be an abandoned service garage, Remus saw three trucks full of people. That usually meant something bad. Either they were Breed Hunters or they were mercenaries. Either choice was going to get them killed.

  They could also be a Rebellion group, but with Remus’s luck lately, he highly doubted it. “Did you see that?”

  Bryson nodded. “I just hope they don’t come after us. I’ve had enough of bad guys to last me a lifetime.”

  But lady luck was not on their side. Too bad Seymour had taken the Hummer. Whoever it was that began to follow them wouldn’t have batted an eye. But they weren’t in a military vehicle.

  No, they were in a Dodge Ram with an extended cab. He wasn’t sure how fast this bad boy could go, but they were about to find out.

  “I really, really hate this shit,” Bryson said as he began to increase his speed. So did Remus. He didn’t even have a weapon. And if he did, he wouldn’t know how to use it. He knew it was basically aim and shoot. But he needed a gun to put that theory into practice.

  “Do you have a gun in here?” Remus asked as he glanced behind them to see the three trucks steadily following them.

  “No, so we’re going to have to outrun them and pray like hell they don’t shoot something vital we need.”

  As much as he hated to do it, Remus nudged Marco awake. The man looked simply adorable as he blinked up at Remus.

  “We have bad guys following us. Buckle up.” Marco moved quickly, his hands shaking badly. Remus ended up having to buckle the guy in. “Keep your head down.”

  “I can’t,” Marco said in a panic. “The seat belt won’t let me slide down the seat.”

  Remus was tempted to tell him to take it off, but it just might save the man’s life. “Then slide to the side as best you can.”

  Marco tilted his body and it was enough to get his head away from the back window. He could scent pain coming from his friend. It had to hurt like a bitch to put pressure on his wounds, but what could Remus do? The guy had to stay down or risk getting his head blown off.

  “I think they are done playing around,” Remus said as he glanced out the window again. “They’re gaining speed.”

  “Then so are we,” Bryson said as the truck picked up pace. He saw the commercials about how tough this truck was supposed to be.

  Remus hoped like hell they were telling the truth. With this many bad guys after them, there would be no surviving this if they were caught.

  “I’m scared,” Marco whispered.