The Wolf Who Hatched an Egg (7 page)

He pulled out of Shiloh and thrust back in, a quick, hard motion that somehow still managed to be tender. Shiloh released a sob. How could he not be afraid? Liam was inside him, inside his body, his heart, and his mind. What would there be left when the man dumped him?

“I’ll never, ever abandon you,” Liam said. “You’re safe now.”

Shiloh didn’t know how Liam had guessed his fears. Perhaps they were written all over his face. Perhaps the wolf could read his mind.

Either way, Liam’s words seemed like a balm for the wounds he’d never even realized he carried. He wanted to be safe. He wanted to be with Liam, always.

Liam started a gentle rhythm, in, out, in, out, rocking rather than thrusting. He went slow, always holding Shiloh’s gaze. He didn’t say another word, but it wasn’t necessary, not anymore. Everything Shiloh needed to know was right there, in those gorgeous eyes, along with the reassurance, the acceptance, the lust, and oh, God, the love.

At one point, Shiloh’s vision went blurry for a few moments, and Shiloh realized he’d lost the battle with his tears. He pushed them back angrily, hating looking weak in front of his mate. The thought sent a wave of shock through him, especially because it came so out of the blue and felt so natural.

When Liam gently swept his finger over Shiloh’s cheek and wiped away a stray tear, Shiloh knew there was no way back. For good or ill, he’d already chosen his path, and it lay with this man.

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* * * *

Shiloh’s tears would have broken Liam’s heart had they been of pain. But Liam sensed the true emotions behind them. There was so much need, confusion, relief, and affection hidden behind them that they were a treasure. Shiloh himself was a treasure. Unfortunately, the man didn’t know it, but Liam would take the rest of his life to make sure the man understood his own worth.

He continued to push in and out of Shiloh, loving the tight grip of his mate’s ass on his cock, but, at the same time, feeling the swan’s pleasure echo inside him. His beast snarled its satisfaction, but he still took it slow, knowing it was what Shiloh needed—making love, not fucking.

On and on it went, and Liam felt each and every one of Shiloh’s barriers break. He held his mate through the passion, reassuring him with soft words. “I’ll always be here, baby. Always.” He’d never tire of saying it, either, because it was true, and he wanted Shiloh to remember it, to never doubt again.

The pleasure increased slowly, like the sea that came closer with the rising tides. Shiloh moved with him, and their bodies fell into a perfect rhythm, into complete harmony. They fit together just right.

Shiloh’s scent, the hold of his anus around Liam’s prick, the sparkle of his unshed tears, the beauty of his swollen lips, and his eyes, God, his eyes…Everything about him made Liam want to prolong this moment, to have it last forever.

However, his beast demanded its due, the wolf needed the bond to be completed. Liam’s fangs dropped, and he couldn’t help but thrust harder inside Shiloh. Shiloh arched his back, digging his fingernails into Liam’s skin. “Yes, Liam, yes. Claim me.”

Liam might have hesitated. He knew Shiloh still had doubts. But if there was one thing they could both be certain of, it must be their
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bond, the connection so real and deep that only true mates could share.

So Liam went with his instincts. He lowered his mouth over Shiloh’s neck and bit down into his lover’s delicious skin. Instantly, the taste of blood and Shiloh assaulted him, reaching out to his senses like the most potent drug. The made bond snapped into place, and a whole new array of feelings swept into Liam, no longer filtered and so intense they took him completely by surprise.

Burying himself one last time inside Shiloh, Liam found his peak.

Seconds later, he felt his mate reach climax as well, tasted the rush of endorphins in Shiloh’s blood. It drew his orgasm out even more, and it was only his concern for his mate that snapped him out of his lust.

He released his hold on Shiloh and licked the wound closed.

Exhausted, he collapsed, remembering at the last moment to avoid squashing Shiloh with his larger bulk. He felt a brief pang of regret when his spent cock left Shiloh’s body, but decided he could fix that later. For the moment, he was quite content simply holding his mate and exploring their new bond.

He spooned his mate and sent a thought out through their connection.
“Shiloh?”

“Mmmm?”
a still-dazed mind voice answered.
“What is it?”

Then, as if just realizing he’d spoken to Liam through their bond, Shiloh turned to face him. “You’re in my head.”

He sounded in awe, but not angry. “It’s because I claimed you.”

“I didn’t know wolves could do that,” Shiloh replied breathlessly.

“That’s amazing.”

Curiosity gripped Liam at Shiloh’s words. “Can I ask you a question?”

Shiloh smirked at him. “You’re already doing it. What is it?”

“How do swans mate?”

Shiloh seemed to consider the question. “Well, we don’t actually do anything in particular. Instead, we kind of just isolate ourselves
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from everyone else except our intended partner and just spend time with that person. The bond forms itself in time.”

Oddly, Liam liked that. It made so much sense, and he was pleased to know their connection would cement if Shiloh agreed to get to know him. “And can you speak in each other’s minds?”

“I think some can, but it’s very rare these days.” He sighed.

“Sometimes, I wonder why that is. We’re supposed to be the epitome of partnership for life, and yet…”

Shiloh’s sadness reached out to Liam, and he hugged his mate tight. “Don’t be upset. Everyone just has to find the right person for them, and then things fall into place, like they happened with us.”

For a few moments, Shiloh remained silent, and it made Liam worry that Shiloh would change his mind about their mating. As he thought this, his mate pressed a sweet kiss to his lips. “You’re right.

My people just have to look harder. I did it the wrong way, but in the end, I found you, so I’m happy.”

Liam was speechless. He hadn’t expected his lover to open his heart to him so soon, and glee gripped him at the show of trust. He wanted to take Shiloh again, to bring their bodies together once more, but he realized night had begun to fall during their coupling. “We should get back to the house,” he said. “Brody and Carson must be worried.”

Shiloh’s eyes widened. “Oh, God. I completely forgot. I owe Brody and Carson a huge apology for what I did. I can’t believe I spoke like that in front of the kids.”

Liam was pretty sure Carson and Brody would forgive Shiloh for his lapse. Hopefully, little Angel would not remember much of what Shiloh had said. He looked for their clothes, only to find them in a pathetic state. “I think we’ll have to go back in shifted form,” he told his mate.

Shiloh snickered, and Liam couldn’t help kissing him again. “For the record, baby, I’m happy, too,” he told his mate. “So very happy.”

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The honest delight that flowed through their bond was more irresistible than any seductive technique. And when Shiloh met his eyes once again, Liam surrendered the fight. Pushing away all rational thought, he pounced on his mate again and lost himself in the desire.

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It was probably something like midnight when Shiloh and Liam made their way back to Brody and Carson’s house in shifted form.

Shiloh spotted the light still on and surmised their friends must still be up. He’d have actually felt a bit guilty that the two men had waited for them if he hadn’t been so terrified. Well, in a sense he did feel guilty, but for uttering profanity in front of the kids.

“It’s nothing they won’t hear in a couple of years,” Liam tried to console him.

“That doesn’t make it right and you know it.”

Brody and Carson met them on the deck. “The kids are sleeping,”

Brody said without preamble, arms crossed on his massive chest.

“Angel was a bit worried about you fighting, but I assured him things are okay. They
are
okay, right?”

Shiloh shifted into his human form and nodded. Thankfully, his mate did the same and answered in his stead. “More than okay,” Liam said.

Carson smiled gently. “Excellent. Now come inside before you freeze.”

“I’m sorry about earlier,” Shiloh said hastily. “I shouldn’t have shouted or said that.”

“Just this once, we’ll let it slide. Call it…a mating present.” Brody grinned and his eyes twinkled with merriment. “Besides, it’s not so bad.” He sighed, now looking a bit put out. “Unfortunately, I do it myself sometimes.” He paused and gave Liam a serious look. “At any rate, I needed to tell you something, Liam. Soren called. He’s worried about you.”

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“We told him you were distracted.” Carson’s grin looked wicked.

Liam groaned. “He’s going to tease me relentlessly when I go back. I don’t even want to know what he said.”

Brody and Carson laughed. “You can call him yourself tomorrow.

Now, inside the house and off to bed.”

Shiloh obeyed his friends, but his mind remained on Liam’s comment. When I get back…Ecstatic from their newly created bond, Shiloh had forgotten that soon they’d have to return to their real lives.

Liam had a pack and Shiloh friends and a job in the city. Would they go their separate ways? What did Liam want now? Shiloh didn’t think he could live in a pack of wolves. He might be willing to try it, but he doubted he’d be well received. He’d love to have Liam by his side in LA, but would the wolf agree to leave the pack for him?

He distractedly headed toward his room, but to his surprise, Liam grabbed him and draped him over his shoulder. Before Shiloh knew it, they’d reached Liam’s quarters. Liam shut the door behind him with his foot and dumped Shiloh on the bed. “You think too much, baby,”

he told Shiloh. “Carson and Brody make it work. Why couldn’t we?”

That was true, and in spite of what Shiloh had told Carson, their situations truly were similar. “In fact, it might be easier for us,” Liam amended. “Soren and the elder might not be pleased that you’re my mate, but they won’t try to tear us apart either, not after what happened with Brody.”

That was true. The elder would be a complete idiot, not to mention an asshole, if he tried to part Shiloh and Liam after the complete fiasco with Brody. For crying out loud, in an effort to part Brody and Carson, the man had paired Brody up with a murderess.

Thankfully, Carson had saved Brody’s life. That must have put things into perspective and, perhaps, would help them.

“I’m not gonna lie,” Liam added. “The wolves still don’t like it.

It’s very hard for Soren to get them used to this new policy. But we don’t have to worry about that, since, like you realized, we won’t be living in the pack.”

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Shiloh bit his lip, feeling bad at his own relief. “But won’t it hurt you to leave them behind?”

“I’ll miss the pack, of course.” Liam looked thoughtful as he sat on the bed. “Most of all, I wish I could stay to help Soren out. But between the pack and you, I’d choose you any day, and consider myself lucky that I got the choice.”

A warm and fuzzy feeling took hold of Shiloh’s insides. Was this love? It couldn’t be, could it? It was much too soon. But the undeniable glee remained there, nevertheless. Shiloh decided against labeling it and smiled at Liam. “Come on. Let’s get some rest. It’s been a long day.”

Liam came to him, and they cuddled together on the wolf’s bed.

So much had happened between them in only forty-eight hours.

Shiloh closed his eyes and buried his face in Liam’s neck. They needed a bit of time to process it all, but thankfully, they could do all that together.

“That’s right, baby,”
Liam said through their connection.
“Get
some sleep. Tomorrow is another day, and between the two of us,
we’ll decide what to do next.”

As always, Liam’s words were soothing, and Shiloh found himself drifting into slumber in his mate’s safe embrace.

* * * *

The next day, Liam slipped out of bed before his mate had awakened. It was way past dawn already, and judging by the occasional sound of glee he heard coming from outside, the other inhabitants of the house must be up.

Liam quickly washed up, found a change of clothes, and left the room. Before going downstairs, he slipped into Shiloh’s quarters and got his mate some clothing as well. He’d have loved to have his mate wear stuff from Liam’s own wardrobe, but Shiloh might be
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uncomfortable with that, especially given the questions the inquisitive young members of the Williams-Wade family could ask.

At last, after leaving his mate a carefully chosen outfit, he went downstairs. He needed to have a serious talk with Soren and figure out his next step. He’d been honest with Shiloh the night before. He truly did think the wolves would leave them alone. But Brody had thought the same, and Liam was not willing to take any chances.

He found Brody and Carson cooking breakfast, with their kids running around them. “Good morning,” he said.

A lion cub jumped on him and embedded strikingly sharp claws in Liam’s thigh. Even if Clark only meant it to be a game, it kind of hurt.

He retrieved the cub from his leg and took him in his arms. Clark started purring, a huff-like sound quite unlike that of house cats, but just as cute.

The baby antelope let out a sound of protest at being ignored and butted Liam with his forehead. Unfortunately, holding both kids would have been impossible—they were damn big in shifted form.

Chuckling, Carson took Clark from Liam and allowed Angel to have his own hug. As Liam took the baby antelope in his arms, the two children shifted. “Uncle Liam!” Angel squealed. “Clark said you and Uncle Shiloh are going to get married.”