A Growl, a Roar, and a Purr Read online

  How the fuck is this going to work? He’d always been a “love ’em and leave ’em satisfied” kinda guy, but the man currently curled on his side in Horvan’s bed, snuffling into the pillow, had gotten under his skin in a matter of hours. Except it was more than that. Rael was already inching his way into Horvan’s heart. And when we rescue Dellan? What then? Can a heart love two people at the same time?

  Horvan had always experienced enough difficulty loving one.

  It still seemed like some weird dream.

  Bang—there are mates.

  Bang—I have a lion for a mate.

  Bang—there’s a tiger who needs rescuing.

  Bang—and by the way, he’s my mate too.

  He knew he should be scared shitless—this was all new territory, after all—and he wasn’t sure why his brain was accepting all this so calmly, but some instinct told him it would work out. Theirs couldn’t be the only case of three mates, right? This had to have happened before, right?

  Then he chuckled inwardly. What the fuck do I know? All he did know was from the moment he’d awoken with Rael in his arms, all he’d wanted to do was snuggle, to wake Rael with a kiss. Of course, there was a lot more he wanted to do, but that wasn’t gonna happen. Despite his grumbling the previous night, he knew Rael was right.

  It has to be the three of us. Only problem was, them finally getting together was looking like it might be a long way off. Horvan glanced down at his dick pushing against the soft cotton of his shorts and sighed internally. You’re gonna have to make do with my hand for a while.

  Then he stilled. I can’t believe I thought that. Because that simply wasn’t him. If Horvan had an itch, he made sure it got well and truly scratched. There was always a willing hole somewhere, right?

  Apparently that way of thinking was now wrong, and the fact that Horvan was even contemplating monogamy was all the proof he needed that his world had been turned upside down.

  “That for me?” Pale, sleepy blue eyes, barely visible beneath a mop of tousled blond hair, gazed up at him, and Horvan pushed his thoughts aside.

  Horvan grinned. “Well, that depends what that refers to.” And whether or not Rael had heard his thought. “Did anyone ever tell you how cute you are when you’ve just woken up? I think it’s that whole bedhead thing you’ve got going on.”

  “My hair is a curse,” Rael groused as he sat up and leaned back against Horvan’s mountain of pillows. “I guess it must be part and parcel of being a lion, because it always looks like my mane no matter what I do with it.” He smiled. “You have the same eyes when you shift, do you know that? They’re this lovely warm brown.”

  Horvan was usually pretty good at accepting compliments, but for once he was at a loss for words.

  “Please, tell me that is my coffee.”

  Laughing, Horvan handed him the mug. “It wasn’t, but I can go pour another. Looks like you need this.”

  Rael wrapped his hands around it. “Trust me, you do not want to get between me and my first cup of coffee.” He glanced around the room. “What time is it?”

  “After nine, but I let you sleep. You had a rough night.” Horvan perched on the edge of the bed.

  “Sorry for disturbing you last night, but that dream….” Rael shivered.

  Horvan nodded. “I get it.” He might not have shared the dream, but Rael’s reaction to it had permeated his slumber. “How did you sleep once you were in here?” Horvan had slept like the proverbial log.

  There was that adorable flush again. “Great, thanks. It’s a comfy bed.”

  Horvan nodded, smiling. “Was I comfy too?”

  Rael smirked. “You were okay. A bit lumpy in places.”

  “Hey, one of those lumps was all your fault.” He cocked his head to one side. “Can I ask you something? What’s Dellan like?”

  Rael took a sip of coffee before responding. “I think he’s about my height. Brown hair, a lovely bronze shade, actually. A bit of a beard that isn’t much more than stubble, with a little gray in it. And the most beautiful green eyes.”

  Horvan liked the sound of Dellan already. “How old is he?”

  “Thirty-eight.” Rael smiled. “And I’m thirty-five, in case you’re interested.”

  Horvan shrugged. “I’m not. Age is just a number.” He bit back a smile. “And before you ask, no, I’m not sharing my number.”

  Rael widened his eyes. “Oh come on. I’m your mate. You can tell me.”

  “Nope.”

  Rael smirked. “But it’s okay to ask how old Dellan is, right?”

  Horvan couldn’t hold back a second longer. He leaned in and kissed Rael on the lips.

  Rael made a disapproving noise and broke the kiss. “Hell no. Morning and coffee breath? Are you nuts?”

  Horvan chuckled. “I don’t give a fuck.” He pulled back, however, and let Rael drink his coffee. The boys would be there soon, and once Horvan had treated them to breakfast, they could get the ball rolling.

  “By the way.” Rael’s eyes glittered. “Since you were wondering… I was referring to your dick.”

  Horvan scowled. “Hey, no fair when we can’t play. I can see you’re gonna be a handful.”

  “Oh, I already know you’re more than a handful,” Rael replied with a chuckle.

  “And when we’ve got Dellan out of there and he’s human again?” Horvan cupped his package and gave it a squeeze. “You can have as much of this handful as you can take.”

  Rael grinned. “You forget. I’ve already seen it. And I think I can take all of it.”

  Horvan narrowed his gaze. “Stop that.” His head was filled with images of Rael on all fours on the bed, legs spread wide, while Horvan plowed into him, burying his dick up to the hilt in that tight, hot hole.

  “It is, by the way.”

  Horvan frowned. “What is?”

  Rael’s eyes danced with mischief. “My hole. Tight.”

  With a groan, Horvan lurched up off the bed, and at that moment the doorbell chimed. Saved by the bell. “Looks like we’ve got company.” He headed for the door.

  “Horvan?”

  He came to a halt and turned back to look at Rael, whose face was flushed, no trace of amusement there. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I shouldn’t mess with your head, not when we’ve both agreed to keep our hands off each other until Dellan’s with us.”

  Horvan couldn’t miss the sincerity in Rael’s voice, and warmth filled him. Thank you. His mate was an honorable man. Then it struck him. Maybe that was why some unknown power had brought them together. Rael was perfect for him.

  “But teasing is so much fun,” Rael added, his eyes glinting.

  Horvan gave him a mock glare before hurrying out of the bedroom, aware of Rael’s soft chuckles. “Put some clothes on,” he fired back over his shoulder. “I do not want my mate walking around naked in front of these guys.” I’m the only one who gets to see that cute little ass.

  I heard that!

  The doorbell chimed again, and Horvan laughed. “You always were an impatient bastard, Crank,” he called out as he reached the door. He unbolted it and flung it open. Crank stood there, his hand in the air.

  Crank gaped. “How’d you know it was me?” Then he grinned. “Hey, you. Good to see ya. Now let me the fuck in. I’m freezin’ my ass off out here.”

  Horvan tugged him across the threshold, shut the door, then seized him in a tight hug. When he released him, Horvan looked Crank up and down. “You’ve put on weight. Suits you.” It was the same dirty-blond buzzcut, however. The day Crank changed that, the earth would come to a standstill.

  Crank rolled his eyes. “I swear. You and my mom, you must exchange notes. I think I’m getting tubby, she thinks I look great.” He gave the apartment a cursory glance. “Nice. Minimalist. I approve.”

  “Why thank you for the interior decorating comments.” Horvan laced his tone with sarcasm. “Coffee’s on. We’ll eat when the other two get here.”

  “Roadkill messaged me he’d just landed a
s I got into a taxi. He shouldn’t be long. As for Hashtag, when he gets here will depend on how much interest TSA takes in his luggage.” Crank’s eyes gleamed. “Is that all of us?”

  “For the time being.”

  Crank widened his eyes. “I was intrigued enough by your call yesterday. Now? I can’t wait to hear more.”

  “And you will.” Horvan’s heartbeat raced. If his buddies were going to do this, they had to know everything. It’s not going to change things—is it?

  It’ll be fine. Trust me. They sound like they’re good guys. Even in Horvan’s head, Rael’s voice came across as reassuring.

  Crank stilled, his gaze fixed on a point behind Horvan. Crank snickered. “Looks like nothing’s changed.”

  Oh, I see how it is. He thinks I’m only another of your booty calls.

  Horvan turned to face Rael, who stood in the doorway, his hair still tousled, looking cute in jeans and a dark green T-shirt. Horvan fixed him with a firm stare. Except there will be no more booty calls, baby. Just you, me, and Dellan. That had been Horvan’s last thought as he’d fallen asleep, and the realization was having less and less of an impact. He’d done the whole “fuck everything that moves” thing. Maybe it was time for a change.

  Rael’s lips parted, and his eyes shone. Oh wow. Horvan tried not to stare at the sparkle in Rael’s eyes before he wiped them.

  He gestured to Rael. “This is Rael, my… partner.” The words were enough to quicken his pulse. Never thought I’d be saying that. He didn’t miss Crank’s exaggerated, overly dramatic gasp.

  “Holy fuck. We’ve reached the end times. Because I’m pretty sure Horvan Kojik settling for one guy has to be one of the signs of the coming Apocalypse.”

  Inside his head, Rael chuckled. Wait till he hears about Dellan.

  Horvan rolled his eyes. “Rael, this is my buddy, Crank. He thinks he’s funny.”

  Rael came over, one hand extended, the other holding his mug of coffee. “Hey. Good to meet you. Horvan’s told me a lot about you.”

  Crank snorted as they shook. “Whereas you are a complete surprise.” He rubbed his hands together gleefully. “Wait until they get a load of you.”

  Horvan cackled. “Oh, believe me, there are bigger surprises to come.” Rael bit his lip, his eyes twinkling. From outside, Horvan caught the sound of lively chatter and loud laughter drawing closer. He met Rael’s gaze. “Showtime.”

  Food before revelations. Shocks were always best on a full stomach.

  HORVAN KNEW it wouldn’t be long once they got back to the apartment. The boys chatted with Rael while Horvan made fresh coffee, wondering who was going to get the ball rolling. Horvan’s money was on Crank.

  “So now do we get to hear why we’re gonna rescue a tiger?” Crank hollered from the living area. “Because unless you’ve gone all eco-warrior on us, it doesn’t make a whole lotta sense.”

  “Horvan, an eco-warrior.” Hashtag guffawed. “Yeah, right.”

  “Hey, he likes taking off his clothes and strutting around naked outdoors, remember?” Roadkill snickered. “Maybe eco-warrior is the next stage in his evolution.”

  Horvan walked into the room carrying a tray laden with mugs. Rael, Hashtag, and Roadkill were on the couch, and Crank was sitting on the floor facing the front door. Horvan placed the tray on the table and assessed the available space. He could do it at a pinch.

  “And another thing. Not once have you mentioned terms,” Roadkill piped up. “So unless we’re now working pro bono….”

  Horvan had known pay was going to come up.

  “Maybe I should explain, seeing as this is all my idea,” Rael said suddenly, looking up at Horvan before addressing the others. “You see, the first thing you need to know is that it isn’t really a tiger.”

  “Well, you’ve not got this team together to rescue a plushy, so if it isn’t a tiger, what is it?” Hashtag folded his arms, looking smug.

  Before Rael could answer, Horvan muttered, “Oh for God’s sake,” and started stripping off his clothes.

  Roadkill chuckled. “Uh, Horvan? If you’re trying to convince us to go on this mission with you, that’s fine. But you should know most—wait, no, all—of us have seen your equipment at some point, so it’s not like you getting naked is going to be much of a surprise.”

  Horvan glanced around him as he unfastened his jeans. “You might wanna move back. This’ll take up some room.”

  Crank snorted. “For Christ’s sake, H, it ain’t that big. Talk about delusions of grandeur.”

  His gasped “Holy fuck!” as Horvan stepped out of his puddled jeans and shifted was so gratifying. Horvan stood in the middle of the living room, waiting for the rest of them to react.

  Rael got up from the couch, came over to him, and stroked his head and shoulders. “Hey, beautiful,” he said softly. Horvan pushed his nose into Rael’s hand, letting out a low, happy growl from the back of his throat.

  Hashtag was up next, approaching Horvan with obvious caution. “Whoa. Okay, mind officially blown.” He stretched out a hand toward Horvan, who lifted his head to meet Hashtag’s touch. Hashtag laughed, a bright sound that echoed around the room. “Well, I’ll be fucked.”

  Roadkill joined him, caressing Horvan’s flank with less caution than his buddy. “It’s real. I’m stroking a goddamn bear in a basement apartment in fucking Chicago.”

  Rael chuckled. “I think you’ve made your point, Horvan.”

  He agreed and concentrated on shifting back into human form. Rael handed him his clothes, and Horvan got dressed. As he pulled his T-shirt over his head, he noticed Crank was still staring at him. Horvan glared. “Problem?”

  “Hmm?” Crank’s furrowed brow smoothed. “Oh, not a problem as such. More a question.” He held his hand above his head. “This is you.” Then he held his hand a distance away from the floor. “And the bear is like this. So… when you become a bear, where does the rest of you go?”

  Horvan blinked. “Really? That’s your question? You find out shifters are real, and that’s the first thing you wanna ask?”

  “Now wait a minute.” Hashtag moved to stand at Crank’s side. “To be honest, I was wondering too.”

  Roadkill shook his head. “With all the shit we’ve seen and done, do you honestly think this is going to faze us?”

  Crank groaned and smacked his hand against his forehead. “Fuck. That bear… the one I thought had had you for breakfast. That was you, wasn’t it?”

  Roadkill snorted. “Gee, you just worked that out?” Horvan and Hashtag laughed.

  Rael laughed too. “See? I told you it would be okay. And they reacted better than the one and only person I ever shifted in front of. He fainted.”

  Hashtag’s eyes widened. “Wait—you’re a shifter too? What kind?”

  “A lion.” Horvan loved the hint of pride in Rael’s voice.

  Crank turned to Horvan. “Now see?” he declared triumphantly. “If he’d shifted, that would’ve scared the shit out of me. He’s king of the beasts, whereas you? You’re more like a… cuddly teddy bear.” His lips twitched.

  Horvan was fighting the urge to shift right back and let Crank feel how fucking un-teddy-bear-like his claws really were. Roadkill got there first. He stabbed his finger in the middle of Crank’s chest.

  “You? Sit down and be quiet.” Then he pointed at Hashtag. “And the same goes for you. How long have we four known each other? For over a fucking decade. And yet he’s never let us in on this before now. That tells me this is fucking important. So let’s listen to why we’re doing this.” He glanced at Horvan. “Your move.” Roadkill sat down before reaching over for a mug of coffee.

  Rael’s eyes glittered with approval. “I like him.”

  Horvan laughed. “Yeah, I’m pretty fond of him too.” He faced the three men. “This tiger… he’s… trapped, somehow. He can’t shift back. We don’t know what happened to him, but—”

  “But we suspect dirty dealings are at the root of it,” Rael interjected.

&nb
sp; Horvan nodded. “So we have to get him out of there. Because if we don’t help him, we’re gonna lose him. And neither of us know what that will do to us.”

  Crank stilled. “What do you mean?”

  Rael sighed. “The simplest explanation is… imagine that from birth you have someone out there who fits you so completely you’re not whole without them. And when you meet them, they click into place like they were always meant to be there. They’re not just a boyfriend or girlfriend—they’re your mate.” He glanced at Horvan and swallowed. “And Dellan is ours.”

  Silence fell in the room. Horvan held a hand out to Rael, who took it, lacing their fingers. His hand felt so small in Horvan’s large mitt.

  “Oh my God.” Roadkill gazed at them with a pained expression. “You have to get him out of there.”

  “And we’re gonna help you do it,” Crank added in a grim tone.

  “So what’s the plan?” Hashtag leaned forward. “You do have one, right?”

  Fuck.

  Chapter Seven

  HORVAN LAUGHED. “I was kinda hoping we were all going to come up with something as a team.” He knew from experience that once they got their heads together, the ideas would come thick and fast.

  “Fine.” Roadkill glanced at Crank and Hashtag. “Well, that answers my question about pay. This one’s for free, right, guys? Either of you got a problem with that?” Both shook their heads, and Roadkill gave a satisfied smile. “Good job. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk intel.” Roadkill glanced at Hashtag. “How long are you gonna need for your surveillance?”

  Hashtag shrugged. “For this kinda mission, usually about a week. I really could do with more, but we haven’t got time for that. I think a week is pushing it as it is.”