A Growl, a Roar, and a Purr Read online

  “We’ve gotta get him out now,” Rael said through gritted teeth. The others stared at him like he’d lost his mind. Horvan’s expression resembled theirs.

  Rael lost it. “Fine. If you won’t help me, I’ll fucking do it myself.” He went to clamber off the bed, but several hands stopped him.

  “Hey, easy now,” Crank soothed.

  “You’re not thinking straight,” Roadkill said in a gentle voice.

  Rael. Rael! Horvan’s voice rose in his mind, blotting out the others. Rael stilled, conscious of Horvan’s arms around him, the others retreating. You can’t help him right now.

  I tried to reach him. I thought I had, but then he just…. Words failed him.

  Horvan kissed his head. Rael caught the murmur of something about coffee, and the others left the room. Horvan cradled Rael with a gentle rocking motion, and far from making him feel immature, it soothed and comforted him.

  “Better?”

  Rael nodded, his head pressed against Horvan’s wide chest.

  “Okay. Put some clothes on, and then we’ll go out there and talk about this. I don’t think any of us could get back to sleep right now. Does that sound okay?”

  Rael gave another nod.

  “By the way—” Horvan kissed his forehead. “—you’re really cute in my robe.”

  Rael whacked him on the arm. He knew Horvan was trying to distract him. He had to be as frustrated as Rael. Of course, with his training, he could compartmentalize things better.

  Once he’d pulled on his jeans and a sweater, Rael joined the others in the living room. Roadkill handed him a mug. Rael ignored the space in the middle of the couch and went over to where Horvan was sitting on pillows on the floor, leaning against the wall. Rael sat with his back against Horvan’s chest, knees bent, hands wrapped around the mug. Horvan’s arms went around him once more, their physical connection restored.

  “Okay,” Hashtag said after a moment. “About what you said in there. You—we—can’t help Dellan right now. Yes, we could go in there, all guns blazing. We could get him out of the cage, but then what?” He gazed earnestly at Rael. “Think it through. Are we gonna waltz him through the lobby? No, of course we’re not. We have a plan, and we have to stick to it. You need to trust us, because getting jobs like this done? It’s what we do.”

  “Although, truth be told, we have never had a job like this,” Crank commented wryly.

  Hashtag glared at him. “You know what I mean. I’m trying to instill some confidence in him.”

  Rael sighed. “I do trust you, honest. But….” He went with the truth. “I tried to reach out to Dellan psychically. To stop him.”

  “Is that why he paused? Before he… you know….” Roadkill expelled a breath.

  “Look, we need to talk about what we saw,” Crank interjected. “And I don’t mean the mating thing. If you’re right and they injected something to make her shift, it raises some questions. One, why would anyone make a drug that does that? Why would they need it? Two, if that’s what it was, why didn’t it last long? Because she was able to shift back once the deed was done. Surely whatever they gave her would still be in her system.”

  “Unless they only gave her a tiny amount. Or not full strength,” Roadkill suggested. “Hell, we can only guess, right?”

  “Why did she collapse like that?” Hashtag demanded.

  “Shifting normally takes its toll on a body,” Horvan explained. “It takes a lot of energy, especially if you shift for any great length of time, and when we shift back after such a time period, we’re usually ravenous.”

  “You know what I don’t get? A little slip of a thing like her, and she turns into a four-hundred-pound tiger.” His eyes gleamed. “Horvan shifts into a wee little teddy bear.”

  Roadkill smacked him upside the head. “Firstly, I’d hardly call five hundred pounds of black bear a ‘wee little teddy bear,’ and secondly, you do not want to piss off said black bear. He might be smaller than a grizzly, but he has claws the size of steak knives, remember?”

  “Horvan didn’t go all weak when he shifted back,” Hashtag observed.

  Horvan snorted. “As if I’d let you guys see me looking weak.”

  Rael had his own theory as to why she’d collapsed. “I think her state was more to do with what they were doing. You know….”

  Crank snorted. “Yeah. Sex wipes you out, right?” He blinked at the silence that followed. “What?”

  Roadkill let out an exaggerated sigh. “In the dictionary next to ‘insensitive fucker,’ it says, ‘See Crank.’”

  “Yeah, way to fucking go, Crank.” Hashtag inclined his head in Rael’s direction. “I really don’t think he needs reminding, all right?”

  Rael huffed out a breath impatiently. “I think we’re all missing a point here. What if this happens all the time? What if these guys are bringing shifters to Dellan’s cage, drugging them, then shoving them in there to mate? Why the fuck is this happening? Who is doing this?”

  Horvan’s hand was on his waist, stroking him. “All good questions, and ones to which we don’t have the answers right now. Speculating is only going to drive you nuts.”

  “Horvan is right,” Roadkill agreed. “And going over and over this is not gonna help. Let’s concentrate on the plan. In the morning, Hashtag will start work on his online campaign, and Crank will sort out the transport. I’ll get more guys in on this. And you?” He stared at Rael. “You are gonna find us a place to stay in that forest.”

  Rael nodded. “You’re right. Let’s focus on action rather than reaction.”

  That’s my mate. Horvan kissed his shoulder.

  “I gotta say, I’m really liking this all-new, lovey-dovey Horvan.” Crank’s eyes glittered. “I could get used to this.” He batted his lashes. “Where’s my kiss?” Crank puckered up, his eyes closed.

  Hashtag snorted. “If you’re real lucky, the bear has one for ya.” Crank’s eyes popped open, and everyone laughed at his startled expression.

  “Thank you, Crank,” Rael said sincerely. He knew exactly what Crank was doing.

  Crank shrugged. “Just trying to lighten the load, you know?”

  “And on that note….” Roadkill glanced at the wall clock. “I think it’s time we all get some sleep. Or try to, at least.” There were murmurs of agreement.

  Horvan got to his feet, pulling Rael with him. “Let’s give these guys their bedroom back.” He curled his hand around Rael’s and led him out of the room to cries of good night. Rael caught Crank’s last comment.

  “Bedroom? We got no bed. Tomorrow, go to Walmart and buy some air mattresses.”

  Once inside the bedroom, Horvan slowly undressed Rael down to his shorts, then pulled him gently toward the bed. He removed his own clothing and got in, his arms wide in a clear invitation.

  Rael climbed in beside him and snuggled up against Horvan’s muscular body with a sigh. “You feel good.”

  Horvan wrapped his arms around Rael and held him close. “And I’m going to feel good for the rest of the night.” He pressed his lips to Rael’s forehead in a sweet kiss. “Now close your eyes and go back to sleep.”

  His earlier horror and rage finally having subsided, Rael closed his eyes and concentrated on the sound of Horvan’s breathing, regular and low. It wasn’t long before he was sinking into a deep, thankfully dreamless, sleep. His last conscious thought was of Dellan.

  Good night, mate. Hold on. We’ll be there soon.

  Hopefully before it was too late.

  Chapter Ten

  RAEL STIRRED, dimly aware of daylight filtering through his eyelids. Then he sighed happily as a warm hand stroked his belly.

  I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.

  Soft lips pressed against his neck, and Rael stifled a moan. Hey, no fair. That really turns me on. He gasped as Horvan slid his hand lower, his fingertips brushing over Rael’s pubes, not stopping but continuing his exploration, trailing his fingers down Rael’s morning wood.

  So I see. Or shou
ld that be feel? Horvan’s mental chuckle filled his head.

  Then Rael became aware of Horvan’s hard cock against his hip. Oh fuck. We… we agreed we wouldn’t, remember? He moaned as Horvan curled his fingers around Rael’s dick, pulling gently on it. Rael arched his back instinctively. No… don’t do that. I haven’t jerked off for a few days. I’ll come like a geyser if you do that.

  Thankfully, Horvan released his cock, and Rael shivered. He opened his eyes and looked into Horvan’s. “I know it’s hard, but—”

  “It sure is,” Horvan said with a chuckle.

  “Difficult! I meant, it’s difficult, but you know it’s right.” Rael swallowed. “I want you, okay? I’d like nothing more than to draw my knees up to my ears and have you balls-deep inside me, but—”

  “Did you have to put it like that? Talk about painting pictures in my brain. And it doesn’t help that you’re thinking about it too. Christ.” Horvan sat up in bed, his breathing rapid.

  Rael joined him, his arm across Horvan’s broad back. “Sorry. I’ll try to keep a lid on my thoughts, okay?” He cupped Horvan’s cheek and gently turned his face toward Rael’s. “You do think we’re right about this, don’t you? Waiting, I mean.”

  Horvan expelled a long, shuddering breath. “Yeah.” He glanced down with a rueful smile. “I know part of me would like to argue the point. But I don’t want to mess this up. I want everything to be just right. And that includes the first time I get to make love to my mates.”

  Rael blinked. “Make love. Not fuck. Now there’s a change right there.”

  Horvan snorted. “Yeah, I know. Don’t spread it around, okay? I got a reputation to keep.” He sniffed the air. “Do you smell coffee?”

  Rael’s stomach growled. “And bacon.” He threw back the sheets and launched himself out of the bed and into the bathroom.

  Horvan cackled. “Well, I guess I know where I stand on your list of priorities.” But he did the same, reaching for his toothbrush. “I need a shower, but that can wait. With five guys in the house, we’re gonna need a lot of hot water.”

  Rael blinked. “You’re going to stand there while I pee?”

  Horvan rolled his eyes. “Lord, I never knew a lion could be so dainty.”

  Rael laughed. “I suppose I can get used to it.” He shook, flushed, then washed his hands.

  Horvan peered at Rael. “Did you get some decent sleep?”

  That was all Rael needed to recall what had occurred to him in the early hours of the morning. He paused, his toothbrush in his hand. “I had an idea—several, actually—and I think we need to discuss them.”

  Horvan stilled. “That sounds serious.”

  Rael sighed. “It could be deadly serious. I’ll wait until we’re all together.” He put down the toothbrush, moved closer, and wrapped his arms around Horvan’s waist. “In case I haven’t told you already? I’m so glad I’ve got you for a mate.” He smiled. “The mate I never knew I needed—until I did.”

  Horvan bent lower and kissed him, enfolding Rael in his arms. “Ditto, sweetheart.” He released Rael and grinned. “Now brush those teeth so I can kiss you properly. Then we’ll go see if Crank has cremated the bacon yet.”

  The ablutions finished, they left the bedroom and walked into the living room. Mugs sat on the coffee table, and from the kitchen area came laughter.

  “What’s so funny?” Horvan called out.

  Roadkill stuck his head around the corner. “And good morning to you too. We were tossing a few ideas back and forth, that’s all.” He smiled kindly at Rael. “Did you get any sleep?”

  Rael shrugged. “A little.” He craned his neck to see into the kitchen. “You guys are making breakfast?”

  Roadkill nodded. “There’s bacon in the oven, Hashtag is doing the eggs, and Crank is burning the toast.”

  “Hey!” Crank’s voice rose indignantly.

  Roadkill disappeared from view. “Don’t take your eyes off that toaster, you doof. That’s how the first lot of toast ended up as charcoal.”

  Beside Rael, Horvan laughed. “Ah, this feels like old times.”

  Rael envied him a little. He didn’t have any friends who were as close to him as these guys obviously were to Horvan. Having said that, they’d been through a lot together by the sound of things.

  Horvan’s hand was at Rael’s back. They’re your friends now too, sweetheart.

  It was a comforting thought.

  Once breakfast had been demolished and another pot of coffee was percolating, the men gathered in the living room. Rael couldn’t wait any longer. “I’ve been thinking….”

  “Did it hurt?” Crank said with a cackle. Horvan glared at him, and he held up his hands. “Okay, okay, I’ll shut up.”

  “That drug they gave the girl to force her to shift…. Maybe that’s what’s keeping Dellan in his tiger form.” Rael gazed at their faces. “What do you think?”

  “I don’t know. She shifted back awful fast,” Hashtag commented, stroking his stubbled chin. “They’d have to have Dellan on an IV of the stuff to keep him from shifting back.”

  “Not if it’s in his food. In his water. In the air he breathes.” Rael’s heart sank as he uttered the words. “I know I’m guessing, but it’s the only thing that makes sense. And there’s something else. That first dream I had, when Dellan came to me and shifted? Well, I’m thinking now that it was… more than a dream.”

  “What do you mean?” Roadkill got up to fetch the second pot of coffee.

  “We kissed, okay? But there was something odd about it.” Horvan’s hand curled around his, and Rael laced their fingers. Rael struggled to recall what had struck him at the time. “When our lips met, there was a taste. A chemical sort of taste.”

  Crank stared at him. “Like, a drug?” Rael nodded. Crank’s face darkened. “Those bastards.” His gaze met Hashtag’s. “We gotta make this happen fast, dude. As fast as you can pull it together.”

  Hashtag nodded, his expression somber. “What day is it? Saturday? Okay. I’ll spend the whole weekend on my laptop if I have to. Let’s aim to make our move on Friday. Earlier if I can generate enough support out there. That means you’ve gotta have our transport ready to go at a minute’s notice, buddy.”

  Crank nodded gravely. “I’m on it.”

  Roadkill cocked his head to one side. “If we’re right and they are drugging him, how long is it gonna take for the drugs to work themselves out of his body?”

  “How long is a piece of string?” Horvan groaned. “We get him off the drugs, and it could be fast or slow, depending on how long he’s been on them and how much is still in his system.”

  “You think I’m right, don’t you?” Rael demanded.

  Unfortunately, yes. Horvan squeezed his hand. “Yeah,” he said aloud.

  “As for how long he’s been on them?” Rael had already considered this. “Worst-case scenario, he’s been in tiger form ever since Anson Prescott took over the running of the company. Maybe more than a year.”

  “Holy fuck.” Roadkill’s normally ruddy complexion paled. “Okay. We are gonna get Dellan out. Then we are gonna fucking nail those bastards. You with me?” He stuck out his hand, and in silence, four more covered it.

  Horvan got to his feet. “Okay. I have to go out, but I won’t be long. Sounds to me like you all have something to do while I’m gone.” His remark was met with nods all round.

  “I thought you wanted a shower.” Rael bit his lip. “But I guess you don’t smell too bad.”

  “Yeah, only like a five-hundred-pound bear stuffed into a two-hundred-pound human,” Crank said, grinning.

  “Maybe I like the smell of bear,” Rael retorted. He got up too and gave Horvan a hug. “Be safe?”

  Horvan chuckled. “I’m only going to Walmart. I think I’ll be safe enough.” He grabbed his jacket. “I’ll bring subs back with me for lunch. I know what you lot like, so that only leaves Rael.”

  “Meatball sub, please,” Rael said quickly. “With lots of cheese.”

/>   “Yeah, he’s a meat eater, after all,” Crank added, his eyes twinkling.

  Rael walked with Horvan to the door. “I’ll find us a cabin, okay?”

  Horvan nodded. “Play nice with the kids.”

  As he climbed the steps, Rael said in a stage whisper, “I’ll try not to eat them.”

  Horvan laughed. “Roadkill would need too much tenderizing. He might be a little tough.” With that, he gave a wave and strode off.

  Rael closed the door. And now to work.

  RAEL LOOKED up from his laptop and glanced at the bedroom door. “Has anyone checked if he needs anything?” Hashtag had commandeered the room as soon as Horvan left, saying he’d concentrate better with a little peace and quiet. No one had seen him since.

  “He’s got water, sodas, and snacks. He’s fine,” Roadkill assured him. It was the two of them in the living room; Crank had gone outside for a smoke and to make a phone call. “How are you doing with the cabin situation?”

  Rael smiled. “I think I’ve found the perfect one. Want a look?”

  Roadkill shifted closer and peered at the screen. “Pretty.”

  “I wasn’t looking for pretty,” Rael said with a chuckle. “This one is set on seven acres. It sleeps ten—not that I see us needing that many beds, but you never know—and it’s roomy inside. Plus, it looks like it’s in a fairly remote spot.”

  Roadkill scrolled through the details. “Rustic. Basic kitchen. Lots of space. There’s a store not that far away too.” He leaned back, smiling. “You’re right. It looks perfect. Is it available now?”

  Rael nodded. “The season doesn’t really start until April.”

  “Now here’s a question for you.” Roadkill gazed at him thoughtfully. “How long are you gonna rent it for?”

  “Like Horvan said, how long is a piece of string? Initially, I’ll rent it for as long as they’ll let me. If we have to move to another place, so be it.” If he could rent it for the remainder of March, that would be a plus.

  Crank came into the apartment, shivering. “It’s cold out there.” Roadkill got up off the couch and went into the kitchen.