Scent of the Heart (26 page)

Casey reached out and touched his fingers to Sev’s cheek, delighting when his mate pressed against them. “Let’s go home.”

***

When they returned to Casey’s house, Jake was awake, shifted, and growly. Vadim and Mikhail sat at the table, while the wolf curled at Mikhail’s feet. Jake stalked to Casey and Sev and let loose with a giant roar.

“I think he’s pissed,” Casey whispered to Sev.

A few more moments, and Jake leaned forward, sniffing Casey.

“Dude, not in front of the mate,” he said, pushing Jake away.

Jake returned to human form and continued to sniff Casey.

“What’s going on? What are you doing?”

“You don’t smell like you anymore. I mean you do, but there’s… I don’t know. More of you? Your scent is so strong. It’s… I just don’t know.”

“A lot’s happened, I guess. Hey, I have a question. Do you remember my grandpa?”

Jake’s brows furrowed. “Vaguely. We were like seven when he died, right?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Why do you ask?”

“I’m not sure. For some reason he’s on my mind today. It’s weird. I can picture him perfectly.”

“Well, you ought to know, fair warning and all, that Zak is—”

Jake never finished his sentence before the door was thrown open and Zak strode into the room. For a smaller man, he commanded a lot of respect. Jake stepped back from Casey as Zak made his way toward them.

“Tsvetok, it is good to see you all. I’m grateful the spirits returned you to us.”

“It wasn’t the spirits, it was—”

“I would speak with your mate. I realize now is not likely a good time, but it cannot be helped.”

Grabbing Casey by the wrist, Zak dragged him across the room. His expression was grim, and Casey knew he was pissed, but he was certain Zak would forgive him when Casey had a chance to explain.

“You disobeyed a direct order from your Alpha. We should discuss your punishment.”

Or maybe not.

Vadim and Mikhail were standing in the corner, trying to be out of Zak’s line of sight, the wolf burrowing into a space behind them. The Alpha vacillated between berating Casey for going against his direct orders and hugging Sev for coming back safely. Even Jake hung back with the kids. Zak’s temper was truly something to behold.

“In the future, you will do what you are told. I am tempted to devise a punishment suitable to the infraction. What did you think you were doing? Jake was instructed to accompany you,” Zak grumbled.

“I wouldn’t take him from you. I didn’t know if I would make it back. I couldn’t chance that Jake wouldn’t return. When I went, I had no intention of leaving the spirit realm. I thought Sev and his brothers were gone, and I was alone.”

Zak thumped him on the head. “Idiot. Look around you. There are eighty-seven people in this village. How could you possibly be alone?”

“Because none of them hold my heart, Alpha,” was Casey’s solemn reply.

“We will speak of your punishment later,” he said, dismissing Casey with a wave. “Tsvetok, you do not know how happy we are that you have returned. We shall have a feast to celebrate Elizar’s demise and to welcome you home properly.”

Sev bowed. “Thank you, Alpha. I’m glad to be home.”

Casey wrapped an arm around Zak’s shoulder and chuckled when he heard Jake growl. “Listen, I need to talk to you. Can we go for a walk?”

“Do not think you will sway me from punishing you,” Zak muttered.

“Farthest thing from my mind. I wanted to tell you some stuff.”

They walked around the near deserted streets of the enclave. Only a few of Jake’s guards could be seen patrolling the streets.

“I was afraid for you, Casey.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I couldn’t take Jake with me. I know how big the hole in my chest felt. I couldn’t do that to my friends.”

“That was not your choice to make. I am the Alpha. I make decisions that are for the best. If I tell you something, you must understand that it is for a reason. I do not need to share that reason with you, but you must accept I know best.”

Casey paused. “Zak, there’s no one else around. You don’t have to—”

“Yes, I do. You are my friend, but you are also a member of the enclave. To that end, I have a responsibility for your safety. By disobeying me, you put yourself in jeopardy, and that makes me look weak. I must have the trust of the people, especially now. We have endured a great tragedy, and I need them to pull together to make it through. I cannot have you showing people that it is acceptable to do as they wish, not as I have instructed them.”

Casey wanted to protest. He’d had the best of intentions for what he’d done, couldn’t Zak understand that? Then he paused as he actually thought about Zak’s words. He was right. What Casey had done undermined him in front of the people.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think about anyone but myself. I won’t try to excuse it, and I freely accept whatever punishment you deem necessary.”

“Good, I am glad we understand one another. Your punishment is thus: I will have Mikhail and Vadim taken to my house this evening. You must spend the night with your mate. No arguments will be brooked.”

Casey grinned. “Yes, my Alpha.”

“Tomorrow we will discuss your real punishment. For tonight you have earned a rest. I am so glad you found your mate and brought him back.”

Casey stiffened a moment when Zak hugged him. Their Alpha wasn’t the most demonstrative person, except when it came to Jake, but Casey quickly returned the embrace.

***

“Are you ready yet?” Casey whined.

Sev chuckled to himself. He’d been preparing their bedroom for the last hour, not allowing Casey to see what he was doing. The Alpha had instructed him to draw it out as long as possible. He explained that this was to be part of Casey’s punishment.

“No, not yet.”

“You have five minutes, then I’m going to start without you.”

“What makes you think I haven’t already finished without you?”

He laughed at Casey’s startled, “You wouldn’t!”

“Come in.”

When Casey entered the room, Sev smiled at his expression. A look of surprise and lust sparkled in his eyes as they roamed over Sev, laid out completely naked on the bed.

“I thought you wanted to cuddle tonight? To be sure I was real.”

“I’ve changed my mind. Vadim is staying at the Alpha’s compound, and Mikhail is spending the night at Tiam’s. The wolf lumbered after him, so I can only guess that unless he decided to return to the wild, he’s there, too. And after seeing the Alpha chastise you, I’m certain you’re real enough. I would have you show me how happy you are that I’m home.”

As he stripped off his clothes, Sev’s mouth watered. His skunk was exceptionally pleased that their mate was back where he belonged. He wanted to claim him once more, show him to whom he belonged. He ached to be buried inside Casey.

As he stretched out next to Sev, Casey’s fingertips explored every inch of skin. “I can’t believe I almost lost you.”

“We won’t talk about that. We’re here now, and we need to give thanks to the spirits who brought us together.”

“Yeah, I’m good with that.”

Fingers plucked at Sev’s nipples, hardening them to blunt peaks. Casey latched onto them with his lips, laving his tongue over them. Sev thrashed on the bed, overwhelmed by the sensations Casey pulled from him. It was different than any other time. Tingles ran through his body and then he realized what Casey was doing.

“Is this a shaman thing?” he gasped.

“Mm-hmm,” he moaned, before his head popped up. “Is it working?”

“Oh yes, so much. It’s as if your lips are everywhere at one time.”

Casey chuckled and went back to what he was doing. He gripped Sev’s cock in one hand and cupped his balls in the other. His tongue rolled around the head, dipping beneath the foreskin, and Sev cried out, thrusting his hips up. Casey indulged him, swallowing him down all the way. It was so very good, but…

“You… I need…”

“Don’t worry. I’m just getting you warmed up. I want it as much as you do. You were gone so long, and I want you to reestablish our connection.”

Pushing Casey’s shoulders, Sev sat up. He motioned for his mate to lie down and was dazzled by the beauty in front of him. He gave Casey’s cock a couple of strokes, drawing a moan of pleasure. He reached for the table beside the bed and grabbed the oil container. He moistened his fingers and slid them into Casey, who gave a sharp gasp. He knew it was lust, not pain that made his mate react so.

“Please, I’m ready.”

“Yes, I think you are. I am, too.”

He placed a pillow beneath Casey’s butt and lifted his legs to his shoulders. From this vantage, he could see where he was desperate to be.

“I’ll be gentle, I promise.”

“No, I don’t want gentle tonight. I need to feel, Sev. Help me to do that.”

Placing his cock at Casey’s entrance, Sev pushed in deep, with one swift, sure stroke.

“Oh gods, yes. Please, please, please…”

Short hard thrusts, the slap of skin on skin, and it wasn’t long before they were both sweating. Sev hammered at Casey’s hole, driving in as hard as he could, the moans of his mate inflamed Sev’s skunk, and he gave in to its demands to take, to claim.

Casey’s fingers ran along Sev’s side, and the touch amped Sev ever higher. If he could, he’d burrow inside Casey and live there. This man was his home. He pushed Casey’s legs up and bent him nearly in half as he changed the angle that he was using on his mate. It must have been pleasurable because Casey’s moans became begging groans of more and harder. Waves of Casey’s ecstasy rolled over Sev, adding to his own enjoyment.

“Touch me, please gods, Sev, touch me.”

Sev held Casey’s legs with one arm and reached down to grip his turgid shaft with the other. When his fingers made contact, Casey yowled and began spurting thick ropes of his spend upon his chest. The sight was more than Sev could bear, and he released his seed inside the man he loved, reestablishing their connection.

Later, after Sev had lovingly cleaned them both, Casey pulled Sev into his arms and nuzzled his neck. “I’m going to be so sore tomorrow, but I know that every twinge I feel means that you’re where you’re meant to be. Home with me. I love you Tsvetok Yerokhin.”

“And I you, Casey. Do you think we will be able to relax a while now?”

“Relax? Who wants to lead a boring life?”

Sev grinned and pushed in closer. “I think I’ve had enough adventures to last me a lifetime. Now the only thrills I want are those my mate provides me.”

“Believe me, we have a lot of those in our future.”

Casey pointed at the candle and the flame sputtered, then died, plunging the room into total darkness. He pulled Sev to his chest, the light hairs tickling his back. Casey tightened his grip, which grounded Sev to the here and now, and as they both drifted off to sleep, Sev’s final coherent thoughts were of love and how lucky he was the day his skunk waddled into his mate’s life.

Mikhail wandered the streets of the enclave, the black wolf always at his heel. So much had changed. With more than three very prosperous years under Zak's leadership, the enclave grew by leaps and bounds. There were many births, including the addition of four new children for Mr. and Mrs. Riley, all rabbit shifters, which, according to Casey, kept Mr. Riley hopping. Then he had to explain the joke, and it still wasn’t funny. Sev laughed, but it seemed more to humor his mate than anything.

The people of the enclave were happier than Mikhail could ever remember. Casey had found the stash of books Hakiim had told him of. A lifetime of study lay in the dusty tomes, and Casey devoured them. Mikhail was delighted when Sev and the Alpha agreed to let Vadim become Casey's apprentice. His younger brother, who was turning into a strapping young man and had caught the eye of many of the females in the enclave, was excited to be asked and promised to do his very best.

Casey and Sev had made many trips to the spirit realm to visit with the people and to check on Elizar, who remained rooted to the spot that they’d left him. He had yet to speak to them, giving withering glances instead of words. Casey admitted he didn’t know if Elizar would ever be redeemed, but he no longer posed a threat to anyone.

Even though so much time had elapsed, Mikhail knew he’d probably never come to terms with what he’d done while under the bastard’s control. But the people of the enclave didn’t blame him and let him know that he did not need to be forgiven. It warmed his heart, but deep down, though he said he didn’t recall any of it, he relived each memory. The things he’d been forced to do still chilled him.

The wolf they'd brought back from Elizar's stronghold had become increasingly attached to Mikhail, refusing to leave his side. It acted as his very own protector, which chuffed Jake. No one understood why the wolf stayed.

He followed Mikhail everywhere, even to his class with Mrs. Riley. She was very twitchy about it, tending to stay near the door, her nose fluttering in bunny fashion, but he assured her the wolf would behave. It curled at his feet and didn’t move until class was complete and Mikhail was ready to go. At night, it settled on the floor at the foot of his bed, until Mikhail patted the mattress and let the wolf know it was welcome to join him. It slept nestled behind Mikhail, who was amused that such a big creature was such a baby. Still, Mikhail enjoyed their evenings. The wolf would lie on the floor with its head in Mikhail's lap, listening to Mikhail talk while he brushed the coarse hair until it practically shined. It seemed the wolf loved the attention.

With his adult birthday fast approaching, Mikhail was excited. He was given permission by his brother, as well as the Alpha, to explore the lands beyond the enclave. To venture into the world he knew lay outside of the forest. He spoke at length to his wolf, who Mikhail called Rand, after the tales his parents had told them as a child of a wolf protector of the innocent. He spoke about his excitement, but the wolf merely leapt from the bed and curled in the corner, refusing to come even when Mikhail called him to bed.

Mikhail’s eyes snapped open as excitement pooled in his belly. The morning of his adult birthday had finally arrived. It was a big deal in the enclave and there would be much celebration, but Mikhail couldn't wait for the day to be over so he could say good-bye to his old life and start his journey to forge a new one. He jumped out of bed, eager to greet the day, and stopped short of the door at the sight of a man curled on his floor.