Winter’s Wolf (22 page)

“Aren’t we going to fuck?”

“Not exactly.” Winter wrapped his hand around Matt’s fully erect cock and edged a little closer so he could curl his fingers around his own girth at the same time. The warmth and silkiness of their dicks pressed together made him sigh. “Nice.”

“Jesus, that feels good.” Matt’s eyes closed, and his head rested in the crook of Winter’s arm. “I missed you so badly.”

Winter pulled him closer so he could explore those pretty lips—narrow top with a fuller bottom that gave him a bit of a pouty look. While he nibbled and licked, his other hand did heroic work, stroking their two dicks together with a twist at the top, then sliding back to the bases.

“Oh God, that’s great. Half relaxing and half thrilling. My head could explode.” He chuckled, but his breath came hard and fast.

“Then you’d spill all those brainy ideas all over me.”

“Shit, I’m about to spill something all over you, but I don’t think it’s brains. Of course, I have been accused of thinking with that head.”

“Think away, baby.” Winter’s hand flew, cranking them both so hard he saw stars. Heat seared up his spine, but no way he was going without Matt. He focused on Matt’s ecstatic face, eyes squeezed closed, mouth open and breath chugging like the proverbial freight train. “Come on, baby. You make me so crazy, I can’t last long. Want to mix my cum with yours.”

“Oh shit, you say the hottest—oh shit!” Matt’s back arched and his breath stopped as a flood of hot, sticky cum poured from his cock into Winter’s hand, where his own jets of jism mixed the two into a lovely mess.

Winter gasped twice, held his breath as his body bucked, and then breathed out a long, deep sigh. “Oh man, you just do it for me.”

Matt smiled. “You’re the one with the magic hands.”

“All over your magic cock.” He watched Matt’s eyelids flutter and close, his breathing even out. What made this human so damned special to him? He had one clue, and it was wild. Maybe his father was right.

As Matt’s head fell heavier and heavier on his arm, Winter slid his other arm under his knees and picked him up. It was a testament to how tired Matt was that he barely stirred. Winter carried him into the bedroom, pulled back the covers with one hand, and then laid Matt gently on the sheets. He pulled off his shirt, then crossed into the attached bathroom and wet a washcloth. When he reentered the bedroom, Matt had curled on his side, his soft cock lying on the white percale. Winter gently wiped around that happy camper, getting a little chuckle from Matt that turned into a soft snore.
Good.

He tossed the cloth back into the sink, then padded out into the hall, still only wearing his long-sleeved T-shirt. A few steps down the hall, he looked into Jason Partridge’s bedroom. Jason lay on his back, unrestrained, still sky-clad under a blanket. He breathed deeply but murmured and moaned under his breath. The inner fight he endured every day took too much toll on his body.

Winter walked to the stand against the wall and found full nursing implements, complete with hypodermic needles, both for injections and blood draws. He unwrapped one, wiped it with alcohol, even though it would make little difference to his body if it had been rolled in cow dung, and stuck the needle in his vein, withdrawing a tiny bit of his own blood. He stared at the brilliant red line of liquid.

Grabbing the alcohol-soaked cotton pad, he walked to Jason’s bed and looked down at him. He’d never done anything like this before. Hadn’t ever heard of it being done. But then, lying here before him was one living, breathing phenomenon that defied werewolf lore and law. Why the hell was he so sure this was right? Could he hurt him? Kill him?

Shit.
He swiped the pad across Jason’s forearm and in one motion stuck the needle into a prominent vein. Holding his breath, he pressed the plunger.

Jason gasped and Winter tensed. Sweet crap, his breathing stopped! CPR? He raised his hands to position them on the old man’s chest and watched that chest rise in a huge inhale followed by a long, slow sigh of such relief, it made Winter relax just to hear it. Jason’s breathing slowed, evened, and his lips turned up in a slight smile. Even in the barely lit room, Winter could see color flood the man’s cheeks. Winter smiled. Maybe he shouldn’t say “man.” He should say “male.”

“W
INTER
.”

Winter opened his eyes. He’d heard Matt get up about ten minutes before but thought he was just going to the bathroom. Now Matt stood over the bed, vibrating with excitement. No need to ask why. “Hi.”

“Sorry to wake you.”

“I was awake. Just enjoying the smell of you in the bed.”

“Guess what?”

“What?”

“My father. He’s so much better. His breathing is easier, and he seems to have more energy.”

“A trip to the woods is good for a guy.”

“I don’t understand it, but I’ll take all the good news I can get.”

“What time does your day nurse come on?”

“Soon.”

Winter stretched. “It’s probably better if we don’t let too many people see us together—until we get the drug case worked out.”

“Yes. Rita’s like my own family, but the other girls are more likely to gossip. Especially since they’ll assume we’re a couple, which would be food for one great story. They’re always trying to fix me up.”

A couple.
Winter sat up and threw his legs over the edge of the bed. What were the chances he could make that happen? Did he want it?
Yeah.
“After today, I could end up with more to report. Want to meet up tonight?”

Matt grinned. “You sure you don’t just have a one-track mind?”

“I’m sure I do. But I could have more to report as well.”

“Okay. I’ll meet you in the usual place tonight.”

“Look forward to it.” He leaned over and kissed Matt gently. “That’ll hold you until tonight.”

Winter took a quick shower, dressed, and sneaked out of the townhouse. Nobody watching. He would have smelled them. In the old SUV, he took a breath. What an amazing night. He’d discovered a phenomenon for the record books—and set his own record. Somehow, in the light of the full moon, he’d managed to commit himself—his life—to another. Even if it didn’t work, he’d always know that he’d been willing to do whatever it took to be with Matt Partridge, and that changed everything. It made him a different wolf.

Okay, get on with it.

He made a quick stop at a café, ordered bacon with a side of bacon, then headed for the marshal’s office. Bookkeeping to do and maybe some criminals to associate with.

He parked in the side lot and walked into the cubicle they set aside for him to work at during his desk job hours. He got about a half hour’s work done before the knock on the side of the partition brought his head up. “Hey, Marshal.” Kind of disappointed it was Freedman instead of Ollie.

“Can you come into my office for a second?”

“Sure.” Freedman gave off an intense vibe. What was this about? He followed the marshal into his office, and Freedman closed the door, then nodded for Winter to sit. He crossed to his desk chair.

Freedman leaned forward and interlocked his fingers. “Wondered why you got a call from the FBI?”

“What?”

“On your phone. There’s a call from Matt Partridge.”

Winter frowned. “You’re monitoring my calls?”

“Not exactly, Winter. But it’s the department’s phone. I told you that. We pay the bills, we get the call records, and that one happened to stand out.”

That was a serious load of bullshit since Matt had only made the call the night before, but—play the game out. “Sure, makes sense. I’m just not used to being so ‘on the grid.’” He shrugged. “Anyway, Partridge called because I’m a tracker and his sick father had wandered off into the forest and gotten lost. He asked me to help.”

“I see. Did you help him?”

Winter shrugged. “Sure. I know he works with you, so I figured he might even have let you know about it. I tracked the old guy. He’d wandered deep into some trees. We found him stark naked. I helped get him home.”

“How did Partridge have your number?”

Think fast, Thane.
“I didn’t ask. If you didn’t give it to him, maybe he got it from my brother-in-law, Seth Zakowsky.”

“The human cop?”

“Yeah. I told Seth I was keeping books for you, and he said they might have work for me. I gave him the number. I figured that was okay, right? Partridge knows Seth.” He shrugged again.

“I’m just glad you were able to help Matt.”
Oh yeah, giant fat smelly lie.

“I was surprised he called me. I don’t think he likes me much. But I know he works with you, so I figured, help the guy out. Might be good for the relationship.” Few wolves could smell mendacity like Winter. Hopefully Freedman was crappy at it.

The marshal gazed at him for another second, slapped his desk, and stood. “Okay, today’s a big day. Finish up the books, we’ll grab some lunch, and then I’m taking you to a meeting.”

Winter put on a bored face. “Meeting?”

Freedman laughed. “Trust me, you’ll like it. It’s all about your future—and the future of all of us.”

Focusing on columns of numbers, then looking pleasant but cool during his lunch with Freedman, played on Winter’s nerves.
Get the fuck on with it.
Finally he sat beside the marshal in his shiny SUV and headed Powers-knew where. He’d wanted to take his own wheels to follow Freedman, but the marshal said he wouldn’t need his car. That made Winter antsy right off. Of course, he could shift if shit hit fans.

Listening to Debussy and Chopin the whole way didn’t calm him, but he managed to act relaxed, staring out the window.
Remember where you are.
Finally, well outside of town, they turned down a poorly marked side road—trail really, since it was dirt, but wide enough for a car.
Wolves.
He smelled lots of them.

After driving in the dust for ten minutes, they came to a long, low building with a lot of cars and SUVs parked in front. Sitting on an old picnic table beside the parking lot, Mario, Junior, and a few other young males stared at their vehicle. Junior raised a hand in welcome, but Mario elbowed him in the ribs and he put it down.

Freedman chuckled. “I don’t think they appreciated you showing them up on the firing range.” He turned off the car but didn’t get out. He looked at Winter. “That’s the price of excellence, Thane. Jealousy and resentment. You can’t let it bother you, or the weight of small minds will hold you down.”

“Good advice, sir. Thank you.”

Freedman clapped a hand on Winter’s forearm. “I know you’re not as close to your father these days, and I want you to know, I’m here if you need advice or help.”

“Very kind of you, sir.” Winter’s senses pushed against Freedman’s shields. Damped power and a general sense of wiliness, but nothing else came through.

Freedman opened the car door and slid out. Winter climbed out his side. Excitement, anger, intention—they churned through the air, much like the emotions he’d sensed that day of his test from Fred Betz. The marshal’s scent was far subtler. Harder to read. Freedman might be well-intentioned or scary as fuck.

Winter followed Freedman into the building, which reminded him a lot of the day he’d attended the pack welcome party for him and Damon. Lots of food, mostly meat, covered a long table against the wall. No bar, but soft drinks seemed to be flowing. The equality of the sexes, so evident in werewolf society, definitely got muted in this group. The females seemed to hover near the food, restocking the platters as they emptied. The males ate and conversed in small groups, complete with lots of frowns and arm-waving.

He glanced at Freedman. Just what did he want to hear? “Sure a powerful lot of self-importance in this room.”

Freedman looked at him, startled. Maybe he’d played it wrong? Then the marshal burst out laughing and draped an arm around Winter’s neck, walking him toward the food table. “Truer words were never spoken, my friend.”

They scarfed down almost-raw beef while Freedman introduced Winter to some of the assembled wolves. A few Winter recalled seeing at the party, but most had not been there. He didn’t remember their scent.

A tap on a glass brought his head around, and all the males in the room stopped talking. Fred Betz stood at one end of the room on a small platform. “Can everybody see me?”

Wolves nodded.

“Good. Let’s gather round and get started, shall we?”

Son of a bitch. Betz.
The leader?
Winter looked around the room. More wolves had arrived since he and Freedman, making a group of over a hundred. Hard to believe Betz had the power to command a force this big. Freedman? Easy.

“Fellow members of the pack, I’m honored to stand before you today to gather your opinions, test your commitment, and join you in a dedication of efforts. Everyone in this room has, to some degree, expressed horror and outrage at the trampling on our sacred traditions and laws which the allied Harker and Marketo packs have perpetrated with their sham alliance and perverted practices. They have dishonored our trust, and we are all ashamed to call them leaders.”