Phoenix Reborn (Alpha Pack, #7.5)(14)

At the creek, Noah exclaimed in appreciation. “Oh, it’s beautiful here! I can see why you like this spot. Every mated couple on the team has a favorite place in the forest they sneak off to—maybe this can be ours?”

Nix shifted back to his human form, and stood next to his mate, taking his hand again. “I’d like that. I brought you here hoping you’d love it as much as I do.”

“A sexy, naked man next to a babbling brook in the middle of nowhere? What’s not to love?” He arched a brow.

“Correction—two sexy, naked men. Christening their spot.”

“Oh!”

In record time, Nix had his mate’s shirt and shoes off, and stripped him of his shorts. Then he spread the shirt under Noah’s butt, lowered him to the mossy earth, and grinned. “Next time I’ll plan this better and bring a blanket. And a picnic, too.”

“Do you hear me complaining?”

“Nope, not at all.”

Neither of them were doing any complaining, since both of their mouths were plenty occupied for the better part of the next hour. Nix made love to his mate again, this time taking him on all fours. Pushing in and out of him, slowly, building their climax.

Grasping Noah’s hip, Nix reached around with a free hand and stroked his mate’s cock. He plunged deep, faster and faster until they both exploded with an orgasm so intense his vision whited out for a few seconds. When he came back to himself, he was draped over his mate’s back, sweaty and satisfied.

Inside him, however, his wolf growled and clawed to escape the confines of his human form. Before Nix could stop them, his fangs dropped and claws sprouted from his fingers. The sharp points of his canines hovered scant millimeters from Noah’s tender neck, and he battled hard against the urge to claim what was his. Ours. Me and my wolf.

But he couldn’t. Not yet.

Nix supposed the fear wasn’t gone entirely. But he was getting there, gradually. Soon, he’d claim Noah, and nothing would stop him.

Snarling, his wolf submitted once again. His fangs and claws retracted.

“We’re going to be all sticky and gross when we get back,” Nix observed, pulling gently free. “We’ll need a shower before dinner.”

“Still no complaints.” Sitting to face Nix, he smiled. But there was a blight on his happiness that hadn’t been there earlier, and it was obvious he knew Nix had held back. Again. “Sure had fun getting this way.”

So, Noah was going to let him off the hook again. God, he felt horrible.

“Me, too.” He glanced at the stream, trying to recapture the easy camaraderie they’d enjoyed before. “Hey, there’s water right here. At least we can get the sticky off.”

“Yeah, but it’s going to be freezing!”

“Chicken?”

Noah gave him a droll stare. “No. You first.”

Nix took the challenge, and hissed as he stepped in, goose bumps immediately breaking out all over his body. Holy shit, mountain streams were like ice! But he made a show of bending and splashing as though he wasn’t affected.

“Come on in,” he called to Noah. “It’s not so bad.”

His mate’s face was clearly skeptical. “I don’t know.”

“You said you weren’t chicken. Get in here.” He held out his hand, waiting. The instant Noah took it, he yanked him into the freezing water and held him so he couldn’t get away.

“Aaah!” he yelled. “You jerk! Let go of me, it’s f*cking cold!”

“Suck it up, puny human!”

“Asshole!”

Splashing, they laughed like loons, getting each other good and soaked. By the time they were done, they were shivering so hard their teeth rattled, but for his part Nix had never been happier.

“Let’s get out of here.”

“Now who’s chicken?” Noah said.

“Frozen chicken.”

“Ha!”

Stepping into the sunshine, they spent a few minutes drying off. Then Nix handed his mate his clothes. Once Noah was dressed again, Nix shifted to wolf form for the walk back through the forest to retrieve his own clothes. It was much more comfortable than padding naked as a human through the brush.

At last they reached the spot where Nix had left his clothes, and he shifted back. When he’d dressed, they walked together back to the compound. He hated to see their romp end, but was confident there would be many more like today.

“Shower?” he asked Noah.

“Yes. A hot one!”

“We can do that.” Smiling, he took Noah’s hand and led him across the compound’s lawn.

Aric, Jax, and their mates, Rowan and Kira, were outside talking, along with Micah and Nick. At the sight of the newest couple emerging from the forest, rumpled and obviously together, the group smiled at them, waving them over.

“Oh boy.” Noah glanced at him with worry. “You up for this?”

“I’m not ashamed of you.” But still, he let go of Noah’s hand, and his mate’s face fell. Shit.

“I know you’re not ready for the inquisition. It’s okay.” But Noah’s tone and expression betrayed his disappointment.

“Come on, let’s go see what they want.” With a wink, he walked with Noah over to their friends.