Accepting the Alpha

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Eli huffed, irritation clear in his voice.

“Oh, come on! You told me you wanted to meet the local Alpha and I wanted to go to a club. Kellan owns the club, so I see this as a win-win situation. It’s like multi-tasking.”

Eli stared at his friend in disbelief. “You brought me to a gay bar, asshole. In case you failed to notice, I’m straight. You honestly think this is the best place for me to approach the Alpha about joining his pack?”

“Are you kidding?” Jai scoffed. “I can’t think of a better place than the club. The atmosphere here is way more relaxed than a formal meeting would be. Besides, you know as well as I do that it’s always better to approach an Alpha when he’s in a good mood.” Jai leered, waggling his eyebrows. “Trust me. Kellan is always in a good mood here.”

Eli glared at his best friend. “Don’t you think the fact that I’m not gay is going to count against me in a place like this?”

Shaking his head, Jai gave him a look of disgust. “Not everyone in the club is gay, douche. Sephora is the official gathering place for the pack. Everyone comes here to hang out—gay, straight or bi. Besides,” he added smugly, “I already told Kellan you would be here tonight. He’s looking forward to meeting you.” With a smirk on his face, Jai turned away, effectively dismissing Eli and his nervous rant, to check out the night’s offerings. By the look on his face, he definitely liked what he saw.

Letting out a weary sigh, Eli leaned back in his seat, taking another look around the club. At a glance, it didn’t look that much different than any other club he had been in back home. The main floor of the building looked more like a sports bar than a gay club. A long, oak bar took up one wall with large flat-screen TVs mounted down the wall above. Tall, round tables filled the central floor, while pool tables and dartboards had residence at the back of the room. Without the higher than average number of same-sex couples holding hands or snuggling in booths, it would have been difficult to single it out as a gay club.

The real action, however, could be found upstairs in the dance club portion of the bar, aptly nicknamed Temptation. In Temptation, clothing seemed to be optional, as showcased by the writhing masses of men and women pressed together in a seemingly endless display of sweat-slick skin and groping hands. Although complete nudity was not allowed, it seemed the patrons of the club liked to push the rule to the limit. Most of the inhabitants of the dance floor were showing more skin than they had covered, be the men or women. For as far as the eye could see, there was glistening skin pressed tight to glistening skin. Large male hands groping hard male flesh. Female lips laving and teasing the feminine curve of a neck. The occasional male-female couple could be found to round out the group, but they were most definitely in the minority.

As the music blared and the bass rumbled like thunder, the bodies on the floor gyrated together like limbs of a massive beast. Twisting, turning, wrapped together in intimate embrace. The air was thick with lust and made Eli aware of just how long it had been since he’d slaked his own. The aphrodisiac quality of it was not lost on him.

Taking in the sights, Eli was surprised when he found himself checking out just as many of the male pleasure seekers as female. He tried to dismiss it, convinced it was nothing more than casual appreciation. Just one man recognizing the good looks of another. So what if he focused a little too long on the rippled planes of a male abdomen or had the strangest desire to snag a small masculine nipple between his teeth before laving the sting away with his tongue? He wanted to chalk it up to a mere side effect of being immersed in this new environment, where sexuality was not just encouraged, but accentuated and put on display. He’d never experienced the kind of sexual freedom he observed within the walls of Temptation. Surrounded by such overt expressions of homosexuality, he tried to remind himself that this type of display couldn’t possibly turn him on. However, as his pants started to become uncomfortably tight, he had a feeling that he wasn’t being completely honest with himself. Unnerved by his unwanted arousal, Eli shivered, turning back to the bar and his beer. Taking a long pull from the bottle, he spared a glance over at Jai. His friend, ever on the prowl, was too busy taking in the buffet of naked flesh to notice.

Eli took advantage of Jai’s moment of distraction to observe him objectively. Jai had always garnered a lot of attention, both male and female, when they went out. Despite having been friends since infancy, he realized he had never taken the time to see what all the fuss was about.

As teenagers, they had been nicknamed Day and Night, for their opposing looks. They were nearly identical in height and build, reaching around six foot three and just over two hundred pounds. That, however, was where the similarities ended. Jai embodied everything that was light, with his golden hair, sun-kissed skin and eyes the color of a cloudless summer day. With his hard, muscled body encased in dark denim and a collared shirt the color of his eyes, he resembled a golden god. Eli had to admit, he could definitely understand all the attention his friend was garnering at the club. The man practically glowed, drawing people in like moths to a flame.

Eli, on the other hand, personified all that was night. His hair was black, so dark that when the sun hit it just right there appeared to be blue highlights streaked throughout. He wore it short in the back and sides, leaving the front just long enough to tease the arch of his brows. His eyes were also blue but the blue-black of twilight. Dressed as he was in a pair of threadbare jeans, a tight, gray T-shirt and scuffed motorcycle boots, Jai and Eli really did look like opposite sides of the same coin.

A change in his friend’s demeanor brought back his focus. Looking closely, Eli watched as his best friend’s eyes lit up like Christmas morning. A grin spread across his face and he practically vibrated with happiness. Curious to see the cause of Jai’s excitement, Eli followed the direction of his gaze toward the front entrance of the club.

Walking through the doorway was a group of some of the largest men Eli had ever seen in his life. Eli was far from small, but in comparison to these men, he seemed almost dainty. They were not just tall, but had thick, muscular bodies as well. With their wide shoulders and powerful frames, they were built like defensive linemen. As they walked, muscles bulged beneath tight T-shirts that looked as though they were moments away from complete disintegration from the strain. Their whole demeanor screamed—Back the fuck away!

Noticing Eli’s perusal, the largest member of the group chose that moment to glance his way. Eli was shocked by the sheer size of the man. He had to be at least six and a half feet tall and close to three hundred pounds. His well-formed body was covered in finely honed sinew. The man was built like a brick shithouse. His hair was a rich, chocolate brown and long enough that it was pulled back into a ponytail at the base of his neck. His black dress shirt was untucked, with the sleeves pulled back to mid forearm, showcasing powerful arms and prominent veins that, for a moment, Eli had a nearly overwhelming urge to trace with his tongue. Power rolled off the big man in waves and crackled along Eli’s skin, making his wolf perk up and take notice.

At a glance, he looked relaxed and ready for a night of drinking and dancing with friends, but on closer inspection, Eli could sense his alertness. The predator within was anything but idle. The dark Aviators he wore were probably meant to camouflage the way his eyes scanned the room for any possible threat, but Eli recognized the subtle shifts of his body and occasional tilt of his head as signs of his vigilance. The large man was ready to take action at a moment’s notice. This was without a doubt the Alpha, Kellan Reeves. Although he couldn’t see it, Eli could feel the heavy weight of the Alpha’s stare. The man’s gaze seemed to burn right into him. His body heated and a shiver worked its way through his frame.

A smirk formed on the man’s lips, telling Eli that Alpha Reeves had noticed his inspection, as well as his reaction to him. Eli’s cheeks flamed scarlet as embarrassment made his heart speed to a gallop in his chest. He tried to break eye contact with the larger man but felt frozen in place. The smile on the Alpha’s face only grew larger as Eli’s embarrassment grew. Eli watched as Alpha Reeves slowly ran his tongue over his lips, leaving behind an enticing sheen of moisture. He felt a familiar tightening in his balls, and his cock hardened to the point of pain. He bit back a moan as confusion warred with his unwanted arousal.

What the hell?

While Eli knew many shifters who were attracted to both sexes and had no issue switching between the two, he had never been even remotely attracted to another male, let alone got hard from just an appraising look from one. Something about this man, however, appealed to Eli on a level he had never experienced before. From his high cheekbones, strong muscled body and rugged good looks, Kellan Reeves had him nearly panting like a dog in heat.

Eli didn’t want to examine his attraction too closely. He had enough on his plate without adding in an unexpected attraction to the local Alpha. Joining the pack had to be his number one priority. He had already gone too long as a lone wolf. Much longer and he could become a danger to himself or to others. Wolf shifters were not meant to be solitary creatures. The longer they were without a pack, the closer they came to going feral and attacking innocents. That wasn’t something he was willing to risk, no matter how startled he was about the strange attraction he was feeling toward the Alpha.

The gorgeous man continued to hold his gaze until a club employee approached, causing him to break eye contact and release Eli from his thrall. A few words were shared between the two before the employee nodded and headed off in the direction of the bar. Sparing a glance back in their direction, the Alpha motioned for Jai and Eli to follow, then turned and made his way up the stairs, into the heart of Temptation. Eli could follow his progress from his seat at the bar easily. The crowd parted before him, like Moses and the Red Sea. A sigh escaped Eli’s lips before he could cut it off. Turning back to the bar, he found Jai staring at him expectantly.

“Come on, man. Kellan’s waiting on us. Let’s go.” He nudged Eli’s arm with his elbow. “The guys with him are some of his Betas. He looks like he’s in a good mood so this will be the perfect time to talk to him about joining the Pack.”

Eli sighed. He knew what he had to do. It was just a matter of manning up and finding the courage to do it. He needed a pack and he needed to be near his best friend. Ever since their birth pack had forced Jai to leave after he’d announced he was gay, Eli had felt like a huge part of himself had been missing. Now, with his own exit from their old pack and the new separation from his brothers, Eli was more than grateful to have Jai back in his life. The Grand Rapids Pack was his best option at starting over.

Rising from his seat, he dutifully followed Jai through the teeming masses. As they worked their way through the crowd and up the stairs to Temptation, he could only hope that this would be the fresh start he needed.

As they reached the landing, Eli took a deep breath and almost took off running back down the stairs. If he had thought the pheromones were strong downstairs, this close they were nearly unbearable. He shook his head, trying to clear it, and promised himself that he would get laid before stepping into the club again. The scent of lust and sex in the building was too much for even a straight man to take. Unbidden, a vision of the Alpha’s handsome face filled his mind, mocking him as arousal coursed through his body once again. Okay, he thought, chagrined, maybe not completely straight.

Despite his reservations, Eli realized that he wasn’t completely against the idea of being with a man. Especially if that man was Kellan Reeves. Perhaps his lack of fear stemmed from his inherent easy-going personality. He’d never been one to stress about every little thing, preferring to just go with the flow. While being with a man was not an option he had ever considered before, it was something he was definitely thinking about now.

When they finally cleared the crowded dance floor, Eli saw that the entire back wall was lined with large, private booths. As they approached, he noticed, much to his shock, that most of them were filled with groups of people engaged in varying stages of intimacy. All of the booths were equipped with long, thick curtains that could be pulled out to completely enclose the booth, but most of the booths’ inhabitants had forgone their use. The farther back they ventured, the more pornographic the acts became.

At one of the last tables, a thin, blond twink knelt on the floor as he swallowed the shaft of a much larger, dark-haired man. The brunet had a strong grip on his hair and was thrusting roughly into his mouth. As the smaller man devoured his thick, dripping cock, growls rolled out of his partner’s mouth, as well as a graphic list of all the things he was going to do to the blond as soon as he was done fucking his mouth. The slim man moaned loudly, his eyes glazing over as the filthy words reached his ears. His cheeks hollowed as he started to suck more voraciously. The larger man’s chest began to heave and just when Eli was sure he was going to blow, he ripped the blond off his cock, threw him down face first on the table, yanked down his pants and impaled him in one violent thrust. Eli winced at the brutality of it, but the smaller man seemed to love it, if the volume of his cries were any indication. Eli quickened his steps, desperate to insure he did not lose Jai in the crowd. Not accustomed to this kind of club, he was a little afraid of what else he might accidentally walk in on if he got lost in this place.

He was starting to wonder how big the club actually was when Jai came to a stop in front of a large lounge area in the back corner of the building. The entire area sat on an elevated platform that allowed for a clear line of sight of the rest of the club. Another massive booth was set against the back wall, and was flanked by a scattering of low sitting couches and chairs, all filled to capacity with a variety of pack members and partygoers.

As they approached, Eli recognized many of the men from their earlier entrance, although there were a number of new faces as well. Mixed in among the large Betas were a few small, waif-thin young men. All of them had smooth complexions and baby soft skin. Eli even noticed makeup on one or two. He mentally shook his head. He had never understood the appeal twinks had for some gay men. He had always figured if a man was gay, he would want to have sex with a man who was…well…manly. Eli could not grasp the appeal of the effeminate faces and reed-thin bodies. It seemed too much like having sex with a woman with a few extra parts. Then again, Eli had never considered the possibility that he would ever find another man sexually attractive until about five minutes earlier, so what did he really know about the mind of a gay man?

The small men giggled, girlishly fawning all over the larger men, and the guys seemed to be eating it up. Reaching out with his wolf senses told him that five of the large men were pack Betas, two of the twinks were low level pack members and the rest were all human. Add to that the numerous other men and women congregating around the area, and they had the makings of what could be a rowdy evening. The only thing that seemed to be missing from the equation was the Alpha. Frowning, Eli wondered where the big man had gone, until an extremely annoying peal of laughter drew his attention to the booth at the back of the room.

At first, all Eli could see was the slim back and short red hair of yet another twink. God, were they breeding them here or something? He had never seen so many in one place before. As he started to turn away, the small-bodied man was forcibly relocated and before him, in all his glory and pulsing power, sat a slightly annoyed-looking Alpha Kellan Reeves.

Moving to step up onto the dais, Jai and Eli were halted when a massive wall of muscle stepped in their way, blocking their path. Looking up, Eli was barely able to take in the image of a tall, dark-haired man with bulging muscles before Jai stepped in between them, red-faced and filled with righteous anger.

“What the fuck, Malachi?” Jai spat at the mountain of man standing before them. “Get the hell out of our way!”

“You, of course, may pass,” the big man rumbled, his voice deep and rough like gravel, “but your friend will have to stay here.” His tone brooked no arguments as he eyed Eli warily. Eli had no idea what the man thought he could possibly do to him. Eli had doubts a tank would have had any luck taking the gigantic man down.

Jai stomped his foot before giving Malachi a solid punch to the arm. Eli cringed, half expecting to hear his friend’s bones crunching on impact. “We have an appointment with Kellan, you big asshole! If you don’t believe me, why don’t you go ask our fearless leader? While you’re there, you can explain why you’re being so unwelcoming to a prospective new pack member. I’m sure he’s gonna love that,” Jai added, with a glare.

Malachi, sighed, a look of defeat plastered on his face. “Calm down and wait here. I’ve got to go check it out with the boss,” he grumbled, trudging off in the direction of the big booth. A few hushed words were spoken before Malachi made his way back to where Jai and Eli were waiting. Jai had an expectant look on his face and was tapping his foot, obnoxiously, for effect. When Malachi stopped in front of him, Jai just stared silently into his face…waiting.

After a moment of silence, Malachi let out an enormous sigh. “Jesus, Jai! Why do you have to be such a prick all the time? You know I’m just doing my job. How bad would you feel if I just let anybody in and then somebody took a shot at the boss, huh?”

“Malachi, Kellan stands a better chance of me taking a shot at him than Eli. As a matter of fact, I think about taking him out at least once or twice a week. If he wants to be a pansy about it, he should really be more worried about me. I’m not as harmless as I look.” Jai shot Malachi a look that, Eli assumed, was supposed to come across as dangerous but really did a better job of making his friend look slightly deranged.

The men were silent for a moment before breaking down laughing like a couple of loons. By the time they had regained some small amount of control over themselves, both Jai and Malachi had red faces, slightly puffy and wet with tears.

A fond smile broke out on Malachi’s face and he reached out to pat Jai affectionately on the back. “You’re a good guy, Jai. Funny as hell and always full of piss and vinegar. Always makes for an interesting combination.” Throwing a smile in Eli’s direction, Malachi motioned them forward. “I got the okay from the boss, so you guys are good to go in. Enjoy your night.”

When Malachi stepped back out of their way, they made their way up onto the dais, before Eli looked around and found himself instantly locking eyes with the Alpha. The sight of the man before him left Eli momentarily breathless. Standing this close to the Alpha was like a punch to the gut. From a distance, he had been handsome. Up close, where Eli could appreciate the finer details that made up his appearance, the man was absolutely stunning. His hair was not just brown, as he had originally assumed, but a mix of blonds, browns and gold. He’d removed his sunglasses so Eli was now able to see that his eyes were a vibrant shade of green, like the color of new spring leaves. He was also much bigger up close. Whether it was his presence, his build or a combination of the two, he seemed to fill the room. He had to have Eli’s own six foot three beat by at least four inches. This was the first time in his life Eli had ever felt small and Eli was uncomfortable with how vulnerable he felt in the presence of the big man. The realization that, if it came down to it, Kellan Reeves could take him out without much effort did little to settle Eli’s ragged nerves. The Alpha’s scent wasn’t helping much, either.

The man’s scent was a mix between a soft spring breeze and something spicy and warm. It was fresh, clean and definitely not unpleasant, if the state of Eli’s erection was any means to judge. His wolf, however, was having major issues with it. Eli could feel its hackles rise as his beast fought to be released. With his close proximity to the Alpha, Eli barely managed to bite back the growl trying to work its way out of his throat. He bit the inside of his cheek hard enough to draw blood, hoping to distract his wolf from the man sitting before them. While he could normally understand his wolf’s thoughts and feelings, at that moment, they were chaotic and unclear. The fact that he couldn’t tell if his inner wolf wanted to fight the Alpha or fuck him left Eli feeling unsettled and scared.

The smirk that appeared on Kellan’s face let Eli know he was not hiding his internal struggle as well as he’d thought. Alpha Reeves stared at him for a moment and Eli again felt frozen by the power of his gaze. The Alpha’s expression softened briefly before he broke eye contact, turning to address Jai. The smile that lit his face clearly showed the affection the man had for Eli’s friend. It made his respect for the Alpha grow.

“Jai, I’m glad you made it tonight. You’ve been missed this week.” His voice was dark and smooth like whiskey. “By some of us more than others…” His gaze flicked to the side, settling briefly on a dark-haired man sitting to his right. He wasn’t quite as large as Kellan, but he still had to be over six and a half feet. While his size should have made him menacing, Eli sensed a gentleness in him that was completely at odds with the powerful man before him. The man looked up briefly, eyes flicking toward Jai before quickly dropping back to his lap, where he was fiddling with his cell phone.

“Jai,” the man acknowledged quietly, without looking up.

“Dylan.” Jai smirked. The expression on his friend’s face was one Eli had never seen before. Equal parts longing and challenge. He knew instantly that there was something between the two men, but neither seemed willing to acknowledge it.

The silence that followed their greeting was awkward for everyone. Kellan, apparently impatient with their silence, snorted rudely before turning his attention back to Jai and Eli. “So, Jai, is this him?”

“Yeah, man. This is him. Kel, I’d like to introduce you to my almost brother, Elijah Steele. Eli, this is Kellan Reeves, Alpha of the Grand Rapids Pack.”

When Kellan stared silently at him, Eli took that as his sign to make his move. Tilting his head briefly to the side in a show of respect, he stepped closer, arm outstretched. “Pleased to meet you, Alpha Reeves.” When his voice came out deep and strong, he couldn’t have been more grateful. The last thing he needed was for the Alpha to think he was timid or weak. He needed to be accepted into this pack, and first impressions lasted a lifetime.

Kellan watched him curiously for what seemed like an eternity before he rose and clasped his hand in return. The moment their hands touched, Eli felt like he had been stuck with a cattle prod. An electric, burning sensation worked its way up his arm then through the rest of his body, leaving an odd tingling awareness in its wake. After a brief hesitation, Kellan released his grip. The Alpha’s face gave nothing away, so instead of shaking out his arm like he really wanted to do, Eli merely flexed his fingers and lowered them down to his side.

“The pleasure is all mine, Eli,” Kellan replied, his smirk back in place, retaking his seat. “So, what brings you to Grand Rapids?”

Looking around at the group surrounding them, Eli’s unease grew. He’d never been quick to open up around strangers. It would be hard enough having to come clean with Kellan. There was no way he’d be able to dump his private pain out for all of these people to see.

“I was actually hoping to set up a private meeting with you to discuss my…situation. I would hate to interrupt your evening out.” Eli’s eyes flicked briefly to the redhead that was now strategically pouting next to Kellan. “If it works for you, maybe we could set something up for later in the week…?” He kept his eyes trained respectfully on the ground as he fought to catch his breath. God, why the hell did this guy fuck with his head so bad? He honestly had no explanation for it. Eli had never had this kind of reaction to another wolf. It was driving him crazy.

A look of understanding appeared on Kellan’s face. The answering smile the Alpha gave him was lazy and relaxed. “No worries, Eli. You’re not interrupting anything special.”

Oh, burn on the Ginger.

“I always have time for pack business. Why don’t you go snag a drink from the bar, on the house, of course, and we’ll get right down to the nitty-gritty of it, all right?” While a cocky grin twisted his lips, there was warmth in his eyes that assured Eli that he really did want to help him if he could. With a nod, Eli rose from his seat and headed toward the bar, a small smile curling his lips and the hope of having a home again slowly growing in his chest.

Kellan waited until Eli was out of earshot before turning on Jai. “Is he claimed?” he growled, urgency creeping into his tone.

Jai studied Kellan in shock. “No, Kel, he doesn’t have a mate, but he’s also not gay.”

Relief filled Kellan at the news that the gorgeous man had no other entanglements. While nothing would have stopped him from claiming what was his, an existing relationship would have made things more difficult. Thankfully, fate had practically delivered his mate on a silver platter.

Mate? He couldn’t believe his luck. Jai was always talking about the elusive Eli. He was constantly regaling them with stories of their childhood and all the trouble they had caused as pups. While Kellan had found the stories amusing, he had never given much thought to the friend Jai held in such high regard. He couldn’t believe how much time he had wasted with his mate simply by not taking a more active interest in meeting the man who meant so much to one of his closest friends. It was painfully obvious that he had been spending too much time lately wrapped up in his own trivial bullshit. The anger and regret building inside him, caused by his own short-sightedness, made him want to kick his own ass.

All of that was about to change. Eli was within his reach and there was no doubt in his mind that he belonged to Kellan. While the man being straight was an unfortunate hiccup in his plans, he could work around it. Eli wouldn’t be the first man Kellan had been with who had claimed to only be attracted to women, but he would be the last. They all started out with the same spiel about ‘men just not doing it for them’, but it wasn’t long after that they had all ended up moaning and writhing on the end of his dick. From what Jai had told him of their birth pack, where same sex unions were not only frowned upon but banned entirely, Eli had likely never been exposed to same sex mating. Kellan knew it was only a matter of time before he had Eli right where he wanted him.

Despite his upbringing, Kellan could already sense the curiosity building in the other man. He had seen his mate checking out the club’s other patrons, as well as Kellan himself. The thought of being the only man to ever have the pleasure of touching Eli had Kellan’s cock filling with painful speed. He winced as he tried to adjust the growing bulge in his pants. He was hopeful that, with a little luck, he would be able to convince his mate to see things his way before the week was over.

A moment’s doubt filled him, however, as he looked on at the wolf fate had chosen to be his partner in life. He had to admit, he was a little surprised by the sheer size and presence of the other man. Kellan tended to pick bed partners that were both physically and emotionally submissive to him. As an Alpha, it was something his wolf demanded. Eli was a strong, dominant wolf in his own right. Kellan was worried Eli’s beast would not allow him to submit to Kellan, the way the Alpha needed him to. He mulled over the issue briefly, before dismissing his concerns. He was the Alpha and Eli was his destined mate. The gods would not give him a mate unable to meet his needs. Eli would learn to submit and Kellan would enjoy teaching him how.

Kellan followed Eli’s progress as his mate gracefully worked his way through the crowd, enjoying the play of muscles, as they bunched and flexed with every move of Eli’s hard-packed body. His mate was magnificent and it quickly became clear to Kellan that he was not the only one who noticed. To his intense displeasure, his man was stopped numerous times by both men and women trying every trick in the book to draw him onto the dance floor. The blush blooming on his mate’s cheeks was enticing, as he good-naturedly tried to fight off their advances.

Kellan couldn’t fault the others their appreciation of the man. With his tall, muscled frame and dark good looks, he was nothing like the men Kellan usually took to his bed. The definition of his hard body was easy to see through the thin material of his T-shirt, and the worn jeans he was barely wearing were molded to his ass like a second skin. They were so thin, Kellan could swear he saw a hint of ass peeking through them. The possibility of his mate going commando had him nearly salivating.

Kellan continued to watch as a still blushing Eli was dragged onto the dance floor and into the embrace of a large cat shifter from one of the local prides. A snarl escaped Kellan and his hackles rose, causing Jai to throw him another appraising look, but Kellan was past the point of caring. Looking was one thing, but no one got to touch what was his!

After pushing away from the table, he stormed down the stairs and stalked his mate across the room. As he neared, he could clearly make out the large hands of the cat trying to get a firm grip on his mate’s ass. Sensing his mate’s discomfort, Kellan released the growl that had been building in his chest.

Both men’s heads jerked up at the sound. The look on Kellan’s face must have been enough to relay his unhappiness because the cat was across the room almost faster than even Kellan’s wolf sight could register. The relief he felt from Eli warmed him, helping to calm his still agitated wolf. That he had successfully protected his mate only increased Kellan’s need to claim him. Without a conscious thought, Kellan grabbed Eli’s hand and gently pulled him into his body.

While Eli was hesitant, his eyes were filled with only confusion. There was no fear or disgust, which helped to further soothe Kellan’s wolf. As he looked down into his mate’s midnight eyes, he felt himself drowning in their depths. Wrapping his arms around the smaller man’s waist, he drew Eli closer until they were chest to chest, pressed together so tightly that Kellan could feel every dip and bump of his mate’s rippled abdomen. It also meant he was very aware of the massive hard-on Eli’s jeans were in no way helping to conceal. From what he could feel, the man had to be rockin’ at least eight inches and Kellan couldn’t wait to get a taste.

“Oh, darlin’,” he drawled, running a hot hand down the front of Eli’s jeans, giving the impressive bulge a firm squeeze, “is that for me?”

Eli blushed impossibly redder and tried to take a step back, but Kellan kept his arms wrapped tightly around him, giving him no chance of escape. “Alpha… This place… The pheromones…” he stammered adorably. Kellan watched as Eli forced himself to stop and take a breath. He lowered his eyes in a show of respect and deference. “I apologize, sir. It’s…been a while. I didn’t think that all this”—he waved an arm at the room—“would affect me so strongly. I’ll try not to let it happen again.”

Kellan placed a finger under Eli’s chin and forced him to look him in the eye. “Don’t fight it on my account. In fact, I seem to have found myself in a similar situation.” Grabbing Eli’s hand, he shoved it down until their joined hands were cupping Kellan’s heavy erection. The moment Eli’s hand came in contact with his cock, Kellan felt a shockwave jolt through his body, setting every nerve ending on high alert. He rolled his hips and began to gently thrust into Eli’s hot palm. At first, Eli had no reaction. He looked like he could have been carved out of stone, he was so still. Kellan was about to give up hope of any participation on Eli’s behalf until he felt a tentative squeeze around his engorged shaft.

For a moment, he thought he had imagined the touch, but then he felt it again, less hesitant than before. Opening the eyes he hadn’t realized he had shut, he was met with eyes so passion-blown, they had gone completely black. The look on Eli’s face was a mix of curiosity and hunger that nearly stole Kellan’s breath. He needed to get closer. Taking a chance, he leaned in, licking the seam of Eli’s soft lips. Although he got no response, the taste of his mate drove him on. “Open up for me, baby. Let me in.”

Pushing forward for another taste, Kellan was pleased to find that Eli could follow instruction. The man’s lips were relaxed and parted just slightly, but it was enough that Kellan was able to slip his tongue between them and into the depths of his mate’s sweet mouth. Kellan lapped up his flavor as he thrust his tongue deeper, essentially fucking Eli’s mouth with his invading muscle. He didn’t think there was any way he could have been more turned on until he felt the tentative touch of Eli’s tongue on his own. It took all his years of carefully honed control to keep from blowing his load in his pants, right in the middle of the club.

Their kiss continued in a fevered mating of lips, teeth and tongues. A moan worked its way up from Eli’s chest, but Kellan swallowed it down, not wanting anyone else to have the pleasure of hearing his mate’s passion-filled cries. Unfortunately, the need for air eventually became too strong to ignore, forcing Kellan to pull back. The blissed out expression on Eli’s face had Kellan fighting the urge to drag him off to the nearest dark corner and mount him. Only the knowledge that Eli wasn’t ready for anything that intense kept Kellan from doing something that might forever ruin his relationship with his mate.

Kellan placed one last, chaste kiss on his lips, then turned and steered a still dazed Eli toward the bar to get their long forgotten drinks. By the time they made it to the bar and placed their drink order, Eli was back in control of himself and had visibly pulled away from Kellan. While he had known that it was the most likely reaction to what they had done, Kellan had hoped that his mate would easily adjust to the fact that he was destined to be mated to another man. Sighing, he grabbed drinks from the bar before heading back in the direction of their table, trusting Eli to follow.

Everyone was still lounging around when they returned. Dropping their haul on the table, Eli and Kellan watched in amusement as the others fought over the remaining drinks. When the icy beverages had all been claimed and everyone had settled back into their own conversations, Kellan turned his attention back to Eli who was studiously staring at the scarred wood table top. Shaking his head, Kellan decided to allow Eli his temporary escape. Instead, he would use this time to start making strides toward learning more about his mate and what had driven him to come to Grand Rapids.

“Everything seems under control out here. Eli, why don’t we head back to my office for that talk?” While Kellan posed the statement as a question to ease his mate’s nervousness, they both knew better. Alphas didn’t ask questions, they gave orders.

Eli looked to Jai who gave him an indifferent shrug, before turning away to take another sip of his drink, effectively forcing Eli to make his own choice. Eli paused for a moment before giving a look of resignation and preparing to follow Kellan from the room. Kellan’s expression softened slightly, approval pouring off him. Eli’s response to Kellan’s request just proved to Kellan that the man already trusted him. It was a good sign that this mating just might work out without too much trouble, after all. As soon as Eli learned to trust himself and his feelings for Kellan, their mating would be on solid ground.

When others made a move to follow, Kellan waved them off. “Stay. We’ll only be a few minutes. We have some things to talk about, privately.” His Betas took the order in stride, immediately turning back to their previous activities. Unfortunately, Tracy, his now ex-lover, didn’t seem to appreciate the order, if his crossed arms and the scowl marring his delicate face were any indication. Unfortunately for Tracy, Kellan didn’t have the time or inclination to deal with his drama. All he wanted was to be alone with his mate away from the noise and the crowd of the club.

Kellan led Eli from the lounge without a backward glance. He could sense his mate’s unease but hoped, if he kept things professional, his mate would relax and talk freely in his presence. They headed down a short hallway before ending up at the large black door of his office. He could practically feel the relief pouring off Eli at the realization that they were still within yelling distance of his friend. Kellan tried not to let that knowledge upset him, but it hurt to know that his mate didn’t trust him enough to be completely alone with him. Kellan assured himself that, before long, he would earn Eli’s trust and that, in turn, Eli would accept their mating without reservations.

Pushing open the door, Kellan led them into his office. Glancing wistfully at the couch, he moved to take a seat behind his desk, hoping that it would put his new mate at ease. Without prompting, Eli took a seat in one of the chairs flanking the desk, seeming to relax just a bit further. Kellan didn’t like the distance between them, but judging by Eli’s reaction, he knew he had made the right choice.

“Eli,” he began, attempting to ease them into conversation, “why don’t you tell me a little about yourself?”

“What would you like to know?” Eli’s expression was guarded.

“Let’s start with something I’ve been dying to know, since the minute I met you. How did you and Jai meet, and, more importantly, how did you become friends? I don’t believe I’ve ever met two people who were more different. He’s often told us stories of your exploits, but I guess I always assumed you were more…” Kellan hesitated, looking for a word that wouldn’t insult his mate.

“Flamboyant?” Eli offered, a small smile quirking his beautiful lips.

“Yes,” Kellan confirmed, flashing his mate a smile in return. “That is a perfect description.”

Eli shook his head. “We were born two weeks apart and our parents have been best friends for as long as I can remember. We literally grew up together. I love him, like I love my brothers. He’s family.”

“You are very lucky, then,” Kellan replied, softly. “I always wished for siblings, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

Eli laughed. “I don’t know about lucky. Cursed is probably a better description. The five of us drove each other, and everyone else in a fifteen mile radius, crazy. Jai was always the ring leader because he always had the best ideas. He has the most scheming mind of anyone I’ve ever met.”

It was Kellan’s turn to laugh. “That much has not changed. He is still a master schemer.”

“Has he been behaving himself?” Eli asked, hopefully.

“For the most part.” Kellan smirked. “Although, he’s got one of my Betas completely tied up in knots.”

“Dylan?” Eli guessed.

“You’ve got it in one.”

“What’s going on with them?” Eli asked, curiously.

Kellan paused, trying to put his finger on the best way to describe the problem. He sighed. “To be perfectly blunt about it, I believe that they are mates.”

“But that’s a good thing… Isn’t it?”

“Yes. Normally, it would be an amazing thing. They are two of my closest friends and some of the best men I have ever had the pleasure to know.”

Eli looked at him, in confusion. “Then, I don’t understand the problem.”

Kellan rubbed his hands over his face, sighing tiredly. “For whatever reason, neither of them will come out and claim the other. There was a rumor circulating a few months ago that Jai was going to announce that they were mates, but it never happened. I’ve tried talking to both of them about it, but neither is willing to discuss it.”

“Poor Jai,” Eli murmured sadly. “There would have to be a damn good reason for Jai not to claim his mate, if he knew about him. Even when we were pups, he’d always talk about wanting to meet his mate. He deserves to be happy. I hope they are able to work it out.”

“As do I,” Kellan agreed. “So tell me, if you and Jai are so close, why did you stay in Mason after Jai came to Grand Rapids and joined my pack? By the way the two of you act, I doubt there are very many things you’ve done apart.”

Eli smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Staying behind after the Pack forced Jai to leave was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I would have liked nothing better than to pack my shit and leave with him, but it wasn’t my time. I knew Jai was coming to you, so I knew he was going to be okay. My Pack, on the other hand, still needed me. I couldn’t leave them.”

“What about the Betas and Gammas of your old Pack? Surely your father, the Alpha, had them to help him with the Pack. Why did he need you so desperately?” Something wasn’t adding up with the situation Eli was describing. Kellan needed to understand what had happened.

“I never said my father needed me, Alpha Reeves. I said my Pack needed me.” Eli’s words were quiet, barely a whisper.

If Kellan hadn’t had enhanced hearing, he would have missed the words entirely. Leaning across his desk, he cupped Eli’s cheek with his large hand, gently rubbing his thumb across his cheekbone. Eli leaned into the touch, just enough for Kellan to register the movement. “Your Alpha, your Pack. Isn’t that the same thing, E?”

Eli rubbed his face gently against Kellan’s palm, startlingly reminiscent of a kitten, instead of the wolf he actually was. After one last pass against Kellan’s palm, Eli tilted his head to meet Kellan’s green-eyed scrutiny. “Not in the Mason Pack.”

Kellan wasn’t sure what Eli was trying to say, but he had a pretty good idea that, whatever it was, it wasn’t good. “What does that mean, E?”

Kellan was hoping to get to the bottom of it, when the door was thrown open and Tracy marched into the room like he owned the place. Eli jerked back until Kellan’s hand was no longer touching his face. Before his eyes, he could see Eli shutting down and his walls going back up. Kellan wanted to curse Tracy for his rudeness and his stupidity. If they hadn’t been friends for so long, he would have seriously considered having him punished for his behavior. Retaking his seat, he glared at the smaller man.

“What are you doing here, Tracy?” Kellan growled, his brow drawn down in anger.

“You were gone for so long,” Tracy whined pitifully, “and I missed you.” He flashed, what Kellan assumed was supposed to be a flirtatious smile before prancing across the room to him.

“As you can tell, I’m in a meeting. Eli has requested to join the Pack, and we have things to discuss.”

Tracy glanced over at Eli, an expression of disdain clearly stamped across his face. Kellan couldn’t understand this attitude from his ex. Maybe it had something to do with the very public make-out session Kellan and Eli had shared on the dance floor. Honestly, Kellan hadn’t given Tracy much thought, at the time. He’d been too overwhelmed with the realization that Eli was his fated mate. Besides, his arrangement with Tracy had always been one of convenience, not love. Still, Kellan should have known it was too much to ask for Tracy to be cool with everything and not make a scene.

Kellan was completely lost in his own thoughts when Tracy, apparently irritated about being ignored, launched himself into Kellan’s lap and proceeded to wrap his arms around his neck like he was a tree the smaller man wanted to climb.

While Kellan was far from pleased by Tracy’s actions, he was surprised when he heard the low, eerie growl that slipped out from between Eli’s clenched teeth and reverberated throughout the room. There was no missing the possessiveness in its tone. Kellan wasn’t even sure Eli was aware he was doing it, but Tracy was.

The slender redhead glared over at Eli, his pale eyes gleaming with a malicious light. Kellan didn’t know what the smaller man was thinking, but he was dangerously close to challenging a much stronger wolf.

“Kellan,” Tracy sneered, “you need to teach the new puppy some manners. It seems he needs someone to show him his place.”

“My place?” Eli snarled.

“Are you deaf? You talk to Kellan like you are his equal. Throw yourself at him.” Tracy shook his head, his mouth turned down into a scowl. “He is the Alpha of the Grand Rapids Pack and you are nothing more than a vagrant, seeking to take advantage of his giving nature. You’re not fit to stand before him. You should be on your knees.”

“No,” Kellan roared, “his place is at my side.”

Tracy jerked back, like he’d been slapped. “You’ve got to be kidding! You’re really gonna pick that homeless piece of trash over me?” The scorn in his voice was new, as was the rage smoldering in his eyes.

Before Kellan had a chance to defend his mate, Eli stepped forward, lips pulled back, canines bared, a warning growl resonating around them. Eli may not have been as big as Kellan—not many were—but he was still a very large male. He had a swimmer’s build with wide shoulders, a narrow waist and layers on layers of muscle that Kellan couldn’t wait to lick and taste. Eli had to have at least seventy-five pounds on poor little Tracy. The smaller man would never stand a chance.

The volume of Eli’s growl grew steadily louder and more menacing. Tracy looked to him for aid, but Kellan felt no pity for the man. Tracy had crossed a line and gotten himself into this mess—he would have to get himself out of it. When Tracy realized Kellan was not going to come to his aide, his brows furrowed and he glowered at Eli. Rising to his feet, he slowly made his way to the door. With a hand on the doorframe and his chin high, he turned to Kellan.

“You obviously need time to think things through. I’ll call you in a couple of days, when you’ve had time to get your priorities straight and have kicked the riffraff to the curb.” Tracy’s mouth curled into a sneer as his gaze flicked over Eli.

Eli’s body visibly tensed, the muscles and veins of his arms straining against his skin, his fists clenched so tight they were nearly white against his skin’s normal olive hue. When Eli took an angry step forward, Tracy bolted out of the room so fast Kellan could have sworn he left a vapor trail behind. Flinging open the door, he practically ran down Jai, Dylan and the rest of Kellan’s Betas who had apparently heard Eli growling and come to save the day. Kellan tried to stifle his laughter as Jai entered the room, watching Eli warily.

“You all right there, E?” Jai asked, concern heavy in his voice.

Kellan watched Eli blink slowly as if waking from a dream. He looked around, bewilderment clear on his face. “What happened?” he asked hesitantly.

“Oh, nothing really,” Jai drawled, sarcastically. “I mean, besides the fact that you just went all rabid dog on Tracy, nothing at all.”

For a moment, Eli’s expression was awash with confusion. Then, suddenly, that lack of understanding transformed into a look of pure horror, which then finally morphed into intense fury. The emotions were changing so fast, Kellan was having a hard time keeping up. The constant changing was so comical, Kellan had to fight back a laugh. When those blue eyes turned on him, rage burning in their depths, Kellan had a feeling the situation was about to get a whole lot less funny.

“You son of a bitch!” While the yelling was definitely a surprise, the large fist flying at his face was so unexpected, Kellan barely had time to rise from his seat and prepare for the hit. He was able to turn enough that the incoming fist slammed into his cheek instead of the eye it had been aiming for. The pain was incredible. Black spots bloomed before his eyes and it was all he could do to keep on his feet. Gritting his teeth kept him from shouting out, but just barely, as he waited for the pain to reach a bearable level.

“What the fuck, E?”

“Don’t ‘What the fuck, E?’ me, asshole! What the hell do you think you’re doing, kissing me when you’re involved with someone?” Chest heaving, Eli’s body was nearly vibrating with rage, his black eyes sparking with fury.

Kellan was so turned on, he nearly missed what Eli was saying. “Wait… What? Involved with someone? What the hell are you talking about? The only person I’m involved with is you.” Kellan was genuinely puzzled. Eli was his mate. There was no way he could be involved with someone else. He took a step closer, wanting to comfort his mate, only to be forcefully shoved back by the smaller man. However, even in his anger, Kellan could tell Eli held back. With his shifter strength, he would have been able to throw Kellan across the room if he’d wanted to. No matter what he said or did now, Eli definitely cared for him, at least enough to temper his anger and keep from causing him any serious harm.

“Don’t give me that bullshit, Kellan. When we walked in here, you had the redhead practically riding your cock for the whole club to see. Then, not five minutes ago, he’s climbing all over you like he’s a stripper and you’re his pole. How does that not translate to you being involved with someone?”

Eli was talking about Tracy? Kellan and Tracy hadn’t been dating, and they definitely hadn’t been exclusive. They’d just been having fun. They had just been passing the time until one, or both, of them met their mate. When Kellan had found Eli, his arrangement with Tracy had ceased to exist. Didn’t his mate understand that? And how could Eli’s lips look so amazing when he was scowling so viciously at him? It made him want to kiss his mate until the expression cleared.

Kellan leaned closer to Eli, entranced by the sight of his full bottom lip. The stormy look in his dark, bedroom eyes slammed into Kellan like a punch to the chest. Without a thought, Kellan reached out to brush his thumb gently across that plump bottom lip. When he pushed just the tip inside his mouth, Eli went so still, Kellan wasn’t even sure he was still breathing, his eyes impossibly wide. “Such a gorgeous mouth,” Kellan murmured to himself. “So beautiful. I can’t wait to see it stretched tight around my cock.”

Eli gasped before jerking back violently. Panic and anger filled his eyes. “What the fuck, Kellan?”

Realizing what he’d just let slip out, Kellan raised a hand, desperate to calm his skittish mate. “Calm down, baby. There’s nothing to get worked up about. Why don’t you take a seat and we can talk about things, okay?” Kellan soothed.

Eli’s eyes narrowed as he took a step back. “Fuck you, Kellan! I’m not your baby. I’m not your anything.” Turning his back on the Alpha, Eli made his way over to Jai. “I’m sorry, Jai. I can’t deal with this right now. My wolf’s too close.”

Jai flashed him a concerned smile. “Of course, bro. No worries. Do you need me to come with you?”

“I’ll be fine on my own.” Eli gave him a sly, slightly strained smile. “Why don’t you stay and blow off some steam before you come home?”

Jai laughed. “I think I might just do that. Thanks, man!”

“Stay safe and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. I’ll see ya later at home.”

Kellan watched helplessly as Eli gave his friend a quick clap on the back and turned on his heel. He was out of the back entrance of the club before Kellan even had the chance to wish him a good night. Dropping into his chair, he lowered his head, resting it on the desk.

“Fuck!!” he roared, furious with himself. He slammed his fist onto the table top.

Dropping down onto the couch, Jai leaned back and casually took a pull from his beer. He smiled cheekily, looking on as his Alpha had his breakdown.

“Well, Kellan, I’ve got to say, that could definitely have gone better.”