03-Strength of the Mate (32 page)

Adam didn’t doubt Paul’s words. His friend scared him a little, right now.

“This tribunal has examined your behavior and your character, Carson.” Noah sounded like he was tired of the circus. “I have no interest in examining your personal feelings and actions. Your resentment of Dawson Rivers, and his place as my former Omega is immature and petty. Your preoccupation with Adam Madison has become more obvious than I’m comfortable with. I doubt his lack of romantic interest in you is due to anything other than the fact that you’re a sleazy, unlikeable, insecure asshole. Now shut up, before I have Mercer gag you.”

Adam sat frozen. Noah’s words had left him numb. His skin crawled at the thought that Carson had targeted him for personal reasons. He couldn’t remember ever having contact with the guy that wasn’t an assault. Where the hell did romantic interest even fit in this mess?

“Dawson! Sit down,” Noah snapped.

Dawson’s reluctance was obvious. This time, it was Adam who covered Dawson’s clenched fist with a gentle hand.

“Mercer and Rodriguez?” Noah turned his attention back to the tribunal. “You’re the two friends who were sent out to investigate the victimizing of the humans aboard Camp Fallujah, correct?”

Jason and Paul both stood at ease, facing Noah.

“That’s right, Alpha,” Paul answered for them both.

“Is everything you’ve heard today consistent with what you uncovered during your interviews of the drivers and other human staff?”

“Yes, Alpha,” replied Jason.

“Carson’s accusations of why the two of us were given the task aren’t true, Alpha,” Paul said fiercely.

“I’m aware of that,” said Noah. “But what’s your understanding of why your pack leader entrusted the two of you with the task?”

“We were happy when Rivers arrived here, because we hoped he would help the
sippe
to have more effective leadership,” Paul explained carefully. “We approached him about the issues we knew about, and personal and professional friendships developed from there. Rivers was aware we could be trusted to carry out his instructions quickly and correctly. Our friendship with Madison was unrelated to our friendship with Rivers.”

“That’s my understanding of the events, too,” Noah said, sitting back in his chair. He looked a little more relaxed, but he hadn’t retracted his fangs and claws. “That’s all I need from the two of you, at least for now.”

As Jason and Paul resumed their seats, Noah looked up at the front of the room. “Major Aceves? Do you need any more information to make your determination regarding Court Martial?”

The major stood, Captain Murphy beside him, and glanced over the notepad he’d been scribbling on during the tribunal. “No, Staff Sergeant Hammond, I have what I need to get the process started. Thank you.”

As they resumed their seats, Noah and Lucas both stood up. “On your feet. Both of you,” he snapped.

Granger and Carson were both slow to stand. Mercer and Rodriguez got to their feet quickly, yanking the other two up out of their chairs.

“Because I don’t have the authority to have the two of you shipped out of here, your discipline will take place here aboard Camp Fallujah,” Noah declared. “It will be enforced by Dawson Rivers, with assistance from Paul Mercer and Jason Rodriguez, obviously. Our laws are necessary because werewolves possess tremendous strength and skill. Our laws protect humans from abuse by cowardly shifters who have to victimize others in order to feel good about themselves.

“As much as I would like to Cast you both Out, I’m not able to at this point in time. I am, however, ordering that you both be Shamed.” Noah’s anger crackled over Adam’s skin like a summer electrical storm. “Two wolf runs will be constructed at opposite ends of the base. For the remainder of your deployments here, you will spend the nights of the full moon in the runs, bereft of the companionship of your fellow pack members. This punishment will continue in the same manner upon your returns to the States, until you have each spent thirty consecutive months, running in isolation.”

Noah’s anger lingered in the room after he’d finished speaking. A tense silence dominated the room. Noah swept his icy gaze over everyone there, as if challenging someone to contradict him.

“Get them both out of my sight,” Noah snarled. “We’ll assemble at sundown for the Shaming.”

Paul and Jason nearly dragged Carson and Granger out of the room by the shoulders of their uniforms. The tension left the room with them. Captain Murphy approached Noah, speaking in hushed tones, gesturing over his shoulder toward Major Aceves. Things had gone both better and worse than Adam had expected. He was still going to have to deal with Granger and Carson, but at least their hold on the camp was broken.

“You okay?” Dawson asked. He placed both hands on Adam’s shoulders, giving a reassuring squeeze.

“Mostly.” Adam tried to smile reassuringly. “I have some questions, though.” What about all the werewolves who had followed Granger’s lead? Was a Shaming what Adam thought it was?

“Give me a few minutes to check in with Noah, and we’ll go somewhere and talk.” Dawson pressed a quick kiss to Adam’s lips before releasing him to go and speak with Noah.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Late in the afternoon, every werewolf stationed at Camp Fallujah, except for Lance Granger and Nick Carson, gathered in the truck yard. Adam stood between Dawson and Lucas, watching the growing crowd. Noah paced in front of them, scanning the members of his pack.

Adam watched with wide-eyed wonder. He’d been so wrapped up in Dawson’s fight for dominance, the last time the entire
sippe
assembled, he hadn’t noticed just how many werewolves were assigned here. Adam couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that this was just a small fraction of the number of werewolves in Noah’s entire pack.

His stomach twisted itself into nervous knots. While they waited for the sun to set, Noah and all of the weres were gonna shift. Dawson explained that it would give the werewolves the chance to meet their True Alpha. They’d play and socialize, and it would strengthen the bond between the wolves and Noah. Meeting the True Alpha and his Dominant was a massive morale booster for the
sippe
.

“They’re the first pairing of this kind in several centuries,” Dawson said quietly. They stood close together, Dawson explaining what was happening, and what Adam should expect as the night wore on.

“I remember Tim saying something like that,” Adam replied. He was afraid he was gonna be sick. He dreaded having to witness the Shaming. How was it any different from what Carson and Granger had done to all their victims?

Dawson rubbed his hands up and down Adam’s arms. He looked directly into Adam’s eyes, unblinking. His smile was reassuring. “Stick close to Lucas, he’ll guide you through everything. You can ask him questions if you’re not sure about what’s going on. I’m really glad you’re here with me.”

Those last words warmed Adam. Some of his tension bled away. He felt trapped by Dawson’s gaze. Adam gave him a shaky smile. He placed his hands on Dawson’s hips, stepping in closer. He liked Dawson’s comfort with public affection. Dawson’s willingness, his insistence on showing the world they shared an intimate relationship, strengthened Adam’s faith in it.

He was suddenly struck with the urge to kiss Dawson. Adam had never initiated the public affection before. Leaning in, he pressed his mouth against Dawson’s. Adam closed his eyes when Dawson returned the kiss. They lingered for several moments before Adam drew back, breaking the kiss with a quiet smack.

Adam was grinning like an idiot when he opened his eyes.

“Break it up, you two. We’re getting started.” The humor in Noah’s voice belied his words of censure.

Adam turned to find both Lucas and Noah smirking at them.

“Ready to get the show started?” Lucas asked Noah.

“Might as well,” Noah answered.

All the werewolves had shown up in only their uniform pants and T-shirt. None of them wore their uniform blouses. Noah leaned down, unlaced his boots, and toed them off. Tucking his socks inside his boots, he removed his uniform hat and tossed it down on top of his boots. Noah turned and held his hand out to Lucas.

The werewolves had formed a huge ring in the truck lot. Lucas tossed his own hat down with Noah’s. He took Noah’s hand and let himself be led to the middle of the circle. As the pair strode confidently toward the center, conversation ceased, and all eyes followed them. Adam was struck by their charisma, individual and combined. They each exuded power and authority. Everything about them carried a hint of sex. Adam was surprised when his cock stirred. It couldn’t be good that he was getting turned on by Dawson’s True Alpha and Dominant.

They came to a stop in the center of the circle of werewolves, facing each other. Lucas cradled the back of Noah’s head, pulling him down for a kiss. Their kiss was hard and bruising, mouths sliding against each another. It looked to Adam like they were trying to devour one another. Adam’s mouth fell open at the blatant, and erotic sight.

Lucas pulled back with an audible smack. He forced Noah’s head back, pressing his mouth to Noah’s throat. Noah growled fiercely as Lucas marked his skin. Noah gripped Lucas’ shoulders, his fingertips going white. Noah’s eyes were closed, his mouth open slightly, as Lucas sucked marks into his throat. Adam recognized Noah’s expression; he’d worn a similar one when he was close to losing himself to pleasure.

Lucas released Noah and he slowly dropped to his knees. Adam couldn’t help picturing himself, down on his knees in front of Dawson. His cock hardened when he thought about Dawson fucking his mouth; when he imagined the taste and feel of Dawson’s prick in his mouth.

Noah sat back on his heels, resting his palms on the tops of his thighs. He looked up at Lucas with an expression that was both hungry, and submissive. Lucas reached down and grasped the hem of Noah’s T-shirt. He pulled it up and over Noah’s head, tossing it aside. Noah knelt docilely, naked from the waist up.

Without warning, Adam felt like he’d collided with a wall of heat. He labored to breathe, but the air around them held so much power, every breath was a struggle. Power hung thick around them. His hair stood up, gooseflesh rose on his skin, and his entire body tingled. It was like a constant, low voltage wave was breaking over him.

“What the hell is that?” Adam asked breathlessly, trying to drag air into his lungs through his open mouth.

Dawson stepped in behind Adam, wrapping his arms around his chest. “That’s their power. That’s the power they wield together,” he murmured against Adam’s ear. Dawson rubbed his erection against Adam’s ass.

Lucas pulled Noah’s dog tags over his head and slid them around his own neck. Taking several steps back, Lucas left Noah kneeling where he was. “Our wolves are anxious to greet you, Noah.” Lucas’ voice rang clear, carrying his formal, ceremonial words to everyone gathered there. “Call our Pack, Alpha.”

Noah dropped onto all fours and his tanned skin was replaced by white fur. Everything about him blurred for several moments before a large white wolf stood where Noah had been. Stepping forward, Noah kicked his hind legs until he was free of his clothing.

Adam watched in rapt fascination as Noah ran circles in the center of the ring. He’d thought Dawson was a huge wolf, but Noah was enormous.

“I don’t have to worry about you falling for my Alpha, do I?” Dawson murmured into Adam’s ear, nipping playfully at his earlobe.

“N-n-n-no!” Adam said, trying to turn in Dawson’s arms. “I just didn’t realize his wolf was that big.”

“I know.” Dawson chuckled as he released Adam and stepped away. “Your pheromones only spike when I touch you.”

“Oh.” Adam’s brain struggled to catch up with Dawson’s teasing. He watched Lucas gather the scattered pieces of Noah’s uniform, folding them neatly. “What’s next?” he asked.

Lucas stacked the uniform on top of Noah’s boots. “Are you going to wait to be called, Dawson?” Lucas asked.

“As pack leader, I’ve got enough rank, no one will even notice if I shift on my own.” Dawson leaned over to unlace his boots. “I’m also hosting your stay aboard Camp Fallujah.” He toed off his boots and socks.

“Wait! Do we have to…you know…what Lucas and Noah just did?” Adam was not ready to put on that type of display. How did Tim even handle being mated to an Alpha?

Dawson smiled playfully. “And if I said yes?”

“Christ, Rivers.” Lucas shook his head, giving Dawson a rueful expression. “You threw him into the deep end less than a month ago. Let him learn to tread water before you start pushing his head under.”

“But his expressions are priceless.” It looked like Dawson was pouting at Lucas.

“You’re an ass,” Adam hissed.

“And you have a cute ass.” Dawson pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it at Adam. When he reached to unfasten his pants, his dog tags swung from his neck, bouncing against his chest.

Adam remembered Lucas’ actions. He reached for the chain that hung around Dawson’s neck. “Here. I’ll hold on to these for you.” The tags rested against Adam’s chest before he realized what he’d done.

Dawson’s smile faded when his eyes landed on his tags where they hung from Adam’s neck. His eyes darkened slightly.

“Did I do something wrong?” Adam asked nervously. Jeremy wore Tim’s dog tags, so he hadn’t thought there’d be a problem. Did it have a deeper meaning than he’d realized?

Dawson shook his head. He still stared mutely at his tags against Adam’s chest. Finally, he stepped closer, cupping a hand over the tags and pressing them more tightly against Adam’s body. “I like knowing you’re wearing them. Thank you.”

Adam relaxed in relief. “You’re welcome.” He swallowed, waiting for Dawson to speak or move. The silence finally got to him. “I’ll take care of your uniform, too. Like Lucas is doing.”

With his other hand, Dawson cupped Adam’s chin. Using that hand to hold him steady, Dawson placed a gentle kiss on Adam’s lips.

Pulling back and smiling brilliantly, Dawson shoved his pants down over his hips. Adam’s jaw dropped in surprise. He’d thought Dawson was going to shift the same way Noah had. Instead, Dawson tossed his discarded uniform trousers at Adam, and took several running steps toward the center of the circle. Dawson’s muscle and skin blurred before they disappeared. He was mid-step when he came down onto a set of forepaws, covered in brindle fur.