“That night she created the first werewolf. Not man, nor beast, but a medley of the two. Man would dominate and walk the world, yet the wolf would be internal always—challenging man’s wants and desires. During times of the full moon, the Moon Goddess’s pull is immense, a tactile entity and man will change into the beast he hunted and killed, running through the forest of earth on four paws rather than two feet. Though in times of great stress and need, man can choose to be wolf.”
Reed blushed. “That’s the legend, not my words.”
“No, it sounded amazing. I wish I had a history like that,” Josh said wistfully.
“You could, you know.” Reed snapped his mouth closed and his body tensed.
Dammit, he didn’t want to pressure him. Josh needed to take his time and decide if he wanted to be mates and become a werewolf. The other man didn’t need Reed breathing down his neck.
“I know,” Josh whispered. “Just give me more time.”
Hannah patted both of their hands. “Come on, no sadness. This will be fun. We’re going to see another side of Reed. That’s the whole point of us staying here. To get to know one another before we decide if we want to commit to eternity. Oh, and the sex. I’m staying for that too.”
Both men burst out laughing.
They needed each other more than he thought. They balanced one another, kept them on their toes. They were perfect.
They walked out to the backyard, and Reed inhaled the crisp cool air. The moon pulled at him. As werewolves, they hunted at night. He didn’t want to endanger his mates by going outside in the dark, but he couldn’t leave them alone and unprotected either. The full moon lit up the forest so even a human could see their way. Though it was cold and should probably be snowing, the air felt dry, very odd for northern Washington. A tingling feeling went up his arms. Maybe it was because he needed to shift.
“So we’re going to hunt together. My family will most likely be hunting with the rest of the Pack or not at all. We don’t have to change at the full moon if we don’t want to.”
“Is Willow going to change?” Hannah asked.
“She can, changing into a wolf doesn’t hurt the baby, but she won’t most likely,” Reed said. “Melanie wants to go out tonight with Kade, so Finn will be hanging out with Jasper and Wil.”
“Are they okay with you not joining them?” Josh asked.
Reed shrugged. “We don’t have to go out as a Pack. It’s nice, but since you two aren’t wolves, it might be dangerous.”
“Would they hurt us? I thought wolves retained their humanity, even after the change.” Josh sounded worried.
Reed shook his head. “You have to remember, at three years old, pups can start to change. So there are toddlers and adolescents out there who are still learning their control. They are never alone, which makes it safer, but I don’t want there to be an accident.”
Hannah wrapped her arms around him and kissed under his chin. “Okay. Now get naked.”
A discreet cough over Reed’s shoulder stopped him from laughing. Damned wolf was too good at hiding and he hadn’t sensed him until now.
“Hello, Maddox,” Reed grunted.
“Don’t sound so happy to see me or anything, big brother.” Maddox casually strolled into the backyard and said hello to Hannah and Josh, but there was nothing casual about his little brother. Energy and tension rolled off him, something Reed was used to. The power that Maddox held would kill a smaller man. Since he could feel every emotion in the Pack, Maddox always had to have a higher control than anyone else.
“Sorry, Maddox, I was just surprised to see you here.”
Maddox shrugged. “I thought I’d hang out with you guys for a while then go off on my own.”
Something the Omega does well.
“Plus, I thought if Hannah had any questions about being part of the Pack in a position as the Healer, she could ask me. Or at least know I’m here if she needs me.”
“Oh.” Hannah bit her lip. “I don’t have any right now. I don’t feel any different. I guess it’s because I’m not part of the Pack yet.”
Maddox shrugged again, looking out in the forest at something Reed couldn’t see. If there was even anything there. “Okay. Just let me know.” He turned to Reed. “Is it okay if I join you then?”
“That’s fine with me as long as it doesn’t bother Hannah or Josh.”
Hannah nodded.
“Sure, man,” Josh put in. “I don’t see why not. Plus, I’d like to see another wolf change, if that’s okay.”
Maddox nodded but didn’t smile. His brother never seemed to smile these days.
“Fine, but don’t be showing off your junk to my mates,” Reed joked.
Well, it wasn’t that much of a joke.
Maddox raised a brow. “Worried?”
Reed’s only response was a growl.
Hannah laughed then looked Maddox over. “He is kind of cute.”
She squealed when Reed threw her over his shoulder and carried her to the other side of the lawn.
“And you?” Maddox asked Josh. Reed could hear the humor in his tone.
Josh just laughed and held out his hands. “Not interested, man. Sorry.”
Maddox just stared. “Didn’t think you were.”
The skin on Reed’s arm rippled.
Damn, he needed to change. Soon
.
“Reed, are you okay?” Hannah whispered.
Reed looked down at her wide-eyed face. “Yeah, I just need to change soon. But it doesn’t hurt; don’t worry. The moon’s pulling at my wolf. I haven’t changed in the two weeks you’ve been here. Not since the cabin.”
“You shouldn’t hide your wolf.” Maddox stared at him.
Reed looked at Maddox and swore. He could never hide anything from the dammed wolf.
“I’ve been preoccupied. But I haven’t hid anything. My wolf understands,” Reed said quickly.
His wolf didn’t respond. Shit.
“You shouldn’t deny your nature,” Maddox argued.
Hannah jumped in. “Hey, don’t fight. Reed’s doing great. He doesn’t deny anything. He’s never hidden that he’s a werewolf or anything like that from us.” She paused and turned toward him. “Right? Have you?”
“I hope you haven’t,” Josh added. “Not because of us.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry. I’ve just been doing other things,” Reed sputtered. “I’m going to change now.”
Hannah poked him in the chest. “You better. Because I love that you’re a werewolf. I think you’re cute.”
Maddox coughed.
Bastard.
“And,” Josh continued, “I like you as a wolf. You need to show me this side of you. Plus eventually I might turn. If you don’t show me how it is, how am I ever going to know if this is right? I need to know everything and you can’t deny who you are any more than Hannah can deny that she’s a witch. Change,” Josh ordered.
Happiness filled Reed. Josh was thinking about the future and was actually considering becoming a wolf.
Thank God
. Why the hell was he hiding from them? He hadn’t changed over the past two weeks because he hadn’t wanted to scare them. Hadn’t wanted to remind them of the inherent danger that came with being mated to a werewolf. But why?
Reed shook his head. He was an idiot.
“Okay,” Reed replied. “I’ll show you.”
“Touching,” Maddox deadpanned.
For a guy so in tune with everyone else’s emotions, he sure was an ass.
Josh pulled Hannah into his arms and smiled. “Go for it.”
Reed kissed them both then stripped down. Hannah whistled and he shook his ass.
“Dude. Never. Do. That. Again.” Maddox rubbed his eyes. “I think I’m blind.”
Whoops, forgot he was there. Whatever.
Maddox took off his shirt, and Reed growled. “Hey, what did I say about your junk?”
“You just whipped yours around. I’m going to bend so they can’t see. Geez. Get over it. If they want to live with the Pack and go on hunts, they better get used to nudity.”
Hannah laughed. “Oh, I’m fine with it. Continue, Maddox.” She yelped when Josh bit her neck.
“I will deal with you later,” Reed growled playfully.
“I’ll count on it,” Hannah purred.
That’s great. Get an erection right when you have to change in front of your brother. Not awkward at all.
Thankfully Maddox was already in the throes of his change so he couldn’t remark about Reed sporting wood. Reed bent down and pulled on his magic. His skin rippled again, fur sprouting. His muscles and bones stretched, broke, and rearranged.
Soon he sat on his haunches as a wolf, breathing in the mountain air that seemed crisper to his new scenes. Hannah walked toward him and kneeled by his side. She kissed his muzzle then petted his flank and rubbed behind his ears. He leaned into her touch. If he were a cat, he’d be purring by now.
Josh slowly stepped forward and crouched near Hannah.
“You okay?” he asked.
Reed gave a slight nod, and Josh rubbed his back. He sighed inwardly. Both his mates felt so good and understood who he was. This was perfect.
Maddox grunted behind him and nipped at his heels. Reed turned and looked at the gray and tan wolf with green eyes. So, he wanted to play? He loved fighting with his brothers, but Maddox usually stayed away. This should be fun.
Reed let out a short bark and tilted his head at Josh and Hannah.
“Go,” Josh said. “I can track you. We’ll find you. Have fun with your brother.”
“But be safe,” Hannah added.
Maddox and Reed took off into the forest. His paws beat down on the dirt floor, and the wind rustled his fur. Why did he deny himself this? This was part of him. He was a werewolf.
“It’s about time. I’ve missed this too, you know.”
Reed sighed at his wolf. Yeah, he’d fucked up.
“It’s okay. I understand why you did it. But we need to mate with Josh and Hannah already, then everything can go forward.”
Reed wanted to laugh. If only it were that easy.
A gray ball of fur slammed into his side as Maddox came out of nowhere.
Shit, he really needed to pay attention.
Both of them yipped and growled, biting but not using too much force. They fought and rolled through the brush until finally Maddox pinned him.
He always won. Stupid brother.
Maddox bit into Reed’s scruff, growled, then released him. Sometimes Reed could best one of his brothers, but Maddox always knew what Reed’s next move was. Eerie.
His brother inclined his head then shot off into the distance, most likely going home. Maddox always stayed alone unless someone needed him. He might be an ass, but if someone needed him for something, he’d be there in a moment’s notice. Being the Pack’s Omega wasn’t a job for him but a duty. A calling.