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    Brian's Mate
    Brian's Mate
    Brian's Mate
    Ebook158 pages2 hours

    Brian's Mate

    By Hollis Shiloh

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Brian is the alpha of the least impressive pack of wolves at the whole Moon Ceremony.  When a non-shifter is discovered uninvited in their midst, Brian bonds with the man to save his life.

     

    Luke has some misgivings, but Brian's tenderness is just what he needs—and not what he expected from a "werewolf."  He's starting to develop feelings for the gentle wolf shifter who rescued him.  

     

    Both Brian and Luke expect to quietly dissolve the bond later.  But some bonds are not so easy to cast aside.  If they want to actually build a life together, it will take love, dedication, and hard work.  Especially with all the new wolves who keep inviting themselves into their family.
     

     

    low heat

    ~42,000 words

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSpare Words Press
    Release dateMar 25, 2020
    ISBN9781393412458
    Brian's Mate

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      Book preview

      Brian's Mate - Hollis Shiloh

      About the story:

      Brian is the alpha of the least impressive pack of wolves at the whole Moon Ceremony.  When a non-shifter is discovered uninvited in their midst, Brian bonds with the man to save his life.

      Luke has some misgivings, but Brian's tenderness is just what he needs—and not what he expected from a werewolf.  He's starting to develop feelings for the gentle wolf shifter who rescued him. 

      Both Brian and Luke expect to quietly dissolve the bond later.  But some bonds are not so easy to cast aside.  If they want to actually build a life together, it will take love, dedication, and hard work.  Especially with all the new wolves who keep inviting themselves into their family.

      low heat

      ~42,000 words

      Brian's Mate

      by Hollis Shiloh

      Chapter One

      B rian, said Leo Conway , sticking his head around the corner of the breakfast buffet. We've got a problem. I think you'd better see.

      Brian Zonski, alpha of the Zonski pack (such as it was), put down his plate of bacon, eggs, and waffles, and followed Alpha Conway.

      Zonski was the tiniest pack among the members of the Farn-Group New York wolves' fraternity; at least, it was the tiniest pack that hadn't merged with another pack. There were only his brother, sister-in-law, and two cubs besides Brian. And they weren't here yet. Brian was pretty much the least-alpha alpha around.

      The fact that Conway, a bear-shaped, jovial, powerful man with short hair, was seeking his help was something extraordinary. Brian followed him from the sprawling country hotel, out the wide double front doors, and into the green beyond. Around them, tents spread; not everyone fit inside, even big as the hotel was. As an alpha, Brian was assured a room of his own, but it was a tiny apartment near the back, and he could hear the maids getting fresh linen every morning before he was quite ready to wake up.

      They hurried past the tents silently, eager not to wake anyone. The campfire dance and the stories, songs, matchmaking, and running through the woods the night before had been rousing, but exhausting, and many of them probably hadn't dropped off till dawn.

      It was, Brian had to admit to himself if no one else, pretty miserable being an alpha without a pack. He had nothing to do but watch. No ceremonies to perform. No introductions to make. No nothing, though he had gotten in some hunting last night, which was satisfying. There was nothing quite like eating rabbit fresh-caught in his wolf form.

      Down here, said Leo in a whisper, treading quicker now, but silently, as the big man always managed to do. When he was younger, Brian had a bit of a crush on Leo.

      They came upon a green clearing and stopped abruptly. Two of Leo's men stood guard, looking even more worried than their alpha. They looked at him like he would have all the answers. And now, drawing closer, Brian saw what they were guarding.

      A small man, seated on the ground in grass-stained jeans, with his knees drawn up to his chest. He had soft, pale-brown hair and a hunted expression in his huge, darting eyes. If he'd been a bit younger, Brian would've thought he looked about to cry. He was perhaps in his midtwenties, but no older. He had a slender build and didn't look strong enough to possibly need two grown men guarding him.

      Leo? asked Brian, turning to his friend. What's up?

      This... man... was here this morning. Asleep. He must've snuck onto pack land somehow. He's not one of us.

      No, agreed Brian, taking a deep sniff. He could smell it now: non-shifter. The man's scent intrigued him, though. He clearly hadn't bathed for a while, and his clothes carried his sweat and hints of his semen, too. But surprisingly, the maleness of the scent didn't irritate Brian, as strong scents often did. Some people went around reeking of hormones, but whatever this guy was leaking from his pores smelled damned good to Brian.

      He moved closer without meaning to. A single step. The seated man drew his knees closer to his chest and shivered. He cast Brian a defiant look, despite his bloodless, frightened face. Just because I'm not a Native American, that's no reason to kill me! There are still laws here, you know.

      Kill him? Brian turned to Leo, surprised by the rush of angry protectiveness he felt. What? His words came out in almost a growl.

      Leo grimaced. He raised and lowered his hand quickly, shushing him. Keep your voice down. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. He looked around furtively, and stepped nearer. The laws say we have to kill any intruder during Moon Ceremony. You know that. That's why we always have guards. I don't understand how this guy could've snuck past them, last night of all nights, but he was clearly here—

      I was taking pictures, said the non-shifter, sniffing. Is it illegal to take pictures in pretty wilderness areas now? He started to move, then thought better of it, and jerked his chin toward a camera that lay on the ground several feet away, next to a dilapidated backpack and a pair of old motorcycle boots.

      Brian looked down at the man's feet, and realized he was staring at rather dirty, damp, once-white socks. He didn't know why that gave him such a curling feeling of joy inside, just that he suddenly thought those small, smelly feet were some of the cutest he'd ever seen. He had to suppress a wildly inappropriate laugh at himself.

      It's still on the books. It's one of our more serious laws. He has to die. Unless....

      Brian couldn't bear to see the man flinch again, or the dull fear replacing his defiance. Brian stepped in front of Leo. Do you have to say this in front of him? he asked, irritation adding a sarcastic tinge to his voice.

      It's all right, said the man in a shaken voice. If you're going to kill me, I at least deserve to know.

      We're not. Brian spoke with absolute certainty. Are we, Leo? He turned back to his friend, eyes flashing.

      Leo reached up and scratched at his short hair, clearing his throat. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. If anybody needs more pack members.... He looked embarrassed to be saying even that much, and he clearly wasn't going to spell it out further.

      Brian gaped at him as the plan became clear. It was ludicrously simple—and not simple at all. All he had to do was claim Leo, before the rest of the clans and the head alpha found out, and nobody could touch him. There would be no blood on anyone's hands. He would simply have this man—this stranger, this non-shifter—as a part of his clan.

      You could undo it later, after Moon, Leo said quickly, rushing ahead. Just think about it. Do you really think the head alpha would bend the rules? He snorted. Not Farn. And my men found him. I don't want to be party to any bloodshed, Brian. He put a hand on his shoulder, looking deep into Brian's eyes. I can't take anyone new. It would be too hard, with the expectant mothers. Too much upheaval, and our resources are already thin. You have room. You could look after him till after Moon. He said everything but please, but his eyes said that, too.

      Brian nodded. Yes. Of course. Of course I will. He reached up and gripped Leo's shoulder in return, hard. Then he turned to the man crouching between two guards. Had they hurt him? Was that why he flinched when one drew a bit nearer, why he hadn't dared move even to reach for his camera? Despite the situation, and the danger of an intruder finding out about their lives, Brian felt a slow surge of anger churn in his guts. The wolf in him had heard and decided; this man was his.

      And nobody touched one of his pack.

      Just then, wolves in their human form burst into the clearing. Leading them was the large-shouldered Race Ginsin, Head Alpha Farn Ginsin's son and head enforcer. His father, slightly shorter and going gray, followed in his footsteps. Both had fire in their eyes.

      Several of their men flanked them, all carrying weapons ranging from knives to guns and machetes. Ginsin clan always had had a fetish for weapons.

      What's going on here? demanded Race. Someone said an intruder—

      My newest pack member has arrived, said Brian. He stepped in front of his new man, standing on guard. Race's eyebrows shot up and he stopped in his tracks, blinking. His father elbowed past him and glared down Brian.

      Brian was the same height as the barrel-chested Head Alpha, but wasn't nearly as strong. Yet he faced the man levelly. He is mine, said Brian.

      Farn took a deep, angry sniff, drawing his lips back like he was snarling. Not wolf. And you do not have my permission to add pack members, ground out the head alpha in a slow, low growl. It sent Brian's hackles rising, both literally and metaphorically. He kept his hands squeezed shut, to avoid making claws or raising angry fists. He was going there, was he? How dare he?

      I didn't ask your permission. He's my mate.

      Everyone gaped at that. Maybe Brian did a little, too. Farn even took a step back. Then his angry little eyes squeezed farther shut and he stepped forward again, pushing a finger against Brian's chest and tapping him twice on the sternum, hard. Each rap felt like a blow, but Brian didn't move.

      "If he is your mate, you can't have any other from among my wolves. Ever."

      Brian gulped, hard. But he didn't back down. He knew what he had promised now, but the wolf in him would not back down, nor would the man. If Farn thought Brian would step back with this threat and allow him to kill an innocent, well, he had some serious issues that didn't start or end with being an alpha. Even the Head Alpha.

      That's your decision, said Brian levelly.

      Then on your head be it. Men! Farn turned around and muscled his way through the meadow, back to the encampment.

      Brian stood there, with his fists clenched at his sides, his heart pounding and his adrenaline pumping.

      Leo gave him a shocked look, all the blood drained from his face. I am so sorry, Bry. Maybe—maybe we can get around... can fix this somehow. After a few months have passed.

      No, said Brian, surprisingly calmly. He won't forget, and neither will his son. He shrugged. It's not like anyone's been a good match for me so far. I'll just... live with it.

      Leo touched his arm, a compassionate gesture, and then they both turned as one to the man shivering on the ground.

      Brian felt some of his anger and sorrow drifting away at the sight of the man, his huge eyes and his chattering teeth. He felt his face softening into a rueful smile. Oh, come on, Big Eyes. Let's get you inside before you freeze.

      Y-you're not going to kill me, then? said the man.

      Of course not. Didn't you hear? You're part of my pack now.

      Brian reached out, caught his hand, and tugged him to his feet. The touch was surprisingly pleasant. He tugged the man toward him, catching him against his side when he would have fallen on his own, either from hunger, fear, or just rising too quickly and unbalancing. He smelled his scent even stronger here, and it was an intoxicating smell.

      Your p-pack, said the man.

      Yes, said Brian calmly. Could you tell me your name? Or should I just give you one, since I'm your alpha now?

      He was teasing, but the man just blinked at him in confusion. I'm... your mate. You said it. What, um.... He looked away suddenly, blushing.

      You don't have to do anything you don't want, promised Brian in a soothing voice, tightening his arm around the slim, shivering shoulders. It's just an official designation. Come on. Quick shower, big breakfast, you'll feel a world of difference. Giving him a reassuring pat on the arm, he led the reeling man away. Past the tents quickly as he could, not eager for anyone to

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