A low growl escaped the wolf, showing off an impressive mouth full of very sharp teeth. The sight and sound would have freaked Deke out, except the wolf wasn't growling at him. The wolf turned on the bed, then lay down, his chest over Deke's naked ass, hiding him from view.
Deke let out a slow breath, tears burning at the backs of his eyes. He swallowed hard, trying to control himself as a wave of relief washed over him. "Thank you," he whispered, just keeping his voice from cracking.
The wolf chuffed.
"Fuck this," the big stranger said. "Let's get out of here."
When the man moved toward the door, the smaller black wolf planted himself in front of the doorway. Head lowered, canines exposed, the wolf snarled and snapped at him.
"Shit," the smaller male squeaked, backing against the wall and wringing his hands.
"Oh, get out of the way, Laramie," Synthia ordered. She'd obviously recognized both shifters and was still trying to come off as the most dominant of the group. "We're leaving!"
Instead of moving, the wolf, Laramie, threw his head back and howled.
Synthia's eyes widened. "I'm not going down for this," she hissed. She turned and leaped head first out the broken window that the wolves had evidently entered through. The sound of tearing fabric and popping bones and muscle reached Deke, telling him she'd shifted.
"Oh, my God!" the small male squeaked. His blue eyes rolled into the back of his head and he crumpled to the floor.
Deke had no idea how long he laid there, the wolf draped over him. Turning his head, Deke noticed the other kept himself between the door and the window, making certain no one else escaped.
Finally, a knock sounded on the other side of the door. Laramie moved aside and barked. Declan strode into the cabin, followed by Lark, Shane, Leo, and several men Deke didn't know.
Declan, flanked by one of the strangers, crossed to the still-standing men, and ordered, "On yer knees. Hands on yer head."
Lark and Leo rushed across the room to the bed. When they reached Deke's side, the wolf hopped from the bed. Leo produced a knife, slicing the bonds holding his arms behind his back. Painful tingles shot up his extremities. Deke whimpered and hissed.
"Easy," Lark urged, reaching out and massaging his arms. "It'll be okay in a few minutes." Then, Lark's gaze fixated on Deke's shoulder. "Awe, damn," he whispered as he began fingering Deke's shoulder and upper arm. "Dislocated," he confirmed.
"Pop it back in," Deke ordered.
"You sure?" Lark asked, concern filling his eyes.
Deke nodded. "Yeah, just-Fuck!"
Before he'd even finished speaking, Lark used his hold on his shoulder and arm to jerk him. Pain spiked through Deke, followed by a dull throb.
"Let's get you out of here," Leo murmured, wrapping an arm around his torso and helping him to his feet. He gripped the waist of Deke's jeans and tugged them up. "Luther will be very happy to see you safe."
Deke sighed and pressed close to Leo. "Me, too."
Lark touched his good shoulder. "I'll go with you. I'd like to check you out fully."
Nodding, Deke began hobbling toward the door, then he paused and turned to see a naked, heavily bearded man leaning against the wall watching him. Stepping up to him, he swallowed hard, then threw himself at the man.
"I'm glad ye're okay," the man rumbled, his voice deep and soothing.
"Thanks to you and your friend."
"Friends," the man gently corrected. "Good idea, howlin' the way ye did." He cupped Deke's jaw and tilted his head back so their gazes met. His smile appeared kind. "Ye sounded like a stuck pig more than a wolf, but it certainly got our attention. As soon as we peeked through the window and saw what was going on, we sent Jamie to get Declan. Laramie and I just held the bastards off," he murmured, easing him back a pace. "I'm Michel McDover."
"Deke Sommers," he replied. "I'm in your debt."
"As am I." Leo stepped forward. "Good to see you again, Michel."
Michel sniffed the air. "Ye're not his mate." His eyes narrowed. "Where is Deke's mate?"
"Luther is on his way from Sacramento, flying as fast as Manon can possibly go, I'm sure," Leo replied.
"Sacramento," Deke said. "What's he doing there?"
Leo grimaced. "It seems you and Luther will have a number of things to talk about."
As Deke allowed Leo to lead him out the door, he heard Michel tell Declan that Synthia was involved. He sure hoped the bitch got what was coming to her.
Chapter Twelve
Luther opened the door to his home and stalked through the house.
It'd been four days since Deke's abduction and the only reason Luther had agreed to leave his mate this day was because Kade, one of the pack's enforcers, had finally tracked down Synthia. When Luther had asked Deke what kind of restitution he wanted for her treachery, he'd asked if there was something akin to a human restraining order. He just hadn't ever wanted to see her again.
While Luther couldn't guarantee-well, not unless they killed Synthia, which Deke had refused-that she wouldn't return, she could be branded and banned from their pack. He'd explained that Frankie's brother, Reb, was a tattoo artist. The shifter would place a small figure eight on the inside of Synthia's left wrist in magick ink-yes, there really are witches and warlocks-which would mark her as a mate traitor-someone who couldn't be trusted with a mate.
When Deke had asked how Synthia even knew of his trouble with Michael, Declan had explained that Shane's mate, Caroline, was best friends with Synthia. Shane had discussed the problem with Caroline, and his mate had told Synthia, unwittingly arming the jealous wolf with an idea of how to get rid of Deke.
Deke had even said he didn't want to be involved in sentencing Michael and his friends for their attempted rape. Luther actually appreciated that and had no qualms about requesting the humans be put to death for their actions. Hell, if they were willing to do that to Deke, then it stood to reason that if they hadn't raped someone in the past, they would in the future. Luther personally believed he was doing the world a favor.
Jared had said it would be done.
While Luther figured word would get around to Deke eventually of Michael's execution, he hoped it wouldn't be for a while, yet. He didn't want anything to change his sweet, sassy, soft-hearted mate.
Luther knew he'd been smothering Deke ever since, but his wolf just wouldn't allow his mate out of his sight. Truth be told, Luther had been enjoying their time together, knowing the opportunity to have sex in any room of the house at any time would end when Stephani returned from camp.
With that thought in mind, Luther rounded a corner and stopped dead in his tracks. He gulped, watching Deke shake his hips as he worked on something at the counter. Wearing only a pair of jean short shorts that Luther had never before seen, Deke's bubble butt seemed to bounce before him and his fingers twitched to grip those globes.
Luther must have made some noise, for Deke turned and grinned widely. "Hey, you're back. Everything go all right?"
"Yes," Luther croaked, swallowing to get moisture to his suddenly dry throat. "Where'd you get those?"
Deke chuckled and spun. "You like? Jason came over. The company he orders his clothes from sent the wrong size and he thought they may fit me." Deke grinned. "He was right. So?"
Since the incident-as Deke and Jason had come to call it-Deke had been welcomed by Michel's circle. He hung with Michel's mate, Jason, as well as fellow wolf shifter Jamie. Luther knew that, in the future, if he ever couldn't find his mate, he could call one of those guys and they'd be able to tell him.
Hell, Luther and Leo had joined Michel and his crew for a barbeque already, then enjoyed a run in the forest in wolf form. He didn't even have to worry about leaving his mate alone, because he had Jason and Laramie's mate, Denise, to hang out with.
Taking in the whole picture of his mate, Luther's gaze snagged on the blue nail polish on Deke's toes, then on the eyeliner accentuating his mate's sparkling green eyes. "Yes," he murmured. "Gods yes. You're absolutely fuckable."
Luther's cock ached in his suddenly too tight jeans and he pressed the heel of his palm against it.
Grinning, Deke rubbed a slender-fingered palm over his flat belly. "Mmm, glad you like."
"I do," Luther rumbled, stalking forward. That's when he spotted it. He wasn't the only one turned on. The flushed cap of Deke's erection could just be seen, only partly hidden by the waistband of his tiny shorts. Rumbling softly, Luther reached out and dipped his fingertip into Deke's shorts, massaging his mate's cock head. "Finish making lunch," he ordered gruffly. "I'm gonna watch." He scooped up a bead of pre-cum and, lifting his finger to his mouth, licked it from his finger.