Whithowe Forest Pack 1

Alpha Second
When Charlie Michaelson stumbled onto the pack as a teenager, Alpha Perry Wyndham was overjoyed to realise the young wolfshifter would one day be his mate. Then Charlie vanished just before his 18th birthday, the age at which he could have been claimed. Now, three years later, Charlie has finally been found, but he is starved and broken and not expected to last the night. As Charlie begins to recover, things come to light which will change the lives of the entire pack forever. As the full story unfolds, a deeper wedge is driven between him and his mate, leaving both men feeling rejected and alone. Charlie is devastated to feel Perry backing away, and Perry cannot hope Charlie will still want him after all the young shifter has suffered through. Will they be able to find their way through the misunderstandings and the shadows of the past to finally claim each other? Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves Length: 39,687 words

ALPHA SECOND
Whithowe Forest Pack 1

Violet Joicey-Cowen

EROTIC ROMANCE MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only ONE LEGAL copy for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer. WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at legal@sirenbookstrand.com

A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove

ALPHA SECOND Copyright 2013 by Violet Joicey-Cowen E-book ISBN: 978-1-62740-002-2 First E-book Publication: June 2013 Cover design by Harris Channing All cover art and logo copyright 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers
Dear Readers, If you have purchased this copy of Alpha Second by Violet JoiceyCowen from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

Regarding E-book Piracy This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book. The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment. This is Violet Joicey-Cowens livelihood. Its fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Joicey-Cowens right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

DEDICATION
For the encouragement and the criticism (negative and positive), thank you. Without both this book would not be here today. Specific thanks go to Val L Hughes. Thank you Val for all the work, editing the book with me and helping me get it ready to send off. Thank you also to Marieke and Sandie. It blows my mind how much both of you (and Val) believe in me! You will both get there too, I just know it. Also thank you to my son for putting up with pizza and pasta and other easy foods when I am editing, and my dogs for getting me out of the house and making me get some fresh air. This is for all of you.

ALPHA SECOND
Whithowe Forest Pack 1 VIOLET JOICEY-COWEN
Copyright 2013

Prologue
You stupid mutt! What the hell have you done to yourself? You poor bastard. The words came at Charlie through the haze of pain that had been steadily growing worse for the last day or two. Well then, lets see what we can do about The voice, which sounded vaguely familiar, paused. Holy shit! Charlie? Is that you? The voice managed to sound both stunned and horrified at the same time. Charlie whined, struggling to lift his head and open his eyes so he could look at the owner of the voice. The days caught in the trap with no food, and only a little rainwater to drink, had taken their toll on his already nearly broken body, and his head fell heavily back to the hard ground. Easy, man, fuck! This is going to hurt like a bitch! Try and hold still, I have to get this thing off you. There was a metallic scraping sound, and then the pain in his foot intensified. It felt like it was getting ripped off. Then there was blessed relief as the pain began to ease a little. Charlie lay there panting for a few minutes with darkness circling and a roaring noise in his ears before his head slowly cleared. Able to

Alpha Second

lift his head now, he glanced back quickly to check his foot was actually still attached, then struggled to rise and stand on three very shaky legs. The fourth leg ended in the mangled mess that the trap had made of his foot. He didnt want to look at it too closely, afraid of what he might see. His liberation from the trap had given him the necessary energy to stand and look properly at his rescuer. It was a much older Jason. The boy he had known was nearly a man, taller, broader across the shoulders, and his face was slimmer. Charlie chuffed at him, the first face that was both familiar and friendly that he had seen in a very long time. Can you make it to Carden? Jason asked, looking at him doubtfully, and Charlie chuffed again, hobbling forward a few paces. Every movement sent a wave of agonising sensation through him, and he had to struggle not to be sick. But he would let nothing stop him now that he was so close. The last time he had seen Jason, the boy as he had been then had been unable to shift yet. That had obviously changed as he started to strip out of his clothes. Once he was naked, his body rippled and sprouted fur, bones twisting and contorting in a very painful looking transformation. Though, as Charlie knew, after the first time it happened there was no pain involved. The transformation took only moments, and soon there was another wolf standing next to Charlies own furry body. The second wolfs fur had a more rusty edge to it than his own brown colouring, and he was quite obviously not fully grown yet. His leggy form stood in stark contrast to the pitiful figure Charlie made. Jasons wolf sniffed at him, whining at the scent of the unusual sickness his situation had caused, that and the filth of the cells that still clung to his fur. They set off slowly, shoulder to shoulder, making their way through the trees. Charlie leaned against Jason when he needed the support. He needed it often, and he thanked Jason with a whine or a lick to the ear every time. There were long periods where all Charlie could do was stumble forward, letting his paws

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swing under him as his head swam. Jason kept him upright, and Charlie knew he would have never made it without him. Several rather long hours later, they broke through the tree line around several houses that were spaced apart. They were going even slower now than their initial painstaking pace, but they eventually approached the largest house. The houses, along with a few others that were still out of sight among the trees, made up the hamlet called Whithowe-cum-Carden and were made up of a mixture of brick and stone. Most of the residents just used the last part of the name, calling it Carden. When Charlie collapsed at the bottom of the front steps, Jason shifted and bolted to the door. He hammered on it and rushed inside without waiting for a response. Perry was concentrating heavily on the numbers in front of him when the banging on the front door tore his attention away from the screen. Perry? Perry! Where are you? In the office, Jase, whats wrong? Perry rose and went to stand half out of the office door. He watched while a naked Jason slid to a halt in front of him, skidding slightly on the glossy finish of the parquet wood floor. Each and every one of the boys thousands of freckles showed vividly against the paleness of his body. Hes here, man! Hes real sick, but hes back! Jason turned and ran back the way he had come, vanishing again. There was only one person Jason could be talking about. Going pale for a moment and leaning heavily against the doorframe, Perry drew a deep breath, the ever-present ache in his chest pulsing with a new awareness, then he took off after the other man. Perry found Jason crouched outside next to an unconscious, emaciated brown wolf. What Perry swallowed, trying to contain his terror at the sight of Charlie what happened to him? I dont know. I found him hours ago, stuck in a damn bear trap. He must have been there for days, judging by the state of him. I didnt

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know if he would make it back here. God knows how he did. I would have come to get help, but I couldnt leave him. Not after the way he disappeared last time. I couldnt leave him alone. Jason looked between Perry and the wolf at his feet rather wildly. Perry laid a reassuring hand on Jasons freckled shoulder. Jason had done well and should know that Perry was proud of him and how he had reacted to the situation. Perrys gaze swung to the wolfs feet, and the big man fell to his knees and moaned as if in pain himself. Charlie, what happened to you? He buried his trembling fingers and his face in the dirty and matted fur around Charlies neck. The smell of sickness worried him even more than Charlies tattered appearance. Get Doc. His voice was muffled slightly by the fur, but Jasons enhanced shifter hearing must have picked the words up easily enough because he set off running once again after jumping up. Back less than four minutes later followed by a tiny brunette woman clutching a heavy black bag, Jason led the way into the house and up to Perrys bedroom, knowing thats where he would find his Alpha and the wolf. Perry would not have taken his mate anywhere else. Hannah, the brunette, let out a gasp of horror at the state of the wolf on the bed before getting her game face on and setting to work. Jase, go tell Betts to make a light broth, lots of it. She sent her younger brother off immediately as she bent over Charlies body. She glanced at Perry, feeling the puzzled look he was giving her. She explained as she sat on the edge of the bed that Charlie had been starving, slowly and for a long time by the look of him. The quicker they got some nutrients into him the better, but that his stomach would not be able to handle proper food right away. Perry paced and looked on while Hannah opened the medical bag she had brought with her, got out a syringe, and drew blood. She talked Perry through some of what she was doing as she was doing it. She said she would have put an IV with saline in, but with Charlie being a shifter it was probably a better idea to wait for the broth. It would hydrate him better with his faster metabolism. Hannah then

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cleaned and did her best to set and stitch the mess that was supposed to be a foot back together. Once Charlie could shift again, a lot of the damage would start to heal, but left as it was the paw would heal wrong. There were other, smaller, injuries that she found. Those would heal on their own if he pulled through, so she cleaned them and then left them alone. Some of the injuries she observed but left out of her notes and didnt mention to Perry as he came and went from the room. Charlies physical injuries would heal, but the mental scars from some of what she could tell had been done to him would take longer. Shifters were tough and extremely hard to kill, but it looked as though someone had been having a good try with Charlie. Hannah wasnt sure if, in the pitiful condition he was in, Charlie would survive the night. She would do everything in her power to help him. Not only was Charlie someone she cared about, but if he died it would destroy Perry.

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Chapter One: Charlie

It felt like he had been unconscious for a long time. He struggled to open his eyes, but he couldnt even feel them. Guards must have really done a number on me this time. He drifted off again. The second time he surfaced from the darkness, he felt his body go through the shift. He became aware that he was resting on something soft. The bones of his joints no longer rubbed against the hard pallet bed or the even harder stone floor. Nothing soft in my cell. Whats going on now? Where did they take me? The third time he swam up from the clinging blackness, he remembered his escape and the endless slog back to Carden after Jason had helped him out of the bear trap he had so stupidly got caught in. The light stabbed at his eyes when he finally managed to lift his lids, despite the weights that seemed to be attached to them. He must have flinched or made a noise because something drew the attention of the man in the chair next to where he lay. Charlie? A shudder ran through him at the sound of that voice, and he felt one large, trembling hand cup the side of his face and another slip into one of his own smaller hands where they lay on top of the covers. He realised he was lying in a bed. Bright, he managed. The hands disappeared, and he missed their touch, but they were not gone for long. He felt the sun on his face grow dim as he heard curtains hurriedly drawn then the hands came back. Charlie opened his eyes again and focused them on the redrimmed and green ones in the pale face hovering above his own. They

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were filled with worry as they looked down at him. You look like hell, love, he whispered. Perry choked out a startled laugh then pulled away. Charlie heard the sound of plastic on plastic being unscrewed, then something being poured and splashing into its new container. Perry turned back to Charlie with a bowl and spoon in hand. You need to eat, Charlie. Everything else can wait. He looked at Charlie, then down at the heavy stoneware bowl, and back to Charlie again before putting the bowl down once more. He stood and slid his arms carefully around Charlie, gently lifting his upper body to slip a few extra pillows behind him as a bolster. Charlie took a deep breath as Perry leaned over, the scent of his mate burning into him. Perrys warm hands set his nerve endings on fire where they touched him. Being in Perrys arms felt so good. It was somewhere he had longed to be so many times over the last three years and Charlie revelled in the brief closeness. He thought he could feel a slight tremble in Perry in the moments he held him, but the contact was over too soon for him to tell for sure. Perry sat back down and picked the bowl up again. He started to feed Charlie its contents, and the moment Charlie tasted it his stomach started growling ferociously. You have been taking a light broth almost continuously over the past few days, whenever and however much we could get in to you. At first we had to use one of those syringes without needles to inject the food into your mouth. After you shifted it became easier to feed you. Perry gave a rather wobbly smile as he held another spoonful out. How long have I been here? Five days, Perry spoke softly. Doc didnt think you were going to make it to start with. She didnt tell me that, but I could tell what she was thinking. Then yesterday your foot started to look a little better. You began to heal. Sometimes you seemed almost conscious and even drank the broth through a straw, but Doc didnt want to push

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it and risk you choking, so we had to wait until you came around before giving you this slightly heartier soup. We had some on hand at all times for when you finally woke up. Doc says your stomach would have to be eased slowly into eating real food. Once Charlie had eaten enough, Perry put the bowl and spoon down. Ill go get Doc. The big man stood abruptly and moved towards the open door. Wait! Charlie wanted to talk to him some more, hungrier for the sight of his mate than he had been for the food, but Perry had already gone. Dont leave me, Charlie whispered sadly to the empty room. Now he had a full stomach, Charlie felt sleepy again and rather than try and get rid of the extra pillows, he merely slid down the bed slightly and was asleep in moments. When he woke again, Jason stood by the window, looking outside. It was darker than it had been before, but there was still light coming in. Hey, what time is it? Charlie! How do you feel? Jason rushed over and perched on the side of his bed. Its about seven. Got any more soup? Hungry, huh? Yeah, well, nobut, ugh. Eggs. Hannah said you could have some eggs. Ill be right back, okay? Charlie nodded, and Jason ran out of the room. He came back a few minutes later carrying a covered plate. Charlies stomach started growling again at the smell of the food. Jason helped him to sit up against the pillows and uncovered the plate. A golden-brown omelette lay on the plate, with chopped up bits of ham and fresh tomato showing along the open edge. Jason cut a piece off with the side of the fork and held it out to Charlie. Oh, dont give me that look. Im under orders. Hannah said to feed you myself, so feed you I will. Dont make me do the aeroplane. Charlie nearly giggled at the image of Jason zooming the

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fork around in the air while making aeroplane noises. He obediently opened his mouth. After the first few mouthfuls, he caught Jason looking at him with an odd expression. What? UmwellI wasum Spit it out, Jase. Its okay. Where were you? All this time? Oh. Charlie winced, feeling the sharp pain of his rib being broken for the first time, all over again, and hearing the smack of fists against his flesh. II cant, Jase, not yet. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he suddenly felt sick. Oh god! Im sorry! Forget it, forget I said anything! Charlie found himself cradled against Jason as the younger shifter quickly put the plate down and hugged him gently. Jason smelled like the forest, all earth, flowers, and spring rain. He took a deep breath, calming the shudders that ran through him as Jasons warm hand rubbed his back. Im okay. Jason eased him back against the head of the bed again. Charlie ate most of the omelette, only leaving a couple of bites. Jason made no further mention of where Charlie had been. Instead he told Charlie of what had happened in the pack in his absence. Matings, new cubs, and some other things. Merc had left overnight with no warning, about a year after Charlie had vanished. At first they thought he had just disappeared as Charlie had, but Bobby had heard from him a while later. No one knew why he had left. Jason had been rather distracted at the time because he had just started shifting, so he had only started to wonder about why later on. When Charlie had finished, he wanted to sleep again, so Jason left after giving him another hug. Im glad youre back, Charlie. Me, too. Thanks, Jase.

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Ill see you tomorrow. Bye. Charlie snuggled down under the covers and went to sleep. **** Over the few days that followed, most of the members of the pack came to visit him, but he didnt see Perry again. When Charlie had been in that place, he had gotten used to picking out various scents past the miasma of filth and evil that hung in the air. Now he was free again, it was all too easy for him to tell when the other man was in the house, even with the strong scent of Perry coming from the bed he lay in and all his personal belongings around the room. They must not be all of his things though, because Perry must have removed clothes and other items before Charlie first regained consciousness, as he never came in for any. He occasionally heard Perry pause outside his door and waited, hoping for the door handle to turn, but he was disappointed every time. After all he had been through, clinging to thoughts of his mate to survive, and after finally escaping and getting back to the man, Perry no longer wanted him. Charlies heart was breaking. He was left confused as to why he had been put in Perrys room in the first place. Even if Hannah had not wanted to move him to one of the other houses, which were close enough, there were three other bedrooms he could have been carried to when he had arrived. Then Charlie decided he didnt care. He would take what little closeness to his mate he could get. The framed picture of himself with Jason and the triplets that rested on top of the chest of drawers opposite the bed seemed to mock him, reminding him of a time he had felt accepted by Perry. Charlie did the only thing he could while feeling ignored and rejected by his mate, he threw himself into his recovery. He knew most injured werewolves had plenty of stamina and that they used those reserves to heal, but one that was more than half-starved had no energy stores to fall back on. His body needed fuel to recover, so he

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ate. And he ate and ate and ate. He tired quickly. The lengthy ordeal he had been through would take more than a little time to recover from, so when he wasnt eating he was sleeping. It took four days of switching between stuffing his face and being comatose for him to heal enough to put any weight on his once-mangled foot. Undoubtedly, had he been human, his foot would have taken weeks or months to heal or maybe even been amputated. He had thanked, more than once, whatever god had given shifters their incredible healing abilities. He did so again as he stood for the first time, balanced carefully with one arm around Jasons shoulder and the other around the older and more solid Nathaniels. The two men, and a couple of others, had carried him to the bathroom several times a day so far. They had waited, assisting when needed, with physical modesty not being a big issue for shifters. This time, though, he took the steps himself, albeit with their support, and had time in the bathroom to himself. He hissed in pain a few times, but made it there and back. He was shaking and sweating heavily by the time he was sitting back on the bed but feeling triumphant. After that, his progress moved rapidly. Still eating all he could manage without feeling like he was going to explode, Charlie continued to heal, quicker and quicker now, and started to put weight on. In the matter of a week, following on from him taking those first assisted steps, he went from looking like an inmate in a concentration camp to a healthy, if still rather slender, young man. He was walking on his own, too, by that point, without a cane but still with a noticeable limp, though that would not be with him much longer. Another week passed, the end of which found him sitting with the playing cubs at a pack family BBQ and trying to ignore the fact that Perry still wouldnt talk to him. Since the time Perry had fed him that bowl of soup and gone to get Hannah, Charlie had barely laid eyes on his mate. My mate, hah! Charlie muttered to himself. You okay, Charlie?

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Looking up, he recognised the skinny youth in front of him as the younger of the two identical brothers, though younger only by minutes. Astley and Miles had, along with their triplet, Milly, reached puberty in the last couple of months, and they were all revelling in their new shifter forms. Miles must have just shifted, because his clothes were nowhere to be seen. The older boy, Astley, was still in wolf form as he raced over and pounced on a patch of bare earth in front of his brother. His head was down low, near the paws that looked too big for him, with his ears pricked and his back end up in the air wagging along with his tail. He yipped a puppy bark that turned into a yelp as he got bowled over by a flying fur ball that turned out to be Milly. They raced off with Miles in hot pursuit after he had quickly shifted again. He caught up, and they fell in a ball of flying fur and fangs, sounding as if they meant to do murder. Charlie giggled, finding their play amusing. Boys! Grace uttered with all the disgust only a preteen girl could produce about her brothers, conveniently ignoring the fact that one of the trio was female. Grace was only eight years old and still a long way from her first shift, so she tended to stay with the other cubs at these gatherings. She had twice the attitude and self-confidence of her older sister, though, and wasnt shy about letting people know it. If she thought it, she said it. There were three cubs around Charlie that day. They were not yet old enough for their first shift, but old enough to want to play away from their parents. The triplets had been the first cubs to be born in over two decades in the pack, and their parents seemed to be trying to make up for the previous lack all on their own. As well as the thirteen-year-old triplets and Grace, there was fiveyear-old Danny and two-year-old twins Ellen and Faith. The only other cub in the pack old enough to be mobile on his own was a sixyear-old boy called Matthew, though there was a baby and both Matthews mother and another woman in the pack were pregnant at the moment. Technically, Charlie supposed, Jason was still a child at seventeen, though his parents had joined the pack after he and his

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much older sister, Hannah, had been born. The pack has had fairly stable numbers for a very long time but it is now going through a bit of a boom since several of the straight members have found their mates. It tore at his guts that his own didnt want him. It is nice to have the young ones around me, Charlie thought as he sat backwards on the bench, leaning against the top part of the heavy wooden picnic table on his elbows. His head canted back so he could feel the warmth of the sun beat down on his face through the slight chill in the air. Oh! I have missed this. The sun, the sound of the slight breeze rustling the leaves in the trees around us, Grace, Danny, and Matt laughing and shouting as they play, everyone else talking. He took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh, crisp air, the delicious smells coming from the BBQ, and the comforting scent of pack all around him making him feel safe. There were a couple of unfamiliar shifters he could pick out, the few that had joined the pack or been born while he had been gone, among the other scents that crowded together, but most he knew well. He could even detect the milky smell of Edwards baby with his new mate, Florence. Such a normal day, one the rest of the pack took for granted, and he hoped that none of them ever felt any differently. It was Sunday, and the whole pack was together. They normally got together like this once a month or so. If only the one that matters most Charlie wouldnt let himself finish the thought. The realisation that his mate didnt want him was too new, the hurt too bright and searing in his gut to be able to think of it without feeling like he was being ripped apart. He had fought for years to stay alive so he could get back to Perry, only to have the other man avoid him as if he was Typhoid Mary. He tried to push the thoughts of Perry away again and listened to the sounds of the cubs playing happily. Grace had started teaching Danny and Matt a ball game. The boys aim wasnt very good yet, so there was a lot of good-natured laughing and running after the ball going on. Here, latest top-up!

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Charlie opened one eye and squinted past the sun that shone in his face. Jason had arrived and was holding out a plastic plate full of food in his direction. Thanks. Charlie had been feeling the need for more food for a while but had been reluctant to move. He hadnt wanted to go over to the grill only to see Perry run away yet again before he could get there. He sat up and then took the plate from Jason and ate his way through the pile of sausages, drumsticks, and other food quickly. The heat and rich, smoky flavours bypassed him in his bodys demand for nourishment.

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Chapter Two: Perry

Watching from the other side of the busy picnic area, Perry saw Charlie tilt his head back, enjoying the sun. His wolf growled inside him, wanting his mate. God, Im jealous of a bunch of kids. Perry groused at himself, just cause they get to be near him. Then louder. Hey, Jase! Take this over to Charlie would you? His mate was still playing catch-up with calories and needed food frequently. The protein-rich chicken wings, BBQ ribs, and other assorted meats that he had piled high on the plate were exactly what Charlie needed to build his muscles, and the portion of Jesss garlic-and-rosemary potato dish would give him energy. Jason looked at Perry for a beat, obviously debating the wisdom of speaking his mind directly to his Alpha, and instead grumbled to himself as he carried the plate over to his friend. Ugh! When are they going to talk? They need to talk to each other. Whats wrong with them both? Perry had seen the spark of teenage defiance in Jasons eyes but had stared him down. Letting Jason know it was not his place to lecture Perry about his relationship with Charlie. Perry might be about as easygoing as any Alpha you would ever find, but he had his limits, and he needed his pack to respect his authority. Perrys sharp ears picked up what Jason should have kept as an inner monologue. He was thankful when Jase closed his mouth as he got closer to Charlie. Oh, Jase, its not that easy, Perry thought. All he could see, every time he looked at his mate, was the starved and broken body which had appeared in front of his house.

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Darkness was falling by the time Perry went inside. He had just done his last check around the picnic area behind his house, and everything was tidied away, which was good. The picnic site was fifty of Perrys paces across and nearly square in shape, with several tables dotted about. He had wanted a place for the pack to gather and had recently also been thinking about putting in a pool now that there were cubs being born. No litter was something he insisted on, and he always checked one last time after everyone else left to ensure that those who had been assigned clean-up duty had done their job. Perry had been alive long enough to remember the industrial revolution, had lived through the world wars and seen the advances current computer technology had brought to the world. He had seen a lot happen to the planet and the increasing numbers of people crawling all over its surface. Shifters were closer to nature than most humans were and knew they had to take care of the world around them. Even the plastic plates they used for the picnics were tough and reusable. If they got broken, they went to be recycled. As he had looked around the abandoned picnic site, he had taken note of the heavy wooden tables, with their built-in bench seats that he had bought a few years previously. They were holding up well to the traditionally wet English weather and still looked almost new. The tables and grassy areas were clear and the rubbish bags taken to the purpose-built enclosure a hundred yards down the road. Alan had knocked it together one afternoon to keep the wild animals from digging through the rubbish, not that many came close to the settlement with the strong smell of wolves that clung to the place, but it kept the local council types happy. There were some investments he needed to look into further before making a decision, so Perry went inside and started up the stairs to his study but froze when he heard something he did not ever want to hear. Charlie was crying. Jason and Charlie had been growing close, spending a lot of time with each other. As long as shifter lives tended to be, the four years separating the two young men would seem like nothing when they

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would count their lives in terms of centuries, not decades. The pain in his chest increased whenever he thought of someone else getting to spend so much time with his mate, and Perrys wolf was not happy about the situation either. His wolf wanted to be the one keeping his mate company, but Perry knew that Jason was a suitable friend for Charlie. Not only that, but also the younger wolf had shown remarkable fortitude in sticking with Charlie all the way back to the pack that first day, when everything in him must have been crying out to run for his Alpha. The two had grown close since that day, and Perry was not surprised when he detected Jasons scent in the house. However, the hairs on the back of Perrys neck bristled in a protective fury when he heard his mates low sobs. What is going on? What is wrong with my mate? Charlie, talk to me, please. Jasons voice reached Perrys ears where he stood, poised at the bottom of the stairs. The others, they are still there. Others? Jason enquired. Perry wanted to know, too, so he stayed where he was and listened. Where Dad put me, there were others being held, too. Wait, your dad did this to you? Gods name, why? The outrage in Jasons voice was mild compared to the emotions running through Perry after what Charlie had just said. His wolf was trying to rip out through his skin, but he fought the shift back. This was not the time to hunt Michaelson down. There was obviously more to the story, and Perry wanted to hear it. Even so, his skin itched with the need to shift as he raged silently about Charlies dad. Son of a bitch. He lied to me. How did I not catch that? How did I not see he was lying? Or smell it? More than half of his anger was aimed at himself for not rescuing Charlie years earlier. Charlies sobs had quieted enough for him to talk more easily. Perry heard him blow his nose before he answered.

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That bastard isnt my father. God, I told myself I would never call him dad again! I know Perry went to see him and your mother when you disappeared. They said they didnt know where youOh my god! Your mother. Does she know you are back? No, I couldnt risk contacting her without him finding out. But him? Charlie spat. Oh, he knew where I was all right. Perry knew he shouldnt be listening in on this, but he couldnt tear himself away from the sound of his mates voice. Keeping the man at a distance was killing Perry. The moment Charlie had gone missing it had felt like part of him had been ripped out, leaving a gaping, jagged hole in his chest. That hole closed when his mate came back, but it still ached and pulsed with the simple need to hold Charlie, to comfort and protect him. Perry knew though that if he got close enough to offer the solace Charlie so badly needed, that the mating instincts would start to take over. That was the last thing Charlie needed right now, though. God, it would have been so much easier if we had mated before he disappeared. I could hold him now, without our wolves trying to take over and mate. He needed to know what had happened to the man he loved in the time he had been missing, but every time Perry got close enough to ask, he could feel his wolf getting stronger, and he could not risk losing control. Not being able to ask Charlie himself, this was the only way. Charlie continued, I always thought that bastard had fathered me. My mother never told me any different as I was growing up. He wasnt so bad when I was a kid, kind of cold, but I guess I get why now, knowing I wasnt really his. I did not really know how to feel when I learned, after my first shift, that Karl was not my real father. I guess some part of me must have always known or something because it did not really make much of an impact on me. It was just a fact and did not change life for any of us in any way, unlike learning about being a shifter. Anyway, as you know, I turned for the first time right after we moved to Penrith. I got to know the pack when I met Bobby

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in the woods when I was letting my wolf have some exercise. Mum is a wolf, but she didnt tell either of us about that, me or him, until after I had shifted for the first time. It was kind of hard to hide when that happened. Perry, thinking about that, just bet it had been. The first shift was very painful. Centuries later and he could still remember being dragged from his human body through to his shifter body on the night of a full moon when he had been in early puberty. Bones and muscles twisting and snapping as they reshaped, joints popping. His skin had burned and itched as if fire ants crawled and stung him all over when his fur grew in for the first time. It had been impossible to hold back that first shift, even when he had known it was coming, let alone for someone who had gone through it not knowing about it ahead of the event itself. Keeping quiet was also impossible while the shift happened. He continued to listen. He was home and wanted to know what the hell was going on. Mum told him and then shifted to prove what she was. He seemed pretty cool the next day but didnt really say much about what had happened. Despite the pain of that shift, I thought the whole thing totally rocked! Mum and I spoke about it briefly. She said it should not hurt after that, and that I would learn to shift at will. DaMichaelson was quiet about it all, though Mum and I thought he was only trying to process the whole thing. God, if we had only known what the bastard was getting up to. He was interested in the genetics of what we are, and what made us tick. Mengele could have taken tips from him. After he found out about us, he started gathering a little group together of men who would work for him and carry out his every nasty little command. Im not sure what his endgame is, or even if he has one. They began to capture shifters, then vampires and other supernatural races, too. They were starved, beaten, and tortured. He wanted to find the limits of what they could endure, what they could

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and couldnt heal from. Of course I knew none of this at the time, not until later, until he was dishing out the same to me. When I met Bobby and then the rest of the pack, meeting everyone and getting to know them, I was so drawn to Perry. Mum hadnt told me much about shifters. She never really did. I had no clue Perry was my mate. I didnt know what mates were supposed to be to each other, I just thought I had this massive crush on the guy. Charlie laughed softly just then and a spasm of need went through Perry. His arms ached to hold Charlie, feeling useless and empty without him. Thinking Charlie needed this, to tell someone what had happened to him without the pressure of the mate-pull distracting him, Perry did not want to interrupt. Jason was there, being what Charlie needed. So, Perry stayed where he was, halfway up the stairs, and listened. Then I found out about mates. Perry and I talked about mates, and he told me I was his. I could scarcely believe it and I ran home that evening, high as a kite on the news, and told Mum. She said she was happy I had found my mate, but she was acting a little weird and didnt really want to talk about mates with me. I wanted to know more, and I wanted to know about my real dad, who I had not asked her about until then. Had he been her mate? But she just wouldnt talk to me. He had heard me tell her, though. He wasnt happy about me being gay at all. They came for me that night. The last thing I remember is going to sleep, thinking about going over to the pack the next day to find out more about mates and mating. I was excited to see Perry again, to spend time with him now I had found out there really would be an us. The next thing I knew, I woke up in a cell, handcuffed to an iron bed frame. The man I had grown up thinking of as my father was standing over me. He told me it was one thing raising a freak as his son, but another thing entirely for the freak son to be gay. He thought being gay was sick, and there must be

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something wrong with me. He started off byby having the crap beaten out of me on a regular basis. I healed quickly to start with. Perry felt sick. He remembered so clearly the first day Charlie had been missing. Charlie had seemed so happy to find out what they really were to each other, that fate had paired them together. Perry remembered half expecting Charlie to turn up on his doorstep first thing the next morning and bug him to talk to him about it more. He had fully expected to be tortured with his mates untouchable presence hanging around him until he reached his eighteenth birthday a few days later. As the day had rolled on, he had begun to grow concerned when Charlie had not shown up but had thought it possible that he had been kept home. When the next day had arrived with no word from Charlie, he had tried calling, but no one had picked up. That was when he had gone to see Charlies parents and found out that Charlie was missing. He remembered the devastation he had felt at the thought of Charlie running from him, from the news that they were mates and from the kiss they had shared. But he hadnt run, he had been taken. While Perry had been in a self-pitying funk at the thought of his mate not wanting him, Charlie had been having god knows what done to him at the hands of his sadistic stepfather. Perry had to struggle with the nausea so he could continue to listen. The cells didnt have solid walls, not when I was first thrown in there. They were cages. Rows of barred cages with no privacy at all. They changed them later, covering the bars with plasterboard walls when they realised how much we were all talking to each other. I say all because there were a lot of us in those cages. None of the others would talk to me once they found out that I was his son. Only I wasnt, was I. They all saw, after a while, I wasnt treated any better than they were. If anything I was treated worse. He was ashamed and disgusted by what I was, more by the fact that I was gay than my being a shifter. Over time it took longer and longer for me to heal from what they did to me.

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I got to a point where I knew I didnt have much time left. So, when one of the guardsmade a mistake, Imanaged to get away. I was so scared of being caught and dragged back that I wasnt paying enough attention to where I was putting my paws. When the jaws of the trap sprang shut, shit! I thought my paw had been cut off! I had shifted the moment I was free, though months had passed since I had been able to do so. I think the adrenaline of the escape gave me enough of a boost to make it possible. I was grateful because I could be faster in my wolf form. What an idiot. If I had been human when the trap sprang, I might have been able to get the damn thing off me. Maybe not, though, I was probably too weak. I was so scared of them hearing and catching me again. I didnt want to howl for help. Doubt I would have had the energy to howl loudly enough anyway. So I waited and prayed someone would find me. Being close enough to pack lands, I thought someone might. The rest you know. All I can think about now are the others still trapped there. Perry rose from the step he had sunk down onto and slipped back out of the house. He could not be with Charlie at the moment, but he knew what he could do, both for him and for the others he now knew about. The next day Perry got to work. He knew he and the other eighteen men in his pack were, for the most part, big and strong, but he knew in order to have a chance at rescuing the rest of the people Charlies dad still held captive he would need help from someone who knew what they were doing. No, mustnt think of him as Charlies dad, hes Michaelson! Perry thought as he did some research on the internet. After a few hours he found that he kept getting pointed back at one company in particular, AlphaSec. The name seemed like a positive omen. He sent them a message from one of his rarely used e-mail accounts. To Whom it May Concern: I am in need of some aid with a situation I have just become

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aware of. I would appreciate someone getting back to me to discuss things with all possible speed. P. Baxton He added the number of a prepay mobile phone at the end, but nothing else. Perry was not computer literate enough to even think to do anything about his IP address. If he had thought about it, he would still have been more concerned about the content of his message than about where it came from. He didnt want to put too much information in the message, needing to meet someone in person before he would trust them with the details. The people still to be rescued were too important to Charlie. He did not want to know what would be done to the people still being held if Michaelson caught on someone was going to try and rescue them. They would probably either be moved or slaughtered. Less than an hour later, the phone rang. Hello? He picked up, answering quickly. Is this P. Baxton? He had not given his real surname in the message. Speaking. Hello, my name is Daniel. Im calling about an e-mail you sent AlphaSec. I believe you are in need of some help with something. Yes, thank you for getting back to me so soon. Perry paused, uncertain of how to begin. What can we help you with, Mr. Baxton? It was strange for Perry to hear someone refer to him by that name. P. Baxton was an identity he had created a few years before so he could do some trading on the internet. Most shifters these days had several identities so they would not draw too much attention to themselves. It would not do for anyone to discover the person they had been doing business with was far older than any human could be. Would I be able to meet you, or someone else from the company, in person so I can explain?

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Certainly we can come to you. Where do you live? Or where would you like to meet? I live in Cumbria, near the north end of the Lake District. Can you get to Penrith? That shouldnt be a problem. How soon would you like me there? Its not too far? Not at all. There arepeople in trouble. To be honest Im not comfortable talking about this over the phone. The situation is a bit nasty and rather delicate. As soon as possible then. Yes. Okay, hold on a minute. Perry waited, hearing the faint clacking of keys on a computer keyboard through the phone. After only a minute or two, Daniel spoke again. There is an overnight train I can take. With a couple of changes it would get me to Penrith station for 7:49 in the morning. That would be great. Perry could hear the smile in his own voice. I will be there to meet you myself. A colleague will be accompanying me, so expect two of us. Okay. I will ring you when our train arrives at the station. Sounds good to me. Thank you, Daniel. I will see you in the morning. Good-bye, Mr. Baxton. Good-bye. Perry hung up after hearing the click of the call being disconnected on the other end. Perry was waiting in his car early the next morning for the train to arrive. It was the new Ford Ranger, a double-cab pickup, and was comfortable enough even for a guy Perrys size. The night had been long, full of worry, and had not brought nearly enough sleep. He was

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currently looking around for things to distract himself from the possibility of this not working out and from what Charlie would say when he found out what Perry was up to. He watched cars go through the drive-through of the McDonalds next door to the train-station car park. Ugh, how can people eat that stuff? He had walked in to one once, turned around, and walked right back out at the synthetic smell of the food. He felt a momentary pang watching the ordinary people go about their ordinary lives. What they were did not give psychopaths reason to study them and try to take them apart. They did not have to deal with people like Michaelson. Several trains came and went, on their way to and coming from Carlisle. Daniel had let him know the train route they would be taking, and it was a silly roundabout way to come. If they had had more warning, they would have been able to get a more direct train, but as they had not had much notice they had to take whatever they could get. They were coming up from London to Manchester, then changing for Leeds, changing again to get up to Carlisle and once more to come back down to Penrith. He looked over at the castle. The stone had a hint of red in the morning light, growing blacker the higher Perry looked, as if it had burned at some point in its history. The castle had been in ruins for as long as he could remember. Its sad, he mused, I bet it must have been a lovely building once. Now the place stood as a reminder of bygone times, in a town park surrounded by neatly cut hedges, grassy areas, new walls made of stone and railings, with signs all over not to climb on anything. Sanitised history. Look but dont touch, cause you might get hurt. Thoughts of other lovers he had over the years briefly crossed his mind. He had hardly been celibate before meeting his mate. There had been other lovers. Some had been human, some shifter, but he had taken no one to his bed since the day he had met Charlie, and none of his other lovers were still in his life in any other capacity either.

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The sound of another train arriving coincided with the ringing of his phone. Hi, we are just pulling into the station now. It was Daniel. Okay, come out of the main entrance to the station. Im in a silver 4x4 by the low wall next to the road out the front, Perry told him. They hung up. Perry got out of the car and leaned against the side, waiting. There was no one for a minute or two, and Perry felt an unfamiliar flutter of nerves. He knew they were here, but this was so important. There were a lot of lives at stake, and he prayed these people would be able to help. Perry might have been aching to be with Charlie with every bone in his body, but even he could appreciate the looks of the two very different men walking out of the entrance to the station. He had found his mate, he wasnt dead. One of the men, the first by moments to appear, was nearly as tall as his own six foot eight. He also had black hair, like Perry, and a powerful looking body. The other must have been just under Six feet, with honey-blond hair and a slimmer, more wiry, build. They had dressed comfortably for the journey with both men dressed in faded jeans. The shorter one teamed his with a darkred hooded sweatshirt and the taller one wore a navy V-neck jumper over a white T-shirt. They looked around for a moment before heading in his direction, so he pushed off from the car and stood ready to greet them. As they approached, his wolf went on alert. Wolf. It growled inside him. He caught the scent on the air and saw the larger mans eyes narrow slightly, a moment later, in recognition. ErDee? The black-haired guy stopped the smaller man with a hand on his shoulder. The blond looked at his companion, looking a little confused. Yeah? Hes a wolf.

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Perry lifted both hands, palms towards them, in a pacifying gesture. So are you. Hes not, though, is he? Perry nodded at the smaller man and said, My e-mail was genuine. I mean you no harm. I just need the help I asked for. Youre P. Baxton? the blond asked. Yes, well, sort of. Its actually P. Wyndham, Perry. Baxton is an alias I use sometimes when I need to keep my identity hidden. The blond spoke again, Im Daniel, this is Ant, and yes, you were right. He is wolf and I am not. Now we have that out of the way, shall we go somewhere to discuss the problem you got in touch with us about? He thumped his companion on the arm. Quit glaring at the man. Instead of one of the small cafes in Penrith town centre Perry had been intending to go to, he drove the thirty minutes out to Carden. It would be easier to talk with no other ears around to listen in. He knew Charlie would be out all day, he and Jason having headed out early for some fun on the nearby lake, so he did not need to worry about him wondering what was going on just yet. He did not want Charlie to find out about what he was trying to do before he knew for sure whether or not these people could help. Perry took Daniel and Ant back to his house and told them all about how Charlie had disappeared, how he had returned to them, and the state he had been in when he had done so. He also told them about overhearing the conversation between Charlie and Jason. Though he did not spell out everything he had heard, he did tell them about the main reason he had called them. There were others who were still being held. Before Daniel or Ant would go any further and tell him any details of their company or what they did, Daniel pulled out his phone and made a call. Jake, we arrivedThere is a lot going on hereWe need full supportYesNo, the whole teamHang on. He looked at Perry. Have you got room for nine of us to stay for a few days? We can get a hotel if its a problem.

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Perry nodded and mouthed, Its fine, you can stay here, at him. Daniel spoke into the phone again, Yes, for nowNo, cant wait that long, todayYes, its urgentPlease, the crate with the star and the two underneathOkay, let me know when you will be at the Penrith station. He hung up and then chuckled. Probably should have told him you are a pack. Oh well, it will be a nice surprise for him. Daniels smile was highly amused and slightly evil. Perry got the feeling that though the man was human, he was not someone you wanted to mess with. Ant was looking doubtfully at his friend, grumbling something Perry couldnt quite make out, something about dont blame me and your neck.

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Chapter Three: Charlie

After a nice day out on Parkenmere, Charlie and Jason returned to the settlement to find Perry, Henry, Jeremy, Edward, and a bunch of strange men getting out of cars outside the Alphas house. Charlie, would youmind, umstaying at Jasons tonight? Perry looked at him guiltily, like a teenager caught sneaking in long after curfew. And if you see Bobby or Sam on your way, can you send them both over? A couple of the strangers eyed him curiously as he nodded mutely at Perry and turned away. Now he wants me to leave his house. He will ask me to move out next. If being in his house is as close as I can get to him, then I will take it. Please dont make me leave, Perry! I dont want to go. Charlie was thinking miserably as he and Jason walked off, and he nearly missed one of the people behind him saying, Thats him? Thats who? Charlie thought. Me? Perry looked real uncomfortable with me being around them. Bastard! Whats going on? What doesnt he want me to know? Jay, you ever see any of those guys before? he asked once they were in Jasons house and safely out of earshot of the group outside. On the way they had passed the house where Bobby lived and had knocked, alerting the man to his brothers request for his presence. No. Juice? Jason said as he went over and opened a cupboard. Please. I wonder who they were. Jason got two glasses out, filled them with cordial and cold water, and handed one to him. They both made appreciative noises as they finished their drinks. The icy water from the settlements own borehole was very welcome

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after the busy day. Charlie had been thirsty and could feel the liquid flood down his throat and into his abdomen. Who do you think they were? After the long confession with his friend, when Jason had found him crying the previous day, Charlie was feeling a lot more at ease. Jason might not know everything he had gone through at the hands of his fathers people, but he knew some and only wanted to be there for him. It was enough to have been able to unload onto his friends shoulder. Jase wanted him to tell their Alpha, but he was going to neither tell tales on him nor would he pressure Charlie to inform Perry himself. Charlie wanted to tell Perry, he just needed to work up the courage to do so. The thought of Perry seeing where he had been held, of finding everything out, tormented him. The man didnt want Charlie now, how would he react after he knew everything, including what he had not told Jason. Jason shrugged. Not a clue, but they were shifters, most of them anyway. Even though Charlies mind kept returning to Perry and the men who had been visiting him, he had a nice cosy, family evening at Jasons house. It was something Charlie had never really had. Even when he had been happy growing up at home with his mum, his supposed father had always cast off a chilly air. He found a great deal of comfort in the mundane family night with his friend and his friends family. Jasons mum, Patricia, had cooked a large quantity of a very tasty casserole, and they sat down to eat with Hannah and Allan, Jasons sister and father. After supper they put on a movie, a watchable enough, yet forgettable once over, recent blockbuster. Then Hannah left, to return to the house she shared with a few other adult singles in the settlement, and the rest of them went to bed. Most of the houses in Carden had more bedrooms than were currently needed, except for Sam and Jessicas, but then they did have seven kids. When Perry had settled here many years before and had additional houses built as more joined his pack, he had not seen the point in houses with only one or two bedrooms. He knew the number

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of children many shifters could have when they chose to have them. Since Hannah had moved over to one of the singles houses a couple of years ago, right after Merc had left, Jase told him, there were several rooms Charlie could pick from. He climbed into bed, feeling like a kid on a sleepover, wearing a borrowed pair of Jasons pyjama bottoms. The duvet and pillows, which had a pattern of light-on-dark cream stripes, were soft and fluffy and the sheet and pillowcases were crisp and cool. Everything smelled faintly of the bluebells currently flowering throughout the area. He felt relief at not being able to smell Perry all the time. The man had made it plain, by his total avoidance of Charlie, that he no longer wanted him as his mate. Knowing this and being around his scent all the time was torture. He snuggled down under the duvet, his wolf content to be right where he was for a change. He was able to fall asleep not listening for any movement in the house, for the smallest clue as to what Perry was doing. The last thing he heard before he slept was the faint hoot of an owl a mile away. The next morning Charlie was up early. Bright eyed and literally bushy tailed. He giggled to himself as he shifted, wagging his tail in delight, and went for a run outside to work out the kinks. The sun had been up for a while, but the air was still fresh and clean smelling. It had rained a little in the night, and the damp earth clung to his paws. He returned by seven, when everyone else was just beginning to stir. He put his jeans and fitted grey long-sleeved top back on while still on the wide porch outside the kitchen, where he had left his clothes before his run, and went inside. He felt like he needed to change. He had had a shower before going to bed, but he had been wearing the same clothes the day before out on the lake, and though they looked clean, he felt grimy wearing them again. Since he had escaped the filth of the cells, he could not stand feeling dirty for long. He took a big pack of sausages out of the fridge, along with an equally large pack of bacon and some eggs, and made a start on breakfast for everyone. He had spent enough time at Jasons house in

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the past, and since his return, for him to feel comfortable enough to do this. The sausages were soon under the grill, and the bacon was sizzling and popping in the pan. As he cooked, Charlie thought about what he was going to do with himself. When he was at Perrys house, all he could think about was his mate, but now he didnt have the constant distraction. Though his thoughts did keep straying back to Perry, he thought about his future. He had just finished his A levels before he had been taken to that hellhole. He couldnt even remember anymore what he had wanted to be back then. The following three years had been all about just surviving and dreaming of escape. Now he was out, he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. Perrys job, as Alpha, was to look after the pack. It was a job he did well. The care he had shown Charlie, even if it had been from a distance, since his return could not really be faulted. Perry had seen to his physical needs with Hannahs help and had made sure he had clothes to wear and somewhere to stay. Charlie just wished he had got some personal attention from the man. He wasnt just a pack member, he was Perrys mate. Charlie sighed in frustration as he tried to drag his thoughts back to the subject. He knew his mate had many investments. Perry was about two hundred and fifty years old. Though still relatively young as far as shifters could get, he was old enough and had enough experience to get a pretty good feel for what would do well and what would become just a passing phase and disappear. Thanks to Perry, the pack was financially well off, not having to worry about money at all. Most of the individual members of the pack had their own jobs, though and contributed a portion of their earnings to a common account accessible to any of the pack for food and basics. Allan, Jasons dad, ran a construction company with his wife. Patricia was an architect, an unheard of job for a woman back when she had started out. They had met through work on a common project. Betts owned several restaurants, though he rarely cooked in any of them these days.

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Hannah, who was commonly called Doc by the pack, was trained as a doctor, surgeon, and a veterinarian. She wanted to be fully prepared for any medical needs the pack had. Perry had paid for her vet training, the rest having been completed before she and her family had joined the pack. Charlie was glad of all her hard work and learning, having benefited so strongly from it. He just wished he had the same drive for something. He felt rudderless and lost. Right now, he was supposed to be cooking, so he turned the sausages again. Once the bacon was nearly done, he put on some toast and did the eggs. He couldnt see a coffee machine, but there was plenty of instant, so he set the kettle to boil and put out mugs for them all to make their tea or coffee how they wanted. The smells of the bacon and the other food drew everyone to the kitchen like flies, and the breakfast he dished up got eaten quickly. Oh, its so nice to have someone else cook for a change. Thank you, Charlie. Patricia laughed when they were all finishing up, looking pointedly at her husband and son. Yes, ma! Jason rolled his eyes at Charlie just as the phone rang. He jumped to his feet and went to pick up the handset. Hello?...Yes, sirOkay, Ill send him right over. After hanging up, he looked at Charlie. Perry wants you at his place. Charlie thought in Jasons general direction, you could have chosen your words better. Perry doesnt want me at all. He dawdled on the way over, kicking through a few leaves and twigs on the ground. It was all still slightly damp from the rain, and some bits stuck to his shoes. He didnt really want to see Perry, knowing the moment he did his wolf would start howling inside him, wanting to be with his mate. Its not just my wolf, though, he thought glumly. Charlie himself craved Perrys touch like he had craved open skies, sunshine, and real food during his three-year incarceration in the cell. The instant he opened the front door at Perrys, the scent of his mate rolled over him like a caress. Inside him, his wolf sat up to

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attention. Mate! Gotta claim, gotta be claimed. He sternly gave the order to back off. Not that his wolf was a separate creature, not exactly, or at least he did not think of them as separate beings. It was more like his wolf was all the instinct and need he felt while he was in his wolf form. Sometimes those instincts made themselves known rather clearly, like when he thought to himself in words in his head. Charlie? Were in here, Perry called from the seldom-used dining room. We? Who is we? Its eight in the morning, who else is here? As Alpha, Perry frequently had people coming and going from his house, and there were often extras around at mealtimes, though not often at breakfast. The house had a large dining room, but more often than not, it was the sizeable table in the kitchen that was used. Charlie went to the dining room and hovered in the doorway. Perry was at the head of the table, and the strangers he had seen getting out of cars upon his arrival back from the lake the night before were spaced out around the rest of its length. They must have eaten already, judging from the smells still lingering, and cleared the room, though several of the men present still cradled steaming cups of coffee. The seat at the other end of the table was empty, and at Perrys gesture, Charlie reluctantly went to sit there.

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Chapter Four: Perry

Everything about Charlie said he did not want to be there. It was written all over him, from the way he avoided looking at anyone to the way he slouched in the chair. A pang of guilt went through Perry. He did not want to hurt his mate, but he needed to protect him more than he wanted to avoid offending him. And there were the others to think of. He pushed his wolf back. It wanted to go over to his mate, twine around him, and herd him away from all the strangers. His wolf slunk to the back of his mind and crouched there, growling softly. There was no easy way to start this, so he might as well get on with it. Charlie, I know we havent really spoken about where you have been for the last three years. Charlie looked up sharply at this, suspicious and frowning at him. I should have talked to you about it sooner, but I have been thinking, I know someone must have been holding you somewhere. The state you were in when you came back was not something anyone would do to themselves. He had to choose his words with extreme care. He didnt want Charlie to know just how much he had listened in on during his mates conversation with Jason and had warned the other men in the room not to let on either. He gestured to the man sitting on his right. This is Jake. He runs AlphaSec, a private security firm which provides a wide range of services. One of those services is the rescue of people like yourself from the kind of situation you must have been in. He paused, thinking over his next few sentences. Perry saw that Charlies eyes were still on Jake. He glanced at him again. Jakes brown hair, hazel eyes, and light tan gave him a warm, friendly appearance, despite the frown of concentration on his face as he studied Charlie in return.

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Perrys wolf shifted inside him, unhappy with so much attention from the other man on his mate. They are here in case whoever held you represents an on-going threat to both you and the other members of the pack. Would you be able to tell us what we are facing? He tried to gauge Charlies reaction, but his mates face had shut down, and he was giving nothing away. Perry found himself randomly thinking how much he never wanted to play poker against the man, as Charlie remained silent for some minutes. Everyone else stayed quiet, too, to let Charlie think. Charlie nodded sharply, seeming to come to a decision. I can. But, its not just me, or even the pack. There is a lot more than that. They had me in the basement of a warehouse. Its out in the sticks, a couple of miles off the M6, though there is no direct access from there. I would guess its about eighteen miles from here. Thepeople who held me are holding others there, too. Im sorry, I didnt know how to ask for help for them. Perry thought he saw a look of shame cross his mates face for a moment before he wiped his expression clean again. I dont know if things have changed since I got out, but during the day there are normally about ten guards around, plusMichaelsonand his doctor. Charlie was sticking to what he had said to Jason. He was no longer going to refer to Michaelson as his father. At night there are around five or six guards. I dont know how many people they have there at the moment. Unless things have changed a lot, the numbers could be anywhere between thirty and fifty. When there was more in there, the noise grew noticeably, and they had to double us up in our cells. The most we ever had numbered just over a hundred. There were at least twenty guards working for him, plus a couple of scientists, all on different shifts. Thatsumall I really know, I think. Charlie finished, fidgeting in his seat, Can I go?

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In a couple of minutes, Jake said, taking charge. He then went on to question Charlie in some detail about particular things he may or may not have noticed. After Jake finished questioning Charlie and it had been made plain to Charlie they would be going in to rescue all the others still being held by Michaelson, Charlie left. Perry sat in on the rest of the meeting. He needed to concentrate on anything other than the speed with which his mate had hurried from the room. He was unable to shake the feeling that his mate had not just run from the room, but that he had also run from Perry. Jake and his men obviously had a lot of practice at what they did. They quickly had an initial plan in place for scouting the area around the warehouse and gathering information about the operation that was going to be performed inside. They also had a tentative date, just over a week away, for the rescue itself. Watching the men strategize, a thought which had been floating around in the back of Perrys head for the last few hours crystallised. Is this your whole pack? He looked at Jake. We all left our packs over the years, winding up meeting each other in the service. We dont really have an official pack, but yes, this is all of us, the man replied. Would you like one? Excuse me? Jake raised an eyebrow. Would you like to join a pack? Perry elaborated slightly. Why do you ask? Jake looked curious now. The rest of the men were all looking at him, too, most with rather hopeful expressions, which boded well for his next question. The one called Cass looked ready to jump out of his seat and bite Perrys hand off in his eagerness. His lean frame was almost vibrating, and his intense brown eyes were wide with excitement. I know its rather sudden, but I want to ask you to join my pack, all of you. We are not a large pack, but we would welcome you all. Wolves are happier when in a pack. Despite how obviously close

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knit and self-sufficient this group of men appeared to be, Perry was an Alpha, and he felt the constant need to look after the other wolves under his command. He wanted these men to be a part of that command. That is something my men and I would need to talk over between us before we could give you an answer. Jake looked around at the other men seated at the table. Before we can even go discuss it, though, you should probably know most of us are gay. It is the reason several of us had to leave our birth packs. Perry gave him an assessing look and then said, As am I. Shifters in general have a much higher percentage than humans of their population that are gay. Did you not know this? Jake looked confused, so Perry continued. We live such long lives, and those of us who are not gay tend to have rather a lot of kids. He smirked, thinking of Sam and Jess, then shrugged. Shifter libidos. If most of us were straight, our population would get out of control. I think fate makes most of us gay to help regulate our numbers. We have five mated pairs in the pack who are male/female. One pair has seven kids from four pregnancies, and I doubt they are done yet. Only two other pairs have had pups yet, and those were single births. There are at least two pregnancies I know of, at the moment, between the five couples, and I think there may be an announcement of a third soon. Three of the couples have only mated within the last six years. I think there will be quite a few more pups on the way over the next six. You mighthear things, about myselfand Charlie. He nodded at the door Charlie had closed behind him when he had left. I suppose you should know. Charlie is my mate, but we have not claimed each other yet. Itscomplicated, but nothing to do with our gender. The point is, more shifters are gay than are not. How can you not know this? The packs we left were pretty conservative. Most of them hold rather different, and inflexible, views on sexuality to what you are saying, more old-fashioned ones. There were very few mated gay

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pairs in our packs, well, except for Cams, but thats his own tale to tell. Jake nodded apologetically at a spiky-haired blond. Those gay pairs weretreated very badly. Though that was not always the reason all of us left our packs, it was a factor. After we met up and decided to stick together, we have tended to avoid other shifters. Not because we didnt want to belong to a pack again, but we have been wary of the issues that made us leave our birth packs becoming a problem with any new pack we might join. He glanced around again. I can already see none of that would be a problem here, and I like you. I could respect you as my Alpha. We still need to talk things over in private, though, before making the decision. Perry nodded and stood up. Well, I have pack business to attend to. I will leave you to your plans for the rescue and to talk. He walked out of the room, leaving the group to talk where they were with some privacy. He really hoped they would take him up on his offer to join the pack. They were clearly a hard-working and dedicated group of men who would be an asset to any pack. More than that though, he liked them and felt they would fit in well with his own people. Perry had learned to trust his instincts. He had never liked Michaelson, but he had gone against his instincts and trusted his word when the man had told him he had no idea where Charlie was. Michaelson had acted angry and belligerent, blaming Perry and his little band of freaks for having something to do with Charlies disappearance. They had a brief standoff, glaring at each other with the sound of Charlies mother crying in the background until Perry had left. Perry had lied. He did not have any official pack business to see to. Sometimes even a strong Alpha needed a break, so he walked along the lane to one of the other houses, knocked on the blue door that led into the kitchen, and walked in. Hello? Henry? After a few moments, he heard a door open upstairs. Perry?

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Hey, bro, you busy? Not really, just doing some research. Henry was an historian. He had been an archaeologist and crawled all over Egypt fifty years before Howard Carter got there as well as all sorts of other places. He also wrote historical mysteries, and his experiences brought the people and places in his books vividly to life. Henry walked into the kitchen, and Perry was faced with his almost mirror image, if the image had shrunk three inches. Henrys eyes were a little lighter green, but his hair was just as black, and their features were very similar. No one looking at them could mistake them for anything other than brothers. Got time for some lunch? Sure, you want to eat here? I thought we could go into town. Oh, okay. Henry went slightly cross-eyed for a moment, focusing on the glasses still perched on his nose. He took them off and put them down next to the battered chrome toaster. Why do you wear those anyway? Perrys brother looked confused for a moment. The glasses, Hen. Henry chuckled. His eyesight was perfect, like all shifters. Its silly really. I got into the habit when I used to go on digs. Dust in the eyes was a pain. Plus, the humans seemed to like little things which made me seem a bit more like them. I never caught any of the bugs they did, and none of the flying bugs or creepy crawlies ever bit me, so I had to come up with something. He shrugged. They help me concentrate. Where do you want to go for lunch? Craving one of Mikes burgers. ONeills it is. Is Bobby coming? Im going to get him next. Okay, I am going to close down my computer. I will meet you at yours in five.

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Perry was grateful neither of his brothers made any mention of Charlie over lunch in their favourite pub. The bar was an easy mix of traditional style and modern comfort, with dark wood and cream walls. Squashy sofas and low tables, semicircular booth seats and higher tables with chairs around them, they were all there. Old and young in Whithowe flocked to the place for the good food, reasonably priced drinks, and friendly atmosphere provided by Mike and his daughter, Kasey, who ran the place together along with a few extra members of bar staff. Perry went home after the long lunch around three and tried to study some investment figures. Crack! Damn it! He really had to stop thinking about Michaelson. He had been thinking about him and Charlie on and off all day. Perry had been wiping down the counter in the kitchen after supper when the man had crept back into his brain yet again, bringing back all the feelings of anger, frustration, despair, and everything else Charlies disappearance had originally wrought in him. He let go of the cracked edge of the counter and sighed when a chunk fell to the floor with a thud and a puff of marble dust. He made a mental note to call Allan in the morning to see when he could replace or repair the blasted thing. He went upstairs to take a shower, leaving the chunk of marble where it had fallen. Perry could hear Charlie getting ready for bed. He could also hear Jake and Seb in their rooms. He had a full house tonight. The nine members of AlphaSec were spread out throughout the houses of Carden wherever there was a spare bed. They had already decided they were going to join the pack. They were not going to live at Carden, though, they were instead going to find a place nearby for themselves. The sounds of Charlie in his room made Perry think of earlier when they had spent more time in the same room at a stretch than they had since Charlie had first been carried up, in his wolf body, to Perrys bed. Once Hannah had finished her initial examination,

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stitched, fixed and bandaged what she could, Perry had barely left his mates side for days. He had not dared leave the room for longer than it took to go to the en-suite bathroom in case anything had happened. Once Charlie had awoken, though, Perry had found it next to impossible to be in the same room. The drive from his wolf to claim his mate had simply been too strong. An unconscious and injured Charlie had been something his wolf was okay with hovering over and protecting, but an awake Charlie with a look of love and trust in his eyes was something he had to back away from quickly before his wolf took over. It had tried, that was why he had left the room so fast that day. The conflict between what his wolf wanted and what he knew his mate needed was tearing him apart inside. Perry wanted so badly to claim Charlie but could not bring himself to believe his mate was healthy enough for that yet. Now every time he caught Charlie looking at him, there were too many questions, too much hurt on his face. There was also too much suffering he knew his mate must have been through, and Perry did not know how to face any of it. Things would be so much easier if Charlie was just another member of the pack, but his wolf would not allow Perry to treat him that way. He went into his bathroom now, very aware as he passed his bed of the fact that Charlie had lain there for the all-too-brief time. As soon as Charlie had been able to walk, he had moved out of Perrys room into one of the spares Perry had not been using, and Perry had gone back to his once again empty bed. He turned the shower dial high, needing the heat to unwind, and stepped into the cubicle once the water had a few moments to warm. He moved under the spray and let his head fall forward, rolling it as the drops trickled hot paths through his hair and down over his scalp. He moaned softly as a rivulet of water collected and flowed down his back. He imagined the sensation to be Charlie running the tips of his fingers over the tight muscles. He could almost feel the smaller presence of his mate behind him in the shower. He closed his eyes

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and grasped the heavy length of his cock. In his head, it was Charlies hand reaching around his waist from where he stood, pressed up against Perrys back. His breathing sped up in time with his racing heart. Charlies hand stroked his shaft slowly, the streams of water giving fiery licks of heat to his balls and around the base of his cock. Charlie kissed his back and sped the pace of his hand slightly, adding a twist on the upstroke over the head. Perry stumbled when his knees almost gave way, so he spread his feet and braced a forearm against the tiles directly under the showerhead. The openmouthed kisses being pressed against his shoulder blades and the echo of the smell of Charlies skin were enough to finish him off. A grunt was dragged from his gut as he shot stream after stream of seed into the water, which swirled around the bottom of the shower stall. He wobbled, trying to catch his breath as his head cleared. As amazing as his orgasm had been, the moment it was over the good feelings disappeared down the drain as fast as his cum had. Perry rubbed a tired hand through his hair, flipping the wet strands off his forehead. God he wanted his mate! Charlie, a voice whispered in his head. Perry finished his shower. He towelled off quickly and fell into bed naked. His jaw cracked when he yawned heavily, and he collapsed in a jellied heap after the accompanying bone-popping stretch. The only muscle in his body capable of movement was his cock. That was waving hello again already and demanding he go to his mate. Not gonna happen, Charlie does not need that right now, he told it. He felt like punching the damn thing but settled for ignoring it and let his mind wander until he fell asleep. Perry wandered through his house in his dreams. He saw scenes that had never happened, in each room, with himself and Charlie. They cooked together in the kitchen, dancing as Michael Bubl played on an old gramophone. They made love on the table in the dining room, Charlie straddling Perry as he leaned back on his arms. Charlie leaned forward, their foreheads pressed together and staring into each others eyes while Charlie rolled his hips slowly and

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rhythmically. Sweat glistened on their bodies and their loud, heavy breathing and the creak of the table were the only sounds to be heard. In the sitting room Perry watched a movie while stroking Charlies hair where he had fallen asleep with his head in Perrys lap. The fire crackled and sent up sparks and smoke in the hearth. One of the spare rooms had turned into a view of outside and the pool Perry had thought of having put in. They stood in the pool, both laughing as Charlie tried to get Perry to fall over and into the water by sweeping Perrys legs out from under him. In Perrys room Charlies things were everywhere, new pictures of them together were scattered around, clothes lay over a chair by the bed, and other personal belongings were dotted about the room. But in that room Perry could see himself sitting alone on the bed, heartbroken tears running down his face and Charlie himself nowhere to be found.

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Chapter Five: Charlie

The last week had been very unsettled, mostly in good ways. Since Perry had called the men of AlphaSec up from London, life in the pack was changing. After that first day, they had all taken off again, leaving only the human Daniel behind. The others had gone back to London to pack up their old house while Daniel checked out their new one. The house they were going to be living in was one that Perry had ordered built when he, Henry, and Bobby left their pack back in the late seventeen hundreds. They had lived there for a while but moved when the town began to grow and enveloped the land around the house. He and his brothers could not risk the humans noticing that they did not age as they should do. Perry had stubbornly clung to the place, though, refusing to sell. Over the years, there had been several tenants living there, but it had stood empty for decades now. Charlie had gone with Daniel, in Perrys pickup, when he went to have his first look around. Daniel had been driving, with Charlie in the passenger seat and Jason bouncing around in excitement in the back. The house was ridiculously enormous, and they all sat there for a couple of minutes, staring in openmouthed astonishment. Wooooow. I know, right? Jason shifted forward so he could look between the car seats and up at the house. They had just come to a halt on the gravelled drive in front of the enormous house. They could count fifteen windows on each of the three stories in this section of the house. Apparently where each of the two wings stretched back there

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was an additional level on each side. It was spring, so the ivy covering most of the faade was bright green. I repeatwooooow! Charlie drew the word out again as he had before. So, big enough for you? Jason asked the silent Daniel. Eryeah, I think thatll do us. His expression was slightly awestruck. They all got out of the car, which beeped and locked behind them when Daniel pointed the keys back over his shoulder, pressing a button. The sky had clouded over on the drive, and a fine misty rain started just as they got under the white-painted porch jutting out two metres from the house, sheltering the couple of steps leading up to the front door. Daniel fished around in the pocket of his blue jeans for the keys Perry had handed him. They walked inside and looked around. In front of them, but slightly offset to the left, was a wide staircase that curled off to the right after the initial sweep up twenty steps or so. They could see a back door underneath where the stairs curved right, opposite the front door. There were a couple of doors along the wall to their right, and to their left was a large, open hall with an enormous dining table. Thats a big table. Charlie stared at it, counting the chairs spaced at intervals around it. Twenty-four. Huh? Sorry, Jase, twenty-four seats around the table. Oh, right. Why isnt the place covered in dust? Perry said he pays a company to come in and clean once a month. Daniel walked off around the side of the table, making for a door set in the wall at the far end. But nobody lives here! Why not just dust sheet the good furniture and have done? I dont know. They went after Daniel, who had disappeared through the smooth-surfaced and white-painted door. There was a

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corridor in front of them, and another to their right. Daniels scent trail went right. A couple of hours later they were ready to head back to Carden. Daniel had written down a lot in a notebook, and he seemed pretty happy. Jake and the guys are not going to believe this place! Yeah, now we know why Perry gets the place dusted once a month, Jason commented. Ha! Chronic furniture-buying addiction! Charlie smiled as he remembered the snarky aside he had made in response to what Jason had said. It hadnt been quite true, but Daniel and Jason had laughed anyway. The house was filled with the most gorgeous old furniture, which had been bought over the years by Perry and installed there even when no one lived in it. When Jake and everyone else had returned two days later with most of their belongings, they were just as taken with the place as Daniel had been. The rest of their things were brought up in another couple of days by a removals company. They moved into the thirtybedroom house. It might be larger than they really needed, with only nine of them going to be living there, but they would be running their business from there, too, and would need space for offices. There was also the hope they would one day find their mates and bring them to live there, too. The house did need some work, though, and with Perrys permission, they hired Allan and Patricias company to make some changes. Allan had enough men on the books to be able to get some of the alterations started right away. The rest would take more time, but they felt no immediate rush now they had found somewhere they wanted to settle. Perry decided to trial Jake with the position of secondary Beta to the pack. Jakes men were already used to him being in charge, first from their time in the military and since then from him heading up their company. He had done a good job of looking after his men, and Perry felt he would do just as good of a job with the additional

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responsibilities that came with being one of his Betas. Perrys other Beta was Sam. He had always done a good job, but in the many years since he had become Beta not only had the pack increased in size, but the mans personal responsibilities had increased since he met his mate and they had numerous children. Perry had no problem with the job Sam did, he was great, but an additional Beta would give everyone extra support. Also with both of them working together Jake would learn all he needed to know about the pack much more quickly. Jake had heard out Perrys offer with some surprise, but Perry had become a fairly shrewd judge of character over his life, and the trust he had developed in his instincts had only ever let him down once. He told his prospective beta he had faith in him and asking was not just a whim on Perrys part. Jake had accepted the position. Time would tell for both of them if it had been the right thing for the pack, and they would revisit the subject after a while to see if they were both still happy about it. The only time Perrys instincts had let him down, Charlie knew, had been when the Alpha had believed Michaelson when he had denied knowledge of Charlies whereabouts. Even though Perry no longer wanted Charlie as his mate, he probably felt as though he had let Charlie down, and that must burn. Everyone liked the men of AlphaSec, including Charlie. The wolves of the group, who was everyone except Daniel, were all young as far as shifters went. They were all under forty. Daniel, at twentyseven, was only a few years older than Charlie, and he liked the other man a lot. After what Charlie had been through at the hands of Michaelson and his men, he couldnt help but be wary of other men, especially ones he did not know. He had thought he had known his stepfather, and look how that had turned out. Daniel was different, though. Though he had spent time in the military with the other AlphaSec men, and he could take care of himself, he was not as physically imposing as the others. However nice the rest of them might be, Charlie preferred Daniels company, his and Jasons.

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Most of the pack had known Charlie for years, and there was always something in their eyes when they looked at him these days. It wasnt pity exactly, more of an awareness of what he had gone through and a carefulness in the way they spoke to him. He flinched inside every time he caught one of those looks or heard one of their carefully worded sentences. He did not want or need the eggshell approach, as he had come to think of the way everyone treated him. Neither Jason nor Daniel were like that, so he felt free to enjoy spending time with them both, and the three of them were fast becoming friends. Triple trouble, was how Cameron had taken to referring to them. He always said it with a smirk. Daniel was unpacking his stuff. He had brought one laptop with him the first time he had come up, then a crate containing another laptop and a PC after the packing-up trip to London when they had made the arrangements for their move. Charlie had thought that would be all of them. Boy was I ever wrong. he thought, watching Daniel unpack in bemusement. Out came computer tower after tower, screen after screen. The human kept using words like repeater, hub, and router, but Charlie had no clue what he was talking about. Charlie was having fun watching, though, the room was starting to feel like something out of a spy movie or that computer nerds office on the crime drama programme Jasons mum liked to watch. The one about those FBI agents who profiled criminals so they could work out who they were in order to catch them. Except Daniel has more gadgets, he thought. The rest of the men were doing other unpacking, though a few were installing elements of a security system throughout the house. Security was their thing after all, and it would be a bit embarrassing to have anyone break into the security experts house, especially when said experts were shifters with heightened senses. There had been a very basic model installed already, but they had ripped that out and got busy putting their own in.

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There were many boxes still to be emptied, stacked up in the corridor outside the room Charlie and Daniel were in. Not all of the computers in the house were Daniels, far from it apparently. There was also to be a security room, though Daniel said any computer in the house would be able to access the system. Each of the men had their own computer, too, some laptops, some PCs. God, I was only out of the loop for three years, Charlie thought to himself, might as well have been a decade the way computers have developed. I know I was never up on all the latest stuff, but whats an iPad for fucks sake? There were several of the things floating around, and Charlie, though he hadnt gotten his hands on one yet, thought they looked pretty cool. There were computers at Carden of course, but nothing like what was being unpacked at Blue Gables. Yo, Charlie! Daniel bellowed, making him jump. What? Why are you yelling? Only cause I had to say your name like eight timesYou okay? Yeah, sorry, just kinda spaced out. Been thinking about all thats been going on since I met you guys. Its been, whata week? It feels like the whole pack is being turned upside down, and I only got back less than a month ago myself. Plus I cant get over all this. He waved a hand around the room at all the equipment. Daniel grinned. These are my babies. You have an awful lot of babies, Charlie observed dryly. Can you pass that cable? Daniel asked, then elaborated after Charlie looked at the eight million cables laid out on the table and raised an eyebrow at him. Ha! Jake does that, too, the eyebrow thing. The grey cable with the USB jack on one end. Charlie found the right one, then handed it to him and watched while Daniel got down and wiggled behind one of the desks. Now the yellow one with phone-type jacks on both ends. His hand appeared from behind the desk and waved around in the air until Charlie put the right cable in it.

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Uh, Dee? Jake asked from the doorway. Charlie caught a glimpse of a peculiar expression on his face. The Beta was looking at Daniels rear end while the smaller man wiggled back out from behind the desk. The look was wiped away when Jake noticed Charlie was looking at him. Hmmmm, what was that about? Is there something going on there? he wondered. No, there cant be. Daniel is straight. Besides, there is no smell of either of them on the other. Hey, Jake. Hi, Charlie. Dee, the security system is all in place, and the computer and screens are all set up and ready for you, Jake said. Okay, I will be there inactually I suppose I can come now. Daniel looked around. I can hook it in with the rest once the network is up and running. Best to get the cameras working ASAP. He said the acronym as a word, not the initials as Charlie would have. Oh, Charlie, Jason is here to pick you up. I told him he could make himself something to eat, so he is in the kitchen emptying the fridge. Charlie barked out a laugh at Jakes words. It was true though. He sometimes thought Jason ate more than he did himself. Given the way he had been eating to pile weight back on and heal, that was saying something. Charlie was very happy to see the old and new pack members all accepting each other so easily. Its only been a few days since Perry asked them to join us, and they are already mixing in like family. Charlie left the room and went off in search of the kitchen. He followed his nose until he came across Jason with a massive sandwich in his hands. Can you even get your mouth around that? Charlie instantly wished he could take back the words as he heard how the sentence sounded when said aloud. He mentally slapped himself and held back a giggle as he looked at Jason, who was rather more innocently minded, but Jason did not even notice the way the words could have been taken.

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Of course, Jason replied and proceeded to prove it. The sight of Jason stuffing his face with the giant sandwich woke up Charlies stomach, which sounded out a loud growl. Make me one? Erslightly smaller, though. Charlie had been at Blue Gables, the house now lived in by Jake and his men, for most of the day. While he had been there, Jason had been taking the last of his A level exams, and he had been psyched that morning that they were almost over. So how did they go today? Charlie asked his friend. Jason shrugged. Guess I will know when I get my results. Not too bad I suppose. He was not the type to stress over something that could not be changed. He stood and went to the fridge, getting things out, stacking them in one arm. I did say smaller! Charlie watched his friend put half the things he was holding back again and then go over to the counter in the middle of the kitchen to make the requested sandwich. They ate in happy silence for a few minutes, then went to say good-bye to Daniel before going back to the pack settlement for a run in the forest.

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Chapter Six: Perry

At first glance, the smallish building, which stood underneath the large collection of what appeared to be some kind of communication masts, seemed harmless. Thats what Perry thought anyway. The others with him plainly thought differently as they looked and whispered away to each other via the secure comm system Daniel had set up. Perry listened to the chatter and gradually began to notice the cameras and guards in unobtrusive positions. Then he watched the guards and couldnt quite believe how inept they appeared. He would not have normally spotted them unless he was close enough to scent them. Yes, they were there, and yes, they were fairly well hidden, but they paid minimal attention to their job and more to their mobile phones and each other than their surroundings. So back to my first thoughthe gave a feral grinmaybe they are not totally harmless, but they are certainly incompetent and ripe for their upcoming and well-deserved arse kicking! His grin turned utterly evil as he contemplated what he would like to do to the guards who had helped hold his mate prisoner, beaten and tortured him. Charlies stepfather may be a rat bastard and, after the primary objective of rescuing the other prisoners, one of Perrys targets. The guards, however, they had been the ones in charge of him from day to day, and they had been the ones to follow Michaelsons psychotic orders. Perrys wolf was pacing inside him, growling and eyeing the guards with as much anticipation as Perry. The tips of his fingers itched as he struggled to stop his claws from ripping through them. Right now, he needed to be able to think clearly, not be ruled by

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his instincts. The time would come, and soon, but for now he had to hold his wolf back. Darkness had begun to creep in since they had arrived to begin scouting around. Two of the men were going to be coming back in a few hours, and again for the next couple of nights so they would be able to get a good indication of the routines the guards at the warehouse used. They wanted their first look at the place to be in daylight. Huh. Problem? Daniel was doing something techy Perry didnt fully understand. He watched as Daniel typed away furiously on the on a netbook he had gotten out and attached to another gadget. Seb watched from Daniels other side, smirking slightly at the way Perry was frowning in confusion at what Daniel was doing. Seb, with his black hair, green eyes, and six-foot-five muscled build, could have been mistaken for another one of Perrys brothers, if it had not been for his darker, more Mediterranean complexion. He was a quiet, wellspoken man, and Perry liked him a lot. Exact opposite actually. Despite his assertion, Daniel was frowning at his netbook. What is it then? Oh, sorry! I already knew there were no external internet connections to the place, but there is no wireless network either. Those are not fake security cameras, but I dont have any access. It must be a closed system, meaning there is only access from inside the building. That may not sound like a good thing, but it means when we hit the place, it will only be the guards present we will need to worry about. There will be no one watching from another location, ready to jump in and help them. So why the scowl? Perry was puzzled. Daniel had explained the situation well once prodded into it, but the reason behind his scowl was still unclear. Just seems too easy. Huh.

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What? Daniel glanced away from his netbook and over at Perry. Annoying, isnt it. Perry shot a cocky look at the smaller man. Then he said, Some people are never satisfied is all. Nothing wrong with being easy, right? I suppose not, but whenever things seem too easy is usually when the smelly brown stuff hits the big swirly thing. Perry paused before laughing quietly at Daniels peculiar phrasing of the well-known saying. The human was way too young to be that cynical. Everyone jumped at the coffee upon their return to Blue Gables then went to gather in the dining room. Perry agreed with most of them, the name of the large house was way too cute. The subject of changing it at some later date had been raised briefly, but there were other things to concentrate on at the moment. One of the tenants that had occupied the house years ago had somehow managed to sneak the name registration through. They all picked up their mugs and wandered through to sit around the enormous dining room table. So we dont actually know how many people are being held in there. Perry knew he was stating the obvious, but they had to start somewhere. No, but from what Charlie said, there could be anywhere up to a hundred of them, Jake replied. Back to where they will all be staying. You are sure they will be okay to stay here? If there were not many of them, then they could stay at Carden, but if there are more than ten we would have problems. I think they will find it more comfortable if they are all in the same place. If we start splitting them up, they may get suspicious of what could be going on. We want them to feel at ease, not that they have gone from one horrible place to somewhere which could be worse. Jake scratched his head absently while he thought. They should be fine here. A lot of the place still needs attention, though. And not knowing how many of them there will be could be a problem when it

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comes to how many beds we will need. Where will we get a lot of beds on short notice? Jake looked at Daniel. I can look into that. Daniel bent his head over his Tablet. Give me a few minutes. How many computers does the man have? Perry wondered. Ive seen him with a laptop, a netbook, an iPad, and thats not even starting on all the equipment in his lair, which looks more like the bridge of the Enterprise than an office. They talked between themselves for a few minutes until Daniel looked up again. Beds wont be a problem, though I will need to know numbers so I can put orders in. There are several companies who do next-day deliveries, even for large multiples of items. He shot glances between Jake and Perry, waiting for a decision to be made. Okay, here then, Jake spoke, how about this? Forty singles and ten bunk beds should do to start with. Duvets, pillows, sheets, and covers for all sixty, with twice that number spares. He looked at Perry for confirmation, who nodded. Pack funds will cover this. Let me know how much you spend, and I will have the money transferred. You better order some clothes for them, too, in a selection of sizes. Use your own judgement on quantity. We can always order more or give it to charity later on. Get some night things and comfortable, soft clothing for the daytime. Sweats, T-shirts, hoodies, socks, that sort of thing. Forget shoes, we can sort those out when we know sizes. Perry finished speaking to Daniel, then looked at Jake. We need to figure out a plan for the aftermath, too. Not just where people will sleep, but guard duty and other things. There will definitely be a need for food and medical care after we get them all out, so I will have Betts and Doc waiting here ready for them. I can have several men come over for guard duty so you guys dont have to do it all. Let me know how many you think you will need and we can talk shift length and schedules.

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They talked for some time, making lists of things they thought would be needed, guard rotas, transport, and all sorts of other things, including when the mission itself would take place. Its original date had been pushed back a little while Jake and his friends made their move up from London. The rescue was planned for four days later at 11:00 p.m. Not only did a lot of guards tend to be less alert at night, but Charlie had told them he knew of at least one vampire being held there. While daylight wouldnt kill a vampire, exposure to the sun could be very painful for him or her, depending on their age. So, a night rescue it would have to be. Betts and Doc were called in, too, and were consulted on lists of food and medical supplies they thought needed to be laid in. While the discussions went on, Perry noticed Daniel using a few minutes to do the ordering online. He had to use two different companies for the beds. Neither one currently had enough stock for the numbers that had been agreed upon. **** Perry! That one is going up to the second floor. Can you give me a count when you come back down? The beds were arriving, and Daniel was checking lists and directing traffic, telling everyone where they were all supposed to go. At the moment the beds were all being lined up in corridors so they could make sure the right ones got to the correct rooms before they were all unpacked and put together. Perry hefted the single mattress over his shoulder, bending forward slightly to balance properly, and walked carefully up the first flight of stairs, along the balcony and up the second flight. The thing was not heavy, not for him, but it was rather awkward to carry. The plastic sheeting wrapped around the mattress was a little slippery, and he nearly dropped it on reaching the top when he had to move aside quickly when two of the kids, young Danny and Matthew, went flying

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past him to run downstairs. The house was bustling with activity. As well as the arrival of the beds, bedding, and clothing that had been ordered, Allan was trying to get some work done on the bathrooms with some men he had brought in. Some of the bathrooms would be fine as they were, but some would need gutting and complete refurbishing over the next few months. Basic repair would have to do for now though. Slow down, boys. Perry did not want them falling. Sorry, sir. two young voices called back. There was the thunder of baby elephants as the kids continued their speedy descent. Perry shrugged, nearly dropping the mattress again. As long as they are okay. He took the mattress through to the right wing of the house and did a quick count. Eleven plastic wrapped packages leaned against the walls here, twelve once his own joined them, and six of the big brown cardboard parcels that each contained a single bed. Twelve mattresses, six single beds, he told Daniel when he got back downstairs. Okay, another six singles, two bunks, and four mattresses up there and that wing is full. Cameron? Daniel looked at his friend, an athletic blond who always looked bright and chipper, whom everyone adored. Third floor left wing, fourteen single beds, nine mattresses. Just five more mattresses up there then. Daniel sent them both up with plastic-wrapped packages to the third floor left wing another couple of times before moving them on to other things. Ow! Bloody thing. Perry swore, nearly throwing the Allen key across the room. The hexagon-shaped key kept slipping in the little metal head of the screws and every time it did, he banged his hand in the exact same place. He shook it and tightened that screw a little more before moving to the next one.

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Ready for me in here? Charlie spoke as the door swung open. Oh, um, hi, Perry. Charlie, what are you doing? Ready for him? Christ! What does he want? Perry could feel his cock hardening already with the presence of his mate. His wolf began to stir, and he could almost feel fur break out across his skin. Its a good job Im lying on my front at the moment. Perry did not want to scare Charlie with the bulge in his jeans that would be rather too obvious once he rolled over, so he stayed where he was. Charlie waggled an electric screwdriver at him. Oh, thats you with that job, is it? Perry could have smacked himself. Of course its him with that job. Why else would he be here with it, you dumbass? Are the beds in here ready? That one is. Nearly done here, too. Perry finished as quickly as he could with the remaining two screws, hyperaware of Charlie making his way round the other bed, tightening the screws in it. With careful movements, he stood and spread the wooden slats that would support the mattress across the base of the bed. He turned to slip out of the room just as Charlie stood, and they nearly crashed into each other. Shit! Oh! They both froze, inches apart. He looked down at Charlie and watched as Charlies eyes slid over his chest and up to meet his own heavy-lidded gaze. An electric current went through Perry when their eyes met, and he trembled, battling to hold his wolf back. Charlies scent curled around him in tendrils. He could almost feel it rolling over his skin, caressing and teasing. His breathing sped up. This close to Charlie and he could hear his mates heart rate grow faster. Charlies eyes dilated, and the smaller man began to pant softly as he stared up at Perry. Unable to move, all Perry could do was stand there, feeling his breath coming in little pants as well, as it synchronised with Charlies.

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Distantly, as if from underwater, he heard a noise approaching. Charlie must have heard it, too, because a small whimper of protest escaped him. Oof! a young voice grunted. Then Perry was spitting feathers. He was not angry, he was actually spitting feathers out of his mouth. They were everywhere. He looked over at the door. Milly and one of her brothers, also covered in little white feathers, stared at him and Charlie in horror. It had to be Miles because Astley had stayed home that day. Oh, sir. Im so sorry! Milly turned to her brother and smacked him around the back of his head. You idiot. Me? What about you? Its not my pillow that burst. Perry noticed both kids were clutching pillows and that Millys was leaking feathers. Yeah, but you started it. Did not, Did, too, Did not. You so did, You little liar. Did not. Miles turned and ran from the room. Im telling Mum! Milly paused. Sorry, Perry, Ill get the Hoover. Then she turned and ran after her brother. Dont you dare tell Mum, you little liar! You know you started it! she shouted. Her voice got fainter as they ran off. Perry went to look back at Charlie, but he had turned and was walking out of the door. What just happened? Perry could not quite figure it out. Its almost as if he wanted me, too. He cant have, though, its too soon for him. Way too soon. No, I have to wait until he is ready. I have to wait for him to come to me. Two days later, they were all set up for an influx of new residents at Blue Gables. Jake and his men had all doubled up in the bedrooms they were using, and they had finished setting the new beds up

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throughout the house. Allan had finished the initial work he had planned, and Betts had been cooking up a storm, laying in rather vast amounts of supplies to feed a large array of different supernatural creatures. Perry had asked him to prepare for the most common supernatural beings. He had known how much food Charlie had needed when he had first got out of that place, and Betts had to be ready, times a lot more. They didnt know how long the rescued prisoners would be with them either, so they thought it best to plan for a longer stayerr on the side of caution, as Patricia said.

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Chapter Seven: Perry

The scent carried on the air had Perrys wolf on full alert. Jake and his men had trained and had tamed their natural reactions, which was a good thing, because judging from how Perry and his men were feeling, the natural reactions of their wolves to the scent was to run as far and as fast as they could away. Perrys men were not running, though. He felt immensely proud of them. They were ready for the job they had to do, but were obviously fighting an inner battle with their wolves at every step. The scent spoke of death, sickness, and starvation. More than that though, the place stank of evil, the dark intentions of twisted souls. While his men wanted to run away, Perrys wolf was Alpha, meant to look after and protect those in his charge and those in need of help. Perrys wolf wanted to run toward the building in front of them, wanting to help anyone at the mercy of those running the place. It wanted to destroy the building and prevent the evil inside from harming anyone else and kill the perpetrators. Perry had an eye on his watch, marking the minutes as they passed. At five past eleven, he made a motion in the air with a closed fist, signalling his group the agreed time had arrived. As one, they began to creep stealthily forward. Reaching the designated entry point for their group, Perry paused. Placing his ear to the cold metal door he listened for any activity within. As Daniel had no access to the security cameras, he was making do with thermal imaging, but there was always a chance something might not show up because it was being shielded somehow. Hearing nothing, he cracked the door open and paused again, this time letting the scents from within wash over him. The

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scent they had all detected earlier increased tenfold once the door opened and even Perrys wolf quailed for a moment at the stench of suffering wafting out. He mastered his feelings and led the way into the building, followed closely by Ant and the other two in his team. He was proud of his men, how they were able to carry on despite what their wolves must be going through inside them. They followed the floor plan they had memorised from what Daniel had managed to dig up and quickly made their way to the stairs heading down into the basement level. Charlie had told them the basement was where they were all kept, and it had been vastly altered, several times, so once they were below ground level any blueprints would be about as useful as a chocolate frying pan. Perry began to hear noises filtering up from the prisoners cells. Despite his prior knowledge of what happened down there or maybe because of it, the sounds fingered his soul with an icy touch, and he shivered. Sobs of despair mingled with whimpers of those in pain. He pulled his wolf closer to the surface, strengthening his Alpha Presence to calm the men with him. They had started to shift about uneasily, and Perry could feel their wolves discontent, but they settled again, reassured by their Alpha. Daniel was coordinating the assault, and Perry listened as he spoke quietly over the groups comm system to Jake, warning him of the presence of one of the guards. The thermal heat sensors they were using to try to keep track of the guards whereabouts were doing their job well and were picking up six guards. As soon as one of the teams found the computer that had control of the cameras around the warehouse, they would manually jack into it with the equipment Daniel had sent with each group. After a moment, Daniel gave Jake the go-ahead to continue. As they made their way down the last few steps, the noises from the cells around them began to fade, the occupants becoming aware of their presence and falling silent.

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There were no guards in the immediate vicinity of Perry and his group, so the moment they were outside the cells, they began to open them. The cell doors had no locks on them, just a bolt and latch system which would be impossible to open from the inside. Perry thought the first cell he opened was empty until what he had thought was a bundle of rags on the bed moved. He approached cautiously, not wanting to scare whoever lay there. He inhaled carefully, trying to pick out the scent of the person in the tattered clothing and blanket, and smelled wolf. He crouched next to the bed so he didnt appear to loom threateningly over the wolf shifter and gently pulled the thin blanket down enough to see the person underneath. Easy, he whispered after clearing his throat a couple of times. The dull brown eyes staring back at him from the emaciated face damn near broke him. How could anyone say they lived in a civilised society when some of them did things like this? There was no fear or any other expression on the mans scruffy, bearded face. He looked as though he no longer cared one way or another what happened to him. Perry cleared his throat again to try to get rid of the sudden lump, which had arisen, making it difficult to speak without his voice cracking. Whats your name? The man didnt answer. We are here to get you all out. Can you walk? The man didnt move, he just continued to look at Perry blankly, so Perry bundled him up in the grimy blanket and carried the gaunt bundle to the door. He was so light in Perrys arms Perry could hardly believe this guy was still alive. Daniel gave the all clear just then. Jake and his men had taken care of all the guards and found the computer system. They must have jacked in like had been planned and checked there were no more guards lurking somewhere. They were too professional a group for Daniel to give the announcement without being very sure of his facts. The taking of the facility, if anyone could even call the place that, had

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been very quick and apparently relatively painless. Perry felt free to walk straight up and out with his fragile cargo. He took the man over to one of the trucks they had hired for tonights use. A couple of the men had stayed with the trucks and moved them closer once Daniel had given them a signal it was safe. Perry left the man in the care of Henry, one of Perrys two brothers, and headed back to help someone else. He passed several of his men assisting others out of the building. Once underground again he found another shut door and opened it. His jaw exploded with pain, snapping his head back as he took a blow right on his chin. The blow wasnt enough to knock him down, though, and he quickly blocked the second hit aimed at his ribs and the third which came back at his face. Whoa! What the hell? Were here to help. Wolf? a deep voice growled at him after Perry heard a snuffling sound. Yes. He sniffed at the other in return. Bear? The other man growled an affirmative noise in response. I promise we are here to help, to get you all out. Come on. He stood back and ushered the large man out of the cell. Good lord, the man was huge. Taller even than Perry, which was saying something. He was broader, too, though if he was a bear that was understandable. Where is she? Who? You know someone else here? Perry watched as the bear shifted from foot to foot for a moment, obviously unsure of whether to answer Perrys question or not. My mate, the bear admitted. We will find her. You go on out to the trucks. She may have already been taken out to them. If not, then please wait there. We will get everyone out, but we dont want anyone to get left behind when we leave because they came back in. Ant was passing with a body clutched in his arms and a scowl on his face, so Perry sent the bear off with him and opened another door.

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The last cell Perry went into appeared empty, just like the first one had. He paused uncertainly in the doorway and heard a noise from under the bed. He edged into the room, moving very slowly when he smelled the sour stink of fear in the air grow stronger. Whoever was under the bed was terrified. Pleaseno more. A faint whisper pleaded, Not again. Perry knelt down on the floor, uncaring of the filth and slime coating the hard cement surface. He kept his voice low and calm. Hi. Its okay. Im not here to hurt you. The small figure, which wasnt much more than a vague shadow in the poor light, shuffled backwards. It was trying to flatten itself against the wall to get as far away from Perry as it could. He could not tell at the moment whether this person was male or female. Hurt, you all hurt me and take what you want. Its not my choice! The last three words were almost shouted. Their implication, of exactly what the guards had done to this person, left Perry feeling sick. He thought the person under the bed was male, from the tones of the voice, but was not entirely sure. Had the guards been raping the prisoners? Bile rose in his throat. Had they raped Charlie? He swallowed hard and shut the thoughts away, ignoring his wolf. The person under the bed was the one needing his help right now. The stink in the cell was overpowering, and Perry found it hard to distinguish the individual scent of this one person. Here. Perry held his hand out, just under the side of the bed. Smell me. Im not like them. There are a group of us here to get you all out. We wont let the guards hurt any of you anymore. There was the smallest of sounds under the bed, and then Perry found himself with an armful of tiny male as the person scrabbled out from under the bed and threw himself at Perry, clinging to him and shivering with nerves. Yes, definitely male, Perry thought as the person wrapped his skinny limbs around him with surprising strength. But how old is he? He is pretty small, even accounting for being

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starved in this horrible place. But why would they have youngsters here? I have not seen sign of any others so far. Wolf! You can help me, you can protect me! Take it easy. Perry ran a hand over the youths back in what he hoped was a soothing movement. Come on, lets get you out of here. He stood carefully, wary of letting any further hurt come to the person in his arms, and carried him out to the trucks. It looked like all the prisoners had been got out but Jake, Cameron, Seb, and Cass went back in to do a final sweep. Perry watched the four men lope off to have a last check of the building. He moved to the rear of the truck to help the young person he held up into the back, but the youth clung to him like a monkey with his face buried in Perrys neck. Perry waved Ant off when he tried to help, and instead climbed into the truck and sat down. This person had been through enough, and it seemed like a very small thing to let him get what comfort he could by sticking with Perry for the ride back to Carden.

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Chapter Eight: Charlie

The last few hours had been hell for Charlie. He knew he could have got in contact with Daniel at any time to find out how things were going, but he had not wanted to interrupt or distract the man at a crucial moment of the operation. As he would have to contact Daniel to find out if they were at a critical point, he felt stuck. He drank coffee and paced, and paced and drank some more coffee. Charlie. Charlie growled back at Hannah and paused in his pacing to twitch back one of the heavy, maroon velvet curtains, which hung in each of the window bays in the long dining room. His worries were going round and round in his head, and he did not want to talk. The dining room overlooked the gravelled driveway and the long sweeping Tarmac road which led to it. He glared out into the night at the shadowed part where the road split, half leading up to the front entrance and the other half disappearing behind the house. Come on, Charlie, calm down. He growled at her again. He did not look her way, but he could see her reflection clearly in the window glass. She hovered a couple of feet behind him, one hand fluttering, undecided, halfway between her side and reaching out to him. Wearing a trench in the floor is not going to do any of them any good, sweetheart. Why dont you go help Betts in the kitchen? He could not help it, his growl got louder and deeper at the same time. His wolf was warning her to back off and leave him alone. Her wolf must have heard the bite that had entered into his growl, because she backed away a few paces.

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Okay, Ill go. He could see both of her hands had risen, as if to pacify him, or ward him off, he was not sure which. Justugh, never mind. She left him in peace. There was not much peace to be had, though. He knew what the prisoners in the warehouse had gone through, and he wanted them out of there. However, he knew seeing them again would bring back all the unwanted memories for him he was only just barely starting to get over. His stupid imagination kept throwing pictures at him. His head was full of visions of Perry getting hurt, lying bleeding on the floor with no one able to help. Images of someone else getting hurt and their family blaming Perry and Perry in turn blaming Charlie danced around in there, too. He could hear Perry telling him he wished Charlie had never escaped, that he was more trouble than he was worth. It was driving him crazy. Finally, after what seemed like days, he heard the trucks pull up and raced for the back door. He ran outside to see what he could do to help. He was distracted by the first thing he saw. A knot of tension inside him unwound at the site of his unharmed mate climbing awkwardly out of the back of the truck. Then Charlies wolf snarled inside as he looked again. Perry held someone in his arms. The person Perry held was small and, judging from the skinny arms and legs that were currently wrapped around Perry, clinging on tightly, rather obviously underweight. Charlie scented the air carefully and picked up the smell of his mate along with anothers twined in with it. The other scent told of mistreatment, starvation, and filth, but it also said male, and it was all he could do to hold back the throatripping snarl that bubbled up. Perry would not come near Charlie, but he would hold this person and let them wrap themselves around him like ivy. Charlie turned his attention back to the bindweed in his mates arms. The clinging clematis had reddish brown hair, no, the hair was red and brown, Charlie realised, a dark brown streaked with mahogany red. The colouring was very unusual and somehow familiar. Charlie did not meet Perrys eyes as the Alpha looked

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around, glancing first back into the truck then at the back door of the house where Charlie waited. Charlie followed Perry into the house and up to one of the bathrooms. He stood, watching, while Perry tried to persuade the wisteria to let go of Perrys neck, and get the twiney, winding legs from around his waist. Something about the scent was bothering Charlie, but he could not quite place it. Nononononono! Need to stay with you. You will protect me. You said you would. You have to protect me. The words came fast and high pitched in panic. As much as Charlie wanted the best for whoever this person was, his wolf did not care about the too-fast breathing, the scent of fear, or the terror in the voice. His wolf just wanted this person away from his mate. Charlie was having a hard time staying back and out of reach of the other two. Perry sighed. Come on, you need to calm down. His words echoed what Hannah had been trying to tell Charlie earlier, and his voice was low and soft as if he talked to a wild animal. You are out of there now. You are safe here. I promise. What is your name? KeKediah. The reply was much quieter than the first rush of words had been, and Charlie thought for a moment he must have heard wrong. Then his brain caught up with his ears and everything came together, the hair, the scent, and the name. Kedi? Charlie took an involuntary step forward, disbelief written all over him. The figure, which was still wrapped around his mate, jerked and looked up for the first time, his silvery-blue eyes meeting Charlies over Perrys broad shoulder. Charlie gasped. It was Kedi! Christ, it was no man that Perry cradled, no threat for his wolf to worry about, this was a boy, and one Charlie had thought two years dead. Charlie? Kedi whispered. He stared at him over Perrys shoulder for a long moment before abruptly letting go of the Alpha and sliding down the big body only to push past him and throw

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himself at Charlie. He got a brief glimpse of Kedis whole face, with his delicate and elfin features, before Kedi crashed into him. He saw Perry turn and stare in astonishment. Charlie ignored Perry, pulled the boy close, and clutched at him just as tightly in return. He could scarcely believe the boy was alive. Youre alive. Youre alive. Youre alive. Kedi was repeating the words over and over in his ear as if he was praying, or just trying to convince himself of the truth of Charlies existence. When Charlie had first been thrown into hell by his stepfather, he had been in the barred cages, before they put the walls in. In the cage to the left of his, there had been a boy of barely thirteen years. The boy, Kedi, had told him he had been in the place for a couple of months after being caught on his first run after shifting for the very first time. Kedi had been a sweet boy, and Charlie had given him what comfort he could, protecting him as much as he was able from the horrors the place held. Kedi had been the only one of the other prisoners not to turn on him after they all found out he was Michaelsons stepson. At one point, they had even been housed together for a few weeks and had huddled together for the additional warmth. When the guards had come to have their fun with Charlie, he had made Kedi turn away so he would not have to watch them violate Charlie after beating him. After the bars had been covered over, turning the cages into cells, and Charlie and Kedi had been separated again, they had still managed low-voiced conversations. They had been friends, and he had cared about Kedi very much. After Charlie came round from a particularly brutal session with the guards, they took great delight in informing him that his friend was dead, and he believed them. He had been devastated to learn those monsters had killed such a sweet kid. Though, by that point, it was hardly a surprise that they were capable of such callousness or that they had killed Kedi. But here he was, alive and clinging to Charlie as if he would never let go.

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I am alive, and you are, too. Keds, they told me you died. Im so sorry I believed them. I wont let anyone take you away again. Charlie heard Perry shift his weight, but he kept his attention on Kedi. Kedi needed to get clean and dry so he could get checked out by Hannah, and fed. Charlie rubbed the boys back a couple of times then drew his hands back to Kedis shoulders. Keds, you need to get clean so we can make sure you are okay. Lets get you undressed. The boy released his hold on Charlie only to clutch at the ragged and dirty clothing he wore. Charlie picked up the sound of Kedis heartbeat as it got faster, and the boy seemed to shrink, cowering, as he stared over at Perry in wide-eyed fright. It did not matter that Perry had helped him once already, he would not undress in front of him. The thought of taking his clothes off around the large Alpha plainly terrified him. The last time Charlie had seen Kedi, the boy had been beaten, starved, and experimented on, but left alone sexually. Something in the way Kedi got a death grip on his clothes and his terror-filled eyes told Charlie the guards had turned their nasty attentions to the boy at some point. Charlies heart broke at the thought of what he must have gone through. He shuddered for a moment as he remembered being there himself, being beaten bloody and all that had come after. He froze with his hands still on Kedis shoulders, the memory taking over, his entire body both numb and on fire with pain at the same time. His upper body lay across the mattress, the smell of dirty cloth, sweat, and his own blood filling his nose. While the sound of two guards jeering from the doorway faded to background noise amidst the pain. Charlies wolf whimpered inside him, not liking the feelings running through his body. A low growl from Perry and the sound of Kedis pained gasp brought him out of his memories, and he looked down at the boy. Charlie realised his grip had tightened into a bruising hold on Kedis bony shoulders, and he quickly let go.

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God, Keds, Im sorry. Sokay, Kedi whispered, understanding clear in his gaze, which had returned to Charlie while he had been lost in the past. Charlie took a deep, shaky breath. Perrys growl had stopped. His wolf is already feeling protective towards Kedi. Charlie did not know whether to be glad of that or jealous. Lets get you clean. ButButNo. The fear returned to Kedis face. His eyes, horror struck in his too-thin face, darted between Charlie and Perry, where the other man still stood by the shower. Perry, would you mind going downstairs please? Charlie hated having to ask. It was not often he got to be close to his mate. The man usually ran in the opposite direction whenever Charlie came near, but right now Kedi was the important one. Perry did not look happy about being asked to leave but relented when Charlie gave him a pleading look. Charlie doubted that Perrys reason for not wanting to go was the same as Charlies for wanting the other man to stay. All right, let me know as soon as he is ready to see Doc. I will go see how things are going with everyone else. When Perry stepped lightly around Charlie and Kedi and moved towards the door, Charlie found himself with an armful of Kedi again as the boy tried to scramble up and over him to avoid Perry. Kedi clung on, shivering and shaking, small, almost inaudible bleats of fright escaping him, until Perry closed the door behind himself and they both heard his footsteps move away. Charlie gently persuaded each piece of clothing away from Kedi. He threw the disgusting things into the large bin in the corner of the room, which had been put there specifically for that purpose. It was for the clothing that they knew each of those rescued from the warehouse would be wearing. The old clothing was all going to be burned. Once naked, Kedi huddled in between the glass of the shower stall and the pale-blue wall, crouched down and balancing on the balls of

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his feet. Charlie leaned on the edge of the shower cubicle and reached in to turn it on. Charlie jerked back as the water began to pour from the white plastic shower head. He stayed there for a minute or so, dipping his hand under the flow of water now and then until he felt the water warm up. Come here, honey. When Kedi did not take his outstretched hand, Charlie bent and took hold of one of the boys tightly clenched fists and tugged him to his feet. In you go. Kedi would not get in. Would it help if I went in with you? Visibly trembling from head to foot, Kedi nodded. Charlie stripped out of his clothes and draped them over the side of the rolltop bath on the other side of the room. Then he tugged the boy to his feet once more from where he had shrank back into his balled-up shape again and carefully stepped backwards into the shower stall, pulling Kedi along with him. Kedis breath jerked a couple of times when the water hit his very skinny little body. Its warm. Yes, honey, it is. Is this okay? The water was always cold there, when they hosed us off. I know. I didnt like being dirty. It feels much nicer to be clean, doesnt it? I dont remember. Kedi sounded puzzled, his brow wrinkling and his nose scrunching up as he thought, as if he couldnt quite remember his life before the dark and the dirt. You dont ever have to stay dirty again, sweetheart. I missed you, Charlie. Kedis soft whisper brought tears to Charlies eyes. I missed you, too. Once Kedi was thoroughly soaked, Charlie reached for one of the tubes of medical shower gel and poured some out onto one of the

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baby sponges. They had not known what condition many of the people they were rescuing would be in, so the bathrooms had all been stocked up with products that would be easy on the skin. Charlie turned Kedi around and slowly soaped up and rinsed his back, noting every bruise and fresh scar. Many of the scars would disappear once the boy was receiving decent nutrition, like Charlies own had, but right now Charlie wanted to get his hands, and wolf-claws and wolfteeth into one of the guards that had hurt this boy. Charlie reluctantly admitted to himself that he must have looked even worse than Kedi did when he had escaped. Charlies tears slipped unnoticed down his face, mingling with the water and being washed away. He had to rinse the sponge and refill it with the shower gel a couple of times as he cleaned Kedis back, legs, arms, and chest, then he handed it over to Kedi so the boy could clean his genitals. He made Kedi clean those parts himself, but he saw with horror the fresh bruises that littered his lower back, hips, and upper thighs. Charlie recognised many of the bruises from when they had marked his own skin. Nausea swelled in his throat, but he held it back through sheer willpower alone. Kedi shuddered against him, letting out a single sob and leaning his head and chest on Charlie while he reached between his own legs and cleaned behind his balls and between his buttocks. By the time they had managed to wash Kedis hair and get his body clean all over, Kedi was shivering with cold, despite the warmth of the water. I suppose when you have zero body fat and almost no muscle to speak of either, then you are more sensitive to the cold. How quickly you forget once you are out of it. Charlies own recovery had only just happened a few weeks before, but he knew his mind had muted a lot of things already. Charlie turned the water off and cracked the door so he could snag two towels, ready for the moment they stepped all the way out into the now cold-seeming bathroom. He rubbed one over Kedis hair, as he would a child, and then wrapped it around him snugly. The boy still shivered with cold, so Charlie hurriedly dried him and dressed

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him in the utilitarian grey sweats and first top that he laid his hands on. The sweats were the smallest size they had stocked but were still baggy on Kedis thin, five-foot-two frame. The top was a navy-blue hoodie, and it fell nearly to Kedis knees. Oh well, he can curl up in it, Charlie thought. There is something nice about a big slouchy top to cuddle into. Charlie put on some of the stocked clothing, too, his own needing a wash after coming into contact with the filth that had coated Kedis old things. He took his time working a brush through Kedis hair. The silky mass reached nearly to his waist when the countless knots had finally been removed, and would need a trim at the very least. Then they went to see Hannah. Kedi checked out as very underweight but otherwise okay. His few lingering injuries had closed and would take care of themselves fully once his body got some food into it. Hannah gave him an orange card to take through to Betts in the kitchen. They had colour-coded meal types for different species and bodily needs. Orange meant shifter, one that needed light food at first. Kedi got chicken soup and a single piece of fresh bread. Betts had several huge vats of soup ready and waiting. Some heavier than others, but all were easy on the stomach and as tasty as Bettss cooking always was. Kedi ate the soup. Charlie, who was also hungry by that point, had his own rather bigger bowl of chicken soup, with added vegetables and lentils. They ate side by side at the kitchen table, Charlie shooting glances at Kedi between mouthfuls to make sure he was not imagining the boy was really there. After three bites of the bread and halfway through the soup, Kedi began to flag. He had fumbled the spoon a couple of times, and his head was drooping with tiredness. The weary boy followed Charlie as Charlie led the way back up to the first floor and along to one of the smaller bedrooms. There were two beds in the room, the other one already occupied by a huddled shape under the covers. Charlie laid Kedi down on the free bed and pulled the duvet up and tucked it in around him.

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Dont go. You want me to stay until you fall asleep? I want you to stay. I can stay until you go to sleep. Their conversation was kept low so as not to disturb the other person. Dont leave me. I will be back tomorrow. Please! ShhhhhshhhhIts okay. Charlie settled himself gingerly on the edge of the bed and cuddled up to Kedi. He stroked the boys hair, his fingers combing through the soft, fine strands until he knew Kedi slept, and then he slipped quietly from the room.

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Chapter Nine: Perry

Perrys hands were deliberately light on the steering wheel as he drove back to Carden. One side of the wheel had been flattened where he had gripped rather too hard when he first got into the car. There were still things going on back at Blue Gables, but the worst had been taken care of, and the next shift of people were looking after everything. It was half four in the morning, and everyone was tired. There were a couple of others in the car with him. They had been involved with the rescue and helped with the aftermath. Sam, Perrys Beta, had been one of the truck drivers. He had stayed with the truck and driven its fragile and wounded cargo back to Blue Gables. He had known enough to suspect the state they would find their new charges in, and upon seeing them, he had stayed afterwards to help for as long as he could. Gerry sat in the back seat. He shared a house with Hannah and a couple of the others who had no mate yet. Gerry had been on one of the other teams during the rescue, with Cass, Cameron, and Davin. All three men were silent as they made their way home, trying to absorb the sights they had seen. The abuses inflicted on their fellow shifters were horrifying. The terror of some of those they had only been trying to help had been heartbreaking, and others had sat in the filth in total apathy, not even seeming to notice when they were being taken away from their cells and abusers. Perry opened his front door, very glad to be home. His wolf and his heart were both in agreement. They wanted the comfort of holding his mate in his arms. He ached to wrap himself around Charlie and never let him go again. His arms felt empty without his mate in them.

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Charlie, he allowed himself to whisper out loud, I need you. The house felt colder when Charlie was not there. The sight of some of the people had reminded Perry of just how far Charlie had come in the few weeks since he had come back into Perrys life. Then a thought occurred to him. Maybe I dont have to wait. Maybe Charlie is waiting for me to be the one to make the first move. The thoughts made his heart beat faster. He dropped his keys on the old oak stand by the front door, in the china bowl with the pheasants painted around the outside. He had been staring at the bowl for several minutes while his thoughts wandered. He walked toward the stairs so he could go up and shower, then grab a few hours rest. His heart had lightened a little, and he was now looking forward to seeing Charlie again, to trying to talk to him. As his foot rose to land on the first step, he heard a loud knock on the front door. Perry let his head fall back for a moment, and he stared at the ceiling. No rest for the wicked Alpha. He sighed to himself. He opened the door to see an equally exhausted-looking Sam, accompanied by a rather sleepy-looking boy in a pair of dark-blue pyjamas, one of Sams sons. Is that Astley or Miles? HmmmmAstley, I think, he decided. What are they doing here? Oh, Sam, go home, go to sleep. Sam, whats up? Perry yawned after he spoke, too tired to beat around the bush. Sorry to come back, Alpha. Perry rarely insisted on his title being used. He preferred to be on friendly, easier terms with the members of his pack, and only insisted on his title being used in official situations when he needed to enforce his authority. The pack had all been using the title since they had left the warehouse earlier in the night. Perry knew they must be needing to feel the security of their pack and had not commented other than to use his Alpha Voice more and reinforcing his Presence. I looked in on the kids as soon as I got home. Iuhneeded to check on them, after tonightneeded to know they were safe. Astley

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herePerry gave himself a mental pat on the back for correctly distinguishing between the identical boyshe woke up and said he needed to see you right away. Perrys gaze settled on the boy. Milly had her first shift about six months ago now, and then the boys had followed about three months after, right after the triplets thirteenth birthday. Well, lad? Whats wrong? Perry made himself ask the question when the boy just stood there, fidgeting from foot to foot and staring at the floor. He might be tired and frustrated with not being able to get upstairs for a shower and bed, but he did not want to take it out on a plainly nervous young boy. Itsits my mate, sir, Astley said, his voice unsteady with nerves. Your what? Sams shout rang out at the same time as Perry felt his eyebrows shoot up in astonishment. Perry held a hand up to keep Samuel quiet. I know how old you are, boyhe glanced at Astleys fatherand I know you cannot actually be mated yet. Please explain. I smelled him, sir. II smelled my mate. My father has been with him, hehe must be one of the people Dad went to help. Your mate is definitely a he? You are sure of this? Perry interrupted briefly. Oh, yes, sir. I know I am too young to mate, but I know my mate is male and my father has been with him tonight. Now he had started talking properly he seemed to be shedding his nerves. If he is one of the people you and Dad helped, then I need to go find him. What if he doesnt stick around? What if he leaves before he knows I am here? What if I never get to see him? Astley was working himself up rather nicely with a flair for the dramatic. Breathe, Astley. Perry laid a calming hand on the young shifters slender shoulder. Such a difference from Kedi, god, Kedi should be twice Astleys weight at the age he is, but I doubt he weighs even half. None of the people over there will be going anywhere

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tonight. I understand how frantic you and your wolf must be to go search out your mate, but you must wait for a few hours. You will not lose him. You cannot arrive there athe looked at his watch and inwardly groanedfive in the morning and demand to meet every male in the house until you find him. Go home and go to bed. Come back here at half eight in the morning. I will take you over, and you can stick around all day until you have met them all. Butand here Perry put on his Alpha Voice and a stern lookyou will go easy on them. One of the men there is your mate, one. You will need to be rather more grown up about this than you actually are, because there are a lot of very troubled people over there. Some of them have been through a lot, more than you can imagine, and they do not need you jumping all over them in your eagerness to try and locate your mate, putting them through unneeded stress. Do you understand me? The boy, cowering back slightly at the force of Perrys Alpha Presence, reluctantly nodded and accepted Perrys edict. He left with his father, and Perry went upstairs for his longed-for shower. Despite wanting to scrub for hours to rid himself of the lingering ghosts that swirled around him since he had entered the warehouse, he made his shower a brief one. Then he went to bed, falling asleep before his head hit the pillow. The next morning Astley turned up at half past eight on the dot, bright and eager. He was dressed smartly in a white-and-blue striped button-down shirt, tucked into his clean and ironed, tan chinos. Megan turned up, too. Apparently, when Gerry had gone home in the middle of the night, he had woken Megan, one of his housemates, when he had walked past her bedroom. She wanted to go and find her mate, too. They left together in search of their mates, Astley no longer needing Perry to drive him over because of Megans presence. Perry was still staring at the front door after it had closed behind Megan and Astley when he heard the shower turn on upstairs. He had barely woken when Charlie had got in around six. The reminder of his mate sent an unaccustomed feeling thrumming through Perry. Forget

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butterflies, I think I have a whole flock of birds doing the hula in my stomach. The large Alpha did not often find himself fighting nerves, but they were attacking with a vengeance as he thought about approaching his mate. Half an hour later Perry realised the shower continued to run upstairs. He became concerned and went up to check on Charlie. It was not like Charlie to be in the shower for so long. He knocked on the bathroom door softly at first, then louder, but he heard no response. Turning the knob, he opened the door a crack. Charlie? Is everything okay? When he still heard no reply, he pushed the door open further and looked around it. What he saw clawed at his heart. Charlie sat on the floor, in the corner of the grey-tiled shower, head resting on his knees, arms clasped tightly around his legs as his shoulders shook with the force of his silent sobs. Unable to bear the sight of his mate in pain, Perry strode in and grabbed a towel. He turned off the flow of water and gathered Charlie up in his arms, wrapping them and the towel around his mates shaking body. Charlie barely reacted when Perry lifted him, merely turning his head into Perrys chest as he was carried through into Perrys bedroom. Perry settled them both on his bed and held Charlie as he cried. Perry could feel the dampness of Charlies tears seeping through his shirt as he cried against his chest. When the tears began to slow, Perry reached for the box of tissues on his bedside table. He held them for a few moments until Charlie noticed and took one, then blew his nose noisily. Thank you, Charlie whispered, his body limp against Perry. Not exactly how I pictured the first time I got you in my bed, Perry attempted to joke. Charlie let out a noise halfway between a sob and a snort of laughter. Me either. Then he froze in the act of sitting up, his body halfway lifted off Perry. Youyou thought about having me in your bed?

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Well, of course I thought about it. Perry gave him a look, but Charlie was not looking back so he missed it. Youre my mate. Why is this surprising to him? No, there are other things to talk about first, he decided and then asked, What has you so upset? Kedi. That young man? Hes not a young man. Hes still a boy. Keds is only sixteen, and they Perry saw Charlies chin quiver again, and a single tear escaped and trickled down his face as he avoided Perrys eyes. Charlie brushed it away angrily when it reached his jaw. They raped him. At sixteen. God, at least the rest of us were older. The words burst out in a rush. A look of horror crossed Charlies face, and he clapped a hand over his mouth, realising what he had just said. The blood froze in Perrys veins. They raped you. Perry ground the words out as a statement, rather than a question. His mind struggled with the facts of the statement even as he managed to say the words. When he found Kedi and with what the boy had said to him, Perry had suspected Kedi had been raped, and the possibility had crossed his mind Charlie had been through the same thing, but he had hurriedly shunted the thoughts away, unable to deal with them. Now he was facing the reality that his mate had been raped, he struggled to accept it. His wolf howled inside him, battering at Perrys control so the beast could break free and go destroy those who had violated his mate, not understanding most of them were dead already. Butyour fatherMichaelson Shit, Perry. Dont you get it? Charlie threw himself off the bed, stumbling for a moment when the abandoned towel fell to the floor and caught around his feet. He went to go stand in the middle of the room. Dont you get what a sick fuck the man really is? He gave me to them! Charlie shouted, gesturing wildly. The first time it happened, he fucking watched. He watched them beat me until I couldnt move, then when they hesitated, he told them to do it. The

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man I thought of as my father ordered them to rape me. His voice broke, tears streaming down his face once more. He stared back at Perry, anguish carving deep lines into his face. Without being aware of moving, Perry found himself standing beside his mate, his arms wrapped tightly around Charlies naked body. Charlie No, Perry, no more please. I cant talk about He paused after interrupting and tilted his head back from Perrys chest so he could look up at him. Perry looked down into his mates tearstained face and reddened eyes, and he could not stop himself from bending to press a gentle kiss on Charlies mouth. He only sought to offer his mate some comfort, not anticipating his mates reaction. As he drew away, he felt the hiss of Charlies quickly indrawn breath. Then Charlie raised himself up and brought their mouths together again. Perry stood there, stunned and unmoving for a moment. Then he slid one hand up over the smooth skin of Charlies back to cup the back of his neck. The kiss deepened slowly as Perry ran his tongue over Charlies bottom lip, tasting his mate and coaxing his mouth open. Charlie swayed, his hips bumping up against Perrys, then arched his back and moaned when Perrys tongue dipped inside his mouth. Charlie clutched at Perrys shoulders, trying to pull him closer, and the feel of his still-slender body moulding itself up against him had every sense Perry possessed blazing to life. He could taste the delicious flavour of his mates lips, smell his scent, and feel every flex and shift of his body. He could hear the sounds of their kiss, Charlies small panting breaths, and skin moving against skin and clothes. He could even see every feeling running through Charlies body written on his face between each kiss. Breaking apart for a moment for air, they looked at each other. Charlie breathed hard, his lips glistening and swollen and his eyes heavy with desire. Perry pulled him back and plundered his mouth in a kiss of pure ownership, staking his claim on his mate. Charlie

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moaned in surrender, his cock hard against Perrys. As he did so, his wolf, which had been quiet, made its presence known. His fangs elongated and his wolf growled possessively, Mine! Claim my mate. The strong flood of satisfaction from his beast shocked some semblance of awareness back into Perry, and he staggered back from Charlie. Wait, stop. Perry gasped for air and fought for control. No way would he take his mate like this. Charlie had been through way too much to be rushed into sex without settling things between them first. Perry knew his mate was healed physically, but was he mentally over what had been done to him by his father and the guards? Perry wanted to know Charlie really was ready to be claimed. What? He could see the moment reality crashed in on Charlie. His eyes cleared and pain flashed through them before the shutters came down. You wontI meanyou dont Charlies body was ramrod straight as he turned and walked stiffly out of the room while Perry still scrambled for words. Shit. I went too fast. One kiss, one stupid kiss. I meant to offer him comfort, and like a complete idiot I lost all reason. Perry thought in despair. Though he had frozen when he had seen the pain written on Charlies face, his brain would not stop. He was just telling me about being violated by the guards when he was a prisoner for fucks sake, and I go and maul him. Some mate I am. I wouldnt blame him if he never speaks to me again. Perrys rant at himself was interrupted as he realised the irritating noise blaring from downstairs was the phone ringing. In a bit of a daze he went to see who was calling.

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Chapter Ten: Charlie

Allan, can I talk to you? Sure, Charlie, whats up? I need to ask you a rather big favour. Okay, so what is it? Um. Charlie looked around the dining room at all the shifters and others that had been rescued a couple of days before. Betts had set out a buffet lunch, and everyone was loading up plates or standing around talking. Would you mind if we went somewhere a little quieter? All right. Allan looked puzzled but put down his still-empty plate and motioned at Charlie to lead the way. They walked out of the dining area and turned left after the stairs, then out through the back door that led onto a patio area. Allan closed the door, but Charlie saw Kedi heading towards them through the small glass panes in the top half. Kedi was turning into Charlies shadow, but this was one conversation he needed to have without him present. Charlie went to the door and, opening it slightly, poked his head through to talk to Kedi. Keds, I need to talk to Allan for a couple of minutes. Can you wait for me in the dining room? ButI Kedi looked a little panicky. He went pale and his breathing sped up as he gazed pleadingly back at Charlie. Kedi, nothing is going to happen to you in the dining room, you will be safe with everyone else around. Please, Keds. Kedi shuffled off along the red-and-brown tapestried carpet runner and back into the

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house, his head hanging dejectedly. Charlie breathed a sigh of relief and turned back to Allan after shutting the door again. I wanted to ask if you would let me move in. Allans blue eyes narrowed slightly, studying Charlie. He thought for a moment before speaking, and Charlies heart was in his mouth. You want to leave Perrys? No, but I have to. Perry asked you to leave? Allan looked shocked now. No, he didnt ask me to leave. II need to. Charlies voice nearly broke as he spoke past the lump in his throat that was now present every time he thought of Perry. He thought about Perry all the time. He knew his eyes held a glassy sheen, and he did not want to sway Allan by getting emotional, so he looked away and blinked a few times in an effort to rid himself of the tears. Charlie? Allans voice was softer, tentative as he spoke. Did Perryuh, is everything okay? Charlie realised with horror that Allan was asking if Perry had done something to hurt him. With all the injured, now ex-prisoners that they had spent so much time with over the last few days, he could understand why Allans thoughts would go there. Even if Perry did not truly want him, Charlie could not let anyone think that about his mate. Perry was a good man, a good Alpha. Oh god. No Allan! He hasnt done anything to me. He would never hurt me. Its justhehe wont claim me. He doesnt want me, and its driving me insane. He started pacing. I cant be there anymore, under his roof. I can smell him so strongly all the time. I cant sleep at night because of my wolf. It howls inside my head all night wanting my mate. I want him, too, I Whoa, Charlie. Its okay. You dont have to say any more, not if you dont want to. I believe you. I did not like to ask that, I did not think for a moment that our Alpha would be capable of that. It was just with all the after effects of abuse I have seen with everyone he

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waved a hand at the house I had to know. Of course its okay for you to move in. Charlie stopped, each breath coming fast on top of the one before, and his tension had tightened the muscles in his shoulders. Allans words eased him a little. Thank you. Will young Kedi be coming, too? Kedi had moved in to Perrys, to be closer to Charlie, the day after the rescue. I dont know. I wanted to talk to you first. Would it be okay if he did? I am not sure if he would let you go anywhere without him. I will speak to Pat, and you can bring your things over this evening. He checked his watch. Now, we should go eat. You need to eat. You are still not up to what you should be with your weight. I havent really felt like eating much for the last few days. Allan looked concerned. Because of everyone from the warehouse? Because ofPerry. Ah. Come on then, you need to have something now. They went inside together. Kedi hung a few metres away from him, looking nervous, as they filled plates with slices of meat pie, glazed chicken legs, salad, and other things. Charlie picked up a paper napkin, folding it under his plate, and wandered through to one of the sitting rooms. He waved the scared-looking boy over to sit beside him on the dark-brown, leather sofa. Charlie ate as much as he could, not nearly as much as he should, but more than he had been able to in a while now he could relax a little. He was very aware of the boy next to him. He was not looking forward to talking to Kedi about moving over to Allan and Patricias. Kedi was scared of everything, and Charlie just hoped he would take the move okay. Astley had curled up on one end of an identical sofa at the other side of the room, watching a shaggy-haired blond man eat, who was sitting at the other end of the same sofa. Astley was gazing at the man with a look of worship on his face, but the blond kept sneaking

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glances over at Charlie as well as back at the boy. Charlie had not met the man before, and he was curious. Hi, Astley. Astley jumped, glancing away from the man guiltily. Charlie, hi. Are you going to introduce me? This is Noah. Noah, this is Charlie anddo you know Kedi? Astley had met Kedi the day before. Hello. The blond nodded at them both. Yes, I know Kedi. We knew each other, in there. His deep voice rasped a little as he said the last word. I know who you are, too, Charlie. I can never thank you ennever say Astley inched closer and slipped his hand into Noahs much larger one. It seemed to help. Noah took a deep breath and held it for a moment before breathing out slowly. Thank you, Charlie. If you had not got away, we would all still be there. My brothers and I would have died there. I would not have met His gaze slid to Astley. Hes your mate? Charlie was surprised. He knew Megan had found her mate, but he had not heard about Astley. He will be, when he is old enough. Noah looked at Astley, who blushed, then shrugged and muttered, He needs a friend right now. Charlie met Noahs gaze and nodded in understanding, Astley did not know how true his words were. There was a pain in Noahs eyes, which Charlie saw in the mirror whenever he thought about what the guards had done to him. Maybe it was a good thing that Astley was not old enough yet. The wait until Astley was 18 would give Noah time to heal and give them both time to get to know each other before Astley was ready to mate. Today was the first day that Charlie had really had the opportunity to meet many of the other people who had been rescued. Until now, he had mainly been caring for Kedi, trying to get him to emerge from his room at Perrys. He knew a few of them, but they all knew who he was. They were all thanking him for getting them out. Like I had

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anything to do with it, he thought as yet another person, this time it was Noahs older brother, Solomon, shook his hand. He smiled and said something appropriate to the man. All I did was run away, as fast as I could, the moment I had the chance. He felt like a coward for running and ashamed that he had not said anything the moment he had first awoken with Perry hovering over him. Perry, it all comes back to him, doesnt it. Charlies wolf shifted inside him and whimpered at his thoughts of his mate, wanting Perry. Back at Carden, later, Charlie sat on his bed, surrounded by small piles of clothing. Hello? Charlie? Jasons voice sounded from downstairs. Up here, Jase, he called back. A few moments later, his friend opened his bedroom door and walked in. Hey. Are you really moving over to mine? Jason seemed excited, almost bouncing in his black trainers. He paused. Whats the matter? I dont have a bag. Here. Jason had a large holdall over one shoulder. He unhooked the strap and put it on the end of the bed. Thats why I came. Dad thought you might need one. You okay? I guess. It had started to hit home that he was going to be leaving Perrys. It seemed so final, an end to what there should be between them, but wasnt. Charlie stood and picked up one of the piles of clothes and put them in the bag after unzipping it. He was just about done when the door, which Jason had not shut fully, swung open. Whats going on? Kedi stood in the doorway, hanging back nervously once he saw Jason. He eyed the bag in front of Charlie. What are you doing? Come in, Keds, I need to talk to you. Are you going somewhere? The boys voice had risen, and fear radiated off him in waves. Charlie heard a door close downstairs and footsteps coming up the stairs.

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I am moving over to Jasons parents house. Jasons dad says you can come too if you would like to. No! a voice thundered from behind Kedi, making the boy jump and run over to hide behind Charlie. Perry appeared where Kedi had stood. He looked furious. No? Charlie did not understand. You are not going anywhere. Charlie looked at Jason. I will see you later, at yours. He took a steadying breath. He could feel Kedi shivering behind him and hear his rapid heartbeat. Keds, could you go to your room please? Kedis fingers had latched onto the thin material of Charlies green T-shirt, making it twist around him when he turned to give Kedi a quick hug. He tilted Kedis head up to look at him. I will be fine, Keds, I promise. Kedi let go of his hold on Charlies top and timidly ducked past Perry, leaving the room, followed by Jason. Perry did not move as they both slipped by him. Charlie looked at Perry, his heart a heavy weight in his chest. I spoke to Allan today. I am moving over to their house, for a while at least. No! You are not going anywhere, Charlie. Perry repeated, his hands clenched into tight, white-knuckled fists at his sides. A muscle ticked in his jaw. You cant stop me. Im going. Maybe not, but you are not taking that boy with you. He stays here. What the hell, Perry? Now Charlie was getting mad, too. Im Alpha, and as such, he is my responsibility. The whole pack is your responsibility. You can be responsible for him from Jasons. No. He stays here. Why do you care where he lives? Why dont you just say it? Perry growled. Say what? For gods sake.

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Why you want to go. Fine. You want me to say it? You want me to say that I cant take living here any longer? Fine. I cant stand smelling your scent every minute of every day. Charlie was yelling. I cant stand being around it all the damned time. Were not together, Perry. We never will be, and my wolf is driving me fucking insane. he finished, panting, glaring at Perry, whose eyes had gone cold. Do what you wanthis voice was icy and uncompromising but the boy stays here. He turned and left the room, closing the door with a quiet click. Charlies knees gave way, and he twisted as he fell, landing on the bed with a small bounce. He stared at the floor in shock for some time before gathering the rest of his things and leaving for Jasons. Kedi cried when he left, clinging to him as if he would never see him again. He went to see Kedi every day, refusing to abandon the boy despite not being allowed to take him with him. Perry was rigidly polite every time they had to speak, but more often than not Charlie felt like he just did not exist to his mate. The days without his mate turned to weeks and the weeks to months. Charlie kept busy with Kedi and helping Jess out with teaching Kedi and the other children. Kedi had missed a lot of schooling. The day dawned bright and sunny, which boded well for the planned pack BBQ. Charlie had gone into town the day before with Jason and Kedi to gather the supplies needed to feed everyone. A very bouncy Cameron, who had brought news from Blue Gables, had joined them. The few hours with just his friends, rather than the whole pack, had been good. Both he and Kedi were still getting used to being around people again. Charlie knew the worst things that had happened to him in the warehouse had always been when there were just a couple of guards with him, or the doctor, but that made no difference to how he felt. Large groups still sometimes made him feel nervous.

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Everyone living at Blue Gables had come over to Carden for the day, arriving at just after half ten in the morning. All the men of AlphaSec were there, and the other shifters and supes who had stayed on after their rescue. Astley, Miles, and Milly promptly appeared and started bouncing around. Noah, who was one of four lion-shifters, gave his brothers a wave and followed the young pups off in the direction of their familys home. Charlie watched them go, slightly envious of the innocence shining in young Astleys eyes. He was happy the boy had found Noah, and Astley would not have to wait unknown years to find and claim his mate. What hurt was the look in Noahs eyes every time the older shifter looked at the boy who would grow up to be his mate. A warm affection showed there, and sometimes a disbelief that the boy was quite real, like he was too good to be true. Charlies own mate never looked at him with the same simple affection. Charlie tried to shake off the melancholy feelings plaguing him but found it hard to do. Ever since the morning after the rescue, when they had kissed, Perry had been making even more of an effort than before to avoid him. The only exception had been the day Charlie had moved to Jasons, when Perrys anger had flared up and he had shown that odd possessiveness towards Kedi. What the hell was fate thinking when it paired us up? I would dearly love to know. He is attracted to me, that much was made rather obvious by his rock-hard erection digging into my stomach when we kissed. But then it is just as plain the man wants nothing to do with me. The same thoughts were going round and round in his head, and had been over the couple of months since he had moved. Another thought occurred to him for the first time. Is it because I was with those other men? Is that what has put him off me? Christ. Its not as though I wanted it. I had no choice. But what else could it be? When he had looked up at Perry and the man had kissed him, Charlie had been ecstatic, thinking his mate might actually want him. But then Perry had pulled away, and Charlie had known he was not

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what the big Alpha wanted after all. He had gathered his tattered wits along with what little dignity he had left and walked out, refusing to beg his mate for attention. After his move, the weeks had dragged by. More than half the rescued shifters and other supernaturals had left, leaving about fifteen who were staying. Perry had made it plain they were all more than welcome to stay or go, it was completely up to them. The fey had all gone, so had Andre and Raff, the vampires. The lion brothers were staying, as were the mated bear couple and Megan and her mate, and his brother and sister. Kedi was one of the ones staying. No sign of his parents had been found or of his sisters, both of whom were younger than he was. Kedi was getting better, though his progress was slow. Physically Kedi had healed, but crippling bouts of shyness still struck him, and he suffered from panic attacks. He spent a fair bit of time with Charlie, Jason, and Daniel, though Daniel had been away for the last week. And hadnt what happened after he came back, the night before last, been a surprise. Charlie grinned to himself about the development over at Blue Gables the day before, very happy for his friend. He sat with Daniel now, who had his own rather permanentseeming grin plastered across his face. Charlie looked at the other people standing around in groups, eating, talking, and laughing with each other. He felt a stab of pain when his gaze slid over to the grill, tended by Perry. His feelings must have shown on his face, because when he returned his attention to Daniel, the other man watched him sympathetically. However, Cameron, who had just joined them with a plate full of food, had a rather wicked gleam in his eye. What? Charlie asked, more nervous about whatever the man was planning than actually wanting to know. Yeah, I probably dont want to know. Oh, nothing. Camerons attempt at looking innocent did not fool Charlie for a moment. Sowhen did you meet Perry? You werent born in the pack, were you?

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Charlie did not see what Cameron was after but decided to answer him anyway. Just as he opened his mouth to reply, Jason arrived and sprawled on the grass in the open space between the two picnic table benches, which sat at right angles to each other. He grinned at them but did not say anything. Hmmmwhere to startokay. I knew I liked guys before we moved here but had never felt anything like the pull I felt towards Perry. The older I got, the more I just wanted to be near him all the time. Then as I got older, still I wanted to be touching him, to wrap myself around him and lick everyuh, yeahyou get the idea. The others grouped around him all giggled. Charlie felt his face heat a little, glad that Kedi was not with him for once. But you know Perry, Mr. Alpha himself. How was I supposed to even think about how to approach someone like that? Like him. Why would he have had any interest in some silly teenager? A silly teenager? You? Cameron laughed. I doubt that Perry ever saw you that way! He ate his food while listening to Charlie. AnywayMum was uncomfortable about talking to me about being a shifter, I dont know why. She was fine with me making friends with the pack, and even sort of being a member of it myself, though she kept herself apart. So I spent a lot of time here. A couple of weeks before I turned eighteen, there had been a pack day. It might have been fairly early in the year, but the weather had been red hot for days, so we were all wearing very little. I was putting leftovers away in the kitchen downstairs. There actually were leftovers. The heat had dampened everyones appetites. Perry came into the kitchen. We both went to move out of each others way and crashed into each other instead. It was like walking into a brick wall. The guy is kinda big. I sort of bounced off him and nearly fell over, but he caught me, and we just stood there, staring at each other. The next thing I knew, we were kissing, and I was climbing him like a tree. I felt like I had been struck by lightning. Sure, I had played some, with toys and lube and stuff, and I even kissed another guy

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once to see what it was like, but I had already met Perry at that point and kissing someone else felt so wrong. I had never felt anything before, not like what I felt when Perry kissed me. We kissed until he pulled away. God, I was pissed. I didnt understand why he stopped, but then he told me about mates, and that he had known we were meant to be together and had been waiting until I turned eighteen. Fuck. I couldnt believe it. I was going to get to spend the rest of my life with him? After nearly five years of drooling over the guy, finding that out was like discovering Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny were real after all. That night was the night I got taken. Days before my damned birthday when we could have bonded. He would have been able to track me if we had. And nowNow he doesnt want me. Charlie felt like he was on a rollercoaster, the high of remembering those heady hours when Perry had wanted him, followed by the crushing low of the reality of Perry no longer wanting him. He felt shame at the admission. What is wrong with me that the one person fate thought I would be perfect for does not want me? Cameron hooted with laughter, bending forward and nearly dropping his empty plate. Well, thats a bit rude, Charlie thought indignantly. Its not exactly funny. Not want you? Oh, come on! Charlie quickly looked back at Cameron. He had glanced over at the grill again, but Camerons laughter had drawn Perrys attention, and he did not want to be caught staring. You really dont see it, do you? Cameron had sobered and now looked puzzled. Then the gleam in his eyes from earlier returned. He wants you soooo bad. He doesnt hide it very well, Daniel put in. If he wants me so damn bad, why the hell does he never come anywhere near me? Charlie asked, exasperated.

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Yeah, I noticed that. Cameron scratched his chin then noticed he still clutched his empty plate in his other hand and twisted to dump it on the table behind him. I dont know what his problem is, but trust me, not wanting you isnt it. The only time he stops looking at you is when you are looking at him. And we can all see the want in his eyes when he does so. Cams expression turned pure evil for a moment. Fancy a little experiment? Uh, I think I will pass, given the look on your face. Charlie deliberately moved a foot farther along the bench and away from Cameron. Cameron grinned and moved closer, putting a hand on Charlies thigh. He leaned in towards Charlie and said in his ear, Just throw your head back and laugh. Thats all, but try and make it look real. Like I said something funny. Charlie was not sure what Cameron was up to, but what he asked seemed pretty harmless, despite the hand that was now not just on his thigh but stroking it. When did Cameron get so close? Charlie gave a mental shrug and did as requested and laughed. He felt so fake. Surely everyone could tell. A moment later, they all jumped as they heard a roar of fury. The cubs that had been playing nearby scattered, and seconds later Jake appeared and dragged Cameron away just as a furious looking Perry arrived. Charlie quailed in his seat. Perry looked really angry. His eyes had narrowed in vertical slits, his wolf showing. What the hell are you playing at? Perry shouted, the rest of the picnic area suddenly quiet as everyone tried to pretend they were not looking their way. Excuse me? Charlie could not seriously believe Perrys anger stemmed from the little scene Cameron had just played out. With him. Perry gestured in the direction Jake had dragged Cameron. What the fuck is going on with you and him? Nothing! Charlie exclaimed.

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A shudder seemed to go through Perry, and he suddenly leaned in, pulled Charlie to his feet, and then swung him over his shoulder. Charlie could see Daniel and Jason both gaping at Perrys retreating back as he bounced along with every one of his mates long, angry strides. He felt half frightened, half turned on by Perrys caveman act and his cock started to fill with every drop of blood that was not racing to his upside down head. After several minutes of being carried through the trees, he had had enough and pounded on Perrys back. Put me down! His head swam as he found himself upright again immediately, and he wobbled a bit until he got his balance. Perry glared at him, his eyes now human once more and cold as ice. Charlie shivered. What the hell, Perry? Perrys eyes narrowed. You and Cameron. What is going on? I told you, nothing is going on. Are you sleeping with him? How can you ask me that? Well? Well what? Charlie was exasperated. Are you fucking him? Jesus, Perry. No! Then what the hell was that little display back there? You two looked pretty cosy. Oh my god. He was right. Charlie felt gobsmacked. He stood staring at Perry with his mouth hanging open for a moment. I dont believe it. Who? Right about what? Perry looked suspicious. Cameron. You do want me. Of course I fucking want you. Youre my mate. Now what the hell was that back there? Perry yelled. Charlie snapped, thinking, Right, thats it! He saw Perrys eyes widen when his hands went for the top button of his trousers. He twisted the button open while he toed off his shoes.

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What are you doing? Perrys voice had reduced to a whisper. Charlie just smirked at him and kicked his jeans off. His cock was hard as nails and had slapped against his stomach when he had pushed his trousers down, drawing Perrys gaze. Charlie? Charlie didnt answer but whipped his white T-shirt off over his head and very deliberately held his arm out to one side before dropping the shirt from one finger and thumb. His eyes were now locked on his mates. Charlie? Perrys voice had grown husky. Yes, Perry? he purred. Now completely naked, having dumped his boxers and socks with his trousers, Charlie stalked towards his mate as Perry backed away. The big bad Alpha was the one looking scared now, but the growing bulge in his jeans said something else and his eyes had filled with need. Once he had Perry backed up against a tree, Charlie dropped to his knees in front of him, looking up through his shaggy fringe into Perrys face as he reached for the mans big silver belt buckle. Perry had frozen in disbelief and stared, looking like the proverbial rabbit in headlights, down at Charlie. He quickly dealt with the belt and pushed Perrys jeans down to fall in a blue puddle around Perrys ankles. Hes gone commando. Excellent. Charlie thought. Freed from its confinement, Perrys cock sprang up and bounced off his lower belly. Charlie inhaled Perrys musky scent and ran his tongue along the ridge of muscle above his mates hip bone. Perry whimpered. Charlie almost came on the spot. God, my mate smells divine. He felt powerful all of a sudden, with his big strong mate hard and wanting in front of him. He took Perrys cock into his mouth, and the hard cock pulsed and started leaking pre-cum. Charlies mouth watered at the taste. He worried briefly at whether he was doing it right, but then decided he did not care. Perry seemed to be enjoying what he was doing. Perry groaned above him and buried a hand in Charlies hair, the other

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clutched at the tree behind his back. He didnt handle Charlie roughly but cradled his head gently. The tenderness in the touch together with the evidence of Perrys desire for him was cranking up Charlies own need for his mate. They stayed there for a few minutes, little grumbles and groans of need escaping Charlie as he licked and sucked on Perrys hard cock, trying not to gag at first when the head knocked at the back of his throat. Charlie finally pulled off with a little slurping pop. He stood, bits of leaves and dirt clinging to his knees, and he jumped on Perry. He threw his arms around Perrys neck and his legs around Perrys waist, he felt large hands catch underneath his bottom. I need you, Perry, dont make me wait anymore! He thrust his face into his dazed-looking mates neck and licked a path from his collarbone to his earlobe, which he suckled on, making Perry whimper again. Charlie had no idea where his sudden bravery had come from, but he was not complaining. He had waited long enough for his mate, and now he knew he was wanted, Charlie had every intention of making the big man claim him. He did not know why Perry had pushed him away but no more! He could not stop his body rubbing up against his mates.

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Chapter Eleven: Perry

All Perry could do was keep breathing as his mate stripped and went down on his knees in front of him. His breath stuttered and clogged in his chest, but he did not care. His head fogged with desire as his mate jumped up and wrapped himself around his body, grinding his erection into Perrys stomach. There was only so much willpower one shifter had, and Perrys had run out. He couldnt take any more. He had to have his mate. Perry held Charlie up against him with care, toeing off the shoes and jeans still hampering his ankles. He couldnt get his socks off, but you cant have everything. Once his legs were unfettered, he turned them around and pressed Charlie up against the tree. He supported Charlies weight with one arm and pulled the mans head back so he could look into his face. God, Charlie, what are you doing to me? he managed. His mates lips were swollen from being wrapped around Perrys cock, and his cheeks were flushed with desire. Please. he gasped. Is this really what you want? Perry had to know. He needed to hear his mate say the words. Please, Perry. I want this, I want you. Dont push me away again. Please claim me! Please! Charlie almost sobbed, his eyes bright. Shhh, its okay. Im not going anywhere, not this time. He brushed Charlies hair back off his forehead and kissed him there softly before repeating, Im not going anywhere. I need to feel you inside me, Charlie whimpered. Perry felt his balls tighten. He crushed the smaller mans lips with his own. He lost himself in the feel of his mate held firm between his

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body and the tree and the taste and smell of the man. He only distantly heard the sound of tearing cloth when his T-shirt got ripped off by Charlie. They kissed until both were breathing heavily and their cocks were hard enough to pound nails. One of Perrys hands mapped the edge of Charlies back and lower down to where the crease of his buttocks curved away from the tree. Charlie mewled and wiggled, trying to push back onto Perrys fingers, but his somewhat precarious position between Perrys large body and the rough bark of the tree made moving much impossible. Something niggled at the back of Perrys mind, but he could not think. Charlie filled his senses. He circled Charlies hole and felt the quiver under his very dry finger. Fuck, he thought, thats what I couldnt think of. We dont have any lube. Charlie must have felt him tense and start to draw away, because he growled the moment their lips separated. Dont you dare stop now. There were hints of desperation and panic back in his eyes, scared Perry would push him away again, belying the confidence in his voice. Lube. Dont want to stop. Dont have lube. Need it. Perry knew his words were not entirely coherent, but he felt vaguely surprised at what he managed to put together. Trousers Charlie wiggled against Perry, this time to be put down. Huh? He wants to leave? Perry was stunned, and he didnt want to let Charlie go. Down, Perry, put me down. Gotta hunch. He wiggled again, which Perry rather enjoyed but he stepped back a pace and let Charlie slide down his body until his feet were on the ground. Charlie staggered over to where he had dropped his clothes and searched through the pockets of his jeans. Hallelujah. He waved something in the air and tossed it at Perry.

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Perry reached out and snatched the object out of the air as it hurtled towards him. He looked down to see he held a small tube of lube. God bless Cameron. Charlie grinned happily as he stood and sauntered back over, his surprisingly large cock bouncing with each hip-hitching stride. Wait, what? Why would Cameron be giving you lube? Perry felt the jealousy stir again, cooling his ardour. Oh, stop it. I felt him slip something into my pocket right before Jake dragged him off, and thank god he did. Now we have lube Just out of interestyou never answered my question Perry suddenly got mighty interested in what Charlie was doing behind his back. His as yet unclaimed mate had grabbed the tube back, squirted some lube out onto his own fingers, and reached behind himself while they were talking. He braced a closed fist, the one holding the lube, on Perrys chest and leaned in towards Perry. Uh Charlies eyes glazed over a bit, and his breathing grew faster. Whichwhich questionagain? Back at the picnic, what was Charlie gave a small moan. What was going on with Cameron? Oh, thatHewanted toprovoke you. Id sayit worked. Oh, Ill say. The sight of his mates flushed cheeks and hectic breathing became too much and Perry growled. He grabbed Charlie, who yelped as the jolt jogged his fingers from his body. Perry hurriedly laid his mate down on the smoothest, grassiest bit of the forest floor he could see. He pushed Charlies legs up to expose his twitching hole. Taking the lube back again, he squeezed some out directly onto Charlies crease and found he could immediately slide two fingers in with ease after Charlies own ministrations. Charlie gave a small cry and arched his back up as Perry began working his fingers in and out and leaned down and took just the tip of Charlies cock into his mouth.

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Shit. Gonna come. Perry sucked harder, bobbing his head up and down, and hummed around Charlies cock just as his fingers found the small gland farther in. He wanted Charlie as relaxed as possible and knew that, thanks to their shifter bodies and libidos, his mate could be ready for round two in moments if he kept stimulation up. Charlie went rigid as if he had been electrocuted and gave a hoarse cry, seed exploding from his dick in a rush down Perrys throat. Charlie seemingly hadnt even noticed Perry had slipped a third finger in with the first two and had him nearly ready. Perry licked at Charlies barely softened shaft. While it filled again and hardened, he continued to loosen the ring of muscle. When he thought Charlie ready, he withdrew his fingers and rose above his mate. Charlie squirmed under him, begging without words for Perry to fill him. He slicked himself up and positioned his cock at Charlies entrance. He smiled tremulously down at his mate, hardly able to believe they were here together and about to do this. There was a flash of something in Charlies eyes, something Perry did not like. Hey, you with me? Yes. Charlies shoulders had gone slightly stiff. Charlie, I can still stop. No! No, I want you. Please. Charlie closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The tension eased out of him, and he opened his eyes again. The shadows had gone and they were clear and bright once more. Okay. Moving forward oh so slowly felt like torture as he felt Charlies guardian muscles give way. As much as he wanted him, Perry was hyperaware the only experience his mate had to date had been extremely violent, so he went slowly. A sweat broke out on his forehead and body as he struggled to keep himself in check. He braced himself with his right hand next to Charlies head on the ground and trembled to feel his cock being accepted into Charlies body as he guided it with his left hand.

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Charlie looked up at him, panting softly and making little noises of pleasure, his hands hooked behind his knees, holding himself open for Perry. Finally, Perry felt his balls squash up against his mate, and he held still to let Charlies body adjust, his dick fully seated. Move! Charlie groaned after a moment. That an order? Perry huffed out a small laugh. Yes, damn it. Move. He flexed his body so Perry slid out and back in slightly. Perry slowly withdrew and gripped Charlies hip with his left hand then thrust back in a little faster. He set up a pace, which built bit by bit until he pounded into him, and Charlie writhed and cried out under him on the forest floor. He could barely believe the moment was real. He looked down at his mate spread out, at Charlies body stretched around his thick cock, feeling the tight heat clenching rhythmically around him. Sweat trickled down his back, and he gasped for air, breathing in the combined scents of their arousal and sex. When Perry slowed for a moment, changing the angle of his thrusts, Charlie let go of his legs and wrapped them around Perrys hips. Perry felt Charlies hands slide around his waist, and one reached down to clutch at the flexing muscles of his arse, encouraging him to drive into Charlie faster, harder. There was a look of total ecstasy on Charlies face now that Perrys cock was finding Charlies prostate. His head was thrown back, and the throaty little groans escaping his mouth, which hung open, on every one of Perrys inward plunges would be engraved on Perrys brain forever. He could never let him go now. God. Charlie. Perrys gums began to itch just as he felt the tingle start, heralding his orgasm. He did not even need to say anything, though, because Charlie angled his head back further, deliberately exposing his neck. Claim me. Perry licked the underneath of Charlies jaw, his tongue rasping over a slight hint of stubble. He scraped his teeth along the tendons

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joining neck to shoulder and bit down, tasting the metallic rush of blood. Charlies scream echoed with a note of his wolfs howl, and Perry felt the wetness of Charlies release against his stomach at the same time as he felt Charlies body tighten around him. He saw stars, joining his mate in an earth-shattering release. He pulled his teeth from Charlies flesh, and his wolf instincts had him licking the jagged tear closed before he could even think about the wound. It was not an instant fix, but ensuring the edges of the bite lined up and stimulating the area would encourage Charlies already supernaturally fast shifter healing. The blood-flow was already stopping. His arm shook now, and he did not want to crush the smaller man, so he fell sideways and rolled onto his back, still buried in his mates body and taking him with him. Charlie sprawled on his chest and made a noise, which would have sounded suspiciously like a purr if it had not been for the fact of him being a wolf. Perry chuckled. What was that? Like it? Charlie rested his chin on his right hand, which lay flat on Perrys chest, and grinned at him. Charlie was glowing with happiness. Hell yes. Similar noises of regret escaped both of them when Charlie moved and pulled off Perrys softening cock, his happy expression fading a little. He sat up and back, with Perrys cum dribbling down his inner thigh and onto Perrys. They both felt sticky. Hey, whats wrong? Perry sat up and cupped a hand under Charlies jaw. Charlie leaned into Perrys touch and kissed the heel of his palm. Nothing. UhIts justWill you tell me why you didnt want me before? He would not meet Perrys eyes and fiddled with the sparse hair scattered over Perrys chest. Perry pulled him in close and held him in a tight embrace. Come on, lets get dressed and go back to the house and we can talk there.

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He did not want any more misunderstandings between them. They were well overdue for a long talk and needed to clear the air. What time is it? Charlie saw Perry check his watch as he picked it up off the grass. It must have come off at some point, but Charlie had not noticed. Nearly half four. Perry was smirking. What? Nothing. Perry. We have been out here for hours. The big man grinned and picked up his trousers. I didnt notice hours going by, did you? His words lightened Charlies mood a little, and he giggled. Nope. Yes, yes, I know Doesnt time fly when you are having fun. Charlie trotted out the worn phrase obediently. He knew he was right about what Perry had been thinking when Perrys grin widened. They dressed, squirming slightly at the feel of dressing while covered in cum and sweat, and walked home wrapped around each other. Both were reluctant to let go for even a minute. They had spent too much time apart. The BBQ had quieted by the time they reached the settlement again. Perry must have carried Charlie farther than he had realised, because it took them longer than expected to get back. They avoided the people still hanging around and slipped round the front of Perrys house and inside, unnoticed. Charlie led the way upstairs. They could hear Kedi moving around in his old room, where he hid when he wanted to be alone, and gladly shut themselves in Perrys bedroom. Now that it was Perrys turn to undress his mate, he felt free to take his time. He delighted in this new freedom and pulled each piece of clothing from Charlies body slowly, kissing every new inch of skin he uncovered. He tossed each item of clothing behind himself to land on the floor as he guided Charlie carefully backwards into his ensuite bathroom. The browns, creams, and green tones of the room had

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always felt peaceful, but now they also felt like an extension of the forest where he had just claimed his mate.

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Chapter Twelve: Charlie

Now he was naked again, he felt more vulnerable than he ever had before in Perrys presence. Charlie stood awkwardly in the shower. During the claiming in the forest had been too caught up in the moment to be aware of feeling exposed in front of Perry. His large mate stood behind him under the spray, with his strong arms wrapped around Charlie. Charlie leaned back against Perrys chest and tried to relax. He had never felt so aware of the size difference between him and his mate. Perry had nearly a foot on him in height, and even though Charlie had reached his pre-kidnap weight once more, Perrys frame was wider and more muscular than Charlies. He felt small and delicate next to the Alpha, but that was not the reason for his vulnerable feelings. He had held on through three years of hell at the hands of Michaelson and his men with only thoughts of his mate sustaining him. After he had escaped, he had made his way back to his mate, nearly dying in the process, but, on reaching him, had been pushed away for months, being made to feel as though he was not wanted by the man he longed for with every fibre of his being. Charlie held onto the arms wrapped around his waist, his heart a painful lump in his throat as he tried to work up the courage to get Perry talking. His earlier bravery had deserted him. He knew now Perry wanted him and wasnt sure quite why his stomach fluttered with fear. His fingers tightened fractionally on Perrys wrist, who must have realised something was wrong, because he gently turned Charlie to face him.

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Now, whats wrong? Perry hooked a finger under Charlies chin, lifting his face up to meet his rather searching look. You said we would talk. Charlie caught his bottom lip between his teeth, worrying it. Ah. You wanted to know why I did not want you before. The plainly said words sent a stab of pain through Charlie, and he flinched. Yes. No. Baby, thats what you asked. Its not how I felt. Perry rubbed his hands over Charlies upper arms, looking anxious, then he brought both hands up to cradle his mates face. God, I always wanted you. There was never a moment when you have not meant everything to me. You are the most important thing in my life. But what about the pack? Charlie couldnt quite believe the words spilling from the other mans lips. How could they be true? I love my pack, but you are my mate. I love you so much more. I will always be your mate first, Alpha second. Please believe me. Then why? When you first got back, Doc didnt know if you would make it through the night. She never said as much, but I could see the thoughts in her eyes. I needed you. So badly. For three years I had not known where you were or what you were going through, and then suddenly you were back. But you had been through so much. It took every ounce of willpower I had to stop my wolf from claiming you. Why didnt you just let it happen? Charlie asked in a small voice. You didnt see yourself, baby. You were the most beautiful thing I ever saw, my mate come back to me. But you were also the most broken body I had ever seen. How could I have claimed you when you were like that? How could I have Fucked me? Made love to you. Perry corrected the not very helpful suggestion Charlie had thrown in when he paused. How could I have made love to you in the condition you were in? Even if I had, how

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could I have bitten you? One more injury might have been enough to tip you over, and you would have died. But I didnt. I got better. Why did you stay away? I had two pictures of you in my head. The first image I had of you, in your wolf form, collapsed at the bottom of the steps, so destroyed you couldnt make the last few paces to the house. The other one came from after you shifted while unconscious back to your human body. You burned with a fever you should never have gotten. You were so run down and in such a bad state, barely moving the covers with the slight rise and fall of your chest as you breathed. I spent hours just watching you breathe, willing you to keep going. Those images, both were branded onto my retinas. I saw them every time I closed my eyes, even after you began to get better. Charlie could hear Perrys heart thudding in his chest, and he heard the man swallow audibly over the rush of water. Perry took a deep breath and cleared his throat. Every time I got anywhere near you I wanted to pounce and drag you off to my bed. But I still kept seeing those images of you. I kept thinking, just a bit more time. He needs to be a bit stronger. I was stronger. After the rescue, when you found me in the shower, you held me, you kissed me. What stopped you then? Charlie had to push back the feelings of rejection flooding him and remind himself of what had just happened out on the forest floor. Perry had claimed him. He was wanted. He held onto Perrys arms, not wanting to let go, they felt like an anchor in the storm of emotions he could not control. He felt rejected because of the way Perry had held him away for so long. He also felt the love and desire he had for the man. There was anger at the fact that the one person supposed to want him had been the only one who had apparently wanted nothing to do with him. He also felt a lingering jealousy, wondering who Perry had been with since he had disappeared, joy and satisfaction at finally being claimed by him, and lastly, the need to hear Perrys explanation for pushing him away.

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I know you were stronger. I know you recovered, but Charlie could feel the struggle in Perry as he searched for the words he needed. Thethingsyou went through while they held you. He took a deep breath, his chest heaving as he held the breath then exhaled quickly. The things they did to you. His voice grew firmer, taking on an edge of the anger Charlie knew his mate felt. I had already known about the abuse and the experiments, but I had only just found out aboutthe rape. I needed to know you were ready for us to be together, that you wanted a physical relationship, sex, with me. I couldnt push you too fast. You might have been physically healed, but scars come in other forms, too. When I kissed you, my wolf wanted to throw you down and claim you, but I had to know you were ready first. So I pushed away, wanting to talk to you, but the moment I did, I could see you remembering what had happened to you. Then you left, and I had to let you go. Thats not what happened. Charlie twisted in Perrys embrace to free his arms and reached up to cradle Perrys face in his hands. When you kissed me, yes, I had been emotional and upset over what had happened to Kedi, and yes, it reminded me, for a moment, of what they had done to me. But I had already accepted what they did to me. Kedi was different. They had held him for years, but they had never touched himlike thatbefore. They only started on him after he turned sixteen. I guess even raping, psychopathic assholes have some morals. When you kissed me, all of it went away. There was only you and me. You wanted me. But you stopped, you pushed me away again and confirmed what I thought. Your body wanted me, but only because fate put us together. You didnt want to want me. What had happened to me might not have been my fault, but you didnt want a mate who had been with other men, not in that way. You thought I was dirty. God, Charlie. Never. Perry choked out. I know that now. He smiled sweetly up at his lover, brushing his thumbs over his cheeks in gentle reassurance. How did I become the

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one comforting Perry? Charlie didnt know, but the last couple of hours were giving him strength and a faith in their mating he had not previously dreamed to feel. Of all the words they had said to each other, words of explanation, reassurance, want, and need, none had been words of love, but Charlie no longer felt afraid to say them. He could not hold them back any longer. I love you, Perry. Oh, Charlie, I love you, too. So much. Air, Perry. Need air. Charlie gasped a moment later. Perrys arms, already around Charlie, had tightened until he couldnt breathe as the bigger man buried his face in Charlies neck. He loosened his grip slightly, and his head shifted. Charlie felt a warm tongue lick a path up his neck. He moaned at the sensation and shivered, despite the warmth of the water and Perrys body surrounding him. His blood began to pool in his groin, and his cock filled as all the emotions raging through him turned to want for this one man. It didnt take long before Charlie was pinned between the tiles of the shower and Perry, his legs around Perrys hips, and Perry balls deep inside him again. The water pouring down over them both added even more sensation. The feel of Perry stretching him wide was incredible. He was still a little tender from earlier, and Perry kept his thrusts slow and even. His hands were under Charlies butt, which was a good thing because Charlie did not think he would be capable of holding his weight up right now. He was pure sensation with Perrys cock driving deep inside him. Every slow, grinding push within his body dragged the engorged head just close enough to his prostate that he could feel it but not enough to finish him off. The tiles were cold against his back, but the water was hot and ran in rivulets down to collect between their bodies before their movements released it to fall to the floor. Charlie pulled Perrys head closer, wanting to taste his mates lips. Perry moaned into his mouth. The sound had the

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slow, burning desire inside Charlie flare with heat, and he felt his inner muscles tighten around Perry, whose hips jerked reflexively. Then he felt heat flood deep inside him as Perry pulled him down harder onto his cock and froze there for a long moment, his hands tight on Charlies backside, before growling long and low against Charlies lips. Holy shit thats hot! Charlie could not help thinking. His own orgasm was close, and when Perry leaned back slightly, closing his right hand around Charlies shaft, it only took two strokes before Charlie went off like a geyser. His balls drew up tight to the base of his cock, and the head exploded with ropes of pearly white cum. He did not know if he whimpered or screamed. He came so hard the world faded around him, and he nearly passed out, spots swimming dizzily in front of his eyes. When he came back to himself properly, Perry had pulled him close once again, and his arms hung like limp noodles around Perrys neck. Wow was all he could manage. Ha, ythink? Clearly Perry was good with the words at that moment, too. Charlie mustered the effort to grin into Perrys neck. Later, as Charlie drifted off to sleep, he couldnt help thinking about how quickly things could change. Only yesterday, he had been hopelessly in love with a mate who didnt want him, struggling through every day not to show how much he hurt without him. Today he went to sleep in his mates arms, claimed and very well loved. Tomorrow they would have to start thinking about the pack and Kedi and everyone else again, but tonight was for them. He cuddled closer, his head resting in the hollow of Perrys shoulder, and listened to his mates heartbeat.

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Epilogue
Perry woke with Charlie curled up in his bed. The smaller man lay on his side, his back pressed tightly up against his chest. He could feel the scratchiness of the hair on his mates legs where one of his own rested between them. Charlie felt warm and solid in his arms, where Perry had dreamed of him being for so long. Perrys rumble of contentment as he lightly rubbed his chin over the top of Charlies head had the other man stirring. They had made love again twice more in the night. The last time had been around three in the morning, and he had thought Charlie would have been too sore, but Charlie had begged, saying he needed to feel Perry inside him again. Sex does you as much good as sleep. Huh, who knew? Perry thought as he eyed the digital clock on his bedside table, which read 06:17. Even with the early hour and as little sleep as they had both had, Perry felt wide awake. There was no desire to get up, though. He felt perfectly happy to lie in bed, cocooned under the duvet with Charlie, warm and comfortable. Mmmmmm, good morning, Charlie murmured sleepily, snuggling back more closely against Perry. Yes, it is. Perry tightened his arms around him, sliding his left arm underneath Charlie so he could hold him close with both. His wolf curled up in a corner of his mind, fully content for the first time since Charlie had disappeared. He buried his nose in Charlies hair and breathed in deeply. Did you just smell me?

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I like your scent. He could almost feel the smirk on Charlies face when his mate took hold of his right arm and brought it up from around Charlies waist and angled the wrist so he could run his nose along it. I like yours, too. Heat flooded Perry, and his cock started to fill. Charlie moaned, feeling the dick, which pressed up in the crease of his backside, harden. Charlie pushed back against him then stiffened slightly. You sore? A little, but I want you. Perry could hear the pout in Charlies voice. Hmmmm, I think... He slid his right hand down Charlies abdomen. We can always find His hand found the hardening length it was searching for and went past it to roll the balls gently before he took Charlies cock in his hand firmly and began to stroke from root to tip. Charlie bucked in his hand and gasped. Perry. Charlie began to leak pre-cum from the head of his cock, and each stroke of Perrys fingers gathered more, using it to slick and ease the glide of his hand. He twisted his other arm and grazed Charlies right nipple with the edge of his thumbnail. Aghhhh. The moans and cries escaping Charlie, and the flexing of Charlies buttocks up against Perrys dick, was rapidly bringing Perry close to the edge. He sped the strokes of his hand, Charlies cock suddenly hardening further. Charlie went stiff in his arms, letting out a choked whimper, and Perry smelled the cum, right before he felt the wetness cover his hand. The smell of his mates release triggered his own, and he came against Charlies arse. Mmmmm, definitely a good morning. Charlie panted in his arms. Their cum was cooling and felt sticky now. Perry reluctantly released Charlie but rolled him over onto his back and pressed his

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mouth down on him in a closemouthed kiss before he sat up and slid out of bed. Lets get cleaned up. They both rose and showered, no playing this time but lots of soft touches and smiles. Charlie kept blushing. Perry thought it was adorable. They stripped the bed and remade it together then went downstairs, stomachs growling, for breakfast. Charlie wore a borrowed top and sweats which drowned him, his own clothes needing a wash, but he looked happy. Around eight, they realised Kedi hadnt made an appearance yet. Perry had previously noticed the boy habitually rose early. Charlie was a little concerned but left him alone. They discussed Kedi and the fact that both cared deeply about him. They wanted him to feel comfortable with them, to be happy. By the time nine rolled around with still no sign of him, they were both worried, so Charlie went up to check on him. About half an hour later Charlie came back downstairs with a rather pale and scared-looking Kedi. He was still dressed in the green chinos and black T-shirt he had been wearing the day before. The boy kept his eyes on the floor and quivered under the arm Charlie had around his shoulders. Talk to him, Kedi. Its okay, I promise. Charlies words got no reaction from the boy, and he sighed then spoke to Perry. He heard us last night. He thought you hurt me, but he is also scared you will tell him to leave. Charlies eyes pleaded with Perry to reassure the boy. He wasnt sure which to address first. Why would we ask you to leave? Charlie is back, came the shaky reply. But why would that make us ask you to leave? Perry frowned. After Charlie had moved out, he had thought Kedi had settled. The boy had certainly seemed to grow more comfortable with Perry. They

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had eaten together in the evenings, and he had even been persuaded to watch a few films with him over the last few weeks. Youyou wont want me here now. Something in the way the boy said the words, along with the way he held himself, had a rather nasty idea crop up. Oh my god. he exclaimed. No, Kedi. Thats not why you are here. Christ. You are here because you needed somewhere to live, and as Alpha I took you in. I care about you. He looked at Charlie. We both do. But not like that. You are not here tohe struggled for the wordssatisfy anyneedsI might have. Even if Charlie wasnt my mate, I would never do to anyone what they did to you. Anyone in my pack tries that, and they will be lucky to leave my land with their hide intact, and they certainly would never be allowed back. As for the other thingCharlie is my mate. I love him and would never hurt him. He looked to Charlie desperately for help in reassuring Kedi. Charlie turned the boy and held him by his shoulders. Keds, I love Perry, too. What you went through, what we both went through, was so wrong. Sex doesnt have to be like that, though. With the right person, be that another man or a woman, loving someone can be wonderful. He looked searchingly into the boys face. When you latched onto Perry, and were carried out, how did he make you feel? Safe, protected. I didnt care if he wanted me then, at least it would only be him. And he was a shifter. He wouldnt do the other stuff, too. Perry swallowed the noise of protest bubbling up. Of course he wouldnt repeat any of Kedis torture or the other things, but hed had no idea Kedi had thought he might want that from him. The thought made him feel physically sick. Not only had the boy been repeatedly abused, but also though he might be sixteen he looked much younger. I loved living here with him. He was teaching me to cook while you were gone. We also talked about my education. I did not think he wanted that from me, not after I got to know him. Just, last night

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when I heard you, I couldnt help remembering and I panicked. Kedis breathing was getting faster and a wild look had started to creep into his eyes again. Safe and protected, Charlie repeated. Thats what you should hold on to. Perry is a good man, and a good Alpha. He takes care of this pack and every person in it. Wehe glanced at Perry then back at Kediwould like you to stay with us. I know I am not much older than you, but Perry more than makes up for that. His mate shot him a cheeky grin which Kedi caught as he looked up. We would like you to be part of our family, to be our son. Perry nodded when Kedi looked at him. We would like that very much. This was one of the things they had spoken about earlier, before Charlie had gone up to check on Kedi. Something in Kedi seemed to unwind, releasing a tension Perry had not noticed before in the bony frame, and he stood a little straighter. They talked for a little while and would more as the weeks passed but just then, they were distracted by a knock at the door. Perrys brother arrived with a pack emergency for Perry to deal with. Some young shifter kids were in trouble and needed help. Perry left to go deal with the latest problem. He was gone all day and returned exhausted. When he got home that night, he could smell oregano, tomato, and meat before he even opened his front door. He could hear Olly Murs playing on the radio, and the funky beat rang through the house, livening up the atmosphere. He followed his nose to the kitchen. Charlie was elbow deep in hot water and suds in the sink. Kedi stood beside him, drying a chopping board with a brown, stripy tea towel. Perry stayed in the doorway for a moment, watching them. He felt joy at the completed bond between himself and Charlie, but that was now enhanced by the presence of Kedi. He had always known he was gay and had never thought to have a child of his own, despite the orders from his father so many years ago to breed the next

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generation of his line, which had prompted him and his brothers to leave their birth pack. The thought of having sex with a woman he cared nothing for, just to breed a child for his fathers plans, had been abhorrent to Perry. Children should be wanted for their own sake. They should be loved and cared for. They should not be brought into existence just because someone ordered them to be. His pack had an increasing number of children, but none were his, and he realised now how much he had wanted them. He resolved to talk to Charlie about the subject, as he now knew he would love to have more kids with his mate. Maybe they would adopt, maybe they would find a surrogate, but either way he knew Charlie would make a wonderful parent. Hey, you. Charlie had spotted him and was walking towards him, drying his hands and arms with the tea towel Kedi had been holding. He wore some of his own clothes again and must have gone over to get them from Allans. Hey. They hugged, and Perry leaned down to kiss his mate tenderly. I love you, he whispered, earning a bright smile from Charlie. I love you, too, Charlie whispered back. Whats cooking? Kedi and I made some Bolognese. I hope you like it. Pat taught me to make it while I was over there. Yum. I love it. You havent tasted it yet. Perry laughed at Kedis unexpectedly dry remark. Kedi smiled shyly at him from over by the sink. Now Perry was home, Charlie put the pasta on to boil. Once it was ready, they all sat down to eat at the kitchen table. The meal was delicious. Before Charlie had come back into his life, the future had loomed in front of him, dark and bleak. Now Charlie had returned and they were finally together, he knew life would not be perfect, there were bound to be problems along the way, but as long as they could keep talking to each other, as long as they loved each other, Perry knew

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they would get through anything. They would face the future one day at a time, together. He remembered the dream he had a few months before, of the scenes taking place in each room of this house. The dream had nothing on the reality of Charlie being in my life, he thought, and he smiled and ate his pasta.

THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Violet Joicey-Cowen is the proud owner of one rather chaotic life. This includes her son, her menagerie (currently two dogs, one cat, one guinea-pig, one fish and five stick-insects), her friends and a rather battered laptop she would be lost without. She lives in North Yorkshire in England. When she is not writing she plays a lot of pool and is on a couple of teams. She has been writing since she was about ten years old and has always loved escaping into other worlds where the people living there would tell her their stories and she would just have to write them down. She always dreamed of having her stories published so her characters could get out there and meet other people who might begin to love them as much as she does. As well as her WordPress account Violet can be found on Facebook and would love to hear from readers.

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