Climbing the Ladder (16 page)

out to her, and she came to him, hands petting his hair as she took a kiss.

“Want to taste the frosting?” He asked the question against her mouth, smiling.

“Mmhmm.” Her sweet tooth was legendary, at least to him.

He gave her a fingerful of frosting, watching her face. Her smiled widened, and there was

no nose wrinkle. Perfect.

She kissed him again, cuddling in, rubbing him lightly.

“Mmm.” God, he loved her. He loved everything, from the crooked tooth that hid just

behind her lower lip to the little scar under her eye from some kind of crazy test they’d done on her when she was a baby.

“Is this her? She’s littler than I’d think.”

Canyon’s voice boomed in the house, so much like Mesa’s.

Sammy looked over, eyebrow raised. “Mesa’s twin?”

Kody nodded. “Mesa’s twin. Canyon. He’s Mesa’s second, the Clan guardian.”

She shook her head, and he hid a smile. She still thought any talk of the Clan sounded

like a roleplaying game. She was learning, though. Canyon came over to sniff her hair, looming over them, looking so much like Mesa, but so different to him, too.

“Nice.”

“Back off, fuzzy.” Sammy growled at Canyon. “You don’t smell like him at all.”

Kody chuffed softly, then launched himself into Canyon’s arms, squeezing tight.

“Hey, pup.” Canyon squeezed him breathless, a happy growl coming from the wide

chest.

They rubbed their cheeks together, scenting each other. “I’ve missed you.”

“Missed you, too. Been hunting. Running the perimeter. Haven’t had anyone to talk to

about All my Children.”

“Oh, my God. Where are you? I watched every day. Sammy teased me unmercifully.”

“I’m halfway through this season.” They started chatting, and it was long minutes before

they noticed Sammy staring at them.

Hard.

He looked back, and her nose twitched. “So, are you sleeping with him, too?”

Canyon’s brows went up. “No.”

Sammy growled softly. “Good. I’m not sharing.”

“No?” Mesa came up behind her, arms sliding around her waist.

“No.”

Kody felt the wild rush of happy arousal pour from both of them. Tonight they’d play.

“Stop it, you three.” Canyon grunted, moving to smell the supper simmering on the stove.

Kody headed to Mesa to get his kiss. “I made rolls.”

“Did you?” Mesa pulled him up close with one arm, hip lifting against his. Kody got a

kiss that curled his toes. “I love your rolls, if I remember right.”

“You do.” He grinned. “Junie and Granny are coming for supper, too.”

“Oh, good.” Mesa chuckled. “What I want for dessert will have to wait, though.”

“Don’t be nasty, brother. You have company.” Canyon was laughing softly, watching

them with fond approval.

“Family.” Mesa scoffed, kissing Kody’s temple before moving on. “Come sit with me,

man.”

Kody pulled two beers from the fridge and poured a glass of wine for Sammy.

He loved the kitchen. It wasn’t as fancy as his and Sammy’s had been, but it was huge

and had great appliances.

“Pour you one, too, love.” Sammy’s fingers trailed over his wrist.

“Hmm? Oh, okay.” His cheeks heated. They were definitely going to play. He could have

a drink or two here, where it was safe. Not like LA.

“You three are going to have to deal with that. We’ve had two pregnancies since

Samantha came.” Granny came in, and Kody leaned down to touch cheeks. “Get me a beer,

sweet baby.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He went to get another beer, wondering when Sammy would have babies.

He could feel Granny’s laughter in his gut, and he grinned, bouncing on his toes. What?

He wanted babies.

“How many women are here?”

“If you include us old folks and the babies, there are twenty-three females.” Granny

smiled at Sammy. “Some are real bitches.”

“Yeah. Tell me she’s not pregnant. I hit her.”

“She’s not mated.” Canyon made a grumpy rumble noise. “Not for lack of trying.”

“Alicia? Still?” That woman had been chasing Mesa for years.

Granny snorted. “She’s stubborn.”

“She was all up in Sammy’s face.” Juniper was the last one to arrive, coming to give him

a pine-scented hug.

“I saw.” Mesa sounded like the worst kind of pervert, and Kody chuffed softly, tickled.

“You’re not funny.” Sammy snapped her teeth at Mesa, which made Kody blush harder.

Yum.

Kody wriggled a little, told his cock to calm down. “Junie? You thirsty?”

“I’d take some of that fizzy water.”

Mesa had gotten one of those things that made carbonated water, too. You could add

flavor to it and make it like soda, or just leave it plain. Kody thought maybe Canyon had ordered it online.

“Absolutely”. His Clan. His family. Right here.

They all settled, most everyone moving to the dining room, munching a little on some

snacks he put out. He futzed with sausage balls, making sure there were chips for Mesa’s queso.

Junie headed over to him, kissed his cheek. “Settling in?”

He nodded, meeting her eyes for a second. She was like Granny—her heartbeat echoed in

his brain. “We are. We’re home. It’s hard for her, a little.”

A lot. She was trying, getting better every day, but it was tough.

“She’s fierce. I like her.” Junie hugged him hard.

“Good.” Kody thought both Sammy and Junie needed a friend.

“The moon is coming, huh?” She flicked a little bit of frosting off the cake, licking her

fingers.

“It is.” He lowered his voice. “She still doesn’t believe.”

“But you said she changed.” Junie pursed her lips. “The moon will convince her.”

“It will. It’s her first.”

Juniper’s eyes went wide. “Wow.”

“Yeah.” Wow was right. He and Mesa were coming up with a plan to make sure she

stayed safe. Canyon, too. That was Canyon’s superpower.

“I’ll be there with you. Granny, too.”

He nodded, then the people at the table cracked up, the house filling with laughter.

That made him smile. He needed that. He needed the family to surround him.

“Kody? You good?” Sammy wandered back in, an empty chip bowl in hand, eyes sharp

on him.

“I am.” His timer went off, and he got the rolls out. “Supper’s ready.”

Everyone started moving, getting dishes and wine and carrying the food. At one point, he

looked over to see Mesa kiss Sammy, and when they all sat, his chair was between them, framed

by them. Sammy put a hand on his thigh under the table, squeezing a little. She smiled when he glanced over.

“Damn, Kody. You can still cook like nothing else.” Canyon grabbed the potatoes,

growling happily.

“Thanks.” The little spark of pride grew to a glow when Mesa hummed and rubbed his

arm.

They began to eat, Sammy watching everyone. “Where are your parents? I haven’t met

any parents.”

“Ours died a few years back.” Mesa shrugged, and Canyon and Junie stared at their

plates.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

Kody hummed, passed the rolls. “We don’t outlive our mates, not for long. My people

started a Clan beyond the peaks. You can’t have two sets of Alphas. It tears the Clan apart.”

“That was a good thing in more ways than one.” Granny smiled at him gently. “We have

to spread out, find new territory.”

“I…” Sammy looked concerned. “Who owns the land here?”

“The clan does, honey.” Mesa glanced at Canyon, who shrugged. “We all do, and yet

none of us do.”

“Is there a corporation set up, then?”

Kody could see Sammy’s brain working hard.

Mesa gave her a calculating look. “Let’s talk about it after supper.”

Sammy looked at Mesa, and Kody almost spoke when she nodded. “Sure. Business is bad

for digestion, and this all smells so good.”

“That’s it.” They both got an approving look from Granny.

Canyon snorted. “Maybe you two won’t tear each other’s throats out. That’s good.”

Sammy looked at Canyon, scowling. “You know, fuzzy, I could just beat you.”

The entire table cracked up.

Sammy patted his leg, Mesa pressed a kiss to his cheek, and Kody thought he might just

be in heaven.

The food disappeared, the cake and coffee going next. Everyone helped clean up, then

they all went to the great room, Canyon yawning hugely, eyes glowing as his wolf came to the

fore.

Someone was ready for a nap. Heck, Canyon and Junie would end up curled up together

in front of the fire. Sammy looked at Canyon, nose twitching, her worry warring with her

curiosity.

“It’s okay, honey.” Mesa touched her, and she calmed a little. It made Kody so happy to

see it.

“Mesa, his eyes…” she whispered.

Mesa nodded. “Yours, too.”

She blinked, backing up a step. Kody went to them, touching both of them, completing

the circle.

Canyon shifted, Juniper panting softly, close behind.

He felt Sammy jerk, but she didn’t freak out.

Mesa nuzzled her jaw, lips heading for her throat.

He kissed her ear.
Change, Mate.

“Kody?”

He nodded. She heard him.
Come meet your Clan
. His wolf was coming.

Mesa kissed her, lips moving on hers, encouraging her that way, too.

Someone turned the lights down—Granny he supposed—giving everyone privacy. Mesa

drew her closer, Kody pressing in against her back.

Gradually, she relaxed even more, her nose quivering. The rest of their extended family

lay by the fire, nose to tail with one another. Kody shifted first, nose nudging her inner thighs, her hip. She cried out, nervous, but Mesa’s growl eased her, and soon she was right there,

panting, beautiful.

She shivered, then shook a little, her ruff standing up. Mesa changed quickly, his teeth

closing on her neck.

Everyone’s attention was on her, on Mesa, and Kody sent all of his pride, his love, his

respect for them, hoping to calm Sammy.

Whether it was him or Mesa or Sammy herself, their lady only stretched, tail wagging

lazily before nudging Mesa’s muzzle, then licking Kody’s ears.

Mesa pushed them toward the pile of fur and teeth by the fire. Yes. It had been a long

time, and winter was coming.

Juniper gave Sammy her belly and Sammy nuzzled, then curled in. Kody flopped on top

of Canyon, chuffing as his oldest friend rumbled.
Home
.

Things were finally going like he’d hoped they would for all those years. He had a pack

again. Now he just had to teach Sammy her role in it.

Mesa stood on the porch and watched the sky. The moon was coming; he could feel it

pressing on him, calling to him. The moon was his friend, his longtime love, but she also brought out the crazy.

He put his hands on his hips and scented the air for any problems, any challenges that

might come tonight.

It would be Sammy’s first full moon; her first change that they couldn’t control. Her

introduction to the pack. She had to be strong and ready, and he knew she still really didn’t

believe in her heart. She treated the change like a dream sequence.

Kody came to him, rubbing against his hip, eyes wild. “Mate. The moon.”

“I know.” He put an arm around Kody’s waist. “I can feel it.” He wondered how long it

would be before Sammy joined them.

“She’s bitey.” Kody lifted his chin, showing off a dark love bite. “I put her in the bathtub

to soak.”

“Mmm. I like bitey. Canyon says he’s ready to help us keep an eye on her.” He licked

Kody’s bite mark, putting his stamp on it.

“I…” Kody swayed close to him, growling softly. “Mesa. Mesa, I need…” Poor Kody

had been ‘out of town’ for every full moon since he’d married Sammy. The man was incredibly

horny right before. What a shame that no one had been the benefactor of that. Mesa was more

than happy to help out one of his mates. He pulled Kody against his chest, taking a kiss.

Kody groaned, climbing his body, fingers working his clothes open.

Sinking down on the porch, Mesa eased Kody’s clothes off, too, knowing no one would

be watching.

No one would dare.

His Kody’s muscles were limned in the fading sunlight, belly tight, rippling, cock long

and full and swollen with need. Mesa licked his lips, then nipped Kody’s mouth. Hard. The wild little yowl made him ache, made him chuff softly, so he did it again.

He loved that noise, had missed it like a limb torn from his body. He pushed Kody down,

covering him. Kody submitted beautifully—offering him belly and throat joyfully.

Growling, Mesa bit down on the tender skin at Kody’s throat, licking at it to ease the

sting. He started pushing between those widespread legs, feeling the heat of Kody’s cock against his.

“Touch me. Please, Mesa. I’m burning.”

“You are. So hot.” He rubbed back and forth, his hand sliding up under that tight ass.

The muscles jerked and rippled for him, pretty ass hard as a rock.

He could eat Kody up, just like the big bad wolf. Instead he pulled up to his knees and

shifted Kody’s legs up over his shoulders. He wanted in.

“Mesa!” Kody was right there, spread and stretched and so fine.

“I’ve got you, baby. So good.” He stroked Kody’s prick a couple of times, gathering the

moisture at the tip.

Kody’s wild little sounds had him snapping at the air and watching the heavy ball sack

draw up as he touched made Mesa happy, bone-deep. Kody’s pleasure washed over him in

waves, the whispered “Mate” filling him.

“Yes.” His mate. His Beta. He rubbed his damp fingertips against Kody’s hole, knowing

he wouldn’t be able to wait much longer. He would remember the smile Kody offered him until