Nothing to Do With Pride (4 page)

Leaning down, Dennis took another kiss. He needed KC’s kisses like some people needed air. If anyone ever asked him to describe the flavour of the fox shifter’s mouth, he’d have to say KC tasted like pure unadulterated desire. Sliding inside the gorgeous man was like finding home. All his adult life, Dennis hadn’t felt as though he belonged. But right at that moment, with KC wrapped around him, Dennis knew he needed nothing else in life to be happy.

“Mine!” he growled. His fangs dropped and, unable to resist, Dennis grabbed KC by the back of the neck and bit him. Hips pumping, he marked his man.

“Mate,”
his inner coyote growled.

Joy flashed through him like a wildfire, burning away the sadness and discontent in his life and replacing it with a glowing happiness.
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His body convulsed and gave up his release, infusing his essence into the small fox shifter. KC followed quickly afterwards, filling the air with the combined aroma of their essence. Slowly, careful to not rip his mate’s skin more than necessary, Dennis removed his fangs from KC’s body.

Lapping at the wound, he sealed it enough to stop the bleeding but not enough to erase it completely. It would scar and tell others by both scent and mark that the younger man belonged to him.

“We were right. We’re mates.”

KC didn’t respond. Instead, the fox shifter struck. Dennis jerked as KC’s fangs plunged into the curve where his neck and shoulder met. He stilled, wanting to let his mate do whatever he needed to feel Dennis was marked. After a moment, KC released him, lapped half-heartedly at his wound then collapsed on his back.

“Am I claimed properly now?” Dennis asked with a smile.

“It’ll do.”

Dennis knew for a complete mating KC needed to plant his seed inside Dennis’

body…but that could wait for later. They had answered the important question. They were mates.

KC lay on the bed, panting. His heart raced and his body tingled from spent desire.

Turning his head, he marvelled at the handsome shifter beside him.

I have a mate!

He knew from the other shifters that gay men could have mates but he’d never expected to find one of his own.

Dennis had self-esteem issues, but KC knew he could help with that. “Wanna move in with me?”

The coyote shifter turned to look at KC. “Maybe after we find my sister. I have to make sure she’s all right…or put down if she’s dangerous.” The sadness in Dennis’ eyes told KC

how much it would hurt his mate if he had to kill his sister.

KC made a private vow to be the one to kill her if necessary. Dennis would never forgive himself if he had to be the one to end Candice’s life.
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Just as he started drifting off, his cell phone rang. Blinking in the darkness, he snatched it up and pressed the answer button.

“Hello?”

“KC, buddy, how are you?”

KC sat up straight. “Bob?”

“Did I wake you?” His friend’s amused voice tamped down KC’s annoyance at being snapped out of his cosy post-coital glow.

“No. What can I do for you?” Bob wasn’t one of those people who called just to chat. He was one of KC’s work contacts.

“It’s what I can do for you. I heard you were looking for a crazy coyote.”

KC’s grip on his phone tightened. “Did you find one?”

“Yeah, but no one can get close enough to figure out if it is a girl or a boy but the coyote has been killing cattle all through Texas.”

“I think our girl is a little more east but it’s worth checking out. Thanks for the call.”

“You can thank me by letting me take you to dinner when you get here.” KC had hooked up with the human a few times, but before he could frame a proper refusal, Dennis ripped the phone from his hands.

“KC appreciates you calling but he has a mate now. We’ll see you when we get to Texas.”

Pressing the disconnect button, Dennis handed back the phone.

“I was going to tell him no,” KC said. He tried to sound strict but he couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face. Possessive Dennis was freaking adorable.

Dennis arched a brow. “Well, now you don’t have to.”

KC gave into his amusement and laughed. “That’s very true.”

“Is there any man who doesn’t want into your pants?”

Patting his mate on the cheek, KC smiled. “I’m sure there are some men out there.”

Dennis growled. “Have you met them?”

“Come on—let’s get dressed. We’ve got a plane to catch.”

* * * *

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“You are not going off to Texas with this coyote to hunt down a psychotic cattle killer.

Are you kidding me?”

KC stared at the sheriff in shock. He never thought Lou would object to his trip.

“What’s wrong?”

“I thought you were going to make some phone calls—maybe hack a database or two—

not put yourself in danger. You have no training as an agent of any kind and I don’t want you hurt. I will not permit this!”

KC’s stomach dropped. Damn, he hated disappointing Lou. The man had done so much for him.

Dennis stepped forwards, bristling with rage. KC grabbed him by the back of the shirt and pulled him away. “Don’t poke at the angry bear,” he warned. He knew Dennis’ mating instincts were coming forwards to protect KC at any cost.

“You have something to say, coyote?” Lou’s eyes glowed with rage.

The office door swung open. KC had never been so happy to see the lion shifter in his entire life. “James!”

The surprise in James’ eyes told KC more than words ever could that he’d been less than friendly to the kind man. Jealousy had eaten at him, and even though he’d tried not to show his upset, apparently he hadn’t been completely successful. Now, with having his own mate, KC better understood how easily James had captured Lou’s affections.

“What’s going on?” James looked at his mate for answers.

“This coyote wants to take KC into the goddamn desert and look for a psychotic shifter.”

James’ golden eyes took in the situation. KC could almost feel the intelligent man’s mind clicking through all the alternatives.

“I’m sure Dennis will watch out for his mate. They can go and see if it
is
her before they figure out what to do next. They don’t have to confront her. They can do reconnaissance and call you at regular intervals.”

Lou crossed his arms across his chest.

“You have to let KC grow up sometime, hon.”

It amused KC to see Lou try to stare down his mate. The lion shifter just looked back at him with calm golden eyes, not the least bit intimidated.
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After a few minutes of having his mate stare at him without backing down, the sheriff rolled his eyes. “Fine, but I expect a phone call every three hours or I’m going to come there myself.”

“Yes!” KC jumped up and down.

Dennis wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Calm, love—we’re trying to convince the sheriff of your maturity.”

“Oh, right.” KC stopped wiggling. “We’ll call. I promise.”

Before KC could intervene, Lou grabbed Dennis and lifted him until his feet cleared the ground. “If anything happens to my friend, I will break every fucking bone in your body.”

With each word, he shook Dennis to emphasise his point.

“Lou, drop him.”

At the sound of his mate’s voice, Lou opened his hand and released Dennis. Dennis landed neatly on his feet but didn’t dare move.

James wrapped a hand around Lou’s thick arm. “I’m sure KC will need some travel money to help with this investigation.”

Lou nodded. “Use the departmental card for hotel expenses and food. If she has indeed gone feral, it falls under public safety.”

James opened his wallet and handed several bills over to KC. “This should get you started.”

KC hugged James. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” James lowered his voice. “Now get out of here before Lou snaps.”

KC shoved the money into his pocket, grabbed Dennis’ wrist and shouted goodbye over his shoulder. “Let’s go get your clothes from the pack house.”

“Okay. I should let them know I’m going, anyway. Talan will want to know. He likes to keep tabs on everyone.”

As they left, KC heard Lou shouting, “What do you mean they’re mates?”

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Chapter Four

As they entered the pack house, the sound of running met them as a small wolf raced past them, chased by a large lion.

“I guess we’ll get your stuff, then talk to Talan.”

Dennis agreed. His stomach knotted as he thought about confronting the lion shifter.

Talan had never been anything but nice to him, however Dennis would have to go near Adrian in order to talk to the lion alpha. It was stupid to be scared of a small man who had never actually tried to harm him, but he never forgot he was in enemy territory. Adrian’s wolf didn’t approve of Dennis’ coyote, and as much as the human Adrian always treated him fairly after Talan had forbidden him from killing Dennis, he could always feel the chill of Adrian’s wolf peeking out at him.

It would be a relief to move in with KC after they dealt with Dennis’ sister. Maybe he could find some work around town. Though the chances for work were better in Seattle or even in Canada, he didn’t want to be far from his fox. Hell, if he did well on this trip, maybe he could help the sheriff do odd jobs.

After grabbing a duffle bag he’d picked up a few weeks ago, Dennis quickly shoved some jeans and T-shirts inside. “I don’t have a lot of clothes. I had my stuff shipped from Seattle, but I mostly have work clothes.”

KC shrugged. “I’m not exactly a fashion model myself, but I like nice things for my home.” KC’s home had a bit of luxury but it felt like a home. Dennis liked that about his place.

As soon as Dennis’ clothes were packed, they headed out to find Talan.

The shifter was in human form and pinning a wolf to the ground with his legs.

“Is there a reason you have your mate pinned?” KC asked.

Talan gave them a wide smile. “Yes.” The pride leader didn’t elaborate.

“Oookay. We think we have a lead on Candice, so we’re heading out to Texas.”
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“Take my private plane—Lou will worry less that way. I’ll call the pilot and alert him you’re coming. Also, talk to Dillon—he’ll get you a set of tranquiliser guns. That way if she’s bat-shit crazy, you can tranq her.”

“Thanks.”

He looked down at Adrian, who gave him a disgruntled look. Whether it was due to Dennis or the fact he was pinned, KC didn’t know. A few minutes later, with the help of Dillon, they’d collected a pair of tranq guns. “Are you sure you don’t want any help?” Dillon looked up at them with hopeful eyes.

“I’m sure we’ll be fine. Besides, if she sees anyone besides me she might freak out. She’ll disregard KC because he’s a fox shifter and she won’t see him as a threat.” Dillon nodded while KC glared. “What? It’s true.”

“Foxes are more vicious than we’re generally given credit for.”

Dennis rubbed KC’s shoulder. “I’m sure you are.”

“Don’t make me bite you,” KC grumbled.

Dillon shook his head. “See you guys later. Good luck finding your sister, Dennis.”

“Thanks.”

After a quick trip to collect KC’s clothing, they headed for the private airport twenty miles away. “That was nice of Talan to loan us his plane,” KC said.

Dennis nodded. “I think he’s trying to make up for the fact that his mate hates me.”

“Possibly. Though I think Adrian’s warming up a little. He didn’t try to bite you when we went to say goodbye,” KC said.

“I wasn’t sure if that was because Talan was all but sitting on him or not.”

KC laughed. “Yeah, what was that about?”

Dennis shrugged. “Alphas are weird. At least Talan is. I don’t really know any other alphas.”

KC shrugged. “I think if Talan was any more laid back he’d be asleep.”

Dennis laughed. “The only thing that makes Talan angry is anyone upsetting his mate.

You want to see him in pure alpha mode—upset Adrian. I found out that, with a good throwing arm, you can skip a lion six times in the lake before they sink.”

Giggling, KC asked, “Why did he toss the lion?”
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“He used one of Adrian’s computers without permission and accidentally deleted a file.

Adrian lost his temper. I actually think Talan tossed the other lion to save his life. They now have a no-using-Adrian’s-office policy.”

“Probably a good idea.”

The plane was shiny, pretty and had luxury seats…which was the full extent of Dennis’

knowledge of planes. The captain was also a lion shifter, but an independent—not a member of Talan’s pack. Having been briefed on their trip already, he had them buckling in for take-off in a matter of minutes. They didn’t need much time to get clearance from the tiny air strip space where the plane was kept.

“Did you notice this plane’s paint job is the same gold as the lions?” KC asked with a smirk.

Dennis nodded. “They do like gold.”

After the plane was level in the air, Dennis decided it was time to learn more about his mate. “So tell me, love… You know I have one sister. Are you an only child?”

KC’s lips tightened. “No. I have three siblings.”

Dennis waited a moment but nothing else was forthcoming. He decided to try James’

approach and waited his mate out.

“Fine. None of them have talked to me since my father kicked me out. Happy now? Not my two brothers, nor my sister. I essentially have no family.”

Dennis entwined his fingers through KC’s before kissing the back of his hand. “I’m sorry, love.”

“Yeah, me too.”

The intercom crackled. “This is the captain. We’re coming into some unexpected turbulence. We are currently flying over Texas and should land in about twenty minutes, but please stay seated.”

A flash of light lit the cabin.

“Shit, lightning.” Fear chilled Dennis’ spine. He wasn’t a confident traveller on a good day. He’d hoped discussing KC’s family would distract him from the fact he was floating miles above the earth in a fibreglass pretend bird.

“It’ll be all right,” KC’s touch calmed some of the panic until he saw another flash and this time, as it touched the tip of the wing, a small fire broke out.
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“Do you think the pilot knows about that?” Dennis asked KC.