The Gazelle Who Caught a Lion (11 page)

university, they attended the occasional class. They also worked in

town, Corbin owning a repair shop and Preston a bookstore. Clark

wondered if they knew about the killing. Probably not. Otherwise,

they’d have come to the Academy by now.

Still, Clark felt a bit strange at the thought of going out for drinks in such a situation. As it turned out, he wasn’t forced to choose. A car pulled in behind them, and several slim, tall men exited it. Clark’s every sense screamed danger.

“Let’s go back to the dorm,” he told his friends.

The others must have sensed the problem as well since they didn’t

comment or protest. However, they didn’t get too far before a

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woman’s voice shouted, “There they are. They’re the ones who killed

Leiland.”

Clark stole a look behind and recognized Leiland’s parents

approaching with the men he’d first seen. He’d never spoken to the

Travers family, and he had no desire to do so now. He’d only seen

them once, from afar. The cheetahs seemed intent on reaching him,

however, and the noise they were making was starting to draw

attention.

Clark couldn’t leave now since running away meant cowardice

and admittance of guilt. He stood his ground and waited until the

cheetahs reached him. “Are you Clark Williams-Wade?” the elder

cheetah inquired.

Clark simply nodded. “I am.”

“What are you doing walking around?” The man frowned. “You

should be imprisoned for what you did.”

“I haven’t done anything,” Clark replied. “There’s no reason why I

should be punished.”

“His parents have connections, and no one cares that my son is

dead,” Leiland’s mother shouted. Clark had the urge to roll his eyes.

He couldn’t understand the reason of the sudden pressure. To his

knowledge, neither Leiland nor any of the other cheetahs were very

close to their families. Perhaps she’d loved her child in her own way, but if she’d truly offered Leiland support, things might not have ended like this. Still, he contained his impulse since it wouldn’t be fair of him to judge people he didn’t know.

Just as the elder cheetah opened his mouth, obviously intending to

say something else, Mr. Ruiz appeared out of nowhere. “Please, calm

down, everyone. Principal Huitzilin pointed out earlier that the video feeds exclude Clark’s involvement.”

“Fabricated evidence,” Leiland’s father said. “It proves nothing.”

“Mr. Travers, believe us, we’re as interested as you in finding the

guilty party. Leiland’s death pains us all, and the killer will be

discovered.”

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Was it Clark’s impression, or did Mr. Ruiz’s gaze linger over his

friends for a few moments? What did the teacher think he would find

there? Did he suspect Morgan or Layton? Granted, the two brothers

had offered to make Leiland disappear, but Clark was convinced they

hadn’t actually done it, if only because they would never risk putting Clark and Angel into the spotlight like this. Besides, Ruiz couldn’t know about that conversation, right?

“Something strange is going on,”
Angel said through their bond.

“I don’t know what it is, but I don’t like it.”

Ruiz probably wouldn’t have been able to calm the cheetahs

down, but Sara showed up, with Clark’s grandfather and parents

trailing behind her. “Please, follow me,” she said simply. “We have

much to discuss.”

The cheetahs threw a few more hateful glances Clark’s way, but

didn’t comment. They followed after Sara as she led them into the

administrative building. However, before the group disappeared

inside, Clark caught sight of his werewolf father stealing a look

toward them, not actually at him or Angel, but at their friends. What the fuck?

With nothing of interest going on, the students dispersed and the

courtyard cleared. That was fine with Clark because he suddenly felt off. Perhaps he was seeing things and he needed to take a break from it all.

“Look, guys,” he told his friends, “I’m sorry, but you’re going to

have to go out without me.”

Angel nodded. “I won’t be good company, either. But have fun.”

Their friends looked a bit put out, but they didn’t insist. Clark and Angel said their good-byes, and Clark took advantage of the

opportunity to make his escape with his mate. He ran to their room,

locking the door closed behind them once they were safely inside.

“I have no idea what the fuck is wrong,” he told his mate, “but I

just feel like I’m suddenly in
The Twilight Zone
.”

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“I know.” Angel sighed and rubbed his eyes. “And it’s not like we

can even say—they did this or that. It’s just…strange.”

Clark knew exactly what Angel meant. He plopped down on one

of the beds and groaned. “I don’t get it, Angel. I really don’t. Layton and Morgan would tell us if they knew anything, right?”

“I haven’t known them to keep secrets before, not from us, at

least,” Angel answered. He sat next to Clark and put his head on

Clark’s shoulder.

As usual, Angel’s proximity had a soothing effect on Clark. He

gathered his mate in his arms and pulled him down on the bed. They

fell together in a heap, cuddling against each other like small children.

One upon a time, when they’d been kids, it might not have gone

any further than that. Like werewolves, lions were social creatures and very tactile with their loved ones. But Clark had long ago passed that line with Angel. In spite of the situation, he found himself hardening.

They were so close that Angel didn’t delay in noticing it.

“Someone’s happy to see me,” he said. He draped his leg over Clark’s waist and rubbed their bodies together. Clark groaned as his erection came into contact with Angel’s. He hadn’t actually intended to do this when he’d brought them to the room, but now, he couldn’t think of

any better idea.

He lifted Angel in his arms and rolled them over until he had his

mate under him. Angel’s pupils were already dilated with need,

something that aroused Clark beyond measure. And yet his own desire

was lazy, almost silent. He couldn’t explain it, but he allowed his

instinct and his heart to guide his actions.

Slowly, he began to take Angel’s clothes off, taking his time with

each button and piece of material. He pressed light kisses over every inch of skin he revealed, occasionally licking it, loving his mate’s taste. Angel gasped, that sweet, almost bleating sound that made

Clark’s cock throb in answer. Even so, he didn’t rush. He drew

everything out, simply enjoying the moment and losing himself in his mate’s want for him.

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Angel seemed to sense his mood and allowed Clark to do

whatever he wanted. The impatience and despair melted, and Clark

brought his lips to Angel’s, groaning when his mate immediately

surrendered to him.

Never once releasing his hold on Angel or breaking their kiss,

Clark finally removed Angel’s shirt. He allowed his hands to roam

over Angel’s creamy skin, greedy, wanting to touch more, to feel

more. His fingertips seemed in direct connection with his cock

because simply brushing his fingers over Angel’s body took Clark

almost to the brink of coming.

He broke their lips apart only when the need to breathe forced him

to. He took advantage of the occasion and set to work on the rest of Angel’s clothes. Angel fidgeted and squirmed, but Clark didn’t relent.

He unzipped Angel’s fly, almost hypnotized at watching the tiny teeth of the zipper lower. Angel tried to help him, making his best effort to shimmy out of the slacks, but Clark stilled him, gently caressing his hip. “Shh. Calm down. We have all the time in the world.”

And it felt like they did. There was no real urgency behind Clark’s

need. While their first coupling had been driven by an almost

desperate desire for the completion of their bond, this was different.

This was about comfort, about making sure they were there for each

other no matter what happened. Still, just the sight of Angel’s hard cock made his mouth water. It truly came as no surprise. Sometimes,

he wanted Angel so much he thought the only way to fulfill that need was to consume his mate, which really, could be considered quite

ironic since, by shape-shifter standards, they were predator and prey.

He’d rather die before he hurt Angel, and yet, he wanted to devour his mate, make them one for all time. Somehow, his love for Angel

managed to keep his lust in check.

Clark smiled to himself as he realized he hadn’t yet removed

Angel’s shoes and socks. He proceeded to remedy the situation and

took off both items, dropping them to the floor. He threw the shirt on a nearby chair then returned to his mate. Angel was completely naked
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now, while Clark remained dressed. Clark was all right with that. He wanted to focus on Angel, purely on his mate’s need.

Angel lifted his head and crooked his finger at him, beckoning

him closer.
“I need you,”
the antelope whispered through their bond.

There was no real need for them to speak using their mind link.

They were alone, and no one could hear them should they choose to

talk out loud. But Clark understood Angel’s choice. It
felt
like they should speak through the bond. The closeness they shared demanded

it.

Because of that very same connection, Clark could see what his

mate wanted. He saw the images flashing through Angel’s mind, the

fantasies only he could fulfill. Even while holding a tight rein over his control, Clark could never deny his mate. It was physically impossible to him.

He simply nodded and quickly took his shirt off. He didn’t care

about his own clothing, so he made short work of it. After he was

naked, he crawled onto the bed and simply hugged Angel. For a few

moments, he just held his mate, savoring Angel’s scent and the

knowledge that they were mated forever.

Their hard cocks pressed together, reminding Clark to get down to

business. Clark reached between their bodies, palming his mate’s

cock. Angel released a small bleat-gasp, urging Clark along, and the sound was like fuel thrown on an open fire. Clark’s desire emerged

hotter and brighter than ever. His beast needed to claim his mate,

needed to reassure himself of Angel’s presence and affection.

Clark briefly released Angel from his embrace and rolled over to

reach for the nightstand. He retrieved the half-empty tube of lubricant and quickly returned to his mate. He nearly swallowed his tongue

when he saw his mate with his legs high up in the air, his hole

exposed to Clark’s gaze.

The tiny rosette seemed to wink at Clark, and he opened the lube

bottle. He poured a generous amount on his fingers and met his mate’s eyes as he rubbed the slick liquid over Angel’s anus.

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81

“You’re so beautiful, my angel,”
he murmured through their bond.

“So very beautiful.”

Angel released a sigh of contented satisfaction and pushed back

against Clark’s finger. Clark couldn’t resist. He held Angel’s gaze as he inserted one digit into his mate’s opening. Angel’s body yielded for him, allowing him entrance. Feeling his mate’s need, Clark didn’t

delay in adding another finger. He crooked them inside Angel’s body, seeking that special spot that would make his love see stars. When he found the spongy gland, Angel thrust back against his fingers,

moaning. “Please, Clark. Please. Take me.”

Clark couldn’t have stopped himself if he wanted to. He removed

his fingers from his mate’s body and slicked up his cock. Even his

own hand felt far too good on his prick in his state of arousal, so he did it as quickly as possible. He then positioned his cock against his mate’s opening and simply pushed.

His mate was tight, so tight, and still, seemed to have no trouble

taking Clark’s considerable girth. Even so, Clark went slow, making

sure Angel enjoyed this as well. He shouldn’t have worried. The

pleasure he felt coming through their bond mixed with his until they were almost undistinguishable from each other. There was no pain

whatsoever, just the ecstasy of their two bodies and hearts coming

together.

Clark started to move, gentle thrusts growing harder, then falling

back into the more sedate pace. He supported his mate’s legs on his

shoulders to make sure there was no strain on Angel, keeping his

motions steady and always, always, aiming for Angel’s prostate. His

mate came undone, moving with him, fucking himself on Clark’s

cock. They fell together in the perfect rhythm that could only exist between true mates. Over and over, they chased their pleasure without rushing it. Angel’s anus squeezed Clark’s so deliciously, inviting him in with every movement either of them made. But beyond the physical

pleasure, there was so much more between them, relief, happiness,

and fulfillment.

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When Clark’s orgasm came, it took him completely by surprise. It

washed over him with the gentleness of a spring breeze and the

intensity of a supernova. It might have seemed paradoxical, but right then and there, it was just perfect.

Lost in the moment, Clark thrust one last time inside Angel, then