The Wolf Who Hatched an Egg (10 page)

Liam fucked his mouth, thrusting in and out of the cavern, invading his throat. Shiloh would have clung to the rawness of it, but all of a sudden, Liam pulled him up and out of the water. Shiloh took in gulps of air as his mate’s voice filled his mind, “I’m taking no risks with you, baby.”

Shiloh grinned at him. “No risks,” he confirmed. “I’ve never felt safer than with you.”

Safer, happier, and more loved. Shiloh didn’t say that out loud, even if Liam must have heard it in his head. He’d never said those three special words either, but they both knew the feeling was there.

Liam beamed back and took his lips once again. “You’re amazing, you know that? I need to be inside you right this moment or else I’m going to burst.”

Water didn’t make the best lubricant in existence, but it seemed Liam had taken precautions. He flipped Shiloh over the tub’s edge, exposing his genitals to the cool air. A snap and a squirt sounded behind him, and then a slick finger traced his hole.

Shiloh pushed his bottom up, wordlessly expressing his demand.

Seconds later, Liam gave him what he needed. The digit pushed inside Shiloh’s channel, making his gasp.

“I love your ass,” Liam murmured. “Just swallowing me up, so greedy.”

“Just for you,” Shiloh choked back. He wanted more, so much more.

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Their bond did its job yet again, and Shiloh almost sobbed in relief when Liam added two more fingers. As his mate thrust the digits in and out of him, Shiloh focused on not coming right then and there. It was difficult, since his climax had been building all day and Liam’s previous touches had been driving him crazy with lust. He bit his lip as hard as he could and the slight pain distracted him—well, at least until Liam hit his prostate.

Shiloh’s eyes widened and he clawed at the tub. “Oh God, Liam.

Fuck me, please, fuck me.”

“Oh, baby, you plead so beautifully. How can I ever tell you no?”

Liam pulled his fingers out of Shiloh’s ass. He pulled Shiloh back into the water and into his lap. In one single thrust, he impaled Shiloh with his cock.

Shiloh’s cry echoed against the tiles of the bathroom walls at the sudden penetration. From this angle, Liam seemed to get even deeper inside him. “Ride me, Shiloh,” Liam whispered. “Come on.”

Shiloh lifted his body and pushed back down, fucking himself on Liam’s prick. In turn, Liam thrust up, hard jabs that made Shiloh’s teeth rattle and his body buzz with ecstasy. Liam knew his body so well, and each and every time, he hit Shiloh’s prostate.

They moved together, the water lapping at their skin, their bodies connected in the most intimate way two men could possibly be. With the bliss growing more and more, Shiloh could not take it for much longer. He needed just one more thing to make it perfect.

Even as he thought this, Liam pulled him close and embedded his fangs in Shiloh’s neck. With the rush of ecstasy that washed over him, Shiloh found his peak. It was simply too amazing to grasp, let alone resist. He felt so connected to Liam that they no longer seemed two people at all. Shiloh didn’t even know where he ended and Liam began. Their bodies and minds were completely in synch. It was his drug, and Liam was the only man with whom he’d ever imagine having such a bond.

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He sensed Liam’s climax as the other man came as well, filling him with hot seed. Their link teemed with their joined pleasure, carrying them into an orgasm that went on and on, swallowing them whole. Worn out, he collapsed on top of Liam, and together they leaned against the tub, enjoying the afterglow.

It was only when the water began to cool and their skin started to go pruny that they managed to muster enough strength to move.

Quickly, they cleaned up and left the bath. Liam emptied the tub and then they wiped each other dry. If their fingers lingered on each other’s skin more than necessary, neither of them protested.

Once more, Liam took him in his arms and carried him to the bedroom. It was a bit cool there after the heat inside the bath, but his mate tucked him in, covering him with the blanket. More importantly, he slipped under the quilt as well, and in moments, Liam’s heat drove away all chill.

More satisfied than ever, Shiloh closed his eyes and surrendered to his exhaustion.

* * * *

From outside the small apartment, a man watched the now-slumbering couple. White-hot fury coursed through him as the two cuddled together. Taking a deep breath, he focused on calming down.

He stole one more look through the binoculars then turned his back on the apartment. Let them enjoy their misguided relationship. It wouldn’t last. He would make sure of it.

* * * *

“One more time, baby,” Liam said patiently. “Let’s start from the top.”

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Shiloh frowned at him, his lower lip stuck out in an all-out pout. It should have looked childish, but on Shiloh, it seemed fucking sexy.

“This is hopeless. I’m never going to get it right.”

Or so Shiloh said, but in Liam’s opinion, his mate was making real progress. Now that he’d learned not to force his voice, he sounded much better. He’d never be a superstar, but his voice was warm and soothing, even if he didn’t know it.

Shiloh stuck his tongue out at him. “You just think that because you’re my mate.”

Liam smiled, put his guitar down, and leaned over toward his mate. He pecked Shiloh on the cheek, loving the way Shiloh’s cheeks went red. “Not true,” he told Shiloh. “But if you’re tired, we can take a break. You’ve earned it.”

Shiloh’s eyes shone with anticipation. “What do you have in mind?”

Liam couldn’t help a laugh. “How about we take a short walk through the park for a breath of fresh air? If no one is around, we can even shift.” He lowered his voice, half because he knew it drove his mate wild, half due to the fact that he couldn’t actually help it. “And then, we’ll come back here and I’ll make love to you over and over and over again.”

Shiloh grinned at him. “Oh, I like that idea, although I could do without the walk.”

Liam shook his head at his mate’s comment. “Stop it, you, or else we’ll never get out of our house.”

“And what’s wrong with that?” Shiloh snickered. “Come on, don’t be such a spoilsport.”

Liam found himself very close to yielding. After all, they could always go for a walk another day. But just as he thought so, Shiloh escaped his arms, dancing just out of his reach. “But you’re right,” he teased. “We should go out for a bit.”

Liam growled playfully at his mate, but went with it. They changed into street clothes and left their apartment. It was a beautiful
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Saturday evening, and Liam thought that most likely, they would not be able to steal a moment in their shifted form. No matter. He felt just as happy simply walking hand in hand with his mate, just another couple enjoying the beautiful weather. If anyone looked at them wrongly, it was just because they were gay, and not because Liam was a wolf and Shiloh a swan. To a certain extent, it almost felt liberating.

The humans left them alone, though, and with the pleasant evening, Liam found himself prolonging the walk. They stopped and, in a rare moment of decadence, grabbed some ice cream. Both of them enjoyed the human concoction, although Liam admitted that more than the taste of the treat, he liked watching Shiloh suck on the cone and making pleased noises. Damn, that sort of thing should be illegal, especially in public.

At last, they decided to return home. Liam’s arousal kept building all throughout the walk, and he couldn’t wait to get his hands on his mate’s naked skin. As they headed out of the park, however, Liam sensed a familiar presence approach.

He couldn’t suppress a sound of dismay as he watched Sonny walk toward them. The other wolf had been his occasional fuck buddy before Liam met Shiloh. Liam always made clear that they were friends with benefits and nothing more, but Sonny seemed to have misunderstood, regardless.

Liam and Shiloh didn’t have time to make their escape. Sonny reached them in seconds. “Hey,” he greeted enthusiastically. “Long time no see. How’ve you been?”

“Fine,” Shiloh answered, and Liam could practically hear the

“until you got here” even if it went unsaid. “Enjoying our new life together.”

Sonny didn’t even blink at Shiloh’s words. “Excellent. I was actually thinking to give you a call.” His eyes fell on Liam. “You look great, Liam.”

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The situation seemed out of this world. Could Sonny be doing this on purpose, just to piss Shiloh off? It was possible, since Shiloh practically vibrated with jealousy at this point.

“Thanks,” he answered hastily. Knowing he found himself on thin ice, he added, “Look, Shiloh and I were just headed home. See you later, okay?”

Sonny arched a brow, but didn’t protest. “Sure. Have fun.”

With far more haste than it was actually required, Liam and Shiloh left the park. “Damn him,” Shiloh snarled. “Can’t he just stay away? You belong to me.”

All of a sudden, Liam’s apprehension melted into arousal, oddly answering to the little show of possessiveness. “I’m all yours, baby,”

he said. “Now let’s get home so I can prove it to you.”

An answering surge of lust came through his bond with Shiloh, and Liam hastened the pace. Soon, they finally reached their destination. But as they approached their apartment, Liam sensed something was not quite right. It seemed almost like the feeling he got when other shifters were around him, but not exactly the same. He and Shiloh shared a look and rushed toward their apartment.

He didn’t know what he’d expected, but it certainly wasn’t what he saw once he reached his door—a large wicker basket, covered in a blanket. The first thing that occurred to Liam was that their friends might have some sort of gag gift for them. But surely, they wouldn’t choose something like this. Besides, it didn’t explain the odd feeling.

Shiloh knelt next to the basket and pushed the blanket away. Liam gaped. Inside, there was a big egg. Well, that would account for the odd sensation he’d experienced.

“It’s a swan-shifter egg,” Shiloh said breathlessly. “Oh, my God, Liam. Who would bring it here?”

“I have no clue.” He’d have very much liked to know, too, since that person obviously knew Shiloh’s identity. “It can only be one of your people.”

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Shiloh’s discomfort came clear through their connection. “Come on. Let’s get it inside. Even if the weather’s nice, it needs to be kept warm.”

Liam wordlessly unlocked the door and opened it. His mate took the wicker basket and carried it into the apartment. He seemed completely hypnotized by the egg. Well, so much for hot sex.

If Shiloh felt his disgruntlement, he didn’t show it, not that Liam blamed him. The basket in front of their door had brought in a huge problem, something Liam didn’t know how to deal with.

His heart squeezed in his chest as he watched Shiloh retrieve the egg from the basket with utmost care. “Baby, we have to let someone know about this.”

“But why?” Shiloh asked. “Someone left it here. Obviously, they wanted us to have it.”

“I don’t know. It seems very suspicious to me.” Eggs didn’t just pop up out of the blue in the middle of Los Angeles. Why would someone bother to bring them one? Sure, they’d wanted a family, but this felt off.

Shiloh frowned as he gently cradled the egg. “Okay, so they’re not ideal conditions, but who are we supposed to call?”

“I don’t know. Your family, perhaps? The adoption agency?”

Shiloh’s frown turned into a glare. “You can’t be serious. The adoption agency? You want me to give it away?”

“Us, Shiloh. Us,” Liam corrected. “And I didn’t say that. I merely wanted to point out that maybe we should tell someone about this.

They’ll be able to tell us what to do.”

“Liam, for whatever reason, this baby’s parents entrusted him or her to us. Now, I don’t know about you, but I won’t squander this gift.”

“Shiloh…” Liam took a deep breath. “Look, perhaps this is not the best time to talk about this. Let’s just make sure the egg is okay for now.”

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His mate seemed satisfied with that, and in spite of the lingering sense of tension, they proceeded to check on the egg. It seemed in good condition, clean, and showed no cracks. Whoever had brought it must have taken good care of it before. But then, the question appeared as to why the person in question had abandoned it in the first place.

Still, when he looked at Shiloh and the egg, he couldn’t help a feeling of tenderness. “Liam, I know we weren’t exactly expecting this,” Shiloh said, “but this baby needs us. How can we possibly push him or her away?”

“I’m not saying we should.” Liam sighed. “It’s just that I’m worried for you.”

Hell, he was worried for both of them. They could easily get attached to this baby, and then the parents would come knocking, demanding it back. Liam might be able to withstand that kind of heartbreak, but he feared for his mate.

Shiloh placed the egg in the middle of their bed. “Well, there’s nothing we can do about it tonight anyway,” he said. “Come on.

Come here.”

Liam gulped, his concern skyrocketing. He didn’t know how to care for an egg. Wolf cubs were different, and the egg looked so fragile. What if he accidentally crushed it?

“You won’t.” Shiloh smiled gently as he took off his clothing.

“We’ll take care of this egg, you and me.”

And oddly, as Shiloh spoke, Liam found an echoing need appear inside him, the need to protect the baby beyond that delicate shell.

Without another word, he removed his own clothes and shifted into his wolf form.

He didn’t even know what instinct prompted him to do so, but he realized he’d done the right thing when Shiloh changed shapes as well. In bird form, Shiloh looked so majestic it humbled Liam, and he was invaded by an unprecedented desire to protect his mate and the egg. Okay, so maybe the situation was a bit suspicious, but he’d
The Wolf Who Hatched an Egg