Page 4 of Big Top Bear Raid (Wolves of Stone Ridge #64)

ZION WOULD HAVE FELT bad about cutting out of the barbeque early, but the scent of his mate, which made his dick so hard it hurt, coupled with the teasing aroma of Wraith’s arousal, made it nearly impossible to concentrate on the conversation flowing around him.

Even the mention of magick-wielders couldn’t deflate his boner.

Besides, Zion knew his buddies would catch him up on everything...later.

Most of the guys were already mated, so they understood his distraction...and the pull.

To that end, Zion was following Wraith’s Jeep Grand Cherokee.

He stayed close behind him on the windy roads, unable to let him out of his sight for much more than the time it took him to round a corner.

Spotting his mate’s blinker, indicating his upcoming left turn, Zion flipped on his own.

Turning into Wraith’s driveway, Zion peered through his helmet’s face shield.

He swept his gaze over his mate’s home, admiring the abode.

For some reason, Zion thought the small, A-frame cabin-like structure suited Wraith.

Rustic and masculine.

I like it.

Or maybe it’s because it’s surrounded by forest and I can’t detect any other scents in the area.

Zion shifted his focus to the rising door of Wraith’s detached garage.

Using his feet and a little throttle, he cruised forward, following him inside.

He found a little room off to the right for his motorcycle, cozying his bike up beside a large dirt bike.

Huh. Bet that makes it easy for him to get deep in the mountains to shift and go running.

I bet we can both fit on that.

Zion hoped that before too long, they would be able to try it out together.

Right then, however, he had other things on his mind.

After turning off his motorcycle, he removed his helmet and hooked the strap on the handlebar before swinging off his Harley.

Barely remembering to snag the keys, Zion stalked around the back of the Cherokee to where Wraith was getting out.

He grabbed his mate’s shoulders and swung his wolf shifter around.

Once Zion had Wraith’s back pressed against the side of his SUV, he slammed his lips onto the smaller male’s.

With a nip to Wraith’s bottom lip, Zion thrust his tongue into his mate’s mouth.

He took possession, reveling in his heady flavor.

Mapping Wraith’s mouth with his tongue, Zion delved deep, relishing his masculine flavors mixed with the food he’d just consumed.

His body ignited as he pressed himself close, plastering himself against the other man’s leaner frame from shoulders to knees.

Zion slid his fingers into Wraith’s short black hair and cradled his skull.

Using his hold, he tipped Wraith’s head to the side a little.

Slotting deeper, the move allowed him to ravish the sexy man.

With his erection throbbing behind the fly of his jeans, Zion couldn’t resist his need for more pressure, especially upon feeling an equally hard prick pushing back against his own.

Rocking his hips, Zion felt the exquisite stimulation on his length, and the delicious tingles nearly went straight to his head.

He moaned into Wraith’s mouth as a shudder worked through him.

Between Wraith’s amazing flavor exploding across his taste buds and the mind-numbing pressure of his mate’s bulge against his own, Zion flew straight toward the edge faster than he could ever remember experiencing.

With how long it’d been since he’d shared arousal with someone—and with this being his mate—Zion didn’t even try to stop himself.

Groaning deeply, Zion tightened his grip just a little as his release surged through him like a freight train.

With his senses singing, he barely registered it when Wraith bucked against him.

He scented the heady aroma of his mate’s release just as the wolf tore his mouth from Zion’s and tucked his face against the crook of his neck.

As Wraith did so, he let out a deep, blissful-sounding moan of his own.

Zion couldn’t help the smug satisfaction that surged through him, regardless of the fact that he hadn’t actually done a damn thing.

Just the fact that his kiss and the press of his body pleased his mate so much caused a grin to tug at his lips.

With a deep sigh, Zion tipped his head and rested his cheek against the side of Wraith’s head.

Knowing Wraith was a shifter, with a shifter’s fortitude, Zion allowed himself to just relax against the slightly smaller male.

He hummed as he pressed his mate against the side of his SUV.

Relaxing, Zion relished the blissful pings floating through his system, caused partly by his release and partly by the knowledge that he was safe in his mate’s arms.

Huh.

And isn’t that a novel thought.

When Zion had occasionally indulged in dreams of finding his mate, he’d always been the one to offer comfort.

Except, with the way Wraith’s hands were rubbing soothing strokes over his back, he knew he was taking comfort from the other man.

Being the larger of the pair didn’t seem to be making a difference in that.

Zion felt Wraith turn his head a little, then peck a kiss to the underside of his jaw.

With a smile, he lifted his head and met his warm, dark-eyed gaze.

He brushed his lips over Wraith’s, enjoying the feel of his slightly plump, kiss-swollen lips.

When Zion lifted his head again, he saw Wraith’s grin.

“Can’t remember the last time I came in my pants,”

his mate said on a chuckle.

“But your kisses.”

His dark eyes twinkled.

“Just damn.”

Letting out a soft laugh of his own, Zion heaved out a deep breath.

“Yeah. Me either.”

Then he frowned and muttered.

“Not that I want to think about past lovers for either of us.”

Wraith winced. “Sorry.”

Easing his hold, Zion began to straighten even as he shook his head.

“No, it’s okay.”

He teased his fingertips through Wraith’s soft black hair, enjoying the feel of it.

“Like we talked about at the barbeque. We both have pasts.”

With a shrug, Zion gave his mate a warm smile.

“We just don’t gotta talk about it beyond our likes and dislikes.”

Nodding, Wraith returned his smile.

“Sounds like a good idea.”

Recalling something that he’d noticed at the barbeque, Zion racked his brain for the best way to bring it up.

He must’ve been quiet too long, or maybe his scent gave him away.

Zion noticed how Wraith’s expression took on a mixture of confusion and concern.

“Are you a switch?”

Zion asked as gently as possible, rubbing up and down Wraith’s arm.

“When I mentioned it back at the barbeque, I felt your tension and scented your unease.”

After a second of hesitation, Zion offered.

“It’s been a while for me...uh...doing anything, actually.”

He fought down a wave of embarrassment and continued.

“But, uh, I don’t mind receiving. I enjoy both ways.”

Wraith’s brows shot up, his surprise more than evident. “Really?”

Zion chuckled softly. “Yeah.”

Fighting down a blush, because he knew nothing should be embarrassing when discussed between mates, he admitted.

“I can’t wait to feel you sliding inside my body, taking me, owning me.”

Sucking in a sharp breath, Wraith offered him a feral smile.

“Well, then.”

His tone took on a husky quality.

“Why don’t we move this party inside?”

“I would say you better get used to always being the bottom, but you’ll never get the chance.”

Upon hearing the angry voice, Zion snapped his attention to the right. He growled upon spotting Stephan standing at the mouth of the garage. Zion eased from Wraith’s hold, pivoting to face the angry wolf shifter.

“Stephan, we’ve already talked about this. Zion is my fated mate.”

Wraith’s tone came out soft yet forceful.

“Go home before you get into more trouble.”

My sweet mate is trying so hard to keep this dickwad out of trouble.

Except, Zion could see the maniacal gleam in Stephan’s blue eyes, and he knew it wouldn’t work.

He sort of wondered what the hell was wrong with the man.

Finding one’s fated mate was sacrosanct with all paranormals. Why would this shifter jeopardize not only his place in his pack, but also his life?

Because there was one thing that being in the clutches of the witches had taught him...and that was how to fight.

Zion used his grip on Wraith’s waist to hold him in place as he pivoted and stepped toward the irrational wolf.

Easing slightly between the pair, he growled low in his throat.

The move and noise drew Stephan’s attention, just as Zion had hoped. Zion took in the way Stephan’s lip curled even more, deepening his sneer.

“You have five seconds to clear out,”

Zion stated, knowing the directive would piss the man off further.

He needed to provoke him, to have the other shifter make the first move.

Zion wanted to clearly be defending his mate. He didn’t want the wolf whining about getting his ass handed to him after the fact.

“You’ve already been warned.”

While Zion had no clue what Alpha Declan would have said to Stephan, he knew the man had been spoken to.

The alpha and beta had arrived to their meeting in the study a good ten minutes after his bear sleuth.

It had given them time to eat...while making Zion’s prick hard as a rock.

Stephan lunged and roared.

“Wraith’s mine!”

It snapped Zion out of his thoughts.

Zion heard Wraith snarl, “No,”

even as he stepped forward to meet the challenge.

He ducked under Stephan’s wild haymaker, swung his bent arm up, and caught the other shifter’s elbow.

Using the male’s momentum, Zion spun him around, placed a hand on his back, and shoved him right back out of the garage.

He didn’t like the confined space. His bear instincts called for more room.

“Son of a bitch,”

Wraith snarled from behind him. His mate’s voice grew louder, telling Zion that he was hurrying toward them.

“Cut it out, Stephan.”

Stephan completely ignored him. The wolf shifter kicked off his shoes and began to shift. Seeing the fur sprouting on Stephan’s arms as the changing wolf shifter shoved off his sweatpants, Zion shrugged out of his leather jacket.

“He’s after me, Wraith,”

Zion told him, sparing a glance over his shoulder at his mate.

“Stay clear. I’m just gonna subdue him.”

“I’m calling—”

Wraith began, his phone already in his hand.

Before Wraith could finish his sentence, Stephan was charging, and Zion faced off against him. The urge to call to his bear surged through him, but he resisted. Zion didn’t truly want to maul the moron, even though he knew it would be oh-so-satisfying.

Plus, with Zion’s bear claws, it would be so easy to gut the bastard, killing him.

I don’t need another death on my conscience if I can help it.

Instead, Zion spread out the jacket he still held.

He used the thick leather motorcycle jacket as a sort of blanket.

When the wolf leaped at Zion, he pivoted out of the shifter’s way.

At the same time, he wrapped the jacket around Stephan’s head and shoulders and followed him back to the ground.

Zion straddled the wolf’s back and used his greater weight, even in human form, to keep him on the ground.

With his head covered, Stephan could twist and snap all he wanted, but he couldn’t get free.

“Zut alors.”

A Cajun-accented voice Zion recognized came from behind him and to the right.

“I step away to take a piss, and when I get outta da john, dis dumbass is gone.”

Enforcer Manon stalked toward where Zion continued to hold down the struggling wolf. The clearly angry Cajun thrust a hand through his red hair in agitation.

“You already in trouble, Stephan, and you pull dis stunt.”

Manon stopped and knelt next to Zion, reached under his leather jacket, and gripped the still struggling wolf. Stephan’s animal immediately stilled due to whatever hold the enforcer had on him.

“Shift now, Stephan.”

Immediately responding to Enforcer Manon’s dominance, the wolf Zion held began to change. As soon as the male was halfway back to human form, Zion pushed away and rose to his feet. Pivoting, he focused on Wraith, finding his mate on the phone.

“Yes, Alpha Declan,”

Wraith was saying.

“Enforcer Manon is here now.”

With a wince, he stated.

“Guess Stephan slipped away while he was in the bathroom.”

Manon sighed deeply as he muttered.

“Gonna get razzed somethin’ fierce by da guys for dis,”

as he shook his head. Since Stephan was done shifting, the enforcer removed the jacket and tossed it to Zion, who caught it easily on reflex. The enforcer’s slate-gray eyes were dark with anger even as he stated.

“Thanks for subduing him. You injured?”

“Not in the least,”

Zion assured, slipping his arm around Wraith’s waist. He needed to feel his mate, safe and sound, in his arms, while holding the enforcer’s gaze.

“He’s a little”—lifting his forefinger to his temple, he clicked his tongue—“touched in the head, ain’t he?”

During his time being held by the witches, Zion had seen it happen to other shifters. There was something in their eyes that gave it away. The shifter was no longer right in the head, their mind destroyed by the witch’s spells and what they were forced to do.

Zion was damn grateful it had never happened to any of his brethren.

Death is so much kinder.

Zion had no idea what had sent this shifter round the bend, but he knew that there was something wrong with Stephan.

“Yes, alpha,”

Wraith stated.

“I’ll let Enforcer Manon know you’d like a call.”

“Thank ye, Wraith.”

Zion could hear Alpha Declan’s voice come through the line.

“And ye have an enjoyable evenin’ with yer mate. I’ll make certain ye aren’t disturbed again.”

His tone held a measure of warmth as he added.

“Congratulations again. Findin’ yer mate is truly a gift.”

“Thank you, Alpha.”

To Zion’s pleasure, Wraith smiled up at him as he added.

“It truly is.”

The alpha disconnected the call, and Wraith lowered the phone without looking away from him.

Taking that as an invitation, and seeing no reason to deny himself, Zion dipped his head and pressed a slow, sipping kiss to Wraith’s full, inviting lips.

He licked at his wolf’s lower lip, enjoying his flavor, before lifting his head.

Zion grinned at Wraith before turning his focus to Manon, who still gripped a glowering, naked, Stephan’s nape.

“I heard the alpha,”

Enforcer Manon told them, his Cajun accent easing as he calmed down.

“I’ll do one better. Instead of calling him, I’ll take this one”—he used his hold on Stephan’s neck to shake him a little—“back to the pack house and put him in the basement.”

While Zion had never seen it, he’d heard that there was a holding cell in the alpha’s basement—a room with a comfortable bed, but no windows.

“Thank you, Enforcer Manon.”

Wraith glanced around, then noticed something that Zion had missed.

“Uh, I don’t see your Jeep. You both run here?”

Manon sighed deeply. “Oui.”

He scowled at Stephan.

“Fucker’s fast on two legs.”

Pulling his Cherokee’s keys from his pocket, Wraith held them out.

“Want to take mine?”

“Thanks.”

Manon took the keys and started toward the garage. A small smile kicked up the corners of his lips as he sniffed and winked.

“Sorry for the interruption. Enjoy your night, guys, and congrats.”

Zion smirked, realizing that Manon had caught the scent of their spilled seed in their crotches. Seed that was now dry and becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

“Thanks, Manon,”

Wraith replied, his cheeks taking on a hint of pink, and Zion could scent his mate’s slight embarrassment.

Needing that gone, Zion called after the enforcer, who was stuffing a clearly angry Stephan into the passenger seat.

“Hey, Manon?”

The enforcer paused after closing the door, waiting with an arched brow.

“Eurik wants to do a crawfish boil. I bet you know a couple of great recipes.”

Manon grinned widely.

“That I do.”

He rounded the back of the Cherokee and opened the driver’s door, calling.

“We’ll set somethin’ up. Hope your friend likes the heat.”

Zion laughed.

“Hell, yeah.”

As Manon drove out of the garage and down the driveway, he tipped his head and whispered into his mate’s ear.

“Come on, my mate. Let’s pick up where we left off.”

Zion nipped Wraith’s ear for good measure before adding huskily.

“Show me your bedroom.”

Just that fast, the hint of Wraith’s embarrassment disappeared to be replaced by a renewed scent of arousal.

Perfect.