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The last three days had been some of the best days of Nedrick’s life. He’d spent them with Brett, getting to know him and sharing activities. The only way it could have been better was if Nedrick had managed to figure out how to broach the subject of the paranormal—shifters and mates, specifically.

As Nedrick walked beside Brett, strolling through the woods, he knew this would have to be the day. His wolf was clamoring to get closer to their mate, to mark him and claim him as theirs. Somehow, he would have to find a way not only to share his nature with his mate, but also to explain what his human meant to him—their connection.

To that end, Nedrick had talked Brett into taking a private hike with him to a secluded waterfall that wasn’t part of any designated hiking trail. The place was located fairly close to Alpha Declan’s home and had been used by many other shifters in the past to connect with their mate. Nedrick hoped it would bring him good luck.

The silence between them was comfortable, relaxed. Neither felt the need to fill their time with unnecessary chatter, but it didn’t feel strained at all. To Nedrick, it felt companionable, peaceful.

While walking, Nedrick thought about the last three days they’d shared.

On Monday, Nedrick and Brett had spent most of the day resting. After he’d dropped by unannounced and pretty much invited himself into the tent, he’d wiled away the day caring for his healing mate. For the most part, that meant reading while Brett slept, dozing next to him, and making certain he ate and drank enough to fuel his healing body.

At one point, Nedrick had enjoyed an afternoon siesta. When he’d woken, he’d been spooned up behind Brett, the broader man wrapped in his arms. Brett had patted his hip and asked if he was awake. When Nedrick had responded in the affirmative, he’d muttered, “Good. Wasn’t sure I could wait too much longer before needing to get up to use the john.”

That had told Nedrick that Brett had woken before him, and his mate had evidently not minded being held by him.

In Nedrick’s mind, that had been a huge step forward.

On Tuesday, Nedrick had driven to the campground on his motorcycle. He’d learned from Luther about Brett’s interest in exploring the myriad of different home styles in the area. Between him, Luther, Paolo, and Leo, they’d made a list of places to show him.

With Brett mostly sitting on the back of Nedrick’s motorcycle, his mate had had plenty of time to rest while enjoying the scenery. There’d only been the occasional walkabout of homes if the owner was pack and hadn’t minded them being there. They’d ended the day at a bar in town, meeting up with Preall, Trina, Tyler, and Tabatha, eating great food, and watching their friends play pool and darts. It became a little rowdy when Tabatha had shown off her engagement ring, and there were many who’d offered to buy them drinks. Unfortunately, due to still being on meds, Brett hadn’t been able to partake, so Nedrick had mostly held off, as well. They’d still had a fantastic time.

Wednesday, Nedrick and Preall had shown the others one of their favorite fishing holes. Trina and Tabatha had mostly sunbathed. Although they did hop up any time one of them caught a fish to wield the fishing net and help them land their catch.

Nedrick had positioned Brett in a camping chair close by him. Any time he’d managed to catch a fish, he’d encourage his mate to help him. He’d wrapped his arms around him and held the pole steady while Brett reeled it in. They’d had a delicious fish fry.

Being Thursday, Nedrick knew that Brett was only supposed to be there a few more days. His wolf was impatient for him to move things along, and he completely agreed with his animal. Hearing the waterfall in the distance, Nedrick mentally crossed his fingers.

“Hey, is that the river I hear ahead?” Brett asked, breaking the silence. “You said there was a waterfall?”

Nedrick nodded. “Yep. About a twelve-footer. Not huge, but still real scenic.” As the trees opened up, he pointed toward the aging wooden buildings half hidden by the encroaching forest. “This used to be a logging camp over a hundred years ago, but times and waterways changed, and the people moved on.”

“Oh, wow.” Brett paused and peered around at the overgrown, dilapidated buildings. “Is it safe to explore?”

Hesitating, Nedrick glanced at Brett’s already casted arm. “Uh.” Then, realizing that his mate was a grown man, and he had no cause to curb his desires—plus, the place had been explored to death by so many of his packmates—he nodded. “Yeah. It has the usual dangers of old buildings, rusted nails, broken boards, and so forth, so be careful.” With a grin, Nedrick pointed toward the lake the waterfall created. “I’ll set up our stuff over there. I’m fancying a swim after that hike. It’s hot today.”

Wiping sweat from his brow, Brett nodded. “It’s a warm one.”

“After exploring, maybe you want to join me,” Nedrick offered as he started away from Brett. He was so very tempted to lick the sweat off his mate’s brow, and while they’d shared a few brief experiences over the last couple of days, Nedrick wasn’t certain how Brett would take that action. Instead, he told him, “I brought a bag to cover your cast, just in case.” Upon seeing Brett’s hesitation, he added, “Even if you just want to wade.”

“Yeah, probably.” Brett started toward the nearest building. “I won’t be long.”

Nedrick nodded and started toward the lake. The waterfall was close enough that mist hung in the air, adding to the humidity. The light filtering through the trees and across the water gave the area an almost magical glow.

Perfect.

Dropping the backpack on the ground, Nedrick pulled the blanket off from where it’d been tied to the top. He spread it out before toeing off his boots. Bending, he yanked off his socks and placed them in his boots. Then Nedrick whipped off his shirt and tossed it to the corner of the blanket.

Out of the corner of his eye, Nedrick kept an eye on Brett, watching him poke his head into one building after another. He knelt on the blanket and pulled out several plastic tubs filled with a few items he’d learned Brett liked from their previous picnics and dinners. On top of the towels was a six-pack of soda cans, and he placed them on the blanket, too.

Nedrick had just finished setting everything out when Brett returned. He had a smudge of dirt on his face, and rising, Nedrick couldn’t help reaching out to wipe it off. There was also a cobweb in Brett’s hair, and he threaded his fingers through it to dislodge it.

To Nedrick’s pleasure, Brett chuckled but didn’t shy away from him. “Exploring’s a dirty business, I guess,” Brett stated, rubbing his right hand over his jaw as he held up his left. “So, the plastic bag?”

“Yeah. Let’s get you out of that shirt first,” Nedrick stated, reaching for the hem of Brett’s t-shirt.

As Brett lifted his arms and bent forward, allowing Nedrick to strip him, he muttered, “You like undressing me.” His head popped out the hole, and he straightened, arching a dark brow. “Don’t you?”

Knowing he needed to go with the truth, as Nedrick eased the shirt over his cast, he nodded. “Yes, I do.” Once the shirt was removed, he held it in his hands as he pinned his human with a serious expression. “I’ll always enjoy undressing you, my mate.”

Brett’s nostrils flared as he sucked in a deep breath. His eyes narrowed. For a second, he seemed to be searching Nedrick’s face for something.

Then Brett scoffed softly and nodded. “Right. Mate.”

Focusing on his feet, Brett began toeing off his shoes.

Watching Brett, Nedrick got the distinct feeling that he’d just missed something. Then, recalling that his human had asked for the plastic bag, he lowered to one knee and fished one out from the side pocket of the backpack, as well as a rubber band. Rising to his feet, Nedrick sucked in a harsh breath as he swept his gaze over Brett appreciatively.

Without prodding, Brett had stripped to a pair of dark red boxer-briefs. His muscular thighs were on clear display, as was his flat stomach and trim waist. The skintight underwear hugged him in all the right places, showcasing a beautiful front-bump.

Nedrick’s mouth watered with a desire to drop to his knees and worship that hidden package... a package that appeared to be swelling beneath his appreciative gaze.

“Hey, swimming first,” Brett stated, moving his casted hand into Nedrick’s line of sight. “That’s for later.”

Wait. What?

Snapping his gaze to Brett’s face, Nedrick stared into his mate’s green eyes. His breath caught as he spotted the desire swirling in their depths. Nedrick nodded slowly, the realization that his mate intended for them to explore their carnal desires a little later filling him with heady anticipation as his own cock began to swell.

Okay then.

Clearing his throat, Nedrick focused on Brett’s arm and carefully banded the bag in place. He hesitated for just a second before reaching for the fly of his shorts. Nedrick couldn’t do a thing about his reaction to his mate, especially after a look like that, and he never wore underwear, so he gave a mental shrug and shucked his shorts.

Brett chuckled softly, the sound husky and low. “Right. Never shy around me.”

Nedrick paused as he eyed Brett. He found his mate’s focus riveted to his erection, which gave a twitch at the scrutiny. When Brett licked his lips, Nedrick barely held in a groan as a fresh rush of heat surged through him, and sweat beaded on his brow for a new reason.

Snapping his attention to Nedrick’s face, Brett smiled crookedly. “So, skinny dipping?”

Shrugging, Nedrick admitted, “I never wear underwear.”

Jerking a nod, as if Brett was coming to a decision, he shoved down his own boxer-briefs. They’d barely hit the ground before he’d started moving toward the water. His ass muscles flexed and relaxed, entrancing Nedrick.

“Last one in’s a rotten egg,” Brett hollered over his shoulder, and Nedrick laughed as he rushed after him.

*

For the most part, Brett waded waist or chest deep, floating a little here and there. Nedrick noticed his mate was always careful to keep his arm out of the water as much as possible. His human eventually grabbed onto the branch of a large tree trunk, which was resting half in and half out of the water. He curled his left elbow around it and relaxed in the water.

Nedrick dove deep and swam to the bottom. He explored behind the waterfall and found a ledge but not a true cave. Standing on the ledge, Nedrick leaped through the curtain of water and dove into the lake on the other side.

The water was refreshing, but it did nothing to temper his need for his mate. It didn’t help that, every once in a while, while Brett was floating in the water, Nedrick would catch a glimpse of his human’s prick bobbing into view. The crown of the rigid pole would break the surface of the water as if waving at him before Brett sank his hips back under.

If Nedrick hadn’t known better, he would’ve thought Brett was teasing him.

That can’t be possible, right?

Nedrick was damn tempted to grip himself and find relief while swimming. Resisting, he decided maybe he could tempt Brett into sharing a rub-off. His mate hadn’t touched his dick, yet, but he’d always been more than happy to accept Nedrick’s touch.

The prior night in the tent after the fish fry, after Tabatha and Tyler had retired to their tent, Nedrick had curled around his mate and jacked him, and Brett hadn’t had any reticence in rocking his ass against Nedrick’s erection, helping him get off as well.

One little baby step at a time.

His wolf growled in his mind, telling him to hurry the fuck up.

Swimming toward Brett, Nedrick caught Brett’s eye.

His mate smiled at him. “You about done?” Brett asked, arching a brow.

Nedrick nodded. “Yeah.” Taking a chance, he stated, “We’ll have to come back here after you get that cast off and do this again.” Hurrying on, Nedrick continued, “That way, you can swim properly.”

Brett swiped his tongue over his bottom lip before saying, “I’d like that.”

Relief and pleasure swirled through Nedrick in equal measure. His mate was amenable to thinking about a future together. Nedrick intended to build on that.

“Come on.” Nedrick lowered his feet to the bottom and held out his hand. “I brought soda and snacks.”

Brett sighed while taking Nedrick’s hand. “What I wouldn’t give for a beer.”

“Not while you’re on those strong meds,” Nedrick countered, drawing Brett after him. He didn’t mention that he might have a few buried under the towels in his bag.

“I’m not on the strong meds anymore,” Brett countered, smirking at him. “And I took the last of the antibiotics this morning.”

Nedrick frowned. “Aren’t you in pain?” He didn’t like that idea.

Shrugging, Brett admitted, “A little, but it’s manageable.” When Nedrick went to open his mouth, his mate told him, “I’m not a fan of medication. Heard too many horror stories about people getting addicted to shit, and I never want to be one of those guys.” After a squeeze of his fingers, Brett released him. “Besides, I’ve seen Trina lift some heavy shit she shouldn’t be able to.” He smirked at Nedrick. “I wanna know if there are any other perks to being the mate of a werewolf than just increased strength.”

Freezing, Nedrick watched Brett continue toward their blanket. Even his mate’s enticing ass couldn’t get him to move. His brain seemed to be totally stuck.

Brett reached the blanket and flopped back onto it, evidently having gotten pretty comfortable with being naked around him. “Well?” he called. Patting the blanket beside him, he asked, “You gonna tell me? You are a werewolf, too, right?” Brett cocked his head and furrowed his brows. “Or are you going to tell me I’m nuts, and I got it all wrong?”

Slowly, Nedrick started forward. His brain began processing again, and he took in the amused expression on Brett’s handsome features. Disbelief filled him, beating back his arousal just a little.

Dropping to the blanket beside Brett, Nedrick squinted at him. “You believe in werewolves?” he whispered. “How? Why?” Then Nedrick shook his head quickly, lifting his palm out. He certainly didn’t want Brett to get the idea that he was going to go with his last option. “We call ourselves wolf shifters,” Nedrick revealed. “Not werewolves, but how did you find out about us?”

Brett nodded slowly. “Okay. Wolf shifters. Makes sense since it wasn’t a full moon when we saw Preall change.” His tone sounded musing.

“You saw Preall change?” Nedrick jumped on that. “When? How? What happened?” Shocked, he mumbled, “Why didn’t he tell me?”

“Because Preall doesn’t know we saw him,” Brett told him, scoffing softly. “Not the kinda thing you bring up over a coupla beers, right?” Grabbing a soda, Brett waved it in the air and stated, “Hey, Preall, man. We saw you change into a wolf last Tuesday night. Wanna tell us about it?” Smirking as he refocused on Nedrick, Brett shrugged. “See what I mean. Some shit’s secret for a reason. Besides, he’s not hurtin’ anyone.” He narrowed his eyes as he mused, “Unless you count the bite scar on Trina’s shoulder. Then we noticed the same on Jason and Deke’s shoulders when they went swimming, so we figured their partners were ones, too. Does that scar turn you into a werewolf, uh, wolf shifter, too?”

Gods, so many questions, even as he’s so very accepting. Where to even start?

Right. Safety first.

“Okay,” Nedrick whispered. “First off, who is we ? And where did you see Preall shift?”