Prophesy (The King & Alpha 1)

“Wick. Shift back. Think of yourself as a man, walking on two legs. That’s all you have to do.”

Wick didn’t move except to turn over in a different position.

“Well, I do remember reading how lazy big cats are.”

Wick made a low moaning noise but was unfazed by the insult.

Justice stood and stretched his back. They’d been out there for hours. He sent another message to his brother letting him know they were still okay. Alek would know if Justice was in trouble without him having to message him.

“Chadwick. Get up,” Justice said a bit more forcefully.

Wick ambled his big body off the ground. He shook his fur out and began to lick at the long, plush white hair along his breastbone. Wick stopped suddenly like he’d realized what he was doing. Justice kneeled and brought his wolf to the surface. He didn’t fully shift, only his eyes. He focused on the narrow slits in Wick’s and let their animals connect.

“Shift back now,” Justice commanded.

T hat’s quite a trick he can do.

The command in his Beloved’s voice had Wick crouching on his knees, staring at his human hands. He was human again, and butt-ass naked in the woods. His clothes in a pile somewhere back there. Wick threw his hands over his genitals, making Justice burst out with laughter.

“I guess you’re not as used to it as I am.” Justice’s leer was not hiding his want. “There’s no one around but me.”

He was a lot paler than Justice’s honey-bronzed skin. And more on the lithe side than bulky. Justice had muscles and ridges all over him, so many that Wick could spend hours exploring each groove and valley.

“I guess I’m not,” Wick sighed, standing up. He felt a bit woozy and swayed to the left when strong arms encased him, holding him stable.

“Whoa. Easy. Take your time.” Justice’s deep, raspy voice was a comfort. Wick unconsciously turned in to Justice’s scent and began to rub his cheek across the prickly stubble on his Beloved’s jaw. He wanted their scents combined. Needed it.

Wick’s chest rumbled with pleasure when Justice tilted his head back to allow Wick more room to push his nose against his throat. Wick swallowed thickly, his mouth dry, his throat stinging. He needed to feed. He’d had a feeling that the moment he shifted back, the hunger would return. He didn’t want it. It’d been two whole days, he was starving. He fought his impulse to sink his fangs in and end his torment. Justice wasn’t ready for that and Wick had no choice but to give him the space he asked for. The thought was crippling. He could go maybe another week without eating but it would start to take its toll on his appearance after another forty-eight hours.

They were both hard as tree trunks, their chests pressed together, rising and falling in unison. Justice squeezed him tight and moaned against Wick’s cheek. This was the worst kind of torture. Wick pulled out of Justice’s grip, it was too difficult to smell his Beloved’s blood and not be able to taste.

“You don’t have to pull away from me,” Justice whispered.

“Yes, I do. I have to go.” Wick huffed, his heart rate picking up the farther he backed away. Justice looked so damn appetizing he knew he couldn’t continue to stay around him. He was high on adrenaline from meeting his beast, not to mention the mock fight they’d just had. Wick was ravenous. He wasn’t sure he could continue to control himself the hungrier he got. He’d never had this kind of dilemma. “I know you still aren’t ready and I’m not sure I can keep… keep off you.”

Justice eyed him boldly, his labored breaths soon turning to gasping. His veins throbbed in his neck, his forehead, his huge biceps, thighs, everywhere, Justice’s blood pulsed for him. Screamed to him. Justice leaned his back against the base of a tall redwood, repeatedly clenching his fists.

Wick had to get the fuck away, now. He couldn’t attack his Beloved. He turned to look up the mountain, his rental home was just a little farther up.

“Don’t run away, Wick,” Justice growled, his blue eyes so bright they glowed. “I will chase you and I will catch you.”

“Bloody hell.”

“That accent makes me want to kiss you. Come here, Wick. I am ready to feed my mate.” Justice’s eyes were back. Wick knew the man was in charge and he wanted Wick’s bite just as much as his wolf did.

“Are you sure? I don’t desire to pressure you. I understand—” Wick shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Alphas didn’t bare their throats. How was he supposed to do this?

“Come to me, Wick.”

Wick swallowed roughly. “Why?”

“Because if I move I won’t stop until I have you pinned under me, releasing everything I have inside of you while you take my mark.” Justice’s throaty voice made the threat a sexy promise that Wick wanted Justice to keep. For now, though, he needed to feed or he’d be too weak to take Justice’s mating.