Wanderer's Haven

odds.

Chapter One

Garrett woke moderately early the next morning, which meant the sun had risen and he could see in the dimness without using his hawk-given sight. He had gone to bed confused about Michael’s odd behavior from the night before. The beta wolf had refused to share the bed that was rightfully his. Instead, he’d slept in the den -- assuming he’d slept at all. He’d been acting strangely yesterday, letting Garrett put an arm around him and then pulling away. It was as if he couldn’t make up his mind.

Garrett could hear muffled sounds all around him, not in the same room but indicative of a crowded house. His heart ached for the aloneness of his house in Arizona. It suddenly occurred to him that he hadn’t made any provision for being away for a long time beyond asking his friend Maggie to water the spider plants.

It’s not like I have pets or anything. That was true, but… well, he hadn’t meant to abandon his home. Especially not for these frozen wastes.

He groaned softly and rolled to a sitting position. He put his legs on and thought his clothes into existence. Standing, he made his way toward the door. Just as he opened it a crack, two close, lowered voices reached his ears. Garrett stood perfectly still, hoping he was upwind as well as mostly invisible thanks to the door.

You’re spitting on our traditions, said a voice Garrett recognized but couldn’t immediately name. He had the distinct feeling this other person had challenged Michael before.

How, exactly? Michael asked, his tone emotionless.

You aren’t treating the mating bond with respect. If the other wolf was intimidated by Michael’s flat delivery, it didn’t show.

How? Michael asked again, although after a pause that Garrett thought betrayed nervousness. He was right, he decided, when Michael added, We had sex yesterday.

"Yesterday morning. Most new couples can’t keep their hands off each other and there’s nothing but sex, as you put it, between you. Does he hold your hand? Does he submit to being guarded by you? Does he even tell you where he’s going?"

Garrett cursed silently. He had called Michael to inform him of his plans. But that had been when he was five minutes away from the house in Hamburg.

Michael was quiet for several moments. Then he replied, "Where is it written that we have to be exactly like every other couple you’ve ever met? And have all the mated pairs you’ve encountered been the same? And as for the prescribed ten times, that may be tradition but it’s arbitrary."

Ten is a number of power. As you well know. You should be careful, Michael. You’re pushing back against centuries of tradition. And if you keep on, we can dismiss you.

Donald, I think that’s Tilthos Charles’s purview, not yours. Wolf packs are not a democracy.

No, but the alpha will listen if there is unrest in his pack.

Face it, Michael said, and real emotion entered his voice for the first time since the conversation had begun. You just want to get rid of me. You’re hoping for a better place in the pack, or for more favor from our new alpha. You thought, with Katka and Viktor gone, that you’d have a chance to get a little higher. But you’ll have to eventually admit to yourself that you just aren’t dominant enough.

"And you’re not dominant enough to defeat Jeremy Redpath, so you’re not beta anymore."

Michael didn’t answer.

Garrett’s heart ached, but he couldn’t think of any way to step in that wouldn’t make Michael look weak.

The be-all-and-end-all of it is this, Michael said at last. You don’t have as much power as you think you do. I’m not going anywhere, and my relationship with Garrett is none of your business.

Footsteps approached the door and Garrett moved back quickly.

Michael entered, looked at Garrett, probably read what Garrett couldn’t quite keep off his face, and pressed suddenly trembling lips together. Then he closed the door and went across to the radio. WYRK came in clear. Garrett had no particular feelings about country music one way or the other, but he had to admit there were some more liberal songs on this station than he was used to associating with the genre.

Well? Michael asked. I assume you heard all of that.

Garrett crossed the room and took Michael’s hands. "You’re not anything less in Charlie’s eyes -- He saw Michael wince. Sorry. It’s just that I knew him before he was an alpha. You’re not anything less in Charles’s eyes if you’re not his beta. He’s not like that. All of his people matter to him."

How do you know if you’ve never seen him as an alpha before?

It was a valid question, but luckily one that Garrett could answer easily. "Because I’ve seen how he treats students, faculty, donors, and SearchLight agents alike. With respect, but in such a way that you know he won’t take any shit. And he is not going to like how Donald is bullying you."

He’s not going to know about that, Michael said, bearing down on Garrett’s hands. At least not by me. Or you.

Why not?

Because Donald’s not really a threat to me. He’s just a pain in the ass.

Probably that was the only answer that Michael could have given that might convince Garrett not to go to Charlie right now. So… you don’t think he can raise the pack against you?

I have too many friends here for him to get what he wants. Michael sighed. "It does hurt knowing that I’m breaking traditions I’ve believed in all my life."

I’m not sure how to help you if having sex won’t do that. Garrett hesitated before adding, "Because Donald’s right, at least in this: I’m not a hand-holder and I’m unused to having to answer to others for my actions. At least not unless it’s in an official capacity."

Michael nodded, looking miserable.

Garrett reminded himself that werewolves could smell lies, so instead of spewing some assurance he didn’t mean, he took Michael into his arms and rubbed his back.

Thought you didn’t like hand-holding, Michael said against his shoulder.

Being sentimental isn’t my nature. Being compassionate is. And he kissed Michael’s hair.

This is more than compassion, Michael said, and he cupped Garrett’s crotch, where a sizeable boner had started.

Garrett grunted a laugh. "My libido wants to be extremely compassionate. To both of us. Are you game?"

Michael sighed, but not as if he was reluctant. I hate playing into their hands.

You mean into Donald’s.

Michael nodded. Yes.

Well, don’t think about him. Just think about getting your rocks off.

Michael sighed again. I wish it was more than that. He rubbed his thumb over the bulge in Garrett’s jeans. But I’m glad you’re attracted to me.

Garrett reached down between them and palmed Michael’s balls through his cotton dress pants. Do you have time before you need to be at work?

Michael brought up his arm behind Garrett’s head, probably to peer at the watch he wore. If we’re quick.

Garrett felt a surge of lust and tried to scoop Michael into his arms. He couldn’t quite manage it and almost dropped the solid wolf.

Michael laughed. Then he showed Garrett how it was done.

Show-off, Garrett muttered as Michael laid him gently on the bed.

Hey, you can fly and I can’t. Michael stripped his dress shirt off over his head, although he took time to lay it neatly over the back of a chair. Then he kicked off his shoes and got rid of his trousers.

Garrett waited until Michael was completely naked and then thought his clothing away. He groaned softly in relief as his cock was set free.

Michael whistled low and long. You’re so handsome. He went to the nightstand and took out lube. He bent at the waist, ass toward Garrett, and after coating a finger, pushed it home.

Garrett’s mouth watered. Michael knew what he wanted and was entertaining no qualms about it. Stroking himself in time with the pump of Michael’s fingers, Garrett was fully erect in moments. Shit, he whispered when Michael pulled out. You’re so fucking hot.

Michael approached the bed. His gaze flicked to Garrett’s artificial legs for a moment, but then he either decided to ignore them or to work around them because he straddled Garrett’s hips. He locked gazes with Garrett before reaching back and grasping Garrett’s thickness. Tell me what you want.

Oh, but that was commanding, and damned erotic. I want my cock up your ass. I want your heat all around me. And I want you to set the pace. This last was a slight admission that Garrett longed for Michael to take charge, but Garrett felt it was safe. He was still in control of this situation.

You may regret that. Michael eased down onto Garrett’s member, taking only the head into himself.

You can’t be too slow. You have to be at work.

You’d be surprised how long five minutes can seem. Michael tightened his ass muscles around Garrett’s glans.

Garrett groaned. Shit, if he was going to do that for five minutes, it would be very long indeed. Aware that he’d willingly given over control, he didn’t try to direct Michael’s movements.

Michael pinched Garrett’s left nipple. Say if you like it.

I do. Garrett licked his lips. Kiss me.

And change position? Not happening. Michael eased a little more onto Garrett’s cock. Then he pinched Garrett’s right nipple. Like it?

Not as much, Garrett admitted. My left’s more sensitive.

Michael bent forward and nibbled the nub over Garrett’s heart.

Garrett pressed his head back into the pillow and sucked in a breath. It felt so good to have Michael’s heat ease a little more around him, taking in more of his length. And having his nipple touched by fingers or mouth was absolute bliss. He longed to buck his hips but conceded that would be robbing Michael of the power Garrett had given away.

Straightening, Michael seated himself fully so that Garrett’s cock was completely inside him. Then he lifted up. Ready?

Garrett clutched Michael’s hips. Go. And as Michael moved, allowing his body to be claimed, Garrett’s asshole ached to be stretched. He closed his eyes briefly, picturing himself in Michael’s position. Then he opened his lids because he didn’t want to lose sight of Michael here and now.

You can move, Michael whispered, his voice velvety. Push into me, Garrett.

It felt so good to lift his hips. Garrett arched his back and cried out softly, conscious of the twenty-plus wolves in the house.

Michael plunged down, shouting his pleasure, apparently not caring that everyone could surely hear him over the music.

Garrett’s belly tightened and he squeezed his thighs together, his artificial legs coming along for the ride. He put a hand over his mouth and screamed out his orgasm.

Michael came all over Garrett’s chest and stomach.

They remained in that tableau for several seconds. Then Michael pushed himself off the bed. Now I really do have to go. He grinned down at Garrett. You look decadent that way. He bowed at the waist from his standing posture by the bed and kissed Garrett’s mouth.

Garrett wrapped his cum-spattered hand around the back of Michael’s head and drew him in deeper. I’ll want you again in ten minutes, he whispered when he could finally bear to let his lover go.

You’ll have to make an appointment at my studio. I’ll give you an erotic massage. Michael spun away, touched his hair briefly in the back, laughed --No damage done -- and after ducking briefly into the bathroom to wash up, started to dress.

* * *

Garrett stood outside