Phoenix Reborn: An Alpha Pack Novella (4 page)

“Sounds fun, but are you sure you’re up to it?”

“Positive. Let’s go!”

“All right, but not for too long. I don’t want you to wear yourself out when you’re supposed to be recovering.”

“Hey, if I get worn out it’ll be for only the best of reasons.” His wink was met with a genuine laugh as they slid from the bed and got dressed.

All the way outside, it was all he could do to watch where he was walking when all he wanted to do was ogle Nix.

Now he understood his man so much better. His heart wept for what Nix had been through growing up with such a horrible father, and how it was hurting him even now. Well, Noah was going to do his best to change that. To help his mate get over his fears, show him how awesome life could be with the right person.

* * * 

Nix decided to take his mate to the spot by the stream where he’d run the day before. Perhaps this time he wouldn’t need to perform solo. The idea had a smile forming on his face.

Me and a guy. Bondmates. And not just any guy, but Noah. A hot little number who’s as sweet as he is sexy
.
Who would’ve thought?

Sure, like he’d told Noah, he’d been with a few men. He’d known the very first time he’d given in to temptation why being with women had never quite done it for him. But those had been one-night stands. Furtive and fleeting, so no one—especially his father—would ever find out. He never expected to have a real relationship, out in the open, much less something permanent. Could he actually take that final step, sinking his teeth into his mate and binding them forever?

The knowledge of what his father would do if he found out chilled him to the bone. Every word he’d said to his mate was true—his father would take great pleasure in torturing Noah slowly before he granted him death.

Shaking himself, he pushed that image away and forced himself to focus on the positive. Noah filled a space inside Nix that he hadn’t even realized was desolate until they’d met. As much as he tried to rationalize his feelings as sheer lust, what they’d just done wasn’t fucking.

They’d made love.

Never had he experienced such deep satisfaction with another person. He could only imagine how much greater the gratification would be once they were true Bondmates.

Happiness was right there, his for the taking. Just a little longer, and he’d beat the fears that had dogged him since his adolescence. If only Noah would be patient a while longer.

As they crossed the expanse of lawn on the compound, before they reached the edge of the forest, Nix took his mate’s hand twining their fingers together. Weird, holding a man’s hand . . . but nice. Nix knew this was a big step for him, and from the look of surprise Noah shot him, his face flushing with pleasure, he knew it too. Such a small thing, and yet everything.

For the first time, it really hit Nix that sex and intimacy were two completely different things. Holding hands, showing Noah he cared, was more intimate than a base sexual act.

He made a mental note to get better at the small things. Noah deserved happiness.

On the end of that thought, he realized he knew little of Noah’s background. “What about you?” he asked as they headed into the forest and down the trail. “What were your growing-up years like?”

“A little lonely,” he answered wistfully, sadness flitting across his face. “Pretty stereotypical for a gay kid in a small, conservative town. My parents weren’t like your dad, at least not to that extreme. They didn’t push me to do sports or anything; they were fine with my being the brainiac nerd type, winning blue ribbons for my science fair projects—as long as I ended up being a doctor, married to an equally successful woman, and producing several little Noahs to carry on the family name.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Imagine their surprise when their future doctor decided to be a nurse, and they came home early one day to find
him doing his best to get Jay Thompson pregnant?”

Nix couldn’t help it—he laughed out loud. “Oh, shit!”

His mate snorted. “Right? The image kind of bleaches your brain, doesn’t it? Anyway, my parents were the type whose love was conditional.
I’ll love you if only you live your life exactly as I envision it, and follow my dreams.
When they found me with Jay, I was just starting nursing school. That was the final blow, and they threw me out and disowned me. I haven’t seen them since. Don’t know if they’re alive, don’t care.”

Something in his tone said he did care but didn’t want to. Nix didn’t push. Instead, he asked, “How did you manage?”

“I went to live with Jay’s family, finished school. He and I never went beyond friends with benefits, but he and his folks got me through a rough time. I’m grateful to them for that, though I didn’t keep in touch with any of them.”

Nix was selfishly glad his mate wasn’t still talking to his old fuck buddy. His wolf might have to rip out the man’s throat. “Then you ended up here?”

“Not quite. I got a job working at a big hospital in Atlanta. That’s actually where I met Melina.”

“You’re kidding?” They’d started walking again, still holding hands, and Nix shot him a look of surprise. “I had no idea you two knew each other before.”

“Yeah. She was really supportive when I took some shit at work for being gay. Then she left to come here, and things got really bad. I had her cell phone number and she told me to call if I ever needed her, but I was determined to stick things out in Atlanta.”

“Were these coworkers who were hassling you?” Nix scowled. “Sorry to stereotype, but you couldn’t have been the first gay male nurse they’d worked with!”

“You’d think, wouldn’t you? I mean, I’ve never hidden who I am. Not since my folks tossed me out like garbage. Since that day, I swore I’d never be anyone but myself, and fuck anybody who wanted me to be different.”

Except me,
Nix thought with shame.
Just the other day, he offered to change, for me
.

“Don’t ever change,” he reiterated. “Not for me, or anybody. Be yourself.”

Noah’s smile was like a ray of sunlight. “I will.”

“So, how exactly did you end up here, at the compound?”

“Things in Atlanta came to a head when two guys were waiting for me late one night when I got off work. They assaulted me beside my car, beat me up, and left me there.”

“What?” Nix’s fangs dropped and his claws sprouted from his fingertips. “I’ll fucking kill both of them.”

“No, sweetie,” he placated, squeezing Nix’s hand. “They went to jail. They forgot that the staff parking garage has security cameras, and there just wasn’t any defense against what they did when it was all caught on video. The police were very professional, so that part was handled well. But I’d had enough of the city, and placed that call to Melina.”

“And the rest is history.”

“Pretty much.” Noah shivered visibly. “I’ll never forget the day the team rescued you and brought you in. After all
those months missing and held captive, you were such a mess, but you hadn’t lost your fighting spirit.”

Stopping, Nix pulled his mate tight against his chest. “I took one look at you, and sticking around suddenly seemed real important. For what it’s worth, I’m glad I did.”

Tears sprang to Noah’s big blue eyes. “That’s the greatest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” A tear escaped to roll down his cheek.

Nix wiped it away with his finger. “Don’t cry, beautiful. I can’t stand it.”

“They’re happy tears.”

Unable to resist, Nix cupped Noah’s face and kissed him tenderly. Why had he ever hesitated? He would never get enough of those lips, of his mate’s heady taste. His wolf growled in pleasure, demanding they take him again. Soon.

Pulling back, Nix tugged his companion down the trail a bit further to a spot that was good for leaving his clothes so he could shift. “Right here, baby. You ready to play with your wolf?”

“Yes!”

Quickly, Nix stripped and placed his clothing on a fallen log. Then he let the change overtake him. His wolf was freed and loped eagerly to his mate, barking happily and dancing around as Noah laughed.

Enough talk. Time for some fun.

Nix could’ve run all afternoon, playing with his mate, tackling him to the ground and wrestling, listening to him laugh in delight.

One by one, several of the guys had paired off with their Bondmates, and Nix had to admit had hadn’t understood what was so special about being tied to a partner. Some of the toughest baddasses he’d ever known had been laid low by the love bug, and Nix had actually regarded them with amusement.

Now he got it. Noah was so much more than a partner. The tie between Bondmates was special, and the golden thread between them grew stronger every second.

Eventually, however, he figured Noah must be getting tired and decided it was time to visit the creek before heading back. Nix led the way, liking the feel of his mate’s hand resting on the ruff of his neck. It was reassuring, and he loved Noah’s fingers combing through his thick fur.

At the creek, Noah exclaimed in appreciation. “Oh, it’s beautiful here! I can see why you like this spot. Every mated couple on the team has a favorite place in the forest they sneak off to—maybe this can be ours?”

Nix shifted back to his human form, and stood next to his mate, taking his hand again. “I’d like that. I brought you here hoping you’d love it as much as I do.”

“A sexy, naked man next to a babbling brook in the middle of nowhere? What’s not to love?” He arched a brow.

“Correction—
two
sexy, naked men. Christening their spot.”

“Oh!”

In record time, Nix had his mate’s shirt and shoes off, and stripped him of his shorts. Then he spread the shirt under Noah’s butt, lowered him to the mossy earth, and grinned. “Next time I’ll plan this better and bring a blanket. And a picnic, too.”

“Do you hear me complaining?”

“Nope, not at all.”

Neither of them were doing any complaining, since both of their mouths were plenty occupied for the better part of the next hour. Nix made love to his mate again, this time taking him on all fours. Pushing in and out of him, slowly, building their climax.

Grasping Noah’s hip, Nix reached around with a free hand and stroked his mate’s cock. He plunged deep, faster and faster until they both exploded with an orgasm so intense his vision whited out for a few seconds. When he came back to himself, he was draped over his mate’s back, sweaty and satisfied.

Inside him, however, his wolf growled and clawed to escape the confines of his human form. Before Nix could stop them, his fangs dropped and claws sprouted from his fingers. The sharp points of his canines hovered scant millimeters from
Noah’s tender neck, and he battled hard against the urge to claim what was his. Ours.
Me and my wolf.

But he couldn’t. Not yet.

Nix supposed the fear wasn’t gone entirely. But he was getting there, gradually. Soon, he’d claim Noah, and nothing would stop him.

Snarling, his wolf submitted once again. His fangs and claws retracted.

“We’re going to be all sticky and gross when we get back,” Nix observed, pulling gently free. “We’ll need a shower before dinner.”

“Still no complaints.” Sitting to face Nix, he smiled. But there was a blight on his happiness that hadn’t been there earlier, and it was obvious he knew Nix had held back. Again. “Sure had fun getting this way.”

So, Noah was going to let him off the hook again. God, he felt horrible.

“Me, too.” He glanced at the stream, trying to recapture the easy camaraderie they’d enjoyed before. “Hey, there’s water right here. At least we can get the sticky off.”

“Yeah, but it’s going to be freezing!”

“Chicken?”

Noah gave him a droll stare. “No. You first.”

Nix took the challenge, and hissed as he stepped in, goose bumps immediately breaking out all over his body. Holy shit, mountain streams were like ice! But he made a show of bending and splashing as though he wasn’t affected.

“Come on in,” he called to Noah. “It’s not so bad.”

His mate’s face was clearly skeptical. “I don’t know.”

“You said you weren’t chicken. Get in here.” He held out his hand, waiting. The instant Noah took it, he yanked him into the freezing water and held him so he couldn’t get away.

“Aaah!” he yelled. “You jerk! Let go of me, it’s fucking cold!”

“Suck it up, puny human!”

“Asshole!”

Splashing, they laughed like loons, getting each other good and soaked. By the time they were done, they were shivering so hard their teeth rattled, but for his part Nix had never been happier.

“Let’s get out of here.”

“Now who’s chicken?” Noah said.

“Frozen chicken.”

“Ha!”

Stepping into the sunshine, they spent a few minutes drying off. Then Nix handed his mate his clothes. Once Noah was dressed again, Nix shifted to wolf form for the walk back through the forest to retrieve his own clothes. It was much more comfortable than padding naked as a human through the brush.

At last they reached the spot where Nix had left his clothes, and he shifted back. When he’d dressed, they walked together back to the compound. He hated to see their romp end, but was confident there would be many more like today.

“Shower?” he asked Noah.

“Yes. A hot one!”

“We can do that.” Smiling, he took Noah’s hand and led him across the compound’s lawn.

Aric, Jax, and their mates, Rowan and Kira, were outside talking, along with Micah and Nick. At the sight of the newest couple emerging from the forest, rumpled and obviously together, the group smiled at them, waving them over.

“Oh boy.” Noah glanced at him with worry. “You up for this?”

“I’m not ashamed of you.” But still, he let go of Noah’s hand, and his mate’s face fell.
Shit.

“I know you’re not ready for the inquisition. It’s okay.” But Noah’s tone and expression betrayed his disappointment.

“Come on, let’s go see what they want.” With a wink, he walked with Noah over to their friends.

“Sooo,” Aric drawled, taking in the sight of them. “You guys look kind of disheveled, if ya know what I mean. Do I need to ask what’s going on?”

“You can ask,” Noah answered with a grin. “Doesn’t mean you’re going to get any details.”

“Are you two officially mated?” the redhead pressed. The question immediately earned him an elbow to the ribs from his own mate, who scowled at him fiercely.

“That’s none of our business!” Rowan said.

“You’re kidding, right? Everybody here knows everybody else’s business,” he grumbled, rubbing his side.

“Well, it’s rude to just blurt out such a personal question.”

“Where have
you
been living?” Aric cracked. “You know we don’t have many boundaries here.”

“Um, guys?” Nix interrupted. “This group is nothing if not the nosiest bunch I’ve ever known. Noah and I are still working things out. But we’re headed in the right direction, and that’s all I’m going to say for now.”

“Wow,” Micah said with a smile. “That’s good news. Congrats.”

Jax nodded. “Same here.”

Nick was the only one who wasn’t looking pleased as punch. In fact, he had that sort of spaced-out look that happened whenever—crap, he was having a vision. The problem with that was, Nick’s PreCog abilities rarely boded well for anyone around him.

When the commander blinked and came back to himself, he addressed the others. “Can I have a word alone with Nix and Noah?”

“Sure thing,” Aric said, casting their boss a wary look.

The others echoed the sentiment and everyone left with promises to meet for dinner.

“What’s going on?” Nix asked.

The commander glanced around, apparently making sure nobody was within hearing range before he spoke. “You both
need to hear this. You two are headed for some really rough road together. Soon.” He paused. “The Voodoo Priestess, do you remember her? From when you were on leave in New Orleans?”

A chill of foreboding shot straight down Nix’s spine, followed by ice. “How could I forget?” He didn’t ask how Nick knew—the man was a Seer. When past connected with present, he could “see” what he needed to.

“She told you something vitally important about your special ability—not as a wolf shifter, that came later. But the one you were born with. Your Psy ability. You remember?”

“Yes,” he said in a shaky voice. “Jesus, you’re scaring me.”

“Listen. Explain to Noah about your gift. Make him understand, and I mean
really
understand how vitally important it is that he trust you
one hundred percent
. That he believes in you and what you tell him. If he doesn’t, all will be lost.”

“I . . . okay.” He raked a trembling hand through his hair. “I’ll tell him now.”

“Good. Don’t waste any time. Treasure every second you have together, because catastrophe is headed your way and I can’t stop it.”

“What’s going to happen?” he whispered. Noah edged close, tucking himself into Nix’s side.

“I don’t know, exactly,” he said with real regret. “Only what I’ve told you. Both of you remember what I said, and you’ve got a chance.”

“All right. Nick, thank you.”

“Sure. And if there’s anything else I can do to help you both, you know I will.” Clapping them both on the shoulder, he turned and left them standing there.

Noah hesitated a beat before turning to his mate. “What in the actual fuck was that about?”

Nix let out a deep sigh. “Let’s go sit somewhere and talk.”

Casting about, he settled on a popular grassy spot under a large tree at the edge of the field they used for ball games. That would be as good a place as any to unload the weirdness of his supposed
gift
.

Once they were seated next to each other, he began. “So, like Nick said, I was on leave—this was a few years ago, when I was about your age. I went down to New Orleans with some of my Navy buddies, and they thought it would be hilarious to go see a Voodoo witch. Get some love potions or some shit, who knows? Me, I was freaked the hell out and was just standing in the foyer of the old woman’s house while they conducted business with her.”

“If you didn’t go in to see her, how did you meet?”

“She came out with them when they were leaving and spotted me. Right off, she honed in on me, staring at me like she’d seen a ghost, and waved me forward. My friends wanted to stay, but she ordered them out. Said nobody could hear what she had to tell me until the time was right. She said,
You are your namesake
. I hadn’t even
told
her my name.”

The memory still gave him the chills.

“You are your namesake,” Noah repeated. “Phoenix?”

“Yeah. A bird that rises from the ashes.”

“Except you’re a wolf.”

“Well, I wasn’t then. The point is, she said my gift is that of the phoenix. That if I die, I can be reborn, but there’s a hitch.”

“Of course there is,” Noah said dryly. “What’s the hitch?”

“I have to die by fire.”

His mate stared at him, horror slowly dawning on his face. “No way. Fuck that shit! You’re not going to die, by fire or anything else! That’s insane!”

“I don’t want to die, but you heard Nick,” he said, taking Noah’s shaking hands in his. “You believe me, believe
in
me, don’t you?”

“Of course I do! But—”

“No buts. Remember what Nick said, when the time comes. I don’t know what it is, but it sounds bad. Believe in me, and remember my gift.”

He was every bit as freaked as Noah. But when he saw the tears well up in his mate’s eyes and spill over, his only thought was comforting him. Quickly, he pulled Noah into his arms and kissed him.

“Ah, baby. It’ll be all right, you’ll see.”

“Nick’s visions always come true,” he replied with a sob. “I spent so many years wishing for somebody of my own to love. I can’t lose you now.”

“Hey, they come true, but not always exactly like he saw them. Micah was supposed to die, remember? But the course of events changed, and he didn’t.”

Belatedly, he realized what Noah had said—somebody to love.
Does he love me?

“I know, but it still scares me.”

“Me too. But we’re not going to let this ruin our time together, you got that?” Tilting his mate’s face up, he gave him a searing kiss, soothing him by rubbing palm down his back.

“Okay,” he breathed.

“Good. Now let’s get that shower and get to dinner. That is, if you’re not too tired to go to the dining room?”

“No, I’m good. It will be great to rest after dinner, though,” he admitted.

That was a testament to just how exhausted his mate was, and Nix was afraid he’d pushed him too hard and worn him out. They’d made love twice, and gone for a long walk as well. Maybe it had all been too much.

Once back in Nix’s quarters, Nix undressed himself and his tired mate. Then he got the water warm, pulled him into the shower, and soaped him from head to toe. There was no messing around this time, though Nix could’ve been ready to go again with very little encouragement. This was a time to simply pamper his man. Out of the shower, he toweled Noah off, thinking how much he enjoyed this new sensation of taking care of his mate. Very much. Being concerned for his welfare, seeing to his needs, seemed as natural as breathing. He hoped every day it would get easier and he’d get over this irrational
fear of being with a man in public.

Thanks, sperm donor.
The bastard didn’t even deserve the title “father.”

“I still don’t have any clean clothes here,” Noah said suddenly. “Can we stop by my apartment?”

“Not a problem. In fact, why don’t we go get you a bag of stuff to keep here? You might as well stay here until we can figure out which quarters we’re gonna live in.”

Noah blinked at him. “Did you just ask me to move in with you?”

Nix hesitated, then said shyly, “Yeah, I suppose I did. You’re my mate, I like having you around, and I don’t plan on letting you go anywhere. What do you say?”

“As proposals go, it could use some work,” Noah said with a grin, “but yes, let’s get some of my stuff. I’ll stay with you until we decide.”

“Great!” Nix felt absurdly happy, and pulled Noah in for a kiss.

* * * 

A few minutes later, that giddy feeling was gone, replaced by something like shock. Noah’s apartment looked like the inside of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, there were so many colors warring for attention.