Jericho's Way
Author: Lynn Hagen
Date: 2019-08-11T00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Romance

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Maple Grove 6

Jericho’s Way

When Jericho hears whispered voices behind the garage, he investigates, only to find out his uncle and Ivan plan on burying a body back there. But Ivan knows that Jericho heard their conversation, and is determined to bury Jericho’s body, too. His uncle is bad enough with his abuse, but having a polar bear shifter after him has Jericho on edge. Until Ben walks into the diner where Jericho is having breakfast and he discovers that the wolf shifter is his mate.

On his way back from Florida, Ben stops in a small town for gas and some food. When he walks into The Diner Train, he knows something is off. His wolf leads him to a bunny shifter sitting all alone, and the guy is his mate. He is also sporting a black eye. Ben wants to get to the bottom of things, but Jericho isn’t being cooperative. He has to convince Jericho that he isn’t leaving town, that he is serious about their mating, and keep Jericho safe from two shifters out to end him.

Genres: Alternative (M/M, Gay), Contemporary, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Shape-shifter, Vampires/Werewolves

Length: 27,701

JERICHO'S WAY

Maple Grove 6

Lynn Hagen

￼

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com

A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

Jericho's Way

Copyright © 2019 by Lynn Hagen

ISBN: 978-1-64243-966-3

First Publication: August 2019

Cover design by Emma Nicole

All art and logo copyright © 2019 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at legal@sirenbookstrand.com

PUBLISHER

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lynn Hagen loves writing about the somewhat flawed, but lovable. She also loves a hero who can see past all the rough edges to find the shining diamond of a beautiful heart.

You can find her on any given day curled up with her laptop and a cup of hot java, letting the next set of characters tell their story.

For all titles by Lynn Hagen, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/lynn-hagen

TABLE OF CONTENTS

JERICHO'S WAY

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

JERICHO'S WAY

Maple Grove 6

LYNN HAGEN

Copyright © 2019

Chapter One

“Are you seriously trying to walk past me like you don’t have a black eye?” Reese set aside his mixing bowl and pulled Jericho to a stop. “Who the hell did this to you?”

“I whacked my face on the coffee table when I tripped.” Jericho pulled his arm free, upset that he hadn’t done a better job of concealing his shiner. He’d used foundation the exact color of his skin, but clearly he sucked at applying makeup.

“You really want me to believe that?” Reese narrowed his eyes. “This isn’t the first time you’ve come to work with bruises.”

“I’m late clocking in.” Jericho moved quickly to the office and used the computer to punch in. When he finished, he used the small mirror hanging on the wall to look at his eye. The makeup barely concealed his humiliation.

His tips tonight would suck, and if Mike, the owner, found out, he’d have a fit that Jericho had worked with a shiner. But there was nothing Jericho could do. He was here, clocked in, and scheduled to work. It wasn’t as though he could call someone to fill in for him. Emilio was off on his honeymoon period with his mate, and Lacey didn’t know a thing about making drinks.

Armand was scheduled to work with Jericho, but the human had as much empathy as a slug. He wouldn’t care if Jericho was in a body cast just as long as he could work.

Turning away from the mirror, Jericho hurried to the interior of the bar. It was already packed considering it was Fish Fry Friday. He’d always hated that smell, though. Jericho was not a fish-eating person.

“About fucking time you got here,” Armand said when Jericho hurried behind the bar. “Suck dick on your own time.”

“That’s not what your daddy said.” Jericho hurried down the bar and began taking orders. More than once he got a strange look or someone asked if he was all right. Too bad he couldn’t wear sunglasses to cover his eye.

One, he would look like a complete douche if he wore them inside. Two, Mike would have his ass for wearing them.

But Jericho was fine. He was always fine after Uncle Landon had one of his fits. Life moved on, and Jericho survived. It wasn’t as though Landon had broken any bones. He simply became enraged when Jericho had forgotten to take the trash to the curb, so now, next week, the bins would be overflowing.

“You got a gorgeous face stuck under that black eye,” one customer said. “It’s distorting the bruise.”

The guy was trying to be charming, but Jericho glared at him. “And you got no game under that drunkenness.”

Jericho didn’t appreciate being made fun of, even if it had been in an attempt to gain his attention. He was used to guys flirting with him. Most were wasted when they tried to get into his pants. Unlike Emilio, another bartender who worked there, Jericho never took anyone up on their offer.

He didn’t do one-night stands. Jericho was looking for the one who would sweep him off his feet. The one who clicked. Though these days, he’d take someone who didn’t try to pick him up in a bar with some cheesy line.

Too bad Moose hadn’t been available, because Jericho had fallen in lust with the giant when they’d first met. He spotted the guy at the middle table with his friends, chowing down on a plate of fried something. Jericho couldn’t tell what it was, and even if he saw whatever was on Moose’s plate, it wasn’t as though he would recognize the type of fish.

“Hey, Jericho,” Raven said as he took a seat at the bar. A frown puckered between his dark brown eyes when he looked at Jericho’s face. “What the hell happened to you?”

“I hit my face on the lawn mower when I was cutting grass.” He grabbed a beer from the cooler under the counter and handed it over to the wolf shifter after popping the cap. “No big deal. At least my lawn looks nice.”

“If you’re afraid of someone, I can help you,” Raven offered. “You don’t have to be afraid of whoever is hurting you.”

Jericho tossed the beer cap into the trash. “You’re barking up the wrong tree. It was an accident.”

He really wished everyone would leave him alone. There wasn’t anything anyone could do about Uncle Landon. Jericho had made the mistake of reporting his uncle once, and the previous sheriff, Chuck Archer, had told him that, since he was living under his uncle’s roof, Landon had every right to discipline Jericho.

There was no way he would go to the new sheriff about the abuse. Not when there was a chance Sheriff Copache would sweep things under the rug.

He couldn’t take that chance. If Landon found out, he’d kick Jericho out. Since his uncle was the only family he had, that would make him homeless.

When the night was finally over, Jericho was relieved. He’d been dodging Moose all night, praying the bear shifter didn’t see his shiner. Not that he thought Moose would come to his aid, but Jericho didn’t want to take any chances.

He would just have to learn how to better apply makeup to hide his bruises.

“Night, Reese,” Jericho said as he walked out the front door. The rhino waved but eyed Jericho in a strange way.

“You take care of yourself,” Reese called out to him. “Watch out for those coffee tables.”

With a deep sigh, Jericho headed home.

* * * *

The sun was just rising over the horizon when Ben made a motion with his hand, letting his best friend know they needed to take the upcoming exit. Not only did Ben have to piss like crazy, but his motorcycle needed gas.

He roared down the exit ramp, Milo following, and read the sign that said a gas station was two miles down the road. Hopefully it had decent snacks because he was starving.

Ben saw the station and pulled in next to a pump. His friend pulled in behind him and took off his helmet, running a hand through his short dark hair.

“It feels good to stretch,” Milo said as he stretched and his joints cracked. “Next time don’t wait so long for a break.”

Ben didn’t answer the jaguar shifter. He was too busy making his way toward the station to empty his bladder. When he was done, he grabbed a few beef sticks and a bottled water before heading toward the counter.

Milo had been right. Ben had waited too long. His back had a kink in it, and he wouldn’t mind sitting down to a good meal. Ben’s stomach was growling for something more.

He needed sustenance. A full breakfast sounded damn good right about now. His stomach rumbled in agreement. The beef sticks wouldn’t even put a dent in his appetite, but they would hold him over until he found some real food.

When he made it back outside, he filled his tank and looked at Milo. “We need to find a diner around here.”

Milo grinned. “You’re speaking my language.” He looked around. “Where exactly are we?”

“The sign said Maple Grove,” Ben replied.

“Never heard of it.” Milo replaced the nozzle and screwed the cap on his tank. “I’m gonna run inside and ask the clerk where a diner is.”

He nodded before Milo walked away. Ben was dying to let his wolf out to run, but since he had no idea where to go around here, his beast would have to wait.

He looked toward the back of the station and saw some woods, but Ben didn’t want to chance it. The sun was just rising, but the town seemed wide awake as cars and trucks pulled into the station, no doubt to get their first dose of caffeine.

Milo returned and jerked his chin to the left. “Follow me.”

What Ben really needed was a good eight hours of sleep. They’d been driving through the night to get back home after the funeral they’d attended for a longtime friend.

Ben couldn’t wait to collapse in his bed, but they still had a few more hours of riding before then.

The Diner Train looked like a fancy freight car, and Ben dug the look. The place was silver and sat back from the street. He and Milo headed inside and were told to seat themselves.

“Fuck this place smells good,” Milo said as he pulled his leather jacket off and set it next to him.

The savory aromas reminded Ben of when he was growing up and his mom cooked dinner every night. He missed her something fierce and wished his parents were still alive. He would’ve loved to go home for a visit.

But he would never go home again. Their deaths still hurt even after all these years. They’d been his only family, and now it was just him. And Milo. His best friend. The man who understood him better than Ben understood himself.

Too bad they’d made better friends than lovers. Milo just might have been the perfect fit. But he wasn’t Ben’s type, and Ben wasn’t Milo’s type, either.

Ben slid into the other side of the booth and set his leather aside. His eyes widened when a big motherfucker walked their way. The guy was fucking huge.

They overturned their mugs that were already on the table and the waiter poured them some coffee. This guy did not fit the image of someone who would be working in a diner. He looked more like he should be on a football team or out chopping down trees.

Covertly, Ben inhaled and realized the guy was a bear shifter. The giant was just as wide as he was big, with muscles on top of muscles. Ben never wanted to meet this guy in a dark alley.

“I’m Moose, and I’ll be helping you out this morning. You guys ready to order, or do you need more time?”

Moose. How befitting. “We need a few more minutes,” Milo said.

Ben was still staring at the guy, amazed at his sheer size.

“Could you gape any wider?” Milo asked when Moose walked away.

“Did you see the size of that fucker?” Ben asked.

“Considering he was just standing next to me, yeah, I saw him.” Milo shrugged. “No big deal. Grab your menu or I’m gonna order without you.”

Ben looked around. He liked to stay aware of his environment. This might be a small town, and it was probably boring as hell, but one never knew when trouble would strike, especially knowing shifters lived here.

Behind the counter was an order window, and to the right was a menu board. To the left were signs displaying regular food they served with big colorful pictures.

“I think I’m gonna get some blueberry waffles.” Milo flipped the plastic menu from front to back. “They smell fantastic.”

Ben pulled his attention back to his best friend and grabbed the menu from where it was sitting. He looked it over, but Ben wasn’t sure why he had a weird feeling in his gut. The diner seemed normal enough. It was packed, and it surprised him that they’d found an empty booth.

People at the other tables were talking or reading the paper, the smells from the kitchen permeated the air, and Ben watched as the waiter behind the counter moved up and down it to pour coffee and tend to the people sitting on stools.

Some dark-haired man who wore a smile came out of the kitchen with a tub tucked under one arm. He was eating a candy bar as he cleared a table. It was a bit early for treats, but that was just Ben’s opinion.

He looked at the last booth and saw a cop sitting there, reading the morning paper as he sipped from his mug. Now that he was paying better attention, he noticed a few more smells.

A black panther and a cheetah.

“What’s wrong?” Milo asked as he took a drink of his coffee.

Ben slowly shook his head. “I’m not sure, but I got this weird feeling.”

His statement made Milo glance around.

Ben looked over his shoulder to the booths behind him and spotted a slim man sitting by himself. Moose refilled the guy’s cup, and the small stranger smiled at the giant.

Why the hell was the stranger wearing sunglasses inside? The sun had barely risen.

“Is it something we need to worry about?” Milo asked.

Ben wasn’t sure what was going on, but his instincts said his weird feeling had something to do with Shorty.

“Order me whatever you’re having,” Ben said as he got up and walked toward the stranger’s table. The closer he got, the more he realized just how short the shit really was.

The smell of honeysuckle filled Ben’s lungs as he stopped at the table. He slid in the opposite side without being asked and cocked his head to the side.

Shorty pursed his lips. “Sure, help yourself to a seat. It wasn’t as though I was using it.”

The guy was a bunny shifter. Fuck. Ben wanted to laugh at the realization. He’d met only one bunny before, but that had been eons ago. “I’m Benjamin Calloway. And you are?”

His wolf howled and rammed at Ben’s ribs, growling to get free. Ben wasn’t sure what to make of his dumb beast until he felt the powerful pull aching in his chest.

“I’m Jericho James,” the guy said. He wiggled his nose seconds before his brows shot up past the rim of his dark sunglasses.

Ben was looking at his mate.

He wanted to pull those damn glasses off to get a better look at the guy, but since they’d just met, he kept his hands to himself. “Why are you wearing those inside?”

“Bright lights hurt my eyes,” Jericho said. “I’m really not a morning person.”

Ben propped his feet on either side of the bunny shifter, grinning as he folded his arms. “You do realize we’re mates?”

Jericho seemed timid as he chewed on his bottom lip. Then he opened his mouth, and all the soft and fuzzy feelings Ben had felt toward Shorty flew out the window.

“I’m sorry, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. I didn’t invite you to sit down at my table, so get lost.”

Sitting forward and bracing his arms on the table, Ben scowled. “You’re full of shit, Jericho. You know damn well you feel the pull.”

“What I feel is hungry,” the guy said. “Do I have to get Moose to remove you from my table?”

“I’d like to see him try,” Ben snarled.

What was with this bunny? Weren’t they supposed to be all cute and submissive? Jericho was a fluffy little creature, and Ben had claws and teeth. He wanted to dominate the short shit, but Jericho had a chip on his shoulder for some reason.

Ben slouched back and smirked. “Take me back to your place and I’ll prove we’re mates.”

Because Ben’s cock was hard as fuck and he wanted a piece of his little bunny.

* * * *

When Moose brought their food, Milo shook his head. “You can take the duplicate over to my friend’s table. I guess I’m eating alone.”

With a nod, Moose set Milo’s stuff down and took the rest to Ben. There were no hard feelings. If his best friend wanted to get some tail while they were in town, more power to him. He just hoped Ben didn’t take all day with that short guy. Milo was ready to…he sighed.

Ready to do what? Go back to their double-wide trailer and live their lonely existences. Not that his life was bad. He and Ben always had a good time whenever they were out riding.

But Milo knew it was time to move on. They needed to find a place they could lay down roots, and Montana wasn’t for them. He looked out the window and watched the town come to life. There were shifters here. Milo had scented them. Maybe they needed to scope out Maple Grove and see what it had to offer.

He could give himself a tour while his friend closed the deal and went somewhere to have sex. What Milo had seen of the town so far, he liked. It had a laid-back feel to it that he wanted to explore.

After breakfast, he would take a walk and find out what Maple Grove was all about. And if he played his cards right, Milo might find someone he could let off a little steam with.

Chapter Two

That was the last thing Jericho wanted to do. Landon would have a holy cow fit if he brought a guy home, especially a wolf shifter.

Especially a guy. His uncle was the most homophobic prick Jericho knew, even though more and more gay couples were seen around town. Normally shifters didn’t care about the gender of their mate. They were just thankful they’d found him or her.

The gender mattered to his uncle. Lately Landon had been spouting off about the gays invading Maple Grove and how the sheriff needed to do something about it.

Landon had no clue that Sheriff Copache was mated to a guy. His uncle would flip his shit if he found out. He was surprised his uncle hadn’t discovered that fact already since his mate was never too far from the sheriff.

The thought of Landon finding out about Jericho’s mate had his stomach twisting into knots. He wanted to tell Ben that he felt the pull, that he was floored that they’d found each other, that he wanted to take Ben home and have hours of sex until neither of them could walk.

But he couldn’t say jack shit. Clearly Ben was passing through town, and what, Jericho was supposed to uproot his life and run away with the biker? He knew nothing about Ben, and until that changed, Jericho wasn’t going anywhere.

His silence must’ve had the wheels in Ben’s head turning. Jericho could actually see the man thinking before he asked, “What, you got a boyfriend at home?”

There was a lethal spark in his gray eyes, although he was still smiling. It was a legit question since they’d just met, but it was one Jericho didn’t want to answer.

“Maybe,” he said while smirking himself. “Is that your boyfriend you came into the diner with?”

Ben looked over his shoulder and gave the guy a short wave. “Nope. Milo’s been my friend since childhood. That’s it. There has never been anything sexual between us.”

He turned back around, and Jericho studied his gorgeous face. Ben had stormy gray eyes, stubble that ran the length of his jaw, and a head full of rich, dark hair.

Jericho’s cock hardened as he stared at his mate. He wished he could tell Ben the truth, but a lot of guys ran from drama, and Jericho’s life was filled with the crap.

But oh how Jericho wanted to throw himself into Ben’s strong arms and tell him everything. Jericho didn’t, though. He needed to see what kind of man Ben was first. Honorable and loyal or someone who ran from life’s problems. That was the big question.

“We can’t go back to my place because of reasons, but I’ll take a ride on your bike.” Jericho shoved a piece of bacon into his mouth and chewed like crazy while he waited for Ben’s answer.

Jericho rested one of his hands on the foot pressed against his right hip. His heart was thumping wildly, and he felt a strong need to touch Ben in some kind of way. Jericho was craving that connection like all mates did. That rush of butterflies in his stomach, the way his body yearned to be cuddled against his mate’s. His cock in Ben’s mouth or the other way around.

Some kind of connection.

Ben pressed his foot harder against Jericho’s side. “Why don’t we finish eating first? Your meal is on me if you give me a tour of your town.”

As broke as Jericho was, he jumped at the chance for a free meal. “Deal.”

He also knew the perfect secluded place they could go to. He might be leery of trusting the wolf shifter, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t fuck like crazy. Jericho was so wound up that he was ready to clear the table with one arm swipe and climb naked onto the tabletop.

“What about your friend?” Jericho looked beyond Ben to see the other man looking at him.

“Milo is a big boy. He can entertain himself while you and I entertain each other.”

At least they were thinking along the same lines. Jericho had never eaten so fast in his life. He would wind up with indigestion if he didn’t slow down. But the sultry looks Ben gave him had Jericho sucking down his orange juice in seconds flat. “I’m done.”

Ben chuckled. “I see.”

After Ben paid the bill, they passed Milo’s table. “I’ll be back in a little while,” Ben said to his friend.

Milo smirked. “Take your time.”

Jericho felt himself blush. Milo had winked at him, as though the guy knew exactly what they were about to do. When they got outside and he looked at Ben’s large bike, Jericho had second thoughts.

“I’ve never ridden a motorcycle before.”

“Then you’re in for a treat.” Ben handed Jericho his helmet. He was about to protest when he noticed a red sedan coming down the street. Jericho’s heart slammed into his chest, and he turned to run back inside when he noticed it was a woman behind the wheel and not his uncle.

When he turned back to Ben, his mate was staring strangely at him. “Is there something I need to know?” He stared at the sedan as it passed by. “Do you really have a boyfriend at home?”

Jericho shook his head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. And no, I don’t have a boyfriend or a husband.”

“Look, I know we just met twenty minutes ago, but—”

“And that sentence should stop whatever you’re about to say,” Jericho strapped the helmet on. “We’ve known each other all of twenty minutes. Are we gonna ride or what?”

The helmet was a tad big, and Ben had to readjust the strap. Jericho gazed up into Ben’s eyes and became lost in them. His pulse sped as he found it hard to suck enough air into his lungs. His mate grazed Jericho’s jaw with his fingers before he let his hands fall away.

“Fine, keep your secrets.” Ben mounted the bike and patted the seat behind him. “Just sit your sexy ass right here and hang on.”

That seemed simple enough. Jericho had to use Ben’s shoulders to climb on and settle himself. His mate grabbed Jericho’s hands and wrapped them around his thick waist.

Oh, this was really nice. The guy had a ripped abdomen that Jericho enjoyed touching. When Ben started his motorcycle, Jericho’s body jerked at the way the bike vibrated underneath him. The sensation wasn’t doing his cock any favors.

Jericho was rock-hard as Ben pulled away from the curb. He yelped and gripped Ben tighter as they drove toward the stop sign.

“Which way?” Ben asked.

Jericho pointed right. When they reached the next road, Jericho pointed left. They were now racing down a backroad, and Jericho loved the feeling of the wind against his face. He also loved being so snug against Ben’s hard body.

His mate smelled earthy and masculine, and Jericho couldn’t stop sniffing him.

When they were close to the access road, Jericho tapped Ben’s shoulder and pointed to the dirt road surrounded by trees. Ben slowed and made the turn, driving carefully down the narrow path.

He stopped when the worn shed came into view. Jericho didn’t live too far down the road, and had taken a risk coming here, but it was the perfect place and would give them plenty of privacy.

Ben cut the motor and used his boot for the kickstand as Jericho removed his helmet.

“What’s that building for?” Ben asked.

“I have no idea.” Jericho climbed off the back of the bike and set the helmet on the seat. “I discovered this place on one of my runs, but I’ve never been brave enough to go inside.”

Ben grinned. “Now you’ve got me to protect you. Let’s see what’s inside.”

The guy had no idea just how much protection Joshua truly needed. He didn’t pull his hand away when Ben took it and walked a few feet ahead, although Jericho had no intention of going inside. “I’m not sure of this. The shed looks creepy.”

“Don’t worry.” Ben wrapped an arm around him. “I’ll keep you safe.”

He looked up at Ben. “What does a mate mean to you?”

Ben stopped walking. His arm fell from Jericho’s shoulders as he tucked his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket. “I guess a mate means the same to me as any other nonhuman,” he said with a shrug. “To be honest, I’ve never really thought about it until I laid eyes on you.”

That hadn’t been the answer Jericho was looking for, but Ben had a point. Every once in a while Jericho dreamed of finding his mate, and then he waved away the notion, thinking he would never get that lucky.

He still wasn’t sure if he was lucky or not. Jericho needed to feel Ben out. Or feel him up. He snickered at his thoughts.

“Ready?” Ben yanked on the rusted padlock. With his superhuman strength, the lock snapped right off. Ben tossed it aside and grabbed the handle.

“Wait.” Jericho touched his mate’s arm. “What if there’s a dead body in there or some kind of spirit that’s been locked away?”

The side of Ben’s mouth curled into a smile. “You have an active imagination.”

This time Jericho gripped Ben’s arm as his mate turned the metal knob. It squeaked in protest as Ben shoved the door open with his foot. The interior of the shed smelled musty and dank, and it was dark inside except for the block of sunlight filtering in.

With a death grip on his mate’s arm, Jericho walked inside behind Ben. The small structure couldn’t have been any larger than twenty-by-twenty, but Jericho shrieked and jumped when he felt something brush against his face.

“It’s just cobwebs,” Ben said in a low, soothing voice. “There’s nothing to be afraid of, pup.”

“Pup?” Jericho frowned. “Baby bunnies are called kits.”

“But you’re my baby, and since I’m a wolf, I’m calling you a pup.”

“I don’t like being referred to as a baby,” Jericho argued.

“Is it any different than me calling you baby or babe?” Ben asked.

“That’s different. Those terms are used as endearments.”

“And so is pup,” Ben said. “Now let’s explore our haunted shed and enjoy our day, pup.”

Jericho blew out a frustrated breath, until something scurried across his foot. He shouted and tried to climb up Ben’s body as his mate burst out laughing.

“That was just a rat.”

“I hate rats.” Jericho looked around as he hung on Ben’s back, refusing to let his feet touch the ground again.

“I thought you were brave.” Ben tucked his arm around Jericho as he moved farther into the shed.

“I never claimed to be brave.” If he were, he would’ve stood up to his uncle a long time ago. Jericho would have knocked Landon on his ass and beat the crap out of him, but it was always the other way around.

“You really are scared,” Ben said. “I can feel you shaking.”

Jericho hadn’t noticed he’d been doing that and knew it was from thoughts of Landon, not the vermin in the shed. He blew out a few short breaths and tried to get a grip on his emotions. He refused to let thoughts of Landon ruin his day.

“Are we done in here?”

Ben sighed. “I’ll have mercy on you, but I give you props for coming inside in the first place.”

He was relieved when Ben walked outside. As soon as they were out of there, Jericho hopped down from Ben’s back.

“Do you do a lot of adventurous things?”

“Gotta keep the blood pumping.” Ben closed the shed door. “How’s life worth living if you don’t take risks?”

Jericho wasn’t a risk-taker. The most daring he’d been was selling Red Spanking to the customers at Tilted. But since Moose had warned him not to, Jericho had lied to the customers and said they were out of the nonhuman booze.

Although Armand had no problem selling it. But there had been nothing Jericho could do about that. He wasn’t the owner, and telling Armand they were warned would’ve made the human roll his eyes.

It wasn’t as though Armand even knew what Red Spanking did, anyway. But if Moose wanted the stuff truly gone, he’d have to take that up with Mike.

Ben snapped his fingers in Jericho’s face. “You zoned out, kit.”

Jericho smiled. It seemed Ben wasn’t averse to compromise. That was a brownie point for him.

“It’s pretty secluded back here.” Ben removed his leather jacket and tossed it onto the seat of his bike. “Did you have anything in mind when you tricked me into coming here?”

“Tricked you?” Jericho’s brows shot up. “I didn’t trick you. I just wanted you to see the shed.”

“Mmm-hmm.” Ben moved closer. “You wanted to seduce me, didn’t you? You want to steal my innocence from me.”

Jericho opened his mouth to give Ben a piece of his mind when he realized the guy was teasing him. “You found me out. I guess the jig is up and you’ll have to take me back to the diner.”

“It doesn’t work that way.” Ben pulled his T-shirt over his head and tossed it aside. “You got me out here, now have your wicked way with me.” Ben’s gray eyes were glassy with desire, and all Jericho’s dumb ass could do was stand there and ogle the man’s chest like an idiot as his cock stirred in his jeans.

He was so engrossed with Ben’s body that he hadn’t noticed Ben reaching for his sunglasses. He pulled them off and gave a low, deep growl. “Who the fuck blacked your eye?”

It took a moment for Jericho to realize what Ben was talking about. He lifted a hand to his eye but let it fell before he touched it. “It was an accident.”

Jericho would’ve shifted and healed himself, but his uncle had threatened to beat his ass if he did. Landon had shouted that Jericho deserved to wear his shame, and Jericho had been too terrified to argue.

Ben glared at him as though he didn’t believe Jericho, but thankfully he dropped the subject. That fast he was back in his playful mood, and Jericho breathed a sigh of relief.

“Are you shy, Jericho?”

Jericho wanted to smack the smug smile from Ben’s face, but in truth, he was shy. He acted outgoing and flirted at work, but that was just to get bigger tips. He never took things too far.

“No,” Jericho objected as his face caught fire.

“Are you sure about that?” Ben pulled Jericho into his arms, and their lips twisted together in a hungry kiss.

Jericho clung to Ben, grabbing at him and trying to crawl up the man as Ben took the kiss even deeper.

They ended up out of breath when they pulled apart. Jericho licked his lips, hungry for more. A low growl rumbled in Ben’s chest as he snatched Jericho’s shirt up and off.

The raw need in Ben’s eyes caught Jericho’s breath, making him feel exposed in ways that had nothing to do with his shirt being gone. Jericho had been alone and adrift in life, always dodging relationships because of his uncle. That craving to belong to someone, to be the center of someone’s world, came crashing into him, and Jericho had never wanted something more desperately than he wanted Ben.

But instead of saying that to his mate, Jericho used his body. He moved into Ben’s space and attached his lips to one of the guy’s nipples.

“Fuck, Jericho,” Ben moaned. His hands clamped the back of Jericho’s head, holding him in place as his fingers massaged Jericho’s scalp. “Feels good.”

His shyness melted as he explored Ben’s chest with his hands, ghosting them down his mate’s body and bringing them up Ben’s back. The guy was taller, and the top of Jericho’s head reached Ben’s shoulders, which put his lips right at Ben’s nipples.

Getting lost in Ben’s body was his goal. Jericho didn’t want to think about the ramifications of mating the wolf shifter, didn’t want to think what his uncle would do once he found out Jericho was gay. All he wanted at the moment was to feel strong hands on him, a hard dick in his ass, and after that, Jericho would burn that bridge when he came to it.

He detached his lips and dropped to his knees, unfastening Ben’s fly. He pulled the zipper down and fished out his hard cock, sucking the erection between his lips.

“Oh hell,” Ben groaned. “That’s it, baby. Suck my dick.”

If Ben had been anyone but his mate, Jericho would’ve been turned off by those words. He hated when men said that. Cleary he was already sucking dick and didn’t need the encouragement. But coming from Ben, his mate, Jericho was turned the hell on and doubled his efforts until Ben was coming down his throat.

“Fuck, pup.” Ben wiped at his brow. “That was exactly what I needed.”

Jericho got to his feet and licked his bottom lip, his cock so hard it strained against his jeans. Even so, Ben made no move to return the favor. He simply stood there catching his breath.

Irritated, Jericho reached for his fallen shirt, only to have Ben move him toward his motorcycle. “Just hang onto the seat, kit.”

His growly voice made Jericho’s heart sing with excitement. “Why?”

Ben pressed his naked chest into Jericho’s bare back. “Trust me, you’re gonna love this.”

Jericho did as Ben instructed and gasped when his mate pulled Jericho’s jeans and underwear down to his ankles. Ben lowered himself to his knees and spread Jericho’s cheeks. The rush of air had Jericho sucking in a breath as Ben bathed his hole with his tongue.

Holy fuck! Jericho gave a short, high cry as Ben inserted a finger inside his ass. Then he added another. Jericho wasn’t sure how much more of the pleasure he could take before he became a mindless idiot.

Ben pulled his fingers free and stood. When Jericho looked over his shoulder, his mate was pulling something from his front pocket.

A small packet of lube. He lathered his cock as Jericho looked front and center, staring at the trees and a small chipmunk that scurried through the leaves on the ground. He listened to the birds chirp and gazed at the beams of sunlight trying desperately to filter through the thick canopy overhead.

Then he felt the blunt head of Ben’s cock at his hole.

This was it. Ben would mate him and Jericho’s life would be changed forever.

Stop thinking about that and just enjoy the moment.

Ben placed his hands on Jericho’s hips and thrust inside. Jericho hissed at the pain as his fingers curled around Ben’s leather jacket. But his mate didn’t pound into him. He stood there with a tight grip on Jericho’s hips as his cock throbbed heavily in Jericho’s ass.

What was he waiting for? Why wasn’t he moving? Jericho bit his lower lip as the pain began to ease. When Jericho nodded, Ben started to move. His mate railed him as Jericho cried out, filling the quiet woods with his vocal pleasure.

“I need more leverage,” Ben snarled. He eased out of Jericho and pulled Jericho to the ground, but not before he’d laid his leather down for Jericho to lie on.

The man was considerate. That was another brownie point for him.

He also removed Jericho’s shoes then the rest of his clothing, leaving Jericho completely naked as he spread Jericho’s legs apart. “This is so much better, don’t you think?”

“Shut up and fuck me.” Jericho reached for Ben, curling his fingers around his mate’s nape and pulling him down so they could kiss. Ben drove his cock back inside Jericho’s ass, making Jericho whimper into his mate’s mouth.

He slid his legs around Ben’s waist and held on for dear life as his mate fucked him with hard and deep strokes. Jericho had never had sex outside before. Although he’d prefer the softness of a bed at his back, he loved the fact they were surrounded by nature.

“Gonna make you mine, pup,” Ben growled into his ear as he punched his hips forward. “All mine.”

Jericho chose to ignore those words. Ben hadn’t met Landon, and he never wanted that to happen. Landon would go ballistic, and Ben just might walk away from the mess.

Jericho slammed a lid on those thoughts as his orgasm built and his balls drew close to his body.

Then Ben sank his canines into Jericho’s shoulder. With a shout, Jericho threw his head back and came so hard he saw fucking stars. His body shook, and he felt their connection snap into place as their souls soldered together.

There was no going back now. No second thoughts. He now belonged to this handsome wolf shifter, and Jericho wasn’t sure what he would do about that.

Ben cupped his face and smiled down at him, rocking inside Jericho’s body. His gray eyes were filled with something close to reverence, and Jericho had never had anyone look at him that way.

“Give me a moment to catch my breath, and we’re going for round two, kit.”

Jericho chuckled. “Decide on an endearment. You calling me pup and kit is confusing.”

Ben winked. “I like pup, but I’m taking into consideration that you like to be called kit.”

“I never said that,” Jericho argued playfully. “I said I didn’t like being called a baby.”

“My baby.” Ben gave him a gentle kiss. “Get used to it, babe.”

The guy was charming. Another brownie point.

If Ben kept racking them up, Jericho just might fall for the guy.

Chapter Three

Ben hadn’t wanted to drop Jericho off at the diner, but his mate had insisted, saying he needed to get some things done. They’d agreed to meet up later, and for now, that would have to do.

But before Jericho had gone inside, he’d thrown a sweet smile over his shoulder and licked his lips. The seductive little shit.

Now that Ben was alone, he could find out who’d hurt his mate. He didn’t believe Jericho’s blackened eye was caused by an accident. His mate had looked too nervous when Ben had discovered it. If someone was hurting his little bunny, Ben would rip their fucking heart out.

He drove down the street and parked in front of the coffee shop then circled back around and followed his mate at a distance. Jericho was a little too secretive for his liking. Did he really have someone at home? Was that why his mate refused to take Ben there?

Jericho stopped at the bakery and came out with a white box in hand. He next went to the barbershop. Ben passed the time by checking his messages and emails. When Jericho stepped outside, his haircut blew Ben away.

His mate had already looked amazing, but now he looked like the cutest twink Ben had ever seen. He’d damn near blown his covert op of spying on the bunny when he let out a long groan. Ben wanted to run his fingers through Jericho’s hair as he fucked the guy again.

He still felt Jericho’s mouth on his nipples, the way his lips had moved so sensually. And the way his tongue had worked Ben’s cock had him standing there peering at his mate while sporting a boner.

“You got it that bad?”

Ben nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of Milo’s voice. He gave a low growl and pressed a finger to his lips as he watched Jericho walk away.

“Yes, I have it that bad. Jericho is my mate.”

A sly grin curled Milo’s mouth. “Then why are you stalking him?”

“Because he had some shit to do and didn’t want me helping him,” Ben said. “He also has a black eye, and I want to know who gave it to him.”

Milo’s eyes narrowed as he looked Jericho’s way. Mates were supposed to cherish each other, not abuse them. But Milo’s dad had beat on his mom, and Milo had zero tolerance when it came to abuse.

“Did you ask?”

Ben nodded. “He said it was an accident, but I don’t believe him.”

He moved from behind the large tree and walked the next block, ducking into doorways or alleys when Jericho looked back.

He’d left Milo at the barbershop as he moved along Main Street. When Jericho circled back around to the diner and got into his car, Ben hurried to get to his motorcycle. He caught up to Jericho a block over and followed him to the backroad they’d been on earlier. They passed the access road, and a half-mile down the road, Jericho pulled into the driveway of a white house with blue trim.

There was a red sedan parked toward the back and a large tree that shaded the house. The front lawn was expansive, and there were potted plants hanging from the porch ceiling.

The place appeared cozy, although the trashcans should’ve been taken out because they were overflowing. It was a nice way to attract vermin.

Ben found a clump of trees to park behind so he could keep an eye on the place. Was this where Jericho lived, or was he visiting a friend? He didn’t like knowing so little about his bunny, but Jericho seemed to be a closed book. After they had sex for the second time, Ben had tried to ask Jericho about his life, but his mate kept changing the subject.

This wasn’t how he wanted to find out. Stalking his mate felt creepy, but Ben wanted to keep an eye on the man. He wanted to know who’d blackened Jericho’s eye so he could rip the bastard a new ass.

Ben had taken his eyes off the house only twice when he’d had to take a leak, but other than that, he sat there, starving and bored.

When twilight rolled around, Ben found himself dozing off. He undressed, laid his clothes over his bike, and shifted into his wolf form to get more comfortable. No matter how hard he fought sleep, it finally took him.

* * * *

Jericho had slept most of the day away. He was scheduled to work tonight, so he’d needed rest. Thank fuck Landon hadn’t bothered him. After his outburst about the trash, his uncle hadn’t said a word to him.

In fact, he hadn’t seen Landon when he’d come home earlier. That was always a plus.

Tossing the covers back, Jericho stretched and padded to the bathroom for a shower. When he was dressed, he went out back to find a container he could shove the overflowing trash into.

Damn it. He stared at one of the bins to find some critter had already gotten into it. Jericho went back inside, grabbed some rubber gloves, and a trash bag to clean up the mess.

He paused in the kitchen when his phone rang. “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s Reese. I’m just calling to check on you.”

That was very sweet of the rhino shifter, but the call was unnecessary. Landon might knock Jericho around, but his uncle had never seriously injured him.

Wow. That had been a pretty messed-up thought. Jericho had been covering for his uncle’s abuse for so long that it was starting to feel normal. There was nothing normal about it.

Like last night when he’d thought it was his fault for his black eye because he hadn’t taken the trash to the curb.

That realization disturbed Jericho on a very deep level.

“I’m fine, Reese,” he said as he stared out the window, wondering how he’d gotten to this point in life. “Thanks for calling, but I have a mess to clean up in the backyard. I’ll see you at work in a few hours.”

“You know you can call me if you need me, right?”

The offer made Jericho think of Raven. The wolf shifter who had pretty much said the same thing. “I know. I’ll see you soon.”

After pocketing his phone, Jericho went back outside. He only had the security light to work with as he picked up the loose trash. Ugh. It was disgusting. There were the bones of a whole chicken just lying on the ground, picked clean. Even so, Jericho gagged as he picked it up and tossed into the trash bag.

As he bent to pick up some soda cans, his ears perked up when he heard low murmuring. Curious, Jericho set the bag on the ground and moved toward the stand-alone three-car garage. All the doors were closed, so he moved around the side as the voices grew a tad louder, at least loud enough for him to hear the heated whispers.

Keeping his steps quiet, Jericho moved to the edge of the garage and listened.

“I don’t care what you have to do, Landon. You fucking owe me, and this is you repaying your debt to me.”

“What the hell am I supposed to do with him?” Landon asked.

“You got plenty of land, and a shovel, so figure it out,” the stranger said heatedly. “If his body is discovered, I’m taking you down with me.”

Jericho’s heart sped as he listened. Was the stranger trying to convince Landon to bury a body? Whose body? He leaned closer and inhaled a lungful of air. Landon’s scent hit him first. Then Jericho sniffed a bit harder.

Holy fuck. He knew that scent and was terrified of it. Ivan Carugo. He was a jaded-ass polar bear shifter with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. If he was involved in this, then whatever he had Landon doing was bad.

Real bad.

Well, duh. Burying a dead body is as bad as it gets.

Jericho eased back, not wanting either man to know he was there. Fortunately the wind was blowing away from the men, so they wouldn’t pick up Jericho’s scent.

Unfortunately Jericho hadn’t been watching where he was stepping. His foot hit some empty paint cans that were stacked on the side of the garage.

They clattered to the ground with so much noise that there was no way Landon and Ivan hadn’t heard it. The dead had probably heard it.

Jericho spun and raced back to the trashcans. He lifted the trash bag and started cleaning, pretending ignorance that Landon and Ivan were behind the garage.

Landon came barreling around the corner, and Jericho faked a squeak at his sudden appearance. “My god, you scared me,” he said as he pressed his gloved hand to his chest. “I didn’t know you were outside.”

Landon looked back toward the garage then faced Jericho. “Just clean that fucking mess up and take your ass inside. Got that?”

His uncle was twitching, and there was a fine sheen of sweat over his brows. Amazingly enough, the night wasn’t muggy. The humidity was low, and the slight breeze only made the night feel cooler than it already was.

Landon shouldn’t be sweating.

“I’m trying to be quick about it,” Jericho said. “I have to get ready for work. I’m also trying to be fast because a raccoon ambled out of the bushes and knocked the paint cans over. Those critters are just nasty.”

Relief clouded Landon’s eyes. “Just get it done. I’ll go pick up the cans and check around to see if it’s still in the area.”

In other words, his uncle wanted to get back to his meeting with Ivan. Landon had never offered to clean a damn thing up. Ever. And hunt down a raccoon? Seriously? That wasn’t the hard-nosed uncle he knew.

But Jericho couldn’t get those words out of his head. A body? He didn’t care who it was. No one deserved to be buried in the woods. What if the person had family? That family deserved closure. When he got off work, Jericho would find where the body was buried and see who it was.

He finished cleaning up the mess and went inside to wash his hands. Through the kitchen window he saw Ivan come from around the garage and head down the driveway. He looked Jericho dead in his eyes before he moved on.

Jericho swallowed roughly as he cut off the faucet. Did Ivan suspect him of knowing anything? Jericho sure as hell hoped not. He didn’t want to be on Ivan Carugo’s radar. It would be Jericho’s body that would be buried if Ivan thought Jericho knew what they were up to.

He shivered as he hurried to his room and gathered his keys, wallet, and phone.

Jericho paused and thought about Ben. His chest felt tight as he looked down at his phone. His mate had given him his number, and Jericho was tempted to call the guy. He just wanted to hear Ben’s deep voice, to look into his pretty gray eyes, and to tell Ben everything.

Including the dead body his uncle was about to bury.

Instead he tucked his phone into his pocket and headed outside. He’d call Ben later and ask his mate to come to the bar. Jericho might be terrified of what Landon would do if he found out that his nephew was mated to a man, but Jericho was desperate to see Ben again.

He looked in his rearview mirror and noticed his black eye was gone. He must’ve shifted in his sleep. He would’ve been afraid of Landon’s reaction, but his uncle had just seen him and hadn’t said anything about it. Jericho chalked that up as a good thing since Landon was too busy committing a crime to get on Jericho’s case.

After pulling from the driveway, Jericho headed into town. He parked in Tilted’s parking lot and hurried inside. Cleaning up the trash had taken longer than he thought it would, and now he was running late.

“Sorry,” Jericho said to Reese as he flew by him to clock in. “Damn raccoons got into the trash, and I had to clean it up.”

Reese grabbed Jericho’s arm and stopped him mid-run. “Mike’s in his office. He wants to know why the Red Spanking sales are down.”

Fuck. Jericho didn’t want to deal with his boss right now. Not after the eerie night he’d already had. Jericho still felt shaken that his uncle was going along with whatever Ivan was getting him into.

Taking a deep breath, he walked into Mike’s office. His boss was seated behind his desk, poring over the paperwork. When he looked up, Jericho’s heart did a flip.

He might have found his mate, but there was no denying just how gorgeous Mike Cage was. The wolf shifter smelled divinely masculine as he stared at Jericho with dark brown eyes. Did Jericho have a crush on his boss? Hell to the yes. But he was glad their relationship had always remained professional.

“Can you tell me why the Red Spanking sales are down?” Mike waved to a chair across from his desk. “They’ve been cut in half.”

Jericho plucked at some loose thread at his knee. His jeans were worn, and the left knee had a small hole in it. “That’s because of me,” Jericho said. He told Mike about the demon who’d been after Emilio and how Moose had come in to question him. He also told Mike about Moose telling him not to sell the stuff anymore because a drunken nonhuman was never a good thing.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this when it happened?” Mike asked. “I could’ve been sued because the demon followed Emilio from the bar.”

Was that all Mike was concerned with? “Oh, and Emilio is fine,” Jericho said. “Thanks for asking.”

Mike’s brows dipped low. “I know he’s fine. He’s behind the bar working.”

“Have you ever meet Moose?” Jericho said defensively. “He’s like three linebackers put together and the tallest man I’ve ever met. He’s fucking scary, Mike. I didn’t want him coming back here and pulverizing me.”

He got enough of that from his uncle.

“Go back to selling it,” Mike said. “I’ll deal with…who the fuck is Moose?”

“The sheriff’s mate. Moose is a bear shifter. Just thought you might want to know that fact before he eats you.” Jericho got up and walked to the door. “If he comes after me for selling the stuff, I’m pointing him to you. And if you’ve forgotten, I know where you live.”

Mike’s chuckle trailed behind Jericho as he walked from the office. Reese was busy cooking, so Jericho didn’t bother his friend. He made his way behind the bar and smiled at Emilio. “Glad to see you back at work.”

“Glad to be back here. Malik has been driving me up the wall.”

The human was a big, fat liar. He had love in his eyes when he mentioned his mate’s name. Emilio used to be a standoffish kind of guy who’d kept everyone at arm’s length. Now he worked the bar, smiling, and chatting with everyone. Huh, so that was what being in love looked like.

Now Jericho really wanted to see Ben. He wanted to look like a love-struck fool, too. But how was that gonna happen when Ben didn’t even live in Maple Grove? Jericho didn’t like the idea of a long-distance relationship. That would never do since Jericho was horny as fuck and wished Ben was there to relieve his ache.

Speaking of the devil, Jericho couldn’t hide his smile when Ben walked into the bar. Holy crap he was sexy with his leather on and a day’s growth on his jaw. Jericho pressed the heel of his palm against his boner, praying it went down.

Jericho had started to come around the counter to meet his mate when the door opened again and in walked Landon.

Chapter Four

Ben walked toward the bar, ready to pull Jericho into his arms for a much-needed kiss, but his mate’s eyes widened and he ran through a door to the left of the counter.

That hadn’t been the reaction Ben had been hoping for. He knew Jericho was shy but not that damn shy. Confused, Ben walked through the door to find himself in a kitchen. He scented the air to find his bunny but smelled rhino and wolf.

“I’m sorry, but you can’t be back here,” a guy in an apron said. He was the rhino. The guy had green eyes and dark hair and was around six feet three inches. He expected the stranger to be thick with muscles since he was rhino, but he was more on the chiseled side.

A snarl rumbled in Ben’s chest. “I’m looking for Jericho. I just saw him run back here.”

Ben looked around despite the rhino’s protest. He found Jericho by the back door, hiding behind a shelf.

Jericho blushed as he gave Ben a small wave. “Uh…hi.”

Ben frowned. “Why are you back there?”

“Doing inventory?” Jericho tapped a few cans as he silently counted them. He cut his gaze at Ben then quickly looked away.

Ben grabbed Jericho’s hand and pulled him toward the back door.

“Hold the hell up,” the rhino said as he barreled their way. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” He turned to Jericho. “Do you know this guy? Is he the one who popped you in the eye?”

Ben snarled at the accusation. “I’d never lay a hand on my mate.”

“It’s okay, Reese,” Jericho said. “He’s my mate, and no, he didn’t do that. I told you I hit my eye on my dresser.”

Reese glared at Jericho. “You told me you hit it on the coffee table.”

“Same difference.” Jericho pulled Ben through the screen door.

“So which is it?” Ben asked.

“Which is what?” Jericho kept looking past Ben as though he was looking for someone.

“How you blacked your eye.” Ben crossed his arms.

Jericho arched a brow. “I don’t even know you. Do you think just because we’re mates I should become an open book?”

“I’m not asking you to tell me your life story. I just want to know who the fuck did that to you. Is that asking too much?”

Clearly it was, because Jericho curled his lips in and glanced away. His mate was right. They didn’t know each other. It wasn’t as though Ben was jumping at the chance to tell Jericho about his past, either. But Ben didn’t have some asshole popping him in the eye.

“It’s not that I don’t want to trust you. It’s just that my life is a fucking mess, and I don’t want to get you caught up in it. You seem like a nice guy, and since you’re not from around here, you won’t be sticking around.” Jericho let out a long breath. “So why bother telling you anything?”

Ben opened his mouth then closed it. He hadn’t given his living arrangement any thought. Milo had gotten them a room at the local motel, Maple Inn, which consisted of six rooms, no cable, and lukewarm water. Ben had checked the room out before he’d come to the bar. He’d showered but still didn’t feel clean.

His entire adult life Ben had simply drifted through it, never settling too long in one place. He’d been restless and looking for something that would cement him.

Now he’d found that reason.

“I could move here.” He shrugged. “It’s no big deal.”

Jericho eyed him warily. “You would uproot your life? Just like that?”

“For you?” Ben pulled Jericho into his arms. “Just like that.”

He’d been dying to touch his mate, to hold his little bunny, to kiss and caress him. It had been killing Ben to keep his hands to himself. Jericho curled against him and rested his head against Ben’s chest.

“Where would you live?”

“Don’t you mean where would we live?” Ben wasn’t sure of Jericho’s living arrangements, but if he wasn’t safe at home, his mate was moving in with him. If his mate argued the point, then Ben would cross that bridge when he came to it.

“You’re very presumptuous.” Jericho looked up at him. “How do you know I want to live with you?”

Ben grinned. “Because I’m an awesome roommate.”

Money wasn’t something Ben worried about. Not only had he worked and saved his entire life, but his grandparents had left him an inheritance. He only lived in a trailer because Ben knew he would be moving on from Montana, so why bother spending a large amount for mortgage or rent?

“Tell me you’re serious,” Jericho said. “Tell me you’d really move here. Maple Grove is my town, my life, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

Ben wondered what it would feel like to love a small town so much. He wanted to find out. “Now that we have that settled, tell me who hurt you.”

Jericho pulled away, and the mistrust he’d had earlier in his eyes returned. “You move here and I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”

They were practically strangers, so Ben understood Jericho’s reluctance to trust him. Come tomorrow, he was gonna find a place to live. Being away from his mate wasn’t an option.

“Then I guess we’ll talk tomorrow evening.” Ben wasn’t leaving without tasting Jericho’s lips. He hauled his little bunny back into his arms and gave Jericho something to think about all night. The kiss was slow, but passionate, telling his mate without words that he wanted to fuck him again.

When they broke apart, Jericho looked dazed as he licked his bottom lip. “I gotta get back to work.”

No sooner had he said those words than Reese popped his head out the door and looked between them. “Emilio’s looking for you. He says he needs help behind the bar.”

Ben and Reese measured each other up as Jericho walked back inside. The rhino shifter gave Ben one last look before he followed Jericho.

Ben wasn’t sure what Reese’s problem was. Did the guy simply look out for Jericho, or was he interested in something more? Ben wasn’t going to go in there and act like an ass, putting Reese in his place. He would assume their friendship was platonic until proven otherwise.

Besides, he was dead on his feet. He’d caught about an hour’s sleep earlier, but that hadn’t been enough. Ben and Milo had driven through the night last night, and Ben had used up most of his energy earlier. His eyes burned, telling him he needed to shut shit down for the night.

But he would definitely be back by closing. He planned on getting another motel room so Jericho could spend the night with him.

He drove back to the motel to find Milo standing outside. The guy looked wrecked as he clutched his phone in his hand.

“What’s going on?” Ben asked when he parked and cut the motor off.

“It’s Alice,” Milo said. “She’s been in a car accident.”

“Is she okay?” Milo’s stepsister was human, and Milo loved her to death, although he hadn’t seen her in two years. She’d been the apple of Milo’s eye when she was younger, and they still kept in touch, even if they didn’t see each other very often.

Milo cleared his throat and shrugged. “I don’t know. Her boyfriend was the one who called me. I need to head to Kentucky.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” It was a knee-jerk reaction to be at Milo’s side. They’d been riding together for over thirty years and were hardly ever separated.

“Nah, man. You got your mate to look out for. I can handle the ride on my own. I’ll keep you updated.”

That was when Ben noticed the saddlebags on Milo’s motorcycle. They hadn’t been there when Milo had rented the room. He’d taken them inside.

Ben gave him a quick hug. “You better fucking call me if you need me, got that?”

Milo nodded. “I got some shut-eye. I should be good to drive the distance.”

Ben seriously didn’t want his best friend to drive by himself. Not when he was sleep-deprived. But Alice needed him, and there was no way Milo wouldn’t hop on his hog and be at her side.

He watched Milo take off before he headed into their room and face-planted onto one of the beds. He didn’t even bother to remove his boots. He was that tired.

* * * *

Jericho still had Ben’s earthy odor in his lungs when he entered the kitchen. His body was buzzing, and he wanted to go back outside and throw himself into Ben’s big, thick arms. The kiss they’d shared had only whet Jericho’s appetite, and he craved more.

He wanted to march into Mike’s office and tell his boss that he was newly mated and that he wanted time off for his honeymoon period with Ben. But Jericho didn’t go inside his office. He marched right into the bar and threw himself into his work.

If Jericho asked for the time, Mike would have given it to him. But it would be unpaid leave. Also, Landon wasn’t an idiot, although Jericho was starting to question that since his uncle had buried a body somewhere in their backyard.

Even so, Jericho wasn’t going to make any moves until Ben proved that he would move to Maple Grove. He couldn’t throw caution to the wind. Jericho couldn’t simply trust the guy to honor his word.

But damn if he didn’t crave to be near his mate, to feel Ben’s lips on his, the guy’s hands all over his body, Ben’s cock in his mouth.

Spotting Landon from across the room killed Jericho’s boner and made him get his head back into the game. The entire time they sat there, Ivan kept glaring Jericho’s way. The bear shifter had to know Jericho had heard them talking. Why would the guy look at him that way if he wasn’t suspicious?

“Why are you sweating so badly?” Emilio asked. “Do you need a break?”

The last thing he wanted to do was be outside and have Ivan come around the corner to confront him. All Jericho kept envisioning was a shovel and a six-foot hole.

He’d never been so glad in his life when Landon and Ivan left. Jericho felt as though he could breathe again as he shouted that it was last call. The vultures converged to the counter to get their last drink order in.

After the door was locked, Emilio and Jericho cleaned the bar—washing the glasses and closing out the register. Thankfully the kitchen had closed at midnight, so there weren’t any dishes to take in there.

Jericho waved at Emilio as he climbed into the passenger side of a Jeep and took off. Jericho had just opened his car door when he was shoved against it, his arms pulled painfully behind his back.

“I know it was you who made those paint cans fall,” Ivan snarled into his ear. “Eavesdropping isn’t a healthy hobby, little bunny.”

“I swear I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Jericho shouted in a shrill voice as his breath burst in and out of his lungs. Ivan wrenched his arms higher, causing excruciating pain to shoot through his upper body.

“I’m fucking watching you,” Ivan growled into his ear. Jericho hated that the front of the bear’s body was crushing against his back. He didn’t like the intimacy of their positions and wanted Ivan off him.

“If you even think about talking to anyone about it, I’ll make you watch me kill your boyfriend, and then I’ll tear you apart.”

The weight was gone, leaving Jericho to sag against his car. He looked all around, especially behind him, but Ivan was gone. Jericho didn’t want to go home tonight. If Ivan knew, then there was a possibility that Landon knew, too. They’d been hanging at the bar together.

What if Ivan had told Landon to bury Jericho’s body when he got home? He gripped his keys so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Jericho would rather sleep in his car than face Landon.

He gasped and spun when he heard the sound of a motorcycle growing closer. Jericho pressed a shaky hand to his mouth and forced back his tears as Ben pulled into the parking lot. He wanted to throw himself into his mate’s arms and tell him what just happened, but Ivan’s warning kept Jericho’s lips sealed.

How the hell had Ivan figured out Ben was Jericho’s boyfriend?

He cleared his throat and gave Ben a plastic smile when his mate dismounted. “What’re you doing here?”

Ben looked well-rested as he sauntered over to Jericho. “I came to steal you for the night.” Ben looked skyward and chuckled. “Or should I say for the day since it’ll be daylight soon?”

That meant Jericho wouldn’t have to go home. “Where’re we going?”

“Well, since it’s too early for breakfast, I figured you could get some shut-eye at my motel, and then we could—”

“Sounds great. Let’s go. I’ll just follow you in my car.” Jericho hopped into the driver’s seat and pulled from the parking lot, leaving Ben standing there to stare after him.

He needed time alone in his car, time to fall apart, process Ivan’s threat, and find a way to tell his mate without telling his mate. Jericho was never good at keeping secrets, and he was dying to tell Ben, but he didn’t want to get his mate killed for knowing about the dead body.

“You should just leave town with Ben and never look back.” But as Jericho drove through Maple Grove, he knew he couldn’t leave. He knew most of the residents, had grown up here, and had gone to the ice cream shop with his dad when he was little. There were too many memories for him to leave behind.

This was his home, and he wasn’t going to let Ivan run him away from it.

Jericho pulled into the motel lot and parked his car, his hands still shaking from Ivan’s threat and the way he’d yanked Jericho’s arms behind him. He rolled his shoulders as he watched Ben park next to him.

His mate opened the driver’s door and pulled Jericho from his seat. “Is everything okay?”

“I’m just exhausted.” He hated lying to his mate, but what choice did he have? He felt as though Ivan was watching him this very second, which made Jericho want to get inside Ben’s room. “Which room is yours?”

Ben took his hand and led him to the last room, the farthest one from the rental office. Jericho felt better when Ben closed the door, sealing out the rest of the world and possible prying eyes.

The room smelled a bit musty, but the beds looked comfortable as Jericho collapsed onto the closest one. Nope, not comfortable at all, but he was too tired to care. “I wanna sleep, but I need a shower,” he said against the cover.

He felt his shoes being removed and then his socks. Jericho rolled over and let Ben slide his pants off. He sat up and removed his shirt before Ben led him to the bathroom.

“I hope you’re not looking forward to a hot shower. Lukewarm is all you’re gonna get.”

At this point, Jericho didn’t care. He was with his mate, safely tucked away from his uncle and Ivan. Jericho curled against Ben, holding on to his mate as he buried his face in Ben’s neck. He was so tired of Landon’s shit, of keeping secrets, of going this alone.

“Are you sure it’s just exhaustion?” Ben curled his arms around Jericho, and Jericho felt as though he was in the safest place on the planet with Ben’s strong arms around him.

“I just need to feel you wrapped around me,” Jericho said. “Can you just hold me for a minute?”

“I can hold you for as long as you need me to.” Ben rested his head on top of Jericho’s. “Tell me what’s going on, pup.”

God how Jericho wanted to spill the beans, to lift the burden off his shoulders. But Ivan was twice Ben’s size, and Jericho feared for his mate. “I told you, I’m just tired. I must be feeling alone in the wee hours.”

Ben chuckled. “Then let’s get you into the shower and underneath the covers.”

Reluctantly, Jericho let Ben go and walked into the bathroom.

Chapter Five

“Let’s see what this one has to offer,” Ben said after he unlocked the door for his self-guided tour. The key had been in the lockbox that had dangled from the doorknob. After the realtor had texted Ben the code, Jericho and his mate had gotten dressed and headed over to the vacant house.

“I still can’t believe you’re actually looking at houses,” Jericho said as he walked through the living room. He smelled the fresh coat of paint and loved the woodwork over the fireplace. There was an actual fireplace. Jericho felt giddy because he’d always wanted one.

Ben wandered into the kitchen, and Jericho followed. The kitchen was plain, nothing to brag about, but it was spacious, and Jericho envisioned an island in the center where he and Ben could share their breakfast in the mornings.

This all felt too good to be true. Ben was keeping his word and finding a place in Maple Grove where they could live. But he also felt unsure. Ben had told him that he’d wandered the country for most of his life. Was it fair for Jericho to ask the man to finally settle down? What if Ben became restless and wanted to leave?

And why in the hell did Jericho keep worrying about things that might not happen? He needed to live in the moment and let tomorrow worry about tomorrow.

They checked out the rest of the house and ended up in the master bedroom. “Spacious,” Ben said as he moved in behind Jericho and wrapped his arms around him. “What do you think?”

“I looked out one of the windows and saw a garden,” Jericho said. He turned in Ben’s arms. “I really like this house.”

Then again, Jericho would like any house that didn’t have Landon in it. Besides, this house was in town, and Jericho could walk to wherever he wanted to go. He liked the idea of getting his exercise on.

“Look at the view from this window,” Ben said.

Jericho wasn’t looking at the outside view. He was staring at Ben’s ass. It was nicely encased in his jeans, and Jericho wanted to fall to his knees and bury his face between Ben’s ass cheeks. He’d planned on seducing his mate when he’d gotten out of the shower, but Jericho had been more tired than he’d realized and had slept a good eight hours tucked in Ben’s arms.

Now he was horny and wanted Ben’s big fat cock in his mouth. He wanted Ben to dominate him, to show him who was in charge. He wanted to cry out for Ben to fuck him as Ben slowly and seductively tortured him.

Jericho’s jeans grew a bit tight as his chewed on his lower lip.

“Did you hear me?” Ben looked over his shoulder and caught Jericho staring at his ass.

“Yes.” Jericho cleared his throat. “I think this bedroom is spacious.”

Ben turned fully around, and now Jericho was staring at the man’s groin. Too bad his mate still had his jeans on. Jericho would love an unobstructed view.

“What’s on your mind, kit?” One of Ben’s brows rose as he leaned against the window frame. Thank goodness the window was double-paned and could hold Ben’s weight.

“I was just admiring the hardwood floors.” Jericho felt himself blush. “They look shiny enough to slide across.”

“Are you talking about sliding across it with your socks on?”

Hell no. Jericho was talking about sliding across it as they fucked. He’d have to put Ben’s shirt under him since Jericho’s ass would probably get stuck if it was in direct contact with the wood. The thought made him snicker.

Ben pushed away from the window and drew closer. “Or are you thinking about gliding across it with our naked bodies?”

They were already mates. Ben had claimed Jericho in the woods. But Jericho wanted to be owned by this dominant wolf shifter. He wanted to be branded on a deeper level that would leave no doubt who he belonged to.

Jericho felt dizzy as Ben reached for his shirt and pulled it over his head. The cool air of the room made his nipples hard. Ben backed Jericho up to the wall and placed a hand on either side of him. “Take the rest of your clothes off.”

Jericho ducked from under one arm and spun around. “This is crazy. What if someone else comes to look at the house?”

“I have the key, and the door is locked. No one can get in.” Ben stalked toward him. “Now get fucking naked.”

The command in Ben’s voice had Jericho toeing his shoes off. His hands shook as he unfastened his pants and pushed them and his underwear down his legs. Lastly, he peeled his socks off.

“Aren’t you going to get naked, too?” Jericho asked.

Once again Ben backed Jericho against the wall. His lips ghosted over Jericho’s ear, his breath wisped against his skin. Jericho felt Ben’s whiskers scrape along his jaw. Jericho was trembling as he pressed his hands to Ben’s hard chest.

“Get on your knees,” Ben said into Jericho’s ear. “Suck my cock, kit.”

This was exactly what Jericho had wanted. It was as though Ben had read his mind or had the ability to see right into his soul and know his deepest desires, know what Jericho had been craving his entire life.

“Are you afraid, Jericho?” Ben said against his ear when Jericho hadn’t moved. “Do you need me to guide you, or do you want to back out of this?” Ben pressed a kiss to Jericho’s cheek. The kiss was soft, a simple whisper of lips. “Tell me what you need.”

You. I just need you.

With a shuddering breath, Jericho lowered to his knees. He worked to free Ben’s cock, and the thick length sprang free. The head was an angry blush of red, swollen and begging for Jericho’s mouth.

“Taste me.” Ben sounded as if he were fighting to keep control of himself. When Jericho looked up at his mate, Ben’s canines were showing, and he had a look of wildness and passion in his gray eyes.

Jericho used the flat of his tongue to glide up the side of Ben’s cock, and then he twirled his tongue around the pre-cum beading at the tip.

Ben hissed, and Jericho moaned. The salty flavor made Jericho’s taste buds come to life. He drew in the clear liquid, devouring it, probing for more. Ben’s hands glided through Jericho’s hair, playing with the strands, tugging them gently as Jericho took the length into his mouth.

Ben groaned a few guttural words as his hips punched forward in short bursts, fucking Jericho’s mouth with ease. This was the second craziest thing Jericho had done in his life. The first was fucking in the woods. It seemed Ben brought out the slut in him, and Jericho loved it.

He whimpered against Ben’s cock when his mate’s fingernails scraped his scalp, sending a riot of sensations through his body. Jericho pulled Ben’s jeans and underwear down to his knees then slid his fingers up the man’s thighs as Ben’s cock stretched his mouth wide.

“Best. Head. Ever.” Ben hissed and grabbed a handful of Jericho’s hair. For a fleeting moment Jericho thought Ben was referring to his actual head. He rolled his eyes when he realized what his mate was talking about.

Sucking dick.

The guy was laying on the compliments because Jericho wasn’t a pro. He’d sucked cock a handful of times in his life, and he was mediocre at best. But he thrilled at Ben’s praise as he swallowed his mate’s cock over and over again.

Ben’s thrusts grew faster. His breathing was choppy. A low, rumbling growl erupted from his chest. Jericho knew Ben was close because his dick grew impossibly thicker and harder. He cupped Ben’s balls and rolled them in his hands, giving them a slight tug.

His mate threw his head back and shouted as his cum erupted in pulsing spurts down Jericho’s throat. Jericho swallowed every drop and licked his lips when he pulled Ben’s shaft from his mouth.

“Round one,” Ben snarled. “Now for round two.”

Jericho was shocked that Ben’s cock was still rock-hard. The man had the stamina of a god. His own cock was hard and throbbing between his legs as Ben lifted him to his feet.

He pressed Jericho back against the wall. Jericho’s mate’s erection was wedged between them as Ben caged Jericho’s throat with his hand. He should have feared such dominant moves, but this was Ben, not Landon, and his mate wasn’t going to harm him.

* * * *

Ben felt the tremble of Jericho’s body as he pressed against it. His mate was so small compared to him, and all he wanted to do was protect the guy. There was no way that Jericho was just tired this morning. Something had happened while Ben had been sleeping in his motel room.

But Jericho wouldn’t tell him what was going on, and all Ben could do was prove he was there for his little bunny.

He kicked his shoes off then removed the rest of his clothing. All the while Jericho stayed with his back against the wall. Ben had gone on a hunch that his mate wanted to be dominated, and damn if Ben hadn’t been right.

“Turn around,” Ben said as he dug the lube packet from his front pocket. He used his teeth to open it while Jericho turned, giving Ben a glorious view of his mate’s ass. It was small and flared, and Ben couldn’t wait to sink his cock into it.

But first he was gonna have fun and take Jericho to the very edge before he gave his mate release. He loved how obedient Jericho was, although this was a mere game to Ben. He didn’t want to control his mate’s life. He wanted the bunny to shine under his own rainbow.

After lubing his fingers, Ben slid one into Jericho’s ass. His mate whimpered and wiggled around, but one firm hand to his hip and Jericho settled.

Ben pressed his lips against his mate’s nape and trailed kisses along one shoulder. He had to bend a bit to reach his shoulder, but Ben didn’t care. He would bend himself in half if he had to in order to bring Jericho so much pleasure.

“Oh hell,” Jericho moaned as Ben moved his finger in and out of his mate’s ass before adding a second. Jericho grabbed for the wall, as though he were trying to climb it as Ben worked the tight band of muscles.

“Where’re you going?” he teased.

“Insane,” Jericho breathed out. “Y-You’re driving me crazy.”

That was exactly what Ben wanted to do. He smirked, thankful Jericho couldn’t see it as he commanded his mate to settle back down. The little bunny was too damn easy and submissive. Ben loved it, and his wolf loved it too. His beast was panting and howling and trying to get close to the surface as Ben added a third finger in Jericho’s ass, closing his eyes at the tight squeeze around his fingers.

“Ben, please.”

Nope. He wasn’t going to rush this. Not when Jericho was so fucking beautiful when he begged and made all those crazy sex noises. They filled the room and echoed off the walls, sending ripples of pleasure through Ben as he opened his eyes.

He nipped Jericho’s shoulder. “Is my little bunny desperate?”

“Your little bunny is about to come.”

Ben snatched his fingers out of Jericho’s ass. Clearly Jericho didn’t want that to happen, because he cried out and slammed the side of his fist against the wall. “You put them back right now!”

Ben crowded Jericho, pressing his chest into his mate’s back, his cock trapped against his mate’s lower back. He fit into the crook of Ben’s body so fucking perfectly, as though he was made just for him. “How about I put my dick in there instead?”

“Please, please, please.” Jericho shoved his ass against Ben.

The little shit was driving him mad. Ben took a deep breath and calmed his raging body as he slid a hand up Jericho’s stomach. His mate’s stomach contracted and jerked under his touch as Ben purposely avoided touching Jericho’s hard cock.

He tweaked his mate’s nipples as he nipped Jericho’s nape. The guy shuddered and squirmed as he tried to press his ass against Ben again.

“Please fuck me,” Jericho keened.

And that was Ben’s undoing.

Finally having mercy on Jericho, Ben pulled back and saw the line of pre-cum from the tip of his cock to Jericho’s lower back. Motherfuck that was beautiful. His pre-cum was on his mate’s skin, glistening and marking the little bunny.

Grabbing the base of his cock, Ben lined it up and slowly inched inside him. The tight grip had his eyes rolling back as Ben grabbed Jericho’s wrists and pulled his arms above his head, trapping them as he punched his hips forward, delving deep into the heat of his mate’s body.

But the leverage wasn’t right. Jericho was too damn short. Ben eased out of Jericho’s body, turned his mate, and lifted him off his feet. Jericho instinctively curled his legs around Ben’s waist before Ben slid back into Jericho’s ass.

“Much better.” Ben kissed his way around Jericho’s neck as he thrust hard and deep, his wolf howling at the intimate connection. He had Jericho’s back against the wall, and his mate rose and fell over and over again as he clung to Ben.

Jericho’s ass was like a fist around Ben’s cock, and the tight band of muscles jacked him off as Ben pistoned into him. He held Jericho close to him, burying his face in the nape of his mate’s neck, cherishing the fact that fate had given the shifter to him, that Ben had found him.

He sank his canines into Jericho’s shoulder as his mate cried out. Ben’s cock pulsed deep in Jericho’s ass as he pulled his teeth free and licked the wound.

Ben kept Jericho folded in his arms, inhaling his wild scent as he kissed his temple.

“Now we have to get this house,” Jericho said between pants. “We just christened it.”

Ben chuckled. “I guess we do.”

After they dressed, they went through the house again. Ben really liked it. The flooring throughout was hardwood, and he especially loved the breakfast nook and the French doors that led to the backyard. There was a free-standing garage, and behind that were a dozen trees that lent to shade and made the property seem more intimate and private.

There was even a tire swing hanging from one tree.

Ben finally felt as though he’d found a place he could settle down in. It just felt…right. What he hadn’t told Jericho was that Ben was looking to buy, not rent. Owning a home would solidify his life in Maple Grove.

“I think we can work wonders in this kitchen.” Ben was talking about renovating, but his mate must’ve thought he was talking about cooking.

“I’m okay at cooking,” Jericho said. “I hope you can do better than me.”

Ben wasn’t a gourmet chef, but he got by with a few of his mother’s recipes, which she’d taught him to cook when he was younger. He recalled spending endless hours kneeling on a chair, his hands folded under his chin as he rested his head on the counter and watched her. When he was old enough, around five, she put him to work, teaching him how to make pot roasts and meatloaf and all the comfort foods a person could want.

His chest ached as he thought of his parents. He missed them so fucking much.

Ben looked at Jericho, who was peering out the French doors. He wanted to create that kind of memory with his bunny. He wanted to snuggle on winter mornings or make pumpkin pies for the holidays. Ben wanted to create a life with Jericho, and he couldn’t wait to get started.

Chapter Six

That evening Jericho dropped Ben off at his motel and drove home for a change of clothes. He didn’t plan on staying at the house long, but Jericho also wanted to know who was buried in his backyard.

Every instinct in him had told him to bring Ben with him, but Jericho couldn’t take that risk. He would be devastated if anything happened to his mate.

And he was still riding his high of spending his entire day with his mate. Ben was charming, funny, and sexy as fuck. Jericho couldn’t find a bad thing about him.

And he’d been looking.

His mate had even treated him to dinner at the diner, and then they went for a long drive down country roads. Jericho had never really given motorcycles a second thought, but now he was addicted to riding on them.

He eased the side door open and crept inside, praying Landon wasn’t home. Jericho quickly packed a gym bag with not only clothes but hygiene products, too. He slung the bag over his shoulder and headed out the door. But once he tossed the bag into the backseat, Jericho looked toward the backyard.

Landon wasn’t home. This was the perfect time for Jericho to find out who was buried back there. He looked around before he hurried behind the garage and explored. Jericho doubted his uncle buried the body close to the house, so he walked deeper into the woods, looking for disturbed ground.

He wasn’t sure how long he’d been out there searching when he heard someone talking. Jericho ducked behind a tree and held his breath as the voices drew closer.

“He has to be around here somewhere,” Landon said. “His car is in the driveway, but he’s not in the house.”

Jericho cursed under his breath. He should have waited before he’d come back here. It was too soon, and Landon was probably too spooked not to continually check on the grave.

“Find him,” Ivan snarled. “If he’s out here, we’ll deal with him.”

“Are you talking about killing my nephew?” Landon sounded shocked.

“He can’t run to the cops, Landon. If he tells the sheriff that we buried the mayor’s son, we’re finished.”

Jericho slapped a hand over his mouth. He didn’t know the mayor well enough, nor his son Robert. But there was one thing the residents of Maple Grove knew. Robbie was Mayor Thornton’s entire world. Ted worshiped the ground Robbie walked on.

Why the fuck had Ivan killed Robbie? From what very little Jericho knew about the guy, Robbie was a sweet man who was uber polite to people and went out of his way to help at the church bake sales. He also volunteered at the children’s hospital one town over in Falls Bend.

Then again, everyone had secrets they didn’t show the world. Maybe Robbie wasn’t as shiny as a new penny like he led everyone to believe.

Even so, he didn’t deserve to be buried in an unmarked grave, and Mayor Thornton didn’t deserve to not know what had happened to his only child. The guy had already lost his wife to a car accident the year before.

This was going to kill Ted, but Jericho didn’t want to be the one to tell him. He would find a way to tell Sheriff Copache and let the sheriff break the bad news.

Just as soon as he got away from Landon and Ivan.

Jericho had no choice but to shift. That was the only way he could sneak from the woods without either man seeing him. Thank goodness he’d left his wallet and keys in his car.

He wasn’t sure what to do about his cell phone, though. Jericho would just have to carry it in his mouth.

Taking a step back from the tree, Jericho set his phone on the ground before he shifted. Once in his bunny form, he grabbed his phone and quickly hopped away, avoiding twigs or anything else that would make noise.

He froze behind a bush when he heard footsteps moving past him. All Jericho had to do was make it to his car, and then he was never coming back here, at least not without Ben. Ivan was on to him, and Jericho would be buried next to Robbie if the bear shifter got his hands on him.

He waited another heartbeat before he ran from under the bushes and bolted toward his car. When he looked behind him, Landon and Ivan were still searching the woods, their backs turned to him.

Jericho made it to his car, shifted, grabbed his phone from the ground, and then eased his car door open.

He didn’t take time to breathe. Jericho started his car and reversed down the driveway, sitting buck-ass naked in his seat as he pointed the nose of his car toward town. He drove straight to Ben’s motel room, stopping long enough to dig some clothes out and dress.

By the time he made it to his mate, Jericho was a quivering mess. He sat there shaking with the knowledge that Ivan letting him live wouldn’t last long. The polar bear would be on the hunt for Jericho.

Taking a deep breath, Jericho got out of his car and headed for Ben’s room. To hell with Landon and Ivan and the fucked-up bullshit they’d inadvertently pulled Jericho into. He was about to tell Ben everything.

And pray his mate didn’t walk away from the mess Jericho was in.

* * * *

Ben had just gotten out of the shower when someone knocked on his door. He walked to it and opened it to find Jericho on the other side. His smile faded when he saw the freaked-out look in his mate’s eyes.

“What’s going on?” Ben closed the door behind Jericho, hoping his mate didn’t shut him out again.

“We need to talk, and afterward, if you want to walk away from me, I completely understand.” Jericho took a seat at the wobbly table and tucked his hands between his knees. “Then again, me telling you this could get you killed.”

Ben removed his towel and dressed before he took a seat in the opposite chair. He scooted it close to his mate and took Jericho’s small hands in his. “Whatever it is, we’ll get through this together.”

Jericho gave a nervous chuckle as he looked toward the window. “You make it sound like I’ve been diagnosed with some disease.”

Ben hadn’t meant to sound that way, but he wanted Jericho to know that, no matter what his mate said, he wasn’t going anywhere. If anything, Ben wanted to protect the guy from all the ugly in the world.

“I live with my uncle. His name is Landon…” Jericho talked for the next half-hour, and when he told Ben about the abuse, Ben had to force his anger down. His heart broke for Jericho, but he also wanted to remove Landon’s head from his shoulders.

The guy was fucking family, and he’d abuse such a beautiful creature. Ben would never understand abuse. What right did one person have to hurt another? Landon should have cherished his nephew, should have appreciated the role he’d been given as mentor.

He wasn’t going to allow Jericho to step foot back in that house. If his mate needed his things, Ben would gather them, and hopefully not gut Landon in the process.

But the insanity wasn’t over. Not when Jericho told him about the body Landon and his buddy had buried. How Ivan knew Jericho was on to them and how the bear shifter had threatened Jericho the morning Ben had been late getting to the bar.

“He said he would make me watch him kill you.” Jericho wiped at his nose. “Then he would kill me.”

Ben’s canines elongated. “Ivan is nothing more than a bully who uses his size and menacing personality to control people,” Ben said.

“But people are afraid of him,” Jericho said. “Including me.”

Ben pulled his mate into his arms and curled his arms around him. “As far as your uncle goes, you never have to worry about him again. You’re staying here with me until the paperwork on the house is complete.”

Jericho looked up at him in shock. “You’re buying the house?”

“What better way to show you that I’m not going anywhere?” Ben asked. “And as far as Ivan, you’re not leaving my side, pup. But we have to be smart about this. We can’t just accuse him of murder without any proof.”

“How do we get proof?”

That was a damn good question that Ben didn’t have an answer to. “We’ll figure it out. But in the meantime, you’re sticking to me like glue.”

Jericho rested his head on Ben’s shoulder. “I’m sorry to put all this on you. I know it’s more than you bargained for.”

That wasn’t what had Ben’s stomach twisting and him fighting to maintain his composure. Jericho was innocent in all this, and he’d been dragged into this bullshit. Ben shuddered at the thought of Jericho not making it out of there when Ivan and Landon had been searching for him. Things could have ended so badly. “Promise me you’ll never put yourself in harm’s way again.”

“I wasn’t trying to in the first place,” Jericho argued. “But I had to know who was buried back there.”

His mate’s big heart and curiosity was gonna get him killed.

Ben rested his forehead against the side of Jericho’s head. “That’s why I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

“But Ivan is gonna be gunning for me. He’s a nasty piece of work who won’t bat an eye at running us off the road or throwing a grenade through our window.”

Ben frowned. Jericho had quite the imagination. Since the bear shifter was hell-bent on keeping what he’d done on the down low, Ben highly doubted the guy would come after them out in the open.

“Why don’t we get some sleep and we’ll pick this up in the morning?” Ben set his mate aside and stood. He wanted to calm Jericho’s nerves by acting calm and casual, but there was no way he was getting any sleep tonight.

When Jericho crawled into bed, Ben’s phone rang. He saw it was Milo calling him. “I have to take this. I’ll be just outside the door.”

Ben stepped outside and closed the door behind him. “Hey, how’s Alice doing?”

“She’s in critical condition.” Milo sounded worn out. The poor guy hadn’t had any sleep in two days. Ben wished to god he could be there for his best friend. There wouldn’t be much he could do, but at least Milo would have someone at his side, some kind of support while he dealt with this.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Ben felt lame saying that, but what else could he say? “What do the doctors say?”

“They want to wait until the brain swelling goes down. They don’t want to make any predictions before then.”

Brain swelling? Ben didn’t know much about medicine, especially when it came to humans, but even he knew she had a fight on her hands.

“There’s something else,” Milo said through a strained voice. “Fuck, Ben. She’s got a kid. Why didn’t she tell me she had a kid? I haven’t seen her in two years, but I thought we were fucking closer than that. How could she get pregnant and have a baby and not tell me?”

Ben was blown away by the news. Alice hadn’t had an easy life, but she’d always confided in her stepbrother.

“I don’t know, man,” Ben said. “I honestly can’t tell you why she withheld that from you. When she gets better she can explain that to you.”

Milo sucked in a breath, as though pulling his shit together. “How’s things on your end?”

Ben normally told Milo everything considering they lived together and rode together. But he wasn’t laying his shit on Milo’s lap. The guy was already dealing with too much. “It’s cool. I’m in the process of buying a house.”

“No shit.” Milo chuckled. “The infamous Benjamin Calloway is actually settling down?”

“Shut the fuck up.” Ben grinned. “And you’re staying with me and Jericho until you get your own place.”

“Sounds good.” Milo sounded somber again.

“Don’t pull that shit with me,” Ben snarled.

“What’re you talking about?”

“Whenever you say ‘sounds good’ that means you aren’t going to do whatever it is, Milo. You think I don’t know you by now. I’ll ride all the way to Kentucky to kidnap your ass if I have to.”

“Look, you’re newly mated. I’m not gonna move in with you guys. I’ll come back to Maple Grove, but I’ll stay at the motel until I find a place to rent.”

Ben didn’t like the sound of that. Renting meant a temporary stay. He didn’t argue with Milo. The guy already had too much on his plate at the moment. But when his best friend got to town, Ben would make sure the guy stuck around.

“I’m gonna go get some shut-eye in her room. I’ll keep you updated,” Milo said. “I’m fucking beat.”

“Make sure you call me,” Ben said. “I meant it, Milo. If you go off the grid, I’m coming there.”

“I’ll call later.” Milo hung up.

Ben went back into the room to find Jericho asleep. He wasn’t tired. In fact, Ben was wired up. If he’d been alone, he would have gone for a long ride. But Ben wasn’t leaving Jericho by himself when he had a polar bear out to get him.

He looked at the time on his phone and saw it was only ten. Ben hadn’t asked Jericho if his mate had to work tonight, and he wasn’t waking Jericho to find out.

First thing tomorrow Ben would find a way to have a clandestine meeting with the sheriff of this town. If he could get the guy to believe him, they had to come up with a way to get Ivan to confess without Ivan killing anyone in the process.

* * * *

Ben sat across from Jericho in the diner and wondered how his mate was such a strong man after the life he’d endured with his uncle. Jericho still seemed optimistic. His mate sat there with a smile on his face as his lips moved while he silently looked over the menu.

Ben’s heart did a couple flips and a smile tugged at his lips at how adorable the little bunny was. He was falling hard for Jericho. Ben had to be because he was turning his life upside down just to be with the guy. He’d never done that for anyone before. Ben had also never had his emotions tugging in all different directions, either.

On the one hand, Ben wanted to keep Jericho locked in their room so Ivan couldn’t get to him. On the other, he loved watching Jericho mingle with the people he knew in town, loved watching his face light up as he laughed, and adored the fuck out of the dimples that popped whenever he smiled.

Ben no longer felt as if a part of him was missing, as if he had to ride his hog throughout the country to feel whole. Every time he looked at Jericho, Ben’s insides filled with hope and dreams and all the warm and fuzzy things he’d never known existed.

Even his wolf no longer felt restless. His beast was resting and content. Which reminded him that he needed to let him out for a run, and soon.

“Hey, Moose,” Jericho said when the waiter approached their table.

“How’re you doing, squirt?” Moose grinned as he poured them some coffee.

“Did Mike call you?” Jericho asked.

Who the fuck is Mike? Ben wondered.

“Yeah, and we had a long talk about ‘you know what.’” Moose looked around. “I’m not trying to cut into his sales. I was just angry about Emilio. I hope I didn’t get you into trouble.”

“No trouble,” Jericho said. “He was pissed but understood.”

“I’m Ben Calloway.” Ben stuck his hand out and introduced himself since he felt like a third wheel in this conversation. “I’m Jericho’s mate,” he said in a lower voice.

“Glad to meet you.” Moose shook his hand. For a giant, the guy’s grip was gentle. “Sheriff Copache is my mate.”

It was as if luck had just fallen into Ben’s lap. He now saw a way to speak to the sheriff with Ivan being none the wiser. Ben would just have to wait to talk to Moose. Not only was the guy busy, but he didn’t want to throw the situation in Moose’s lap when he didn’t have time to sit down and talk.

When the waiter walked away, Ben grabbed a napkin and a pen from the counter and scribbled his number on it, along with a message that it was urgent Moose contact him.

Ben took the napkin to his table and enjoyed the rest of the meal with his mate. They were heading back to the house Ben was in the process of purchasing for another look.

When Ben paid the bill, he walked by Moose and shoved the napkin into the man’s large hand before he walked out of the door with Jericho at his side.

Chapter Seven

Jericho paced the motel room after Ben had spoken on the phone with Moose. The giant was supposed to drive there with his mate, and Jericho couldn’t calm down after the phone call.

He didn’t know the new sheriff and prayed the guy wasn’t anything like his predecessor. Sheriff Chuck Archer had swept a lot of crap under the rug, including Jericho’s abuse. The guy liked wearing the badge more than he liked doing his job.

Was Sheriff Copache the same way? It was hard for Jericho to imagine that he was corrupt considering how sweet Moose was. Jericho couldn’t imagine Moose letting his mate get away with anything shady.

“Goddammit, where is he?” Jericho looked out the window for the hundredth time. He couldn’t get Ivan’s threat out of his head. What if the bear shifter pulled up once Moose and his mate arrived and killed them all in a hail of bullets?

“You need to relax.” Ben moved in behind him and curled his arms around Jericho. “Everything is gonna work out. You’ll see.”

All kinds of horrible scenarios were playing in Jericho’s head. Why the fuck did he have to investigate those voices? Why hadn’t he minded his own business?

Because you didn’t want that unknown person to lie buried in your backyard.

His stupid big heart was gonna get him killed. But at least the mayor would have closure, even if his entire world was about to be ripped apart.

Again.

Jericho felt sorry for Mayor Thornton. He’d lost his wife and now his only child. The thought made Jericho seethe at what Ivan had done, and he wanted justice.

Jericho just didn’t want to die for it.

“How can I relax when I know what’s about to happen?” Jericho asked. “We’re about to shatter the mayor’s world and snitch on a very nasty polar bear who will come after us when he finds out what we’ve done.”

“I’m not gonna let anything happen to you.” Ben slid a hand down to Jericho’s button and unfastened his pants. The zipper had come down next, and before Jericho could suck in a breath, Ben had grabbed his cock.

He didn’t argue that this wasn’t the appropriate time. Jericho didn’t grab Ben’s wrist and yank it away.

Jericho did none of that. He needed the distraction, the release, something that would calm him down.

He dropped his head back against Ben’s strong chest and punched his hips forward into the tight fist. Jericho reached up and curled his arms around Ben’s neck, holding on for dear life as Ben stroked him feverishly and placed kisses along Jericho’s jaw.

A whimper escaped Jericho when Ben pulled his hand away. He spat into his hand and then brought it back to circle around Jericho’s cock. The added moisture made Jericho cry out as his ass clenched and his balls drew up close. He was careening toward his orgasm, almost there, but it was just out of his reach.

“I see I need to amp this up,” Ben growled into his ear.

Ben’s beard scraped along his jaw, and Jericho shivered. He had no clue what his mate was talking about until Ben probed a single finger into Jericho’s ass.

That was the extra edge he needed. Jericho threw his head back and shouted as spurts of cum shot from his cock. Ben milked him for every drop before his hand slowed. Jericho slumped against mate, feeling so languid that he wanted to crawl into bed.

“Better?” Ben kissed his ear.

“You have the hands of a god,” Jericho murmured just as a knock landed on the door. He stuffed his cock back into his pants as Ben moved from behind him and looked out the peephole.

Ben glanced over his shoulder, his gaze falling on Jericho’s crotch. Satisfied that Jericho was decent, he opened the door. In walked Moose and Sheriff Copache, who wasn’t in his uniform.

The sheriff had on a plaid shirt with his sleeves rolled to his elbows. He wore a faded pair of jeans and cowboy boots, and he and Moose moved out of the way so Ben could close the door.

Ben introduced himself to Copache, who insisted on being called Grayson. Next Jericho shook the man’s hand and was glad the guy had a gentle grip. It told him that Grayson was a good man. The one time Jericho had shaken Sheriff Archer’s hand, the grip was so firm that Jericho swore the guy had tried to break his fingers.

Grayson also had kind gray eyes, the same stormy color as Ben’s.

“Okay, now that we’re here, do you mind telling me what’s going on?” Grayson asked.

Jericho knew Ben hadn’t said a word on the phone. He hadn’t wanted to take any chances.

Grayson and Moose took a seat at the wobbly table as Jericho and Ben sat on the closest bed. “You’ve had a murder in your town,” Ben said. “I already know who the victim is and who did it.”

Grayson scrubbed a hand down his face. “Not another murder,” he grumbled. “But at least I don’t have to figure out who the culprit is.”

Ben sat there and explained everything to the human. Moose’s eyes darkened as he glanced at Jericho when Ben told them about the threat Ivan had given him, along with Ivan nearly breaking Jericho’s arms in half as he delivered the threat.

But Grayson’s eyes widened and his jaw fell when Ben told him about Robbie. The sheriff cursed as he entwined his fingers and looked down at them.

“So let me guess,” Grayson said as his jaw clenched. “Since Ivan is a shifter, I can’t arrest him. You guys have to handle this and take him to…” He looked at Moose. “What was that place called again?”

“The underworld,” Moose supplied as he reached over and took one of Grayson’s hands in his. The sheriff looked adoringly at his mate. Jericho looked at Ben, who was studying him.

“What?” Jericho asked.

“Just making sure you’re holding up okay.”

Jericho blushed as he remembered the hand job moments before. He leaned into his mate, and Ben curled an arm around him, tucking him into his side.

“I want to come up with a plan,” Ben said to Grayson. “I don’t want anything to happen to Jericho.”

Grayson sat up straight. “I’ve heard of Ivan Carugo. One of my deputies had run-ins with him on more than one occasion. I’ve also met Robert Thornton. From what I could tell, he was a good kid.”

“Kid?” Moose looked at Grayson before he turned his attention to Jericho. “How old was he?”

Jericho shrugged. “I think he was in his early twenties.”

“You’ve called the right guy,” Moose said. “I have background in black ops. Deputy Christopher and I used to work together, so I’ll get him involved in this case. He’s a coyote shifter and knows how to handle things like this with a delicate hand.”

Jericho felt horrible for being glad that he wouldn’t have to deal with this anymore. Not directly. He didn’t like handing off Robbie to someone else but was relieved the sheriff and Moose had believed them.

“I’m sorry Chuck Archer swept your abuse under the rug,” Grayson said. “How do you want me to handle this? Do you want your uncle brought in for domestic violence? Say the word and I’ll haul his ass in.”

Jericho shook his head as fear made his heart thunder. He didn’t want to be labeled as a victim. He didn’t want what Landon had done to him to be known throughout town. Jericho just wanted everything Landon had done to him to fade away.

“If you bust Ivan, you’ll bust Landon, too,” Jericho said. “He was the one who buried the body. There has to be some kind of way to put him in the underworld, too, right?”

Moose shrugged. “That’s up to the Ultionem, but once I let them know how he’s treated you, I don’t think they’ll hesitate to sentence him.”

Jericho’s stomach rolled. He felt sick as he sat there thinking about everything. The ball was set into motion, and now Ivan would pay for what he’d done, but Jericho still feared retaliation.

“You two stay safe,” Grayson said. “We’ll handle things from here.”

“I’ll be able to scent Robbie’s body,” Moose said. “We’ll get him to his father and make Ivan and Landon pay for their crimes.”

When the two left, Jericho sagged against Ben. “I wish I’d never gone outside that night.”

“But you did the right thing by telling me, pup.” Ben used his fingers to grip Jericho’s chin and lift his head. “Robbie deserves better.”

Jericho sighed. Ben was right, but that didn’t make him any less afraid of what Ivan would do.

* * * *

“They said to stay put,” Jericho strongly protested as Ben grabbed their bags.

“No, they said to stay safe,” Ben corrected. “And staying in one spot for too long isn’t safe, pup. Ivan’ll eventually find us, and I’d rather not be here when he does.”

Ben hated the fact that he couldn’t go to Jericho’s house, knock on the door, and kill whoever answered. He was still pissed as fuck that Landon had been abusing Jericho all this time. The guy might not have committed the murder, but in Ben’s eyes, Landon was just as guilty.

“So where are we going?” Jericho bounced from foot to foot, looking as though he’d pass out at any second.

Ben didn’t blame his mate for being afraid. He was a bunny shifter, after all. They were timid creatures who avoided this kind of mess at all costs.

But Ben was a wolf shifter, and he wanted to be on the hunting party, badly. He wanted to find Ivan and rip the bastard apart. He wanted to watch the life bleed from Ivan’s eyes as Ben slowly choked the fuck out of him.

He stored their belongings in his saddlebag and straddled his bike, starting it as he waited for Jericho to climb on. It took two attempts before his mate was seated behind him, then Ben took off, heading toward town.

The only place he knew to take Jericho was back to Montana, but he wasn’t going to ride that far. He wasn’t going to take his mate from the only home he’d ever known.

So Ben headed toward the house he was purchasing. They could stay there. What was the realtor going to do, call the cops because they were squatting? Ben seriously doubted Sheriff Copache would arrest him.

In fact, he planned on telling the sheriff where they were. He reeved his motorcycle, pressing his hand over Jericho’s. Ben loved when his mate was wrapped around him. He loved how Jericho felt at his back. Ben had never let anyone ride bitch until he’d met his mate.

He still couldn’t believe he was actually settling down, actually buying a house. And he most definitely still couldn't believe he’d found his mate. That was still giving him a head trip.

Ben had been alive for over two hundred and fifty years. He’d been alone so long that none of this seemed real. He wanted to ask Jericho to pinch him to make sure that it was.

He felt giddy and terrified in the same breath. On the one hand, finding his mate was a dream come true. On the other, he was scared out of his mind that Ivan would find a way to get to Jericho when Ben wasn’t looking. He wanted to shove Jericho in a closet and keep him in there until this fucked-up situation was resolved.

At the first streetlight that led into town, Ben stopped and waited for it to turn green. It was late evening, and people were still out on the street, either driving by or strolling to wherever they were going.

Ben studied the small town as he drove through the green light. Now that he was about to become a resident, he looked at Maple Grove in a whole new light. The quaint shops and the homes had an appeal he’d never seen in any other town before.

There was a blend of upscale houses and not-so-great ones. And there were even some impressive-looking estates. The vehicles on the street were a blend of craptastic and brand-knew.

But what he loved most of all was the fact that nonhumans lived there, too.

Ben hooked a left and drove down their street, gazing at their soon-to-be neighbors. The neighborhood was set in the upscale part of town, with manicured lawns and nice cars, and he sniffed the air when he smelled someone barbecuing.

He finally felt as though he’d found a home, and what made it perfect was the little bunny shifter hugging him tightly. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for Jericho. Nothing. Ben wanted to give his mate the life he truly deserved, free of abuse and breaking his back at the bar.

If he could talk Jericho into quitting, Ben planned on doing just that.

Ben stopped in the driveway and used the code to get the key from the lockbox that hung from the door handle. The realtor hadn’t removed it yet, which was beneficial to Ben and Jericho. He and his mate walked into the house.

“Stay right here while I pull my bike into the garage.” Ben gave Jericho a quick kiss before he headed into the garage, used the button to open it, then drove his bike inside, sealing it behind the bay door.

“I’m still in love with this house,” Jericho said when Ben entered the kitchen from the garage. “It’s charming.”

Ben grinned, remembering how “charming” the bedroom had been the last time they’d been there. “We can sleep in our animal forms to make us more comfortable.”

Jericho arched a brow. “You’re just trying to get me naked.”

“That I am.” Ben pulled Jericho into his arms. “Is it working, handsome?”

He felt the nervous vibe coming off Jericho in waves. His mate was terrified, but Ben would try his best to calm Jericho’s nerves.

“It is, but I’m starving, Ben. I want to get something to eat, but I’m afraid of being seen in town.”

Ben pulled out his phone while still keeping one arm curled around his mate. “Hey, Moose,” he said when the bear shifter answered. “It’s Ben.”

“Are you in trouble?” Moose asked.

“In trouble of starving,” Ben said. “We moved to the house I’m purchasing.” Ben gave him the address. “Do you think you could drop some food off here?”

“I’ll send Russell,” he said. “He’s a real good friend. I’m sending him because I stick out like a sore thumb and you don’t want anyone knowing you’re there. Besides, he does handyman work, and no one will think anything of him coming by.”

That was smart thinking. “Thanks.”

“I’m gonna let you go,” Moose said. “We’re closing in on Robbie’s grave.”

Ben’s wolf snarled to be a part of the action, but his first priority was keeping Jericho safe. “Let me know how it goes down.”

“You got it.” Moose hung up.

“Do you know Russell?” Ben asked.

Jericho nodded. “He’s been at my house twice to do some work. He’s a really nice guy, and he’s also a cheetah shifter.”

That made Ben feel better knowing a shifter was coming by.

He went around the house to make sure all the windows and doors were locked before walking back into the kitchen to find Jericho looking through the cupboards and drawers.

“I’m pretty sure you won’t find anything in them.” Ben smiled.

“I’m just checking out the space we have. There’s like, a thousand drawers, and did you see the deep pantry?”

Ben shook his head. How had he missed that when he’d been through this house three times already? He strode across the kitchen as Jericho pushed a panel on the wall. It was more like a secret room as Ben stepped inside. There were shelves on either side of him, and the width of the room allowed him plenty of space to walk without feeling cramped.

He turned on the overhead light and saw there was a handle on the inside of the door, so he used it to close them in.

“Cozy,” he said as he wiggled his brows. “We could sneak in here during dinner parties and fool around.”

Ben couldn’t believe he’d said that. He’d never had a dinner party in his life.

Jericho’s green eyes lit up. “I like the sound of that. We can invite Moose and his mate over, and Emilio and his mate, too. We could have a backyard barbeque to make our house feel more like a home.”

The thought made Ben’s chest feel tight. They had real friends they could invite over. That made him miss Milo, and Ben wondered how things were going. He’d have to call his friend tonight and check on him to see how Alice was doing.

He didn’t care how much Milo protested. When his friend got back to town, Milo was moving in with them until he got a place of his own. The house had three bedrooms, and Milo would be using one of them.

The sound of the doorbell brought Ben from his thoughts. He highly doubted Ivan would ring it, but he erred on the side of caution.

“Stay right here until I see who it is.”

Jericho nodded. He grabbed Ben and pulled him down for a quick kiss. “Be careful.”

He pressed his hand against Jericho’s jaw. “Always.”

Chapter Eight

When Jericho first discovered the pantry, he’d been thrilled at a hidden room and had wondered if there were any more in the house. But now that he was in there by himself while Ben answered the door, the room felt as though it was closing in on him.

He pressed his ear to the door and heard Ben’s deep voice. It didn’t sound like a fight had broken out, so Jericho eased the door open just a tad.

“This is a nice place,” Russell said. “I did some work on it a few years back when Derek Mitchell bought the property.”

Jericho emerged, smiling and inhaling the scent of Chinese food. His stomach rumbled as he closed the pantry door behind him. Ben and Russell entered the kitchen, and Russell smiled when he saw him.

“Hey, Jericho. How’re things going?”

“Things will improve once you hand over that food.” Jericho reached for the bags, and Russell handed them to him. Not only were there containers of food inside, but utensils, napkins, and sodas. The guy had thought of it all.

“I also brought some blankets and pillows.” Russell chucked a thumb over his shoulder. “Moose didn’t tell me what was going on, but he said you guys would need them.”

Jericho was gonna hug the fuck out of Moose when he saw the guy. But at the moment, Jericho was gonna eat. He set everything on the counters, happy there was still some sunlight left. Jericho doubted they would be able to turn any lights on since the house was supposed to be empty.

Ben lifted him up and set him on the counter as his mate leaned against it, riffling through the containers. Jericho grabbed the ham fried rice and stuffed his face.

“I wasn’t sure what you guys liked, so I got a variety of food.” Russell grabbed a fortune cookie and opened it as he asked, “So what kind of trouble are you two in?” He looked up at Ben. “If you don’t mind me asking.” He waved the tiny fortune paper and snorted. “It says that I’ll die alone and poorly dressed.” He looked down at himself. “I think I’m dressed rather nicely.”

Jericho reached for a cookie and cracked it open, extracting his fortune. He frowned.

“What does it say?” Ben asked. He was eating what looked like chicken teriyaki, but there were so many vegetables that Jericho couldn’t tell.

“It says the greatest danger could be your stupidity.” Jericho tossed the paper aside. “Who the hell owns the restaurant? Some wiseass?”

“I’m pretty sure the cookies come with the fortunes when he buys them, but I can’t be certain,” Russell said.

“Grab one,” Jericho said to Ben. “I want to see what your fortune is. Hopefully it’s better than mine.”

Jericho shoved a forkful of rice into his mouth as he waited for Ben to pull his paper out.

Ben looked down at his food with furrowed brows. “It says that wasn’t chicken.”

Jericho hooted with laughter as Russell chuckled. Ben poked at his food, shrugged, and picked the container back up, taking a big bite. “Whatever it is, it’s fucking good,” he mumbled with a mouthful.

“Next time I’ll have to bring my mate,” Russell said. “Kenny always gets a kick out of the fortunes. Though his brother, Steven, believes they’re true. He still thinks someone is going to invite him to a karaoke party.”

Jericho knew who Steven was. He’d met the guy a few times at the diner, and Steven seemed…special. He was a happy guy whose train didn’t seem to stop at all stations, but he was handsome and funny, and Jericho always loved talking to him.

He was also glad they’d left the motel. Being in their house felt more intimate and relaxing, and this wouldn’t be the last time Russell was invited over.

Add another couple to your list for your first dinner party. The thought thrilled Jericho. He wanted Ben to see how great Maple Grove was and how they could have a great life here.

Just as soon as Ivan and Landon were dealt with.

Russell tossed his cookie and fortune into the makeshift trash Jericho had made with the bag the food had come in. “I’m gonna get back to my mate. Let me know if you guys need anything.” Before he left the kitchen, he looked over his shoulder. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me what’s going on?”

“Well, you did feed us,” Jericho said while still sitting on the counter, so he gave Russell the condensed version of everything. Of course he left out the part about his uncle abusing him. That was none of the cheetah shifter’s business.

And quite frankly, Jericho was embarrassed by it.

Russell’s brows were by his hairline. “Fuck. That’s messed up. I know who Ivan is. I’ll keep my eye out for him.”

Ben shook his head. “Thanks, but you don’t have to. You’ve done enough already, and it was much appreciated.”

“Not a problem.” Russell waved as he walked out.

Ben left the kitchen for a moment, and Jericho assumed it was to lock the door.

When he returned, he settled between Jericho’s legs. He ran his hands up Jericho’s thighs. “You good and fed?”

There was a deep rumble of pleasure in Ben’s voice, and his stormy gray eyes were heavy-lidded. Jericho set his container aside and licked the flavor from his lips. “Good and fed. Now, what do you want to do since I’m not sleepy?”

Ben buried his face in Jericho’s neck and nibbled and licked his way across. “I can think of a few things we can do to occupy our time.”

Jericho’s stomach fluttered and his cock thickened as Ben’s hands kept rubbing up and down his thighs, growing closer and closer to Jericho’s denim-covered cock.

“Like what?” Jericho knew what the hell Ben had on his mind, but he wanted to hear his mate say it, and he also didn’t want Ben to stop assaulting his neck with those soft lips. The shadow of Ben’s beard scraped along Jericho’s skin, making him shiver as he waited for Ben’s reply.

When Ben pulled back and looked at him, Jericho wanted to know everything about the guy. Where had he grown up? What was his childhood like? How had he met Milo?

Jericho frowned. “Where’s your friend?”

It just dawned on him that he hadn’t seen Milo around since the first day.

“He headed to Kentucky because his sister was in a car accident.” Ben wouldn’t stop rubbing Jericho’s thighs, as though he needed the contact.

“Is she okay?”

Ben shrugged. “I’m hoping she comes out of her coma. She had brain trauma, so the doctors won’t know much until the brain swelling goes down.”

It struck Jericho that Ben should’ve gone with his friend instead of sticking around town. But he knew the answer without having to ask. Ben had stuck around because of Jericho.

“Don’t even.” Ben gave a small growl.

“Don’t what?”

“Look guilty that I didn’t go with him.” He wiggled a finger in front of Jericho’s face. “I see the guilty look in your gorgeous-ass eyes. If Milo really needed me, he’d tell me.”

Jericho wasn’t sure about that. Milo had to have known Ben had found his mate. The guy probably didn’t want to take Ben away. Jericho mentally hoped the sister pulled through.

“Change of subject,” Ben said as he worked his hands around to Jericho’s ass and squeezed. “You’re overdressed.”

Jericho pressed his hands on either side of him on the counter and lifted his bottom when Ben unsnapped his jeans and lowered his zipper. Ben pulled down Jericho’s pants and underwear, taking them completely off once he’d removed Jericho’s shoes and socks.

“Much better.” Ben nodded in approval. “Get that shirt off, pup.”

“So bossy.” Jericho tugged his shirt over his head and tossed it aside, grimacing when it landed on Ben’s open container of chicken and veggies.

“I was done with it anyway.” Ben was back between Jericho’s legs, and Jericho reveled in the smell of his mate. He could sit there and sniff the guy all night. That was how good he smelled.

And all those muscles were wrapped around him, holding Jericho as Ben went back to nuzzling his neck. Only this time he curled his fingers around Jericho’s cock and slowly stroked it as his tongue worked magic on Jericho’s skin.

Jericho couldn’t handle Ben still wearing clothes. He grabbed at his mate’s shirt and pulled until Ben finally bought a clue and moved back so Jericho could take it off.

“Needy?” Ben asked with a smile.

“Needy as fuck,” Jericho admitted. “Wanna feel your skin against mine.”

As soon as Jericho said that, Ben stripped naked. Fuck, it didn’t matter how many times he saw his mate in the nude, Jericho was always impressed with his exquisite body. He had miles of muscles that Jericho wanted to lick every inch of.

Ben dragged his lips over Jericho’s shoulder, and then his mate took a hard nip of his skin. Jericho squeaked and slapped at Ben’s arm.

The deep, resounding chuckle vibrated against Jericho’s shoulder. “Too rough?”

“Just didn’t expect it.”

Ben grabbed his jeans and pulled out a small packet of lube. Jericho was starting to suspect the guy had a box of them in his saddlebag, for which he was grateful.

“Scoot your ass to the edge.”

Jericho scooted forward. He spread his legs as he watched Ben rip open the packet with his teeth. The man’s cock was just as hard as Jericho’s was, with beads of pre-cum at the slit.

Ben wet his fingers then speared two inside Jericho’s ass.

“Oh, fuck.” Jericho’s head fell back as his eyes closed. Ben had moved forward enough for support so Jericho wouldn’t fall off the counter.

Once he had Jericho nice and stretched, Ben drove his cock into Jericho’s ass. Lost in the moment, Jericho threw his head back and whacked it against a cupboard.

“Fuck.” He pressed his hand against his head.

With a chuckle, Ben lifted Jericho off the counter, forcing Jericho to curl his legs around his waist. Ben found a wall and pressed Jericho against it, thrusting hard and deep as Jericho lost his damn mind.

Ben fused their lips together, swiping his tongue inside Jericho’s mouth, groaning into it, as well. Jericho ate those sounds up as he clung to Ben, thanking whatever god had brought his mate to Maple Grove. He didn’t want to think what would have happened to him had he not met Ben.

Ivan would’ve probably killed him by now.

Jericho forced those thoughts away as he lost himself in what Ben was doing to his body. He had his hands pressed into Jericho’s hips, lifting him up over and over again and impaling him on his cock.

Getting fucked against a wall might sound sexy, but it wasn’t all that comfortable. Jericho’s spine was taking the brunt of it, and his back hurt. But not enough to tell Ben to stop.

Jericho reached between them and circled his fingers around his own aching cock, trying to keep up with the rhythm, but Ben kept distracting him with soft kisses and nips.

When his dick grazed over Jericho’s prostate, that was all the edge he needed. Jericho cried out, his cum spurting between them. Ben’s canines elongated. He sank them into Jericho’s shoulder. Jericho’s orgasm pulsed harder as Ben came inside him, his cock pulsing as he removed his teeth.

Jericho rested his head on Ben’s shoulder, breathing heavily as his mate curled his arms around him. He walked them to the bathroom where they tried their best to wash up without a cloth.

“This is getting messy,” Jericho complained. “I think I’ll just soak in the tub.”

The bathroom was a nice size, with plenty of room for them to move around. The clawed tub was in the middle of the room, with a shower stall off to one side. The tub was big enough for both of them to fit in, and that only made Jericho fall even more in love with the house.

He’d reached over to start the bath when he heard one of the floorboards in the hallway creak.

* * * *

Ben pressed a finger to his lips. Jericho nodded as he moved behind the door. No one else should be there after Russell had left, and Ben doubted the cheetah shifter had returned.

He just wished he had his clothes on as he moved closer to the bathroom door. Fighting with his junk hanging out didn’t appeal to him, but if it was Ivan or Landon in the hallway, Ben was going to tear one or both of them apart.

He came around the corner, raising one clawed hand to strike, but he quickly pulled his hand behind his back. The stranger eyed Ben.

All of him. From his head down to his exposed cock. “Who the hell are you?” the guy asked. “No one is supposed to be in here.”

“I’m the new owner,” Ben snarled. “And who the fuck’re you?”

The guy pointed down the hallway, although his gaze kept straying to Ben’s dick. “I live next door. I heard someone scream.”

“So you thought you’d come investigate?” Ben covertly sniffed the man and realized he was human. It also dawned on him that the man had heard Jericho’s cry of release. He’d have to get better windows.

The human stuck his hand out. “I’m Joseph Zelko.”

Ben wasn’t touching the guy until he got dressed. “Ben Calloway.”

He moved past the guy and went to the kitchen but made sure Joe was following him. Ben grabbed his underwear and pulled them on, but noticed how Joe was checking his ass out.

“I’m also married,” he said to Joe. “So stop eyeballing my junk.”

Joe looked away. “Sorry, but it was on display, and I can appreciate the view.”

“You’ll appreciate the view much better with two black eyes,” Jericho said as he stormed down the hallway. “We live here, so get the hell out, and if I catch you looking at my husband’s junk again, I’ll scratch your fucking eyes out!”

Ben swiped his hand over his mouth, hiding his smile. He never knew Jericho could get this worked up, and jealousy looked good on him.

“Back down, kit.” Ben tossed Jericho his underwear because now Joe was looking at Jericho’s cock. It had been awkward when their neighbor had been checking Ben out. Now his wolf wanted to come out and play when Joe’s eyes were glued to Jericho’s dick.

Jericho pulled his underwear on.

“This has just been a misunderstanding,” Joe said. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“You mean you didn’t mean to break in,” Jericho corrected. “I should call the cops on you.”

Jericho was taking it too far. Technically they weren’t supposed to be there. Not until everything was finalized, and Ben didn’t want strife with his neighbors before they’d even moved in.

“No hard feelings.” Ben yanked on Jericho’s arm to pull his mate to his side. “Like you said, this was a misunderstanding.”

Joe didn’t look convinced. His gaze flickered between Ben and Jericho.

“Excuse us for a moment.” Ben pulled Jericho to the bedroom on the right. It was a bit small, and they would probably use it as some kind of office or hobby room.

Ben closed the door. “Calm down.”

“He was checking you out,” Jericho snarled. “Only I get to see you naked.”

Once again Ben smiled at the territorial way his mate was acting. “He’s also going to be our neighbor, and do you really want to start things off like this?”

Jericho looked put out, but he sighed. “Fine, I’ll play nice. But if he starts coming onto you, all bets are off.”

“Joe was also checking you out,” Ben reminded him. “What was the guy supposed to do when confronted by two naked men?” He waved a hand at Jericho’s legs. “You’re still wet from the water. Any gay man, or even a straight one with a pulse, would’ve stared.”

“Stop making sense.” Jericho opened the door and stepped out. Ben followed, praying Joe didn’t have thoughts of flirting with either of them. Ben was a patient and understanding guy, but he would bury Joe under the patio if the human tried.

They came to a stop when they spotted Joe in the kitchen eating their Chinese food. “Sorry,” Joe said with a mouthful. “I’m starving, and I love Number One Kitchen. They have the best food.”

“Okay, we need to establish boundaries.” Jericho snatched the small container from Joe. “One, you ring the bell and wait for someone to answer before you come in. Two, you don’t help yourself to our stuff. Three, if you have any plans on trying to steal my husband, I’ll shove these chopsticks so far up your ass that the doctor will be able to tell your fortune when you open your mouth.”

Ben couldn’t help it. He lost it at Jericho’s threat. He burst out laughing, pressing his hands into his knees as he bent over. Even Joe chuckled as he held up his hands.

“I don’t have any intentions on stealing anyone. I don’t poach.” His laughter died, and his expression became somber. “That’s how I lost my boyfriend. To a man-stealing asshole. I’d never do that to someone else.”

That knocked the wind out of Jericho’s sails. He handed the container back to Joe. “I’m so sorry to hear that. You can go ahead and finish my rice.”

Ben knew in that moment that Jericho had just decided to be Joe’s friend. Ben didn’t mind. The guy was an inch taller than Jericho but built just as slim. But he had a little definition to him, as though he worked out but not much.

Joe smiled as he nodded and held up the container. “Welcome to the neighborhood.”

Chapter Nine

Jericho wasn’t sure how Derek Mitchell had found out about their situation, but the guy had the paperwork for the house expedited. Ben and Jericho signed their names, and the realtor handed over the keys.

“You must have friends who care deeply about you,” she said as she tucked the paperwork into her briefcase. “Enjoy your new home, gentleman.”

Jericho’s heart skipped a thousand beats as he looked at the keys in his hand. It was official. They owned this gorgeous home. He’d never owned anything in his life, except his car. But this was so much bigger.

When the realtor walked out, Jericho squealed and threw himself into Ben’s arms. “It’s ours!”

He wasn’t going to let the thought that he couldn’t afford to furnish the place ruin his excitement. Stuff like this didn’t happen to him. He’d never had any luck, ever. His life had gone to hell after his parents had died and his uncle had moved in. That had been eight years ago, and every damn day Jericho missed them.

“Hey, hey.” Ben pulled back and cupped Jericho’s face. “What’s with the tears, kit?”

“I’m just…I don’t know.” Jericho fanned his face. “This just seems like too much, but in a good way, and I have no flipping idea why I’m crying.”

“I gotcha, shorty.” Ben pulled him back into his arms. “I’ve never owned a place of my own, either. It’s just been me, the road, and Milo for a very long time. This shit is all new to me, too.”

“But you’re acting like you’re handling it just fine.”

“Pfft. Hardly. You didn’t see how badly my hand shook when I signed the paperwork. You were too busy talking to that lady.” He rubbed his hand over the back of Jericho’s hair. “This is a big step for both of us. I’m putting down roots for the first time since my parents passed away.”

Jericho pulled back, wiping at his eyes. “Your parents died, too?”

Ben cleared his throat and nodded, and fuck, Jericho felt his heart ache for the guy. This was the first time he’d seen his mate shaken.

“Can we talk about this another time?” Ben pressed a kiss to Jericho’s lips. “We’re supposed to be celebrating.”

“Maybe we should invite Joe over,” Jericho teased.

Ben gave a low growl. “Not if you want him to remain breathing.”

He took Jericho’s hand and walked him through the house, waving at empty space and telling Jericho where he wanted the furniture and how they needed a patio set.

Ben seemed genuinely happy, so Jericho didn’t ask where they’d get the money for all of his mate’s ideas.

“I’m really starting to learn you,” Ben said. “I have enough savings to last us for a very long time.” He brushed this thumb over Jericho’s cheek. “You have to stop worrying. Just enjoy the moment, babe.”

Jericho did need to chill, even if he felt overwhelmed that his name was on the paperwork. He was so used to living with his uncle, of hiding that he was gay, of not being himself that being able to be who he was felt too good to be true.

He no longer had to walk on eggshells. Jericho could speak his mind without fear of getting his ass kicked. It just hit him, as though a tremendous weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Jericho looked up at Ben and smiled. How could he ever repay his mate for saving him from that life?

He threw his arms around Ben and hugged him tightly. “Thank you.”

“For what, kit?”

“For coming into town and finding me in that diner.”

“Shit, I should be thanking you.” Ben rested his chin in Jericho’s head. “My life before you was…it just wasn’t. You know?”

The front door burst open. Jericho screamed, and Ben spun, snarling as his claws slid free. Moose rushed in and slammed the door behind him.

“What the fuck?” Ben shouted.

“You guys get somewhere where there aren’t any windows.” Moose ushered them into the kitchen. “We found the grave, and I have no idea how Deputy Hayley got wind of what was going on, but he had cops cars and the coroner at your place, Jericho. The next thing I know, I’m being jumped from behind. The guy smelled like a polar bear.”

“Shit, that’s Ivan,” Jericho whispered.

Moose nodded. “I chased the shifter to this street, but I lost him.”

“But how does he know we’re here?” Ben asked. “We haven’t been outside.”

“I have no idea, but I’m not gonna let anything happen to either of you.” Moose looked out the window over the sink. “I have a few friends on their way to help protect you guys.” He turned and looked at them, and Jericho nearly gasped. He’d never seen Moose look so fucking evil. “I’m gonna kill that son of a bitch when I get my hands on him.”

Ben hurried over to Moose. “You’re bleeding.”

“Where?” Moose asked.

“On your back.”

“I thought I smelled blood,” Moose said. “But I was too busy chasing that fucker.”

Why did men like Ivan exist? How did someone turn so evil? Ivan had been a bully for as far back as Jericho could remember. He intimidated people, shook residents down, and he was obviously a murderer, too.

“What about my uncle?” Jericho asked. “Did you guys see him?”

Moose wiped the sweat from his face. “One guy was arrested. I’m assuming that was him. Fucking Hayley. He doesn’t know that he can’t hold a shifter. Your uncle will shift into a bunny and escape.”

Jericho’s fear skyrocketed. If Landon got free, his uncle would come after him. Most people thought bunnies were all cute and submissive. Not Landon. He might be short, but he was buff and was one cruel bastard. He didn’t have a cute or submissive bone in his body. Landon wouldn’t come after Moose or Ben. He’d never go up against an apex predator.

But he would definitely make Jericho pay in the worst sort of way.

“I want you in the pantry,” Ben said as he started to undress. “I’m gonna stay out here in my wolf form to greet Ivan.”

Moose walked into the living room to clearly give Ben privacy. Not that shifters cared about getting naked to shift. But Jericho appreciated Moose doing that.

“I don’t want to go into the pantry,” Jericho bit his nails and glanced around. “I don’t want to leave your side.”

Ben cupped his face. “I need you safe, and I won’t be able to concentrate if I know you’re not in that pantry.”

“I’m not finding anymore hidden rooms,” Jericho groused. “I’m not having you stuff me in them.”

Jericho spun and headed toward the pantry, his heart rocketing as he opened the door and headed inside.

Ben grabbed the door before Jericho closed it. “I’m sorry, but it would kill me if anything happened to you.” Ben gave him a kiss. “I think I’ve fallen in love with you.” He gave Jericho a charming smile.

“You can’t say that shit and then close the door on me,” Jericho argued as his heart expanded. “That’s so not fair!”

Ben chuckled. “I meant what I said, and I’ve given you something to think about.”

Jericho gave a tiny growl when Ben shoved the door closed.

* * * *

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Grayson shouted at Joshua.

“My job,” Deputy Hayley argued. “You know about a dead body and you don’t call it in? And you wonder why I have a problem with you being sheriff.”

“Watch your step,” Grayson snarled. “I wanted to check things out before I called it in, but you jumped the gun, and the suspect got away.”

Grayson hadn’t meant for this to get out of control. He’d wanted Moose and Darren to be discreet and get Ivan to the underworld. But that wasn’t fucking happening. Not when swirling lights lit up the goddamn night, telling everyone within a half-mile radius that the cops were at Jericho’s house.

“Just get this scene processed,” he snarled at Joshua. There wasn’t shit Grayson could do about anything now, so they might as well do their jobs.

But Grayson took a moment to text his mate to make sure Moose was okay. Moose had ripped out of here so fast that Grayson’s head had spun. Darren had stayed behind just in case Ivan showed up and the humans needed intervention.

The other deputies dug the body up. Marvin McCormick, the coroner and town doctor, waited in the driveway with his stretcher and a black bag. The neighbors were stretched far enough apart that they had minimal onlookers, but those who did stand there—mostly teenagers—were snapping pictures or holding their phones up to record.

Grayson walked over to where Darren stood at the edge of the woods. “Anything?”

Darren sniffed the air and shook his head. “Ivan is long gone. But you have to find a way to get Landon out the back of that car. If he escapes his jail cell, we’ll never find him.”

“When this is wrapped up, you’ll have to transport him and say he got away when you were hauling him into the station.” Grayson shrugged. “That’s the best idea I can come up with.”

He didn’t like it, though. Shit was getting too messy, and Grayson needed to hire more nonhumans as deputies. He could sell the idea of an escaped prisoner to his other deputies, but Joshua wouldn’t buy it. The guy was too sharp and was looking for an excuse to get Grayson thrown off the force.

He just might get that excuse if Grayson didn’t find a way to clean this mess up.

Chapter Ten

Ben paced the house in his wolf form, looking out the patio doors every few minutes as Moose texted on his phone. With every pass of the kitchen, Ben sniffed at the pantry door, just so he could inhale Jericho’s scent. It helped calm his wolf and remind him what he was fighting for.

Like you need the reminder. You just want to sniff your bunny. Ben didn’t think there would ever come a time when he didn’t want Jericho. Even now, in the midst of trouble, all Ben could think about was stripping his mate down and fucking him until they both couldn’t walk straight.

Ben closed his eyes and tried to force the images of Jericho’s naked body from his mind. He didn’t need the distraction. He also didn’t need to walk around with his dick hanging out since he had no way of hiding it.

When the doorbell rang, Ben followed Moose to the door. The bear shifter looked down at him before he swung it open. Fuck. Seriously? On the other side stood Joe. He was holding a glass dish in his hand, and as soon as he spotted Moose, his smile slipped.

“I was, uh…I was looking for Ben.” His gaze dropped down to Ben. “He didn’t tell me he had a wolf.” The guy paled a bit. “I…I just brought over some food to apologize for my impromptu visit and give this casserole as a peace offering.”

“You brought food?” Moose snatched the glass container from Joe’s hands. “I’ll make sure Ben gets this.” He slammed the door in Joe’s face. “Hot damn. I get a food break.”

Ben shifted. “He brought that over for me, asshole.”

Moose clutched the dish to his chest. “I’m a growing boy, and I need to eat. Are you willing to take the chance that I might starve?”

Ben snorted. “You look like you ate a five-course meal for dinner. Now give me that fucking dish.” He reached for it, but Moose dodged out of his way.

“At least let me taste it so I can be sure your neighbor isn’t trying to poison you.”

“That smells delicious,” Jericho said as he rounded the corner.

“Why are you out of the pantry?” He snarled the question, but Jericho ignored Ben’s anger.

“Because I heard Joe, and then I heard you and Moose arguing, and then I smelled the food. Tuna casserole. I haven’t had that in forever.” Jericho smacked his lips as he looked at Moose. “I’ll grab some forks from the sink. I washed them earlier just in case we needed them.”

“We are not about to take a damn food break,” Ben snapped as his stomach growled. He wasn’t in the mood to reheat the Chinese food, and he had to admit, the casserole smelled amazing.

But not as amazing as Jericho smelled. Ben couldn’t seem to get enough of him, even though the little shit was supposed to be hiding in the pantry. He moved closer to his mate without realizing he’d done it.

Jericho smiled up at him and then frowned. “You’re naked.”

With a roll of his eyes, Ben went to their bedroom and dressed before joining his mate and Moose, who were in the kitchen sticking their forks into the casserole.

He moved in behind Jericho, and his mate placed his fork in Ben’s mouth. Shit. The casserole was perfect. He kissed Jericho on his neck. “Thanks.”

“At least I know I can get fed when I come over,” Moose said. “Be nice to your neighbor so he can feed me.”

“His name is Joe and don’t get used to it,” Ben said. “Just because he can cook doesn’t mean we’ll be friends.” He wiggled his jaw on Jericho’s shoulder. “Give me another bite.”

“Right?” Jericho said with a laugh. “This is amazing. We’ll have to remember to thank Joe.”

“Speaking of…” Ben took another bite from Jericho’s fork. “Now I have to explain that we don’t really have a wolf.”

Jericho’s brows shot up. “He saw you?”

“Unfortunately,” Ben said.

“Shit,” Jericho grumbled. “Please don’t tell me we have to bury him under the patio. He seemed like a nice guy.”

Moose chuckled. “I like the way Jericho thinks.”

Jericho narrowed his eyes. “You stay out of this.”

With a shrug, Moose grabbed the glass dish and walked away, leaving Jericho standing there holding his fork. “Did he just take our dinner away?”

“I’m not wrestling him for it,” Ben said. “Did you see how fucking big he is?”

“Chicken,” Jericho teased. He set his fork in the sink and turned to face Ben. “Besides, I was bored as hell in the pantry with no one to play with.”

Ben pressed his palms against Jericho’s face and inhaled his mate’s scent before their lips met. There wasn’t another person on the earth who made Ben feel this way, like he couldn’t breathe if he didn’t have Jericho with him.

And he’d meant what he’d said earlier. He loved Jericho, so he repeated his declaration. “I love you, kit.”

Jericho’s eyes shined as he smiled up at Ben. “Thanks for dropping that bomb on me before you shoved me in a closet.”

“It was a pantry, and you’re welcome.” He gave Jericho a quick kiss.

“I had time in my confinement to digest it, think about it, hyperventilate, question the meaning of life, and come to a very sure conclusion,” Jericho said.

“Hmm.” Ben kissed him again, pressing their foreheads together. “And what conclusion is that?”

Jericho’s smile was sweet and adorable, making his dimples pop. “That I love you, too.”

That was the first time anyone besides his parents had told Ben that they loved him. He hooked his fingers into the belt loops of Jericho’s jeans and yanked his body closer. “Say it again.”

Jericho chuckled. “I love you, Benjamin Calloway.”

“I love you, too, Jericho James.” Ben pressed Jericho against the wall and kissed him with all the passion he felt inside. He’d started to slip his hands under his mate’s shirt when he heard the glass dish shatter and a loud roar.

* * * *

Jericho shouted when he rushed into the living room to find a polar bear and a black bear fighting. They were reared up on their hinds legs, their jaws unhinged as they attacked.

“Get in the fucking pantry,” Ben yelled at Jericho. “Stay in there until I come get you.”

Jericho ran to the kitchen, but stopped when he looked at the large knife sitting on the counter. Don’t be stupid. Don’t be stupid. Don’t be stupid.

Jericho glanced at the panel to the pantry and then back at the knife. He pulled his cell phone free and dialed Grayson’s number.

“Sheriff Copache,” the man said when he answered.

“Ivan is here, at my house. I mean my new house. He’s fighting Moose, and Ben just ran in there. Send Deputy Christopher. We might need all the help we can get!”

“On my way,” Grayson said before he hung up.

Hadn’t Grayson heard him? The guy was human and would be of no use. They needed the shifter deputy to get here right away. Jericho pocketed his phone and grabbed the knife from the counter, gripping the hilt in his hand. He debated all of five seconds before he rushed back to the living room.

Ben was in his wolf form, clinging to the polar bear’s back. Jericho had no idea what to do, but he screamed when Ivan tackled the black bear and pinned him. If Ben hadn’t been on Ivan’s back, Jericho would’ve rushed forward and stabbed him.

Thank fuck Moose twisted and regained his footing. He wrestled with Ivan as Ben kept his claws dug into Ivan’s back, trying his best to bite him.

Someone grabbed Jericho from behind. With the way his adrenaline was pumping through his body, Jericho simply reacted. He whirled around and swung the knife forward then cried out and dodged Landon’s grabbing hands.

The hilt was sticking out of his uncle’s gut. But hadn’t Moose said that Landon had been arrested? What the fuck was he doing there?

“You ungrateful bitch,” Landon snarled. “After I took care of your sorry ass, this is how you repay me?”

Jericho took a step back then screamed, “Ben!”

The wolf jumped off Ivan and raced their way. Landon’s eyes rounded before he spun and ran for the door, but Ben beat him to it. Jericho slammed his eyes closed and covered his ears as Ben tore his uncle apart.

Jericho raced down the hall and locked himself in the bathroom before he dropped to his knees and puked into the toilet. Even though Landon had abused the shit out of him, Jericho wasn’t used to this level of violence. He pressed his back into the wall and curled his arms around his legs as he tried desperately to get that image out of his head.

When someone knocked on the door, Jericho jumped into the shower stall, as though the smoky glass could hide him.

“Open up,” Ben said from the other side of the door.

Jericho moved quickly across the room and opened the door, throwing himself into Ben’s strong arms.

“I’m sorry it went down that way,” Ben said. “I’m so sorry, kit. I never wanted you to see that.”

He pulled Jericho from the bathroom and walked him to their bedroom, where Ben got dressed. “Grayson and Darren are here. Moose took down Ivan. They’re getting rid of the bodies now.”

Jericho slapped his hands over his ears. “I don’t want to know anything about it.”

It wasn’t his uncle’s death that had shaken Jericho. It was seeing the violence. If he were being honest with himself, Jericho was glad Landon would no longer be in his life. The man had been nothing but cruel to him.

Once Ben was dressed, he curled his arms around Jericho. “I’ll hold you for as long as you need me to.”

Jericho rested his head on Ben’s chest. “Is it really over?”

“It’s over,” Ben said. “No more worrying about going outside. No more worrying about anything, pup.”

Jericho leaned back and smiled. “I really wish you would pick one endearment and stick with it.”

Ben brushed a kiss over Jericho’s lips. “You’re smiling. That’s a good thing.” He took Jericho’s hand and kissed his knuckles. “Why don’t you lie down on the blankets until everything is taken care of?”

Jericho was exhausted. “Crap, now I have to buy Joe another glass dish.”

Ben rolled his eyes. “The first thing Moose said when he shifted back to his human form was that he was pissed his casserole was ruined.”

“I’m so glad I’m not the one who has to feed him.” Jericho yawned and stripped down to his underwear as Ben left the room. He curled up on the blankets and rested his head on the pillow, forcing himself to think about Ben instead of what had just happened.

As he inhaled Ben’s scent on the pillow, Jericho smiled as he drifted off to sleep.

* * * *

After everyone was gone, Ben tried his best to clean up the blood by the front door. He didn’t have the proper tools to get the job done, so he used one of his shirts to wipe up what he could. He also cleaned up the glass in the living room but knew he missed pieces since he didn’t have a broom.

First thing tomorrow he was getting cleaning supplies. After that, he and Jericho were going to the nearest furniture store. Ben tossed the bloody shirt out the French doors. He’d throw it in the trash tomorrow. Right now he was tired and just wanted to curl around his mate.

He’d started toward the hallway when his phone rang. Ben grabbed it off the counter and saw it was Milo calling him. “Hey, what’s up? How’s Alice?”

Although Ben heard his best friend breathing, Milo didn’t say anything.

“Milo?”

“She passed away.” Milo’s voice broke. “She didn’t make it, Ben.”

Fuck. Ben lowered himself to the floor and pressed his back against the cabinets. He looked up toward the ceiling as his throat grew hot and tight. “I’m so sorry, Milo.”

Alice had been like a sister to Ben. Tears stung his eyes, and he wiped them away. He would mourn her later. Right now Milo needed a steady rock. “Tell me you’re coming back here.”

“After her funeral,” Milo said.

“I’m coming to you. You don’t need to be alone at a time like this. I’ll hop on my bike and be there tomorrow evening.” Just after he got a few hours of rest. Ben wasn’t going to ride exhausted, and Milo would need Ben fully awake to help handle shit. Neither knew crap about setting up funeral arrangements, and hopefully they could find someone to help them.

“Thanks, man.” Milo cleared his throat. “I appreciate it.”

Ben needed to call Moose. There was no way he was taking Jericho on that long-ass ride.

“Wait, what about the baby?” Ben asked.

Milo made a gasping noise. “That’s another thing. I might need your help. Can you rent a car and get here? I can’t put a baby seat on the back of my bike.”

“You have custody of her?” Ben felt lightheaded. Neither of them knew shit about caring for a kid. “Or is the baby a boy?”

Ben had never thought to ask. He’d also forgotten to call and check on Alice sooner.

“A baby girl.” Milo sounded as though he would break down again at any second, and Ben hated that he wasn’t there already.

“I’ll rent a car and be there sometime tomorrow.” With a car, Ben would be able to take Jericho with him. That was if his mate wanted to go. If not, Moose and Grayson’s was always an option. Ben couldn’t think of two men he would trust more with his mate.

But he’d worry about that once he got some sleep.

He went into the bedroom and leaned against the doorframe as he watched Jericho sleep. His mate hadn’t shifted into his bunny form, either. Ben crawled in next to him and pulled Jericho into his arms.

“I heard your end of the conversation,” Jericho said, his eyes still closed. “I’m going with you. Milo is your family, so he’s my family, too.”

Ben didn’t know what he would do without his little bunny, and he never wanted to find out. He could order their furniture online while on the road. It would give Jericho something to do.

“I love you, kit.”

“Love you, too.” Jericho curled into him. “Love you to the moon and back.”

Ben smiled. “And through the galaxies.” He placed a kiss on Jericho’s forehead. Ben wasn’t sure what would happen tomorrow or the day after. But whatever they had to do, just as long as Jericho was there at his side, Ben knew he could conquer anything.

THE END

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Table of Contents

JERICHO'S WAY

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten