“Really?” Adrian’s surprise made Dillon laugh despite the odd situation. Sometimes the wolf had no clue of politics outside of a pack.
“Yes, really.”
“The hunters are heading this way,” Evin said. “My brother, Tilden, made a deal with them in exchange for the pride lands when they take out the lions. Tilden is crazy. After the wildfires last month destroyed our habitat, the owl shifters are becoming increasingly displeased with Tilden’s handling of the crisis. When I protested, he had me starved and beaten. They only left me alone because they thought I was too injured to fly.”
Dillon gave the man his full attention. “What hunters?”
“I don’t know where they came from. When they first arrived they spoke about the lions stealing their experiments, but once I voiced my objections to hurting other shifters, they didn’t let me attend the rest of the meetings. They’re the ones who attacked me, so they are evidently following my brother’s orders, at least until they get what they want. They wear a lot of camo and carry big guns.”
“Well, they can’t have their experiments back,” Adrian growled. “The ones that chose to stay are part of my pride now.”
Dillon watched uneasily as the wolf slid behind Adrian’s eyes, a frightening transformation. 1“I came to tell Talan what I know,” Evin said. “I don’t support shifters turning on each other. If we don’t protect other shifters, we might as well be humans.”
“Ahh…you’re one of the safety lieutenants, aren’t you?” Adrian asked.
“Yeah.” Evin nodded. “May I come in?”
More years ago than Dillon could remember, the shifter council had set up a safety net for shifters. When there was a concern for shifter safety, a shifter could go to any lieutenant to seek help. That person would look into the charges and report back to the council. To have his own brother go rogue had to be a blow for the stalwart-looking man.
“Sure, Talan is in the living room. Some sort of vampire show is on.” Adrian rolled his eyes and made a disgusted sound. “I don’t know why he watches that crap. Like there are any vampires.”
Dillon watched the look of relief cross Evin’s face. “Thank you. I promised myself if I survived I’d warn the lions.”
“Afterwards we’ll get you something to eat. You’ve got to be hungry after your flight.”
Dillon noticed Adrian diplomatically didn’t mention Evin’s appearance. The wolf made a damn fine pride alpha mate.
Stepping aside, Dillon let the owl shifter pass. The man didn’t smell of deceit or anger but he did smell deliciously tantalising. Dillon’s fangs pushed through his gums and pricked his bottom lip as Evin’s scent filled his nose. Shaking his head, he tried to dispel the odd attraction. He’d always admired owls but he didn’t have a fetish about them.
Once Adrian and Evin had disappeared inside, he turned his attention back to the cat shifter. He’d all but forgotten Chester in his urge to see Evin settled.
Chester stood there silently, watching Dillon, as motionless as a cat about to pounce.
“Do you have a home, little cat?”
Chester ducked his head, avoiding Dillon’s eyes. “No.”
“Where’s your family?”
“Dead.” Chester swallowed as if trying to keep down the tears.
Whenever his family had died, it was apparent that Chester still hadn’t got over their deaths. Dillon’s heart ached for the pretty shifter. 1“Come here.” Dillon held out his arms. Chester leapt into them as if he had been just waiting for the invitation. The younger man trembled in his arms. “Where have you been living?”
Chester mumbled into Dillon’s chest. “Nowhere and everywhere. I’ve travelled around trying to avoid animal control, dogs and cars. I didn’t mean to intrude on your territory.
Damn you smell good.” A low purr rolled through Chester’s thin chest. Dillon could damn near feel all the younger man’s ribs with his fingers.
“You need to eat something. Come inside—we can at least give you a meal.”
Chester removed himself from Dillon’s arms and scooted out of reach. Dillon snarled at the separation. The shaking man held his ground even if he couldn’t meet Dillon’s eyes.
Apparently the wooden porch held a previously undiscovered fascination. “I’m not a charity case.”
“Get into the house.” Dillon made it an order instead of a request. Obviously the man needed someone to save him from himself. Dillon opened the door and pointed inside.
Obediently, Chester shuffled past him. He politely waited until Dillon joined him before entering any further. Dillon wrapped his hand around the back of Chester’s neck in an unbreakable hold, like he would scruff a cat. Moving them both forward, he headed towards the kitchen.
They found Adrian scooting cookies from a hot baking sheet onto a cooling rack. The entire place smelt like Christmas.
Dillon tilted his head. “Is there a particular reason you’re making sugar cookies in May?”
Adrian’s luminous smile brightened the room. “There’s never a bad time to make cookies.”
“True.” Dillon couldn’t argue with that kind of logic. “This is Chester. Do you have something more substantial he can eat?”
“Sure. I think there’s some venison stew in the fridge.” Adrian set down his bakeware, opened the refrigerator and pulled out a large container. After putting several scoops in a soup bowl, he popped it into the microwave. “That should be ready in two minutes. I’m going to go get some work done while the cookies are cooling. Eat whatever you want, Chester. Let us know if you need anything.” 1With a final smile at the pair of them, Adrian left the room.
“What does he do?” Chester asked.
“Besides keep the alpha in line? He’s a game programmer.”
“Huh. He seems nice but he smells odd.”
“He’s a wolf shifter.” Dillon moved closer to Chester, unable to resist stroking the silky bare skin. When Chester began to purr, Dillon snatched his hand back. “Um…sorry. Wait here and I’ll get you something to wear.”
“Why?” Chester tilted his head as he examined Dillon with his odd gold eyes. “I don’t mind being naked.”
Dillon ground his teeth together. “Because if you don’t get some clothes on, I’m going to fuck you
