Crossing the River Read online

  “Yeah. Uh, hi. I’m Maicoh.”

  “Martin. Come on. Nathan doesn’t stand on ceremony.” The little dude just bebopped up the stairs, quick as a bunny.

  Mai followed slowly, still clutching his six-pack of honey wheat beer under one arm.

  “Martin, come in!” Nathan looked out, motioning to him. “Hey, you. Come on. You know Kell and Liam already. This is Martin.”

  “I do. Hi. I brought beer.” Mai handed over the package.

  “You rock. Ash is in the backyard on the swing. He’s nervous.”

  “So am I.” What if Ash smacked him or hated him or ran away?

  “So go say hi. Swallow the frog.”

  “Ew.” Mai laughed, though, and headed out back. The place inside was totally Nathan, all comfort and soft, fuzzy surroundings. Outside was rustic, this huge swing at the head of the path leading out into the woods.

  Ash sat right there, long dark dreadlocks threaded with beads, a huge sweatshirt over shorts and Birks. Pure Colorado boy.

  Mai stopped short for a moment, his wolf howling in the back of mind. He panted, his hands clenching and unclenching.

  “Hey, Maicoh. Welcome to Glenwood.” The words were soft, tentative.

  “Ash.” His feet took him forward.

  Ash just rocked, slow and steady, refusing to look up. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Me, either.” Mai grinned. He was supposed to be the dominant one, right? The one who knew what to do. “Hi. I missed you.”

  “Yeah. I was surprised to smell you in the coffee shop.”

  “Me, too. I mean, I would have known your cup anywhere.”

  Ash never looked at him, never met his eyes. The whole thing made Mai crazy, so he moved closer, letting Ash feel his space being invaded.

  “Are you mad at me, Ash?”

  “No. I just don’t know what to do.”

  “Well, come here and hug me.” Touch was better than talk. More honest.

  Ash stood up, taller than Mai remembered, whipcord-lean and raw. His eyes, though, were still the brightest, lightest green Mai had ever seen.

  He reached out, willing to more than meet Ash halfway.

  Ash’s fingers slid against his, the electricity shooting right up Mai’s arm.

  Mai gasped, his body jerking. “I knew it.”

  “Sorry.” Ash backed away a step or two, breaking the contact. “By the moon, you’re still beautiful.”

  “You’re so much more you now.” He liked Ash’s new look. “Too skinny, though.”

  “I have lots to do.”

  “Tell me about it?” He went to sit on a bench strung between two trees.

  Ash settled in the swing again. “I make things. Lots of things. Clay, mostly. I do photography trips, kayaking trips. Hikes for tips.”

  “You’ve always been good with clay. And with people.” This whole thing seemed so stilted, so weird.

  “I am.” This time, Ash looked at him. “What happened? Did something happen to the pack? My sisters?”

  “What do you mean?” Mai looked more closely at Ash. “They’re fine.”

  “Oh. I mean, you’re here. Something had to have happened.”

  “Yeah. They gave me a choice. Settle down with a nice female or leave.”

  “Oh.”

  “Is that all you can say?”

  “I’m sorry. That sucks.”

  Mai rumbled, all of his frustration bubbling up as he stood. He took two steps forward and grabbed Ash right up off the swing. “What sucked was you leaving me.”

  Ash looked at him, blinked once then the man was gone, a ragged shirt in Mai’s hands and the pale wolf leaping off through the woods.

  Jesus.

  That was fast.

  Mai thought about chasing, but that would be rude to Nathan.

  Nathan came outside to peer at him. “There’s smoked salmon on toast.” His eyes fell on the clothes in Mai’s hands. “Oh. I’ll take those. Wash them for him.”

  “Thanks.” Mai tried to let go of the cloth, but he couldn’t.

  “Come on in. I’ll make him something and leave it outside.”

  “I feel bad. I touched him.” Mai was just gonna lose his shit.

  “He was super ramped up, honey. Don’t worry.” Nathan was so fucking Zen.

  Mai hated to be unkind, but privately, he figured Nate must never have been in love. Ash had been in Mai’s hands. In his fucking fingers. Then the damned coward had run away. Again. Maicoh thrust the rags at Nathan.

  “I’ll be back.” He wolfed out. He couldn’t help it.

  “I’ll wash your clothes too, honey!”

  Nathan was a good man, a good bear. Why couldn’t Mai go for someone like that? No, he had to chase a skinny little wolf.

  Ash had left a trail the size of a comet, blazing toward the river as if it were the only place he knew to go. Maybe, it was. Sometimes, the wolf took the most instinctive path.

  Mai followed, his entire spirit screaming that his mate was so close. His nose worked, trying to find the tiny nuances of scent that would tell him where Ash was right now. Where his mate denned.

  His nose led him down into the canyon, away from the highway.

  Mai followed the scent, head down to catch more. He climbed, paws digging into the rock. There. There was a cave that rang with his mate.

  Slipping inside, he sniffed about, not sure if he should vocalize.

  A soft growl sounded, not vicious, but a clear warning. Mai didn’t growl in return. He just chuffed out a wee bark. The happy sound he heard in return was pure, unadulterated joy.

  His tongue lolled with happiness. Ash knew him, knew he was there for good things, not bad. Ash crawled out, tail wagging, ears turning, nose working like mad.

  Mai went to him, licking his muzzle.

  Maicoh. The echo in his head was huge.

  His mate’s song filled his heart, too. God, how he’d missed this.

  They nuzzled each other, nibbling and mouthing each other playfully. This was the easy part, their wolf selves knowing the truth of things. Humans made all emotions so difficult.

  They headed up into the canyon, climbing together, claws digging into the dirt. Ashkii was lean but surefooted, moving with ease. Mai felt too big, too awkward in comparison.

  Huge pale eyes looked back at him. Ashkii laughing at him.

  Yes, Mai knew he was slow. He’d developed his body for fighting, not for hunting or running. Ash could go for hours, he’d bet, searching out chipmunks and raccoons. Mai would have to work on his stamina now that he didn’t have to jockey for position.

  A wave of sorrow for him came from Ash, along with a gentle sensation of pity.

  Mai growled a little, not threatening, just telling. His time with the pack was over. He needed to move on.

  Ash came to him, nuzzled his ruff before moving away again.

  Following, Mai let the sounds of the night wash over him, let himself wander. The world grew wilder, the noises comforting, quiet. He understood how Ash would come to light here.

  The crickets hushed when they walked through, but the owl overhead let them know they were in her hunting ground. Mai wondered if that was another friend of Ash’s.

  When it landed in front of his mate and spread its wings in a curtsey, he knew it was. Ash bowed deep, muzzle to the ground.

  Mai snorted then chuffed. So much for getting away from shifters.

  This was like the home for wayward beasts. Sort of like the Land of the Lost without the Sleestacks. He rolled to his back, paws kicking the air with mirth. Oh, that was funny.

  Ashkii came to him. So did the owl, huge yellow eyes staring down at him. Mai popped back up and greeted the lady owl with a deep nod of his head. She danced for them, head bobbing and weaving. So pretty. Then she flapped those magnificent wings and took off after a mouse.

  Ashkii watched, wagging happily. His mate had made a home here. Mai wondered suddenly if h
e should just go. Leave Ash to his peace, if not happiness.

  He looked at those light eyes, those sweet pale orbs that caught every bit of light from the moon. No, he couldn’t leave now. Not when he’d just found his love again. Ash came to him, panting softly, the weight of Ashkii’s happiness like a drug.

  Mai rubbed noses with him, his whole butt wanting to wag, and Ashkii chuffed softly in return, lapping at his whiskers.

  Barking, Mai bounced, enticing Ash to play. Ash wiggled for him, hips rocking back and forth. Mai’s heart raced, his breath coming fast, but he ran, letting Ash chase.

  And when Ash caught the end of his tail, nipping hard, Mai jumped, turning so he landed on both feet. Little tingles ran up his spine from the bite.

  Ash barked at him, butt wagging from side to side.

  A sharp bark escaped Mai, and he sprang, almost knocking Ash down when he rushed past to give Ash something to chase. Ash recovered like a dream, though, and sprang after him, tail like a flag.

  How long? How long had it been since Mai had been free to play?

  His Ashkii obviously knew how. They darted and leapt, crashing into each other, teeth flashing. By the time the moon crept toward dawn, they’d worn each other out and Mai needed a place to flop and pant. Maybe a drink of water.

  Ashkii led him down to the river, down to a wide place with soft clay to rest on. The night fell quiet and beautiful around them, and Mai lay down, tail over his nose. Ash settled close, not touching, but almost.

  With a snort, Mai stretched out and rolled to his back, his head on Ash’s forefeet. Ash nosed him then lapped at his whiskers. They settled together as if they’d never been apart, their wolf selves knowing how easy this could be.

  His Ashkii. His own.

  Too bad their human selves would mess it all up.

  Chapter Six

  Ash woke up still fuzzy, and he crawled to the river. His body ached, needing a dip in a hot pool to soothe his soul. Mai was sound asleep, chasing something in his dreams.

  It made no sense. The world seemed…new. Old. Something. Whatever.

  All he knew was when Mai had touched him, something inside him had shattered like glass.

  He let himself be human then slid into the river, eyes closed. Ash shivered, his skin wrinkling with goose bumps while he searched for a tiny hot spot. When he found it, he moaned, eyes crossing. Yeah.

  The heat took all the pain from his muscles one fiber at a time until he felt like a clockwork toy whose spring had unwound. Was there anything the river couldn’t fix? Anything at all?

  “Room for two?” Mai asked. Ash hadn’t even heard the man walking down to the river.

  “I. Yes. Yes, it’s a big river.”

  “Ash, if you want me to go away, I will. You just have to point me toward Nathan’s.” Mai stared at him, expression unreadable.

  “Come in. It’s good.”

  Mai looked like a chiseled fantasy, all heavy muscle over long bones, long black hair caught in a braid.

  “Cool. Thanks.” Mai smiled for him, really smiled, better than sunrise.

  Ash moved away from the heat, letting Mai have the spring.

  “We can share.” Mai grabbed him and tugged him back so he sat on Mai’s lap.

  “Oh.” Ash’s entire body arched, the sensation pure electricity slamming through him. His cock filled, and he jerked, his balls drawing up tight.

  “Mmm. Love how you feel.”

  He couldn’t answer; he didn’t have a single word in his head. All he could do was feel what he’d missed so desperately. Mai’s hands moved over him as if they had a right to, as if they couldn’t possibly stop. Maybe they couldn’t. This was deeper than skin, going all the way to the soul.

  Ash leaned back against Mai, a sigh pushing out of him. He loved Mai’s scarred hands.

  “Ashkii. You’re real.”

  For now, yes. He wasn’t sure he would be after Mai loved on him. He might explode and be just pieces of himself. Who knew?

  Mai kissed his neck, lips warm, damp. The touch moved to Ash’s nape, and that made him ache, down in his gut. “Is this okay, Ash? If I need to stop, it will have to be now.”

  “Don’t go.” Not yet. Not yet, please.

  “No. No, I’m right here.” Mai kissed under his ear, licked his shoulder. Ash’s head fell forward, the ends of his dreads in the water. He watched them float, the beads looking like little ladybugs swimming on the surface. That was all he thought, though, before Mai’s arms wrapped around him and held on, hugging him close.

  Strong. Mai had always been so strong.

  “Need you, Ash. Need you all around me.”

  The words were like balm to his battered heart.

  He leaned back, his ass rocking, sliding them together. Mai’s cock pressed against his crease, hot iron, even hotter than the water. He felt the low growls vibrating inside him, tickling him.

  Ash wanted Mai. Now.

  “How long has it been, Ash?”

  “What?”

  “How long?”

  “Since I was taken or since I had an orgasm? Those are two different questions.”

  “You know what I mean.” Mai stroked his belly.

  Yeah. He did. “Since you. You know that. It’s how we work.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.” Mai touched the tip of Ash’s cock.

  He was, too, but it was what it was. He wrapped his fingers around Mai’s, squeezing tight. They just needed to get this over with.

  “No. This is meant to be joyful, baby.”

  “Get out of my brain, Mai.” Still, it felt amazing, the buzz of energy, the whisper that his mate was close.

  “Sorry.” Mai sounded genuinely contrite.

  Ash lifted Mai’s hand, kissed the river water off Mai’s knuckles.

  “We can just float,” Mai offered.

  “We can.” But he wanted to be touched. He wanted his Mai.

  Mai petted him, stroking his skin slowly, just as he’d wanted. It took him forever to turn around, press against Mai and hold on. When their lips met, though, it as if they’d last kissed a day ago.

  Maicoh! The word rang out inside him, filling him.

  Moaning, Mai kissed him harder, deeper, tongue pushing into his mouth. That was what Ash needed, so he opened up, begging for more. They rocked together, fighting the current, which tried to pull them out into the river proper. His feet kept sliding, slipping in the mud, but he held on.

  “I got you, Ashkii. I won’t let go.”

  “Good. I don’t want to be swept downstream.”

  “No. I promise. Running fast, huh?”

  “Uh-huh. Lots of snow this winter.” Why were they talking?

  “Shh.” Mai kissed Ash again, knowing just what he needed. Mai cupped his nape, touching and tapping and stroking him.

  They rubbed noses then lips again, over and over. Ash began to make noises, soft and needy, too big to hold in. He’d missed this so much, missed it but in some ways had never had it. He and Mai had always had to steal time. No one mated with an omega wolf. No one.

  Mai had been a rising star in the pack then, too. They’d all wanted him to pass on his genes.

  Ash shook his head, whined softly. He wasn’t meant for this.

  “Hush. No pack here. Just you and me.”

  “No pack?” He stared, forcing himself to meet Mai’s golden eyes.

  “No. Me and the pack, we’re done.” Mai looked right into him, serious and sure.

  “I’m sorry, Maicoh. I know they’re important to you.”

  “Not anymore.” Mai grimaced. “I should beat you for leaving.”

  “Flirt.” He winked at his lover. They both knew it had to happen the way it had. There’d been no other choice.

  “Mmm. I never wanted to beat you at all. You know that.”

  “It’s in your genes, your nature.” Just as it had been in his nature to run.

  “Well, now, we have time to e
xplore stuff that’s not in our nature.” Mai’s hand slipped down, cupped Ash’s balls, rolled them.

  His toes curled, his brain shorting out.

  “Please.” He wanted to touch, to make love. Hell, to fuck.

  “Can we… Can we go somewhere else, baby? I’m slipping.”

  “I…” Ash looked at Mai and panic flooded him. He didn’t have a place. He slept where he could. Everything he owned was in a backpack at Nathan’s.

  “Hey. Hush. We can go to Nathan’s. We can wolf out and go to my place.”

  “Okay. I’m sorry.” Mai would find out he was a loser eventually anyway. A drifter.

  “Stop it.” Mai pinched his hip then lifted him out of the water.

  He shook himself off, managing a quick kiss before the wolf had him. Then he ran, giving Mai something to chase. He knew exactly where Mai was staying and how to get there. Ash led the way, a happy bark escaping him. He loved to run. He felt Mai on his heels and the rush of air on his backside. His tail waved like a flag, his feet landing sure and steady on the dirt. It didn’t take long to get to Mai’s, to bounce on the porch and peer in the windows as he’d done over and over.

  Mai sniffed around the windows then blinked at him.

  He head-butted his mate, nuzzling. What?

  Spying on me.

  Did not. Just wanted to look at you. See you.

  Maicoh came and rubbed noses with him. Come inside.

  Ash shook off the wolf then stood on the wood planks of the porch in his bare feet.

  Mai took his hand, the man there instead of the animal.

  “You sure you want me?” Ash had to ask. Had to.

  “I want you more than my next breath.” Mai tugged him inside, hand warm and hard around his. The scent of his mate surrounded Ash, drugging his senses. He licked his lips, wanting more kisses like at the river. Mai grabbed him, cupped the back of his head and began to fuck his lips with that hot tongue. Oh, God, yes. He clung to Mai’s wide shoulders, the long, silky hair brushing his hands. His cock ached, it was so hard, and he pushed close, rubbing them together.

  Moaning for him, Mai moved, hips rocking, cock painting his belly with spunk.

  “Love.” Mai said it out loud.

  “Shh.” He silenced Mai with a kiss, desperate for touch, for connection.