“You’re not taking advantage of me, little greenbough,” Leif rumbled patiently, eying Alec from one great eye that caught the sun and flashed red. “Climb up now.”
“I give up,” Alec gasped out a bit, dramatically falling into Leif’s huge shoulder with a flop, making Leif snort in amusement. “You’re right.”
Leif crouched down even lower, and held still whileAlec clambered onto his back, adjusting his legs to fall forward on either side of Leif’s neck in front of bags clasped to the harness, not wanting to clip Leif with a muddy boot. He sighed once in place, muscles already happy for the respite.
Leif got carefully to his feet and Alec grasped a handful of the thick fur over Leif’s neck and shoulder, holding on tight.
The ride home wasn’t as fast as the trip into town, but they were going uphill. They still made better time with Leif carrying Alec than they would have otherwise, and Alec gave up trying to spare his mate the indignity when it was clear Leif felt fine carrying their stuff and his mate.
Chapter 11
Leif
Alec fell asleep at some point, and Leif was happy to discover that the full bags clipped to the harness helped keep Alec in place on his shoulders, his mate lying along Leif’s shoulders and neck. His mate was limp, breathing deep and slow, heart rate steady and at peace. Leif was pleased by that—all signs that Alec felt safe with him, safe enough to rest while Leif got them home.
Alec was still recovering from his ordeal, despite the energy and attitude he’d had all day. His wounds were nearly healed, but the long-term damage and resulting exhaustion needed more time.
Leif soon came within the vicinity of the bodies, keeping a fair distance so as not to disturb the carrion eaters who were feasting. The coyotes sensed him, but he stayed out of their way, keeping enough distance to avoid chasing them off. The ravens and crows set off a chorus of alarms at his proximity, but he ignored them in favor of hurrying home, and eventually the noise stopped as he continued past without pausing.
There were no scents of new intruders, and the sense ofhis territory remained quiet, the edges of his reality peaceful and undisturbed by trespassers of the two-footed variety.
The sun was near setting by the time Leif climbed the path to his cabin, the switchbacks of the trail jostling Alec enough that he woke with a wide yawn.
“Are we back already?” Alec murmured, sounding half-asleep.
“Almost there,” Leif promised.
He reached the path’s summit and the clearing in front of his cabin, and the air was crisp and cool. The sun was setting in the west, painting the rocky face of the mountain above the cabin in brilliant gold, reflecting off the glass windows. The sun was warm and soft, the shadows deep and long.
Leif crouched beside the front stoop, and Alec slid off his back onto the top step, yawning. He stretched, revealing a strip of skin at his waist, and Leif wanted to lick it.
The door was unlocked, and Alec shrugged off the backpack and gently set it inside the cabin. Leif lay down in the grass, and Alec came down the steps at a jog to help remove the bags from the harness.
Alec
Leif wasfree of the bags and harness in no time, and was able to Change back into his human form just as the last of the sun was setting.
Alec was putting the last of the bags alongside the kitchen wall when Leif stepped inside, stark naked, the sungilding his side and rear in gold. He was beautiful and Alec wanted him.
The bond between them was growing stronger, a day in each other’s company enough to make it more tangible, and Alec experimented by sending a rush of affection and arousal along the bond. Leif immediately looked at him, eyes full of want and need, and Alec grinned.
“Put away the groceries with me?” Alec said, wanting Leif closer to him, grabbing the bag with the cold items that had thankfully stayed at temperature due to the low-level preservation spells in the insulation. The bushel of crawdads were going to stay fresh if they got…sidetracked.
Leif came over and gently took the bag from him, flipping it closed and setting it by the other bags. One big hand cupped Alec’s jaw, thumb tracing his lips, and Alec nibbled on the digit with his teeth, a deep growl coming from Leif. Alec held his breath, wanting more.
“You tempt me,” Leif growled, eyes full of want.
“You tempt me, too,” Alec replied roughly, sucking air into his starving lungs, eyes wide, Leif’s thumb still on his lips. “Please.”
Leif let go of his jaw, only to grab Alec around the waist and lift him into his arms. Alec gasped at his strength, wrapping his arms around Leif’s neck and his legs around Leif’s waist. The kiss was deep, full of teeth and tongue.
“Bed,” Alec gasped out when they broke for air, his head thrown back when Leif kissed and nibbled along the side of his neck.
“Yes,” Leif growled, low and deep, the rumble vibrating against Alec’s chest. Leif turned and strode for the tunnel, long strides eating up the distance between the cabin and the bed.
The lights came on as they passed, and the lightsaround the bed flickered on with a low glow that was enough for Alec to see Leif’s face and the glowing red of his eyes.
Alec found himself gently dropped on the bed, Leif standing between his knees. Leif reached down and grabbed the hem of Alec’s shirt, pulling it up over his head, Alec sitting up to help get it free of his shoulders.
