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Dice

The gates to the Shantu estate towered over me, tall stone walls on either side stretching off into the distance before disappearing. The mansion was a few miles up the driveway beyond this point. Normally, I'd have come here by limo, but Vic was in the hospital after I broke his arms and jaw. Perhaps I went a little overboard, but I warned him not to tell my father.

A grimace curled my lips into a snarl when dad's face forced its way into my thoughts. I reached a clawed finger to the buzzer, but stopped, yanking my hand back.

I was conditioned by the family to be ruthless, to give commands, not take them. So why was I here?

“What do you want, Dice," came a voice from the speaker next to me embedded in the brick next to the gate.

I wanted to turn and leave, but there was this powerful drive to keep going. I had a real shot at something with Elijah, and while I didn't expect it to come in human form, it was the first time I felt something like that. A thought came to me: I could sacrifice my one chance at happiness, or I could do this differently.

“I'm here to speak with Gero," I grunted, my voice muffled through the mask I wore.

I kept my head to the front, staring through black steel bars at the chateau-style mansion in the distance, scrutinizing what I was about to do. As the minutes passed with no response, I wondered if they had finally started ignoring me. After another minute, the call button clicked under my finger. “I want to challenge him."

The speaker popped, but nothing else. Instead, hidden motors hummed, and metal squealed as the gates pulled open. When the gap widened enough, I stepped through, my pace quickening as I tried to keep my mind focused.

Every day, I had a role to play. I had to be a monster, like my father. Anything he demanded of me, I did without question. What choice did I have? Dad wanted me to be the perfect alpha to not embarrass him, and he warned me what he'd do to the people I cared about if that happened. No friends. No lovers. No distractions. I couldn't risk my father putting a hit on the people closest to me. There would be no way to live with that guilt

As I approached the horseshoe driveway with a tall, burbling stone fountain at its center, I closed my eyes and pushed down the usual anxiety that pooled in my chest. It was time to be cold again. Ruthless. But not for my father. For me. For my future.

I stepped up to the French doors held open by one of Gero's henchmen. As I entered, ten bodyguards stood in a semicircle around the lobby, each one bearing scars, some missing ears.

“This way," came a voice that was like a kick in the gut. It was Troy standing at the far end of the lobby, the clan leader's middle son. He was tall and built, but shorter than me, his fur the color of ashy charcoal. The mane on his head that trailed down under his black leather blazer was thick and pitch-colored, and his burnt-orange eyes had that same hollow stare I was sure mine did. None of Gero's other sons measured up to him physically, and he'd likely be the next alpha of the clan if I didn't succeed here.

I followed him into the lavish marble halls, keeping my eyes straight, but they kept wandering to the handsome wolf. How long had it been? Fifteen years since we shared a bed in secret together? When we were younger, we ignored each other in public, but we fucked like animals in private. It never went beyond a means to escape the pressures put on us by overbearing fathers. But damn, was it fun—until dad almost found out.

Gero had an affinity for mythology, as was apparent from his many statues of the gods and goddesses that guided us through the corridor. Both sets of our claws tapped on the gray and black tile, echoing through the archways above as we neared his father's meeting room.

The door in front of us clanked as Troy pulled it toward him, letting me pass close. He eyed me and swallowed, and I inhaled the scent that took me back. My sights landed on Gero, who leaned against a long conference table, baring his teeth, dark gray and silver hackles raised. The blood-red stare was unique to him, one of his many intimidating qualities, even if he was much older.

“What is this shit-headed plan of yours?" he snarled, snapping his maw. “The answer will always be no, Dice."

“Let's do this quickly," I said, removing my coat and mask. “I don't have time for one of your long-winded lectures."

“How many times have you been here on your father's behalf? And how many times have I explained you're aiding incompetence?"

“This is not up to me. I do what he says, nothing more."

Gero stepped forward, and I gnarled my claws, getting them ready to strike. “This definitely isn't your father's idea. He wouldn't be this stupid."

“I want our clans unified again."

“And you think this will accomplish unification?"

“Yes." Drool dripped from my jaws as I primed them.

“Then you are still an idiot child," the old wolf muttered. “The only thing you'll do is piss everyone off. You won't have control over this estate, even if you kill me. You won't even leave here alive."

“That's bullshit. It's against the—"

“There are two distinct challenges: The rite of leadership within the family, and duels from outsiders who wish to take over. What you have failed to understand is, no one has ever challenged for dominance without winning the favor of the clan first." He let out a mocking chuckle. “Everyone here hates you."

My claws relaxed and let my arms fall limp at my sides. “If I beat you, they will have to follow me."

“No. If you beat me, you beat me. I have seven sons and three daughters for a reason. They are all in line to take over should something happen to me, and you'd have to challenge each one of them on their terms." This had to be wrong. Did I misunderstand? “I won't turn down a duel like a coward, but my clan is under no obligation to follow you if you do kill me."

I grimaced in silent frustration, grabbing my jacket from the floor before slipping an arm into the sleeve. So much for getting around my father's demands. Why did I consider this a viable option? If this had a chance in hell of working, Dad could have just challenged Gero himself years ago. How could I be so stupid?

“Let's negotiate," Gero said, catching me by surprise.

I looked up at him, cocking my head in confusion. “Of all the times I've come to you in the past, now you want to negotiate? After this? Why?"

“Now I know you're serious… and this would be an embarrassment to your father if word got out." The old wolf smiled, and I shattered inside. Would he let this slip? “So, what will it be, Dice?"

“You know what I want already."

“I know what your father wants, and that's off the table."

I snarled and turned away. “These games you play."

The older wolf let out howled laughter. “Look at you, so terrible at this. There's a reason Blaise wants our clans to join again, and he gets the most out of that deal. The only way we return is if he's out of the way, and I take over."

I paused, looking into his eyes, trying to maintain the composure I had left. “No."

“That's the deal," he muttered. “Take it or leave it."

“This is a very one-sided proposition," I said, slipping the mask back over my face. “What do I get out of any of this?"

“Well, I suppose I can let you have something other than keeping this a secret from your dad."

My stomach fell to the floor as two of the worst options flashed in front of me. But facing my father and stepping aside to let his rival take over? I couldn't.

“Your… daughter," I said, barely able to spit out the words.

Gero inhaled deeply, trying to stifle more laughter. “Now that sounds more like your father. Either that, or you're trying to dispel the rumors."

I swallowed hard, glancing over at Troy, who stood next to the door with hands in his pockets, staring at the floor.

“They're rumors for a reason. I'll do what needs to be done." Everything about my body language crumpled under the weight of the choice I was about to make. “You can't stop me from courting her."

“No," he said, shaking his head. “But remember, once you're bound in marriage to this house, there is no breaking that contract while you're alive." My hands balled so tightly into fists that my claws were breaking skin. “So, with that in mind, go on ahead. She's up in her room, and she's in season. She'd likely accept. She'd be a fool not to."

My breathing got heavier as I deliberated. Face my father and lose everything, possibly my own life, or face a miserable future.

“Think it over," Gero said, patting me on the back before walking away toward another exit. “But be quick about it. If I know Blaise, you can't hide defiance from him for long." With that, he opened the door and stepped through it before disappearing.

A drawn-out shaky puff of air left my nose, and my hands relaxed as blood trickled from the palms. The sound of shuffling from behind caught my attention.

“Should I escort you to my sister's room?" Troy asked with a snort. I wrinkled my nose and breezed past him through the door, him following close. “Or should I escort you to mine?" he added in a whisper close to my ear.

I stopped and turned back toward him, looking both ways while keeping my voice low. “Leave the past where it should be." Though he seemed to joke, there was a longing in his stare, and his scent was unmistakable. I looked down at the silver ring that clung to his finger like a shackle. “Plus, it's a bit late to fool around now, don't you think?"

He gritted his teeth, covering his left hand. “I remember when we were young, we'd talk about leaving the family so we could be together. I would have left everything for you, but you're the one that walked away. Just walked away and said nothing."

“I had my reasons, and you should have some idea of what they were," I muttered, remembering my father's threats.

“We could have run, Dice, but you never let me in. You just brushed me off like nothing mattered, like the cold-hearted bastard you are. You really will make a great replacement for your father." His words were like tiny daggers through the heart, but I ignored them and turned away. “We could have—"

“No, we couldn't," I said, the words barely leaving me. “And now that you're mated, we never will again."

It hurt. All those memories came flooding back, but that life, our youth—it was over. We'd be left with memories of what we thought were better times, but when I distanced myself from the nostalgia, we were just as hopeless back then. I stopped and turned before padding toward the dark gray wolf, leaning in close. Our lips touched briefly, but I pulled away as he opened his mouth for more.

“I don't love you. Never did. It was fun, and that was it. Understand?"

Troy clicked his tongue and growled. “Yeah." He seemed to cough out that word as devastation clung to his face. “Just go. Get the fuck out of here." He pushed past me, knocking me to the side as he ran ahead through the hall. His tail was the last thing I saw as he disappeared around a corner, and I shook inside. Everything trembled as I walked, but I had to maintain a stony countenance as I passed the chattering henchmen in the lobby.

***

Elijah

The food I ordered sat in bags on the counter and I glanced at the clock, which read seven fifty-nine. I eagerly paced in front of the window, staring out at the walkway. The sun was setting, and it was hard to see the parking lot from here. I knew he'd likely be late, and I didn't want to seem desperate. Perhaps that was what turned guys off in the past—that cringe-worthy desperation that clung to me like body odor. I wondered if that's what Dice saw earlier.

His appeal was purely physical, but there was something else about him I liked. I just didn't know him well enough to put a finger on it. However, there were two things that would prevent this from getting more serious: he was in the mafia, and he was a wolf.

This was so dangerous. Had I really gotten this desperate for affection? There were so many taboos I was breaking that I was losing count.

I glanced at my watch again, and the hour changed. A sudden knock sent me reeling, and I reached for my chest, clutching the tight blue t-shirt I wore. I didn't see him walk by. Had he been waiting there the entire time?

The anticipation from earlier morphed into pure creepiness as I turned the knob and opened the door. There he was, this hulking figure, wearing his black leather trench coat and mask, staring at me with that eerie, wide-eyed expression.

“Hey," I said, keeping my tone light and unassuming.

“I brought money. How long do you want me to stay?" he asked, holding up a credit card. One of my co-workers, another human who lived in the same complex, walked by and glanced at me for a moment, his eyes shifting away immediately as he passed.

I pulled Dice inside. “Don't say it like that, Jesus fucking Christ," I whispered, leaning back outside in time to see the man disappear into one of the units. “Well, it's a good thing I won't have to show my face at the hospital anymore." After closing the door, I looked back at him. “Right?"

“Oh," he exclaimed, removing his mask. “I knew I forgot something." I folded my arms, waiting for 'just kidding' I knew would follow based on the half-smirk on his face.

“Hmm," he grunted, his deep voice rattling his throat. “Nothing?"

“You're a terrible liar."

His ears fell to the sides as he laughed. “Yeah."

“I have dinner," I said, pointing to the bags of takeout.

“I—I'm not really hungry at the moment. Can we talk, instead?" His tone went back to serious, and I gave him a bit of side-eye. It was easy to expect the worst from the guy given our earlier conversation.

“Yeah," I said, drawing the word out with a long upward inflection. I hadn't meant to sound so unsure.

“I want to get to know you better," he said. “What's your last name?"

“Thomas, yours?"

“Driscoll."

“Favorite food?"

“Indian," I replied.

“Japanese." He opened his mouth to fire off another one. “Favorite color?"

I paused for a moment and squinted at him. “Why do I feel like I'm speed dating right now?"

“I…" he looked away and slumped forward. “I'm not very good at this."

“Well, stop forcing it." I gave him a reassuring smile. “Let it come naturally. You act like you've never dated anyone before."

“Well," he said. “I kinda haven't. I mean, I've… been with someone, but we never really dated. We were more childhood friends. Haven't been with anyone since I was twenty-five."

“How old are you now?"

“Thirty-six."

“Wow," I said, a little taken aback by his age. It was always hard to tell how old a Melioran really was unless they were children or seniors. Everything in between was a guess.

“Too old?" he asked, his tone more distressed than when he arrived.

“No," I said, grabbing him by the hand before leading him to the couch. I tugged at his jacket, and he slipped his arms through the sleeves so I could pull it away. After folding the coat onto the recliner, I sat on the couch, patting the cushion next to me. “Sit."

There was that body language again. His ears fell, and eyes widened, tail shifting between his legs. “All right." He sat next to me while giving another expectant look.

“I'm twenty-seven. Just graduated college," I said, placing a hand on his sturdy leg, fingers tracing against the muscles bulging underneath. He was so much larger than me, and sitting this close to him made me feel even smaller. Dice said nothing, but I could feel so much tension coming from him it started to rub off on me. “You've gotta loosen up. What the hell's a wolf so afraid of?"

“A lot," he whispered. “Maybe I shouldn't drag this out."

“Why do I have this feeling that you're about to say something that's going to piss me off?" I rolled my eyes and looked away from him. It was the same thing every time. I was going to get the whole 'it's not you, it's me' talk. What was wrong with me?

“Look, you seem like a nice guy—"

There it was, and I turned into a volcano of rage. “Why the hell are you here?" I jumped to my feet. “Why make me think you were interested when you aren't? I'm so sick of getting my hopes up and having my time wasted."

He stood and gritted his teeth. “Let me finish before you assume shit."

“Fine," I hissed. I couldn't look at him. It was easier to stay angry if I didn't have to see those eyes of his.

“You're not the issue. I think you're great. I just want to go deeper on our talk yesterday, judge your reaction, and probably make a hasty retreat with my tail between my legs."

“It's this mafia thing, right? The 'my life in danger' thing?"

“Yes," he said, sounding slightly exasperated. “I kill a lot, Elijah. I've ordered those under me to do things that keep me awake at night, and I'm feared everywhere I go." His words hit me over the head like a spiked club, and at least it was a good painful dose of reality. Was this wolf really such a monster? He was so charming, but then, often so were serial killers. “I can turn everything off and become a heartless beast, ripping through anything or anyone that stands in my way."

He paused, and I could feel the intensity of his stare before turning to meet his eyes. “Why are you telling it to me like this?"

“Because I'm tired of pretending." Dice's breathing increased as he moved toward me. “I'm going to go crazy if I can't escape this for just a few hours."

“Dice…"

He grabbed my arms, giving them a light squeeze. “I'm afraid you're gonna hate me."

“I don't—"

“Tell me the truth," he interrupted.

“Alright," I whispered. “I'm scared, and now you tell me all this? Maybe this was the wrong choice. I should get the hell out of this place."

His posture took on a more submissive stance as his hands fell from my arms to his sides. “I won't blame you for that."

There was a long pause between us, and he nodded, turning to grab his jacket from the recliner. Something urged me not to let him leave. Why?

“Tell me," I said, more nervousness sliding up from my stomach. “What do you want from me?"

He went rigid, but didn't look back.

“I don't know."

“That's bullshit." In a few steps, I was inches away, facing him. “You stood at my door and didn't come inside until it was eight. You give me this look like you're gonna cry at any moment, but you also look like you're ready to fight. You tell me you're this monster I should fear, but I don't know what I feel about you. You want something from me. Is it sex?"

“Yes." That was a faster response than I had expected.

“Well, at least you're honest about your intentions."

“It's more than that." His emerald eyes shifted nervously. “This is a lot to put on you, I know. I'd like a lot more than sex, but if that's all you wanted from me, I would be okay with that. I just want… something different."

It had been a while for me, and it had been over a decade for him. How would this even work? He was huge, and likely bigger in places that mattered. Never in my life had I thought I'd be in this situation.

“Different?"

“I'm a vicious leader twenty-four seven, and it never stops. But when I'm here, I feel like I don't have to be in control."

I cocked a brow. “Where are you going with this?"

He stepped close to me, his broad chest pressing against mine. “You make the decisions when I step through that door. Command me. Tell me what you want me to do, and it doesn't matter what it is, I'll do it."

“This is getting weird," I muttered, but couldn't help but smile at the request from someone so huge he could break me in half. The thought of giving him orders kind of excited me.

“Alright," I said, pointing to the bags of food getting cold on the counter. “Let's eat dinner."

“Then after?"

So many ideas popped into my head, but it was hard to put any of them into words that felt right.

“How did you come to the conclusion that I'd be okay with this?"

“It's just something you give off. It's intimidating, and I like it."

“You find me intimidating?"

“Yes," he said, his voice more breathless than before. “Everything. Your posture, your voice, your scent…" He was actually trembling against me. Was this really happening?

“I always thought I was a pretty nice guy, not some control freak."

“You are," he said, his rough, padded hand caressing the side of my face. “I didn't mean it that way. You just have a presence. Am I upsetting you with this? I know it's a lot."

“N—not really. I just expected… I thought you'd be the one—"

“I want you on top," he interrupted. His personality seemed to go from overly cautious to careening out of control down a slippery road.

“Jesus Christ," I whispered as he leaned in close, his muzzle rubbing against my ear.

“Tell me what you want me to do to you."

Every nerve in my body tingled, reacting to the gruff, animal tone of his voice and the heady scent of his natural odor mixed with cologne. I'd always fantasized about something like this, but to have it actually happen… I swallowed down the lump in my throat while trying to calm the tempest swirling in my chest. “Do you wanna—"

“Tell me," Dice whispered through a jagged grin, his tail swaying from side-to-side. “Don't ask."

“Get on your knees." The words seemed to spill from my lips before I thought of them. Some bizarre instinct enthralled me as my right hand reached for the top of his head, clasping his mane before pushing him down. Dice let out a gasp as he dropped to the floor, his clawed fingers slipping under the elastic of my shorts and underwear as he pulled them down in one swift motion.

For a moment, the cool air of the room chilled my bare skin, but then there was a heat lapping against me as his maw opened inches away. I kicked the discarded shorts to the side and sat on the couch, my legs apart and cock more erect than it had ever been. Dice crawled toward me, still panting, mouth watering in anticipation.

“You're a lot bigger than I thought you'd be," Dice said, his eyes fixated on my dick, ropey saliva dripping from his tongue as he leaned in. “Can I?"

“Yeah." I gasped as his long tongue cradled the underside of my shaft. “Be careful with the teeth."

The dog-like muscle enveloped my length in warmth before disappearing into his toothy mouth. It was unsettling at first, but I'd felt nothing like that. It took every ounce of control not to explode after a few seconds of feeling him constrict around me, thousands of slippery taste buds teasing my glans. While a stray tooth would graze skin occasionally, I was surprised by how soft his mouth was. This was the first real blowjob I'd ever gotten, his wider mouth actually able to accommodate what I had.

“Oh shit," I whispered, both hands gripping the fur on his head as he bobbed, his tongue still squeezing. There was no way I'd be able to hold out, and I didn't want to stop him, either. I gripped tighter and thrusted in time with the up-and-down movements of his head. My eyes rolled upward and all I could hear were my moans ornamented by his slick, sucking sounds.

It was too much.

Rapid, uncontrolled pulsing made me hypersensitive as I held his head still, thrusting deeper before crying out his name as I unloaded everything. Though he let out small choking noises, he didn't push himself away; instead, he drained me for all I had, swallowing everything.

As the pleasure receded, my hands slipped from his head. I was this shivering, exhausted mess by the time he was done. The last time my legs felt like this was the first time I'd ever had sex. This was an entirely new experience.

He pulled away, wiping his mouth with a smirk, and I was still catching my breath.

“Kiss me," I whispered, wanting to feel the tongue that made me shudder in ecstasy against my own. The wolf wasted no time as he hovered over me, his mouth almost touching mine, the scent of me still strong on his lips.

He was hesitant, which was odd considering what he'd just done. However, it didn't take long before his thin, strange lips pressed firm against mine. At first, it didn't seem like we fit at all, but as we opened our mouths and I let him in, something clicked. It was as though I'd always done this. His taste mixed with mine intoxicated me, and his scent drove me insane.

He was good. Damn it.

The way he caressed my chin made everything so much better as our heads moved in time with one another's thrusting muscles. We seemed to be in perfect sync. This wasn't the usual awkwardness of a first-time hookup.

Finally, we pulled away from each other, and after a moment of cooling down, I was breathing normally enough to speak.

“That was…" I couldn't finish it. I was in such awe, left weak by him. Not one person I'd been with in the past made every hair stand up, every muscle shake, and every nerve numb. How did he do that?

“I'd like to spend the night with you," he whispered. “If that's okay."

There was no reservation in my mind strong enough to refuse that offer, and how many nights had I spent alone over the last eight years? Too many. If what Dice and I had was fleeting desire and nothing more, I'd be okay with it if I felt like this. At least I wouldn't spend another frustrating night alone.

“Yeah," I said, with a slight break in my voice. Dice was still on top of me, the warmth of his body enveloping the entire couch. His eyes brightened the dreariness of the apartment, and he went to work on my neck, kissing the side before tracing his tongue to the edge of my shirt collar. “Isn't this kinda fast though?"

“We don't have to do anything," he whispered. “I just wanna stay here with you for a while. Get to know you better."

“Really?" That was the first time I'd ever heard anyone say that to me.

He nodded. “I like you. Haven't been able to get you out of my head all day."

“I still don't know," I said, scooting over, allowing him enough space to sit next to me. “As much as I like this, I can't just ignore what you're a part of. Plus, I may have to go back home anyway if it gets too dangerous here." Dice let out a sigh, but said nothing. “We can put a pin in this for now, but if we decide to take this further..." I trailed off, carefully considering what I was saying.

“Would you want to go further?"

“I don't know," I said, growing increasingly frustrated. “It's been what, a day?" Dice was nine years older than me; he should have some kind of plan. At the very least, a bit more common sense. “Three weeks."

“Huh?"

“I want three weeks at least. Then we can decide what to do after that."

“All right," Dice said, grabbing my hand. “This'll work out. I've got a feeling."

“Gonna need more than just a feeling, Dice. I can't stay locked in this house forever."

“I know." His voice was strangely optimistic, considering. “I'll figure it out. It's what I do."