Phoenix Reborn: An Alpha Pack Novella by J. D. Tyler Read Free Book Online Page B

could stop them, his fangs dropped and claws sprouted from his fingers. The sharp points of his canines hovered scant millimeters fromNoah’s tender neck, and he battled hard against the urge to claim what was his. Ours.
Me and my wolf.
    But he couldn’t. Not yet.
    Nix supposed the fear wasn’t gone entirely. But he was getting there, gradually. Soon, he’d claim Noah, and nothing would stop him.
    Snarling, his wolf submitted once again. His fangs and claws retracted.
    “We’re going to be all sticky and gross when we get back,” Nix observed, pulling gently free. “We’ll need a shower before dinner.”
    “Still no complaints.” Sitting to face Nix, he smiled. But there was a blight on his happiness that hadn’t been there earlier, and it was obvious he knew Nix had held back. Again. “Sure had fun getting this way.”
    So, Noah was going to let him off the hook again. God, he felt horrible.
    “Me, too.” He glanced at the stream, trying to recapture the easy camaraderie they’d enjoyed before. “Hey, there’s water right here. At least we can get the sticky off.”
    “Yeah, but it’s going to be freezing!”
    “Chicken?”
    Noah gave him a droll stare. “No. You first.”
    Nix took the challenge, and hissed as he stepped in, goose bumps immediately breaking out all over his body. Holy shit, mountain streams were like ice! But he made a show of bending and splashing as though he wasn’t affected.
    “Come on in,” he called to Noah. “It’s not so bad.”
    His mate’s face was clearly skeptical. “I don’t know.”
    “You said you weren’t chicken. Get in here.” He held out his hand, waiting. The instant Noah took it, he yanked him into the freezing water and held him so he couldn’t get away.
    “Aaah!” he yelled. “You jerk! Let go of me, it’s fucking cold!”
    “Suck it up, puny human!”
    “Asshole!”
    Splashing, they laughed like loons, getting each other good and soaked. By the time they were done, they were shivering so hard their teeth rattled, but for his part Nix had never been happier.
    “Let’s get out of here.”
    “Now who’s chicken?” Noah said.
    “Frozen chicken.”
    “Ha!”
    Stepping into the sunshine, they spent a few minutes drying off. Then Nix handed his mate his clothes. Once Noah was dressed again, Nix shifted to wolf form for the walk back through the forest to retrieve his own clothes. It was much more comfortable than padding naked as a human through the brush.
    At last they reached the spot where Nix had left his clothes, and he shifted back. When he’d dressed, they walked together back to the compound. He hated to see their romp end, but was confident there would be many more like today.
    “Shower?” he asked Noah.
    “Yes. A hot one!”
    “We can do that.” Smiling, he took Noah’s hand and led him across the compound’s lawn.
    Aric, Jax, and their mates, Rowan and Kira, were outside talking, along with Micah and Nick. At the sight of the newest couple emerging from the forest, rumpled and obviously together, the group smiled at them, waving them over.
    “Oh boy.” Noah glanced at him with worry. “You up for this?”
    “I’m not ashamed of you.” But still, he let go of Noah’s hand, and his mate’s face fell.
Shit.
    “I know you’re not ready for the inquisition. It’s okay.” But Noah’s tone and expression betrayed his disappointment.
    “Come on, let’s go see what they want.” With a wink, he walked with Noah over to their friends.
    “Sooo,” Aric drawled, taking in the sight of them. “You guys look kind of disheveled, if ya know what I mean. Do I need to ask what’s going on?”
    “You can ask,” Noah answered with a grin. “Doesn’t mean you’re going to get any details.”
    “Are you two officially mated?” the redhead pressed. The question immediately earned him an elbow to the ribs from his own mate, who scowled at him fiercely.
    “That’s none of our business!” Rowan said.
    “You’re kidding,