Starr, Ellen - Wolf's Passion [The Joined] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) by Ellen Starr Read Free Book Online Page A

the air for scent. Nothing but the normal desert smells, mesquite, the creek, a hint of something dead. The sound of Dale coming out of the barn snapped him out of his thoughts. He reached out a hand for the shovel Dale held toward him. “You didn’t hear or smell anything?” Rafe’s hopes fell when the young Werewolf shook his head. If Dale couldn’t pick up a scent, Rafe knew he sure as hell wouldn’t. “All right, let’s go make sure the other animals are safe.”
    Dale looked toward the house and Rafe shook his head, answering the unspoken question. “No, we’ll tell Wolf later. He wouldn’t appreciate an interruption right now. He’s mating Cora.”
    “Oh. I saw him with her. On the trail.” Dale frowned.
    “You knew he would do this someday. She’s the one we need to make this little Pack of ours legitimate to the council.”
    “I didn’t expect it so soon.”
    “Is there going to be a problem?”
    “She’s human.”
    “Yes.”
    “I don’t know if I can—”
    “Be around a human? We’ll help you, you know that, but I don’t think you’ll have any trouble once you smell her.” Rafe smiled at the startled look Dale shot him. Dale possessed a better olfactory sense than any Werewolf Rafe knew of. The young man was going to be floored by Cora.
    “She smells like food?”
    “Better.”
    “What’s better than food?”
    “Sex. Pack sex.”

    * * * *

    Dale rode a few feet ahead of Rafe. He sniffed and rubbed his nose. If the sheep had been killed cleanly, it wouldn’t have gotten to him like this. The poor animals had been ripped apart. There was no reason for that kind of savagery. Dale sighed.
    Rafe rode up beside him. “We’ll find who did it.”
    Dale nodded. “I’m sorry. I let you down. I should have been there.”
    “Dale, there’s nothing to be sorry for. And I’m glad you weren’t there. You might have been killed, too.” Rafe reached over and caught his hand, squeezing it. “You are more important than the sheep. Remember that.”
    He nodded again. It was hard to get used to the idea he mattered to anyone but his animals. With a frown, he reined the horse to a stop. “What happens if she stays?”
    Rafe stopped his horse and looked back at him. “We grow stronger. Nothing between us changes.”
    Dale relaxed. If Rafe said it, then it was how things would be. Some of the sadness in him lifted. He thought about Rafe’s earlier comment. “I caught a little of her scent on the trail.”
    “You did, huh? What did you think?”
    “She smells pretty good.”
    “Told you.” Rafe grinned at him.
    Dale let the silence go on for a bit. “Don’t know if she’s better than food, though.” Rafe laughed. Startled, the horses snorted.

    * * * *

    Rafe tugged on the reins, stopping his horse. “Let’s rest the horses. We’ve been all over the ranch. I don’t think we’re going to find anything.”
    “Yeah, my butt is growing to the saddle.” Dale got off his horse and led her to a bush beside the creek. Rafe followed, tying his horse next to Dale’s. They stood looking out at the water and the pale bluish white of the waterfall without speaking.
    Dale finally broke the silence. “Nice night for a swim.”
    The events of the night caught up with Rafe. The moonlight gave Dale a mysterious wild look that turned Rafe inside out. Rafe laid his hand on Dale’s shoulder. “I need you.”
    Dale turned his head and blinked at him. “Don’t have to ask.” He turned the rest of the way and wrapped his arms around Rafe, stepping closer until Rafe could feel Dale’s erection against his own.
    Hands worked buttons and zippers in quiet desperation as their mouths sealed together in a rough kiss. Bodies bumped together as they toed off boots and clothes dropped to the ground. Dale went to his knees, dragging his nails down Rafe’s chest. Rafe buried his fingers in Dale’s hair and widened his stance. Dale held his hips, dipping his tongue into Rafe’s navel, kissing it with