Garrett's Choice Read online

  Lachlan swung around, strategically putting himself between Josh and his father. “If I were you, I’d be very careful of the next word that comes out of your mouth.” Lachlan kept his voice low and eyes hard as he eyed Josh’s father. He wanted to make the man feel small and 56

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  worthless like he’d just done to his own child not more than five minutes ago.

  “Why? What are you going to do to me, cat man?”

  Cat man? Lachlan wanted to laugh. The name sounded like a moniker a superhero would use. But if he cracked even a smile, it’d take away from the seriousness of the situation, and it was serious.

  Lachlan wouldn’t stand for any member of his pack to be treated like shit, not even Josh.

  My pack? Where did that come from? Lachlan shoved that thought to the back burner for the time being. He had an out-of-line parent to deal with.

  “This.” Lachlan brought his fist up and bestowed upon Josh’s dad the same gift he gave Josh a few nights prior. The man’s eyes went wide then he stumbled backward, clutching his nose. Blood oozed out around his clenched fingers, dripping dark crimson to the ground.

  A smug smile creased Lachlan’s face. If anyone deserved a beat down it was this prick standing in front over him. Lachlan glanced over his shoulder and caught sight of a small smile on Josh’s face. But in the blink of an eye it disappeared. Back were the hard edges that made the young man seem older than his twenty-two years.

  “Go home, Dad.” Josh came to stand beside Lachlan.

  “Go home? He hit me.” The man climbed to his feet. “I’m going to report him to the alpha.”

  “He is the alpha!” Josh shouted. “You just insulted the alpha’s mate, who by proxy is your new alpha, too. You’ll be lucky if Garrett doesn’t shun you.”

  A semblance of clarity ghosted through the man’s eyes, but hate clouded the pupils once again. “You know what? I don’t need this pack or a queer-loving son.” Josh’s father spat on the ground near Lachlan’s feet. “This pack has gone to shit since Garrett’s daddy left anyways. I’m out of here.” He turned to leave but stopped to look back to Josh. “You coming, boy?”

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  Lachlan couldn’t believe it, but he prayed Josh said no. He may have his differences where the young wolf was concerned, but not even Josh deserved to live with an asshole like that.

  “No. I choose allegiance with the Carrington Pack, and I’m not leaving.” Josh straightened his shoulders, lifted his chin, and stared down his nose at his father. “If you leave it’s on your own.”

  “That’s fine with me.” Josh’s father stare turned ice cold. “Your mama should have let those hunters kill you when you were a child, then maybe she’d be alive and I wouldn’t have a disappointment for a son.”

  Lachlan flinched as if the harsh words were directed at him.

  Memories of his own father filled his mind. Clamping down on his emotions, Lachlan cleared his throat. “I think you should leave.

  You’ve made it quite clear you don’t want to be here, and quite frankly you just wore out your welcome.”

  It looked like Josh’s dad was gearing up for another argument, and Lachlan held up his hand and shouted, “Go!” The man left but not before throwing another hateful looked toward his son. Lachlan stood by Josh’s side as his father left the woods, the pack, and his son’s life forever.

  “He was out of line, Josh. This wasn’t your fault.” Lachlan rested his large hand over Josh’s smooth slender neck. He could feel the muscle bunch up and clench as Josh’s body trembled.

  “What do you know?” Josh shrugged off Lachlan’s touch and stormed away.

  “I know more than you think,” Lachlan shouted as he ran to catch up with Josh.

  “He wasn’t always like that, you know.” Josh’s hand darted up to wipe away the wetness that escaped from his eyes. “After she died, he just hasn’t been the same.”

  “I can understand a person hurting from the loss of a loved one, but it’s no excuse to treat the only family you have left like crap. You can’t blame yourself for his cruelty or his inability to deal with shit. I 58

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  know what it’s like to love someone who turns you away at the first chance they get. To toss you aside like a piece of trash you’d find on the street. People like that don’t deserve our love or respect.” Lachlan hadn’t expected to discuss his family’s torrid history. It just slipped out.

  “Our?” Josh asked.

  Lachlan explained to Josh about his brother, Lawson, and the affair Lawson had with a human man and how those actions led to his brother being shunned from the pride. It still hurt to talk about, but if his experience could in any way help Josh, Lachlan would be more than happy to do whatever was necessary. Even if it drudged up the past.

  “So what did you do?”

  “I did what anyone else would have done. I left with my brother.

  No one should ever be forced to set out in the world all alone like that. It’s cruel.” Lachlan never regretted that decision even for a minute.

  “How old were you guys?” Josh shoulders slumped, and Lachlan could see the fight leaving him.

  Lachlan pursed his lips in thought. It took him a moment to remember. “We were seventeen.”

  “That’s so young.” Josh’s eyes widened in disbelief. “And all for being gay?”

  “Yeah, that was over a hundred years ago though. It was a different time back then.”

  “Still doesn’t make it right,” Josh whispered. “Why can’t they just love us for who we are and not hate us for what we aren’t?”

  Lachlan wasn’t sure if Josh wanted him to answer. And truth be told he didn’t have an easy answer to give. Parents should love their children no matter what and stand by them through good times and bad. But after his experience and what he just witnessed between Josh and his father, those family ties didn’t always exist no matter the day and age they were in.

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  “I think they do in their own way.” Lachlan tried to explain. “But other people’s expectations and approval cloud their judgment.”

  “That’s bullshit. They’re just weak.” Josh’s skin became flushed with anger. “It shouldn’t matter who we’re friends with, where we live, or if we’re gay. A parent’s love should be unconditional.”

  Lachlan wholeheartedly agreed with that statement, and if one day he was blessed with kids of his own, he’d be a supportive parent no matter what. “You’re right, Josh. It should be, but you can’t let the faults of your father bring you down.” Lachlan wrapped an arm around Josh’s shoulders and walked with the man toward the entrance of the woods where he had entered.

  “How can you be so nice to me?” Josh asked.

  “Because”—Lachlan blew out a heavy sigh—“I see a lot of myself in you. You didn’t have the ideal home life, you’ve lost someone you loved dearly, and you’re having issues with your sexuality.” Josh stepped away from Lachlan so fast, Lachlan’s arm banged into his side.

  “I’m not gay,” Josh stammered out.

  “Oh.” Lachlan rammed his hands into his pockets. After their conversation he was for sure Josh was gay, but maybe he had misunderstood. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply anything.”

  “Why? Do I act gay?” Josh looked down his body as if he were trying to see if there was some sort of sign that he was gay.

  “No. I just thought.” Lachlan stopped himself. He’d come a long way with Josh and didn’t want to strain the newfound friendship.

  “Never mind. It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you’re happy.”

  Josh nodded his head. “So you don’t wish I’d leave? I mean all the stuff I’ve done to you, no one would blame you if you didn’t want me around anymore.”

  “Lucky for you I’m not like everyone else. You’re part of this pack, and that makes you part of our family.”

  “I agree.” Lachlan
and Josh both looked toward the clearing where the boisterous voice came from. Garrett stood leaning against a 60

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  tree watching them. Garrett lazily pushed off from the tree and strode in their direction. “Lachlan is right. You’re family, Josh, and I would never turn my back on you. I do think you owe Lachlan an apology for the way you’ve treated him.” Garrett glanced over at Lachlan. “I think it’s safe to say Lachlan and I agree that the shit you’ve pulled is strictly because you’re young and dumb.”

  “Garrett,” Lachlan chastised him.

  “It’s true. We’ve all been there,” Garrett defended. “But if you learn from your mistakes is what matters.” Garrett pinned Josh down with his stare. “Have you learned your lesson, Josh?”

  “Yes, sir,” Josh answered easily. “I’m sorry, Lachlan. I haven’t been fair to you, but after today”—a smile spread across the young man’s face—“all that will change. Thanks for coming to my rescue today and listening to me.”

  “Don’t sweat it. What are friends for?”

  Josh said a quick good-bye as he left the woods. He looked like he walked a little lighter. Lachlan had to think letting go of all that hatred had to be a relief.

  “That was very kind of you.”

  “It was nothing really.” Lachlan raised his arm in the direction Josh had just left. “His father was extremely out of line. The way he was treating Josh it’s no wonder the kid acts like an asshole. His dad is a complete dick. Oh before I forget I kind of punched his father in the face and kicked him out of the pack.”

  “How do you kind of punch someone?” Garrett asked teasingly.

  “Well is sounded better than admitting that in the past couple days I’ve punched two pack members for being assholes. Don’t want you to think I’m a hothead or something.”

  “Oh, babe, you are most definitely hot.”

  Garrett’s eyes roamed over Lachlan’s body so aggressively, Lachlan could have sworn he felt the man’s touch. The gentle blue of Garrett’s eyes became dark like storm clouds readying to set loose a Garrett’s Choice

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  massive downpour. The predator in his mate was climbing to the surface, and Lachlan knew goddamn well he was the prey.

  “I thought you wanted to wait,” Lachlan said as he took a step toward Garrett. He lightly dragged his fingers up Garrett’s forearms.

  Lachlan’s fingertips tingled from the electrical shock he got from touching his mate.

  “Babe, I think we’ve waited long enough, don’t you?” A seductive grin tilted up the corner of Garrett’s lips.

  Lachlan didn’t answer. He threw himself into Garrett’s arms and slanted his mouth over Garrett’s. Laughter seeped past his mate’s lips, but Lachlan didn’t let up. Yes, he was being overly aggressive, but it had been so long since he and Garrett had made love. He needed hard and rough, and he needed it now.

  Garrett’s hands roamed down Lachlan’s back, and his body shivered from the caress. When Garrett’s fingers reached Lachlan’s ass, his mate gripped him tight and pulled him close, kneading the muscled flesh. Lachlan shifted to better align their cocks. The coarse friction was just on the side of painful but a lovely ache indeed.

  With his hands grabbing Lachlan’s butt, Garrett walked them backward farther into the woods. Lachlan grunted when his back pushed against a large tree. The bark bit into his skin through his shirt, but Lachlan didn’t say anything. He was afraid if he said something Garrett would put a halt to their playtime.

  “It feels like years since I’ve touched you last,” Garrett said between leaving wet kisses along Lachlan’s neck. “All those innocent little kisses we’ve shared over the last few days have been driving me insane.” Lachlan gasped for breath as Garrett pulled back to look at him. “Then at night when I heard you in your room touching yourself until you came, whispering my name, almost had me breaking down your door demanding you submit to me.”

  Lachlan’s eyes went wide. He’d been so quiet while partaking in the pleasure of his body.

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  “Don’t play coy.” Garrett brushed his lips lightly across Lachlan’s. “We’re shifters. Our hearing is impeccable. You knew exactly what you were doing to me, my mate.”

  “Maybe I did. But it sure as hell didn’t get me anywhere. Now did it?” Lachlan goaded his mate.

  “You’re going to be the death of me.” Garrett smashed their lips together using teeth and tongue to push Lachlan into submission.

  Lachlan could taste a faint hint of blood but he was unsure if it was his or Garrett’s. Not even pain could touch Lachlan now.

  “But what a way to go,” Lachlan said as he broke his lips free of Garrett’s, angling his neck to show Garrett where he wanted his lips to be.

  Garrett growled then nipped at the tender skin where Lachlan’s shoulder and neck met. Without warning Garrett spun Lachlan around facing the tree. Lachlan rested his forehead against the hard surface, and tried to collect his frazzled nerves. His mate was moments away from fucking him out in the open in the middle of the woods under the warm rays of the afternoon sun. If anyone got too close, they’d either hear them having sex or get an eyeful of their naked asses.

  Lachlan didn’t have much time to ponder that thought before he felt nimble fingers untying his gym shorts and yanking them down his legs. His skin broke out in a sweat, and Lachlan jerked when Garrett stepped close, rubbing his jean-covered cock into the crease of Lachlan’s bare ass. Like a wanton whore, Lachlan pushed back, silently demanding Garrett to fuck him.

  Placing his hands at chest level against the tree, Lachlan arched his back, putting his bottom on display for Garrett to take. A faint chuckle followed by a swat to his backside caused Lachlan to twitch, but he held his ground.

  “You want me to fuck you?” Garrett asked as he trailed his tongue down Lachlan’s back. The wet onslaught combined with the harsh words left him speechless. The goose bumps covering Lachlan’s skin Garrett’s Choice

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  were answer enough. All Lachlan could do in response was give a jerky nod of his head.

  “Then show me.” Another slap to his ass. The sting went straight to the tip of Lachlan’s cock, causing the cap to weep. “Spread ’em.”

  Lachlan rested his chest against the tree then reached his hands back to pull apart his cheeks.

  “Yeah, just like that.” Lachlan could hear the smile in his lover’s voice.

  The razor-sharp points of Garrett’s claws had unsheathed and coasted down the expanse of Lachlan’s back. He wasn’t afraid Garrett would lose control and cut him. Lachlan just wished Garrett would get a move on it.

  A hot puff of air blew across his pucker, and Lachlan looked over his shoulder to see Garrett kneeling behind him. His head poised to dive into Lachlan’s crease. And just as he’d hoped, Garrett went deep, his tongue licking at the rippled muscle. Lachlan’s legs shook as Garrett speared his tongue into his entrance.

  Lachlan moaned and fidgeted from the pleasure being put upon his body. His cock strained with the need to come. Good lord, he needed Garrett to get to it.

  “Garrett, please,” Lachlan begged, pushing his ass out farther.

  Garrett gave one more wet slide of his tongue on Lachlan’s intimate flesh then stood up. Lachlan heard every prong of Garrett’s zipper detach as he unfastened his jeans. A little more shuffling then Lachlan gasped as Garrett’s hot length smacked against his lower back. Garrett only pulled his pants halfway down his thighs. Lachlan could feel the denim brush against his calves, adding to Garrett’s dominating presence.

  “Keep your hands right where they are,” Garrett said as Lachlan started to pull his hands away.

  The wet tip of Garrett’s cock swept past Lachlan’s eager hole. The tiny muscle fluttered with anticipation. With his cheeks still pulled 64

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  apart, Lachlan eased back, trying to impale himself on Garrett’s solid length.

  “Easy now, ba
by,” Garrett said softly into Lachlan’s ear as he covered Lachlan’s back with his front. As Garrett pushed forward, the broad tip of his dick eased past Lachlan’s entrance. He cried out as a sharp pain engulfed his body. Even with the wet rim job Garrett gave him, Lachlan was still rather dry.

  “Relax, Lachlan. Take me into your body,” Garrett rasped into his ear. “All of me.”

  At Garrett’s words Lachlan took a deep breath and pushed outward. As he did that, Garrett slipped farther inside.

  “Ah, fuck yeah, just like that.” Garrett panted against Lachlan’s neck. “So good.”

  Lachlan’s head fell back to rest on Garrett’s shoulder as his lover thrust forward, burying himself to the hilt. The growl Garrett omitted ruffled the back of Lachlan’s hair from the force. Garrett held still, breathing hard, giving Lachlan’s body time to adapt.

  The stretching burn sensation started to drift away, and Lachlan edged back closer to Garrett’s hips, even further imbedding the thick shaft. Garrett gripped Lachlan’s hips in a tight hold.

  “Don’t stop.” Lachlan moaned. He circled his hips and jerked from the blossoming excitement coming to life inside his stretched hole. “Claim me, again.” Lachlan peered over his shoulder and met Garrett’s heated stare. He prayed his mate saw the need lying within them.

  “God yes.” Garrett pulled out his length only leaving the tip inside, then rammed forward. Garrett kept up his fast-paced rhythm, not letting up for even a second, and Lachlan couldn’t be more thrilled. “So tight, so good.” His mate grunted as he rutted inside Lachlan’s body.

  Sweat covered both their bodies, and the fur covering his mate’s chest tickled Lachlan’s back. Lachlan reached back and wrapped his Garrett’s Choice

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  arms around Garrett’s neck and let his mate have his way with his body.

  Garrett never faltered as he wrapped his warm fingers around Lachlan’s cock. Lachlan’s mouth fell open, but no sound came out.

  He was too lost in his mate, in the moment, to even try to put words to the feelings coursing through his body.

  Lachlan’s body tightened and strained as Garrett scraped his fingernail across the head of his dick. His orgasm swam just out of reach, and his balls shrunk close to his body. Lachlan could feel the cum build up, readying to erupt like a volcano.