Pierce's Choice: Pack Mates, #5

Meet the shifters of Smooth Rock Falls

Declan O’Halloran—website designer by day, Smooth Rock Falls pack alpha by night. He mated Quinn Gallagher in the book Called to Mate.

Quinn Gallagher—Quinn is the omega of Smooth Rock Falls with a tragic past. It was his mating to Declan that healed him.

Adam Harris—Adam is one of the Smooth Rock Falls betas who also happens to be a firefighter. He mated Cullen in the short story, Spring Mates.

Cullen Stark—Cullen is one of the Smooth Rock Falls betas. He edits novels for a living and is mated to Adam.

Shea Morrison—Shea is a Smooth Rock Falls wolf. He is a genius and is employed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as a forensic chemist. He is mated to Micah, and their story can be found in Micah’s Refuge.

Micah Warren—Micah is new to the Smooth Rock Falls pack after leaving his old pack behind. He is a contractor and is mated to Shea.

Grayson Mitchell—Gray is a Smooth Rock Falls wolf who works as an emergency room nurse. He has custody of his three young nieces and is mated to Shannon Cho, from The Wolf’s Tiger.

Shannon Cho—Shannon has issues with his name, as he is all male. He is the first tiger shifter to mingle with the wolves of Smooth Rock Falls and is mated to Grayson.

Michael Ferris—Michael is a Smooth Rock Falls wolf and firefighter. Romantically involved with Justin Blake. Read his story in Michael’s Heart.

Justin Blake—Justin is a rare eagle shifter. As far as humans are concerned, he is a lawyer, but he actually operates as the shifter negotiator, helping to resolve issues between the different shifter species. Pierce Nevitt—Tiger omega who is only now getting to know what having a choice feels like.

Gavin Jackson—Tiger shifter, assigned by the Tiger Council of Elders as one of Pierce’s bodyguards.

Chapter 1

God. Gavin’s lips were so soft. They felt like silk against his own. He groaned when teeth closed on his bottom lip and tugged lightly.

Pierce, open your mouth, Gavin murmured.

Pierce obeyed and was delighted when Gavin pushed his tongue in. He melted against the hard body in front of him and let Gavin take control completely. This had been his dream for so long, and it made his eighteen-year-old heart beat fast enough for him to wonder if it would pound out of his chest.

Abruptly, Pierce found himself pushed down on his mattress with a very hot teenage boy on top of him. He blinked. Didn’t they start kissing in the kitchen? He didn’t remember walking up the stairs to get to his bedroom.

But then Gavin started kissing his neck, and he decided figuring out how he got to his room could wait until later. Especially when Gavin’s fingers began working at the buttons on his shirt. He tried to say something, to mention that maybe they should close the door before things went any further, but once again he found his mouth invaded by Gavin's very demanding tongue.

Gavin finally finished with the buttons and pushed the shirt off his shoulders, where it promptly trapped his arms between his back and the mattress, effectively pinning him to the bed. God, I love your skin, Gavin murmured against his lips.

Pierce couldn’t do anything but nod. It seemed Gavin had stolen his ability to think, let alone manage to string words together into some kind of coherent sentence. His sudden inability to talk actually became worse when Gavin moved his lips from Pierce’s mouth to his jaw, nipping sharply at the spot where it connected just behind his ear.

Had he ever felt this way before? This shivery, needy, desperate sensation was entirely foreign to him. Well, maybe not completely foreign. He’d been getting hot and bothered at the mere sight of Gavin since he was only fifteen. Now that he was eighteen, entirely legal, and about to get laid by the boy who had occupied his fantasies for years, hot and bothered didn’t even come close to describing what he was experiencing. Instead, he found himself wondering if a shifter could spontaneously erupt into flames.

Then Gavin’s lips latched on to his nipple and things got really serious. Gavin, he moaned. Gav ... please.

It was a good thing Gavin didn’t ask him what he was begging for, mainly because he didn’t know. All he knew was his balls were about to get sucked back into his body if they didn’t get some release soon.

Gavin, for his part, simply chuckled and moved his hands to Pierce’s jeans, fiddling with the button fly even as his lips continued their assault on his nipple. All in good time, he promised.

Still unable to move his hands, Pierce settled for thrashing his hips about, frantic to apply some sort of pressure, or friction, or anything to his aching cock.

He struck gold when his dick came in contact with Gavin’s hip. Both of them were still completely clothed from the waist down but nothing had ever felt so damn good. He ground his crotch against the hard bone of Gavin’s hip for a few minutes and nearly cried when Gavin lifted himself away.

Shh, Gavin whispered. Let’s get rid of these jeans, shall we?

Somewhat appeased, Pierce wriggled around, trying to help Gavin peel the denim off his legs. Gavin scrambled off the bed and began tugging at his own pants, any semblance of slow seduction gone. Pierce couldn’t help the smirk that crossed his face. He knew very well that Gavin was as much of a virgin as he was. Living at the Council house with few people their age, there hadn’t been much opportunity for either of them to gain any sexual experience. It was about time Gavin showed some impatience.

Pierce sat up and shed his shirt completely, aware of Gavin’s gaze fastened on his newly bared chest.

Clad in only his white briefs, Gavin was a sight to behold. The cotton barely covered his hard dick, the material strained obscenely with a damp spot right at the front.

Pierce palmed his own erection, rubbing the heel of his hand against the head of his cotton-covered cock until he panted for breath. Gavin stood, cupping his bulge and watching him through half-lidded eyes. A small thrill of excitement ran through him at the realization that he affected Gavin nearly as much as Gavin affected him. Come here, he croaked.

Gladly, Gavin said. The words were practically a purr.

Pierce opened his arms and Gavin launched himself at him. Their lips met in a kiss, softer than Pierce expected. Strong legs bracketed his thighs and Gavin lowered himself until their dicks brushed gently against each other. Pierce moaned at the contact and rolled his hips.

Gavin nibbled on his lip a little, tugging and soothing the small sting with a quick lick. We should get rid of the underwear, Gavin whispered, although he made no attempt at stilling himself.

Later, Pierce replied, sliding his hands down Gavin’s damp back to cup his ass. He yanked Gavin’s hips down firmly and groaned at the feeling. Feels so good.

He arched his neck, baring it for Gavin, who promptly scraped his teeth along the sensitive skin. God, I’m going to come, Gavin groaned, increasing his pace.

Yeah, Pierce said, not sure if he agreed with Gavin or if he simply encouraged him. Whatever the case, a line of sensation, starting from the base of his skull and zipping its way down his spine to settle in his balls, was enough to have him bucking his hips. Gavin clamped his teeth down onto his shoulder and Pierce dug his fingers into Gavin’s firm ass, holding on for the ride.

He was still panting when Gavin released his shoulder from between his teeth and rested his sweaty forehead against Pierce’s. Hot damn, Pierce. That was good.

Pierce frowned. Hot damn. That was good? They didn’t seem like the kind of words one would utter when they’d just had a mind-blowing orgasm with their loved one. And Gavin had come, he was sure of it. The huge wet spot in his underwear certainly couldn’t have all come from him.

He shook off the feeling, though. They were both virgins, and maybe Pierce had been greatly affected by their mutual pleasure. Perhaps Gavin hadn’t been aware of the enormity of the entire situation.

Maybe he should bite the bullet and be the first one to make a confession.

Gav? he said hesitantly.

Hmm? the bigger man asked as he rolled off him.

Can I tell you something? This conversation wasn’t exactly the way he’d always thought he’d be telling Gavin he loved him, but there was no turning back now.

Gavin sprawled on his back and stretched his arms out over his head. Sure.

Pierce opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come. He cleared his throat a few times before trying again, but it was like his tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth.

Come on, Pierce, Gavin urged as he got off the mattress and started putting his clothes back on. I’m busy, so spit it out.

Pierce felt like Gavin had slapped him, but he managed to keep his expression serene, or so he hoped. Gavin was under enormous pressure from his father to go to university and get away from the Council House. He studied well into the night, and he had the best grades in the high school. Well, that’s what their friend Jake told him, anyway. Pierce hadn’t been allowed out of the house since he’d been removed from his family when he was ten years old and the Council had brought in carefully vetted tutors so he could keep up with his education.

Pierce? Gavin said, waving his hand in front of his face. I have to study. What did you want to tell me?

This so wasn’t romantic, but he suddenly felt a strange urgency to tell Gavin about his emotions. It was like he was about to lose the love of his life forever. I love you, he blurted. I mean, I’m in love with you.

He’d always imagined Gavin’s reaction when he finally confessed his love. The reality wasn’t matching up with his fantasy, though. Instead, Gavin looked at him incredulously. "You do? Shit. I knew this would happen."

Color him confused. Pardon? Pierce asked.

Gavin’s body wavered and Pierce had to blink a couple of times to bring him back into focus. Somehow, his clothes had morphed from well-worn jeans and a soft green T-shirt to a pair of khakis and a light blue polo shirt. His hair was shorter than it had been thirty seconds ago, and gelled off his forehead in a trendy style. Look, Pierce. You’re my friend and you’re hot. But... I’m not in love with you. I’m in love with someone else.

A stunning woman with flowing mahogany hair stepped into the room and wrapped herself around Gavin’s arm. Who’s this, snugglekins?

Gavin turned and smiled down at her. He’s just a friend. Come on, bunnykins, let’s go see my dad and tell him the good news.

The woman, who smiled at him with blindingly white teeth, wiggled her left hand in Pierce’s direction. Did my snugglekins tell you? We’re engaged.

There was an odd tearing sensation in his chest, almost like Gavin had reached inside him and was slowly pulling his heart from his body. Gav? But... I thought... he trailed off, heartbroken.

Gavin smirked a little as he cupped the back of the woman’s neck. Thought what? That I returned your feelings? He laughed like it was the funniest joke on the planet. What kind of life would I have with you? he asked. Never being able to leave the damn house? Always having to live under the watchful eye of my father? No thanks.

Everything in Pierce collapsed. Every hope, dream, every single thing he had to look forward to disintegrated into a pile of dust, leaving him choking on bitterness and pain.

Without another look, Gavin wrapped his arm around his bunnykins and walked out of the room. Pierce lasted until the door shut firmly behind them before he dissolved into tears.

* * * *

He cried for what seemed like hours. Vaguely, he realized he was shuddering. He chalked it up to the fact that the only thing he wanted in his life, Gavin’s love, had walked out and shut the door on his hopes.

Except he wasn’t just shivering. He was full-out shaking. Some kind of pressure had clamped down on his shoulder and was becoming uncomfortable.

And there was a familiar voice murmuring in his ear. Pierce? Pierce, wake up.

Wake up?

Pierce dragged his eyelids up and stared at a very concerned Gavin. The man who had broken his heart was stretched out next to him, propped up on one elbow, stroking his sweaty bangs off his forehead. That was some nightmare, Gavin said lowly. I’ve been trying to wake you up for ten minutes. You want to tell me what it was about? He started stroking his thumbs along Pierce’s cheekbones, wiping away the moisture that still lingered on his skin.

Gavin’s familiar scent, his comforting touch, left him conflicted. The man had broken his heart. Granted, he hadn’t actually brought a woman home with him, nor had he ever muttered the word bunnykins. That part was all just a nightmare. But he had distanced himself from Pierce the second he’d left for school. And being an omega, Pierce had known the second Gavin had come home for winter break that he’d basically turned into the campus slut. All to forget about him.

It had devastated him. More than devastated, it had nearly broken him. He’d sworn he would steel himself against getting too attached to Gavin again, and so far, he’d been able to keep his promise to himself.

But the careful, almost reverent touch of Gavin’s hands on his face and the soft, soothing whispered words that reminded him so much of the old Gavin were too much for him to push the man away. Instead, he turned his head and nuzzled against Gavin’s hand for the first time in years.

Pierce ignored all the warnings his mind threw at him, telling him to insist Gavin leave his room. Instead, he scooted a little closer to the warm body next to him, not caring that the blanket moved to tangle around his hips until he caught the scent of his own orgasm.

He froze, waiting to see what Gavin would do. Would it be too much to hope that Gavin had missed the scent in his concern?

A low growl pierced the air and Pierce looked up to see Gavin’s fangs extending. A quick glance down in the region of Gavin’s groin confirmed he was indeed reacting to the lingering scent of desire in the room.

Gavin’s hands changed from soothing to seductive as he trailed a thumb over Pierce’s bottom lip. Pierce, he whispered. Do you have any idea what you do to me?

Before Pierce could answer, he saw Gavin’s face getting closer. His eyes fluttered closed as he prepared himself for the kiss. Until the little voice in the back of his mind reminded him of the last time he and Gavin had kissed. About how Gavin had walked out of his life, both figuratively and literally.

Releasing the sheet he hadn’t even know he was clenching, he planted both his palms against Gavin’s solid chest and pushed. Gavin, he said, trying his best to inject some kind of authority into his voice when all he wanted to do was melt into the bigger man. Things are complicated for me. I need you to leave.

The happy, sexy glint in Gavin’s eyes dimmed. I know we’re still trying to work through things here, but what is it going to take? I’ve been trying to show you how much you mean to me since we got to Smooth Rock Falls. What else do I have to do? You want me. I know you do. I can smell it every time we get close. I caused this, didn’t I? His hand slid down Pierce’s chest and landed on his dick, where he traced the damp spot on his pajama pants.

Willing his body not to react, Pierce grabbed Gavin’s hand and placed it back on his cheek, where the traces of his tears still lingered. You did this to me too. And it’s not about punishing you, Gav. I need some space, okay. Okay? he repeated when Gavin didn’t move.

Sighing, Gavin removed himself from the bed and stood in the doorway. Understood. But know we’re not finished yet. He left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Pierce let his body sag back into the mattress. There was no way he would be able to sleep now. Not when he was sticky with drying cum and his emotions were all over the place. It was only five thirty in the morning, but it was late enough that he could at least start getting ready to leave his room.

He shucked his clothes and stripped the sheets off his bed. No need to advertise to the rest of the house that he’d had yet another wet-dream-turned-nightmare. Sneaking down to the main floor laundry stark naked, he tossed in his linens and poured in a generous amount of detergent, hoping like hell he wouldn’t flood the room with bubbles again. He was still getting used to doing things for himself, and laundry was no exception. Back at the Council house, there had been people to do these things for him, so he’d never actually learned to do things like laundry or make breakfast.

He relished his newfound freedom, though, even if he occasionally had to mop water off the laundry room floor or scrape burnt bits of scrambled egg off the frying pan. The move to Smooth Rock Falls had been a blessing in disguise.

Poking his head out of the laundry room, Pierce made sure none of his house mates were around before streaking back up to his room. Other shifters might be comfortable with being naked around each other, but tigers were different. Well, the tigers he knew were different, anyway. It wasn’t like he had a whole lot of experience with anyone other than those who had lived in the Council house.

He made it back to his room without anyone seeing him and headed