The Runaway Cat (Book 2 Cloverleah Pack Series) Read online

  “I…er…I…reserve the right…” Diablo stopped as Griff started nibbling at the underside of the head of his cock. Fuck yeah, that spot right there. “…er…reserve the right…to have…some blood in my brain…before…shit Griff…you’re driving me crazy here…before…I…answer…fucking suck me if you’re gonna, damn it.”

  Thrusting his hips up into Griff’s face Diablo’s cock pushed at Griff’s mouth. Griff obligingly opened up and swallowed Diablo’s shaft down, swirling the base of the cock with his tongue. He bobbed his head a few times feeling Diablo tense beneath him. Just as he knew Diablo was close to the edge, Griff held still, his big hands holding Diablo’s hips firmly so he couldn’t move, Diablo’s cock wedged deep firmly in his mouth.

  Answer me kitty cat.

  Fuck Griff, you teasing ass hole, let me move.

  Na uh, give me an answer. Tell me you will join with me in the Mating Ritual.

  This is cruel and unusual punishment, you know it. Damn it lover I need to move or come or something.

  Griff raised his mouth once more, swirling his tongue expertly around Diablo’s shaft, before moving down, swallowing and holding him down again.

  It’s barbaric…we’re mates already…come on Griff please.

  It’s a wolf thing. Suck, lick, slide and hold. A matter of pride for me. Suck, lick, slide and hold. What I want to do with you. Suck, lick, slide and hold. What I want you to do for me cos we love each other, more sucking then hold, want each other, swirling tongue, need each other. Don’t you want me?

  Thrashing his upper body about on the bed Diablo cursed loudly, his fists thumping on the mattress. His whole body was trembling and he felt like every nerve he had was buzzing over his skin.

  Damn it wolf, yes.

  Yes to the ceremony or yes you want me?

  Yes. I want you and yes I will join in the Mating Ritual with you. Yes damn you.

  Grinning around Diablo’s cock, Griff’s talented mouth went to work and a minute later he was swallowing Diablo’s come as it pulsed deep down his throat. Only when he was satisfied that Diablo was finished did Griff move back up his lover’s body to curl the sated man into his arms.

  That’s torture you know. Answer wouldn’t hold up in court.

  Told you when we met that you Feebs respond better to pleasure than torture little kitty cat. You taking back your answer?

  No my lover, too tired to argue. Love you Griff, will let you have your fight. Won’t be any contenders anyway if it’s just the pack.

  And Claude’s pack in Oklahoma, and the San Antonio Pack and the Colorado Pack.

  What the fuck?

  We have a lot of friends, my lover. But you don’t have to worry about the Colorado pack cos most of them are straight.

  Oh God Griff you could have told me.

  Would it have made a difference to your answer?

  Diablo tilted his head up to look at his handsome wolf. A man built for fighting. A man who loved him with everything he had. He shook his head. “No, my lover. I figure you are up to the challenge. I love you and if you want me to join with you in the Mating Ritual then I will.” Griff’s answering grin meant Diablo had obviously given the right answer.

  Chapter Twenty

  Promptly at 10 o’clock Kane and Shawn arrived. Kane on his bike and Shawn driving the work wagon with two bikes strapped on the back. Diablo bounded off the porch as they arrived eager to reacquaint himself with the bike. He leapt up on the back of the truck and helped Shawn to release the ties and wheel the gleaming Ducati down the ramps. Then Diablo just stood with his hands in his pockets staring at the tank.

  Griff had come out wearing his leather jacket and holding a second one. He was just a little bit nervous. It was one thing to say he was going to have Diablo’s tank painted, but the design idea was all Griff’s and he wasn’t exactly sure that it was Diablo’s style. Diablo’s face wasn’t giving anything away either. In fact it looked like Diablo was making a point of not reacting to the tank at all. Shit. What if he really didn’t like it? Oh well. Better face the music.

  Taking a deep breath Griff went to stand next to his mate. Diablo looked at him but his face still didn’t give anything away.

  “So, what do you think?”

  “Well, my bike hasn’t been this clean in a long time. The new brakes are an excellent idea. Someone has adjusted my handle bars which will probably make for a better ride and that looks like a new exhaust system which should enhance the sound…”

  “And…”

  Diablo smiled, “the paintwork is beautiful. Thank you,” he said softly.

  “You like it?” Griff threw his arms around Diablo and squeezed him tight.

  “Yes, I like it, you big oaf.” He hugged Griff back before leaning back. “But you ever mess with my bike again without permission man and you are in deep shit. Understood?”

  “Hey I had to make sure you would come back, right?” Now Griff knew that Diablo liked the paintwork he was over the moon.

  “Idiot,” Diablo said fondly. He nodded over to Kane and Shawn who had been watching them. “Thanks guys it is an awesome job. My bike’s never looked so good. Who did the paintwork, Dean?”

  “No, I did,” Shawn said with a smile on his face. “I take it you approve.”

  “Awesome job man, it is beautiful work. The detail on the wolf is just exquisite.”

  “Yep,” said Kane. “My man has got some skills. But come on guys let’s get this show on the road. Your Aunty Cheryl is waiting.”

  Griff handed Diablo the spare jacket he was holding. “Here lover you can wear one of mine seeing as we haven’t got your stuff yet.”

  “I’ll swim in your jacket, Griff.” Diablo laughed as he shrugged it over his shoulders. Sure enough while it fitted his arms it was big over the shoulders and chest and it hung about two inches lower than his own one would.

  “Here, I can fix that for you,” Shawn offered. He flicked his fingers and suddenly the jacket shrunk so that if fit perfectly over Diablo’s shoulders and chest. The jacket still retained Griff’s awesome scent and the soft wear on the jacket was still the same. But now it looked like it was made for Diablo. Grinning his thanks to Griff and Shawn, Diablo got on his bike and minutes later all four men and their bikes roared out of the yard.

  ~~~

  The trip to the Denver Colorado pack lands took just over two hours and by the time Kane led them up a long driveway on the outskirts of town, all of the men felt refreshed and alert. Griff noticed that Diablo was wary a lot of the time - watching traffic and paying attention to large SUVs and vans but when Griff queried him through the mind link as they rode, Diablo just laughed it off as an FBI habit. Deciding that his mate was probably nervous about meeting his Aunt and Uncle, Griff stopped worrying about it and just enjoyed the ride.

  The four men parked their bikes in front of the house. It was a large wooden place. Two storied it was painted white with grey trim around the windows and doors. Someone had taken the time to plant bright flowers in the window boxes on the porch that wrapped around the house like a hug. It looked like a happy and comforting home. Kane and Shawn went up on the porch, Griff following behind. Diablo was looking back along the driveway and as Griff looked up a grey van was cruising slowly past before it sped away. Diablo looked back towards the house to see Griff watching him.

  “Problems, lover,” Griff asked softly.

  Diablo shook his head. “Nope. Just being paranoid I guess. I could have sworn that van has been following us since Cloverleah.” He walked up to where Griff was standing.

  “He was probably checking you out on that bike my lover. You look real hot on that thing.” Griff grabbed Diablo’s ass and nudged him towards the open front door of the house. Diablo reached over and kissed Griff’s neck. “You think I look hot all the time, lover. You’re biased.”

  “True, too true.” Both men were laughing as they walked into the house.

  Inside the house was warm and comfortable with big couches, plent
y of cushions and large rugs on wooden floors. Its semi-open layout let Diablo see a large dining area and through into the kitchen where there appeared to be a lot of cooking going on. Lunch smelt heavenly. There were three women and three men in the kitchen and when Diablo looked up he saw another huge man and a lot shorter woman greeting Kane and Shawn. Kane looked a lot like his father so he guessed the smaller woman was his mother - Cheryl. Diablo could feel his nerves starting to get the better of him and he schooled his face into his typical bland FBI face to hide it. Feeling his lover’s arm snake around his shoulders made him feel a little bit better especially when Cheryl and the Alpha turned to him and Griff.

  “Griff, it’s been too long since you have been on our pack land. It’s good to see you and your mate.” Arthur Matthews held out his hand in greeting and after a moment Griff clasped it in his own.

  “My apologies, Uncle,” Griff’s voice was quiet, “but given the situation with my father I felt it better to stay away than cause further trouble.” The Alpha nodded as if he understood and then he cast his gaze over Diablo.

  “You got yourself a cat shifter, Griff? Is that really a good idea?” Arthur didn’t sound angry, just inquiring, but Diablo could feel his hackles rise all the same. His cat flared up at the implied insult and he did his best to bring it under control - not before his eyes flashed a brilliant yellow, something he was sure the Alpha noticed. Diablo could feel Griff stiffen beside him but before either one of them could speak Arthur was pushed out of the way by Cheryl.

  “Honestly you men. All about posturing and macho crap. That is no way to greet Griff’s mate, who I have to say is a truly beautiful young man.” The short little woman appraised Diablo with a gleam in her eye. “Hello, welcome to the Denver Colorado Pack. I’m Cheryl Matthews, Alpha Mate and this rude man here is Arthur Matthews, Alpha and Griff’s uncle.” She held out her hand to Diablo. He took the small hand in his and shook it carefully.

  “Derrick Franklin, ma’am, but you can call me Diablo,” he said in his quiet silky voice.

  “Diablo, the little devil. Well there is nothing little about you, is there young man and I am guessing from the blush on Griff’s face you are probably a bit of a devil in all ways.” As Cheryl chattered on she gave Griff a big hug and then turned away leading them all to the dining room table. “Come on you big lugs, lunch is ready and I am sure you boys are hungry.”

  Kane’s dad doesn’t like other shifters? Diablo’s question seeped through Griff’s own nervousness and gave Griff the opportunity to tease his mate.

  Well, you know how small cats are and all that. Uncle Arthur just wants to be sure I have a mate that has got my back.

  Do you worry about that, lover? Knowing how little my cat is and all that. Griff could hear the teasing note in Diablo’s enquiry.

  Hmm, well put it this way. If anything could get through you and me then we had better hope we can both run fast, cos it is going to be a hell of a size.

  Griff laughed, his nervousness at being on his old pack lands receding. Because of course Diablo did have his back and there wasn’t anyone who could take on his mate’s cat in a one-on-one situation. He hugged his man close to him as they made their way to the table, pulling Diablo down beside him. Diablo had a small smile on his face as well and that made Griff laugh even more.

  “What’s so funny Griff,” Kane asked.

  Griff looked at Diablo and then faced the others at the table. Kane’s three brothers and their female mates had joined them. All three of the women were wolves, although a lot smaller than their mates, obviously.

  Shaking his head Griff said to Arthur. “You asked if it was a good idea to have a cat shifter as a mate. Yet three of your son’s mate’s are women, wolves definitely, but smaller and weaker, and probably smarter,” he added as he saw the glint in his Aunt’s eye, “than their mates. That is the way it has always been.”

  “But for us blokes that prefer a mate of our own gender, it seems the first thing anyone asks about is the size of their animal when size could either be deceiving or not important at all.” Griff grinned. He looked across at Kane who seemed to understand what he was saying as he threw Shawn a look and they both laughed.

  “What are you talking about Griff? Of course size matters. Your mate has to be able to protect you, more so when you are gay as you have to face that many problems than the rest of us. Your pack is small. I want to know that my nephew will be safe. There is nothing wrong with that.” Arthur let a bit of anger show in his voice but seeing that Griff didn’t take offence, Diablo let it go and waited to see what his lover would say. He put his hand on Griff’s thigh, just wanting to touch him and Griff covered his hand with his own.

  “What I am trying to say, Uncle, is that your son has mated a man who while slightly smaller in human and wolf form, is still a lot more powerful than you or I. Why do you think the Fates would give me anything less?”

  “Do you have magic too?” It was the first time that Arthur had spoken to Diablo directly and Diablo didn’t like his tone. He kept his face bland but his hand tensed under Griff’s.

  “No Sir. I am just a cat,” he answered shortly as he met Arthur’s gaze.

  Griff pulled Diablo’s hand up and kissed it gently. “Diablo is a lot more than just a cat, Uncle. Firstly he is a soon-to-be retired FBI agent who has spent more than seven years undercover and ten years in the agency. He is trained in both armed and unarmed combat. His cat is bigger than any of our wolves and on top of that he has strength, integrity, intelligence and honor and he doesn’t use his animal size to intimidate others or get his own way.” He looked at Diablo, catching his warm gaze in his own. “The Fate’s choice is perfect for me in every way and,” he said looking back at his Uncle, “there is no-one I would rather have at my back than Diablo in human or animal form.”

  Diablo could feel Arthur looking at him closely and he met the man’s gaze without flinching. Arthur looked at him steadily for a moment and then nodded and held his hand out to Diablo.

  “Understood. You are welcome, Diablo and as Griff’s mate you are extended the same protection and respect owed those in the Cloverleah pack even if you aren’t a pack member.”

  “He is,” Shawn piped up, with his mouth full.

  “Yes,” said Kane who was also enjoying his food. Diablo picked up his fork and started to eat. The meat was delicious. “Diablo was admitted to our pack yesterday on a unanimous vote, so he is a full pack member.”

  “Well,” said Arthur with a laugh, “between Diablo and Shawn you are certainly becoming a pack to be reckoned with. I am glad we are allies.”

  “And now, if you men are finished,” Cheryl looked at the said men pointedly, “tell me Griff, when will you and Diablo have your Mating Ritual? With Diablo being such a good looking cat it should be an exciting day and I for one will want to be there. In fact, I could arrange the whole thing.” She looked up with an excited smile on her face. Arthur groaned and kept his head down.

  “Is a week enough time, Aunty, or do you need more?” Griff was smirking at Diablo as he answered.

  “Oh pshaw, these other two,” Cheryl said as she indicated Kane and Shawn, “only gave me a day’s notice and I think it all went beautifully. Don’t you boys?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Kane and Shawn answered together, not keen to say anything else. Kane had wanted to go through the Alpha Mating ritual before Shawn faced his Uncle in an Alpha challenge so they only had the one day to arrange it all and get everything in place.

  “Of course we will have to notify the other packs…hmm, will you let me take a photo of you Diablo?” Cheryl’s voice was deceptively sweet.

  “Uhm,” Diablo looked at Griff whose grin just got bigger if that was possible. “Why would you need that, ma’am?”

  Narrowing her eyes at the handsome man, Cheryl asked, “Griff did tell you what was involved in the Mating Ritual when a different type of shifter is involved, didn’t he? You did explain, didn’t you Griff because if you didn’t th
en that is just plain wrong.”

  “Oh no Aunty, I explained it all to him. He knows what to expect. In fact it put him off for a bit but I talked him round,” Griff’s face might have been innocent for his aunt, but the memory of how Griff got him to say yes had Diablo shifting in his chair a little bit. Diablo glared at his mate as his jeans got tighter. Fortunately Cheryl honed in on him again which helped his jean situation a bit.

  “Well, then Diablo you will know that I have to announce your Mating Ritual to the other packs that are invited and I will need to send a picture of you through to the other packs so that any interested parties can challenge Griff on the day. I mean most of them won’t be able to get to see you much before the day and we don’t want a rush on for challenges on the day itself. It makes planning so difficult.” Cheryl was totally sincere in her remarks.

  “Can’t be too many of them, sweetie, after all the boys are gay. I am sure Diablo isn’t interested in any female challengers.” Arthur’s teasing voice showed how much more comfortable he had gotten with his own son’s and Griff’s sexual orientation.

  Diablo shuddered and one of the females at the table laughed. “No sir, I have never been interested in a female mate. No disrespect intended,” he said to the other women at the table.

  “Well then, you shouldn’t have too much trouble then with challengers. I mean how many gay shifter’s are there that are likely to be invited.” Arthur asked.

  Diablo wasn’t the only one who stared as Griff, Kane and Shawn all burst out laughing. Even Cheryl looked a bit puzzled. Finally Kane got himself together enough to explain. “Er Mom, we will only be inviting members from three packs. Yours of course, although we don’t expect too many challenges from here…”

  “There might be a couple,” Arthur said with a gleam in his eye. Kane looked at his Dad in shock for a moment and then shrugged and went back to talking to his Mom.

  “But the other two packs will be Claude Murphy’s pack from Tulsa Oklahoma and Damien’s pack in San Antonio, Texas…” he paused and looked at Diablo. “Do you know anyone from either of those packs?” Diablo shook his head. “Weeeeell…Claude’s pack is 90% gay and Damien’s is like, 75%. Claude’s pack has about 50 members at last count and Damien’s…” Kane looked at Shawn.