Lynx Northern Shifters 3

that’s what it had felt like—made Jonah hard and needy and wanting. His body had discovered an entire new continent of sensation, and if he could have slowed down this desire and longing, Jonah wouldn’t have. He felt like he had come alive, all because of Trey. But it would end, shortly, which made Jonah feel like his joy was balanced by the loss that was soon to come.
He wondered if Trey would respond to his declaration, because Trey’s expression suggested he too was happy. But Trey took Jonah’s hand and pulled him back inside. He didn’t say a word as he undressed Jonah and they made love. Jonah had wanted to tell Trey to possess him again, but Trey wouldn’t let him speak as he kissed and held and touched Jonah until they both came.
Afterwards, Jonah felt wide awake, not tired, and Trey laughed. “It never tires you out, does it?”
“You tired me out yesterday.”
“That’s true.”
Jonah swallowed once. The vocabulary of this kind of conversation didn’t come that easily to him. He kept his voice low. “You can take me like that again.”
Trey reached up to smooth back the hair that was falling in Jonah’s face. “Then I will.”
Jonah was on top of Trey, pinning him down. He wanted to ask if he could fuck Trey sometime, but had to work his way up to that question. And he had other questions. Jonah bit his lip for moment before saying, “I guess twenty-four is pretty old for a first time.”
Trey managed to shrug while lying horizontal. “There are people who wait longer.” At Jonah’s doubtful look, he added, “With werewolves it’s probably less likely though.”
“How old were you?”
Trey went still, and Jonah knew he didn’t want to respond. He should have let him off the hook, but they were running out of time and he was hungry to know about this amazing man who lay beneath him. So he kept his gaze on Trey who appeared to feel he was obliged to answer. “I was twelve.”
Something settled in Jonah, a feeling of dread, a need to brace himself, for Trey’s sake. He worked not to look aghast. “That’s a bit young,” he managed, understating it.
“It was young,” Trey agreed, no amending, no adding that he was mature for his age or something.
Jonah knew he was frowning. “Someone should have been looking out for you.”
“I ran away from home at twelve, found a pack. It was a bit of a free-for-all during the week of the full moon.”
Jonah kept his tone even. “Adults too?”
“Not usually, as that was frowned upon.” Trey’s eyes lidded. He didn’t want to be talking about it. “I was willing, you have to understand. I wasn’t dragged in to it kicking and screaming. The wolf wants a release during that time.”
“Someone should have looked out for you,” Jonah insisted, angry now that Trey hadn’t had someone. He deserved to have someone like that. “I would have.”
Trey laughed, though the humor was muted. “You weren’t born then, Jonah.”
“I wish I had been. I would have kept you safe.”
Trey closed his eyes briefly, as if to escape Jonah’s gaze, and Jonah thought Trey would kiss him to get away from the conversation. Instead he opened his eyes and quietly said, “I’m glad you’re here now. More than you might realize.”
Jonah lowered himself to rest his chin on Trey’s chest. “Good.”
Trey ruffled his hair. “Feeling sleepy now?”
He was a little surprised to realize this was true. He’d somehow expected a long conversation, but Trey’s revelation—age twelve —had kind of cut it short. His eyes drifted shut as Trey rubbed a hand up and down his back. Being lulled to sleep was wonderful. But as Jonah’s mind drifted, his thoughts circled back round to the point he’d made to Trey, though he switched it to present tense. I will keep you safe . It was silly in a way. Trey was capable, powerful and much more worldly than Jonah. And yet, it felt right to Jonah that part of his purpose in this world was to be there for Trey.
    They started early the next day, and it wasn’t Jonah making the first move though he was the one who often woke earlier. Of course Trey usually decided what they were doing. Not that Jonah was indecisive, exactly, more unsure and eager to follow Trey’s lead. This morning he also wanted to ask Trey more questions, especially about his work, which he knew so little about, apart from the fact it was law enforcement and it was dangerous.
    He wondered if he could talk Trey out of leaving. At first, the idea had been