With Caution

giving us time to talk.” Rhys stood a few feet away from Jake, being his typical calm, cool and collected self.
    Jake had been reluctant to tell them what was going on. The look on his face was pinched, uptight. He didn’t want to do this. Hell, neither did Remi, but they really didn’t have a choice.
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    With Caution
    Dago groaned, his fist clenching and unclenching. Tank kept fidgeting, and Gadget was about to wear a groove in the hard-packed dirt from pacing. Nick could not stop staring and growling at the crowd.
    Remi went to Jake, needing his strength.
    Placing his hands on Remi’s shoulders, Jake stared into Remi’s eyes. Like always, the muscles in Remi’s shoulders eased without his permission. His body was Jake’s to command. How did Jake do that? Remi was mad and scared, but it was like he could suddenly think clearly. He knew what he had to do. “It will be okay.”
    Jake touched his cheek.
    Remi stared into the big brown eyes and melted. Whenever Jake touched him his whole body came alive, sensitized. Remi had no choice but to follow willingly or be swept away. Changing into a wolf was similar, but not nearly as exciting. He closed his eyes, leaning into Jake’s hand, taking what he needed, willing Jake to do the same.
    “Amazing.” Jake’s tone was soft, barely a whisper.
    At the awe in Jake’s voice, Remi opened his eyes.
    Jake stared past Remi. Running his thumb over Remi’s cheek, he jerked his head.
    Remi turned.
    Gadget had stopped pacing and was glaring out toward the other pack. Dago’s hands were no longer fisted. Zack, Nick and Tank were watching Remi and Jake. All of them were alert, but at ease. Like they were awaiting a command. How? Why?
    “We’re theirs as much as they are ours.”
    Remi didn’t quite understand it, but the sense of belonging was there nonetheless.
    They had a bond, all of them.
    Jake kissed Remi, acting more like himself. When Jake pulled back, his brown eyes had shifted. He stared at Remi for several seconds, caressing his cheek, then abruptly stepped away. “Everyone, get rid of your clothes.” His voice had that same weird cadence to it that John Carter’s had earlier. Remi noticed the others seemed compelled to act. Instantly, their pack began to strip.
    Remi stood frozen, amazed at this new development. “Jake?”

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    “Trust me. If they shift in clothes, they’ll get tangled and not be able to defend themselves.” Jake tossed his shirt away and reached for Remi again.
    Damn it, Remi really hated this werewolf-culture shit. Glancing around, he noticed the guys were naked and fanning out around them, prepared to defend them, to fight for them.
    Taking a deep breath, Remi let Jake’s scent invade his senses. A feeling of warmth filled him. His gums stung, his cock hardened. He could do this.
    As the men talked, Jake undressed Remi. When Remi opened his eyes, his vision had changed. He watched in a daze as the other pack fought his friends. Some of them had already shifted.
    Jake pulled Remi back into the trees, concealing them from view. His mouth slammed over Remi’s and his hot strong body melded against him.
    Remi forgot about everything else. Need coursed through him, making him moan into Jake’s mouth. God, he needed Jake. It was like this every time he got close to Jake.
    Every time they touched or kissed. Remi couldn’t think beyond Jake, he wanted Jake.
    Jake drew back until only the wet tip of his cock touched Remi’s stomach. “On your hands and knees, pup.”
    Remi wanted to feel the soft skin of Jake’s balls on his nose, his cheek. He wanted that smell, the weight of Jake in his mouth, but he did as he was told. “Yes, sir.” Remi dropped to all fours, the title slipping easily from his lips. Remi’s ass clenched and unclenched as he thought back to the other day. The cool night breeze blew over his skin.
    His belly contracted. Damn, had he ever been this turned on? It was like waking from a wet dream in the middle of climax—it took his breath away. His cock throbbed in anticipation and his balls were so tight they were nearing pain. He could feel Jake’s heat behind him. Why wasn’t Jake hurrying? Remi whimpered, pushing back toward his mate.
    “Please…”
    Jake growled, his hand touching the middle of Remi’s back.
    Remi obeyed the unspoken command to be still. A chill ran down his spine and his neck began to itch. He wanted Jake’s cock