Free Long Road Home by Chandra Ryan

fear.”
    They weren’t the most comforting words given they were coming from a crazy person, but he nodded. His options were limited. “Okay.”
    He took a step back and then his body morphed into a Wolf. The edges of the room dimmed again as Thom fought against the urge to black out.
    “Man up,” Drew whispered. “You have no idea what he risked to show you this. The least you could do is accept his show of trust as the gift it is.”
    He reached out one shaking hand to touch the blond fur on top of the Wolf’s head. “I won’t tell anyone. Ever. I swear.” The Wolf padded closer, encouraging him to scratch behind one of his ears. The jealousy, the man’s protectiveness, even the secretiveness of the commune made sense. They were Werewolves. “If he bites me….”
    Drew snorted. “He won’t. Unless you’re into biting.”
    “Would I become—”
    “No. You’ll never become a Werewolf.” Some of the harshness had left Drew’s voice but he still sounded firm. “If he chooses to take you as a mate, you’ll live a healthier and longer life.”
    He looked at Drew. “This is a lot to process.”
    Hank shifted back into a man. He appeared so lost and scared for a second, Thom had to reach out to him.
    “He’s honest,” Drew said. “And he smells kind.”
    He jumped up and took a step away from the two men. He’d officially reached his breaking point. Now, with Hank a human again, he already doubted what he’d seen. “I smell kind? What the hell did he mean?”
    “Take a deep breath.” Hank stepped toward him slowly as he complied with the order. “Good. We can worry about the smelling thing later. There will be plenty of time.” He turned to Drew. “Thank you. For everything.”
    “I’ll give you two some time alone.”
    His heart beat painfully at being alone with a Werewolf. He couldn’t ask Drew to stay, however. Being alone with two Werewolves didn’t seem any safer.
    “It’s okay. Deep breaths.” Hank’s voice had a hypnotic note to it. Thom found comfort in the slow easy words. “You’re going to be okay.”
    When Hank kissed him, he found he believed the promise. “You’re a Werewolf.” He said the words against Hank’s mouth.
    “I am.”
    “I’m a little scared,” he admitted.
    “Me, too.”
    He found the idea of Hank being afraid of him funny. “I can’t hurt you.”
    “You’re the only person in this world who could.”
    “Drew threatened to kill you.”
    Hank sighed. “If you betrayed me by telling someone about me or put my pack at risk, I would beg for death. It would be a kinder fate.” He pushed Thom back an inch. “You get that, don’t you?”
    “I do.” Crazy as it seemed, he did. He understood. His brain had finally caught up with his other senses.
    “Good.” Hank kissed him again. “Do you want me to stop? To leave?”
    He pulled Hank tighter to him. “No.”
    “Thank God.” His fingers tickled as he pulled Thom’s shirt over his head.
    “Will you move back to the compound?”
    “It’s a town. Not a compound.” His work-calloused hands skimmed over Thom’s ribs. “I wouldn’t move anywhere without you. If you’d feel safer there, we can discuss it.”
    “I like my farm. It’s the only home I’ve ever known. It’s where I feel safest.”
    “Then we stay here.” He undid Thom’s pants and pushed them and his boxers down so they puddled around his ankles. “Now, turn around and brace your arms on the table.”
    Hank grabbed a tube of lube out of the kitchen drawer and spread the slippery substance over Thom’s ass. “No condom this time. Werewolves can’t get or spread disease.”
    In the back of his mind, he remembered Drew mentioning being mated. The word rolled around as if trying to find a place to settle. He had so much new information to digest, though, the word continued to roll until Hank slid one finger through the tight muscles of his ass. All thought shut down at the sensation.
    “I love you, Thom.” Hank slid a