Free Reluctantly Lycan by Jez Strider Page A

think logically.” Mara said to her son.
    “Yeah. I’ll never be that aggressive.” He gulped.
    “Probably not.”
    Jak grimaced. “Not too thrilled about everyone seeing my equipment either….”
    “Obviously your father has little qualms about it.” She rolled her eyes, but found herself envisioning Kaden’s tight butt as he walked down the hallway.
     
    The lack of sleep and grimy feeling from not having showered made Kaden crankier than usual. And that horrible scruff was getting far too close to full on beard. He scratched at it angrily before pulling out a razor.
    He cleaned up and then shaved slowly, careful to get rid of even the tiniest stray hair. As a wolf he could deal with being a mangy creature, not as a human. The aftershave burned, but he barely noticed the sensation. He inhaled a little, deciding he smelled presentable for his mate. Not that his natural aroma didn’t send her up the wall. He knew the effect it had on her. Hers did the same to him.
    Hastily, he jerked on a pair of boxer briefs, relatively clean jeans, and a red sleeveless flannel patterned shirt which he left open in the front. His hair would have to air dry on its own because, even for Mara, a blow dryer was out of the question. He didn’t own one.
    Mara and Jak stared at Kaden when he entered the room. “That’s better.” He smiled, but it felt odd with his mood, and he lost the expression.
    “Quite the welcome home. Though, from what I understand you decided you didn’t want us in your life after all.” Mara said.
    Kaden blinked a few times. “Why would you think that? I told Levi to call and tell you to wait because there’s been trouble.”
    She didn’t look convinced. “The boy that went missing?”
    He nodded. “Yes. He hasn’t been located.”
    Jak hefted his backpack, redistributing the weight. Kaden glanced at his son, noting the boy looked unsure if he was welcome or not.
    “ Jak, sorry about out there. Levi’s scent was on your mother and I flipped out a little. I assume she hugged him or something, but it’s harder to think as the wolf.” He stepped toward the boy and placed a hand on his shoulder. “We good?”
    “Yeah, we’re cool.” He tried to sound confident. “Do you want us to leave?”
    Kaden shook his head then looked to Mara. “Never.”
    Her eyes lowered, not out of respect or fear, but from the needy intensity with which his eyes bore into hers. “Where should we stay?” She asked.
    “Here, where else?”
    “I thought Jak might get to know some people if he stayed in the bunks with the other unmated guys.”
    “Normally I would agree, but I’d rather he stay here until we find the missing boy and he settles in.”
    Mara bit her lip, but agreed. “I’ll stay with Levi and Elle, if they don’t mind. Do they have children yet?”
    “Not for lack of trying. The births have dwindled to nearly none.” He almost ordered her to stay in his home, but thought better of it. “Please stay here. Jak can have Dad’s old office. You can have my room.”
    “The couch will be fine for me. Thank you.”
    “No, it won’t. Take the room. I rarely sleep in there.”
    “Ah, other women keep you company elsewhere?” Mara asked.
    Kade stepped toward her and grabbed her by the shoulders. The girl he’d loved had turned into a bitter bitch. It broke his heart. She shrunk away evidently fearful of what he might do to her. Instead of shaking her and slapping her face, which tempted him, he wrapped her in an all-encompassing hug. Warm water wet his bare chest. Was she crying?
    He didn’t apologize again for all his mistakes, instead, he held her. His right arm opened wide. His son stepped closer and Kaden pulled the teenager into the embrace as well.
     
    “None of that went as planned.” Mara threw open a cabinet in search of plates, didn’t find any, and tried two more.
    Kaden had stepped out briefly after their uncomfortable emotional encounter. Jak was in the office, making it into his