Accidentally Mated: Fraser Lake Pack, #1

Tristan Massey didn’t set out to become the alpha of Fraser Lake’s werewolf pack. All he wanted to do was borrow a car. But he couldn’t ignore the dangerous direction his beloved pack was heading in.

Jake Trenton, tiger shifter, has a secret far more important than his unrequited love for his best friend. One that he will do anything to protect, even move thousands of miles away from everything he’s ever loved.

One night of passion ends with a mistake that ties them together for life and ends in disaster. While Tristan struggles with the consequences of letting go of his rigid control, Jake must decide whether he can show, and accept, his true nature.

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Chapter 1

Did you find anything? Chris’s voice floated down to him from his front porch.

Tristan scowled and shook his head. Nothing, not even a rabbit. Honestly, I can’t believe how low we’re running on prey. People are going to get restless if they don’t have something to hunt.

He stomped up the steps and grabbed for the clothes he’d left bundled on the porch swing. His shirt had somehow managed to become tangled with his pants. He couldn’t find his underwear anywhere. Did you touch my fucking clothes?

Chris laughed, which only irritated him more. Man, Tristan. You need a keeper. No, I did not touch your clothes. Did you bother to shake them out and fold them before you shifted?

He gave up trying to unknot his clothes and chucked them on the floor. They landed with a plop and he kicked them aside. He threw himself onto the porch swing next to his best friend, setting it in motion.

No, he admitted.

They were silent for a few seconds, completely comfortable in each other’s presence. Most men would be awkward in such an intimate setting, sitting together on a small porch swing, one of them completely bare-assed naked. Werewolves, however, were a breed unto themselves. They had been exposed to nudity since childhood and had lost any discomfort with the concept.

You really didn’t see anything? Chris asked again.

What? You think I’d lie to you? I know the alpha said we have plenty of prey in the forest. I haven’t seen any in weeks, though.

That’s not good. It’s a full moon soon. If there’s no prey during the Pack Run, what is everyone going to do?

Tristan shrugged and stared up at the sky, watching the puffy clouds drift lazily by. No idea. I wish the alpha would let me see the pack records. I really want to see when the last time he had the prey counted was. Also, if it’s been low like this for a while, I want to know why he hasn’t ordered more.

Chris pushed his heel into the wooden porch and sent the swing rocking again. I sort of wonder if the pack’s finances are in trouble. I can’t figure out why else things have become so run-down around here.

Tristan sighed and glanced around. Chris was right. They’d been off pack land for years now, both pursuing advanced degrees. The Alpha House bore the unmistakable sign of neglect, something that had never been allowed in the past. The roads into pack territory had deteriorated to the point it had more potholes than cement. It’s kind of shocking, isn’t it?

Yeah. I was really taken aback when we came home. Maybe we should have come back more often.

Privately, Tristan agreed. They’d been away in Ontario at one of the best business schools in the country. It wasn’t like they could simply hop on a plane and take the five-hour ride because they felt like it. They wouldn’t have been able to change anything anyway. What were two university students supposed to do?

Have you had any success in getting any of the local businesses to hear our pitch? he asked instead, changing the subject to something only moderately less stressful.

Chris brightened instantly. Actually, yes. I have two potential clients lined up for us the day after tomorrow. We’ll have to leave early, though. Both businesses are in Vancouver.

Shit. That’s an eleven-hour drive in good weather, Tristan complained.

Chris raised his eyebrows and gave him a disbelieving look. Are you fucking with me right now? We’ve got to get our business off the ground somehow. You knew going into this most of our clients would be in the city.

I know. How are we supposed to get there? My car won’t get us there. Hell, it probably wouldn’t even get us into town, and that’s only twenty minutes away. And don’t get me started on your car.

Chris pursed his lips and tapped his chin with a long finger. Huh. I didn’t think about that. Maybe we could ask the alpha if we could borrow his car. He seems willing to let everyone else use it.

It was worth a try anyway. You can ask him, Tristan said. He likes you more than he likes me.

His friend rolled his eyes. That’s because you’re nearly as dominant as him. Now that I think of it, you may be more dominant. You’ve really come into your own.

He snorted and pointed a finger at his best friend. You sound like my mom.

Oh, hell no. You did not just say that. I loved your mom, you know that. However, I draw the line at being compared to a tiny dynamo. She had blue eyes and red hair, for goodness’ sake.

Tristan snorted. Chris, being tall and of African descent, looked nothing like his mother at all. Aside from that, they really did have a lot in common. Like nagging him to death. When they were kids, Chris had spent almost as much time at his house as he had at home. His mother and his best friend had adored each other, and Tristan knew the comparison secretly pleased him. Whatever. Back to the problem at hand. When are you going to ask the alpha about borrowing his car again?

Chris groaned. You’re really going to make me do it? What, are you a chicken or something? You could totally take him in a fight. Maybe.

Thanks for your vote of confidence, pal. Honestly, I think I’m a little more dominant than him now and, the last time I saw him, he was extra pissy with me. I don’t want to leave the area. I love it here so I’d rather not get banished, if you don’t mind.

Fine. I’ll call him in a few minutes. I’ll probably have to promise him that you won’t piss in his car or anything.

Hey, Tristan protested, though he couldn’t help his smile. That only happened once and I was smashed. I haven’t been drunk since.

Still, it isn’t something that is easily forgotten. Your father took quite the pleasure in telling everyone about your mistake.

Before he could defend himself further, a sharp scent invaded his nostrils.

He sat up and raised his nose, trying to catch another whiff. Did you smell that?

Chris looked at him like he’d lost his mind. No… His voice trailed off when the breeze carried the scent to them again, this time sharper, laced with more urgency than before. Yes.

Fear. Its scent was unmistakable. It was enough to freeze his lungs even though the late spring air was warm and moist. What the fuck?

Something’s not right, Chris remarked, standing up and scanning their surroundings. It smells like human fear.

It did smell like human fear. It reeked of extreme panic with the bitter edge of spilled urine. Fear was an understatement. Whoever gave off this scent was downright terrified.

He turned to his friend, frowning. There’s more than one.

This is bad, Chris said, his eyes shifting into their wolf form. Very bad. Every werewolf in the vicinity is going to be inspired to hunt them.

Tristan’s wolf paced in the back of his mind, begging to be let free. I know. You gonna be okay?

Normally, Tristan wouldn’t be worried about his friend. Chris didn’t have quite as much control of his beast as he did, but he still had more control than most werewolves. Still, the lack of any prey probably had his wolf restless.

I’ll be fine, Chris answered, already stripping off his clothes.

Having never gotten dressed, Tristan started his change immediately. It only took a few seconds and he waited impatiently for his friend to finish. Normally, he would have searched for the humans alone, but they’d been told to start searching in pairs a few years ago. Humans hiking in the bear-laden woods often carried rifles. And frightened people often shot first and questioned motivations second.

Finally, a huge black wolf jumped lightly from the porch and yipped.

The scent was so much stronger in wolf form. It burned his nose, making him want to follow the tantalizing smell of vulnerability and pounce. He shook his head and pawed at his muzzle.

Chris didn’t look much better. The other wolf growled low and paced the length of the front lawn. Tristan trotted over to him and got right in his face, dropping his lower jaw to display his teeth. The glossy, crazed look slowly faded from his friend’s eyes.

He waited another few seconds to be sure Chris had total control of his beast before taking off in the direction of the scent.

It didn’t take them long to find the source of the fear, and he didn’t have to be a genius to figure out what had happened.

Two teenagers, a boy and a girl, were surrounded by no less than five giant wolves. The beasts snarled, saliva dripping from their exposed fangs.

It had been the boy who’d pissed his pants, the dark stain on the front of his jeans spreading steadily down his leg. While the girl hadn’t soiled herself, yet anyway, she trembled violently, her eyes wide with utter terror. It was the kind of fear that reached down the throat and tore at the heart.

Tristan skidded to a halt behind the largest wolf, whom he recognized as the guy who used to bully everyone in school, and growled. He was far more dominant than any of these wolves. Hopefully they weren’t too blood-crazed to realize it.

Two of the wolves dropped back at his warning and disappeared into the trees. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Chris nip at their heels and focused back on the other three predators. He growled again, louder this time, and peeled his lips away from his fangs.

Two more wolves broke away and slunk into the woods. Tristan kept his gaze firmly fixed on the sole shifter.

When the wolf refused to back down, Tristan got right in his face. He growled again and lunged, placing his teeth lightly at the wolf’s throat.

The beast finally backed down, cocking his head a little to show his submission.

The two kids finally broke free of their terror long enough to start running in the opposite direction. If he’d been in human form, he would have shouted himself hoarse at them. Everyone knew running from a predator only inspired them to chase.

He kept his teeth clamped tightly against the wolf’s throat and rolled his eyes to the side to make sure Chris had everyone else in order. When no one made to rush the teenagers, he let go of the wolf and shifted back to his human form.

Are you fucking crazy? he shouted. Hunting humans? What the hell has gotten into you?

When answers failed to come, he lost it.

Get out here! he shouted, letting go of some of his rigid control.

Chris had once told him his power felt like a sizzle of electricity when he eased his shields down. He could only guess at what it felt like now that he’d let the walls come crashing down without warning.

The four wolves who’d disappeared into the trees obeyed his command and slunk back into view, heads down and tails between their legs. All four rolled onto their backs, displaying their vulnerable bellies. The fifth wolf, the last one to give in, was the only one who didn’t roll over.

That wouldn’t do. Tristan lowered his defenses completely and let the full extent of his dominance out. One of the wolves whimpered behind him, but he ignored it. Reluctance was written all over the other wolf as his knees bent and he rolled slowly onto his back.

Shift, Tristan ordered.

He waited impatiently until all the wolves, including Chris, had shifted back to their human forms. Without taking his eyes off the most dominant of the hunters, he addressed the entire group. Well? Answer my question.

The command caused more whimpering, and he pulled back on his power enough to let them answer.

They were trespassing, one of them finally squeaked.

So, you decided to stalk them? Chris asked.

We couldn’t help ourselves, someone else said. We haven’t seen or scented any prey around here in months. At first, we were only curious. I mean, there are ‘no trespassing’ signs everywhere. We only wanted to see who was stupid enough to ignore them. And then the fear… He trailed off.

Tristan didn’t need him to finish the explanation. He knew exactly what smelling fear would do to a predatory shifter who hadn’t had a successful kill in months. However, he didn’t think the same explanation fit for everyone.

What’s your excuse, Bobby? he asked, staring the largest of the five wolves full in the face.

Bobby the bully smirked at him. You think you have me all figured out, don’t you, Tristan?

You’re not exactly the hardest guy to figure out, you know. I’ve had your number since we were in grade school.

The smirk that crossed Bobby’s face had the fine hairs on the back of Tristan’s neck standing up. Things changed while you and your faggot friend were away getting your fancy-pants degrees.

If you’re going to tell us you’re the alpha’s number one boy, you’d better be prepared for me to punch your lights out, Chris spat from behind them. He couldn’t stand you when you were a teenager, and he can’t stand you now.

Really? Bobby said softly. Have you even talked to the old man since you’ve been home, Fairy Boy?

Chris stiffened. I have. And he hasn’t spared me the details of how distasteful he finds you.

Bobby’s smirk grew. That’s because he can’t control me anymore. I’m the more dominant one.

Snorting, Tristan waved a dismissive hand. I find that hard to believe. Whatever the case, I’m going straight to the alpha about your little stunt today. You can’t go around hunting humans.

We weren’t going to hurt them, one of the other wolves whined. We only wanted to scare them a little.

You think scaring them a little results in a guy pissing himself? And I know exactly how close you were to attacking, so don’t even go there. You don’t have enough control to play those sorts of games, he answered.

Whatever, Chris said, coming up alongside him. The kids are long gone by now. Let’s just go to the alpha and report these clowns.

He took a second to assess the mentality of the group of wolves. They were in sufficient control of their instincts now that their prey had successfully escaped. He tried placing their faces so he could give the alpha their names. He failed to recognize anyone except Bobby.

You’re new, he said.

The four strangers bobbed their heads as one. The Council dissolved our pack a few years ago.

He waited for further explanation, but the wolves weren’t particularly forthcoming. There had to be more to the story than what they were saying. Packs didn’t dissolve without reason.

Clearly, they weren’t willing to give up any other information.

Something didn’t sit right with him, but he let it go.

Go home, he commanded, and he watched the others slink off.

Turning to Bobby, who still sneered at him, he bared his teeth again. You only felt a fraction of my power. Get lost before I lose my temper completely.

The smug expression melted off Bobby’s face, and he left without another word.

Tristan and Chris stayed where they were, watching as all the men disappeared from view. "I guess we have to talk to