Aleco bounded from the log cabin, his heart full of happiness and the press of the wind flattening his fur against his body. His son, Neo, had finally found a mate. For too many years, he’d been wandering the continent, his restless soul getting him into countless scrapes, and his days not ending with the one person he was meant to be with, forever.

A mate.

And now Jude was in his life.

Thank goodness.

It was a warm day in California, and Aleco was glad when he came to a stream. Instead of leaping it, he stopped and drank deeply, lapping at the cool spring water. Jude seemed a nice guy, from what he’d seen of him. Unlike his son, he was delicate looking, his limbs slender, his skin pale. He could imagine the combination of that and his shy demeanor bringing out the protective side in Neo—he always was one to fiercely guard what was his, whether in his human or dog form.

Aleco set off again, heading west toward the pack’s home deep in the Redwood forest. As Alpha male, he’d chosen the spot many years ago, and it had proven to be a solid decision. They were rarely disturbed by anyone other than the odd hiker meandering off a trail, which meant the shifters amongst them could go about their daily lives however they wished, with no fear of society judging them.

Camp Julie, as it was affectionately known in honor of Aleco’s wife, was also near enough to a local town for it to be a convenient day trip. Aleco sped up as he slipped into the shadows. Julie would be thrilled to hear the news that her beloved son had love in his life. As would Pedro, the third in their relationship, he, too, would be overjoyed. Pedro had loved Neo like a son for many years. They all only wanted the best for him.

A growl caught in Aleco’s throat when he remembered that Julie wouldn’t be waiting for him. She’d gone on her monthly trip into the town to collect essentials—soap, grains, some new towels, lube.

Lube.

Oh, yeah, they got through plenty of that. As a threesome, they were as into one another now as they had been twenty years ago. Sex between them had gotten better with age. It was as if their history, their commitment to one another, had only strengthened the physical bond between them. Aleco knew he’d always be utterly satisfied when he spent naked time with his mates, whether it was just one of them or both at the same time.

Finally, the smells from the camp filtered toward him on the wind. Aleco slowed to a walk then shifted into his human form. It was effortless to do so these days. It hadn’t always been that way. As a teenager, he’d fought it, not wanting to be a dog. But thankfully his father had figured out the situation and set him right.

Part of his fear was the nakedness when he turned. As a boy on the cusp of manhood, the embarrassment of showing everything had made his skin itch and heat. Until, that was, his father divulged a secret, one that was passed down the generations in his pack. With the help of some magical intervention, Redwood Shifters could pick one outfit to wear when they came back to human form, it would always be on them, no matter what. Aleco had chosen a pair of jeans. They were faded and worn now, and being naked didn’t embarrass him as much as it used to, but he was still glad of the shared secret and had passed it on to Neo before he’d had to go through the same experience.

Neo had gone with a trendier outfit—leathers and boots—but in the same way as Aleco, being clothed in public had always been considered a bonus. Aleco had no doubt that it had also saved him extra scrapes with the law, too.

A few of the pack milled about the central area, a low stone semi-circular wall by the stream, and washing hung on lines. He was aware of the scent of cooking, something meaty in the air, and as he approached his cabin, set back from the others, the familiar smell of Pedro.

He smiled.

My mate.

Perhaps after sharing the good news with Pedro about Neo they could have a celebration. Get warmed up for when Julie would arrive home and they could all revel in the good news together.

With his bare feet kicking up dust on the path to the cabin, Aleco’s cock hardened. A night of fucking till they were all exhausted and sated was definitely in the cards. Neo’s situation had been a nagging worry for too long, and now they could properly relax together.

“Hey, Pedro.” Aleco let himself into the shadows of the cabin and shut the door.

The fireplace lay dormant. It hadn’t been lit for months. And the curtains were half closed, keeping out the heat of the day.

Several cups sat by the sink, awaiting washing, and a fresh loaf of bread had been placed on the counter.

“Pedro, you here?” Aleco directed at the bedroom.

“Hey, you’re home.” Pedro appeared wearing only a pair of khaki shorts. His black-as-night hair was damp, as if he’d just showered, and his olive skin had a dewy glow. “How was Neo?” he asked. “Had you caught his scent on the wind?”

“Yes, I had.” Aleco grinned and walked up to his mate. “And he’s mighty fine.”

“He is?” Pedro raised his eyebrows.

“Yeah, he’s found his mate.”

Pedro gasped. “That’s wonderful news. Tell me more. What’s his name? What’s he like?”

“Jude, and he’s…slim, pale, almost like a doll.” He reached out and wrapped his hands around Pedro’s thick biceps, enjoying the heat of his flesh on his palms. “No muscles like this.”

“There’s someone for everyone out there.”

“Yep, and thank goodness our son has found his perfect partner. His roaming ways were driving us all to distraction.”

“You can say that again.” Pedro swept his mouth over Aleco’s. “You hungry? Julie left us bread.”

As he’d spoken, Aleco’s stomach rumbled. His early run to his son’s cabin then dash back had clearly generated an appetite. He pressed his hand over his bare belly. “Yeah, I should eat first.”

“First?”

“Yeah.” Aleco ran his hand lower and cupped his cock. “Before we celebrate the return of Neo to the territory.”

“And how were you thinking of celebrating?”

“With my cock.” Aleco winked, enjoying the way Pedro’s pupils had widened at the mention of sex. He turned and stepped up to the bread. Julie had left a knife next to it and he carved a thick slice and smeared it with butter. “Mmm, this is good,” he mumbled, chomping down on it.

“She’s one in a million. Always thinking of us even when she’s not here.” Pedro had moved behind him, close, so close the heat of his chest radiated onto Aleco’s back.

“I wish she was home now, so we could tell her about Neo.” Aleco took another big bite of bread, keen to fill up quickly so he could set to work on feasting on Pedro’s sexy body.

But it seemed Pedro had other ideas. He wound his arms around Aleco’s naked torso and slipped his hand down to the waistband of his jeans.

“Mmm…” Aleco said, tipping his head back as Pedro sent kisses over his neck, his stubbled chin leaving a small trail of scratch.

“You smell hot,” Pedro said. “From your run.”

“And hot for you,” Aleco said, setting down the last of his bread. His attention was now well and truly harnessed by his mate who was undoing the buttons on his jeans.

“I’m pleased about that,” Pedro said. “That you’re hot for me.”

Aleco tensed his belly and locked his knees as Pedro pushed his jeans down, over his hips and let them gather at his thighs.

Aleco never wore underwear and his erection sprung forward into Pedro’s waiting hands.

“You’re so hard,” Pedro said, gripping his shaft then giving a languid stroke from root to tip. “Why?”

“Because I was thinking of you, you and Julie and using some of that new lube she’s gone for.”

Pedro smiled against Aleco’s neck, the curve of his lips pressing on Aleco’s flesh.

“Ah, yes, we do need lube.” Pedro reached for the counter and dug the tips of two fingers into the butter. “For now, this will do.”

Aleco sucked in a breath and watched as Pedro, still slotted against his back, rubbed the thick yellow butter over Aleco’s cock. “Yes…” he said, shunting his hips forward for more stimulation. “That’ll do it.”

“Yeah, it’s good and slippery now,” Pedro said, speeding up the pace at which he was working Aleco’s dick. “Come, now, in my hand.”

“Ah, fuck, really?” The thought of his seed mixing with all that greasy butter in Pedro’s palm was a seriously erotic one.

“Yeah, really.” Pedro pressed his free hand against Aleco’s chest and kept him lodged close. “I know you want to, my mate. So do it.”

Aleco gave into it. He didn’t usually. He preferred to be the one in charge, orchestrating how their sex went. But today, it seemed Pedro had the desire to take control.

Aleco was happy to let him. Almost. He couldn’t resist a few instructions. “Faster. Jack me off faster, Pedro. Now, harder, faster.”

Pedro did as told, his hand now a blur it was moving so fast on Aleco’s cock.

The pressure was building. His balls aching as they hung weightily beneath him. Aleco groaned and gave up trying to contain his climb to orgasm. Pedro’s hand on him was too damn skilled and too damn efficient at driving him crazy with the urge to come.

“In my hand,” Pedro said breathlessly against Aleco’s ear. “Now, let’s watch it together.”

Aleco was panting, and as he rested his temple to Pedro’s and stared down, unblinking at his cock, he allowed his release to overtake him. He cried out, a deep, vibrating, howling sound, and gripped the counter.

Pedro ground his cock against Aleco’s buttocks letting him know how turned on he was, too.

Cum shot from the tip of Aleco’s cock, some basting Pedro’s hand, some hitting the wooden cupboard door.

“Ah, yeah, more…” Aleco said, a full-body tremble attacking him as he came. “Don’t stop.”

Pedro didn’t. He kept going, massaging seed from Aleco, the butter hot now and his shaft pulsating. His slit widened as another rope of semen burst forth.

“Ahh…” Aleco closed his eyes and groaned. The image of his release bursting from him into Pedro’s waiting hand and spreading over his fingers, mixing with the butter, was one he’d never forget.

“You’re so fucking amazing when you come,” Pedro said, excitement lacing his voice.

“You’re pretty damn amazing at making me come,” Aleco replied. He swallowed tightly as his climax began to recede.

Pedro continued working him, slower now, but helping him down from his high.

The sensation of the thick butter, skin temperature and slightly sticky, was delicious. Aleco turned in Pedro’s arms, forcing his mate to release him.

“Thank you,” he said, cupping Pedro’s face. “That was one hell of a welcome home.”

“You brought good news.”

“I should do that more often.” He kissed Pedro, feeling him melt a little against him as he sought his tongue. As his heart rate steadied and they explored each other’s mouths, a new desire formed in Aleco.

He broke the kiss.

“You okay?” Pedro asked.

“Mmm, never better.” He glanced at the door, thinking that it would be better if their beloved Julie was with them but that was a few hours away yet. “And I have an idea.”

“I like the sound of that,” Pedro said, waggling his eyebrows.

Aleco grinned and reached for the button on Pedro’s shorts. He undid it and pushed them down. He then did up his jeans, tucking away his sticky, deflated cock.

Pedro was incredibly hard and Aleco gripped his cock. Without preamble, he worked it, the way Pedro had his. “You want butter?”

“Yeah.”

“I thought you would. Turn around.”

A flash of surprise crossed Pedro’s face.

“You heard,” Aleco said, positioning him so he was tipped over the counter. He smiled, enjoying the sight of Pedro’s ass offered to him and the way he always did as ordered.

“Work your cock,” Aleco said gruffly. “Like you mean it.”

“I do mean it. Fuck.” Pedro’s whole body twitched as he began to masturbate furiously.

Aleco dipped his fingers in the butter, then with his left hand, he parted Pedro’s buttocks, exposing his tight pucker.

“Ah, yeah, please, in me,” Pedro gasped.

Aleco pressed the tips of his buttery fingers against Pedro’s hole. “Beg.”

“I’m begging, please. Oh, God, Aleco, my mate…please, I am begging. I beg you to get inside me.” He groaned and bucked backward as if trying to impale himself on Aleco’s fingers.

Aleco chuckled, then, on a smooth, deep ride, he penetrated Pedro’s ass. He kept it up until he was knuckle deep with three fingers.

Pedro groaned low and rasping. A sound that brought renewed interest to Aleco’s cock. Damn, the man was sexy. How had he gotten so lucky to have him in his life?

“Mmm, yes…fuck me with your fingers.” Pedro rested his forehead on the counter, knocking the bread nearer the sink. “Please.”

“You’ll get what you’re given.” Aleco drew back his free hand and brought a stinging slap down on Pedro’s left buttock. He then repeated the action twice more.

“Argh,” Pedro cried out and jerked.

Aleco smiled as a bloom of color spread on Pedro’s skin. Pedro was a pain junkie. A bit of slapping was nothing compared to some of the things they got up to. It wasn’t Julie’s thing. She needed to be cared for, worshipped, treasured, but Pedro, he liked it rough.

Aleco worked his fingers in and almost out of Pedro, watching the butter collect around his asshole. Why hadn’t they played with butter before? It was sweet and sexy.

He rained down several more spanks, generating delicious shivers and gasps from Aleco.

“You can come now,” Aleco said, running his free hand up the sweat-damp gutter of Pedro’s spine. “Now, come now.” He fastened his fingers in Pedro’s hair and yanked.

Pedro groaned again and arched his back, tipping his head to relieve the sting on his scalp.

Aleco grinned. God, he loved this man, and right now he had him just where he wanted him.

He sped up the ministrations with his fingers, driving in hard and fast, and ramming Pedro’s prostate with each thrust.

“Ah, ah, ah…” Pedro gasped. “It’s here.”

Aleco pulled his hair harder, locked his legs against Pedro’s in case he became too weak to stand, and slammed into his asshole over and over.

Pedro stilled all but his hand working his cock, then with a long primitive groan he came, splattering his release onto the floor and the cabinet.

Aleco drank in the sight and feel of his mate surrendering to pleasure, to him, his Alpha male. His skin shone, his ass was buttery and red, and his face, what Aleco could see of it, contorted in ecstasy. He stilled his fingers deep inside and massaged Pedro’s prostate.

Another long, low moan left Pedro and he stopped working his cock.

“Is that it?” Aleco asked.

“Mmm…yeah…”

Aleco released his hair and Pedro dropped his forehead to the counter again.

“You have a buttery ass.”

A strained chuckle escaped Pedro. “And whose fault is that?”

Aleco also laughed. “You started it with the butter.” He delivered a final swift spank.

Pedro jerked forward and Aleco’s fingers slipped from him. “I don’t see you complaining.” He straightened, locking his arms to support himself on the counter and blowing out a breath. A sheen of sweat glistened on his chest and forehead

“I’m not,” Aleco whispered in his ear. “And I don’t think Julie will, either, when we butter her up later.”