Full Disclosure - 1. Full Disclosure

Dom leapt over the fallen tree trunk, barely even breaking his stride. He missed having Landon at his side during a hunt, but his best friend had told him to go without him. It wasn’t the first time, and Dom was beginning to worry. Landon seemed to have been pulling away from him lately, and he still wasn’t sure why. He didn’t think he’d like the answer and so he hadn’t asked.

A heavy weight slammed into him and sent him colliding with a tree. A sharp pain in his side spoke of possibly broken ribs. Dom managed to stagger to his feet, still reeling from the blow, and struggled to catch his breath. He’d barely made it back on four paws when he was hit again, sending him back to the ground with another wolf looming over him.

Despite the pain radiating from his body, Dom lunged to his feet. His sheer bulk and momentum managed to knock the other wolf off balance. No way in hell was he going to give up without a fight. He panted from the pain and studied his opponent.

The grey wolf was nearly as big, and muscular, as him. Black mingled with the grey and golden eyes stared at him from within a black mask. Dom didn’t recognize the wolf, which was odd. There were rival packs around, but he knew he hadn’t crossed any boundaries into their territory.

His throat vibrated with a growl as they circled each other and bared their teeth. Adrenaline coursed through his canine body as the stranger broke first and rushed him. The ensuing fight was brutal, each of them getting covered in vicious bites. He howled when teeth sunk deep into the muscle of his shoulder and retaliated with a snarl, nearly ripping off the other wolf’s ear. After a particularly brutal blow, the other wolf clamped his teeth into Dom’s throat and bit down.

He was done for. He struggled, but with each writhe of his body, his attacker’s teeth sank deeper. He could feel his strength leaving him and resigned himself to his final outcome. He felt the teeth loosen, slightly, and knew the final killing bite was coming. He braced himself for it, but suddenly his strength returned, stronger than ever. He didn’t know how, but he wasn’t going to question his luck.

He took advantage of the lightly loosened bite and wrenched his head sideways as he kicked out with his hind feet. His feet and claws connected and he managed to dislodge the wolf’s jaws from his neck. His injuries could still kill him, but he was alive for now. He lunged at the surprised wolf and used his own strength to pin the other wolf to the ground.

The bitter tang of blood filled his mouth as he sank his own sharp canines into his attacker’s throat and bit down hard. Dom shook his head, ensuring he did as much damage as possible. Only when the wolf lay limp beneath him, the life having ebbed out of it, did Dom release his hold. Almost instantly, the adrenaline high dissipated and every ache and pain in his body made itself known.

He’d fought hard for his own survival, but even that was no longer guaranteed. Dom gasped for breath and staggered a few feet before his strength gave out and he collapsed onto the forest floor. He’d lost a large volume of his life’s blood, too much for him to be able to shift back into his human form. He gave himself a moment to catch his breath and then struggled back to his feet.

It took longer than he’d like, but Dom managed to put some distance between him and the battle zone. His opponent’s pack would eventually come looking for their missing pack member. The fight hadn’t been his fault, but the rival pack wouldn’t care. All they’d see is the dead wolf and they’d be out for retribution.

His strength was quickly waning and he realized there was no way he’d make it back to the lair—a small settlement at the base of the mountain—before dark.

Blood dripped from Dom’s fur from the dozens of cuts and bites over his body. Unfortunately, this was becoming his norm. He’d been in more fights in the last month than he had his entire life, but none had been so brutal that he’d barely managed to survive.

This one had been.

He growled as his body shook, only sheer force of will keeping him on his feet. If he could just make it to the cave about halfway down the mountain he would be able to rest and gather his strength. He whimpered as he dragged his injured body further down the mountain. Even resting and conserving his energy might not be enough to heal the multitude of wounds that were painting the forest floor a deep crimson.

Far off in the distance he heard a lone howl and instantly recognized it as belonging to his best friend and pack member, Landon. Landon was coming, all Dom had to do was answer that call and Landon would find him. He raised his head to howl back, but the damage to his vocal cords from the wolf clamping down on his throat was too severe and he could only whimper.

Dom felt the last of his energy draining from his body and his legs shook before giving out, leaving him lying on the forest floor gasping for each breath he was able to draw into his battered body. There was no way he was going to reach the safety of the cave.

He wasn’t going to make it home, and his death would be the ultimate catalyst for a war between the two clans. His vision blurred and his last thought was that Landon would never know the true feelings that Dom held hidden in his heart.

***

Dom awoke slowly to the feel of warmth against his skin and was surprised that, not only wasn’t he dead, he was no longer in his wolf form. He found himself staring at the rock ceiling of a large cave and a quick glance around showed the warmth came from a roaring fire set a good ten feet away from him.

“What the hell?” Dom whispered, finding his vocal cords had already started healing. A glance at his body revealed he was naked, and his many wounds had been bandaged. Strength had begun to seep back into muscles weak from exertion and blood loss. Dom started to try and sit up but a hand on his shoulder stopped him and gently pressed him back to the cave floor.

“Easy there, Dom.” Landon’s voice came from behind him and now that he was aware, Landon’s scent pervaded his nostrils. “You’ve only just begun to really heal, and I don’t want you opening those wounds back up.”

“Where are we, Lan?” Dom’s voice came out raspy and he desperately needed a drink of water.

“We’re in a cave.”

“I can see that.” Dom sought Landon with his eyes. He could smell him, and hear him, but he wanted the visual confirmation that he wasn’t alone. “How did I get here?”

“I got worried when you didn’t return home when you should have.” Landon appeared at his side and looked down at him. “I went to Grandfather and he told me to wait. That he’d send out a search party if you didn’t return home by dawn. I couldn’t wait. Something just didn’t feel right.”

Landon’s reference to the bond they’d shared as youths made him smile. They’d always been able to tell when the other was in trouble. It was a sense that had served them both well and had gotten them out of more scrapes than Dom could count.

“Did you feel it?” Dom was afraid he knew the answer, though he wished it was different. From time to time they had even felt the wounds that had been inflicted on the other, but had never been able to actually figure out what it meant. Well, he hoped that Landon hadn’t, Dom had his suspicions but refused to speak of them.

“Yes.” Landon twined their fingers together. “When I felt the jaws lock onto your throat I was afraid you were gone.” The slight hitch in his voice told Dom exactly how Landon had been affected.

“So did I.” He had already been weakened by blood loss when the other wolf had made the typically fatal move, and Dom still couldn’t figure out where the surge of strength that had allowed him to power out of the other wolf’s jaws had come from. He found himself looking into Landon’s eyes and saw the truth reflected in the obsidian eyes. “You loaned me your strength, didn’t you?”

“I had to,” Landon answered, “I was too far away and you would have died otherwise.”

“But how?” He remembered the legend, but had thought it was just that, a legend. He knew there was magic involved in their ability to shift. The knowledge that they could tap into that magic and share their strength with their mate seemed unbelievable. Or it used to be, until he’d experienced it for himself.

“I had to try.” Landon’s gaze searched Dom’s with a question that Dom wasn’t sure how to answer.

“It’s only a legend.” He had to try and deny it. The implications of what Landon was telling him was what he’d long suspected but refused to give voice too. “Even if there was truth to it, it can only be done between mates.”

“I know.” Landon glanced down at their linked hands. “I’ve got a confession to make.”

“Oh?” Dom wasn’t sure he wanted to hear it. The tone of Landon’s voice told him he wouldn’t like whatever it was.

“I’ve talked to a couple of the elder’s about the bond that we’ve had since we were little.” Landon watched him warily, no doubt guessing what Dom’s reaction to that announcement would be, he didn’t disappoint.

“We had a pact to never discuss that or even mention it to anyone other than each other!” Dom tried to keep his anger and agitation from spilling out. He pulled his hand free of Landon’s. Did Landon have any idea what he had done? What he had just subjected them both to? Dom would happily leave the pack—the only thing keeping him there was Landon—but he couldn’t live with himself if Landon was forced from the pack because of him.

“I know, and I’m sorry, but I had to find out what it meant. I only talked to those I know I can trust.” Landon’s voice was barely more than a whisper and he averted his gaze. “One of the elders told me of another pair of men that had the same type of bond we have. They never knew what it meant either, but when they went into battle, one of the men was killed. The other guy went into a fury. He searched until he’d found the person responsible for his friends death. Only once he’d gained his vengeance did his fury abate.”

“That’s impossible, that only happens when one’s mate is killed.” He didn’t know why he bothered to act surprised; he suspected Landon was his mate. It was easier to pretend it didn’t exist rather than face the repercussions from his pack. He didn’t care for himself, but he was determined to protect Landon.

“You know better than that.” Landon reached out and cradled Dom’s hand in his own, once more meeting his gaze. “When I felt the wolf clamp down on your throat I knew I had to do anything I could to save you. If the legend was true and we were mates then I hoped that I could give you enough strength to survive until I could get to you. I didn’t have anything to lose by trying, and if I didn’t at least attempt it….”

Dom’s lips moved but no sound came out. He was still trying to wrap his mind around what Landon had done. Landon tapping into the magic and lending his strength was the final conviction that they were true mates. It’s the only way it would have worked.

“I remember suddenly feeling stronger.” Dom looked down at their joined hands and then back up at Landon. “I was able to maneuver free.”

“I know. It confirmed what I had already begun to suspect, but if there was any doubt, it’s gone now.” Landon turned to gaze into the fire.

“It is?”

“Your wounds are almost completely healed.”

“We heal fast, Lan. You know that.” Him being almost healed didn’t mean anything, did it?

“Not overnight. At least, not with the wounds you had.” Landon fidgeted where he sat. “By all rights, you should be dead.”

“What did you do?” He could feel his heart pounding erratically in his chest as he waited for Landon to tell him. Dom struggled to sit up and Landon’s arm quickly snaked around him, helping him into a sitting position and then turning to face him, never once letting go of his hand.

“It’s the blood bond.” Landon’s confession came out as little more than a whisper. For a minute, Dom thought he’d heard wrong. Then reality set in.

“You gave me your blood.” It wasn’t a question. Now he just needed to understand what had possessed Landon to do it. “Why?”

“You were dying.” Landon’s voice was shaky. “I refused to lose you, not if I could save you. It was the only thing left to try.” Landon squeezed his hand. The hold gentle, but there.

Dom struggled to keep himself from blurting out his feelings in the heat of the moment. He’d have done the same thing if Landon was in the same condition he had been in. Dom had known he was in love with Landon for years, ever since they were teenagers, but he had never found the courage to confess his feelings. Part of that was the fact that he understood—once his feelings were known—he’d be banished from the pack.

The majority of weres had no problem with same gender mating, but his pack—primarily the leader of the pack—felt it was an abomination and anyone found to have such proclivities was banished. The alpha didn’t care that they had no choice in who they were mated to. If he was being honest, he’d also been afraid that Landon wouldn’t be able to accept it. Accept him.

“I know you’re not that dense.” Landon chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “You know exactly what it is I’m telling you, it’s just a matter of whether or not you can accept it.”

“You know what admitting to being mates would mean for us.” Dom had accepted his own fate, but he didn’t want that future for Landon.

“Banishment from the pack.” Landon released Dom’s hand and stood up.

Dom watched helplessly as Landon began to move towards the opening of the cave. He ignored the heaviness in his heart and refused to call him back to his side. He had to keep reminding himself that this was what he wanted; he wanted Landon to turn his back on their bond to prevent the banishment that would surely follow.

That didn’t mean it was easy to watch the man he loved walk away. He watched in agony as Landon got closer to the mouth of the cave and was surprised when he stopped and just stared out at the forest beyond.

“Being a part of the pack would mean nothing to me if it meant I had to turn my back on my mate.” Landon voice barely reached to where Dom sat. “On you. You know what being mates means, that without each other, neither of us would ever feel complete.”

“Lan, unless there is a challenge, you’re next in line to take over the pack, you can’t give that up. All your training would have been for nothing. I can’t let you do that. Not for me.” Dom struggled to his feet. He was still achy, but his wounds had effectively healed and the majority of his strength had returned to him.

“What good would I be to the pack if I wasn’t whole? You know the whole pack doesn’t agree with my grandfather’s rule about banishment. If my father hadn’t been killed years ago, I think he would have already challenged him to take his place as leader.” If Landon was trying to keep the raw emotion from his voice, he was failing miserably. Dom could hear the pain, the agony, and hated what Landon was going through. He’d wanted to spare him this exact pain.

“That may be so, but you’re not ready to challenge him. You’ve talked to me about it before and you’ve told me repeatedly that you’re not ready. What’s changed?” By the time he was finished speaking he was at Landon’s side, gazing out at the world outside of the cave.

“I told you I’ve been talking to the elders. That’s why I haven’t been going out on the hunts with you.” Landon glanced briefly at him. “They’ve been helping me prepare for the challenge.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.” Dom reached out and turned Landon until he was facing him. “What changed?”

“You,” Landon answered.

“Me? What did I do?!” Dom had done everything he could to keep his feelings for Landon hidden. What had given it away?

“I was preparing to challenge grandfather, but I had no plans to do it anytime soon. Until last night. When I went to him and he refused to send out a search party for you, I was pissed.” Landon was shaking. “I argued with him, and I could see it in his eyes. Have you noticed that lately, you are being attacked constantly? Always by a rival pack, but nothing ever gets done about it. Every time it seems like you walk away with a few more injuries than the time before. Though, up until last night, you haven’t come up against anyone that you haven’t been able to handle.”

“I’ve been attacked a few times.” Dom shrugged. Of course he’d noticed, considering he was the one being attacked. But there was nothing he could do about it.

“I think grandfather knows about our bond, and I suspect that he’s trying to get you out of the picture. I don’t have any proof, but I’ll challenge him before I’ll let him kill you.” Landon met his eyes and Dom could see the resolve in them. “It’s your decision, Dom. I can either do this alone, or with you standing by my side, but either way I’m going to issue the challenge. His decisions are beginning to hurt the pack.”

“If he finds out we’re mates, you won’t have the chance to challenge him,” Dom pointed out. “He’ll banish you before you can issue it.”

“That’s why I plan to challenge him before he can banish me.” Landon shook his head. “It’s taken me a long time to fully understand what my heart has been telling me for years, but now that I do, I’m willing to stand up and tell everyone you’re my mate. Are you willing to do the same?”

***

Dom sighed as he gazed at where Landon sat at the entrance to the cave. His mate had sat there for hours, watching over the cave entrance and giving Dom a bit of space to think about everything he had said.

Mate.

He really liked the sound of that.

Landon had switched positions multiple times and now sat with his knees drawn up to his chest, his arms wrapped around them, and his chin resting on the top as he studied the terrain around them. Dom knew that Landon was right, had known it from the first moment he proclaimed them as mates—long before if he was honest with himself. Despite that, he was still struggling with what it would mean if Landon’s grandfather fought the challenge. Which Dom had no doubt he would.

“Lan?” Dom hated the way Landon’s body stiffened for a moment.

“Hmmm?” Landon turned his head so that his cheek rested on his knees and his gaze focused on Dom.

“I’ve known for a while too.” Dom wasn’t sure what Landon’s reaction would be, but he deserved to know. He chuckled lightly at the surprised look that flared in Landon’s eyes.

“You never said anything,” Landon accused softly.

“Neither did you,” Dom shot back. “I knew what admitting it would mean for you, and I didn’t and don’t want banishment to be your future.”

“It won’t be, but even if it was”—Landon smiled, got to his feet, and walked over to sit next to Dom—“who better to be banished with than my mate.”

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Dom asked gently. He reached out and took the hand Landon offered. His mind screamed for him to take back what he had already said, to deny the bond that they shared, but his heart overruled it. Landon’s mind was made up and it would be futile to try and change it. All Dom could do now was stand beside him and give whatever support he could.

“I’m sure.” Landon’s voice was strong, determined. “He’s stepped over the line so many times it’s not even funny. His biggest mistake was going after you, and I’m going to make damn sure he knows it. When we get back I’m going to officially challenge Grandfather. He’s no longer fit to be leader of the pack and his decisions lately have ultimately weakened the entire pack. He’s banished some good men for the tiniest indiscretion, and that has to stop. Once I’ve become the new alpha, I’ll try and find some of those he’s banished.”

Did Landon really understand the consequences of challenging his grandfather? Challenging their alpha was only the first step. The council had to agree there were grounds for the challenge.

“You realize what’s going to happen, don’t you?” Dom looked everywhere except at his mate.

“Yes, I know what it means to challenge my grandfather for his place as Alpha.” Landon looked at him like he’d lost his mind.

“That’s not what I mean.” Dom sighed. “He might not be able to banish you after you challenge him, but he will banish me.” Dom was as certain as he could be that Alisdair would do exactly that.

He wouldn’t be gone for long. Landon would come find him as soon as the challenge was over, but that wasn’t what worried him. Alisdair was perfectly capable of underhanded tactics, as the attacks on him proved. A lot could happen to both Dom and Landon before the challenge could take place and, to be frank, he didn’t trust anyone but him to watch Landon’s back.

“He can’t do that. You’re my mate, just as he can’t banish me, he can’t banish you unless I lose the challenge.”

“That would be true, IF he recognized me as your mate. He doesn’t, which means that I’m not recognized as your mate by the pack. The typical stipulations regarding a mate don’t apply to me.” It galled him that he had finally admitted to the bond between him and Landon only to know it wouldn’t be acknowledged.

“I’m prepared for that.”

“How? We haven’t gone through the ceremony to bond us together.” And there was no way in hell their alpha would perform a bonding ceremony for them.

“He won’t be able to”—Landon squeezed his hand—“trust me on that. I love you. Dom. Do you really think I’d do any of this if I thought there was even the slightest chance you could be hurt?”

“That’s the first time you’ve said that.” And it felt good to hear it. Dom never expected to hear those words from Landon’s lips.

“Get used to it”—Landon’s eyes seemed to almost be twinkling at him—“because I plan on telling you that a lot.”

“I love you too.” Dom hated how the worlds came out stilted and little more than a whisper.

“I know.”

“You don’t know everything.” Dom glared at him, but it was quickly replaced with a smile when Landon grinned at him.

“I know enough.” Landon reached out and cupped Dom’s face in his hand.

“Damn it, Lan. You should have left me to die.” Dom forced the words past the lump in his throat as he fought the emotions that welled up in him at Landon’s tender touch. “You wouldn’t have to go through this!”

“You’re right; I would have gone through something even more horrible.” Landon was nearly growling at him. “Would you rather me spend the rest of my life seeking vengeance against those who killed you?”

“No.” Dom’s voice was barely audible as he realized what he had wished on his mate. He fought the tears that threatened to spill over and kept his face averted so that Landon wouldn’t see the sheen of moisture.

“I’ll do whatever I have to do if it means we can be together. Acknowledging our mate bond is only the first step. If you really don’t want me to issue the challenge, just say the word, we won’t even return to the lair. We’ll go somewhere else.” Landon sounded completely serious, but Dom couldn’t let him do that. Landon would hate himself for it.

“You can’t do that, it goes against everything in your nature.” It went against everything in his nature too. “You’re right; your grandfather is gradually destroying the strength of the pack. If you leave and nobody else steps up to confront him, in another couple of years there won’t be a pack. In the end you’d end up resenting me.” Dom whispered the last words but Landon’s acute hearing picked up on it.

“I would never resent you, but you are right about one thing, it does go against everything I believe,” Landon answered. “If it’s okay with you, we’ll leave when the moon rises.”

Landon reached over and pulled Dom into his arms and pressed their lips together. The moment their mouths met, Dom felt all the feelings he’d repressed for so long rise to the surface. He didn’t protest when Landon pushed him back until he was flat on his back with the chill from the ground seeping into him.

“God I love you,” Landon whispered against his lips.

Dom bit back a growl as he felt Landon’s bare chest press against his own, but found himself wanting even more. He reached down and with a deft flick of his wrist he released the button on Landon’s jeans. They broke apart only long enough to rid Landon of his clothes. Dom led Landon over to the blanket near the fire.

“I’ve wanted this for so long.” Dom guided Landon down onto the blanket and moved over him.

“You and me both.” Landon moaned beneath him and arched his body, making their erections brush against each other.

Dom had repressed his desires for Landon for so long that he found himself rutting against Landon and his orgasm built quicker than he expected. Dom slammed his lips over Landon’s. He’d denied himself the taste of his mate, but he refused to deny himself any longer.

Dom gasped and grunted into Landon’s mouth as they moved together, tongues tasting, and teeth clashing together. He could feel his balls pull up close to his body. He tried to slow down, make it last, but Landon was having none of it and reached up to grasp his hips, grinding their groins together. A couple of thrusts later his release coated his and Landon’s belly. A few seconds passed and Landon’s release joined his own, coating their bellies and quickly cooling.

Dom finally wrenched his lips free from Landon’s. His arms shook as he struggled to keep Landon from having to bear the brunt of his weight. “Sorry. That didn’t go quite how I had hoped.”

“No reason to be sorry; besides, we have plenty of time to practice.” Landon rolled and pinned Dom beneath him.

“Guessing you want to practice some more?” Dom grinned up at Landon.

“Oh yeah.” Landon leaned closer to Dom’s face. “We’re going to be doing a lot of practicing.”