Thrown to the Wolves (Big Bad Wolf, #3)

by Charlie Adhara

Oliver Park was as stiff and unwelcoming as the landscape around them, with his own distinct frostiness to boot.

That he loved him. A fact that still made Cooper feel desperately vulnerable. Christ, he was practically squirming in his seat just thinking the words now. But Cooper knew Park loved him, too, and that helped.

He looked like the most beautiful fucking thing Cooper had ever seen.

“It’s barbaric and unnecessary, and I’m thoroughly ashamed of myself for doing it,” Park said, his chin drawing circles in Cooper’s shoulder now. “But I hate that his scent is all over you.” He whispered that last part and slid his hands up and down Cooper’s arms. “I want you to smell like us again.”

Or maybe when you hit your eighties you lose your very last fuck to give about pretending to be what you’re not. That was certainly his own retirement plan.

XD perfect plan!

wolf...cubs? Pups? Children? Meanwhile, Cooper didn’t even know the fucking terminology

What am I supposed to be doing on this hike? Trying to start a...a...” “Investigation?” Park suggested. “Threesome?” Cooper finished. Park choked. “Okay. We’re obviously not a couple that should be trying to finish each other’s sentences.”

Looked like they’d come full circle in a way. Only this time, with every step Cooper’s heart felt like it was breaking.

“I thought we were more than just a good time, sex and laughs.”

“I just didn’t want you to get hurt.” “Then stop hurting me!” Cooper yelled.

He couldn’t seem to regulate anything. His volume, his breathing, his words, his heart.

Park jerked his head. “What are you saying?” “I don’t know,” Cooper said.

then Park’s agitated trembling slipped into something more rhythmic. He realized Park was crying.

The large, dark wolf was eyeing him. Beautiful amaretto eyes wary, skittish and sad. A dog expecting the boot. Cooper dropped to his knees. “Oliver,”

He reached one buzzing arm toward Park. The wolf dipped his head, unsure, then limped slowly closer, leaving bloody paw prints on the cement. He sat, just out of reach of Cooper’s hand, and then slid to a lying-down position, watching, always watching.

Park blinked at him. His fur looked...soft. Luxurious, even. Interestingly, the dark brown faded to a silvery white on his belly, legs, throat, and in two little spots behind his ears. Cooper wanted to reach out and stroke him. Hold him. But didn’t want to do anything that could be interpreted as treating him like an animal. So Cooper held his front paw instead and squeezed. Park looked down at where they touched.

Cooper was surprised to see unspilled tears appear in Park’s eyes. “I didn’t want you to see me like that,” he whispered. “Me in my fur. An animal whose only language is dominance or submission. Something scary. I’ve scared so many people away. Didn’t want to scare you away, too.”

And I’m really, really sick of things that are bad for us. God, I’m not leaving you. I’m so fucking in love with you I couldn’t if I tried.”

you’re fucking adorable like that.” Park huffed, embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I hope that’s not weird or rude, but you really friggin’ are.”

“I liked it because when I saw you, the first thing I thought was thank god, he finally trusts me.”

“There’s my porcupine. I didn’t recognize you there for a minute, all sensitive and sweet without your prickers.”

“It is, isn’t it? Don’t tell me you’re hard for my real estate.”

“So what, you follow him now? Is he your human alpha?” “Yes,” Park said simply. “He is.” Cooper glanced at him, startled, but Park did not meet his eye. He stared at his family, his ex-pack, one by one. “He is.”

“Yours, you dope.”

“Well, granted, you’re not shining your brightest right now,” Park said wryly. “But normally you have one of the highest Alpha Quotients I’ve ever seen. You’re so fiercely independent you fight anyone who’s ever tried to control you, you go rushing into danger headfirst with no apparent concern for your life and you have zero hesitation in bossing me around. Why is this surprising to you?”

“For you? It means nothing more than what we’ve been building together for a while. You are my partner. My love. My family.”

“With you I’m finally home.” Park said