Undesirable Mate

By Lisa Oliver

Phillip struggles to get through every day. Thanks to Pearson, he still has his job as an enforcer and life goes on around him much the same as it always did. But Phillip doesn't feel a part of it. He can't. His betrayal of his pack has left him with scars, both mentally and physically and the voice in his head won't give him any peace. So when he meets his mate, he's not surprised to see the man has someone else tucked under his arm. What else did he expect?

Kellen Waite is a troubleshooter for the Council. He loves his job, he has a couple of close friends, and he takes his sex where he can find it. Sent to the Washington Pack to take out a vampire, he makes the mistake of bringing along his sometime companion, Tristan. He realizes that was his first mistake when he scents his mate in Alpha Pearson's office.

Issues caused from within the Paranormal Council is just one of the problems Kellen and Phillip have to face. A vengeful ferret, lies and misunderstandings, not to mention Phillip's depression all conspire to prevent the one thing Kellen is determined to have - his mate in his arms.

Warning: Phillip has symptoms of depression. If this is a trigger for you, please don't buy this book. Also contains a sneaky ferret shifter, a mad councilman and an often clueless Alpha. HEA, no cheating and no cliffhangers, guaranteed.

Written for adult audiences. Contains graphic scenes of intimate situations between men.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Oliver
• Release date: May 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310201813

Lisa Oliver

HiMy name is Lisa Oliver and welcome to my Author page. After spending years writing non-fiction books, the lure of fiction and the men in my head finally had me sitting down and writing The Reluctant Wolf, an M/M paranormal erotic romance in November 2013. Since that time I have written one hundred titles including the Cloverleah Pack series, the Bound and Bonded series, Alpha and Omega series, Stockton Wolves series, The Hellhound Collar series, The Gods Made Me Do It series and many more. All of my books are M/M (or M/M/M) come with a guaranteed HEA and absolutely no cheating.I strongly believe in the power of love - and all of my books are based on the true mate trope. However, for me, insta-lust does not equal insta-love and all of my books tell of the journey my main characters need to go through to reach that state of being in love with someone special. Some of my books can be read as standalone, but in cases like the Cloverleah series you get a good idea of the back stories of secondary characters by reading the books in order.I love to hear from all of my readers so please feel free to catch up with me on Facebook, Twitter or through my blog.

Book preview

Chapter One

Phillip shuffled his feet and tried to keep from looking bored. The back room area was quiet, with only one pair currently using the spanking bench, the rest of the equipment just sitting, waiting for the influx of pleasure seekers due in later. The sub was putting on one hell of a performance, yelling, moaning, arching his back with every thwack of the paddle on his ass. But even from where he was standing, Phillip could tell it was all for show. The big Dom panting over the sub’s back barely broke a sweat, although his cock was certainly hard enough. Maybe that was what the yelling was for? The sub certainly knew how to work his Dom’s buttons, but Phillip preferred honest reactions in his scenes.

And it wasn’t his place to look bored. Neutral, intimidating, even appreciative on occasion, but no one on the hated Dungeon Master roster should ever look bored. Kyle had already told him once this month that he needed to improve his attitude; and Phillip desperately wanted to keep his job so he needed to buck up, on the outside at least. He tightened his facial expression trying to ignore the words in his head.

No one freaking understands. If they knew what I’d done….

Where’s Roger? I thought he was scheduled on for DM duty today?

Shit. Kyle was the head enforcer in the club, although Steel, Pearson’s closest friend, was head of security. Phillip snapped to attention although it’d been four years since he’d been in the military. He wasn’t sure what he could say. Kyle would smell a lie, but Phillip didn’t want to get Roger into trouble either.

It’s really quiet. Cam just got off shift…

Damn that Roger, he should know better, Kyle snapped. Phillip didn’t let Kyle’s attitude bother him. Roger and Cam hadn’t been mated very long, and allowances were always made for true mate pairs. Kyle’d been caught out on more than one occasion with his new cat-shifting mate, Teric, and would understand how Roger was feeling.

Pearson wants you and me in the office. A delegation from the Council is coming in, Kurt continued, looking around. The club was quieter than usual with few pack members around. In the middle of a weekday, most shifters were working in the city at their human jobs, earning a living. Only ten enforcers were employed by the pack, and most of them would be rostered on for the evening rush.

Shit, Kyle muttered. He clearly couldn’t see the face he was looking for and pulled out his phone. Phillip stared straight ahead. The couple on the spanking bench had moved to the fucking stage, and the sub was still yelling, this time in appreciation. The verbal encouragement seemed to be doing a lot for the Dom, but Phillip wished he’d brought ear muffs.

Yeah, Roger, put your dick away and get your ass down here, now. Kyle’s voice cut through his thoughts and Phillip hid a smile as he heard Roger’s lust-filled voice on the other end of the phone. He didn’t sound happy to be interrupted.

I don’t care, Kyle cut into the excuses. Phillip’s needed in the Alpha’s office. Get down here now, or you’ll be on dungeon duty for the next week. He tapped his screen angrily, cutting off any response Roger might have made. Five minutes later, a flushed Roger turned up at the doors to the back rooms, still tucking his shirt into his pants.

No slacking on dungeon duty, Kyle growled, pointing a finger at Roger. You know the rules. Phillip’s been DM three times this week, and now he’s covering your ass. Bring your mate down here if you must, but stop running out mid-shift for a quickie.

It was totally worth it, Roger mumbled too low for Kyle to hear, but Phillip did, and not for the first time wondered what it would be like to have a mate. Someone you cared about that much you didn’t even blink when the Head Enforcer was snarling and telling you off.

No mate is ever going to want a traitor, that annoying voice in his head reminded him and Phillip’s mood slumped faster than a popped balloon. He followed Kyle across the wide wooden floors of the main clubroom, the scars on his back pinching as they stretched and flexed. Phillip welcomed the pain – his scars were the only visible reminder of his punishment months before. After Pearson whipped him in front of the pack, he could have shifted and healed. Kyle, who’d been by his side through it all had encouraged it. But Phillip had been broken at the time, both by his sister’s duplicity and at the horror of his own actions against his pack. Now the pain served to remind him how worthless he was, and how he could never trust another person who tried to get close to him.

Phillip, are you well?

My gods, they were in the office already and Phillip had been so zoned out he hadn’t noticed. Now Dante, the Alpha Mate was looking at him quizzically and Phillip mentally slapped himself.

Get your shit together.

Yes, Alpha Mate, he said quickly. Just haven’t been sleeping well.

Dante and Pearson, Alpha of the Washington pack and owner of the Bound and Bonded club, were sitting behind Pearson’s large desk. Although Dante wasn’t much smaller than Pearson, he always seemed to be the more compassionate. Pearson sized him up as though he knew the darkness that lurked in Phillip’s soul, and for a moment Phillip quailed. If Pearson thought he was unfit for duty, Phillip could find himself with some unscheduled days off, and that would leave him far too much time with the negativity in his head. He straightened and stood as tall as he could.

Pearson must’ve seen his resolve, because he nodded. A representative from the Council is coming, Kellen Waite.

Why the hell is the Council sending another troubleshooter here? A voice behind Phillip said loudly. They know I’m here, and no one has mentioned anything to me about there being any trouble in the pack.

There isn’t any trouble in the pack, Teric, Pearson replied. I don’t know why this Waite has been sent here, but I guess we’ll find out when they arrive.

Teric came around Phillip’s side, his face a mask of anger. The cat shifter was deceptively small, with a mop of black curls and bright green eyes. Phillip was always wary around the smaller man. Not only was he Kyle’s mate, but Teric’s tiger form was larger than anything Phillip had seen before.

Waite is a kill first, ask questions later type of guy, Teric said fiercely. He has an overrated inflated ego, can’t seem to travel anywhere without a freaking entourage, most of whom he’s fucking, and not necessarily one at a time. He’s arrogant, an asshole and his kill rate is second only to mine.

Wolf? Pearson asked. Teric nodded.

Then we’d better watch out for him. Maybe he’s after my job, Pearson said with a tight smile. The letter I received simply said that he was calling in to pay his respects, and that he’d be staying with the pack for about a week to do some investigations in the Washington area. Kyle, get Ace and Devin in here. Let’s see if he has an issue with diversity from the start, shall we? The rest of you, places everyone, they’ll be here in less than five minutes.

Phillip took up his position by the door, Kyle on the other side of the frame, talking urgently into the phone. Ace and Devin, like Roger earlier, didn’t take kindly to being interrupted, but at least they were at the club. Teric took a seat to the side of Pearson’s desk, his handsome face marred by a scowl. Dante had his hand on Pearson’s leg and they were studying each other’s faces, ignoring everyone else. Phillip felt a pang go through him at the thought of the mind link shared by true mates.

You don’t want anyone knowing what goes on in your head.

No. In that respect his nagging voice was right. Phillip lived with his guilt every single day. He wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

Chapter Two

Stop mauling me, damn it, we’re almost there. Kellen swiped at the hand that was fondling his biceps, and was rewarded with a sullen pout. Gods. Why did he think bringing Tristan along for the trip was a good idea? Sure, the little twink had been warming his bed for the past month. Thanks to Tristan’s hairdressing skills, Kellen’s hair had never been softer, and the blow job he’d gotten to relieve the boredom of the drive some thirty minutes earlier had been more than functional. But it wasn’t as though they were serious or anything; just two nights before he’d gone to Tristan’s place and found the man in the middle of an orgy. Okay, he’d joined in; he was a wolf shifter with a higher than average sex drive. But Tristan’s insistence on coming along, for what was essentially a set of negotiations was out of character for the fun-loving man. And that pout did nothing for Tristan’s features.

You’re ignoring me.

I’ve got work to do, Kellen snapped back. I don’t even know why you wanted to come on this trip. I’m going to be busy in meetings all day, every day and there’s going to be nothing for you to do.

You said you were going to a wolf pack. Why shouldn’t I have some pack fun too?

Kellen took a deep breath and let it out slowly. One, this is a gay wolf pack…

Yeah, that’s what I mean; heaps of men to play with.

In a BDSM club, Kellen continued, noting Tristan’s gulp. Something you know nothing about and can’t stand the thought of. That was totally true in every sense. Tristan might be into orgies, exhibitionism and multiple partners, but the one time Kellen has slapped his ass he’d gotten an earful, and no one could ever tell the man what to do. Second, you’re a ferret. A very cute and sexy ferret, but that doesn’t stop you being prey.

You’ll protect me, Tristan said, cuddling into his side. Gods. It wasn’t like the ferret to be so clingy. It was one of the things Kellen liked about him. Tristan was a perfectly happy, feisty bottom, who didn’t want commitment, didn’t seem to care that Kellen often had to go out of town, and yet was always ready to present his ass if Kellen needed it. Something was going on, but Kellen didn’t have time to work it out. And besides, if they are all D/s like you say, then you’ll need someone to relax you after those long, boring meetings. It’s not as though you’re into that sort of scene, Tristan continued.

The meetings would be anything but boring, Kellen knew that, but Tristan didn’t. And he didn’t need to know. And as for not being in the scene, Kellen was a wolf shifter. He knew all about the concepts of domination and submission, even if he hadn’t played for more than twenty years. While Tristan might be on intimate terms with the size of his dick, the little ferret didn’t know a lot about the man behind the mask, which was exactly as Kellen viewed himself. He didn’t allow anyone close to him, and for very good reason.

We’re here, boss, his driver, Cain said as the man pulled the limousine up in front of a large black building with darkened windows. The place looked sleek, modern, and impenetrable, which wasn’t a surprise given it was in a fairly busy part of the city. How on earth did the Alpha keep control of his pack, in what was essentially an urban area? The club wasn’t in the heart of Washington, D.C., but the smell of humans was everywhere. Where did they go for pack runs? Did the members all live in the club itself, or did they have houses elsewhere? Then Kellen thought about the real reason he was in D.C. and decided none of that mattered. It was crucial that he make a good first impression with the Alpha. Pearson was a favorite in Council circles and he had a specific job to do.

The door beside him opened, and Kellen stepped out, shaking out his long leather coat and adjusting his black tailored pants. His boots gleamed in the late morning sun and he flicked his hair over his shoulders, so that it fell to the middle of his back. Adjusting his sleeves, he squared his shoulders, and checked out the others. Tristan looked smart enough in a tight-fitting Henley with equally tight black jeans, although the purple streak in his hair clashed with the tough and professional image Kellen wanted to present. Cain and Prism, his drivers, bodyguards and closest friends, were dressed alike in black suits, complete with aviator glasses. They looked like they should be working for the CIA, but Kellen had stopped trying to get them out of suits a long time ago. A solid pair of wolf shifters, Kellen wasn’t sure if the two men were related or not, but one never went anywhere without the other.

Satisfied that as a group they were going to look as good as they could do with Tristan tagging along, Kellen turned and faced the building. One more deep breath and he headed up the steps, nodding curtly at the bouncer that stood at the door. Wolf. Probably an enforcer.

Kellen Waite and party; I have an appointment to see the Alpha.

You’re expected. The man sounded civil enough. The enforcer pulled one side of the huge double door open, and indicated with his other hand for the men to step inside. Only to find their way blocked by yet another big man. Wolf again. Surprise. Surprise.

If your men would care to step into this waiting room, I’ll see to it they are given refreshments. Alpha Pearson is expecting you in his office. The second man was as pleasant as the first, but there was an underlying hint of authority in his tone.

Kellen didn’t have a problem meeting the Alpha on his own, in fact he preferred it. He nodded to Cain and Prism. Keep an eye on Tristan, please. I will be back directly.

You said you’d protect me, Tristan whined. He whined for fucks sake, loud enough for everyone to hear. Brilliant first impression. Kellen caught the Washington pack wolf’s smirk and he wanted to smack Tristan for setting a bad tone from the moment of arrival. Letting out a sigh, Kellen said as quietly as he could. I told you I had meetings. This one’s important. Now go with Cain and Prism and I’ll talk to you when I know where we’ll be staying.

They don’t like me. Tristan said, throwing a hateful glance at his two friends. Cain and Prism were expressionless as always. At least they knew how to behave when visiting a pack. But Tristan was right. For some reason Cain and Prism had never liked his sometimes bed companion although they wouldn’t say why.

Realizing he had no choice, Kellen softened his look and said to the enforcer who was still waiting for them. Would Alpha Pearson have any objections to my companion being with me? He isn’t wolf, he added delicately, and seems to think he’d be safer with me.

I can’t see Pearson having a problem with a little morsel like that, the enforcer said with a flash of teeth. Just don’t let him lose in the club play areas. Someone’s likely to bite him, or collar him, depending on their mood.

Kellen felt Tristan shiver and move closer to him, which was all very well and good but he was trying to project an image and Tristan wasn’t helping. He nodded to Cain and Prism, and followed the enforcer across a large wooden floor area, to an office door that was set in one side wall. A quick glance around revealed a large