Keeping Dallas

By Amber Kell

Sometimes secrets have to be exposed in order to capture something worth keeping.
Torn between two alphas, Dallas has to decide if he is willing to give up his position in the pack to keep his human master happy. Born a submissive wolf shifter, Dallas has dreamt of finding the perfect mate. Unfortunately, none of the other shifters attract him as much as his sexy Laurence.
Laurence is riddled with guilt over the secrets he keeps from his beautiful sub. He wants Dallas for a long time to come, but he’s nervous about exposing his inner abilities to a man who he loves but might not be able to trust.
Two men with secrets have to learn to give a little in order to keep the one they love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amber Kell
• Release date: Apr 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370534456

Amber Kell

Amber Kell is a dreamer who has been writing stories in her head for as long as she could remember.She lives in Seattle with her husband, two sons, three cats and one very stupid dog. To learn more about her current books or works in progress, check out her blog at http://amberkell.wordpress.com.Her fans can also reach her at [e-mail].

Book preview

Chapter 1

For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.

—Rudyard Kipling

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Dallas Ballin kept his head bowed as the conversation buzzed above him. For the past hour, he had stayed in the same kneeling position only half listening from his spot on the soft pillow as the dominants talked. He stopped paying attention fifteen minutes into their conversation after they went from a discussion on the stock market to their favorite wines. Too bad, sometimes he picked up good investment tips. Only his dominant paid any attention to him at these dinnertime meetings. To the others, Dallas might as well have been a piece of furniture. Just the way he liked it. His submissive inner wolf didn’t like to be the focus of a room full of alpha males, even if they were weaker humans.

He fought against the urge to fidget or at least find a more comfortable position on his knees. Master Laurence wouldn’t appreciate any unnecessary movement, and he didn’t want to get a stern look in place of the usual half smile he received. Dallas clenched his butt cheeks to prevent wiggling due to the memory of last week’s spanking after he had talked back to his master. Master Laurence didn’t appreciate back talk from his subs, and Dallas had been given a firm reminder to modify his behavior.

The wolf lurking beneath his skin pushed to be let out so he could curl up at his master’s feet. Although Dallas rationally knew Laurence didn’t own him, he still couldn’t convince his animal half of the fact. To his wolf, Laurence was to be obeyed like an alpha.

This close to the full moon, Dallas struggled with his submissive side. He might not be an alpha wolf, but his inner beast knew he could take down an average human and he didn’t like anyone near his master who might be a threat. Luckily, Master Laurence didn’t have an average bone in his body, and even though he didn’t know of Dallas’s feral nature, Laurence had no difficulty bringing his submissive to heel.

Dallas forced his muscles to relax. He didn’t dare risk his lover’s wrath again. If Laurence became too annoyed, he might not take Dallas home with him. Dallas struggled against the temptation to lay his head on his master’s knee for petting. He tightened his muscles to pull back when he subconsciously began leaning toward Laurence.

Damn!

A short whine tried to work its way up his throat. He ruthlessly tamped it down, as he did with all his other canine urges. He couldn’t betray his true nature—not if he planned on remaining Laurence’s submissive.

The Doms continued their discussions on politics and business, but their words held no interest for Dallas. He saved all his attention for his master. Peering through his lashes, he admired the firm line of his lover’s chin, the lush shape of Laurence’s mouth, and the slight five o’clock shadow growing on his lean cheeks. Dallas longed to lick at the hairs, to lap their rough texture with his tongue. Nothing excited him like his master’s skin, scent, or seed. Touching his beautiful human alpha soothed Dallas’s wolf side.

Dallas, fetch me a drink, Master Laurence commanded. A brief stroke across Dallas’s head conveyed the please his master would never say before the other men at the table.

Without a word, Dallas rose gracefully to his feet, then walked over to the bar. He’d practiced each movement until he could go from knees to standing in one smooth motion, with no wobbling.

Scotch on the rocks, please, he told Eric, the bartender,. The flirtatious man had started working at Club Silence soon after Dallas first visited the place with his master nine months ago. Although the gorgeous bartender radiated sex appeal, Dallas never responded to any of his advances. It would kill Dallas to cause his master even a moment of concern over his fidelity. They might not be mated like his kind, but his heart belonged to Laurence.

The bartender blatantly admired Dallas for a moment before handing over a glass of scotch. You ever get tired of your master, you come and see me, beautiful. I’ve got all kinds of things I can show you. The bartender slid a hot, dark gaze over Dallas. Here’s a bottle of water for you. I don’t know if you can ask for a drink tonight, but I thought you might be thirsty.

Laurence’s rules changed according to his mood. Some nights, Dallas could ask for something to drink and other nights his master made Dallas go without until they had finished their scene. Master Laurence hadn’t explicitly said Dallas couldn’t have a drink, so he accepted the bottle held out to him. Laurence would tell him if he couldn’t have the water.

Thanks. Dallas allowed a small smile to cross his lips at the bartender’s consideration. Even though Eric always propositioned Dallas, he never crossed the line by touching him. The bartender knew the rules and wouldn’t break them even though he flirted shamelessly with everyone who walked by. Eric’s job depended on him keeping his hands to himself.

After returning to the table, Dallas set the glass of scotch by his master’s left hand before retaking his position on the floor beside Laurence’s chair. With a quick glance at his master, he waited for a nod of permission before quietly opening his bottle of water. Still feeling Laurence’s gaze on him, he took a long sip, trying not to move restlessly beneath his master’s regard.

What did Eric say to you? Laurence asked, his voice sharp.

Dallas took a slow breath and tried not to preen over the jealous edge in his master’s voice. Having Laurence’s full attention focused on him made Dallas harder than diamonds. He didn’t mind being in the background as long as Laurence stroked his head or any of the million little things he did to let Dallas know he had someone watching out for him. Dallas looked at Laurence through his lashes, keeping his head tilted down.

He said if I ever tire of you, he’d be happy to take care of me, Dallas replied honestly. He didn’t have anything to hide, and Eric, while flirtatious, hadn’t crossed the line by touching him in any way.

A small smile curved Laurence’s hard mouth. Dallas knew his master liked it when he told the truth and didn’t try to hide anything. Laurence had a possessive streak Dallas tried not to trigger if he could help it. He wasn’t one of those subs who acted out to get attention.

And will you be taking him up on his offer? Laurence’s voice held nothing but curiosity in its rich tones, but Dallas knew better. It meant his master didn’t want to share his emotions.

No, Master, Dallas said, shocked.

Dallas didn’t play games—he was a loyal wolf. He’d stay until his master no longer wanted him. Gossip around the club chattered about how Dallas had already outlasted Laurence’s past three subs. Dallas’s inner wolf would soon try to test his Dom, seeking confirmation he was a worthy alpha to obey. Being a shifter and a submissive brought with it many problems. They were only increased because Laurence had no idea about Dallas’s other half.

Your pet is quite devoted, a silky voice spoke above Dallas’s head.

Dallas jerked at the unexpected sound. He should’ve smelled the stranger or at least heard him before the man was halfway across the room. Only practice and training kept Dallas’s gaze focused on the floor. He didn’t recognize the voice, but he didn’t dare meet the eyes of an unknown master. Some men took it the wrong way, and Dallas tried to stay out of trouble while keeping Laurence company. The rest of the time, all bets were off.

Yes, he is, Laurence agreed.

Dallas smiled