ChoosingHisChristmasMiracle by Charlie Richards Page B

turning to one of amusement. “I do believe you’ve found your mate, my friend.” His grin turned lascivious. “If you need pointers on sexual positions, just ask.”
    Raul felt the blood drain from his face. “Oh, shit.” His ass clenched at just the thought of sex with a man. Since his mate was a wolf shifter, he just knew Sean would expect to be the top. It was the only way for one mate to claim another during sex. Which meant Raul, because he was human, would have to take a cock up his ass, probably a big one. He’d seen enough shifters naked to know they were normally pretty well-endowed.
    Evidently, Jared recognized his expression of panic. The man shook his head and settled a hand on his shoulder. In an uncharacteristic but welcome move of compassion, Jared pulled him into a hug and muttered gruffly, “Fuck, man, relax. You’ll like it, and even if he is a shifter, if Sean is anything like the ones around here, he’ll be willing to switch. You shouldn’t have to bottom all the time.” He grabbed both of Raul’s arms, moved him a step away, and stared him in the eye, his hazel eyes glimmering. “Shifters do work hard to please their mates, remember?”
    Raul managed to take a deep breath, forcing air into his lungs. He nodded, relieved his friend was at least a little understanding.
    Then Jared grinned. “You ain’t felt nothin’ til a hot ass clenches your cock, man. Fuckin’ tight, exquisite pleasure.”
    Now, Raul’s face flamed and he pulled away from Jared. He glowered at the man, all the while hating how any embarrassment showed so easily on his fair skin. “Shut up,” he muttered, turning away and running a hand through his hair.
    Jared laughed. “Don’t be a prude, Raul,” he said, snorting. Jared slapped him on his back and changed the subject. “Come on. Let’s get cleaned up, then we’ll see what happened to your wayward love interest.”
    “What do you mean?” Raul asked, following Jared from the large home gym. The room was situated at the back of the home, the room added on after Jared moved into Carson’s home.
    Raul had bought a small parcel of land a couple miles away and the pack had helped him build a three-bedroom ranch on it. At the time, Raul hadn’t understood why Declan and Lark had insisted on the extra space, but had been swayed by their opinions and let them design the home. It had turned out nice, and it was after six months of living there that he’d realized why they’d insisted on the extra comfort.
    Jared didn’t travel nearly as much anymore since he was no longer technically an assassin, which meant Raul spent much more time at home. He’d even gotten itchy feet a few months ago, which was how Raul had been one of the people assigned to help Kyle rescue his mate from the shifter pack up north. It was there he’d met Sean.
    His friend’s words drew Raul out of his thoughts as Jared stated, “The wolf pack alpha and inner circle was investigated by the Shifter Council. Some of the members, like alpha Andy and his beta Guy were removed from their positions. I’m not sure about any of the others, so we’ll need to find out if Sean is still there or if he was reassigned to a different pack.”
    Swallowing hard, Raul nodded once. He wasn’t completely certain he wanted to know what happened to Sean. If he really was the shifter’s mate, and Sean hadn’t sought him out, Raul would wonder why. And, since as a human, he could move on if he found someone he cared about, he didn’t want to chase after a shifter denying the mating bond.
    “Hey!” Jared popped him on the back of his head and Raul spun around and glared at him.
    “What the fuck was that for?” Raul snapped, rubbing his head.
    “Stop thinking like that. I can see the wheels in your head turning,” Jared replied. He brought up his hand and pointed his finger at his own head. He made a circular motion, mimicking a wheel. “Did it ever occur to you that something happened to him? Kyle