Wes Read online

  Sometimes the secrets we keep aren’t as unacceptable as we thought they were.

  Wes has been on his own since he was sixteen, and he’s had to do what he needed to do to survive, even if it meant being a prostitute. He’s never known love, but that starts to change when he meets Taylor. Wes feels wanted as a person for the first time, but he knows Taylor could never accept him, so he flees.

  Taylor hadn’t expected to wake up alone on the day after he claimed his mate. He doesn’t even know Wes’ full name or phone number, so he has no way to find him. Just when he thinks he’s lost Wes forever, Wes is attacked and calls a pride member for help. Taylor knows he has to tell Wes about his furry half, but after Wes ran once already, Taylor is scared of his mate’s reaction.

  Wes accepts staying with the pride, but can Taylor really accept him and his past? And can Wes get used to living with people—with shifters—when he’s been alone for three years?

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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Wes

  Copyright © 2016 Catherine Lievens

  ISBN: 978-1-4874-0639-4

  Cover art by Latrisha Waters

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

  Published by eXtasy Books Inc or

  Devine Destinies, an imprint of eXtasy Books Inc

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  www.eXtasybooks.com or www.devinedestinies.com

  Wes

  Whitedell Pride Book Seventeen

  By

  Catherine Lievens

  Chapter One

  Wes left the bed and disappeared in the bathroom. He turned the water on but kept an ear on what was going in the bedroom. He’d already taken the money and had brought it with him into the bathroom, so the guy couldn’t steal it, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try to take something else.

  Not that anything Wes owned was worth it. He’d learned not to buy anything expensive the hard way when one of his clients had left taking Wes’ small TV with him. Ever since then, Wes has kept his bedroom as empty as possible, and took everything that cost more than twenty dollars into the bathroom with him when he went to shower.

  He stayed under the weak spray of water until it ran cold. It didn’t take as long as Wes would’ve liked, and he was shivering by the time he dried himself with his rough towel. He hooked it around his hips and went back to the bedroom, relieved to see it was empty. He checked the small living room and the even smaller kitchen, just to be sure he really was alone, then he locked the front door.

  He shivered and went back to the bedroom. He dressed with the clothes he reserved for the clubs and pulled a blanket over his shoulders, then he began cleaning up the bedroom. He changed the sheets and threw away the used condom his client had left on the floor.

  Wes unearthed his cheap cell phone from the inside of the hamper in the bathroom and checked the time. It was still early, but he had nothing else to do at home. Besides, the club would be warmer than his apartment, so he might as well go.

  He folded the blanket and put it back on the cheap bed, then he went back to the bathroom. He styled his hair and ignored the rest of his reflection. He washed his hands, stocked his pockets with condoms and small single-use packets of lube, and brushed his teeth.

  Wes bit his lower lip and checked his reflection one last time, entirely this time.

  He looked good. He always did. He had to look attractive, and to be fun, and lively, and all that crap. Even when he didn’t feel like it he had to, or he wouldn’t find clients.

  He straightened from his slouch and took his coat from the bed. He shrugged it on, grabbed his wallet, and got out the door. He locked it and the three different padlocks he’d added, then strode to the stairs.

  He had to climb over a man sleeping on the floor of the second story, and he tried to ignore the urine smell emanating from the guy and the empty bottle of booze he was still clutching. He hurried outside and only then took a deep breath. He needed to get the smell of unwashed bodies, cheap alcohol and mold out of his nose, but it was becoming harder and harder to do it. Again, not that he had a choice.

  Wes couldn’t afford anything better than the cold, smelly apartment he lived in. He knew he was lucky he could actually afford it, even if some days it meant he might not eat.

  The night air was freezing, and Wes tried to huddle even more into his coat. It didn’t seem to help, so he walked swiftly to the club. It was a good twenty minutes on foot, but at least he’d be marginally warmer when he got there. He stuck his hands in his pockets and looked straight ahead, ignoring what was happening around him while staying vigilant.

  Wes got out of his neighborhood after ten or so minutes of walking and finally let himself relax. He was approaching the center of Whitedell now, and there were people walking around, normal people. People who had a family, a nice house, and a good job. All things Wes didn’t have.

  He shook his head and pushed those thoughts away. It wouldn’t do to think about it, especially not now. Maybe when he went back home he could hide under the covers and commiserate to himself, but not now.

  Wes was so deep in his thoughts that he didn’t see the man until he bumped against him.

  He looked up, and up, and his eyes widened. The guy had to be six foot five at least, and he was a mountain of muscles. He looked like he could bench press Wes without problems and Wes gulped.

  “So-sorry.”

  He started to back off, but the guy surprisingly smiled at him. Wes felt his eyes go round.

  “It’s fine. Not like you did it on purpose, but I’d look ahead instead of down, if I were you.”

  “Uh, yeah. I will.”

  “Jonah! Are you coming or not?” a new voice yelled from behind Wes.

  Another man passed by him before he could walk away. The guy threw himself at Jonah and hung from his arm, and between the two of them, they occupied the entire sidewalk.

  Wes walked off it and skirted by them. He peeked their way and saw the smallest guy kissing Jonah on the cheek. They looked so happy, so carefree, and it hurt. Wes dreamed of having that, of having someone who cared for him. But who would want a whore like him?

  Wes’ gaze locked with the smallest guy’s and he gasped. He looked away and tried to leave, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. “Don’t I know you?”

  Wes shook his head and kept his eyes down, but the guy wasn’t easily dissuaded. “I do. Where did I see you? Let me think...”

  Wes tried to move away. He gave Jonah a pleading glance and the big guy stepped forward. He took the smallest guy’s hand and twined their fingers together. “Leave him alone, Keenan. Even if you do know him, does it really matter? I don’t think you two were ever close friends, since you can’t remember him.”

  Keenan opened his mouth to answer, but instead he looked at Wes again. “You’re the guy from the club!”

  Fuck. How could he remember that? It had been almost a year ago. Wes shook his
head, but Keenan insisted. “Yeah, I remember you.”

  Wes remembered him, too. He’d been hitting on Joshua. He’d looked like a decent guy, and Wes had been all for it. He hadn’t even had the time to suggest they go somewhere more private before Keenan had interrupted them. Wes had thought Keenan and Joshua were a couple, but either they hadn’t been, or he’d gotten himself a new boyfriend in the past year.

  Not that it mattered. Wes had never talked to Joshua again, but he still had his phone number. It was almost like a lifeline for him, something he could look at when he was desperate. He liked knowing that if something happened, he’d have a way out, at least if Joshua answered, and if he hadn’t changed his phone number. It might not lead to anything, but it was there, and it was more than anything else Wes had.

  “Keenan, let the guy go. You don’t even know him, and I’m sure he has somewhere more interesting to go on a Saturday night,” Jonah insisted.

  Wes gave him a grateful glance and hurried away. He could hear Keenan talking behind his back, but he didn’t stick around to hear what the man was saying about him. Bad enough that Wes had hit on his maybe boyfriend back then and that he still had the guy’s phone number.

  He was relieved when he finally arrived at the club. He took his coat off, handed it to the girl at the entrance, and paid the small fee. He smoothed his hands down his chest and straightened his shirt, took a deep breath and lifted his chin, and went in.

  * * * *

  “You ready?” Taylor asked to Darin’s bedroom door.

  There was movement inside, and a muffled swear word, then the door swung open. Darin looked miserable, and Taylor laughed. “What’s up with you?”

  “What’s up with me?” Darin groused. He made an ample gesture at his body. “This is what’s wrong with me!”

  Taylor took a step backward and looked at his friend from head to toe. Darin had on a pair of tight black jeans and a black fitted shirt. The dark color mirrored his hair and his eyes, and he looked damn good. “I don’t see what the problem is.”

  Darin huffed. “It’s everything. The jeans are too tight and I swear I can’t take a deep breath without my nipples poking through the shirt. It’s uncomfortable.”

  “It’s hot.”

  “Do I really have to wear this?” Darin batted his lashes and made puppy eyes at Taylor.

  “Of course not.” Darin’s face lit up, until Taylor continued. “You don’t have to, but we’re going to a club. To dance, and to find you a man. Shouldn’t you be at your best?”

  Darin deflated. “I can be at my best even in baggy jeans,” he muttered.

  “True, but there’ll be competition. Don’t you want to look better than all those other guys?”

  Darin sighed and went to sit on his bed. Taylor came in and closed the door, then leaned against it while he watched Darin put on socks and boots. “You know I want to find someone. I just... is it really worth it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Darin sat up and looked at Taylor. “I want what Shad has with Gabriel, but, well, they’re mates. What are the odds that I’ll find mine by going to a club once? I should just stick to the shop and hope he’ll find me there.”

  Taylor sighed and went to sit next to Darin. His friend looked so down that Taylor wished there could be something between them. Darin was sweet, cute as hell, and perfectly loveable, but there wasn’t anything more than friendship there. There was no spark whatsoever.

  “You don’t have to come home with anyone if you don’t want to, Darin. We’re just going to have fun while you’re on holiday, dance a bit, drink, things like that. That’s it. But I don’t think you should wait for your mate. Who knows if you’ll ever find him.”

  “I know.”

  “I’m not saying to forget about him and get married, or whatever, but you shouldn’t be alone so much.”

  Darin smiled and patted Taylor’s knee. “I’m not alone. I have Shad, and now I have you.”

  Taylor reached for his friend and pulled him into a tight hug. He’d known Darin for only a few months, but the guy was already his best friend, and it was something that still stunned Taylor when he thought about it. He’d spent a good part of his life alone, because he didn’t want anyone to know he was gay like his brother. It had saved him from having problems, but it had also made him lonely. But since he’d moved into the mansion, he could be himself, and no one had anything to say against it. It felt good.

  He kissed the top of Darin’s head, “You ready to go, now?”

  Darin pushed away. “Yeah, yeah. But we need rules.”

  Taylor raised his brows. “Rules?”

  “I already know I won’t be going anywhere but in my bed tonight, but I’m pretty sure you won’t.”

  Taylor grinned. “You know me so well.”

  “So I’ll drive, and I’ll take the car home. You can take off with whoever you want. Just call me when you’re done, or tomorrow morning, and I’ll come pick you up, okay?”

  “Deal.”

  Taylor got up and grabbed Darin’s coat. He threw it at him and zipped his up. “Now, are you ready to go?”

  Darin stood up and put his jacket on. He fiddled with his hair for a few seconds in front of the mirror, then nodded. “Ready. And if I don’t make it because I can’t breathe, you can have my room.”

  Taylor laughed. “Mine’s bigger, and you won’t die, don’t worry.” He slapped Darin’s ass when his friend passed by him, then laughed at Darin’s yelp. “We can always find you a guy to get you out of your pants. That way you’ll be sure you won’t suffocate.”

  Darin rolled his eyes. “No getting out of my jeans until I’m back home.”

  “You can bring a guy home,” Taylor pointed out as they walked down the stairs.

  “Nope. Can you imagine how a human would react to that?” He pointed at the bottom of the stairs and Taylor noticed the small sugar glider huddled on the railing. He shook his head and petted Shad.

  “You can always say he’s a pet.”

  Shad squeaked indignantly and Taylor patted his head again. “Calm down. I’m just trying to make sure your brother gets laid. It’s not fair that you’re the only twin to have fun.”

  Shad squeaked and Darin kissed the top of his head. “Go have fun with Gabriel. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Darin paused just outside the front door and held his hand out to Taylor. “Come on, give me the keys.”

  Taylor grumbled, but he obeyed. “You know you’re the only one apart from Sebastian who can drive my baby.”

  “That’s because you know you’ll be too drunk to drive back.”

  Taylor sighed. “I wish it was easier to get drunk.”

  “It’s not that bad. You just have to drink more.”

  “Yeah, and then I spend half the night peeing.”

  “You can’t have everything in life.”

  “Too true.”

  The drive to the club was short, and Taylor was bouncing by the time they got there. He loved clubbing—the sounds, the music, the heat generated by so many bodies packed together. It was almost like a drug, and he could feel the adrenaline pump in his veins.

  They walked in and handed their coats to the girl waiting by the coatracks. Taylor made to enter the club itself, but Darin hooked a finger in one of the loops of his jeans and Taylor paused. “Yeah?”

  “I’m not going to ask you to stick by me for the entire night, but it’d be nice in the beginning.”

  Taylor could see Darin was nervous, so he nodded and took his hand. He pulled him along until they reached the back wall of the club, then leaned back against the wall. Darin sidled next to him and leaned close. “So what do we do?”

  Taylor chuckled and shook his head. “We people-watch for a bit, then we go get a drink or two and we dance.”

  “Do I really have to dance?”

  “What did you come here for if you don’t want to dance?” Taylor asked in disbelief.
>
  Darin slapped Taylor’s chest. “I remember someone telling me I’d never get laid if I didn’t go out and that a club was the perfect place to find someone to have fun with.”

  “Come on, you can dance with me.”

  “Won’t that chase away the guys?”

  “In this place? No, not if we do it correctly. No kissing and no intimate touching.”

  Darin grimaced. “I don’t want to kiss you.”

  Taylor beamed. “Exactly.”

  Taylor looked around the room again and noticed a few guys he’d love to get closer to. One in particular caught his eyes, a short, dark-haired beauty who was talking with another guy at a table. Taylor shook his head. He had more than enough time to get the guy if he wanted to. He wanted to have fun first, though, so he dragged Darin to the bar and ordered four shots.

  Darin looked at him like he was crazy, but he still drank the shots down when they arrived. He grimaced and coughed, and Taylor laughed and ordered four more.

  This time Darin shook his head. “Nope. I have to drive, remember?”

  “Only one more, come on. I ordered them.”

  “You drink them. You’ll need them if you want to get drunk. I’m fine with water, thanks.”

  Taylor smirked. “Boooring.”

  Darin swatted his arm. “Safe. I don’t want to wrap your precious baby around a tree when I drive back home.”

  Taylor knocked all four shots down. He felt pleasantly warm and light-headed when he was done, and he pulled Darin to the dance floor. He dragged his friend to the middle of the dance floor, pushing aside people. He laughed when a hand squeezed his ass, but he didn’t stop until they were deep in the throng of people.

  Then he danced.

  * * * *

  Wes scanned the crowd, searching for his next client. The guy he’d been talking to before had balked when his boyfriend had arrived, even though Wes had told him he could do threesomes. Not what Wes preferred, but he wasn’t picky.