by Fel Fern
Not wanting to bother the family, Lucas moved to the other side of the lake. Milo jumped off his back and reverted to human form. Lucas did the same.
“It really is beautiful out here,” Milo said.
The Omega took a seat on the grass. Lucas joined him and gazed at the lake. The afternoon sun made the water appear jewel-like and clear. Lucas didn’t miss the longing in Milo’s voice. If Lucas asked Milo to stay a little longer, would that make him appear needy?
They hadn’t known each other long after all.
“Do the guests know about the Rogues the other day?” Milo asked him.
Lucas nodded. “They do. We don’t keep anything from our guests. We also reassured them we’ve increased our patrols. My brothers and I take turns watching our territory but we’re also thinking about hiring additional muscle. They’d have to be vetted first of course, but it’s an option.”
“Sounds like a solid plan. Your brothers are mated and have kids to think about.”
“I want to be in the same place as them. Eventually.” No use hiding his intentions from his Omega.
Milo looked out across the water, towards the happy family they passed by earlier. “They paint a pretty picture, don’t they? I’ve always wanted kids but Harvey didn’t feel the same way.”
“I used to think kids are a lot of work,” he admitted. “But after hanging out with my nieces and nephews, I realized they’re worth it.”
Lucas paused, remembering Billy’s words. “We’re having a barbecue at Logan and Billy’s place tomorrow night. Come with me?”
“To meet your family? Doesn’t that sound kind of serious?” Milo asked. The Omega added, “you truly want me there?”
“Of course I do. Besides, you’ve already met everyone so it won’t be much of a surprise.”
“I’d love to but,” Milo trailed off.
“What is it?” He asked, reaching out for Milo’s hand.
“This thing between us, it’s real isn’t it?” Milo asked.
“It is. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. We’re more than compatible, Milo. We’re mates.” There. Lucas said. That scary word. Milo didn’t run away. A good sign.
“But I need to go back to the city, to my job and life.”
“We’ll do long distance then,” he said.
Just thinking about Milo leaving hurt his heart but what could Lucas do? He didn’t want to be a controlling or demanding bastard. Lucas couldn’t just expect Milo to leave his old life behind for his sake either. That was asking for too much.
“Really?” Milo asked him. “You’re willing to do that for me?”
“Of course, baby.” Lucas touched Milo’s cheek and leaned in for a sharp and quick kiss. “As long as you don’t give up on us, I won’t either.”
“Then I’d like to go to that family barbecue with you.”
Lucas beamed because he knew Milo was taking a big step for him. Milo came here so he could recover from his heartbreak. His Omega had been with his ex for half a decade. It was only to be expected Milo had doubts about starting a new relationship.
“We haven’t known each other long,” he said. “But since the first moment we met, I instantly knew you were made for me.”
“I feel the same way,” Milo whispered. “I was just scared to trust again.”
“Well, you can trust me to keep your heart safe,” Lucas said, kissing the top of Milo’s head. “Enough talk. I’m sweating. Let’s go for a swim.”
“Good idea.” To his surprise, Milo bolted to his feet and ran towards the lake.
10
Milo
Milo nervously rubbed his hands as they stopped in front of Billy and Logan’s cabin. He could hear laughter and loud voices from inside. This was insane.
Was Milo really doing this?
Taking this step cemented the fact Milo was more knee-deep in this relationship than he thought. Right at that moment, that didn’t seem like a bad thing. Lucas closed one hand over the back of his neck and tugged him close for a wet and wild kiss that left him wanting more.
“You’ll do just fine,” Lucas reassured him as if the Alpha could read his mind. Lucas squeezed the back of his neck.
Lucas didn’t bother knocking. He strolled right inside Logan and Billy’s home, tugging Milo by the hand. He looked curiously around the cabin. Despite his earlier apprehension, he noted the exterior of the cabin looked gorgeous. Rustic. The interior was the same. Earth-toned furniture greeted them. A warm fire blazed in the living area.
“Whoa, hold it, cub,” Lucas said.
Lucas released his fingers so he could catch the little golden-haired and blue-eyed boy about to run towards the door. He was guessing this was Ollie in human form. Lucas hefted Ollie in his arms.
“Where you off to, kiddo?”
“Out,” Ollie said with a giggle. The cub looked at Milo curiously.
“Hey there,” Milo said.
“You guys are here, great. Logan’s been grumbling he’s hungry,” said Eli.
Eli looked occupied, holding the hands of two dark-haired girls. Both Sophie and Ella wore matching yellow sundresses.
“The kids are in human form,” Milo observed.
Someone grunted. Milo recognised Liam. Milo had gone searching for the massive dark-haired Alpha at the lodge before, to thank him for helping Lucas fight off the two Rogues.
“Papa, don’t like this dress,” one of the girls told Liam. Liam gave his daughter’s hair an affectionate rub, making her scowl at him. “Behave, Sophie.”
“Who’s he?” Asked Ella, looking from Eli and back to Milo.
“I’m Milo. Lucas’ date,” he said.
“Boyfriend?” Sophie asked.
“I guess I am,” he said with a laugh.
“Hope you’re hungry,” Lucas told him.
“I am,” he said. This wasn’t so bad, he realized. Their little group moved to the yard.
“Oh no. What are you doing to those poor pork chops, baby?” Billy cried.
He wasn’t surprised to see Logan and Billy arguing at the grill.
“Why don’t you take over then, bossy mate?” Logan complained.
“Move, Mr. Grouchy,” Billy said. Milo didn’t miss the affectionate looks the couple gave each other.
“Lucas and Milo are here. Good,” Logan said, noticing their arrival. The Alpha nodded to him. “Glad you can make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Milo said, meaning it.
“I’m not serving anyone. Everyone grab a plate,” Billy announced.
After piling his plate with food, Milo took a seat next to Lucas. There were plenty of plastic chairs for everyone. He wasn’t surprised Billy and Logan had everything ready. Lucas mentioned this family barbecue was a weekly thing. The cubs got curious and started hanging around him mid-meal.
Sophie wandered over to him. “Uncle Billy said you were a cake thief.”
He nearly choked on his sausage.
“That’s right. I mean, stealing is bad and I’m never doing it again,” he said quickly, noticing Billy was looking their way. Boy, he sure didn’t want to get on that Omega’s bad side.
“Next time invite Sophie,” she said. Then she pointed at Logan. “Uncle Logan, too.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said warily. She moved to join her sister and Ollie at the kid’s table.
“She seems to have taken a liking to you,” Lucas observed. “You’re her new hero.”
He groaned. “Please don’t remind me.”
To Milo’s surprise, he was beginning to enjoy himself. He got himself a second serving. Milo even gathered his courage to stray from Lucas’ side to chat with the other Omegas. Eli was easy to talk with. He never ran out of topics to discuss. Billy meanwhile, seemed to study him intently.
“I hope you enjoyed my cake the other night,” Billy finally said.
“Billy, you promised you wouldn’t mention that incident again,” Eli said. “Besides, it still shocks me you actual
ly put an alarm in the kitchen.”
“I’ve decided to put a lock on the fridge instead. That would keep wandering hands away from my food,” the other Omega grumbled.
“The cake was amazing,” he told Billy.
Milo wasn’t even aware of time passing. The Alphas soon joined them. It was clear to Milo everyone was familiar and comfortable around each other. No one there made him feel like an outsider. They included him in their conversations.
Part of him wished he was truly a member of this family. Milo could imagine going to more barbecues like these. Maybe in the future, Lucas and he could have kids . Their offspring would never be lonely because they’d have plenty of nieces and nephews to play with.
He sighed during their walk back to the lodge. Milo was stuffed. Billy really made sure all his guests were well-fed before they left. When Lucas suggested they take a little stroll in the woods, he agreed.
“You sighing—is that a good or bad thing?” Lucas asked him.
“Good,” he said.
He bit on his lower lip. Milo hadn’t even started packing. A few days ago, he debated extending his vacation but that wasn’t a permanent solution. He needed to get back to his old life. Figure stuff out on his own, like what exactly he wanted to do from here on out.
“I can almost hear you thinking. Was taking you to the barbecue a bad idea?” Lucas asked in a teasing voice but Milo knew him a little better by now.
Lucas probably didn’t want him to go either. Milo had gotten used to starting his days slow. He’d look forward to mornings the most because Lucas would always make an extra effort to track him down.
They’d eat lunch together, then Lucas would get back to work. Milo would take a hike or do some relaxing knitting. When dinner time arrived, they’d meet up again. Lucas asked him a question, Milo remembered.
“No, I loved getting to know everyone better,” he admitted. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“I’m not,” Milo instantly answered. To his horror, he could feel wetness on his cheeks. He furiously rubbed at his eyes. “God. Look at me. I’m such a mess. I cry when things don’t go my way. You must think I’m a loser.”
“I’d never think that. Listen to me, Milo.” Lucas halted. The Alpha tipped his chin. He sucked in a breath, seeing Lucas’ eyes turn bright gold. His Alpha looked positively feral under the moonlight. “No matter where you go, I’m never letting you go. You’re mine and I intend to keep you.”
“You promise?” Milo asked.
Lucas rested his forehead against his. “Promise. Now let’s head back to my place because I’m not letting you leave without a parting gift.”
Milo couldn’t argue with that. They stumbled down the stairs to Lucas’ basement, completely drunk on each other. They left their clothes along the way. By the time Lucas opened the door to his room, they were both naked. Lucas kicked the door shut with his foot.
Milo knelt in front of him. The Alpha let out what sounded like a growl of approval. Lucas speared his fingers through Milo’s hair and tugged him close, so Milo’s mouth touched the crown of Lucas’ dick. He licked his lips in anticipation. Milo couldn’t wait to taste his Alpha.
He tongued Lucas’ slit, toyed with the sensitive spot under the Alpha’s cock head. Lucas groaned, patiently keeping still as Milo explored every inch of his veined length. He moved to Lucas’ balls, took them inside his mouth, and sucked. Lucas moaned.
Knowing the big Alpha was at his mercy, gave him a heady sense of satisfaction.
Milo began to sheathe his mouth over Lucas’ thickening prick. He closed his hand over the base of Lucas’ shaft and began to blow him. Milo gagged on the first try, but he succeeded on his second. He bobbed his head up and down. The sounds of pleasure rumbling out of Lucas’ chest made his dick harden.
He paused from his task when Lucas tugged at his hair.
“I want to finish inside your ass,” Lucas said with a growl.
Milo pulled his mouth away from Lucas’ dick. He licked at the lingering pre-cum on his bottom lip.
“Fuck, baby. Do you know how sexy you look right now?” Lucas said.
“How do you want me?”
“How do you like it?” Lucas returned. “Show me.”
The firm command in Lucas’ voice made his entire body feel fever hot. Without an ounce of shame, Milo went on his hands and knees. He lowered his chest to the cool wooden floors and pushed his ass out at Lucas.
He groaned when the Alpha sunk his fingers into his ass cheeks and pried them open. Milo parted his thighs. Lucas didn’t fuck him right away. The Alpha must’ve dropped to his knees, because the next thing Milo knew, Lucas blew at his hole.
He groaned, clawing at the ground as Lucas pushed his tongue inside his ass. The Alpha held him in place as he licked and explored his ass. God, but that felt so damn good. By the time Lucas stood back up and nudged his cock head into his entrance, Milo was drowning in want.
“Ride me,” he uttered.
Lucas gripped his hips and finally penetrated him. He gasped as the Alpha plunged deep inside him. Lucas didn’t stop until he was balls deep inside Milo.
“Does my cock feel good inside you, baby?” Lucas asked.
“You bet,” he said.
Lucas began riding him, his strokes fast and sure. The Alpha settled on a rhythm that they both liked. Pleas and moans spilled from his lips. All the muscles in his body tightened.
His cock was ready to blow. When Lucas closed his fingers over his dick, he climaxed. Milo came, screaming out Lucas’ name. The Alpha completely blew his mind because, for a moment, Milo forget they were in Lucas’ room.
The Alpha hammered in and out of him a few more times, before filling his ass with his warm seed. With no energy to climb on the bed, Milo slid into the floor after Lucas pulled his prick out. He felt boneless, utterly spent.
Lucas made a quick trip to the bathroom and returned with a washcloth. The Alpha swiped them both clean, then joined him on the floor. Lucas remembered to grab a blanket from the bed. Once Lucas draped his big body over Milo’s, he placed the blanket over them.
Now more than ever, Milo was loathed to leave his man. This little paradise the two of them built. If Lucas asked him to stay, to never return to his boring job and lonely apartment, Milo would’ve said yes in a heartbeat. Except his Alpha wasn’t that selfish.
Unlike Milo, Lucas was being incredibly mature about this entire situation.
“I sure as hell am going to miss you,” Lucas murmured against his ear.
“Me, too. Will you visit me in the city soon?” He asked.
Milo knew it was a selfish request. Shifters preferred living near the woods for a reason. An Alpha like Lucas who’d been born and reared in the mountains would never adapt to life in the city. Milo would never ask Lucas to make that sacrifice either. Despite being a city shifter, Milo was beginning to see the perks of living near the woods. He always felt at peace. Calm.
Back in the city, Milo was just another faceless entity.
“I will,” Lucas said.
The Alpha kissed the side of his neck, the spot between his shoulder and neck. The place where Lucas could put his mate mark. A mating mark could bind the two of them forever.
There was no way to undo a true bond. Part of him hoped Lucas would do it, but Lucas wasn’t a monster. The Alpha would never force him into doing anything he wasn’t ready for. Lucas respected him too much.
Lucas only tightened his embrace around him. Milo told himself he’d keep himself awake but eventually, his eyelids fluttered close. Exhaustion hit him. He fell into a wonderful and dreamless sleep next to his mate.
11
Lucas
Lucas angrily swung the ax. Watching the blade slice through wood gave him some measure of satisfaction. It wasn’t enough. His grizzly still felt restless under his skin. Itchy. It had only been a week since Milo left. Lucas was miserable as hell.
He’d even become grumpier
and grouchier than his two brothers, according to Billy.
He couldn’t help it. He’d gotten so used being around Milo that life without the Omega felt dull. Colorless. God. Look at him now. He never imagined himself being in this miserable state. Lucas looked at his woodpile. All done.
When did that happen?
“While I’m happy you’ve been picking up the slack around here, I hate seeing you miserable,” said a voice.
He glanced at Liam. His brother made his way to Lucas and handed him a cup of coffee. Lucas looked over Liam’s shoulder. The woodshed was located right next to the kitchen. He glimpsed Billy.
The Omega gave him a curt nod before he barked orders at his staff. Everyone was concerned about him. It was a little touching. Too bad Lucas couldn’t seem to get out of his funk.
“So,” Liam began. The other Alpha took a sip of his coffee. “When will you summon the courage to drag your Omega back here?”
Lucas scoffed. “Like I’ve said a thousand times, Milo doesn’t belong to me. Sure, we had mind-blowing sex a few times and we promised to do this whole long-distance shit but—”
Lucas trailed off. Milo and he exchanged texts a few time a day but the messages weren’t enough. Lucas preferred the genuine article. He missed waking up with Milo tucked next to him. Going on long walks with Milo. Bantering with him.
“It’s not working?” Liam finished.
Lucas clenched his jaw. No, it wasn’t. Lucas had never been this hungover a guy before. He’d never experienced heartbreak either because he never let himself go this far with any of his hook-ups.
Well, technically, Milo and he weren’t broken up but it felt that way. The more time they spent apart, the bigger gap between them grew. Sooner or later, they’d just become text buddies. Friends. Then eventually nothing. Communication between them would stop.
“Your grizzly’s about to explode from your skin. Why don’t you take a day off and go for a run in the woods? Let off some steam,” Liam suggested.