Winter's End

by Rebecca James

  Duncan’s lips crashed down on Canaan’s before the beta could take another breath, tongue dominating and lips bruising. The alpha’s hands moved all over him, tearing away clothes, then sinking a finger inside Canaan so the beta moaned in the alpha’s mouth.

  “Gonna fuck you and bite you,” Duncan announced into their kiss, and Canaan whimpered and nodded as he yanked his jeans open and shoved them off his hips.

  Duncan practically flung the beta onto the bed, crawling over him and sinking inside without preamble, long, fat cock stretching Canaan’s channel. The beta cried out and pushed back against the alpha, wanting more. The bed squeaked, springs getting a workout as Duncan pounded into Canaan’s ass. When Canaan felt the alpha’s hot breath on his neck, he shivered, but tilted his head in offering. Duncan’s canines sank into his flesh, and Canaan gasped, then closed his eyes and moaned when Duncan shook him possessively. He circled his legs around the alpha’s slim hips as the sizable knot popped inside him, binding them together.

  Somehow, they managed to scoot far enough up the bed to lie down in a semi-comfortable position to wait out the knot.

  “I can’t believe this is happening,” Canaan said after a moment of listening to their soft panting. Pleasure trickled up his spine every time Duncan moved even marginally. “I still want to know why today.”

  Duncan sighed. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. I didn’t like the way that Archer fellow was looking at you today.”

  Canaan turned his head to look at Duncan. “What? He wasn’t looking at me any certain way. He’d just helped find Joey.”

  “I know what an alpha looks like when he’s interested,” Duncan said. “He wanted you.”

  “Oh. Well, I never would have known.” Canaan shrugged.

  “He can’t have you. Because you’re mine.” Duncan moved again, and Canaan shook like leaves in the wind when the alpha’s knot massaged his prostate.

  Settling his head onto the pillow, he breathed through the intensifying feeling of Duncan’s knot swelling inside him, then let out a prolonged cry as his orgasm crashed into him out of nowhere. Duncan rose onto his elbows and rocked his hips, chasing his own climax, and seconds later Canaan felt warm spunk coat his insides while Duncan groaned over him.

  Bending his head, Duncan licked at the mating bite on Canaan’s neck to help it heal, and Canaan released his legs so the alpha could withdraw. They trembled from the tight way the beta had been holding on, and Canaan’s heart turned over when Duncan gently massaged the quivering muscles.

  “We can move you out tomorrow,” Duncan pronounced brusquely. “I’ll ask Bruce and Rick to help.”

  Canaan’s voice came out a little hoarse, and he had to clear his throat a few times before he sounded normal. Running his hand down Duncan’s arm—because he could—he said, “I can cook. Maybe we can ask the new guys, too. Get to know them.”

  Duncan growled, and Canaan had to smile. His alpha was jealous.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  Roanan

  “Roanan.”

  Roanan opened his eyes and blinked. The bedroom was completely dark. “Em?”

  “I don’t…feel…well.”

  Roanan sat up. Em stood in the doorway between the bedroom and bathroom but came to sit on the bed next to the alpha. Roanan felt the omega’s head with the back of his hand.

  “You’re not warm.”

  Emory shook his head. “My back hurts. And I…I…” He started to cry, hoarse wracking sobs that hurt Roanan’s heart to hear.

  Roanan drew the omega into his arms. “Em, it’s okay. Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “S-scared.”

  “Do you think you’re in labor?”

  Looking miserable, Emory nodded. “Too early, isn’t it?”

  “Not really. A couple of weeks isn’t a big deal. Do you want me to get one of the omegas for you?”

  Emory grabbed Roanan’s arm. “Don’t leave me.”

  “Shh, I won’t, love. I could get Lake or Landon to go for Gabriel, though. Or Justin.”

  Emory leaned against Roanan’s shoulder. “Gabriel. Hate to wake him up.”

  “I’m sure he won’t mind, especially the way you helped him when you were both out in the forest.” Roanan hated to think of Emory wandering alone out there. He was so glad the omega had met up with Gabriel when he did.

  “I’ll get the boys up.” Roanan rose from the bed and padded across the hall to the twins’ room. Lake lay on his stomach in his twin bed, one foot dangling off the side. Landon was curled in a ball on the other side of the room, his comforter pulled over his head.

  “Hey. Lake.” Roanan put a hand on his son’s bare back and rubbed. “Son. Wake up.”

  “Wha—” Lake raised his head. “Dad?”

  “Sorry to wake you, but I need you and Landon to run to the pack alpha’s and bring Gabriel back with you.”

  “What’s wrong?” Landon had sat up in bed and was rubbing his eyes.

  “Emory might be in labor, or he might just be having a bad night, but he wants Gabriel.”

  Lake was already slipping into a pair of shoes. “Okay. We’ll get him.”

  Landon grabbed his pants and pulled them on.

  “Good boys. Thank you. I know Emory appreciates it too.”

  Next, Roanan went into Josh’s room. He stopped in his tracks when he saw the bed was empty.

  “What the—”

  Hearing a noise at the window, he stilled. Backing up, he hid in the shadows and watched his eldest son climb inside before shutting the window again.

  “Josh!”

  The young omega nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of his father’s voice.

  “What in the hell were you doing out alone this late at night?” Roanan demanded.

  “I-I couldn’t sleep. I went for a little walk. Not far.”

  “I don’t like that, Josh. You can’t walk around by yourself in the middle of the night.”

  “I couldn’t sleep. Gods, Dad, I’m grown now. I’ve had my first heat, and I’m not in heat at the moment You’ve got to stop thinking of me as a little kid and start trusting me.”

  Roanan opened his mouth to snap at his son then suddenly stopped. “You’re right. But be careful.”

  Josh looked surprised. “Yes, sir.”

  Thinking Josh might one day get sick of living at Angel Hills had scared Roanan, and the alpha had realized he needed to give the young omega some breathing room. He was young, yes, but he had had his first heat. His body was changing into a grown omega. Roanan really did need to start trusting Josh.

  The alpha let out a breath and relaxed slightly. “I came in here because I wanted you to sit with Emory. He’s feeling sick.”

  Worry crossed Josh’s face. “Sure, okay.” He walked past Roanan and into the hall, and Roanan followed. They found Emory on his side shivering so much his teeth chattered. Roanan climbed up behind him and wrapped his arms around his mate while Josh sat on the bed on in front of his stepdad.

  “Em? Are you cold?” Josh asked, worried. “Do you need another blanket?”

  “Just scared.”

  Roanan pressed a kiss to Emory’s temple as Josh took the omega’s hand.

  “Are you in labor, Em?” Josh asked kindly.

  “I don’t know.” Tears ran down Emory’s cheeks.

  “Don’t worry. I’m sure everything’s fine. And Gabriel will know what to do. The twins have gone to get him.” Josh patted Emory’s hand and continued talking to him. Roanan thought his son was growing into a fine young werewolf. He wished the boy would use more sense, though, instead of walking around in the middle of the night. If he’d had any hint of a heat scent on him, he might have been attacked by an alpha who couldn’t hold himself back.

  Roanan soothed Emory with his closeness as Josh chatted. Finally, he heard the front door open and a moment later, Gabriel hurried into the room, Ian and the twins behind him.

  “Emory, are you okay?” Gabriel asked, approaching the bed.
Roanan helped Emory to sit up, and Josh moved so Gabriel could hug Emory.

  “I’ll be right back,” Roanan said, and Josh took his place while Roanan went into the kitchen where Ian was making tea.

  “Is he okay?” Ian asked.

  “I think he’s just scared. He could be in labor. Sorry to wake you guys, and thanks for coming.”

  “It’s no problem. Grey wanted to come, too, but he offered to stay with the kids.”

  “Should I call Shane?”

  “Not unless there’s a problem,” Ian said. “Is he hurting?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  The two brothers sat for a moment drinking tea before taking a cup with milk added to Emory.

  “I think he’s in early labor,” Gabriel told them. He rubbed Emory’s shoulders. “He’s just scared. But like I told him, he’ll be all right. He shouldn’t have any of the problems I had.”

  Emory wore only a pair of boxer briefs, the waistband pushed under the large swell of his belly. When Roanan rested his hand there, the skin felt hot and tight. The alpha had noticed in recent weeks Emory’s navel had poked up, and Roanan had joked it was like a thermometer proclaiming the baby ready to come out. Evidently that hadn’t been far from the truth.

  “Oww,” Em moaned, clenching his teeth and grabbing the sheet.

  “Where’s the pain?” Gabriel asked.

  Emory put his hand low on his groin. “Here and around…to…back.”

  Gabriel pushed the hair from Emory’s face. “Sounds like labor to me. Isn’t that exciting? Soon you’re going to meet your baby boy!”

  Emory smiled through his tears and accepted the tea from Ian. “Thanks.” Gabriel and Josh had piled pillows behind Emory so he was partially sitting, and Roanan sat by the omega and helped him drink the tea.

  Emory had almost emptied the cup when another pain came over him. Roanan took it and set it on the nightstand.

  “H-hurts,” Emory said and moaned pitifully.

  “I’m sorry.” Roanan crawled behind Emory so the omega could lean against him. The room was dark and still. Josh looked so worried, Roanan smiled at him encouragingly, when inside the alpha’s heart was racing. What if something happened to Emory? He couldn’t stand the thought.

  Every time a pain hit, Emory clutched at Roanan’s knees and cried out. The twins stood out in the hall, probably afraid they’d accidentally witness the birth if they stayed in the room.

  When there was barely sixty seconds between pains, Ian took the twins into the living room for a game of Parcheesi while Josh and Gabriel gathered some clean towels and Roanan spoke softly to Emory as he rubbed the omega’s belly. Gabriel gave Emory one of Roanan’s T-shirts to wear and helped the omega slip off the boxer briefs.

  “Anytime now,” Gabriel said, peering at Emory’s opening. “The bowels have shut off, and the exit has widened. I can fit my fist inside. He withdrew his gloved hand. Roanan realized Gabriel must have brought the gloves with him.

  “Did you hear that?” Roanan asked softly in Emory’s ear. “Or son is about to be born.”

  Emory bit his trembling bottom lip and nodded, clutching hard to Roanan’s raised knees.

  “I..want to p-push,” Emory said. Roanan looked to Gabriel, who nodded.

  “Do what feels natural,” he told Emory, who immediately took a breath and bore down. “That’s it.” Gabriel peered between Emory’s legs. “Again.”

  Emory pushed, groaning as he did so. Josh leaned forward in his chair, watching with wide eyes.

  “Okay, here comes the head,” Gabriel said. “I’m going to help ease him out when you push this time. Go ahead when you’re ready.”

  Gasping, Emory pushed again as Roanan whispered words of encouragement into his mate’s ear.

  “Shoulders,” Gabriel said. “One more push should do it. Come on, Emory!”

  Emory’s head fell back onto Roanan’s shoulder.

  “You can do it, love. Bring our son into this world.”

  With a massive push, Emory did just that.

  Gabriel smiled widely as he helped ease baby Jacob from the birth canal. “Josh, the cord.”

  Josh hurried to grab the sterilized scissors from the towel on the table and leaned over to cut between the two placed where Gabriel pinched the cord. The baby squirmed on the blanket, eyes wide open.

  “Come on, little one,” Gabriel said, lifting him into a clean towel and wiping his face. “Give us a shout.”

  When Jacob let out a wail, Roanan expelled the breath he’d been holding.

  Emory reached out with trembling hands, and Gabriel placed Jacob into the omega’s arms. Roanan looked over Em’s shoulder at the sweet little face scrunched up and crying.

  “Look,” Em croaked. “Milk.” He glanced at Roanan and grinned. Indeed, milk dripped from both of Emory’s nipples.

  Gabriel helped Emory move Jacob so the baby could nurse, and the little boy immediately latched on and sucked. Emory’s giggle buoyed Roanan’s heart.

  “He’s beautiful,” Roanan said, staring at the child. He looked up at Gabriel, who was cleaning up Emory.

  “He sure is,” the first omega agreed.

  “He looks like me,” Josh said.

  Roanan chuckled. “You think?”

  Josh nodded. “Maybe he’ll be an omega, too.” He leaned towards the baby. “Hello, little brother.”

  Lake and Landon filed into the room, Ian behind them.

  “Aw, he’s so little and cute,” Landon said.

  “Duh, he’s a baby.” Lake rolled his eyes.

  “Babies can be ugly.” Landon ran a finger over Jacob’s head covered in dark blond fuzz.

  “I love you,” Roanan said in Emory’s ear. “Thank you for our beautiful son.”

  “What’s his name?” Gabriel asked.

  “Jacob, for Emory’s father, and Peter for Ian’s and my father,” Roanan replied.

  The baby pulled off the nipple and yawned as they all stared down at him in adoration.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Gabriel

  “Keith’s carrying,” Gabriel told his mates as they sat at the breakfast table eating. He couldn’t believe how good he felt. Nothing like his past two pregnancies.

  “Carrying what?” Finny asked, pushing his pancake around the plate.

  “A baby,” Ian told him before looking at Gabriel. “That’s wonderful. The pack’s really growing.”

  London had given birth several weeks ago to his second child, and Justin’s baby was due before the end of the month. Gabriel finished his toast.

  “I was wondering,” Ian said, glancing at Grey.

  “What is it?” Grey asked.

  Ian looked nervous. Gabriel stood from his chair and walked around the table to put his arms around Ian from behind his chair. He rarely saw Ian upset.

  Ian let out a breath.

  “Ian?” Grey took the beta’s hand.

  “No, Forrest! Don’t throw food! Da, Forrest is throwing his pancake.”

  Grey got up from the table. “Meal’s over. You two have eaten as much as you’re going to. I’ll clean you up, and you can both play for a while.” He glanced at Ian. “Then we can talk.” The alpha wet a cloth and began wiping sticky syrup from the boys’ faces and hands while Gabriel went with Ian into the living room.

  “Are you okay?” Gabriel asked, fear curling in his belly.

  Ian kissed him. “I’m fine. I just need to talk to both of you.” That helped a little, but Gabriel still worried about what Ian could possibly have to say.

  Finally, Grey came into the room with the boys, and Gabriel helped bring some toys from the box in the corner to the braided rug. Outside the open French doors, the sun was shining, the birds chirping, and everything was in blossom.

  “Okay,” Grey said when they’d all sat down on the couch and the boys were busy with their wooden trains. “What’s bothering you, professor?”

  Ian looked uncharacteristically nervous, and Gabriel scooted closer to him, pressing up a
gainst the beta’s side until Ian wrapped an arm around the omega.

  “I’m okay,” Ian said. “I didn’t mean to worry you.” He looked at Grey. “I just—” He sighed. “I feel silly. I know I’m probably wrong, but…could you scent my neck?”

  Grey frowned but leaned forward and did as Ian asked. And did it again. And again, running his nose from clavicle to jaw.

  “What is it?” Gabriel asked nervously. “Is he sick?”

  When Grey drew away, his blue eyes were wide. “Professor, you’re carrying!”

  Ian gasped. “Really? I mean, I wondered, but I didn’t really think—”

  “You’re pregnant!” Gabriel bounced on the couch. “Wow!”

  “I can’t believe it!” Ian said.

  A huge smile spread over Grey’s face. “After all these years.” He pulled Ian into a hug, and Gabriel threw himself over both of them as best he could with his own growing belly.

  “I’m so excited! How do you feel, Ian?”

  “I don’t know. Just different from usual. And I’ve been sick the last few mornings.”

  “You haven’t eaten as much. I noticed,” Gabriel said. He looked at Grey, whose expression held so much pride, Gabriel got teary-eyed.

  “I am going to have a whole brood of children,” Grey said, standing and looking around as though he were king of the mountain.

  “You are,” Ian agreed. I’ll add my one, and Gabe, here, can have fifteen more.”

  “Now, wait a minute,” Gabriel said. “I don’t know about that.”

  “I always thought twenty sounded like a good number,” Grey said. “So sixteen more, Gabriel. Everyone will say, ‘that handsome, virile Angel Hills alpha has a brood of twenty pups.’”

  “They’ll probably name something after you,” Ian said, amusement in his eyes.

  “Maybe a city,” Gabriel said, laughing. He didn’t know if he wanted to give birth to that many children, but he’d do it for Grey if that’s what the alpha really wanted. The omega was pretty sure his mate was teasing, though.