by AdamCharles
“Damn,” Noah whispered.
“Exactly,” Mace said, rubbing against him. Just twenty-four hours ago, he’d been skeptical about this arrangement, only committing to it for Gideon’s sake. But now? Instead of lying in bed alone every night dreaming of something he couldn’t have, he’d be driving into this omega’s sweet ass. The ache in his chest remained, but he had a feeling he’d found the perfect balm.
As they continued kissing, Mace let his hands roam. He wondered if Noah would always be so changeable, or if it was just because of his heat cycle beginning. Or the way he’d been thrown into all of this by their alphas. Mace had expected more resistance yet couldn’t regret what they’d just done. He hoped Noah wouldn’t regret it in a few days. Even if love never came, he imagined this man as a loving father, and he couldn’t ask for more for his pups.
* * * *
Mace headed outside when he heard someone talking to Noah. Despite having sex a second time when they’d returned to his cabin, and sleeping with Noah curled up beside him, Mace felt a little threatened when he heard male laughter. He’d been making coffee for himself and Noah, and he struggled to balance both cups and get out the door at the same time.
Relief washed over Mace when he saw it was Ben, who was quite happily mated. “Hi, Ben,” Mace said as he kicked the door closed and handed one cup to Noah.
“Thank you,” Noah said softly.
“Hey,” Ben said. “Just stopping by and being nosy.”
Mace sat down in the rocking chair beside Noah. “Sure you didn’t need anything?”
“Nah. I was going to check on that fence we mended last week,” Ben said. He pointed to the east and added, “I’ll be heading on. Later, you two.”
“Bye,” Noah said.
Mace watched Ben walk away and let him move out of sight before he asked, “Everything okay?”
Noah sipped his coffee and nodded. “Yeah. He introduced himself. Said he was excited about the changes coming. He thinks we’ll all be stronger as one pack.”
“Anything else?”
“Oh, he asked about you, and I told him I’m madly in love with you and can’t wait to have your pups.”
Mace nearly choked on his coffee as he turned to Noah, who was laughing uncontrollably.
“Don’t tell me you believed I really said that to him?” Noah asked between snorts of laughter.
Mace wiped his mouth. “That’s the first joke you’ve made, and you did it with a straight face. Give my heart some consideration, will ya?”
Noah calmed his laughter. “I’m sorry. I certainly didn’t mean to endanger your heart.” He lowered his eyelids and sipped his coffee. And then he batted his eyelashes at Mace. “I just can’t control my powers at times,” he teased in a silly, lilting voice.
Mace felt his anger melting as Noah smiled at him. “I was right. You are gonna keep me on my toes.”
“Hey, now you know what to look out for.” He set his coffee on the little table between them and said, “Sorry my brother didn’t warn you about my sense of humor. He’s probably too used to it.”
“Meaning you’re probably spoiled and get away with everything,” Mace said, eyeing him with mock suspicion.
“Maybe I am spoiled. I don’t know.”
Mace studied Noah, not sure what he wanted to say. “Did you actually say anything to Ben about being here with me?”
“No. Just said I was staying with you. That you gave me a tour. I told him I think it’s pretty here.” Noah shrugged. “He’s curious. I don’t blame him. I’m sure he scented me and knows I’m in heat. Probably assuming we started fucking last night.”
“We did. And someone saw us last night.”
Noah laughed. “Oh yeah. You did growl at someone.”
“Couldn’t help it.”
For once, Noah didn’t reply. He picked his coffee up again and rocked gently, staring off into the distance.
Mace cleared his throat and said, “People are going to assume things. But it’s our life. Our lives. I’ll stand by you on that.”
“Thanks.” He drained his cup before asking, “Do you want me to help you today? You said you had stuff to do.”
“Sure. I could use another pair of hands.”
Noah smirked, obviously trying to suppress his laughter. “Felt like you had about three sets last night.”
“Hey, I’m handsy. Get used to it.”
“Yes, sir,” Noah said gently before rising and going back inside.
Mace smiled to himself in a way he hadn’t in a very long time as he finished his coffee and listened to Noah puttering around in his cabin.
* * * *
Mace rolled over and found his bed empty. The smell of bacon wafted to him, and he moaned as he mentally forgave Noah for not being there to cuddle with him. Mace liked cuddling, something he’d found out over the past three days with Noah in his bed.
He sighed as he made himself get up. Tonight would be Thomas and Gideon’s official mating. A huge feast was planned, complete with a multi-tiered cake and a good bit of booze. Mace moved into the kitchen and came up behind Noah to kiss his shoulder.
“Morning,” he said as he eyed the bacon in the pan.
“Good morning,” Noah said. “You sleep well?”
“Yeah, you?”
Noah nodded. “You wore me out,” he said softly.
Mace put his arms around Noah’s waist. Since Noah’s arrival, they’d had sex seven times, and Mace had knotted Noah twice so far. “It was my pleasure.”
“Yes, I noticed.”
Mace moved away and got two plates down. “Want me to do eggs?”
“Sure.” Noah inched over a bit to give him room.
Mace turned the burner on and slapped some butter in the pan before getting six eggs out. He scrambled them while Noah finished up the bacon. Their first morning together had been a bit awkward, but now he kind of liked them working side by side without talking. He glanced at the coffeemaker, which was just finishing up. Mace still felt that dull ache each time he saw Gideon, but he liked how he and Noah had settled into each other.
“Do you want to run with some of the other couples tonight, after Gideon and Thomas mate?” Noah asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve never had a steady partner when a mating happened, so I usually hang back and enjoy the free-flowing booze.”
Noah laughed, a soft and gentle sound Mace liked a lot. “We could come back here and have sex instead. I’m still in heat, so there’s still a chance you could seed me. Probably our last chance this month. I can feel it coming to an end.”
Mace leaned over and licked Noah’s neck before nipping at him. “I’m very aware of the fact you’re still in heat. I’ve been pounding you into that mattress pretty hard.”
“I haven’t complained, have I?”
“No.” Mace plated the eggs and took the platter to the table. “Are you scared of pregnancy complications, or the Cesarean?”
“Huh?”
“Your first day, when we were talking all this out. You said you were afraid. At least a little.”
“Thomas and I have the same mom and dad. That’s why we’re so close. She was our dad’s official mate, so his pups by her stayed with him. She died having me. There was hemorrhaging.” Noah took the bacon to the table and then took the plates Mace had gotten down and set them before their chairs.
Mace stared at him until he looked up.
“What?” Noah asked.
Mace moved to his side. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It wasn’t important that very moment, plus it’s a bit heavy for our first conversation.”
Wolves were strong, but they could die as easily as humans. Male omegas had babies all the time, and they had great doctors, but birth always came with risks.
“The doc lives real close. I’ll make sure you have great care.”
Noah shrugged. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“But you lost your mom. I’m
so sorry.”
“Thanks, but I’m fine now. I never knew her.”
Mace hugged him anyway. “My mom was an omega. She had so many children she handed us off whenever she could. I was lucky I was a beta. I got out sooner.”
Noah frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that. It’s why things are changing. The old ways were killing us in lots of ways.”
“They were.”
Noah went to the fridge and got juice out, and Mace walked over to pour them both coffee. Noah took it black, but Mace filled his own with sugar and powdered creamer.
They sat and ate in silence for a bit, but finally Noah said, “You think you’ll be okay tonight? I don’t mind hanging back.”
“I’m Gideon’s second, and your Thomas’s brother. We need to be front and center.”
Noah pushed his eggs around. “Okay.”
Mace saw something he couldn’t identify in Noah’s face. “You worried about me?”
Noah looked up. “It’s only been a few days. I couldn’t watch someone I have feelings for having sex with someone else.”
“I think I need to see it. The past is done. The future is what matters.” You matter. Even if it’s only been a few days. I like having you in my bed. In my cabin, in my life.
“Our pups.”
“And you, Noah.”
Noah didn’t say anything. He picked up a piece of bacon and bit into it.
“Noah?”
“Yeah?”
“You worried about something?” Mace felt his heart speed up. Were things going to change again now Noah was coming out of heat? Would the little omega pull away just as Mace was starting to care for him?
Noah finished the bacon and wiped his mouth. “Guess I’m wondering what it’ll be like once this cycle is over. When I’m not in heat anymore.”
“You think it won’t be as good?”
Noah shrugged. “I don’t know.” He met Mace’s gaze. “I … should’ve thought this out more. I pressured you because of my need. What beta could resist a willing omega in heat?”
“Don’t think of it that way. We talked about it. Didn’t do anything wrong. Or anything we didn’t both want. I hope.” They’d done lots of other things besides have sex. They cooked meals and washed dishes together each day. They’d watched movies and taken walks. They’d even repainted the rocking chairs on the porch the day before. They might not have had a bunch of deep conversations yet, but they enjoyed each other’s company. It hurt a little that Noah wasn’t putting any value on those things.
When Noah stayed silent, Mace asked, “Do you enjoy being with me? Just hanging out and all.”
“Yeah. I like you.”
“Then what’s wrong, besides the fact you know my secret?”
“I can’t put my finger on something being wrong. I just feel … off.”
Mace reached for Noah’s hand across the table and squeezed it. “Tell me if you do manage to put your finger on it. You’re mine, and I take care of what’s mine.”
Noah looked startled. “Yours?”
“I shouldn’t have said it like that. I mean that I care about you.”
“Okay. I just don’t want us to … get ahead of ourselves.”
Then stop being so cute and perfect and making me care for you. Damn, I should’ve resisted him. When will I learn? Now he’s back to saying we’re getting ahead of ourselves. But Noah looked so vulnerable Mace couldn’t be upset with him. “I’m sorry for the possessive talk. You’re right. One day at a time.”
Noah looked a bit relieved. “One day at a time.”
They washed the dishes and then set out to help set up for the festivities that night. Noah didn’t say much else as they walked, but Mace could tell something still bothered him. He only hoped Noah would confide in him when the time came. They were in this together, and he couldn’t help Noah if he didn’t know what the omega was thinking or how he was feeling. Mace had always been used to omegas wanting to please him and being completely submissive to his will and his ideas, never disagreeing with him or seeming to have thoughts of their own.
Is that why I like him? Want him to agree with me? He eyed Noah. Is it why I want him to erase Gideon from my heart? Mace shook himself, feeling stupid. He’d never had such touchy-feely thoughts before, not even about Gideon. He actually stopped short at that thought. He’d always assumed his lack of protective and tender feelings for Gideon was the result of Gideon being his alpha. But was that right? Shouldn’t he have had those softer feelings for Gideon? Wanted to cuddle with him the way he did with Noah? He’d always just imagined being by Gideon’s side and working together. There had also been the fantasies about them rutting each other senseless. But he had a hard time picturing them holding each other in bed or caressing each other the way he and Noah did.
“Mace? What’s wrong?” Noah asked. He turned around and came back to Mace, raising his hand to Mace’s cheek. “Forgive me if I hurt your feelings.”
“You didn’t. I’m fine. Just thinking.” Noah’s hand felt so gentle, and Mace wanted to pull him close and kiss him. “I’m glad we can talk about this, even if we’re both still unsure what we want.”
“I’m sorry if I’ve muddled all of this up. I do get a bit erratic during heat.” He lowered his hand to Mace’s shoulder. “I do like you. I really do.”
Mace made himself smile. “I know. I like you, too.” He nodded in the direction they’d been heading. “Let’s go. Don’t wanna be late.”
Noah seemed reassured, yet Mace could still feel Noah eyeing him.
One day at a time.
Chapter Three
Mace stood behind Noah and off to the side as Thomas and Gideon, in their wolf forms, made their way to the circle by the fire. They’d declared their love for each other before stripping and shifting. Mace had looked away, not wanting to ever be able to picture the two men making love in human form. That would simply be too much. As the two wolves began, Mace slid his arm around Noah’s waist.
Noah turned slightly to look up at him. “You never told me if you want to run.”
Mace looked around, some couples already stripping down to join the mated pair on their upcoming run. “You want to?”
“Up to you.”
Mace tightened his grip. “Tell me what you want.”
Noah shifted his stance and watched the rutting wolves for a moment. “I want to go back to your cabin.”
Noah answered him so quietly. Mace pulled Noah close against him and kissed the top of his head. Our cabin. “I’d like that.”
Noah looked up at him but didn’t say anything, which made Mace glad he hadn’t said anything about the cabin and thinking of it as theirs, not just his.
“We’ve been so busy today. I’ve missed touching you.”
Noah leaned his head against Mace’s chest. “You have?”
“Yeah.” He kissed the top of Noah’s head again and took a deep breath. “Your scent has changed. You’re out of heat completely?” he whispered.
“Yes. No more chances until next month.”
“That’s not the only reason we’re fucking. Is it?”
“No.”
Mace rubbed Noah’s back. “You get tired after your cycle is over? I know the adrenaline can be exhausting. We can do whatever you want. I’m happy just to cuddle with you on the couch.”
Gideon and Thomas bolted off toward the trees, and Noah watched all the pairs of wolves moving off to run in the woods. Then he looked up at Mace. “I want more than that.”
Mace smiled down at Noah to hide how uneasy he felt. “Then you’ll get whatever you want.” Mace looked at the running wolves one last time before leading Noah through the crowd and back to the cabin. Once they were inside, he took Noah’s face in his hands. “What’s wrong?”
Noah began unbuttoning Mace’s shirt. “Nothing. I just want you. You’re right. We haven’t touched all day. I’ve gotten used to your scent. Your feel.”
He’s gotten attached and now he’s scared I won’t want h
im as much with his heat cycle over. Has he not been paying attention to how attached I’ve gotten? Serves him right for bristling each time I hint at this working out. Mace almost something about that, but he bit his tongue. Now was not the time to argue. “I love your scent and feel, too. Even when I’m sleeping, I love having you close.”
“It feels good. I’ve always slept alone.” Noah pulled his own shirt off after pushing Mace’s off his shoulders and letting it flutter to the floor. “I like you holding me.”
Mace cupped Noah’s face again and began placing gentle kisses over his cheeks and lips. Tonight, he wanted to go slow. He might be wrong about what was bothering Noah, but he had a feeling he wasn’t. Noah had grown attached and was coming to feel something for Mace, and knowing Mace’s heart still lingered with another had to hurt. Mace had never thought of sex as “making love” with any partner, but tonight, he wanted to give Noah more.
As he lost himself in Noah, his fantasies about Gideon seemed far away, like he’d had them years ago. He kissed every inch of Noah’s face, and the younger man closed his eyes and leaned in, relaxing against Mace.
“We can be less frenzied now. Take our time. Our bodies won’t be pushing us to completion,” Mace whispered as he moved around behind Noah and held him. He let his hands glide up and down Noah’s chest as he kissed his neck. He sucked on the skin where Noah was most sensitive, knowing he’d leave marks. He wanted the marks there for everyone to see. He’d never felt possessive of a partner before, as he’d never fucked anyone else more than once, but he didn’t want anyone else making advances or trying to catch Noah’s eye. Gideon’s rejection had hurt, but they’d never been together. Seeing Noah with another would be different. It would hurt in a way Mace didn’t like to think about.
Noah arched and moaned. “You’re gonna leave my neck black and blue,” he said on a sigh.
“Maybe I want people to see it. Want them to know I’m satisfying my male.” Mace kissed his pulse gently. “I love how it makes you moan.” He reached down and hurriedly undid Noah’s pants. “I can see your cock leaking.”