by Maggie Walsh
Ridge turned to fully face him and took Caleb’s hands in his. “I’m sorry for all the secrecy, for all the confusion and questions I am sure you have had over the years, but it was a necessary evil, Caleb. One that was best for all of our people. And although I couldn’t tell you who I was, or why I was writing to you, I still wanted you to know that you weren’t alone. That someone was watching over you. I hoped it didn’t creep you out, but gave you some sense of safety, and maybe peace,” Ridge said hopefully.
Caleb gave his mate a soft smile. “There were times when I did think the letters were creepy, but mostly they made me feel better, like I wasn’t alone. Thank you for them, mate.”
“You’re very welcome, Caleb,” Ridge whispered, then leaned in and pressed his lips to Caleb’s.
Caleb gasped in shock and Ridge took advantage and dove in, sliding his tongue between the younger man’s lips, dominating the kiss. Caleb instantly melted into Ridge. He and his wolf both whimpered, craving their mate’s touch and his control of them.
After a few minutes, they broke the kiss and both panted heavily as they looked into each other’s eyes. “That was everything I ever dreamed it would be and more, mate. Gods, I just want to kiss you forever,” Ridge said. “I have waited so long for you.
“How?”
“How what, Caleb?”
“How were you able to wait all these years for me? Did you always have these sexual feelings for me, because that’s just gross seeing as I was just a newborn baby when we first met. And how have you held off all these years? I mean, I have heard the stories of true mates and how once they find one another they can never be with anyone else, so how have you gone twenty-five years without sex?”
Ridge chuckled, then leaned in and quickly kissed him again. “That is all true about not being able to be with another once we have found out true mate, but our circumstances were different, because of your age. I was able to be with another, and could have until you hit your full maturity, then fate would have stepped in and made it impossible for me.” Ridge reached up and cupped Caleb’s cheek again. “I haven’t been with another since I met you that night in the bar, Caleb. Until then, even though I knew who you were, and where, there was no resistance for me, no need to become celibate. So, honestly? I didn’t. I kept living my life. But, when I saw you at twenty-one and saw what a gorgeous, wonderful man you were, I had a hard time being with another after that. When we met that night, I just couldn’t bring myself to even look at another anymore. You consumed my every thought, my every dream, and my every desire. I knew it was time to honor the man that you had become, my mate. I needed to be faithful to you.”
“Wow, so you haven’t had sex in five years?”
Ridge laughed. “Well, actually four, but who’s counting? Does my own hand count?”
Caleb laughed. “Shit, if that counts, then we have had sex so many times already,” Caleb said with a laugh, then froze when he realized what he had said. His eyes opened as wide as saucers as he looked into his mate’s amused gaze, then he felt heat burn up his cheeks and he closed his eyes, dropping his head in embarrassment.
Ridge chuckled, then wrapped an arm around him and kissed his head. “That has got to be the sexiest, most erotic confession I have ever heard. Thank you, mate. Knowing that you have been thinking of me while you have pleasured yourself has made my day. Hell, it’s made my whole year. So tell me, mate, what kinds of delicious things did we do in your dreams?’
Caleb’s head snapped up and he met Ridge’s gaze. He knew his eyes would show the truth of his need.
Ridge took his face between his hands and brought their faces to within a few inches as he stared into his eyes. “I am honored to know that you have had dirty fantasies about me as I have had about you. I have never been more aroused in my life than right now, seeing the truth in your eyes. But, I also see fear. There is nothing to be afraid of, mate. There should be no embarrassment between mates either. We will be to one another exactly what the other needs. That is the beauty of true mates. So, everything you desire, everything that you long and crave for, is all right. There is not one thing wrong with it, because it is who you are. It is because you are a beta-gamma. It is in your DNA. And it is in my DNA to answer you and fulfill your every need.”
“Is that why I can’t seem to lie to you? And why my wolf keeps offering up his ass to you? I swear the damn beast has become a slut in the few minutes we have been in the same room.”
Ridge chuckled as his eyes lit up. “Actually, yes, mate. To both questions. True mates can’t lie to one another, so everything we say is the truth. And as for your wolf, he knows, as mine does, that true mates need to claim one another in all ways.”
“What does that mean?”
“That means that if you feel like your wolf is lowering himself and offering his ass to me, that is him showing my wolf that he accepts him, and is submitting to his every will. He is asking to be taken and owned. To be claimed. He knows that true mates need to claim each other in wolf form as well as human form for the mating bond to be complete.”
Caleb’s eyes opened wide in shock. “You mean... your wolf needs to fuck my wolf... like in wolf form?”
“Yes, Caleb. It is the only way true mates can fully claim one another and forge the bond. My wolf will chase your wolf, then once he catches him, he will force him to submit. When your wolf does, then he will offer his ass to my wolf freely, and my wolf will take him. As my wolf fucks your wolf forcefully, exerting his dominance and they rut like the animals they are, my wolf will then bite your wolf as he knots inside him. Once they come apart, your wolf will scratch my wolf, marking him. After that, you and I will do the same sort of ritual in human form, until I bite you and you bite me. Only true mates can knot and receive the mating marks.”
“Wow, so... shit, that’s so fucking hot. Gods, I want to feel your wolf fuck mine. I want to feel your knot and your bite in both ways,” Caleb said, breathlessly.
Ridge smiled, then kissed him deeply. Caleb opened for him and submitted easily. Ridge thrust his tongue deep as he slid one hand behind Caleb’s head, holding him in place, then slid the other hand down his back and grabbed his ass, pulling Caleb closer and forcing him to move, so that Caleb climbed on top of him and straddled his lap. Ridge leaned back into the couch as Caleb relaxed against him, then Ridge shoved his hand between them to cup Caleb’s cock, squeezing it.
Caleb broke the kiss as he cried out. “Fuck. Shit.”
“When we are together sexually, my mate, there will be no cursing coming from those pretty lips. Do you hear me? Outside the bedroom you are free to be who you are and say what you will, but my sweet submissive mate will follow my commands,” Ridge ordered, as he continued to rub Caleb’s hard cock.
Fuck, with every ordered word, Caleb got harder. The roughness in Ridge’s voice and the command, sent shivers up his spine and made him hotter than he had ever been before. He just wanted to do what his wolf was whining about and drop to the floor on all fours, lower himself with his ass in the air, and give himself to this dominant man.
Ridge gripped his hair tight and pulled his head back, forcing Caleb to look at him. “Did you hear me, pet? Or were you too lost in your lust?”
Caleb shook his head slightly and whimpered.
Ridge smiled bright. “So, you heard me, mate?”
“Y-yes,” Caleb answered, breathlessly. “N-no cursing while we are having sex.”
“Good, pet. Do you like my name for you, pet, or would another work better?”
“I don’t know. Do you like it?”
“I do. As I said, I do not want a slave, or a total submissive, but you deserve a name of endearment, and seeing as you have been so honest with me about your wolf and how he is feeling, pet came to mind. I think we’ll stick with it for now, but at any time if you don’t like it, just tell me and I won’t ever use it again.”
“Okay. Ridge, what am I to call you in those moments? I don’t know what to do,” Caleb worried
.
“When the time is right and we are lost in our passion, something will come from you, and whatever you call out is what we will honor and use. Please don’t be afraid, Caleb, I will never hurt you. My times of dominance will only be when I am turned on and in need of you. Outside of that, you will be my equal, my love, my advisor, and my best friend. You are my true mate and that is how our life will be.”
Caleb smiled as he leaned in and cuddled against Ridge’s wide chest. “I’m not afraid, mate. I know you will never harm me. I’m just so new to all of this and nervous I will do something wrong. But, it sounds wonderful. Like a dream come true and the life I want.”
“We will learn about each other’s wants and needs together, Caleb. I will teach you and you will teach me. We will both learn and grow. You are my dream come true as well, mate, and I can’t wait to take you home and claim you.”
“I want that too, Ridge. I know to others it may sound strange seeing as we have just met. And I am not claiming love, I think I need to get to know you and you me before either of us can hope for love, but this life you speak of, this equal partnership, I want it more than anything. And I find that I want you more than anything. I have since that first time we met. I have dreamed of you and fantasized about what it would be like to be loved by you ever since.”
“Then, let's get our life together started, shall we?” Ridge asked, as he pulled back and looked into Caleb’s eyes. “Let’s go have that promised dinner with your family, then we will pack all of your belongings in the Sno-Cat and head to your new home.”
Caleb smiled. “As much as I’m scared of leaving my pack, I know I belong by your side. My mate’s side. I don’t really have much, but I do have my car.”
Ridge smiled. “If you can trust my friend Jag to drive your baby, your Impala, so that you can ride with me, then we will have no problem bringing your car with us.”
Caleb pulled back and climbed off Ridge’s lap, then held out his hand, offering it to Ridge “Good, then let’s get this going.”
Ridge took Caleb’s hand and stood as he smiled. He kissed Caleb quickly, then they turned toward the doorway leading to the kitchen.
“So how long were we alone? I had no idea everyone left,” Caleb said, causing Ridge to toss his head back and really laugh.
Damn, he liked that sound and couldn’t wait to begin his life with this amazing man by his side.
CHAPTER 6
His paws ran across the frozen land, sinking into the soft snow. Breath panting, he could see the swirls of air coming from his mouth as he tried to pick up speed. A large rock formation came into view and Caleb knew this was the place Ridge had told him about, but should he go in? Should he really allow himself to be found so easily? With the snow it was harder for their wolves to follow a scent, but still, Ridge was a strong alpha and should still be able to track him using his paw prints.
As much as Caleb wanted to keep going, making Ridge chase, he wanted his mate to catch him with the same intensity. He was so confused. Okay, maybe he should try to trick Ridge first, and not make it so easy for him, make the chase more exciting.
Caleb suddenly stopped and looked behind him but couldn’t see his mate anywhere. He quickly went to a copse of trees and using his sharp teeth, he pulled a branch free. Keeping it in his jaws, Caleb turned and began walking backwards as he used the stick to swipe away his tracks. Once he returned to where he had stopped, he swiped away more tracks and made new ones in another direction, then turned back and headed in his original direction toward the rocks but kept removing his prints. Once behind the rocks, he dropped the stick and turned to look around.
Ridge had told him that there was a crevasse behind the rocks that opened into a cave about a quarter of a mile in and the cave was made of rock, not ice and snow. Slowly, he walked along the edge of the crevasse until he spotted the cave ahead, then he jumped down onto the shelf that ran along the wall, and disappeared inside the cave.
Although the opening of the cave was light, as he entered further the light dimmed until he was in darkness, but he could still make out most of the cave thanks to his shifter genes. Caleb moved back as far as he could see, then sat, resting his tired body and trying to get warm. Just being out in these cold temperatures would zap anyone’s energy, but running around in them, especially in excitement as he was, really made him tired. Caleb could do with a good meal, a warm bed, and a nap right about now.
His wolf grumbled within, agreeing with him and Caleb let out a big yawn, then lay down and rested his head on his paws as he kept watch back toward the opening of the cave.
He had no idea how long it was since he had allowed his eyes to close, but a strange clicking sound drew Caleb’s attention and his eyes snapped open. He lifted his head and looked around, trying to find the source, but his eyes were having trouble adjusting, which told him that he had actually fallen asleep for quite a time. He lifted his snout and took in a deep breath, but just as he drew in, a low, deadly growl came from in front of him and Caleb froze. He narrowed his eyes as he stood and slowly took a step back, ready for battle.
The large wolf came into view and for a moment Caleb was filled with fear. He didn’t know this wolf and had no idea what it would do, but suddenly all his training kicked in and Caleb began to circle the beast as he growled just as deadly, allowing his canines to show as he curled his lip.
The larger beast circled too as they continued to stare at one another. Suddenly the larger wolf growled deep and pushed out his dominance and Caleb whimpered. Feeling a little burst of bravery, Caleb growled, but the more powerful wolf wasn’t deterred. Moving quickly, the beast lunged at him, dropping down on top of Caleb and pinning him to the ground. Caleb fought for a few minutes, but he knew it was useless. The larger beast was much stronger and in truth, he was tired of this game and really just wanted his mate to take him.
Although he had been worried that the large wolf wasn’t in fact Ridge, once the beast lay over him, he was surrounded by his mate’s unique, amazing scent. Caleb whimpered and relaxed as he submitted, allowing the larger beast to dominate him.
The wolf growled in his ear, causing a shiver to race through him. Then the wolf raised its head and howled, warning anyone who might be in the area to stay back and stay away, that the alpha wolf was here and didn’t want to be disturbed.
The large wolf slowly moved off of Caleb and growled, warning him to roll over and show himself. Caleb immediately rolled to his back and exposed his belly as he lifted his chin. Ridge climbed over him again and leaned down, wrapping his massive jaw around Caleb’s throat, and gently bit down, not enough to break skin, or even really hurt him, but to show Caleb’s wolf who his alpha and master was. Caleb whimpered again as his full body went lax, accepting this beast as his alpha and his dominant.
Ridge released him and stepped back, then barked. Caleb knew what he wanted and immediately did as his alpha wished. He flipped back to his belly and stood on all fours, then turned away from the larger wolf and dropped his chest to the ground, while his hind end remained raised, inviting the alpha to take him and do as he wished.
His mate walked up behind him and began to sniff him, starting at his hole. A lick across the spot had his legs shaking, but Caleb remained still. The wolf nudged his tail, telling him to lift it higher and Caleb complied, then the wolf moved around him, sniffing him all over until he was once again behind Caleb.
The heavy weight of the wolf and the sharp claws placed against his sides had Caleb quivering, and suddenly, his need to be taken increased. He felt a strange wetness begin to build in his rear and wondered what was happening. The weight upon him shifted, then suddenly, a long, hard shaft was thrust inside his ass in one smooth glide, and Caleb whimpered.
The sensation was like nothing he had ever felt before. The pleasure so intense he could hardly breathe. The wolf behind him began to fuck him hard as he growled and snarled. The weight shifted and moved to cover his back, then suddenly, sharp teeth were at his
neck as Ridge wrapped his jaws around Caleb’s nape. Ridge growled and panted against him as he fucked Caleb harder. Caleb couldn’t hold back his own desire and raised his ass a little higher, offering his alpha, his master, his mate, to take him as he saw fit, and he would be the vessel of his pleasure.
They rut together for what seemed like hours, but it wasn’t enough, Caleb wanted more. He had never before heard in his life that their beasts would have to claim each other in wolf form, and he had been a little apprehensive and afraid when Ridge had told him about it, but he had also been curious and excited. Ridge said it was something that all alphas knew the truth of, and the information was only shared if a true mate was found. Now that he was here in the moment, Caleb knew he would want this over and over again. This was like nothing else in the world and he couldn’t think of the words to describe it.
The fire burned in his belly and Caleb knew he was going to come, but he also knew he couldn’t without his alpha’s permission. Caleb whimpered over and over as he tried to fight the need. Ridge bit harder and broke through flesh, causing Caleb to see stars as a new pleasure raced through him. The cock in his ass exploded, filling him with his alpha’s seed and Caleb felt a peace wash over him. His wolf cried with happiness from the acceptance of their mate. If their mate or alpha didn't accept them, or their submission, then Ridge wouldn’t have come inside him, but would have released him and ejaculated on his fur.
Suddenly the cock within him thickened at the base, stretching Caleb wider and he whimpered again. It was painful, but he loved it at the same time. As fast as the pain took him, it disappeared and turned into deeper pleasure. Ridge’s weight against him pressed down, forcing him to the floor, then he rolled them to their sides, pulled his teeth from Caleb’s neck, and licked his mark.