"I want you too, Kai. It was obvious in the way I loved you that first time. You are my mate and my love and my life. My dragon recognized you at our first meeting, but I was too dense to realize what was happening. I was drawn to you, and even though I tried, I could not stay away. No other man interested me; no one touched my heart the way you did. I love you, Kai, and that's all that matters right now. We have a lifetime to work out the details, my love." Jude pressed him hard to his chest and latched onto the tender flesh of his shoulder.
“Say it again, Jude.”
“I love you.”
"I love the way you say that." Kai gushed and began pulling at Jude's small leather loin cloth. "Claim me." He stated loud and urgent, and Jude was not going to question as his need was as clear as his words.
Jude reached lower, slipping his hand under his mate to find the opening he sought pressing gently until his thumb slipped inside. Kai was hard at work stroking Jude's hard and leaking member the roughness of his hand was sending tremors of ecstasy through Jude and causing him to increase his speed at stretching and preparing his needy mate. He used their combined precum that was collecting in pools to ease his way as the heat between built to unbearable levels.
Wrapped as they were in each other's arms, Jude made just the slightest adjustments to move Kai forward and position him atop his now painfully throbbing cock. Kai looked deeply into his eyes as he gradually lowered himself until Jude was completely seated inside his mate. The process was deliciously excruciating. Kai raised and lowered himself slowly at first, and unable to hold back began a rapid ride that had Jude holding his breath as lights danced before his eyes.
He took hold of Kai's cock and matched stroke for stroke with Kai never once taking their eyes off one another. This was the true joining of souls; Jude could feel it was beautiful as it had been before, but his time there was the added element of true devotion that heightened the pleasure. Their connection was tangible and becoming stronger by the second.
Their breathing and the sound of their heartbeats filled the cavern, echoing back at them and seem to intensify the magnitude of this moment. Jude felt himself tensing and rushing towards the edge and gripped Kai's hips, holding him as he drove deep and came in a rush of satisfaction and delight.
He watched as Kai turned his head and bared his shoulder, and Jude did not hesitate to take what was offered. He struck, sinking his teeth deep and marking his amazing wolf for all time and for all to see. He felt Kai come in a hard burst of warm seed, filling the space between them.
As he retracted his teeth and licked the wound, Kai turned and sunk his canines into Jude's shoulder, marking the dragon as the wolf's mate. His dragon surged forward, taking in the beauty of their mate before easing back into peaceful approval. The mate bond forged them together as lovers and friends for all eternity.
Jude glanced at his shoulder and saw the handsome scar that would be the pride of him and his dragon for all time. "Thank you, Kai, thank you for saving me." He said while searching his mate's face and seeing the love he felt reflected back at him in those beautiful hazel eyes.
“It’s you who saved me, Jude. You gave me life and a reason, a reason for everything. I love you.” He kissed him lovingly and pressed himself up against Jude’s chest. Jude gathered him tightly in his arms and just held him.
Kai was at ease, for the first time, he could remember he felt at ease. Jude's arms would be his solace and his strength, and together they would get through anything life presented, together they were invincible.
EPILOGUE
Kai wasn't sure as to the reception he would receive from his mate's brothers, but as it turned out, Grey was his unlikely champion. Kai's determination to save Jude solidified his place in Grey's good graces, which reflected the opinion of the entire Circle. He was welcomed, and King Duncan formally recognized Kai Becket as the mate of his Second Knight and a member of the Laramie Dragon Circle. Kai, who spent his life isolated and alone, finally had a true home that he loved and a family who he cherished and a mate that absolutely hung the moon.
Jude insisted that Kai retain ownership of his property when he suggested signing it over to the Circle. "That is your piece of the mountain, and no one is going to take it from you," Jude told him, but Kai had found something much more meaningful than a few acres of land; he'd found love and acceptance and a people to call his own. So, he had the property placed in both their names.
"What's mine is yours, my mate." He told him and was thoroughly kissed for the effort.
Kai moved into Jude's large quarters at the Gatehouse and, although no longer under his rule, retained his position as a data analyst to the Alpha Premier. Alpha Eli Jackman had played an integral part in helping Kai get his head out of his ass and accept Jude so he would always hold a special place in Kai's heart.
He also impressed the Dragon King, which meant he had an open invitation to the Gatehouse. He was specially invited to the ceremonial instillation of the newest Dragon Knight, Alrick Keith. He had been called forth during the difficult time and would now forever take his place with the brothers protecting the King, his consort, and the Circle.
Clan Keith was also in attendance as they paid homage to their cousin's ascendance from soldier to Knight. Also in attendance was Alrick's mate, Dane, and their son Archie who was home for the event from his training in Jackson Hole.
Alrick was a good fit, and although he would be missed by his Clan, he was proud to be serving his King. Back home, Bryn Keith, Calum's brother, was raised to the position of Second to the Chieftain. It was a surprise, but Calum knew Bryn was ready for the duties and challenges that lay ahead, and he would rise to meet them.
Following the ceremony, a celebration was held in the great room with food and drink and entertainment. Eli took the opportunity to make the rounds and meet many of what was known as the King’s inner circle. The mating of Kai with the Dragon Knight had put the wolves in a good place with the Dragon Circle.
His people needed the assurance that there could be peace with the Dragons living so close, and the mating certainly demonstrated that fact. His belief was that if you had a dragon on your doorstep, you better make friends because you did not want him as your enemy.
It was getting late in the evening, and Eli was about to say his goodbyes when a tantalizing scent wafted towards him from the window. He glanced over to see a tall, handsome young man standing in front of the open window. He was observing the room much as Eli was.
"That's Archie Keith, Alrick's son," Jude told him as he walked up to stand beside the Alpha. They had become close since Kai had told Jude how Eli had been the one that urged him to go to Jude and talk it out, which had led to his rescue and their mating.
“How old is he.” The Alpha needed to know. He looked young, he just prayed that Archie wasn’t as young as he appeared.
"He just turned seventeen." Jude smiled and draped his arm around Eli. "Is there something you want to share with me, Eli?" He cocked an eyebrow and started to laugh as Kai walked up and hugged Jude tightly around the waist.
"Are you giving the Alpha a hard time?" Kai chastised, and Jude laughed harder.
“No, but I think someone is going to, very soon.”
THE END
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this story. Please rate and review!
-B.A. Stretke
About the Author
B.A. Stretke is a Gay Romance and fiction author who publishes through Dreamspinner Press, LLC, and Amazon.com.
B.A Stretke began writing as a hobby. He read his first Jane Austen novel as a teen and was instantly hooked. The age-old dream of being a novelist took hold. Now long into adulthood, and a few years as an editor under his belt, B.A. is a full-time writer.
B.A. spends his days reading, engaging in sarcasm, and plotting the next storyline, often leaving little head space for much else. He loves hiking through the Northern Michigan woods he calls home, often finding inspiration for his books. Writing and fi
nding that perfect cup of coffee occupy the rest of his time.
B.A. Stretke lives in Northern Michigan with one royally spoiled cat and his dear friends and family.
You can connect with B.A. Stretke on his website: www.bastretke.com
Follow him on Twitter @BAStretkeWriter
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More Books from B.A. Stretke:
Vampires of Blood and Bones
Blood and Bones
Stone and Steel
Pittsburgh Vampires
Meant To Be
Bad Reputation
Blond and Broken
Master DuCane
Love Is Danger
Surrender To Me
Eyes of Darkness
The Vampire and the Witch
The Vampire Next Door
Never Let Me Go
Dragon’s Blood M.C.:
Apex: The Dragon’s Mate
The Dragon’s Heart
Loving The Hellhound
Runaway
The Bad Boy
The Call of the Dragon
Finding Forever
The Dragon Twins
King of the Dragons
Rafe: The Dragon Knight
Crimson Vampire Coven:
● Crimson Love
● Trusting Fate
● For Now and Forever
● My Vampire Lover
● The Vampire Code
● The Crimson Sorcerer
● The Crimson Omega
● The Crimson Alpha
● The Crimson Beta
● The Dragon King
● The Demon Lord
● The Dragon Knight – The Crimson War
● The Crimson Redemption
● Crimson Christmas
● Come Back To Me
● Love and Magic
Pack Rules – Rue Pack Wolves:
● Mine
● Alpha Mate
● The Enforcer’s Mate
● Forever Mine – The Beta’s Mate
● Lost and Found
● The Omega’s Mate
● The Doctor’s Mate
● Finding Home
● Owen’s Mate
● Saving Jeremiah
● Jackson’s Journey
● Jesse’s Love
● The Master’s Beloved
● The Vampire’s Chosen
The Wolves of Belle Fourche:
● The Wolves of Belle Fourche – The Alpha’s Claim
● Surprised by Forever
● Healing Scars
Lonepine Wolf Shifters:
● Lonepine Wolf Shifters
● Reluctant Mate
● Jamie’s Mate
Superiorland Wolf Pack:
● The Werewolf’s Mate
The Dark Side:
● The Dark Side - Vampire Romance
Sparrow Ridge Wolf Pack:
Omega Mine
The Omega’s Love
Other Stories:
● Risk and Reward: A Gay Love Story
● Bound By the Gods
● Signed and Sealed
● The Art of the Deal
● Save Me - A Supernatural Romance
Suffer the Knight Page 8