by Emma Knox
My heart flipped with excitement. The shift in consciousness meant Ethan had truly accepted me as his Alpha. Hopefully that meant he was going to take me as his mate as well.
Jonathans growled, “How dare you love a mutt like him! Your father would be ashamed of you.”
“My father would be happy I was following my heart. You’ve taken this too far this time Jonathans,” I told him.
He snorted, his brown eyes darting back and forth as I circled him. “It was over before you ever gave it a chance.”
“What are you talking about?”
Jonathans shook his head. “Don’t pretend like you don’t know. Everyone knew how I felt about you. But I was never good enough, was I?”
My long ears twitched, eyes growing wide as the truth dawned on me. Jonathan wasn’t angry that I’d taken a Gryther as a mate. He was mad that I hadn’t taken him.
“Jonathan, I never knew that you felt that way about me. Why didn’t you tell me?”
He scoffed, “Would it have changed anything?”
I cringed, “I would have been more considerate in how I told you about Ethan.”
“But there would still be an Ethan,” he growled.
I saw the rage return. The shock of his admission now a distant thing. The wolf I’d known my entire life, the friend I’d counted on, was nowhere to be seen. It was a look that haunted me only because I’d see it before. He had the look of a wolf on a suicide mission. He was no fool. The only way he was leaving was as a fugitive or dead.
The complete lack of regard for his life drove his attack even harder. He lunged at me, clamping down on my shoulder with more force than expected. I suppressed a yelp and countered his attack, latching my powerful jaws onto his hind leg. The bone broke under the crushing force and Jonathan pulled away, yelping and growling at once. He backed away from me. For a split second I hoped that he would run, but his eyes flickered to Ethan.
Jonathan shifted his attention away from me and lunged for Ethan who was backed against a boulder. It was known in our area for the steep drop-off on the other side. The young pack members liked to hang out there, mingling with other packs youth. It was something that I let slide under the radar. I liked them blending in with others, it created unity without authority pressuring them to do so. I went after him for a second time, the risk of my mate being injured overpowering all other senses.
When our bodies collided, we rolled along the ground for twenty feet, skidding to a stop near the edge. Jonathan grabbed ahold of my leg, jerking violently and trying to shove me over the side. Seeing the other wolves appear in the clearing, fear surged through me for Ethan’s safety. All I saw was red as I lunged for Jonathan, biting him in the side and driving him the two feet that remained over the cliff.
He fell, tumbling down to the sharp rocks below. My heart ached, breaking for my friend and knowing that he was no more. I didn’t have the time to think about him as I ran back around the boulder to Ethan. I’d been ready to fight to the death to protect him, but I quickly saw that wasn’t going to be needed. Skidding to a stop, I looked around and saw my lover being helped to his feet, a thin blanket wrapped around his body.
Nudity had no effect on me as I shifted and went to him, pulling Ethan into my arms. I never wanted to let him go again.
“Oh my god,” he whispered. “I was so scared.”
I couldn’t speak for a minute. All I could do was hold him tight. “Jesus, you scared the crap out of me.”
“Who was that man? And what about the others?” he asked through choked sobs.
“I know I have a lot to tell you, but I have to know that you are safe. We aren’t far from my house; my doctor is already there waiting for us.”
“Okay,” he whispered. “But Trevor, there is something I have to tell you.”
“It can wait,” I said. “One thing at a time.”
Drake had shifted and was now dressed as he approached us. I recognized one of his comrades as Aiden. I had to assume the one with bruises was Tom. I approached him at once, leaving Ethan with Drake as I extended my hand.
“Tom?” I asked.
He glared at me as he nodded. “Some pack you have there, friends of yours?”
I chuckled. “It’s a long story. I just wanted to thank you for calling me and taking care of Ethan.”
“I’m the reason they got to him in the first place. I should have seen them coming.”
His eyes flickered to Aiden who blushed a deep red. It was a look that I knew well. Young, uncertain love was in the air between them. I understood the feeling all too well. The poor lad felt like a failure and to make matters worse, it was in front of someone he obviously cared about. I cleared my throat.
“Are you kidding me? Son, you are the reason that Ethan is alive. You’ve saved an Alpha’s mate! If you hadn’t have called me and your own Alpha, Ethan would have been dead. Even as I arrived Jonathan was lunging to attack him. What you did took real courage, give me a call if you ever want a private security job.”
“Now don’t go stealing one of my best,” Drake said as he walked over with Ethan. “Aiden? I’m going to stay behind with Trevor and Ethan, would you give Tom a ride home? And do me a favor, make sure that man takes the rest of the night off.”
Aiden grinned, matching the smile on Tom’s face as they headed off into the woods. Drake was a good, and perceptive man.
“That man, Jonathan, he was one of yours?” he said protectively.
I shuffled uneasily. “Yes, I’m sorry to say that he was. He was never fully on board with the treaty. Unfortunately he had feelings I didn’t know about which didn’t help the situation.”
“And now?” he asked.
I cleared my throat. “He’s dead. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get Ethan to a doctor. If he wants to go with you, that’s fine. Just as long as he is safe.”
“No!” Ethan spoke up, stepping away from Drake. “I want to go with you.”
My heart raced as I nodded my head. “He will be safe.”
Drake looked from me to Ethan and nodded, heading in the same direction of the road that the others had gone. I pulled Ethan to me, unable to wait any longer. His mouth opened for my tongue as I claimed him. The fevered kiss was sending my body into overdrive. I wanted to feel his skin pressed against mine. I wanted to run my hands along his belly. Suddenly, I pulled away from him.
“Are you really sure that you are okay? We need to get you to the doctor,” I stammered.
“There is something I need to tell you and I don’t want it to wait,” he said quickly.
Before I could protest he covered my mouth with his finger and smiled. “Just let me talk oaky? I’m pregnant. With twins.”
I grinned, the joy overpowering me like never before as I scooped him into my arms and spun him around in the wilderness. “I’ve never been so happy in my life! Does this mean that if I ask, you’ll finally be my mate?”
He winked. “I guess you’ll have to find out.”
“I want it to be perfect,” I whispered to him.
Ethan laughed, drawing me closer. “It already is.”
Our lips sought each other out, locking together as his blanket fell to the ground. His naked body was enough to make me forget about everything else that plagued my mind. I trailed my lips down his body, capturing his nipple between my teeth as I fell to my knees. I could have worshipped at the idol in front of me forever and die happy. There was no time for romance, I just wanted to taste his flesh.
Grabbing his cock, I shoved it into my mouth. He shuddered and moaned out my name like a euphoric song playing just for me. It drove my body wild, my cock shaking with impatient agony. His shaft tasted delicious as I pumped it with my mouth, the spit dripping down my chin and I pried apart his butt cheeks. My finger found his sweet spot and he lurched forward, burying his shaft deeper into my throat.
His fingers tangled through my hair as I groaned. I wanted to taste his seed, but a part of me also wanted to feel him inside of me. As a
n Alpha, I never let a man take me. But Ethan was different. He was my mate and the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. Slowly, I drew myself away from him. My eyes matched the sparkle in his own as I turned away from him and planted my hands on the ground.
Ethan was shaking with desire, his manhood bouncing up and down with need. As he bit his lip and dropped to his knees behind me, I prepared myself for the joy that was going to come. The tip of his shaft pressed at my tight entrance, but I didn’t shy away. Instead I pressed my butt against his body, forcing his cock inside just a little further.
I thought that he was going to split me in half. The pain surged through me yet beneath it was a pleasure greater than any man had ever delivered in my past. When his long shaft pressed into me completely and my ass pressed against his hips. We were connected as one, his large globes resting against mine. As he pulled away and left me feeling empty, I shuddered with joy.
Slowly, he started to pump into me and I had no complaints. Every stroke of his shaft brought me closer to the edge and I knew that I couldn’t hold out long. His hot seed spilled into my body, sending even more pleasure coursing through me. In an instant, my shaft was engorged and sputtering out my own Alpha juice onto the blanket beneath me. Together we stayed frozen in the woods, two primal animals mated as once before nature for all the world to see.
Time slowed to a crawl, his cock becoming limp as it slipped out of me. No words needed to be said between us as we laid together under the setting sun. The world couldn’t have been more perfect.
Then, he whispered, “Yes.”
I closed my eyes, my heart so full I thought it was going to explode. He was going to be my mate, for now and forever. I had more joy in my life than I ever thought would find me. My lover, my friend, the father of my children was finally going to be mine.
“I just have one stipulation,” he added.
“Anything,” I whispered, still lost in a world of pure happiness.
“I don’t want to leave my job at the lodge. I don’t know how we will work it out, but they are my family.”
“My love, you can work there or at a fast food joint for all I care. If it means that I will come home to you at night and get to hold you in my arms, then you are as free as a stray to do as you please.”
“A stray you say? Aren’t they known for running with different men?” he joked.
I growled, playfully nipping at his neck in the process. My cock was already becoming hard again. Just being close to him drove me wild.
“You have made me so happy, how are you feeling?” I asked him, my fear for the babies suddenly returning.
He chuckled softly. “I think I’m fine to be honest. It was so strange, when Jonathan took me he thought I would be unable to move for hours at least. But the medicine barely stayed there for twenty minutes.”
“Huh,” I muttered. “You know, I’ve heard of supernatural babies protecting their parents. Our species even have reports of it from generations ago when pregnancy wasn’t so uncommon. I think our little boys were protecting you.”
His hand moved to cover his stomach. “I think I would like to get checked out after all. I want to be sure our little fighters are doing okay.”
“Our babies,” I said softly, kissing his neck. “I love you so much. You are my everything.”
Ethan rolled over, kissing my lower lip. “And I love you. I think I always have. I was just so scared to trust someone else.”
“I know, but you never have to worry about being alone again. I will never give you a reason to lose faith in me. You are my mate, and I am your Alpha.”
He grinned, a low growl slipping from his lips as our swords crossed. I knew from the look in my lover’s eyes we wouldn’t be leaving the woods anytime soon.
Epilogue
Ethan
“I swear to god, I will kill you,” I growled over the phone.
Trevor chuckled on the other end. “Honey, don’t you think that’s your hormones talking?”
“Sure, and it will be my hormones pulling the trigger too, you jerk. How could you do this to me?”
“Honestly? I didn’t think that I would get this reaction when I booked a spa day for you and Aiden.”
I took a deep breath, trying to remind myself of how much I loved him. He cleared his throat and spoke. “How are things going with the temp?”
“He is an idiot, a complete idiot,” I growled.
“Now, Ethan. Drake said he was the best that the agency had. He’s got two degrees relating to customer service. I know that he’s not you, but he will help while you are on maternity leave.”
“Sure, and he will take my place when I don’t come back,” I snapped.
“Not this again,” Trevor groaned. “I’m not going to ask you to stay home, we’ve been over this. Honestly, if those two don’t get here soon.”
His voice trailed off. I knew that I was being irrationals. I couldn’t help myself. We had been mated for two months. Our wonderful little boys were healthy and happy. Something they constantly reminded me of by playing soccer with my bladder all the time. Now, they were two days overdue and the oven making the cookies was about to snap. Trevor, my wonderful man, had taken it all in stride.
“Please,” he said, starting over. “Just remember what Steven said. The closer he got to his delivery, the more his hormones took over. Didn’t you say he tried to actually kill Drake?”
“I guess,” I muttered. “Now that I think about it though, Drake was four minutes late. I would have taken a stab or two at him too.”
“Great,” Trevor said sarcastically. “I know that Aiden is excited, so please, just try to enjoy the afternoon.”
“Wait,” I stammered. “What?”
“Oh yeah,” Trevor said quickly. “He’s picking you up any second. I love you!”
I gasped, ready to snap in half, but the line was already dead. Aiden appeared in the hallway, all smiles as he kissed Tom before heading in my direction. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of my two friends. They’d finally sat down and worked things out, their relationship was perfect in every way.
Frowning, I remembered my own mate just as Carlos, my new intern appeared at the desk. He smiled, looking for any indication of my mood. Considering he was finished with eight hours of tasks in just under six, I was impressed. The evil little hormone beast poked out its ugly head, reminding me that Carlos would be working directly with Drake, Steven, and baby Matthew.
“Hey,” Aiden warned. He knew the look on my face well. “Don’t start with that crap now. We are going, and we are going to have a good time. One way or another, we’re gonna get those two on the road.”
I sighed, thankful for my friend who refused to take shit from me. He stepped around the desk as I turned away from Carlos.
“Look at this!” I hissed, lifting up my shirt.
“Awe! That’s adorable!”
I growled at him. “There is nothing left of my stomach!” I screamed. “Look at my bellybutton! It’s the size of a pinhole!”
Aiden laughed. “You were in the delivery room with Steven! You saw his! Once the babies are ready, it will expand again, that’s how it works. After those little princes pop out it will go back to normal. Our bodies were designed to take this. Look at the warriors. Some of those guys lost limbs and they grew back.”
“Are you comparing childbirth to battle?” I asked playfully, already feeling more relaxed.
He shrugged. “If the shoe fits! Now, let’s get on the road.”
I sighed, but agreed, turning back to Carlos. “I’ll be back on Monday, don’t get comfy.”
Following Aiden out to his truck I was once again reminded of why I was so miserable as my stomach started to cramp. I couldn’t even go an hour without feeling the pangs of hunger, but the twins were crushing my stomach, food was the last thing on my mind. I heaved myself into the truck and shifted around, trying to get rid of the searing pain. As Aiden jumped into the driver’s seat, he looked conce
rned.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
I nodded, talking through a clenched jaw. “Yeah, it will pass.”
The instant the words were out of my mouth, I knew that I was wrong. A warm sensation washed over me. I quickly jerked up my shirt where a small stain was forming. A droplet spilled from my bellybutton and I gasped.
I grabbed my phone and hit speed dial. Trevor answered before it rang.
“Honey?” I whispered. “It’s time!”
Trevor sat on the bed next to me, his eyes glowing with love as he held our son. Fed and happy, Martin yawned, and my heart melted.
“He’s perfect,” I whispered to Trevor.
The baby in my arms stirred, not wanting to be left out of the family moment. I laughed softly so I didn’t wake Damien.
“They both are, they take after their father.”
“They take after both of them,” I told him.
Our eyes met, the experience of childbirth somehow binding us together even more. Though I was exhausted, I couldn’t even think about sleep as my babies rested in my arms.
“You did so wonderful, Ethan,” he whispered.
I blushed. “Hey I’m not the only one who did this. You survived me all that time. God, I was so mean to you!”
“It was totally worth it in the end,” he said with a soft chuckle.
The nurse joined us, followed by another. I begrudgingly let them take the boys, but only to the other side of the bedroom. Trevor laid down carefully next to me, brushing a stray hair from my eyes.
“You look exhausted,” he whispered.
I hated to admit it, but he was right. “I don’t want to fall asleep. What if this was all just a wonderful dream?”
He smiled at me, leaning down and kissing the tear of happiness from my cheek. “My darling, Ethan, I promise this is no dream. I will be here with our sons when you wake.”