by Fel Fern
“I’m not your bestie,” Alec said, giving him the finger and swiping the beers off the counter. Eventually, more thirsty werewolves sauntered into the bar. Dom and Teddy soon joined them. Chip and Sam were left at the campsite to guard the base. Max dropped by, and so did their new friend Caden and some of his Grim Bite friends.
“Beer’s only free today because all of you helped me out,” Tom called out.
“Who could say no to free beer?” Ryder asked his mate. He went behind the bar, ignoring Tom’s protests. He borrowed a clean towel from Tom and leaned in close to Aiden.
“What?” Aiden asked cutely.
He gripped Aiden’s chin with his fingers and began to wipe off the blood on his face. Ryder noticed with approval that the bones on Aiden’s broken nose were beginning to re-knit.
“Stay still,” Ryder chided.
“Aren’t you two sweet?” Alec asked. Ryder ignored his bestie and focused on his mate.
“We did good today, didn’t we?” Aiden asked him. Ryder lowered his hand and nodded.
“Winning’s always good.”
“Will there be more days like these?”
A good question, but Aiden knew the kind of life he signed up for. Ryder only nodded.
“Of course,” Alec said. “You’re part of the pack now, kitty cat, and the Wild Manes always get into a boatload of trouble.”
Tears filled Aiden’s eyes. Alec looked shocked, unsure of what to do. “Hey, I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Alec said quickly, looking at Ryder. Alec raised his hands. “I swear.”
“No, it’s just. I’m touched. I’m a panther. Can I really be one of you guys?”
Ryder laughed. He leaned over the bar and gave his mate a kiss. “You already are, silly mate. You might have a cat under your skin, but you possess the heart of a wolf.”
* * * *
“Aiden, you okay?”
The door to the bathroom opened, revealing his concerned mate. Aiden sat up in the tub and rubbed at his eyes. “Sorry, I think I fell asleep,” he admitted.
“It’s been a long day. Finish up and I’ll cuddle you to sleep,” Ryder said. His mate paused. “You need any help?”
“I’m good,” Aiden said, a little embarrassed. After their drink at the Canary, he and Ryder helped the others clean up the bodies. It was bone-breaking and tiring work, but everyone pitched in, including the local cops. He fell instantly asleep during the drive back and now this.
Ryder closed the door. Aiden scrubbed the rest of his body with soap, wanting to get rid of the dried blood and ash from his skin. They’d burned the corpses at the foot of the mountain. Aiden would never forget the smell of flesh burning. This nightmare had finally come to an end. That was the only thing that mattered.
Aiden drained the tub, took a quick shower to wash the soap suds off his body. Aiden no longer felt sleepy but rejuvenated. Maybe they could have a little fun before bedtime. After all, they had won today. All of them came out alive, and Aiden no longer needed to worry about Price ever coming after him or his loved ones ever again.
Aiden opened the cabinet above the sink and snatched the lube. He felt a little naughty. Aiden uncapped the bottle and lubed himself up before leaving the bathroom. Aiden joined his mate in the bedroom. Ryder was still up, lounging on the bed, wearing nothing and checking his phone. Ryder’s signature hat lay on the table next to the bed. His cowboy always looked amazing in and out of the bedroom.
Ryder set his cell down. A wide grin broke across his face. That smile warmed his heart right up. Aiden slipped into the sheets next to his mate. Ryder brought him close, hard chest resting against the curve of his back. He could feel Ryder’s thick dicker resting against the curve of his ass.
He wiggled in Ryder’s arms. “Make love to me, Ryder.”
“Mm. Aren’t you tired, mate?” Ryder asked, kissing the mate mark on the side of his neck. With Price gone, they could finally make that appointment to Ryder’s tattoo artist to cover the souvenirs Price had left him. They used to bother Aiden plenty before, but not anymore.
“Nope, not yet. Plus, I’m ready for you.”
“Are you?” Ryder nudged his cock head into Aiden’s entrance and pushed in, agonizingly slow. He moaned as Ryder sheathed himself inside him, reminding Aiden who he rightfully belonged to. “I love you so much.”
The breath rushed out of his body for a few seconds. He never expected those words to come out of Ryder’s mouth. Oh, Aiden knew his mate cherished him, cared about him, but Ryder made himself vulnerable and managed to utter those three meaningful words to him.
Ryder wasn’t done. “Nearly losing you today scared me to pieces. I won’t let any harm come to you again. Promise.”
“Love you back,” he whispered. “I know.”
There was nothing left to say. Ryder made slow and tender love to him that night. He clutched at the pillow, moaning as Ryder pumped in and out of him, finding a rhythm which suited them both. Ryder slipped one hand over his hip and began to work his cock, timing it with his thrusts.
Aiden’s balls drew up tight against his body, and his vision blurred. The dam inside him burst as Ryder squeezed the tip of his dick. Aiden splintered. He came, panting hard. Ryder wasn’t far behind. His mate pistoned in and out of him a few more times, before filling his ass with his warmth. The mate marks flared between them, strong and bright.
Ryder gathered him close, still not pulling his dick out. Aiden felt languid. Content. Happy.
Aiden had died once. Price had stolen his humanity and turned him into a monster, but everything happened for a reason. Aiden had found his soul mate. They’d killed the bad guys. He was home. That was all that mattered.
THE END
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