Chapter Five
Roscoe
A soft knock sounded on Sawyer's door, and despite knowing by scent who it was, Roscoe padded quietly to the door and opened it an inch. Gaia's embarrassed face was on the other side.
"You're still sleeping, I'll come back," she said, turning around so quickly, Roscoe thought she'd been hoping for this outcome.
"Who's there?" Sawyer mumbled from the bed.
Roscoe checked to make sure his mate had all his important bits covered before opening the door. "It's Gaia," he said brightly. He could have laughed at the expression on both his mate's and Gaia's faces. He could have laughed if he was a dumb bear.
"Oh, Sawyer, hi. I'm sorry if I woke you," Gaia said, tiptoeing back to his room. "Maggie said you usually get up by now and…"
If Roscoe didn't already have his suspicions regarding Gaia's mysterious hickey, then seeing her face redden at the mention of Maggie would have answered all his questions.
Sawyer sat up. "It's okay, I should be awake by now anyway. I…uh…how are you?"
"Fine."
"That's good."
"Yeah."
This time, Roscoe did laugh. "You two," he said, shaking his head. "Gaia, are you romantically interested in me?"
He should have been offended by the face she made.
"Roscoe, stop," Sawyer said, tucking the blanket around his waist. "He's teasing me because when I saw you at the grocery store, I noticed your neck. There was…an intimate mark there and…"
Gaia came into the room and toward the bed. "And you thought Roscoe gave it to me?"
"Yeah."
Gaia started laughing. "That is just…I mean, I don't blame you, Sawyer. But me? Let Roscoe suck on my neck? Ew." She made a face of disgust to match the noise. "It wasn't Roscoe who gave me a hickey, it was Maggie."
"What? Hot," a voice said from the hallway.
"Heath! That's your sister!" Sawyer yelled at Heath who had been on his way downstairs when he obviously overheard.
"So? I'll imagine the half I'm not related to," he said before Roscoe could shut the door on him.
"Sorry," Sawyer said to Gaia. "He's the straightest man I know," he said pointedly, staring at Roscoe as he spoke.
"Maggie's told me about him. That he can be a handful, but mostly means well."
"That's a good summarization of the guy." Sawyer patted the mattress and Gaia sat down. "So, you and Maggie? How did that happen?"
As Gaia launched into a story that included love at first sight and a stolen kiss, Roscoe stayed in the background as his second in command and mate finally were able to begin the relationship they should have had in the beginning.
The near week Roscoe had spent working with the pack had been fruitful. With Gaia's help, he was able to rebuild bridges that had fallen as well as strengthen those that were in danger of collapsing. The damage that Garth had done had been repaired, for now, but part of Roscoe was simply waiting for Garth's next attempt at usurping his power. If it came down to a challenge, Roscoe couldn't back down. Especially not now that he had Sawyer.
His sweet, bright-faced mate sat on the bed with his legs criss-cross under the blanket as he listened to Gaia's story. Apparently, she and Maggie had just finished their second secret rendezvous before she set out to find Sawyer and she hadn't been aware she had a hickey until it was too late.
Roscoe thought about the night before, about finding his mate sitting next to a human male. The male had all the hallmarks of an alpha, and if he had been a shifter, he would have been formidable, but if he had been a shifter, he also would have been able to sense that Sawyer was taken. That man knew now. Every patron in that bar did. But what if Roscoe wasn't there in time the next time. He trusted Sawyer, the calm, reasonable Sawyer he was now. But heats did crazy things to mates. Roscoe was only now reevaluating his actions from the night before and wondering how much of that had been because his inner beast had sensed his mate was in heat. He'd been ready to claim Sawyer over the bar if he had needed to. A far cry from the sane, reasonable bear he was today who had made sure his mate was covered before Gaia came in. Roscoe wasn't an exhibitionist. He just needed everyone to know what was his.
He shook that alluring thought out of his mind. No, he needed to be sure that there wasn't a next time where either of them did something stupid because of a heat.
"What do you think about moving in with me today?" he asked Sawyer once there was a lull in his conversation with Gaia.
"Is it safe?" Sawyer asked.
Roscoe looked to Gaia, not for permission but to gauge how she felt about the idea. "With me and the big bad pack master around, of course, it is safe. No place safer. Do you like salmon?"
"Love it!"
"We've been sending teams out, and a few of them have found a really good spot. Tons of fresh fish. Of course, we won't all be so giddy for it when it's two months from now, and all we are eating is smoked salmon for breakfast lunch and dinner."
"I've had worse," Sawyer said agreeably.
Roscoe helped Sawyer pack up his few belongs while touching him as much as was physically possible. Gaia went downstairs to say goodbye to Maggie, and when they were ready to leave, she was red-faced and, if Roscoe wasn't mistaken, had the beginnings of another hickey under her ear.
"Thank you so much," Sawyer said to Maggie. When he got to Heath, Roscoe froze. He wasn't sure what he would do if Sawyer embraced the man. In the end, he didn't have to decide since they said goodbye through a complicated series of fist bumps. "Peace out, broseph," Sawyer said, his voice comically low.
"Cool," Heath replied with a nod. Sawyer stepped away and then, "Maybe we can come see you. I know Maggie is going to miss you."
"Of… course?" Sawyer had started speaking so confidently and then it was like he realized what was being asked. Roscoe nodded, and Sawyer beamed. "Of course, you can."
With a final hug to Maggie, the three of them left in the pack car.
Roscoe wasn't sure who had let the pack know that they were coming but by the time they had parked, covered their vehicle, and hiked passed their perimeter, every bear in the camp was there waiting. Roscoe noticed they were organized by family, which was nice. Had they been organized with the fighters in front and the children in the back, Roscoe would have had something to worry about. As it was, it was only Garth that scowled from the corner as everyone else waited for their turn to meet Sawyer.
Sawyer was likely an enigma to them all. Roscoe never had any relations with anyone in their pack, even when they were being led by their old leader. For the most part, his brothers had been his only friends. And then, after Roscoe took control, everyone just assumed he would take place as Gaia's mate, and when he didn't, the rumors really started flying. Roscoe had been a little concerned that there really wasn't someone out there for him. A simple partner never would have done. But, as he aged without meeting his mate, he lost hope, concentrated on other things. Of course, his bear had known what it was doing. Or, more accurately, what he was waiting for.
After the big meet and greet, Roscoe took Sawyer to his cabin where he took great pleasure in unpacking Sawyer's things. He asked Sawyer for input on where he wanted to put his stuff but enjoyed the process of moving his mate in too much to let Sawyer actually do anything.
"Where should we put this?"
"My clothes? How about in the dresser?" Sawyer suggested with a laugh.
Roscoe pulled out a notebook that looked like it had seen better days. As he turned to Sawyer to ask him about it, a single sheet of paper fell from the worn pages and floated to the floor. Roscoe managed to read the headline to the newspaper clipping that spoke about a fire in an apartment complex.
"That can stay in my bag," Sawyer said hurriedly, snatching the newspaper article and the notebook from Roscoe.
Roscoe waited.
"It isn't anything. It means nothing."
Roscoe nodded. He wouldn't force his mate to tell him, even if curiosity burned inside of him.
"I'm serious, it doesn't mean anything," Sawyer repeated.
"Okay, I believe you," Roscoe said.
Sawyer narrowed his eyes. "No, you don't."
"No, I don't. But it is making you uncomfortable, so I will say I believe you so you can be comfortable. I would have said that, but it took so many more words."
Sawyer hit his shoulder affectionately. "I don't want it to change how you think of me."
"Mate, nothing in this world could change how I feel for you."
Sawyer sat on his couch. "That isn't what I said, but okay. It's just, my sad, sappy backstory. Like one of those melodramatic characters with a chip on their shoulder but a heart of gold."
"I've seen your shoulder, and I can confirm it is whole. No chip. But, your heart is made of gold." Roscoe sat next to him and pulled his mate onto his lap.
"I could get used to this," Sawyer replied, though Roscoe wasn't sure if he meant Roscoe's endless adoration or the cuddling. He hoped he meant both.
"Good."
"I've been on the streets since I was fourteen and my dad kicked me out for coming out to him."
Roscoe could tell, despite Sawyer's conversational tone, that what he was saying was hard. He held him tightly but kept his mouth shut so he could simply listen.
"Before he kicked me out, he kicked me down a flight of stairs. Or could that be considered during?"
Roscoe's muscles flexed as if trying to catch that Sawyer from so long ago.
"I broke my arm and collarbone, and when I was in the hospital, child protective services had come. Apparently, my dad turned himself in. It wasn't because he felt bad, but because he didn't want to take care of me. I think he always hated me for killing his wife during childbirth."
Despite his vow not to say anything, Roscoe had to use his mouth to kiss Sawyer's shoulder, his arm and then his hand.
"My first foster home wasn't great. They didn't abuse us physically or anything, they just had too many kids. We had to sleep three to a bed, and there was never enough food. I thought I could fend for myself better than my three-year-old foster sister, so I bounced. After that, I slept where I could until one of those homeless services had an event where they were giving out tents to homeless. I got mine, and after gathering a few other supplies, I set out for the forest. I don't know why I have just always felt safer surrounded by trees. Though, I normally stayed a little closer to big cities. But, when you are a young homeless gay man in a city, the worst type of people always seem to find you. I was in a bigger city south of here for a while but then I was approached by this horrible man in a yellow sport's car. He scared me pretty badly, so I made my way up here."
"And the article?" Roscoe prompted while filing away the information about the man in a sport's car for later.
"It was stupid. I was curious a few years after I'd been on the road and went back to my hometown. I found out my father had died. Apartment fire. He drank, a lot. I doubt he felt a thing."
For Sawyer's sake, Roscoe hoped that was true. Though, Roscoe would have preferred a more violent death for the man who had harmed his mate. Preferably one from Roscoe's hands.
"Are you okay? Was that too much for you?" Sawyer asked.
He was asking Roscoe if he was okay?
Sawyer smiled. "It's just, you're growling pretty loudly."
Roscoe stopped, not realizing that he had started. "I'm fine. Just, glad that you made it while also being upset I wasn't there for you."
Sawyer laughed once. It sounded more like a bark. "There for me? That is very pervy, Mr. Bear. I was a child."
Thankfully, Roscoe knew Sawyer was kidding. His grin would have given him away if his use of Mr. Bear hadn't already. "I am very pervy, don't you know this already? You're lucky I am holding myself back right now. All I want to do is fuck your body and fill you with my come." He waited for Sawyer's shocked reaction, but when his lips parted as if tasting the air between them instead of parting in shock, Roscoe's dick sprang into action.
"I wouldn't mind if you wanted to…" Sawyer mumbled as Roscoe began laying him down on his back against the couch cushions.
"Whoa!" Gaia's shocked voice came from the doorway. "Shut your freaking door if you're going to do that, we have children here!"
Roscoe didn't move, the children were all in school on the other side of camp.
Gaia leaned against the doorway, smirking. Greg, one of their den mates, stood beside her with his back impossibly straight. He looked uncomfortable where he was. Roscoe guessed that some of his pack would take a little longer to warm up to Sawyer than us. But, just being here, next to Gaia showed that he was trying. "You two look disgustingly happy," Gaia said. "We should have moved Sawyer in from the beginning."
"Nah," Sawyer replied. "Then you couldn't have met Maggie." He made tiny kissing sounds.
"Uh huh, and you wouldn't have been publicly claimed," Gaia replied over her shoulder.
Sawyer stopped making kissing sounds and scowled at Roscoe. As Greg's eyes bugged out of his head.
Roscoe pushed up off the couch and pulled Sawyer with him, clamping him to his side.
"We could give him the tour," Greg said with a shy smile. "You're probably too busy doing pack master stuff to join us for a simple tour."
Roscoe kissed the side of Sawyer's head. "Nonsense. Let's give him the tour so he can be really impressed by what we have all built here."
Sawyer paid attention dutifully as Roscoe, Gaia and Greg gave him a tour of the family homes. Gaia pointed out the longhouse she lived in with one other family while Greg showed Sawyer the smaller cabin he shared with Garth. Roscoe didn't mention it was because Greg was the only one nice enough to live with him. After, they visited the temporary school and infirmary.
"This is amazing," Sawyer said, looking at the half-built wooden structures. It was all a bit muddy since it had rained the past few days. Gravel paths were next on Roscoe's list. Eventually, he would like cement paths to connect everything. His intention from the beginning was to make their camp a permanent home. Hence, the building for food storage. Sawyer took in the rows of canned food and dried meats, his mouth opened wide with surprise and perhaps a little awe. As a question occurred to him, Roscoe saw it on his face, in his wrinkled forehead and furrowed eyebrows. "So, do you guys, like…hibernate during the winter?"
"It is winter," Gaia pointed out.
"I guess so." Sawyer rubbed the back of his neck nervously. Roscoe held him tighter.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'm only trying to figure this out, figure you guys out. Are you sleepier during winter?"
"Isn't everyone?" Greg asked.
"Like, where does the bear start, and you begin?" Sawyer asked, speaking the word bear in hushed tones like it was a curse. "Oh no, is that a horrible question?"
"No, not at all," Roscoe said while trying not to laugh.
Gaia looked appalled, but not at Sawyer, at Roscoe. "You really did just swoop in, pound your chest and claim him, didn't you?" she said to Roscoe. "What a barbaric, alpha-hole thing to do."
"He explained some stuff!" Sawyer defended Roscoe which only made him puff up with pride which in turn made Gaia groan in frustration. "Like, er, pregnancy and heat and…"
"Of course, he would explain that stuff." Gaia's exasperated tone was muted among the canned vegetables. "C'mon, I'll show you the garden. And explain what it means to be a shifter since your mate can't be bothered to explain anything past the sex stuff."
Sawyer walked ahead, but Roscoe kept hold of his hand. He was physically unable to not be touching his mate while he was around. He wondered when that would end. It didn't feel like it ever would. Roscoe wasn't particularly cuddly, definitely not a bear shifter of the teddy variety. But he couldn't stop wanting to touch and hold his boy. He paid quiet attention as Gaia explained the garden to Sawyer. It still wasn't much to look at since it hadn't been so long ago that they'd planted it, but Roscoe was especially proud of his mobile greenhouse idea. Instead of a single structure, they had constructed movable greenhouse toppers out of PVC and clear sheeting. That way, they could bring the warmth to where ever needed it. He had plans for hydroponic gardening which would yield more of a harvest more often. Hence the large supply run his brothers were on. When they returned, the pack would have enough raw materials to make everything each of them dreamed. That was important to Roscoe, that the pack built a home that they were all proud of and invested in.
As Gaia brought Sawyer back around to where the main construction was happening, there were a few den sisters and brothers in their bear form so that they could more easily do the heavy hauling and maneuvering. Sawyer stopped in his tracks, staring at the bears like they were unicorns. His eyes widened, and a soft gasp hissed from between his lips.
On the surface, Roscoe understood. Any one of his den brothers or sisters was impressive to look at. They were all huge in their bear form, but the pettiest part of Roscoe was still displeased that Sawyer was impressed by any bear shifter but himself. He was the pack master after all.
Gaia seemed to understand was going through Roscoe's mind as she gave them a knowing look. "Greg and I will go help them with those beams. Bear paws can't hold a hammer very well."
As she left, Roscoe wrapped his arms around Sawyer's middle, bringing him close and rotating his body around so that he faced Roscoe instead of his den mates. His gaze remained transfixed on the huge bears until Roscoe gently guided his chin away. It took Sawyer a moment to focus on Roscoe's face, as lost as he was. "They're impressive, aren't they," Roscoe said.
Sawyer nodded emphatically. "I've never seen anything like it. In all my time in the forest. How have I never seen something so large?"
"We weren't always here. And there aren't any other bear packs in this area." He'd made sure of it. "There are a few wolves up north and then a larger pack down south. Though, I believe that pack is mixed. I heard rumor of a coyote and a lion."
"A lion?" Sawyer repeated, his eyes wide.
Roscoe scowled. "Lions aren't that great."
"Of course not. If you asked me, I'd say bears are the best," Sawyer replied like a dutiful mate.
"But which bear?" Roscoe asked deciding he could be petty with his mate on this one point.
Sawyer slid closer, slipping into place in his spot at Roscoe's chest. "I think it is obvious that…that big brown one was pretty cool."
Roscoe growled.
"You're right, that russet one wasn't bad either. It is tough to choose."
Roscoe brought his lips down to Sawyer's kissing him until he was soft and pliant beneath his touch, making light noises of need against Roscoe's mouth. When Roscoe pulled away, Sawyer whined and swayed forward as he tried to keep the kiss going. After a moment, he opened his eyes.
"I don't know if you are the most impressive bear. I've only seen you in bear form once, and that time you made me fall and hit my head."
Roscoe remembered. It had been a little more than a week ago and, yet it felt like a different lifetime. He pulled back far enough to pull his shirt off his body. Sawyer licked his lips at his shirtless chest, a flattering response that Roscoe intended on exploring, later. Right now, he had something to prove. His hands went to his pants, and Sawyer looked around. It was a predictable human response. They were so finicky about nudity. To be honest, bears didn't walk around naked in their human forms either, but they didn't care much if they spotted one another in a brief nude state. No one gave him a second look as he tied his clothes to the pouch that was always around his ankle. Sawyer watched him, his eyes following every movement as he learned about this part of Roscoe's life. Though it pained him, he motioned for Sawyer to back up. He did, and Roscoe kept his eyes on his mate while he shifted. His body reforming, expanding where needed, contracting in others, until he had all four paws on the ground. He looked up at Sawyer whose lip trembled slightly at the sight of him.
Roscoe didn't want him to be afraid. But, he also understood that this form had the potential of being frightening. He relied on that since it got him out of more than half the physical confrontations he found himself in. And the ones it didn't get him out of? Roscoe was more than happy to fight if the situation called for it. But he wanted trust from his mate, required it. Roscoe lifted his massive body up on his hind legs. In that position, he towered over Sawyer by at least five feet. Sawyer looked up at him, any words he might have had seemed to be frozen in his throat. Roscoe willed him not to run. He wasn't sure when the moment had become so important. Originally, he'd just wanted to show off to Sawyer about being the biggest and the baddest. But now, he needed his mate's acceptance in this form, just as much as he had needed it in his human form.
Roscoe opened his mouth and let out a roar. It wasn't so loud so that it would disturb the kids in school, but everyone in the construction area stopped and looked their direction. Sawyer shuffled back, and Roscoe's heart threatened to drop. But then, Sawyer stuck out his chin and lifted his face up, up, up so that he was looking Roscoe in the eye. He took a shaky step forward and then another until he was within arm's reach. His hand visibly trembled as he stuck it out but he was brave enough to brush his fingers through Roscoe's soft underbelly hair. "I thought you would smell worse," Sawyer said with a twinkle in his eyes.
Roscoe dropped his front legs back down and then bowed.
"You want me to…are you sure?" Sawyer asked him. Roscoe made a noise that was meant to convey, "Of course I am sure."
Sawyer scrambled up the side of his body a little awkwardly, but when he wrapped his thighs around Roscoe's backside, it felt perfect. Not erotic, as it would if Sawyer had wrapped his thighs around him while they were both human. But, right. Like stepping into a clean kitchen or turning on your car's engine to hear the motor purr. Roscoe took a big step, and Sawyer tightened his grip on both his thighs and his hands in Roscoe's hair. "I could last eight seconds up here," he said. "Giddy up."
Roscoe snorted and then ran forward. He was careful to adjust his weight to balance Sawyer out so that he was never in danger of falling. Sawyer started laughing loudly and urging Roscoe faster as he ran them away from the camp and through the forest. His little mate was a bit of a thrill seeker, so soon Roscoe was dodging trees at the last minute and sprinting as fast as he would if there wasn't someone on his back. When Sawyer announced he could hold on no longer, Roscoe stopped so he could slide off. His muscles all trembled from exertion and his legs seemed like jelly, but Sawyer had a wide smile on his face. Roscoe shifted and pulled on his pants before gathering Sawyer in his arms.
When they made it back to the camp, the school had let out, and everyone was preparing for dinner. They often ate together when weather allowed them to eat around the central fire pit, and it truly took many hands to prepare enough food. Without even being asked, Sawyer jumped in, helping prepare the vegetables as Roscoe went to the children to check on them and ask them how their day had been.
"A boy and his bear. You're giving out rides now?" Garth sneered from the corner standing next to Greg. He wasn't helping anyone prepare the food or arrange tables. Greg shuffled away to help, but Garth remained. And, if he didn't stop looking at Roscoe's mate with an expression of distaste, he wasn't going to have any teeth to eat dinner with.
"Cool it, Garth," Gaia said, coming out of nowhere with Greg by her side.
Her blinding love for her brother was her one flaw, in Roscoe's opinion. His brothers were always the first to point out Roscoe's faults and call him on his shit. He was glad they were gone now if only because if they witnessed how Garth was acting, they would have demanded quick and harsh retribution.
"Yes, allow me to cool it while your pack master makes this place into an amusement park."
"Garth, man, come on," Greg whispered, but Garth made no response to him.
Roscoe had heard the distinction in Garth's words along with Gaia and Greg as well as everyone else within hearing distance. It was a slight that could not be ignored. Even Gaia had to know that. Roscoe drew himself to his full height and spoke very quietly. He didn't need Garth's embarrassment. He only needed his compliance. "Am I only Gaia's pack master?" he asked.
Garth did a double take as if unaware of what he had really said. He had the time and space to make a choice and Roscoe would be just as pleased if he chose to declare Roscoe pack master of them all. In fact, he preferred that. But, by the way Garth raised his lip and narrowed his eyes, Roscoe could tell that wasn't going to happen. "Are you really so petty as to need me to pledge my allegiance? Shall I throw my body on the ground and beat my breast in deference?"
Roscoe gave him a warning growl.
That seemed to reach Garth's ears, and he pushed off from the tree he'd been leaning against and rolled his eyes. "Fine, you are the great and mighty commander. All follow your will and desire." Sarcasm dripped from every syllable.
Before Roscoe could respond Gaia was ushering the children out of the space as she shot her brother a look over her shoulder. Roscoe spotted Sawyer. He was the last to catch on to the fact that something was going on and he looked to Roscoe with confusion and worry as everyone else cleared out. Roscoe didn't want him to see this, but he wouldn't turn from Garth now. That would just look like a sign of weakness.
"Garth, I've told you many times that no one is forcing you to be here," Roscoe began. Except, Garth wasn't listening. He practically exploded into his bear form and lunged at Roscoe, his jaws open and ready to clamp down across Roscoe's neck.
In the background, Sawyer shouted.
Roscoe didn't shift. He'd caught Garth by the jaw, one hand at his lower, the other at his upper jaw. Keeping his grip behind Garth's incisors, he began to pull his jaw wide open. He growled with the effort it took to subdue a full-sized bear shifter as sweat gathered on his brow. Roscoe knew the moment he'd pulled Garth's mouth open wider than was comfortable, and also the moment Garth realized he couldn't yank free. The bear panicked and attempted to scramble away, but Roscoe held on. His muscles burned with the amount of force it took. Without Sawyer there, Roscoe wasn't sure he could have even done what he was doing. But, needing to protect his mate made him stronger. Roscoe snarled and pulled his jaw further apart. Garth yelped and went lax. He let go, and Garth dropped, exhausted and gasping for breath, to the floor.
"That was a challenge on your pack master," Roscoe said over Garth's heaving body. "I have every right to take your life, and yet, I'm not. I don't want us to be enemies, but I do require your acceptance."
"Yes, pack master," Garth moaned, having shifted into his human form.
When Roscoe turned from him to allow him privacy, he was face to face with Sawyer, his eyes bright with fear. "Mate," Roscoe uttered. "Come." He held out his hand, and Sawyer took it immediately.
Roscoe couldn't say he wasn't relieved. Shows of dominance were never pretty. But his mate would never have anything to fear from him. He carried Sawyer to their home, somewhere along the way, Sawyer had begun to shake. Likely, the adrenaline leaving his body. Roscoe spotted Gaia before he could shut his door and told her to go tend to her brother. By now, the only injuries he would have would be to his pride. Still, Roscoe didn't want one of the other shifters to get in his way while he was feeling aggrieved.
He wasn't Roscoe's concern now though. His trembling mate was. Roscoe brought Sawyer to their bedroom and deposited him in the middle of his bed. He covered his mate with thick blankets and then, after undressing, slipped into bed beside him.
"I-I-I'm okay. J-J-J-Just shaking a little," Sawyer tried to say. Roscoe pressed a finger against his lips. Sawyer's teeth chattered so hard, Roscoe was afraid if Sawyer kept trying to speak he would bite his tongue off.
Roscoe cuddled up beside Sawyer, pulling his body into place as they spooned. He waited for Sawyer to stop shaking before he let his hand wander. Nothing could be done about his cock pressing into Sawyer's back side though.
"Let me h-h-help you," Sawyer said as he tried to roll over.
"Not right now. Just let me hold you," Roscoe replied, pressing a chaste kiss on the back of Sawyer's head. "You know I would never hurt you. Not like, when I spank you. That is to highlight your behavior. But really hurt you."
"I kn-know. Besides, I like the sp-spankings."
"I know you do, baby," Roscoe said with his lips pressed against Sawyer's neck. "You're safe with me. And you are safe here."
"Garth doesn't like me."
"Garth is hanging on to something that isn't a possibility. It never was."
"Will he retaliate? After what you did to him today?"
Roscoe sighed. He didn't enjoy talking about Garth while in bed with his mate. "That isn't something you need to worry about. This isn't like a human relationship. I protect you. That's the way this works."
"What! Then what do I do?"
Roscoe pinched his ass. "You know what you do," he said indecently. Sawyer made an outraged expression. He'd rather have his mate annoyed by Roscoe's barbaric nature than afraid. "You can do other things too," he said, swiping his fingers over Sawyer's mouth. Roscoe hadn't expected Sawyer to open his lips and use his tongue to draw Roscoe's finger inside where he sucked on it eagerly. Roscoe forgot what he was going to say next.
"You're right, I can do that," Sawyer said with a knowing smile.
Roscoe growled softly. "Brat." He put his finger back in place. "Do it again. Make it nice and wet for your hole."
Sawyer groaned and sucked on Roscoe's finger like it was a Popsicle on a hundred-degree day. Roscoe pulled it out of Sawyer's mouth with a pop and angled his body away so that he could reach between his mate's cheeks. Bowing his back, Sawyer presented his ass so sweetly to his alpha that Roscoe wished he could take a picture. Except then, he'd be too worried that anyone else in this world would see the picture. Because, this sight, his mate bent with desire, eyes blown, lips and cheeks red as needy noises escaped his lips, this sight was for Roscoe only.
The only thing that would make this sight better would be if Sawyer's tummy was swollen with their child. The thought made his dick leak as he slid his glistening finger inside his mate and listened to the increasing volume and pitch of Sawyer's cries of pleasure. He pushed back hard, longing for a firmer touch and Roscoe was ready to give it to him. He flicked his finger against Sawyer's sweet spot as he pulled his finger out, replacing it with two instead of one. Sawyer's husky groans reverberated around them and he turned his head back toward Roscoe so that he could capture his lips.
Roscoe swallowed his pleasure noises as he continued to finger his mate's ass. He was no longer shaking. There was not even an ounce of fear. There wasn't any room for it. Only trust.
"Please, Roscoe, I need your monster cock," Sawyer muttered into his mouth.
Roscoe rose, pulling Sawyer to his knees as he lodged the tip of his dick inside his mate. Perhaps having to display his power was having more of an effect on him than he thought. His animal was closer to the surface, and Roscoe found it difficult to rein the beast back.
"Where are you?" Sawyer asked, his voice muffled by the pillow.
"I'm here, mate."
"No, your somewhere else in your head. Be with me. All of me with all of you."
"You don't know what you are asking for," Roscoe grunted. "My beast, he might hurt you."
Sawyer bucked, forcing more of Roscoe into his tight channel. Roscoe would have never pushed so much in so quickly and yet when Sawyer did it, Sawyer's dick twitched, and he nearly came into the mattress. "No fear, remember?" Sawyer said through his moans.
Roscoe let go. He roared toward the ceiling and thrust forward, filling his mate up to completion with a single push. Sawyer wailed, coming as he did. Roscoe's hands gripped Sawyer's hips tightly as he continued to rut inside his mate, showing him with his dick who he belonged to, how perfectly they fit together. In the distant corner of his mind, Roscoe thought he shouldn't hold his mate so tightly, shouldn't whisper such dirty things in his ear as they were plastered together, back to chest. But his mate had demanded it, Roscoe's beast demanded it. He was not in a position where he was able to say no to both.
"Fuck, yes Roscoe. Jesus…fuck…fuck!" Sawyer managed to scream out an almost complete sentence before he came again. This one lasted longer than the one before as he continued to flop and jerk through the waves of pleasure crashing around inside of him.
Roscoe's dick grew even larger as his orgasm approached. He bit down, but as he came, he found he was not locked inside of his mate. It still felt amazing as he emptied his essence into his love, but there was no swelling, locking them in place to ensure his seed entered Sawyer's body.
Roscoe knew what that meant, and he roared with pride as Sawyer passed out in his arms from pleasure.
Roscoe held him until he came to, kissing a trail from his temple to his nose then to his lips and back around.
"Did you fuck me unconscious?" Sawyer whispered.
"Yes," Roscoe replied proudly.
Sawyer stirred as if testing that all his limbs still worked. "You don't have to look so smug about it."
"That isn't what I am smug about," Roscoe replied unable to keep from smiling. "I didn't lock inside you."
Worry flashed in Sawyer's eyes. "What does that mean?"
"No, baby, don't be nervous. It means one thing. One amazing thing."
Sawyer began to smile but more like because Roscoe's smile was infectious than because he was in on the secret.
"It means, you are pregnant."