"But I do want you," Preston insisted, the hint of a whine in his voice. "Plus I'm still cold, and that big ass body of yours will warm me up in all the right ways once we get the friction going."

I took a deep breath and counted to ten before looking over at where my would-be mate was still sprawled on the floor where I'd unceremoniously dumped him. Did I feel like a complete dick for doing that? Maybe.

"Quit acting like a spoiled pup—no means no." I bit back a grin at his annoyance as my words registered.

It took every ounce of my strength to turn him down, but it was the right thing to do. I mean, whatever happened to talking first? Without realizing it, I'd begun eye-fucking the little shit.

"See something you like, Beef Jerk?" he asked with a knowing pout.

I snorted at the nickname, and took my time moving my eyes up the length of his soft, slim body before settling on his face. The fact that I wanted to get a taste of that stubby little dick was irrelevant—I wasn't going to jump into this for the wrong reasons.

"I see a lot of things I like, Princess. But see, I know a thing or two about impulse control."

"Is that your backhanded way of saying I'm impulsive? Trust me, I make my choices—and I barely ever regret them. At least, not usually… I gotta admit though, I've been regretting attending that full moon party."

"Just be glad your friend Tio wouldn't quit screaming foul about your disappearance."

Preston paled as he bit his lush bottom lip thoughtfully. "Is he okay? He wasn't hurt or anything, right? Tio is a good guy."

"Naw, Princess. You were the only casualty of that party. In fact, until your daddy got the ransom note, the going consensus was that you'd fallen overboard."

"Seriously? Dude. I would never be drunk or high enough to fall over the side of a fricken boat. What am I, some kind of noob? Trust me, I can handle myself. And Dad knows that I can handle myself, so fuck him for not looking sooner. But then again, I'm not at all surprised he didn’t. Hell, a dead kid would probably get him sympathy in the polls."

Preston curled his long legs up beside him and hunched over as he stared down at the plush rug, his fingers playing with the carpet fibers. He looked completely lost and alone in that moment. Biting back a sigh, I walked over and sat next to him.

"Wanna talk about it? I've been told once or twice that I'm a pretty good listener."

He tilted his head slightly, just enough to peer up at me from the corner of his eye. "Why? Not to make a big deal out of it, but you have to know that we're mates. If I scented it, I know damn well you did too. So if you're already rejecting me as a mate, why would you want to listen to me whine about my crappy life?"

I pulled his hand away from the carpet, wrapping it in mine as I spoke. "I don't remember hearing myself reject you as a mate. I recall saying that I wouldn't fuck around out of boredom or a false sense of gratitude on your part. When we get together, Princess—and trust me, we will—it’s gonna mean something more than getting our rocks off."

Instead of snatching his hand away like I'd halfway expected, Preston carefully turned his hand in mine and quietly threaded our fingers together. We sat there in the silence of our borrowed cabin for several minutes before he spoke again.

"I'm not sure I know what that means." He shrugged his shoulder shyly. "Nobody's ever wanted me before. I mean, people want to be seen with me. They want the status that comes from being around me, or my dad's money… But… nobody's ever shown any interest in seeing the real me or wanting to be around me for more than that."

I swallowed a dry lump in my throat before speaking in an almost hoarse voice. "I see you, Princess. Fuck everybody else in this big wide world who doesn't. But trust me, I will always see you—and want you."

Without taking time to second-guess myself, I reached out and cupped his cheek in my free hand. Turning his face toward mine, I leaned in for a kiss. Preston's eyes widened slightly before his long lashes fluttered closed and our lips met.

A jolt of something stronger than any static electricity shock zinged straight from my lips to my heart the moment our lips touched. His mouth was so sweet, I knew I could get lost in it for days. Preston gasped, and I took advantage of his lips parting to slip my tongue into his mouth.

Our kiss grew more passionate, and I felt Preston's hands around my neck while my own cradled his cute little bubble butt and held him close to me.

Wait. My mind raced as I tried to figure out what the hell was happening. I pulled back when I realized that, yes, our positions had changed. At some point, our kiss had gone from innocent to me having a lapful of wriggling omega.

Preston's pupils were blown wide as he looked up at me with amazement and said a single word. "Wow."

I began to chuckle at that succinct synopsis of our kiss. "Yeah, pretty much. Wow, huh?"

He began to giggle softly, a musical sound that warmed my heart. Preston looked down between our bodies then back up at me.

"You know, it's kind of awkward being naked while you're fully dressed. One of us should change that—personally, I volunteer you as tribute for that."

"Why? You tryin' to get a look at the goods, Princess?" I drawled slowly.

Preston rolled his eyes. "Obviously. Duh."

Chuckling to myself, I hugged him close. When Preston rested his head on my shoulder, a piece of my heart I hadn't known was missing clicked into place and I suddenly felt more complete than I ever had in my life.

"Can I say something without sounding like a complete slut?" Preston asked softly.

I ran my fingertips up and down his spine in a slow, soothing pattern. "You can tell me anything. I will never think of you as a slut. Whatever you've done in the past is your business… what happens from now on is mine."

Preston sucked in a ragged breath, his voice slightly muffled against my shoulder as he spoke. "It's just… In this moment, I feel like I never knew what real intimacy was before. This is—" his voice trailed off for a moment. "This is nice. But… is it weird that I feel more exposed now than I ever have during sex with other people?"

"No, that makes perfect sense to me. And this is what I meant before, when I said no. I wanted to have this with you before we went further into the physical. But, Princess? Can I just say that it would do my alpha wolf a lot of good if you never mentioned sex and other partners again? The human part of me gets it, but my wolf is a jealous fucker."

I smiled at the sound of Preston's musical giggle, my chest swelling with happiness. "So. Should we try feeding you again? I'm a little worried because you haven't eaten. I really don't want to get into any type of physical activity when your body hasn't had any nutrients."

My mate sat up straight and looked at me with a naughty twinkle in his eye. "Basically, you're saying if I eat your cardboard food, then I might get to see a little action tonight?"

I swatted his ass lightly and smirked. "I don't recall saying anything of sort, Princess. But I will say that it would probably increase your chances if I'm not having to worry about you."

Preston wiggled back and hopped off my lap. "Say no more, just show me how to eat that pukey stuff you call food."

"The packs are called MREs, and they aren't that bad—but the taste isn’t what matters. It's necessary fuel for your body."

"Agree to disagree about whether taste matters. But I will do my best to choke down a packet of food, especially if you have another Tootsie Roll."

I waggled my brows as I opened a fresh packet of food for him. "Princess, I’m packin’ all the Tootsie Roll you need."

"No. Just no," he giggled. "Please tell me lines like that don't usually work for you?"

I shrugged. "Don't know. I've never really needed to use lines. Besides, I've never been one for casual pickups."

Preston looked downcast. "So you're a decent G.I. Joe type after all. And I'm the loser party boy. I feel like the fates aren't being fair to you."

My heart broke a little at this rare appearance of my mate’s low self-esteem that he covered so well for the rest of the world.

"Eat," I said gruffly. "And Princess? Don't doubt the fates. They know what they're doing… Even if we don't know it at the time."

He shook his head disbelievingly as he dutifully chewed his food. While Preston ate, I pulled a bottle of water out of my bag and cracked the top before passing it to him. He took it gratefully, and immediately chugged down half the bottle. Water was dripping from his chin when he pulled it away from his lips.

"Easy, Princess. You're gonna choke if you don't watch out," I said.

Preston wiped his mouth and chin with the back of his arm. "Sorry. I didn't realize how thirsty I was until I started drinking. I almost drank the whole bottle, but then it dawned on me that I should probably save some."

I shook my head. "Go ahead and finish it, I'll just top your bottle off from the tap when you're done in case we have to hoof it again."

He proceeded to do just that, and I immediately rose to take his empty bottle into the kitchen to refill it. I had a couple more bottles in my bag, but it never hurt to be prepared. After I filled the bottle, I drained it and refilled it a second time before turning to go back into the main room.

As I walked back into the living area, my skin began to itch all over as though I were being bitten by a swarm of fire ants or some shit.

I gasped, my chest suddenly tight as I broke out in a sweat. My nostrils flared and I looked around wildly for the source of that sweet, intoxicating smell that was wafting my way.

There! Mate. MINE.

Preston was sprawled out on the couch, his own body flushed all over and already damp with perspiration. His small, erect dick stuck straight out in front of him as he writhed on the couch, the scent of his omega slick filling the air.

I growled possessively as I stalked toward the couch. Forcing myself to calm the fuck down, I carefully picked up the lid from the water bottle and screwed it on.

"Alpha… I mean… Noah." Preston all but groaned out the words. "I need you. Please don't turn me down this time… Please?"

With a terse nod, I jerked my chin toward the bedroom that sat just off this main room. "Go find the bed, give me a minute to lock up and douse the lights."

"Will you be claiming me tonight?" he asked in a voice just above a whisper as he stood up on visibly shaky legs and grabbed the water bottle I’d just set down.

"Do you want that from me?" I asked seriously, somehow needing to hear his consent before the fog that was quickly taking over my brain had its way with me.

Preston stood to his full height and looked me dead in the eye. "More than a fat kid wants cake."

I smirked at his ability to joke even while we were both rapidly descending into a mating fog. Before his heat or my need to rut could get any stronger, I tipped my head toward the bedroom again.

"Then get your ass in the bedroom, Princess—because I'm gonna claim the hell out of you tonight."

Preston's eyes widened, but he quickly scampered toward the bedroom while I went to retrieve my bag. I didn't know how bad this mating fog would be, and having food and water at hand wasn't a bad idea.

I locked the front door—not that any determined person or critter couldn't get in through that window I’d broken. Then I flipped off the lights and followed the sweet smell of my mate to the bedroom.

He'd already pulled back the covers and was laying in the middle of the bed frantically jerking his flushed, hard dick. My own cock was rock hard and ready for action, but I made myself stay present long enough to close the bedroom door in case my team showed up.

I turned off the lights, set the bag on the dresser, and pulled Preston's clothes out in case he wanted them later before making my way to the bed. Moonlight filtering through the window highlighted my mate’s body in the dark room, as if he were on display for my eyes only.

The hair on my arms grew thicker and my teeth elongated slightly as my wolf vied with me for dominance. I held onto my humanity, though we merged just enough as the rutting fever took over. All but ripping off my clothes, I headed for the bed.

My voice was deeper and raspier than I'd ever heard it before as I crawled onto the bed and knelt between my mate’s spread legs.

"This won't be the slow, sensual mating I would've preferred."

Preston's eyes glowed, the moonlight reflecting from his own elongated teeth as he growled back at me. "I didn't ask for slow or sensual. I want it hard, fast, and deep. I want your fucking knot buried so far up my ass that my throat will hurt."

I swiped my finger up through the cleft of his cheeks, scooping up some slick before bringing it to my lips for a taste. While I sucked my finger clean, a line of drool ran from the corner of Preston's mouth as he watched.

"My dirty boy likes that, hmm?" I crooned silkily as I thrust a finger through his rim. The tight ring of muscle clenched, then loosened to allow me entrance.

"Yes—I am your dirty boy, alpha. All yours." Preston panted as he rocked against my finger. He moaned loudly as I added a second, his hands moving to pinch his own nipples when I pressed the third one into his channel.

The beast inside of me loved watching our boy squirm and fuck himself on my hand while he writhed and groaned. Once he felt loose enough that I could safely take him, I pulled my fingers out and licked them clean while lining the fat head of my cock up to his hole.

"You ready for this, Princess?" I growled. "Do you think you can take my big cock?"

Preston lifted his head and licked his lips as he took in the size of what I was about to feed into his ass. "Fuck, yeah. Take me, claim me—breed me, alpha."

A switch went off in my brain when I heard that, and I thrust into him with one smooth stroke. Running my hands under his back, I pulled Preston up onto my lap as I leaned back on my heels. His hands gripped my shoulders as he bounced on my cock.

Throwing his head back, Preston moved up and down, meeting me stroke for stroke with each pump of my hips. I leaned forward and licked down over the slim column of his neck, nuzzling over his jugular where his pulse beat the strongest.

Yes. Right there. That was where I would bite down and make him mine. Pulling back, I flopped down on my back and let Preston take control. Planting his small hands in the center of my chest, he rode me hard and fast—taking the pleasure he needed.

Pride swelled in my chest with every moan and groan that came from his throat. Pleasing my mate was suddenly my only reason for existence. With a gasp, Preston arched back and jerked his dick. I batted his hand away and took over, firmly stroking him off until he cried out as ropes of cum shot over my chest.

I surged forward and pushed him down onto his back, pushing his knees to his chest. "My turn now, baby."

Preston planted his heels on my shoulders and reached out to pinch my nipples as I pounded hard and fast into him. My shaft tingled as my knot began to swell for the very first time. As it swelled fatter, I had to slow down until I was just rocking against him.

My knot was nearly wedged inside his channel, and I was riding the edge of oblivion when I felt razor sharp claws scrape down my sides. Preston's eyes were glazed with feral lust, and I knew he was about to come again.

Salty sweat burned over the scratches he'd gouged into my skin, making me that much harder as I rode that fine line between pain and pleasure. Lightning moved down my spine as my balls tightened and my knot grew even thicker.

I clenched my teeth, lost in the sensation of the tight, silky walls of his channel squeezing my flesh as my knot fully engaged and locked us together. Right before my cock spilled its load, I leaned over and took his lips in a bruising kiss.

As soon as the first of my seed splashed inside him, Preston pushed me away from his lips and sank his teeth into my neck—staking his claim and taking me as his mate. A surge of possessive pride filled me as I gave him the answering bite that would merge our spirits and make us one.

I was still coming when I pulled my teeth from his skin and licked the wound so it would heal. Preston did the same for me, then we turned and began kissing again. Our teeth clashed together as our tongues battled for dominance. My cock was still pulsing inside him when I broke the kiss.

The fever was still on me, but I was coming back to myself enough to realize that I was pumping out way more jizz than was normal—even for an alpha in his prime. Preston smirked as if thinking the same thing.

"Are you planning to fill me with so much cum that I'll be gargling and spitting it out the other end?"

"You'd better not spit it out," I said with a wink. "That's grade-A prime alpha juice there, Princess. If that shit comes up, you better just swallow it back down."

My heart warmed as Preston giggled, and I rolled us over onto my back. My cock twitched a couple more times as my balls finally emptied. Preston wiggled a little until he was settled comfortably on top of me. He yawned before speaking in a soft voice.

"Think we'll get any sleep tonight? Or will that crazy mating shit hit us again?"

"I don't know, Princess. My suggestion? Catch some shut eye while we're worn out and stuck together. Just lay there and let me hold you, I've got you."

Preston yawned again, his voice soft as he answered sleepily. "Yeah, you do. I'm all yours now, right? The question is—now that you have me, what are you gonna do with me?"

"Good question, babe. I'll let you know when I figure it out." I waited for him to make a snarky comment, but smiled when all I heard in return was a snuffling snore.