Omega Matured: M/M Shifter M/Preg Romance (Northern Lodge Pack Book 5) by Susi Hawke (1)

 

 

 

 

Omega Matured

 

 

Book Five of the Northern Lodge Pack Series

 

 

 

An M/PREG Paranormal Romance

 

Susi Hawke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Copyright © 2017 by Susi Hawke

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Any characters, locations, events or businesses are totally parts of the author's imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter One

 

Daniel

 

The intriguing fragrance of sugary lemon drops filled the hallway outside of my room here on the third floor of our pack lodge. All of the single adults bunked up here. Alphas lived on one side of the hall, the omegas lived separately on the other.

Frowning to myself, I wondered if another omega had joined our pack, and if so, why wasn’t I aware of it? As second in command, I was the one most involved in the comings and goings of our pack, far more so than our Alpha.

As I went downstairs, the scent trail remained strong, as though the mystery omega had been just ahead of me within the past few minutes. I looked around when I reached the main floor, but there was nobody about, other than a few omegas sitting in the kitchen drinking tea. But these were the mates of my friends, so none of them would be the source of this mysterious new scent.

Putting it aside for now, I went to the Alpha’s office for our morning meeting. Jake and I had been best friends for most of our lives, and I was proud to be his second in command.

Jake was already settled at his desk with his morning coffee, when I arrived and took my regular seat in one of the cushy guest chairs that faced him.

“What’s up, Danny boy?”

I grinned. Jake and my cousin, Micah, were the only two people on the planet that could get away with calling me such a ridiculous nickname.

“Not much, Jake. Anything going on today that I need to handle?”

“I promised Kai that we would see about finding a tutor for the pups. We don’t have a local shifter school, and the older ones are at the point that we need to look into educating them.”

Nodding in agreement, I sat down and fired up my tablet to take notes. This was how we rolled in here. Jake through out the ideas, and I made the plans to make them happen.

“I can put an ad out on ShifterNet that we’re looking for a grade school teacher for a small pack. Hopefully, we can find a teacher that doesn’t mind relocating. Or maybe even someone who lives close enough to commute. Did you have an idea already for a schoolroom? We could make a space here in the lodge. Or, would we want to consider changing one of the cabins into a one room schoolhouse?”

In addition to the three story lodge that most of our pack lived in, there were also seven cabins on the property. Only two of them were in use, so that left five at our disposal.

“Hmm. You know, the first cabin right next door would probably be the best solution,” Jake said thoughtfully. “It has a small kitchen, and  two bathrooms. The open living area would be easy to change into a classroom.”

“Exactly,” I agreed. “And the bedroom could either be the teacher’s office or even their private living quarters, depending on their preference.”

Jake grinned, “I have to admit, having the pups next door all day would be good. They’d be close enough for us to protect, but separate from home so that the school would have more importance to them. Do you think that we could pull this off?”

“It would be a simple thing to do, not any harder than setting up a schoolroom in here. I like it, and I bet you the other guys will all be on board too. And no offense, but think how much quieter that it will be around here,” I said with a grin.

“Exactly. Okay, I’m gonna leave this in your hands then. Once you have things lined up, we can discuss when school will start and all of that good stuff. Did you have anything that you needed to go over with me today?”

I hesitated briefly before asking the question that had been weighing on my mine. “Do we have any new pack members that you’ve forgotten to tell me about?”

“What are you talking about, Daniel? You know as well as I do that you are more likely to know about potential new members before I do, so what’s going on?”

Shit. I wish I’d kept my mouth shut, because now I’d have to tell him. “I smelled someone’s scent this morning.”

His eyes widened slightly and the side of his mouth tilted up in a half smirk. “A scent? What kind of scent? Did someone forget their deodorant? A pup need a diaper change? How bad are we talking here, Danny boy?”

I rolled my eyes. “Shut it, Jake. You know that I didn’t mean a bad odor. I smelled someone’s personal scent.”

“You mean you have a mate in our pack? That kind of scent? That deliciously enticing scent that only a true-mate can detect? Is that the kind of fragrance that we’re talking about here?”

“Fuck you. Forget I said anything,” I muttered as I flipped my middle finger up in the air.

Jake rolled with laughter. “No, thanks. I’m only gay for Kai these days, you know that.”

He sat up suddenly, as if realizing all at once how few my prospects of available mates were. “Holy shit, Daniel. There are only two unmated omegas left in our pack right now.”

I nodded, completely miserable. “Exactly. If there’s no one else, it can only be Luke or Ryan. So that’s fun, right? Fenris decided to mate me with a pup.”

Luke and Ryan were brothers that had been with our pack since their early to mid-teens. Luke was at least twenty now, if not twenty-one. Ryan had to be at least eighteen. I think, I’ve never known their exact ages.

“Hey, now. It’s not quite that bad. They’re not pups, although there is definitely an age gap. Does that bother you? I mean, we’ve watched them grow up in a way.”

With a soft sigh, I shook my head. “I don’t think it would bug me if it’s Luke, he’s older and was at least shaving when we met. Ryan though? Dear Fenris, I hope that it’s not him. I’m too old for this shit, Jake. I guess I just always thought that if I ever found a mate, that we’d at least be the same fucking age.”

“Oh, shut up. You’re only ten years older than Luke, twelve with Ryan. That’s not that much older. Maybe having a younger mate will loosen you up a little, you know? You’ve always acted like you’ve got starch in your jock, or some shit. No offense, Danny boy. But pulling that stick out of your ass might not be a bad idea, dude.”

“Fuck you very much, Jake. You love my uptight ass. I’m the one that keeps us organized, remember?”

Jake’s grin sobered as he looked at me seriously now. “Daniel, as much as I appreciate your organizational skills, and I do, I would love to see you be happy. You deserve it.”

Before I could answer, the door to the office flew open and Jake’s mate, Kai, came rushing in. The pungent odor of his fear permeated the air as he spoke.

“We need help! Linus is missing!”

Jake and I jumped to our feet, ready to act. Linus was the young pup of my cousin Micah and his mate, Aries. I began shooting off questions rapid fire.

“What happened? Do Aries and Micah know? Where are the other pups now? Is anyone looking for him yet?”

Taking a deep breath, Kai relaxed slightly as Jake reached him and pulled him close.

“We were shifted, taking the pups on a run through the woods. I thought we had enough supervision, but Linus escaped somehow. He’s lost in the woods. Ryan and I brought the pups back, I’m going to leave them in the upstairs nursery with him while we go back out. Aries was right there, so he’s on the trail already with Luke, Sy, and Zane.”

“There were no alphas with you?” I asked with concern, trying to get an accurate assessment of the situation.

“No. It didn’t seem necessary.”

I looked at Jake. “Send a group text to all the alphas, don’t say why, just tell them to meet out front in five, ready to shift. I’ll run upstairs and find Micah. He should be working right now, actually.”

“My brother might have found Linus by now, he’s a good tracker.”

I looked up to see Ryan standing in the doorway, the group of pups quietly waiting behind him. It was a relief that I couldn’t pick up his scent. Hmm. Guess it’s Luke after all, I thought to myself.

I shook that thought off, because now was not the time to be thinking about my impending mate situation.

“Luke has experience tracking?” Jake asked him with a knowing smirk in my direction. My lack of reaction to the kid’s presence had told my old pal everything that he needed to know apparently.

“Yeah, umm, I used to run away a lot. He was always able to find me, even when I crossed water or did something to throw off my trail.”

“Be that as it may,” I said irritably. “We need to get all hands on deck before things go sideways.”

“Agreed,” Jake said with a decisive nod as he fired off a text. “Ryan,  are you sure that you don’t mind watching all these pups?”

Ryan smiled down at my cousin’s oldest pup, Sara. She’s an alpha female, and quite the fierce little thing. “Sara and Erin will help me with the younger pups, right girls?”

The two girls nodded quickly. Jake smiled down at his daughter, Erin. “Make sure the twins don’t give Ryan a hard time, pipsqueak.”

She flashed him a toothless grin and promised to be a good helper. They trailed off behind Ryan, as Micah came barrelling down the stairs and across the expansive living area.

“Did you guys hear? Aries told me through our bond, we need to get moving! That little shit of mine could be miles away by now.”

I didn’t dare tell him to calm down, because Fenris only knows how I’d be if it were my pup lost in the woods. Instead, I took a steady breath and nodded calmly.

“I was on my way to come find you. Kai just told us what happened. Jake texted everyone, we’re meeting out front now. Did Aries tell you where they were looking?”

Micah took a ragged breath, his eyes wild as he looked back and forth between the three of us. “He says that Luke caught the trail, he was headed southeast.”

“Oh, fuck!” Kai exclaimed, saying what we were all thinking. “That’s the direction of the highway!”

“We need to go,” Jake said calmly. Without another word we headed outside, already pulling off our clothes in anticipation of our coming shift.

A motley group of three alpha wolves and alpha bears waited for us already. I nodded in their direction as I quickly undressed alongside the others and we quickly shifted into our wolf forms.

We followed Micah as he immediately took the lead, given his link to Aries through their bond. Following him into the woods, we fanned out to join the search, keeping within shouting distance of each other.

I followed the pull of that sugary lemon drop scent. I’d decided to track Luke since he was on little Linus’ trail already. I could only imagine how worried my cousin and his mate were right now, with their three year old son on the loose. Focusing on that, I tried to block my own concern for my mate that was racing toward the highway in pursuit of the lost pup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Two

 

Luke

 

 

 

This day couldn’t get any worse. It had started at breakfast with Kai, our pack’s first-mate, insisting that Ryan and I help him and the other omegas take the pack pups on a run.

Normally, I wouldn’t mind helping the omegas take their pups out. I loved the little ones. But I’d smelled the most delicious peppermint scent when I woke up today, and I’d really wanted to follow up on that.

I knew that it was a sign that my fated mate was nearby, and I was dying to know who it was. The only single alphas in our pack were Daniel, and Maxx. Unless a new alpha had joined our pack and I hadn’t met him yet?

Maxx was my friend, so while it would be cool if it were him, it also would be more than a little weird. And Daniel! I’d had a secret crush on him since I was fifteen and he helped rescue us omegas from where were being held captive by our former Alpha.

Daniel. Daniel was so gorgeous. He was a quiet man, who always seemed to be in control of himself and his surroundings. I would dearly love to loosen one or two of his buttons and mess up his perfectly combed hair. His auburn brown hair was severely parted to one side, and never had a hair out of place.

I’d seen his stern face light up in laughter when he relaxed with his friends. I’d always loved to watch him, but never let it be obvious that I’d been looking. Not only had I been way too young for him in the past, but a guy as together as Daniel would never want a disorganized orphan like me for a mate.

His clothes were always perfectly matched and wrinkle free, while I was lucky if my socks matched on any given day. I adored his perfectly styled hair because I could never get my own shaggy brown hair to stay the way I put it. Seriously, my cowlicks had cowlicks. No joke.

He and his friends were a tight circle. While I was friendly with my packmates, I was only truly close with my brother. Ryan and I had been to hell and back together in our lives.

Our parents had died when we were too young to remember them. My mother had died in childbirth with Ryan, and our father had gone home that night and put a bullet into his brain. He hadn’t cared about the pups he was leaving behind, blinded by grief for his mate.

After that, we’d lived with our grandmother for a few years. When she died, we were alone in the world. Grammy hadn’t been part of a pack, so we’d bounced around human foster care for several years until one foster dad had been approached by the beta wolf of a local pack Alpha.

For a thousand dollars, he’d sold my brother and me to that man. At the time, I was thirteen and Ryan eleven. The Alpha had kept us in his cabin of omegas, with the intention of mating us when we reached maturity.

Thankfully, Alpha Jake and his friends had rescued us all. He had let us join them here, and made us pack. The past five years here had been the best years of our lives.

This pack was our family, and I was beyond thrilled that I had a mate here. I just wish I knew who it was. My crush, Daniel? Or my friend, Maxx. I was good with either one, but I was definitely hoping for Daniel.

I froze as I came toward the edge of the woods. Liam’s scent trail was leading me to the road, and I could hear a vehicle approaching in the distance.

With a loud howl to let my pack know where I was, I barreled through the trees and out onto the meadow that led to the road. I looked over, and there he was. Still in wolf form, the pudgy little pup was chasing a butterfly.

As he stepped onto the asphalt, I bounded toward him in a burst of speed. The world slowed down to a weird blur. A one ton pickup truck came over the rise.

It wasn’t speeding, but I just knew that it wouldn’t have enough time to see the pup and stop in time to miss hitting him. Linus stopped in the middle of the road, butterfly forgotten as he stood frozen, staring at the coming vehicle in shock.

I reached the road seconds before the truck could reach Linus, my heartbeat pounding a throbbing crescendo in my ears. Behind me, I was vaguely aware of my pack coming up behind us.

Without another thought, I leapt into the path of the truck. Seizing the pup by the scruff of his neck, I picked him up and tossed him to freedom with a turn of my neck. Right as Linus flew in a high arc toward safety, I felt the truck collide with my body.

The world was suddenly limited to a blur of sound, color, and the acrid scent of burning rubber where the truck had tried to stop. I felt myself somersault up over the hood. I crashed into the windshield before bouncing backward, and landing on the road with a dull thump.

Aries was the first to reach the scene, with Alpha Jake, Kai, and Daniel crowding in around me. I looked up, their four faces forming a circle over my prone body. I must have shifted back at some point, because when I mumbled to Aries, a single word came out. “Pup?”

With tears running down his face, Aries nodded. “He’s safe, you got to him just in time, Luke.”

I think I smiled? If not, I meant to, but the world faded to black at that point. After that, I have no idea what happened.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Three

 

Daniel

 

 

 

I had shoved my way through our friends, after impotently watching my mate be struck by the truck. His body had flopped through the air like a limp ragdoll after it bounced off the truck before finally landing a few feet from the shiny chrome grill.

He had shifted on impact, ending up lying there naked in the road. Flat on his back, his body was covered with scratches, welts, and bloody patches.

I was most concerned by his head. His hair was matted with blood on the left side of his skull. That beautiful face was smashed up. His nose looked not so much broken, but completely shattered. Luke’s chocolate brown eyes were hard to see through the surrounding swollen flesh.

Reaching to take his hand, I stopped just in time. His palms were abraded with gravel and dirt, the hands torn up to the point that one lone fingernail was literally hanging from the nailbed.

I was afraid to touch Luke anywhere on his body, lest I injure him or cause any more pain. Helpless, I looked around frantically for Doc Ollie.

The driver of the truck came rushing over, thankfully he smelled like a bear shifter so at least we didn’t have to worry about being outed to the humans on top of everything else.

“Holy shit, is that dude okay? Did the pup make it out okay? I didn’t see them until it was too late!”

Jake looked up at him and said: “Do you know the way to our lodge?”

“The wolf lodge right? That’s you guys? Sure, I know it. A couple of guys that I know joined your pack, right?”

Jake nodded as Ollie finally arrived. He came walking over in his human form. “Oskar. It is good to see you, but not in this circumstance. Your truck is still good to drive, yes?”

The other shifter glanced back at his truck, as if checking for damage. Other than a hairline crack in the windshield, there was no evidence of the accident it had just caused.

“Yes, I believe that it should be just fine. Is the little guy okay? Do you need to transport him to your lodge?”

Doc Ollie pushed us aside, not caring if any feelings were hurt as shouldered his way in to get close to the patient. His sole focus at the moment was on Luke. As it should be. Ollie checked him over silently while we all watched. Finally, he looked up with a slight tremble in his lip and spoke calmly.

“Yes, Oskar. I would appreciate the help transporting young Luke back to my clinic. He has many injuries, but he lives. Where there is life there is hope. That is the important part, yes?”

I still knelt at Luke’s side, across from Doc. “Will he be injured by moving him, Doc?”

Looking over at me, Doc shook his head absently. “No, no. I do not believe so, but we must be careful. Shifters are quite hardy, yes? He will heal, but it will be a painful process. I will watch over him in my cabin during his recovery. He will need much care. He is my assistant. This makes him my responsibility, yes?”

Micah had come over at some point, and I heard him speak from over my shoulder: “We appreciate that, but we want to tend to him, Doc. He just risked his life for our pup. Aries and I will take care of him.”

Jake eyed my growing consternation with concern, from where he squatted next to Doc. Not giving a shit who was listening, I blurted out: “No. Luke is mine to protect. He will be in my care. With Doc’s help, of course.”

Micah started to argue with me: “Dude, I know you like to control everything, but surely this not the time for --”
“Enough!” I growled. “Luke is my fucking mate. I figured it out right before Linus went missing. He will be in my care. Now, everyone who isn’t needed here needs to fuck back off up to the lodge and let Doc work.”

As soon as I said that, everyone shut the hell up. Doc looked over at me with new respect. Luke had worked for him as the clinic nurse for the past three years. It was obvious that the elderly bear cared deeply for my little mate.

“We need to move him now. I believe you are strong enough to lift him alone, Daniel. However, I cannot have him jolted. It would be best if you and our Alpha carried him together. We will lay him in the bed of the truck, yes?”

The driver hurried off to the back of his truck while I stood to pick up my mate’s prone body. Jake silently moved over to Luke’s legs, while I reached for his shoulders. Without being asked, Micah stepped forward to give his help as well.

“Thanks, guys. On my three?”

“You’re the boss right now, just lead on.”

I nodded. “One, two, three.” On three, we lifted him gently. Holding him still, we carefully went around to the back of the truck where Oskar had already lowered the tailgate and kindly spread out a sleeping bag across the bed.

Without jolting Luke, I climbed backwards into the truck bed. Walking back on my knees, I guided Jake to help me lay him in the middle of the truck.

I sat down with my back against the cab of the truck, holding Luke’s head on my lap. Jake and Micah hopped up in there with me, each taking up a position on either side of Luke to help me keep him steady for the ride home.

Once we were settled, Oskar closed the gate. He and Doc Ollie got in the truck, and soon we were slowly riding home. I looked over to the left, to see our pack standing there in a line, watching us drive away.

It would have been funny, under any other circumstance, to see a line of naked people standing there crying on the side of the road. It was like being in a sad version of a nudist parade. Well, maybe it wouldn’t be funny, but definitely weird. It was just a shifter thing though. Nudity was just a part of our lives, and we didn’t really think about it.

It was bittersweet when I saw little Linus on his dad’s hip, healthy and whole. My brave little mate had risked himself to save my cousin’s pup. As if reading my mind, Micah choked back a sob.

Flicking my eyes over to him, I smiled. “It’s okay, Mikey. Linus is safe now, and Luke will be okay too.”

“I know. I just can’t believe how close that was. You know as well as I do, that a pup wouldn’t have stood a chance the way an adult shifter could in an accident like that. Still. I can’t believe Luke risked his life for my son.”

Jake said softly, “I doubt Luke even thought about the risk to himself. He was just on a mission back there. Did you guys see how he snatched that pup up and tossed him to safety? It was amazing. I don’t know if any of us alphas would have reacted that fast.”

I carefully stroked Luke’s cheek with the back of my hand. “He was a brave guy back there. Thank Fenris he wasn’t killed. If Oskar had been going any faster? I don’t even wanna think about it.”

“I’m so sorry that my pup almost made you miss your mate on the same day that you discovered him, Danny Boy.”

“Hush. Any one of us would risk our lives for a pup, you know that. And Fenris wouldn’t be so cruel as to show me my mate and then take him away from me on the same morning, would he?”

Even as I tried to comfort my cousin, I couldn’t help but wish that it had been anyone else to find Linus first. But then again, maybe anyone else wouldn’t have reacted so quickly.

And even after he’d almost been killed, Luke’s only thought had been to ask about the pup. Crazy guy. I could see already that he was going to be the death of me, with his bravely impetuous behavior.

I wondered if it would be possible to talk him into being safer in the future. But then again, I didn’t want for anything to have happened to Linus either. How were you even supposed to protect a mate that didn’t seem to have a normal fear of death?

Jake must have seen something in my face, because he looked over at me and smiled gently.

“Danny? Whatever you’re thinking right now, just don’t try to think that you’ll be able to tame this guy or pin him down into safety with one of your fierce glares. This omega of yours isn’t built that way. He’s had a tough life, and that’s built him into who he is, you know? Get to know him, but please don’t get bossy. I’d hate to see you lose him before you even get a chance to claim him, okay?”

I nodded seriously, understanding what he meant. I was definitely the type to want to wrap those I loved in bubble wrap. Of course, that isn’t how the world worked.

The truck pulled up to the lodge then. Oskar came around to lower the tailgate, and we slowly reversed the steps that we’d taken to get him in here as we lifted him back out.

Carefully, we carried him up the steps into the lodge, where a teary eyed Ryan stood holding the door for us to go by with his brother. We carried Luke straight to the clinic, with Doc rushing ahead to ready the exam table.

Once he was settled, Doc sent us all out to wait while he took x-rays and check him over. Ryan was sitting there with Kai and Aries. Jake and Micah went over to hug their mates. Ryan jumped up and stood there looking up at me with his hands on his hips.

“Is it true?” He demanded after a long moment. “Is Luke your mate?”

I swallowed heavily, carding a hand through my hair as I nodded. “Yes. I realized it this morning, but you guys were already gone. I wasn’t sure if it was your brother’s scent that I was smelling, until you came back with the pups and had no scent that I could detect.”

He nodded, understanding me readily as only another shifter could. “And you will take care of him? You won’t let him ever be alone or get hurt again? You will keep him safe?”

“Well, I wasn’t exactly able to keep him from getting hurt today, now was I?”

Ryan smiled sadly. “No. Luke will always run headlong into danger to protect the innocent. It’s what he does. I meant, will you make sure that his heart doesn’t get broken? I want my brother to have what these guys have,” he waved a hand toward the other couples.

I smiled down gently at him, appreciating how the little dude was standing up for his brother. “I promise, Ryan. I will never purposely hurt your brother or let him be alone. Fenris made him mine to cherish. Is that okay with you?” I asked, mildly curious as to how he felt.

Ryan shrugged. “I’m okay with Luke getting his mate. Better him than me anyway.”

Before I could question him further, the door opened. Doc stepped out just far enough to motion for Kai to come back.

“Can I come, Doc?” I asked, stepping toward him.

He shook his head firmly, stating: “I am sorry, Daniel. I realize that you want to be with our Luke right now, but that is not the best idea. I do not allow alphas present when I am treating omegas. It is better for all of us if I am free to do my job without needing to fight off protective alphas, yes?”

I turned to Jake, perplexed. He clapped a hand on my shoulder and said: “It’s his rule, man. Welcome to the club, we’ve all had to live with it. Now just try to chill and trust that he will be okay. Let Kai help Doc.”

I watched Jake’s mate go in behind Doc and close the door. I felt a hand thread through mine, and looked down to see Ryan. He smiled up at me through teary eyes, and leaned into my side. I realized all at once that he was now my family too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Four

 

Luke

 

 

 

I woke up in a strange bed, with moonlight filtering in through the window beside me. Sensing another presence, I turned my head to see Daniel sitting in a straight backed wooden chair beside the bed.

I tried to speak, but no sound came from my parched throat. He stood up and poured me a glass of water from a pitcher on the night stand. Cradling my head, he helped me lift up enough to drink from the bendy straw that was tilted toward my lips.

After a few sips, I pulled back.

“Th-thank you.” The low, raspy sound of my voice was weird. “Where am I?”

“We are in one of the cabins. Doc and I thought you should have quiet while your body healed. The pups don’t make the lodge a quiet place, so we brought you here.”

I smiled, thinking of the large group of pups in our pack. They ranged in age from Zane’s infant daughter to Alpha Jake’s six year old. Each one of the little imps was adorable as heck, and I loved them all dearly.

“That reminds me, how is Linus? Was he hurt when I threw him?”

“Are you kidding me right now? You’ve been unconscious for days after nearly getting yourself killed, and you’re worried about that little rascal? He’s fine, thanks to you.”

“That’s good. I couldn’t have handled it, if he’d been hurt. Wait. Did you say days? I almost died?”

“Yes. You were lucky, Luke. A human would’ve been toast, I’ll tell you that. So would the pup, to be honest. That was amazing what you did there, even if it was scary as hell to watch.”

“How many days have I been out? Am I almost healed? What’s wrong with me anyway?”

“Four days.” Daniel answered. “Doc kept you sedated during the worst of it so your body could heal. Right now, you have a broken leg and some bruised ribs. Everything else is about healed, I think. But Doc will know more when he examines you.”

“Oh, wow. Umm, why are you here? Did you draw the short straw, or is everyone taking turns.”

“You can’t smell the reason that I’m here, Luke?”

I looked at him. Then took a long sniff through my nose. Scrunching my eyebrows and squinting my eyes, I tried to focus on the room and took another deep inhale.

Nothing. I couldn’t even catch a whiff of the flowers that were displayed in a large arrangement on a table near the window. It slowly occurred to me, that I couldn’t smell a single thing.

“This is freaky, Daniel. I can’t smell anything! Not even those totally gorgeous flowers over there. What’s wrong with me? My nose feels fine, but I literally cannot smell a damned thing.”

Daniel reached over and captured my flailing hand in his. Stroking the back of my hand with his thumb, he spoke softly to me. Calming me.

“It will be all right, Luke. Your body has been through a lot. Let’s wait and see what Doc says before we freak out. Focus on me for a moment. If you can’t smell my scent, tell me if you feel anything from my touch.”

I closed my eyes, trying to slow my pounding pulse. I took several deep breaths, and tried to ignore the electric zing that I felt from his touch. This was so not the time to let him know that I’d been crushing on him.

“Yes, I can feel you touching me. That’s not the problem. It’s my sniffer that’s the problem.”

Daniel’s low chuckle gave me goosebumps. He lifted my hand to his lips and placed a kiss on my wrist. I gaped at him, trying to figure out what the heck was actually happening right now.

“Luke. You cannot smell me, but do you feel the electricity when we touch? I am your mate. I’m here because I can’t bear to be anywhere else.”

I thought back to the morning before my accident, and the vague memory of having smelled something really good. But what if it was Maxx that I’d smelled? And as for the touch, I couldn’t trust that. I mean, after as long that I’d been totally crushing on Daniel? Of course my body was thrilled at his touch!

I shook my head. “I can’t trust that, Daniel. I want to, but what if it’s because I just really like being touched? I’m sorry, and I’m not saying that you’re wrong. Really, I’m not. I just don’t know what to think. I mean, I know I smelled someone before the accident, but what if it was Maxx? I just don’t know what to think.”

Daniel growled. Literally. He fucking growled. I’m embarrassed to admit it but my dick got hard from the sound.

“Would you prefer Maxx for a mate? Am I not good enough for you?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying at all.” I groaned, putting my free hand up against my cheek. “I mean, Maxx is my friend, you know? It would be a little weird if we mated, to be honest. No. I meant that I’m not good enough for you. You deserve someone more, umm, I dunno what. Just...more.”

“What I deserve is a mate designed for me by Fenris above. That would be you, Luke. If you can’t trust my touch, or smell my scent, then I will just have to work to show you that we belong together.”

I looked at him, wanting so damn much to believe his words. Life had taught me many lessons though, and the first of those was that good things really didn’t usually happen to me.

Except for when Alpha Jake had rescued me and brought me here. And my little brother. Oh! And my awesome job with Doc Ollie. And my pack that loved me. Okay, maybe good things happened to me. But still. Didn’t Daniel see that he was out of my league? I mean, seriously!

I looked over to see Daniel fiddling with his phone. He pocketed it a moment later.

“I just texted your brother and Doc to let them know that you’re awake. Oh, yeah. And you should probably know that I’ve already told the whole pack that you’re my mate. But don’t let that pressure you. I’ve got a plan now. Things will work out, you’ll see.”

The rush of information was a lot to hear at once. I let my head fall back on my pillow while I processed. After several minutes, I asked: “A plan? You have a plan?”

He stood and leaned over me. Looking down at me with a soft smile, he brushed my hair off my face before leaning over to press a gentle kiss to my forehead.

“Yes, until you can smell me or trust my touch, I will just have to prove to you that you’re my mate.”

“How exactly are you going to do that?”

“Simple. I just have to romance the shit out of you and make you fall in love with me. Easy peasy.”

I grinned up at him. “Easy peasy? After mentioning romance and shit in the same sentence? Dude. I think you should talk to Aunt Cat. She writes romance books, so maybe she could give you a better line or two.”

Daniel shuddered. “As much as I love Jake’s aunt, I think that I might just skip a chat with her about our love life.”

“We have a love life?”

“We will.” He winked, and stepped away from the bed after releasing my hand finally. “And Luke? I will definitely be romancing the shit out of you, you’ll see. I’ve never failed once I have a good plan in play.”

I couldn’t help the grin that spread over my face at his confident words. Fricken alphas and their confidence. I watched him open the door to my room. He looked back and raised a hand in a half wave.

“I’m going to let you rest, Doc is on his way now. I’ll see you soon, Luke.”

I watched him leave, both curious and anxious to see what his idea of romance would entail. I let my eyes drift to a close and rested until the door opened again. Blinking, I looked up to see Doc come in with Ryan right behind him.

“Lukie!” Ryan came rushing over and threw himself down on the bed beside me, curling up into me with a full body hug.

“Oof! Careful there, punk. I’m pretty fricken sore here!”

“Oops,” he said, as he loosened his hold on me. “Sorry, I forgot. I’m just so happy to see you awake and alive and actually here!”

Doc Ollie stood beside my bed, smiling down at me and wiping away a stray tear.

“Ah, Luke. It is so good to see you awake, my young friend. I have been concerned for you. It was an amazing thing that you did, to rescue that pup.”

“Hey, Doc,” I grinned. “It’s good to be back, although I guess it’s not the same for me since I didn’t even know that I was gone?”

Doc chuckled and opened his bag of medical tools. While Doc put on a pair of rubber gloves, I swatted Ryan’s booty and told him to move so that Doc could examine me. Reluctantly, he got up and sat in the chair that Daniel had been sitting in when I woke up.

“How are you feeling, Luke? Have you noticed anything of concern yet, or have you not been awake long enough just yet?”

I blushed. “Umm, actually? Daniel told me that he’s my mate, but I can’t seem to smell him. Or anything at all, for that matter.”

Doc nodded thoughtfully and began to slowly examine me. He was methodical but thorough. After he’d gone over me completely, he removed his rubber gloves and sat down at the foot of my bed.

“I want to first tell you that your body is healing nicely, Luke. It is doing just as I had expected it to do. The break in your leg is already healing, by this time next week you should be tender but healed.”

“Thank Fenris for shifter genes, right?”

Doc smiled. “Exactly right, Luke. You are fortunate. A human body would take months to heal, yes? Now, the soreness in your ribs should be gone by tomorrow or the following day at most.”

He paused to pick up my hand, and show me a half grown fingernail on my left pinkie. “This nail was completely torn off, yet it is already halfway healed. It will be the same with the rest of you. If you had seen the state of your hands and face, it would have troubled you. Yet you have healed. I believe it will be the same with the anosmia.”

“An-oz-what now?” I asked curiously.

“Anosmia is a medical condition that is often caused by injury to the head. You have most likely suffered a fracture of the ethmoid bone. What it means is that you have lost your ability to smell. Take heart, my friend. Most of your other injuries have healed already, I believe that this will too. It may take a bit longer, but it will most likely heal.”

Ryan scratched his head and asked: “What’s the ethmoid bone, Doc? I’ve never heard of it.”

Doc pushed his glasses up his nose and turned to my brother. “It is a small, lightweight bone that separates the nasal cavity from the brain. It is a spongy bone that is easily fractured, especially in a traumatic injury such as the one that your brother has suffered.”

“Wow, that’s actually pretty cool.” Ryan said, chewing thoughtfully on his bottom lip.

“Will I need an xray to confirm this, Doc?”

“If you were human, I might push for more testing. As a shifter who was injured just four days ago? I would not bother, I think. Any damage is most likely on its way to being healed by now. That is why I want to wait and see what happens with your anosmia.”

“But what if I can’t ever smell anything ever again?” I panicked, thinking of all the best smells in the world. Fresh cut grass. First rainfall. Bacon. Mate!

“What about Daniel though? What if I can never smell him?”

“Then you will trust the tingles when you touch, or the magnetic pull that should also be present. We shifters have many ways of knowing our mates, yes?”

“But, what if I can’t trust those ways?”

Doc look perplexed, but Ryan giggled knowingly. “He means that he’s had a huge crush on Daniel since forever ago and his little omega heart will go pitter-patter whenever that alpha is in the room whether it’s fated or not.”

I blushed furiously. Doc patted my hand though, and said gently: “Who is to say if your crush was not your intuition already leading you in the correct direction? You were too young for your mate in the past, but now it seems to be the time that fate wants to bring you together. Perhaps you should follow your heart and not think so much, yes?”

I shrugged as I looked up into his kind eyes. “Thank you, Doc. I will think about all that. Hopefully my smeller will decide to work again soon.”

“Oh, crap. What if you can never smell bacon again?” Ryan asked with a horrified expression on his face.

“Right? That was like one of my first thoughts too!”

Doc shook his head with a smile as he stood to gather his tools. “Are you okay with staying here a little longer, Luke? I wanted to keep you in a quiet place, but if you miss being in the lodge, we can move you back.”

Ryan looked sad, like he missed me. But I had to admit, it was nice to have this quiet time.

“I’m actually good out here, Doc. It’s nice to have the quiet, I gotta admit. Hey, Ry, you wanna sleep out here tonight? I could use the company if you want.”

“Yeah, we’ve been taking turns staying with you anyway. I usually take the night shift, so that you’re not alone. I’ve got my bag in the other room already.”

“Awesome.” I bumped fists with him, and looked up at Doc who was ready to leave. “Thanks for taking care of me, Doc. Is everything okay in the clinic?”

Doc rolled his eyes dramatically, making both me and Ryan giggle. “Do not ask me about our office, Luke. Kai has been helping out. He is a good boy, but not the most organized, yes?”

I totally grinned at that. The idea of kooky Kai, who usually went like ten different directions at once, trying to work with my logical, plodding bear of a boss was just hilarious.

Ryan and I looked at each other and shouted “Squirrel” in sync. Doc looked confused, which only made it funnier. We were still giggling as he smiled and waved gently on his way out the door.

“So, other than Hurricane Kai ruining my office, is there anything else that I need to know about?”

Ryan came back over and flopped down on the bed beside me, ready to fill me in on the gossip that I’d missed this week.

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning, there was a knock on the cabin door. Ryan went to answer it, coming back a few moments later carrying an exquisite crystal vase partially filled with just six yellow roses.

He smelled the roses, smiling at their perfume. I reached for the vase, but was disappointed immediately when I couldn’t smell a damned thing. I handed it back over sadly.

“Oh, I almost forgot! There was a card with the flowers!” Ryan reached in his t-shirt pocket and pulled out a small yellow envelope that coordinated perfectly with the roses.

I fumbled with the flap and pulled the card out with shaking hands.

“Read it out loud! Is it from Daniel? What did he say?”

I glared at my brother for interrupting my moment. I wanted to read my note privately, but short of kicking him out after all he’d done for me, I had no choice but to read it in front of him.

 

 

My dearest Luke,

I promised to romance you. Love starts with friendship, right? Here are six roses, yellow in color. Yellow roses mean friendship and the promise of a new beginning: the beginning of the lifetime of friendship that I hope we will share. The number of roses has its own meaning. I’ll let you google that one though. May I come to visit you later this afternoon? Text me if you’re up to having guests. I’m thinking of you, Luke.      xox, Daniel

 

 

I looked up at Ryan and passed him the card to see for himself while I grabbed my phone off the nightstand to Google the roses thing. It only took a second, and I found the information. Apparently, the number of roses you give someone has as much meaning as the color.

I scrolled down the list, gasping when I saw the meaning. Giving six roses to someone meant I wanna be yours? I held my phone up to show Ryan. I was so excited that I would’ve been jumping on the bed or dancing around the room if it weren’t for my broken leg.

“Dude! This is the most romantic thing that I’ve ever seen! Are you gonna mate him now? I mean, damn!”

I blushed as I admitted what was on my mind. “Is it bad if I say no?”

“What the hell, Luke? Are you insane?”

“No, but...is it bad that I really want to see what he does next? I mean, he told me last night that he has a plan! And the note said that friendship is the start. I kinda, umm, wanna enjoy the ride?”

“Oh, shit. Luke. That is epic. I mean, wow. You’re right. I bet Daniel has this whole amazing plan and you’d be stupid to ruin it by folding on day one, right?”

“You don’t think I’m being selfish?”

“If you are, it’s the first time in your life that you have been. But no. Not really. I mean, you can’t smell him! If you can’t trust the normal mating stuff, then you need to know that you have more in common than just a lust for that hot bod of his.”

“Hey. Eyes off my future mate.”

“Sorry, not sorry? The man is eye candy, bro. Don’t deny it. And until you lock him down and make him my brother, I’ll look all I want.”

“Ryan? That was creepy, sweet and...well...mostly creepy.”

“You’re creepy. Now text him!”

“What should I say?” I bit my bottom lip anxiously, not sure how to do this whole adulting friendship romance/mating dance thing.

I reached for my phone that Ryan still held, but he turned his back and tapped out a text before tossing it down on the bed beside me.

Glaring at him, I snatched up my phone and looked at the sent text.

3:00?

Before I could yell at him, a reply appeared on my screen.

See you then ;)

“A winky face? Seriously? Wow, I just lost so much respect for your man, Lukey. I mean, what is he? A teenage girl? Circa 2007?”

“Shut up, Ryan! And quit looking over my shoulder, asshat.”

Ryan grinned and went into the bathroom. Right before he shut the door, he smirked at me and said: “You should be nice to me. With that gimp leg, who else is gonna help you shower so that your balls don’t stink when lover-boy gets here?”

I gasped, looking at my kid brother in horror as he shut the door with his giggles echoing through the wall. Little shithead. The worst part was that he was completely right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Five

 

Daniel

 

 

 

I walked up to Luke’s cabin, carrying today’s offering of six lavender roses. We’d had a great time yesterday afternoon. I hadn’t touched him romantically, other than to kiss the back of his hand when I said good-bye.

I’d helped Ryan get him into the open floor living/dining room and we’d gotten him settled on the couch with his leg comfortably propped up. We had spent the afternoon playing checkers and getting to know each other better.

As hard as it was to not rush him into a claim, it was actually nice to take our time and get to know each other. Most fated couples didn’t get a chance to do that until they were already mated. It was cool to be doing something different. Especially since I’ve always followed the rules.

I grinned to myself as I knocked on the door. I was thinking of how being a gentleman and not rushing Luke was making me a rebel to our wolf traditions. Me, the guy known for being Mr. Straitlaced was a rebel now.

“What’s so funny, Romeo?” Ryan was at the door with a curious look on his face.

“Nothing. I was just thinking.”

“Yeah, well, it better not have been about my brother’s ass. I don’t need to hear about that kind of shit.”

I rolled my eyes and said drolly: “Then why are you the one bringing it up, Ryan? Hmm?”

He threw his head back and laughed out a loud braying noise that made me grin. Ryan was a crazy kid. I couldn’t help but like him. I followed him into the cabin, and closed the door behind me.

Luke was already sitting on the couch, his leg propped up on the coffee table. He smiled up at me, his cheeks blushing pink as he shyly patted the cushion beside him. By Fenris, he was a pretty boy!

I walked over and sat down, handing him the roses. Luke lifted them automatically to his nose, only to look disappointed when he couldn’t smell them.

“Hey, it’s okay. You’ll smell them soon enough,” I said softly. “Don’t stress about it, honey. I know it’s hard, but I have every faith that your nose will work again before you know it.

Luke smiled sadly. He handed Ryan the roses. “Can you arrange these in the vase with the yellow ones from yesterday for me? Even if I can’t smell them, they’ll still make a gorgeous bouquet.”

Ryan took them and looked at me with a teasing smirk. “What, no card this time, Romeo?”

I could have kicked myself for forgetting. With a chagrined smile, I reached into my pocket and passed Luke the card that I’d put in a lavender envelope designed to coordinate with the flowers again.

“Oops, I was supposed to give you this with the roses. Good thing that Ryan was here to remind me, right?

Luke clawed nervously at the envelope, before finally pulling out the card. I nervously watched him read the note I’d written. He smiled shyly as he read it, his already pink cheeks blushed into a deeper red.

 

 

My dearest Luke,

Lavender roses reflect love at first sight, although for wolf shifters such as ourselves, maybe it would be better described as love at first scent? I know that you can’t smell me yet. I can smell you though, and the scent is delicious. You smell almost as good as you look!                             xox, Daniel

 

 

Luke carefully put the note back in its envelope, then put it away in his pocket. I liked that he was saving it and not tossing it on the table or passing it to his brother. It was a private missive between us. I appreciated that he treated it as specially as I’d meant for it to be.

“So, what shall we do today? I know you can’t leave yet, and you’re probably tired of checkers after yesterday.”

“Umm. Ryan brought my laptop, if you’d like to watch a movie. Or we could stay electronic free, and I could show you some of the stuff that I like to do.”

I was intrigued by what might interest him, outside of movies. The more I was around Luke, the more I wanted to know about him.

“Why don’t you show me what you like to do then? We can always watch a movie later, right?”

Luke smiled happily, and pulled a large plastic toolbox style case onto his lap from the table beside him. Ryan came back in while Luke was opening it to reveal leather strips, beads, and other crafty looking items.

“Oh, damn. You’re screwed now, Daniel. Once he gets into that shit, it’s hard to get his attention. Anyway, I’m gonna go up to the lodge and give you guys some privacy. I left a pan of lasagna warming in the oven if you guys get hungry. Text me if you need me, Luke. Otherwise, I’ll be back after dinner. Have fun!”

I started to politely stop him from leaving, but Luke flashed me a grin and shook his head silently. Instead, I kept my mouth shut and let him go.

After the door closed, I looked at Luke with a raised brow.

He shrugged. “I figured, if this is about us getting to know each other, then maybe it might be nice to not have my kid brother around, right?”

I couldn’t argue with that logic. “So what are we doing? I don’t think that I’ve done a craft project since grade school. No offense.”

Luke bit his lip and looked up at me from under his lashes as if he were deciding how much he wanted to share with me. After a moment, he seemed to come to a decision as he lifted the tray and pulled out another one with finished leather bracelets.

“I haven’t showed this to anyone in the pack, except for Ryan, of course. This is my hobby, but my brother is trying to get me to sell them. Like online maybe? I dunno, he thinks that I could sell them on one of those crafty websites.”

“May I see them?”

He nodded, and passed me the tray. My breath caught as I pulled out piece after piece of stunningly crafted leather jewelry. I realized that it was more than braided leather bracelets with beaded ornaments. He also had wide hand-tooled cuffs and even a few necklaces.

“These are amazing, Luke. How do you get the metal snaps on there and those pointy things?”

He smiled patiently, and said: “I have several different tools that punch through the leather, and attach different things to it. I was actually thinking of maybe making a belt next, it would be a nice gift for Ryan. I just only have so much money to spend on a hobby.”

“But, Luke. This could be so much more than that, honey. You could definitely make money selling these, your brother is right on that point. These are gorgeous. What more would you need, if you wanted to do this more seriously?”

“Well, I have some basic tools, like a beveler and stylus. I have a punch set, and a good mallet. My modeling tools are basically the same ones that are used for working clay, they work great for tooling leather. I would like more tools eventually, in a variety of sizes. And a place to spread out and work.”

He trailed off for a second, his eyes staring off into the corner as he mentally went over what he wanted to say.

“I’ve been buying mixed grab bags of small leather pieces from a vendor online, but I would love to order larger pieces in different thicknesses for a better variety.”

My mind spun, already planning different things that I could do to help Luke expand his hobby into a business at some point.

“Eventually, I would love to try pyrography where you burn designs into the leather. Even acrylic paint and brushes would be nice too. I just haven’t branched out into the fancy stuff yet. Mostly because it’s not safe to have that stuff around with the pups roaming freely in the lodge, you know? If I ever get serious, I will need a workshop.”

“Well, that’s definitely something I can help you with in the future, if you decide you want to branch out more. I’m pretty good at planning things, in case you haven’t noticed.”

Luke laughed. “Duh! Of course, you’re the perfect guy for that job! But I’m not ready yet. First, I’d need to make sure that Doc has help in the clinic to take my place, and then there’s, well...us.”

“What about us? I would never hold you back from doing something that you wanted to do. Especially when you have so much talent. It would be a crime to hold you back from your dreams.”

“No, I didn’t mean that exactly. I meant that I would want to focus on us first. And if we get together, we’ll probably be starting our own family, right? And I would need to tend to our pups.”

“Do you want to start a family right away? I do want pups, but I don’t want to rush you into fatherhood or keep you from exploring your dreams. We could ask Doc for birth control if we decide to mate.”

Luke blushed. He looked down at his box of tools, idly picking through bits of leather as he spoke.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of if we mate, right? I mean, isn’t that the whole point of us getting to know each other right now? And yeah, I definitely want pups. Especially while I’m young enough to chase them. Besides, you should probably know that omega birth control rarely works well. The side effects are too much for me to risk.”

I gulped as I realized how much he’d obviously been thinking about all this. I was embarrassed to realize that I’d spent more time thinking of how to get him and please him, than I had of actually planning the future logistics of our relationship and what it would entail.

This was totally unlike me, my friends would laugh their asses off if they ever heard about it. Hell, this whole venture was completely different from my normal behavior. It was good though, I was enjoying this new side of myself.

“Well, okay. But having pups doesn’t mean that your life is over. Just because the other omegas want to be the primary caregivers for their pups doesn’t mean that we have to do it that way.”

Luke shot me an amused expression. “So you’re saying that you’d be an active part of raising our family?”

I shrugged. “Why not? Won’t they be both of ours? Why shouldn’t we be equally involved. My dads were equally involved with raising me.”

“Really?” He looked shocked. “But most alphas don’t do that, Daniel.”

“True, it’s not a normal alpha thing. But my omega dad would have smacked me sideways if he’d ever heard me say something wasn’t my job because I’m an alpha. My alpha dad was also pretty firm about equality. It was just how things were in my house.”

“Your parents are also gone now?”

I nodded soberly. “Yeah. I was a late life baby for them. A surprise that they hadn’t expected or planned. They passed away from natural causes a couple of years before we met you guys.”

“They died together?” Luke looked confused.

I leaned back and stretched my arms across the back of the couch. “My omega dad had cancer, to be honest. It was kind of sudden. He was diagnosed and died within six weeks. My alpha dad had a heart attack three months later. I think he just couldn’t live without his omega.”

“But he had you, right?”

I snorted. “My dads didn’t need me. Don’t get me wrong, they loved me. It was just that they’d lived so many years before I came along, that I wasn’t necessary for their equation. Our home was a formal place. I was expected to behave as a gentleman. It was important that I keep my room clean with my toys and books organized. Basically, I was to be seen and not heard.”

“That’s sad, Daniel. I didn’t have parents, but at least I had Ryan. I wish you’d had a sibling. It would have been different for you, I bet.”

“Maybe. It’s hard to say. But don’t feel sorry for me, honey. I had a safe childhood and good friends, you know? There’s a lot to be said for that. My cousin Micah and Jake are like brothers to me anyway. Owen too. We have a lot of history together.”

Luke nodded silently. I hated to make him feel bad for my lonely childhood when his had been so full of loss and horror. I lowered my hand from the back of the couch to rest it on his back.

With a pleased smile, Luke started picking through his toolbox again. “Why don’t we get started then? I can teach you how to make a basic bracelet, unless you’d rather watch me this time?”

“At the risk of sounding corny, I can’t think of a better thing to do than to just sit here watch you and your talent at work.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Six

 

Luke

 

 

 

I woke up on day three, eager to see what Daniel had planned for today. But after I was dressed, my phone pinged with an incoming text.

 

Luke, I’ll miss you today but Jake needs me for pack business it seems. How about breakfast tomorrow? I’ll cook.

 

As disappointing as it was to know that I wouldn’t see him today, I totally got that his job was important to the pack. Jake wouldn’t pull him away if it wasn’t important. It wasn’t Alpha Jake’s style. I sent back a text without taking time to agonize about it.

 

Breakfast tomorrow sounds awesome. 10 okay?

 

His reply was almost immediate.

 

10 is perfect, it’s a date!

 

I pocketed my phone and used my crutches to get myself out to the living room. Doc thought that I’d only need them for a couple more days at best. I hoped so, but I was glad to at least have the crutches for now. With them, I could finally be mobile again.

After Ryan and I had finished breakfast, there was a knock at the door. I went to get it while my brother did the dishes.

Micah, Aries, and all four of their pups were standing there. Aries was holding a bouquet of six perfect pink roses.

I shuffled backward and invited them in. “Come on in you guys, it’s great to see you. I hope you don’t mind if I just kick back on the couch while we visit?”

Sara, their oldest pup, followed me over with Dylan and Linus right behind her. Their toddler, Dane, was on Micah’s hip. The little ones all waited while I sat down and lifted my leg up onto the coffee table.

Once I was settled, Linus and Dylan snuggled in on either side of me while their alpha sister sat on the edge of the coffee table a few inches away from my leg. With any other pup, I would have been worried about having her so close to my injured limb. Sara was a well controlled pup though, and could be trusted not to bump into me.

Micah pulled up a chair from the dining area and sat there with Dane on his lap while Aries sat down next to Linus and held out the roses.

“A certain admirer of yours asked us to deliver these when he heard we were coming to visit.”

I took them happily, smiling when I saw the small pink envelope nestled in between the blooms. Ryan came walking in, drying his hands on a dishtowel.

“Ooh! Pink ones today! Did Romeo remember the card?”

I glared over at my brother, and held up the card. “Yes, but I’ll save it for later. Would you mind adding these to the others?”

Aries perked up, “Others? There are more?”

Ryan sat down on the arm of the couch next to him, and began telling them about Daniel and the colored roses.

Aries turned to me with a big grin. “Are you seriously telling me that our Daniel is freaking romancing you? And the roses actually have different meanings? Holy crap, that’s awesome!”

Micah added in: “Are you sure you don’t wanna open that card? I’d really like to know what the pink ones mean.”

Ryan already had his phone out, the little dick. “Here it is! Google says that pink roses signify sweet thoughts and admiration.”

Micah smirked and said in a high-pitched voice: “Aw, my cousin admires you and is thinking of you today.”

Aries gave his mate the side-eye and turned back to me. “And the card always comes in an envelope to match the flowers? That’s so Daniel! He’s just the type to match everything like that and plan even his romance down to a science.”

I defended Daniel. “I think it’s sweet, and thoughtful. I mean, who else would have thought of something like this?”

Aries asked if he could see the other roses. Reluctantly, I nodded and Ryan went into my room to get them. When he set the vase on the coffee table, even Micah looked impressed. I handed him the new roses after a quick sniff test to see if I could smell them yet.

Of course I couldn’t! Wouldn’t I have smelled them when they came in the room? But I’d still needed to try and see if I could get the faintest whiff. I watched as Ryan fiddled with the flowers, mixing the new ones in to make a colorful bouquet. I would do it myself, but my brother had always loved to arrange flowers. It was his thing, and I couldn’t deny him the pleasure.

After they all teased me for awhile about Daniel, we moved on to other topics. Mostly, my injuries and how grateful they were that I’d been able to save Linus.

I looked down at his pudgy little face, and couldn’t regret a second of my pain. Even the loss of my sense of smell was minor in comparison to the threat of losing this precious little one.

“I’m okay, guys. But Linus, do you promise to never, ever, ever run off like that again? You scared us, pup.”

He nodded, looking up at me seriously. “Daddy said I can’t chase butterflies without him.”

“Your daddy is right, that’s not safe for pups.” I said kindly as I smiled down at him and tapped his nose with my fingertip.

Thankfully, they didn’t stay much longer when Dane started yawning. He was obviously ready for nap-time. Aries gave me a big hug, and whispered in my ear: “I owe you everything for saving my pup, Luke. I will never forget this as long as I live.”

When he pulled away, I reached up and brushed a lone tear off his cheek. “Let it go, Aries. He’s okay now, and we’re all safe, right? Besides, it looks like I’m going to be related to you guys at some point when Daniel and I get together. It’s somehow fitting that I was the one to rescue your pup.”

Micah snorted from behind Aries. “I can think of better welcome to the family moments! Or at least, less scary ones.”

I grinned. “True. At least it was memorable though, right?”

“No kidding!” Aries replied with a shudder.

They finally left after another round of hugs. While my brother was busy in the other room, I took a moment to open my card at last.

 

My dearest Luke,

These pink roses are to say that I admire you and am thinking of you today while we’re apart. But that’s nothing new. I’m always thinking of you these days.                                          xox, Daniel

 

I tucked the card into my pocket to put away with the others later. I was saving them all. And before the roses died, I planned to press one of each color to save. I had never had anyone do something like this for me, and I wanted to remember it forever.

 

The following morning, Daniel was at the door right on time. I was at the table reading, with my leg propped up on a chair beside me. I looked up and smiled at the bouquet of six orange roses that he held.

When he handed them to me, he did something different. This time, he leaned in and gave me a light kiss on my cheek. I felt an electric tingle shoot straight down my spine at the touch of his lips.

I looked up at him with shock, and could tell from his knowing smirk that he’d felt it too.

“Was that what you meant that first day? About how I should feel electricity from your touch?”

He chuckled and shook his head. “Sorry, honey. You had your shot at the insta-love quick claim. We chose to go the scenic route through the romance territory instead, remember? Now you have to wait until my plan unfolds and I finish romancing the shit out of you.”

I rolled my eyes. “I thought we discussed the fact that shit is not a romantic term?”

Ryan faked a cough behind us. “Umm, I’m just gonna go? Would you like me to put those roses with the others first?”

Embarrassed at having forgotten that my brother was still here, I nodded and held out the roses. “Thanks, Ry. I appreciate it.”

Daniel went over to the small kitchen, humming under his breath as he pulled things out of a canvas tote he’d brought along with him. Ryan grinned and shook his head. He took the roses and disappeared into my room for a few minutes.

“By the way,” Daniel said over his shoulder. “The card’s on the table.”

I looked down, and sure enough. There was the orange envelope that perfectly matched today’s roses. I opened it slowly and pulled it out.

 

My dearest Luke,

Orange roses are slightly risque. They represent enthusiasm, fascination and passionate desire. Can I just say that I’m enthusiastically fascinated by the idea of us sharing passionate moments at some point in the (hopefully!) near future???                             xox, Daniel

 

 

Daniel was watching me out of the corner of his eye as he busily stirred something in a small bowl. I knew damn well that I was blushing as I put the card in my pocket and tried to be casual.

“I like the orange ones the best so far,” I said quietly.

Daniel looked over at me and winked. “It’s my favorite too, so far.”

Ryan came out of the bedroom then, and went straight for the door. “Text me when you want me back; I’m gonna hang with Zane and his pups today. He wants me to teach him how to tie-dye.”

“Really?” I asked curiously. “What about his mates?”

“I guess that Owen is on patrol and Karl is doing a favor for Doc. Something about his son? Did you even know that Doc Ollie has a son? That’s weird, right?”

I shook my head and chuckled. “No, it’s not weird. Doc had a mate that passed away a few years before he came here. His son lives in the human city. He stayed there after he graduated college. He teaches grade school, I think.”

“Wow, and we never met him before? That’s weird. Sorry to break it to you, Lukey. I know how much you love Doc.”

“That’s not even true, you idiot! You’ve absolutely met Ivan! He was one of the bears that helped guard us when we first came here and Alpha Jake was worried about Alpha Fremont coming after us. Remember?”

Ryan thought for a second. “Okay. I think that I do remember him now. That’s Doc’s son? Wow. I totally wouldn’t have pictured them as being related.”

I shrugged. “Maybe he looks like his mom? I don’t know. And as for him not visiting much, the bears aren’t like us as a rule. They tend to be loners, and not live in packs. There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just different.”

“Whatever. I’ll wait and meet him again before I call him weird, is that better?”

“As a matter of fact, yes it is.” I said with a smirk.

Ryan tapped the door and headed out with one last parting thought. “See you later, have fun with Romeo!”

I shook my head and laughed at my brother’s irreverence as I put away my laptop and cleared the table for breakfast.

Daniel came over and set two plates down, one for each of us. He had made us what looked like biscuits and gravy. He came back with a bowl of fresh fruit, and a plate of bacon. I waited while he served us each a glass of orange juice and a mug of creamy looking coffee.

“Damn, I wish I could smell all of this food. I bet it’s amazing.”

“I just hope it still tastes good for you.”

“Oh, I can taste somewhat without my sense of smell. It’s just not as good as being able to smell it too, you know?”

He nodded. “I hope you like the gravy, it’s my dad’s recipe. We had it every Saturday growing up.”

“Is that sausage in it? It looks so good.”

I took a bite of creamy gravy with the meaty chunks. Combined with the flaky biscuit, it was the perfect bite. I could only imagine how much better it would taste if I could freaking smell it.

“You like it?” Daniel asked after I’d had a few bites and taken a drink of juice.

“I love it.” I smiled over at him. “I appreciate you going to all of this trouble for me.”

He looked almost embarrassed as he nodded. “It was my pleasure. I wanted to make up for yesterday.”

“Why should you have to apologize for that? You had to do your job for the pack, I get that. Am I allowed to know what took you away? Or is it top secret?”

Daniel snorted. “We’re a small pack in an isolated mountain area, not the CIA, honey. Trust me, there’s nothing that I can’t share with you.”

I ducked my head. I loved it when he called me honey.

“So, about yesterday.” Daniel continued. “The day you got in the crash Jake and I were talking about how the pups need an education now that they are all getting older.”

Nodding, I said: “That’s true! And I doubt there are any schools close enough. I mean, the bears probably have one, but that’s at least fifty miles away.”

“Exactly. That’s why Doc’s kid is coming today, by the way. Jake and I are interviewing him tomorrow. If it works out, he’ll be a live-in teacher. I was busy yesterday going over all the stuff that was done this week to get the first cabin next door to the lodge set up as a one room schoolhouse type deal.”

“Seriously? That’s awesome, Daniel! Let me guess, another one of your plans?”

His lip curled up in a half smile. “Something along those lines. Anyway, the guys have been painting and getting it set up all week. I went to town yesterday to buy a teacher’s desk and some long tables and chairs for the pups. We figured that a few tables would work better in the small space than a bunch of individual desks.”

“Did you guys think of cubbies and school supplies too?”

Daniel rolled his eyes. “Are you really asking me if I thought of every possible need? Please. My contingency plans have back-ups. You’ll learn that about me, I guess.”

I smiled. “I look forward to it.”

We looked at each other for a moment, then went back to eating. It was a nice, companionable meal. I could easily picture decades of meals like this with him as my mate.

After breakfast, Daniel made me relax and drink another cup of coffee while he cleaned up from our meal.

“Hey, I just realized something.” I said, after I’d thought over our talk. “Did you say that you’re interviewing Ivan tomorrow?”

Daniel put the last dish away and wiped his hands as he gave me a sad smile. “Yeah, and it means exactly what you probably think it means.”

“I won’t be seeing you tomorrow.”

“You got it on the first try.” He looked sad for a minute. “Seriously though, I’m sorry. I just don’t want to keep you waiting up for me and I don’t know when I’ll be done. If Ivan takes the job, we have a lot of ground to go over with him. Then we have to meet with all the parents in the pack, and introduce them to Ivan. There’s just a million little details, but I’m devoting tomorrow to it. Because, you see, I have plans on Saturday.”

“You have plans on Saturday too? Does that mean I won’t see you then either?”

He grinned at me. “No, weirdo. Saturday is for you. We are going out on a date.”

“We are? Really? What are we doing?”

“Nope. Can’t tell you that yet. It’s a surprise. Doc says your cast is coming off tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah. I should be sore but totally able to walk on Saturday.”

“Perfect. That date is the final part of my plan. Having you up on your feet again will make it just right.”

“Do I get a hint?”

Daniel came over and slid one hand under my thighs and the other around my back. Lifting me easily, he carried me over to the couch. He sat down with me tucked onto his lap.

I wrapped my arm around his neck, and rested the other on his shoulder. With my head tucked under his chin, I let him cuddle me. It was the first real physical contact we’d had yet. There was something to be said for the way that we were easing into our relationship, rather than just hopping in bed for a night of hot sex followed by claiming bites.

As if reading my mind already, Daniel spoke quietly. “I like the way that our relationship is different from the way that our friends got together, you know? I feel like this is special, what we’re sharing right now.”

“Me too,” I said softly, looking forward to the rest of our day together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Seven

 

Daniel

 

 

I slipped onto the porch while the pack was still at breakfast. I left six red roses on Luke’s door mat, with a small red envelope tucked in between the blooms. One more day. I just had to get through today, and then tomorrow I would give him the final part of his large bouquet.

I imagine that some people might think that splitting up three dozen roses between six different colors over six days might be a little over the top. Maybe? I don’t know. But the look on his face every time I gave him another half dozen in a new color was priceless.

It made me feel good to know that I was making him feel like special. I was just saddened by the thought that nobody ever had before. Obviously as his mate it was my priority to do this, but how could nobody ever had taken the time to show the omega his value before now?

I had struggled with the writing of this most recent card. Going into this, I hadn’t realized how vulnerable I would need to be when writing these cards. It was good for me though. If I wanted for him to know how I felt, and to fall in love with me when he couldn’t smell my pheromones, I had lay myself bare. But damn, was it hard. I smiled as I pictured the words I’d written on today’s note.

 

 

My dearest Luke,

As you probably know, red roses represent love. Although commonly known to mean ‘I love you’, they also have other meanings. Red roses stand for true love, respect, courage, and passion. Wow! It’s true though. It took more courage than you’ll ever know for me to show my passion and respect for you. The more time I’ve spent with you, the more that I find myself falling in love with you. You, Luke. Not just your luscious lemon drop scent, but you the man. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to know you better. Enjoy these roses. They mean what you think they do: I love you, Luke.        xox Daniel

 

 

I walked back over to the lodge. Jake was heading into his office with his Aunt Cat as I came in. The sprightly little senior smiled up at me and reached out for a hug. Without protest, I bent over and gently hugged the little bit of four foot something.

“Daniel! I was just hearing the most interesting story at breakfast. I was about to ask my nephew for my details, but here you are in the flesh! Now come in here and tell me all about this rainbow bouquet that you’ve been slowly putting together for our young Luke.”

I flicked my gaze over to Jake, but he held his palms out and shook his head. “Don’t look at me, man. You’re the one who asked Micah and Aries to take those flowers to your boy the other day. You can only blame yourself. I know the rest of us are!”

I followed him and Aunt Cat into the office, closing the door behind me. While Jake walked around the desk to take his seat, I helped Aunt Cat into one of the cushy guest chairs on this side of the huge executive style desk.

“What do you mean by that? Am I to blame for something?”

Jake snorted while Aunt Cat chortled merrily. “Oh, Daniel! You should have been at breakfast, my dear! The omega boys were giving these alphas hell today!”

I looked curiously over at Jake, as a grin spread across my face. “Oh, yeah? What did you guys do now?”

Jake huffed out a breath. “It’s not what we did, it’s what we didn’t do. Apparently, if my uptight second in command can turn into Mr. Romance, the rest of us are sadly lacking. Our mates want to know why Luke is the first one to get flowers around here.”

Aunt Cat added: “And the best part is that you haven’t even had sex yet! The fact that you’ve been going over there and visiting him to get to know him as a person before trying to bed him is making you quite the legend around here right now.”

My jaw dropped. “You guys are discussing whether Luke and I have, well, umm...if we’ve --”

“Fucked? Had that little omega riding that fat alpha knot? Played hide the salami?” Aunt Cat interrupted with a stream of words that made me go red in the face.

Jake cracked up at my obvious discomfort as I wiped a hand over my face and suppressed a shudder.

Aunt Cat wrote smutty romance books for a living, in addition to running a popular blog that tested sexual toys. It also covered aids like flavored lubes and sensual massage gels. She’d made a good career out of sex and romance, but that didn’t mean that I wanted to discuss my love life with the lady.

“Okay, I’m sorry. I’ll be good. Now tell me what you’re doing with all these roses, Daniel! It is the most romantic thing that I’ve ever heard of! How did you even think of such a thing?”

I glanced over at Jake for help, but he shook his head with a smirk. Bastard. “Sorry, dude. My aunt’s not gonna leave you alone until you tell her. You’ve got her intrigued, Danny boy.”

Aunt Cat nodded and tapped an impatient fingertip on the arm of her chair. With a long sigh, I rolled my head back and forced myself to open up.

“When Luke was injured in the car accident, he lost his sense of smell. It could be temporary, but we don’t know yet for sure.”

At the combined gasp of the two other shifters, I nodded soberly and continued. “Since he has no way to smell that I’m his mate, I had to get creative.”

Aunt Cat interrupted: “But, couldn’t he tell by the electric tingle? I know with my Julio there was also quite the magnetic pull.”

I bit my lip and looked down at my lap. “Yeah. The problem is that Luke doesn’t trust any of that. From what I gathered, he felt like he could be confusing those feelings with normal, umm, lust feelings?”

“Aha,” Aunt Cat nodded sagely. “He’s young and probably had a good crush on a studly young alpha like yourself. He was afraid to trust his gut to know the difference between the mating pull and the normal thrill he would have felt from your touch anyway. I can see his point, to be honest.”

I scratched my head. “You think that he had a crush on me before all of this happened?”

“Definitely, my dear. I also would wager that your young man has low self-esteem and doesn’t understand what you see in him, beyond the mating pull. Plus, he’s been pretty isolated through his teen years up here. It’s obvious that the poor kid has no experience, where would he have gotten it? No wonder he didn’t just take you at your word and let you claim him. Good for him.”

I looked at Aunt Cat, nodding in agreement. “I hate to talk about him, but yeah. That’s pretty much where my mind went too. So I decided that I needed to show him that he’s special. My first thought was flowers. My Papa used to bring my Dad roses when he wanted him to feel loved.”

Aunt Cat reached over and patted my hand with a tender smile. “And it just evolved from there?”

“No, I just took the idea and ran with it. When I went to order some roses online, I noticed how many colors there were. The website had some cute slogan about saying it with flowers, and that got me wondering if the different colors meant something. So I googled it. I found that not only does each color have a meaning, but so does the number that you give.”

“Are you seriously shitting me,” Jake said with an incredulous look on his face. “You put that much thought into this? Damn, Daniel. I knew that you were a planner, but this is above and beyond, even for you.”

I nodded. “I wanted to show Luke that I’m serious, and that he deserves it. So, each day I’ve given him a half-dozen roses. Each day has a different color. I give him a card in an envelope that matches the flowers. In the note, I explain what the color signifies, and what it means to me.”

Aunt Cat leaned forward excitedly. “I really need to tap you when I’m doing research, young man! This is amazing information. Now, why six flowers?”

I grinned. “I could be a jerk and make you look it up, but I’ll be nice. If you give someone six roses it means I wanna be yours. And three dozen roses means I will remember our romantic moments. Tomorrow will be the sixth day, and when I give him the last six roses it will make three dozen. I liked the symbolism, because I will always remember romancing my omega and having to work for his heart.”

Aunt Cat looked at Jake. “Do you hear this, Nephew? This is what romance is, and what your omegas were trying to tell you boys this morning at breakfast. Maybe Daniel should give you other alphas some lessons!”

I shrugged, embarrassed by the attention. She snapped her gaze back to me. “So if tomorrow is the final day, what do you have planned next? I’m sure that you have something up your sleeve.”

“Well, I can’t really tell you right now, because I want to surprise Luke and the walls seem to have ears around here. I can promise that one of us will tell you all about it later though?”

“That will work,” she said after thinking about it briefly. “Just remember that we’re all rooting for you two. You’ve done good, boy.”

She stood and kissed my cheek. After waving at Jake, she said we’d talk later and went on her way.

“Dude. Your aunt scares me.” I said to Jake after a few minutes.

Jake laughed. “No kidding. Count yourself lucky though. She was too intrigued by your story to be a little dirty-bird. That old lady could make a sailor blush if she set her mind to it.”

I shook my head. “No thanks, I’m good. Just the memory of some of your aunt’s comments and awkward holiday gifts is enough to make this alpha blush.”

Jake grinned, knowing full well that I was remembering the last Winter Solstice Eve when she had distributed little gift bags to every adult in the lodge. I had thought it sweet at first that she’d given us all a gift. Until I’d opened mine. With Micah sitting right beside me, of course. The only thing that had kept me from dying of mortification was the look of abject horror on my cousin’s face.

The bag had included a neon pink soap that was shaped like a penis. A large piece of white chocolate designed to resemble sperm. Well, if a sperm had googly eyes anyway. There had also been single use packets of lube, both flavored and plain. All of this was nestled in a pile of glittery, penis shaped, confetti.

The knock on the door saved me from further rumination, thanks be to Fenris. I got up and answered the door. A large alpha bear stood there, waiting patiently. The only thing that clued you in that this was Doc Ollie’s son were the gentle brown eyes and soft brown hair. He had a lock of hair that flopped down into his eyes, just like his dad did too.

Ivan was otherwise a totally different creature. Where Doc was kind but shy and nervous around people to the point of awkwardness, Ivan gave off a mellow yet hip sort of vibe. He was tall like his father. If measured, he probably stood about 6’8 and was built like an Adonis. Yet in spite of his large size, his pleasantly calm demeanor made him approachable.

I held out my hand. “Good to see you again, Ivan.”

Ivan shook it readily. “Glad to be back up here, Daniel.”

“Come on in, Jake and I were just hanging out until you got here.”

Jake stood and reached across his desk to shake hands with Ivan. “Hey, man! It’s good to see you again. And thankfully, under much better circumstances this time.”

Ivan grinned. “Yeah, that was crazy. Sorry I have not been able to see you guys when I have been up visiting my dad. It was just in and out visits, you know? First I was in college, then I was working the past couple years. It did not leave me with enough free time, yes?”

I noted with a grin that while Ivan talked slightly less formal than most of the bears I’d met, he still had the strangely correct way of speaking with a nod to his Russian heritage popping up here and there.

Jake motioned toward the empty chair that his aunt had been seated in earlier. “Have a seat, let’s talk about what I need to do to get you to come teach our pups.”

“Wow! You get right down to business, I see.” Ivan commented as he sat down and crossed his left ankle up over his right knee.

I took my own seat, and mirrored his pose. “Well, the faster we get through this part, the sooner we can show you around.”

Ivan held out his hands. “Then ask me whatever it is that you want to know, my friend. Let us get down to business, yes?”

Turning off my tablet, I decided to forego my list of notes and planned questions. I would go with my heart for a change. It was working with Luke, maybe it could work in other avenues too.

“So, Ivan. Tell me what you’re looking for here. I’ve heard from your dad that you’ve been happy in the city, what brings you here now? Could you be happy teaching a small pack of pups in a remote mountain area?”

He looked out the window behind Jake’s desk for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts. Ivan glanced back at me and began to talk.

“You must remember that this area is not as remote to me as it probably seemed to you when you first arrived here. I grew up in these mountains. To me, this is home.”

He shrugged, and looked over at Jake to include him in our conversation. “I have enjoyed living in the city. It is good to experience other cultures, yes? The humans are remarkable. They are so frail compared to us, yet so fearless in many cases. They do not know the magic of having the ability to shift into another creature, yet they have so much imagination. I have no regrets for my time spent teaching their children. It has been good for me.”

Gesturing toward the window, he continued: “It is these mountains though, that call to my soul. My bear requires the freedom that I cannot allow him to enjoy in the city. We need to come home where we can both be free, yes? It would make me happy to teach your young, and live here among your pack.”

I nodded, completely understanding what he meant. Our beasts did not do well for long periods living among humans. We needed the freedom to shift and run under the moonlight.

“What about living here, how do you feel about that part?” Jake asked reasonably. “I know you bears aren’t generally pack animals like we wolves tend to be. Would you be comfortable living with us?”

Ivan grinned. “Well, to be fair, your pack seems to be filling up with bears now, yes? I learned recently that you even have a bear cub among your young.”

Jake and I both smiled, thinking of our buddy Owen’s daughter, Trixie. “Yeah,” I said. “But Trixie is probably too young just yet. She’s not quite four yet, I think.”

Ivan nodded. “Yes, I met Miss Trixie this morning when I went to say hello to Karl. She will be four soon, he told me. A bit young, but I would welcome her in my classroom if her parents want to enroll her at this age. It will be good for her, I think. But we shall see, yes?”

“What about the living arrangements, Ivan?” Jake asked. “Would it get too much for you to live in a pack? Aside from your father and Karl, I thought most bears were solitary creatures.”

“That is true in general, yes. I am more like Karl though. I have always enjoyed the company of others. There are more bears like us than most people realize. I will enjoy having the companionship of guys my age and the pleasure of teaching young minds.”

I nodded. “What about the idea of having a mix of ages? The pups are all close in age, but they are definitely at different learning levels.”

Ivan’s eyes lit up with excitement. “I love this idea the most! I’ve tired of teaching a core curriculum that doesn’t leave room for creativity. Each pup is different, and will learn in different ways. The class size will be small enough that I will be able to work with each child independently. If there is something that I cannot teach them, we will utilize online courses to fill the gaps. I have an educational plan put together. I can email it to you, yes?”

“Online classes are a great idea,” Jake commented. “Daniel’s mate, Luke, and his younger brother, Ryan, both graduated through distance learning after we moved here.”

I looked over at Jake, wondering briefly how I hadn’t known that. Here I thought that I had my thumb on the pulse of the pack and nothing got by me? As if reading my thoughts, Jake looked over at me.

“Didn’t you know that’s how those guys got their education? I thought you knew. My aunt set that up.”

“Am I a horrible person that I never had even considered it?”

Jake shrugged. “Not really. There was no reason for you to even be involved back then. It was just something that my aunt realized needed to be taken care of, so she did it. Now that I’m a parent, I think about these things. But back when we first got here? I never would’ve worried about things like that.”

I nodded slowly. He was right. We had a lot on our plates back in the early days of our pack. Things were different now. I looked over at Jake and gave a slight head tilt and nod in Ivan’s direction. Jake grinned back at me in complete understanding.

“Ivan, if you’re sure you want it, the job is yours. You just need to decide if you want to live in the schoolhouse, or here in the lodge.” Jake said as he held out a hand to Ivan.

Ivan reached out and shook his hand with a relieved smile. “I will need to see the schoolhouse first, but that will likely be my choice. It will be good to have a break from the young ones in the evenings, yes?”

Jake laughed hard at that one while I grinned in agreement. “Yeah, I imagine you’ll need a break at night. Especially after dealing with this guy’s offspring.” I said pointing a thumb at Jake.

“Just wait,” Jake said with a smirk. “Before long you’ll be dealing with your own pups. Trust me on that. Once you mate, it’s all over.”

I couldn’t help but grin at those words. I couldn’t wait to have pups with Luke. I wanted to have all of the moments with my mate. Good and bad. I just wanted to share them all with him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Eight

 

Luke

 

 

 

I had no idea what Daniel’s plans were for today. He’d sent me a text, but all it said was ‘3pm, dress casual’. I had no idea what to expect, and I loved it. I’ve never been one to follow schedules or tight structure.

I found it amusing that Daniel was giving me exactly what I needed while doing what he needed too. He made plans but left them a surprise to me. I’m not sure if he knew me well enough yet that this was planned or if it was just a happy accident. Either way, it made me like him more than ever.

When the knock came on the door, I was just putting on my shoes. “Come on in, Daniel.” I called out as I tied them.

Daniel came in, closing the door behind him. I looked up with a smile, and he was holding out another half bouquet. This time, the blooms were a pure, snowy white.
“My brother isn’t here,” I said. “Would you mind bringing the vase in from my room? It’s kinda heavy now.”

Daniel smiled proudly, as he handed me the white envelope that was meant to accompany the roses. He went after the bouquet while I opened the card and read it.

 

My dearest Luke,

White roses are to represent purity. They are also a rose of confession, meant to state that one is worthy of another. Although my love for you is pure, I must confess that I worry about whether or not I am good enough for you. Do I deserve your love? Only time will tell as I spend the rest of my life proving my worth to you, Luke. Did you notice that this rose that I’ve saved for last is also the one that the humans use in their weddings? No pressure, but whenever you want me, I am yours - in body, mind, and spirit.                            xox, Daniel

 

 

I gasped, holding a shaky hand to my mouth as I read his words. I never would have imagined this buttoned-up man to be such a romantic at heart. I tucked the card back into the envelope and put it in my pocket.

Daniel came in with my beautiful vase. I took the white roses, and began to tuck them into the bouquet. I didn’t have my brother’s flair so I just followed what he’d done with the others.

As I completed the arrangement, Daniel asked me: “Did you ever look up what the number of flowers given meant?”

Nodding shyly, I looked up at him through my lashes. “Yes. Six roses meant that you want to be mine.”

“Did you know that there is also a meaning for thirty-six roses?”

I quirked my brow and tilted my head at him curiously. “Do I need to Google it?”

He thought about it for a moment, then sat down beside me and reached for my hands. Holding my hands in his, Daniel looked me in the eyes and softly replied: “Thirty-six roses means that I will remember our romantic moments. And I will, Luke. I will never forget this time we’ve had to get to know each other better. Our path has been different than most fated mates, but I like that we have a story that is ours alone.”

I shook my head. “Wow. I knew you were a planner, but that’s crazy awesome, Daniel! You planned the number of roses to create a final bouquet with a fixed number, and every step of your plan had a special meaning of its own? That’s just insanely creative.”

Daniel blushed and ducked his head. Looking down at our joined hands, he said: “No, I’m not creative, I just research and plan very well.”

“Still. That’s just incredible.”

He leaned over and pressed a kiss to my forehead. In a husky voice, he said: “Let’s go on our date, Luke. If we don’t leave now, I’m afraid that I won’t want to go at all.”

Looking up at him, I boldly asked: “Then why not just stay in? If this is the end of your plan, then why not go ahead with our claim?”

Daniel smiled down at me fondly. “Because. I have a plan. I want to spoil you with a human date today.”

“Really?” I bounced up and down on my seat. “Do I get to know what we are doing now?”

He shrugged and said with a smirk. “How about you get your cute little butt in the car that’s parked out front, and I’ll tell you on the way?”

I jumped up and walked outside, and sure enough, there was his car. I’d forgotten that he even owned a car, since we so rarely left the lodge. It felt good to be up walking on my own again. My leg was a little tender, but I could definitely move around normally again.

Daniel went ahead of me as we approached the car and opened my door. As I got in, he said: “It’s good to see you without that cast on your leg. I’m glad that you’re finally healing.”

I smiled up at him as he closed the door and went around to get in on his side. I looked over at him. “It feels good to be healing. I mean, I would save Linus again in a heartbeat, but it really sucked going through that.”

“Not half as much as it sucked watching you go through it,” he said with a shudder. He backed up the car and slowly began to drive away from the property. “So, you ready to know where we’re going?”

I nodded eagerly.

“Pull out your phone, and check the movie times in town. I want to take you to dinner and a movie like the humans do on their dates.”

I gasped. “Seriously? Holy shit, Daniel! How did you know that I’ve always wanted to go to the movies?”

He looked over at me in surprise. “I didn’t. I didn’t realize that you’d never been to a theater before. Now I’m really glad that I went with this idea for tonight.”

I nodded and tried to explain. “Remember, I was a foster kid. Then I was locked away in captivity with our old Alpha. After that, I’ve been here and we’re not exactly close to town. I’ve just never really had a lot of human experiences, to be honest.”

Daniel smiled in understanding and reached for my hand. “Then I will look forward to introducing you to the best parts of our human half. And the movies is definitely one of them. That and a good milkshake.”

I giggled. “I’m with you on the milkshakes. I mean, I’ve led a sheltered life, but not that bad!”

He grinned and sped up a little as he drove us to town. Our date was so much fun. It was good to see another side of Daniel. One where he let his hair down and relaxed. I acted totally human and took pictures with my phone the whole time.

I took a selfie in the car on the way to town. I took a picture of our food, and one of Daniel sucking the straw of his strawberry shake. The best one I took was one of us together with the lit-up theater marquee in the background. I loved that he didn’t make me feel like a dork with all my pics, but just rolled with it and let me be myself.

 

It was still early when we got back to the cabin. When Daniel came around to open my door, it was only natural to go on tip-toe and throw my arms around his neck.

He smiled down at my face, his eyes shining with affection for me. I went forward to attempt a kiss when I was bowled over all at once by the scent of fresh peppermint.

My mouth dropped open and I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply. I turned my face and nuzzled my nose right up against Daniel’s alpha-gland, inhaling deeply as I finally was able to smell his scent.

He stiffened and asked with a husky voice: “Luke, can you smell me now? Is this really happening?”

I nodded and tilted my face up for a kiss. His lips met mine hungrily, and the rest of the world ceased to exist. He pulled away, breaking the kiss, and swept me up in his arms. He kicked the car door closed as he carried me toward the cabin.

“Luke. Tell me you want this too. Or tell me to leave. Just tell me what you want from me, honey.”

I tightened my grip around his neck and licked the shell of his ear as I whispered: “I want you to make me yours, and to never be apart again.”

He growled low in his throat as he fumbled with the door to my cabin. “Then that’s what you’re gonna get, omega of mine.”

I giggled. “Even if it wasn’t part of the plan for tonight?”

He chuckled and said: “What ever made you think it wasn’t, honey?” The next few minutes were a blur of doors closing and clothing flying. I found myself lying naked on my bed, face to face with a very naked alpha. Although I still wasn’t entirely sure how we’d gotten here, I was perfectly happy to stay right where I was.

 

 

 

 

Chapter Nine

 

Daniel

 

 

 

I reached over and cupped Luke’s jaw in my hand, stroking my thumb over his cheek. As much as I wanted him, I also wanted to take our time and relish our mating. We would have only one first time, and I was going to make it special for us both.

He looked at me with loving eyes. Tentatively, I leaned over and gently brushed my lips against his. When Luke kissed me back, I deepened the kiss. I ran my hands up his smooth back and pulled him closer until we were chest to chest.

He gasped and I used the opening to thrust my tongue into his mouth to explore its depths. Luke moaned and moved his hands up to frame my face. I rolled him partially over, easing my leg in between his thighs as I ran my hands over his silky flesh.

When his hardening dick began to press against my hip, I reached down and wrapped my hand around its length. I broke our kiss and peppered a line of kisses down his jaw and along his neck. I nuzzled his omega-gland, reveling in his sweet citrus scent.

“Daniel, yes…” he moaned as I began to tease his nipple with my tongue. Luke writhed against me while I nipped and licked and sucked at first one then the other nipple. His moans became pants as he gasped for release. Moving further down his body, I ran my tongue along the dips and grooves of his tightly muscled abdomen.

When I reached his turgid length, I bypassed it to lick and sniff along the crease of his hip and thigh. The sweet smell of omega slick began to fill the air. I scooted further down, spreading his legs with my shoulders to get in closer. Leaning in, I sucked his taut little sac into my mouth. Tonguing his balls, I rolled them around in my mouth and teased them with my tongue while Luke cried out beneath me.

Spitting out his sac, I moved down to run a flat tongue along edge of his crease and pucker. Luke’s hand came down to grab my head. His hips jerked upward as I teased his leaking hole with the tip of my tongue. The taste of his slick was surprisingly sweet. I lapped it up before fucking my tongue into his hole while pumping his dick with a loose grip.

“Daniel,” Luke groaned. “Please. I need. Need..need you.”

I lifted my head to look up at his beautiful face, “What do you need from me, omega?”

He whimpered at that. “I need you to take me now. I want…” his words trailed off with a moan.

“What do you want?” I whispered as I moved to lick a stripe up the length of his cock. “Tell me, honey.”

I teased the leaking slit on the tip of his dick, licking up his nectar. I sucked his length into my mouth then, hollowing my cheeks and suckling hard.

Luke thrust his hips, pushing himself deeper into my throat. “I want you to fuck me, Daniel. I want you to fill my aching hole. It feels so empty and I need you there.”

I pulled off his dick with a juicy pop and grinned up at him. “That’s all I needed to hear, honey.”

I crawled up so that I knelt over him, and grabbed a pillow. “Lift your hips, honey.”

When he lifted his ass, I slid the pillow underneath it. I leaned forward and propped my hands beside him while I kissed him softly. His hands came up to grab onto my back as I took a hand and guided my cock to his omega-hole.

I felt him tense as the thick mushroom head of my cock grazed his entrance. Breaking the kiss, I pressed my forehead to his and looked him in the eyes. “Trust me, Luke. I promise that I won’t hurt you, honey.”

He nodded nervously. I moved my head to lick his neck, and scraped my teeth across his omega-gland where my claim bite would go. His body shivered and relaxed at the sensation. Tilting my head back over for another kiss, I shoved my tongue deep into his mouth at the same as I penetrated his rim.

Moving my hips slowly, I carefully fed my length into his slick channel. Writhing underneath me, Luke thrust upward and impaled himself the rest of the way onto my shaft.

I groaned into his mouth, but held still for a moment while we both adjusted to my intrusion. Once he began to move again, I pulled my hips back slowly before jamming my cock back in.

I pulled back, breaking our kiss. Grabbing his hips with a firm hold, I held him against me as I stood up on my knees. His legs wrapped around my waist as I began to rock. First with slow, easy thrusts then building up into a more frenzied pace as Luke pushed back against me. Meeting me thrust for thrust, we rocked against each other with abandon.

Dripping sweat, I felt nearly lightheaded as my stomach tightened. At the same time, I felt something new happening. For the first time in my life, the base of my cock started swelling as a bulbous knot began to form at the base. I slammed into him harder, chasing release.

The knot grew thicker. Soon it swelled so large that I was unable to pull out on my next thrust. Gasping, I pressed into him and made tiny rutting motions. The thick knot rubbing against his tight channel was so intense, that I was nearly seeing stars at this point.

Luke cried out, and began to come. He came completely untouched by my hand. When his channel clenched around me, I started coming too. Quickly bending over my omega, I ordered: “Now, Luke. Claim your mate!”

I felt my teeth elongate with my wolf swirling just under the surface of my human flesh as I bit down into the spongy flesh of his omega-gland. At the same time, Luke’s teeth bit into my alpha-gland and the world became a blur of sensation.

Almost as if we’d switched bodies, I could feel my seed’s heat inside his channel as it were my own body. I felt as if the pulsing knot were pressing against my own male g-spot instead of Luke’s. It was surreal. It was amazing. It was...oh, fuck. I was coming again. I felt both my own orgasm and his as if we were one organism.

As my orgasm receded, I came back fully into my own head. After licking the area I’d bitten clean again, I tilted my head to look at my newly claimed mate. He was looking back at me with an awed expression.

“Fuck. That was crazy, right? Did you feel that too?” I asked with a raspy voice.

Luke looked fucking worn out with his hair plastered to his sweat soaked forehead. His eyes were glazed over as he said: “Did we switch bodies for a second there? Because if so, I gotta say that you’re pretty damned lucky.”

I squinted my eyes, trying to figure out what he meant. He smacked my shoulder and said with a tired smirk: “Because my ass is tight, babe. That shit felt good around your knot, that’s all I’m saying.”

With a soft chuckle, I wrapped my arms around his back and rolled us over onto my back. He squirmed until he found a comfortable position with my knot still firmly swollen inside of him.

I rested my hands on Luke’s back, enjoying the feeling of his small body plastered to mine. He nuzzled into the hair on my chest, before turning and resting his cheek over my heart. We drifted off into a peaceful sleep, comfortable in each other’s arms.

 

 

 

Chapter Ten

 

Luke

 

 

 

I woke up, confused to find myself alone in bed. I tried the claim link that I’d heard so much about and reached out mentally for my mate. It was both weird and cool when I found that I could actually feel his presence in the other room.

Sitting up, I looked down and realized that Daniel must have cleaned the dried sweat and cum off my body at some point. It was nice not to be covered in dried fluids. I was really touched that Daniel had thought to do it for me.

I got up and pulled on a pair of sweats. Walking out to the main room, I found Daniel at the table with his tablet and a cup of coffee, wearing only his pants from yesterday. He started to get up when I came out.

“No, no. Stay where you are, I’ll be over in a sec.” I said happily. After pouring myself a cup of coffee, I wandered over to the table. Daniel set his tablet aside and scooted back. He patted his lap with a shy smile, so I went over and plopped right down.

Daniel tipped my chin up with two fingers, kissing me softly.

“Mmhmm,” I moaned into his mouth. Pulling back, I grinned at him and said: “Now this is the way to wake up in the morning!”

“Oh, yeah? How’s that, because I can think of better ways. I just wanted to let you rest this morning.”

I smacked his chest with the flat of my hand. “Don’t be dirty right now. I meant, it was nice to wake up to find a mate waiting to greet me and a hot pot of coffee already prepared.”

“Who said I was being dirty?” He asked with an innocent smirk.

I shot an image of the blowjob that he’d been picturing a moment ago into his mind. His look of shock had me giggling.

“You can see into my head?”

I shrugged. “I’ve been hearing the other omegas talk about the mate bond for a few years now. It’s easy, you just have to focus on me and tune out the world around you.”

He looked surprised but intrigued. Teasing him, I pictured a brick wall. His eyebrows drew together as he looked at me. “Are you seriously thinking about a brick wall?”

I bounced up on his lap and pecked his cheek. “Exactly! We can focus on each other to share private thoughts. I’ve heard it comes in handy in groups or around pups.”

He grinned. “I like the idea of that. Is there anything else we can do?”

I thought for a second. “Well, we can talk to each other mentally when we’re shifted, according to Kai. And Aries says that if we get separated, we can track each other through our bond. Which is cool if I’m ever taken hostage by some creepy Alpha again.”

Daniel frowned. “I don’t like to think about that, Luke. I hate that you went through that when you were younger.”

“Hey, Daniel. It’s okay. Nobody touched me, I was too young for his tastes, thanks be to Fenris. You guys saved me before anything happened. The worst thing that happened to me there was that I was only allowed to go outside once a week if I was quiet and did my chores all week. That was hell for a young teen, lemme tell ya.”

Daniel cradled my head against his shoulder, turning once to kiss my temple. “I know that you were okay, and that we rescued you. It’s just the idea that you could have been hurt that pains me.”

I played with the hair on his chest, as I formulated a response. After a few minutes though, I realized that none was needed. It was enough to just be in each other’s arms, touching skin to skin while we breathed in each other’s scent.

“As much as I hate to interrupt this moment,” I said finally. “We need to discuss logistics.”

Daniel’s head fell back as he barked out a laugh. “Isn’t that my line?” He asked after he calmed down again.

I turned and took a drink of my coffee. “I’m serious. We have things to figure out. I mean, I was only supposed to be here while I healed. But we’re mated now, so obviously we can’t stay in the dorms like before. Do we want to move to the second floor family level or see if we can stay here? Either way, you need some clean clothes, babe.”

Daniel grinned at the word babe, his eyes lighting up. “Well, the first question I have to ask is what would you prefer? I don’t want to rip you away from Ryan, but I’m not sure that I want to live on the communal family floor either. I actually kind of like this little cabin, to be honest.”

I looked around, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, but then we have to think ahead. We will be having pups, and there’s no room for them here.”

“So we’ll just move to a bigger cabin. It’s not like all your stuff is here anyway, just what essentials that Ryan felt you’d need when you woke up. We could move us both into a larger cabin today and start fresh together. Is that what you’d want?”

I chewed my lip, thinking about my brother. I nodded hesitantly. “Do you think that Alpha Jake will let us have a big cabin though?”

Daniel grinned a little arrogantly. “Well, I am kind of a pack leader, honey. I’m pretty sure that we can take our pick of cabins and Jake won’t give a shit about it.”

I gave him a reproachful look. “Yeah, yeah. I know. I’m mated to Mr. Important. Whatever. I do feel bad about Ryan though. It’s not like there’s another omega left on our floor now, he’ll be all alone.”

“We could see about the three bedroom next door to Owen, Karl and Zane if you want, honey. I don’t mind if Ryan lives with us.”

I shot him a filthy image across our bond of him fucking me and said: “Yeah, but it might be weird for Ryan. I don’t know. I’ll ask him, I guess.”

Daniel leaned forward and scraped his teeth across my omega-gland before sucking on it. A jolt of arousal surged through me. I reached up and tickled my fingertips across his alpha-gland and wiggled in his lap.

Without warning, I felt myself being lifted in the air. “Daniel!” I shrieked, as he turned me and pushed my back up against the wall behind the table. He held me under my arm with one hand, while he neatly tore my sweats off with the other.

I wrapped my legs around his waist. He leaned in and kissed me. I was pinned to the wall beneath the weight of his massive chest while he pushed down his own pants and kicked them to the side.

Without breaking our kiss, his tongue danced against mine and I felt his fingers running along the crease of my buttocks. I could feel the slick leaking out of my ass, and the head of his massive alpha cock pushing up from beneath me.

Daniel’s hands cupped my buttcheeks. With one move, he spread them apart easily and thrust right up into my hole. I groaned into his mouth as he filled my channel completely with that thick, meaty slab of cock.

Wrapping my hands under his arms, I cupped his shoulders. I held on tight as he thrust powerfully up into me. I broke our kiss, turning my head from side to side as the sensations overwhelmed me.

With each rock of his hips, I was jolted upward. I couldn’t do more in this position but just sit back and enjoy the ride while he fucked me. With a growl of ownership, Daniel pumped his hips faster. Harder. He was owning me with every thrust, and I fucking loved it.

My own dick was rubbing against the ridges of his abs. The friction was enough to make me come without touching myself again. I gasped as my balls tightened. My stomach muscles were contracting. I knew it would not be much longer until I came.

As soon as his knot swelled up against that magic spot inside me, I was done. Stick a fork in me. Done. I cried out my mate’s name as cum spurted from my cock, painting our chests with my pearly nectar.

I felt Daniel follow me over the edge, as hot cum filled my channel, locked up in there by his knot. He rested his forehead against mine, panting for breath.

Once he was able to move again, Daniel carried us over to the couch. He carefully lowered himself down, until we were sitting there comfortably. My legs were still around his waist as he leaned back at an angle so he didn’t crush me.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, playing with the tips of his hair. We looked into each other’s eyes, once again at peace but coated in sweat and cum. Giggling, I scrunched my nose and said: “We need a shower.”

Daniel groaned as he leaned back and closed his eyes. “Please, honey. I’ll slay dragons for you. I’d even hunt down dinner and kill it with my bare hands, just please don’t ask me to move again for a week. Maybe a month. Definitely not longer than a year.”

“Damn, did I get an old man for a mate?” I teased.

His face never moved a twitch, so I jumped when his hand came up out of nowhere and swatted my butt. I squeaked when my jump made his knot tug against my rim.

Daniel’s eyes popped open. “Oh, shit! Are you okay? I was just playing, I never meant to actually hurt you. I hope you know that.”

I rolled my eyes. “Trust me, babe. I was in enough crappy foster homes to know the difference. Nope, that was all on me for jerking with my ass full of your knot.”

Daniel grinned lazily. “It’s kind of an inconvenience, right?”

“Yeah, but it’s nice to be connected though. We just have a learning curve I think. I mean, this was only our second time.”

“Fuck me, I’m slipping. I spent the night with my hot ass mate and only knotted him twice? Maybe you do have an old man for a mate, honey,” Daniel said with a wink.

I yawned and laid my head on his shoulder. “Trust me. Unless I go crazy when I go into heat, I’m good with this amount of sexy times. I mean, your knot is either super sized, or my butt is too small. Because, damn.”

He snickered. “Or maybe both? I think we could both totally own those statements, and neither of us would argue.”

“Whatever you say, babe.” I said sleepily as my eyes drifted shut.

 

 

 

 

 

“So, let me get this straight.” My brother said, as I packed up my clothes in the bedroom. “I have the choice of staying in the lodge and living up on the third floor with Maxx across the way in the alpha dorm. Or, I can abandon my buddy to live alone up there and come be a third wheel at your place?”

I looked at Ryan, slightly dumbfounded. “Dude. You would never be a third wheel. You’re my brother. And it was Daniel’s suggestion, so obviously he doesn’t mind. What’s your real issue?”

“Honestly? I’m gonna miss you, Lukey. I really, really will. But here’s the thing. We knew this day would come at some point, and now it’s here. It’s a good thing that you and Romeo are settling down. I’m not ready yet, you know? I’m excited about being on my own, maybe hanging out with Maxx since we’re gonna be the only ones up there now.”

“Do you think that you and Maxx could be a thing?”

“Naw. I don’t think so. But then again, who knows? I can’t see myself ever hooking up or mating anyone from our pack though. I was too young when we came here and they’re all like older brothers to me. Of course, now it’s just Maxx and me left unmated, so that makes it weird I suppose. Like, people might start thinking that we’re gonna end up together.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, Zane and Owen mated with a bear! Who knows who your mate will be. Just promise me one thing?”

Ryan nodded. “Okay. Well, it depends, but go ahead.”

“Just promise that if you get to where you can’t hang up there or you miss me too much, that you’ll let me know? I’ll always make room for you, Ryan. You’re my family. It’s always been us against the world. That doesn’t change because of Daniel. Now it’s just that it’s three of us against the world instead of two!”

Ryan nodded. “I can do that. And I’ll even promise that on the nights that I’m feeling lonely or nostalgic for your nagging, I’ll come visit and spend the night. Just as long as I don't have to hear you getting boinked.”

“I’m not going to dignify that one with a response, dude. But I will welcome you with arms wide open any time that you show up.”

Ryan snorted. “You’re not responding because you know I have a point. Don’t forget bro...shifter smeller.”

He tapped his nose for effect and I about died of mortification. I realized almost immediately that the whole cabin stank like sex. Oops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Eleven

 

Daniel

 

 

 

After we’d gotten all moved in to the three bedroom cabin, I thought for sure that we would have a night of wild sex to break in every room. But my buddies apparently like to cock block. Ryan had left and I was pouring us both a glass of wine when there was a loud knock on the door.

Luke looked up from where he was pressing roses between sheets of waxed paper at the table. I set the glass of wine down in front of him and went to get the door.

Owen passed his crazy haired baby, Ava, to me and strutted inside. Zane smiled sheepishly and reached for his pup, but I waved him away.

“It’s cool, man. I haven’t gotten to hold a pup this young in ages.”

Karl came in with their cub, Trixie, holding his hand. He smiled gently as he closed the door to our cabin.

“Forgive our intrusion, neighbor. Our mate insisted that you would be offended if we did not come immediately to welcome you, yes?”

I glanced over to where Owen had kicked back on our new couch and was silently daring me to embarrass his sweet bear mate. Luke saved me by coming over.

“It’s so nice of you guys to come by! I was wondering how soon I could come bug you, so this is perfect. It will be nice having you guys next door since we’re so far away from the lodge now.”

I rolled my eyes, and smiled at Luke. “Honey, there are literally only four cabins between us and the lodge. Trust me, we aren’t far.”

My mate glared up at me with a hand on his hip. “Did you just try to patronize me, Daniel? I’m aware of how far we are, it’s just weird after living in the same building for nearly six years. That’s what I meant.”

Owen snorted back a laugh at Luke’s irritable reaction. Zane glared at him though, which I was pleased to see that it immediately shut him up. He looked at Luke and said: “I know what you mean. It was an adjustment for us too, I don’t care what Owen says. It’s good though. I think you’ll like the privacy too.”

I snorted. “Privacy? With Owen next door? I think not.”

Karl looked concerned, but Zane took his hand and led him to the couch explaining: “Owen and Daniel are old friends, babe. Ignore them both when they’re talking to each other, they just like to give each other s-h-i-t.”

Trixie looked up at me and asked: “Why is my Daddy Zane spelling a bad word?”

Owen let out a loud whooping laugh that scared the baby. I tried simply snuggling her to my chest, but she wouldn’t stop crying. Regretfully, I went to pass her to Zane.

“Nope, sorry man. Daddy Owen made her cry, he has to fix it.”

I grinned. “I like your logic. That’s a good system.” I passed her to Owen. He took her and turned her belly down over the length of his forearm.

Patting her bottom, he swung her back and forth as he crooned: “It’s okay, Carrots. I’m sorry I scared you.”

Luke brought a chair over from the kitchen for me to sit on, asking the guys: “Carrots?”

I sat down and pulled him down onto my lap as Zane glowered playfully but Owen replied: “What else are we supposed to call the poor thing. Have you seen this hair? It’s worse than poor Gingersnap’s hair ever was.”

Luke laughed. “I’m not even gonna touch that one. I value my life too much to ever call Zane a name like that, or laugh at his daughter’s hair.”

“Good call,” Zane said, with a side-eye at Owen.

Trixie went and climbed on Karl’s lap. She looked at him and said: “Papa Karl? Do Luke’s babies look funny like Carrots does?”

Karl looked distinctly uncomfortable as I looked over at him curiously. Luke tilted his head to the side and said: “What do you mean, Trixie? We don’t have any pups, sweetie.”

Trixie smacked a little hand to her forehead. “I’m sorry. I forgot my bear manners again. We aren’t supposed to tell you wolf’s things that you cannot smell yet. Right, Daddy Owen?”

Owen grinned at me apologetically and said: “Right, Trixie. We have to leave the diagnosing to Doc Ollie, right?”

Trixie blushed, and turned her face into Karl’s broad chest.

“Wait, hold on.” Luke said. “I’m totally lost. What just happened? Is Trixie saying…”

Zane nodded with an embarrassed look on his face. “Apparently the whole uncanny ability to tell pregnancy like right away isn’t just Doc’s trick. All the bears can do it. They have more advanced olfactory senses than we do. They also hear better, so they can literally tell you when you’re preggo and if you’re having multiples.”

I looked over at Karl as Luke went still in my arms. “And are we?”

Karl nodded. “I would suggest that you visit Doc tomorrow. You are most definitely pregnant, Luke. And those are multiple heartbeats that I can hear already, yes?”

“Karl,” Luke said, his voice rising slowly with each word he spoke. “I’m sorry, but you’re really scaring me right now. The fact that you just deliberately said multiple and not two, isn’t cool. Do you mean to tell me that I’m actually pregnant with freaking twins the day after I lost my freaking virginity? Or am I totally misunderstanding this conversation?”

Karl blushed but Trixie turned back to look at us with a shy smile. “No, Luke. You have three babies in your belly.”

I barely caught Luke before his head hit the floor as he fainted. Karl and Owen exchanged amused looks of consternation, while Zane popped up and rushed over to help me.

“Can I do anything, Daniel?”

“Umm, I don’t know? I’ve never seen anyone faint before. Should I call Doc? I mean, he had a head injury that just healed.”

Karl said, “You should go lie him down, we will head home and stop to get Doc on our way. He lives just next door on our other side, yes? He will be here soon.”

Zane followed me as I carried Luke to our room, opening the door and turning on the light for me as I carried Luke’s limp body in and laid him on the bed.

I sat there at the foot of the bed, holding Luke’s hand and trying to wrap my brain around what we’d just been told. Zane patted my shoulder as he prepared to leave the room.

“I’m sorry for the shock, Daniel. Trixie is still learning what’s polite to say to others. But, umm, congrats on becoming a dad?”

I took in a shuddering breath. I tried to imagine Luke’s small body pregnant with triplets, and couldn’t wrap my brain around it. “It’s okay, Zane. Make sure that Trixie knows we aren’t mad, please. It’s just a shock.”

Zane giggled. “Yeah, I caught that. Especially the part where he announced that he’d been a virgin last night.”

I rolled my eyes. “I guess we hit a homerun, you could say.”

Owen’s voice came from the doorway: “Nope. That’s not a homerun, you fucking idiot. That’s a triple. That’s why you’re getting triplets. You never could play sports.”

Zane walked over and slid his arm around his mate’s waist. “Where’s the baby?”

“Karl took Carrots and Trixie-belle to get Doc. I told him I’d stay and walk you back.”

Zane looked amused, but nodded his acceptance. “Yeah. Fenris only knows what could happen to me if I tried to walk next door without a big alpha to protect me, right?”

Before Owen could respond, there was a light knock on the door. He turned and went out to answer it, with Zane right behind him. Zane said: “You stay with Luke, I’ll point Doc back and we’ll see ourselves out. Call if you need anything, I’ll be back over if you need me.”

I nodded and looked back down at Luke.

Doc came walking in, and looked over at Luke. He reached down and loosened Luke’s collar then turned him on his side.
“Luke will be fine, Daniel. He is already breathing fine. Just give his body a chance to recover from his shock, and he will be fine. This is just a simple fainting, yes? It has nothing to do with his former injuries, my alpha friend. Congratulations, by the way.”

I chuckled. “Did Trixie tell you too, or did you just know the minute you walked in the room?”

Doc smiled gently, and adjusted his glasses before he replied. “Yes, young Trixie was quite excited to tell me about the triplets. I was able to confirm it as soon as I came in though, yes.”

“Should I be worried? I mean, isn’t he a little small to carry that many pups at once?”

“You would be surprised what our omegas are capable of handling, Daniel. His diminutive size should not fool you, my friend. It will be a more difficult pregnancy, that is a given. But we will make sure that he is healthy and take good care of him. The worst case scenario is if he needs to go on bedrest as the pregnancy progresses.”

“Wow. Luke would hate that.”

“Yes, most do. However, it may become necessary. We shall see. I will warn you, multiples come early. I would expect his pregnancy to last ten weeks, rather than the standard twelve.”

I nodded, already planning how to handle this and what we would do after the babies arrived.

“I know one thing though, Daniel.”

“What’s that, Doc?”

“I will need to find a new office worker. Luke cannot work while carrying three pups, it would be too much for him. And I cannot work any longer with Kai, but please do not quote me on that. I would hate to hurt his feelings or embarrass him, yes?”

I grinned, knowing exactly what Doc was talking about. My buddy Jake’s mate was a great guy, but he went like a hundred miles an hour in three different directions. And that was before he’d had his morning coffee. Kai on caffeine wasn’t a pretty sight. Not even a little bit.

“Don’t worry, Doc. Your secret’s safe with me. Do you have any pack members you’d like me to talk to for you, or did you have someone in mind?”

Luke’s eyes opened right then. He blinked a few times, and tried to sit up before flopping back. He stared up at Doc.

“It’s true, isn’t it?”

Doc smiled gently, and patted Luke’s shoulder. “It will be fine, my friend. You will see.”

Luke nodded, and looked back at Doc after throwing me a shy smile. “I was already planning to talk to you about quitting. I figured that we would be starting a family soon anyway.”

“Yeah, Doc was just talking about that. Seems like he needs help.”

“Of course he does! Kai’s been running amok in there for over a week now! I’m afraid to see my desk.”

Doc and I grinned. Doc said: “Actually, I wanted to ask you both if you would be offended if I invited Oskar to come work for me.”

“Why would I be offended?” Luke asked curiously.

“Because he was driving the truck that hit you,” I said flatly.

“And that’s his fault how? He was the real victim, if you ask me,” Luke said defiantly.

“Really? Explain that one, because I’m all ears.” I said with a lazy grin.

“Well, there he was, just minding his own business and driving along. Out of nowhere, a pup runs into the road with another wolf flying in out of nowhere to grab the pup. Then that wolf bounces off his truck and probably broke a window or something, while he’s left looking like an ass when he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

I looked at Doc. “You heard my mate, Doc. Go ahead and hire him if you think that he’ll come. Luke’s right. It was an accident. By the way, see if he needs help replacing that windshield. I’ll be glad to cover it. If he hadn’t slowed down as much as he did, Luke may not have survived. I’ll let Jake know that I okayed it when I see him in the morning. He’s welcome to a room here if he needs it. There’s plenty of room upstairs in the alpha dorm.”

Doc nodded his agreement at our assessment. “Thank you, Daniel. I appreciate it. Oskar has fallen on hard times, and could use the job. He also will be relieved to have the lodging, but that is not my story to tell, yes?”

He started to turn away, then grinned at me and said: “By the way, my friend. Remember how I told you that omegas can surprise you?”

I nodded.

“Well, I should probably tell you now that Oskar is an omega.”

My jaw dropped as I pictured the huge rugged alpha looking guy with the big pickup truck. “Wow. I’m a real alpha-hole, aren’t I?”

Luke grinned. “Only sometimes, babe. That’s okay, we’ll work on it.”

Doc was chuckling as he left the room. On his way out, he said: “Two weeks, and we will have you in for an ultrasound, Luke. I will give Daniel vitamins for you tomorrow. You will take them daily, yes? And stock up on ginger tea and saltines, you may have a bit of morning sickness with three pups egging it on. Rest as much as you can, Luke. And do not show up in my office. I have already accepted your resignation.”

Luke looked at me after Doc left. “Did I officially resign? When did I do that?”

I stretched out on the bed beside him and pulled him into my arms. “As soon as Doc realized you were pregnant.”

Luke’s hand automatically migrated to rest on what seemed to be his favorite spot on my chest. “That sounds like Doc. That’s okay though. Now I’ll have more time to work on my leather, at least until the babies get here.”

 

 

 

 

Chapter Twelve

 

Luke

 

 

I seriously couldn’t believe that I’d gotten pregnant the same night that I’d lost my virginity. I mean, I wasn't even in heat! Not that I knew what heat was like exactly, since I’d never had it yet. Doc’s theory was that I’d started to go into heat, but we’d had sex and gotten pregnant which stalled it in its tracks. Didn’t matter really, either way I was still pregnant.

“How are you feeling, honey?” Daniel came in as I was brushing my teeth, pausing to kiss the back of my neck.

“I’m okay right now. I was puking earlier, but I’m feeling better at the moment.”

His arms wrapped around me, as his lips grazed my neck. “Okay, but let me know if you need me to make you some tea. I hate to see you suffer, Luke.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m three weeks pregnant, babe. I’m pretty sure that the suffering is just beginning.”

After I’d rinsed out my mouth, I let Daniel pick me up and carry me to bed. Sometimes it was nice to have a big, strong alpha to cart you around. I loved it, as long as nobody else was around to think that I was a weak little omega. I hated that kind of shit.

Daniel laid me on the bed, stopping only to turn off the light before climbing in after me. I snuggled up against his side, resting my hand in the furriest part of his chest that I loved so much.

“What did you think of the baby furniture that I showed you earlier?” Daniel asked as we laid there. “We need to get the nursery started soon. The pups will be here before we know it.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I suck at making decisions. I’ve been thinking about it though, and I’ve decided that I don’t want to decide.

“Excuse me? How does that work?”

“Easy. I’m going to let you put the nursery together. You did a great job on my craft workshop.”

Daniel had spent a couple weekends setting up a large shed behind our cabin. He’d had it insulated, and made over to look like a tiny house. In it, he’d set up counters, cabinets, and cubbies for my leather-working. We’d ordered a bunch of new tools and pieces of raw leather to stock it.

We’d only been together for a month now. Well, if you counted our week of courtship, which I totally did. In that time, Daniel had proven to me over and again that he cared about me and believed in my dreams.

“Hey, Daniel?”

“Yes, honey?”

“Can we shift and go for a run tomorrow? I don’t know how much longer Doc will let me do it.”

“Of course, let’s get wolfie with it. It’s a date.”

I smiled as I drifted off to sleep, snug in my mate’s arms and idly wondering what he would do with the nursery now that I’d given him free rein over it.

 

I felt the familiar rolling thrill as my bones reshaped and skin turned furry. It was always exhilarating to shift to my wolf form. I looked over at my alpha. Our wolves complimented each other nicely. Both of us had coats of light brown shades with white accents here and there.

Daniel’s wolf jerked me out of my musing as he came over and licked my jaw.

“Eww!”

“What? I can’t kiss my mate?”

“Kiss, yes. Swab spit across my face? Not so much!”

“Hush, before I do it again.”

“Catch me first, old man!”

I took off running into the woods across from our cabin, with Daniel hot on my heels. I did the standard zigzagging around trees and under bushes where he wouldn’t fit. It was exhilarating to be in wolf form on a gorgeous sunny day, playing in the woods with my mate.

I led him on a merry chase through the pines, letting him chase me until I caught him, as Aunt Cat would say. We circled around and I headed toward home, already feeling my energy flagging from the pregnancy.

Once we reached our front yard, I flopped down on my side in the grass. Daniel came up and stood over me protectively. He looked down and sniffed at me.

“Change back, honey. You’re exhausted. I’ll carry you in, if you want. But let's shift back and go get some food and water into you.”

I glared up at him, growling softly. “You will not carry me! We’re outside where anyone could see. Not happening, babe.”

He huffed at me. “Fine, my tough little omega. I won’t make you be seen being carried. But will you please change and go inside so I can take care of you?”

I rolled my eyes and relaxed myself into the shift. Once I was back in my familiar skin, Daniel quickly shifted back too. I got to my feet and walked to the house. Daniel was right behind me, so I may or may not have added a little extra swing to my ass while I walked.

Once we got inside and closed the door, he scooped me up and carried me to the table. I laughed, knowing that he’d only done it for effect. I sat there and caught my breath, drinking the glass of water than Daniel set in front of me.

I ate the ham sandwich that appeared in front of me next, knowing better than to fuss when Daniel was in caretaker alpha mode. He knew that I secretly loved it, since I’d never been taken care of like this before. I almost made it through the entire sandwich too.

Pushing the plate aside with about a quarter of the sandwich left, I jumped up and ran for the bathroom. Skidding around the corner, I dropped to my knees and puked into the toilet bowl. I stayed there until nothing was left but dry heaves.

I felt Daniel’s presence behind me as a cool, wet cloth was laid across the back of my neck.

“Do you think that's it, or do you need to stay a little longer?” His hands massaged my shoulders as he knelt behind me. I leaned back into his strength, closing my eyes and letting him rub my tension away.

“I think I'm done for now.”

“Do you want to lie down? Or shall we cuddle on the couch? I made you some tea when you're feeling up to it.”

“Let's cuddle on the couch then. The ginger tea might be just the ticket right now. Do we have any crackers left?”

Daniel stood, and easily lifted me into his arms. “Of course, we do. There are as many crackers as you think you can handle.”

I smile wanly, resting my cheek against his shoulder. “I think that just a handful will be fine, babe.”

“Then that's what you'll get, honey. Now let's get you settled on the couch, and I'll round up that tea and crackers.”

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Thirteen

 

Daniel

 

 

 

After over two months of morning sickness, swollen ankles, and raging hormones, it was a relief to know that we were finally on the home stretch. I pitied the humans who had to watch their mates endure nine months of this hell.

I was excited about our pups, it was just awful to watch my mate suffer like he did. Now though, his biggest problem was a constantly urgent need to pee. With not one, but three pups pushing on his bladder, we joked that we should just install a toilet by the bed. I'd taken a hard pass at letting him piss in a bottle like he'd suggested out of desperation a few nights ago. Just no, honey. Not on my watch.

Doc Ollie was performing weekly ultrasounds now. He wanted to keep a close eye on our pups as Luke got closer to delivery. I was definitely on board with that. Luke had abandoned his pride at not allowing me to carry him in front of the pack anymore.

He was so large now, that it was easier for me to carry him the distance to the lodge. Not to mention the fact that Doc had put him on bed rest now. He was doing fine, it's just that his belly is so fucking huge.

I teased him once that his gut entered the room a few minutes before the rest of him, and it was hours before he spoke to me again. After that, I've been mindful not to tease him about that King-Kong sized baby bump.

“Hey, honey.” I said as I walked into our room. “I thought you'd be asleep still. Do you need to pee?”

“Ugh. Don't mention it or I will. No, I'm fine right now. Thank you, babe. Will you lay down and cuddle with me?”

“I was just planning to do that, actually. I feel like I haven't touched you in a week.” I pulled off my shirt while we talked, laying it across the chair that sat near the closet.

“Weirdo. You were only at work for three hours.”

“That's a lifetime when you're laid up like this, Luke. Did you have a good visit with your brother?” Pulling off my shoes, I put them in the closet and dropped my socks into the hamper after kicking them off. I unfastened my jeans and let them drop on the floor near the bed. I kept them close in case I needed to dress quickly if Luke's water broke.

He shrugged. “I guess. He told me I'm acting like a little bitch and that I'm just lucky that you haven't moved out yet.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing as I slid naked into our bed and assumed the big spoon position behind his equally nude body. “What made him say that?”

“He was pissing me off. Things might have been said. I dunno now. I forget. Is he right, Daniel? Am I little omega bitch now with no empathy for others?”

“No, honey. He was just upset in the moment. You're fine. You're growing three living beings in your belly. You have a right to be cranky. Just maybe try and save it for me. I have endless patience where you're concerned.”

“No shit. That's kinda fair though, since you're the one who did this to me.”

“Oh, yeah?” I growled and nipped at the shell of his ear. “What did I do to you?”

“Mmhmm.” Luke moaned, wiggling his round butt against my crotch. “I forget, maybe you should show me.”

I kissed his neck, trailing kisses along his shoulder as my hands stroked his large belly. “What would you like me to show you, honey?”

I could smell his arousal now. “Show me how you put these babies into my belly, babe.”

“I can do that.” Thankfully, I actually could do that, since Doc hadn't forbidden sex yet. He said that the hormones released during orgasm were good for Luke. Since I've never been one to argue with a doctor, I went right along with that one.

“I'm tired, babe. Can we just do it like this today?”

“Definitely. Knot or no? I can hold it back if you don't want to be tied to me.”

“No, knot me, babe. I want to nap and I always fall right asleep while we're knotted.”

I slid a hand down to cup his buttcheek, moving my fingertips into the crevice. I could feel his slick already seeping from his tight little pucker. Sliding my finger through the slick, I stroked his hole and teased my way inside.

Grunting, Luke rubbed back against my hand. “That's enough of that, babe. Just give me that big, fat cock. I'm tired and horny.”

Grinning at his demand, I grabbed my cock and lined myself up. Holding his cheeks apart, I guided myself into his hole. Luke was way too large now for anything acrobatic. I kept a firm grip on his hip and lazily fucked him with slow, steady strokes.

Feeding into our bond, I got my knot going by enjoying the dual sensations of feeling my hardness plunging in and out of his body from both of our perspectives. Once my knot formed, I sped up my thrusts. Rocking against him with shallow strokes, my knot filled him completely and rubbed up against his magic spot.

With a quiet gasp, Luke shot his seed across the mattress in front of him. Fuck, I loved the way my boy could come without having his dick touched. There was no bigger turn-on, in my opinion. Watching him come, triggered me and pushed over the edge.

I gave a loud groan, and filled his tight channel with a fat load of my cum. Once my body quit its involuntary jerks, I pulled my mate up against me. Resting my hand over his bellyful of our pups, I let myself drift off to sleep along with Luke.

 

I'm not sure how long we napped, but I woke up to the sound of Luke moaning in pain. I sat up, shaking my head a couple times to clear the sleep fog away. Sniffing the air, I tried to figure out what was different. When I felt the soaked bedding underneath us, I realized the truth. Luke's water had broken!

I leaned over and kissed his temple, as he clutched his stomach and grunted. “I'm going to have to leave you for a little bit. I have to get Doc now, honey.”

Luke nodded. “Please, just ask him to hurry? I know he won't let you stay, but I don't wanna be alone. Can you text Ryan?”

“You bet. Just hang in there, I promise someone will be here soon.”

I pulled on my jeans, and grabbed my shirt from the back of the chair, yanking it over my head as I headed for the door. I grabbed my phone off its charger in the living room, and fired off a text to Ryan on my way to get Doc.

Zane was outside with Trixie, thanks be to Fenris. “Are you okay, Daniel? You smell stressed as heck.”

I looked up from my phone distractedly. “Yeah. I need to find Doc. Luke's in labor.”

“Stay right there,” Zane instructed me firmly. Fenris help me, but I obeyed the little omega and stood there while he sent Trixie to knock on Doc's door. He stuck his head in their house for a minute, and seconds later, Owen was walking out with a baby-toting Karl right behind him.

Trixie came running back. “Doc isn't home, Daddy Zane.”

“That's fine,” Zane said. “Go with Papa Karl and get him for me, okay? He will be in his office at the lodge if he's not at home.”

Karl smiled gently at me, taking his pup and following the cub to the lodge. I stood there, scratching my head and trying to figure out what to do now. For the first time in my life, I had no idea what the plan was or how to even execute it if I'd had one.

Zane shook his head at my confusion, and shoved Owen at me. “I'm going to sit with Luke. The omegas are in charge. You alphas keep your asses at home until we send for you, okay?” He lifted up on his toes and planted a loud kiss on Owen's lips.

“I know the drill, Gingersnap. So does Daniel, when he finally comes out of his fog. He's sat with enough of us new dads over the past few years. Don't worry. I'll keep him occupied. Is Karl coming back, or is he staying at the lodge?”

“No,” Zane said as he backed up the walkway to my front door. “Karl will be back. He's dropping the munchkins off with Aries and Sy. Kai too, I think. They're watching all the pack pups and cubs while Luke gives birth.”

I was interested that the omegas had a plan in place and a network to carry it off, but I was still too deep in my fog to comment. Zane disappeared into my house, as Ryan came running up.

“Doc will be here in five. And Alpha Jake told me to let you know that he's coming over with Seth and Micah to hang with you guys at Owen's house.”

I nodded and he went into our cabin. Owen shook his head at me, and guided me toward his house. “Come on, dude. I'll give you a shot of this nice scotch Karl brought home the other day. It will snap you out of it, and put a little more hair on that furry chest of yours.”

I asked as we went inside, “Why are all the guys coming over here?”

Owen laughed and said: “Are you fucking kidding me right now? Do you think that any of us wants to miss seeing Mr. Fucking Perfect lose his shit while his omega gives birth to not one, not two, but three precious pups? This is gonna be epic.”

The other guys showed up at some point after my second shot, and I was starting to loosen up. The only problem was, I'd skipped lunch to fuck Luke, so I was a little too loose now.

“Owen.” Karl chided. “How much did you give our friend to drink? He will not want to miss this day, yes?”

“Chill, babe. He only had two shots. I don't know why he's acting like such a newb.”

Jake grinned. “Danny boy. Did you eat lunch today?”

I shook my head. “No, Luke needed me and then I fell asleep.”

“There's your answer,” Jake told Owen. “Fix the dude a sandwich.”

“Yeah,” Micah chimed in. “Fix a pile of them and break out the cards. We have a long night ahead of us.”

Owen started to say something, but Karl quietly shoved him toward the kitchen. They came back a few minutes later with a platter of sandwiches and a deck of cards. The rest of the afternoon and evening flew by as we hung out together while my friends distracted me from my worry for Luke.

A little after ten that night, Zane finally came through the door. I dropped my cards and looked up at him desperately.

“Calm down, big guy. Get over there in one piece. You have three pups and a tired mate to greet.”

I nodded, “Do you know what they are? Boys? Girls? A mix?”

“Of course, I know. I helped clean them up. Now get the fuck off your alpha ass and go find out for yourself, because I'm not telling you! That's Luke's right.”

I stared at the little redhead for a moment, trying to wrap my brain around what he was saying. Micah and Jake started laughing, and pulled me up. They started shoving me toward the door.

We got outside, and Jake pushed my back towards my front door. “Hurry up, Danny boy. Go meet your pups and hug your omega. This is gonna be the best moment of your whole life.”

I turned and gave Micah a quick hug, then Jake. “Thanks guys, and thanks for being there for me today.”

“Anytime, Danny boy. Fenris knows, you've always been there for us. Now hurry up before Luke decides to cut your balls off for taking too long,” Jake laughed.

I realized quickly though that he was actually half-right. Who knows what my hormonal little omega might decide to do if I pissed him off right now? Not wanting to find out, I rushed inside and went straight to our room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Fourteen

 

Luke

 

 

 

I looked up as Daniel came into our room. I smiled happily and reached a hand out for him. Ryan was sitting on the chair near our closet holding my daughter, while I had our sons in my arms.

Daniel looked down at the pup in Uncle Ryan's arms, and then over at me. He looked overwhelmed. Tears filled his eyes as I beckoned him over to me.

“Sit down, babe. Get comfortable so that you can finally hold one of your sons.”

His eyes popped open as he slid in beside me and reached for the pup closest to him. “We got boys?”

“Two boys,” I corrected. “And one little princess.”

His face went all gooey when he realized that we'd had a girl. “Are we going with the names that we talked about?”

 

Daniel

 

 

Luke smiled and pulled back the blanket on the baby he held. He lifted out the little foot to show me a braided leather cord that was fastened around the pup’s tiny ankle. Little blue beads threaded through the braid spelled out “Zeke”.

I grinned, and pulled back the blanket of the babe I held. He wore a matching anklet. His spelled out “Zander”.

Ryan carefully stood and came over to sit down on the side of the bed near me. He held out my little girl's foot. Her leather anklet spelled out “Daisy”.

“I love that you made them identifying anklets! That's so smart, honey. When did you do that? And what if the sexes had been wrong?”

Luke smirked at me. “Please. My mate taught me that plans need back-up plans. And that the backup plans should have contingencies!”

I chuckled quietly, not wanting to disturb our pups. “And what exactly does that mean, Luke?”

Ryan rolled his eyes and answered instead. “What my smug brother is trying to say is that he did it to surprise you. Also, Luke wanted to be able to tell the babies apart. We tagged each one as they came out. He was afraid we'd get them mixed up if we didn't, since there's three of them.”

“That makes sense,” I agreed. “Good plan, honey.” I leaned over to kiss his cheek, mindful not to squish the babies. “But what about the genders?”

Luke giggled. “Easy. I had extra bracelets with the other names we'd chosen waiting on stand-by.”

I laughed, stretching my free arm out to pull my mate up against me. I looked over at Ryan, sitting there alone with my daughter.

“Get over here, Ryan.” I nodded to the empty spot beside me on the bed. “Snuggle in here so that we can all admire the babies together.”

Ryan rolled his eyes, but grinned happily as he scooted in next to me with little Daisy. We sat there for what seemed like hours, admiring the babies while Luke and Ryan told me about the labor process and the story of my pup’s birth.

I understood Doc's rule about no alphas in the delivery room. We alphas tended to get pissed when our omegas were in pain. We can't help it, it's a shifter thing. Doc only allows omegas there to assist, and the alpha father has to make himself scarce for the duration. Yeah, I understood completely, but I still hated it.

I would've liked to have seen my pups enter the world. I mentioned that to Luke, and Ryan groaned. He pulled out his phone and fired off a text. My phone pinged before I could ask what he was doing.

Moving my arm from around Luke, I dug out my phone and looked at the text. Ryan had taken photos of each pup entering the world. There was about a dozen photos of different stages of the delivery. I looked over at him with tears in my eyes.

“Ryan. This is an amazing gift. Thank you!”

Ryan blushed and shrugged his shoulders. “Luke said that you were bummed about missing it, so I asked Doc if it was okay. He didn't have a problem with it, so I did it for you guys. I know how much that you and Luke like to have pictures of everything anyway.”

I looked back at my phone one more time before putting it back in my pocket. I leaned over to kiss my mate, completely happy with my new family.

“Hey, babe?” Luke said a few minutes later, as Ryan dozed against my shoulder. “I should probably let you know, my brother is coming to stay in our guest room for a few weeks to help us with the triplets.”

“That's a good plan,” I agreed. “He doesn't mind?”

“Are you kidding? He's stoked to be an uncle. He'd want be here anyway, so I told him that he might as well stay and give us a hand.”

I nodded, “Well. You can't blame him. I mean, these are the cutest pups I've ever seen, don't you think?”

Luke grinned. “Of course, they are! I mean, just look at their parents. We should go put them in the nursery and get some sleep.”

I groaned, not wanting to move. “Well, the nursery did turn out beautifully, but I don't think that I can move just yet.”

I'd painted the walls a mint green, and Ryan had helped me paint little wolf shapes here and there. The white cribs had forest green bedding. A matching forest green lampshade sat atop a lamp with a wolf base on the white dresser. It was a woodland inspired nursery that was perfect for either gender.

I leaned back against the headboard, looking back and forth at our pups. Luke rested his head against my shoulder, reminding me of how lucky I was to have him in my life. Even little Ryan was a treasured member of my family now.

The six of us here in this room, this was my family. I would protect these five precious souls around me with my last breath, if need be.

It's funny, I thought to myself. I'd spent a lifetime making plans. Never in my wildest dreams would I have planned this family for myself. And yet, this unplanned family was the best thing that had ever happened to me.

I couldn't wait to see what plans fate had in store for us in the future. But for now? Right now, my only plan was to get these pups to their cribs and maybe get some sleep before the sun came up.

 

Fin  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Don’t miss the other great books in this series. Every book can be read on its own, but are best enjoyed in series order for maximum enjoyment.

 

Omega Stolen: Book 1

Omega Remembered: Book 2

Omega Healed: Book 3

Omega Shared: Book 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming Soon:

Omega Accepted

Northern Lodge Pack Series - Book Six

 

 

 

Omega Accepted is the story of Maxx and Oskar.  Maxx has been waiting for a mate of his own. He's watched every alpha in his pack from his older brother to his best friends, all couple up one by one with omegas to call their own. Maxx has always believed in fate, and he knows that Fenris above has the perfect wolf fated to be his mate. It's just a matter of when they will meet.

 

Oskar is a bear. He doesn't believe in fated mates, nor does he want a mate at all for that matter. After nearly losing his life to his ex, Oskar doesn't want to ever have to answer to an alpha again. What he doesn't expect, is to meet a little wolf alpha that makes his big bear heart turn to goo.

 

Both men have secrets. Neither man ever dreamed of mating outside of their own kind. Can they find away to meet each other in the middle and honestly find a way to accept each other as they are, flaws and all? In order to find true love, they need to at least try.