“Dad! I set up the crib. I want to show you.” Rowan stood in the doorway of the study, while I finished up knitting Griffin’s first stocking for the holidays.

“Tate is in the other room, sweetie,” I said.

Five months had passed since we first met, and the leaves had now turned a beautiful auburn color. The nature around the lake was astounding this time of year, but I couldn’t seem to enjoy it as much as I wanted to. There was always something more to finish in preparation for the new baby, and to be honest, I was feeling a little exhausted.

“I wanted to show you first, dad,” Rowan said.

I set down the stocking and took off my reading glasses. This was the first time Rowan ever called me “Dad.”

“I’d love to see it,” I said. “Let me just get out of this old rocking chair.”

“Let me help you!” Rowan ran over to help me out of my seat as I comically struggled to push my body up. Sometimes, I didn’t realize just how big I was getting.

“Oof,” I groaned as I stepped onto my feet. My back and chest felt sore, and I could barely catch my breath. I was craving all sorts of things—Adoration, love… food, sex…

I slowly gave into the idea that my body was more than a body now. It was a machine for the baby to stay alive. Of course, that was beautiful, but it was the first time I had been put as second. Sometimes, that wasn’t so much fun.

As Rowan and I stepped into the baby’s room, I dreamt of running into the lake for a nice swim. I thought of going on a long hike or going out joyriding in the police car on the old dirt roads. I couldn’t do much of that anymore, and it was beginning to depress me.

“Well, what do you think?” Rowan asked.

“Oh, Rowan! It’s beautiful!” I walked up to the pink bassinet and ran my hands across the soft edges.

“It’s a little lamb,” Rowan said. “See the front?”

On the front was a cute lamb’s head, and it’s short tail stuck out of the back. Rowan tapped the rear, and it made a rattling noise. “Ugh, I’m going to die from cuteness, Rowan. I love it so much,” I said.

“I also got him this big guy!” Rowan ran toward the closet and pulled out a massive Winnie The Pooh plush doll. It was the size of a real baby bear.

“Holy moly. Where did you get that thing?” I asked.

“I used to have one just like this,” Rowan said. “I didn’t know what happened to it, so I searched online for weeks.”

It filled my heart with so much joy to see Rowan so excited for his little brother to come into the world. At first, I was worried about how he might react. Thirteen-year-old boys behave in such different ways, but Tate assured me he was ready for this.

“Griffin is going to be lucky to call you his brother,” I said, proudly.

“I don’t want him to worry like I did, growing up,” Rowan said, lowering his eyes. “There are so many people here who want to tear our happiness away. He needs to know that he can count on me.”

I hugged Rowan and closed my eyes. I loved him so much, and it was an honor to have him in my life.

A few minutes later, Tate walked through the door. “The mayor is home!” he yelled out.

“Hey, babes,” I said. “Rowan was just showing me the new crib.”

“The lamb? It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Tate walked into the room. He was clean-shaven and wearing a suit for the fundraiser party he was invited to tonight.

“Dang, dad! You cleaned up well,” Rowan said.

Tate ran his fingers across his cheeks and chin. “Thanks, but it feels wrong not to have any facial hair. And this suit feels like it’s choking me,” Tate said.

“Well, you only have to wear that stuff to the fundraisers,” I said.

“It’s not like I’m raising any funds from those people. But I take pride in the fact that the people in the outer city have donated to my campaign,” Tate said. “But I think I might have bitten off more than I can chew.”

Tate groaned and hobbled toward me, acting like he had been subjected to torture all day. He hugged me and gave me the longest kiss while holding my stomach. “But I love you so much and it feels like heaven to be home,” Tate whispered.

“You signed up for this. You just had to run for mayor,” I said.

“Mr. Big-shot,” Rowan said, winking.

“Yeah, well, the polls aren’t saying that,” Tate said. “Anyway, I never thought I could win this. I’m only doing it because it’s something I believe in.”

Tate wanted to change this town for the better, but the attacks against him had turned vicious. Sid’s father, Sasha Carwell, had run a dozen ads calling him “…a lunatic who left the town behind when they needed him most.”

The polls didn’t give us the most optimism in the world, but I kept telling Tate that they were skewed. No one could predict the outcome until the ballots had been counted.

“Don’t believe the polls, dad,” Rowan said. “Believe in yourself.”

Rowan’s words brought a smile to both our faces. “I will, buddy,” Tate said. “Now, I’m going to steal your dad away from you. I haven’t had much alone time. Are you cooking dinner tonight?” Tate asked Rowan.

“Me? Heck no,” Rowan said, high-tailing out of the room.

“Well, there’s my answer,” Tate laughed and put his arms around me. “I’ll get cooking, but I want to take a walk with you outside. It’s a beautiful day out, and I miss you so much.”

Tate had been active lately, and I fully supported him. The only hard thing was not knowing what to do with myself all day. The department had let me go this month because I was too pregnant to work.

It was unofficial, and I knew they were obligated to bring me back, but we both understood that I wasn’t coming back. It was a weird transition in my life, but I wanted to be there for our baby Griffin as much as I could. That was far more important than going on patrol with people who didn’t enjoy my company.

“I’d love to go on a walk with you,” I said.

Tate had such a different air to him. He was excited about life, and the baby only pushed him to be more considerate. I couldn’t believe how great of a partner he had been to me during this whole time.

“Here, let me help you,” Tate said. He opened the front door and helped me down the stairs.

“Such a gentleman,” I said, winking.

In the distance, I noticed a set of headlights pointed toward the lake. Curiously, we headed in that direction, so I knew Tate had planned something special. “What’s going on? I thought we were just going on a nice walk,” I said.

“We are,” Tate said.

“Yeah, but is that Sergi’s van? What is he doing here?” I asked.

Tate didn’t reveal his motives, until we were standing in front of the van. “Sergi isn’t here,” Tate said. “Okay, you ready?”

“Ready for what? I’m so confused, Tate,” I said.

Without any warning, Tate slid open the Ford van door. When I saw what was inside, I couldn’t believe my eyes. “Oh, Tate. This… you did this for me?” I asked, holding my palms against my mouth.

Tate decorated the inside of the van with beautiful lights, red and different shades of green. “I know it’s closer to Halloween, but we’re reaching our six months together,” Tate said, bashfully. “I wanted to surprise you with something.”

With butterflies in my stomach, I clutched against the van door so I wouldn’t float away. No man in the history of my relationships had done anything this sweet for me.

“I’ll help you inside,” Tate said. He lifted my butt into the van and stepped inside.

Inside, there was more than I expected. In one corner of the van was a bowl full of loose flowers. In another corner was a small, handmade podium. On top of it was a…

“Tate. What is that on the podium there?” My voice trembled in a whisper as I pointed my shaking finger at the small black box.

“Go ahead. Open it,” Tate said, smiling.

I slowly crawled toward the box. I took it in my hand and tried my hardest not to freak out. I knew what was coming.

“I never thought I’d be doing this again with someone. I pictured myself hardened and angry. I thought my life had been taken from me, but I didn’t know I would be offered a second chance,” Tate said. “Now that I have you in my life, I feel like a real person again. You have taught me how to love, grow, and find the guy I used to be. You have given me everything, Elliot. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I love you, and I’ll always love you. Will you marry me?”

Under the twinkling lights, I threw myself at him, knocking him to the van floor. “Yes!” I bawled. “I’ll marry you over and over again if I have to. I want to spend every waking second in this family.”

“I love you, my dear,” Tate said. “But you forgot to look at the ring.” Tate held me close, curling his legs around my back.

“Oh, God. You’re right,” I said, laughing. I lowered myself to the floor of the van, and Tate spooned me as I opened the box. Inside was the most beautifully cut diamond, resting in the center of the ring.

“Look at the inscription,” Tate suggest.

Etched into the ring were the words, “Elliot and Tate. Forever.”

“You have saved my damn life,” Tate said. “I hope I can repay you.” Tate gently slid the ring over my finger.

I kissed him, endlessly pursuing my lips around his. He tasted sweet and his scent pushed me into a loving trance, beautiful and undying. “I know one way you can repay me,” I whispered.

My cock rose against my pelvis. Tate’s hand loosened around my belly. He slowly slid his palm down, until it rested on my package. “How’s this for a start?” he asked.

“Fuck,” I whispered and breathed in heavy. His hand curled around my shaft, tugging downward gently. I grew against his warm palm and pushed my ass back against him.

Tate kissed the side of my neck, sending shivers up my spine. “You smell so fucking good,” Tate said, grinning. His hand moved to my ass, spreading my cheeks apart.

“And this butt… I’ve been staring at it for months now. I’d die for this ass,” Tate said, smacking it.

I lowered myself onto my knees and arched my back. “Spank me again,” I said. “Harder.”

Tate bit his lower lip. “Are you sure?” he asked.

I nodded slowly, propping my chin against the floor. I gave him a look he couldn’t resist. “I want you so bad right now. You don’t understand, Tate. I need you,” I said.

Tate wound his palm back, and when his hand connected with my ass, I felt a flood of pleasure release through my body. “I’ll always be yours,” I said. “Now, get behind me, daddy.”

Tate achingly collapsed his arms around my body, gently running his hands across every curve of my form. He fell into the landscape of my body, kissing up and down my tight skin. Emotions were high and the heat inside of me seemed to reactivate.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bottle of lube. A knowing smile revealed on my face. “Were you planning on this, Tate?” I asked, holding back my laughter.

“Well, I was hoping I’d get lucky. I didn’t know how lucky I’d get, but a man has to be prepared for everything that comes his way,” Tate said.

“You’ve always been a prepared alpha,” I said, looking down at the center of his jeans. I reached back and felt his hard cock underneath the sturdy denim. The mere thought of him inside of me drove me crazy.

Tate let a small stream of lubricant fall across my cheeks. He smoothed the contents out across my skin, until finally, I felt Tate’s warm fingers tap against my hole. Pushing lightly, he slowly slipped the edge of his finger inside.

“Don’t tease me,” I said in hushed tones. “Slide it all the way in.”

“How bad do you want it?” Tate asked.

I cocked my head to the side and stared at him keenly. “If you don’t fuck me hard, the baby isn’t going to come on time. We’re doing this for the baby!” I growled.

It sure felt like that. These days, I’d watch Tate leave for some fundraiser, or I’d see him cooking dinner, and I’d feel a primal desire pulling me into his body. I’d hang off his chest, kissing his lips until he was out the door.

I couldn’t stop fantasizing, and as the nights progressed, my fantasies grew even stronger. Instead of quickly falling asleep, I’d think of Tate hungrily waking me up in the middle of the night, cock pressing against my backside.

Now that we were getting married, I couldn’t hold these thoughts back. I needed to feel him, and I needed him to make me feel handsome and desired in the same way.

“I’ve created a sex-crazed omega,” Tate said.

“I’m tainted,” I replied.

The world slowed to a near halt as I felt Tate’s fingers glide inside of me. I closed my eyes and pushed back, savoring every second of it. The anticipation drove me crazy, and a giddy sensation pushed me to say, “I’m ready, Tate. Fuck me.”

My body had changed. First, it was my chemistry. Then, it was my ability to get pregnant. Now, sex actually felt different. The pressure I normally felt when he entered me was gone. As soon as his head pressed against my hole, a ricochet of pleasure took control of me.

I would have sacrificed just about anything to be that close to him. His strong body molded me to his desire, and I seemed to fall into his love with every inch that filled me with his trust.

I trusted Tate with my entire life, and he knew this. We both knew how strong our bond had grown since the time he first called me over.

“You’re so handsome,” Tate whispered against my ear. “Can you feel how much I need you?”

I shivered when he said those words. A big smile curled against my cheeks. I felt his size behind me, and it echoed that very same sentiment. He was rock hard for me, and his uninhibited desire went unchallenged. We longed for each other and the future, but every moment of the present was cherished.

I trembled against him, straightening my back to feel his strong chest. His arms slowly curled around my ribcage, holding me steady for him. Inch by inch, he caressed into me. His hot breath made contact with my neck before his lips suctioned down.

“I could be loved like this forever,” I thought to myself as he rocked his hips back and forth, slowly. I could wake up every morning and be taken by him, held by him, and loved by him. If that happened, I would die a happy omega because this is what love felt like.

Deep groans of pleasure left Tate’s mouth. His big hand curled around my firm cock. Pre-cum dripped onto the blanket beneath us, as Tate began to rock his wrist back and forth as he pumped into me. I was so hard that I began to wonder how fast I was going to blow.

I reached in between my legs and placed my hand against his. We both began stroking my cock in unique rhythms. I felt my balls tighten with heat. Then, Tate lowered my hands to the floor and pinned me. I closed my eyes and let him take control of me.

“How bad did you need this, baby?” he asked.

“So bad,” I whimpered. “Pull my hair.”

Tate jerked back slightly, and then thrust forward, deeper. He latched onto my hips and let his desire carry him further. “Pull my hair,” I repeated.

His hand furrowed through the back of my hair, clutching around the roots. He took control and pulled back. “Yes,” I groaned with absolute satisfaction. “Now, ride me.”

I rocked my hips back, until I felt his balls tap against mine. I could feel the pressure rising up in my core, sending me to new heights of deep pleasure. Within every thrust, Tate’s cock massaged against my omega spot.

“I’m going to blow my load inside you, sweetheart,” Tate moaned.

I lurched forward with a smile. Tate pinned his body against mine. He grabbed his ass in my hand started pumping feverishly. Tate turned wild, driving me to the brink of my orgasm. He drove his cock into me, deeper and deeper, finally sliding out when he couldn’t take anymore.

“But first, I want to gaze into your beautiful eyes,” Tate muttered. He took hold of my body and gently turned me over. “And I want to feel this bump while I fuck you,” he added.

His hands loved on my belly. I felt a little vulnerable, but as soon as his lips caressed around my tight skin, I started to let go. He passionately kept his hands around me, as he thrust inside of me, slow and deep.

His heavy breathing grew louder and more intense as he pushed my legs back, gripping tightly. Tate kissed my thighs. Lovingly, I reached forward and touched his abdomen. The strong ripples of muscle were enough to send me over the edge.

As his tender affection overtook me, I let all of my guards down. I remembered the first time we kissed and the way our legs curled around each other in the cold water. The darkness of the area awakened something in me, true and profound.

Love was the only answer I could count on. I tried to be happy with my career, with my identity, and the people I found myself surrounded by. At the end of the day, the only thing that set me free was Tate’s love.

All my life I had wanted to find someone who treated me right. Somebody that held me the way Tate does, and treated me like a prince seemed like a dream. But this was real life, and the fantasy had turned into reality. I was blessed.

Nothing in the world could tear us apart. Nothing.

“Tate, I’m going to cum,” I said, as the pleasure swept through my core.

My omega spot swelled, even ached, until I felt my orgasm give way. My eyes shot open, as he buried himself inside of me, completely unrestrained. “Cum for me, darling,” Tate whispered.

I clutched against his hips and held him close to me. “Kiss me,” I whispered. Tate brought his lips to mine as I let it all go.

The pleasure came in massive currents rippling through my body. Every muscle tightened and released. My cock bobbed into the air until streams of cum blew onto my stomach and chest.

Tate pulled away, dragging his lips and tongue across my chest. He kissed tenderly against my trembling stomach. My orgasm seemed to be unending, running smooth and warm down to my thighs.

“Cum inside me, Tate,” I whispered, over and over again.

Tate was already so close that his eyes glazed with fulfillment. He slowly stopped pumping as his balls shot up toward his shaft, turning rock hard. Tate edged inside of me, eyes scanning my features before he burst.

I bite my lower lip and gently rocked my hips from side to side, slowly burying more of his cock inside. Suddenly, he couldn’t hold back any longer.

“I’m… oh, fuck,” he moaned.

The sharp orgasm hit him straight in his cock, aching to be set free. His chin jutted into the air, strained and tense. In an instant, his shoulders relaxed, and his body quivered. I felt his cock bounce inside of me as the waves of warm cum slowly filled my hole.

Tate humbled himself. He clenched his teeth and held his breath. “I’m yours forever,” he moaned as the last drops spilled. Slowly, he slid out of me, and we instinctually coiled up together in the van.

The sounds of the forest surrounded us as we cuddled silently. I closed my eyes and buried myself in his chest. I said, “We really have everything. Don’t we?”

“We do now, husband,” he said.

The realization set in again. The feeling was something akin to waking up on Christmas morning and discovering that the present you asked for had been delivered right under the tree. I felt dizzy with excitement.

My family was turning into something beautiful. In less than four months, we’d have a new family member. Griffin would be adding so many new memories to our lives.

But just as we were falling into the splendor of our love, I saw a set of familiar lights roll up onto Tate’s property. It was the police.

“What in the hell…” Tate darted up and shook his head. “What are they doing here?”

I peered out of the van window as more and more police cars surrounded the van. I counted each vehicle. “Tate, this isn’t good. There are five cars,” I said.

Tate handed me a towel. “Wait here,” he said.

“No. Don’t,” I said. “I’ll talk to them. I know them.”

“Look at us,” Tate whispered. “We’re in a creepy van, and we’re covered in sweat and lubricant.”

“They’ve seen worse,” I said, wiping myself clean. I threw on my clothes and stepped out of the van.

Daniel Thornton was the first man I identified, and he had his pistol aimed right at me. “On the ground, hands above your head!” he screamed.

This was the first time I had seen Daniel point his weapon. I knew exactly what their real aim was. They wanted to scare us into leaving again.

I put my hands into the air and jerked my head at Tate. His hands were shaking with anger and resentment. “Don’t,” I said.

The scene grew worse when Rowan ran onto the porch, screaming, “Dad!”

“Stay back, kid,” Sheriff Blake stepped out of his car. In his mouth was a big wad of chewing tobacco. He spit a black glob onto the dirt and walked forward.

“Tate Highland. Elliot Marie… How ya’ll doing?” Sheriff Blake asked me.

Tate and I lowered our bodies to our knees in silence. “Mind telling us what’s going on, Sheriff?” I asked.

“Well, we received an alarming call,” the sheriff said. He took off his hat and held it against his chest, continuing to walk closer to us. “We just want to inspect the home.”

“Like hell,” Tate spat. “You need a warrant for that.”

“Daniel!” the sheriff waved at Daniel Thornton. “Where’s that search warrant? Bring it out for me.”

Daniel proudly walked toward the sheriff with the warrant outstretched in front of him. “Got it right here, sheriff,” Daniel said, proudly.

“Teacher’s pet,” I whispered.

Daniel twisted his head and angrily walked up on me. “What did you just say, boy?” Daniel wound his hand back, but the sheriff grabbed Daniel’s wrist and bent it. Daniel fell to his knees in pain.

“Get back in line, officer,” the sheriff said. Kneeling down in front of Tate, he whispered, “You just had to run for mayor. Didn’t you? You couldn’t just fucking leave?”

“Is that what this is about?” Tate’s gruff voice turned an octave deeper. “Well, go fuck yourself, sheriff.”

The words shocked me, but as soon as the sheriff spat on Tate’s face, I nearly tore his face off. “Watch your mouth, guy,” Sheriff Blake muttered. “You know, I remember when we found your last omega on the highway. It was midnight. That’s about the time Sid leaves the old Palo Verde bar every night, correct?”

“Tate, I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “Don’t listen to him. Don’t give into his game.”

“Game? This is life, son,” Sheriff Blake muttered. “You best listen up.”

“It’s okay,” Tate whispered to me. “I can deal with this. We have to keep the baby in mind.”

Sheriff Blake smiled and took a step back. He raised his voice loud enough that it echoed across the lake. “We’re here about your boy. We heard you got some weapons stored inside your closet,” he said, pointing. “We just want to make sure the home is safe for Rowan and your inept father.”

It felt like a knife wound to the gut. I reeled forward and vomited. “You son of a bitch!” I cried out.

“Disgusting,” Daniel said, shaking his head. “Once a putrid beta, always a putrid beta. Right, sheriff?”

The rest of the officers laughed, but the sheriff was more methodical with his hatred. “Alright,” he said, clapping his hands together. “Let’s move. We don’t have all night.”

Rowan ran down the steps of the porch, crying. “Dad, they can’t do this,” he muttered.

“Rowan, please,” Tate said with tears welling in the corners of his eyes. “Just do what they say. Everything will be okay.”

I kept my head down and tried with all my might not to break down and cry with omega fury. My eyes were fixed on my engagement ring. Everything felt hollow and dark.

Rowan kept running, but the sheriff quickly grabbed him and slung him over his shoulders. “Calm down, son. Or we’ll have to take you in with your papa,” the sheriff said.

Tate couldn’t hold back how he felt. It wasn’t in his nature to give up a fight. Once they touched his child, all bets were off.

Tate lunged at the sheriff, but he didn’t get more than five feet before Daniel shot him with his taser.

“No!” I screamed. Tears flooded my vision. Daniel kept the electricity running for longer than he was instructed. “Daniel! Stop!” I screamed.

Rowan ran from the sheriff’s arms. In his hand was his cell phone, and he was recording the whole thing. I noticed the security cameras that Tate had installed months ago. That meant that all of the night’s activities had been caught on tape.

I fell to the floor and rolled onto my back, staring into the night sky. I felt utterly hopeless, but that wasn’t what shook me the most. I felt useless.

As Tate writhed against the dirt, everything started to slow down. I felt the cold handcuffs close around my wrists. Two policemen picked me up from the ground. They dragged me toward the police vehicle.

Stay strong. Stay fucking strong, Elliot. I turned and called out to Rowan. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll figure this all out.”

“But what do I do?” Rowan cried out in desperation. Then, his voice turned to a whisper. “Dad. What do I do?”

Tate was handcuffed and pushed forcefully against the car. “You’re the man of the house now. Take care of Elliot’s father.”

Rowan wiped his tears away and straightened his back. I witnessed a slow and deeply painful understanding form in his eyes. These moments shaped people, and it broke my heart to see him forced to become an adult so quickly.

We lived in a hard area, and the times were tough. The land was rife with political strife, and everyone was essentially focused on their small tribes. In a forest town such as this, anything could happen. But this was the last time they fucked with us.

We were going to fight this to the bitter end.

“In the car,” Daniel Thornton said, lowering my head.

“Keep your fucking hands off him, Daniel, or I’ll find you and eat you for dinner,” Tate growled. His eyes were wild with adrenaline. Daniel backed off and remained silent.

In the car, all we could do was turn around and stare out of the back window. The sight of Rowan being taken in by federal agents was gut wrenching and despicable.

“Weapons,” Tate muttered. “I don’t have any weapons except for a show rifle. They won’t win this. They can’t.”

“You’re a good man, Tate,” I whispered. Tears fell onto my ring.

“I love you,” Tate whispered. There was still so much hope packed into those words.

The night was dark and full of surprises. As the cars turned back to the jail, I leaned against my alpha, my man, my forever.

“I love you” was a battle cry.